Filibuster Podcast

The Filibuster guys are back with their last episode of 2015. Jason, Adam, and Ben start out talking about the MLS offseason and specifically Perry Kitchen's seemingly imminent departure. We also talk about the rest of MLS, including the LA Galaxy possibly signing Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba possibly returning to Chelsea, and a brief mention of the front office chaos happening in Orlando. We come back to talk about the sublimated stripes on the leaked D.C. United 2016 jersey (and talk about jerseys in general), review the seasons of Dave Kapser and Ben Olsen, and give our picks for D.C. United's most improved player. We end with some Twitterbox questions about which USMNT goalkeeper should be starting and whether or not D.C. United can become the preseason favorites for the Eastern Conference. Give it a listen!

Even on the week of Christmas, Filibuster is here for you, your travels, and when you need to escape family. Adam, Jason, and Ben kick off this episode by talking about Steve Goff's interview with D.C. United managing partner Jason Levien. We talk about the size of the stadium, the surprisingly pernicious roof debate, the contract status of Perry Kitchen, and Marco Etcheverry in the D.C. Sports Hall of Fame. We then talk about MLS Live coming back next year, D.C. United's move to WJLA7, and finish up with a slew of awards: The Andy Award, the Donnety Award, and a lightning round of Cake or Death. Give it a listen!

It is a Tuesday morning, and Filibuster is back in its rightful place! Jason, Adam, and Ben start the show by diving into the offseason. We talk about Portland Timbers' move to sell Jorge Villafana and acquire Chris Klute, the way that Max Urruti got to FC Dallas, the neverending march of MLS expansion, and the new free GarberBucks that are floating around the league. We then talk about the US National teams' player of the year awards, the women's team and our love for Becky Sauerbrunn. We also talk about our picks for the first Benny Award this season, the Richie. We end the show by doing some Cake or Death on some D.C. United players, including Chris Pontius, and with a Twitterbox where we talk about how much United should pay to keep Perry Kitchen and how to attract soccer fans who are not MLS fans to D.C. United. Give it a listen!

Hello, friends! It is time for another episode of Filibuster with Adam, Jason, and Ben! We preamble by talking about a change we would like to see to the MLS playoff system, but we start the show proper by talking about D.C. United's new badge and our initial reactions to it. Spoiler alert: We like it! We then have to talk about MLS Cup, and it takes us longer to intro this segment than it does for Portland Timbers to score on Columbus Crew SC. We talk about poor Steve Clark, whether or not these teams will be the favorites to return next year, Adam Kwarasey, the out of bounds ball, and much more. We turn our eyes to D.C. United after the break and talk about the trades involving Chris Pontius and Lamar Neagle as well as the three players released: Facundo Coria, Michael Farfan, and Jairo Arrieta. We end with our Cake or Death series, in which we review the seasons of Sean Franklin, Markus Halsti, Jared Jeffrey, Taylor Kemp, and Perry Kitchen. Give it a listen!

Even in the offseason, the Filibuster crew is hear to shout words at you about soccer. Jason, Adam, and Ben start off by talking about MLS Cup and whether or not Don Garber is happy with this final. We talk about the draw of the game to wider MLS and soccer fans, and who has the advantage between Columbus Crew SC and the Portland Timbers. We then turn our eyes to D.C. United, and talk about the trade of Chris Pontius to the Philadelphia Union. We talk about the ridiculousness that is the Union front office as well. Then we analyze the potential Lamar Neagle trade to United, and then break down MLS's Best XI. We end the podcast with our verdicts on whether or not Andrew Dykstra, Fabian Espindola, and Michael Farfan should be back next year. Give it a listen!

Filibuster is back for your trip to wherever you are going for Thanksgiving, giving your ride or flight some much needed soccer. We start by talking about the MLS Cup Playoffs and, specifically, the Portland Timbers and FC Dallas. We talk about how Portland did to Dallas what Dallas wanted to do to them, how they made that role reversal work, the players that Caleb Porter will have newly available for the second leg, and whether or not FC Dallas can come back. We then talk about the New York Red Bulls and Columbus Crew SC, including the super-sub of Cedric, the nine second goal, how Columbus was able to frustrate New York's passing and pressing, and what will they do going forward. We then look at D.C. United, including the player season review articles that have gone up so far. We give our answers or whether or not Miguel Aguilar, Davy Arnaud, Jairo Arrieta, Bobby Boswell, Facundo Coria, or Nick DeLeon will be back next season. Finally, we turn to your Twitterbox questions! We talk about whether Ben Olsen wi

We waited for Tuesday to record so we could watch the USMNT play Trinidad and Tobago, and was that ever a mistake. Jason, Adam, and Ben are back to talk about the USMNT and D.C. United, and we start by asking if there is any chance Jurgen Klinsmann is fired for what happened in the past two games (of course not). We break down what happened in the game against Trinidad and Tobago, ask whether the fire is still there for the players under Jurgen, and make wild comparisons to Steve Sampson. We then go into our D.C. United news roundup, and talk about the re-signings of Nick DeLeon and Alvaro Saborio, the sadness of Chris Rolfe cutting his hair, the PEPCO land swaps giving the District full control over the stadium site, and Jason Levien and Erick Thohir possibly investing in an NBA team. Finally, we go in depth on both playoff series that start this weekend without D.C. United, paying special attention to the New York Red Bulls versus the Columbus Crew. But, we also have some words about FC Dallas and the Portl

All good things must come to an end, and that includes D.C. United's 2015 season. Adam, Jason, and Ben are here to be your Virgil as we start the journey through the Divine Comedy that is the offseason. But first, we have one last D.C. United game about which to talk: we ask whether this was the right lineup for the game between United and the New York Red Bulls, whether Olsen could have or should have changed his system, and whether or not injuries should be a talking point. We also ask whether we should be talking about firing Ben Olsen, talk about Bob Bradley as an MLS coach, and the piteous state of D.C. United's scouting network. We then move on to talk about the upcoming qualifiers for World Cup 2018. We ask whether Bill Hamid will start, talk about the first-timers on the roster and specifically Darlington Nagbe. We also discuss who should start on the forward line and could Jurgen Klinsmann get fired in any scenario. Finally, we open up the Twitterbox to some D.C. United questions. We talk about wheth

Despite technology trying it's hardest, Adam, Jason, and Ben are back for another episode of Filibuster! We talk about the difference between D.C. United versus the New England Revolution and D.C. United versus the New York Red Bulls, as well as talk about the bad refereeing that almost led to Markus Halsti getting seriously injured. We then have to carry on without Adam and talk about how Pontius' injury affected the team, the second leg of D.C. United versus the New York Red Bulls, and D.C. United's road woes. We finish this section by talking about how D.C. United has to try something different than this 442 since they don't have Davy Arnaud and it hasn't worked against the MetroStars, as well as lamenting Michael Farfan's injury. We finish by talking about the rest of the MLS Cup Playoffs and then talk about the finalists for the MLS Awards, including Bill Hamid! Give it a listen!

It is Tuesday, and Filibuster is back and is sad. We have to talk about D.C. United's 5-0 demolition at the hands of Columbus Crew SC, and we start by asking if we can remember a worse performance by United. We also talk about whether United is the team that beat the Chicago Fire or the team that lost to Crew SC and what is the difference between those two extermes. Finally, we talk about what the defense needs to do against the New England Revolution, ask whether this game was screaming for Michael Farfan, and dissect how Jack McInerney fooled all of United's defenders. We then welcome on Jake Catanese of The Bent Musket to talk about tomorrow night's play-in game against the aforementioned Revolution. We talk about the Revs style of play, their streakiness over the past few years, and who will play right back for them. We also ask whether Teal Bunbury or Diego Fagundez will play and ask Jake how to break down the Revolution. Finally, we get into some playoff emphemera to close the show. Give it a listen!

Filibuster is a little late but always here for you. Adam, Jason, and Ben talk about D.C. United's 4-0 win over the Chicago Fire, and ask whether or not this was United's best performance of the year. We talk about Chris Pontius' goal, Shooter Kemp, and D.C. United's current form as well. We then talk about the playoff races overall: in the Eastern Conference it is pretty much all over, but there are some interesting permutations out in the Western Conference. We also hope Seattle invents tumbling out of the playoffs, because that would be fun. Finally, we talk about D.C. United's last regular season game against Columbus Crew SC. We talk about Perry Kitchen versus Wil Trapp, and talk about what D.C. United will need to do to go into the playoffs on a three game winning streak. Give it a listen!

It is a Tuesday, and that means that Filibuster is back for your enjoyment. Jason, Ben, and Adam have to take some time to talk about Copa Concacaf and the failure of the USMNT and Jurgen Klinsmann to qualify for the 2017 Confederations Cup. We talk about how at least the game was exciting for neutrals, how it was close on the scoreboard but not on the field, how the USMNT hasn't improved since the World Cup, and who should stay and who should go. We then talk about tonight's game between the USMNT and Costa Rica, but we're mostly just talking more about the general state of the USMNT. We talk about Fabian Johnson being sent home, Klinsmann's statements vs. his reality, and whether or not he should be fired from either his technical director or head coach jobs. Finally, we address the strawman of whether or not there is anyone who could possibly replace Jurgen. We then turn to D.C. United and talk about this weekend's game versus the Chicago Fire. We talk about Harry Shipp actually being played in position, M

It is Tuesday so it means another Filibuster to which you can listen! Adam, Jason, and Ben talk about D.C. United's 2-1 comeback win over New York City FC. We talk about the play of Chris Pontius, Alvaro Saborio coming off of the bench, Sean Franklin, the silliness that was the MLS team of the week (which featured no D.C. United players), and D.C. United giving up early goals. We then have to talk about this weekend's Concacaf Cup between the USMNT and Mexico. We talk about the team, the 3-5-2, Jurgen Klinsmann, and the roster that Jurgen decided to bring with him for this game. Finally, we talk about the state of the MLS playoff race, and how the Eastern Conference is basically already decided except for the seedings. Give it a listen!

It is the 150th episode of Filibuster, so to celebrate that fact we bring you a completely regular show! Adam, Jason, and Ben are joined by Donald, who regales us with the view from the stands of D.C. United versus Montego Bay United FC in the Concacaf Champions League. We talk about the game, the subs that Ben Olsen sent, and whether Travis Worra was close to coming on as a field player in that game. We then have to talk about the sadness that was the 2-0 loss to the Montreal Impact. We talk Markus Halsti, Steve Birnbaum, and Didier Drogba, first. We then move to a more general discussion, talking about D.C. United and the playoffs, can they turn it around in time to actually do something in said playoffs, and whether or not they need a wholesale lineup change at this point. Finally, we talk about D.C. United's Friday game against NYCFC. We talk about New York's midfield of Frank Lampard and Andrea Pirlo, Thomas McNamara, and what D.C. United needs to do to get a point. Give it a listen!

D.C. United are on a five game winless streak, but Filibuster shows up week in and week out. Ben, Jason, and Adam are here, and we're pretty sad. We talk about D.C. United's state of mind after the the loss to Columbus Crew SC, break down the two goals scored by Crew SC, and talk about whether Steve Birnbaum or Kofi Opare should be starting next to Bobby Boswell. We end this game by talking about Alvaro Saborio and by trying to puzzle out Ben Olsen's subsistute patterns. We then briefly touch on tonight's Concacaf Champions League game, asking who we want to see play and whether or not Perry Kitchen, who is suspended on the weekend, should play. We end the show by talking about the Montreal Impact, starting off with the suspended Marco Donadel. We then talk about the player who didn't play in the last game between these two teams: Can United stop Didier Drogba, and how will they do so if they can. We then finish by talking about the roles that Taylor Kemp and Michael Farfan will have in this game. Give it a l

D.C. United is back in action, and so is the Filibuster podcast! We start by talking about the beige game that was D.C. United versus the Colorado Rapids. We ask whether it was good defense or bad offense, look at both D.C. United and the Colorado Rapids' substitute patterns, and dissect Ben Olsen's quote about this being the beginning of what he wants to see. We hen talk D.C. United versus the Columbus Crew, because we talked about tonight's Arabe Unido game on last week's podcast. We talk about United's central midfield, what has been up with the Crew recently, and whether or not United will need to play with more alacrity in this game. Finally, we go around the Eastern Conference and look at the current playoff picture. We talk about the New York Red Bulls diving to victory, the New England Revolution, a brief interlude to talk about NYCFC, Montreal Impact vs. Toronto FC, and the Eastern Conference run-in. Give it a listen!

Welcome to another Wednesday edition of Filibuster, which we record while watching USMNT vs. Brazil. We talk about USMNT vs. Peru, the difference between the first half and the second half, the defense, and whether or not the USMNT's success in friendlies is a myth rather than reality. We then move back into MLS and talk about D.C. United's upcoming trip to Colorado to face the Rapids. We talk about their weird season so far, their ridiculous roster, their midweek game against a conference foe, and we break open the Twitterbox to ask, among other things, whether or not it is time to panic for D.C. United. Finally, we talk about D.C. United's next CCL game, occuring next Tuesday, when Arabe Unido comes to town. We ask who D.C. United should play in that game, whether or not they should play more of their starters in it, and what Arabe Unido will try and do in this game. Give it a listen!

No one expects a Wednesday Filibuster! Our chief weapon is surprise. Surprise, and Adam. Surprise, Adam, and Jason. No. Amongst our weapons are Surprise, Adam, Jason, Ben, and a fanatical devotion to a stupid bit. Unfortunately, we have to talk about D.C. United's 0-3 disaster in Harrison; we talk about the central midfield and the central defense, whether Ben Olsen needs a tactical shift and whether he needs to use this upcoming bye week to shorten his roster. We also talk about happier things: D.C. United's 3-0 win over Montego Bay United in the Concacaf Champions League. We start by talking about Michael Farfan and move onto talking about Conor Doyle, Miguel Aguilar, and Luke Mishu and Jalen Robinson, asking if any of them could be making MLS appearances down the stretch of the season. We get off on a USL tangent, which leads us right into our third segment... ...in which we go around the league, starting with Bruce Arena and the LA Galaxy. We talk about what has happened to San Jose (in a good way) and Sp

Happy United Day and Happy Filibuster Day! Adam, Jason, and Ben return to talk about the debacle that was the San Jose Earthquakes game. We ask if the other shoe dropped in this game (or if it had already dropped), the problem that was the defense in general and Kofi Opare particularly, the lack of ideas across the midfield and attack, whether or not Alvaro Saborio scoring would have changed things, and Davy Arnaud. We then talk about the Concacaf Champions League and games both past and future. We talk about Michael Farfan's play and his backheel, the reserves in general, and whether or not someone may be able to vault into the first time from this game. Finally, we talk about the Atlantic Cup and the New York Red Bulls. We mention Dax McCarty, Shaun Wright-Phillips, getting pressure and pressured in the midfield, and who from United needs to step up in this game. Give it a listen!

It is Tuesday, and that means there is another Filibuster for your listening pleasure. Jason, Ben, and Donald are here to break down what went wrong against New York City FC, and we start off by talking about the central midfield. We talk about how this was a long time coming, the injury to Chris Korb, our disappointment in Alvaro Saborio's hold up play, and we ask Donald how Yankee Stadium was for soccer. We then move on to tomorrow night's Concacaf Champions League game gainst Arabe Unido. We talk about their first CCL game, how D.C. United will line up against them. We talk about how Kofi Opare, Jared Jeffrey, and Jairo Arrieta have to come through, since Chad Ashton will be starting backups for this game. Finally, we talk about Saturday's game against the San Jose Earthquakes. We talk about Chris Wondolowski as a midfielder, Anibal Godoy, and Clarence Goodson's goalscoring form. Give it a listen!