USA Soccercast

On the 25th episode of the Stars & Stripes FC Podcast, we discuss the defenders in the United States Men's National Team player pool. Which players should be regular call-ups on the national team? Which are in the mix or on the fringe? Which guys are better off on the youth teams and which players are ones whose time has passed?

We break down the player pool into three groups:

U-24

Chris Richards (20, Bayern Munich)

Sergiño Dest (19, Barcelona)

Reggie Cannon (22, Boavista FC)

Antonee Robinson (23, Fulham)

Cameron Carter-Vickers (22, Tottenham Hotspur)

Kyle Duncan (23, New York Red Bulls)

Auston Trusty (23, Colorado Rapids)

Justen Glad (23, Real Salt Lake)

Mark McKenzie (21, Philadelphia Union)

Sam Vines (21, Colorado Rapids)

Julian Araujo (19, LA Galaxy)

Chris Gloster (20, PSV Eindhoven)

Miles Robinson (23, Atlanta United)

Aaron Herrera (23, Real Salt Lake)

Manny Perez (21, North Carolina FC)

Erik Palmer-Brown (23, Austria Wien)

George Bello (18, Atlanta United)

Shaq Moore (23, Tenerife)

24-29

John Brooks (27, Wolfsburg)

DeAndre Yedlin (27, Newcastle)

Aaron Long (28, New York Red Bulls)

Matt Miazga (25, Anderlecht - on loan from Chelsea)

Daniel Lovitz (29, Nashville SC)

Chase Gasper (24, Minnesota United)

Nick Lima (25, San Jose Earthquakes)

Tim Parker (27, New York Red Bulls)

Steve Birnbaum (29, D.C. United)

Ventura Alvarado (28, Atlético San Luis)

Keegan Rosenberry (26, Colorado Rapids)

Walker Zimmerman (27, Nashville SC)

30+

Tim Ream (33, Fulham)

Tim Chandler (30, Eintracht Frankfurt)

Matt Hedges (30, FC Dallas)

Ike Opara (31, Minnesota United)

Eric Lichaj (31, Fatih Karagümrük)

Geoff Cameron (35, Queens Park Rangers)

Omar Gonzalez (32, Toronto FC)

Justin Morrow (33, Toronto FC)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this 24th episode, we begin our deep dive of the United States Men’s National Team, and we begin with a focus on the goalkeepers. Which goalkeepers are at the top of the depth chart? Which ones are fighting to be in the mix or should be in the mix? Which ones are on the outside looking in. Here is the list of goalkeepers that are discussed:

Zack Steffen (25 years old, Manchester City)

Sean Johnson (31, New York City FC)

Bill Hamid (30, D.C. United)

JT Marcinkowski (23, San Jose Earthquakes)

Matt Turner (26, New England Revolution)

Brad Guzan (36, Atlanta United)

Jonathan Klinsmann (23, LA Galaxy)

Ethan Horvath (25, Club Brugge)

Stefan Frei (34, Seattle Sounders)

Jesse Gonzalez (25, formerly FC Dallas)

Tim Melia (34, Sporting Kansas City)

David Bingham (30, LA Galaxy)

David Ochoa (19, Real Monarchs/Real Salt Lake)

Brady Scott (21, Nashville SC)

Alex Bono (26, Toronto FC)

Please note that I mention 15 goalkeepers, but there are only 14 on this list. Originally, I discussed former FC Dallas goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez being at the very bottom of this list because of his domestic violence charge and sexual harassment accusations against him. Frankly, I didn't feel comfortable even having him on any list because he doesn't deserve to be on the national team, straight up. So, I removed that portion of the discussion, and we're left with 14 guys who deserve at least to be on this depth chart.

Who do you think belongs in that first tier of the depth chart? Which ones do you want called in for competitions like World Cup qualifying, the Gold Cup, Nations League, or the Olympics should we qualify? Continue the discussion and the debate in the comments below. The next episode will focus on the defenders, so if you want to make sure you don’t miss out on it, make sure to subscribe and tell your friends so you’re ready to discuss the rest of the USMNT player pool!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The USWNT are set to reconvene! On Episode 23, we look into the WNT’s training camp that’s set to begin on the 18th and we take a look at the MNT players who are in biggest need of a move that didn’t secure one during the European transfer window.

We first look at the USWNT. Coach Andonovski has set up a training camp from October 18-28 in Colorado, and he has called in 27 players. There aren’t any matches associated with this camp, so it’s a chance to evaluate some young talent and some NWSL veterans. There are some promising names on this list, and we analyze them one by one.

After the break, we discuss the Community Corner topic of the week: MNT players who didn’t move to a new club that would have benefitted from a move during the transfer window. There are quite a few players who fall into this group, but we discuss a few of them in detail.

Don’t forget, please subscribe and rate us if you like what you’re hearing, and tell your friends! And, send an email to [email protected] with any topic suggestions you may have.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is this timeline! One of the biggest transfers in USMNT history became official today, so we discuss Sergiño Dest’s historic move to Barcelona. How big it is for him, could he move into the starting right back role, and what this all means for American soccer. The Champions League draw was also today, and we break down who each of the Americans playing in the competition will line up against. There’s a huge set of matches looming that would be interesting to all American soccer fans.

After the break, the Gold Cup draw was Monday night, and we look at who the USMNT will face in the group stage and who they could see in the knockout stage should they advance. The road to reclaiming the Gold Cup trophy won’t be an easy one, but there’s one path that’s better than the others.

If you have questions or topic suggestions, please feel free to send them to [email protected]. Don’t forget to rate and review positively if you like what you hear, and tell your friends and family!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 21 is here for your enjoyment! We kick off the episode by discussing U.S. Soccer's announcement that the USMNT will not play matches during the October international window. We talk over what the USMNT's options may be going forward. It blends into the discussion of the calendar, with Concacaf deciding to move the Nations League playoff to June 2021 and delay the start of World Cup qualifying. How will the schedule get made up and what adjustments might need to be made for the USMNT to complete this grueling qualifying campaign?

After the break, we take a look at Weston McKennie's brilliant debut for Juventus. He made his mark on the match, and he was active all over the field for the Bianconeri. We examine his stats and the confidence he gains from a great performance. We also send kudos to Gio Reyna on his first Bundesliga goal! He had a terrific season opener for Borussia Dortmund, and we look at his stats there to round out the episode.

Don't forget, if you have questions or topic suggestions, send an email to [email protected]. We'd love to feature those discussions on future episodes!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Episode 20, we discuss some transfer rumors and moves, the idea of the United States mimicking Brazil in offering state championships, and Americans scoring goals in Major League Soccer. First, Donald dives into the possibility that Sergiño Dest could be on the move to either Barcelona or Bayern Munich. Either way, it would be a huge boost for American soccer. DeAndre Yedlin could be on the move to MLS, and we discuss if that's a good idea for him or if he has what it takes to remain in Europe somewhere. We also discuss Uly Llanez's move to Heerenveen in the Eredivisie.

Next, could the United States benefit from putting on state tournaments like Brazil has? It would be an interesting idea, so we break down the pros and cons of each state conducting its own championship for bragging rights and another trophy. After the break, we conclude with a look at the top American goalscorers in MLS, and how we can translate that confidence to scoring goals for the USMNT.

Don't forget, if you have questions or topic suggestions, we welcome them! Send an email to [email protected]. As always, continue the conversation at Stars & Stripes FC, and don't forget to subscribe!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's been over a month, but we're back with Episode 19 of the Stars & Stripes FC Podcast. We begin this episode with a personal update on the reason for the hiatus and a tribute to the life of a very special woman. We then get into the soccer to catch up on some of the big news that happened over the last month. First, we discuss Weston McKennie's big loan to Juventus and what it means for him and the USMNT.

After the break, we discuss Manchester City and Manchester United bringing in some WNT players to spice up the Manchester Derby on the women's side. Finally, we end with Concacaf doing a draw for World Cup qualifying and then delaying it...again. What does this mean for the USMNT and the road to qualifying for the 2022 World Cup?

Don't forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and tell a friend about it! If you have questions or topic suggestions, drop us a line at [email protected].

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Concacaf used this Monday to drop big news, announcing the format for World Cup qualifying. The USMNT now knows its road to Qatar! We discuss the format, the windows that will be used for qualifying matches, how it will all take shape, and when the USMNT will begin play.

After the break, Concacaf also announces the dates for the Nations League finals, the 2021 Gold Cup, and the 2022-23 Nations League. We break down those dates and put together the basic schedule for the USMNT. Bottom line, the meaningful matches begin next year!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 17 of the SSFC Podcast is here for your enjoyment! On this episode, we begin with a recap of the NWSL Challenge Cup quarterfinals and touch briefly on the Washington Spirit being forced to limit the minutes of Rose Lavelle. Then, we shift to MLS expansion and how the coronavirus pandemic has shifted the timeline of when teams enter the league. Finally, we touch on the 2022 World Cup. The schedule has been released, and fans will need to invest in their favorite coffee to stay awake for most of the matches.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 16 focuses on each of the domestic soccer leagues that are back in session here in the United States. First, we dive into the MLS is Back tournament and focus on the soccer after the COVID-19 testing was the theme of the first few days. We look at some of the wild matches that have occurred so far, and some of the good and abysmal performances.

After the break, we switch to the NWSL Challenge Cup, which has completed its preliminary stage and has reseeded for the quarterfinals. We look at each matchup and see which players you should look out for when they take the field Friday and Saturday.

Finally, the USL Championship resumed last weekend with fans in the stands. We take a look at why that is a terrible plan and why having fans at the stands at this stage of the pandemic is irresponsible.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices