The men’s FIFA World Cup starts next week! Seattle will host six games, including one featuring the U.S. team. 

Soundside has discussed the politics of the World Cup, how these giant events can impact a city, and other weighty FIFA-related topics. You can find all of those conversations below.

But we haven't talked about the actual game yet.

Who’s playing, who’s expected to do well and could our own US team actually pull out a better-than-expected this year?

Guest


Leander Schaerlaecken, author, The Long Game - U.S. Men's Soccer and Its Savage, Four-Decade Journey to the Top, or Thereabouts.

Related Links

As the World Cup arrives in Seattle, so do the contradictions - Soundside

Is it worth it to host the World Cup? It depends. - Soundside

How Good Is This World Cup Squad, Really? - The New Yorker 

Leander Schaerlaecken's columns for The Guardian


Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible!

Right now, we're asking for listeners to give us a full review of the show. We want to know what you like, what you hate: Tell us your hot takes. kuow.org/feedback.

Also, if you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

The men&rsquo;s FIFA World Cup starts next week! Seattle will host six games, including one featuring the U.S. team.&nbsp;
Soundside has discussed the politics of the World Cup, how these giant events can impact a city, and other weighty FIFA-related topics. You can find all of those conversations below.
But we haven't talked about the actual game yet.
Who&rsquo;s playing, who&rsquo;s expected to do well and could our own US team actually pull out a better-than-expected this year?
Guest 
Leander Schaerlaecken, author, <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-long-game-u-s-men-s-soccer-and-its-savage-four-decade-journey-to-the-top-or-thereabouts-leander-schaerlaeckens/b447f2e7aa562273?ean=9780593653876&amp;amp;next=t">The Long Game - U.S. Men's Soccer and Its Savage, Four-Decade Journey to the Top, or Thereabouts</a>.
Related Links
<a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/as-the-world-cup-arrives-in-seattle-so-do-the-contradictions">As the World Cup arrives in Seattle, so do the contradictions</a> - Soundside <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/is-it-worth-it-to-host-the-world-cup-it-depends">Is it worth it to host the World Cup? It depends.</a> - Soundside
<a href="https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-lede/how-good-is-this-world-cup-squad-really">How Good Is This World Cup Squad, Really?</a> - The New Yorker <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/profile/leanderschaerlaeckens">Leander Schaerlaecken's columns for The Guardian</a>
 Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible!
Right now, we're asking for listeners to give us a full review of the show. We want to know what you like, what you hate: Tell us your hot takes. <a href="https://www.kuow.org/feedback">kuow.org/feedback</a>.
Also, if you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

The USMNT once pulled a fan out of the stands to have enough people to play. Things are different now. 

Breaking down Seattle's 6 World Cup matches

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page.

It’s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward.

Guest

Angela Poe Russell, a veteran journalist and the playwright behind "Aviatrix." 

Related Links

Seattle Times: Seattle officials introduce bill to help residents battle gun violence 

Axios: Seattle's economic engine is starting to sputter

Aviatrix | Seattle Public Theater

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible!

Right now, we're asking for listeners to give us a full review of the show. We want to know what you want from the show, so share your thoughts with us at kuow.org/feedback.

Also, if you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

 

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page.
It&rsquo;s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward.
Guest Angela Poe Russell, a veteran journalist and the playwright behind "Aviatrix."&nbsp; Related Links <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/law-justice/seattle-officials-introduce-bill-to-help-residents-battle-gun-violence/">Seattle Times: Seattle officials introduce bill to help residents battle gun violence&nbsp;</a>
<a href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/05/27/seattle-economy-layoffs-tech-hiring-inflation-wages-unemployment-2026">Axios:&nbsp;Seattle's economic engine is starting to sputter</a>
<a href="https://www.seattlepublictheater.org/calendar-2/aviatrix">Aviatrix | Seattle Public Theater</a>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible!
Right now, we're asking for listeners to give us a full review of the show. We want to know what you want from the show, so share your thoughts with us at <a href="https://www.kuow.org/feedback">kuow.org/feedback</a>.
Also, if you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.
&nbsp;

Front Page: North Aurora shootings, white collar slowdown, and "Aviatrix"

This case was seen as a test case for harsher enforcement by the Trump administration against protestors, and now there’s a verdict. Three anti-ICE protestors have been found guilty of federal conspiracy charges. The case had to do with a demonstration outside of the Spokane ICE office last June. 

The protest was part of a wave of anti-immigration actions that popped up across the country. The day after the protest in Spokane, the Trump Administration started cracking down on immigration protests by instructing prosecutors to charge non-violent demonstrators with conspiracy. 

So what happens now to these convicted protestors? And what does this mean for future political marches or demonstrations?

Guest:
Erin Sellers, reporter with RANGE Media, a media organization that covers the Inland Northwest.

Related Links:
Jury finds Spokane 3 protesters guilty of federal conspiracy charges - Range Media
Inside the federal trial of 3 Spokane anti-ICE protesters - KUOW
Conspiracy Trial Will Test Trump’s Aggressive Tactics Against Protesters - New York Times
Six of the Spokane 9 accept plea deals - Range Media
Prosecutors told to prioritize, publicize cases tied to Trump immigration protests - Reuters

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible!

Right now, we're asking for listeners to give us a full review of the show. We want to know what you want from the show, so share your thoughts with us at kuow.org/feedback. 

Also, if you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

This case was seen as a test case for harsher enforcement by the Trump administration against protestors, and now there&rsquo;s a verdict. Three anti-ICE protestors have been found guilty of federal conspiracy charges. The case had to do with a demonstration outside of the Spokane ICE office last June.&nbsp;
The protest was part of a wave of anti-immigration actions that popped up across the country. The day after the protest in Spokane, the Trump Administration started cracking down on immigration protests by instructing prosecutors to charge non-violent demonstrators with conspiracy.&nbsp;
So what happens now to these convicted protestors? And what does this mean for future political marches or demonstrations?
Guest:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.rangemedia.co/author/erin-sellers/">Erin Sellers, reporter with RANGE Media, a media organization that covers the Inland Northwest.</a></li>
</ul>
Related Links:<a href="https://www.rangemedia.co/spokane-3-verdict-jury-guilty-innocent/"></a>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.rangemedia.co/spokane-3-verdict-jury-guilty-innocent/">Jury finds Spokane 3 protesters guilty of federal conspiracy charges</a> - Range Media</li>
<li><a href="https://omny.fm/shows/soundside/inside-the-federal-trial-of-3-spokane-anti-ice-protesters">Inside the federal trial of 3 Spokane anti-ICE protesters </a>- KUOW</li>
<li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/17/us/a-federal-case-will-test-if-protesters-are-conspirators.html">Conspiracy Trial Will Test Trump&rsquo;s Aggressive Tactics Against Protesters </a>- New York Times</li>
<li><a href="https://www.rangemedia.co/four-of-the-spokane-9-accept-plea-deals/">Six of the Spokane 9 accept plea deals </a>- Range Media<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/prosecutors-told-prioritize-publicize-cases-tied-trump-immigration-protests-2025-06-12/"></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/prosecutors-told-prioritize-publicize-cases-tied-trump-immigration-protests-2025-06-12/">Prosecutors told to prioritize, publicize cases tied to Trump immigration protests</a> - Reuters</li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! Right now, we're asking for listeners to give us a full review of the show. We want to know what you want from the show, so share your thoughts with us at <a href="http://kuow.org/feedback">kuow.org/feedback</a>. Also, if you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a> Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Three anti-ICE protestors have been found guilty of federal conspiracy charges. The case had to do with a demonstration outside of the Spokane ICE office last June.  What does this mean for future political marches or demonstrations?

The 3 Spokane anti-ICE protesters found guilty of federal conspiracy charges. What does that mean for future protests?

What do you think of when you see Mount Rainier? 

Some of us think, "Oh wow, I can see Mount Rainier. Must be really clear out today. Pretty."

Some people, though, look at its snow-capped peaks and see a challenge, a life goal -- something they may climb one day, braving cold and oxygen deprivation. To able to say they've done it. 

And then there is Simon Kearns, who looks at Mount Rainier as something to absolutely dominate. 

That's what he did in early May, when he set a new speed record for climbing Washington state’s tallest peak on foot.

He traveled the nearly 9,000 vertical feet to the summit and back in three hours, 43 minutes and 52 seconds. 

Kearns joined Soundside to talk about what it was like shattering the previous record by more than half an hour. 

Guest: Simon Kearns, a mountain guide at RMI Expeditions.

Related links:
Mount Rainier climber sets new speed record | The Seattle Times
Simon Kearns Smashes Mount Rainier FKT by Over 30 Minutes | Outside Magazine

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible!

Right now, we're asking for listeners to give us a full review of the show. We want to know what you want from the show, so share your thoughts with us at kuow.org/feedback.

Also, if you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

What do you think of when you see Mount Rainier?&nbsp;
Some of us think, "Oh wow, I can see Mount Rainier. Must be really clear out today. Pretty."
Some people, though, look at its snow-capped peaks and see a challenge, a life goal -- something they may climb one day, braving cold and oxygen deprivation. To able to say they've done it.&nbsp;
And then there is Simon Kearns, who looks at Mount Rainier as something to absolutely dominate.&nbsp;
That's what he did in early May, when he set a new speed record for climbing Washington state&rsquo;s tallest peak on foot.
He traveled the nearly 9,000 vertical feet to the summit and back in three hours, 43 minutes and 52 seconds.&nbsp;
Kearns joined Soundside to talk about what it was like shattering the previous record by more than half an hour.&nbsp;
Guest:&nbsp;Simon Kearns, a mountain guide at RMI Expeditions.
Related links:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/life/outdoors/mount-rainier-climber-sets-new-speed-record/">Mount Rainier climber sets new speed record | The Seattle Times</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/climbing/climbing-simon-kearns-mount-rainier-fkt-speed-record/">Simon Kearns Smashes Mount Rainier FKT by Over 30 Minutes | Outside Magazine</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible!
Right now, we're asking for listeners to give us a full review of the show. We want to know what you want from the show, so share your thoughts with us at <a href="https://www.kuow.org/feedback">kuow.org/feedback</a>.
Also, if you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Simon Kearns  made it to the summit of Mount Rainier and back in three hours, 43 minutes and 52 seconds... shattering the previous record by more than half an hour.  

Breaking down Seattle's 6 World Cup matches

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