MLS Has Gone Wild But Is MLS Actually Back?!

18 episodes and 4 months in, MLS Gone Wild has officially closed out our inaugural season of the podcast. Time flies when you’re having fun, right? Podcasting is as much of a job as a full time job, and in Poopis’ case, being a full time stay at home dad. We set out on this adventure to preview matches, rate the dirtiest goals (as Poopis would say) and analyze our highlighted matches. 2 weeks in and that plan came to a screeching halt.

Being new to the game, we really weren’t sure where we were headed as there weren’t going to be games in the foreseeable future due to Covid-19. We have a buddy, shout-out to Dillon Thompson and his podcast “FullOnBeachSoccer”, who brings on the biggest beach soccer players for interviews on a weekly basis. Seeing as we are 3 regular ass dudes from Ohio and Virginia, we weren’t quite sure how we were going to get guests, let alone some of the biggest names in American soccer. Well, we shocked ourselves.

We got lucky early by landing Brandon Eaton of Forward Madison FC and Hayden Partain of San Antonio FC through mutual friends. Hayden, our Demon Deacon plug, was able to hook us up with Timber’s defender, Chris Duvall, and MNUFC midfielder, Jacori Hayes. We are now big time Wake Forest and Forward Madison guys. Without those connections, sometimes the river runs dry.

Guys, we have all been there. We have all slid into DM’s before. Sliding into a guy’s DM, though? A little different. Almost desperate. Surprise, 5 guests later, sliding into the DM’s is our tactic of choice. Somehow we have landed Kellyn Acosta, Justin Mapp, Alexi Lalas, Katie Stengel, and most recently Shalrie Joseph. Players, legends, and analysts of this caliber agreed to be on our show...? Hopefully, we can continue to bring in top level MLS, USL, and NWSL talent to do interviews and even post match interviews (hint hint wink wink).

In addition to the connections we have made with these players, we are proud to announce our partnership with MLSAces.com and the MLS Aces Podcast. We are going to continue to push the MLS content creation envelope. Big things to come! With the MLS is Back tournament just 6 days away it is time to start prepping for season 2 of MLS Gone Wild.

As I sit here at my desk with my N95 mask, goggles, and gloves next to me, I wanted to share some predictions for the MLS is Back tournament in Orlando, but the more I think about it I’m not going to make predictions. I am just going to hope. I hope MLS and Don Garber prioritize player safety and health over television deals and income. I just don’t think that’s the case. The MLS has put together protocols to ensure player safety and health while in the bubble although it has proven, very early in the process, to be a flawed plan. As of this morning, 7/2/20, 9 FC Dallas players and 1 coach have tested positive and I don’t imagine it will stop there in the Dallas camp, unfortunately. Hitting a little bit closer to home, a player on our beloved Columbus Crew tested positive today, 7/2/20, multiple days after arriving in Orlando. So, if my calculations are correct, the Crew player was exposed after arriving in the bubble. I cannot blame the Vela’s of the league for not wanting to play in this tournament. I cannot blame any rookies that don’t want to play. I get it, soccer players want to play soccer, but are you doing it for your own joy and well- being or to put more money in the corrupt system that is MLS?

I miss MLS. I want to see this tournament be a success. I want things to go back to normal.