Drew VanderPloeg
@alvanderp.bsky.social
Soccer nerd. Sneaker addict. Army Veteran. Extremely amateur podcaster. Bulldog dad. Half of the Home and Away SKC Podcast
https://linktr.ee/homeandawaypod
https://linktr.ee/homeandawaypod
The problem is he's not wrong. These guys are too dumb to know how to regulate AI.
Good thing there's an election coming.
Good thing there's an election coming.
Rick Scott: "With regard to destroying mankind, these companies need to do the right thing on their own. We're not going to get smart enough to regulate them. We're not going to get something done up here."
September 18, 2026 at 8:03 PM
The problem is he's not wrong. These guys are too dumb to know how to regulate AI.
Good thing there's an election coming.
Good thing there's an election coming.
Reposted by Drew VanderPloeg
This week’s pod is up! Is the Wyatt Meyer Effect™️ real?
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/3cYy...
YT: youtu.be/L0Q6o5ExkV0?...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/3cYy...
YT: youtu.be/L0Q6o5ExkV0?...
Episode 198 - The Wyatt Meyer Effect, SKC look organized(for once) and the USMNT youth movement
Podcast Episode · Home and Away - A Sporting KC Podcast · September 17 · 1h 30m
podcasts.apple.com
September 17, 2026 at 10:05 PM
This week’s pod is up! Is the Wyatt Meyer Effect™️ real?
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/3cYy...
YT: youtu.be/L0Q6o5ExkV0?...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/3cYy...
YT: youtu.be/L0Q6o5ExkV0?...
Reposted by Drew VanderPloeg
This is something I just wanted to point out (and shoutout Daniel for clarification) but just because a deal is done doesn’t mean the team gets the money to be used as GAM instantly. They must actually receive the payment before it can be converted; you can’t have money that you don’t have yet
Here is #SportingKC's roster profile following the summer transfer window. Gam total down ~ $1.8 million. Sources tell me the GAM from Dejan Joveljic's transfer to Seattle hasn't been converted yet and will be when an installment from Seattle hits this offseason.
September 17, 2026 at 10:18 PM
This is something I just wanted to point out (and shoutout Daniel for clarification) but just because a deal is done doesn’t mean the team gets the money to be used as GAM instantly. They must actually receive the payment before it can be converted; you can’t have money that you don’t have yet
This week’s pod is up! Is the Wyatt Meyer Effect™️ real?
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/3cYy...
YT: youtu.be/L0Q6o5ExkV0?...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/3cYy...
YT: youtu.be/L0Q6o5ExkV0?...
Episode 198 - The Wyatt Meyer Effect, SKC look organized(for once) and the USMNT youth movement
Podcast Episode · Home and Away - A Sporting KC Podcast · September 17 · 1h 30m
podcasts.apple.com
September 17, 2026 at 10:05 PM
This week’s pod is up! Is the Wyatt Meyer Effect™️ real?
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/3cYy...
YT: youtu.be/L0Q6o5ExkV0?...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/3cYy...
YT: youtu.be/L0Q6o5ExkV0?...
Reposted by Drew VanderPloeg
Kansas City Current just matched a dubious NWSL record—falling from 62 points to 38 points in 24 games. That’s a drop of exactly 1 point per game year-over-year.
Only the 2018 Sky Blue FC suffered a regression this severe.
Only the 2018 Sky Blue FC suffered a regression this severe.
September 17, 2026 at 2:52 PM
Kansas City Current just matched a dubious NWSL record—falling from 62 points to 38 points in 24 games. That’s a drop of exactly 1 point per game year-over-year.
Only the 2018 Sky Blue FC suffered a regression this severe.
Only the 2018 Sky Blue FC suffered a regression this severe.
The all time career goals record in MLS is 171, and Leo has 100 in all comps in 3 years for Miami.
There’s goal 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ for Messi in Miami!
The Herons lead Cruz Azul at the half in Campeones Cup!
The Herons lead Cruz Azul at the half in Campeones Cup!
September 17, 2026 at 1:33 AM
The all time career goals record in MLS is 171, and Leo has 100 in all comps in 3 years for Miami.
The Smiths, Coldplay, and The Lumineers? Are we sure this isn’t a playlist from a local coffee shop for elder millennials?
My contribution to the Cavan Sullivan Discourse: It is amazing that the next superstar of American men’s soccer has anything and Ruined by Adrienne Lenker on his warm-up playlist
Cavan Sullivan: The Warm-Up on Apple Music
Playlist · 53 Songs
music.apple.com
September 16, 2026 at 1:28 PM
The Smiths, Coldplay, and The Lumineers? Are we sure this isn’t a playlist from a local coffee shop for elder millennials?
Andy brought out the razzle dazzle in Wk 1.
September 15, 2026 at 2:40 AM
Andy brought out the razzle dazzle in Wk 1.
So this Kenneth Walker guy seems good
September 15, 2026 at 1:59 AM
So this Kenneth Walker guy seems good
The way the Chiefs continue to successfully reload at CB via the draft should be studied by science.
Nohl Williams is a stud
September 15, 2026 at 1:48 AM
The way the Chiefs continue to successfully reload at CB via the draft should be studied by science.
It's not hard to note when SJ's season started going to shit and when its recent renaissance began. Tsakiris is driving the bus on that team, and now that he's fully fit from his injury he's cooking again.
We have some really exciting young domestic talent coming through the league rn.
We have some really exciting young domestic talent coming through the league rn.
Sullivan is the second-highest rated American in MLS right now after the Quakes’ 21-year-old playmaker Niko Tsakiris. Both could get their first USMNT call-ups this month.
September 14, 2026 at 8:50 PM
It's not hard to note when SJ's season started going to shit and when its recent renaissance began. Tsakiris is driving the bus on that team, and now that he's fully fit from his injury he's cooking again.
We have some really exciting young domestic talent coming through the league rn.
We have some really exciting young domestic talent coming through the league rn.
This is good stuff from Sperry, especially the additional details he got from Meyer on how much they drilled rest defense positioning during the week. SKC's rest defense was candidly terrible during the away match earlier this season, and as Daniel notes, much improved Saturday night.
Three observations from a surprise #SportingKC victory over LAFC last night:
danielsperryonsoccer.substack.com/p/sporting-k...
danielsperryonsoccer.substack.com/p/sporting-k...
Sporting KC shocks LAFC: Three Observations
Do you believe in miracles? No. Just good transition defending and a good rest defense.
danielsperryonsoccer.substack.com
September 14, 2026 at 2:40 PM
This is good stuff from Sperry, especially the additional details he got from Meyer on how much they drilled rest defense positioning during the week. SKC's rest defense was candidly terrible during the away match earlier this season, and as Daniel notes, much improved Saturday night.
Sporting and the Horns win?
Neimoidian: Is That Legal?
ALT: Neimoidian: Is That Legal?
static.klipy.com
September 13, 2026 at 3:16 AM
Sporting and the Horns win?
Sporting KC continues to *only* get points when they start Wyatt Meyer. 🤔
With Blorian out for the rest of the season, he’ll likely have opportunities to improve his record.
With Blorian out for the rest of the season, he’ll likely have opportunities to improve his record.
#SportingKC continues to get points when they start Wyatt Meyer
September 13, 2026 at 2:42 AM
Sporting KC continues to *only* get points when they start Wyatt Meyer. 🤔
With Blorian out for the rest of the season, he’ll likely have opportunities to improve his record.
With Blorian out for the rest of the season, he’ll likely have opportunities to improve his record.
Reposted by Drew VanderPloeg
One great season makes not a dynasty, but the possibility of the start of one. Ditching all the people that got you to that starting line will sabotage the race before it starts. Because brands don’t win trophies—people do.
On the Kansas City Current:
equalizersoccer.com/2026/09/11/t...
On the Kansas City Current:
equalizersoccer.com/2026/09/11/t...
The Kansas City Current can’t rest on its laurels
The departure of former coach Vlatko Andonovski highlights doubts about the club's direction
equalizersoccer.com
September 11, 2026 at 5:37 PM
One great season makes not a dynasty, but the possibility of the start of one. Ditching all the people that got you to that starting line will sabotage the race before it starts. Because brands don’t win trophies—people do.
On the Kansas City Current:
equalizersoccer.com/2026/09/11/t...
On the Kansas City Current:
equalizersoccer.com/2026/09/11/t...
I really think it is key to understand importance of what Lo is saying here. Both in the wake of the Yates Report as well as in the benefit of stability in creating that trust. Women's pro sports, and perhaps especially soccer needs that stability to build trust. The Current have none of it.
“Especially in women’s sports it’s hard to develop trust in women’s sports. Vlatko had that trust.” -LaBonta
September 11, 2026 at 5:23 PM
I really think it is key to understand importance of what Lo is saying here. Both in the wake of the Yates Report as well as in the benefit of stability in creating that trust. Women's pro sports, and perhaps especially soccer needs that stability to build trust. The Current have none of it.
Also not saying correlation=causation, but SKC is averaging 1.82xGA per game across those starts and 2.21 GA.
While those numbers are terrible, they are somehow even worse when he's not starting (2.72xGA and 2.89GA)
While those numbers are terrible, they are somehow even worse when he's not starting (2.72xGA and 2.89GA)
Here's a crazy stat for you this morning (related to the Blorian news). #SportingKC is 4-7-3 when Wyatt Meyer starts this year. They are 0-9 (0-10 including USOC) in games he doesn't start. Correlation/causation and all that.
September 11, 2026 at 3:22 PM
Also not saying correlation=causation, but SKC is averaging 1.82xGA per game across those starts and 2.21 GA.
While those numbers are terrible, they are somehow even worse when he's not starting (2.72xGA and 2.89GA)
While those numbers are terrible, they are somehow even worse when he's not starting (2.72xGA and 2.89GA)
This week’s pod is up!
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/6p8c...
YouTube: youtu.be/ZswgetAccTQ?...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/6p8c...
YouTube: youtu.be/ZswgetAccTQ?...
Episode 197 - At least they were entertaining?
Podcast Episode · Home and Away - A Sporting KC Podcast · September 10 · 1h 37m
podcasts.apple.com
September 10, 2026 at 6:27 PM
This week’s pod is up!
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/6p8c...
YouTube: youtu.be/ZswgetAccTQ?...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/6p8c...
YouTube: youtu.be/ZswgetAccTQ?...
Holy shit what a pass.
inject this into my veiiiiiiins !!!
masterclass performance fr
masterclass performance fr
September 10, 2026 at 3:58 AM
Holy shit what a pass.
Reposted by Drew VanderPloeg
This week's inside soccer covers...well...a lot. From how the KC Current handled Andonovski's departure to Itala Gemelli's surprise debut, and #SportingKC still bleeding goals.
www.kansascity.com/sports/socce...
www.kansascity.com/sports/socce...
Did KC Current mishandle Vlatko Andonovski’s departure? Players seem to think so
Get the inside scoop on a surprising departure from the Kansas City Current in Inside KC Soccer, The Star’s weekly soccer column.
www.kansascity.com
September 9, 2026 at 4:23 PM
This week's inside soccer covers...well...a lot. From how the KC Current handled Andonovski's departure to Itala Gemelli's surprise debut, and #SportingKC still bleeding goals.
www.kansascity.com/sports/socce...
www.kansascity.com/sports/socce...
The Thorns game is almost certainly not the end, but unfortunately likely just the beginning.
Required reading for the NWSL. The stress testing has begun. Will they handle it better than the WNBA?
Former Levi's exec Jennifer Sey fanned a culture war over trans athletes in a league that has none—to the benefit of her clothing brand, XX-XY Athletics.
"I know my mom isn’t that invested" in the WNBA, her son told me. "But...I guess the vultures will circle."
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
"I know my mom isn’t that invested" in the WNBA, her son told me. "But...I guess the vultures will circle."
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
September 9, 2026 at 7:58 PM
The Thorns game is almost certainly not the end, but unfortunately likely just the beginning.
Reposted by Drew VanderPloeg
Required reading for the NWSL. The stress testing has begun. Will they handle it better than the WNBA?
Former Levi's exec Jennifer Sey fanned a culture war over trans athletes in a league that has none—to the benefit of her clothing brand, XX-XY Athletics.
"I know my mom isn’t that invested" in the WNBA, her son told me. "But...I guess the vultures will circle."
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
"I know my mom isn’t that invested" in the WNBA, her son told me. "But...I guess the vultures will circle."
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
The woman profiting off the WNBA's trans panic
Sophie Cunningham set off a firestorm. Jennifer Sey was ready to capitalize.
www.motherjones.com
September 9, 2026 at 7:33 PM
Required reading for the NWSL. The stress testing has begun. Will they handle it better than the WNBA?
That's some Sporting KC level defending from Kerkez there.
September 9, 2026 at 7:20 PM
That's some Sporting KC level defending from Kerkez there.
Reposted by Drew VanderPloeg
I felt like the initial coverage of the proposed playoff change in MLS was negative, but mostly out of confusion. The more I sat with the proposal (which was admittedly difficult to parse) the more I saw the vision and believed it could be exactly what we want the playoffs to be.
MLS’s proposed new playoff format is complicated.
But after digging into what the league is actually trying to accomplish — and running the numbers — there’s a strong argument that it’s an upgrade.
Here's why 🏆
@paulharvey.theoutfield.nyc ⤵️
But after digging into what the league is actually trying to accomplish — and running the numbers — there’s a strong argument that it’s an upgrade.
Here's why 🏆
@paulharvey.theoutfield.nyc ⤵️
MLS’s proposed playoff format is complicated — but it's also an upgrade
While the reaction to MLS's new postseason format was broadly negative, it could solve some major problems.
www.backheeled.com
September 9, 2026 at 1:41 PM
I felt like the initial coverage of the proposed playoff change in MLS was negative, but mostly out of confusion. The more I sat with the proposal (which was admittedly difficult to parse) the more I saw the vision and believed it could be exactly what we want the playoffs to be.