EPISODE · Dec 6, 2025 · 31 MIN
Will the US Men's National Team fly or flop in World Cup? Landon Donovan weighs in
from The Athletic Show
The countdown to 2026 has officially begun! Zena Keita, Robert Mays, and Jason Goff are back for a special edition of The Athletic Show dedicated entirely to the biggest sporting event on the planet. With the World Cup coming to North America, the stakes have never been higher. US Soccer legend Landon Donovan joins the crew to discuss what we can expect from the Men’s National Team—are they headed for glory or global embarrassment? Plus, The Athletic’s Paul Tenorio stops by to set the stage for the US squad’s chances. The team also dives into the new 48-team format, the "David vs. Goliath" stories of Cape Verde and Curacao, and the controversial ticket pricing strategy that might hurt your wallet. Finally, Jason wraps things up with a World Cup-themed edition of "Learning Feels Good."Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysJason Goff @Jason1GoffPaul Tenorio @PaulTenorioLandon DonovanEditor: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What this episode covers
The countdown to 2026 has officially begun! Zena Keita, Robert Mays, and Jason Goff are back for a special edition of The Athletic Show dedicated entirely to the biggest sporting event on the planet. With the World Cup coming to North America, the stakes have never been higher. US Soccer legend Landon Donovan joins the crew to discuss what we can expect from the Men’s National Team—are they headed for glory or global embarrassment? Plus, The Athletic’s Paul Tenorio stops by to set the stage for the US squad’s chances. The team also dives into the new 48-team format, the "David vs. Goliath" stories of Cape Verde and Curacao, and the controversial ticket pricing strategy that might hurt your wallet. Finally, Jason wraps things up with a World Cup-themed edition of "Learning Feels Good."Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysJason Goff @Jason1GoffPaul Tenorio @PaulTenorioLandon DonovanEditor: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Will the US Men's National Team fly or flop in World Cup? Landon Donovan weighs in
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