Alex Labidou

Alex Labidou

Managing Editor, GOAL US

Bio: I am GOAL USA’s Managing Editor, leading coverage of North American soccer while also writing news and feature stories. I started my career at NBA.com and first joined GOAL as Deputy Editor from 2010-13. Since then, I’ve worked at ESPN, NBC Sports and with the Brooklyn Nets and Denver Nuggets, and contributed to TV and radio work for NBC, CNN, and various podcasts. Motivated by the seismic momentum of the 2026 World Cup, I rejoined GOAL in 2024 to help tell the game’s biggest stories in the U.S. and beyond.

My football story: I was introduced to the sport in 2007 by a friend, Jude, who took me to Nevada Smith's (RIP) in New York City. Despite being crammed into a basement pub at 6:30 a.m., I was instantly hooked. 

Areas of expertise: I wear many hats.

Favorite footballing memory: Watching the 2012 Champions League final at Zum Schneider (another RIP) in New York. After Didier Drogba’s heroics stunned Bayern Munich, my friend Rob and I had to climb out of a window to avoid a room full of furious Bayern fans.

All-Time XI: Tim Howard, Ashley Cole, Vincent Kompany, Virgil Van Dijk, César Azpilicueta, Cristiano Ronaldo, Frank Lampard, N’Golo Kante, Lionel Messi, Didier Drogba, Thierry Henry

Articles by Alex Labidou
  1. 'I’m very sorry' - Scaloni gets emotional on Argentina future

    EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Lionel Scaloni broke into tears and left his postmatch press conference early after diving into his current thoughts on returning as Argentina's manager. The 48-year-old revealed he will speak to the Argentina FA's President, Claudio 'Chiqui' Tapia, about his future soon, but acknowledged that the pressure of reaching the levels of previous success could be difficult to manage.

  2. Saka hat-trick powers England past France in 10-goal thriller

    The bronze-medal match tends to be one of the highest-scoring games of the tournament, and this one certainly didn't disappoint. England manager Thomas Tuchel called it a fixture “nobody wants to play in” earlier in the week, but that didn't appear to be the case as the Three Lions and France battled in the highest-scoring third-place match in World Cup history, with England edging a wild 6-4 win

  3. 'Very prophetic' - Brady asks Messi about picture of him, Yamal

    NEW YORK -- In a fun meeting between the NFL’s greatest player of all time and arguably soccer’s, Tom Brady asked Lionel Messi about the picture that has followed this World Cup final since the matchup was set: the Argentina icon bathing Lamine Yamal as a baby. Brady described the image as “very prophetic,” with Yamal now playing in his first World Cup and Messi potentially preparing for his last.

  1. 'Perfect tests' - USWNT to face Spain in two October friendlies

    The U.S. Women’s National Team will face its toughest tests of 2026 before turning its attention to World Cup qualifying, hosting world No. 1 Spain for two October friendlies. The teams will meet Oct. 10 at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., with kickoff scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET, before facing off again three days later at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania, at 7 p.m. ET. Recently retired USWNT icon Crystal Dunn will be honored before the opening match.

  2. Alvarez has arrived! Argentine's rocket stuns 10-man Swiss

    Julian Alvarez had largely struggled through the 2026 World Cup, but he delivered when Argentina needed him most, scoring a stunning goal in a hard-fought 3-1 win over Switzerland that set-up a semi-final against England. The scoreline flattered La Albiceleste, as the Swiss went blow for blow with the reigning champions and had reason to feel aggrieved by the officiating.

  3. 'It's April Fools' - Garcia, Belgium prepared to fight Balogun call

    Belgium manager Rudi Garcia said he was stunned to learn that United States men's national team striker Folarin Balogun will be available for Monday's World Cup clash. The Belgian federation has since said it will explore every possible avenue to challenge FIFA's decision, with both Garcia and the FA framing their opposition as a defense of football.

  4. WATCH: USMNT icon Donovan joins The Late Run with Chad Ochocinco

    Landon Donovan joins Ocho and Raheem on The Late Run to revisit a career built far from the spotlight. He reflects on leaving home for Bayer Leverkusen at 16, grinding to sell MLS tickets, his 2012 mental-health sabbatical, the Klinsmann World Cup snub, facing Messi and Ronaldo, Beckham’s impact on MLS, the pay-to-play problem threatening U.S. soccer and why a home World Cup could change everything.

  5. 'Think he's hilarious' - Pulisic enjoying Ibrahimovic as pundit

    SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Zlatan Ibrahimovic was never short on bold opinions as a player, and retirement has done little to quiet him. Now working as part of FOX’s World Cup coverage, the Sweden icon has become a viral presence on the studio desk, thanks to his blunt assessments and verbal sparring with former USMNT defender Alexi Lalas. Christian Pulisic, who knows Ibrahimovic well from AC Milan, has been watching along - and enjoying the show.