Red Bulls legend BWP backs England to win the World Cup

Bradley Wright-Phillips Apple TV

Mic'd Up: The New York Red Bulls great and Apple TV broadcaster had his name etched into his home stadium, but ahead of the World Cup, his focus lies elsewhere

Ask most people around the league, and Bradley Wright-Phillips has always been a legend. Now it's official.

The former New York Red Bulls striker, who has been vocal about his discomfort with accolades, a tough prospect for a player among the most decorated goal scorers in MLS history, was etched into history last week when his former team placed his name on Legends Row at Sports Illustrated Arena. There's no questioning his credentials now.

"I think the one moment that hit me is when they lifted up the banner, and my name was on there. I'm just a guy from South London all the way in, like, New York, New Jersey. When I saw my name on the stadium here, when that got lifted up, I was like, 'wow, that's like, forever,'" Wright-Phillips tells GOAL.

His discomfort with it all is understandable when you look at the state of the league, which is now packed with legends. It hasn't been the most straightforward season for one of then, though. Lionel Messi's Inter Miami might be well in the playoff hunt, but the Argentine himself isn't exactly playing his best stuff.

"Messi looks a little bit tired. I haven't seen a performance from Messi like those performances, where it's like 'this guy's a joke.' There's been little snippets, little flashes, but they're just not clicking for a whole 90 minutes," Wright-Phillips adds.

In fact, Wright-Phillips is looking elsewhere for potential MLS Cup winners. Nashville, San Jose, and Vancouver are all good shouts, he says. And there is always danger in writing off Seattle and veteran coach Brian Schmetzer.

But it's also a World Cup year, which means a little more focus on Wright-Phillips' beloved England. He was raised in South London, and the Three Lions are still dear to his heart - even if he now lives Stateside. This year, he really does think that football will come home.

"[England] have the talent. We have the talent, we've got a new coach. We can get to the semis, I wouldn't say easy, because it's the World Cup, but we can get ourselves there, and hopefully Tuchel can work some magic, and we can get over the line," he adds.

It's going to be an action-packed summer. MLS will go on hold, and then the world's game will descend on the U.S. Wright-Phillips covers the former for Apple TV, and he won't be able to take his eyes off the latter. The New York Red Bulls legend talked legacy, Inter Miami, Nashville, and more, in the latest edition of Mic'd Up, a recurring feature in which GOAL taps into the perspective of analysts, announcers, and other pundits on the state of soccer in the U.S. and abroad. 

NOTE: This interview has been lightly edited for brevity and clarity.

Bradley Wright Phillips legends row

ON HIS INDUCTION TO LEGENDS ROW

GOAL: I suppose this should start with congratulations. How does it feel to be put on the Red Bulls' legends row?

WRIGHT PHILLIPS: It was a nice feeling. I wasn't really looking forward to the whole day. I'm not trying to be humble, it's just not my style. I don't like those things. I don't get too much credit. I don't like too much attention. I was worried about that day, but I'm just thinking everything is going to be about me, and I don't deal well in those situations. I did have the distraction of my kids with it. I'm not just focusing on what's happening to me. I'm with them. They're taking it in. They had an amazing time. They brought their friends, some of my neighbors, my kids, like teammates, best friends from school. They're all there. So it was really nice. It was really nice. I had a good time.

GOAL: You don't seem like you take much time to reflect or reminisce. Did you allow yourself a little bit?

WRIGHT-PHILLIPS: I think the one moment that hit me is when they lifted up the banner, and my name was on there. I'm just a guy from South London all the way in, like, New York, New Jersey. When I saw my name on the stadium here, when that got lifted up, I was like, 'wow, that's like, forever,' you know? So that was kind of cool to see. I'm not really emotional, but that's just who I am as a person. I just don't ever get too high or too low. I know that's kind of boring!

GOAL: There's something to be said for that, though. You don't think about these things, and then they're just right in front of you...

WRIGHT-PHILLIPS: Yeah, and I had to give a speech, too.

GOAL: How'd it go?

WRIGHT-PHILLIPS: You know why I liked the speech? Because I didn't have time to prepare one. I didn't know I was gonna be doing one. So I was literally thinking about a few things in my head the night before, just how I felt about it, what it means to me, because I had a press conference before. For me, it was just about, like, inspiring. So I just went with that, and I felt like it was true to me.

Lionel Messi Inter Miami 2026

ON INTER MIAMI

GOAL: We have to talk about Inter Miami. New manager in Guillermo Hoyos, Javier Mascherano's gone, what's going on there?WRIGHT-PHILLIPS: It's almost like they've lost their weight. Does that make sense? Mascherano has left, but it's not just him. They have big players in Busquets and Alba gone.

I mean, these are not players and personnel that you can really replace, and then moving into a new stadium, it seemed like there's a bit of unrest there.

GOAL: Who would you appoint as the new manager?

WRIGHT-PHILLIPS: I'm not saying a name, but what I would say, it's got to be a person that, and it's probably going to sound obvious, Messi respects.

I just feel like he obviously has a lot of power on that side. If you can get him to buy in, which I'm not saying he never did, maybe at PSG, but it needs to be a thing where they have the right players around him, and that coach is not fearful of Messi, so he can make changes in the side. He can play how he actually wants to play.

“And then I think you see, with the talent and ability they have, they'll be back on track

Nashville SC v Charlotte FC

ON NASHVILLE

GOAL: Nashville are up there this season. Is that always something we expect? Were they always going to be in the running for you?

WRIGHT-PHILLIPS: When BJ Callaghan got in, they started playing some good football. They looked really good. So I'm not surprised by the football they're playing. I am surprised by the consistency and the depth. There's been a lot of times when Nashville have had to rotate their side because of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. And I swear they haven't missed a beat.

Sometimes Sam Surridge isn't playing, and they still get a win. They're bringing off guys off the bench. They had one of the low-key best signings of the season in Cristian Espinosa from San Jose. For years, he's been one of the top players in Major League Soccer, but he doesn't get the credit he deserves because he was playing for San Jose, and they weren't doing well. So you just kind of almost forget about him, but them signing him, with Hany Mukhtar already there. It's very dangerous. They're a good team with depth. They can go all the way.

GOAL: Sam Surridge only seems to care about scoring goals...

WRIGHT-PHILLIPS: But that's why he's doing so well. Not to make this bit about me, but I think in England, we have a standard as a goal scorer. You're brought up just because of the competition; if you're a No. 9, you have to get one goal in two games. I think we come here with that mentality. And I don't think, and I don't want to speak for every American striker, I just don't think, especially in my time, I don't think that was a thing. There were a few.

There was like Chris Wondolowski, Dom Dwyer, but he was English. He had that in him. But the first person I thought I was competing with that really, like, had me thinking, 'Okay, like he gets it' was, was Josef Martinez. And Sam Surridge, I'm seeing that in him.

GOAL: Does anyone else have that hunger?

WRIGHT-PHILLIPS: Petar Musa has that right now. He reminds me of a Berbatov-type player. Very tall, soft touch, can link with his teammates. Gets his goals. He's really good.

Atletico de Madrid v FC Barcelona - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Second Leg

ON ANTOINE GRIEZMANN

GOAL: We've got Griezmann coming to MLS from Atletico Madrid. What do you make of that move?

WRIGHT-PHILLIPS: I like it. I'm a big fan of him. When DPs come in, you can't just come here with talent. He's different. He's personally, from what you see on social media, when he does interviews, he seems like he'll be good around the locker room.

I remember David Villa was one of those guys. David came with, like a humbleness, but like a work rate, to where he didn't leave his teammates. And I think Griezmann will be similar in that way. And they need a player like him. I think they're just maybe turning the corner. They got a good result against Miami. So if you bring him into an environment that's starting to, like, turn the corner, he'll be a good fit.

GOAL: It's funny how much he loves America, too...

WRIGHT PHILLIPS: If I was Orlando, I'd like that. This is a guy that's already, like, invested in the country, and invested in the sport here. You're halfway there!

Timo Werner

ON SAN JOSE

GOAL: All right, San Jose, top of the West, did you see it coming?

WRIGHT-PHILLIPS: No, honestly, I didn't. And credit to them. Last season was the one where you figure they're gonna outscore teams because they had some firepower: Josef Martinez, Chicho Arango, random ballers that they had.

“But there was no balance. We're gonna score five and then concede five.

“Bruce Arena got rid of those guys and got more structure in the team. They're hard to beat. They got some bright young players like Niko Tsakiris, Preston Judd. He's almost like a mini Wondolowski.

“The only question I have for them is the depth. Everybody loves talking about Nashville. I know they can go to the bench and be good. San Jose are used to be tested in that way, but they're really good to watch.

GOAL: Bruce Arena has always had success. Is it as simple as a good manager makes it happen, or not that straightforward?

WRIGHT-PHILLIPS: You have to give him his credit. A lot of old school managers who are struggling to survive in this new kind of era, where the way the game's coached, the way the game's played (has changed), and Bruce Arena's adapted. His team is playing a nice style of football. He can speak for himself. He did it with New England a few years ago. Everybody wrote them off. But they played some lovely football. They won the Supporters' Shield. And I think he's doing a similar job there.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC v Sporting Kansas City

ON THE WESTERN CONFERENCE

GOAL: Who else do you rate in the West?

WRIGHT-PHILLIPS: I'm a big Vancouver fan. I just like what they're doing. Jesper Sorensen seems like a good coach. He's got some nice pieces in there. With Brian White, you've got your goalscorer. You've got your experience, and an amazing player in Thomas Muller. Ryan Gauld hasn't even been playing, and this is one of MLS's best players. He's almost in that Espinosa category where he gets underrated because of the team he's at. I can't wait for him to get back fit. Defensively, good. They're another team that has depth. No matter what they play, if they have injuries, they still get it done. So I'm a big fan of Vancouver.

But also, you have to always shout out Seattle every year. We kind of forget about them. I promise you, end of the season, they'll be in the playoffs, and then they will beat one of the teams that we're all hyping about.

England v Japan - International Friendly

ON THE WORLD CUP

GOAL: So, some World Cup predictions...

WRIGHT-PHILLIPS: It's coming home!

GOAL: Really, genuinely?

WRIGHT-PHILLIPS: The only team I'm scared of a little bit is France. I saw a few weeks ago when they were in that international friendly period, their second team, they arrested a bunch of the stars, and it was frightening, the names in that second team. But [England] have the talent. We have the talent, we've got a new coach. We can get to the semis, I wouldn't say easy, because it's the World Cup, but we can get ourselves there and hopefully Tuchel can work some magic, and we can get over the line.

GOAL: And what about the USMNT? What are you thinking?

WRIGHT-PHILLIPS: I just wouldn't look too much into the results of a friendly. If they won those two friendlies, are we saying they are going to win the World Cup, or be in the semis? I don't think those friendlies matter as much. I think Pochettino is still working out combinations, partnerships, who the nine is going to be? I think he's still looking at those things. I think they have a duty to perform well in this World Cup. They really do. They're on home soil. We've got a lot of players that we talk about now around the world that are doing a good job domestically. So why not on home soil? Go and push for it. I think they should be looking at least the quarterfinals. If they got to the quarterfinals and lost, like, respectfully, to a big nation, job done.

Maurice Edu, Mic'd Up

PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF MIC'D UP

April 8 - Maurice Edu: Fox Sports analyst on USMNT friendly losses, whether Christian Pulisic can break scoring slump

March 23 - Taylor Twellman: Apple TV analyst on why Cavan Sullivan needs to play more and Inter Miami

Feb. 18 - Lori Lindsey: CBS analyst on why NWSL is the best league in the world and the arrival of Summit and Legacy

Jan. 9 - Shaka Hislop: ESPN analyst on why Arsenal might have signed the wrong striker in Gyökeres

Dec. 16 - Jenny Chiu: DAZN analyst on why the NWSL cannot afford to lose Trinity Rodman, and World Sevens’ impact

Dec. 12 - Bradley Wright Phillips: Apple TV analyst on why MLS’s fall-spring switch is a game-changer, Lionel Messi’s MLS Cup impact and LA Galaxy’s threat in 2026

Dec. 5 - Dax McCarty, Part 2: Apple TV analyst on Javier Mascherano benching Luis Suárez helped elevate Inter Miami, praises ‘must-watch’ Thomas Müller and Vancouver ahead of MLS Cup

Dec. 3 - Dax McCarty: ‘I feel pride watching this team again’ - Apple TV’s Dax McCarty on Mauricio Pochettino

Nov. 15 - Kacey White: ESPN analyst and NWSL legend on the hectic college soccer season, why UNC may struggle to repeat, and who could win

Nov. 14 - Taylor Twellman: Apple TV analyst breaks down MLS schedule change, Son Heung-Min’s rise with LAFC, playoff upsets, and Inter Miami’s Luis Suárez dilemma

Nov. 4 - Geoff Shreeves: CBS Sports Golazo analyst on Arsenal's depth, Liverpool's struggles and Wrexham's Championship reality check

Oct. 29 - Kaylyn Kyle: Apple TV analyst on Thomas Muller and 'amazing' Vancouver Whitecaps, reborn Inter Miami, and Canada's 2026 World Cup ambitions

Oct. 24 - Steve McManaman: ESPN analyst on Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid, El Clasico, and why 'excellent' Jude Bellingham must be in England squad

Oct. 20 - Alexi Lalas: FOX analyst praises Mauricio Pochettino for adding bite to USMNT, but says 'jury's still out' on World Cup success

Oct. 17 - Herculez Gomez: ESPN analyst backs December Barcelona-Villarreal match in Miami, but warns 'if you allow La Liga, you're allowing everybody'

Oct. 16 - Herculez Gomez: ESPN analyst unconvinced by USMNT's Mauricio Pochettino, but calls recent results 'his most impressive window'

Oct. 2 - Clive Tyldesley:CBS analyst on Americans in the Champions League, 'big year' for USMNT at the World Cup and protecting young footballers

Sept. 30 - David Villa: Spain legend and DAZN analyst on Barcelona's Champions League hopes, 'amazing' Lamine Yamal and 'great opportunity' for U.S. to host World Cup

Sept. 17 - Stu Holden: FOX analyst on Gio Reyna's revival, Christian Pulisic’s AC Milan future and how Mauricio Pochettino can form 'U.S. team that makes us excited'

Sept. 11 - Maurice Edu: Apple TV analyst grades Mauricio Pochettino's first year as USMNT boss, wonders where Weston McKennie has been?

Sept. 9 - Sacha Kljestan: Apple TV analyst urges USMNT's Mauricio Pochettino to stick with core group, weighs in on MLS and Inter Miami's Luis Suarez

Aug. 28 - Keith Costigan: Apple TV analyst on Arsenal's need for a trophy, why 'writing off Liverpool is absolutely silly' and how Club World Cup can spark MLS growth

Aug. 21 - Marcelo Balboa: Apple TV analyst calls out fellow former USMNT players for vitriol toward Christian Pulisic, hails impact of Son Heung-Min in MLS

Aug. 15 - Nedum Onuoha: ESPN analyst on why Antonee Robinson is 'as good as any' defender in Premier League, concerns over Alexander Isak, expected Man City rebound

Aug. 6 - Kasey Keller: ESPN analyst calls out Mauricio Pochettino's underwhelming record with USMNT, hails Matt Turner's 'brilliant' return to MLS

July 31 - Andres and Nico Cantor: Father-son analysts on Mauricio Pochettino's chief challenge with USMNT, and Inter Miami's Leo Messi 'completing football

July 29 - Dax McCarty: Apple TV's Dax McCarty on why MLS was right to suspend Lionel Messi, the new Leagues Cup format, and why Club America is favorite

July 25 - Derek Rae: ESPN commentator on Gio Reyna's flawed fit at Dortmund, why 'nobody knows' how good 22-year-old USMNT midfielder can be

July 7 - Callum Williams: Apple TV, world soccer commentator on the impact of Brazilian teams at the Club World Cup

June 27 - Kyle Martino: TNT analyst on USMNT goalscoring void, the state of the program and the return of Showdown to NYC

June 23 - Dax McCarty: Apple TV analyst on the opportunity, pressure facing Mauricio Pochettino and USMNT ahead of World Cup

June 19 - Herculez Gomez: ESPN analyst on why he's bullish about Club World Cup, memories of playing in CWC, how 2026 World Cup could be 'biggest sporting event ever'

June 17 - Herculez Gomez:ESPN analyst on Christian Pulisic controversy, state of USMNT, fractures in fan base and his admiration for 'highly relatable' Diego Luna

June 11 - Diego Valeri: Apple TV+ analyst on Lionel Messi’s MLS impact, supporting rival Sounders at Club World Cup, and U.S. and Argentina ties

May 21 - Taylor Twellman: Apple TV+ analyst on 'exciting' matchups in the Club World Cup, why a top European team will win, and how Inter Miami can benefit

May 13 - Kay Murray: ESPN FC analyst on Americans supporting Club World Cup, European teams vying for trophy, and whether an MLS team can make a run

May 9 - Luis Garcia: ESPN Analyst on Barcelona and 'fantastic' Lamine Yamal, why Real Madrid lack a philosophy, and Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving Liverpool

May 1 - Derek Rae: ESPN analyst on Harry Kane's trophy quest, Gio Reyna's Borussia Dortmund struggles, the meaning behind 'the smell of the stable'

April 28 - Christina Unkel: CBS Sports rules analyst on VAR challenges, 'visibility' in refereeing, former players becoming officials

April 25 - Alejandro Moreno: ESPN FC pundit on Kylian Mbappe's Real Madrid disappointment, Carlo Ancelotti's final season, 'best in the world' Lamine Yamal

April 24 - Bradley Wright-Phillips: Apple TV analyst on the 'brilliance' of Lionel Messi, 'chippy' Inter Miami, and why Kevin De Bruyne's next team should be NYCFC

April 22 - Ali Krieger: ESPN analyst on Naomi Girma's Chelsea move, the 'amazing' Emma Hayes and why NWSL 'can't just dilute the league by expanding'

April 16 - Jamie Carragher: CBS analyst on Club World Cup and packed schedule, 'disappointing' Trent Alexander-Arnold, 'delightful' Mo Salah deal

April 14 - Kevin Egan: Apple TV+ host on the 2026 World Cup, 2025 Club World Cup and growth of game in America

April 11 - Kay Murray: ESPN FC host on Harry Kane and Bayern Munich's Bundesliga ambitions, 'undeniable talent' of Gio Reyna, and Ballon d'Or race without 'a standout contender'

April 8 - Kevin Egan: Apple TV analyst on possible Kevin De Bruyne link with Lionel Messi and MLS, Cavan Sullivan's 'swagger' and 'next-level' Wilfried Nancy

March 26 - Kasey Keller: 'Guys that would rather be on the beach' - ESPN's Kasey Keller knocks 'general malaise' of USMNT players, says Mauricio Pochettino must show 'he's 100 percent committed'

March 21 - Kaylyn Kyle: Apple TV studio analyst on Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, the 'chaotic' nature of MLS, why NWSL player exodus could 'hurt the league

March 13 - Micah Richards: CBS Sports analyst on Man City's future, why Real Madrid will win Champions League, and that bet with Jude Bellingham

March 11 - Antonella Gonzalez: Apple TV’s Antonella Gonzalez on interviewing Inter Miami's Lionel Messi, the rise of Latin American influence in MLS, and being a Hispanic woman in broadcasting

March 4 - Nico Cantor: CBS Analyst on 'world-class' Mauricio Pochettino, 'mixed' Champions League format, and why USL can compete with MLS

Feb 26 - Andrew Wiebe: Apple TV analyst Andrew Wiebe on San Jose Earthquakes' 'massive offseason', Kevin De Bruyne's potential MLS arrival, league’s growth

Feb. 20 - Taylor Twellman: Apple TV's analyst on Lionel Messi's Inter Miami 'laying an egg' in MLS playoffs, Cavan Sullivan, and why Cincinnati are a threat

Feb. 18 - Taylor Twellman: Apple TV analyst on USMNT World Cup aspirations, Mauricio Pochettino, and team's signature wins - or lack thereof

Feb. 11 - Maurice Edu: Apple TV analyst on national team's potential, Cavan Sullivan's 'borderline arrogance' and 'global shop window' of MLS

Jan. 30 - Keith Costigan: Apple TV commentator on Mo Salah and Liverpool, the Olivier Giroud experiment at LAFC and more

Jan 28 - Nigel Reo-Coker: CBS Sports Golazo Network analyst on the new Champions League format, state of American soccer and Aston Villa

Jan 20 - Kate Scott: CBS Sports host on the American soccer psyche, USMNT's 'statement' hire in Mauricio Pochettino, 'enormous' 2026 World Cup and why Liverpool will win Champions League

Jan 13 - DaMarcus Beasley: USMNT legend on Lionel Messi's mindset, the 'good groove' for MLS and why Mauricio Pochettino is the 'right man for the job'

Jan. 9 - Callum Williams: Soccer analyst on Lionel Messi and 2025 Club World Cup, 'naivety towards' South American soccer, 'preposterous' that Jack Grealish has 'lost it'

Jan. 2 - Jenny Chiu: CBS reporter on 'big changes' by Emma Hayes, Mauricio Pochettino's 'pedigree' and possible UCL glory for Inter

Dec. 17 - Stu Holden: FOX Sports analyst on the evolution of the American game, why Christian Pulisic will be 'best U.S. Soccer player of all-time'

Dec. 12 - Brian Dunseth: Turner, Apple TV analyst on Ricardo Pepi, Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna and USMNT's future under Mauricio Pochettino

Dec. 5 - Jalil Anibaba: Apple TV analyst on MLS Cup predictions, Inter Miami hiring Javier Mascherano and MLS's 'disheartening' coaching diversity issue

Nov. 21 - Andres Cantor: Telemundo legend on Mauricio Pochettino's Argentine mindset, the USMNT and having a front-row seat for the rise of the American game

Nov. 16 - Matt Doyle: Apple TV analyst assesses Inter Miami's defensive 'insanity,' whether Neymar could join Lionel Messi, MLS Cup favorite

Nov. 7 - Gary Neville: Veteran analyst talks USMNT World Cup hopes, 'hell of a player' Christian Pulisic, 'relentless' David Beckham, and Cristiano Ronaldo to MLS

Oct. 31 - Herculez Gomez: ESPN FC analyst on Mauricio Pochettino's impact, the USMNT's 'wide-open' striker race, and a player pool 'that lacks accountability'

Oct. 29 - Rebecca Lowe: NBC host on the growth of soccer, the 'incredible' Emma Hayes and 'profile-raising' Mauricio Pochettino

Oct. 24 - Andrew Wiebe: Apple TV analyst on MLS playoffs, Lionel Messi's 'nuclear form' and how Inter Miami can become league's 'greatest team of all time

Oct. 17 - Jamie Carragher: Veteran analyst talks USMNT, slams Man City over legal case, questions Mauricio Pochettino despite 'great' hire