Ball Watching
Ball Watching is a fan podcast focused on providing end to end coverage of St. Louis CITY SC. The podcast posts biweekly preview and recap episodes of each match, and even highlights the non-sporting elements of the club including community outreach and administration. The podcast also features exciting guest interviews with some of STL's finest people! Thanks for tuning in!
Ball Watching
(Road to '26) Paul Tenorio, Senior Writer at The Athletic for USMNT & MLS
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Ball Watching hosts, Jake Koenig and Justin Graham, continue their "Road to '26" interview series with the undisputed "Dean of the Press Box"—Paul Tenorio, a senior writer for The Athletic. Paul doesn't just report on soccer; he explains the complex machinery, roster rules, and boardroom politics that actually make the sport move in this country. With his highly anticipated book, The Messi Effect, set to hit shelves on June 2, 2026, he joins us at the ultimate moment to dive into his reporting.
We challenge the insider with some analytical rigor just days ahead of the high-stakes May 26 roster reveal to cover:
- The Messi Effect & The Business of Soccer: Has the arrival of Lionel Messi permanently rewired Major League Soccer's financial ecosystem, or are we operating in a temporary bubble that risks bursting post-retirement? Paul shares behind-the-scenes boardroom insights from his upcoming book.
- The Soccer Paradox: We take a hard look at soccer's perception both domestically and globally. Are we really looking at a "golden generation"? Do others see it that way?
- Defining Success & The Post-World Cup Horizon: Is a Round of 16 exit an objective failure for this generation? We explore where the line sits between a respectable run and a missed opportunity, Poch’s future past July, and whether U.S. Soccer infrastructure is genuinely prepared for the post-Messi reality.
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