DiscoverAlexi Lalas’ State of the Union PodcastU.S. vs Ecuador & Australia Preview + 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Outlook
U.S. vs Ecuador & Australia Preview + 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Outlook

U.S. vs Ecuador & Australia Preview + 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Outlook

Update: 2025-10-09
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Alexi Lalas and David Mosse gear up for the USMNT’s October window with plenty of burning questions. Will the U.S. lock in a back three, or shift back to a traditional four? How will they adapt without Dest — and with Jedi Robinson on limited minutes? And if you bring four goalkeepers, shouldn’t at least two get a shot?
Alexi reveals his Starting XI for the window — featuring Matt Freese in goal, a veteran back line, and Pulisic and Balogun leading the charge against Ecuador and Australia.
Around the globe, World Cup qualifying gets wild: CAF, AFC, UEFA, and CONCACAF races all heating up, while MLS playoff spots hang in the balance with Messi’s Miami fighting for position and Jordi Alba’s farewell on the horizon.
Then it’s #AskAlexi and One for the Road, where Alexi salutes Darlington Nagbe — one of the best to ever do it.




Intro (0:00 )
3 Burning Questions for USMNT Window: Back 3 vs Back 4? (5:02 )
Alexi’s Best Starting XI (11:36 )
2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Preview (21:07 )
MLS Weekend Preview: Messi double duty? (32:42 )
#AskAlexi: Why the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be a huge success (37:31 )
Happy Trails Darlington Nagbe - Alexi’s GOAT (44:39 )

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U.S. vs Ecuador & Australia Preview + 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Outlook

U.S. vs Ecuador & Australia Preview + 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Outlook

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