Alexi's USMNT Starting XI, U.S. Weekend Stock Watch

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse are back with a LIVE episode of State of the Union! We start today’s show with a Stock Up and Stock Down from USA internationals around the world. Christian Pulisic finally got back on the scoresheet for Milan in a 3-0 win, Cavan Sullivan continued his ridiculous form with a goal in 4-3 comeback win for Philadelphia and in the process broke the record for most regular season assists by a teenager in a single MLS season. On the negative side, Ricardo Pepi went down with an injury once more for PSV and was taken off the international roster for the fall window. Tim Weah saw red for Marseille as they fell 2-1 to PSG and down to 17th in the Ligue 1 table. We then reveal Alexi’s projected USMNT starting XI for the coming fall window which features MANY young stars including Cavan Sullivan, Adri Mehmeti, and Julian Hall. In #AskAlexi, Alexi and Mosse debate which current dual-nationals on the USMNT roster would feature for their *other* country. And in One for the Road, the guys go through the pros and the cons of the USA having such a young roster for this international window. CHAPTERS:0:00: Intro2:46 - USA Weekend Stock Watch3:18 - USA Stock Up: Pulisic finally scores, Sullivan breaks a record13:18 - USA Stock Down: Weah sees red, Pepi hurt again21:09 - Alexi's USA fall window starting XI27:37 - What would we consider a successful window for Pochettino and Co?29:50 - Messi's swan song and the UEFA Nations League34:44 - #AskAlexi: The other side of USA dual-nationals, Johnny playing for Brazil?46:17 - One for the Road: Pros and Cons of a young roster Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse are back with a LIVE episode of State of the Union! The first post 2026 FIFA World Cup USA roster was announced and it is full of young and exciting players! Alexi and Mosse are joined by former USMNT player Sacha Kljestan to break down the squad. The highlight of this roster was the inclusion of 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan and the absence of Christian Pulisic. The three discuss Sacha’s favorite USMNT prospects currently playing in MLS and debate what Pochettino should do at the goalkeeper position. After Sacha says goodbye, Alexi and Mosse wrap up all the Europa League action that saw Chris Richards score for Crystal Palace and Weston McKennie add an assist for Juventus. Tyler Adams and Bournemouth took down Pellegrino Matarazzo and Real Sociedad in a battle of Yanks. We then preview the upcoming Madrid Derby before getting to #AskAlexi where we discuss whether these coming international window matches are must wins and if Alexi could beat Zlatan in a race. We end the show with One for the Road where Alexi and Mosse break down Cavan Sullivan’s pre-game playlist. CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Intro1:18 - Mauricio Pochettino drops 28-man fall window roster2:51 - Sacha Kljestan joins the show!6:22 - Cavan Sullivan in, Christian Pulisic out11:39 - What are we going to do at goalkeeper?20:51 - Who is the face of the USMNT?22:10 - Sacha's MLS thoughts: MLS Cup favorites & best rivalry?29:22 - Europa League wrap-up: Richards scores, McKennie assists35:23 - Previewing the Madrid Derby: Why didn't Johnny make the roster?30:04 - #AskAlexi: Zlatan vs Alexi... Who wins in a race? 46:32 - One for the Road: Cavan Sullivan's pregame tunes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse are back with a LIVE episode of State of the Union! We begin the show with burning questions surrounding the USMNT as the first post-World Cup international window is rapidly approaching, and we start with the question on everyone’s mind: Will Cavan Sullivan be called up? Furthermore, how many young players overall will we see on this next international roster and what are we going to do at the GK position? We then move to Christian Pulisic who, in the face of comments from both USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino and AC Milan manager Ruben Amorim, provided a key assist as Milan came back from a 2-0 deficit to draw Lazio 2-2 on the weekend. Malik Tillman, Sebastian Berhalter and Jack McGlynn also had strong performances this past weekend while stateside, Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann continued their scorching forms. In #AskAlexi, we discuss why MLS still sees some less than ideal crowd sizes despite the abundance of talent and in One For the Road, Alexi brings us along on his journey to a college soccer match. CHAPTERS:0:00 - Intro1:59 - U.S. Soccer Burning questions4:39 - Burning Questions: Are we calling up Cavan Sullivan?15:16 - Burning Questions: What do we do with our goalkeepers?17:53 - Burning Questions: What's going on with Christian Pulisic?24:49 - U.S. Abroad: Pulisic and Tillman assist, Berhalter and McGlynn score34:24 - Controversy in the Manchester Derby43:08 - #AskAlexi: MLS crowd sizes & Antoine Griezmann MVP push49:08 - One For The Road: Alexi's college soccer night out Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse are back with a LIVE episode of State of the Union! The 2026 Ballon D’or top 30 finalists have been announced, and we go through all the names and pick out our biggest surprises, snubs and more. Alexi then reveals his personal top 10 Ballon D’or ballot before we give Rose Lavelle her flowers for being the only American nominated for the Ballon d'Or Féminin. After, Alexi and Mosse break down the return of the Champions League, that saw Real Madrid top Inter Milan, Liverpool beat Atletico Madrid and Arsenal just hold off Napoli. Looking ahead to the weekend, AC Milan meets Lazio as Christian Pulisic watch continues and in the Bundesliga, Malik Tillman takes on Noahkai Banks. In #AskAlexi, Alexi goes deep on the very best and the very worst of US soccer and in One for the Road, we tip our cap to USMNT legend, Eric Wynalda, who just took a manager stop in Estonia. CHAPTERS:0:00 - Intro2:33 - 2026 Ballon D'or top 30 finalists revealed11:10 - Alexi's Ballon D'or ballot: Will Messi win another?22:53 - The Champions League is BACK: Erling Haaland, Martin Ødegaard dominate30:04 - Alex Freeman's UCL Debut: Does playing in Europe REALLY matter?34:21 - 3 can't miss matches USMNT matches: Musah battles Lazio42:32 - #AskAlexi: The best and worst of US Soccer53:42 - One For The Road: Eric Wynalda the manager Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse are back with a LIVE episode of State of the Union! We begin the show with a guest appearance from FOX Sports soccer writer, Doug McIntyre, to break down the upcoming international window and what we should expect from Mauricio Pochettino and the USMNT. Alexi, Doug, and Mosse discuss what young phenoms we could potentially see get a roster call up and all the latest with dual-national Noahkai Banks. After, Alexi and Mosse discuss the biggest matches from around Europe including a Juventus-AC Milan battle that saw neither Weston McKennie nor Christian Pulisic take the field. Elsewhere in Europe, Gio Reyna and Ricardo Pepi found the net for Strasbourg and PSV respectfully while Arsenal and Chelsea met in a massive early season Premier League battle. Alexi and Mosse preview the returning Champions League and highlight some of the biggest matches coming in matchday 1. In MLS, Cavan Sullivan scored again, prompting a question in #AskAlexi about whether Sullivan really is that good or if he success is due to playing in MLS. To wrap the show up in One for the Road, Alexi and Mosse discuss a time keeping disasterclass from the world of college football. CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Intro2:36 - Doug McIntyre joins the show after speaking with Mauricio Pochettino11:47 - Has the tenor changed on Noahkai Banks?20:30 - What is the future of the goalkeeping position for the USMNT?22:52 - U.S Abroad: McKennie, Pulisic STILL out27:30 - Ricardo Pepi scores… can he catch Folarin U.S. Abroad: Balogun this window?33:06 - CHAMPIONS LEAGUE IS BACK35:00 - #AskAlexi: Is Poch right? Too much pressure of Cavan Sullivan?48:29 - One For The Road: Mosse addresses stoppage time in Michigan michigas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

To kick off this jam-packed episode, Alexi Lalas is joined by Philadelphia Union and American wunderkind Cavan Sullivan. The duo dive into the Union’s insane run, his recent rescinded red card, the bleach blond hairstyle, playing with his brothers growing up, his relationship with Manchester City, Clint Dempsey, Messi and so much more.Alexi and David Mosse then recap a wild transfer market for Folarin Balogun and Sergiño Dest. Who was at fault for the collapsed Everton deal and did Dest make a mistake turning down a move to Fulham?In #AskAlexi, the guys give Nashville their due before celebrating MLS’s return to the U.S. Open Cup.To wrap the show, the guys debate if EPL coverage is too English in America. CHAPTERS:0:00 - Intro2:22 - Cavan Sullivan on his hairstyle13:34 - Cavan Sullivan on USMNT at 2026 FIFA World Cup15:43 - Cavan Sullivan on relationship with Manchester City17:29 - Cavan Sullivan on Messi, Dempsey & more28:02 - Flo Balogun’s WILD transfer deadline day34:56 - Sergiño Dest’s mistake?42:04 - U.S. Abroad: Worried about Jedi Robinson or Chris Richards? Pulsic & Musah vs McKennie.47:05 - #AskAlexi: Nashville on FIRE & US. Open Cup return55:58 - One For the Road: Soccer coverage Too English? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The GOAT has hung up his international boots. Alexi Lalas and David Mosse dive into the greatest international career in history as Lionel Messi calls it quits for Argentina. The duo poses the questions: Will we ever see another Messi & without Ronaldo… would we have seen Messi reach these heights? Alexi also power ranks Messi’s all-time moments on the world’s biggest stage.  Elsewhere in MLS, Cavan Sullivan and Neil Pierre keep scoring, Chucky Lozano got on the scoresheet in the loss to San Diego and should we be talking up Brian Schwake more for the national team?  In U.S. Abroad, Yunus Musah and Sergiño Dest continued their comeback tours, while Jurgen Klopp looks to poach NNoahkai Banks. Do we like Everton as a landing spot for Folarin Balogun?  CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Intro3:44 - Will we ever see another Messi?11:24 - Power Ranking Messi’s Moments17:02 - Cavan Sullivan continues to star20:20 - Should Brian Schwake get a callup from Mauricio Pochettino?26:31 - Panic Button on Chris Richards?29:43 - Folarin Balogun to Everton39:02 - Musah and Dest comeback tours44:39 - #AskAlexi: How does the U.S. produce a Rodri?49:55 - One For The Road: U.S. Soccer nears takeover of U.S. Youth Soccer63:17 - Every Messi FIFA World Cup Goal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse are joined by the legendary Rebecca Lowe to go behind the curtain on the 2026 FIFA World Cup studio production alongside Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimović! Rebecca breaks down her favorite memories from this summer, the English perspective on American players, managers and owners in the EPL and what it was like to act on the set ofTed Lasso. Then, Alexi and Mosse preview a packed U.S. weekend abroad—featuring Yunus Musah, Christian Pulisic, Malik Tillman, and Noahkai Banks—and ask the big question: Who is truly the face of the USMNT right now?Finally, in #AskAlexi, the guys analyze Chris Richards at Crystal Palace and wrap up with a review of the IndyCar Freedom 250 in D.C. CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Intro3:24 - Rebecca Lowe joins the show & hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup14:11 - Rebecca Lowe on Arsenal repeat title bid18:29 - Rebecca Lowe on Americans in EPL + growth of game in USA33:11 - U.S. Abroad: Malik Tillman the new face of USMNT?42:10 - U.S. Abroad: Is Yunus Musah BACK?52:38 - MLS should get more credit for player development56:50 - #AskAlexi: Breaking Down Chris Richards’ start to EPL season65:00 - One For The Road: Freedom 250 recap Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stu Holden and David Mosse dive into all things red, white and blue soccer. Up first, Stu gives his take on Mauricio Pochettino staying through the 2030 World Cup. What is up next for the leadership of U.S. Soccer? The duo then dives into a packed weekend of Americans abroad. Will Folarin Balogun make the jump to EPL or LaLiga? Elsewhere, Gianluca Busio and Tim Weah captained their sides while Yunus Musah made his long awaited return to the starting XI at AC Milan. In #AskAlexi, Mosse and Stu dive into the wunderkind, Cavan Sullivan. Is he the next Christian Pulisic? To wrap the show, the guys recap the MLS weekend where Josh Sargent and Co. topped Messi and Miami + MLS looking into expanding the playoffs. Is B.J. Callaghan a USA coaching candidate of the future? CHAPTERS:0:00 - Intro3:50 - What is next for Mauricio Pochettino this cycle?15:01 - Flo Balogun and Barcelona18:44 - Captain Tim Weah & leadership missing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup23:46 - Yunus Musah BACK?28:08 - Who is the face of this USMNT?31:00 - Pepi and Dest score, too good for PSV?33:07 - USA in EPL: Chris Richards and Tyler Adams adapt to new roles52:23 - #AskAlexi: Cavan Sullivan the next Christian Pulisic? 65:00 - One For The Road: MLS Playoff expansion 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! Today, Alexi and Mosse deep dive on all the Americans playing in Europe and give their predictions for the major leagues. Will Pulisic bounce back with Milan, what does McKennie have in store for an encore, how will Zavier Gozo fit in at Crystal Palace, will Flo Balogun bag 20+ goals and much more. After breaking down each league, Alexi gives his predictions for the USMNT MVP in Europe, the “now or never” USA player, and a darkhorse candidate for USA players currently in Europe that will definitely surprise you. We then touch on MLS, including Breel Embolo’s move to Atlanta United falling through and trying to figure out the best path forward with Cavan Sullivan and the national team. In #AskAlexi, we discuss what things soccer could take from American football style broadcasts and what potential rule changes we’d like to see implemented in MLS and in One for the Road, Alexi breaks down some of the key differences between football and futbol. CHAPTERS: (0:00): Intro(2:28): EPL Preview: Haji Wright out for multiple weeks(17:41): Serie A Preview: Pulisic back, can Weston continue his form?(22:18): La Liga Preview: Johnny Cardoso stuck on the bench for Atleti(27:56): Ligue 1 Preview: Can Folarin Balogun reach 20 goals?(37:00): Rapid fire predictions for USMNT players in Europe(30:10): Folarin Balogun to Barcelona? (50:05): #AskAlexi: The Americanization of soccer(56:24): One for the Road: Football vs Futbol Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices