Pepi Powers PSV, MLS Cup Playoffs Begin, and no captain’s armband for Pulisic?

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

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse gear up for the USMNT’s October window with plenty of burning questions. Will the U.S. lock in a back three, or shift back to a traditional four? How will they adapt without Dest — and with Jedi Robinson on limited minutes? And if you bring four goalkeepers, shouldn’t at least two get a shot?Alexi reveals his Starting XI for the window — featuring Matt Freese in goal, a veteran back line, and Pulisic and Balogun leading the charge against Ecuador and Australia.Around the globe, World Cup qualifying gets wild: CAF, AFC, UEFA, and CONCACAF races all heating up, while MLS playoff spots hang in the balance with Messi’s Miami fighting for position and Jordi Alba’s farewell on the horizon.Then it’s #AskAlexi and One for the Road, where Alexi salutes Darlington Nagbe — one of the best to ever do it. Intro (0:00)3 Burning Questions for USMNT Window: Back 3 vs Back 4? (5:02)Alexi’s Best Starting XI (11:36)2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Preview (21:07)MLS Weekend Preview: Messi double duty? (32:42)#AskAlexi: Why the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be a huge success (37:31)Happy Trails Darlington Nagbe - Alexi’s GOAT (44:39) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From Serie A to the Championship, this week’s USMNT Abroad is packed with drama, goals, and global headlines. In Italy, Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie faced off in Juventus vs AC Milan’s scoreless draw. Pulisic’s rare penalty miss ended his perfect start to the year. Over in Germany, Noahkai Banks scored his first-ever Bundesliga goal in front of his entire family. Does he deserve a call-up in the November window? In the Netherlands, Sergiño Dest returned for PSV, going 73 strong minutes, while Ricardo Pepi was left off the bench.  EPL delivered chaos as Tyler Adams helped Bournemouth climb into UCL contention, Chris Richards went the distance for Palace, and Brenden Aaronson started in Leeds’ narrow loss to Spurs. Are we hitting the panic button over Jedi Robinson’s situation with Fulham? In the Championship, Haji Wright stayed scorching hot, while Josh Sargent continues to slide. We also hit on Philadelphia’s Supporters’ Shield win, Messi’s hat-trick of assists, and UEFA’s controversial decision to approve domestic league games abroad, including LA Liga games in the United States.  CHAPTERS: Intro (0:00)Pulisic misses 2nd-ever pen (4:42)Dest & Jedi's injury status (10:00)UEFA matches Abroad: La Liga comes to US (25:46)MLS Recap: Union's Shield & Messi shines (31:09)MLS vs Europe: USMNT Roster Edition #AskAlexi (46:28)Pochettino's lack of communication (59:34) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The USMNT October roster is here and Alexi Lalas, Stu Holden & David Mosse break it all down. From Christian Pulisic’s red-hot form at AC Milan to Haji Wright’s goal surge in the Championship, we dive into the biggest snubs and storylines ahead of friendlies vs. Ecuador and Australia. Alexi, Mosse, and Stu debate whether Mauricio Pochettino’s latest squad is built for a back three or back four, and what the absences of Sergiño Dest, Ricardo Pepi, Yunus Musah, and Tyler Adams mean for World Cup prep. We highlight rising stars like Diego Luna, Patrick Agyemang, and Tanner Tessmann while asking: is this the best Pochettino roster so far? Plus, we react to the unveiling of the adidas FIFA World Cup 2026 official match ball, the TRIONDA, and rank the greatest FIFA World Cup balls of all time. Keepers: Four on the roster? (6:15)Backline: Back Three or Four? (8:33)Midfield: No Musah? (15:37)Forwards: Who starts up top? (22:25)Pochettino press conference quotes (26:38)TRIONDA reveal (39:52) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Stu Holden and John Strong join us as we recap all the Champions League action featuring USMNT stars: Yunus Musah delivers the game-winning assist for Atalanta, Tim Weah’s Marseille crush Ajax, Folarin Balogun’s Monaco draw Man City, and Weston McKennie battles in Juventus’ 2-2 thriller. We’ve also got updates on Ricardo Pepi and Sergiño Dest’s injuries.Plus, the Baby Nats dominate the U-20 World Cup with a record-setting 9-1 win, while Gregg Berhalter’s Chicago Fire stun Inter Miami in a wild MLS playoff-clincher. We close with thoughts on the USMNT back-three vs back-four debate ahead of October friendlies vs Ecuador and Australia. Make sure to join the conversation with #AskAlexi! Intro (0:00)Yunus Musah’s winning assists in UCL (9:55)U.S needs more McKennie leadership? (27:18)Gregg Berhalter’s Fire top Messi and Co. (43:29)Advice for Landon Donovan’s balding issue (48:27)Jurgen Klopp MLS praise (52:04) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices