U.S. Soccer Podcast

This time on the U.S. Soccer Podcast presented by Henkel, we’re getting to know rising USWNT stars Maddie Dahlien and Riley Jackson. The pair both gained their first caps in the January camp and host Meghan Klingenberg checked in to ask them about their friendship, working with coach Emma Hayes, and what it was like to play in the 2024 U-20 World Cup comeback win against Germany -- a game dubbed “the miracle of Cali”. 0:55 – Kling interviews Maddie Dahlien and Riley Jackson 3:15 – Maddie and Riley talk about how they felt when they were called up to the USWNT 06:52 – Kling shares a story about her first USWNT camp 11:05 – Maddie and Riley discuss working with Emma Hayes and the atmosphere in camp 13:26 – The pair discuss their friendship 20:45 – Maddie and Riley discuss “the miracle of Cali” 26:22 – The pair share their ambitions with the USWNT 31:25 – Ask the Pros presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts The U.S. Soccer Podcast presented by Henkel is a production from U.S. Soccer hosted by David Gass, former USWNT star Meghan Klingenberg and USMNT great Alejandro Bedoya. The podcast brings you in-depth interviews with U.S. Soccer stars of the past, present and future. Episodes drop weekly on Wednesdays. Hosts: Meghan Klingenberg, David Gass Guest: Maddie Dahlien and Riley Jackson Producer: Matthew Nelson To learn more, visit http://www.ussoccer.com/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Christen Press and Meghan Klingenberg go way back. Before World Cup glory in 2015, the pair were Olympic alternates and young pros trying to carve out a career in the Swedish women’s league. In this wide-ranging interview, the two USWNT icons divide their shared history into three eras that span Christen and Kling’s early disappointments, the high of winning a World Cup, and their present-day reality: a never-ending offseason. It’s an interview that’s revealing, surprising and hilarious. 01:10 – The Alternates Era: Kling and Christen reflect on their experience as Olympic alternates in 2012, playing table tennis with Brazil soccer stars Neymar and Marcello, and eating copious amounts of hummus during their spell in Sweden. 20:30 – On Top of the World Era: Kling and Christen revisit how winning the 2015 World Cup changed their lives. For Christen, it meant being able to party like a rock star with Neymar, but also the reality that she was now in the public eye. 32:10 – The Permanent Offseason Era: Kling and Christen are both retired now, and the pair discuss how they are now able to enjoy weekends, pursue new interests, and start new careers. Christen also talks about overcoming adversity after her agonizing penalty miss at the Rio 2016 Olympics, and what she’s most proud of in her career. 45:33 – Kling and co-host David Gass discuss the interview and share more lore. 55:41 – Ask the Pros presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts The U.S. Soccer Podcast presented by Henkel is a production from U.S. Soccer hosted by David Gass, former USWNT star Meghan Klingenberg and USMNT great Alejandro Bedoya. The podcast brings you in-depth interviews with U.S. Soccer stars of the past, present and future. Episodes drop weekly on Wednesdays. Hosts: Meghan Klingenberg, David Gass Guest: Christen Press Producer: Matthew Nelson To learn more, visit http://www.ussoccer.com/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cat Macario is on a hot streak for the USWNT: The forward has scored 3 goals in her last two national team appearances. In this feature interview for the U.S. Soccer Podcast presented by Henkel, Macario discusses her recent form, how Hannah Montana helped her master English, her historic Nike deal, her USWNT ambitions, and the importance of mental resilience and seeking self-worth beyond the soccer field. 00:50 – David Gass and Meghan Klingenberg explain what makes Cat Macario such a special player 02:49 – Kling interviews Cat Macario 02:59 – Cultural adjustments and team dynamics 11:08 – Representing the USWNT 25:23 – Overcoming injuries and self-worth outside of soccer 32:57 – Ultimate USWNT ambitions 35:55 – Ask the Pros presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts The U.S. Soccer Podcast presented by Henkel is a production from U.S. Soccer hosted by David Gass, former USWNT star Meghan Klingenberg and USMNT great Alejandro Bedoya. The podcast brings you in-depth interviews with U.S. Soccer stars of the past, present and future. Episodes drop weekly on Wednesdays. Hosts: Meghan Klingenberg, David Gass Guest: Cat Macario Producer: Matthew Nelson To learn more, visit http://www.ussoccer.com/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our three hosts embrace a festive spirit as they recap 2025 in this joyful holiday edition of the U.S. Soccer Podcast presented by Henkel. Listen as David Gass, Meghan Klingenberg and Alejandro Bedoya debate whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie, review their wish lists, and rank the best soccer moments and performances of the year. 0:30 – Festive nicknames & sweaters ❄️ 4:45 – End-of-Year awards 🏅 19:35 – Mailbag! 📬 34:50 – Red Card or Play On? ⚽ 37:55 – Ask the Pros presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts 🚗 Happy Holidays from the U.S. Soccer Podcast! The U.S. Soccer Podcast is a production from U.S. Soccer hosted by David Gass, Meghan Klingenberg and Alejandro Bedoya. The podcast brings you in-depth interviews with U.S. Soccer stars of the past, present and future. Episodes drop weekly on Wednesdays. Hosts: David Gass, Meghan Klingenberg, Alejandro Bedoya Producer: Matthew Nelson To learn more, visit http://www.ussoccer.com/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The stage is set! The U.S. Men’s National Team was drawn into Group D along with Paraguay, Australia and the winner of UEFA Playoff C – either Kosovo, Romania, Slovakia or Türkiye – at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final Draw held Dec. 5 in Washington, D.C. We’re months away from the first group stage match for the Americans against Paraguay on June 12 at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. So, what comes next? Sporting Director Matt Crocker joins the show to take us behind the scenes of U.S. Soccer’s preparations in the months ahead and the belief building around the USMNT, which enters 2026 on a five-match unbeaten streak. 0:37 – Intro with David Gass and Meghan Klingenberg 4:45 – Gass and Kling interview Matt Crocker 8 46 – The process of scouting Paraguay and Australia 9:55 – How the sporting department works with USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino 12:45 – On how the staff can prepare for a team yet to be determined in UEFA Playoff C 14:45 – Crocker's assessment of wins over Australia in October and Paraguay in November 17:20 – The competitive advantage we don't realize the U.S. has playing on home soil 20:30 – The ‘traveling circus’ of a World Cup camp and building the best environment for the players 24:00 – How U.S. Soccer embraces the families along for the ride 26:20 – Changing to a 48-team tournament 27:35 – “Our objective is to win the World Cup” 29:10 – “I'm a snotty-nosed little soccer kid from Wales” 31:50 – Learn more about U.S. Soccer’s ‘Never Chase Reality’ campaign 33:00 – How the 2026 FIFA World Cup and upcoming tournaments will give U.S. Soccer the platform to grow and elevate soccer in America 38:10 – Ask the Pros presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts https://youtu.be/D3yyRji0gyI The U.S. Soccer Podcast is a production from U.S. Soccer hosted by David Gass, Meghan Klingenberg and Alejandro Bedoya. The podcast brings you in-depth interviews with U.S. Soccer stars of the past, present and future. Episodes drop weekly on Wednesdays. Hosts: David Gass, Meghan Klingenberg Guest: Matt Crocker Producer: Matthew Nelson To learn more, visit http://www.ussoccer.com/podcast For more on Matt Crocker, visit https://www.ussoccer.com/executive-leadership/matt-crocker Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you ever wondered who’s next to head coach Mauricio Pochettino on the bench during a U.S. Men’s National Team match? Get to know Jesús Pérez, USMNT assistant coach, Pochettino’s right-hand man and this week’s featured guest on the U.S. Soccer Podcast. Since joining Pochettino nearly 15 years ago at his first managerial job in Europe, Pérez has supported Pochettino at each successive stop on the European club circuit and now serves alongside him on the U.S. staff preparing the National Team for the FIFA 2026 World Cup. 0:30 – Intro with David Gass, Alejandro Bedoya and Meghan Klingenberg 2:18 – Ale interviews U.S. Men’s National Team assistant coach Jesús Pérez 3:03 – Pérez shares his soccer journey growing up in Barcelona and playing right wing 6:00 – Meeting Mauricio Pochettino for the first time at Espanyol and early coaching days in La Liga 13:00 – Pérez on what impresses him most about Pochettino 15:12 – How the USMNT coaching staff utilizes data analytics and the role it plays in roster selection 24:40 – What is Team USA’s tactics and philosophies? 27:00 – Pérez discusses the FIFA 2026 World Cup: "We really believe that we can win it” 31:00 – Working with swimmers and how that shaped his coaching perspective 33:40 – Gass and Kling react to the interview (they're fired up!), then Kling and Ale name the assistant coaches, including Pat Noonan, who impacted their careers 39:40 – Show your fandom and shop official U.S. Soccer gear this holiday season 40:00 – Join our World Cup Group Draw experience in Times Square in New York City 40:25 – Ask the Pros presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts 47:30 – Ale Bedoya looks back on the 2025 MLS season for Philadelphia Union and reacts to the season coming to an end in the MLS Cup Playoffs The U.S. Soccer Podcast is a production from U.S. Soccer hosted by David Gass, Meghan Klingenberg and Alejandro Bedoya. The podcast brings you in-depth interviews with U.S. Soccer stars of the past, present and future. Episodes drop weekly on Wednesdays. Hosts: Alejandro Bedoya, David Gass, Meghan Klingenberg Guest: Jesús Pérez Producer: Matthew Nelson To learn more, visit http://www.ussoccer.com/podcast ### Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What happens when two quality left fullbacks sit down in the same room? The answer is in this week’s episode of the U.S. Soccer Podcast when host, former USWNT player and World Cup winner Meghan Klingenberg chats with U.S. Men’s National Team defender Antonee “Jedi” Robinson. They discuss the nuances of their shared position, unpack the lore of Robinson’s “Jedi” nickname, look ahead to the 2026 World Cup, and much more. 0:16 – Intro with David Gass and Meghan Klingenberg 1:52 – Kling interviews USMNT and Fulham defender Antonee “Jedi” Robinson 2:30 – Memories of Marcelo 3:50 – What makes the left fullback position unique 8:08 – Star Wars and becoming a “Jedi” 14:15 – Jedi’s “Roman Empire” 15:30 – Returning to USMNT Camp 17:52 – Fulham with Tim Ream & the English Premier League 22:00 – Golf, family and finding joy 23:25 – Thailand 24:50 – Looking ahead to World Cup 2026 27:35 – USMNT vs. Uruguay on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida 29:25 – Ask the Pros presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts The U.S. Soccer Podcast is a production from U.S. Soccer hosted by David Gass, Meghan Klingenberg and Alejandro Bedoya. The podcast tells stories in service to soccer and the people who live it, amplifying player voices and the stories behind the game. Episodes drop weekly on Wednesdays. Hosts: Meghan Klingenberg, David Gass Guest: Antonee "Jedi" Robinson Producer: Matthew Nelson To learn more, visit http://www.ussoccer.com/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices