U.S. Soccer Podcast

2d ago

December is Disability Soccer Month, and this week on the U.S. Soccer Podcast presented by Henkel we’re shining a light on our Extended National Teams with two special guests. Josh Brunais, captain of the Men's Cerebral Palsy National Team, shares his journey from a military career to soccer champion, leading the U.S. to the 2025 IFCPF Copa América title. Later, Chief Advancement Officer Leah Burton introduces U.S. Soccer’s “Behind the Dream” campaign and discusses how philanthropy is helping propel the sport forward. 00:00:52 – Intro with David Gass and Meghan Klingenberg 00:03:37 – Kling interviews Josh Brunais 00:08:30 – Josh’s military service 00:14:40 – His path to the CP National Team 00:22:40 – The different rules of CP soccer 00:29:55 – Winning the 2025 IFCPF Copa América title 00:37:50 – Josh’s first cap 00:41:15 – 2016 Paralympics & meeting President Barack Obama 00:48:15 – U.S. Soccer’s Extended National Teams 00:50:18 – Leah Burton discusses ‘Beyond the Dream’ 01:05:25 – Ask the Pros presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts The U.S. Soccer Podcast is a production from U.S. Soccer hosted by David Gass, Meghan Klingenberg and Alejandro Bedoya. The podcast brings you in-depth interviews with U.S. Soccer stars of the past, present and future. Episodes drop weekly on Wednesdays. Hosts: Meghan Klingenberg, David Gass Guests: Justin Brunais, Leah Burton Producer: Matthew Nelson More on the U.S. Men’s CP National Team: https://www.ussoccer.com/teams/mens-cp-national-team To learn more, visit http://www.ussoccer.com/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 10

The stage is set! The U.S. Men’s National Team was drawn into Group D along with Paraguay, Australia and the winner of UEFA Playoff C – either Kosovo, Romania, Slovakia or Türkiye – at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final Draw held Dec. 5 in Washington, D.C. We’re months away from the first group stage match for the Americans against Paraguay on June 12 at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. So, what comes next? Sporting Director Matt Crocker joins the show to take us behind the scenes of U.S. Soccer’s preparations in the months ahead and the belief building around the USMNT, which enters 2026 on a five-match unbeaten streak. 0:37 – Intro with David Gass and Meghan Klingenberg 4:45 – Gass and Kling interview Matt Crocker 8 46 – The process of scouting Paraguay and Australia 9:55 – How the sporting department works with USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino 12:45 – On how the staff can prepare for a team yet to be determined in UEFA Playoff C 14:45 – Crocker's assessment of wins over Australia in October and Paraguay in November 17:20 – The competitive advantage we don't realize the U.S. has playing on home soil 20:30 – The ‘traveling circus’ of a World Cup camp and building the best environment for the players 24:00 – How U.S. Soccer embraces the families along for the ride 26:20 – Changing to a 48-team tournament 27:35 – “Our objective is to win the World Cup” 29:10 – “I'm a snotty-nosed little soccer kid from Wales” 31:50 – Learn more about U.S. Soccer’s ‘Never Chase Reality’ campaign 33:00 – How the 2026 FIFA World Cup and upcoming tournaments will give U.S. Soccer the platform to grow and elevate soccer in America 38:10 – Ask the Pros presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts https://youtu.be/D3yyRji0gyI The U.S. Soccer Podcast is a production from U.S. Soccer hosted by David Gass, Meghan Klingenberg and Alejandro Bedoya. The podcast brings you in-depth interviews with U.S. Soccer stars of the past, present and future. Episodes drop weekly on Wednesdays. Hosts: David Gass, Meghan Klingenberg Guest: Matt Crocker Producer: Matthew Nelson To learn more, visit http://www.ussoccer.com/podcast For more on Matt Crocker, visit https://www.ussoccer.com/executive-leadership/matt-crocker Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 3

We’re taking you behind the scenes of the U.S. Soccer Summit in New York City with this week’s episode which features an exclusive panel interview with USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino and assistant coach Jesús Pérez hosted by FOX broadcaster Jenny Taft. 00:15 – Intro with David Gass and Meghan Klingenberg 04:16 – Jenny Taft interviews USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino and assistant coach Jesús Pérez 08:49 – Mauricio Pochettino on building a “family-style” connection to American soccer 12:45 – Jesús Pérez on the importance of his role on implementing Pochettino’s vision 14:40 – Mauricio Pochettino on why this was the right time in his career to become USMNT head coach 16:45 – Comparing the club experience to the national team 18:40 – Thoughts on the Arthur M. Blank National Training Center, which will be ready in 2026 22:15 – Pochettino’s vision and timeline for the 2026 FIFA World Cup 27:20 – The state of the USMNT program now coming off recent wins over Paraguay and Uruguay in November 29:00 – Managing expectations for a World Cup on home soil 34:50 – How Pérez has seen the USMNT players grow and trust Pochettino 36:35 – Reaction to the four matches for the U.S. Men’s National Team’s final march towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup featuring three of the world’s top 10-teams in Belgium, Portugal and Germany 38:55 – How Mauricio Pochettino is liking America sports culture and the connection to the movie Miracle 44:30 – Details of the FIFA World Cup Draw on Friday, Dec. 5 and U.S. Soccer’s event in the heart of Times Square in New York City 45:30 – Ask the Pros presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts The U.S. Soccer Podcast is a production from U.S. Soccer hosted by David Gass, Meghan Klingenberg and Alejandro Bedoya. The podcast brings you in-depth interviews with U.S. Soccer stars of the past, present and future. Episodes drop weekly on Wednesdays. Hosts: David Gass, Meghan Klingenberg, Jenny Taft Guest: Mauricio Pochettino, Jesús Perez Producer: Matthew Nelson Supervising Producer: Sandy McAfee Executive Producer: Michael Allardyce To learn more, visit http://www.ussoccer.com/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 26

Have you ever wondered who’s next to head coach Mauricio Pochettino on the bench during a U.S. Men’s National Team match? Get to know Jesús Pérez, USMNT assistant coach, Pochettino’s right-hand man and this week’s featured guest on the U.S. Soccer Podcast. Since joining Pochettino nearly 15 years ago at his first managerial job in Europe, Pérez has supported Pochettino at each successive stop on the European club circuit and now serves alongside him on the U.S. staff preparing the National Team for the FIFA 2026 World Cup. 0:30 – Intro with David Gass, Alejandro Bedoya and Meghan Klingenberg 2:18 – Ale interviews U.S. Men’s National Team assistant coach Jesús Pérez 3:03 – Pérez shares his soccer journey growing up in Barcelona and playing right wing 6:00 – Meeting Mauricio Pochettino for the first time at Espanyol and early coaching days in La Liga 13:00 – Pérez on what impresses him most about Pochettino 15:12 – How the USMNT coaching staff utilizes data analytics and the role it plays in roster selection 24:40 – What is Team USA’s tactics and philosophies? 27:00 – Pérez discusses the FIFA 2026 World Cup: "We really believe that we can win it” 31:00 – Working with swimmers and how that shaped his coaching perspective 33:40 – Gass and Kling react to the interview (they're fired up!), then Kling and Ale name the assistant coaches, including Pat Noonan, who impacted their careers 39:40 – Show your fandom and shop official U.S. Soccer gear this holiday season 40:00 – Join our World Cup Group Draw experience in Times Square in New York City 40:25 – Ask the Pros presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts 47:30 – Ale Bedoya looks back on the 2025 MLS season for Philadelphia Union and reacts to the season coming to an end in the MLS Cup Playoffs The U.S. Soccer Podcast is a production from U.S. Soccer hosted by David Gass, Meghan Klingenberg and Alejandro Bedoya. The podcast brings you in-depth interviews with U.S. Soccer stars of the past, present and future. Episodes drop weekly on Wednesdays. Hosts: Alejandro Bedoya, David Gass, Meghan Klingenberg Guest: Jesús Pérez Producer: Matthew Nelson To learn more, visit http://www.ussoccer.com/podcast ### Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 19

Two of our hosts go head-to-head in the latest episode of the U.S. Podcast! In front of a live audience at Subaru Park, Pennsylvania native Meghan Klingenberg interviews Philadelphia Union star and co-host Alejandro Bedoya about his favorite memories over the years playing soccer for club and country. 0:26 – Intro with David Gass, Meghan Klingenberg and Alejandro Bedoya 3:45 – Kling interviews Ale, co-host and Philadelphia Union midfielder 5:20 – Growing up in a soccer household 10:00 – North Jersey, playing for the Clifton Stallions 11:15 – Why Bedoya chose not to enter the MLS SuperDraft 15:25 – Collecting rejection emails 17:30 – The racquet sport of 'padel’ 22:35 – Sweden and speaking Swedish 25:40 – Rangers FC and the rivalry with Celtic in Scotland 32:45 – Developing as a player in Europe 36:55 – Red card or play on? 41:30 – U.S. Men’s National Team callups 44:00 – 2014 World Cup in Brazil 49:00 – Major League Soccer and signing with Philadelphia Union 56:00 – What gives Alejandro Bedoya joy 59:15 – Ask the Pros presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts This episode was recorded in front of a live audience prior to the matchup between the U.S. Men’s National Team and Paraguay on Nov. 15 at Subaru Stadium in Chester, Pennsylvania. Learn more on how you can be part of upcoming live shows by becoming a U.S. Soccer Insider . The U.S. Soccer Podcast is a production from U.S. Soccer hosted by David Gass, Meghan Klingenberg and Alejandro Bedoya. The podcast tells stories in service to soccer and the people who live it, amplifying player voices and the stories behind the game. Episodes drop weekly on Wednesdays. Hosts: Meghan Klingenberg, David Gass, Alejandro Bedoya Guest: Alejandro Bedoya Producer: Matthew Nelson To learn more, visit ussoccer.org/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 12

What happens when two quality left fullbacks sit down in the same room? The answer is in this week’s episode of the U.S. Soccer Podcast when host, former USWNT player and World Cup winner Meghan Klingenberg chats with U.S. Men’s National Team defender Antonee “Jedi” Robinson. They discuss the nuances of their shared position, unpack the lore of Robinson’s “Jedi” nickname, look ahead to the 2026 World Cup, and much more. 0:16 – Intro with David Gass and Meghan Klingenberg 1:52 – Kling interviews USMNT and Fulham defender Antonee “Jedi” Robinson 2:30 – Memories of Marcelo 3:50 – What makes the left fullback position unique 8:08 – Star Wars and becoming a “Jedi” 14:15 – Jedi’s “Roman Empire” 15:30 – Returning to USMNT Camp 17:52 – Fulham with Tim Ream & the English Premier League 22:00 – Golf, family and finding joy 23:25 – Thailand 24:50 – Looking ahead to World Cup 2026 27:35 – USMNT vs. Uruguay on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida 29:25 – Ask the Pros presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts The U.S. Soccer Podcast is a production from U.S. Soccer hosted by David Gass, Meghan Klingenberg and Alejandro Bedoya. The podcast tells stories in service to soccer and the people who live it, amplifying player voices and the stories behind the game. Episodes drop weekly on Wednesdays. Hosts: Meghan Klingenberg, David Gass Guest: Antonee "Jedi" Robinson Producer: Matthew Nelson To learn more, visit http://www.ussoccer.com/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 5

Sam Coffey is a woman of many talents, as we learn in this giggle-filled and thoughtful episode of the U.S. Soccer Podcast. Straight from October camp with the U.S. Women’s National Team, the USWNT and Portland Thorns midfielder talks about the team’s preparations heading into next year's qualifying matches for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil (0:30) and how she saw this young group come together to earn back-to-back wins against Portugal on Oct. 26 (where Coffey scored a late goal) and New Zealand on Oct. 29. Then, host and former Thorns teammate Meghan Klingenberg asks Coffey about her distinctive, on-field style (2:30) which features an iconic scrunchie and tucked-in shirt, and how she defines joy (8:15). Coffey shares the pride she feels being part of a family of artists and creators and how that inspired her many, many hobbies outside of soccer (20:00), including playing piano (36:19). Finally, the two end their conversation on a positive note with reflections on their friendship. The U.S. Soccer Podcast is a production from U.S. Soccer hosted by David Gass, Meghan Klingenberg and Alejandro Bedoya. The podcast tells stories in service to soccer and the people who live it, amplifying player voices and the stories behind the game. Episodes drop weekly on Wednesdays. Hosts: Meghan Klingenberg, David Gass Guest: Sam Coffey Producer: Matthew Nelson To learn more, visit http://www.ussoccer.com/podcast ### Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 29

Alyssa Naeher, one of the greatest goalkeepers in U.S. and world history, continues her two-part conversation on the U.S. Soccer Podcast. Click here for Part 1 with Alyssa Naeher The legendary USWNT goalkeeper talks through the highs and lows of her career with host Meghan Klingenberg (2:15). The two friends and former teammates jump right in to discuss Naeher’s favorite memories from the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup (2:30), why Naeher joined the fight for equal pay (8:15), and the penalty kick shootout during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup that was decided by millimeters versus Sweden – and the devastation that followed (14:20). Naeher chats further about the next generation of players for the U.S. Women’s National Team (25:15) and what it takes to earn her trust (27: 31). Finally, Naeher explains the thought process behind her decision to retire from international soccer (30:00) and what she walks away most proud of (44:50). Later, Kling and David Gass show off their own personalized bricks, which are part of the U.S. Soccer Brick Program, and talk about what it means to be engrained in U.S. Soccer history (51:00). Our hosts close out the show discussing Kling's favorite memory from playing with Alyssa (53:15) and answering fan questions on our weekly segment Ask the Pros presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts (55:20). Learn more about the U.S. Soccer Brick Program - https://ussoccerbricks.com/ The U.S. Soccer Podcast is a production from U.S. Soccer hosted by David Gass, Meghan Klingenberg and Alejandro Bedoya. The podcast tells stories in service to soccer and the people who live it, amplifying player voices and the stories behind the game. Episodes drop weekly on Wednesdays. Hosts: Meghan Klingenberg, David Gass Guest: Alyssa Naeher Producer: Matthew Nelson To learn more, visit http://www.ussoccer.com/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices