I Love Mess
The upshot of all of this for me is that I'm having a blast. Yeah, that's mostly down to the fact that I get paid to talk about soccer on the radio and that's always easier (and more engaging) when there's interesting things happening.
Hey, we're back. This time with sprinkles.
While the USMNT is chugging along in the Gold Cup with a group that is about 85 percent guys most fans would label "B" or "C" names, the story that is getting more attention is the family drama involving Christian Pulisic, the current generation of first choice national teamers, and previous generations of USMNT notables.
And yes, if you're wondering, I did start this newsletter a week ago only to have life get in the way. Although we're now a few days away from the United States facing Costa Rica in a Gold Cup quarterfinal (which has people nervous), I don't think people have quite moved on from the squabbles—mostly because every day brings a new comment from someone else who thinks they have standing to say their piece.
Following the initial volley from Pulisic on 'Call It What You Want' and the response by Pochettino ahead of the Gold Cup group stage, a parade of former USMNT players/prominent soccer figures dropped their take on the beef. The latest seems to be Clint Dempsey, who is doing the media rounds. I actually interviewed Deuce myself last week for SiriusXMFC and got many of the same responses you'll find in this piece over at The Athletic by Adam Crafton.
Something Clint and I absolutely agree on and the first thing I said when the roster dropped with that strange statement from US Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker on Pulisic's absence: US Soccer and Pulisic should have handled this behind the scenes. While I think it's ridiculous Crocker and company hung Pulisic out to dry with that statement and sympathize with Pulisic's feelings about those questioning his commitment to the national team, the whole thing smacks of lack of communication.
I'm mostly over my initial discomfort with Pulisic begging off of Gold Cup duty this summer. Emotionally, it's tough as a fan to accept that any important US international gets to play hooky, especially with the World Cup now less than a year away.
But Pulisic is a special, indispensable player for the United States and I would much rather him be healthy and carrying a reservoir of energy into next summer's home soccer bash than limping into the tournament after a multi-year stretch of near constant soccer. His fragility is both real and beyond his control on some level—it would be ridiculous not to be clear-eyed about that.
Intellectually, Pulisic's decision to not play CONCACAF soccer this summer makes sense. His decision to go on 'Call It What You Want', however...
(Might as well throw in here on that when Eric Wynalda and I talked about Pulisic's podcast appearance on the radio, Tony Meola (Amerian soccer legend, SiriusXM host, and part of the Call It What You Want trio) called in to clarify that Pulisic's decision to do that show came before Landon Donovan alluded to Pulisic's decision to skip the Gold Cup on Fox Sports' coverage of the UEFA Nations League—the comments that got Mark Pulisic fired up enough to tell Donovan to "grow some balls" on Instagram. I'm not sure it changes my opinion on the wisdom of Pulisic's decision to fire back at his critics, but it is worth noting.)
With McKennie, Weah, Musah, Robinson, et al all missing for various reasons (some obligatory, others not so much), the value of Pulisic's presence in the Gold Cup team is up for debate anyway. Get some rest, CP, and we'll see you in September.
If there is anything to be concerned about, I suspect it's the relationship between Pochettino and Pulisic moving forward. Pochettino getting hot enough after Pulisic's "I didn't understand" comments on CIWYW (woof, that acronym is rough) re: Poch's standing firm on one roster for both the friendlies and the Gold Cup to say "I'm not a mannequin" (which we all presume to mean "puppet", right?) revealed our Argentine manager isn't so new agey that he isn't bothered by a star player showing him up in public.
It's difficult to imagine Pulisic not being the central attacking figure going into 2026, no matter how annoyed Pochettino might be. But it might be good if Pulisic sends Pochettino a few bushels of Italian lemons, just be to safe.
The upshot of all of this for me is that I'm having a blast. Yeah, that's mostly down to the fact that I get paid to talk about soccer on the radio and that's always easier (and more engaging) when there's interesting things happening. As a fan I'm not sure I want my national team embroiled in a bunch of controversy a year out before a turn on center stage in a home World Cup, but as Ryan O'Hanlon wrote at ESPN last week (elucidating better things I've said on radio and elsewhere), this is par for the course for a national team program with a bit of history (read: an active and notable alumni group), expectations, and players who find themselves pulled towards the club end of the club v. country tug-of-war.
The soccer news will probably never lead the general sports conversation 'round these parts, but at least this is the kind of thing that would if we weren't wrapped up in the NBA Finals, whatever Stephen A. Smith is yelling about, or the obvious collusion running rampant in the NFL. As an MLS fan, that last one is hilarious. Who needs the single-entity end run around anti-trust laws, anyway?
One day, Gianni Infantino's words to God's ears, we'll get there.
Shout out to my guy Shawn Francis—I think we're gonna make it, homie.
Hey! Are you watching Morning Kickaround? You should. We're carving out a niche or two I think most American soccer fans (and foreign football fans intrigued by our unique soccer thing) would be interested in.
For example, we're racking up an impressive list of interviews with owners of lower division teams in the US. Last week we talked to Sean Mann of Detroit City FC about his club's plans to build a 15,000-seat stadium just steps from downtown. Come for the stadium talk, but stay for some interesting nuggets about pro/rel and a first division coming to the USL.
This week we talked to Sam Morton and Matt Valentine, the guys behind a new USL championship team set to launch in Dallas in 2027. Yeah, like actual Dallas. With FC Dallas 35 miles north in Frisco, these guys think they can capture a passionate soccer audience in the city by playing in the Cotton Bowl.
I'll admit I'm a little nervous about that idea (the Cotton Bowl is ENORMOUS and doesn't have any shade for summer time soccer), but I'm going to reserve judgment for the moment. Sam and Matt are launching a soccer team in America with this thing as a badge:
How can you not root for them?
Anyway, check out Morning Kickaround, subscribe to the channel, and if you really like what you see, sign up to become part of the MK Ultras, our paid supporters group. And I guess if you're a business owner, marketer, or someone who might be able to help us grow the show, reach out.