Carlos Vela and Supporters Shield-winning LAFC take on crosstown rival LA Galaxy in an MLS quarterfinal Thursday night (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images)
It’s another big soccer weekend ahead with Chelsea-Man United; Leeds-Fulham; Roma-Napoli; and the MLS, NWSL and Liga MX playoffs.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!
More of logistical question as we approach the WC. What are the total number of people who will be supporting the USMNT in Quatar? This includes coaches, trainers, support staff, etc. Does US Soccer even release that information. Seems like it's a big number.
What do you think is the best way to move the needle on the abuses in Qatar? I don't know if I'm strong enough to boycott watching the WC--when it comes to the USMNT, I'm a good example of why fan is short for fanatic. But I'm seriously considering it. If fans don't act, FIFA will have no motivation to change., and I can't think of anything that will get their attention other than the bottom line.
I was coming to ask something similar, also in connection to Qatar getting the 2023 Asian Cup (that is now going to become the 2024 Asian Cup because, again, can't do a summer tournament in Qatar). Is the cat out of the bag or is there anything we can do as fans beyond not watching (and how much does that really matter if the checks for TV rights have already been cashed)?
My boss just announced an in-person all-staff meeting for Dec. 1, the day of the Group E and F finales -- two at a time, so recording isn't viable, even if it were acceptable. My question: what sickness is going to strike me that morning?
Based on recent playing time......do you expect Pulisic to move in the winter transfer window? If so, where? Is his style a better fit in another league? ex: Bundesliga
What are your podcast plans for the World Cup? I assume we'll be getting the Landon, Wahl & Witty pod after US games, but how often will you cover the rest of the tournament?
What role will fatigue and rest play in the World Cup? Both for the USA and for all teams? I'm thinking of the Soccernomics chapter that explains how much fatigue plays a role in the World Cup because teams like England whose players play in the Premier League and have many more games do worse than teams that don't have so many fatigued players. That comes even with one month off before the start and in a longer tournament. Thanks.
Yes! It seems like the fact that the WC is a tournament (not like the Hex, played over a long period of time), gets overlooked in roster decision conversations. I feel like we can make a run IF we get out of the group stage. Big if.
How would you describe the similarities/differences between the USWNT's style of play and the USMNT's? How about between the WNT and European women's teams? Is there anything to be taken from the stronger similarity?
A significant shake up at DC United with a firing of the GM and Dave Kasper being moved to an advisory role. Do you have any inside dope on how they're going to move forward? Do you think Rooney pushed for some of these changes?
Good question! I have a related one for Grant: When will you put out your projected USMNT lineup (aka, what lineup do you think Berhalter will go with at least for the 1st match) and your preferred USMNT lineup (if you were the manager/coach)?
If Leo Messi had been born, as he was, to middle-class soccer-loving parents, and with a hormone deficiency, but in the United States, would he have become a professional soccer player?
Super clubs in Spain and Italy perceive themselves as being threatened based on the Super League still generating news and recent comments from Perez. Where does this go? Something will change but it is hard to see the English teams participating.
With Qatar being a small country, what will the USMNT team travel logistics look like (where is base camp, are they traveling to cities/matches via bus/train/plane/combo, etc.)?
Do you have any recommendations (selfishly in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area) on the best places to watch the USMNT World Cup matches (taking into account food quality, atmosphere, adult beverages, etc.)?
> What would a Barcelona worst case financial health death spiral look like? (I'm not familiar with La Liga rules, but it seems that outside money can't just come in and buy the club).
The idea of Marsch managing the USMNT for 2026 WC sounds pretty enticing at this moment. Strong resume, experience with USMNT players, an American manager as we host the World Cup, etc. How realistic is that? Would Marsch jump ship after one full season with Leeds (assuming he doesn’t get sacked)? Does the lack of a qualifying cycle provide for more wiggle room with the timing?
Who do you like for the MLS playoffs? LAFC seem bound for the final, but Supporters Shield winners rarely make it to (let alone win) the final. Philadelphia has been on the bubble for years and probably would've made the final last year had half the starting lineup not been out of the conference final because of COVID protocols. What are the odds this is their year? Or do you see someone else lifting the cup in the end? Thanks!
Shield winners have only won 27% of MLS Cups... but that's more than the number 2 team, or the number 3 team, all the way down. Number 6 has never won, but number 8 has won 15 percent, 4 times, which is weird. No team lower than 8 has ever won. (This is all based on putting the teams into an end-of-season single table, so imbalanced schedules aren't taken into account.)
More of logistical question as we approach the WC. What are the total number of people who will be supporting the USMNT in Quatar? This includes coaches, trainers, support staff, etc. Does US Soccer even release that information. Seems like it's a big number.
What do you think is the best way to move the needle on the abuses in Qatar? I don't know if I'm strong enough to boycott watching the WC--when it comes to the USMNT, I'm a good example of why fan is short for fanatic. But I'm seriously considering it. If fans don't act, FIFA will have no motivation to change., and I can't think of anything that will get their attention other than the bottom line.
I was coming to ask something similar, also in connection to Qatar getting the 2023 Asian Cup (that is now going to become the 2024 Asian Cup because, again, can't do a summer tournament in Qatar). Is the cat out of the bag or is there anything we can do as fans beyond not watching (and how much does that really matter if the checks for TV rights have already been cashed)?
Grant — what’s wrong with Leeds: America’s team in the EPL ?
My boss just announced an in-person all-staff meeting for Dec. 1, the day of the Group E and F finales -- two at a time, so recording isn't viable, even if it were acceptable. My question: what sickness is going to strike me that morning?
COVID will still be around. That’s what I’m going to use.
Will Landon Donovan participate in your post World Cup game podcasts, as he did during qualifying?
Based on recent playing time......do you expect Pulisic to move in the winter transfer window? If so, where? Is his style a better fit in another league? ex: Bundesliga
Is there any talk at FIFA about going back to three subs vs. five?
What are your podcast plans for the World Cup? I assume we'll be getting the Landon, Wahl & Witty pod after US games, but how often will you cover the rest of the tournament?
What group stage games at the WC not involving the US are you most looking forward to?
What role will fatigue and rest play in the World Cup? Both for the USA and for all teams? I'm thinking of the Soccernomics chapter that explains how much fatigue plays a role in the World Cup because teams like England whose players play in the Premier League and have many more games do worse than teams that don't have so many fatigued players. That comes even with one month off before the start and in a longer tournament. Thanks.
Yes! It seems like the fact that the WC is a tournament (not like the Hex, played over a long period of time), gets overlooked in roster decision conversations. I feel like we can make a run IF we get out of the group stage. Big if.
How would you describe the similarities/differences between the USWNT's style of play and the USMNT's? How about between the WNT and European women's teams? Is there anything to be taken from the stronger similarity?
A significant shake up at DC United with a firing of the GM and Dave Kasper being moved to an advisory role. Do you have any inside dope on how they're going to move forward? Do you think Rooney pushed for some of these changes?
How different would your projected USMNT roster for the World Cup look if Jesse Marsch were the coach instead of Berhalter?
Good question! I have a related one for Grant: When will you put out your projected USMNT lineup (aka, what lineup do you think Berhalter will go with at least for the 1st match) and your preferred USMNT lineup (if you were the manager/coach)?
Interesting question! Beyond that, would a Marsch approach be a better fit for the current MNT pool?
When will an MLS player win the FIFA Golden Boot?
What nation and team do you think they will play for?
Give us some Wrexham, Grant!!!
Best player in the history of each traditional top 6 PL club?
If Leo Messi had been born, as he was, to middle-class soccer-loving parents, and with a hormone deficiency, but in the United States, would he have become a professional soccer player?
Super clubs in Spain and Italy perceive themselves as being threatened based on the Super League still generating news and recent comments from Perez. Where does this go? Something will change but it is hard to see the English teams participating.
With Qatar being a small country, what will the USMNT team travel logistics look like (where is base camp, are they traveling to cities/matches via bus/train/plane/combo, etc.)?
Do you have any recommendations (selfishly in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area) on the best places to watch the USMNT World Cup matches (taking into account food quality, atmosphere, adult beverages, etc.)?
> What would a Barcelona worst case financial health death spiral look like? (I'm not familiar with La Liga rules, but it seems that outside money can't just come in and buy the club).
The idea of Marsch managing the USMNT for 2026 WC sounds pretty enticing at this moment. Strong resume, experience with USMNT players, an American manager as we host the World Cup, etc. How realistic is that? Would Marsch jump ship after one full season with Leeds (assuming he doesn’t get sacked)? Does the lack of a qualifying cycle provide for more wiggle room with the timing?
Who do you like for the MLS playoffs? LAFC seem bound for the final, but Supporters Shield winners rarely make it to (let alone win) the final. Philadelphia has been on the bubble for years and probably would've made the final last year had half the starting lineup not been out of the conference final because of COVID protocols. What are the odds this is their year? Or do you see someone else lifting the cup in the end? Thanks!
Shield winners have only won 27% of MLS Cups... but that's more than the number 2 team, or the number 3 team, all the way down. Number 6 has never won, but number 8 has won 15 percent, 4 times, which is weird. No team lower than 8 has ever won. (This is all based on putting the teams into an end-of-season single table, so imbalanced schedules aren't taken into account.)