With Mauricio Pochettino back at the USMNT’s helm, what’s on his to-do list? 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐮𝐩 𝐃𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐲 w/@taylorrockwell.bsky.social, @ryanjaybailey.bsky.social, @grahamruthven.bsky.social & @joeclowery.bsky.social - watch/listen 👇 🍎: tinyurl.com/5xdkhd5r ✳️: tinyurl.com/5er7rwwj 📺: tinyurl.com/y9b6ryb4

Some have wondered if Larry Berg's LAFC ownership means he leans aggressively toward spending. Wrong way to look at it. What matters more is his approach to consensus building and decision making. Having MLS ready for summer 2027 is his first huge test. www.nytimes.com/athletic/749...

With new commissioner in place, MLS has one opportunity it cannot afford to miss

nytimes.com

only took me *redacted* tries

futi@futi.live · 2d ago

Spin a wheel and pick one player per club and season for your lineup, then simulate your team against the Premier League or MLS. The game uses a decade of real player data from futi's models, including player ratings, skills and styles that affect team fit. Build a balanced team to be Centurions!

Gozo brings a skill that virtually no other player on the cusp of the USMNT does: the ability to use skill *and* athleticism to beat an opposing fullback around the edge. Very promising player. Premier League success isn’t out of the question.

Tom Bogert@tombogert.bsky.social · yesterday

🇺🇸🔴🔵 BREAKING: Crystal Palace in advanced talks to sign American winger/wingback Zavier Gozo from Real Salt Lake, per sources - Deal not agreed yet, but trending well. Likely in $15m region - Gozo, 19, made clear he wants to go to Europe www.nytimes.com/athletic/749...

two of the rising mls stars @jakeburgess13.bsky.social highlighted for @backheeled.com last month are nearing eight-figure moves to premier league clubs who's next?

Big clubs are calling about these young MLS stars: Here's why.

From academy products to breakout stars, these are the young MLS players making the biggest impact and putting themselves on Europe's radar.

backheeled.com

MLS has voted for its new commissioner! 🗳️ How much freedom will Larry Berg have to change the league? @jeffrueter.bsky.social is back for this week's 𝐌𝐋𝐒 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 👇

Is MLS entering a new age under a new commissioner?

YouTube video by Total Soccer Show

youtube.com

Larry Berg has been part of an LAFC ownership group eager to spend and become an enticing brand and on-field product. As commissioner, if he can corral MLS’s disparate owners to do the same, the league will be in a much more interesting place 👀

Eben Novy-Williams@ebennovywilliams.bsky.social · 2d ago

SCOOP: Larry Berg will be the next MLS commissioner. More coming at @sportico.bsky.social via me and Scott Soshnick 👇

I’m fine with Poch sticking around, even if he leaves for a big Euro job before 2030. USMNT needs more talent to make meaningful World Cup progress. If Poch — or anyone — systematically introduces the growing crop of talented young players in the USMNT’s pool, I’m for it.

Backheeled@backheeled.com · 2d ago

The USMNT was supposed to be lucky to have Mauricio Pochettino. After a World Cup that ended in humiliation, the conversation has changed. Now back with a new contract, Pochettino is the one with something to prove 🇺🇸 @jerryhinnen.bsky.social ⤵️

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

Who are the 50 best players in the USL Championship right now? We're ranking the league's biggest stars, breakout talents, and most influential performers from No. 50 all the way to No. 1. @usltactics.com ⤵️

USL Top 50: Ranking the Championship’s best players

From rising stars to seasoned veterans, we're back for another year of ranking the best players in the USL Championship.

backheeled.com

For the record, I don’t think Brian Schmetzer should be fired for this current slump. I would, however, like to see him use his influence to make a signing happen a bit more aggressively. I just don’t understand how everyone can be so non-chalant about the lack of signings.

Neil Pierre's is the toolsiest center back to come through the USMNT pipeline in...forever? The 18-year-old is 6'7" and moves well for his size. Strong, too. He makes tracking back to win the ball + body a physical striker in Osaze De Rosario look easy. Promising talent. 🇺🇸

to those who say there's no u.s. soccer culture, i say: be quiet, we have max arfsten chucking the ball at an opponent's back to collect his own throw-in, nba style

Sebastian Berhalter leaving MLS's best team in the middle of the year is a reminder of the benefits coming with the calendar shift. For @backheeled.com, I wrote about Vancouver's tricky situation + Casemiro adding intrigue in Miami. Tons more in here, too ⤵️

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

Justin Ellis looks special for Orlando City. The 19-year-old U.S. striker ran the show along with Antoine Griezmann last night. Clever passer, combines well, picks up good spots off the ball. Another must-watch rising talent for USMNT fans 🇺🇸🟣

Matthew Doyle@mattdoyle.bsky.social · 2w ago

Man, Justin Ellis has got it. Just incredible feel in the attacking third.

oh we're very back

Backheeled@backheeled.com · last wk.

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 ⤵️

Catch me on 📺 for tonight's USL Championship clash between Phoenix Rising and Hartford Athletic. ESPN+ and @azfamily.com!

It's an issue for MLS that its two NY clubs are both small fish in a big multi-club ownership pond. But with NYCFC's new stadium, could City Football Group operate its U.S. branch differently? NYCFC is touting a desire to be MLS's flagship franchise. Enjoyed this from @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

"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

Incredibly powerful reunion

Tom Bogert@tombogert.bsky.social · 2w ago

🇺🇸🔴 BREAKING: Middlesbrough is set to sign USMNT midfielder Sebastian Berhalter from the Vancouver Whitecaps, per sources. Deal agreed. Berhalter off to Boro. Fee around $2m, rather than Berhalter leaving for free in 5 months when contract expires. www.nytimes.com/athletic/746...

i need darwin in mls like i need air to breathe

Paul Tenorio@paultenorio.bsky.social · 2w ago

BREAKING: More big-name signings could be headed to MLS, as Atlanta United is pursuing Darwin Núñez and is also in talks with Breel Embolo, sources tell me and @tombogert.bsky.social. www.nytimes.com/athletic/746...

Casemiro makes Miami even scarier on their best days. No-brainer move. But Miami's biggest weakness (transition defense) will get weaker. 4th most fastbreak xG allowed in MLS, per @americansocceranalysis.com. Hope is that Casemiro's on-ball quality helps them lose the ball in bad spots less often.

Tom Bogert@tombogert.bsky.social · 2w ago

BREAKING: Inter Miami has signed Brazilian midfielder Casemiro BUT the league has opened an investigation over tampering charges in the process. LA Galaxy had Casemiro's discovery rights. MLS is now looking into if the team broke rules. w/ @paultenorio.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/746...

i am shocked by this this is shocking can someone tell how shocked i am

Sam Lattof@samlattof.bsky.social · 2w ago

Oh baby

Which U.S. players should you be watching in the 2030 World Cup cycle? Join us on the TSS YouTube page just after 𝟏𝟎𝐚𝐦 𝐄𝐓 to talk about the USMNT's next generation 👇

USMNT rising stars to watch ahead of the 2030 World Cup

YouTube video by Total Soccer Show

youtube.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

MLS is back! And transfers are flying! Join us on the TSS YouTube page just after 𝟏𝟏𝐚𝐦 𝐄𝐓 to talk all things MLS 👇

MLS transfers! Chicago Fire sign Lewandowski, SKC want Salah?!

YouTube video by Total Soccer Show

youtube.com

I'm not an ex-pro, so I try to entertain in my TV color commentary role by providing as much insight into how teams play and the patterns unfolding live as possible. Always fun when the prep pays off. Monterey Bay FC's set-piece threat on Saturday was a good example 📺

104 games, 47 episodes, 1 live show! 🤯 Thank you to everyone who listened to, or engaged with, our content during the 2026 World Cup. We had a blast! 😘 Not long until the next one...

I've written about soccer and #MNUFC for years. I've been truly blessed by the amount of support I've received in the past from all of you. Today, I'm taking a frightening step, and going out on my own.

Why I'm going independent and asking for your support

I always thought I needed the support of a larger outlet, for soccer writing. Now I'm trying it without one - but I need your support.

jonmarthaler.com

I’ve worked incredibly hard for a while now to make RMSJ happen. I’m incredibly excited for Colorado to have another independent source for soccer news around the state. Please consider following. Can’t wait to have you!

Rocky Mountain Soccer Journal@rmsoccerjournal.bsky.social · 2w ago

Welcome to Rocky Mountain Soccer Journal, a completely free-to-read outlet covering professional soccer in Colorado. We're happy to have you. rockymountainsoccerjournal.com