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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. Bellingham's chip on shoulderGetty
    AnalysisEngland

    Jude's 'chip on his shoulder' bad news for England's rivals

    Jude Bellingham took it all in after the full-time whistle had blown. He looked up at the stands, an impressive wall of England fans who had travelled 'across the pond' into the boiling metropolis of Dallas, and the supporters were singing. Oasis' 'Wonderwall' filled the air - helped by the acoustics at the indoor Dallas Stadium - and Bellingham allowed a brief smile to flicker across his lips. He had made the difference against Croatia, and he knew it.

  3. TOPSHOT-FBL-WC-2026-MATCH07-BRA-MARAFP
    NeymarBrazil

    'He will be available' - Ancelotti confirms Neymar set for return

    Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti announced that Neymar will be available to play in the Selecao's final group game against Scotland. The Santos attacking midfielder missed the first two games of the tournament with a calf injury, but the manager announced he will train with the team early next week, and will play a role next week to close out Group C play.

  4. Brazil player ratings GOAL
    Player ratingsFEATURES

    Vini Jr takes charge as Cunha's double restores Brazil swagger

    PHILADELPHIA -- Matheus Cunha proved his credentials up front, and Vinicius Jr had a hand in all three goals as Brazil found their stride at the World Cup with a 3-0 win over Haiti. The Real Madrid winger was at his devastating best, scoring and assisting, and has the Selecao well-positioned to top Group C. Haiti, for all of their efforts, are eliminated from the tournament in their first appearance since 1974.

  8. England Croatia W+Ls GFXGetty/GOAL
    Winners & LosersEngland

    Tuchel works his magic - now he must fix dodgy defence

    Thomas Tuchel did not describe, exactly, what he said at half-time of England's 4-2 win over Croatia that opened up their 2026 World Cup campaign. The score was deadlocked at 2-2 at the time, and England weren't playing particularly well. Tuchel insisted that he had some calm words and told his team to play with courage. The reality, though, is probably a little harsher.

  1. England defence GFXGetty/GOAL
    AnalysisEngland

    Injury-prone & inexperienced: Is England's defence good enough?

    There are plenty of compelling reasons to suggest that England could win the 2026 World Cup. In Harry Kane, they have perhaps the best striker in world football at present. They also possess the best midfielder in the Premier League in Declan Rice, and an immensely shrewd tactician in Thomas Tuchel to help knit some of the most talented forward players in Europe together.

  3. Rice next England captainGetty
    AnalysisEngland

    Next England captain? Rice ready to show he's Kane's successor

    After Arsenal lost to Manchester City in April, Declan Rice, perhaps a little inadvertently, went viral. The England midfielder slumped on his heels, sprung to his feet defiantly, and was pictured shouting, "It's not done!" to his Gunners team-mates. At the time, it didn't look good; Arsenal's Premier League lead had shrunk to just three points - and City still had a game in hand.

  4. Brazil WC Ratings MoroccoGOAL
    Player ratingsBrazil

    Vini dazzles but Brazil show frailties in Morocco draw

    EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Vinicius Jr scored a wonderful goal to give life to an otherwise languid Brazil performance as the Selecao settled for a 1-1 draw with Morocco to open their World Cup campaign. Brazil started slowly and conceded first, but a moment of magic from their main man restored parity before the break. Both sides, it seems, will take the point with more manageable opposition to come.

  7. Vini Jr Brazil GFXGOAL
    AnalysisBrazil

    Vini running out of time to make this Brazil team his

    Vinicius Jr promised that he would do it "10x" if he had to. Those were his words after he did not win the 2024 Ballon d'Or despite a stellar individual season. In fairness, the Brazilian had a fair claim to the trophy - Rodri may have deserved it, but few would have complained if Vinicius got his hands on the Golden Ball.

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