Joseph Lowery

One thing I try to bring to every TV broadcast as Phoenix Rising's color analyst? Quality tactical analysis. Broke down Rising's man-to-man press early on in Saturday's game vs. Sacramento. Then that press was a huge theme of the game, as expected. A snippet of my analysis 📺

It's plays like this that have me increasingly eager to see Poch deliver on using Weston McKennie or Malik Tillman "a little deeper" at the World Cup. They'll need more of these combination plays against Paraguay and Australia. The more creative-types on the field, the better.

My concern level about Pulisic was zero coming into the summer. We've seen over and over again that club form =/= national team impact. "Pulisic... even though that goal hasn't been coming, he's still been dangerous and I expect he'll find the back of the net this summer." 🔮

ricardo pepi, i apologize, i was unfamiliar with your back-to-goal play my word

The USMNT's World Cup campaign kicks off in two weeks. Their best player's role is seemingly about to change. Weston McKennie — where he plays, how he plays, and the knock-on effects of it all — is the player to watch against Senegal on Sunday. 📺

What's behind Diego Luna's USMNT World Cup roster snub? 🇺🇸 Poch was displeased with Luna's effort earlier in the year and ended up rating Brenden Aaronson and Alejandro Zendejas over the RSL playmaker. From my segment on FOX San Francisco 📺

Phil Neville’s Inter Miami tactics left fans feeling like Gonzalo Higuain in this clip: confused and frustrated. Neville’s Portland Timbers were less than the sum of parts, too. Bad hire. It was past time to end it. Ned Grabavoy's roster is weak, too. Tons of work needed for Portland.

St. Louis City's clever off-ball movement continues to impress. Here's a lovely third-man run from Marcel Hartel that helps open the scoring for St. Louis in their 3-0 win over Austin FC. Few teams in MLS are more coordinated off the ball than St. Louis under new leadership.

Gio Reyna is a no-brainer inclusion on Pochettino’s USMNT World Cup squad 🇺🇸 That doesn’t mean he’s a perfect player, but it does mean Poch made the right call. My thoughts ⤵️

During Rodolfo Borrell's time leading Austin FC's front office, few teams in MLS were more underwhelming. Tons of 💰 spent, precious little return. Shared my thoughts on Borrell's exit on the @totalsoccershow.bsky.social. 📺 www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V6i...

The USMNT’s World Cup roster drops in exactly one week. Who should Poch take with him to LA? Here’s my 26-man squad 🇺🇸

Jaethan Irwin just became the youngest outfield starter in USL Championship history at 15yo + change. The 6'2" Phoenix Rising center mid has elite physical traits for any age. He's growing comfortable leveraging his size/strength. Flashes on-ball skill. If more comes to the surface...watch out.

diego luna, my word

There's been a lot of deserved love for Zavier Gozo and Diego Luna this year, but Sergi Solans is a DP-level striker in MLS. Plucked out of college soccer. Fantastic, well-rounded striker for Real Salt Lake.

Niko Tsakiris isn’t a prospect anymore — he's changing games in MLS right now at age 20. This through ball is downright absurd. Pass of the season type stuff. Breaks two lines and finds Timo Werner one-v-one out wide. Tsakiris is a USMNT midfielder in waiting. My word.

David Martinez putting in major shifts against the ball has been crucial to him getting on the field for LAFC this season. Sky is the limit for the young Venezuelan attacker. 🇻🇪

Max Arfsten looked at home in a new role (new to him in Columbus) for the Crew over the last two games: right winger. Henrik Rydström continues to search for answers and he may have found one by using Arfsten as an inverted winger. Wonder if we'll see more of this.

It feels like every week in MLS, another quality young player shines. The latest name to know? Andrei Chirila. 17, CB, FC Cincinnati. Eligible for the USMNT and Romania, Chirila put on a legitimately impressive left-footed passing display against Red Bull New York. 🇺🇸 🇷🇴

James Rodriguez is still must-see TV. In his first MLS start for Minnesota United, the Colombian was a constant source of danger in both open play and on set pieces 🇨🇴 Such a fun watch.

Back before he could play past 7PM due to New Jersey child labor laws, Julian Hall flashed high-level off-ball movement. Now Michael Bradley's starting striker, the teen is terrorizing USMNT center backs. Read up on Hall + tons more MLS for @backheeled.com. www.backheeled.com/mls-winners-...

St. Louis City might be the Columbus Crew now, because this is some lovely work to get out of pressure. First win of St. Louis' new era for Yoann Damet and Corey Wray. Building blocks starting to show — and more talent still to be integrated.

this through ball from niko tsakiris made me feel something

Outside of Christian Pulisic, there are exactly zero attackers who have played for the USMNT under Mauricio Pochettino who can reliably beat a defender one-v-one from speed and dribbling ability from the wing. Zavier Gozo can. Won't be long before we see him with the 🇺🇸

Onni Valakari's play in central midfield for San Diego FC isn't talked about enough 🇫🇮 The 26-year-old brings a blend of press-resistance, off-ball smarts, athleticism, and goal threat. With Valakari, San Diego FC doesn't miss Luca de la Torre at all. Club's talent ID continues to impress.

Ronald Donkor continues to make me feel things in central midfield. Such an impressive young player.

Phil Neville went with a 4-3-3 last night, but notice how big the distances are between players. Passing options came slowly. After turnovers, counter pressing was hard with players so spread. Got carved open as a result. Missing key players, but Timbers' struggles continue.

Over the offseason, I said that Atlanta United might be best suited to play in transition given the skillsets of Latte Lath and Almiron. If the Five Stripes can start creating San Diego FC-esque pseudo-transition moments with their buildup play, there might be something here.

I’m beyond thrilled to be back for my third(!) season as Phoenix Rising’s TV color commentator! As a Phoenix native, it’s surreal that I get to be a small part of soccer in our city. So thankful. Catch me on 📺 for Phoenix Rising vs. Orange County SC tomorrow 🌵

sure, san diego fc pulled off a wildly impressive win over toluca last night but the big story? manu duah isn't just an elite center back, he's also an elite goalkeeper

Maybe the Philadelphia Union should get Cavan Sullivan on the field more often? The 16-year-old has been Philly's brightest creative spark in his limited minutes so far this season 🇺🇸

this goal in mls cup from yaw yeboah shall now simply be remembered for malte amundsen's unbelievable pass and nothing else

If the only thing Marc Dos Santos said in his interview for the LAFC manager job is that he was going to start David Martinez every game, he deserved the gig. Martinez has been amazing this year 🇻🇪 ✨ Looks like the perfect complement to Son Heung-min and Denis Bouanga.

Timo Werner being a genuine +++ player on the ball in MLS is a huge, huge victory for the San Jose Earthquakes. This is a downright filthy assist for the winner in Philly last night. Werner has looked excellent in MLS so far.

orlando city got left at the alter by carlos coronel over the offseason and now they've got a year maxime crepeau oopsies ahead of them

If you're a USL fan — or if you're trying to become one! — @backheeled.com's team-by-team previews are a great resource. Transfers. Expectations. Tactics. Stars. Depth charts. And more...for every team in the Championship. Read ⤵️ www.backheeled.com/usl-champion...

Timo Werner wasn't just a pace merchant in his MLS debut 🇩🇪 He also showed real on-ball quality, hitting this pin-point switch off that even caught the camera crew off guard. Werner's game has built on off-ball work. If he can create on the ball, too, the Quakes will be scary.

Nectarios Triantis is the best player in MLS that no one outside of Minnesota seems to talk about 🇬🇷 The 22-year-old center-mid bossed the Loons' frigid win over Cincy. There isn’t an MLS player in their 20s that I’m more certain will end up in the Premier League than Triantis.

Came away extremely impressed with Real Salt Lake's new DP Morgan Guilavogui last night — good vision, distribution, and speed. The 27-year-old was hugely impactful in the right halfspace in his debut.

been watching adri mehmeti comps and EXCUSE ME

Ronald Donkor got overshadowed in the Red Bulls discourse over the weekend, but the 21-year-old was absolutely phenomenal on Saturday. The Ghanian central midfielder bossed the game against Orlando City. Donkor should be in his first Ghana camp next month. What a talent 🌟

death, taxes, and tomas aviles getting red cards

Adri Mehmeti can SLING the rock. The 16-year-old defensive midfielder immediately looks like he belongs in MLS. Bright, bright U.S. prospect. 🇺🇸

@backheeled.com really is your one-stop shop for keeping up with MLS our depth chart page went live earlier today, giving you an updating look at the rosters and lineups for all 30 teams in the league Play around with it here 👀 www.backheeled.com/mls-depth-ch...

If you're an MLS fan — or if you're trying to become one! — @backheeled.com's team-by-team previews are a great resource. Context. Transfers. Expectations. Tactics. Stars. Young talents. Depth charts. Predictions. And more...for all 30 teams! Read ⤵️ www.backheeled.com/mls-2026-sea...

I wrote an in-depth preview of MLS Cup, breaking down the key questions that will define Inter Miami vs. Vancouver Whitecaps 🏆 One of those big Qs: can the 'Caps exploit Miami’s man-oriented defense? Film. Data. Analysis. Coach quotes. More. ✍️ www.backheeled.com/mls-cup-7-ke...

same guy who eats plain baguettes and wears knockoff chicago bulls jerseys, btw

just finally catching up on the usmnt's win over paraguay and wanted to say that this dest/gio right side can feed families