Bye Bye, Ron Ron

Plus, a new MIB podcast to announce

October 21, 2022

HAIL GFOP!

I type with fingers that are proud and excited. World Cup 2022 is less than a month away. As regular readers of this newsletter know, I have been working on a six-part podcast series with my friend Brendan Hunt, Coach Beard of Ted Lasso fame. It is called Go! Go! USA: A Passionate Fan’s History of American Men’s Football and it debuts this Sunday. 🇺🇸

I am so bloody excited for you to hear this one. The first time I met Brendan, I recognized he was a kindred spirit. A gent who lived, and dreamed, and yearned to see the game we love in the nation we love flourish on the men's side as it has through our victorious women. Like so many of you, we have cheered on great days. We have mourned on the truly dark ones. Yet, I have come to realize that so many of our listeners in their twenties never experienced the World Cups of the early 2000s. They never truly saw Brian McBride, Prime Landon Donovan, or in many cases, that inimitable life force that is Clint Dempsey. So, this show is designed to relive every American Men’s moment in World Cup history. Going tournament by tournament. Blow by blow. 

Our goal is to reinforce the truth that there is a rich and proud history of football on the men's side in this nation. And you just have to hear it and know it to understand that we are all standing on the shoulders of giants, and at same time, to appreciate just how the game here has grown so far, and so fast. Think of it as an Epic Ken Burns-historic magnum opus, with a lot more Scotch.

🍺 Weekend Beers. Order Budweiser via Drizly and get $5 off your first order when you use the code: BUDXMIB Courtesy of Drizly. New Drizly users only. Must be 21+. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Per applicable law, value may be applied towards order total or shipping or delivery fees. Includes orders of non-alcoholic items. Void where prohibited. Expires on 12/31/22 at 11:59 EDT.🍺

The only thing more exciting and exhilarating than all of the football stretched out before us over the next two months is the fact we’ll get to experience so much of it with you, dear GFOPs. In your magical cities. We are heading out across this country we adore for The Men in Blazers, This Cup’s For You Tour. Here at Men in Blazers, we’ve played a million cities and we’ve rocked… well…  we’ve rocked very few of them. But that’s going to change this time! NYC, DC, Philadelphia, Austin, Atlanta, St. Louis, LA, San Francisco, Seattle and Nashville, come be with us. TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE HERE. Let’s make memories during this most wonderful time of the year. A time so wonderful, it only happens every four years. We are blown away by the response thus far, and do not take a single one of you for granted. 🙏

3. To the Football

i. Chelsea vs. Manchester United (Saturday, 12.30 PM ET, NBC Proper)

United should be swaggering in after overwhelming a shattered looking Tottenham 2-0 in what a delighted Erik ten Hag hailed as their “best team performance of the season.” Instead, they are grappling with the aftershocks of a power struggle with the flapping piece of Portuguese skin that is Cristiano Ronaldo, who decided to leave the bench and storm down the tunnel while the game was still going on. On an otherwise fantastic night for his team, Ron Ron found a way to make the story about him. He has since been banished by the club and is said to be reluctant to engage with Ten Hag’s coaching staff. It is hard to watch an undoubtedly great of the game consumed by vanity, especially because his exit strategy seems limited. What serious team would want him? Season 2 of Welcome to Wrexham going to be awesome. 

In terms of the game, the startling element of the Spurs victory was watching the assured Casemiro propel a delirious collective. Can he do it again against Chelsea, who are undefeated in seven matches - but without the guile and intelligence of the injured Reece James seemed lesser in a goalless draw at Brentford? American fans will wonder if Pulisic, after a lively 29-minute midweek cameo, has done enough to earn a start.  

ii. Southampton vs. Arsenal (Sunday, 9 AM ET, P’Cock)

League-Leading Arsenal, with a startling 9 wins from 10 top-flight games, now face a generous pair of opponents in Southampton and Nottingham Forest. However, they barely survived Leeds last weekend. Even though he has lost Kyle Walker-Peters due to injury, Ralph Hassenhuttl has engineered a mini Saints revival. Stick Ralph’s photograph against a rotting head of lettuce and he will outlast the veg every time. 

iii. Nottingham Forest vs. Liverpool (Saturday, 7.30 AM ET, USA)

Despite back-to-back league wins, are we truly convinced that the thunderous Liverpool of our imaginations is truly back? I do want to be clear: Watching James Milner battle and outwit Death with his intense focus has been one of the most humanly remarkable feats of the season. Irrespective, Klopp’s squad have much too much for that footballing Kick-Me Post It, Nottingham Forest. Darwin Nunez is a cult hero in the making. He rebounded from an erratic City cameo by scoring a massive goal against West Ham, kissing the badge like some kind of Uruguayan Aaron Judge.  

iv. Manchester City vs. Brighton (Saturday, 10 AM ET, P’Cock)

The last time Manchester City lost two league games on the run was back in December 2018. Brighton will try to mimic Mo Salah by propelling Leandro Trossard to scamper in behind. An Erling Haaland triple anger-hattrick is more likely. 

v. Everton vs. Crystal Palace (Saturday, 10 AM ET, USA)

A team I love but have begun to watch with dread as their toothless huff and puff cries out for any kind of an end product. Canada’s Jonathan David is latest to be linked to our Doom Ship. This is who we are now: “Crystal Palace, Not in the Face.” 

vi. Aston Villa vs. Brentford (Sunday, 9 AM ET, P’Cock)

Farewell, Stevie G. Fired 90 minutes after a defeat at Fulham in which his team managed a groundbreaking, Premier League first trifecta: having a player sent off, conceding a penalty, and scoring an own goal in the same match. The game ended with Villa fans prophetically singing "You'll Never Work Again" and G. was fired 90 minutes later. I hope that does not rule him out as Liverpool’s next manager, as Klopp promised less than a year ago.  

vii. Leeds vs. Fulham (Sunday, 9 AM ET, CNBC)

Is it always darkest before the dawn? Fulham charge into town with the ferocious eight-goal Mitrovic making that prospect feel like a prostate exam for Jesse Marsch’s team. Leeds are in a tailspin of seven games without a win and three straight defeats, including an insipid midweek defeat against flailing’s Leicester. After failing to fill the Raphinha-sized hole at striker, Brenden Aaronson and Tyler Adams appear to be the only bright spots as Marsch admitted post-match, “We have to find a way to stop the bleeding.”

viii. Tottenham vs. Newcastle (Sunday, 11.30 AM ET, USA)

Conte has spent the week writing off Spurs chances after an insipid defeat at United. Antonio is a master of opposite speak, which suggests Spurs really do have a chance and they are saving their energies for the other side of the World Cup. However, they have wilted against every true challenger this season. Newcastle can announce their true aspirational qualities with victory here.

Here’s the full Premier League Broadcast Schedule, which you’ll notice also includes a very special episode of The MEN IN BLAZERS TV SHOW. Tomorrow we unleash an episode that features Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Aaron Ramsdale. These are three interviews that are not to be missed. And a reminder that every television show from this season, and last, are available on Peacock. Where else can you find John Oliver, Will Ferrell, Emma Hayes, and RZA all in one place?

4. World Corrupt. A month out from the World Cup. Please give Episode 3 a listen 

Episode 3 of World Corrupt, our Podcast collaboration with Tommy Vietor and the GFOPs at Crooked Media drops on Saturday. This show is a deep dive into the nexus between sports and geopolitics, exploring how the Gulf State won the right to host FIFA’s crown jewel, and what we as fans can do after a reported 6,500 migrant workers died since FIFA announced the World Cup was coming. If you've not yet listened, we recommend starting at the source of this sonic river. You can listen to Episode 1 HERE. Episode 2 is available HERE. And, tomorrow, Episode 3 focuses on Qatar, the country's history, why they would want a World Cup, and the scrutiny that comes along with it in the first place. If you've enjoyed this podcast, we would be grateful if you shared it with a friend who you think may benefit from it. Courage. We're going to need it. 

b. Our Book: Gods Of Soccer

This first grade book report on Gods of Soccer might be the greatest thing that has ever happened to us. I wanted to create this volume so that fans and families could savor it together. Grab your copies, Gift them to all your football-curious friends here.

4. More Football, Did Ya Say?

i. Big Body Benzema. Sid Lowe on the Ballon d’Or Winner, his ever-improving career and legacy never larger.

ii. A truly lovely 1970s BBC news report about the loudest fan in football. Sent in by eagle-eyed GFOP Luke Ferris.

iii. Stunning photo collection of lower league pie huts and snack shops. Heartwarming.

5. NWSL Play-Off Magic 

This weekend is blessed with two mouthwatering NWSL semi-final matchups: Portland Thorns, still smarting from their inability to win the Supporters Shield on the last day of the regular season, welcome Alex Morgan and her expansion team of wonder, the San Diego Wave to Providence Park (5 p.m. ET Sunday on CBS Sports Network). This will be the Thorns’ first game since the release of the Yates report. It remains to be seen whether their traditionally passionate fanbase shows up for this game with the same intensity as normal.

The second game pitches the ebullient OL Reign against the Kansas City Current, the football team equivalent of Scrappy Doo, at Lumen Field in Seattle. That game kicks off at 7.30 p.m. ET, also on CBS Sports Network.

6. This Week at MiB World HQ. 

i. Monday, on The Men in Blazers Podcast, Rog and Davo marvel at Liverpool giving City a figurative and literal kick in the down belows. Plus, Arsenal are imperious. 

ii. Tuesday, Rog sat down with that Wappingers Falls King Tyler Adams in Episode 6 of Tyler Adams Road to the Cup: Powered by Volkswagen. Fascinating to listen to Tyler talk with maturity about the US team’s recent performances, suggesting that the team could benefit from a more practical approach to their football at times. 🇺🇸 

iii. Wednesday, Rog and Davo Do It Live! on Amp, celebrating some midweek Premier League action and marveling at Cristiano's strop, leaving the field at Old Trafford at the tail end of United's impressive 2 - 0 performance over Spurs. And if you're not yet on Amp, do you even ten Hag? Download the app HERE. Come listen to us live and ask your question live on the Podcast. And if you have an Alexa, you can just say, "Hey Alexa, play Men in Blazers," while we're live and you'll hear the show. 

iv. Also Wednesday, a new issue of our new Men in Blazers newsletter, which covers how our US Men and Women are faring abroad. Subscribe to American States United. It flies every Wednesday. 🇺🇸

v. Thursday, it is one of our genuinely favorite parts of the week. The Women's Game, Presented by Paramount+. And what an episode this was. Just Meghan Klingenberg and Becky Sauerbrunn, two PDX and American heroes. In this episode, the pair discuss the fallout from the Sally Yates report, and talk all things NWSL playoffs. We just want to take a moment to say that these two embody all of the qualities that we strive to achieve at Men in Blazers. Courage. Passion. Empathy. Football. We are lucky to have them. A reminder that you can watch this season's NWSL Final Saturday, Oct. 29 at 9 p.m. ET on Paramount+. Subscribe at www.paramountplus.com/mibtwg. 

7. “Paul Carr Blows Your Mind… Said Paul Carr Blows Your Mind”

Our weekly stats section in which Paul Carr, my numbers loving friend who is TruMedia’s Senior Director of Content, crunches his calculator:

🤯 Another week, another Matt Turner clean sheet in Europa League. Turner made one save against PSV on Thursday for his third straight Europa League shutout. He ties Tim Howard for the most Europa League clean sheets by an American in the past decade. Howard also posted three in a row for Everton in 2014.

🤯 The USMNT Derby is Sunday, when Brenden Aaronson, Tyler Adams, Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson could all play when Leeds hosts Fulham. That would be the first time four U.S. internationals play in the same Premier League game since April 12, 2008, when Fulham won 2-0 at Reading. Marcus Hahnemann started for Reading that day; Kasey Keller, Brian McBride and Clint Dempsey started for Fulham, and Carlos Bocanegra subbed on for Dempsey in the 85th minute.

🤯 If Weston McKennie plays for Juventus versus Benfica on Tuesday, it will be his 24th UEFA Champions League match, passing Jermaine Jones for second-most by a U.S. international, behind only Christian Pulisic (45).

8. Not Football, and All the Better for It

i. Japan’s oldest toilet smashed up by car driven by employee of heritage society. Possibly my favorite news story of the year

ii. The Secret of How We Move. Slowly. Gingerly. Reluctantly.

iii. The Trouble With Trek Food. Star Trek : Cookbooks :: Steve Bruce : Horror Novels

iv. Taylor Swift Is the Greatest Self-Portraitist of Our Time. I mean. When they're right they're right.

v. Ramy Youssef’s Muslim American Life. "Television and film is this opportunity to combine the seen and the unseen, and to create an experience that’s a glitch."

vi. Is climate change putting the potato at risk? First they came for the potatoes; and I did not speak out, because I was not a potato. 

vii. New York is fighting rats in the streets. "We are taking the fight to the rats. This is not Ratatouille" they tell us, as a rat literally pulls a full croissant up a flight of stairs. 

x. At this haunted North Texas house, the ghosts will 'freak' you all night long. One of the things I've always admired about local news is their willingness to face tricky subjects like neighborhood ghost brothels head on.  

xi. How watching horror films can actually help some people manage their anxiety. This is a really good coping strategy if your main anxiety is that you're not watching enough horror films.

xii. The Only Good Fast Food Ads Now Are Via France. Two years ago I saw a French commercial for Wilkinson Sword razors and just the knowledge of how they decided to pronounce the words "Wilkinson Sword" has, without hyperbole, changed the entire trajectory of my life 

xiii. Writing Inside Out: Charlotte Wells on Aftersun. "I sat in silence, fully dazed, as the credits rolled on a film that seemingly kicked me in the throat and also gave me a warm hug."

xiv. Why Puerto Rico is Getting Big On Mushrooms. Fascinating study on microecology and food sovereignty. The mushroom does not obey the market!

xv. A Book: Diego Maradona: The Last Interview: and Other Conversations (The Last Interview Series) For Maradona passionistas, this book is a must. A collection of interviews through his rollercoaster of a life and career. From his very first interview to his last. The book includes an introduction which I wrote, and was honestly honored to do so. 

I am off to New Orleans this weekend to go and watch my NATIONALLY RANKED Green Wave do the business against Memphis. I am going to eat all the Po’ Boys.  

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