World Cup News

Former USA coaches Bob Bradley, Jurgen Klinsmann, and Steve Sampson address long-standing rumors of league interference and the reality of scouting players.

The former coaches of the United States men's national team map out the path to success at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

As the United States prepares to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, former USA managers Jürgen Klinsmann, Bob Bradley and Steve Sampson, join host Stu Holden for an unprecedented look behind the curtain of the American soccer machine. The crew dives into the all-time U.S. moments at the World Cup, the high-stakes recruitment of dual nationals, and the heavy burden of making roster cuts that define a nation’s legacy. 0:00 Intro2:42 Getting the call to manage the U.S. Men's National Team7:12 How did Steve Sampson scout players for the national team leading up to the 1994 World Cup?10:19 How important is MLS to developing American players for Bob Bradley?12:38 How did Jürgen Klinsmann juggle being USA manager, technical director and trying to improve MLS?15:26 How did Jürgen Klinsmann manage the USA players leaving Europe for more money in the MLS?17:50 Steve Sampson explains how MLS impacted his player selection for the 1998 World Cup19:10 Bob Bradley sets the record straight on whether a number MLS players are mandated by the federation to be on the roster20:49 How did Jürgen Klinsmann evaluate the talent of the USA player pool?24:14 Bob Bradley describes how the USA can start developing world class talent26:12 Jürgen Klinsmann’s take on how the American soccer mentality and culture has to change to be more successful31:47 Steve Sampson addresses how important the USMNT's history of scheduling tough opponents before a World Cup34:17 Bob Bradley explains the team mentality and composition leading up to the upset of Spain in the Confederations Cup semifinal in 200938:29 Jürgen Klinsmann breaks down how he built out his USMNT rosters41:02 How did Jürgen Klinsmann manage dual nationality players and how they fit into the roster?42:44 Steve Sampson talks about bringing in dual national David Regis on the 1998 World Cup team43:56 Steve Sampson on how Gio Reyna is a difficult decision for the USMNT roster44:26 Bob Bradley’s observations on a player’s character and how they fit the roster45:17 Stu Holden and Bob Bradley discuss how hard roster decisions are45: 54 - Bob Bradley’s hardest roster decisions47:04 Jürgen Klinsmann’s hardest roster decisions48:17 How did Jürgen Klinsmann make the hard roster decisions?49:00 Steve Sampson’s hardest roster decisions and how his assistants helped out50:39 Bob Bradley on how an in-form player can sneak onto the USMNT roster52:46 Jürgen Klinsmann’s expands on how he selected his team for Brazil55:13 “The night before” speech from Bob Bradley and Stu Holden’s reaction57:13 Steve Sampson’s “The night before” speech58:30 Jürgen Klinsmann’s “The night before” speech1:00:15 Franz Beckenbauer’s speech to the German team, Jürgen Klinsmann ahead of the FIFA World Cup Final1:01:34 Bob Bradley’s reaction to Landon Donovan’s goal against Algeria at the 2010 FIFA World Cup1:04:01 Jürgen Klinsmann’s reaction to Clint Dempsey's goal vs Ghana in the 2014 FIFA World Cup1:05:44 Steve Sampson’s reaction to Eric Wynalda’s free kick goal against Switzerland in the 1994 FIFA World Cup1:07:10 Steve Sampson’s reaction to the game against Brazil before the 1998 FIFA World Cup1:07:51 Steve Sampson vs Jurgen Klinsmann at the 1998 FIFA World Cup1:12:15 Bob Bradley’s expectations for the USA at the 2026 FIFA World Cup1:14:25 Jürgen Klinsmann’s psychology behind whether the USA can win a World Cup and what it takes1:18:55 Steve Sampson’s take on the psychology to win the World and expectations for this cup1:20:29 Bob Bradley’s key USA contributors for this World Cup1:23:21 Jürgen Klinsmann breaks down the USA forwards1:25:41 Bob Bradley’s most influential coach in his career1:27:19 Jürgen Klinsmann’s most influential coach in his career, including Phil Jackson1:29:53 Steve Sampson’s most influential coach in his career Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices