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Author Tom Hindle

Tom Hindle

US Staff WriterI'm an American soccer features writer who focuses on the weird stuff in the United States. I was born in central England, and haven't quite managed to let go of the fundamental Euro-snobbery that is entrenched in my footballing DNA. But since getting into the game in the States, I've delved into the unique oddities of American soccer, the beautiful game on the "wrong" side of the pond in all of its brilliant imperfections. I also write The Rondo, GOAL USA's weekly newsletter.My football story: I was taught to say "Steven Gerrard" and "Michael Owen" before "hello" and "how are you?" I was raised a proper Red by my Dad, and spent hours on muddy pitches in the English countryside with my parents. Moving Stateside sent me down other avenues of MLS and the USMNT, but I remain painfully connected to my roots (if I had supported any team other than Liverpool, I suspect I may have been disowned.) Areas of expertise:
  • American soccer stories that are a little off the beaten path 
  • USL, MLS and USMNT features 
  • The occasional European tactical insight 

Favorite footballing memory: Running downstairs to watch the second half of the 2005 Champions League final after being sent to bed at half time. I vividly recall sneaking a radio under my pillow, hearing one goal go in, and sprinting into my living room in a Steven Gerrard kit that didn't fit. Not a bad comeback from 3-0 down. Remains one of the best days of my life.

My All-Time XI: In a 4-3-3 (because I'm boring): Buffon; Cafu, Baresi, Van Dijk, Maldini; Zidane, Gerrard, Busquets; Messi, Pele, Maradona (with a little tactical liberty)

My favorite stories 

  • ‘It is the land of opportunities’ - Greenland’s national soccer team pursuing CONCACAF legitimacy as it fights for recognition and representation

  • How iShowSpeed stole the show, turning MLS All-Star week into his own livestream and upstaging the league's big-name ballers

  • 'Supreme underdog' - Why Auckland City supporters are enthusiastically spending big traversing the U.S. to watch their 5,074th-ranked team lose at the Club World Cup

Articles by Tom Hindle
  1. Gordon should start over RashfordGetty
    OpinionEngland

    Tuchel must follow Barca's lead & pick Gordon over Rashford

    When Marcus Rashford first attempted to speak Spanish, Lamine Yamal fell over laughing. It came during the Manchester United loanee's first training session in Catalunya - or, at least, the first one made public - and after chasing shadows in a rondo, Rashford said something pretty much unintelligible to the Ballon d'Or favourite. Contrast that, then, with the first impression made by Barca's latest English arrival, Anthony Gordon, whose almost fluent Spanish shocked those tuning in for his introductory press conference.

  2. England squads GFXGetty/GOAL
    OpinionEngland

    Golden Generation or Class of '26? England squads ranked

    'Golden Generation'. Football has Adam Crozier, the former chief of the Football Association, to blame for the term, after he famously dubbed the England team as such following their 5-1 battering of Germany in a World Cup qualifier in Munich. It was a remarkable performance, but also a potentially catastrophic turn of phrase.

  9. Mauricio Pochettino Getty
    M. PochettinoUSA

    Report: Pochettino met with Milan bosses over managerial vacancy

    ATLANTA -- USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino reportedly had a meeting with the Milan hierarchy over their vacant managerial role. The Argentine, who is about to lead the U.S. into a home World Cup, will see his contract expire after the tournament. Milan fired their head coach and sporting director earlier this week after failing to secure Champions League football.

  1. Gio ReynaGetty
    G. ReynaUSA

    'Need to have a player like him' - Poch backs Reyna for WC success

    NEW YORK -- USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino backed Gio Reyna to contribute at the World Cup after naming the Borussia Monchengladbach attacking midfielder to his final squad for this summer’s tournament. Reyna has played sparingly for his club this season, but Pochettino made clear he expects to call on him in key moments in the weeks ahead.

  2. Mauricio Pochettino Getty
    M. PochettinoUSA

    Pochettino defends decision to not call omitted USMNT players

    NEW YORK -- USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino launched an ardent defense of his decision to not personally call players after they were left off his World Cup roster in a press conference on Tuesday evening. The head coach circulated emails to the 20+ players who didn't make the final cut, and acknowledged that he wouldn't want to hear from a coach who made a similar decision.

  6. Lionel Messi Inter Miami 2026Getty
    L. MessiInter Miami CF

    Lionel Messi exits Inter Miami match injured before World Cup

    Lionel Messi exited Inter Miami's MLS match against the Philadelphia Union in the 73rd minute of the Herons' 6-4 win after grabbing the back of his leg while walking down the tunnel. The Argentina captain appeared to signal for a substitution moments earlier and was replaced by Mateo Silvetti with 20 minutes remaining. Argentina's World Cup camp begins June 1.

  9. zaha
    W. ZahaCharlotte FC

    Wilfried Zaha to leave Charlotte FC after MLS loan expires

    Wilfried Zaha has left Charlotte FC and will return to parent club Galatasaray during Major League Soccer’s World Cup break, he announced Sunday. The forward’s yearlong loan had been extended through June 30, but with Charlotte out of action until mid-July, the Ivorian departs immediately. He was not named to Ivory Coast’s World Cup squad.

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