USA All-Time World Cup Best XI, Pepi > Balogun & who steps up for Johnny?

Alexi Lalas’ State of the Union Podcast

FOX Sports

Soccer, News, Sports News, Sports

4.2 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 12 May 2026

⏱️ 59 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse are back with a new episode of State of the Union! The show starts with some unfortunate news: Johnny Cardoso is set to undergo surgery and will miss the World Cup. Alexi and Mosse discuss the ramifications of this and who might step up in Johnny’s absence for the USA. Tanner Tessmann also picked up a knock for Lyon but Gio Reyna got back on the scoresheet for Monchengladbach for the first time in over a year. Pulisic wasn’t present for Milan’s latest loss but Sergiño Dest assisted a Ricardo Pepi goal for PSV. Alexi and Mosse touch on Barcelona topping Real Madrid for the La Liga title before heading over to MLS where Lionel Messi made some more history. In #AskAlexi, the question is asked whether the USA should be building their roster around Folarin Balogun instead of Christian Pulisic and in One for the Road, Alexi unveils his USA all-time World Cup starting XI.Presented by Zillow #Zillow 0:00 - Intro2:59 - Johnny Cardoso OUT10:50 - Gio Reyna SCORES12:57 Ricardo Pepi over Flo Balogun?14:40 - Do we Trust, Trusty?19:04 - Arsenal hold on, Barca wins La Liga26:14 Jack McGlynn & Alex Zendejas make the roster?30:27 - Messi with another record33:58 - Matt Turner vs Matt Freese38:47 - #AskAlexi: Folarin Balogun vs Christian Pulisic48:34 - One For The Road: Alexi’s All-time USA World Cup XI Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	I'll now hand you over to my best man, Eddie.
0:04.0	Wow, wow, wow, second time's a charm, eh, Billy Boy?
0:09.0	Oh God.
0:10.0	Substitution, courtesy of Paddy Power embarrassing Eddie makes way for sensible Samuel.
0:15.0	Cool, that was close.
0:16.0	You might not always pick the right starter, but your sub can still deliver.
0:19.0	Because with Paddy's super sub, your bet rolls over to the player coming on. Paddy Power. Valid on selected leagues and markets only. Pre-match and in-play bets on qualifying player outcome selections only. T's and exclusions apply. 18 plus scummelaware.org. This is a loss. Regardless of the fact, Donnie Cardoso has not shown his best form with the US men's national team, I do think that This is a good player that can help Maricio Poitititino in this U.S. men's national team, I do think that this is a good player
0:38.0	that can help Mauricio Poitititino in this U.S. men's national team. But it comes to Jack
0:42.2	McGlynn and others. People are just grasping at straws here. I think it's actually interesting,
0:47.0	and again, a fair argument if somebody is saying that Zendez could start for Mexico. But he doesn't
0:53.2	play for Mexico. And just because a player may be good for El Trid
0:56.2	does not mean that they're good for the U.S. men's national team.
0:58.7	I, in particular, feel that Tyler Adams has to have a big World Cup.
1:03.8	But I still don't think that he has yet lived up to his side of the bargain.
1:13.9	Hello, Sunshine.
1:15.1	I'm Alexie Lalison.
1:15.9	Welcome to the State of the Union show.
1:17.7	Presented by Sillow.
1:19.0	Someday starts today.
1:20.2	This is where we look at the beautiful game on and off the field through the lens of
1:23.0	red, white and blue colored glasses.
1:24.3	This show will be talking injuries galore.
	...

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