Tyler Adams, Brenden Aaronson and Leeds United take on Christian Pulisic’s Chelsea on Sunday (Photograph by Grant Wahl)
It’s another big soccer weekend ahead with a full slate of Premier League games including Leeds-Chelsea and Manchester United-Liverpool, Real Sociedad-Barcelona, Atalanta-Milan, Monterrey-Tigres, Porto-Sporting, the WICC and 14 MLS and four 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!
I am big USMNT fan. Is there one good website/newsletter that provides a good consolidated synopsis of how each USMNT players played at their respective clubs the past week. If I don't have time to watch the club games, it is hard to tell how these guys are doing.
I know you have a relationship with US soccer and the broadcasters so these are tough questions, but here they go
1. You touched upon, but never really went full steam ahead, on the fact that zUS soccer won’t schedule games in east coast cities because the other teams’ Stan’s will show en mass, especially if it’s a Latin-Mercian team. It seems self defeating to me, yes a bit racist , and bad for the team. A game with crazed fans is great for soccer and great for the team. Will the USMNT change course in the future, why/why not?
2. USMNT fans seem to want a serious soccer broadcast and pre/post game. I’m NFL, MLB, and NBA Too. I hate the nonsense, jokes, bits, comedy and just want pure intelligent analysis. I think nbc sports has done this with EPL. ESPN at times has done this with international games. Can we count on the World Cup on fox treating us, the fans, like adults and not trying to “Americanize” the broadcast?
What the hell is going on with the Indian FA? FIFA trying root out government interference or just trying to preserve the FIFA good ‘ol boys network? (like when Infantino supported Cordiero for US prez).
I saw a rumor on Twitter yesterday that Pulisic might be moving to Manchester United and I immediately started screaming and rending my garments. Have you heard anything?
I don't understand why Brooks isn't of interest to the USMNT. I know he's not playing right now, but the results he's achieved and experience he has seem to be of some potential value.
For a hot second, imagine the rumor and possible reality of Dest and Pulisic joining up with Aaronson, Adams, and Marsch at Leeds? Would that help the US in the World Cup or give too much film to Wales, England, and Iran? Or would the Red Bull style of play be too different than what Berhalter will play? What would it mean if Leeds are top of the table or are relegated.
USYNT U20's put on one of the worse displays of soccer I have ever witnessed. Totally fell apart under pressure and never understanding where to relieve pressure. Playing against Concacaf sides doesn't prepare them for international teams and the speed of play. I didn't see a lot of athleticism either which is surprising. I think that bringing in coaches from soccer cultures out side of the US needs to be on the table and MLS academies would also help. The teams that beat them all have players in pro leagues. Colleges don't cut it in todays hyper competitive women's soccer. Thoughts?
Of the 32 teams in the Champions League group stage, 16 are from just four countries. Then 10 more are from seven countries. That leaves six spots for forty-four countries. Yeah, some of those countries are tiny places like Andorra, but they also include Scotland and Serbia and Romania, homes of clubs that have won in the (distant) past. Sure, those four leagues get so many spots because they have best clubs. But those clubs are the best in part because they get Champions League revenue, so the cycle reinforces itself. I know there's no chance that the rich clubs would allow any of their spots to get taken away, but wouldn't it be better for soccer as a whole if more countries and clubs had better access to the group stage?
Is there any news/rumors for how Apple will handle announcing teams for the new broadcasting deal? Currently love my espn+ subscription with some of the great broadcasting teams in MLS - especially with Mark Followill/Steve Davis in Dallas and Chris/Ray in Miami. Any chance that these (and other) great local teams get to stay on and continue their coverage?
Hey Grant... at this point it's pretty obvious there is more broken at MLS side Atlanta United than Achilles tendons and ACLs. When will the front office (minus the recently departed Darren Eales) be held to account?
It seems that the USMNT is more diverse than ten or twenty years ago. Certainly more African Americans. Do you think US Soccer and MLS are doing enough there? Should they? Or is it simply to do with the marketplace - higher salaries will attract better athletes, many of whom are African American?
Hi Grant, you have been a stalwart of the soccer sports journalism scene. Obviously your Substack business model signals a change in the way we consumer sports content. I'm curious what are your thoughts on the short-term and long-term outlook of of the soccer media landscape.
Who do you recommend for the best CONCACAF-specific coverage? I enjoy Futbol Americas with Herculez Gomez and Sebi Salazar, but what else is there for well-reported and written stories and features like you do for global soccer?
I watched the Coyotes-Loons match on Sunday and saw many empty seats. I'm sure Geodis Park is great, but did they maybe go a bit too big? I love watching the Loons at Allianz and often wish it was a bit bigger, but maybe they made the right call to go a bit smaller (with, I assume room for expansion) than too big?
What can be done to help MLS spectators at the stadium understand what is being VAR checked while we are at the stadium? Currently, MLS does no communications with the spectators at the stadium leaving the 20k-60k fans wondering what is going on. At least EPL, has setup bare minimum communications that a VAR is taking place and illustrates on the screens any final decisions. Would be great if that could happen at MLS stadiums too.
Grant - Enjoyed the interview with Brian Phillips and I subscribed to his excellent podcast, 22 Goals - the first two episodes were terrific. My question - if you were going to tape a podcast centered around 5-10 historical soccer goals, how would you decide which ones to select and what would be your choices? Thanks!
I am big USMNT fan. Is there one good website/newsletter that provides a good consolidated synopsis of how each USMNT players played at their respective clubs the past week. If I don't have time to watch the club games, it is hard to tell how these guys are doing.
Questions
I know you have a relationship with US soccer and the broadcasters so these are tough questions, but here they go
1. You touched upon, but never really went full steam ahead, on the fact that zUS soccer won’t schedule games in east coast cities because the other teams’ Stan’s will show en mass, especially if it’s a Latin-Mercian team. It seems self defeating to me, yes a bit racist , and bad for the team. A game with crazed fans is great for soccer and great for the team. Will the USMNT change course in the future, why/why not?
2. USMNT fans seem to want a serious soccer broadcast and pre/post game. I’m NFL, MLB, and NBA Too. I hate the nonsense, jokes, bits, comedy and just want pure intelligent analysis. I think nbc sports has done this with EPL. ESPN at times has done this with international games. Can we count on the World Cup on fox treating us, the fans, like adults and not trying to “Americanize” the broadcast?
How does US Soccer pick jersey designs and why are they so bad?
What the hell is going on with the Indian FA? FIFA trying root out government interference or just trying to preserve the FIFA good ‘ol boys network? (like when Infantino supported Cordiero for US prez).
What are your favorite sources for soccer news? Podcasts websites ect
Do you foresee any deadline day Burofax issues? :-)
Are you concerned that after your last Qatar story, and your coming Qatar story, you might not be allowed into the country in November?
I saw a rumor on Twitter yesterday that Pulisic might be moving to Manchester United and I immediately started screaming and rending my garments. Have you heard anything?
I don't understand why Brooks isn't of interest to the USMNT. I know he's not playing right now, but the results he's achieved and experience he has seem to be of some potential value.
For a hot second, imagine the rumor and possible reality of Dest and Pulisic joining up with Aaronson, Adams, and Marsch at Leeds? Would that help the US in the World Cup or give too much film to Wales, England, and Iran? Or would the Red Bull style of play be too different than what Berhalter will play? What would it mean if Leeds are top of the table or are relegated.
Which club (other than Leeds United) would you pick to be featured in the next "All or Nothing" season?
USYNT U20's put on one of the worse displays of soccer I have ever witnessed. Totally fell apart under pressure and never understanding where to relieve pressure. Playing against Concacaf sides doesn't prepare them for international teams and the speed of play. I didn't see a lot of athleticism either which is surprising. I think that bringing in coaches from soccer cultures out side of the US needs to be on the table and MLS academies would also help. The teams that beat them all have players in pro leagues. Colleges don't cut it in todays hyper competitive women's soccer. Thoughts?
Of the 32 teams in the Champions League group stage, 16 are from just four countries. Then 10 more are from seven countries. That leaves six spots for forty-four countries. Yeah, some of those countries are tiny places like Andorra, but they also include Scotland and Serbia and Romania, homes of clubs that have won in the (distant) past. Sure, those four leagues get so many spots because they have best clubs. But those clubs are the best in part because they get Champions League revenue, so the cycle reinforces itself. I know there's no chance that the rich clubs would allow any of their spots to get taken away, but wouldn't it be better for soccer as a whole if more countries and clubs had better access to the group stage?
Is there any news/rumors for how Apple will handle announcing teams for the new broadcasting deal? Currently love my espn+ subscription with some of the great broadcasting teams in MLS - especially with Mark Followill/Steve Davis in Dallas and Chris/Ray in Miami. Any chance that these (and other) great local teams get to stay on and continue their coverage?
Hey Grant... at this point it's pretty obvious there is more broken at MLS side Atlanta United than Achilles tendons and ACLs. When will the front office (minus the recently departed Darren Eales) be held to account?
It seems that the USMNT is more diverse than ten or twenty years ago. Certainly more African Americans. Do you think US Soccer and MLS are doing enough there? Should they? Or is it simply to do with the marketplace - higher salaries will attract better athletes, many of whom are African American?
Any reactions to the U20 WNT World Cup performance in Costa Rica ?
Hi Grant, you have been a stalwart of the soccer sports journalism scene. Obviously your Substack business model signals a change in the way we consumer sports content. I'm curious what are your thoughts on the short-term and long-term outlook of of the soccer media landscape.
How do they fix Manchester United? How long will it take?
Who do you recommend for the best CONCACAF-specific coverage? I enjoy Futbol Americas with Herculez Gomez and Sebi Salazar, but what else is there for well-reported and written stories and features like you do for global soccer?
I watched the Coyotes-Loons match on Sunday and saw many empty seats. I'm sure Geodis Park is great, but did they maybe go a bit too big? I love watching the Loons at Allianz and often wish it was a bit bigger, but maybe they made the right call to go a bit smaller (with, I assume room for expansion) than too big?
What can be done to help MLS spectators at the stadium understand what is being VAR checked while we are at the stadium? Currently, MLS does no communications with the spectators at the stadium leaving the 20k-60k fans wondering what is going on. At least EPL, has setup bare minimum communications that a VAR is taking place and illustrates on the screens any final decisions. Would be great if that could happen at MLS stadiums too.
Grant - Enjoyed the interview with Brian Phillips and I subscribed to his excellent podcast, 22 Goals - the first two episodes were terrific. My question - if you were going to tape a podcast centered around 5-10 historical soccer goals, how would you decide which ones to select and what would be your choices? Thanks!
As a DC United loyal fan, would love to hear your thoughts on Wayne Rooney as our coach. Thanks.i read your every published word.