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Reposted by Backheeled
The road to MLS Cup goes through Inter Miami — and for once, that road looks to have a few blockades on it.

Messi’s getting the headlines, but it’s Miami’s massive defensive improvement that has them playing truly elite ball.

🏆

For @backheeled.com ⤵️
Inter Miami’s real playoff breakthrough isn’t Messi — it’s the defense
The road to MLS Cup goes through Fort Lauderdale. For once, that road might have a few blockades on it.
www.backheeled.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:57 PM
The road to MLS Cup goes through Inter Miami — and for once, that road looks to have a few blockades on it.

Even while Lionel Messi earns headlines, it's a crucial improvement to Miami's defending that's made them a playoff favorite, writes @joeclowery.bsky.social.

Read ⤵️
Inter Miami’s real playoff breakthrough isn’t Messi — it’s the defense
The road to MLS Cup goes through Fort Lauderdale. For once, that road might have a few blockades on it.
www.backheeled.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:46 PM
▪️ Inter Miami dominate FC Cincinnati

▪️ San Diego FC's nervy win

▪️ Vancouver Whitecaps impress

▪️ NYCFC's surprise result

The Backheeled Show looks back at the latest MLS playoff action 🎧
open.spotify.com/episode/2YRc...
Inter Miami dominate! San Diego FC sneak through! MLS playoff roundup
open.spotify.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Just two wins away from becoming the first MLS expansion team in the league's modern era to win MLS Cup, San Diego FC have already made plenty of history.

“I think we’re an expansion team that probably has the most in-depth style of play coming into the league."

Read ⤵️
How San Diego FC is dominating MLS — and making a case as the best expansion team in history
With a crystal-clear vision, the new kids on the block are pushing for trophies.
www.backheeled.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:29 PM
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The Pittsburgh Riverhounds are your 2025 USL Championship winners, but how’d they do it?

I dig into today’s title game – and how this club’s trajectory is pointed sharply upward even after winning a title.

www.backheeled.com/pittsburgh-r...
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds set themselves up for long-term success — then that success came early
Even with questions swirling around the club’s coaching situation, the Riverhounds claimed the USL Championship trophy on Saturday.
www.backheeled.com
November 22, 2025 at 8:45 PM
The USL season is over, but a labor fight rages on off the field.

With the current CBA set to expire at the end of the year, questions abound about the future of the league and its players.

“We've been adamant from our position: tell us what the plan is.”

From @usltactics.com ⤵️
November 22, 2025 at 8:50 PM
With a major stadium expansion on the way, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds have taken care to set themselves up for future success.

In Saturday’s USL Championship final, that success came early — and with a trophy 🏆

@usltactics.com breaks down Pittsburgh’s victory over FC Tulsa ⤵️
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds set themselves up for long-term success — then that success came early
Even with questions swirling around the club’s coaching situation, the Riverhounds claimed the USL Championship trophy on Saturday.
www.backheeled.com
November 22, 2025 at 8:46 PM
MLS's 2026 schedule is here.

The league will take a break for all but the final three days of next summer's World Cup — and the postseason will run uninterrupted.

Details ⤵️
www.backheeled.com/mls-2026-sch...
MLS releases 2026 schedule, will break for most of World Cup
Here's what MLS's schedule looks like next year, the last full season before the league kickstarts its calendar shift.
www.backheeled.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:00 PM
The USL’s season is ending, but its CBA standoff doesn’t seem to be.

With the USL Championship’s CBA set to expire in one month, questions about the future abound.

From salaries to healthcare to the USL's ambitious future, @usltactics.com examines what's at stake.

“Tell us what the plan is.”
The USL Championship season is ending – it’s CBA standoff doesn’t seem to be
With the current CBA set to expire at the end of the year, questions abound about the future of the league and its players.
www.backheeled.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:45 PM
So that’s why the USMNT hired Mauricio Pochettino 🇺🇸

A near second-choice XI put five past Uruguay, set piece routines looked sharp, a tactical approach has crystalized, and Gio Reyna returned with real impact.

@jerryhinnen.bsky.social examines the state of the U.S. with the World Cup nearing ⤵️
Ten Windows, No. 3: So that’s why the USMNT hired Mauricio Pochettino, huh?
The United States has never looked better under Pochettino. Is the team rounding into form at just the right time?
www.backheeled.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Reposted by Backheeled
Tremendous result. Set pieces key. And what we learned about the right side of the #USMNT in this window

3 thoughts from Tampa 👇

www.backheeled.com/usmnt-win-ur...
"Everybody is pushing to make Mauricio’s decisions difficult": USMNT shine in true World Cup test vs. Uruguay
The United States cruised to a 5-1 win over Uruguay on Tuesday night. Here's what stood out.
www.backheeled.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:54 AM
The USMNT closed out its 2025 schedule with a bang, decimating Uruguay on Tuesday night 🇺🇸

“It shows that we have a deep team and that everybody is pushing to make Mauricio’s decisions as difficult as possible."

From Florida, @sanjaysujan.bsky.social examines the United States' statement result ⤵️
"Everybody is pushing to make Mauricio’s decisions difficult": USMNT shine in true World Cup test vs. Uruguay
The United States cruised to a 5-1 win over Uruguay on Tuesday night. Here's what stood out.
www.backheeled.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:46 AM
Reposted by Backheeled
We’ve got our conference title winners for 2025, but how did the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and FC Tulsa get it done?

I deep dive into each performance to see what mattered and how these clubs went the distance. 🔗⬇️

www.backheeled.com/how-fc-tulsa...
How FC Tulsa, Pittsburgh Riverhounds booked a spot in the USL Championship Final
After a pair of intense conference final matchups watched by record-setting crowds, here's how this year's final was formed.
www.backheeled.com
November 17, 2025 at 12:48 PM
With some key players injured and others left with their clubs, is Mauricio Pochettino properly managing his roster selections?

“The most important thing is that all the players arrive fit in a very good condition...to start the World Cup."

But will that be enough, asks @sanjaysujan.bsky.social?
To call or not to call: USMNT roster selections continue to pose challenges for Pochettino
Missing key players for a slew of different reasons, the United States’ march to the World Cup continues. Will the squad be positioned to succeed next summer?
www.backheeled.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:07 PM
The USL Championship Final is set 🏆

How did FC Tulsa and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds book their spot in the final game of the season?

@usltactics.com examines the decisions that have taken both clubs one step away from history ⤵️
How FC Tulsa, Pittsburgh Riverhounds booked a spot in the USL Championship Final
After a pair of intense conference final matchups watched by record-setting crowds, here's how this year's final was formed.
www.backheeled.com
November 16, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Gio Reyna is back.

@sanjaysujan.bsky.social examines Reyna’s impact for the USMNT in the team’s win over Paraguay.

More takeaways ⤵️
www.backheeled.com/usmnt-vs-par...
USMNT vs. Paraguay: Gio Reyna’s impact, cohesion & more
Here’s what we learned from the United States’ draw with Paraguay on Saturday.
www.backheeled.com
November 16, 2025 at 12:42 AM
MLS is flipping its calendar to match Europe’s — starting in 2027.

What does that mean for transfers, roster rules, cold-weather teams, and TV viewership?

We’ve got answers (and more questions) ⤵️
The biggest questions about MLS’s now-approved calendar change: Transfers, roster rules & TV viewership
Just what kind of impact will switching to a fall-to-spring calendar have? And what other changes will accompany it?
www.backheeled.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Reposted by Backheeled
After years of debate, MLS will switch to a European-style calendar in 2027.

The move will create ripple effects for teams, transfers, rules, and TV audiences.

So...what now?

For @backheeled.com, I break down the biggest questions facing MLS post-schedule shift ⤵️
The biggest questions about MLS’s now-approved calendar change: Transfers, roster rules & TV viewership
Just what kind of impact will switching to a fall-to-spring calendar have? And what other changes will accompany it?
www.backheeled.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:22 PM
After years of debate, MLS will switch to a fall-to-spring calendar in 2027.

The move aligns MLS with Europe’s top leagues — and will create ripple effects for teams, transfers, roster rules, and TV audiences.

@joeclowery.bsky.social examines the biggest questions that follow the decision ⤵️
The biggest questions about MLS’s now-approved calendar change: Transfers, roster rules & TV viewership
Just what kind of impact will switching to a fall-to-spring calendar have? And what other changes will accompany it?
www.backheeled.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:20 PM
So far this decade, MLS clubs have hired more than 60 managers.

Three came from the USL Championship. Two of those three came from New Mexico United.

Led by another rising coach in Dennis Sanchez, @usltactics.com looks at how New Mexico became the USL's top coaching factory.

Read ⤵️
How New Mexico United has become the USL’s top coaching factory
With a track record of sending managers to MLS and a rising young coach at the helm of this year’s trophy contender, New Mexico is doing plenty right.
www.backheeled.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Catch up on the most interesting stories from around the MLS postseason in @joeclowery.bsky.social's latest:

▪️ San Diego FC's Tyler Heaps called his shot
▪️ Brenner's crucial redemption arc
▪️ Walker Zimmerman's future in question
▪️ Minnesota United's set piece incentives
▪️ ...and much more

🆓 ⬇️
10 MLS Thoughts: San Diego FC dazzle, Walker Zimmerman’s future & more
We're diving into the latest tactics and stories from around the MLS postseason.
www.backheeled.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Reposted by Backheeled
Catch up with all things conference semis as I dive into a wonderfully tense set of USL Championship playoff matches.
The USL Championship’s conference finals are set 👀

@usltactics.com breaks down the action, the teams that have the best chance to lift a trophy, and the teams that fell on Saturday.

Read ⤵️
www.backheeled.com/usl-power-ra...
USL Power Rankings: Which Championship team can win it all?
Who has the best shot to take home a trophy? Plus, we're eulogizing the latest teams to fall.
www.backheeled.com
November 9, 2025 at 3:40 PM
The USL Championship’s conference finals are set 👀

@usltactics.com breaks down the action, the teams that have the best chance to lift a trophy, and the teams that fell on Saturday.

Read ⤵️
www.backheeled.com/usl-power-ra...
USL Power Rankings: Which Championship team can win it all?
Who has the best shot to take home a trophy? Plus, we're eulogizing the latest teams to fall.
www.backheeled.com
November 9, 2025 at 3:38 PM
▪️ Tata Martino is back at Atlanta United

▪️ New England Revolution hire Marko Mitrovic

▪️ St. Louis City land Corey Wray to lead their front office

Listen to The Backheeled Show for analysis on the latest news from around MLS 🎧
Tata back to Atlanta United?! Revs land a coach, St. Louis' front office hire & more MLS news
open.spotify.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Only one MLS team can boast of a bigger points improvement from last year to this one than Gregg Berhalter's Chicago Fire.

While their season ended in playoff disappointment, something is becoming clear: the Fire can become a model MLS club once again.

From @joeclowery.bsky.social ⤵️
Chicago Fire’s painful playoff exit shouldn’t overshadow a year of real progress
Under Gregg Berhalter, the Fire may become a model MLS club once again.
www.backheeled.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:07 PM