Alexi Lalas’ State of the Union Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Hermann Awards Special: Brad Friedel & John Harkes on U.S. expectations, finalists on college pathway Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

Alexi Lalas headed to St. Louis for the annual Mac Hermann Awards, college soccer's highest honor, to sit down with the finalist to pick their brains on the evolution of the game in the U.S. He was also joined by two USMNT legends, Brad Friedel and John Harkes, to preview the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, look back at how far the men's game has come since 1994, & a peak ahead to where the college game is headed.

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Intro (0:00)
Brad Friedel - U.S Soccer Legend (2:12)
John Harkes - U.S Soccer Legend (18:41)
Donavan Phillip - 2025 Hermann Award Winner - NC State (36:46)
Izzy Engle - Notre Dame MF/FW (41:10)
Jordynn Dudley - FSU Forward (43:45)
Jasmine Aikey - 2025 Hermann Award Winner - Stanford (45:58)
Richie Aman - Washington Midfielder (48:45)

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U.S. Starting XI Predictions at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Jan 15, 2026

Show notes

FOX Soccer Insider Doug McIntyre drops his first 2026 USA World Cup roster prediction, and we break it all down. From Matt Freese leading the way in goal, to bold calls like Tanner Tessmann starting alongside Tyler Adams in the midfield. We analyze Doug’s full Starting XI, major omissions (Johnny Cardoso, Yunus Musah, Haji Wright, Joe Scally) before Alexi Lalas reveals his own USMNT Starting XI. We also preview a big USA Abroad Weekend Preview plus massive global matchups including Manchester United vs Manchester City, RB Leipzig vs Bayern & the Africa Cup of Nations Final. Before we wrap the podcast, the guys answer questions on the (lack?) of growth of soccer on the men’s game in the U.S in #AskAlexi Would Weston McKennie be the best player on the 1994 U.S. squad?

Use my code for $30 off your next order of World Cup Tickets on SeatGeek*:
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Intro (0:00)
Doug McIntyre’s U.S. Roster & Starting XI predictions (5:55)
Alexi’s Starting XI (12:22)
U.S. Abroad: Sargent sitting out against Wrexham? (17:36)
#AskAlexi: McKennie handed #10 on the 1994 World Cup team? (32:55)
One For The Road: No Free Fan Fest? (44:58)

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Pepi OUT, Sargent ON THE MOVE, McKennie stays HOT Jan 13, 2026

Show notes

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse are back with a new episode of State of the Union! We reveal our brand new studio look by discussing Ricardo Pepi’s arm injury, Toronto FC’s bid for Josh Sargent and Macclesfield FC’s historic FA Cup victory over Chris Richards and Crystal Palace. We also break down Weston McKennie scoring for Juventus AGAIN and what the next step in his career might look like. After, Alexi and Mosse discuss Barcelona’s triumph over Real Madrid in the Spanish Supercopa and Xabi Alonso’s subsequent sacking. In #AskAlexi, Alexi recaps his time at the Mac Hermann award show, answers how Michael Bradley will do as New York Red Bulls manager, and discusses the news that the German national team will be staying at Wake Forest for the upcoming World Cup. One for the Road ends the show with Alexi and Mosse talking about the current state of affairs in Iran as it pertains to the World Cup.

Use my code for $30 off your next order of World Cup Tickets on SeatGeek*:
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discount, Min. $200 Purchase

Intro (0:00)
U.S. Abroad: Pepi out, Sargent to MLS? (6:10)
#AskAlexi: Michael Bradley slam-dunk hire for NYRB? (37:00)
One For The Road: Iran at the 2026 FIFA World Cup (47:47)

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World Cup Roster Locks, Potential January Transfers and More with FOX Soccer Insider Doug McIntyre Jan 08, 2026

Show notes

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse are back with a new episode of State of the Union! The duo is joined by FOX Soccer insider, Doug McIntyre, to discuss Doug’s take of Weston McKennie being the greatest American midfielder of all-time, whether or not Brenden Aaronson has turned himself into a lock for the World Cup roster, and what US players should be seeking a transfer during this window. After Doug says goodbye, Alexi and Mosse preview Tim Weah battling PSG for some silverware and Johnny Cardoso and Atlético Madrid meeting rivals Real Madrid in the Spanish Supercopa semifinals. In @AskAlexi, Christian Pulisic’s corner taking skills are debated, and Inter Miami’s roster building is interrogated. We finish with One for the Road taking a look at the rumored USA jerseys for the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ that were potentially leaked.

Use my code for $30 off your next order of World Cup Tickets on SeatGeek*:
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discount, Min. $200 Purchase

Intro (0:00)
Doug defends the 'McKennie is the GOAT' take, MLS next? (6:00)
US Abroad: Aaronson on FIRE, Weah goes for hardware (25:00)
#AskAlexi: MLS transfer rules, Pulisic's corners & More (35:31)
One for the Road: USMNT World Cup Kit leaks... (45:03)

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Is Weston McKennie the Greatest American Midfielder of All-Time and More Jan 06, 2026

Show notes

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse are back with a new episode of State of the Union! Weston McKennie’s strong run of form for Juventus has posed the question: is he the greatest midfielder in USMNT history? After the debate, Alexi and Mosse discuss the impact that players such as Brenden Aaronson and Diego Luna will have on the USA’s squad at this summer’s World Cup. The January transfer window has opened and Ricardo Pepi’s name is flying around with a potential move to the Premier League looming, so the pair discuss what moves they’d like to see in this window. In #AskAlexi, Alexi power ranks the group stage matches he is most looking forward to at the World Cup and in One for the Road, we discuss the rising popularity of soccer in America.

Use my code for $30 off your next order of World Cup Tickets on SeatGeek*:
https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/SOTU Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $30
discount, Min. $200 Purchase

Intro: (0:00)
Is Weston McKennie the greatest USA midfielder ever: (4:11)
Will Brenden Aaronson or Diego Luna have a bigger World Cup impact: (11:11)
Managers getting sacked left and right: (14:29)
Ricardo Pepi to the Premier League?: (26:20)
#AskAlexi: (31:29)
One For the Road: (41:07)

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Best of USA Soccer in 2025, World Cup Predictions, Pulisic dominating Serie A & More Dec 30, 2025

Show notes

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse are here with a new episode of State of the Union! Alexi hands out his 2025 USA soccer awards, including best player, best goal, and biggest surprise. He also hands out Mauricio Pochettino a grade for the year and dives into the 5 players who most improved their stock in 2025 and the players whose stock fell the most this year. In USA abroad, Alexi and Mosse discuss Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie’s strong form in Serie A, Jedi Robinson continuing a string of solid starts for Fulham and Brenden Aaronson’s Man of the Match performance. In #AskAlexi, we discuss what would constitute a disappointment for the USA in next Summer’s World Cup and debate who the best defenders in our pool are. In One for the Road, Alexi and Mosse share their thanks and a New Year’s message.

Use our code for $30 off your next order of World Cup Tickets on SeatGeek: ⁠⁠https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/SOTU⁠⁠ Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $30 discount, Min. $200 Purchase

Intro (0:00)
Alexi's U.S. Stock Up (6:20)
Alexi's U.S. Stock Down (11:53)
U.S. POY & Pochettino Grade (22:07)
2026 FIFA Word Cup Predictions (28:21)
U.S. Abroad (39:33)
#AskAlexi: Best Defenders in World? (51:35)
One For The Road: Happy New Year! (60:31)

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Christian Pulisic snubbed & Alexi’s 2026 Soccer Wish List Dec 23, 2025

Show notes

The Guardian’s Top 100 Players list dropped… and the biggest talking point might be who didn’t make it. No Christian Pulisic, despite 12 Serie A players landing on the list, including Scott McTominay, Lautaro Martínez, Denzel Dumfries and others. Meanwhile, The Athletic ranked Pulisic 39th, backing it up with elite production. So where would you rank the U.S. star?

Plus, a busy weekend abroad: McKennie bagged his 21st assist for Juventus, Musah fights for roster momentum, Dest feeds Pepi, who can’t stop scoring, and Jedi Robinson keeps stacking starts in the Premier League.

In #AskAlexi, we dive into the impact of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on soccer in the United States + is a winter break coming for MLS? We wrap the podcast with Alexi’s Soccer Wishlist heading into a pivotal year.

Use our code for $30 off your next order of World Cup Tickets on SeatGeek:
⁠https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/SOTU⁠ Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $30
discount, Min. $200 Purchase

Intro (0:00)
Pulisic Subbed by Soccer World (5:17)
US Abroad: Pepi can’t stop scoring (14:57)
#AskAlexi (33:20)
2026 Soccer Wishlist: Quarters or Bust? (44:34)

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USA Abroad Preview: Tyler Adams injury scare, FIFA Best XI revealed Dec 18, 2025

Show notes

This week on USA Abroad, we break down Tyler Adams’ tough MCL news ahead of Bournemouth’s clash with Burnley. We also dive into Aaronson vs. Richards in Leeds, and Jedi Robinson’s strong Carabao Cup showing ahead of Fulham vs Forest. In Italy, Pulisic and Milan aim to defend their Supercoppa crown in Saudi Arabia, while McKennie’s Juventus host Roma in a key top-five battle. Gio Reyna faces his former club as Dortmund meet Gladbach, and Leipzig vs Leverkusen delivers a massive Bundesliga six-pointer. We wrap with full reaction to the 2025 FIFA Awards: Dembele crowned Best Men’s Player (Yamal snub?), Luis Enrique and Sarina Wiegman take coaching honors, and we break down the Best XI.

Use my code for $30 off your next order of World Cup Tickets on SeatGeek*:
https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/SOTU Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $30
discount, Min. $200 Purchase

Intro (0:00)
USA Abroad: Adams injury, Jedi Assist, Gio's return (5:51)
FIFA Awards: Dembele wins again, Best XI's of the Past (18:26)
#AskAlexi: FIFA Fan Purity Test & More (29:21)
One For The Road: Alexi's Christmas with Arsenal (42:30)

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Return of the Jedi, Nancy's Troubles at Celtic, Will Canada be Grouped & More Dec 16, 2025

Show notes

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse are here with a new episode of State of the Union! With both Jedi Robinson and Sergiño Dest back healthy, the two are posed the following question: does the USA have the best fullback pairing in the world? The pair discuss that possibility before diving into the latest happenings in Serie A with Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie, a big Ligue 1 matchup between Tim Weah and Folarin Balgoun, and another Gio Reyna start in the Bundesliga. In #AskAlexi, we discuss which host nation is most likely to be grouped in the World Cup next summer and in One for the Road, Alexi gives his take on ticket prices for the World Cup.

Use my code for $30 off your next order of World Cup Tickets on SeatGeek*: https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/SOTU Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $30 discount, Min. $200 Purchase

Intro: (0:00)
Jedi & Dest Best Fullback paring in world? (5:30)
Adams picks up knock (17:23)
Pulisic has goal chalked off (18:35)
Reyna keeps playing (22:54)
Nancy in trouble at Celtic (25:18)
#AskAlexi (30:15)
One For The Road (41:49)

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U.S. Group D Favorites, McKennie, Balogun, Pepi score in UCL & More Dec 11, 2025

Show notes

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse are back with a new episode of State of the Union and we’re talking all things 2026 FIFA World Cup™. Alexi dives into his experience at the draw in Washington DC before he and Mosse give their thoughts on the USA’s group and whether the Stars and Stripes should be favorites to top Group D. Alexi shares his first bracket prediction for next summer’s tournament including the side he believes is going to hoist the trophy. After, Alexi and Mosse hop into the latest happenings in Europe where USA stars can’t stop scoring, with Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun, Weston McKennie and Ricardo Pepi ALL finding the back of the net for their clubs. In #AskAlexi, we break down the news that there will be hydration breaks in every match in next summer’s World Cup and in One for the Road, Alexi shares a touching story of giving back to the soccer community.

Intro (0:00)
U.S. Group D Review: Win or Bust? (10:05)
Alexi's Way-Too-Early Knockout Bracket (20:04)
U.S. Abroad: Americans stay hot in UCL (29:28)
#AskAlexi: MLS top league in world or USMNT top 5? (41:02)

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