There may not be a better young player in MLS than Adri Mehmeti, Red Bull New York's teenage sensation. Eligible to play for the USMNT and Albania, @joeclowery.bsky.social sat down with Mehmeti to learn all about how he sees the game. 🇺🇸 🇦🇱 Get to know Mehmeti ⤵️

We’re a quarter of the way into the USL season, so who’s leading the pack in the all-league races? I’m selecting my Best XIs for the USL Championship and USL League One to find out. www.backheeled.com/picking-best...

If the USL season ended today, who would be in the Best XI? @usltactics.com shares his star-studded ballot for the USL Championship and League One ⭐️ Find out who made the cut ⤵️

Loudoun United finally found its first USL Championship win. @usltactics.com Tactics felt Bolu Akinyode and James Murphy were inspired choices in the midfield. From this week’s This League!  📺 tinyurl.com/563utmvw 🎙️ tinyurl.com/3n8n39ey ➡️ tinyurl.com/37n3wyuh

At just 17, Adri Mehmeti has become as a breakout star for Michael Bradley's Red Bull New York. Will the dual-national play for the USMNT? “I’m very open to both nations...whether it's the U.S. or Albania,” Mehmeti told @joeclowery.bsky.social. More ⤵️

Adri Mehmeti might just be a gem for the USMNT ✨ Red Bull New York's teenage midfielder has been one of the breakout stars of the MLS season, taking inspiration from one of the best players in soccer history. @joeclowery.bsky.social 📽️

Oakland Roots’ Wolfgang Prentice was the USL Championship Player of the Month in April. His performance stood out this past weekend as Oakland continued its unbeaten run. From this week’s This League!  📺 tinyurl.com/563utmvw 🎙️ tinyurl.com/3n8n39ey ➡️ tinyurl.com/37n3wyuh

I sat down with Adri Mehmeti — perhaps the USMNT's best prospect — to watch film. He's just 17, but crushes tape like a veteran. I picked Mehmeti's brain about scanning, his defensive play, and, oh, his status as a dual national 🇺🇸 🇦🇱 For @backheeled.com ⤵️

After the latest action in USL League One, which teams emerged looking most impressive? And who should be concerned? From red-hot Fort Wayne FC to a floundering FC Naples, @usltactics.com dives into anything and everything across League One. Read ⤵️

Adri Mehmeti is just 17, but he watches tape like a veteran. The Red Bull New York midfielder broke down his scanning habits, defensive growth, and more — all while reviewing film with @joeclowery.bsky.social. Here's how USMNT’s brightest prospect sees the game ⤵️

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 ⤵️

Michael Bradley's coaching career is just beginning. But the first-year Red Bull New York manager made a crucial tactical change over the weekend that could see his team climb the standings. Read up on Bradley — and much more from around MLS ⤵️

𝐌𝐋𝐒 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐬 ▫️ Michael Bradley's smart tactical tweak ▫️ James Rodriguez's short MLS stint ▫️ New England Revolution defy the odds ▫️ ...and much more! @joeclowery.bsky.social, @benwright.bsky.social & @aclausen90.bsky.social dive into the standout players, teams & stories from around MLS ⤵️

After another weekend of USL Championship action, @usltactics.com ranks all 25 teams in the league 👀 📈 Pittsburgh Riverhounds, New Mexico United & more 📉 Louisville City, El Paso Locomotive & more Read up on the latest for your club ⤵️

NEW: Private equity is coming for the lower leagues, but what does that mean for the future? I take a look at KKR’s investment in MLS Next Pro, the USL’s turn to PE, and the consequences of it all. www.backheeled.com/new-private-...

MLS Next Pro is targeting major expansion. USL wants a host of new clubs. Now both leagues have private equity money 💰 So, what happens when they start chasing the same cities? @usltactics.com digs into lower-league soccer's new private equity era ⤵️

After missing the USL Championship playoffs the last three seasons, The Miami FC sits 5th in the Eastern Conference. Is Gaston Maddoni’s Miami a playoff team? From this week’s This League! 📺 tinyurl.com/yhkdatd2 🎙️ tinyurl.com/mr468942 ➡️ tinyurl.com/2w5m33tx

This winter, Charleston Battery was tasked with replacing 42 combined goal contributions from Cal Jennings and MD Myers. In stepped MLS journeyman Miguel Berry and USYNT forward Colton Swan. From this week’s This League!  📺 tinyurl.com/yhkdatd2 🎙️ tinyurl.com/mr468942 ➡️ tinyurl.com/2w5m33tx

While Tigres stand in their way tonight, but Nashville SC are one game away from the Concacaf Champions Cup final 🏆 How did they become an MLS juggernaut? "I've always...doubled down on people who I thought had a chip on their shoulder." From @benwright.bsky.social ⤵️

"We’re trying to change the narrative of how we’re perceived in this league." Fresh off signing a new U22 Initiative contract, Colorado Rapids budding talent Darren Yapi spoke with @joeclowery.bsky.social. On the Rapids' ambitions, MLS's youth movement & more 🆓

"I've always kind of doubled down on people who I thought had a chip on their shoulder, who wanted to come in with something to prove." Talked with Mike Jacobs about how Nashville SC have quickly become one of MLS's and Concacaf's premier clubs ahead of their match against Tigres. @backheeled.com

Here's your guide to the latest from USL League One, via @usltactics.com 👀 ▪️ Fort Wayne FC's new soccer-specific stadium ▪️ New York Cosmos' issues ▪️ Chattanooga Red Wolves' defensive woes ▪️ ...and so much more! Read ⤵️

Nashville SC has become an elite MLS club – and find themselves one game away from the Concacaf Champions Cup final 🟡 How did Nashville turn into a juggernaut? "People become stars in our club." @benwright.bsky.social spoke to the Nashville SC's front office chief Mike Jacobs ⤵️

Minnesota United are the same, but different after their offseason coaching change. I wrote about that — and worried about a handful of teams — in @backheeled.com's latest MLS weekend roundup. Read ⤵️

🐦‍🔥 Phoenix’s defensive balance 🌊 New management in Monterey ⚔️ Tulsa’s improving attack ➕ So much more Come see where your club lands in this week’s USL Power Ranking! www.backheeled.com/usl-champion...

With Martin Ojeda's standout showing against Inter Miami, Orlando City have hope ahead of Antoine Griezmann's arrival 🇫🇷 Read up on the state of Orlando City — and much more from around MLS ⤵️

After another weekend of USL Championship action, @usltactics.com ranks all 25 teams in the league 👀 📈 Sacramento Republic, Detroit City & more 📉 Indy Eleven, Oakland Roots & more Read up on the latest for your club ⤵️

𝐌𝐋𝐒 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐬 ▫️ Orlando City ready for Griezmann ▫️ Philadelphia Union's woes continue ▫️ Minnesota United's set piece magic ▫️ ...and much more! @joeclowery.bsky.social, @benwright.bsky.social & @aclausen90.bsky.social dive into the standout players, teams & stories from around MLS ⤵️

What have we learned from the beginning of the USL Championship season? Ryan Sykora believes the league is better than it’s ever been. From this week’s This League! 📺 tinyurl.com/5xw8e8px 🎙️ tinyurl.com/yr85hw6d ➡️ tinyurl.com/mrx3d7cx

The @opencup.ussoccer.com's Round of 16 is in the books 🏆 ▪️ A renewed MLS, USL rivalry ▪️ A pair of almost Cup-sets ▪️ Veterans still kicking in the Cup ▪️ ...and much more! @usltactics.com dives into the best and wackiest from the Open Cup 🆓

El Paso Locomotive is thriving in attack, even more impressive in a USL Championship that has become more and more defensive minded. Ryan Sykora on El Paso’s historic goal scoring start. From this week’s This League! 📺 tinyurl.com/5xw8e8px 🎙️ tinyurl.com/yr85hw6d ➡️ tinyurl.com/mrx3d7cx

The USMNT's World Cup starting lineup in 2030 could be fun 🇺🇸👀 ▫️ Mathis Albert ▫️ Niko Tsakiris ▫️ Adri Mehmeti ▫️ Peyton Miller ▫️ Noahkai Banks More on the U.S.'s next generation from @sanjaysujan.bsky.social ⤵️ www.backheeled.com/usmnt-prospe...

While the USMNT is just weeks away from the World Cup, it's hard to ignore a group of youngsters ready to take the team to new heights 🇺🇸 Which budding stars are on the way for the United States? @sanjaysujan.bsky.social examines the program's future 🆓

In the USL Championship, Orange County SC is currently performing as a historic defensive outlier in the league’s modern era. @usltactics.com explains. From this week’s This League!  📺 tinyurl.com/5xw8e8px 🎙️ tinyurl.com/yr85hw6d ➡️ tinyurl.com/mrx3d7cx

In MLS this season, young players are bursting onto the scene left and right. The latest such young player? USMNT-eligible Andrei Chirila, a teenage center back who shined for FC Cincinnati on Saturday 🇺🇸 More on Chirila and the rest of MLS ⤵️

𝐌𝐋𝐒 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐬 ▫️ A new USMNT prospect to watch ▫️ James Rodriguez puts on a show ▫️ Chicago Fire's enviable roster flexibility ▫️ ...and much more! @joeclowery.bsky.social, @benwright.bsky.social & @aclausen90.bsky.social dive into the standout players, teams & stories from around MLS ⤵️

With the opening weekend of this year's USL Cup in the books, which team has the best chance to win it all? 🏆 @usltactics.com ranks all 42 entrants across the Championship and League One, from most likely to least likely. Find out where your team ranks ⤵️

Where do the USL Championship’s CBA negotiations stand? On the latest in the ongoing talks. ⬇️ www.backheeled.com/usl-champion...

Eight weeks after the USLPA authorized the possibility of a strike, where do CBA negotiations stand between players and the USL Championship? After nearly 60 bargaining sessions, progress has been made, reports @usltactics.com. But issues remain. More ⤵️

Once focused on pressing, a major philosophical shift has helped unlock Red Bull New York's academy 🔴 "We really flipped and prioritized that with-the-ball philosophy first." Read @sanjaysujan.bsky.social on how RBNY started producing top young players again ⤵️

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...

"I’ve never seen this type of talent before. What are we doing with it?" With rising stars impressing even Jürgen Klopp, Red Bull New York's academy is shining 🔴 @sanjaysujan.bsky.social investigates how RBNY's pipeline began churning out talent again. Read ⤵️

▪️ Portland Hearts of Pine's press ▪️ Richmond Kickers come into focus ▪️ One Knox impress yet again ▪️ ...and so much more! Your guide to the latest from USL League One, via @usltactics.com ⤵️

With big wins over two of last year’s best teams, the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake established their MLS Cup credentials over the weekend 🏆 What makes those two clubs so dangerous? @aclausen90.bsky.social breaks it down ⤵️

I wrote about Inter Miami rolling without Mascherano and some bad, bad teams. @benwright.bsky.social wrote about Eduard Lowen's return and the Crew's broken season. @aclausen90.bsky.social wrote about new contenders and RBNY's defensive issues. Lots of MLS for @backheeled.com ⤵️

✨USL Championship Power Rankings✨ Catch up on San Antonio’s statement win, rising Phoenix, Charleston’s evolving style, and the other 22 clubs in the league after Week 7.

𝐌𝐋𝐒 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐬 ▫️ San Jose Earthquakes' contender status ▫️ Inter Miami's post-Mascherano era ▫️ Eduard Löwen's return ▫️ ...and much more! @joeclowery.bsky.social, @benwright.bsky.social & @aclausen90.bsky.social dive into the standout players, teams & stories from around MLS ⤵️

After another weekend of USL Championship action, @usltactics.com ranks all 25 teams in the league 👀 📈 Phoenix Rising, Colorado Springs Switchbacks & more 📉 Detroit City, FC Tulsa & more Read up on the latest for your club ⤵️

Huge thanks to Joe for giving a platform for this. If you are an avid listener of the pod, you've probably heard us moan about a lot of the topics here, but I thought it would be good to put the whole timeline together.

Following a six-point week Orange County SC is flying atop the USL Championship table. Ryan Sykora thinks the club is pushing all the right buttons. From this week’s This League! 📺 tinyurl.com/4wh8hxkb 🎙️ tinyurl.com/2t6e2mk9 ➡️ tinyurl.com/4csvppbc