Alexi Lalas’ State of the Union Podcast

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse are back with a LIVE episode of State of the Union! Prompted by a string of tweets from former US International, Jermaine Jones, Alexi and Mosse discuss what it means to be the face of the USMNT and what kind of players have all the right attributes necessary for that designation. After a thorough discussion, Alexi reveals his power rankings for the face of the USMNT as we currently stand and the likes of Cavan Sullivan and Julian Hall have already made the list. After, we discuss Alex Freeman’s strong showing vs Real Madrid before getting into the latest with the goalkeeper position for the USMNT. Matt Freese had another tough showing in a loss to Chicago while Brian Schwake and Nashville continued their excellent season against Austin. In #AskAlexi, we discuss Man City’s thrashing of Liverpool and where the Premier League as a whole stands in light of City’s many charges. We then talk the 2028 Olympics that will be hosted in Los Angeles and if it’s medal of bust for the USA. We finish the show recapping Spain’s 2-0 win over the USWNT and Alexi gives his state of the Women’s squad in One for the Road.

CHAPTERS:0:00 - Intro2:09 - Jermaine Jones starts debate: Who is the face of USMNT?11:53 - Did Alexi feel resentment for being face of USMNT?12:54 - Can a dual-nat be the face of U.S. Soccer?17:44 - Alexi's Face of USMNT Power Rankings44:31 - #AskAlexi: Rooting for the villains & Manchester City?55:05 - One For the Road: State of the USWNT
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Alexi Lalas and David Mosse are back with a LIVE episode of State of the Union! FIFA announced their new world rankings with the USA coming in at #16 and Mexico at #10 and the guys have some thoughts. We debate the merit of the rankings before Alexi unveils his own post international break power rankings of the top 10 teams in the world. After, we head to Europe to highlight the biggest matches of the weekend that will see Folarin Balogun make his return to Monaco, Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie take the field in Serie A, Alex Freeman meet Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid, and Liverpool host Manchester City in their first match back in the EPL after being found guilty on 114 of their 115 charges. In #AskAlexi, we discuss if any of the newly capped USA players we saw debut this window could make a World Cup roster right now and if we expect Mauricio Pochettino to remain at the helm of the USMNT until 2030. Finally, in One for the Road, Alexi and Mosse discuss reports that Copa America will be coming back to the States in 2028.

CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Intro2:30 - Final thoughts on the USMNT’s 4-0 window5:17 - FIFA RANKINGS put the U.S. WHERE? AND MEXICO ABOVE THEM?!10:23 - Alexi’s Power Rankings: THE best 10 teams in the world14:48 - Portugal is better without Ronaldo?20:14 - 5 Can’t Miss Matches: Where to McKennie & Pulisic stands after the window?40:05 - #AskAlexi: Youth Movement in World Cup Qualifiers & Pochettino makes it to 2030?53:36 - One For The Road: Copa America BACK stateside?
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Alexi Lalas, David Mosse, and Stu Holden are back with a LIVE episode of State of the Union! The USA completed a perfect 4-0-0 international window with a 1-0 win over Canada. The guys break down everything from the game, including strong performances from Alex Freeman, Justin Ellis, and goalkeeper Brian Schwake. After discussing the game, the guys react to recent comments made by Canada’s manager Jesse Marsch. Marsch invoked the Folarin Balogun incident from this summer’s World Cup and said it is “why everyone around the world hates America.” After talking Marsch’s comments, we look ahead to the CONCACAF Nations League quarters in November where the USA will face Haiti. Next, we talk the latest from the UEFA Nations League where Germany and Jurgen Klopp are still having growing pains, Michael Olise and Harry Kane are carrying France and England, and believe it or not there is even more Ronaldo drama. CR7 might actually NOT be retired from international play and he MIGHT be called in during the next international window. In stark contrast, Messi played his last game for Argentina and collected two assists and a goal in the process. Alexi, Mosse, and Stu discuss Messi’s legacy and what he has meant for the game as a whole. In #AskAlexi, we ask if it’s possible to overplay the youngsters, where Sebastian Berhalter fits in a USA starting XI, and do a bit of trivia. Finally, in One for the Road, we unveil the State of the Union pregame playlist.

CHAPTERS:0:00 - Intro1:14 - USMNT beats Canada 1-0: Instant Reaction6:19 - Justin Ellis scoring with a knock: The people love it13:27 - Who is the leader to start in goal for the USA?16:14 - Who should start at CB with Chris Richards?18:33 - MVP of the window and why is it Cavan Sullivan?29:52 - Did we like the 4-game international window?32:57 - Alexi’s Jesse Marsch Rant36:56 - Is USA vs Canada a true rivalry?42:42 - UEFA Nations League: Michael Olise a top-5 player in the world?44:23 - UEFA Nations League: Harry Kane the best English player of all-time?48:25 - Did Ronaldo release his statement on Messi's final matchday on purpose?52:45 - Messi the GOAT with one final act58:31 - #AskAlexi: Should Sebastian Berhalter start?69:20 - One For The Road: SOTU or Cavan Sullivan’s pregame playlist?
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Alexi Lalas, David Mosse, and Stu Holden are back with a LIVE episode of State of the Union! The USA routed rivals Mexico 3-0 behind goals from Julian Hall, Cavan Sullivan, and Malik Tillman. In scoring, Cavan Sullivan became the youngest goalscorer in USMNT history and the guys break down everything from the game. Which players stood out the most, how did Diego Kochen look getting the start in goal, and how important overall it is too see such a big win over Mexico. After discussing the win over El Tri, Alexi, Mosse, and Stu turn their attention to the last match of the fall international window against Canada, and what we expect going up against Jesse Marsch’s side. After breaking down all things USA, we go to the UEFA Nations League where England absolutely destroyed Croatia 7-0 and Cristiano Ronaldo officially left the Portugal side. The guys discuss where this leaves Cristiano’s international legacy and if he can ever recover from this ignominious end to things with Portugal. In #AskAlexi, the guys debate if USA-Mexico is the best international soccer rivalry and if Cavan Sullivan or Julian Hall could walk into the starting XI of a top 5 European team right NOW.

CHAPTERS:0:00 - Intro
1:05 - Instant Takeaways: Tres a Cero USA4:42 - Mexico is NOT on the same level as the USMNT6:56 - U.S. Starting XI: Mauricio Pochettino got it right12:21 - Cavan Sullivan is a young star22:02 - Putting pressure on Christian Pulisic and the vets30:52 - Would any player on El Tri start for the USA?34:25 - UEFA Nations League: Ronaldo drama rolls on49:10 - #AskAlexi: Is U.S vs Mexico the best rivalry in international soccer?
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Alexi Lalas, David Mosse, and Stu Holden are back with a LIVE episode of State of the Union! The USA picked up their 2nd straight win of the international fall window, defeating Chile 4-2. Sebastian Berhalter, Julian Hall, Chris Richards, and Mathis Albert all got on the scoresheet for the USA in the big win. With his goal, Mathis Albert became the youngest goalscorer in the history of the US Men’s National Team. Alexi, Mosse, and Stu break down all the action including which of the youngsters stood out the most and if any progress was made in our great goalkeeper hunt. We then look ahead to Saturday’s match with Mexico and give some love to Cavan Sullivan who starred in a substitute appearance. After wrapping up the USA win, the guys recap action from the CONCACAF Nations League that saw Curaçao and Haiti build off their World Cup appearances with wins. Then we recap the UEFA Nations League that saw Jürgen Klopp’s Germany fall to Greece, Michael Olise give France a winner over Belgium, Lamine Yamal star for Spain, and Harry Kane bag another goal for England. In #AskAlexi, we discuss what impact Manchester City’s recent controversy could have on Cavan Sullivan joining the club and debate which of these young USA players is most likely to make an impact in the CONCACAF Nations League. We finish with One for the Road, where Alexi poses the question: which position has the smartest soccer players?

CHAPTERS:

0:00 - Intro1:48 - USA defeat Chile 4-2 in 2nd straight fall window win6:30 - Sebastian Berhalter USMNT MVP?9:05 - Is Gio Reyna a pillar of this team?10:15 - Who do you start vs Mexico in goal?21:15 - Has Julian Hall been the most impressing youngster?23:51 - Cavan Sullivan looking Messi-esque27:50 - Buying stock in Cavan Sullivan OR Gilberto Mora?31:13 - CONCACAF Nations League: What is wrong with Costa Rica?36:04 - Olise, Yamal and Kane star in UEFA Nations League57:25 - #AskAlexi: What should be Man City's punishment & impact on Cavan Sullivan65:50 - #AskAlexi: What young USA players can start in the Nations League71:52 - One for the Road: Who are the smartest soccer players?
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