Christian Pulisic and Chelsea host Tottenham on Sunday (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
It’s another big soccer weekend ahead with a full slate of Premier League games including Chelsea-Spurs and Southampton-Leeds, the start of La Liga and Serie A and 14 MLS and five NWSL games.But first we’ll have our Friday Newsletter. Feel free below to ask your probing, thoughtful and/or amusing questions about any soccer topic, and I’ll answer the best ones tomorrow. Thank you!
Dear Grant -- not exactly a question -- a request.
Back to 2015 -- the USWNT -- that was really the first time I got deeply engaged in following soccer. I really enjoyed the run and when it all was over, I skipped work and my wife and I went to lower Manhattan to experience the team's ticker tape parade..
My favorite player on that team was Meghan Klingenberg. One of those things, I guess -- I just thought she was brilliant -- a tiny tower of strength.
I see that she is still on the pitch playing with Portland. I think it would be interesting if you interviewed her and shared with us her thoughts about the USWNT, the league and the Thorns, and what she thinks about the future for herself when she does put away the game-day cleats.
Why no more podcasts and can I assume no podcasts from Qatar with the DC writer that ate the borscht? You guys made a great team and I looked forward to more coming out.
I still do 2 podcast episodes every week. If you're asking why I don't do podcasts with Brian Straus (one of my favorite people in the media business) anymore, it's because he's at Sports Illustrated and I'm not. Brian took some time off in late 2018 from SI, and from then until early 2020 I did an SI podcast with Luis Miguel Echegaray. LME is now at CBS, and as far as I can tell, SI doesn't do a soccer podcast anymore.
Thanks. I loved doing it with Brian too. The reason I didn't answer you before is because Brian is a private person and requested privacy. That's still the case, actually.
Eric, the pod is still there. I listen to 2 episodes a week. I, too, enjoyed the dailies from Russia with Brian Strauss, but if it’s a choice between Strauss and Landon Donovan, I’ll take Donovan every time. (Sorry, Brian)
No way. Donovan has a perspective Brian doesn't have, but Brian also has a perspective and a willingness to deliver it. I guess he hated doing it, but I loved hearing it.
The podcast ended well before Grant and SI split up. In fact, Grant did another podcast with Luis Echegaray (sp?) post-Brian Straus that was also (I believe) under the SI umbrella. Your second sentence is the more likely reason.
Athletes are humans too. Landon was honest with everyone (and himself!) and he deserved it. Then, he came back in the form of his life. Only to have a petty, ignorant national team coach deny him what he earned.
That being said, Straus was awesome and a fresh voice for the fan.
We are less than 4 months away from the WC and it seems like Qatar officials have so many issues to solve before the tournament. Including the schedule for the first 2 days and whether fans can drink alcohol. Is this going to be a disaster?
Dan Le Betard got BigSoccer riled up during the 2006 World Cup with some anti-soccer comments. Now he employs Fancy Lad Chris Wittyngham. How much is this an indicator of progress for soccer?
How do you think the NWSL compares in terms of quality of play to the European leagues? Do you foresee a day when there will be a match between the European Champions and the American ones?
Anything that you can speak on regarding the OCSC battle for their stadium would be incredibly helpful. Why is Galaxy trying to kick a USL team out of their home stadium when they have plenty of facilities of their own to utilize?
AEG / LA Galaxy II made a first attempt at making a deal with the City of Irvine to take control of Championship Soccer Stadium and evict USL champions Orange County SC and two other professional teams in favor of their MLS Next Pro developmental team. The LA Galaxy issued a statement saying they never intended to evict, however the agenda item that was proposed before the city manager pulled it very late on Monday clearly shows that LA Galaxy would be the ONLY pro team allowed.
Almost 300 community member still showed up Tuesday to the Irvine City Council meeting to voice their concerns and also offer support to Orange County SC.
Please discuss the issue about LA Galaxy trying to poach a stadium and evict established local teams. This issue was discuss on Futbol Americas last night on ESPN+ but could use your journalistic insight.
Here is the agenda item that was scheduled then pulled last minute:
Last three on USMNT roster for Qatar right now, and the last three off?
What does it say about John Brooks’ current form/value that it has taken him this long to find a club on a free transfer, and that club might end up being in Saudi Arabia?
La Liga already plays the SuperCopa (Super Cup) in Saudi Arabia in January, but just for an insane amount of money. The fan environment there is very poor, it would be much more lively and massive to do it in the United States or Mexico, of course. But money is king in today's soccer. At least the top teams in La Liga and Europe will continue to visit the US every year for pre-season, to the delight of the American fans. Last year, the possibility of playing a league game in Miami was discussed but did not come to fruition. I think it would be good to bring a game to Mexico, but it is complicated.
All European leagues will interrupt their activities during the upcoming World Cup. The first time in history with a winter break, with unknown consequences for the physical condition of the players, both for those who will play the World Cup and those who will not.
I feel sad about the rough season my hometown Washington Spirit is having after winning the NWSL championship last year. Do you have any insights - general or specific - about how they've gone from red hot to almost bottom of the pack? (I wonder if it's particularly hard for team cohesion to have a whopping seven players disappear from time to time for USWNT camps?)
From the USMNT perspective. Is the team better with Pulisic playing with Chelsea as a super sub or as a regular player with a lesser Premier league team (ex: West Ham)? Ultimately, the goal is to have Christian at his peak going into the WC.
When a player is pregnant, how long can she typically train? And after the birth, is recovering from a pregnancy similar to recovery from, say, a back strain?
If Seattle doesn't make the playoffs, is Schmetzer out? Does whether Lagerway stays affect Schmetzer's future? If Brian is fired, is Preki the obvious choice for interim coach?
Brian Schmetzer incredibly a huge success story will not ever be fired by the Sounders. My forecast is that Brian eventually will retire on his terms but not for a few years in my opinion.
What outrageously wild predictions would you have for the first half of the Euro season? Some team coming from nowhere or some player we never heard of? Who’s the next Sheriff? Or just who should we turn an eye toward?
This year's Champions League season will be just as strange as the rest of the European Leagues, as the unknown of the first World Cup in winter will affect all competitions in Europe, although it is not known how. The big favorites will start in an advantageous position, as in recent years, where no second-tier teams have reached the semis and finals. But it is not known how the World Cup will affect the teams with the most international players in the World Cup favourites (France, Brazil, Argentina, England, and Spain). It is expected that Manchester City or PSG will finally take a step forward, against the big favourites (Real Madrid, Liverpool, Bayern), and with the unknown of top teams like Chelsea, Barcelona, Juve, Atletico Madrid. Watch out for Ajax, Sevilla, Inter. Let's hope it will be as exciting as last year!
Why is it that women's clubs in Europe are attached to men's clubs as opposed to the "expansion style" in the US? Do you think one model is better for the development of the women's game?
With the self-imposed announcement date passed and nary a peep during the all-star break, is MLS to Vegas off or do we still expect to hear something soon? Also, I'm assuming MLS goes to 32 teams. When will that happen and who are the most likely candidates?
I expect Sounders to make the MLS playoffs no problem if Ruidiaz is able to play for remainder of the season. Would love you see LAFC v Sounders deep into the MLS West.
Dear Grant -- not exactly a question -- a request.
Back to 2015 -- the USWNT -- that was really the first time I got deeply engaged in following soccer. I really enjoyed the run and when it all was over, I skipped work and my wife and I went to lower Manhattan to experience the team's ticker tape parade..
My favorite player on that team was Meghan Klingenberg. One of those things, I guess -- I just thought she was brilliant -- a tiny tower of strength.
I see that she is still on the pitch playing with Portland. I think it would be interesting if you interviewed her and shared with us her thoughts about the USWNT, the league and the Thorns, and what she thinks about the future for herself when she does put away the game-day cleats.
Just a thought.
Ridge (in New Joisey)
Why no more podcasts and can I assume no podcasts from Qatar with the DC writer that ate the borscht? You guys made a great team and I looked forward to more coming out.
I still do 2 podcast episodes every week. If you're asking why I don't do podcasts with Brian Straus (one of my favorite people in the media business) anymore, it's because he's at Sports Illustrated and I'm not. Brian took some time off in late 2018 from SI, and from then until early 2020 I did an SI podcast with Luis Miguel Echegaray. LME is now at CBS, and as far as I can tell, SI doesn't do a soccer podcast anymore.
Thanks for finally answering. I asked in Twitter a few times. I enjoy you with whomever but really enjoyed you and Brian during world cups. :)
Thanks. I loved doing it with Brian too. The reason I didn't answer you before is because Brian is a private person and requested privacy. That's still the case, actually.
Roger that. That's understandable. Hopefully you still both get to go to Qatar. The middle east is a unique place
I'm definitely going, and I'm almost 100% positive that Brian is going.
Cool let him know we miss him and he was and is awesome. :) Thanks for answering and holding it down during COVID with your spouse.
Eric, the pod is still there. I listen to 2 episodes a week. I, too, enjoyed the dailies from Russia with Brian Strauss, but if it’s a choice between Strauss and Landon Donovan, I’ll take Donovan every time. (Sorry, Brian)
No way. Donovan has a perspective Brian doesn't have, but Brian also has a perspective and a willingness to deliver it. I guess he hated doing it, but I loved hearing it.
Grant has never offered an explanation as to why he and Brian stopped doing their podcast. They were great together.
It's pretty obvious. SI fired Grant; Brian still works for SI; their podcast together was an SI product and the one he does now is not.
Before that, Brian took some leave from SI for reasons of his own.
The podcast ended well before Grant and SI split up. In fact, Grant did another podcast with Luis Echegaray (sp?) post-Brian Straus that was also (I believe) under the SI umbrella. Your second sentence is the more likely reason.
Oh yeah, I forgot about that.
Nahhh I'll take Brian everyday and twice on Sunday. I don't like players that take breaks then want to be on the world cup team.
Athletes are humans too. Landon was honest with everyone (and himself!) and he deserved it. Then, he came back in the form of his life. Only to have a petty, ignorant national team coach deny him what he earned.
That being said, Straus was awesome and a fresh voice for the fan.
Hope you are doing well, Brian!
We are less than 4 months away from the WC and it seems like Qatar officials have so many issues to solve before the tournament. Including the schedule for the first 2 days and whether fans can drink alcohol. Is this going to be a disaster?
Dan Le Betard got BigSoccer riled up during the 2006 World Cup with some anti-soccer comments. Now he employs Fancy Lad Chris Wittyngham. How much is this an indicator of progress for soccer?
Fancy indeed! Witty is in quite the purple patch these days. I think Bob's his uncle. :-)
How do you think the NWSL compares in terms of quality of play to the European leagues? Do you foresee a day when there will be a match between the European Champions and the American ones?
Anything that you can speak on regarding the OCSC battle for their stadium would be incredibly helpful. Why is Galaxy trying to kick a USL team out of their home stadium when they have plenty of facilities of their own to utilize?
AEG / LA Galaxy II made a first attempt at making a deal with the City of Irvine to take control of Championship Soccer Stadium and evict USL champions Orange County SC and two other professional teams in favor of their MLS Next Pro developmental team. The LA Galaxy issued a statement saying they never intended to evict, however the agenda item that was proposed before the city manager pulled it very late on Monday clearly shows that LA Galaxy would be the ONLY pro team allowed.
Almost 300 community member still showed up Tuesday to the Irvine City Council meeting to voice their concerns and also offer support to Orange County SC.
Please discuss the issue about LA Galaxy trying to poach a stadium and evict established local teams. This issue was discuss on Futbol Americas last night on ESPN+ but could use your journalistic insight.
Here is the agenda item that was scheduled then pulled last minute:
https://legacy.cityofirvine.org/cityhall/citymanager/pio/ictv/default.asp
Last three on USMNT roster for Qatar right now, and the last three off?
What does it say about John Brooks’ current form/value that it has taken him this long to find a club on a free transfer, and that club might end up being in Saudi Arabia?
Is there any chance MLS and La Liga all star game could be played in Mexico in the future?
La Liga already plays the SuperCopa (Super Cup) in Saudi Arabia in January, but just for an insane amount of money. The fan environment there is very poor, it would be much more lively and massive to do it in the United States or Mexico, of course. But money is king in today's soccer. At least the top teams in La Liga and Europe will continue to visit the US every year for pre-season, to the delight of the American fans. Last year, the possibility of playing a league game in Miami was discussed but did not come to fruition. I think it would be good to bring a game to Mexico, but it is complicated.
Do you have any idea what this Leagues Cup will look like next year? Shutting down season for a month? Everyone is in?
All European leagues will interrupt their activities during the upcoming World Cup. The first time in history with a winter break, with unknown consequences for the physical condition of the players, both for those who will play the World Cup and those who will not.
Got to give Garth Lagerway great credit for his work at Sounders. European teams are quite rightly studying MLS success stories.
I feel sad about the rough season my hometown Washington Spirit is having after winning the NWSL championship last year. Do you have any insights - general or specific - about how they've gone from red hot to almost bottom of the pack? (I wonder if it's particularly hard for team cohesion to have a whopping seven players disappear from time to time for USWNT camps?)
From the USMNT perspective. Is the team better with Pulisic playing with Chelsea as a super sub or as a regular player with a lesser Premier league team (ex: West Ham)? Ultimately, the goal is to have Christian at his peak going into the WC.
With Angel City FC's signing of Almuth Schult, does that telegraph changes with Didi Haracic? Didi has played really well with a spotty back line.
When a player is pregnant, how long can she typically train? And after the birth, is recovering from a pregnancy similar to recovery from, say, a back strain?
If Seattle doesn't make the playoffs, is Schmetzer out? Does whether Lagerway stays affect Schmetzer's future? If Brian is fired, is Preki the obvious choice for interim coach?
Great questions. Also, any info on Euro interest in Lagerway?
Brian Schmetzer incredibly a huge success story will not ever be fired by the Sounders. My forecast is that Brian eventually will retire on his terms but not for a few years in my opinion.
What outrageously wild predictions would you have for the first half of the Euro season? Some team coming from nowhere or some player we never heard of? Who’s the next Sheriff? Or just who should we turn an eye toward?
This year's Champions League season will be just as strange as the rest of the European Leagues, as the unknown of the first World Cup in winter will affect all competitions in Europe, although it is not known how. The big favorites will start in an advantageous position, as in recent years, where no second-tier teams have reached the semis and finals. But it is not known how the World Cup will affect the teams with the most international players in the World Cup favourites (France, Brazil, Argentina, England, and Spain). It is expected that Manchester City or PSG will finally take a step forward, against the big favourites (Real Madrid, Liverpool, Bayern), and with the unknown of top teams like Chelsea, Barcelona, Juve, Atletico Madrid. Watch out for Ajax, Sevilla, Inter. Let's hope it will be as exciting as last year!
In anticipation of the World Cup, how many contenders for the U.S. roster will be starting for their club teams?
Why is it that women's clubs in Europe are attached to men's clubs as opposed to the "expansion style" in the US? Do you think one model is better for the development of the women's game?
With the self-imposed announcement date passed and nary a peep during the all-star break, is MLS to Vegas off or do we still expect to hear something soon? Also, I'm assuming MLS goes to 32 teams. When will that happen and who are the most likely candidates?
From your vantage, Are the Sounders in danger of missing out on the playoffs for the first time in their club history?
I expect Sounders to make the MLS playoffs no problem if Ruidiaz is able to play for remainder of the season. Would love you see LAFC v Sounders deep into the MLS West.