Soccernet.com's Jeff Carlisle joins Scott to discuss the US national team's down-then-up performance in last month's Confederations Cup in South Africa. We go over keys to the US turnaround, and the key roles of Charlie Davies, Landon Donovan and Jonathon Spector.

We also look ahead to the resumption of World Cup qualifying, and how the US can keep its Confed Cup momentum going against archrival Mexico.

You can send your thoughts to Soccer Champions by writing to scpodcast@gmail.com.

Congrats to Barcelona, 2008-09 Champions League winners! Scott and Bill discuss the final from Rome, and chances for each finalist to get back there next season.

Plus a look and which teams from major European domestic leagues have qualified for European play next season, and who might make a run in next years Champions League, and the first iteration of the Europa League (formerly UEFA Cup).

Enjoy the summer and stay tuned to Soccer Champions!

Scott and Bill look back on the Champions League semifinals. Plus, it's all come down to this. Who will win in Rome? Scott and Bill give their thoughts, and what to expect from Barcelona and Manchester United.

Also a look ahead to the UEFA Cup final in Istanbul, and domestic leagues you might want to check out as the season winds down.

As always, e-mail us at scpodcast@gmail.com with questions and/or comments!

Scott and Bill discuss the Elite 8 in the Champions League, including Liverpool's resurgence and Bayern Munich's big test. In the UEFA Cup's last 8, will Man City survive, and is Udinese movin' on up?

Plus World Cup 2010 qualifying discussion of UEFA (Europe), CONCACAF (N. America), and CONMEBOL (S. America) regions.

Also check out Dan on Tap's podcast, Life on Tap! And write to us at scpodcast@gmail.com

Soccer Champions is back! We review the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16, and the UEFA Cup Round of 32, and who we think might advance in each tournament.

Questions or comments? E-mail us at scpodcast@gmail.com

Scott and Bill are back with their 50th episode! We get you ready for Matchday 5 in the Champions League, and update you on the surprising form of underdog teams in the group stage, the balance between talent and team cohesiveness, and Landon Donovan's move to Bayern Munich: pro or con?

E-mail scpodcast@gmail.com with any questions or comments, and if you're in the U.S., have a happy Thanksgiving!

Scott and Bill review the controversial Barca goal against Shaktar from Matchday 2, and explore the issue of home field advantage. Also, a Matchday 3 preview and introduction to the group stage of the UEFA Cup.

?s or comments? E-mail scpodcast@gmail.com

Link:
Unshakable Home-Field Advantage in Soccer World

 Fall is upon us, and it's time for Champions League! Scott and Bill review all eight groups and who we think will advance to the next round, plus Matchday 1 showdowns you should see.

E-mail us with questions or comments at scpodcast@gmail.com

It's time for the Summer Games in China, and that means Olympic soccer! Scott speaks with Soccernet.com writer Jeff Carlisle, who's in Tianjin with the U.S. men's team. Scott and Jeff discuss how the U.S. team may fare, players on other teams to watch out for, which U.S. players you may see in the 2010 World Cup, who will win the gold, and more.

Questions or comments? E-mail scpodcast@gmail.com, and enjoy the Olympics!

Spanish athletes have been doing pretty well lately: Rafael Nadal finally beat Roger Federer at Wimbledon, and the Spain national soccer team won Euro 2008! It was a thoroughly dominating performance by Iker Casillas and co., and they proved themselves deserving winners. Scott and Bill recap the final and the tournament.

Send questions and comments to scpodcast@gmail.com

Champions League and UEFA Cup qualifying begin soon. Which means the group stages are coming up sooner than you think!

Scott and Bill look back on Euro 2008 so far, and look ahead to the semifinals. Does Turkey has a chance to take down Germany? Will Spain finally make a final? Stay tuned!

Also we answer a listener e-mail.

Cheers to Dan on Tap on his marriage! And check out his brew-related podcast, Life on Tap, at http://lifeontap.net.

Scott and Bill look back one last time on the Champions League season with a recap of the Final, then it's on to Euro 2008! What should you watch for? Which teams can go far? Who could be this year's Greece? Tune in for our thoughts.

Questions or comments? E-mail scpodcast@gmail.com, and let us know who you're rooting for in Euro '08.

We also want to give a shout out to Dan on Tap. Dan's a Chelsea fan, and he's therefore likely still trying to recover from the Champs League Final. So be nice to him and check out his web site and podcast, Life on Tap, at http://lifeontap.net!

It's all down to this. Chelsea. Manchester United. For the championship of European club soccer. Scott and Bill break down the showdown and predict who will win it all in Moscow.

We also look back at the UEFA Cup final and Zenit St. Petersburg's triumph.

Thoughts on the end of the European club season? E-mail scpodcast@gmail.com. Also stay tuned to Soccer Champions through the summer for updates on Euro 2008 and the Olympic soccer tournament.

It'll be an all-English final in Russia for the Champions League, and a Russian team in England vs. a Scottish one in the UEFA Cup. We look back at how: Avram Grant lead Chelsea where Jose Mourinho could not, Manchester United cooly and calmly took out Barca, Zenit St. Petersburg steamrolled Bayern Munich, and Rangers squeaked by Fiorentina.

Plus what to keep in mind as we move towards the Champs League final, and Scott and Bill's predictions for the UEFA Cup title!

Soccer opinions or questions? You should send them to scpodcast@gmail.com!

Scott and Bill relive all the drama (and there was a lot!) from the Getafe-Munich UEFA Cup quarterfinal, the Liverpool-Arsenal Champs League quarterfinal, and more.

Plus, how the semis shape up in both competitions. Will Liverpool have Chelsea's number again? How about the Rangers-Fiorentina UEFA Cup matchup?

E-mail us with ?s or comments at scpodcast@gmail.com.

Scott and Bill preview the quarterfinals for the Champions League and UEFA Cup. Which favorites should advance? Who could become an upset victim? Plus both of us highlight one game to watch in each competition in the next round.

Questions, comments, suggestions? Send 'em to scpodcast@gmail.com.

Scott and Bill discuss a troubling situation regarding a vicious tackle in an English Premier League game, plus Bill weighs in on the EPL's plan to go international.

Also we update you on the Champions League Round of 16, and look ahead to the UEFA Cup Round of 16 (go Getafe!).

E-mail questions, comments, suggestions to scpodcast@gmail.com.

The Champions League is back! Scott previews the Round of 16 of the Champions League, and looks at first leg results from the UEFA Cup Round of 32.

Also, a look at the English Premier League's proposal to play regular season games outside of England. Good idea or bad idea? Where will games be played? Will it ever actually happen?

Have an opinion? E-mail scpodcast@gmail.com!

It's the first Soccer Champions of 2008, and Bill and Scott catchup on a big player move (Nicolas Anelka) and coaching move (Jurgen Klinsmann settles on Bayern Munich). Plus the pros and cons of Arsenal using young players in certain tournaments, how some American players are doing abroad, and more!

E-mail us with soccer questions, comments, or opinions at scpodcast@gmail.com

The Round of 16 matchups for the Champions League are out, and we discuss our first impressions. Plus a look at the UEFA Cup 1st knockout round and teams to watch for.

And did England get the right man for the job (i.e., nat'l team head coach) in Fabio Capello?

Questions or comments? Send them to scpodcast@gmail.com.

In this special episode Scott catches up with Soccernet.com columnist Jeff Carlisle. They discuss the late '07 friendlies for the US national team, and how the team looks heading into World Cup qualifying next year. Also the impact of Damarcus Beasley's injury on the national team, prospects for the US U-23 team in Olympic qualifying, and how Freddy Adu and Clint Dempsey are faring in Europe.

Have a comment or opinion on the show? Send it to scpodcast@gmail.com! Also stay tuned for Scott and Bill's take on the Champions League Round of 16 matchups, coming soon...

Scott and Bill look back at the drama of Euro 2008 qualifying, and preview the final tournament. Plus the England debacle, and who should be their next coach?

Also discussed is the current standings in the Champions League, a recap of Matchday 5 and look ahead to Matchday 6. There's still plenty to be decided in the final games of the group phase! Finally, is rotating players a good strategy?

E-mail us your thoughts on soccer to scpodcast@gmail.com

Scott and Bill discuss the standings in each Champions League group, and which should be most exciting down the stretch.

Also, which teams should you watch for in the UEFA Cup? The unusually competitive coaching market. And news from FIFA on how World Cup hosts are selected.

E-mail ?s or comments to scpodcast@gmail.com

Scott and Bill get you ready for the Matchday 3 encounters, plus our upset specials! Also we review recent goings on in Euro 2008 qualifying, and the sad situation facing the U.S. women's national team.

E-mail us with comments, questions or just to let us know where you're from and which team you support. Our e-mail address is scpodcast@gmail.com

Enjoy the games and Go Red Sox!!! (sorry, couldn't resist)

So have you heard? There's a new coach at Chelsea. Scott and Bill discuss the Mourinho fallout, and preview all of the Matchday 2 fixtures. [Not sure what a fixture is? Check out Episode 28!] Who should win? Who needs to win? Who will pull off the upset? We'll break it all down to get you ready for the games!

Questions? Comments? Fervent opinions? Send them to scpodcast@gmail.com.

Link:

Podcamp Boston 2

It's shaping up to be a great and compelling Champions League season, and the group stage starts tomorrow! So after you listen to Episode 29 to get ready for Tuesday's games, check out this one for Wednesday's matchups in Groups E-H. Also, we discuss UEFA President Michel Platini's trailblazing proposals to "spread the wealth" in the Champions League, literally and figuratively.

Thanks to Joe Gerakines for Soccer Champions' first anthems!

Links:
Podcamp Boston 2: Oct. 26-28, 2007, a free new media conference open to the public
Life on Tap, Dan's podcast

Welcome to the 2007-08 Champions League campaign! Scott and Bill get you ready for all the action with our look at Groups A-D. Which teams will advance to the knockout stages, who might make a surprising run, and which teams need to get a good result on Matchday 1.

Also, we answer a listener e-mail and discuss the meaning of the terms fixture, tie, pitch, matchday, cap, and the origin of the most important term of all: soccer. You might be surprised by the result.

Please e-mail us with comments or questions at scpodcast@gmail.com.

For fantasy (American) football insights and commentary, check out the Extra Points Podcast.

Interested in learning more about the Champions League and European soccer, but a little unclear as to what's going on? This is the episode for you! Bill and Scott discuss the major aspects of Euro soccer, to help explain how it works. After listening to this episode, you should (hopefully) be ready to dive in to the excitement and drama that is the Champions League, just before the 07-08 season really gets going.

Have a friend, co-worker, relative, etc. that you've been trying to get involved in soccer? Please recommend this episode to them, and then have them tune in throughout the season!

Web sites/cable channels mentioned in the episode:
Uefa.com
Soccernet.com
Fox Soccer Channel
ESPN Deportes
Gol TV
101greatgoals.com
The Guardian (newspaper)

Bill and Scott discuss a litany of summer transfers, from Germany to Spain to England and beyond. Which teams fared the best, which teams did well to get rid of players, and which players you should look for to make an impact in their new homes.

Have an opinion on transfers? E-mail scpodcast@gmail.com

In this special episode, Scott speaks with ESPNsoccernet.com columnist Jeff Carlisle. They discuss the US national team's experience at Copa America, which players from that tournament you should watch for, why playing in Europe may not be the best move for up-and-coming players, and more!

Questions or comments? E-mail scpodcast@gmail.com.

Scott and Bill are back with Soccer Champions! We discuss what is likely to be the transfer of the summer: Thierry Henry to Barca. Is it for the best? And how is Arsenal coping?

Also, Real Madrid's remarkable turnaround, and how much their coach Fabio Capello had to do with it. Did he deserve being fired after leading them to the La Liga title in his first year? (answer: probably not)

Also discussion of Copa America and the US's participation in it, a different kind of football in Europe, and a listener e-mail.

Want to get your soccer opinion heard? Our e-mail box is always open! Write us at scpodcast@gmail.com.

AC Milan are the champions of Europe! We look back on their victory over Liverpool and discuss all of the noteworthy talking points: should Inzagi's first goal have been disallowed since it seemed to be an obvious handball? Would additional refs watching the goallines have made a difference? What was up with ref not giving a full 3 minutes of extra time? How did Liverpool do in efforts to keep Kaka in check? Who should be the man of the match (if anyone)?

Also, has the Champions League gotten too big? Plus a discussion
of European teams playing preseason warmups abroad, and a potential new home for US midfielder DaMarcus Beasley.

A big thank you from us to our listeners for supporting us in our first Champions League season on air. We hope you will continue to listen in over the summer, send in e-mails with your opinions/questions/suggestions to scpodcast@gmail.com, and please join us in the fall for Champions League 2007-08!

Cheers,
Scott and Bill

It's all come down to this. AC Milan. Liverpool. The brilliant Olympic Stadium in Athens. One will leave as UEFA Champions League champions for 2006-07. Who will it be? Scott and Bill go over final pointers and analysis to get you set for the big game.

If the Champions League final is as good as the UEFA Cup final last week, then we are in for a treat. The Sevilla-Espanyol clash in rainy Glasgow provided high drama, great goals, stellar saves, an extra time comeback, and the nailbiting event that is penalty kicks. We review all the action.

Also: a listener e-mail about the Brazilian nat'l team; adding referees to watch the goallines; Bob Bradley becoming permanent head coach of US national team: good or bad?; the turnover at Newcastle United, including US defender Oguchi Onyewu.

Links
-The 4 thrilling goals from the UEFA Cup final with English commentary (links for all goals are at the right side of this page)
-EPL Talk podcast

It's setting up to be a fantastic final in Athens, with a rematch of the unforgettable '05 affair from Istanbul, with Liverpool once again the underdog facing Italian giants AC Milan. But before we get to the championship festivities, it's time to look back on the semifinals, and see how the Reds outlasted Chelsea, and the Rossoneri soundly dispatched Manchester United.

Also, a preview of the all-Spanish UEFA Cup final, with David-like Espanyol matched with the Goliath of Sevilla, this competition's defending champions.

Plus a listener e-mail concerning young Brazilian phenom Afonso Alves, who tore up the Dutch Eredivisie this season.

Want to have your question or opinion read on a future episode? E-mail us at scpodcast@gmail.com

Links
Here's a compilation of Afonso Alves goals from the 06-07 campaign, set to some funky music!

So this is the moment (err, matchday) of truth: who will advance to the championship, and the chance for Champions League or UEFA Cup glory, and who will come up just one game short? Scott and Bill get you caught up for the semifinal second legs, and we'll discuss whether or not the first leg results changed our minds about the overall outcomes of the UCL and UC.

Also, turmoil at Bayern Munich; where should the World Cup be held in 2018 and why this discussion should sound familiar; and the exciting conclusion to the Dutch Eredivisie season. Plus a listener e-mail!

Want to have your e-mail discussed on the show? All you have to do is send us your opinion, suggestion, question, or just which team you want to see get to Athens or Glasgow, to scpodcast@gmail.com.

In Episode 20, we incorrectly referred to Colorado's MLS franchise as the Avalanche. The Avalanche is in fact an ice hockey team; we meant to say the Rapids, the Colorado soccer team. Sorry about that.

In this episode Scott and Bill preview the semifinals of the Champions League and UEFA Cup, and who we think will reach the final in each.

In addition, UEFA this past week selected Poland and the Ukraine as cohosts of the Euro 2012 tournament. We give our impressions of this decision. Also, we discuss the pros and cons of European soccer teams forming partnerships with MLS teams, and Sir Alex's actions in the Roma tie in the quarterfinals.

Agree or disagree with an aspect of our discussions? Let us know by e-mailing scpodcast@gmail.com.

Get Scott and Bill's take on the quarterfinal second legs for the Champions League and UEFA Cup, and a first look at the semifinal matchups. Plus we read listener e-mails.

Want to get your message read on our show? Just send us your soccer thoughts at scpodcast@gmail.com.

We had some great goals, close games, and spirited comebacks in the quarterfinal first legs of the Champions League and UEFA Cup. Scott and Bill go over all of the action, and what you need to know heading into the second legs this week. Are we sticking with our original predictions, or have the first legs led us to consider new outcomes?

Also, we review the little covered, yet intriguing situation of young American prospect Greg Dalby.

As always, e-mail us at scpodcast@gmail.com with any questions or comments, and we'll mention your message on the show.

Links:
David Silva's laser shot for Valencia against Chelsea

Are you ready for the quarterfinals of the Champions League and UEFA Cup!? Bill and Scott discuss what to keep in mind for the games this week.

Also in this episode, a look back at last week's Euro 2008 qualifiers, who's unexpectedly at the top, and which names should be there but aren't. And should Steve McLaren be worried about his job security with England?

Finally, the debacle that is the US national team coaching situation is revisited.

E-mail us with questions or comments at scpodcast@gmail.com

Scott and Bill recap the round of 16 second legs from the Champs League and UEFA Cup. Plus, listen in for a first look at the quarterfinal matchups.

And will English leagues institute penalty kick shootouts to break a tie in any game? Is this a good idea (our view- no)?

What's on your mind regarding European soccer? E-mail us at scpodcast@gmail.com.

P.S. Click here to see a clip of Mancini's wonder-goal from the Roma-Lyon second leg, along with some great Italian play-by-play!!

Scott and Bill review the Matchday 7 results, including Liverpool's statement at the Nou Camp and the controversial clash between Man United and Lille.

Also, we ponder who is in the best position as we head towards Matchday 8, and who has the toughest task in front of them to advance?

Plus transfer rumors and a UEFA Cup update!

Please e-mail opinions or suggestions to scpodcast@gmail.com.

It's time we welcome back the Champions League, as Scott and Bill preview all of the Matchday 7 encounters. Who needs to do the most in the first leg? Who might be able to pull an upset?

Plus we look at some noteworthy results from this past week's UEFA Cup Round of 32.

Also, be sure to check out the EPL Talk podcast.

As the Champions League winter break comes to a close, we take a look at recent news of note:

Match suspensions in Italy
Prominent transfers within Europe, and moves from Europe to the US
Americans sweep in to become new owners of Liverpool FC

Plus we discuss whether increasing foreign ownership of European soccer teams is a good thing or a bad thing, and how far will it go?

The long wait is almost over- be sure to catch our next episode, when we'll preview Matchday 7 of the Champions League, which starts on Feb. 20!! As always, e-mail any questions or suggestions to scpodcast@gmail.com.

Bill and Scott weigh in on the decision to boot Feyenoord from the UEFA Cup due to the actions of their fans. Is UEFA sending the right message? Will it work?

Be sure to send your opinions to scpodcast@gmail.com.

So David Beckham is coming to the LA Galaxy. Good thing or bad thing? And how about American players going to Europe? What will get MLS into the upper echelons of domestic leagues? Answers to these questions and more as we discuss this major MLS news.

Also, what's going on with Jose Mourinho? Plus what Chelsea has in common with baseball's New York Yankees, and Paul le Guen's ouster at Rangers.

Finally, we shine our up-and-coming player spotlight on Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas.

Links:
Soccernet profile of Cesc Fabregas

Can't wait until the knockout rounds of the Champions League and UEFA Cup in February? Preview them now with Scott and Bill! For our last show of 2006, we look at upcoming matchups in both competitions.

Also, how will Euro 2012 look different from the '08 version? And we answer some questions about classic matches and up-and-coming players from Dan on Tap. Happy Holidays!

Dan on Tap's podcast:
Life on Tap

Time to take stock of the Champions League, and review the final group stage matches. We discuss a brilliant Ronaldinho strike, a particularly exciting match between Hamburg and CSKA Moscow, Manchester United getting a sense of deja vu vs. Benfica, and a famous win for little Lille against the goliath known as AC Milan.

Also, what happened in the search for the next coach of the US men's national team!?! It seemed as if Jurgen Klinsmann was signed, sealed, and delivered, and then out of the blue, the new coach is introduced, and it's...Bob Bradley!?!? Scott and Bill dissect the decision.

Scott and Bill look at every Champions League group as we head into the last matchday of the group stage! Who will advance? Who will reach the UEFA Cup? And whose European season is over? Tune in to find out!

Plus, we review where things stand in the UEFA Cup, discuss a startling incident from Paris, look back at the MLS Cup--the USA domestic league championship game--and, finally, dole out some career advice for Freddy Adu.

This week is the last we'll see of the Champions League until February, so enjoy it while it lasts!

Any suggestions for topics you want us to cover during the winter break? E-mail them to scpodcast@gmail.com.

Links:
Life on Tap

Get ready for all of the Matchday 5 encounters, including Real Madrid-Lyon, Celtic-Man U, and Werder Bremen-Chelsea.

Questions or comments? Write us at scpodcast@gmail.com.

Relive the drama from Arsenal Stadium and the Nou Camp with our review of prime encounters from Matchday 4.

Plus we discuss the pros and cons of instant replay in soccer in response to a listener e-mail.

Also, is David Beckham coming to America to play in MLS? And why do some teams look unbeatable in European play, but struggle in their domestic leagues (or vice versa?).

On this episode, we review Chelsea's domination of Barcelona, Celtic's solid win over Benfica, and other Matchday 3 action.

We also preview the "return legs" for Matchday 4. Plus it's time to catch up on the UEFA Cup, and who deserves to be FIFA World Player of the Year?

Links:
Keene, NH Pumpkin Festival
FIFA World Player of the Year Nominees

What should you look for in Matchday 3 of the Champions League? Tune in to find out!

Bill and I also discuss the recent Euro 2008 qualifying games, the US national team coaching vacancy and who should fill it, and we tell you why a North American team should play in a South American tournament.

E-mail us with comments or questions at scpodcast@gmail.com. And spread the word about our show!

Scott and Bill review where things stand with the Champions League, introduce the UEFA Cup, and discuss the contentious issue of foreign ownership of European soccer teams.

Since the Champions League isn't back until Oct. 17-18, we'll review the current standings after two matchdays and cover other topics, like the UEFA Cup, and foreign ownership of European soccer teams.

Please send comments and questions to scpodcast@gmail.com!

In this episode, Scott and Bill review Matchday 1. What was Benitez thinking in benching the majority of his first-team players, especially captain Steven Gerrard? Real Madrid get steamrolled by surging Lyon. And a thriller at the Theater of Dreams between Manchester United and Celtic.

We also preview Matchday 2, including Man U looking to get some revenge from Benfica, and a marquis matchup between high-flying Valencia and AS Roma.

Any questions, comments, or suggestions for the show? E-mail them to scpodcast@gmail.com.

Welcome to Soccer Champions, a podcast covering the UEFA Champions League and other European soccer competitions from across the pond!

In this premiere episode, meet your hosts, Scott and Bill, and find out how 2 American guys came to follow Euro soccer.

Also, we review all 8 Champions League groups, and preview Matchday 1 encounters.

Please e-mail us with questions, comments, or suggestions at scpodcast@gmail.com.