Welcome back to Footy Fix — your weekly hit of soccer news that actually matters on this side of the pond. Here’s what we’re diving into this week:
Matt Crocker on what he’s implementing for youth soccer in the U.S.
Columbus Crew owner Jimmy Haslam on MLS.
Eric Wynalda calls out American soccer culture.
Brandon Vazquez wants to make the World Cup roster.
Jurgen Klopp on problems with American youth soccer.
Jonathan Klinsmann speaks on being part of September camp.
Big names. Big opinions. And maybe — just maybe — a glimpse at whether U.S. soccer is finally ready to fix its youth problem. Let’s jump in.
“Winning is absolutely important. But it’s the winning mentality. What it’s not is win at all cost mentality. There’s a difference.”
Matt Crocker on What He’s Implementing for Youth Soccer
U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker recently said that he is implementing winning mentality, not win at all cost mentality. That means he is putting development first and making sure kids play with the philosophy they set out, instead of only choosing bigger and stronger kids to win youth tournament.
Our take on the situation: This has been a problem in American youth soccer for a long time. Youth coaches do whatever it takes to win games, instead of developing players. It’s good to see Crocker focusing on the development part and let technical players flourish.
“We Still Have a Long Way to Go."
Columbus Crew Owner Jimmy Haslam on MLS
Jimmy Haslam owns both Columbus Crew in MLS and Cleveland Browns in the NFL. He compared the massive contract difference between the two teams to show how far behind MLS still is, and it must improve a lot to make people watch. He also said promotion and relegation could be a possibility.
Our take on the situation: Haslam is spot on. MLS is growing, but still has a long way to go to compete with top leagues in the world. He is right about doing something different to change things up and speed up the growth process. Let’s see what happens after the 2026 World Cup.
“We’re Still Learning How to Do It.”
Eric Wynalda Calls Out the American Soccer Culture
Eric Wynalda doesn’t shy away from speaking his mind. He sees a lot of things wrong with American soccer, like not having the right calendar, not having promotion and relegation, not having a lot of pathways for players, and etc. He also calls out people who are just in it to make money.
Our take on the situation: It’s good to have someone like Wynalda speaking out. American soccer culture has a long way to go. Maybe the 2026 World Cup and the explosion in popularity of the sport will change that.
“It’s Been the Driving Force."
Brandon Vazquez Wants to Make the World Cup Roster
Brandon Vazquez tore his ACL in July. But he will be back fit a couple of months before the World Cup, and he wants to make the roster. He admitted that it’s been the driving force on his road to recovery, and he thinks about that every day.
Our take on the situation: Vazquez had a great spell at Cincinnati, and it looked like he was going to compete for a spot in the USMNT. Unfortunately, his move to Mexico didn’t work out. Now back in MLS, let’s see if he can impress Mauricio Pochettino.
Is Youth Soccer Too Expensive in the U.S.?
Jurgen Klopp on Problems with American Youth Soccer
Jurgen Klopp is now head of global soccer for the Red Bull group, which includes oversight of the New York Red Bulls in MLS. He’s seen how youth soccer works in the U.S. and he’s called it out for being too expensive. He gave an example that most top players around the world didn’t come from rich families.
Our take on the situation: Klopp is absolutely spot on. A lot of kids from poorer backgrounds can’t afford to play soccer, which is making the U.S. lose out on top prospects every year. This is a complex problems that will need to be fixed if the U.S. ever wants to achieve success in the sport.
Give Your Best So You Won’t Have Any Regrets
Jonathan Klinsmann Speaks on Being Part of September Camp
Jonathan Klinsmann, son of Jurgen Klinsmann, got his second ever call-up to the USMNT in September. He acknowledges that whether he goes to the World Cup or not is not entirely up to him, but the least he can do is give his best in the camp to impress the coaches.
Our take on the situation: Currently playing in Serie B, it will be hard to see Klinsmann in the USMNT squad heading to the World Cup. But with the goalkeeping situation still unclear, who knows what can happen. He’s not in the squad for this month, but he might return next month.
Enjoying Footy Fix? Tell Your Friends!
That’s it for this week’s Footy Fix. U.S. soccer’s got no shortage of voices, but change only happens if fans like us keep the conversation alive. So if you’re vibing with this newsletter, don’t hoard it like a collector’s item — pass it on. Send it to your group chat, your coach, your teammate, or that one friend who swears they “don’t watch MLS.”
The World Cup’s coming fast, and the culture we build now is what the world will see in 2026. Let’s make sure it’s worth watching.
See ya’ll next week!