Alexi Lalas’ State of the Union Podcast

The Gold Cup quarterfinals are locked in, and the USMNT is set for a high-stakes clash with Costa Rica in Minneapolis. Alexi Lalas, David Mosse, and special guest Stu Holden, break down the full knockout bracket and what’s at stake.The guys look ahead to the USMNT vs. Los Ticos matchup, revisit the long-standing rivalry, and ask whether this team is peaking at the right time. Has Malik Tillman become the USMNT’s most important attacker? And can Patrick Agyemang continue his rise?Plus, a dominant night from Panama’s Ismael Díaz, Canada’s chaotic win over nine-man El Salvador, and Guatemala surviving Guadeloupe. The guys also grade recent transfer news, including Malik Tillman to Bayer Leverkusen, Johnny Cardoso to Atlético Madrid, and what Lyon’s relegation could mean for Matt Turner and Tanner Tessmann.Finally, the guys chat Club World Cup action. Do we miss the good ol’ Confederations Cup? Presented by Yerba Madre #CometoLIfe Intro (0:00)Canada Tops 9-Man El Salvador (1:50)Ismael Diaz Earns Hatty (12:44)Gold Cup Quarterfinals Are Set (20:13)USMNT Transfer News (29:02)Inter Miami Carries MLS Banner in Club World Cup (43:58) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The USMNT closes out the Gold Cup group stage with a 2-1 win over Haiti, securing all nine points and the top spot in Group D. Alexi Lalas, David Mosse, and special guest Maurice Edu break down the win — including Malik Tillman’s standout performance, Patrick Agyemang’s hard-earned game-winner, and key lineup decisions. The crew also discusses Matt Freese’s costly giveaway, whether Tillman is locking in a long-term role, and what to expect in the quarterfinal matchup vs. Costa Rica.Plus, a full recap of the day’s Gold Cup action. Saudi Arabia and Trinidad & Tobago share points, Mexico and Costa Rica play to a scoreless draw, and Tuesday’s Group B & C showdowns decide the remaining quarterfinal spots. To wrap things up, Alexi reflects on the USMNT’s legendary 1994 World Cup win over Colombia—31 years ago today.Presented by Yerba Madre #CometoLifeIntro (0:00)USMNT Clashes with Haiti in Group D (4:02)Is Malik Tillman a Potential World Cup Starter? (12:11)Matt Turner vs Matt Freese (17:51)Dante Sealy’s Goal of the Tournament (21:43)Group A Recap (23:03)Club World Cup Action (29:24) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Curaçao delivered the shock of Matchday 2 with a dramatic stoppage-time equalizer against Canada, keeping Group B wide open. Alexi Lalas and David Mosse break down what went wrong for Jesse Marsch’s side and how changes to the starting XI may have backfired.The guys look ahead to the USMNT's final group stage clash against Haiti, with updates on injuries, potential lineup changes, and what success looks like for the United States this summer. Will Tyler Adams return to the starting lineup? And who needs to step up with Diego Luna and Sebastian Berhalter sitting on yellows?They wrap the show by previewing Group A’s matchups and discussing Gio Reyna and the Dortmund bench watching from the locker room during Club World Cup action.Presented by Yerba Madre #CometoLifeIntro (0:00)Canada Drops Points in Group B (3:30)Jeremy Antonisse's Late Equalizer (7:43)Honduras Bounces Back (13:48)USMNT Eyes Top of Group D (16:10)What does success look like for USMNT this summer? (20:52)Group A Preview (25:46)Gio Reyna Watches Club World Cup from Locker Room (28:07) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Leon Bailey dazzles in San Jose, leading Jamaica to a comeback win over Guadeloupe with a wonder strike and relentless pressure. Alexi Lalas and David Mosse break down the Reggae Boyz’s performance and Panama’s 1-0 win over Guatemala. With the USMNT securing back-to-back wins and a spot in the quarterfinals, the guys continue the center back conversation and preview lineup decisions ahead of Sunday’s clash with Haiti. Plus, the controversy at Jesse Marsch's post-match presser, and what to expect from Canada and the rest of Group C. Club World Cup results round out the show.Presented by Yerba Madre #CometoLifeIntro (0:00)Leon Bailey Boosts Jamaica (2:15)Panama Tops Guatemala 1-0 (7:41)USMNT vs Haiti Preview (11:15)Is Tim Ream our Starting CB? (14:34)Jesse Marsch Reacts (19:35)Club World Cup Action (24:10) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris Richards delivers a statement performance on both ends of the field as the USMNT grinds out a 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia. Alexi Lalas, David Mosse, and special guest Landon Donovan break down Richards' game-winning goal off a set piece and his crucial defensive stops. Is he the leader this backline needs? The guys also discuss Matt Freese’s solid showing in net, and what Pochettino’s consistent XI says about World Cup planning.Then, a look ahead to a critical Group C showdown as Jamaica faces Guadeloupe and Guatemala battles Panama, with knockout stage spots on the line. In Club World Cup action, Lionel Messi makes history again — scoring the match-winner for Inter Miami in their 2-1 victory over Porto, marking the first MLS win over a European club in a competitive match. Presented by Yerba Madre #CometoLife Intro (0:00)Trinidad & Tobago and Haiti Draw 1-1 (3:57)USMNT Rolls Out Same Starting XI vs Saudi Arabia (5:55)Chris Richards Saves the Day (15:00)Set Piece Goals (22:44)Pochettino’s Approach Against Haiti  (26:03)Group C Preview (32:38)Messi’s Inter Miami Makes History (36:11) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alexi Lalas, David Mosse, and special guest Mo Edu dive into the Gold Cup action following Mexico’s second half goals in the night game. Costa Rica snatches a late winner over the DR, Mexico punches their ticket thanks to set-piece domination, and Jesse Marsch is under the microscope again. Alexi drops his latest CONCACAF Power Rankings—Canada on top, USMNT hanging on. We break down the USMNT Starting XI ahead of their clash with Saudi Arabia: who’s in, who’s out, and who needs to step up. Plus, Pochettino responds to the doubters.The FIFA Club World also rolls on tonight with Captain Weston McKennie and Tim Weah securing a 5-0 win in their opening match. How much can we really glean from this tournament? Presented by Yerba Madre #CometoLife Intro (0:00)Costa Rica Late Game Winner (5:16)Set Pieces, Set Pieces, Set Pieces (10:22)Jesse Marsch Under Investigation (17:29)USMNT Predicted Starting XI & Pochettino Getting Revenge on the Doubters? (22:54)Captain Weston McKennie (33:37) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this day 31 years ago, the 1994 FIFA World Cup kicked off on U.S. soil—and with just under a year to go until the next one at home, Alexi Lalas reflects on that historic moment.In today’s Gold Cup action, Curaçao and El Salvador battled to a scoreless draw, while Canada sent a clear message with a dominant 6-0 win over Honduras. Canada’s depth shined tonight, as the young star Promise David netted his first CONCACAF Gold Cup goal. Is Canada the favorite to win it all? And whose opening win was more impressive: Canada or the United States?Plus, good news for the USMNT—Tyler Adams, Johnny Cardoso, and Damion Downs are back in training ahead of Thursday’s match against Saudi Arabia. With key players returning, Mauricio Pochettino has some big decisions to make when setting his Starting XI. Presented by Yerba Madre #CometoLife Intro (0:00)Gold Cup: Day 4 Recap (5:51)Boost of the Game: Promise David Shows Canadian Depth (15:16)Adams & Cardoso Back for USMNT (19:52)Club World Cup Update (22:45)Group A Rolls On (24:40) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Guatemala stuns Jamaica and Panama puts on a show on Day 3 of the Gold Cup! Alexi Lalas and David Mosse highlight standout performances across Group C, including Ismael Díaz’s brace against Guadeloupe and Oscar Santis’ screamer to upset Jamaica.They also discuss Michail Antonio’s inspiring return just 196 days after a tragic car accident, the ongoing debate over the USMNT’s best center-back pairing, and whether Tyler Adams will suit up against Saudi Arabia on Thursday.Plus, the guys preview tomorrow’s Group B action and debate whether Canada—and Jesse Marsch—deserve the title of CONCACAF’s best. Presented by Yerba Madre #CometoLife Intro (0:00)Panama Dominates Guadaloupe (3:20)Oscar Santis Stuns Reggae Boys (6:57)Boost of the Game: Michail Antonio Inspiring Return (12:35)Tyler Adams Gold Cup Status (14:45)Is Jesse Marsch the Best Coach in CONCACAF? (26:45) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The USMNT opens their CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign with a dominant 5-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago! Alexi Lalas and David Mosse break down standout performances from Malik Tillman and Diego Luna, and react to Mauricio Pochettino’s pointed comments about Tillman’s fight and commitment. The guys also dive into the striker debate: Patrick Agyemang got the start—will Haji Wright be next against Saudi Arabia?Plus, a look ahead to tomorrow’s Group C matchups, including Panama vs. Guadeloupe and a showdown between Jamaica and Guatemala. All that and more in a packed live recap!Presented by Yerba Madre #CometoLifeIntro (0:00)USMNT vs Trinidad & Tobago Recap (4:32)Luna & Tillman: Dynamic Duo (8:14)Pochettino on Tillman’s Mentality (9:25)Who Starts Next? Agyemang or Wright? (16:56)Group C Preview: Panama, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Guatemala (25:44) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mexico holds off a historic Dominican Republic rally in a wild 3-2 Gold Cup tournament opener! Alexi Lalas and David Mosse break down all the drama—from Edson Álvarez’s opening header to Raul Jiménez’s clinical finish and the Dominican Republic’s first-ever Gold Cup goal.Plus, we turn the page to tomorrow’s big USMNT clash with Trinidad and Tobago. Alexi reveals the three players who will make or break the United States’ Gold Cup run, and we unpack the latest comments from Mauricio Pochettino and Jesse Marsch on Christian Pulisic’s decision to sit out the international window.Stick around for predictions, throwback to the 2021 Gold Cup champs, and a look ahead to Group D matchups. It’s chaos, controversy, and CONCACAF—just how we like it. Intro (0:00)Mexico vs Dominican Republic Recap (4:46)Boost of The Game: Santi Giménez to Raul Jiménez (8:40)USMNT Opens Gold Cup Run with Trinidad and Tobago (11:20)Mauricio Pochettino & Jesse Marsch Latest Thoughts (18:58)U.S. Players to Make or Break USMNT Gold Cup Performance (21:23)  Presented by Yerba Madre #ComeToLife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices