'Why are we beating up our own people?' - Marcelo Balboa calls out fellow former USMNT players for vitriol toward Christian Pulisic, hails impact of Son Heung-Min in MLS

Mic'd Up: The Soccer Hall of Famer discussed Colorado's move for Paxten Aaronson, why Pulisic was right to stand up for himself

Marcelo Balboa had his No. 17 retired in a fitting ceremony by the Colorado Rapids, and with good reason. The former U.S. defender, who starred in three World Cups, is often seen as a foundational piece for both the national team and Major League Soccer.

Balboa kicked off his career at a time when there were no domestic leagues in America, and professional-level talent had to play for scraps in local semi-pro competitions to keep the dream alive.

"Together, [we] were fighting and scratching to get what we had to get," Balboa told GOAL. "We didn't get to play at AC Milan, we didn't get a door open to play at Juventus or at Dortmund. Most of us were playing in local leagues. We didn't get to really experience Europe or South America until after 1994, that's when the doors finally opened up for us."

After a 1994 World Cup run that defied all expectations, the National Soccer Hall of Fame member was one of the many American stars who helped launch MLS as the face of the franchise for the Colorado Rapids. Son of Argentine parents, Balboa acknowledged that playing in the U.S. made them proud.

"Never played this game for trying to make the Hall of Fame. I didn't play this game to have my number retired. I played it because I saw the smile I put on my mom and dad's face when they watched the Argentine national team play [when I was growing up]," Balboa said. "Now my son was there. He saw the ceremony. Maybe one day, my grandkids and great-grandkids will see that. And they'll think that grandpa did something pretty special."

Balboa, now an analyst for Apple TV, discussed the Rapids' addition of Paxten Aaronson, the impact of Son Hueng-Min's at LAFC and the ongoing criticism of the USMNT in the latest edition of Mic'd Up, a recurring feature in which GOAL taps into the perspective of broadcasters, analysts, and other pundits on the state of soccer in the U.S. and abroad.

NOTE: This interview has been lightly edited for brevity and clarity.

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ON THE RAPIDS AND AARONSON
GOAL: The Rapids are signing Paxten Aaronson. Considering your ties to the organization, were you as shocked as everyone else?
BALBOA: I think everybody's still shocked, you know? I mean, you just got rid of Djordje [Mihailovic]. This franchise isn't used to right away going and getting that player. So you sell one and within three weeks, you've already got a guy in Aaronson... a young kid trying to get playing time, trying to make the World Cup team. He's got a lot to prove in the next year. Anytime you can go get a player like this, you have to do it. It is maybe what the Rapids needed, that No. 9, No. 10, because if you look at their midfielders, between Oliver Larraz and Cole Bassett and Josh Atencio, when he's back, and [Connor] Ronan, you still don't have that No. 10. You had Djorde, but now you're missing that No. 10.
Yeah, and I think Paxten fits that. He's a little bit more creative than than the other guys in that role. Most of them are No. 6s or No. 8s, and are double pivots. He fits the role and he's young too. Because we have a young team. I think it fits the profile that this club, that [Rapids President] Pádraig Smith and those guys are looking for.
GOAL: The Rapids have traditionally struggled to gain traction in a crowded Denver sports scene. Is Aaronson someone who can be a box office draw?
BALBOA: I think he'll create a buzz, but let's be honest, you can't put Pax at a Djorde level. You can't put him on a Tim Howard level or a John Spencer... With all due respect, unless you brought in a Beckham or something like that, you're in Bronco country, bro! Listen, I learned it the hard way. I thought the same thing. We're going to come in and we're going to light this town up. And then, as soon as Bronco season starts, it is Denver Broncos, the state of Bronco nation, whatever you want to go with, let's be honest. It's reality... But you are bringing in a player who is trying to break into the U.S. national team and a name, as he's got a brother who also plays in Brenden [for Leeds].
GOAL: While the Rapids have moved on, are you surprised at how the whole Mihailovic thing went down?
BALBOA: This is the world we live in. In sports, you get traded, you get moved on. It's just part of it. I think where the fans are coming from is they didn't want to see it happen right now, OK, because we're in a in a decent spot, trying to fight for the playoffs... You've also got to give them credit, on the other hand, because it did move Djorde on for big money, and we're not used to spending it right away. We usually take a little time...
That's, that's, that's a sign that this club's fighting to to make the playoffs and fight for this championship. That's where I was happy that they quickly responded with a name, they quickly responded with rumors and everything they put out there. It's not a starter on the national team, but it is a guy who's going to break into the national team. His future and his ceiling are endless. Colorado's moved on. That, to me, shows what a nice job Chris Armas has done. Because as a coach, you've got to be able to manage players, not just coach them. You've got to be able to manage them and their expectations. And I think people were questioning, "OK, now, Djorde left, what's going on?" And Armas is such a positive dude that he didn't allow that to happen. He kept these guys focused on the task at hand.

ON DENVER'S EXPANSION NWSL TEAM
GOAL: What are your thoughts on Denver's incoming NWSL team, the Summit, and do you think internally that the Rapids are concerned about their market share in the sport?
BALBOA: I think it's absolutely awesome. Absolutely awesome. Because you know what, in our sport, there's not men and women, it is soccer, and we both want to see it grow. So this is an opportunity to grow the league. This is an opportunity to create more jobs so little girls can dream of playing in the NWSL, that is huge. Just like when we started, we wanted a future. We wanted a league where our great grandkids, our kids, other upper other kids, had an opportunity to live their dream.
So I think it's awesome... The only way soccer is going to succeed in our state is to do what we've always done, and that's to work together. If we don't work together with the Rapids and the Summit, don't work together, we're going to be fighting to pull fans apart from one side to the other side. Is that helping our sport? No, so I hope that they both find a common ground to help each other out, because we have the most beautiful game in the world. I would hate to see MLS and the NWSL trying to pull fans from each other - and we don't need to do that. For me, this is going to be a huge thing for Denver. Now we just have to get them both to work together to promote this beautiful game that we've been blessed enough to play.
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ON MLS TRANSFER DEADLINE
GOAL: Thoughts on MLS season so far?
BALBOA: It's been a very competitive league... When you look at a team like FC Cincinnati, you look at a team like Inter Miami, and what they're doing, they're going to always be up there. They're going to be contenders. When you get a guy like [Lionel] Messi and Rodrigo De Paul, please. I mean, how much more? And I'm sure there's another surprise or two on the way [in the transfer deadline]
GOAL: Speaking of Miami, as someone of Argentine descent, what do you make of the way they build their squad? Young, talented homegrown players such as Benjamin Cremaschi are struggling to find a fit due to the club continuing to sign players from Argentina. Are Miami missing out on stars due to their recruitment strategy?
BALBOA: It's difficult because Cremaschi is a good player. There's no doubt about it. But at the end of the day, our business is to win, and the coach's job is to put the best team out there that's going to win. So I can guarantee you there's a bunch of other teams in this league that would take him in a heartbeat if he's not getting the minutes that he wants. When we talk about Miami, we talk about Cincinnati, we talk about other teams [like LAFC], their game models are different than let's face it, a San Jose, a Colorado, a Real Salt Lake. There are other opportunities. The problem is you're playing with Messi. Do you really want to leave Miami, [Luis] Suarez, [Jordi] Alba, and DePaul? So I get it, the kid's in a pickle right now... It's just a matter of going somewhere where maybe they're not looking to create or not build an all-star team.
GOAL: But what about the fact they've already had talented players leave, like Alex Freeman, who was in their youth system? He's now the best right back in MLS.
BALBOA: Right, but Alex left where? And where is he now?
GOAL: On Orlando.
BALBOA: And he’s also playing where?
GOAL: On the U.S. national team.
BALBOA: And he made the Gold Cup squad right? See what I'm saying. Sometimes a move is important. Maybe you don't fit the game model that Miami has, but you're an excellent player. And I can guarantee you, if you put his name out on the market, there's going to be quite a few teams they're going to try to pick this young man up because he'll be a starter on their team.

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ON SON'S IMPACT FOR MLS
GOAL: What's your take on Son Hueng-Min and his impact on LAFC and MLS so far?
BALBOA: Let's see ... the No. 1 selling jersey in the world, right? Let me think, the No. 2 selling jersey in the world is Messi. I love the vision that LAFC has. They know what they want, and they're going to make mistakes on the way. Everybody's going to make mistakes... But what a good pickup. It fits the mold they want, that No. 9 that doesn't play just as a point. He can drop into the midfield, receive the ball, he can run out at players. It's absolutely fantastic, man. It is fantastic that we have guys like this in this league that are going to help push this game to the next level... So I'm excited.
GOAL: You can tell he's really bought in too, from the sense that he's doing postgame opportunities and seems really visible where he can be.
BALBOA: You can easily tell when players aren't bought in to MLS because of the way they do things, their attitude. Even Thomas [Muller at Vancouver], he bought in the other day, didn't he? He stepped on that field. I've never seen a guy finding pockets and putting his hand on the floor saying, 'Give me the ball. Give me the ball. Give me the ball!' I love it. And that's, that's what we need in this league. We don't need the older guys that come and are kind of on a half break, and we've had quite a few of those. But when you guys see Muller, and you see a guy like Son come into this league and embrace it? They want to win a championship just as bad as everybody else. So I think it's awesome.
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ON THE USMNT CONTROVERSY
GOAL: You've been very vocal and critical about some of your colleagues, former USMNT stars such as Alexi Lalas and Landon Donovan, being critical of stars on the current team, especially Christian Pulisic. And after a quiet July, it's ramped up again after the latest documentary episodes. What's your feeling about all of this now?
BALBOA: It's my national team. It's everybody's national team. I've played for it. I represented it in three World Cups. Tell me, what good does it do for me to bash Christian Pulisic or Tim Weah because they wanted a break? It makes no sense to me. I'm not out to get clicks and likes on on on Instagram, or anything like on Twitter, or X or whatever you want to call it - that's not necessarily who I am... I don't know the pressure [Pulisic is feeling]. I know the pressure of how I felt, and I know what we had to do. But I can't tell you how Christian Pulisic feels. I can't tell you how Tim Weah feels. They're playing 50-plus games a year. I didn't play in Europe the way he does...
So my goal is that we all want to see soccer grow. We want to see this team do well. Why are we beating up our own people? Why are we wasting our time beating each other up when we know all we're asking him is to make sure he got his rest, and now that you got your rest, you know what? Come back hungry. Come back ready to f*cking fight for this country. Now, you had your break. Great. Now, come back and get it done.
GOAL: That's a fair point. Do you think Christian added fuel to the fire by responding to the critics in his own documentary?
BALBOA: Why is it OK for these ex players to knock these guys, though? That's my question. Why is it OK? They could have stopped it a long time ago to support your team, but that's not what they want. They want to wind people up. They're getting paid to do their podcast, so they're getting everybody fired up, which is great. Listen, I love it, don't get me wrong. I love the banter, but at the end of the day, I think Tim Weah said it best: "What have we won?" What has any other generation from the Landon Donovan era all the way down, what have they won? So what if [the current squad] didn't win anything? It's just like they haven't it.
So I get it... And again, it does us no good. We're more focused on beating each other up right now, the ex players against the new players. the new players vs. the ex players, than anything else. Just let them focus on their job... Playing in a World Cup is not easy. Preparing for a World Cup is not easy. Becoming a professional athlete, it's not easy. Now, you've got to play a World Cup at home. You know how much pressure that is? Not any other player can tell you - except for the 22 players that played in '94, those guys - can tell you how much pressure it is to play at home. You don't need your own country, your own ex players, beating you up while you're trying to get prepared for the biggest tournament in the world.
And that legacy is going to be left by them doing something special, getting out of the group, getting into a quarterfinal. Or it's going to put a big black cloud over their careers, and over their national careers, because they don't get out of the group.
GOAL: What advice would you give them then?
My advice is, the same as always... It's very easy to be negative around people... Be positive, let it go. You know? I mean, let it go. Because at the end of the day, you're the one stepping on the field. We're not, we've already done it. You've got to get ready for this World Cup... Who cares what they say at the end of the day? Who cares what the ex players are saying, and who cares? You've got to do your job.
You do your job in a year from now and who is going to say anything to you? Landon's not going to do the job, [Eric] Wynalda's not going to do the job. They've had their time. At the end of the day, we want something special this World Cup. This is the coming out party for soccer in the United States. We need to have this group in sync. We need this group to fight, to scratch, to do something special in this World Cup, because this is going to be a huge turning point in soccer in this country.
GOAL
PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF MIC'D UP
Aug. 15 - Nedum Onuoha: ESPN analyst praises Antonee Robinson and looks ahead to Prem season
Aug. 6 - Kasey Keller: ESPN analyst calls out Mauricio Pochettino's underwhelming record with USMNT, hails Matt Turner's 'brilliant' return to MLS
July 31 - Andres and Nico Cantor: Father-son analysts on Mauricio Pochettino's chief challenge with USMNT, and Inter Miami's Leo Messi 'completing football
July 29 - Dax McCarty: Apple TV's Dax McCarty on why MLS was right to suspend Lionel Messi, the new Leagues Cup format, and why Club America is favorite
July 25 - Derek Rae: ESPN commentator on Gio Reyna's flawed fit at Dortmund, why 'nobody knows' how good 22-year-old USMNT midfielder can be
July 7 - Callum Williams: Apple TV, world soccer commentator on the impact of Brazilian teams at the Club World Cup
June 27 - Kyle Martino: TNT analyst on USMNT goalscoring void, the state of the program and the return of Showdown to NYC
June 23 - Dax McCarty: Apple TV analyst on the opportunity, pressure facing Mauricio Pochettino and USMNT ahead of World Cup
June 19 - Herculez Gomez: ESPN analyst on why he's bullish about Club World Cup, memories of playing in CWC, how 2026 World Cup could be 'biggest sporting event ever'
June 17 - Herculez Gomez: ESPN analyst on Christian Pulisic controversy, state of USMNT, fractures in fan base and his admiration for 'highly relatable' Diego Luna
June 11 - Diego Valeri: Apple TV+ analyst on Lionel Messi’s MLS impact, supporting rival Sounders at Club World Cup, and U.S. and Argentina ties
May 21 - Taylor Twellman: Apple TV+ analyst on 'exciting' matchups in the Club World Cup, why a top European team will win, and how Inter Miami can benefit
May 13 - Kay Murray: ESPN FC analyst on Americans supporting Club World Cup, European teams vying for trophy, and whether an MLS team can make a run
May 9 - Luis Garcia: ESPN Analyst on Barcelona and 'fantastic' Lamine Yamal, why Real Madrid lack a philosophy, and Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving Liverpool
May 1 - Derek Rae: ESPN analyst on Harry Kane's trophy quest, Gio Reyna's Borussia Dortmund struggles, the meaning behind 'the smell of the stable'
April 28 - Christina Unkel: CBS Sports rules analyst on VAR challenges, 'visibility' in refereeing, former players becoming officials
April 25 - Alejandro Moreno: ESPN FC pundit on Kylian Mbappe's Real Madrid disappointment, Carlo Ancelotti's final season, 'best in the world' Lamine Yamal
April 24 - Bradley Wright-Phillips: Apple TV analyst on the 'brilliance' of Lionel Messi, 'chippy' Inter Miami, and why Kevin De Bruyne's next team should be NYCFC
April 22 - Ali Krieger: ESPN analyst on Naomi Girma's Chelsea move, the 'amazing' Emma Hayes and why NWSL 'can't just dilute the league by expanding'
April 16 - Jamie Carragher: CBS analyst on Club World Cup and packed schedule, 'disappointing' Trent Alexander-Arnold, 'delightful' Mo Salah deal
April 14 - Kevin Egan: Apple TV+ host on the 2026 World Cup, 2025 Club World Cup and growth of game in America
April 11 - Kay Murray: ESPN FC host on Harry Kane and Bayern Munich's Bundesliga ambitions, 'undeniable talent' of Gio Reyna, and Ballon d'Or race without 'a standout contender'
April 8 - Kevin Egan: Apple TV analyst on possible Kevin De Bruyne link with Lionel Messi and MLS, Cavan Sullivan's 'swagger' and 'next-level' Wilfried Nancy
March 26 - Kasey Keller: 'Guys that would rather be on the beach' - ESPN's Kasey Keller knocks 'general malaise' of USMNT players, says Mauricio Pochettino must show 'he's 100 percent committed'
March 21 - Kaylyn Kyle: Apple TV studio analyst on Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, the 'chaotic' nature of MLS, why NWSL player exodus could 'hurt the league
March 13 - Micah Richards: CBS Sports analyst on Man City's future, why Real Madrid will win Champions League, and that bet with Jude Bellingham
March 11 - Antonella Gonzalez: Apple TV’s Antonella Gonzalez on interviewing Inter Miami's Lionel Messi, the rise of Latin American influence in MLS, and being a Hispanic woman in broadcasting
March 4 - Nico Cantor: CBS Analyst on 'world-class' Mauricio Pochettino, 'mixed' Champions League format, and why USL can compete with MLS
Feb 26 - Andrew Wiebe: Apple TV analyst Andrew Wiebe on San Jose Earthquakes' 'massive offseason', Kevin De Bruyne's potential MLS arrival, league’s growth
Feb. 20 - Taylor Twellman: Apple TV's analyst on Lionel Messi's Inter Miami 'laying an egg' in MLS playoffs, Cavan Sullivan, and why Cincinnati are a threat
Feb. 18 - Taylor Twellman: Apple TV analyst on USMNT World Cup aspirations, Mauricio Pochettino, and team's signature wins - or lack thereof
Feb. 11 - Maurice Edu: Apple TV analyst on national team's potential, Cavan Sullivan's 'borderline arrogance' and 'global shop window' of MLS
Jan. 30 - Keith Costigan: Apple TV commentator on Mo Salah and Liverpool, the Olivier Giroud experiment at LAFC and more
Jan 28 - Nigel Reo-Coker: CBS Sports Golazo Network analyst on the new Champions League format, state of American soccer and Aston Villa
Jan 20 - Kate Scott: CBS Sports host on the American soccer psyche, USMNT's 'statement' hire in Mauricio Pochettino, 'enormous' 2026 World Cup and why Liverpool will win Champions League
Jan 13 - DaMarcus Beasley: USMNT legend on Lionel Messi's mindset, the 'good groove' for MLS and why Mauricio Pochettino is the 'right man for the job'
Jan. 9 - Callum Williams: Soccer analyst on Lionel Messi and 2025 Club World Cup, 'naivety towards' South American soccer, 'preposterous' that Jack Grealish has 'lost it'
Jan. 2 - Jenny Chiu: CBS reporter on 'big changes' by Emma Hayes, Mauricio Pochettino's 'pedigree' and possible UCL glory for Inter
Dec. 17 - Stu Holden: FOX Sports analyst on the evolution of the American game, why Christian Pulisic will be 'best U.S. Soccer player of all-time'
Dec. 12 - Brian Dunseth: Turner, Apple TV analyst on Ricardo Pepi, Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna and USMNT's future under Mauricio Pochettino
Dec. 5 - Jalil Anibaba: Apple TV analyst on MLS Cup predictions, Inter Miami hiring Javier Mascherano and MLS's 'disheartening' coaching diversity issue
Nov. 21 - Andres Cantor: Telemundo legend on Mauricio Pochettino's Argentine mindset, the USMNT and having a front-row seat for the rise of the American game
Nov. 16 - Matt Doyle: Apple TV analyst assesses Inter Miami's defensive 'insanity,' whether Neymar could join Lionel Messi, MLS Cup favorite
Nov. 7 - Gary Neville: Veteran analyst talks USMNT World Cup hopes, 'hell of a player' Christian Pulisic, 'relentless' David Beckham, and Cristiano Ronaldo to MLS
Oct. 31 - Herculez Gomez: ESPN FC analyst on Mauricio Pochettino's impact, the USMNT's 'wide-open' striker race, and a player pool 'that lacks accountability'
Oct. 29 - Rebecca Lowe: NBC host on the growth of soccer, the 'incredible' Emma Hayes and 'profile-raising' Mauricio Pochettino
Oct. 24 - Andrew Wiebe: Apple TV analyst on MLS playoffs, Lionel Messi's 'nuclear form' and how Inter Miami can become league's 'greatest team of all time
Oct. 17 - Jamie Carragher: Veteran analyst talks USMNT, slams Man City over legal case, questions Mauricio Pochettino despite 'great' hire

ON THE RAPIDS AND AARONSON

ON DENVER'S EXPANSION NWSL TEAM

ON MLS TRANSFER DEADLINE

ON SON'S IMPACT FOR MLS

ON THE USMNT CONTROVERSY

PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF MIC'D UP