Sounding Off on Soccer with John Krysinsky

John Krysinsky
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  • Soccer
  • Updated Weekly

Pittsburgh Soccer Now's John Krysinsky talks all things soccer, including the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, collegiate and scholastic competition, MLS, Premier League, International Soccer and more.

  1. USMNT Hits the Ceiling – Analyzing the 4-1 World Cup Loss to Belgium (feat. Mike DeCourcy)

    1d ago

    USMNT Hits the Ceiling – Analyzing the 4-1 World Cup Loss to Belgium (feat. Mike DeCourcy)

    "They found the right channels, but against Belgium, they had an answer for everything. The U.S. had to work a little bit harder, and that's when elite players step up."The tournament run is over. Host John Krysinsky welcomes The Sporting News writer and pod regular Mike DeCourcy to process the heavy reaction surrounding the U.S. Men's National Team’s 4-1 elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Key Topics Covered: The Ponderous Reality: Why did the USMNT look surprisingly timid and hesitant on and off the ball compared to earlier tournament performances?Moment of Magic vs. Instant Collapse: Malik Tillman's brilliant free-kick equalizer and how Belgium instantly retook the lead just 116 seconds later.Defensive and Aerial Breakdowns: An in-depth look at individual performances, communication issues across the backline, and how Belgium’s Charles De Ketelaere and Romelu Lukaku thoroughly exposed the U.S. defense.The Keeping Blunder: Sifting through Matt Freese’s costly second-half clearance mistake that handed Hans Vanaken an empty net.The Program Ceiling: Did this squad simply hit their natural competitive limit, or did tactical execution fail them when it mattered most?Follow Pittsburgh Soccer Now: Website: pittsburghsoccernow.comTwitter/X: @PghSoccerNow

    51 min
  2. Mike DeCourcy on USMNT’s Knockout Triumph and Scouting Belgium

    Jul 3

    Mike DeCourcy on USMNT’s Knockout Triumph and Scouting Belgium

    The U.S. Men’s National Team has advanced to the World Cup Round of 16 for the first time since 2002 after a wild, gritty 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in Santa Clara. Host John Krysinsky is joined by senior writer for The Sporting News, Mike DeCourcy, to break down a chaotic night in the Bay Area and look ahead to a massive knockout clash with Belgium. John and Mike tackle the fallout from Folarin Balogun's highly controversial 64th-minute red card and how Pochettino's "no-panic" culture kept the 10-man squad structurally flawless. Plus, they dive into the tactical adjustments required for Monday's match without their primary target man: Will it be Ricardo Pepi or Haji Wright leading the line, and how much heavy lifting will fall on the soaring shoulders of Malik Tillman?  Links & Resources:• Read Mike's post-match column at The Sporting News• Follow Mike on X: @tsnmike• Head to Pittsburgh Soccer Now for full match breakdowns, tactical analysis, and fan galleries! Photo courtesy US Soccer

    39 min
  3. Poch vs. The Press & The Blueprint for Pittsburgh Pro Women’s Soccer (with The Sporting News' Mike DeCourcy)

    Jun 26

    Poch vs. The Press & The Blueprint for Pittsburgh Pro Women’s Soccer (with The Sporting News' Mike DeCourcy)

    The Sporting News legend Mike DeCourcy joins John Krysinsky to recap the group stage fallout and map out the road ahead for Wednesday’s massive USMNT vs. Bosnia knockout clash. Pulling back the curtain on the press room, Mike breaks down how Pochettino is navigating the American media and why tournament depth matters. Later in the show, John shifts gears to the local sports landscape. Fifty years after the Pittsburgh Triangles won a championship, why is Pittsburgh still sitting on its hands regarding elite women's professional sports? John delivers a passionate closing argument on the explosive growth of the Pittsburgh Riveters SC and Steel City FC, explaining how corporate partnership potential, a deep local talent pipeline, and a looming stadium expansion are paving a direct path toward the USL Super League or NWSL. No more waiting—it's time to get it done. Timestamps: 0:00 - USMNT Group Stage Fallout & Roster Rotation Risks22:06 - Attacking Flair: Can Dest, McKennie, and Pulisic Unlock Bosnia?23:11 - Singing Country Roads & Staying Relevant with Mike DeCourcy24:43 - The Pittsburgh Triangles & The Women's Pro Sports Void28:39 - Post-Interview: John on the Pochettino vs. Media Dynamic31:43 - Solo Editorial: It's Time for a Pro Women's Soccer Team in Pittsburgh!

    41 min
  4. World Cup Chess (USMNT vs Australia Preview) + Inside the Hounds' title experience with Matt Grubba

    Jun 17

    World Cup Chess (USMNT vs Australia Preview) + Inside the Hounds' title experience with Matt Grubba

    Riverhounds Media Relations Director Matt Grubba, born in Sydney, Australia but raised in the U.S., joins John Krysinsky to preview the highly anticipated USMNT vs. Australia World Cup match and shares an incredible inside look at the Hounds' historic USL Championship win in Tulsa. Full Show Notes: Joining the show today is longtime Pittsburgh soccer journalist and current Riverhounds Director of Media Relations, Matt Grubba! John and Matt have shared press boxes since the dawn of the F.N.B. Stadium era. In this episode, they look back at how much the local soccer landscape has exploded before Matt takes us right onto the pitch in Tulsa, describing what it was like on the inside when the Riverhounds hoisted the USL Championship trophy. Then, they dive deep into Friday's massive USMNT vs. Australia World Cup group stage matchup. As a dual U.S.-Australian citizen, Matt breaks down the Socceroos' shocking 2-0 counter-attacking upset over Turkey, the rise of teenage sensation Nestory Irankunda, and how Australia plans to set a tactical trap for Pochettino's high-flying Americans in Seattle.

    33 min
  5. USMNT World Cup statement with Mike DeCourcy, Steel Army vs. Eric Dick & Knicks are champions

    Jun 15

    USMNT World Cup statement with Mike DeCourcy, Steel Army vs. Eric Dick & Knicks are champions

    A truly historic week across the global and local sporting landscape brings a powerhouse edition of Sounding Off on Soccer! We kick things off right from the press box in Los Angeles as host John Krysinsky welcomes back legendary sports journalist Mike DeCourcy of The Sporting News. Fresh off covering the U.S. Men’s National Team’s commanding performance, Mike takes us inside the electric atmosphere of the World Cup on home soil. We dive deep into a vintage tactical display the likes of which we’ve never quite seen from the U.S. Men on this stage before. Mike also delivers the latest medical updates on Christian Pulisic’s injury status, breaks down the squad's intensifying preparations for Friday’s massive clash with Australia in Seattle, and even switches gears to give us his perspective as a renowned college basketball writer on the New York Knicks capturing their first NBA title since 1973 behind the chemistry of the "Nova Knicks" and Jalen Brunson's masterpiece. Then, John shifts the focus back to local soil with a full sweep of the Western Pennsylvania soccer landscape. We break down the absolute tear our area pre-professional teams are on—including the red-hot Pittsburgh Riveters SC nearing a division crown and Steel City FC keeping the defensive standard high. From there, we unpack the Riverhounds' gritty 1-0 win over Indy Eleven in front of another packed house at F.N.B. Stadium. John pulls from his years of experience as a competitor, coach, and journalist to tackle the social media chatter surrounding the Steel Army heavily booing returning championship goalkeeper Eric Dick, explaining why it was a masterclass in Soccer Gamesmanship 101.

    44 min
  6. The Sporting News' Mike DeCourcy breaks down the biggest World Cup talking points for USMNT

    May 28

    The Sporting News' Mike DeCourcy breaks down the biggest World Cup talking points for USMNT

    The 2026 FIFA World Cup is just weeks away, and Mauricio Pochettino has officially set the roster for the USMNT. The 26-man squad features massive tactical gambles, headline-grabbing snubs, and a heavy reliance on a select few stars to carry the load on home soil. On this episode of Sounding Off on Soccer, Pittsburgh Soccer Now Managing Editor John Krysinsky sits down with veteran sports journalist and Pittsburgh's own Mike DeCourcy of The Sporting News. Instead of a standard Q&A, John puts Mike on the hot seat at the start in a "Buy or Sell" segment, then togehter they look at the final squad, and dive deep into Mike's latest Sporting News column on why this tournament is Gio Reyna's ultimate legacy moment, and much more!

    49 min
  7. Steel City FC's veterans Emily Graeca and Payton O'Malley anchor W League core

    May 21

    Steel City FC's veterans Emily Graeca and Payton O'Malley anchor W League core

    Summer soccer in Western Pennsylvania is officially in full swing, and this week the spotlight shines directly on the women’s pre-professional landscape. Ahead of their anticipated USL W League season opener this Friday night, Pittsburgh Soccer Now sat down with two foundational pillars of the Steel City FC Women squad: defensive anchor Emily Graeca and veteran goalkeeper Payton O'Malley. The duo represents a massive chunk of the veteran leadership driving Head Coach Tom Ovenden's roster this summer. Graeca, a standout defender at James Madison University and a DuBois area native, alongside O'Malley, the Chartiers Valley product now commanding the box at Bowling Green, bring elite NCAA Division I pedigree back to the Steel City locker room. In a wide-ranging interview segment, the pair broke down everything from the club's unique family culture to high-stakes regional travel, upcoming tournament cameos, and a summer schedule loaded with local fireworks.

    28 min
  8. Steelers and BVB partnership beyond the Black & Gold — it's a strategic bridge between two "Steel Cities"

    May 13

    Steelers and BVB partnership beyond the Black & Gold — it's a strategic bridge between two "Steel Cities"

    The partnership between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Borussia Dortmund moved from the front office to the pitch this week. On Wednesday, the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex hosted youth athletes for the BVB International Academy North America tryouts—a landmark moment for the collaboration announced last year. On the latest episode of Sounding Off on Soccer, Pittsburgh Soccer Now's caught up with BVB’s Dru Wright (Chief Football Officer - BVB International Academy North America) and and the Steelers’ Reagan Berube (Sr Director Content and International Development) to discuss the tangible impact of this global bridge. From coaching education and School of Excellence scouting to hosting flag football in Germany, learn how these two legendary organizations are leveraging their shared Steel City DNA to create a unique holistic environment for local players. Topics and Highlights of the interview included:  The Steel City Synergy: How the shared industrial heritage and Black & Gold identity of Pittsburgh and Dortmund created a natural foundation for this partnership.A Very Real Connection: Why hosting youth tryouts at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex is a major milestone in making the partnership tangible for local families.The BVB Way: Dru Wright explains the Heavy Metal football philosophy—high tempo, high intensity, and a focus on doing things the right way.Global Brand Expansion: Reagan Berube discusses the Steelers’ international efforts in Germany, including flag football camps and official watch parties at Signal Iduna Park.Player Pathways: Details on the School of Excellence program and the direct scouting line for Pittsburgh players (both male and female) to train in Germany.Holistic Development: Moving beyond pay-to-play to focus on building professional skill sets that serve athletes both on and off the pitch.Coaching Education: The commitment to developing local Western PA coaches through monthly calls and direct mentorship from BVB’s German staff.Future Vision: A look at the step-by-step growth of the collaboration and the potential for more international soccer events returning to Pittsburgh.About the guests:  Dru Wright, Chief Football Officer - BVB International Academy North America Dru is the gatekeeper of the "BVB Way." Dortmund is world-famous for its youth development (think Pulisic, Bellingham, Haaland). Wright’s goal is to ensure the Pittsburgh kids aren’t just wearing the badge but are actually learning the Dortmund methodology. Reagan Berube, Sr Director Content and International Development, Pittsburgh Steelers Reagan is a key architect of the Steelers' international expansion. Since the Steelers received NFL marketing rights for Germany in 2024, they’ve been aggressive in building a "home away from home" in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland).

    25 min
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Pittsburgh Soccer Now's John Krysinsky talks all things soccer, including the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, collegiate and scholastic competition, MLS, Premier League, International Soccer and more.

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