Soccerwise | U.S. Soccer, MLS, NWSL

The San Diego Wave have built a distinct identity, combining an adventurous style of play with a commitment to developing young talent. Assistant coach Becki Tweed joins David Gass to go inside that approach, explore how the NWSL is evolving, and share her perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing players and coaches in the U.S.0:00 Intro0:21 San Diego’s Approach to Developing Young Players4:23 Balancing Winning with Long-Term Growth6:24 The Many Roads to Pro Soccer10:39 Why It’s So Hard to Become a Coach in the U.S.14:55 Inside San Diego’s Playing Philosophy17:51 The NWSL’s Evolution on the Field21:14 What Sets the NWSL Apart25:39 Trinity Byars’ Breakout Season29:20 Mimi Van Zanten’s Impact 31:47 Kenza Dali’s Influence in San Diego 35:03 The U-20 World Cup Question37:18 Becki’s Journey Through Coaching

What did the USWNT learn from its two friendlies against the reigning World Cup champions Spain? Chicago Stars midfielder Brianna Pinto joins David Gass to break down the performances, Mal Swanson’s return and Ashley Sanchez’s comeback. From defining the U.S. style of play to exploring Emma Hayes’ options across the back line and midfield, there’s plenty to unpack as the squad turns its attend to World Cup qualifying and the road to 2027.

David Gass and Jordan Angeli look back at some of the biggest NWSL trades from the 2026 season and talk about how those moves have played out for the players and the clubs involved. Then they look ahead to next season with a few dream moves of their own, before revisiting their preseason predictions to see what they got right, and where they missed the mark. For the full breakdown of Cat Bush’s trade grades, head to our Instagram: @swwomenfc. 0:00 International Break Special4:23 NWSL Trade Grades10:41 Claire Hutton: Bay’s Big Win15:29 Croix Bethune: A Win for Everyone22:00 Ludmila: Difficult Fit for San Diego29:43 Jordyn Huitema: Did Chicago Overpay?34:03 Emily Sams: New Opportunity37:49 Dream Moves for Next Season45:53 Revisiting Our Preseason Predictions For the sharpest coverage of American soccer, we’ve got you covered:https://linktr.ee/soccerwisehq

The USMNT is entering a new cycle, with a new generation already making its mark. Brian Dunseth and David Gass break down what we learned from the USMNT’s most recent camp and what is revealed about the team’s depth and player pool. Then Kacey White helps preview the USWNT’s big showdown with Spain, as the reigning Olympic champions battle the current World Cup champions.0:00 Intro1:43 Inside USMNT Camp9:52 What We Learned This Window19:03 Cavan Sullivan & The New Kids27:47 The Players Who Stood Out33:27 Captain Tyler Adams35:19 Taking Stock of the USWNT Roster42:12 Emma Hayes’ Selection Puzzle52:11 What Makes Spain So Good57:47 Predictions for USWNT vs. SpainFor the sharpest coverage of American soccer, we’ve got you covered:https://linktr.ee/soccerwisehq

The USMNT is looking pretty fun. Cavan Sullivan made history, Julian Hall keeps scoring, and the U.S. put three past Mexico. David Gass, Tom Bogert and Matt Doyle break down the win, the standout performances and what it all means before looking ahead to a big match with Canada and wrapping things up with little MLS chat.0:00 USA-Mexico, Anthony Davis & Banter4:43 Breaking Down the 3-0 Win9:52 Cavan Sullivan Makes History20:27 Julian Hall & the Youth Wave27:11 Sebastian Berhalter’s Growing Role38:56 What’s Wrong with Mexico?49:46 Canada Up Next1:06:54 Chicago, Lewandowski and Mbokazi Back1:11:43 The U22 ConvoFor the sharpest coverage of American soccer, we’ve got you covered:https://linktr.ee/soccerwisehq

David Gass is joined by USMNT and Toronto FC defender Walker Zimmerman as well as former Vancouver Whitecaps FC head coach Vanni Sartini to break down the USMNT’s latest window, from the attacking performances against Chile to the emergence of young talent. They discuss Gio Reyna’s growing role, who might fill Tim Ream’s shoes at center back, Sebastian Berhalter’s impact and the impressive play of Julian Hall and Cavan Sullivan before previewing the upcoming match against Mexico.0:00 Intro3:32 Breaking Down the Chile Win7:14 Gio Reyna Finding His Place11:24 Tim Ream’s Legacy 13:12 The Center Back Question19:59 Julian Hall’s Breakthrough26:20 Sebastian Berhalter’s Rise37:24 Cavan Sullivan Making His Mark42:12 The USMNT’s Development Pipeline46:24 Looking Ahead to MexicoFor the sharpest coverage of American soccer, we’ve got you covered:https://linktr.ee/soccerwisehq

LAFC have fired Mark Dos Santos with the playoffs approaching, raising questions about the club’s next move and whether Wilfried Nancy could be the answer. David Gass, Tom Bogert and Matt Doyle also breakdown the USMNT’s young stars after a 4-1 win against Peru, before diving into Philadelphia’s continued surge and the latest twists and turns in the MLS playoff race.0:00 Intro2:28 LAFC Fires Dos Santos 12:17 The Wilfried Nancy Question26:50 Takeaways from USMNT vs. Peru35:24 Young Kids Showed Out45:32 Chile Up Next 48:23 Rookies from College Goal-Scoring Quiz53:56 Philadelphia’s Incredible Run59:23 Who’s Still Alive in the East?1:06:32 Wide Open Western Conference1:10:13 Colorado’s Collapse & Noonan’s FutureFor the sharpest coverage of American soccer, we’ve got you covered:https://linktr.ee/soccerwisehq

Pochettino’s new USMNT era begins with 12 newcomers and a lot of youth for this extended camp. David Gass and Brian Dunseth break down the roster changes, the opportunities for a new generation of players, and what to watch for across games against Peru, Chile, Mexico and Canada.0:00 Intro2:44 The Extended Window7:19 Building the USMNT Culture10:43 Pulisic, McKennie & Missing Players14:42 The Pipeline to the USMNT18:29 Yunus Musah Returns26:18 Gio Reyna’s Next Chapter29:52 The Four-Game Plan38:57 New Kids on the Block52:13 Defining the USMNT IdentityFor the sharpest coverage of American soccer, we’ve got you covered:https://linktr.ee/soccerwisehq

Vlatko Andonovski is taking over in Chicago, but what does that arrival actually mean for the Stars? David Gass and Jordan Angeli break down the long-term project, the coaching search and what comes next before getting into Kansas City’s dip and a weekend that saw Angel City surge into the playoff picture.0:00 Intro1:47 San Diego & Tierna Davidson are Must-Watch7:26 What Vlatko’s Arrival Means for Chicago16:16 Chicago’s Search for a Head Coach22:21 What’s Going on with Kansas City?27:18 Bay FC’s New Chief Football Officer31:00 Angel City Rising39:53 Denver Keeps Its Playoff Push Alive46:45 Gotham Clinches a Playoff Spot57:18 Why Has Ashley Sanchez Been So Good?1:02:25 San Diego Rolls On, Portland Finds Its Attack1:07:34 Biggest Games of the NWSL WeekendFor the sharpest coverage of American soccer, we’ve got you covered:https://linktr.ee/soccerwisehq

Paul Kennedy has been covering American soccer for 55 years, from the days when finding a game on TV was nearly impossible to the 2026 World Cup. He joins Open Mic to share the stories from his career, the people and games that stuck with him, and his perspective on American soccer today.0:00 Intro0:46 How Paul Kennedy Became a Soccer Writer9:22 Finding the Game Through College Soccer13:24 From Law School to Soccer America16:13 Covering Soccer in the 80s21:08 Career Highlights, Favorite People & Games27:17 The Great “What If?”33:05 Unsung Heroes of Soccer in the U.S.36:17 The USMNT Before the 1990 World Cup39:54 Has Soccer Made It in America?44:39 The Future of American Soccer51:48 55 Years of Soccer America & Paul’s Favorite StoryFor the sharpest coverage of American soccer, we’ve got you covered:https://linktr.ee/soccerwisehq

The NWSL is getting weird and crazy, and Jordan Angeli and David Gass are back together to try and make sense of this unpredictable league. Houston is searching for a new direction, Orlando makes a major commitment to Barbra Banda, and the playoff race is tightening every week. The stretch run is here, and nobody seems ready to make it easy.0:00 Intro0:42 Gass is Back4:34 Houston Cleans House20:42 Utah Finds a Way29:09 Barbra Banda is Staying in Orlando37:01 Washington’s Missing Piece45:24 Macario Out, Bonansea In53:18 Is San Diego Peaking?57:05 Angel City & Denver Go Wild1:04:32 Playoff Race Heats UpFor the sharpest coverage of American soccer, we’ve got you covered:https://linktr.ee/soccerwisehq

Mary Harvey has seen the women’s game from almost every angle in her career, as a USWNT goalkeeper to FIFA leader and WPS executive. Today, she leads the Center for Sport and Human Rights, and she joins Open Mic to talk about the evolution of women’s soccer, the lessons of its past and where the game goes next. 0:00 Intro1:26 The 1991 World Cup4:57 Harvey’s Journey to the USWNT7:58 How 1991 Changed Women’s Soccer11:53 Inside the 1996 USWNT16:25 From Player to FIFA Leader24:11 How World Cups Drive Development28:26 What Happened to WPS?35:12 The Future of the Women’s Game41:51 The Responsibility of Each USWNT Generation44:46 Sport, Human Rights & the 2026 World Cup57:30 Harvey’s Favorite Sporting EventsFor the sharpest coverage of American soccer, we’ve got you covered:https://linktr.ee/soccerwisehq

What comes next for the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams? David Gass and Brian Dunseth look at Mauricio Pochettino’s second cycle with the USMNT, the players that are pushing to get into the team and what it could like for the next four years. Then, Michelle French, who coached the U.S. U-20s at two World Cups and was an assistant with the USWNT in 2015, joins Gass to talk about her experience, the decisions young players face between college, club and country and the path to the USWNT.0:00 Intro2:34 Pochettino’s Second Cycle8:27 Players Left Off the World Cup Roster12:23 How the USMNT Core Evolves16:56 Reshaping U.S. Soccer21:42 Building the Player Pathway25:11 Win Now or Build Mode29:26 What Will the September Camp Look Like?43:11 Testing the USMNT Against Different Competition49:40 Michelle French on the U-20 World Cup52:41 Balancing College, Club & Country56:41 The Evolution of Youth National Teams59:22 College Soccer’s Strength1:03:54 The Evolution of Women’s Soccer in the USFor the sharpest coverage of American soccer, we’ve got you covered:https://linktr.ee/soccerwisehq