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The USL Championship season is in its home stretch, but there’s a lot more happening than what you’ll find in the table. @usltactics.com has one under-the-radar storyline for each club — from breakout players to some big questions heading into 2027. Read ⤵️
One thing you’re missing about every USL Championship team
From breakout players to off-field uncertainty, here’s the overlooked storyline defining all 25 USL Championship clubs as the 2026 season winds down.
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Three years ago, Cavan Sullivan was dreaming about playing for the USMNT. Now he’s in his first senior team camp. Meet the family, coaches and environment that helped shape one of American soccer’s most intriguing young talents. @sanjaysujan.bsky.social ⤵️
Meet the Sullivans, America’s next big soccer family
With a prodigy, a U.S. youth international, and a set of ambitious twins at home, life is never dull for the Sullivan family.
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The USMNT's first camp of the 2030 World Cup cycle is underway. With Mauricio Pochettino’s squad assembled, it’s time to take a closer look at his selections 🇺🇸 @joeclowery.bsky.social graded the call-ups, from the young stars to the surprises and omissions ⤵️
Grading Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT fall roster selections at every position: Rising stars get the call
As a new World Cup cycle begins, did the U.S. manager make the right calls?
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After the latest action in USL League One, which teams emerged looking most impressive? And who should be worried? From Spokane Velocity's changes to no-quit Corpus Christi, @usltactics.com dives into everything from across League One. Read 🆓
USL League One: Spokane Velocity's changes, no-quit Corpus Christi & everything else
Here's what stood out from League One's latest action.
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DC United are doing the unthinkable in MLS — they're on pace to miss the playoffs for the 7th-straight year. Oh, and two of their castoffs are fueling MLS's hottest team. For @backheeled.com, I wrote about DC, a talent factory for everyone but themselves ⤵️
MLS Winners and Losers: Peyton Miller’s rise, a new star emerges & more
This week, we marvel at one organization's incompetence. We also do a lot of other stuff.
backheeled.com
𝐌𝐋𝐒 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐬 ▫️ Peyton Miller, rising star ▫️ Is there hope for DC United? ▫️ A new star in Colorado ▫️ ...and much more! @joeclowery.bsky.social, @benwright.bsky.social & @aclausen90.bsky.social dive into the standout players, teams & stories from around MLS ⤵️
MLS Winners and Losers: Peyton Miller’s rise, a new star emerges & more
This week, we marvel at one organization's incompetence. We also do a lot of other stuff.
backheeled.com
After another weekend of USL Championship action, @usltactics.com ranks all 25 teams in the league 👀 📈 Lexington SC, Detroit City & more 📉 New Mexico United, Birmingham Legion & more Read up on the latest for your club ⤵️
USL Championship Power Rankings: El Paso Locomotive keep top spot, Tampa Bay Rowdies get stronger & more
After 29 weeks of USL Championship action, we're ranking every team in the league.
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Mauricio Pochettino’s first USMNT roster of the 2030 World Cup cycle is here 🇺🇸 @joeclowery.bsky.social grades his choices at every position, from the no-brainer calls to the teenagers who could define this cycle. Read ⤵️
Grading Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT fall roster selections at every position: Rising stars get the call
As a new World Cup cycle begins, did the U.S. manager make the right calls?
backheeled.com
The 2026 MLS free agent class is taking shape. We ranked the 15 best players currently set to hit the market, from star defenders to underrated attackers. Plus, we picked a potential landing spot for each. @joeclowery.bsky.social ⤵️
MLS free agency big board: Ranking the top 15 players who could move this offseason
From star defenders to underrated attackers, these are the free agents to keep an eye on.
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The U.S. Open Cup's final is set 🏆 How did the Columbus Crew and St. Louis City book their spots in next month's trophy-decider? @usltactics.com dives in. Read 🆓
How the Columbus Crew, St. Louis City booked their spots in the U.S. Open Cup final
An all-MLS final is set for the nation's longest-running soccer competition. Here's how that final came to be.
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Four games. Two weeks. A new World Cup cycle. What actually matters for the USMNT this fall? Our writers discuss the players, tactical questions and bigger-picture issues they’ll be watching as Pochettino gets started on the road to 2030 🇺🇸 Read ⤵️
USMNT fall roundtable: What we want to see as Pochettino’s new cycle begins
With the United States’ four-match fall window kicking off later this month, here’s what our writers are looking for as the road to the 2030 World Cup begins.
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The USMNT's first camp of the 2030 World Cup cycle nears. Over @backheeled.com, our crew dug into... ▪️ The biggest thing we can learn from the fall window ▪️ Three players we most want to see ▪️ How Pochettino should approach things ▪️ ...and more! Read ⤵️
USMNT fall roundtable: What we want to see as Pochettino’s new cycle begins
With the United States’ four-match fall window kicking off later this month, here’s what our writers are looking for as the road to the 2030 World Cup begins.
backheeled.com
After the latest action in USL League One, which teams emerged looking most impressive? And who should be worried? From AC Boise's Championship move to Greenville Triumph's regime change, @usltactics.com dives into everything from across League One. Read ⤵️
USL League One: What's next for the league, Boise's promotion & everything else
Here's what stood out from League One's latest action.
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Which young players should be getting USMNT minutes right now? Our writers have some answers — and plenty of questions — as Mauricio Pochettino begins a new World Cup cycle 🇺🇸 Sullivan. Pierre. Mehmeti. Gozo. Ellis. Schwake. Who gets the call?
USMNT fall roundtable: What we want to see as Pochettino’s new cycle begins
With the United States’ four-match fall window kicking off later this month, here’s what our writers are looking for as the road to the 2030 World Cup begins.
backheeled.com
Cavan's stock rises. Sporting Kansas City find a star. St. Louis City's slam-dunk. FC Dallas rake in the points. Problems for Real Salt Lake and the Chicago Fire. Oh, and the most compelling rivalry in MLS delivered again. @backheeled.com's latest on MLS ⤵️
MLS Winners and Losers: A new star emerges, St. Louis’ slam-dunk cashfer & more
This week, we introduce you to one of MLS’s newest superstars. We also do a lot of other stuff.
backheeled.com
🟢 Hartford's rise as a title threat 🏁 A shape change for Indy Eleven 💵 The Jurgen Locadia sale and Miami's odd status 🐻 Sacramento's system Check in on all that as I rank the USL Championship from #1 to #25. www.backheeled.com/usl-champion...
USL Championship Power Rankings: New club joins, Phoenix Rising climb & more
After 28 weeks of USL Championship action, we're ranking every team in the league.
backheeled.com
𝐌𝐋𝐒 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐬 ▫️ A new star in Kansas City ▫️ MLS’s banner rivalry thrills ▫️ Problems for Chicago? ▫️ ...and much more! @joeclowery.bsky.social, @benwright.bsky.social & @aclausen90.bsky.social dive into the standout players, teams & stories from around MLS ⤵️
MLS Winners and Losers: A new star emerges, St. Louis’ slam-dunk cashfer & more
This week, we introduce you to one of MLS’s newest superstars. We also do a lot of other stuff.
backheeled.com
After another weekend of USL Championship action, @usltactics.com ranks all 25 teams in the league 👀 📈 Phoenix Rising, Hartford Athletic & more 📉 San Antonio FC, Orange County SC & more Read up on the latest for your club ⤵️
USL Championship Power Rankings: New club joins, Phoenix Rising climb & more
After 28 weeks of USL Championship action, we're ranking every team in the league.
backheeled.com
I felt like the initial coverage of the proposed playoff change in MLS was negative, but mostly out of confusion. The more I sat with the proposal (which was admittedly difficult to parse) the more I saw the vision and believed it could be exactly what we want the playoffs to be.
Backheeled@backheeled.com · 2w agoMLS’s proposed new playoff format is complicated. But after digging into what the league is actually trying to accomplish — and running the numbers — there’s a strong argument that it’s an upgrade. Here's why 🏆 @paulharvey.theoutfield.nyc ⤵️
The USL Cup final is set, with Hartford Athletic and Louisville City set to battle for a trophy 🏆 How did those two teams book their spots? @usltactics.com examines the USL Cup's latest action ⤵️
USL Cup latest: How Hartford Athletic, Louisville City booked spots in the final
Here’s what stood out from the Cup’s semifinal matches on Tuesday night.
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MLS’s proposed new playoff format is complicated. But after digging into what the league is actually trying to accomplish — and running the numbers — there’s a strong argument that it’s an upgrade. Here's why 🏆 @paulharvey.theoutfield.nyc ⤵️
MLS’s proposed playoff format is complicated — but it's also an upgrade
While the reaction to MLS's new postseason format was broadly negative, it could solve some major problems.
backheeled.com
After the latest action in USL League One, which teams emerged looking most impressive? And who should be worried? From Portland Hearts of Pine's big hire to One Knoxville's evolution, @usltactics.com dives into everything from across League One. Read 🆓
USL League One: Portland Hearts of Pine's ambition, One Knoxville's evolution & everything else
Here's what stood out from League One's latest action.
backheeled.com
Is a new MLS Cup contender emerging? After a busy transfer window and a lengthy string of impressive results, don't rule out St. Louis City for a trophy push 🏆 Read up on St. Louis — and much more from around MLS ⤵️
MLS Winners and Losers: St. Louis City impress, a new star emerges & more
This week, we spotlight a must-watch summer signing. We also do a lot of other stuff.
backheeled.com
𝗨𝗦𝗟 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀! Where does your team stand after the latest weekend of Championship action? @usltactics.com digs into all 25 squads. Find out ⤵️
USL Championship Power Rankings: Hartford Athletic soar, new CBA & more
After 27 weeks of USL Championship action, we're ranking every team in the league.
backheeled.com
𝐌𝐋𝐒 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐬 ▫️ St. Louis City, MLS Cup contenders? ▫️ Josh Sargent’s statement ▫️ Allan Saint-Maximin puts on a show ▫️ ...and much more! @joeclowery.bsky.social, @benwright.bsky.social & @aclausen90.bsky.social dive into the standout players, teams & stories from around MLS ⤵️
MLS Winners and Losers: St. Louis City impress, a new star emerges & more
This week, we spotlight a must-watch summer signing. We also do a lot of other stuff.
backheeled.com
After another weekend of USL Championship action, @usltactics.com ranks all 25 teams in the league 👀 📈 Hartford Athletic, Tampa Bay Rowdies & more 📉 Charleston Battery, Phoenix Rising & more Read up on the latest for your club ⤵️
USL Championship Power Rankings: Hartford Athletic soar, new CBA & more
After 27 weeks of USL Championship action, we're ranking every team in the league.
backheeled.com
Which MLS teams had the best summer transfer window? And which teams fell flat on their face? @benwright.bsky.social ranks the summer business completed by all 30 clubs 🤝 Find out where your team sits ⤵️
Ranking every MLS team’s 2026 summer transfer window from worst to first
Come yell at us in the comments. Or yell at your team's front office in the comments. Whatever works for you.
backheeled.com
The USL’s Young Player of the Year race matters, with nominees moving to MLS or Europe at an impressive rate 📈 Which young players have the inside track to this year’s honor? @usltactics.com breaks down the rising stars you need to know ⤵️
Who’s the USL’s next breakout star? Ranking the Young Player of the Year contenders
These are the young players to know across the Championship and League One.
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MLS summer transfer window is closed. In fact, like every transfer window ever, it *slammed* shut. So: superlative time! Inter Miami had the best window. Lots of contenders for the worst. Elias Saad might be the signing of the year. Tons more analysis of the window for @backheeled.com ⤵️
MLS summer transfer window superlatives: Best signing, worst window, most underrated signing & more
After yesterday’s transfer deadline day, we’re looking back on the window that was for MLS.
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