Orange Slices

Heath Pearce is joined by former teammate Dax McCarty — one of only three players to make nearly 500 MLS appearances — for a wide-ranging conversation about careers, locker rooms, and what comes next. They cover: • The 2018 World Cup qualifying disaster — Dax's best and worst national team moments four days apart • FC Dallas 2010 and the unbeaten run that should have won MLS Cup • Why charter flights might be killing team chemistry • Thierry Henry texting mid-brunch to fly them to London on a private jet for the North London Derby • The reality of becoming a soccer TV analyst — why being a legend doesn't guarantee you a job • World Cup 2026 buzz, dark horse roster picks, and why Xavier Gozo deserves a look • Rondos, retirement, and walking your kids to school every morning Orange Slices drops every Tuesday and Thursday. Subscribe and follow @sliceofsoccer on Instagram. Sign up now for your twenty-five dollar bonus on FanDuel Predicts. Go to FanDuel.Com/Predicts to sign up.

Orange Slices is back — and the timing couldn't be better. With 37 days until the World Cup kicks off on home soil, Heath Pearce reconnects with co-host and active USMNT defender Mark McKenzie for a wide-open season premiere. Since the pod went dark: Mark got engaged, planned a wedding in five months (without inviting Heath), had a baby boy, moved from Belgium to Toulouse, and made his Ligue 1 debut — in that order, more or less. In this episode, Mark breaks down what it's actually like to go head-to-head with Dembélé and Marquinhos at PSG away, why the Vélodrome is the most hostile atmosphere he's ever played in, and what Pochettino demands from the very first training session. He also opens up about the 2022 World Cup cut — the 10 PM phone call, the pit in his stomach, and why, four years later, he'll admit he probably wasn't ready. Plus: the art of channeling competitor rage when you're also managing diapers. Orange Slices drops 2-3 times a week through the end of August. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Heath and Mark catch up after a few weeks off. The guys get into Genk's training camp in Spain, Heath's World Cup experience in Qatar and the recent USMNT controversies. Plus, they answer all your questions about their highs and lows from 2022, favorite World Cup moments, their go-to coffee order, which USWNT player they like the most right now and much more. Thank to everyone who submitted a question! Happy holidays to you & yours and we'll see you guys in '23. Check out our Spotify Playlist Follow us on Instagram “Orange Slices” connects the past, present, and future generations of U.S. internationals around our collective soccer story. Hosted by emerging U.S. international Mark McKenzie and former U.S. international Heath Pearce, this cross-generational show is an unfiltered celebration of our national team and soccer Americana.

After taking a few days to process things, Mark and Heath talk through being left off this year’s USMNT roster in the final hour. Mark opens up about being in the final group of players, his phone call with Gregg, how he and his family processed everything and what’s next. Thanks to all the OS listeners who have showed love and support this past week. Check out our Spotify Playlist Follow us on Instagram “Orange Slices” connects the past, present, and future generations of U.S. internationals around our collective soccer story. Hosted by emerging U.S. international Mark McKenzie and former U.S. international Heath Pearce, this cross-generational show is an unfiltered celebration of our national team and soccer Americana.

Mark & Heath welcome one of the rising Americans abroad, Joe Scally. Joe brings all the positivity in this one from his home in Düsseldorf, Germany. The guys get into the recent USMNT camp and Joe's inclusion in the senior team over the past calendar year, consistent playing time at Borussia Mönchengladbach, drawing Bayern Munich earlier this season and life abroad. He is just an all around positive dude and it will be impossible not to root for continued success for our guy after you listen to this episode. Check out our Spotify Playlist Follow us on Instagram “Orange Slices” connects the past, present, and future generations of U.S. internationals around our collective soccer story. Hosted by emerging U.S. international Mark McKenzie and former U.S. international Heath Pearce, this cross-generational show is an unfiltered celebration of our national team and soccer Americana.

It’s been too long OS fam but Heath Pearce and Mark McKenzie are finally back and on the road to Qatar. Mark joins us from USMNT camp and the guys get into a lot in this episode. They address our long break from the pod, the end of last season for Mark at Genk, why he wasn’t playing and his recent run of form for his club. Of course they also get into everything USMNT including Mark’s addition to this September camp and his goals for the next couple of months before the World Cup. The guys will be doing their thing every week until Qatar so subscribe to the feed so you don’t miss an episode. Check out our Spotify Playlist Follow us on Instagram “Orange Slices” connects the past, present, and future generations of U.S. internationals around our collective soccer story. Hosted by emerging U.S. international Mark McKenzie and former U.S. international Heath Pearce, this cross-generational show is an unfiltered celebration of our national team and soccer Americana.

Many fans know Kellyn Acosta as the ultimate ish talker in the USMNT but he’s actually a really level headed, thoughtful guy off the pitch. Kellyn stopped by the show to catch up with the boys about everything from his recent move to LA, recapping the intensity of the schedule this past year, facing off against Mexico here and abroad, trades within MLS and much more. He also shares some insight into how he is able to stay present during an unrelenting schedule and how he rewards himself for accomplishments in real time. Such an awesome conversation with one of the more thoughtful leaders we have had on the pod. Check out our Spotify Playlist Follow us on Instagram “Orange Slices” connects the past, present, and future generations of U.S. internationals around our collective soccer story. Hosted by emerging U.S. international Mark McKenzie and former U.S. international Heath Pearce, this cross-generational show is an unfiltered celebration of our national team and soccer Americana.

Heath and Mark catch up to celebrate the USMNT qualifying for the 2022 World Cup! It's been a 6+ month process... ok 4 year process and our guy Mark played a big role in revitalizing this squad. The guys discuss losing at Costa Rica last night and the mixed reaction post match, taking care of business this window, where they were four years ago when we lost to Trinidad & Tobago, their highs and lows from this qualification process and goals for the rest of this year. Check out our Spotify Playlist Follow us on Instagram “Orange Slices” connects the past, present, and future generations of U.S. internationals around our collective soccer story. Hosted by emerging U.S. international Mark McKenzie and former U.S. international Heath Pearce, this cross-generational show is an unfiltered celebration of our national team and soccer Americana.

With his first full pro season less than 48 hours away, Paxten Aaronson is keeping things chill and stopped by for a fun conversation with the OS boys. Paxten is the latest Aaronson to take the Philadelphia Union by storm and rumors are already swirling about what’s next. Pax, Mark & Heath get into his expectations for the season, their different routines for day vs night matches, haircuts, where Pax excels on the field, his first impressions of Mark and the evolution of YSC Academy. He also introduces the guys to their new favorite collectible. If Paxton stock is still available you best buy now- the kid is going places. Check out our Spotify Playlist Follow us on Instagram “Orange Slices” connects the past, present, and future generations of U.S. internationals around our collective soccer story. Hosted by emerging U.S. international Mark McKenzie and former U.S. international Heath Pearce, this cross-generational show is an unfiltered celebration of our national team and soccer Americana.

Heath and Mark catchup after another eventful international break! The guys get into the behind the scenes on all three matches and talk through US Soccer's decision to hold the match in St. Paul, MN in February. After they finishing properly catching up, we open up the mailbag to answer some of our listener's burning questions. Some of the topics include: player most likely to move into coaching, victory songs, best basketball players on the USMNT and an epic Royal Rumble of USMNT managers. Thank you to everyone who sent in questions! Check out our Spotify Playlist Follow us on Instagram “Orange Slices” connects the past, present, and future generations of U.S. internationals around our collective soccer story. Hosted by emerging U.S. international Mark McKenzie and former U.S. international Heath Pearce, this cross-generational show is an unfiltered celebration of our national team and soccer Americana.

When we discussed closing out Season 1, there was really only one guest that came to mind: Chris Richards. A lot has changed for Chris (and Mark!) since we last spoke to him in December 2020. The guys dive into what the last year has been like at Hoffenheim for Chris, his varying playing time abroad, contributing some crucial USMNT minutes in the last World Cup cycle and hypes up his little bro as the next generation. Mark has also had some huge changes recently. Genk has a new manager and Mark has been in a great run of form in Belgium. He talks about how he stayed mentally ready for this moment and his hopes for the rest of the season with the club. Finally, the guys set some goals for them and the USMNT in 2022. Thank you for listening to Season 1! We love making this show and interacting with you on social. We’ll see you in February 2022 for Season 2! Check out our Spotify Playlist Follow us on Instagram “Orange Slices” connects the past, present, and future generations of U.S. internationals around our collective soccer story. Hosted by emerging U.S. international Mark McKenzie and former U.S. international Heath Pearce, this cross-generational show is an unfiltered celebration of our national team and soccer Americana.

We're back! No guest this week but we wanted to catch up and say hello to the OS fam. Mark has been focusing on his club football at Genk after the USMNT World Cup Qualifying matches earlier this month. Mark opens up about his frustrations with the club's recent 5 match losing streak and his fight for playing time. Heath shares some of his similar war stories and the guys have a nice chat about staying mentally strong when things aren't going your way. Genk won in the League Cup this week so hopefully this is the start of them getting back on track. Check out FootyCon: https://bit.ly/31daW6P Check out Black Star Initiative's Launch THIS WEEKEND in Detroit: https://bit.ly/3mlHzHx “Orange Slices” connects the past, present, and future generations of U.S. internationals around our collective soccer story. Hosted by emerging U.S. international Mark McKenzie and former U.S. international Heath Pearce, this cross-generational show is an unfiltered celebration of our national team and soccer Americana.

Our guy Tanner Tessmann may just be the most chill guest we have had on the pod, just don’t come at the FC Dallas Academy around him. Tanner stopped by for a great conversation with the guys about his new life in Venice, the food scene, navigating Serie A with a fellow American on the squad, breaking into the team and so much boat talk. Tanner also dives into his USMNT career, his first taste of Concacaf in Olympic qualifying and his future in red, white and blue. Finally, Tanner and Mark may have began a new feud over the best academy in MLS. This dude has a bright future. Check out Tanner’s podcast “Chum Chat” Check out our Spotify Playlist Follow us on Instagram “Orange Slices” connects the past, present, and future generations of U.S. internationals around our collective soccer story. Hosted by emerging U.S. international Mark McKenzie and former U.S. international Heath Pearce, this cross-generational show is an unfiltered celebration of our national team and soccer Americana.