You gotta hand it to Mauricio Pochettino. His team has won both games of his new cycle, scored lots of goals and is — a factor that must be stressed — fun to watch. And because he’s fielding so many young players, it’s near impossible not to feel optimistic about American soccer. His formula is […]
Soccer America Confidential
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Professor John M. Sloop on teaching the world through soccer
Many fans fall in love with soccer through a team, by playing, or because it is a family tradition, but for John M. Sloop the story was different. After attending a minor league soccer game with a friend in Portland, way before its MLS team was established, the university professor left the match thinking, “this […]
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Pochettino delivers sense of renewal with Peru win, then praises MLS
The USA’s first game since its World Cup ended in Seattle on a sour note took place 2,550 miles to the southeast in Central Florida. In Orlando, the first game of Coach Mauricio Pochettino’s second cycle in charge ended in celebration — of a 4-1 win and the promising American teenagers who shone in their debuts.
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Pochettino looks back on Balogun red card, ahead to fresh start with young squad
On Friday, ahead of the USMNT’s first game of its second cycle under Mauricio Pochettino, the Argentine coach revisited the Folarin Balogun red-card controversy at this summer’s World Cup. “In the moment I didn’t understand the criticisms well, but now with time, I can see that you have to learn from mistakes and I think […]
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A Champions League that connects high schools for games that matter — and counters pay-to-play
Perry Van Der Beck was the first American player chosen directly from high school in the North American Soccer League draft. In 1978, the Tampa Bay Rowdies selected the midfielder from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Missouri, with the 48th overall pick. He became the youngest native-born American to play in the league that […]
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Bob Barry (1940-2026): ‘The Cat’ who built Hawaii soccer’s bridge to the mainland
I knew at the time that we were lucky to have Bob Barry as a high school soccer coach. Just how incredibly fortunate we actually were — that appreciation grew over years and decades since we played for Iolani in Honolulu in 1979-1982. Barry was also the French teacher at Iolani. At lunchtime, we’d hang […]
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Five MLS players on a roll: Playmakers from Argentina and Spain, two Englishmen, and an American keeper
The 2026 MLS season keeps barreling on, with another weekend of games in the books. Here at Soccer America, we’re breaking down the standout players from the latest round of action. Cristian Espinoza (Nashville SC) Nashville SC cruised to yet another win at Geodis Park, beating the Chicago Fire for their 12th win in 13 […]
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A closer look at Pochettino’s two-track USMNT roster
The U.S. men’s national team opened camp in Fayetteville, Georgia this week as it begins a new cycle under Coach Mauricio Pochettino. His first roster since the World Cup blends much of the team’s established core with a sizable group of younger players who could figure prominently with the U.S. U-23 Olympic team that will […]
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Soccer broadcasting, American-style?
American soccer fans have never had more options to watch the game on television. From networks to streaming services to web sites, if you want to see the game you can find it. Some for a fee, others for free. With so much of it available to us, I’ve been thinking about the “American style” […]
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U.S. U-20 coach Gonzalo Segares on a remarkable generation of American talent
Last month, U.S. U-20 head coach Gonzalo Segares led the USA to a second-place finish at the Concacaf U-20 Championship. The 2026 MLS season has seen a wave of young American players break through with impressive performances across the league. This was reflected earlier this week when U.S. national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino named […]