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120 Minutes in June

Published

5 years ago

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My Dad is a Boston Red Sox fan. He grew in South Boston during the 1950s when gangsters ran the city (The movie The Town is inspired by that community). The Red Sox were an outlet for him and his siblings, something positive in the city. His entire life as a fan they had never won the World Series, but he hung on to hope. The Sox had several close calls with the Ted Williams and Yaz years, but as other cities and teams won championships the Red Sox climbed the all-time loser list with 0 victories in 86 years. I repeat the Red Sox NEVER won in his life, but he continued to follow and cheer. He continued to watch his rival’s success as Yankees piled up historic World Series numbers. I didn’t love baseball, but I loved the Red Sox because it was one of the things my Dad, who often traveled for work, and I could bond over. We always looked at our two favorite teams in the box scores – the Red Sox and whoever was playing the Yankees.

In 2004, I was a student at James Madison University and one of my professors was a Yankees fan. He had talked trash all series, and when the Yankees led the series 3-0 he asked all of the Red Sox fans to raise their hands. I, of course, stubborn as many of you know, raised my hand. He offered his respect for those who were willing to actually raise their hands then invited the rest of the class to laugh at us. If you haven’t seen it, as a US soccer fan, I highly encourage you to watch the 30 for 30 series 4 days in October. It tells the story of the Yankees needing just 3 outs in the bottom of the 9th inning with one of the greatest closers in the history of the game, unable to finish off THESE Red Sox. The Red Sox went onto to win that series and to my professor’s credit, he allowed Red Sox fans to laugh at him and our Yankee fan classmates. He even wore a Red Sox jersey to class that day. More important the Red Sox went on to win the World Series that year.  

This picture sits on my desk, reminds me of McKennie vs Mexico

I don’t remember the World Series at all, to be honest, I’m pretty sure they beat the St. Louis Cardinals? After they came back and exercised the Yankee’s demon it was inevitable that they were going to win the World Series that year. I felt bad for any opponent after they got over that hump. Last night’s USMNT victory over Mexico felt very much like those four days in October. It felt very much the US Soccer’s programs winds had changed course and they are on a collision course with more trophies ahead.

On October 19, 2017, I wrote for the first time after 9 grueling days of processing that the US Men’s National Team was not going to the World Cup. It was almost exactly one year after I had hopefully launched chasingacup.com, a site I had begun because I was so excited about the US youth movement.  I wrote then as painful as that cycle was, as embarrassing as losing to Trinidad & Tobago under the circumstances, I still held on to a seed of hope. The young crop of players that were emerging.

The US fan base oddly grew during this time. Matty Knips started the Underdog Soccer Podcast, Adam Belz launched Scuffed Podcast and USMNT super fans like Scott Jorek and so many others came around to the team in the midst of this brutal loss. They wanted an outlet for their frustration, they too felt as Taylor Twellman so aptly put and now legendary tagline “What are We Doing?”. Yet somehow even in the closing remarks he gathered hope, as too did the podcasters, fans and pundits. Perhaps this loss would be what the program needed, maybe one day US could put something together and win a World Cup.  US Soccer Twitter was growing momentum over the last few years and the #USMNT crowd gathered numbers, expectations, and angst.

Christian Pulisic was the ringleader of an up and coming group of Americans playing in Europe, but there were so many more including a young goalkeeper I named in my very first article on Chasingacup.com a young keeper named Ethan Horvath, who might one day fight for a spot against Brad Guzan to replace Tim Howard. There were so many young players who were appearing in the European ranks, the Development Academy and Major League Soccer were producing some really quality youth in their ranks (Tyler Adams, Josh Sargent, Luca de la Torre, Eric Palmer-Brown, Ayo Akinola, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Brooks Lennon, Emerson Hyndman and so many more scratching and clawing away).

There was so much potential in this pool, how can we screw this up?

Then the 2018 USSF election happened and we didn’t get a new face, questions about the organization behind closed doors, lawsuits piling up, we took over a year of critical learning time to select a coach and it’s the COO’s brother, Gregg Berhalter, with very few candidates interviewed. There was so much to be discouraged about and an angry #BerhalterOut murmur grew. Berhalter was an inexperienced and unproven mediocre success in MLS coach with wild ideas for how to run the team. These continue to struggle seemingly reaching peak velocity in benching Pulisic in the 60th minute of a Nations League game against Canada. A game we would go on to lose, playing an MLS-heavy roster that continued to cause tension and doubt.  The pandemic hits and a long lull of infrequent friendlies with no competitive matches. All this time a growing player club momentum and an incredible run of dual nationals expressing interest in being a part of the American talent movement, and a mountain of expectation. 2021 was filled with European trophies for young American players who helped contribute to the collection of those trophies.

 All of that expectation and tension leading up to the first competitive match in 562 days. Who would Berhalter have in the lineup, what formation, what tactical changes? The United States wins 1-0 in the 88th minute with tension flaring. The fans who only cared about victory and moving on, and the many who wanted to see a different lineup, our best talent, and concern about how lucky we were to escape with a victory. That only led to increased pressure on the final which in fairytale fashion had us against our rivals to the South, who themselves had survived via a 5-4 penalty victory against Costa Rica.

The United States would be playing their rival Mexico in the CONACAF Nations League final. Our record stands painfully at 11-10-27 against them.

This was a critical final match for us against a superior roster and 11th ranked national team in the world. A team that had beaten us 1-0 in the 2019 Gold Cup final and 3-0 in a friendly shortly after. This was also our last match with our first team before World Cup Qualifying begins and a final chance to see some of our top talents on the pitch together in red, white and blue. It was an important game for this young squad, for Coach Gregg Berhalter, and for US fans.

The roster dropped and tensions immediately flared. A new untested formation, “slow Tim Ream”, Tyler Adams who’s hopes of playing had flashed that morning, not in the lineup. The return of much doubted DeAndre Yedlin and Kellyn Acosta in the lineup. More anxiety, but lingering hope. They can do this, they can win. 1’ minute, a mental error of a sleepy pass from our former YNT Captain, a stoic solid player in Mark McKenzie and we’re down. It is something we have seen SO many times as US soccer fans, but it’s early in the game – there’s still hope.

Jesus Corona scores just 1 minute into the game:

https://twitter.com/worldsoccertalk/status/1401715931550732288?s=20

VAR to the rescue as 2-0 really could have put this one out of reach:

https://twitter.com/onesoccer/status/1401721520934854658?s=20

The 26th minute and Reyna ties it, a goal US fans badly needed to bring belief:

& what a special moment for Dad:

Diego Lainez for Mexico enters the game and immediately scores on Ream, the fears that many US fans had seeing him in the lineup:

https://twitter.com/noobfcb_/status/1401739503476281345?s=20

 

McKennie answers! Scoring a header 80th minute, the equalizer

https://twitter.com/OneGoalUS/status/1401740980873744388?s=20

 

Zack Steffen is injured and Ethan Horvath has to come into the game. Gio Reyna as a sub is hit in the head by fans. The tension continues to rise, with plenty of chances for both sides. The game heads to extra time tied 2-2.

https://twitter.com/GeorgeOnTap/status/1401757816541511681

It looks like it could be headed to penalties, but VAR comes into play once again. Pulisic was taken down and will not give up the ball, this penalty is his. In dramatic fashion, our Captain is given a chance to win the game.

https://twitter.com/FootyAccums/status/1401898446299316224?s=20

Captain America wants it, the way we’ve always wanted him to want it. Pulisic scores a textbook penalty in the 113th. The opportunity and finish that only the greatest of athletes dream of:

124th minute, a handball in the box. Penalty – could Mexico send the game to penalties? Legendary Andres Guardado against Ethan Horvath with a massive save: 

https://twitter.com/BanterFC5/status/1401978081988988928?s=20

After a painful 20 minutes of injury time, the final whistle provides sweet relief. USMNT is CONCACAF Nations League champions, they’ve vanquished their rivals. They have come back and shown that resilient American spirit so many of us were hungry to see again. The new fans since Cuova now have a memory of their own to light their passion, to tell their friends. That this team, this American soccer team belongs. This team can play and they have some legitimate global football super stars.

https://twitter.com/marcelobalboa17/status/1401886335636549633?s=20

There is plenty to not like about how the game went, VAR could be argued to have been the MVP of the game. The lineup and formation changed, there were long stretched where Dest, Pulisic and others were nearly invisible and uninvolved, but winning a trophy throws much of that away. McKenzie, Yedlin, others had some sloppy play and battled back into the match. Many of these players won’t and shouldn’t remember that, except to build off of it for their futures. Defeating Mexico is a building block, an important one for this young core.

They needed this victory, Gregg needed the victory and we, the US fans, needed the victory. Gio Reyna, Weston McKennie, and Christian Pulisic to be the scorers were so important and to win in such dramatic fashion only builds their individual and collective legacies. That young core which will continue to fill in around them bring a fantastic skillset and the world’s eyes to US soccer. They’re important for the growth of the game, but most importantly they are important to continue to build belief in the next group of young Americans who want to challenge themselves and they will serve as the core for a run at World Cup 2022 and likely 2026. This victory cannot be understated as a critical one to developing this team’s chemistry and belief in themselves and each other.  

How great is it for Mark McKenzie to stay in that game and fight back making some key plays down the stretch to help his team complete the victory. DeAndre Yedlin oft-criticized to battle and be a leader with experience. Ethan Horvath coming up with a huge save after a huge save off of the bench. Horvath’s contract up this summer, he should be well soft-after and land in a solid Bundesliga or better club after that performance. Tim Weah long few years recovering from injury and fighting for minutes and impact on his club, performing as an impact high energy sub. There are so many incredible subplot stories to join the three core goal scorers. 

After 120 minutes in June, we have vanquished our demon. This is my favorite match we have ever played against our rivals Mexico. We will have many matches ahead against them and superior talent, but I can’t help but remember that day in October 2004. The Red Sox defeated the Yankees and it didn’t matter who they were going to face in the future, they were a team. They had tasted victory and didn’t look like a team anyone from anywhere wants anything to do within a tournament. There’s a long way to go and many bigger, deeper and challenges ahead. This group has shown fight. This group has shown resilience. This group has shown me and the fans that they are not the same and that seed of hope that was planted after the Trinidad and Tobago game is growing.

I wrote these words in October 2017 about the US national team. They stand true today.

#wantthatcup

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USL’s American Soccer Dream

Published

3 weeks ago

on

November 16, 2025

By

USL made national headlines when they announced on February 13th, 2025, their plans to launch a Division One league, followed by the announcement of promotion/relegation on March 19th for the new Division One league, the Championship, and League One.  If sanctioned by US Soccer, USL Division One would be of equal status to MLS and compete for the best major soccer league in the U.S.  The implementation of promotion/relegation in the USL would become the first in the U.S. and test the question asked for many years, “would pro/rel work in the U.S.”  USL HQ informed the public that they planned to have the inaugural season of Division One during the 2027-2028 season with promotion/relegation beginning in 2028.  

Until November 3rd, with the announcement of Tony Scholes being hired as the President of the Division One, only three teams have applied for membership to the inaugural season of Division one: Louisville City, North Carolina FC (who announced at the time of the Scholes news that they would fold until the launch of Division One), and Pittsburgh Riverhounds.  There has been a rapid expansion of teams in the already existing leagues since the two announcements.  Teams joining League One are: Fort Lauderdale FC (2026 debut), New York Cosmos (2026 debut), Port St. Lucie SC (2027 debut), Sporting Cascades FC (2026 debut), and Rodeo FC (2027 debut).  Fort Wayne FC and Sarasota Paradise would also be joining League One from League Two (2026 for both teams).  For the Championship, Reno, NV will once again have a team planned for a 2027 debut.  Along with those teams, USL is actively working to expand to other markets.  The markets and partners they are looking at are Brevard County, FL (Space Coast Pro Soccer), Riverside, CA (Riverside Pro Soccer), Brownsville, TX (City of Brownsville), Winter Garden, FL (Central FL Pro Soccer), Santa Rosa, CA (City of Santa Rosa), and Pensacola, FL (City of Pensacola).

Along with these recently announced teams and partnerships, USL has teams joining the organization just in time for promotion/relegation that were announced prior to the February and March news.  Starting with League One, these teams include: Corpus Christi FC (2026 debut) and Athletic Club Boise (2026 debut).  As for the Championship, they will be adding Brooklyn FC (2026 debut), Sporting Jax (2026 debut), Atlético Dallas (2027 debut), Milwaukee Pro Soccer (TBD), USL Pro Iowa (TBD), Buffalo Pro Soccer (TBD), and Ozark United FC (2027 debut), while Santa Barbara Sky FC (2027 debut) would replace Memphis 901 FC.

Other than that, news on the Division One and promotion/relegation had been quiet until USL snatched Tony Scholes from the English Premier League.  Tony Scholes will be the President of Division and help with the implementation of promotion/relegation.  Scholes served as the chief football officer of the EPL and will join USL at the end of the EPL season.  As of November 15, 2025, USL Division One has not been sanctioned as a division one league by US Soccer.  The hiring of Scholes indicates that they are confident this new league will get approved or they have already been told it will, behind closed doors.  The fact that we have not heard news on what the promotion/relegation format would be, and Scholes task would be to help implement it could mean that USL has not come to a decision on one.  Since we do not have any ideas on what the format could be, I want to provide a possible option that they could go with.


One of the biggest questions people have had since the USL announced promotion/relegation was how they would tie it to the playoffs.  There is an option they could do, but it would result in only having one playoff.  USL would have a playoff for Division One, but they would eliminate the concept for the Championship and League One.  It might not be the most popular idea here in the U.S., but the main goal for the lower leagues is to get promoted, not to win a trophy.  They would retain the league title for those two leagues with the winner being the team with the most points at the end of the season, just like how it is in the European leagues.  The purpose is to create fairness for the top performing team(s) in the two lower leagues and reduce confusion.  If there is a need for a playoff format, they could adopt the format the Bundesliga uses where the 16th best team in the first division and the 3rd best in the second division face-off in a two-leg match to see who would be in the first division the following season.  The other option is the Championship concept, where the teams who finished 3rd through 6th in the table compete in a promotion playoff.  The semi-finals are two-leg matches while the final is a single-leg match.  The winner is promoted to the EPL.  The execution of promotion/relegation must be done perfectly to retain fans, gain fans, prevent confusion, and be entertaining.

USL already has a division one league with their women’s Super League, who is competing against the NWSL.  Currently, the S League has only nine teams (Brooklyn FC, Carolina Ascent FC, Dallas Trinity FC, DC Power FC, Ft. Lauderdale United FC, Lexington FC, Spokane Zephyr FC, Sporting Jax, and Tampa Bay Sun FC) to the NSWL’s 14 teams (3 teams in the works).  The Super League will be adding an additional nine teams (Athletic Club Boise, New York Cosmos, Ozark United FC, Buffalo Pro Soccer, Chattanooga Red Wolves FC, Forward Madison FC, Indy Eleven, Oakland Soul SC, and USL Palm Beach) with all but three to have their inaugural season to be determined.  What makes the S League unique from the rest of the soccer leagues in the U.S. is that they use a fall-summer schedule.  Competing against a top five women’s league in the world is a tall ask, but it shows the ambitions of USL.  

They are also willing to take risks by voting to pass promotion/relegation for the men’s league and have a fall-summer schedule for the S League.  If the S League schedule format proves successful, it stands to reason that they would move the men’s leagues to the same schedule.  It would also avoid the organization from having to fight MLS for viewership when the leagues are in play, especially when they launch a direct rival and are at their most ambitious point in their history.  The same can be done for the S League if promotion/relegation is successful for the men.  USL can start establishing lower women’s leagues and introduce promotion/relegation to the women’s game here in the U.S.

Many would say USL still stands no chance at competing against MLS, even with promotion/relegation and having a division one league.  That is the case when you look at the quality of the players is finance, but that is the reason why the USL made these decisions based on the reports prior to the announcements and afterwards.  Promotion/relegation and the introduction of a division one league could see an increase in investors.  We are already seeing that with the likes of Gio Reyna joining Fort Lauderdale as an investor, BellTower Partners investing into USL, Sofia Huerta and Kasey Keller joining the Athletic Club Boise ownership group, and the Chickasaw Nation becoming an investor of the OKC for Soccer just this year alone.  Then there is the expansion fee for MLS, MLS Next Pro, and the USL leagues.  MLS charges an astounding $500 million!  Yes, the money is used to construct a proper stadium, acquire players, etc., but at this point it will discourage many from purchasing a franchise license.  MLS currently only has two leagues and one of them is advertised as a development league to prepare for MLS.  The expansion fee for an independent team to join MLS Next Pro is unknown, but Sports Business Journal reported in 2024 that it is significantly cheaper than the USL Championship.  The fee to join the USL Championship is $20 million while League One is only $5 million.  These two fees are significantly lower than MLS and that will be more appealing to potential owners, but unlike the MLS fee, it is not enough for a stadium, training grounds, and players.  As for what the fee is to join USL Division One, that is unknown at the moment.

I highly recommend reading the ESPN article by Jeff Carlisle titled “Will USL’s Move to Pro-Rel Change U.S. Soccer, Threaten MLS?”  In there, Carlisle discusses the reasons behind the decision and that it is mostly financial.  For example, a USL spokesperson said they expect to see an increase in commercial revenue by 15% to 30% due to promotion/relegation.  Also, the former owner of San Diego Loyal lost $40 million in 4 seasons.  As for the reaction from MLS, we have not heard one yet.  The only possible reaction we have seen from them is what the former MLS Next Pro president, Charles Altchek, told to Backheeled back on March 6th, 2025.  In the interview, he told them they aim to have 40 to 50 teams and a possible second league with one of the MLS Next Pro leagues being a second division, putting it in direct competition with USL Championship.  The biggest question is, whichever league that is, can compete for fans?  Due to the Apple TV deal, we currently do not have the ratings of MLS Next Pro.  The closest idea we have is the attendance, which is 5,580 for USL Championship per match to MLS Next Pro’s 3,361, according to Transfermarkt.  Unlike the attendance, the viewership for USLC is much higher where the season premiere match had 453,000 viewers.  MLS Next Pro’s massive expansion plan announcement date was either a coincidence, or MLS got word USL’s promotion/relegation implementation with the division one news, and this was their response.  I will let you come to your own decision.

It seems, as of right now, it appears MLS will sit back and wait to see how the USL’s Division One and promotion/relegation will play.  Division One and promotion/relegation will either be successful for USL and lead them to the financial success they are hoping for or lead to the possible collapse of USL.  American sports fans are not the only ones keeping their eyes on USL now, but the rest of the soccer world is after their two massive news.  The coming years are going to be exciting times for American soccer!

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The constructing of a World Cup roster

Published

3 months ago

on

September 13, 2025

By

Thomas Deschaine (@uskeeper on X and us_keeper on Instagram)

With the September FIFA window now in the rearview mirror, and only three more windows left before final rosters are set in late May or early June 2026, Mauricio Pochettino has drawn a clear line.

He’s stated that September’s camp was the “last camp to have the possibility for new faces.”

If we take him at his word, the nearly 70 players who’ve been called across six camps and the Gold Cup will form the pool from which he selects the 2026 World Cup squad.

Of the 60 players named to the 2025 Gold Cup provisional roster, only five, Maxi Dietz, Richie Ledezma, Tim Tillman, Caleb Wiley, and Griffin Yow, have yet to appear on a #USMNT roster under Pochettino.

Comparing the 2025 Nations League provisional roster to the Gold Cup list reveals over a dozen different players, raising the question: are these minor differences simply the edges of the player pool Pochettino intends to draw from?

Goalkeepers 

Nine goalkeepers have been called into Pochettino’s camps, but it’s clear that Matt Freese is his first-choice right now, with Matt Turner likely the No. 2 as we sit just 10 months from the World Cup.

  • Chris Brady
  • Drake Callender
  • Roman Celentano
  • Matt Freese
  • Ethan Horvath
  • Jonathan Klinsmann
  • Diego Kochen
  • Patrick Schulte
  • Zack Steffen
  • Matt Turner

Fullbacks

Outside of Sergiño Dest and Antonee Robinson, the USMNT’s fullback depth remains a concern. Pochettino appears high on MLS defenders Alex Freeman and Max Arfsten, while Caleb Wiley, though yet to feature in a USMNT camp but named to recent provisional rosters, could still be on his depth chart.

  • Max Arfsten
  • Sergino Dest
  • Alex Freeman
  • Marlon Fossey
  • DeJuan Jones
  • Kristoffer Lund
  • Shaquell Moore
  • Antonee Robinson
  • Joe Scally
  • John Tolkin

Centerbacks

Center back remains another position with uncertain depth. Chris Richards and the veteran Tim Ream look like locks for now, leaving three spots up for grabs. If Pochettino opts for a back three, that tactical shift could influence which players ultimately make the cut. Notably, Jackson Ragen and Maxi Dietz are the only center backs from the recent provisional rosters who haven’t been called into a USMNT camp.

  • Noahkai Banks
  • Tristan Blackmon
  • George Campbell
  • Cameron Carter-Vickers
  • Mark McKenzie
  • Tim Ream
  • Chris Richards
  • Miles Robinson
  • Auston Trusty
  • Walker Zimmerman

Central Midfielders

The central midfield position is the deepest for the #USMNT, with many players in the pool capable of also playing fullback, center back, or winger. Although Richie Ledezma has primarily played as a right back and right wing-back for his current club and for PSV last season, USMNT coaches view him primarily as a midfielder. This likely explains why he hasn’t yet been called into a USMNT camp.

  • Tyler Adams
  • Sebastian Berhalter
  • Gianluca Busio
  • Johnny Cardoso
  • Ben Cremaschi
  • Luca de la Torre
  • Emeka Eneli
  • Jack McGlynn
  • Weston McKennie
  • Aidan Morris
  • Yunus Musah
  • Tanner Tessmann
  • Sean Zawadzki

Attacking Midfielders

There are several players at this position who could add real quality and play pivotal roles for the #USMNT at next summer’s World Cup. Gio Reyna remains a major question mark, but his talent is undeniable. With his recent club change, there’s hope he can return to the high level of form we’ve seen from him in the past.

  • Brenden Aaronson
  • Paxten Aaronson
  • Brian Gutiérrez
  • Djordje Mihailovic
  • Matko Miljevic
  • Gio Reyna
  • Malik Tillman

Wingers

The winger position remains thin for the #USMNT, though several players there can also slot in as attacking midfielders, strikers, or even fullback. Notably, two young wingers, Cole Campbell and Griffin Yow, appeared on provisional rosters but have yet to be called into any Pochettino camp.

  • Cade Cowell
  • Diego Luna
  • Christian Pulisic
  • Quinn Sullivan
  • Indiana Vassilev
  • Tim Weah
  • Haji Wright
  • Alejandro Zendejas

Strikers

Another area of concern for the USMNT is striker depth. While the top options have all produced well for their clubs when healthy, injuries have kept the pool thin. If everyone is fit, the primary competition for the starting role likely comes down to three players: Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, and Josh Sargent. Haji Wright and Tim Weah can also step in as center-forward options if needed.

  • Patrick Agyemang
  • Folarin Balogun
  • Damion Downs
  • Jesus Ferreira
  • Ricardo Pepi
  • Josh Sargent
  • Brandon Vazquez
  • Brian White

Conclusion

It’s tough to read Pochettino’s mindset right now. Many expect fewer MLS players to be called for the October window, partly because the league continues through FIFA dates and the regular season ends mid-October.

Most World Cup rosters largely select themselves, with only a few surprising omissions, think of the 1994 squad, which left out several players many felt deserved a spot.

But with Pochettino still showing a shaky grasp of the USMNT player pool, this cycle could produce more notable snubs than ever, though there’s still time for him to get it right.

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Club News

From Louisville to Lisbon: Joshua Wynder’s Journey with S.L. Benfica

Published

6 months ago

on

June 13, 2025

By

The current state of the USMNT has been at an all-time low since Couva in 2017.  One of the positions in dire situation is Center Back.  Tim Ream will be 38 by the time of the 2026 World Cup.  Chris Richards has too many highs and lows and has not shown his club form with the US.  Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty have yet to perform for the national team.  Miles Robinson, despite what many MLS fans want to believe, is not good enough and makes too many errors, like the second Turkish goal on June 7th, 2025.  Walker Zimmerman has one World Cup left in him and he has a history of making critical errors as well, like the penalty against Gareth Bale in the 2022 World Cup.  Lastly, Mark McKenzie has improved his game since his move to Toulouse, but he is lacking the deserved opportunities and a good partnership.

Our U20 CBs will need to be called up sooner rather than later, either before or immediately after the 2026 World Cup.  The top 3 prospects by fans and analysts are Noahkai Banks, Matai Akinmboni, and Joshua Wynder.  Of the three, Joshua Wynder is the oldest at 20 years old and is part of a club that is world-renowned for their development, S.L. Benfica.

How did Wynder manage to accomplish such a move from Louisville City in the USL Championship to Benfica?  To summarize, Wynder had a breakout season for Lou City at 17 years old in 2022, so much so that he was included in the US U20 World Cup team in 2023. 

LOUvOKC.Photographer: EM Dash Photography

Wynder secured a spot to go on trial at Benfica and passed.  On June 8th, 2023, Benfica officially acquired Joshua Wynder from Lou City for a record-breaking $1.2 million transfer fee, which still stands today.

Louisville City FC, LOUvPIT.Photographer: EM Dash Photography

Benfica registered Wynder with the second team for the 2023/2024 season, who participate in Liga Portugal 2.  Due to Portuguese rules (players play in the youth system until they are 19 years old), he spent the season with Benfica’s UEFA Youth League team and U23 team and only received 21 minutes with the B team until a season-ending injury.  What began as a promising start, with the support of the fans, was cut short after just six matches.  The following season went according to plan for Wynder.  Wynder became a consistent starter for the B team where he started in 29 matches and appeared in a total of 31 matches.  He also scored four goals, all headers from corners. 


His success with the B team made him a fan-favorite and several calls to be called up to the first team by fans on social media.  That day came on April 9th, 2025, when he made the team sheet for Benfica’s Taça de Portugal Semi-Final match against FC Tirsense.  Wynder made his first team debut when he was subbed in at the 76th minute mark of that match.  He made a following appearance on the bench for the first team in their second leg match against FC Tirsense.

As early as November 27, 2024, it was reported by Glorioso 1904 that Joshua Wynder had gained the attention of the Benfica manager, Bruno Lage.  The report further said that Wynder was becoming an option for the next season’s first team.  A similar report surfaced on March 25, 2025, by Record, in Portugal, that Wynder is on track to be with the first team for the 2025/2026 season.  That day may be coming sooner rather than later.  Joshua Wynder will be joining Benfica on their 2025 Club World Cup campaign.  This will be a true test for him to prove to Bruno Lage that he is ready to be part of the first team for the upcoming 2025/2026 Liga Portugal and UEFA Champions League season.  If he is given serious minutes with the first team and performs, Joshua Wynder needs to be considered for the 2026 World Cup or immediately following the World Cup.


Benfica is in Group C of the Club World Cup with Auckland City, Bayern München, and Boca Juniors.  Their first match is against Boca Juniors, 33-time Argentine champions, on June 16th.  Game two is on June 20th against 10-time New Zealander champions, Auckland City FC.  Lastly, their 3rd group stage match is against the 6-time UEFA Champions League winners, Bayern München, on June 24th.

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