Run Kick Heartbreak

Send us Fan MailRecorded July 6th, 2026Getting eliminated is one thing. Getting eliminated after you finally start caring is another. We’re fresh off watching the United States crash out of the World Cup, and we talk through the whiplash of going from “I’m not a soccer fan” to glued to the screen, arguing about cards, coaching, effort, and how a match can feel over even when the score says it isn’t. If you’ve ever surprised yourself by riding for the stars and stripes in a sport you barely follow, you’ll recognize the feeling.From there, we zoom out to the bigger USMNT and soccer in America conversation: what the historical finishes say, why accessibility matters for building fans, and what has to change for the US to climb into the top tier of global soccer. We hit the uncomfortable parts too, like development paths, money incentives in youth sports, and why so many top players end up needing Europe to reach their ceiling.Then we do what we do best: argue sports legacy with our whole chest. Is LeBron James a top 10 Laker if you judge only his Lakers tenure, not his full career? We run the list, compare eras, bring in the rings debate, and even use a simple filter that sparks instant disagreement: would the Lakers actually build the statue?We also mix in golf talk (Rickie Fowler drama, big putts, big rounds, and a feel good PGA Tour win), plus a little MLB All Star energy to close. If you laughed, got mad, or nodded along, subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave us a review. What’s your top 10 Lakers list and what did you see in that US match?#baldguysonthebench #graboneandcrackone #worldcup