With the recent news that Mario Balotelli will be returning to Italy after signing for Genoa, we take a look back at his career so far, and ponder what it is that makes Balotelli such a captivating figure. What is it about Balotelli that is so fascinating? How good was he earlier in his career? Where did it go (most) wring in his career? Where has the forward been these past few years? All that and much more about a man who is at once hilarious, talented, and tragic.

This week, we try (and instantly fail) to give an objective look at Gianni Infantino, our current FIFA President. Where did he come from? How much power does he actually have? Has he been a good President or has he been a FIFA President? All that and more!

Graham and Taylor answer questions like "what is a dual national in soccer" and "what are the requirements for switching" and "who are some of the most notable players to have switched national teams." Plus, Graham finally admits that Mel Gibson is only slightly less Scottish than Mr. Ruthven.

Graham and Taylor take a look at some of the biggest and/or most successful clubs that today find themselves in less glorious environs. How did they get there? What are the different factors that can lead to a club's downfall? Are any clubs today at risk of making similar mistakes? All that and much more!

On this week's episode, it's time for pain. What happens when you tear your ACL, and how has treatment evolvedP over time? Which players recovered well, which players didn't, and why has it become such a widespread issue in women's soccer in particular?

It's an episode we somehow haven't done before... Number 10s! It's the most fabled number in soccer, but what does it actually signify and how did it come to do so? How has the role evolved over time, who are some of the greatest number 10s in history, and does the role still exist in the modern soccer landscape? Spoiler alert - if you watch MLS, you already know the answer to that one.

Spoiler alert: I loved recording this episode! With Mauricio Pochettino now anointed as the Savior of the USMNT, Graham and Taylor take a look back at the history of the team's managers, and answer obvious questions like why were there so many Scots involved in the early stages, who are the managers of the more modern era, who is the best coach in the team's history, how will Gregg Berhalter be remembered, and much much more!

Graham and Taylor tackle the sexiest of all topics: The UEFA Nations League! What is it, why does it exist, how does its format work, and is it really that confusing? The abbreviated answer to that last one is "no, but kind of yes." There's also a little Concacaf Nations League chat in there as well.

With the fixture between Manchester United and Liverpool looming, Graham and Taylor break down the history of England's biggest (and most successful?) rivalry. Is there a rivalry between the two cities, not just the two clubs? How did the rivalry develop over the decades? Do Liverpool and Man Utd have more in common than they like to admit? All that and more!

On this week's episode, in honor of Real Madrid's absurd starting lineup this past weekend, we take a deeper look at the term that defines the club: Galacticos. What is the origin of the term? What does it mean? How many different versions have there been? Does the present incarnation of Real Madrid qualify? All that and much much more!

Graham explains the ins-and-outs of becoming a fantasy champion, while simultaneously being uncomfortable about how much time he spends on fantasy! But we also answer questions like how does scoring work, what are the different formats, how has it impacted modern soccer coverage, and much much more!

Graham and Taylor (mostly Graham) go deep on the Scottish top flight! How long has it been around? Why does it have so many different names? How many of those names are still technically correct to use? Who are its best players and greatest clubs? And what needs to happen for it to return to prominence? All that and much much more!

We're back! After a summer of watching entirely too much soccer, we... are ready to watch some more soccer. With the Olympic campaign now underway, Graham and Taylor discuss new USWNT coach Emma Hayes, including her coaching history, her greatest achievements, and her preferred approach to tactics and game management. Plus, who will benefit the most with her in charge, and what the team will look like in France!

With the kickoff of Euro 2024 less than 24 hours away, Graham takes time away from his pre-tournament packing to discuss the European Championships as a whole. What is the competition's history? How has the format changed over time? Which teams, players and managers have had the greatest success all-time? How does the tournament compare to other major competitions? All that and more on this week's episode!

Special thanks to Michael Nunzi from the TSS Discord for requesting today’s topic! How important are a good crest and solid color scheme (metaphorically solid) in soccer? What makes for a good crest? What are some of the best and worst examples? What makes for an iconic kit color scheme combo, and who did it best… and who… did not.

With the Champions League Final set to take place at Wembley this weekend, Graham and Taylor dive deep into the history and lore of the host stadium. How did it come to have the prominence it enjoys, what are some of the most memorable matches in Wembley history, what are its best and worst features, and how does it compare to some other new-ish stadiums?

With the Championship playoff final looming, Graham and Taylor discuss the history of the competition and how the format first came to be. Then it's on to the money on offer, how clubs tend to utilize their winnings, the most notable matches in playoff history, and how this weekend's final is likely to play out.

With the end of the season upon us and trophies soon to be hoisted aloft on pitches across the planet, Graham and Taylor take a look at the history of silverware in football. When were trophies first handed out, and why? What are the different types and what makes a good one? What are some of the best (and worst) examples in soccer history? All that and much more!

On this episode. Graham and Taylor take a longer look at the Champions' League's less-heralded sibling, the Europa League. What is the history of the tournament? How is it different from its big sibling? What changes are in store for the competition's format starting next season? And why don't we spend much time discussing it over on The Total Soccer Show? Plus, is the official anthem a banger, or just a banger to Graham?

Graham and Taylor continue to talk video games on this week's episode! This time, it's Football Manager! What is it? Why is it so popular? How into the weeds can you wade? What has been its real-world impact? We're getting into it!

Graham and Taylor are here to discuss a topic 21 years in the making: the FIFA video game series. How long has it been around? How have the games evolved over time? What are the different options to play and why you don't just have to fear mean teens on the Internet! Plus, the role the games have played in developing the game here in the US, and the future of the series with FIFA (the governing body) going their own way.

Graham and Taylor head to South America to discuss one of the longest-running, most prestigious club competitions in world soccer: the Copa Libertadores. What is it, how does it work, who can play in it, and how do they qualify? Plus, which clubs have been the most successful historically, and how have Brazilian clubs come to dominate it more recently?

It's a Ripped-from-the-headlines-of-the-life-of-Graham Special! What are match programmes and why are they still around? Do they exist in other sports and in other countries around the globe? How long have they been a thing? What are some of Graham's favorites, and will anything ever top the one with John McGinn on the cover? Answer: no.

On this week's episode, Graham and Taylor don their respective armbands to discuss captains in soccer. What do they actually do? For how long has the role existed? What are the different types, and styles? Who are some of the most notable captains in soccer history? And, perhaps most importantly, who is the best Scotland captain to ever roam the pitch? Graham has thoughts!