Colorado natives Jaelin Howell, Mallory Pugh and Sophia Smith will represent the USWNT in the Denver area on Saturday (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
The USWNT takes on Colombia in a friendly on Saturday, along with many other global women’s friendlies, and 14 MLS games dominate the weekend.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!
When you are deciding to write a story that some may view as controversial or may cast a negative light on a certain portion of the U.S. soccer community (i.e., USSF, MLS, coaches, players, etc.), what is the calculus involved by you in determining whether or not the story is worth running if it will lead to the possible loss of inside sources or cooperation from one of the governing bodies? For example, when Brian Strauss wrote his piece about the national team under Klinsmann, did he face huge blowback from the USSF?
Since FIFA's announcement last Thursday, I've been day dreaming about what the atmosphere will be like for World Cup 2026 in my home town of Kansas City. I can't wait to welcome fans from all over the world to our great city. In your experience, which international teams' fan bases offer the most energetic atmosphere and are the most fun to be around during a World Cup?
Hola Grant, Did the USMNT have any scouts in the Iran vs. Algeria friendly in Qatar? Seems like the Canada friendly cancellation negatively affected GB's preparation plans. Do the two friendlies against Asian sides mean the Iran match is where the Yanks are banking on 3 points? Risky!
With the announcement that the 2023 MLS All-Star is coming to DC and Audi Field, I wonder what is your take on the state of DC United and why they have been so mid to lower ends of the table for so long.
If Pulisic leaves Chelsea which clubs may be a good fit for him? And looking ahead do you foresee another player following in Landon Donovan’s footsteps and staying in MLS even when they have good offers in Europe?
Interested in your opinion about whether a coach is truly leading a team from a position of strength if they surround themselves with people they “like” and/or know will not challenge them in a substantial way. Is a coach showing strength, weakness, a desire to keep the job or a mix?
Hi Grant... the Apple-MLS media deal sounds great for current fans. But what mechanisms will exist to attract new fans to the league? Sounds like Apple TV+ subscribers who aren't otherwise MLS subscribers will have access to a limited menu of games... that fine, but there's got to be more than "build it and they will come", I hope? Winning over new MLS fans from the Apple demographic is clearly the goal... how will this deal accomplish that?
Do you think MLS will stop after this round of expansion and hold steady, or is there another round coming? If there is another round, how many more teams do you think will come into the league?
SoFi stadium for WC2026 - I believe you had reported that it was off the table for FIFA as it was too narrow. Can you investigate what changed? Assuming Sofi will be modified, and if so, how?
Why is Vlatko bringing two 6's to the Columbian friendlies to back up an injured Andi Sullivan who hasn't been able to complete a 90 minute match yet this season due to her knee injury... yet Coffey and Howell (the two 6's being included in the friendly roster for those 2 games) are NOT included in the roster traveling down to Mexico for qualifying. Why hasn't this guy we've been led to believe is some sort of coaching savant learned anything from the Olympics where he made the same mistake - brought an injured 6 (Ertz) and thought Horan would work out deputizing for Ertz when she couldn't go. Narrator turns to screen: It did not work and his system crumbled against Sweden and Canada.
Now, he's setting us up for the same exact problem and he's doing it while leaving healthy, hungry #6's at home while both Sullivan and Horan compete for the biggest wrap on their knees leading up to the tournament where we will almost certainly have to beat Canada to win and gain Olympic qualification. Make it make sense.
Is Qatar ready to host the World Cup? What problems do you foresee (looking past the problems with awarding them the Cup in the first place). How will these impact the teams? How will these impact the fans? Can you foresee anything positive coming from a World Cup in Qatar?
What is your position of older players taking up roster spots on a national team if they're not fit and in form, and may not be considered as a leader to a largely new squad? What is your position of England naming Leah Williamson as captain? 25 years old, 27 caps.
Sportscasting is entertainment, so the games that will draw the most viewers should be prioritized. But sportscasting is also news, so the most important games should be prioritized. Fox Sports went with the entertainment approach, putting the Nations League group-stage game between Germany and Italy on FS1 while Costa Rica-New Zealand, the very last World Cup 2022 qualifier, was on FS2. I think Fox made the wrong decision. What do you think?
When you are deciding to write a story that some may view as controversial or may cast a negative light on a certain portion of the U.S. soccer community (i.e., USSF, MLS, coaches, players, etc.), what is the calculus involved by you in determining whether or not the story is worth running if it will lead to the possible loss of inside sources or cooperation from one of the governing bodies? For example, when Brian Strauss wrote his piece about the national team under Klinsmann, did he face huge blowback from the USSF?
Since FIFA's announcement last Thursday, I've been day dreaming about what the atmosphere will be like for World Cup 2026 in my home town of Kansas City. I can't wait to welcome fans from all over the world to our great city. In your experience, which international teams' fan bases offer the most energetic atmosphere and are the most fun to be around during a World Cup?
What is your assessment of how Vlatko Andovski is handling the current transition of USWNT old stars to younger generation?
Do you think Berhalter stays as USMNT coach after the World Cup if we don't get out of the group stage? And who might take over if that happens?
What do you think of my Columbus Crew signing of Cucho Hernandez for $10mm?
Hola Grant, Did the USMNT have any scouts in the Iran vs. Algeria friendly in Qatar? Seems like the Canada friendly cancellation negatively affected GB's preparation plans. Do the two friendlies against Asian sides mean the Iran match is where the Yanks are banking on 3 points? Risky!
With the announcement that the 2023 MLS All-Star is coming to DC and Audi Field, I wonder what is your take on the state of DC United and why they have been so mid to lower ends of the table for so long.
Do you think US fans will be one of the larger groups at Qatar ? Will they outnumber the Iranian fans given how close Iran is to Qatar ?
Given that Gianluca Busio is still only 20 and Luca de la Torre is 24, who do you think has the highest ceiling in their prime?
If Pulisic leaves Chelsea which clubs may be a good fit for him? And looking ahead do you foresee another player following in Landon Donovan’s footsteps and staying in MLS even when they have good offers in Europe?
Interested in your opinion about whether a coach is truly leading a team from a position of strength if they surround themselves with people they “like” and/or know will not challenge them in a substantial way. Is a coach showing strength, weakness, a desire to keep the job or a mix?
Hi Grant... the Apple-MLS media deal sounds great for current fans. But what mechanisms will exist to attract new fans to the league? Sounds like Apple TV+ subscribers who aren't otherwise MLS subscribers will have access to a limited menu of games... that fine, but there's got to be more than "build it and they will come", I hope? Winning over new MLS fans from the Apple demographic is clearly the goal... how will this deal accomplish that?
Do you think MLS will stop after this round of expansion and hold steady, or is there another round coming? If there is another round, how many more teams do you think will come into the league?
SoFi stadium for WC2026 - I believe you had reported that it was off the table for FIFA as it was too narrow. Can you investigate what changed? Assuming Sofi will be modified, and if so, how?
Do you think the new Chelsea owners will consider buying an MLS team in the way ManCity parent group owns NYCFC?
Why is Vlatko bringing two 6's to the Columbian friendlies to back up an injured Andi Sullivan who hasn't been able to complete a 90 minute match yet this season due to her knee injury... yet Coffey and Howell (the two 6's being included in the friendly roster for those 2 games) are NOT included in the roster traveling down to Mexico for qualifying. Why hasn't this guy we've been led to believe is some sort of coaching savant learned anything from the Olympics where he made the same mistake - brought an injured 6 (Ertz) and thought Horan would work out deputizing for Ertz when she couldn't go. Narrator turns to screen: It did not work and his system crumbled against Sweden and Canada.
Now, he's setting us up for the same exact problem and he's doing it while leaving healthy, hungry #6's at home while both Sullivan and Horan compete for the biggest wrap on their knees leading up to the tournament where we will almost certainly have to beat Canada to win and gain Olympic qualification. Make it make sense.
Is Qatar ready to host the World Cup? What problems do you foresee (looking past the problems with awarding them the Cup in the first place). How will these impact the teams? How will these impact the fans? Can you foresee anything positive coming from a World Cup in Qatar?
Is Jordan Morris clutch and does he have a place in the USMNT at the WC?
What is your position of older players taking up roster spots on a national team if they're not fit and in form, and may not be considered as a leader to a largely new squad? What is your position of England naming Leah Williamson as captain? 25 years old, 27 caps.
How do you see the USMNT roster shaping up for the World Cup? Is there a clear front-runner for striker? Could there be a false 9?
What is the worst jersey in MLS history, and why are the Timbers wearing it this year?
Sportscasting is entertainment, so the games that will draw the most viewers should be prioritized. But sportscasting is also news, so the most important games should be prioritized. Fox Sports went with the entertainment approach, putting the Nations League group-stage game between Germany and Italy on FS1 while Costa Rica-New Zealand, the very last World Cup 2022 qualifier, was on FS2. I think Fox made the wrong decision. What do you think?
What the hell is the deal with Christen Press NOT making the squad, even before she was hurt?