Matthew And Brady Tkachuk, Taylor Twellman Talking World Cup, USMNT Sucks At Soccer Again + Mt Rushmore of Aquatic Animals
Episode of Pardon My Take · July 8, 2026 · 2 h 50 min
Pardon My Take hosts lament the USMNT's World Cup loss to Belgium, interview Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, and discuss the World Cup with Taylor Twellman.
Summary
Recorded live from Lake Tahoe during the American Century Championship, the episode opened with the hosts reacting to the U.S. men's national team's 4-1 round-of-16 loss to Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. PFT Commenter called it the worst U.S. performance he had seen in years and singled out Christian Pulisic's apparent lack of passion, while Dan Katz argued that the U.S. simply 'sucks at soccer' and that fans should accept it. Zach and Hank Lockwood agreed the skill gap with top nations was unlikely to close, and PFT blamed the youth soccer system's pay-to-play structure.
The Hot Seat/Cool Throne segment covered Zach's rejection from Streamer University, Novak Djokovic, Alex Ovechkin's return, Sean Payton's reported idea of hiring Bill Belichick, the Monster Energy sponsorship of the Big 12, umpire retirements tied to the automated ball-strike system, and Egypt's coach alleging favoritism toward Argentina. The hosts then drafted a Mount Rushmore of aquatic animals.
Matthew and Brady Tkachuk discussed becoming Florida Panthers teammates after Brady's trade, his no-move clause, their podcast, fighting in hockey, and the Hurricanes' sweep of Ottawa; Matthew declined to guarantee a championship. Taylor Twellman then argued Mauricio Pochettino deserved more time, attributed Pulisic's struggles partly to the 2018 qualifying failure and poor form, criticized VAR and offside rulings, praised Lionel Messi's competitiveness and France's player development, and predicted a France–Argentina final. The show closed with listener 'guys on chill' questions.
Chapters
- 3:03
USMNT loses to Belgium
The hosts react to the 4-1 World Cup loss, debating whether the U.S. simply sucks at soccer.
- 15:21
Coaching, Pulisic and youth soccer
PFT criticizes Pulisic and Pochettino while the group discusses the skill gap, Pep Guardiola and expensive youth soccer.
- 33:46
Hot Seat: Streamer University
Hank highlights Zach's rejection from Streamer University and the hosts set Zach a streaming goal.
- 44:59
Djokovic, Ovechkin and Sean Payton
Hot seats and cool thrones include Djokovic at Wimbledon, Ovechkin's return and Payton's Belichick scheme.
- 53:01
Argentina, VAR, Big 12 and ABS
The hosts discuss Egypt's coach alleging bias, VAR, the Monster Energy Big 12 deal and umpire retirements.
- 56:21
Longevity and Conor McGregor
Zach's hot seat and cool throne cover a longevity entrepreneur's illness and McGregor's comeback.
- 1:01:32
Mount Rushmore of aquatic animals
The hosts draft dolphins, sharks, whales, hippos, mermaids and more.
- 1:18:24
Matthew and Brady Tkachuk interview
The brothers discuss becoming Panthers teammates, the trade process, podcasting, fighting and their golf games.
- 1:55:49
Taylor Twellman on the USMNT
Twellman analyzes the Belgium loss, Pochettino's future and Pulisic's form and messaging.
- 2:12:48
VAR, offside and penalties
Twellman and the hosts criticize VAR and offside rulings and debate penalty shootout psychology.
- 2:24:35
Messi, France and World Cup predictions
Twellman praises Messi and France's development system and predicts a France–Argentina final.
- 2:39:13
Guys on chill
The hosts answer listener questions about watching only playoffs, naps, men's league baseball and bartending.
Key points
What was said, by whom, with the exact words. Timestamps jump to the moment.
- PFT Commenter
PFT Commenter called the Belgium loss the worst U.S. performance he had seen in years.
“That was the worst performance from the U.S. that I've seen in years. Just completely lackluster from the start”
- Dan Katz
Katz argued that the U.S. is simply bad at soccer and that this is acceptable given its strength in other sports.
“What if we just suck at soccer? Like, we just suck at soccer. That's okay. We have so many fucking awesome things”
Listen from 10:28 · United States men's national soccer team
- PFT Commenter
PFT Commenter argued that Christian Pulisic does not seem to love playing for the national team and checked out of games.
“He checked out of two games, and he did the same in the World Cup in 2022. He just doesn't seem like he loves playing for the U.S. national”
Listen from 17:10 · United States men's national soccer team
- Hank Lockwood
Hank Lockwood noted the U.S. did not qualify on merit but received automatic entry as host.
“We were gifted an entry to the World Cup because we were hosting the party”
- PFT Commenter
PFT Commenter said American youth soccer leagues were set up to make money for their organizers, creating a broken pay-to-play system.
“the people that set up the youth leagues around America did it in a way to make themselves money when it first started being talked about as like the sport of the future”
- PFT Commenter
PFT Commenter criticized VAR for overturning a spectacular Argentina goal over a foul far from the goal.
“To take back a goal, what could have been one of the best goals in the history of the World Cup, to pull that back because of a foul”
- Matthew Tkachuk
Matthew Tkachuk said Panthers GM Bill Zito was the first person to urge the brothers to start a podcast.
“He was like, you guys, I got to do this. Like it would be genius idea. Like you guys would crush it”
- Brady Tkachuk
Brady Tkachuk said his no-move clause let him choose which teams could be included in trade talks.
“I had a no move clause. So, um, no, I was fortunate that, you know, for the teams is kind of up to, up to me, which teams were, were included”
Listen from 1:30:13 · Brady Tkachuk trade to the Florida Panthers
- Brady Tkachuk
Brady Tkachuk said the Carolina Hurricanes beat Ottawa by suffocating them and giving no space.
“I think what they did so well is just didn't give you any ice. They suffocated you”
- Matthew Tkachuk
Matthew Tkachuk declined to guarantee a championship, saying the team had a poor season and now merely has a chance.
“Nothing is ever guaranteed. And our team did not have our best year last year at all”
- Taylor Twellman
Twellman argued Pochettino did not get enough time, since judging an international manager requires at least two full years.
“in order to fully understand observe, and I would say, objectively critique a national team international manager, you have to have a full two years”
Listen from 2:06:42 · United States men's national soccer team
- Taylor Twellman
Twellman said failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup changed Pulisic's trajectory with the national team, though he believes Pulisic cares.
“Failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup really hurt Christian Pulisic. And I think that has changed the trajectory of him with the national team”
Listen from 2:09:21 · United States men's national soccer team
Linked moment · 2:12:48Skip to 2:12:48 using a listen link in the info box.
Dan KatzKatz argued that offside calls based on dangling arms or shoulders violate the spirit of the rule.
“The spirit of the rule is you can't get behind the defender. If your elbow is behind the defender, that does not change how you're playing soccer”
- Taylor Twellman
Twellman expected serious consideration of Arsène Wenger's daylight offside proposal after the World Cup.
“I bet you a million dollars that after this World Cup, there will be real consideration of Arsene Wenger and... and his idea of offside”
- Taylor Twellman
Twellman said he respects players who volunteer for penalties even if they miss, and was angered by players who decline.
“If you raise your hand, you want to take it, you miss it, I will always get your back”
- Taylor Twellman
Twellman described Lionel Messi as the most competitive player he has seen.
“I've never seen anyone more competitive like he is he's accomplished everything in his life”
- Taylor Twellman
Twellman said France develops players broadly and lets surplus talent play for other nations, a model he suggested the U.S. copy.
“And then they throw their fishing net out and see who wants to come. And then the other ones go play for other countries”
- Taylor TwellmanDidn’t happen
Twellman predicted a repeat World Cup final between France and Argentina.
“I think we're going to a repeat, guys. I do. I think it's France against Argentina”
- Taylor Twellman
Twellman argued Brazil has lost its aura since 2014 and now plays scared rather than beautiful football.
“They don't play beautiful anymore. No, they play scared”
- Taylor TwellmanCame true
Twellman predicted England would beat Norway in the quarterfinal, while warning Norway had momentum.
“My professional soccer opinion, I think England beats them. think they're a better team than norway overall”
People
In the conversation
- Dan KatzBarstool Sports personality known as Big Cat, co-host of Pardon My Take
- PFT CommenterBarstool Sports writer and co-host of Pardon My Take
- Hank LockwoodPardon My Take contributor and Boston Celtics fan
- ZachNewest Pardon My Take staff member, Knicks fan
- Max DelentePardon My Take producer and Philadelphia 76ers fan whose bachelor party is referenced
- Brady TkachukAmerican NHL forward, newly traded to the Florida Panthers
- Matthew TkachukAmerican NHL forward for the Florida Panthers and two-time Stanley Cup champion
- Taylor TwellmanFormer U.S. men's national team striker and soccer broadcaster
Discussed
- Christian PulisicU.S. men's national team forward
- Mauricio PochettinoHead coach of the U.S. men's national soccer team
- Lionel MessiArgentine footballer and World Cup winner
- Folarin BalogunUSMNT striker
- Tim ReamUSMNT veteran defender
- Matt FreeseU.S. goalkeeper at the 2026 World Cup
- Malik TillmanU.S. midfielder who scored against Belgium
- Pep GuardiolaSpanish football manager floated as a possible U.S. coach
- Sean PaytonDenver Broncos head coach
- Bill BelichickNorth Carolina football head coach
- Bill ZitoFlorida Panthers general manager
- Erling HaalandNorwegian striker who showed off his LAN party setup
- Arsène WengerFIFA official and former Arsenal manager with an offside rule proposal
- Jonathan TahGerman defender who skied a World Cup penalty
- Alex OvechkinWashington Capitals captain
- Novak DjokovicSerbian tennis player competing at Wimbledon
Topics
- 2026 FIFA World Cup
- United States men's national soccer team
- Video assistant referee
- Florida Panthers
- Brady Tkachuk trade to the Florida Panthers
- American Century Championship
- Aquatic animals
- Offside (association football)
- Penalty shoot-out
- Youth soccer in the United States
- Streamer University
- Automated ball-strike system
- Big 12 Conference
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From the publisher
We’re live from Tahoe and we suck at soccer again. We recap the embarrassing loss to Belgium on Monday night and Hank gets his shine after USMNT takes a step back (00:00:00-00:32:33). Hot Seat/Cool Throne including Messi and Argentina survive. Zac didn’t get into streamer school and more national sports podcast topics (00:32:33-00:59:42). Mt Rushmore of aquatic animals (00:59:42-01:16:34). Brady and Matthew Tkachuk join the show live from the American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe to talk about becoming teammates in Florida, how Matthew will initiate Brady, last time they fought, will they guarantee another cup and more (01:16:34-01:53:55). Taylor Twellman joins the show to talk World Cup, the problem with USMNT, VAR issues and tons more (01:53:55-02:37:17). We finish with guys on chill You can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Netflix. Prime Members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music. For more, visit barstool.link/pardon-my-take
Summary, chapters and key points were generated from the episode transcript on September 29, 2026. Quotes are checked word for word against the transcript.