Explore every episode of the podcast The Backheeled Show | MLS, USMNT, USL, and more soccer coverage

Welcome back to This League!, our show covering the USL Championship’s biggest stories, characters, and on-field action. Every week, the Backheeled crew runs the Championship's gauntlet to provide fresh observations from around the league. This week, Host Peyton Gallaher plays 20 questions with the crew. Everything ranging from the best kit this upcoming season to what the most popular tactical idea will be as Peyton, Ryan Sykora and John Morrissey preview the upcoming 2026 USL-Championship season. USL Championship broadcaster Joe Malfa joins.

Want to watch this episode instead? Click here. You'll get to see smiling faces and neat graphics. To read John's team-by-team previews click here. 30,000 words on all 25 teams.

If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a rating and subscribe to Backheeled.com for more American soccer coverage! 

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Welcome back to This League!, our show covering the USL Championship’s biggest stories, characters, and on-field action. Every week, the Backheeled crew runs the Championship's gauntlet to provide fresh observations from around the league. This week, Host Peyton Gallaher plays 20 questions with the crew. Everything ranging from the best kit this upcoming season to what the most popular tactical idea will be as Peyton, Ryan Sykora and John Morrissey preview the upcoming 2026 USL-Championship season.

Want to watch this episode instead? Click here. You'll get to see smiling faces and neat graphics. To read John's team-by-team previews click here. 30,000 words on all 25 teams.

If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a rating and subscribe to Backheeled.com for more American soccer coverage! 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to This League!, our show covering the USL Championship’s biggest stories, characters, and on-field action. Every week, the Backheeled crew runs the Championship's gauntlet to provide fresh observations from around the league. This week, Host Peyton Gallaher brings 12 If/Then Mad-Lib-esque statements to the table in an attempt to predict the future for six USL Championship teams.

Want to watch this episode instead? Click here. You'll get to see smiling faces and neat graphics.

If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a rating and subscribe to Backheeled.com for more American soccer coverage! 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to This League!, our show covering the USL Championship’s biggest stories, characters, and on-field action. Every week, the Backheeled crew runs the Championship's gauntlet to provide fresh observations from around the league. This week, Host Peyton Gallaher brings 12 If/Then Mad-Lib-esque statements to the table in an attempt to predict the future for six USL Championship teams.

Want to watch this episode instead? Click here. You'll get to see smiling faces and neat graphics.

If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a rating and subscribe to Backheeled.com for more American soccer coverage! 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to This League!, our show covering the USL Championship’s biggest stories, characters, and on-field action. Every week, the Backheeled crew runs the Championship's gauntlet to provide fresh observations from around the league. This week, Host Peyton Gallaher brings 12 If/Then Mad-Lib-esque statements to the table in an attempt to predict the future for six USL Championship teams.

Want to watch this episode instead? Click here. You'll get to see smiling faces and neat graphics.

If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a rating and subscribe to Backheeled.com for more American soccer coverage! 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to This League!, our show covering the USL Championship’s biggest stories, characters, and on-field action. Every week, the Backheeled crew runs the Championship's gauntlet to provide fresh observations from around the league. This week, Host Peyton Gallaher brings 14(!!) If/Then Mad-Lib-esque statements to the table in an attempt to predict the future for seven USL Championship teams.

Want to watch this episode instead? Click here. You'll get to see smiling faces and neat graphics.

If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a rating and subscribe to Backheeled.com for more American soccer coverage! 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to This League!, our show covering the USL Championship’s biggest stories, characters, and on-field action. Every week, the Backheeled crew runs the Championship's gauntlet to provide fresh observations from around the league. This week, expert John Morrissey makes his case for his Backheeled.com USL Preseason Power Rankings, dissecting No. 1 down to No. 25.

Want to watch this episode instead? Click here. You'll get to see smiling faces and neat graphics.

If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a rating and subscribe to Backheeled.com for more American soccer coverage! 

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With the MLS offseason officially underway, Joe Lowery dives into a pressing question facing all 30 teams in the league. From signings to tactical approaches, there's plenty to discuss!

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It's a jam-packed show! Joe Lowery dives into the USMNT's World Cup draw, assessing their chances to in the group stage. Plus, we look back at MLS Cup to examine how Inter Miami topped the Vancouver Whitecaps.

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With just two days until MLS Cup kicks off between Inter Miami and the Vancouver Whitecaps, Joe Lowery gets you ready for the season finale. What will decide Saturday's clash? And who has the edge? Find out on the show.

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Ahead of Saturday's MLS finale, Joe Lowery dives into the two teams vying for MLS Cup glory. In this first of a two-part MLS Cup preview, we examine Lionel Messi's impact for Inter Miami, the Vancouver Whitecaps' aggressive defense, Miami's tactical transformation, and more.

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And then there were four! On today's show, Joe Lowery dives into the MLS conference semifinals, examining what went right for the victors and what went wrong for the losers.

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On today's show, Joe Lowery looks back at the United States men's national team's final games of 2025 to ask: what did we learn about Mauricio Pochettino's team? Then, it's on to a preview of the MLS conference semifinal clashes coming up this weekend (and Monday).

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MLS is changing. On today's show, Joe Lowery details those changes and what they mean for the league's present and future.

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On today's show, Joe Lowery breaks down the U.S. men's national team's pair of opponents for their November friendlies. What kind of challenge will these two teams pose? And which of Poch's players are worth watching especially closely? All that -- and much more -- on the show.

If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a rating and subscribe to Backheeled.com for more American soccer coverage!

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With the first round of the MLS postseason officially in the books, Joe Lowery looks back at each and every Game 3. How were the games won? What's next for the victors? And what challenges await the defeated teams? All that -- and more -- on the show.

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The playoffs rage on and so does the MLS news cycle. On today's show, Joe Lowery dives into the latest from around the league, focusing on coaching and front office hires. What should you make of the new faces in new places? Find out.

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With every Game 2 from each and every Round One MLS postseason series in the books, Joe Lowery dive into the latest on-field action from around the playoffs. Which teams are through to the conference semis? And which one still have something to prove in a decisive Game 3? All that -- and more -- on the show.

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As the MLS postseason rages on, Joe Lowery looks back at the latest on-field action in Charlotte and Los Angeles before assessing a whole set of coaching changes.

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The first round of the MLS postseason is underway! On today's show, Joe Lowery looks back at every game played so far. Which teams have impressed? Which one are on the ropes? And what change could we see ahead of Game 2? All that -- and more -- on the show.

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With the first round of the MLS postseason kicking off tomorrow, Joe Lowery previews and predicts all eight matchups. Which teams should be favored? And which series will be the closest? All that -- and more -- on the show.

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The 2025 MLS playoff field is set! Which teams have the best shot at MLS Cup? And which teams find themselves with a tough road ahead? Joe Lowery breaks it all down in tier form.

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Ahead of the United States' clash with Australia on Tuesday night, Joe Lowery dives into a set of thoughts on Mauricio Pochettino's squad. From what the USMNT's setup against Ecuador could mean for the future to recent standouts, there's plenty of ground to cover.

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With the U.S. men's national team preparing to meet Ecuador and Australia in a pair of friendlies, what uncertainties surround Mauricio Pochettino's squad? Joe Lowery breaks it all down.

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On today's show, Joe Lowery dives into the Philadelphia Union's Supporters' Shield triumph! What's made them so successful in 2025? That -- plus a look back at Darlington Nagbe's amazing career -- on the show.

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On today's show, Joe Lowery dives into Nashville SC's 2-1 victory over Austin FC in Wednesday night's U.S. Open Cup. How did they pull off the victory? And what does it mean for Nashville? Then it's time to congratulate the Chicago Fire for making their way back to the postseason in MLS play. All that -- and more -- on the show.

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Just weeks away from the start of the MLS postseason, Joe Lowery digs into five prospective playoff teams that should be worried heading into the home stretch.

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With voting for MLS’s annual 22 Under 22 due later this week, Joe Lowery dives into his 22 Under 22 ballot to highlight the league’s top young players.

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With less than a month remaining in the MLS regular season, Joe Lowery takes stock of the race for the Supporters' Shield and the playoffs before diving into candidates for three more end-of-season awards.

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As we near the end of the MLS regular season, Joe Lowery dives into a chunk of the award races. Which players are battling it out for MVP? And which managers have a shot at Coach of the Year? All that -- and more -- on the show.

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On today's show, Joe Lowery dives into the New England Revolution's decision to fire head coach Caleb Porter. What went wrong? And what comes next for the Revs? Answers to those questions -- and so much more -- on the show.

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With the U.S. men's national team's pair of September friendlies in the rearview mirror, Joe Lowery dives into a handful of things we learned along the way. From tactical approaches to players who raised their stock in the eyes of Mauricio Pochettino, there's plenty of ground to cover.

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On today's show, Joe Lowery looks back at the USMNT's 2-0 loss to South Korea and looks ahead to their meeting with Japan later today. Which players have a big opportunity to show out? And what should Mauricio Pochettino's lineup look like? All that -- and more -- on the show.

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With the U.S. men's national team just days away from kicking off their September window with a friendly against South Korea, Joe Lowery dives into a list of things to watch for from Mauricio Pochettino's team this month. From newcomers to a potential center back battle to Tyler Adams' midfield partner, there's plenty to discuss.

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On today's show, Joe Lowery dives into a trio of the biggest games from the weekend, starting with the Seattle Sounders' 3-0 win over Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup final and then taking stock of the Philadelphia Union and San Diego FC after their crucial regular season victories.

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Mauricio Pochettino's roster for the U.S. men's national team's pair of September friendlies against South Korea and Japan was released earlier this week. What do we make of it? And who's missing? Joe Lowery breaks it all down.

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On today's show, Joe Lowery breaks down St. Louis City's decision to part ways with sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel. What went wrong? And what comes next? Plus, we chat about a group of MLS teams that did fascinating things during the now-closed summer transfer window.

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It's transfer deadline day! On today's show, Joe Lowery digs into some of the juiciest moves from around the league, from Paxten Aaronson's move back to the states to a star finding his way to Toronto FC.

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It was a spicy weekend of MLS action! From Evander's return to Providence Park to Thomas Muller's first minutes in a Whitecaps uniform to San Diego FC taking the lead in the Supporters' Shield race, Joe Lowery breaks it down.

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MLS's summer transfer deadline is just one week from today. Which teams should you be watching? Joe Lowery answers that question and dives into the U.S. Open Cup, where the Philadelphia Union booked their spot as the last semifinalist with a win over the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday.

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Joe Lowery dives into the biggest stories from this past weekend's MLS action. From analyzing Son's first game for LAFC to Djordje Mihailovic's Toronto FC debut to assessing the Shield race, we covered plenty of ground.

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The transfer window doesn't stop! On today's show, Joe Lowery dives into the end of the short Lucho Acosta era in FC Dallas, drama for the Portland Timbers, a pair of stars on favorable contracts, and much more.

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MLS's summer transfer window is downright wild right now, with Djordje Mihailovic on his way to Toronto FC from the Colorado Rapids and a trio of stars joining the league from Europe. On today's show, Joe Lowery breaks it all down.

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Ahead of the MLS summer transfer window opening on Thursday, Joe Lowery dives into the most interesting storylines that will define the window, the rest of 2025, and beyond.

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It's in the title, folks! On today's episode, Joe Lowery examines all 15 MLS teams in the Western Conference. Which teams are contenders? Which ones can't wait for the season to end? And which ones need to be active in the summer transfer window? Find out on the show.

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It's in the title, folks! On today's episode, Joe Lowery examines all 15 MLS teams in the Eastern Conference. Which teams are contenders? Which ones can't wait for the season to end? And which ones need to be active in the summer transfer window? Find out on the show.

If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a rating and subscribe to Backheeled.com for more American soccer coverage! 

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On today's show, Joe Lowery discusses DC United's decision to fire manager Troy Lesesne. What went wrong for DC? And what comes next? Plus, stick around for analysis of the U.S. Open Cup's quarterfinal round and Inter Miami's pursuit of yet another star.

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With the U.S. men's national team's Gold Cup run complete after a loss to Mexico in Sunday's final, Joe Lowery examines what we learned about the time throughout the summer. From positive and negative player showings to a change in goal to a look at the player pool as a whole, there's plenty to discuss.

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Against the odds, Inter Miami qualified for the knockout rounds at the Club World Cup. How did they beat Porto and draw Palmeiras to book a meeting with PSG in the Round of 16? Joe Lowery answers that question and examines the latest takeaways from the U.S. men's national team's Gold Cup campaign ahead of a quarterfinal clash with Costa Rica.

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With MLS in the midst of a brief break from the league's on-field action, Joe Lowery turns his attention to the transfer market. Which teams from around the league could be the most active this summer? Plus, what does the San Jose Earthquakes going up for sale mean for the team? Find out on today's show.

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