Pepi makes history, Balogun bags his goal | USMNT in UCL Recap

Stu Holden and David Mosse react to the USMNT November roster reveal in this live episode of State of the Union. The pair discuss what to expect from the USA’s two upcoming matches with a roster that does not include Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie or Chris Richards among others. While some of the biggest stars are missing, Gio Reyna makes a surprise return to the roster and Stu and Mosse debate whether this is Gio’s last chance with the USMNT. Finally, manager Mauricio Pochettino expressed his desire to move back to the Premier League at some point, should this concern USA fans as the team gears up for next summer’s World Cup? Intro - (0:00)Pulisic, McKennie, Musah and others OUT (:)Matt Turner done with USMNT? (:)Gio Reyna is BACK (:)Pochettino misses EPL? (:) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This State of the Union episode is packed with USMNT in UCL goals, heated MLS playoff drama & more. We kick things off with a UEFA Champions League recap as Ricardo Pepi’s stoppage-time heroics for PSV secured a 1–1 draw against Olympiacos, tying legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Agüero for a record. Flo Balogun bagged his first-ever Champions League goal for Monaco in a 1–0 win over Bodo/Glimt, while Weston McKennie’s Juventus held Sporting to a 1–1 draw. Elsewhere, PSG fell 2–1 to Bayern, Liverpool edged out Real Madrid 1–0, and Erling Haaland extended his insane UCL scoring streak in City’s 4–1 rout of Dortmund. We’re also still on Pulisic Watch as Parma takes on AC Milan. The MLS Cup Playoff opening round is coming to a close, with must-watch matchups like Inter Miami vs. Nashville and Cincinnati vs. Columbus. Did Luis Suarez deserve the suspension?  Plus, stay tuned for #AskAlexi where we are debating Gregg Berhalter vs. Mauricio Pochettino and what would count as success in 2026 for the USMNT. Smash that YouTube sub and join the conversation! Intro (0:00)USMNT in UCL: Pepi & Balogun score (:)MLS Cup Playoff Preview: Suarez suspended (:)#AskAlexi: Berhalter or Pochettino? (:)One For The Road: Mamdani the soccer player (:) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse break down all the latest happenings of USMNT stars around the world in the newest episode of State of the Union. Tyler Adams scored his first ever Premier League goal for Bournemouth as Chris Richards returned from a brief Injury spell at Crystal Palace. Jedi Robinson, Johnny Cardoso and Malik Tillman are still waiting to make their returns to the pitch as is Christian Pulisic, who is being asked by AC Milan to stay in Italy for the next international break. Stateside, the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs are finishing with a flurry as we saw penalty shootouts between Portland and San Diego, Dallas and Vancouver and Charlotte and NYCFC. Messi and Miami will face Nashville for a decisive third game on Saturday. The guys debate a dream World Cup Final for next summer and finally, for his One for the Road, Alexi breaks down the potential use of AI to shape lineups and tactics and we reveal a USMNT starting XI chosen by ChatGPT. Intro (0:00)USMNT Abroad: Adams scores, Pulisic pulled from U.S. duty (5:48)MLS Cup Playoffs Recap: (15:31)#AskAlexi: Dream World Cup Final matchups: Messi vs Ronaldo? (25:09)Coach ChatGPT: Would you use AI to make your lineup? (37:32) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The USMNT roster announcement is just around the corner, and Alexi Lalas and David Mosse grade a handful of players who need work and who are on the rise ahead of the November window. From Brenden Aaronson’s resurgence and Haji Wright’s hot streak to Matt Turner’s lack of playing time, find out who’s making a strong case for selection — and who might be in trouble. 🌍 In USMNT Abroad: 🇮🇹 Serie A: Christian Pulisic injury update & Weston McKennie’s new manager Luciano Spalletti 🇩🇪 Bundesliga: Malik Tillman nearing his return & Noahkai Banks makes the U.S. roster?  🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 EPL: Antonee Robinson’s status at Fulham, Chris Richards injury news, and a look ahead to a massive weekend of fixtures. 🇺🇸 MLS Cup Playoffs: Full breakdown of the best-of-three first round — key results, standout performances, and who’s advancing. 🎧 In #AskAlexi: Best Halloween movies 🎃 & Has MLS drifted from its original mission to develop American talent? 🎙️ Finally, in One For The Road, we unpack Gio Reyna’s comments to the AP... 📞 Call the show: (657) 549-2297💬 Join the conversation: Use #AskAlexi on social media▶️ Subscribe on YouTube and follow @SOTUWithAlexi for full episodes and highlights Intro: (0:00)USMNT Stock Watch: (7:19)USMNT Weekend Preview: (23:45)MLS Cup Playoff Review: (33:04)One For The Road - Gio Reyna's comments: (47:27) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today’s show, Alexi Lalas and David Mosse break down all the USMNT Abroad action as Brenden Aaronson scores for Leeds, Tyler Adams assists and captains second-place Bournemouth, and Chris Richards goes the full 90 for Arsenal. Also in Europe, we’ve got Gio Reyna logging Bundesliga minutes, Tim Weah’s first Ligue 1 assist, and updates on Christian Pulisic and Cameron Carter-Vickers injuries. Plus, the MLS Cup Playoffs heat up — Messi leads Inter Miami, while Philadelphia and San Diego FC make strong starts. We wrap with your #AskAlexi questions on Messi’s marketability before saying goodbye to Camp Cupcake. 🎧 Subscribe now for all things U.S. Soccer 🇺🇸 Intro - (0:00)Brenden Aaronson scores his 1st of year- (6:18)Mbappe tops Yamal in El Classico- (14:51)Weah bags an assist but gets hurt - (22:00)MLS Cup Playoff recap - (30:25)And Ode to Camp Cupcake - (46:48) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse start in the UEFA Champions League, where Ricardo Pepi made instant impact — scoring and assisting off the bench as PSV dismantled Napoli 6–2. Would you start him over Folarin Balogun? Bayer Leverkusen suffered a 7–2 defeat against PSG without Malik Tillman, and Arsenal cruised 4–0 past Atlético Madrid in a tough outing without Johnny Cardoso. On Wednesday, Weston McKennie battled hard but couldn’t stop Real Madrid’s dominance ahead of the first El Clásico of the season. And finally, Tim Weah & top of the table Marseille fell to Sporting Lisbon. Back stateside, the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs kick off with a loaded best-of-three first round. We’ll tell you who’s hot, who’s not, and who could lift the Cup. Plus, #AskAlexi returns with your fan questions including a heated plea for Christian Pulisic to NOT wear the armband for the USMNT. Tune in and and smash that YouTube & Spotify subscribe button! Intro - (0:00)USMNT in UCL - Pepi is BACK BABY (:)MLS Cup Playoff Preview - (:)Best Superstar to add to USMNT: Harry Kane? - (:)Should Pulisic get the captain's armband next summer? - (:)2031 FIFA Women's World Cup heads to CONCACAF - (:) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It was a wild weekend across Europe! AC Milan climb back to the top of Serie A as Rafael Leão breaks his drought against Fiorentina — but all eyes are on the club vs. country debate after news that Christian Pulisic will miss action until after the next international break with a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, Como stunned Juventus 2-0, with Weston McKennie coming off of the bench. We ask Stu Holden: Is McKennie really the best midfielder in USMNT history? In the Eredivisie, Ricardo Pepi makes his return for PSV, Folarin Balogun keeps scoring in Ligue 1, and Harry Kane puts on another masterclass in Germany — sparking the question: should he be in the “best in the world” conversation? Back home, the MLS Cup Playoff field is set! Wild Card Wednesday looms, and every matchup is dripping with drama. Plus, Stu and Mosse dive into U.S. Soccer’s push to modernize college soccer and revive its role in player development. 📞 Got questions? Call (657) 549-2297 or use #AskAlexi to join the show. Follow @SOTUWithAlexi and don’t miss this jam-packed episode! Intro - (0:00)AC Milan upset over Christian Pulisic injury (5:02)Pepi Back, Balogun scores - (13:53)Haaland, Kane, or Mbappe - (28:23)MLS Cup Playoff Picks - (44:08)Pro/Rel for College Soccer - (53:25) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

FOX Soccer Insider Doug McIntyre joins Alexi Lalas and David Mosse for an in-depth, boots-on-the-ground look at the USMNT’s October international window. Doug shares exclusive notes from Mauricio Pochettino’s camp — including how the new boss “blew everything up” after the March camp. We dive into standout stories: Matt Freese locking down the No. 1 goalkeeper spot, Cristian Roldan’s resurgence, and updates on Christian Pulisic’s injury and recovery ahead of Milan vs Fiorentina. Is Weston McKennie the best U.S. midfielder of all-time? We also preview what’s ahead for U.S. stars abroad — Ricardo Pepi back in training with PSV, Johnny Cardoso’s La Liga return delayed, and Chris Richards’ inspiring interview with Doug on his goal to become the best USMNT defender ever.  Finally, we preview MLS Decision Day drama, dive into listener #AskAlexi questions, and celebrate the incredible career of Brad Guzan. Intro (0:00)FOX Soccer Insider Doug McIntyre on Pulisic’s Injury (5:07)USMNT Abroad: Johnny’s injury set back, Pepi returns? (24:29)MLS Decision Day Preview: Who locks in the final spots in the West? (33:12)Happy Trails Brad Guzan (46:43) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The United States Men’s National Team edged Australia 2–1 in a gritty international friendly, with Haji Wright delivering both goals to seal the win. Despite an early setback and a Christian Pulisic injury scare, Mauricio Pochettino’s men showed resilience and attacking intent. Is Matt Freese your in-pen-starter next summer in goal? Alexi Lalas & David Mosse also give updates on World Cup Qualifying around the globe: Cape Verde, South Africa and others punched their tickets, while England cruised behind Harry Kane and Ronaldo broke a qualifying record. Intro: (0:00)Matt Freese is your starter (3:55)Christian Pulisic injured (4:50)Cristian Roldan on 2026 World Cup roster (9:40)USYNT knocked out of U20 World Cup (23:26)2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Recap (26:14) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alexi Lalas, Stu Holden and David Mosse bring you immediate reaction to the USMNT’s 1-1 draw in a friendly against Ecuador. Did this match prove that the USA should stay with its new look back three formation or revert to a more traditional back four? Alexi and Stu have differing opinions. Folarin Balogun scored his 7th career international goal for the USMNT and the trio discuss if he has locked down the starting striker position. Christian Pulisic came on as a 2nd half sub raising the question of his status as the “USMNT’s Messi.”Elsewhere around the globe, more World Cup spots were locked in, the USYNT continued its run in the U20 World Cup soundly beating Italy, and an upset in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying is brewing.All that and more in this LIVE episode of State of the Union! Intro (0:00)Starting XI thoughts: Back three prevails (5:28)Christian Pulisic is the U.S. Messi (25:10USYNT into quarterfinals (34:0)2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying recap (36:41) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices