We're entering a new era at Kickback Soccer Media. David Gass and Susannah Fuller sit down to talk about two incredible new shows, and to meet our HUGE winter window signing...Matt Doyle!

It's Kickback Soccer Media 2.0, and we can't wait to share this momentous soccer year for American soccer with you!

Listen to our shows, subscribe our newsletter on: https://kickbacksoccer.com/

Subscribe to TacticsFreeZone: https://tacticsfreezone.ghost.io/an-end-to-my-days-at-mls-and-my-plan-for-whats-next/

Susannah is joined by David Gass for today’s gathering of the Kickback Committee. Gass recaps his first successful attempt at a half-marathon. The crew chat Major Non-Soccer events from the past weekend including the Super Bowl (which is 99% about the Bad Bunny halftime show). The Winter Olympics are underway which means looking at it through a soccer lens. Torch bearers, venues, athletes, there’s still plenty of Soccer DNA across the games. CANKS ABROAD makes its return as we chat about various US and Canadian players abroad, including Weston McKennie and Jacen Russell-Rowe. The show caps off with an EMERGENCY KIT REVIEW BY SOOZIE SCOOPS as MLS opted to release their 2026 jerseys while we were recording.

Listen to our Shows, Subscribe our Newsletter on: https://kickbacksoccer.com/

01:46 - Gass runs a half marathon

05:32 - Benito Bowl

15:09 - Winter Olympics

34:22 - Canks Abroad

48:47 - MLS KIT DROP EMERGENCY

53:00 - Closer

After taking an offseason break, The Kickback Committee is back for 2026! Susannah returns from her travels in France and is joined by Committee member and Surprise Bread Connoisseur Jordan Angeli. The duo recap noteworthy transfers and deals during the recent winter transfer window. With the offseason winding down, the crew reviews various wedding set-ups from newlywed players across the scene (They’re all winners). Sooz and Jordan mention their favorite things in Soccer right now, including the fans of Corinthians Femenino and the madness of Real Madrid vs. Benfica in the UCL. The show winds own with a Reality TV Round-Up, reacting to the news of Prue Leith leaving GBBO and Nigella Lawson taking her place. Jordan bring out a (delicious) surprise on-camera. The Traitors (US) has Sooz hooked as a new obsession.

Listen to our Shows, Subscribe our Newsletter on: https://kickbacksoccer.com/

02:40 - Jordan joins the Show

06:25 - Winter Transfer Window Recap

23:46 - Wedding Offseason In Review

42:21 - Favorite Things We’re Following in Soccer

50:46 - Reality TV Round-up

58:17 - Close

Sooz and David are here to ring in the new year! The World Cup will be the biggest soccer event in the world in 2026 but the Committee aims to pull back and see the wider scope of soccer locally and abroad from the leap until the end of 2026, complete with specific dates. From pre-season at Coachella Valley on Feb. 7th, through the World Cup’s kickoff on June 11th, to the NWSL Championship and U-17 World Cup in November, the Committee reviews it all to kick off the new year in the sport.

Listen to First Touch ’26 Capsule Podcasts to prepare for the 2026 World Cup: https://linktr.ee/firsttouchksm

Subscribe to The Kickback Minutes here: https://kickbacksoccer.com/

03:44 - Coachella Valley Invitational

07:54 - Season Kickoffs

16:57 - CONCACAF Champions Cup

19:17 - FIFA World Cup Intercontinental Playoffs

22:36 - UEFA Champions League

25:20 - 2026 World Cup

34:02 - US League Breaks and Post-Season

38:32 - Ballon D’or

40:57 - U20 & U17 Men’s and Women’s World Cup

42:24 - Closer

Hey Kickback crew this is David dropping a sample of our new podcast "Kickback '26". We have built a capsule like this for every country that has qualified for 2026 World Cup so far. They all follow a similar format covering the history of the sport, top world cup moments/soccer moments for each country, urban legend or unsung heroes, and young players to know. All the episode are between 10-18 minutes long so consumable and easy to binge! About a quarter of them have interviews as well including players, fans, and journalists. Please follow the link below if you enjoy this and share with anyone you think might like it as well!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kickback-26/id1857994985

https://open.spotify.com/show/1Vx00ibBgMbgB5Y2LaQ8WN

The Committee gather to present the Ultimate Soccer Holiday Gift Guide. Books, Apparel, a Video Game and more for this 2025 holiday season. David presents his pitch and story for a Hallmark Christmas Soccer Movie and we are ENTHRALLED by the end of the tale.

Kickback Committee’s 2025 Ultimate Soccer Holiday Gift Guide

Adidas 2026 World Cup Kits: https://www.soccer.com/shop/products/fifa-world-cup

Despelote: https://despelote.game/

The Messi Effect by Paul Tenorio: https://read.macmillan.com/lp/the-messi-effect-9781250364173/

The Striker by Ana Huang: https://anahuang.com/books/thestriker/

TSA Pre-Check: https://www.tsa.gov/precheck

Away Luggage: https://www.awaytravel.com/collections/carry-on-luggage

Body Armor Zero Sugar Drink Packets: https://www.drinkbodyarmor.com/flash-iv-sticks

Dirt Pitch Apparel: https://dirtpitch.com/

Dreadfully Drawn Illustrations: https://www.dreadfullydrawn.co.uk/

02:37 - The Committee’s Soccer Holiday Gift Guide

25:53 - David’s Pitch for a Soccer Hallmark Christmas Movie

The Committee gathers for the final Happy Hour livestream for 2025. We celebrate the end of 2025 and Susannah reaching the successful end of her treatments. Friend of the Committee Jillian Sakovits surprises Sooz for the occasion, celebrating the milestone and the work it took Sooz get here. We keep the party rolling with Sooz’s home state of Illinois for 50 States of Soccer and discuss the entries we’ve received for 5-a-side and Favorite locations.

Listen to First Touch ’26 Capsule Podcasts to prepare for the 2026 World Cup: https://linktr.ee/firsttouchksm

Subscribe to The Kickback Minutes here: https://kickbacksoccer.com/

Susannah and David are in the holiday mood as we enter the middle of December. David gives us a lesson on the difference between a Menorah and a Hanukkiah candle. The winners of the Kickback Soccer Media Bracktober American Soccer Contest are announced! David recants a favorite World Cup memory, meeting a pair of celebrities during a USMNT match. The pair rundown the slate of soccer being played during the month of December across the worlds. For the occasion, we also bring back CANKS ABROAD and check in on US and Canadian talents making their mark abroad. We mourn the loss of the Jägermeister USL Cup (the sponsor, not the cup competition itself). 50 States of Soccer swings to Susannah’s home state, Illinois for this week.

Listen to First Touch ’26 Capsule Podcasts to prepare for the 2026 World Cup: https://linktr.ee/firsttouchksm

Subscribe to The Kickback Minutes here: https://kickbacksoccer.com/

03:33 - David talks Hanukkah and the difference between a Menorah and Hanukkiah candle.

05:48 - Giving Presents as Adults

12:55 - Caleb Williams does the Cold Palmer celebration

15:20 - Kickback Soccer Media Bracktober American Soccer Challenge Winners Announced

23:20 - Favorite World Cup Moment: David Meets a Celebrity

28:35 - December Soccer Rundown across The World (Bundesliga, Ligue 1, La Liga and Serie A)

48:30 - CANKS ABROAD Check-In

01:05:00 - Soccer Rundown continued (Premier League, AFCON, Arab Cup)

01:10:44 - RIP USL Jägermeister Cup, Hello Prinx Tires USL Cup

01:12:29 - 50 States of Soccer: Illinois

01:24:00 - Close