Backheeled
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- For the first time, Backheeled is covering the ins and outs of USL League One 🏆 Here’s where all 18 teams stand ahead of the new season, from favorites to question marks. From @usltactics.com ⤵️
- The USMNT has four friendlies remaining before the World Cup — but for Maurcio Pochettino, those friendlies are "four World Cup games" 🇺🇸 With key matches nearing, who should be in the U.S. squad? @sanjaysujan.bsky.social projects Pochettino's roster. Read ⤵️
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- Obed Vargas grew up playing on frozen fields in Alaska. Now he's an Atletico Madrid player. Here's how a Mexican-American family grew in an unexpected place — and helped produce one of the biggest transfers MLS has ever seen. From @jonarnoldfc.bsky.social ⤵️
- Every USL team faces the same challenge: finding the right players 🔎 How do they scout? And where are USL clubs shopping? “It would be silly to look at such an appropriate player pool right in front of your nose and say no to it." From @usltactics.com ⤵️
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- Set for yet another season without Riqui Puig, the LA Galaxy will have to evolve to compete without their biggest star ✨ Here's how the Galaxy's offseason — one filled with major signings at both ends — has prepared the team for 2026. From @benwright.bsky.social ⤵️
- 18 months ago, Alex Freeman was playing for a reserve team in a third-division league. Now? He's a regular for Mauricio Pochettino's USMNT and is headed to Villarreal. This is the story of Freeman's rise, one featuring both kinds of football ⤵️
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- On the surface, it’s business as usual in the USL Championship. Behind the scenes, CBA talks have been "frustratingly unproductive". Is a work stoppage brewing? @usltactics.com examines where negotiations stand on key topics, from hotels to healthcare ⤵️
- MLS is making strides when it comes to youth development, but which teams are at the forefront? We dive into MLS's best youth development clubs 📈 From @aclausen90.bsky.social ⤵️
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- With preseason camps open across the USL Championship, which teams are looking strongest ahead of 2026? @usltactics.com ranks all 25 teams from top to bottom 📈 Find out where your club stands ⤵️
- We've teamed up with the all-new @fantasyutd.bsky.social to create a special Backheeled MLS fantasy league! Join our league and prove you’re the best chief soccer officer around. Details and info on how to sign up here ⤵️
- Playing young players in MLS is one thing. Getting real impact from them is another. Which teams are getting the best on-field production from their academy products? @aclausen90.bsky.social dives into MLS's best youth development clubs 📈 Read ⤵️
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- What's the latest on USL expansion? Ahead of the USL's plans to add a first-division men's league and grow their pyramid, @usltactics.com gives an expansion update. Get to know this year's class and the organizations hoping to follow suit ⤵️
- Inter Miami’s MLS Cup defense is unlike anything MLS has seen. Signing star after star this winter, the club still has room for more ✨ @benwright.bsky.social examines Miami's historic offseason and the mounting pressure on the team to deliver in 2026. Read ⤵️
- The Designated Player rule helped MLS land David Beckham and Lionel Messi. But now? It's holding the league back, writes @boomstyx.bsky.social. Here's what's wrong with the DP rule — and how to fix it. Read ⤵️
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- The Designated Player rule has been crucial for MLS's growth, helping David Beckham and Lionel Messi sign in the league. But now? The DP rule is a drag on MLS’s improvement rather than a driver, writes @boomstyx.bsky.social. Here's what's wrong with the DP rule — and how to fix it ⤵️
- A new year means the 2026 USL season is just around the corner 👀 @usltactics.com examines what's to come for the USL with 10 predictions, ranging from off-field trends to tactical shifts to players due for a breakout. Read ⤵️
- The USMNT's biggest year ever — headlined by this summer's World Cup — has just begun. @sanjaysujan.bsky.social has 10 bold predictions for Mauricio Pochettino's team in 2026, from a World Cup run to a big-money transfer 🔮 Read ⤵️
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- It's a new year, which means a new MLS season is on the way. @joeclowery.bsky.social has 10 bold MLS predictions for 2026, from Inter Miami setting records to breakout stars to struggling teams 🔮 Read ⤵️
- The USL offseason has been historically busy — we've seen spending sprees, free agent splashes, and new records 👀 But which signings stand out above the rest? @usltactics.com examines the best offseason moves (so far) ⤵️
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- Since MLS introduced cash trades last season, superstars and young talents have changed hands 💰 Who could be on the move this offseason? @benwright.bsky.social dives into the best candidates, from an elite striker to top-tier budget options. Read ⤵️
- 2025 was a big year for Backheeled, filled with more and better U.S. soccer coverage than ever before. To our paid subscribers: thank you! None of our work would be possible without you. A look back — and a look forward to 2026 ⤵️
- Back in January, @usltactics.com made 10 bold predictions for the 2025 USL season ranging from an MVP favorite to expansion 🔮 Today, we’re looking back at those predictions to see what went according to plan — and what didn’t. Read ⤵️
- The MLS SuperDraft isn't what it once was. It's not longer televised, nor does it serve as way to build the backbone of a roster. But make no mistake: there's still value in the draft. Here's why — and here are the players to watch in this year's class, from @travismclark.bsky.social ⤵️
- Predicting MLS often feels like a fool's errand — but did that stop @joeclowery.bsky.social? Not at all. We're looking back at 10 MLS predictions made at the start of 2025, from transfers to tactics to trends 🔮 🆓
- There have been plenty of successes for the USMNT under Mauricio Pochettino’s guidance. But the biggest success of all? The U.S. has depth now. Could that depth fuel a World Cup run on home soil, ponders @jerryhinnen.bsky.social? Read ⤵️
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- The MLS offseason is in full swing — and @joeclowery.bsky.social is here to set the stage for all 30 teams. Here's each MLS team's biggest offseason question heading into 2026, from potential new signings to replacing key cogs to stylistic direction. Your MLS offseason primer ⤵️
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- Revenue sharing is a key part of every major professional sports league around the globe — but not the USL, where a privately held LLC soaks up earnings. @usltactics.com examines the USL's central ownership structure and the challenges it creates for clubs across the country. Read ⤵️
- 🇺🇸 USMNT World Cup drew reaction + analysis 🏆 How Inter Miami won MLS Cup ➡️ What's next for Miami, Vancouver Whitecaps Listen to The Backheeled Show 🎧
- MLS Cup? That’s old news. With the offseason fully underway, @benwright.bsky.social examines the storylines worth monitoring. ▪️ Will the looming World Cup spark roster rules change? ▪️ Where will the top free agents land? ▪️ How will Inter Miami use their open DP spot? ▪️ ...and much more Read ⤵️
- Inter Miami’s MLS Cup triumph made one thing clear: nothing shy of perfection can stop them. The Vancouver Whitecaps threw every punch they could at Miami on Saturday — but Lionel Messi’s outfit still couldn’t be toppled. From @benwright.bsky.social ⤵️
- MLS Cup kicks off later today — and we’re getting you ready with an in-depth preview 🔮 Inter Miami vs. Vancouver Whitecaps 🏆 Storylines. Tactics. Film. Stats. Coach insights. You have plenty of time to read before kickoff. From @joeclowery.bsky.social ⤵️
- As MLS's two best teams prepare to take the field in Saturday's MLS Cup, here's what you need to know: ▪️ How Inter Miami, Vancouver Whitecaps got here ▪️ Why each team will win ▪️ Why each team will lose ▪️ What kind of game to expect @catabush.com analyzes the numbers behind Miami and Vancouver ⤵️
- After an unexpected coaching change, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds still managed to claim the USL Championship’s most prized piece of silverware 🏆 How did acting coach Rob Vincent help fuel the a playoff run for the 'Hounds? @usltactics.com spoke to Vincent and analyzed Pittsburgh's late changes 🆓
- Two decades ago, Wilfried Nancy arrived in North America with a backpack. Now he leaves for Celtic with a resume so full of accomplishments that it may not fit in that backpack. With a huge impact on tactics and players, @joeclowery.bsky.social believes Nancy is the best MLS coach ever. Read ⤵️
- Ahead of MLS Cup between Inter Miami and the Vancouver Whitecaps, we wrote a detailed preview covering tactics, matchups, and more. Will those things matter? Or will Lionel Messi simply decide the game? This version of Messi, says @joeclowery.bsky.social, is the best we’ve seen of him in pink ⤵️
- Inter Miami vs. Vancouver Whitecaps. Trophies. Storylines. Tactics. Film. Stats. Coach insights. Welcome to the ultimate MLS Cup preview, via seven key questions from @joeclowery.bsky.social that may just decide MLS Cup 🏆 Read ⤵️
- Every USL offseason features big news — but with an ongoing CBA negotiation, this winter is uniquely important to the league. From pro-rel details to expansion prospects to labor fights, @usltactics.com examines the six biggest questions that will define the offseason. Read ⤵️
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- The road to MLS Cup goes through Inter Miami — and for once, that road looks to have a few blockades on it. Even while Lionel Messi earns headlines, it's a crucial improvement to Miami's defending that's made them a playoff favorite, writes @joeclowery.bsky.social. Read ⤵️
- ▪️ Inter Miami dominate FC Cincinnati ▪️ San Diego FC's nervy win ▪️ Vancouver Whitecaps impress ▪️ NYCFC's surprise result The Backheeled Show looks back at the latest MLS playoff action 🎧 open.spotify.com/episode/2YRc...
- Just two wins away from becoming the first MLS expansion team in the league's modern era to win MLS Cup, San Diego FC have already made plenty of history. “I think we’re an expansion team that probably has the most in-depth style of play coming into the league." Read ⤵️
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- The USL season is over, but a labor fight rages on off the field. With the current CBA set to expire at the end of the year, questions abound about the future of the league and its players. “We've been adamant from our position: tell us what the plan is.” From @usltactics.com ⤵️
- With a major stadium expansion on the way, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds have taken care to set themselves up for future success. In Saturday’s USL Championship final, that success came early — and with a trophy 🏆 @usltactics.com breaks down Pittsburgh’s victory over FC Tulsa ⤵️
- MLS's 2026 schedule is here. The league will take a break for all but the final three days of next summer's World Cup — and the postseason will run uninterrupted. Details ⤵️ www.backheeled.com/mls-2026-sch...
- The USL’s season is ending, but its CBA standoff doesn’t seem to be. With the USL Championship’s CBA set to expire in one month, questions about the future abound. From salaries to healthcare to the USL's ambitious future, @usltactics.com examines what's at stake. “Tell us what the plan is.”
- So that’s why the USMNT hired Mauricio Pochettino 🇺🇸 A near second-choice XI put five past Uruguay, set piece routines looked sharp, a tactical approach has crystalized, and Gio Reyna returned with real impact. @jerryhinnen.bsky.social examines the state of the U.S. with the World Cup nearing ⤵️
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- The USMNT closed out its 2025 schedule with a bang, decimating Uruguay on Tuesday night 🇺🇸 “It shows that we have a deep team and that everybody is pushing to make Mauricio’s decisions as difficult as possible." From Florida, @sanjaysujan.bsky.social examines the United States' statement result ⤵️
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- With some key players injured and others left with their clubs, is Mauricio Pochettino properly managing his roster selections? “The most important thing is that all the players arrive fit in a very good condition...to start the World Cup." But will that be enough, asks @sanjaysujan.bsky.social?
- The USL Championship Final is set 🏆 How did FC Tulsa and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds book their spot in the final game of the season? @usltactics.com examines the decisions that have taken both clubs one step away from history ⤵️
- Gio Reyna is back. @sanjaysujan.bsky.social examines Reyna’s impact for the USMNT in the team’s win over Paraguay. More takeaways ⤵️ www.backheeled.com/usmnt-vs-par...
- MLS is flipping its calendar to match Europe’s — starting in 2027. What does that mean for transfers, roster rules, cold-weather teams, and TV viewership? We’ve got answers (and more questions) ⤵️
