They’re having a dive-off

It would be interesting for Poch to call up his best, healthiest players to play soccer for the USMNT in their second-to-last window before the 2026 World Cup roster is named.

Gio Reyna is back 👀

can't wait until poch discovers telephones!

▪️ Tata Martino is back at Atlanta United ▪️ New England Revolution hire Marko Mitrovic ▪️ St. Louis City land Corey Wray to lead their front office Listen to The Backheeled Show for analysis on the latest news from around MLS 🎧

do tito villalba next you cowards

Only one MLS team improved more than Gregg Berhalter's Chicago Fire this year — and it's the team that bounced them from the playoffs. Back on an upward trajectory on and off the field, the Fire are en route to becoming a model MLS club once again. For @backheeled.com ⤵️

I think Guti is really good and should be getting USMNT call-ups at present. Good for him for seeing what’s out there.

The Revs’ youth pipeline is their best attribute right now, so hiring a coach in Marko Mitrovic who has experience working with young players makes sense. Solid hire. Some real work still needed on the roster.

Marc Dos Santos isn’t a flashy hire, if he is indeed named Cherundolo’s successor, but he’s a reasonable appointment. LAFC are a front office-driven club. They’re elite at player recruitment. In that case, all you need is a replacement-level coach to continue to thrive.

Teamed up with @jeffrueter.bsky.social on the @totalsoccershow.bsky.social to break down all the latest MLS playoff action, from sweeps to tactics to...cashfer candidates? Had a blast, as always. www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVe9...

Perhaps my biggest takeaway from the North Carolina FC hiatus news? The USL needs a number of more committed owners with deeper pockets. If some owners are viewing D1 as their financial savior, they're asking for trouble. More: www.backheeled.com/north-caroli...

✍️🔗 www.backheeled.com/north-caroli...

The USL's publicly stated ambition is clear: to implement pro-rel and launch a first-division men's league. But North Carolina FC's hiatus reveals the cracks in the USL's ecosystem. If North Carolina can’t justify continued losses, write @usltactics.com, they aren't the only club struggling ⤵️

this is really, really good from jon! can't wait for more

Plenty of red flags around St. Louis (see: club president Diego Gigliani pushing ahead on making end-of-year roster decisions before naming a new CSO). That said, Wray is well-regarded around MLS. I’d be happy about him if I was a St. Louis fan. Will he be given room to work?

Wray is well-regarded by everyone I talk to around MLS. I’d be happy if I was a St. Louis fan.

“You're trying to give your team as much information, without too much information." “I would say the [Crew’s] one constant is typically the wingback positioning. But outside of that..." Loved reading Noonan's thoughts on Nancy's tactics from the great @cboehm.bsky.social for @backheeled.com 🆓

this is an absolutely wild thing to admit to the public, i'm weak 😂

MLS's playoff schedule is truly idiotic. It makes no sense that Charlotte/NYCFC played on Tuesday as the second-to-last game to open Round One and now those teams have to turn around and play Game 2 before anybody else. 3 days between games for those teams. 7 days for others. Utter nonsense.

Few things about Minnesota United's new era have been normal — from outlier tactics to striking a deal with a group of soccer data hobbyists turned practitioners. For @backheeled.com, I spoke with key figures at the club to go inside the Loons' rebirth as one of MLS's most modern outfits ⤵️

Few things about Minnesota United's new era have been normal — from outlier tactics to striking a data deal with @americansocceranalysis.com. @joeclowery.bsky.social spoke with key figures at the club to go inside the Loons' rebirth as one of MLS's most competitive outfits. Read ⤵️

We know you have thoughts on MLS. Why not make them heard? We're partnering with @sixonefivesoccer.com and 20 other independent outlets to produce the 2025 end-of-season MLS fan survey. More ⤵️ www.backheeled.com/introducing-...

An hour of MLS playoff talk with me and @jeffrueter.bsky.social has just blessed your podcast feeds 🎧

There will a handful of quality pieces at the disposal of whoever takes over for Chris Armas. But make no mistake: they could sure benefit from signing a legit winger and improving the (already expensive) backline. A coaching change won't solve everything.

It was past time for a change in the New York Red Bulls' front office, but there's a whole lot of work for Julian de Guzman to do. ✍️ www.backheeled.com/mls-winners-...

Without spending big, the Seattle Sounders have assembled an all-time MLS roster to withstand one of the busiest seasons ever. “Our fourth DP is our development system,” general manager Craig Waibel told me. “That’s where we choose to spend the money because it’s working.” For @backheeled.com ⤵️

Is it good to give up 6 shots inside the width of the 6 and inside 12 yards in a half?

man, the philadelphia union are really good at what they're good at even with chicago trying to take away their transitions with a low block, philly have still found moments to hit on the break and they've capitalized

Pumped to keep the momentum going with a great slate of MLS playoff games tonight! 🍿

NEW(!): Kicking off my new posting space, Five Asides, with an MLS playoff preview. A personal note before scrutinizing the postseason format in its third season and sizing up each first round matchup. Great to be back! jeffrueter.substack.com/p/introducin...

I need people to see what transpired lol I have never seen someone just charge at the opposing team free kick wall here like Rwan Cruz does to the Portland Timbers

bookmark this for when i'm hilariously wrong

Predicting MLS is imposs-- *hand to ear* Hold on, I'm getting information from @johnspacemuller.com that says I'm the MLS prediction GOAT. More at 10.

Introducing my new posting space: Five Asides! First installment drops tomorrow, previewing the MLS Cup Playoffs. Subscribe (for free) here: jeffrueter.substack.com/subscribe?pa...

Jeff’s writing? I’m reading.

I’m surprised to see Gregg Berhalter go back to the back four tonight in their biggest game of the year. Chicago Fire went from allowing 1.78 xG per game (27th in MLS) in the 4-3-3 to 1.58 (10th in MLS) in their recent 3-4-3. Bold choice.

Could Noahkai Banks start at the 2026 World Cup? 🇺🇸 𝐔𝐒𝐌𝐍𝐓 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐥𝐲 - watch/listen 👇 🍎: tinyurl.com/mrr3fn7z ✳️: tinyurl.com/mnacfbkr 📺: tinyurl.com/3zr93aey

Wednesday Pod! Guest: Welcome back, @joeclowery.bsky.social from @backheeled.com. We look back at SDFC's historic season & preview the MLS postseason, which starts tonight. Pujols interview day. Will we see any selfies from Petco? Today's @section1904.com: section1904.com/2025/10/audi...

The MLS playoff format - yay or nay? 🤔

lol wait why are there exactly zero (0) mls playoff games on saturday

why on earth would make these decisions before hiring a cso

⭐️ My 2025 MLS Awards Ballot ⭐️ 🥇 MVP: Lionel Messi ⚽ Coach: Jesper Sorensen 🆕 Newcomer: Anders Dreyer 👶 Young: Obed Vargas 🚫 Defender: Tristan Blackmon 🧤 Goalkeeper: Dayne St. Clair 📈 Comeback: Daniel yell at me, idc

Atlanta United have a whole host of roster problems, don't get me wrong. But Deila did nothing to make this team into the sum of their parts (forget *more* than the sum of their parts!). It was time.

Catch me ESPN+ and AZ Family for Phoenix Rising vs. San Antonio FC! ⚽️🌵📺

📅 One year of Pochettino! 🤔 Is the USMNT better off now? 📈 Stock up/stock down! Today's episode looking back (and forward) 👇

I've got a slew of USMNT thoughts on today's @totalsoccershow.bsky.social 🇺🇸 🇦🇺 From Sands skepticism to pondering if we'll see McKennie as a No. 8 again to being reminded just how far ahead of the right back pack Dest finds himself, there was plenty to discuss. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm2D...

as always, i think you'd be wise to read @jerryhinnen.bsky.social's latest on the USMNT 🇺🇸 clever, insightful, and contextual for @backheeled.com www.backheeled.com/usmnt-crisis...