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Paul Tenorio

@paultenorio.bsky.social

7.4K followers 180 following 190 posts

Senior writer covering soccer for The Athletic.

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Reposted by Paul Tenorio

Felipe Cardenas @felipecardenas.bsky.social · 1d

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

Paul Tenorio @paultenorio.bsky.social · 1d

Inter Miami's Jordi Alba surprisingly announces he will retire at the end of the season.

Miami finalizing deal with Sergio Reguilon, who won't be eligible to play until 2026.

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

Inter Miami’s Jordi Alba announces retirement, team close to signing Sergio Reguilon

Alba had signed a contract extension until 2027 in May, while Reguilon is a free agent following his summer exit from Tottenham Hotspur.

www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Paul Tenorio

Henry Bushnell @henrybushnell.bsky.social · 2d

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

Paul Tenorio @paultenorio.bsky.social · 2d

#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

Paul Tenorio @paultenorio.bsky.social · 6d

FIFA chasing those famously passionate Super Bowl crowds...

Henry Bushnell @henrybushnell.bsky.social · 6d

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

Reposted by Paul Tenorio

Tom Bogert @tombogert.bsky.social · 6d

Houston Dynamo and USMNT midfielder Jack McGlynn has undergone surgery on a foot injury on an injury suffered this weekend and will miss the rest of the 2025 season.

McGlynn was initially included in the USMNT October squad I’m told, but misses out with injury

Paul Tenorio @paultenorio.bsky.social · 6d

Mauricio Pochettino's World Cup roster may be coming into focus as Turner, McKennie, Antonee Robinson return along with Aidan Morris, Tanner Tessmann and others.

No Tyler Adams (personal reasons) or Yunus Musah.

Details here with @henrybushnell.bsky.social:

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

Mauricio Pochettino drops World Cup hint with USMNT squad as Robinson, McKennie return

The USMNT coach appears to be getting closer to landing on his first-choice squad for next summer's tournament

www.nytimes.com

Paul Tenorio @paultenorio.bsky.social · 19d

D.C. United has hired Erkut Sogut as its new sporting director, per sources.

Indicative of leaning toward global experience as MLS model shifts in that direction in coming years.

Confirming earlier reporting from @stevengoff.bsky.social and @tombogert.bsky.social.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/664...

D.C. United hires Erkut Sogut, Mesut Özil’s ex-agent, as new sporting director

D.C. United is hoping to kick-start a revival, with the club mired among MLS's worst for a lengthy stretch

www.nytimes.com

Paul Tenorio @paultenorio.bsky.social · 20d

In the last 15 seasons, just four players have had a season with 9+ goals + assists in Europe’s Big 5, then played four straight seasons in B5 without reaching 1,000 mins in any – and then had 9+ G+A again in a Big 5, per TruMedia.

Can Gio Reyna be the fifth? #USMNT

www.nytimes.com/athletic/663...

For Gio Reyna to make USMNT’s World Cup team, he’ll have to be a statistical exception

There aren't really any recent historical comps to Gio Reyna that suggest a full reclamation of form and productivity are imminent

www.nytimes.com

Paul Tenorio @paultenorio.bsky.social · Sep 8

Luis Suárez gets an additional three-game suspension from MLS for Leagues Cup rumble.

Steven Lenhart's credential revoked for remainder of 2025 season. Seattle fined for misappropriation of credential.

No other punishments for Inter Miami players.

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

MLS suspends Luis Suárez further after League Cup ban for spitting

Suárez was already suspended for six Leagues Cup games, but the punishment now bleeds into Miami's MLS slate as well.

www.nytimes.com

Paul Tenorio @paultenorio.bsky.social · Sep 7

Mauricio Pochettino was trying to fix a very real problem in this #USMNT by creating competition. But the U.S. depth only extends so far.

Pochettino has to cope with the flaws of the best players, bring them back in and coax more out of them.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/660...

In trying to generate squad competition, Pochettino’s USMNT is no better off

Mauricio Pochettino recognizes the USMNT's complacency problem, but has proven hooked on trying to solve it with lackluster depth

www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Paul Tenorio

Henry Bushnell @henrybushnell.bsky.social · Sep 6

Sad.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/660...

USMNT 0, South Korea 2: Pochettino's moves no match for Son in limp defeat

www.nytimes.com

Paul Tenorio @paultenorio.bsky.social · Sep 5

Guys. I say things are "peak MLS" all the time. This is the most #PeakMLS thing I have ever experienced.

Inter Miami stars Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets and Sounders team psych Steven Lenhart among those suspended for postgame Leagues Cup final brawl.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/660...

Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets suspended for role in Inter Miami Leagues Cup melee

Miami's clash with the Seattle Sounders turned ugly and led to repercussions.

www.nytimes.com

Paul Tenorio @paultenorio.bsky.social · Sep 5

#USMNT’s Mauricio Pochettino looking forward to reuniting and coaching against his former star Son Heung-min

www.nytimes.com/athletic/660...

USMNT's Mauricio Pochettino looking forward to match against his former player Son Heung-min

www.nytimes.com

Paul Tenorio @paultenorio.bsky.social · Sep 4

Over/under on number of minutes after Cowboys-Eagles kicks off Leagues Cup (and MLS?) announce disciplinary decisions?

Reposted by Paul Tenorio

Henry Bushnell @henrybushnell.bsky.social · Sep 3

finally, we have some 2026 World Cup ticket info. (*some*)

Here, @theathletic.com, is everything you need to know about how to get your hands on tickets, when, and what they might cost:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...

How to buy World Cup 2026 tickets: Prices, dates and everything to know

www.nytimes.com

Paul Tenorio @paultenorio.bsky.social · Sep 2

USMNT's Josh Sargent relishes "good spot" at Norwich after passing on transfers in summer window. Six goals in five games.

Now, he'll look to get back to scoring for the U.S.

"I know it’s a matter of time," he said.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...

USMNT’s Josh Sargent relishes ‘good spot’ at Norwich after passing on transfer

Staying put has proven fruitful for Sargent, who leads the EFL Championship in goals at the international break

www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Paul Tenorio

Leander **PRE-ORDER THE LONG GAME** Schaerlaeckens @leanderalphabet.bsky.social · Sep 2

🚨🚨You can now pre-order my book, THE LONG GAME, on the United States men's national soccer team and its messy rise from total international irrelevance to, well, TBD!🚨🚨

I spoke to ~150 players/coaches/etc. and got fresh stories and unprecedented access!

www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/722130...

The Long Game by Leander Schaerlaeckens: 9780593653876 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books

The gripping account of the U.S. men’s national soccer team’s winding saga from obscurity to the global stage as they stand on the brink of a seminal World Cup in 2026. For almost half a century,...

www.penguinrandomhouse.com

Reposted by Paul Tenorio

Henry Bushnell @henrybushnell.bsky.social · Sep 2

I chatted with U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker about his grand plan for player development.

(and with him + others about why implementing it is so dang difficult.)

Feature @theathleticfc.bsky.social:

U.S. Soccer has a new vision for youth development. Implementing it is ‘an astronomical ask’

The "U.S. Way" is meant to kick development into high gear, but the American soccer landscape presents a series of challenges

www.nytimes.com

Paul Tenorio @paultenorio.bsky.social · Aug 29

LAFC hopes Son's biggest impact is on the field, but he also brings an enormous boost in visibility.

Son can make LAFC go global.

“The commercial benefits are undeniable, but it’s definitely a byproduct, it is not the priority,” John Thorrington said.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/658...

The Son Heung-min Effect is already being felt in Los Angeles and around MLS

Before even playing in his first home game in L.A., the South Korean superstar's impact is being felt on and beyond the pitch.

www.nytimes.com

Paul Tenorio @paultenorio.bsky.social · Aug 26

Christian Pulisic returns; Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah among absences. Noahkai Banks gets first call.

Pochettino's September roster is out.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...

USMNT September roster: Pulisic returns, but McKennie among omissions

Christian Pulisic returns after a contentious summer break, but there's intrigue elsewhere on Mauricio Pochettino's latest squad

www.nytimes.com

Paul Tenorio @paultenorio.bsky.social · Aug 25

Chatted a bit about #STLCSC sporting director job over on The Athletic’s MLS WhatsApp channel. Gonna try to be on there a bit more every week.

whatsapp.com/channel/0029...

The Athletic | MLS ⚽ | WhatsApp Channel

The Athletic | MLS ⚽ WhatsApp Channel. In-depth MLS coverage with The Athletic's soccer writers. 2.8K followers

Paul Tenorio @paultenorio.bsky.social · Aug 25

One thing I'm thinking about re: STLCSC sporting director hire, and all similar hires in near future:

Teams must weigh what MLS could look like in 2027, not what it looks like now. If roster rules are revamped and calendar flipped, the profile for the job changes.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...

St. Louis City SC fires sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel, eyes next ‘5-year cycle’

St. Louis City is languishing far outside the MLS playoff picture and has made a significant change in hopes of turning its fortunes

www.nytimes.com

Paul Tenorio @paultenorio.bsky.social · Aug 25

St. Louis City has fired Lutz Pfannenstiel.

I spoke with STLCSC president Diego Gigliani about what's next.

"The level of ambition and commitment that exists at the ownership level (is) to be ... as high performing on the pitch as the club is off the pitch."

www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...

St. Louis City SC fires sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel, eyes next ‘5-year cycle’

St. Louis City is languishing far outside the MLS playoff picture and has made a significant change in hopes of turning its fortunes

www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Paul Tenorio

The Athletic | Football @theathleticfc.bsky.social · Aug 20

MLS will allow the display of a Palestinian flag at Columbus Crew home games in support of new signing Wessam Abou Ali but a league-wide ban will remain, according to multiple people briefed on the situation

More from @henrybushnell.bsky.social & @colinmillar.bsky.social ⤵️

MLS to allow Palestinian flag for Columbus Crew signing, league-wide ban remains

The league, however, will not sanction fans to bring Palestinian flags to the stadium, with the flag to be provided by the club.

www.nytimes.com