Alexi Lalas’ State of the Union Podcast

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse recap this week’s USMNT players abroad, as they set the tone for exciting seasons in Europe. Christian Pulisic continues in excellent form with AC Milan, becoming the first USMNT player to score in 10 different seasons of the top 5 European leagues. Malik Tillman and Ricardo Pepi both got on the scoresheet in their dominant 7-1 win. Also, Josh Sargent and Brenden Aaronson each scored their second goals of the season in the Championship. Back stateside, the Leagues Cup final wrapped up with Columbus Crew lifting a trophy for the second time in nine months. (4:43) In #AskAlexi the guys break down the new Champions League tournament play and give thoughts on the changes. (27:39) To wrap the pod, Alexi and Mosse discuss Pochettino’s first 100 days. With a short run up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, how will he get the USMNT on track for a successful appearance? (32:55) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse are set for a full weekend of matches with Americans playing abroad. In Serie A Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah are set to take on Parma. Tim Weah is ruled out for Juventus with a hamstring injury, after scoring last week against Como. Haji Wright, Josh Sargent, and Brenden Aaronson also look to continue scoring this weekend in the EFL Championship after hot starts last week. Will Folarin Balogun get on the scoresheet for Monaco? (5:38)Next, the guys answer a question on Mauricio Pochettino’s plans for the U.S. youth soccer system. Does he plan to bring in a new coaching staff to replicate the national team, or primarily focus on the senior team? (28:58) To wrap the show Alexi and Mosse discuss Landon Donovan’s new interim head coach position for the San Diego Wave. (35:38) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alexi Lalas is out on the road, so David Mosse and special guest Doug McIntyre dive into updates on Mauricio Pochettino’s hiring. U.S. Soccer and Chelsea are close to finalizing a deal for the next USMNT coach, no contract has been signed as of now. Could we see Pochettino coaching a USMNT friendly in the upcoming international window? (0:53)To wrap the episode, Mosse recaps a few American performances in Europe, including Josh Sargent’s goal and assist, Haji Wright’s brace, and Yunus Musah’s assist for AC Milan. (13:24) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alexi Lalas, David Mosse, and Stu Holden react to the reports of Mauricio Pochettino being named the next U.S. Men's National Team coach. Pochettino would be taking on the USMNT job as his first international position, but with much success in Europe coaching Tottenham, PSG, and Chelsea. The guys give their ratings on the hire, which players his system will help the most, and much more. In the upcoming September window, the USMNT takes on Canada on September 7th and New Zealand on September 10th. Does the new man on the job change your outlook on the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup for the USMNT? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse preview USMNT players in Europe’s top leagues to get set for the upcoming season. (5:56) Folarin Balogun will be one to watch as he continues his strong form from Copa America. AC Milan already has the American duo of Christian Pulisic and Yunas Musah, could we see a triple threat soon? Also in Europe, Kylian Mbappe made his Real Madrid debut with the winning goal of the 2024 UEFA Super Cup. Alexi and Mosse preview more European matches in La Liga, Serie A, and EPL coming this weekend. Back stateside, the Leagues Cup Quarterfinals are officially set, with the Columbus Crew advancing past the defending champions Inter Miami 3-2. (32:53) To wrap the show, Alexi and Mosse talk MLS Division 1 status and pro/rel, as well as reasons to watch each Premier League squad from an American perspective. (46:20) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse are joined by 2-time Olympic Gold Medalist Carli Lloyd, to recap the USWNT Olympic victory. Mallory Swanson led the team to gold with a second half goal and assist from Korbin Albert. Emma Hayes became just the second USWNT head coach to win every match in their first major tournament. Additionally, the USMNT coaching search continues with Mauricio Pochettino becoming a top target for the job. (4:46)Ten MLS clubs and six Liga MX clubs advanced to the Leagues Cup Round of 16. This week Inter Miami, the defending Leagues Cup champions, face Columbus Crew, the defending MLS Cup champions for a spot in the quarterfinals. Messi’s awaited return is still to come. It is also reported that MLS plans to launch a new professional women's soccer league. Could we see a new league emerge in the upcoming years? (39:34)The guys answer a few #AskAlexi questions on golden goals, paths for career development, and Gio Reyna’s issues with finding a club. They wrap the show with ratings on this summer of soccer. (51:37) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse react to the USWNT advancing to the 2024 Olympics Gold Medal Match. In another extra time battle, Sophia Smith put the United States on top 1-0. Naomi Girma and Alyssa Naeher also had spectacular performances in the match. They will face Marta and Brazil, for a rematch of the 2004 and 2008 Gold Medal matches. On the Men’s side, France takes on Spain for the Gold in a heavy weight battle. (5:10)The Leagues Cup Round of 32 kicks off this week, with 21 MLS teams and 11 Liga MX teams advancing. MLS also has some recent developments this transfer window, Marco Reus is set to join LA Galaxy through 2025. Also in Europe, Atletico Madrid gets a big pick up with Julian Alvarez, and Dani Olmo agrees to a six year contract with Barcelona. The Spanish squad also got the win on Tuesday in their preseason match against AC Milan. Christian Pulisic is off to a hot start with a goal and assist on the match. (24:59)To wrap the show, the guys discuss USMNT coaching search, players faking injuries, Olympics match attendance, and the politics of soccer. (39:13) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alexi Lalas, and special guests Stu Holden and Doug McIntyre join the podcast to look at the beautiful game through the lens of red, white, and blue colored glasses. They dive into the latest details on the USMNT head coach search and U23 players who could be a potential fit for the full national team. On Friday the U23 U.S. Men’s squad fell out of the Olympics after a 4-0 quarterfinal loss to Morocco. However, the women continue on in their Olympic run. The USWNT took down Japan behind Trinity Rodman’s wonder goal in extra time. They will face Germany in the semifinals with a chance to play for the gold medal. (5:57) As a part owner of La Liga’s RCD Mallorca, Stu sheds light on the dominance of Spain at both the club and national level. Spain's Men's and Women's Olympic teams both advance in their search for gold. (20:30) In #AskAlexi the guys answer a question on the USMNT falling to a smaller nation despite differences in resources. To wrap the show they discuss the impact of soccer off the field with a special shout out to Max Bretos. (38:27) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse dive into match day 3 of the Olympic tournament. The USWNT took all nine group points after completing the 2-1 win over Australia. Trinity Rodman put the USWNT ahead, and Korbin Albert secured the win with her first Olympic goal. The U23 U.S. Men's also booked their ticket to the quarterfinals for the first time since the Sydney Olympics in 2000. The United States became one of four countries in the 2024 Olympics with both the Men's and Women's teams advancing to the knockout round. Also, the U20 U.S. Men’s advanced to the semifinals in the CONCACAF U20 Championship and clinched their spot in the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup.In the Leagues Cup, New York Red Bulls fell to Pachuca in PKs and are out of the group stage. However, Austin took down Monterrey 2-0 with goals from Jader Obrian and Daniel Pereira. The guys also addressed transfer news regarding USMNT players Yunus Musah and Gio Reyna, as well as the impact of club tours in the United States. (24:33)To wrap the show Alexi and Mosse discussed differences of European and South American style of soccer, U23 U.S. Men’s success attracting USMNT managers, Liga MX performance at Leagues Cup, and Tyler Adam’s thoughts on Canada’s spying situation. (38:01) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse recap more Olympic action. Canada Soccer’s scandal continues to develop as Bev Preistman is banned by FIFA for one year, and Canada’s Women's National Team are docked 6 points in the Olympic tournament. On the U.S. side, the USWNT booked their ticket to the quarterfinals with a 4-1 win over Germany, and the U23 USMNT dominated New Zealand scoring their most goals ever in an Olympic match. (8:20)Next, the guys broke down the MLS All-Star game, MLS falling 4-1 to Liga MX All-Stars. However, the MLS got their revenge over the weekend in the Leagues Cup, winning seven matches to Liga MX’s one. The MLS also continues to attempt to bring in big names during this transfer window, including Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann. Would Weston McKennie and Tanner Tessmann be a good fit at Fiorentina? (28:35)To wrap the show with #AskAlexi, Mosse and Alexi answer questions on fans boycotting Leagues Cup, International teams speaking/cursing in English, and USWNT competing at a higher level than the USMNT. (42:33) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices