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!

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Hello, Reds and Blues! We took an extra week off, but the football world certainly didn’t. Let’s catch up with our clubs!

Chelsea now ignominiously holds the record for most red cards by a team in a single season across all competitions, and they are quickly closing in on the record for the Premier League. That indiscipline has been an Achilles Heel all season, but it was particularly impactful against Arsenal. They clawed their way back into the match thanks to an own goal—despite rarely looking comfortable in it. But a second and completely unnecessary yellow for Pedro Neto made any sustained comeback all the more difficult. They bounced back in a big way against Villa (4-1) before an entertaining extra time thriller against Wrexham (4-2) in the FA Cup. Wrexham showed that they just might be ready for prime time, and Chelsea showed they may not be ready for a sustained run at the top 4. They did manage to pull it out, but they will need to show a more disciplined and cohesive performance against PSG in the Champions League before hosting a resurgent Newcastle in the league on Saturday.

Michael Carrick finally suffered a loss as manager of Manchester United. Despite losing to a last-minute worldie, it was really a tepid performance from the United players. Carrick (and certainly fans) may secretly be relieved that the “unbeaten” questions will no longer be asked, and he can focus on the task at hand: top 4. And the opportunity to put some daylight between themselves and their closest points rival when they host Villa this weekend will probably be a welcome challenge. That would solidify their hold on third place before what could be a tricky trip to Bournemouth the following week.

The USWNT captured the SheBelieves Cup with a 1-0 win over Colombia on Saturday. They won all 3 matches en route and have not given up a goal since October. Emma has this team flying as they continue the momentum toward next summer’s World Cup in Brazil.

We’ll be trying to avoid 23 red cards, 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! It’s been far too long, and there’s a lot to unpack. The new year has brought new managers—and new hope. Michael Carrick’s second spell as caretaker at United has picked up where he left off. And Liam Rosenior’s move to the Chelsea dugout is already showing signs of life. Let’s assess.

Since the loss to Fulham in early January—the last match before Rosenior took charge—Chelsea have looked sharp. Two Carabao Cup defeats to a high-flying Arsenal side shouldn’t overshadow the results. They’re 7–2 in that stretch, with most wins looking comfortable. Cole Palmer’s resurgence has played a part, but the growing consistency across the squad has been just as important.

Chelsea welcome a struggling Leeds on Tuesday, followed by an FA Cup trip to Hull. They round out February at home to Burnley. Maximum points will be the goal before a dangerous March that includes trips to Arsenal, Villa, and Everton—plus a visit from a lively Newcastle side.

Has Michael Carrick done enough to earn the job full-time? Most of us aren’t ready for that conversation just yet. For now, let’s enjoy the ride. It’s been a while since United fans have felt this kind of buzz. And speaking of buzz, a certain young lad will be watching Tuesday’s clash with West Ham very closely. A win would make it five in a row for the first time in two years. After that, they have a fortnight off before another trip to Everton. Will United still be in the top four come March?

On the international front, the USMNT won’t return until late March, but there’s plenty to like with Pulisic and McKennie both in strong form.

The USWNT handled business in late-January friendlies against Paraguay and Chile. Next up: Argentina in March.

We’ll be hoping our clubs keep the momentum rolling, 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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Welcome to 2026, Reds and Blues! The new year has decided to bring surprises early, as both clubs are in management turmoil despite reasonably decent spots in the table. And we have the World Cup draw to discuss as well. Let’s get caught up!

It is hard to discuss one club without discussing the other, as there seem to be so many parallels. Knee-jerk management decisions, unclear transfer policies, managers not being given time and control, as well as managers perhaps not being suited for the role in the first place. Without knowing all the details behind the scenes, as fans we are left to wonder exactly what is going on and why 2 storied clubs cannot manage to find stability and further success. That Maresca and Amorim are both gone is not the surprise. And there is no reason to think another untested manager will right things for either club.

This week Chelsea will travel a short distance for their London derby with Fulham, while Manchester United go away to Burnley. Both have winnable FA Cup matches at the weekend. What either team will look like in setup and performance is anyone’s guess. Liam Rosenior has been appointed new Chelsea boss, and he is expected to be in charge on gameday. Darren Fletcher has caretaker duties for United.

There is a World Cup coming to North America this summer. The draw took place in early December and was unfortunately exactly the gaudy, bloated, and disjointed spectacle one would expect at the moment. But the groups and fixtures are now set. The US got a seemingly favorable draw with Paraguay, Australia, and a playoff winner (likely Turkey?).

We’ll be taking odds on manager comings and goings, so join us at 7pm live at Chatham Tap or online through Facebook Live and hopefully YouTube Live. You can also catch us at your leisure on our other platforms listed below. Please like, subscribe, and comment wherever you choose to find us. CHEERS!

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Happy Holidays, Reds and Blues! We hope you were able to enjoy spending time with friends and family last week. Silly Season is now upon us, with games every few days to entertain us throughout the holidays. But how did our clubs do prior to all the upcoming chaos? Let’s get into it!

Chelsea’s onslaught to remain title contenders saw them return from the international break with a firm victory over lowly Burnley before putting on a masterclass against Barcelona at the Bridge. While Barca still has an impressive attacking force, their defense has been less impressive. And Chelsea took full advantage, with Barca going down to 10 men for the 2nd half. But an even bigger test came this past weekend when they hosted Arsenal. Despite themselves going down to 10 late in the first half, Chelsea managed to get on the board first. They managed the game with great aplomb, but Arsenal did manage to get a goal that could have been a platform to victory. But Chelsea stayed strong and took a valuable point off the hopeful league leaders. A mid-week trip to relegation-sitting Leeds kicks off an 8-game December for the Blues. Can they cure their discipline woes to prevent a holiday slip-up?

As was pointed out in our last chat, United can look toothless without true strikers on the field. And such was the case when they faced Everton. Perhaps it was the chaos and confusion of seeing the Toffees go down to 10 men for a player slapping his own teammate in the first 15 minutes, but United’s defense gave far too much space to Dewsbury-Hall to fire home. From there, their low block became their lifeline, and it paid off. United lack the courage and individual talents required to overcome a stubborn defense that is dug in, and they gave up all 3 points that should have been there for the taking. And it briefly appeared they would repeat that recent history by giving up a first-half PK to Palace. United showed good spirit to get back into the game through a rare Zirkzee goal. And a quickly taken free kick allowed Mount to take the lead. United looked shaky but resolved to secure the points. A struggling West Ham side comes to Old Trafford this week as United begin their own run of 6 games in December. Trust the process?

The USMNT was largely considered a B squad during the break, but they managed 2 solid victories against Paraguay and Uruguay. As both have qualified for next summer’s Cup, they present what is hopefully the path forward for our Eagles.

The USWNT took care of Italy twice in the span of a couple days to end 2025 on a high. Cat Macario had 3 goals across the 2 games. They will hope to follow in the USMNT’s footsteps when they host Paraguay in January.

We’ll be making our lists and checking them twice, so join us at 7pm live at Chatham Tap or online through Facebook Live and hopefully YouTube Live. You can also catch us at your leisure on our other platforms listed below. Please like, subscribe, and comment wherever you choose to find us. CHEERS!

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Greetings, Reds and Blues! The north wind has blown in, and winter is coming. But has it reached across the pond? Let’s see how our clubs have fared as we race toward the final international break of the year.

Chelsea eked out a win in an unnecessarily thrilling Carabao Cup match with Wolves, where they yet again failed to finish with 11 players on the field. This time it was the youngster Delap with a rash challenge late on. Despite their good form, indiscipline may come back to haunt them at some point this season. But at the moment they will be happy with their league form. A 1-0 win over London rivals Spurs and a comfortable 3-0 win over Wolves (twice in the span of a week) sandwiched a long-distance draw with plucky Qarabag in the CL. That sees them head into the break in 2nd place in the Prem. They will return in a fortnight to face Burnley before 2 big tests against Barcelona and then Arsenal see out November.

United’s unbeaten run has extended to 5 games since the ugly loss to Brentford. Bryan Mbeumo has been the highlight, but Cunha, De Ligt, and Amad have been big contributors as well. However, Ruben may have some concerns with some others’ focus drifting. Despite taking the lead against Forest and Spurs, United had to work hard to salvage late draws from both. With Sesko set to be out for an extended period with a knee injury, the abundance of number 10s will have to take up the slack. And they may need to utilize the January window to supplement the attack. United will return from the break to face a somewhat disjointed Everton at Old Trafford before ending November with a trip south to Palace. 2 wins would go a long way to putting them within touching distance of the top 4 as Christmas approaches, which seemed a far way off not long ago.

The USMNT will definitely be without Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, Chris Richards, and Christian Pulisic for their upcoming friendlies with Paraguay and Uruguay. Injuries and a not-quite-complete squad are beginning to be legit worries for Poch with just 7 months to go and few further opportunities to evaluate players. It’s time for those on the fringe to stake their claim or risk driving themselves to next summer’s games. Gio Reyna, we’re looking squarely at you.

The USWNT thrashed New Zealand 6-0 through an Emma Sears hat trick. They will face Italy twice – in Orlando then Ft. Lauderdale – to end 2025.

We’ll be trying to make Whitefish Bay before the gales of November arrive, so join us at 7pm live at Chatham Tap or online through Facebook Live and hopefully YouTube Live. You can also catch us at your leisure on our other platforms listed below. Please like, subscribe, and comment wherever you choose to find us. CHEERS!

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#TheRedandBlueSoccerChat

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#manchesterunited

#USMNT

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