Pochettino Defends MLS, Balogun Joins the Squad, Messi and Miami Are Set for Leagues Cup Final

Alexi Lalas’ State of the Union Podcast

FOX Sports

Soccer, News, Sports, Sports News

4.4 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 28 August 2025

⏱️ 54 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Pochettino Defends MLS, Balogun Joins the Squad, Messi and Miami Are Set for Leagues Cup FinalThe September international window is here, and Mauricio Pochettino has made his final roster decisions before the USMNT’s friendlies against Korea Republic and Japan. Alexi Lalas and David Mosse react to the late addition of Folarin Balogun, Pochettino’s communication (or lack thereof) with stars like Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, and Joe Scally, and what this camp means for fresh faces fighting to earn a spot. Why no Weston McKennie or Matt Turner this time around? Plus, the guys dive into Pochettino’s strong defense of MLS and what it means for national team players in the league.Around the globe, we track Americans in action across Europe’s top leagues—Gio Reyna officially teams up with Joe Scally at Borussia Mönchengladbach, Christian Pulisic and AC Milan look to rebound from tough loss, and Josh Sargent aims to stay red-hot in the Championship. Back home, we set the stage for MLS’ top-of-the-table battles and preview the Leagues Cup Final.Stick around for One for the Road as we look ahead to Alexi’s weekend in Columbus discussing the Road to the World Cup. Intro (0:00)Roster Update: Balogun Joins the Squad (5:10)Pochettino Defends MLS (16:27)USMNT Abroad (23:51)UCL Fixtures (36:30)MLS Top of the Table Clashes (37:20)Seattle and Miami Set for Leagues Cup Final (38:50)#AskAlexi: MLS Salary Caps (42:20)Road to World Cup (47:30) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	I've rolled out uni because I want to live at home.
0:02.5	I've ruled out uni because I want to earn money.
0:05.7	I've ruled out uni because of my grades.
0:10.1	Study with the Open University and there's no need to rule out anything.
0:13.9	With our respected degrees, you can learn from home and work alongside study.
0:18.1	We're open to all.
0:19.6	Plus, you'll have the support of expert tutors. So rethink your
0:23.6	future with the degree you didn't think was possible. The Open University. The future is open.
0:29.9	It's almost kind of like a second bite at the balligan apple. It makes me incredibly happy that
0:35.2	Maricio Portitino is being this positive about MLS, about MLS's quality, and about American players relative to the national team.
0:46.4	He doesn't care where you play.
0:48.4	He cares that you play well.
0:50.5	I find this to be the single most fascinating aspect of portraitune's first 11 months in charge.
1:14.1	Hello, Sunshine. I'm Alexi Lalas and Will.
1:15.8	The State of the Union podcast.
1:19.6	We look at the beautiful game on and off the field through the lens of red, white, and blue-colored glasses. This show will be talking, well, a second look at the U.S. men's national team roster in the cold, harsh light of a new day, if you will.
1:27.7	Pochitino's MLS love letter, leagues cup semi-action, a weekend preview, Columbus, the great
1:34.5	city of Columbus here in the great state of Ohio, modern tackles, yogurt, UCL pots, and so much
1:42.1	more.
1:42.4	But first joining you as always my friend, my colleague, my guiding
1:44.3	lights, David Mossy, a soccer savant and a Fox Soccer researcher and writer extraordinaire.
1:50.1	Mosse, how are you doing on this Thursday, August 28th in the year 2025?
	...

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