Pre-match: US v Ecuador, Oct 10 2025

The thing is anytime a surges the potential is there but you got to see if they maintain it over time. And goalie just a position where it’s there for the taking for a guy who emerges. Though I don’t think that’s Brady right now.

 

For Brady maintaining his potential over something like 2-3 games woud be a good start. I think Poch wants 4 keepers in the camp, and not impressed by his choices.

 

I wonder if the 4th keeper was insurance for Freese maybe not being able to go. But generally the national team likes 4 keepers for training but usually they just fill the 4th spot with a youth goalie from whatever local MLS team whose facilities they are training at.

 

It's almost like that here. Brady is immensely talented young keeper who isn't ready yet, good for him, good for the forwards.

 

The 2022 World Cup is probably going too far back, since obviously some players from that roster, like Ferreira, have fallen out of the national team picture long since then.

You could instead just go back to the summer of 2024, shortly before Pochettino was announced. Or the November Nations League window from last year. Or even just back to the March Nations League window this year. There are by my count 20 players who started a game for the USMNT in one of those 3 windows. Musah and Scally started in all 3.

Since then, and outside of those windows, we've called up somewhat experimental sides where the coaches signaled they were trying to look at as many players as possible, and we've had rosters where top players have asked out simply to take a break from playing games. This roster was widely understood to be the first one since March where we weren't simply testing out options or seeking to expand the pool, and where players wouldn't be turning down a call up absent a very compelling reason.

Almost every one of those 20 players who started in those three camps is either on this roster or has missed a game this week due to injury. There are I believe 4 exceptions: Adams, Scally, Musah, and Sargent. And Poch was asked about all 4 of them. (Sargent's omission is a little more self-explanatory, so Carlisle phrased the question as why did Poch choose Balogun, Agyemang, and Wright over other strikers, but the other 3 were brought up much more directly).

Poch gave a straightforward answer regarding Adams, and basically just got very annoyed at Carlisle's questions regarding the other 3. Which is whatever, but no I don't think that was a naive question based solely on club affiliation. It was a pretty gently phrased question, in an attempt to get Poch to explain why players who previously seemed to be in starting contention earlier in the year now find themselves on the outside looking in. Poch is entirely within his rights to avoid answering that, but I think it's entirely appropriate for Carlisle to ask the question and not worth snapping at him over.

 

Agreed on all points. Really miss the contributions of Watke as well.

 

I thought it was a perfectly fine question and I thought Pochettino’s answer was also fine. He seems to be showing a bit more personality as he gets comfortable in the job and it also wasn’t one of those standard coach speak sort of guys. And I think he didn’t quite understand why people want him to justify decisions at the end of the roster. Though I appreciate when reporters ask about those sorts of things myself in case there is some reason unrelated to form.

 

I agree that Vince has improved. I used to have a hard time listening to him but find it easier now.

 

I still can't listen to Vince, don't listen to Scuffed often but if I do I fast forward through him talking.

Semi-related note "call it what you want" had had Tenorio subbing for Meola and Charlie this week and it was their best podcast in a while too.

I find it tough to listen to both of them at times, especially Charlie, but they did both play at the highest level and have some good insights. I just don't think they are good podcasters.

 

Meola's a bit boring but he's not hot takey, which is my biggest peeve. Charlie's gotten better, but there are some times that he thinks five minutes of him saying "this guy's better" is analysis, and man, it gets old.

 

Charlie is difficult because it's quite clear when he's talking about someone he clearly doesn't watch.

 

I rather think Berhalter should be in all the camps prior to the naming of the WC squad. If nothing else, you can be certain his performances will put heavy pressure on others trying to make their own cases for still empty spots in the squad..

 

Berhalter has continued to impress me. Today, he scored TWO goals from the same spot about 25 yards from goal. And had an assist (what I will call "classic Berhalter" because we've seen it several times for the USMNT) off a free kick from outside the corner of the box. And could have had a few more assists if his teammates finished good chances his passing afforded them. The guy is playing extremely well. I still think he'll make the final WC roster, especially if he continues to be so contundente for Vancouver.

 

Belz and Greg are great. But like you, I stopped listening when Watke and Vince to on the show. Vince was just annoying, constantly saying "not gonna lie" and had very limited soccer knowledge. Watke's deadpan humor is awful in a setting like this and I cant listen to him even though he sometimes has good observations.

 

Not even MLS average? He has been outstanding this year on a team that leaks goals, not sure he has cost us a point since April and has saved us a ton. Very good keeper that has made a big leap this year. Great shot stopper with improving distribution and deserves to be in the conversation.

 

I'll take your opinion, maybe I haven't seen him enough. He might has improved the distribution, but it's still subpar, positioning is also suspect. Always been a tremendous talent, but I highly doubt he will be ready for the WC.

 

Love all four of them, and pretty much always have, there's a great balance between the more seriously minded Belz, the good humored older vision of Greg, and the serious/humorous approach of the other two. Only thing I've ever disliked is their focus on scripting the minutes of the breakdowns of games. They are good enough at this point, to just write up bullet point talking points, and ignore the minute by minute stuff beyond specific moments they want to reference. I do not need a 90 minute retelling of the game, they are more than entertaining enough to simply talk shop about it, w/their key points. Hopefully at some point they walk away from that scripted piece of minute by minute breakdowns.

 

I would like more Greg, but you're listening for the entertainment and insights here and there. I don't think they're informing me more than some of the better posters around here (actually probably less), but occasionally they have nuggets, and I listen for the entertainment. They are a pleasure to listen to, including Vince, but if its not entertaining you, there is no reason to listen because the insights are usually guest specific, or a minute thing here or there occasionally.

 

Yeah, I had a hard time of setting pots up for UEFA because a huge portion of the top 25 and top 45 are UEFA sides in particular, and yet only so many can qualify, so a bunch of those slots, especially in Pot 3 and 4, are going to go to AFC, CAF, and Conmebol sides.

 

Didn't realize that Watke left. I listen sometimes, not others, and I'm not a Patreon guy with them, so I miss plenty of their podcasts, but try to catch the ones of interest to me. Bummer on Watke leaving, but I imagine it's a lot of work for not a lot of $$$.

 

CIWYW was just way better with Pearce, I've never found it as good since, at all. I still listen sometimes, but not nearly as much as I did in its first year or three.

 

Ha I thought the same about the minute by minute. My guess is it helps Belz organize the call with some structure, but I totally hear you.

 

In a tight game where you aren’t creating opportunities, having that set piece weapon would be an obvious need. He’s also a good guy to throw in there to play the mental game and throw the other team off a bit.

He would certainly have a role.

 

Berhalter’s two golazos and inch-perfect set piece delivery can be found here: https://www.mlssoccer.com/schedule/scores#competition=all&club=all&date=2025-09-29

Vancouver won the Canadian title and is the current favorite to win the western conference. Berhalter is obviously one of the key guys.