What went wrong for the USMNT in their big loss to Belgium? And what went right? From Atlanta, @sanjaysujan.bsky.social dives into the loss with analysis from Mauricio Pochettino and his players 🇺🇸 Read ⤵️

⚫️ San Antonio makes their case as a contender 🔰 Brian Schaefer’s brilliance in Tampa Bay 🌴 Miami FC is…good? All that and more as I dive into Week 4 across the USL. www.backheeled.com/usl-champion...

After another weekend of USL Championship action, @usltactics.com ranks all 25 teams in the league. Who impressed and surged up the rankings? Who struggled and found themselves falling? Read up on the latest for your club ⤵️

One positive for the USMNT in their loss to Belgium on Saturday? Christian Pulisic was no longer tasked with taking set pieces. With others serving the ball into the box, Weston McKennie scored the game’s opening goal. More from @sanjaysujan.bsky.social ⤵️

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 ⤵️

The MLS primary transfer window slammed (quietly) shut last night. For @backheeled.com, I've ranked the performances of all 30 clubs in the winter window, using the objective power of vibes and science™. Come yell at us in the comments. Or yell at your team's front office in the comments.

The MLS winter transfer window is officially closed. So, how did your club do? @benwright.bsky.social ranks all 30 teams from worst to first based on their business in the window 🤝 Find out where your team sits ⤵️

Jamie Webber has been quiet to begin the season for FC Tulsa. @usltactics.com believes Webber must be deployed higher up the pitch to get the best out of him. From this week’s This League! 📺 tinyurl.com/bdzm799r 🎙️ tinyurl.com/yrrj9drw ➡️ tinyurl.com/2p9veye5

With four games left before the USMNT starts its World Cup campaign, Mauricio Pochettino's starting striker is in top form 🇺🇸 What's behind Folarin Balogun's recent success? And why do coaches at both club and international level love him? Read 🆓

With another top USL coach departing for an MLS job last week, which manager from the lower divisions could be next to make the jump? @usltactics.com dives into 10 coaching candidates that MLS clubs should have on their radar 👀 Read ⤵️

“Most of the big stars, superstars, don’t want to come to Charlotte." What do you do when you're an MLS team in a non-glamor market? According to Zoran Krneta, you try to become the Seattle Sounders. On one MLS club immitating another, for @backheeled.com ⤵️

New Mexico United had its lowest-ever passing total in the Dennis Sanchez era in a loss to San Antonio. @usltactics.com shows what went wrong for NMU on Saturday. From this week’s This League! tactics board. Full segment below. ➡️ tinyurl.com/2p9veye5

For MLS teams not in big markets, what's the secret to success? Ask Charlotte FC's Zoran Krneta and you get a clear answer: "become a Seattle Sounders". "Superstars don’t want to come to Charlotte, Kansas City, St. Louis, Columbus." From @joeclowery.bsky.social ⤵️

Danny Cruz is off to MLS and Minnesota United. Should Louisville City supporters be worried about what’s next for their club? The This League! crew has their take. From this week’s This League!   📺 tinyurl.com/bdzm799r 🎙️ tinyurl.com/yrrj9drw ➡️ tinyurl.com/2p9veye5

What's the latest from around USL League One? From U.S. Open Cup dropouts to a standout player for FC Naples to Spokane Velocity's control, @usltactics.com examines it all. Your USL League One deep-dive. Free to read 🆓

Nashville SC's right side is filthy. Maybe we were all wrong about Guilherme. Red cards are so hot right now. The Quakes can defend now. St. Louis City's new era is showing signs of life. That + so much more MLS from the team @backheeled.com.

✨USL Power Rankings✨ Week 3 is in the books, so what do you need to know? I’m ranking and analyzing all 25 teams in the Championship. From rampant Tampa Bay to San Antonio’s statement win and everything in between, come check in. www.backheeled.com/usl-champion...

With a strong start in MLS and Concacaf play, Nashville SC are proving their believers right 🟡 Here’s how a star-studded squad and a clever tactical approach is driving Nashville’s form. Read up on that (and more!) from around MLS ⤵️

𝗨𝗦𝗟 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀! Where does your team stand after the latest weekend of Championship action? @usltactics.com digs into all 25 squads. Find out ⤵️

𝐌𝐋𝐒 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐬 ▫️ BJ Callaghan's Nashville dominate ▫️ Earthquakes' addition by subtraction ▫️ A DP proving the doubters wrong ▫️ ...and much more! @joeclowery.bsky.social, @benwright.bsky.social, and @aclausen90.bsky.social dive into the standout players, teams & stories from around MLS ⤵️

After a third weekend of USL Championship action, @usltactics.com ranks all 25 teams in the league. Who impressed and surged up the rankings? Who struggled and found themselves falling? Read up on the latest for your club ⤵️

New Mexico United may have lost its season opener to Oakland, but @usltactics.com and Peyton Gallaher see plenty of bright spots in the Land of Enchantment, starting with Niall Reid-Stephen. From this week’s This League! 📺 tinyurl.com/yknvckab 🎙️ tinyurl.com/26bt574n ➡️ tinyurl.com/34hku8kn

From brawls to cup-sets, the first round of the U.S. Open Cup wasn't short on incredible scenes 🏆 @usltactics.com dives into the best, brightest, and wackiest from this week's action. Your Open Cup deep-dive ⤵️

Oakland Roots has impressed more than maybe any other side so far this season across the USL. @usltactics.com is loving the principles on and off the ball under new manager Ryan Martin. From this week’s This League! 📺 tinyurl.com/yknvckab 🎙️ tinyurl.com/26bt574n ➡️ tinyurl.com/34hku8kn

In MLS, Designated Players are changing teams more than ever ✨ But what's led to stars finding new clubs? And is acquiring another team's DP even a good idea? @aclausen90.bsky.social examines the history of stars moving within MLS — and how recent rule changes opened the floodgates ⤵️

In the early days of the USL Championship season, Rhode Island FC seems to be refining same-old principles in a new-look way. @usltactics.com is on the TL! tactics board breaking down the Ocean State Club. Full segment below.

To work within the salary cap, the best MLS teams see their budget-friendly players produce. With a youth movement featuring a rising attacker, that's what Red Bull New York is doing, says @benwright.bsky.social. Read up on Julian Hall — and more from around MLS ⤵️

Ahead of a big U.S. Open Cup clash with Vermont Green, Portland Hearts of Pine got rolling in USL League One. Plus, what does @usltactics.com make of the expansion debutants? Your USL League One deep-dive ⤵️

✨USL Championship Power Rankings, Week 2✨ I'm going from #1 to #25, breaking down every team in the league. Find out why Oakland and El Paso are flying high, how Jansen Wilson is stepping up, and where I managed to squeeze in a George Bush quote. www.backheeled.com/usl-champion...

Oscar Pareja's firing wasn't controversial — and a new coach may well help Orlando City improve. But one thing is clear: the Lions' roster build has played a part in the team’s downturn. GK, CB, FB, LW are problems. On Orlando + more for @backheeled.com ⤵️

Atlanta United are finally showing signs of life, breaking two unpleasant streaks with their win this past weekend. Tata Martino appears to be learning his players — and results are starting to trickle in. Read up on that (and more!) from around MLS ⤵️

𝗨𝗦𝗟 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀! Where does your team stand after the latest weekend of Championship action? @usltactics.com digs into all 25 squads. Find out ⤵️

𝐌𝐋𝐒 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐬 ▫️ Atlanta United find a groove ▫️ NYCFC establish their credentials ▫️ Petar Musa continues to dominate ▫️ ...and much more! @joeclowery.bsky.social, @benwright.bsky.social & @aclausen90.bsky.social dive into the standout players, teams & stories from around MLS ⤵️

After a second weekend of USL Championship action, @usltactics.com ranks all 25 teams in the league. Who impressed and surged up the rankings? Who struggled and found themselves falling? Read up on the latest for your club ⤵️

Max Schneider was vital to Tampa Bay’s season-opening victory. The former Union Omaha man ran the show for the Rowdies on his club debut. From this week’s This League! 📺 tinyurl.com/36fy69r7 🎙️ tinyurl.com/ynttxsvc ➡️ tinyurl.com/5xa9885x

MLS prides itself on parity, but recent club valuations say that parity is fading while the revenue gap is growing. Could less parity actually be a good thing for the league? Here’s why MLS may need to lean into stars and superteams. From @tutul.bsky.social ⤵️

Without a new CBA, each USL Championship has begun with players standing still for one minute after kickoff. With player protests and public posturing, the USL's biggest storyline remains its labor negotiation. @usltactics.com examines where things stand ⤵️

Hey, I wrote a thing! It's about why MLS might want to be more like the NBA and not the NFL, as it has more natural similarities with the modern MLS. One thing I didn't write was how the NBA really has understood the social media content creators culture. They've created programs to allow content

MLS has prized parity for 30 years — but that parity is fading. There's a widening gap between teams, and the league's least valuable clubs are stagnating. Here's why the MLS's next evolution might be fewer Cinderellas and more superteams. From @tutul.bsky.social ⤵️

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 ⤵️

Expansion team Brooklyn FC took all three points in its first ever game. Does Marlon LeBlanc’s side already have a clear identity? From this weeks This League! 📺 tinyurl.com/36fy69r7 🎙️ tinyurl.com/ynttxsvc ➡️ tinyurl.com/5xa9885x

Once a league-record signing, Kevin Denkey worryingly took just one touch in box in FC Cincinnati's latest loss. @benwright.bsky.social examines the questions swirling around Pat Noonan's team — and much more from around MLS. Read ⤵️

In the USL Championship, Charleston bested defending champions Pittsburgh on Saturday. How did the Battery find success against the Riverhounds? From This League!, with Peyton Gallaher on the tactics board. Full segment below!

Every week on Backheeled, I'm catching you up on the latest action from USL League One. To kick 2026 off, I'm looking at: 🟢 A winning, wingback-driven Boise debut 🏹 FC Naples in the final third ⭐️ Knoxville's rookie star ➕ So much more Check in! ⬇️ www.backheeled.com/usl-league-o...

All season long, Backheeled is covering the ins and outs of USL League One 🆕 What stood out from opening weekend? And which new teams impressed? @usltactics.com breaks it all down. Read ⤵️

I wrote about youth in MLS, from teenaged San Diego FC and U.S. goalkeeper Duran Ferree to a genuine need for Cavan Sullivan to get on the field in Philly. Plus, we've got the crew talking RSL, Orlando City, and...Wiki Carmona? For @backheeled.com ⤵️

✨USL Championship Power Rankings✨ After a full round of action, I’m going from #1 to #25 to see what mattered this weekend – starting with a firm message from the players. Check in, see where your club lands, and catch up on all things USLC. ⬇️ www.backheeled.com/usl-champion...

✍️ @Backheeled.com: MLS winners and losers from Matchday 3, including an improbable moment for Wiki Carmona and a ridiculous moment from Gabriel Pec.

As young players shine at other MLS clubs, the Philadelphia Union continue to minimize Cavan Sullivan's role. Could Sullivan help the Union amidst a winless start to the season? Read up on that — and more from around MLS ⤵️

𝗨𝗦𝗟 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀! Where does your team stand after the first weekend of Championship action? @usltactics.com digs into all 25 squads. Plus, a player protest ⤵️