Episodes
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We’re back with Episode 149, where we break down Major League Soccer’s participation in the various club competitions this season.
MLS will send teams to the Concacaf Champions Cup, the U.S. Open Cup, Leagues Cup, the Canadian Championship, and the FIFA Club World Cup this season. But, in a new set of qualification criteria, teams (with the exception of the Seattle Sounders and Inter Miami, due to their participation in the Club World Cup) will take part in at least one, but not more than two, cup competitions in 2025 and 2026. We first start by examining that criteria as well as detailing which teams will play in each of those competitions.
After the break, we continue our discussion by analyzing how MLS is going about its participation in the various cup competitions. The increased focus on Leagues Cup - despite teams balking at its format and how it disrupts the season - continues to be something that is rightfully scrutinized, and this episode is no exception. But, we don’t just come to the table with the negatives. There’s a format that would reduce the importance of the Leagues Cup but also improve schedule congestion and perhaps fan excitement in the competition...and we look to college basketball for that idea.
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The United States Men’s National Team had a fun January Camp, and we recap it on Episode 148!
The USMNT had two wins last week over Venezuela and Costa Rica to give this January Camp fun vibes. We saw some players take advantage of their opportunity and we saw some good play as the team got the first two wins of 2025 under their belt. We recap what we saw from that camp and how it could affect some of the players moving forward as we dive into the year.
After the break, Naomi Girma is officially on the move to Chelsea in a world record transfer. But what does it mean for the NWSL that she leaves behind? We discuss how it’s important for Girma, important for Chelsea, and important for the NWSL, but that it shouldn’t signify a mass exodus of players to teams across the pond.
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Missing episodes?
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The United States Women’s National Team are having a combined training camp to start the year, but on Episode 147, we discuss how head coach Emma Hayes is changing the approach.
January Camp is normally a camp where the USWNT comes together for the first time in the new year to play a couple of friendlies and begin their preparations for a loaded schedule. However, Emma Hayes has softened the approach to January Camp, bringing in 49 players across two rosters: the USWNT training roster and a Futures Camp of U-23s designed to give them a chance to get involved and make an impression. There are no matches this time, and as we discuss, Hayes has decided that January Camps will remain an opportunity to develop talent and organize the overall strategy for the year.
We get into the WNT roster as well as the Futures roster and how it’s a big year for some positions as some veterans are not present for various reasons. Overall, Emma Hayes wants to create more opportunities for the younger players, but first she wants to get them into this camp to get to know them and begin to implement her methodology that sets the program up for future success.
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We get our first look at the United States Men’s National Team in 2025 as they get set to take the field for two friendlies over the next few days. We preview their matches against Venezuela and Costa Rica on Episode 146.
The USMNT enter 2025 needing to start figuring out what their depth will look like as they get ready for Concacaf Nations League and the Gold Cup. They of course continue to have their eyes on the 2026 World Cup, and the January Camp friendlies are a chance for MLS-based players to make an impression. We take you through the roster of players and note how one of them has a wild path to the national team. There are some players who have a great opportunity to show they can be counted on as depth pieces as the race to 2026 hits full stride.
After the break, we get into a little bit of the calendar for the USMNT and what awaits them in 2025. There are some potentials for big time friendlies, but Concacaf competitions will dominate the first half of the year as the USMNT seek to hold onto the Concacaf Nations League trophy and reclaim the Gold Cup.
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We are back in time for the holidays with Episode 145 as Ryan Rosenblatt joins us to break down Netflix’s acquisition of the U.S. broadcast rights for the 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cups!
The streaming service has tens of millions of subscribers, and they will now be the sole broadcast provider for the next two Women’s World Cup tournaments. Ryan Rosenblatt, who has amazing insight on the intricacies behind these sorts of deals, comes on the show to discuss those details. From the ramp up in production to the addressing of their recent failures with one-off sporting events to how accessible they would need to make each match, it’s a great conversation that has some thoughtful approaches to what Netflix could and should do as well as the sharing of the real concerns facing the streaming service as it prepares to bring the tournament to a national audience. They have 2.5 years to make things happen, which is still a good bit of time. But, it’s short enough that the urgency needs to be there for Netflix to put together the production that they want and make it accessible to American sports fans, particularly those who wish to watch the USWNT.
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The United States Women’s National Team have two huge road friendlies coming up over the next week against England and the Netherlands, and a couple of players make announcements that will shape the future of the player pool. We discuss it all on Episode 144.
The USWNT are in Europe to take on England and the Dutch on the road. With a roster that’s a mix of veterans and young players hoping to make an impact, it’s going to be a big test for Emma Hayes’s group as she begins to evaluate where this player pool can go during this World Cup cycle.
After the break, we discuss the two huge announcements from players in the program: Lily Yohannes committing her future to the USWNT and Alyssa Naeher announcing her retirement from the national team. Both are huge moves that will affect the player pool for the future, and we discuss both announcements at length.
Don’t forget to follow us on Bluesky, Twitter and YouTube! Rates, reviews, and subscriptions really help our reach wherever you get your podcasts as well as on YouTube. Head to our Linktree, which will give you access to all our affiliate links and our Stimulus store! And finally, tag us on Twitter or email USA Soccercast at Gmail dot com with any topic suggestions or questions for the show.
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The United States Men’s National Team had a difficult October window, and we recap it on Episode 143.
The USMNT had two tough matches against Concacaf opponents, the first matches with Mauricio Pochettino in charge. We review the 2-0 win against Panama and then spend some time discussing what happened in the 2-0 loss to Mexico. There’s a lot of things that the USMNT must face if they wish to improve, so we answer some questions and lay some truths on the table.
After the break, we discuss the U.S. drawing Jamaica for the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals. Jamaica won their group in the League A group stage, so they’re ready to take the next step and take out another seeded team like they did with Canada last year. The USMNT need to take Jamaica seriously and approach this match with the same intensity that the Reggae Boyz will if they want to defend their title once again.
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The United States Men’s National Team are back and set to begin the Mauricio Pochettino era! We preview the upcoming matches against Panama and Mexico on Episode 142.
The USMNT have a new coach, and while his first roster may have already undergone some changes due to various injuries, everyone has a fresh approach to this training camp. We go through the roster and note who’s absent as well as who is getting a fresh start (and a new shot) to show that they can be a productive part of this player pool. Competition is the theme of this camp, and every position feels like it’s up for grabs.
After the break, we discuss the two opponents for the USMNT, as they take on Panama in Austin and then head to Guadalajara for a rare road friendly against Mexico. There’s one thing that we should be looking for in this camp above all else: competitive fire and a sense of urgency to improve and get better. The team has dropped off in several ways over the past few months, but with a new coach in charge, it means a fresh start and a chance to get back on track.
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The United States Men’s National Team have a new head coach! We discuss Mauricio Pochettino’s hire on Episode 141 of the USA Soccercast.
The USMNT are coming off a September window that was not great, but the biggest story occurred just before the match against New Zealand on Tuesday night, when U.S. Soccer confirmed the hire of Mauricio Pochettino. Pochettino is tasked with building the program back up towards the 2026 World Cup and preparing the team to host the world and try to go deep in the tournament. It’s a shortened timetable for him with less than two years to go, but we break down what the Argentine coach brings to the table as he takes on the new project.
We also answer some listener questions about Pochettino’s hire, from how we could play to what kind of formation he could employ to who we could possibly play between now and June 2026. There are a lot of factors that affect the program’s trajectory and he will be responsible for addressing them all. With his first press conference coming tomorrow morning, it will be fans’ initial chance to hear from the man himself on how he plans to get this team back on track.
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The United States Men’s National Team is back with a new roster and a new interim coach, and we examine the team on Episode 140 of the USA Soccercast.
The USMNT are gathering for matches over the next week against Canada and New Zealand and they’re doing so with an interim coach: Mikey Varas. There’s also a new roster with some players who have been called in to compete for some depth spots. Also, with some players out due to injury or rest, there’s an opportunity for guys to show they should be a part of the main core of the player pool.
We also discuss what the team should be looking to accomplish in this window despite the fact no permanent coach is in place. Competition is one thing, but it’s a chance to reset and really begin to play with the sense of urgency that’s required in every match. The team may have friendlies the next couple of months, but they can still approach those matches like they are World Cup matches.
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The time has come. Gregg Berhalter has been fired as the United States Men’s National Team head coach, and we discuss the fallout on Episode 139 of the USA Soccercast.
Gregg Berhalter’s tenure is done, which has given a large portion of the fanbase some happiness this morning. We break down what happened and offer a post mortem on Gregg Berhalter’s time as USMNT head coach. Make no mistake, despite some of the shortcomings that were held against him, he brought this program back from its lowest point and achieved quite a few goals during his time in charge. He also leaves as one of the winningest coaches in USMNT history. So, we take the time to go through some of his accomplishments as well as some of those shortcomings, including crashing out in the group stage of Copa America. In the end, we wish him well as he departs the team.
Now that Berhalter is out, the work begins to find a replacement. Of course, some big names are coveted by the fanbase, but are some of those names realistic? Probably not, but to get to some of the coaches who are, we lay out some criteria that we wish to see in the next coach. The main one: we need a coach who’s available who can come in now and get straight to work by the September international window. Then, we offer some possible candidates. In the end, we all have a lot of work to do before the 2026 World Cup arrives, and once the new coach arrives, it’s time to get going.
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We are back with Episode 138, and we’re honored to welcome U.S. Men’s National Team legend and Hall of Famer Clint Dempsey to the show!
The USMNT are out of Copa América, and we talk to Deuce about what happened to the team and what led to the abrupt exit. We get his take on whether Gregg Berhalter needs to be removed as head coach, and his response is simple: whatever happens, it needs to happen now.
Deuce has many comments on what the team needs to do in order to get better, including playing better competition, getting our players in situations where they are on the field consistently for their clubs, and what players he thinks has the same qualities he possessed on the field. It’s a great interview that you don’t want to miss!
Dempsey also discusses his work with DraftKings, where he currently has a promotion for the Copa America and Euro 2024 semifinals. We end with what he hopes people take from his enduring legacy on the field as the theme of his success story.
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The United States Men’s National Team have crashed out of Copa America, and we have to discuss everything on Episode 137.
The USMNT have exited Copa América in the group stage thanks to losses against Panama and Uruguay, and in the aftermath, there are plenty of questions that have to be discused. First, we recap the group stage results, from the win against Bolivia to Tim Weah’s red card and a terrible loss to Panama to the match last night against Uruguay. The results on the field were poor, but we still have to go through them.
After the break, we get into the questions surrounding the USMNT program, and it includes the big one: should Gregg Berhalter remain as head coach of the United States Men’s National Team? We answer that question and break down everything surrounding what changes need to come to move the team forward. It’s not just a straight forward answer and there’s no fall person. Everyone shares some blame, but a change definitely needs to be made as we begin our advancement towards the 2026 World Cup.
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The United States Men’s National Team are getting ready to begin Copa America, and we preview the group stage of the tournament on Episode 136.
The USMNT enter this tournament as the hosts and wanting to be successful in this tournament. But, what does success look like? We first start with the play on the field and the players, and we discuss what they need to do in order to get out of the group and challenge for the title. It involves limiting mistakes, playing with a sense of urgency, and capitalizing on the chances you create to score goals.
On the other side, we look at what success means for head coach Gregg Berhalter and the coaching staff. What kind of success is possible? When is it realistic to have a conversation about the direction of the program? What does the coaching staff have to do to prepare this team for not just Copa América, but beyond? We get into that quickly as the start of the tournament is here and the USMNT’s chance on the field approaches.
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The United States Men’s National Team are preparing for Copa América, and Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie are two of the main players that hope to lead the team to victory. On a special Episode 135, we were able to sit down with the two USMNT midfielders for an exclusive interview!
Before the interview, the USMNT had 2 friendlies against Colombia and Brazil as their tune-up matches, and each match had a lot of takeaways for various reasons. We discuss what happened in each match and break down what went right and very wrong in those games. We then get into the full Copa América roster for the United States, highlighting who made it, who was the lone cut from the June training camp, and what question marks still exist for the team.
After the break, we get into the interview with Tyler and Wes, which was done as they were doing a promotional tour for an ad for Truly Hard Seltzer that will be released this week. The pair speak on their bond, what’s it’s like to play on the club level together, and how they hope to be successful this summer and what it will take for them to win. It’s a great interview you won’t want to miss!
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The United States Women’s National Team are back in action this weekend against South Korea, and it’s the official beginning of the Emma Hayes era. Diaspora United’s André Carlisle joins on Episode 134 to give us a glimpse into the possible future of the USWNT!
Before André joins, we run through the roster and note some of the changes from the April team that won the SheBelieves Cup. There are a few new faces in camp as the USWNT prepares for two matches against South Korea. We discuss some of the new additions as well as some returning players to the national team.
After the break, André is here to discuss Emma Hayes. From her ruthless, relentless philosophy to how she utilizes different tactics for various opponents, Carlisle breaks down some of the changes we can expect to see implemented by Hayes and how this team will line up against the rest of the world. Will change come slowly or quickly? Either way, it’s clear that the expectation for Hayes is to return the USWNT to the top of the world rankings and be dominant, but a lot has to change and improve to make that possible.
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The summer of soccer begins this weekend, but the USWNT or USMNT will not be the first team to take the field and embrace the moment. The U.S. Deaf Women’s National Team takes the field at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park against Australia this Saturday as part of a historic doubleheader with the USWNT. We welcome Amy Griffin, USDWNT head coach and 1991 Women’s World Cup champion, to the USA Soccercast on Episode 133.
The Deaf Women’s National Team match on Saturday kicks off at 2:00pm ET and will be televised on TruTV. It’s the first time an Extended National Team has been broadcast on TV in a US Soccer-controlled match, while Volkswagen’s title sponsorship is the first time an ENT match has had a presenting partner. Amy Griffin speaks with us to discuss how the program has been so successful - unbeaten all time in 38 matches and with 3 Deaf World Championships and gold medals at 4 Deaflympics. She also discusses some of the challenges the team faced before they became a part of U.S. Soccer’s Extended National Team program in 2022.
The platform that they will have being on national TV this weekend is a historic one, but it’s also a special one for them. Griffin breaks down some of the nuances of the deaf soccer game and how she had to adapt as a coach, and she even gives fans some tips on how to support the team when they’re playing on the field. You won’t want to miss this interview ahead of an important match!
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The United States and Mexico announced yesterday that they were withdrawing their bid to host the 2027 Women’s World Cup, deciding to instead focus their efforts on the 2031 tournament. On Episode 132, we are joined by Sylvs from the Shea Butter FC Podcast to discuss all the implications and what it could mean for the USWNT program as well as the growth of women’s soccer in this country and beyond!
The USA and Mexico have decided to hold back from potentially hosting in 2027 a little over a couple weeks before the FIFA Congress casts their votes on it at their next meeting. That leaves Brazil and the joint bid of Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands to duke it out. But, what does it mean for the USWNT and for women’s soccer in the United States and Mexico? Sylvs has tremendous knowledge and perspective on this, so she joins after the break to discuss the implications.
Brazil is rumored to be the favorite now to host in 2027, and that has us excited. Sylvs discusses what it would mean for Brazil to host and why it would be a good thing for women’s soccer worldwide. We also look at the race for 2031 between the USA/Mexico and South Africa, which poses an intriguing matchup: growth of the game vs. equal investment and payouts. We’re thankful to have Sylvs come on and kick some knowledge, and be sure to follow the Shea Butter FC Podcast for their continued excellent perspectives on the game.
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The United States Women’s National Team have an important week to navigate as we preview the SheBelieves Cup on Episode 131.
The USWNT have a difficult 2 matches coming up, as we discuss the change to the SheBelieves Cup format and how the team will need to approach it. While they bring in a really good squad, with some new additions and some returning veterans, the competition for Olympic spots is going to be seriously tight over the next few months, as a national team roster’s worth of players was left off the squad. And, they have to come together and beat Japan and either Canada or Brazil to win the trophy.
After the break, it’s time to discuss Korbin Albert’s controversial social media over the last week. It’s clear that the team will have to address it this week as they prepare for SheBelieves Cup, and we discuss the implications of her unacceptable social media posts along with her liking a post that joked about Megan Rapinoe’s injury. The team that is normally unified has to rebuild that unity as they enter this international window.
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The United States Men’s National Team are Concacaf Nations League champions again, and we recap everything on Episode 130!
The USMNT went down to Texas with the Concacaf Nations League trophy under their arms, and they left Texas still holding the trophy. It wasn’t easy, as they needed extra time to defeat Jamaica before another Dos A Cero against Mexico in the final. We discuss all the heroes from the tournament and how the team overcame a terrible performance to win their 3rd straight Nations League title.
After the break, the Olympic draw also took place, and the USWNT and USMNT U-23s learned who they will face in the Olympic tournaments this summer. Both teams will have their work cut out for them, as they drew some difficult teams in their groups. Still, both have a great chance at playing for a medal in Paris.
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