How Philadelphia's World Cup setup became the envy of fans in New York, Boston, and beyond From private financing to years of behind-the-scenes planning, here's an inside look at what Philadelphia has done right to get ready for its moment on the world stage.

From transit to tailgating to the fan fest, Philadelphia’s World Cup setup has become the envy of fans elsewhere — especially in New York and Boston.

How has the city they love to hate pulled it off?

A look behind the curtain:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/world... via @phillysport.bsky.social

Matt Freese thwarts the Union again, this time with his biggest USMNT games of all on the horizon Three weeks from now, Freese will head to the last U.S. training camp and games before the World Cup roster is set. He's the favorite to start at the World Cup, but has work to do to keep the job.

Matt Freese was back at Subaru Park yesterday, helping NYCFC thwart the Union again.

It was actually one of his easier days out - perhaps one of the easiest days he'll have from now until the summer.

My interview with him three weeks before #USMNT camp starts:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/matt-...

MLS team-by-team preview: Why is 2026 your team's year? With the 2026 MLS season kicking off Saturday, ESPN breaks down where the league's 30 clubs stand and how they've prepped for a run at MLS Cup.

Get ready for the 2026 MLS season!

Alongside @jeffreycarlisle.bsky.social, @lizzybecherano.bsky.social, @jonarnoldfc.bsky.social, @joeclowery.bsky.social, and @megswanick.bsky.social, here's our team-by-team preview: www.espn.com/soccer/story...

Brenden Aaronson is on a hot streak with Leeds United at an ideal time for his World Cup hopes To start this World Cup year, The Inquirer visited the Medford native in England. And as it turned out, we were there on the day he scored a big goal in the Premier League against Manchester United.

To start this World Cup year, a visit to the most successful men’s soccer player from Philadelphia that there’s been so far.

Yes, that’s Brenden Aaronson, and he’s on a hot streak at Leeds United at an ideal time for his World Cup hopes:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/brend... @phillysport.bsky.social

I still haven't figured out what gets people to actually click on things, but I hope you'll click on this one because I put a lot into it.

(Same with the Brenden Aaronson piece, and a couple of other pieces I have coming soon, but I shouldn't be greedy...)

‘There’s this buzz of excitement’: Emily Fox on USWNT and Arsenal ambitions Right-back discusses Emma Hayes’s tactical messages, new blood in the national team and how Champions League win changed her

Emily Fox 🇺🇸 goal in Champions League today… good time to plug my interview with the USWNT right back from last week:

www.theguardian.com/football/202...

USMNT training day 3 outside Philly ahead of Saturday’s friendly against Paraguay

Day 2 of USMNT training outside of Philadelphia. All 24 players are now in camp, and all 24 are training.

Mauricio Pochettino reflects on the USMNT’s progress, and looks forward to his first game in Philly The U.S. manager sat down with The Inquirer to talk about the highs and lows of the journey to the World Cup along with his admiration for the Union's contribution to the national team program.

New from me:

A big interview with Mauricio Pochettino as the #USMNT gets to work in Philadelphia.

On the team's progress so far, his values, and his praise for the Union's impressive contributions to the national team player pool:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/mauri... via @phillysport.bsky.social

Folarin Balogun is living up to the hype as a long-awaited top striker for the USMNT Along with Haji Wright, who scored both goals Tuesday against Australia, Balogun has given the U.S. soccer team a desperately needed scoring threat.

Two and a half years since the sizzle of his commitment to the #USMNT, Folarin Balogun has officially lived up to the hype.

And for the first time in ages, the U.S. men have a legitimate striker depth chart.

A big read on the biggest of all positions:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/folar...

The USMNT seems on course to do something it hasn’t done in nearly a quarter century It's a big change for the U.S. to play with three centerbacks, Here's an explanation of how the new tactics affect that position and other key players, Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie.

It’s been almost a quarter of a century since the #USMNT played with three centerbacks at a World Cup. But right now, it seems that will change next summer.

A deep dive into Mauricio Pochettino’s new tactics, a star who gains a lot, and one facing a big question:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/usmnt...

The USMNT’s new playing style could give Mark McKenzie a big opportunity The former Union centerback seems an ideal fit for the three-back defense that Mauricio Pochettino is testing. This month's games vs. Ecuador and Australia offer the chance to make an impression.

So far, the new #USMNT three-back system seems to have Tim Ream, Chris Richards, and a question mark.

I'm not the only journalist at camp wondering if Mark McKenzie might be the answer.

I asked the former Union centerback about that and more:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/mark-...

Matt Turner knows what he has to do to regain the USMNT’s starting goalkeeper job After facing the Union on Saturday, Turner spoke at length with The Inquirer about why he returned to MLS, and what it will take to regain Mauricio Pochettino's confidence as the World Cup nears.

Matt Turner knows what he has to do to regain the #USMNT starting goalkeeper job.

A big interview - with all his usual candor - about how his form fell, leaving Crystal Palace, and working to get back on the field for Mauricio Pochettino before the World Cup:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/matt-...

Josh Sargent hasn’t scored for the USMNT in six years, but he’s a prolific striker for his club It's one of the most perplexing questions about the U.S. team right now. How does Sargent score so much for England's Norwich City, but not find the net for his country? He's as frustrated as anyone.

It's one of the most perplexing questions about the #USMNT right now: How does Josh Sargent score so much for Norwich City, but not for his country?

He admitted today that he's as frustrated as anyone. But he believes just as strongly that he'll snap out of it.

www.inquirer.com/soccer/josh-...

The Union will have to fight back in a loaded playoff race without Andre Blake Blake is out 'for the next couple weeks' with a hamstring injury, manager Bradley Carnell said. That adds another challenge to the Union's push to regain first place in the standings.

The Union will have to fight back in a loaded playoff race without Andre Blake.

They're just one point out of first, but the way things went around the league with summer transfers, it's hard to avoid thinking it feels like more than that:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/andre...

As the USMNT’s last sprint for the World Cup nears, Zack Steffen showed his talents in his hometown Though the Union beat Steffen with three late goals, his eight saves before then were a reminder of what he can do. Will he finally get a shot with the national team that he's been waiting for?

Spoke with Zack Steffen for a while last night.

What will matter more to Mauricio Pochettino, the three goals that went past him or the eight saves he made?

The #USMNT’s final sprint to the World Cup is nearing, and Steffen hopes the phone will ring:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/zack-...

The USWNT has not just a new era of players, but a new era of leaders Sam Coffey, Naomi Girma, and 19-year-old Claire Hutton are reminders to the world that no country consistently develops as much top women’s soccer talent as the United States.

While the Euros are making a lot of noise, the #USWNT is doing its business quietly.

But this summer has shown that there’s still no better country in the women’s game at developing lots of young talent.

Last night’s rout of Canada was the latest proof:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/clair...

Palmeiras aims to upset Chelsea in Philly’s final Club World Cup game The Brazilian club embraces being the underdog, and manager Abel Ferreira asked for Philly's support on July 4: “It can be a good opportunity for local people to join with us against the English."

I asked Palmeiras manager Abel Ferreira what he makes of having many Philly fans' backing vs. Chelsea.

“It can be a good opportunity for local people to join with us against the English," he said. "Because tomorrow, if I’m not wrong, is Independence Day, correct?"

www.inquirer.com/soccer/club-...

The Union were offered German star Thomas Müller, but said no to his big salary demands A source with knowledge of the matter told The Inquirer that Müller's camp wants a salary of $8 million to $10 million for the 35-year-old, who is leaving Bayern Munich after the Club World Cup.

The Union were offered Thomas Müller, but said no to his big salary demands.

Here's what I know about what those demands actually are, and which other MLS teams Müller has turned down so far - including a big one that offered a lot of money, but not what he wanted:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/thoma...

Union phenom Cavan Sullivan got to see Manchester City, his future team, play in Philadelphia Sullivan and some of his family watched Phil Foden and Jérémy Doku lead City to a 2-0 win over Wydad. The Moroccan team's fans still had a lot of fun, though, creating a vibrant scene in the stands.

Union phenom Cavan Sullivan got to see Manchester City, his future team, play in Philadelphia.

He talked with me at the game about what it was like:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/manch... via @phillysport.bsky.social @inquirer.com

To cap it off, they got a National Park Service ranger to join in the fun:

The Union’s big influence on the USMNT is a remarkable feat: ‘To be together here is special’ Quinn Sullivan and Nathan Harriel made their senior national team debuts on a day when Jack McGlynn, Matt Freese, and Mark McKenzie also played. And they mostly played well, even in a U.S. loss.

The scale of the Union’s influence on yesterday’s #USMNT game was astonishing, especially for a team with just one major trophy in its history.

“To be together here is special," Nathan Harriel said:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/usmnt...

A year from the World Cup, Tyler Adams embraces life as USMNT’s leader on and off the field Adams came to Yeadon to dedicate a new mini soccer pitch at an elementary school. Then he talked with The Inquirer about the high stakes of the last summer before the biggest World Cup ever.

A year from the World Cup, Tyler Adams embraces life as the #USMNT’s leader on and off the field.

My exclusive interview with him on the eve of the start of a high-pressure summer:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/tyler...

‘Triple Espresso’ led the USWNT to Olympic gold. Now, they must move forward With Sophia Wilson, Trinity Rodman, and Mallory Swanson all out for a while, this next US camp is about establishing alternatives

Here's @megswanick.bsky.social on the USWNT, now assured of being sans-☕️☕️☕️ for a while: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

The Union’s game at Atlanta on Saturday will be streamed in a video game EA Sports’ “EA FC” soccer video game will carry the broadcast free of charge to everyone with an account in the game.

The Union’s game at Atlanta on Saturday will be streamed in a video game.

Yes, really.

A few insights from executives at MLS and EA Sports about how their partnership came together:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/phila... via @phillysport.bsky.social @inquirer.com

Three generations of Northeast Philadelphia’s Sullivans have made soccer history in the U.S. Open Cup The Union's Quinn and Cavan Sullivan are following in the footsteps of their father, Brendan, and grandfather, Larry, Bridesburg natives who played in the national championship decades ago.

Ahead of the Union's first U.S. Open Cup home game in seven years:

Three generations of Sullivans have played in the national championship: Quinn, Brendan, and Larry.

Now comes a 15-year-old with a passion for soccer history, waiting to join his brother...

www.inquirer.com/soccer/cavan...

Carli Lloyd shares a lifetime of emotions at her Hall of Fame induction Lloyd spoke of the psychological side of not just her rise to soccer greatness, but her separation and reunion with her parents. To cap it off, her father Steve served as her presenter on stage.

Carli Lloyd stood to speak to the Hall of Fame she had just joined, and released a wave of emotions.

“Was it worth allowing a trainer into my life that over time created a wedge between me and my family for over a decade?” she asked.

On that moment and more:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/carli...

NWSL 2025 predictions: Pride looking for repeat, top newcomers and more The 2025 NWSL season kicks off this week. We convened a panel of writers to discuss what they’re most looking forward to this year

Extremely psyched to get @theolloydhughes.bsky.social & @kimischilling.bsky.social & @megswanick.bsky.social together to make some correct and legally-binding predictions for the 2025 NWSL season: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

No matter the politics, the USMNT lost a game to Panama that it should have won U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino was understandably upset with his players' lack of intensity. He made his own mistakes too, but this isn't the first time intensity has been an issue.

Surveying the wreckage of last night, from Mauricio Pochettino's lineup choices to the players' lack of intensity.

"We need to look in the mirror before anything," Tyler Adams said.

No matter the politics, the #USMNT lost a game to Panama that it should have won:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/mauri...