Sleepless in Seattle – US Gets Pounded 4-1 by Belgium in Round of 16
Wow I am going to admit I did not expect to see what we so painfully watched in Seattle. We didn’t get beat we got slaughtered at home. An unbelievable march of over 5,000 followed the beating drums of the American Outlaws thru the streets of downtown Seattle on way to the stadium – a stadium where the US had never lost. a Full house of over 70K cheered and sang but just 40 seconds in Belgium had a great shot turned back by Freese. Six minutes later Belgium’s Raskin brought it down the left wing crossed and youngster Charles de Keteraere overpowered Capt Tim Ream to start the onslaught. The US answered with this magical freekick by Malik Tillman that wrong footed the world’s best Goalkeeper Courtois, only to have the same thing happen 2 minutes later as Belgium again came down the wing crossed and the same guy de Ketelaere embarrased our Capt Ream again as he lept over him for the 2nd goal. The US pushed and had more possession as they pushed for the 2nd half equalizer but still could barely get a shot on goal. Belgium literally intercepted every single pass we made in the middle of the field – Pulisic gave up the ball a record 15 times in the first half alone as the US could barely string 3 passes together once in the final half of the field. Still there was hope just 1 goal down until Tim Ream and Freese had a middle school moment as Freese tried to control a long pass out of the box and had is stripped from him outside the box. A bumbling Ream let his man by to steal from Freese then let the ball roll right past him as he tripped on himself and watched it roll into the goal ending any chance the US had of a winning in the 57th minute. The US was outshot 15-7, 7-2 shots on goal, &
Before the tournament started I said that the round of 16 would be a good World Cup for the United States and the round of 8 would be a great World Cup for the United States. It turns out I was right about that. I am disappointed because this team made me believe they were capable of more than the typical round of 16 finish. When they blew out Paraguay, (the best I have ever seen us look) beat Australia with ease, and their backups tied with Turkey into the 98th minute- I thought this team was different. When Balogun got a red card, and they responded by not only holding Bosnia Herzegovina scoreless, but getting another goal, I thought this team was different. They scored 10 goals. The United States never scores 10 goals in a World Cup. Yes the group stage teams were weaker this time, but other countries had weaker group stage opponents as well and most didn’t score as many goals as the United States. I was super excited and it turns out overconfident. Then they had their first test against an elite team, a team in the top 10 – they not only failed – the got embarrassed. They didn’t execute well and they made mistakes they normally don’t make. In fairness, Belgium had a lot to do with that. They are an elite team and they forced some of those mistakes. I would say overall this World Cup was bittersweet as a Team USA fan. I definitely think they have made a lot of progress compared to 4 years ago and I think Pochettino should be retained if he wants to return for 2 years until the Copa America. It is also obvious that the USA has a long way to go before they will be an elite team. Will they ever get there? I don’t know. Our nation’s best athletes still play Football and Basketball over Soccer. I do think it is possible, but it is going to take 7 or 8 players with the talent level of Malik Tillman and Folarin Balogun, Pulisic & McKinney & Adams and a much better defense. Chris Richards held down the fort well – but I told you Tim Ream would cost us come the Round of 16 when we would have to play a better team and he was absolutely exposed. (I love Tim Ream – have his Fulham jersey in my closet) but he’s 38 and runs like he’s 45. We had to get Trusty in there earlier each game to get him ready come Sweet 16 time. Instead Poch gave him the Captain’s band forcing the start each game with Ream. And he paid him back by letting the backup Belgium forward school him twice in front of goal – before being involved in that Farce with Freese for the 3rd goal. Ream and Freese combined – led to a horrific mistake and just poor all-around Goalkeeping & Defending.
Let’s be honest Pulisic is never healthy and he is NOT Captain America – he’s no longer even our best player as McKinney & Adams are both better at their positions that Pulisic is. He is inconsistent and he is injury prone and honestly he should probably be a super sub in the future because he can’t go 90. Balogun, Tillman, Freeman along with Adams, McKinney, Dest are the future of this team.
Down to 8 – The Quarterfinals
The Magical Ole Ballcoach Tour across the West with the US ended with a Wimper in Seattle
So its over – a little earlier than I thought – I truly thought I would be retuning to LA for 1 more game on Friday – a blowout loss to Spain in the Quarterfinals. Tying the best the US had ever done. But alas no – while the fans showed up -sold out 70K strong and the loudest and largest March to the Stadium by the American Outlaws ever. The team simply did not show up – playing by far their worst game of the World Cup. Us in San Fran
So many to thank on this wonderful – trek with the US team – first my daughter Courtney – who not only let me crash in her apartment for close to a month – but accompanied me all over this state to each and every game sometimes paying for them. 🙂 To her friends in LA who welcomed this old man on our forays around town to watch World Cup games where the fans were.
To our family Dee Dee and Daryl Beliel in Seattle who allowed us to crash at their place while driving us places all over town. To my wife Karen who put up with me being gone and spending all our money on this trip. To my Soccer buddy Bart who allowed us to buy his US supporter Tickets – since he was out of town on a cruise. Without you Bart – we don’t get 3 of the 5 tickets to games we went to. I owe you beers the rest of our lives! To the American Outlaws – who set up all the parties the night before and day of the games – providing the backbone of our support from game to game – city to city. You helped us find 2 tickets to Seattle when we had none just 1 day before gametime.
To all you US supporters who came along for the ride – I met so many people from across the country from Maine to North Carolina to Florida and Minn, Chicago, Texas, Kansas, and of course California and Seattle. You came across this great country of ours just like me – spending whatever it took to get in and support our team. To the guy who finally played Country Roads after our win in Seattle the 2nd game – I had been trying to get the Outlaw Marchers to sing both that song and Don’t Stop Believing on the way in — and to hear that song sung by 70K of my closest US fans – well its gonna bring tear’s to my eyes every time I hear it from now on. To Dan and Shey on the first game – who sang the National Anthem – so our fans could sing along – another time of extreme pride and tears in my eyes – as I held my AO Indy Scarf over my head while singing as loud as I could next to my daughter. These are all things I will never forget! We honestly fell one game short of what I thought we would – but still the experience was something I will never forget. The World Cup – what a sport, what fans, what excitement and fun. Perhaps see you in Brazil for the ladies in 2027. (Don’t let my wife see this).
Shane & Courtney from our seats in Seattle for the last game (4-1) behind us,
TV Schedule
Thurs, July 9Quarter Finals 4 pm Fox Fri , July 10 Quarter Finals 3 pm Fox Belgium vs Spain 8 pm Prime Orlando Pride vs KC Current NWSL 8 pm HBO Max Racing Louisville vs Bay FC NWSL Sat, July 11 Quarter Finals 5 pm Fox Norway (Erland) vs England (Kane) 6:30 pm Ion NC Courage vs Washington Spirit (Rodman) 7 pm ESPN+ Detroit City vs Indy 11 9 pm Fox Argentina (Messi) vs Switzerland 8:45 pm Ion San Diego Wave vs Angel City (Thompson) Sun, July 12 4 pm ESPN Seattle Reign vs Portland Thornes Tues , July 14 Semi – Finals 3 pm Fox Semi 1 Weds , July 15 Semi – Finals 3 pm Fox Semi 2 Sat, July 18 5 pm Fox 3rd place game Sun, July 19 3 pm Fox WC FINAL All games on Fox, FS1 & Telemundo
Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois admitted that they used the disrespect they felt by Americans as fuel before the game. And he also said Senegal are a better team than the USMNT. After everything that went on in the last couple of days, Belgium came out firing from the opening whistle last night. They also did the U.S. President Donald Trump’s dance both on the pitch and in the dressing room after the game. “The kind of disrespect we received in recent days — that’s no longer the same team,” Courtois said about Belgium. “We proved that we’re still a good team and that you can never take anything for granted at a World Cup. “Honestly, when I read those things [that Americans said], I just laughed a little. “I understand that people wanted to give a lot of publicity to the United States, but honestly, I felt much more certain that we were going to beat the U.S. than I did against Senegal, because Senegal is a better team. “And I think that was proven.”
Goalkeeping
NWSL action returns with Wave tea party, Sophia Wilson’s 50th goal, and Trinity Rodman late game-winner
Ally Sentnor, Kennedy Fuller, and Lily Reale also make debuts for their new clubs
WEEKEND RESULTS
Washington Spirit 2-1 Houston Dash
Denver Summit 0-3 Kansas City Current
Angel City FC 2-0 Orlando Pride
North Carolina Courage 3-1 Seattle Reign
San Diego Wave 2-0 Gotham FC
Boston Legacy 2-2 Bay FC
Chicago Stars 3-2 Utah Royals
Portland Thorns 4-0 Racing Louisville
FIRSTS
Michelle Cooper scored her first NWSL brace to lead the Current to a win
Bay’s Claire Hutton scored not only her first club goal but her first NWSL goal
Kennedy Fuller (Bay FC), Ally Sentnor (Angel City FC), and Lily Reale (Boston Legacy FC) all made their club debuts after recent transfers
CELLY CORNER
San Diego’s Melanie Barcenas broke out a timeless celly in honor of the GOAT’s birthday. After scoring her third goal of the season, Mel B hit ‘em with a sip of tea à la Alex Morgan. Bottom’s up!
COMING UP…
Rivals Face Off
Is there anything better than a good rivalry? No, there isn’t.
NWSL Rivarly Week presented by Ally is coming up, and it’s a three match slate that will set the tone for the rest of the season.The first place San Diego Wave host Angel City FC for the next SoCal Derby It’s always fun when San Diego and Angel City face off, but with both coming off shutout wins, neither one will want to give up an inch of momentum. The Cascadia Rivalry returns to Seattle. The Thorns are coming off a stunning 4-0 win that got everyone involved while the Reign are had a tough go of it in North Carolina. It would be quite the statement to win at home against a bitter foe. Finally, Gotham FC and the Washington Spirit are set to make history at Citi Field on July 15 in a 2025 NWSL Championship rematch. With Gotham set to make the move to Queens in 2028, it’s a great way to kick off a new era.
Man how lucky am I that I get to be here for these World Cup US Games. I proudly sing our National anthem with 70,000 Americans and players and it tears me up each time kind of like this guy Anthem. This team IS AMERICA (click)- a collection of players from all over this country: NY to California, St Louis to Florida and Texas (McKinney story). Sons of American servicemen who grew up overseas but are as American as us. Must Read story from the New York Times about how this team’s World Cup run is bringing our divided nation together (read below). Man what a time we had in San Fran. San Fran post game – I am going to admit each time we play Country Roads post game I swing and sing with my daughter Courtney and a tear comes to my eyes. To see the success for a team I have rooted for since before 1990 is just incredible and to see our country embrace not only this team but the sport I have loved since I first played as a 7th grader is wonderous (31 Million Watched). I wish my whole family was with us. Next step Seattle – we’ll arrive Sunday for the Monday 8 pm game. Go USA!
USA Beats Bosnia 2-0, Plays Belgium in Seattle Mon 8 pm
Wow! Talk about grit, fight and a never say will to win – this US team has it all. A gutsy 2-0 win over a scrappy, somewhat dirty Bosnia squad that was ready to in a low block (9 behind the ball) to try to frustrate the young US squad. (highlights) The US scored on a lovely Balogun run – only to have his goal called back for offsides. Late in the first half with a spectacular change of pace adjustment by Balogun – the US was on the board. It was a totally dominant first half with 80+ percent possession for the US and only 1 long range shot by Bosnia. The second have brought more ball control for the US before Balogun was sent off for a questionable Red Card play when he accidently stepped on a Bosnian’s foot. (See the arguments below Red Card Yes). The US was back to the wall at the 65 Minute mark, down to 10 men with 30 minutes to play. (In the Copa America 2 summers ago – a red card meant death to the US team as they conceded 2 goals to Panama to become the first home country eliminated in the Group stage ever.) Now 2 years later – with a new established foreign coach in charge – the US did not wilt. They did not even stop trying to score. With Pulisic in the middle, Dest on the left – and Tillman on the right – the US continued to push forward until they won a free kick just outside the box on the left hash mark with 15 to go. Tillman lined up and scored a Golazo (In Spanish), in English, from our seats in that endzone Poch reaction. The 2-0 lead and some controlled defense with Richards, Freeman & Ream refusing to give way – and an entire team willing to sacrifice themselves to protect our goal – and some good saves from our keeper the US held on for the win. Winning their first game over a European foe in almost 5 years, and advancing to the round of 16 for the first time since 2014. Tim Ream postgame reaction. Poch Postgame – why not us!
Again I am going to admit – I WAS WRONG. Pochitino is worth every dime we paid him to put this team into the right state of mind and help our Golden Generation begin to realize their potential. Yes I questioned everything he did in the build up to this cup – and he just said trust me – its a process. Well so far the process is working! Offensively we have been as strong as I can remember in years – combining long spans of ball control with quick strike counterattacks in lightening speed. Balogun has been the #9 we have lacked, scoring 3 goals (6 overall -3 called back on offsides). Pulisic when healthy has had space to take guys on 1 on 1, 1 on 2 and has straight beat them. McKennie & Tillman play like they have known each other forever and Tyler Adams? Well he’s Tyler Adams – one of the top #6/dmids in the EPL when healthy. GK Matt Freeze (the Harvard man) was finally tested a little vs Bosnia and made the saves he needed to make. He’s going to have to make more saves, including some spectacular ones, vs Belgium if we are going to win. The real question is who is Poch going to bring in for Balogun (who is out on Red Card suspension for this game). I think its Haji Wright finally getting his chance up top. Pepe has played hard and given supreme effort in his appearances – but he simply does not have the speed or knack to run the channels that Balo does. Wright has played with our core of Pulisic, McKinney & Adams since they were 15 years olds on our youth US teams. I think Wright and Pulisic reward Poch’s confidence by both scoring goals in the first half. The 2nd half will have Belgium legend Romeo Lukaku and we better have a lead by then. I think the US holds on 2-1 with more scrappy play – a little more counterattacking as Belgium will probably have 50-50 possession at least. I still think we are a better counter attacking team so that might just play into our hands if Pulisic can work his magic, McKennie can run his butt off again – and Adams can protect our back line. I suspect its another 3/2/3/1.
Here’s my line-up for Monday
Haji Wright Pulisic/Tillman Robinson/Adams/Mckinnie/Dest Ream/Richards/Freeman Freese
Indy 11 Host Detroit Sat 4 pm @ the Mike
Indy Eleven puts its nine-match home unbeaten streak (8-0-1) in USL Championship play over the past 10 months on the line vs. Charleston Battery in a special 4:00 p.m. kickoff on Sat. July 4 on MyINDY-TV 23 and ESPN+. dThe Boys in Blue are second in the USL-C in home wins (5) and tied for third in home goal differential (+7).
So here’s my bracket — shot already . But I like France & Argentina in the Finals – again. With Norway, Erling Halland & the Row advancing to the Semi’s for the first time ever. Here’s the current https://www.espn.com/soccer/bracket
TV Schedule
Friday, July 3rd 2 pm Fox Australia vs Egypt (Salah) 6 pm Fox Argentina (Messi) vs Cape Verde 5 pm Victory Washington Spirit (Rodman) vs Houston NWSL 9:30 pm Fox Colombia vs Ghana 10 pm Prime Angel City vs Orlando Pride NWSL Saturday, July 4 (Sweet 16) 1 pm Fox Canada (Davies) vs Morocco 5 pm Fox Paraguay vs France (Mbappe) 6:30 pm ION NC Courage vs Seattle Reign (NWSL) 7 pm Myindy Indy 11 vs Charleston Battery 8:45 pm ION San Diego Wave vs Gotham FC Sun, July 5th(Sweet 16) 12 noon ESPN Boston Legacy vs Bay FC (NWSL) 4 pm Fox Brazil (Neymar) vs Norway (Haaland) 8 pm Fox Mexico vs England (Kane) (Azteca) Mon, July 6 pm 3 pm Fox Portugal vs Spain (Dallas) 8 pm Fox,Tele USA vs Belgium Tues, July 7 12 noon Fox Argentina vs Egypt 4 pm Fox Switzerland vs Croatia Thurs, July 9 Quarter Finals 4 pm Fox Fri , July 10 Quarter Finals 3 pm Fox USA/Belgium vs Spain/Portugal 8 pm Prime Orlando Pride vs KC Current NWSL 8 pm HBO Max Racing Louisville vs Bay FC NWSL Sat, July 11 Quarter Finals 5 pm Fox W91 vs W92 6:30 pm Ion NC Courage vs Washington Spirit (Rodman) 7 pm ESPN+ Detroit City vs Indy 11 8 pm Fox W95 vs W96 8:45 pm Ion San Diego Wave vs Angel City (Thompson) Tues , July 14 Semi – Finals 3 pm Fox Semi 1 Weds , July 15 Semi – Finals 3 pm Fox Semi 2 Sat, July 18 5 pm Fox 3rd place game Sun, July 19 3 pm Fox WC FINAL All games on Fox, FS1 & Telemundo
Coming home from Practice or Games at Badger Fieldhouse? Need food for a Graduation, end of school party, World Cup or July 4th party? Call Ryan now to ask about catering options at 317-688-7290. Try out the Best BarBQ in Town right across the street (131st) from Northview Church on the corner of Hazelldell & 131st. RackZ BBQ
Save 20% on your order
(mention the ole ballcoach)
Need some good ole AMERICAN BarBQ for the US games or July 4th? Check out the BarBQ Ribs, pulled Pork and Chicken, Brisket and more. Sweet, Tangy or Spicy sauce. Mention you heard about it from the Ole Ballcoach — and Ryan will give you 20% off your next meal. https://www.rackzbbqindy.com/Call ahead at 317-688-7290 M-Th 11-8 pm, 11-9 Fri/Sat, 12-8 pm on Sunday. Pick some up after for watch parties – Its good eatin! You won’t be disappointed and tell ’em the Ole Ballcoach Sent You!
Save 20% on these Succulent Ribs at Rackz BarBQ when you mention the Ole Ballcoach – Corner of 131 & Hazelldell. – Call 317-688-7290.
======================RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ======================
Looking to Get a Professional Company Headshot? Check out https://capturely.com/ Tell Rob The Ole Ballcoach Shane Best sent you and he’ll give you a deal.
Interested in advertising in TheOleBallcoach? Learn More shanebestsoccer@gmail.com
View of The Game After our first game, I felt like this was the best USMNT of my lifetime. It was hard to tell much after the games against Australia and Turkiye, but this match left zero doubt this is indeed the best we’ve ever looked. Realistically, BH is not at the level of the teams in front of us. Our likely path to the title is Belgium, Spain, France, Argentina. Yikes. However, we played outstanding in a game we were expected to win, and we were fearless and positive even after going a man down. We have quality in every position, we play the ball quickly, and most importantly, we make runs and move around for one another. In other words, we play as a TEAM. Sorry, England fans, you guys have way better players at every position, but you guys stand around and wait for the greatness of Harry Kane to bail you out. The Balogen red card. Ugh. I hate that call (obviously). Balogen is not a dirty player. 100% there was zero intent- it was a simple coming together. I don’t think anyone even noticed anything in real time. However, that was a very nasty challenge. Raking your cleat on the opponents ankle and then coming down with your weight is how bones are broken and ligaments snap. In the same way that the red card to Paraguay’s Almiron for covering his mouth when talking to opponent was something all the players were aware of, players know that intent has nothing to do with it and a challenge like that is a straight red. These are designed to protect players, and defenders are routinely trained on how to go into challenges for this exact reason. Balogen as a forward probably does a lot less of this training. We will very much miss him against Belgium as no one else on the roster has the pace up front that Balogen has (ugh). But let’s bask in the glory of this win. That free kick from Tillman is as much of a referendum on how far we’ve come as anything we’ve seen this tournament. To get that over the wall and to dip down on frame is an impossibly difficult task. The ideal position for a free kick is actually about 4-5 yards further away from the goal for this reason. We’ve never had a player in our pool that could execute a shot like that when it matters. Finally, Weston McKennie might be the most fit player at this world cup. It’s not just the running he does for the ball- it’s all the runs he’s willing to make where the chances of him receiving the ball are well under 50% that makes him a marvel. But it’s those runs that create the space for his teammates, and the discerning eye notices. We see you, WM. And we salute you.
The World Cup gives America a unified look. The rest is complicated
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — We wear the same jersey. One size fits all, for a change, with clashing accents that we make match.We paint our faces and drape the flag across our shoulders, some like a cape, others like a shawl. We show up, loud and unashamed, suddenly immune to the rage baiters and social media bots. We find, for a moment, something better than ourselves. And then we act bigger than ourselves.A woman wears a bald eagle costume and flaps red, white and blue wings from the upper deck at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium. A man perches a toddler on his shoulders, the boy’s striped face an American canvas of potential. A girl holds a handcrafted “We Believe” sign on a poster half her size.In downtown San Jose, Patricia Vo cheers in bustling San Pedro Square, standing in the middle of a kind of joy that she envisioned to get through three surgeries and eight rounds of chemotherapy. Naseem Farooqi bounds out of the stadium after a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, draped in an American flag, cowboy hat and boots. He lights a cigar as soon as he clears the exit. Dressed in a USA crop top and flag-colored socks to her knees, Robin Roettger completes her look by sporting the shell of a soccer ball across her stomach, making it seem like she is with child. She stands with her mother, who is bedecked as the Statue of Liberty.These people look silly. These people look fabulous.
This United States fan is flying high at San Francisco Bay Area StadiumDavid Gonzales / Imagn Images
These are images of America, at 250 years old, hosting the world’s grandest sporting event and partying like it’s 1776. But the jersey has never been just a jersey. It is a visual manifesto of a complicated country, and in the upkeep of long-recited ideals, it becomes a battleground. The politics of exclusion have infiltrated these colors, this flag, narrowing perspectives about who counts as a real American and who does not. In response, the politics of inclusion have turned to elitist derision, partly as a shield, but that only makes it easier to exile the faction from national pride.This World Cup has become a bridge. It is not ideal to host a world reunion during a family feud, but it has been beneficial. The event has created a reprieve, delivering us from division and reminding us that patriotism can be inviting. Before large crowds that contain multitudes, the U.S. men’s national team takes the field, striving the way we are supposed to strive. And for a 90-minute respite, the arguing stops.This is not a constraining pride, either. A warm welcome has not been universal, but it has been prevalent. Some nations — such as Iran, whose team captain called this “a disaster World Cup” — and their fans could not escape the political shadows. But most have observed the difference between the government and the people. Most have witnessed an America that wants to wrap its arms around the globe.In a viral social media video, a Scotland supporter traveling with the Tartan Army cried on a Boston sidewalk, expressing what many visitors have felt the past few weeks. When she arrived, she expected hostility from a nation with a presidential administration that antagonizes the world. She found joy.May her tears irrigate the feeling.
A powerful force
Just a couple hundred yards from a parking lot asking for $200, the men danced in front of a vendor. One was Latino, the other White. Both wore USA overalls, stars on top, stripes on the bottom. They made up a bop: “Hot dogs! (clap, clap) Hot dogs! (clap, clap) Hot dogs!” Their steps were a hilariously poor approximation of the way Kid ‘n Play moved in the 1980s. The song “Whoomp! (There It Is),” a classic from 33 summers ago, blasted in the distance.Maybe that’s how we ought to picture freedom: warm in addition to weighty, a serious human right that shouldn’t have to take itself seriously.Sports have always been a powerful social force. At their best, these games give a multicultural invitation to a monocultural experience. The shared language requires no translation, no common background, no political agreement. A goal is a goal. A comeback makes every heart in the building lurch. The electricity of 70,000 people rising and screaming in unison jolts everyone. In a fracturing nation, in a fracturing world, this is no small accomplishment. It is among the few remaining gateways to human connection.
The World Cup has spread unity and a human connection across North AmericaDarren Yamashita / Imagn Images
But the unity does not happen by accident, and no one should assume it is protected by default. Those unifying elements — passion, tribalism, a deep and generational emotional investment — can be redirected. The stadium is not immune to society. It houses a sliver of it for a few excitable hours.Over the past decade in American sports, we have experienced an unsettling amount of conflict. When Colin Kaepernick started kneeling during the national anthem in 2016, he continued an old American tradition, leveraging his visibility to demand the country meet the high standards of its stated values. It was a demonstration as quiet as it was provocative. The reaction was loud and lasting. Early in his first term, Donald Trump seized on Kaepernick’s protest and made it into a quarrel about respecting the flag, a reframing from which sports have yet to fully recover.
The toxic environment has mangled a nuanced idea: Sport can promote belonging and hold dissent at the same time. It is possible to love the jersey and question what it sometimes represents. That criticism is not apostasy. Dissent and devotion are not adversaries. At their best, they are complementary.
U.S. fans show their colors during Wednesday night’s victory against Bosnia and HerzegovinaCatherine Ivill / AMA / Getty Images
In the last 10 years, the American flag has been co-opted in a way that makes the stadium feel more like a contested territory than sacred, common ground. The danger is that it hardens from a revolutionary symbol into one of submission.In this climate, the games cannot simply profit off obsession and call it a social good. The diverse audience it cultivates deserves more than empty ceremony and strategic neutrality. This is not a demand to take political positions or a call for athletes to become activists. The ask is simpler yet harder: Refuse to let these shared spaces get overtaken by those who wish to predetermine who belongs.Halfway through this World Cup, the people have done what the institutions couldn’t. It’s the triumph of a vast fandom that keeps choosing goodwill at a time when leaders incite a supremacy relapse.You saw the Tartan Army bringing the good vibes as those supporters romped through Boston and Miami; and the Kansas marching band learning the Algerian national anthem; and the Mexicans and Brazilians who lifted the weeping Japanese fan out of his disappointment. Staging a World Cup made this possible, but it did not manufacture compassion. People did not look to the sky, see a FIFA banner claiming “Football Unites the World” and consider it a bat signal. They are the inspiration for the slogan.Marketing is not a moral position. It is a well-researched enticement. People want to gather. They want to connect. And America still values hospitality.“It’s been great to embrace other countries, and it’s been great to see that other countries really embrace America for who we are,” said Amanda Ryan, a fan from Carlsbad N.M., who has traveled to matches in several cities. “We’re not what they see on the media or on social media.“We are more.”It’s not a boast. It’s a standard, one that necessitates intention and accountability.Sport did not create all these inequities, but the enterprise must decide whether to acknowledge them or look away. That choice does not make any political insinuation. It transforms a game into an institution, a pastime into a benevolent force.
Patriotism and sports
A hundred years ago, America also threw itself a 150th party. The word sesquicentennial taunts the tongue in the way that semiquincentennial does right now. In 1926, the birthday bash featured boxing and Philadelphia, the city where the founding fathers declared independence.Governors and dignitaries attended the spectacle. Charlie Chaplin came, too. At the center of the celebration, before 120,000 who ignored the pouring rain, the most famous athlete in the country was being booed.During the infancy of American sports stardom, there was Jack Dempsey. He was among the first athletes to see the flag turned against him. The debate about sports figures and their place in a patriotic society is not new. It is at least a century old. If Dempsey were still alive, he would recognize this conflict.He sprouted from nothing, a kid from Manassa, Colo., one of 13 children, who dropped out of school and became a vagabond. He rode freight trains, strutted into mining camp saloons and challenged the patrons. He slept in spittoons and boxed under the name Kid Blackie.Then — on July 4th, of course — he won the heavyweight championship in 1919.The next day, America’s most celebrated sportswriter called him a slacker.During World War I, Dempsey had received a dependency exemption from the draft board because multiple members of his family needed support. Still, he was ridiculed as unpatriotic. Fans mocked him. Grantland Rice also wrote in The New York Tribune: “It would be an insult to every young American who sleeps today from Flanders to Lorraine, and from the Somme to the Argonne, to crown Dempsey with the laurels of fighting courage.”He was a famous athlete and an infamous American. It was not about love of country. It seldom is. Dempsey was guilty of free will.The jingoism was loud. It also lacked stamina.During that anniversary fight in September 1926, Gene Tunney ended Dempsey’s seven-year reign as heavyweight champion. Tunney, a veteran and reader of Shakespeare, was nicknamed the Fighting Marine. After 10 rounds, Dempsey lost by unanimous decision and exited with his left eye swollen shut.In a rematch the next year, Dempsey knocked down Tunney for the first time in his career. Tunney wound up winning the fight, but America favored Dempsey afterward. People thought he had been robbed. The contempt evaporated. After all that, he walked away a beloved prizefighter.
American heavyweight boxers Gene Tunney, left, and Jack Dempsey pose before their bout in 1926Topical Press Agency / Getty Images
After the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941, Dempsey joined the Coast Guard. He enlisted at age 47 and rose to commander. In 1945, he boarded a transport bound for Okinawa.
An officer told him to stay behind. They couldn’t afford to lose him.
“I go where they go,” Dempsey replied, according to biographer Roger Kahn.
Kahn captured the boxer’s thoughts on his capricious fame: “They branded me a draft dodger in World War I and a hero in World War II. They got it wrong both times.”
Neither verdict was solely about him. Society changes. The jersey doesn’t. A century later, the friction persists.
‘Something bigger’
Mauricio Pochettino, the USMNT coach who insists he is still “200 percent Argentine,” jogged toward the stands, arms outstretched. Fans leaned over the railing. Pochettino stood on the tips of his toes. At last, they slapped hands. Elvis crooned “Can’t Help Falling In Love” over the stadium sound system.Pochettino could not help it, either.“You feel part of something bigger,” he said.In short bursts of English, the coach expresses American pride better than most. Sports fandom would make an ideal mentor for patriotism. The essential characteristics are there: commitment, unity, aspiration, hope, accountability.There is little blind devotion. It is a more demanding form of love, one that expects to outlast terrible seasons and decisions and owners. You feel part of something bigger.In every country, the flag should hold similar symbolism. It is an inspiration for relentless striving — Gave proof through the nightthatour flag was still there — not an endorsement of leadership.ride is non-partisan.Division is a choice. So is unity.Look across these democratic vistas. Eleven American cities, hosting the world, each one its own argument for what this country can be when it decides to shine.What song describes the USMNT’s World Cup so far?
As “Take Me Home, Country Roads” filled the stadium Wednesday night, more than 68,000 lingered and harmonized. Weston McKennie whipped his arms through the air, conducting the crowd. As other U.S. players took laps, the crowd shifted from singing to roaring and back to singing.And there was Pochettino again, 200 percent Argentine but so very American in celebration.
“It’s impossible not to sing,” he said.We wish this feeling could last forever. We know it’s fleeting joy, but we water it still.Jerry Brewer is a senior columnist at The Athletic. He has been a prominent voice across the national sports landscape for more than two decades, including stops at The Philadelphia Inquirer, Orlando Sentinel, Louisville Courier-Journal, Seattle Times and Washington Post. He was a 2025 Pulitzer Prize finalist in commentary.
USMNT shows it can play ugly at this World Cup, which is exactly what it needs to succeed
Sam BordenJul 2, 2026, 06:44 AM ET ESPN
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — It wasn’t artistic. It wasn’t free-flowing, or creative, or the kind of soccer that makes your eyes wide and your heart race. In truth: It was ugly. And so, so beautiful.”It wasn’t a perfect day, by any means,” defender Chris Richards said. “But it was our day.”It was. The USMNT’s 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday night put Mauricio Pochettino’s team into the round of 16 — the bare minimum, by most pretournament standards, to consider this home World Cup a success. But if it is to go farther — to captivate this country even more and reach a quarterfinal for only the second time in history — it will need to embrace the grittiness it showed here. Knockout soccer demands it.”You do what you need to do to get a result,” Christian Pulisic said after the match.And that is exactly what the U.S. team has done. In the first match of this tournament against Paraguay, it played silky, sleek and scintillating soccer — a style so visually entertaining that midfielder Weston McKennie said it almost felt like the players were “playing pickup.”This performance, against a physical and resolute Bosnia-Herzegovina team, was braver. The Bosnia-Herzegovina defenders put hands (and sometimes shoulders, arms and feet) on every American who ran past, checking fullback Sergiño Dest and Pulisic whenever they tried to surge forward. Bosnia-Herzegovina striker Edin Dzeko set a pick on Tyler Adams that sent the U.S. midfielder sprawling and holding his neck; striker Folarin Balogun — before he scored and, also, before he was controversially sent off in the 64th minute — was grabbed, held and nudged wherever he went.Bosnia-Herzegovina’s strategy was effective, too. The U.S. completed plenty of passes and certainly controlled much of the possession, but the precision from the group stage’s best moments wasn’t there. Long balls went wayward; shorter connections were missed. Malik Tillman, who scored a gorgeous free kick eight minutes from time to give the U.S. some cushion to the scoreline, had an incredibly challenging first half in which he routinely looked out of rhythm.That the U.S. came through it all — that it adjusted and adapted, and got a little chippy when needed while still getting two balls into the back of the net — was what had Pochettino most pleased afterward.”It’s not only the victory,” he said, nearly beaming. “It’s the way that we earned the victory — how we identified the situations, when to play, when to fight, when to compete, when to be intelligent in how we defend deep and narrow. When we need to go and to press. I think the maturity of the team is amazing.”Certainly the reaction to Balogun’s sending-off reflected that. Up 1-0, that decision from the referee — a decision that Pochettino vehemently disagreed with — could have turned the game on its head.It wasn’t hard to imagine Bosnia-Herzegovina being buoyed, snagging an equalizer and taking the game to extra time and penalties. Defending a lead while playing down a man for more than half an hour has broken many teams far more experienced than this U.S. group.
Knockout Bracket Challenge
Create up to 25 brackets. $10,000 in prizes. FREE to play. Make Your Picks
Yet the U.S. didn’t wobble — not even close. It could have been angry at the referee, or frustrated by the situation. But at the second hydration break, which came shortly after Balogun departed, the players were pragmatic.
“We just said, ‘If we really want to be a good team, we have to dig deep in moments like this,'” Pulisic said. “We’re going to have to defend and that’s OK, and pick our moments to attack. I thought we did a good job of that.”
McKennie added there was even a sense of the team embracing a challenge.
“It’s kind of an adrenaline rush whenever you do go down 10 men,” he said, “because you’re like, oh s—, if we can pull off this win and hold them to zero goals, it’s even bigger. So everyone’s running everywhere and tackling, and just making sure we keep our structure, and we don’t want to give up a goal. It would be easy to have an excuse if they did score, but that’s not the type of team we are.”
Klinsmann: USA has quality to beat Belgium without Balogun
So what type of team is this USMNT side? The type that can win different ways. The type that can feed off a home crowd’s energy. The type that believes — even without a suspended Balogun — that it will be able to beat Belgium on Monday in Seattle in whatever way is necessary. There will surely be tactical changes; losing your top scorer to a suspension requires it. But Pochettino has shown he can mold his players to different circumstances, and the players have demonstrated they are comfortable with whatever comes.Play pretty? Fine. Play nasty? No problem.That reality is the most important element to emerge from this match. And it’s what gives the players overwhelming conviction as they fly back to Seattle.”We go into this tournament feeling confident that we can make something happen and beat anybody,” Pulisic said. “This is exciting — but there’s still more that we want to accomplish.”
Malik Tillman’s bloodied, clutch free kick, and the making of an iconic USMNT World Cup moment
SEATTLE – Malik Tillman’s voice barely lifted above a whisper as he pondered what to say about his approach to the coming year.That is normal. The midfielder’s reserved personality has become somewhat of a running joke around the national team. He doesn’t project. He makes you listen closely. But when you do, you find that what he lacks in volume he makes up for in conviction.It was May 2025 and Tillman was sitting in the lobby of the Peninsula Chicago. The German-born son of an American soldier was thinking about his place in the U.S. men’s national team. He was considering what the summer might bring and thinking about past disappointments. About the pain of missinut on the 2022 World Cup.“I’ve been struggling a lot for the U.S. team,” said Tillman, who at 23 felt he still had something to prove.“It’s about showing the real me,” he told The Athletic at the time. “I know I’m a good player, but I haven’t shown it for this team yet. If it comes to scoring goals, giving assists, fighting for the team, showing the right mentality. Just all in. Showing myself.”It is hard to imagine just more than one year later how much has changed for him.Tillman took on a big role under Mauricio Pochettino at last summer’s Concacaf Gold Cup, tying for the team lead with three goals — he even missed a penalty kick in a win over Costa Rica, yet pushed on — and he carried that through a first season at German club Bayer Leverkusen and into the World Cup.His superb play has amplified his place on this national team, and on Wednesday night in the World Cup’s round of 32, his knuckling, dipping free kick against Bosnia and Herzegovina sealed his team’s place in the last 16 — and his spot in U.S. national team history.
Malik Tillman (17) watches his free kick double the 10-man USMNT’s lead at a tense time late vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina.Michael Steele / Getty Images
Still, Tillman just smiled and glanced at the ground when asked if he could ever have imagined it one year ago. Then he spoke with that near-whisper voice.“Not really,” he said, as the media hoard craned their necks and reached their recorders closer to hear him in the mixed zone. “I think even yesterday I would (have said) no. But I’ve been dreaming about this game (as a kid). I’ve been dreaming about maybe taking a free kick and scoring a free kick. And then, like I said, I trained this in practices.”Tillman stood in that mixed zone with no shoes, his right sock ripped at the toe and bloodied. A Bosnian player stomped on his foot during the game, ripping through his cleat and socks.“I was in pain,” he said. “My shoe was cut. So this is why I changed the boot.”Then, in his new cleats, he lined up a free kick in the 82nd minute.The stakes were the highest in his career. The U.S., nursing a 1-0 lead, had been reduced to 10 men after Folarin Balogun’s red card, and Bosnia was threatening to pull level. But after Sergiño Dest drew a foul to set up the set piece, on the field, there wasn’t clarity among those around him regarding the best way to hit it. The ball was only 19 yards out. Getting it up and over the wall would be difficult.“We talked about going under the wall, we talked about going keeper side, we talked about going over the wall,” Tillman recounted. “And now I know some guys doubted me to go over the wall. But I practiced this in training.”That might be underselling it.Tillman has spent hours on the training field after team sessions during this World Cup practicing free kicks. The team uses Trackman technology to learn about his spin rate and the trajectory of his free kicks.“It’s kind of like golf, to be honest with you,” U.S. attacking midfielder Brenden Aaronson said. “The spin rate, the dip rate, all that type of stuff.”Tillman made the most of his reps. U.S. training goalkeepers Andrew Rick and Julian Eyestone, youth internationals not on the World Cup squad but getting a taste of the experience, stayed out on the field until he and his teammates were done.“He’s probably taken 150 to 200 free kicks since we’ve been here,” said midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, who often takes set pieces when he is on the field for the U.S. “And it’s something he does almost every day. It’s me, him and a couple other guys, and we talk about it, we go through it. And to see him hit that — it’s how you execute. Executing that under that pressure speaks volumes to the type of player he is, honestly.”Tillman worked tirelessly on a side-foot technique that could help the ball knuckle and move differently. Over the course of the sessions, he started to get better at it. And in the biggest moment, he went with that technique to deliver the U.S.’s first direct free kick goal in a World Cup since Eric Wynalda scored against Switzerland on home soil in 1994.
Malik Tillman’s USMNT teammates join in the cathartic celebration after his free kick (John Todd / ISI Photos / Getty Images).
“It’s so hard to hit that technique — people don’t understand how hard that is,” Berhalter said. “To deliver in that moment is incredible.”
The moment was so enormous for the host country that Tillman’s ripped right cleat was shipped off to the FIFA Museum in Zurich.
For Tillman, the cleat and bloodied sock were a sideshow to the moment. The goal was the latest example of what has become a breakout summer for a midfielder who not long ago wondered if he’d ever find a role on this team. Now, he has earned validation of everything he had been determined to prove.
“I’d argue other than (Balogun’s) goals, he’s been one of our best players,” U.S. captain Tim Ream said. “Everywhere on the field doing the dirty things, but then making hard things look easy.
“He just wanted to feel like he had a place. And he’s a quiet kid, but he’s just come on leaps and bounds. That Gold Cup was really huge for him. I think the adversity of the Costa Rica game penalty was really big for him. And now you look at him, and he looks like he’s just playing with such an ease and a calmness. And he’s all over the place.
“He’s had that in him all this time. It was just a matter of him finding the confidence and him believing in himself, and he’s doing that now.”
How can USMNT win without Folarin Balogun? Look how Mauricio Pochettino replaced Harry Kane
Mauricio Pochettino, left, gets a celebratory hug from an injured Harry Kane after success in the 2019 Champions League semifinals Craig Mercer / MB Media / Getty Images
SAN JOSE, Calif. — The star striker is sidelined. The stakes are immense. And Mauricio Pochettino steps into a spotlight.It sounds like 2026, like the challenge facing the United States World Cup team after Folarin Balogun’s red card Wednesday night in a 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina.But it is not. It’s April 2019. And this, a seven-year-old scene that suddenly feels pertinent, is evidence that Pochettino, now the U.S. men’s national team coach, has been here before.ochettino, then at English club Tottenham Hotspur, was preparing for a Champions League quarterfinal decider, perhaps the biggest game he’d ever coached. And the week before, he’d lost his leading scorer, Harry Kane, to an ankle injury. “It’s very, very sad,” he’d said.But when he walked into a news conference on the eve of this decisive second leg against Manchester City, he was calm, confident, even jovial.“We have the belief,” he said, “and we will be strong.”And sure enough, the following day, Tottenham stunned Man City. Kane’s backup, Fernando Llorente, scored the pivotal goal off the bench. A second forward, Son Heung-min, scored two as Spurs triumphed on an unforgettable night in Manchester.“Of course, (it’s) better to play with all the players fit and available,” Pochettino said afterward. “(But) you know, football is about the squad, it’s about the collective effort. It’s a collective sport.”A few weeks later, in the semifinals, that collective also stunned Ajax. Pochettino started Son and Lucas Moura, both natural wingers, as a makeshift front two. Moura scored a second-half hat trick to complete a three-goal comeback and send Tottenham, an oft-overshadowed club with a decade-long trophy drought, to its first Champions League final.
Son Heung-min and Lucas Moura show their disbelief after a famous result vs. Ajax in the 2019 UEFA Champions League semifinalsSimon Hofmann / UEFA / Getty Images
Pochettino leapt and ran euphorically onto the field. He eventually fell to his knees, overcome with emotion. And he proved the point he’ll surely try to make this week.
Yes, the USMNT will miss Balogun when it faces Belgium in the World Cup’s round of 16 on Monday. But it will adapt and can still rise to the occasion.His U.S. players were already sending that message Wednesday night, because it’s one that Pochettino has been preaching for more than a year.“We’re definitely a team, we’re more than just one player, we’re more than just 11 players,” defender Chris Richards said Wednesday night.It’s the message Pochettino sent during the second-half hydration break, minutes after Balogun was shown the controversial red card. “We need to show we are a team, that we are united,” Pochettino said. “That was the moment to show to everyone, to show ourselves, that it’s not only empty words when we say we are a family.”When asked who would replace Balogun in Monday’s starting lineup, Pochettino gave nothing away.USMNT will face Belgium without Folarin Balogun
And in this sense, the 2019 precedent offers few, if any, hints. Circumstances, personnel, tactics and opponents are distinct. Back then, Pochettino had one set of options to replace Kane; now he has another set. He has Ricardo Pepi or Haji Wright as something resembling like-for-like replacements. He has Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie, two attacking midfielders who’ve played up front for their clubs. Moura doesn’t really help us guess which one he will pick — although a setup with Pulisic and McKennie up top, and an extra midfielder beneath them, similar to the team’s alignment against Portugal in March, feels most analogous.It’s the concept, however, that is most relevant. The Spurs example helps explain his mindset and approach — one that’s been at the heart of his USMNT rebuild.He has preached to his players that individual names get dwarfed by the collective, that “culture eats strategy for breakfast,” as he told them back in October, relaying a quote first shared with him by Chick-Fil-A chairman Dan Cathy.“This is one of his biggest things — the team culture, the team togetherness, is stronger than any individual,” U.S. midfielder Brenden Aaronson told The Athletic at the time. “If we’re a team, and we can play like a team, then we can beat anybody.”That’s why Pochettino took offense some nine years ago when Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola referred to Tottenham as “the Harry Kane team.”“It’s a sad comment,” Pochettino said at the time. “It was very disrespectful for many people.”AdvertisementHe’d later say that it “didn’t sit well with us because it seemed to diminish the work of the group,” which is part of why there was “enormous value” in Tottenham’s upset of City in the 2019 Champions League.
Folarin Balogun does LeBron James’ silencer celebration after scoring vs. Bosnia but won’t be available to face Belgium on MondayMaja Hitij / FIFA / Getty Images
Seven years later, to be clear, no one is describing the USMNT as “the Folarin Balogun team.”
But similar questions are coming. Balogun has elevated the U.S. with his off-ball movement and goalscoring. None of his backups can stretch and threaten Belgium as he could.
Within the team, though, there is a confidence instilled over many months. It has become almost automatic. It was evident when Pulisic missed time during the World Cup group stage with a calf injury. It reappeared instantly on Wednesday night.
“I mean, of course he’s a great player, he’s our top scorer so far, we’re gonna miss him,” midfielder Malik Tillman said of Balogun. “But I think we have great players who can replace him, give the best they can, and hopefully score some goals for us.”
Richards added: “We’re a team of 26, not just one. Ultimately, we’re gonna miss him for the next game, but we know that if it’s Pepi, or Haji, or whoever (else), they’re gonna do their job just as well as he did.”
And even with Balogun suspended, without any mechanism to appeal, Pochettino reiterated his message to players in a postgame locker-room speech.
“Everything is possible, guys,” he said. “Everything is possible.”
Henry Bushnell is a senior writer for The Athletic covering soccer. He previously covered a variety of sports and events, including World Cups and Olympics, for Yahoo Sports. He is based in Washington, D.C.
Analysing Cristiano Ronaldo’s reaction to Portugal substitution: ‘Ego, professionalism and love of his country’
Cristiano Ronaldo greeting head coach Roberto Martinez as he leaves the pitch Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images
With Portugal and Croatia level entering the final 10 minutes of their round of 32 tie, Roberto Martinez sprung a surprise when he substituted Cristiano Ronaldo.The Portugal head coach has stuck with Ronaldo as his focal point in attack throughout his reign, even as calls have grown louder — including in this tournament — to move on from him.Yet at a pivotal point in the game, he removed him from the action, even though Ronaldo had kept his composure to score Portugal’s equaliser from the spot. Moments before that penalty kick, he had reminded everybody of his quality with a smart touch and finish. The only problem is that he was marginally offside.Only Ronaldo can speak to how he was feeling in these moments, but it is not difficult to look at how the Al-Nassr forward reacted and imagine what he was thinking when he saw his number up on the substitutes board.
It’s a reaction that is relatively common among elite players. They never want to come off the pitch regardless of the situation. Mohamed Salah, for example, is another player at the top of the game who isn’t scared to hide his feelings when he has to make his way to the touchline.
It seemed to take a moment for Ronaldo to register that he was actually being taken off as he took a couple of deliberate steps before eventually beginning to remove his captain’s armband.
That was then the cameras zoomed in on his face, and if there was any doubt about whether he was fine with the decision, that was eliminated…
…as we watched the realisation set in.
“To me it reads as internal conflict in the best possible way,” says sports psychologist Marc Sagal, the founder of The Winning Mind, who has worked extensively with top teams in the Premier League and beyond.“On one hand, he couldn’t possibly want to come off. His whole identity and being is about being competing on centre stage in the biggest moments. On the other hand, as much as he is about himself, as many great athletes must be, he loves his team and his country and knows the world is watching. He must have, in that moment, also wanted to show his ability to put others before himself.”ToWe see that play out in plain sight when Ronaldo pauses just as he is about to walk off and turns away from the touchline, as if he is still coming to terms with the decision made by his manager.
“You have to be careful attributing intent to a walk if you’re asking if the slow exit was to make a point,” says Sagal. “What I will say is that players at his level know every second of an exit is filmed, and the world could see he didn’t want to come off – the world saw his face.
“What I noticed in addition to his expression was what he did next. I didn’t see it so much as a protest, but as a raw emotional response paired with a professional obligation.”
It would have also been dawning on Ronaldo that he was potentially experiencing his final seconds at a World Cup because the game was finely poised. Croatia had the momentum, and he was now going to have no influence or control on the outcome.
Sagal referenced career mortality looming large over a number of the world’s greatest players at this World Cup. International retirement is being rumoured for Ronaldo, 41, and he would also be 45 by the time of the next World Cup, and even somebody like the attacker, who takes care of his body better than anybody, succumbs to father time eventually.
The battle between individual and collective is won by the latter because when he eventually makes his way towards Ruben Neves, who is replacing him, there is an encouraging nod towards his teammate…
…before he embraces him.
There is then a handshake with Martinez…
… and, after a brief shake of his head, high fives for his teammates…
…before he takes a seat on the floor at the end of the bench.
“His team-mates would not expect him to want to come off, and that type of competitive signal isn’t necessarily a bad thing,” explains Sagal. “The danger is that it can take focus off the team and make for an uncomfortable dynamic with the manager.
“He did a decent job of keeping things together. He did the right things — his embrace with Neves and handshake with Martinez kept this on the right side of the line. Players with less self-regulation might have skipped the handshakes.
“I suspect his quiet spell when he sat down was him processing everything. He must have been angry, and it probably got harder as he thought that those might have been his last World Cup minutes.”
He wouldn’t stay in that moment for long, though, and he was leading the penalty appeals from the touchline when Nuno Mendes went down in the area.
He then joined his teammates in celebrating Goncalo Ramos’ 89th-minute winner, sharing a moment with him. Progression was close; his and his team’s World Cup journey and dream were still alive.
It was not quite the 2016 European Championship final when Ronaldo, who went off injured early in the game, spent most of the game coaching alongside former manager Fernando Santos.
There were echoes of it when Francisco Conceicao hit a shot wide in the 115th minute, after Croatia’s late goal was ruled out for offside; he was on his feet marshalling his teammates to get back into position.
“We saw it all in those last few moments,” says Sagal. “Ego, professionalism and love of his country and team. The embrace with Ramos at the end, though, told us a lot.”
The US got off to another great start forcing Australia into an own goal as Balogun & Pepi started in a double 9 alignment – confusing the Kangaros. Defender Freeman got the next goal on a free kick as the 21 year old continued his stellar play. Reactions Across the Nation. I am going to say it now – I WAS COMPLETELY WRONG about Pochettino! I had questioned his choice of players, how he brought them to prior camps and how the starters didn’t play together once during the buildup to the Cup. Poch said trust me -” “I have to break it down and put it back together.” He came in and removed the automatic starting status for many of the regulars (Mckennie, Pulisic, Dest) – making everyone earn their way onto the squad. I think the biggest thing is he has freed the boys to play soccer without thinking. The team is so much more free flowing and they seem to know where to go and how to play. Why ? Because Poch’s schemes make sense and the players have bought in. Berhalter tried to get the team to play a certain way that simply didn’t make sense to the team – having them move to unnatural positions in his flawed scheme. The boys say Poch believes in them and tells them to play they way they play in Europe at their clubs. then adjust to his incredible attack plan for each different opponent. At 2-0 and as group winners we should assume Poch will slightly rotate the squad. He has to sit the 4 players on Yellows – Adams, Robinson, Richards & Balo. Changed my mind – going with a lot more starters now as we prepare for Turkey. I think Poch wants to keep the rhythm going. I do think he will sub quicker and get some guys who haven’t played yet on the field. I think the US finds a way to win 2-1 vs Turkey. Maybe Turkey won’t care as they are out of the cup.
Lionel Messi has become the all-time leading goal scorer at the men’s World Cup after scoring his 17th and 18th tournament goals in Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Austria. Messi (Hat video in Spanish In English) Messi, who turns 39 on Wednesday, has now scored two more than the previous record-holder, Germany striker Miroslav Klose, whose 16 goals came between 2002 and 2014. Messi achieved this feat in 28 matches, the most World Cup matches played by any individual. The closest active player to Messi’s record is France’s Kylian Mbappe, who has scored 16 World Cup goals — see the full list of the leading men’s World Cup goal scorers here. Having already become the first man to play at six World Cups, Messi could break further records during this tournament. His brace against Austria extended his scoring run to six consecutive World Cup matches, drawing him level with Just Fontaine and Jairzinho. He is also level with Diego Maradona for the most assists in men’s World Cup history, with eight. Messi could break either record when Argentina, who have now secured their place in the World Cup’s round of 32, face Jordan in their final group-stage match on June 27. Highlights of Argentina vs Austria (US link). Honestly this is the best World Cup I have ever seen – mostly competitive games, some upsets, and the Stars showing up. World Cup 3rd place Teams how are they determined.
Stars are Showing Out at this Best World Cup Ever?
If you are new to Soccer – you are getting a warm welcome to some of the Best Soccer we have ever seen in this World Cup so far. The goal – scoring is up 25% in the group stage Messi scores his first #FIFAWorldCup hat-trick. Norway’s Erling Holland’s scored 2 to get to 58 goals in 52 games. MBappe is just 2 goals behind Messi with 16 WC Goals & here’s his 2 vs Iraq. And Finally after much criticism and questions over whether he should be starting – Ronaldo announced he’s back with these 2 goals. The top players in the World are flat showing up. In addition the TV #s are through the roof – making this the Most Watched World Cup ever in the US thru the Group stages. Great to see US refs including Tori Pense & the American All Women Crew doing a group stage game. (More in Reffing below). First it was the Scots and now the Dutch and Norway have arrived. The Crazy Fans have been the best — The DutchMore DutchNorway Fans take over Times Square Norway Rows up the Escalator in Boston. Loved seeing Norway players doing the Row post game. More angles The Row.
Following The US Men – Ole Ballcoach Road Trip across the West
So Courtney & I traveled to Seattle for Game 2 vs Australia – here’s some game pics including Country Roads.and sitting 2 seats over from former American Forward John Harkes and in front of US/Seattle Defender Chad Marshall (who lives in Carmel now). Loved the American Outlaw March to the Stadium – Walking around Seattle Postgame USA finding a place to watch Brazil game. Thanks to cousins Darryll & Dee Dee Beliel for putting us up and being our car service. We came back to LA and after hitting In-N-Out I went to the Iran vs Belgium game with Tom Hogenesch. Off to Game 3 vs Turkey Thurs 10 pm – before we trek to San Fran for the Knockout rounds. So Blessed to be here.
NATIONAL CUP BOUND! What a weekend for Carmel FC 13G Gold NL! 💙💛 After an outstanding performance beating teams from MD and NJ at the US Youth Soccer National League Cup Northeast Playoffs in Fredericksburg, Virginia, our girls have officially qualified for the National League Cup Finals in St. Louis! Congratulations to our players, coach Matt & Tracey, and families on an incredible accomplishment. The journey continues, and now it’s time to represent Indiana and the blue and gold in St. Louis in July. The journUnited States Youth Soccer (US Youth Soccer) Indiana Soccer Associationcer) Indiana Soccer Association
TV Schedule – Games on TV
Weds, June 24 3 pm Fox Switzerland vs Canada 3 pm FS1 Bosnia vs Qatar 6 pm Fox Scotland vs Brazil 6 pm FS1 Morocco vs Haiti 9 pm Fox Czech Republic vs Mexico 9 pm South Africa vs Korea Thur, June 25 4 pm Fox Ecuador vs Germany 4 pm FS1 Curacoa vs Cote d’Ivoire 7 pm Fox Japan vs Sweden 7 pm FS1 Tunisia vs Netherlands 10 pm Fox, Tele, Peacock USA Men vs Australia World Cup 10 pm FS1 Paraguay vs Australia Friday, June 26 3 pm Fox Norway vs France 3 pm FS1 Senegal vs Iraq 8 pm Fox Uruguay vs Spain 8 pm FS 1 Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia 8 pm Prime KC Current vs Gotham FC NWSL 11 pm Fox New Zealand vs Belgium 11 pm FS1 Egypt vs Iran Saturday, June 27 5 pm FS1 Croatia vs Ghana 5 pm Fox Panama vs England 7:30 pm Fox Colombia vs Portugal 7:30 pm FS1 Congo vs Uzbekistan 10 pm Fox Jordan vs Argentina 10 pm FS1 Algeria vs Austria Sunday, June 27 3 pm Fox Round of 32 Begins World Cup Printable Schedule
===RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ===
Coming home from Practice or Games at Badger Fieldhouse? Need food for a Graduation, end of school party, World Cup or July 4th party? Call Ryan now to ask about catering options at 317-688-7290. Try out the Best BarBQ in Town right across the street (131st) from Northview Church on the corner of Hazelldell & 131st. RackZ BBQ
Save 20% on your order
(mention the ole ballcoach)
Need some good ole AMERICAN BarBQ for the US games — Check out the BarBQ Ribs, pulled Pork and Chicken, Brisket and more. Sweet, Tangy or Spicy sauce. Mention you heard about it from the Ole Ballcoach — and Ryan will give you 20% off your next meal. https://www.rackzbbqindy.com/Call ahead at 317-688-7290 M-Th 11-8 pm, 11-9 Fri/Sat, 12-8 pm on Sunday. Pick some up after for watch parties – Its good eatin! You won’t be disappointed and tell ’em the Ole Ballcoach Sent You!
Save 20% on these Succulent Ribs at Rackz BarBQ when you mention the Ole Ballcoach – Corner of 131 & Hazelldell. – Call 317-688-7290.
======================RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ======================
Looking to Get a Professional Company Headshot? Check out https://capturely.com/ Tell Rob The Ole Ballcoach Shane Best sent you and he’ll give you a deal.
It’s (finally) OK to dream big about USMNT and World Cup
Sam BordenJun 20, 2026, 09:00 AM ETSPNFC
SEATTLE — Faith is what makes sports great. Belief. Hope. Trust. All over the United States, for college teams and pro teams, big teams and small teams, good teams and bad teams, there are followers who believe — truly believe — that joy will come in the morning. But for the U.S. men’s national team, it has always been different. No one can say for sure why. For some, it might be the relative superiority that Americans have in other sports compared with soccer. For others, it might be the lack of a mainstream international star. A sizable group is universally cynical about a game that’s more popular everywhere else in the world than it is here. In this country, mediocre results rarely lead to sustained universal doubt from those who love a team — just ask Dallas Cowboys fans in August what they think about the upcoming season — but with the USMNT, skepticism has persisted.
Until now. Now, it’s OK to believe. Now, it’s OK to be optimistic, to think big and imagine this group doing something grand. The players are doing their best to stay in the moment, to give the modest quotes that allow them to handle the pressure that comes their way. But even they are considering the possibilities.Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the former Sweden megastar, was asked on Fox’s postgame show Friday after the U.S.’s 2-0 win over Australia whether the co-hosts could win the World Cup. His one-word answer: “Yes.” And Chris Richards, the American defender, doesn’t mind hearing that. “I don’t think it’s ridiculous to say that we want to win it,” Richards said. “We want to lift a trophy by the end of this.” No one is saying that will happen. No one is even saying it’s likely to happen. The U.S. has beaten Paraguay and Australia — two solid wins, two comprehensive wins and two very different wins. That said, there is a very, very long way to go. But here is what the U.S. has done: It has shown that it can play creatively and slickly and also shown it can play gritty and fierce. The U.S. has shown it can win — and control a game — without its star, Christian Pulisic, who sat out the second half against Paraguay and the whole game against Australia because of an injured calf. The USMNT has shown that it can enable and empower a true striker, Folarin Balogun, who has scored two goals and forced a third via an own goal. The U.S. has shown it can respond to home crowds like it has never seen before. There is a history to host countries making deep runs at World Cups — South Korea in the semifinals in 2002 or Russia in the quarterfinals in 2018, among others — and after the first two matches, it doesn’t feel absurd to imagine the American energy carrying the U.S. even further.
“There’s been friendlies that we’ve played [at home] where we’ve been outnumbered,” Tyler Adams said. “To have a whole nation behind you — that’s something so special.” Tim Ream, the veteran defender and captain, broke down in tears as the team huddled on the field after Friday’s win. Ream wasn’t sure why he was weeping, but something — the scene, the emotion, the possibilities of what might lie ahead — broke his typical stoicism. “I’ve told these guys that this is the most fun, special, enjoyable group that I’ve been a part of,” he said afterward. “There’s something about this one that just feels different.” We don’t know if, in the end, it will be different. There are so many ways it could go wrong, and U.S. fans surely have them all on the tips of their tongues. It’s natural. It’s how it has always been. Maybe Pulisic won’t get better or maybe someone else will get hurt or maybe a referee decision goes against the U.S. or maybe a bad day comes and another tournament ends with a whimper against a team that feels as if it could have been beaten. Maybe that is, in fact, how this all goes. But if nothing else, these two games are license to let go of the distrust. Of the incredulity. Of the doubt. It’s OK to loosen the grip on “just being realistic” and consider that “realistic” might finally mean something else. Balogun is electric. Richards, Alex Freeman and Ream are stout. Sergiño Dest seems to have fire in every step. Weston McKennie and Malik Tillman are connected. Pulisic never looked better before he had to step aside and doesn’t need to rush back if he’s not ready. Adams, understandably, didn’t want to think about winning this tournament but was adamant that “the biggest goal in this whole thing” is to change the way American fans think about their national team. To change the way that they believe. “I just want every game to matter to the common spectator,” he said. “I know we have the possibility to do that.”
The U.S. does. Minutes after the final whistle Friday, the players gathered on the field and joined with the fans, who were standing and stomping and singing, “Oh, we’re halfway there / Oh-oh! Livin’ on a prayer” as the Bon Jovi anthem rang out in the afternoon. There was passion. There was wonder. There was, in a way not quite like any other time, belief. Halfway there? Maybe not even.
Calf muscle injuries like Christian Pulisic’s can be complicated. These experts explain why
Pulisic came off at half-time of the first U.S. game and missed the second one (Photo: John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images)
Calf muscles have become a big talking point of this World Cup — with particular attention given to the left calf muscle belonging to Christian Pulisic. The 27-year-old forward was substituted at half time of the United States’ opening game of the tournament against Paraguay and, after the game (a 4-1 victory), head coach Mauricio Pochettino told reporters the substitution was largely precautionary after Pulisic “got a kick in the calf” and started to feel “tight”.
“We hope that it’s not a big issue and he can be ready for the next one,” he said.
Advertisement
But Pulisic was not on the pitch for the U.S.’s second group game against Australia on Friday. However, Pochettino offered some optimistic words about his star player’s recovery: “The feelings are good. Hope that it is as soon as possible that he can be ready to be selected again and to be part of the team.”
Only on Monday did he return to training with the full squad after a period of being limited to gym workouts, resistance training and light ball work, with the next U.S. game against Turkey on Thursday.
Christian Pulisic returns to USMNT training
Tom Bogert
Pulisic is not the only player to be troubled by a calf injury. Neymar is yet to appear for Brazil due to an issue with his right leg, while England defender Tino Livramento had to leave the World Cup after failing to recover from his own calf issue.To explain why calf issues can be so problematic, The Athletic consulted physiotherapist Helen van Kempen, who has worked in elite sport for the past 10 years, including with English rugby club Wasps, Welsh Lacrosse and most recently British Athletics, before founding her own clinic, Movement Performance Physiotherapy. And Dominic Rae, a Sports Medicine and Performance Specialist who is currently Head of Sports Medicine at Ten Percent Club.
How important is the calf muscle in elite soccer?
“The calf complex is more complicated and important than many realize,” says Rae. “And one of the most overlooked complexes when we talk about sports performance. The complex is made up of three muscles: the gastrocnemius, the soleus, and the plantaris, with force absorption and transfer through the Achilles tendon.“The muscle complex is made more complicated by intramuscular tendons (aponeurosis) that act like an internal scaffold for the muscle fibers.“When we sprint, jump, land, change direction, accelerate, decelerate, the foot is the first point of contact, so the Achilles and the calf complex very quickly become major force absorbers or producers in these movements, with up to 12 times bodyweight of force going through the complex. With any breakdown in this complex, that force has to transfer higher up the chain, leading to both increased injury risk and reduced ability to perform.”
What types of calf injuries do soccer players typically sustain?
“Any of the three muscles in the calf complex can sustain tears, which can range from small myofascial injuries to full ruptures of fibers,” says Rae. “The tendons that attach the muscles to their boney attachments, or the aponeurosis (intramuscular tendons), can also both sustain tears, again, ranging from small tears to complete ruptures.”Interestingly in the calf, and most often with the soleus, injuries become symptomatic slowly, rather than sudden big “snaps”.“The soleus is made up more of slow-twitch muscle fibers than the gastrocnemius, which is your running-fast muscle in the calf,” explains Van Kempen. “So that’s the muscle that’s ‘on’ all day long. They’re your postural muscles, but especially for a soccer game that’s 90 minutes long, you need a lot of slow twitch muscle fibers, which are fatigue-resistant, so that they work hard throughout the game.
“A player coming back from that needs to really make sure that the capacity of that muscle is back again, otherwise you can fatigue towards the end of the game.”If the strain is limited to the muscle belly, that’s a quicker recovery time than if it’s extended into the central tendon that runs through the muscle of your soleus and gastrocnemius.“If the muscle strain has gone in towards those, that can take a lot longer to recover from” says Van Kempen. “You can get a grade 1 muscle strain, which is just the muscle belly, and a few fibers disturbed, that’s a 10 day injury and you’ll be back playing.“If you do have a significant amount of muscle fibers strained and that extends into your aponeurosis or your tendon, that can be a three month injury. We grade it 1 to grade 3 with grade 4 a complete rupture.”
We know that Pulisic was kicked in the calf. What impact could that have on the muscle?
“A kick to the calf (contusion) can in itself cause a tear to muscle fibers or fascia depending on the amount and angle of force” says Rae.“A contusion can also cause a sudden increase in blood flow/bleeding to the area. This can range from small with minimal swelling, to a full intramuscular hematoma. Aside from the obvious pain and stiffness, this increased blood and swelling in the area causes significant muscle inhibition to not just one isolated muscle, but potentially the entire complex. If we consider that the complex may take up to 12 times bodyweight in some actions, any muscular inhibition can cause a large risk of secondary injury, and a large reduction in physical performance.”“It’s likely he’s got a bruise / hematoma in the muscle,” says Van Kempen. “So inflammation and bleeding inhibits the muscles around there, but as long as it was compressed well and they’ve managed to stint that bleeding and that’s gone away, that should be OK, but depending on how hard he got kicked, if there’s still an element of that hematoma left in the next game he’s playing it can have an effect on the performance of the calf.
Pulisic trains with a compression bandage on his left calf last weekPhoto: Jamie Squire/Getty Images
“If it’s gone into his soleus or gastrocnemius, that will have an impact on his ability to absorb load on that leg and produce force from that leg — so how fast he can run and how long he’s able to sustain that that speed as well.”
“Another potential outcome of a direct blow, is direct impact on a nerve,” says Rae. “This can give a sudden sharp pain, but also reduced signal to muscle innervations, and in turn reduced ability for the muscle to function. Sometimes this subsides instantly, but in some cases, there is a prolonged period of muscle inhibition.”
What is the recovery process like for an injury like that?
“The recovery for a contusion varies depending on the extent of the bleeding,” says Rae. “But a general rule is to treat the bleeding via elevation and compression while cryotherapy can be used for some vasoconstriction and pain management.”
The first priority is protection, says Van Kempen: “You compress that injury to reduce the amount of bleeding into the muscle as much as possible. It’s the familiar route of RICE: rest, ice, compress, elevate. They’ll try and start that immediately and have him doing very little, so that he can get back a lot quicker.”
Pulisic has largely been doing rehab work away from team-matesJamie Squire/Getty Images
“Gentle and progressive walking and muscle specific movements will also help to ensure a hematoma can be removed,” says Rae. “Once bleeding has stopped, manual therapy based treatment can speed up the removal of swelling, and gradual strength exposure, and electro-muscular stimulation can help to ensure normal function of the muscle.”
Advertisement
The length of time out depends on how much muscle fiber has been disrupted, says Van Kempen: “Timescales can vary significantly between a minute muscle strain and a significant injury. If it’s only a small muscle strain then building up the strength and capacity of the muscle again will happen very quickly. If it’s a large one, that can be a very lengthy three month rehab.”
Is it an issue that is likely/possible to return once you’ve had it once?
“If the return to play from a contusion is too soon, it is common for swelling or bleeding to re-occur, and stiffness to worsen,” says Rae. “In many cases, this does not impact function during the game (when the player is warm), but following the match can lead to worse symptoms and further issues.”
“Whenever you strain a muscle, you are always more likely to injure that again,” says Van Kempen. “If you break a bone it builds back stronger, but whenever you damage soft tissue, there’s always a slight vulnerability to it. If it’s extended into the tendon, then there’s a higher chance of re-injury.
“But the better the rehab, the less likely you’ll have a recurrence.”
“In the cases of muscle or tendon tears, the risk of re-injury depends on many factors such as age of the player, how many previous injuries (and if in the same location-therefore compromising collagen/tissue quality), and the specific location within the calf complex,” says Rae.
“Intramuscular tendons carry higher re-injury rates, with myofascial injuries carrying lower re-injury rates. The specific mechanics of the athletes also play a huge part. For example, if the athlete runs in a specific way, predominantly loading a specific area of the calf, this will increase the risk of re-injury of this area, compared to a region that is exposed to less load.”
Sarah Shephard spent 10 years at Sport magazine before becoming Deputy Head of Content at The Coaches’ Voice. She has also written for publications such as The Times, The Guardian and The Sunday Times Magazine, among others.
What Is Mauricio Pochettino wearing? The story behind his lucky World Cup outfit
Mauricio Pochettino touchline shirt has attracted attention Jamie Squire/Getty Images
June 23, 2026 Updated 3:16 pm EDT Wait no more, Wayne Rooney.
Mauricio Pochettino is probably too busy at the moment to return your calls, but a quick internet search has answered the former Manchester United and England forward’s burning question about the U.S. men’s national team coach’s signature navy overshirt and matching pants: it’s Hugo Boss.Rooney is hardly the only one who has taken notice of the Argentine’s touchline wardrobe. The navy lightweight wool overshirt with matching wide-leg trousers, crisp white T-shirt and white Nike sneakers are quickly becoming part of the USMNT coach’s World Cup identity. The look, according to a U.S. soccer spokesperson, is entirely Pochettino’s own choice. Hugo Boss told The Athletic in an email that they had made two dedicated versions of the navy lightweight virgin-wool ensemble, customized with the USSF badge, for Pochettino for the tournament. Fortunately for everyone involved, the outfit is washable. If the U.S. keeps winning, Pochettino does not have to choose between hygiene and good luck. U.S. Soccer staff can simply keep his matchday look fresh and clean. The 54-year-old has worn the same outfit for both of the USMNT’s group-stage victories, the 4-1 rout of Paraguay in the opener and the 2-0 win over Australia that secured a place in the Round of 32 with a match to spare.
Mauricio Pochettino on the touchline against AustraliaJamie Squire/Getty Images
Two games, two wins, one outfit. Superstition and soccer have always gone hand in hand. If the U.S. keeps winning and gets past Turkey on Thursday, Pochettino’s new signature ensemble may soon take on a life of its own.
“He will be wearing the same outfit for the third match,” said a spokesperson for U.S. soccer. “Why? He referenced the philosophy of Crash Davis: never mess with a winning streak.”
That is not out of character.
Pochettino has long been one of soccer’s more fashion-conscious managers. But if his years at Tottenham Hotspur taught him anything, it was that style and superstition are not mutually exclusive.
Long before he arrived on the U.S. touchline, he had already produced one of the more memorable managerial fashion moments of the modern era. In August 2018, as his Tottenham side walked into Old Trafford and dismantled Manchester United 3-0, the Argentine emerged wearing a navy-on-navy tailored look that became almost as talked about as the result itself.
Mauricio Pochettino has a track record of making striking style choicesMichael Regan/Getty Images
“The suit is maybe helping,” Pochettino told Sky Sports after his side’s victory over Manchester United. “With suit or tracksuit, I look good! I am handsome! Sunday I am going to use the suit again, but maybe with a different colour shirt.” The following week, he abandoned the navy-on-navy formula and opted for a white shirt away at Watford. Spurs lost 2-1.Coincidence? Almost certainly. The kind of thing a football manager remembers forever? Absolutely.So perhaps it is no surprise that Pochettino has worn the same outfit for both of the United States’ World Cup victories. Eight years later, for a manager who appreciates good tailoring and understands the irrational logic of the game, there is little reason to abandon a look that keeps producing wins.
Pochettino Exclusive USMNT Interview
And superstition runs deep inside U.S. Soccer. Just ask Emma Hayes.
The USWNT coach began wearing a Hello Kitty cap during her side’s friendly against Japan in Commerce City, Colorado in April. As the wins piled up, what started as an accessory she picked as a fan has become a good-luck charm, the kind of object that acquires near-mythical status in sports when results keep going your way.Pochettino chooses what he wants to wear at games, a U.S. Soccer confirmed, and the evolution of his fashion choices is hard to miss. The navy ensemble, paired with a crisp white T-shirt and white Nike sneakers, could one day be etched into USMNT lore as the look Pochettino wore when the team finally delivered the success its supporters had waited decades to see.In a sport built on rituals, lucky charms and unwritten rules, a simple outfit can quickly become something more. Another victory against Turkey, and Pochettino’s cobalt-blue fit may evolve from a wardrobe choice into a World Cup superstition, and one of the defining images of this U.S. run.Rooney cannot get the Argentine coach’s full head of hair, but he sure can emulate his style as versions of the collection — without the embroidered U.S. crest — will be available at stores across the United States and Europe.
US Men Dominate Paraguay 4-1, play Aussies in Seattle on Fri 3 pm on Fox (coverage starts 1 pm)
Wow – What a Win. I have been watching US Soccer since 1989 – that’s 37 years – and never have I seen the US offense look like that. It was truly amazing. Let’s see how Australia in Seattle goes first – but another show like that and I will gladly eat my words on Pochitino. Whatever he did – it worked when we slaughtered a really good Paraguay team. Listen folks this Paraguay team gave up 6 goals in qualifying – did not lose to Argentina (with Messi), Brazil and Uruguay. So when I said I was scared vs Paraguay I meant it. In fact you heard it here first – Paraguay will win a game against either Turkey or Australia.
Back to the US – that pentagon approach employed by Poch – had Paraguay confused with its high press. Paraguay literally didn’t pass midfield more than a handful of times and should have had a clean sheet. With Pulisic on fire in the 1st half – the US team looked as good as anyone in the first round of play. Balogun was on point up front – (I am sorry for saying perhaps Pepi should get the start – boy was I wrong!) McKinney, Tilman and Pulisic were in-synch and along with Balogun check these goals were simply unstoppable. It could have been 5-0 at the half. Overall the US simply dominated a very good opponent unlike anything we have seen before in World Cup play. Everyone played well – the D was solid with the Crystal Palace man Chris Richards stepping in from injury to the middle where he worked with Ream and Freeman to nearly shut Paraguay out. Its going to take a better effort vs a motivated Australia – who is feeling disrespected by the US press. Of course all eyes on our talisman Pulisic who sustained a calf injury in the first half and sat out the 2nd. He’s been training alone this week trying to get ready. Hard to think he won’t start however. Here’s who I see taking the field – (if Pulisic is out) – I think Tim Weah comes on right and Tillman goes left. Much like my daughter Courtney are going to find a way into this game – I think the US will find a way to win a really hard fought – rough and tumble battle against Australia – 2-1.
World Cup Notes
So I have been going to US games since 1992, close to 30 caps total and this was the most emotional National Anthem I have EVER seen. Dan & Shea crushed it as we all sang along with tears in our eyes – American Outlaw Indy Scarf over my head. The National Anthem made Lallas cry tooReaction to the Win Rich Eisen. Folks have asked me to share some images as my daughter Courtney (Carmel FC GK 2008) and I follow the US. Here we are in So-Fi great seats for $1100 (cheapest category), US post game -1 section from AO. Post Game Celebration on the way out -love our diversity. Here was our Pregame at the AO Celebration. The scenes around LA & the fan celebrations have been fantastic. More pix below in the OBC. Now we are off to Seattle for Fri’s 12N game. (still looking for tix)
Our Seats at So-Fi Win #1 over Turkey 4-1 (more pics below)
If you are like me you haven’t slept much – 8 hours of soccer a day is glorious but exhausting! I will try to update more often at least with pics – as we follow the US on this trek.
Indy 11 win 2-0, travel to Lexington Sat
Indy Eleven is 4-0-1 in its last five matches in all competitions after a 2-0 win vs. Forward Madison FC in the Prinx Tires USL Cup.Rendón, who was a finalist for USL-C’s May “Player of the Month” award, was threatening all night long and recorded the game’s only assist. Although his four-game goal-scoring streak ended, he nearly scored midway through the first half. Fifteen year-old forward Tyler Lowden made his Indy Eleven debut with four minutes to go, becoming the youngest player to play for the First Team in franchise history. The Greenwood native signed a USL Academy contract on May 29. The Boys in Blue are 1-1-1 in USL Cup Group 4 play with one group game remaining at Lexington SC on June 20 7 pm on ESPN+.
Looking for a Place to Watch in Carmel – here’s the schedule = GOAT is Great too
TV Schedule – Games on TV
Thurs, June 19 9 am Fox Czech Republic vs South Africa 12 noon Fox Switzerland vs Bosnia 3 pm FS1 Canada vs Qatar 6 pm Fox Mexico vs Korea Fri, June 19 3 pm Fox, Tele, Peacock USA Men vs Australia World Cup 6 pm Fox Scotland vs Moracco 8:30 pm Fox Brazil vs Haiti 11 pm FS1 Turkey vs Paraguay Sat, June 20 10 am Fox Netherlands vs Sweden 1 pm Fox Germany vs Cote dIvore 5 pm FS1 Ecuador vs Curacao 9 pm Fs1 Japan vs Tunisia Sun, June 21 9 am Fox Spain vs Saudi Arabia 12 noon FS1 Belgium vs Iran 3 pm FS1 Uraguay vs Cape Verde 6 pm FS1 New Zealand vs Egypt Mon, June 22 10 am Fox Argentina vs Austria 2 pm Fox France vs Iraq 5 pm Fox Norway vs Senagal 8 pm FS1 Algeria vs Jordan
Thur, June 25 10 pm Fox, Tele, Peacock USA Men vs Australia World Cup
Coming home from Practice or Games at Badger Fieldhouse? Need food for a Graduation, end of school party, World Cup or July 4th party? Call Ryan now to ask about catering options at 317-688-7290. Try out the Best BarBQ in Town right across the street (131st) from Northview Church on the corner of Hazelldell & 131st. RackZ BBQ
Save 20% on your order
(mention the ole ballcoach)
Need some good ole AMERICAN BarBQ for the US games — Check out the BarBQ Ribs, pulled Pork and Chicken, Brisket and more. Sweet, Tangy or Spicy sauce. Mention you heard about it from the Ole Ballcoach — and Ryan will give you 20% off your next meal. https://www.rackzbbqindy.com/Call ahead at 317-688-7290 M-Th 11-8 pm, 11-9 Fri/Sat, 12-8 pm on Sunday. Pick some up after for watch parties – Its good eatin! You won’t be disappointed and tell ’em the Ole Ballcoach Sent You!
Save 20% on these Succulent Ribs at Rackz BarBQ when you mention the Ole Ballcoach – Corner of 131 & Hazelldell. – Call 317-688-7290.
======================RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ======================
Adventures of the Old Ballcoach Following the US Men in the World Cup
Courtney and I arriving at our seats at So-Fi for our first WC Win in 2026 This old hat has won like 25 plus games – had to bring my Bruz Cable (was the Best soccer player in our family-RIP) Outside So-Fi 3 hrs before the game
Here at the US Soccer House for the Brazil Game – with Courtney’s friends – Good times Confused Netherlands / Japan fan at the Official WC Fan Fest at the Coliseum.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — It began with thunderous chants of “U-S-A” and climaxed with the best 45 minutes in U.S. men’s World Cup history.It was seven years and 364 days in the making, and it was worth every day, hour, second of waiting.U.S. soccer fans and players had, for years, dreamed of this moment, a glitzy World Cup opener on home soil, an unparalleled stage for their sport. They had dreamed of meeting it, of igniting America, of elevating soccer.But no one could have realistically envisioned this — a rousing 4-1 win over Paraguay, patriotic glee on the field and in the stands, silky soccer and eruptions of noise.“I mean, my whole life I feel like I’ve envisioned it,” U.S. defender Chris Richards said. “But tonight was way better than what I could’ve envisioned. It was surreal.”In front of 70,492 fans at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles, it was more than a near-perfect start to this home World Cup.It was, as Sebastian Berhalter said while recalling the victory lap to thank the fans, “what U.S. soccer should be.”It was a launchpad into a new U.S. men’s national team era.
Antonee Robinson (5) lets out a roar during a USMNT goal celebrationKeith Birmingham / MediaNews Group / Pasadena Star-News / Getty Images
Eight years ago, when this World Cup was awarded to North America, the U.S. men’s soccer program was at a nadir. It was absent from the 2018 World Cup, starving for stability and talent. And that’s when the “golden generation” first began to appear. Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams joined Christian Pulisic on the scene. Promise and potential began to surface.
And for eight years, in many ways, it remained just that.
Talented players appeared, and won some regional trophies, but as a U.S. team, they never rose beyond that.
In Qatar, they played to their level, winning one game, scoring three goals, conceding four. On Friday, in 90-plus minutes, on one remarkable night, they surpassed that scoring haul.
They seized a World Cup game in a way U.S. men never previously had. They scored four goals in a World Cup game for the first time in program history.
For years, there were intermittent hints that they were capable. Pulisic would score a brilliant goal or light up Italy’s Serie A. Adams would look like a world-class defensive midfielder. At their best, many agreed, this group of U.S. players could be better than ever before, but there always remained one problem: they never actually were at their best simultaneously.
Advertisement
Some were always injured. Some were always absent. Some, perhaps, slumbered through repetitive regional games and inconsequential friendlies. In 2025, a malaise seemed to set in. Questions swirled about whether this generation would ever reach its potential. Did they have the heart? Was their talent overblown? Fans grumbled and became apathetic.
But their head coach, Mauricio Pochettino, told us all to be patient.
The most important thing — no, the only important thing — was to arrive at the World Cup in prime condition, he’d constantly remind us.
Mauricio Pochettino joins the USMNT goal celebration after Gio Reyna’s exclamation point in a win over ParaguayShaun Clark / ISI Photos / Getty Images
Pochettino, an accomplished European club coach, was brought in to elevate the players. He was handed the fattest contract in U.S. Soccer history, with some help from deep-pocketed donors and corporate sponsors, to help them meet this moment.
Players, too, structured their careers around the summer of 2026. Pulisic took last summer off, with an eye on managing his body for the big year ahead.
Even fans laid low, saving their money and energy for the one moment that mattered.
On Friday, the moment arrived. And everyone met it.
Fans met it from the time they first arrived well over four hours before kickoff. They came in star-spangled overalls and facepaint, with Pulisic jerseys and posters, with plans for Instagrammable photos, yes, but also with genuine, take-in-the-moment, awestruck excitement.
They roared when 26 U.S. players first took the field. The players inhaled all the enthusiasm and channeled it. All 10, minus goalkeeper Matt Freese, buzzed around SoFi Stadium’s temporary grass.
The partisan U.S. crowd was in full force from start to finish of the USMNT’s World Cup openerAlex Livesey / FIFA / Getty Images
“Being in America, having this crowd around us, seeing the red, white and blue, all our red and white striped shirts in the crowd, it’s awesome,” Pulisic said. “I mean, hearing the ‘U-S-A’ chants, it’s really pushing us forward. So we just hope it continues like that, and I’m sure it will.”
Pulisic, before exiting at halftime with a calf injury, darted between defenders, like the player everyone one knows he can be. McKennie ran the game from midfield. Richards made World Cup history with an 83-for-83 passing performance, the best at this storied tournament in at least 60 years. Malik Tillman helped the U.S. boss the proceedings. And Folarin Balogun showed why he’s the best USMNT striker in a decade.
“It’s a dream,” Balogun, who became the first U.S. man to score twice in a World Cup game since Bert Patenaude’s hat trick vs. Paraguay in the inaugural 1930 World Cup, said afterward. “It’s a dream.”
The players fed off the fans, and the fans fed off the players, and together, they soared into a new stratosphere.
American fans watching nationwide surely began to let themselves wonder: Could they do it? Could the U.S. win the World Cup?
The pragmatic answer is: Slow down. It’s still only one game. Pochettino will drive home that message over the coming days. Players will stay level-headed.
But the era of potential is over. On this near-ideal night, all the ills of the past few years faded away, and an era — or at least a month — of real ambition began. Fan support is booming. Players are jelling. Paraguay was suffocating. The Americans are flying, and there’s no telling how high they can fly over the coming weeks.
Henry Bushnell is a senior writer for The Athletic covering soccer. He previously covered a variety of sports and events, including World Cups and Olympics, for Yahoo Sports. He is based in Washington, D.C.
Why Adidas has embraced Trinity Rodman as the U.S. face of its men’s World Cup marketing
I love a good World Cup commercial.Who can forget Nike’s 2002 Secret Tournament commercial? Or this year’s Rip the Script? Stacked with soccer stars from the past and present, and handful of Hollywood heavy-hitters to make it relevant for casual fans. Bingo.When Adidas unveiled its flagship World Cup commercial a few weeks ago, the creative team similarly packed it with soccer royalty, including England’s Jude Bellingham and Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, two players expected to help define this World Cup. In the spot, Timothée Chalamet assembles a three-a-side team to take on a mythical street-soccer trio in a fictional city.His first two picks make perfect sense.The third is Trinity Rodman.
Advertisement
Not Christian Pulisic. Not Weston McKennie. Not Gio Reyna. Rodman, the U.S women’s national team and Washington Spirit winger.
Adidas’s choice was no coincidence. Nor is it a slight against the U.S. men’s national team. Rather, it speaks to Rodman’s place in American soccer today and highlights the unique position women’s soccer occupies here.
Rodman and her “Triple Espresso” teammates (Sophia Wilson and Mallory Swanson) perform in front of American audiences every week with their NWSL clubs. Their success happens in stadiums across the country, creating a level of connection and familiarity with fans. (Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna was featured heavily in commercials leading up to the World Cup, but was not selected to Mauricio Pochettino’s final roster.)“The players are legitimate global stars,” Kyle Sheldon, chief operating officer of Name & Number, a soccer-specific creative and marketing agency, told The Athletic. “The domestic league (NWSL) is arguably the strongest in the world, top to bottom. Unquestionably, the fact that those players are in the U.S. backyard constantly has a significant impact.”Sheldon attended a Spirit match earlier this season when Rodman scored her first goal of the season after almost a year hiatus from the league. “It was sold out,” he said. “The pop in the stadium when she was introduced was, from my experience, second only to David Beckham and Lionel Messi where I have seen them play.”That is a remarkable comparison for any American soccer player, let alone a 24-year-old still entering her prime, working to make her own way on a U.S. team that has won four of nine Women’s World Cup titles.
“There really is this love for her and for what she represents,” Sheldon added. “For how she handles herself, that really is amongst the best in U.S. soccer history. She still has a long career to go, but I think it speaks to the impact of having that player playing domestically versus abroad.”
Trinity Rodman is one of the NWSL’s most marketable players.Claudio Villa / Getty Images
During the men’s World Cup on U.S. soil, Adidas is not the only company that tapped Rodman. She appears in marketing for State Farm, Sam’s Club, Dick’s Sporting Goods and even Dove Men+Care. Yes, Dove Men+Care.
Advertisement
While Rodman has fewer than one million Instagram followers, a platform where she regularly shares these partnerships, marketers say follower counts alone do not determine influence.
“When Trinity drops something or goes on Instagram Live, the ripple effect captures attention,” Laura Correnti, CEO and founder of Deep Blue Sports + Entertainment told The Athletic. “Brands are so pressed for stopping people in the feed.”
The modern sports economy is no longer driven primarily by audience size. It is driven by attention. Everything Rodman does becomes news. From her injuries to her fashion choices, she generates headlines. Her relationships attract coverage. She possesses something marketers covet but few athletes achieve: cultural gravitas, paired with authenticity.
And if Rodman’s commercial value still needed validation, the NWSL essentially provided it. Last year, the league created its “High Impact Player” mechanism, a roster-building rule designed to help clubs retain transformational stars by allowing teams to spend beyond traditional salary restrictions. Around soccer circles, many simply call it the “Rodman Rule.” The comparison Sheldon immediately thought of was another player whose value extended beyond wins and losses.
“The only other time you’ve really seen something similar in American soccer was David Beckham,” Sheldon said. “The league created a mechanism to bring Beckham to MLS. There are parallels there.”
The NWSL created the High Impact Player rule, in part, to keep Trinity Rodman in the league.Scott Taetsch / Getty Images
Rodman is not Beckham. Not yet. But the fact that league executives felt compelled to create greater roster flexibility to retain a player of her stature in the face of lucrative opportunities in Europe and would-be domestic rivals speaks to her importance. (Beckham, by the way, is also massively capitalizing on this World Cup with a handful of near-ubiquitous national TV ad campaigns, including Adidas, Home Depot, Lay’s, Stella Artois and McDonald’s.)
Advertisement
“I think we’ll look back and understand that it was one of the most consequential rulings that had to happen to preserve the longevity of women’s soccer in this country,” Correnti said. If Rodman had left for Europe, the NWSL would not only have lost one of its best players, but it would have lost one of its most valuable commercial upsides. “I truly believe it would have been detrimental to the future commercial success of women’s soccer in this country.”
The phenomenon reflects years of groundwork laid by women athletes who were forced to become marketers long before most male athletes needed to. For much of the modern era, U.S. women’s national team players earned a fraction of what their male counterparts made in playing salary. To close that gap, the women embraced the opportunities presented by social media, built quantifiable personal brands, cultivated sponsorships, created content and learned how to remain relevant between matches.
Think Alex Morgan, who realized and capitalized on her on-the-pitch success for commercial gains very early in her career and, even in retirement, remains active in nationally televised brand campaigns and as the founder of an investment fund, backing an array of businesses focused on women’s sports and its audiences.
“Women inherently have done these brand deals and capitalized on these opportunities out of necessity,” Correnti said. “Now that’s changing.” According to Correnti, social media, athlete-owned media and NIL have accelerated a trend that favors athletes capable of building direct relationships with fans. The next generation increasingly follows people rather than institutions.
“We’re entering the individual-over-institution era,” Correnti said. “People aren’t asking, ‘Am I a fan of the men’s national team or the women’s national team?’ They’re saying, ‘I’m a fan of Trinity Rodman.’”
That may be the most important business lesson of this World Cup.
Awesome new commercial with Pulisic, Messi & Ochoa if you haven’t seen the US vs The World Series on HBO – its worth the watch. Gio Finally Scores for Gladbach his first of the season. Here’s why this guy might make the US team Berhalter from Distance. Pulisic with an assist finally in their 2-1 win over Genoa, AC Milan merely need a tie or win this Sunday to secure Champions League next season the last on Pulisic’s contract. Fulham’s Jedi Robinson scored his first goal this season from the spot as Fulham’s 1-1 tie takes them out of Europe discussion. But Tyler Adams and Bournmouth – yes Bournmouth have qualified for Europe & have a chance for Champions League next season with Aston Villa’s Europa Cup win on Wed.(they gotta win Sun & have Villa lose). Even Prince William the future King of England was thrilled with Villa’s Victory Neymar was named to the Brazil World Cup team and Brazil went nuts. Crazy Pep Guardiola is stepping down at Man City with 20 Trophies in 10 seasons.
World Cup Roster Reveal Tues 3 pm
So the US will reveal the roster on Tuesday at Live on 3 pm on Fox (weird time to do it). So who do you have for the biggest soccer games of our generation? I have made my flights and will be on my way June 10th to LA – returning when we lose.
Shane’s US Roster
Goalkeepers: Matt Turner, Matt Freese, Chris Brady
Center-backs: Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Mark McKenzie, Auston Trusty
Flex defenders: Alex Freeman, Joe Scally
Fullbacks/wingbacks: Antonee Robinson, Sergiño Dest, Alex Freeman
Central midfielders: Tyler Adams, Tanner Tessmann, Cristian Roldan, Sebastian Berhalter
Attacking midfielders: Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Malik Tillman, Brenden Aaronson, Gio Reyna, Diego Luna, Tim Weah
Strikers: Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, Haji Wright
Last cuts: Max Arfsten, Jack McGlynn, Miles Robinson, Alejandro Zendejas, Aidan Morris
Indy 11 beat Ft Wayne in PKs – Host Lexington Sat 7 pm
Fort Wayne, Ind. – Indy Eleven goalkeeper Eric Dick made a diving save and Jack Blake, captain Aodhan Quinn, and Josh O’Brien converted their penalty kicks to give the Boys in Blue a 3-1 shootout victory in Prinx Tires USL Cup play at Fort Wayne FC on Saturday. Fort Wayne made its first penalty to take a 1-0 lead in PKs, but Blake responded to tie it, then Quinn made it 2-1, setting the stage for Dick’s stop. O’Brien was successful to make it 3-1, and the next Fort Wayne attempt was off target to end it. Next Saturday is “Pups at the Pitch” at Carroll Stadium when Indy Eleven returns to USL Championship play vs. Lexington SC at 7 p.m. Ticket options include the new Desnuda Tequila Deck, Family Four-Packs, and Flex Mini-Plans. Indy 11, & former Carmel High and CDC GK Eric Dick Wins Shootout
Fri, May 22 2:45 pm Para+ Atalanta (Musah) vs Fiorentina 10 pm TUDN Mexico vs Ghana SAT May 23 12 Noon CBSSN Barcelona vs OL Lyonnes (Heeps/Horan) Womens’ UCL 12N Para+ Bologna vs Inter Milan 2 pm ESPNU, + Bayern Munich vs Stuttgart (German Cup) 2:30 pm Fox St Louis City vs Austin MLS 3 pm ESPN+ Real Madrid vs Athletic Club 7 pm ESPN+ Indy 11 vs Lexington 7:30 pm Apple Cincy vs Orlando City 8:30 pm Apple Chicago Fire vs Toronto FC 9:30 pm Apple San Diego vs Vancouver Whitecaps
Sun, May 24 11 am ?? Leeds United (Aaronson) vs West Ham 11 am Peacock Crystal Palace (Richards) vs Arsenal 11 am NBCSN Notingham Forest vs Bournemouth (Adams) 11 am USA Fulham (Jedi) vs New Castle United 1 pm CBS KC Current vs Portland Thorns NWSL 2:45 pm Para+ AC Milan (Pulisic) vs Cagliari 2:45 pm Para+ Juventus (McKennie) vs Torino 2:45 pm ESPN+ Villareal vs Atletico Madrid 5 pm Apple Columbus Crew vs Atlanta United 5 pm ESPND + Bay FC vs Chicago Stars NWSL 7 pm Fox Inter Miami vs Philly 9 pm Fox LAFC vs Seattle Sounders 9 pm CBSSN Pumas vs Cruz Azul Wed, May 27 3 pm Para+ Crystal Palace (Richards) vs Raya Vallecano EUFA Conference Final Fri, May 29 8 pm Prime Racing Louisville vs Denver Summit (Amazon Prime) Sat, May 30 Champions League Final 12 noon CBS PSG vs Arsenal 1:30 pm Ion, Tubi KC Current vs Boston Legacy NWSL 4 pm Ion, Tubi Portland Thorn vs Utah Royals NWSL 6:30 pm Ion, Tubi Washington Spirit vs Seattle Reign NWSL 8 pm FSI Toluca vs Tigres Concacaf Championship Sat, May 31 1 pm CBSSN Chicago Stars vs San Diego Wave NWSL 3:30 pm TNT, HBO, Peacock USA Men vs Senegal 7 pm Victory Angel City vs NC Courage NWSL Sat, June 6 2:30 pm TNT, HBO, Peacock USA Men vs Germany in Chicago Tix Thur, June, 11 World Cup 3 pm Fox Mexico vs South Africa 10 pm FS1 Korea vs Czech Republic
Sat, June 12 WORLD CUP 9 pm Fox, Tele, Peacock USA Men vs Paraguay World Cup Fri, June 19 3 pm Fox, Tele, Peacock USA Men vs Australia World Cup Thur, June 25 10 pm Fox, Tele, Peacock USA Men vs Australia World Cup
Coming home from Practice or Games at Badger Fieldhouse? Need food for a Graduation, end of school party, World Cup or July 4th party? Call Ryan now to ask about catering options at 317-688-7290. Try out the Best BarBQ in Town right across the street (131st) from Northview Church on the corner of Hazelldell & 131st. RackZ BBQ
Save 20% on your order
(mention the ole ballcoach)
Check out the BarBQ Ribs, pulled Pork and Chicken, Brisket and more. Sweet, Tangy or Spicy sauce. Mention you heard about it from the Ole Ballcoach — and Ryan will give you 20% off your next meal. https://www.rackzbbqindy.com/Call ahead at 317-688-7290 M-Th 11-8 pm, 11-9 Fri/Sat, 12-8 pm on Sunday. Pick some up after practice – Its good eatin! You won’t be disappointed and tell ’em the Ole Ballcoach Sent You!
Save 20% on these Succulent Ribs at Rackz BarBQ when you mention the Ole Ballcoach – Corner of 131 & Hazelldell. – Call 317-688-7290.
======================RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ======================
U.S. men’s national team defender Chris Richards is not expected to miss the World Cup despite having suffered two torn ligaments in his left ankle only three weeks before the start of the competition, sources have told The Athletic.Richards’ club manager, Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner, revealed the extent of the injury on Thursday, but multiple sources briefed on Richards’ injury say that while a return for next week’s Conference League final may be “a day or two” too soon, they insist that the center back will be “good for the World Cup, 100%.”Richards, 26, appeared to twist his ankle in a substitute appearance for Palace against Brentford on Sunday. He received medical treatment on the pitch but finished the game, having come on after an hour. Glasner has ruled Richards out of the club’s final Premier League fixture, which is against newly crowned champion Arsenal, and said it is “50-50″ whether he will be able to return for Wednesday’s Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano.“He tore two ligaments in his ankle,” Glasner said in his pre-match press conference on Thursday. “I think it’s stable, but quite swollen, and we have to deal with the swelling. He has to get back on the pitch to be available, and it takes time.“He is in from sunrise until sunset having treatments and everything we can do that reduces the swelling, and of course we have a great medical department, so we will give our best and he will give his best — and then let’s see if we can get it done.”Richards is a vital member of the defense for the U.S, which opens its World Cup against Paraguay on June 12. After the announcement of Mauricio Pochettino’s World Cup roster on Tuesday, the U.S. plays Senegal (May 31) and Germany (June 6) in a final set of pre-tournament friendlies.Paul Tenorio is a senior writer for The Athletic who covers soccer. He has previously written for the Washington Post, the Orlando Sentinel, FourFourTwo, ESPN and MLSsoccer.com.
Promotion, relegation, and silverware.Americans Overseas
BY Brian SciarettaPosted American Soccer Now May 19, 2026 1:00 PM
IT HAS BEEN a big week for Americans abroad as many of the top leagues in Europe are now over. But over the last few days we learned a lot. Christian Pulisic showed signs of his early-season form, Americans can thrive in Austria, Robinson is ready for the World Cup, and the USMNT is strong at forward.
But will start the column off today in England, where a “spy gate” has sunk Southampton and benefited Aidan Morris, who will get another crack at getting to the Premier League next season.
Morris & Boro back into playoff final
In a shocking twist of events, Middlesbrough will get a chance to play in the Championship playoff final against Hull after Southampton were found guilty of spying on opponents throughout the 2025/26 season. The punishment is that Southampton would lose their spot in the playoff final and it would instead go to Middlesbrough, who lost to Southampton in the semifinal. In addition, Southampton was given a four-point penalty next season in the Championship.
Southampton has the right to appeal, which could delay the game which is scheduled for May 23.
For Aidan Morris, he will get another crack at making it to the Premier League. The former Columbus Crew midfielder has been thriving at Boro where he has been a lock starter and a consistently good midfielder in the Championship. At one point it looked as if Boro would quality automatically but the club tumbled down the stretch and finished fifth.
Pepi & Balogun finish at 19
Ligue 1 and the Eredivisie concluded their seasons over the weekend and Ricardo Pepi and Folarin Balogun both had seasons to remember.
Ricardo Pepi played all 90 minutes for PSV and scored the final goal from the spot in a 5-1 pounding of Twente. With PSV having secured the title, Pepi was dominant down the stretch having scored six goals in his last five games (including goals in his last five games). He finished with 19 goals across all competitions (16 in the Eredivisie, 3 in the Champions League).
Folarin Balogun, meanwhile, was robbed of a goal when a 55th minute goal for Monaco was ruled an own goal instead of a goal from the American. It seemed like a harsh ruling. But it did not affect the result, which as a 5-4 Monaco loss to Strasbourg. Balogun played 76 minutes in the game and finished the season with 13 goals in Ligue 1, 5 goals in the Champions League, and 1 in the Coupe de France for 19 across all competitions. Regardless, Mauricio Pochettino will have two in-form strikers to select at the World Cup.
Trusty wins Celtic title
Auston Trusty won his second Scottish Premiership title with Celtic after a 3-1 win over Hearts. The game was much closer than the scoreline suggested as the game was 1-1 into the 87th minute, and Hearts needed just a draw to secure the title. But Celtic scored twice late after Trusty was subbed out.
Just about every neutral fan was supporting Hearts in this game to breakup the Old Firm’s 40-year grip on the top division of Scotland. But it was not to be as Celtic was clearly the better team in this game and down the stretch, where they didn’t lose over their last seven Premiership games.Trusty remains a bubble player for the USMNT World Cup roster but he is clearly trending up after having played over 2500 for a title-winning Celtic combined with the U.S. team being very shallow in central defense.
Pulisic sharp off the bench
Christian Pulisic’s form is the biggest story in the world of the U.S. team right now. The Hershey native has been in a slump since the end of December. Entering this weekend, he has no goals or assists in 2026.Fortunately for both Milan and the U.S. national team, Pulisic had his best shift in months for Milan in a 2-1 away win over Genoa. He entered the game in the 76th minute and assisted on Zachary Athekame’s goal five minutes later.
The win gives Milan a two-point cushion on a Champions League spot heading into the final game of the season. On Sunday, Milan will host 16th-place Cagliari.For the national team, the hope is that a good performance will now have Pulisic trending upwards into the World Cup. We will learn more this weekend. Regardless, it is hard to see the U.S. team succeeding at the World Cup without Pulisic being at his best.
Weah returns from injury
Tim Weah, 26, made his first appearance since April 26 on Sunday for Marseille in a 3-1 win over Rennes. Weah played 88 minutes at right back and was sharp throughout. Unfortunately, Marseille missed out on the Champions League with a fifth-place finish but will still participate in the Europa League next season.
Despite the recent injury to Weah, his start on Sunday saw him surpass the 3000-minute threshold this season for the first time in his career. While he has been at Marseille on loan from Juventus, the expectation is that he will remain with Marseille on a permanent basis. For the national team, having Weah in solid form is a huge net presence as the team needs more wide attacking players.
Minor injuries to Aaronson & Richards
Brenden Aaronson and Leeds United extended their Premiership unbeaten run to eight games with a 1-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion with a late stoppage time winner from Dominic Alvert-Lewin. That has lifted Leeds into 13th place heading into the final game of the season.
Aaronson started but hobbled off in the 60th minute. Fortunately, the injury does not seem to be major as Daniel Farke suggested it was a dead-leg that should have him ready for the finale, which will be against relegation-threatened West Ham.
Chris Richards hobbled off the field after the final whistle when his Crystal Palace team played Brentford to a 2-2 draw. Richards entered the game in the 61st minute and was quite during his time on the field. Fortunately, Richards is expected back for the finale against Arsenal. While it is a minor injury, it was a nervy moment for the USMNT who cannot afford to lose Richards for the World Cup. He is by far the team’s best central defender at the moment.
Robinson scores from the spot
Fulham’s chances of qualifying for Europe are almost entirely dead after being held to a 1-1 draw against last-place Wolves.
The good news, for the U.S. team, is that Antonee Robinson scored his first Premier League goal just before halftime when he stepped up to convert a penalty inside the left post after a teammate drew the foul.
Even more importantly for Robinson, he went a full 90 minutes and looked healthy. He has been touch and go all season but looks ready for the World Cup.
Tracking title races, relegation: Arsenal clinch Premier League
May 19, 2026, 05:01 PM ET
The end of the European soccer season is fast approaching, and the battles for major honors, UEFA Champions League qualification and relegation are truly heating up.
Arsenal‘s 22-year wait to win the Premier League ended on Tuesday, as they were crowned champions with Manchester City‘s1-1 draw withBournemouth. Their last league title came via the famous “Invincibles” team of 2003-04.
The Premier League will be granted an extra place in the UEFA Champions League next season due to the UEFA club coefficient rankings. It means the top five finishers will play in Europe’s premier competition next season.
That was good news for Manchester United, Aston Villa and Liverpool, who have been vying for Champions League qualification.
United cemented third place with a victory over Nottingham Forest last weekend, meaning they will return to European football next term after suffering the embarrassment of playing only 40 total games this season.
Aston Villa have cemented fourth place. That has repercussions for whoever finishes in sixth — had Villa finished in fifth and win Wednesday’s Europa League final, then sixth would have been granted Champions League football, too. However, Villa are too far ahead of fifth-place Liverpool for that outcome to happen.
It means only one more Champions League spot remains up for grabs. It will almost certainly go to Liverpool; Bournemouth would have to win their final match, hope Liverpool lose, and make up a six-goal deficit in goal differential to earn fifth place.
Chelsea had been in the hunt for Champions League football until their form collapsed — so much so they sacked manager Liam Rosenior after just 106 days — and there is now a decent chance they miss out on European football altogether.
The club had a chance to secure a Europa League spot by winning the FA Cup, but they were beaten 1-0 by Manchester City in last weekend’s final. It means they must now qualify for Europe through the Premier League, but the competition has never before been so fierce in the final week of the season.
Just seven points separate Bournemouth (fifth) and Newcastle United (11th). Chelsea would move up to seventh with a win over Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday.
It is worth keeping an extra eye on both Bournemouth and Brentford, who have both never qualified for European football before.
Crystal Palace could also earn a separate European spot by winning next weekend’s Conference League final.
For two straight seasons, the three teams that came up from the Championship were sent straight back down the following season. This year, however, that won’t happen. Newly promoted Leeds have enjoyed a superb run of late, meaning their place in next season’s Premier League is safe.
Bottom-of-the-pack Wolves were officially relegated last month, and second-bottom Burnley joined the following week.
It means one more relegation spot looms, and West Ham are now most likely to be given it. Tottenham Hotspur can secure their survival with a victory over Chelsea on Tuesday. A draw would also all but mean they stay up due to their much better goal difference.
Should Spurs lose, it would mean they could still go down on the final day of the season if West Ham win at home to Leeds and they lose at home to Everton.
Barcelona clinched their second straight LaLiga title on May 10 by winning 2-0 against their fierce rivals, Real Madrid, in the final Clasico of the season.
All of the Champions League spots in Spain have been awarded. Rayo Vallecano’s run to the Conference League final sealed a bonus fifth spot for Spain and Real Betis.
By winning the Copa del Rey, Real Sociedad automatically qualify for next year’s Europa League.
Celta Vigo have essential confirmed their Europa League place as well. Getafe can seal a place in the Conference League qualifying rounds if they win their last match on Saturday vs. Osasuna — otherwise, the door is open for the teams below them.
Rayo Vallecano have made the Conference League final, and winning that competition would guarantee a place in next season’s Europa League, regardless of their league finish.
It’s absolute chaos at the bottom of the table. Girona, third-place finishers in LaLiga in 2023-24, are currently facing the drop, but they’ll be taking on Elche (the team directly above them in the table) in a true relegation six-pointer on Saturday. Mallorca are also in the relegation zone, but they could yet drag themselves out of it with a win over last-place Real Oviedo.
One thing’s for sure: This race will go down to the wire.
Bayern Munich were crowned Bundesliga champions with a 4-2 win over Stuttgart on April 19. It was the second straight league title for the Rekordmeister and their 35th all time.
VfB Stuttgart‘s draw with Eintracht Frankfurt in the final matchweek, combined with TSG Hoffenheim’s loss, meant that Stuttgart sealed the fourth and final Champions League place. Hoffenheim and Bayer Leverkusen gain entry to the Europa League.
Freiburg have also made the Europa League final and will earn a spot in next year’s Champions League if they claim the trophy.
The final weekend is sure to be a frenzied one in the relegation battle as well. The bottom three teams are tied on points and have similar goal differentials — whoever finishes highest in the table will participate in the promotion/relegation playoff with the third-place finisher of the 2. Bundesliga, while the other teams will be automatically relegated.
Wolfsburg and St. Pauli will clash in a true relegation six-pointer. Wolfsburg are currently ahead of St. Pauli based on total goals scored, so St. Pauli must win to have any hope of staying in the Bundesliga. Meanwhile, Heidenheim must win against Mainz and hope for a draw in the Wolfsburg-St. Pauli match; otherwise, their only chance of safety is winning by a large enough margin to overtake the other two teams on goal differential.
The race for the top four is going down to the wire. Napoli are still leading the pack beneath Inter — a draw or a win in their final match vs. Udinese will seal their Champions League place. AC Milan and Roma are currently in third and fourth, and they would clinch the Champions League with wins, as Como and Juventus trail them by two points.
Regardless of how everything turns out, it will have been a wonderful season for Como, who are two seasons removed from competing in Serie B.
The relegation fight has effectively whittled down to four teams. Two of the three teams going down have essentially been decided already — Pisa and Hellas Verona — but it figures to be a dramatic conclusion to the season for Lecce and Cremonese. If Cremonese better Lecce’s result, they will avoid relegation — their superior goal differential in head-to-head matches with Lecce this season would be the tiebreaker if they end up level on points.
There are no prizes for guessing who is top of Ligue 1 this season. Paris Saint-Germain clinched the title after defeating Lens in a top-of-the-table clash.
Elsewhere, Lens and Lille were granted a place in next season’s Champions League league phase, while fourth-place Lyon get admission to the Champions League qualification playoffs.
Like the Bundesliga, Ligue 1 automatically relegates its bottom two finishers, with the 16th-placed side entering a playoff against the third-placed Ligue 2 side. It means Nice will face Saint-Étienne in a two-legged contest to decide who plays in the French top-flight next season.
Cristiano Ronaldo is just 30 goals shy of his aim to reach 1,000 before he retires one day. Before then, though, Ronaldo is ticking toward another milestone: His first major trophy since winning the Italian Cup with Juventus in 2021.
After 20 straight league victories, his Al Nassr side looked set to steamroll to the title, but a defeat away to Al Qadsiah opened the door for Al Hilal. Al Nassr and Al Hilal met on May 12 and played out a 1-1 draw. Fast forward to this week, and Al Nassr can clinch the title with a win over Damac. Drop points though and it could allow Al Hilal to win the title on goal-difference.
The only trophy Ronaldo has won since his arrival in Saudi Arabia in December 2022 is the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup, which is not recognized by FIFA.
Scottish football is dominated by two Glaswegian giants: Celtic and Rangers. They’re archrivals, and between them, they have won every league title since Sir Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen in 1984-85. But, amid disatrous seasons at times in Glasgow, that almost changed this season.
Rangers began the season with Russell Martin as manager, but he was sacked in October after winning just one of their opening seven league games. Celtic went through their own reckoning as Brendan Rodgers, who began the season as manager, resigned later in October, leading to 74-year-old Martin O’Neill stepping in as caretaker manager. They hired Columbus Crew boss Wilfried Nancy in December, only to sack him 33 days later as he won just two of his six league matches.
Meanwhile, Hearts, who finished in the bottom half of the table last season, enjoyed a superb season. They led the Scottish top flight for most of the season and still led as they travelled to second-place Celtic on the final day of the season, needing only to avoid defeat.
It wasn’t to be, though. Celtic pipped Hearts with goals in the 86th- and 97th-minute to earn a 3-1 win and lift the title. However, the game was marred by fan trouble at the end as Celtic fans stormed the pitch with two minutes to play, meaning the game could not be restarted.
As World Cup Host, USMNT Embraces Chance to Take Soccer to the Next Level
The heat will be turned up on the U.S. as it hosts the tournament for the first time in 32 years. With a trendy coach and a strong nucleus of players, the opportunity to make a deep run is here.
The 1994 World Cup opening ceremony did not get off to an auspicious start for soccer purists. Diana Ross, singing “I’m Coming Out” at what was meant to be the world game’s coming-out party in the United States, stepped to the penalty spot to have a go at converting the first goal of the tournament. The shot missed the mark by some distance, but the goal still theatrically split in half down the middle. The show went on, but it ended up being wildly upstaged by the tournament itself, with the spectacle of soccer hitting the target and helping to launch the game to greater renown. When the World Cup begins on June 11, the United States has a chance to show the world how much it has learned since Ross’s effort. The biggest showcase in the sport is finally back on U.S. soil in a totally different landscape than when Bill Clinton was in his first term. There is no coming-out party needed. The sport has arrived in the U.S. At least, that’s the idea. Like 1994, there will be cringey moments from entertainers; we’re getting the first World Cup final halftime show, curated by Coldplay and headlined by Shakira, Madonna and BTS. But the ball rolling in the U.S. men’s national team’s opener against Paraguay is a moment many have dreamed of for decades.
It also will be a moment charged with expectation. Club owners, stakeholders and fans have long hoped this summer’s tournament would firmly move soccer out of the niche it has occupied for more than six decades in this country and take its place as a “major” sport. Or perhaps it could at least help convince the thousands of people who turn up for exhibition matches played by teams visiting from England or Mexico or who flock to bars in the early morning to watch teams from Germany or Spain that it’s worth tuning in to the local league as well—or at least subscribing to the streaming service it’s offered on.
“We have an opportunity to inspire generations of people,” says USMNT defender Tim Ream. “From young to old, from diehards to casual fans to people who aren’t even interested in the game until the World Cup rolls around.”
The easiest path to that actually becoming a reality is a deep run for the U.S., one that sweeps up those periodic fans and turns them into the type of soccer supporters who will pay attention more than every four years.
“You want to have success in front of your own fans because you know what it means,” says Cobi Jones, a World Cup veteran who played at the 1994 tournament and appeared in more matches for the USMNT than any other player. “You know that if you do have a successful World Cup, it allows for exponential growth of the game within your country.”
As the 1994 host, the U.S. survived the group stage but then was eliminated by Brazil. | Chris Cole/Allsport/Getty Images
The U.S. heads into the tournament as the No. 16 team in the FIFA rankings, so seeing the team standing alone as the confetti falls July 19 at MetLife Stadium feels all but impossible. But a run to the knockout stage that truly captures the nation’s attention is within reach—especially with games played at an hour when it’s socially acceptable to grab a beer at a bar, as opposed to, say, the 10 a.m. kickoff for the Yanks’ last knockout game, in 2022 against the Netherlands.
The goal is “to go as far as we can because obviously anybody and any team entering the World Cup is going there to win it and has plans to win it. That’s why we’re there,” midfielder Weston McKennie said in March. “That’s why we do what we do, because we compete. I think that’s the best way to describe success: for us to be proud of our performance.”
Will the team’s pride match the public’s expectations? Can the USMNT do enough in this tournament to give a whole sport a boost? It will need everything to break right. It will need a number of superb performances from individuals and as a team. And it will need a guiding hand that leads the team to the correct decisions.
Following the Leader
Wooing Mauricio Pochettino to the U.S. national team program in September 2024 felt like a coup. Predecessor Gregg Berhalter had played and coached abroad but hardly has the international cachet of the Argentine manager, nor had he produced anything close to the same on-field achievements. Pochettino, 54, has worked at some of the most important clubs in the world—including Tottenham Hotspur, which he took to the 2019 Champions League final, and Paris Saint-Germain, which won the Ligue 1 title in 2021–22.
On top of that, while Pochettino had no experience managing a national team, he had gone to the tournament as a player. The combination of a successful playing career, experience coaching prestigious clubs and actually being available to work through the summer of 2026 made him a home run hire—even if he wasn’t at all familiar with the idea of a home run. At least, that’s how it seemed at the time.
It hasn’t all been sunshine in the Pochettino era. The U.S. lost both regional trophies on offer in 2025, falling to Panama in the semifinals of the Concacaf Nations League and losing to Mexico in the Gold Cup final. The rest of the year saw positive performances in friendlies, with a switch to a formation anchored by Crystal Palace standout Chris Richards that allows the wide defenders to aggressively join the attack.
In March, however, Pochettino’s side lost 5–2 to Belgium and 2–0 to Portugal, though the manager insisted the learning experiences against two top 10 teams will serve the Stars and Stripes at the tournament.
USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino has not been shy about experimenting tactically. | Andrew J. Clark/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images
“Even if it’s painful, it’s the only way to improve, the only way to learn, the only way to see how these top players and teams compete,” Pochettino said after the Portugal loss.
Getting along off the field is one thing. Getting everyone pulling in the same direction on it is another.
Rather than continue to utilize the same formation in those March games that had worked in the fall, Pochettino experimented further. He played Pulisic as a center forward rather than his usual role as a playmaker. He went to a flat back four instead of a three-man back line and stuck Tim Weah, who typically plays in attack, at right back against one of the world’s best wingers, Belgium’s Jérémy Doku.
The moves didn’t work out, but the competition also was much steeper. While plenty of fans perceived a regression, members of the team itself insist the enthusiasm remains high. “I feel like we are a lot closer than people think,” Pulisic said. “We put a lot of pressure on them in the first half of both the games.
“We were able to create chances, which if I finish chances, which I know I’m going to, then things are going to be a bit different.”
Doubt has crept in after the USMNT lost its most recent friendlies to European powers Belgium and Portugal. | John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images
Putting the ball in the back of the net more often is the simplest fix in soccer, but the lessons learned from matches against the European squads may go deeper. The nature of the international game, Ream says, is that the friendlies are one thing, but the World Cup is another. “We understand where things went wrong, and we understand how and when and what we need to do to fix those things,” Ream says. “At the end of the day, the World Cup is the World Cup. Everything is completely different, and games that you played previously aren’t actually going to matter. You can’t think of all the bad things or the negative things or the momentum-sapping things that have happened because they don’t matter at that point.”
Pochettino will have to work quickly, though, to make sure the team is in the right place mentally ahead of the tournament and to determine how to get the most out of his group. While the USMNT won’t run into a squad as deep as its March opponents in the group stage, the knockout round will produce those types of matchups.
“I think now is the time to learn, to get better,” the manager said after the Portugal defeat. “I think the preparation for a World Cup has to be at the highest level, understanding we can get better. We have quality players, but we’ve got to improve, above all when we’re playing against top-level players.”
Pochettino has been in big moments before, and probably received more scrutiny in London and Paris than he’ll get this summer across the U.S., but this is by far the biggest moment he’s been in on the international stage.
The Best Chance at Success
Pochettino’s arrival isn’t the only reason for hope at this tournament. The USMNT should be hitting its stride. After the frustration at the failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, many young American players started to come through the ranks in MLS academies and make the jump to top clubs in Europe.
The U.S. has had players at important clubs before, but never in this quantity. Richards starts regularly in the Premier League, as does Fulham fullback Antonee Robinson. Pulisic and McKennie are regulars for historic AC Milan and Juventus, respectively. Forward Malik Tillman plays Champions League football for Bayer Leverkusen. The list goes on. Gone are the days when simply having the quality to play in Europe is enough to clinch a place on the team.
U.S. hopes will be buoyed by European-based players such as Antonee Robinson. | Andrew J. Clark/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images
The roster largely came together in 2022, and while it always looked too young to make a major statement, the U.S. advanced from its group with a win and two draws. That included a disciplined defensive showing against England and a victory over Iran thanks to a Pulisic goal. In the first round of the knockout stage, however, the USMNT couldn’t cope with the speed of the Netherlands out wide and displayed a listless attack.
This year the field has expanded, meaning the groups are diluted to some extent. While the U.S. won’t want to take anything for granted, its round-robin opponents Paraguay, Australia and Türkiye all have weaknesses it can exploit. Additionally, having topped Australia 2–1 in an October friendly and beaten Paraguay by the same score a month later only will help with confidence.
But simply getting out of the group isn’t the standard for the U.S., especially with the big event taking place at home soil. “We want to show the world why we want to be one of the soccer powerhouses people talk about,” Richards says. “It takes good performances. When it comes World Cup time, we’ll be ready.”
With the Pressure on
Playing at home typically has helped teams at the World Cup. Pochettino cited South Korea’s run to the 2002 semifinal as inspiration for his team.
But as 2026 World Cup cohost Mexico knows too well, sometimes that push from the crowd can become a burden. That relationship, long soured by high expectations and Mexico’s frequent trips to the U.S. for friendlies, hit a low in November when El Tri fans in Torreon booed the team off the field after a scoreless draw. “Maybe that’s why they always take us to the United States,” forward Raúl Jiménez said afterward.
That’s not the dynamic in the U.S., but the spotlight this summer will be brighter than it has been on any men’s team in the nation’s history. “It’s a different kind of pressure when you’re playing for your nation and playing for a World Cup and everything is riding on a few weeks,” Jones says.
Social media increases that pressure, as does the fact that there never have been so many former players with microphones getting paid to opine on the current generation. Some of the best ever to wear the USMNT jersey—including Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Tim Howard and Alexi Lalas—will work in analyst roles during the World Cup.
Serie A stars Weston McKennie (right) and Christian Pulisic insist that the expectations they’ll face at home won’t impact their play. | Omar Vega/Getty Images
The players have shrugged off any criticism, noting the high expectations they have for themselves. “You guys want me to feel the pressure. That’s for sure,” Pulisic said in March, before the friendlies. “There’s pressure. It’s a World Cup. It’s not because of my position in the team or anything. I’m used to this. I feel privileged to be in this position. There’s pressure. I feel it. Yes. It’s there, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. I’m going to attack it head-on, and we are as a team.”
If the USMNT can shake off the pressure and advance through the field, it may succeed in its goal of further raising the profile of soccer in the country, especially ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. But no matter how good or bad the performance, the World Cup—the sport’s absolute pinnacle—will remain a singular event. Players can take the biggest stage only once every four years, with legacies cemented and moments magnified because of the significance of every kick, tackle or save. The tournament won’t return to North America during their careers.This is something so many have waited years and years to enjoy, and each of the 90-minute matches will be remembered forever.The moment is here. It’s up to the U.S. to meet it.
Picking the USA 2026 World Cup squad: A final projection of Pochettino’s 26-man roster
On May 26, U.S. men’s national team manager Mauricio Pochettino will step out at Pier 17 along the East River in Manhattan and announce his 26-man World Cup squad, which will be charged with representing the country on home soil.
Since his arrival to U.S. Soccer in September 2024, Pochettino has been intent to remake the culture around the national team. He wanted to redefine how players thought about call-ups. He believed it critical to root out complacency and entitlement, making every player on the roster treasure the opportunity to put on the crest.
The ultimate prize to those who bought in: the chance to be part of this summer’s World Cup.
It has not been an easy path. Pochettino has used 71 players over nine international windows. He found a group of players at the Gold Cup in 2025, including new faces like Diego Luna, Max Arfsten and Matt Freese, all of whom have featured regularly since. He has challenged the “star” core of this national team — like 2022 World Cup veterans Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams and Timothy Weah — to fight for their places.
The hope is it all comes together when the opening whistle blows on June 12 at SoFi Stadium.
Pochettino’s approach means it’s not so easy to pick a 26. Yes, there are quite a few players who seem like ‘locks.’ But the science of putting together a roster weighs a number of factors, from positional balance to locker-room chemistry. One decision in one position group can have a ripple effect that impacts the others.
Our writers have taken a shot at predicting Pochettino’s final squad below. This represents our best guess as to what Pochettino would do, not what we would pick if we sat in his chair. None of these projected rosters are the same, a sign of the guessing game still taking place with just a few days left until the team is announced.
Zavier Gozo’s top international experience to date came at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, pictured here playing against France. Might a shock 2026 World Cup call be in the cards?Javier Torres / AFP / Getty Images
Paul Tenorio’s USMNT World Cup squad prediction
Goalkeepers: Matt Freese, Matt Turner, Chris Brady
Center-backs: Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Mark McKenzie, Auston Trusty
Flex defenders: Alex Freeman
Fullbacks/wingbacks: Max Arfsten, Antonee Robinson, Sergiño Dest, Tim Weah
Central midfielders: Tyler Adams, Tanner Tessmann, Cristian Roldan, Sebastian Berhalter
Attacking midfielders: Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Malik Tillman, Brenden Aaronson, Diego Luna, Gio Reyna
Strikers: Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, Haji Wright, Zavier Gozo
Last cuts:Miles Robinson, Alejandro Zendejas, Aidan Morris, Joe Scally, Jack McGlynn
Despite the tinkering in the March window, I think Pochettino is going to lean into the hybrid back line that builds out of a back three and defends in a four. I think Freeman’s versatility makes for an interesting choice between one of Pochettino’s favorite players, Arfsten, and bringing a fifth true center-back in Miles Robinson. Right now, I think he leans toward Arfsten.
This team doesn’t have enough attacking threats, and that’s why I think Gozo is Pochettino’s shock pick for the World Cup. Gozo is exactly the type of player and personality to complement what Pochettino has built, even if it’s a longshot.
Remember: when thinking about the bench, you can’t think just about role players. Those are important, of course, but you also have to consider the glue guys you want pushing players in training and going all-in for the team. This is where guys like Roldan, Berhalter, Luna, Wright, Gozo and Reyna are key. Are those players the ones you believe will push this squad even if they aren’t playing regularly? Will their fight to get on to the field make the team better?
When you consider this side of it, the last cuts start to be a bit more painful. The player I think loses out is Miles Robinson, who drops off the squad with Freeman and Tessmann providing enough cover at center-back.
One position to keep an eye on is goalkeeper. I think there could be another surprise there.
Gio Reyna starred vs. Paraguay in November. Might he get the chance again in the World Cup opener?Emilee Chinn / Getty Images
Tom Bogert’s USMNT World Cup squad prediction
Goalkeepers: Matt Freese, Matt Turner, Chris Brady
Center-backs: Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Mark McKenzie, Joe Scally, Miles Robinson
Fullbacks/wingbacks: Sergiño Dest, Antonee Robinson, Max Arfsten, Alex Freeman
Central midfielders: Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Tanner Tessmann, Sebastian Berhalter, Cristian Roldan
Attacking midfielders: Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah, Brenden Aaronson, Malik Tillman, Diego Luna, Gio Reyna
Strikers: Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, Haji Wright
Last cuts: Zavier Gozo, Aidan Morris, Auston Trusty, Alejandro Zendejas
For me, at least 17 roster spots are not up for debate. And those 17 will have a much more significant influence on whether the U.S. has a successful run at the World Cup — or doesn’t.Still, the final nine can play a part. There are a couple definite positional needs — third goalkeeper, fifth center-back, last deep-lying midfielder — but the others can go in a number of different directions.For the final center-back slot, Miles Robinson has athleticism and an ability to defend in space, and he can hold up if defending from a right-back role against the ball, but he has not played 90 minutes in a game since March 8, which is concerning. Trusty is the other option.
The last central midfield bid goes to Roldan, who may have been on the outside looking in before Johnny Cardoso’s untimely injury. Morris, who now finds himself playing for promotion to the Premier League, could very well be named to that last spot instead.There is flexibility within this team that informs other decisions. Weah can play attacking midfield or wingback. Freeman can play as a wide center-back or a wingback. The same can be said for Scally, who deserves to be on the roster — but so does Gozo, the RSL breakout star. To be clear: I would call in Gozo, but I think it is much more likely that Pochettino leaves him off.
For all the furor about Reyna’s lack of consistent minutes, he has gotten five consecutive Bundesliga appearances off the bench. He was also called to the March roster despite not playing at all around that time. By comparison, Tillman, long presumed a shoo-in for the team, started only one game since the March international break for Bayer Leverkusen.Pochettino could even opt for a fourth center-forward if he wants, though I don’t think he will. Balogun (19 club goals in all competitions this season), Pepi (19) and Wright (18) should have the spot covered.Keep this in mind, too: at the 2022 World Cup, the first with an expanded 26-man roster, six players did not see the field (two GK, four others). Another five played 45 minutes or less. That’s 42% of the team playing no more than a single half.
Alex Freeman’s versatility makes him a likely World Cup selection for Mauricio PochettinoJared C. Tilton / Getty Images
Henry Bushnell’s USMNT World Cup squad prediction
Goalkeepers: Matt Freese, Matt Turner, Chris Brady
Center-backs: Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Mark McKenzie, Auston Trusty
Flex defenders: Alex Freeman, Joe Scally
Fullbacks/wingbacks: Antonee Robinson, Sergiño Dest, Tim Weah, Zavier Gozo
Central midfielders: Tyler Adams, Tanner Tessmann, Cristian Roldan, Sebastian Berhalter
Attacking midfielders: Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Malik Tillman, Brenden Aaronson, Gio Reyna, Diego Luna
Strikers: Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, Haji Wright
Last cuts: Max Arfsten, Jack McGlynn, Miles Robinson, Alejandro Zendejas, Aidan Morris
A few weeks ago, I felt like I knew where Pochettino was going with this roster. Now? I still feel that way for 21 or 22 spots, but picking the last few players will be agonizing.
The 15 locks, for me, are: Freese, Richards, Ream, Antonee Robinson, Dest, Weah, Freeman, Adams, Tessmann, Pulisic, McKennie, Tillman, Balogun, Pepi and Wright. And I see no reason to exclude McKenzie, Trusty, Scally, Roldan, Berhalter or Aaronson.
For the last few spots, it becomes a question of what Pochettino values more: USMNT track record or recent club form. If the latter, Gozo, McGlynn and Zendejas are in. If the former, Arfsten, Luna and Reyna are in.
The thought behind the projection above is that, by bringing both Scally and Freeman, you have:
Seven guys capable of playing in a back three (including Tessmann), which makes a fifth true center-back, Miles Robinson, unnecessary
Five capable fullbacks, almost all of whom can play wingback, so, rather than taking a sixth who probably wouldn’t see the field (Arfsten), you can choose Gozo for his unpredictability and attacking flexibility
You also then have extra room further up the field for Reyna (or Zendejas, or McGlynn).
I’ll admit, though, that this is tinged with wishful thinking. I still think it’s more likely that Pochettino picks Arfsten and not Gozo. I also think Reyna vs. McGlynn is a toss-up, and the calculus could change if Luna’s or Aaronson’s recent injury issues put their inclusions in doubt.
Inside the NWSL’s strategy to convert World Cup buzz into loyal fans
The inaugural game for the Denver Summit drew 63,000 fans on March 28, 2026. (Taylor Banner/Taylor Banner)
May 20, 2026 05:00 AM EDT Everyone on the bus. That’s effectively the NWSL’s strategy heading into the wave of global soccer attention around the FIFA World Cup, which begins next month. The National Women’s Soccer League plans to aggressively insert itself into the broader conversation, with a “Summer of Soccer” campaign built around key league events and a traveling bus tour designed to meet fans around the country, according to Rachel Epstein, the league’s newly named chief marketing officer.The NWSL’s 2026 season began March 13 and runs until the championship game Nov. 21. The league is pausing regular-season games from June 1 to 28 while FIFA World Cup group-stage games are played.“I am coming into a league with a tremendous foundation. We are in growth stage—up and to the right—and there is more to do,” Epstein said on the latest episode of the Marketer’s Brief podcast. “But I’m so excited about the opportunity and where we can go.”Epstein, who joined the league April 1 after overseeing women’s sports marketing at ESPN, said the NWSL enters this period with advantages previous women’s sports leagues lacked, including stronger ownership investment, rising attendance, and increasing support from brands. She also pointed to the importance of a broader women’s sports media ecosystem that has helped create what she described as a flywheel for fan growth and engagement.
New franchises began play this year in Boston and Denver, bringing the NWSL to 16 teams; new clubs have been announced for Atlanta and Columbus, Ohio, beginning in 2028.A key opportunity for the league now is converting broader soccer interest into lasting fandom, particularly among women audiences. Female sports fans often connect through player stories and personal affinity, which is why the NWSL plans to expand its own content and storytelling efforts, Epstein said. The goal is to create more pathways into the league at a moment when soccer itself is poised for heightened visibility in the U.S.
Ad Age Marketer’s Brief host Jon Springer moderated this podcast episode with guest Rachel Epstein. Below is the transcript, which has been lightly edited for clarity.
“Audience growth is vital for me and for our league. It’s really important that we find and cement our brand in the hearts and minds of current fans and new fans.”
Rachel Epstein, chief marketing officer, National Women’s Soccer League
Leveraging the World Cup to grow the NWSL
Jon: Let’s start with the big question out there. The World Cup feels like a potentially transformative moment for soccer here in America. How much of an accelerant do you think that could be for the NWSL specifically?
Rachel: Yeah. I mean, it’s a huge opportunity for the NWSL and for soccer, right? Global moments like these, these big events, bring in waves of new fans—current fans, of course, core global football fans, but also new fans who come in, learn about the game, get excited about the game.
And then our job is to embed NWSL into that momentum and narrative in that window, and then bring them in—hang on to their new and growing soccer interest—and bring them into the NWSL, into our ecosystem.
Jon: Are there ways you’re going to do that specifically that we’ll see?
Rachel: Yes, absolutely. We have a whole strategy that we’re calling Summer of Soccer that will do just that. We’ll be driving conversation that integrates NWSL into the men’s World Cup conversation, that brings our voice and our personalities to games.
And we literally have a bus that will be making stops across the country, including our key tentpoles during those windows—our Challenge Cup, our return to play, our Queens Classic at Citi Field. All of that we are going to integrate into the men’s World Cup momentum and conversation.
Jon: Yeah, there’s a lot of brands and a lot of entities that want to draft on this event. Do you feel like there’s some competition where you’ve got to stand out among all the places and all the people that want to be a part of this?
Rachel: I don’t know if I think about it as competition. Obviously, there will be a lot of noise. But the good news is we are—and aim to be—the premier global women’s soccer league.
We have a really unique voice and territory that we own that allows us to be distinctive and really authentic in that space, alongside brands and other newer entrants into global soccer. We are already a core part of the ecosystem. We just want to ensure that our voice and personalities are heard and elevated during that time.
Where the league is now—and how it’s different from past women’s soccer efforts
Jon: You’ve been at this job only for a matter of weeks. I wonder what your early read is on where the league is right now.
Rachel: I am coming into a league with a tremendous foundation. And in my time at ESPN, I looked after women’s sports marketing there and worked closely with the league, so I have a really good sense of all the momentum it has and all of the upside there still is to drive toward.
We’re in growth stage—up and to the right—and there is more to do. But I’m so excited about the opportunity and where we can go.
Jon: One of your earlier experiences was also as part of the leadership team that founded WPS, which was a predecessor to NWSL. There’s a big change between what happened then and now. What was the impetus for the success you’re seeing now with NWSL and maybe some of the struggles or difficulties to get off the ground that some previous leagues may have had?
Rachel: Just that it’s apples and oranges, and it’s a totally different time. The structure of the business and our tremendous ownership groups, the investment—I think maybe that’s the most important thing.
There is really significant investment, patient investment that understands it takes time to grow, to build audience and drive enterprise value. There’s no comparison.
But on a personal level, that was early in my career. It was the place where my career in women’s sports began and was really formative—made me a soccer person.
So while it truly is apples and oranges in terms of the business, the way it’s structured, and all of the opportunity and advantage and growth that we have now, it still was very formative for me. I take personal lessons from that time. I took those lessons into my time at ESPN, and then I landed here. It really feels like the perfect fit.
Why women’s sports momentum looks different now
Jon: It’s really remarkable how we’ve seen women’s sports turn around from every perspective you can look at. And you mentioned investment, obviously, as one. Brands want to be involved now.
Rachel: When I think about the state of women’s sports—and I have a pretty long view on it from 14 years at ESPN—on a personal level, it’s just thrilling to see the momentum in the space and the health of it.
There are all of the metrics and indicators that make the headlines: exponential growth in expansion fees, valuations, attendance records—63,000 fans at our inaugural Denver Summit match—and the marketplace, as you mentioned, with greater demand for women’s sports than ever.
The NWSL is an active part of that marketplace, and we’re continuing to see that interest and build it, and build alongside our brands and partners.
I would just note that a quieter but really vital indicator, honestly, Jon, is a conversation like this with you. There is a burgeoning media ecosystem focused just on women’s sports. Obviously you’re not dedicated only to women’s sports, but there are dedicated podcasts and shows and documentaries and bylines and events all built for women’s sports—not as an adjacent add-on, but focused and dedicated to it.
That is a vital ecosystem. It creates the flywheel. You tell the stories, you educate new fans, you engage current fans, and all of that helps build audience, build value, bring more eyeballs, bring more investment.
So it’s both the headlines and that quieter infrastructure that are really coming together and indicate how healthy the women’s sports space is.
Jon: You mentioned the fans, and I’m wondering: Who is the NWSL fan right now, and how has that profile changed?
Rachel: We have a very passionate and committed fan base, there’s no question about it. And we’re seeing healthy growth across attendance and viewership. We have a tremendous opportunity—and you got at this a little bit around the men’s World Cup—but really over the next five years across the men’s World Cup, women’s World Cup [2027 in Brazil], Olympics [2028 in Los Angeles], and possibly, a 2031 women’s World Cup on our soil, to capitalize on that global soccer spotlight.
So a really committed current fan base, but what this next five years will propel is a massive wave of new fans. They’re coming into soccer because they’re rooting for their country, or they’ve come to know the breakout stars that these global events always give rise to.
We are extremely well positioned to convert that spotlight into sustained audience growth. So that’s the job in front of us, there’s no question. Our core women’s soccer fan is the best. We should build our brand around the ethos and spirit of that fan. But the opportunity to grow and expand is in front of us, and we’re going to do that.
Jon: Are there particular areas or demographics or groups that you are sourcing fans from?
Rachel: Look, without trying to be everything to everyone—that’s not how you do it—I should say that we invite all fans into the NWSL. There’s a huge opportunity, especially in this men’s World Cup window, to engage core international global soccer fans and bring them into NWSL. They understand world-class soccer. We have a world-class soccer product—the best in the world on the women’s side.
So that is an opportunity we want to take advantage of and build, in terms of that behavioral demo of a big, core fan of global soccer. One other thing I would add—and this goes a little bit to my time at ESPN—is the opportunity to actually drive female audience growth. I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it here: for a long time there was this conflation that women’s sports equals women’s fans, female fans. That is not true. Historically that has not been the case.
Many years ago at ESPN, there were not huge female audience numbers in terms of watching women’s sports. But it is an audience segment that is driving incremental growth right now. So that opportunity to drive female audience growth—say broadly 18 to 44—is a more recent one, and we want to take advantage of that.
It will look a little different on the younger side of that demo, in the way younger audiences—as I’m sure you’ve talked about countless times on this podcast—engage with content, what their fandom looks like, second-screen experience versus tuning into TV.
But irrespective of the breakdown of that female audience demo, there is a huge opportunity to grow there. And one of the ways that we can do that, and will do that, is by building out a robust content strategy and ecosystem. That is an opportunity in front of us, and we are going to do it.
It will drive storytelling and elevate our players—our current stars and new stars—and create entry paths for new fans. Female fans, just as a sweeping generalization, do fan a little bit differently. At ESPN we did a ton of research on this early, starting with the birth of ESPNW, which was really built to serve female audiences. Connection is key. It’s not that women aren’t watching the game on the pitch or on the court or on the field and loving all of the competitive excellence—that is true. But their way into interest and connection might look a little different.
It’s really through a sense of personal connection, whether it’s through a star athlete and their story, or through their family, or through their university or their hometown. Something about it often is personal, and then they come into the sport. So we need to create those pathways, and we will.
Building stars and a stronger storytelling engine
Jon: Maybe you could give me an example of how you’re telling these stories about your players and roping in fans that way.
Rachel: We have a tremendous foundation, but we have more work to do in terms of storytelling from a league-office perspective. So far, we’re counting a little bit on our partners to tell those stories.
ESPN has done a great job. Amazon and everybody we’re partnered with in our ecosystem have as well. The opportunity to really tell those stories from league platforms and through our owned media ecosystem is in front of us, and we are going to start—we’re beginning to build that out now.
Make no mistake, we have star players who are breaking through. I think everybody knows the names: Trinity [Rodman], Sophia [Smith], Mal [Swanson], and a whole swath of current stars. We also want to get fans in front of that rising class of stars. As we build out this content strategy and drive velocity and engagement with our current fans, and create those new pathways for new fans, elevating that new class of players and stars will be really important.
Brand, audience and what’s next
Jon: Do you have other priorities ahead of you?
Rachel: Audience growth is vital—you’ve heard it here—for me and for our league. Again, building on a great foundation, it’s really important that we cement our brand in the hearts and minds of current fans and new fans. What we stand for, the distinctive place and space we can own in the minds and hearts of fans to drive connection and loyalty and, ultimately, growth. We need to really cement that so that we get a little stickier, so that there’s a clear emotional connection. That work is in front of us, and I’m super excited about it.
Jon: I do have one question that we try to ask all our guests. If you could name one CMO out there, who would it be and what would your question be for them?
Rachel: This might be everyone’s answer right now, but I’m really impressed with what the Gap is doing right now. Fabiola Torres is the CMO. What a turnaround, right?
It’s a distinctive new strategy to really drive cultural relevance, which is an imperative for the league as well. I have a whole host of questions, but my question would just be: What did it look like to sell in, inside their walls, this new way of inserting Gap into culture and conversation? It’s unmissable right now, and all the way into Fashion Week and the Met Gala. So I think that would be my answer.
Prinx Tires USL Cup Recap – FW 2(1): IND 2(3)
Fort Wayne, Ind. – Indy Eleven goalkeeper Eric Dick made a diving save and Jack Blake, captain Aodhan Quinn, and Josh O’Brien converted their penalty kicks to give the Boys in Blue a 3-1 shootout victory in Prinx Tires USL Cup play at Fort Wayne FC on Saturday.
Fort Wayne made its first penalty to take a 1-0 lead in PKs, but Blake responded to tie it, then Quinn made it 2-1, setting the stage for Dick’s stop. O’Brien was successful to make it 3-1, and the next Fort Wayne attempt was off target to end it.
Regulation play ended 2-2, with Quinn putting Indy Eleven on top in the 26th minute. He stole an errant pass 30 yards from the goal and knifed diagonally through the defense and got a deflection back inside the area. Quinn then chipped a left-footed shot from just outside the six that Fort Wayne goalkeeper Aurie Briscoe stopped, but the rebound came back to Quinn and he reacted quickly to bury it into the left side of the net to put his team up 1-0.
With the match even at 1-1 in the 64th minute, Blake and forward Bruno Rendon teamed up to put the Boys in Blue back on top. Forward Loïc Mesanvi started the sequence outside the corner of the area, playing it diagonally back to Blake. Blake then took one touch and played a pinpoint ball to the edge of the six, where Rendon volleyed it down just inside the far post for a 2-1 lead.
The goal is Rendon’s team-best sixth in all competitions in 2026, and he now has 11 goals in USL Cup play in three seasons–four more than anyone else in the history of the event!
Next Saturday is “Pups at the Pitch” at Carroll Stadium when Indy Eleven returns to USL Championship play vs. Lexington SC at 7 p.m.
Located on the East Deck, the Desnuda Tequila Deck has an exclusive full-service bar and high-top seating providing panoramic pitch-side views for 50 people. It’s a social experience offering a wonderful place to hang out and take in the game! Desnuda Tequila Deck seats start at $59 and include one FREE cocktail and bottomless chips, salsa, and guac.
The Family Four-Pack is available for all 2026 home games and can be purchased online only. Priced at just $49, the Family Four-Pack includes four tickets, FREE parking, $20 in Concession Vouchers, and a 20% Merchandise Discount, along with access to the Fun Zone/Kids Activation Area.
Flex Mini Plans include vouchers to be redeemed for any 2026 regular season home match.
For questions, call (317) 685-1100 during business hours or email tickets@indyeleven.com.
Prinx Tires USL Cup Group 4 Indy Eleven 2(3):2(1) Fort Wayne FC
Sat., May 16, 2026 – 7:30 p.m.
Ruoff Mortgage Stadium | Fort Wayne, Ind.
Weather: Cloudy, 76 degrees
Attendance: 3,794
2026 Prinx Tires USL Cup Group 4 Indy Eleven: 0-1-1 (-1), 2 pts, #5 in Group Fort Wayne FC: 0-1-1 (-2), 1 pt, #6 in Group
Score
1
2
F
PK
Indy Eleven
1
1
2
(3)
Fort Wayne FC
1
1
2
(1)
Scoring Summary
IND – Aodhan Quinn 26’
FW – Taig Healy 33’
IND – Bruno Rendón (Jack Blake) 64’
FW – Jack Thomas (Kabiru Gafar) 90’+1
Penalty Kicks Converted
IND – Jack Blake, Aodhan Quinn, Josh O’Brien
FW – Lilian Ricol
Discipline Summary
IND – Jack Blake (caution) 15’
IND – Logan Neidlinger (caution) 39’
FW – Ian Abbey (caution) 44’
FW – Jeremy Garay (caution) 45’+1
IND – Paco Craig (caution) 68’
FW – Jack Thomas (caution) 79’
FW – Tiago Dias (caution) 83’
Indy Eleven Line-Up: Eric Dick, Aodhan Quinn (captain), Paco Craig, Anthony Herbert, Logan Neidlinger (Makel Rasheed 78’), Jack Blake, Cam Lindley, Josh O’Brien, Edward Kizza (Noble Okello 74’), Loïc Mesanvi (Kian Williams 90’+2), Bruno Rendón (Dylan Sing (90’+2).
Fort Wayne FC Line-Up: Aurie Briscoe, Michael Rempel, Juan Solis, Tiago Dias (captain), Jayden Smith, Taig Healy, Javier Armas (Daniel Oyetunde 83’), Jeremy Garay (Emerson Nieto 63’), Ian Abbey (Kabiru Gafar 63’), Lilian Ricol, Clarence Awoudor (Jack Thomas 78’).
Fort Wayne FC Subs Not Used: Bernd Schipmann, Reid Sproat, Nico Burns, Anthony Hernandez, Tyson Hagaman.
The last time a team other than Rangers or Celtic won the Scottish league was 1984. Chasing a first Scottish title since 1960, Hearts really want to compete. Worth waking up to watch at 7:30 am on CBS Sports Network Saturday to see if Hearts can pull the upset at Celtic. Of Sat at 10:30 am gives us FA Cup Final with Chelsea playing Man City at Wembley on ESPN2. (Stories below).
Indy 11 win 2-1 Travel to Ft Wayne FC Sat 7:30 pm on ESPN+
Indianapolis – Indy Eleven used two second-half goals to rally from a halftime deficit to extend their USL Championship home unbeaten streak to seven (6-0-1) dating back to last season with a 2-1 win over Sporting JAX at Carroll Stadium. Indy Eleven resumes USL Cup play Saturday in their first-ever meeting at USL League One expansion side Fort Wayne FC at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN+. Saturday, May 23 is “Pups at the Pitch” at Carroll Stadium when Indy Eleven returns to USL Championship play vs. Lexington SC at 7 p.m. Ticket options include the new Desnuda Tequila Deck, Family Four-Packs, and Flex Mini-Plans. The Girls in Blue opened their 2026 USL W League season with a hard-fought 1-1 draw vs. rival Racing Louisville FC, they travel to new Valley Division member Toledo Villa FC on Saturday at 3 pm on SportsEnginePlay.
Less than 1 month away !!!
Proud to see my Friend and Ref Assignor David Howard honored as Official of the Year by CYO! The CYO awards ceremony at Saints Peter & Paul Cathedral where Dave received the Edward J. Tinder Officials of the Year award.
Fun reffing last weekend with Larry and Yousseff at Grand Park. Ready for State and President Cup games this weekend. Good Luck All!
TV Schedule – Games on TV
Sat, May 16 7:30 am CBSSN Celtic vs Hearts Scottish Championship 9:30 am ESPN+ Leverkusen vs Hamburger 9:30 am ESPN+ MGladbach (Reyna, Scally) vs Hoffenheim 10:30 am ESPN2 Chelsea vs Man City FA Cup Final 6″30 pm Tubi, Ion NC Courage vs Chicago Stars NWSL 7:30 pm ESPN+ Indy 11 @ Ft Wayne 7:30 pm Apple NYCFC vs NY REd Bulls 7:30 pm Apple Philly vs Columbus Crew 8:45 pm Tubi, Ion Denver Summit vs Orlando Pride NWSL 9:15 pm FS1 Seattle Sounders vs LA Galaxy 9:30 pm Apple San Diego vs Cincy 10:30 pm Apple San Jose vs Dallas Sun, May 17 6:45 am Para+ Genoa vs AC Milan (Pulisic) 6:45 am Para+ Juventus (McKennie) vs Florentina 7:30 am USA Man United vs Nottingham Forest 9 am Para+ Inter Milan vs Verona 10 am USA Leeds United (Aaronson) vs Brighton 10 am Peacock Brentford vs Crystal Palace (Richards) 10 am NBCSN Everton vs Sunderland 12:30 pm USA New Castle United vs West Ham 1 pm ESPN+ Sevillia vs Real MAdrid 3:15 pm ESPN+ Barcelona vs Real Betis 6 pm ESPN2 Portland Thorns vs Angel City FC 9 pm Univision Pumas vs Pachuca Mon, May 18 3pm USA Arsenal vs Burnley Tues May 19 2:30 pm USA Bournmouth (adams) vs Man City 3:15 pm USA Chelsea vs Tottenham 7:30 pm Para+ Orlando vs Atlanta United US OPen Cup 8 pm CBSCN St Louis City vs Houston US Open Cup Weds May 20 3 pm CBSSN Freiburg vs Aston Villa Europa League Finals 7:30 pm Para+ Columbus Crew vs NYCFC US OPen Cup 8 pm CBSSN Houston Dash vs SD Wave NWSL 10 pm CBSCN Colorado Rapids vs San Jose US Open Cup Fri, May 22 3 pm Para+ Hull City vs Southampton Champ Playoff 10 pm TUDN Mexico vs Ghana sAT May 23 12 Noon CBSSN Barcelona vs OL Lyonnes (Heeps/Horan) Womens’ UCL 2:30 pm Fox St Louis City vs Austin MLS 7 pm ESPN+ Indy 11 vs Lexington Sun, May 31 3:30 pm TNT, HBO, Peacock USA Men vs Senegal Sat, June 6 2:30 pm TNT, HBO, Peacock USA Men vs Germany in Chicago Tix Sat, June 12 WORLD CUP 9 pm Fox, Tele, Peacock USA Men vs Paraguay World Cup Fri, June 19 3 pm Fox, Tele, Peacock USA Men vs Australia World Cup Thur, June 25 10 pm Fox, Tele, Peacock USA Men vs Australia World Cup
Coming home from Practice or Games at Badger Fieldhouse? Need food for a Graduation, end of school party, World Cup or July 4th party? Call Ryan now to ask about catering options at 317-688-7290. Try out the Best BarBQ in Town right across the street (131st) from Northview Church on the corner of Hazelldell & 131st. RackZ BBQ
Save 20% on your order
(mention the ole ballcoach)
Check out the BarBQ Ribs, pulled Pork and Chicken, Brisket and more. Sweet, Tangy or Spicy sauce. Mention you heard about it from the Ole Ballcoach — and Ryan will give you 20% off your next meal. https://www.rackzbbqindy.com/Call ahead at 317-688-7290 M-Th 11-8 pm, 11-9 Fri/Sat, 12-8 pm on Sunday. Pick some up after practice – Its good eatin! You won’t be disappointed and tell ’em the Ole Ballcoach Sent You!
Save 20% on these Succulent Ribs at Rackz BarBQ when you mention the Ole Ballcoach – Corner of 131 & Hazelldell. – Call 317-688-7290.
======================RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ======================
Run into Lionel Messi at a soccer stadium or randomly on the street, and he might feel larger than life despite only standing 5 feet 7. But soon you can have your own version of Messi at almost twice the size for less than $100.Lowe’s will begin selling limited-edition, 10-foot Messi lighted yard inflatables for $99, which will be available through the Lowe’s website starting May 18 for members of the company’s rewards program as part of its “Epically More Messi” campaign. Those living in the 11 U.S. World Cup host cities will be able to purchase a giant Messi inflatable in stores starting May 20.
With the World Cup in sight, we discuss what FIFA needs to do (and stop doing) to get ready.
by Donald Wine II May 11, 2026, 11:08 AM EDT Stars & Stripes
New York New Jersey Stadium (temporarily renamed from MetLife stadium) is seen from the inside ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in East Rutherford, New Jersey on May 7, 2026. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images)AFP via Getty Images
One month away. The sporting event that has been on the dawn of the horizon for four years is now almost here. The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11th from Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, and the pressure to perform is starting to reach its peak. It’s not just for the teams that are starting to assemble their final rosters in the coming weeks, but also for the tournament at large. For years, we have heard that this World Cup is going to be the biggest, the best, the most memorable. Now, the powers that be must follow through on that promise.
But, are we ready for the World Cup to kick off in a month? Are the United States, Canada, and Mexico? Is FIFA? Is the World Cup committee? Are we as fans? All of those questions likely have different answers and the level of readiness will vary. But in short, as the time ticks dow to kickoff, there is still a lot that needs to be done for North America to put on the greatest sporting event ever.
It starts with the overall excitement for the tournament, and for a lot of soccer fanatics, that’s not a problem. Even if their team is not in the tournament, life around the world will slow to a snail’s pace when the ball is rolled out to be kicked and the matches begin. But, some of that excitement has been dulled by money and politics, two things that the World Cup was always supposed to set aside for the greater cause of uniting the world to celebrate its favorite game.
The biggest thing that has lowered excitement and deterred many fans of the game, particularly here in North America from being all in for the World Cup has been the incredibly high costs to attend a match: the tickets, the travel, the hotels and home rentals, the public transit. Everyone seems to want to take financial advantage of the World Cup coming here with astronomical pricing. Even fan festivals in some cities are charging for entry with premium add-ons and many won’t even be open for all the matches of the tournament. FIFA vastly overestimated the premium American fans especially would pay to see a tournament match just a few miles from their home.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been on record as saying that the 2026 World Cup would be like “104 Super Bowls in a month,” and recently said that they priced the game tickets accordingly because they felt American fans were used to paying a premium for sports. Infantino also went so far as to say, “You cannot go to watch in the U.S. a college game, not even speaking about a top professional game of a certain level, for less than $300. And this is the World Cup.” And that shows a fundamental lack of knowledge on what American sports fans routinely pay for games. Anecdotally, it’s much easier to pay less than $100 to get into almost any sporting event except for the Super Bowl than it is to exceed $300 to get into the same game unless you are opting for premium seat locations or amenities. With those statements, Infantino not only showed a lack of knowledge on what Americans will pay for a sporting event, but he also showed a wanton disrespect of how well educated the American soccer fan is on the game.
The United States has been the nation that leads all others outside of the home nation in tickets sold to every World Cup since we hosted for the first time in 1994. American fans routinely are relied upon to purchase tickets to big events that come to our shores. But because of this, American fans understand what World Cups usually cost. They immediately knew that an $1200 ticket for the USMNT’s opening match against Paraguay was over 3 times what people paid for the opening match 4 years ago in Qatar. They knew that a Cat 3 ticket to the USMNT match against Australia this year was twice as much as a Cat 1 ticket to see the USMNT play England in 2022. We’re the nation that has more access to soccer than any other, and because American fans travel for these games, they know what pricing is like everywhere. That was the biggest miss, and it’s costing them with all the reports of tickets going unsold because of the high prices. Hotels, flights, and public transit authorities jacking up the price of getting to and from the games in several cities has also put a damper on fan enthusiasm, and people are now just planning to wait and see if prices drop as inventory continues to remain unfilled.
So, what does FIFA and the World Cup committee need to do, besides consider drastically lower pricing? The biggest gap to fill is educating fans not familiar with attending World Cup on what to expect when the games begin. The education should have already begun months ago, but now is the second best time. Fans need to understand what it will be like attending the game, the security procedures, where people will access the stadium, how they can get there and the costs. There are many chances for people to get frustrated with the process, and lack of information should not be the reason for those chokepoints.
Let them know that the security perimeters are going to be vastly different from attending these stadiums for a NFL game or another soccer game. Let them know that they can’t bring in what they normally would for a routine sporting event at the same stadium. The last thing FIFA needs are entrances to be jammed by people who bring in items that normally are allowed in the stadium that are banned at the World Cup. Get them in the stadiums early by letting them know what will be there for entertainment prior to the match. Will they have screens to watch other games there? Other activations? Some of these stadiums are not close to anything else, so to not create a situation where tens of thousands of people try to enter the stadium at the last minute, bogging down security checkpoints, let them know the process and how long it can take so that people won’t miss the action on the field.
Finally, FIFA needs to get out of its own way. The World Cup is the uniter, the games on the field being the olive branches. The focus shouldn’t be on the revenue, but the action on the field. That’s what will carry in the minds of people long after the tournament is wrapped up. Lowering prices to get fans that generational moment inside the stadium is what’s necessary, but the focus shifted away from the game when the decision was made to price gouge at every turn. Get it back to the games, the teams, the players. We’ll do our part as fans, but as we tick down the days before kickoff on June 11th, soccer’s world governing body needs to do more. This is a pivotal moment in world sports history, and there’s a long way to go to ensure the moment is not fumbled.
USMNT weekend viewing guide: Break out the bubble wrap
Battling but hoping there’s no breaking by jcksnftsn S & S May 8, 2026, 10:31 AM EDT
OVIEDO, SPAIN – APRIL 23: (L-R) Alex Freeman of Villarreal , Javi Lopez of Real Oviedo during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Oviedo v Villarreal at the Estadio Municipal NMR Carlos Tartiere on April 23, 2026 in Oviedo Spain (Photo by Cesar Ortiz Gonzalez/Soccrates/Getty Images)Getty Images
With World Cup roster announcements coming up in just a few weeks and players already dealing with injury (we’ll get to those below) we’ll be watching through squinted eyes the last couple weeks of the season hoping that the injury bug doesn’t further derail World Cup hopes and dreams. While injury is definitely a concern there are still significant things to play for as well including promotion, relegation, and Champions League positioning. We’re covering it all in this weekend’s edition of the viewing guide:
Saturday
Middlesbrough v Southampton – 7:30a on CBSSN: Aidan Morris and Middlesbrough drew with Wrexham last weekend, dropping Middlesbrough to fifth place while Wrexham were eliminated from the playoff race. Middlesbrough will now host Southampton in the first leg of the promotion playoff semifinals. Middlesbrough defeated Southampton 4-0 at home back in early January while the two teams played to a 1-1 draw in Southampton early in the season.
Augsburg v Borussia Monchengladbach – 9:30a on ESPN Select: Noahkai is apparently already on ice, he hasn’t appeared in five straight matches and just one of the last seven for Augsburg who undefeated in their last five. Augsburg will be hosting Joe Scally, Gio Reyna and Borussia Monchengladbach who are mathematically safe from relegation and in eleventh place following their 1-0 win over Dortmund, a match which Scally once again started and went 90’ while Reyna came on for the final 20’, he has appeared in three straight matches.
Stuttgart v Bayer Leverkusen – 9:30a on ESPN Select: Malik Tillman saw just a handful of minutes off the bench in Leverkusen’s 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig last weekend and actually has fewer minutes since the start of April than Gio Reyna. Leverkusen have won four of their last five and have pulled into a three way tie for fourth place with two matches remaining, a grouping that includes this weekend’s host Stuttgart who are coming off a draw with the third team, Hoffenheim.
Fulham v Bournemouth – 10a on USA Network: Antonee Robinson started for Fulham against Arsenal last weekend but Fulham fell 3-0 to the league leaders. Robinson had appeared as a substitute in the prior two matches and looks to be in a rotation with Ryan Sessegnon. Fulham are in eleventh place and will host Tyler Adams and Bournemouth who moved into sixth last weekend following their 3-0 win over Crystal Palace with Tyler Adams getting his first start since early March.
Wolfsburg v Bayern Munich – 12:30p on ESPN Deportes and ESPN Select: Kevin Paredes was on the bench for Wolfsburg as they fell to Freiburg last weekend. He had made a brief substitute appearance the the prior week in his clubs scoreless draw with Gladbach. Wolfsburg are currently in the relegation playoff spot, tied with St. Pauli for direct relegation. Those two teams will meet next weekend to decide the fates of Paredes and James Sands but first Wolfsburg must stay within shooting distance as they host Bayern Munich who are coming off a disappointing Champions League semifinal matchup with PSG midweek but have lost just once and drawn five times in their dominating Bundesliga campaign.
Atletico Madrid v Celta Vigo – 12:30p on ESPN Select: Johnny Cardoso and Atletico Madrid were also eliminated in Champions League action midweek and adding injury to insult Cardoso was injured in training in the following days and his World Cup hopes are now in doubt as he deals with a high ankle sprain that will keep him out the remainder of the La Liga season. Atleti are in fourth place and can lock up next seasons Champions League spot with with a win over sixth place Celta Vigo on Saturday.
Lecce v Juventus – 2:45p on Paramount+: Weston McKennie and Juventus hold a one point lead over Roma for fourth place and the final Champions League spot from Serie A after their 1-1 draw with Serie B bound Hellas Verona. They will need to bounce back quickly as the travel to Lecce to face the seventeenth place side that can secure their safety with a win.
Real Sociedad v Real Betis – 3p on ESPN Select: Pellegrino Matarazzo and Real Sociedad are suffering from a bit of a cup hangover as they have lost twice and drawn once in their three matches since winning the Copa del Rey. Sociedad are in ninth place four points back of the top six with four matches to play. They host fifth place Real Betis on Saturday afternoon.
Sunday
Celtic v Rangers – 7a on CBSSN: Auston Trusty has started the last two for Celtic after missing four straight. Celtic are in second place, trailing Hearts by three points with three matches to play in the Scottish Premiership and they will have an Old Firm Derby to contend with on Sunday morning.
Mallorca v Villarreal – 8a on ESPN Deportes and ESPN Select: Alex Freeman has started two straight matches for third place Villarreal who defeated Levante 5-1 last weekend. Villareal will now travel to Mallorca to take on the fifteenth place side that are just two points removed from the final relegation spot. As an aside the La Liga relegation battle could be quite something down the stretch. Deportivo Alaves currently sit in 18th place, the final relegation spot with 36 points (just three points ahead of Levante). There are six teams within three points of them, including a logjam of three on 38 points, a group that includes Mallorca.
Crystal Palace v Everton – 9a on Peacock: Chris Richards and Crystal Palace completed their semi-final victory over Shaktar Donetsk on Thursday, winning 2-1 on the day and 5-2 on aggregate. Palace advanced to the UEFA Conference League final where they will face Rayo Vallecano near the end of May. With the extra cup schedule and not much to play for in terms of the EPL standings Richards saw a rare rest last weekend in Palace’s 3-0 loss to Bournemouth, coming off the bench for the final 14’. Prior to last weekend Richards had played nearly every minute for Palace outside of the four match stretch where he dealt with a foot injury at the turn of the year.
Koln v Heidenheim – 11:30a on ESPN Select: Kristoffer Lund picked up his second assist of the season as Koln drew with Union Berlin last weekend a result that guarantees their safety with two matches to play. Koln will host Heidenheim on Sunday, a team that could technically still pull into the relegation playoff position over the last two weeks, though no higher.
AC Milan v Atalanta – 2:45p on Paramount+: Christian Pulisic and AC Milan are limping into the end of the year, falling 2-0 to Sassuolo last weekend with Pulisic appearing as a substitute. Milan have scored just one goal as a team in their last five matches and as you’ve likely heard Pulisic himself hasn’t found the back of the next this calendar year. Milan are in third place, just three points ahead of Roma and in danger of missing Champions League qualification again if they cannot find some goals over the final three matchdays of the season. On Sunday they will host Atalanta who are in seventh place, ten points back of Juventus and the top four. Yunus Musah saw five minutes off the bench last weekend in Atalanta’s scoreless draw with Genoa, it was his first appearance in the last four matches.
Le Havre v Olympique Marseille – 3p on beIN Sports: Tim Weah was serving a yellow card suspension last weekend as Marseille fell to relegation threatened Nantes 3-0. Marseille dropped to seventh place and their slide to end the season, with just one win in their last six matches, has dropped them out of contention for Champions League qualification. Marseille still have a chance to make Europa League or Conference League but will need a result as they travel to take on a Le Havre side that are looking to secure their safety.
Monaco v Lille – 3p on beIN Sports: Folarin Balogun was back on the scoresheet last weekend, scoring the first of Monaco’s two goals in a 2-1 win over Metz, a week after seeing his eight match scoring streak snapped. The win also snapped Monaco’s three match winless streak and moved them to sixth place. They will host fourth place Lille who they trail by four points with two matches remaining.
Toulouse v Olympique Lyon – 3p on beIN Sports: Mark McKenzie and Tanner Tessmann’s teams will face off in Ligue 1 play on Sunday and while McKenzie and Toulouse don’t have much to play for Lyon are currently in third place, the final Champions League spot in Ligue 1, and leading Lille by just two points. Unfortunately, Tessmann was not included in the squad last weekend when Lyon defeated Stade Rennais 4-2 as he is apparently dealing with an injury that will now sideline him for the final matches of the season.
🇺🇸 Americans Abroad roundup 🇺🇸
Christian Pulisic’s rough stretch continued as he missed AC Milan’s 3-2 loss to Atalanta with a glute injury. Milan’s slide is becoming a real concern, with the club now barely hanging onto a Champions League spot and questions starting to swirl around both the team and Pulisic’s form heading into the World Cup.
Sergiño Dest reminded everyone exactly what he brings to the USMNT setup. The PSV fullback delivered a brilliant cross from the left side for Ricardo Pepi to head home in PSV’s 4-1 win, showing both his creativity and versatility after recently returning from injury.
Ricardo Pepi kept his strong season rolling with another goal for PSV, his 14th of the campaign. With Balogun also red hot, the USMNT striker competition heading into the World Cup is getting very interesting.
Gio Reyna finally had a breakthrough moment, scoring his first Bundesliga goal in nearly a year and a half for Borussia Mönchengladbach. It may not completely change his World Cup outlook, but it was a much-needed reminder of the quality he still possesses.
Auston Trusty played a key role in Celtic’s huge 3-1 Old Firm comeback win over Rangers. The USMNT defender was strong defensively and helped keep Celtic’s title hopes alive heading into a dramatic finish in Scotland.
Other notes:
Alex Freeman made the bench for Villarreal but did not feature.
FA Cup Final betting preview: Man City favourites to beat Chelsea
Folarin Balogun’s hot streak cooled off in Monaco’s tough 1-0 loss to Lille, though he still has 8 goals in his last 10 Ligue 1 matches.
In other Ligue 1 news, Mark McKenzie’s Toulouse pushed past Lyon in a 2-1 victory — Tanner Tessmann did not play due to a minor injury (he is out for the club season but reports have him available for the World Cup squad… whew)
Tyler Adams came off the bench early in Bournemouth’s 1-0 win over Fulham, while Antonee Robinson played 90 minutes for the other side.
Weston McKennie put in another solid shift, this time in the number 10 position, as Juventus beat Lecce 1-0.
Chris Richards went the distance in Crystal Palace’s 2-2 draw with Everton.
Aidan Morris played all 90 minutes in Middlesbrough’s Championship playoff draw with Southampton.
Malik Tillman featured for about half an hourin Bayer Leverkusen’s 3-1 loss to Stuttgart.
Yunus Musah was an unused substitute in Atalanta’s win over Milan.
Rayan Cherki celebrates scoring for Manchester City Gareth Copley/Getty Images
FA Cup final day is one of the most cherished on the English football calendar. While the Wembley showpiece might not have the luster it did in past decades, Chelsea and Manchester City would relish getting their hands on the oldest trophy in club football.
This might be particularly true for Chelsea, who need to salvage something from a season that has quickly slipped through their fingers.Indeed, the Blues are on to their third manager of the campaign, with interim boss Calum McFarlane in charge for Saturday’s final. Chelsea’s only two wins in their past 11 games both came in the FA Cup, against Port Vale and Leeds United.
Chelsea are 21/10 to lift the trophy, reflecting how they are widely seen as underdogs against a Manchester City side that, in contrast, has improved over the course of the season.
Jeremy Doku could be City’s primary difference-maker, having scored four goals in his past four appearances. The Belgian is 11/4 to score at any time against Chelsea.
Doku is the most prolific dribbler in the Premier League and could give Chelsea all kinds of problems, no matter if Malo Gusto or Reece James start at right-back. Doku has the one-on-one ability to embarrass any defender in world football.
Rayan Cherki was in sparkling form the last time City met Chelsea, contributing two assists in a comfortable 3-0 win for Pep Guardiola’s title-chasers.
The way Chelsea have fared under Liam Rosenior and McFarlane, there is frequently space in front of the defensive line to exploit — see Ryan Gravenberch’s strike for Liverpool at Anfield last weekend.
Update your feed. Follow new interests below for the latest stories.
This could be where Cherki does the most damage, with the French playmaker 13/5 to find the back of the net at any point at Wembley. Chelsea might have to man-mark him to stand any chance of keeping him quiet.
Then there is Erling Haaland. It says a lot about the Norwegian’s goalscoring ability that many believe he has endured an underwhelming season, despite notching 37 goals in all competitions for City – including three in this competition.
City are 4/11 to lift the FA Cup this weekend and have not lost to Chelsea in their past 14 meetings, winning 11 and drawing three. The omens are not great for McFarlane and his players heading into the encounter.
Advertisement
Nonetheless, Chelsea can take some encouragement from the way they controlled large portions of Saturday’s match away to Liverpool, when most had predicted another loss.
On their day, Chelsea’s midfield trio of Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer are capable of controlling any match against any opponent, including Manchester City.
Their best chance of stopping Guardiola’s side might be to control as much possession as possible, meaning McFarlane could once again deploy a box midfield of Caicedo, Fernandez, Palmer and Andrey Santos like he did at Anfield.
Marc Cucurella’s mobility down the left wing will be key for Chelsea. They need the Spaniard to exploit the space behind Matheus Nunes in order to impose themselves as an attacking force.
Chelsea have kept just one clean sheet in their past 15 games in all competitions, and so there could be value in backing over 2.5 goals by Manchester City at 12/5.
Upsets can happen, especially in this cup, where the fabled magic of the competition frequently compels underdogs to perform above their usual standards.
Fatigue could be a factor. While Manchester City rested some players as they took on Crystal Palace on Wednesday evening in the Premier League, Chelsea have had a week off entirely since drawing away to Liverpool.
If Chelsea can somehow extend Saturday’s match into extra time, perhaps they could have the edge on a Man City side that is still in hope of snatching the Premier League title away from Arsenal.
Chelsea are 14/1 to win the FA Cup final in extra time, and the same price to win the match on penalties. The Blues have won four of their past six penalty shootouts, stretching back to the 2022 UEFA Super Cup against Villarreal.
Having already won the Carabao Cup, a domestic double is a very realistic possibility for Manchester City. Everything points to another trophy being lifted by Guardiola and his players at Wembley.
USMNT Tracker: Reyna finally off the mark, Trusty’s derby delight but more worries for Pulisic
Gio Reyna is finally off the mark this season Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images
Gio Reyna is finally off the mark for Borussia Monchengladbach this season but there was a worrying new injury for Christian Pulisic — while Auston Trusty helped Celtic win in the Od Firm derby against Rangers and keep the stage set for a nail-biting Scottish title race thriller.
Welcome to this week’s USMNT Player Tracker.
Advertisement
Reyna finally scores
It was a consolation goal for his team, and the simple finish that Gio Reyna rolled into the net on Saturday could help sooth his personal frustrations.
Reyna scored his first of the season for Borussia Monchengladbach at the end of a 3-1 defeat at Augsburg, his first domestic goal since January 2025.
Gio Reyna scoring his first of the season for Borussia MonchengladbachLeonhard Simon/Getty Images
The 23-year-old forward had started the contest, as usual, on the bench. But although it made no difference to the result, the American was in the right place at the right time to score a right-footed shot from the middle of the box into the bottom-right of the net and take a symbolic step forward.Could that moment have come just at the right time to move the dial in his favour when it comes to World Cup selection?
Well, Reyna is certainly in that category. He has started only four Bundesliga games for Gladbach this term, often used as a substitute by coach Eugen Polanski. In total, he has played 486 minutes in the league.Against Portugal and Belgium, he got a total of 31 minutes from the bench, and failed to do much of note in disappointing games that his team were already losing.That’s why moments like Saturday could still count. If they are indicative of a sharpness and prowess that remains ready when unleashed, they are much-needed positive optics for Pochettino to keep in mind as he begins to finalise his plans for the summer.Reyna could do with another moment in Gladbach’s last game of a disjointed campaign — they are currently 13th and finish against Hoffenheim on Saturday.
It didn’t improve yesterday, when he missed out on selection because of a muscle injury reported in training in the days prior.
The mood music around the American suggests it is not a serious problem. It is not something that should have Pochettino sweating. But the 27-year-old, who last week was on the cover of Time magazine, has dismissed any talk about his goal drought as “bad questions”.He prefers, he said in the article, to shut down the doubters by scoring. Missing another chance altogether on Sunday is not going to ease his frustration, or fourth-placed Milan’s worries, as their loss allowed Roma (on a three-game winning run) to move level with them on points.
Trusty’s Old Firm success
Things are shaping up nicely for a thrilling conclusion in Scotland, and USMNT defender Auston Trusty is going to play his part.
The 27-year-old centre-back and his Celtic team-mates came from behind to beat Rangers and win a pulsating Old Firm clash 3-1 on Sunday.
Auston Trusty and Celtic are involved in a thrilling title chaseIan MacNicol/Getty Images
Neutral romantics will probably still root for first-placed Hearts in the Scottish Premiership title race, but as Celtic moved within a point of them (and will face them in the final game of the season on Saturday), nobody will be taking their eyes off the drama.
Advertisement
For Trusty, who had a game-long battle with Rangers’ attacker Youssef Chermiti but came out on top in the end, it will mean he is at full sharpness going into June.
What’s coming up this week?
This weekend marks the end of the domestic season for Americans in the Bundesliga. See if Gio Reyna can produce another positive reminder of what he’s about against Hoffenheim (Saturday, 9:30am, ESPN+) or whether Malik Tillman can sign off on a positive note for Bayer Leverkusen in their last match with Hamburg (Saturday, 9:30am, ESPN+).
Watch
How USMNT players influenced the design of their World Cup jerseys
Henry Bushnell and Reuben Pinder
Chris Richards and Crystal Palace kept their own momentum going on Sunday. They’re already in the Europa Conference League final later this month, but they didn’t take their foot off the gas in the Premier League, coming from behind twice to get a 2-2 draw with Everton. See how Richards & Co can do in a big title-reckoning game against Manchester City (3pm, Wednesday, Peacock Premium) before they take on fellow Londoners Brentford on the weekend (10am, Sunday, Peacock Premium).
Finally, Milan have to start winning again against Genoa on Sunday. See if Christian Pulisic can recover and help them (Sunday, 9am, Paramount +).
Greg O’Keeffe is a senior writer for The Athletic covering US soccer players in the UK & Europe. Previously he spent a decade at the Liverpool Echo covering news and features before an eight-year stint as the paper’s Everton correspondent; giving readers the inside track on Goodison Park, a remit he later reprised at The Athletic. He has also worked as a news and sport journalist for the BBC and hosts a podcast in his spare time.
Who will Mauricio Pochettino pick for the USMNT World Cup roster?
Time to predict who Poch will bring in. by Donald Wine II Stars & Stripes May 12, 2026, 8:59 AM EDT
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – MARCH 28: Folarin Balogun #20 of the United States runs the pitch during the International Friendly match between United States and Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)Getty Images
We’re a month away from the United States Men’s National Team stepping onto the field at SoFi Stadium for their opening match of the 2026 World Cup. In a couple of weeks, we will know who will be some of those guys that step out onto that field. On May 26th, U.S. Soccer will announce the USMNT World Cup roster, and 26 players will see their dreams realized of making a World Cup on home soil.
But, who will make the roster? Who will USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino call upon to represent the United States at the world’s tournament? There are probably 35 players who could conceivably have a shot at one of the 26 roster spots. Ultimately, it’s up to Pochettino to decide who those guys will be that he thinks can advance far and try to become the first team to win a World Cup on home soil since France in 1998.
So, who will Mauricio Pochettino choose for his 26-man roster? Let’s predict who will receive the coveted tickets to the World Cup.
Goalkeepers (3): Chris Brady (Chicago Fire), Matt Freese (New York City FC), Matt Turner (New England Revolution)
Matt Freese is the starter for the USMNT, and Matt Turner will be the main backup. Those two things seem to be givens at this point. The real question will be who will be selected as the third goalkeeper. Chris Brady has the leg up as he was named to the roster in March over Patrick Schulte, who was added as an injury replacement for Roman Celentano. In the end, Chris Brady edges out Schulte due to his form on the club level.
Misses cut: Patrick Schultz (Columbus Crew), Roman Celentano (FC Cincinnati)
Defenders (8): Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven), Alex Freeman (Villarreal), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Auston Trusty (Celtic)
Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, and Tim Ream are the locks of the defensive unit to make the team. After that, there are guys that have clearly played their way into Poch’s plans. Alex Freeman, Max Arfsten, Mark McKenzie, and Auston Trusty are guys that Pochettino trusts and will get the call. Sergiño Dest, who returned to action with PSV recently, shows he’s fit enough to make the team and it’s welcome news for the USMNT.
Misses cut: Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), Tristan Blackmon (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Midfielders (9): Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough), Gio Reyna (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Tanner Tessmann (Lyon), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen)
There are some guys who are locks for the midfield: Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, and Malik Tillman. The rest could change around depending on form down the stretch or, in the case of Johnny Cardoso, injury likely ruling him out of the World Cup. With Johnny likely sidelined this summer (and he was still a question mark to make the roster despite his form for Atlético Madrid), Aidan Morris gets onto the roster. Tanner Tessmann, Diego Luna, and Sebastian Berhalter feel like they will be solidly on the roster. Cristian Roldan will also be a guy on the roster as Pochettino finds him dependable and able to be versatile and provide cover for many midfield positions.
The final player, and the most controversial, is Gio Reyna, who Pochettino has said in no uncertain terms that his form for the national team is outweighing his lack of form and minutes in 2026 on the club level. He’s started to play better for Borussia Mönchengladbach recently, but Reyna will be included on the roster for what Poch believes he can do in that national team jersey.
Misses cut: Johnny Cardoso (Atlético Madrid), Yunus Musah (Atalanta)
Forwards (6): Brendan Aaronson (Leeds United), Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Tim Weah (Marseille), Haji Wright (Coventry City)
The forward group might be the one that is in the best form, with the exception of the face of the team: Christian Pulisic. He’s been in a slump lately and hasn’t scored for the USMNT since November 2024. The USMNT will need one of the faces of the World Cup to deliver this summer. Tim Weah is a lock for the roster, and Brendan Aaronson makes it as a forward, but will also have an opportunity to provide relief in the midfield. Because of Patrick Agyemang’s terrible Achilles injury that has sidelined him for the year, Mauricio Pochettino avoids his biggest obstacle: choosing between several center forwards that are in peak form and scoring goals. Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, and Haji Wright (who can also play out on the wing) will all make the team convincingly.
Misses cut: Alex Zendejas (Club América), Josh Sargent (Toronto FC)
The World Cup will be here shortly, and we’ll know the roster shortly. For 26 guys, a dream comes true. For others, that dream is shattered if they don’t hear their name called on May 26th.
It’s Gozo time: Why USMNT should turn to uncapped teen for the World Cup
When Mauricio Pochettino names his final U.S. World Cup roster in less than two weeks, he should make room for at least one surprise.Yet it will only truly be a shock for those who haven’t been paying attention.Real Salt Lake’s Zavier Gozo, an uncapped 19-year-old winger, scored twice on Wednesday night in a 3-0 win over the Houston Dynamo. It was a performance that only added to what has been a breakout season, a continuation of the promise he showed last year when his overhead kick against LAFC put him on the map.AdvertisementThat highlight-reel finish was a preview of the dynamic and creative presence Gozo has in front of goal. He only reinforced that on Wednesday with his eighth and ninth goal contributions (five goals, four assists) of the season.Is there risk in introducing any new player to a core group this late in the World Cup process? Sure. But simply put: Gozo would undoubtedly make the U.S. World Cup team better.Pochettino’s preferred group lacks true game-changers. It’s why he has called in Gio Reyna despite the player’s continued struggles to stay healthy, effective and on the field. The U.S. coach understands there will be moments in this World Cup where he will look down the bench in search of someone who can add a spark — someone whose energy and presence alone boosts the team because it knows the player can pull out something different when the moment calls for it.The search should be over. Gozo is that player.
Zavier Gozo has given RSL fans plenty to cheer this seasonJamie Sabau / Imagn Images
And it’s not just about what he brings on the field, though certainly we can start there.Gozo has the physical profile to compete at the highest levels of the game. It’s why he has drawn interest from the likes of Atlético Madrid and Aston Villa, per The Athletic’s Tom Bogert — and why multiple sources around him and around the league expect the Utah native to be sold for eight figures this summer. He can run by defenders with pace. He can body up in the box when needed. He never plays afraid.
And that’s where what he does around the box becomes an important part of the conversation. Gozo triesthings. He tests goalkeepers. He creates opportunities for himself — and for others.His finish earlier this month against the Portland Timbers was a good example of his savvy in front of the net. Gozo was a late runner in a counterattack. As he approached a rolling pass near the top of the box, he moved his eyes central, to where Diego Luna was lurking. It was enough to get the goalkeeper to lean to his right just a touch, and Gozo laced a shot inside the near post.His feel and creativity around goal were even better a month earlier against Sporting Kansas City, when he received a pass at the top corner of the box, flicked it up to himself and snapped a volley inside the upper corner of the far post, a brilliant finish that doubled RSL’s lead.Against Atlanta United in March, he showed another layer to his game, bringing the ball down out of the air in stride, dribbling at and then past a defender and onto his left foot, where he curled a shot to the far post.Time and time again, Gozo does stuff in games that makes you stand up. It has a similar feel to other top young players who have come before in MLS, guys like Alphonso Davies and Tyler Adams, who simply seemed as though they were too good for this league.Gozo is clearly ready for more, and Pochettino has a chance to give him the ultimate stage to prove it.As his profile has grown, so has his place on the U.S. radar. Pochettino’s right-hand man, assistant coach Jesús Pérez, hinted as much last weekend.“(Watching a) few players, young players on both sides today,” Pérez said when asked on Apple TV why he was scouting FC Dallas vs. Real Salt Lake. “Very important for us to keep an eye on some of them. Obviously Luna is the one that has been more games with us, but there are a few other players that caught our eye and it’s important to be here today.”It’s not a stretch to conclude that Gozo is among that cohort, nor would it be unprecedented to call in a teenager without any senior caps to a World Cup squad.
Zavier Gozo, center, and Diego Luna, right, have teamed to great effect at the club level. Is country next?Rob Gray / Imagn Images
At the 2022 World Cup, 10 players made appearances aged 20 or younger with two or fewer pre-World Cup caps, according to TruMedia. That includes the Netherlands’ Xavi Simons, who made his debut in the knockout stage against the U.S. at 19.
Trent Alexander-Arnold had one cap when he made his World Cup debut in 2018 at age 19. Thomas Müller had two caps when he made his World Cup debut in 2010 at 20 (and scored five goals to win the Golden Boot). Christian Eriksen had three caps when he made his World Cup debut in 2010 at 18.
Experience is not an excuse when a player is both the right fit and ready for the moment.
It’s not even a unique scenario for the U.S.
Joe Scally made the World Cup squad in 2022 at 19 despite having just three senior caps. Julian Green (19, two caps) and DeAndre Yedlin (20, four caps) made the U.S. team in 2014, with Green scoring a knockout-stage goal and Yedlin emerging as a breakout player for the U.S. at the tournament.
Yedlin, now Gozo’s RSL teammate, is a great example of what the U.S. might be able to get from the young winger at the tournament. This U.S. team is not the young group of Qatar anymore. It could benefit from a wide-eyed youngster who comes in and injects a sort of awe, excitement and determination into the group. Yedlin’s supersub role added a different element for the U.S. in Brazil, and he impacted the game by helping set up the Americans’ second goal in a 2-2 draw with Portugal.
The most international experience Zavier Gozo, right, has came at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World CupJavier Torres / AFP / Getty Images
It was perhaps symbolic that Yedlin is the one who assisted Gozo’s first goal on Wednesday, which further reinforced his World Cup case. The U.S. has spent this last cycle searching for something different for a team that went into Qatar with such promise, but came out clearly needing more to truly make a run.
Advertisement
The U.S. has been practically begging for a player like Gozo to bolster the attack. Close your eyes and imagine that scenario late in the game: it’s the 75th minute against Turkey, and the U.S. needs a goal to secure a result. It may be crazy to consider given the extent of Gozo’s high-pressure international experience is last fall’s FIFA U-20 World Cup, but there are few players in the current pool that would instill more belief coming off the bench to make something happen than him.
When Pochettino took over the U.S., he insisted that he was always watching everyone. He has proved in his time here that he has no fear about shaking things up. In fact, that’s exactly what he has set out to do. His message has been clear and consistent: Every player in the pool has a chance, they just have to show they deserve it on the field.
Taking Gozo to the World Cup would show just how serious Pochettino is about that message. But beyond that, the teenager deserves to be at the World Cup. And he has a manager brave enough to make it a reality.
It might just be the biggest payoff of Pochettino’s earn-it approach with this group.
Champions League Final 4 – Tues PSG Vs Bayern, Wed Atletico vs Arsenal CBS
So coverage on CBS starts at 2 pm with the Pregame show then a 3 pm kickoff each day for the first leg of the Champions League Semis. I am still flabbergasted that Bayern Munich Coach Vincent Kompany will miss the game. It’s all because Kompany was booked in Bayern’s thrilling quarterfinal win over Real Madrid for disputing the referee’s decision to allow Madrid to play on and score after a hard tackle on Bayern defender Josip Stanisic. That was Kompany’s third yellow card in Bayern’s 12th Champions League game of the season. He argued UEFA should relax the rules now there are more games than ever and he’s absolutely right!! “It’s an extended format and it’s the strictest-ever ruling with a lot of interpretation from referees, where sometimes you can get a yellow card wrong as well. So what happens then?” Kompany said after the game. Just like on players — yellow cards for coaches should all be wiped out if EUFA had any brains. Red Card – might be another thing. But its just nuts he’s going to miss the game in the Final 4 of Soccer! Back to the games – I like PSG at home 3-1 on Tues – and my Atletico Madrid 1-0 vs Arsenal as Diego Simione will find a way to shut down the Gunners offense at home.
Indy 11 fall to League 1 Union Omaha in US Open Cup – Play TB Rowdies Sat
Yes you read that right -our mighty Boys in Blue – fell at home 2-1 to a 4th place League 1 team at Carroll Stadium Sat night as 9K looked on. Forward Bruno Rendon scored his fourth goal in eight games this season, but it wasn’t enough as the 11 fall to 7th in the Eastern Conference. Indy resumes USL Championship play Saturday at Eastern Conference opponent Tampa Bay Rowdies at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN+. The Boys in Blue return home to Carroll Stadium for “The World’s Game Night” vs. expansion club Sporting JAX on Saturday, May 9 at 7 p.m. Ticket options available include Family Four-Packs and Flex Mini-Plans.
US Open Cup Play Continues on Paramount Plus Tues/Wed
While the 11 lost – fellow USL Champ team Louisville City knocked off Austin City FC on the road and will now face Houston at 8 pm Tues, while fellow USL team One Knoxville SC will travel to Columbus at 7:30 pm Tues on Para+.
Good times at the Girls College Showcase at Grand Park this past weekend – with Sofaine, Justine & I.
Man Chef/Master Assignor Nate fixed up a feast for us Refs at his house. The BEST BRISKET in Indiana – Thanks Nate! Here’s the late night crew Drew, Nate, Gator Rob, Grant, Kevin & I got soaked after this game Friday at the Girls Showcase – as extreme Thunderstorms came thru.
TV Schedule – Games on TV
Tues, Apr 28 3 pm CBS,Para+ PSG vs Bayern Munich UCL Semi 7 pm CBSSN Charlotte vs Atlanta United US Open Cup 9:30 pm FS1 Nashville SC vs Tigres UNAL CCC Cup Wed, Apr 29 3 pm CBS, Para+ Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal USL Semi 7 pm CBSSN NY Red Bulls vs NYCFC US Open Cup 7 pm Victory+ Washington Spirit (Rodman) vs Racing Louisville NWSL 7:39 pm Para+ Columbus vs One Knoxville SC US Open Cup 8 pm Para+ Chicago vs St Louis US Open Cup 8 pm Para+ Houston vs Louisville City US Open Cup !0:30 pm FS1 LAFC vs Toluca CCC Thurs, Apr 30 Europa League 3 pm Para+ Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa 3 pm Para+ Shakthar Donesk vs Crystal Palace (Richards) Fri May 1 3 pm USA Leeds United (Aaronson) vs Burnley 8 pm Victory+ Houston Dash vs Seattle Reign NWSL Sat, May 2 9 am beIN sport Nantes vs Olympic Marseille (Weah) 9:30 am ESPN+ Bayern Munich vs Heidenheim 10 am USA Brentford vs West Ham United 10:!5 am ESPN+ Valencia vs Atletico Madrid (Cardoso) 12:30 pm NBC Arsenal vs Fulham (Jedi) 2:30 pm Fox Sporting KC vs Seattle Sounders 4:30 pm Fox Real Salt Lake vs Portland Timbers 7 pm FS1 Inter Miami vs Orlando City 7 pm ESPN+ Indy 11 @ Tampa Rowdies 8:45 pm Tubi Angel City vs Utah Royals NWSL 9:30 pm Apple San Diego vs LAFC Sun, May 3 9 am Peacock Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace (Richards) 9 am Para+ Sassuolo vs AC Milan (Pulisic) 10:30 am USA? Man United vs Liverpool 11:30 am ESPN+ Dortmund vs MGladbach (Tillman) 12 pm Para+ Juventus (Mckennie) vs Verona 1 pm ESPN2 Chicago vs Portland Thorns NWSL 2 pm USA Aston Villa vs Tottenham 3 pm CBS Boston Legacy vs Denver Summit NWSL 3 pm ESPN Des Espanyol vs Real Madrid 5 pm CBSSN Gotham FC vs Racing Louisville FC NWSL 5:30 pm Apple Austin vs St Louis MLS 7 pm Victory+ San Diego Wave vs Bay FC NWSL Mon, May 4 10 am USA Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest 3 pm USA Everton vs Man City 3 pm ESPN+ Sevilla vs Real Sociadad (US Coach) Tues, May 5 3 pm CBS, Para+ PSG vs Bayern Munich UCL Semi 2 Wed, May 5 3 pm CBS, Para+ Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal USL Semi 9:30 pm FS2? Toluca vs LAFC CCC 10 pm CBSSN Utah Royals vs Houston Dash NWSL
Sun, May 31 3:30 pm TNT, HBO, Peacock USA Men vs Senegal Sat, June 6 2:30 pm TNT, HBO, Peacock USA Men vs Germany in Chicago Tix Sat, June 12 WORLD CUP 9 pm Fox, Tele, Peacock USA Men vs Paraguay World Cup Fri, June 19 3 pm Fox, Tele, Peacock USA Men vs Australia World Cup Thur, June 25 10 pm Fox, Tele, Peacock USA Men vs Australia World Cup
USMNT midweek viewing guide: Johnny, Richards kick off semis
Follow along with all the USMNT action this week. by Justin Moran Apr 27, 2026, 9:05 AM EDT
Liverpool’s Dutch striker #18 Cody Gakpo (L) and Crystal Palace’s US defender #26 Chris Richards clash as they vie for the ball during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on April 25, 2026. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /AFP via Getty Images
Midweek action is here. All kickoff times are in EST. Let’s get into it!
Monday
Cagliari vs Atalanta, 12:30p on Paramount+, DAZN, FOX Deportes, Fubo: Yunus Musah and Atalanta pay a visit to Cagliari in Serie A.
Tuesday
Charlotte FC vs Atlanta United, 7p on Paramount+, CBS Sports Network, Fubo: Tim Ream, Luca de la Torre, and Charlotte host the Five Stripes in the US Open Cup round of 16.
Also in action:
Nashville SC vs Tigres, 8:30p FS1, TUDN, Fubo, ViX: Matthew Corcoran and Nashville host Liga MX club Tigres UANL in this Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal.
San Jose Quakes vs Minnesota United, 10p on Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo: Niko Tsakiris and the Earthquakes host Minnesota in the US Open Cup round of 16.
Wednesday
Atlético Madrid vs Arsenal, 3p on CBS, Paramount+, TUDN, Univision, Fubo (free trial), ViX: Johnny Cardoso and Atléti host the Gunners in the first leg of this UEFA Champions League semifinal.
NY Red Bulls vs NYCFC, 7p on Paramount+, CBS Sports Network, Fubo: Matt Freese and the Pigeons visit Ethan Horvath, Cade Cowell, Adri Mehmeti, Julian Hall, and the Red Bulls in a US Open Cup edition of the Hudson River Derby.
New England Revolution vs Orlando City, 7:30p on Paramount+: Matt Turner, Peyton Miller, and the Revs welcome Duncan McGuire and the Lions into town for this US Open Cup match.
Sporting CP vs Tondela, 3:15p on Fubo: Jordan Pefok and Tondela visit Sporting Lisbon in Liga Portugal.
Columbus Crew vs One Knoxville, 7:30p on Paramount+: Patrick Schulte, Max Arfsten, and the Crew host third-division One Knoxville SC in the US Open Cup round of 16.
Chicago Fire vs St. Louis City, 8p on Paramount+: Chris Brady and the Fire host St. Louis in the US Open Cup round of 16.
Houston Dynamo vs Louisville City, 8p on Paramount+: Jack McGlynn and the Dynamo host Lou City of the USL Championship in the US Open Cup round of 16.
Colorado Rapids vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks, 9p on Paramount+: Paxten Aaronson, Zack Steffen, and the Rapids meet local USL Championship club Colorado Springs in the US Open Cup round of 16.
LAFC vs Toluca, 10:30p on FS1, TUDN, UniMás, Fubo, ViX, Univision NOW: Timothy Tillman and LAFC host Toluca in the first leg of this Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal.
Thursday
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Crystal Palace, 3p on Paramount+, ViX: Chris Richards and Palace visit Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk in Kraków, Poland for the first leg of this UEFA Conference League semifinal.
Friday
LASK Linz vs Altach, 10a: George Bello and LASK have the chance to visit a trophy as they meet Altach in Austria’s cup final.
Leeds vs Burnley, 3p on USA: Brenden Aaronson and Leeds United host Burnley in Premier League action.
Also in action:
Spezia vs Venezia, 9a: Gianluca Busio and Venezia visit Spezia in Serie B.
FC Andorra vs Albacete, 10:15a: Jonathan Gómez and Albacete visit FC Andorra in La Liga 2.
===RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ===
Coming home from Practice or Games at Badger Fieldhouse? Try out the Best BarBQ in Town right across the street (131st) from Northview Church on the corner of Hazelldell & 131st. RackZ BBQ
Save 20% on your order
(mention the ole ballcoach)
Check out the BarBQ Ribs, pulled Pork and Chicken, Brisket and more. Sweet, Tangy or Spicy sauce. Mention you heard about it from the Ole Ballcoach — and Ryan will give you 20% off your next meal. https://www.rackzbbqindy.com/Call ahead at 317-688-7290 M-Th 11-8 pm, 11-9 Fri/Sat, 12-8 pm on Sunday. Pick some up after practice – Its good eatin! You won’t be disappointed and tell ’em the Ole Ballcoach Sent You!
Save 20% on these Succulent Ribs at Rackz BarBQ when you mention the Ole Ballcoach – Corner of 131 & Hazelldell. – Call 317-688-7290.
======================RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ======================
(L to R) Grant Bruno, Aiden Minnick, & the Ole Ballcoach here soaked after Rain at Grand Park Friday during The Girls College Showcase –
USMNT analysis -Predicting the 2026 USMNT World Cup roster: tight races and form come into focus
ASN’s Brian Sciaretta offers up his latest prediction as to what the United States roster will look like for the 2026 World Cup, with breakdowns as to which players are in the mix and fighting for spots BY Brian Sciaretta Posted l 17, 2026 http://www.americansoccernow.com/articles/
IN ABOUT A MONTH, we will know the 2026 World Cup roster for the United States national team. The team will not gather between now and then, which means the only thing players can do is perform well for their clubs. While head coach Mauricio Pochettino insisted that the March roster was not the final roster, it should provide some clues.
The March roster was 27 players, although it had four goalkeepers – meaning that it was the same number of field players as the World Cup team will have. Assuming Tyler Adams, Sergino Dest, and Haji Wright will make the team after missing March due to injury, that means three players will have to come off, with one being Patrick Agyemang who is injured.
On top of that, the team did not play well in March against Belgium and Portugal. That could also make a few more players vulnerable.
The best guess, however, is that Pochettino has been trying to build something with this group and not use each window exclusively for auditions. There will be some changes, of course, but most of what we’ve seen since last September (when Pochettino said was the last chance to look at new players) is what will comprise of the World Cup roster.
With that said, here is a predicted roster.
Goalkeepers
1) Matt Freese 2) Matt Turner 3) Chris Brady
In the mix: Patrick Schulte, Roman Celentano, Jonathan Klinsmann
Analysis: Matt Freese has been the U.S. national team No. 1 since last summer and Matt Turner has settled into the No. 2. Nothing in the March window suggested anything different. While it is possible Freese or Turner could flip starting/back-up roles leading up to the World Cup, it is impossible (absent injury) to see a scenario where both do not make the team.
That leads us to the No. 3 goalkeeper. Chris Brady seems like the best possible choice at the moment. Roman Celentano and Jonathan Klinsmann have struggled since the start of 2026. Patrick Schulte has been decent, but Brady has been better.
Central Defenders
4) Chris Richards 5) Tim Ream 6) Mark McKenzie 7) Auston Trusty
In the mix: Miles Robinson, Noahkai Banks, Tristan Blackmon, George Campbell, Walker Zimmerman
Analysis: this is arguably the weakest area of the player pool – and that is not good. Being strong in central defense is needed by teams who require upsets to make a run. Chris Richards is the best of the bunch, by a wide margin. Tim Ream has had a great career but has not had a good start to 2026. It is clear that age is catching up to him, but Pochettino is very invested in Ream and it is hard to envision a scenario where Ream is cut.
Mark McKenzie has had a decent season for Toulouse even if he hasn’t had a defining performance for the U.S. national team. Meanwhile, Auston Trusty had a decent shift in March – so why not? There just aren’t a lot of options in the back.
Miles Robinson couldn’t play during the March window due to injury. But beyond that, Cincinnati has been terrible defensively over the last six weeks. That is not necessarily Robinson’s fault, but it doesn’t help his case either.
Noahkai Banks could be an option, but there isn’t anything to suggest he has decided to play for the United States. With him asking out of the final camp before the World Cup roster is named, predicting him making the team is nothing more than wishful thinking.
Tristan Blackmon, George Campbell, and Walker Zimmerman were all called-up in 2025 for limited times. But the fact they weren’t brought back suggests they are backup options now in case of injury.
Of course, Pochettino might bring a fifth central defender but players like Tanner Tessmann or Alex Freeman are just as likely to play in the backline if needed.
Fullbacks
8) Sergino Dest 9) Alex Freeman 10) Antonee Robinson 11) Max Arfsten
In the mix: Joe Scally, John Tolkin, Kristoffer Lund
Analysis: At this point, the best guess is that Pochettino will pick who has been calling up, whenever healthy. Sergino Dest, Alex Freeman, Antonee Robinson, and Max Arfsten have all been selected whenever they’re not injured. With that, Dest remains a bit of a wildcard. He has said that he is aiming to return from injury before the end of the season. For now, we think he’ll make it. If not, Scally comes back in.
Joe Scally is a tough omission because he can also play as a central defender in a three-man backline. Then again, so can Tanner Tessmann and Alex Freeman. But Pochettino has never seemed to full trust Scally and even left him out of some of the fall camps. Still, Scally should be there if Dest isn’t fully fit.
On the left side, Robinson is healthy – for now. Arfsten has had defensive liabilities but is good at getting forward. But Arfsten has been the preferred option when Robinson hasn’t been healthy. With John Tolkin injured (although it is unclear his timetable for return) and Kristoffer Lund having never been in the picture, Arfsten should certainly be there.
There is also Tim Weah, who could start at right back, right wing, or even left back. He is listed as a winger here, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t a fullback option.
Central midfielders
12) Tyler Adams 13) Tanner Tessmann 14) Johnny Cardoso 15) Sebastian Berhalter 16) Christian Roldan
In the mix: Aidan Morris, Yunus Musah
Analysis: This is the deepest area of the player pool and the place where the most difficult picks will be made.
Among those on the team, Tyler Adams is as close to a lock as anyone outside Richards or Pulisic. If central defense is a weakness, Adams can help alleviate that more than anyone as he is a very useful shield to the backline and he is a great disrupter. Tanner Tessmann has been singled out for his “brain” – which helps in his versatility to help in central defense if needed.
Johnny Cardoso only played 45 minutes for the U.S. team, but he was decent as the rest of the team struggled. He is yet to have a big game for the USMNT, but his club resume should be enough. Sebastian Berhalter was up and down in March but he is playing well for Vancouver and has had good moments for the U.S. team over the past year. Plus, he is an excellent free kick taker.
That leaves us with Cristian Roldan, who Pochettino likes and has singled out as a good teammate who adds value on a big 26-player roster.
The toughest omission here would be Aidan Morris, who has been consistently good for Middlesbrough. The problem for Morris is that he might be redundant with Tessmann, Cardoso, and Adams.
As for Yunus Musah, he seems like a longshot at this moment given his terrible season in Italy where his loan to Atalanta just hasn’t yielded meaningful minutes. He will still only be 27-years-old at the next World Cup but he needs to develop. Right now, at 23, he’s essentially the same players as he was at 19, but only rustier for not having played. He needs to make smart decisions this year about the next steps in his career. But it is hard to believe that a World Cup starter as a teenager could be left off the team four years later.
Attacking midfielders
17) Weston McKennie 18) Brenden Aaronson 19) Malik Tillman 20) Diego Luna
In the mix: Gio Reyna, Jack McGlynn
Analysis: This is an area of the field where it is difficult to predict given the inconsistency of the players. Weston McKennie has had a great season and can play in several different positions but seems the most valuable to this team further up the field. Brenden Aaronson is has also had a good season for Leeds although Pochettino has never been completely sold (leaving him off the 2025 Nations League roster and giving him only limited minutes at the Gold Cup and this past March window). But Aaronson is an energetic player who brings needed intensity to games.
Malik Tillman has not had a great season for Bayer Leverkusen, and has been considered a disappointment given the $40 million price tag paid for him last year. But he has done enough to be part of the team.
Then there is Diego Luna, who Pochettino said in March was struggling in his return from an injury. Luna was subsequently left off the March roster. But that seemed to be a direct challenge to Luna, and Luna has responded nicely – playing well after club play resumed after the window.
That brings us to Gio Reyna, a player who has been the center of much debate regarding his status on the U.S. team. In the end, the results speak for themselves. He is not playing for Borussia Monchengladbach. He hasn’t played much over the last four years. Pochettino brought him into the team for March, and while his minutes were limited, he didn’t stand out.
Maybe something changes in the weeks ahead and he beings to play and produce for M’Gladbach. Absent that, there just isn’t a lot there. Meanwhile, players such as Luna, Aaronson, and even Alex Zendejas are playing more, honing their craft, and building an affirmative case.
Wingers & Forwards
21) Christian Pulisic 22) Tim Weah 23) Haji Wright 24) Alex Zendejas 25) Folarin Balogun 26) Ricardo Pepi In the mix: Josh Sargent, Brian White, Damion Downs
Analysis: This area of the pool saw a shift in recent weeks with the injury to Patrick Agyemang. That opens the door for another player, although another center forward isn’t necessarily needed with Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi as established producers and Haji Wright able to play both on the wings and as a center forward.
Should another injury arise, distant options like Josh Sargent, Brian White, or Damion Downs become likely.
Christian Pulisic’s tough run of form thus far in 2026 remains the team’s top story heading into the World Cup. He’s a lock to make the team but success of the team likely hinges on him returning to top form. All other talk about who makes the final roster is largely irrelevant unless Pulisic can be Pulisic.
Tim Weah could feature on either side at fullback or winger, but he is a good player within this squad and has had a good season with Marseille where he has been a regular starter.
Alex Zendejas would be a surprise inclusion, but the stars could be aligning nicely for him. He is having a great year for Club America, he would bring a nice left foot to the mix, he is well-liked, and he did well in his most recent call-up (last September). Plus, the team could use another winger or a player who could play multiple roles.
Bottom Line
My take is that there aren’t many open spots. It is essentially these 26 players plus Miles Robinson, Noahkai Banks, Joe Scally, Aiden Morris, and Gio Reyna. That makes 31 players with a realistic shot. The other players listed only come into the mix if there is an injury or if something drastic happens.
On the roster, Zendejas represents the biggest stretch given he has not been with the team since September. But he seems like a good bet given that he’s playing well, he’s versatile, and he brings a left foot.
Regardless, roster projects shift and change on a weekly basis. That’s likely to continue right up until the team is named. Players on the “bubble” just need to play well.
As for team success, it is fun to debate over the margins of the roster and which players will make the team with the final spots, but ultimately team success will come down to how well the top players perform and whether the goalkeeper can make big saves. Down the stretch, it is most important to keep an eye on Pulisic, McKennie, Adams, Richards, and Freese. The U.S. team’s success hinges on them.
USMNT Player Tracker: Allegri offers Pulisic consolation, Albert’s bow, and Aaronson’s education
Justin Setterfield/Getty Images, Marco Luzzani/Getty Images
Sensitive Christian Pulisic is still searching for goals, Brenden Aaronson wants to learn from his big miss, and Mathis Albert makes the breakthrough. It was a lively weekend for Americans in Europe.Welcome to this week’s USMNT Player Tracker.
In a roundabout sort of way, Milan manager Max Allegri offered some reassurance to USMNT supporters this weekend when it comes to his struggling forward, Christian Pulisic.As the star’s drought in front of goal continues — it is up to 16 games now, matching his only other similarly dry streak at Chelsea in 2022 — his manager added some sympathetic context. Pulisic, to an extent, is being sacrificed for the team by regularly playing as a striker.He is ‘doing a job’ for Allegri in a position the manager admits will not eke the best from him, because Milan do not have a centre-forward he feels can start regularly in his 3-5-2 formation.
Christian Pulisic has now gone 16 games without a goal.Marco Bertorello / AFP via Getty Images
Thankfully, Mauricio Pochettino does not have that problem, given Ricardo Pepi was on target again for PSV at the weekend and Folarin Balogun is thriving at Monaco, so hopefully Pulisic’s life will be easier in a little over six weeks’ time when the World Cup begins.“He is also someone who struggles more with the physicality of duels and the lack of a centre-forward, but I must try to give a balance to this team as we have an objective to achieve,” Allegri told DAZN after Milan’s goalless draw with Weston McKennie’s Juventus on Sunday.“I realise he is not entirely suited to this. I had asked him to play centre-right tonight and Leao centre-left, so we were without a centre-forward. Rest assured, by the end of the season, Pulisic will have given his contribution.”
There was also an admission from the Milan boss that the lack of goals is having an impact on the American’s mood. “Christian is a very sensitive man and this drought is hitting him harder,” he added.There’s little doubt that Pulisic’s partnership up front with Rafael Leao, with whom he has rowed at times this term, is not bringing the best from him. He did not create a chance for Milan on Sunday, and only touched the ball in the Juve area once.Leao had better numbers and delivered a brighter display, but he has also gone six Serie A games without a goal as Milan’s league form faltered.
Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic have not always seen eye to eye on the pitch.Marco Luzzani / Getty Images
In the end, Pulisic was replaced by Niclas Fullkrug, a more conventional centre-forward.In the opposition ranks, McKennie lasted the full game and was more involved in his side’s efforts. There was a worrying moment, though, when he went down and required treatment after an innocuous clash with Milan defender Fikayo Tomori.Fortunately, the Texan recovered to play on.The draw meant Milan remain third and Juve fourth, trailing them by three points, with both currently in the Champions League qualification spots.
Aaronson learns the hard way
Most people would not care to dwell on the opportunity that Brenden Aaronson spurned in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday.The USMNT midfielder had a chance to put Leeds ahead against Chelsea early in the game after making a clever run to go through one-on-one against Robert Sanchez.His shot could not beat the Spanish goalkeeper, though, and eight minutes later, Chelsea scored what turned out to be the game’s only goal.Afterwards, Aaronson said he had already made a point of watching his chance back. “To be honest, I thought it was a goal. I thought I couldn’t have done much better, but it was a great save… I think I’ve watched it back three times already. I always want to get better and see how I can get better with my finishing,” he told ESPN.
“I work on it a lot, so I will watch it back. I know in that moment in time I was confident, and I knew where I wanted to put it, and I put it in the right spot, but sometimes you have to put your hands up for the goalkeeper.”
Brenden Aaronson fires off his shot, only for Robert Sanchez to save.Ben Stansall / AFP via Getty Images
There was a big step forward for 16-year-old Mathis Albert in the Bundesliga at the weekend.He surpassed Gio Reyna as the youngest American to play in the German top flight when he debuted for Borussia Dortmund on Sunday.Albert, who hails from Greenville, South Carolina, was introduced in the 88th minute of Dortmund’s win over Freiburg, aged 16 years, 11 months and 5 days. All eyes will now be on whether manager Niko Kovac gives the starlet more minutes between now and the end of the campaign.
Mathis Albert awaits his opportunity on the bench.Ronny Hartmann / AFP via Getty Images
Dortmund can only secure second place behind Champions Bayern Munich now, and Kovac also handed a full debut to gifted 18-year-old attacker Samuele Inácio in the 4-0 win over Freiburg.
It’s a big week for Chris Richards and his Crystal Palace team-mates, as they head into the first leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final against Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday.
Palace will have to put the disappointment of their 3-1 loss to Liverpool on Saturday behind them quickly, and focus on the dream of a second major trophy in as many seasons.
See how they get on during the away leg in Poland (3pm, Paramount +).
Chris Richards is hoping to secure a second major trophy in as many seasons for Crystal Palace.Paul Ellis / AFP via Getty Images
Then, three days later, Palace are in action again as they head back on the road to face Tyler Adams and Bournemouth (Sunday, 9am, Paramount +).
Also on Sunday, tune in to see whether Albert or Reyna — who came on for 19 minutes against Wolfsburg on Saturday — benefit from game-time as Dortmund face Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga (11:30am, ESPN+).
Greg O’Keeffe is a senior writer for The Athletic covering US soccer players in the UK & Europe. Previously he spent a decade at the Liverpool Echo covering news and features before an eight-year stint as the paper’s Everton correspondent; giving readers the inside track on Goodison Park, a remit he later reprised at The Athletic. He has also worked as a news and sport journalist for the BBC and hosts a podcast in his spare time.
Suspended Vincent Kompany backs Bayern Munich ‘100%’ vs. PSG
ESPN News Services
Apr 27, 2026, 03:01 PM ET
Vincent Kompany’s influence as coach is a key reason Bayern Munich are in the Champions League semifinals. Now Bayern will have to manage without him.
Bayern are preparing for arguably their toughest game of the season so far at Paris Saint-Germain with their head coach suspended and assistant Aaron Danks taking over. He’s well-regarded, but has only been head coach in two Premier League games.
“Danksy has plenty of experience, was on the touchline for a while in England,” Kompany said. “I’ve got 100% confidence in the staff and everyone else.”
Kompany was still involved in training on Monday before Bayern’s departure for Paris, but he’ll be barred from the team’s locker room and bench at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday.
Kompany ruled out copying Jose Mourinho’s notorious 2005 caper when the Portuguese coach hid in a washing basket to sneak into the locker room and speak with his Chelsea team while suspended for a game against Bayern.
“I’m 1.92 meters (6-foot-3) tall. I can’t fit in a washing basket,” he said.
Harry Kane thinks Kompany’s absence will be felt. “We’ll miss him on the touchline. He’s our boss, a coach who’d love to be out there with us,” the striker, who is set for talks to extend his stay at Bayern, said.
It’s all because Kompany was booked in Bayern’s thrilling quarterfinal win over Real Madrid for disputing the referee’s decision to allow Madrid to play on and score after a hard tackle on Bayern defender Josip Stanisic.
That was Kompany’s third yellow card in Bayern’s 12th Champions League game of the season. He argued UEFA should relax the rules now there are more games than ever.
“It’s an extended format and it’s the strictest-ever ruling with a lot of interpretation from referees, where sometimes you can get a yellow card wrong as well. So what happens then?” Kompany said after the game.
“I’m not happy because of this, but it’s not important. The team can do it and I’m there for the return game. I have total faith in the team, the staff, to not just continue but also gain strength and motivation out of it.”
PSG coach Luis Enrique praised Kompany’s work since arriving two years ago.
“Vincent Kompany is a coach of the highest level, Bayern is one of the teams I like to watch the most,” he said. “They’re very pretty to watch. I like all coaches but especially the attacking ones, and he is without doubt one of them.”
Danks is one of Kompany’s three main assistants. The 42-year-old English coach is a set-piece specialist who oversaw two games for Aston Villa as caretaker coach in 2022, beating Brentford 4-0 then losing to Newcastle by the same score.
Preparations haven’t exactly been easy, either.
With the Bundesliga title wrapped up, Bayern hoped to rest key players against Mainz on Saturday, but Kompany had to bring on Kane, Michael Olise and Jamal Musiala after slipping 3-0 down before coming back to win 4-3.
Musiala is facing PSG for the first time since suffering a bad leg break against the French team at last season’s Club World Cup.
The attacking midfielder didn’t return until January but has recently looked back on form with two goals and four assists in his last five games, including setting up Luis Díaz‘s crucial third goal in the second game against Madrid.
Lennart Karl got his break in the Bayern team during Musiala’s injury absence but the 18-year-old is likely to miss Tuesday’s game with a muscle issue which has sidelined him for the last three weeks. Forward Serge Gnabry is out with a muscle tear that’s ruled him out of the World Cup, too.
The Champions League isn’t just part of Bayern’s quest for a triple. An even rarer achievement is possible.
Bayern are in the hunt for a double-triple of league, cup and Champions League for both their men’s and women’s teams. The Bayern women have already won the German league, are in the final of the German Cup and are level with Barcelona at 1-1 in the Women’s Champions League semifinals.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
‘No team better’ than Paris Saint-Germain – Luis Enrique
PA
Apr 27, 2026, 03:26 PM ET ESPN FC
Luis Enrique insists “there’s no team better than us” as he prepares Paris Saint-Germain for a heavyweight Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.
The holders host the newly crowned Bundesliga champions in an eagerly anticipated semi-final first leg on Tuesday.
PSG head into the game at the Parc des Princes in strong form having won eight of their last nine matches and sitting six points clear at the top of Ligue 1.
They have also impressed in Europe, seeing off AS Monaco, Chelsea and Liverpool in the knockout phase.
They now face a Bayern side who boast their own formidable record but the PSG boss is confident his side have the edge.
“These are Europe’s top two teams,” the Spaniard told his pre-match news conference. “In terms of consistency, Bayern are perhaps slightly above us because they’ve only lost two games, but in terms of what we’ve shown, there’s no team better than us.
“You need to attack more than you defend if you want to win, and we know how hard that will be, but we’re not here to negotiate — we want to win.”
Bayern arrive in the French capital on a run of nine straight wins and 16 victories from their last 17 matches in all competitions.
They have won 11 of their 12 Champions League games this season, losing only at Arsenal in November, while a Bundesliga defeat by Augsburg in January is the only other blemish on their record.
England captain Harry Kane has led the charge with 53 goals in all competitions, including 12 in the Champions League. Bayern have also won their last five meetings with PSG, including a 2-1 victory in Paris earlier this season.
The occasion holds no fear for Bayern manager Vincent Kompany.
The former Manchester City captain said: “We’ve already won at the Bernabéu this year and won in Paris.
“Paris are obviously still the Champions League holders, but if any team can take on this challenge, it’s us. We know how good Paris are, but we want this game.”
The match will be the 15th meeting between the sides in the competition — and the ninth in as many seasons — continuing a rivalry that has become familiar on the European stage.
Kompany, who will watch the action from the stands as he serves a touchline ban, expects fine margins to settle the tie.
“We’ve got experience against them, but that’s the same for our opponent,” he said. “Both teams have so much creativity. It’s about details, intensity and energy.”
The myth of the 2026 World Cup hotel and tourism ‘boom’
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has boasted some lofty economic figures surrounding the 2026 World Cup Hector Vivas / FIFA / Getty Images
FIFA came to North America years ago promising that the 2026 World Cup would bring millions of visitors and billions of dollars. “The world will be invading Canada, Mexico and the United States [with] a big wave of joy and happiness,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in 2022 as 16 host cities were selected. In anticipation, hotels in those cities hiked their summer 2026 prices and prepared to capitalize on the deluge.
Advertisement
But with two months to go, the long-promised World Cup boom hasn’t yet materialized. Some in the U.S. tourism industry worry that it will turn out to be little more than a modest bump.
“It is not the cornucopia that FIFA talked about,” Vijay Dandapani, president and CEO of the Hotel Association of New York City, told The Athletic.
Chris Nassetta, longtime president and CEO of Hilton Hotels & Resorts, admitted at a conference in Washington, D.C., last week that “the World Cup, at this point, doesn’t look as strong as what we had hoped.”
Others remain bullish and expect travel bookings to pick up over the coming month. “We’re really not ready to pull the fire alarm yet,” Erik Hansen, the U.S. Travel Association’s head of government relations, told The Athletic.
Rosanna Maietta, president and CEO of the American Hotel and Lodging Association, added: “The industry, for sure, is still expecting to see a bump from those two months.”
She acknowledged, though, that “a lot of our members are reporting that bookings are below their projections.”
Many have re-calibrated expectations. And across the 16 host cities, most hotels have walked back their pricing surge.
In the aftermath of the World Cup draw and schedule reveal in December, The Athleticanalyzed hotel prices in the 16 markets. The 96 hotels in our sample were, on average, charging $1,013 per night around the opening match in their respective cities, compared with $293 for an equivalent stay in late-May, exactly three weeks earlier. The average increase was 328%.
The extent of the surge varied from city to city, but touched every market and cohost country. In the U.S., the average per-night price rose from $315 in late May to $1,028 during the first week of the tournament.
Four months later, at the same hotels, prices for those same June dates have fallen more than 40% from their earlier peak.
They remain significantly higher than May prices, but across 63 of the 66 U.S. hotels in the sample, the average rate last week was $579 per night around opening World Cup matches, down from $1,034 four months ago. (Three hotels were removed from the sample because rates were no longer available on the Marriott and Hilton apps, from which the data was sourced, when this follow-up analysis was conducted last week.)
The relatively steep decline aligns with industry-wide data and comments from executives and analysts.
“We are re-adjusting based on the market,” Maietta said.
Nearly everyone interviewed for this story said they expect bookings to accelerate between now and the start of the World Cup, or even during the tournament, which kicks off June 11 and concludes July 19. “I am still anticipating a banner summer,” Ed Grose, president and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association, told The Athletic.
But the “soft bookings,” as Maeitta put it, are fueling some concern that this World Cup won’t attract as many visitors as first thought.
The posited reasons range from a broader U.S. tourism slump to ticket prices that have dissuaded foreign fans, plus costs — including the hotel prices themselves — that have made a World Cup trip unaffordable for the vast majority of the world.
Fans attend the FIFA World Cup trophy tour in Kansas CityEd Zurga / FIFA / Getty Images
Reasoning for unmet expectations
When FIFA last year released a “Socieconomic Impact Analysis” report and boasted that the World Cup “could help drive up to $40.9 billion in Gross Domestic Product (GDP)” in the U.S., its analysis included an assumption that “40% of the total stadium attendance [would] consist of foreign tourists.”
If so, more than 2.5 million seats at the World Cup’s 104 matches would be filled by foreigners. Separately, officials speculated that the number could be around 3 million. And simultaneously, they promised that millions more fans would come from afar without tickets to partake in World Cup-adjacent festivities. Infantino said last week that there would be “tens of millions from all over the world coming to the U.S. just to feel the vibe.”
Advertisement
With two months to go, however, bookings and ticket sales suggest that the World Cup, as a tourist attraction, might fall short of those expectations.
According to April 6 data provided to The Athletic by CoStar, a real estate and hospitality data firm, the percentage of available hotel rooms already booked for matchdays in nine of the 11 U.S. host cities was roughly equal to the percentage of rooms booked for the same June and July dates at the same point last year.
In those nine cities, excluding Philadelphia and Kansas City, bookings were up 0.8 percent on average. On group-stage dates, the uptick was slightly higher (1.3 percent). Including the two Canadian host cities, Vancouver and Toronto, however, there have been relatively fewer bookings this year compared to last.
Cities that aren’t typically summer tourist destinations, such as Dallas and Miami, have seen significant upticks, especially on the nights of popular matches, including England vs. Croatia and Scotland vs. Brazil.
Colombia vs. Portugal is another Miami example. Those matches “are going to bring a higher demand than maybe some of those earlier games, like Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde,” James D’Agostino, a general manager at Gale Hotels in Miami, told The Athletic.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal are expected to be a big draw for traveling fans at this summer’s World CupPatricia De Melo Moreira / AFP / Getty Images
But for hotels in other cities that would welcome millions of tourists even without the World Cup, such as New York or San Francisco, the tournament has not yet had a noticeable impact.
“The pace, unfortunately, is the same as what it was last year,” Dandapani, the New York City hotel association executive, said.
Alex Bastian, who leads the Hotel Council of San Francisco, said that in the Bay Area, “many of the hotels adopted conservative budgeting and forecasting strategies” based on past World Cups — and then based on the 2026 match schedule announcement in December.
Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, is the only of the 11 U.S. stadiums that won’t host a single top seed. “If Germany was at play or France was at play,” Bastian said, “that would be a different impact than, for example, a team like Switzerland, or a team like, I don’t know, Jordan.”
Even in cities that received stronger draws, the share of international ticket buyers seems to be falling short of the 40-50 percent projection. Noelle LeVeaux, the Dallas host committee’s chief marketing officer, said recently that about 26-35 percent of tickets are being purchased by international customers. FIFA data distributed to the Los Angeles host committee and seen by The Athletic suggests that, similarly, less than a third of the fans at L.A.’s matches might be coming from abroad.
Dandapani said that FIFA’s pricing of tickets “at a really extraordinarily high level compared to” the 2022 Qatar World Cup had deterred travelers. He also cited widespread “headwinds,” such as strict visa policies, that have “put a chill” on international travel to the United States.
President Donald Trump’s “America First” agenda and rhetoric has also fueled widespread perceptions that the country is unwelcoming. Throughout 2025, the first year of Trump’s second term, “U.S. visitor numbers declined 5.5% against 2024,” according to the World Travel and Tourism Council, even as the travel and tourism sector experienced its “best year ever” globally.
The World Cup had been among the reasons that industry analysts expected the U.S. to rebound in 2026. Tourism Economics, a global travel data company, initially projected a 3.9% increase in arrivals throughout the calendar year. But recently, citing the “Middle East conflict” and its economic consequences, the firm downgraded its projection to “a moderate 3.4% gain.”
Aran Ryan, the company’s director of industry studies, told The Athletic via email: “We estimate World Cup attendees will boost growth in U.S. arrivals this year by about 0.8 to 1.3 percentage points … equivalent to about 742,000 incremental visitors during the tournament.”
A view outside the Marriott Marquis hotel in midtown New York CityZamek / VIEWpress
‘Artificial early demand’
Pricing, meanwhile, was muddled by FIFA hotel blocks. The global soccer governing body, which owns and runs the World Cup, booked hundreds or thousands of rooms in each host city. Then, like many conventions and other event organizers, it exercised its contractual option to cancel some of those reservations earlier this year.“FIFA’s room block overcommitment,” Maietta explained, “created artificial early demand.” Its opt-out then changed the supply-and-demand equation. Hotels suddenly had more rooms to sell, while potential visitors were perhaps not as numerous as expected.o, throughout 2026, they’ve adjusted prices accordingly.
The steepest decline in our sample — which serves as a rough approximation of the market, far from an exact measure — occurred in Atlanta, where average prices from June 14-16 at the six randomly selected tourist hotels fell from $968 in December to $390 in April. (Atlanta’s slate of group-stage matches is arguably the second-most underwhelming of the 11 U.S. host cities, better than only the Bay Area.)Boston, Philadelphia and Seattle also saw prices cut by around 50%.The most modest decline was in Dallas, where the average of $1,039 recorded in December has fallen to a still-high $773 around the first match at AT&T Stadium in nearby Arlington, between the Netherlands and Japan. (England vs. Croatia is three days later.)
The giant video board at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, dons World Cup branding in anticipation of a number of key World Cup matches at the venueJerome Miron / Imagn Images
“If they’re nickel-and-dimed every which way along that travel journey,” Maietta said of fans, “it makes it really hard for them to want to come out with, say, a family, or spend that extra night at a hotel. … It all adds up.”Optimists within the tourism industry note that the World Cup’s knockout rounds, which represent 31% of matches and the highest stakes, do not lend themselves to advanced travel planning. Many fans, they believe, will book at the very last minute if their team wins and progresses from one stage to the next.There are also still more tickets to be distributed. FIFA said Tuesday that it has sold 5 million, and that a new batch will be made available Wednesday at 11 a.m. ET. (The cumulative capacity of World Cup stadiums across the 104 matches is roughly 6.7 million.)The question is how significant the last-minute rush will be. No one is expecting the “tens of millions from all over the world” that Infantino mentioned, but the hope is that the World Cup will at least bring hundreds of thousands to each host city. And even if they are expats who travel from within the United States, they will still give the tournament international flair.“I think it’s too early to tell,” Hansen said of the ultimate impact. “I think plans are starting to be made now to come to the U.S. Ticket demand has been strong. So I think we’re going to start to see, in the next couple of weeks, how the data’s shaping out.”
Adam Crafton contributed reporting to this story
Henry Bushnell is a senior writer for The Athletic covering soccer. He previously covered a variety of sports and events, including World Cups and Olympics, for Yahoo Sports. He is based in Washington, D.C.
Whatever Wrexham’s fate – Premier League or not – this is what they can learn from Coventry
Coventry head coach Frank Lampard celebrated winning the Championship after the game against Wrexham Getty Images
Wrexham are no strangers to promotion parties. Not after charging from non-League to the Championship inside three years.Even so, as the fireworks soared skyward and Coventry City supporters brandished placards reading ‘We are Back’ to mark their team’s return to the Premier League after a quarter of a century away, the joyful scenes in the spring sunshine did provide pause for thought.Wrexham’s play-off destiny remains just about in their own hands, a 3-1 defeat to the champions partly mitigated by how rivals Hull City had lost 24 hours earlier at Charlton Athletic.With both teams locked together on 70 points and Derby County a solitary point behind in eighth, victory over Middlesbrough at The Racecourse Ground could be enough to clinch sixth place.
Anything less than a three-point return, however, and maybe next season will be, as the celebrating Coventry fans took great delight in pointing out during the closing stages a case of, “We’re going to Arsenal, you’re going to Stoke”.Whatever Wrexham’s fate — and it could be settled by goal difference, the Welsh club currently one goal better off than Hull with a game to go — this has been a fine season with comfortably their highest-ever league standing already secured along with the mantle of being Wales’ top club.But, as Frank Lampard and his players rightly basked in the gratitude of a city whose football club has known tough times since last sitting at the top table of English football, it was hard not to wonder just what scenes potentially lie ahead if Wrexham can, first, clinch sixth place on the final day and then end their play-offs final hoodoo at Wembley.
“It will be a cracking atmosphere next week,” says Phil Parkinson. “It won’t match this because Coventry have clinched the title and they were celebrating promotion. Next week is about, ‘Can we get into the play-offs?’.“But, we’ve had some brilliant days ourselves. It’s all to play for. The lads have been brilliant over 45 games and now we have an opportunity to get over the line.”
Like Wrexham’s own rise under Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, Coventry’s ascent to the Premier League has been impressive.
Jubilant Coventry fans after 25 years outside of the top flightJacob King/PA Images via Getty Images
Mark Robins did brilliantly to lead City to promotion from League Two in 2018 and League One two years later, despite a bleak financial outlook. Then came two heartbreaking losses at Wembley, first in the 2023 Championship play-off final, followed by the FA Cup semi-final 12 months later against Manchester United.By the time Robins left 17 months ago, however, Coventry were languishing in 17th place and needing a spark. Lampard, a serial winner in his playing career, provided just that.Wrexham, of course, were the first team to beat the champions, a 3-2 Halloween triumph that saw Kieffer Moore bag the ‘perfect’ hat-trick.
They were no less impressive in Sunday’s return, even if this time there was to be no reward for their efforts, as goals from Ephron Mason-Clark, Brandon Thomas-Asante, and a swerving free kick by Victor Torp ensured the title party was in full swing at the final whistle.No doubt that the trophy handed over by EFL chairman Rick Parry was well deserved. They have been the Championship’s standout team and fully deserving of the guard of honour provided by Wrexham before kick-off.The Welsh club may yet join Coventry in next season’s Premier League. But, even if that is to be the case, there are lessons to heed from how Lampard’s side have dominated the second tier.
Ollie Rathbone celebrates scoring against CoventrySimon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
The respective metrics for the two teams across 45 Championship games are revealing, especially how integral possession has been to the champions’ success.
Not just on Sunday — when Wrexham were worn down on an afternoon when they saw just 39.3 per cent of the ball — but across the entire season, where Coventry’s average possession stands at 55 per cent, compared with Wrexham’s 48 per cent.
This has allowed City to spend more time in the opposition third of the field, as shown by how 56 per cent of their overall touches have come in this area, compared with 47 per cent for Wrexham.
Seeing so much of the ball also helps partly explain the big disparity in attempted shots across the campaign, Coventry managing an average of 16.3 per game (5.5 on target) compared with 11.1 (3.7 on target) for Parkinson’s side.Of those, 72 per cent of Coventry’s attempts have been from inside the penalty area, the highest in the Championship and well ahead of Wrexham at 67 per cent.
The Welsh side put up a good fight on Sunday, carving out eight shots of their own inside the penalty area to nine by the hosts. Crucially, though, Coventry were more clinical, again mirroring a season-wide trend with Lampard’s side boasting a 35 per cent conversion rate from shots inside the six-yard box, 55 per cent on target.
In contrast, Wrexham’s conversion rate from the same area stands at 26 per cent and 36 per cent accuracy.
Shot conversion overall has been similar, at 14 per cent for City and 13 per cent for Wrexham, underlining how it’s volume and quality that most sets apart the teams sitting first and sixth respectively in the table.
Coventry are also better at fast breaks, averaging an expected goals (xG) of 0.2 per 90 minutes from this route, as opposed to Wrexham at a little over a third of that at 0.07.
An ability to win possession high up the field or win a set piece that subsequently leads to a goal also explains why Coventry are the division’s top scorers with 93, no less than nine goals having come from these high turnovers (2.5 per match). Wrexham, meanwhile, have scored just three from an average of 1.9, again something that will have to improve going forward.
“Congratulations to Coventry,” said the Wrexham manager. “They’ve earned it over the season. But the lads won’t be knocked by this. We went toe-to-toe with a very good team and the third goal was not a fair reflection.
“We had big moments in the game, but didn’t take them. We will next week.”
US Ladies Win Handily 2-1 – face Japan Tues 10 pm in Seattle, Fri 9 pm in Denver
The US ladies returned to form with a solid 2-1 win over Japan Saturday afternoon. Highlights The 2-1 margin could have been more as the US outpossessed Japan 62-38% and outshot Japan with impressive goals from Rose Levelle and Lindsey Horan (Heaps). For the US it is 10 straight wins, and paid them back for the 2-1 loss in the She Believe’s Cup. The two top 5 powerhouses face off again Tuesday in Seattle at 10 pm then Fri at 9 pm from Denver.
U.S. Women’s National Team Roster by Position (Club; Caps/Goals)2026 April Matches vs. Japan GOALKEEPERS (3): Jane Campbell (Houston Dash, 10),Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign FC; 8), Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United, ENG; 6) DEFENDERS (9): Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC; 67/3), Emily Fox (Arsenal FC, ENG; 74/1), Naomi Girma (Chelsea FC, ENG; 52/2), Avery Patterson (Houston Dash; 10/1), Lilly Reale (Gotham FC; 7/0), Emily Sams (Angel City FC: 9/1), Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC; 115/2), Gisele Thompson (Angel City FC; 7/0), Kennedy Wesley (San Diego Wave FC; 4/0) MIDFIELDERS (7): Sam Coffey (Manchester City, ENG; 44/5), Lindsey Heaps (OL Lyonnes, FRA; 173/39), Claire Hutton (Bay FC; 15/1), Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC; 118/27), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns FC; 15/5),Jaedyn Shaw (Gotham FC; 34/10), Lily Yohannes (OL Lyonnes, FRA; 16/1) FORWARDS (7): Michelle Cooper (Kansas City Current; 10/1),Jameese Joseph (Chicago Stars FC; 4/1),Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit; 52/13), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville FC; 17/6), Ally Sentnor (Kansas City Current; 18/7), Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea FC, ENG; 29/4), Sophia Wilson (Portland Thorns FC; 58/24)
Champions League – Quarterfinals 2nd leg Tues/Wed 3 pm Para +
Wow – my Atletico really put a spanking on Barcelona at the Camp Nou 2-0 – setting up a classic battle back in Madrid at the Metropolitano and will test what Atletico do best for their head man in Black Diego Simeone (El Cholo). Liverpool heads home down 2 goals to zero to PSG Tuesday at 3 pm on Paramount+ – with little hope of surpassing the Holders. Wed 3 pm on Para+ gives us the Classic as Bayern Munich returns home up 2-1 vs Real Madrid while Arsenal will try to buck form and hold on to their 1-0 lead over Sporting and their Talisman Jose Mourino. It drives me nuts that European Soccer is Too STUPID to put the top 8 teams in the World on in back to back games – say 1 pm and 3 pm – rather than playing simultaneously. But that’s Champions League so 2 TVs it is tomorrow for a late lunch.
Tues 3 pm Para+ Barcelona 0 vs Atletico Madrid 2 & Liverpool 0 vs PSG 2 Wed 3 pm Para+ Real Madrid 0 vs Bayern Munich 1 & Sporting CP 0 vs Arsenal 1
Indy 11 Wins 3-1 @ Birmingham Legion Sun 5 pm on ESPN+
Indianapolis – Indy Eleven extended its current USL Championship unbeaten streak to four (2-0-2) and its unbeaten run at home to six (5-0-1) dating back to last season with a 3-1 victory over Monterey Bay FC in front of 9,101 fans at Carroll Stadium. Boys in Blue midfielder Jack Blake became the club’s all-time leader in goals with his 28th on a bicycle kick in the 55th minute with the goal that put his team ahead 2-1. Indy Eleven travels to Eastern Conference opponent Birmingham Legion FC on Sunday, April 19 at 5:00 pm ET on ESPN+. The next Boys in Blue home game at Carroll Stadium is “Retro Night” and the opening of Prinx Tires USL Cup play vs. Union Omaha on Sat. Apr. 25 at 7 p.m.
Former Carmel FC 07 players Maverick McCoy & Evan Muckridge now playing College Soccer for Notre Dame & Butler. Maverick will play Fri eve 7:30 pm as Notre Dame faces IU at Grand Park as part of The Boys College Showcase.
What a pleasure it was to get to Ref The ENCL Boys Game Weekend at Grand Park this past Weekend. All the top Refs in the State were there.
The Ole Ballcoach (right) with Chris Smith in the middle and Olusina on the Left (L to R) Todd M with Bailey and myself running the middle at Grand Park ENCL Weekend. The Ole Ballcoach with Todd C running the middle and Efren Ramos
TV Schedule – Games on TV
Tues, Apr 14 3 pm Para+ Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid 3 pm PAra+ PSG vs Liverpool 7 pm CBSSN Louisville City vs Austin US Open Cup 7:30 pm CBS Golazo Detroit City vs Chicago Fire US Open Cup 10pm TNT, HBO US Women vs Japan 9 pm FS2 LAFC vs Cruz Azul CCC 11:30 pm FS2 America vs Nashville SC CCC Wed, Apr 14 3 pm Para+ Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich 3 pm Para+ Sporting CP vs Arsenal 7 pm CBSSN Naples vs Orlando City US Open 9 pm FS2 Toluca vs LA Galaxy CCC 11:30 pm FS2 Seattle Sounders vs Tigres CCC Thurs, Apr 15 Europa League 3 pm Para+ Bologna vs Aston Villa 3 pm PAra+ Porto vs Nottingham Forest 3 pm Para+ Crystal Palace (Richards) vs Fiorentina Fri, Apr 17 2:45 pm Para+ Inter Milan vs Caglairi Fri. Apr. 17, 7:30 pm | IU vs. Notre Dame GRAND PARK 9 pm TNT, HBO US Women vs Japan Sat, Apr 18 7;30 am USA Fulham (Jedi) vs Brentford 10 am USA Newcastle vs Bournemouth (Adams) 9:30 am ESPN2 Dortmund vs Bayer Leverkusen (Tillman) 12:30 pm NBC Tottenham vs Brighton 3 pm ESPN+ Athletico Madrid vs Real Sociedad 4:30 pm Apple Inter Miami vs Colorado Rapids 5 pm ESPN+ Indy 11 @ Birmingham Sat. Apr. 18, 6:00 pm | Saint Louis vs. Xavier GRAND PARK 7:30 pm Apple Atlanta United vs Nashville SC 7:30 pm Apple Cincy vs Chicago 9:30 pm Apple Seattle Sounders vs St Louis City 11 pm CBSSN America vs Toluca Mex Sun, Apr 19 9 am USA Everton vs Liverpool 9 am Para+ Verona vs AC Milan (Pulisic) 9 am Peacock Nothingham Forest vs Burnley (Adams) 11:15 am NBC Man City vs Arsenal 11:30 am ESPN2 Bayern Munich vs Stuttgart 12 noon Real Bettis vs Real Madrid 1:30 pm ESPN+ M’Gladbach (Reyna, Salley) vs Mainz 2:45 pm Para+ Juventus (Mckennie) vs Bologna 7 pm Apple LAFC vs San Jose MLS Sun, May 31 3:30 pm TNT, HBO, Peacock USA Men vs Senegal
Sat, June 6 2:30 pm TNT, HBO, Peacock USA Men vs Germany in Chicago Tix Sat, June 12 WORLD CUP 9 pm Fox, Tele, Peacock USA Men vs Paraguay World Cup Fri, June 19 3 pm Fox, Tele, Peacock USA Men vs Australia World Cup Thur, June 25 10 pm Fox, Tele, Peacock USA Men vs Australia World Cup
Coming home from Practice or Games at Badger Fieldhouse? Try out the Best BarBQ in Town right across the street (131st) from Northview Church on the corner of Hazelldell & 131st. RackZ BBQ
Save 20% on your order
(mention the ole ballcoach)
Check out the BarBQ Ribs, pulled Pork and Chicken, Brisket and more. Sweet, Tangy or Spicy sauce. Mention you heard about it from the Ole Ballcoach — and Ryan will give you 20% off your next meal. https://www.rackzbbqindy.com/Call ahead at 317-688-7290 M-Th 11-8 pm, 11-9 Fri/Sat, 12-8 pm on Sunday. Pick some up after practice – Its good eatin! You won’t be disappointed and tell ’em the Ole Ballcoach Sent You!
Save 20% on these Succulent Ribs at Rackz BarBQ when you mention the Ole Ballcoach – Corner of 131 & Hazelldell. – Call 317-688-7290.
USMNT midweek viewing guide: To Old Trafford we go
Follow along with all the USMNT action this week. by Justin Moran Apr 13, 2026, 8:31 AM EDT
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 05: Brenden Aaronson of Leeds United is fouled by Max Kilman of West Ham United resulting in a penalty kick being awarded following a VAR review during the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between West Ham United and Leeds United at London Stadium on April 05, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)Getty Images
Midweek action is here. All kickoff times are in EST. Let’s get into it!
Monday
Manchester United vs Leeds, 3p on USA, UNIVERSO, Telemundo Deportes: Brenden Aaronson and Leeds United visit Man U in the Premier League.
Also in action:
Tondela vs Gil Vicente, 3:15p: Jordan Pefok and Tondela host Gil Vicente in Liga Portugal.
Tuesday
Atlético Madrid vs Barcelona, 3p on Paramount+, TUDN, DAZN, Univision, ViX: Johnny Cardoso (out injured since March 28) and Atlético hold a 2-0 aggregate lead over Barcelona going into the second leg of this Champions League quarterfinal.
New England Revolution vs Rhode Island FC, 7p on Paramount+: Matt Turner, Peyton Miller, Griffin Yow, and the Revs host USL Championship club Rhode Island in the US Open Cup round of 32.
Westchester SC vs NYCFC, 7:30p on Paramount+: Matt Freese and the Pigeons visit USL League One (third division) club Westchester SC in the US Open Cup.
Club América vs Nashville SC, 11:30p on FS1, TUDN, Fubo, ViX: Alex Zendejas and América are tied 0-0 on aggregate with Matthew Corcoran and Nashville going into the second leg of this Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal.
Also in action:
Detroit City vs Chicago Fire, 7:30p on Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo: Chris Brady and the Fire visit USL Championship club Detroit City FC in the US Open Cup.
Cruz Azul vs LAFC, 9p on FS1, TUDN, Fubo, ViX: Timothy Tillman and LAFC are up 3-0 over Cruz Azul on aggregate. Now they make the trip to Mexico City for the second leg of this Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal.
Colorado Rapids vs Union Omaha, 9:30p on Paramount+: Paxten Aaronson, Zack Steffen, Reggie Cannon (ankle injury), and the Rapids host USL League One (third division) club Union Omaha in the US Open Cup.
Wednesday
Charlotte FC vs Charlotte Independence, 7:30p on Paramount+: Tim Ream, Luca de la Torre, and Charlotte FC have an Open Cup match against the club they supplanted when they joined MLS four years ago. Charlotte Independence were playing in the USL Championship back then, but they’re down in League One now (third-division).
Richmond Kickers vs Columbus Crew, 7:30p on Paramount+: Patrick Schulte, Max Arfsten, and the Crew visit USL League One club Richmond Kickers in the Open Cup.
Seattle Sounders vs Tigres, 11:30p on FS1, TUDN, ViX, Fubo (free trial): Jordan Morris, Cristian Roldan, Jesús Ferreira, and the Sounders are down 0-2 to Tigres UANL going into the second leg of this Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal.
Also in action:
FC Naples vs Orlando, 7p on Paramount+, CBS Sports Network, Fubo: Duncan McGuire and Orlando City visit USL League One club FC Naples in the Open Cup.
NY Red Bulls vs Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Paramount+: Cade Cowell, Ethan Horvath, Julian Hall, and the Red Bulls host reigning USLC champions Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the Open Cup.
LA Galaxy vs Toluca, 9p on FS1, TUDN, Fubo, ViX: Harbor Miller and the Galaxy are down 2-4 to Toluca going into the second leg of this Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal.
San Jose Earthquakes vs Phoenix Rising, 10p: Niko Tsakiris and the Quakes host USL Championship club Phoenix Rising in the US Open Cup.
Thursday
Fiorentina vs Crystal Palace, 3p on Paramount+, ViX: Chris Richards and Palace are up 3-0 over Fiorentina going into the second leg of this Conference League quarterfinal.
Also in action:
Strasbourg vs Mainz, 3p on Paramount+, ViX: Lennard Maloney and Mainz are up 2-0 over Strasbourg going into the second leg of this Conference League quarterfinal.
Friday
St. Pauli vs Köln, 2:30p on ESPN Select, Fubo: James Sands and St. Pauli host Kristoffer Lund and Köln in the Bundesliga.
Lens vs Toulouse, 2:45p: Mark McKenzie picked up a straight red card on Sunday and is suspended, unavailable for this Ligue 1 game.
Blackburn vs Coventry, 3p on Paramount+: Haji Wright and Coventry City visit Blackburn Rovers in the EFL Championship.
Vancouver Whitecaps vs Sporting KC, 10:30p on MLS Season Pass: Sebastian Berhalter, Brian White, and the ’Caps host Kansas City in MLS action.
Also in action:
Slaven vs Hajduk Split, 11:45a on ESPN Select, Fubo: Rokas Pukštas and Hajduk Split visit Slaven Belupo in the HNL (Croatia’s top tier).
Holstein Kiel vs Kaiserslautern, 12:30p on ESPN Select, Fubo: John Tolkin (knee injury) and Holstein Kiel host Kaiserslautern in the 2. Bundesliga.
That’s it! Did I miss anything that matters? Let me know in the comments below. Let’s see who stands out this week!
Man the play at the ENCL Boys Weekend was solid at Grand Park this past weekend
Americans Abroad Weekend Update
🔥 The USMNT No. 9 race is heating up, but otherwise not a ton of performances to highlight.
Folarin Balogun Balogun stayed red-hot, scoring for the sixth straight match — matching a record set by Neymar for consecutive goals scored. Even in defeat, his form is undeniable, and he’s peaking at exactly the right time in the striker race.
Ricardo Pepi Pepi added another goal in PSV’s win, bringing his tally to 11 goals in just over 1,000 minutes — an elite scoring rate. With clubs circling and the World Cup approaching, he’s making a strong case to climb the depth chart despite his apparent lack of standing in Pochettino’s pecking order.
Christian Pulisic Pulisic didn’t score, but was still Milan’s brightest spot in a tough 3-0 loss, earning a 7.5 rating from WhoScored, the highest on the team. Despite his goal drought, his overall play continues to improve even as Milan struggles.
Elsewhere around Europe:
Weston McKennie missed Juventus’ match due to suspension.
US Thoughts after Portugal – left the US with more questions than answers.
Auston Trusty went 90 minutes as Celtic F.C. earned a crucial 1-0 win to keep their Scottish Premiership title hopes alive.
Haji Wright and Coventry inched closer to promotion with a 0-0 draw, now on the verge of the Premier League.
Chris Richards featured in Crystal Palace’s 2-1 win over Newcastle.
Mark McKenzie was sent off in Toulouse’s heavy defeat to Lille.
Malik Tillman saw limited minutes off the bench in Leverkusen’s win over Dortmund.
Tyler Adams made a solid impact off the bench in Bournemouth’s 2-1 upset win over Arsenal.
Tim Weah played 90 minutes in Marseille’s 3-1 victory.
Antonee Robinson battled for an hour before being subbed in Fulham’s loss to Liverpool.
Gio Reyna stayed on the bench while Joe Scally went 90 for Gladbach.
John Tolkin suffered a serious knee injury for Holstein Kiel.
US thoughts after Portugal
Would certainly like to have seen better results against top quality opposition, and hopefully these losses turn into lessons rather than a preview of this summer. Some thoughts on the Portugal game
Our pressure created enough danger/opportunities, but we couldn’t capitalize on their mistakes. Our key players couldn’t make Portugal pay, and ultimately this was the difference on the night. If an early goal goes in for us, the complexion of the game changes.
If we are to upset anyone this summer (and we’ll need to if we want to make any sort of run), our final ball and finishing have to be of the quality we know our top players can deliver. Otherwise we will fall at the first major hurdle (aka a top 10 opponent). Fernandes on the other side showed what a moment of quality can do to change the game.
Pulisic was not at his best and was the main culprit of the first two talking points. We know he has the quality – he needs to find his groove in the last part of this season. Also don’t love him as a false 9, he tends to be better moving forward into space and arriving in the box rather than dropping back. Don’t mind the experiment at this point.
This looked and played more like a conventional 4-2-3-1 and less like the hybrid 3-4-2-1 Pochettino was using last year. The back three and wingbacks has looked better with this personnel.
Hopefully Trusty is not seriously injured. I thought he looked the best of all the CBs in this window. Probably should start next to Richards this summer, since no one else has really taken the chance.
Shocked that Berhalter got the start and lasted 75 mins. Didn’t put in a terrible performance, but he is clearly a level below.
Freese was busier than he has been in a US shirt, and he looked pretty solid. I think he locked down the #1 shirt this summer, barring a run of poor form in MLS.
This group is dying for Gio Reyna’s skillset. Any time he comes on, he brings a level of calm and technical quality we need to knit the attack together. We really need him to find some type of playing time at the club level so he can be the best version of himself. Otherwise, he is on the bubble.
Would like to have seen more of Aaronson.
Terrible set piece goal to give up. It felt like an eternity before the team realized what was happening and then closing it down. Not a new corner routine either.
Overall, I wouldn’t expect us to beat Portugal, as they are a more talented side. But we could have if we capitalized on our pressure. So that’s encouraging. But we need more than “encouraging” at this point – we need results.
I’ve flip-flopped on Pochettino and have liked his methods to get the group more motivated. It didn’t seem to pay off as much in this window. Hopefully he can show us why he’s such a highly regarded coach when the World Cup starts. Ultimately, that’s all that matters.
📺 USWNT vs. Japan, twice Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET and Friday at 9 p.m. on TNT and truTV The U.S. will likely roll out a similar lineup in the second match against Japan tomorrow, with a few minor changes, while the XI on Friday is anyone’s guess. Let’s just hope there’s a little more excitement in the follow-up matches. The good news for tomorrow: More than 35,000 tickets have been sold — putting the game on pace for a local record.
Get to know the USWNT’s keystone midfielder U.S. women’s national team and Bay FC midfielder Claire Hutton is a student of the game. The 20-year-old, who is crucial for both her club and country, has always been that way. Growing up, she would spend hours studying her favorite players like any Gen Zer — on Youtube. Initially, her favorite players were Brazilians, the likes of Marta and Ronaldinho. You’ll want to listen to this interview before game.
USWNT Watch: U.S. good but not great vs. Japan, Round 1
The U.S. women’s national team defeated Japan 2-1 on Saturday. Next up … Japan. The teams face off for the second of three matches this window tomorrow at 10 p.m. ET in Seattle.
Head coach Emma Hayes has plenty of new talent at her disposal to tinker with her lineup, players she’s given first caps to and developed in the last two years. But over the weekend, it was two veterans who steadied the team against a fierce opponent.
Midfielder Rose Lavelle, 30, opened the scoring in the ninth minute of her 100th career start with the U.S.
Lavelle later provided an assist to captain Lindsey Heaps, 31, in the 48th minute.
Sophia Wilson also made her long-awaited return, earning her first start and minutes since 2024 and becoming a mom.
This match was about the small details, things that might not be flashy to the casual viewer. So here’s Tamerra Griffin’s take:
💬 “The USWNT versus Japan isn’t a traditional rivalry, yet something about the first of the three-part series between the first- and fifth-ranked women’s teams in the world carried shades of a derby, as in: The anticipation was so high that it may have dampened the product, which was good but not always quality.
“It’s important — poetic, even — that the U.S. won by the same scoreline by which it lost to Japan at the 2025 SheBelieves Cup, and perhaps even more so that the match included prime-time experience for Gisele Thompson. “Just like at last month’s SheBelieves Cup, the younger Thompson sister delivered, covering acres of space behind when Japan launched its attacking threats and exploiting the space ahead of her, which on one occasion led to the U.S.’s go-ahead goal.” There was one moment Thompson may want to erase from her otherwise strong performance: In the 61st minute, Thompson’s position kept Riko Ueki onside, allowing her to convert Japan’s only goal. Still, Thompson is officially on our World Cup bubble watch list.
Gisele and Alyssa Thompson made their fourth starting lineup together for the U.S., a record for sisters. Ever since Alyssa left the NWSL for Chelsea in England, national team camp has been one of the few times we get updated dancing TikToks from the pair. Anyway, in today’s Full Time:
Emma Hayes hails USWNT’s evolution after 10th straight win
eff KassoufApr 11, 2026, 09:31 PM ET
The United States women’s national team defeated Japan 2-1 on Saturday at Paypal Park in San Jose, California, to win a 10th straight match, and head coach Emma Hayes said the team’s evolution was evident in how it managed late pressure.”I think 12 months ago, we might have drawn this game,” Hayes said in her postgame news conference. “I think the progress is in staying in the game and not conceding a second goal.”Rose Lavelle and Lindsey Heaps gave the United States a 2-0 lead, but Riko Ueki cut the deficit in the second half and nearly scored an equalizer moments later amid defensive lapses for the Americans. Saturday was the first of three meetings in a week between the United States and Japan.
Hayes said she wanted an experienced lineup in the first match against Japan, and it was the USWNT’s two most-capped players who scored. Lavelle also assisted Heaps’ goal.”I think when you play top teams, you need calm heads, and Rose has that in abundance,” Hayes said. “It’s why she’s one of the best players in the world.”Sophia Wilson added further experience with her much anticipated return to the international stage. She started on Saturday and played for 67 minutes in her first international match in 17 months after giving birth to her daughter in September.”I’m proud of her to come into that,” Hayes said. “And it takes a bit of time to find that rhythm and I think she gave it everything she could. One of the things I said to her is she’s gotta build her way back to it, but I’m really pleased with her. It’s a great, great start for her and something for her to build on.”Lavelle opened the scoring nine minutes into the match when she glided through the penalty area to volley a ball that Trinity Rodman sent back across the face of the goal after Sam Coffey hit a free kick to the back post. Lavelle was making her 100th start for the team, the 31st player in program history to reach the feat.
The United States knocked on the door for a second goal as the team broke Japan’s pressure from deep areas.An unmarked Alyssa Thompson missed the frame from a tight angle at the back post in the 21st minute. After a quick combination for the Americans down the right side, Heaps found Wilson in behind, who hit a ball toward the back post and Thompson, who flashed her shot wide.”You have to be really clinical at this level,” Hayes said. “We score off a set piece, boom, one-nil. We need to go two-nil up. [Alyssa’s] chance at the back post, that’s the top level.”The United States jumped on Japan at the start of the second half. Three minutes after halftime, Lavelle played a deft ball to Heaps, who patiently waited to slot her left-footed shot into the net from 12 yards out. The play began with United States full-back Gisele Thompson applying pressure high on the left side to force a turnover in Japan’s defensive zone.The Thompson sisters started together for the fourth time, a program record (they are the third pair of sisters to represent the USWNT). Hayes said Gisele Thompson had a “fantastic performance” on the left side in an attacking full-back role behind her sister, who started up top.”How nice is that, you’ve got your sister playing in front of you? They’re gonna die for each other on the field,” Hayes said.Heaps, the team’s captain, now has 40 international goals. She is the 16th player to reach that mark and the third oldest to reach it behind Megan Rapinoe and Julie Foudy.Heaps’ goal turned out to be the winner after Ueki pulled a goal back in the 61st minute.Ueki nearly had the equalizer nine minutes later when she found herself free in the middle of the box again, but she placed her shot right at United States goalkeeper Claudia Dickey.The United States controlled 61% possession in the match, in stark contrast to their 2-1 loss to Japan last year during the SheBelieves Cup.”Where we’ve come from that last time that we played them in SheBelieves,” Heaps said. “We’ve come a very long way, and that’s credit to this team, credit to the staff, the way that we want to control the game, where we want to control the game and the chances that we want to create.
The U.S. and Japan will play again on Tuesday in Seattle before wrapping the three-game series on Friday outside Denver.Japan had won eight straight matches coming into Saturday’s game, six of which came at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. The Nadeshiko won that tournament last month, but the federation parted ways with head coach Nils Nielsen shortly after the tournament.
Champions League
Bayern Munich vs.Real Madrid : Agg. 2-1 (Wednesday, 3 p.m. ET, Paramount+)
The Bavarian giants have a one-goal lead heading into this second leg in Munich, but all eyes are on Álvaro Arbeloa and Real Madrid. With Jude Bellingham coming off his first start since January on Friday, the England ace will look to land his first UCL goal contribution since December, while Kylian Mbappé will have his eyes on history. The Frenchman has 14 Champions League goals this campaign, and if he wants to break Cristiano Ronaldo’s long-standing record of 17, he’ll need to lace up his shooting boots against a Bayern side that have not conceded more than one goal in a UCL match since November. As for the hosts, with a healthy Harry Kane, their menacing trio of their star forward, Luis Díaz and Michael Olise will look to lock this up early and book their spot in the next round.
Arsenal vs. Sporting : Agg. 1-0(Wednesday, 3 p.m. ET, Paramount+)
With Anne Hathaway in their corner already, one would assume Arsenal are the clear favorites heading into this bout, but with three losses in their last four across all comps, Sporting have a chance to storm the Emirates and steal a result. The Gunners currently have the advantage, courtesy of a stoppage-time winner in leg one from Kai Havertz, but Portugal’s brightest prospect, Geovany Quenda, returned from injury at the weekend, giving Sporting a forward who has shown a knack for scoring in the competition when available. Still, the Gunners have only lost one of their last 12 UEFA matches against Portuguese teams and are unbeaten in their last eight at home to them, while Sporting have won nine of their last 10 two-legged UEFA matches against English opposition. Also, this:
Notre Dame vs Butler – as former Carmel FC Players Maverick McCoy & Evan Muckridge faced off. Notre Dame plays Indiana University Fri at 7:30 pm at Grand Park as part of The Boys College Showcase.
FIFA creates new World Cup ticket category, deepening suspicions of deception
FIFA has created a new category of 2026 World Cup tickets two months before the tournament in an apparent attempt to milk more money out of prime seats.
Throughout the fall and winter, the global soccer governing body sold millions of World Cup tickets in four categories. Category 1, the most expensive tier, seemed to encompass all seats and sections in a stadium’s lower bowl, per color-coded maps embedded in the ticketing portal. Fans paid hundreds or thousands of dollars for these tickets, then awaited seat assignments.Last week, FIFA delivered those assignments. It converted categorized tickets into specific rows and sections — and left many buyers disappointed with seats in corners, behind goals or farther away from the field.Then, a week later, FIFA began selling seats in the first several rows of lower-level sections for higher prices — in some cases triple the price of a standard Category 1 ticket.
Frustrated fans, in interviews with and messages to The Athletic last week, suspected that FIFA had given them lesser seats so that it could sell the better ones at elevated prices. But at the time, they had no firm evidence.The new category essentially confirms their suspicions.“This is just another example of how deceptive the original maps were,” one fan, Ben Kurzman, wrote in a Wednesday email. “[FIFA] let people believe that by buying Category 1 seats, they might end up in a lower sideline section close to the field, when that was never going to happen.”The new “Front Category 1” had not been previously advertised or mentioned. From an initial “presale” phase in October through last week, the normal “Category 1” had been sold as the top tier of ticket, with prices now ranging from $10,990 for the World Cup final to $450 for some group-stage games. The maps shown to buyers suggested that these tickets could yield seats anywhere in any 100-level section or, at most stadiums, in mid-level sections with good views.
Separately, though, FIFA has been selling hospitality packages at even higher prices. And its hospitality “seating example” illustrations suggest that many of the lower-level sideline sections supposedly within Category 1 are actually being reserved for hospitality buyers.
Over the past week, as fans realized that hardly any Category 1 ticket holders had been placed in those coveted sideline sections, many fumed.“A lot of people feel misled, or confused, or maybe just generally let down about the way seats were assigned,” Jordan Likover, one of the aggrieved fans, told The Athletic.Top League Content
Then, on Wednesday, as The Athletic publicized the saga and outrage spread, FIFA went a step further.It released new batches of tickets and, for dozens of games, it listed these new “Front Category 1” and/or “Front Category 2” seats in the first several rows of certain sections.For Algeria vs. Austria at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., for example, dozens of seats in the second row at the four corners of the stadium were priced at $900 apiece — twice as much as a standard Category 1 ticket that, if bought this winter, seemingly should have been eligible for placement in those exact same rows and sections.
Listings were similar for other matches. For Canada’s opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 12, a “Front Category 1” seat — in row 5 of a sideline section near the corner of Toronto’s BMO Field — cost $3,360, up from $2,240 for a regular Category 1 ticket.
For U.S. vs. Paraguay at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles that same day, a “Front Category 1” seat in Row 7 of a corner section is $4,105 — up from the standard Category 1 price that has already turned off many avid fans, $2,730.
For more than a dozen games, the “Front Category 1” price was exactly double the standard Category 1 price.
For Uruguay vs. Saudi Arabia in Miami, that meant an increase from $600 to $1,200 for a low seat behind one of the goals.
For Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia in Houston, Uzbekistan vs. the Democratic Republic of Congo in Atlanta, and other less-glamorous matchups, the “Front” price was $900, up from $450.
For other matches, the mark-up was even greater. For the likes of Australia vs. Turkey, Germany vs. Curaçao, Iraq vs. Norway, Belgium vs. Iran, South Korea vs. Czechia and Switzerland vs. Canada, a “Front Category 1” seat was listed Friday at 2.5 times the normal Category 1 price.
And for some headliners, FIFA had raised the price threefold.
For Argentina’s group-stage matches against Algeria and Austria, the “Front” price was $2,295 and $2,325, respectively, up from $765 and $775.
For the U.S. matches against Australia (in Seattle, pictured below) and Turkey (near Los Angeles), “front” seats were $2,325 and $2,970, respectively, up from less than $1,000.
Uruguay vs. Spain in Guadalajara; Scotland vs. Morocco in Foxborough, Mass.; Brazil vs. Haiti in Philadelphia; and other matches also had “Front” seats listed for triple the Category 1 price — in some cases over $2,000.
“Front Category 2” seats, at the front of less desirable sections, were also being offered at smaller mark-ups.
The Athletic asked FIFA on Wednesday why these “front” seats weren’t simply allocated to fans who’d applied for Category 1 or 2 tickets in the “Random Selection Draw” this winter — when FIFA supposedly received more than 500 million ticket requests. As of Friday afternoon, FIFA had not responded.
It also has not said why the new category was created, nor why it was appropriate to previously advertise Category 1 as if it gave buyers a chance at any seat in any coveted section.
In an emailed statement Tuesday in response to another set of questions last week, a FIFA spokesperson said that the “indicative category maps” were “to help fans understand where their seats could be located within a stadium. These maps were designed to provide guidance rather than the exact seat layout, and reflect the general extent of each ticket category within the stadium.”
FIFA has not said how many of these “front” seats it plans to sell, nor how many tickets generally are still available for the 2026 World Cup. It seems to be releasing new batches unannounced on a rolling basis.
Fans, in interviews late last week, blasted the governing body for its opacity and for other aspects of the ticketing process.
Advertisement“FIFA doesn’t have any goodwill with fans,” said Andrew Swart, a New York-based fan who said his Category 1 ticket — purchased for $862.50 on FIFA’s resale site — had yielded him a seat in a section once earmarked for Category 2. “Our default assumption is that they’re doing something to be either underhanded or maximize profit.”IFA has consistently defended its pricing and approach as a reflection of North American norms and “extraordinary” demand, and noted that, as a non-profit, it reinvests much of the World Cup’s revenue in the development of soccer globally.
DISCOUNT SMALL ENGINE & BIG ENGINE REPAIRS IN CARMEL
Need your Riding Mower, Push Mower or any small engine or Car Engine Work Done by Carmel High Junior Mechanical Wizard for a bargain basement Price? Email my buddy Marc Sultanov at marc.sultanov@gmail.com
Looking to Get a Professional Company Headshot? Check out https://capturely.com/ Tell Rob The Ole Ballcoach sent you and he’ll give you a deal.
DISCOUNT SMALL ENGINE & BIG ENGINE REPAIRS IN CARMEL
Need your Riding Mower, Push Mower or any small engine or Car Engine Work Done by Carmel High Junior Mechanical Wizard for a bargain basement Price? Email my buddy Marc Sultanov at marc.sultanov@gmail.com
USWNT 2, Japan 1: Rose Lavelle scores in 100th start, Sophia Wilson returns
Rose Lavelle scored the opening goal of Saturday’s win over Japan, which was her 100th career start for the U.S. Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images
The U.S. women’s national team passed its first test against Japan in San Jose, Calif. on Saturday, topping the 2026 Asian Cup champions in a 2-1 victory for the first of three matches between the longtime rivals.Midfielder Rose Lavelle opened the scoring in the ninth minute, finding the ball off a cheeky volley from forward Trinity Rodman in the goalie’s box. Scoring in her 100th career start for the U.S., Lavelle only needed one touch to finesse the ball as it fell before her. The 30-year-old carried this momentum into the second half, contributing to the U.S.’s second goal when she found captain Lindsey Heaps wide open in the center of the box in the 48th minute.Japan responded in the second half with a goal from Riko Ueki in the 61st minute, taking advantage of a flat-footed U.S. backline. Ueki nearly equalized in the 79th minute, but was unable to get around goalkeeper Clauda Dickey, who had a standout performance.What You Should Read NextUSWNT’s next test: Japan, champions of Asia, with a roster of international stars in the makingU.S. head coach Emma Hayes said Japan is “without question” a favorite for the 2027 Women’s World Cup“Anytime you can play a team of this caliber, it’s going to be a great learning experience,” Lavelle, who played a full 90 minutes, said after the match. “I can’t say it enough, like, they are such a good team, so to be able to have the opportunity to play them 3 times in one window, I think we can take it and it’s really going to help.”The match was a promising start for the Americans, whose last match against Japan ended in heartbreak during the 2025 SheBelieves Cup. During that match last year, it was Japan who started each half with two quick goals in the fifth and 50th minutes, with that momentum helping them lift their first-ever SheBelieves Cup title. The U.S. spent the last year regrouping.The night was a promising start for the U.S. women’s national team, who will face Japan two more times over the coming days. The Athletic analyzes the key takeaways from Saturday’s match …
Forward Sophia Wilson controls the ball during the international friendly match against Japan in her return to the USWNT.Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images
Sophia Wilson’s long-awaited return
After a promising return to the Portland Thorns in NWSL, Wilson has returned with the USWNT.
The 25-year-old started for the U.S. for the first time since giving birth to her daughter in early September. It was her first game for the team in 17 months. She played 67 minutes and earned her first start since the gold medal match at the 2024 Paris Games.
The new mom was all smiles as she walked onto the pitch alongside teammates Rodman and Naomi Girma. Wilson started alongside Lavelle as the two lone forwards in the U.S.’s attack against Japan. Her high pressure in the attack created opportunities for the U.S., as she slowly builds her minutes in camp.
Advertisement
“Any time you can get a result (like this) against a team like Japan, we’ll take it. I think we put out a solid performance. There were definitely moments within the game that we maybe dipped a little bit, but that’s something that we’ll work on,” Wilson said. “We’ll go back and look through everything and make sure that the next game we fix those things, and I’m sure the next game, more things will come up, but that’s just the sport, and we just continue to grow.”
Saturday’s match was the first time that two-thirds of the ‘Triple Espresso’ trio were on the same pitch playing for the same side since the Olympics. As Wilson exited the pitch, replaced by Ally Sentnor, the broadcast panned to her daughter, Gigi, in one of the stadium boxes, watching her mother return to the pitch.
“It was good for me to get this game out of the way, the first game back with the national team, and now my feet are wet,” Wilson said. “I feel confident going into the next few games.” — Melanie Anzidei
USWNT center back Kennedy Wesley and full back Giselle Thompson battle to stop Japan’s offense.Nic Coury / Getty Images
Last-minute change to evolving center back pairing
Ever since Tierna Davidson’s anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury last year, there’s been an open-ended question about which center back would replace her to slot in alongside Girma — and a revolving door of auditions to find out. For the majority of 2025, the answer appeared to be Emily Sonnet, whether Girma was on the pitch; her appearances on the national team were sporadic due to injury. But in the build-up to Saturday’s match, Sonnet sustained an injury during training that forced Hayes to make a last-minute decision about her starting XI. Hayes said Davidson’s return to the team was a little further back from full fitness.
Kennedy Wesley, who plays for the San Diego Wave, earned her fifth international cap when she lined up beside Girma. The two were flanked by Gisele Thompson and Emily Fox with Seattle Reign goalkeeper Claudia Dickey behind them. The backline’s mandate to play out of the back was clear in the first half and was largely successful apart from a few nervy moments. But Wesley’s aerial dominance and physicality with her press allowed Girma to keep the group organized. The security provided by the two Stanford alumni in the middle also freed Fox and Thompson to exploit the flanks and involve themselves in the attack.
Dickey recorded three key saves in the first half and one in the second, including a close-range shot from a corner kick. Her performance tightened the competition between her and Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce for the U.S. No. 1 role. — Tamerra Griffin
Advertisement
Japan midfielder Remina Chiba runs by U.S. forward Trinity Rodman and midfielder Rose Lavelle.Nic Coury / Getty Images
What’s next?
This was just the first of three matches the U.S. will play against Japan. The back-to-back-to-back fixtures offer head coach Emma Hayes a unique opportunity to test her players in real time against one of the most technical opponents in the world — an opponent who Hayes described as a contender to win next summer’s World Cup and one she is a “secret fan of.”
“I think 12 months ago, we might have drawn this game. The progress is in staying in the game and not conceding a second goal,” Hayes said after the match. “They created chances. It was a pretty even game with regards to that.
“It’s given me some things that I’ll sit on the plane now and watch to sort of add for our next level. But it’s the test we want, and I’m so happy to have it, because they’re an unbelievable team.”
Hayes has told reporters that her plans for this camp were to field two different teams for the first two matches against Japan. This roster may feature an entirely different look — with regulars like Davidson and Sonnett potentially back in the mix, as well as players like Gotham FC’s Jaedyn Shaw or 2025 NWSL Rookie of the Year Lilly Reale.
“I want to see a different side to us in the second game, with a less experienced group, and see the progress that we have made in the last 12 months,” Hayes said. “Knowing it’s not going to be the first time they’ve faced Japan, but I want to see the progress since the last time.”
Whatever Hayes does for their next fixture on Tuesday in Seattle will offer a rare glimpse into the head coach’s thinking for what this player pool has to offer, especially as more experienced players return to the fold with younger players who have risen through the USWNT ranks over the last year. “We have to prepare ourselves for qualifying,” Hayes said. “We don’t have a lot of windows left, so we need to get some of these players playing back together again. It’s important.”
As for the third match, Hayes has left that open. She suggested that her choices on Friday could be an assessment of how these first two games go, or they could be designed around player availability and managed minutes as some key figures continue to build up their minutes with the national team. — Anzidei
Before the U.S. women’s national team’s first of three games against Japan on Saturday, head coach Emma Hayes played “Back Together Again” by Roberta Flack featuring Donny Hathaway for Alyssa and Gisele Thompson.It was an ode to the sisters’ reunion. Ever since the elder Alyssa split from their hometown team, Angel City FC in Los Angeles, to sign with Chelsea last year, the Thompsons, separated by 13 months, now only compete together when they’re in national team camp.In the chorus of the duet is the line: “‘Cause you, you and I back together again // got the world in a spin.”The USWNT claimed the first match of the three-part series with a 2-1 win at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif. Neither the Thompson sisters nor the U.S. put Japan in a spin, per se. The champions of Asia demanded a full 90-minute performance from their opponents and came close to equalizing late in the game.But at just 20 years old, with eight caps on the national team, Gisele is steadily proving herself worthy of a spot on the 2027 World Cup roster and a chance to be back together again with her sister on football’s biggest stage.
Sisters Gisele Thompson and Alyssa Thompson hold the record for most starts by sisters on the USWNT.Brad Smith / Getty Images
“I mean, how nice is that?” Hayes said. “You’ve got your sister playing in front of you, and they’re going to die for each other on the field.”
For this week’s “Three Words” …
Younger Thompson rising
Gisele earned her first call-up to senior national team camp in November 2024, but her first cap didn’t come until February 2025 at the SheBelieves Cup. As tempting as the storyline has always been to thrust the Thompson sisters into the spotlight as the faces and futures of the USWNT, once Hayes took charge, she set all players on developmental paths that haven’t always aligned with marketable narratives.
Gisele, now 20, wove in and out of senior camps last year, at times spending the international window with the under-23 squad. Even so, Hayes has been keen to bring her into the USWNT. When center-back Tierna Davidson sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in March 2025, Gisele was plucked from the younger team.
“Giselle knows that my goal with her is that I need her to be more durable,” Hayes said after the USWNT’s 1-0 victory over Canada in March. “So I told her, ‘You’re playing 90 minutes. Don’t look at me. You’re not coming off.’”
Japan is an even bigger test.
Advertisement
The U.S. relies on its full backs to have the pace and discernment to propel themselves into the attack without sacrificing their defensive responsibilities. Adding to the challenge of playing Japan was the fact that U.S. center-back Emily Sonnett was pulled from the lineup at the last minute due to an injury from the previous day’s training. Considering Hayes’ plan to utilize two primary rosters across the three fixtures — let’s call them Team A (which will play twice) and Team B — it’s telling that Gisele earned the start on Saturday in a lineup that looked mostly like Team A.
If you look at the Japan match as a continuation of Gisele’s growth from the SheBelieves Cup, her performance was a natural and positive progression. She has figured out how to account for her slight physical size when matching up against opponents, becoming an expert in spatial awareness. Captain Lindsey Heaps had the game-winning goal and Rose Lavelle the assist, but the counterattack that generated the play came from Gisele’s high press that forced a turnover for her sister Alyssa to pick up.
Gisele Thompson and Alyssa Thompson maintain a close bond despite the latter’s move to England to play for Chelsea.Brad Smith / Getty Images
That’s the other factor. The Thompson sisters’ intuitive understanding of each other on the pitch can’t be taught.
At best, it can be manufactured from years of repetition, but with just four starts together (the most of any sister duo in the U.S. program’s history), Gisele and Alyssa already match and elevate each other’s shine. It’s only a matter of time before they are consistently putting the world in a spin like Flack and Hathaway sang about.
But Gisele’s game isn’t without its flaws.
“I think she’s got to develop a couple of things defensively,” Hayes said. “Like second half, she stepped out in situations where she’s got to stay in the back line, otherwise it’s a lot of running for Kennedy (Wesley), which it was.”
Advertisement
There was also an error (apparently due to a lapse in concentration) in the 61st minute when Gisele’s positioning during a Japanese counterattack kept striker (and Asian Cup Golden Boot winner) Riko Ueki onside as she dinked a header past U.S. goalkeeper Claudia Dickey, sullying their clean sheet.
“From a defensive perspective at the highest level, these are details that are going to really, really matter,” Hayes said. “I say that because I know she is not only capable of it, but she has to learn these things because when you play an opponent like Japan, if you watch the goal back, not getting pressure on the service is what’s required at the highest level.”
Japan midfielder Manaka Matsukubo shoots, challenged by US defenders Gisele Thompson and Kennedy Wesley.Nic Coury / Getty Images
With two matches against Japan remaining, the competition for a starting left full-back spot has taken on a new complexion. Defenders Avery Patterson and Lilly Reale have been in and out of recent national team camps due to illness and injury, respectively. They will likely get minutes in this window, and Emily Fox’s starting status at right back is essentially secured. Hayes’ assessment on the opposite side has become even tougher, courtesy of Gisele.
Of the three, Patterson has the most comprehensive attacking qualities as a full back. Reale’s delivery into the box is exceptional. And Gisele, for all of her own skills, also knows exactly how to unlock Alyssa, an edge that no other defender — or player — could come close to. The Thompson sisters have lost just once in the four matches they’ve started together: a 2-1 friendly against Brazil that also took place at PayPal Park last April.
Singers Flack and Hathaway are not siblings, but they were both Howard University students when they met on the historically black college campus in the late 1960s. They became creative co-conspirators and have featured on several of each other’s projects, as well as an eponymous collaboration in 1972.
One of the tracks on that album is a cover of Carole King’s “You’ve Got a Friend.” Hayes didn’t play that one for the Thompson sisters, but it could also hint at the potential for their partnership on the USWNT.
“You just call out my name // And you know wherever I am // I’ll come running, running, running // To see you again.”
Before the U.S. women’s national team’s first of three games against Japan on Saturday, head coach Emma Hayes played “Back Together Again” by Roberta Flack featuring Donny Hathaway for Alyssa and Gisele Thompson.
It was an ode to the sisters’ reunion. Ever since the elder Alyssa split from their hometown team, Angel City FC in Los Angeles, to sign with Chelsea last year, the Thompsons, separated by 13 months, now only compete together when they’re in national team camp.
AdvertisementIn the chorus of the duet is the line: “‘Cause you, you and I back together again // got the world in a spin.”
But at just 20 years old, with eight caps on the national team, Gisele is steadily proving herself worthy of a spot on the 2027 World Cup roster and a chance to be back together again with her sister on football’s biggest stage.
Sisters Gisele Thompson and Alyssa Thompson hold the record for most starts by sisters on the USWNT.Brad Smith / Getty Images
“I mean, how nice is that?” Hayes said. “You’ve got your sister playing in front of you, and they’re going to die for each other on the field.”
For this week’s “Three Words” …
Younger Thompson rising
Gisele earned her first call-up to senior national team camp in November 2024, but her first cap didn’t come until February 2025 at the SheBelieves Cup. As tempting as the storyline has always been to thrust the Thompson sisters into the spotlight as the faces and futures of the USWNT, once Hayes took charge, she set all players on developmental paths that haven’t always aligned with marketable narratives.
Gisele, now 20, wove in and out of senior camps last year, at times spending the international window with the under-23 squad. Even so, Hayes has been keen to bring her into the USWNT. When center-back Tierna Davidson sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in March 2025, Gisele was plucked from the younger team.
“Giselle knows that my goal with her is that I need her to be more durable,” Hayes said after the USWNT’s 1-0 victory over Canada in March. “So I told her, ‘You’re playing 90 minutes. Don’t look at me. You’re not coming off.’”apan is an even bigger test.
The U.S. relies on its full backs to have the pace and discernment to propel themselves into the attack without sacrificing their defensive responsibilities. Adding to the challenge of playing Japan was the fact that U.S. center-back Emily Sonnett was pulled from the lineup at the last minute due to an injury from the previous day’s training. Considering Hayes’ plan to utilize two primary rosters across the three fixtures — let’s call them Team A (which will play twice) and Team B — it’s telling that Gisele earned the start on Saturday in a lineup that looked mostly like Team A.
If you look at the Japan match as a continuation of Gisele’s growth from the SheBelieves Cup, her performance was a natural and positive progression. She has figured out how to account for her slight physical size when matching up against opponents, becoming an expert in spatial awareness. Captain Lindsey Heaps had the game-winning goal and Rose Lavelle the assist, but the counterattack that generated the play came from Gisele’s high press that forced a turnover for her sister Alyssa to pick up.
Gisele Thompson and Alyssa Thompson maintain a close bond despite the latter’s move to England to play for Chelsea.Brad Smith / Getty Images
That’s the other factor. The Thompson sisters’ intuitive understanding of each other on the pitch can’t be taught.
At best, it can be manufactured from years of repetition, but with just four starts together (the most of any sister duo in the U.S. program’s history), Gisele and Alyssa already match and elevate each other’s shine. It’s only a matter of time before they are consistently putting the world in a spin like Flack and Hathaway sang about.
But Gisele’s game isn’t without its flaws.
“I think she’s got to develop a couple of things defensively,” Hayes said. “Like second half, she stepped out in situations where she’s got to stay in the back line, otherwise it’s a lot of running for Kennedy (Wesley), which it was.”
There was also an error (apparently due to a lapse in concentration) in the 61st minute when Gisele’s positioning during a Japanese counterattack kept striker (and Asian Cup Golden Boot winner) Riko Ueki onside as she dinked a header past U.S. goalkeeper Claudia Dickey, sullying their clean sheet.
“From a defensive perspective at the highest level, these are details that are going to really, really matter,” Hayes said. “I say that because I know she is not only capable of it, but she has to learn these things because when you play an opponent like Japan, if you watch the goal back, not getting pressure on the service is what’s required at the highest level.”
Japan midfielder Manaka Matsukubo shoots, challenged by US defenders Gisele Thompson and Kennedy Wesley.Nic Coury / Getty Images
With two matches against Japan remaining, the competition for a starting left full-back spot has taken on a new complexion. Defenders Avery Patterson and Lilly Reale have been in and out of recent national team camps due to illness and injury, respectively. They will likely get minutes in this window, and Emily Fox’s starting status at right back is essentially secured. Hayes’ assessment on the opposite side has become even tougher, courtesy of Gisele.
Of the three, Patterson has the most comprehensive attacking qualities as a full back. Reale’s delivery into the box is exceptional. And Gisele, for all of her own skills, also knows exactly how to unlock Alyssa, an edge that no other defender — or player — could come close to. The Thompson sisters have lost just once in the four matches they’ve started together: a 2-1 friendly against Brazil that also took place at PayPal Park last April.
Singers Flack and Hathaway are not siblings, but they were both Howard University students when they met on the historically black college campus in the late 1960s. They became creative co-conspirators and have featured on several of each other’s projects, as well as an eponymous collaboration in 1972.
One of the tracks on that album is a cover of Carole King’s “You’ve Got a Friend.” Hayes didn’t play that one for the Thompson sisters, but it could also hint at the potential for their partnership on the USWNT.
“You just call out my name // And you know wherever I am // I’ll come running, running, running // To see you again.”
Champions League Final 8 Action is back Tues/Wed (must hear anthem)
Champions League returns with a surprise team in Sporting CP hosting Arsenal at 3 pm Tuesday on Para+. Arsenal are odds on favorites along with Bayern Munich and the holders PSG. Two English teams Arsenal & Liverpool remain while La Liga has 3 with Real Madrid, Atletico & Barcelona while France, Germany & Portugal have just 1 each in Bayern Munich, PSG and Sporting respectively. Lots of stories below!!
USWNT Faces Top 5 Ranked Japan in 3 Game Series Sat, Tues & Thurs on TNT
The US national Team brings an experienced roster into this top 5 match-up with Japan coming up this weekend & Next week as the roster marks the return of two players who add a tremendous amount of experience to the U.S. roster as both have played in World Cups and the Olympics. Forward Sophia Wilson, a member of the “Triple Espresso” front line who helped lead the USA to the 2024 Olympic gold medal, makes her first USWNT roster in 17 months following her pregnancy and the birth of her daughter in early September of 2025. The 25-year-old Wilson has 58 caps for the USWNT along with 24 goals, three of which were scored at the 2024 Olympics, to go with her two assists in that tournament. Defender Tierna Davidson, 27, has made a complete recovery from an ACL injury suffered in NWSL play at the beginning of the 2025 season. She returns to the USWNT after a 13-month absence. Coincidentally, Davidson’s most recent international match was against Japan on Feb. 26, 2025, in the SheBelieves Cup finale. The USWNT will begin its three-game series against Japan in San Jose, Calif. at PayPal Park, home of Bay FC and the San Jose Earthquakes, this Saturday – April 11 (2:30 p.m. PT / 5:30 p.m. TNT, truTV and HBO Max in English and Universo and Peacock in Spanish).
U.S. Women’s National Team Roster by Position (Club; Caps/Goals)2026 April Matches vs. Japan
GOALKEEPERS (3): Jane Campbell (Houston Dash, 10),Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign FC; 8), Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United, ENG; 6) DEFENDERS (9): Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC; 67/3), Emily Fox (Arsenal FC, ENG; 74/1), Naomi Girma (Chelsea FC, ENG; 52/2), Avery Patterson (Houston Dash; 10/1), Lilly Reale (Gotham FC; 7/0), Emily Sams (Angel City FC: 9/1), Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC; 115/2), Gisele Thompson (Angel City FC; 7/0), Kennedy Wesley (San Diego Wave FC; 4/0) MIDFIELDERS (7): Sam Coffey (Manchester City, ENG; 44/5), Lindsey Heaps (OL Lyonnes, FRA; 173/39), Claire Hutton (Bay FC; 15/1), Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC; 118/27), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns FC; 15/5),Jaedyn Shaw (Gotham FC; 34/10), Lily Yohannes (OL Lyonnes, FRA; 16/1) FORWARDS (7): Michelle Cooper (Kansas City Current; 10/1),Jameese Joseph (Chicago Stars FC; 4/1),Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit; 52/13), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville FC; 17/6), Ally Sentnor (Kansas City Current; 18/7), Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea FC, ENG; 29/4), Sophia Wilson (Portland Thorns FC; 58/24)
World Cup Field is Set
The World Cup field of 48 is finally set. The World Cup playoff finals took place, and four teams from UEFA along with 2 FIFA inter-confederation playoff winners booked their place into this summer’s tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. From UEFA, Czechia, Türkiye, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Sweden each won their playoffs, while DR Congo and Iraq/Bolivia won the inter-confederation playoffs in Mexico to complete the field. For USMNT fans, they now know who the team will face in their final group stage match on June 25th: Türkiye. They beat Kosovo 1-0 in a hard fought match to secure their spot and join the USMNT, Australia, and Paraguay in Group D. Mexico sees Czechia join their group alongside South Africa and South Korea, as Czechia took out Denmark on penalties. We are still looking for World Cup tickets in Seattle, June 29th if you have a lead on 2 or 3 tickets.
US Bows to Portugal 2-0 Where Are we Now?
Wow – not sure what to say after watching the US get slapped 5-1 and 2-0 at home in Atlanta in front of 70,000 fans in Atlanta. I will go back to what I said the minute they handed the keys to Pochitino – I still think its a HUGE mistake. After looking decent — over the past window – BOTCHITINO returned to his idiotic ways vs the best 2 teams the US has faced in 4 years. I am sure many have forgotten but with AMERICAN coaches we have beaten the likes Spain, Brazil, England and the likes – we have gotten to a Quarterfinals where a handball vs Germany kept us from advancing to the Semi’s for the first time ever (20 years ago). But those days are long gone. This team, this World Cup, which the US will host was supposed to be our coming out party – to show that the US has really gotten better at the world’s game. We already have more players playing for better teams overseas than ever before. The US DA Program now replaced with MLS Next has help produce our strongest ever group of players – we had more players play more games in the Champions League this season than ever before – and that was with Christian Pulisic not being in it this year. But man Botchitino has really screwed this thing up.
Hopefully I am wrong – and these desperate moves in our next to the last 2 games before the World Cup were part of some master Plan to lull the rest of the World to Sleep thinking the US is so bad we won’t get out of our Group. At our current Ranking of below 20 – our lowest ranking in 20+ years – that just might happen. I will go into player by player details on what went wrong – and what we must do next. (Man I wish Real Madrid had offered the Gig to Bochitino a month back). Anyway lots of stories below about how we lost and what’s next. Hey at least we aren’t Italy right? I will offer up my opinions next week. Meanwhile lets get ready to watch our REAL US National Team – our Women as they match-up against top 5 Japan. Bet they won’t lay an egg – Hayes unlike Botch – can actually coach!!
Indy 11 vs Monterey Bay – Sat 7 pm at The Mike
Indianapolis – Indy Eleven midfielder Jack Blake tied the franchise record with his 27th career goal in the Boys in Blue’s 1-1 draw vs. defending USL champion Pittsburgh Riverhounds at Carroll Stadium Sat night. Indy Eleven goalkeeper Eric Dick (former CHS, Butler and Carmel Dad’s GK) made a season-high seven saves in the match against the team that he helped lead to the 2025 title, winning the USL Championship MVP and Prinx Playoff MVP after allowing no goals in 450 minutes in four playoff games. Indy continue their three-match homestand next Saturday at 7 p.m. at Carroll Stadium vs. Monterey Bay FC in the annual “Kick for a Cause” game. Susan G. Komen®, the world’s leading breast cancer organization, is the spotlight partner. The match is part of the 2026 Scarf Series, so fans can purchase a ticket + knit scarf here. The Family Four-Pack is available for all 2026 home games and it can be purchased online only. Priced at just $49, the Family Four-Pack includes four tickets, FREE parking, $20 in Concession Vouchers, and a 20% Merchandise Discount, along with access to the Fun Zone/Kids Activation Area.
TV Schedule – Games on TV
Tues, Apr 7 3 pm Para+ Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich 3 pm Para+ Sporting CP vs Arsenal 8 pm FS2 Nashville SC vs America CCC 10 pm FS2 LAFC vs Cruz Azul CCC Wed, Apr 8 3 pm Para+ Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid 3 pm PAra+ PSG vs Liverpool 9 pm FS2 Tigres vs Seattle Sounders CCC 11 pm FS2 Toluca vs LA Galaxy CCC Thurs, Apr 9 Europa League 3 pm Para+ Bologna vs Aston Villa 3 pm PAra+ Porto vs Nottingham Forest 3 pm Para+ Crystal Palace (Richards) vs Fiorentina Sat, Apr 11 7;30 am USA Arsenal vs Bournemouth 9:30 am ESPN2 Dortmund vs Bayer Leverkusen (Tillman) 12:30 pm NBC Liverpool vs Fulham (Jedi) 4:30 pm Fox Portland Timbers vs LAFC 7 pm Indy 11 vs Monterey Bay Home 7:30 pm Apple Inter Miami vs NY Red Bulls Sun, Apr 12 11:30 am USA Chelsea vs Man City 7 pm TNT, HBO US Women vs Japan Tues, Apr 14 7 pm TNT, HBO US Women vs Japan Tues, Apr 17 9 pm TNT, HBO US Women vs Japan Sun, May 31 3:30 pm TNT, HBO, Peacock USA Men vs Senegal Fri. Apr. 17, 7:30 pm | IU vs. Notre Dame GRAND PARK Sat. Apr. 18, 6:00 pm | Saint Louis vs. Xavier GRAND PARK Sat, June 6 2:30 pm TNT, HBO, Peacock USA Men vs Germany in Chicago Tix Sat, June 12 WORLD CUP 9 pm Fox, Tele, Peacock USA Men vs Paraguay World Cup Fri, June 19 3 pm Fox, Tele, Peacock USA Men vs Australia World Cup Thur, June 25 10 pm Fox, Tele, Peacock USA Men vs Australia World Cup
Coming home from Practice or Games at Badger Fieldhouse? Need some food for SPRING BREAK? Try out the Best BarBQ in Town right across the street (131st) from Northview Church on the corner of Hazelldell & 131st. RackZ BBQ
Save 20% on your order
(mention the ole ballcoach)
Check out the BarBQ Ribs, pulled Pork and Chicken, Brisket and more. Sweet, Tangy or Spicy sauce. Mention you heard about it from the Ole Ballcoach — and Ryan will give you 20% off your next meal. https://www.rackzbbqindy.com/Call ahead at 317-688-7290 M-Th 11-8 pm, 11-9 Fri/Sat, 12-8 pm on Sunday. Pick some up after practice – Its good eatin! You won’t be disappointed and tell ’em the Ole Ballcoach Sent You!
Save 20% on these Succulent Ribs at Rackz BarBQ when you mention the Ole Ballcoach – Corner of 131 & Hazelldell. – Call 317-688-7290.
LARNACA, CYPRUS – MARCH 19: Djordje Ivanovic of AEK Larnaca controls the ball whilst under pressure from Chris Richards of Crystal Palace during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 round of 16 second leg match between AEK Larnaca FC and Crystal Palace FC at AEK Arena on March 19, 2026 in Larnaca, Cyprus. (Photo by George Wood – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)UEFA via Getty Images
Midweek action is here. All kickoff times are in EST. All MLS games are available on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, as well as any other networks listed. Let’s get into it!
Monday
Juventus vs Genoa, 12p on Paramount+, DAZN: Weston McKennie and Juve host Genoa in Serie A.
Napoli vs AC Milan, 2:45p on Paramount+, DAZN: Christian Pulisic and Milan visit Napoli in Serie A.
Also in action:
Cesena vs Südtirol, 6:30a on Onefootball: Jonathan Klinsmann and Cesena host Südtirol in Serie B.
Lecce vs Atalanta, 9a on Paramount+, DAZN: Yunus Musah and Atalanta visit Lecce in Serie A.
Venezia vs Juve Stabia, 9a on Onefootball: Gianluca Busio and Venezia host Juve Stabia in Serie B.
Blackburn vs West Brom, 10a: George Campbell, Daryl Dike, and West Brom visit Blackburn Rovers in the EFL Championship.
Derby vs Stoke, 10a: Can Patrick Agyemang and Derby County do it on a rainy night in Stoke? Just kidding, this is a home game for Derby in the EFL Championship. Stoke is coming to them.
Watford vs Charlton, 10a on Paramount+: Charlie Kelman and Charlton Athletic visit Watford in the EFL Championship.
Swansea vs Middlesbrough, 12:30p on Paramount+: Aidan Morris and Boro visit Swansea in the EFL Championship.
Girona vs Villarreal, 3p on ESPN Select, ESPN Deportes, Fubo: Alex Freeman and Villarreal visit Girona in La Liga.
Hull vs Coventry, 3p on Paramount+, Prime Video: Haji Wright and Coventry City visit Hull City in the EFL Championship.
Tuesday
Nashville SC vs Club América, 8p on FS2, TUDN, Fubo, ViX: Alex Zendejas and América visit Matthew Corcoran and Nashville SC in the first leg of this Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal.
Also in action:
NK Istra vs Hajduk Split, 12p: Rokas Pukštas and Hajduk Split visit NK Istra 1961 in the HNL (Croatia’s top division).
Independiente Petrolero vs Racing Club, 6p on beIN Sports, Fubo: Matko Miljevic and Racing are on the road to begin their Copa Sudamericana journey (they’re in Group E).
LAFC vs Cruz Azul, 10p on FS2, TUDN, Fubo, ViX: Timothy Tillman and LAFC host Cruz Azul to kick off their 2-game CCC quarterfinal.
Wednesday
Tigres UANL vs Seattle Sounders, 9p on FS2, TUDN, UniMás, Fubo, ViX, Univision NOW: Jordan Morris, Cristian Roldan, Jesús Ferreira, and the Sounders go to Monterrey to visit Tigres in this CCC quarterfinal first leg.
Toluca vs LA Galaxy, 11p on FS1, TUDN, UniMás, Fubo, ViX, Univision NOW: Harbor Miller and the Galaxy kick off their 2-game CCC quarterfinal on the road in Toluca.
Thursday
Crystal Palace vs Fiorentina, 3p on Paramount+, ViX: Chris Richards and Palace host Fiorentina in the first leg of this Conference League quarterfinal.
Also in action:
Mainz vs Strasbourg, 3p on Paramount+, ViX: Lennard Maloney and Mainz host Strasbourg in the first leg of this Conference League quarterfinal.
Friday
Paris FC vs Monaco, 1p on beIN Sports, Fubo (free trial): Folarin Balogun and AS Monaco visit Italian-American winger Luca Koleosho and Paris in Ligue 1.
Augsburg vs Hoffenheim, 2:30p on ESPN Select, Fubo: Noahkai Banks and Augsburg host Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga.
Marseille vs Metz, 3:05p on beIN Sports, Fubo: Tim Weah and OM host Metz in Ligue 1.
Also in action:
Düsseldorf vs Holstein Kiel, 12:30p on ESPN Select, Fubo: John Tolkin and Holstein Kiel visit Fortuna Düsseldorf in the 2. Bundesliga.
RB Salzburg vs LASK Linz, 1:30p: George Bello and LASK visit Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga. Japanese-American defender Anrie Chase has made 3 appearances for Salzburg since joining from VfB Stuttgart last August.
West Brom vs Millwall, 3p on Paramount+: George Campbell, Daryl Dike, and West Brom host Millwall in the EFL Championship.
That’s it! Did I miss anything that matters? Let me know in the comments below. Let’s see who stands out this week!
USWNT faces Japan, thrice
Emma Hayes thinks Japan is “without question” one of the favorites to win the 2027 World World Cup. So what better way to prepare for such an opponent 444 days out than to play the team … three times in a row? A little over a year ago, Japan defeated the U.S. 2-1 and handed Hayes her first loss as USWNT’s head coach. The Nadeshiko went on to win the 2025 SheBelieves Cup, breaking the Americans’ five-tournament streak. Like the Michael Jordan meme, Hayes took that personally. The U.S. hosts Japan on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. ET in San Jose, Calif.; on April 14 at 10 p.m. ET in Seattle; and on April 17 at 9 p.m. ET near Denver. The games will air on TNT and truTV and stream on HBO Max and Universo (in Spanish).
Looking to Get a Professional Company Headshot? Check out https://capturely.com/ Tell Rob The Ole Ballcoach sent you and he’ll give you a deal.
DISCOUNT SMALL ENGINE & BIG ENGINE REPAIRS IN CARMEL
Need your Riding Mower, Push Mower or any small engine or Car Engine Work Done by Carmel High Junior Mechanical Wizard for a bargain basement Price? Email my buddy Marc Sultanov at marc.sultanov@gmail.com
US Open Cup Rd of 32 Apr 14 & 15
Every match from the Round of 32 will stream live on Paramount+ with select matches also co-airing on either CBS Sports Network or CBS Sports Golazo Network. CBS Sports will host The Golazo Show whip-around program highlighting every goal from eight April 15 matchups, beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Golazo Network.
Round of 32 Schedule – 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
Home teams listed first; host priority order for Round of 16 matches in each group also listed; visit the schedule section of ussoccer.com/us-open-cupfor the most up to date details.
Tuesday, April 14 (all times ET)
New England Revolution vs. Rhode Island FC – 7 p.m. (Paramount+)
Louisville City FC vs. Austin FC – 7 p.m. (Paramount+ & CBS Sports Network)
Detroit City FC vs. Chicago Fire FC – 7:30 p.m. (Paramount+ & CBS Sports Golazo Network)
Westchester SC vs. New York City FC – 7:30 p.m. (Paramount+)
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs. Sporting Kansas City – 8 p.m. (Paramount+)
Colorado Rapids vs. Union Omaha – 9:30 p.m. (Paramount+ & CBS Sports Network)
Sacramento Republic FC vs. Minnesota United FC – 10 p.m. (Paramount+ & CBS Sports Golazo Network)
Wednesday, April 15 (all times ET)
FC Naples vs. Orlando City SC – 7 p.m. (Paramount+ & CBS Sports Network)
The Golazo Show – 7:30 p.m. (Paramount+ & CBS Sports Golazo Network)
Chattanooga FC vs. Atlanta United FC – 7:30 p.m. (Paramount+)
Richmond Kickers vs. Columbus Crew – 7:30 p.m. (Paramount+)
Red Bull New York vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC – 7:30 p.m. (Paramount+)
Charlotte FC vs. Charlotte Independence – 7:30 p.m. (Paramount+)
D.C. United vs. One Knoxville SC – 7:30 p.m. (Paramount+)
St. Louis CITY SC vs. FC Tulsa – 8 p.m. (Paramount+)
Houston Dynamo FC vs. El Paso Locomotive FC – 8 p.m. (Paramount+)
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Phoenix Rising FC – 10 p.m. (Paramount+ & CBS Sports Golazo Network)
Champions League quarter-finals predictions, star players and youngsters to watch
Will Kylian Mbappe and Viktor Gyokeres be celebrating after the quarter-finals? Getty Images
By The Athletic UK Staff April 6, 2026Updated 5:05 am EDT
The Champions League quarter-finals kick off this week, with the path to the final in Budapest on May 30 now clear.
Real Madrid host Bayern Munich at the Bernabeu this Tuesday in the competition’s most-played fixture, while Premier League leaders Arsenal travel to Lisbon to face Sporting CP.Barcelona will play Atletico Madrid in an all-La Liga affair at the Camp Nou on Wednesday, while holders Paris Saint-Germain take on Liverpool at home in a replay of last season’s round of 16 tie, which Arne Slot’s side lost on penalties.
What is the most exciting tie?
Oliver Kay: Obvious answer: Real Madrid vs Bayern. I was surprised by how well Madrid performed against Manchester City and I’m fascinated to see whether they can repeat that against a Bayern team who appear to be coming to the boil nicely.
James Pearce: PSG vs Liverpool is going to be intriguing — the holders against the six-time winners. Their meeting at Anfield in the last 16 a year ago was an outstanding game. For Arne Slot’s Liverpool, it’s a revenge mission.
Mario Cortegana: Madrid vs Bayern. Bayern are the most in-form team in Europe, while Madrid seemed dead once again — until they returned to their fearsome best in their convincing win against City.
Joselu was Real Madrid’s unlikely hero when they faced Bayern Munich in the semi-finals two years agoDavid Ramos/Getty Images
Thom Harris: There have been plenty of goals in recent meetings between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, including a 4-4 draw and the recent Copa Del Rey semi-final, in which Simeone’s side took a 4-0 lead into the second leg and nearly threw it away. It should be action-packed.
Pol Ballus: There’s no debate: Bayern vs Madrid. The best team in Europe this season against the competition’s most successful club. Whoever wins, they will send a statement to the rest of the field.
Jack Lang: PSG vs Liverpool — their two games last year were absolutely absorbing and we have the added factor of Liverpool trying to salvage their season.
Amy Lawrence: Come on, everyone wants to watch boring Arsenal! Well, if not, it is hard to look beyond Real vs Bayern, which has all the classic feels.
How will each team feel about their chances in the quarter-finals and the rest of the tournament?
Kay: Premier League sides hold no fear for PSG, who beat City, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal en route to winning last season’s final in style, and who have already beaten Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea this time. Last season, they were a surprise package, having scraped through the league phase, whereas nobody will dare to underestimate them now. That brings its own pressure.
Pearce: Liverpool will be underdogs, but if they play with the tempo and intensity they showed in the second leg against Galatasaray, they’ll have a chance. It came down to fine margins when the clubs met last year, with PSG advancing on penalties. The return to fitness of Alexander Isak after three months out will also be a timely boost. But the absence of Alisson, who performed heroics in Paris a year ago, could hurt them. The Brazil ‘keeper is out with another hamstring injury, so the Georgian Giorgi Mamardashvili will deputise.
Cortegana: There was a lot of pessimism around Real Madrid after the round-of-16 draw — the bracket seemed particularly difficult — but morale soared after eliminating City, even if it has been slightly dampened by Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Mallorca in La Liga.
Harris: Atletico will have taken confidence from that Copa del Rey semi-final first leg drubbing of Barcelona, but will know they are unlikely to be so ruthless in front of goal once again — they also lost at home to them on Saturday in the league. They have serious firepower at their disposal, and while they might not be expecting to win the whole thing with — potentially — Arsenal to play next, they’ll be thinking: why not?
Barcelona failed to overturn a 4-0 loss in the Copa del Rey semi-finals against Atletico MadridJoan Gosa/Xinhua via Getty Images
Ballus: Barca have reasons to be optimistic. Simeone’s Atletico can be painful opponents, but Hansi Flick’s side have already learned their lesson this season in that Copa semi-final, when they realised they sometimes had to be more pragmatic. They then got the 2-1 La Liga away win over Atletico this weekend. Flick’s team can’t have any complaints about the draw, although they could face Arsenal in the semi-finals. That would be a whole different story.
Seb Stafford-Bloor: Bayern will be respectful, but confident. Nobody has Real Madrid’s mythology in the Champions League, but Bayern have every right to see themselves as the better side. Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies remain injury doubts, at least for the first leg, but Kompany’s side will still pack quite a punch.
Lang: Just reaching the quarter-finals counts as a significant achievement for Sporting, especially given they lost the first leg of their round-of-16 tie 3-0 against Bodo/Glimt. They will know they are underdogs against Arsenal. The question is whether the Portuguese side can leverage the psychological advantage of having nothing to lose.
Lawrence: Arsenal have fresh memories of a 5-1 win at Sporting last season, so they won’t be intimidated. Unhelpfully, they have their most pivotal league game (Manchester City away) just after, but that’s the deal when chasing multiple trophies. Their draw is generous, but anything goes from semis onwards.
Which star player will define these quarter-finals?
Pearce: Dominik Szoboszlai. The Hungary captain is having an outstanding season for Liverpool and he has the added motivation of the final being in Budapest. He has become Liverpool’s talisman.
Dominik Szoboszlai will be targeting a Champions League final in his native HungaryCarl Recine/Getty Images
Cortegana: Vinicius Junior. Real Madrid’s Brazil forward was the most decisive player against Benfica and City, and his impact in the knockout rounds of this competition is extraordinary at 25 years old.
Harris: If Atletico are to cause a ripple, Julian Alvarez will be front and centre. The Argentina striker is a relentless presser from the front, carries the ball forward with power and authority, and looks increasingly sharp in front of goal.
Ballus: Pedri. The Barcelona and Spain midfielder has a history of outstanding performances against Atletico in the past couple of seasons and is still returning to his best after recovering from a hamstring injury. Against Simeone’s entrenched defence, his wisdom in midfield could make the difference.
Stafford-Bloor: Harry Kane. The last time Bayern faced Real Madrid in the semi-finals in 2024, Kane was not really fit and was rushed on to the pitch because of the tie’s importance. Two years on, the England captain is fitter, arguably in the form of his career and is comfortably Bayern’s most influential player. If he runs the game, they will win.
Lang: Kane for me, too. He looked incredibly hungry in the second leg against Atalanta. Real Madrid’s defence is more vulnerable than City made it look — I expect Bayern to cause all sorts of problems, with Kane leading the charge.
Lawrence: If Arsenal are to keep going, Declan Rice and Gabriel have to continue being their powerhouses. But Bayern and PSG have that extra Champions League nous, so it’s between Kane and the Ballon d’Or-winning Ousmane Dembele as the attacking leaders of their packs.
Which up-and-coming player should I be looking out for?
Kay: What Pau Cubarsi is doing is pretty extraordinary. The Spain centre-back has only just turned 19 and is totally at home at the heart of Barcelona’s defence. He didn’t enjoy the first half against Newcastle United in the round of 16 second leg, but he is a serious talent with a great career ahead of him.
Ballus: Keep an eye on Marc Bernal, too — another 18-year-old from La Masia, Barca’s famed academy, with sky-high potential. Some suggested he was the heir to Sergio Busquets, but he also has an incredible sense for goal despite being a holding midfielder.
Pearce: Rio Ngumoha. Liverpool’s 17-year-old winger is unlikely to start either leg against PSG but could well make an impact off the bench. He’s quick and direct.
Cortegana:Bayern’s attacking midfielder Lennart Karl. At just 18, he has registered four goals and two assists in the tournament, and this is a great opportunity to see him on the biggest stage.
Lennart Karl is an exciting prospect for Bayern MunichAlexander Hassenstein/Getty Images
Lang: I really like watching Fermin Lopez. The 22-year-old doesn’t quite have the technical grace of Pedri or the great schemers of Barca’s past, but he just consistently makes things happen. He scores goals, creates space for others, appears in big moments… the very definition of an all-action midfielder.
Stafford-Bloor: Aleksandar Pavlovic. The 21-year-old Bayern midfielder is still underestimated, but he relishes the big games and his metronomic passing always seems at its sharpest when the pressure is ratcheted up. Remember the performance he gave against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu last time? He was nerveless for a then 19-year-old.
Harris: How about Sporting’s Goncalo Inacio? The 24-year-old is a strong, left-footed centre-back who can whip the ball through the lines and dominate aerial duels. He’ll be busy against Arsenal, but he is quickly emerging as a defensive leader who will be on the radar of Europe’s elite.
How do you feel about the next round’s fixtures already being set?
Kay: Even as someone who is very ‘old man yelling at clouds’ about so many of the changes made to European football over the last couple of decades, I cannot find anything to dislike about this one. For one thing, it helps fans — and media outlets — plan travel.
Lawrence: I suspect the brackets are more interesting to those who don’t have a vested interest. If your team are involved, the excitement about who comes next or is avoided is a wonderful part of fandom. That is missed.
Who’s your prediction to win the whole thing and has it changed from the last round?
Kay: Arsenal. For one thing, without wishing to disrespect Sporting, Mikel Arteta’s team have by far the most straightforward route to the semi-final. For another thing, they have a defensive solidity that means they won’t be torn apart the way City, Chelsea, Tottenham and Newcastle United were in the last round. But, at some point, they will have to show more as an attacking force.
Arsenal will be pleased with their semi-final draw against SportingVince Mignott/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
Pearce: I make Bayern favourites, but if Liverpool get past PSG, they’ll have a real chance. As erratic as they have been domestically this season, Slot’s side have beaten Real Madrid, Atletico and last season’s finalists Inter.
Cortegana: It will be Bayern or Arsenal, but I give Real Madrid a much better chance now than in recent months.
Harris: I echo the others. Bayern look pretty irresistible going forward and their constant rotations make them a nightmare to defend against, even for Arsenal. That would probably be my final, where the quality of Kane and Michael Olise will tell.
Ballus: Bayern, and that has not changed from the last round. They’ve been the best team in the competition so far and have the perfect combination of a top-end squad and an exciting coaching staff led by Kompany who are hungry for success.
Stafford-Bloor: It’s still Bayern. PSG have improved a lot in recent months and have found a menacing rhythm, and it’s hard not to be impressed by what Barcelona did to Newcastle. But with the Bundesliga basically won already and Bayern best-placed to survive these knockout rounds, I predict they’ll beat a jaded Arsenal in the final.
Lang: After watching PSG huff and puff their way past Monaco in the punishment play-off round, I wasn’t too hot on them defending their Champions League crown. Now, though, they look to be relocating a bit of the swagger that made them so good last season. Granted, Chelsea were in an incredibly generous mood over two legs, but even the best teams need a jumpstart now and then. I expect Luis Enrique’s team to make a statement against Liverpool and they’ll be hard to stop from there.
Lawrence: Assuming Bayern or PSG emerge from their brutal side of the draw, they have to be heavy favourites. If there is potential for an underdog, wouldn’t it be something to have a new winner (mentioning no names, ahem)?
Ranking the eight 2025-26 Champions League quarter-finalists
Arsenal’s David Raya and Bayern’s Harry Kane will both have designs on the Champions League this season Getty Images
We are down to the final eight in the Champions League after a riveting round of 16 that saw an astonishing 68 goals scored across 16 matches.Seven of the eight ties saw one team score at least four goals. Two teams scored eight while Bayern Munich hit double figures against Atalanta on aggregate. We don’t know if the quarter-finals will be as explosive, but we do know that they will provide us with some classic matchups.Throughout this Champions league campaign, The Athletic’s projections — powered by Opta — have assessed each team’s chances of making it out of the league phase and each knockout round.
So here, with just eight storied clubs remaining, we rank their chances of lifting the famous trophy in Budapest on May 30.
8) Sporting CP
Cards on the table, there is an argument to be made for our projections underestimating Sporting.
We backed Bodo/Glimt to beat them in the round of 16 despite being given a 37 per cent chance of making it past the reigning Portuguese champions after the draw. A 3-0 home win in Bodo increased that to an 87 per cent chance of making it through.
Sporting defied the odds (literally) to take the match to extra time and score two more to end the fairytale with a 5-0 win on the night. Unfortunately, their prize for doing so was a quarter-final against Arsenal.
Our projections give them just a 21 per cent chance of making it past a team they have beaten just once in seven meetings, scoring nine goals and conceding 15. It would take a Herculean effort from a team that does have stars in Goncalo Inacio, Morten Hjulmand, Maximiliano Araujo and Luis Suarez to defeat the best team in Europe.
Sporting produced a monumental comeback against Bodo/Glimt in the second legGualter Fatia/Getty Images
7) Atletico Madrid
The attacking firepower Atletico possess is scary, but they can also look very vulnerable defensively, a marked change from Diego Simeone’s previous years in charge.
A desperate Tottenham Hotspur ran them ragged to win the second leg 3-2 after self-imploding to hand Atletico a 5-2 advantage after the first leg and Bodo beat them 2-1 in Madrid. Barcelona, who possess more quality across the board than either of those teams, will pose a challenge to a team trying to get into the last four for the first time since making two finals and a semi-final in four seasons between 2014 and 2017.
Our projections duly give them just a 34 per cent of making it past Hansi Flick’s side.
There are reasons to be positive, though. Across that four-season run, Atletico twice eliminated Barcelona, even seeing off the ‘MSN’ triumvirate of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar Jr in 2016.Most importantly, beating Spurs meant they inherited their league-phase home advantage, which ensures a second leg in Madrid. Having beaten Barcelona 4-0 in Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-finals, they will be confident of overturning any deficit or holding on to any lead they bring back from the Camp Nou for the second leg.
6) Liverpool
The 4-0 thrashing of Galatasaray should instil some confidence in Arne Slot’s team, who have enjoyed very few comprehensive victories in 2025-26. But even the most optimistic fans on the red half of Merseyside will be concerned about facing Paris Saint-Germain at this stage of the season.
There is scar tissue from just over a year ago when Ousmane Dembele scored at Anfield and set PSG on their way to the quarter-finals via a penalty shootout, and eventual Champions League glory. Watching PSG thrash Chelsea 8-2 on aggregate while dragging them all over the place will not have soothed those wounds, either.
Liverpool’s Galatasaray win was promptly followed by a 2-1 league defeat to Brighton, continuing a trend that has plagued their campaign. Their 5-1 win at Eintracht Frankfurt in September was followed by successive defeats. Their 3-0 win at Marseille in January was instantly succeeded by a 3-2 defeat at Bournemouth. They beat West Ham 5-2 in February but then lost 2-1 to Wolves.
Our projections give Liverpool a reasonable-looking 44 per cent chance of making it past PSG, who they beat 1-0 at the Parc des Princes last season a week before the Anfield reverse, courtesy of an inspired Alisson performance in goal.
Liverpool found some form against Galatasaray, but can they do the same against the European champions?Michael Regan/Getty Images
5) Real Madrid
Alvaro Arbeloa became the first Madrid manager to win each of his first four knockout games in the competition, seeing off Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola in those matches. He has got the 15-time European champions playing to their strengths with a simple system that prioritises individual expression within a set structure.While Manchester City threatened them even after going down to 10 men at the Etihad, it was the kind of open game Madrid have often thrived in in the Champions League. The boundless athleticism of Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni, Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe, among others, along with the technical skill of Arda Guler, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Brahim Diaz, make that possible.But Bayern will pose the biggest test yet — a well-drilled unit capable of shutting teams down and destroying them too. Madrid could also be without Thibaut Courtois — along with confirmed absentee Rodrygo — for at least the first leg.But this is a rivalry in which they have had the upper hand in recent meetings. Madrid ditched Bayern out of the competition at the semi-final stage in 2023-24, 2017-18, and 2013-14, and in the quarter-finals in 2016-17.Our projections give them only a 40 per cent chance of making it through but ‘Champions League’ Madrid are a unique team — Bayern, of all opponents, will be well aware of that.
Few teams enjoy getting up close and personal with Real Madrid in the Champions LeagueCarl Recine/Getty Images
4) Barcelona
An eventual 7-2 scoreline in the second leg may have flattered Barcelona given Newcastle United were on an even footing with them for nearly 75 per cent of the tie. But this has not been uncommon under Flick. When things click and the team shifts into gear, they overwhelm opponents, and the goals tend to flow at a frightening pace, knocking opponents to the floor and keeping them there.
That has not been the case much this season, though, with fatigue from a hectic 2024-25 and injuries to the playing squad preventing them from gathering momentum. But the Newcastle win — alongside a 5-2 thrashing of Sevilla days before that and a hard-fought 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano before the break — could finally kickstart their campaign.Pedri is back to full fitness, Robert Lewandowski is back among the goals and Lamine Yamal is… well, Lamine Yamal. Add in the eventual returns from injury of Frenkie de Jong, Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde, and it is understandable why our projections give them the second-best chances of making the last four at 66 per cent.While the 4-0 loss to Atletico in the Copa del Rey will sting, Barcelona have beaten them by a combined 6-1 at the Camp Nou. They will also play Simeone’s side three times in 10 days: April 4 in La Liga and April 6 and 14 in the Champions League.
3) Paris Saint-Germain
It’s March and PSG are a force to be reckoned with again — the sense of deja vu from 2025 will not be lost on the remaining seven teams.
The win over Chelsea saw Luis Enrique’s side at their ruthless best, punishing miscues and scoring eight times from an expected goals tally of just 2.1. The finishes were excellent but the fluidity in their attacking moves, facilitated by basically everybody except the centre-backs moving into whatever spaces they wanted, was a joy to watch.
Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Bradley Barcola all look back to their sharpest. Fabian Ruiz is still out but Vitinha, Joao Neves and Warren Zaire-Emery are driving a capable midfield, while Nuno Mendes can terrorise full-backs on one end and lock up wingers on the other.
Acoording to our projections, PSG trail Barcelona in the odds to reach the semi-finals (56 vs 66 per cent) and win it all (12 vs 16 per cent). But their modern-day pedigree keeps them marginally ahead.
Can PSG become the first team other than Real Madrid to retain the European Cup since Milan in 1990?Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
2) Bayern Munich
Bayern are the best attacking side left in the Champions League and duly pummelled Atalanta 10-1 in the round of 16.
Harry Kane has been arguably the world’s best player in 2025-26, racking up 48 goals in just 40 club games. Michael Olise leads Europe’s top five leagues in assists with 17, adding 11 goals to that mix too. Luis Diaz has been a brilliant foil too, while Serge Gnabry is enjoying yet another renaissance.
Jamal Musiala, Lennart Karl and Nicolas Jackson round out an attacking unit that can hurt defences in every way possible.
Bayern have a solid back line too and have been creative with their out-of-possession work, with their players covering for each other admirably. Dayot Upamecano, Konrad Laimer and Jonathan Tah have been the team’s unsung stars.
Michael Olise has been arguably the most creative force in European football this seasonMarco BERTORELLO / AFP via Getty Images
Exorcising the ghosts of past losses to Real Madrid is a top priority. Our projections give Bayern a 60 per cent chance of making the last four, but it is hardly ever that straightforward against Madrid, who will aim to make this game as transitional as possible. Bayern have the pace in attack to make them pay but will their defence be able to hang on against Mbappe, Vinicius and company?
We are coming up to six years since their last treble in 2019-20 under Flick, which came seven years after their first in 2012-13 under Jupp Heynckes. With the league title wrapped up and the team into the German cup semi-finals for the first time since winning it in 2020, could a third treble in 14 years be on the cards?
1) Arsenal
Their reliance on defensive solidity and corners may ruffle a few feathers, but Arsenal remain top of our projections with a 30 per cent chance of winning the Champions League.
The draw fell in their favour after topping the league phase in the way Liverpool must have been hoping for in 2024-25 when they did the same. Bayer Leverkusen posed a stiff challenge in Germany but fell 2-0 at the Emirates despite recording more possession (58 vs 42 per cent). Arsenal have a 79 per cent chance of defeating quarter-final opponents Sporting, which would pit them against Barcelona or Atletico.
Mikel Arteta’s side will need to adapt a little in Europe, especially regarding corners, with Champions League officiating more stringent than in England. They also need to move past their only knockout loss of the season in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City in which they looked bereft of ideas in possession and were outfoxed without it.
Arsenal can surely be counted on to solve their out-of-possession issues, given it is the area Arteta has improved them the most in during his time in north London. Eberechi Eze suffering a calf injury that will rule him out for at least a month is a concern, but Martin Odegaard’s return from an injury of his own should add some much-needed verve and creativity.
Sophia Wilson, Tierna Davidson return to USWNT roster for Japan friendlies this weekend and next week
Sophia Wilson is back on the USWNT roster for the first time since October 2024. Denis Poroy / Imagn Images
The Portland Thorns’ Sophia Wilson will make her return to the roster for the first time since giving birth to her daughter. Wilson, who last featured in October 2024 before going on maternity leave, joins Trinity Rodman to form two-thirds of ‘Triple Espresso’ as the USWNT prepares for three critical matches against Japan, and are ranked fifth in the world, according to FIFA. The last time the two sides met was at the 2025 SheBelieves Cup, which Japan won after beating the U.S. 2-1. Center back Tierna Davidson has also earned her first national team call up since sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury last March. Davidson, who plays for reigning National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) champions Gotham FC, . Winger Michelle Cooper of the Kansas City Current is also back in the lineup for the first time this year after missing previous camps due to injury. The USWNT will play Japan three times in as many venues: PayPal Park in San Jose on April 11, Lumen Field in Seattle on April 14, and Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo. on April 17.
USWNT April roster in full
Goalkeepers (3): Jane Campbell (Houston Dash, 10), Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign FC; 8), Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United, ENG; 6)
Forwards (7): Michelle Cooper (Kansas City Current; 10/1), Jameese Joseph (Chicago Stars FC; 4/1), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit; 52/13), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville FC; 17/6), Ally Sentnor (Kansas City Current; 18/7), Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea FC, ENG; 29/4), Sophia Wilson (Portland Thorns FC; 58/24)
Wilson’s club form, Davidson’s recovery afford them USWNT invitations
Though she’s yet to score a goal or play a full 90 minutes with the Thorns this season, Wilson has provided plenty of evidence in the space of four games of what she is capable of. With roughly 15 minutes in her first regular-season match since her maternity leave (which happened to be against another “espresso shot” in Rodman and the Washington Spirit), followed by 30, 45, and 68, Wilson’s hold-up play, incisive defending, and nose for goal haven’t waned during her time away from the pitch. It’s possible she sees her first 90 minutes since her return with the USWNT in one of the Japan games, but no matter how much she plays, it’s an important time to get back in the national team fold as the team prepares for World Cup qualifiers later this year. Wilson needs time to adjust to head coach Emma Hayes’ tactics and system (which her teammates have spent the better part of last year doing), as well as building or rebuilding partnerships with players like Alyssa Thompson, Michelle Cooper, and Emma Sears, who have been called up more regularly in her absence. Davidson hasn’t played quite as many minutes on her own return to the pitch. Nonetheless, her inclusion in this squad reveals where Hayes’ head could be regarding her proximity to the core group of players bound for Brazil — especially considering it likely meant leaving Tara Rudd of the Washington Spirit off the roster.
Consistency solidifying in the midfield
With the exception of 20-year-old Riley Jackson of the North Carolina Courage, the seven midfielders called up to this camp are the same who featured at the SheBelieves Cup last month. That includes Gotham FC’s Jaedyn Shaw, who has missed her last two club games due to a hamstring injury.
Emma Hayes appears to be building her team around a core midfield group that includes Jaedyn Shaw.Adam Hunger / Getty Images
As the USWNT backline and attacking front remain in flux, the consistency in call ups between the last international window and this one hints at Hayes’ core forming literally at the center of the pitch. She’s experimented with different line-ups among these seven players as well, demonstrating their malleability according to the needs of the game. It also helps that many of these players — Coffey, Hutton, and Moultrie in particular — have put on strong performances with their club teams lately.
Japan has exceptionally talented midfielders who are sure to pose the toughest test the USWNT has faced all year. Now that this emerging midfield core has played a tournament together, they will be asked to put what they’ve learned to use, not just once but three times.
Advertisement
Campbell, Sams inclusions prove club form matters
Fittingly, Campbell’s last appearance on the USWNT was on Feb. 26, 2025 against Japan in the SheBelieves Cup finale. Should the 31-year-old earn another cap during this window, she could have an opportunity to display the form she’s had recently with the Dash, who are 2-1 and occupy the fifth spot in the NWSL table with a game in hand.
Campbell has made 12 saves so far this season, kept two clean sheets, and has saved 85.7 percent of shots on goal, according to Fbref. Since Campbell’s last call-up, Hayes had opted for younger goalkeepers like Bay FC’s Jordan Silkowitz as a replacement to an injured core player. That Hayes has opted for Campbell this time around feels a reflection of her club performances.
Sams has been called up more consistently than Campbell but does not always play significant minutes. Unlike Rudd, Sams missed out on the SheBelieves Cup but has since settled in nicely at Angel City. She’s started all three of their games and played next to veteran Sarah Gorden or Savy King in center-back pairings that have helped the Los Angeles side to their best start in club history at 3-0 and a clean sheet.
With the national team, Sams has been positioned as a full-back, though with Davidson presumably on limited minutes and the defensive flanks secured by Fox, Thompson, Reale, and Patterson, Sams could find her way back to the center of the pitch against Japan.
Pochettino admits U.S. World Cup roster selection will be ‘painful’ following Portugal loss
U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino reacts during the international friendly between his team and Portugal. Rich von Biberstein / Icon Sportswire / Getty Images
ATLANTA — Mauricio Pochettino admitted he faces a series of “painful” decisions in selecting his final United States World Cup squad after Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat to Portugal left a number of questions unanswered.ochettino’s side now has no more friendlies remaining before the planned May 26th squad announcement in New York, and the coach insisted several places are still up for grabs.“They know that it’s going to be a competition,” Pochettino said, after goals from Francisco Trincão and João Félix sealed a second straight defeat. “They know we are going to see every single week, every single game and we are going to assess one year and a half or more and make the decision who (is) going to make the roster.”
Asked how many players remained in contention, Pochettino made it clear there is still some ways to go before he settles on who he wants to suit up for the nation’s first home World Cup since 1994.“Today, yes, maybe a few more (than 35),” when asked how many remain in with a chance. “It is going to be painful because that process … is going to be difficult to pick only 26 from 35, 40.
“Who will be there is going to be happy, who is not on the roster is going to be sad.”
Pochettino said he took positives out of this March window despite Tuesday’s result following a 5-2 defeat to Belgium on Saturday, saying that he felt the team showed well against two top opponents.
“We were competing well, but still we need to learn a lot,” Pochettino said.
“We are competing against Belgium, Portugal,” he added, pointing out that both European teams are ranked in the top 10 by FIFA. “I think for sure Belgium and Portugal have in the top 100 players, a few or some playing in that top 100. I think we don’t have. That is why it’s good to play against these types of teams.”
Pochettino said he was happy overall with the camp. With just a few months ahead of picking his World Cup roster, Pochettino said he felt he had a better idea of the players and what they needed to do to be ready.
It was a continued message throughout the press conference from the U.S. coach, who was focused more on what he felt the team learned and the way it showed a better understanding of what is needed to compete against top teams than he was in the result of a “non-official” game.
Advertisement
Some of the mistakes that were being made in the game — he pointed to Antonee Robinson’s high position on Portugal’s first goal as an example — are small details that he believes will be honed and tweaked in a longer World Cup camp. They are “fixable” issues. The bigger learnings came from the level of the opponents.
“We are going to have three, four weeks to prepare for the World Cup and going to be pushing these types of situations (to learn),” Pochettino said. “After four months (away from the national team), you don’t have much time (together), you tell players, but players have to feel (it) on the pitch. These types of mistakes are not crazy, but in these types of games, players like (Portugal’s stars), when you give them a centimeter, it’s possible for them to score.”
Pochettino said he was pleased with Christian Pulisic’s performance as the starting striker for the U.S. on Portugal, even though he wasn’t able to break his scoring drought.
“I think he was very active and he did a good job,” Pochettino said. “He was involved in (a lot) of actions. It was a shame he didn’t score with the opportunities he had, but it’s normal he was a little frustrated, but I think we were a little bit frustrated the whole game.”
‘Why not us?’ Mauricio Pochettino asked the USMNT. Belgium and Portugal answered.
ATLANTA — When Mauricio Pochettino gathered his U.S. men’s national team players on the first full day of a crucial March training camp, he spoke to them about belief. He exuded a calm confidence that built around the U.S. team this fall, that swept up fans who dared to dream. They talked then about doing “the impossible,” about charging deeper into a men’s World Cup than ever before. Now, standing on a training pitch outside Atlanta last week, Pochettino asked his players: “Why not us?”nd on Saturday and Tuesday, Belgium and Portugal delivered answers.The answer was Vitinha’s pass to Bruno Fernandes on Tuesday night. It was Jérémy Doku’s electrifying 1-v-1 ability three days earlier. It was, in Pochettino’s words, “small details,” the type that separated the USMNT and European powers over the past week — and over the past decade.
“Why not us?”Well, to win a World Cup, you almost certainly have to beat multiple top-10 European teams. And the U.S. hasn’t beaten one in nearly 11 years.It has now lost eight straight games to European nations, regardless of rank, the second-longest such streak in program history, per TruMedia. And it is winless in 10 World Cup matches against teams from the continent since 2002.
The U.S. believed, and players insist they still do. But they also made minor mistakes Saturday and Tuesday — mistakes that go unnoticed against lowly Concacaf teams but get punished by the likes of Portugal and Belgium. It’s a lagging recovery run. It’s a foolish pass or a poor first touch. It’s a jump into the wrong passing lane. It’s Antonee Robinson cheating too high, plus a half dozen other “details” that allowed Portugal to take a 1-0 lead.“In that situation, we need to read [the game] better,” Pochettino said of the sequence that led to the first Portuguese goal in a simple 2-0 win.“This type of mistakes, they are not crazy,” he continued. “But in this type of game, players like [Pedro] Neto, [Gonçalo] Ramos, Bruno, João Félix — when you give a centimeter, it’s possible that they can score. That was what happened.”
João Félix’s world-class ability made an impact against the United States.Rich von Biberstein / Icon Sportswire / Getty Images
That’s what happened Tuesday. That’s what happened Saturday. That’s what happened last June against Switzerland. It also happened in 2023 against Germany, and at the 2022 World Cup against the Netherlands.For extended stretches of some of those games, the USMNT was competitive. It was better than Belgium for 40 minutes. It was on the front foot for 20 against Portugal. It looked like a coherent, well-coached team. It played with confidence and even attitude, just as it had for spells against the Germans and Dutch years ago.What it lacked was top-end talent. Individual quality. Pochettino essentially said this Tuesday.
“We are USA. And we are competing against Belgium, Portugal,” he said. “For sure, Belgiumand Portugal have, in the top 100 players [in the world], a few or some players in that top 100. I think we don’t have.”That, of course, is an oversimplified view of soccer, a wonderfully complex sport. Underdogs beat favorites all the time. Intensity and organization, intangibles and tactics, randomness and luck can all close quality gaps on any given day. They have for U.S. men’s national teams in the past. Someday, they’ll do so again.
But it’s been a damn long time since the USMNT sustained them for 90 minutes. And at the final whistle Tuesday, shoulders sank. Heads hung. Bodies moped. Chris Richards tugged at his jersey in frustration.Pochettino, when asked if he worried that the players would lose belief, seemed perplexed by the concept.
“Who start to lose belief? Which players?” he asked.
When told that none of them had ever beaten a top European team, he responded: “Yeah, but always it’s — hope the first time is going to be in the World Cup. We need to learn. That is why we are playing this type of game.”
Manager Mauricio Pochettino gives a miffed reaction as the U.S. fell to Portugal in AtlantaAndrew J. Clark / ISI Photos / USSF / Getty Images
The players, for their part, said they are indeed learning. Some have hardly seen this level before. The USMNT’s schedule is now largely filled by games within Concacaf.
When they met the likes of Portugal, Auston Trusty saw “the ruthlessness of the finishing.”
Sebastian Berhalter felt, for the first time, a different type of soccer. “When you play against these teams, it’s a lot less chaotic than you would think,” he said. “It’s a lot more controlled. Guys have great first touches, so, pressing, it makes it even harder.”
The U.S. did press effectively up until the game’s first hydration break. That, and the entire first half, fueled the players’ persistent belief.
“I mean, both first halves, we caused the teams a lot of problems, we put a lot of pressure on them,” Christian Pulisic said of Belgium and Portugal. “It didn’t seem like either game was out of control.”
Advertisementhe shortcoming, he acknowledged, was “just little moments, or being a little bit more clinical. It’s just the same story. But I feel really close. I feel like we’re in a good place.”
USMNT players have two more matches before the World Cup group stageOmar Vega / USSF / Getty Images
In that sense, their belief is totally valid and logical. In both games this month, just like against the Netherlands in 2022, they can point to moments, to specific chances that, if they’d been converted, could have led to very different conclusions. They are, or at least seem, within reach of international soccer’s upper echelons. It would be foolish to say they cannot beat Germany in June or Turkey at the World Cup or someone even better in the knockout stages.
But it was also impossible to escape the feeling that Portugal was toying with the U.S. — just like Germany and the Netherlands did a few years ago.
And it was hard to see how the U.S. would beat a team of that caliber. The Americans can, but there is increasingly little reason to believe they will.
Late last week, after repeating his “why not us” line to reporters, Pochettino was asked: Why? Can you sell to the average American why the U.S. is a contender for the World Cup?
The crux of his answer was: “Because we are American.”
And on Tuesday night, after all the momentum from the fall had fizzled, although he repeatedly reiterated a positive message, the belief felt a bit more like blind faith.
“When we match the opponent in the areas that we need to match,” Pochettino said, “for sure we are going to have the possibility to beat them.”
Pulisic concluded: “We’re gonna figure it out. We’re gonna figure it out when it really counts.”
USA 0, Portugal 2: Decisive loss, Pulisic struggles cap last pre-World Cup window
ATLANTA — The U.S. men’s national team get a second consecutive lesson in quality from a European power Tuesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, losing to Portugal 2-0 in a friendly that brought the Americans further down to earth.They’d hoped to respond to Saturday’s 5-2 shellacking by Belgium. For around 20 minutes, they did — with energy and attacking intent.But Portugal slowly, gradually, took control of the game and punished the U.S. for a lapse — just as Belgium had three days earlier.
In the 36th minute, a few scruffy passes led to a U.S. turnover. The ball fell to Portugal’s Vitinha, who, with a quick glance, sent U.S. midfielder Aidan Morris jumping into the wrong passing lane. Vitinha played in Bruno Fernandes, who, as U.S. players lagged behind the play, set up Francisco Trincão for the game’s opening goal.USA’s World Cup Group Is SetTurkey completes USA’s World Cup group, ramps up overall difficultyTurkey outlasted Kosovo for one of the final places in the 2026 World Cup and will be the U.S.’s last group opponentAfter the break, the match fell into a familiar rhythm. The U.S. was never overwhelmed; but, with a lineup of mostly reserves, it never really looked capable of scoring or getting back into the game.In the 59th minute, Portugal struck again. João Félix pinged in a shot from outside the box off the post. U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese had no chance.
By the midway point of the second half, the U.S. fans among the 72,297 in attendance seemed to have lost hope. The atmosphere felt dead. And a March window that began with optimism ended with a whimper.Here’s a closer look at the match:
João Félix shoots past Aidan Morris and scores Portugal’s second goalJared C. Tilton / Getty Images
A similar script unfolds
It was impossible to ignore the similarities between the respective starts of the Belgium and Portugal games. In both contests, the U.S. players looked confident and dangerous as they attacked their opponent. They created chances. They combined nicely. They caused problems. Then the hydration break came. Belgium players talked on Saturday about how the first-half hydration break — which FIFA will mandate at the World Cup no matter the venue or weather — allowed a crucial opportunity for the coaching staff to reset tactics and adjust to what the Americans were doing. Belgium put more players into midfield. They looked to isolate Jérémy Doku more on the wing and create 1-on-1 opportunities. The U.S. would score first in that game, but Belgium seized control of the match and cruised to a win. On Tuesday, the U.S. again looked dangerous and competent in the attack. Defensively it was a bit more solid. Portugal seemed, like Belgium, to absorb that energy and figure out what the U.S.’s plan was. Then, after the hydration break, the visitors settled into the game and took control. They kept the ball and made the U.S. work. They pressed effectively. And after forcing a turnover at midfield, Vitinha needed just one pass to carve up the U.S. and set up Bruno Fernandes’ assist to Trincão.It’s a concerning similarity. The U.S. needs to be ready for adjustments at the World Cup. And it needs to be able to counterpunch. In both March friendlies, it was the opponents who took advantage.
Christian Pulisic couldn’t break his scoring drought vs. PortugalJared C. Tilton / Getty Images
Pulisic starts at striker but can’t break through
Pulisic entered this March camp without a goal in 2026, and without a goal for the national team since 2024. Two days after he missed a pivotal chance against Belgium and extended the drought, Pochettino spoke about tweaking his star’s position.
“We know that he can score,” Pochettino said. “Maybe we help a little bit, [and move him] a little bit closer to the goal.”
Up until Portugal’s first goal, the U.S. created better chances. The two best opportunities fell to Pulisic, whom Pochettino had moved to a center forward position in an attempt to get him out of a rut.
Instead, Pulisic dug himself deeper. In the sixth minute, when free in the box, his finish was weak and saved. In the 22nd, a Tim Weah cross fizzed right through Pulisic’s legs.
Like on Saturday, Pulisic looked dangerous running at the Portuguese defense but out of sync in the penalty box. He closed his 45 minutes kicking out at an opponent in frustration. He was then subbed out at halftime.
Tuesday was the first time since taking over as coach in 2024, Pochettino started Pulisic in place of a natural striker rather than alongside one. Pulisic has mostly played for the U.S. in a left attacking midfield role, somewhere in between a winger and a No. 10. Here he was a center forward, paired up top with fellow attacking midfielder Weston McKennie. And although his movements and role changed, his performance in front of goal did not.
Advertisement
He combined well in the position with McKennie and Malik Tillman. He looked reasonably comfortable — which is unsurprising, given that Pulisic has played in a front two at AC Milan. His off-ball running was smart. His dribbling was purposeful and sharp. Anywhere outside the box, he looked confident.
There were moments, again, where the U.S. played well. And there were players whose efforts met the moment. But once again there were periods of play where the U.S. was too slow to react, too delayed in their recoveries and a step behind the required effort to make the play. Mauricio Pochettino highlighted the team’s lack of intensity in his prematch comments, but the challenge wasn’t met.Unsurprisingly, there were examples on both goals. Heavy touches in midfield from both Malik Tillman and Alex Freeman eventually led to McKennie’s turnover. Then, after Aidan Morris tried to jump the pass, which allowed Vitinha to skin the U.S., Morris and Tillman were far too slow to recover into the box to defend, which gave Trincão the space to trail Fernandes and score the opener.Portugal’s second goal, on a designed set piece, highlighted it again. João Félix had the time to take a touch and set up the volley he lasered into the bottom corner of the far post. Morris was the closest to it, and afterwards, the big screen in Mercedes-Benz Stadium showed the midfielder pointing to his own chest after the goal.Against teams like Belgium and Portugal, all that’s needed is that half second or half space. Over the last three days, the U.S. was taught that lesson multiple times.By the end of the game, it felt more like a training session for Portugal than anything really productive for the U.S. Portugal was given far too much time and space on the ball. It was toying with the U.S. at times. It felt so far removed from a game with stakes — just as it felt in September 2022 when the U.S. played neutral site friendlies in Germany and Spain. The U.S. recovered and had a solid group stage in Qatar. Pochettino & Co. hope this is similarly not much of an indication of what will come when the tournament starts in a few months.
Pochettino gives blunt assessment of whether USA has any world top 100 players
Mauricio Pochettino had numbers on his mind on Tuesday night. It wasn’t just the two unanswered goals his United States team conceded to Portugal, the nine weeks he has to name his World Cup roster, or the 35 (or 40) players still in with a chance of making the cut at that time.Pochettino also had the figure 100 running through his thoughts, namely the players he considers to be among the best 100 in the world. And, according to him, there aren’t any Americans among them.“We are USA,” Pochettino told reporters at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, after back-to-back losses following Saturday’s 5-2 setback against Belgium. “We are competing against Belgium, Portugal. I think for sure Belgium and Portugal have in the top 100 players, a few or some, players playing in that top 100. I think we don’t have. That is why it’s good to play against these types of teams.”It was a long way from being the most incendiary thing he could have said, but, coming out of the final window before the tournament squad is announced on May 26, it was striking.Soccer is global enough that few countries on the planet can lay claim to having several of the 100 best, or even more than one.It would not be unreasonable, however, to suggest that Christian Pulisic might be disappointed with such a take from his national team coach. Such lists are, by their very nature, subjective and can use widely varying criteria to make a determination. But he has been on lists of that type before.At the end of 2024, for instance, Pulisic was among the final 22 players in the world shortlisted for The Best FIFA men’s midfielder award.And in The Athletic’s “Best 100 Players” who will be at the World Cup, compiled by Nick Miller and Tim Spiers last December, Pulisic was the only American, and came in at No. 39. The rubric used included factors such as current form, historical performance, importance to their nation, transfer value, and rating on the highly-researched FC26 video game.A Proper Top-100 RankingRanking the 100 best players at World Cup 2026Our writers attempt the impossible – ordering the best players who are in with a chance of being at the tournament in North America
Otherwise, Weston McKennie, based on his Juventus form of late, might also consider himself worthy of being in the mix. Given how national team coaches generally take the approach of cheerleading for their best players, Pochettino’s remarks were notable, at the very least, though they should be kept in context.The coach may be right, of course. At various times over the history of the USMNT, it is likely that only a handful of players would ever have been at a lofty enough point at any stage of their career to hold claims on a subjective top 100 spot. As for Pulisic, he made a stirring start to the current Serie A season after missing last summer’s Concacaf Gold Cup but has tailed off of late. He has not scored for AC Milan during this calendar year, and hasn’t scored for the U.S. since 2024.The context of what Pochettino said was important, though. The intent was clearly not to downplay his players’ ability, but to reinforce that the U.S. is not, at this time, at the same level as the leading European powers, either as a collective unit or in terms of individual ability. The point he was making was that for this reason alone, scheduling matches and competing against such opponents is vital to future development and progress. “(It) is massive for us, it is about (learning),” Pochettino added. “We should play more games. Even though this is painful it is the only way to improve, it is the only way to learn, it is the only way to see how the top players and teams compete.” If the top 100 analogy came off as strangely specific, it should be noted that as a group, U.S. Soccer does have a tendency to think in such statistical terms. Last year, the federation hired the Twenty First Group, a sports intelligence consultancy. Among the firm’s research was analysis about how many players rated in the top 1,000 in the world a national team normally needs to reach the quarterfinals of a World Cup, or better.
Why Wrexham against Southampton has the potential to be another Easter classic
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson is hoping to oversee a fourth successive promotion Harriet Massey/Getty Images
Wrexham versus Notts County was a true game for the ages; so much so that, by the time the music stopped after almost 100 pulsating minutes of Easter Monday football, it felt as if the Welsh club had finally prised open the door marked ‘EFL Return’ after 15 long years in the wilderness of non-League.
Advertisement
Ben Foster’s 95th minute penalty save to clinch a season-defining 3-2 victory may be the abiding memory of a top-of-the-table clash that lived up to its “biggest non-League game in history” pre-match billing.
But, really, all footballing life was present at The Racecourse Ground that spring day, as two teams who had already breached the 100-point milestone swapped places at the top of the table for the 15th and final time that season.
There was even a touch of Hollywood glamour, of sorts, as Ryan Reynolds declared Foster to be a “double-handsome b*****d” in the dressing room afterwards, just moments after co-owner Rob Mac had kissed the former England goalkeeper full on the lips.
And yet here we are again, looking forward to another holiday fixture in north Wales that has a similar feel to that winner takes all contest against Luke Williams’ Notts County, a team who finished the 2022-23 National League season with 107 points but still had to negotiate the play-offs to clinch promotion due to the relentless form shown by Phil Parkinson’s champions.
Wrexham’s clash with Southampton has been looming large for some time. Shifted back a day due to the south coast club’s involvement in Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-finals, where they shocked Premier League leaders Arsenal with a 2-1 home win, Southampton’s first league visit to The Racecourse since 1959 pits two sides who, for the past seven or so weeks, have been embroiled in their very own game of pass-the-parcel when it comes to sixth place.
Derby County are also in the hunt along with Hull City but, really, Tuesday’s clash has felt for weeks to have the potential of providing the fourth and final play-offs qualifier. A point not lost on Wrexham’s Lewis O’Brien.
Wrexham’s Lewis O’Brien has been acutely aware of Southampton’s revivalJess Hornby/Getty Images
“When you look from the outside,” says the midfielder, “it is one of those games. We’re one point in front of them and they have a game in hand now. Before that, it was goal difference keeping us out of the play-offs.
“From that standpoint, people can big up the game as much as they want. But I don’t think we will be doing that. We stay in our own changing room and keep doing what we’ve been doing.”
Whether a sell-out crowd will be treated to a contest as captivating as that famous Notts County game remains to be seen. But, judging by how Southampton turned a 1-0 deficit against Wrexham on 90 minutes into three points by the time the final whistle blew on the opening day of the campaign, the potential for more thrills and spills seems high.
Southampton’s resurgence — they were fourth bottom on November 1 when Will Still was sacked — means those late, late goals from Ryan Manning and Jack Stephens have taken on even greater significance.
Now, though, a new band of fan favourites have emerged, complete with their own terrace songs, and the supporter-player bond that had been such a feature of the charge through the divisions has been restored.
Advertisement
“Playing at home is massive,” says O’Brien, one of 13 signings made last summer when joining from Nottingham Forest. “The fans finally feel we belong here, rather than are just here for a little bit.
“At the start of the season, they were a bit iffy as to what was going on. The team took time to gel. Now we have gelled, they believe we do belong here and get right behind us now.”
Southampton manager Tonda Eckert has inspired the club’s revival after a slow start this termLeila Coker/Getty Images
Like Notts County going into that epic 2023 title showdown, Southampton will arrive at the SToK Cae Ras in great form, a 12-game unbeaten league run having yielded 30 points to cement the popularity of Tonda Eckert, Still’s successor as head coach.
Even the disruption of losing top scorer Adam Armstrong to Wolverhampton Wanderers in January — he is still the only player at St Mary’s with a double-figure tally of goals — has been overcome by the 33-year-old German, whose previous experience of English football had come as Gerhard Struber’s assistant at Barnsley.
“It is a massive game for us,” admits Parkinson, whose own side are in great form, too. Their haul of 36 points from 18 games since Christmas is bettered by only Millwall and Norwich City (37 apiece).
“At this stage of the season, though, it’s difficult to say one game is harder than the next because everyone is fighting for something. But, with Southampton’s resurgence, it has a special feel to it and we will be ready for Tuesday night.”
One huge difference between Wrexham’s first promotion under Parkinson in 2023 and today centres on stress levels, with supporters able to enjoy the push for the Premier League in a way that was unthinkable when trying to escape non-League.
Sure, every game matters in the quest to keep those dreams of a fourth consecutive promotion alive. And should Parkinson’s men triumph on Tuesday evening, the celebrations in the stands will be suitably raucous.
Advertisement
But, unlike that memorable National League run-in when even drawing a game felt like the end of the world, this has been a season to savour for Wrexham supporters.
Wrexham fans have enjoyed a memorable season alreadyHarriet Massey/Getty Images
Already, their team is all but assured of securing the highest league finish in the club’s history, eclipsing the previous best of 15th in the old Second Division set in 1978-79. Then there is the sense that Wrexham’s ultimate destination under Reynolds and Mac will be the Premier League, be that next season or at some stage in the next few years.
That said, one look at the Championship table shows just what is at stake for both teams in this latest Easter six-pointer.
“Pressure is a privilege,” adds Parkinson, a manager with six promotions on his CV. “Absolutely, that’s the case. Football is about making the most of every season. I always feel every season is special and we have an opportunity to finish it well.
“We will do everything we can to do that. When you get into this position, it is important — like we have done in previous years — that we produce good performances. We have got to enjoy it and we will.”
March 31, 2026Esmir Bajraktarevic, who grew up near Milwaukee, Wisc., became a national hero for Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday night, as his winning penalty clinched qualification for this summer’s World Cup and denied four-time champion Italy a spot in the tournament.The 21-year-old former New England Revolution winger converted a brazen no-look penalty past Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to complete a shootout triumph in Zenica, after scores were locked at 1-1 following extra-time.
Bajraktarevic’s strike broke the Italian hearts and prolonged the country’s World Cup drought – Italy has not qualified for the event since 2014. After beating Donnarumma, he ripped off his shirt and raised it proudly as he celebrated with a rabid home crowd at the Stadion Bilino Polje. It has been quite the journey for the American-born playmaker, who is now at PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch Eredivisie.Bajraktarevic, who hails from Appleton, Wisc., was a U.S. youth international and invited to a senior camp in January of 2024, where he made his senior debut against Slovenia under former USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter. That summer, however, he decided to represent Bosnia and Herzegovina. As a dual national with what appears to be a high ceiling, Bajraktarevic’s decision made headlines in the U.S. But for the player, it was simply what felt right.
“The decision for me was very easy,” Bajraktarevic told The Blazing Musket in October of 2024. “It was something I knew I wanted to do since I was little. It was just a process that took a while. I’m very happy I made it. There’s no feeling like representing your country.”As Bosnia and Herzegovina prepared for the final stretch of European World Cup qualifying, Bajraktarevic reiterated where his heart has always been.“I’m very proud every time I play for Bosnia,” he said in February. “It’s a different feeling. It’s where my parents come from and it’s what I’ve always thought of myself as, as a Bosnian.”The questions will now be raised within the U.S. soccer community about whether Bajraktarevic would make Mauricio Pochettino’s current squad. That will certainly be debated, but what is evident is Bajraktarevic’s youthful flair and swagger on the ball. Against Italy, and deep into extra time, the left-footed Bajraktarevic attempted a rabona near Donnarumma’s penalty area. It flew out of bounds but that didn’t deter him from taking it even further moments later.He stepped up confidently to take one of the most significant kicks in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s soccer history, after the Italians had squandered two opportunities from the spot. As Bajraktarevic looked down and cleverly placed the ball to Donnarumma’s left, pandemonium ensued.
Ok I am going to be honest I did not see this coming. Yes I predicted a loss — 2-1 but 5-1. I can’t remember the last time the US conceded 5 goals in a game. Five goals? For those questioning my questioning of this defense – there it is. Lets start with the back 4 – not a bad idea to start with line-up against a superior team like Belgium – but Timmy Weah was way out of his league vs Doku – one of the best wingers in the world. I also thought Mark Mckensie was turned a # of times and did not have the best game as 3 of the goal attacks came down the left hand side. Tim Ream continued to show he is TOO OLD to play in the middle against Top 10 competition. Listen I love Tim Ream – have his Fulham jersey in my closet – but at 40 his foot speed is simply too far behind to play good teams. I would say he was involved on 3 of the goals – places where a good centerback makes the play. The lone bright spot was Jedi Robinson in an attacking role though his D could have been better. I know Chris Richards and Tim Robinson were hurt – but this might have showed we are a 3-5-2 team now. We needed 5 on defense vs Belgium and whatever that was needs to end.
Turning to Goalkeeper – unlike most – I was actually ok with the change – I thought Matt Turner might still sneak into the starting slot for the World Cup – ah that’s over now. Sad part is he made some fantastic saves on the day – hell it could have /should have been 8-1 if Turner doesn’t make some saves – but to give up 5 to anyone much less Belgium without Lukaku is a sign you are not the guy. Lets see if Matt Freese can handle the pressure that Portugal is sure to bring tonight.
Offensively we had our moments – Pulisic was still clearly not quite on – his 2 goal chances- blown completely. Balogun had little service but I don’t think I heard his name called once. Pepi and Agyemang coming on late and stealing one goal was impressive and might get Pepi an earlier call to come in during the World Cup. I am still not sure how Poch is going to get his 3 or 4 best mids on the field. I did not work to have Tillman behind the front 2 of Bola & Pulisic – unfortunately – I would like to see Reyna get a start vs Portugal in that spot to see if works. Also what to do with McKennie – he has to be on the field – he scored our goal on the Cornerkick, he probably was the best field player besides Antonee Robinson. The dmid line-up of Cardoso & Tessman actually held their own in the first half of a 1-1 game. Cardoso showed he deserves a spot on the bus for the WC. I thought Tessman had some moments – especially in the 1st half – but when Cristian Roldan came on in the 2nd for Cardoso – the duo was exposed during the 4 goal blasting. Late subs by Berhalter merely showed his MLS self is not ready for this level of play.
So now what? We HAVE to have a good showing vs Portugal, who is without Ronaldo but still tied Mexico 0-0 on Saturday. The Great New is it appears our best Centerback – the only one starting in the EPL Chris Richards is back in the mix for tonight, I would guess he will start with Trusty who is a left sided Centerback for Celtic. Will be interesting to see if he puts Trusty in the middle and Ream on the left (I hope not) or does he go Joe Scally on the right with Richards in the middle. (my preference). I would also love to see Alex Freeman get a run at right outside back. Of course Freese is back in goal. In the middle trying to replace Adams (who we desperately miss) and the injured Cardoso – I would go with Aidan Morris. The biggest thing is the US Team must show some grit some passion – we just got blasted 5-1 at home with 65K Atlanta – a place we might play in the World Cup – we must show better vs Portugal. With Richards back IF he doesn’t play Tim Ream I think we tie this game 1-1. If he starts Ream – its 3-1 Portugal.
WORLD CUP QUALIFYING the Last 6 Teams Will Be Decided Tuesday
So its put up or shut up time for 6 teams to make the World Cup – my Italy again has their backs to the Wall and must win in a hostile stadium vs an old Bosnia team at 2:45 pm on FS1. Of most interest for the US is Kosovo basically hosting Turkey with the winner advancing to the US group as the 3rd game vs the US. Turkey looked good – and 86th ranked Kosovo needed penalties to advance but look out on this one. The US REALLY NEEDS KOSOVO to Win. Live on FS2
Indy 11 Plays Tonite 7 pm and Sat 7 pm vs Pittsburgh
Indy Eleven came back from a halftime deficit with two second-half goals to earn a 2-2 draw at USL Championship Eastern Conference opponent Hartford Athletic. Indy Eleven has two home games at Carroll Stadium this week–Tue. Mar. 31 for a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Second Round match vs. Union Omaha at 7 p.m., and Sat. Apr. 4 against the defending USL champion Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. Ticket options available include Family Four-Packs, pro-rated Season Tickets, and Flex Mini-Plans. The Family Four-Pack is available for all 2026 home games and it can be purchased online only. Priced at just $49, the Family Four-Pack includes four tickets, FREE parking, $20 in Concession Vouchers, and a 20% Merchandise Discount, along with access to the Fun Zone/Kids Activation Area.
Congrats to the 2010 Carmel FC Boys for winning the River City Classic in Cincy for a 2nd time in 3 years
Huge congrats to Coach Mark Stumpf (right) battling thru the pain this weekend. The boys were great! Yes that’s me the ole ballcoach on the left.
TV Schedule – Games on TV
Tues, Mar 31 2:30 pm FS1 Italy vs Bosnia WC Qualifier 2:30 pm FS2 Kosovo vs Turkiye WC Qualifier 2:45 pm Fubu Sweden vs Poland WC Qualifier 2:45 pm Fubu Czechia vs Denmark WC Qualifier 7 pm TNT, HBO, Peacock USA Men vs Portugal 7 pm Para+ Indy 11 vs Union Omaha US Open Cup 9 pm FS1. Peacock Congo DR vs Jamaica WCQ 1 11 pm FS1, Peacock Iraq vs Bolivia WCQ2 Weds, Apr 1 7:30 pm CBS Galazo Michigan Bucks vs Detroit City US open Cup 8 pm CBS Sports Net Colorado Springs vs Spokane Wash US Open Cup Thur, Apr 2 12:45 pm CBSSN Barcelona vs Real Madrid – Women’s UCL 3 pm CBSSN OL Lyon vs Wolfsburg – Women’s UCL Fri, Apr 2 10 am Para+ West Brom vs Wrexham 3 pm PAra+ Coventry City vs Derby County (Agyemang) 8 pm Amazon Prime Orlando Pride vs Angel City NWSL Sat, Apr 4 7:30 am ESPN Man City vs Liverpool FA Cup 9:30 am ESPN+ Freiburg vs Bayern Munich 9:30 am ESPN+ Wolfsburg vs Bayern Leverkusen (Tilman) 12:!5 pm ESPN+ Chelsea vs Port Vale FA Cup 3 pm ESPN+ Southampton vs Arsenal FA Cup 3 pm ESPN+, ESPND Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona 4 pm CBS KC Current vs NY/NJ Gotham NWSL 6:30 pm Tubi TV NC Courage vs Portland Thorns NWSL 7 pm TV 8? Indy 11 vs 7 pm Uni Monterrey vs Athletico Liga MX 7:30 pm Apple Free Atlanta United vs Columbus Crew 7:30 pm Apple free Miami vs Austin 7:30 pm Apple Free NY Red Bulls vs Cincy 8:30 pm Apple free Houston vs Seattle Sounders 8:30 pm Apple free Chicago Fire vs Nashville 8:45 pm Tubi TV Seattle Reign vs Denver Summit NWSL 9:30 pm Apple Free LAFC vs Orlando 10:30 pm Apple Free LA Galaxy vs Minn Sun Apr 5 9:30 am ESPN+ Union Berlin vs St Pauli 10:30 am ESPN+ Valencia vs Celta Vigo 11:30 am ESPN 2 West Ham vs Leeds United (Aaronson) FA CUP 2:45 pm Para+ Inter Milan vs Roma Italy 2:45 pm beIN Sport Monaco (Balogun) vs Marseille (Weah) 5 pm ESPN2 Bay FC vs Washington Spirit (Rodman) NWSL
Sat, Apr 11 7 pm TNT, HBO US Women vs Japan Tues, Apr 12 7 pm TNT, HBO US Women vs Japan Sun, May 31 3:30 pm TNT, HBO, Peacock USA Men vs Senegal Fri. Apr. 17, 7:30 pm | IU vs. Notre Dame GRAND PARK Sat. Apr. 18, 6:00 pm | Saint Louis vs. Xavier GRAND PARK Sat, June 6 2:30 pm TNT, HBO, Peacock USA Men vs Germany in Chicago Sat, June 12 WORLD CUP 9 pm Fox, Tele, Peacock USA Men vs Paraguay World Cup Complete 2026 World Cup schedule featuring match dates and start times NWSL Schedule
US Players on Duty — Friday
PSG vs Toulouse, 2:45p on beIN Sports, Fubo (free trial): Mark McKenzie and Toulouse have a big task on their hands defending PSG in this Ligue 1 match.
Coventry vs Derby, 3p on Paramount+: Haji Wright and Coventry City host Patrick Agyemang and Derby County in the EFL Championship.
Also in action:
Middlesbrough vs Millwall, 7:30a on Paramount+: Aidan Morris and Boro host Millwall in the EFL Championship.
Charlton vs Bristol City, 10a: Charlie Kelman and Charlton Athletic host Bristol City in the EFL Championship.
West Brom vs Wrexham, 10a on Paramount+: George Campbell, Daryl Dike, and West Brom host Wrexham in the EFL Championship.
Vitória Guimarães vs Tondela, 1p: Jordan Pefok and Tondela visit Vitória de Guimarães in Liga Portugal.
===RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ===
Coming home from Practice or Games at Badger Fieldhouse? Try out the Best BarBQ in Town right across the street (131st) from Northview Church on the corner of Hazelldell & 131st. RackZ BBQ
Save 20% on your order
(mention the ole ballcoach)
Check out the BarBQ Ribs, pulled Pork and Chicken, Brisket and more. Sweet, Tangy or Spicy sauce. Mention you heard about it from the Ole Ballcoach — and Ryan will give you 20% off your next meal. https://www.rackzbbqindy.com/Call ahead at 317-688-7290 M-Th 11-8 pm, 11-9 Fri/Sat, 12-8 pm on Sunday. Pick some up after practice – Its good eatin! You won’t be disappointed and tell ’em the Ole Ballcoach Sent You!
Save 20% on these Succulent Ribs at Rackz BarBQ when you mention the Ole Ballcoach – Corner of 131 & Hazelldell. – Call 317-688-7290.
Huge congrats to my Ref Buddy (L doing his first D1 – College Game last Week !!
2026 World Cup playoffs: Who will claim the final six spots?
Mark OgdenMar 31, 2026, 03:21 AM ET
The 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup kicks off on June 11 when co-hosts Mexico play South Africa in Mexico City, but six qualification places are still up for grabs in the European and intercontinental playoffs.
The final qualified teams will be confirmed Tuesday with four European nations and the winners of the two intercontinental playoff finals sealing their spot in the Canada, Mexico and the United America this summer.
Kosovo will host Türkiye attempting to reach their first World Cup, and four-time world champions Italy must win at Bosnia and Herzegovina to avoid missing out on the finals for the third successive tournament.
Iraq (1986), Congo DR (as Zaire in 1974), Bolivia (1994) and Türkiye (2002) are all looking to end lengthy absences from the World Cup, but who will be victorious in the six qualification finals?
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Italy (Zenica, Bosnia):Edin Dzeko‘s 86th-minute goal against Wales in Cardiff was the lifeline Bosnia needed to stay in the semifinal and take the game to penalties, which ended with a 4-2 shootout win for Sergej Barbarez’s team. At 40 years old, former Manchester City, AS Roma and Inter Milan striker Dzeko will become one of the oldest outfield players to appear at a World Cup if he can inspire Bosnia again in the final, but Italy will go into the game as strong favorites.
Gennaro Gattuso’s team overcame a nervous start to beat Northern Ireland2-0 on Bergamo in Thursday’s semifinal and that victory has boosted morale in Italy following playoff heartbreak in 2018 and 2022. Bosnia have home advantage in Zenica at the hostile Stadium Bilino Polje, but Italy have the pedigree of Gianluigi Donnarumma, Sandro Tonali and Manuel Locatelli, so they will have no excuses for another playoff failure.
Winners: Italy
Laurens: Italy face tougher test against Bosnia and Herzegovina
Julien Laurens breaks down Bosnia and Herzegovina’s dramatic penalty win over Wales ahead of their World Cup showdown with Italy.
Sweden vs. Poland (Stockholm, Sweden): Viktor Gyökeres almost single-handedly sealed Sweden’s place in the final with a hat trick in Thursday’s 3-1 semifinal win against Ukraine in Valencia. Sweden, now coached by former Chelsea and West Ham United boss Graham Potter, seriously underperformed during the qualifiers witha winless group campaign, but they now have a home game against Poland to book a place at the World Cup.
The Poles had to fight back from going a goal down against Albania in Warsaw before winning 2-1 with goals from Robert Lewandowski and Piotr Zielinski and they go into the Sweden game having run Netherlands close in their qualifying group. Recent form suggests that Poland will be favorites, but Sweden are at home and the confidence of a big win against Ukraine. It will be close, but Sweden will shade it — maybe even on penalties.
Kosovo vs. Türkiye (Pristina, Kosovo): Though Türkiye’s semifinal against Romania went as expected with Vincenzo Montella’s team winning 1-0 through Ferdi Kadioglu‘s goal, Kosovo upset the odds with a 4-3 win away to Slovakia. Kosovo went into the playoffs as the lowest-ranked European nation still alive in the competition, sitting in 78th position between Israel and Oman in the FIFA World Ranking, but they dominated in Bratislava to seal a deserved victory.
Franco Foda’s team is young, bold and full of pace and energy, and they have the ability to shock a Türkiye team stacked with top talent including Arda Güler, Hakan Çalhanoglu and Kenan Yildiz. Türkiye have won the two previous meetings between the teams and will be favorites, but Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri will be rocking in Pristina on Tuesday, and a passionate atmosphere could tip the balance in Kosovo’s favor.
Czechia vs. Denmark (Prague, Czechia): Czechia looked dead and buried against the Republic of Ireland after finding themselves 2-0 down in Prague after 23 minutes, but Miroslav Koubek’s team fought back to take the game to penalties before winning 4-3 from the spot kicks.
But the Czechs will face a Denmark side that showed its quality with a 4-0 win against North Macedonia in Copenhagen, so the Danes will be strong favorites heading into the final. The questions about Denmark have nothing to do with their quality — coach Brian Riemer has Christian Eriksen, Rasmus Højlund and Christian Norgaard on his roster — but whether they can handle the pressure of being favorites. A draw against Belarus and defeat against Scotland saw them blow their hopes of automatic qualification, so will they feel the heat against the Czechs? That’s the danger for Denmark, but perhaps beating North Macedonia has proved their mettle.
Congo DR vs. Jamaica (Zapopan, Mexico): Jamaica toiled to a 1-0 win against rank outsiders New Caledonia in the semifinal, so they will have to step up several levels to have any hope of beating Congo DR.
Congo, nicknamed the “Warriors of the Equator,” have top-level European experience in their squad with Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United), Arthur Masuaku (Lens), Yoane Wissa (Newcastle United) and captain Chancel Mbemba (Lille), so they should be too strong for a Jamaica side led by interim coach Rudolph Speid. Wrexham’s Bailey Cadamarteri scored the match winner for Jamaica against New Caledonia, but repeating that effort will be tough against one of the strongest African teams.
Iraq vs. Bolivia (Guadalupe, Mexico): Iraq’s preparations for their playoff have been thrown into disarray by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, forcing coach Graham Arnold to ask FIFA for the game to postponed due to the difficulties of his squad being about to travel from the region. But Tuesday’s match will go ahead and the Lions of Mesopotamia will have a full squad due to call on after being given the use of a private jet to travel to Mexico. Whether the disruption to their plans will affect Iraq’s chances remains to be seen, but Bolivia’s 2-1 semifinal win over Suriname, when they overturned a 1-0 deficit to claim victory, showed that the South American nation is match ready — the same cannot be said for Iraq. Having had no competitive games since December, Iraq might struggle to win this game and end a 40-year wait for a World Cup appearance.
Winners: Bolivia
USA vs. Portugal, 2026 USMNT friendly: preview – the devil is in the big picture
More questions ahead of the last friendly before the World Cup breakby Parker Cleveland Mar 30, 2026, 11:44 AM EDT Stars & Stripes
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – MARCH 28: Weston McKennie #8 of the United States celebrates scoring during the first half against Belgium during an international friendly at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Omar Vega/USSF/Getty Images)Getty Images
The USMNT will close out its March friendly window looking to bounce back after falling apart in the second half to Belgium on Saturday. In that match, Mauricio Pochettino put forward an attack minded lineup with four out and out attackers plus Tim Weah at right back. It seemed to pay off at first with the USA jumping out to an early lead thanks to a goal from Wes McKennie, that would be the high point for the USA as Belgium scored four goals in 23 minutes scoring the first right before the half and another in 82nd with the Americans pulling one back three minutes before the death.
The match itself was underscored by questions in defense and goalkeeper – mainly, what happens when the team doesn’t have Chris Richards and who should start between the sticks? The answer to the Richards dilemma is clearly, we don’t know while the keeper solution is probably anyone except for Matt Turner. The match also showed that Tim Ream is not at the level needed to take on a top 10 team in the world, the same for that matter can be said of Mark McKenzie. Aside from Ream’s handball, Belgium had no issue controlling the ball around the box and playing around the central defenders.
As far as taking on Portugal, Poch will need to come up with more effective defensive tactics with the European Nations League champs licking their chops at the prospect of taking on a team that struggled the way the USA did defensively. Adding to this issue is that Johnny Cardoso was OK at defensive midfield. That might have been acceptable if the game wasn’t asking him to do more to cover for the center backs but either he needs to step up or step aside for the team to find an effective replacement for Tyler Adams.
Portugal comes into the game having drawn 0-0 to Mexico at El Azteca over the weekend. The Iberians were the more attack minded of the teams but failed to find a goal despite dominating possession with 66% of the passing and an xG of 1.39. El Tri played in a 4-1-4-1 formation and held strong defensively with Portugal getting the better of the chances. For their part, Portugal played in their 4-2-3-1 and was attack minded as advertised.
For this match, the task for the Americans is pretty straight forward: find a defensive posture that works, keep Bruno Fernandes from dictating the tempo, stop Joao Felix or Pedro Neto from finding space to score or create for his teammates, and in attack keep the ball in the face of their opponent’s press.
It will be interesting to see how Poch addresses the situation in defense. The USA did very well with a three center back set up at the end of last year. Alex Freeman and Joe Scally are both capable of playing in that system but the team needs a central defender to fill the void left by Richards in anchoring the backline. If the team steps up and plays solid defense, gets a good match out of whoever starts at keeper, and finds a way to get through the Portugal backline, the Americans might be able to go into the World Cup with a promising performance against one of the best teams in the world. If not, it could be a long night and a longer few months with more questions following the team into the start of the tournament.
USMNT exposed with tactical approach to Belgium, makes for a World Cup warning
Mauricio Pochettino of the United States speaks with the team during the first half of Saturday’s friendly against Belgium. Andrew J. Clark / ISI Photos / USS
ATLANTA — “Football,” Mauricio Pochettino said, “is in the details.” And it was in the details Saturday that the U.S. men’s national team faltered against Belgium.There was no one reason for the USMNT’s unraveling in a 5-2 loss. There was, instead, a succession of minor individual shortcomings that magnified one broader flaw in Pochettino’s tactical setup.“Pochettino should’ve never changed back to a back four,” says Charlie Davies, a former USMNT forward and columnist for The Athletic, “when he made so much progress with the back three this past fall.”Lineups with three center backs helped revive the USMNT last September. Players and Pochettino himself said the new formation helped “simplify things.” In October and November, they alternated between hybrid systems, but never returned to a back four with two fullbacks bombing up and down both wings.On Saturday, they did that — and they got burned.Belgium’s first three goals, plus a fourth that was disallowed for a handball, all originated on the left wing, with the ball at the feet of the game’s most dangerous player, Jérémy Doku. And three of the four happened after Tim Weah, the U.S. right back tasked with defending Doku, was caught higher up the field.He was higher up the field by design. In this more complicated 4-2-3-1 formation, when in possession, a central midfielder would drop between the center backs or to the left of them; an attacking midfielder would come deep; both fullbacks would advance.It was the opposite of the 3-4-3’s simplicity. And it came with tradeoffs.“There were a number of moments where the movement from Johnny Cardoso and Tanner Tessmann would ultimately help them in the buildup,” Davies says. “They found Weston McKennie in the pocket. He’d play it to Christian Pulisic, and then they’d get out. They would find ways to break down Belgium’s mid-block.” They would get Weah and Antonee Robinson, the fullbacks, on the ball in dangerous positions.“But in doing that,” Davies says, “multiple times, they also got exposed.”
Dealing with Doku
Pochettino, at his post-match news conference, brushed aside discussion of the formation switch. He also said that Weah, a converted winger, “defended really, really well.” The “problem,” Pochettino argued, “was that no one helped (Weah) in the last third, in the areas that are really important to help.”“The plan,” Weah confirmed, “was to double team” Doku. A midfielder would slide over to help. And for most of 45 minutes, Cardoso, Tessmann and McKennie did this reasonably well. They’d be responsible if Doku cut inside.If, on the other hand, Doku went toward the end line, Weah would be prepared to keep up and block the cross. When settled and with inside help, Weah did this reasonably well on all but one occasion.
In the 45th minute, though, the “help” was too passive. McKennie and Tessmann both retreated into the box… but never stepped up to confront Doku when the Belgian winger came inside.
Doku’s shot was palmed away by Turner, but in part because he’d drawn so much attention, the rebound found Zeno Debast in loads of space outside the box. Debast had time to line up a fizzing 25-yard drive. Multiple U.S. players were slow to close him down. Matt Turner was slow across his goal. And just like that, it was 1-1.That Belgian goal, however, was the outlier.
USMNT gets caught in transition
On the second Belgium goal and the sequence that led to the third, the root cause didn’t seem to be a lack of help; it was a lack of structure.Even in the first half, there were warning signs. In the 37th minute, the U.S. had taken up its in-possession shape, with Weah on the right wing. Turner mis-hit a pass, possession turned over, and suddenly, Doku was running at Cardoso one-v-one — with Weah trailing the play.
Then, in the 52nd minute, Weah was attacking deep in the final third. He helped set up a Pulisic chance. Moments later, he was racing back toward the defensive third, chasing Kevin De Bruyne. De Bruyne fed Doku, who ran at U.S. center back Mark McKenzie — with Weah once again trailing.
Seven U.S. players in total scrambled back into the penalty box to help. But that left Andre Onana free at the top of the box to put Belgium ahead — and remind U.S. fans of nightmares past.“What pisses me off is that the same weaknesses of younger U.S. squads still seem to be there,” Davies says. “They collapse into their own 18-yard box and defend. And it’s almost like a psychological thing: if you have numbers in the box, back, you feel like you’re defending, and you’ve got the numerical advantage in front of your goal. But ultimately, they leave the top of the box always open for late runs, for people who are just lurking at the top.”Three minutes later, the structural flaws emerged again.In the 55th minute, on one end, Weah advanced all the way into Belgium’s penalty box and sliced a volley off target.“He was almost like a right wingback on that play,” Davies says. The problem, of course, is that he’d been tasked with defending like a true fullback, with only two central defenders to cover for him.Weah lingered high up the field after that chance as the U.S. pressed Belgium.
When Belgium cycled the ball to the opposite side, easily evading the USMNT’s first line of confrontation, Weah began to retreat — but not quickly enough. His positioning allowed a Belgian defender to ping a 70-yard diagonal to Doku — a pass that should never be completeable.
Weah was suddenly scrambling and isolated. Tessmann hurried back to help but didn’t arrive in time. Doku beat Weah with a give-and-go. His shot was saved by Turner, but the follow-up earned Belgium a penalty. And the game, for all intents and purposes, was gone.
‘That’s what I don’t like about this fluid 4-2-3-1’
This is the peril of playing a shape-shifting 4-2-3-1 rather than a relatively simple 3-4-3.With the ball, the USMNT builds in a 3-2-5 shape. When set up in a 3-4-3, two of the “4” — the wingbacks — simply have to join the front three.To get to it from a 4-2-3-1 base, on the other hand, two of the back “4” — the fullbacks — were joining the front line on Saturday; one of the “2” holding midfielders had to fill for them; and one of the “3” had to fill for him.Back in September, when the U.S. switched to the 3-4-3, “we didn’t have guys moving from one position to another,” captain Tim Ream said. There were no convoluted rotations from defense to attack or vice versa. “We were already set in that structure.”In the 4-2-3-1, the movements provide attacking benefits, which is seemingly why Pochettino likes it.“This is his formation, this is where he feels most comfortable,” Davies says.“But in defensive transition — that’s what I don’t like about this fluid 4-2-3-1, with a center mid dropping deep,” Davies continues. “At least when you’re not typically a team that’s keeping possession. If you’re a team like Spain, go ahead. When you don’t do that consistently, and you have this type of formation, that’s when things get tough in transition.”
The ‘intensity’ dip
Pochettino’s main explanation for the collapse was a drop in “intensity.” On Belgium’s first goal, and again on the second, “we were not aggressive enough,” Pochettino said.Davies saw this too, especially after the second goal went in. “You could see heads drop,” Davies says. “And they’re like, ‘Oh s***, here we go again.’”That was perhaps most evident on Belgium’s fourth goal. When the ball switched from left to right, Pulisic simply let Belgian right back Thomas Meunier carry it from his defensive half into the final third. Cristian Roldan, therefore, was forced to step in, halt Meunier’s progress and track his run, leaving substitute fullback Max Arfsten one-v-one with Dodi Lukebakio. Arfsten got crossed, Lukebakio dipped inside, and multiple U.S. players just watched Lukebakio pick out the top corner.
Lukebakio dueling Arfsten also represented the gap in quality between the two squads. Belgium called upon substitutes from Benfica and Juventus. The U.S. brought in players from MLS. After those substitutions, the U.S. struggled to connect many progressive passes. Sebastian Berhalter, for example, looked out of his depth.The gap between the starting 11s was slimmer. And intensity can close some quality gaps.
“I feel pretty damn good about that first half,” Davies says. “It’s kind of what you would hope for when you’re talking about a competitive match against Belgium.”
But when focus and energy slipped, quality rose to the surface — just like it did when the U.S. lost to Germany in 2023 and the Netherlands in 2022.
All eyes will be on Tuesday’s response vs. Portugal.
Pochettino’s World Cup mandate for USMNT is clear: Intensity is not optional
Andrew J. Clark / ISI Photos / USSF / Getty Images)
MARIETTA, Ga. — On Sunday afternoon, a day after his team took a 5-2 loss to Belgium, U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino watched Colombia and France battle it out in an exhibition in Landover, Md.The ferocity and pace of France’s 3-1 win made an impression on him. There was nothing in the game that made it feel like it was a no-stakes “friendly.”
“Do you think that the coach of Colombia, losing the game, is going to complain about some players?” Pochettino asked. “They played like this was the final of the World Cup. And France, when they saw the intensity and the aggression of Colombia said: ‘If we don’t play as intense, they will kill us.’ That is intensity.”
After Colombia-France, Pochettino caught highlights of Argentine club Racing’s Copa Argentina clash with third-division side San Martín de Formoso, which featured several hard tackles, a few scraps and a red card. Finally, he caught his former club Newell’s Old Boys’ 2-0 loss to Acassuso in the same tournament.
“In these games, if you don’t have aggression and intensity and everything, you can’t play there,” Pochettino said.
That it was the intensity level that stood out across Pochettino’s soccer viewing was the problem.
An equivalent vigor was lacking from the U.S. against Belgium. It felt inexcusable with the World Cup just two months away. And that wasn’t just perception. U.S. Soccer’s data showed that the Americans were not as aggressive defensively almost across the board compared to previous camps, Pochettino noted.
“One of the things that worried us most when we compared the last two matches — Uruguay and Paraguay — with Belgium (it) was what I mentioned before: the lack of intensity,” he said. “Where? In both boxes, box to box. The numbers — how much we dropped in our ability to be aggressive, in that intensity when recovering the ball, in not allowing the opponent to transition — if you compare it to Paraguay or Uruguay, we’re at about half. We’ve given the opponent far too much space.”
Pochettino praised his team’s ability to be dangerous in the attack. “We have good players,” he said. But it’s the defensive aggression that gives the team the balance and “solidity” it needs to compete, he added.
Asked what might have been lacking against Belgium, U.S. captain Tim Ream said that, “in some moments, it’s a decision.”
Advertisement
“It’s just an overall effort,” he said. “It’s not that guys don’t want to do it; it’s sometimes, ‘Oh, we’ve just made an effort.’ And now it’s about making another one. It’s about making not just the first, (but) the second, the third, the fourth. And sometimes that doesn’t happen. And that’s just something that is a non-negotiable, really. And it’s something that we were doing really well in the fall, last year. And it’s something we have to get back to.”
I had a similar viewing experience to Pochettino on Sunday, only rather than the games the U.S. coach took in, I caught a preview of CBS’s new documentary series on former U.S. forward Clint Dempsey, You Don’t Know Where I’m From, Dawg.
The five-part series chronicles Dempsey’s rise out of Nacogdoches, Texas, to become a U.S. Soccer Hall of Famer who would score goals at three World Cups, tie for the USMNT’s all-time lead in goals and become Fulham’s all-time leading Premier League goalscorer. It honed in, unsurprisingly, on Dempsey’s famous drive and his constant need to prove himself.
“Make them f***king play you,” Dempsey said on Sunday night, summing up the mentality that drove him to the top.
Clint Dempsey scored against the USA’s next opponent, Portugal, back at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.Elsa / Getty Images
Dempsey invented slights and enemies to push himself to the next level. He took every snub and used it as motivation. It’s what made him one of the greatest players in U.S. history. Coming out of the documentary, it felt like it should be required viewing for this U.S. team. Not just because of how much Dempsey’s story and path to success might remind them of the drive needed to achieve greatness, but because the clips of the U.S. team’s successes at previous World Cups were rooted in the very same qualities as Dempsey’s own story.The U.S. has always been a team that has to prove itself. This team too often feels like it lacks that mentality.As another U.S. great, Landon Donovan, told The Athletic on Monday: “It’s not that they don’t care, but maybe they don’t have enough pride,” he said. “Maybe that’s the way I need to say it. … I would have been mortified to be losing in a home game three months before the World Cup with 70,000 people there. I would have been unbelievably embarrassed losing 4-1 and 5-1, forget it. I probably would have got sent off.“I’m just trying to figure out why is nobody yelling at each other? Why is nobody getting a yellow card? Why is nobody stopping (Jérémy) Doku after he’s terrorized us for 70 minutes? Why is this not happening? I can’t figure it out. I don’t know if it’s generational or if it’s this team in particular, but that just doesn’t happen. And it blows my mind.”It’s why Pochettino said he wants his players to watch the types of games he took in on Sunday. To see the level of aggression, desire and drive that is necessary for teams to reach their best levels. Not for nine out of 10 recovery runs, or for 60 minutes out of 90, but for every single run and every single minute.
It was a long day in goal for Matt Turner, who conceded five against Belgium in Saturday’s friendly.David J. Griffin / Icon Sportswire / Getty Images
The Argentine coach knocked on the table in front of him at Monday’s press conference as he thought about how to describe why it’s such an important part of any team’s identity — and especially so for this team.
It’s clear that the U.S. still hasn’t developed the necessary habits, the ability to push constantly, that will be needed to beat the best teams in the world. And if the U.S. players don’t do it against Belgium and Portugal in this window, what makes them think it’ll come naturally once the World Cup kicks off?
“There’s still time to realize that we need to compete like the (Colombia) game against France,” Pochettino said.
Tuesday against Portugal will show whether they’ve taken on that lesson. Because as special as these players might – and still can – be, the key to success might be to show just how much they’re the same as the U.S. teams that came before them. To prove that while they might be able to play their way into bigger conversations, they can also fight their way to results.
Landon Donovan questions USMNT pride, says Belgium loss could do ‘psychological damage’
ATLANTA — U.S. men’s national team great Landon Donovan has warned that Saturday’s 5-2 defeat to Belgium has the potential to do “psychological damage” to Mauricio Pochettino’s team ahead of the World Cup, and he also questioned whether the current squad is showing enough “pride” in its performances.Donovan, who represented the U.S. at three World Cups and is tied with Clint Dempsey as the team’s all-time leading scorer, spoke to The Athletic on Monday, less than 48 hours after the team began the March international window with the heavy loss at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The U.S. will play Portugal at the same venue on Tuesday night. The Athletic asked Donovan whether pre-tournament warm-up games could have a serious impact on a team’s momentum and confidence ahead of a World Cup. Donovan, reflecting on his own period as a player, said: “No — but I’ll tell you why. We were very clear in our identity. We were never worried about conceding five goals – that would never, ever have happened. We might have lost games and we did. But that was never in the conversation — ever. For this team, I am concerned. There’s no question that conceding five goals at home three months before the World Cup is going to do psychological damage to the team and the players. “The good news is they have another chance to get rid of that result quickly. The bad news is they’re playing Portugal and so we’re going to learn a lot about this team. ” The U.S. actually took the lead against Belgium in the first half through Weston McKennie but was pegged back before the interval. Then, between the 53rd and 68th minutes, the U.S. performance deteriorated and the team went 4-1 down. What does it feel like for a player when a game spirals out of a team’s grasp?
“I will never forget we played an MLS game with the (LA) Galaxy away in Houston. It was one of those August days, 97 degrees, and after 23 minutes, they were up three goals. I pulled everybody into the field and nobody wanted to hear it.
“They’re all looking away and I said, ‘Look at me, if we lose today, we lose, but we’re not getting embarrassed, have some personal pride, care about what you do.’ We ended up losing 3-0. Tim Howard and I did our podcast (Unfiltered Soccer) this morning and the part we cannot figure out is why it seems like nobody cared. They’re running around and they’re trying. But there were no yellow cards. Nobody got kicked.”
Does he really believe the USMNT players do not care?
“Care’s not the right word,” he clarifies. “It’s not that they don’t care, but maybe they don’t have enough pride. Maybe that’s the way I need to say it. Fair point. But I would have been mortified to be losing a home game three months before the World Cup with 70,000 people there. I would have been unbelievably embarrassed losing 4-1 and 5-1, forget it. I probably would have got sent off. I’m just trying to figure out why is nobody yelling at each other? Why is nobody getting a yellow card? Why is nobody stopping (Jérémy) Doku after he’s terrorized us for 70 minutes? Why is this not happening? I can’t figure it out. I don’t know if it’s generational or if it’s this team in particular, but that just doesn’t happen. And it blows my mind.”
One of the more unexpected and bizarre storylines on Saturday emerged due to a uniform clash between the USMNT home kit and the new Belgian away kit, and neither side had a spare stock of their alternative kit at the venue. The jerseys were approved in advance by the match commissioner and the referee also did not appear to take umbrage. Afterwards, players including USMNT forward Christian Pulisic and Belgian pair Senne Lammens and Amadou Onana complained about the challenge it presented to those on the field. Has Donovan ever experienced such a clash? “No,” he says, laughing. “In fact, one of the first things you’re taught when you’re a pro, and it only happened to me once, I didn’t have my studded cleats and it started to rain. The coach said if you ever show up without both pairs of cleats, then I would not play ever again. ‘I was like, OK!’“It is beyond my imagination how that is allowed to happen, the amount of people that had to get through and the amount of processes that had to happen. It just blows my mind. But in the end, the referee makes the final decision on all these things. At some point the referee had to say, or maybe they didn’t, that this is not OK. It was bizarre and probably fitting for the night.”
The U.S. was missing key players in central defense, with Crystal Palace’s Chris Richards a particular blow – though he said Monday he “is available” to face Portugal. Saturday’s goalkeeper, Matt Turner, is not expected to be the starter at the World Cup, where Matt Freese is thought to be in pole position. Yet it is clear that the U.S. has a weakness at the heart of the back line, and Donovan says it is only through making the team collectively harder to beat that this can be managed.
Advertisement
“I’ve said all along that when we play real teams, this is an issue,” Donovan says. “It just is what it is.”
“We still don’t have a lot of answers on the back line. All of that can be solved with a spirit and a fight that helps you compete, making the sum of the parts way better than the individual. If you’re playing a team like Belgium, with real world class players on the field, you can get embarrassed. So at a minimum, forget about the formation or tactics or who is playing, if you can’t compete man to man against somebody, you have no chance. They’re just better players. So we have to get that part right first.”
Player ratings: Weah poor as USMNT suffers heavy Belgium defeat
Amid a competitive first half, the U.S. took the lead in the 39th minute thanks to Weston McKennie tapping in the ball from short range after a corner from Antonee Robinson. Belgium equalized with Zeno Debast‘s powerful shot from distance in the 45th minute that sneaked past American goalkeeper Matt Turner.
After the break, the visitors took full and dominant control. Rapid-fire goals from Amadou Onana (53rd minute), Charles De Ketelaere (penalty in 59th minute) and Dodi Lukebakio (goals in 68th minute, 82nd minutes) silenced the crowd as Belgium flexed their muscle against a lackluster U.S. side. After a total of eight substitutions, a consolation goal was then earned by the Americans after Ricardo Pepi halted a pass that led to a shot that found the back of the net from Patrick Agyemang in the 87th minute.
From here, U.S coach Mauricio Pochettino and his roster will now prepare for their second and final friendly of the March window against Portugal next Tuesday.
Mauricio Pochettino, 3: To be fair to Pochettino, it’s difficult to put all the blame on the coach whose only real experiment was placing Turner in net. The U.S. were able to go toe-to-toe with Belgium in the first half, but also became outmatched in one-on-one situations that gradually worked in the favor of the visitors. All that said, the collective faltered and desperately needed additional motivation from the coach, who will have noticed his roster losing its composure with each passing minute.
Player ratings (0-10; 10 = best, 5 = average)
GK Matt Turner, 3 — How do you rate a player that had a handful of big saves, but also allowed five goals? Regardless of his shot-stopping, it wasn’t enough to stifle the volley of elite-level shots launched his way.
DF Tim Weah, 2 — Initially containing Jérémy Doku in the first 20-25 minutes, Weah was then constantly chasing when it came to keeping pace with the creative winger. Early on in the second half, and with Doku gaining a dangerous amount of momentum, he was withdrawn in the 64th minute.DF Mark McKenzie, 3 — Won a few duels and provided a handful of defensive contributions, but also failed to shut down Belgium’s attack that easily worked around his presence in the backline.
DF Tim Ream, 2 — Credit to the captain for his long-range distribution, but his decision-making was suspect in a couple of Belgium’s goals. A handball from the defender also provided Belgium with their third goal.
DF Antonee Robinson, 7 — The best USMNT player of the afternoon. Although he was fairly average defensively, he more than made up for it going forward with his active role on the left flank. The chance-creator earned a well-deserved assist off the first-half corner.
MF Tanner Tessmann, 4 — Created some crucial opportunities and provided a couple of vital tackles, he was also occasionally quiet in the heart of the XI. The USMNT needed a bigger presence in his position.
MF Johnny Cardoso, 4 — With something to prove after some underwhelming performances at the international level, Cardoso had brief moments of effectiveness thanks to his movement and highly accurate passing. Pochettino said after the match that pulling Cardoso at halftime was planned because of some discomfort the player felt earlier in the week.
AM Weston McKennie, 6 — Scored the first goal, took part in dangerous runs and build-ups, and connected well with the front line. One of the few bright spots.
AM Malik Tillman, 3 — Although he was the youngest member of the XI, more was expected. In a significant position behind the striker, the attacking midfielder was surprisingly invisible for long stretches of the game. He also could have done better to help prevent Belgium’s second goal.
AM Christian Pulisic, 3 — Credit to Pulisic for tracking back and helping defensively, there wasn’t much to say about his attacking influence aside from a brief positive start to the second half.
FW Folarin Balogun, 3 — A muffled game for a striker who had a shot on target in the first half and then didn’t do much afterward in the final third.
Substitutes (players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
MF Cristian Roldan, 4 (on for Cardoso, halftime) — The Seattle Sounders FC midfielder didn’t make much of a difference, although he should be given credit for a handful of defensive contributions.
MF Sebastian Berhalter, 3 (on for Tessmann, 64′) — Didn’t have a true impact and should have done better to prevent Belgium’s fifth goal.
DF Alex Freeman, 4 (on for Weah, 64′) — Didn’t have any successful dribbles going forward and lost possession a handful of times. A couple of ball recoveries and tackles were his low-key highlights.
DF Max Arfsten, 2 (on for Robinson, 64′) — A defensive weak point on the fourth and fifth goals for Belgium.
AM Gio Reyna, N/R (on for McKennie, 70′) — Aside from his passes in the opposition half, he didn’t truly alter the state of the game.
FW Ricardo Pepi, N/R (on for Balogun, 71′) — Provided the assist for Agyemang’s goal.
FW Patrick Agyemang, N/R (on for Tillman, 71′) — Earned the consolation prize and looked hungry for a second goal late into the game.
DF Joe Scally, N/R — (on for Pulisic, 71′) Limited time and influence for the defender, who lost both of his ground duels and got booked for a shirt pull.
Chris Richards ‘available’ for USMNT vs. Portugal, but Johnny Cardoso leaving camp
MARIETTA, Ga. — U.S. men’s national team center back Chris Richards says he is available to play Tuesday against Portugal after missing Saturday’s loss 5-2 to Belgium. Richards was held out of the first game of this window due to discomfort in his knee that he started to experience after arriving in camp on Monday. U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino said Friday that he hoped it was “nothing important,” but expressed doubt that the Crystal Palace veteran would take part in either friendly. Richards, though, said he is good to go. “I’m fine,” Richards said. “I had a bad tackle in my last game with Palace, so just a little bit of knee pain, knee soreness, but I’ve been training individually all week and I’m available tomorrow.”Midfielder Johnny Cardoso, however, is being sent back to Atlético Madrid due to discomfort in his leg, Pochettino said. Cardoso arrived with some issues from Madrid, the coach said, so the plan was for him to play 45 minutes on Saturday.“ After 45 minutes, he feel again this type of uncomfortable things in some part of his leg,” Pochettino said. The team decided to shut him down, Pochettino said. Cardoso trained in the gym Monday, and will return to his club without playing on Tuesday. As for Richards, he trained Monday with a wrap just below his right knee and a bandage on the back of it. His presence in the starting lineup is critical at a very thin center back position. Ream started alongside Mark McKenzie against Belgium, but Richards’ experience is considered vital for the U.S. group. The 26-year-old, who was the 2025 U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year, has mostly been a starter for the U.S. since the last World Cup cycle, though he missed the Qatar World Cup due to a hamstring injury. He started every game of the Gold Cup for Pochettino, as well as friendlies in September and October, but missed the November window due to a calf injury. The U.S. went back to a more traditional 4-3-2-1 on Monday, rotating midfielder Tanner Tessmann into the back line in the build-up. In the fall, the Americans used a winger-wingback hybrid role and inserted an extra defender who served as more of a center back in the build-up, but moved into the traditional right back role defensively. It effectively looks like a 3-2-2-3 shape in possession. Richards’ absence may have limited some of the options Pochettino wanted to consider for the Belgium game. Richards has started 36 games across all competitions for Palace this season, including all 26 Premier League games in which he has appeared, plus seven UEFA Conference League games.
Sam BordenJul 2, 2026, 06:44 AM ET ESPN 
United States
Top WOMEN’S SOCCER Stories
Top FIFA MEN’S WORLD CUP Stories
vs. Real Madrid 
: Agg. 2-1 (Wednesday, 3 p.m. ET, Paramount+)
vs. Sporting 
: Agg. 1-0 (Wednesday, 3 p.m. ET, Paramount+)
Mark OgdenMar 31, 2026, 03:21 AM ET
Cesar HernandezMar 28, 2026, 06:47 PM ET
The Ole BallCoach 