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

USMNT MVP rankings: Who are Pochettino’s most important players ahead of the World Cup? Heading into crunch time in this World Cup cycle, these are the players most crucial to the United States’ success.

You'll see a lot of #USMNT roster predictions and big boards ahead of the World Cup. To mix it up, I ranked players in order of who Mauricio Pochettino can least afford to lose. In other words, who is most valuable, and why?

Check out my top 10 @backheeled.com

www.backheeled.com/usmnt-mvp-ra...

Amid a Union injury bug, Cavan Sullivan will stay a little longer before the under-17 World Cup With Quinn Sullivan out and Indiana Vassilev and Jeremy Rafanello banged up, the Union were facing a lack of depth at attacking midfield heading into the playoffs.

Late night news:

With the Union’s midfield hit by injuries, Cavan Sullivan won’t leave for the under-17 World Cup until after the first two games of the playoffs.

He won’t miss any tournament games, just the pre-tournament camp.

More details here:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/cavan... #USMNT

The USMNT’s win over Australia told us a lot — here’s what Players made their World Cup cases and Mauricio Pochettino was pleased after Tuesday’s victory in Colorado.

Valuable new info on the CM and ST picture with two camps left until the World Cup.

And collectively, the #USMNT was reminded about how it needs to approach the type of team it will surely see early in the World Cup in possession. My latest👇

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

#636: Tanner Tessmann joins the pod! | Scuffed | USMNT, World Cup, Yanks Abroad, futbol in America Tanner Tessmann, the midfield anchor for Olympique Lyonnais who started for the USA against Ecuador on Friday, joined Sanjay Sujanthakumar for a half-hour long chat in Colorado on Monday. The Alabama ...

🎙️ NEW POD

Tanner Tessmann, the midfield anchor for Lyon who started for the USA against Ecuador, joined @sanjaysujan.bsky.social for a half-hour chat in Colorado. The Alabama native talked about Nemanja Matic's impact on him, field goals, & much more scuffed.simplecast.com/episodes/636...

The USMNT’s win over Australia told us a lot — here’s what Players made their World Cup cases and Mauricio Pochettino was pleased after Tuesday’s victory in Colorado.

The USMNT enjoyed another positive performance in a 2-1 win over Australia on Tuesday 🇺🇸

What did we learn about Mauricio Pochettino's team?

@sanjaysujan.bsky.social examines Weston McKennie's role, players who seized their moment & more.

Read ⤵️
www.backheeled.com/usmnt-win-au...

USMNT show progress under Pochettino in Ecuador draw: McKennie's role, Balogun's goal & more Here are the takeaways that matter from the USMNT's promising showing against Ecuador.

From Austin last night, 3 big picture thoughts @backheeled.com after a positive #USMNT performance against a good team

www.backheeled.com/usmnt-progre...

Back in form, Folarin Balogun is seeking a momentum-shifting win with the US: ‘I think we need that’ The Monaco striker speaks on a Copa América experience that left him with ‘frustration but also hunger’ to achieve more with the USMNT

Folarin Balogun made his long-awaited return to the #USMNT in September and now, with club and country, he's hungry for more. And he could very well be the key to a deep World Cup run.

I sat down with the striker in Monaco for a wide-ranging discussion.

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

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-...

“It would have been a lot tougher to quit basketball if I knew that two years later, I’d be a freshman in college making more than some of my favorite athletes are making overseas.” - Chris Richards

My piece on how $$$$$$$$ in college 🏀🏈 could impact ⚽ participation and the #USMNT ➡️ bit.ly/46GQWIN

What if our 'best athletes' never choose soccer? How NIL money could shape the USMNT's future The NIL era is reshaping choices for young athletes — and raising the question: what does that mean for the U.S. men's national team?

What if our best athletes... keep playing other sports? I spoke to Chris Richards, Alex Freeman and Kyle Martino about how participation in soccer and the #USMNT could be impacted by the new era of #NCAA athletes being paid.

sports.yahoo.com/soccer/artic...