The Cooligans

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The Cooligans is a comedy & soccer podcast delivering hilarious takes on the greatest sport in the world! Hosts Alexis Guerreros and Christian Polanco are two NYC stand-up comics who don't focus on stats or formations, they focus on the funny. Join us two times a week for some humorous reactions to football's wildest moments of the weekend. The beautiful game just got a little bit uglier.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    Real Madrid’s Champions League aura, Tottenham fight relegation & Weston McKennie interview

    Real Madrid continued their quest for their 16th Champions League title on Wednesday in the Round of 16. After handily defeating Manchester City in the first leg 3–0, many are starting to wonder if there is a certain aura surrounding Real Madrid when they play in this tournament. Is it something that the Blues and other potential foes will be able to overcome the rest of the way? The conversation then shifts to Tottenham Hotspur’s miserable season continuing as they were trounced in their first leg of the Champions League against Atlético Madrid. While their prospects for a better second leg might be dim, it’s the Premier League relegation battle that Tottenham must start to worry about. Can they avoid completing an embarrassing season and being relegated from the Premier League? Christian and Alexis are then joined by Juventus FC and USMNT midfield star Weston McKennie as he talks about his time playing in Italy, what he’s looking forward to in the upcoming World Cup and his interesting take on a controversial pizza condiment. The guys close the show by previewing the upcoming NWSL season and who they think will be this year’s champion.   7:18 – Top Topic: Real Madrid defeats Man City 22:59 – Tottenham’s relegation battle 33:00 – Weston McKennie joins the show 1:06:46 – 2026 NWSL preview Subscribe to The Cooligans on your favorite podcast app: 🎧 Apple Podcasts 🎧 Spotify 🖥️ YouTube 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

    1h 20m

  2. 5 DAYS AGO

    Dest Injury, Messi White House Backlash & Which MLS Coach Is Next on the Hot Seat?

    The international break drama starts with a major blow for the United States as Sergiño Dest goes down with another injury. Alexis and Christian analyze how big the loss is for Mauricio Pochettino’s system and explore the realistic options the USMNT has at right-back moving forward. Is there a clear replacement, or does the position become a tactical problem heading into upcoming friendlies? The conversation then shifts to Lionel Messi and Inter Miami’s visit to the White House—an appearance that sparked unexpected backlash, particularly among Argentine fans. The hosts unpack why the moment created controversy, how politics and sports collided online, and whether it has any real impact on Messi’s legacy or public perception. Finally, the guys turn their attention to Major League Soccer and the pressure building on managers whose teams are stuck at the bottom of the Supporters’ Shield standings. With results not improving and expectations rising across the league, Alexis and Christian debate which coach might be the next casualty of MLS’s increasingly impatient ownership groups. Timestamps: (10:30) – Who can replace Dest? (25:35) - Messi and Inter Miami Visit the White House (43:47) – MLS Teams starting the season bottom of the Supporter’s Shield (45:00)- What coach could potentially be fired? Subscribe to The Cooligans on your favorite podcast app: 🎧 Apple Podcasts 🎧 Spotify 🖥️ YouTube 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

    1 hr

  3. 5 MAR

    Are Arsenal Too Boring? Man United Back Under Carrick? + Europe’s Next Haaland & Brazil’s WC Panic

    Are results enough, or should great teams also play beautiful football? The guys debate whether Arsenal F.C.’s winning formula is coming at the expense of the “beautiful game.” If you’re a title contender, should the expectations be higher than just grinding out results? Meanwhile, Manchester United fan Matty FC joins the show to talk about the recent resurgence at Manchester United F.C. and whether the positive run under Michael Carrick is the beginning of something real—or just a short-term bounce. Next, we look toward the future of Europe’s elite goal scorers. With Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé dominating headlines, who will be the next striker to break into that top tier? The boys give their predictions for the next killer No. 9 in Europe and discuss which young forwards have the talent, mentality, and opportunity to reach that rarefied level. Finally, it’s time to talk about Brazil—and things aren’t exactly calm. With the Brazil national football team entering the lead-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup amid growing pressure, Matty FC and Christian Polanco break down why the vibes around the Seleção feel uneasy. Can legendary manager Carlo Ancelotti steady the ship and bring Brazil back to World Cup glory, or are deeper problems threatening their chances? The Cooligans dig into it all.  Timestamps: (5:30) – Are Arsenal ruining the “beautiful game”? (14:00) - Are Manchester United really back? (29:00) – Who is Europe’s next killer striker? (39:15) – Brazil World Cup panic meter Subscribe to The Cooligans on your favorite podcast app: 🎧 Apple Podcasts 🎧 Spotify 🖥️ YouTube 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

    52 min

  4. 19 FEB

    Gio Savarese’s 2026 MLS Predictions, USMNT World Cup Outlook & Vinícius Jr Racism Debate

    The Cooligans welcome former MLS head coach and analyst Giovanni Savarese for a deep dive into the 2026 MLS season. Gio shares his predictions, breakout teams to watch, and how the league continues to evolve ahead of a massive 2026 on home soil. The conversation also turns to the USMNT, as the guys assess expectations, pressure, and what success should realistically look like at the 2026 World Cup. Christian and Alexis then tackle the troubling racist incident involving Vinícius Júnior during Real Madrid’s clash with Benfica. They unpack how these situations are currently handled, question whether the responsibility to stop a match unfairly falls on the player experiencing abuse, and debate what meaningful structural changes could better protect players moving forward. Finally, it’s a jam-packed Champions League recap. Folarin Balogun shines in a statement performance against Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus suffer a shocking defeat to Galatasaray, and Bodø/Glimt pull off a stunning win over Inter Milan. The boys react to all the drama, surprises, and what these results mean going forward.   Timestamps: (6:30) – 2026 MLS preview and predictions (30:00) - Gio Savarese’s USMNT World Cup outlook (39:00) – Vinicius Junior deals with racism again: time for a rule change? (59:00) – Folarin Balogun shines in Champions League loss to PSG (1:04:30) - Serie A teams suffer shocking Champions League losses Subscribe to The Cooligans on your favorite podcast app: 🎧 Apple Podcasts 🎧 Spotify 🖥️ YouTube 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

    1h 13m

  5. 12 FEB

    Thomas Frank Sacked! Our Replacement Picks + Brandon Vazquez on ACL & World Cup Pressure

    Tottenham have parted ways with Thomas Frank, and the big question is: was he really the problem? The boys dig into what’s actually happening at Spurs, whether the issues run deeper than the head coach, and which managers could realistically step in to fix things. Is this about tactics, recruitment, ownership — or something bigger? Then Austin FC striker Brandon Vazquez joins the show for an honest and revealing conversation. He opens up about recovering from his ACL injury, doing “quick maths” in his head about the World Cup timeline the moment he got hurt, and what it will take to fight his way back into the U.S. Men’s National Team picture. Vazquez also shares what it was really like playing in Liga MX — from nonstop media attention to the intensity of fan culture — and how it compares to MLS. Plus, we get the full origin story of his “Superman” goal celebration (yes, including the capes). To close it out, the boys react to the 2026 MLS kit reveal and give their unfiltered best and worst picks. Which clubs nailed it? Which designs should’ve stayed in the concept phase? We’re handing out praise, roasting questionable choices, and ranking the fits you’ll be seeing all season long.   Timestamps: (11:00) – Thomas Frank sacked! What is the issue at Tottenham? (20:00) - Discussing possible replacement for Tottenham (27:15) – Brandon Vazquez joins The Cooligans (51:30) – Revealing the best 2026 MLS kits (59:45) - Revealing the worst 2026 MLS kits Subscribe to The Cooligans on your favorite podcast app: 🎧 Apple Podcasts 🎧 Spotify 🖥️ YouTube 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

    1h 14m

  6. 2 FEB

    Derek Rae on the Power of Pronunciation, Global Soccer Culture & Becoming the Voice of EA FC

    Legendary commentator Derek Rae joins Christian and Alexis for a wide-ranging conversation on soccer, culture, and storytelling. From his upbringing in Scotland to his deep connection with German football, Derek explains how his love for languages and history shaped his broadcasting career—and why getting players’ names right is about far more than phonetics. He shares a powerful story about the real impact correct pronunciation can have on players and their families. Derek also takes listeners behind the scenes of how he became the voice of EA FC, revealing what the audition process was like, how the opportunity came together, and what it means to be recognized worldwide through a video game. Along the way, he reflects on the evolution of soccer media, iconic broadcasting moments, and the responsibility that comes with being a trusted voice of the sport. Finally, the conversation dives into the global game itself. Derek breaks down the cultural differences between MLS and European leagues, explains why Germany has become such fertile ground for American players, and offers thoughtful insight into the unique identity of soccer fandom in the United States. It’s a smart, funny, and deeply human conversation with one of the most respected voices in the game.   Timestamps: (2:00) – Why pronouncing player names correctly is important to Derek Rae (10:45) - Derek Rae’s soccer origin story (15:00) – How Europeans currently perceive MLS (23:45) – Is Germany the best place for Americans to develop? (35:00) – Is 2026 the year where the US becomes a real soccer country? (39:00) - How Derek Rae became the voice of EA FC Subscribe to The Cooligans on your favorite podcast app: 🎧 Apple Podcasts 🎧 Spotify 🖥️ YouTube 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

    46 min

  7. 29 JAN

    Separating CL Contenders and Pretenders, Is the Premier League Boring? & USWNT’s New Era Under Emma Hayes

    Christian Polanco and Christine Cupo kick things off by tiering the Champions League field, separating the favorites from the contenders, dark horses, and pretenders. Who’s built to go the distance, which clubs are being overrated, and who could surprise Europe this season? Next, the guys react to Anthony Gordon’s recent comments throwing shade at the Premier League. Has the league’s dominance made it predictable and boring, or is this just another case of fans confusing quality with excitement? Christian and Christine debate whether the “best league in the world” label still holds up. Finally, the conversation turns to the USWNT as Emma Hayes officially ushers in a new era. With a clear vision, fresh energy, and evolving tactics, the guys ask whether this team could reach an even higher level of dominance than previous generations. Timestamps: (4:30) – Recapping Champions League Matchday 8 excitement (9:00) –  Listing Champions League Pretenders (19:30) – Champions League contenders (28:30) – Champions League favorites (31:00) - Reacting to Anthony Gordon’s comments on PL’s lost excitement (43:30) - Emma Hayes ushering in USWNT’s new era? Subscribe to The Cooligans on your favorite podcast app: 🎧 Apple Podcasts 🎧 Spotify 🖥️ YouTube 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

    1 hr

  8. 12 JAN

    Real Madrid Fire Xabi Alonso! Josh Richardson Breaks Down Arsenal & Messi vs LeBron

    Xabi Alonso’s stunning exit from Real Madrid has sent shockwaves through the soccer world. Christian Polanco and Alexis Guerreros break down why the club pulled the trigger and whether former Spain boss Luis Enrique would be the perfect revenge hire. Is this another chapter in Madrid’s ruthless managerial history, or a necessary reset for a struggling giant? NBA star and die-hard Arsenal supporter Josh Richardson joins the Cooligans to talk all things soccer fandom. From becoming a Gunners fan through FIFA to soaking in the football culture of Miami, Josh explains how the city shaped his love for the game. Plus, the ultimate South Florida debate: Who’s the bigger celebrity in Miami — LeBron James or Lionel Messi? The boys also discuss two major storylines shaping American soccer. With soccer officially overtaking baseball as the third most popular sport in the U.S., how can MLS and U.S. Soccer capitalize on this momentum? And with Ricardo Pepi suffering a broken arm, could this injury impact his chances of making the 2026 World Cup squad?   Timestamps: (6:30) – Xabi Alonso leaves Real Madrid! Who should replace him? (21:40) –  NBA veteran Josh Richardson joins The Cooligans (50:30) – Soccer overtakes Baseball in America: now what? (1:01:00) – Does Ricardo Pepi’s newest injury endanger his World Cup chances? Subscribe to The Cooligans on your favorite podcast app: 🎧 Apple Podcasts 🎧 Spotify 🖥️ YouTube 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

    1h 8m
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About

The Cooligans is a comedy & soccer podcast delivering hilarious takes on the greatest sport in the world! Hosts Alexis Guerreros and Christian Polanco are two NYC stand-up comics who don't focus on stats or formations, they focus on the funny. Join us two times a week for some humorous reactions to football's wildest moments of the weekend. The beautiful game just got a little bit uglier.

Information

  • Channel
    Yahoo Sports
  • Creator
    Alexis Guerreros & Christian Polanco
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    930
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Cooligans
  • Show Website
    The Cooligans

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