Henry Bushnell
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henrybushnell.bsky.social
Henry Bushnell
@henrybushnell.bsky.social
Senior ⚽ writer, The Athletic.

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henrybushnell.03 on Signal
FIFA has finalized World Cup draw pots and procedures. The news...

⚽ All playoff teams in Pot 4
🇦🇷🇪🇸 top seeds to opposite sides of the bracket
🇺🇸 USMNT now knows the order of its group opponents: Pot 3 first, Pot 2 second, Pot 4 third

More @theathleticfc.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
November 25, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Reposted by Henry Bushnell
Taking another shot at Mauricio Pochettino's 26-man roster for the 2026 World Cup with @henrybushnell.bsky.social.

Some new names on this version...

www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...
USMNT World Cup roster projection after November friendlies: 26 for 2026
World Cup roster battles are more fierce than ever for Mauricio Pochettino's side, with many players enjoying a positive November window
www.nytimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Reposted by Henry Bushnell
The USMNT's 2026 schedule is nearly set:

⚽️ pre-World Cup camp in Atlanta, May friendly on East Coast
🇩🇪 Sendoff game in Chicago vs. Germany
🇧🇪🇵🇹 March friendlies confirmed

@HenryBushnell and I outline the squad's path to the World Cup:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...
USMNT’s 2026 slate takes shape: World Cup sendoff in Chicago, March friendlies booked
The logistics of the USMNT 2026 schedule, both leading up to the World Cup and during it, have emerged
www.nytimes.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:51 PM
The USMNT's 2026 schedule is nearly set:

- pre-World Cup camp in Atlanta, May friendly on East Coast
- Sendoff game in Chicago vs. Germany
- March friendlies confirmed

More details w/ @paultenorio.bsky.social:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...
USMNT’s 2026 slate takes shape: World Cup sendoff in Chicago, March friendlies booked
The logistics of the USMNT 2026 schedule, both leading up to the World Cup and during it, have emerged
www.nytimes.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Cristiano Ronaldo is at the White House today, a WH official confirms to @theathletic.com.

It's his first known appearance in the U.S. since 2014 — and since he was publicly accused of raping a woman in 2009 in Las Vegas.

More w/ @adamcrafton.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
Cristiano Ronaldo to attend White House meeting as Trump hosts Saudi Prince MBS
Ronaldo's appearance in Washington, D.C., will mark his first known return to the U.S. in over a decade
www.nytimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Reposted by Henry Bushnell
Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to attend a meeting at the White House, on a day when U.S. President Donald Trump is set to host the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman in the Oval Office, multiple sources have confirmed to The Athletic.

@henrybushnell.bsky.social & @adamcrafton.bsky.social
Cristiano Ronaldo expected to attend White House meeting as Trump hosts Saudi Prince MBS
Ronaldo's appearance in Washington, D.C., will mark his first known return to the U.S. in over a decade
www.nytimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:26 PM
On Gio Reyna, who's "been through a lot," but “always shows up for the national team"... and showed, once again, why he can be a World Cup difference-maker:
Gio Reyna still has a World Cup pulse after being USMNT’s ‘nightmare for Paraguay’
Mauricio Pochettino referred to Reyna as a "special situation" given his U.S. inclusion despite a lack of recent playing time. We saw why
www.nytimes.com
November 16, 2025 at 1:13 PM
An interview with, and feature on, Max Arfsten.

He entered 2025 uncapped. Now, he's started more USMNT games this year than any other player.

We chatted about his journey, his Fresno soccer upbringing, late nights training solo in Columbus, his Europe ambitions, and his conviction that "I belong"
How Max Arfsten, uncapped and ‘overlooked,’ became an unlikely USMNT fixture
"Everyone's journey is different," Max Arfsten says. And his path to becoming a USMNT mainstay is in great contrast to that of his teammates
www.nytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Reposted by Henry Bushnell
Jesús Pérez likes being “2 or 3 yards behind the coach." The difference in pressure is massive. But don't let that fool you. Pérez is Poch's right hand man.

"In the shadow of (a) big manager, there (are) always big assistants. And Jesús is one of them," Lloris said.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Jesús Pérez: Mauricio Pochettino’s right-hand man and the USMNT’s eyes and ears
Pochettino's trusted assistant has been by his side for years, and he has a critical role to play as the USMNT preps for the World Cup
www.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Reposted by Henry Bushnell
The MLS calendar flip is a big step — but not the only step — toward greater relevance.

On a historic vote and the next steps toward MLS’s success:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
MLS calendar flip is a big step, but not the only step, toward greater global relevance
Big change is coming to MLS in the summer of 2027, but what else needs to happen for the league to increase its profile?
www.nytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Reposted by Henry Bushnell
BREAKING: MLS owners officially voted to flip to a "summer-spring" format beginning in mid-July and running through the end of May. Will start in 2027.

Also voted on the regular season format.

Details and quotes here from Palm Beach.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
MLS owners vote to flip schedule to European calendar, change format starting in 2027
MLS will soon align with leagues that play from the fall to the spring after a transformational decision made by its owners
www.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Reposted by Henry Bushnell
BREAKING: MLS owners have voted and passed a schedule change. The league will run from the late summer months through May.

This is due to start in summer of 2027. MLS will take winter break in Jan/Feb

More from @paultenorio.bsky.social on the ground at BOG meeting: www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
MLS owners vote to flip schedule to European calendar, change format starting in 2027
MLS will soon align with leagues that play from the fall to the spring after a transformational decision made by its owners
www.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:04 PM
We @theathleticfc.bsky.social have now published the full list of updated 2026 World Cup ticket prices here:
Another price increase for the 2026 World Cup…

Sensing strong demand, FIFA raised the cost of many tickets to record-setting heights — the first large-scale implementation of its “variable pricing” strategy.

Details from @henrybushnell.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
November 12, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Reposted by Henry Bushnell
MLS owners are *expected* to vote on flipping to fall-spring calendar at Thursday's BOG meeting. Changes to competition format also expected.

Let's see if it actually comes to a vote, but implications are enormous.

Exclusive details with @tombogert.bsky.social:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
MLS owners set to vote on fall-spring calendar and season format changes: Sources
Substantial change could be coming to MLS's structure and operations following a Thursday vote, sources tell The Athletic
www.nytimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:13 PM
FIFA has raised ticket prices for dozens of 2026 World Cup games, in some cases by more than 20%.

Most upper-deck tickets to the World Cup final are now $5,055 or $3,450.

Increases for two of three USMNT games.

Details @theathletic.com:
2026 World Cup ticket prices jump; FIFA targets knockout rounds, USMNT games, cohosts
Another purchasing window has opened for 2026 World Cup tickets, and dynamic pricing is in full effect
www.nytimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Reposted by Henry Bushnell
Fans with "right to buy" World Cup ticket tokens have a Thursday deadline to act.

There's just one problem: they haven't been told how much tickets will cost, but the least-expensive tickets are hardly available, leaving those impacted feeling scammed.

✍️ @henrybushnell.bsky.social
World Cup fans with ‘right to buy’ tickets say FIFA forced them into ‘unjust ultimatum’
For fans who spent big on a guarantee of purchasing World Cup tickets, they're missing all the key details as a decision deadline nears
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:22 PM
All 24 USMNT players here and training in frigid Chester, Pa.

Only one in short sleeves and shorts: Seb Berhalter
November 11, 2025 at 4:51 PM
FIFA has made tens of millions of dollars selling the "right to buy" World Cup tickets.

Some fans who jumped at the "RTBs" now say FIFA's opacity is forcing them into an "unjust ultimatum":

www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
World Cup fans with ‘right to buy’ tickets say FIFA forced them into ‘unjust ultimatum’
For fans who spent big on a guarantee of purchasing World Cup tickets, they're missing all the key details as a decision deadline nears
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:46 PM
FIFA is selling parking spots (exact location: unknown) at 2026 World Cup games for between $75 and $175 — more than the price of some actual match tickets at previous World Cups.

@theathleticfc.bsky.social:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
FIFA’s next 2026 World Cup cash cow: Exorbitant parking prices
If you're paying to park at 2026 World Cup matches it'll cost you more than some match tickets at previous editions of the tournament
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Gio Reyna has played fewer club minutes this year than any other USMNT player.

Hasn't scored or created a goal since January.

For months, the rule was: "Players need to perform."

Now, Mauricio Pochettino makes an exception for "a special player":

www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
Gio Reyna’s USMNT return a ‘special situation’ that mixes Pochettino’s message
For months, Mauricio Pochettino has preached how all players need to earn their USMNT places. Gio Reyna is the exception to his rule
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Gio Reyna is back.

(and, for the first time, in a USMNT camp with Sebastian Berhalter...)

Roster analysis with @paultenorio.bsky.social:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
USMNT roster shock: Reyna recalled, McKennie among many regulars omitted
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Reposted by Henry Bushnell
It may surprise you but Lionel Messi has a soft spot for American soccer — and its future

With @paultenorio.bsky.social ⤵️
Lionel Messi ended all speculation by signing a new deal to stay in Miami.

But the decision to extend is about more than just his playing days.

@paultenorio.bsky.social and @felipecardenas.bsky.social have the details behind Messi's decision to extend his stay ⬇️

🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
October 27, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Inside the USWNT's worst performance yet under Emma Hayes...

🏝️ players "on islands," trying to solve problems as individuals
⚽ "misconnections" in training the two days prior
🦫 "a game of Whac-A-Mole"

+ more @theathleticfc.bsky.social:
The USWNT just gave its worst performance under Emma Hayes. What went wrong against Portugal?
For the first time in her 17 months in charge, Hayes watched her players try to solve problems as individuals rather than as a collective.
www.nytimes.com
October 24, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Reposted by Henry Bushnell
In Austin, I sat with #USMNT legend Landon Donovan to talk about his openness with a big vulnerability and the unexpected reward of sharing his hair journey with the public.

“We’re just people struggling, trying to figure it out and doing the best we can,” he said.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...
Landon Donovan’s new hair, and the side effect he wasn’t expecting
The USMNT great has been a trailblazer in the mental health space, but even he wasn't expecting the reaction to his latest public journey
www.nytimes.com
October 21, 2025 at 2:27 PM
In Philly for USWNT camp this week. Chatted with Alyssa Thompson about...

- moving to Chelsea, and why
- how the leap from LA to London will help her grow
- "What are you gonna do without Gisele?”

and more: www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
USWNT’s Alyssa Thompson on her Chelsea move: ‘I was expecting it to be more scary’
The 20-year-old winger chose the challenge abroad in an attempt to grow as a player and person
www.nytimes.com
October 21, 2025 at 9:39 PM