Max Arfsten Talks MLS All-Star Dreams & Gold Cup Journey
Six players from the most recent USMNT camp are headed to the MLS All-Star Game in Austin, Texas on July 23. Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps), Alex Freeman (Orlando City SC), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati) and Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps) will have the chance to represent their clubs at the highly anticipated event.
Patrick Agyemang was also named an MLS All-Star but transferred from Charlotte FC to Derby County in the EFL Championship on July 15.
On this week’s episode, hosts David Gass and Alejandro Bedoya preview the All-Star Game, breaking down the MLS seasons for each of our six All-Stars and discussing how they contributed to the United States’ run to the Concacaf 2025 Gold Cup Final.
Later, one of these All-Star selections joins the pod (22:00). Columbus Crew midfielder Max Arfsten takes us behind the scenes of the USMNT's Gold Cup journey and his rise to MLS All-Star status. From laundry struggles to scoring goals, Arfsten shares candid insights on team chemistry, his defensive evolution and freestyle juggling skills.
To get more exclusive content, including a fun preview of the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge, become a U.S. Soccer Insider.
The U.S. Soccer Podcast is a production from U.S. Soccer hosted by David Gass, Meghan Klingenberg and Alejandro Bedoya. The podcast tells stories in service to soccer and the people who live it, amplifying player voices and the stories behind the game. Episodes drop weekly on Wednesdays.
Hosts: David Gass, Alejandro Bedoya
Guest: Max Arfsten
Producer: Brad Fosler
To learn more, visit ussoccer.org/podcast
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Gold Cup Reflections with USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino
USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino joins the U.S. Soccer Podcast for an exclusive interview as he reflects on the latest international window, including the USA’s gritty run in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup that ended Sunday night with a 2-1 loss to rival Mexico in an electric match in Houston, Texas.
In conversation with host Alejandro Bedoya, Pochettino talks about his first year as head coach of the USMNT (2:55) and highlights his team's growth over a 40-day camp, emphasizing the importance of player development and team cohesion (5:05). Pochettino speaks on the USMNT’s breakout stars from this year’s tournament (11:27), the cultural diversity of American cities (19:21) and what he hopes people take away from watching U.S. Soccer next summer in the FIFA World Cup (21:27).
Later, we hear straight from some of the players who led the USMNT to the program’s 13th Gold Cup Final. We caught up with Tyler Adams, Matt Freese, Patrick Agyemang, Chris Richards and captain Tim Ream right after the match at NRG Stadium for their instant reactions (23:59).
To get more exclusive content, including how players responded to Pochettino’s passionate post-match press conference, become a U.S. Soccer Insider.
The U.S. Soccer Podcast is a production from U.S. Soccer hosted by David Gass, Megan Klingenberg and Alejandro Bedoya. The podcast tells stories in service to soccer and the people who live it, amplifying player voices and the stories behind the game. Episodes drop weekly on Wednesdays.
Hosts: David Gass, Alejandro Bedoya
Guest: Mauricio Pochettino
Producer: Brad Fosler
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Inside the USWNT-Canada Rivalry with Lynn Biyendolo & Jordyn Bugg
In a summer full of soccer, there’s one match that stands out among the rest. The rivalry between the U.S. Women’s National Team and Canada is one of the fiercest and most storied in women’s soccer. And with the 67th edition on July 2 in the Allstate Continental Clásico, two players are on this week’s episode to share their very different perspectives from differing sides of the program: Lynn Biyendolo, the veteran forward who recently captained the USWNT for the first time, and defender Jordyn Bugg, who at 18 years old just made her first career start.
Together, they join David Gass and Megan Klingenberg to discuss the 600th win in USWNT history (6:30), the superpowers of a soft-spoken leader (15:30), Lynn’s thoughtful choicedecision to change the name on her jersey (17:00) and Jordyn’s decision to go pro at 17 years old (19:15) before diving into the rivalry with Canada (23:05). Then, the group concludes with some fun rapid-fire questions (34:00) including their takes on ‘Love Island USA’ Season 7.
The U.S. Soccer Podcast is a production from U.S. Soccer hosted by David Gass, Megan Klingenberg and Alejandro Bedoya. The podcast tells stories in service to soccer and the people who live it, amplifying player voices and the stories behind the game. Episodes drop weekly on Wednesdays.
Hosts: David Gass, Megan Klingenberg
Guests: Lynn Biyendolo, Jordyn Bugg
Producer: Brad Fosler
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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The WNT Way: Karaoke, champagne moments and Emma Hayes’ vision for the USWNT
Head coach Emma Hayes is bringing a new level of mindfulness and intention to the United States Women’s National Team, evident in this week's enlightening conversation with hosts David Gass and Megan Klingenberg. As the featured guest, Hayes shares what she calls the ‘WNT Way,’ focused on prioritizing the culture and figuring out what’s best for women and female athletes through a range of topics such as wellness (2:50), “champagne moments” (12:55), individual coaching (15:50) and even karaoke. The group finishes with some rapid-fire questions for Hayes like who’s the funniest player in USWNT camp (28:12).
Later, our hosts open the discussion to reflect and preview the three-match window for the USWNT against Ireland on June 26 in Commerce City, Colo. and June 29 in Cincinnati and against rival Canada on July 2 in Washington D.C. (34:14)
“The U.S. Soccer Podcast” is a production from U.S. Soccer hosted by David Gass, Megan Klingenberg and Alejandro Bedoya. The podcast tells stories in service to soccer and the people who live it, amplifying player voices and stories behind the game. Episodes drop weekly on Wednesdays.
Hosts: David Gass, Megan Klingenberg
Guest: Emma Hayes
Producer: Brad Fosler
To learn more, visit ussoccer.org/podcast
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Becky Sauerbrunn, Lindsey Heaps on their leadership journeys with the USWNT
Two USWNT captains, past and present, join us on this week's episode of “The U.S. Soccer Podcast.” First, Becky Sauerbrunn sits down to support co-host Megan Klingenberg’s emotional decision to retire (4:40). The two recall memories from their time together as teammates, including some competitive escape room outings (16:30) and the surprising story behind Klingenberg’s second cap (13:15). Finally, the conversation concludes on the topic of legacy, and how the two recent retirees plan to approach the next phase of their careers (21:16).
Later in the episode, Lindsey Heaps joins our hosts (39:50) to discuss her path to becoming USWNT captain, which began with her first call-up and first cap in the 2013 Algarve Cup. Then, the midfielder shares what she’s learned from her own conversations with Sauerbrunn (44:02), how she’s seen leadership out of teammates such as Naomi Girma and Emily Sonnett (48:00), and the importance of driving a competitive, winning culture for a new generation (50:10).
“The U.S. Soccer Podcast” is a production from U.S. Soccer hosted by David Gass, Megan Klingenberg and Alejandro Bedoya. The podcast tells stories in service to soccer and the people who live it, amplifying player voices and stories behind the game. Episodes drop weekly on Wednesdays.
Hosts: David Gass, Megan Klingenberg
Guests: Becky Sauerbrunn, Lindsey Heaps
Producer: Bradley Fosler
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Step inside the heart of soccer in America with the U.S. Soccer Podcast. Every Wednesday, host David Gass sits down for honest, uplifting conversations with voices from across the soccer landscape. We'll be introducing you to the people working to grow the game at every level from the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams to the Youth and Extended National Teams and beyond. The conversations bring you closer to the players, coaches, and personalities shaping the game in communities across the country, exploring the moments, ideas, and the influencers driving the sport forward. This is where soccer stories live. New episodes drop every week. Join us.
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