The men’s FIFA World Cup starts next week! Seattle will host six games, including one featuring the U.S. team. 

Soundside has discussed the politics of the World Cup, how these giant events can impact a city, and other weighty FIFA-related topics. You can find all of those conversations below.

But we haven't talked about the actual game yet.

Who’s playing, who’s expected to do well and could our own US team actually pull out a better-than-expected this year?

Guest

Leander Schaerlaecken, author, The Long Game - U.S. Men's Soccer and Its Savage, Four-Decade Journey to the Top, or Thereabouts.

Related Links

As the World Cup arrives in Seattle, so do the contradictions - Soundside

Is it worth it to host the World Cup? It depends. - Soundside

How Good Is This World Cup Squad, Really? - The New Yorker

Leander Schaerlaecken's columns for The Guardian

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