Filibuster Podcast

Now that D.C. United are solidly into the offseason, it is time to take stock of the team, take a larger view of 2017, and see what needs to happen going forward for 2018. This will be a theme of the show throughout the offseason, so Adam, Jason, and Ben start off by looking at two of United’s key players: Luciano Acosta and Paul Arriola. We break down their 2017 seasons and look forward to what they should be able to do in 2018. However, the playoffs are still happening even without United in them, so we talk about that as well. There is a lot of schadenfreude to go around, and both New York teams got soundly beaten. Also, in the Western Conference there were apparently soccer games. We think. Give it a listen!

Filibuster is feeling nostalgic today, and for obvious reasons. Jason, Ben, and Adam spend much of the episode talking about the send-off for RFK Stadium and less about the game between D.C. United and the New York Red Bulls. We start with the Legends Game that happened before the MLS watch, and talk with warmth and fondness about the players who were there. We also discuss the sneaky competition between Dwayne De Rosario and Louis Crayton in that game. We read some of your emails about your RFK memories, and also discuss how much this building has meant over the years. In the second segment, we talk a little bit about the game and how much we enjoyed that goal, set up by Russell Canouse and Zoltan Stieber, and finished by Luciano Acosta and Paul Arriola. We dive in specifically on Canouse before talking about the departure of Bill Hamid and the team’s rebuild for next year. Give it a listen!

D.C. United is done to one last game at RFK Stadium, and we have to give the old rustbucket a proper farewell. Jason, Adam, and Ben talk about our memories of RFK Stadium throughout the years, eulogizing and celebrating the stadium that has held D.C. United through so many ups and downs. We also discuss the opponent for that final game, the New York Red Bulls. Before we get to that, however, we have to discuss the 4-0 loss to the Portland Timbers and the injury to Steve Birnbaum; we especially focus in on Mark Geiger’s role and what he should have done instead. We also talk about Chris Korb’s poor play and each of the goals. Give it a listen!

Well, we have to talk about it. Jason, Adam, and Ben spend 90 minutes on all things US men’s national team, starting with the awful game in Trinidad. We discuss the mistake of using the exact same lineup, the nonchalance of the team and the arrogance of Bruce Arena, and Bruce’s lineup and overall roster selections. After the break, we stay with the USMNT and discuss the players who won’t be around, either in the near future or for the next world cup, and discuss the age gap that has everyone talking. We dismiss the notion that it is ever good to miss a World Cup, but talk about the reforms that we want to see in the wake of this disaster, including what to do with the $100M US Soccer has in the bank and other ways to advance soccer. In the final segment, we do actually talk briefly about D.C. United and their upcoming game against the Portland Timbers. We talk about how they will have to rotate with players coming off of international duty and how sensational Diego Valeri has been. Give it a listen!

There are plenty of games to talk about even with D.C. United taking this weekend off. Jason, Adam, and Ben start with the wild game against the New York Red Bulls, in which the team showed some resilience. We talk about Zoltan Stieber’s goal, rate their performance overall, and get into Tyler Adams. We also have to talk about Paul Arriola’s penalty before we close the book on this game. In the second segment we talk about the potential rules violation in the FC Dallas-Orlando City game before getting into United’s match against the Columbus Crew. We discuss Jalen Robinson’s role in the defense and the performance of Steve Clark. We finally get into the massive game this Friday: the US men’s attempt to qualify for the World Cup. We discuss Paul Arriola’s role in this team, the central midfield, and whether this is 2002 Bruce or 2006 Bruce. We discuss the interesting roster selections, such as Gyasi Zardes, Fabian Johnson, and Benny Feilhaber, before ending on the central defense. Give it a listen!

In this special edition of Filibuster, we talk about D.C. United’s weekend game against the Columbus Crew. This was recorded before the New York Red Bulls game, so we will talk about both results next week. We ask if this is still the same dogmatic Crew, or are they more flexible. We ponder their three man back line and if D.C. United can continue to hold possession. We end by talking about the absence of Ethan Finlay and break down the gameplan for how D.C. United can see victory. Give it a listen!

Well that was fun, wasn’t it? Adam, Jason, and Ben are here to talk about D.C. United’s 4-0 destruction of the San Jose Earthquakes, and we start by talking about Patrick Mullins and what his performance means for Deshorn Brown. We discuss the breakthrough of Paul Arriola and how Russell Canouse could have been the most important player on the field that day. Ben has a theory about why the young players didn’t play in this game, and then we have to talk about the rumors swirling around Bill Hamid. We end the segment with a HOT TAKE from Adam. In the second segment we talk about the New York Red Bulls and what has been happening to them. We talk about their defense, the Dax McCarty-shaped hole in their team, and the confusing things Jesse Marsch has done. We ponder about their press, and gameplan D.C. United’s best ways of breaking them down. We also recorded our thoughts about D.C. United’s weekend game against the Columbus Crew; our Patreon subscribers will get access to that later today, while everyone else

Well that sucked. Jason, Adam, and Ben have to talk about D.C. United’s game against the Chicago Fire and how, for the first 10 minutes or so, D.C. United looked decent; it all went down hill from there. We discuss the deflated body language after the own goal, and the poor play of the forwards. We also discuss the pairing in central defense and the role of Jalen Robinson going forward, before trying to end on a positive note and talk about the best thing we saw. In the second segment we talk about D.C. United’s upcoming game against the San Jose Earthquakes. We marvel at Chris Wondolowski still being as good as he is and the transition this season from Dom Kinnear to Chris Leitch. We discuss their bench and the fact that they have designated players on it, before discussing how to gameplan for them.

We finally have a D.C. United game about which to talk, but it didn’t end up going the way any of us wanted. Ben, Adam, and Jason talk D.C. United’s game against Orlando City SC (after diverting into Old Man Ben’s Music Corner) and we start off by talking about Sean Franklin in particular and the defense in general, including advocating for Jalen Robinson and wondering who should actually be starting. We also talk about the ice cold play of D.C. United’s forwards and what solutions might be found there. In the second segment we talk about the Chicago Fire and D.C. United’s game against them this weekend. We discuss the most recent Dax McCarty trade, their recent swoon, and Veljko Paunovic��s style. We also discuss the way they have built that team and how D.C. United can break them down. Give ite a listen!

This weekend was all about the US men’s national team, so Jason, Adam, and Ben have to start with the two disastrous qualifiers. We start with the man on the sideline, Bruce Arena, and try to assess how much of the blame for these games is on him (hint: a lot). We talk about Bruce trying Darlington Nagbe in a central role against Costa Rica, and whether or not Christian Pulisic should have been in the middle instead of out wide. We break down the poor play of the goalkeepers and rail against Bruce’s reasoning from bringing Nick Rimando, before finally turning our ire at the defense in general and Omar Gonzalez in particular. In the second segment we preview D.C. United, somehow the most optimistic of all our soccer teams, and their upcoming visit from Orlando City SC. We break down all the things that are wrong with Orlando City and their 2 wins in their past 20 games, theorize why they brought in Dom Dwyer and what he might do, and ponder whether or not Jason Kreis in on the hot seat. Give it a listen!

Adam makes his triumphant return from his western scouting trip, and is back in the saddle with Jason and Ben. We talk about the highly improbably three game winning streak, and review how the big additions have performed based on a question from one of our Patreon subscribers. We talk about Russell Canouse, Zoltan Stieber, and Paul Arriola and how they have all made the team instantly better. We also discuss United’s dedication to playing out of the back and the improved defense from these past three games. In the second segment we talk about the US men’s national team’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers. After the hole the team was put in, all qualifiers are big ones, and these against Costa Rica and Honduras are no different. We discuss the roster (and boo the decision not to have Bill Hamid) and look at what they need to do to qualify. Give it a listen!

Adam is still on loan to the Commonwealth of Kentucky, so we bring in Steven Streff as a replacement to join Jason and Ben. We start with D.C. United’s improbable 1-0 win over the Colorado Rapids, and we have to start with Jared Watts’ hilarious own goal. We also talk about how good both Bill Hamid and Russell Canouse were, and also sing the praises of Paul Arriola before wishing that players would just shoot the dang ball. Even without Adam we can have an Adam’s Fun Time News Roundup Time, and so we talk about the injury status of various D.C. United players and the fact that the team will actually have players called up by their national teams for these World Cup qualifiers. Finally, we get to the two games this week: mid-week against Atlanta United, and the weekend against the New England Revolution. We first talk about the trade of Bobby Boswell to Atlanta, talk about their new spaceship stadium and how it doesn’t fully work yet, and ponder the options to replace Steve Birnbaum. For the Revolution, we spe

Adam is on assignment somewhere west of here, so that means that there is no one to prevent Ben and Jason from embarking on a longer than average podcast! We first talk about the rainy affair that was D.C. United’s loss to Real Salt Lake, and we open with how it just wasn’t good enough; it was just adequate, and in MLS that just doesn’t cut it. We also talk about their attack, and we have to talk about Marcelo Sarvas’ brutal pass. We end by talking about the new guys and how they made Luciano Acosta play better than we’ve seen in awhile. In the second segment we talk about the upcoming game against the Colorado Rapids, which will be their first without Pablo Mastroeni; their whimsical coach was fired just yesterday. We talk about Shkelzen Gashi, the Video Assistant Referee controversy from their most recent game against FC Dallas, and the trade for Luis Gil. Give it a listen! We want to again thank everyone who has supported us on Patreon (patreon.com/filibuster) and who allow us to continue to make this show

Today has been an insane day of news that it makes like everything seem like years ago. But it was only three days ago that D.C. United played against Toronto FC and got a point after having been down a man for over half the game! Jason, Ben, and Adam talk about that game, the start of which was the best D.C. United has played all year. We talk about TFC’s performance in the game, Sean Franklin’s up or down play, and the slew of tactics Ben Olsen used in the second half to stop TFC. In the second segment we go full-on news roundup, and today has already made some of this need further updates. We talk about Bruno Miranda and Zoltan Stieber, D.C. United’s new wing acquisitions. We also talk about Gary Medel, the defensive midfield, and what the fact that they were offering all of that money means. We end by talking about two trades: that of Lamar Neagle, and that of Bobby Boswell (which broke while we were recording). Give it a listen!

After another crushing defeat, the Filibuster podcast is here to help you with your sorrows. Jason, Adam, and Ben talk about D.C. United versus Minnesota United and the disaster that was defensive midfield. We talk about the turnover, the throw-ins, and how there is no answer currently on this team. In the second segment we get into Adam’s Funtime News Roundup Time™️. We talk about Nigel DeJong (and name a cocktail after him based on the request of one of our Patreon subscribers), and talk about Kristian Nemeth and Marcus Olsson, one of whom we’re excited about and one of whom we disagree upon. We also talk about the rumors about D.C. United’s ownership and how their investment in the stadium is escalating. Finally, we bring on Kristin Knowles from The Vocal Minority to talk about D.C. United’s next game against Toronto FC. We discuss Sebastian Giovinco and ask her what having depth on your team feels like. We also get into Victor Vasquez’s role, Raheem Edwards, Alex Bono taking away the starting ‘keeper job

It is a long Filibuster today, and it is a sadness sandwich with some USMNT in the middle. Jason, Adam, and Ben start by talking about D.C. United’s epic failures last week, and first wonder if the Houston Dynamo loss was actually worse than the Seattle Sounders loss. We also discuss how the rest of the season is a waste if they don’t start signing players now, the transfer market in general, and central midfield in specific. We also are happy the Nick DeLeon is back, but that’s about the only thing about which we are happy. In the second segment we talk about the US men’s national team’s run to the Gold Cup Final tomorrow night. We get into how bad Mexico was against Jamaica, the Jamaica team they will be facing, and whether Clint Dempsey will start. We also ponder the central midfield and try and figure out who will be there with Michael Bradley. Finally, we invite on Alex Gormley of E Pluribus Loonum to preview United’s weekend matchup against the other Interlopers United, Minnesota United. We discuss thei

We start with talking about the two USMNT games before looking at D.C. United's return to play with Jeremiah Oshan.

With the USMNT in the Gold Cup, Filibuster starts with our eyes there. Jason, Adam, and Ben discuss our reactions to Bruce Arena’s changes from the Ghana game, and spend a lot of time talk about the play of the midfield of Dax McCarty, Kelyn Rowe, Kellyn Acosta, Alejandro Bedoya, and Joe Corona, including how it wasn’t all Corona’s fault. We also discuss the play of Dom Dwyer and his spot on the pecking order, plus the two goals in the game. In the second segment we welcome on Devon McTavish, former D.C. United player and current D.C. United color commentator. We talk about what happens during a long break in the middle of the season and how a team that is struggling does with that break. We also discuss the problems of D.C. United this season and what the team might do to fix them, and how they might come out of this mini-training camp. Give it a listen!

After pausing so that we could take in the D.C. United game against FC Dallas, we immediately realized that was a mistake. However, Jason, Ben, and Adam are here to talk you through all of the soccer games in the past week and change, including the matches against the Montreal Impact and the New England Revolution. We start with the failures in the Dallas game generally, before focusing on Steve Birnbaum in particular. We also discuss D.C. United’s passing accuracy as a false statistic, and pine for a new defensive midfielder. We also get into the US Open Cup loss so that we can talk about how Sean Franklin is. not. a center back., before giving up on the segment to talk about happier things. Those happier things are the US men’s national team, for which we bring on our good friend Donald Wine II. We discuss this Gold Cup B team, why Bill Hamid isn’t the starter even though he should be, and Dom Dwyer’s appearance on the USMNT stage. We also give our thoughts on the Best XI that Bruce Arena could roll out and

Adam rejoins Ben and Jason, which is good because there is a metric ton of soccer about which to talk. We take the games against Atlanta United and the Philadelphia Union as a compare and contrast. We talk about the expected goals in each game and how they indicate some signs of life, but also talk about how it still isn’t nearly good enough yet. We also discuss how important Patrick Nyarko is to everything this team does, how the Bill Hamid save at the end of the Atlanta game changed everything, and the admirable admission by Harris Medunajun that Luciano Acosta didn’t kick him. To close out the first segment, we talk about Bill Hamid’s call-up to the USMNT, and what it means for United in these next few games, and the signing of Deshorn Brown. In the second segment, we discuss the next two games: the US Open Cup matchup against the New England Revolution tomorrow night and their game against the Montreal Impact on Saturday. The Revs may be the team that has to rotate even more players than United, given the