The Cooligans

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. 23 HR AGO

    Can Arsenal Survive PSG? Tim Ream on USMNT Pressure & Is Mbappe Tearing Real Madrid Apart?

    Arsenal are headed to the Champions League Final, but are they completely underestimating PSG? The Cooligans break down why Luis Enrique may have built the perfect tactical trap for Mikel Arteta’s side and whether Arsenal are truly ready for the biggest match in club football. The boys preview every angle of the final, debate who has the edge mentally and tactically, and give their official predictions. Then USMNT captain Tim Ream joins the show! The Charlotte FC defender opens up about the pressure of hosting a World Cup on home soil, what’s changed inside the USMNT locker room under Mauricio Pochettino, and why the team isn’t overreacting to recent poor performances. He also talks about returning to MLS after years in the Premier League, what it’s like playing alongside Wilfried Zaha, and somehow managing life with six dogs at home. Finally, Real Madrid are spiraling. Fans are frustrated, the locker room reportedly feels divided, and Kylian Mbappe’s first season in Madrid has ended without a major trophy. The boys debate whether Mbappe is unfairly taking the blame or if Real Madrid made a massive mistake bringing him in. Is this just a rough first season… or the beginning of something much worse for Los Blancos?   Timestamps: (10:30) - Will PSG have too much firepower for Arsenal in the UCL Final? (35:30) - Tim Ream joins the Cooligans (59:00) - Kylian Mbappe the main cause of the turmoil around Real Madrid? Subscribe to The Cooligans on your favorite podcast app: 🎧 Apple Podcasts 🎧 Spotify 🖥️ YouTube 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

    1hr 21min
  2. 30 APR

    Is the Handball Rule Broken? Tyler Adams Talks World Cup Pressure & Is Mourinho Right for Real Madrid?

    The handball rule is back under the spotlight, and this time the boys are not holding back. Why does the UEFA Champions League continue to produce wildly inconsistent handball decisions? From baffling calls to moments where the law seems impossible to interpret, they break down why the current rule is frustrating everyone involved—and what changes could actually fix it. Then, Tyler Adams joins the show for an insightful and honest interview about his journey with Bournemouth and the USMNT. He opens up about the expectations surrounding a home World Cup, what it means to represent the U.S. on that stage, and how Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has helped elevate his game. Tyler also shares thoughts on how U.S. players challenge each other to improve and his partnership with Haleon. To wrap up, the boys dive into the rumors surrounding Jose Mourinho and a potential return to Real Madrid. Would bringing back the Special One be a brilliant move for one of the world’s biggest clubs—or a sign that the club is looking backward instead of forward? They debate whether Mourinho still has what it takes to lead an elite side, or if football has moved on from his methods.   Timestamps: (11:00) –  Pep Guardiola speaks out against World Cup ticket pricing (27:45) - Tyler Adams joins The Cooligans (45:00) – Jose Mourinho to Real Madrid: genius or a mistake? 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. 23 APR

    Can Vancouver Save the Whitecaps? Clint Dempsey on World Cup Pricing & Chelsea’s Ownership Chaos

    The future of the Vancouver Whitecaps is suddenly in question, and fans are not taking it quietly. With stadium complications threatening the club’s long-term place in the city, the Cooligans break down what’s really happening behind the scenes and whether Vancouver can realistically keep its team. This isn’t just about one club—it’s about what MLS values most when push comes to shove: markets, money, or supporters. Then, Clint Dempsey joins the show for a wide-ranging conversation about the upcoming World Cup and the growing concern that real fans are being priced out of the biggest tournament in the world. He opens up about his Gatorade campaign, the mentality that made him one of the toughest players in U.S. soccer history, and the personal moment when he realized it was time to walk away from the game. Finally, the guys react to Chelsea FC parting ways with Liam Rosenior and why the constant churn of managers says more about ownership than anything happening on the pitch. Plus, they hit the biggest stories around the global game—from Manchester City leading the Premier League race to Lamine Yamal’s injury and Pellegrino Matarazzo’s surprising Copa del Rey success.   Timestamps: (7:30) – Can fans keep the Whitecaps in Vancouver? (21:30) -  Clint Dempsey joins The Cooligans (36:30) – Why BlueCo is to blame for Liam Rosenior’s failure at Chelsea (47:30) - Rapido Reactions: Matarrazo makes history, Man City top PL & more Subscribe to The Cooligans on your favorite podcast app: 🎧 Apple Podcasts 🎧 Spotify 🖥️ YouTube 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

    59 min
  4. 20 APR

    Are Arsenal Bottling It Again? Arteta Under Fire + Tommy McNamara on NYCFC, Pirlo & Lampard Stories

    Are Arsenal F.C. doing it again? Another late-season stumble has fans questioning whether this team is truly ready to win the Premier League—or if expectations have gotten ahead of reality. We dive into the growing scrutiny on Mikel Arteta and ask the big question: if Arsenal end the season without silverware, is it time to seriously reconsider the project? Plus, we react to Liverpool F.C.’s massive Merseyside derby win over Everton F.C. and what it means for the European race. Then we’re joined by NYCFC cult hero and Brooklyn FC midfielder Tommy McNamara for an unforgettable conversation. He shares stories from the early days of New York City FC, including what it was like learning from Frank Lampard, carpooling to training with Andrea Pirlo, and being part of one of the most unique locker rooms in MLS history. We also dive into his experiences playing under Bruce Arena and why he believes Arena is the greatest coach in MLS history. From veteran leadership to life after soccer, Tommy opens up about what he’s learned throughout his career and what the future might hold once his playing days are over.   Timestamps: (13:15) – Is Arteta to blame for Arsenal’s continued collapses? (29:00) -  Liverpool strengthen UCL chances with Merseyside Derby win (33:30) – Tommy McNamara joins The Cooligans (42:30) - Tommy’s stories of playing with Andrea Pirlo and Frank Lampard (1:01:30) - Becoming a veteran leader on Brooklyn FC Subscribe to The Cooligans on your favorite podcast app: 🎧 Apple Podcasts 🎧 Spotify 🖥️ YouTube 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

    1hr 24min
  5. 13 APR

    Is Inter Miami Failing Messi Already? MLS Surprises, CF Montréal Chaos & USMNT World Cup Fears

    Inter Miami were supposed to be unstoppable—but early in the season, they look anything but. Is this just a slow start, or is there something fundamentally wrong with how this team was built around Lionel Messi? We dig into whether David Beckham and the club’s leadership miscalculated, why the supporting cast isn’t clicking, and what Inter Miami can realistically do to fix things before expectations spiral out of control. Then we take a step back and look across the league. MLS always delivers chaos early in the season, but this year feels especially unpredictable. We break down the biggest surprises and disappointments so far, and spend real time on CF Montréal—a team that doesn’t just look bad, but directionless. Is this a rebuild, a collapse, or something worse? Finally, we turn to the United States men's national soccer team and have an honest conversation about fear. Not optimism, not hype—fear. What are the two biggest things that could go wrong heading into the World Cup, and are fans ignoring obvious warning signs? We break down what’s real, what’s overblown, and what should genuinely worry supporters right now.   Timestamps: (6:30) – Does Messi need a better squad around him? (27:00) -  Biggest surprises of the MLS season (36:30) – Biggest disappointments of the MLS season (52:00) - Stating our biggest USMNT fears for the World Cup (1:12:00) - Michele reacts to Italy missing a 3rd World Cup in a row Subscribe to The Cooligans on your favorite podcast app: 🎧 Apple Podcasts 🎧 Spotify 🖥️ YouTube 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

    1hr 26min
  6. 9 APR

    Olise Chasing Messi’s Record, FIFA World Cup Ticket Chaos, & USMNT Rocked by Agyemang Injury

    Michael Olise is on a ridiculous run, closing in on Lionel Messi’s single-season assist record and forcing a real conversation: is he the best winger in the world right now? We break down what’s actually driving his production, whether the Messi comparisons are fair or completely out of control, and what it says about how quickly fans crown “the next Messi.” Plus, PSG just ran through Liverpool, and now questions are getting louder around Arne Slot—is this a system problem, a personnel issue, or something deeper? Then we get into one of the messiest stories in global soccer right now: World Cup ticket chaos. Fans are realizing their tickets might not match what they originally bought, as FIFA continues to adjust seating categories behind the scenes. Is this just modern dynamic pricing… or are fans being sold something that doesn’t fully exist yet? We unpack why this feels bigger than just expensive tickets—and what it says about who the World Cup is really for now. And finally, disaster for the USMNT. Patrick Agyemang is out with a torn Achilles, leaving a massive hole in the squad heading toward the World Cup. We talk through how the team replaces his presence, whether anyone is actually ready to step into that role, and what this injury reveals about the depth—and fragility—of this USMNT group at the worst possible time.   Timestamps: (6:30) – Is Michael Olise the best winger in the world? (16:00) -  Liverpool dominated again: Arne Slot at fault? (28:45) – FIFA’s World Cup ticket deceit continues to anger fans (41:45) - Patrick Agyemang is out for the World Cup. Who will step up? Subscribe to The Cooligans on your favorite podcast app: 🎧 Apple Podcasts 🎧 Spotify 🖥️ YouTube 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

    54 min
  7. 6 APR

    NYCFC CEO Brad Sims on Building a Stadium, Fixing MLS Rules & The League’s Future Growth

    In this special episode, The Cooligans go one-on-one with NYCFC CEO Brad Sims for an in-depth conversation about what it really takes to run a club in Major League Soccer. We kick things off with the long and complicated journey to get a stadium built in New York City—why it took so long, what hurdles had to be cleared, and what it reveals about how sports, politics, and business collide in one of the toughest markets in the world. From there, we zoom out to the league level and tackle one of the biggest questions surrounding MLS today: why isn’t more of the country watching? Brad breaks down the challenges around broadcast, accessibility, and casual fan engagement, and explains why the league may need to rethink some of its rules and structure if it wants to truly grow its audience. Finally, we look ahead at the future of MLS—where the league is headed, what success could look like in the coming years, and how it plans to compete in an increasingly crowded global soccer landscape. It’s an honest, revealing conversation that gives fans a rare look behind the curtain at how decisions are made and where the game is going in the U.S.   Timestamps: (0:00) – Brad Sims joins The Cooligans (3:00) -  The trials and tribulations behind NYCFC’s new stadium (18:00) – How do clubs prepare to capitalize on Messi? (24:00) - Will NYCFC target a big name signing soon? (30:00) – How can MLS cap rules be used as an advantage? (44:30) - How Brad Sims juggles the sporting and business side as CEO (50:30) - What is MLS’ brand sales pitch? (1:01:30) - Brad Sims explains why more Superteams are good for MLS Subscribe to The Cooligans on your favorite podcast app: 🎧 Apple Podcasts 🎧 Spotify 🖥️ YouTube 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

    1hr 14min

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.

More From Yahoo Sports

You Might Also Like