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Scuffed | USMNT, World Cup, Yanks Abroad, futbol in America

Adam Belz and Greg Velasquez
World Cup
US Men's National Team
Soccer
U.S. Men's National Team
Mauricio Pochettino
Christian Pulisic
MLS
USMNT
Gold Cup
Gio Reyna
Copa America
Tyler Adams
US Women's National Team
Youth Soccer
US Soccer
Olympics
Weston Mckennie
Emma Hayes
Malik Tillman
US Men's National Soccer Team

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.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes600Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
SportsSoccer

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Scuffed

Latest Episodes

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.

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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.

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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.

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• 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 ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Mike Guardabascio
Host of Jenkins and Jones and head of the562.org
the562.org
Episode: #705: A casual fan's take on the impact of the World Cup
Sanjay Sujatha Kumar
Sanjay contributes postgame analysis and interviews as part of Patreon segments
Episode: #704: USA v Türkiye recap
Sergiño Dest
Professional soccer player for the USMNT; discussed position evolution and World Cup experience
US Men's National Team
Episode: #703: Sergiño Dest joins the pod
Andrew Jones
USMNT beat reporter
USMNT/US Soccer media relations
Episode: #701: Long-time freelance USMNT beat reporter Andrew Jones
JT Batson
CEO and Secretary General of US Soccer
US Soccer
Episode: #692: J.T. Batson joins the pod
Anees Merzi
Founder of 703 Warriors; West Point graduate; military veteran
703 Warriors
Episode: #687: The science of quality, accessible youth soccer with Anees Merzi
Wolfgang Heilmann
Head of the International Borussia Monchengladbach Academy
Borussia Monchengladbach
Episode: #684: Chatting youth soccer with the head of Gladbach's international academy
Adam Elder
Author and writer/editor who authored New Kids in the World Cup (2022)
Author of New Kids in the World Cup
Episode: #683: The 1990 World Cup team with author Adam Elder
Ricardo Pepi
USMNT striker, PSV forward
PSV Eindhoven
Episode: #678: Ricardo Pepi joins the pod

Hosts

Vince
Host of the show and regular co-host.
Adam Belz
Co-host, analyst, covers USMNT and broader US soccer topics.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.5k ratings
  • The only futbol podcast we need

    I subscribed to a bunch of soccer podcasts in the lead up to World Cup 2026 and now that it’s over, this is the only one I won’t unsubscribe to. I particularly like the match breakdowns after each game, and will count on this podcast to keep me in touch until soccer begins again in 2030.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Johnny Box 68
    Japan20 days ago
  • Sad Bandwagoner

    Found yall after first group stage match when i couldn’t get any meaningful analysis from mainstream media. Been a USMNT fan for several decades, but admittedly just a hair above the casual fan. Kept tuning in to make sure i wasnt crazy when i was getting pounded by hot takes from super casual fans in my inner circle. Great analysis and interesting shows. Not a discord kinda fan, but if yall give me a way to donate to just the extra podcasts i am in even though usmnt is out. Questioning why Puli... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rusty Shackleford
    United States22 days ago
  • The best

    Such a great podcast! I look forward to international breaks just so I can listen!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    GB__Lee
    United States8 months ago
  • Nuanced and Thorough

    The most objective, nuanced, and thorough analysis of the USMNT available. Their work on grassroots and youth development is commendable and provides concrete ways to push the game forward in your community.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CPinMT
    United States10 months ago
  • The Definitive USMNT Podcast and Community

    Easily the best show for following and understanding the emotional roller coaster that is supporting the USMNT. Scuffed covers all the angles: lineup and player analysis, game recaps, drama, culture, and the status of the game in America. Adam, Vince, Greg, and Chris are plugged into it all so you don’t have to be and cover it with aplomb.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nathanhoward44
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Production quality and consistent vibe are repeatedly highlighted as strengths.
Many appreciate the blend of tactical depth with accessible storytelling.
Guests and hosts are described as insightful, with strong US soccer coverage across both men's and women's game.
Listeners praise nuanced, thorough analysis and real-world relevance for US soccer.
Some feedback notes controversy or strong opinions, but overall positive engagement and community.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#33
United States/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#209
Canada/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#125
Singapore/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#141
China/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#163
Saudi Arabia/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#175
South Korea/Sports/Soccer

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#705: A casual fan's take on the impact of the World Cup
Q: Is this team capturing hearts and minds?
Mike describes growing excitement among casual fans, high viewership, and tangible fan experiences at home games, suggesting the World Cup run is helping convert casual followers into more invested fans, even if expectations and reactions vary.
#689: Leander's back to talk WC run-up, roster cuts
Q: What will people learn from your book about the Donovan roster decision?
The guest explains that the Donovan cut was a surprising, widely-criticized move that reflected deeper tensions and decisions within the federation, illustrating how leadership choices can have outsized effects on a team's World Cup trajectory.
#684: Chatting youth soccer with the head of Gladbach's international academy
Q: What was the process like with Joe Scally, who made the move from MLS?
Scouted him early for his potential, saw quality in him playing for NYCFC's first team, and brought him into the academy path where he continued to develop and eventually became a first-team regular; the move reflected the academy's philosophy of identifying talent early and integrating them into their system.
#673: Bruce Arena joins the pod
Q: What are your thoughts on homegrown territories and the balance between local clubs and opportunities for players?
He argues competition is good and that restricting movements too tightly would not be fair; players should have options to choose where they play, which benefits development.
#673: Bruce Arena joins the pod
Q: What do you think is easier about the national team setup given the limited time with players compared to a club?
Arena explains there is nothing easy; the main advantage is the higher quality of players in some top environments, but coordination and cohesion remain challenging due to limited camp time.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Scuffed

What is Scuffed about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show provides in-depth analysis of the USMNT, World Cup prospects, and the broader American soccer ecosystem, with a consistent emphasis on development pathways, domestic growth, and the club-to-national-team pipeline. Episodes typically feature roster scrutiny, youth‑development discussions, and behind‑the‑scenes storytelling about governance, funding, and partnerships that push the sport forward in the United States. A notable strength is blending rigorous tactical talk with accessible storytelling and candid banter, often drawing on guest perspectives from federation leadership, journalists, and youth programs to illuminate how grassroots and elite levels connect. This mix makes it especially useful for listeners who want actionable ... more

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How many episodes of Scuffed are there?

Scuffed launched 8 years ago and published 600 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Scuffed?

Recent guests on Scuffed include:

1. Mike Guardabascio
2. Sanjay Sujatha Kumar
3. Sergiño Dest
4. Andrew Jones
5. JT Batson
6. Anees Merzi
7. Wolfgang Heilmann
8. Adam Elder

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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