Susannah is joined by Chicago Stars midfielder and Committee member Brianna Pinto for today’s show!

00:15 - Intro and a Happy Birthday to Brianna!

01:37 - Brianna sees family on the road and gives a small peek at the Pinto Family Group Chat

05:58 - Chicago Stars earn a much needed victory on Brianna’s birthday

10:46 - Sooz is delighted at finding out Brianna met Baby Josie

12:47 - Brianna chats about the World Cup break positively impacting the Stars and her World Cup plans in June

16:21 - Arsenal finally close out and win the Premier League title and Pep Guardiola departs Man City after a decade in command.

21:17 - When Brianna met Pep

23:55 - Tottenham escapes relegation and some beloved Liverpool players have their final goodbyes, to Sooz’s dismay

30:11 - Women’s UCL Final and W CONCACAF Champions Cup Final. Barcelona take down Lyon 4-0 and Club America defeat Washington Spirit 5-3. The impact the UCL Final game leaves for the departing players at Lyon and Barcelona and Brianna gives her flowers to Liga MX Femenil.

38:55 - The USMNT 2026 Final World Cup roster leaks out to the public and reactions to the names called (and not) to the roster.

52:25 - The crew pick out and watch 5 of their favorite roster announcement videos (We apologize now playing the audio for the England announcement, we don’t want to get copyright struck by The Beatles)

01:02:01 - Reality TV Recap, in this case, The Soccer Documentary Recap. Brianna talks her love for Ronaldinho from watching the documentary and Sooz being genuinely starstruck meeting him at Baller League.

01:08:55 - Close

Listen to our shows, subscribe our newsletter and socials at: kickbacksoccer.com

See our First Touch ’26 Preview page for breakdowns on all 48 teams competing this summer: First Touch 26' World Cup Preview

Susannah welcomes Channel 6 co-founder and Shutdown Fullcast co-host Spencer Hall to today’s episode of Open Mic!

03:04 - Sooz welcomes to Spencer to the show. It’s the first time they’ve spoken in over a decade, going back to their SB Nation days and they reminisce for the occasion.

05:29 - The origin and rise of the Every Day Should Be Saturday college football blog or more commonly known as EDSBS and how that kicked off Spencer’s career

08:17 - Sooz mentions her favorite SB Nation-era project Spencer took part in and leads into some words about participatory journalism

12:27 - Spencer’s relationship with Soccer

15:26 - Excitement level for the 2026 World Cup and how he consumes the matches

20:39 - Relationship (well, lack there of) with the USMNT

23:22 - Why isn’t the U.S. a soccer powerhouse? The Answer Will Surprise You!

25:25 - Memories of 1994, the Colombian National Team and his love for other national teams such as Nigeria and Japan (but not Italy)

33:00 - Atlanta as a Soccer City, its relationship with other sports and with Atlanta United

39:43 - Atlanta’s preparedness (it’s not) for the World Cup

44:52 - Comprehending how visitors will handle the commutes (and why the British NEED to bring sunscreen)

46:39 - Will this World Cup give soccer a boost in the U.S.?

49:41 - Lightning Question Round

50:59 - Close

Spencer Hall: @edsbs.bsky.social

Channel 6: https://channel-6.ghost.io/

Shutdown Fullcast: @shutdownfullcast.bsky.social

Listen to our shows, subscribe our newsletter and socials at: kickbacksoccer.com

See our First Touch ’26 Preview page for breakdowns on all 48 teams competing this summer: First Touch 26' World Cup Preview

Susannah is joined this week by Toronto FC, USMNT Defender and Committee member Walker Zimmerman!

00:12 - Intro and a Happy Birthday to Walker!

04:19 - Catch-Up with Walker and welcoming Eloise Hollowell Zimmerman!

12:15 - Walker’s outlook on the Toronto FC season ahead and the incoming World Cup break

15:39 - Columbus Crew fire head coach Henrik Rydström and Austin FC fire sporting director Rodolfo Borrell and head coach Nico Estevez. The duo discuss the impact these firings have on clubs, what it does to players, situations team to team.

25:38 - The NCAA announces an agreement to switch the Men’s D1 college soccer schedule to a fall to spring format in 2027. Walker’s experience as a former college player at Furman University gives insight on this decision and why it’s the right one in Walker’s mind.

32:09 - Sam Sarver is already an MLS legend and Walker remembers a Johnny Cash-inspired celebration

37:45 - We hear your voicemails! Thoughts on Atlanta United, Bianca St-Georges, Philadelphia Union and a brief SEC Football segue

50:03 - The Survivor TV Recap featuring Walker’s appearance on the HBO USMNT documentary series

57:02 - Close

Listen to our shows, subscribe our newsletter and socials at: kickbacksoccer.com

See our First Touch ’26 Preview page for breakdowns on all 48 teams competing this summer: First Touch 26' World Cup Preview