When Two Soccer Legends Turned Down Playing in MLB

Two American soccer icons had a real shot at playing for the New York Yankees and the KC Royals. Instead, they chose the beautiful game. With the World Series kicking off this week, we look back at two “baseball-vs-soccer” decisions that changed the course of MLS and USMNT history. Plus, we unpack the claim that Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes dated the current US Soccer CEO, we examine an unbelievable announcement in women’s soccer, and more.

This week’s stories:

• 🔬 Elizabeth Holmes Dated US Soccer CEO

• 🇩🇪 Landin’ in Munich

• ⚾ When Two Soccer Legends Turned Down Playing in MLB

• 🌲 Portland’s New Women’s Soccer Team

• 🗳️ Poll + Last Week’s Responses

• ➡️ And More

CHEMISTRY
Elizabeth Holmes Dated US Soccer CEO

It sounds like a completely fake headline, but it’s true.

Back when he was a sophomore at Stanford, current US Soccer CEO JT Batson dated Elizabeth Holmes.

And the reason for their split is somehow tied to the founding of the infamous Theranos Inc…

(An absolutely incredible find by the great Pablo Maurer on this one. Now it’ll surely be in every soccer sicko’s head when watching You Can See Everything).

OUR HISTORY
Landin’ in Munich

I’m writing this week’s edition on our way to Munich for the Champions League clash between Bayern and Arsenal (huge thank you, Champions Travel 🙏)!

Naturally, I spent some of the flight looking at Landon Donovan highlights from his time playing for the German giants. And although his time in red wasn’t too fruitful, this goal is not bad at all.

It also felt pretty timely considering the drama going on between Landon and Eddie Johnson. Makes me sad when USMNT vets argue…

COVER STORY
When Two Soccer Legends Turned Down Playing in MLB

The World Series kicks off this week, so I figured it was the perfect time to look back at a couple of soccer journeys that shockingly overlapped with Major League Baseball.

See, Taylor Twellman and Tony Meola—two American soccer icons—were just steps away from playing in MLB…at least closer than most.

The closest one of the two was Twellman, who was even offered a contract to play for the Kansas City Royals out of high school.

Twellman’s story with baseball goes a long way back. His grandfather, Jim Delsing, was a veteran of over 10 years in the big leagues in the 1940s and 1950s, playing for the Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, St. Louis Browns, Detroit Tigers, and Kansas City Athletics.

As a junior in high school, Twellman played shortstop and hit .450. Just a year later, his average climbed to an even more impressive .517, and that’s when scouts began to take notice.

In the end, despite being offered an actual contract by the Royals, Twellman turned it down to try to play both soccer and baseball at the University of Maryland. In the end, he would only play soccer, and the rest is history (joined MLS and scored 101 goals in 174 regular season appearances).

As for the legendary goalkeeper Tony Meola, he was drafted by the New York Yankees after a stellar senior year at Kearny High School. Meola turned the offer down and instead accepted a soccer and baseball scholarship at the University of Virginia.

Meola had a pretty solid freshman year, hitting .400 with six RBI and nine runs scored. Still, Meola chose soccer, and the rest is history too.

In an alternate universe, maybe they both would’ve chosen the opposite and (after a lot of things going their way) gone on to win the World Series. But I’m glad I get to live in this universe, where they gave MLS and USMNT fans so many wild memories!

EXPANSION
Portland’s New Women’s Soccer Team

It’s here! Last week, Maine Wildness was unveiled as the identity of the state’s new USL W League team, which is set to debut in May 2027.

According to the club (which is affiliated with Portland Hearts of Pine), the name emerged after months of discussions with supporters and community members. Staff considered more than 300 potential names before selecting Maine Wildness.

“We asked people across Maine what they wanted for this team, and we kept hearing the same response: a love for what we’ve created with Hearts, and a deep desire for something distinct to the women of Maine,” said Gabe Hoffman-Johnson, the club’s founder and chief community officer.

Check them out!

CLUBELEVEN
The Supporters Section

Let us know why you’d choose one over the other—we’ll feature your best answers next week!

CLUBELEVEN
Aggregates

Scorpion Kick Magic: It’s one of the most beautiful goals in MLS history. No joke. Puskas contender hands down. See it here.

8 in 8: Shoutout to a Terp! What a great start to the season…

Caribbean Cup Madness: An unreal slow-mo PK. Don’t try it at home.

Ozzy’s Birthday: One of the best mascots in American soccer. Happy birthday to this awesome creature! If anyone has an extra please let us know 😭

Tabloids: The rumor mill is turning after Pulisic was spotted in this country singer’s iPhone background…

BUSINESS
Women’s Soccer Open Cup?

What a time to be alive. Last week, US Soccer announced the establishment of the Arthur M. Blank Crest Cup, a new competition that will bring together women’s soccer teams from across the nation to crown a singular national champion.

Similar to the U.S. Open Cup on the men’s side, the Crest Cup will feature every professional team from the NWSL and Gainbridge Super League in a single-elimination knockout format, culminating in a championship final.

The tournament will award the winner a record-setting prize of $1.1 million and serve as a pathway to qualification for the Concacaf W Champions Cup.

Read more details on the plan HERE.

FASHION
Trinity Rodman Makes Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show Debut

Just 24 hours after helping the Washington Spirit defeat Gotham FC 1-0 to clinch a NWSL playoff berth, Trinity Rodman was in LA making her debut at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.

The USWNT star made her appearance alongside fellow newcomer Natalia Bryant, daughter of the late NBA legend Kobe Bryant.

Here’s what Rodman had to say about the experience!

CLUBELEVEN
Your Takes 🗯️ 

Last week, we asked you: Should more National Teams play friendlies against clubs? Here are some of your answers:

• “No, it’s a waste of time. There’s no need, international football is already exciting as is.” - Ben

• “Yes, it would be fun. I feel like it would be a cool concept to explore although it would probably be a nightmare to implement.” - BD

The poll results came in at a clean 60% for “No” and 40% for “Yes.”

I would definitely like to see one cool instance of it in my lifetime (like Argentina with Messi one final, final time vs current Barcelona), but it’s probably way too difficult to arrange. But I’d probably enjoy this sort of friendly once and then never have to really see it happen again.

TRAVEL
Catch a Game in Europe ✈️

This 2026/27 European season, we’re teaming up with Champions Travel once again, this time as our official European Ticketing Partner to help us with our storytelling efforts across the pond!

And if you’re looking to go on a European adventure of your own this season, make sure to use our code CTCLUB11 with Champions Travel to receive 10% off all football packages! (cap of €50 per person, can be used once per person.)

UP NEXT
Munich for the Champions League!

We made it! Had a few projects we had to work on over the weekend, but we were able to arrive in Munich last night.

It’s been a bit difficult adjusting to the time difference, but super excited to be in a new country and dig into some storytelling (and Schnitzel) ahead of the huge clash between Bayern and Arsenal on Wednesday. Huge thanks once more to our friends at Champions Travel for making it possible.

Stay tuned for more to come from our time in Germany!

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Have a great Tuesday!

Pablo