The Backheeled Show | MLS, USMNT, USL, and more soccer coverage

We bring you unique, in-depth coverage of MLS, the USMNT, the USL, and more from around American soccer.<hr /><p style="color: grey; font-size: 0.75em;"> Hosted on Acast. See <a href="https://acast.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: grey;" target="_blank">acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

Folarin Balogun is the No. 9, Weston McKennie's new role & more USMNT takeaways

Ahead of the United States' clash with Australia on Tuesday night, Joe Lowery dives into a set of thoughts on Mauricio Pochettino's squad. From what the USMNT's setup against Ecuador could mean for the future to recent standouts, there's plenty of ground to cover.If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a rating and subscribe to Backheeled.com for more American soccer coverage!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10-14
08:50

The biggest questions facing Pochettino's USMNT ahead of clashes with Ecuador & Australia

With the U.S. men's national team preparing to meet Ecuador and Australia in a pair of friendlies, what uncertainties surround Mauricio Pochettino's squad? Joe Lowery breaks it all down.If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a rating and subscribe to Backheeled.com for more American soccer coverage!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10-09
08:39

How the Philadelphia Union won the Supporters' Shield! Plus, Darlington Nagbe nears retirement

On today's show, Joe Lowery dives into the Philadelphia Union's Supporters' Shield triumph! What's made them so successful in 2025? That -- plus a look back at Darlington Nagbe's amazing career -- on the show.If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a rating and subscribe to Backheeled.com for more American soccer coverage!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10-07
08:28

Nashville SC's U.S. Open Cup triumph & Chicago Fire back in the MLS playoffs

On today's show, Joe Lowery dives into Nashville SC's 2-1 victory over Austin FC in Wednesday night's U.S. Open Cup. How did they pull off the victory? And what does it mean for Nashville? Then it's time to congratulate the Chicago Fire for making their way back to the postseason in MLS play. All that -- and more -- on the show.If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a rating and subscribe to Backheeled.com for more American soccer coverage!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10-02
07:31

Why these MLS teams should be worried ahead of the playoffs: Columbus Crew, Portland Timbers & more

Just weeks away from the start of the MLS postseason, Joe Lowery digs into five prospective playoff teams that should be worried heading into the home stretch.If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a rating and subscribe to Backheeled.com for more American soccer coverage!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

09-30
08:41

Our MLS 22 Under 22 list: Obed Vargas, Alex Freeman, under-the-radar picks & more

With voting for MLS’s annual 22 Under 22 due later this week, Joe Lowery dives into his 22 Under 22 ballot to highlight the league’s top young players.If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a rating and subscribe to Backheeled.com for more American soccer coverage!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

09-25
09:35

Taking stock of the Supporters' Shield, playoff races & more MLS award candidates!

With less than a month remaining in the MLS regular season, Joe Lowery takes stock of the race for the Supporters' Shield and the playoffs before diving into candidates for three more end-of-season awards.If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a rating and subscribe to Backheeled.com for more American soccer coverage!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

09-23
08:38

MLS award races! Candidates for MVP, Coach of the Year & more

As we near the end of the MLS regular season, Joe Lowery dives into a chunk of the award races. Which players are battling it out for MVP? And which managers have a shot at Coach of the Year? All that -- and more -- on the show.If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a rating and subscribe to Backheeled.com for more American soccer coverage!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

09-18
08:38

Caleb Porter fired by the New England Revolution, top available coaching candidates, and more MLS chat

On today's show, Joe Lowery dives into the New England Revolution's decision to fire head coach Caleb Porter. What went wrong? And what comes next for the Revs? Answers to those questions -- and so much more -- on the show.If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a rating and subscribe to Backheeled.com for more American soccer coverage!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

09-16
08:51

What we learned from the USMNT's September window: Pochettino's best XI, Balogun's job to lose & more

With the U.S. men's national team's pair of September friendlies in the rearview mirror, Joe Lowery dives into a handful of things we learned along the way. From tactical approaches to players who raised their stock in the eyes of Mauricio Pochettino, there's plenty of ground to cover.If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a rating and subscribe to Backheeled.com for more American soccer coverage!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

09-11
09:17

Building the USMNT's ideal XI for their matchup with Japan: Balogun, Banks & more

On today's show, Joe Lowery looks back at the USMNT's 2-0 loss to South Korea and looks ahead to their meeting with Japan later today. Which players have a big opportunity to show out? And what should Mauricio Pochettino's lineup look like? All that -- and more -- on the show.If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a rating and subscribe to Backheeled.com for more American soccer coverage!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

09-09
09:33

Balogun, Dest, Luna & more keys to the USMNT's September friendlies vs. Korea, Japan

With the U.S. men's national team just days away from kicking off their September window with a friendly against South Korea, Joe Lowery dives into a list of things to watch for from Mauricio Pochettino's team this month. From newcomers to a potential center back battle to Tyler Adams' midfield partner, there's plenty to discuss.If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a rating and subscribe to Backheeled.com for more American soccer coverage!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

09-04
08:59

How the Seattle Sounders topped Inter Miami in Leagues Cup! Plus, Philly & San Diego fight for the Shield

On today's show, Joe Lowery dives into a trio of the biggest games from the weekend, starting with the Seattle Sounders' 3-0 win over Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup final and then taking stock of the Philadelphia Union and San Diego FC after their crucial regular season victories.If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a rating and subscribe to Backheeled.com for more American soccer coverage!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

09-02
09:06

Pochettino's latest USMNT roster: Why no Weston McKennie? What to expect from Noahkai Banks & more

Mauricio Pochettino's roster for the U.S. men's national team's pair of September friendlies against South Korea and Japan was released earlier this week. What do we make of it? And who's missing? Joe Lowery breaks it all down.If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a rating and subscribe to Backheeled.com for more American soccer coverage!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

08-28
09:33

St. Louis City fire Lutz Pfannenstiel, plus MLS teams that caught our eye in the summer transfer window

On today's show, Joe Lowery breaks down St. Louis City's decision to part ways with sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel. What went wrong? And what comes next? Plus, we chat about a group of MLS teams that did fascinating things during the now-closed summer transfer window.If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a rating and subscribe to Backheeled.com for more American soccer coverage!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

08-26
09:58

Paxten Aaronson's Colorado Rapids move, Jose Cifuentes to Toronto FC & more MLS transfer chat

It's transfer deadline day! On today's show, Joe Lowery digs into some of the juiciest moves from around the league, from Paxten Aaronson's move back to the states to a star finding his way to Toronto FC.If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a rating and subscribe to Backheeled.com for more American soccer coverage!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

08-21
09:38

Thomas Muller's Vancouver Whitecaps debut, Evander's return to Portland & more MLS chat

It was a spicy weekend of MLS action! From Evander's return to Providence Park to Thomas Muller's first minutes in a Whitecaps uniform to San Diego FC taking the lead in the Supporters' Shield race, Joe Lowery breaks it down.If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a rating and subscribe to Backheeled.com for more American soccer coverage!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

08-19
09:04

MLS teams to watch before transfer deadline day & U.S. Open Cup semifinals are set

MLS's summer transfer deadline is just one week from today. Which teams should you be watching? Joe Lowery answers that question and dives into the U.S. Open Cup, where the Philadelphia Union booked their spot as the last semifinalist with a win over the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday.If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a rating and subscribe to Backheeled.com for more American soccer coverage!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

08-14
09:07

Son Heung-min's LAFC debut, the wild Supporters' Shield race & more MLS chat

Joe Lowery dives into the biggest stories from this past weekend's MLS action. From analyzing Son's first game for LAFC to Djordje Mihailovic's Toronto FC debut to assessing the Shield race, we covered plenty of ground.If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a rating and subscribe to Backheeled.com for more American soccer coverage!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

08-12
08:42

Lucho Acosta leaving FC Dallas? Son, Muller unveiled & more MLS transfer chat

The transfer window doesn't stop! On today's show, Joe Lowery dives into the end of the short Lucho Acosta era in FC Dallas, drama for the Portland Timbers, a pair of stars on favorable contracts, and much more.If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a rating and subscribe to Backheeled.com for more American soccer coverage!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

08-07
09:06

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