Folarin Balogun of USA reacts to the loss after the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match between USA and Belgium at Lumen Field Seattle, Washington, on July 6, 2026.
(Ercin Erturk / Anadolu via Getty Images)
This week we speak to sports journalist and author Leander Schaerlaeckens. He has covered the US Men’s National team at four World Cups and is the author of the terrific new book The Long Game U.S. Men’s Soccer and Its Savage, Four-Decade Journey to the Top, or Thereabouts.
We also talk to Dr. Vincent Intondi, executive director of Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility, about how the organization is using the World Cup to reach people politically.
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