Welcome back, Reds and Blues! We survived the international break and the first week back. But things have not gone well for the Red-White-and-Blue, the Reds, or the Blues since we last chatted. Let’s get into it.

Chelsea desperately needed the international break. 4 losses on the trot had dropped them out of the Champions League spot. They returned to face Port Vale in the FA Cup, and it was a welcome respite as they ran out 7-0 against the League One side. But they were brought back to earth this weekend when they hosted Manchester City. The first half seemed even, but the late-season beast that is City awoke in the 2nd half. 2 goals inside about 15 minutes ended the contest, with a third coming later to rub it in. The return of Enzo Fernandez may be a boost, but they face a Manchester United side that will be looking to bounce back from their loss to local rivals Leeds. Brighton and Leeds round out the month of April, which may decide their European fate.

United had an extended break with the first weekend back being dedicated to the FA Cup. But that extra time seemed to add cobwebs rather than freshness. Leeds showed up to Old Trafford ready to fight. They figuratively and literally punched United in the face in the first five minutes and made it clear they were not going to lie down in their own relegation fight. A second goal on the half hour mark and a United red card made a fightback more difficult. An in-perfect cross from Bruno for Casemiro’s header gave the home crowd some hope, but Leeds managed to turn away multiple goal-line opportunities to give Carrick only his 2nd loss in this stint. United will look to revive their top-4 hopes with a trip to Stamford Bridge. The outcome of that game will have massive impact on the future of both clubs.

The USMNT played 2 friendlies in further preparation for the upcoming World Cup, and let’s just say we now have more questions than answers. After a decent but probably far too open first half against Belgium, the floodgates were opened and the final score of 5-2 was flattering. It felt like the Belgians scored about every 5 minutes or at least could have. The match against Portugal was only slightly better because of the scoreline. But the US was truly never in the game, as Portugal dominated possession and position. Both games should serve as a reality check for what expectations should be, as well as demonstrating that some players are just not at the level required to go deep in a Cup run. Pulisic’s poor start to 2026 at club level carried over, and a few players should be told now that they are not going to be on the plane. The USMNT now has 2 games to find some semblance of form, or this could a short Cup.

The USWNT play a friendly against Japan this evening at 10pm.

The field is now set after the last round of playoff matches. We’ll run down who punched their ticket and the likely big matchups.

We’ll be wondering what counts as a foul and a card, so join us Wednesday at 7 p.m. live at Chatham Tap, or online via Facebook Live and YouTube Live as well. You can also catch us on the platforms listed below. Like, subscribe, comment, and raise a glass with us wherever you listen. Cheers!

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Greetings, Reds and Blues! We’re nearing the business end of the season. Chelsea’s hopes now sit squarely upon the FA Cup. United have a chance to grab a CL spot if they can hold onto their current position. Let’s see how both fared recently.

Chelsea’s season is limping toward the finish line. Recent results in the Premier League have not been what they have hoped for at this point, as they sit in 8th place and 10 points off the guaranteed CL spot of 5th. But while the league has not been pleasant for them recently, they have managed to get their hands near a trophy. A nervy but ultimately worthy 1-goal win over a plucky but largely toothless Leeds side sees them head back to Wembley for an FA Cup final against Manchester City, who themselves left it late to overturn a deficit to defeat Southampton. Chelsea won’t play for a full week before resuming next Monday against Forest. They go away to Liverpool the week for their Cup final before rounding out May away to Sunderland.

United’s hopes for Champions League football next season took another big step on Monday with a somewhat edgy 2-1 victory over Brentford. United started brightly and got an early goal, but Brentford were full of attacking intent themselves and had multiple golden opportunities that they failed to take. A second goal before halftime should have calmed the nerves, but Carrick seemed to sense the danger and brought on Maz for Amad to bring more defensive composure. It worked well, but Brentford made things lively with a late thunderbolt of a goal. They had one more chance that Lammens held onto, and they now sit all alone in third 3 points above Liverpool and Villa. They welcome Liverpool to Old Trafford next weekend as they look fully solidify their hold on a CL spot. Sunderland, Forest, and Brighton round out the season for United.

We’ll be wondering which referees are calling fouls this week, so join us Wednesday at 7 p.m. live at Chatham Tap, or online via Facebook Live and YouTube Live as well. You can also catch us on the platforms listed below. Like, subscribe, comment, and raise a glass with us wherever you listen. Cheers!

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Greetings, Reds and Blues! The international break is upon us. So how did our clubs sign off in the league?

Chelsea have now lost 4 games in a row and failed to score in the last 3. But it is the manner in which they’ve lost that should be worrisome. The first leg of the PSG CL tie was going along acceptably until the last 20 minutes, during which the wheels fell and have not been located since. A dreary 1-0 at home to Newcastle followed. Then another capitulation to PSG. And finally this past weekend’s dire outing away to Everton. So the break comes at an opportune time for them. And an additional saving grace arrives upon their return to action, as they face Port Vale at home in the FA Cup. But that game is followed by visits from Manchester City and United, respectively. Liam Rosenior has his work cut out for him for the month of April.

Michael Carrick is now rumored to be getting the position full-time and a 3-year contract. They looked convincing against Villa, and slightly less so against Bournemouth. But the trajectory has been good, and they appear set to hold firm on third place and a CL spot. But this will add pressure and further questions between now and the end of the season. I personally think there was no harm in waiting to announce the decision, even if all parties knew behind the scenes. The last thing this team needs at the moment is a further distraction. This may ultimately be the real test for Carrick.

The USMNT enters their last camp before gathering for the Cup this summer. Belgium awaits on Saturday. How experimental and/or pragmatic Poch will approach this match remains to be seen.

The USWNT returns to action mid-April with a friendly against Japan.

And several teams will take one step closer to the World Cup on Thursday in the first leg of the playoffs.

We’ll be wondering just how and why VAR chooses to get involved, so join us Wednesday at 7 p.m. live at Chatham Tap, or online via Facebook Live and YouTube Live as well. You can also catch us on the platforms listed below. Like, subscribe, comment, and raise a glass with us wherever you listen. Cheers!

⚽🍺⚽🍺⚽🍺⚽🍺

#TheRedandBlueSoccerChat

#ChathamTapFishers

#ChelseaFC

#manchesterunited

#USMNT

#USWNT

https://linktr.ee/theredandbluesoccerchat

https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-red-and-blue-soccer/

https://www.youtube.com/@theredandbluesoccerchat

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https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-red-and-blue-soccer-chat/id1720060776

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