What’s up! I’m an MLS and USMNT insider with The Athletic as well as Apple TV. I’ve previously written for MLSSoccer.com as well as The Guardian. I’m here to answer some questions starting at 11am ET.
Let’s get after whatever you want. Messi in Miami, Phil Neville in Portland, USMNT stuff, who’s next to come to MLS, mustache questions, all good.
Any idea why NYCFC is the only team not firing their coach?
Hey Tom, how does one keep such a well groomed mustache?
Follow up - what are your favorite stadiums/environments in MLS?
I’ll hang up and listen.
What is the most wild MLS rumor your heard and didn’t report on only for it to turn out to be true?
After signing Messi, Busquets, Alba, and now probably Suarez in Miami, what MLS team do you see that can achieve similar signings, and what big names do you see coming to MLS?
on the horizon i think griezmann and giroud are coming. i do think (hope?) neymar will too. will there be a time where the USMNT stars come here earlier than maybe expected like bradley/altidore/dempsey did? who knows.
tough to compete with saudi money so if a player is moving just for money, they’re gonig to saudi 100%. but lifestyle is here. messi helped a lot too (OBVIOUSLY)
Are there any specific topics or aspects of the MLS that you feel are not getting enough attention in the broader sports media?
the actual play on the field!!! i don’t care a ton about the traditional media coverage – i do not blame shows like PTI or around the horn for not covering it. you can’t cover anything. what do we gain by people who don’t watch talking about the game for 2 mins cus they feel like they have to?
but a lot of the convo is dominated by messi, or who’s next, or what’s next, or how to fix this, or how to change rules. i’m super excited for the next rounds of the playoffs here. a lot of fun teams and great storylines (cincy v philly, maybe lafc v seattle, etc). this is what we’ve been grinding for eight months or whatever for. this is what all the time spent in may watching a random, bad wednesday night game is for!
what’s the scoop on roster rules changing this offseason? has the arrival of Messi shifted the mindset of ownerships in the league?
If you could recreate the original Columbus Crew logo with two other well-mustachioed men who would you choose and why?
So if the Union thought Bobby Wood did something egregious as well why did nothing come of it.
Also mls cup matchup and who wins.
How good will the Crew be in year 2 under Nancy?
Any idea when the Revs will announce a new sporting director and head coach?
Any hints to who they are looking at?
Do you believe there are any roster rule changes coming this off-season to MLS?
Do you expect significant changes to the roster rules this offseason, or is MLS limited in what they can actually do (CBA, low-spending owners on committees, etc)?
Best way to start a career in soccer in the US?
Why do you hate my team? (Please ignore my flair, it’s irrelevant to the question.)
Real and better question: if you were good enough to be an MLS starter at whatever your preferred position is, which team would you be on?
What is your favorite source/metric for figuring out the next wonder kid in the MLS/USMNT?