Joseph Lowery

Phoenix

Editor at Backheeled

Writer at Freelance

💡 @Backheeled | ✍️ 🗣️ ESPN, The Guardian, The Athletic, TSS | 🎙️ @PHXRisingFC TV analyst

Articles

What We Learned: NY Red Bulls' unsung hero, Chicago's possession prowess

5 days ago | mlssoccer.com | Joseph Lowery

Between a pair of MLS vs. LIGA MX matchups in Concacaf Champions Cup and Club World Cup play and a whole slate of league matches, this past weekend wasn’t short on drama. Let's look back at the latest batch of MLS games to examine some of the most interesting things we’ve learned. And if you want to read up on the other key moments of Matchday 17 in detail, check out Matt Doyle’s latest. Onwards. Few teams have yo-yoed more aggressively than the Chicago Fire this season.
MLS Winners and Losers: Concacaf flop, LAFC's big-money win, FC Cincinnati's problems & more

6 days ago | backheeled.com | Joseph Lowery

It’s in the title, folks. Every week during the MLS season, Backheeled will dive into the biggest Winners and Losers from around the league. This week, the Vancouver Whitecaps embarrassed themselves, LAFC’s bank account ballooned, Inter Miami started running, and more. Loser: The Vancouver WhitecapsAh, the warm comfort of the free space on the MLS in Concacaf Champions Cup bingo card — the one marked disappointment. There’s no more familiar place for MLS teams to be when it comes to the CCC.
By the numbers: 2025 MLS All-Star favorites

1 week ago | mlssoccer.com | Joseph Lowery

Pick out the spot where your voting sticker is going to go, people. It’s time to cast your ballot for the 2025 MLS All-Star Game between MLS and LIGA MX on July 23 at Austin FC's Q2 Stadium (9 pm ET | MLS Season Pass). Using data as my guide (yes, I pushed up my glasses after typing those words), I’ve assembled some standout players worthy of an All-Star nod. Is there some selective stat picking? No doubt.
St. Louis City fire head coach Olof Mellberg 15 games into his MLS tenure

1 week ago | backheeled.com | Joseph Lowery

St. Louis City have fired manager Olof Melberg, the club announced on Tuesday evening. Under the Swedish manager, who was hired in November, St. Louis sit 14th in the Western Conference after 15 matches with just two wins this year. “The decision to part ways with Olof goes beyond just results,” St. Louis City sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel said in a statement.
What We Learned: Chucky Lozano lifts San Diego, USMNT call-ups deliver

1 week ago | mlssoccer.com | Joseph Lowery

Matchday 15 was wild, people. We had full-blown chaos at the top of the East, the Supporters’ Shield-leading Vancouver Whitecaps making a late comeback, and goals galore on both Saturday and Sunday. Let's look back at the latest slate of MLS matches to examine some of the most interesting things we’ve learned. And if you want to read up on the other key moments of Matchday 15 in detail, check out Matt Doyle’s latest. Onwards.
MLS Power Rankings: Miami keeps falling, can Caps be stopped?

1 week ago | espn.com | Joseph Lowery

The 2025 MLS season is firmly underway, which means it's time for ESPN's Power Rankings. Who's climbing the table? Who's in free fall? Our writers studied the action from across Matchday 15 to come up with this week's order of all 30 teams in the league. Let's dive in. 1. Vancouver WhitecapsPrevious ranking: 1Down 2-0 after less than five minutes in Utah, the Whitecaps were in danger of losing their first game of the season outside of an international break.
MLS Winners and Losers: Quinn Sullivan’s great week, San Diego FC’s unsung hero & more

1 week ago | backheeled.com | Joseph Lowery

It’s in the title, folks. Every week during the MLS season, Backheeled will dive into the biggest Winners and Losers from around the league. This week, Quinn Sullivan was riding high, Wilfried Nancy tried (and failed) to unlock Daniel Gazdag, San Diego FC’s unsung hero shined bright, and more. Winner: Quinn SullivanIt’s hard to imagine that Quinn Sullivan will have many better weeks in his professional career than the one he’s in the midst of right now. Let’s run through the timeline, shall we?
Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT Gold Cup roster: No Pulisic, Reyna, McKennie, Weah, Robinson

2 weeks ago | backheeled.com | Joseph Lowery

The roster for the U.S. men’s national team’s training camp ahead of the Gold Cup was released on Thursday – and it's missing a host of regular starters. Ahead of this summer’s Gold Cup, the USMNT will face Turkey on June 7th and Switzerland on June 10th. The 27-player roster selected by manager Mauricio Pochettino is for those games, with permitted changes to reduce the squad to 26 players before the Gold Cup.
How a Mexican-American soccer family grew in ice-cold Alaska

2 weeks ago | bvmsports.com | Joseph Lowery

There was a moment, as Jon Arnold tells it, when Obed Vargas Sr. knew his soccer career was over. For years, he'd only wanted to do one thing: play the game professionally. But after being cut by his favorite team, that dream came to an end. Vargas moved far from home, needing space between himself and the setting of his disappointment. Years later, then came along another Obed Vargas - his son.
How a Mexican-American soccer family grew in ice-cold Alaska

2 weeks ago | sounderatheart.com | Joseph Lowery

There was a moment, as Jon Arnold tells it, when Obed Vargas Sr. knew his soccer career was over. For years, he’d only wanted to do one thing: play the game professionally. But after being cut by his favorite team, that dream came to an end. Vargas moved far from home, needing space between himself and the setting of his disappointment. Years later, then came along another Obed Vargas — his son.

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Joseph Lowery @joeclowery

12 May 25

nothing like trying to dunk on folks by showing a pair of goals that have a big fat *nothing* to do with the original completely valid criticism

New York Red Bulls @NewYorkRedBulls

You were saying…? 😈 https://t.co/5iH5LNCy0E

Joseph Lowery @joeclowery

12 May 25

hey, just checking in to make sure we're all being elegant in triumph today

Joseph Lowery @joeclowery

12 May 25

Ryan Kent and Danny Musovski completely smoothing over injuries to Paul Arriola and Jordan Morris is a testament to just how deep and talented the Sounders' roster is. Craig Waibel deserves a ton of credit.