Joining Susannah for this week’s Gathering of The Committee is TacticsFreeZone writer and Kickback member Matt Doyle!

00:12 - Opening and May The 4th Be With You, Matt Doyle. With the day here, Matt gives some thoughts on Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Steven Speilberg.

05:01 - Sooz has thoughts and feelings about the slate of announcers hired by Fox for their 2026 World Cup coverage and its lack of American voices.

18:48 - Checking in with Doyle on his independent career, how’s it’s going for him and some advice he leaves for others in the same work space. Doyle also leaves his thoughts on the MLS season so far and his biggest surprises on a team and league level

30:51 - We get BREAKING NEWS as Kei Kamara’s retirement is announced, mid-recording (Thanks, Tommy Scoops!). We celebrate Kamara’s career and success story in life.

35:04 - At the ripe age of 74, Bruce Arena is leading his 5th MLS club into a Supporters Shield contender. We look at his remarkable career and parse the broader coaching tree formed from working in american soccer for over four decades, including current coaches like B.J. Callaghan and Pat Noonan.

49:06 - Previewing UEFA and CONCACAF Champions League & Cup with both competitions in their 2nd legs of the semifinals. The ethical case on why Arsenal should lose this competition. The issues on why MLS teams in the modern era struggle to win CONCACAF constantly and prior missed opportunities.

01:02:56 - Reality TV Recap which is Today, The Other Sports Recap. Sooz and Doyle watched the Kentucky Derby and the former talks about her appreciation and desire to wear one of those giant hats. Doyle talks about his Celtics losing Game 7 of their first round series vs. the Sixers. Doyle also talks about what drink he would be having right now as spring settles in.

Subscribe to TacticsFreeZone here: tacticsfreezone.ghost.io

Listen to our shows, subscribe our newsletter 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 by co-founder of the Stadio Football podcast Ryan Hunn for this week’s edition of Committee Open Mic!

01:18 - Intro

03:18 - Finding out Susannah’s mother in-law, Leslie, is a big Stadio fan and introduced Sooz to the words of Ryan and Musa

06:27 - Sooz asks how Ryan and Musa met and formed Stadio together

12:58 - How did Ryan and Musa figure out what worked for this show?

17:11 - Ryan’s reaction the first time he heard Musa laugh

18:17 - Favorite episodes that he’s recorded over the years

24:51 - The connection Stadio has forged with Vermont Green FC

31:51 - Sooz and Ryan talk about how One Knox was brought to Stadio’s attention (Hi again Leslie!)

34:23 - Ryan compares USL’s various leagues to MLS and Europe and praises the community aspects at the lower leagues

39:14 - Ryan talks about attending his first USL game in-person at Vermont Green vs. Portland Hearts of Pine

42:34 - Sooz’s mother-in-law Leslie praises Ryan and asks about the effect of pro/rel in the USL and what can be learned from the issues older leagues have faced, including bridging better gaps

56:47 - Ryan’s complex feelings on the incoming World Cup

01:06:10 - Storylines Ryan is excited to follow

01:07:45 - Impressions of the USMNT

01:13:33 - Ryan’s thoughts on the England MNT

01:16:16 - How is Ryan consuming this World Cup?

01:18:09 - Quick Fire Question Round

01:23:32 - Close

Stadio Football: linktr.ee/stadiofootball

Listen to our shows, subscribe our newsletter 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 by NO CO-HOST THIS TIME. She’s not alone though! Guesting on today’s Committee gathering are her husband and One Knox Head Coach Ian Fuller along with former USMNT and New England Revolution forward Charlie Davies!

03:17 - Sooz chats with Ian about the Cupset Victory over D.C. United, the impact of the victory on the club, going from a baseball field to a soccer-specific stadium and preparing for their next match against the Columbus Crew to continue the Cinderella journey. A sprinkle of Premier League talk and Ian’s fandom of Newcastle before we transition to our second guest of the hour.

24:45 - Charlie Davies joins the show to talk about his fandom of Arsenal, the current situation in their chase of the league title against Manchester City, gauging Arteta’s standing with fans, the thin line between a potential Arsenal cup double or nothing at season’s end.

48:38 - Charlie talks the state of the New England Revolution under Marko Mitrović with their game against Orlando City in the U.S. Open Cup awaiting. He also gives his flowers to One Knox and Ian’s work to pull off the Cupset.

55:58 - Reality TV Recap with Sooz talking about her experience working the Baller League broadcasts. Working with figures like iShowSpeed, Marlon, XQC (Ian has no idea who these people are) before going into the latest on Survivor this week and season at large.

Baller League: ballerleague.us/en

Listen to our shows, subscribe our newsletter 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