Premier League

Al Hilal have successfully negotiated personal terms with Chelsea’s Pedro Neto and are “confident” of striking an agreement with the Premier League side for a player they value at $69.4 million (£51.3 million, €60 million). Manchester City had also been linked with the 26-year-old. (Source: Sacha Tavolieri)

Neto’s exit is expected to be the first of numerous Chelsea sales to end the summer window which could eventually result in a total windfall of $347 million (£256.4 million, €300 million). (Source: Football Transfers)

Tottenham Hotspur are prepared to rival Arsenal for Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen. It will take somewhere close to $115.7 million (£85.5 million, €100 million) to prize the prolific forward away from Istanbul. (Source: Fichajes)

Contact between Tottenham and Liverpool regarding a deal for Cody Gakpo has already been made, with a move to Spurs considered a “serious option” for the Dutch international. (Source: Florian Plettenberg)

As a potential Gakpo replacement, Liverpool are preparing to send their first offer for Paris Saint-Germain forward Ibrahim Mbaye in the coming days. (Source: Loïc Tanzi)

Despite strong links to Italian outfit Como, Liam Delap is prioritizing a move within the Premier League should he leave Chelsea this summer. (Source: talkSPORT)

After his father publicly dismissed speculation of a move away this summer, Alexis Mac Allister is poised to enter contract negotiations with Liverpool. (Source: CaughtOffside)

Manchester City’s Tijjani Reijnders is set to seal his €61 million move to Al Qadsiah next week and be available for the club’s second league match of the season against Al Ittihad. (Source: Asharq Al Awsat)

Manchester United are prepared to rival Arsenal for ex-Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah this summer. (Source: Football Transfers)

Arsenal have emerged as leading contenders in the battle to sign Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Jack Hinshelwood after making contact with the 21-year-old. Manchester City and United have both been linked with a player valued at $69 million (£51 million). (Source: The Sun)

In light of PSG’s derailed agreement with Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, Aston Villa have emerged as a potential contender for the U.S.-born Japan international. (Source: Ben Jacobs)

Amid admiring glances cast toward Atlético Madrid’s Marc Pubill, Arsenal remain very much interested in snapping up Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa. (Source: CaughtOffside)

Chelsea center back Tosin Adarabioyo has been offered to multiple Serie A clubs after having his future at Stamford Bridge closed by Xabi Alonso, but his salary demands threaten to negate any negotiations. (Source: Nicolò Schira)

To the dismay of many fans, Manchester United are thought to be prioritizing a move for a new left back over another midfielder. (Source: Manchester Evening News)

An agreement between Arsenal and Napoli for Gabriel Jesus has been struck to the tune of around $23 million (£17 million). All that remains is for personal terms with the player to be settled. (Source: The Article)

Sunderland are on the cusp of officially sealing a $34.6 million (£25.6 million) deal for Toulouse left back Dayann Methalie, who would become the club’s second most expensive arrival of all time. (Source: BBC Sport)

La Liga

José Mourinho’s lack of faith in Eduardo Camavinga as a starter for Real Madrid has opened the door for Manchester United to recruit the France international. (Source: TuttoMercatoWeb)

Julián Alvarez did not apologize to his Atlético Madrid teammates and remains steadfast in his pursuit of a transfer to Barcelona this summer. (Source: SPORT)

Should Barcelona miss out on Alvarez, Milan striker Christopher Nkunku has been touted as Deco’s favored alternative. (Source: El Nacional)

Raphinha’s Barcelona future remains uncertain after it has been claimed the club started the summer hoping for some lucrative offers for the Brazilian. (Source: Romain Molina)

Atlético Madrid have joined the list of suitors chasing Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson. The Senegal international valued at $81.2 million (£60 million, €70.2 million) is also a target for Aston Villa and Tottenham. (Source: Fabrice Hawkins)

Multiple MLS clubs have expressed an interest in signing Celta Vigo’s World Cup winner Borja Igelsias although no concrete offer has yet emerged. (Source: Fichajes)

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Transfer Rumors: Mourinho Sets Up Man Utd Coup; Neto Sparks $350 Million Chelsea Exodus.

While the match is Miami’s most significant of the season thus far and comes in a budding rivalry between two sides that have met 21 times since the 2020 MLS campaign, there are no assurances that Messi starts the contest. 

The 38-year-old has had a challenging week, with the death of his father, Jorge Messi and traveling back to Argentina on short notice for the funeral. He missed Miami’s Leagues Cup clash against CF Monterrey last Saturday and didn’t start when he made a shocking return to the matchday squad on Wednesday against Club León. 

While he wasn’t in the starting lineup against León, he entered at halftime to a massive roar from the crowd and gave an energetic effort, taking five shots, despite his side’s 3–2 loss, which eliminated them from the tournament. 

Will Lionel Messi Start vs. Nashville SC?

For Nashville on Saturday, it remains unclear whether Messi will be back in the starting lineup or if he may be a bench option for the team’s first league game back after the brief Leagues Cup foray. 

In the 12 times Messi has played against Nashville, he’s been dominant, scoring 16 goals and four assists, despite being unable to lead his side to victory over two legs in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals earlier this season. 

Nashville, however, has one of the league’s best attacks with 35 goals scored and has given up the fewest goals in MLS with just 14, while also losing just once in the last 12 games. 

“This is a very important game between two teams who are battling for the same objectives,” Inter Miami interim manager Guillermo Hoyos said Friday. “I think it will be a vibrant game, like all the games we have played against them in different places. We expect a positive result.”

Messi’s Trophy Chase

The opportunity is dwindling for Messi to continue his streak of winning trophies in every season, and Miami's loss to Nashville could put a third trophy chance in 2026 out of reach.

If the Herons aren’t able to claim the Supporters’ Shield as the regular season’s best team, only the Super Cup-style Campeones Cup against Liga MX’s Cruz Azul and defending the MLS Cup title remain possible this season.

In 21 of 22 of Messi’s previous professional seasons, his team has won at least one trophy. In 14 of those 21 seasons, the team has won two or more. So far, Miami has fallen short of the Concacaf Champions Cup and Leagues Cup this year, but the Supporters’ Shield stands as a clear chance to add to Messi’s record-breaking trophy haul.

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Will Lionel Messi Start in Inter Miami’s Pivotal Clash vs. Nashville SC?.

It was announced on Aug. 8 that Jorge Messi, who dedicated his life to managing his son’s legendary career, passed away at age 68. The soccer world came together to mourn the former steel factory worker, who Messi heralded as a “dad, friend and mentor” in an emotional goodbye on social media.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner contemplated retirement in his open letter, wondering if he’ll keep playing for “much longer” now that his dad is no longer by his side. Yet Messi returned to action for Inter Miami just four days after Jorge’s passing, and he has nothing but the full support of the club as he manages such a hard loss.

“I think everything needs to unfold gradually; there is deep pain involved, and this isn’t something that changes overnight,” Hoyos said on Friday.

“So, I believe silence is the best approach, silence, tranquility and peace, allowing him to find his own moments. We need to stand by him, sharing in that silence. To me, silence is important; that helps one eventually find a way forward. He is truly a wonderful person, and he has a wonderful family.”

How Hoyos Plans to Manage Messi’s Return

Messi featured off the bench in Inter Miami’s 3–2 defeat to Club León, hoping to help his side qualify for the Leagues Cup knockout stage. There were no heroics on Wednesday night, though, and the Herons bowed out of the competition in Phase One.

The reigning MLS Cup champions now must turn their attention back to domestic action. Inter Miami take on Nashville SC on Saturday before matching up with Philadelphia Union on Wednesday. Question marks remain over Messi’s involvement in the upcoming matches, but Hoyos made sure the attention stayed on respecting his player’s privacy when asked about the Argentine’s expected involvement.

“There are things that are deeply private. Just as each of you has your own private matters,” Hoyos said. “If I were to come along and ask you a series of questions, you might say, ‘This is private.’

“That’s why I mention silence; it’s something many people don’t value. They love to talk and offer opinions. But for me personally, it’s about truly respecting those boundaries. He is simply someone facing challenges, which is only natural, and we respect that deeply.”

Hoyos also reiterated Messi’s commitment to Inter Miami even during such a difficult time: “There are no words. I can’t find a label for his worth as a person. We aren’t talking about his value as a player, but his worth as a wonderful human being with a huge heart. Sometimes, words just aren’t enough.”

Ángel Di María Sends His Public Support to Messi

Over the last week, players, teams and fans across the globe have thrown their support behind Messi. The forward’s boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys led the charge, and millions soon followed, including Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham and now Ángel Di María.

The 2022 World Cup winner, who was Messi’s longtime teammate on the Argentina national team, spoke about the heartbreaking situation following the first leg of the CONMEBOL Libertadores Cup round of 16 between Rosario Central and Corinthians.

“I sent [Messi] messages these past few days, but he didn’t reply, and that’s perfectly normal,” Di María revealed, via MARCA. “We wanted to be there for him and support him, but I understand and deeply respect that this is a very private family moment, in which one needs to retreat inward and process things calmly.

“I want him to know publicly that we support him with all our hearts during this very difficult time. Life unfortunately deals these blows, and I only wish that he and his family have the strength to move forward.”

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Inter Miami Boss Issues Public Plea As Lionel Messi Returns After Father’s Death.

Yet, less than two months after making his debut, the two are instead set to meet in an awkward single-game Leagues Cup quarterfinal clash between Aug. 25–27. It’s a far cry from the publicly harmonious welcome Cuypers gave when announcing he’d swap to the No. 99 shirt to allow Lewandowski the No. 9. 

Lewandowski and Cuypers never got to share the pitch in the Windy City. The two were set to dovetail together on July 16 against Lewandowski’s former teammate, Thomas Müller, and the Vancouver Whitecaps, but the match was postponed to October due to smoke. By the time the next match came, Cuypers had completed an up to $8 million transfer to Liga MX side CF Monterrey, opening up the top striker spot for Lewandowski to claim. 

In many ways, Lewandowski stole Cuypers’s job—despite the Belgian star proving himself as the top goalscorer in MLS. In two different leagues, the likelihood of the two ever meeting was minimal until now. 

Leagues Cup Brings Pair Together

Though Phase One of the Leagues Cup, the tournament featuring 18 teams from MLS and all 18 from Mexico’s top flight, Monterrey finished fourth in the Liga MX section with two wins and a loss—including three goals from Cuypers. Chicago, meanwhile, had Lewandowski score once in their three wins, clinching first in the MLS table and setting up a quarterfinal clash between the two. 

“Of course,” manager Gregg Berhalter said after Chicago’s final match, a 2–1 win over Liga MX giants Cruz Azul. “Of course it turned out like that. We helped them out a little bit, so they’ll come here in a good mood. But it’s a good team. Monterrey’s a good team. It’s going to be a good competition.”

The Leagues Cup tournament doesn’t offer the same prestige as many of the other competitions both Monterrey and Chicago compete in. Still, it brings Concacaf Champions Cup berths for the two finalists and the third-place finisher, as well as cash rewards. 

Robert. Lewandowski. 😤@ChicagoFire surge to 3-1 over Santos in stoppage time!

📺 Apple TV: https://t.co/LZEuJ9PmIJ pic.twitter.com/eyAoV5Q0iM

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 10, 2026

Now, it also gives Chicago a chance to prove they made the right decision by pushing Cuypers aside for the Polish legend. 

“You can’t write a better story than that,” Fire and USMNT goalkeeper Chris Brady told MenInRed97. “We know Hugo. We’re familiar with him, and a lot of the scouting will revolve around him because I know he’s hot right now. It’ll be a good game. I think the key for us is going out and approaching it the same way we approached this game: must-win at home. We’ve got to bring the energy from minute one.”

The winner of the quarterfinal clash will advance to take on Club América or the Columbus Crew and be assured of playing either for the title or in the third-place match, with dates to be determined. 

Why Cuypers Left Chicago

While there were initial hopes for Cuypers and Lewandowski to battle for a starting spot, or to share the pitch in a two-striker system, the club and Cuypers worked together to send him to a new team. 

The player, in his prime at 29, wanted to maximize his form and earnings and found that opportunity with Rayados, as the club looked to replace the attacking void left by Germán Berterame’s departure to Inter Miami. 

“Everyone knew the situation in Chicago with Robert arriving,” Cuypers said on a Leagues Cup Apple TV broadcast. “There was a scenario where everything was working out well, and we could have played together.

“But there was also a scenario where he would have been the main guy in the short or medium term. I didn’t want to take that risk. I wasn’t going to move just to move, and when Monterrey came, it was the right fit.”

There’s no doubt, though, that the clash might be a bit awkward. Will Chicago honor their former star—and if so, how will he take it ? It was always possible that Chicago could take on Monterrey, but few expected it to come so soon, with the Fire in position to end a 20-year trophy drought.  

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Robert Lewandowski Handed Awkward Run-In With Snubbed Former Teammate.

Amid the opportunities to dethrone, there are also rivalry games galore, from a natural rivalry in Nashville SC vs. Inter Miami to the regional Copa Tejas and Cascadia Cup clashes, featuring Austin FC vs. FC Dallas and Seattle Sounders vs. Vancouver Whitecaps, respectively. It’s shaping up to be a can’t-miss weekend. 

Here, Sports Illustrated dives into how it all may unfold. 

Atlanta United vs. Red Bull New York

• Date: Saturday, Aug. 15
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

Atlanta United are in the dumps. Sitting last in MLS and amid a seven-game winless run, the Five Stripes are seeing the little hope of a miraculous playoff push evaporate for yet another season. There’s some hope for the future, though, as they’re linked with Swiss World Cup star Breel Embolo, but rumors won’t help them as they take on a Red Bull New York side at home this weekend. 

Score Prediction: Atlanta United 0–2 Red Bull New York

Charlotte FC vs. Columbus Crew

• Date: Saturday, Aug. 15
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

The Columbus Crew could be considered the early winners of the summer transfer window, having added Brais Méndez from Real Sociedad in midfield, former Premier League center back Eric Bailly on the backline and MLS veteran striker Josef Martínez up top. Méndez has already hit his stride and used the Leagues Cup to kickstart his time in North America with two goals and an assist in the Crew’s two wins and a draw, helping them advance to the knockout stages of the tournament.

While Charlotte FC are enjoying better form, with three wins in their past five games, and are back at home in MLS play for the first time since July 22, they likely rank as an equal opponent, but one with slightly less attacking depth.

Score Prediction: Charlotte FC 1–1 Columbus Crew

Orlando City vs. FC Cincinnati

• Date: Saturday, Aug. 15
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

One of the weekend’s marquee matches sees Antoine Griezmann’s Orlando City welcome Evander and Kévin Denkey’s FC Cincinnati in a battle of potent goal scorers, who could very well contend for various end-of-season MLS awards. Cincinnati walloped Orlando 6–2 in May, but that was a very different time for the Lions. 

At home for this one, Griezmann will want to continue the form that has turned Orlando’s fortunes, while teammate Justin Ellis provides a relatively unknown threat and is also in great form. 

Score Prediction: Orlando City 3–2 FC Cincinnati

CF Montréal vs. D.C. United

• Date: Saturday, Aug. 15
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

Fans wanting to catch a glimpse of Alexis Sánchez can tune into this one, but the Chilean will most likely be watching from a suite and not on the bench or the pitch, with his expected debut to come on Wednesday. Even as CF Montréal will want to push to close the gap on the playoff spots, United should favor themselves after playing to a 2–2 draw with the Supporters’ Shield-leading Nashville SC last time out. 

Score Prediction: CF Montréal 1–1 D.C. United

Toronto FC vs. New England Revolution

• Date: Saturday, Aug. 15
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

Returning home to BMO Field for the first time since May 9, Toronto FC are hopeful that some familiar surroundings will help the team push out of the mediocrity they’ve suffered with a season mired in draws and close losses, with just three wins so far. Taking down Carles Gil and the New England Revolution won’t be simple, but summer signing Niklas Dorsch’s increase in minutes and home debut, combined with Josh Sargent’s hunt for goals, could see Toronto snap a 12-game winless streak. 

Score Prediction: Toronto FC 2–1 New England Revolution

Houston Dynamo vs. LA Galaxy

• Date: Saturday, Aug. 15
• Time: 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT

This matchup likely brings the LA Galaxy debut of Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, who joined the club on loan from California foes San Diego FC, which had exiled him and couldn't find a solution until midsummer. While Lozano hasn’t played since last November, he will want to impress and form some quick chemistry with Joseph Paintsil, Marco Reus and João Klauss. 

Will it pay off? Who knows. One thing is for sure, though—he’ll have plenty of support in the El Tri hotbed of Houston. 

Score Prediction: Houston Dynamo 1–1 LA Galaxy

Nashville SC vs. Inter Miami

• Date: Saturday, Aug. 15
• Time: 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT

There’s no matchup bigger than this one. There is a natural rivalry from the 22 previous games between the teams since they joined MLS in 2020. Combined with the facts that Nashville SC eliminated Inter Miami from the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup and that the winner of this game will lead the Supporters’ Shield race coming out of the weekend, it’s set to be a massive clash at GEODIS Park, with all the star power worthy of a marquee rivalry clash. 

Luis Suárez will be eligible to return to Miami’s lineup after missing all three of the team’s Leagues Cup games due to a suspension, and will look to build on his 10 goals this season. His teammate, Lionel Messi, could also be in line to make his first start since his father, Jorge Messi, died, after entering off the bench in a midweek loss to Club León. For Nashville, Sam Surridge has 11 goals in just over 800 minutes and is back healthy with the potent attacking henchmen of Cristian Espinoza and Hany Mukhtar. 

If you can only tune into one MLS game this weekend, turn on this one. It’ll be stellar. 

Score Prediction: Nashville SC 2–2 Inter Miami

Colorado Rapids vs. Sporting Kansas City

• Date: Saturday, Aug. 15
• Time: 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT

The Colorado Rapids are in a new era after selling star teenage center back Lucas Herrington to Premier League side Hull City for a reported fee of more than $17 million. It throws their approach into disarray, and they’ll need more from Designated Players Rafael Navarro and Paxten Aaronson to outscore the anticipated defensive blow. Luckily, that shouldn’t be much of a challenge against a Sporting Kansas City side that doesn’t have immense depth and has suffered back-to-back shutout losses. 

Score Prediction: Colorado Rapids 3–0 Sporting Kansas City

Real Salt Lake vs. Minnesota United

• Date: Saturday, Aug. 15
• Time: 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT

The Zavier Gozo era of Real Salt Lake was short and sweet. Still, the Claret and Cobalt are already building beyond as their star academy product sits on the verge of a move to the Premier League’s Crystal Palace. It puts plenty more pressure on the USMNT’S Diego Luna to produce, and he can bring some confidence after a two-assist showing against CF Atlanté in Leagues Cup. At the same time, Sergi Solans has turned into a star, with three goals in his last four games in all competitions. 

Score Prediction: Real Salt Lake 3–1 Minnesota United

LAFC vs. San Diego FC

• Date: Saturday, Aug. 15
• Time: 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT

It’s five MLS games undefeated now for LAFC, and four of those have been wins. Manager Marc Dos Santos’s men have enjoyed an impressive spell since returning from the World Cup. Much of that positivity has come down to Son Heung-min’s improved form, as the South Korean superstar has scored in each of the four MLS games since returning from global tournament.

The Black and Gold will have the 3252—LAFC’s supporters union—and the BMO Stadium crowd behind them, with a draw potentially enough to push them into the lead in the Western Conference, depending on the Vancouver Whitecaps’ result against the floundering Seattle Sounders. 

Score Prediction: LAFC 4–1 San Diego FC

San Jose Earthquakes vs. St. Louis CITY SC

• Date: Saturday, Aug. 15
• Time: 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT

St. Louis CITY SC didn’t want to sell Marcel Hartel to 2. Bundesliga side Hannover 96 but did right by the player in his request to return to Europe. It does leave them in a worse position, though, and playing on the road against a San Jose Earthquakes team desperate for a win will be difficult. 

Score Prediction: San Jose Earthquakes 1–1 St. Louis CITY SC

Chicago Fire vs. Portland Timbers

• Date: Sunday, Aug. 16
• Time: 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT

Could the Leagues Cup have done favors for the Portland Timbers’ confidence? After picking up a pair of massive Cascadia Cup derby wins against the Seattle Sounders in the wake of the World Cup, the Timbers picked up two victories in Leagues Cup Phase One. While it wasn’t enough to advance, their form is undeniable as they fight their way up from the bottom end of the Western Conference playoff picture.

Unfortunately for them, the Chicago Fire are in a similar spot after three wins in Leagues Cup, and with a star in Robert Lewandowski who has improved nearly every game. Coming off an emphatic win against Cruz Azul, the Fire will feel good about themselves at home against the Timbers. Yet, it could very well be a wide-open clash, as the Timbers seem to like. 

Score Prediction: Chicago Fire 4–3 Portland Timbers

New York City FC vs. Philadelphia Union

• Date: Sunday, Aug. 16
• Time: 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT

The Philadelphia Union had plenty of positivity in an ultimately futile Leagues Cup campaign and will be eager to return to MLS play with continued momentum. 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan thrived during Leagues Cup and maintained the form he found since the summer break, while 18-year-old 6'5" center back Neil Pierre continues to be dependable as well. 

Taking on New York City FC on the road won’t be the easiest task this weekend, but a win could push the Union right into the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race, an opportunity they won’t want to pass up. 

Score Prediction: New York City FC 2–3 Philadelphia Union

Austin FC vs. FC Dallas

• Date: Sunday, Aug. 16
• Time: 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT

The Copa Tejas returns this weekend, crowning the best team in Texas from the MLS regular season games amongst the state’s clubs. It’s the first matchup of the season between Austin and FC Dallas, and both have won the title twice, meaning this weekend could prove critical for the victor—with the Houston Dynamo sitting in third as things stand.

Score Prediction: Austin FC 0–3 FC Dallas

Seattle Sounders vs. Vancouver Whitecaps

• Date: Sunday, Aug. 16
• Time: 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT

The post-World Cup schedule hasn’t been friendly to the Vancouver Whitecaps or Seattle Sounders. The Whitecaps are winless in seven-straight games across all competitions and were a contender for the Leagues Cup before earning just one of a possible nine points. Seattle, meanwhile, is amid a six-game losing skid in MLS, a franchise record. It makes this weekend’s Cascadia Cup clash a vital day for both, with a chance to turn form against a bitter rival. 

Led by Thomas Müller, who was out midweek in Vancouver’s draw with Liga MX’s Tigres UANL, the Whitecaps will look to win a record-ninth Cascadia Cup with a win or draw and have some swagger entering Lumen Field, having not lost in their last four visits to the stadium. The Whitecaps will also likely need a win to stay atop the Western Conference, as their buffer from the hot start of the season has whittled away.

Score Prediction: Seattle Sounders 1–2 Vancouver Whitecaps

MLS Predictions: Matchday 20

This article was originally published on www.si.com as MLS Predictions: Conference Leaders Could Topple on Matchday 20 .

With the lengthy pause for the World Cup this summer, the 2026 MLS Cup will be played later into December than past iterations, with the championship date set for December 18 and hosted by the highest-remaining team in the Supporters’ Shield standings. It will mark the last MLS Cup hosted in December, with the league set to adopt a European-style soccer calendar and flip the MLS Cup playoffs to the spring, starting in the 14-game 2027 sprint season. 

Here, Sports Illustrated ranks five teams that stand the best chance of winning the 31st edition of the MLS Cup.

5. Chicago Fire

The Chicago Fire will need Robert Lewandowski to hit top form. Yet, as he’s shown through his game-to-game improvements so far with two goals in his first three matches, he still has more than enough talent to be a premium striker in MLS and the potential to thrive even more than his dazzling predecessor, Hugo Cuypers.

Under Gregg Berhalter, whether using a front three or a front two, the Fire attack hasn’t struggled and it likely won’t, proving to be among the best in MLS. The challenge moving forward will come defensively, with the Fire needing to somehow cushion the blow at center back after star South African defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi suffered a season-ending injury.

Last year, Inter Miami showed that a potent attack and finding some defensive form at the right time—even with a less-than-talented backline—can be enough to win the title. The Fire will look to do the same with the hope of ending a 20-year trophy drought, even if that means likely having to go through Miami to get there.

4. Vancouver Whitecaps

If the 2025 MLS Cup finalist Vancouver Whitecaps still had U.S. men’s national team star Sebastian Berhalter, they would be higher on this list. Led by manager Jesper Sørensen, the Whitecaps were far and away the best Western Conference team in the first half of the season, and Berhalter’s form led the group, even as Thomas Müller and Brian White struggled to make as much impact as they did in 2025. 

Since losing Berhalter to Middlesbrough, the Whitecaps are winless in seven straight games across MLS and Leagues Cup and don’t have the same unrelenting energy in transition as they previously had. At the same time, White’s health struggles have continued, and Müller hasn’t been able to take over games. Star center back Ranko Veselinović’s recent injury, after a long rehab, doesn’t help either. 

There is still plenty of quality in the Whitecaps, and they built up a significant buffer ahead of the World Cup, which sees them still in first place in the Western Conference. Still, it will take some adjustments, others to step up and a transitional midfield replacement.

3. Nashville SC

There’s plenty to like about Nashville SC.. They have a superstar attacking leader in Hany Mukhtar and have welcomed both Cristian Espinoza and Sam Surridge back to the lineup after dealing with injuries. Surridge, in particular, has been exceptional with 11 goals in 12 regular season matches, and has been the focal point of the potent attacking setup among the three. 

While the first half of the season could have derailed the Coyotes given their strain of playing both the regular season and Concacaf Champions Cup, they were able to handle it and entered the World Cup break atop the Eastern Conference. Managed by B.J. Callaghan, almost every player has been maximized in their roles as well, while goalkeeper Brian Schwake’s form has put him in MLS Goalkeeper of the Year contention. 

Depth will be where Nashville is tested. If they have the attacking trio of Mukhtar, Surridge and Espinoza all healthy, they’re hard to beat, but if not, issues will arise.

As will be the case with any team looking to emerge from the Eastern Conference, Miami stand in the way. The Herons will be far from easy to beat, even if Nashville have plenty of experience in that matchup and knocked them out of the Concacaf Champions Cup. 

2. LAFC

Son Heung-min before the World Cup and Son Heung-min after the World Cup are two totally different players. While the South Korean superstar looked as though he had lost a step and surrendered some chemistry with Denis Bouanga after not scoring in the first chunk of the season, he has hit incredible form since, finding the back of the net in four of his last four league matches. 

Add in rekindled form for Bouanga, which has seen the Gabon attacker score five goals in his last seven games, and there’s real danger to LAFC’s attack once again. 

There will be questions around LAFC’s ability to create chances for their attacking talents after Stephen Eustàquio’s loan deal expired, and that might be a focus in the remaining weeks of the transfer window. If that void is filled, though, then LAFC’s skill and post-World Cup form could have them challenging for a title in Marc Dos Santos’s debut season as manager.

1. Inter Miami

Nothing is stopping Inter Miami right now. After struggling for consistency and form at the start of the season in the wake of Sergio Busquets’s and Jordi Alba’s retirements, the Herons have found tremendous midseason success under new interim manager Guillermo Hoyos, who took over for Javier Mascherano in April. 

Lionel Messi is the key to the entire project, and he hasn’t disappointed in 2026. So far, he has 12 goals and eight assists in 15 MLS matches, and scored a brace in the Leagues Cup opener against Atlético de San Luis, before missing the second match to be with his family in the wake of his father’s death. Should he be able to maintain his incredible form, it will take an upset to silence him. 

In addition to Messi, Luis Suárez is playing his best MLS soccer at 39 years old with 10 goals in 14 regular season games, while the recent addition of legendary Brazilian midfielder Casemiro has seemingly unlocked the creative abilities of Rodrigo De Paul and Noah Allen in wide areas. 

The attack was never going to be much of an issue for Miami, though, as long as they have Messi. The odd standout this season has been the 32 goals allowed in 18 games. The 2025 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year and offseason signing, Dayne St. Clair, struggled in his first few months and eventually surrendered his role to Miami’s previous starter, Rocco Ríos Novo. 

Depth will be a question for Miami moving forward considering their aging stars, but young players—notably Daniél Pínter—have stood out in recent weeks and could develop further to play an even more significant role in a run to defend their MLS Cup title.

This article was originally published on www.si.com as The Top Five 2026 MLS Cup Contenders—Ranked.

Sánchez is scheduled to arrive in Montréal on Friday afternoon and is, thus, more likely to be in the stands for his new club’s matchup against the New England Revolution on Saturday night than on the field. His debut is expected on Wednesday, Aug. 19, in an away fixture against the Columbus Crew. 

“The goal is to get him into the swing of things quickly,” said Montréal’s interim manager, Philippe Eullaffroy. “In Columbus next Wednesday, if all goes well and he doesn’t arrive on crutches, I think he’ll be on the game sheet.”

As for his home debut, that may not come until Aug. 22, when the Quèbec side hosts L.A. Galaxy, potentially reuniting Sánchez and former Barcelona teammate Sergi Roberto, who recently signed with the California club. 

Alexis Sánchez est à Montréal. 👀🇨🇱 
 
Réservez‑lui tout un accueil lors de sa présentation au MATCH RÉTRO, demain, samedi 15 août. On vous attend !

Give him a warm welcome during his presentation at the RETRO MATCH tomorrow, Saturday, August 15. We’re ready for you!⁰⁰Derniers… pic.twitter.com/mfsSTngKn9

— CF Montréal (@cfmontreal) August 14, 2026

While the Chilean star, who has 51 goals to lead his country's all-time scoring record, will play a key role in bringing Montréal back to relevance in MLS, he has not played a match since May 23, when he completed his time with Sevilla in La Liga. 

At the same time, he has not played significant minutes in recent seasons, amassing just over 1,400 minutes in 2025–26 across 30 games, after barely playing 500 minutes in 14 total appearances in 2024–25. In 2023–24, he played just over 1,000 minutes across 33 matches. Since the 2022–23 season with Marseille in Ligue 1, he hasn’t played over 3,000 minutes in any single campaign. 

Luckily for Montréal, only 1,350 minutes will remain in their MLS regular season schedule after Saturday’s matchup. 

“He’ll arrive in good physical condition, but not with match fitness; that’s what we need to assess,” Eullaffroy added, saying that Sánchez has been training with an individual coach for 12 weeks. “We have to coach him...He’s going to be a super important player, but he also needs to get to know us, to know our identity, our way of being, to know the club, the city, the fans, the media.”

Can Alexis Sánchez Find Chemistry?

With an average age of 24.5 (excluding Sánchez), CF Montréal is an incredibly young team. The squad has some raw talent, but lacks a true game-breaker, especially in midfield. Sánchez, who will wear the No. 10, will look to be that player and elevate the level of the youngsters around him. 

He will also be tasked with forming a potent attacking partnership with the club’s veteran frontman, Prince Owusu, who has 10 goals in 17 games but has never played a key role on a team that has challenged for the MLS Cup playoffs through his time in the league. 

Eullaffroy confirmed that Sánchez would not play on the right wing, but would likely be bound for a central role, with potential opportunities on the left side of Montréal’s 4-3-3. 

Currently sitting 14th in the Eastern Conference with 16 points in 18 games, Montréal are seven points away from the ninth and final spot in the MLS Cup playoffs. They will look to Sánchez to incite a miraculous resurgence and secure a place in the postseason for just the second time since 2016.

This article was originally published on www.si.com as When Former Barcelona, Arsenal Legend Alexis Sanchez Could Make His MLS Debut .

While the summer has brought an influx of attacking stars to the league, including Robert Lewandowski, Antoine Griezmann and Alexis Sánchez, none are likely to contend for end-of-season honors, outside of potentially the MLS Newcomer of the Year Award. 

As many goals as the new stars could put away, none are likely to catch up in the fierce MLS Golden Boot race—which features 17 players with at least 10 goals, led by New York City FC’s Nicolás Fernández Mercau and FC Dallas’s Petar Musa, who each have 13.

Here, Sports Illustrated looks at and ranks the top five players most likely to win the Golden Boot race by the time it ends on Decision Day, which is Nov. 7.

5. Evander

Evander might be the only player in MLS who can consistently deliver spectacular moments in every match, aside from Lionel Messi.

This season, he has 11 goals in 17 games and has already helped FC Cincinnati to a strong run after the World Cup break, with two goals and four assists in three regular-season games since returning from the summer pause. While he has a fellow 11-goal man, Kévin Denkey, alongside him, Evander’s diversity of goalscoring styles stands out, offering clinical long-range shooting, elite finishing and stellar set-piece delivery. 

The Brazilian has been the best player in MLS not named Messi over the past three seasons and would have an MVP Award to his name if it weren’t for his South American foe. Although he’s missed out on that honor and likely will again, the Golden Boot might be within range this season. 

4. Nicolás Fernández Mercau

There is a possibility that New York City FC look to move on from Nicolás Fernández Mercau at the height of his powers and with incredible form this summer. If he stays in MLS, though, he could contend for the Golden Boot, already with a league-leading 13 goals in 18 games. It is a number he has reached even without a massive supporting cast, given the injuries to Alonso Martínez and Maxi Moralez, the team’s other primary attacking options. 

Much of NYCFC’s attack relies on Fernández Mercau to create and score the goals, meaning he will continue to get chances as the season goes on. Martínez, however, is expected to return from his ACL injury sometime in the second half, which could throw Fernández Mercau’s rhythm and tactical prowess into an adjustment period. 

3. Petar Musa

Petar Musa is no longer an unknown star in MLS, after playing for Croatia at the 2026 World Cup and scoring in the group stage against England. 

His impressive form for FC Dallas earned him that call-up and has him as a solid choice to win the Golden Boot this season. Already, he has 13 goals in 16 games and has formed a solid partnership with Logan Farrington, as the two push Dallas forward in the Western Conference.

2. Sam Surridge

Sam Surridge dealt with an injury earlier this season, seeing him miss six of Nashville SC’s 18 games thus far. Nevertheless, he has 11 goals, putting him just two shy of the Golden Boot co-leaders. Of players that have scored at least 10 goals, none have played fewer games than Surridge—he’s just that efficient. 

Playing alongside the in-form likes of Hany Mukhtar and Cristian Espinoza, Surridge has been in impressive goalscoring form for the last two seasons and finished the 2025 campaign with 24 goals in 34 games. Now, the team around him is better, the B.J. Callaghan system still gets the best out of him and he’s an elite finisher. 

Now, thee Coyotes don’t have to deal with lengthy breaks or other competitions and can focus on the rhythm of MLS, which should benefit their best players, including Surridge. 

1. Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi is the outright favorite to win the 2026 Golden Boot, having won the title with the best-ever MLS season in combined goals and assists last year. Already with 12 goals in 15 games heading into the first weekend after the Leagues Cup, he’s in a league of his own.

Without Leagues Cup knockouts to worry about, Miami will be solely focused on winning the Supporters’ Shield and defending the MLS Cup now. Messi will play a massive part in any success they enjoy. 

This article was originally published on www.si.com as The Top Five MLS Golden Boot Contenders—Can Lionel Messi Defend His Title in 2026?.

He made his way into an eventual 3–2 Leagues Cup loss to Club León off the bench in the 46th minute and offered an inspiring effort, despite being unable to lead his team to victory. With the loss, Miami were knocked out of the Leagues Cup, after previously losing to CF Monterrey while Messi mourned the immediate loss of his father. 

Emotions overflowed from the stands at Nu Stadium as Messi came on to a grand ovation, and it wasn’t lost on his teammates how much of a challenge it was for him to be in a game for the first time since losing such an important figure in his life. 

Messi was as energetic as ever through his 45 minutes, creating four scoring chances and putting three shots on target. Mere hours after sharing that he had “serious doubts” about his future playing without his father watching in an emotional social media post, he showed the world just how good he can still be, in his third game since losing the World Cup final with Argentina less than a month ago. 

We missed you, Messi.

Welcome back. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/WE83EqfBx4

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 13, 2026

“It’s incredible, I wasn’t expecting [Messi to play],” said Miami’s lone representative at the 2026 MLS All-Star Game, Yannick Bright, who scored in the match. “It shows how much he cares. When I saw he was here, all I was thinking about was to give my 150% for him. It’s a tough situation. We try to stay close to him and support him as much as we can, but it’s a lot.”

Brazilian superstar Casemiro, who spent plenty of his career dueling with Messi during his time with Real Madrid, added: “He is an example for all of us because he is going through a very difficult stage, but he had a commitment with not only his teammates but with the club and that’s incredible. 

“I had never seen that in my life. All we can do is thank him for being here. We know he is a very important player, and the commitment he has with us and the club can only be applauded. We have to keep helping him and his family.”

A smile and a hug for Messi 🩷

Jhohan Romaña with a lovely gesture 🫂

(Via @LeaguesCup) pic.twitter.com/ijg7U9aBP1

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 13, 2026

Embraced by his teammates after the game, León players also shared their condolences with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, with Colombian defender Jhohan Romaña hugging Messi after stopping him on a dribble. 

“He is a player that, as far as I can tell, is the best player in history,” said León head coach Javier Gandolfi. “He’s the best player in history, inside the pitch, and also with some other actions I would see at a distance... today he demonstrated once more what he’s made of. He is a human being that is different to the rest.”

Miami to Refocus After Leagues Cup

For the first time since Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023, the club will not play knockout stage games in the Leagues Cup tournament. Instead, the Herons bow out in Phase One with losses to CF Monterrey and León, and will refocus their attention on the Supporters’ Shield race, chasing the MLS regular season title they previously won in 2024. 

They won’t have time to wait around either, with this weekend’s clash against current Supporters’ Shield leaders Nashville SC—also the team that eliminated Miami from the Concacaf Champions Cup earlier in 2026—providing a chance to take a massive advantage in the regular season title race. 

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami Return After Father’s Death Inspires Emotional Outpouring.

This sport is “the only religion without atheists,” in the words of legendary Uruguayan scribe Eduardo Galeano. Everyone can believe wholeheartedly because they’ve seen someone who looks just like them succeed. The ultimate meritocracy has been conquered by players of every race, class and physical stature.

The view that bigger is better falls down upon even the lightest scrutiny of the game’s greatest players. In fact, some studies have shown that you can be too tall for your own good, with those who tower over referees more likely to get penalized as a consequence of the ‘Napoleon complex.’

In truth, those at either end of the extreme naturally aren’t the most eye-catching, but the spread of sporting talent between the peak and trough of human height is astounding.

5'1"

Elton

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• Career: 1905–1927
• Position: Winger
• National team: England
• Notable clubs: Northampton Town, Tottenham Hotspur
• Notable honors: x1 FA Cup

The early 20th century was a different time. Planes were a new thing, ‘Fanny’ was a common name, and people were demonstrably shorter. However, the average height at the time Frederick ‘Fanny’ Walden made his debut for England in 1914 was still 5'5".

The story goes that Walden’s first day as a senior professional for Northampton Town was delayed after an unwitting gateman directed the slight figure in front of him to the boys’ entrance. Despite his diminutive frame, the jet-heeled right winger emerged as a key figure for Tottenham Hotspur on either side of the First World War, racking up more than 200 league appearances for a side which would lift the FA Cup in 1921.

• Honorable mentions: Jackie Crawford

5'3"

Sebastian Giovinco

• Career: 2006–2022
• Position: Striker
• National team: Italy
• Notable clubs: Juventus, Toronto FC
• Notable honors: x2 Serie A, x1 MLS Cup

Spells with Empoli and Parma had proven Sebastian Giovinco, the man blessed with arguably the best nickname in soccer history, to be a Serie A forward of considerable talent. Antonio Conte briefly had faith in the Atomic Ant, yet the insatiable Italian’s quest for excellence would drive him to recruit Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente and drive Giovinco onto the bench.

When Toronto FC came calling in 2015, he simply couldn’t refuse. “My proposal had arrived, and there was a lot of money,” the Italy international (at a time when the country actually qualified for World Cups) bluntly recalled. “The train passes only once.”

Giovinco had a first class ticket bought for him and rewarded that faith with some of the most prolific seasons MLS has ever seen; he ended his career with an average of one goal or assist every 89 minutes in the competition.

5'4"

Omar Sivori

• Career: 1954–1969
• Position: Winger
• National team: Argentina, Italy
• Notable clubs: River Plate, Juventus, Napoli
• Notable honors: x1 South American Championship, x3 Serie A, x3 Argentine Primera División

The former Juventus president Gianni Agnelli wonderfully captured the devilish pleasure that the club’s combustible Argentine inspired: “Sivori is a bad habit.”

Squat, short and laughably left footed, Omar Sivori was no athlete. Especially not compared to the regal figure of John Charles, his statesman like 6'2" Welsh strike partner in Turin. That was alright. He was instead a brilliant soccer player.

The 1961 Ballon d’Or winner bewitched defenders and spectators alike with an intoxicating weaving of his hips which was described at the time as “drunken dribbling.” Cursed with a temper which set all the wrong disciplinary records, the enduring charm of Sivori’s play—and his stack of titles at Juve—saw all that overshadowed.

• Honorable mentions: Jimmy Johnstone

5'5"

Diego Maradona

• Career: 1976–1997
• Position: Attacking Midfielder
• National team: Argentina
• Notable clubs: Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli
• Notable honors: x1 World Cup, x2 Serie A

Diego Maradona’s modest stature is a fundamental part of his myth.

The former editor of Argentina’s seminal soccer magazine El Gráfico once set out his vision for the definitive embodiment of the soul of the national sport: “A pibe [urchin child] with a dirty face, a mane of hair rebelling against the comb; with intelligent, roving, trickster and persuasive eyes and a sparkling gaze that seem to hint at a picaresque laugh that does not quite manage to form on his mouth, full of small teeth that might be worn down through eating yesterday’s bread.

“His trousers are a few roughly sewn patches; his vest with Argentinian stripes, with a very low neck and with many holes eaten out by the invisible mice of use ... His knees covered with the scabs of wounds disinfected by fate; barefoot or with shoes whose holes in the toes suggest they have been made through too much shooting. His stance must be characteristic; it must seem as if he is dribbling with a rag ball.”

That was penned in 1928. Thirty-two years before Maradona was born, 49 years before he first appeared for Argentina. Yet, it serves as an unerring description of the beloved 1986 World Cup winner.

There is simply no chance that Maradona would be so deeply cherished had he been of standard proportions. For starters, he wouldn’t have needed to use his hand to beat Peter Shilton to that ball. Many players would consider Maradona’s dimensions to be a deterrent to greatness. For El Diego, it was a form of destiny.

5'6"

Romario

• Career: 1985–2009
• Position: Striker
• National team: Brazil
• Notable clubs: Vasco da Gama, PSV, Barcelona
• Notable honors: x1 World Cup, x2 Copa América, x1 La Liga, x3 Eredivisie

Given his generous interpretation of what should count towards his official goal tally, some may question how reliable Romário’s self-reported account of his height really is.

Whatever measuring tape trickery the Brazil international could conjure up, it would have been nothing compared to his ingenuity at the sharp end of the pitch. Roberto Baggio was not alone in hailing the former Barcelona star of the 1990s as “a master of art in the penalty area.”

5'7"

Lionel Messi

The music ends. Immortality doesn’t. pic.twitter.com/dgUQLOkymB

— Sports Illustrated FC (@SI_FootballClub) July 20, 2026

• Career: 2004–
• Position: Winger/Attacking Midfielder
• National team: Argentina
• Notable clubs: Barcelona, PSG, Inter Miami
• Notable honors: x1 World Cup, x2 Copa América, x4 Champions League, x10 La Liga, x2 Ligue 1, x1 MLS Cup

When Lionel Messi joined his boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys at six years old, he was four foot and the ball came up to his knee. By the time he turned 10, he had only grown two inches, prompting fears of a vertically-challenged future.

A consultation with Dr. Diego Schwarzstein found that a growth hormone deficiency would likely leave Messi as a five-foot-tall fully grown adult. Injection treatment into both legs was prescribed and the spindly tree sap shot up to 4'10" by the time he turned 12. But this came at a cost.

In monetary terms, that expense would stand at about $1,000 per month. In terms of commitment, Newell’s Old Boys’ refusal to cover these costs forced the Messis to seek a new club for their kid. A tape showing little Leo scoring, dribbling and juggling various household objects eventually caught the eye of Barcelona, who funded the treatment and got themselves perhaps the greatest player of all time in the process.

• Honorable mentions: Garrincha, Andrés Iniesta, Xavi Hernández

5'8"

Pele

• Career: 1956–1977
• Position: Striker
• National team: Brazil
• Notable clubs: Santos, New York Cosmos
• Notable honors: x3 World Cup, x2 Copa Libertadores, x6 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A

It can be easy for the modern viewer to snidely consign Pelé’s achievements to the context of a bygone era. Even Cristiano Ronaldo has scoffed that when he scores one thousand goals, they will all be “on video.” Yet, the very fact that there are so many layers of legend about one 5'8" Brazilian striker from the 1960s which still persist to this day is a triumph in itself for Pelé. Myths aren’t made up for just anyone.

While the available footage of the World Cup’s only three-time champion is nowhere near as extensive as Ronaldo’s collection of stepovers, there is enough to show the teenage phenom turned talismanic leader perform every piece of skill which his legendary successors had supposedly invented.

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According to reports, Pogba is set to have his contract with Ligue 1 side AS Monaco terminated and would be welcome to join another team, as he continues to look for consistency following his return from a doping suspension. 

MLS teams looked to sign the 33-year-old before and could very well be in the mix again. In 2025, D.C. United held Pogba’s MLS Discovery Rights, and there have been no reports of those rights being moved, meaning they could have the first right of refusal on the 2018 World Cup winner, even if their roster-building project has moved on. 

With the consideration of Discovery Rights, premium roster slots, Targeted Allocation Money and U22 Initiative roster profiles, Sports Illustrated ranks five teams that could be in the mix to sign the Frenchman before the window closes on Sept. 2.

Wild Card: Inter Miami

Inter Miami seem to figure things out, even if it means being investigated for alleged tampering charges. Currently, the club is maxed out on its Designated Player (DP) slots beyond belief, with Casemiro and Luis Suárez already on massive contracts that don’t even qualify as DP deals. Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul and Germán Berterame take up the DP spots and are signed beyond this season. 

Pogba would likely want to play in Miami, though, and the Herons seem to figure things out under the ownership of Jorge and Jose Mas and David Beckham, so it’s impossible to count them out. 

5. Colorado Rapids

The Colorado Rapids need more in central midfield and just got a massive cash injection with the $17 million transfer of starlet defender Lucas Herrington to Premier League side Hull City. While they don’t directly get that full sum to spend again, they are in a better position to add to the roster and will need to find talent to elevate a team that has shown elements of hope. 

To sign Pogba, the Rapids would likely need to acquire his Discovery Rights and then work out a contract despite being a less-than-desirable club compared to the luxurious destinations of Miami, Los Angeles and New York, which are often bigger contenders. 

There’s a positional need in Colorado, and there’s an ability to switch to the three-DP player model from the U22 Initiative roster profile they are currently operating under, with Paxten Aaronson and Rafael Navarro as the team’s DPs. Is it likely? No. Yet, it’s certainly possible. 

4. New York City FC

New York City FC are preparing to open Etihad Park in 2027 and will likely want a marquee superstar to headline the launch of the club’s new era. While they’ve attempted to sign Christian Pulisic and could be in the mix to add former NYCFC Academy star Gio Reyna at some point, Pogba stands as a potential opportunity as well. 

NYCFC don’t necessarily need a central midfielder given the presence of Nicolás Fernández Mercau, who has 13 goals in 18 games in his debut MLS season, but finding a veteran to fill the void left by the injured Maxi Moralez could be an option. 

While the club hasn’t had an aging European star since its first years, which included Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo and David Villa, there’s a clear ambition to re-enter the MLS elite, and Pogba could be the way to do it. They don’t have a DP spot, though, so they would have to add Pogba as a Targeted Allocation Money player for at least the rest of the 2026 season.

3. CF Montréal

CF Montréal are at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, but just landed 37-year-old Alexis Sánchez for the remainder of the 2026 season and the 2027 sprint season, with an option for the entire 2027-28 campaign under the new calendar. He’s the club’s only DP, so why not chase Pogba?

Montréal need all the talent they can get these days, and taking what could be a relatively affordable gamble on adding Pogba could be worth a shot, especially after adding Sánchez in a similar type of signing. 

As the league’s only French-speaking market, Pogba would be a massive hit for sports fans in Montréal as well, something which could be worthwhile even if he’s not the type of player that will bring medium- to long-term success. 

2. Sporting Kansas City

Sporting Kansas City were in the mix to sign Mohamed Salah this summer, but couldn’t offer the European attraction of Trabzonspor. This Turkish side eventually landed the former Liverpool star. Years ago, under previous ownership, the club also looked to sign Cristiano Ronaldo. 

It’s clear that Sporting Kansas City wants a big star, and under new managing owner Peter Mallouk, they have the money and willpower to do it. Unfortunately for them, the city lacks the allure of some of the league’s more luxurious markets, even if they can financially match any other team. 

SKC would likely have to pay for Pogba’s rights, but could use a central midfielder and a marquee player to reinvigorate a passionate fanbase. They have a DP spot to do it as well, with only Manu García and Dejan Joveljić taking up two of potentially three spots at the moment.

1. LAFC

If LAFC wants Pogba, they can sign Pogba. Featuring a team with the Frenchman’s longtime international teammate and fellow 2018 World Cup winner, Hugo Lloris, as well as the attacking talents of Son Heung-min and Denis Bouanga, LAFC would be an attractive sporting setup for Pogba to join. 

The club needs some more creativity in central midfield after Stephen Eustàquio’s loan expired as well, and could very well be in the mix. Pogba has been seen at BMO Stadium before and is more than familiar with the city of Los Angeles from his travels across the United States. At the same time, the club could switch to the DP roster profile model and add him as their third DP. 

Under manager Marc Dos Santos, the club has been more defense-minded than in the past, but Pogba could fit that role, given his history as a relatively versatile player in the middle of the park. They would also likely need to acquire his Discovery Rights.

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Five MLS Clubs That Could Sign Paul Pogba—Ranked.

Although Chile’s all-time leading goalscorer (51) has spent the last 18 years of his career in Europe— starring for the likes of FC Barcelona, Arsenal and Manchester United, MLS will present a new set of challenges that he cannot take lightly.

Sánchez, 37, is bound to deliver an immediate impact for CF Montréal in one way or another, and making a move outside of Europe’s top competitions should present him more time on the ball and greater ability to change the game. This isn’t the MLS of 10 years ago though, with no assurances of top performances from aging veterans, as Colombian star James Rodríguez found out in a dismal six-game spell with Minnesota United earlier this season. 

A Safe Bet for Both Sides

Sánchez had four goals and two assists for La Liga’s Sevilla last season, marking a sharp decline in production from his days as one of the game’s most influential and dynamic attacking pieces. At the same time, he shifted to playing as a No. 10 or false No. 9, slowing down the pace of his possession. Stepping into MLS is likely the best shot he has to continue playing at a prominent level where he can make a significant difference.

Meanwhile, for Montréal, the move can’t hurt. The team is struggling, sitting 14th in the Eastern Conference standings, and has only made the MLS Cup playoffs once in the last nine years. Sánchez marks its biggest name-recognition signing since Didier Drogba in 2015 and brings quality that could move a competitive team without a killer instinct higher up the standings. Yet if the transfer goes poorly, things can’t get much more dire. 

Alexis Sánchez est Montréalais 🔵⚪️⚫️

New DP in MTL 🇨🇱

El Niño Maravilla es montrealés 👊#CFMTL pic.twitter.com/qREEGAfaYm

— CF Montréal (@cfmontreal) August 12, 2026

In the best-case scenario, Sánchez can find the form that brought him to the 18-goal mark with Marseille in 2022–23, or the 17-assist seasons with Milan in 2019–20 and 2020–21. If he does that, Montréal would recover from being the sixth-worst attack in MLS. 

Yet, the reality remains that Sánchez’s greatest strength lies in being a leader for a Montréal side looking to maximize young, cheaper talents. Montréal’s average age without Sánchez is 24.5. He will also be expected to bolster leading forward Prince Owusu, 29, who has 10 goals in 17 games this season.

“The arrival of Alexis Sanchez represents an important step in our sporting project,” said Luca Saputo, Montréal’s managing director of recruitment and sporting methodology. “Alexis possesses exceptional technical quality and experience at the highest level of world football.

“His personality, leadership and competitive mindset fully align with our club's identity and ambitions...We are of firm belief that he will have an immediate impact both on the field and in the locker room.”

Sánchez Signing Marks Outdated MLS Roster Approach 

It’s Owusu, and that’s pretty much it. As Sánchez gets started in Montréal, it will soon become even more apparent how little talent Montréal has compared to some of the other MLS clubs and even those around Montréal in the table. With no other Designated Players (DPs) and just two U-22 Initiative players—U.S. defender Jalen Neal and Ukrainian midfielder Hennadii Synchuk, there isn’t a ton of quality that will surround Sánchez. 

Even Owusu, who has been a potent goalscorer in MLS, has struggled to make a difference on a team that is pushing to do anything. His success, with 32 goals and 10 assists across 88 games with Montréal and Toronto FC combined, has never come close to the MLS Cup playoffs. 

Sánchez’s introduction to Montréal marks a return to a past trend in MLS, where the aging veteran was supposed to be the key piece, as opposed to a complementary or leading asset to an already competitive roster. 

It’s what makes Sánchez’s move different, and concerning in some ways, if there aren’t other major additions to follow. It’s a far cry from when Antoine Griezmann, who joined an underperforming Orlando City this summer, teamed up with DPs Martín Ojeda and Marco Pašalić, or when Chicago Fire’s Robert Lewandowski instantly had Philip Zinckernagel and Jonathan Bamba to support him. 

Go back to last summer, and Vancouver Whitecaps’ signing of Thomas Müller came as a finishing piece when the team was already atop the MLS standings. Son Heung-min’s LAFC introduction complemented Denis Bouanga. 

The lack of DPs has massively held Montréal back in recent years. Sánchez will be no guarantee of success not only given his age and poor production in recent years, but also given the lack of support around him, making the signing more akin to the 2016 version of MLS than it is to 2026. 

How Much Will Sánchez Play for CF Montréal?

Another concern for Sánchez might be how much he can be on the field in the twilight of his career. His minutes dwindled in the later stages of his European career, and he will now be faced with the changing playing surfaces and long-distance travel that is unique to MLS. 

It’s evident he doesn’t have the same recovery timeline as he used to, and facing the physical challenges MLS presents will also be difficult long term. Yet, he could be the perfect fit for the remaining 16 games in Montréal’s 2026 season and the 14-game MLS sprint season. 

Durability will be Sánchez’s biggest concern in MLS, but the condensed schedules could give him some buffer, as well as Montréal’s natural playing surface in what look to be the club’s final years at the outdoor Stade Saputo before moving to an expected artificial surface at the Stade Olympique. It’s more than a worthwhile bet for both Montréal and Sánchez to take.

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Why Surprise MLS Club Is the Perfect Gamble for Former Barcelona, Arsenal Legend .

Jorge Messi, who managed his son’s legendary career dating back to their days in Rosario, died at age 68. Once the news was confirmed on Aug. 8, an outpouring of tributes came from the soccer world, all honoring the former steel factory worker.

Messi posted his own heartbreaking message on Wednesday, penning an emotional goodbye to his “dad, friend and mentor.” The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner revealed Jorge’s condition worsened throughout the 2026 World Cup, which was why the Argentine was not by his son’s side at the tournament for the first time ever.

“I’m going to miss you so much, but you’ll always be with me—especially in raising my children, because I teach and raise them just as you both did with me,” Messi wrote. “Rest in peace, and watch over us from above just as you did here. Thank you for everything.”

Ronaldo, who lost his father back in 2005, responded to the tribute on Instagram: “A huge hug for you and yours during these difficult times, Leo. Stay strong.”

Some Things Are Bigger Than Sports

Ronaldo and Messi are undoubtedly one of the greatest rivalries of all time, across any sport. The two players traded Ballon d’Or awards, records and trophies during the height of their careers at Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively.

The rivalry spilled to the international stage, where they fought to bring glory to their home countries. Many hoped to finally see the two face off at a World Cup this summer, but the dream matchup was dashed once Ronaldo and Portugal were eliminated by Spain in the round of 16.

Argentina made a run to the final, but La Roja bested them as well, denying Messi what would have been a storybook ending to his World Cup career, one that now has so much more meaning in the aftermath of his father’s passing.

Despite being pitted against each other for their entire careers, Messi and Ronaldo never had bad blood between them, always moving with respect toward one another off the pitch. Back in May, the Barcelona legend pulled back the curtain on his epic rivalry with the Portuguese phenom.

“Those comparisons or competitions are something natural in the world of soccer. It’s normal, just like it happens with clubs or national teams, but it was never anything beyond sports,” Messi revealed in an interview on Lo Del Pollo.

“I was at Barcelona and he was at Real Madrid, playing Clásicos, and we were competing for everything both collectively and individually, so people were always comparing us. What both of us achieved made the rivalry even bigger.

“We didn’t meet often except during matches or award ceremonies, where everyone was always watching to see whether he or I would win. But we were always on good terms. Now we’re far away and at different stages of our lives, but what happened was a beautiful sporting rivalry.”

Ronaldo’s show of compassion during such a hard time for Messi adds yet another chapter to that “beautiful” connection between the two all-time greats.

David Beckham, Ángel Di María Offer Their Support

Ronaldo was just one of many big names to show support to Messi. David Beckham, who played an instrumental role in bringing Messi to Inter Miami back in 2023, wrote: “We are with you and your family, Leo. Always.”

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois commented, “Much strength.”

Messi’s former Barcelona teammate, Carles Puyol, as well as longtime Argentine teammates, Ángel Di María and Cristian Romero, shared heart emojis below the emotional post.

Among the players were countless tributes from fans, with the post containing over 800,000 comments as of Wednesday midday.

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Cristiano Ronaldo Puts Aside Rivalry to Support Lionel Messi After His Father’s Death.

Jorge Messi’s passing at the age of 68 was announced on Aug. 8. When faced with false rumors of his death during the World Cup, a statement from the family explained that the Argentina captain’s long-term agent and advisor was under medical supervision. Messi has now outlined the extent of his father’s ailment, which prevented him from attending the competition held across North America.

“Dad, I still can’t believe you’re gone,” Messi wrote on Instagram in his first public comments since the tragedy was announced.

View this post on Instagram

“Every time a game ended, I’d wait for your message and miss you. That’s when I realized the situation was really bad. Even so, I couldn’t stop thinking about going as far as possible, to give you time so you could watch a game. We made it to the final, and you couldn’t be there.

“I wanted to win it to bring it to you—to show you a new one. I couldn’t do it; my legs just wouldn’t hold up anymore. This time I tried to push past my physical limits, but I couldn’t. I never felt right.

“When I got there, you thought we’d lost the final on penalty kicks. We couldn’t talk about any of what had happened. You couldn’t enjoy a single moment. We didn’t become champions, but you didn’t know how much we enjoyed every game. Once again, you were right: I had to be there and play.

“I’m telling you this because it was the only thing we couldn’t talk about—you already knew everything else.”

‘Dad, Friend, Mentor’

Jorge played a fundamental role in the career of arguably the greatest player the sport has ever had the privilege of witnessing. Messi’s local club Grandoli were the first regular beneficiaries of his genius but it only lasted until he was 6. After Jorge was denied entry to a game when he forgot the two-peso fee one day, his son never played for the club again.

Newell’s Old Boys took the youngster in but were reluctant to fund the growth hormone treatment his father’s modest salary as a factory worker struggled to cover. It was Jorge who expanded the search for a new club beyond Argentina, sending out tapes of his prodigy juggling any vaguely spherical object; he managed 113 with an orange, 140 with a tennis ball and kept a table tennis ball up 29 times.

Barcelona answered the call and Messi Sr. sat opposite Carles Rexach when he penned a hurried contract on a paper napkin at a local tennis club to ensure little Lionel wasn’t going anywhere else.

“I know that your happiness came from seeing your family—your wife, your kids—do well, and above all, without the others finding out, watching me play...” Messi wrote.

“It was always like that, ever since I was a little kid. You’d take me to every practice as soon as you got home from work. Mom took me to a lot of them because you were working.

“Of course, you never missed a single game. How you suffered watching me—and how you enjoyed it—even though you never showered me with praise.

“You were a dad, a friend and a mentor,” Messi, who never hired a professional agent, instead relying upon the advice of his father, added. “You were always exactly the person you needed to be in every moment, and you were never wrong about anything. Despite the occasional argument or disagreement, you were always right. In the end, things always turned out just as you said they would.

“I’m going to miss you so much, but you’ll always be with me—especially in raising my children, because I teach and raise them just as you both did with me.

“Rest in peace, and watch over us from above just as you did here. Thank you for everything.

“I love you, Dad.”

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Lionel Messi Contemplates Sudden Retirement in Heartfelt Tribute to Late Father.

Major League Soccer jumped right into the second half of its season even prior to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, and now many of its teams are competing in the Leagues Cup against Liga MX’s finest in pursuit of continental glory. Six USMNT players from the World Cup roster compete in MLS, five of which are currently playing in the Leagues Cup—making for exciting, early glimpses into the state of the national team, which will regroup in late September.

As the American boys get down to business, especially those battling across North America, here’s Sports Illustrated’s weekly stock up, stock down analysis for the USMNT players.

USMNT Stock Up

Miles Robinson

Miles Robinson dazzled on Friday night in FC Cincinnati’s bout with Pumas UNAM. The MLS side faced the seven-time Liga MX champions and 2026 Liga MX Clausura runners-up in its second Leagues Cup Phase One match, downing the Mexico giants 2–0 in large part to Robinson’s heroics.

The USMNT second-string defender, who featured in the 3–2 group stage loss to Türkiye this summer, held down the center of Cincinnati’s three-back defense for all 90 minutes. The 29-year-old notched 10 defensive contributions and seven clearances en route to the shutout.

Cincinnati now sit fourth in the Leagues Cup standings after also securing a 3–1 victory over Pachuca in their first Leagues Cup match on Tuesday night.

Cristian Roldan

Cristian Roldan returned to competitive play on Sunday for the first time since suffering a heartbreaking injury at the World Cup.

The Seattle Sounders midfielder logged 63 minutes in an emphatic 3–0 win over Queretaro FC in Leagues Cup play, the team’s first victory since early May and coming nearly seven weeks after Roldan strained his quad in the lead-up to the USMNT’s clash with Türkiye. The 31-year-old attempted to make a speedy recovery in time for the knockout stages but ultimately re-aggravated the injury. Roldan was one of just two USMNT players (Chris Brady) not to take the pitch at some point this summer.

Now that Roldan is healthy again, he will look to return to not only peak fitness but also the helm of the Sounders, who have floundered in the second half the season. They must return to winning ways for any chance of sustaining a spot in the MLS playoffs.

Matt Freese

Matt Freese cosplayed a super hero on Thursday, leading New York City FC to a 2–0 victory against Santos Laguna in their first Leagues Cup match. The 27-year-old starting goalkeeper for the USMNT made six saves and 13 recoveries on the night, highlighted by a direct free kick save before halftime and a wild triple-save sequence late in the second half.

It marked Freese’s first clean sheet since the U.S.’s 2–0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup round of 32.

USMNT Stock Down

Chris Brady

The struggles seem to be mounting for 23-year-old Chris Brady.

After a rather anonymous outing between the sticks in Chicago Fire’s MLS clash with Charlotte FC last week—ending the night with zero saves and poor long ball accuracy (25%)—the young USMNT goalkeeper actually responded well in his side’s first Leagues Cup match on Thursday; he made six saves en route to a shutout win against Necaxa. Yet things turned ugly again for Brady just days later against Santos Laguna.

The USMNT’s third-string goalkeeper took a gamble on Sunday night, and it didn’t pan out, costing Chicago a goal in the first half. Brady will feel fortunate that his blunder did not cost the game, though, as the Fire responded to the mistake with three goals of their own to walk away with a 3–1 victory in the Leagues Cup match.

In the 20th minute, Brady made a risky dash well outside of his box, hoping to beat striker Ezequiel Bullaude to the rolling ball. The Santos star was able to easily maneuver the ball away from Brady before firing a long shot into the open net and giving his team an early lead. Brady was left shaking his head.

Should Brady seek to earn more opportunities under manager Mauricio Pochettino, he will have to improve not only his consistency in net, but also his ability to read the speed and flight of the ball, especially when judging whether or not to leave his line.

READ THE LATEST USMNT NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC

This article was originally published on www.si.com as USMNT Stock Up, Stock Down: Freese’s Fantastic Feats, Brady’s Blunders.

The deal also includes an option for the 2027–28 MLS full-length season, the first under the new calendar, which aligns with Europe’s top competitions.

Chatter began of Sánchez’s addition on Monday, after the club posted a teaser video to social media for its new No. 10 with mention of the name “Alexis” at the end of the clip by Luca Saputo, the managing director of recruitment and sporting methodology. The deal became official less than 24 hours later, putting the Chilean legend in the black and blue of MLS’s lone French-speaking market. 

The forward, who has played more as an attacking midfielder in recent seasons, will be a Designated Player with Montréal and enters the league during a star-studded summer that has also seen Orlando City sign Antoine Griezmann and Chicago Fire add Robert Lewandowski. 

The 37-year-old Sánchez enjoyed an immensely successful career in Europe, starring for Barcelona, Arsenal, Manchester United and Inter Milan, among other clubs, as well as at the international level with Chile. He won two Copa América titles and is the national team’s all-time leading scorer (51 goals).

He has 215 goals and 154 assists across 788 total professional appearances and won titles with Barcelona, Inter Milan, Colo Colo and Arsenal; however, his production dipped last season in La Liga with Sevilla, where he scored just four times in 28 games. He will look to MLS to spark a fresh resurgence.

“I am very happy to join CF Montréal and take on this new challenge,” Sánchez said. “I’m grateful to the Club for the confidence they’ve shown in me, and I’m eager to put my experience to work so that we can reach our objectives and create memorable moments for our supporters. I’m here to give everything I have for the club and for this city.”

Alexis Sánchez’s MLS Contract Details

At 37, Sánchez becomes one of the oldest Designated Players in MLS, alongside the likes of Lewandowski and Vancouver Whitecaps star Thomas Müller, both of whom are the same age. Lionel Messi is roughly two years older at 39 years old.

He becomes Montréal’s only Designated Player, a status that means his “total compensation and acquisition costs exceed the Maximum Salary Budget Charge.” He will earn more than $803,125 annually through the duration of the deal, which takes him past his 38th birthday.

Each MLS club is allowed up to three DP slots on the roster, but Montréal had zero after parting ways with Iván Jaime 12 games into this season.

 Can Montréal’s Newest Star Save Them?

Sánchez joins one of the most passionate soccer cities in North America and a long list of stars to ply their trade with the club formerly known as the Montréal Impact. 

While the team hasn’t featured a major star player since former Tottenham Hotspur star Victor Wanyama in 2023 and 2024, it has previously been the home of Drogba, Alessandro Nesta, Ignacio Piatti and Marco Di Vaio, among others.

Sánchez will have a massive undertaking, as the club looks to advance to the postseason for the first time since 2022. Montréal currently sit 14th in the 15-team Eastern Conference, seven points back from the final MLS Cup playoffs spot.

Although hoisting the MLS Cup appears a lofty goal, manager Philippe Eullaffroy's men can realistically envision a run to the Canadian Championship title, as they approach a two-leg semifinal series against Müller’s Whitecaps. The winner will meet one of the Canadian Premier League’s Forge FC or FC Supra de Quèbec or Atlético Ottawa in the final, with a Concacaf Champions Cup berth up for grabs. 

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Former Arsenal, Barcelona Legend Signs to Surprise MLS Club.

The Philadelphia Union winger has turned up the heat in the second half of the season, most recently stunning in Sunday’s Leagues Cup match against Liga MX’s Necaxa. It took him all of three minutes to become the difference maker, pulling a double scissors move on left back Francisco Méndez before dishing a pass to Nathan Harriel for Philadelphia’s opening goal.

Sullivan then added a goal for himself in the second half—his fourth in his first-team career with the Union. He settled a cross with his chest before blasting the bouncing ball with his left foot through the net, powering his side to a 3–1 victory in the second Phase One match, becoming the youngest goalscorer in Leagues Cup history alongside Mexico phenom Gilberto Mora.

“He has been dangerous every game, and he has been in positions where he is getting his opportunities … But it was really important for him today to get that goal, and I was most proud about the type of goal that it was,” Union interim manager Ryan Richter said postgame.

“It wasn’t the special one where you beat three players and curl the ball into the top corner. It was to get to the right spot at the right time and put the ball in the back of the net. He has the special goal in him, but this is how he is going to score a lot of goals at this level.”

The homegrown player signed with the first team back in May 2024. Two months later, he broke Freddy Adu’s long-standing record, becoming the youngest player (14 years, 293 days old) among all of the top North American professional sports leagues to make his regular-season debut. He is now a consistent starter with the Union, who have agreed to transfer him to Manchester City after he turns 18.

Can Sullivan Handle the Pressure?

Sullivan’s surge against Necaxa came off the heels of the Union’s 1–0 loss to Cruz Azul three days before, a defeat the youngster took full responsibility for.

“I had two that I missed. I’m not happy about them,” Sullivan told reporters after Thursday’s loss. “They need to be put to bed. I apologize to my team and the fans. Obviously in the Leagues Cup, every chance matters and could affect us in the future.”

It made the subsequent match a personal matter, one to which he successfully rose to the challenge. The pressure doesn’t seem to faze young Sullivan. If anything, it impassions him on the pitch. This is fortunate for the USMNT, considering the attacker has been continually pegged as the future of the program and a likely starter for the 2030 squad.

“Cavan Sullivan was really, really good for Philadelphia the other day and keeps getting better,” USMNT legend Alexi Lalas said Monday on his State of the Union podcast. “I saw someone worrying and warning against propping up a young phenom.

“You’re not going to break him,” Lalas added. “He’s good enough and potentially could be good enough that that pressure from an early age is a good thing.”

Sullivan has represented the youth national team at the U-17 level, including at the 2025 U-17 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, in which he started three of four matches and had one goal and two assists. Although he has yet to receive a senior call-up from manager Mauricio Pochettino, one may be on the way for the upcoming international window in September and October. Pochettino recently signed a new contract with U.S. Soccer through 2030, a deal which includes increased involvement in the U.S.’s top youth prospects like Sullivan himself.

This article was originally published on www.si.com as The USMNT Future Is Bright—And His Name Is Cavan Sullivan.

The teenage midfielder, who signed a homegrown contract with LA Galaxy in January 2025 at just 14 years old, currently plays for Ventura County FC, the Galaxy’s reserve squad, but he is expected to join the MLS side at the beginning of 2027. He would then make the move to Stamford Bridge upon turning 18 for an anticipated fee of $3 million (£2.25 million), plus add-ons.

Garcia’s deal follows closely behind that of fellow American teenage prodigy Benji Flowers, who will also be headed to Chelsea upon turning 18. FC Dallas, who signed Flowers to a homegrown contract just last month, reached an agreement with the Blues for the 15-year-old for an initial fee of around $3 million (£2.25 million), with potential add-ons taking the deal to around $10 million (£7.5 million). Similar to Garcia, Flowers is currently honing his craft with Dallas’s reserve team—North Texas SC—in MLS Next Pro, for which he debuted at age 14 back in March.

Both teenagers have represented the U.S. at the U-15 level, earning multiple call-ups.

Chelsea’s History of Signing American Wonderkids

There is precedent for Chelsea turning an eye to MLS in search of young talents to sign.

American goalkeeper Gabriel “Gaga” Slonina, who is now 22, signed to Chelsea from the Chicago Fire back in 2022 for a reported base fee of $10 million, just a few months after his 18th birthday. Since hopping the pond to west London, Slonina has played for the club’s U-21 squad and undergone loan stints in Belgium and England’s League One, a fate that Garcia and Flowers might also have once joining Chelsea.

Slonina was a part of the Chelsea squad that won the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup last summer in the U.S. and most recently featured in Chelsea’s friendly against Johor Darul Ta’zim, serving as a second half substitute in the 3–3 draw against the Malaysian foe.

American defender Caleb Wiley, who is now 21, joined the Blues from Atlanta United in the summer of 2024 at age 19 for a reported fee of $11 million. He similarly spent (injury-plagued) time on loan, playing for both Strasbourg and Watford before returning to Chelsea in January. He is expected to head out on loan again to try to reignite his career.

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Chelsea Close to Signing Another U.S. Teenage Prodigy—Report.

Jorge Messi died at the age of 68 shortly before the game, with Lionel Messi leaving the squad to return to Argentina and be with his family following the news.

De Paul opened the scoring in the 31st minute, unleashing a superb low strike from distance into the bottom corner. He then revealed a Messi No. 10 shirt underneath his jersey as he celebrated, dedicating the goal to Lionel’s late father.

The Argentine midfielder also grabbed the back of his shirt and pointed toward Messi’s name as his teammates gathered around him, making for a touching moment of solidarity.

Rodrigo De Paul strikes from distance for the opener and honors his friend Leo Messi and his family ❤️ pic.twitter.com/96GEG7XpMh

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 9, 2026

Despite taking the lead, Miami were unable to hold on, conceding twice after half time and falling to a 2–1 defeat. Hugo Cuypers equalized before Diego Rossi struck a dramatic late winner for Monterrey.

Miami had opened their Leagues Cup campaign with a 4–2 victory over San Luis, leaving them with three points and 11th place in the standings.

Tributes to Jorge Messi Pour In

De Paul was far from the only person to honor Jorge Messi following his death, with tributes coming from Inter Miami, Messi’s former clubs and organizations across Argentina.

Inter Miami held a minute’s silence before kickoff, while both teams wore black armbands in Jorge’s memory. His name was also shown on the stadium’s video screens.

The club later released a statement expressing its support for its captain, which read: “Our hearts are with our captain, Leo, and the entire Messi family.”

FC Barcelona also paid tribute before their 1–0 friendly victory over Nottingham Forest in Udine, Italy, holding a moment of silence in Jorge’s honor.

Jorge played a hugely important role in his son’s journey to Barcelona. In 2000, he traveled with 13-year-old Lionel to Catalonia and helped convince the club to take a chance on the young Argentine. Barcelona subsequently thanked Jorge “for his commitment to our club, for entrusting us with the beginnings and the most glorious years of his son Leo’s football career.”

Paris Saint-Germain, another of Messi’s former clubs, also issued a message of condolence, while Real Madrid joined the tributes despite their historic rivalry with Barcelona.

“Real Madrid CF, its president and its Board of Directors deeply regret the passing of Jorge Messi, father of Leo ” read Madrid’s statement. “Our club wishes to express its condolences to Leo, his family, and all his loved ones. May he rest in peace.”

Our deepest condolences. May Jorge Messi rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/PPSTTjHki1

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 8, 2026

Newell’s Old Boys, the Rosario club where Messi began his soccer journey, also remembered Jorge with an emotional tribute, describing his passing with “deep sorrow and grief.”

The club’s message read: “Jorge was the pillar and the person who supported with vision, rigor and affection the career of the greatest player of all time alongside his wife, Celia Cuccittini.

“His constant companionship and behind-the-scenes leadership were essential in backing every step of Lionel, from his beginnings at Malvinas to the pinnacle of world football glory.

“Thank you for teaching him to love these colors [of Newell’s Old Boys]. The Board of Directors, members, athletes, and the entire leprosa family embrace with affection Celia, Lionel, Rodrigo, Matías, and María Sol, and all their loved ones and close ones in this difficult moment.”

The response from Argentina was equally heartfelt. Fans left flowers and flags outside Messi’s childhood home in Rosario, while Boca Juniors and River Plate both observed moments of silence before their respective matches.

The Argentine Football Association also expressed its condolences, saying it “deeply mourns with sadness and sorrow the passing of Jorge Messi, father of our captain and emblem, Lionel Messi.”

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Rodrigo De Paul Leads Tributes to Jorge Messi in Leagues Cup Defeat.

Playing for the Union as a 16-year-old, having made his debut at 14, Sullivan is the first player in elite soccer to wear Adidas’ 3D-printed cleats, bringing the technology into professional games for the first time. 

Sullivan debuted the cleats against Red Bull New York on July 23 and has continued to wear them. They are the latest innovation in soccer cleat technology, after the era of high-ankle socks, elastic and laceless setups, and more over recent years. 

Adidas developed the cleats through its R.A.P project, standing for Radical Athlete Perception, which alters the fit precisely to the athlete’s foot and can support an individual’s exact foot shape. Pink for Sullivan, they don’t stand out among the World Cup-influenced pink cleat trend of 2026, but are striking under closer examination.

The weaving through different printed layers of the shoe appears to leave more open mesh areas near the top, striking area of the cleat, while being closer-knit or fully solid near the sole of the shoe. The studs, meanwhile, appear secondary and not of the same 3D-printed materials. 

First shown to fans at the Adidas flagship store in Las Vegas, the cleats marked the technology’s first step into soccer, after the company had previously unveiled slip-on sneakers in 2025 using similar 3D printing approaches.

How Sullivan Has Fared in the Cleats

Reports suggest Adidas chose Sullivan to showcase the cleats for his skills and bravado as one of the game’s most exciting young players and an American prodigy in the sport. Since first hitting the pitch, he’s thrived in them as well.

Against the Red Bulls, he led the game with six successful dribbles and created a chance, while looking a step above the other young U.S. men’s national team prospects on the pitch, including 17-year-old Julian Hall, who was one of the top strikers early in the season. 

Since the Red Bulls match, Sullivan helped the Union to a dramatic 3–2 win over Atlanta United and was the best player on the pitch in the Leagues Cup opening loss to Cruz Azul, as his side fell 1–0 to the Mexican titans, despite his five dribbles and two created chances. 

“Innovation at Adidas is about creating the best for the athlete, at speed,” Alasdhair Willis, chief creative officer at Adidas, told The Athletic. “Project R.A.P. is an innovation platform focused on how we deliver feel of movement and a bespoke fit in sports performance products that is progressive and unlocks true athlete benefit.

“Cavan is the perfect athlete to showcase the potential of this innovation, a future star on and off the field, an open and curious mindset, matched with an exciting playing style.”

Set to join Manchester City once he turns 18, Sullivan has a goal and an assist in nine MLS matches this season, but has improved with more responsibilities under interim manager Ryan Richter, who took over after the defending Supporters’ Shield champions sat bottom of the league under 2025 MLS Coach of the Year, Bradley Carnell. 

This article was originally published on www.si.com as How U.S. Soccer Prodigy Cavan Sullivan Is Making History With His New Adidas Cleats.

With Riqui Puig in the midst of a second injured season as he recovers from a re-injured ACL, the Galaxy have spent the early part of the 2026 summer transfer window looking to push their team towards the MLS Cup playoffs after finishing 14th in the Western Conference in 2025. 

On Friday, the club announced that they had signed Lozano on loan from California rivals San Diego FC, giving the Mexican star a chance to play his first games since November, before he was exiled on an expensive Designated Player contract with San Diego. 

And while not yet announced, MARCA’s Matteo Moretto first reported on Friday that former FC Barcelona midfielder—and Puig teammate—Roberto was bound for the Galaxy, as well, bringing the 34-year-old in after he spent two seasons with Como in Serie A. 

🚨🇺🇸 Sergi Roberto to LA Galaxy, here we go! Verbal agreement done for former Barça and Como player to join MLS side.

Sergi accepted the proposal with formal steps now to follow, as @MatteMoretto reports. pic.twitter.com/BJvIyujgxv

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 7, 2026

It all marks a massive shift for a Galaxy side that has struggled to fill the void after Puig’s injury, and the next steps in a roster build that has moved on from the “Killa Ps” of the 2024 MLS Cup triumph, having sold Gabriel Pec to Brazilian Série A club Cruzeiro.

The Galaxy currently sit 12th in the Western Conference after 19 games, with 15 remaining, and have just four wins, none of which are back-to-back—a feat they haven’t achieved since the final two games of last season. 

Currently amid a four-game winless streak, they’re set to return to the pitch on Aug. 15 with a visit to the Houston Dynamo, which could potentially see Lozano’s debut, even though both the Mexican veteran and Roberto will need time to ramp up their fitness to match the league’s midseason form. 

How the Galaxy Could Line Up With Roberto, Lozano

Bringing in both players is a risk for the Galaxy.

With Lozano, there are concerns about his commitment to playing competitively and his conduct amongst teammates, which struck a sensitive chord in San Diego and with Roberto, a relatively unproductive spell in Italy. Still, the two veterans will be a major fan draw and stand the possibility of adding quality to a side that desperately needs more of it. 

As for how manager Gregg Vanney could line the team up? In a 4-3-3 formation, Joseph Paintsil and Lozano could play on the wings, centered by João Klauss, who the Galaxy added from St. Louis CITY in the winter and has five goals in eight games. 

The trio behind them could bring plenty of European experience, with Roberto potentially on the right, German star Marco Reus as the central midfielder, and 22-year-old Uruguayan talent Lucas Sanabria on the left. At the back, an unchanged backline of Harbor Miller, Jakob Glesnes, Justin Haak, and John Nelson stands as a formidable defensive setup in front of goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski. 

The biggest questions in the setup will be where the improved goalscoring will come, whether and if Lozano can be the driver of that, and how Roberto’s lackluster offensive numbers actually move the needle on a Galaxy side that has had trouble scoring as much as it has defending. 

Can the Galaxy Make a Push?

The Galaxy might only be averaging 1.16 points per game this season so far, and that pace would have ranked them 12th in the West in 2025, but the new signings should allow them to improve on that and at least make a chase toward the Wild Card spots. 

In 2025, the Wild Card cutoff landed at 1.21 points-per-game with Real Salt Lake, while the Western Conference quarterfinal cutoff came in at 1.29. A year earlier, when the Galaxy won MLS Cup, the Portland Timbers needed 1.38 points-per-game to make the cut. 

It will take an improved second-half effort, likely some consecutive wins, for the Galaxy to make their way into fall soccer, but sitting just two points short of the cutoff after 17 games, they certainly stand a decent chance of a postseason return. 

This article was originally published on www.si.com as LA Galaxy Confirm Hirving Lozano Deal, Linked with Former FC Barcelona Midfielder.

Through the first 18 matches, fans were treated to a Lionel Messi record-breaking brace, the first games in Mexico, and some stunning results, including the Portland Timbers’ beatdown of Puebla, all setting the tone for a tense second matchday. 

Here, Sports Illustrated ranks each MLS team after the first games of Phase One, as the 18 teams take on Liga MX opponents but compete in a table amongst themselves, with the top four advancing to the knockouts. 

18. Seattle Sounders

The chant from the Emerald City Supporters goes “Come on, Seattle,” but it might be more like “Uh oh, Seattle” these days.

Losing to a dominant Deportivo Toluca on the road wasn’t unexpected, but a listless performance to fall 3–0 for the team’s sixth straight loss was bad. Home games against Tijuana and Puebla are far from tap-ins, making any dreams of a deep run extremely unlikely.

17. Minnesota United

Losing within 90 minutes to a middle-of-the-pack Liga MX team in FC Juárez isn’t where Minnesota United wants to be. Now, without a bona fide superstar, they’ve got to get a win against Tigres UANL in Mexico to make the third match against Atlante, their easiest opponent, mean anything. 

16. San Diego FC

The hardest game, a 3-1 loss on the road to Club América for the first Leagues Cup game in Mexico, is out of the way for San Diego FC.

A loss was the most likely outcome, and now the Chrome and Azul have no wiggle room at home against a good Tijuana side, which precedes a final matchday against a more beatable Puebla.

15. Nashville SC

A side with a prominent history in Leagues Cup and the finest in MLS this season falling 1–0 to Club Léon at home wasn’t great.

It’s going to take a lot to bounce back, even with Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge, with the Phase One finale against Monterrey in Mexico looming as a likely deciding match, assuming the Coyotes can secure a regulation win against Atlético de San Luis at home.

14. Vancouver Whitecaps

For a team that looked like a true contender in the tournament, losing to Atlante at home 1–0 was brutal. Jesper Sørensen’s team selection was indicative of his respect for the opponent, and it came back to bite his side.

Even Thomas Müller and Brian White couldn’t save the day as late substitutes. Friday’s FC Juárez match is a must-win, as is an away trip to Tigres—where Vancouver at least have plenty of experience from Concacaf Champions Cup play.

13. Philadelphia Union

Losing the first game never makes things easy in the ruthless Leagues Cup format. Yet, the Philadelphia Union, led by 16-year-old phenom Cavan Sullivan, looked good in a 1–0 loss to a high-powered Cruz Azul.

That was their toughest match, and six points against Necaxa and Santos Laguna are possible, but they’ll need some other MLS sides to drop points. 

12. New York City FC

Congrats, you beat Santos Laguna, the worst team in Liga MX, but were outshot and outchanced. Three points are nice, but now New York City FC likely have to secure something against Cruz Azul in Mexico—and it’s the club’s first-ever competitive game south of the U.S. border.

11. LAFC

LAFC are the only MLS club sitting on two points after the first game, having secured a win on penalties over Chivas de Guadalajara.

It was a relatively mixed lineup for Marc Dos Santos’ men, but strong enough to compete in the early stages of this tournament, led by Son Heung-min and Denis Bouanga.

Facing Deportivo Toluca, the reigning Concacaf Champions Cup winners and the best team over the last year in Liga MX on the road won’t be easy—but LAFC have plenty of away continental experience.

10. FC Dallas

Beating Queretaro, a team that won just three times in 17 games in the last Apertura, was expected for FC Dallas. It’s not so great that Jonathan Sirois had to make an astounding eight saves in the effort, a number that stands as an unreasonable ask if the next few games follow a similar path.

9. Real Salt Lake

Pushing Tigres beyond five rounds of penalties and gaining a point for the draw within 90 minutes is impressive, especially as Saba Lobjanidze really starts to hit form. Things will be tough moving forward without Zavier Gozo, who seems to be Premier League-bound, but the remaining opponents of FC Juárez and Atlante at home should line up for Real Salt Lake to advance.

8. Columbus Crew

The footwork, the meg… just filthy from Habroune 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/6FqI1aRIaH

— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) August 5, 2026

How long can we talk about Taha Habroune’s wicked backheel nutmeg? That was awesome. A 3–1 win against a solid Atlas team is nothing to scoff at either, and the upcoming opponents of Pachuca and Pumas UNAM are beatable. Consistency remains the problem for the Crew, though, especially after losing USMNT star Max Arfsten.

7. Chicago Fire

There was never a massive moment when the Chicago Fire looked as if they were going to lose against Necaxa in the opener in front of less than 10,000 people at SeatGeek Stadium.

Jonathan Dean put forth a strong performance at right back, and Gregg Berhalter was able to pull stars Robert Lewandowski and Philip Zinckernagel in the 64th minute. They should beat Santos Laguna at home, leaving a likely need to secure a point in the threatening atmosphere of the Estadio Azteca against Cruz Azul, who finished atop last season’s Apertura. 

6. Austin FC

Led by a dynamic chance-creating performance from Joseph Rosales, Austin FC looked good as they picked up all three points with a 2–0 win over Tijuana. It puts them in a stellar position, even if they’ll need to beat Puebla at home and potentially need to secure a point on the road against Club América. 

5. FC Cincinnati

Evander with a brilliant strike and Cincy are level with Pachuca!

📺 FS1 & Apple TV: https://t.co/p9WPSb57s7 pic.twitter.com/C56y1ZVFWA

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 5, 2026

Every team takes a different approach to Leagues Cup, and manager Pat Noonan chose to seemingly make it a priority for FC Cincinnati, playing a relatively first-choice lineup to beat Pachuca 3–0 in the opener.

Evander’s stellar form continued with another screaming goal from distance, and they should be feeling good with both remaining Phase One games at home against Pumas and Atlas.

4. Charlotte FC

The Crown have been anything but consistent in MLS in recent months, but smashing Pumas 3–0 with a rotated squad is a pretty good way to start a competition.

Will Dean Smith’s group be able to keep that up, given the three goalscorers were all depth talents? Unlikely, given the challenge Pachuca offer—and the fact teams could need more than six points to advance. 

3. Orlando City

Some more goal differential could’ve been good, but Antoine Griezmann hitting the scoresheet for the third time in his first four competitive matches and securing a 2–1 win over the high-powered Monterrey should only be seen as a good thing.

Finding a result against Léon should be doable, and Orlando are heavy favorites against Atlético de San Luis. With a red-hot Griezmann, game-breaking talent in Tyrese Spicer and improved goalkeeping from Maxime Crépeau, the Florida club can start dreaming.

2. Portland Timbers

The Portland Timbers brought their exceptional MLS form into Leagues Cup and trounced Puebla on Thursday night, with the goal differential pushing them to the top of the MLS table. David Da Costa found himself a goal and two assists, Cole Bassett had a breakout game, and the Timbers Army turned up. Things keep on rolling for interim manager Jack Cassidy. 

1. Inter Miami

When Lionel Messi is at his best, Inter Miami are unbeatable. Atlético de San Luis was far from the most threatening opening-game opponent, and the Herons showed some frailties.

Still, with Casemiro’s suave approach, Messi’s standout form, and Noah Allen doing his best Jordi Alba impression, they should be pretty confident heading into tougher Phase One contests against Monterrey and Léon. 

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Ranking Every MLS Team’s Leagues Cup Hopes After Matchday 1 .

According to The Athletic, the Galaxy are nearing an agreement with San Diego to acquire the speedy winger on loan for the rest of the 2026 Major League Soccer season. The 31-year-old would land in Los Angeles to help his new club in its push to qualify for the MLS Cup playoffs.

Lozano would join the Galaxy as a Designated Player given he’s the fourth highest salary in all of MLS, with his north of $9 million wages per year only behind the likes of Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul and Son Heung-min. San Diego would still have to cover a portion of the Mexican’s salary.

After joining San Diego as the team’s first ever signing prior to their debut season in 2025, Lozano fell out of favor with manager Mickey Varas, who exiled him from the team ahead of the 2026 season. Lozano hasn’t featured in a professional game since Nov. 29, 2025.

LA Galaxy Willing to Take a Risk on Hirving Lozano

A return of 11 goals and 11 assists in 31 appearances that helped San Diego make the MLS Western Conference semifinals in their debut season didn’t suffice for Lozano to overcome his riff with Varas. Disciplinary issues have haunted El Chucky throughout his career, and the latest fractured relationship has seen his career completely stall for over eight months.

San Diego tried to facilitate Lozano’s exit since the January transfer window but the player’s refusal to forfeit his astronomical salary and his unwillingness to move away from Southern California saw any potential exit fail to materialize.

Lozano has posted videos training by himself, away from his teammates at San Diego’s facility in recent months. His willingness to effectively pause his career cost him a chance to represent Mexico in the 2026 World Cup, having previously become a regular for El Tri towards the end of 2025.

But LA Galaxy appear unfazed by Lozano’s off-field issues and the lengthy period of inactivity. After winning the 2024 MLS Cup, Los Angeles failed to even make the playoffs in 2025, finishing second to last in the Western Conference regular season standings.

Greg Vanney’s side currently sits 12th and just two points adrift of the playoff spots in the 2026 standings. But after just one win from their last seven games, the Galaxy seem desperate to add a player capable of increasing their odds of correcting course to avoid missing the playoffs for a second straight year.

Lozano has already proven he can be a productive player in MLS and ESPN suggest that he’d be open to the move to Los Angeles, where he could get a fresh start.

The move is beneficial for all parties on paper. LA gets another attacking player to pair alongside Marco Reus and Joseph Paintsil, while San Diego finally get rid of a player they no longer want and offload a portion of his salary. Lozano then gets to revive his career after almost a year without forfeiting a penny of his lucrative deal.

Of course, LA Galaxy are taking a massive leap, but given its only a loan, the team is making a calculated risk with plenty of upside given its current situation.

Fresh off turning 31 and after missing out on playing in his third career World Cup, the former Mexican gem could be close to returning to the pitch, ending a drawn-out saga that denied fans from seeing one of the most talented Mexican players of the last generation showcasing his talent on the pitch.

This article was originally published on www.si.com as LA Galaxy Ignore Old Warning Signs to ‘Finalize’ Deal for Mexican Star.

Despite calls from soccer hardcores to adopt the system used in many of Europe’s top competitions, Berg doesn’t see it as a pathway forward in the near future for MLS. No other league in the U.S. or Canada has promotion and relegation, and even Mexico’s Liga MX has suspended the idea.

“I can understand the appeal for the fans, [but] I don’t think it’s a great way to build a league. I don’t think it’s a way to get stadiums built, get training facilities built, and to have owners invest in rosters and all the other things you need to do,” Berg told reporters at an introductory press conference in New York City. 

“So the great thing about promotion and relegation for fans is that the jeopardy is quite severe. But I think there are other ways to create jeopardy during the regular season, [and] again in the playoffs, during the playoffs, to get to the next round. That’s what we want to focus on.”

MLS Structure and the U.S. Sporting Landscape

Unlike European competitions, MLS will continue to hold the MLS Cup playoffs every year, fitting the North American style of crowning an annual league champion. At the same time, teams will compete in other competitions, with evolving participation in the Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup, U.S. Open Cup and Canadian Championship, across the 30 clubs. 

As a league setup, MLS is exceptionally different from its European counterparts. Organized as a single-entity structure, with so-called club owners standing as investor-operators of their organizations and player contracts signed with the league instead of a specific team, it would take an entire overhaul to bring promotion and relegation to MLS. 

The single-entity structure was used to make MLS a viable investment for owners who may not see their own clubs generate revenues, and has remained a key facet in ensuring the league’s growth and its solid financial standing, compared to past defunct U.S. professional soccer efforts. 

For MLS, any decisions would have to be agreed upon by the owners as well as the MLS Players Association. Given the lofty expansion fees many paid to enter MLS, including the most recent fee of $500 million paid by San Diego FC in 2023, owners likely would not sign on and risk taking a hit to franchise values should a team suffer relegation.

And unlike Europe, MLS fights for relevancy with other major sports, and a certain percentage of fans would likely tune out and turn focus to another sport if their team were to suffer relegation. 

“I don’t think it’s appropriate for our league,” Berg said. “I think [outgoing commissioner] Don Garber has said before, ‘never say never,’ but I just don’t see it happening anytime soon.”

Promotion/Relegation Coming to U.S. Soccer 

While MLS isn’t going to bring in promotion and relegation, the system will make its way stateside as the United Soccer League is set to introduce it as soon as 2028, with plans to create a three-tier pyramid and maintain a summer-based season.

The USL is seeking U.S. Soccer Division I status for its new USL Premier, which would give it level standing to MLS, and its league system operates without a single-entity structure. The new promotion/relegation system will see teams move between the new top-tier USL Premier, second-tier USL Championship and third-tier USL League One, with each team having to prepare for the rigors financially and carry the costs of playing at each level. 

Operating in smaller markets and not often sharing proximity with MLS clubs, the USL has carved out a passionate fanbase across the three levels in the U.S., with even its semiprofessional USL League 2—a short-season summer competition—garnering significant support in many communities. 

MLS will no doubt be watching how the promotion and relegation system evolves in the USL. But, as Garber and Berg said, there’s no reason to say it will “never” come to MLS—but any hopes of bringing it into the league in the near future are unrealistic.

This article was originally published on www.si.com as New MLS Commissioner Makes Blunt Ruling on Integrating Promotion/Relegation .

Dubbed MLS 3.0 and headlined by a calendar shift to align with Europe’s top competitions, the league is entering a pivotal point as it shifts from longtime commissioner Don Garber, 68, to a new commissioner in LAFC co-owner Larry Berg, 60. 

With soccer’s popularity boost in the wake of the 2026 World Cup, MLS is looking to reach a new level of popularity and many key decisions will fall on Berg in the first few years after he takes charge in Jan. 2027. 

Set to divest his stake as a co-owner of LAFC and to leave his role in private equity with 26North, Berg will have his entire focus on growing MLS as the league enters some of its most pivotal years. 

Here, Sports Illustrated takes a look at four ways MLS could change—and the vital decisions that lie ahead—for Berg in his new role. 

New Divisions

It was a brief comment from Berg in his first words as the commissioner-elect. Still, the mention of “divisions” in the league's future could change the entire way MLS is as a competitive product, potentially as soon as the 2027–28 season, when the league flips its schedule.

As previously reported by The Athletic, a divisional realignment was approved by the MLS owners in 2025, which could see the league move to a setup of five, six-team divisions, competing in a single table, with potential benefits to teams topping their divisions. 

While few details have emerged on how the divisions or competition format could look in practice, it is expected to emphasize most of the league’s longstanding regional rivalries, albeit with the potential to make more matchups even rarer than the current Eastern and Western Conference, which already see teams go potentially three or more seasons without facing cross-conference opponents. 

“The league has done a ton of work with outside parties, with inside parties looking at those very questions for the regular season, for the division, for the playoffs, and there’s a lot of analysis that’s gone in,” Berg told CBS Sports. 

“There’s a lot of research and fan research that’s gone in and there’s a lot of discussion at committee levels that’s gone in so what's important to me is we ultimately achieve consensus and move forward together. But the good news is that I think the things we’re thinking about certainly will move our league forward, make it entertaining, make it interesting and I’m pretty excited to roll it out.”

Eased Roster Rules

In his role as co-owner of LAFC, Berg was part of one of the most ambitious clubs in MLS, one that signed Son Heung-min last season, retained the talents of Denis Bouanga and also welcomed Gareth Bale, Hugo Lloris and other superstars through its time. While the league isn’t likely to open up practically re-spending like other top competitions, the roster rules could evolve to allow teams to invest further into their squads. 

“At the end of the day, it’s quality on the field, which means the roster investment model in part, and that’s something that the owners need to decide collectively,” Berg told Sports Business Journal.

“I would say that’s my number one job ... I think if I do that well, we will have more transfer revenue and more media money, and that’ll all lead to a better product on the field. It’ll become a flywheel that leads to more transfers, more revenue and more media money.”

As for how an expanded roster-building process could look, it could come with a higher salary cap, more designated player slots or a further emphasis on young players, as has already been seen with the U-22 initiative slots. At the same time, the acquisition process and heavily-critiqued Discovery Rights could evolve as well. 

For any of those changes to be implemented, MLS would likely need to reach an agreement with the MLS Players’ Association in the next Collective Bargaining Agreement, which will be a vital negotiation to set up the league’s next phase, with the current CBA set to expire on Jan. 31, 2028.   

A New Media Deal

The media deal is the most defining piece of the next era of MLS and the only way the league will genuinely be able to compete with global competitions. Currently, the average American sports fan can more easily watch the Premier League on linear TV than follow the MLS club that may be just miles away from their home. That issue must evolve, in some way. 

The current deal, which sees MLS and Leagues Cup broadcast as part of Apple TV’s general subscription, is set to expire in the summer of 2029, which will be midseason in the new calendar’s 2028–29 season. It will be vital for MLS to find a balance between the evolving streaming distribution channels—it is the only top five U.S. sports league with all games available on one primary service—and find a spot within the common availability of sports channels. 

The Apple agreement appeared as a gamble when it was initially signed, with a plan to net MLS $250 million per year and the tech company placing a bet on the league to grow in popularity. Through the deal, MLS has been able to negotiate Lionel Messi’s contract with Inter Miami creatively and, in the first three years, had significant ancillary content, including pregame shows, post-game wrap-ups and a wraparound show—nearly all of which have dissipated in breadth in season four, 2026. 

With the new calendar, MLS’s marquee MLS Cup playoff games will be in the spring, competing with the NBA and NHL playoffs, but avoiding the NFL and MLB postseasons, while also putting the games in likely better weather conditions.

Sports leagues around the world have quickly discovered how pivotal media rights deals can be, not only for distribution, but for bringing in significant revenue. MLS will need to get it right, and that could mean the way fans consume the action could change. 

Grow in Major Cities and Solve Vancouver Whitecaps

In the biggest cities in the United States and Canada, MLS remains an afterthought. Berg was able to make MLS stand out in Downtown Los Angeles with LAFC’s growth, but the team still ranks well behind the city’s two NBA teams, two NFL teams, NHL team and MLB teams in terms of relevance in the market. 

While soccer will face an uphill battle even as it continues to grow, finding further local relevance in the major hubs of Houston, New England, Dallas, Denver, Montréal, Toronto and New York City will be a key step. 

In some markets, MLS ranks as the first or second most popular team in town, and it’s also vital that MLS maintains those while moving some teams into those categories as well. Vancouver Whitecaps stand as a prominent example, with the team trailing only the NHL franchise in popularity and ranking in the top five of average MLS attendance.

Their stadium situation with BC Place, which does not generate significant revenue, must be solved—and it’s vital that MLS does not surrender one of the teams that holds ample importance in its marketplace, especially a Pacific hub like Vancouver, which can serve as a gateway to further popularity in the Asian markets. 

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Four Key Ways MLS Could Change Under New Commissioner Larry Berg.

An emotional conclusion to his legendary nine-year spell at Liverpool was immediately followed by a successful World Cup campaign with Egypt, and it’s Turkish outfit Trabzonspor who have finally won the race for the 34-year-old’s coveted signature.

Many had projected a move to either the Saudi Pro League or Major League Soccer, but Salah has defied expectations. Not only has he opted for Türkiye instead of moves further afield, he’s signed for the nation’s fourth-most prestigious side, skipping the famous Istanbul trio of Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş—the latter having even made an approach for him.

So, why has Salah chosen Trabzonspor as his next club?

Why Did Salah Choose to Join Trabzonspor?

And here he is with his first message to the Great Trabzonspor Fans:

“Everywhere is Trabzon for us!” ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/KVxNmSbjsz

— Trabzonspor English (@TrabzonsporEN) August 5, 2026

Trabzonspor have pulled off quite the coup with the addition of their new recruit. One of soccer’s greats over the past decade and a global superstar, the financial benefits of signing Salah are enormous.

Whether it be through shirt sales or commercial partnerships, the Süper Lig side, who finished third in Türkiye’s top tier last season, will expect a significant revenue increase after signing the winger.

But Salah’s salary for his two-year contract will be massive. He was previously on around $539,000 per week with Liverpool and it’s been reported that he will pocket $19.6 million annually at Trabzonspor—the equivalent of approximately $377,000 every seven days. There will also be a sizeable signing-on bonus, with no transfer fee required to secure his services.

Salah’s financial motivation for joining Trabzonspor is obvious, but the move also allows him to continue to compete in UEFA competition.

The seven-time Süper Lig champions, who most recently won the title in 2021–22, have qualified for next season’s Europa League, although they still have to bypass a two-legged playoff to reach the league phase. If they lose that tie, Salah will be playing in the Conference League next season.

There are some huge names playing in the Süper Lig at present, including the likes of Victor Osimhen, Leroy Sané and İlkay Gündoğan, but Salah is the biggest signing in the competition’s recent history.

MLS Clubs Miss Major Opportunity

There was a genuine possibility of Salah following in the footsteps of Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez and Robert Lewandowski in journeying to the United States. Sporting Kansas City had emerged as the most likely MLS destination, with a “lucrative” two-year deal reportedly tabled.

However, the ambitious veteran was evidently buoyed by the prospect of competing for European silverware next season, which would have obviously not been possible in MLS.

Some high-profile names have arrived in the U.S. this summer from European soccer. Antoine Griezmann has joined Orlando City, Casemiro has teamed up with Inter Miami and Lewandowski has signed with Chicago Fire. The league is not short of superstar talent.

However, MLS is always searching for ways to boost its international appeal, and the simplest route to increased exposure is recruiting household names. Missing out on Salah will be hugely frustrating.

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Why Mohamed Salah Chose Trabzonspor Transfer Over MLS Move.

Although all eyes are trained on league play, there is still cause for celebration for the Stars and Stripes. U.S. Soccer just confirmed the re-signing of manager Mauricio Pochettino through the 2030 World Cup, an announcement that came shortly before the USMNT released its four-match schedule for the fall—a rivalry-intense lineup.

Some USMNT players even inked new, lucrative deals recently in the summer transfer window, moves that will be sure to boost their on-field quality in the eyes of Pochettino.

As the players get back to business, here’s Sports Illustrated’s first stock up, stock down analysis for the USMNT in the wake of the World Cup.

USMNT Stock Up

Sebastian Berhalter

Midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, who featured in all five of the USMNT’s games this summer, finalized a transfer from the Vancouver Whitecaps to EFL Championship side Middlesbrough last week, seeing the English club pay a fee in the range of $2 million to bring the American star to North Yorkshire this summer after impressive showings on soccer’s grandest stage.

Berhalter reunited with USMNT teammate and longtime friend, Aidan Morris, who signed with Middlesbrough back in 2024. The 25-year-old had an emphatic debut in red in a preseason match against Espanyol on Saturday, creating several dangerous chances and assisting his side’s third goal in the 3–3 draw.

USMNT teammate Max Arfsten, who was also present at the World Cup, joined Berhalter days later, penning a deal to from Columbus Crew worth $7.5 million. There are now three Americans tasked with leading Middlesbrough to Premier League promotion, after the club fell shy last season, losing to Hull City 1–0 in the EFL Championship playoff final in May.

Gio Reyna

Speaking of transfers, USMNT midfielder Gio Reyna is en route to greener pastures, leaving the Bundesliga’s Borussia Mönchengladbach after finalizing a deal with Ligue 1 side Racing Strasbourg on Tuesday.

Pochettino took a chance on the 23-year-old maverick this summer, and it paid off. Reyna had a successful World Cup campaign, highlighted by a brilliant trivela goal he scored in the team’s 4–1 win over Paraguay in the tournament opener. Strasbourg took notice and gave Reyna the fresh club start he desperately needed, after falling to the outskirts in Germany and making just 20 appearances for Mönchengladbach last season.

Reyna will look to get his career back on track and establish himself as a dynamic contributor in the midfield for the French side.

Brenden Aaronson

Chicago got to bear witness to the brilliance of Brenden Aaronson over the weekend when Leeds United went head-to-head with Liverpool in a preseason friendly at Soldier Field.

The 25-year-old American, who came on at halftime while his side was down 2–0, nearly singlehandedly incited Leeds’ miraculous second half comeback. Aaronson kickstarted the goal-scoring frenzy with a 60th-minute finish, receiving the ball just inside the box before blasting a left-footed shot.

His finish proved to be the burst of life Leeds needed, as the West Yorkshire side found the back of the net again just 11 minutes later, and again just two minutes after that. Aaronson provided the assist for the third goal, picking out Sean Longstaff with a dangerous cross into the box.

Leeds added a fourth goal, all unanswered, in the 85th minute to stun their opponent. Although it was ultimately a meaningless clash, the Whites certainly felt giddy to walk away with such a win over their longtime, bitter rival. They had only defeated Liverpool once dating back to April 2001.

USMNT Stock Down

Chris Brady

The 23-year-old Chris Brady had a rather anonymous outing between the sticks in Chicago Fire’s MLS clash with Charlotte FC on Saturday.

The only time the USMNT’s third-stringer did something of note was in the 18th minute when he failed to save the one shot the visitors put on frame all night. He watched as Pep Biel darted onto the end of a through ball played into his box, perhaps questioning whether or not he should have come off his line. It was ultimately too late, as Biel found the roof of the net with a first-time finish to give Charlotte an early lead at Soldier Field.

Brady ended the night with zero saves and poor long ball accuracy (25%), but Chicago was able to walk away with victory, thanks to the heroics of the Fire’s newest signing, Robert Lewandowski. The former Barcelona legend scored a brace to take away any attention from Brady’s shortcomings on the night.

READ THE LATEST USMNT NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC

This article was originally published on www.si.com as USMNT Stock Up, Stock Down: Stars Earn Big Transfers, Brady Comes Up Short.

The Argentine boss’s responsibilities will look much different this go-around, though. Unlike his first two years, Pochettino will do much more than frantically prepare the Stars and Stripes for a World Cup campaign on home soil. Instead, the 54-year-old will have a full, four-year cycle to curate the USMNT’s player pool and get involved in the youth pathway, ensuring that by the time 2030 rolls around, the team has largely prepared itself.

As Pochettino dives into U.S. Soccer’s youth programs, here are the eight most promising teenage prospects he must develop, several of which are dual-nationals that he will need to lock down ahead of the 2030 World Cup.

Cavan Sullivan

Sixteen-year-old Cavan Sullivan currently stars for the Philadelphia Union, but is set to join Manchester City when he turns 18 next fall. At 14 years old, the midfielder made history as the youngest player ever to debut in an MLS game, quickly establishing himself as a teenage prodigy in the league.

He has represented the U.S. at the youth level on several occasions, including at the 2023 Concacaf Boys’ U-15 Championship, which the Americans won, as well as the U-17 World Cup last year.

Adri Mehmeti

Seventeen-year-old Adri Mehmeti is a stalwart in the midfield for Red Bull New York, notching one goal and four assists already this season after starting 17 of 18 total matches for his side. His skill set is often compared to that of former Barcelona legend Sergio Busquets.

Eligible to represent the U.S. and Albania, Mehmeti has played for both at the youth level.

Neil Pierre

The Philadelphia Union are quickly becoming reliant on 6'5" center back Neil Pierre in their resurgence post-World Cup. The 18-year-old, returning from his loan to Danish first division side Lyngby, has impressed MLS with his defensive physicality and aerial prowess, scoring two goals in the past three games on set pieces.

He has represented the Stars and Stripes at the youth levels but is also eligible to play for Haiti.

Julian Hall

Julian Hall has proven unstoppable this season for Red Bull New York. The 18-year-old striker has nine goals and three assists in 18 games and earned his first-ever MLS All-Star call up last month.

The Polish-American is being heavily pursued by Poland’s national team; however, Hall has represented the U.S. at the youth levels, including at the U-17 World Cup last fall.

Peyton Miller

Peyton Miller plays for the New England Revolution and is known for his versatility, with the ability to play anywhere along the wings, left or right side. He became the team’s youngest professional signing back in 2023 at just 15 years old.

The 18-year-old has represented the U.S. at several youth levels, most recently in a U-21 friendly against Ukraine in June, which the Americans won 3–1.

Zavier Gozo

Zavier Gozo swiftly rose through Real Salt Lake’s ranks and has dazzled on the team’s front lines this season, earning a first-ever MLS All-Star selection this summer after 10 goal contributions. The 19-year-old has represented the U.S. at several youth levels, notably as part of the U-20 squad that was the runner-up in the 2024 Concacaf U-20 Championship. He also competed in the 2025 U-20 World Cup.

Noahkai Banks

Noahkai Banks is a talented center back and starter for FC Augsburg in the Bundesliga. The 6'4" towering presence is eligible to represent either the U.S. or Germany—and has been publicly torn about the decision.

The 19-year-old has only played at the youth levels for the U.S., though. He was called up to the USMNT last September for a friendly against Japan, but did not see the field.

Mathis Albert

Mathis Albert, 17, is a winger and attacking midfielder for Borussia Dortmund and was the second-youngest player at the 2025 FIFA World Cup last summer, even though he did not make an on-pitch appearance. In April, just prior to his 17th birthday, he became the youngest American to feature in a Bundesliga match, competing in the final minutes of a win against SC Freiburg and surpassing the previous record-holder, now-USMNT star Giovanni Reyna.

Although also a citizen of France, Albert has represented the U.S. at the youth levels, most recently during the March international window with the U-19 squad.

READ THE LATEST USMNT NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Eight USMNT Youth Prospects Mauricio Pochettino Must Develop for 2030 World Cup.

Berg, 60, will be officially introduced on Tuesday. Garber, 68, will step down at the end of the calendar year after nearly 30 years at the helm, with Berg set to assume the position beginning Jan. 1. Berg received the required two-thirds super majority to succeed Garber, beating out the other finalist, David Nathanson, a former Fox executive.

Berg will be tasked with ushering in the league’s new era, one defined by the glitz of legendary stars and the upcoming transition to the more traditional summer-to-spring calendar. He will also be tasked with ensuring the domestic league reaps the full benefits of a hugely-success World Cup experience across North America this summer. Toward that end, MLS has already instigated its largest-ever post-World Cup marketing campaign called “Thanks World, We’ll Take It From Here.”

“I'm honored to lead Major League Soccer into its next era,” Berg said in a league statement. “Thanks to the vision and commitment of so many people, Major League Soccer has achieved tremendous success, but I believe our greatest opportunities are still ahead.

“We have an extraordinary opportunity to strengthen the quality of our competition, develop more world-class players, deepen our connection with supporters, and continue elevating Major League Soccer's place in the global game. Together with our owners, clubs, players, partners, supporters, and league staff, I could not be more excited for what comes next.”

Who Is Larry Berg?

Berg first joined expansion team LAFC in 2014 as a limited partner, before taking over as co-managing owner in 2016, two years before the club actually debuted. He has been with the Los Angeles side throughout its incredibly-successful run thus far, bringing home an MLS Cup in 2022, the U.S. Open Cup in 2024 and two Supporters’ Shields (2019, 2022). Berg will have to divest his ownership interest in LAFC, though, per MLS’s policies, to ensure he can lead the league impartially.

Berg is also currently the co-chair of MLS’s Sporting and Competition Committee, a group tasked with strategizing the growth of the league, its competitive strategies and the on-field product of play.

“Having worked closely with Larry over the past decade, I've seen firsthand the qualities that make him an exceptional leader, and I have complete confidence he is the right person to serve as Major League Soccer's next Commissioner,” Garber said in the statement. “His integrity, judgment, collaborative leadership, and unwavering commitment to building LAFC and the league have made him an invaluable partner. I look forward to working alongside Larry during this transition and supporting him as he leads MLS into its next chapter.”

Aside from his ownership stake in LAFC, Berg has also held ownership interest in Serie A’s AS Roma and Welsh club Swansea City AFC of the EFL Championship. He spent more than three decades as a private equity executive, formerly serving as a senior partner at Apollo Global Management and is now a senior partner at 26North.

READ THE LATEST MLS NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Major League Soccer Lays Out Timetable for New Commissioner Larry Berg.

From Robert Lewandowski scoring a brace in his home debut with the Chicago Fire to Luis Suárez continuing his stellar form with Inter Miami and Son Heung-min trading goals with Thomas Müller in LAFC’s visit to the Vancouver Whitecaps, it was the perfect weekend for the nostalgic soccer fan in the States. Even Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul made their return to action in South Florida.

With the 2026 Leagues Cup now looming for 18 MLS clubs, here’s how all 30 stack up in the latest edition of Sports Illustrated’s MLS Power Rankings.

MLS Power Rankings Matchday 19: Clubs 30–11

30. Atlanta United (Previous: 30)
29. Sporting Kansas City (Previous: 29)
28. Austin FC (Previous: 26)
27. CF Montréal (Previous: 27)
26. Colorado Rapids (Previous: 28)
25. Toronto FC (Previous: 24)
24. St. Louis CITY SC (Previous: 23)
23. Philadelphia Union (Previous: 25)
22. Orlando City (Previous: 21)
21. D.C. United (Previous: 22)
20. San Diego FC (Previous: 20)
19. L.A. Galaxy (Previous: 19)
18. Columbus Crew (Previous: 17)
17. Red Bull New York (Previous: 18)
16. Seattle Sounders (Previous: 12)
15. Minnesota United (Previous: 15)
14. FC Dallas (Previous: 14)
13. Charlotte FC (Previous: 11)
12. Portland Timbers (Previous: 16)
11. Houston Dynamo (Previous: 14)

10. Real Salt Lake (Previous: 10) 🤝

That's now 7 goals on the season for Sergi Solans 🙌@realsaltlake leads in St. Louis, 1-0!

📺 Apple TV: https://t.co/1GYD8XrSmK pic.twitter.com/Ng6q6v44FP

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 2, 2026

Take a bow, Saba Lobjanidze. It wasn’t a win for Real Salt Lake, but the 1–1 draw with St. Louis CITY SC brought some impressive moments, notably a backheel flick from Lobjanidze on Sergi Solans’s goal, which proved enough for RSL to secure a point on the road. 

Outside of that standout highlight, it was a bit of a confusing night for the Claret and Cobalt, as they switched to a 3-4-1-2, changing up their front-three setup, which failed to make a significant cohesive impact. The night ended with RSL’s less present midfield amassing just 33% possession, and the team trailing St. Louis 20 to nine on shots.

9. New England Revolution (Previous: 8) 📉

CF Montréal have proven to be a very challenging team to play against and the New England Revolution found out the hard way in Québec, playing to a 2–2 draw in front of a passionate and controversial crowd at Stade Saputo. 

This was a match the Revolution should have won, though. They put up a whopping 4.31 xG on 21 shots, and had an astounding 35 touches in Montréal’s penalty area. Two goals is often enough against Montréal, but Brayan Vera decided it was the night to score a blistering shot from 35 yards, effectively ruling out the Revolution’s dominant first 60 minutes. 

There should be some concern about playing out of the back for the Revs, after Matt Turner almost allowed an unfortunate own goal, but other than that, there isn’t much to worry about. They should be able to grab three points next time out when they face the Houston Dynamo at home.

8. New York City FC (Previous: 9) ⬆️

New York City FC missed an opportunity for three invaluable points, playing to a draw against a Toronto FC side which has not won in 12 games, dating back to April 4. 

Nicolás Fernández Mercau played up to the MLS Golden Boot-leading standards he has risen to this season in a more attack-focused No. 10 role, scoring in the ninth minute off a penalty kick and creating five chances. Yet, an underwhelming and mistake-ridden performance from Thiago Martins at the back allowed Toronto’s Djordje Mihailovic to score, ending hopes of three points at Yankee Stadium. 

There’s hope that Costa Rican star striker Alonso Martínez will return at some point this fall ahead of a likely run into the MLS Cup playoffs, and having a clinical striker will be a major boon for the Pigeons.

7. San Jose Earthquakes (Previous: 5) 📉

Evander is really good. We’ll get into that in the FC Cincinnati section—unfortunately for the San Jose Earthquakes, they fell victim to his stardom this weekend. It led Timo Werner to immense frustration, charging into the tunnel post-match after the Earthquakes fell 4–2 for their second loss in a winless three games since returning from the World Cup. 

Whether it is simply the injury to Niko Tsakiris, adjusting to goalkeeper Angus Gunn or even the MLS All-Star fatigue for Daniel Munie, the Earthquakes put forth a disorganized effort that made them appear a shell of the dominant team fans came to know before the World Cup. Now, Bruce Arena has his work cut out for him, looking to keep the vibes high while finding a standout leader to turn things around at this point in the season.

6. Chicago Fire (Previous: 7) ⬆️

Welcome to MLS, Robert Lewandowski. After an underwhelming two road matches to start his tenure with the Chicago Fire, Lewandowski delivered as advertised for the home supporters at Soldier Field, netting a brace to push the Fire past Charlotte FC 2–1. 

The Polish veteran was more involved than he was in the previous two showings and looked mobile and patient throughout the performance . His first goal came from the edge of the box, and the other marked a pristine effort from in close. 

While it’s going to take Lewandowski a while to adjust fully to the Fire’s new tactical approach, the goals marked a much-needed lift in the first home match since the break. Now, they’ll hope to translate that into a successful Leagues Cup run, up against Necaxa, Santos Laguna and Cruz Azul in Phase One.

5. FC Cincinnati (Previous: 6) ⬆️

Average Evander worldie. WOW 😱 pic.twitter.com/IC5gQNdRuN

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 2, 2026

Evander stunned. Special players step up with miraculous moments when their teams need them, and that’s exactly what the Brazilian superstar midfielder did for FC Cincinnati in a wicked comeback, going from trailing San Jose 2–1 in the 78th minute to winning 4–2.

Their star DP scored the winning goal in the 82nd minute, putting a blistering shot on target from distance and catching Gunn off guard. 

“I don’t know how he does it,” his teammate Tom Barlow said of Evander post-match. “It’s like a video game for him.”

4. LAFC (Previous: 3) 📉

LAFC aren’t the possession-dominant, fun and fast team they once were, and that’s okay against most teams. This weekend, though, they had troubles against the Vancouver Whitecaps and were hemmed into their own half for much of the opening 45 minutes, before Son Heung-min scored his fourth goal in as many games on a counter-attack. 

With Jacob Shaffelburg out wide and Son and Denis Bouanga providing overlapping efforts between the wings and central channels, the counter-attacking prowess is a viable route forward for Marc Dos Santos’s men, but it isn’t the style many contending teams play with. Had Vancouver been more clinical, it would have cost them on Saturday. Instead, LAFC managed to walk away with a 1–1 draw.

For a team that has become known for approaching games with a certain swagger, playing like a pesky underdog is worrying. 

3. Vancouver Whitecaps (Previous: 4) ⬆️

The Vancouver Whitecaps need to quickly replace Sebastian Berhalter. While Jesper Sørensen’s side maintained their spot atop the Western Conference with the draw, they should have gotten all three points, after peppering LAFC early on and maintaining intense possession in the offensive half. 

For much of the game, it looked like the Whitecaps needed an energetic spark in deeper midfield, either to provide a key cross or long-shot—as Berhalter became known for over the past two seasons. At the same time, there should be concerns about Brian White’s finishing, as the club’s all-time leading scorer is now without a goal in four games across all competitions and failed to finish on his three shots Saturday.

2. Nashville SC (Previous: 2) 🤝

Giving up a two-goal lead at halftime is never a good thing. Surrendering it, and then providing little to no fight back is even worse. That’s exactly what Nashville SC did this weekend, as Silvan Hefti and Tai Baribo clawed back goals for D.C. United to force a 2–2 draw, with Nashville falling victim to a shifty scorpion kick-style assist from D.C.’s Luis Munteanu on the second goal. 

While Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge were strong in the first half, the midfield began to fall apart in Nashville’s efforts after the break, allowing D.C. to amass 1.26 xG in the 45 minutes, compared to a mere 0.26 in the opening frame. 

Part of that lack of control comes down to the lack of tactical adjustments from manager B.J. Callaghan, but it could be solved by the looming returns of one of Cristian Espinoza, Alex Muyl or Patrick Yazbek, all of whom remain injured for at least several more weeks.

1. Inter Miami (Previous: 1) 🤝

Inter Miami are in stellar form and should count themselves unlucky to have not secured a seventh-straight win this weekend, instead settling for a 2–2 draw against the Columbus Crew. 

After a lengthy rain delay, the match gave a first glimpse into how Miami could play with Casemiro and Rodrigo De Paul in the squad, which seemed to allow the latter to push farther ahead in a right-side attacking role, while the Brazilian dropped deeper and controlled the tempo from midfield. 

Miami’s approach is talent-based rather than the tactically-sound Crew, who are taking steps forward under interim manager Laurent Courtois. With Miami soon to have Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, Casemiro and Luis Suárez, among others, all at 100% involvement, though, it will be hard to lose—even with the red-hot Suárez suspended for the Leagues Cup campaign. 

If there are any worries for the thriving Herons at this point, then they remain at the back. Is Rocco Ríos Novo truly a better option than Dayne St. Clair in the long run? Do they have the depth at the back, and how consistent can 18-year-old  Fricio Caicedo be after his debut? All questions that could become louder if the superstars falter at any point.

READ THE LATEST MLS NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC

This article was originally published on www.si.com as MLS Power Rankings: Lewandowski, Muller Dazzle As Teams Shift After Matchday 19 .

Premier League

Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo has been put forward as the potential figure of interest behind Roberto De Zerbi’s tease about another “bomba” transfer for Tottenham Hotspur this summer. (Source: Paul O’Keefe)

Should Spurs entertain any hope of signing Gakpo, they would have to spend £72 million). (Source: Anfield Watch)

Manchester United have been muscled out a deal for Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye by Al Hilal. The Saudi Pro League giants are willing to meet the winger’s $101 million (£75 million) asking price which has proven to be out of United’s reach. (Source: Football Insider)

After showing a willingness to pay as much as $74 million (£55 million) for Victor Osimhen, Tottenham have been confronted with an asking price of $87.5 million (£65 million) from Galatasaray. (Source: CaughtOffside)

Manchester City are lining up a blockbuster $94.2 million (£70 million) bid for Chelsea forward Pedro Neto in an attempt to reunite Enzo Maresca with one of his former players. (Source: The Sun)

Arsenal expressed an interest to sign João Pedro for more than $115.1 million (£85.6 million, €100 million) but the Brazilian is set to instead sign a new contract with Chelsea. (Source: ge globo)

Arsenal’s $92.1 million (£68.4 million, €80 million) pursuit of Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimarães has been hailed as a “done deal.” (Source: Pedro Almeida)

Despite the recent acquisition of Randal Kolo Muani, Juventus still have one more slot open for a striker; one which could yet be filled by Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee. (Source: Gazzetta dello Sport)

Liverpool are still in negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola over an eye-watering deal that is set for a fresh round of talks this week. (Source: Fabrizio Romano)

Both Chelsea and Tottenham are vying for the signature of Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini this summer. The 22-year-old is valued at $56.5 million £42 million) and could soon be the subject of a bid from Newcastle United. (Source: The Sun)

Amid interest from Roma, Inter, AC Milan, Marseille and Beşiktaş, Tottenham captain Cristian Romero has his heart set on joining Barcelona. (Source: El Nacional)

La Liga

In an unexpected twist, Atlético Madrid have supposedly offered Mohamed Salah a two-year contract with the option of a third season as well. The former Liverpool star had previously been tipped to seal a move to Trabzonspor in Türkiye’s top flight. (Source: Fichajes)

Both Liverpool and PSG have refused to get drawn back into negotiations for Yan Diomande after Real Madrid’s deal with RB Leipzig stalled over discussions regarding certain add-ons. (Source: TEAMtalk)

Any potential transfer for Diomande has also spluttered due to the complex nature of his representation with his current agency thought to be in a dispute with his former representatives. (Source: AS)

Real Madrid have set an upper limit of $80.6 million (£59.9 million, €70 million) on a price for Rodri. Having already shown a willingness to offer $57.6 million (£42.8 million, €50 million), Manchester City could potentially barter for a larger sum. (Source: Tiempo de Juego)

PSG have embarked upon another set of negotiations with Barcelona striker Ferran Torres, who is framed as the master of his own destiny with the decision seemingly in his own hands. (Source: Fabrizio Romano)

Should any team try to prise Aymeric Laporte away from Athletic Club, they will have to pay $92.1 million (€80 million) for the freshly-crowned world champion. Barcelona, who flirted with a move for the center back this summer, have been warned. (Source: Mundo Deportivo)

MLS

Napoli midfielder and former Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne has been cited as a transfer target of interest for Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami. Quite how the MLS Cup champions would be able to finance such a deal is unclear, and both San Diego FC and the Chicago Fire are thought to be further along in their pursuit of the Belgium international. (Source: Mundo Deportivo)

After a public falling out over his recovery from injury ahead of the World Cup, Napoli and Romelu Lukaku appear primed to part ways. The Belgium international has been valued at between $11.5–13.8 million (€10–12 million) and is thought to be of interest to MLS side Atlanta United. (Source: Gazzetta dello Sport)

There could be a hole for Lukaku to fill at Atlanta after an agreement was reportedly struck to send Designated Player Emmanuel Latte Lath to Bundesliga side Union Berlin for $22 million. (Source: Tom Bogert)

READ THE LATEST TRANSFER RUMORS FROM THE PAST FEW DAYS

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Transfer Rumors: Messi, De Bruyne Join Forces; Salah Eyes Shock Madrid Move.

This year’s edition marks the second with 36 teams, leaving 12 MLS clubs out of the competition, and will award 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup berths to the champions, runners-up, and third-place finishers. 

Each participating team will play three Phase One matches against teams from the other league, before the top four from each league advance to the knockout stages through August and September.

Here, Sports Illustrated ranks five teams that stand a strong chance of lifting this year’s Leagues Cup trophy.

5. Philadelphia Union

The Philadelphia Union have rediscovered their form after returning from the World Cup break, looking exceptionally improved from the team that sat last in MLS heading into the break. In the first three games back, interim manager Ryan Richter has led them to three wins, with 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan and 18-year-old Neil Pierre emerging as their best players. 

While the season has turned around, and the Union nowhave a legitimate shot at qualifying for the 2026 MLS Cup playoffs, the easiest trophy for them to win would be Leagues Cup. If they can get the best from Sullivan and Pierre, while capitalizing on Kai Wagner’s energetic return from Europe, they could very well grab a trophy despite underachieving in league play this season. 

 Phase One Opponents: Cruz Azul, Necaxa, Santos Laguna

4. Cruz Azul

The most consistent team through the 2025–26 Clausura and Apertura, Cruz Azul will look to make history as the first Liga MX team to claim the Leagues Cup in its modern iteration. While the Liga MX titans won the trophy in the inaugural soft-launch of the competition in 2019, they have yet to prevail in the expanded format. 

Led by manager Joel Huiqui, they have gotten off to a fast start in the 2026 Apertura with a pair of wins and a draw in the first three games, after finishing third in both half-seasons in 2025-26. Just two months after winning their tenth Liga MX title by defeating Pumas 2–1 and further securing a Campeón de Campeones title against Toluca, another trophy seems within grasp, especially with José Paradela’s impressive seven goals and five assists in the Clausura. 

Phase One Opponents: Philadelphia Union, New York City FC, Chicago Fire

3. Chicago Fire

Robert Lewandowski is off the mark. After scoring a brace in his home debut on Matchday 19, the Polish superstar is in form and ready to take on the Leagues Cup as the Fire seek a trophy for the first time in 20 years. While he’s no Lionel Messi, there’s precedent for a star midseason-signing leading a team to Leagues Cup glory, as Messi did with Inter Miami in 2023; and there’s a real chance Lewandowski could bring the Fire on a long run as well. 

With manager Gregg Berhalter adjusting his tactical setup to suit Lewandowski, the Fire have started to improve, and the former FC Barcelona man is playing with immense confidence. Add in the form of MLS All-Star Philip Zinkernagel and the composed goalkeeping of Chris Brady, and there’s a strong team that might run away with the Leagues Cup. 

Phase One Opponents: Necaxa, Santos Laguna, Cruz Azul

2. Vancouver Whitecaps

The Vancouver Whitecaps aren’t the same threat they were before selling U.S. men’s national team star Sebastian Berhalter to Middlesbrough last month. Still, they have continued to play at a high level and have one of the easier Phase One schedules, despite having to travel to Mexico to take on Tigres UANL. 

On Matchday 19, the Canadian side was unlucky not to claim all three points in a 1–1 draw against LAFC, after outplaying their Western Conference foes through 90 minutes. Designated Players Thomas Müller and Ryan Gauld impressed in unrelenting pressure, as they started alongside each other for the first time. 

Having made the 2025 MLS Cup final and the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup final, the Whitecaps have proven themselves in pressure-filled competitions and against elite teams in MLS and Liga MX. That experience, and the rumored arrival of a Berhalter-style replacement in the coming weeks, should allow them to take a real shot at the trophy. 

Phase One Opponents: Atlanté, FC Juárez, Tigres UANL

1. Inter Miami

No MLS team has defined itself through the Leagues Cup like Inter Miami since Messi arrived in 2023. The Argentine instantly pushed the Herons to win the first expanded edition of the tournament that summer, scoring 10 goals in the competition to claim the tournament title, Golden Boot and MVP. Last year, the Herons came close as well, before a frustrating loss in the final against the Seattle Sounders in front of a sold-out Lumen Field. 

While the desire to win could dwindle after that type of success, especially considering the 2025 MLS Cup victory, the club sees immense value in proving themselves against Mexican opponents in the Leagues Cup. 

The tournament comes at a perfect time for them too. Messi and Rodrigo De Paul are back after losing the 2026 World Cup final with Argentina and are now developing a threatening setup with Casemiro patrolling defensive midfield. Add in Luis Suárez’s seven goals in four MLS games, and the team is looking near its best as it approaches the competition against some of Liga MX’s weaker sides.

Phase One Opponents: Atlético San Luis, CF Monterrey, Club Puebla

READ THE LATEST MLS NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Five Teams That Could Win the 2026 Leagues Cup—Ranked.

Unlike past iterations where every club from both leagues competed, the 2026 tournament sees 12 MLS teams absent, as the clubs also balance the U.S. Open Cup, Canadian Championship and Concacaf Champions Cup play.

Here’s everything you need to know about the competition that begins on Aug. 4 and crowns a champion Sept. 6.

Which Teams Are in the 2026 Leagues Cup?

MLS Clubs

• Austin FC
• Charlotte FC
• Chicago Fire FC
• FC Cincinnati
• Columbus Crew
• FC Dallas
• Inter Miami CF
• LAFC
• Minnesota United FC
• Nashville SC
• New York City FC
• Orlando City
• Philadelphia Union
• Portland Timbers
• Real Salt Lake
• San Diego FC
• Seattle Sounders FC
• Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Liga MX Clubs

• Atlas FC
• Atlante FC
• Atlético San Luis
• Club América
• Chivas de Guadalajara
• Cruz Azul
• FC Juárez
• Club Léon
• CF Monterrey
• Club Necaxa
• CF Pachuca
• Club Puebla
• Pumas UNAM
• Club Querétaro
• Tigres UANL
• Club Tijuana
• Toluca FC
• Santos Laguna

• Click here for the full Leagues Cup 2026 schedule

When Is the 2026 Leagues Cup?

• Phase One: Aug. 4 - Aug. 7
• Quarterfinals: Aug. 25 - Aug. 27
• Semifinals: Sept. 1 - Sept. 2
• Final and Third Place Match: Sept. 6

How Does the 2026 Leagues Cup Work?

The 2026 edition of the Leagues Cup will be a split-table competition, featuring an MLS table and a Liga MX table, which leads into a knockout bracket from the quarterfinals through to the championship match and third-place match. 

Phase One will feature cross-league competition, with an MLS club facing a Liga MX team in each of three total games per team, earning points toward their respective league tables. Each game will award a traditional three points for a win; however, matches knotted at full time will advance to a penalty shootout, with the winner claiming two points and the loser earning one.

Following the competition of the Phase One matches, the top four clubs in each table advance to the knockout round. With this format, no two teams from the same league can meet until the semifinal.

The Leagues Cup grants three qualification spots for the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup, one for the champion, runner-up and third-place finisher. The champion secures advancement straight to the round of 16 of that competition.

What’s New in the 2026 Leagues Cup?

The 2026 Leagues Cup looks very similar to the one the Seattle Sounders won in 2025, with one major difference: matches in Mexico. Liga MX clubs will host four games this season, marking the first time since the tournament’s inaugural edition in 2019 that games will make their way south of the U.S.-Mexico border. 

Liga MX Matches in Mexico

What Happened in 2025?

The 2025 Leagues Cup was one for the history books as the Seattle Sounders claimed their first title with a heated 3–0 win over Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami in front of a record crowd of 69,314 at Lumen Field.

Miami entered the match amid struggling summer form, after falling to Vancouver in the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals. For a club with massive intentions, it felt like a must-win, especially as Messi had not won a trophy in 2025 for either club or country. Those efforts fell exceptionally short, as Seattle’s Osaze De Rosario and Alex Roldan pushed the Rave Green to victory.

Following the final whistle, both teams got into physical altercations, with Miami striker Luis Suárez appearing to spit at a Seattle staff member. His actions led to a three-game MLS suspension and a six-game Leagues Cup ban, which will see him miss the entire 2026 tournament.

Who Has Won the Leagues Cup in the Past?

The first three editions of Leagues Cup (2019-2021) were showcase events, with the current tournament format adopted from 2023 onwards.

READ THE LATEST MLS NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC

This article was originally published on www.si.com as 2026 Leagues Cup Explainer: What You Need to Know.

Sixteen-year-old Cavan Sullivan has been widely touted as a potential future USMNT star, taking the scene two years ago when he became the youngest player to play in an MLS match at just 14 years old. Yet, one of his Philadelphia Union teammates is beginning to turn heads as well: Neil Pierre. 

The Union had a dismal start to the 2026 MLS season, sitting last in league standings by the time the World Cup break hit and forcing the departure of 2025 MLS Coach of the Year Bradley Carnell; however, they’ve now found their form with some young talents, specifically relying on Pierre, who has been a revelation in recent weeks under interim manager Ryan Richter.

In just his second MLS appearance on July 22, the 18-year-old 6'5" center back made his physically imposing presence known with a goal against Red Bull New York, helping his side to a 3–1 victory.

Neil Pierre with the finish and @PhilaUnion equalize in the dying moments 😱 pic.twitter.com/zDY0P0eTH3

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 2, 2026

On Saturday night, he scored his second career goal, heading home a cross from Kai Wagner in stoppage time to help the Union claw back from a 2–0 deficit against Atlanta United to win 3–2. Pierre’s late heroics leveled the score and provided the momentum for 20-year-old Ghanaian striker Ezekiel Alladoh to score the go-ahead winner a minute later. On the other side of the ball, Pierre ended the night with seven defensive contributions and four headed clearances.

Featuring in all three of the Union’s games since the return from the international break, Pierre’s aerial prowess and defensive physicality has been integral to the team securing nine points and beginning its ascent up the standings, now 13th of 16 Eastern Conference teams and seven points away from the cutoff for the MLS Cup playoffs. 

Who is Neil Pierre?

A towering defender—with potentially still room to grow, Pierre is an intriguing prospect for the USMNT, especially as he finds his footing in MLS.

Having represented the U.S. at the youth levels, he is also eligible to represent Haiti at the senior level. Last season, he inked a homegrown contract with the Union after making 33 appearances with the team’s MLS Next Pro affiliate, Philadelphia Union II, where he scored two goals and helped the team make a run to the league final. 

While the defender wasn’t an attacking force in MLS Next Pro, his goalscoring ability blossomed on loan through the first six months of 2026, when he scored four goals in 10 games with Danish first division side Lyngby, before rejoining the Union this summer. 

A native of Lebanon, Pa., Pierre has already been linked to prominent European clubs, like FC Barcelona, and given he is 18 years old, he is eligible to join them anytime, unlike Sullivan, who must wait two more years before moving to Manchester City. 

There’s already a blossoming precedent for young center backs in MLS as well, with the Premier League’s Hull City reportedly set to offer the Colorado Rapids upwards of $18 million to acquire 18-year-old Australian defender Lucas Herrington, which could break the MLS outgoing transfer record. Pierre might not be too far behind, as he continues to rack up minutes. 

“He’s another weapon that the team has,” Richter told reporters Saturday. “He’s super dangerous on set pieces... It’s not only just his size and his athleticism, but it’s his timing, his technique and his bravery and the positions that he puts himself in, and the way that he’s willing to attack the ball.”

“Everyone can see the way that he’s matured and the way that he reads the game, the way that he chooses moments when he needs to go aggressive and step into midfield or release off the back line, and moments where he has to come in more of a cover position, and it’s not time to be aggressive,” he added. “So he has a lot of great tools, and it’s about keeping him pushing and keeping his focus every day and every game, and hopefully he can continue to get better.”

Should the USMNT Call Up Pierre?

The USMNT will have holes to fill in the center back position, with the team likely moving on from 38-year-old veteran captain Tim Ream. As such, there could be a chance to look at long-term replacements, like Pierre or 19-year-old German-American dual national Noahkai Banks, who plays in the Bundesliga with FC Augsburg. 

Given both are dual nationals, getting them cap-tied could be seen as a priority for U.S. Soccer, and the team would have the chance to start that process in November when it competes in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals.

Banks is undoubtedly ready for the USMNT spotlight. Pierre is more of a future project, yet he offers physical elements rivaled by no other. Both are worthwhile calls.

Whether or not Mauricio Pochettino manages the team into the 2030 World Cup cycle, there’s plenty of hope for the future. If Pierre isn’t soon called up to the senior team, he will likely be present on the under-23 squad bound for the LA 2028 Olympics.

READ THE LATEST MLS NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Meet the Philadelphia Union’s 6'5" Teenager Entering the USMNT Conversation.

After missing out on his home debut last month and having played twice on the road in losses to Inter Miami and New York City FC, Lewandowski finally got a chance to play in front of the Soldier Field faithful on Saturday and didn’t disappoint in a 2–1 win over Charlotte FC. 

The 37-year-old striker scored his first MLS goal in the 20th minute after the Fire had already conceded just two minutes before. Jonathan Bamba played the ball over the top to MLS All-Star Philip Zinckernagel before the ball landed perfectly at Lewandowski’s right foot for a smashing finish past Kristijan Kahlina from distance. 

Putting on a show for the Fire fans 🔥 pic.twitter.com/iWnJFI4rta

— Chicago Fire FC (@ChicagoFire) August 2, 2026

With ample excitement around his first goal already in his third appearance, the Polish star made sure to send fans home in even better spirits, offering a tidy finish from close range in the 68th minute, after a strong linkup between Andrew Gutman and Robin Lod. 

Backed by a strong showing from Chris Brady, the U.S. men’s national team’s third-choice goalkeeper at this summer’s World Cup, the Fire went on to secure their first win since May and first after selling MLS leading goalscorer Hugo Cuypers to Liga MX’s CF Monterrey, in a move that made Lewandowski the defining point of the attack. 

“Every time I go to a new club, I’m waiting for the first goal,” Lewandowski told Apple TV after the match. “It’s important for me to show that I’m here, to score the goal and for us to win the game. I think it makes the next step a little bit easier—for the team and also for me.

“I’m really happy to be here. I enjoy every day: the lifestyle, the club and the organization. Everything is really at a top level. I cannot say one bad word about the club, and I’m very impressed that everything is working very well, both on and off the pitch.”

Lewandowski brace in his home debut! 😤

Chicago leads 2-1. pic.twitter.com/CBEV7skTYT

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 2, 2026

With the performance, Lewandowski became just the fourth player to score a brace on his Fire home debut, joining Frank Klopas in 1998, as well as Andy Herron and Tomasz Frankowski, who did so in 2008. 

“It feels really good,” Zinckernagel told reporters. “We still have to understand and learn how Lewandowski moves, his behavior on the pitch, and what he likes and all that stuff. But it was just a matter of time before he kept going. The understanding is getting better and better.”

Navigating the Lewandowski Shift

After selling a 29-year-old Cuypers in favor of Lewandowski, questions arose about whether Chicago had made the right decision to contend this season and through the next several years, with Lewandowski entering the twilight of his career.

And it took a few games of adaptation for manager Gregg Berhalter to shift his system to benefit Lewandowski, who plays in a very different way from Cuypers’s unrelenting and dynamic goalscoring abilities. 

“You can tell we’re a team that’s still trying to figure everything out,” Berhalter said. “That’s what I saw on the field. But what we have figured out is the mentality and the effort. And that’s really important. 

“There’s still some positioning stuff we need to work on. There are some balls into the box that we need to keep playing. There are some runs behind the backline that we need to keep working on. The defensive shape could be more closed, preventing central access, but that’s going to come.”

Leagues Cup Provides a Chance at Silverware

The last time a famed former Barcelona player joined MLS in the summer, he went on to win the 2023 Leagues Cup. Of course, Lewandowski isn’t at the same level as Lionel Messi, but he will attempt to lead Chicago to the trophy, as Messi did in the first weeks after joining Inter Miami as a free agent from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023. 

With a select 18 MLS clubs and all 18 Liga MX sides, the Fire will look to win the club’s first silverware since the 2006 U.S. Open Cup and will take on Necaxa, Santos Laguna and titans Cruz Azul in the first round, aiming to be among the top four MLS teams in the cross-league play to qualify for the knockout stages. 

“It’s a really good feeling going into the kind of break of what Leagues Cup is going to be,” said defender Joel Waterman. “Hopefully we can continue that momentum into the cup, because we want to win that, and also the rest of the season.”

READ THE LATEST MLS NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Robert Lewandowski’s Dream Home Debut Brings Hope of Repeating Lionel Messi Feat.

After a lengthy weather delay, De Paul took to the pitch as part of the starting lineup, while Messi came off the bench. Both had some stellar moments, but were ultimately unable to secure three points, as Columbus forced the Herons to a 2–2 draw, ending Miami’s club-record six-game win streak. 

Luis Suárez got things started in the 16th minute with a goal from nearly halfway, perfectly looping a ball over an out-of-position Patrick Schulte between the sticks for Columbus for his seventh goal in four games. 

Luis Suarez from long range! 😱

Seven goals in four games from the @InterMiamiCF striker. pic.twitter.com/NFkU26vjDJ

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 2, 2026

Soon after, Columbus forward Dániel Gazdag sent in a cross, which deflected off Casemiro and into Miami’s goal for the Herons’ second own goal in three games, leveling the score in the 34th minute. 

Before halftime, MLS All-Star Yannick Bright linked up for a second time with Suárez, only for the Uruguayan 39-year-old to opt for a cross on the opportunity, finding defender Noah Allen at the back post to make the score 2–1 heading into the break. 

While the Herons continued to pressure and Messi stood out with four shots and 25 touches after entering the match in the 53rd minute, Columbus clawed back into the game with an 84th-minute goal from Brais Méndez, eventually securing the draw. 

For Miami, it means sitting second behind Nashville SC for the top of the Eastern Conference and Supporters’ Shield. 

Here are Sports Illustrated’s four takeaways from the draw and Messi’s return. 

Suárez is on Fire

Less than six months out from his 40th birthday, Luis Suárez is in contention for the MLS Golden Boot, now with 10 goals on the season, trailing an honor currently held by New York City FC’s Nicolás Fernández Mercau and FC Dallas’s Petar Musa with 13 goals. 

Suárez’s goalscoring ability has never been questioned, even in his colder spells with Inter Miami. Still, the veteran attacker has been able to find a new dynamic element to his game, and on Saturday, linked up perfectly with Bright and De Paul, who was in a more advanced role.

His goal came from stellar vision to spot Schulte off his line and ageless technique, but it was far from his only opportunity. He linked up with Bright in the lead-up to Allen’s goal, and ended the night credited with three chances created and two shots on target in another impressive performance. 

The big question for Suárez now will be durability. There isn’t much striking depth, especially with Germán Berterame recovering from a hospital stay in Montreal last weekend, and with the match congestion with seven games remaining in August, there will be real questions about how Guillermo Hoyos plans to use the striker. 

Casemiro Unlocks Rodrigo De Paul

Playing in his first game in front of the home fans, Casemiro had a quiet night in deeper midfield for the Herons. Yet his most significant impact was that his positioning allowed Rodrigo De Paul to get creep up the pitch and dovetail with the forwards more effectively. 

Shifting to the right side of midfield, De Paul created several opportunities for starting winger Dániel Pintér before further emphasizing his impact when Messi entered the game midway through the second half. 

By allowing De Paul more freedom to get forward, Miami became even more threatening in transition. At the same time, Casemiro has appeared comfortable defending against transitions in MLS and can orchestrate the midfield from a deeper role, similar to what Sergio Busquets did on Miami’s 2025 MLS Cup-winning roster. 

How Messi Fared in Return

After a demanding World Cup in terms of a long run, travel and scoring eight goals in emotionally taxing games, Messi took time off to head back to Argentina to rest and recover. Coming in off the bench, it looked like those recuperation days did him plenty of good, as he played energetically and with immense creativity, despite not hitting the back of the net. 

Linking up with Suárez and De Paul, Messi took four shots to lead the game and had five touches in the opposition’s penalty area, also a game-high amongst all players.

Messi is back after leading Argentina to its second-straight World Cup Final appearance. 👏 pic.twitter.com/F91Bo3BC4v

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 2, 2026

There was a noted shift in Miami’s tactical setup when Messi stepped onto the pitch. It saw De Paul lay off into a more defensive role alongside Casemiro, as the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner rarely puts in any defensive effort. Still, it proved enough for him to get into scoring positions that on most occasions, he finishes. 

Hoyos will have to navigate the best way to have Messi, Suárez, De Paul and Casemiro all on the pitch at the same time, while also fitting in Bright somehow, but that is undoubtedly a challenge any tactician would be pleased to tackle. 

Are Own Goals and Fans a Problem?

Inter Miami have two own goals in the last three games. Thanks to the immense talent across the roster, and Suárez’s impeccable form, they haven’t been heavily impacted, but it is a worrying trend for a team that has never been known as a stout defensive outfit. 

While Casemiro’s unlucky clearance wasn’t as glaring as Rocco Ríos Novo’s blunder against Chicago Fire FC, it was far from the type of moment fans would expect from a marquee talent. 

A goal is a goal 🤩 pic.twitter.com/0DZyLQwtIp

— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) August 2, 2026

Fortunately for Casemiro, there wasn’t a packed crowd in the stadium to experience that heartbreak—as the stands appeared sparse, well below the listed capacity of 26,700. Is there fatigue of the stars? Has the level of domination not been there? There are plenty of questions for Miami to answer when it comes to attracting in-person interest, especially after the players and diehard supporters became enthralled in an unfortunate spat earlier in the season. 

As a result, Miami now sit second in MLS behind Nashville SC, but turn their attention to the Leagues Cup, a tournament they won in 2023 in the first weeks after signing Messi as a free agent.  

READ THE LATEST MLS NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Four Takeaways From Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami Return in Dramatic Columbus Crew Clash.

Several have received interest—or confirmed moves—in the summer transfer window, which opened in June and runs until September.

Here is every club transfer completed, in progress or rumored for USMNT players this summer.

Completed Deals

Just one week after the USMNT’s round of 16 exit, MLS’s New England Revolution extended the loan of veteran goalkeeper Matt Turner from Ligue 1’s Lyon through the end of the year, with an option to extend through 2027. Turner, who served as the backup to Matt Freese this summer, made one start on the global stage in the match against Türkiye; however, he has 55 total caps with the national team.

USMNT midfielder Sebastian Berhalter finalized a transfer from MLS’s Vancouver Whitecaps to EFL Championship side Middlesbrough last week. The North Yorkshire side paid a fee of $2 million for the World Cup depth player, instead of waiting for his contract expiration at the end of the 2026 MLS season.

The deal happened off the back of Berhalter’s impressive World Cup debut, where he served as Christian Pulisic’s primary injury replacement and featured in all five of the USMNT’s matches. He especially shined in the group stage finale against Türkiye, recording a goal and an assist in the 3–2 loss.

MLS’s Columbus Crew winger Max Arfsten soon joined Berhalter at Middlesbrough, finalizing a move that sees the English club pay a reported $7.5 million for the USMNT depth player, who is prized for his versatility on the flanks. Arfsten played just a single minute in the World Cup but is fresh off a second-consecutive appearance in Wednesday’s MLS All-Star Game.

Midfielder Gio Reyna freshly joined Ligue 1’s Strasbourg after playing a severely-limited role for Borussia Mönchengladbach last season. Reyna was a key substitute this summer for USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino, who has consistently praised the 23-year-old. Reyna rewarded Pochettino’s trust with a highlight reel-worthy trivela goal in the group stage opener against Paraguay.

Rumored Transfers

USMNT star striker Folarin Balogun, who made a name for himself with three goals in four matches in his World Cup debut, appeared destined to be in this summer’s spotlight; however, not all of the attention was positive. He became wrapped up in scandal following his controversial red card in the round of 32 that was made even more contentious when it was miraculously suspended after U.S. President Donald Trump made a phone call to FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

No matter the cause, the AS Monaco player placed himself firmly in the limelight and has since reportedly attracted the attentions of Ligue 1’s Paris Saint-Germain and the Premier League’s Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur. Monaco, however, are holding firm on a valuation of around €50 million ($57.6 million) for Balogun, whose contract does not expire until 2028.

Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams, a defensive midfielder and the anchor of the USMNT’s entire central structure this summer, has been linked to Newcastle United and Manchester United. Adams’s contract does not expire until 2028.

USMNT veteran left back Antonee “Jedi” Robinson, who is under contract with the Premier League’s Fulham until the summer of 2028, was an important part of Mauricio Pochettino’s starting lineup at the World Cup. United are in the market for a left back, and Robinson has been linked with an Old Trafford move after his solid play on soccer’s grandest stage.

U.S. Soccer poster player Christian Pulisic sees his contract with Serie A’s AC Milan expire next year, and New York City FC have made their interest in the star winger abundantly clear; however, Milan reportedly rejected the MLS team’s approach, as they are not currently interested in selling Pulisic.

Sergiño Dest, who starred on the right wing for the USMNT, was reportedly catching the eye of Bundesliga giant Bayern Munich prior to the start of the World Cup; however, the PSV Eindhoven player is not currently in any active talks or negotiations. He is expected to remain in the Dutch Eredivisie until his contract expires in 2028.

READ THE LATEST USMNT NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC

This article was originally published on www.si.com as USMNT Transfer Watch: Every Completed, in Progress, Rumored Summer 2026 Move.

Speaking to the press after unveiling the former Real Madrid and Manchester United star to 500 fans, he called the Discovery Rights process “not something [MLS] should move forward with,” while vehemently arguing that Inter Miami did not tamper in acquiring the player, for which MLS is investigating them. 

The Discovery Rights allow teams to have a list of up to five players to which they can secure exclusive bargaining rights. It is meant to ensure teams do not engage in bidding wars against each other, which proved to be one of the many reasons previous professional soccer ventures in North America failed, notably the Pelé-era North American Soccer League. 

It is not, as its name entails, a “discovery,” and there is no definition that Inter Miami discovered Casemiro. However, the team would not have been able to negotiate with the player until it acquired the discovery rights, which the L.A. Galaxy held for the Brazilian star. 

“I have attempted for over two years to have the rules changed in the league,” Mas said. “I do not think the discovery process benefits any MLS clubs, other than entering negotiations over players that they have no idea about. If that rule changes or not, we will see. This league having a list of players that is not made public is something we should move forward with.”

According to multiple reports, the Galaxy filed a tampering claim against Miami. Casemiro, meanwhile, said that he had no intention of playing for any club other than the Herons, and it is not known whether the Galaxy made a bona fide offer to the 34-year-old. 

After blasting the rule, Mas ensured fans that the club had done everything correctly and did not tamper in the process. However, rumors had linked Casemiro and Miami together for months before the signing, despite no announced deal to send the rights from the Galaxy to south Florida.  

“In the league, there is the discovery rule; Casemiro was on the list of the L.A. Galaxy. I do not feel it has been reported accurately what the implications of the Discovery List really mean,” Mas said.

“In this case, the executives at Inter Miami, especially Alberto Marrero, respected the letter of the MLS law regarding the Discovery List. We did not enter talks until we settled with the L.A. Galaxy. We abided; we did not enter negotiations with Casemiro or his reps without talking to the Galaxy and the league until given the green light.”

Will Casemiro Stay With Inter Miami?

Having put pen to paper on a deal through 2026–27 with an option through 2028–29 and having made his debut in a 1–0 win over CF Montréal, Casemiro is at no risk of being stripped from Inter Miami’s roster. Yet, there remains a possibility that the club could face punishments should the investigation show that they skirted MLS’s regulations. 

For Casemiro, though, it won’t change the situation. The midfielder told reporters that he had spoken directly with the Galaxy. He informed them that he intended to join Inter Miami, in a similar fashion to how Thomas Müller declined FC Cincinnati in 2025, before joining Vancouver Whitecaps. 

In the Müller deal, Vancouver sent Cincinatti $400,000 in General Allocation Money in exchange for the German’s Discovery Rights. 

“I spoke to the Galaxy a while ago. I left it very clear to them that I wanted to join Miami because, in the end, it’s a city I love. My wife, my kids and I are always here when we have days off. We know the city,” Casemiro said. “When I spoke to [the Galaxy], I made it very clear which team I wanted to join in MLS, and that is Inter Miami because of the project, the hope and of course to play with the best player of all time.”

There won’t be any awkward situation of Casemiro taking on the Galaxy this season unless the two meet in the MLS Cup final in December. At that point, the rules could shift as well, with a new commissioner set to take over MLS, potentially changing the Discovery Rights process and other roster-building mechanisms.

READ THE LATEST MLS NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Inter Miami Owner Calls for Controversial MLS Rule to Be Removed.

The Athletic reports that the 25-year-old is set to join former Crew teammate Aidan Morris, who has been with Middlesbrough since 2024, as well as 2026 World Cup teammate Sebastian Berhalter, who recently finalized a $2 million move from Vancouver Whitecaps to the Teessiders. 

Arfsten’s move dwarfs Berhalter’s fee, despite the wide player playing a less pivotal role with the USMNT at the 2026 World Cup. The English side is set to pay $7.5 million for his talents, bringing him overseas despite his MLS deal lasting through 2027, compared to the $2 million fee paid for Berhalter, whose deal was set to expire at the end of the 2026 MLS Cup playoffs. 

Is Arfsten Ready to Move to Europe?

Fresh off competing in the 2026 MLS All-Star Game, Arfsten’s imminent move comes after nearly a year of rumors linking him with European teams. He rose to a prominent role within the USMNT’s depth through the 2025 Concacaf Nations League and Gold Cup, before earning a spot on the 26-man World Cup squad. 

While he played just one minute at the World Cup in the round of 16 loss to Belgium, his level has stood out in other international showings, as well as in MLS. At the same time, he is able to shift between playing a winger, midfielder, fullback or wingback role, largely down the left flank. 

By joining the second tier in England, which some pundits rank at a similar level to MLS, he sets himself up to battle for a chance at the Premier League or other European challenges.

A former standout with UC Davis in NCAA soccer, Arfsten has 21 caps for the USMNT and has scored five goals with six assists in 18 appearances for the Crew across all competitions this season. He was also a key part of the Wilfried Nancy-managed teams that won the 2023 MLS Cup, 2024 Leagues Cup and made a run to the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup Final. 

Middlesbrough Betting on MLS in Premier League Promotion Bid

After missing out on Premier League promotion with a 1–0 loss to Hull City in the 2025-26 EFL Championship Playoff final in May, Middlesbrough have lofty dreams of promotion from the second tier this season for the first time in a decade and have turned to MLS talents to reach that point. 

Having had a bid rejected for Arfsten last summer, the club shelled out significant cash to bring him in for this season and, given his midseason fitness, he is likely to start with an important role. At the same time, Berhalter comes in as a tenacious midfielder, with a penchant for recoveries, long shots and pinpoint deliveries.

The MLS haul has been significant for Middlesbrough in the efforts to build towards promotion, with not only the three USMNT-capped talents now set for the roster, but also former Charlotte FC center back Adilson Malanda and former Charlotte FC midfielder Riley McGree in the squad, although McGree never made an MLS appearance. 

Middlesbrough are set to begin the 2026-27 campaign against Wrexham on Aug. 7. Meanwhile, Columbus forge ahead through the second half of the 2026 MLS season riding a wave of three wins in the last four games, and with hopes of advancing beyond their U.S. Open Cup semifinal clash against Antoine Griezmann’s Orlando City on Sept. 14. 

READ THE LATEST USMNT NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC

This article was originally published on www.si.com as USMNT Star Adds to Growing List Swapping MLS for EFL Championship.

Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul, who dropped out of the All-Star festivities, are expected to return to Inter Miami’s matchday squad for the clash against Columbus Crew, while Seattle Sounders pay a visit to the Portland Timbers in another edition of the Cascadia derby.

North of the border, Vancouver Whitecaps FC are back at home for the first time since their stadium hosted World Cup matches as well.

Here, Sports Illustrated predicts the scores of the Matchday 19 slate of the 2026 MLS regular season, which serves as a precursor to the upcoming Leagues Cup competitions.

New York City FC vs. Toronto FC

• Date: Friday, July 31
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

Toronto FC haven’t won since April, but will take another crack at it on Friday night as they head to Yankee Stadium. In a rare feat, Robin Fraser’s group is also the team with the shorter injury list, missing only three players compared to New York City FC’s 10 absences. 

While Josh Sargent’s form isn’t quite where Toronto FC expected, they will have some confidence on home soil as they look for a first victory since April 4—even as NYCFC bring a healthy Nicolás Fernández Mercau into the clash. 

Score Prediction: New York City FC 3–2 Toronto FC

FC Cincinnati vs. San Jose Earthquakes

• Date: Saturday, Aug. 1
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

FC Cincinnati’s good vibes from the 4–3 win over the Western Conference-leading Vancouver Whitecaps floundered last weekend in a Hell is Real Derby loss to Columbus Crew, which sparked confrontations and heated arguments after the final whistle.

A week on from that, and having sent star midfielder Evander to the MLS All-Star Game, they should fancy themselves for a calm and composed effort at TQL Stadium. 

It won’t be easy for Pat Noonan’s side, though, as the San Jose Earthquakes are looking to get back to winning ways after a loss and a draw in the first two games back from the World Cup. Losing Niko Tsakiris and DeJuan Jones hasn’t helped, but Bruce Arena’s men will hope to see more from All-Star Daniel Munie and star striker Timo Werner, who missed a pivotal penalty against the Galaxy last weekend. 

Prediction: FC Cincinnati 4–2 San Jose Earthuakes

D.C. United vs. Nashville SC

• Date: Saturday, Aug. 1
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

Nashville SC’s lead atop the Supporters’ Shield and Eastern Conference is quickly dwindling, and Inter Miami’s surge has them worried, despite leading heading into the weekend. It’s what makes Saturday’s away clash against D.C. United so pivotal for the Coyotes, as they look to rekindle their form after a string of unconvincing results, including last week’s 1–0 away loss to Orlando City. 

Manager B.J. Callaghan is likely to turn to some of his depth pieces against D.C. after each of goalkeepers Brian Schwake and star attackers Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge took part in the MLS All-Star Game and played significant roles through the week. Coming up against D.C., though, they will have to be careful with a potent attacking line led by Tai Baribo. 

Score Prediction: D.C. United 0–1 Nashville SC

Inter Miami vs. Columbus Crew

• Date: Saturday, Aug. 1
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

Inter Miami are in blistering form and will welcome back Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul into a competitive game for the first time since they lost the World Cup final. They return to a group which now includes Casemiro, after the Brazilian veteran impressed on his debut, despite having no training sessions with the team. Now with a full week of practice and the team’s top talents available, they will look to extend the club-record six-game winning streak to seven. 

Columbus Crew will stand a chance, but they have been below expectations for much of this season, and are now expected to be without Max Arfsten, who played in the MLS All-Star Game but has a pending move to EFL Championship side, Middlesbrough. At the same time, there’s no clarity on the fitness and potential debut of star defender Eric Bailly, who, if ready, could channel his Manchester United days against Miami’s stars. 

Score Prediction: Inter Miami 5–1 Columbus Crew

CF Montréal vs. New England Revolution

• Date: Saturday, Aug. 1
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

CF Montréal showed well in a 1–0 loss to Inter Miami last week, but didn’t generate enough chances to claim a point against the red-hot Herons. However, there were glimmers in attack that would give some hope as they enter another home match, this time against All-Star Carles Gil and the New England Revolution.

While Montréal have only put up four wins this season, they are never overrun. The last two losses have been 1–0, and the two draws before that were 0–0 and 4–4. The Québec side is a tough one for any opponent to dominate, and that could be the case for a New England side that features their best player, Gil, coming off the MLS All-Star festivities. 

Prediction: CF Montréal 2–1 New England Revolution

Red Bull New York vs. Orlando City

• Date: Saturday, Aug. 1
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

The good times are rolling for Orlando City. Since Antoine Griezmann made his MLS regular season debut, the Lions have knocked off the Western Conference-contending San Jose Earthquakes and beaten the Supporters’ Shield-leading Nashville SC. The 2018 World Cup winner has been at the center of it all, as has 19-year-old USMNT-eligible forward Justin Ellis alongside him. 

Heading to Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, N.J. this weekend, Orlando will be heavily favored coming up against a young Red Bull New York side, which has sputtered to two losses coming out of the World Cup break and will have plenty of travel miles on the legs of Julian Hall, who spent the week at the All-Star Game in Charlotte.

Score Prediction: Red Bull New York 3–0 Orlando City

Philadelphia Union vs. Atlanta United

• Date: Saturday, Aug. 1
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

The Philadelphia Union have hit a string of form since turning to interim manager Ryan Richter and entrusting 16-year-old prospect Cavan Sullivan and other youngsters with more minutes and responsibilities in MLS action. After Sullivan got into a scuffle last week and showed his vigor, even more will be expected of him against an Atlanta United side that has scuttled for the better part of the last two seasons. 

Very quickly, the Union has put themselves back in the race for the MLS Cup playoffs, and a win this weekend could put them level with Toronto FC on 16 points and 12th in the Eastern Conference. Outside of their playoff push, the group has evolved into a must-watch for USMNT hopefuls, as Neil Pierre stands out as an imposing 6’6” center back at 18 years old. 

Score Prediction: Philadelphia Union 3–1 Atlanta United

Vancouver Whitecaps vs. LAFC

• Date: Saturday, Aug. 1
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

Vancouver Whitecaps return home to an expected crowd of over 40,000 this weekend, as they take to a new artificial turf at BC Place for the first time,. The old surface was removed and replaced after it had been buried under soil and grass for the World Cup. 

While the club’s future remains in flux, the fanbase continues to dedicate itself, and there’s plenty of hope for a deep run into the MLS Cup playoffs, even after confirming the sale of USMNT star midfielder Sebastian Berhalter.

This week sees them up looking for a first post-World Cup win after a draw against Minnesota United and a loss to Cincinnati, with an in-form LAFC side providing the rival on a four-game win streak. 

Thomas Müller and Son Heung-min spent the week in Charlotte speaking German to each other and reliving their days in Europe, but will now serve as opponents. Yet, it’s unclear how much both will be involved. Instead, eyes turn to Vancouver’s Ryan Gauld and LAFC’s Denis Bouanga in the attack-oriented affair. 

Score Prediction: Vancouver Whitecaps 2–2 LAFC 

Chicago Fire vs. Charlotte FC

• Date: Saturday, Aug. 1
• Time: 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT

Robert Lewandowski is still on the hunt for his first MLS goal. What better time to score than his home debut? After wildfire smoke forced his home debut to be postponed earlier in the month, the Polish star striker is finally set to hit the pitch in front of the Chicago Fire faithful, looking to lead Gregg Berhalter’s side to a win after two straight losses to Inter Miami and New York City FC. 

Score Prediction: Chicago Fire 2–0 Charlotte FC

Sporting Kansas City vs. Houston Dynamo

• Date: Saturday, Aug. 1
• Time: 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT

After a brutal start to the season, Sporting Kansas City boasts three wins in the last six games and is back home after falling 4–0 to LAFC on the road last week. Led by Dejan Joveljić’s eight-goal campaign, they welcome the Houston Dynamo this weekend, hoping to snap the Texas side’s four-game unbeaten streak, which has also seen them lose just once in the last seven games. 

Score Prediction: Sporting Kansas City 1–1 Houston Dynamo

Minnesota United vs. San Diego FC

• Date: Saturday, Aug. 1
• Time: 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT

Stuck in a run of five games without a win and lacking the victorious feeling since May 2 against Columbus Crew, Minnesota United are getting desperate in the hunt to stay in the MLS Cup playoff race in the Western Conference.

Luckily, they can have some confidence after playing to a scoreless draw with the conference-leading Whitecaps last week, and will like their chances at home against a San Diego FC side that sits three points behind them in the table and hasn’t won a road game since February. 

Score Prediction: Minnesota United 2–0 San Diego FC 

St. Louis CITY SC vs. Real Salt Lake

• Date: Saturday, Aug. 1
• Time: 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT

Led by Marcel Hartel and Eduard Löwen, St. Louis CITY SC finds itself in peak form heading into this weekend, with wins in each of the last four games and six wins in its last seven contests.

In a pivotal Western Conference matchup, they are catching Real Salt Lake at the right time, as each of Diego Luna and Zavier Gozo has struggled to hit their pre-World Cup form and the Claret and Cobalt have sputtered to two losses since the league returned. A win for St. Louis would push them into the top four of the Western Conference as well, an enviable spot to be in at the midseason mark. 

Score Prediction: St. Louis CITY SC 1–1 Real Salt Lake

Colorado Rapids vs. Austin FC

• Date: Saturday, Aug. 1
• Time: 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT

The Colorado Rapids have been inconsistent this season and come up against a side not too different from Austin FC. Both teams are coming off a loss where they were shut out, and both won the game before that, and both are also falling behind in the playoff race.

It makes three points a vital goal and a draw largely unhelpful to either side. With no massive difference-makers stepping up in this season so far, it could be a stingy affair with both sides knowing the importance of a victory. 

Score Prediction: Colorado Rapids 0–0 Austin FC

L.A. Galaxy vs. FC Dallas

• Date: Saturday, Aug. 1
• Time: 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT

FC Dallas haven’t quite hit the form they showed ahead of the World Cup, with a draw and a loss in the two games back, but could stand to return to form on the road against the L.A. Galaxy this weekend.

Petar Musa is the key focal point in the matchup, and the Croatian World Cup player and MLS All-Star will look to add to his lead in the MLS Golden Boot standings.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy look for an improved effort after last week’s underwhelming performance in a 1–1 draw against the San Jose Earthquakes, in which they were outplayed. 

Score Prediction: L.A. Galaxy 0–2 FC Dallas 

Portland Timbers vs. Seattle Sounders

• Date: Saturday, Aug. 1
• Time: 10:45 p.m. ET / 7:45 p.m. PT

Less than two weeks after the Portland Timbers thrashed the Seattle Sounders 5–1 at Lumen Field in the first game back for both sides after the World Cup break, the two Cascadia foes meet again with Seattle holding hopes of a similar upset on the road. This time, it’s at Providence Park.

It will take a lot for the Rave Green to send the Timbers’ Army home unhappy. Seattle is on a five-game losing streak, their longest in over a decade, and Portland’s form, led by star striker Kevin Kelsy.

Score Prediction: Seattle Sounders 1–3 Portland Timbers

MLS Predictions: Matchday 19

READ THE LATEST MLS NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC

This article was originally published on www.si.com as MLS Predictions: Rivalries, Star Player Clashes Highlight Matchday 19 .

While the Herons have secured two wins over the Chicago Fire and CF Montréal without the two Argentines, the star duo—and in particular Messi, the two-time defending MLS MVP—elevate their potential, as they look to work their way into the lead in the Supporters’ Shield race. 

Having returned to training earlier this week after spending time away from the team and skipping the MLS All-Star Game, Messi and De Paul’s status remains in question for how much they may be involved against Columbus. Still, their addition brings plenty of hope to the group that is in the midst of the best regular form it has seen, having won the last six matches.

“We’ve been talking, in that regard. He only just got back. We haven’t really had the chance to have a proper conversation yet,” Miami manager Guillermo Hoyos told reporters in Spanish on Friday. “We’re genuinely happy that they’ve returned and are back at the club. It's great to see them here.”

Despite missing the last two matches, Messi remains in the hunt for the MLS Golden Boot with 12 goals in 14 games, only one back from FC Dallas’s Petar Musa for the league lead. At the same time, he is the midseason favorite for the MLS MVP Award, with 20 goal contributions in those 14 games. 

Should he and De Paul not return to action on Saturday, their next opportunity to play would come Wednesday in the team’s first match of the 2026 Leagues Cup, a trophy Inter Miami won in 2023, against Liga MX’s Atlético San Luis. 

“I think it’s very tough, simply because of the sheer volume of matches; there’s going to be a real congestion of games over several weeks, leaving very little time to catch your breath or rest," Hoyos added. “It’s basically just: match, game, rest, game, and so on. It’s difficult; the match load is heavy and takes a real toll; competition itself is draining.”

Casemiro: Messi is a ’God’ of Soccer

The week has brought intense focus to Inter Miami training sessions as the club ramps back up with the entire group back. It has brought the first moments on the pitch between new star midfield signing Casemiro, alongside Messi, De Paul and Luis Suárez, among other standouts.

After impressing in his MLS debut in a 1–0 road win over CF Montréal last weekend, despite not having trained with the team at the point, Casemiro now has a full week of practice under his belt and was officially presented to a group of 500 supporters at Nu Stadium on Thursday. 

Following his presentation, he said that Messi was “one of the gods, if not the god of football,” and that “it’s incredible,” after training alongside him for two days. 

“Having played against Leo before, I already knew he was impossible to stop, but these two days have given me a lot of motivation to keep growing, to keep winning,” he added. “Honestly, I'm enjoying this, and I’m glad I’m on his side of things now. I want to keep enjoying this moment.”

POV: Morning greetings with the squad 😁☀️ pic.twitter.com/1ZAodv1BW4

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) July 29, 2026

With his addition, Miami solidifies the middle of the park, and it will allow De Paul to take on a more attack-focused role on the right side of midfield. In contrast, Casemiro takes on the central defensive duties that De Paul had stepped into after Sergio Busquets retired. 

“A lot of people think MLS is a league that still has a long way to grow, but you have to remember the best player of the last World Cup plays in this league,” Casemiro added of Messi’s performances.

“Leo was the best player of the World Cup, and he is in MLS. So all I want to do is enjoy this, give everything to feel comfortable on the field, because for me he’s the best player in the world, and he is arrived at this moment in his career.”

While the Herons remain under investigation by MLS for potential tampering in acquiring the Brazilian veteran, it’s clear he will be a key piece of the future—and managing owner Jorge Mas denied any wrongdoing in the acquisition process, despite Miami’s previous player acquisition struggles. 

“We entered into no negotiation or conversations with Casemiro or his representatives prior to us talking to the league and talking to the LA Galaxy about working out how we’re able to be given a green light,” Mas said. “Supposedly, we violated the rule while we were negotiating with the Galaxy. There was an accusation made, which we did not tamper whatsoever.”

READ THE LATEST MLS NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC

This article was originally published on www.si.com as ’God of Soccer’—Casemiro Reveals First Impression of Training Alongside Lionel Messi.

Inspired by the architecture of Nu Stadium, the jersey combines modern details with a retro flair and features in a collection known as Cénit. Translating to “zenith,” it is designed as a reference to the heights reached by Miami during their short existence.

A pure white base mixed with pink, mink and black accents, the jersey is set to be worn for the first time on Aug. 1 against Columbus Crew. Before that, however, an exclusive event will mark the launch of the third kit and serve as the official presentation of new signing Casemiro alongside managing owner Jorge Mas and co-owner Jose Mas, who will host a meet-and-greet with the former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder.

The Cénit collection is more than just the jersey and also includes a full lifestyle collection, including a jacket, T-shirt, shorts, track pants, Handball Special shoes and slides.

Miami’s new third kit is now available at official club stores and is also available for purchase online ahead of its official release on Saturday.

After 17 games played, Miami sits second in the Eastern Conference, just two points behind leaders Nashville SC. Those two sides also lead the current Supporters Shield rankings heading into the next round of fixtures at the weekend.

Nine MLS Teams Receiving Archive Collection Jerseys in 2026

Since its inception in 2024, adidas’ Archive Collection has been one of the most eagerly awaited releases not just across North America, but the entire world.

Limited to five teams in 2024 and extended to 10 in 2025, the 2026 collection will feature a total of nine teams. Miami’s 2024 jersey broke the record for the best-selling shirt in the history of Major League Soccer.

Alongside Inter Miami, which is the only jersey to use adidas’ famous Trefoil logo, Archive jerseys have been created for a further eight teams: Austin FC, Chicago Fire, Houston Dynamo, Montreal CF, Orlando City, Philadelphia Union, Real Salt Lake and Vancouver Whitecaps.

The designs are so popular because of their nods to the past and occasionally even pay tribute to the previous identifies of those clubs. Inspired by each club’s culture and history, they often serve as the perfect blend of sport and fashion, with supporters across the globe even with no team allegiances often sporting the Archive designs.

READ THE LATEST MLS NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Inter Miami Release Retro Third Kit As Part of 2026 Adidas Archive Collection.

The 23-year-old saw his stock increase this summer after representing the Stars and Stripes at the 2026 World Cup. Reyna scored a brilliant trivela goal in the team’s 4–1 win over Paraguay and earned heaps of praise from Mauricio Pochettino, who called him an “amazing talent.”

The tournament also boosted the American’s reputation after previous scandals involving his parents and former USMNT boss Gregg Berhalter sullied his name—and Strasbourg have seemingly taken notice.

The Athletic report the French outfit is exploring a move to sign Reyna this summer. A transfer is in the best interest of the midfielder, who only made 20 appearances for Mönchengladbach last season.

Should a move to Strasbourg materialize, Reyna would be playing under the BlueCo umbrella. The consortium, which also owns Premier League giants Chelsea, is led by U.S. businessman Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.

The Curious Case of Reyna

Reyna was once heralded as one of the most exciting talents coming through the ranks of the USMNT. In 2020–21, he recorded seven goals and six assists in 46 appearances for Borussia Dortmund as a teenager, playing alongside Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham.

Fast forward to 2026, and Reyna spent more time on the bench than the pitch at Mönchengladbach. The transfer was supposed to be a fresh start for Reyna after a recent slew of lackluster seasons at Dortmund, as well as a failed loan stint at Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

Much of Reyna’s decline came from multiple long-term injuries that ruined his ascent, but even a clean bill of health couldn’t get him much playing time. Despite landing a three-year contract with Mönchengladbach, the American still failed to break into the team last season. He logged just 510 minutes in the Bundesliga and scored only one goal.

The lack of opportunity would hurt any player, but it especially did a number on Reyna, whose form had already turned dangerously inconsistent following his fitness woes. Pochettino still put his trust in the player, though, and now Reyna will hope Strasbourg will follow suit.

Why Reyna Keeps Avoiding MLS Return

Perhaps the easiest—and most obvious—route Reyna could have taken to revive his career would have been to join Major League Soccer. The 23-year-old would no doubt start for a majority of teams in the league and could collect a hefty salary.

Playing in MLS would also give Reyna the chance to compete in front of home crowds throughout the United States, further rehabbing his brand after this summer’s World Cup campaign. Plus, he would likely find it easier to acclimate to MLS than Ligue 1, given he came up through the ranks of New York City FC’s academy.

Yet the allure of playing in Europe, like many of his fellow USMNT teammates, is seemingly too much for Reyna to ignore. Should he make a statement at Strasbourg, he has a better chance of one day facilitating a move to an elite club in Europe’s top five leagues than if he starred for say, D.C. United.

The door could potentially swing open to an MLS transfer if Strasbourg ultimately does not sign Reyna, but only time will tell if that possibility becomes a reality.

READ THE LATEST USMNT NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC

This article was originally published on www.si.com as USMNT Star Gio Reyna Snubs MLS to ‘Enter Talks’ With Surprise Team.

The league hosted the 2026 MLS All-Star Game at Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday night, which finished as a 4–3 win for the MLS side over the Liga MX All-Stars. The clash of North America’s best came just 10 days after the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup across the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

MLS is determined to capitalize on the heightened excitement around the sport in its continent, especially given the restart of the league’s regular season even prior to the tournament’s end. MLS instigated its largest-ever post-World Cup marketing campaign called “Thanks World, We’ll Take It From Here” and pulled out all the stops in Wednesday’s showpiece event to prove just how much it means it.

The All-Star Game featured a pre-match team walkout quite similar to the style employed during the World Cup—seeing two giant flags splayed across the pitch, one for MLS and one for Liga MX, opposite of each other while the players lined up for their national anthems. The setup was backdropped by six separate fire displays and followed by a performance from over a dozen lit-up drummers from the center circle.

The goal-frenzied game did not disappoint either. Even after the Liga MX side went down by two goals on two separate occasions, its All-Stars continued to apply pressure on the MLS men to pull back within one both times, even outshooting them 16 to eight by the final whistle. The Liga MX XI almost tied the match in stoppage time with two legitimate chances inside the box, making for a dramatic affair and requiring the heroics of Orlando City goalkeeper Maxime Crepéau.

“It was such a good spectacle, and what we have to do is make sure we keep supporters enjoying the game of football,” Charlotte FC manager Dean Smith, who coached the MLS All-Stars, said postmatch. “It’s shorter than some of the other games that we play in America, and if we can help them understand what it is and the shortness of it, then it can only grow in the country.”

Perhaps what captured the attentions of the fans most, though, was Ciara’s halftime performance. The Grammy award-winning singer and part-owner of the Seattle Sounders performed all of her top hits, including “2 Step” and “Level Up,” from a stage built into the lower bowl.

Increased Attendance From a Worldly Crowd

There was a capacity-crowd of 35,197 on Wednesday night, the largest attendance for the All-Star Game since 2018. At last year’s match, there was a capacity-crowd of 20,738, and in 2024, a capacity-crowd of 20,931.

Increased attendance has been a phenomenon experienced across MLS since its return from the World Cup break. Ticket sales are up 62% across the league when comparing the 40 days pre-World Cup to the 40 days during and after World Cup, according to MLS. Some teams have even experienced an increase in ticket sales of more than 150% since the beginning of the World Cup.

MLS players that competed in the World Cup have even felt the “bump” themselves.

“Every stadium is full everywhere we go, so there is growth of the game outside of the football pitch as well,” Canada’s starting goalkeeper Crépeau tells Sports Illustrated at All-Star week. “There’s a lot of ticket sales. The stadiums are full. There’s a lot of traffic around the teams on the social, and social is now a big part of the reality in 2026. Everything is trending in the right way.”

USMNT and Columbus Crew star winger, Max Arfsten, adds: “The fandom, it’s at a point it’s never been before in North America. The game is growing so much. I’ve even seen it myself. I think we’re going to talk about before the World Cup and after the World Cup, how the game is perceived and the difference in the fandom of the sport.

“I can feel the energy. When I walk around, I just see people love the game more. They want to come watch the games, recognize the players more. I think it’s amazing. I think it’s exactly what this country needed to further propel the beautiful game.

“Obviously everyone watched the World Cup, so they want more soccer in their lives. They want to follow the game even more and pick their favorite teams, so I think it’s gathering more fans. I’ve definitely seen it in the couple of games I’ve already played with the Crew.”

There weren’t just Charlotte FC fans at Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday night. There were fans from every club, including those from Nashville SC, who whistled “Andy” repeatedly to grab the attention of star fullback Andy Najar during warmups, and those from Real Salt Lake, eager to support burgeoning 19-year-old star Zavier Gozo.

There were also supporters repping different national team jerseys, perhaps not only an effect of the recent World Cup fandom, but also the increasing diversity of the league. Several supporters of Son Heung-min donned South Korea jerseys and waved the nation’s flag, while others wore the colors of Germany in support of Thomas Müller. Many repped the USMNT’s classic red-and-white striped home jersey, which both Tim Ream, Matt Freese and Arfsten of the MLS All-Stars sported this summer.

MLS hopes to further extend its reach, diving right back into regular season action on Friday.

READ THE LATEST MLS NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC

This article was originally published on www.si.com as MLS Promises to Be the Cure for Post-World Cup Blues.

It was a colliding of North America’s very best, as the MLS All-Stars went head-to-head with the All-Stars of Liga MX. Both leagues are eager to capitalize on the continent’s reinvigorated excitement around the sport, thanks to the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer across the U.S., Mexico and Canada, which saw the final between Argentina and Spain take place just 10 days ago.

MLS pulled out all the stops to bring a spectacle to the fans in Charlotte, including a pre-match fire show during the teams’ walkouts, drum performers and a dazzling halftime show. Several A-list celebrities were eager to see and take part in it all.

Danny Ramirez

Actor, producer, writer, athlete. Danny Ramirez can do it all 💪

📺 Apple TV (8pm ET): https://t.co/S1M8auO0fX // MLS All-Star Game pres. by @Chime pic.twitter.com/PIdpgmASS0

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 30, 2026

The Hollywood actor, who has featured in films such as “Captain America: Brave New World” and “Top Gun: Maverick,” was seen on the pitch during warm-up. He also competed in the All-Star Skills Challenge on Tuesday, facing Son in the passing challenge. The former Tottenham Hotspur star narrowly defeated the actor.

Ciara

Ready to level up the MLS All-Star Game pres. by @Chime. 🔊
@ciara is set to take the stage for a special halftime show — hit the link for tickets & catch the game on July 29 at 8pm ET on Apple TV: https://t.co/IwgYuSJM8i pic.twitter.com/dVK1ydHemv

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 26, 2026

The Grammy award-winning singer and part-owner of the Seattle Sounders starred in the halftime show.

“Headlining the halftime show at this year’s MLS All-Star Game presented by Chime is such an incredible honor,” Ciara said earlier in the month. “I love being part of moments that bring people together through music and pure energy. As a proud MLS team owner, I know these fans show up with so much heart, and I can't wait to match that on stage. July 29 is going to be a celebration of the game, the culture and the joy of sharing this experience together!”

FaZe Rug

The American YouTuber took pictures with fans prior to the match. He also competed at the Skills Challenge, taking on the likes of Müller and Evander in the shooting challenge.

Steve Smith Sr.

Bringing that football physicality to Charlotte's soccer scene 🏈🤝⚽

Steve Smith Sr. is ready for the MLS All-Star Game pres. by @Chime!

📺 Apple TV (8pm ET): https://t.co/bCZWkYJemT pic.twitter.com/6C1LZ30Ei6

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 29, 2026

The former Carolina Panthers receiver and five-time Pro-Bowl selection was seen watching warm-ups and talking to the media before kickoff.

David Tepper

Steve Smith Sr. and David Tepper chopping it up on the pitch prior to the MLS All-Star Game in Charlotte tonight at The Bank. pic.twitter.com/xWDKSIOLaG

— CLTure® ( culture ) (@CLTure) July 30, 2026

The owner of the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC was also present at the league’s showpiece event.

READ THE LATEST MLS NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Every Celebrity Spotted Watching the 2026 MLS All-Star Game.

The announcement regarding the soccer legend came on Saturday, a vast improvement to the mere hours’ notice that was given at last year’s showpiece event. Argentina and Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul also pulled out of the match.

MLS typically issues a suspension to those that skip the All-Star Game for reasons unrelated to injuries—Messi himself was handed a one-game suspension for his absence last year. He and De Paul, however, have been excused this go-around due to a pre-arranged agreement with the league.

Why Are Messi, De Paul Excused From 2026 MLS All-Star Game?

Given Argentina competed just 10 days ago in the World Cup final, losing to Spain 1–0 at MetLife Stadium, MLS and the MLS Players Association came to an agreement that will allow the pair to rest and recover at home without risk of penalty. Messi and De Paul have also missed both of Inter Miami’s matches since the return of the league, including the debut of new teammate and former Manchester United star Casemiro over the weekend.

“Prior to the start of the 2026 season, Major League Soccer and the MLS Players Association agreed that upon a player’s exit from the World Cup competition, clubs would have individual conversations with each player to determine the appropriate rest and return to training and competition timeline. Consistent with that agreement, Rodrigo De Paul and Lionel Messi will be excused from participating in the 2026 MLS All-Star Game,” the league wrote in Saturday’s statement.

The regulations of the global players’ union, FIFAPro, also allows players to take 21 days of rest between the end of their World Cup campaign and the return to club soccer.

Missing Messi and De Paul will be a huge blow to the MLS All-Stars, who are set to clash with Liga MX’s All-Stars in Charlotte. Despite turning 39 years old, Messi had a career-best performance at the World Cup this summer, notching eight goals and four assists to earn the Silver Boot. De Paul, 32, also had a stellar campaign, serving as the midfield instigator for much of Argentina’s attacking build-ups.

The duo may not return to MLS action until mid-August, should they choose to use the full 21 days of rest.

READ THE LATEST INTER MIAMI NEWS, TRANSFER RUMORS AND MORE

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Why Lionel Messi Isn’t Playing in 2026 MLS All-Star Game.

The MLS All-Star Game, a tradition since 1996, has recently become a battle between the two biggest leagues in North America, showcasing the top talent competing in MLS and Liga MX. This year’s edition features players from 21 MLS clubs and eight Liga MX sides.

Even without Lionel Messi in their ranks, the MLS All-Stars head into Wednesday’s clash full of confidence considering they have won three of the four bouts with Liga MX’s best. Last year, they secured a dominant 3–1 victory, getting some payback after a lopsided 4–1 defeat the year prior.

The Liga MX All-Stars will be out for revenge this time around, and an entertaining battle awaits for those who wish to tune in.

What Time Does 2026 MLS All-Star Game Kick Off?

• Location: Charlotte, United States
• Stadium: Bank of America Stadium
• Date: Wednesday, July 29
• Kick-Off Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT

How to Watch MLS All Stars vs. Liga MX All Stars on TV, Live Stream

Like all MLS coverage, fans can only tune in to the 2026 MLS All-Star Game on Apple TV. Viewers must have an Apple account and an active Apple TV subscription to access the clash.

Unlike in years past, watching MLS does not require a separate pass or any additional fees. As long as you have an active subscription to the streaming platform, you can catch all the action.

The match will not be broadcast on TV.

What’s Next for MLS, Liga MX?

After the 2026 MLS All-Star Game, teams from both leagues will return to action this weekend before play is interrupted for the Leagues Cup. Every team from Liga MX will compete in the tournament, as will 18 qualifying teams from MLS.

The competition gives the 36 participating clubs a chance to snag some mid-season silverware. Cruz Azul and León won the first two editions of the Leagues Cup before a stretch of MLS dominance.

The three previous finals have all featured MLS teams, with Inter Miami, Columbus Crew and Seattle Sounders hoisting the trophy in 2023, 2024 and 2025 respectively.

READ THE LATEST MLS NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC

This article was originally published on www.si.com as How to Watch 2026 MLS All-Stars vs. Liga MX All-Stars on TV, Live Stream.

The starting goalkeeper for the U.S. men’s national team had put in a solid 2026 World Cup campaign leading up to the round of 16, but everything changed in the clash with Belgium. To be fair, no U.S. player was at his best in the 4–1 thrashing; however, Freese’s error proved to be the most obvious and most costly of the night.

Just before the hour-mark, Freese took a poor touch outside of the box, allowing Belgian striker Charles De Ketelaere to regain possession and pass the ball to teammate Hans Vanaken, who fired it into a relatively open net for Belgium’s third of the night.

That one mistake, putting the visitors two goals ahead, proved to be the nail in the coffin for the USMNT, who no longer had the confidence to respond. It was a heartbreaking moment for the fans too, many of whom had come to believe the Stars and Stripes were bound for the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002.

Fans have been not been quick to move on from the incident, and when Freese returned to action for MLS’s New York City FC last week, he was met with heavy boos at Columbus Crew’s stadium every time he touched the ball. The 27-year-old, oddly enough, was actually grateful for it.

Freese Speaks Out on World Cup Criticism

“Criticism is part of this job,” Freese tells Sports Illustrated during 2026 MLS All-Star week. “If people weren’t criticizing you, then it means they didn’t care. And that’s also an honor.

“That’s weird to hear I’m sure, but it’s an honor to get criticism because it means they care. It means the fans want more, and believe me, we want more too. We want to be the best team in the world. We want to win the World Cup, and with New York, I want to win the MLS Cup.

“So anytime there’s criticism or negative pressure, it means that people care, and believe me, I agree with them. I have high aspirations for myself and for every team that I’m on.”

The pressure from the fans is actually a welcome feeling for Freese, who feeds off of it. “I hate losing, so I think it’s an honor to to play with that pressure. It doesn’t affect me in a bad way. If anything, it motivates me. It inspires me...It leaves you wanting to repay that support.”

Freese will have an opportunity redeem himself on Wednesday night in Charlotte at the MLS All-Star Game, before returning to regular MLS play on Friday. The USMNT will return to action in the September international window, where Freese will be eager to reinforce his starting position despite what happened against Belgium.

READ THE LATEST USMNT NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC

This article was originally published on www.si.com as USMNT Goalkeeper Matt Freese Responds to Rampant Boos, World Cup Criticism.

The U.S.’s top flight, whose new campaign is “Thanks World, We’ll Take It From Here,” has reignited the continent’s soccer fun with the 2026 MLS All-Stars in Charlotte, a week headlined by Wednesday’s game against the All-Stars of Liga MX.

Prior to Wednesday’s match-up between North America’s best, MLS hosted the All-Star Skills Challenge, a series of technical competitions featuring select MLS and Liga MX All-Stars, including Vancouver Whitecaps’ Thomas Müller, LAFC’s Son Heung-min and FC Cincinnati’s Evander, as well as U.S. men’s national team stars Tim Ream (Charlotte FC) and Matt Freese (New York City FC).

Several A-listers came to Truist Field to see the Skills Challenge and even compete in the events themselves.

Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson

Who's ready to see some @ochocinco skills in Charlotte? ⚡️⚽️

Ochocinco will feature in this year's MLS All-Star Skills Challenge pres. by @ATT — hit the link for tickets & watch on July 28 at 7:30pm ET on Apple TV: https://t.co/IpshBkMerT pic.twitter.com/NlELvFcDIq

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 26, 2026

The former NFL legend, life-long soccer fan and current co-host of the sports talk podcast “Nightcap” was one of eight competitors in the crossbar challenge. He narrowly lost to Evander.

FaZe Rug

FaZe Rug is here at the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge: pic.twitter.com/j6DUAnB08t

— Kamran Nia (@kamran_nia) July 28, 2026

The famous American YouTuber participated in the shooting challenge, which was ultimately won by Evander for the second-consecutive year.

Danny Ramirez

Actor Danny Ramirez is a baller 👀

Watch him at the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge pres. by @ATT // Tuesday at 7:30pm ET on Apple TV. 📺 pic.twitter.com/wWKKBEI4zn

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 28, 2026

The Hollywood actor, who has featured in films such as “Captain America: Brave New World” and “Top Gun: Maverick,” competed against Son in Tuesday night’s passing challenge. The former Tottenham Hotspur star narrowly defeated the actor.

Celine Dept

Celine Dept arriving in style 🥶

MLS All-Star Skills Challenge pres. by @ATT pic.twitter.com/5kMfGbKpg9

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 28, 2026

The Belgian social media influencer and mega soccer fan also competed in the crossbar challenge.

READ THE LATEST MLS NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Every Celebrity Spotted at the 2026 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge.

Just a few weeks ago, the two were among Mauricio Pochettino’s starters at the 2026 World Cup as the Stars and Stripes looked to make a historic run on home soil. A strong group stage followed by a mature 2–0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32 captured the attention of a nation not exactly known for its soccer fanbase.

Suddenly, there were fervent supporters packing out stadiums and a record 33 million viewers watching on Fox from home as the USMNT took on Belgium in the round of 16. The overwhelming belief and patriotism sweeping throughout the country soon deflated, though, when Pochettino’s men suffered an embarrassing 4–1 defeat.

The scoreline was bad enough, but the individual performances from a handful of Americans made the defeat all the more humiliating. Freese and Ream rightfully received the most criticism—and now they’re being heralded as MLS All-Stars.

Freese Haunted by World Cup Blunders

There were always warning signs surrounding Freese. The New York City FC shot-stopper had failed to keep a clean sheet for the USMNT in six consecutive appearances prior to the World Cup.

Still, Freese was no doubt Pochettino’s best option between the posts and rightfully beat out Matt Turner for the starting job. The 27-year-old only let in one goal in his first three appearances in this summer’s tournament, and looked like he silenced his doubters on the biggest stage in the sport.

Except when the lights were the brightest against Belgium, Freese put in an uncharacteristically bad performance, gifting Belgium its third goal in the process.

Belgium finds a third pic.twitter.com/0m1Hu4qzwR

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 7, 2026

Freese returned to MLS action and was heavily booed every time he touched the ball in NYCFC’s 2–1 win over Columbus Crew last Wednesday. It remains to be seen whether the treatment will follow the goalkeeper in the MLS All-Star Game, but even if he avoids more jeers, he will be thinking about that defeat to Belgium—perhaps for years and years to come.

“Big losses in tough moments are things you never really get over because they stay with you for the rest of your career,” Freese told The Associated Press. “They continue to motivate you for the rest of your career.”

It’s a dark cloud looming over Freese as he tries to bask in his first MLS All-Star selection. The good news is the goalkeeper isn’t alone in his quest for redemption.

Ream’s Reality Is No Better

Although Freese takes most of the heat for the USMNT’s round of 16 failure, Ream shouldered his fair share of blame. The 38-year-old was no match for Belgium’s front line, looking every bit his age as he tried to contend with Charles De Ketelaere and Romelu Lukaku.

With Chris Richards at his side, Ream had gotten away with a few lackluster efforts this summer. But as soon as the Crystal Palace defender had a bad game, his partner was majorly exposed.

Now, much like Freese, Ream’s attention is now back on MLS, where he is being crowned an All-Star for just the second time in his career.

The whiplash fans feel going from a devastating World Cup defeat to an All-Star Game is likely the same for the players, but there’s nothing to do now but move forward, even if Ream admits he “can’t leave [his] house now” from all the increased attention.

“Being able to inspire more people to play is obviously secondary to what our job is, which is compete and win games, but it’s such a rewarding feeling knowing that so many more people are paying attention to our sport,” Ream said.

The MLS All-Star Game Is the Perfect Distraction

Although it’s nowhere close to as exciting or publicized as a World Cup match, the 2026 MLS All-Star Game on Wednesday provides Freese and Ream the chance to win back the favor of American fans.

For Ream, getting back on the USMNT fans’ good side is less important now that the center back likely played his final World Cup game this summer. But for Freese, who still has ambitions to be the Stars and Stripes’ starter at the 2030 World Cup, public support could do wonders for his campaign and confidence.

What better way to begin his apology tour than a strong performance against the Liga MX All-Stars? Even though Lionel Messi will not compete in the game, the likes of Son Heung-min, Thomas Müller and Yannick Bright will make appearances in Charlotte, drawing plenty of eyeballs. Fellow USMNT representatives Max Arfsten and Sebastian Berhalter will also star.

The real challenge for Freese and Ream, though, will come in September during the first international break from the World Cup. Excelling in a relatively low-stakes All-Star Game is one thing, but translating that to the USMNT will be the true acid test—and American supporters will be reluctant to forget this summer’s shortcomings.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Redemption Beckons for USMNT Stars at the 2026 MLS All-Star Game.