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. The pair also talks about what it means to represent queer athletes and communities through their journey. Plus, Meghan catches up on the latest USWNT storylines and discusses emerging talents Alyssa Thompson and Cavan Sullivan. Watch Ali Krieger and Joanna Lohman on The Amazing Race which premieres on Wednesday, Sept. 30 and Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026 on CBS and Paramount Plus. Chapters: 00:00 – Ali & Joanna take on The Amazing Race 10:00 – How they got cast 14:25 – From teammates to race partners 27:12 – How soccer prepared them for the Race 38:18 – Representing the LGBTQ+ community 44:18 – What they learned about themselves 49:29 – Was The Amazing Race more difficult than the World Cup? 54:57 – Who are some young USWNT & USMNT players to watch? More info: http://www.ussoccer.com/podcast Subscribe to U.S. Soccer on YouTube! http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=ussoccerdotcom Follow U.S. Soccer on Socials: ► Follow on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ussoccer ► Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ussoccer ► Follow on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ussoccer ► Follow on X: https://x.com/ussoccer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

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

From Edmond, Oklahoma to England and back to Orlando, Daryl Dike has lived the full roller coaster of a modern striker’s career. In this episode of the U.S. Soccer Podcast, host Megan Klingenberg interviews Dike to unpack his career journey: growing up as the youngest of five in a tight-knit Nigerian-American family, breaking out with Orlando City, and making a dream move to England where he faced top-tier clubs like Chelsea, Newcastle, and Brentford. Dike and Orlando City SC take on Columbus Crew in the U.S. Open Cup Semifinals on Wednesday, Sept. 16 at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. Kickoff is 7:00 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network and Paramount+. Chapters: 00:45 – Growing up Dike: Oklahoma, big family, Nigerian roots 03:10 – Family of footballers & Courtney Dike World Cup story 08:00 – Drafted by Orlando City & the weirdness of the 2020 bubble 11:30 – Idols and influences: Big brother & Didier Drogba 14:30 – Loan to Barnsley & living the English Premier League dream 25:00 – Resilience from injury; learning how much he loves the game 31:00 – “The Mummy” nickname & iconic celebration 40:00 – Open Cup, being the team to beat & chasing trophies 43:00 – Playing with Griezmann; lessons from a World Cup winner 47:00 – TikTok humor and showing his unfiltered personality 50:00 – What does the USWNT's 2027 forward battle look like? More info: http://www.ussoccer.com/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Guzan shares what he's been up to since retiring from professional soccer at the end of the 2025 season and talks about his new role as a sporting advisor and club ambassador for Atlanta United  where he supports various club initiatives and hosts The Guuuzan Show. His conversation with host Meghan Klingenberg also touches on the unique challenges and rewards of being a goalkeeper plus U.S.-Mexico, which renews its rivalry this fall in Glendale, Ariz. on Oct. 3. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. The former USMNT defender discusses his transition from professional soccer to podcasting  @orangeslicespod , highlighting the adrenaline rush of live shows and the joy of learning new skills. He reflects on his career and the importance of gratitude and personal growth. Pearce also talks about the challenges and rewards of being a left back, the impact of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on U.S. Soccer and the unique joys of being a "girl dad." As always, Kling ends the show answering fan questions in our Ask the Pros segment presented by O'Reilly Auto Parts. 01:40 - Kling interviews Heath Pearce 04:45 - Behind the scenes of their FIFA World Cup 2026 live shows 08:35 - Pearce's favorite moment from the World Cup 18:36 - Are you U.S. Soccer's most spirited fan? 20:00 - Why the next international window matters for the USMNT 30:10 - The factors that shaped Pearce's soccer career 42:38 - Who are the Heathens? 49:08 - What to expect out of the USMNT's fall matches More info: http://www.ussoccer.com/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of the U.S. Soccer Podcast presented by Henkel, host Meghan Klingenberg is joined by the referee trio that officiated the Argentina-England Semifinal match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Ismail Elfath, Corey Parker and Kyle Atkins made history this summer as the first all-U.S. Soccer referee crew in the men's tournament to referee a World Cup Semifinal. The three link up to recount their incredible experience this summer, including that intense Semifinal match between Lionel Messi's Argentina and Harry Kane's England at Atlanta Stadium. Then, they talk more about their journeys to refereeing, how the three gained trust to work together as a team, including bringing pastries, and how refereeing education makes a difference on the pitch. Chapters: 02:26 - All about that Argentina-England Semifinal 09:02 - How are referees selected for knockout stage matches? 21:24 - How do they know what defines a handball? 28:01 - Ismail gets spicy about VAR 32:02 - What drew the trio to refereeing 39:00 - Should 26-player rosters be expanded? 42:30 - What they would tell young referees 49:00 - What separates players who make a National Team roster? Read More: https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2026/07/federation/all-american-referee-crew-argentina-england-fifa-world-cup-semifinal-atlanta More on Ismail Elfath: https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2026/07/federation/all-american-referee-crew-argentina-england-fifa-world-cup-semifinal-atlanta More info: http://www.ussoccer.com/podcast Subscribe to U.S. Soccer on YouTube! http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=ussoccerdotcom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, the tables are turned and host Meghan Klingenberg takes the guest seat on the U.S. Soccer Podcast presented by Henkel to talk her return to Portland to celebrate her retirement from professional soccer. Klingenberg reflects on her soccer career, the people and places that shaped her, and what it means to return to Portland, where she spent eight seasons and made so many memories as a player for the NWSL's Portland Thorns. She looks back on her journey, the highs and challenges of a career spent at the highest level, and the moments that made soccer so meaningful along the way. Plus, Kling answers YOUR questions in our Ask the Pros segment presented by O'Reilly Auto Parts. Chapters: 01:29 - David Gass interviews Meghan Klingenberg 10:10 - The Portland Thorns sign Kling still has today 18:54 - What's Kling's favorite moment from her career? 26:32 - What is Kling's personality on the pitch? 35:08 - Looking ahead to the USMNT's next window More info: http://www.ussoccer.com/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this week’s episode of the U.S. Soccer Podcast, we sit down with head coach Mauricio Pochettino following the announcement of his new contract. Pochettino reflects on his journey with the U.S. Men's National Team, what made continuing with the program the right decision, and the vision he has for the years ahead as preparations continue for the next chapter, which includes competitions such as the 2027 Concacaf Nations League, 2029 Concacaf Gold Cup and qualifying for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Chapters: 01:20 - Meghan Klingenberg interviews Mauricio Pochettino 02:35 - Why was staying with the USMNT the right decision? 07:55 - Pochettino's message to American fans 10:55 - What does a full four-year cycle mean? 15:55 - The biggest lessons from the 2026 FIFA World Cup 23:45 - Young U.S. players to keep an eye on More info: https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2026/08/usmnt/mauricio-pochettino-head-coach-new-contract-through-2030 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What comes next for U.S. Soccer after an incredible FIFA World Cup on home soil? U.S. Soccer CEO and Secretary General JT Batson joins host Meghan Klingenberg on this week's episode of the U.S. Soccer Podcast presented by Henkel to reflect on a historic tournament, discuss what it meant for soccer in the United States, and share his vision for the future of the Federation. Batson looks back on the biggest moments of FIFA World Cup 2026, the continued growth of the game across the country and the opportunities ahead for U.S. Soccer. He also discusses what's next for the USMNT and USWNT in this five-year window, the importance of developing players, coaches and communities and how the Federation plans to build on the momentum generated by one of the biggest sporting events in the world. Kling wraps up with a few reflections and looks ahead to the next chapter for U.S. Soccer as preparations continue for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil and beyond. Chapters: 00:12 - Meghan Klingenberg interviews JT Batson 04:30 - How many people watched FIFA World Cup 2026? 09:45 - How U.S. Soccer made history this summer 11:20 - What's ahead for U.S. Soccer in the next five years 22:35 - JT's message to soccer fans 27:00 - Ask the Pros presented by O'Reilly Auto Parts More info: http://www.ussoccer.com/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices