Alexi Lalas’ State of the Union Podcast

Latest Episodes:

MLS Opening week recap, Sargent remains unstoppable, USWNT tops Colombia & Australia Feb 25, 2025

Show notes

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse dive into Major League Soccer’s opening week. It was an electric start for San Diego FC as they took down the reigning MLS Cup Champions. Bruce Arena’s debut with San Jose was also unforgettable, topping Salt Lake 4-0. Additionally, Alexi breaks down the infamous playing out of the back and giveaway goals we continued to see this weekend. Over in Europe, Josh Sargent remained unstoppable in the Championship. He earned a brace against Stoke City and recorded his 20th goal at home in 23 matches. AC Milan’s struggles continued in Serie A as Christian Pulisic missed his first career penalty kick. To cap off the weekend, the guys discussed the USWNT’s SheBelieves performance and back-to-back wins among many international debuts. (6:30)

To wrap the show, Alexi and Mosse chat about MLS expansion options, two-tiered pro/rel system or east and west split divisions. The guys send best wishes to former USMNT goalkeeper Tony Meola as he recovers from a heart attack. (37:01)

MLS Opening weekend recap (6:30)

CONCACAF Champions Cup Preview (17:13)

USMNT Abroad (19:55)

UCL Round of 16 (30:35)

SheBelieves Cup (33:46)

#AskAlexi (37:01)

One for the Road: Best wishes to Tony Meola (43:03)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MLS preview with Taylor Twellman, Americans crash out of UCL, USWNT take on SheBelieves Cup Feb 19, 2025

Show notes

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse are joined by Apple TV’s Taylor Twellman for a look into the 2025 Major League Soccer season. They discuss the biggest transfers of the offseason, Bruce Arena and Gregg Berhalter’s first year in the league, USL expansion league, and more. In the CONCACAF Champions Cup’s, Djordje Mihailovic and the Colorado Rapids topped LAFC in leg-1 of the first round. Over in Europe, seven Americans made a Champions League exit. Tim Weah scored a banger for Juventus, but it was not enough to advance the squad past the knockout stage. The U.S. Women’s National Team is back in action this week as they face Colombia in their first SheBelieves Cup group stage matchup. (4:56)

To wrap the podcast, Alexi and Mosse dive into the game that got them into soccer, parallels between hockey and soccer, and 30 years of MLS. (54:58)

Taylor Twellman joins the Pod (4:56)

CONCACAF Champions Cup (30:32)

Champions League Recap (32:56)

SheBelieves Cup Preview (53:04)

#AskAlexi (54:58)

One for the Road: 30 Years of MLS (66:29)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

USL takes on MLS, Captain McKennie & Weah shine in derby, Josh Sargent stays hot Feb 18, 2025

Show notes

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse are fired up about the United Soccer League launching a new Division One League in 2027-28. Details on timeline, competition format, and clubs participating will be announced in coming months. The big question remains, is promotion/relegation in the cards for the new league?

Over in Europe, Captain Weston McKennie led Juventus to a Derby D’Italia win, and Tim Weah stepped up big on defense. Josh Sargent continued his scoring streak for Norwich. He currently holds the most goals for a single team in the Championship since his debut in 2022. Daryl Dike was back in action after a long awaited return and Paxton Aaronson headed a goal in for Utrecht. The Americans look to continue their form in the Champions League, alongside Real Madrid and Manchester City vying for a Round of 16 spot. (9:09)

The guys answer a few questions on soccer vs hockey rivalries and MLS kits ahead of the 2025 season. To end the show Alexi recaps his trip to Syracuse University for conversations with FOX Sports U. (45:52)

USL launches new Division One league (9:09)

USMNT Abroad (21:15) Champions League Preview (37:09)

CONCACAF Champions Cup (42:36) #AskAlexi (45:52)

One for the Road: Conversations with FOX Sports U (54:56)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

McKennie’s Champions League screamer, Emma Hayes drops USWNT Roster, Future of USMNT striker pool Feb 13, 2025

Show notes

David Mosse and special guest Stu Holden broke down the U.S. Women’s National Team SheBelieves roster for the February window. Emma Hayes called up her 23-player squad without Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, and Mallory Swanson. The guys were also fired up after an exciting day of Champions League action. Manchester City and Real Madrid went back and forth in a 5-goal thriller. Jude Bellingham recorded the winner in stoppage time. Weston McKennie shined in UCL leg-1 against PSV. He opened the scoring for Juventus with a screamer in the first half. With Ricardo Pepi out for the PSV season, Mosse and Stu spoke on the USMNT striker pool heading into the CONCACAF Nations League. (5;46)

To wrap the show the duo discussed the 22-0 US Men’s U-17 win over the U.S. Virgin Island, Stu’s youth sports conundrum, and Valentine’s Day plans.

USWNT SheBelieves roster drop (5:49)

Champions League Recap (12:56)

USMNT Abroad (19:41)

#AskAlexi (42:20)

One for the Road: Youth sports conundrum (51:49)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh Sargent’s streak continues, Super-sub Pulisic, Mbappe's Madrid derby debut Feb 11, 2025

Show notes

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse react to last week’s USMNT club action. Christian Pulisic delivered a man of the match performance and recorded both assists in AC Milan's win. Josh Sargent remained hot, earning his fourth goal in three consecutive matches for Norwich City. Sargent will be crucial up top for the USMNT with Ricardo Pepi recovering from knee surgery. PSV ruled Pepi out for the remainder of the season. In the FA Cup Plymouth stunned Liverpool with a fourth round defeat behind Ryan Hardie's goal from the spot. Mbappe leveled the score in his first Madrid derby, becoming the youngest player to earn 500 goal contributions. (9:54)

The guys answer questions on the wave of star players moving to South America and New Orleans hosting international soccer games. Alexi and Mosse also share thoughts on Super Bowl parties, celebrations, and festivities to wrap the show. (29:25)

USMNT Abroad (9:54)

Ricardo Pepi injury update (18:54)

Mosse’s Matches (21:12)

Star players to South America (29:25)

Super Bowl reactions (41:47)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tom Bogert joins the Pod to talk January transfer window, USMNT players that need a move, U.S. Open Cup & more Feb 05, 2025

Show notes

Alexi Lalas, David Mosse, and MLS Insider Tom Bogert discuss MLS transfers during this January window including Cucho Hernandez, Dejan Joveljic, Emmanuel Latte Lath, and Miguel Almiron. They talk Neymar's transfer to Santos, and how close the Chicago Fire actually was to signing the soccer legend. They also unpack thoughts on the U.S. Open Cup and the 16 MLS squads competing. Last but not least Tom Bogert drops his top USMNT players who need a new club as soon as possible. (6:19)

To wrap the show Alexi and Mosse look at Sportico’s 2025 MLS team valuations and the five teams worth over 1 billion dollars. (29:47)

Tom Bogert joins the pod (6:19)

How close was Neymar to Chicago Fire? (7:48)

U.S. Open Cup (21:51)

Top USMNT Players who need a new club (23:30)

2025 MLS Team Valuations (29:47)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jedi Robinson goes for an EPL record, UCL knockout phase set, Cucho nears Real Betis transfer Feb 04, 2025

Show notes

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse recap the USMNT weekend abroad. Jedi Robinson stays hot and is on track to take down the EPL defenders assist record. Brenden Aaronson and Josh Sargent both scored big goals in the Championship. Mark McKenzie got the start and scored his first Ligue 1 goal for Toulouse. Tim Weah also recorded an assist off a long shot in Juventus’ home win against Empoli. The Americans are set to face off in the UEFA Champions League knockout phase, which kicks off next week. Finally, January transfers drop in at the deadline with a deal nearing for MLS star Cucho Hernandez. (6:58)

In #AskAlexi the guys answer questions on transfer fees and possible plans for 2026 if the MLS switched to the European calendar. They end the show discussing the U.S. Soccer Federation and MLS winning their lawsuit over NASL. (30:36)

USMNT Abroad (6:58)

UEFA Champions League knockout phase (22:53)

January transfer window round-up (24:57)

#AskAlexi (30:36)

One for the Road: U.S. Soccer and MLS win lawsuit (44:36)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

All Americans advance in Champions League, Saudi Club swings for Vini Jr, USMNT Starting XI for 2026? Jan 30, 2025

Show notes

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse broke down an exciting final match day in the Champions League. Christian Pulisic, Ricardo Pepi, and Gio Reyna all recorded goal contributions in their respective matches. Weston McKennie captained Juventus as they advanced to the UCL Round of 32. Manchester City avoided an elimination scare with a comeback in the second half.

Neymar, Vini Jr, and Jhon Duran headline some of the final transfers as the January window comes to an end. To wrap the show the guys discuss Alexi’s missed block in the 1994 World Cup against Brazil, Front Office Sports featuring Alexi’s comments from the podcast, and USMNT Starting XI if the World Cup started today.

UEFA Champions League Recap (6:28)

January Transfer Window Round-up (22:44)

#AskAlexi (33:20)

USMNT 2026 World Cup Starting XI (43:18)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

500 Days to 2026 FIFA World Cup, Direction of USMNT under Pochettino, Pulisic, Pepi & Sargent goals Jan 28, 2025

Show notes

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse share final thoughts on the January window for the USMNT. With a MLS-heavy squad, the guys discussed players that stood out and thoughts on the direction of USMNT under Maurico Pochettino. Over in Europe, Tyler Adams bagged two assists in a big win over Nottingham Forest, Christian Pulisic remained perfect on penalties with a goal for AC Milan, and Josh Sargent made his return to the starting lineup with a brace.

A couple big matches are on deck this week in the Champions League, PSV vs Liverpool and Manchester City's do-or-die vs Club Brugge. (6:37)

To wrap the show Alexi broke down his Serie A goals from 1994/95, and looked ahead to the 2026 FIFA World Cup which will kick off in just 500 days. (41:13)

Camp Cupcake Recap(6:37)

USMNT Abroad (18:51)

#AskAlexi (41:13)

One for the Road: 500 Days to 2026 FIFA World Cup (49:02)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

USMNT vs Costa Rica reaction, Weah and Reyna draw interest, Namoi Girma record-breaking transfer Jan 23, 2025

Show notes

David Mosse and special guest Stu Holden dove into the U.S. National Team’s 3-0 win over Costa Rica. Brian White and Caden Clark led the way, both scoring their first international goals. Diego Luna also shined in the match, he suffered a nose injury in the first half and minutes later recorded an assist.

Next, the guys broke down Champions League action. Bologna dropped two goals in under two minutes to come back on Gio Reyna and Dortmund, and PSG scored four unanswered goals to put Manchester City on the brink of UCL elimination.

Mosse and Stu wrap the show with more January transfer news, including Miguel Almiron, Cucho Hernandez, Naomi Girma, and more.

USMN vs Costa Rica (3:23)

USMNT Abroad (16:52)

Champions League (27:09)

January transfer window (40:22)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices