Heath and Mark catch up after a few weeks off. The guys get into Genk's training camp in Spain, Heath's World Cup experience in Qatar and the recent USMNT controversies. Plus, they answer all your questions about their highs and lows from 2022, favorite World Cup moments, their go-to coffee order, which USWNT player they like the most right now and much more. Thank to everyone who submitted a question! Happy holidays to you & yours and we'll see you guys in '23.

Check out our Spotify Playlist [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5973JfW3sE16DWMOZj3Nwc?si=VExBBxrASMaDhtp9dw-XUw]

Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sliceofsoccer/]

“Orange Slices” connects the past, present, and future generations of U.S. internationals around our collective soccer story. Hosted by emerging U.S. international Mark McKenzie and former U.S. international Heath Pearce, this cross-generational show is an unfiltered celebration of our national team and soccer Americana.

End of 2022 Mailbag

Mark and Heath have a quick chat about the USMNT ahead of their critical match against Iran in the final game of the group stages.

Check out our Spotify Playlist [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5973JfW3sE16DWMOZj3Nwc?si=VExBBxrASMaDhtp9dw-XUw]

Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sliceofsoccer/]

“Orange Slices” connects the past, present, and future generations of U.S. internationals around our collective soccer story. Hosted by U.S. international Mark McKenzie and former U.S. international Heath Pearce, this cross-generational show is an unfiltered celebration of our national team and soccer Americana.

Iran-USMNT Match Preview

After taking a few days to process things, Mark and Heath talk through being left off this year’s USMNT roster in the final hour. Mark opens up about being in the final group of players, his phone call with Gregg, how he and his family processed everything and what’s next. Thanks to all the OS listeners who have showed love and support this past week.

Check out our Spotify Playlist [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5973JfW3sE16DWMOZj3Nwc?si=VExBBxrASMaDhtp9dw-XUw]

Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sliceofsoccer/]

“Orange Slices” connects the past, present, and future generations of U.S. internationals around our collective soccer story. Hosted by emerging U.S. international Mark McKenzie and former U.S. international Heath Pearce, this cross-generational show is an unfiltered celebration of our national team and soccer Americana.

World Cup Disappointment

We are less than 3 weeks away from the World Cup and everyone is feeling the pressure in different ways. On this week's episode, Heath and Mark discuss Mark's recent run of form with Genk, the club's great victory over Antwerp over the weekend Mark's mentality heading into these final 2 games before the USMNT World Cup roster announcement.

Check out our Spotify Playlist [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5973JfW3sE16DWMOZj3Nwc?si=VExBBxrASMaDhtp9dw-XUw]

Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sliceofsoccer/]

“Orange Slices” connects the past, present, and future generations of U.S. internationals around our collective soccer story. Hosted by emerging U.S. international Mark McKenzie and former U.S. international Heath Pearce, this cross-generational show is an unfiltered celebration of our national team and soccer Americana.

Genk Top of the Belgian Table & Final Games Before Qatar 

Mark & Heath welcome one of the rising Americans abroad, Joe Scally. Joe brings all the positivity in this one from his home in Düsseldorf, Germany. The guys get into the recent USMNT camp and Joe's inclusion in the senior team over the past calendar year, consistent playing time at Borussia Mönchengladbach, drawing Bayern Munich earlier this season and life abroad. He is just an all around positive dude and it will be impossible not to root for continued success for our guy after you listen to this episode.

Check out our Spotify Playlist [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5973JfW3sE16DWMOZj3Nwc?si=VExBBxrASMaDhtp9dw-XUw]

Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sliceofsoccer/]

“Orange Slices” connects the past, present, and future generations of U.S. internationals around our collective soccer story. Hosted by emerging U.S. international Mark McKenzie and former U.S. international Heath Pearce, this cross-generational show is an unfiltered celebration of our national team and soccer Americana.

Joe Scally

Heath and Mark chat through what was a frustrating yet eventful final USMNT camp ahead of Qatar. Mark opens up about some of the goals going into these matches, what he and the team was able to takeaway from them, the vibes in the dining room post match and what he needs to do to stay ready in this crucial lead up to the World Cup. We will be back next week with a guest!

Check out our Spotify Playlist [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5973JfW3sE16DWMOZj3Nwc?si=VExBBxrASMaDhtp9dw-XUw]

Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sliceofsoccer/]

“Orange Slices” connects the past, present, and future generations of U.S. internationals around our collective soccer story. Hosted by emerging U.S. international Mark McKenzie and former U.S. international Heath Pearce, this cross-generational show is an unfiltered celebration of our national team and soccer Americana.

USMNT September Camp Recap

It’s been too long OS fam but Heath Pearce and Mark McKenzie are finally back and on the road to Qatar. Mark joins us from USMNT camp and the guys get into a lot in this episode. They address our long break from the pod, the end of last season for Mark at Genk, why he wasn’t playing and his recent run of form for his club. Of course they also get into everything USMNT including Mark’s addition to this September camp and his goals for the next couple of months before the World Cup. The guys will be doing their thing every week until Qatar so subscribe to the feed so you don’t miss an episode. 

Check out our Spotify Playlist [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5973JfW3sE16DWMOZj3Nwc?si=VExBBxrASMaDhtp9dw-XUw]

Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sliceofsoccer/]

“Orange Slices” connects the past, present, and future generations of U.S. internationals around our collective soccer story. Hosted by emerging U.S. international Mark McKenzie and former U.S. international Heath Pearce, this cross-generational show is an unfiltered celebration of our national team and soccer Americana.

Don’t Call It a Comeback!

It's the business end of the season so no guest but plenty to discuss as Mark and Genk are pushing for the final Conference League spot in the Belgian Playoffs. The guys talk about Mark's recent run of form, the complicated playoff system in Belgium and other Americans dealing with the end of the season in various leagues in Europe. They get into an interesting conversation about the recent run of Americans moving for record fees and the expectations that come with that - is it always best to move to the biggest club available? Finally, the guys get into summer plans ahead fo a weird winter World Cup and setting up expectations for next season (yes, already).

Check out our Spotify Playlist [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5973JfW3sE16DWMOZj3Nwc?si=VExBBxrASMaDhtp9dw-XUw]

Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sliceofsoccer/]

“Orange Slices” connects the past, present, and future generations of U.S. internationals around our collective soccer story. Hosted by emerging U.S. international Mark McKenzie and former U.S. international Heath Pearce, this cross-generational show is an unfiltered celebration of our national team and soccer Americana.

Genk's Playoff Journey

Many fans know Kellyn Acosta as the ultimate ish talker in the USMNT but he’s actually a really level headed, thoughtful guy off the pitch. Kellyn stopped by the show to catch up with the boys about everything from his recent move to LA, recapping the intensity of the schedule this past year, facing off against Mexico here and abroad, trades within MLS and much more. He also shares some insight into how he is able to stay present during an unrelenting schedule and how he rewards himself for accomplishments in real time. Such an awesome conversation with one of the more thoughtful leaders we have had on the pod. 

Check out our Spotify Playlist [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5973JfW3sE16DWMOZj3Nwc?si=VExBBxrASMaDhtp9dw-XUw]

Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sliceofsoccer/]

“Orange Slices” connects the past, present, and future generations of U.S. internationals around our collective soccer story. Hosted by emerging U.S. international Mark McKenzie and former U.S. international Heath Pearce, this cross-generational show is an unfiltered celebration of our national team and soccer Americana.

Kellyn Acosta

It's been a few weeks but the boys are back with a great conversation about taking the unconventional path to success. In a world where players are pros at 16 or on the academy trail even younger, Christian Ramirez had to build his own path to professional football. He had no offers coming out of college from MLS or abroad and bet on himself in the lower leagues in the States. It eventually paid off and he made a name for himself at Minnesota United and has since enjoyed success at the national team level and now abroad with Aberdeen FC in Scotland. Christian is a humble guy who has a great chat with the boys about his career, staying ready for the national team, life abroad and making the move at what many would consider a late stage in his career.

Check out our Spotify Playlist [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5973JfW3sE16DWMOZj3Nwc?si=VExBBxrASMaDhtp9dw-XUw]

Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sliceofsoccer/]

“Orange Slices” connects the past, present, and future generations of U.S. internationals around our collective soccer story. Hosted by emerging U.S. international Mark McKenzie and former U.S. international Heath Pearce, this cross-generational show is an unfiltered celebration of our national team and soccer Americana.

Christian Ramirez

Orange Slices connects the past, present, and future generations of U.S. internationals around our collective soccer story. Hosted by emerging U.S. international Mark McKenzie and former U.S. international Heath Pearce, this cross-generational show is an unfiltered celebration of our national teams and soccer Americana. From the muddy fields of our youth to the games won and lost on the world's stage, weekly episodes will feature guests from different generations of American soccer sharing stories, insights, and commentary on their soccer experiences and the American game. Come and enjoy a slice of the soccer life!

Matt Flores

Shows