Sounding Off on Soccer with John Krysinsky

The tournament run is over. Host John Krysinsky welcomes The Sporting News writer and pod regular Mike DeCourcy to process the heavy reaction surrounding the U.S. Men's National Team’s 4-1 elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Key Topics Covered:

• The Ponderous Reality: Why did the USMNT look surprisingly timid and hesitant on and off the ball compared to earlier tournament performances?
• Moment of Magic vs. Instant Collapse: Malik Tillman's brilliant free-kick equalizer and how Belgium instantly retook the lead just 116 seconds later.
• Defensive and Aerial Breakdowns: An in-depth look at individual performances, communication issues across the backline, and how Belgium’s Charles De Ketelaere and Romelu Lukaku thoroughly exposed the U.S. defense.
• The Keeping Blunder: Sifting through Matt Freese’s costly second-half clearance mistake that handed Hans Vanaken an empty net.
• The Program Ceiling: Did this squad simply hit their natural competitive limit, or did tactical execution fail them when it mattered most?

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• Website: pittsburghsoccernow.com
• Twitter/X: @PghSoccerNow

The U.S. Men’s National Team has advanced to the World Cup Round of 16 for the first time since 2002 after a wild, gritty 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in Santa Clara. Host John Krysinsky is joined by senior writer for The Sporting News, Mike DeCourcy, to break down a chaotic night in the Bay Area and look ahead to a massive knockout clash with Belgium.

John and Mike tackle the fallout from Folarin Balogun's highly controversial 64th-minute red card and how Pochettino's "no-panic" culture kept the 10-man squad structurally flawless. Plus, they dive into the tactical adjustments required for Monday's match without their primary target man: Will it be Ricardo Pepi or Haji Wright leading the line, and how much heavy lifting will fall on the soaring shoulders of Malik Tillman? 

Links & Resources:
• Read Mike's post-match column at The Sporting News
• Follow Mike on X: @tsnmike
• Head to Pittsburgh Soccer Now for full match breakdowns, tactical analysis, and fan galleries!

Photo courtesy US Soccer 

The Sporting News legend Mike DeCourcy joins John Krysinsky to recap the group stage fallout and map out the road ahead for Wednesday’s massive USMNT vs. Bosnia knockout clash. Pulling back the curtain on the press room, Mike breaks down how Pochettino is navigating the American media and why tournament depth matters.

Later in the show, John shifts gears to the local sports landscape. Fifty years after the Pittsburgh Triangles won a championship, why is Pittsburgh still sitting on its hands regarding elite women's professional sports? John delivers a passionate closing argument on the explosive growth of the Pittsburgh Riveters SC and Steel City FC, explaining how corporate partnership potential, a deep local talent pipeline, and a looming stadium expansion are paving a direct path toward the USL Super League or NWSL. No more waiting—it's time to get it done.

Timestamps:

• 0:00 - USMNT Group Stage Fallout & Roster Rotation Risks
• 22:06 - Attacking Flair: Can Dest, McKennie, and Pulisic Unlock Bosnia?
• 23:11 - Singing Country Roads & Staying Relevant with Mike DeCourcy
• 24:43 - The Pittsburgh Triangles & The Women's Pro Sports Void
• 28:39 - Post-Interview: John on the Pochettino vs. Media Dynamic
• 31:43 - Solo Editorial: It's Time for a Pro Women's Soccer Team in Pittsburgh!

Riverhounds Media Relations Director Matt Grubba, born in Sydney, Australia but raised in the U.S., joins John Krysinsky to preview the highly anticipated USMNT vs. Australia World Cup match and shares an incredible inside look at the Hounds' historic USL Championship win in Tulsa.

Full Show Notes:

Joining the show today is longtime Pittsburgh soccer journalist and current Riverhounds Director of Media Relations, Matt Grubba!

John and Matt have shared press boxes since the dawn of the F.N.B. Stadium era. In this episode, they look back at how much the local soccer landscape has exploded before Matt takes us right onto the pitch in Tulsa, describing what it was like on the inside when the Riverhounds hoisted the USL Championship trophy.

Then, they dive deep into Friday's massive USMNT vs. Australia World Cup group stage matchup. As a dual U.S.-Australian citizen, Matt breaks down the Socceroos' shocking 2-0 counter-attacking upset over Turkey, the rise of teenage sensation Nestory Irankunda, and how Australia plans to set a tactical trap for Pochettino's high-flying Americans in Seattle.

A truly historic week across the global and local sporting landscape brings a powerhouse edition of Sounding Off on Soccer!

We kick things off right from the press box in Los Angeles as host John Krysinsky welcomes back legendary sports journalist Mike DeCourcy of The Sporting News. Fresh off covering the U.S. Men’s National Team’s commanding performance, Mike takes us inside the electric atmosphere of the World Cup on home soil. We dive deep into a vintage tactical display the likes of which we’ve never quite seen from the U.S. Men on this stage before. Mike also delivers the latest medical updates on Christian Pulisic’s injury status, breaks down the squad's intensifying preparations for Friday’s massive clash with Australia in Seattle, and even switches gears to give us his perspective as a renowned college basketball writer on the New York Knicks capturing their first NBA title since 1973 behind the chemistry of the "Nova Knicks" and Jalen Brunson's masterpiece.

Then, John shifts the focus back to local soil with a full sweep of the Western Pennsylvania soccer landscape. We break down the absolute tear our area pre-professional teams are on—including the red-hot Pittsburgh Riveters SC nearing a division crown and Steel City FC keeping the defensive standard high.

From there, we unpack the Riverhounds' gritty 1-0 win over Indy Eleven in front of another packed house at F.N.B. Stadium. John pulls from his years of experience as a competitor, coach, and journalist to tackle the social media chatter surrounding the Steel Army heavily booing returning championship goalkeeper Eric Dick, explaining why it was a masterclass in Soccer Gamesmanship 101.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is just weeks away, and Mauricio Pochettino has officially set the roster for the USMNT.

The 26-man squad features massive tactical gambles, headline-grabbing snubs, and a heavy reliance on a select few stars to carry the load on home soil.

On this episode of Sounding Off on Soccer, Pittsburgh Soccer Now Managing Editor John Krysinsky sits down with veteran sports journalist and Pittsburgh's own Mike DeCourcy of The Sporting News.

Instead of a standard Q&A, John puts Mike on the hot seat at the start in a "Buy or Sell" segment, then togehter they look at the final squad, and dive deep into Mike's latest Sporting News column on why this tournament is Gio Reyna's ultimate legacy moment, and much more!

Summer soccer in Western Pennsylvania is officially in full swing, and this week the spotlight shines directly on the women’s pre-professional landscape.

Ahead of their anticipated USL W League season opener this Friday night, Pittsburgh Soccer Now sat down with two foundational pillars of the Steel City FC Women squad: defensive anchor Emily Graeca and veteran goalkeeper Payton O'Malley.

The duo represents a massive chunk of the veteran leadership driving Head Coach Tom Ovenden's roster this summer. Graeca, a standout defender at James Madison University and a DuBois area native, alongside O'Malley, the Chartiers Valley product now commanding the box at Bowling Green, bring elite NCAA Division I pedigree back to the Steel City locker room.

In a wide-ranging interview segment, the pair broke down everything from the club's unique family culture to high-stakes regional travel, upcoming tournament cameos, and a summer schedule loaded with local fireworks.

The partnership between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Borussia Dortmund moved from the front office to the pitch this week.

On Wednesday, the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex hosted youth athletes for the BVB International Academy North America tryouts—a landmark moment for the collaboration announced last year.

On the latest episode of Sounding Off on Soccer, Pittsburgh Soccer Now's caught up with BVB’s Dru Wright (Chief Football Officer - BVB International Academy North America) and and the Steelers’ Reagan Berube (Sr Director Content and International Development) to discuss the tangible impact of this global bridge.

From coaching education and School of Excellence scouting to hosting flag football in Germany, learn how these two legendary organizations are leveraging their shared Steel City DNA to create a unique holistic environment for local players.

Topics and Highlights of the interview included: 

• The Steel City Synergy: How the shared industrial heritage and Black & Gold identity of Pittsburgh and Dortmund created a natural foundation for this partnership.
• A Very Real Connection: Why hosting youth tryouts at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex is a major milestone in making the partnership tangible for local families.
• The BVB Way: Dru Wright explains the Heavy Metal football philosophy—high tempo, high intensity, and a focus on doing things the right way.
• Global Brand Expansion: Reagan Berube discusses the Steelers’ international efforts in Germany, including flag football camps and official watch parties at Signal Iduna Park.
• Player Pathways: Details on the School of Excellence program and the direct scouting line for Pittsburgh players (both male and female) to train in Germany.
• Holistic Development: Moving beyond pay-to-play to focus on building professional skill sets that serve athletes both on and off the pitch.
• Coaching Education: The commitment to developing local Western PA coaches through monthly calls and direct mentorship from BVB’s German staff.
• Future Vision: A look at the step-by-step growth of the collaboration and the potential for more international soccer events returning to Pittsburgh.

About the guests: 

Dru Wright, Chief Football Officer - BVB International Academy North America

Dru is the gatekeeper of the "BVB Way." Dortmund is world-famous for its youth development (think Pulisic, Bellingham, Haaland). Wright’s goal is to ensure the Pittsburgh kids aren’t just wearing the badge but are actually learning the Dortmund methodology.

Reagan Berube, Sr Director Content and International Development, Pittsburgh Steelers

Reagan is a key architect of the Steelers' international expansion. Since the Steelers received NFL marketing rights for Germany in 2024, they’ve been aggressive in building a "home away from home" in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland).

In the latest episode of Sounding Off on Soccer, host John Krysinsky is joined by Riverhounds and Riveters President Jeff Garner for an in-depth discussion on the rapidly evolving landscape of professional soccer in Pittsburgh.

From landmark corporate partnerships to the ambitious vision for F.N.B. Stadium, Garner pulls back the curtain on the business decisions driving the club's growth both on and off the pitch.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• The Corporate Power Play: Insights into the recent naming rights deal with FNB and the new partnership with Edgar Snyder & Associates. 
• Stadium Expansion & Timetable: How does the new corporate backing accelerate the plan for a 15,000-seat stadium, and what is the realistic timeline for seeing shovels in the ground?
• The World Cup 2026 Connection: With the World Cup looming, discuss the Riverhounds and Riveters efforts to capitalize on the momentum as they host events that have already been announced (USMNT Watch Parties at FNB Stadium) plus many other ways that they're getting involved with World Cup activities in and around the Greater Pittsburgh region.
• Additionally, Garner addresses potential expansion to grass surfaces as potential way to host national teams and FIFA sanctioned competitions and events.
• Riveters Year Two: Reflecting on the inaugural impact of the Pittsburgh Riveters and what fans can expect as the organization enters its second season of W League play.
• The Major Sports Narrative: Garner addresses the social media chatter head on —as he makes his case for the franchise's evolving place as an essential part of the City of Champions
• Fan Experience: A look at what’s working, from theme nights to matchday atmosphere, and the challenges the front office is working to overcome.

And much more!  

Pittsburgh native Nicky Kolarac, who has played for three different teams in the US Open Cup: Michigan Bucks, Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Steel City FC, joined John Krysinsky on Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast to discuss the historic match between the Riverhounds and Steel City.  

The match between the Riverhounds and Steel City (Tuesday, March 17 -- 7 p.m. at Highmark Stadium) will be the first time two teams from the Pittsburgh area will face off against each other in the proper US Open Cup tournament since 1957 -- a span of nearly seven decades and 69 years!

John and Nicky discussed an array of topics, including: 

• How the Pittsburgh soccer landscape has changed since he was a young player 
• Playing in US Open Cup with three different clubs (Michigan Bucks -- 2014 PDL Champions, Riverhounds in 2015 and Steel City FC in 2024)
• Experience of being with Riverhounds in 2015 during its Open Cup run, when current Head Coach Rob Vincent scored in three straight matches during the Cup competition 
• Being brought to Steel City FC (initially Pittsburgh Hotspurs) to help provide leadership and veteran presence, eventually helping play a key role in building successful, winning culture, which has included three straight Division championships (2023 and 2024 in NPSL, 2025 in USL League Two) 
• Significance of the first match between two Pittsburgh clubs in the Open Cup since 1957!

And much more!