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The Long Game: U.S. Men's Soccer and Its Savage, Four-Decade Journey to the Top, or Thereabouts
The gripping account of the U.S. men’s national soccer team’s winding saga from obscurity to the global stage as they stand on the brink of a seminal World Cup in 2026
For almost half a century, the U.S. men’s national team existed on the fringes of world soccer—out of sight, out of mind, and, more often than not, out of the World Cup. Between 1950 and 1990, the program toiled in irrelevance, a collection of part-timers playing before empty bleachers.
Then, things began to shift, and today’s U.S. men’s team is loaded with young and pedigreed talent, expected to make its mark at the 2026 World Cup. The story of this team’s rise to prominence is a dramatic journey, with setbacks, buffoonery, misunderstandings, glory, and a wide, eccentric, talented cast of characters. With unprecedented access to former and current national team players, coaches, and administrators, Schaerlaeckens traces the sport’s evolution in the U.S.—from its outsider status to its modern foothold—and the challenges that have shaped the men’s national team along the way. From systemic obstacles in youth development to an American sports culture that expects instant dominance, he explores why success has been elusive, and why that might finally be changing.
With insight, wit, and razor-sharp storytelling, The Long Game is an unforgettable look at the past, present, and uncertain future of American soccer— and the team that could redefine it all.
For almost half a century, the U.S. men’s national team existed on the fringes of world soccer—out of sight, out of mind, and, more often than not, out of the World Cup. Between 1950 and 1990, the program toiled in irrelevance, a collection of part-timers playing before empty bleachers.
Then, things began to shift, and today’s U.S. men’s team is loaded with young and pedigreed talent, expected to make its mark at the 2026 World Cup. The story of this team’s rise to prominence is a dramatic journey, with setbacks, buffoonery, misunderstandings, glory, and a wide, eccentric, talented cast of characters. With unprecedented access to former and current national team players, coaches, and administrators, Schaerlaeckens traces the sport’s evolution in the U.S.—from its outsider status to its modern foothold—and the challenges that have shaped the men’s national team along the way. From systemic obstacles in youth development to an American sports culture that expects instant dominance, he explores why success has been elusive, and why that might finally be changing.
With insight, wit, and razor-sharp storytelling, The Long Game is an unforgettable look at the past, present, and uncertain future of American soccer— and the team that could redefine it all.
384 pages, Hardcover
Published May 12, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you are an American and you want to read a book before the World Cup starts, you MUST read this book. This love letter to American soccer history tells an incredibly well-paced account of the history of soccer in America from inception to present with just enough emphasis on the so-called "modern era" of American soccer which started in 1990.
There will be no dearth of books on soccer published in the run up to this coming World Cup -I've already read and reviewed a few of them- but at present, I can say with a good deal of confidence that this is the best one being published about American soccer. If you are a novice who knows nothing about American soccer, but eager to learn, you will get a "just the good bits" history of soccer in the US, some player profiles on some of our best currently active players (the bit on Antonee "Jedi" Robinson is a particular standout that reads less like a character profile, and more like a delightful short story), behind the scenes bits of our recent history, and all of it told with an incredibly pointed narrative.
Without embellishing the narrative (though he occasionally gets a little prosaic), Schaerlaeckens is able to recount the history of American soccer not as a history, but as a story that seems to inexorably lead us to our current moment. The framing of every metaphorical brick laid to get us to our present moment is such that even in the midst of so much evil surrounding this World Cup, I was getting excited all over again. When you live soccer fandom everyday, it can be easy to get too in your feelings about the state of the program. But taking the macro-view as Schaerlaeckens puts it in the closing pages of his book, you see a program that has made consistent and persistent progress to become a true footballing nation.
For novices, this is history, for true believers, this is church. The Long Game is the perfect book for American soccer fans to read in the run up to the 2026 World Cup.
There will be no dearth of books on soccer published in the run up to this coming World Cup -I've already read and reviewed a few of them- but at present, I can say with a good deal of confidence that this is the best one being published about American soccer. If you are a novice who knows nothing about American soccer, but eager to learn, you will get a "just the good bits" history of soccer in the US, some player profiles on some of our best currently active players (the bit on Antonee "Jedi" Robinson is a particular standout that reads less like a character profile, and more like a delightful short story), behind the scenes bits of our recent history, and all of it told with an incredibly pointed narrative.
Without embellishing the narrative (though he occasionally gets a little prosaic), Schaerlaeckens is able to recount the history of American soccer not as a history, but as a story that seems to inexorably lead us to our current moment. The framing of every metaphorical brick laid to get us to our present moment is such that even in the midst of so much evil surrounding this World Cup, I was getting excited all over again. When you live soccer fandom everyday, it can be easy to get too in your feelings about the state of the program. But taking the macro-view as Schaerlaeckens puts it in the closing pages of his book, you see a program that has made consistent and persistent progress to become a true footballing nation.
For novices, this is history, for true believers, this is church. The Long Game is the perfect book for American soccer fans to read in the run up to the 2026 World Cup.
May 19, 2026
Never before has someone so thoroughly chronicled the United States men's national team, recapping not just the results but the context and the characters at the heart of this program's fits and starts. Even someone so deeply entrenched in American soccer is bound to find plenty of fresh tales and hilarity, while preserving rapidly fading chronicles of the pre-war days where soccer stood a chance nationally.
Leander handles this with his typical masterful grasp of his prose, keeping what a lesser author may have compiled into one coherent narrative from the start to the last. It's an impressive work, and one I'm bound to revisit over the years. Must-read before, during, and after the 2026 World Cup.
Leander handles this with his typical masterful grasp of his prose, keeping what a lesser author may have compiled into one coherent narrative from the start to the last. It's an impressive work, and one I'm bound to revisit over the years. Must-read before, during, and after the 2026 World Cup.
May 17, 2026
4.5/5
Whether or not you think you know about the history of the USMNT, read this.
My only (minor) knock is that the sections about current players being interspersed throughout the book threw off the flow. They were great, and I learned a ton the entire time, it was just slightly odd every time they popped up.
Whether or not you think you know about the history of the USMNT, read this.
My only (minor) knock is that the sections about current players being interspersed throughout the book threw off the flow. They were great, and I learned a ton the entire time, it was just slightly odd every time they popped up.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Leander Schaerlaekens’ book offers a thorough and engaging history of the United States Men’s National Soccer Team (USMNT), tracing its long and often winding journey from obscurity to renewed relevance on the global stage. The narrative begins by framing the USMNT’s early years through the lens of its stunning 1–0 upset over England in the 1950 World Cup—an achievement that stood in isolation for decades.
After that moment of international shock, the United States failed to qualify for another World Cup until 1990, a period Schaerlaekens characterizes with precision and clarity.
One of the book’s strongest sections is its examination of that 40-year gap, during which American soccer struggled for identity and stability. Schaerlaekens effectively documents the fragmented nature of the sport during this era: the absence of a formal national program, the collapse of early professional leagues, and the sport’s marginal cultural footprint. His account of how the United States finally clawed its way back to the World Cup in 1990—despite limited infrastructure and minimal global respect—provides essential context for understanding the program’s modern era.
From there, the book offers a detailed, tournament-by-tournament exploration of the USMNT’s growth, challenges, and internal dynamics since 1990. Schaerlaekens blends analysis of on field performance with discussion of coaching philosophies, roster decisions, and the evolving expectations placed on the team. These chapters illuminate the difficult decisions and political maneuvering that shape the national team, giving readers a deeper appreciation of the complexities behind each World Cup cycle.
Interspersed throughout are insightful player and coach profiles that enrich the broader narrative. Schaerlaekens highlights the personalities who have shaped the program over the past three decades, while also providing an accessible look into the governance and politics of both U.S. Soccer and FIFA. For a casual fan—especially someone whose interest peaks during World Cup years—these sections offer valuable background on how players are selected, how coaches are evaluated, and how organizational pressures influence the team’s trajectory.
A notable feature of the book is its series of chapters dedicated to contemporary stars such as Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adams. These segments help bridge the historical story with the present and future of the team, offering readers a sense of how today’s core players developed and why they are integral to the United States’ ambitions ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which the country will co host.
Overall, Schaerlaekens delivers a balanced and comprehensive chronicle of the USMNT. Whether one is a longtime supporter or a casual viewer who tunes in every four years, the book provides both historical insight and forward-looking context. It is an informative and enjoyable read for soccer fans of any level.
I wish to thank Viking Penguin for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
After that moment of international shock, the United States failed to qualify for another World Cup until 1990, a period Schaerlaekens characterizes with precision and clarity.
One of the book’s strongest sections is its examination of that 40-year gap, during which American soccer struggled for identity and stability. Schaerlaekens effectively documents the fragmented nature of the sport during this era: the absence of a formal national program, the collapse of early professional leagues, and the sport’s marginal cultural footprint. His account of how the United States finally clawed its way back to the World Cup in 1990—despite limited infrastructure and minimal global respect—provides essential context for understanding the program’s modern era.
From there, the book offers a detailed, tournament-by-tournament exploration of the USMNT’s growth, challenges, and internal dynamics since 1990. Schaerlaekens blends analysis of on field performance with discussion of coaching philosophies, roster decisions, and the evolving expectations placed on the team. These chapters illuminate the difficult decisions and political maneuvering that shape the national team, giving readers a deeper appreciation of the complexities behind each World Cup cycle.
Interspersed throughout are insightful player and coach profiles that enrich the broader narrative. Schaerlaekens highlights the personalities who have shaped the program over the past three decades, while also providing an accessible look into the governance and politics of both U.S. Soccer and FIFA. For a casual fan—especially someone whose interest peaks during World Cup years—these sections offer valuable background on how players are selected, how coaches are evaluated, and how organizational pressures influence the team’s trajectory.
A notable feature of the book is its series of chapters dedicated to contemporary stars such as Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adams. These segments help bridge the historical story with the present and future of the team, offering readers a sense of how today’s core players developed and why they are integral to the United States’ ambitions ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which the country will co host.
Overall, Schaerlaekens delivers a balanced and comprehensive chronicle of the USMNT. Whether one is a longtime supporter or a casual viewer who tunes in every four years, the book provides both historical insight and forward-looking context. It is an informative and enjoyable read for soccer fans of any level.
I wish to thank Viking Penguin for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
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March 30, 2026After all the nonsense in America right now had diminished my enthusiasm for this summer’s tourney, The Long Game: U.S. Men's Soccer and Its Savage, Four-Decade Journey to the Top, or Thereabouts really did a lot to restore my excitement for the upcoming World Cup. The book moves efficiently through the different “cup eras,” giving insight into the team dynamics, coaching approaches, and the expectations (or lack thereof) for the teams. At times I wanted more detail – usually on the eras that I have the most memories of – but it also means that the book never felt bogged down when discussing eras I have no memory of or connection to. The book mixes into this capsule bios of players likely to feature this summer. I liked them, they definitely filled in backstories and details about the players I didn’t know and got me more interested in some that Ive perhaps yelled at on the tv screen, but they do make the book feel very anchored in the moment. It makes for a great book to read in advance of and around the 2026 World Cup, but I do wonder how well that part of the book will age even as soon as the next cup. All in all, excellent read for USMNT fans.
(NetGalley provided a copy of this book for review.)
(NetGalley provided a copy of this book for review.)
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews