One of the toughest episodes of The Soccer Journal Podcast to record, with hosts Mark Radigan and John Baney and producer Andrew Leigh still left reeling from the United States men's national team's 4-1 collapse against Belgium in Seattle in the World Cup's Round of 16, a result that ended what had otherwise been among the best World Cup performances in modern US men's history.

We break down how a team that had ticked off multiple historic boxes at this World Cup unraveled in the biggest game of their tournament. That means lots said about the costly individual errors made by players like Tim Ream, Sergiño Dest, and, most painfully, New York City FC's own Matt Freese.

The American keeper's blunder will unfairly define what was an otherwise strong tournament for him, and we're forced to wonder over his future with the USMNT, and how he can put this moment behind him once he's back between the pipes for NYCFC.

From there it's on to Australia's own World Cup exit, and a more positive look back at NYCFC duo Aiden O'Neill and Kai Trewin, with O'Neill in particular turning in one of the tournament's most underrated midfield performances — enough to reportedly draw transfer interest in the NYCFC midfielder from the EFL Championship and beyond.

Finally, some genuinely good news: Gotham FC's planned move to Queens is official, with the NWSL club set to share Etihad Park with NYCFC beginning in 2028. We chat about the new team coming to the block and how the brand-new Queens soccer stadium might help Gotham once they make the final trip across the Hudson River.

This episode closes with another bit of New York City FC transfer chatter, as the rumor mill continues to put in work this summer, with Fabrizio Romano linking New York City FC to prolific Racing Santander winger Andrés Martín. Will Martín add to the summer signing buzz already surrounding the team with the arrival of new Designated Player Bénie Traoré?

Listen to the full episode and then find more of our coverage at nysoccerjournal.com, or on Twitter @nysoccerjournal and @NYSJPodcast, on Bluesky @nysoccerjournal.com, and on Instagram @newyorksoccerjournal. 

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