Host Nations Advance

(This is the audio-only version of Thursday’s MartyTimeTV / Section 1904 joint venture. You can find and subscribe to this podcast on Apple and Spotify and right here on Substack by clicking the button below. To watch this episode on YouTube, click here) World Cups are better when the host nation goes on a run. Multiply that by three and we are living in an unprecedented moment of North American soccer joy and prosperity. The 2026 FIFA World Cup has been massive for Canada, Mexico & the United States, with all three host nations advancing to the Round of 16. ESPN’s Eric Gomez is back to describe what it has meant in Mexico City, fans hilariously getting into the "spirit", the generational run to a Quinto Partido and how El Tri has followed Javier Aguirre’s lead to FOUR clean sheet wins in four matches. We also discussed the USMNT’s convincing performances and the growing belief that Mauricio Pochettino’s squad is capable of making a deeper tournament run. Of course, we also covered the Folarin Balogun red card, the use (misuse?) of VAR in that moment and the media reaction to the sending off, which has been widespread. So what’s next? Can Mexico find a way past England at altitude? Does the USMNT have what it takes to knock off Belgium in a rematch from the 2014 World Cup? How depressed will we be when this World Cup is over? Enjoy this World Cup edition of Thursday’s podcast. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dsmithshow.substack.com