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Belgium defeats US in World Cup, LAHSA's biggest challenges, DSA memberships, best tacos and more
Matt Freese of the United States reacts after Belgium's third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between USA and Belgium.
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Luke Hales
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Getty Images
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Jump to
- US Men’s National Team loses 4-1 — all host nations officially out of World Cup
- LAHSA’s future looks grim — we reflect on the homeless org’s challenges and triumphs
- What’s your favorite beach — near or far?
- DSA membership breaks record for a socialist organization
- What are the best tacos in SoCal? Make your case
Today on AirTalk: Belgium defeats Team USA, LAHSA's grim future, favorite beaches, DSA memberships, and best tacos in SoCal.
Today's show: AirTalk host Larry Mantle discusses Belgium defeating the U.S., LAHSA's biggest challenges, favorite beaches, DSA memberships and best tacos in SoCal.
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US Men’s National Team loses 4-1 — all host nations officially out of World Cup
The topic:
American hopes for a deep World Cup run at home ended when Charles De Ketelaere scored twice and assisted on another goal, helping Belgium expose the U.S. defensive liabilities in a 4-1 win Monday night that earned a quarterfinal berth.
Listen
11:38
Listen to the conversation:
Guest: Kevin Baxter, staff writer for the L.A. Times covering soccer
Red card controversy: While the U.S. was boosted by the presence of star forward Folarin Balogun, whose one-game red card suspension was controversially lifted by FIFA, American defenders were at fault in a pair of first-half goals, and Freese’s howler gave the Red Devils a third early in the second half.
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Background: This loss was a painful reckoning for a team that hoped to boost the sport but instead failed to shake a quarter-century of stagnation since 20-year-old Landon Donovan led the Americans to the 2002 quarterfinals. Since then, the U.S. has lost four times in the Round of 16.
With files from the Associated Press
LAHSA’s future looks grim — we reflect on the homeless org’s challenges and triumphs
(Right) Garrett Lee, of Department of Mental Health's HOME Team, collaborates with LAHSA’s Homeless Engagement Team during outreach in the targeted COVID-19 testing efforts in the unhoused community back in 2020.
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Courtesy Los Angeles County
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The topic:
Big changes are happening with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, known as LAHSA. The organization is officially no longer receiving funding from L.A. County and faces a legal battle with the federal government.
Listen
22:16
Listen to the conversation:
Guests: Nick Gerda, LAist watchdog correspondent, and Mike Arnold, former CEO of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority
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L.A. County funds: LAist reported that all but one county supervisor voted last April to strip county funding from LAHSA and have the county directly oversee the organization. The new county department, known as Homeless Services and Housing, or HSH, is led by Sarah Mahin.
HUD troubles: On June 11, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development attempted to suspend LAHSA’s federal funding. In an effort to protect and retain those funds, LAHSA filed a lawsuit last week against HUD, labeling HUD’s arguments as inaccurate.
We reached out to LAHSA, but the organization declined to participate in the conversation.
More about our guests:
- Nick Gerda, LAist watchdog correspondent
- Mike Arnold, former CEO of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, from 2009 to 2014
What’s your favorite beach — near or far?
People are seen gathering on the Corona del Mar State Beach in Newport Beach.
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Michael Heiman
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Getty Images
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The topic:
It’s summertime, which means Southern Californians are flocking back to their favorite beaches to cool down in that brisk, refreshing breeze and enjoy timeless sunsets near the water. But a favorite beach doesn’t necessarily always mean local, as many of us often make the drive to find our favorite spots in the sand. Some even leave the state or country altogether!
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Listen
15:29
Listen to the conversation:
Larry talks with LAist listeners
DSA membership breaks record for a socialist organization
Democratic Socialists of America members voice their opinions for or against extending the endorsement window for the Los Angeles mayoral race in Koreatown.
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Myung J. Chun
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Getty Images
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The topic:
The Democratic Socialists of America has seen incremental membership growth since its founding in 1982, particularly with notable interest during the 2016 Democratic presidential primary, with the rise of democratic socialist Bernie Sanders as a national political figure. The party has grown even more in the last year.
Listen
32:59
Listen to the conversation:
Guests: Benjamin Oreskes, New York Times reporter; Megan Romer, national co-chair for the Democratic Socialists of America; Jack Pitney, professor at Claremont McKenna College; Michael Trujillo, Democratic strategist
The largest socialist party in the country: DSA announced over the weekend that its membership had reached 120,000 members, surpassing the now-defunct Socialist Party of America, once led by Eugene Debs.
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Mamdani bump: The party grew exponentially following the highly publicized mayoral victory of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani — whose membership in DSA-NYC led many inspired by his campaign to join.
Electoral victories: DSA-backed congressional candidates have been the recent highlight for the party, with primary victories in Colorado, New York and Pennsylvania. Locally, DSA-LA has gotten four council members elected this decade, with one, Nithya Raman, now running for L.A. mayor.
More about our guests:
- Megan Romer, national co-chair for the Democratic Socialists of America
- Benjamin Oreskes, New York Times reporter covering New York state politics and government
- Jack Pitney, professor of politics at Claremont McKenna College
- Michael Trujillo, Democratic strategist
What are the best tacos in SoCal? Make your case
Carne asada tacos, loaded with guac and salsa, and a bottle of house-made jasmine tea — the full Tacos Royale spread.
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Gab Chabrán
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LAist
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The topic:
We all know L.A. is taco town. So, when a new spot gets some buzz, people need to confirm whether they are truly worth the hype. Our food and culture writer, Gab Chabrán, wrote about the taco stand Tacos Royale as “the best new tacos” in the city.
Listen
16:50
What are the best tacos in LA? Make your case
Guest: Gab Chabrán, food and culture writer at LAist and author of “LA's best new taco wants to be the next In-N-Out”
More about our guest:
- Gab Chabrán, food and culture writer at LAist. His recent piece on Tacos Royale is titled LA's best new taco wants to be the next In-N-Out
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
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