Episodes

  • Mark McKenzie's Historic Win, World Cup Injuries & Getting Traded Overnight

    Mark McKenzie's Historic Win, World Cup Injuries & Getting Traded Overnight
    May 14 2026
    Mark McKenzie is back after Toulouse's first double over Lyon since 1966 — and he's got stories. Heath and Mark dig into the brutal reality of end-of-season life as a pro: exit physicals, contract uncertainty, teammates you might never see again, and the guy who finds out he's been traded while packing his hotel room. They swap war stories about getting shipped across the country overnight, talk through the mental game of injury avoidance with the World Cup weeks away, and get into what it really takes to recover mentally mid-game when nothing's clicking. Plus: Cristo Fernandez from Ted Lasso actually signed with a real club, the HBO docuseries "Us Against the World" just dropped, and Mark picks Damson Idris to play him in his biopic. In this episode: Toulouse double over Lyon for the first time since 1966 — fireworks, bonus checks, no jersey swap End-of-season chaos: physicals, goodbyes, contract limbo, and coaches departing The CJ Sapong trade that taught Mark how fast the game moves Heath's overnight trade from Dallas to LA — a house, a dog, and zero notice Bonus structures in France vs. Germany — and the Sunday training wars they create Injury anxiety heading into World Cup camp — Pulisic, Aijman, Cardoso all down The mental trap of playing at 70% to protect yourself (and why it backfires) Intrusive thoughts on the pitch: missing passes, domino effects, and Steve Cherundolo's advice to "just blend in" Broadcasting vs. playing: connecting the next pass when the red light is on Cristo Fernandez (Dani Rojas from Ted Lasso) signed with El Paso Locomotive at 35 Stormzy producing Ian Wright's biopic — Mark picks Damson Idris or Michael B. Jordan for his own HBO Max "Us Against the World" — what to expect from the USMNT docuseries CONCACAF qualifying reality: hostile stadiums, headphones getting snatched off the bus Watch & Listen: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio Sign up now for your twenty-five dollar bonus on FanDuel Predicts. Go to FanDuel.Com/Predicts to sign up.
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    51 mins
  • Dax McCarty on Trinidad Heartbreak, Thierry Henry's Private Jet & Life After 500 MLS Games | OS Ep. 3

    Dax McCarty on Trinidad Heartbreak, Thierry Henry's Private Jet & Life After 500 MLS Games | OS Ep. 3
    May 12 2026
    Heath Pearce is joined by former teammate Dax McCarty — one of only three players to make nearly 500 MLS appearances — for a wide-ranging conversation about careers, locker rooms, and what comes next. They cover: • The 2018 World Cup qualifying disaster — Dax's best and worst national team moments four days apart • FC Dallas 2010 and the unbeaten run that should have won MLS Cup • Why charter flights might be killing team chemistry • Thierry Henry texting mid-brunch to fly them to London on a private jet for the North London Derby • The reality of becoming a soccer TV analyst — why being a legend doesn't guarantee you a job • World Cup 2026 buzz, dark horse roster picks, and why Xavier Gozo deserves a look • Rondos, retirement, and walking your kids to school every morning Orange Slices drops every Tuesday and Thursday. Subscribe and follow @sliceofsoccer on Instagram. Sign up now for your twenty-five dollar bonus on FanDuel Predicts. Go to FanDuel.Com/Predicts to sign up.
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    50 mins
  • Mark McKenzie: World-Famous Throw-Ins, Watching the World Cup From the Couch & USMNT Group Chat Chaos

    Mark McKenzie: World-Famous Throw-Ins, Watching the World Cup From the Couch & USMNT Group Chat Chaos
    May 7 2026
    Defender Mark McKenzie joins Heath on Episode 2 of Orange Slices for an unfiltered conversation that swings from the absurd to the intensely personal — and back again. First, the throw-ins. You've seen the clips. Toulouse FC literally puts out mixtapes of them. Mark walks through how a casual training-ground "let's see who can throw it the farthest" turned into a tactical weapon that's reshaped his club's set-piece game — and why he doesn't actually train it. Then the harder stuff. Mark and Heath both lived through the 2022 World Cup as the players who didn't make the final cut, and they talk openly about what that does to you: the bittersweet of watching as a fan, the family dynamic when everyone keeps saying "you should be there," and the mental work of switching from "why not me" to wanting the best for the group. It's one of the most honest conversations on what falling short of a World Cup actually feels like for the guys who came close. The episode lands soft with the part of national team life nobody talks about: the USMNT group chat. Chris Richards as the comedic timing king. The Aronson brothers going at each other. Mark trying to decode "skibbity toilet riz" and "six-seven." The cultural whiplash of an American kid landing in a French locker room and being told to slow down. Plus: MLS vs. Belgium vs. France stylistically, the 2026 World Cup format, and what it really means to wear the crest. New episodes Tuesdays and Thursdays. Subscribe, drop a comment on social, and we'll see you next week. Sign up now for your twenty-five dollar bonus on FanDuel Predicts. Go to FanDuel.Com/Predicts to sign up.
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    55 mins
  • Orange Slices Is Back | Mark McKenzie | 37 Days Out

    Orange Slices Is Back | Mark McKenzie | 37 Days Out
    May 5 2026
    Orange Slices is back — and the timing couldn't be better. With 37 days until the World Cup kicks off on home soil, Heath Pearce reconnects with co-host and active USMNT defender Mark McKenzie for a wide-open season premiere. Since the pod went dark: Mark got engaged, planned a wedding in five months (without inviting Heath), had a baby boy, moved from Belgium to Toulouse, and made his Ligue 1 debut — in that order, more or less. In this episode, Mark breaks down what it's actually like to go head-to-head with Dembélé and Marquinhos at PSG away, why the Vélodrome is the most hostile atmosphere he's ever played in, and what Pochettino demands from the very first training session. He also opens up about the 2022 World Cup cut — the 10 PM phone call, the pit in his stomach, and why, four years later, he'll admit he probably wasn't ready. Plus: the art of channeling competitor rage when you're also managing diapers. Orange Slices drops 2-3 times a week through the end of August. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
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    53 mins
  • Orange Slices | Trailer

    Orange Slices | Trailer
    May 4 2026
    Watch Orange Slices every Tuesday and Thursday wherever you get your podcasts! Orange Slices connects the past, present, and future generations of U.S. internationals around our collective soccer story. Hosted by former U.S. international Heath Pearce and U.S. international Mark McKenzie, this cross-generational show is an unfiltered celebration of our national teams and soccer Americana. From the muddy fields of our youth to the games won and lost on the world's stage, weekly episodes will feature guests from different generations of American soccer sharing stories, insights, and commentary on their soccer experiences and the American game. Come and enjoy a slice of the soccer life! Sponsored by FanDuel Predicts.
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    2 mins
  • End of 2022 Mailbag

    End of 2022 Mailbag
    Dec 23 2022
    Heath and Mark catch up after a few weeks off. The guys get into Genk's training camp in Spain, Heath's World Cup experience in Qatar and the recent USMNT controversies. Plus, they answer all your questions about their highs and lows from 2022, favorite World Cup moments, their go-to coffee order, which USWNT player they like the most right now and much more. Thank to everyone who submitted a question! Happy holidays to you & yours and we'll see you guys in '23. Check out our Spotify Playlist Follow us on Instagram “Orange Slices” connects the past, present, and future generations of U.S. internationals around our collective soccer story. Hosted by emerging U.S. international Mark McKenzie and former U.S. international Heath Pearce, this cross-generational show is an unfiltered celebration of our national team and soccer Americana.
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    28 mins
  • Iran-USMNT Match Preview

    Iran-USMNT Match Preview
    Nov 29 2022
    Mark and Heath have a quick chat about the USMNT ahead of their critical match against Iran in the final game of the group stages. Check out our Spotify Playlist Follow us on Instagram “Orange Slices” connects the past, present, and future generations of U.S. internationals around our collective soccer story. Hosted by U.S. international Mark McKenzie and former U.S. international Heath Pearce, this cross-generational show is an unfiltered celebration of our national team and soccer Americana.
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    8 mins
  • World Cup Disappointment

    World Cup Disappointment
    Nov 18 2022
    After taking a few days to process things, Mark and Heath talk through being left off this year’s USMNT roster in the final hour. Mark opens up about being in the final group of players, his phone call with Gregg, how he and his family processed everything and what’s next. Thanks to all the OS listeners who have showed love and support this past week. Check out our Spotify Playlist Follow us on Instagram “Orange Slices” connects the past, present, and future generations of U.S. internationals around our collective soccer story. Hosted by emerging U.S. international Mark McKenzie and former U.S. international Heath Pearce, this cross-generational show is an unfiltered celebration of our national team and soccer Americana.
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    42 mins