USA Soccercast

It’s a short episode this week on the SSFC Podcast, but Episode 45 focuses on the USMNT roster that was released this week ahead of friendlies against Jamaica and Northern Ireland. We dissect the roster and discuss some of the changes that will come in the middle of the window due to Covid restrictions in the United Kingdom. We also go through some of the players who weren’t called in for various reasons. Covid really did a number on this roster and how Gregg Berhalter had to navigate it.

After the break, we discuss the decision of 3 dual nationals: Yunus Musah and Jordan Siebatcheu committing to the United States, while Efrain Alvarez accepts a Mexico call-up to examine his options. Of course, getting Musah and Siebatcheu is great, but Alvarez exploring his options is also a good thing too. We break down why Berhalter endorsed Alvarez accepting the call-up from Tata Martino and Mexico.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review, and tell your friends. Enjoy the weekend and all the soccer!

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On Episode 44 of the SSFC Podcast, we go through the U-23 Olympic qualifying roster that was released by Jason Kreis yesterday. With 20 guys remaining in Guadalajara to take on Concacaf and qualify for the Tokyo Games, we take a look at who those players are and what combinations they could have on the field.

Starting with a general breakdown of the roster, you see there are plenty of players with USMNT experience as well as experience at Youth World Cups. The roster has representation from 11 MLS clubs, and 4 players - Johnny Cardoso, Sebastian Soto, Sebastian Saucedo, and Uly Llanez - come from clubs abroad to play on this team. The team has to be efficient and be ready to put it all together quickly, as the tournament begins in 6 days!

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, review, and tell your friends about it. We appreciate the support of the podcast you’ve given so far. We’re hoping to use this push to bring you more great content!

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Get your weekend started with Episode 43 of the Stars & Stripes FC Podcast! On this episode, we go through the U-23 training roster for Olympic qualifying. There were a few players who were removed, and some who were left off the roster. We explain why they are absent from the roster.

The USMNT have a couple of matches coming up. We discuss the one that was just announced against Jamaica as well as the test they will have against Northern Ireland as well.

Finally, the Sacramento Republic’s expansion slot in Major League Soccer appears to be up for grabs, as their main investor pulls out of the team and league due to financial reasons stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Which cities could re-enter the race should MLS open back up the 30th spot in the league?

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review if you’re so inclined. Enjoy the weekend!

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As we close out Black History Month, we have a special episode of the Stars & Stripes FC Podcast dedicated to one supporter who is using his platform to tell the stories that need telling. Elliot Barr is the co-host of the Can I Kick It Podcast, which covers Black soccer history, moments, and players.

Since Juneteenth 2020, he and his co-host Chenier Durand II have brought stories and interviews about some of the great Black players in soccer history that aren’t getting the shine they deserve. The two are members of River City Red Army, a Richmond Kickers supporters group, and they cover the team and USL League One action on their second podcast, River City 93.

We start out by discussing the Can I Kick It podcast and his motivation for starting it. We touch on some of the stories that he enjoyed the most, discuss the black supporters culture that has developed over the years, and we get into the conversation of teams and leagues failing to do the bare minimum when it comes to reaching out to Black communities and supporting Black History Month or its players.

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We have a few things to dissect on Episode 41 of the Stars & Stripes FC Podcast! First, we give our thoughts on the 3rd jersey that leaked yesterday for the USWNT and the USMNT. We assume some things, but one thing’s for sure: it’s a zany jersey and I like it!

Next up, the WNT win SheBelieves Cup again. We discuss some of the players that stood out above the rest, like Crystal Dunn, Christen Press, Rose Lavelle, Megan Rapinoe, and Alex Morgan. Head coach Vlatko Andonovski’s going to have a decision to make on this roster for the Olympics, probably the toughest in history.

After the break, the Annual General Meeting is this weekend, and there are a couple big meetings that are open to the public: the board meeting on Friday and the National Council meeting on Saturday. We discuss why it’s important to observe the governing process of our federation and the big election that will take place over the weekend.

Finally, a plug for a new podcast I just started, the World of Concacaf Podcast!

Definitely check that out along with this one. Up tomorrow, a great interview makes for a great episode to start the weekend. Hope you enjoy this one, and subscribe, rate and review where you get your podcasts!

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SheBelieves Cup begins this evening, so we have a quick Episode 40 for you to view while you prepare for the matches! The United States Women’s National Team begin with a match this evening against Canada, then follow with matches Sunday against Brazil and next Wednesday against Argentina.

In preparations for the tournament, the USWNT media availabilities gave some nice insight into the team’s approach to these matches, both individually and collectively. We briefly discuss some of those nuggets. What will the USWNT do to prepare for 3 matches in 6 days against 3 teams with 3 different styles of play? They seem motivated for the task, that’s for sure.

Don’t forget, Stars & Stripes FC will have plenty of SheBelieves coverage, and don’t forget our friends at All For XI. If you have topic suggestions for future shows, email SSFCPodcast at Gmail dot com, and don’t forget to subscribe so your ears are ready for all the action!

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It’s a special interview on Episode 39, as we welcome Danita Johnson, D.C. United’s new President of Business Operations, to the show! Danita is the first black president and only the 3rd woman president in MLS history. We speak with Danita on her rise through the ranks in the basketball world (NBA, WNBA, G League), the challenges of switching to the soccer world, and being the first black person to be in the space of running a MLS team.

We touch on what she hopes to achieve in her new role, and focus on how the team and the league can more representative of its players and fan base and play a role in addressing racial and gender inequities that have plagued society for too long.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate and leave a nice review, and please tell your friends. Our Black History Month series runs all month so check out the stories from this month and previous years!

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We recap quite a bit on Episode 38 of the Stars & Stripes FC Podcast! First, we recap the United States Men’s National Team’s 7-0 destruction of Trinidad and Tobago. Which players had standout performances and what does it mean for the USMNT and U-23s? After that, we recap a busy final day to the European winter transfer window, touching on a few key moves. Most notably, Daryl Dike’s loan to Barnsley FC would not have happened if he didn’t play in the USMNT friendly the night before!

After the break, SheBelieves Cup is around the corner! We take a look at the USWNT roster that will take on Canada, Brazil, and Argentina this month. We also look at the training roster and what Coach Vlatko Andonovski’s thinking was behind having Emily Fox, Jaelin Howell, and Mallory Pugh in camp when they aren’t playing.

Next week, we have a wonderful interview coming that will be a part of our Black History Month series. You don’t want to miss that! Make sure you mash that subscribe button and share with your friends!

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We have a bit to discuss on Episode 37 of the Stars & Stripes FC Podcast! First, the United States Women’s National Team made easy work of Colombia last weekend, and we saw Crystal Dunn and Margaret Purce Midge Purce finally get free! We also preview the USMNT’s match against Trinidad and Tobago this weekend and review the roster that head coach Gregg Berhalter has to choose from in the final days of January Camp.

After the break, we discuss the 2026 World Cup and the cities that are finalists to become the host cities for the tournament:

Canada - Edmonton, Montreal, Toronto

Mexico - Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey

USA - Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Cincinnati, Dallas, DC, Denver, Houston, KC, LA, Miami, Nashville, NY/NJ, Orlando, Philadelphia, Bay Area, Seattle

Which ones are sure things, which are contenders? Which are probable, and which are long shots? We give a hint as to what those cities may be right now.

Finally, Black History Month begins on Monday, so stay tuned to SSFC as we give you 28 stories in 28 days, and some will hopefully include interviews with some people changing the game in this country.

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We have a new episode ready for your Friday afternoon consumption before the United States Women’s National Team takes the field! On this episode, we recap the WNT’s victory over Colombia on Monday night and we discuss which players could feature tonight in round 2. We also discuss the Olympics and what it could mean that there are now reports that the Summer Games are in danger of being canceled. It could really alter the schedule of the WNT this year as well as head coach Vlatko Andonovski’s plans.

After the break, we discuss the USMNT’s upcoming match against Trinidad and Tobago to close out January Camp, and we take a look at the roster to see who from the U-23s could stick around after this weekend to be a part of that match. We weave in some transfer news that has affected both rosters, including Jordan Morris heading to Swansea on loan this morning.

January doesn’t stop with the news, so stay tuned to Stars & Stripes FC and we’ll break it all down!

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