Two clubs look to make history 📈📉

Hail GFOP! 

I type with fingers preparing for a season soon to be filled with Liverpool Guards of Honor. The Reds are a single point away from the title and facing Dr. Tottenham. The 98% of me that is an Everton fan is meant to hate this, but the 2% of me that is human cannot help but admire what Arne Slot has done. To inherit a team from an icon—a supposedly impossible task. Then lead it with an egoless, stoic, tactical acumen, that has produced relentless, consistent, problem-solving collective football. It has been a footballing wonder, and an elite act of leadership transformation in equal parts, all lived out by a man with the grim determination of the protagonist in a Netflix detective noir who battles murderous gangs involved in the heroin trade in Europe’s middle lowlands. I spoke with Netflix Arne this week—more on that, and my conversations with Alexander Isak, Wrexham’s Humphrey Ker, Chris Richards, and Alex Cora, below. 🏆

One fascinating note: If Liverpool win the title and Ipswich Town are relegated this weekend, it would make this a historic season: with four games still left to play, this would be the earliest the Premier League title race and relegation battle have concluded. 📜

ii. The highlight of my week was speaking to Brené Brown, the brilliant academic, writer, and broadcaster who has mined the human experiences of vulnerability, courage, shame, and empathy. I have wanted her to come on for the last couple of years, after discovering she is a huge Liverpool fan. The 20th title was the impetus for a truly beautiful conversation in which we talked with true emotional depth about the singular joys of football fandom, comparing it to a term coined by sociologist Émile Durkheim who wrote about “collective effervescence.” “He saw it in churches,” she said, comparing the phenomenon to the emotions she experiences watching fans at Anfield. “It's about when strangers come together and share this deep meaningful connection that's bigger than us and means more than us as individuals. And there's just a bubbly kind of holiness, something really sacred.” I loved the whole conversation. We talked about why I feel fear when Everton take the lead, the magical leadership style of Arne Slot, and the power of Tracy Chapman. It comes out at the end of the month. 💙

And: 🎥 THE MEN IN BLAZERS TV SHOW, featuring the quite brilliant Red Sox manager Alex Cora, Liverpool obsessive and my second favorite member of the Cora family, is available this Sunday on Peacock. Alex Cora knows ball, and he knows Slot, Klopp, and Virg. Here is a taste. ⚾

iii. Talking of Arne Slot, I spoke to him this week in a conversation that has just gone up on our YouTube. Yes, on the cusp of a title, Liverpool’s New Bald Dad made the mistake of returning to spend time with me. I found him to be in a truly reflective mood ahead of this ecstatic moment—voluntarily wandering into the trauma of a PSG defeat which clearly still rankles him, going out of his way to praise Darwin Nunez’s late-show steal of a win against Brentford in January as one of his moments of the season. Most interestingly, I asked him how winning the title has changed him. His answer was beautiful: “A year ago, I was the father of Isa and Joep and the husband of my wife Mirjam, and a year later, I'm still that person. So that is the main thing in life, I think. And then of course, people judge me more on my performances at Liverpool, but in life, I think, there are more important things than that.” Amen. ♥️

Also: RIP Steve McMichael. I watched you win the Super Bowl from afar in Liverpool as a 15-year-old. Of all the big personalities on the Bears, you seemed the most gloriously maniacal. Watching you play was to know that the team I loved had the one human being who would do more, and was willing to suffer more, than all those around him to win. I love this story so much. 🐻

News from MiB World HQ 📡

Wrexham's Community Director and one of our favorite guests, Humphrey Ker, returned this week to chat with us about the club who are on the brink of a historic season and possible promotion to the Championship. Humphrey tells us his standout players of the season, talks about the anxiety and pressure fans have felt in recent weeks as the season comes to close, and reveals how he will measure this season as a "success.” That whole beautiful conversation is available here on our YouTube. On top of that, he’s also raising (a lot of) money for a fantastic cause in the Wrexham Miners Project, which preserves the city’s mining past and acts as a community hub for its future. It will all be filmed, it will likely feature on “Welcome To Wrexham,” and it will be very funny, so if you can, donate here. 🏃🏽‍♂️

ii. The Women’s Game is always in bloom, and off the back of Good Vibes FC live in Seattle last week, Sam Mewis continues to elevate us with her constant stream of wonderful conversations. This week we’ve got more Good Vibes with Lynn Biyendolo (come for the Cascadia rivalry, stay for Mark Wahlberg) and not one, but two episodes of Friendlies with both the USWNT and North Carolina Courage’s Meredith Speck and Wrexham’s Ava Suckley, who has scored so many goals that she barely remembers most of them. We can sadly not relate. 🌞 

To the Football 🍻

THE ONE IN WHICH THE TITLE IS WON

Liverpool vs. Tottenham 🏆 (Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET, Peacock)

One point from an incredible record-equalling 20th title glory. A future no one saw coming at the beginning of the season, which speaks to the core brilliance of its achievement. 15th-place Dr. Tottenham stumble in with their 10 away losses this season. Could any opponent seem more of a banker? Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 15 home clashes against Spurs in all competitions, winning the last three while scoring four goals each time. The Europa League semi-final against Arctic Norwegian Minnow-Power Bodø/Glimt lies ahead. The English media are being briefed that poor Ange Postecoglou could be fired irrespective of the outcome.  

Rogstradamus 🔮: Last week, Trent had his shirt-off curtain call. The week before, Virgil had his kiss-the-badge moment in the spotlight. What do the Premier League script-writers have in store for us this week? It has to be an Andy Robertson opener and a Mo Salah hat-trick right? 

FA Cup Semi Finals, Baby 🏟️

Crystal Palace vs. Aston Villa (Saturday, 12:15 p.m. ET, ESPN +)

For all of Aston Villa’s magnificence this season, Crystal Palace have been an unfathomable enigma. Oliver Glasner’s side are unbeaten in three matches including the League Cup. How Villa, who have not lifted silverware in nearly 30 years, will ache to crack the code. To do so, they must break down a Palace defense anchored by the magical son of Alabama, Chris Richards. I spoke to the 25-year-old American international this week and we talked about how giddy he is to take the hallowed Wembley turf. I asked him to explain how he explains the vaunted stadium to those back home. Chris said he compares it to that sacred house of holies, the Bryant Denny. 

Our conversation was really beautiful – you can find it in today’s WGFOP podcast later this afternoon, but he talked about the “blind faith” Glasner and his coaches have pumped into him that has changed his career. I also asked Chris about what has gone wrong with the USMNT – his answers were candid and revealing, “The best adjective for the last camp is we got CONCACAF’d,” he said. “We have to put the show pony stuff away.” I adore Chris – he is such a smart and tenacious human being. I truly believe he could and should be one of the faces of our USMNT as we charge towards this World Cup O’Wonder in 412 days time. 

Rogstradamus 🔮: Crystal Palace on penalties. Please, please don’t have Chris Richards take one. 

Nottingham Forest vs. Manchester City (Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET, ESPN +)

Winner gets Morgan Gibbs-White. A seventh-successive semi-final for Pep, but the FA Cup has never felt less tchotchke-like after a season of pain, humiliation, and trophy-less vulnerability. Tuesday night’s 94th-minute-propelled victory over Aston Villa will mean City arrive with loins girded. Once again the hunters, not the hunted, at least when it comes to Champions League places. Forest have not won a trophy since 1990, yet in this surge season, it feels like Champions League qualification is the major goal and this Wembley fever dream is more of a side-quest. 

Rogstradamus 🔮: Forest 2-1. This is not a drill. 

Back to the League… 📊

Everton vs. Chelsea (Saturday, 7.30 a.m. ET, USA)

A game which proves context is everything: Chelsea are sixth but arrive with fans borderline apoplectic and their manager’s grip feeling tenuous, despite a last-minute comeback win against Fulham, which left them two points off of Champions League qualification. Everton meanwhile are in 13th place, but somehow feel in dreamland. Grandpa Moyes is back. We are safe. A new stadium — read new era – is within touching distance. What could possibly go wrong now?  

Rogstradamus 🔮: “We’re Tyrique George’s Chelsea now.” Maresca exhales after a 1-0 victory. Everton without the injured Tarkowski for the rest of the season may be harder to watch than Walton Goggins in a yellow Speedo.

Newcastle vs. Ipswich Town (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, USA)

Great news to start your day: Eddie Howe is back. In his own words, “not 100%” but the world feels all the better for his return to the sideline after recovering from pneumonia with his team in fifth – the final Champions League place. Sadder news: Ipswich Town will be relegated unless they win.  

Rogstradamus 🔮: Toon concede first, then romp 4-1. Story of the season for Ipswich. 

More: I spoke to Alexander Isak. He is a serious man. You can find the conversation on our YouTube channel tomorrow.

Wolves vs. Leicester (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, Peacock)

The Foxes’ farewell to the iconic Jamie Vardy begins, a true end of an era. The Shithousing Prince signed for just $1.3m in 2012 and since then has proceeded to deliver 143 Premier League goals over 13 years, including one delirious title, and infinite dark arts celebrations. He came on our show this season and I asked how he would want to be remembered. His answer was poetry: “As a man who caused carnage.” I said, “Not for the goals?” He did not wait a beat before replying, “The goals were involved in the carnage, weren’t they?” 

(BTW. I love the rumors linking him to Wrexham. Rob and Ryan, make it happen.) 

Rogstradamus 🔮: Wolves eat Foxes 5-0.

Bournemouth vs. Manchester United (Sunday, 9 a.m. ET, USA)

The Las Vegas Golden War Cherries continue their quest for European wonder against a team whose size, resources, and performances have shamed this season. A United who have called time on their worst-ever Premier League season, playing out the string with kids, as they prioritize the all-or-nothing Europa League semi-final against Athletic Bilbao. This is Bournemouth’s easy game. After this, those fruit-obsessed heroes must face Arsenal, Villa, and Manchester City!

Rogstradamus 🔮: United cannot score. Only the bottom three, Everton, and West Ham have hit the back of the net less. They are winless in their last four. Expect that to continue in a stale 0-0 draw. 

And Welcome back Old Friends… 😃

Congratulations to Leeds and Burnley, who are back in the Premier League after stunning wins on Easter Monday. Leeds bet the house on a return to the big time and it paid off. It will be magnificent to have their singularly passionate fanbase back in the Premier League. Burnley completed a club-record 31 games unbeaten. Their captain Josh Brownhill joked the Clarets had "bored our way to the Premier League" after a campaign in which they conceded just 15 goals in 44 matches. 

Resist the urge to ask, exactly how long will that last for? Don’t ask… OK, do here. Leeds are already rumored to be pondering replacing Daniel Farke, their promotion-securing manager. Getting them up is one thing, but keeping them there is another trial and tribulation entirely.  

More: Burnley’s ‘boring’ label brings sweetest of rewards as Clarets secure promotion to Premier League.

Also this: Birmingham City aiming for Stardust in the Championship.

📧 Enjoying The Raven? Check out our other Men in Blazers newsletters here.

Other Games So Worth Your Time & Energy 📺

Wrexham vs. Charlton (Saturday, 12.30 p.m. ET, Paramount +) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Could this be the moment in which Rob and Ryan’s boys achieve the transcendent and return to the second tier for the first time in 43 years? Wrexham could win an unprecedented back-to-back-to-back promotion and be Championship-bound by EOD Saturday with a win against fellow-promotion hunters Charlton IF, and only IF, Wycombe fail to win against Leyton Orient in the midday game. Easier said than done for Phil Parkinson’s men – opponents Charlton are unbeaten in six, which includes last week’s 4-0 demolition of aforementioned Wycombe.

Venezia vs. AC Milan (Sunday, 6.30 a.m. ET, Paramount +) 🇮🇹

Fresh off their comprehensive 3-0 win over rivals Inter in the Coppa Italia, AC Milan head to Venice to take on Greensboro, NC’s own Gianluca Busio and his struggling Venezia side. With European qualification through Serie A looking increasingly unlikely, it will be the Venetians who have more to play for, they sit one point from safety with six games to go. 

El Clásico Copa Del Rey Final (Saturday, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN +) 🇪🇸

Four points and a sizable gap in quality separate Spain’s top two sides heading into this season's third (of four) clásicos. La Liga leaders Barca have already notched two wins against Madrid, a 4-0 league victory in October and a 5-2 win back in January in the Supercopa. They travel to Seville as favorites despite being without striker Robert Lewandowski through a hamstring injury. After going out in the Champions League against Arsenal, Saturday’s final represents Madrid’s clearest chance to win a major trophy this season. 

NWSL - Orlando Pride v. Angel City (Tonight, 8 p.m. ET, Prime) 🏆

The Orlando Pride’s first loss this season last weekend against the Washington Spirit leaves the KC Current as the only perfect team going into Matchday Six. Seb Hines’ squad can guarantee a return to the top—albeit temporarily—with a result against a returning Alyssa Thompson and her Angel City side.

More: I love this so much - Pups on Parade: Courage and Pride welcome dogs to weekend games.

Also: Champions League semi-final second legs see the two English sides with so much to do: Barcelona hold a 4-1 lead as they travel to Chelsea (Sunday, 9 a.m. ET, DAZN) and Arsenal must reverse a 2-1 deficit in Lyon (Sunday, 12 p.m. ET, DAZN).

News & Notes from Around Football ⚽︎

• Analysts using AI to scout and test the psychology of potential new players. 

• Everton hope their new stadium will lead to regeneration of the city of Liverpool. I love this and could not be prouder of my club. And thanks to my brother Nige the Red for being big enough to send it to me.

• Why does Football bring the worst out in parents? Because of their own shattered dreams, overblown hopes, and well… football.

Prize Picks: Best PP Since Pete Postlethwaite ✅

Charlie Kipp writes: It’s Draft Weekend in America and everyone is looking to improve their squads. It’s a real shame that Southampton aren’t an American football team because there is no one in bigger need of a revitalizing prospect (vs. an unceremonious relegation) than Saints… but whether you’re picking quarterbacks or left-backs, PrizePicks is the place to turn for all your bonuses, predictions and winners. This week, we turn to the hottest team in the league, none other than Wolverhampton Wanderers, where we like André to hit the MORE in the Tackles department.

You may know that Wolves secured safety last week, you might even know that they have won five league matches in a row for the first time since 1970, but you probably don’t know much about their 23-year-old Brazilian midfielder. You should. André Trindade da Costa Neto… or simply, André, has quietly been a major force behind Wolves’ rise from downtrodden to unstoppable. I won’t bore you with stats, but in the long run, I see him being a key figure for one of the best teams in the world. In the short run, I’m taking him to hit the MORE in tackles this Saturday vs. Leicester. 

If you haven’t joined PrizePicks, CLICK HERE and use code MiB for a first deposit match up to $100.

MiB Mad Libs 📝

This week’s phrase is: 

“Jamie Vardy was to the Premier League what_____ was to the ______.”

Email us your entries for a chance of winning a coveted MiB patch.

Last week’s winner was David Hyde, who wrote: Arsenal's best chance to beat PSG is “if just before the whistle blows Dembele and his teammates rip off their masks to reveal they really are Tottenham in disguise.” 

Big Dave, make it so!

LAST CHANCE! Win a $150 Gift Card💰

GFOPs, we are hoping for your help in conducting a survey. As a thank you for completing it, you will be entered to win a $150 gift card to World Soccer Shop, and who doesn’t want that? As a head’s up, the winner will receive the gift card via email within two weeks, rather than immediately after completing the survey. Thank you in advance, and courage!

Take the survey ⚽️

Not Football and All the Better for It 📖

• An experimental town in England where people can build whatever kind of homes they want. I would have built a mini-Goodison Park.

• Huh? The valuable role of interjections. Hmms and Mmms the last line of defense against AI. 

• How a NYC Man Built a $35M Karate Empire. "A one-star Yelp review sums up his critics’ case: “THIS IS THE REAL-LIFE COBRA KAI!”" One star???

• Physical Media forever (literally)! ‘Death to streamers!’: Can a New York video store start a revolution?

• Man Sinks in Quicksand, Emerges with a Girlfriend. Always swipe right on loose sediment. 

• I am reading this book and, if you loved these bands, you will love it too: ”Studio Electrophonique: The Sheffield Space Age, from The Human League to Pulp” by Jamie Taylor. I loved the Human League, Heaven 17, and ABC, and considered Martin Fry to be a poet genius. This is the amazing story of how a post-industrial city up north, teetering with decline, created some of the most pathfinding electronic music, propelled by idea-soaked lyricism. This book is niche. But what a glorious niche.

• This song soundtracked my week: “Never Let Me Go” by Homewrecker.

Dear Rog... GFOPs Write ✍️

I loved this letter from Liz Colleran who wrote:

I was inspired by your recent sunny day in Liverpool, Rog, I wanted to share my own! These past two years, I've been lucky to chaperone a sport business immersion spring break trip with graduate students at UMass Amherst (shoutout McCormack Department of Sport Management). Last year, we went to Spain, where we saw a Real Madrid Les Feminines victory and Barcelona triumph over Atletico Madrid at Civitas Metropolitano. 

This year, our trip took me to England for the first time, presenting my first opportunity to see Premier League football. As a longtime listener, one time WGFOP caller, and faithful Arsenal fan, I was thrilled to visit Craven Cottage (Fulham vs. Tottenham for the first half), Wembley (sitting in the Newcastle section with die-hard Geordies watching years of trauma melt away) for the Carabao Cup Final, train to Liverpool and tour Anfield (waving to Goodison and the new Everton stadium from our tour bus), take a walk to Stamford Bridge to see our fearless USWNT leader, and privately tour my beloved Emirates. I sat near the Arsenal bench and the tears flowed. After listening to you describe these places and the beauty of football, I was seeing them myself, making memories that I will cherish for a lifetime. 

Liverpool was majestically sunny, as you can see from the photo. I assume every March day is this way... because at no point did it rain on us during our entire week. As you can imagine, higher education is tough right now. I am worried about our international students in particular. But I think back to our trip, the beauty of exploring new places, meeting new people and coming together, and I am buoyed by hope. The best of us as humans is in community, and for me, community is found in football. So this is partially a thank you note: thank you for this community. Thank you for making the game come alive. To more sunny days in Liverpool ahead. 

Rog writes: Liz, this letter made my heart soar. We receive so many from GFOPs going over to England, reveling in the football, and eating up all those Gregg’s sausage rolls. But your experience in the group, finding individual meaning amidst the collective joy is what it is all about. To many more sunny days to come – I thought about you after Arsenal’s night of glory last week. Savor all there is to come. Big, Big Love.

Keep sending your stories and questions to [email protected].

To Better Days Ahead for All.

Let’s not take a moment watching football together for granted and make great memories,

Big Love,

Courage.

ROG