@samstejskal.bsky.social
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
I will never get over fumbling the chance to even be IN the biggest game of your life. Go after it and lose, but to never show up will haunt these players for a long time.
Tonight was not on Poch, just like the Netherlands game wasn't on Berhalter. It wasn't Gregg who didn't track Depay or Dumfries. It wasn't Poch who couldn't take a decent touch or did whatever it was that Freese was doing. Players have to play.
Matthew Doyle@mattdoyle.bsky.social · 3mo ago
Mexico lost in heartbreaking fashion. But they took it to England. They went at them and dominated large stretches of the match. Tonight we played a less talented team at our version of the Azteca. And got absolutely crushed. Didn't even show up. Couldn't take a proper touch. Horrendous.
Genuinely embarrassed. One thing to lose, another to lose like that. Can’t even go out with heads held high. Absolutely smacked by a team that hadn't impressed across four games. Canada and Mexico can be proud of how they went down. U.S. can't say the same. What a colossal missed opportunity.
A few morning after thoughts: 1. Think it was a bit harsh considering how the rest of the game was called, but can’t complain much about red when you rake leg and step on ankle like Balo did. 2. Very concerned about dropoff to Pepi, who hasn’t been able to hang physically. I’d prob start Wright.
This is one of the best sporting environments I’ve ever seen. Absolutely insane. Mexico and the Azteca both so, so electric.
The USMNT’s win against Australia was a bit ugly, but, even from afar, the scenes and energy in Seattle seemed so powerful. On a banner afternoon for American soccer: medium.com/@samstejskal...
The USMNT’s win against Australia was a bit ugly, but, even from afar, the scenes and energy in Seattle seemed so powerful. On a banner afternoon for American soccer: medium.com/@samstejskal...
Need to continue to state on the record that I am a huge Sergiño Dest guy. Also a big Chris Richards guy. Richards told me this story about Dest in 2022. Still cracks me up.
This rocks. Not the prettiest, not the strongest opponents, but US hitting their highest levels in years at the absolute perfect time. Team playing with an obvious swagger. So much fun.
There is an old adage that goals change games. It undersells the impact. They are definitive. They write stories. The #USMNT are happy they won over Folarin Balogun to help write theirs. “It’s a dream,” he said after his two goals. “It’s a dreamy night.” www.nytimes.com/athletic/735...
Folarin Balogun lives the World Cup ‘dream’ he and U.S. Soccer envisioned he would
The USMNT had been in desperate need of a star striker for quite some time. Not anymore.
nytimes.com
Decided to write -- and publish! -- another thing. On a wonderful USMNT performance, new feelings and the start of a potentially special summer: medium.com/@samstejskal...
Something that shouldn't be overlooked is that the USMNT probably won a lot of hearts and minds. Converted skeptics, hooked curious. Didn't feel a buzz around the team before, but that'll change. Could make this tournament so much more fun, perhaps make its impact more lasting.
Honestly still in a little bit of shock at how good the USMNT looked last night. Pulisic unbelievable. Balogun excellent. Tillman super classy. The team kicked on in a way that we've basically never seen. A truly magical performance. Could be the start of a really special month.
Hell yeah Alanis. And a Bosnian violin. Full body chills. Elite anthems.
Would've been better if I posted a link that worked. Lol. Enjoy! medium.com/@samstejskal...
The Gift
The anthem closed like a clap of thunder. It felt as if the 50,000-plus people crowded onto the concrete terraces of Estadio Cuscatlán…
medium.com
@samstejskal.bsky.social · 4mo agoWanted to write something before the World Cup, but didn’t have the juice to do anything on a tourney that feels a bit dirty. Instead, I wrote about the beautiful things the game gives us. The reasons I'll be locked in this summer. Very proud of this. Hope you enjoy: medium.com/@samstejskal...
Wanted to write something before the World Cup, but didn’t have the juice to do anything on a tourney that feels a bit dirty. Instead, I wrote about the beautiful things the game gives us. The reasons I'll be locked in this summer. Very proud of this. Hope you enjoy: medium.com/@samstejskal...
Medium
medium.com
All of FIFA’s bullshit & all of the U.S. government’s bullshit is important and worthy of your attention. But none of it can take away the stuff Sam writes about beautifully here. These are the real reasons we are all going to lose our minds for the next month and a half. Never forget that.
@samstejskal.bsky.social · 4mo agoBeen a minute, but I felt an itch to write something ahead of the World Cup. On the things the game can give us: medium.com/@samstejskal...
This was beautifully written by Sam. Thoroughly enjoyed it, and highly recommend it for your World Cup prep
@samstejskal.bsky.social · 4mo agoBeen a minute, but I felt an itch to write something ahead of the World Cup. On the things the game can give us: medium.com/@samstejskal...
Don't love to be the guy reposting my own stuff, but I'm genuinely proud of how this turned out. Give it a read! medium.com/@samstejskal...
@samstejskal.bsky.social · 4mo agoBeen a minute, but I felt an itch to write something ahead of the World Cup. On the things the game can give us: medium.com/@samstejskal...
Been a minute, but I felt an itch to write something ahead of the World Cup. On the things the game can give us: medium.com/@samstejskal...
