Alexi Lalas’ State of the Union Podcast

As the United States prepares to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, former USA managers Jürgen Klinsmann, Bob Bradley and Steve Sampson, join host Stu Holden for an unprecedented look behind the curtain of the American soccer machine. The crew dives into the all-time U.S. moments at the World Cup, the high-stakes recruitment of dual nationals, and the heavy burden of making roster cuts that define a nation’s legacy.

0:00 Intro2:42 Getting the call to manage the U.S. Men's National Team7:12 How did Steve Sampson scout players for the national team leading up to the 1994 World Cup?10:19 How important is MLS to developing American players for Bob Bradley?12:38 How did Jürgen Klinsmann juggle being USA manager, technical director and trying to improve MLS?15:26 How did Jürgen Klinsmann manage the USA players leaving Europe for more money in the MLS?17:50 Steve Sampson explains how MLS impacted his player selection for the 1998 World Cup19:10 Bob Bradley sets the record straight on whether a number MLS players are mandated by the federation to be on the roster20:49 How did Jürgen Klinsmann evaluate the talent of the USA player pool?24:14 Bob Bradley describes how the USA can start developing world class talent26:12 Jürgen Klinsmann’s take on how the American soccer mentality and culture has to change to be more successful31:47 Steve Sampson addresses how important the USMNT's history of scheduling tough opponents before a World Cup34:17 Bob Bradley explains the team mentality and composition leading up to the upset of Spain in the Confederations Cup semifinal in 200938:29 Jürgen Klinsmann breaks down how he built out his USMNT rosters41:02 How did Jürgen Klinsmann manage dual nationality players and how they fit into the roster?42:44 Steve Sampson talks about bringing in dual national David Regis on the 1998 World Cup team43:56 Steve Sampson on how Gio Reyna is a difficult decision for the USMNT roster44:26 Bob Bradley’s observations on a player’s character and how they fit the roster45:17 Stu Holden and Bob Bradley discuss how hard roster decisions are45: 54 - Bob Bradley’s hardest roster decisions47:04 Jürgen Klinsmann’s hardest roster decisions48:17 How did Jürgen Klinsmann make the hard roster decisions?49:00 Steve Sampson’s hardest roster decisions and how his assistants helped out50:39 Bob Bradley on how an in-form player can sneak onto the USMNT roster52:46 Jürgen Klinsmann’s expands on how he selected his team for Brazil55:13 “The night before” speech from Bob Bradley and Stu Holden’s reaction57:13 Steve Sampson’s “The night before” speech58:30 Jürgen Klinsmann’s “The night before” speech1:00:15 Franz Beckenbauer’s speech to the German team, Jürgen Klinsmann ahead of the FIFA World Cup Final1:01:34 Bob Bradley’s reaction to Landon Donovan’s goal against Algeria at the 2010 FIFA World Cup1:04:01 Jürgen Klinsmann’s reaction to Clint Dempsey's goal vs Ghana in the 2014 FIFA World Cup1:05:44 Steve Sampson’s reaction to Eric Wynalda’s free kick goal against Switzerland in the 1994 FIFA World Cup1:07:10 Steve Sampson’s reaction to the game against Brazil before the 1998 FIFA World Cup1:07:51 Steve Sampson vs Jurgen Klinsmann at the 1998 FIFA World Cup1:12:15 Bob Bradley’s expectations for the USA at the 2026 FIFA World Cup1:14:25 Jürgen Klinsmann’s psychology behind whether the USA can win a World Cup and what it takes1:18:55 Steve Sampson’s take on the psychology to win the World and expectations for this cup1:20:29 Bob Bradley’s key USA contributors for this World Cup1:23:21 Jürgen Klinsmann breaks down the USA forwards1:25:41 Bob Bradley’s most influential coach in his career1:27:19 Jürgen Klinsmann’s most influential coach in his career, including Phil Jackson1:29:53 Steve Sampson’s most influential coach in his career
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Alexi Lalas and David Mosse are back with a new episode of State of the Union! The guys begin with the Copa Del Rey final where Real Sociedad, managed by American Pellegrino Matarazzo, upset Atletico Madrid and in turn making Matarazzo the first ever American manager to win a trophy in one of Europe’s top 5 leagues. After, Alexi and Mosse break down Flo Balogun scoring for Monaco again, Christian Pulisic not scoring for Milan again, Bayern winning the Bundesliga again, and Arsenal potentially bottling the Premier League again. In #AskAlexi, we plug Alexi’s most recent big screen cameo and debate a potential surprise addition to the USA’s World Cup GK corps. In One for the Road, Alexi shouts out the running Lalases who partook in the Boston Marathon.Presented by Zillow #Zillow

0:00 Intro 3:28 US Abroad: Pelligrino Matterazzo makes history8:30 Does Matterazzo want to be the US National Team coach?10:24 Fox Sports FIFA World Cup Roundtables announcement13:51 Balogun extends his scoring record in League 115:04 PSG-Lyon - Tessmann & Co dent PSG title bid16:05 Pulisic’s scoring drought continues17:37 McKennie bags an assist against Bologna19:01 Haji Wright makes team of the year and Coventry secure promotion21:08 Brenden Aaronson assist helps Leeds avoid the drop22:24 Tyler Adams comes off the bench for Bournemouth24:18 Man City tops Arsenal to tighten the EPL race31:32 Bayern Munich clinch the 13th Bundesliga title in 14 years32:47 MLS Recap: Diego Luna scores off a keeper blunder for RSL34:43 Cristian Roldan vs. Johnny Cardoso36:44 Messi brace helps new manager in Miami to settle in38:45 Bruce Arena and San Jose shock LAFC41:35 Ask Alexi: Are you going to be a movie star?49:00 One for the road: The Running of the Lalases
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Stu Holden is BACK and joins David Mosse for a new episode of State of the Union! On this show, the duo reacts to Matt Crocker leaving U.S. Soccer for a leadership role with Saudi Arabia so soon before the World Cup. After, Stu and Mosse recap a WILD Champions League week that saw Bayern, PSG, Arsenal, and Atletico Madrid advance to the semi-finals. Stu asks if Mbappe is the best player in the world despite Real's loss and gives his pick for the UCL winner. Back stateside, Nashville made history by becoming the first MLS side to win in the mighty Azteca in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, knocking off Club America. In #AskAlexi, Stu and Mosse debate if Mexico or the U.S. utilize their domestic league better and in One for the Road, the guys dive into the sudden departure of Inter Miami boss Javier Mascherano.

Presented by Zillow #Zillow

Stu's Reaction to Matt Crocker leaving U.S. Soccer (1:36)The UCL semifinals are set (6:34)U.S. abroad weekend preview (29:31)Nashville SC pulls off historic CCC upset (35:25)#AskAlexi (45:32)One for the Road (56:41)
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Alexi Lalas and David Mosse are back with a new episode of State of the Union! The show starts with the breaking news that U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker is leaving his current post to move to work with the Saudi Arabian football federation. Alexi and Mosse break down the implications of this as we rapidly approach the World Cup before moving on to U.S. Abroad where Flo Balogun and Ricardo Pepi found the back of the net for Monaco and PSV. Weston McKennie was suspended due to yellow card accumulation and Christian Pulisic’s scoring drought reached 16 games for club and country. Next, Alexi and Mosse preview the midweek quarterfinals in both the Champions League where Real Madrid and Barcelona are looking for 2nd leg turnarounds and the CONCACAF Champions Cup where LAFC is the only MLS side to take a lead into the 2nd leg. The pair roundup the weekend action from MLS before getting into the most difficult groups in the coming World Cup in #AskAlexi. Finally, in One for the Road, Alexi discusses the Americanization of soccer and what is the American soccer identity.

Presented by Zillow #Zillow

(0:00) Intro  (1:39) U.S. Sporting Director Matt Crocker leaves for Saudi Arabia (4:46) U.S. Abroad: Pulisic slump, Balogun & Pepi score(10:23) Emma Hayes as USMNT coach?(21:53) MLS Recap: Sebastian Berhalter bags another assist (25:49) #AskAlexi: Group of Death Rankings(36:27) One For The Road: American Soccer Identity
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Alexi Lalas and David Mosse are back with a new episode of State of the Union! With the news becoming official that Patrick Agyemang will miss the World Cup with an Achilles injury, Alexi and Mosse discuss what that means for the US roster this summer and what strikers could step up and step in for the injured Agyemang. After, the pair break down all the happenings from the first leg of the UCL quarterfinals, including PSG dominating Liverpool, Bayern beating Real Madrid away, Arsenal winning late, and Atletico Madrid seeing off Barcelona. In U.S. Abroad, Alexi asks if it is time for Christian Pulisic to leave AC Milan in the wake of his poor form. Alexi and Mosse then preview the upcoming MLS weekend matches that will see Messi and Inter Miami host Michael Bradley’s NYRB and old rivals New England DC facing off once more. In #AskAlexi, Alexi recounts his favorite trash talk moments and gives a full postmortem for Italy missing the World Cup and in One For The Road, Alexi and Mosse discuss negativity within the USA fanbase and tease a giveaway.

Presented by Zillow #Zillow

Patrick Agyemang OUT for the World Cup (5:11)UCL Quarterfinal first leg recap (11:43)Should Pulisic leave AC Milan? (24:38)MLS Weekend Preview (31:50)#AskAlexi (42:39)One for the Road (53:32)
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