This week on The Soccer Podcast USA, Lori takes time out from managing the US Women team at TST to talk about the aches, pains, and joys of the tournament. Surprise guest Mike Grella heads straight from playing a game and agrees—even the warm-up is a challenge—and joins Christina and Lori in a spirited defense of Christian Pulisic’s decision to sit out the Concacaf Cup.

Plus: reaction to the USWNT’s two friendlies, and why the Club World Cup continues to struggle for relevance.

⏱️ Time-Coded Highlights:

00:00 – Christina's glam intro and Lori checks-in from TST

01:45 – Mike Grella surprise drop-in: “I played seven minutes—I'll take it”

03:30 – How Grella stays fit (hint: mowing lawns + chasing kids)

05:04 – Lori on retiring from the pitch: “When warmups are a challenge…”

07:05 – Grella's new goal: 100% passing, 0 injuries

10:05 – Life calling Serie A for CBS: “Who doesn’t want to be Italian?”

14:10 – Como + Pizza = How Heather O’Reilly became president of soccer

16:14 – Grella defends Pulisic: “We’re all human. Let the man have his break.”

19:19 – Christina on the demands on players and the Club World Cup

21:48 – Ticket prices slashed? Club World Cup struggles for relevance

23:13 – Do Americans really care about international leagues?

25:13 – Lori on USWNT’s youth surge: “Confidence. Clarity. Smoothness.”

27:27 – LaBonta makes history at 32. Emma Hayes is making her changes.

30:00 – What it really takes to run a million-dollar TST team

31:01 – USL Super League playoff preview— could there be aTampa Bay Sun, Fort Lauderdale match up?

33:55 – USA + Mexico to co-host 2031 Women’s World Cup

35:27 – and...are Lori's team on their way to another championship?

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