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

World Cup champion Sam Mewis joins former U.S. Women’s National Team teammate Meghan Klingenberg for a wide-ranging conversation about the highs and heartbreaks of her playing career and the journey to finding purpose beyond the field. Mewis reflects on how serving as an alternate at the 2016 Olympics helped shape the player and teammate she became, the difficult reality of having her career cut short by injury, and how podcasting provided a bridge into an unexpected second act as a creator. She also shares why building community has become central to her work and offers her perspective on the USWNT as the countdown continues to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Plus, Kling reacts to the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and answers your questions in Ask the Pros. Listen now on the U.S. Soccer Podcast presented by Henkel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Claire Hutton joins Meghan Klingenberg on the U.S. Soccer Podcast presented by Henkel to talk about her rapid rise with the U.S. Women’s National Team, becoming one of the youngest players in recent history to wear the captain’s armband and what she’s learned from Emma Hayes and the veteran leaders around her. Hutton also shares what it’s been like experiencing the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a fan, how the tournament has inspired her own dreams of playing on the world’s biggest stage and why the USWNT’s recent trip to Brazil made the possibility of next summer’s World Cup feel even more real. Plus, Claire and Kling talk routines, leadership, life as a young professional and what Claire hopes her impact on the game will be when her career is ultimately over — before tackling the important questions in Red Card or Play On, including the 48-team World Cup and Erling Haaland’s now-famous taxidermy raccoon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of the U.S. Soccer Podcast presented by Henkel, Duda Pavão fills in for Megan Klingenberg and looks back on the USMNT’s 2026 FIFA World Cup run with David Gass, including the historic knockout win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Round of 16 match against Belgium and the players who stood out this summer. Then, Duda goes behind the scenes with La Colombe Team Barista Becky Reeves to talk life inside USMNT camp, coffee culture, team routines and how soccer has changed the way she sees herself and her work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices