USMNT September Window Preview: Alexi’s Starting XI & Grading USMNT Transfers

Alexi Lalas’ State of the Union Podcast

FOX Sports

Soccer, News, Sports, Sports News

4.4 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 4 September 2025

⏱️ 62 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

The USMNT faces its toughest test yet under Mauricio Pochettino, with 13 MLS players and new faces eager to seize their opportunity. Cristian Roldan joins the roster as the squad prepares for friendlies against Japan and Korea Republic. Alexi Lalas and David Mosse tackle three big questions: Is Matt Freese really the No. 1 keeper? Can Gold Cup returnees and stars like Christian Pulisic, Flo Balogun, and Sergiño Dest click right away? And most importantly—can this team best a top-ranked opponent?Alexi unveils his ideal Starting XI, the guys recap standout club performances, and they hand out transfer window grades for Yunus Musah, Gio Reyna, Malik Tillman, Tim Weah, and Matt Turner.In #AskAlexi listeners ask about MLS disciplinary drama, including Luis Suárez’s spitting fiasco, and World Cup ticket sales. To wrap the show, Alexi shares his time in Columbus with Pochettino as the countdown to 2026 continues. Intro (0:00)USMNT September Window Preview (4:09)Roster Update (4:30)Burning USMNT Questions (5:46)Is Matt Freese the Starting Keeper? (7:25)Alexi’s Starting XI Prediction (13:33)Grading USMNT Transfer Window (21:40)World Cup Qualifiers (32:06)Leagues Cup Final Drama (41:54)Alexi and Pochettino Meet in Columbus (53:27) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	There's a real possibility that come next summer, Matt Freeze is the starting goalkeeper for the U.S.
0:05.1	Men's Nationals, and I can't believe I'm saying that right now.
0:08.1	But the world is strange.
0:09.6	What is the U.S.'s last signature way?
0:12.4	I hate to break it to you.
0:13.4	Nobody gives a crap how this team plays next summer as long as they win.
0:18.0	Spitting is a vile and despicable and disrespectful act. If it's
0:26.6	Mike Tyson, I'd rather he spit on me than thank you. Hello, Sunshine. I'm Alexi Lollast and welcome.
0:48.0	State of the Union podcast.
0:49.3	We look at the beautiful game on and off the field through the lens of red, white, and blue colored glasses.
0:53.8	This show will be talking, oh, yes, U.S. men's national team friendly preview.
0:58.7	It is upon us.
1:00.0	World Cup tickets.
1:01.2	Columbus with Pochitino, Inter-Miamy, spitting mad, World Cup qualifying, World Cup
1:07.8	Visitors, Catfishing, Dallas Cowboys, and so much more. But first, join me as always, my friend, my colleague, my guiding light. David Mossier, a soccer savant and a Fox Soccer researcher and writer extraordinaire. Mossie, how are you doing on this? What are we looking at? September 3rd in the year 2025. I'm doing well. Welcome back. Did you remember how to get to the Fox lot?
1:28.9	It was a little weird coming in. I have been gone for a long time, incredible travels and
1:35.1	tales through this summer, but now I am back. My daughter's already started school.
1:41.3	My son started yesterday, and so we're back into the thick of
1:44.7	things when it comes to school, and we're back into the thick of things when it comes to being in
1:48.6	the same studio together. Thank you to you and everybody behind the camera who made it happen
1:54.6	over the last month plus now that I have been on the road, but it's nice to be back in studio with you.
1:59.8	My friend, have you watched anything or seen anything or want to talk about anything? I am knee-deep in this Dallas
	...

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