Taylor Twellman Talks World Cup Predictions, Christian Pulisic, & Future of MLS (Exclusive)

Soccer in the United States is more popular than it's ever been, and with the FIFA World Cup hosting a few matches in American cities this summer, that popularity is sure to grow. Someone with special insight into the matter is former professional soccer player, now analyst, Taylor Twellman. 

I recently had the privilege of interviewing Twellman and talking to him about the sport’s rising profile in this country, and he had a lot of interesting things to say. Of course, I had to probe his mind for hot takes about the 2026 World Cup, questioning him on his pick to win and what it would take for Team USA to pull off an upset. Plus, I asked him to share his opinion on what the upcoming changes to Major League Soccer's schedule mean for the future of the league, and what he’d like to see happen to improve the culture of American soccer. 

“The Sport of the Present”

Men’s Journal: The last time the US hosted FIFA World Cup games was in 1994. Now that the games are back in the US again, in part, 32 years later, do you think there’s more excitement for the sport now in this country?

Twellman: Absolutely… I don’t think the 14-year-old myself would have believed that Major League Soccer would be where it is, the infrastructure, the stadiums. The fact that World Cup defending champions Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul play in this league. Yeah, the excitement is there, but more so, the knowledge of the fan has grown at a generational rate. The exposure of the sport, that we have been having in five to seven years here. The way that Major League Soccer’s growth has just encapsulated so many new fans. Terrell, to answer your question in a very short answer, yes. And it’s actually very difficult to quantify, but I’ve lived it.

Everyone talked about the sport of the future for years, and now it’s the sport of the present. 

Should Fans Be Concerned about Christian Pulisic in the World Cup? 

Men’s Journal: Ahead of the selection announcement for Team USA’s Men's roster for the World Cup, who do you think has to be on the team for the US to have a real shot of winning? 

Twellman: I’ll give you a better answer. The three players that have to have their best World Cup are Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Tyler Adams. And when you talk about this generation of players, those are the three figureheads. Those are three players that determine the pulse of the team. They’re the faces. this is the generation of players, when you look at those three. 

Yes, there are a lot of X factors, but if those three don’t perform at a high level, then it’s going to be difficult for the United States to have their moment. So, those three players understand the moment, those three players understand their individual roles within the collective operation, for lack of a better way to put it. And I just think Pulisic, McKennie, and Adams need to be at their best for the United States to do anything special. 

Men’s Journal: Speaking of Pulisic, should fans be concerned given his recent play going into the World Cup? 

Twellman: Yes, I would. Just because he was playing at such a high level before the turn of the new year. He was leading AC Milan in goals scored and goal contributions. So absolutely, there has to be some concern. Are the alarm bells ringing really loud? Uh, I don’t know. I think all it takes is for Pulisic to mentally get around the corner, score a goal here or there, and then all of a sudden, it can turn in the blink of an eye. 

Now I’m more concerned with his form with the national team. Hasn’t been there since the Gold Cup, and him not wanting to play last summer. He hasn’t been at his best for the US team, and that’s where more of the concern would be than his form with AC Milan.  

Men’s Journal: Do you think there’s a commitment issue on Pulisic’s part to Team USA? 

Twellman: I’ve never been concerned at all about Christian Pulisic’s commitment. It’s never ever crossed my mind. It just comes down to form. And there are peaks and valleys, and ebbs and flows, and I just think that the form hasn’t been at its best, and I fully expect him to be at his best this summer. 

Men’s Journal: Any surprises you think may make the Team USA roster? 

Twellman: No. But I think to answer your question, I would say, Patrick Agyemang’s torn Achilles throws it for a little bit of a loop on who replaces him. 

The World Cup May Boil Down to Spain and France

Men’s Journal: As of this month, ESPN is reporting that Spain is favored to win the World Cup, followed by France, England, Brazil, and Argentina. Would you say that’s a fair ranking?

Twellman: I would disagree with Brazil… Just how deep the rosters are, Spain and France are ticking above everyone else in the world. 

Men’s Journal: Other than Pulisic, McKennie, and Adams playing some of the best soccer of their lives, is there anything else you think the US needs to do to be in contention with those five teams? 

Twellman: If they [Team USA] want to make a run and do anything really special, I think it’s imperative that they win their group. 

Men’s Journal: All that being said, if not for the home team, who’s your prediction to win the World Cup? 

Twellman: I would probably say Spain… But I believe the French National team is just more talented than anyone else in the world. And I believe they’ll go to their third World Cup Final in a row. 

For Soccer to Continue Growing, It Has to Be “Inclusive”

Men’s Journal: Zeroing in specifically on MLS, what’s your hope for the new MLS schedule in 2027, and how will it impact both the players and fans?

Twellman: I think it’s massive. I’ve been on this soapbox for a while. I love it. I think it’s the next phase of growth for MLS and the sport in this country. Especially when you’re now a huge part of the importing and exporting of players around the world. You’ll make 20% more money, you won’t have to spend 20% more because you’re trying to convince players to come over during a different schedule. I think the owners will benefit. I think the players will benefit. I think the fans will benefit, the fact your most important games will be in the weather that you and I are experiencing right now. And that your playoffs, your biggest games, are away from the NFL.

I think it’s a great thing, and I think it will be the most important decision MLS made in growing the league to being a top-seven league in the world. 

Men’s Journal: What else do you think needs to be done in terms of moving the sport forward in the US? 

Twellman: I’m going to give you a macro point. The sport in America still needs to be more inclusive. I think oftentimes, youth sports in our country right now are becoming too exclusive. It’s very expensive to play high-level youth sports now, in all sports, and I think that goes the wrong way… It’s gotta still be inclusive. It still gotta be accessible. 

On a microlevel, Major League Soccer has to be the best league on the continent. And I would argue that Major League Soccer has to be the league to get you to where you want to go if you’re in South America. What I mean by that is, very quickly over the last three or four years, and I think a lot of it has to do with Messi, but if you allowed more players to come here, the bigger eyeballs are going to be there when you change the schedule. 

There Are Rising Stars on the New York Red Bulls Roster

Men’s Journal: Do you have a few rising soccer players you’re keeping an eye on in the US that make you think, “Oh, he’s the next Pelé, Messi, or Ronaldo? 

Twellman: I would say first off, I would never label someone the next Ronaldo, Messi, or Pelé because that’s also unfair. But we have young players in this league that are really, really interesting. I think the league has done a fantastic job of really making it a play-the-kids type of thing. 

Look at the New York Red Bulls, Hall [Julian Hall] and Mehmeti [Adri Mehmeti]. These two kids are really special. And really special playing big games at an early age, very, very quickly in their career. So right away there. 

Look at Terry [Jude Terry] just scored a goal for LAFC in his first start in MLS at Portland. It was one of the best goals of his life, and it’s only his first start and first goal. 

You can catch Taylor Twellman in his MLS Coverage over on Apple TV.

Related: 15 Years Ago Today, HBO Debuted Its Greatest Show Ever