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. Pochettino: Noahkai Banks has not made decision on USMNT future

    USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino revealed that Noahkai Banks declined the opportunity to represent the USMNT this March, as the highly rated center back is still trying to determine his international future. The teenager, who has become a regular for Augsburg this season, can play for both Germany and the United States - and is yet to declare who he will represent.

  2. USLPA to protest against USSF in U.S. Open Cup matches

    USL players will wear t-shirts calling for professional standards prior to U.S. Open Cup games Tuesday night, in a coordinated effort to put pressure on the U.S. Soccer amid tense negotiations with the league on a Collective Bargaining Agreement. The USLPA has been engaged in talks with the League office for months, and with no deal near, they have decided to take action.

  3. Spot on Vini makes amends as Madrid finish the job

    Vinicius Jr returned to form at the right time for Real Madrid, bagging twice as Los Blancos got the job done against Manchester City to secure a spot in the Champions League quarter-finals. Madrid arrived in England defending a 3-0 lead after the first leg, and ensured that there was no 'remontada' at the Etihad Stadium, winning 2-1 win on the night after a rather frantic contest.

  4. LEGACY: Canada's World Cup rebirth

    This is Legacy, GOAL’s feature and podcast series that counts down to the 2026 World Cup. Each week, we explore the stories and the spirit behind the nations that define the world’s game. Today we dive into how Canada stopped waiting for permission, learned to believe again, and transformed a World Cup dream into a defining moment - with an even bigger stage now waiting for them on home soil.

  1. U.S. President Trump says Iran should skip World Cup 'for safety'

    United States President Donald Trump insisted that the Iranian soccer team are welcome to come to the U.S. for the World Cup this summer, despite the political tensions between the two nations - while warning that traveling to the United States could put their “life and safety” at risk. The U.S. have repeatedly bombed the country in recent weeks, and Iranian officials admitted the team 'cannot' participate in the tournament.

  2. Messi kept quiet as Inter Miami settle for drab goalless draw

    Inter Miami were forced to settle for a frustrating scoreless draw with Nashville SC in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup last 16 tie. Neither side created much, and Lionel Messi was kept surprisingly quiet in a poor fixture between two sides that looked more eager not to lose. The two teams combined for just five shots on target over the course of 90 minutes.

  3. Madrid must move for Rodri NOW & solve their biggest issue

    Real Madrid are not, objectively, having that bad of a season. They are within four points of Barcelona atop La Liga - a not insurmountable gap - and are in the Champions League round of 16 despite a tough league-phase slate of fixtures. Yes, they fired a manager in Xabi Alonso and face uncertainty in the dugout, but success is not beyond Los Blancos in 2025-26.

  4. Pepi bags winner for PSV in first start since arm injury

    U.S. international Ricardo Pepi bagged in the 86th minute to give PSV a 2-1 win over AZ Alkmaar in his first start since suffering an arm injury in January. The striker smashed home from close range after a well-worked move to cap off a narrow win in PSV's procession to the Eredivisie crown. It was Pepi's 10th goal of the season.