The Call Up
142 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 199 ratingsNot many people are as close to Major League Soccer’s players, coaches and fans as MLSsoccer.com’s Jillian Sakovits and Susannah Collins. Whether it’s on the sidelines or working on a feature story, they spend much of the season on the road and interacting with the newsmakers of the league. With 9 seasons of MLS experience between them and the closest of friends, Jill & Susannah invite you to pull up a chair and be a part of the conversations that up until now had stayed between them over a couple cocktails! We pull back the curtain to what it's like covering MLS – on and off the field.
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Episodes
The Comeback Kids
July 21, 2020 23:00 - 47 minutes - 43.6 MBJordan Morris and Tommy Thompson join the ladies from the MLS is Back Tournament. The highest of expectations surround the Seattle Sounders, meanwhile, Group B winners the San Jose Quakes, are thriving as the underdogs. Thompson discusses the magic of Matias Almeyda, Wondo, learning Spanish, and shares an epic training story. Reigning MLS Comeback Player of the Year Jordan Morris reflects on his recent form, which young Americans he’d like to team up with on USMNT, and which Seattle squad wa...
Pa' Ti, Pa' Mi, Pa' Nani
July 07, 2020 20:00 - 33 minutes - 30.5 MBMLS is BACK, BABY! On the eve of the MLS is Back Tournament, Jillian and Susannah talk to superstar Nani and get the scoop on how the "host" team is feeling. Nani talks playing their "biggest rivals" Inter Miami CF as the first game of the tournament. Plus, Nani explains the origin of his moniker, and provides a clarification (or update...) on if we'll be seeing Cristiano Ronaldo come to MLS soon. With Carlos Vela out of the tournament, the ladies break down who they're excited to watch.
Get Your Crystal Dunn Jersey While You Still Can
June 30, 2020 20:00 - 37 minutes - 34.8 MBThe Call Up fangirls HARD over World Cup champ and NC Courage player Crystal Dunn as she joins the ladies from the NWSL bubble in Utah. Crystal discusses how it felt taking the field for the first time and the power of kneeling in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Anthem or no? Crystal offers her take on whether the long-standing pre-game ritual should continue. Plus, she opens up on marrying her best friend and gives Susannah & Jill the inside scoop on the World Cup Party tha...
The Palette of Ben Olsen
June 23, 2020 20:00 - 31 minutes - 29.1 MBYou CAN call Ben Olsen Mr. DC! On today's episode, Ben Olsen shares the story behind how he ended up a head coach for the only team he ever played for. Ben talks about his friendship with Bruce Arena and why he once hid his hobby of painting. The MLS player turned coach discusses the positives he found managing during quarantine, the early days of the club, and being in the nation’s capital during a paramount moment in history.
We Mustache Sacha a Kljestan
June 16, 2020 20:00 - 51 minutes - 47.2 MBSusannah & Jill go box to box with Galaxy midfielder Sacha Kljestan. From Chivas USA to Europe and back, Sacha offers insight on his career, the MLS is Back Tournament, and if Jesse Marsch is a good house guest. He explains why the Kljestans joined the Black Lives Matter protests, his emotional message to his kids, and how the league and players can keep the conversation at the forefront once soccer returns. The ladies celebrate his iconic stache and get Sacha’s take on who could rock his si...
Exclusive: Commissioner Don Garber
June 10, 2020 13:00 - 35 minutes - 32.4 MBMLS is Back: All 26 Teams to Resume season in Orlando on July 8th, culminating with an August 11th Championship. MLS Commissioner Don Garber discusses logistics, the commitment to keeping Black Lives Matter at the forefront, and why the league has long supported peaceful protests - including taking a knee. Plus, what does the rest of 2020 hold for MLS? Join Don, Jillian & Susannah for a conversation you don’t want to miss.
From Minnesota: “I can’t sit here and be quiet”
June 05, 2020 01:00 - 53 minutes - 48.6 MBMinnesota United teammates Jacori Hayes & Mason Toye discuss being Black in America, their shared dedication to "educate," and why they believe the George Floyd murder -- while too familiar -- will be the one to bring change. As MLS announces return to play, how do we keep the Black Lives Matter movement in the forefront? Let’s listen.
Kendall Waston SLAPS his teammates (and they love it)
May 19, 2020 20:00 - 48 minutes - 44.5 MBLet Kendall Waston make your day. The Cincinnati CB tells us about why he slaps his teammates, and that time he sent Costa Rica to the World Cup (sorry, not sorry USMNT). What was really behind THAT historic 1st club goal celebration? The veteran opens up about a terrifying time with his young son, and why Cincy was the perfect city for his family to heal. He also lets the ladies in on the secret to keeping the fire alive with singer wife Priscila and what he plans to do about that 44 pace r...
Florian Valot: From Paris to RBNY, and All the Escargot In-Between
May 12, 2020 20:00 - 40 minutes - 36.8 MBBonjour! Take a walk down the Champs-Élysées with Florian Valot. Get to know the RBNY midfielder, who's battled back to back ACL injuries. His journey from PSG & Monaco youth systems to the NY Red Bulls, to dribbling around his landlord's Porsche in quarantine. That time he & Susannah ate all the snails, and a questionable portrait experience on the Paris streets. His unforgettable moment during his first NY Derby game, all part of Heineken Rivalry Week. Buckle up, we're going to France....a...
Jeff Atinella & Zarek Valentin Join the ULTIMATE Pod Party
May 05, 2020 20:00 - 58 minutes - 53.4 MBHappy first anniversary to The Call Up! Susannah and Jillian celebrate the big day by inviting Houston’s Zarek Valentine and Portland’s Jeff Attinella to the podcast party. The fellas reflect on their time as teammates in Portland and pull the curtain back on what makes their “From J to Z” podcast click. They share sweet Mother’s Day messages to their Rock Star wives and engage in an unprecedented (take a sip!) game of the $100,000 Pyramid with the ladies. A true milestone episode for The Ca...
Jeff Attinella & Zarek Valentin Join the ULTIMATE Pod Party
May 05, 2020 20:00 - 58 minutes - 53.4 MBHappy first anniversary to The Call Up! Susannah and Jillian celebrate the big day by inviting Houston’s Zarek Valentin and Portland’s Jeff Attinella to the podcast party. The fellas reflect on their time as teammates in Portland and pull the curtain back on what makes their “From J to Z” podcast click. They share sweet Mother’s Day messages to their Rock Star wives and engage in an unprecedented (take a sip!) game of the $100,000 Pyramid with the ladies. A true milestone episode for The Cal...
LAFC's Mark-Anthony Kaye...a Roman Emperor?
April 28, 2020 20:00 - 52 minutes - 47.9 MBReturn of the MAK to your eyes or ears! Soak up the sunny Cali skies with LAFC fan favorite Mark-Anthony Kaye. MAK discusses year 3 in MLS, Bob Bradley's jokes, yogi tips, and what you don't know about Carlos Vela. Plus, does he really make "the best apple pie in MLS?!" Jillian & Susannah dive deep with Marc-Anthony into the personalities of the LAFC locker room, their quarantine impulse buys, and how they've (kind of) found ZEN! Pull up a chair, get to know the real MAK, and let's hang!
Daniel Salloi, This Is Your Final Rose
April 21, 2020 20:00 - 58 minutes - 53.7 MBAre you ready for the most dramatic Call Up episode in history? Susannah and Jillian hope you’re here for the right reasons because Daniel Salloi certainly is. The ladies guide the would be KC Bachelor on his journey to find love as he gives his final rose to...Rose Lavelle!? Hailee Steinfeld?! Tune in to find out! Daniel dishes on his new vlog for SKC, whether Peter Vermes is THAT scary, and confirms that Zlatan smells really good. Pour yourself a glass of happiness because you deserve ALL ...
CJ Sapong’s Life-Changing Experience Prepared Him For Quarantine Enlightenment
April 15, 2020 21:00 - 56 minutes - 51.5 MBDo you know who is absolutely crushing this quarantine? CJ Sapong! Susannah and Jill look to the Chicago Fire striker to guide them on their journey to quarantine enlightenment. CJ sheds light on how he stays positive, his special relationship with Chi-Town, his unlikely bromance with Bastian Schweinsteiger, and how an unfortunate brush with the law in 2015 changed his outlook on life. Get your zen on and let Susannah, Jill, & CJ lead the way. NAMA-STAY INSIDE, everybody!
Why ATLUTD’s Brad Guzan Thinks Josef Martinez Should Throw Your Next Party
April 07, 2020 20:00 - 45 minutes - 41.4 MBHappy 25th Birthday MLS! Joining the party is ATL & USMNT goalkeeper Brad Guzan. He discusses his return to MLS, those early Chivas days, and playing teacher at home. Brad's ATL Mount Rushmore & teammate superlatives. Pity Martinez sings?! Josef Martinez plans what?! Who would Brad let watch his kids?! How he and fellow-veteran Jeff Larentowicz hold down the fort. Also, Revs owner Robert Kraft's remarkable humanitarian effort, and MNUFC's Tyler Miller acting. It's a 25th birthday party and y...
Wil(helm) Trapp Radiates the Miami Sun
March 31, 2020 20:00 - 47 minutes - 43.7 MBJillian & Susannah can feel the sunshine radiating through isolation from Miami's Wil Trapp. The midfielder gives the ladies a private concert, shares the instant impact of Coach Diego Alonso. Plus, his new vida in Miami, what Zlatan smells like, and the first time he met the boss David Beckham. Born & raised in Columbus where he played for 7 years, USMNT staple Trapp sheds light on what we did not know about Gregg Berhalter! The ladies also can't help but talk Tiger King. Come feel the sun!
Girls Night with Ike Opara
March 24, 2020 20:00 - 49 minutes - 45.5 MBJill & Susannah have a girls night with reigning MLS Defender of the Year Ike Opara. He shares the time Peter Vermes scolded the Cauldron during a playoff game and his secret to the fountain of youth, . The ladies turn the table on "Ike's Interrogation Room"! Who is his favorite coach? His most overrated MLS player? Who does he like better, Benny Feilahber or Sal Zizzo?! Does he plead the fifth? It's all here! Oh, and Jill & Sus share what exciting rabbit holes they've gone down while they S...
Social Distancing with Rachel Bonnetta and Felipe
March 17, 2020 20:00 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MBNo soccer, no problem! Join Susannah and Jillian as they practice social distancing with a few friends. Fox Sports’ Rachel Bonnetta dishes on her new podcast, and DC United’s very own instigator, Felipe, fills us in on what the players are doing with all this free time and he has one big question: Does anybody actually like him?? Plus, Jill and Susannah are HERE for Benny Feilhaber’s retirement announcement and his epic hair evolution. Buckle up and wash those hands, The Call Up is back!
And the Oscar Goes to...Kei Kamara
March 03, 2020 21:00 - 37 minutes - 34 MBRoad trip! Jill and Susannah are in Denver hanging out with Kei Kamara for the start of the season. Who does he think should be on the Denver Bachelor live tour? Susannah gives Kei some acting tips, and Kei ranks his goal celebration partners throughout the years. Did Kei Kamara really name his child after Calen Carr? Plus, Kei puts on an unforgettable performance you WON'T want to miss!
DON'T Call Bill Hamid "Mr. DC!"
February 18, 2020 19:00 - 22 minutes - 20.7 MBThe 25th Season of MLS is almost here and Jill and Susannah are HYPED. Are they here for retro jerseys and bringing back 90’s shootouts? Also, what happened between Freddy Edu and JoJo? The ladies want to know. Plus, Bill Hamid joins the pod and chats about everything USMNT, what we can expect from DC United in 2020, and why Becky G. should perform at the MLS All Star Game half time show. Also, DON’T call him Mr. DC!
Meeting Colorado's New DP, Younes Namli, Before His Teammates Do
February 04, 2020 19:00 - 22 minutes - 20.3 MBSHAKIRA SHAKIRA! Jill and Susannah are ready for their close-ups in their new (funky?) outfits. Susannah does her best Shakira impression after THAT half-time show, and Jill's cat did WHAT? Fresh off a plane, Colorado's new DP Younes Namli talks about jet lag, American football, and his best friends Nala and Kenzo. Come on in to our Younes Namli welcome party!
The One With a Glimpse Into MLS Wife Life
January 24, 2020 19:00 - 37 minutes - 34.7 MB¡Bienvenidos a MLS, Chicharito! In this episode, Susannah and Jill explain why Javier Hernandez’s arrival in LA is a win for everyone. Carlos Vela has changed up his look, but are the ladies here for it? Also, puppy content alert!! Plus, ultimate girl-crush Jen McCarty keeps it 100 on life with Dax, why she almost didn’t give him a second date, and pulls back the curtain on what it’s really like to be an MLS wife. ¡¡Que caliente!!
The One Where Jimmy Conrad Ranks the Best Looking Defenders
January 07, 2020 19:00 - 37 minutes - 34.4 MBThe Call-Up is back for season 2, and better than ever! The ladies tell you all you need to know about new NYCFC head coach, Ronny Deila, and how he's already perhaps the spiciest coach in MLS. The ladies are joined by the always funny & insightful Jimmy Conrad. He discusses the state of SKC, getting kicked out of Vatican City, and his recent cat adoption. Coleen Rooney, Matthew McConaughey, and Carlos Vela make the 2020 list - find out what's in store. New year, same great show - come on in!
The One Where Tim Howard Embraces Life As a Carpool Dad
December 17, 2019 19:00 - 28 minutes - 26.5 MBOn the 2019 season finale, the ladies discuss Irish exits and a wedding foul. Jill & Susannah weigh in on the Kljestan & Bradley announcements, and are joined by US GK legend Tim Howard. After 22 years as a pro, Howard shares what is keeping him busier than ever, is embracing life as a “carpool dad,” and addresses Memphis 901 FC GM rumors. He pulls back the curtain on his scariest moment with Sir Alex Ferguson and explains why he never took on the British accent. Come on in to our Call Up ho...
The One Where We Get to Know Our New USWNT Coach: Vlatko Andonovski
December 03, 2019 19:00 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBJillian & Susannah get you all set for the holidays! Could we see Mario Balotelli or Luis Suarez come to MLS soon? Luis Robles and Brooks Lennon find new (and sunnier) homes. New USWNT coach Vlatko Andonovski joins the show and discusses plans for the future, how he manages rockstar personalities, what he thinks of Carli Lloyd’s plan to maybe join the NFL, and if Alex Morgan will be back in time for the 2020 Olympics.
The One Where We Do Friendsgiving with The Cooligans
November 26, 2019 19:00 - 36 minutes - 33.4 MBPull up a beach chair, grab a fruity beverage and join the ladies on some jam packed offseason fun! Jill and Susannah recap their journeys to new MLS cities Miami & Nashville, and David Beckham apologizes to Jill. Are you here for RBNY overhaul? The new Chicago Fire FC? And some new rivalries!? The Cooligans stop by to set their hilarious MLS Thanksgiving table. Who is the gravy? Who’s the jello salad? And the ladies take them on in a round of “Speak Out".
The One Where Chrissy Teigen Paints the Town Rave Geen
November 11, 2019 17:00 - 17 minutes - 16.4 MBChrissy Teigen is here for a Sounders victory, are you? Susannah and Jillian recap their MLS Cup experiences and try to track down some hats. Small plates, 69, 274 fans, and Michael Bradley run ins. The ladies and the Sounders are popping bottles, so come on and join the celebration!
The One With Brad Evans Versus a Home Depot Shower
November 05, 2019 19:00 - 37 minutes - 34.2 MBThe ladies prepare for MLS Cup. Are you here for Dax McCarty to Nashville SC?! Jill has a Jozy Altidore & Sloane Stephens spotting, and Susannah unpacks her LA suitcase (and some Twitter drama). Fresh off a year in an Airstream, 2x MLS Cup Champ & Souders legend Brad Evans joins the show. He brings us inside the Sounders locker room, Brian Schmetzer's new #eHarmonypic, and Chad Marshall in the shower stories. What will Schmetzer say pregame? Plus, a juicy round of "tell us about your (former...
The One Where the USMNT make Leslie Osborne's Daughter Cry
October 22, 2019 18:00 - 37 minutes - 34.2 MBFresh off trips to Vatican City, Minneapolis, and everywhere in between, Jill and Susannah discuss a wild Round One of the Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs. Susannah has an awkward run in with the LA Galaxy, while Jill has an embarrassing wardrobe malfunction. The ladies find out if LAFC supporters wanted to face the Galaxy in a playoff edition of El Trafico and former USWNT captain and current FOX studio analyst Leslie Osborne offers her take on who should replace Jill Ellis, all on Susannah Appr...
The One Where Justin Meram Destroys All Future Wedding Proposals
October 08, 2019 18:00 - 37 minutes - 34.2 MBWhat do Josef Martinez, a sprinkler to the face, and a wardrobe malfunction have in common?! Not much, except they all made Jill & Susannah's Decision Day Presented by AT&T. The ladies share wild stories from the road and look ahead to the Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs. Atlanta United's Justin Meram joins the show. The MLS veteran talks about finding new life in the A-T-L, what his "Grandpa" Michael Parkhurst always carries on the road, and his proposal that will put us all to shame. Are you he...
The One With Sebastian Lleget dishing on Becky G
September 24, 2019 18:13 - 32 minutes - 29.4 MBIn this episode, Jill & Susannah are SO here for Luchi Gonzalez’s style, the career of Michael Parkhurst, and Hello Kitty. Bill Belichick death stares? Not so much. Plus, LA Galaxy’s Sebastian Lleget joins the ladies to dish on his relationship with superstar Becky G, his Instagram strategy, what Zlatan is really like as a teammate, and why the Galaxy are poised to make a deep playoff run. This one is ALL kinds of fun. Time codes 00:00-00:56 – Intro 00:56-03:13 – Jill on ATL/Josef ...
The One Where FC Cincinnati's PR Gatekeeper Divulges Secrets of the Trade
September 09, 2019 14:30 - 35 minutes - 33.2 MBIn a milestone episode, the ladies are live from Cincinnati!!! Are you here for Przybylko challenging LAFC?! Playoff bound & yet still boo'ing your head coach?! Jill & Susannah sit down with an MLS front office veteran who pulls back the curtain on a decade stories. Lizz Summers spills it all from getting FC Cincinnati up and running to Taylor Twellman & Steve Nicol NE Revs glory days. This is good, folks!
The One Where We Have a Pod Party with Benny Feilhaber & Sal Zizzo
August 20, 2019 18:00 - 34 minutes - 31.3 MBAre you here for Wayne Rooney unhinged, the Campeones Cup & beer flailing in LA?! Yet another first on the show, The Call-Up's first pod party. Jill & Susannah deep dive into MLS and podcasting with Benny Feilhaber and Sal Zizzo. Get a player's perspective! Benny & Sal weigh in on Rooney's tweet and discuss their pod partner Ike Opara. Jill shares what she learned from her Beyond the Stands shoot in Jordan and Susannah is off to St. Louis. 01:00 Jill's adventures in the Middle East, as...
The One Where Breast Milk Is Pumped & All-Star Is Talked
August 01, 2019 16:00 - 35 minutes - 33.1 MBWhat's up Orlando!?!? The ladies record from the MLS All-Star Game, bringing you behind the scenes with everyone from Kaka to Prince Royce. Bastian Schweinsteiger makes fun of Susannah, her and Jill take you behind the scenes of the MLS Skills Challenge, and FOX sideline reporter Katie Witham stops by. The new mom shares how she got her start, advice for the biz, and how to stay in the game - all while unapologetically pumping her breast milk (WE ARE HERE FOR THIS). We bow down!!
The One Where Mike Magee Spills All-Star Secrets
July 23, 2019 18:00 - 36 minutes - 33.6 MBOn this episode, Jill learns life lessons from Gerso & Susannah takes on Zlatan Ibrahimovic. As the ladies prepare for MLS All-Star in Orlando, they talk to a special guest: 2013 MLS MVP, 2x MLS Cup Champ Mike Magee about most recently winning Twitter (literally). Jill announces her Middle East trip and discusses sliding into DMs, and Susannah survives her Liverpool FC call-up.
The One With…Wait, Who Partied With the USWNT?
July 09, 2019 18:00 - 37 minutes - 34.5 MBThe ultimate soccer hangover, in the best way possible. On this episode, Jill and Susannah discuss all the feels of this 2019 USWNT, and what this means going forward on many levels! Miss the World Cup already?! One upcoming NWSL game can cure that. Portland Timbers get in on the action...and make a humiliating bet along the way. Jill hates on the Copa America mascot, Susannah breaks down some braids. Also - special guest Charlie Davies joins the show.
The One Where a Chicago Fire Legend Retires
June 25, 2019 19:00 - 36 minutes - 33.3 MBIn Episode 4, Susannah extols on her Parisian World Cup adventure, including a lesson for all in how to avoid an international travel fiasco. Jillian gets the inside scoop on Aaron Long’s pseudo mullet; plus, Paul Pogba wears an Atlanta United jersey. Both ladies are “Here For” the queen, Marta, and discuss how good it feels to feel good about the USMNT again. Plus, a BIG announcement from an MLS legend.
The One Where WE Celebrate WITH the U.S. Women’s National Team
June 14, 2019 12:24 - 34 minutes - 31.6 MBOn Episode 4, Susannah dishes on Josef Martinez's moves, Jill and Charles Barkley might be the same person, and a rarity on "Here For This." We want to know if you're here for the Women's World Cup celebration heard round the world. Plus, special guest Heath Pearce joins the show live from Paris and lets us into the mind of Bob Bradley and Austin FC makes history.
The One Where Lori Lindsey Shares her World Cup Wisdom
June 04, 2019 18:00 - 32 minutes - 29.8 MBOn Episode 3, Jill and Susannah share some behind the scenes moments from their recent travels and call out Zlatan for not sending them swag. Former USWNT midfielder, Lori Lindsey joins the show to discuss which teams to watch in the Women’s World Cup, THAT comeback against Brazil in 2011, and her role in Megan Rapinoe’s decision to come out publicly.
The One Where Peter Vermes almost brought Zlatan to SKC
May 21, 2019 18:00 - 31 minutes - 29.2 MBEpisode 2 - Susannah and Jill discuss shorts protocol, and Zlatan's new beauty product. Sporting Kansas City's Manager & Sporting Director Peter Vermes joins the show to talk about why Benny Feilhaber brings the "cajones" the team needs right now and plays a little game of MLS Coach Superlatives.
The one where Dax McCarty divulges on daddy duty
May 07, 2019 18:00 - 33 minutes - 31.3 MBOn episode #1, Jill and Susannah let you know how to properly say Derby and let you know if they are “here for this” on teams trolling each other on Twitter. Chicago Fire’s Dax McCarty joins the show to discuss recently becoming a father and how MLS teams no longer can rely on a big second half of the season to make a playoff run.
MLS: The Call-Up - Trailer
May 02, 2019 16:08 - 3 minutes - 2.88 MBAre you here for this? Looking for unfiltered and off the cuff reactions to man buns and player rants? Wanting to get more from the personalities in Major League Soccer? Jillian Sakovits & Susannah Collins have you covered! Not many people get as close to the game - players, coaches and fans - as these two, who are also the closest of friends. With 9 seasons of MLS experience between them there is no shortage of stories, takes and laughs. Susannah & Jill invite you to pull up a chair an...