sanjaysujan.bsky.social
@sanjaysujan.bsky.social
Reposted
Cavan Sullivan returned from the under-17 World Cup earlier than planned. Now he has turned his focus back to the Union.

I talked with him one-on-one this week:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/cavan... via @phillysport.bsky.social @inquirer.com
Cavan Sullivan turns his focus back to the Union after falling short at the FIFA under-17 World Cup
"I just want to be be ready to come into the game and make a difference," the Union's teen phenom said, back in town earlier than planned and now preparing for Sunday's playoff game against NYCFC.
www.inquirer.com
November 22, 2025 at 3:35 PM
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
Reposted
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
Mauricio Pochettino’s selection strategy has been guided by the priority that players arrive in the best condition for the World Cup.

But what does that mean? Is his approach risky? And how key could MLS players be in 2026?

On form, fitness and freshness:

www.backheeled.com/pochettino-u...
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 18, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Reposted
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
Reposted
New from me:

A big interview with Mauricio Pochettino as the #USMNT gets to work in Philadelphia.

On the team's progress so far, his values, and his praise for the Union's impressive contributions to the national team player pool:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/mauri... via @phillysport.bsky.social
Mauricio Pochettino reflects on the USMNT’s progress, and looks forward to his first game in Philly
The U.S. manager sat down with The Inquirer to talk about the highs and lows of the journey to the World Cup along with his admiration for the Union's contribution to the national team program.
www.inquirer.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:24 PM
You'll see a lot of #USMNT roster predictions and big boards ahead of the World Cup. To mix it up, I ranked players in order of who Mauricio Pochettino can least afford to lose. In other words, who is most valuable, and why?

Check out my top 10 @backheeled.com

www.backheeled.com/usmnt-mvp-ra...
USMNT MVP rankings: Who are Pochettino’s most important players ahead of the World Cup?
Heading into crunch time in this World Cup cycle, these are the players most crucial to the United States’ success.
www.backheeled.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Reposted
Late night news:

With the Union’s midfield hit by injuries, Cavan Sullivan won’t leave for the under-17 World Cup until after the first two games of the playoffs.

He won’t miss any tournament games, just the pre-tournament camp.

More details here:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/cavan... #USMNT
Amid a Union injury bug, Cavan Sullivan will stay a little longer before the under-17 World Cup
With Quinn Sullivan out and Indiana Vassilev and Jeremy Rafanello banged up, the Union were facing a lack of depth at attacking midfield heading into the playoffs.
www.inquirer.com
October 23, 2025 at 5:09 AM
Valuable new info on the CM and ST picture with two camps left until the World Cup.

And collectively, the #USMNT was reminded about how it needs to approach the type of team it will surely see early in the World Cup in possession. My latest👇

www.backheeled.com/usmnt-win-au...
The USMNT’s win over Australia told us a lot — here’s what
Players made their World Cup cases and Mauricio Pochettino was pleased after Tuesday’s victory in Colorado.
www.backheeled.com
October 15, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Reposted
🎙️ NEW POD

Tanner Tessmann, the midfield anchor for Lyon who started for the USA against Ecuador, joined @sanjaysujan.bsky.social for a half-hour chat in Colorado. The Alabama native talked about Nemanja Matic's impact on him, field goals, & much more scuffed.simplecast.com/episodes/636...
#636: Tanner Tessmann joins the pod! | Scuffed | USMNT, World Cup, Yanks Abroad, futbol in America
Tanner Tessmann, the midfield anchor for Olympique Lyonnais who started for the USA against Ecuador on Friday, joined Sanjay Sujanthakumar for a half-hour long chat in Colorado on Monday. The Alabama ...
scuffed.simplecast.com
October 14, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Reposted
The USMNT enjoyed another positive performance in a 2-1 win over Australia on Tuesday 🇺🇸

What did we learn about Mauricio Pochettino's team?

@sanjaysujan.bsky.social examines Weston McKennie's role, players who seized their moment & more.

Read ⤵️
www.backheeled.com/usmnt-win-au...
The USMNT’s win over Australia told us a lot — here’s what
Players made their World Cup cases and Mauricio Pochettino was pleased after Tuesday’s victory in Colorado.
www.backheeled.com
October 15, 2025 at 1:28 PM
From Austin last night, 3 big picture thoughts @backheeled.com after a positive #USMNT performance against a good team

www.backheeled.com/usmnt-progre...
USMNT show progress under Pochettino in Ecuador draw: McKennie's role, Balogun's goal & more
Here are the takeaways that matter from the USMNT's promising showing against Ecuador.
www.backheeled.com
October 11, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Folarin Balogun made his long-awaited return to the #USMNT in September and now, with club and country, he's hungry for more. And he could very well be the key to a deep World Cup run.

I sat down with the striker in Monaco for a wide-ranging discussion.

www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Back in form, Folarin Balogun is seeking a momentum-shifting win with the US: ‘I think we need that’
The Monaco striker speaks on a Copa América experience that left him with ‘frustration but also hunger’ to achieve more with the USMNT
www.theguardian.com
October 7, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Reposted
Matt Turner knows what he has to do to regain the #USMNT starting goalkeeper job.

A big interview - with all his usual candor - about how his form fell, leaving Crystal Palace, and working to get back on the field for Mauricio Pochettino before the World Cup:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/matt-...
Matt Turner knows what he has to do to regain the USMNT’s starting goalkeeper job
After facing the Union on Saturday, Turner spoke at length with The Inquirer about why he returned to MLS, and what it will take to regain Mauricio Pochettino's confidence as the World Cup nears.
www.inquirer.com
September 21, 2025 at 4:54 PM
“It would have been a lot tougher to quit basketball if I knew that two years later, I’d be a freshman in college making more than some of my favorite athletes are making overseas.” - Chris Richards

My piece on how $$$$$$$$ in college 🏀🏈 could impact ⚽ participation and the #USMNT ➡️ bit.ly/46GQWIN
September 18, 2025 at 3:38 PM
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What if our best athletes... keep playing other sports? I spoke to Chris Richards, Alex Freeman and Kyle Martino about how participation in soccer and the #USMNT could be impacted by the new era of #NCAA athletes being paid.

sports.yahoo.com/soccer/artic...
What if our 'best athletes' never choose soccer? How NIL money could shape the USMNT's future
The NIL era is reshaping choices for young athletes — and raising the question: what does that mean for the U.S. men's national team?
sports.yahoo.com
September 16, 2025 at 6:34 PM
What if our best athletes... keep playing other sports? I spoke to Chris Richards, Alex Freeman and Kyle Martino about how participation in soccer and the #USMNT could be impacted by the new era of #NCAA athletes being paid.

sports.yahoo.com/soccer/artic...
What if our 'best athletes' never choose soccer? How NIL money could shape the USMNT's future
The NIL era is reshaping choices for young athletes — and raising the question: what does that mean for the U.S. men's national team?
sports.yahoo.com
September 16, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Reposted
What will Mauricio Pochettino's next USMNT roster look like?

According to the manager, we can expect less experimentation and potentially fewer MLS call-ups 🇺🇸

@sanjaysujan.bsky.social projects the full October squad ⤵️
www.backheeled.com/projecting-m...
Projecting Mauricio Pochettion's USMNT next roster: Who will make the cut in October?
Plenty of big decisions are yet to be made as the World Cup nears.
www.backheeled.com
September 16, 2025 at 4:25 PM
The hierarchy of the #USMNT is changing as Mauricio Pochettino takes the team through his "process"

My latest for @backheeled.com

www.backheeled.com/mauricio-poc...
No untouchables for Pochettino: How a new locker room hierarchy is changing the USMNT
Mauricio Pochettino has been ripping up his team’s hierarchy. Will his efforts pay off at the World Cup?
www.backheeled.com
September 12, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Reposted
When Mauricio Pochettino was hired, many believed he'd prioritize the USMNT's European-based players.

Instead, Pochettino has started a "different process" by reshaping the team's hierarchy.

Will his efforts pay off?

Players weigh in on the 🇺🇸's new direction ⤵️
www.backheeled.com/mauricio-poc...
No untouchables for Pochettino: How a new locker room hierarchy is changing the USMNT
Mauricio Pochettino has been ripping up his team’s hierarchy. Will his efforts pay off at the World Cup?
www.backheeled.com
September 11, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Reposted
"We have to believe," Pochettino said after the #USMNT's latest loss.

It's true that the games that really matter are next summer, but right now it's hard to see that far ahead.

And unlike another soccer coach who famously believes, this isn't a scripted TV show:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/mauri...
Mauricio Pochettino says USMNT doesn’t need to win until ‘the World Cup starts,’ but pressure is rising on him
"We have to believe," Pochettino said after his team's latest loss. It's true that the games that really matter are next summer, but it's also getting hard for U.S. fans to see that far ahead.
www.inquirer.com
September 7, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Reposted
It's one of the most perplexing questions about the #USMNT right now: How does Josh Sargent score so much for Norwich City, but not for his country?

He admitted today that he's as frustrated as anyone. But he believes just as strongly that he'll snap out of it.

www.inquirer.com/soccer/josh-...
Josh Sargent hasn’t scored for the USMNT in six years, but he’s a prolific striker for his club
It's one of the most perplexing questions about the U.S. team right now. How does Sargent score so much for England's Norwich City, but not find the net for his country? He's as frustrated as anyone.
www.inquirer.com
September 2, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Reposted
'Celo!

The iconic Marcelo Balboa gets his Rapids jersey retired tonight.

I can't say this about everyone on his level of fame and achievement: MB is a mensch - a high-quality individual, and very deserving of this and all the other flowers.
Something new next to the Colorado Rapids bench:
August 17, 2025 at 12:28 AM
but at least bring him on when you need a goal late.. hopefully we’re not still talking about it next szn
Indiana Vassilev is concussed.

Cavan Sullivan isn't starting against a team that will kick him into the Passaic. (Despite @sanjaysujan.bsky.social's protests)

David Vazquez is gone to San Diego. (Despite @johnkickback.bsky.social's protests)

Sal Olivas played 69 minutes for Union II last night.
August 17, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Reposted
Which USMNT players have the most to gain during this European season ahead of the World Cup?

From midfielders fighting for their place to rising young talents, we examine a group of players who can raise their stock in the eyes of Mauricio Pochettino.

Read ⤵️
www.backheeled.com/usmnt-player...
The USMNT players with the most to gain in Europe ahead of the 2026 World Cup
These five players can raise their stock in the eyes of Mauricio Pochettino.
www.backheeled.com
August 12, 2025 at 4:30 PM