KICK OFF

WAR OF WORDS

We love a bit of drama. Back in December, former New York Red Bulls forward Mike Grella described the USMNT’s group stage fixture against Australia as a “layup.” That’s pretty weak banter, tbh. Nothing to see here - at least, in theory. Well, the Australian media didn’t take too kindly to his words, and now American and Aussie legends are fighting in the background. Basically, it’s all just noise. The U.S. are faves. Australia showed by winning their first game that they are no mugs, either. But cool heads are very much not prevailing. GOAL is rooting for a few crunching tackles. Ryan Tolmich, USMNT extraordinaire, covered the drama as the week unfolded…

Sebastian Berhalter, to media: “We're America, we don't take sh*t. And I think that's something that [Mauricio Pochetino] has really put in. Even though he's Argentinian, he has that mindset of like, 'Look, this is what we do and this is who we are'. This is what America is about."

ENGLAND FANS ARE THE KINGS (AND QUEENS) OF THE RODEO

So England fans really like rodeos now, apparently. Dallas is the most American of places, pretty much a sprawled metropolis that exists as a stereotype. The cars are big. The barbecue is very good. The cowboy hats are ubiquitous. Yee’haw, hot dog, welcome to the States, etc. Anyway, what do you do as a snobby English fan when confronted with Texas in all of its glory? Apparently, you lean into it. That means renting pickup trucks, wearing cheap cowboy hats, and singing “Sweet Caroline” at rodeos. GOAL was on the ground for the most wonderful of cultural clashes…

An England fan to Hindle: “I’ve hired a great big [Dodge] Ram truck, two and a half liter. It's the biggest thing I've ever seen."

ARGENTINA FANS TURNED KANSAS CITY INTO BUENOS AIRES

It is no secret that Argentina travel well. They are, by most measures, among the most soccer-obsessed fans on the planet. They are also the reigning World Cup champions, and in possession of the GOAT (although that certain feels like Declan Rice erasure at this point). Wherever they travel is going to be a party of some sort. And the good news? They let people in. Our Alex Labidou followed some supporters around Missouri, ate some good food, and found out that, among other things, some fans had pretended to be Algerian in order to secure cheap tickets. The whole thing is pretty box office…

An Argentina fan, to Labidou: “Listen, we’re Argentina. We have the biggest fan base in the world. Eighty percent of the stadium is going to be us. Of course, we’ll be respectful of the Algerians, but we will be loud.”

NO WAY IT COMES HOME - RIGHT? 

Following England’s reasonably emphatic 4-2 win over Croatia, it was put to Thomas Tuchel in his post-match media duties that England had played ‘the best attacking football [the nation] had ever seen at a tournament.’ GOAL thinks it was more like 10 decent minutes and a whole lot of clenched cheeks and nerves in between. But hey, scoreboard! It’s quite hard to find the net four times, especially against a relatively defensive Croatia team. It was a chaotic fixture, a ‘basketball match’ (not ‘game’, English people don’t really know anything). Anyway, more than anything, it was a testament to Tuchel’s hiring. He has the boys playing some decent soccer, and that’s a fine start. GOAL broke it all down…

Hindle: “Thomas Tuchel did not describe, exactly, what he said at half-time of England's 4-2 win over Croatia that opened up their 2026 World Cup campaign. The score was deadlocked at 2-2 at the time, and England weren't playing particularly well. Tuchel insisted that he had some calm words and told his team to play with courage. The reality, though, is probably a little harsher. Either way, whatever Tuchel said, it worked, as England turned a middling first half into an emphatic second, adding two more goals while showing why they should be considered among the favourites to go all the way.”

Ayyoub Bouaddi, REMEMBER THE NAME

In Brazil’s first group game of the World Cup - a high profile matchup with de-facto AFCON winners Morocco - it was not a member of the Selecao that stood out. Insted, it was a lanky teenager, dancing through a midfield of top European talents. Bruno Guimaraes and Casemiro isn’t an elite midfield duo. But it isn’t half bad. And last weekend, Bouaddi made them both look average. The 18-year-old plays his club football for Lille, but drifted through the game like a player destined for much, much bigger things last week. Morocco snagged a draw, and with him at the helm, they’re odds-on to top the group. And the World Cup might juat have its breakout star, too. GOAL’s Mark Doyle chronicled his rise and analyzed his future… 

Doyle: “Bouaddi essentially provided his team-mates with the perfect platform to torment Brazil in an absorbing 1-1 draw in New Jersey - and the thing was, while such a mature performance from one so young astounded the watching world, none of his coaches or teammates - past or present - were in the least bit surprised by a player long considered a superstar-in-the-making”

VIDEO REVIEW

Some elite sh*thousery from Congo fans, who went to a Portugal watch party and let ‘em hear it after they equalized…

(There are about 20 videos that might have made it here)

AROUND THE GROUNDS

A few other things you need to know to impress your pals at the bar, ruin your social feed, or generally be a snob about this sport:

• We’ve got World Cup power rankings going all summer. Here’s the latest edition (spoiler: we have a new number one!)
• Another word for Cape Verde, who managed a wonderful 0-0 draw with Spain. 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha was the hero on the day. We can’t wait to watch them again.
• Let’s not forget the NWSL and its penchant for massive transfers. The latest: Sam Kerr to Gotham FC. Brilliant.

HOUSE OF GOAL, THE BEST PARTY IN NEW YORK

The World Cup will be, in all likelihood, the defining moment in American soccer. The 1994 edition was good, an appetizer of sorts. This is the main course, dessert, post-meal drinks, and a nightcap all rolled into one. This year’s tournament is massive. And GOAL is providing a central location for all of it. House of GOAL is a simple concept, really: get every single facet of the beautiful game, what it means, and those involved, and assemble them all with food, drink, music, and massive TV screens in South Brooklyn. We’re talking clothes, five-a-side, DJ sets, video games, appearances from legends and, yeah, the World Cup. It’s kind of a big deal. We’re hosting it all for the final two weekends of the tournament. This thing reaches its climax in mid-July. House of GOAL is the place to be.

You can sign up HERE to experience it all.

CHECKING THE MONITOR

A lovely rendering of France-Senegal. No one knows what this means, but it’s provocative…

POSTMATCH HIGHLIGHTS

Everyone *loves* to talk about the 1994 World Cup. It was a pretty good tournament (despite England not qualifying). Could this one be better?

MATCHES NOT TO MISS

• June 19: World Cup, USA vs. Australia, 3 p.m. — Fox

• June 19: World Cup, Brazil vs. Haiti, 8:30 p.m. – Fox 

• June 20: World Cup, Germany vs. Ivory Coast, 4 p.m. – Fox

• June 21: World Cup, Spain vs. Saudi Arabia, 12 p.m. – Fox

• June 22: World Cup, Norway vs. Senegal, 8 p.m. – Fox

• June 23: World Cup, England vs. Ghana, 4 p.m. – Fox

That’s all for this edition of The Rondo. Irritate me directly with questions/comments/insights/incorrect opinions @tom_Hindle_

Cheers for reading!