Cade Cowell gets HONEST about missing the World Cup, Chivas, and returning to Major League Soccer
Cade Cowell discusses his journey from the San Jose Earthquakes to Chivas Guadalajara and back to MLS with the New York Red Bulls, reflecting on his experiences abroad, his motivation to return to the U.S. national team, and how fatherhood has changed his perspective on football.
Summary
In this Vamos podcast interview hosted by Cirque de Lis Gomez, Cade Cowell opens up about his soccer career trajectory and personal growth. Growing up in California's Central Valley, Cowell was influenced by his father's football background and developed his skills through rigorous training regimens, understanding early that talent alone isn't enough at the highest levels—hard work is essential. He reflects on his breakthrough year in the Development Academy where he scored 34 goals in 32 games, initially considering quitting soccer to pursue high school football before his exceptional performance changed his trajectory. Under the mentorship of Chris Wondolowski at the San Jose Earthquakes, Cowell learned the importance of positioning, timing, and maintaining an edge over defenders. His move to Chivas Guadalajara made him the first U.S. men's national team player ever to sign with the club, which he describes as life-changing. He was unprepared for the celebrity status in Guadalajara, recounting the moment 5,000 fans welcomed him at the airport. Though nervous about the language barrier and cultural immersion, his teammates embraced him and helped him learn Spanish slang. He acknowledges the unique pressures of playing for Chivas given their restriction to Mexican nationals and the massive fan expectations in a city where winning is non-negotiable. The altitude in Mexico proved challenging, though he adapted and performed well. Cowell's recent loan move to New York Red Bulls under coach Michael Bradley was motivated by a desire to regain confidence after limited playing time at Chivas under previous management. He credits Bradley with restoring his confidence by encouraging aggressive, confident play rather than risk-averse decision-making. At the Red Bulls, Cowell is part of a young core including Julian Gressel, Mehmet, and others, building something special by trusting young talent on the field. Michael Bradley emphasizes consistent week-to-week improvement rather than peaking near playoffs. Regarding the 2026 World Cup, Cowell expresses disappointment at missing the recent tournament despite understanding the reasons, stating he's motivated to earn a recall to the national team. He watched the U.S. team perform during the summer tournament and felt inspired, training with them occasionally. Becoming a father has fundamentally shifted his perspective—he now plays with a greater sense of purpose, wanting to demonstrate the value of hard work to his daughter and build for his family's future. He emphasizes the mental shift from playing for personal improvement to playing for something larger than himself.
About this episode
<p>The first active USMNT player to play for Liga MX’s Chivas is back in MLS. Cowell understands the reasons why he missed the 2026 World Cup, but explains how he is staying ready to make his return to the national team.</p><p><br /></p><p>Follow DUEL NATS!</p><p>Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/duelnats</p><p>Twitter: https://twitter.com/DuelNats</p><p>TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@duelnats</p><p><br /></p><p>Herc Gomez sits down with Cade Cowell, the current New York Red Bulls right winger, and discusses his journey back to MLS. They explore growing up in California, to the life changing signing with Chivas, to becoming a father. They discuss the extreme pressure of playing for Chivas, the differences between Liga MX and the MLS, and how each has bolstered him significantly in his career. </p><p><br /></p><p>Additionally, they examine why Cowell was not called up for the 2026 World Cup. He believes he is ready to rejoin the squad and make an impact. What does he need to do to be called up by Pochettino? </p><p><br /></p><p>Presented by Verizon</p><p><br /></p><p>CONTACT: [email protected]</p><p><br /></p><p>0:00 - Vamos with Cade Cowell</p><p>1:01 - Growing Up In Central Valley, California </p><p>2:20 - That Moment He Knew Soccer Was For Him</p><p>2:46 - Learning from Chris Wondolowski</p><p>3:38 - Getting Signed by Chivas</p><p>5:53 - Public Life in Guadalajara</p><p>6:29 - Identity and Life in Mexico</p><p>8:37 - Back to Major League Soccer</p><p>9:24 - Michael Bradley</p><p>10:10 - What's Being Built with the Red Bulls?</p><p>11:54 - Learning from Liga MX and MLS</p><p>13:12 - Playing Against Inter Miami and Messi</p><p>14:02 - USMNT</p><p>14:56 - Becoming a Father</p><p>15:50 - Verizon Hotline</p><p>See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy</a> and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info</a>.</p>
Key Insights
- Cowell initially planned to quit soccer and pursue high school football before his exceptional 34-goal Development Academy season changed his career trajectory entirely
- Playing for Chivas carried unique psychological pressures because the club can only field Mexican nationals, creating a smaller talent pool and intensifying fan expectations in a massive soccer city
- Michael Bradley's coaching approach focuses on consistent week-to-week improvement rather than the typical MLS pattern of teams ramping up before playoffs, which Cowell credits with his renewed confidence
- Cowell found competing against elite players like Messi less intimidating when focused on the match itself, but the surreal nature of facing world-class talent became evident when viewing it from the bench
- Fatherhood fundamentally shifted Cowell's motivation from playing for personal improvement to playing with purpose for his family's future, describing it as transformative for his mindset as a footballer
Topics
Transcript
It's Cirque de Lis Gomez, host of the Vamos podcast on the MIB Media Network. If you don't know by now, New Balance is making incredible football boots for all types of players. I wish they were around when I was lacing it up. The Tecla is a boot worn by the incredible Endrick, and it provides comfort and a fit through its hypo-knit collar that provides a tailored feeling and a lockdown fit that doesn't quite require the break in time, and is strategically placed. DeBasse channels and grip details are designed to act on the shoe's fine-tuned sense of touch with a truer feeling strike of the ball. There's no better time to grab yourself or the football…
Full transcript available for MurmurCast members
Sign Up to AccessMore from VAMOS Network
Kasey Keller: Life Beyond Soccer, the USMNT & The Hardest Save He Ever Made---
Kasey Keller, legendary USMNT goalkeeper and pioneer in European soccer, discusses his 20+ year career across multiple leagues and his battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which he overcame through CAR T cell therapy (Brionzi). He reflects on key moments including the 1998 Brazil victory, the 2002 World Cup quarterfinal run, and his decision to retire on his own terms while continuing to fight cancer.
Real Madrid & Barcelona Have TRICKY Tests This Weekend | La Liga Preview | The Give N Go presented by Verizon
A La Liga preview covering three major matchups: Real Madrid at Real Betis, Barcelona at Valencia, and Atletico Madrid at Athletic Bilbao. The hosts discuss team form, injury updates, player performances, and make predictions for each game.
Folarin Balogun, Erik Lira, and the Harsh Reality of Mexico’s FAILED Transfer Window | DUEL NATS
Transfer deadline day saw two major interconnected deal failures: Folarin Balogun rejected Everton's revised offer following a medical issue, which blocked Erik Lira's planned move from Cruz Azul to Monaco. These failures highlight the systemic challenges Mexican players face in securing European moves, with Mexico grading an F for the transfer window despite having the best World Cup performance, while Canada's Jonathan David to Atletico represents the strongest CONCACAF move.
The 26/27 Champions League Draw Is SET! Our Thoughts..
Coach Reynoso and Soltero analyze the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League draw, discussing standout matchups and team assessments. Arsenal receives the most difficult draw with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, while Real Madrid enjoys a relatively straightforward path. Notable storylines include Sabah's remarkable rise under Lithuanian coach Valdas Dombrauskas and emerging strengths in Turkish and Norwegian football.
Beyond Argentina: Does Messi still have the FIRE for MLS? | DUEL NATS
Hosts Hercules Gomez and Sebastian Salazar discuss Lionel Messi's retirement from international football, analyzing his legendary career, the emotional weight of representing Argentina, and uncertainty about his commitment to Inter Miami through 2028. They express gratitude for witnessing his greatness while questioning whether his father's death signals a broader withdrawal from professional football.