(Photographs by Alex Livesey and Julian Finney/Getty Images)
It’s another busy soccer weekend ahead with title races in the Premier League (Liverpool-Spurs and Man City-Newcastle) and Serie A (Hellas Verona-Milan and Inter-Empoli), the NWSL Challenge Cup final (North Carolina-Washington), Chelsea trying to hold off Arsenal on the last day of the WSL season, the Premier League relegation battle, the start of the Liga MX playoffs and a full slate of MLS 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!
Do you think the CCL win and fan support at Lumen does anything to secure Seattle some ‘26 World Cup games? I know you’ve said it’s a city you’re hearing good things about but do you think this makes it more of a lock? Do you think this is even something FIFA was looking at?
How much do you think the 2026 World Cup can grow the game in the US? What are your memories about the 1994 WC and the excitement about that domestically and the soccer growth afterwards?
What impact will the explosion of interest in the women’s game in Europe have on the USWNT’s long term prospects as a perennial WC and Olympic gold medal contender?
What is your opinion of Gio Reyna’s potential when fit and injury free? In your estimation how big a club can he go to and what is his profile for USMNT at the peak of his powers?
Does City crashing out of CL change your opinion on Liverpool winning the Premier League and (gasp), the Quadruple? City has nothing left to play for, but that Premier League title.
The MLS continues to disengage fans instead of engaging. For some reason, they don't know what fans want. Better VAR. Better injury reports. A non-PHD degree to understand player allocation methods. Great games scheduled at 11pm EST. It isn't a junior league anymore, but the MLS acts like a banana republic to their fans.
On another website, in a story about the Sounders victory last night, someone asked why Stefan Frei hasn't been given a decent shot at the keeper's job for the USMNT. I know you've written about this some before, but what are your latest thoughts on a) if Frei will be given a look by Berhalter and his staff this summer; and b) if not, why not? (As an aside, was it a surprise to you that Steffen didn't play in the second leg of Man City-Real Madrid the other day? I thought I saw his name listed in the pre-game lineup, but that was clearly an error or premature.) So glad you made it to Seattle!
Der Spiegel had a good expose a few weeks back on all the financial self-dealing that CIty does. Is there going to be any penalty for City for this continued malfeasance?
I can understand the excitement for the USMNT’s prospects in ‘26 but isn’t that at least partially muted by the AWFUL decision to expand to 48 teams. Seems like a crapshoot that anyone gets out of the group with a format that is sure to be worse than the current one. Why is this not more of an outrage?! (I mean, other than the money)
Where did you get the CONCACAF hat and for what price?
Do you think the CCL win and fan support at Lumen does anything to secure Seattle some ‘26 World Cup games? I know you’ve said it’s a city you’re hearing good things about but do you think this makes it more of a lock? Do you think this is even something FIFA was looking at?
How much do you think the 2026 World Cup can grow the game in the US? What are your memories about the 1994 WC and the excitement about that domestically and the soccer growth afterwards?
So, this Obed Vargas kid, he may have potential, huh?
What impact will the explosion of interest in the women’s game in Europe have on the USWNT’s long term prospects as a perennial WC and Olympic gold medal contender?
Can MLS competes with South American clubs? Any chance of a combined competition/ champion league happening?
What is your opinion of Gio Reyna’s potential when fit and injury free? In your estimation how big a club can he go to and what is his profile for USMNT at the peak of his powers?
Does City crashing out of CL change your opinion on Liverpool winning the Premier League and (gasp), the Quadruple? City has nothing left to play for, but that Premier League title.
What happens to Busio and Tessman with Venezia crashing out of Serie A?
Would Tyler Adams have made the difference for RB Leipzig in the EUL with his defensive recovery ability? Any idea why he didn’t appear?
Did you hear anything (that you can repeat) regarding the location, format, and timing of the next Club World Cup?
Will USA international players come to USA for the Uruguay game?
The MLS continues to disengage fans instead of engaging. For some reason, they don't know what fans want. Better VAR. Better injury reports. A non-PHD degree to understand player allocation methods. Great games scheduled at 11pm EST. It isn't a junior league anymore, but the MLS acts like a banana republic to their fans.
Will City ever win the CL? 😞
On another website, in a story about the Sounders victory last night, someone asked why Stefan Frei hasn't been given a decent shot at the keeper's job for the USMNT. I know you've written about this some before, but what are your latest thoughts on a) if Frei will be given a look by Berhalter and his staff this summer; and b) if not, why not? (As an aside, was it a surprise to you that Steffen didn't play in the second leg of Man City-Real Madrid the other day? I thought I saw his name listed in the pre-game lineup, but that was clearly an error or premature.) So glad you made it to Seattle!
Which team is most likely to win the 2nd CONCACAF CL title for the MLS? And how long do you think the wait will be?
Der Spiegel had a good expose a few weeks back on all the financial self-dealing that CIty does. Is there going to be any penalty for City for this continued malfeasance?
Grant,
I can understand the excitement for the USMNT’s prospects in ‘26 but isn’t that at least partially muted by the AWFUL decision to expand to 48 teams. Seems like a crapshoot that anyone gets out of the group with a format that is sure to be worse than the current one. Why is this not more of an outrage?! (I mean, other than the money)