Minutes from the Committee Meeting

October 10, 2025 — Committee Meeting # 11

Thanks for enjoying Kickback Minutes! This is Kickback’s weekly quick hits on all things soccer in the U.S. Our World Cup newsletter, First Touch ‘26, is issued every Wednesday!

Agenda Items 📋:

• The 2025 MLS regular season rounded into shape as Philadelphia Union clinched the regular season title, the Supporter Shield. The achievement is the second by the Union, previously winning in the 2020 Covid-shortened season. 
• With the Union’s celebration firmly in the rearview mirror, we’re focused on a three way Golden Boot race (Bouanga, Messi, and Surridge) and Rocky Mountain rivals Real Salt Lake and Colorado battling for the last Western Conference playoff spot.
• The US Under-20’s men’s team routed Italy in the World Cup Round of 16, with central midfielder Benja Cremaschi scoring another two goals.. Yes, they deserved the result, as they did in their 3-0 win over France. Head Coach Mark Mitrovic’s seems a genuine threat to best the highest finish ever (4th place) of a U.S. male team at a FIFA World Cup.
• The NWSL is also approaching its own decision day. With three matches left, Racing Louisville’s victory over North Carolina Courage creates a small gap at the playoff line, and sees a San Diego Wave side winless in the past seventh suddenly in threat of dropping out.
• Many of the headlines this week for the NWSL were off the pitch, as Houston Dash seem poised to sell to a Chinese investor at RHC Group (approvals are still needed to complete the sale). Elsewhere, Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams announced his own investment into NWSL expansion franchise Boston Legacy, who will debut in 2025.

Approvals ✅:

Best Bluesky Post: We may need these 2000 words from our good friend Matt Doyle.

Matches To Watch This Weekend:

U.S. U20’s vs. Morocco U20’s, U20 World CUp (October 12th, 4:00 PM ET, Fox Sports): A fantastically cohesive backline. Enigmatic exchanges between a false nine, falsebacks, and forward charging midfielders. This U.S. U20 team is incredibly balanced, intelligent, and dangerous. Morocco? Yeah, them too. This should be fun.

KC Current vs. Gotham FC, NWSL (October 12th, 5:00 PM ET, ion): KC hasn’t lost since the Eisenhower administration, and Gotham is on a seven game unbeaten streak of their own. Will Gotham ride their attacking firepower, bolstered by Rose Lavelle’s return and Jaedyn Shaw’s addition, to a huge win and a potential third place playoff spot?

Seattle Sounders vs. Real Salt Lake, MLS (October 11th, 9:30 pm ET, Apple TV): The biggest outstanding question for Decision Day in MLS is which of the Rocky Mountain rivals, Real Salt Lake or Colorado, secure the last Western Conference playoff spot. Without Diego Luna or Zavier Gozo due to international duty, they’ll need new signings to step up and surprise the Sounders.

U.S. vs. Australia, International Friendly (October 14th, 9:00 pm ET, TNT/HBOMax): We covered the U.S. friendlies further in our First Touch World Cup newsletter, but their second match of the international window could be crucial for confidence if Pochettino’s squad doesn’t win on Friday.

Rhode Island vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies, USL (October 11th, 7:00 PM ET, ESPN+): A playoff line battle in the Championship Eastern Conference. Tampa is riding a coaching change into a charge up the table, and are mounting a challenge to Rhode Island, a 2024 finalist. For Tampa to squeeze in above the line, this is a must win.

Rhode Island vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies, USL Championship (October 11th, 7:00 PM ET, ESPN+): A playoff line battle in the Championship Eastern Conference. Tampa is riding a coaching change into a charge up the table, and are mounting a challenge to Rhode Island, a 2024 finalist. For Tampa to squeeze in above the line, this is a must win.

One Knoxville SC vs. Portland Hearts of Pine, USL League One (October 10th, 6:30 PM ET, ESPN+): It’s Maine week at Kickback, and we showed our love for Portland. That being said, you get the drill. We’re ride or die One Knox.

Level Up:

Each week the Committee approves the leveling up of a player who simply has taken that leap with their game. This week, it’s Philadelphia Union’s Frankie Westfield. 

It’s assuredly been a crazy few weeks for Frankie. The homegrown defender watched his Union lift the Supporter’s Shield from Chile, where he’s been arguably the U.S.’s most impressive player.

The right back’s highly enigmatic movement, fearless attitude, and resolute defending has both unbalanced defenses and stifled attacks across the three matches he’s featured, which they’ve won by a total of 15-1. After playing a pivotal role in the Union’s ascent to top of MLS in his first season, one can’t help but ask who is having a better 2025 than Frankie.

Allocate your points wisely, Frankie! 

Vibes Power Ranking:

Each week we will power rank the clubs, people, or whatever the hell we feel like for top five vibes in American soccer.

1. Marko Mitrovic: It’s not just that Head Coach Marko Mitrovic’s US U20’s are racking up results, it’s the way they seem so much more in control. At this point, Mitrovic has to be towards the top of any MLS Head Coaching search, and even a possible candidate to replace Poch after the World Cup.
2. Emma Sears: A brace, a likely playoff berth, and a brand new contract! Racing Louisville and USWNT attacker Emma Sears has even hopped into a tie for third place in the Golden Boot, and demanding some national respect.
3. Chester, PA: The only other time that Philadelphia Union lifted silverware, it was in front of a limited crowd during Covid. A team without big names, but featuring key pieces across the roster and in the front office. Enjoy it, Philly.
4. Kyle Edwards: The Hartford Athletic attacker has set a wild record in USL with his eighth goal off the bench on the season. Hartford has been a must watch in USL this year, and Cardiac Kyle (we’re gonna make this a thing) is a big reason why.
5. Niko Tsakiris: 

Susannah “Cup Should Always Be” Fuller’s Cocktail Recipe of the Week:

Our Committee Chair Susannah is a true mixologist, but every mixologist sometimes needs to keep it simple. Her answer? A Kalimotxo. 

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Fill up half with Tempranillo or cheap wine.
3. Fill up half with diet coke.
4. That’s it, time to drink.

Please prepare to specifications in advance of our weekly Happy Hour episodes.

Action Items:

Soccerwise: David and Tom are following the US U20 win over Italy and are joined by Susannah Fuller for a Soccerwise / Happy Hour crossover episode!

Kickback Committee: It's a World Cup qualifying week so David and Susannah are taking you on a trip across the globe to discuss what to watch this weekend.

When you’ve done that, remind your local coach and chief sporting officer to please, Play the Kids.