this post was submitted on 10 Nov 2023
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What's up! I'm an MLS and USMNT insider with The Athletic as well as Apple TV. I've previously written for MLSSoccer.com as well as The Guardian. I'm here to answer some questions starting at 11am ET.

Let's get after whatever you want. Messi in Miami, Phil Neville in Portland, USMNT stuff, who's next to come to MLS, mustache questions, all good.

My Twitter/X account

Tom's My author page on The Athletic

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[–] BatGeist@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Any idea when the Revs will announce a new sporting director and head coach?

Any hints to who they are looking at?

[–] Exact_Dragonfly_9361@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

After signing Messi, Busquets, Alba, and now probably Suarez in Miami, what MLS team do you see that can achieve similar signings, and what big names do you see coming to MLS?

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[–] jtn1123@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

who's your bets on the next two Galaxy DPs?

Who will fill their U22s?

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[–] Taeshan@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

So if the Union thought Bobby Wood did something egregious as well why did nothing come of it.

Also mls cup matchup and who wins.

[–] notionalsoldier@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Tom, I got a pork roll, egg and cheese on an everything bagel yesterday and covered it in blue agave Sriracha. Do you approve or should I repent for a New Jersey sin?

More seriously - who is the biggest name you could realistically see transferred into MLS in 2024 aside from Suarez?

[–] Hmnaftall@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Do you believe there are any roster rule changes coming this off-season to MLS?

[–] Doobie352@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

what's the scoop on roster rules changing this offseason? has the arrival of Messi shifted the mindset of ownerships in the league?

[–] garybarlow0@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Does Phil Neville have the potential to have a greater impact on MLS than Lionel Messi?

[–] fancy-bottom@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Any idea on what happened with Bruce Arena? It just seems so odd that that it was serious enough for him to resign but no word on what he did

[–] backheeledjoe@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

tom, first time long time

would you ever consider living somewhere other than new jersey for an extended period of time

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[–] forzamilano10@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Hi Tom! Any update on DCU's GM search?

[–] eeeagless@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I'm so lost as to why Phil Neville keeps getting high profile jobs in football. Can you shed any light?

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[–] CalvinballChamp2017@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

What is the most wild MLS rumor your heard and didn't report on only for it to turn out to be true?

[–] LoonHawk@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Tom, why would the Loons hire a sporting director with no guarantee he’ll be able to start working in Minnesota until next July? Please tell me they know he’ll be able to get out of his contract…

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[–] lionnyc@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Give us the Tommy Scoops on the NYCFC.SOURCE Twitter account, what's been going on with you two?

And what are your thoughts on other similar accounts like MLSTransfers, MLSMoves, etc?

[–] RIPMexicanTraore@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Are there any specific topics or aspects of the MLS that you feel are not getting enough attention in the broader sports media?

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[–] ksox07@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Thoughts on Ben Olsen and Dynamo this season. HH played well this year and they look great (fingers crossed for tomorrow). I personally see them as a threat for West final and could make surprise run to the final if they finish their chances as they create so much from open play.

[–] caramelshakenespress@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Hey Tom, what’s a realistic expectation and ceiling for the USMNT through the rest of the decade? Follow up: talk about the state of the CB position and do you think that’s the weakest link to/for our success?

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[–] Nursilmaz@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago
  1. Will Inter Miami signing all those older stars have longer consequences or will it burn bright but short and wont change much in the long run?
  2. Im from Poland I also wanted to ask what do you think about Świderski? He became kinda cult hero for Polish nt fans because he pretty much always performs during international break but I feel like he is getting overrated because no one watches him play in MSL and regard him only for nt performance. I tried to watch few matches and check his stats, he seems to be playing different positions a lot and had some flashy moments but I'm not that impressed by his season.
[–] CoolRunnings7@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Sporting KC had an incredible finish in the regular season after a horrid start. Understandably, a lot of that was getting healthier. But also think that finish masks some of the prevalent issues that are and will still be there regardless of how they finish this post season.

What kind of moves do they need to make vs what you think they’ll actually do this offseason?

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[–] tefftlon@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Why do you hate my team? (Please ignore my flair, it’s irrelevant to the question.)

Real and better question: if you were good enough to be an MLS starter at whatever your preferred position is, which team would you be on?

[–] ajnem@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Why can't Apple make a proper whiparound show, without ads and without the idiotic "GOAL ALERT" spoilers, like CBS does with The Golazo Show?

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[–] jmunoz353@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

How often do you take a step back and think “Holy shit, how did I get here?”

Been following you on ExtraTime for the last couple years and really happy to see how your career has progressed and now your great reporting for The Athletic. From the outside looking in, it looks like your career has just propelled forward in the last few years at a meteoric rate and you’re doing fantastic in a very tough, selective industry where only a lucky few are able to make it. Of course, behind the scenes I’m sure you’ve put in crazy amounts of hard work and long hours to get here, but curious how often you take a step back and think “Shit, I have a pretty dope job!”

PS - Keep up the great work and looking forward all that’s to come from TommyScoops!

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[–] greenecheese@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Any idea why NYCFC is the only team not firing their coach?

[–] CurrentThing-er@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Thanks for doing this Tom!

Do you like the playoffs changes this year?

If it was up to you how would you structure it?

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[–] Ctrain111@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

If you could recreate the original Columbus Crew logo with two other well-mustachioed men who would you choose and why?

[–] ScarecrowBoat22@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Do you expect significant changes to the roster rules this offseason, or is MLS limited in what they can actually do (CBA, low-spending owners on committees, etc)?

[–] Rglas@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Do you have any Austin FC news too share (can dm me if you don’t want to publicly release)

[–] NatFan9@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

What’s taking so long in the DC United GM search? Do you know of any names they’re looking at?

[–] soclear1700@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Who's the up and coming kid(s) to watch who could appear on the World Cup roster for '26?

[–] bill326@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Are there any rumblings coming from the Revs regarding the new coach and new sporting director? The MLS off-season really isn't that long from the end of playoffs to training camps so I feel like they really need to get this squared away soon so they can make the necessary roster improvements to contend next season.

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[–] iMonstah@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Best way to start a career in soccer in the US?

[–] EPLWA_Is_Relevant@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

How much do journalists rely on Wikipedia for rumors and player histories? There's been quite a few instances of rumored transfers being "leaked" to Wikipedia, both true and hoax.

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[–] RIPMexicanTraore@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

So you have been one of/ the most well-established MLS reporter for years now, especially during a time when MLS information wasn’t easy to come by. How did you become such a well-connected individual with so many important MLS individuals was it through LinkedIn, your time at the Guardian, being a constant figure during post-game interviews, etc?

[–] Throwaway100123100@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Is there a genuine path for the MLS to become one of the top leagues in the world (i.e. as good as the 6th/7th best in Europe), or is it unlikely to happen without substantial changes to the American system

And as a bonus - do you see promotion/relegation as a realistic prospect of being adopted in the USA?

[–] OldAd2922@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Why have I never witnessed a soccer player sneeze during a match? Not once. Grass allergies are a real thing.....

[–] svennyi@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

People keep mentioning Troy Lesesne did tremendous work behind the scenes to stabilize the Red Bulls. Are you able to elaborate? Was it on player management (Struber/Vanzeir fallout), player development or tactical adjustments? Are the signs pointing to Red Bulls keeping him or are we going to get another German/Austrian acolyte?

Also, are the Red Bulls really going to spend big as promised?

[–] TheMonkeyPrince@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

The recent MLS and NWSL media deals took two very different approaches, with MLS going all in with Apple while the NWSL split its rights across various parties and included a significant traditional TV component. What are your thoughts on the two different approaches and the benefits/downsides of them.

[–] Wandererover@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Who is more likely to be back in MLS, Arena or Williams?

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[–] JermGom17@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

What are your predictions for the salary changes in the MLS?

[–] BubbaGumpsPimp@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Hey Tom, how does one keep such a well groomed mustache?

Follow up - what are your favorite stadiums/environments in MLS?

I’ll hang up and listen.

[–] CalvinballChamp2017@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Any stadium rumors out there? All eyes seem to be on the Revs now that NYCFC have their situation squared away. Any other "surprises" floating around?

[–] RIPMexicanTraore@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

What is your favorite source/metric for figuring out the next wonder kid in the MLS/USMNT?

[–] jmunoz353@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

What was your first “scoop” that went viral and put you on the radar of the MLS media circles? And how did you get that scoop?

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[–] fancy-bottom@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Do MLS contracts have a release clause? I think the answer is “no” as MLS seems to go with highest offer gets a player (similar to NBA, MLB, etc)

Why do some players seem to get stuck in MLS purgatory when it comes to transfers? Cowell, Jesus, Miles - they seem to want to go to Europe and there are teams that want them, but the transfer doesn’t/hasn’t happen(ed)

[–] professortriceratops@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

How good will the Crew be in year 2 under Nancy?

[–] jboarei@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

Talk about the Penne Vodka pizza.

[–] HalfBlackIndian69@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Hi Tom, I have a question regarding the Revs DP situation. Have you heard anything about Bou and Vrioni departing the team this offseason or are both expected to come back? If not any potential replacements or does chancalays purchase option make him a DP and he takes a spot? Thanks!

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[–] cyber_beach_wheels@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I don't follow MLS but curious about US soccer.

Where do you see the league 4-5 years from now?

Do you see the league finally adapting Pro-Rel?

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[–] lala_b11@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

How’s the relationship between Berhalter & Gio Reyna?

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