Rayados haven’t “done a Red Bulls” yet & press seating is still pretty prime!

As I film Episode Two & seek sponsorship for the series (which so far has been self-funded), I'm reminding folks about Episode One - out now on YT! If you won tickets in the World Cup lottery, want to go see ex-MLSers at Chivas or like daydreaming...check it out! www.instagram.com/p/DUoIms-D9Qe/

We're celebrating the addition of @mattdoyle.bsky.social to the Kickback Soccer Media team today, and with the MLS season right around the corner there's no better time to share (again) our American soccer conversation starter pack:

Marcelo Flores' switch from Mexico to Canada is official. He's now eligible for selection by the #CanMNT.

I'm here to tell you to pay for soccer newsletters - and to add Matt's to your list.

I'm sure the comments are like "Good effort, team!" "Hey, nice try, guys!"

📍🌋

New profile pic every day after he gets dressed

When you hear Rob Stone's voice and unconciously reach for the remote to show your channel switching prowess. #CCC

My Uber driver is wearing the same shirt as he is in his app photo. Select your theory: A) Same shirt every day B) Funny coincidence C) Cartoon character vibes with a wardrobe full of identical American Eagle shirts D) Other (Specify below)

In today's Monday* premium newsletter! - I explain why the newsletter is late - FORMAT TALK is back! - Zendejas the hero for América + more from Liga MX - The Conca-catch-up, featuring a young guy leaving early! Now that's what I call a fun newsletter getconcacafed.substack.com/p/concacaf-s...

Around 20 years ago I sent an AIM message to @3rddegree.net letting him know I liked his site &, as a future comms student, would like to write for it. He said … maybe! I never did write for the site but saw first-hand the community Buzz built & the passion he has for FC Dallas. Bon voyage, buddy!

On-site inspections ahead of the final vote on the 2031 Women’s World Cup begin today in the U.S., then move to Jamaica on Thursday & Friday and on to Costa Rica & Mexico. FIFA delegates will evaluate the sites & prepare a report.

Hablamos de la familia y temas de millonarios…Digo…multimillonarios

I will not be commenting at this time.

While Mexico & #CanMNT opted for winter friendlies, the #USMNT is focused on March when it starts getting real. So, is the U.S. ready for the 2026 World Cup? Is it posible to know? My first piece for @sportsillustrated.bsky.social: www.si.com/soccer/is-us...

I tagged Bad Bunny in a Puerto Rico newsletter I published in 2021 … spending the rest of the night finding the burner he subscribed with.

the man basically just told us to subscribe to Jon’s newsletter

Bad Bunny did that.

CONCACAF TRIBUTE

OH SHIT HES DOING IT

Jake Paul currently lives in Puerto Rico so he can avoid paying federal income tax.

Half and half jersey with the left side totally skintight and the right side flowing with a big number painted on.

I really see very little teamwork in any of these free skates.

How's it going for Anthony Martial in Monterrey? Rayados signed a forward who had his first training session yesterday & starts over the former Man Utd attacker tonight vs. América

A whalloping in Concacaf U-17 Men's Qualifiers with Costa Rica putting 26 past the BVI. Women's qualification saw the four top-ranked entrants given a bye, but may be worth tiering even more. Not many lessons to be learned from either team from a game like this (or other lopsided ones this round)

Also "Figure skating isn't my favorite."... "QUAD GOD COOKED"

2003 one-game Dallas Mavericks jersey tribute.

Every weekend I roll through the three best matches of the Liga MX jornada and tell you where to watch them. TOP contests Saturday. www.tiktok.com/@jonarnoldfc...

Honey, wake up. New Concacaf men’s senior national teams ecosystem just dropped.

It's not perfect but there's a lot of similarities between James & Ricky Rubio.

Here's my story on JD Gunn, a Panamanian-American who is making a push for a (soccer) World Cup spot less than a decade after playing for a (basketball) continential title. getconcacafed.substack.com/p/panama-gk-...

"The original design featured an image of Toussaint Louverture ... The (IOC) pushed back, ruling it breached its anti-political guidelines. Instead, Jean used an image of Louverture's galloping horse." www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/fa...

The James Rodriguez era with León was a failure, but it wasn't a failure because of James.

Jessie Diggins, Olympic cross-country skiing gold medalist, from the Twin Cities: “I want to make sure you know who I’m racing for…”

Panama City native JD Gunn had a tough realization while facing Tyrese Maxey, Quinten Grimes & the U.S. U-18 squad: He wasn't good enough to be an NBA player. He switched to soccer & eight years later a World Cup roster spot is within his grasp. open.substack.com/pub/getconca...

GOAL! Xelaju with a good attack capped by a FORTUNATE finish. Escobar's header hits himself on the thigh & beats the keeper. The Guatemalan squad is up 1-0 on Rayados, who think there's something that will see the goal ruled out, but looks good to me!

19-year-old Houston-area native Allen Rojas is making his first-team debut for Rayados tonight in #CCC. If that's not enough, his full name is Allen Iverson Rojas. The Answer to Monterrey's depth issues...

Panama City native JD Gunn had a tough realization while facing Tyrese Maxey, Quinten Grimes & the U.S. U-18 squad: He wasn't good enough to be an NBA player. He switched to soccer & eight years later a World Cup roster spot is within his grasp. open.substack.com/pub/getconca...

In the wake of the (infuriating) WaPo news, I appreciate people being open about how tough it can be to freelance & why outlets/teams/media orgs are so valuable.

It was great to chat with Andy at the All-Star Game about heading to Honduras, which was seen by many as a career-ending move but one he used for rejuvenation ahead of the superb season in Nashville. www.mlssoccer.com/allstar/2025...

Morning Kickaround gets Concacaffeinated this morning!

Crestfallen and f$&@ furious about the closure as we know it of @postsports.bsky.social by an indifferent, compromised owner and a failing publisher — a dept of Povich and Boswell, Wilbon and Kornheiser, Gildea and Sheinin, of poets, authors, Hall of Famers and Pulitzer finalists. A terrible day.

We have our first Concacaf Champions Cup GOOOOOOOOOOLAZO of 2026! What a hit with Robert Morales pulling off the acrobatic scissor kick. Pumas take the early lead in San Diego with a highlight-reel goal.

Pretty good half from Olimpia undone by a scrappy América goal with the much maligned Davila staying with the play & finishing with a thumping shot.