Christian Pulisic snubbed & Alexi’s 2026 Soccer Wish List

The Guardian’s Top 100 Players list dropped… and the biggest talking point might be who didn’t make it. No Christian Pulisic, despite 12 Serie A players landing on the list, including Scott McTominay, Lautaro Martínez, Denzel Dumfries and others. Meanwhile, The Athletic ranked Pulisic 39th, backing it up with elite production. So where would you rank the U.S. star?  Plus, a busy weekend abroad: McKennie bagged his 21st assist for Juventus, Musah fights for roster momentum, Dest feeds Pepi,  who can’t stop scoring, and Jedi Robinson keeps stacking starts in the Premier League. In #AskAlexi, we dive into the impact of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on soccer in the United States + is a winter break coming for MLS? We wrap the podcast with Alexi’s Soccer Wishlist heading into a pivotal year.  Use our code for $30 off your next order of World Cup Tickets on SeatGeek:⁠https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/SOTU⁠ Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $30discount, Min. $200 Purchase Intro (0:00)Pulisic Subbed by Soccer World (5:17)US Abroad: Pepi can’t stop scoring (14:57)#AskAlexi (33:20)2026 Soccer Wishlist: Quarters or Bust? (44:34) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on USA Abroad, we break down Tyler Adams’ tough MCL news ahead of Bournemouth’s clash with Burnley. We also dive into Aaronson vs. Richards in Leeds, and Jedi Robinson’s strong Carabao Cup showing ahead of Fulham vs Forest. In Italy, Pulisic and Milan aim to defend their Supercoppa crown in Saudi Arabia, while McKennie’s Juventus host Roma in a key top-five battle. Gio Reyna faces his former club as Dortmund meet Gladbach, and Leipzig vs Leverkusen delivers a massive Bundesliga six-pointer. We wrap with full reaction to the 2025 FIFA Awards: Dembele crowned Best Men’s Player (Yamal snub?), Luis Enrique and Sarina Wiegman take coaching honors, and we break down the Best XI. Use my code for $30 off your next order of World Cup Tickets on SeatGeek*:https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/SOTU Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $30discount, Min. $200 Purchase Intro (0:00)USA Abroad: Adams injury, Jedi Assist, Gio's return (5:51)FIFA Awards: Dembele wins again, Best XI's of the Past (18:26)#AskAlexi: FIFA Fan Purity Test & More (29:21)One For The Road: Alexi's Christmas with Arsenal (42:30) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse are here with a new episode of State of the Union! With both Jedi Robinson and Sergiño Dest back healthy, the two are posed the following question: does the USA have the best fullback pairing in the world? The pair discuss that possibility before diving into the latest happenings in Serie A with Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie, a big Ligue 1 matchup between Tim Weah and Folarin Balgoun, and another Gio Reyna start in the Bundesliga. In #AskAlexi, we discuss which host nation is most likely to be grouped in the World Cup next summer and in One for the Road, Alexi gives his take on ticket prices for the World Cup. Use my code for $30 off your next order of World Cup Tickets on SeatGeek*: https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/SOTU Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $30 discount, Min. $200 Purchase Intro: (0:00)Jedi & Dest Best Fullback paring in world? (5:30)Adams picks up knock (17:23)Pulisic has goal chalked off (18:35)Reyna keeps playing (22:54)Nancy in trouble at Celtic (25:18)#AskAlexi (30:15)One For The Road (41:49) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse are back with a new episode of State of the Union and we’re talking all things 2026 FIFA World Cup™. Alexi dives into his experience at the draw in Washington DC before he and Mosse give their thoughts on the USA’s group and whether the Stars and Stripes should be favorites to top Group D. Alexi shares his first bracket prediction for next summer’s tournament including the side he believes is going to hoist the trophy. After, Alexi and Mosse hop into the latest happenings in Europe where USA stars can’t stop scoring, with Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun, Weston McKennie and Ricardo Pepi ALL finding the back of the net for their clubs. In #AskAlexi, we break down the news that there will be hydration breaks in every match in next summer’s World Cup and in One for the Road, Alexi shares a touching story of giving back to the soccer community. Intro (0:00)U.S. Group D Review: Win or Bust? (10:05)Alexi's Way-Too-Early Knockout Bracket (20:04)U.S. Abroad: Americans stay hot in UCL (29:28)#AskAlexi: MLS top league in world or USMNT top 5? (41:02) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Landon Donovan, Cobi Jones, and Brad Guzan come together for a comprehensive dive into the 2026 FIFA World Cup following the draw.  Landon dives into the big storylines around Mexico, Germany, Spain, and Portugal, while Cobi jumps in on Canada’s opener, Japan’s chances, and England’s path. Brad brings a goalkeeper’s view on Brazil, Belgium, Argentina, and more. Throughout, they highlight the stars to watch, circle can’t-miss matchups, and throw out bold darkhorse picks. Can Morocco mirror their run in Qatar? How will Argentina and Portugal handle Messi and Ronaldo, respectively.  The crew also comes together for a full deep dive on Group D, sizing up the USMNT’s road through Paraguay, Australia, and the UEFA playoff winner before picking every their champion, Golden Ball & Golden Boot winners.  Intro (0:00) Group A (2:46) Group B (7:22) Group C (12:38) Group D: USA tops group? (19:03) Group E (33:33)  Group F (37:52) Group G (41:17) Group H (44:39)  Group I (48:00) Group J (52:34) Group K (5623:) Group L (59:18) Way-Too-Early World Cup Champion Picks (61:47)  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this special episode, U.S. Soccer legends Alexi Lalas, Landon Donovan, Stu Holden & Cobi Jones preview the upcoming FIFA World Cup™ 2026 Final Draw from every angle. The guys take you through the latest outlook surrounding this USMNT, including a potential Group of Death and how far can this team realistically go next summer. Alexi, Stu, Landon & Cobi also preview the world's biggest teams & their stars including Messi's Argentina, Ronaldo's Portugal & Harry Kane's England & much more. We also walk you through what to expect from the largest draw in history and what to watch for on Friday from Washington D.C. From the UEFA & Intercontinental playoffs, to everything else in between, we have you covered. Make sure to tune into the draw LIVE on FOX on December 5th starting at 11:30 AM EST. Intro (0:00)USMNT Outlook: What can we expect from Pochettino's squad? (1:38)How does the expanded FIFA World Cup™ 2026 Draw work? (31:41)CONMEBOL: Argentina, Colombia, Brazil & more (39:06)UEFA: Spain, France, England & More (46:00)Rest of the World: Can Mexico make a run? (65:38)Tales from the Draw: Did they make a mistake in 1994? (71:55)USMNT Group of Death (80:40) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On a new episode of State of the Union, Alexi Lalas and David Mosse dive into a big weekend of topics and touch on Pulisic’s winner in the Derby della Madonnina, Malik Tillman’s Bundesliga brilliance, and Tim Weah's Ligue 1 goalazo. Over in England, Chris Richards’ manager can’t seem to decide if the U.S. plays him too much—or not enough—and Jedi Robinson’s absence lingers. We hit the MLS Cup Playoffs where Messi made more history, NYCFC snuck past Philly, and Vancouver outlasted LAFC in a wild match. In #AskAlexi we field questions including “who is the real leader for the USMNT?” And in One For The Road, we ponder a question about next summer's World Cup: why isn't Washington, D.C. a host city? Intro (0:00)Pulisic bags winner vs Inter Milan (6:30)Weah with a BANGER (13:50)Messi rolls in MLS Cup Playoffs (21:50)#AskAlexi: Real U.S. leader (33:45)One for the road: NO DC?! (41:25) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse are back with a new episode of State of the Union! In this episode, Alexi and Mosse break down the USMNT’s DOMINANT 5-1 win over Uruguay and some fiery comments made by manager Mauricio Pochettino in the buildup to the match. We ask such questions as where does this big win leave the USMNT going into the new year, what players stood out the most, and should our “regular” starters be worried? Around the globe, 42 of the 48 teams for next summer’s World Cup are set and Alexi and Mosse react to some major wins by Erling Haaland and Norway, Ireland and Scotland plus major drama in CONCACAF. In #AskAlexi, the USMNT’s potential geographic path to the World Cup final is discussed and in One for the Road, Alexi recounts his trip to Tampa to watch the USMNT run rampant on Uruguay. Intro (0:00)USMNT Recap: MLS runs riot over Uruguay (5:39)Pochettino's fiery comments: (21:56)WCQ Recap: 42 out of 48 teams set (31:50)#AskAlexi: Who has benefited most under Poch? (43:22) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stu Holden and David Mosse are here with a LIVE episode of State of the Union to break down the USMNT’s 2-1 victory over Paraguay. It was a successful night as both Gio Reyna and Folarin Balogun scored as the USA continued towards next summer’s World Cup with a win. Stu and Mosse discussed the impact of the returning Sergiño Dest as well as a new backline combination. Around the world, World Cup qualifying is coming to an end as chaos reigns in Concacaf while Kylian Mbappé and France officially booked their tickets with Erling Haaland and Norway close behind. Intro (0:00)Starting XI: Back 3 is here to stay (2:39)Gio Reyna legacy game (5:50)FIGHT! (18:49)Baby Nats fall to Morocco again (24:15)WCQ: CONCACAF down to the WIRE (29:07)Brazilian Pulisic = Star (38:50) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse are here with a brand-new episode of State of the Union. Alexi and Mosse start by answering some burning questions about the upcoming USMNT window: Without star man Christian Pulisic, who is going to step up and inspire the team? Are we going to experiment with two strikers up top? What is the backline going to look like? Make sure you tune into our live show on Saturday 11/15 after the USMNT plays Paraguay for a full break down. Around the world, qualifying for the World Cup is coming to an end. UEFA, CAF, AFC and CONCACAF will all see teams book their tickets for next summer’s tournament and you can catch a UEFA double header this Sunday 11/16 on FS1. In #AskAlexi, we get an all-time voicemail about Pochettino, and in One for the Road, Alexi and Mosse discuss the potential schedule changes coming to MLS. Intro (0:00)Burning question: Two strikers up top? (6:52)WCQ: Final Qualifying Window comes to exciting close (27:26)#AskAlexi: Method to Pochettino’s Madness? (35:09)One For The Road: MLS changes schedule? (48:03) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices