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Henry Bushnell @henrybushnell.bsky.social · 2h

Last month, amid losses and negativity, Mauricio Pochettino told his USMNT players to "keep calm."

He essentially told us, the media, to chill with the overreactive, "bullshit" criticism.

He was right.

Piece from Austin last night: www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...

Mauricio Pochettino preached calm amid USMNT negativity. His team just proved him right

The perception of the head coach and his team's readiness for the World Cup has been helped by two solid performances

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by Henry Bushnell

Paul Tenorio @paultenorio.bsky.social · 14h

Folarin Balogun shined and got a deserved goal to equalize Enner Valencia’s superb first half finish in #USMNT’s 1-1 draw with Ecuador.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...

USMNT 1, Ecuador 1: Balogun’s deserved goal; Valencia’s moment of brilliance

The USMNT took on a tough South American opponent, played well and got the goal to show for it in a promising overall performance

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by Henry Bushnell

The Athletic | Football @theathleticfc.bsky.social · 1d

Thousands of fans used the FIFA Collect platform to purchase digital collectibles that came with the 'right to buy' (RTB) actual World Cup tickets.

Now, after values of RTBs collapsed and details of how it all works emerged, many fans feel 'ripped off.'

✍️ @henrybushnell.bsky.social

Fans bought the ‘right to buy’ 2026 World Cup tickets. Now they feel ‘ripped off’

Fans were left disgruntled as details of the connection between FIFA collectibles and World Cup game tickets emerged

www.nytimes.com

15 19 60

Henry Bushnell @henrybushnell.bsky.social · 1d

FIFA sold them the "Right To Buy" 2026 World Cup tickets.

Now, some fans feel "taken advantage of," "pissed," "ripped off."

Story on the uproar surrounding a first-of-its-kind World Cup scheme, RTBs, @theathletic.com:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...

Fans bought the ‘right to buy’ 2026 World Cup tickets. Now they feel ‘ripped off’

Fans were left disgruntled as details of the connection between FIFA collectibles and World Cup game tickets emerged

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by Henry Bushnell

Felipe Cardenas @felipecardenas.bsky.social · 4d

Darlington Nagbe decided over the summer that 2025 would be his last season in MLS. He stayed quiet about until today.

Nagbe, and those closest to him, spoke to The Athletic about his decision and the emotional conflicts of his announcement.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

Darlington Nagbe retires: An understated star with an impeccable reputation

Nagbe is retiring after a distinguished, trophy-laden career in MLS, and those closest to him paint a picture of a revered superstar

www.nytimes.com

2 16 61

Henry Bushnell @henrybushnell.bsky.social · 4d

News: 2026 World Cup "variable pricing" is already off and running.

Prices increased slightly (~5%) for at least nine games after the very first day of sales.

Sure seems like demand is high, despite the backlash:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

2026 World Cup price jumps kick in early, with FIFA raising costs amid high demand

The effects of variable pricing are already being felt on the World Cup ticket market

www.nytimes.com

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Henry Bushnell @henrybushnell.bsky.social · 5d

Outside of USMNT camps, Mauricio Pochettino hardly communicates with players.

It's a stark departure from the Berhalter era, but there's a method to the apparent madness.

w/ @paultenorio.bsky.social, inside Pochettino's strategy and silence:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...

For Mauricio Pochettino, communication void with USMNT players is a feature, not a bug

It's been common over the last year for USMNT players to hear little from Mauricio Pochettino outside camps. In fact, it's by design.

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by Henry Bushnell

Paul Tenorio @paultenorio.bsky.social · 5d

#USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino and his staff have taken a different approach to communication: they don't talk much to players outside of camp.

It has a purpose. With @henrybushnell.bsky.social, a deep dive on Poch wanting players to talk with their play:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...

For Mauricio Pochettino, communication void with USMNT players is a feature, not a bug

It's been common over the last year for USMNT players to hear little from Mauricio Pochettino outside camps. In fact, it's by design.

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by Henry Bushnell

Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 8d

NEW: FIFA are charging BOTH resellers & buyers a 15 per cent fee on its official 2026 World Cup ticket resale platform, which launched Thursday and almost immediately had some tickets listed for tens of thousands of dollars.

Story with @henrybushnell.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...

World Cup ticket resale madness begins as FIFA takes two 15% fees on each sale

www.nytimes.com

5 17 51

Henry Bushnell @henrybushnell.bsky.social · 8d

2026 World Cup ticket prices are (much) higher than:

🏆 all previous World Cups
🥇 all Olympics
🔮 projections in the 🇺🇸🇨🇦🇲🇽 bid
⚽️ Euros, Champions League & more

Only real comparison: the NFL and Super Bowls.

A piece placing WC prices in context:

Booming World Cup ticket prices outstrip everything except the Super Bowl

The 2026 World Cup final could be the single most lucrative match in soccer history.

www.nytimes.com

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Henry Bushnell @henrybushnell.bsky.social · 9d

the (almost-)A-team

www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...

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Reposted by Henry Bushnell

Henry Bushnell @henrybushnell.bsky.social · 9d

We've now published a full breakdown of ticket prices for all 2026 World Cup games, sourced from screenshots and data sent by fans to @theathleticfc.bsky.social.

Table in the story below.

Henry Bushnell @henrybushnell.bsky.social · 9d

Ticket prices for the USMNT's World Cup opener in LA:

– Category 1: $2,735
– Category 2: $1,940
– Category 3: $1,120

Prices for the 2026 World Cup final:

– Category 1: $6,730
– Category 2: $4,210
– Category 3: $2,790

More prices and info here @theathletic.com:

World Cup ticket prices revealed as lucky few win right to buy first

Breaking down the earliest information as the first batch of fans gained the chance to buy tickets for next summer

www.nytimes.com

3 7 13

Henry Bushnell @henrybushnell.bsky.social · 9d

We've now published a full breakdown of ticket prices for all 2026 World Cup games, sourced from screenshots and data sent by fans to @theathleticfc.bsky.social.

Table in the story below.

Henry Bushnell @henrybushnell.bsky.social · 9d

Ticket prices for the USMNT's World Cup opener in LA:

– Category 1: $2,735
– Category 2: $1,940
– Category 3: $1,120

Prices for the 2026 World Cup final:

– Category 1: $6,730
– Category 2: $4,210
– Category 3: $2,790

More prices and info here @theathletic.com:

World Cup ticket prices revealed as lucky few win right to buy first

Breaking down the earliest information as the first batch of fans gained the chance to buy tickets for next summer

www.nytimes.com

3 7 13

Henry Bushnell @henrybushnell.bsky.social · 9d

There were/are Category 4 tickets for cheaper — but hardly any of them.

Fans got first glimpses at stadium maps today, and...

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Henry Bushnell @henrybushnell.bsky.social · 9d

Ticket prices for the USMNT's World Cup opener in LA:

– Category 1: $2,735
– Category 2: $1,940
– Category 3: $1,120

Prices for the 2026 World Cup final:

– Category 1: $6,730
– Category 2: $4,210
– Category 3: $2,790

More prices and info here @theathletic.com:

World Cup ticket prices revealed as lucky few win right to buy first

Breaking down the earliest information as the first batch of fans gained the chance to buy tickets for next summer

www.nytimes.com

20 22 48

Henry Bushnell @henrybushnell.bsky.social · 12d

Christian Pulisic goals + assists per 90 minutes so far this season for AC Milan (in all comps): 2.1

Ridiculous form.

Today, he took Milan to the top of Serie A.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...

Christian Pulisic stars with goal and brilliant assist as Milan beat Napoli to go top of Serie A

The USMNT forward starred for Milan in their Serie A victory over Napoli on Sunday.

www.nytimes.com

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Henry Bushnell @henrybushnell.bsky.social · 14d

Trump said he'll move World Cup games out of cities that aren't "safe." ... Can he do that?

Hint: Almost certainly not.

Full answer, + reaction from cities and organizers @theathletic.com:

Explaining Trump’s threat to relocate World Cup games: What can he actually do?

World Cup cities have entered President Trump's crosshairs. Here's the likeliest outcome following his unexpected and targeted remarks

www.nytimes.com

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Henry Bushnell @henrybushnell.bsky.social · 21d

In the 11 days since we published this, and as it opened the first 2026 WC ticket lottery, FIFA has pushed Right To Buys *hard*.

FIFA Collect has done ~$3 mil in sales. Two of the platform's three biggest weeks on record.

(For those asking: these are totally unrelated to the lottery.)

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Reposted by Henry Bushnell

Felipe Cardenas @felipecardenas.bsky.social · 24d

I visited Guadalajara to get a sense of the culture and see how the city is preparing for the 2026 World Cup
www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...

Guadalajara, ‘the most Mexican’ city, eyes its next World Cup moment

Guadalajara is getting a glow-up for the World Cup, but visitors will still find a host whose soul is steeped in local pride and culture

www.nytimes.com

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Henry Bushnell @henrybushnell.bsky.social · 24d

A 2026 World Cup ticket rule that FIFA hardly communicated has sparked confusion.

There's a one-application-per-household limit. But what, exactly, constitutes a household?

Spouses and roommates are wondering whether to delete entries.

FIFA has *some* answers:

Little-known World Cup ticket rule sparked confusion. FIFA has (some) answers

The fine print regarding ticket limits and application entries has some fans worried their attempts to increase their odds might backfire

www.nytimes.com

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Henry Bushnell @henrybushnell.bsky.social · Sep 10

The first 2026 World Cup ticket lottery is open.

Despite no urgency — no preference will be given to the earliest applicants, FIFA has said — fans are experiencing hour-long waits.

And some, after waiting, are getting error messages.

"Extraordinary" demand, FIFA spox says...

2026 FIFA World Cup ticket lottery opens, plagued by long waits and frustrated fans

The first phase of 2026 World Cup ticket sales kicked off Wednesday, but it wasn't the seamless process fans may have expected

www.nytimes.com

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Henry Bushnell @henrybushnell.bsky.social · Sep 10

For years, the USMNT has had a striker problem.

Last night, Folarin Balogun reminded us that, if healthy, he's the solution.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...

Folarin Balogun just reminded USMNT why he’s the answer to its striker problem

The Monaco forward's performance against Japan was a game-changer for Pochettino and the U.S.

www.nytimes.com

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Henry Bushnell @henrybushnell.bsky.social · Sep 10

Christian Pulisic speaks…

"There's probably not as much drama as you guys think there is,” he said with a smile.

Then, he waited outside the postgame mixed zone for Cristian Roldan. They walked across the field together, back to the team bus, happy, victorious.

All, it seems, is well.

Pulisic says Pochettino relationship not as much drama as it seems

www.nytimes.com

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Henry Bushnell @henrybushnell.bsky.social · Sep 10

Different vibes than Saturday…

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Reposted by Henry Bushnell

The Athletic @theathletic.com · Sep 10

EXCLUSIVE: New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is calling on FIFA to end dynamic pricing on World Cup tickets.

His petition “Game Over Greed” also demands that FIFA reinstates a cap on ticket resales and sets aside 15 percent of tickets for local residents at a discount.

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