World Cup winner and former USMNT head coach Jürgen Klinsmann joins Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey and Charlie Davies to reflect on his playing and managerial careers. Camp Cupcake (01:32): Monitoring Charlie after his accident, the good and bad of January camp, assessing young talent. Coaching the USMNT (10:52): Decision to take the U.S. job, the challenges facing American soccer, 2014 World Cup what ifs. Tough decisions (20:53): The rationale for leaving Landon Donovan off the World Cup...

Three-time World Cup participant and National Soccer Hall of Famer Tab Ramos joins Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey and Charlie Davies to talk about his playing and coaching careers, as well as his views on the state of the American game. Closing the gap (01:35): The 1990 team’s World Cup impostor syndrome, witnessing U.S. Soccer’s gradual move towards professionalism, building a culture and connection between youth players and USMNT, issues with the American player’s mentality. Coaching (10:00):...

Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey and Charlie Davies begin season two of Kickin’ It with a bang by welcoming in Italy and Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero to talk about his mindset and incredible playing career. Mentality (01:30): Channeling his competitive spirit, being able to control his emotions (unlike Clint!), and the origin of the Pinturicchio nickname. Juventus (10:11): Learning from Di Baggio and Zidane, early challenges and setbacks, 19 years at the same club, young Thierry Henry,...

New York Red Bulls captain and veteran Sweden international Emil Forsberg joins Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey and Charlie Davies to talk about the perception of MLS as a retirement league, growing up in Sweden, working under different managers, his love of music and much more.  Joining RBNY (02:23): Getting acclimatized as the DP, framing American move, seeking advice from Zlatan Ibrahimović, new MLS rules. Origins (13:17): Idolizing Zlatan Ibrahimović, having an athletic father, dealing with...

For a passionate, unapologetic and informed discussion about the USMNT and the state of the American game catch the Call It What You Want podcast! Download and follow Call It What You Want on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts! The stage is set as 16 teams converge on the United States to compete for Copa America bragging rights. Charlie Davies and Tony Meola kick things off by getting to know Group C opponents Bolivia, Panama and Uruguay (03:28). The guys discuss the...

Veteran of three World Cups and former General Manager of the USMNT Brian McBride joins Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey, Mo Edu and Charlie Davies to talk about his time with the national team, Fulham’s American contingent, injuries, Gregg Berhalter and much more.  The Biggest Stage (04:04): The differences between Mark Sampson and Bruce Arena’s World Cup teams, scoring against Portugal in 2002.  Fulham (11:50): International vs. club football, first impressions of Clint, enjoying the finer things...

The trailblazing and outspoken Eric Wynalda joins Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey, Mo Edu and Charlie Davies to look back on a storied career that saw him play in three World Cups and become the first American-born player in Bundesliga history. And staying true to form, Eric lets his feelings on the current United States men’s national team known.  Unwanted (03:30): Being made to feel expendable by the Federation, run-ins with coach Bora Milutinović, being sent home from USMNT camp, getting a...

Former USMNT head coach and five-time MLS champion Bruce Arena joins Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey, Mo Edu and Charlie Davies to look back on the highlights and lowlights from his extraordinary managerial career, his favorite players, fondest World Cup memories and ambitions to get back on the saddle.   Dealing with Dempsey (03:17): Managing different personalities and squashing the beef with Clint. Psychology (12:18): Working with Landon Donovan, taking the 2002 World Cup by storm, regrets...

Houston rapper and philanthropist Trae tha Truth joins Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey, Mo Edu and Charlie Davies to talk about his and Clint’s friendship, learning to appreciate soccer, surviving in the music industry, his work with the local community, parenting and more.  How Trae met Clint (1:25): The Big Hawk connection, Dempsey’s got bars, exposure to soccer, maintaining relationships, using social media to plant seeds. Motivation (10:35): Building a legacy, giving back to the community,...

WNBA 5th overall pick by the Dallas Wings in the 2019 draft and Notre Dame's most outstanding player during their title run in 2018, Arike Ogunbowale joins Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey, Mo Edu and Charlie Davies for a candid conversation about transitioning from soccer to basketball, putting school first, family support, and becoming a pro. They group also talk about legacy, shoes, and the American Dream. Transition (1:42): From soccer to basketball, 7th grade offers, and Caitlin Clark...

USMNT goalkeeping legend, MLS Champion & MVP, as well as coach Tony Meola joins Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey, and Charlie Davies for a candid conversation about his humility, representing America, and for the first time, why he stepped away from the USMNT. They also chat about today vs back then and Tony being a bridge between the two. First time for everything (2:08): Jersey collection, World Cup memories, and what's hangin' on the wall. Getting Back (8:08): Making the team in 2002,...

NBA Hall of Famer, Champion, and Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki joins Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey, Mo Edu, and Charlie Davies for a candid conversation about his iconic status in the states, NBA achievements, early struggles leaving Germany, and love for the beautiful game. The group also chat about who the NBA GOAT is, new passions post-retirement, and marriage. Honors (2:08): A Statue, a street naming, a jersey retirement, and keys to the city of Dallas. Arsenal or Bayern (5:30):...

Two-time First Team All-Pro, and 2017 Offensive Player of the Year Todd Gurley joins Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey and Charlie Davies for a candid conversation about life before and after football, leaving college early, the power of investment in soccer, hobbies, and having a kid on the way. The group also try to bait Gurley into some freestyle rapping before discussing his musical interests and Georgia experience. Retirement (2:03): Life after playing, having a good perspective, his love for...

Two-time Olympic gold medalist, FIFA Women's World Cup champion, NWSL Champion & MVP, and Hall of Famer Lauren Holiday joins Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey and Charlie Davies for a candid conversation about married life, the pursuit of happiness, overcoming health adversity, changing the culture and perception surrounding women's sports, life after retirement, and what it means to be great. Sports marriage (01:45): Meeting Jrue Holiday at school, his relentless persistence, competitiveness,...

Former NFL safety and Super Bowl champion Ryan Clark joins Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey, Charlie Davies and Mo Edu for a candid conversation about his fraught contract negotiation with ESPN, the intersection of sports and politics, his approach to parenting, and dealing with setbacks in life and in football.   New contract (01:56): The negotiation process, overcoming fear and becoming a better broadcaster, Ryan’s anti-selfie stance. Parenting (06:22): Being a supportive father versus being a...

Jermaine Jones joins Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey, Charlie Davies and Mo Edu to talk about the truth behind making the switch from the German National Team to the U.S. Men's National Team, how being born in Germany instead of the United States has affected his legacy and future, his no-holds-barred approach to social media, and the rewards of coaching. The Switch (03:59): Decision to join the USMNT, trying to reconnect with father, feeling like you belong.   Assessment and Appreciation (11:59):...

Jesse Marsch joins Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey, Charlie Davies and Mo Edu to talk about coaching the latter three, the all-consuming nature of the Premier League, what he loves about managing, embracing the USMNT’s characteristics, and much more.    La dolce vita (01:27): Moving to Italy, the transient life of a coach, prioritizing relationships over winning.    USMNT (10:55): Dropping Mo at the World Cup, man-managing Michael Bradley, setting expectations for the current generation.  First...

Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey, Charlie Davies, and Mo Edu return to the Kickin’ It couch to chat with two-time Women’s World Cup winner Ali Krieger about life after soccer, her NWSL swan song, being a recently-divorced mom, the future of the USWNT, and much more.  Processing retirement (01:28): Ali discusses leaving on a high, listening to her body, what she treasures most about her playing career, and dealing with mom guilt. Raising a family (9:35): Ali talks about adopting newborn babies,...

Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey, Charlie Davies and Mo Edu welcome in the voice of soccer to the millions of Spanish speakers all across America, Andrés Cantor. He recounts his memories of calling games that Clint, Charlie, and Mo all played in and the differences between the USMNT of the 90s and the team now. Andrés also explains his love of Maradona and time spent working with him, when he left Argentina for Los Angeles as a kid, skipping school and driving all the way to Mexico to watch World Cup...

Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey, Charlie Davies and Mo Edu welcome in Ethiopian-born Swedish-American celebrity chef, restaurateur and television personality Marcus Samuelsson. He tells his story of adoption and survival at a young age, his pursuit of soccer, love of Arsenal, playing for GAIS, how his cooking origins began after being cut from the sport, and how the kitchen and the pitch share a lot of commonality. Samuelsson also discusses the the difficulties he faced early on as a black chef and...

Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey, Charlie Davies and Mo Edu welcome in award-winning author, journalist and analyst Guillem Balagué to talk about his big career break, building trust with players and managers, and getting on David Beckham's bad side. Guillem discusses the process of writing a biography, Lionel Messi’s English skills, and how his relationship with José Mourinho changed over time. Then, the crew reflect on Grant Wahl’s tragic passing at the Qatar World Cup before speculating on what...

Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey, Charlie Davies and Mo Edu welcome in the recently-crowned NWSL Championship MVP Midge Purce to talk about NJ/NY Gotham’s remarkable season, her reaction to Megan Rapinoe getting injured in her farewell game, and how being left off the USWNT’s World Cup roster changed her perspective on things. Midge shares her thoughts on the increased level of competition on the international stage, Carli Lloyd’s comments about players lacking focus, and the polarizing nature of...

Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey, Charlie Davies and Mo Edu welcome in CBS Sports colleague and former United States U-20 MYNT head coach Thomas Rongen to talk about his experiences as U.S. Soccer’s chief scout. Thomas opens up about his unorthodox approach to coaching, coming to America from the Netherlands, getting posterized by George Best during his NASL playing days, and his regrets about not consoling Clint and Charlie after each of them had suffered a personal tragedy. Then, the tables turn...

In the second half of a two-part interview, Landon Donovan joins Kate Abdo, Clint Dempsey, Charlie Davies and Mo Edu to talk about his experience of not getting selected for his fourth World Cup, pledging his support for Mexico in 2018, being tied with Dempsey for goals, and learning that he's the world's all-time national team assist leader. He also talks about his regret over never showing love and support to his teammates the way they did for him when he didn't make the World Cup roster in...