Minutes from the Committee Meeting

March 13, 2026 — Committee Meeting # 31

Agenda Items 📋:

• NWSL is back today! It’s a momentous season for the league, as clubs fifteen and sixteen—Denver and Boston— enter the league.
• New clubs and fan communities always drive the biggest interest on day one, but a second storyline will stand out in 2026: this is the last full season before a huge World Cup in Brazil.
• We’ve already seen a star like Croix Bethune request a trade in hopes of solidifying her World Cup credential, and 2026 will also mark the return of the remaining two-thirds of “Triple Espresso”...Mal Swanson and Sophia Wislon
• The USL Championship kicked off last weekend, with the dominant story the ongoing disagreement between the USLPA and the league. 
• The players showed solidarity across the league  in their fight for what they believe is minimum professional standards by remaining motionless throughout the first minute of every match. 
• It was a Concacaf Champions Cup week for MLS, with the featured match seeing San Diego FC defeat LIga MX leaders Toluca in the first leg.
• San Diego went a man down in the first fifteen minutes, and finished with nine men, but still managed the first leg winner behind two goals from 20-year-old David Vazquez.

Three USMNT Players to Watch this Weekend:

The USMNT roster for the last international window before the World Cup drops over the next week. Here are a few players we will be watching closely this weekend in advance of the drop:

Haji Wright, Coventry City

Wright’s sixteen goals have put first place Coventry on the cusp of the Premier League. Wright, meanwhile, seems poised to beat out Ricardo Pepi and Patrick Agyemang for the backup striker position with the USMNT.

Gio Reyna, Borussia Monchengladbach

The undeniably talented Reyna is again working back from injury, and if this were any other player he’d be firmly out of the USMNT plans. Reyna, however, does something special seemingly every time he suits up with the U.S. Is he fit enough to join for the March friendlies and earn his spot despite his limited club appearances?

Zavier Gozo, Real Salt Lake

Yeah, the 18-year-old hasn’t suited up for the U.S. yet. Gozo, though, has been killing it for RSL at right wingback…a position of big need following Sergino Dest’s injury. Could Gozo be a late addition to Pochettino's plans? Another big match this weekend, against Austin FC, might put him on the radar.

Matches to Watch:

Boston Legacy vs. Gotham FC, NWSL (March 14th, 12:30 PM ET, ESPN): Boston’s new NWSL side will kickoff their club at their temporary home of Gillette Stadium versus the league’s reigning champions, Gotham FC. Star-studded in the attack, Gotham is fancied to challenge once again for the NWSL title. Meanwhile, Boston Legacy has clearly loaded up on talent, but will likely face a steep learning curve with most featured additions inexperienced in NWSL—including head coach Filipa Patão.

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Seattle Sounders, MLS (March 15th, 7:00 PM ET, Apple TV): San Jose are one of MLS’s early surprises, but they’ll face their first robust challenge in the form of the Seattle Sounders. The young center back pairing for San Jose have solidified one of MLS’s worst defenses from previous seasons, but have faced some of MLS’s most anemic attacks. Has Bruce Arena worked his magic yet again, or will the incredibly balanced and professional attack of Seattle expose their form as fraudulent?

Washington Spirit vs. Portland Thorns, NWSL (March 13th, 8:00 PM ET, Prime): Two of NWSL’s premier clubs face-off in what could be a potential preview of a final or semi-final round. The Spirit, with MVP candidate Trinity Rodman at the forefront, again have leveraged owner Michelle Kang’s warchest to add elite talent, like Paraguayan Claudia Martinez. Meanwhile, Portland has only just added new coach Robert Vilahman, and have a Sam Coffey-sized hole in the midfield. Nonetheless, the return of Sophia Wilson from maternity league gives them one of the league’s best 1-2’s in the attack, along with Olivia Moultrie.

Sacramento Republic vs. Lexington SC, USL Championship (March 14th, 7:00 PM ET, CBS Golazo Network): Sacramento Republic haven’t become one of USL’s perennial favorites by waiting around, and have beefed up their side with signings like former Canada captain Mark-Anthony Kaye. They’ll be tested, however, by a side constructed through USL’s most ambitious offseason ever, featuring signings such as three USL Best XI players and two MLS accomplished veterans. 

One Knoxville SC vs. Forward Madison, USL League One (March 14th, 7:00 PM ET, ESPN Select): One Knox is back, so we’re back on our s***. Kickback Committee “First Man” Ian Fuller leads the reigning League One champs out against the Flamingos of Forward Madison, looking to make it two wins in two. Pour whatever Susannah Fuller has recommended and enjoy American soccer’s most important club in action!

An NWSL Preseason Primer:

Soccerwise’s Jordan Angeli on what’s next for KC Current after one of the greatest NWSL seasons of all time:

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

Via USL’s One Knox, Sooz is celebrating the season start with One Knox’s new cocktail, the “Goalden hour”!

1. 2 oz Bourbon.
2. .75 oz Lemon Juice.
3. .75 oz Honey Syrup.
4. Shake thoroughly.
5. Strain over ice.

Action Items, Kickback:

Soccerwise: Soccerwise is starting the season in peak form, featuring Matt Doyle and Andrew Wiebe recapping the week in 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: Jordan Angeli joins Susannah Fuller to talk about 23 red cards in one match in Brazil, the NWSL season, and our weekly reality show round-up!

First Touch: Episode Two is now out! 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.