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Ice Cream Shop Extravaganza + ConcaChampions Brackets

December 12, 2025·58 min·5 clips

Tommy Bogert breaks down why Vancouver might trade Jada Nelson and Matias Labordeau this offseason.

This episode of Soccerwise focuses on the Major League Soccer offseason, covering player trades, free agency, and the CONCACAF Champions Cup draw. Hosts Tom and Gus analyze roster moves and team strategies as the league's transaction period intensifies. They also engage with live chat questions from their community of subscribers. Tom reports the Vancouver Whitecaps are receiving trade interest for several players following their successful season. Specific names mentioned include Javain Brown, Mathías Laborda, Sebastian Berhalter, and Ali Ahmed. The New York Red Bulls are described as "open for business," with midfielder Peter Stroud already traded to Minnesota United for $475,000 in allocation money. Other Red Bulls players like Daniel Edelman and Sean Nealis are also subjects of trade rumors. Real Salt Lake midfielder Emeka Eneli is a hot commodity, with Tom stating at least ten teams have inquired about him following a playoff benching. Houston Dynamo are finalizing a deal for Brazilian winger Guilherme from Santos and are seeking multiple new starters. Orlando City is actively using U-22 initiative slots, finalizing signings for winger Tiago (from Bahia) and defensive midfielder Otávio (from Internacional). A surprising claim is that trading a player like Daniel Edelman, a reliable starter on a cost-controlled contract, contradicts the Red Bulls' typical model of developing youth. Tom speculates a trade for Emeka Eneli could require up to $1.5-$2 million in allocation money, highlighting his high market value. The hosts express skepticism about Vancouver's ability to retain its entire overperforming core due to salary cap pressures and players seeking new contracts. They note the awkward draw for the CONCACAF Champions Cup, which guarantees MLS teams must face Liga MX opponents if those teams advance. A memorable aside involves former Vancouver Whitecaps executive Fanny Sartini, who is reportedly becoming the GM and head coach of a Halifax CPL team, prompting plans for a future trip. The tone is conversational and insider-focused, blending reported news with immediate analysis and personal opinion. The style is fast-paced, with the hosts frequently referencing their sources and reacting to each other's information in real time. This episode is ideal for dedicated MLS fans who crave detailed, up-to-the-minute offseason transaction news and team-building strategy. Listeners who prefer match analysis, narrative storytelling, or discussions not centered on North American soccer may find less value here.

As heard by us

Brisk offseason soccer talk that spends its best minutes on MLS roster, contract, and transfer pressure.

Soccerwise treats an offseason check-in as a brisk run through roster pressure, contract leverage, and transfer chatter. It is looser than tight, but the discussion settles when the hosts turn to Emeka Nelly, tying together his January camp run, two national-team caps, his 2024…

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Why you'd press play

Press play if you want offseason soccer chatter that still has teeth.

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