# USA All-Time World Cup Best XI, Pepi > Balogun & who steps up for Johnny?

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/alexi-lalas-state-of-the-union-podcast-171347/usa-all-time-world-cup-best-xi-pepi-balogun-who-steps-up-for-johnny
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/alexi-lalas-state-of-the-union-podcast-171347/usa-all-time-world-cup-best-xi-pepi-balogun-who-steps-up-for-johnny.md
Podcast: [Alexi Lalas’ State of the Union Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/alexi-lalas-state-of-the-union-podcast-171347)
Published: 2026-05-12T07:01:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/traffic.megaphone.fm/FOXM4628967495.mp3?updated=1778549412
Audio file: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/traffic.megaphone.fm/FOXM4628967495.mp3?updated=1778549412
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/alexi-lalas-state-of-the-union-podcast-171347/episodes/usa-all-time-world-cup-best-xi-pepi-balogun-who-steps-up-for-johnny
Duration seconds: 3718

## Resource

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse are back with a new episode of State of the Union! The show starts with some unfortunate news: Johnny Cardoso is set to undergo surgery and will miss the World Cup. Alexi and Mosse discuss the ramifications of this and who might step up in Johnny’s absence for the USA. Tanner Tessmann also picked up a knock for Lyon but Gio Reyna got back on the scoresheet for Monchengladbach for the first time in over a year. Pulisic wasn’t present for Milan’s latest loss but Sergiño Dest assisted a Ricardo Pepi goal for PSV. Alexi and Mosse touch on Barcelona topping Real Madrid for the La Liga title before heading over to MLS where Lionel Messi made some more history. In #AskAlexi, the question is asked whether the USA should be building their roster around Folarin Balogun instead of Christian Pulisic and in One for the Road, Alexi unveils his USA all-time World Cup starting XI.Presented by Zillow #Zillow 0:00 - Intro2:59 - Johnny Cardoso OUT10:50 - Gio Reyna SCORES12:57 Ricardo Pepi over Flo Balogun?14:40 - Do we Trust, Trusty?19:04 - Arsenal hold on, Barca wins La Liga26:14 Jack McGlynn & Alex Zendejas make the roster?30:27 - Messi with another record33:58 - Matt Turner vs Matt Freese38:47 - #AskAlexi: Folarin Balogun vs Christian Pulisic48:34 - One For The Road: Alexi’s All-time USA World Cup XI Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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