Today’s Free Kick! Newsletter is sponsored by Next Level Training!
The U.S. Soccer Federation has officially locked in Mauricio Pochettino for the long haul, announcing a new contract that will keep him in charge of the USMNT through the 2030 World Cup. Despite the U.S. falling to Belgium in the Round of 16 this summer, the federation believes Pochettino is the right man to lead the next generation.
The new deal isn’t just about winning matches. Pochettino’s role will expand beyond the senior national team, with a greater focus on youth development, coaching education, and strengthening the overall U.S. soccer pathway. U.S. Soccer is betting that continuity and a clear long-term vision will pay off over the next four years.
The WAS HOT Take: This is the right move. Pochettino inherited the job with less than two years before a home World Cup. Now he’ll have a full cycle to build the team, develop young talent, and shape the program on his terms. The pressure won’t disappear, but for the first time in a while, the USMNT has stability—and that’s a good place to start.
Larry Berg, co-owner of LAFC, just got voted in as MLS’s next commissioner — only the third in league history. He’ll officially start January 1, 2027, taking over from Don Garber, who’s held the job since 1999 and is sliding into a chairman role after this year. Berg beat out former Fox exec David Nathanson in Monday’s vote at MLS headquarters in New York, needing (and getting) a two-thirds super majority from team owners. He’s a former senior partner at Apollo Global Management, and he’ll have to sell off his stake in LAFC now that he’s taking the top job.
Berg’s inheriting a league at a pretty pivotal moment. MLS already voted to shift its calendar to match the big European leagues, which means playoffs move to May and the whole season structure gets reworked — that transition kicks in for summer 2027. On top of that, there’s a push to overhaul roster and spending rules to help MLS compete better with Liga MX and other global leagues, but that’s going to require hashing out a new deal with the players’ union. And then there’s the media rights question: the current Apple deal runs out in 2029, and the league is going to have to make a real case — probably leaning on World Cup viewership numbers — that it deserves a much bigger payday next time around, especially since its domestic TV deal still lags well behind rival leagues.
As for where Berg stands personally, he’s known the league’s challenges up close — he co-chaired the committee overseeing on-field competition and pushed to speed up decision-making there. He’s generally seen as more of a moderate voice among owners rather than a radical, someone who wants change but isn’t calling for something like unlimited spending without a salary cap. His own take, more or less: nobody thinks standing still is really an option for MLS — the disagreement is just over exactly what needs to change.
Vozinha, the 40-year-old goalkeeper who became a World Cup sensation with Cape Verde, finally landed in Chile on Sunday to join Colo Colo after his transfer nearly fell apart three separate times over documentation issues and personal matters. A huge crowd greeted him at the Santiago airport with flags, banners, and drums. He’ll undergo medical exams Monday before signing his contract — an initial six-month deal with a 12-month extension option — and is set to start training and be officially unveiled Tuesday. In a nice touch, the Chilean Football Federation actually changed its jersey rules just for him, letting him wear “Vozinha” (Portuguese for “grandma”) on the back instead of his surname, which is normally required.
Vozinha earned his fame the hard way: he made history as the oldest player ever to debut for a national team at a World Cup, then produced a string of incredible saves against Spain, Uruguay, and Messi’s Argentina before Cape Verde was finally eliminated in the Round of 32. That run turned him into a global star overnight — his Instagram following exploded from under 50,000 to more than 29.5 million. Now Colo Colo, Chile’s most decorated club and current runaway leader in the league, is hoping he can help deliver the title and give them a boost heading into next year’s Copa Libertadores. Fans in Santiago seem thrilled but realistic, saying he’ll still need to earn his place on the field.
Michigan State University senior forward Kennedy Bell sits down with Brooks to talk about her soccer journey. While playing for Charlotte Soccer Academy, Bell earned a spot at a U.S. U15 Girls National Team camp. She wouldn't get another call-up until May 2025, when she was a junior at Michigan State. Bell breaks down how her position has shifted over the years — starting as a forward, moving to right back, then transitioning back to forward after transferring to MSU from Maryland. It's a great watch for young soccer players, showing why it pays off to stay open to playing different positions and building a well-rounded game.
Beyond The Athlete: Helping Former Athletes Rediscover Their Competitive Edge. Founded by Alyssa Hermann and later joined by Alyssa Acompora, Beyond The Athlete is on a mission to help former athletes reclaim what they miss most—competition and camaraderie. In this episode, discover how Alyssa Hermann launched the business and why both she and Lyse are deeply passionate about reconnecting former athletes with the team spirit and competitive drive that once defined their lives. Whether you're a retired athlete missing the locker room energy or searching for that next challenge, this conversation will inspire you to find your edge again.
Rich Nasiff played at Northwestern University and coached men's college soccer for 17 years. Brooks and Rich discuss the topic of recruiting and player identification at the youth and college levels. The two discuss that just because you play in MLS Next, ECNL, Girls Academy, etc. that you are not entitled to a division 1 scholarship offer. They also discuss the Domestic vs. International topic in college soccer as well as how college coaching staffs prepare players for the pro level.
We Are Soccer takes you inside the game — exclusive interviews with players, coaches, and all-time legends who’ve shaped the sport.
Every Sunday at 9 PM ET, catch us live on YouTube as we break down the weekend’s biggest moments and look ahead at what’s coming in the soccer world. Prefer to listen on the go? New interviews drop every Tuesday and Thursday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Coming Up:
James DeCosemo — Head Coach, Central Michigan Women’s Soccer (Out now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts)
Zach Ramsey- Washington Men’s Soccer, TST 7v7 and Getting Drafted by the Vancouver Whitecaps
Tori Christ- Michigan State Women’s Soccer Goalkeeper Coach
Lee Schwartz- West coast Advisory Board Member for the Concussion and CTE Foundation
Peter Vermes- Former Sporting Kansas City Head Coach
And More!!
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