U.S. Soccer Podcast

St. Louis CITY SC are 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup champions!

On the debut episode of Matchday Recap, we look back at the Open Cup Final as St. Louis CITY SC defeated the Columbus Crew 5-3 on penalties following a scoreless 120 minutes in Columbus, Ohio.

From the key saves to the decisive penalty kick, get caught up on the biggest moments from a historic night as St. Louis claimed the first trophy in club history.

Matchday Recap is part of the U.S. Soccer Podcast Network.

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Charlie Davies joins Meghan Klingenberg on the U.S. Soccer Podcast for a conversation about resilience, his U.S. Men’s National Team career and the comeback that changed his life.

Charlie also looks back on the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the experience of sharing a match with his family, explains why the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup matters to the future of American soccer and offers advice to the next generation of U.S. players. Plus, hear how he went from the pitch to the broadcast booth, his full-circle return to the U.S. Soccer Podcast, and some fun stories about family life.

Chapters
00:00 – Meet Charlie Davies
01:49 – Charlie's second chance
06:10 – Who would be his Amazing Race partner?
09:23 – Returning to the U.S. Soccer Podcast
12:36 – His advice for Kling
17:20 – Favorite memories from the 2026 FIFA World Cup
22:38 – Why the U.S. Open Cup matters
27:06 – Advice for young U.S. players
30:15 – Overcoming adversity: the accident & cancer
44:42 – His emotional return to the field
48:30 – Life as a dad to twins
55:00 – Ask the Pros

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More: http://www.ussoccer.com/podcast

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USWNT fullback Gisele Thompson joins host Meghan Klingenberg on the U.S. Soccer Podcast to talk about her journey with the U.S. Women's National Team, growing up alongside sister Alyssa Thompson and chasing her dream of playing in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

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Ahead of her career celebration at the USWNT match vs. Spain in Washington D.C. on Oct. 10, Crystal Dunn joins Meghan Klingenberg on the U.S. Soccer Podcast to reflect on an incredible career with the U.S. Women’s National Team, from becoming one of the most versatile players of her generation to winning the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and Olympic gold.

Dunn opens up about the experiences that shaped her career, including being left off the 2015 World Cup roster, playing overseas with Chelsea, adapting to different positions and ultimately earning her place on the 2019 World Cup team. She also reflects on how her definition of success has changed, developing a healthier relationship with social media and the importance of representation in the USWNT.

Now retired from professional soccer, Dunn discusses her next chapter, staying connected to the game and what she's learned from stepping away. Plus, Crystal and Kling talk retirement, dancing, cheeseburgers and answer fan questions in Ask the Pros.

Chapters:

00:00 – Crystal Dunn on her career & life after soccer

06:52 – Becoming a versatile player

09:46 – How Crystal's definition of success changed

13:33 – Life after soccer & what's next

17:13 – The 2015 World Cup setback

21:55 – Chelsea, 2019 & winning the World Cup

28:00 – Representation & her legacy

37:00 – Is retirement a graduation or a funeral?

49:23 – What makes Crystal Dunn most proud?

52:08 – Ask the Pros

More info: http://www.ussoccer.com/podcast

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Former teammates Ali Krieger and Joanna Lohman join host Megan Klingenberg on the U.S. Soccer Podcast to talk about taking their partnership from the soccer field to The Amazing Race on CBS. The longtime friends reflect on what it was like to see themselves on TV, navigate unfamiliar challenges, and discover how their communication and teamwork changed when the stakes were completely different.

They discuss the decision to compete together, their championship mentality, the challenges of managing different personalities under pressure and why Ali says the race was even more difficult than playing in a World Cup.

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Hugo Pérez joins Meghan Klingenberg on the U.S. Soccer Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about his playing career, coaching philosophy and vision for the future of U.S. Soccer. A member of the U.S. Men's National Team at the 1994 FIFA World Cup, Pérez reflects on that historic generation and how the tournament helped accelerate the growth of soccer in the United States.

As a player turned coach, Pérez also shares what he believes young players need to reach their potential, from having the freedom to experiment and make mistakes to building confidence and trusting their creativity. He reflects on coaching Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams and other future professionals at the youth national team level, and explains why coaches should prioritize development and enjoyment alongside results.

Plus, Pérez discusses the evolution of the USMNT, the potential of the current generation of American players, the influence of women's soccer on the growth of the game in the United States and what it will take for the U.S. to compete for a FIFA World Cup title.

Chapters:

00:51 - Welcome + Hispanic Heritage Month

02:11 - Hugo's impressive resume: Hall of Fame, 73 caps

05:03 - July 4, 1994: USA vs. Brazil at Stanford Stadium

11:30 - Growing up in El Salvador

13:03 - Watching the 1970 World Cup, making a promise

16:27 - Why kids need freedom to get it wrong

30:42 - The L.A. Aztecs and training with Johan Cruyff

31:37 - A Tampa Bay trial and the NASL

34:46 - The U-14 camp that featured Pulisic and Adams

41:23 - The women won it. Can the men?

49:32 - Kling previews the next USMNT cycle

More info: http://www.ussoccer.com/podcast

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Paxten Aaronson signed his first pro contract at 16, won the Golden Boot AND the Golden Ball at the 2022 U-20 Concacaf Championship, played a German Cup final in front of 100,000 people in Berlin, and represented the USA at the Paris 2024 Olympics — all before turning 24 years old. Now he's the man in the middle for the Colorado Rapids. And he wants the pressure.

Host Meghan Klingenberg sits down with the Rapids midfielder for a wide-ranging conversation about the journey to this point. Paxten also opens up about growing up as Brenden Aaronson's "annoying little brother," what it felt like to watch his brother live out a home World Cup dream this past summer, and the one story he'll never let him forget — beating him at golf on his wedding day.

Paxten and the Colorado Rapids take on St. Louis CITY SC in the U.S. Open Cup Semifinals on Wednesday, Sept. 16 at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. MT on CBS Sports Network and Paramount+.

01:25 - Meghan Klingenberg opens the show

02:35 - Growing up with Brenden: the annoying little brother

06:10 - Watching his brother play a home World Cup

07:03 - The wedding — and beating Brenden at golf

09:03 - Leaving home at 13 for the Philadelphia Union Academy

16:45 - Playing with Alejandro Bedoya and the club's brand of belief

20:50 - 2022 U-20 Concacaf Golden Boot & Golden Ball

25:24 - Paris 2024: France in Marseille with the U.S. crest on the chest

29:11 - Culture shock in Frankfurt: 100 degrees and no AC

31:25 - Why he came back to MLS

33:14 - Denver Summit, Mile High and a growing soccer city

34:52 - Downtime isn't free time: recovery, hikes and video games

37:41 - Open Cup semifinal vs. St. Louis — what has to change

44:42 - When do you trust a young player in a knockout game?

More info: http://www.ussoccer.com/podcast

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From Edmond, Oklahoma to England and back to Orlando, Daryl Dike has lived the full roller coaster of a modern striker’s career.

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USMNT goalkeeper turned podcaster Brad Guzan joins the show this week to reflect on his incredible 21-year career which included stints in MLS and the Premier League.

Chapters:

01:58 - Kling interviews Brad Guzan

09:58 - Are field players crazy?

17:35 - Early days of MLS at Chivas USA

26:28 - Why is the USA so good at goalkeeping?

35:22 - When Guzan knew it was time to hang up the boots

51:15 - What part of his career makes Guz the most proud?

54:20 - Can the USWNT take away anything from the USMNT's World Cup run?

More info: http://www.ussoccer.com/podcast

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On this week's episode of the U.S. Soccer presented by Henkel, host Meghan Klingenberg is joined by her counterpart from this summer's World Cup coverage, Heath Peace.

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