The Red and Blue Soccer Chat - 5/29/26

The Red and Blue Soccer Chat - Group Stage Selection Show

Where we give our picks for the group stage of the World Cup.

The Red and Blue Soccer Chat - 5/29/26

Greetings, Reds and Blues! Well, we’ve reached the end of another season. So how did we each fare, and what do we have to look forward to this summer with our USMNT? Let’s get into it! Chelsea’s season started promisingly enough. A win over the European Champions PSG at the Club World Cup set the stage for what should have been a top-4 season. They went the month of August unbeaten, had a bit of a mixed bag in September, then seemed to really get a head of steam through October and November. But bubbling underneath were some back-room and boardroom issues that would come to a head throughout December, culminating in Enzo Maresca’s decision to leave on January 1. The appointment of Liam Rosenior started well enough, with strong statements throughout January and February. But mid-March arrived with a trip to the aforementioned CL champions PSG, and from there it all went pear-shaped. The next 10 games saw 9 losses, with only a flattering, lop-sided victory over League One Port Vale giving any sense of hope. They lost 5 games in a row without scoring. And only a derby victory over Tottenham lifted the mood. They finished the season under interim manager Calum McFarlane (in his 2nd such spell of the season). But they also got some good news as they announced the appointment of Xabi Alonso as their new manager. He’s a big enough name, and surely negotiated terms that give him control and choice. Can he find the right combination to get things back on track? United’s season seemed to unfold in the exact opposite manner of Chelsea’s. They struggled for consistent results throughout the Fall, with a few statement wins over Chelsea and Liverpool (at least they were seen so at the time) scattered about. But results through November and December worsened until Ruben Amorim himself saw the light and essentially dared the board to sack him – and they did. Michael Carrick was appointed manager on January 13 just days before their Manchester derby. The new manager bump was alive and well in a strong win over City, which he followed with another statement over Arsenal a week later. Consistent, if not convincing, results would continue through the spring, with the occasional loss or draw smattered about. But he managed to secure a 3rd-place finish and Champions League football for next season, and that was enough to be appointed full-time for a 2-year contract. The resurgence of the leaving Casemiro and the restored-from-the-wilderness Kobbie Mainoo had a great deal to do with it all. And replacements/upgrades will be needed to improve on the latter half of the season’s performances. They are heavily linked with defensive midfielders, where reinforcements are needed for Case and the almost-certain-to-leave Ugarte. Bruno also set the record for assists in a PL season and was named Player of the Year as well. This bodes well, but Carrick will have to hope for proper backing and some smart decisions to compete again on multiple fronts. The USMNT roster was announced on Tuesday, though several leaks insured there were few surprises at the official unveiling. They have until June 1 to make changes, but the following are who have been announced. Did Poch get it right? Who should have gotten a call? Who shouldn’t have? GOALKEEPERS (3): Matt Freese (NYCFC), Matt Turner (New England Revolution), Chris Brady (Chicago Fire) CENTER BACKS (5): Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Auston Trusty (Celtic), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati) FULLBACKS (5): Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven), Alex Freeman (Villarreal), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew) CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS (4): Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps) ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS/WINGERS (6): Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Tim Weah (Marseille), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen), Gio Reyna (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United), Alejandro Zendejas (Club América) STRIKERS (3): Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven), Haji Wright (Coventry City) We’ll be being fans and then some, so join us Wednesday at 7 p.m. live at Chatham Tap, or online via Facebook Live and YouTube Live as well. You can also catch us on the platforms listed below. Like, subscribe, comment, and raise a glass with us wherever you listen. Cheers! ⚽🍺⚽🍺⚽🍺⚽🍺 #TheRedandBlueSoccerChat #ChathamTapFishers #ChelseaFC #manchesterunited #USMNT #USWNT https://linktr.ee/theredandbluesoccerchat https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-red-and-blue-soccer/ https://www.youtube.com/@theredandbluesoccerchat instagram.com/theredandbluesoccerchat https://open.spotify.com/show/7gC93OQZpUrk1ZKkHG7bya https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-red-and-blue-soccer-chat/id1720060776 https://www.facebook.com/TheEvanAndAaronShow

The Red and Blue Soccer Chat - 4/15/26

Welcome back, Reds and Blues! We survived the international break and the first week back. But things have not gone well for the Red-White-and-Blue, the Reds, or the Blues since we last chatted. Let’s get into it. Chelsea desperately needed the international break. 4 losses on the trot had dropped them out of the Champions League spot. They returned to face Port Vale in the FA Cup, and it was a welcome respite as they ran out 7-0 against the League One side. But they were brought back to earth this weekend when they hosted Manchester City. The first half seemed even, but the late-season beast that is City awoke in the 2nd half. 2 goals inside about 15 minutes ended the contest, with a third coming later to rub it in. The return of Enzo Fernandez may be a boost, but they face a Manchester United side that will be looking to bounce back from their loss to local rivals Leeds. Brighton and Leeds round out the month of April, which may decide their European fate. United had an extended break with the first weekend back being dedicated to the FA Cup. But that extra time seemed to add cobwebs rather than freshness. Leeds showed up to Old Trafford ready to fight. They figuratively and literally punched United in the face in the first five minutes and made it clear they were not going to lie down in their own relegation fight. A second goal on the half hour mark and a United red card made a fightback more difficult. An in-perfect cross from Bruno for Casemiro’s header gave the home crowd some hope, but Leeds managed to turn away multiple goal-line opportunities to give Carrick only his 2nd loss in this stint. United will look to revive their top-4 hopes with a trip to Stamford Bridge. The outcome of that game will have massive impact on the future of both clubs. The USMNT played 2 friendlies in further preparation for the upcoming World Cup, and let’s just say we now have more questions than answers. After a decent but probably far too open first half against Belgium, the floodgates were opened and the final score of 5-2 was flattering. It felt like the Belgians scored about every 5 minutes or at least could have. The match against Portugal was only slightly better because of the scoreline. But the US was truly never in the game, as Portugal dominated possession and position. Both games should serve as a reality check for what expectations should be, as well as demonstrating that some players are just not at the level required to go deep in a Cup run. Pulisic’s poor start to 2026 at club level carried over, and a few players should be told now that they are not going to be on the plane. The USMNT now has 2 games to find some semblance of form, or this could a short Cup. The USWNT play a friendly against Japan this evening at 10pm. The field is now set after the last round of playoff matches. We’ll run down who punched their ticket and the likely big matchups. We’ll be wondering what counts as a foul and a card, so join us Wednesday at 7 p.m. live at Chatham Tap, or online via Facebook Live and YouTube Live as well. You can also catch us on the platforms listed below. Like, subscribe, comment, and raise a glass with us wherever you listen. Cheers! ⚽🍺⚽🍺⚽🍺⚽🍺 #TheRedandBlueSoccerChat #ChathamTapFishers #ChelseaFC #manchesterunited #USMNT #USWNT https://linktr.ee/theredandbluesoccerchat https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-red-and-blue-soccer/ https://www.youtube.com/@theredandbluesoccerchat instagram.com/theredandbluesoccerchat https://open.spotify.com/show/7gC93OQZpUrk1ZKkHG7bya https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-red-and-blue-soccer-chat/id1720060776 https://www.facebook.com/TheEvanAndAaronShow

The Red and Blue Soccer Chat - 4/29/26

Greetings, Reds and Blues! We’re nearing the business end of the season. Chelsea’s hopes now sit squarely upon the FA Cup. United have a chance to grab a CL spot if they can hold onto their current position. Let’s see how both fared recently. Chelsea’s season is limping toward the finish line. Recent results in the Premier League have not been what they have hoped for at this point, as they sit in 8th place and 10 points off the guaranteed CL spot of 5th. But while the league has not been pleasant for them recently, they have managed to get their hands near a trophy. A nervy but ultimately worthy 1-goal win over a plucky but largely toothless Leeds side sees them head back to Wembley for an FA Cup final against Manchester City, who themselves left it late to overturn a deficit to defeat Southampton. Chelsea won’t play for a full week before resuming next Monday against Forest. They go away to Liverpool the week for their Cup final before rounding out May away to Sunderland. United’s hopes for Champions League football next season took another big step on Monday with a somewhat edgy 2-1 victory over Brentford. United started brightly and got an early goal, but Brentford were full of attacking intent themselves and had multiple golden opportunities that they failed to take. A second goal before halftime should have calmed the nerves, but Carrick seemed to sense the danger and brought on Maz for Amad to bring more defensive composure. It worked well, but Brentford made things lively with a late thunderbolt of a goal. They had one more chance that Lammens held onto, and they now sit all alone in third 3 points above Liverpool and Villa. They welcome Liverpool to Old Trafford next weekend as they look fully solidify their hold on a CL spot. Sunderland, Forest, and Brighton round out the season for United. We’ll be wondering which referees are calling fouls this week, so join us Wednesday at 7 p.m. live at Chatham Tap, or online via Facebook Live and YouTube Live as well. You can also catch us on the platforms listed below. Like, subscribe, comment, and raise a glass with us wherever you listen. Cheers! ⚽🍺⚽🍺⚽🍺⚽🍺 #TheRedandBlueSoccerChat #ChathamTapFishers #ChelseaFC #manchesterunited #USMNT #USWNT https://linktr.ee/theredandbluesoccerchat https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-red-and-blue-soccer/ https://www.youtube.com/@theredandbluesoccerchat instagram.com/theredandbluesoccerchat https://open.spotify.com/show/7gC93OQZpUrk1ZKkHG7bya https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-red-and-blue-soccer-chat/id1720060776 https://www.facebook.com/TheEvanAndAaronShow

The Red and Blue Soccer Chat - 3/25/26

Greetings, Reds and Blues! The international break is upon us. So how did our clubs sign off in the league? Chelsea have now lost 4 games in a row and failed to score in the last 3. But it is the manner in which they’ve lost that should be worrisome. The first leg of the PSG CL tie was going along acceptably until the last 20 minutes, during which the wheels fell and have not been located since. A dreary 1-0 at home to Newcastle followed. Then another capitulation to PSG. And finally this past weekend’s dire outing away to Everton. So the break comes at an opportune time for them. And an additional saving grace arrives upon their return to action, as they face Port Vale at home in the FA Cup. But that game is followed by visits from Manchester City and United, respectively. Liam Rosenior has his work cut out for him for the month of April. Michael Carrick is now rumored to be getting the position full-time and a 3-year contract. They looked convincing against Villa, and slightly less so against Bournemouth. But the trajectory has been good, and they appear set to hold firm on third place and a CL spot. But this will add pressure and further questions between now and the end of the season. I personally think there was no harm in waiting to announce the decision, even if all parties knew behind the scenes. The last thing this team needs at the moment is a further distraction. This may ultimately be the real test for Carrick. The USMNT enters their last camp before gathering for the Cup this summer. Belgium awaits on Saturday. How experimental and/or pragmatic Poch will approach this match remains to be seen. The USWNT returns to action mid-April with a friendly against Japan. And several teams will take one step closer to the World Cup on Thursday in the first leg of the playoffs. We’ll be wondering just how and why VAR chooses to get involved, so join us Wednesday at 7 p.m. live at Chatham Tap, or online via Facebook Live and YouTube Live as well. You can also catch us on the platforms listed below. Like, subscribe, comment, and raise a glass with us wherever you listen. Cheers! ⚽🍺⚽🍺⚽🍺⚽🍺 #TheRedandBlueSoccerChat #ChathamTapFishers #ChelseaFC #manchesterunited #USMNT #USWNT https://linktr.ee/theredandbluesoccerchat https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-red-and-blue-soccer/ https://www.youtube.com/@theredandbluesoccerchat instagram.com/theredandbluesoccerchat https://open.spotify.com/show/7gC93OQZpUrk1ZKkHG7bya https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-red-and-blue-soccer-chat/id1720060776 https://www.facebook.com/TheEvanAndAaronShow