Just want to state for the record I am very glad Jesse Marsch did not coach the USMNT. Brutal
Running Diary: The good vibes continue as US show the gap vs. Chile tacticsfreezone.ghost.io/running-diar...
Running Diary: The good vibes continue as US show the gap vs. Chile
The great 2030 experiment continues as the kids show (mostly) well against Chile
tacticsfreezone.ghost.io
𝐌𝐋𝐒 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐬 ▫️ LAFC fire Marc Dos Santos ▫️ Orlando, Cincinnati nearing a record? ▫️ San Diego's sophomore slump ▫️ ...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: LAFC fire Marc Dos Santos, San Diego FC's sophomore slump & more
This week, we appreciate the end of an era. We also do a lot of other stuff.
backheeled.com
The kids are good y’all
Backheeled@backheeled.com · 2w agoThe USMNT’s next generation is here — Mauricio Pochettino handed out 11 debuts in a 4-1 win over Peru. Which youngsters looked up to the test? 🇺🇸 @aclausen90.bsky.social digs into the fresh faces who earned their first cap during Saturday’s kickoff to the 2030 World Cup cycle ⤵️
Lionel Messi, MLS's greatest ever player, and like a 20-50th percentile Sporting Director. He's better than the LinkedIn influencer in DC and the Roy brothers in Montreal at least.
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
Most of the discourse I read about Noahkai Banks & the USMNT makes me sad (on the other place). I know people want all or nothing, but give kids a break. It’s a massive life decision. You guys don’t remember now when Berhalter gave Dest a full window off for him to think about his decision?
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
Guys Rafa Navarro in St. Louis is gonna be scary good
Backheeled@backheeled.com · 3w ago𝐌𝐋𝐒 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 ▫️ 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
With the MLS summer transfer window officially closed, which teams made smart additions? And which ones left major holes? @benwright.bsky.social ranks all 30 MLS teams from worst to first based on their business — with analysis on every club’s window ⤵️
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
MLS's summer transfer window shut last night — and we're handing out some superlatives: ▪️ Best signing ▪️ Team with the best, worst window ▪️ Best under-the-radar deal ▪️ Best intra-league move ▪️ ...and more! From @joeclowery.bsky.social, @benwright.bsky.social & @aclausen90.bsky.social ⤵️
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.
backheeled.com
𝐌𝐋𝐒 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐬 ▫️ Cavan Sullivan shines yet again ▫️ Cashfers add needed intrigue ▫️ Chucky Lozano’s San Diego FC return ▫️ ...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: Cavan Sullivan's stock rises, transfer drama & more
This week, we examine what actually makes the brightest young star in MLS shine. We also do a lot of other stuff.
backheeled.com
we are PROTECTING WOMEN IN WOMEN'S SPORTS by having MEN show up to WOMEN'S SPORTS to YELL at the WOMEN PLAYING SPORTS
CJ Fogler@cjzero.bsky.social · last mo.Much as I hate to give Kanter the time, nobody here will support him anyway. Sky players kept Tasha away from him
I'm taking a weekend off from my weekend wrap-up column. Highly, highly recommend the brilliant gang at @backheeled.com to fill the void!
Backheeled@backheeled.com · last mo.𝐌𝐋𝐒 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐬 ▫️ Seattle Sounders’ new star ▫️ Austin FC turn the page ▫️ San Jose Earthquakes’ problems ▫️ ...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 ▫️ Seattle Sounders’ new star ▫️ Austin FC turn the page ▫️ San Jose Earthquakes’ problems ▫️ ...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: Seattle Sounders add a star, Bruce Arena's Quakes tumble & more
This week, we examine what's wrong with a once-great team. We also do a lot of other stuff.
backheeled.com
When haters talk trash about American soccer's youth development:
CJ Fogler@cjzero.bsky.social · 2mo agoWe have a "baby on the field" delay in San Jose 😂
Finally broke 75 on the @americansocceranalysis.com daily challenge Road to 75 ⚽ Daily 2026-08-19 · MLS · 5-3-2 80 pts · Out in the Conference Final 🎯 80% of the best squad · top 1% 🟩🟨🟩🟩🟩🟨🟨🟩🟩🟥🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟥🟨🟩🟩🟩🟩🟥🟩🟥🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟨 ⚽ Hernández 24 🏅 Record Breakers · Winning Machine · Supporters' Shield
𝐌𝐋𝐒 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐬 ▫️ Nashville SC’s new-look attack ▫️ San Diego FC’s doubters ▫️ Sporting Kansas City’s problem ▫️ ...and much more! We dive into the standout players, teams & stories from around MLS ⤵️
MLS Winners and Losers: Shield leaders get even scarier, Sporting Kansas City's woe & more
This week, we marvel at an upgraded trophy favorite. We also do a lot of other stuff.
backheeled.com
Good work by @snaves.bsky.social here. I sometimes think we go overboard on “dual-national panic”, but the hard truth is that if the US wants to progress as a program they need to more talent. Keeping and winning dual nats is a good way to do that
Backheeled@backheeled.com · 2mo agoMauricio Pochettino's biggest job won't happen on the training ground 🇺🇸 It'll happen over text messages, phone calls, and recruiting visits. @snaves.bsky.social explains why Pochettino's USMNT success may depend on winning the battle for dual-nationals ⤵️
Arman is correct here. I’d like to see the Rapids get better at having a plan for after these sales. They didn’t with Bombito. It seems they do with Herrington (Loïc Williams looks good). That is the key to being a good selling club
Arman Kafai@armankafai.bsky.social · 2mo agoAsk FC Dallas fans how record sales helped their playoff success (They’ve made it to the second round twice since 2019)
𝐌𝐋𝐒 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐬 ▫️ Neil Pierre is must-watch for USMNT fans ▫️ Robert Lewandowski opens his MLS account ▫️ Time to worry about LAFC? ▫️ ...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: Neil Pierre is must-watch, Robert Lewandowski comes good & more
This week, we marvel at a unicorn prospect. We also do a lot of other stuff.
backheeled.com
I know that most have a bunch of subscriptions they're trying to keep up with. But it's so, so refreshing to go to @backheeled.com and just see a website that works, that's got new stuff coming out regularly and is trying to tell American soccer stories.
𝐌𝐋𝐒 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐬 ▫️ Antoine Griezmann elevates Orlando City ▫️ Casemiro changes Inter Miami ▫️ Time for the Seattle Sounders to worry? ▫️ ...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: Antoine Griezmann's Orlando impact, Inter Miami get weirder & more
This week, we assess a pair of new stars. We also do a lot of other stuff.
backheeled.com
MLS is back! As the league returns in full tonight following its World Cup break, we examine what's gone right — and wrong — for all 30 clubs. Your team-by-team look at the highs, lows, and biggest storylines. @aclausen90.bsky.social ⤵️
MLS is back: What’s gone right, wrong for all 30 teams so far this year
With MLS returning from its World Cup break later this week, let’s remember where we left off and ponder what comes next.
backheeled.com
NEW: Framing yesterday as a French flop does a disservice to Spain’s brilliance. Luis de la Fuente has struck a rare balance with his side en route to their second men’s World Cup final. On Spain’s methodical machine: www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Lethal Spain execute plan to perfection against France on way to World Cup final | Jeff Rueter
Brilliant buildup play has often withered but control and flawless execution overcame France’s more variable chaos
theguardian.com
MLS is back! As the league returns to the field tonight following its World Cup break, we examine what's gone right — and wrong — for all 30 clubs. Your team-by-team look at the highs, lows, and biggest storylines. @aclausen90.bsky.social ⤵️
MLS is back: What’s gone right, wrong for all 30 teams so far this year
With MLS returning from its World Cup break later this week, let’s remember where we left off and ponder what comes next.
backheeled.com
That’s a wrap on in-person 2026 World Cup for me. I got to cover three games in my home country, including a semifinal! So thankful that the outlet we started a year ago was able to send three people to Atlanta for these games. Blown away by your support. Back to NSC & MLS!
