Minutes from the Committee Meeting

February 27, 2026 — Committee Meeting # 29

Agenda Items 📋:

• MLS returned this past weekend, and we have two big takeaways:
• Play the Kids!!! Across the league, managers turned to teenagers and boy did the kids deliver. The Red Bulls rolled out an unprecedented roster of 16- and 17-year-olds, RSL’s academy starlets showed immense potential, and across the league the next generation made it clear that the quality of the next generation may be this year’s big storyline.
• Elsewhere, one of the biggest regular season matches in MLS history took place at the LA Coliseum where LAFC dispatched Inter Miami 3-0. LAFC look like they could make this battle atop MLS the league’s first true competition between Super Clubs, and Inter Miami looked…mortal?
• Elsewhere, MLS teams are still adding to their arsenals. Toronto FC completed one of the richest deals in MLS history to purchase USMNT striker Josh Sargent. At only 25, Sargent could be a foundational talent for TFC for years to come.
• Meanwhile, Soccerwise’s Tom Bogert reported that French legend Antoine Griezmann is in advanced talks to join Orlando City. Griezmann would instantly join Messi, Son, and Muller as MLS’s most recognizable stars, and boost the league’s standing in a critical season.
• In the meantime, MLS will enjoy arguably its strongest alignment of starpower and featured clubs, with Messi, Son, and Thomas Muller starring on-and-off the pitch, and LAFC and Inter Miami boasting favorite status for the season.
• On the women’s front, the USWNT is gearing up for SheBelieves Cup and has called up Emily Sams to replace the injured Jordyn Bugg in advance of their match against Argentina. More on that later.
• Finally, the vibes are still high in both Vermont and Portland, ME as their clubs thrive amongst their local communities. Matched up in the U.S. Open Cup, Vermont has already sold out their match with over 10,000 requests received for tickets against Portland Hearts of Pine.

Three Things We Enjoyed Most This Week:

Niko Tsakiris (Matt Doyle):

An American 20-year-old wearing #10 shirt and delivering under Bruce Arena? An American 20-year-old wearing #10 shirt and delivering under Bruce Arena.

Tsakiris was the heartbeat of the ‘Quakes as they dispatched Sporting KC 3-0, and we’re officially taking the conductor hat for the Tsakiris hype train.

Michael Bradley’s Youth Revolution (Andrew Wiebe):

In Michael Bradley’s first match in charge of the New York Red Bulls, the USMNT legend trotted out three players 17-and-under in the starting lineup. On the road.

The result? A 2-1 victory, a brace for 17-year-old Julian Hall, a stunning debut for 16-year-old midfielder Adri Mehmeti, and some impeccable vibes.

Portland Timbers:

The Timbers Army retain their title as Tifo Kings in MLS on opening weekend:

Matches to Watch:

Philadelphia Union vs. New York City FC, MLS (March 1st, 4:30 PM ET, AppleTV): Look, we’re not going to just do Inter Miami every week. They play Orlando City, and it might be a good match…but we’ve got a budding rivalry up the coast in Philadelphia playing out here. Philly and NYCFC have met in the playoffs three times this decade already, with New York knocking the Supporter Shield winners out last season. Philly will want to set things back in order after a stunning loss to D.C. United last week, and would love to do it against a rival.

USWNT vs. Argentina, SheBelieves Cup (March 1st, 5:00 PM ET, TNT): The USWNT kicks off SheBelieves against Argentina, with Canada and Colombia completing the four team tournament. Coach Emma Hayes is continuing her roster pool exploration with an average age under 25 for the roster, and players like Chelsea FC’s Alyssa Thompson battling for starting spots, and teenagers Olivia Moultrie, Claire Hutton, Gisele Thompson, and Lily Yohannes fighting for roster spots in advance of the 2027 World Cup.

Soccer Sicko Match of the Week: New York Red Bulls vs. New England Revolution, MLS (February 28th, 12:30 PM ET, AppleTV): We’ve said enough about the Red Bulls here, but they’re appointment television now. On the other side, the Revs under new coach Marko Mitrovic are also leaning into Playing the Kids and implementing a much more attack-minded system (though their injuries across the backline introduced some…issues…Week 1 against Nashville)

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

Sooz is going deep into her bag to celebrate Norway’s Bodo/Glimt’s stunning Champions League victory with a one-of-a-kind cocktail, the Norwegian “Fjellbekk” or “Mountain Stream”! 

1. ¾ oz of Vodka.
2. ¾ oz of Aquavit.
3. ¾ oz of Lime Cordial.
4. Fill a highball glass with ice.
5. Top liquor with lemon-lime soda.
6. Stir gently.
7. Garnish with lime wedge.

Action Items, Kickback:

Soccerwise: Soccerwise is starting the season in peak form, featuring Matt Doyle, Andrew Wiebe, and Jamie Watson talking the first week of MLS, and Jordan Angeli joining David Gass to preview the NWSL season!

Make sure you listen to Soccerwise now on SiriusXM, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9 p.m. on SiriusXM FC 157, and on the SiriusXM App!

Kickback Committee: New Kickback Committee member Matt Doyle joins Susannah Fuller to talk MLS’s return, which soccer celebrities they’d have a drink with, and to discuss some fan takes from our new fan voicemail hotline!

First Touch: Make sure to subscribe and listen to the first ever World Cup 2026 dedicated show, First Touch! Inspired by podcasts with premium, rich storytelling like The Daily and Planet Money, this is Kickback Soccer Media’s most unique offering yet.