From the Ernst Tanner school of international soccer stereotyping

Two regular guys, backed by a totally normal LA based real estate mogul, who complain about “access” and the “old boys club” ruining the USMNT display a comment from said real estate mogul boasting of his access and opportunity for influence over the USMNT. You just can’t make this up

If welcoming Cristiano Ronaldo into the country during the 2026 World Cup is wrong, then I don’t want to be right. We should be deporting bad hombres who enter our country illegally and welcoming the greatest athletes of our time. Protect our borders and protect the world’s game. By: Alexi Lalas

Totally unrelated to Portugal officially qualifying for the ‘26 World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo will now be meeting with President Trump in the Oval Office alongside MBS. Wonder what they could be talking about…

Sure, Apple dropped its 2027 opt-out clause, committed to 2029 and is going to pay MORE to MLS as part of the revised distribution deal with the league. It’s never been more obvious just how frustrated Tim Apple is with this deal. It’s a complete DISASTER! By: MLS Moves

I agree with Poch when he says “our fans need to be fans of the US men's national team. They follow our crest, our colors…the players need the support of the fans." He’s obviously talking to the Gio haters, specifically. It’s OK to not support Roldan or Barfsten. By: 11Yanks

Has anyone needed the return of the NASL’s Team America more than Gio Reyna?

Did Pochettino and Reyna hit up Arfsten’s barber before the game?

Megyn Kelly and I both find it hard to define exactly what a “minor” is. By: 11 Yanks

MLS moving to a Euro calendar is perfect. Nothing screams “we are a serious soccer nation with our own identity” like immediately abandoning that identity to follow the cool kids. What’s next? Pro/Rel?

Op-ed | I love MLS. I love it in the way people love vinyl records, pour-over coffee, and inconvenient transportation options. MLS is meaningful because it’s inconvenient. Because it exists just slightly beyond the reach of the uninitiated. That’s why this feels…wrong. By Matt Doyle

People think this is a win because MLS will reach tens of millions more Apple TV subscribers. But my concern is simple: what if even MORE people now see players I already decided weren’t good enough for the USMNT? By: Tactical Manager

If Don Garber and Apple were serious about turning MLS into a proper football league, matches wouldn't be contained within one app. They would be hidden behind multiple cable tiers, Peacock, and the occasional random USA Network listing.

MLS dropping the separate paywall is interesting, but let’s not get carried away. Just because tens of millions more people can now watch MLS doesn’t mean they should when Fulham vs. Burnley exists.

It’s time to turn the page on Gio’s behavior at the ‘22 World Cup. He’s suffering enough, so let’s stop beating that same old dead horse. Gregg Berhalter was the one to blame for that entire situation anyway. We’re in the mess we’re in today because of that bald fraud. By: 11 Yanks

Pilot for the World Cup ‘26 halftime shows alongside Alexi Lalas, Carli Lloyd and Elizabeth Eddy

Have American players have finally made it? Dominating the likes of Tajikistan at youth level. World Cup ‘26 Champs

Sure, Patrick Agyemang dunked on another Championship defender, but in the 3 games I watched he appears to have regressed since his time in MLS, which I did not watch. By: USMNT_Stan

Pochettino continues his track record of calling up MLS lifers, under-performers and unqualified players. Here’s why he’s gotten the Gio decision right 🧵 👇 By: 11 Yanks

When I played, everyone knew their position. Now people tell me “gender is fluid.” Okay—but not in a 4-4-2. By: Alexi Lalas

Gio continues to be a prolific scorer of own goals

The American Soccer Playoff Bracket closes at Inter Miami’s kickoff tonight: 8pm ET. Fill out your bracket and stand a chance to win! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

In a direct blow to Matt Doyle, Mauricio Pochettino kills Camp Cupcake.

Messi, the GOAT 🐐, extends his stay at the world's preeminent soccer retirement home. What makes this the best decision for Messi and an awful idea for MLS 🧵👇

Failed USMNT GM, Brian McBride, the perfect fit for Brooklyn FC GM role.

A La Liga match being played in America was bad for MLS. Here’s why the abrupt cancellation of Villarreal and Barcelona’s La Liga match in Miami is even worse news for the league.

Are Apple and MLS making the playoffs too available?

Chris Armas on his future being out of contract, after being snarky and attacking our coverage as always being negative and wondering how many people read us: "It's fresh. It just ended (the season). We'll have discussions."

Berhalter’s coaching tree finishing above Berhalter himself doesn’t prove he develops talent — it proves he spreads mediocrity efficiently. Standards matter.

@wstpitchbot.bsky.social: "MLS' role in American player development in doubt after 4th straight year without an American atop the 22-under-22 list"

US Soccer is my passion

Whether it’s Pochettino not talking to players at all or Berhalter FaceTiming every player in the pool, it’s clear the USMNT has a comms problem

Why Patrick Agyemang's 0.6 goal contributions per match at Derby County prove the EFL Championship is miles ahead of MLS, where Big Pat averaged 0.34 contributions per match.

A huge statement World Cup win for our 🇺🇸 U-20s vs. a 🇫🇷 squad made up of players mostly developed in Europe’s top 5 leagues. Meanwhile US Soccer & MLS continue to hamper American youth soccer development. We’ve never looked worse as a nation. By: 11 Yanks and Tactical Manager

Nathaniel Brown called into senior German national team. Berhalter to blame?

Reports coming out of US Soccer that Joe Scally and Gio Reyna have been LEFT OFF of the #USMNT roster to be announced tomorrow. Let’s dive into why Poch prefers playoff bound MLS lifers over 2. Bundesliga relegation playoff shoe-ins 🧵 👇

INVESTIGATIVE REPORT | Is the MLS Quota Infiltrating the USYNT?

In a serious soccer country, roster announcements don’t feel like guessing games. Fans already know the spine of the team. We don’t wonder if an MLS guy will get a call over a Bundesliga role player. We don’t celebrate ‘depth’ when it’s really just mediocrity. Standards matter.

Pochettino said the time for experimenting ended in September. Now, I don’t believe in a MLS quota, but if more than 1 MLS player is called in, or if a single European based guy carrying an injury or playing <300 min this season is left off, I’ll believe it. By: Tactical Manager

Don’t be fooled — today isn’t about Pochettino. It’s about whether the MLS quota survives. Call it politics, call it patterns, call it what you want. But if the roster tilts domestic, we already know who’s pulling the strings.

INBOX

Exclusive: MLS bias looms large over Pochettino’s October camp roster. Everyone knows the narrative: MLS is irrelevant, yet somehow everywhere. Full analysis coming soon — plus our guide on how to watch every MLS player this weekend.

Chapeu Football 🇧🇷

Alex Freeman is having the best g+ season of any fullback ever and I haven't seen a single person rank him as the best U22 player this year, further proof that our nation's corrupt media will do anything for Sounders fan clicks

President Trump says we should move World Cup matches out of ‘unsafe’ cities. Honestly? He's right. If we can’t handle it, don’t host it. American soccer, we eat our own. By: Alexi Lalas

Mexico’s Jaguar mascot, Zayu, named captain of FIFA World Cup 2026 by President Gianni Infantino. The White House hasn’t returned our request for comment.

It may shock the good folks on this app that a number of users on the other site are amplifying & engaging with this as if it’s a real opinion. Kinda disappointed in y’all that it’s not doing similar numbers here, ngl

Bombshell: Gio Reyna came through MLS’s NYCFC academy. His money is going to USL. What does that say about his faith in the system?

DC United hiring someone who acts like he knows soccer is peak MLS. And I should know — I’ve acted that part for years. By: 11 Yanks