Eight matches remain in what's been a pretty thrilling World Cup as the cream of the crop national teams head into what’s sure to be a scintillating quarterfinal round, but the tournament is effectively over for Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron.

The U.S. men’s national team is out and so are these two, who tune into soccer but once every four years.

In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, the guys express their frustration over the USMNT’s epic flame-out against Belgium in the Round of 16. They also chat about the NCAA’s new five-year eligibility rule and the quarterback situations for Santa Fe’s prep football teams.

Will and James feel like they were played by the U.S. men’s national team, having their hopes raised during group play and a gutsy Round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, only to have them dashed with a dud of a performance against Belgium.

Will the U.S. ever be able to compete with the top-tier powers? Not with Matt Freese’s disasterclass of a clearance, old Tim Ream frozen in time on the back line and “Captain America” Christian Pulisic laying an egg on home soil.

After venting, the guys chat a bit about American football and Capital quarterback Ace Bachicha, who is hoping to make his final season with the Jaguars a winning one.

In the second segment, Will and James discuss the NCAA’s new five-year, aged-based eligibility rule and its potential impact on the college sports landscape. Will the rule hold up against litigation? Should all eligibility rules be thrown out the window and college athletes be able to play as many years as they want? The guys have some interesting thoughts.

Eight matches remain in what's been a pretty thrilling World Cup as the cream of the crop national teams head into what&rsquo;s sure to be a scintillating quarterfinal round, but the tournament is effectively over for&nbsp;Santa Fe New Mexican&nbsp;sports writers Will Webber and James Barron.
The U.S. men&rsquo;s national team is out and so are these two, who tune into soccer but once every four years.
In the latest episode of &ldquo;The Sports Den&rdquo; podcast, the guys express their frustration over the USMNT&rsquo;s epic flame-out against Belgium in the Round of 16. They also chat about the NCAA&rsquo;s new five-year eligibility rule and the quarterback situations for Santa Fe&rsquo;s prep football teams.
Will and James feel like they were played by the U.S. men&rsquo;s national team, having their hopes raised during group play and a gutsy Round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, only to have them dashed with a dud of a performance against Belgium.
Will the U.S. ever be able to compete with the top-tier powers? Not with Matt Freese&rsquo;s disasterclass of a clearance, old Tim Ream frozen in time on the back line and &ldquo;Captain America&rdquo; Christian Pulisic laying an egg on home soil.
After venting, the guys chat a bit about American football and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.santafenewmexican.com/sports/capital-qb-bachicha-hopes-past-two-years-of-experience-help-jaguars-fashion-winning-season/article_04f1d873-25c3-44f4-924e-e2e4dd311661.html">Capital quarterback Ace Bachicha</a>, who is hoping to make his final season with the Jaguars a winning one.
In the second segment, Will and James discuss the NCAA&rsquo;s new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.org/division-i-adopts-age-based-eligibility-model/">five-year, aged-based eligibility rule</a>&nbsp;and its potential impact on the college sports landscape. Will the rule hold up against litigation? Should all eligibility rules be thrown out the window and college athletes be able to play as many years as they want? The guys have some interesting thoughts.

Hosted by award-winning sports scribes Will Webber and James Barron, The New Mexican Sports Den podcast provides coverage of the local sports scene in Northern New Mexico with a focus on prep sports and the University of New Mexico Lobos. Dialed into the New Mexico sports landscape for decades, Will and James share their insight on the latest developments from season to season. They also welcome guests for lively and colorful conversations.   
The New Mexican Sports Den with Will and James is a production of The Santa Fe New Mexican.

Hosted by award-winning sports scribes Will Webber and James Barron, The New Mexican Sports Den podcast provides coverage of the local sports scene in Northern New Mexico with a focus on prep sports and the University of New Mexico Lobos. Dialed into the New Mexico sports landscape for decades, Will and James share their insight on the latest developments from season to season. They also welcome guests for lively and colorful conversations.&nbsp;&nbsp; The New Mexican Sports Den with Will and James is a production of&nbsp;The Santa Fe New Mexican.

The New Mexican Sports Den with Will and James

Hosted by award-winning sports scribes Will Webber and James Barron, The New Mexican Sports Den podcast provides coverage of the local sports scene in Northern New Mexico with a focus on prep sports and the University of New Mexico Lobos. Dialed into the New Mexico sports landscape for decades, Will and James share their insight on the latest developments from season to season. They also welcome guests for lively and colorful conversations.  

The New Mexican Sports Den with Will and James is a production of The Santa Fe New Mexican.

Hosted by award-winning sports scribes Will Webber and James Barron, The New Mexican Sports Den podcast provides coverage of the local sports scene in Northern New Mexico with a focus on prep sports and the University of New Mexico Lobos. Dialed into the New Mexico sports landscape for decades, Will and James share their insight on the latest developments from season to season. They also welcome guests for lively and colorful conversations.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The New Mexican Sports Den with Will and James is a production of&nbsp;The Santa Fe New Mexican.