Soccerwise | U.S. Soccer, MLS, NWSL

Paul Kennedy has been covering American soccer for 55 years, from the days when finding a game on TV was nearly impossible to the 2026 World Cup. He joins Open Mic to share the stories from his career, the people and games that stuck with him, and his perspective on American soccer today.

0:00 Intro

0:46 How Paul Kennedy Became a Soccer Writer

9:22 Finding the Game Through College Soccer

13:24 From Law School to Soccer America

16:13 Covering Soccer in the 80s

21:08 Career Highlights, Favorite People & Games

27:17 The Great “What If?”

Alejandro Bedoya joins Tom & Gass to celebrate some of his youngins making the USMNT Roster. Then they react to the USOC semifinals and look ahead to the weekend

The NWSL is getting weird and crazy, and Jordan Angeli and David Gass are back together to try and make sense of this unpredictable league. Houston is searching for a new direction, Orlando makes a major commitment to Barbra Banda, and the playoff race is tightening every week. The stretch run is here, and nobody seems ready to make it easy.

0:00 Intro

0:42 Gass is Back

4:34 Houston Cleans House

20:42 Utah Finds a Way

29:09 Barbra Banda is Staying in Orlando

37:01 Washington’s Missing Piece

45:24 Macario Out, Bonansea In...

Cavan Sullivan is making his case for the USMNT after another jaw-dropping performance, St. Louis is the hottest team in MLS and the Western Conference race is getting interesting. David Gass, Matt Doyle and special guest Andrew Wiebe discuss the Shield race, a surging FC Dallas and some intriguing games on the docket for this week, including the U.S. Open Cup semifinals.

0:00 Intro

5:15 Soccerwise MLS Media Collective

15:43 Rebirth of San Jose Earthquakes

25:25 Sporting KC Gets A Win

34:49 Cavan Sullivan is Cinema

55:42 St. Louis Keeps Rolling

Mary Harvey has seen the women’s game from almost every angle in her career, as a USWNT goalkeeper to FIFA leader and WPS executive. Today, she leads the Center for Sport and Human Rights, and she joins Open Mic to talk about the evolution of women’s soccer, the lessons of its past and where the game goes next.

0:00 Intro

1:26 The 1991 World Cup

4:57 Harvey’s Journey to the USWNT

7:58 How 1991 Changed Women’s Soccer

11:53 Inside the 1996 USWNT

16:25 From Player to FIFA Leader

24:11 How World Cups Dri...

David Gass is back and is joined by Matt Doyle to break down MLS’ summer transfer window, the record spending, and the league’s place in the global market. Then they dive into the playoff race, from Nashville vs. Vancouver for the Supporters’ Shield to the contenders and the teams that could make a run to the postseason.

0:00 Gass is Back from Peru

7:28 What Happened in the MLS Transfer Window?

11:30 The Numbers & MLS in the Global Market

20:11 The MLS Grind is Setting In

25:57 Battle for the Shield: Nashville vs. Vancou...

What comes next for the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams? David Gass and Brian Dunseth look at Mauricio Pochettino’s second cycle with the USMNT, the players that are pushing to get into the team and what it could like for the next four years. Then, Michelle French, who coached the U.S. U-20s at two World Cups and was an assistant with the USWNT in 2015, joins Gass to talk about her experience, the decisions young players face between college, club and country and the path to the USWNT.

0:00 Intro

2:34 Pochet...

Jordan Angeli and Jill Loyden are back to breakdown a wild, long weekend in the NWSL. They dive into Vlatko Andonovski’s departure from Kansas City and Jameese Joseph’s move to Utah to Ashley Sanchez’s historic run and Denver’s statement win over Gotham. The race for the playoffs is tighter than ever as they recap the weekend’s biggest results and look ahead to another huge slate of games with playoff positioning on the line.

0:00 Intro

3:22 Vlatko & KC Part Ways

11:18 Jameese Joseph to Utah

22:46 Denver Stuns Gotham

26:19 Th...

Susannah Fuller chats with former Arsenal and England defender Kieran Gibbs to talk about his path from pro player to co-founding ONE FC, a youth soccer academy in Miami. Gibbs shares his approach to player development, how he hopes to bring his own experiences to the U.S. and where the project is now and going in the future. Plus, they discuss the 2026 World Cup and talk about Arsenal’s chance of repeating as Premier League Champions.

0:00 Intro

1:24 ONE FC Origin Story

6:03 Lessons from European Academies

8:26 The ONE FC Approach

...

The clock is ticking down on the 2026 MLS Transfer Window and the "Ice Cream Shop" is open. Tom Bogert hosts while also taking 15 phone calls, with Matt Doyle and Brian Dunseth alongside to break it all down as the scoops come in live.

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US Soccer is making major changes to the youth soccer landscape, while a new generation of young players is getting ready for its own opportunity on the international stage. David Gass is joined by The Athletic’s Henry Bushnell to break down U.S. Soccer’s move to take control of U.S. Youth Soccer (USYS), then he sits down with U-20 World Cup-bound stars Emeri Adames of the Seattle Reign and the Chicago Stars Micayla Johnson to discuss their journeys, the tournament and what it means to represent the U.S.

0:00 Intro

1:17 The Subs Benc...

Seb Hines is out in Orlando less than two years after leading the Pride to the NWSL Shield and Championship. David Gass and Jill Loyden break down Orlando’s struggles, the decision to move on from Hines and what comes next for the Pride. Plus, Rose Lavelle re-signs with Gotham, some rumors floating around as the NWSL transfer window is closing soon, and the biggest takeaways from another wild weekend in the NWSL.

0:00 Intro

2:35 Orlando’s Fall From the Top

13:37 Yolanda Thomas Takes Over the Pride

18:06 Rose Lavelle Re-Signs With Gotham

The MLS transfer window is in its final days, and there’s plenty to sort through. David Gass, Tom Bogert and Matt Doyle break down St. Louis City’s record move for Rafael Navarro, what’s next for Colorado and the latest moves around MLS. Plus, Inter Miami’s coaching change, RSL’s struggles and a wild weekend across the league, from San Diego and Minnesota to another big performance from Cavan Sullivan.

0:00 Intro

5:06 MLS Transfer Record for Rafa Navarro

15:35 St. Louis Expectations Moving Forward

19:23 Colorado's Rebuild

27:29 RSL's Death Spiral

David Gass sits down with KC Current owner Angie Long and GM Ryan Dell to talk about the club's ambitions in Kansas City and beyond. From the rise of the NWSL and the club's approach to women's soccer to HB Køge, youth development and creating a pathway to the professional game, Long and Dell offer insight into how they're building the club and creating new opportunities in women's soccer.

0:00 Intro

1:41 Angie Long on Owning a Pro Sports Team

3:51 Kansas City is a Soccer City

8:41 Why KC Current Went Global

The MLS transfer window is heating up, with record-breaking fees and major moves reshaping clubs across the league. David Gass and Tom Bogert break down Kevin Kelsy’s $13 million move to Rangers, Owen Wolff’s record U22 Initiative transfer to Sporting KC, Julian Hall’s new deal, Austin FC’s overhaul and more before diving into MLS’s Leagues Cup collapse and the weekend ahead.

0:00 Intro

6:24 Portland’s Kevin Kelsy to Rangers

17:03 Owen Wolff to Sporting KC

32:49 Colorado’s Big U22 Signing

37:02 Julian Hall’s New Deal

43:41 LAFC & Orlando M...

College soccer remains a major part of the American soccer ecosystem, but the pathway to the pros and national teams is changing. David Gass talks with Philadelphia Union sporting director John Scheer and former Florida State head coach and Washington Spirit GM Mark Krikorian about where college soccer fits now, what it provides players and coaches, and how the U.S. can make the most of multiple pathways to the next level.

0:00 Intro

2:18 The Subs Bench: Jedi, Pukštas, 2027 World Cup & Yanks Abroad

19:35 John Scheer: Why College Matters

23:56 College Development & Scouting

Ashley Sanchez is putting herself right in the USWNT conversation, Boston is still trying to figure things out and the NWSL standings are getting very interesting. David Gass and Jordan Angeli dig into where the league stands, from Gotham's incredible run to San Diego's statement win over Utah and North Carolina's wild finish against Boston.

0:00 Jordan's Favorite Form of Transportation

2:42 Ashley Sanchez's USWNT Case

6:59 Sarah Schupansky to Boston

16:09 Esther González Heads to Saudi Arabia

21:23 The NWSL's New Tiers

32:56 San Diego Breaks Through Utah

42:43 Orlando's D...

The MLS transfer market is moving fast, and Tom Bogert has plenty of scoops to break down. David Gass and Matt Doyle join him to dig into Seattle’s move for Dejan Joveljić, Eduard Löwen heading to San Jose and what the latest moves mean for the teams involved. Then they turn to the weekend, including Nashville’s record-setting pace and more from around MLS.

0:00 Intro & Leagues Cup Quarterfinals

5:56 Dejan Joveljić to Seattle

14:58 The Puzzle of Sporting KC’s Transfers

24:39 Eduard Löwen Heads to San Jose

33:03 St. Louis Expe...

David Gass sits down with former Vancouver Whitecaps FC head coach and current Halifax Wanderers GM and head coach Vanni Sartini for the debut episode of Open Mic. Sartini opens up about his coaching journey, the USMNT, MLS and his vision for the future of the game in North America.

0:00 Welcome to Open Mic

2:20 New Chapter in Halifax

4:42 The Growth of Soccer in Canada

11:32 His Coaching Journey

14:55 Developing Better Coaches

19:40 Building the USMNT Identity

26:36 Fixing Italian Soccer

30:56 Inside the Vancouver Years

40:32...

MLS is considering major changes to its playoff format, and David Gass and Tom Bogert dig into what it could mean for the league. They also discuss Mark McKenzie's move back to Philadelphia, Nashville's Shield push and the fallout from a heated Philadelphia-Miami matchup.

0:00 Intro

6:16 MLS Playoff Changes: Is It Too Much?

16:19 Mark McKenzie Coming Home

24:37 Sporting KC's Record Signing

29:46 Tom’s Ice Cream Shop Scoops

42:39 Nashville's Quest for the Shield

50:20 Philadelphia vs. Miami Gets Heated

1:00:21 Houston's Statement Win Over Vancouver

1:05:43 Mi...

The USMNT’s next chapter is already taking shape. David Gass and Brian Dunseth take a look at the Americans abroad to keep an eye on as the new European seasons get underway, examining their performances, development and what could be next for them with the USMNT.

On the women’s side, David Gass and Jordan Angeli begin building the USWNT’s 2027 World Cup roster. They break down the depth chart position by position, examine the biggest position battles and look at the players who could force their way into the conversation.

Welcome to U.S. Soc...

Utah keeps making a case that it belongs in the Shield conversation, while Gotham is starting to look like the team many expected them to be. David Gass and Jordan Angeli discuss what's behind both teams' recent form, plus the emotional return of Caiya Hanks for Portland and the continued emergence of Mel Barcenas in San Diego.

0:00 Intro: Across the NWSL in 72 Hours

2:46 Utah's Wild Win Over Bay FC

17:06 Gotham's Best Soccer of the Season?

24:32 Caiya Hanks' Storybook Return

31:42 Angel City & Washington Play to a Draw

38:26 Mel...

Nashville makes a statement against Inter Miami, while Seattle faces major questions and Vancouver continues its rise in the Western Conference. Tom Bogert, David Gass and Matt Doyle break down the biggest stories from around MLS, including the league’s top contenders, Chicago’s push to join them and the teams making moves in the West.

0:00 Intro

4:43 Vancouver Rising, Seattle Falling

18:44 Philadelphia Improving & Neil Pierre Emerging

24:52 MLS Cup Contenders & Chicago’s Case

35:54 Nashville’s Statement Win Over Miami

44:32 The Dayne St. Clair Conundrum

49:53 Here Come the Hous...

The MLS transfer window is heating up, and Tom Bogert & David Gass dig into the biggest moves of the week, including Montréal’s wild signing of Chilean legend Alexis Sánchez and Josef Martínez’s return to MLS with the Columbus Crew.

Then they identify the five biggest transfer needs in MLS, from Chicago’s search for a difference-making No. 10 to the New York Red Bulls’ need for a starting center back. Plus, they discuss the latest from Leagues Cup and look ahead to the return of MLS this weekend.

0:00 Intro

8:40 Ice Cream S...

The NWSL delivered another wild weekend, with North Carolina and Portland both giving up three-goal leads and Gotham grinding out a 1-0 win over San Diego. David Gass and Jordan Angeli break down what stood out from the weekend. Then they discuss who is in the conversation for the awards at the midseason point, including Rookie, Defender, Goalkeeper, Midfielder and Coach of the Year. Plus, breaking news during the show: Olivia Moultrie is out for the season with a torn ACL. What does that mean for Moultrie, Portland and the rest of the 2026 season?

0:00 Intro & Weekend Goal...

Zavier Gozo is in London and on the verge of becoming a Crystal Palace player. David Gass and Tom Bogert break down what the move means for the young American, while Tom opens the Ice Cream Shop with the latest details.

Then they discuss the LA Galaxy’s additions of Chucky Lozano and Sergi Roberto, Marcel Hartel's departure from St. Louis, and more MLS transfer news before diving into Leagues Cup chaos. Six MLS teams are sitting on six points, Brais Méndez continues to impress for Columbus and the young talent came out to play for Phi...

Chucky Lozano is reportedly headed to the LA Galaxy, Xavier Gozo is closing in on a move to Crystal Palace, and Leagues Cup is officially underway. David Gass and Tom Bogert break down the latest MLS transfer news, discuss Larry Berg being named the league's next commissioner.

Then, Ben Wright and Valair Shabilla of SixOneFive Soccer, one of MLS's leading independent media outlets, join the show to discuss Soccerwise's new partnership with SixOneFive, how they built the outlet, Nashville's rise as a soccer city, and the biggest storylines from the opening week of Leagues Cup.

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U.S. Soccer continues to build on the momentum from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but what comes next? David Gass, Walker Zimmerman, and Brianna Pinto reflect on their World Cup experiences, discuss what the tournament revealed about the future of American soccer, and explore how the sport can continue growing in the United States.

The crew reacts to Mauricio Pochettino's contract extension, discusses the role of youth national teams and player development, explores how to grow soccer culture in America, and looks ahead to what's next for the USMNT and USWNT.

Welcome to U.S...

Another wild weekend in the NWSL brings goals, transfer news, and plenty of storylines. David Gass and Jordan Angeli react to Jenna Nighswonger's impending move to Bay FC, Gabi Nunes joining the Orlando Pride, and what the latest signings mean around the league.

Plus, the crew breaks down Utah's dominant win over Portland, dives into the biggest talking points from another entertaining NWSL weekend, checks in on WAFCON, and previews the matches to watch this weekend.

0:00 Intro & ALERT: Utah Scores Again

4:13 WAFCON Roundup

11:06 Jenna Nighswonger to Bay FC

21:13 Gabi...

Mauricio Pochettino is staying with the USMNT through 2030. David Gass, Tom Bogert, and Matt Doyle react to U.S. Soccer's decision, what Pochettino's new contract means for the future of the national team, and whether he'll see out the full deal.

Plus, Robert Lewandowski continues to make his mark with the Chicago Fire, Evander stars for FC Cincinnati, and the crew reacts to the biggest storylines from another wild MLS weekend before looking ahead to Leagues Cup.

0:00 Intro

4:36 Pochettino Stays with USMNT Through 2030

19:37 Evander Takes Over for FC Cincinnati

23:34...

MLS owners are discussing the biggest roster rule changes the league has seen in years.

David Gass and Matt Doyle break down the proposed changes, how they could reshape the way clubs build their rosters, which rules should stay, which could disappear, and what a simpler MLS roster system might look like.

Plus, Gass and Doyle discuss reports that Mauricio Pochettino is nearing a USMNT contract extension before wrapping up their Buy or Sell series with the Western Conference. Which teams are they buying, and which are they selling as the playoff race heats up?<...

U.S. Soccer COO Dan Helfrich joins David Gass to discuss the future of U.S. Soccer, the USMNT coaching search, youth development, preparations for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup, and what's next for the federation.

Welcome to the first episode of U.S. Soccerwise, our new weekly show covering the biggest stories across the U.S. men's, women's, and youth national teams.

Dan shares how U.S. Soccer is approaching the search for the next USMNT head coach, the federation's long-term vision for player development and expanding access to the game, preparations for the 2027...

Breaking news hits just before recording as Esther González and Gotham FC mutually agree to part ways. What does Esther's departure mean for Gotham FC's NWSL title hopes, and who steps up in her absence? David Gass and Jordan Angeli break it all down.

Plus, Racing Louisville stuns Angel City FC, Washington Spirit climb to the top of the NWSL standings, Gotham FC and the Portland Thorns battle to an entertaining draw, Seattle Reign earn an impressive road win over San Diego Wave, and David and Jordan revisit their preseason predictions and update their outlook for t...

Hell Is Real delivered another unforgettable chapter as emotions boiled over between Columbus and Cincinnati, reminding everyone why it's become one of MLS's fiercest rivalries. David Gass, Tom Bogert and Matt Doyle break down the drama from one of the league's marquee rivalries before turning to Columbus' statement performance, Portland's emotional farewell to Felipe Mora and the latest storylines from another eventful MLS weekend.

The crew also opens the Ice Cream Shop for the latest MLS transfer news, breaks down the impact of Mbekezeli Mbokazi's injury and Sebastian Berhalter's departure, before wrapping up with an edition of...

Sebastian Berhalter is headed to Middlesbrough, Atlanta United are pursuing a blockbuster signing, and Robert Lewandowski makes his long-awaited MLS debut.

David Gass and Tom Bogert break down the biggest MLS transfer news before reacting to another wild midweek MLS slate, including Jack Harrison, Benji Flowers, Casemiro, Antoine Griezmann, Vancouver, FC Dallas, St. Louis and Philadelphia Union.

0:00 Welcome Back & MLS Midweek Madness

4:07 Sebastian Berhalter to Middlesbrough & Vancouver's Next Move

15:51 Atlanta United Chasing Darwin Núñez

25:13 Jack Harrison to New England Revolution

33:15 Toronto Lands Nicholas Dorsch

37:47 Be...

Jordan Angeli is joined one more time (for now) by NWSL commentator and znalyst extraordinaire Jill Loyden. The duo react to Spain’s 1-0 victory over Argentina as La Furia Roja claim their second Men’s World Cup trophy in history and reflect on what this tournament meant to them. NWSL approaches the midway mark of the season and the crew recaps games from the weekend. Women’s African Cup of Nations approaches and a variety of teams will be missing key figures. Lindsey Heaps makes her NWSL return as she and Denver Summit defeat her old club, the Portla...

The World Cup is over, and Major League Soccer is back. David Gass, Tom Bogert and Matt Doyle share their biggest World Cup takeaways before breaking down the latest MLS news, including Hugo Cuypers' move to CF Monterrey, coaching changes and roster moves. Plus, they discuss the Portland Timbers, San Diego FC, Kai Wagner and the search for Don Garber's successor as MLS commissioner.

0:00 Intro

4:40 World Cup Takeaways

12:33 Hugo Cuypers to CF Monterrey

23:18 Portland Timbers Hire Martí Cifuentes

30:37 San Diego FC Sign Tunisia International

38:01 Nashville SC Strengthen T...

Susannah Fuller, David Gass and Matt Doyle react to the World Cup Final, analyzing Spain's championship performance, Argentina's run, Lionel Messi's legacy and the standout performances from the final.

Jordan is joined one more time this week by NWSL Commentator and Friend of The Show, Jill Loyden. The pair react to the 2026 World Cup semifinal results before diving into the NWSL world. The Queen’s Classic marked +42,000 attendees in Queens, NY and Sam Kerr’s return as Gotham FC achieved a 1-0 victory over the Washington Spirit. Previewing Kansas City vs. San Diego in a Battle of The Seams (listen for Jill’s coaching breakdown on this), Seattle vs. Gotham, Denver’s first game with Lindsey Heaps available vs. Portland and Boston Legacy facing off against Washington after achievin...

The 2026 World Cup is over, but the next cycle is already underway. David Gass, Matt Doyle and Tom Bogert look ahead to the future of the U.S. Men's National Team. The crew discusses the USMNT coaching search, discusses which players are the foundation of the next cycle, identifies the young prospects who could break through over the next four years, and explains why the 2028 Copa América could be the biggest tournament of this generation.

00:00 Intro

5:35 Mauricio Pochettino's Future

11:40 The Hiring Process & What Comes Next

15:45 Coaching Candidates for the Next C...