Henry Bushnell
@henrybushnell.bsky.social
Senior ⚽ writer, The Athletic. Tips, ideas, etc.: hbushnell@theathletic.com henrybushnell.03 on Signal
Now official: Mauricio Pochettino is back. Contract agreed with U.S. Soccer through 2030. More — including comments from Poch on his approach to a second cycle with the USMNT — here and free to read @theathletic.com:
Mauricio Pochettino returns as USMNT coach on new deal through 2030 World Cup (Gift Article)
Pochettino's previous contract expired after the 2026 World Cup, but U.S. Soccer is bringing back the Argentine manager for another cycle
nytimes.com
Gianni Infantino’s Icarus moment. www.nytimes.com/athletic/748...
This is Gianni Infantino’s Icarus moment – the FIFA president has finally flown too close to the sun (Gift Article)
The FIFA president's plans to sell off a stake in the World Cup has been met with widespread disapproval throughout the sport
nytimes.com
🇺🇸 Sources: Mauricio Pochettino is close to continuing as USMNT head coach on 4-year deal. Andres Cantor first. Talks with U.S. Soccer progressing; in a good place. Not done yet. w/ @tombogert.bsky.social, @henrybushnell.bsky.social, @david-ornstein.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/745...
Mauricio Pochettino, U.S. Soccer ‘close’ on deal to renew USMNT coach: Sources (Gift Article)
Pochettino and the U.S. federation have been in talks since the Americans exited the 2026 World Cup in the round of 16
nytimes.com
The final 2026 World Cup U.S. tote board: 63 games (of 104 in the tournament) drew over 10 million viewers. 31 over 15m 18 over 20m 11 over 25m 5 over 30m Norway vs. England 34.796m #USMNT vs. Bosnia 36.195m Mexico vs. England 46.690m U.S. vs. Belgium 50.125m Spain vs. Argentina 66.400m
From ticketing to the halftime show, FIFA made the 2026 World Cup an intensely American one. The question, now, is whether it will try to make some of these changes/choices permanent...
FIFA Americanized the World Cup in 2026. Are hydration breaks, halftime shows here to stay? (Gift Article)
Plenty aspects of the 2026 World Cup were utterly American or catered to an American audience. Will any of the changes stick?
nytimes.com
MLS says it's ready to "take it from here." But is it? Examining MLS's post-World Cup path forward. Part 1: The podcast version - www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhKQ... Part 2: The Athletic feature - www.nytimes.com/athletic/745... Part 3: The book - us.macmillan.com/books/978125...
How can MLS become an elite league?
YouTube video by The Athletic FC Podcast
youtube.com
The ’94 World Cup influenced a generation of Americans. What will 2026’s impact be? “It’s been a terrific 39 days, but bringing the Cup to the U.S. has always been about: What does it do to accelerate the growth of the game? So it’s Monday that matters.” www.nytimes.com/athletic/745...
The 1994 World Cup influenced a generation of Americans. What will 2026’s impact be? (Gift Article)
There's no denying a landmark World Cup will leave an indelible mark on America. But what will be its legacy? And who will it galvanize?
nytimes.com
In the past few weeks the the United States got to know the world and itself in ways that were often unexpected and joyous. A piece on six weeks where the people took over. America Braced for the World Cup. It Fell in Love Instead. www.nytimes.com/2026/07/19/w...
The U.S. Braced For the World Cup. It Fell in Love Instead. (Gift Article)
Amid anxiety over how the United States would welcome the world, cities like Lawrence, Kan., and Boston threw open their doors. The bonds forged are still visible on the streets.
nytimes.com
Lots of youth soccer discourse in the aftermath of the USMNT's World Cup exit. So, I wrote about "pay-to-play" — what it actually is, why it's a problem, why it's different in the U.S. vs. elsewhere, & why the real issue is "pay-to-travel-and-play." Free to read (ironically...) @theathletic.com:
U.S. soccer’s ‘pay-to-play’ problem: The lightning-rod issue explained in a World Cup context (Gift Article)
USMNT's World Cup ouster has plenty focused on the country's youth development system, a complex —and costly — element in a bigger picture
nytimes.com
Sources (w/ James Horncastle & @paultenorio.bsky.social): Christian Pulisic suffered a bone bruise and microfracture of his tibia/fibula in USMNT's loss to Belgium, sidelined for several weeks. More @theathletic.com:
Christian Pulisic suffered leg microfracture in USMNT loss to Belgium, will miss several weeks (Gift Article)
The USMNT star will be sidelined for several weeks but not months, multiple people briefed on the diagnosis told The Athletic.
nytimes.com
🇺🇸 Inside the USMNT's World Cup campaign 🔴 Pre-World Cup culture shock ⚪️ "Dreamy" group stage and behind the scenes look 🔵 Balo-gate controversy, Belgium crashout ❔ The aftermath Reporting over six weeks with @paultenorio.bsky.social @henrybushnell.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/742...
Inside the USMNT’s World Cup: BBQ bonding, squad’s shock over Balogun and exit ‘depression’ (Gift Article)
Insiders reveal the story of a campaign that united the nation, sparked global controversy and ended in familiar heartache
nytimes.com
From Trilith to Laguna and up to Seattle. The U.S. built a close-knit team that thrived on the energy of a country backing them. Then, in an instant, it was over. The story of the #USMNT's 2026 World Cup, with @henrybushnell.bsky.social and @tombogert.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/742...
Inside the USMNT’s World Cup: BBQ bonding, squad’s shock over Balogun and exit ‘depression’ (Gift Article)
Insiders reveal the story of a campaign that united the nation, sparked global controversy and ended in familiar heartache
nytimes.com
This 2026 World Cup was supposed to be different. The hope built up around this #USMNT was enormous. It ended like it always does. Only this one stung more. www.nytimes.com/athletic/742...
USMNT's 2026 World Cup carried so much promise. It ended like it always does
nytimes.com
Almost 4 hours before kickoff, the main line to enter Lumen Field for USMNT-Belgium stretched halfway around the stadium. Took me 6 minutes to walk it. Thousands also roaming the surrounding streets, or packing bars and public squares to watch Spain-Portugal. Amazing scene.
For weeks, even after his red card, Folarin Balogun was the smiling face of a happy, unifying World Cup story. Now he's the unwitting, blameless face of controversy. And that story, of the USMNT's magical run, has irreversibly changed. Column @theathletic.com:
Balogun was star of USMNT’s feel-good World Cup. Now? The unwitting face of its controversy (Gift Article)
Ever since being sent off, Folarin Balogun has done nothing wrong. But now he's been thrust into the heart of a World Cup circus
nytimes.com
I wrote about Folarin Balogun. The handshake. The grace. The positivity. The perspective. Remarkable guy.
Folarin Balogun could have raged about his red card. Instead, he set an example (Gift Article)
The USMNT star has been thrust into a big spotlight with the controversy surrounding a red card. He's chosen to handle it with grace
nytimes.com
Here is a story about a team coached by Mauricio Pochettino losing its star striker... and doing something historic:
How can USMNT win without Folarin Balogun? Look how Mauricio Pochettino replaced Harry Kane (Gift Article)
The USMNT will be without its top striker for a marquee match. It's not the first time Mauricio Pochettino has encountered that challenge
nytimes.com
Last year, Malik Tillman was still searching for his place in the national team. On Wednesday, he etched himself into program history with a free kick goal against Bosnia. It was a moment he had been rehearsing for weeks. With @henrybushnell.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/741...
Malik Tillman’s bloodied, clutch free kick, and the making of an iconic USMNT World Cup moment (Gift Article)
The second free-kick goal in USMNT World Cup history cemented the team's place in the last 16. Here's what went into the all-time moment
nytimes.com
Per Fox & Telemundo, more than 33 million people in the U.S. watched last night's USMNT win over Bosnia. By far the most-watched soccer telecast in American history. Comparable with NFL playoffs. Tops almost all World Series and NBA Finals games. Huge number. And Monday will be even higher.
This is the biggest moment in American men's soccer history. Not the deepest World Cup run. Not the biggest USMNT accomplishment. (Yet.) But a night, and a week, and a month unlike any other. Column from Santa Clara — but really from all across America:
Biggest week in American men’s soccer history is here as USMNT rides World Cup wave (Gift Article)
The USMNT has played deeper into a World Cup before, but for this team, doing what it's done on home soil, no opportunity has been bigger
nytimes.com
USMNT starting lineup as expected for tonight, same as the World Cup opener: Matt Freese; Alex Freeman, Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson; Tyler Adams, Malik Tillman; Sergiño Dest, Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic; Folarin Balogun
The USMNT has used brainwave technology to help prepare players for World Cup penalty shootouts. “Everybody talks about being 'in the zone' ... (staff) can actually track these brainwaves and help you get into that zone." Much more, free to read @theathletic.com, w/ @paultenorio.bsky.social:
Brainwave technology is USMNT’s secret World Cup penalty shootout weapon (Gift Article)
In order to prepare for the possibility of World Cup penalty kicks, Mauricio Pochettino and his staff have taken a unique approach
nytimes.com
Christian Pulisic hasn't played 90 minutes in over three months. He hasn't played more than 61 minutes in over two months. When asked today if he was ready to play 90 or even 120 against Bosnia, he said: "Yeah" “I felt great in the last game against Turkey. ... I’m definitely ready to go.”
Christian Pulisic says he’s fit to play full match for USMNT vs. Bosnia in World Cup last 32 (Gift Article)
The U.S. star has been limited by injury at the World Cup, but he has declared himself ready to go 90 or even 120 minutes, if called for
nytimes.com
USMNT opens Bosnia prep with 23 of 26 players fit and training. Auston Trusty (ankle) and Cristian Roldan (muscle strain) considered “day to day.” Mark McKenzie has an irritated foot. “Not injured” and will be back tomorrow, per team spokesman. Everyone else good to go.
Iconic. (And then, even better, they promptly conceded a goal to preserve the preferred knockout-round matchup.)
John Muller@johnspacemuller.com · last mo.Okay here's the entire Algeria possession 5 minutes and 34 seconds of completely uncontested midfield possession 109 completed passes And then they scored a goal
Here's a fun USMNT story, and quote, that I never thought I'd write. “Ever heard of rage-baiting?” Tim Ream said. “We have a lot of guys who are very good at rage-baiting.” Others laugh when told about Ream's line. "I’m surprised Tim knew that word," Chris Richards said w/ a smile. But it's apt.
A Gen-Z slang term has become USMNT’s buzzword as it gleefully riles World Cup opposition (Gift Article)
Mastering the dark arts — but knowing where the line is — has been part of the USMNT's reformed identity
nytimes.com
The USMNT's most likely opponents en route to a World Cup semi would be: 🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina 🇧🇪 Belgium 🇪🇸 Spain Obviously, upsets can happen. Colombia or Portugal could enter the fray. But 🇺🇸, 🇪🇸, 🇧🇪 now confirmed as the three group winners in this quadrant of bracket
Exclusive US Soccer has made Pochettino an offer to extend contract by four years & lead USMNT at 2030 World Cup. Proposal made pre-tournament to signpost interest in keeping Poch. All parties agreed to make final decision after ‘26 WC www.nytimes.com/athletic/739...
Mauricio Pochettino offered contract extension to lead USMNT for second World Cup cycle (Gift Article)
Any decisions will be deferred until after the 2026 tournament, where the USMNT is into the knockout stage.
nytimes.com
The USMNT makes nine lineup changes for tonight's game against Turkey. The starting XI: Matt Turner Joe Scally Miles Robinson Mark McKenzie Auston Trusty Sebastian Berhalter Weston McKennie Gio Reyna Brenden Aaronson Tim Weah Ricardo Pepi
