Megan Swanick
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megswanick.bsky.social
Megan Swanick
@megswanick.bsky.social
Writer. Wanderer.
Emily Fox 🇺🇸 goal in Champions League today… good time to plug my interview with the USWNT right back from last week:

www.theguardian.com/football/202...
‘There’s this buzz of excitement’: Emily Fox on USWNT and Arsenal ambitions
Right-back discusses Emma Hayes’s tactical messages, new blood in the national team and how Champions League win changed her
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:21 AM
USMNT training day 3 outside Philly ahead of Saturday’s friendly against Paraguay
November 12, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Day 2 of USMNT training outside of Philadelphia. All 24 players are now in camp, and all 24 are training.
November 11, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Reposted by Megan Swanick
New from me:

A big interview with Mauricio Pochettino as the #USMNT gets to work in Philadelphia.

On the team's progress so far, his values, and his praise for the Union's impressive contributions to the national team player pool:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/mauri... via @phillysport.bsky.social
Mauricio Pochettino reflects on the USMNT’s progress, and looks forward to his first game in Philly
The U.S. manager sat down with The Inquirer to talk about the highs and lows of the journey to the World Cup along with his admiration for the Union's contribution to the national team program.
www.inquirer.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Reposted by Megan Swanick
Two and a half years since the sizzle of his commitment to the #USMNT, Folarin Balogun has officially lived up to the hype.

And for the first time in ages, the U.S. men have a legitimate striker depth chart.

A big read on the biggest of all positions:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/folar...
Folarin Balogun is living up to the hype as a long-awaited top striker for the USMNT
Along with Haji Wright, who scored both goals Tuesday against Australia, Balogun has given the U.S. soccer team a desperately needed scoring threat.
www.inquirer.com
October 15, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Reposted by Megan Swanick
It’s been almost a quarter of a century since the #USMNT played with three centerbacks at a World Cup. But right now, it seems that will change next summer.

A deep dive into Mauricio Pochettino’s new tactics, a star who gains a lot, and one facing a big question:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/usmnt...
The USMNT seems on course to do something it hasn’t done in nearly a quarter century
It's a big change for the U.S. to play with three centerbacks, Here's an explanation of how the new tactics affect that position and other key players, Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie.
www.inquirer.com
October 11, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Reposted by Megan Swanick
So far, the new #USMNT three-back system seems to have Tim Ream, Chris Richards, and a question mark.

I'm not the only journalist at camp wondering if Mark McKenzie might be the answer.

I asked the former Union centerback about that and more:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/mark-...
The USMNT’s new playing style could give Mark McKenzie a big opportunity
The former Union centerback seems an ideal fit for the three-back defense that Mauricio Pochettino is testing. This month's games vs. Ecuador and Australia offer the chance to make an impression.
www.inquirer.com
October 9, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Reposted by Megan Swanick
Matt Turner knows what he has to do to regain the #USMNT starting goalkeeper job.

A big interview - with all his usual candor - about how his form fell, leaving Crystal Palace, and working to get back on the field for Mauricio Pochettino before the World Cup:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/matt-...
Matt Turner knows what he has to do to regain the USMNT’s starting goalkeeper job
After facing the Union on Saturday, Turner spoke at length with The Inquirer about why he returned to MLS, and what it will take to regain Mauricio Pochettino's confidence as the World Cup nears.
www.inquirer.com
September 21, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Reposted by Megan Swanick
It's one of the most perplexing questions about the #USMNT right now: How does Josh Sargent score so much for Norwich City, but not for his country?

He admitted today that he's as frustrated as anyone. But he believes just as strongly that he'll snap out of it.

www.inquirer.com/soccer/josh-...
Josh Sargent hasn’t scored for the USMNT in six years, but he’s a prolific striker for his club
It's one of the most perplexing questions about the U.S. team right now. How does Sargent score so much for England's Norwich City, but not find the net for his country? He's as frustrated as anyone.
www.inquirer.com
September 2, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Reposted by Megan Swanick
The Union will have to fight back in a loaded playoff race without Andre Blake.

They're just one point out of first, but the way things went around the league with summer transfers, it's hard to avoid thinking it feels like more than that:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/andre...
The Union will have to fight back in a loaded playoff race without Andre Blake
Blake is out 'for the next couple weeks' with a hamstring injury, manager Bradley Carnell said. That adds another challenge to the Union's push to regain first place in the standings.
www.inquirer.com
August 22, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Reposted by Megan Swanick
Spoke with Zack Steffen for a while last night.

What will matter more to Mauricio Pochettino, the three goals that went past him or the eight saves he made?

The #USMNT’s final sprint to the World Cup is nearing, and Steffen hopes the phone will ring:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/zack-...
As the USMNT’s last sprint for the World Cup nears, Zack Steffen showed his talents in his hometown
Though the Union beat Steffen with three late goals, his eight saves before then were a reminder of what he can do. Will he finally get a shot with the national team that he's been waiting for?
www.inquirer.com
July 27, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Reposted by Megan Swanick
While the Euros are making a lot of noise, the #USWNT is doing its business quietly.

But this summer has shown that there’s still no better country in the women’s game at developing lots of young talent.

Last night’s rout of Canada was the latest proof:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/clair...
The USWNT has not just a new era of players, but a new era of leaders
Sam Coffey, Naomi Girma, and 19-year-old Claire Hutton are reminders to the world that no country consistently develops as much top women’s soccer talent as the United States.
www.inquirer.com
July 3, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Reposted by Megan Swanick
I asked Palmeiras manager Abel Ferreira what he makes of having many Philly fans' backing vs. Chelsea.

“It can be a good opportunity for local people to join with us against the English," he said. "Because tomorrow, if I’m not wrong, is Independence Day, correct?"

www.inquirer.com/soccer/club-...
Palmeiras aims to upset Chelsea in Philly’s final Club World Cup game
The Brazilian club embraces being the underdog, and manager Abel Ferreira asked for Philly's support on July 4: “It can be a good opportunity for local people to join with us against the English."
www.inquirer.com
July 3, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Reposted by Megan Swanick
The Union were offered Thomas Müller, but said no to his big salary demands.

Here's what I know about what those demands actually are, and which other MLS teams Müller has turned down so far - including a big one that offered a lot of money, but not what he wanted:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/thoma...
The Union were offered German star Thomas Müller, but said no to his big salary demands
A source with knowledge of the matter told The Inquirer that Müller's camp wants a salary of $8 million to $10 million for the 35-year-old, who is leaving Bayern Munich after the Club World Cup.
www.inquirer.com
June 22, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Reposted by Megan Swanick
Union phenom Cavan Sullivan got to see Manchester City, his future team, play in Philadelphia.

He talked with me at the game about what it was like:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/manch... via @phillysport.bsky.social @inquirer.com
Union phenom Cavan Sullivan got to see Manchester City, his future team, play in Philadelphia
Sullivan and some of his family watched Phil Foden and Jérémy Doku lead City to a 2-0 win over Wydad. The Moroccan team's fans still had a lot of fun, though, creating a vibrant scene in the stands.
www.inquirer.com
June 18, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Reposted by Megan Swanick
To cap it off, they got a National Park Service ranger to join in the fun:
June 17, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Reposted by Megan Swanick
The scale of the Union’s influence on yesterday’s #USMNT game was astonishing, especially for a team with just one major trophy in its history.

“To be together here is special," Nathan Harriel said:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/usmnt...
The Union’s big influence on the USMNT is a remarkable feat: ‘To be together here is special’
Quinn Sullivan and Nathan Harriel made their senior national team debuts on a day when Jack McGlynn, Matt Freese, and Mark McKenzie also played. And they mostly played well, even in a U.S. loss.
www.inquirer.com
June 8, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Reposted by Megan Swanick
A year from the World Cup, Tyler Adams embraces life as the #USMNT’s leader on and off the field.

My exclusive interview with him on the eve of the start of a high-pressure summer:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/tyler...
A year from the World Cup, Tyler Adams embraces life as USMNT’s leader on and off the field
Adams came to Yeadon to dedicate a new mini soccer pitch at an elementary school. Then he talked with The Inquirer about the high stakes of the last summer before the biggest World Cup ever.
www.inquirer.com
June 1, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Reposted by Megan Swanick
Here's @megswanick.bsky.social on the USWNT, now assured of being sans-☕️☕️☕️ for a while: www.theguardian.com/football/202...
‘Triple Espresso’ led the USWNT to Olympic gold. Now, they must move forward
With Sophia Wilson, Trinity Rodman, and Mallory Swanson all out for a while, this next US camp is about establishing alternatives
www.theguardian.com
May 29, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Reposted by Megan Swanick
The Union’s game at Atlanta on Saturday will be streamed in a video game.

Yes, really.

A few insights from executives at MLS and EA Sports about how their partnership came together:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/phila... via @phillysport.bsky.social @inquirer.com
The Union’s game at Atlanta on Saturday will be streamed in a video game
EA Sports’ “EA FC” soccer video game will carry the broadcast free of charge to everyone with an account in the game.
www.inquirer.com
May 16, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Reposted by Megan Swanick
Ahead of the Union's first U.S. Open Cup home game in seven years:

Three generations of Sullivans have played in the national championship: Quinn, Brendan, and Larry.

Now comes a 15-year-old with a passion for soccer history, waiting to join his brother...

www.inquirer.com/soccer/cavan...
Three generations of Northeast Philadelphia’s Sullivans have made soccer history in the U.S. Open Cup
The Union's Quinn and Cavan Sullivan are following in the footsteps of their father, Brendan, and grandfather, Larry, Bridesburg natives who played in the national championship decades ago.
www.inquirer.com
May 6, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Reposted by Megan Swanick
Carli Lloyd stood to speak to the Hall of Fame she had just joined, and released a wave of emotions.

“Was it worth allowing a trainer into my life that over time created a wedge between me and my family for over a decade?” she asked.

On that moment and more:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/carli...
Carli Lloyd shares a lifetime of emotions at her Hall of Fame induction
Lloyd spoke of the psychological side of not just her rise to soccer greatness, but her separation and reunion with her parents. To cap it off, her father Steve served as her presenter on stage.
www.inquirer.com
May 4, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Reposted by Megan Swanick
Extremely psyched to get @theolloydhughes.bsky.social & @kimischilling.bsky.social & @megswanick.bsky.social together to make some correct and legally-binding predictions for the 2025 NWSL season: www.theguardian.com/football/202...
NWSL 2025 predictions: Pride looking for repeat, top newcomers and more
The 2025 NWSL season kicks off this week. We convened a panel of writers to discuss what they’re most looking forward to this year
www.theguardian.com
March 13, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Reposted by Megan Swanick
Surveying the wreckage of last night, from Mauricio Pochettino's lineup choices to the players' lack of intensity.

"We need to look in the mirror before anything," Tyler Adams said.

No matter the politics, the #USMNT lost a game to Panama that it should have won:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/mauri...
No matter the politics, the USMNT lost a game to Panama that it should have won
U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino was understandably upset with his players' lack of intensity. He made his own mistakes too, but this isn't the first time intensity has been an issue.
www.inquirer.com
March 21, 2025 at 7:43 PM