Matt Pentz

Staff writer @TheAthleticSCCR. Author of The Sound and the Glory. Proud Ohio Bobcat

[Matt Pentz @mattpentz]

So get used to me shamelessly plugging this often over the next few months. My first book, The Sound and the Glory, is available for preorder: https://t.co/Y9QFsldd86

[Jeff Rueter @jeffrueter]

COLUMN: With every decision, MLS weighs two camps: American sports’ standards and global soccer precedence. Friday’s reveal of their U.S. Open Cup plan firmly positions its own interests above the sport’s on these shores.

On the real magic of the cup:
https://t.co/GnoWon6IS3

[Jeff Rueter @jeffrueter]

NEW: For years, Sacramento Republic FC yearned for MLS expansion. After a boardroom 180 nixed the deal, they’ve stormed through the U.S. Open Cup.

An #Indomitable underdog story ahead of tonight’s #USOC2022 final, with the writing return of @mattpentz: https://t.co/u37YvLLLha

[S.A.S.H. @USSoccerHistory]

Special SASH Session on Wed., June 22 at 3 pm ET with @MLSist & @mattpentz, who will discuss their recent @TheAthletic article on Wee Willie McLean. Session info at https://t.co/ckAhkuMnsD

[Tom McCabe @TomMcCabe5]

Join us next week for a behind-the-story look at this amazing American soccer mystery. @MLSist @mattpentz @USSoccerHistory

[SoccerAmerica @socceramerica]

What we're reading Thursday
1. Wee Willie McLean: America’s oldest soccer mystery: @MLSist and @mattpentz (The Athletic)
2. RSL fans support Dunseth: @AlexVReporting (Salt Lake Tribune)
3. A new generation of undocumented students: @mirjordan (NY Times)

➡️https://t.co/XowaTQfCaO

[Pablo Iglesias Maurer @MLSist]

I gotta say, it is so lovely to see this Wikipedia entry, which is what sent @mattpentz & I down the rabbit hole in the first place, properly updated. 😊

[Frank MacDonald @frankmSounders]

I read this in three sittings because it's a lot to absorb. It's about youth and promise, CTE and mental illness, a family's love as well as shame. Soccer is only the vehicle. Awesome stuff, @mattpentz & @MLSist .
https://t.co/YtBRGz9HYI

[TheCup.us (US Open Cup news/history) @usopencup]

Wee Willie McLean was a National Challenge Cup (#USOpenCup) legend. Between 1928 and 1935 he played with teams that won it three times (1933, 1934, 1935) and was runner-up three more times (1928, 1931 1932).

Excellent work from @MLSist & @mattpentz. Please give it a read. #USMNT

[Pablo Iglesias Maurer @MLSist]

I am going to keep RTing this piece and the kind words from those who have read it for a few days. Sorry to clog up your feeds, but Matt & I love this one and want as many of you as possible to read it. Feel free to mute me for a day or two if you need to! Ha.

[Pablo Iglesias Maurer @MLSist]

Those of you who've read this piece will remember this necklace, a gift from Willie to his wife after one of his National Challenge Cup titles.

Willie's granddaughter gave it to me as a gift after all of our reporting. It was a moving gesture — I donated it to the @soccerhof.

[Joey Gulino @JGulino4]

This floored me. Dap to @MLSist, @mattpentz and the Athletic Soccer crew for unearthing and piecing together the haunting, riveting life story of an American soccer enigma

https://t.co/kblvfDR43S

[The Athletic @TheAthletic]

Wee Willie McLean was a dominant player at the 1934 FIFA World Cup for the USMNT.

Then he disappeared without a trace in 1938.

@MLSist and @mattpentz uncover America’s oldest soccer mystery.

📚 https://t.co/uyb0fXuBzh

[The Athletic Soccer @TheAthleticSCCR]

In 1934, Wee Willie McLean competed in the World Cup for the #USMNT. In 1938, he disappeared.

What happened?

@mattpentz & @MLSist set out to solve America's oldest soccer mystery, and uncovered a story at once triumphant, disturbing & altogether human:
https://t.co/9dxScLDlSq

[Pablo Iglesias Maurer @MLSist]

In 1938, Wee Willie McLean, a member of the 1934 US World Cup squad, vanished into thin air.

It took years, but @mattpentz & I have solved America's oldest soccer mystery.

Wee Willie's life story is a truth stranger than fiction.

On @TheAthleticSCCR: https://t.co/eN6mA6VO7A

[Matt Pentz @mattpentz]

What started as a cryptic missing person's reference about a long-ago USMNT star turned into a years-long journey of discovery.

Teamed up with @MLSist on a story that I'm as proud of as anything I've ever written:

https://t.co/jPy6JSfgSd

[Jeremiah Oshan @JeremiahOshan]

I’ve read a bunch of Clint Dempsey profiles over the years and I’m not sure I’ve enjoyed any more than this. Great work ⁦@MLSist⁩ and ⁦@mattpentz⁩. https://t.co/QymOWex5ZE

[Pablo Iglesias Maurer @MLSist]

🚨Big one here🚨

Clint Dempsey became the USMNT’s greatest player on fields across the globe.

He became the USMNT’s greatest ever *RAPPER* in tiny Nacogdoches, TX.

The definitive history of “DON’T TREAD,” featuring Clint himself, on @TheAthleticSCCR:

https://t.co/QjGbzxUtGm

[Peter Rutzler @peterrutzler]

This, on Clint Dempsey, his upbringing and his music, is so worth your time. #FFC

By @MLSist and @mattpentz

https://t.co/AZ5qUlhvs1

[Matt Pentz @mattpentz]

I have far too many thank yous to fit within the character limit, so I'll just say that none of this would've been possible without your readership and support. The time is right and I'm excited for what's next, but I'm so appreciative to have been able to do this for so long

[Matt Pentz @mattpentz]

Some personal news: today is my last day at @TheAthleticSCCR. I'm making a career change out of journalism, but I will be forever grateful for my time in the industry. It's been an incredible ride, and I feel so blessed for the memories and friendships