Advertise on podcast: Kickback '26

Manchester City’s guilty verdict, Cristiano Ronaldo’s surprising night on the bench, and Neymar’s flirtation with Flamengo headline this week’s Dispatch. Plus, Javier Aguirre takes over at Valencia, injuries hit during the international break, and Harry Kane considers an NFL kicking career. 0:00 Intro 0:36 Vozinha’s Life After the World Cup 2:47 Neymar Flirts with Flamengo 4:29 Aguirre Takes Over Valencia 6:25 Portugal Without Ronaldo 9:17 Ireland vs. Israel 11:50 International Break Injury List 13:52 A Closer Look: Man City’s Guilty Verdict 17:48 One for the Road: Harry Kane, NFL Kicker? The American home for the global game. Follow the conversation: https://linktr.ee/firsttouchksm

Susannah Fuller is joined by LFCTV lead presenter, commentator and LFC stadium announcer Peter McDowall to build their own Liverpool of Hall of Fame, exploring the icons, legends, moments and memories that have shaped one of the world’s most storied clubs. 0:00 Intro 1:40 The News: Christian Pulisic, Kylian Mbappé, Hull City’s chant 4:48 Introducing Peter McDowall & the Liverpool Hall of Fame 10:57 Jürgen Klopp & Ian Rush 16:21 Ian St. John & Steven Gerrard 22:31 2016 Europa League Final & 2024 Carabao Cup Final 30:36 The LFC Foundation & “You’ll Never Walk Alone” 36:28 Liverpool’s Trophy Parades & the Arrival of Klopp The American home for the global game. Follow the conversation: https://linktr.ee/firsttouchksm

Romania introduces a black card for abusive behavior at youth matches, Harry Kane breaks a Bundesliga scoring record, and Marseille faces mounting financial trouble. Plus, the fallout from the Madrid Derby and the latest USMNT striker developments. 0:00 Intro 0:34 Romanian Football’s Black Card 3:12 Harry Kane Breaks Bundesliga Record 4:30 Marseille in Trouble 7:08 A Closer Look: Madrid Derby Chaos 13:13 One for the Road: Damion Downs for Ricardo Pepi The American home for the global game. Follow the conversation: https://linktr.ee/firsttouchksm

Deportivo A Coruña is back in Spain’s top flight and off to a flying start. Susannah Fuller looks at the club’s remarkable journey from the heights of Super Depor to the depths of Spanish football, and the supporters and unexpected star helping fuel its next chapter. 0:00 Intro 0:29 The News: Berhalter, Yamal and Champions League Finals 3:14 The Return of Deportivo 5:09 Era of Super Depor 9:50 The Fall, Return & Supporters Who Stayed 13:01 Aubameyang’s Rebirth The American home for the global game. Follow the conversation: https://linktr.ee/firsttouchksm

James Rodriguez brings his Colombia career to a close, four Americans are making their mark at Middlesbrough, and Paris FC and Como are emerging among Europe’s early-season surprises. Plus, the fallout from the Manchester Derby’s VAR controversy and a closer look at this year’s Ballon d’Or race. 0:00 Intro 0:34 James Rodriguez Retires 1:33 Americans at Middlesbrough 4:30 Paris FC Among France’s Elite 6:23 Como’s Champions League Breakthrough 8:17 Manchester Derby VAR Controversy 11:00 A Closer Look: The Ballon d’Or 15:00 One for the Road: Cavan Sullivan The American home for the global game. Follow the conversation: https://linktr.ee/firsttouchksm

Mary Harvey has seen the women’s game from almost every angle in her career, as a USWNT goalkeeper to FIFA leader and WPS executive. Today, she leads the Center for Sport and Human Rights, and she joins Open Mic to talk about the evolution of women’s soccer, the lessons of its past and where the game goes next. 0:00 Intro 1:26 The 1991 World Cup 4:57 Harvey’s Journey to the USWNT 7:58 How 1991 Changed Women’s Soccer 11:53 Inside the 1996 USWNT 16:25 From Player to FIFA Leader 24:11 How World Cups Drive Development 28:26 What Happened to WPS? 35:12 The Future of the Women’s Game 41:51 The Responsibility of Each USWNT Generation 44:46 Sport, Human Rights & the 2026 World Cup 57:30 Harvey’s Favorite Sporting Events Open Mic is an Soccerwise interview series that features in-depth conversations with interest soccer voices from around the world. We’ll occasionally share select episodes here on First Touch when the conversation fits. The American home for the global game. Follow the conversation: https://linktr.ee/firsttouchksm

Susannah Fuller welcomes Nico Cantor to explore the culture, history and competitive spirit of South American football. from the continent’s biggest clubs and competitions to Nico’s beloved Boca Juniors. They also discuss Lionel Messi’s international retirement and what his departure means for the future of the South American game. 0:00 The Latest From Around the World 4:32 Nico Cantor Joins the Show 9:02 Inside South American Football 12:36 The Powerhouses 14:47 Rise of Brazilian Clubs 21:17 Copa Libertadores Storylines 24:25 The State of Boca Juniors 29:07 Messi’s Argentine Farewell 32:00 What’s Next in CONMEBOL? The American home for the global game. Follow the conversation: https://linktr.ee/firsttouchksm

Susannah Fuller chats with former Arsenal and England defender Kieran Gibbs to talk about his path from pro player to co-founding ONE FC, a youth soccer academy in Miami. Gibbs shares his approach to player development, how he hopes to bring his own experiences to the U.S. and where the project is now and going in the future. Plus, they discuss the 2026 World Cup and talk about Arsenal’s chance of repeating as Premier League Champions. 0:00 Intro 1:24 ONE FC Origin Story 6:03 Lessons from European Academies 8:26 The ONE FC Approach 10:59 Identifying Soccer Talent in the U.S. 14:36 Growing ONE FC 18:38 The 2026 World Cup Experience 25:26 Can Arsenal Repeat? 30:05 Where to Find Out More About ONE FC Open Mic is an Soccerwise interview series that features in-depth conversations with interest soccer voices from around the world. We’ll occasionally share select episodes here on First Touch when the conversation fits. The American home for the global game. Follow the conversation: https://linktr.ee/firsttouchksm

The Women’s Super League (WSL) returns, and Susannah Fuller is joined by football journalist and the founder of The Cutback Flo Lloyd-Hughes to look at what could make this season different. They dive into Michelle Kang, Alexia Putellas and the ambitious London City Lionesses. 0:00 Intro 0:56 The Latest From Around the World 3:49 The Rise of the WSL 7:16 London City Lionesses, Michelle Kang & Alexia Putellas 10:17 Multi-Club Ownership Conundrum 12:22 Can London City Break Through? The American home for the global game. Follow the conversation: https://linktr.ee/firsttouchksm

Messi calls time on his Argentina career, Bayern Munich begin another title defense, and London City Lionesses enter the WSL with a squad built to challenge the established order. Plus, a closer look at the Champions League’s new league phase and the stories to watch as the transfer window closes. 0:00 Intro 0:35 Copa Libertadores Update 2:15 Bundesliga Kicks Off 3:40 WSL Kickoff Approaches 5:35 Messi Retires From International Soccer 8:22 A Closer Look: The Champions League Draw 12:36 One for the Road: Transfer Deadline Day The American home for the global game. Follow the conversation: https://linktr.ee/firsttouchksm

The European soccer season is underway, and there are already plenty of questions to answer. Can Liverpool thrive under Andoni Iraola? What makes Como one of Europe's most intriguing teams? And how will José Mourinho fare at Real Madrid? Susannah Fuller is joined by Ryan Hunn and Musa Okwonga of Stadio to look ahead at the teams, managers and storylines they're most excited to follow as the new season gets underway. 0:00 Intro 1:12 Premier League, Attendance Record & Baby Pitch Invader 5:28 Ryan Hunn & Musa Okwonga Join the Show 8:24 Liverpool’s New Era 13:26 Como Brings the Vibes 18:25 Venezia & Serie A Storylines 24:05 Mourinho Returns to Real Madrid 25:58 Marco Rose's Bournemouth 30:43 Americans at Middlesbrough The American home for the global game. Follow the conversation: https://linktr.ee/firsttouchksm

Ronaldinho returns to the pitch as Europe’s new season gets underway, Julian Alvarez’s future at Atletico Madrid grows increasingly complicated, and we take a closer look at the complicated relationship between Jose Mourinho and Vinicius Jr. 0:00 Intro 0:36 Johor Darul Ta’Zim’s Record Run 2:15 Ronaldinho Returns 3:14 The Premier League Is Back 6:20 Serie A Is Back 8:45 Alvarez and Atletico Madrid Headed for a Divorce 11:12 A Closer Look: Mourinho and Vini Jr. 14:45 One for the Road: 2027 Women’s World Cup 👍 Like • Subscribe • Listen • Follow 🎧 Listen to First Touch wherever you get your podcasts: https://kickback-26.captivate.fm/listen 🌐 Explore more from Kickback Soccer Media: https://kickbacksoccer.com 📰 Subscribe to the Kickback newsletter: https://the-kickback.ghost.io 📲 Follow First Touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firsttouch_ksm/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/firsttouch.bsky.social

Gianni Infantino rose to power promising a new era for FIFA. Ten years later, his presidency is facing its biggest crisis yet. On the season two premiere of First Touch Weekly, Susannah Fuller examines how Infantino went from UEFA insider to the most powerful figure in world soccer, and how his pursuit of power, money and influence could ultimately define his legacy. 0:00 Intro 1:02 Chelsea, Liverpool & Memphis Depay 4:52 Patrick Vieira Takes Over Senegal 5:40 The Rise and Fall of Gianni Infantino 13:52 The World Cup Is for Sale 👍 Like • Subscribe • Listen • Follow 🎧 Listen to First Touch wherever you get your podcasts: https://kickback-26.captivate.fm/listen 🌐 Explore more from Kickback Soccer Media: https://kickbacksoccer.com 📰 Subscribe to the Kickback newsletter: https://the-kickback.ghost.io 📲 Follow First Touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firsttouch_ksm/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/firsttouch.bsky.social

Arsenal make a statement against Manchester City in the Community Shield, Mohamed Salah makes the move from the Premier League to the Turkish Super League, and the fallout continues around FIFA president Gianni Infantino. 0:00 Intro 0:37 Cameroon Win WAFCON 1:48 Cristiano Ronaldo’s Potential Retirement 4:14 Lens Win the Trophée des Champions 6:32 Arsenal Beat Manchester City 10:17 A Closer Look: Mohamed Salah Heads to Turkey 15:37 One for the Road: FIFA Fires COO Kevin Lamour 👍 Like • Subscribe • Listen • Follow 🎧 Listen to First Touch wherever you get your podcasts: https://kickback-26.captivate.fm/listen 🌐 Explore more from Kickback Soccer Media: https://kickbacksoccer.com 📰 Subscribe to the Kickback newsletter: https://the-kickback.ghost.io 📲 Follow First Touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firsttouch_ksm/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/firsttouch.bsky.social

On this episode of First Touch Dispatch, we dive into the latest from the soccer world, including Malawi’s historic qualification for the Women’s World Cup, a closer look at the buying power of Real Madrid and Barcelona, and a look at the pressure facing FIFA president Gianni Infantino. All this and more on First Touch Dispatch. 0:00 Intro 0:39 Malawi Qualify for the Women’s World Cup 2:20 Copa Libertadores 3:48 The Eredivisie Is Back 6:00 Falling Giants and Refereeing Controversy in Portugal 10:00 A Closer Look: Real Madrid and Barcelona’s Buying Power 14:50 One for the Road: Gianni Infantino’s Hot Seat 👍 Like • Subscribe • Listen • Follow 🎧 Listen to First Touch wherever you get your podcasts: https://kickback-26.captivate.fm/listen 🌐 Explore more from Kickback Soccer Media: https://kickbacksoccer.com 📰 Subscribe to the Kickback newsletter: https://the-kickback.ghost.io 📲 Follow First Touch: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firsttouch_ksm/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/firsttouch.bsky.social