Kristen Hamilton and Kansas City will try to win their third straight playoff game away from home in Saturday’s NWSL final vs. Portland (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
It’s another big soccer weekend ahead with the NWSL final (Portland-Kansas City), the MLS semifinals (Philadelphia-New York City, LAFC-Austin), the Liga MX final (Pachuca-Toluca), the Copa Libertadores final (Flamengo-Athletico Paranaense) and Liverpool-Leeds.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!
Hey Grant! I have a question for you about your match viewing routines. I've heard you mention your favorite pub to watch matches in NYC, and it made me wonder: are there certain matches that you feel you can watch in a public environment, but others you feel you need to watch alone so that you can focus more (and have the ability to provide your thoughts and analysis on)? I find that when I watch matches with buddies or at a pub, I love the experience, but don't get to pay quite as close of attention as when I watch solo.
I hope to catch a match with you at a pub one day!
The whole situation with Christiano Ronaldo at Manchester United got me thinking about how long he has been playing and how much he has changed as a player. As his career winds down, what are some memories that stick out to you from peak Christiano Ronaldo?
My ultimate bucket list item is attending a World Cup abroad. Given your travels and passion for the game, which country(ies) do you feel would make for the best once in a lifetime all-around fan experience?
In a fictional world where Club teams and National teams could both compete in the same tournaments with their full rosters (i.e Messi could play for PSG and Argentina at the same time, and imagine he is always fully fit for both) who would be the favorites to win that tournament? Would it be a National team like Brazil or a Club like Man City?
In a recent pod, in discussing USWNT you said something along the lines of "from what I'm hearing Sam Mewis isn't coming back" ... can you elaborate? Last I heard KC was putting her on SEI because they couldn't wait for her recovery. Thanks!
I may be the only person who doesn’t know the answer to this question, but is there an official “ drop dead “ date by which the USMNT roster for this year’s World Cup competition must be announced?
Do you have any tips for _how_ to watch soccer games? I've been trying to take in more of the field when I watch rather than just following the ball, but I find that if I stop concentrating on doing that I end up just following the ball again. Is that something that just comes with practice?
Am I missing something? Isn't Qatar the country that bought the World Cup, which led to all the corruption in FIFA being exposed? As the World Cup approaches why isn't this ever brought up?
Spain and Portugal announced they're doing a joint bid with Ukraine for the 2030 World Cup. Do you think that will hurt or help their bid, in terms of the FIFA voters? Ukraine has worldwide support, but who knows when the war will be over?
How fatigued will national teams be when the World Cup begins? How will the timing of this World Cup (potentially) cause it to be different from other World Cups in terms of the fitness of players?
Assuming Vlatko coaches the USWNT through the WC, who might take over for him after that? Or is he likely to coach through the Olympic cycle with a decent (say semifinal) showing?
As a supporter of an NWSL team whose season is over, I've started casting my mind toward the next NWSL draft. My questions for you: how important is the NWSL draft and why do some teams seem to use it more so much successfully than others? For example, Kansas City seems to have gotten a lot of value out of the 2021 and 2022 drafts (that Alex Loera was a fourth round pick blows my mind), whereas several teams hardly gave any minutes to their rookies.
Inspired by your interview with Joshua Robinson and Jonathan Clegg about their "Messi vs Ronaldo" book -- are there any topics for soccer books that you wish someone would write about (not something you'd like to write about yourself, but more something you'd like to read about that isn't out there yet)?
Grant — how would you compare the level of play in MLS versus some of the European leagues ( outside the top tier ones — EPL, La Liga , Bundesliga and Italy )
Any updates on Abby Dahlkemper's health/standing with USWNT? Been a bummer not seeing her on the field much and noticed you didn't list her at all in your potential World Cup CBs scenarios.
How are the Ukrainian professional soccer teams coping with the war in their homeland? Is the league still playing? Have they set up new training bases out of country? An interview with these team leaders would be insightful.
Hey Grant! I have a question for you about your match viewing routines. I've heard you mention your favorite pub to watch matches in NYC, and it made me wonder: are there certain matches that you feel you can watch in a public environment, but others you feel you need to watch alone so that you can focus more (and have the ability to provide your thoughts and analysis on)? I find that when I watch matches with buddies or at a pub, I love the experience, but don't get to pay quite as close of attention as when I watch solo.
I hope to catch a match with you at a pub one day!
Thanks,
Jeff
This is a good question and I hope Grant answers.
What is your ideal MLS playoff format?
Slightly off topic but necessary to ask. Who does the Miller Lite ad reads (not Chris)? Voice sounds familiar but I cannot put my finger on it.
The whole situation with Christiano Ronaldo at Manchester United got me thinking about how long he has been playing and how much he has changed as a player. As his career winds down, what are some memories that stick out to you from peak Christiano Ronaldo?
Hi Grant!
My ultimate bucket list item is attending a World Cup abroad. Given your travels and passion for the game, which country(ies) do you feel would make for the best once in a lifetime all-around fan experience?
To clarify, which country(ies) as a WC host. Thanks :)
In a fictional world where Club teams and National teams could both compete in the same tournaments with their full rosters (i.e Messi could play for PSG and Argentina at the same time, and imagine he is always fully fit for both) who would be the favorites to win that tournament? Would it be a National team like Brazil or a Club like Man City?
In a recent pod, in discussing USWNT you said something along the lines of "from what I'm hearing Sam Mewis isn't coming back" ... can you elaborate? Last I heard KC was putting her on SEI because they couldn't wait for her recovery. Thanks!
I may be the only person who doesn’t know the answer to this question, but is there an official “ drop dead “ date by which the USMNT roster for this year’s World Cup competition must be announced?
If:
- Leeds continues on a path toward relegation between now and the start of the transfer window
(with Marsch likely sacked)
- Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson continue to be two of Leeds' best players
- They both show well at the World Cup
Then:
- Grant, should we anticipate a January Premier League transfer for either?
I've already seen one of those vague internet rumors about Man U being interested in Adams.
Thanks, and I love the long form stuff.
Do you have any tips for _how_ to watch soccer games? I've been trying to take in more of the field when I watch rather than just following the ball, but I find that if I stop concentrating on doing that I end up just following the ball again. Is that something that just comes with practice?
Am I missing something? Isn't Qatar the country that bought the World Cup, which led to all the corruption in FIFA being exposed? As the World Cup approaches why isn't this ever brought up?
Spain and Portugal announced they're doing a joint bid with Ukraine for the 2030 World Cup. Do you think that will hurt or help their bid, in terms of the FIFA voters? Ukraine has worldwide support, but who knows when the war will be over?
How fatigued will national teams be when the World Cup begins? How will the timing of this World Cup (potentially) cause it to be different from other World Cups in terms of the fitness of players?
Assuming Vlatko coaches the USWNT through the WC, who might take over for him after that? Or is he likely to coach through the Olympic cycle with a decent (say semifinal) showing?
Crystal Dunn is amazing. After all this time. Plug her in anywhere, and SUCCESS!!! How do you see her on the World Cup team?
What do you know of foreign leagues scouting MLS? Has it grown? Do certain big teams have dedicated scouts?
There’s talk of MLS 1, 2.0 and 3.0. How do you/we define the eras?!
As a supporter of an NWSL team whose season is over, I've started casting my mind toward the next NWSL draft. My questions for you: how important is the NWSL draft and why do some teams seem to use it more so much successfully than others? For example, Kansas City seems to have gotten a lot of value out of the 2021 and 2022 drafts (that Alex Loera was a fourth round pick blows my mind), whereas several teams hardly gave any minutes to their rookies.
Inspired by your interview with Joshua Robinson and Jonathan Clegg about their "Messi vs Ronaldo" book -- are there any topics for soccer books that you wish someone would write about (not something you'd like to write about yourself, but more something you'd like to read about that isn't out there yet)?
thanks - g llanas
Grant — how would you compare the level of play in MLS versus some of the European leagues ( outside the top tier ones — EPL, La Liga , Bundesliga and Italy )
Every year I wonder about this. I’d love to see a detailed breakdown of just where our league sits after 25 years.
Any updates on Abby Dahlkemper's health/standing with USWNT? Been a bummer not seeing her on the field much and noticed you didn't list her at all in your potential World Cup CBs scenarios.
How are the Ukrainian professional soccer teams coping with the war in their homeland? Is the league still playing? Have they set up new training bases out of country? An interview with these team leaders would be insightful.