The 2030 World Cup cycle starts now. Mauricio Pochettino has four years to help build a better USMNT — and that means giving young talent real opportunities. @sanjaysujan.bsky.social examines the biggest priorities for the start of Pochettino's new cycle ⤵️

Pochettino's biggest USMNT priority? Hand the keys to the next generation

With a new four-year contract signed, Mauricio Pochettino's focus should shift toward building the USMNT's next core rather than relying on its last one.

backheeled.com

The big Mauricio Pochettino piece, with his answers to some key questions: - Is he really committed through 2030? - How much will he open the door to young players? - Will he move to the U.S.? (Yes, he might.) And more... www.inquirer.com/soccer/mauri... via @phillysport.bsky.social

Mauricio Pochettino stays on as USMNT manager, and promises things won’t stay the same

Pochettino has agreed to a new deal through the 2030 World Cup. He signaled he intends to see it out, and that he might now live full-time in the U.S.But those are just two of many quesitons.

inquirer.com

🎙️ New pod ‼️ Adri Mehmeti sits down with Sanjay to discuss his rise, soccer in his Staten Island home, playing for Michael Bradley, his national team future and more.

🎙️ New pod ‼️ Brooklyn FC head coach Marlon LeBlanc joins Belz for a wide-ranging chat. The former West Virginia University, Philly Union II and U.S. U-18 boss and father of a legit prospect talks about the World Cup, USL, the Sullivans, coaching education and more.

#RBNY and #NYCFC with their first home games tonight since the World Cup. Can they capitalize on the bump? Check out my piece @backheeled.com looking at the stadium situations, identities, and futures of two franchises aiming for more relevance in the Big Apple www.backheeled.com/mls-new-york...

MLS has a New York problem. Is a solution on the way?

A new stadium, distinct identities, and post-World Cup momentum have given New York's MLS clubs their best chance yet to capture the city's soccer fans.

backheeled.com

My friend, Mr. Philadelphia, heard from me first. Before anyone

Jonathan Tannenwald@jtannenwald.bsky.social · 2w ago

“Did you hear about LeBron?” Ryan Richter’s first words to me as I walked in at the end of practice. Yes, Ryan, I did…

#RBNY and #NYCFC with their first home games tonight since the World Cup. Can they capitalize on the bump? Check out my piece @backheeled.com looking at the stadium situations, identities, and futures of two franchises aiming for more relevance in the Big Apple www.backheeled.com/mls-new-york...

MLS has a New York problem. Is a solution on the way?

A new stadium, distinct identities, and post-World Cup momentum have given New York's MLS clubs their best chance yet to capture the city's soccer fans.

backheeled.com

The Austin FC academy is under investigation by local police and the FBI for allegations of youth-on-youth sexual abuse among players. Reporting w/ @mlsist.bsky.social: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Austin FC academy under investigation by police and FBI for allegations of youth-on-youth sexual abuse

Multiple league, club, and law enforcement sources confirm ongoing inquiries into MLS club

theguardian.com

🎙️ New pod ‼️ Vince, Sanjay and Marcus Chairez look at the needs of the #USMNT entering the 2030 cycle and the prospects on the radar in MLS and abroad. The essence of Scuffed. You know how it is. Let's get started now.

New, on @us.theguardian.com - Austin FC’s academy is under investigation by Austin police and the FBI for allegations of sexual abuse amongst its players. Reporting w/@anabnos.com: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Austin FC academy under investigation by police and FBI for allegations of youth-on-youth sexual abuse

Multiple league, club, and law enforcement sources confirm ongoing inquiries into MLS club

theguardian.com

The World Cup showed just how much New York loves soccer. The harder question: can New York City FC and Red Bull New York convince those fans to care about MLS now that it's over? @sanjaysujan.bsky.social explored MLS's lack of relevance in the U.S.'s biggest market ⤵️

MLS has a New York problem. Is a solution on the way?

A new stadium, distinct identities, and post-World Cup momentum have given New York's MLS clubs their best chance yet to capture the city's soccer fans.

backheeled.com

MLS lacks mainstream relevance in the Big Apple. Can the World Cup bump help change that? On the stadium situation, star power, and two clubs with different identities looking to capitalize on this unique moment. My latest @backheeled.com www.backheeled.com/mls-new-york...

MLS has a New York problem. Is a solution on the way?

A new stadium, distinct identities, and post-World Cup momentum have given New York's MLS clubs their best chance yet to capture the city's soccer fans.

backheeled.com

"New York is a soccer city." But can MLS finally make it an MLS city? A new stadium, distinct identities, and post-World Cup momentum have given New York City FC and Red Bull New York a chance to capture the city's soccer fans. @sanjaysujan.bsky.social ⤵️

MLS has a New York problem. Is a solution on the way?

A new stadium, distinct identities, and post-World Cup momentum have given New York's MLS clubs their best chance yet to capture the city's soccer fans.

backheeled.com

Let the 2030 #USMNT World Cup cycle begin. Perfect summer evening here in Philly where Cavan Sullivan, Frankie Westfield, Adri Mehmeti, Julian Hall, Justin Che and Matty dos Santos all start. They’re among the many youngsters to keep an eye tonight w MLS fully back #DOOP #RBNY

This summer created World Cup fans in the U.S., but that's not the same as soccer fans. MLS must bridge the gap, and so far it hasn't done enough work to. While Don Garber has said the right things, the league's actions haven't matched his words. A column: www.inquirer.com/soccer/world...

This summer created World Cup fans, but that's not the same as soccer fans. MLS must bridge the gap.

If the millions who watched the final want more soccer, Europe's big leagues will gladly take their money. But they can't match the bond fans build with a local team. Is MLS finally willing to fight?

inquirer.com

Ok I’d watch this game but def listen to the interview ahead of the final thanks

Sanjay Sujanthakumar@sanjaysujan.bsky.social · 3w ago

ICYMI (and you’re done watching this game) check out my interview with New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill @scuffed.bsky.social We discussed the impact of the World Cup, FIFA, prices, youth soccer, and more (links below)

ICYMI (and you’re done watching this game) check out my interview with New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill @scuffed.bsky.social We discussed the impact of the World Cup, FIFA, prices, youth soccer, and more (links below)

As this World Cup comes to an end, its legacy in the U.S. is beginning. One part is already clear: global soccer stars have become household names here like never before. Not just Messi and Ronaldo, but Mbappé, Yamal, Haaland, Kane, and Bellingham. They know it, too, and are embracing it:

This World Cup served as the ultimate proof of how big global soccer stars have become in America

In a country that loves star power, the bevy of stars on display and the masses cheering for them all proved just far this World Cup has broken through in America.

inquirer.com

Lamine Yamal was asked today about rightwing former Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy's criticism of France's team that it "does not have any French players." Yamal's response was yet another sign of how mature he is as a 19-year-old. And maybe how media-trained, but it was still impressive.

🎙️ New pod ‼️ The World Cup postmortem with Vince, Belz and @sanjaysujan.bsky.social A look back at the Belgium game before we get into the big picture discourse: the legacy of this World Cup for 🇺🇸⚽️, developing world-class #USMNT  players, Pulisic, Poch’s future, the 2030 cycle and more.

The USMNT's World Cup is over. Now what? 🇺🇸 What happens with Mauricio Pochettino? 🇺🇸 Is this core nearing the end? 🇺🇸 Is there more "rocket fuel" coming for U.S. men's soccer? From @sanjaysujan.bsky.social ⤵️

"We let them down": What's next for USMNT after World Cup exit?

The U.S.'s home World Cup ended in disappointment in front of a watching nation, leaving the program to reckon with questions that will shape its next chapter.

backheeled.com

"We let them down." Tyler Adams' words captured the feeling after the USMNT's World Cup exit. Where does the program go from here? Mauricio Pochettino, an aging core, and the lack of another "rocket fuel" moment hang in the balance. @sanjaysujan.bsky.social ⤵️

"We let them down": What's next for USMNT after World Cup exit?

The U.S.'s home World Cup ended in disappointment in front of a watching nation, leaving the program to reckon with questions that will shape its next chapter.

backheeled.com

U.S. Soccer declines to make any of the brass available today. A spokesperson told me there might be an availability later, but not today. www.inquirer.com/sports/world...

The hype train of a ‘golden generation’ of U.S. players and their $6 million coach crashes out of the World Cup

Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, and others didn't deliver in the big moments. And since Mauricio Pochettino didn't lead the way to history, should U.S. Soccer go for another big-name manager?

inquirer.com

Take a sec for this pregame read from the excellent @jeffrueter.bsky.social #USMNT

Jeff Rueter@jeffrueter.bsky.social · last mo.

reNEWed: So much for that! Folarin Balogun is back after Fifa's shock about-face. It makes life far easier for Mauricio Pochettino and far more difficult for Belgium. Balogun is the type of striker they've struggled to slow at this World Cup. A tactical guide: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

🚨🔈🔉🔊 #USMNT vibez gawd Sergiño Dest was kind enough to sit down with me and @sanjaysujan.bsky.social today to chat about creativity, social media, cutting his own hype reels, his disappointment with US-baked baguettes and lots more on @scuffed.bsky.social: scuffed.simplecast.com/episodes/703...

#703: Sergiño Dest joins the pod | Scuffed | USMNT, World Cup, Yanks Abroad, futbol in America

World Cup standout Sergiño Dest joins Sanjay and Charlie from USMNT camp in Orange County, Calif., for a brief chat.

scuffed.simplecast.com

The USMNT's World Cup knockout path is a favorable one, at least to the quarterfinals 🇺🇸 “The expectations and the pressure, there’s no problem," Mauricio Pochettino said. Can the team take advantage of what lies ahead? @sanjaysujan.bsky.social ⤵️

The World Cup path is there. Can the USMNT seize it?

With Christian Pulisic back and firing, it's full steam ahead to the knockout rounds. But what opportunity awaits the United States?

backheeled.com

A decade later, the headline from The Inquirer’s front page still stands out: "Pa. teen is rising star of American soccer.” Now, in an exclusive interview with Christian Pulisic, I got to ask him a lot of questions. Starting with: how has it been a decade already? via @phillysport.bsky.social

Ten years into life as a star, Christian Pulisic arrives at the World Cup he has long dreamed of

The Hershey native, now 27, is on the cusp of one of soccer’s rarest privileges: playing in a World Cup on home soil. And yes, it really has been a decade since his U.S. national team debut.

inquirer.com

Asked in Spanish about Chris Richards' status by @sanjaysujan.bsky.social, Poch went into a good deal more detail than he did in English. Is he alluding to other injury questions in the roster selection process? Leaving open the prospect of making changes? Full translated answer is worth a read:

On our Patreon, @sanjaysujan.bsky.social is keeping us abreast of the goings-on at US camp. We’ve recorded two episodes already with guests @jtannenwald.bsky.social & Ryan Tolmich. Lot of nuggets & interesting discussion that you won’t get anywhere else www.patreon.com/scuffed?utm_...

Get more from Scuffed Soccer Podcast on Patreon

Get more from Scuffed Soccer Podcast on Patreon. Creating in-depth American soccer analysis and commentary. Support Scuffed Soccer Podcast and get exclusive access to their work.

patreon.com

For Mauricio Pochettino, the USMNT's win over Senegal wasn't just about the result 🇺🇸 It was about inspiring "hope" — "I think it’s important also for the environment to trust a little bit.” With the World Cup nearing, belief grows. @sanjaysujan.bsky.social ⤵️

Pochettino bet on competition over continuity for the USMNT — and the payoff seems to be showing

With a steadfast win over Senegal on Sunday, the U.S. approaches the World Cup with "hope for our future".

backheeled.com