The MLS SuperDraft isn't what it once was. It's not longer televised, nor does it serve as way to build the backbone of a roster. But make no mistake: there's still value in the draft. Here's why — and here are the players to watch in this year's class, from @travismclark.bsky.social ⤵️

Back in January, @usltactics.com made 10 bold predictions for the 2025 USL season ranging from an MVP favorite to expansion 🔮 Today, we’re looking back at those predictions to see what went according to plan — and what didn’t. Read ⤵️

The MLS SuperDraft isn't what it once was. It's not longer televised, nor does it serve as way to build the backbone of a roster. But make no mistake: there's still value in the draft. Here's why — and here are the players to watch in this year's class, from @travismclark.bsky.social ⤵️

Predicting MLS often feels like a fool's errand — but did that stop @joeclowery.bsky.social? Not at all. We're looking back at 10 MLS predictions made at the start of 2025, from transfers to tactics to trends 🔮 🆓

There have been plenty of successes for the USMNT under Mauricio Pochettino’s guidance. But the biggest success of all? The U.S. has depth now. Could that depth fuel a World Cup run on home soil, ponders @jerryhinnen.bsky.social? Read ⤵️

Your MLS offseason primer, examining the biggest question facing all 30 teams this winter for @backheeled.com. 🟣 Can Orlando's new starters raise their ceiling? 🟡 How will the Crew replace Nancy, Nagbe? 🔴 Can Dallas give Petar Musa some help? ⚫️ + 27 more questions

The MLS offseason is in full swing — and @joeclowery.bsky.social is here to set the stage for all 30 teams. Here's each MLS team's biggest offseason question heading into 2026, from potential new signings to replacing key cogs to stylistic direction. Your MLS offseason primer ⤵️

Compare it to any other American sports league, and the USL is unique. In the face of that limiting structure, how can clubs thrive? I spoke to ownership at Detroit City and One Knox to find out. www.backheeled.com/usl-ownershi...

Revenue sharing is a key part of every major professional sports league around the globe — but not the USL, where a privately held LLC soaks up earnings. @usltactics.com examines the USL's central ownership structure and the challenges it creates for clubs across the country. Read ⤵️

🇺🇸 USMNT World Cup drew reaction + analysis 🏆 How Inter Miami won MLS Cup ➡️ What's next for Miami, Vancouver Whitecaps Listen to The Backheeled Show 🎧

MLS Cup? That’s old news. With the offseason fully underway, @benwright.bsky.social examines the storylines worth monitoring. ▪️ Will the looming World Cup spark roster rules change? ▪️ Where will the top free agents land? ▪️ How will Inter Miami use their open DP spot? ▪️ ...and much more Read ⤵️

Inter Miami’s MLS Cup triumph made one thing clear: nothing shy of perfection can stop them. The Vancouver Whitecaps threw every punch they could at Miami on Saturday — but Lionel Messi’s outfit still couldn’t be toppled. From @benwright.bsky.social ⤵️

MLS Cup kicks off later today — and we’re getting you ready with an in-depth preview 🔮 Inter Miami vs. Vancouver Whitecaps 🏆 Storylines. Tactics. Film. Stats. Coach insights. You have plenty of time to read before kickoff. From @joeclowery.bsky.social ⤵️

As MLS's two best teams prepare to take the field in Saturday's MLS Cup, here's what you need to know: ▪️ How Inter Miami, Vancouver Whitecaps got here ▪️ Why each team will win ▪️ Why each team will lose ▪️ What kind of game to expect @catabush.com analyzes the numbers behind Miami and Vancouver ⤵️

After an unexpected coaching change, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds still managed to claim the USL Championship’s most prized piece of silverware 🏆 How did acting coach Rob Vincent help fuel the a playoff run for the 'Hounds? @usltactics.com spoke to Vincent and analyzed Pittsburgh's late changes 🆓

Two decades ago, Wilfried Nancy arrived in North America with a backpack. Now he leaves for Celtic with a resume so full of accomplishments that it may not fit in that backpack. With a huge impact on tactics and players, @joeclowery.bsky.social believes Nancy is the best MLS coach ever. Read ⤵️

Ahead of MLS Cup between Inter Miami and the Vancouver Whitecaps, we wrote a detailed preview covering tactics, matchups, and more. Will those things matter? Or will Lionel Messi simply decide the game? This version of Messi, says @joeclowery.bsky.social, is the best we’ve seen of him in pink ⤵️

Inter Miami vs. Vancouver Whitecaps. Trophies. Storylines. Tactics. Film. Stats. Coach insights. Welcome to the ultimate MLS Cup preview, via seven key questions from @joeclowery.bsky.social that may just decide MLS Cup 🏆 Read ⤵️

Every USL offseason features big news — but with an ongoing CBA negotiation, this winter is uniquely important to the league. From pro-rel details to expansion prospects to labor fights, @usltactics.com examines the six biggest questions that will define the offseason. Read ⤵️

The road to MLS Cup goes through Inter Miami — and for once, that road looks to have a few blockades on it. Messi’s getting the headlines, but it’s Miami’s massive defensive improvement that has them playing truly elite ball. 🏆 For @backheeled.com ⤵️

The road to MLS Cup goes through Inter Miami — and for once, that road looks to have a few blockades on it. Even while Lionel Messi earns headlines, it's a crucial improvement to Miami's defending that's made them a playoff favorite, writes @joeclowery.bsky.social. Read ⤵️

▪️ Inter Miami dominate FC Cincinnati ▪️ San Diego FC's nervy win ▪️ Vancouver Whitecaps impress ▪️ NYCFC's surprise result The Backheeled Show looks back at the latest MLS playoff action 🎧 open.spotify.com/episode/2YRc...

Just two wins away from becoming the first MLS expansion team in the league's modern era to win MLS Cup, San Diego FC have already made plenty of history. “I think we’re an expansion team that probably has the most in-depth style of play coming into the league." Read ⤵️

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds are your 2025 USL Championship winners, but how’d they do it? I dig into today’s title game – and how this club’s trajectory is pointed sharply upward even after winning a title. www.backheeled.com/pittsburgh-r...

The USL season is over, but a labor fight rages on off the field. With the current CBA set to expire at the end of the year, questions abound about the future of the league and its players. “We've been adamant from our position: tell us what the plan is.” From @usltactics.com ⤵️

With a major stadium expansion on the way, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds have taken care to set themselves up for future success. In Saturday’s USL Championship final, that success came early — and with a trophy 🏆 @usltactics.com breaks down Pittsburgh’s victory over FC Tulsa ⤵️

MLS's 2026 schedule is here. The league will take a break for all but the final three days of next summer's World Cup — and the postseason will run uninterrupted. Details ⤵️ www.backheeled.com/mls-2026-sch...

The USL’s season is ending, but its CBA standoff doesn’t seem to be. With the USL Championship’s CBA set to expire in one month, questions about the future abound. From salaries to healthcare to the USL's ambitious future, @usltactics.com examines what's at stake. “Tell us what the plan is.”

So that’s why the USMNT hired Mauricio Pochettino 🇺🇸 A near second-choice XI put five past Uruguay, set piece routines looked sharp, a tactical approach has crystalized, and Gio Reyna returned with real impact. @jerryhinnen.bsky.social examines the state of the U.S. with the World Cup nearing ⤵️

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...

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 ⤵️

We’ve got our conference title winners for 2025, but how did the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and FC Tulsa get it done? I deep dive into each performance to see what mattered and how these clubs went the distance. 🔗⬇️ www.backheeled.com/how-fc-tulsa...

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?

The USL Championship Final is set 🏆 How did FC Tulsa and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds book their spot in the final game of the season? @usltactics.com examines the decisions that have taken both clubs one step away from history ⤵️

Gio Reyna is back. @sanjaysujan.bsky.social examines Reyna’s impact for the USMNT in the team’s win over Paraguay. More takeaways ⤵️ www.backheeled.com/usmnt-vs-par...

MLS is flipping its calendar to match Europe’s — starting in 2027. What does that mean for transfers, roster rules, cold-weather teams, and TV viewership? We’ve got answers (and more questions) ⤵️

After years of debate, MLS will switch to a European-style calendar in 2027. The move will create ripple effects for teams, transfers, rules, and TV audiences. So...what now? For @backheeled.com, I break down the biggest questions facing MLS post-schedule shift ⤵️

After years of debate, MLS will switch to a fall-to-spring calendar in 2027. The move aligns MLS with Europe’s top leagues — and will create ripple effects for teams, transfers, roster rules, and TV audiences. @joeclowery.bsky.social examines the biggest questions that follow the decision ⤵️

So far this decade, MLS clubs have hired more than 60 managers. Three came from the USL Championship. Two of those three came from New Mexico United. Led by another rising coach in Dennis Sanchez, @usltactics.com looks at how New Mexico became the USL's top coaching factory. Read ⤵️

Catch up on the most interesting stories from around the MLS postseason in @joeclowery.bsky.social's latest: ▪️ San Diego FC's Tyler Heaps called his shot ▪️ Brenner's crucial redemption arc ▪️ Walker Zimmerman's future in question ▪️ Minnesota United's set piece incentives ▪️ ...and much more 🆓 ⬇️

Catch up with all things conference semis as I dive into a wonderfully tense set of USL Championship playoff matches.

The USL Championship’s conference finals are set 👀 @usltactics.com breaks down the action, the teams that have the best chance to lift a trophy, and the teams that fell on Saturday. Read ⤵️ www.backheeled.com/usl-power-ra...

▪️ 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 🎧

Only one MLS team can boast of a bigger points improvement from last year to this one than Gregg Berhalter's Chicago Fire. While their season ended in playoff disappointment, something is becoming clear: the Fire can become a model MLS club once again. From @joeclowery.bsky.social ⤵️

North Carolina is going on hiatus with the loose promise of a D1 return, a decision with huge ramifications for the rest of the USL. I break down the difficult financial future for the USL's clubs and why the league's upcoming reforms might be make-or-break. 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 ⤵️

As the 2026 World Cup nears, injury anxiety heightens. Who can the USMNT least afford to lose? Ahead of the November window, @sanjaysujan.bsky.social examines Mauricio Pochettino's most important players 🇺🇸 Who sits at the top of the 'MVP Rankings'? Read ⤵️ www.backheeled.com/usmnt-mvp-ra...

Few things about Minnesota United's new era have been normal — from outlier tactics to a clever data approach. @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 up ahead of the club's playoff match tonight ⤵️

This might’ve been the wildest first round in the history of the USL playoffs, so come find out how it went down.

The USL Championship’s opening playoff weekend was chock full of fireworks 🎆 @usltactics.com breaks down the action, the teams that survived, and the ones that didn’t. Read ⤵️ www.backheeled.com/usl-champion...