Is Kansas City REALLY America’s Soccer Capital? | Nate Bukaty

Legendary broadcaster Nate Bukaty (Apple TV MLS, ex-Sporting KC voice) joins the show! We unpack Peter Vermes' enduring impact, Sporting's fresh start under Rafa Wicky, young MLS stars, why Nashville could surprise, the real MLS vs. Championship debate, and Kansas City's massive 2026 World Cup role. Plus, Nate previews the USMNT under Pochettino and discusses his new book Perfect Pitch.Don't miss this soccer-packed conversation—pre-order the book at natebukaty.com!Follow for weekly NFL + soccer chaos. #MLS #SportingKC #WorldCup2026Timestamps:0:00 Intro0:55 Iconic Sporting KC Moments2:30 Favorite Sporting KC Players4:29 The Legacy of Peter Vermes7:02 Sporting KC vs Manchester United: The 2010 Upset9:54 Inside Sporting KC’s New Era12:33 Can Sporting Kansas City Turn the Corner?16:12 The Current Major League Soccer Landscape 17:22 Is MLS Gaining Global Prestige?18:54 MLS Teams to Watch20:11 Rising MLS Young Stars22:33 Is MLS better than the EFL Championship?24:55 Can MLS Players Succeed in Europe?26:00 The Story Behind Perfect Pitch27:24 Why Top World Cup Teams Chose to Call Kansas City Home30:03 The World Cup Buzz in Kansas City like?31:50 Reasonable Expectations for the US Men’s National Team?33:15 Surprise Players Who Could Make the USMNT World Cup Squad34:55 Early Impressions of Mauricio Pochettino36:16 Why the 2026 World Cup is Huge for U.S. Soccer38:59 How Soccer Can Grow in the United States?42:08 Outro