SportSpyder - The Latest St. Louis CITY SC Podcasts

Matchday 18: The Halfway Point. CITY vs RSL + Holse Now Official!

Bleav + Flyover Footy — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 09:00:00 GMT

St. Louis CITY SC faces off against Real Salt Lake in a pivotal midseason battle. RSL comes into this in 4th place, just one point ahead of 7th place CITY SC. A hugely important match that comes days after St. Louis made official their newest signing, Carlo Holse, signed to club record Designated Player deal. Plus a look at our roster and FIFA's latest debacle.

Flyover Footy has been covering St. Louis soccer since 2019. Subscribe to this feed to hear podcast episodes about St. Louis CITY SC, STL college soccer, academy programs, and amateur/semi-pro soccer in the area. This show is broadcast on The Big 550 KTRS on Saturdays at 6pm. Be sure to follow us on Bluesky and X @FlyoverFooty.

You can follow the show hosts to get all of their hot takes (let them know what you think):

Matt Baker – @MattBakerSTL
Santiago Beltran – @SantiBeltranSTL
Phill Grooms – @phillgrooms
Stuart Hultgren – @StuartHultgren

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The Wins Are Flowing

Ball Watching, LLC — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 01:00:00 GMT

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Ball Watching hosts, Jake Koenig and Justin Graham, recap St. Louis CITY's victory at home against Colorado Rapids and preview the upcoming home match against Real Salt Lake!

Follow the show on X and/or Instagram (@BallWatchingSTL)!

Find our guest interviews and all episodes in video form on YouTube by searching https://www.youtube.com/@ballwatchingSTL. Be sure to hit subscribe and turn notifications on!

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Fallout: CITY 1-0 over Rapids. Czechmate!

Bleav + Flyover Footy — Sun, 26 Jul 2026 13:46:19 GMT

St. Louis CITY SC wears down the Colorado Rapids in a 1-0 victory after playing up a man for most of the match & after a masterful shot from Tomas Ostrák late. CITY steps into 7th place and is within 1 point of a top 4 home playoff spot at the halfway point of the season!

You can follow the show hosts to get all of their hot takes (let them know what you think):

Matt Baker – @MattBakerSTL
Santiago Beltran – @SantiBeltranSTL
Phill Grooms – @phillgrooms
Stuart Hultgren – @StuartHultgren

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Fallout: CITY over Galaxy 3-1 + Previewing the Rapids at the Midpoint!

Bleav + Flyover Footy — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 09:00:00 GMT

St. Louis CITY SC is on a hot streak - their best 6 game stretch in MLS, ever. We look at their most recent away win over the LA Galaxy in convincing fashion and preview this weekend's return home vs the Rapids. Plus... we dive into Carlo Holse as reportedly the club's new DP10, what he offers and what the impact to the roster will be.

You can follow the show hosts to get all of their hot takes (let them know what you think):

Matt Baker – @MattBakerSTL
Santiago Beltran – @SantiBeltranSTL
Phill Grooms – @phillgrooms
Stuart Hultgren – @StuartHultgren

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3 Goals = 3 Points Western Warning

Ball Watching, LLC — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 01:00:00 GMT

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Ball Watching hosts, Jake Koenig and Justin Graham, recap St. Louis CITY's 3-1 victory on the road against LA Galaxy, and preview the upcoming home match against Colorado Rapids!

Matchday 16: CITY v Klauss-less Galaxy, Mățan Signed & More Transfer Talk!

Bleav + Flyover Footy — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 10:00:00 GMT

St. Louis CITY SC travel to Carson CA to face the LA Galaxy in a midweek matchup that could see CITY step into playoff position with a win. A full preview of both teams, plus a rundown on the latest news & rumors on the transfer front - and a look at the newest CITY signing: Alexandru Mățan!

You can follow the show hosts to get all of their hot takes (let them know what you think):

Matt Baker – @MattBakerSTL
Santiago Beltran – @SantiBeltranSTL
Phill Grooms – @phillgrooms
Stuart Hultgren – @StuartHultgren

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dar-B-Que Dub

Ball Watching, LLC — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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Ball Watching hosts, Jake Koenig and Justin Graham, recap St. Louis CITY's 3-2 victory over cross-state rivals, kansas, and preview the upcoming away match against LA Galaxy!

Fallout: CITY Defeats SKC 3-2 as MLS Play Resumes!

Bleav + Flyover Footy — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 19:16:39 GMT

St. Louis CITY SC defeats Sporting KC 3-2 in the 1st Darbecue of 2026. Both teams returned to play post-World Cup break and it was CITY able to dictate much of the match, provoke the luck towards the end, and do enough to see this one out and take all 3 points. We're back with our Fallouts to recap every big moment, the goals, the calls, the Starting XI and everything in between!

You can follow the show hosts to get all of their hot takes (let them know what you think):

Matt Baker – @MattBakerSTL
Santiago Beltran – @SantiBeltranSTL
Phill Grooms – @phillgrooms
Stuart Hultgren – @StuartHultgren

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#134 - We'll Take It From Here

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 01:10:12 GMT

CITY is BACK! MLS Resumes with the Darbecue vs SKC

Bleav + Flyover Footy — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 10:00:00 GMT

St. Louis CITY SC returns to play after almost 8 weeks off! MLS resumes with rivalry matches and it's the 1st Darbecue of the year, at home vs SKC! Plus our thoughts on the World Cup and a level setting for where CITY's roster stands ahead of the final 20 MLS matches in the regular season (and our US Open Cup run) as the transfer window is now open.

You can follow the show hosts to get all of their hot takes (let them know what you think):

Matt Baker – @MattBakerSTL
Santiago Beltran – @SantiBeltranSTL
Phill Grooms – @phillgrooms
Stuart Hultgren – @StuartHultgren

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

MLS Is Back With A Bang

Ball Watching, LLC — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 01:00:00 GMT

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Ball Watching hosts, Jake Koenig and Justin Graham, preview St. Louis CITY's upcoming rivalry match at home against Sporting kansas, and round off on all World Cup news!

USA World Cup Roundup

Ball Watching, LLC — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 18:00:00 GMT

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Ball Watching host, Justin Graham, breaks down the fallout from the USMNT’s elimination from the 2026 World Cup.

USMNT to the Knockouts + 2nd Round Group Stage Wrap Up | World Cup Special

Bleav + Flyover Footy — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

The USMNT qualified for the knockouts in dramatic fashion, defeating Australia 2-0 and there have been fireworks all over the World Cup in the 2nd round of group stage. We touch on all the big stories going on throughout the World Cup in this Soccer in the Lou USMNT x World Cup Special! Matt Baker spoke with Brendan Wiese from The Big 550 KTRS on this week's Soccer in the Lou, for this World Cup special!

You can follow the show hosts to get all of their hot takes (let them know what you think):

Matt Baker – @MattBakerSTL
Santiago Beltran – @SantiBeltranSTL
Phill Grooms – @phillgrooms
Stuart Hultgren – @StuartHultgren

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

USA Wins Group D + Week 2 Roundup

Ball Watching, LLC — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 01:00:00 GMT

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Ball Watching hosts, Jake Koenig and Justin Graham, recap the USMNT's 2-0 win over Australia in their second match of the FIFA World Cup, preview their final group stage against Turkiye, and discuss the biggest World Cup storylines from the last week!

USMNT Shine + A Look at the World Cup Group by Group | World Cup Special

Bleav + Flyover Footy — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Matt is joined by Justin Horneker from Talkin Soccer and STL Mag to preview the USMNT's Round 2 match vs Australia & break down their 4-1 win over Paraguay to open the 2026 World Cup. Plus, a full group by group breakdown. Who underperformed, who surprised and who are our favorites to win and move on from each group! Plus all the controversies and a bit of St. Louis CITY SC sprinkled in at the end!

You can follow the show hosts to get all of their hot takes (let them know what you think):

Matt Baker – @MattBakerSTL
Santiago Beltran – @SantiBeltranSTL
Phill Grooms – @phillgrooms
Stuart Hultgren – @StuartHultgren

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Statement of Intent

Ball Watching, LLC — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

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Ball Watching hosts, Jake Koenig and Justin Graham, recap the USMNT's 4-1 win over Paraguay in their opening match of the FIFA World Cup, and preview their second group stage against Australia!

Let the Games Begin

Ball Watching, LLC — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT

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Ball Watching hosts, Jake Koenig and Justin Graham, recap the USMNT's 2-1 loss against Germany and preview their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Paraguay!

Roundtable On CITY! Soccer in the Lou from KTRS at the World Cup Break!

Bleav + Flyover Footy — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 09:00:00 GMT

Matt Baker and Phill Grooms joined Brendan Wiese on The Big 550 KTRS this week for a roundtable discussion on St. Louis CITY SC in 2026. This serves as a companion piece to last week's look at the season so far as we bring you the full Soccer in the Lou that aired on KTRS this week!

You can follow the show hosts to get all of their hot takes (let them know what you think):

Matt Baker – @MattBakerSTL
Santiago Beltran – @SantiBeltranSTL
Phill Grooms – @phillgrooms
Stuart Hultgren – @StuartHultgren

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

USMNT Roster & 3-2 W Over Senegal

Ball Watching, LLC — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 01:00:00 GMT

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Ball Watching hosts, Jake Koenig and Justin Graham, dissect the 2026 USMNT World Cup Roster from top to bottom, recap their 3-2 win over Senegal, and preview what's to come in Chicago against Germany!

(Road to '26) Jozy Altidore, Former USMNT Striker & Chief Strategy Officer at Sogility

Ball Watching, LLC — Sun, 31 May 2026 01:00:00 GMT

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Ball Watching hosts, Jake Koenig and Justin Graham, wrap their "Road to '26" interview series with a true icon of the modern American pitch: Jozy Altidore.

With 115 caps, an MLS Cup title, and an MLS Cup MVP on his mantle, Jozy stands alone as one of the most dominant forces in national team history. As the third-highest goalscorer in USMNT history with 42 goals, he has summited the highest peaks of the sport and carries a rare, elite understanding of what it actually takes to win on the world stage.

Now navigating the boardroom as the Chief Soccer Officer of our show partner, Sogility, Jozy is leveraging state-of-the-art, data-tracked training technology to fundamentally revolutionize how this country develops youth talent.

We sit down with the absolute legend to dive deep into his legacy and look ahead to the home crucible of 2026, covering:

The CSO Mandate: Unpacking his transition from scoring headlines to corporate leadership. Jozy explains how data and sensory tracking tech are designed to close the global development gap and fix America's historical training deficiencies.
The Art of the No. 9: A masterclass on the pure, instinctual mechanics of elite finishing. Jozy details the fine line between clinical execution and overthinking in the box, and breaks down his absolute favorite international career goals.
Handling the World Stage: What does it actually feel like to walk onto a pitch with the emotional expectations of an entire nation on your back? Jozy shares the mental adjustments required to handle the pressure cooker of multiple FIFA World Cups.
The Pochettino Formula & 2026 Mandate: With the tournament arriving at our front door, Jozy issues a direct, filterless reality check for the current player pool. He reveals the exact baseline trait Mauricio Pochettino’s squad needs to adopt to ensure 2026 is a success.

Whether you want to hear from one of the greatest strikers to ever wear the crest or see the technological blueprint changing the sport's future, you cannot miss this grand finale.

CITY SC at the Break: A Look at 2026 So Far + DfL & USMNT as the World Cup Looms!

Bleav + Flyover Footy — Fri, 29 May 2026 09:00:00 GMT

The 1st portion of the 2026 MLS season is done and dusted. Where does St. Louis CITY SC sit at the break and how 'real' was their May run? We break down the season so far w/looks at every player and position look at Dueling for Lincoln's TST7v7 run + discuss the USMNT roster heading into the World Cup and what realistic expectations we have for the group!

You can follow the show hosts to get all of their hot takes (let them know what you think):

Matt Baker – @MattBakerSTL
Santiago Beltran – @SantiBeltranSTL
Phill Grooms – @phillgrooms
Stuart Hultgren – @StuartHultgren

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

(Road to '26) Mike Sorber, Former USMNT Midfielder & Assistant Coach for Red Bull NY

Ball Watching, LLC — Thu, 28 May 2026 01:00:00 GMT

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Ball Watching hosts, Jake Koenig and Justin Graham, continue their "Road to '26" interview series with St. Louis soccer royalty and a true pillar of the American game—Mike Sorber. Mike didn't just witness the 1994 soccer revolution; he was the tactical anchor and engine room for it. From his legendary days as a SLU Billiken to becoming the first American to play in Mexico’s top flight with Pumas, he has navigated some of the toughest, grittiest environments in soccer history. With the World Cup returning to the U.S. in 2026, he joins us at the perfect moment to bridge his historic playing days with his elite coaching career across the USMNT, New York Red Bulls, and St. Louis CITY SC.

We get "on the grass" with the mastermind himself to cover:

The 1994 Crucible: We dive into what the internal vibe was like in the locker room when players felt they were playing for the literal survival of the sport in the U.S.. Mike breaks down Bora Milutinović’s specific tactical mandate for him as the squad's quiet anchor.
The St. Louis DNA & Liga MX Trailblazing: We discuss how growing up in the unique St. Louis soccer ecosystem prepared him for a professional career before MLS even existed. He shares how a Midwestern "chip on the shoulder" helped him navigate Mexico's top flight.
The Coaching Blueprint: We look at his transition to the tactical board and how much of the high-intensity Red Bull pressing philosophy he injected into the foundation of St. Louis CITY SC. He reveals the behind-the-scenes non-negotiables required to establish a club's expansion identity.
The Road to 2026 & Legacy: We ask whether the return of the tournament feels like a true "mission accomplished" moment for his generation. Plus, he reveals the exact trait the current 2026 USMNT roster needs to "steal" from the 1994 squad to achieve real success.

Finish With a Bang

Ball Watching, LLC — Wed, 27 May 2026 01:00:00 GMT

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Ball Watching hosts, Jake Koenig and Justin Graham, break down St. Louis CITY SC's 3-0 win over Austin FC at home!

(Road to '26) Paul Tenorio, Senior Writer at The Athletic for USMNT & MLS

Ball Watching, LLC — Mon, 25 May 2026 01:00:00 GMT

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Ball Watching hosts, Jake Koenig and Justin Graham, continue their "Road to '26" interview series with the undisputed "Dean of the Press Box"—Paul Tenorio, a senior writer for The Athletic. Paul doesn't just report on soccer; he explains the complex machinery, roster rules, and boardroom politics that actually make the sport move in this country. With his highly anticipated book, The Messi Effect, set to hit shelves on June 2, 2026, he joins us at the ultimate moment to dive into his reporting.

We challenge the insider with some analytical rigor just days ahead of the high-stakes May 26 roster reveal to cover:

The Messi Effect & The Business of Soccer: Has the arrival of Lionel Messi permanently rewired Major League Soccer's financial ecosystem, or are we operating in a temporary bubble that risks bursting post-retirement? Paul shares behind-the-scenes boardroom insights from his upcoming book.
The Soccer Paradox: We take a hard look at soccer's perception both domestically and globally. Are we really looking at a "golden generation"? Do others see it that way?
Defining Success & The Post-World Cup Horizon: Is a Round of 16 exit an objective failure for this generation? We explore where the line sits between a respectable run and a missed opportunity, Poch’s future past July, and whether U.S. Soccer infrastructure is genuinely prepared for the post-Messi reality.

Fallout: CITY SC Cruises to a 3-0 Win Over Austin FC

Bleav + Flyover Footy — Sun, 24 May 2026 14:03:38 GMT

St. Louis CITY SC ends the 1st part of MLS play the year in tremendous fashion by disposing of Austin FC 3-0 at home. Fallou Fall and Daniel Edelman star for a CITY team that has rounded into form and begun climbing the standings as we enter a 2 month hiatus of matches. Our full recap of the match, what it means and everything in between!

You can follow the show hosts to get all of their hot takes (let them know what you think):

Matt Baker – @MattBakerSTL
Santiago Beltran – @SantiBeltranSTL
Phill Grooms – @phillgrooms
Stuart Hultgren – @StuartHultgren

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.