Joseph Lowery
@joeclowery.bsky.social
7.8K followers 330 following 1K posts
⚽️ @backheeled.com 🖊️ ESPN, The Guardian, The Athletic 🎙️ TV analyst for Phoenix Rising FC 🗣️ Total Soccer Show
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Reposted by Joseph Lowery
I've got a slew of USMNT thoughts on today's @totalsoccershow.bsky.social 🇺🇸 🇦🇺

From Sands skepticism to pondering if we'll see McKennie as a No. 8 again to being reminded just how far ahead of the right back pack Dest finds himself, there was plenty to discuss.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm2D...
Why the USA's win over Australia was encouraging
YouTube video by Total Soccer Show
www.youtube.com
🇺🇸 2-1 🇦🇺, full-time thoughts:

▪️ Poch sees McKennie as a No. 10
▪️ Weah offers next-to-nothing on the left wing
▪️ Sands can’t progress the ball and probably shouldn't have a place in this team
▪️ Roldan played the best ball of all four CMs in this window
Reposted by Joseph Lowery
So much good stuff from so many players in such a quickly-developing sequence for the leveler.

Richards' read to step is superb. Roldan calm in traffic, then clever to see the vertical seam + exploit it. Wright snaps from seemingly disinterested to in on goal in, what, 3-4 steps?

Speed of thought📈
It really is a 3-4-3 in attack and defense tonight for the USMNT.

Notably, Poch has used that setup twice. Both times, it's been against teams that also play a 3-4-3.

Once against Japan and then again tonight.
let’s try this again after Friday…

big day for those of us who've been in the "tim weah at wingback" trenches
Reposted by Joseph Lowery
Big episode of MLS Update on @totalsoccershow.bsky.social!

@joeclowery.bsky.social and I debated the major end-of-year awards (MVP, Defender, Goalkeeper, Coach, Young Player, Newcomer) in a draft format. Plus, a bit more on last week's career update.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yk1...
Does Messi really deserve the MVP award?
YouTube video by Total Soccer Show
www.youtube.com
Reposted by Joseph Lowery
🏆 Picking our MLS end-of-season awards!

🥇 Who should really win MVP?

🔝 Coach of the Year, Young Player of the Year & more!

Listen to 𝐌𝐋𝐒 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 with @jeffrueter.bsky.social, @joeclowery.bsky.social, and Taylor! 👇
Should Messi really win MVP? Coach of the Year, top young player & more award picks | MLS Update
open.spotify.com
listen to find out which extremely handsome co-host takes home the title
For the first time, Malik Tillman looked like that dude for the USMNT vs. Ecuador 🇺🇸

Spent lots of time on Tillman + Pochettino's tactical setup (which was virtually the same as the one he's used in most every game) on the @totalsoccershow.bsky.social.

Listen ⤵️
open.spotify.com/episode/2WFi...
USMNT vs. Ecuador review: Weston McKennie's return, Malik Tillman's breakout & more
open.spotify.com
big day for those of us who've been in the "tim weah at right wingback" trenches
Reposted by Joseph Lowery
Some personal news: today is my final day at The Athletic, ending a 6+ year tenure on its staff.

Immensely fortunate to have covered this sport alongside some of the finest writers and editors in the industry. Will keep you posted as I figure out what’s next for my work!
Not much to be taken from that 7-0, IMO, given that Carnell rotated several dudes ahead of their midweek Open Cup game.

I'm super high on Vancouver and we both have and will talk about them a ton before the year is out.
Reposted by Joseph Lowery
🗣️ @joeclowery.bsky.social: "Can he deliver for the US? Is he going to emerge as the other starter across from Pulisic?"

Can Malik Tillman be the USMNT's 'Other Guy'? 🇺🇸
Reposted by Joseph Lowery
It's the final MLS In-Depth Power Rankings of the season!

All year long, @benwright.bsky.social and I have been diving into every MLS team, every week.

On Eric Ramsay's tactical shift, Ryan Gauld being up to his old tricks, Portland Timbers' problems & more ⤵️
www.backheeled.com/mls-in-depth...
MLS In-Depth Power Rankings: Minnesota United's tactics, two legends retire & more
In a twist on a classic, we’re not just ranking all 30 MLS teams. We’re analyzing them, too.
www.backheeled.com
if this is the salary reguilon is getting from inter miami and he ends up as a DP, i take it all back
bsky.app/profile/fabr...
🚨🇺🇸 More on Sergio Reguilón and Inter Miami exclusive story revealed last week. Despite proposals from La Liga clubs and Iran side Persepolis offering salary close to €4m net per season… …Reguilón told his agent that he only wants Inter Miami. Talks are already advanced 🏁
Image uploaded from tweet Image uploaded from tweet
Nagbe goes down as an absolute legend of the U.S. game.

I'll miss watching him, though maybe not quite as much as Diego Valeri, who said this of the four-time MLS Cup winner:

"If I ever have grandchildren and they ask about soccer in the United States, I will tell them that I played with him."
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