Orange Slices

Latest Episodes:

Mark on Genk Preseason & Previewing the Belgian Super Cup Jul 16, 2021

Show notes

No guest this week but Mark McKenzie and Heath Pearce have plenty to catch up on. Mark shares his epic journey to get back to Belgium, an inside look at training camp so far, thoughts on team bonding activities and, of course, riding bikes in the Netherlands with the boys. The Belgian Super Cup final is this Saturday July 17 at 2:45PM ET on ESPN+ and Mark recaps how Genk made it to the Final and Brugge barely getting away with the league title last season. The guys also get into their thoughts on the Euros 2020 Final and Mark shows his support for Saka & Rashford and discusses where we go from here. Finally, the guys talk a little Gold Cup and what they're looking forward to in the rest of the tournament.

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“Orange Slices” connects the past, present, and future generations of U.S. internationals around our collective soccer story. Hosted by emerging U.S. international Mark McKenzie and former U.S. international Heath Pearce, this cross-generational show is an unfiltered celebration of our national team and soccer Americana.

Sacha Kljestan Jul 08, 2021

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Our guest this week paved the way for Mark out in Belgium back in the 2010s. Sacha Kljestan had an incredible career with Anderlecht - winning the league 3 times and qualifying for 2 Champions League campaigns. Sacha opens up about his time in Belgium and shares some knowledge with Mark on what it took to push through Champions League Qualifying and make a name for himself out there before American soccer was truly on the European map. The guys also dive into Sacha’s prolific national team career, a behind the scenes look at missing out on the 2010 World Cup squad, how he picked himself up after that heartbreak, how Jesse Marsch motivated him to be the best version of himself and what drives him to compete to this day with the LA Galaxy.

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Sebastian Lletget Jul 01, 2021

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This week’s guest has quickly cemented his place in GGG’s USMNT squad. Sebastian stopped by the pod for a short but action packed episode covering the recent USMNT camp, the Nations League Final against Mexico, Mark’s incredible bounce back performance, hotel life during the pandemic, taking a teammate into the studio with Becky G and much more. It’s just an easy, fun conversation with our guy and his versatility has never been more clear to us. Don’t worry, he’ll be back for a part 2.

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Charlie Davies Jun 17, 2021

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Our guest this week was one of the biggest rising stars in US soccer in the 2000s. Charlie Davies joins the show to talk about the recent USMNT Nations League matches featuring Mark and the rest of the crew. The guys also get into Charlie’s time with the USMNT, the 2009 Confederations Cup run with Heath, his iconic goal celebrations against Mexico and the heartbreak of missing the 2010 World Cup. Finally, Chuck opens up about his injury and health issues stemming from the car accident in 2009 - he is incredibly candid about the rehab process and the mentality that went into coming back from his lowest points to be one of the happiest dudes in American soccer.

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Mark McKenzie on the Nations League Final Jun 09, 2021

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Mark & Heath catch up after a very busy week. Mark & the USMNT won a truly breathtaking game against Mexico to lift their first trophy since 2017. The guys get into everything - they talk about the game from kickoff through final whistle, the atmosphere, the fans inside the stadium and online and what's next for our guy. Mark opens up about some of the racial abuse he has faced online in the past few days and shares a message to the greater soccer community on how we can all move forward. Thanks to all our listeners for the love and support.

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Mark McKenzie at USMNT Camp in Switzerland May 27, 2021

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After a hectic week, Mark and Heath catch up while Mark is at USMNT camp in Switzerland. The guys discuss the incredible end of Genk’s season and what’s next for Mark in Belgium. Plus, the guys dive into Mark’s first European USMNT camp, the vibes after all the American’s success abroad, reconnecting with the squad after so many months away, adjusting to Gregg Berhalter’s tactics and, of course, where to sit on the bus and plane. We’ll be back with a full episode next week!

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Tim Howard May 20, 2021

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The man formerly known as The Secretary of Defense and forever known as the GOAT GK, Tim Howard joins the pod this week. Tim has had an incredible club career spanning MLS 1.0 to the peak of English soccer and back to MLS 3.0 with a few iconic World Cup moments in between. Tim talks to the guys about his journey through the youth ranks in New Jersey, why he skipped college ball, adjusting to life at Manchester United and why Everton felt like home. He also dives into his time with the USMNT and how Brad Freidel and Kasey Keller were mentors for him, a locker room disagreement at the 2010 World Cup and of course the 2009 Confederations Cup run with our own heath Pearce.

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Jimmy Conrad May 14, 2021

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The legend that is Conradinho joins the pod this week to drop knowledge bombs all over the place. The guys have a great conversation with the Kansas City Wiz about all things American soccer then and now. Jimmy shares his unique story of playing college ball at UCLA, being overlooked in the 1997 MLS Draft and how playing in the A League (aka USL First Division) actually set him up mentally for the rest of his career. The guys also get into whether academy kids are missing out on playing high school soccer, World Cup war stories, getting caught drinking in high school, Concacaf shenanigans and much more.

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Alejandro Bedoya May 06, 2021

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The captain of Mark’s 2020 Supporters Shield winning Philadelphia Union joins the show today! Alejandro is a great guy and leader and he gets into why he passed on the MLS Draft in 2009 and opted to begin his pro career playing in Europe, how he adjusted to life in Scandinavia and later Scotland and France and why he ultimately decided to come to MLS - specifically the Union - later in his career. He opens up about his experiences with the USMNT including missing out on the 2010 World Cup and using that as motivation to eventually earn 66 caps including a big spot on the 2014 World Cup roster. Finally, Ale tells the guys what was going through his mind when he picked up the field mic and passionately advocated for gun reform in 2019. Unsurprisingly, a few members of Congress from Pennsylvania reached out and he is continuing to work to make a difference in Philadelphia gun reform and beyond.

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Mark Wins the Belgian Cup! and Listener Mail Apr 29, 2021

Show notes

In a special episode of Orange Slices, Heath & Mark celebrate Genk’s recent Belgian Cup victory! Mark breaks down what went into the match, the 3 periods of winning a cup final and already preparing to turn the page with the playoffs coming up for the club. The guys then answer your questions in a special mailbag episode including some fun food questions, how to stay composed with the ball on defense, dream dinner guests, some future guests and much more. Thank you to everyone who submitted a question!

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