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Soccerwise Minutes

Soccerwise Minutes

October 2, 2026

Another massive game for the USMNT is in the books, but things only get harder from here with Mexico up next. Plus, we’ve got a USWNT roster drop for a huge two-game series against World Cup champs Spain. Let’s get you caught up.

📰 Headlines:

🇺🇲 The Youth Movement leads the USMNT to a win over Chile

The fun continued for the USMNT on Tuesday night in St. Louis. There were goals, there were fights, and there was another win - 4-2 against Chile. It was almost a whole new squad to start this game, with Gio Reyna the only player back in the lineup from their win against Peru. 

Much like the previous match, the US punched first before Chile punched back twice, and the USMNT’s attack was on display once again. Sebastian Berhalter is a man on a mission, now with four goal contributions (2 goals, 2 assists) in his last two games. The midfielder opened the scoring for the USMNT in the 37th minute.

But it was the play of 18-year-old Red Bull New York starlet Julian Hall that stole the show. First with a sublime dummy to set up Berhalter and then some magic of his own to pull the USMNT level at 2-2 in the 51st minute. And man, oh man, does it feel good to see Gio Reyna starring again; that cross was pure class.

Definitely some questions about the goalkeeper and center-back position in this match, and on a night that Tim Ream announced his retirement from international soccer before the game. But in his honor, Chris Richards provided the game-winner in the 72nd minute before Mathis Albert became the youngest goal scorer in USMNT history at 17 years and 131 days with a 90th-minute finish.

A couple of firsts: A first cap for standout Nashville goalkeeper Brian Schwake, and Antonee Robinson wore the captain’s armband for the first time. And another group of young guns got their first starts for the USMNT: Chris Brady, Hall, Adri Mehmeti, Neil Pierre, Brooklyn Raines and Frankie Westfield. Onward and upwards, bring on CONCACAF! 

Want to hear more? David Gass, Walker Zimmerman and Vanni Sartini break it all down in this week’s US Soccerwise.

Ashley Sanchez is on fire — is this her chance to woo Emma Hayes?

By: Cat Bush


Ashley Sanchez is in her prime. The 27-year-old attacking midfielder scored her 20th goal of the season against the Utah Royals on Sunday, tying Temwa Chawinga’s record for most goals scored in a season. If Sanchez nets one more, she’ll have the title of best goalscoring season in NWSL history — though in more games than Chawinga’s record. Half of those goals have come in her last 10 games, with five in her last four. It’s been an incredible run of form for a player who has never before eclipsed five goals in a regular season, and who only registered two strikes last season for the Courage. 

The difference this year has been clear with her confidence in front of goal; Sanchez has been clinical. She has far exceeded her xG in what is likely an unsustainable overperformance but makes for great soccer watching. Despite that improbable run of form in front of goal, the underlying data agrees that Sanchez is having the best season of her career — according to American Soccer Analysis, her goals added, a measure of the value she adds through her on-ball actions, ranks third among players in the NWSL with more than 2,000 minutes played. That, too, has been a key part of her success: consistency. Where others have struggled with injury and absences, Sanchez ranks as one of the top players on the Courage in minutes played. 

This brings us to now, where Sanchez isn’t just starring for the Courage; she’s also been given the opportunity to contribute to the national team. Since watching the 2023 World Cup from the bench, Sanchez’s role in the USWNT has been at times nonexistent. Emma Hayes took notice of her standout season and handed her the callup, however, her first summons in nearly two years. Sanchez joins a team in flux, with an aging Rose Lavelle as the main creative midfielder, and Olivia Moultrie now out through injury. 

Sanchez’s ability to play the 10 and score goals off the wing will be indispensable for Hayes, who has been without a true goalscorer of late. Heading into back-to-back matches against Spain, Sanchez’s hot streak will be tested, but if there was ever an opportunity to cement herself as a potential part of Hayes’ plans heading into next summer, it would be now. This is Sanchez’s chance to make her mark. Will the success she’s seen in the NWSL this season translate to playing against one of the best teams in the world? We’re about to find out.

📺 Weekend Watchlist:

Without stating the obvious here, USMNT vs. Mexico is without a doubt the game of the weekend; we don’t have to sell you on that. Tune in on Saturday at 10 p.m. ET on TNT. But if you still need to get your soccer fix, here are some other games you might want to check out.

Seattle Reign vs. North Carolina Courage, NWSL (Fri., Oct. 2, 10 p.m. ET, NWSL+): This game has all the storylines. Just one point separates 8th-place Seattle and 9th-place North Carolina in the table; the winner of this game is likely in poll position for the final playoff spot. Sanchez is chasing historic goal #21 and a special send-off match for Jess Fishlock, an NWSL original who is retiring at the end of the season.

Gotham FC vs. Angel City FC, NWSL (Sun, Oct. 4, 1 p.m. ET, ABC): The reigning champs welcome a surging Angel City squad to Sports Illustrated Stadium. Gotham hasn’t lost at home since March, and Rose Lavelle and company can clinch a home playoff game with a win, but Angel City is flying high, looking for a fifth straight road win to keep climbing.

Hartford Athletic vs. Louisville City FC, USL Championship (Sun., Oct. 4, 3 p.m. ET, ESPN2): Everyone loves a Cup final. The USL Cup will crown the USL Championship’s in-season tournament, with Hartford hosting and looking to hoist the cup for a second straight season. Standing in their way is arguably one of the most successful clubs in USL history in Louisville, looking to add a fifth major trophy to its case.

🥅 Goal of the Midweek:

If you missed this one, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen someone shoot, let alone score, from this distance. Wild!

📖 Where the Soccer Rabbit Holes Took Us:

Each week, the Kickback team scours the internet to make sure you don’t miss the best stories happening in soccer whether on or off the field. As always, you never know what you might find.

We all know about this group of teenagers, but they aren’t the first. Check out this story from Pablo Maurer at The Guardian about the first trio of teens to play for the USMNT in 1991.

  • Soccerwise: David Gass and your Kickback family have you covered all things MLS, NWSL and U.S. Soccer.
  • First Touch: Your American home for the global game. Join us every week for First Touch Dispatch and First Touch Weekly with Susannah Fuller for the stories and conversations shaping soccer around the world.
  • Tom Bogert, The Athletic: No one better to keep you up-to-date on all of the silly season news from MLS!
  • Tactics Free Zone: Matt Doyle is your go-to analyst for all MLS action.
  • Happy Foot, Sad Foot is your go-to podcast for LAFC. Check out their weekly pod and some pretty sweet merch. 
  • Out West, San Diego Futbol has you covered for all things San Diego FC. San Diego’s #1 source for all things soccer.
  • Five Stripe Final has your coverage of Atlanta United. Check out their Substack and listen to their podcast to keep up to date.
  • And for our friends on the East Coast, The Blazing Musket covers soccer across New England, from the Revs to Legacy and a whole lot of love for the USL.
  • SixOneFive Soccer has you covered as they continue to recap Nashville’s historic run. The Music City men are headed to Toronto midweek, and they have you covered.
  • Check out Sounder at Heart as they provide all the coverage for the Boys in Rave Green, keeping you up-to-date as Seattle looks to make a playoff push.
  • TopBin90 is your main source for Charlotte FC and beyond. Also, with college soccer season now in full swing, they can keep you up to date with College Soccer News.



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Jamie Larson
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