Latest news with #MarceloBalboa
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Marcelo Balboa on his Colorado Rapids jersey retirement
Yahoo Sports contributors Christian Polanco and Alexis Guerreros talk with MLS/Apple soccer analyst and former USMNT defender Marcelo Balboa about the significance of his #17 being retired by his former MLS club. Hear the full conversation on the 'The Cooligans' podcast - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen. View more Video Transcript You are in the US Soccer Hall of Fame as well, and then you're getting your jersey retired by the Colorado Rapids, getting celebrated by US Soccer, and being in the US Soccer Hall of Fame and now getting your number retired by the club, which is a fairly rare thing. I mean, in soccer, this is not something that regularly happens. The numbers are just mostly fans and most cultures are just like the numbers just passed on, but nobody will be wearing the number 17. So what does that feel like for you to get honored by the club? I feel like I was smart. I didn't pick a prime number that they could retire like a 10 or a 9, you know what I mean, I feel pretty good, pretty good about that. Smart move. Thinking ahead. I've been asked this question a few times and I'm a little lost right now, you know what I mean? Cause when I played soccer, I played it because I love it, and I still love it now. I'm 58, 50 going on 58, and I still play it. I tore my shoulder up and I'm still playing. So, you know, it's hard for me because it's not an individual sport. The only reason I've been so successful is because of the wonderful players missing. I've had Tony behind me for years. I had Lexi to the side of me. I've had John Hart, Taramos. I mean, I've had wonderful teammates in Leon with Kalgo and Tita, you know what I mean? So, I don't know, it's hard for me to understand my number being retired when I've had so many people in my life that have been teammates that have, and, and have done so much to make like the first goal that the Rapids scored. Everybody says, oh, Marcelo scored. Do you guys even remember who the first assist was from? I ask everybody. No one does. But if that guy doesn't, Deane Harber doesn't do what he does, I don't score that first goal. I'm in a position where they play it nice and easy in front of me. All I have to do is tap it in the corner. So I know, I have a hard time understanding the, individual side of it when this is a team sport. So, I mean, my head's wrapping around it, but I mean, it's an honor and a half. That they even thought about doing this, but I, there's so many people that I would have to thank for, for having my number retired because of all my teammates that have helped me get to, to the positions I've been. Close
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Will the 2026 World Cup transform U.S. Soccer again?
Yahoo Sports contributors Christian Polanco and Alexis Guerreros talk with MLS/Apple soccer analyst and former USMNT defender Marcelo Balboa about show U.S. Soccer changed after hosting the World Cup in 1994. Hear the full conversation on the 'The Cooligans' podcast - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen. View more Video Transcript We know the impact from '94 created MLS, and we are where we are today because of that '94 World Cup. But 2026, uh, will come through another World Cup here. What do you think the impact might be after that 2026 World Cup? Is there anything that could even be similar to what happened after the '94 World Cup? 94 was the first time the US was ever going to host the World Cup. There were no expectations. If you go back to '94, when you looked at our group, no one really gave us a chance of getting out of the Colombia group with Switzerland, Romania. We'd really, no one ever gave us a chance. So I think that World Cup for us was one where we got to prove that we can host the biggest tournament in the world. Number two, we have to get out of the group. We will do anything and everything, and we made it very clear to each other that we will run, we will fight, we will scratch, we will do everything we can to make sure we get the results. So I think that opened up a lot of people's eyes. This World Cup depends on this next generation. What they do in this World Cup is going to leave a bigger legacy, or it's going to leave a big disappointment. Because at this point right now, they're not playing great. But it's okay. You don't have to play great right now. You have to play great at the World Cup. You got to show up and you've got to play your best soccer at that point. And I think this team has the capability. They've got players that we've never had playing in teams that we've never seen in my generation, playing at AC Milan and playing at Chelsea and playing at Juventus and Dortmund and all these places. So, I think that the expectations are high, because for me, I will always back this team and I want to see this team do well. But anything short of a quarterfinal, to me, with this group of players, I don't think it's successful for us in this World Cup. Especially when we got out of the group in '94, and we weren't supposed to get out of the group. So I think the expectations are very high. Now, let's hope they can live up to it. If they can live up to it, this could take soccer in this country to another level. Close
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Marcelo Balboa on MLS Growth Since Its Inception + Can USMNT Recreate the World Cup Hoopla of 1994?
Subscribe to The Cooligans Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Christian Polanco and Alexis Guerreros welcome USMNT and MLS legend Marcelo Balboa to the show. They discuss his soccer journey, including his decision to return to the U.S. to help launch Major League Soccer in 1996. What were the hardships that came with it — and was it worth the sacrifice? Christian and Alexis then dive into Marcelo's USMNT journey, including his role in the 1994 World Cup team's magical run on home soil. Will the 2026 World Cup in the U.S. live up to 1994? How can this new squad elevate soccer in America to the next level? Later, Marcelo reflects on the honor of having his jersey retired by the Colorado Rapids. He also shares why he has a problem with former USMNT players — like Landon Donovan — being overly critical of the current squad, and why Christian Pulisic deserves a break. (2:30) – Marcelo Balboa joins The Cooligans (6:30) – Marcelo on why he helped launch MLS (29:00) – Marcelo's USMNT journey & thoughts on team's World Cup future (44:00) – What it meant to have his jersey retired by Colorado Rapids (48:00) – Marcelo on criticism from ex-USMNT players 🖥️
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
USMNT could change its World Cup narrative in Gold Cup final vs. Mexico
You ask former U.S. men's national soccer team standouts Marcelo Balboa and Stu Holden about the Concacaf Gold Cup final, and the competitive spirit just oozes from their soul. Especially since USMNT will face its biggest rival, Mexico, in the Sunday, July 6 match at NRG Stadium in Houston. Advertisement 'Listen, you never want to lose to Mexico,' Balboa, 57, told USA TODAY Sports, before he joins the Gold Cup's Spanish-language broadcast on Univision, TUDN and ViX. 'I'm retired. I haven't played against Mexico a long time. Even when I play in the old legends games, I don't want to lose to Mexico.' Holden – who will be on the Gold Cup call alongside play-by-play announcer John Strong on FOX – still remembers how humiliated he felt after playing in USMNT's 5-0 loss to Mexico in the 2009 Gold Cup final. 'Man, I would give anything to step on that field on Sunday,' Holden said. 'And I'm going to step on the field – I just won't be allowed to kick a ball.' Coach Mauricio Pochettino, breakout star Diego Luna and the USMNT have a golden opportunity to rewrite the team's narrative ahead of next summer's FIFA World Cup. Advertisement They could end a tumultuous summer on a high note by lifting a trophy, setting the stage for a World Cup where they could at least be competitive against some of the best national teams in the world. A loss, however? Well, here's where it's important to maintain some perspective. USMNT has been a club on the fly before the World Cup – hiring Pochettino last September, and trying to field a capable roster that won't embarrass itself when the U.S. co-hosts the tournament next summer with Canada and Mexico. By no means are they ready for the World Cup just yet. But they'll have to be when next summer rolls around. Advertisement Star Christian Pulisic is one of several players not with USMNT during the Gold Cup this summer – his decision to rest upsetting several former players turned analysts, especially after the U.S. lost friendlies to Turkey (2-1 on June 7) and Switzerland (4-0 on June 10) before the tournament. During the Gold Cup, the U.S. beat Trinidad and Tobago 5-0 on June 7, beat Saudi Arabia 1-0 on June 19, beat Haiti 2-1 on June 22, advanced past Costa Rica 2-2 (4-3 on penalty kicks) on June 29 and topped Guatemala 2-1 on July 2 to reach the final. U.S. goalkeeper Matthew Freese (25) celebrats with defender Walker Zimmerman (5) during a semifinal match of the 2025 Gold Cup at Energizer Park. Pochettino has 10 wins in 15 matches since taking the job, a run that included a four-game losing streak going into the Gold Cup. Would another loss to Mexico – in the Gold Cup final – be a failure for Pochettino and USMNT? Advertisement 'No, not at all. The fact that this team got there, I think it's very valuable for Pochettino and his coaching staff,' Balboa said, adding it's a prime opportunity for the players pushing for a roster spot to play for USMNT in the World Cup. 'Listen, nobody wants to lose. Is it a failure? I wouldn't think it's a failure at all. I think it's just one of those games that it could go either way. One mistake could cost you the game. But at the end of the day, you can't say one game that you lose to Mexico in the final, the tournament was a failure.' Holden said he's cautious to put a label like 'failure' if this group of USMNT players fall to Mexico because 'it would be me getting a little bit lost in the moment.' This Gold Cup experience is about Pochettino finding his way as the USMNT coach. Advertisement It's about players like Luna, who scored both goals against Guatemala, making a name for themselves. It's about others like forwards Brian White and Patrick Agyemang, midfielders Max Arfsten, Jack McGlynn and Sebastian Berhalter, defenders Chris Richards and Alex Freeman, and goalkeeper Matt Freese solidifying their chances to make the World Cup roster. Holden believes a Gold Cup win could solidify USMNT's belief in itself, and send a message to its pool of players that the club is heading in a clear direction under Pochettino's leadership. 'That means: You fight like hell on Sunday, and you beat your fiercest rival, and you cap off a great month, and we have a great storyline to tell for the next year,' Holden said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gold Cup: USMNT could change World Cup narrative in final vs. Mexico
