What the ever loving fuck are we doing

Guys, the “all USL clubs eligible for the tournament will be participating in the U.S Open Cup next season” quote almost certainly means this is a US Soccer dictum Not that it isn’t dumb! But blame the correct culprit

It’s officially offseason time in the USL, so what topics should you be eyeing as we head into the winter? I preview six key themes to track as we barrel toward 2026. www.backheeled.com/biggest-ques...

We support: Full Year contracts. Healthcare Safe Working Environments. #ProStandards

Just finished a rewatch of Breaking Bad and realized that Walt actually turned into Matt Berninger.

Spent a fascinating afternoon at the Greenwood Rising / Black Wall St. History Center with @usltactics.com. Absolutely worth your time when you're in Tulsa, tremendous work and exhibits.

Support your local footballer. Try Pro Standards first.

Players of FC Tulsa and Pittsburgh Riverhounds emerge for the USL final wearing shirts calling for better working conditions. The USLPA want "real wages, safety, healthcare, and year-round support." "Pro rel? Try pro standards first," reads the message on the shirts.

NEW #FCTULSA VLOG Friendships and destinies are put to the test as both #FCTulsa and #SomosUnidos seek the USL Championship final berths. A story about the game on the pitch as well as off it, including a rivalry between a goalkeeper and...a ballboy?

@tulsalunatics.bsky.social @83united.bsky.social Get that star on Saturday ⭐️

New Mexico United’s incredible resurgence coincides neatly with the return to full-fitness by Dayonn Harris (#5). 📈 open.substack.com/pub/ubtn/p/s... 📸: Matt May | Tampa Bay Rowdies

ATTN: Tulsa-bound New Mexico United fans!

The President wouldn't last five minutes as an air traffic controller, and after everything they've been through - and the way this administration has treated them from Day One - he has no business shitting on them now.

How many tens of thousands of people got fired or showed up to work for no pay so the dems could accept a deal that does fuck all about healthcare? Absolutely infuriating if this goes down.

playoffs

Free ninety-nine!

Had a few new subscribers today and now realize it could only be attributed to the @usltactics.com bump. Thanks for the shout out and thanks again for the help with the Kalen Ryden (#22) defensive numbers! And if you haven't read John's new piece yet, it's great, as always.

BRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU …. /takes deep breath …UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCE!

Introducing my new posting space: Five Asides! First installment drops tomorrow, previewing the MLS Cup Playoffs. Subscribe (for free) here: jeffrueter.substack.com/subscribe?pa...

There is a form to make known how you feel about MLS using AI for recaps. It takes two seconds and has a section where you can let them know in your own words why you’re opposed to the league using any form of AI. www.mlssoccer.com/feedback/rec...

I thought supporting AI military software was evil, but this is diabolical.

Have you had time to process it yet? Me, neither. Here’s my Kalen Ryden (#22) retirement post. (Big thanks to @usltactics.com for supplying some hard-to-find defensive stats for me!) open.substack.com/pub/ubtn/p/r...

I’m very fortunate to have interviewed Valentin Noël (#21) for the book today. Lovely guy who chose his number to reflect a meaningful date. He also spoke about the importance of playing collegiately so he could continue to pursue his education. There really is a story behind every number.

Maybe I’m on the wrong side of the internet. Or the fact that soccer social media hasn’t properly reset after people moved away from twitter. The fact that I don’t see more coverage of the USLPA CBA negotiations is disappointing. Pro/rel gets tons of attention because of what it might do.

Once again, I'm deep diving into the US Open Cup. Come for the breakdown of the final, stay for the recap of the most memorable and important moments from throughout the 2025 tournament.

Bruce Springsteen’s “Nebraska” was released on this date in 1982.

Mike Johnson cancels votes, locks doors to U.S. House as he has refuses bipartisan negotiations to keep the gov't open

If you care about a team in the USL Championship, I wrote too many words about them. Check it out on Backheeled!

USL Players Association is calling for fans to block USL Championship on instagram. It would appear that both sides are far from coming to a new bargaining agreement. One of the demands USL Players are seeking is employer-provided healthcare.

A lot of friends in this vid, including the mighty, little group I’m part of @galactic-amb.bsky.social 🛸

Happy birthday, Bruce Springsteen!

Ahh, 9am Pacific and Arizona (outside of the Navajo Nation). Well, it's 10 am, and let's roll that beautiful NM United footage: youtu.be/eDoBXV_QTQw?...

Remember to vote for Zico Bailey's goal for USL Championship Goal of the Week: https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1346103 #USLChampionship #mastodonfc #NewMexicoUnited

Meow Wolf vibes going extremely hard 🧬🪅

Roster housekeeping here 🧹

Just an absolutely calamitous 2025 for St. Louis City SC, on and off the field.

Carlos will be the 101st first team player in United history, but more importantly, he might be the first Junior we’ve ever had! (h/t @albolte.bsky.social on that last one).

#29 confirmed. ✅

The club officially announced the departure of Fernando (#9) this morning AND announced his replacement in the form of forward Luther Archimède, from Monterey Bay F.C. Luther has worn the #17 in his previous two stops. That number is obviously spoken for here (Hursty), but we’ll let you asap.

In case you were wondering, here's what we got him: A Personalized Puma kit, inspired by his tifo that was inspired by the Wutang Clan. It features his name and number (14) from when he first played for the club. #SomosUnidos

In this episode, Jake plays journalist and asks Coach Sanchez a question at the presser. 🎙️

Go on, Brendan! @galactic-amb.bsky.social getting repped properly today. 🛸

That’s my wife, Savannah, and she’s pretty fucking rad

This whole shoot was incredible 📸: @newmexicoutd.bsky.social

Plus more bonus content on my knockoff Gedion Zelalem jersey 😂

Of course I took this opportunity to ask Gedion about the validity of an 2015/16 Arsenal kit I have featuring his name and the #19. “At Arsenal? I don’t think so. I don’t think I ever wore the #19.” It was oddly satisfying to have the player himself inform that me my eBay shit was fake. 😂

“Keep the numbers in circulation,” he says, while bawling his eyes out watching the David Wright number retirement ceremony. #DavidWright #5

There’s even a little uni number content in there…

Watch your email, fam! It’s time to make those donations! This year, we raised a total of $1,144(!) for TGRCM in our combined Prideraiser campaign with @blackdiamondsnm.bsky.social and The Curse! THANK YOU to everyone who pledged! The calendar may have flipped to July, but #pride doesn’t end. 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈