Pepi makes history, Balogun bags his goal | USMNT in UCL Recap
This State of the Union episode is packed with USMNT in UCL goals, heated MLS playoff drama & more. We kick things off with a UEFA Champions League recap as Ricardo Pepi’s stoppage-time heroics for PSV secured a 1–1 draw against Olympiacos, tying legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Agüero for a record. Flo Balogun bagged his first-ever Champions League goal for Monaco in a 1–0 win over Bodo/Glimt, while Weston McKennie’s Juventus held Sporting to a 1–1 draw. Elsewhere, PSG fell 2–1 to Bayern, Liverpool edged out Real Madrid 1–0, and Erling Haaland extended his insane UCL scoring streak in City’s 4–1 rout of Dortmund.
We’re also still on Pulisic Watch as Parma takes on AC Milan. The MLS Cup Playoff opening round is coming to a close, with must-watch matchups like Inter Miami vs. Nashville and Cincinnati vs. Columbus. Did Luis Suarez deserve the suspension?
Plus, stay tuned for #AskAlexi where we are debating Gregg Berhalter vs. Mauricio Pochettino and what would count as success in 2026 for the USMNT. Smash that YouTube sub and join the conversation!
Intro (0:00)USMNT in UCL: Pepi & Balogun score (:)MLS Cup Playoff Preview: Suarez suspended (:)#AskAlexi: Berhalter or Pochettino? (:)One For The Road: Mamdani the soccer player (:)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
--------
48:03
--------
48:03
Tyler Adams Scores his 1st in EPL, Pulisic Nears Return, and dream World Cup Final matchups
Alexi Lalas and David Mosse break down all the latest happenings of USMNT stars around the world in the newest episode of State of the Union. Tyler Adams scored his first ever Premier League goal for Bournemouth as Chris Richards returned from a brief Injury spell at Crystal Palace. Jedi Robinson, Johnny Cardoso and Malik Tillman are still waiting to make their returns to the pitch as is Christian Pulisic, who is being asked by AC Milan to stay in Italy for the next international break. Stateside, the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs are finishing with a flurry as we saw penalty shootouts between Portland and San Diego, Dallas and Vancouver and Charlotte and NYCFC. Messi and Miami will face Nashville for a decisive third game on Saturday. The guys debate a dream World Cup Final for next summer and finally, for his One for the Road, Alexi breaks down the potential use of AI to shape lineups and tactics and we reveal a USMNT starting XI chosen by ChatGPT.
Intro (0:00)USMNT Abroad: Adams scores, Pulisic pulled from U.S. duty (5:48)MLS Cup Playoffs Recap: (15:31)#AskAlexi: Dream World Cup Final matchups: Messi vs Ronaldo? (25:09)Coach ChatGPT: Would you use AI to make your lineup? (37:32)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
--------
51:03
--------
51:03
🇺🇸 USMNT Roster Stock Watch: Gio Reyna, Matt Turner, Brenden Aaronson & More
The USMNT roster announcement is just around the corner, and Alexi Lalas and David Mosse grade a handful of players who need work and who are on the rise ahead of the November window. From Brenden Aaronson’s resurgence and Haji Wright’s hot streak to Matt Turner’s lack of playing time, find out who’s making a strong case for selection — and who might be in trouble.
🌍 In USMNT Abroad:
🇮🇹 Serie A: Christian Pulisic injury update & Weston McKennie’s new manager Luciano Spalletti
🇩🇪 Bundesliga: Malik Tillman nearing his return & Noahkai Banks makes the U.S. roster?
🏴 EPL: Antonee Robinson’s status at Fulham, Chris Richards injury news, and a look ahead to a massive weekend of fixtures.
🇺🇸 MLS Cup Playoffs: Full breakdown of the best-of-three first round — key results, standout performances, and who’s advancing.
🎧 In #AskAlexi: Best Halloween movies 🎃 & Has MLS drifted from its original mission to develop American talent?
🎙️ Finally, in One For The Road, we unpack Gio Reyna’s comments to the AP...
📞 Call the show: (657) 549-2297💬 Join the conversation: Use #AskAlexi on social media▶️ Subscribe on YouTube and follow @SOTUWithAlexi for full episodes and highlights
Intro: (0:00)USMNT Stock Watch: (7:19)USMNT Weekend Preview: (23:45)MLS Cup Playoff Review: (33:04)One For The Road - Gio Reyna's comments: (47:27)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
On today’s show, Alexi Lalas and David Mosse break down all the USMNT Abroad action as Brenden Aaronson scores for Leeds, Tyler Adams assists and captains second-place Bournemouth, and Chris Richards goes the full 90 for Arsenal. Also in Europe, we’ve got Gio Reyna logging Bundesliga minutes, Tim Weah’s first Ligue 1 assist, and updates on Christian Pulisic and Cameron Carter-Vickers injuries.
Plus, the MLS Cup Playoffs heat up — Messi leads Inter Miami, while Philadelphia and San Diego FC make strong starts.
We wrap with your #AskAlexi questions on Messi’s marketability before saying goodbye to Camp Cupcake. 🎧 Subscribe now for all things U.S. Soccer 🇺🇸
Intro - (0:00)Brenden Aaronson scores his 1st of year- (6:18)Mbappe tops Yamal in El Classico- (14:51)Weah bags an assist but gets hurt - (22:00)MLS Cup Playoff recap - (30:25)And Ode to Camp Cupcake - (46:48)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
--------
58:23
--------
58:23
Pepi Powers PSV, MLS Cup Playoffs Begin, and no captain’s armband for Pulisic?
Alexi Lalas and David Mosse start in the UEFA Champions League, where Ricardo Pepi made instant impact — scoring and assisting off the bench as PSV dismantled Napoli 6–2. Would you start him over Folarin Balogun? Bayer Leverkusen suffered a 7–2 defeat against PSG without Malik Tillman, and Arsenal cruised 4–0 past Atlético Madrid in a tough outing without Johnny Cardoso. On Wednesday, Weston McKennie battled hard but couldn’t stop Real Madrid’s dominance ahead of the first El Clásico of the season. And finally, Tim Weah & top of the table Marseille fell to Sporting Lisbon. Back stateside, the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs kick off with a loaded best-of-three first round. We’ll tell you who’s hot, who’s not, and who could lift the Cup.
Plus, #AskAlexi returns with your fan questions including a heated plea for Christian Pulisic to NOT wear the armband for the USMNT. Tune in and and smash that YouTube & Spotify subscribe button!
Intro - (0:00)USMNT in UCL - Pepi is BACK BABY (:)MLS Cup Playoff Preview - (:)Best Superstar to add to USMNT: Harry Kane? - (:)Should Pulisic get the captain's armband next summer? - (:)2031 FIFA Women's World Cup heads to CONCACAF - (:)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
U.S. Soccer legend Alexi Lalas discusses the biggest stories in soccer through the lens of red, white and blue glasses! Join Alexi Lalas and soccer guru David Mosse, as they break down the USMNT, USWNT, MLS, Bundesliga, Premier League, World Cup & everything in between.
Follow Alexi Lalas' State of the Union podcast @SOTUWithAlexi on all platforms!
https://twitter.com/SOTUWithAlexi
https://www.instagram.com/SOTUWithAlexi/
https://www.tiktok.com/@sotuwithalexi
https://www.facebook.com/SOTUWithAlexi/
México