Rooster and the Villain: An American Soccer Podcast

Rooster and the Villain: An American Soccer Podcast

Three American guys navigate their way through the English Premier League, Champions League, and US Men‘s National Team soccer. With three different levels of knowledge, our goal is to nurture curiosity among Americans interested in learning more about the world‘s greatest game.

Episodes

July 26, 2025 66 mins

Mike lit the beacon, and Jake answered the call. Come join us as we cover a wide range of US soccer topics!

Mark as Played

Forward Madison and their flamingo crest is one of the more recognizable brands in USL League One. As one of founding members of League One back in 2019, with consistent attendance numbers of ~4,000 fans, the club has been a model of what clubs can strive to be in the 3rd tier of Professional soccer in this Country.

Rob Chappell has been following along since the beginning through his podcast, “Talkin’ Flock.” The podcast has been ...

Mark as Played
Mark as Played

USL League One spreading out West is an essential part of the plan over the next few years (“Manifest Destiny for L1”). Forming a Western Division would cut down on travel costs and make a 3rd tier professional club more affordable to operate. It is cities like Boise that are the perfect fit for joining the USL Western Front.

The intrigue for the city as a potential soccer hotbed piqued after two friendlies produced sell-out result...

Mark as Played

Jake attempts a solo-dolo episode and gets a little help from someone special to him.

Mark as Played

Sorry folks, we've been taking a personal break lately. This "new" show is more discussion based, and we leave more room for how we feel about our favorite league in the world. So come welcome us back and listen to us wax poetically about Cal Jennings, the Locomotive attack, and what's gone wrong with Tampa Bay. Also, Jake says nice things about New Mexico United!

Mark as Played

In late 2024, USL Dallas announced their intention to add Dallas to their list of USL Championship clubs for 2027. Led by co-founders and long time friends, Matt Valentine and Sam Morton, the club is poised to enter a market that is also occupied by Major League Soccer.

I was fortunate enough to have Matt on the podcast to discuss this exciting USL project. We talk about Matt’s personal history with the beautiful game, the Ownershi...

Mark as Played

Just wanted to get the word out on the USL Adventure Show on the R&V channel. If you haven't yet, go check it out on Beyond the 90!

Mark as Played
April 17, 2025 10 mins

Hello out there. Just getting something out there to explain my inaction.

Mark as Played

Sean McGee has spent his life hustling to make it in the business of sports. His journey has taken him from minor league baseball, to NPSL soccer with Kingston Stockade, to coaching College basketball, to business development with the Tampa Bay Lightning, and finally, to the Sarasota Paradise in Lakewood Ranch, Florida. 

For those keeping track at home, Sarasota Paradise will be moving up to USL League One for the 2026 season and i...

Mark as Played

Eight years ago, a 19 year old Jimmy Filerman had his first experience in the US Open Cup as a player for the South Florida Surf in USL League Two. A team of mostly amateur players in their schools’ offseasons came together to face Miami FC, who at the time was spending big money to put together a competitive roster in the NASL with Manager Alessandro Nesta (of Italian National Team Fame).

The team of kids tied the game in the 76’ ...

Mark as Played

My Instagram algorithm led me to one of the more fascinating projects that I’ve seen in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup. Ben Chehebar is working to bring a DC-based, independent cleat (boot!) company to market later this year and is taking his Instagram followers on the journey with him.

Ben’s path into the Soccer industry has been via the scenic route. After a quick stop at Adidas on the West Coast post-University of Michigan ba...

Mark as Played
March 13, 2025 52 mins

I recently solicited my Instagram followers for some interviewees and Baltimore City FC responded to the request. BCFC plays in the American Premier Soccer League in America's 4th tier of the pyramid. They are new-ish to the Baltimore soccer scene but have big goals in mind. Nick Siler, the Director of Club Management and Head Coach, Joe Nixon jumped on to talk about their personal soccer history, the club's history, and the goals ...

Mark as Played
March 6, 2025 75 mins

Well, the fellas are contemplating moving away from premier league "coverage' and into the USL Championship coverage as we all fall down the rabbit hole of lower division soccer in the country. But for now; how about another Prem Show episode? The fellas talk about "Top 5 Underrated", quick hits on Brighton, Spurs, and Villa, and enjoy chatting about soccer. Enjoy. 

Mark as Played

Erik has been in and around the beautiful game since his days as the Operations Director for Giants Stadium around year 2000. In that role, he got his first taste of professional soccer through the NY/NJ Metrostars, and the international teams that rolled through that area. Around 2008, he became the Managing Director for Red Bull NY and oversaw the development, opening, and operation of one of the US's best soccer-specific stadium...

Mark as Played

Jake and Mike get together to discuss the latest updates on their clubs, and then we talk about the state of USL and soccer in America.

Mark as Played

Forrest Tucker is currently a Sports Reporter and Anchor for WTVQ based out of Lexington, Kentucky. He shoots, writes, and edits short and long form feature stories, and has gained experience in covering College and Professional teams and covering events like March Madness, Triple Crown Horse Racing, PGA Tour, and MLS Cup. 

He's also covered American soccer through his podcast, "The Cleared Off the Line Podcast" as well as covering...

Mark as Played

The Maryland Bobcats' starting right back came on the podcast to discuss his journey from High School soccer player in Maryland to professional journeyman in the US's 3rd Division.

Travis has played for Greenville Triumph of the USL-L1, Michigan Stars, Stumptown, Chattanooga and Bobcats of NISA, and is currently on the hunt for his next job in professional soccer. Travis talks about each stop of his soccer journey, beating USL-Cham...

Mark as Played

Scott has been in the event space surrounding the game since the late 1980s. He has fascinating insights on the game before MLS existed, the 1994 world cup, MISL, and more. We could have talked for another few hours about the beautiful game. Fun conversation and fun person to talk to. Enjoy!

Mark as Played
January 30, 2025 64 mins

Jake and Mike ramble about Brighton, Spurs, and Champions League. Then, some terrible 37 year old white rapping. 

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.

    The Bobby Bones Show

    Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.

    24/7 News: The Latest

    The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.