That’s So MLS is the Major League Soccer podcast for the long-suffering fan of the world’s most chaotic league. Hosted by journalist Andrew Bates and ex-casual defender Nick Thornton, TSMLS looks at club soccer from a Canadian perspective, with coverage of games and news from around North America.
Episodes
Thursday Aug 15, 2019
Giving Fascists the Red Card
Thursday Aug 15, 2019
Thursday Aug 15, 2019
There was some great footy this week but unfortunately supporters had to reckon with getting tossed out of stadiums, receiving bans, and having their belongings confiscated, all because the league can't decide how it feels about supporting fascists, Nazis, and violent thugs. We do talk about the golazos, the continued dominance of some familiar faces, and the firing of two MLS coaches, one who couldn't keep from blowing his lid and the other because he lost to Philadelphia?
Saturday Aug 10, 2019
Nine is Not Enough
Saturday Aug 10, 2019
Saturday Aug 10, 2019
Andrew and Nick talk Alejandro Bedoya's call to end gun violence, DC's busy transfer day and a goal-filled *checks notes* Colorado Rapids game?
Monday Aug 05, 2019
Plague Season
Monday Aug 05, 2019
Monday Aug 05, 2019
Nick, back from international duty, and Bates tackle the newest calamity plaguing the Rapids, Whitecaps getting a point, the All-Star Game and the post-World Cup NWSL bump.
Friday Jul 26, 2019
Competing Golazos
Friday Jul 26, 2019
Friday Jul 26, 2019
With Nick on international duty, Ricardo Bortolon returns to talk with Bates about El Trafico, bad boy Zlatan, Whitecaps, and the NWSL homecoming matches.
Saturday Jul 20, 2019
Sunday Jul 14, 2019
Always Look On The Bright Side of L(AFC)ife
Sunday Jul 14, 2019
Sunday Jul 14, 2019
While some of our favorite teams continue to struggle, the LAFC juggernaut continues to roll (mostly over us) and San Jose, New England, and Cincinnati (?!) all begin to find their form. We also discuss what, if anything, changes now that the Women's World Cup is over.
Thursday Jul 04, 2019
Quaking In Our Boots
Thursday Jul 04, 2019
Thursday Jul 04, 2019
In a not so great if you're a Canada or Whitecaps fan kind of week, we turn our attention to our beloved but still struggling Caps, some upsets in the Women's World Cup, and all the MLS matches of a busy soccer week. Most surprisingly, all of a sudden the team to beat in the league is... San Jose? We talk about the Quakes revolution as well as how teams like New England and Colorado have also been able to change their fortunes.
Monday Jul 01, 2019
The Rapinoe Effect
Monday Jul 01, 2019
Monday Jul 01, 2019
This week we talk about Megan Rapinoe and the USWNT continued dominance, people's discomfort with politics in sports, heartbreak for the Canadians and then a week of MLS matches that really didn't tell us too much about any team except that the Whitecaps still really like to make life hard for Rooney still really doesn't like Orlando.
Friday Jun 21, 2019
Goodbye, Group Stage
Friday Jun 21, 2019
Friday Jun 21, 2019
This week as the international break continues, we turn our attention almost solely to the Women's World Cup including all the drama from the group stages, our not so hot take on a number of retaken penalties, and what it will take to stop the powerhouse teams. We also briefly chat about the US Open Cup, Canadian Premier League piggybacks, and some bad news for one of our favourite MLS players.
Friday Jun 14, 2019
Unnatural Positions
Friday Jun 14, 2019
Friday Jun 14, 2019
Nick and Andrew talk the first round of Women's World Cup games, U.S. as soccer villains, ways to fix the handball rule and an all-time goalkeeping howler.
Sunday Jun 09, 2019
A Goal is a Goal Unless it's an Own Goal
Sunday Jun 09, 2019
Sunday Jun 09, 2019
This week we break down a comical week chock full of mistakes at the back (that continued at the time of recording) and look at the teams whose favours are starting to change ahead of the break, and those who just can't seem to catch a break.
Friday May 31, 2019
Ibra's Back and there's Going to be Trouble
Friday May 31, 2019
Friday May 31, 2019
This week we take a look at a tale of two very different LA teams, a massive away effort from San Jose, and finally some movement from the Whitecaps to address abuse allegations. We also dissect the teams who are on the rise, bounding up and down, and those who are flat-lining.
Friday May 24, 2019
The Wondo Show
Friday May 24, 2019
Friday May 24, 2019
This week we tip our hats to Chris Wondolowski as he broke the all-time MLS scoring record in emphatic fashion. We talk about teams like LA Galaxy and San Jose getting a much needed boost, as well as where some clubs continue to just spin their wheels.
Thursday May 16, 2019
Chaotic Fortunate
Thursday May 16, 2019
Thursday May 16, 2019
Nick and Andrew talk the week's MLS news, including emergency Bruce Arena, the Galaxy's shifting luck and the next stage in Whitecaps protests.
Friday May 10, 2019
Friday May 03, 2019
Houston... We Have a Playoff Contention Team
Friday May 03, 2019
Friday May 03, 2019
This week we start with a look at the ongoing dumpster fire that is the Whitecaps front office and response to abuse allegations. We break down some teams that just can't quit: especially Houston and Montreal, who seem content to (not so) quietly climb up the table. Plus we dive into the first ever weekend of Canadian Premier League action. Oh yeah, and Philly won while we recorded.
Saturday Apr 27, 2019
Do You Wish to Parley
Saturday Apr 27, 2019
Saturday Apr 27, 2019
In an action packed week, we were seeing 50 shades of blue as MLS teams donned their parley kits for Earth Day, which taught us... something about Earth? The Earthquakes bounced back, giants continued to stumble, and the Whitecaps very nearly played well over two games. We also cover some of the disconnect that seems to be happening between clubs and their fan base, especially with another walkout planned in Vancouver.
Friday Apr 19, 2019
If You're Going To Be a One Player Team
Friday Apr 19, 2019
Friday Apr 19, 2019
In another week of unpredictable games and results, we look at some teams that are starting to right their respective ships, and also at some MLS giants who seem to be a long way off. We talk about behaviour from players as well, including a rare moment of taking Ibra's side and of course we talk about Kaku kicking a ball at fans.
Thursday Apr 18, 2019
The Minnows Strike Back
Thursday Apr 18, 2019
Thursday Apr 18, 2019
(For games the week of April 11) This week we look at some unlikely winners who have perhaps turned their MLS fortunes around.
Saturday Apr 06, 2019
TSMLS #71-Red Card Weekly
Saturday Apr 06, 2019
Saturday Apr 06, 2019
On a week where teams continued to keep 11 players on the pitch, we examine the very good, the very bad, and the San Jose in another wildly entertaining week of games. We also discuss just how much water is too much water and the unlikely ascension of some old MLS laughing stocks.
Thursday Mar 28, 2019
TSMLS #70: A Literal Onion Bag
Thursday Mar 28, 2019
Thursday Mar 28, 2019
Andrew and Nick tackle the games from a short week in MLS, including another rough ref night for RSL and a possible explanation for what #DOOP means. Plus, Canada at the Nations League and TFC has a player suspended for the season — in eSports.
Friday Mar 22, 2019
TSMLS #69: Seeing Double Yellow
Friday Mar 22, 2019
Friday Mar 22, 2019
Nick and Andrew talk FC Cincinatti's home debut, a lopsided DC United win, unfortunate double yellows and unfortunate fashion choices.
Friday Mar 15, 2019
TSMLS #68: Only a Light Stomp
Friday Mar 15, 2019
Friday Mar 15, 2019
Andrew and Nick talk the week's games, including a flick and a stomp, Canada practice jerseys and Tyrone Mears' MLS memories.
Saturday Mar 09, 2019
TSMLS #67: Still Waking Up (feat. Stephen Hart)
Saturday Mar 09, 2019
Saturday Mar 09, 2019
Andrew and Nick talk the return of MLS, including the ever-changing fortunes of Toronto FC, a new-look Vancouver Whitecaps and a sudden snowstorm in Colorado-Kansas City. Plus, we chat with Halifax Wanderers head coach Stephen Hart about getting ready for the first Canadian Premier League season.
Friday Mar 01, 2019
TSMLS #66: A Jumping-On Point
Friday Mar 01, 2019
Friday Mar 01, 2019
The new MLS season has begun! Andrew and Nick talk their introductions to soccer and introduce you to the whopping 24 MLS teams, with a view to where they've been and where they're going.