the bar keeps rising for new ⚽️ facilities in 🇺🇸 but it takes a lot more than that to develop players. Wrote about that 👇

Jürgen Klopp sees it, too: Red Bull New York’s academy is one of MLS’s best again The Red Bulls’ youth movement has taken MLS by storm this season. Here’s how the club’s talent pipeline became the envy of their peers.

The Red Bulls were known for developing players, but now they're setting a new standard. I spoke to academy director Sean McAfferty and head of youth programs Dave Jervis, and spent some time around #RBNY to learn what's behind the youth movement @backheeled.com

www.backheeled.com/jurgen-klopp...

Jürgen Klopp sees it, too: Red Bull New York’s academy is one of MLS’s best again The Red Bulls’ youth movement has taken MLS by storm this season. Here’s how the club’s talent pipeline became the envy of their peers.

John Tolkin once shared his frustrations w/me about how little actual soccer he got to play in RBNY's academy.

Now that's changed. Kids are being allowed to use the ball now.

Really enjoyed this look at RBNY's revitalized academy from @sanjaysujan.bsky.social.

Michael Bradley’s Red Bulls are impressing in MLS – what could come next? The longtime USMNT standout is following in the footsteps of his father, coaching with a deep appreciation of what makes American soccer special

Excellent work by @sanjaysujan.bsky.social on this extensive Michael Bradley profile. Already a hot commodity as a domestic up-and-comer, but really appreciated how Sanjay got Bradley to reflect on his USMNT career.

Must-read at @us.theguardian.com: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker leaves his job two months before the World Cup The timing startled fans, as did word that he's going to Saudi Arabia. But it might not be such a big deal, given what Crocker already did hiring coaches and building the new national training center.

The timing of Matt Crocker's departure is startling, but the departure itself might not be as big of a deal as the shouting makes it out to be.

Once the national training center was done, he'd checked three big boxes in his tenure. There weren't many left to check:

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

Seven takeaways from the USMNT's loss to Portugal: Poch's failed tactical tweak, Pulisic frustrated Another meeting with a top-tier European foe, another loss for the United States.

Despite another defeat to a World Cup contender, key USMNT figures are focused on staying positive.

"We feel really close," Christian Pulisic said following the U.S.'s loss to Portugal on Tuesday.

Read the latest on the 🇺🇸 from @sanjaysujan.bsky.social ⤵️

Seven takeaways from the USMNT's loss to Belgium: Surprise starter, tactical flaws & more Despite Mauricio Pochettino's efforts to slow Belgium's "detonateur", the U.S. fell flat in a major World Cup test.

What did we learn from the USMNT's loss to Belgium?

From Atlanta, @sanjaysujan.bsky.social dives into the loss with analysis from Mauricio Pochettino and his players 🇺🇸

"I don’t feel like it was a 5-2 game," Christian Pulisic said postgame.

Read ⤵️

Tim Ream is Mauricio Pochettino’s captain with the USMNT, but that doesn’t spare him the hot seat The veteran centerback has long seemed to be a lock for the World Cup squad. He's 38, though, and some watchers worry about Father Time catching up to him this year.

Tim Ream is Mauricio Pochettino’s captain with the USMNT, but that doesn’t spare him any pressure.

His view of the competition at centerback as the World Cup approaches, and as Father Time might be approaching too:

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

As the World Cup nears, chemistry is a need for Pochettino’s USMNT The U.S. coach has prioritized competition over chemistry. Will the team — especially the midfield — come together this summer?

Mauricio Pochettino has prized competition over chemistry for his version of the USMNT 🇺🇸

But with the World Cup nearing, will that chemistry form for the United States?

@sanjaysujan.bsky.social examines the U.S.'s search for central continuity ⤵️

Alejandro Zendejas made Subaru Park a milestone in his race for the U.S. World Cup team The attacking midfielder was one of the box office attractions in the Union-Club América game, his first contest on U.S. soil since scoring a big goal for his country last fall.

Last night, Alejandro Zendejas played a game on U.S. soil for the first time since he scored for the #USMNT vs. Japan.

With two weeks until the last U.S. camp before the World Cup, he says "I’ll be working hard to make that roster":

www.inquirer.com/soccer/aleja... 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-...

Inside Cavan Sullivan’s biggest game yet for the Union, and not just because of his goals Sullivan's first goals for the Union's first team were highlights, but his two assists also mattered. Malik Jakupovic and Stas Korzeniowski also had nights to remember in a 7-0 rout of Defence Force.

It was Cavan Sullivan’s biggest game yet for the Union, and not just because of the goals he scored.

Analysis, reactions, and his tribute to a soccer legend who was watching from the stands - his grandfather:

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

Zavier Gozo is on the radar of Europe's biggest clubs — this is how he got there The teenager knows the U.S. men’s national team needs more players like him and is primed for a breakout MLS season with Real Salt Lake.

When Mauricio Pochettino said the USMNT doesn't "have a lot of wingers”, Zavier Gozo took note.

The rising 18-year-old attacker has big dreams — ones involving the national team and major European clubs.

This is Gozo’s story.

From @sanjaysujan.bsky.social ⤵️

Welcome to Green Line Soccer Introducing my new outlet covering the Washington Spirit and D.C. United.

Do you want my thoughts on the Washington Spirit and D.C. United?

This is where they're going to be. Introducing Green Line Soccer:

MLS 2026 season team previews: In-depth look at all 30 clubs With a new MLS season starting this weekend, we have unparalleled previews for each and every team.

30 MLS teams, 30 previews.

Ahead of Saturday’s kickoff, read up on your favorite team with Backheeled’s in-depth 2026 MLS previews 🔮

Depth charts, tactics, expectations, and more for each and every team ⤵️

Projecting the USMNT's roster ahead of Pochettino's extra "four World Cup games" Mauricio Pochettino says his team's World Cup starts in March, not June. Here's who should be on that early World Cup roster.

The USMNT has four friendlies remaining before the World Cup — but for Maurcio Pochettino, those friendlies are "four World Cup games" 🇺🇸

With key matches nearing, who should be in the U.S. squad?

@sanjaysujan.bsky.social projects Pochettino's roster.

Read ⤵️

Basketball star Paige Bueckers is not afraid to use the platform her fame has given her Bueckers grew up near Minneapolis, the site of recent ICE raids and the killings of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti. She spoke from the heart as she prepared to play in Unrivaled's big games here.

Paige Bueckers is not afraid to use the platform her fame has given her - and right now, that matters even more with events in her home state of Minnesota.

She spoke about that on the eve of stepping on to another big stage, the Unrivaled showcase in Philadelphia:

www.inquirer.com/wnba/unrival...

MLS strikes a deal with prediction market Polymarket, and says it’s about protecting integrity of games Prediction markets work by having users choose from two possible outcomes for an event, and are given a percentage likelihood of each. They are legal nationwide, unlike traditional sports betting.

Following MLS's announcement of its deal with Polymarket, I had some questions for the league about the "safeguards" the announcement touted.

Senior VP of emerging ventures Chris Schlosser answered those questions, and said the deal is about protecting integrity:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/mls-b...

🎙️New pod!

A draft episode! @awaygoals.bsky.social, Vince, @sanjaysujan.bsky.social and Belz each try to pick the best team from among all the players Pochettino has called up since he took over the USMNT. Full of intrigue and PR campaigns. scuffed.simplecast.com/episodes/657-a…

Cavan Sullivan looks ahead to what should be his biggest year yet with the Union The 16-year-old phenom should be ready for regular playing time this year. As he grows toward his move to Manchester City at the end of 2027, his fame off the field is likely to keep growing, too.

A big piece on Cavan Sullivan:

He is physically ready now for regular playing time, and as ambitious as ever about his goals.

But he is also grounded about living in the spotlight, which reminds us why it was so crucial for him to turn pro with the Union.

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

The 2026 World Cup may transform US soccer. The 2030 World Cup could be even better This summer’s tournament is seen as a culmination, but in truth it’s the next World Cup where the USMNT may have the most success

2026 has been so highly anticipated it feels like a culmination, but could this #USMNT core make 2030 part of their window for a deep run?

My latest, looking ahead and ft. quotes from Poch, Gregg Berhalter, Landon Donovan, Antonee Robinson and Charlie Davies

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

10 USMNT Predictions for 2026: Pochettino’s future, a phenom’s debut & more Here’s what you should expect from the USMNT in 2026.

The USMNT's biggest year ever — headlined by this summer's World Cup — has just begun.

@sanjaysujan.bsky.social has 10 bold predictions for Mauricio Pochettino's team in 2026, from a World Cup run to a big-money transfer 🔮

Read ⤵️

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

‘A different type of game’: USMNT veterans on how to handle World Cup pressure In 2010 and 2022, the US faced heightened emotions from the lead-in to the tournament itself. As hosts next year, little will change

Managing what Mauricio Pochettino calls "competitive stress" could be key to that dream #USMNT summer.

I spoke to Landon Donovan, Bob Bradley, Antonee Robinson and Gregg Berhalter about mentally and emotionally navigating the World Cup, and looked ahead to 2026.

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

Cavan Sullivan turns his focus back to the Union after falling short at the FIFA under-17 World Cup "I just want to be be ready to come into the game and make a difference," the Union's teen phenom said, back in town earlier than planned and now preparing for Sunday's playoff game against NYCFC.

Cavan Sullivan returned from the under-17 World Cup earlier than planned. Now he has turned his focus back to the Union.

I talked with him one-on-one this week:

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

"Everybody is pushing to make Mauricio’s decisions difficult": USMNT shine in true World Cup test vs. Uruguay The United States cruised to a 5-1 win over Uruguay on Tuesday night. Here's what stood out.

Tremendous result. Set pieces key. And what we learned about the right side of the #USMNT in this window

3 thoughts from Tampa 👇

www.backheeled.com/usmnt-win-ur...

"Everybody is pushing to make Mauricio’s decisions difficult": USMNT shine in true World Cup test vs. Uruguay The United States cruised to a 5-1 win over Uruguay on Tuesday night. Here's what stood out.

The USMNT closed out its 2025 schedule with a bang, decimating Uruguay on Tuesday night 🇺🇸

“It shows that we have a deep team and that everybody is pushing to make Mauricio’s decisions as difficult as possible."

From Florida, @sanjaysujan.bsky.social examines the United States' statement result ⤵️

To call or not to call: USMNT roster selections continue to pose challenges for Pochettino Missing key players for a slew of different reasons, the United States’ march to the World Cup continues. Will the squad be positioned to succeed next summer?

Mauricio Pochettino’s selection strategy has been guided by the priority that players arrive in the best condition for the World Cup.

But what does that mean? Is his approach risky? And how key could MLS players be in 2026?

On form, fitness and freshness:

www.backheeled.com/pochettino-u...

To call or not to call: USMNT roster selections continue to pose challenges for Pochettino Missing key players for a slew of different reasons, the United States’ march to the World Cup continues. Will the squad be positioned to succeed next summer?

With some key players injured and others left with their clubs, is Mauricio Pochettino properly managing his roster selections?

“The most important thing is that all the players arrive fit in a very good condition...to start the World Cup."

But will that be enough, asks @sanjaysujan.bsky.social?

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