Sip Happens: World Cup Hydration Breaks Explained

Sip Happens: World Cup Hydration Breaks Explained

Author: US Soccer | Cumulus Podcast Network April 29, 2026 Duration: 29:15
Last year, FIFA announced that every World Cup game will pause for three minutes in each half for a hydration break. The policy was tested in the last international window, and many observers said that the breaks have fundamentally changed soccer. How? That’s the question we answer on this week’s episode of the U.S. Soccer Podcast presented by Henkel when U.S. Under-19 Men’s National Team head coach Gonzalo Segares joins host Meghan Klingenberg to discuss.   0:00 – Cold open  2:44 – Gonzalo Segares joins the show  4:08 – Gonzalo explains how the breaks will be used for tactics  6:57 – How Gonzalo has seen other coaches use the breaks to their advantage 13:23 – Will the breaks create a game of four quarters?  19:47 – Discussion of how the breaks might impact the flow of games  25:52 – Ask the Pros presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts    The U.S. Soccer Podcast presented by Henkel is a production from U.S. Soccer hosted by David Gass, former USWNT star Meghan Klingenberg and USMNT great Alejandro Bedoya. The podcast brings you in-depth interviews with U.S. Soccer stars of the past, present and future. Episodes drop weekly on Wednesdays.  Host: Meghan Klingenberg  Producer: Matthew Nelson  To learn more, visit http://www.ussoccer.com/podcast  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Each week, the U.S. Soccer Podcast opens up a direct line to the individuals shaping the sport across the country. Host David Gass guides these Wednesday conversations, which are less about formal interviews and more about genuine discussions with coaches, staff, and players from every corner of the American game. You’ll hear from figures connected to the senior national teams, of course, but the dialogue consistently extends to the youth setups and the broader ecosystem dedicated to development. This approach provides a unique, ground-level perspective on the efforts to advance soccer in the United States. These are honest and often uplifting chats that go beyond scores and tactics to reveal the personal stories and professional philosophies driving progress. Tuning into this podcast means getting a clearer sense of the people behind the programs, from emerging talents to the seasoned minds guiding them. It’s an ongoing series of conversations that collectively map out the present and future of U.S. soccer, delivered through a partnership between U.S. Soccer and the Cumulus Podcast Network with support from Henkel.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 49

U.S. Soccer Podcast
Podcast Episodes
What Eddie Pope  learned at 3 World Cups [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:42
Eddie Pope was part of iconic 2002 World Cup team that made a run to the quarterfinals – the best men’s team showing of the modern era. But he was also a part of the 1998 team that was dumped out of the group stages with…
Inside the mind of NWSL coach of the year Bev Yanez [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:31
As a player, Bev Yanez was a force. The forward represented teams in Finland, Japan and was a two-time NWSL Shield winner with the Seattle Reign. After Bev’s playing career ended, she started coaching – first as an assis…
Meet new USWNT stars Riley Jackson and Maddie Dahlien [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:07
This time on the U.S. Soccer Podcast presented by Henkel, we’re getting to know rising USWNT stars Maddie Dahlien and Riley Jackson. The pair both gained their first caps in the January camp and host Meghan Klingenberg c…
Why Ally Sentnor wants to be the first USWNT player in space [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:03
In this episode of the U.S. Soccer Podcast presented by Henkel, USWNT dynamo Ally Sentnor shares her views on everything from the pressures of being in the spotlight from a young age, coming through the University of Nor…
Christen Press and I [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:56
Christen Press and Meghan Klingenberg go way back. Before World Cup glory in 2015, the pair were Olympic alternates and young pros trying to carve out a career in the Swedish women’s league. In this wide-ranging intervie…
Meet the American with more World Cup goals than Pele [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:25
Alessandro Canale contains multitudes. The beach soccer star has played in 4 Fifa Beach Soccer World Cups, scored 12 World Cup goals, and made over 100 appearances for team USA. But he balances beach soccer with an actin…
Cat Macario talks making history, overcoming injury, and self-worth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:47
Cat Macario is on a hot streak for the USWNT: The forward has scored 3 goals in her last two national team appearances. In this feature interview for the U.S. Soccer Podcast presented by Henkel, Macario discusses her rec…
Offseason Antics with Kelli Hubly | U.S. Soccer Podcast [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:54
It’s the offseason for the National Women’s Soccer League, and before the 2026 NWSL season kickoff in February, we catch up with league veteran Kelly Hubly. The Bay FC defender chats with former teammate Meghan Klingenbe…
Holiday Special: End-of-Year Awards & Mailbag! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:19
Our three hosts embrace a festive spirit as they recap 2025 in this joyful holiday edition of the U.S. Soccer Podcast presented by Henkel. Listen as David Gass, Meghan Klingenberg and Alejandro Bedoya debate whether Die…
Military Hero & CP Soccer Captain Josh Brunais [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:13
December is Disability Soccer Month, and this week on the U.S. Soccer Podcast presented by Henkel we’re shining a light on our Extended National Teams with two special guests. Josh Brunais, captain of the Men's Cerebral…