Published by Adam Belz and Greg Velasquez
An in-depth show about the U.S. men's national soccer team, the players who could one day make it better, and American soccer in general.
Listen on Apple Podcasts54 min
Vince talks Belz into being excited about the decision. Sanjay wants him to play the kids. Cavan seems to have hit a bright patch. MLS gets a new commissioner who understands books. Gio to Strasbourg. Skip the ads! Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon and get all episodes ad-free, plus bonus episodes. Patrons at $5 a month or more also get access to Clip Notes, a video of key moments on the field we discuss on the show: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed Check out our store, where you can get Scuffed hats and sweatshirts and other stuff: scuffedpodcast.com/store Also, check out Boots on the Ground, our USWNT-focused spinoff podcast headed up by Tara and Vince. They are cooking over there, you can listen here: https://boots-on-the-ground.simplecast.com And check out our MERCH, baby. We have better stuff than you might think: https://www.scuffedpodcast.com/store Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
34 min
The 17-year-old discusses his rise, soccer in his Staten Island home, playing for Michael Bradley, his national team future and more. Skip the ads! Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon and get all episodes ad-free, plus bonus episodes. Patrons at $5 a month or more also get access to Clip Notes, a video of key moments on the field we discuss on the show: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed Check out our store, where you can get Scuffed hats and sweatshirts and other stuff: scuffedpodcast.com/store Also, check out Boots on the Ground, our USWNT-focused spinoff podcast headed up by Tara and Vince. They are cooking over there, you can listen here: https://boots-on-the-ground.simplecast.com And check out our MERCH, baby. We have better stuff than you might think: https://www.scuffedpodcast.com/store Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
1 hr 19 min
He was head coach at West Virginia University for 14 seasons, coached the Philadelphia Union II from its 2022 debut in MLS Next Pro through 2024, coached the U18 USMNT for a year, his son is a legitimate prospect who was signed by Philly, and now LeBlanc’s navigating Brooklyn FC through its expansion season in USL. He talked about his impressions from the World Cup, Spain’s dominance AGAINST the ball, only having 13 players on his USL roster days ahead of the season, and lots more, including the Sullivan family, American soccer coaching education, Wyscout and Fotmob. Skip the ads! Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon and get all episodes ad-free, plus bonus episodes. Patrons at $5 a month or more also get access to Clip Notes, a video of key moments on the field we discuss on the show: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed Check out our store, where you can get Scuffed hats and sweatshirts and other stuff: scuffedpodcast.com/store Also, check out Boots on the Ground, our USWNT-focused spinoff podcast headed up by Tara and Vince. They are cooking over there, you can listen here: https://boots-on-the-ground.simplecast.com And check out our MERCH, baby. We have better stuff than you might think: https://www.scuffedpodcast.com/store Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
1 hr 37 min
Vince, Sanjay and Marcus Chairez start off with the Union v Red Bull match, and work through a lot of the boxes the USMNT needs to check over the next four years. You know how it is. Let's get started now. Skip the ads! Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon and get all episodes ad-free, plus bonus episodes. Patrons at $5 a month or more also get access to Clip Notes, a video of key moments on the field we discuss on the show: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed Check out our store, where you can get Scuffed hats and sweatshirts and other stuff: scuffedpodcast.com/store Also, check out Boots on the Ground, our USWNT-focused spinoff podcast headed up by Tara and Vince. They are cooking over there, you can listen here: https://boots-on-the-ground.simplecast.com And check out our MERCH, baby. We have better stuff than you might think: https://www.scuffedpodcast.com/store Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
1 hr 23 min
Some exploration of what Spain's triumph means, who the US should emulate, rumination on by far the most-attended World Cup ever, Balogun to Klutch Sports, and a rundown of what's coming for the USMNT. Vince, Sanjay and Belz on the mics. Skip the ads! Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon and get all episodes ad-free, plus bonus episodes. Patrons at $5 a month or more also get access to Clip Notes, a video of key moments on the field we discuss on the show: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed Check out our store, where you can get Scuffed hats and sweatshirts and other stuff: scuffedpodcast.com/store Also, check out Boots on the Ground, our USWNT-focused spinoff podcast headed up by Tara and Vince. They are cooking over there, you can listen here: https://boots-on-the-ground.simplecast.com And check out our MERCH, baby. We have better stuff than you might think: https://www.scuffedpodcast.com/store Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
30 min
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill sits down with Sanjay Sujanthakumar to talk about the impact of the World Cup, the final in East Rutherford on Sunday, prices, FIFA, etc. Skip the ads! Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon and get all episodes ad-free, plus bonus episodes. Patrons at $5 a month or more also get access to Clip Notes, a video of key moments on the field we discuss on the show: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed Check out our store, where you can get Scuffed hats and sweatshirts and other stuff: scuffedpodcast.com/store Also, check out Boots on the Ground, our USWNT-focused spinoff podcast headed up by Tara and Vince. They are cooking over there, you can listen here: https://boots-on-the-ground.simplecast.com And check out our MERCH, baby. We have better stuff than you might think: https://www.scuffedpodcast.com/store Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
1 hr 36 min
How much is Belgium flat-out superior to us, and how much did we wilt? How much is this World Cup gonna grow the game in America? Did the overturned Balo suspension actually hurt us? How are we gonna develop players who can win a men's World Cup some day? Pulisic's legacy blah blah blah Poch's future, etc. Sanjay's piece for the Guardian on development: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/23/usmnt-player-development-youth Colin Cowherd on the growth of soccer: https://x.com/TheHerd/status/2075639696852496842?s=20 Skip the ads! Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon and get all episodes ad-free, plus bonus episodes. Patrons at $5 a month or more also get access to Clip Notes, a video of key moments on the field we discuss on the show: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed Check out our store, where you can get Scuffed hats and sweatshirts and other stuff: scuffedpodcast.com/store Also, check out Boots on the Ground, our USWNT-focused spinoff podcast headed up by Tara and Vince. They are cooking over there, you can listen here: https://boots-on-the-ground.simplecast.com And check out our MERCH, baby. We have better stuff than you might think: https://www.scuffedpodcast.com/store Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
1 hr 32 min
We wilted in the first truly difficult match of our World Cup, and now we're out. Greg doesn't think this was inevitable, but also doesn't think it's down to tactics. The team turtled immediately against Belgium's quality, everyone got spooked and we were lucky to go to the half down only a goal. We found a little footing early in the 2nd half, and then Matt Freese sealed our fate. Skip the ads! Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon and get all episodes ad-free, plus bonus episodes. Patrons at $5 a month or more also get access to Clip Notes, a video of key moments on the field we discuss on the show: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed Check out our store, where you can get Scuffed hats and sweatshirts and other stuff: scuffedpodcast.com/store Also, check out Boots on the Ground, our USWNT-focused spinoff podcast headed up by Tara and Vince. They are cooking over there, you can listen here: https://boots-on-the-ground.simplecast.com And check out our MERCH, baby. We have better stuff than you might think: https://www.scuffedpodcast.com/store Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
51 min
Folarin Balogun gets an 11th-hour reprieve from FIFA's vaunted judicial system, he'll play against Belgium. Vince, Sanjay and Belz talk through that bombshell news, its impact on the game, and how we might stop Doku. Skip the ads! Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon and get all episodes ad-free, plus bonus episodes. Patrons at $5 a month or more also get access to Clip Notes, a video of key moments on the field we discuss on the show: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed Check out our store, where you can get Scuffed hats and sweatshirts and other stuff: scuffedpodcast.com/store Also, check out Boots on the Ground, our USWNT-focused spinoff podcast headed up by Tara and Vince. They are cooking over there, you can listen here: https://boots-on-the-ground.simplecast.com And check out our MERCH, baby. We have better stuff than you might think: https://www.scuffedpodcast.com/store Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
1 hr 28 min
Belz, Sanjay and Charlie Boehm recap the big win from Wednesday night. Full timeline, Malik and Wes once again shine bright, everybody's bought in, the TV audiences are massive. Now we look to Monday. Skip the ads! Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon and get all episodes ad-free, plus bonus episodes. Patrons at $5 a month or more also get access to Clip Notes, a video of key moments on the field we discuss on the show: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed Check out our store, where you can get Scuffed hats and sweatshirts and other stuff: scuffedpodcast.com/store Also, check out Boots on the Ground, our USWNT-focused spinoff podcast headed up by Tara and Vince. They are cooking over there, you can listen here: https://boots-on-the-ground.simplecast.com And check out our MERCH, baby. We have better stuff than you might think: https://www.scuffedpodcast.com/store Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
55 min
Mike Guardabascio in southern California, of the Jenkins and Jonez podcast and one of the founders of of 562.org, joins Vince and Belz to talk about how the USMNT is hitting in Long Beach during this home-soil World Cup, what stands in the way of soccer becoming America's "thing," and other matters of that nature. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jenkins-jonez-podcast/id1018701693 https://www.the562.org/ Skip the ads! Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon and get all episodes ad-free, plus bonus episodes. Patrons at $5 a month or more also get access to Clip Notes, a video of key moments on the field we discuss on the show: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed Check out our store, where you can get Scuffed hats and sweatshirts and other stuff: scuffedpodcast.com/store Also, check out Boots on the Ground, our USWNT-focused spinoff podcast headed up by Tara and Vince. They are cooking over there, you can listen here: https://boots-on-the-ground.simplecast.com And check out our MERCH, baby. We have better stuff than you might think: https://www.scuffedpodcast.com/store Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
1 hr 50 min
Vince and Belz recap the dead rubber, buzzer beater loss to Türkiye, and Sanjay comes on for the last 20 minutes to talk about what Poch said after the game. Clip Notes for patrons: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed/posts/clipnotes-wc-162197059?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_fan&utm_content=web_share Skip the ads! Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon and get all episodes ad-free, plus bonus episodes. Patrons at $5 a month or more also get access to Clip Notes, a video of key moments on the field we discuss on the show: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed Check out our store, where you can get Scuffed hats and sweatshirts and other stuff: scuffedpodcast.com/store Also, check out Boots on the Ground, our USWNT-focused spinoff podcast headed up by Tara and Vince. They are cooking over there, you can listen here: https://boots-on-the-ground.simplecast.com And check out our MERCH, baby. We have better stuff than you might think: https://www.scuffedpodcast.com/store Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
18 min
World Cup standout Sergiño Dest joins Sanjay and Charlie from USMNT camp in Orange County, Calif., for a brief chat. Skip the ads! Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon and get all episodes ad-free, plus bonus episodes. Patrons at $5 a month or more also get access to Clip Notes, a video of key moments on the field we discuss on the show: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed Check out our store, where you can get Scuffed hats and sweatshirts and other stuff: scuffedpodcast.com/store Also, check out Boots on the Ground, our USWNT-focused spinoff podcast headed up by Tara and Vince. They are cooking over there, you can listen here: https://boots-on-the-ground.simplecast.com And check out our MERCH, baby. We have better stuff than you might think: https://www.scuffedpodcast.com/store Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
1 hr 29 min
Velasquez and Belz recap the 2-0 win in Seattle. A vibesy, workmanlike victory. Without Pulisic, and with an off night from Balo, we still got a comfortable win, a "Country Roads" serenade, and thanks to Turkiye's loss to Paraguay, we've won the group. Skip the ads! Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon and get all episodes ad-free, plus bonus episodes. Patrons at $5 a month or more also get access to Clip Notes, a video of key moments on the field we discuss on the show: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed Check out our store, where you can get Scuffed hats and sweatshirts and other stuff: scuffedpodcast.com/store Also, check out Boots on the Ground, our USWNT-focused spinoff podcast headed up by Tara and Vince. They are cooking over there, you can listen here: https://boots-on-the-ground.simplecast.com And check out our MERCH, baby. We have better stuff than you might think: https://www.scuffedpodcast.com/store Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
1 hr 1 min
Vince and Belz are joined by Andrew Jones, the New York-based sports reporter who writes for several outlets and covers the USMNT (and USWNT) faithfully, often providing the best moments in press conferences with his questions. We talk about the cultural impact of the World Cup, the songs, his approach to asking players questions, how people are feeling about the USMNT, things like that. Follow Mr. Jones on X: https://x.com/sluggahjells Skip the ads! Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon and get all episodes ad-free, plus bonus episodes. Patrons at $5 a month or more also get access to Clip Notes, a video of key moments on the field we discuss on the show: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed Check out our store, where you can get Scuffed hats and sweatshirts and other stuff: scuffedpodcast.com/store Also, check out Boots on the Ground, our USWNT-focused spinoff podcast headed up by Tara and Vince. They are cooking over there, you can listen here: https://boots-on-the-ground.simplecast.com And check out our MERCH, baby. We have better stuff than you might think: https://www.scuffedpodcast.com/store Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
1 hr 32 min
We have a squad! Full recap and timeline of the 4-1 drubbing we dished out against Paraguay, a quite solid Conmebol team. Belz and Velasquez revel in it all and look ahead to Australia. Pickup: 6/18, at noon, at Lower Woodland Soccer Field #2 Night before: 6p-10pm, Media Mixer hosted by Sounder at Heart, Project 9 brewing, 1409 NE 80th St. RSVP here: https://partiful.com/e/BY6NPWAb0JVUagYN2q4y?c=sF2c_4mR Pre/Post match @ Fast Fashion brewing, 1723 1st ave s. Doors open at 8am sharp, 1723 1st Ave S Skip the ads! Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon and get all episodes ad-free, plus bonus episodes. Patrons at $5 a month or more also get access to Clip Notes, a video of key moments on the field we discuss on the show: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed Check out our store, where you can get Scuffed hats and sweatshirts and other stuff: scuffedpodcast.com/store Also, check out Boots on the Ground, our USWNT-focused spinoff podcast headed up by Tara and Vince. They are cooking over there, you can listen here: https://boots-on-the-ground.simplecast.com And check out our MERCH, baby. We have better stuff than you might think: https://www.scuffedpodcast.com/store Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
40 min
Hard to see anybody beating us, just real difficult to see that happening right now. What a night. This is the first part of our coast-to-coast call-in show after the 4-1 win over Paraguay. For the full episode, join the Patreon. We will record a proper recap on Monday. Skip the ads! Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon and get all episodes ad-free, plus bonus episodes. Patrons at $5 a month or more also get access to Clip Notes, a video of key moments on the field we discuss on the show: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed Check out our store, where you can get Scuffed hats and sweatshirts and other stuff: scuffedpodcast.com/store Also, check out Boots on the Ground, our USWNT-focused spinoff podcast headed up by Tara and Vince. They are cooking over there, you can listen here: https://boots-on-the-ground.simplecast.com And check out our MERCH, baby. We have better stuff than you might think: https://www.scuffedpodcast.com/store Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
1 hr 27 min
Sure, we lost. But what should we worry about headed into the World Cup? And what should give us confidence? Greg V joins to break it all down. Details about next week Media Mixer hosted by Sounder at Heart at Project 9 in Seattle, evening of Thursday, June 18: https://partiful.com/e/BY6NPWAb0JVUagYN2q4y?c=sF2c_4mR Matchday bash at Fast Fashion, 1723 1st Ave S, Seattle, doors open at 8 a.m. local time. Hosted by Scuffed and Sounder at Heart. Oh and check out the World Cup edition of Sounder at Heart's magazine: https://sounderatheart.bigcartel.com/product/iv-world-cup-edition Skip the ads! Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon and get all episodes ad-free, plus bonus episodes. Patrons at $5 a month or more also get access to Clip Notes, a video of key moments on the field we discuss on the show: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed Check out our store, where you can get Scuffed hats and sweatshirts and other stuff: scuffedpodcast.com/store Also, check out Boots on the Ground, our USWNT-focused spinoff podcast headed up by Tara and Vince. They are cooking over there, you can listen here: https://boots-on-the-ground.simplecast.com And check out our MERCH, baby. We have better stuff than you might think: https://www.scuffedpodcast.com/store Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
44 min
Seven or eight things you might want to know about this team and its chances at the World Cup, which kicks off later this week. Sanjay Sujanthakumar, Vince Irvin, and Adam Belz on the mics. Details about next week: Media Mixer hosted by Sounder at Heart at Project 9 in Seattle, evening of Thursday, June 18: https://partiful.com/e/BY6NPWAb0JVUagYN2q4y?c=sF2c_4mR Matchday bash at Fast Fashion, 1723 1st Ave S, Seattle, doors open at 8 a.m. local time. Hosted by Scuffed and Sounder at Heart. Oh and check out the World Cup edition of Sounder at Heart's magazine: https://sounderatheart.bigcartel.com/product/iv-world-cup-edition Skip the ads! Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon and get all episodes ad-free, plus bonus episodes. Patrons at $5 a month or more also get access to Clip Notes, a video of key moments on the field we discuss on the show: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed Check out our store, where you can get Scuffed hats and sweatshirts and other stuff: scuffedpodcast.com/store Also, check out Boots on the Ground, our USWNT-focused spinoff podcast headed up by Tara and Vince. They are cooking over there, you can listen here: https://boots-on-the-ground.simplecast.com And check out our MERCH, baby. We have better stuff than you might think: https://www.scuffedpodcast.com/store Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
1 hr 37 min
Vince and Belz go for 90+ minutes on the cathartic victory in Charlotte. Brilliance in the attack from us, some of our centerback candidates were less than brilliant, Dest is a winger, Pepi integral in both first half goals, Tillman provides a moment of transcendence, it's on to Germany. Skip the ads! Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon and get all episodes ad-free, plus bonus episodes. Patrons at $5 a month or more also get access to Clip Notes, a video of key moments on the field we discuss on the show: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed Check out our store, where you can get Scuffed hats and sweatshirts and other stuff: scuffedpodcast.com/store Also, check out Boots on the Ground, our USWNT-focused spinoff podcast headed up by Tara and Vince. They are cooking over there, you can listen here: https://boots-on-the-ground.simplecast.com And check out our MERCH, baby. We have better stuff than you might think: https://www.scuffedpodcast.com/store Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.