Despite another defeat to a World Cup contender, key USMNT figures are focused on staying positive. "We feel really close," Christian Pulisic said following the U.S.'s loss to Portugal on Tuesday. Read the latest on the 🇺🇸 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 ⤵️

Tim Ream is Mauricio Pochettino’s captain with the USMNT, but that doesn’t spare him any pressure. His view of the competition at centerback as the World Cup approaches, and as Father Time might be approaching too: www.inquirer.com/soccer/world... via @phillysport.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 ⤵️

Last night, Alejandro Zendejas played a game on U.S. soil for the first time since he scored for the #USMNT vs. Japan. With two weeks until the last U.S. camp before the World Cup, he says "I’ll be working hard to make that roster": www.inquirer.com/soccer/aleja... via @phillysport.bsky.social

Matt Freese was back at Subaru Park yesterday, helping NYCFC thwart the Union again. It was actually one of his easier days out - perhaps one of the easiest days he'll have from now until the summer. My interview with him three weeks before #USMNT camp starts: www.inquirer.com/soccer/matt-...

It was Cavan Sullivan’s biggest game yet for the Union, and not just because of the goals he scored. Analysis, reactions, and his tribute to a soccer legend who was watching from the stands - his grandfather: www.inquirer.com/soccer/cavan... via @phillysport.bsky.social

When Mauricio Pochettino said the USMNT doesn't "have a lot of wingers”, Zavier Gozo took note. The rising 18-year-old attacker has big dreams — ones involving the national team and major European clubs. This is Gozo’s story. From @sanjaysujan.bsky.social ⤵️

Do you want my thoughts on the Washington Spirit and D.C. United? This is where they're going to be. Introducing Green Line Soccer:

30 MLS teams, 30 previews. Ahead of Saturday’s kickoff, read up on your favorite team with Backheeled’s in-depth 2026 MLS previews 🔮 Depth charts, tactics, expectations, and more for each and every team ⤵️

The USMNT has four friendlies remaining before the World Cup — but for Maurcio Pochettino, those friendlies are "four World Cup games" 🇺🇸 With key matches nearing, who should be in the U.S. squad? @sanjaysujan.bsky.social projects Pochettino's roster. Read ⤵️

Paige Bueckers is not afraid to use the platform her fame has given her - and right now, that matters even more with events in her home state of Minnesota. She spoke about that on the eve of stepping on to another big stage, the Unrivaled showcase in Philadelphia: www.inquirer.com/wnba/unrival...

Following MLS's announcement of its deal with Polymarket, I had some questions for the league about the "safeguards" the announcement touted. Senior VP of emerging ventures Chris Schlosser answered those questions, and said the deal is about protecting integrity: www.inquirer.com/soccer/mls-b...

🎙️New pod! A draft episode! @awaygoals.bsky.social, Vince, @sanjaysujan.bsky.social and Belz each try to pick the best team from among all the players Pochettino has called up since he took over the USMNT. Full of intrigue and PR campaigns. scuffed.simplecast.com/episodes/657-a…

A big piece on Cavan Sullivan: He is physically ready now for regular playing time, and as ambitious as ever about his goals. But he is also grounded about living in the spotlight, which reminds us why it was so crucial for him to turn pro with the Union. www.inquirer.com/soccer/cavan...

2026 has been so highly anticipated it feels like a culmination, but could this #USMNT core make 2030 part of their window for a deep run? My latest, looking ahead and ft. quotes from Poch, Gregg Berhalter, Landon Donovan, Antonee Robinson and Charlie Davies www.theguardian.com/football/202...

The USMNT's biggest year ever — headlined by this summer's World Cup — has just begun. @sanjaysujan.bsky.social has 10 bold predictions for Mauricio Pochettino's team in 2026, from a World Cup run to a big-money transfer 🔮 Read ⤵️

To start this World Cup year, a visit to the most successful men’s soccer player from Philadelphia that there’s been so far. Yes, that’s Brenden Aaronson, and he’s on a hot streak at Leeds United at an ideal time for his World Cup hopes: www.inquirer.com/soccer/brend... @phillysport.bsky.social

Managing what Mauricio Pochettino calls "competitive stress" could be key to that dream #USMNT summer. I spoke to Landon Donovan, Bob Bradley, Antonee Robinson and Gregg Berhalter about mentally and emotionally navigating the World Cup, and looked ahead to 2026. www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Cavan Sullivan returned from the under-17 World Cup earlier than planned. Now he has turned his focus back to the Union. I talked with him one-on-one this week: www.inquirer.com/soccer/cavan... via @phillysport.bsky.social @inquirer.com

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 ⤵️

Mauricio Pochettino’s selection strategy has been guided by the priority that players arrive in the best condition for the World Cup. But what does that mean? Is his approach risky? And how key could MLS players be in 2026? On form, fitness and freshness: www.backheeled.com/pochettino-u...

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?

New from me: A big interview with Mauricio Pochettino as the #USMNT gets to work in Philadelphia. On the team's progress so far, his values, and his praise for the Union's impressive contributions to the national team player pool: www.inquirer.com/soccer/mauri... via @phillysport.bsky.social

You'll see a lot of #USMNT roster predictions and big boards ahead of the World Cup. To mix it up, I ranked players in order of who Mauricio Pochettino can least afford to lose. In other words, who is most valuable, and why? Check out my top 10 @backheeled.com www.backheeled.com/usmnt-mvp-ra...

Late night news: With the Union’s midfield hit by injuries, Cavan Sullivan won’t leave for the under-17 World Cup until after the first two games of the playoffs. He won’t miss any tournament games, just the pre-tournament camp. More details here: www.inquirer.com/soccer/cavan... #USMNT

Valuable new info on the CM and ST picture with two camps left until the World Cup. And collectively, the #USMNT was reminded about how it needs to approach the type of team it will surely see early in the World Cup in possession. My latest👇 www.backheeled.com/usmnt-win-au...

🎙️ NEW POD Tanner Tessmann, the midfield anchor for Lyon who started for the USA against Ecuador, joined @sanjaysujan.bsky.social for a half-hour chat in Colorado. The Alabama native talked about Nemanja Matic's impact on him, field goals, & much more scuffed.simplecast.com/episodes/636...

The USMNT enjoyed another positive performance in a 2-1 win over Australia on Tuesday 🇺🇸 What did we learn about Mauricio Pochettino's team? @sanjaysujan.bsky.social examines Weston McKennie's role, players who seized their moment & more. Read ⤵️ www.backheeled.com/usmnt-win-au...

From Austin last night, 3 big picture thoughts @backheeled.com after a positive #USMNT performance against a good team www.backheeled.com/usmnt-progre...

Folarin Balogun made his long-awaited return to the #USMNT in September and now, with club and country, he's hungry for more. And he could very well be the key to a deep World Cup run. I sat down with the striker in Monaco for a wide-ranging discussion. www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Matt Turner knows what he has to do to regain the #USMNT starting goalkeeper job. A big interview - with all his usual candor - about how his form fell, leaving Crystal Palace, and working to get back on the field for Mauricio Pochettino before the World Cup: www.inquirer.com/soccer/matt-...

“It would have been a lot tougher to quit basketball if I knew that two years later, I’d be a freshman in college making more than some of my favorite athletes are making overseas.” - Chris Richards My piece on how $$$$$$$$ in college 🏀🏈 could impact ⚽ participation and the #USMNT ➡️ bit.ly/46GQWIN

What if our best athletes... keep playing other sports? I spoke to Chris Richards, Alex Freeman and Kyle Martino about how participation in soccer and the #USMNT could be impacted by the new era of #NCAA athletes being paid. sports.yahoo.com/soccer/artic...

What if our best athletes... keep playing other sports? I spoke to Chris Richards, Alex Freeman and Kyle Martino about how participation in soccer and the #USMNT could be impacted by the new era of #NCAA athletes being paid. sports.yahoo.com/soccer/artic...

What will Mauricio Pochettino's next USMNT roster look like? According to the manager, we can expect less experimentation and potentially fewer MLS call-ups 🇺🇸 @sanjaysujan.bsky.social projects the full October squad ⤵️ www.backheeled.com/projecting-m...

The hierarchy of the #USMNT is changing as Mauricio Pochettino takes the team through his "process" My latest for @backheeled.com www.backheeled.com/mauricio-poc...

When Mauricio Pochettino was hired, many believed he'd prioritize the USMNT's European-based players. Instead, Pochettino has started a "different process" by reshaping the team's hierarchy. Will his efforts pay off? Players weigh in on the 🇺🇸's new direction ⤵️ www.backheeled.com/mauricio-poc...

"We have to believe," Pochettino said after the #USMNT's latest loss. It's true that the games that really matter are next summer, but right now it's hard to see that far ahead. And unlike another soccer coach who famously believes, this isn't a scripted TV show: www.inquirer.com/soccer/mauri...

It's one of the most perplexing questions about the #USMNT right now: How does Josh Sargent score so much for Norwich City, but not for his country? He admitted today that he's as frustrated as anyone. But he believes just as strongly that he'll snap out of it. www.inquirer.com/soccer/josh-...

'Celo! The iconic Marcelo Balboa gets his Rapids jersey retired tonight. I can't say this about everyone on his level of fame and achievement: MB is a mensch - a high-quality individual, and very deserving of this and all the other flowers.

but at least bring him on when you need a goal late.. hopefully we’re not still talking about it next szn

Which USMNT players have the most to gain during this European season ahead of the World Cup? From midfielders fighting for their place to rising young talents, we examine a group of players who can raise their stock in the eyes of Mauricio Pochettino. Read ⤵️ www.backheeled.com/usmnt-player...