While a No. 10 is typically the creative playmaker, a No. 6 anchors the midfield and a No. 11 brings pace out wide, the No. 9 is usually the team’s primary scorer—the player tasked with finishing moves and delivering the goals that win games.

There’s always some overlap, but more often than not, a player wearing the No. 9 shirt is a classic striker: a clinical finisher who thrives in and around the penalty area.

Here, Sports Illustrated ranks the greatest No. 9s in soccer history, focusing on players who wore the jersey for the majority of their careers.

20. Silvio Piola

Italy’s first true soccer superstar, Silvio Piola remains Serie A’s all-time top scorer with 274 goals, a record that has stood since his retirement in 1954. He achieved this feat across spells with Pro Vercelli, Lazio and Novara, finishing as the leading scorer for each of those clubs.

Piola also made his mark on the international stage, scoring twice in the 1938 World Cup final to help Italy defeat Hungary 4–2.

Fittingly, his legacy is honored in Italy with two stadiums named after him—the Stadio Silvio Piola in Novara and another of the same name in Vercelli.

19. Samuel Eto’o

Samuel Eto’o holds a unique place in soccer history as the only player to win back-to-back European trebles with two different clubs in consecutive seasons—lifting La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League with Barcelona in 2008–09, before repeating the feat by winning Serie A, the Coppa Italia and the Champions League again with Inter Milan the very next year.

He is also the all-time leading scorer in Africa Cup of Nations history and a two-time winner of the tournament with Cameroon.

Blisteringly quick, technically gifted and comfortable with either foot, Eto’o scored 421 goals during his career—more than enough to secure his status among the game’s all-time great No. 9s.

18. Erling Haaland

Since bursting onto the scene with RB Salzburg in 2019, Erling Haaland has scored at a truly absurd rate—already surpassing 350 goals for club and country, including prolific spells with Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City.

Records have fallen wherever he’s gone. Still in the early stages of his career, the Norwegian goal machine already holds the Premier League single-season scoring record with 36 goals in 2022–23, and is the fastest and youngest player to reach 40 Champions League goals.

If his current trajectory continues, his final goal tally—and trophy haul—will be staggering, and his place on this list will only rise.

17. Harry Kane

Tottenham Hotspur’s all-time leading scorer, Harry Kane’s ability in front of goal was never in doubt—but questions lingered over whether he could replicate that success at a true European powerhouse prior to his 2023 move to Bayern Munich.

He’s since answered those doubts in emphatic fashion, scoring over 40 goals in each of his first three seasons in Germany—including a remarkable 61-goal campaign in 2025–26.

A striker who needs only the slightest opening to find the net—whether with his right foot, left foot or head—Kane combines ruthless finishing with elite playmaking ability, making him one of the most complete forwards of his generation.

16. Alan Shearer

Alan Shearer remains the Premier League’s all-time leading scorer with 260 goals—a record that still looks untouchable today.

He may not have always been the most graceful striker, but he was relentlessly effective: powerful, quick, perfectly positioned and armed with a thunderous right foot that could almost rip the net apart.

15. Jean-Pierre Papin

Before Paris Saint-Germain’s rise to dominance in French soccer, it was Marseille who ruled the late 1980s and early ’90s—and Jean-Pierre Papin was their talisman. His 184 goals for the club powered them to four consecutive Ligue 1 (then Division 1) titles.

Renowned for his sharp movement, explosive pace and devastating volleys, Papin also enjoyed success with AC Milan and Bayern Munich during a glittering career that saw him score over 400 goals.

14. Uwe Seeler

A true one-club icon, Uwe Seeler spent virtually his entire career with boyhood side Hamburger SV—aside from a brief one-match cameo with Cork Celtic—scoring an incredible 496 goals to cement his place as the club’s all-time leading scorer.

He was just as reliable on the international stage, netting 43 goals in 72 appearances for West Germany and making history as the first player ever to score in four separate World Cups.

13. Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimović scored goals everywhere he went—573 in total for clubs including Ajax, AC Milan, Barcelona, PSG, Juventus, Inter, Manchester United, LA Galaxy as well as for Sweden—but it wasn’t just the volume that set him apart. It was the outrageous manner in which he did it.

From acrobatic kung-fu strikes to perfectly executed scissor kicks, thunderous volleys and dazzling solo runs, Ibrahimović built a highlight reel few could rival. His unpredictability, supreme confidence and towering presence made him a constant nightmare for defenders.

12. Gabriel Batistuta

Gabriel Batistuta’s trophy haul—featuring just one Serie A title, a Coppa Italia, two Copas América and a handful of lesser honors—hardly does justice to his true quality.

With 56 goals in 78 appearances for Argentina, he remains his nation’s second all-time top scorer behind only Lionel Messi, while the majority of his 299 club goals came during a legendary spell with Fiorentina. Remarkably loyal, he stayed with the Italian side for nearly a decade, even following their relegation to Serie B, despite strong interest from Europe’s elite clubs.

Renowned for his positional intelligence and a thunderous right foot, “Batigol” blended elegance with sheer power in a way few strikers ever have.

11. Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema led the line for a dominant Real Madrid side that captured four La Liga titles and five Champions League trophies during his 14-year spell at the club from 2009–23. In that time, he racked up an incredible 354 goals—surpassed only by Cristiano Ronaldo in the club’s history.

Gifted with exceptional technique, vision and the ability to link play, Benzema was far more than just a finisher—he also ranks among Madrid’s all-time assist leaders.

His all-around brilliance was finally rewarded with a Ballon d’Or in 2022.

10. Robert Lewandowski

Since the turn of the century, only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have scored more goals than Robert Lewandowski, who has racked up over 740 (and counting) for Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Poland.

A ruthlessly efficient finisher who needs barely half a chance, Lewandowski was at his most devastating with Bayern, scoring an astonishing 375 goals in just 344 appearances as he helped the club win everything available, including eight Bundesliga titles and the Champions League.

He is also the most unfortunate player never to win a Ballon d’Or, having been the overwhelming favorite in 2020 after a 55-goal season—only for the award to be canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

9. Hugo Sanchez

When discussing Real Madrid’s greatest forwards, names like Karim Benzema, Raúl, Ferenc Puskás, Alfredo Di Stéfano—and even Cristiano Ronaldo—are often the first to come to mind. Hugo Sánchez, however, firmly belongs in that conversation, even if he’s sometimes overlooked.

Widely regarded as Mexico’s greatest ever player, Sánchez scored 208 goals in 282 appearances for Real Madrid from 1985–92, playing a key role in the club’s run of five consecutive La Liga titles, along with several other major honors.

A prolific scorer wherever he went—including spells with Atlético Madrid, Rayo Vallecano and Pumas UNAM—he finished his career with an impressive 513 goals.

8. Paolo Rossi

Paolo Rossi was something of a hybrid No. 9—while he often wore the shirt and knew exactly where the goal was, his game blended the intelligence and subtle playmaking of a No. 10 with the quick feet and movement of a wide attacker.

The 1982 Ballon d’Or winner had a career that, much like his playing style, was brief but brilliant—disrupted by injuries and a match-fixing scandal.

But his performances at the 1982 World Cup remain the defining chapter. Rossi scored six goals, including a famous hat-trick against Brazil, a brace in the semifinal against Poland, and the opening goal in the final against West Germany, as Italy lifted the trophy. A tournament run for the ages.

7. George Weah

George Weah remains the only African player in history to win the Ballon d’Or, claiming the award in 1995 during a spell that saw him represent both Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan.

With PSG, he helped guide the club to the Champions League semifinals while finishing as top scorer with eight goals, before moving to Italy and continuing his dominance at the San Siro.

While not a traditional out-and-out poacher like others on this list, Weah was instead a powerful, unstoppable force—capable of driving through entire defences as if they weren’t there and producing match-winning moments out of nowhere, with a level of individual brilliance few, if any, others possessed at the time.

6. Gunnar Nordahl

The legendary Gunnar Nordahl scored exactly 500 goals during his career, including 221 for AC Milan—a club record that still stands today. His five Capocannoniere (Serie A top scorer) awards also remain unmatched.

A powerful, physically dominant striker with superb positioning and clinical finishing, Nordahl also helped Sweden win gold at the 1948 Summer Olympics, where he finished as joint top scorer.

5. Luis Suarez

Whether in the Netherlands with Ajax, England with Liverpool, Spain with Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, Brazil with Grêmio, or the United States with Inter Miami—goals have followed Luis Suárez wherever he’s gone.

The Uruguayan striker—powerful, relentless, never afraid to attempt the extraordinary and fiercely (if sometimes overly) competitive—has scored more than 600 goals for club and country throughout his illustrious career.

A remarkable 121 of those came during just three incredible seasons at Barcelona between 2014–15 and 2016–17, where he formed the focal point of arguably the most lethal attacking trio in soccer history alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr.

4. Marco van Basten

Had his career not been cut short at just 28 by injury, it’s fascinating to imagine what Marco van Basten might have achieved.

Even so, by the time of his early retirement, he had already accomplished more—and scored more—than most forwards could ever dream of: 307 goals, three Ballon d’Or awards, four Serie A titles, two European Cups and the 1988 European Championship.

His iconic tight-angled volley for the Netherlands against the Soviet Union in the final of the latter remains one of the greatest goals in soccer history, and the perfect encapsulation of his technical brilliance and finishing ability.

3. Gerd Muller

Gerd Müller scored an incredible 565 goals in just 607 games for Bayern Munich between 1965 and 1979. Remarkably, 66 of those came in a single season (1972–73), a record that still stands at the club today.

“Der Bomber” also netted 68 goals in 62 appearances for West Germany, including the decisive strike in the 1974 World Cup final.

Few strikers in history have been as lethal inside the box as the German icon, who was the ultimate fox in the box—possessing a goalscoring instinct that simply can’t be taught.

2. Alfredo Di Stefano

When Real Madrid won an unprecedented five consecutive European Cups from 1956–1960, Alfredo Di Stéfano was the driving force behind every triumph. He scored five, seven, 10, six and eight goals across those campaigns respectively, finding the net in every final and even recording a hat-trick in the last.

That level of dominance remains almost unmatched in soccer history—and quite possibly always will be—which more than justifies his place among the greatest No. 9s the game has ever seen.

1. Ronaldo Nazario

Ronaldo Nazário was nicknamed “R9” for a reason. He was the very definition of a No. 9—and quite simply the greatest to ever wear the shirt.

Although injuries ultimately curtailed his career, in his prime there was nothing and nobody who could stop the Brazilian. He made a career out of taking on defenders, rounding goalkeepers and relentlessly finding the back of the net—something the two-time World Cup winner did over 400 times for club and country.

He had it all: blistering pace, raw strength, outrageous skill, explosive power, and that unmistakable touch of star quality that you simply couldn’t define.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as The Greatest Soccer No. 9s of All Time—Ranked.

Uruguay’s manager pulled veteran goalkeeper Fernando Muslera out of retirement, naming the 39-year-old to his fifth World Cup (2010, 2014, 2018, 2022), a Uruguayan record, after previously hanging up his sky blue and white gloves in 2024 after 133 caps and a 2011 Copa América win.

Although Bielsa flipped through the history books and called up Muslera, the same cannot be said for Luis Suárez. The 39-year-old striker, who also retired from international soccer in 2024, did not earn a re-call, leaving Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer (69 goals in 143 appearances) as the most notable omission.

Uruguay is ranked No. 17 globally as of Sunday and is anticipated to make a strong run, despite one steep obstacle in group play: Spain. Uruguay drew Group H, battling the European giants as well as Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde.

Uruguay 2026 World Cup Squad Confirmed: Full List of Players

Goalkeepers

• Sergio Rochet (Internacional)
• Fernando Muslera (Estudiantes)
• Santiago Mele (Monterrey)

Defenders

• Guillermo Varela (Flamengo)
• Ronald Araújo (Barcelona)
• José María Giménez (Atlético Madrid)
• Santiago Bueno (Wolves)
• Sebastián Cáceres (Club America)
• Mathías Olivera (Napoli)
• Joaquín Piquerez (Palmeiras)
• Matías Viña (River Plate)

Midfielders

• Manuel Ugarte (Manchester United)
• Emiliano Martínez (Palmeiras)
• Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham Hotspur)
• Federico Valverde (Real Madrid)
• Agustín Canobbio (Fluminese)
• Juan Manuel Sanabria (Real Salt Lake)
• Giorgian de Arrascaeta (Fluminese)
• Nicolás de la Cruz (Flamengo)
• Rodrigo Zalazar (Braga)
• Facundo Pellistri (Panathinaikos)
• Maximiliano Araújo (Sporting CP)
• Brian Rodríguez (Club America)

Forwards

• Rodrigo Aguirre (Tigres)
• Federico Viñas (Real Oviedo)
• Darwin Núñez (Al Hilal)

Luis Suarez Left Out After Recent Pleas

Suárez was not called up by La Celeste, meaning he will miss the World Cup for the first time since 2010, when he made his tournament debut in South Africa.

Although the Inter Miami striker announced his retirement from international duty back in September 2024—marked by an emotionally-charged farewell ceremony in his honor—the Uruguayan legend has recently made it clear that it was door he regretted closing.

He made multiple hints in recent months that indicated his desire to represent his nation again on the sport’s grandest stage, an opportunity that would have seen him stand beside Muslera on the Uruguayan podium for the most tournament appearances (five). It would have also likely seen him break the record for the most individual World Cup match appearances, as Suárez is currently tied for second in Uruguay’s history books with 16, just one away from Edinson Cavani’s record of 17.

“I wanted to be called up,” the star said in early May.

“Obviously, being Uruguayan, I would never turn down the national team,” he added. “I stepped aside back then because I felt I needed to make way for the younger generation ... As I’ve said before, I would never say no to the national team if they needed me—especially with a World Cup just around the corner.”

Suárez earning a late nod, although certainly a stretch given his long absence, seemed possible. He currently has a full bill of health and is experiencing an impressive club resurgence, re-entering Inter Miami’s starting lineup as a key asset. He has six goals and four assists in just seven starts this season, proving himself indispensable despite initially being overshadowed by $15 million transfer of Germán Berterame at the start of the season. However, Bielsa proved capable of looking past him.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Uruguay 2026 World Cup Roster Confirmed: Full List of Players, Luis Suarez Pleas Ignored.

A unified Argentina team rallied around the all-time great in Qatar to ensure he captured the crown that his career deserves. Messi produced one of the finest individual World Cup campaigns in 2022, inspiring La Albiceleste to their first global conquest since Diego Maradona dominated in Mexico 36 years before.

But the international retirement some suspected after enjoying his crowning glory never arrived. Still performing at a freakishly high level despite approaching 40, it then seemed inevitable that Messi would target history in North America this summer.

And not merely because he’ll be competing at his sixth World Cup. Argentina is aiming to become only the third nation in the tournament’s 96-year history to defend its title.

Every Nation to Win Consecutive Men’s World Cups

Lionel Messi’s Argentina Chasing Brazil’s World Cup History

Doubts remained right up until Lionel Scaloni named his final 26-man roster for the 2026 World Cup whether Messi would be included, especially after he suffered an apparent hamstring injury in Inter Miami’s final MLS outing before the mid-season break.

While Argentina has shown signs of evolution in the absence of their delightful No. 10 over the past 12 months, Scaloni was never going to leave Messi out if he made himself available.

The 38-year-old is one of 17 players in Scaloni’s roster who were also present in Qatar, with the savvy national team manager opting for continuity. Messi will play a leading role for the holders, who are aiming to become the first team in 64 years to retain the World Cup.

Only eight nations have ever gotten their hands on the trophy since the tournament‘s 1930 inception, yet Brazil, in 1962, is the most recent to win back-to-back World Cups. Vittorio Pozzo’s Italy also won twice in succession in 1934 and 1938.

Argentina has come close once before, with Maradona’s uninspiring holders reaching the final in 1990 before being edged out by the superior West Germany in a drab contest decided by Andreas Brehme’s penalty. 1994 champions Brazil were cast aside in the showpiece event by France four years later—a final overshadowed by the prematch drama surrounding superstar Ronaldo.

Les Blues won the World Cup for a second time in 2018, and, off the back of a Kylian Mbappé hat-trick, took the 2022 final to penalties. Regarded as one of soccer‘s greatest games, Argentina held its nerve from 12 yards to thrust Messi’s legacy into an impenetrable realm.

Excluding France in Qatar, the holders have generally struggled at World Cups in the 21st century. At four of the six tournaments, they’ve failed to make it out of the group.

Messi Fighting Champions’ Curse

How Brazil Retained the World Cup in 1962

A teenage Pelé helped Brazil vanquish the demons of the defeat to Uruguay on home soil when he scored six times in the knockout stage to help the Seleção win the World Cup for the first time in 1958.

When Brazil made the short trip across South America to defend its crown four years later, soccer had changed. The free-scoring bliss of the 1950s was long gone, with the sport now dominated by more cynical approaches that emphasised opponent nullification by any means.

Brazil wasn’t all that different from the team that triumphed in Sweden, although a key tactical switch fought against stagnation. The aggressive 4-2-4 that dominated four years earlier became more of a lopsided 4-3-3, supplying greater defensive stability.

A groin injury meant Pelé wasn’t counted upon, with the idiosyncratic Garrincha instead coming to the fore. The winger was believed to have been inspired by the arrival of his partner, the glamorous singer Elza Soares, midway through the tournament. Garrincha put a slow start to the World Cup behind him and took the mantle from the stricken Pelé.

Brazil won their group unbeaten before overcoming England 3–1 in the quarterfinals thanks to a Garrincha brace. Hosts Chile sought to kick the dazzling winger out of the semifinals, eventually forcing Garrincha to deliver an uncompromising knee that resulted in his dismissal. Before that, though, he’d struck twice in a 4–2 Brazilian victory. The star man’s red card was subsequently rescinded by Peruvian referee Arturo Yamasaki, meaning he was available for the final against Czechoslovakia.

The Czechs were no more than gritty and functional. Brazil may not have been as swashbuckling as the Swedish sojourn, but the reigning champion nonetheless had too much in the final. Brazil fought back from a goal down to win comfortably, 3–1. Vavà became the first player in World Cup history to score in two finals.

The Seleção’s superiority over the rest of the world remained distinct until their disastrous campaign of 1966, although few were enamored with the overall quality of the tournament. There were glimpses from Garrincha, but the glorious individualism of the 1950s was beginning to wane.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Lionel Messi Chasing 64 Years of History After World Cup Call-Up.

Multiple factors are considered in the ranking, including revenue generated for the 2024–25 season (or 2025 campaign in MLS), operating income, stadium economics and debts, each value rounded to the nearest $1 million.

Unsurprisingly, European behemoths dominate the rankings, but clubs in the United States are growing as genuine competitors.

Here is a breakdown of the world’s most valuable soccer sides in 2026.

30–21

Over a third of the clubs within the top 30 are English. Even the Premier League’s middle class are capable of financially overpowering the majority of teams across the planet. Brighton & Hove Albion, Fulham and Everton rank from 27th to 25th in that order, falling just short of a $1 billion valuation.

Despite Napoli being crowned Serie A champions in 2024–25, it’s Roma who are the fourth-most valuable side in Italy. The capital giants place 24th, marginally behind Benfica—the only club from Portugal to make the cut.

Stuttgart in 28th continue to flourish as their on-field resurgence converts to hugely improved revenue streams. They are now officially Germany’s third-most valuable club.

MLS sides Austin FC and Seattle Sounders just creep into the list after value increases from 2024, but, unlike Atlanta United and New York City FC, they fail to reach the $1 billion valuation mark.

20–11

Californian giants LA Galaxy and Los Angeles FC sneak into the top 20, the latter’s value of $1.32 billion only slightly less than Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami CF—the most valuable MLS franchise on the market. All three have seen their value increase from the previous rankings.

Aston Villa have overseen an incredible 56% growth over the past year as Unai Emery continues to work wonders. Champions League qualification played a massive part in their financial progression, making them England’s most valuable club outside of the traditional ‘Big Six’. They lead Newcastle United, who are perched in 19th.

Despite a higher revenue than their arch rivals, 2024–25 Champions League finalists Inter still trail AC Milan, who are valued at $500 million more than their neighbors. Both clubs are still overshadowed by Juventus, however, whose value sits at an impressive $2.4 billion despite on-pitch struggles.

Borussia Dortmund continue their tradition of being second in Germany, their value paling in comparison to that of Der Klassiker rivals Bayern Munich. Atlético Madrid, one of only three Spanish clubs, find themselves in a similar situation, trailing adversaries Real Madrid by billions.

10–1

Atléti only narrowly miss out on their place in the top 10 at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur, but there is quite the jump from Spurs to their city rivals Chelsea. The Blues are $1.2 billion more valuable, although that’s the exact sum they find themselves behind recently crowned Premier League champions Arsenal.

The Gunners could well surpass Manchester City, as they did in the 2025–26 Premier League, in next year’s list. The Cityzens are only $100 million ahead of Arsenal, although they find themselves playing catch-up to Liverpool and Manchester United.

England’s most successful clubs are both valued at over $6 billion, putting them ahead of reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain and German behemoths Bayern Munich. The Red Devils are valued at $1 billion more than Liverpool and will benefit from Champions League revenue next season.

Spain’s top two once again headline the rankings, with Real Madrid enjoying their fifth successive year at the summit. Their $9.5 billion valuation is marked by an incredible $1.27 billion made in revenue across 2024–25, which is a record total for any sports team measured by Forbes (without adjusting for inflation). Unlike on the field, Barcelona find themselves behind their Clásico adversaries.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as The 30 Most Valuable Soccer Teams in 2026—Ranked.

Messi was forced to leave the insane MLS match against Philadelphia Union in the 79th minute, with the score tied at 4–4. Miami’s initial medical report then revealed “muscle fatigue in the left hamstring” to set alarm bells ringing so close to the 2026 World Cup.

Even closing in on his 38th birthday, Messi is still central to Argentina’s hopes of becoming the first team in more than 60 years to successfully retain the men’s World Cup. It would also be a blow to the tournament as a whole not to have one of the all-time greats at full health.

Scaloni doesn’t appear that worried, but more tests are required. He and his staff were watching the Miami match from their base in Argentina, immediately aware there was a potential problem when Messi left the field in the moment that he did.

“We were watching the match at the training ground. We realized he asked to be substituted, that he wasn’t well,” the 2022 World Cup-winning manager told DSports.

“The first reports are not that bad. Logically, we would prefer that nothing had happened to him. Now, we have to wait and see how he progresses. Above all, they’re going to run tests on him, I imagine, and see if it’s as they say.

“We would have liked him to arrive [in camp] without any kind of problems, but that is not the case with him and with most of the players who have had problems. They are not fully recovered. Our goal is to try to recover them and have them arrive in the best possible condition.”

All-Time World Cup Record Beckons for Messi

Even if Messi could not play early-round matches, his selection for Argentina seems virtually guaranteed—for all that he has done for the national team in 21 years and the impact he might still have later in the tournament’s knockout rounds.

Scaloni is yet to publicly name Argentina’s roster but that announcement is imminent.

History is within reach for Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. This is going to be his sixth World Cup, which is a record for the men’s tournament that he will jointly break with Cristiano Ronaldo, who has already been named in Portugal’s squad for a sixth time. Each played their first World Cup in 2006, when Ronaldo was 21 and Messi was turning 19.

But in terms of individual World Cup matches, a new record could be Messi’s alone by July. He has already played more World Cup matches than anyone in men’s soccer, making his 26th appearance in the 2022 final against France. But the overall World Cup record belongs to USWNT legend Kristine Lilly, who played 30 times at the women’s tournament from 1991–2007.

Four appearances for Messi in 2026 equals it, and five breaks it. In total, Argentina could play up to eight times if La Albiceleste reach the final or third-place playoff.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Lionel Messi Injury: Argentina Boss Reveals Next Steps As World Cup Roster Looms.

This weekend’s Matchday 15 slate of MLS saw some teams allow World Cup-bound players to sit out, while others fielded top-choice lineups with hopes of heading into the extended international break with a win and good vibes around the club. 

From outstanding showdowns on the West Coast to Lionel Messi’s concerning exit in a record-smashing 6–4 Inter Miami victory over the Philadelphia Union, the final pre-World Cup weekend of MLS didn’t disappoint. 

Here, Sports Illustrated dives into the weekly MLS Power Rankings, with the league set to resume with a six-game Matchday 16 slate on July 16, between the World Cup semifinals and the July 19 final. 

MLS Power Rankings Matchday 15: Clubs 30–11

30. Philadelphia Union (Previous: 30)
29. Atlanta United (Previous: 29)
28. Sporting Kansas City (Previous: 27)
27. Colorado Rapids (Previous: 26)
26. St. Louis CITY SC (Previous: 28)
25. Austin FC (Previous: 24)
24. Orlando City (Previous: 21)
23. CF Montréal (Previous: 25)
22. D.C. United (Previous: 23)
21. Toronto FC (Previous: 22)
20. Portland Timbers (Previous: 20)
19. San Diego FC (Previous: 17)
18. Columbus Crew (Previous: 19)
17. Red Bull New York (Previous: 18)
16. Houston Dynamo (Previous: 16)
15. LA Galaxy (Previous: 15)
14. Minnesota United (Previous: 14)
13. New York City FC (Previous: 11)
12. Charlotte FC (Previous: 13)
11. New England Revolution (Previous: 10)

10. FC Dallas (Previous: 12)

While some teams are limping into the World Cup break, things couldn’t be going any better for FC Dallas. This weekend saw the Toros grab a 2–1 win over the Colorado Rapids, bringing them to four wins in their last five and up to fourth in the Western Conference. 

Even without talisman and World Cup-bound Croatian international Petar Musa, they found a way to nab a pair of goals through Logan Farrington’s sixth of the season and Santiago Moreno, both of whom made no mistakes from the penalty spot. Outside of the top-tier attack, Jonathan Sirois has found some form between the sticks, giving manager Eric Quill a true battle between the Canadian and Michael Collodi. 

9. FC Cincinnati (Previous: 11)

Talk about heading into the World Cup with a bang. FC Cincinnati took full advantage of a dismal Orlando City defense, putting up six goals in a 6–2 win, now having scored at least three goals in four of their last five matches. 

After starting the season at a lower level of production than his usual self, Evander has found his form in the past several weeks. In the Orlando beatdown, he posted an outstanding two goals and three assists, while also stringing together 10 key passes. That has him at nine goals and six assists this season, trailing only Messi in total goal contributions.  

Cincinnati returns to MLS action in July against Western Conference leaders, Vancouver Whitecaps, in what looks to be a thrilling matchup.

8. Real Salt Lake (Previous: 7)

Zavier Gozo sets up Zach Booth for his first Salt Lake goal! 👊

📺 Apple TV: https://t.co/0hr43uDfub pic.twitter.com/MpGjNvOXGR

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 23, 2026

The biggest news for Real Salt Lake came pre-match on Saturday, when reports revealed that star midfielder Diego Luna and outstanding teenager Zavier Gozo would not make the U.S. men’s national team squad for the upcoming World Cup. 

Gozo played as if he took that to heart, ramping up his energy down the right flank even more so and setting up Zach Booth for the 22-year-old right wingback’s first MLS goal in the 22nd minute.

While Luna wasn’t in the matchday squad, the Claret and Cobalt allowed a 93rd-minute equalizer; they shouldn’t worry too much. It’s three wins and four games undefeated in their last five, with two players bound to show some vigor for the rest of the season.

7. Chicago Fire (Previous: 8)

It wasn’t the start to Saturday’s match that the Chicago Fire would’ve wanted, allowing Toronto FC’s Josh Sargent to rip through the backline before firing a blistering shot past goalkeeper Chris Brady. Yet, Gregg Berhalter’s men can take solace in their bounce-back and came out victorious, while also celebrating Brady’s reported nomination to the USMNT’s World Cup squad. 

It marked the end of Hugo Cuypers’s immense 10-game win streak, but seeing Robin Lod and Andrew Gutman step up with goals should give the Fire some confidence as well, knowing they are far from a one-man show.

6. Seattle Sounders (Previous: 5)

The Seattle Sounders had a massive opportunity to prove themselves as a Supporters’ Shield and Western Conference contender over the past two weeks. Instead, they failed to score a goal and lost 2–0 to the LA Galaxy and 1–0 to LAFC. 

Is it time to worry? Maybe a little. As much as late-summer surges practically define Brian Schmetzer’s era at Seattle’s helm, they won’t be on the pitch again until July and let a vital six points slip. At the same time, the midfield duo of Cristian Roldan and Hasanni Dotson is showing cracks, while 19-year-old Snyder Brunell can’t yet be relied upon every week.

5. LAFC (Previous: 6)

It wasn’t glorious, but LAFC are back in the win column for the first time in four games, as they snapped a three-game losing skid with a 1–0 victory over Seattle Sounders on Sunday night. Tim Tillman hit the back of the net in the 86th minute, finishing off a chance from Tyler Boyd. 

The win puts the Black and Gold fifth in the Western Conference but offers little respite from a rather underwhelming first few months under manager Marc Dos Santos, a longtime assistant to Steve Cherundolo. 

Now, the future is in question. How secure is Marc Dos Santos’s role? How will the team forge ahead without Stephen Eustáquio in midfield, given his plans to return to FC Porto after the World Cup? And how about Son Heung-min, who took seven shots but hasn’t scored in 13 MLS matches this season? Lots to be answered in LA.

4. Inter Miami (Previous: 4)

6-4 thriller! One of the craziest MLS games of all time! 🤯

▪️ Highest scoring first half ever (4-4)
▪️ Second most goals in a game (10)
▪️ Hat tricks from Milan Iloski and Luis Suarez pic.twitter.com/iit666kFao

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 25, 2026

Absolute chaos. Many teams that welcome Inter Miami to town have described the experience as a “circus,” with the fanfare and spotlight that comes with Lionel Messi and the star-studded Herons. That circus, albeit in a different way, has already firmly established itself at Nu Stadium. 

First, it was three straight winless showings at the new ground. Last week, it was a silent protest from the supporters, and this week, it was a 6–4 win over the Philadelphia Union, which was 4–4 at halftime, marking the first time eight goals had been scored in an opening frame in MLS history. 

Miami, at their best, can score—and they’re very good at it, thanks to Messi. Yet, they are extremely volatile defensively. There have been improvements with the center back pairing of Gonzalo Luján and Micael, in place of Maxi Falcón, but the amount of shots and chances given up isn’t that of a championship-style team. In no world should Dayne St. Clair allow four goals and still have a “goals prevented” of +0.98, indicating a net positive performance despite the four goals allowed. 

Sunday’s showing was one of Luis Suárez’s best in MLS, scoring a hat-trick and a wonderfully taken chested volley, while Germán Berterame may have played himself onto Mexico’s World Cup squad with a brace. Yet, as much as Miami are faulty, they can win, and that has them second in the Eastern Conference and fourth in MLS.

3. San Jose Earthquakes (Previous: 3)

That's ✌️ for Preston Judd in less than 15 minutes 😱 pic.twitter.com/ZKZsSHxjQa

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 24, 2026

The San Jose Earthquakes continued their heavy schedule this week and started with continued disappointment, falling to the Colorado Rapids in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals, their third straight loss across all competitions. This weekend though, saw them return to form, securing a 3–1 road win against the Portland Timbers to stay tied on points atop the Western Conference with Vancouver. 

With a brace, Preston Judd brought himself to 11 goals on the season, and the 26-year-old, who previously boasted an MLS career high of seven goals in the 2025 season, finds himself firmly in the MLS Golden Boot race, one goal behind Messi and Musa for second and two goals behind Chicago’s Cuypers for the lead. 

Under the tutelage of Bruce Arena, the Earthquakes have been the defining story of the first half of the 2026 season. With likely no players heading to the World Cup, they’ll have some time to get healthy and practice before the summer and fall stretch towards the MLS Cup playoffs.

2. Nashville SC (Previous: 1)

Three wins in a row, nine games undefeated and just a single loss in their 14 regular-season games so far—it’s been an incredible year for Nashville SC, buoyed even further by the fact they’ve weathered significant injury absences without Sam Surridge, Edvard Tagseth and Patrick Yazbek in recent weeks. 

This week saw Nashville pick up all three points against New York City FC, with Cristian Espinoza picking up his eighth assist of the season and getting goals from center backs Maxwell Woledzi and Jeisson Palacios from corners, even though they struggled to break down NYCFC’s defensive setup. Surridge also returned to MLS action and should be fully fit come the summer.

1. Vancouver Whietcaps (Previous: 2)

Blackmon ➡️ Müller ➡️ White to give @WhitecapsFC the lead!

📺 Apple TV: https://t.co/ueTxxvTrbR pic.twitter.com/oZkqqyK7TQ

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 24, 2026

Vancouver Whitecaps had a relatively easy start to the season, considering the heavy home schedule before handing over BC Place to FIFA for seven World Cup matches, including two knockout games this summer. It means that Vancouver has spent the last five matches on the road and has managed to pick up eight of a possible 15 points, an extremely tough feat in MLS. 

This weekend’s 4–2 win over San Diego FC also marked one of their best performances of the season in an attacking sense. Thomas Müller was excellent in linking plays through midfield, Brian White’s deft finishing touch returned to its best form and Bruno Caicedo continued to impress, with the 21-year-old scoring his second goal, bringing him to four goal contributions in just 301 minutes. 

Already enjoying a standout attacking showing, the Whitecaps managed to put in a strong enough defensive effort, despite backup goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer filling in for the suspended first-choice Yohei Takaoka and without Andrés Cubas, widely considered one of the best defensive midfielders in the league. 

For a team dealing with a heavy road schedule and with rumors of relocation, finding this level of success on the pitch has been exceptional, and they will now get to see likely Cubas and Sebastian Berhalter at the World Cup with Paraguay and the USMNT, respectively. 

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

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• The 30 Most Valuable Soccer Teams in 2026—Ranked
• Lionel Messi Injury: Argentina Boss Reveals Next Steps As World Cup Roster Looms

This article was originally published on www.si.com as MLS Power Rankings: Muller’s Whitecaps Dominate, Miami Wins Chaotic Pre-World Cup Finale and More After Matchday 15.

Inter Miami’s talisman, who grabbed two assists in a wild 6–4 victory over the Philadelphia Union, was forced out of the game with 17 minutes remaining, grabbing at his leg and heading to the sidelines.

While nothing suggested Messi’s injury was particularly serious, it was the timing that left fans worried. Argentina get their World Cup campaign underway against Algeria on June 17 and just seven weeks separate the date of the injury and the World Cup final on July 19.

Here’s the latest on Messi’s injury scare.

What Injury Does Lionel Messi Have?

Messi was seen grabbing at the back of his thigh before his substitution, indicating a potential hamstring injury. He was quickly sent for tests and Miami have since confirmed a problem with Messi’s left hamstring.

At the time of Messi’s exit, the two teams were tied at 4–4, so the sight of the team’s superstar forward heading to the bench when they still needed a goal led to obvious concerns about the severity of the injury.

The well-connected Gastón Edul was first to report that Messi’s withdrawal was more of a precaution, rather than a response to an injury blow. Crucially, the post states Messi “has no muscle injury.”

Miami manager Guillermo Hoyos was equally keen to calm the tensions.

“As far as I know, we don’t have a report on that yet, but he really was fatigued,” Hoyos told the media. “Yes, it was fatigue.

“He was tired, the field was heavy, and rather than doubt, you always say not to take the risk.”

The club’s update clarified Messi’s injury as “muscle fatigue,” rather that a strain or a tear.

Will Lionel Messi Play at the 2026 World Cup?

We’re still awaiting confirmation of Argentina’s final World Cup roster, and we have not even had formal confirmation from Messi that he will actually go to this tournament, having previously insisted he would wait and see how his body feels before making a final decision.

That being said, all the signs suggest Messi will make Argentina’s final roster, and his decision to exit the Philadelphia game to preserve his fitness would point to a desire to remain healthy for this summer’s tournament.

The focus then turns to whether Messi will be fit enough to play. Hamstring injuries can vary wildly in terms of recovery timelines, which are dictated by the severity of the issue itself. A minor sprain can heal in a couple of days and a major tear can take the best part of six months.

It would appear as though Messi is right at the bottom end of that spectrum, with his hamstring soreness unlikely to require much time on the sidelines.

That will come as good news for fans as they await Messi’s appearance at the World Cup this summer. Argentina has just over three weeks to prepare for its first game and, as it stands, there are no reasons to believe Messi will not be fit enough to feature.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Lionel Messi Injury: Progress, Potential Return Date After World Cup Scare.

The match got off to a blistering start, with Philadelphia’s Milan Iloski beating Miami’s Dayne St. Clair in the fourth minute, taking advantage of a defensive breakdown. Minutes later, St. Clair surrendered a misjudged penalty, and Miami found themselves behind 2–0 by the 10th minute.

The struggles wouldn’t last long. Lionel Messi began to charge forward and lead Miami’s attack, first setting up Germán Berterame for a tap-in goal, his first of two in the victory. Luis Suárez netted a hat-trick as well, highlighted by an acrobatic finish, as he chested the ball to himself off Ian Fray’s cross, before smashing a shot past Union backstop Andre Blake. Rodrigo De Paul scored late, sealing the victory on a counterattack for the 6–4 win.

OMG what a goal by Luis Suárez 😱 pic.twitter.com/F3wckQuchB

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 24, 2026

The 4–4 first half marked the first time that eight goals had been scored in the opening period of an MLS match, with the final 10 combined goals falling just short of the match record, which sits at 11combined in a single game.

Yet, the major storyline coming out of the night was Messi’s missing presence later on. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner abruptly left the match with discomfort in his leg in the 73rd minute, clutching his hamstring. He quickly walked towards the locker room for medical treatment, throwing doubt into his availability for the 2026 World Cup in less than 20 days.

Here, Sports Illustrated breaks down the match, grading every Inter Miami player who saw the pitch in the victory.

Inter Miami Report Card vs. Philadelphia Union (4-3-3)

GK: Dayne St. Clair—C-:  The Canadian had troubles early in the match, but finished the night with seven saves and was arguably the best defensive player for Inter Miami, keeping the team in the match.

RB: Ian Fray—B: Ian Fray continued to take on significant minutes with Inter Miami and was dynamic down the wing, leading to his assist on Suárez’s acrobatic finish on the 3–2 goal.

CB: Gonzalo Luján—C-: Luján continued to grow into his defensive responsibilities with Inter Miami, but struggled to keep up with 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan and the other Philadelphia attackers.

CB: Micael—F: The Brazilian center back had one of his worst games in an Inter Miami kit, struggling to keep up with Iloski, while other attackers simply side-stepped past him.

LB: Sergio Reguilón—D: Sergio Reguilón’s presence with Inter Miami has been underwhelming, and Sunday was no different. On a night where attacking potential was wide open, he failed to make any significant contribution.

RM: Rodrigo De Paul—A: Rodrigo De Paul has been putting in double-workout days with Lionel Messi in preparation for the World Cup and looks as fit as ever. Having recently celebrated his 32nd birthday, the Argentine veteran is in stellar form and scored the eventual winning goal.

CM: Yannick Bright—B: The most consistent Miami player of 2026, Bright jumped into the attack throughout Sunday, but failed to provide any real threat. However, his nine defensive contributions were vital to bringing some semblance of control to the chaos.

LM: Telasco Segovia—D: Telasco Segovia had a performance to forget, struggling to make any attacking inroads and being beaten several times by Iloski and Sullivan.

RW: Lionel Messi—B: In a 10-goal game, it’s shocking to see Messi left out of the goalscoring. Yet, that’s exactly what happened on Sunday, even though he picked up a pair of assists before leaving the match with an injury.

ST: Germán Berterame—B+: Germán Berterame is still in the mix for the Mexico World Cup roster and a brace, as much as Messi did most of the work, to get him to seven MLS goals this season gives him a strong chance of cracking the squad.

LW: Luis Suárez—A++++!!!!: The Uruguay legend was outstanding! A brilliant finish on his second goal to control it with his chest before smashing a half-volley into the goal. His movements and positioning in the box were also stellar, completely turning the clock back to the best moments of his career.

SUB: David Ayala (67’ for Segovia)—C+: Ayala made sure he did not throw Miami off their game in the final 23 minutes.

SUB: Facundo Mura (67’ for Reguilón)—C: Mura made a confident 26 passes after entering the match in the 68th minute and silenced the wing, which Reguilón had struggled to shut down.

SUB: Mateo Silvetti (73’ for Messi)—A+: Stepping in as an Argentine for Messi is far from easy, but Silvetti did so with flying colors. He played a key role in the winning goal and insurance marker, picking up an official assist on De Paul's counterattacking 6–4 goal.

Subs not used: Rocco Ríos Novo (GK), Maxi Falcón, Noah Allen, Alex Shaw, David Ruíz

One Thing We Can’t Ignore: The Messi Injury

Nearly every league in the world played games this weekend. There is no blame on MLS for doing so, even as it is expected to send a record-number of players to the World Cup on home soil this summer.

For interim manager Guillermo Hoyos, though, there is some concern. Yes, Miami wants to win every game, and yes, Messi probably wants to play every minute he can—yet, this was also a game against the worst team in the league and one that Miami could, technically, afford to lose. It’s what ensures Messi saw the pitch that makes it so perplexing. Why risk a player like that in a game like this? Miami could probably have played other players and still secured three points—and if they fell short, well, then they can look to the rest of the season in the hunt for a top seed in the MLS Cup playoffs.

Messi and his teammates are ultra-competitive. That’s why they’ve hit the levels that they have in their careers. Still, he is 38 years old with an intrepid injury history—how was that not more of a concern? At this point, it’s water under the bridge, with Argentina and soccer fans from across the world holding their collective breath.

What’s Next For Inter Miami?

The World Cup! Several of Inter Miami’s stars are likely World Cup-bound, with goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair potentially serving as co-host Canada’s starting goalkeeper, with that roster set to be unveiled on Friday. Other World Cup stars include Argentina’s Messi and De Paul as well as Mexico's Berterame.

Inter Miami will resume MLS action on July 22 against the Chicago Fire.

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

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• The 30 Most Valuable Soccer Teams in 2026—Ranked
• Lionel Messi Injury: Argentina Boss Reveals Next Steps As World Cup Roster Looms

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Grading Inter Miami’s Record-Smashing Win Over Philadelphia Amid Messi Injury .

Messi appeared to call towards Miami’s bench and signal his need for a substitution, grabbing the back of his leg after taking a free-kick. He quickly made his way off the field before storming down the players’ tunnel and into the locker rooms at Miami’s new Nu Stadium.

While there has been no official update on his status, there will undoubtedly be concern for the 38-year-old, who sustained the injury just 18 days before the World Cup. After the match, he and Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul were expected to join Argentina’s pre-tournament training camp in Kansas City on June 1, having already taken on additional workouts to prepare for the tournament, alongside their usual Inter Miami regimen. 

Messi is headed straight to the locker room after getting subbed out in the 73rd minute pic.twitter.com/BIpKA4M3TW

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 25, 2026

Messi, who will turn 39 midway through the tournament, has not yet verbally committed to the World Cup. He was waiting until the last second to “see if [he] really can be 100%,” and Sunday’s injury may have thrown a wrench into that plan. If so, his last World Cup match would be the title-winning moment over France in Qatar four years ago. 

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has yet to announce the World Cup 26-man roster, reportedly scheduled to be released sometime between May 28 and May 30. All nations’ squads must be announced by June 2, meaning Scaloni will have his team by the time Argentina faces Honduras and Iceland in pre-tournament friendlies on June 6 and June 9. La Albiceleste open World Cup play against Algeria on June 16. 

Messi’s Tournament Injury History

Messi’s World Cup presence is not yet in doubt, with Inter Miami’s staff and trainers yet to confirm his status or provide an official medical report.

Inter Miami interim manager Guillermo Hoyos stated post-match that he believes Messi’s condition is actually fatigue, a result of the heavy pitch due to the rainy weather conditions. Other reports suggest that the substitution was precautionary because Messi felt his muscle tighten up.

Messi suffered a severe right ankle injury in the last major international tournament, the 2024 Copa América, and was limited to 66 minutes in the final as Argentina prevailed over Colombia to win the title. As a team, Argentina would still remain a contender without Messi, but would lack one of the world’s greatest playmakers and goal scorers. The world would miss out on seeing the legend in a sixth and (almost certainly) final World Cup.

Up until this point of the season, Messi has maintained full health and has been exceptional in his play, giving zero indication of slowing down despite being in the twilight of his career. The back-to-back MLS MVP is the favorite to win the 2026 award, with 13 goals and seven assists in 16 games across all competitions.

This story will be updated.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Lionel Messi Suffers Worrying Injury 18 Days From World Cup.

A select few, however, go far beyond that, taking home truly staggering sums that are enough to make your eyes water.

So, just how much are the world’s biggest stars actually earning?

Fortunately, Forbes releases an annual list of the world’s highest-paid athletes, including soccer’s top earners.

Here are the seven highest-paid players in world soccer (from May 1, 2025 to May 1, 2026), including how much they make and where the bulk of their fortunes come from.

How Do Soccer Players’ Earnings Compare to Other Sports?

Soccer is one of the most lucrative sports on the planet, but it is far from alone. Many stars from other sports also earn similarly astronomical sums.

According to Forbes’ list of the world’s 50 highest-paid athletes, seven are soccer players.

That is two fewer than the number of NFL players on the list—and significantly fewer than basketball, which boasts 19 athletes in the top 50, more than any other sport.

Tennis players, Formula 1 drivers, baseball stars, golfers and boxers also feature heavily among the world’s highest earners, with elite athletes across multiple sports commanding staggering salaries and endorsement deals.

That said, two of the top three highest-paid athletes in the world are soccer players—both of whom will be very familiar names.

Highest Paid Athletes Who Aren’t Soccer Players

*Figures are from May 1, 2025 to May 1, 2026.

Highest Paid Soccer Players—Ranked

7. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Total Earnings: $55 million

An all-time Premier League great, Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah is the first soccer player entry in the top 50.

He earned $55 million, with around $35 million coming from wages and bonuses at Liverpool. The remaining $20 million came from endorsement deals with brands such as adidas, Pepsi and Vodafone.

With a potential move to Saudi Arabia on the horizon, his position on this list could rise significantly in the coming years.

6. Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)

Total Earnings: $60 million

Most of Vinicius Junior’s earnings came from his contract at Real Madrid, worth around $40 million in wages and bonuses. The rest came from sponsorship deals with brands including Gatorade, Luxottica Group, Marriott International, Nike, Pepsi, Unilever and Visa.

5. Erling Haaland (Man City)

Total Earnings: $80 million

Erling Haaland is the fifth-highest-paid soccer player in the world and the top earner in the Premier League.

He earned $80 million, with around $60 million coming from his Manchester City contract.

The remainder came from endorsement deals with brands including Beats by Dre, Breitling, Dolce & Gabbana, Electronic Arts, Marriott International, Midea, Nike, Supercell, Unilever and Visa.

4. Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)

Total Earnings: $95 million

Kylian Mbappé stands out as the top earner in Europe.

Around $70 million came from his contract at Real Madrid, with the remaining $25 million generated through endorsement deals with brands including Dior, Electronic Arts, Hublot, Nike, Oakley and Sorare.

3. Karim Benzema (Al Hilal)

Total Earnings: $104 million

A surprise entry at number three, veteran striker Karim Benzema broke nine digits.

Around $100 million came from his contract with Al Hilal, while the remainder was thanks to endorsement deals, mostly through his partnership with adidas.

2. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)

Total Earnings: $140 million

Coming in second, Lionel Messi is the third-highest-paid athlete across all sports.

The World Cup winner’s income was split roughly evenly between his contract with Inter Miami and his off-field earnings. Messi’s endorsement portfolio includes long-standing deals with adidas, PepsiCo, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Apple, Beats by Dre, Epic Games, Hard Rock Cafe, Lowe’s, Mastercard and Panini.

He also owns a clothing line, beverage brand and hotel chain.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr)

Total Earnings: $300 million

Cristiano Ronaldo is not only the highest-paid soccer player in the world, but also the highest-paid athlete on the planet.

He earned a staggering $300 million, more than double Messi and around $130 million more than his closest rival, boxer Canelo Álvarez.

Around $65 million came from endorsements with brands including Binance, Herbalife, Lego, Nike, Therabody, Whoop and his personal investment portfolio.

The remaining $235 million came from his contract with Al Nassr, whom he helped lead to the Saudi Pro League title.

That equates to roughly $5.77 million per week, $822,000 per day, $34,000 per hour, $566 per minute and around $9–10 per second.

Highest Paid Soccer Players 2026

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as The Seven Highest Paid Soccer Players in the World—Ranked.

Manchester United’s defensive totem has enjoyed a career renaissance at Old Trafford this season. After tumbling towards mockery during the dark days of the 2023–24 campaign, Casemiro has embarked upon a remarkable individual rejuvenation, returning to the heights which helped him win five Champions League titles with Real Madrid.

The 34-year-old’s form has been so impressive United’s fans and several players have openly appealed for “one more year” of his services. Those pleas have fallen on deaf ears as Casemiro sails towards free agency and, as reports have repeatedly trailed, a move to MLS. Now there has been some premature (and unplanned) confirmation that his landing spot will be Miami.

During a conversation with assembled reporters, Miami forward Segovia reiterated his desire to play in Europe at some point in his career after sharing training sessions with some of the best to ever feature on the continent. Lionel Messi’s teammate now has a new star to count upon. “I know Casemiro is coming—he’s a great player,” Segovia let slip, as captured by Olé.

In a half-hearted attempt to backpedal, the 23-year-old added: “If he does come, he’s more than welcome; he’ll bring a lot to the team, and I think he’s going to give us so much.”

Segovia’s revelation is not entirely out of the blue. Recent reports have described Miami as on the cusp of securing Casemiro’s official agreement after outmaneuvering MLS rivals LA Galaxy, who are thought to have seen multiple contract offers rebuffed by the in-demand Brazilian. However, the accidental confirmation can now allow fans to picture Casemiro in a pink shirt with more certainty.

When Could Casemiro Makes His Inter Miami Debut?

Like all MLS clubs, Inter Miami will take a break during the World Cup. After Sunday’s clash with Philadephia Union at Nu Stadium, the Herons won’t be back in action until July 22 when Chicago Fire come to town.

Should Casemiro’s Brazil make it all the way to the World Cup final on July 19, it’s unlikely he will be called upon for that visit from the Fire. The ageing midfielder has been granted a reprieve for United’s final game of the Premier League to best prepare for the upcoming tournament, which is expected to be his last for Brazil, and will need ample time to recover after playing a full European club season which began back in August.

United have been subjected to an unusually uncluttered schedule thanks to their past failings. A lack of any continental competition coupled by a pair of early cup exits ensured that the Red Devils would sometimes go three weeks between fixtures. However, at this advanced stage of his career, Casemiro’s physical preparation cannot be rushed, especially considering his potential importance to Inter Miami.

Following the retirement of Sergio Busquets, the reigning MLS Cup champions have proven to be desperately leaky. Miami have conceded a division-high eight goals from fast breaks in just 14 league games this year. Casemiro’s first objective will be to shore up that soft center.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as ‘I Know’—Casemiro’s Next Club After Man Utd Accidentally Confirmed by New Teammate.

While many leagues won’t resume until after a country lifts the World Cup trophy in New Jersey on July 19, MLS will return to play a little earlier, with six games scheduled between the semifinals and finals with hopes of capturing soccer’s heightened fandom.

First, though, MLS sides must forge through Matchday 15, earning a final result before they head for the couch for a restful break or to soccer’s greatest stage.

Here’s what Sports Illustrated predicts for the 15th matchday of MLS in 2026.

St. Louis CITY SC vs. Austin FC

• Date: Saturday, May 23
• Time: 2:45 p.m. ET / 11:40 a.m. PT

St. Louis CITY SC have not had the perfect MLS season with just three wins to this point, but have their eyes on a trophy after advancing to the U.S. Open Cup semifinals midweek, knocking out the Houston Dynamo on penalties. While that’s no doubt a focus, riding that new momentum to claim points against Austin FC at home could put them in a solid position to stay on the edge of playoff contention in the fall.

Austin FC, meanwhile, hit the road after parting ways with manager Nico Estévez and sporting director Rodolfo Borrell, with veteran manager Davy Arnaud tipped as the interim voice. With new leadership on the way, it’s the start of a new era for Los Verdes.

Prediction: St. Louis CITY SC 2–0 Austin FC

Minnesota United vs. Real Salt Lake

• Date: Saturday, May 23
• Time: 4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PT

Two of the borderline contending teams in the Western Conference go head-to-head this weekend, with Minnesota United already beginning their post-James Rodríguez era, looking for a result against a Real Salt Lake unit that hopes to see both Zavier Gozo and Diego Luna representing the USMNT at the World Cup.

Will either of the midfielders stand out in the final push for the squad, set to be unveiled on Tuesday?

Prediction: Minnesota United 1–4 Real Salt Lake

Charlotte FC vs. New England Revolution

• Date: Saturday, May 23
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

Wilfried Zaha missed out on the 2026 World Cup and will no doubt be frustrated about that reality as he takes to the pitch for the final game of the spring with Charlotte FC, looking to secure a victory alongside Pep Biel and Idan Toklomati.

On the other side, the Revolution looks for better road form after a stupendous start to the season at home, with goalkeeper Matt Turner set to put on one more performance before the USMNT World Cup squad unveiling.

Prediction: Charlotte FC 1–1 New England Revolution

FC Cincinnati vs. Orlando City

• Date: Saturday, May 23
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

Orlando City are riding a high coming into this weekend, after thrashing Atlanta United 4–1 midweek to advance to the U.S. Open Cup semifinals. While they can taste victory in that competition, finding any ground in MLS play remains a challenge.

This weekend will be a big one for Marco Pašalić and Maxime Crépeau, both looking to find form ahead of representing their respective nations, Croatia and Canada, at the World Cup. FC Cincinnati, meanwhile, hopes to allow fewer than two goals for the first time in three games.

Prediction: FC Cincinnati 3–4 Orlando City

D.C. United vs. CF Montréal

• Date: Saturday, May 23
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

CF Montréal has been a surprising team this season. While the managerial era of Marco Donadel ended early, they have had a boost under interim boss Philippe Eullaffroy and now sit on four wins after 13 games heading into this weekend. Prince Owusu, Matty Longstaff and Daniel Ríos have been good, but can they find a win on the road against an in-form Louis Munteanu and D.C. United?

Prediction: D.C. United 2–2 CF Montréal

Chicago Fire vs. Toronto FC

• Date: Saturday, May 23
• Time: 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT

The injury bug has been a tough blow for Toronto FC, missing both Djordje Mihailovic and Josh Sargent in a group of 12 players that were sidelined in last week’s loss to Charlotte FC.

The World Cup break couldn’t come at a better time for the Reds, but they will hope to secure a send-off road win this weekend against a stingy Chicago Fire side, headlined by Hugo Cuypers’s 10-game goal streak.

Prediction: Chicago Fire 3–1 Toronto FC

Sporting Kansas City vs. Red Bull New York

• Date: Saturday, May 23
• Time: 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT

Sporting Kansas City and the Philadelphia Union are battling for the possibility of having the worst MLS season in MLS history in 2026, but a win for SKC this weekend against Red Bull New York would help them push further from that possibility.

Dejan Joveljić remains largely the lone hope for SKC, as they look to ride home advantage against Julian Hall, Adri Mahmeti and a youthful, but inconsistent Red Bull New York.

Prediction: Sporting Kansas City 1–3 Red Bull New York

Nashville SC vs. New York City FC

• Date: Saturday, May 23
• Time: 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT

Former USMNT interim manager B.J. Callaghan has his Nashville SC side playing with immense commitment to style and form, regardless of which players are available. Still likely without Sam Surridge, Edvard Tagseth and Patrick Yazbek this weekend, hopes rely on far more than just the recent standout play from Hany Mukhtar and Cristian Espinoza.

Taking on USMNT World Cup hopeful Matt Freese and a Maxi Moralez-less New York City FC this weekend shouldn’t be any cause for concern.

Prediction: Nashville SC 3–0 New York City FC

Colorado Rapids vs. FC Dallas

• Date: Saturday, May 23
• Time: 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT

FC Dallas is the most viral team in MLS right now, thanks to Sam Sarver’s antics, having scored three goals in his last four games, all after the 80th minute, including last week’s beer-chugging celebration in a 3–2 win over the San Jose Earthquakes.

This weekend sees Dallas back on the road, looking to take down a Colorado Rapids side that beat the Earthquakes 2–0 in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals earlier in the week, setting up a semifinal clash against St. Louis.

Prediction: Colorado Rapids 2–2 FC Dallas

Portland Timbers vs. San Jose Earthquakes

• Date: Saturday, May 23
• Time: 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT

The season started off so well for the San Jose Earthquakes, but injuries to key players have seen Bruce Arena’s team fall on hard times. They’ve given up two goals in the final five minutes for back-to-back MLS losses and were eliminated in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals against Colorado this week.

Hitting the road against an in-form Kristoffer Velde, James Pantemis and the Portland Timbers won’t be easy, but a win is critical to keep pace in the Supporters’ Shield race.

Prediction: Portland Timbers 1–2 San Jose Earthquakes

San Diego FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps

• Date: Saturday, May 23
• Time: 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT

The Vancouver Whitecaps sit atop the Western Conference table and will look to find their way back atop the Supporters’ Shield standings this weekend, but face a tough task in a visit to San Diego FC. The Canadian side will be without key World Cup-bound midfielder Andrés Cubas due to yellow card accumulation and starting goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka due to a red card in last week’s 1–0 loss to the Houston Dynamo.

While San Diego doesn’t present the same challenge they did in 2025, they should be favored to pick up all three points at home, led by Marcus Ingvartsen’s 11 goals.

Prediction: San Diego FC 2–1 Vancouver Whitecaps

LA Galaxy vs. Houston Dynamo

• Date: Saturday, May 23
• Time: 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT

The LA Galaxy are the definition of inconsistent. Through the last 10 games, they have not had the same result (win, loss or draw) back-to-back, meaning this week probably won’t see them capture a second-straight victory after beating Seattle Sounders last weekend.

Nevertheless, Marco Reus is in form and they will hope to ride the power of the home crowd against the Houston Dynamo, also enjoying a standout spell after beating the Whitecaps last week.

Prediction: LA Galaxy 1–1 Houston Dynamo

Columbus Crew vs. Atlanta United

• Date: Sunday, May 24
• Time: 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT

Columbus Crew enters a new era under the interim lead of Laurent Courtois this weekend, after the club parted ways with manager Henrik Rydström after just 14 games on Monday. While injuries have beset some of the club’s key players, there is hope that a new coach bump could bring the team back to the edge of MLS Cup playoff contention.

This weekend, they’re at home against an Atlanta United side that fell 4–1 to Orlando City in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals midweek.

Prediction: Columbus Crew 1–1 Atlanta United

Inter Miami vs. Philadelphia Union

• Date: Sunday, May 24
• Time: 7:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. PT

Inter Miami picked up a critical first win at Nu Stadium last weekend with a 2–0 victory over the Portland Timbers, but played in front of a silent crowd for most of the night due to a fan protest, with supporters frustrated with the team’s lack of appreciation for the fans. This week, instead of on-pitch focus, has been dominated by stories of club leadership meeting with supporters and by the clash between Inter Miami fans and those who only follow Lionel Messi and the stars across the roster.

With links to Manchester United’s Casemiro heating up and the pressure of keeping several players healthy for the World Cup, it’s clear this weekend’s match does not headline the list of priorities. Still, the World Cup-bound talents will want to head to the tournament in strong form, and it won’t take much against a Philadelphia Union side on pace for the worst season in MLS history.

Prediction: Inter Miami 5–0 Philadelphia Union

LAFC vs. Seattle Sounders

• Date: Sunday, May 25
• Time: 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT

The schedule makers saved the biggest match of the weekend for last, with LAFC hosting the Seattle Sounders as both teams look to make up ground in the race for the top of the Western Conference and Supporters’ Shield.

Yet, neither side is in particularly good form, with the Sounders boasting one win from the last four games and LAFC struggling with fixture congestion, now with a single win in their last eight MLS contests.

Prediction: LAFC 2–2 Seattle Sounders

MLS Predictions: Matchday 15

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

• The Greatest Soccer No. 9s of All Time—Ranked
• Uruguay 2026 World Cup Roster Confirmed: Full List of Players, Luis Suarez Pleas Ignored
• Lionel Messi Chasing 64 Years of History After World Cup Call-Up
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as MLS Predictions: Matchday 15 As Final Send-Off Before 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Once Casemiro confirmed that he would not extend his Manchester United contract, despite widespread outcry for “one more year,” a long list of suitors quickly formed. Despite continuing to impress in the Premier League and ahead of a summer in which he will anchor Brazil’s midfield at the World Cup, the 34-year-old appears content to leave the European elite.

Offers from the Saudi Pro League have been forthcoming, but it appears as though Casemiro is intrigued by a move to MLS. LA Galaxy acted quickest, securing the Discovery Rights for the five-time Champions League winner. This uniquely MLS procedure entitles clubs to the right of first refusal and was designed to prevent rival teams from competing against one another for the same player.

Inter Miami appear to have ignored that convention and are in advanced discussions with Casemiro, according to The Athletic.

While this is not in the spirit of laws, the Herons wouldn’t be the first club to snag a player on a rivals’ Discovery List. Financial compensation is typically deployed to smooth over this wrinkle, but no agreement has yet been reached in the case of Casemiro.

The report confidently declares that the Brazil international “wants” to play for Miami and “a deal is expected to be reached.” However, it has not been a straightforward process to get there.

Casemiro Rejects ‘Multiple’ Contract Offers

Casemiro's resurgence is a testament to his character.@LyesBouzidi10 can't speak highly enough of the Man United midfielder. pic.twitter.com/h2z9SBxZCo

— Sports Illustrated FC (@SI_FootballClub) February 7, 2026

LA Galaxy did not let their Discovery Rights pass idly by. The West Coast franchise are thought to have conducted “numerous conversations” with Casemiro and his camp, putting “multiple” offers on the table only to have each rebuffed.

No agreement has yet been struck with Miami, but hopes are high that an arrangement can be found. Unlike the Galaxy—or any club on the continent—the Herons boast the allure of playing alongside a player of Messi’s caliber.

Casemiro, as a Brazilian former Real Madrid star, has spent his entire career competing directly against the Argentine Barcelona icon. As Casemiro has admitted himself, he would welcome the chance to play alongside Messi for once.

Casemiro’s Salary Complication

Moving to MLS comes at a cost—or rather, a lack of one. As Miami have already filled up their three Designated Player slots (Messi is joined by Rodrigo De Paul and Germán Berterame as the club’s top earners), Casemiro would be restricted to a contract of less than $2 million until the end of 2026. For context, United’s highest-paid player is currently thought to collect around $20 million each year.

However, if there is any club that can find a workaround, it’s Inter Miami. The side co-owned by David Beckham have structured delayed deals with the likes of De Paul and Jordi Alba in the past which have come with DP status at a later stage of their careers on South Beach.

READ THE LATEST MAN UTD NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Casemiro Closes on Man Utd Exit Which ‘Runs Afoul’ of MLS Transfer Rules.

The concept of halting time for injuries or unforeseen stoppages is familiar across multiple U.S. sports, such as NFL or NBA matches. However, soccer has traditionally been governed by a continuous clock monitored by the referee, with any added time for delays tacked onto the end of each half by the fourth official.

That hasn’t always been the case. The first three years of MLS’s existence (1996–99) saw the implementation of a countdown clock. Each half began at 45:00 on the stadium clock and would be stopped for in-game delays before ending on zero, bringing everything to an immediate halt.

The league ultimately reverted to international regulations at the end of the 20th century but, in an attempt to combat the modern rise of time-wasting, meetings have taken place about a return.

Ali Curtis, MLS’s executive vice-president of sporting development, released a statement to The Guardian which revealed that there have already been “preliminary conversations with IFAB around future areas of innovation, including concepts such as a stopped clock, increased transparency around timekeeping, and other measures designed to improve consistency and fan understanding.”

Vice-president of competition for MLS, Paul Grafer, added: “We’re open to trials around the world, and working with IFAB.”

Why Would MLS Want to Bring Back the Stopped Clock?

Grafer explained that the stopped clock would be a way to “address gamesmanship and match manipulation” which currently isn’t being tackled by the current “stopgap procedures“ that have been introduced in recent years.

There has been a surge in concerns over time-wasting in recent years. There was an active drive ahead of the 2023–24 season to counteract the amount of minutes whittled away by adding much larger chunks of stoppage time to the end of each half. “I am convinced time wasting will be reduced when players know it is meaningless to waste time because that time is compensated,” legendary former official and current chair of FIFA’s referees committee, Pierluigi Collina, declared at the time.

It hasn’t quite panned out that way. There was an initial increase in the amount of time the ball was in play during the 2023–24 season but the trend has been downward over the subsequent two seasons. The stain of time-wasting is one which has been thrown at Arsenal, for example, during their Premier League title-winning campaign.

“These discussions [with IFAB] are exploratory,” Curtis added. “But they reflect a broader commitment across the global game to examine how the sport can continue to modernize while preserving what makes soccer unique.”

Why Did MLS Get Rid of the Stopped Clock?

A countdown clock was not the only innovation MLS brought in when the league was formed in 1996. There were extra substitutions for goalkeepers, the wage limit was $192,500 and, most famously, regular season matches which ended in a tie were decided by 35-yard penalty shootouts.

Don Garber’s appointment as MLS Commissioner in August 1999 almost immediately coincided with a swift curtail to these novelties. The countdown clock (and penalty shootouts) were even removed before the end of the 1999 season, with European convention implemented for the MLS Cup in November.

“Our core audience has spoken,” Garber explained. “And we have listened.”

Will the Stopped Clock Come Back?

MLS have successfully lobbied for several advancements in recent years, most notably standing out as a pioneering voice for VAR (video assistant referees). However, expectations are that this change will be one step too far. The Guardian cited sources from within IFAB, soccer’s lawmakers, who flagged concerns over the “sacrosanct” nature of a 90-minute match.

More compelling, however, may be concerns from broadcasters about the unpredictable length of games. Given the influence that TV sponsorship has over the sport at the elite level, this stance is one to consider.

There is thought to be “very little support” for the proposal at this point in time.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as MLS Discuss Bringing Back NFL-Style Rules From 1990s.

Since the last Sports Illustrated Power Rankings after Matchday 12—just seven days ago—MLS has seen the following happen.

• Columbus Crew fired newly hired manager Henrik Rydström after 14 games, the third team to fire a coach this season.
• Austin FC fired manager Nico Estévez and sporting director Rodo Borell after three wins in 14 games.
• Sam Sarver celebrated by shotgunning a beer after scoring a late winning goal.
• The previously Supporters’ Shield-leading San Jose Earthquakes lost twice, allowing final goals after the 87th minute twice.
• Matchday 13 saw 58 goals scored across 14 games for the most on a single night of MLS.
• Lionel Messi scored four goals in two games, as Inter Miami dealt with a massive fan protest.
• Thomas Müller returned from illness.
  

And I’m sure we’re still missing something. To say it’s been a wild week would be an understatement. Now, there is just one game remaining for each team before the 2026 World Cup, as each side looks to enter the break in the best form possible before reconvening in July. 

Here, Sports Illustrated takes a look at the week that was and where things stand after Matchday 14.

MLS Power Rankings Matchday 14: Clubs 30–11

30. Philadelphia Union (Previous: 29)
29. Atlanta United (Previous: 27)
28. St. Louis CITY SC (Previous: 28)
27. Sporting Kansas City (Previous: 30)
26. Colorado Rapids (Previous: 26)
25. CF Montréal (Previous: 24)
24. Austin FC (Previous: 20)
23. D.C. United (Previous: 23)
22. Toronto FC (Previous: 22)
21. Orlando City (Previous: 25)
20. Portland Timbers (Previous: 21)
19. Columbus Crew (Previous: 19)
18. Red Bull New York (Previous: 19)
17. San Diego FC (Previous: 16)
16. Houston Dynamo (Previous: 17)
15. LA Galaxy (Previous: 14)
14. Minnesota United (Previous: 12)
13. Charlotte FC (Previous: 13)
12. FC Dallas (Previous: 15)
11. FC Cincinnati (Previous: 7)

10. New York City FC📈 (Previous: 11)

New York City FC move up in this week’s power rankings after defeating Charlotte FC midweek and playing to a 1–1 draw against Hudson River Derby foes, Red Bull New York, on the weekend. However, it’s anything but good vibes for the blue side of New York right now. 

The draw itself offered little to define either team, but featured a heartbreaking moment for NYCFC fans after Maxi Moralez went down in midfield right before halftime with a non-contact injury. It took several minutes before he was stretchered off the pitch, potentially sidelining him for an extended period of time—and at 39 years old, potentially ending his career, after scoring a goal and adding six assists this season. 

If NYCFC have to move forward without Moralez, things get very challenging. They have already missed Costa Rican striker Alonso Martínez this season, and without the veteran Argentine, there is simply too much reliance on Nicolás Fernández to achieve significant success.

9. New England Revolution📈 (Previous: 10)

The New England Revolution are a very good team this season.

Wednesday’s performance against Nashville SC, however, was anything but. That 3–0 loss highlighted the massive gap that remains between the Revs and a bona fide MLS Cup contender. Yet, they are still at the top of the tier just below that, proving their worth in a 2–1 win over Minnesota United on Saturday, headlined by five saves from USMNT World Cup hopeful Matt Turner, and the offensive cast of usual leading characters, Carles Gil and Luca Langoni—both of whom hit the back of the net. 

Gil, in particular, has been in tremendous form. There’s an argument that he has been the best player in MLS outside of Messi through the past half decade, and against Minnesota, he showed every element of that. He had four dribbles and created three chances, while also scoring from the penalty spot. 

The Revs have seven wins in eight home games this season and will now hit the road for one more match before the World Cup break, taking on Charlotte FC with hopes of surpassing Inter Miami for second in the Eastern Conference.

8. Chicago Fire📈 (Previous: 9)

Hugo Cuypers scores for the 10th consecutive game! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/IPtsR55P0u

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 16, 2026

Entering the two-match week off the back of a three-game losing skid, the Chicago Fire did plenty of good to improve their ranking, beating CF Montréal 2–0 on the weekend after a 3–1 win over D.C. United midweek. Both results came on the road as well, a notoriously tough task to do in MLS play. 

Manager Gregg Berhalter used two formations this week, starting with a 4-2-3-1 against D.C. and then reverting to an experimental 4-4-2 against Montréal. While he has moved away from the 4-3-3 he began the season with, it hasn’t held back star striker Hugo Cuypers, who scored in both matches and extended his goal streak to 10 consecutive games. 

The Fire should have a relatively straightforward task against Toronto FC next week, potentially setting them up to head into the World Cup break on a three-game winning run.

7. Real Salt Lake📈 (Previous: 8)

Zavier Gozo scores his fourth goal in four games!@realsaltlake are level! pic.twitter.com/LS3PiobTxJ

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 17, 2026

What more can Real Salt Lake ask for right now? USMNT World Cup hopeful Diego Luna is in form, and Zavier Gozo, the 19-year-old starlet, who has also become a World Cup hopeful, is playing as if he is one of the league’s top players at the moment. Everything is going great, and this week saw a 3–1 win over the Houston Dynamo and a 2–1 win over the Colorado Rapids. 

Luna’s minutes are being managed as the World Cup approaches, as he played just the second half in the win over Houston and didn’t see the pitch on Saturday. Gozo, however, has become the leader, scoring a brace against the Dynamo and adding a goal against the Rapids. 

As those two stand out, fullback DeAndre Yedlin has also hit his stride, assisting on Gozo’s opening goal against the Dynamo. Could the club want to see more from Juanma Salabria and Victor Olatunji? For sure, but the current status, with Gozo and Luna leading the way, has them in a good spot heading into next week’s clash against Minnesota United. 

6. LAFC📉 (Previous: 5)

LAFC are falling fast. First-year manager, but longtime assistant coach, Marc Dos Santos began his tenure in the top role by rolling out a first-choice lineup for each game, regardless of MLS or Concacaf Champions Cup play. While that approach brought a run to the Champions Cup semifinals and some early-season MLS success, it has caught up with the group in terms of fatigue and suspensions. 

The 2–1 loss against St. Louis CITY midweek was a disaster, with Son Heung-min and Denis Bouanga failing to gel in a 4-3-3, alongside Tyler Boyd in the attack. The Black and Gold followed it up with a positive performance against Nashville SC on Sunday, but became the latest victim of Hany Mukhtar’s incredible Nashville career, as the German scored a hat-trick, including two free-kicks. 

LAFC are still an MLS Cup contender, but the lack of production from both Son and Bouanga has to be concerning, and they desperately need a win against the Seattle Sounders to build any confidence heading into the break.

5. Seattle Sounders📉 (Previous: 4)

The weather is getting warmer, and the Seattle Sounders are getting better. Like clockwork, almost every MLS season over the past decade, the Sounders hit their stride midway through the campaign, then become a red-hot team through the summer and potentially into the MLS Cup playoffs. 

If there’s any team that should be concerned about the switch to a fall-to-spring calendar, it’s them—but that’s besides the point. 

The Sounders picked up an impressive 3–2 win over the Supporters’ Shield-leading San Jose Earthquakes midweek, with Osaze De Rosario netting an 89th-minute winning goal, after Albert Rusnák and Jesús Fereirra scored earlier on. 

On the weekend, they looked tired—a shock considering the run of home games since May 2—as they fell 2–0 to the LA Galaxy, marking the end of their 22-game unbeaten run in MLS play at home. 

Next week sees a massive clash against LAFC, where the Sounders will try to create space between themselves and the Black and Gold, potentially putting themselves in a position to chase the Supporters’ Shield after the World Cup.

4. Inter Miami📈 (Previous: 6)

Messi assists, Berterame finishes. Wow. What a run. 😎 pic.twitter.com/RGsxFTcVS9

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 17, 2026

Lionel Messi did it again. The 38-year-old Argentine stunned this week, scoring three goals and two assists to lead Inter Miami to a 5–3 road win over FC Cincinnati and a 2–0 win over the Portland Timbers for their first victory at the new Nu Stadium. In Messi’s last four games, he has five goals and six assists—simply exceptional. 

While the team is still reliant on Messi, there were other positives this week. Maxi Falcón’s absence from the lineup continued, allowing Gonzalo Luján and Micael to claim a clean-sheet win in front of goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair against the Timbers, and Germán Berterame might have his scoring boots, with goals in both matches, albeit largely in part to Messi’s brilliance. 

The wins have the Herons second in the Eastern Conference and fourth in the Supporters’ Shield, giving them plenty of form heading into the final pre-World Cup Matchday, where they will hope to beat the last-place Philadelphia Union and potentially push to the top of MLS heading into the summer. 

Off the pitch, things are less than great. Fans remained silent until the 85th minute against Portland, protesting the players’ treatment of supporters, which eventually prompted Messi and Rodrigo De Paul to acknowledge the fans mid-game, before others—not including the Argentines—went to celebrate with the crowd post-match.  

3. San Jose Earthquakes📉 (Previous: 2)

The San Jose Earthquakes had two of the most in-form players in MLS this season with Niko Tsakiris and Timo Werner. Now that both are sidelined with injuries, manager Bruce Arena’s men are missing a clear difference maker, and that was evident in this week’s last-gasp losses to Seattle and FC Dallas. 

On Wednesday, a match in which Arena came close to receiving a red card amid his late-game frustrations, the Earthquakes conceded in the 89th minute, losing 3–2 to the Sounders. Then on Saturday, it was the 93rd minute against FC Dallas, before Sam Sarver made himself an MLS legend with his goal celebration for the Toros. 

The issues aren’t incredibly dire for the Earthquakes yet, but this week was six critical points lost, bringing them to four games without a win, after draws against Toronto FC and Vancouver Whitecaps. Luckily, the World Cup break will give the team a chance to get back to a healthier state.

2. Vancouver Whitecaps📉 (Previous: 1)

BERHALTER AGAIN ✌️

Vancouver retakes the lead. pic.twitter.com/5VwjQJOGjP

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 14, 2026

Sebastian Berhalter can’t do much more to make the USMNT at this point, and Wednesday night’s 3–2 Vancouver Whitecaps win over FC Dallas, in which he scored a brace with two goals from outside the box, showed just how critical he could be to a World Cup effort this summer. 

The 24-year-old midfielder has been tenacious throughout the past two seasons. His long-range shooting abilities and set-piece distribution also continue to stand out, while his defending skillsets alongside Andrés Cubas make Vancouver’s defensive midfield a league-leading force. 

While the Whitecaps came away with all three points against Dallas and saw Thomas Müller return to the team after illness kept him out for the two previous matches, it wasn’t the same story against the Houston Dynamo on the weekend. 

In Houston, they fell 1–0 after Guilherme scored in the 96th minute, ensuring the Dynamo secured all three points after playing with an advantage from the 64th minute, following Vancouver goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka’s red card for DOGSO (denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity) after taking a player down outside of the box. 

The Whitecaps remain atop the Western Conference and a point back of Nashville for the Supporters’ Shield, but will be missing their first-choice backstop in next week’s final pre-World Cup clash against 2025 Western Conference final foes, San Diego FC.

1. Nashville SC📈 (Previous: 3)

Take a bow, Hany Mukhtar. The German superstar netted a hat-trick in Saturday’s 3–2 win over LAFC, including two free kicks, which made him the eighth player in MLS history with multiple direct free kicks goals in the same game since it began being tracked in 2003.

While the performance against a conference rival like LAFC will stand out, the 3–0 demolition against New England midweek also marked a vital step into contender status, with Bryan Acosta stepping up with a brace and Warren Madrigal hitting the back of the net.

The wins launched the Coyotes to the top of the Supporters’ Shield standings, making them the first team to 30 points in 2026 while also showing their depth amid the continued absences of star striker Sam Surridge, key midfielder Patrick Yazbek and Edvard Tagseth. 

At the same time, 24-year-old backstop Bryan Schwake made two saves against New England and seven against LAFC and could be in the USMNT goalkeeper conversation in the next World Cup cycle, as soon as this fall. 

Next week, Nashville takes on an injury-riddled NYCFC, giving them a chance to extend their lead atop the league heading into the World Cup.

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

• The Greatest Soccer No. 9s of All Time—Ranked
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• Lionel Messi Chasing 64 Years of History After World Cup Call-Up
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as MLS Power Rankings: Nashville SC Dominate, Multiple Managers Fired and More After Matchday 14.

With supporters’ groups frustrated by recent results and a lack of recognition from the club since the stadium move from Fort Lauderdale to Miami, many stayed silent for the majority of the match, not standing or waving flags except to celebrate when a goal was scored, with Portland’s Timbers Army evidently louder and more audible through the international broadcast.

On the pitch, the Herons gave their fans many reasons to cheer. Chief among them was another outstanding performance from Lionel Messi, who scored the opening goal after a chance-creating move from Telasco Segovia. Messi later completed a skillful dribble to assist Germán Berterame’s 2–0 goal to end halftime up a pair of goals.

The win marked Miami’s first at home since opening the new stadium early last month, having previously played to two losses and two draws in the first four games at the downtown Miami venue. At the same time, it brought them six points of a possible six from this week, after beating FC Cincinnati 5–3 in midweek action.

Here, Sports Illustrated breaks down the match, grading every Inter Miami player who saw the pitch in the victory.

Inter Miami Report Card vs. Portland Timbers (4-3-3)

GK: Dayne St. Clair—A:  The Canadian kept his second clean sheet of the season and first at home with Miami, making four saves while also acting as the initial piece in offensive transition.

RB: Ian Fray—C: Ian Fray has dealt with plenty of injuries through his career and had to leave the match at halftime with discomfort.

CB: Gonzalo Luján—B-: Maintaining his starting role over Maxi Falcón, Luján played a key role in shutting down Kevin Kelsy and ensuring many of Portland’s attacks came from outside the penalty area.

CB: Micael—B-: The Brazilian center back is still developing a partnership with his left back, Sergio Regulión, but impressed in neutralizing many of of the Timbers attackers.

LB: Sergio Reguilón—D: Signed as a replacement for Jordi Alba, the former Premier League and La Liga fullback has not stood out as of yet. While he scored his first goal in last week’s win over Toronto FC, he was unable to muster impressive transition moments against Portland.

RM: Rodrigo De Paul—B: Rodrigo De Paul has made every effort to make the Argentina World Cup squad, and Sunday saw him impress once again, creating a game-high five chances while helping to shut down both Antony and Kristoffer Velde.

CM: Yannick Bright—A: By far Miami’s most consistent player not named Lionel Messi, Bright dominated the midfield battle against Portland DP, David da Costa, through his 82 minutes.

LM: Telasco Segovia—B+: Dynamic and elusive down the left flank, the Venezuela international set up Lionel Messi for the opening goal and finished the night credited with three shots.

RW: Lionel Messi—A+: What else is there to say? The 38-year-old scored a perfect finish and then stunned with a skillful dribble for an assist. The 2022 World Cup winner is up to 12 goals and five assists in 13 games this season and is already a runaway favorite to win his third straight MLS MVP award.

ST: Germán Berterame—B+: Germán Berterame still struggled to finish throughout the night, but found the back of the net off of Messi’s brilliance, bringing him to five goals and two assists on the season.

LW: Luis Suárez—D-: The Uruguay legend has had some standout moments in 2026, but looked off the pace for the second game in a row, lasting only an uneventful 66 minutes.

SUB: Facundo Mura (46’ for Fray)—C+: Mura stepped in and was active down the right flank, while also ensuring the Herons saw out the clean sheet.

SUB: Dániel Pintér (66’ for Suárez)—C: The 18-year-old has slowly been tasked with more minutes under first Javier Mascherano and now Guillermo Hoyos. He had two shots and put in a committed effort defensively.

SUB: David Ayala (82’ for Bright)—C: Taking on his former team, Ayala was uneventful in his minutes, making up for his mistake against Toronto last week.

SUB: Preston Plambeck (83’ for Berterame)—C: The 20-year-old academy product helped Miami see out the clean sheet in the final minutes.

Subs not used: Rocco Ríos Novo (GK), Maxi Falcón, Noah Allen, Alex Shaw, David Ruíz

One Thing We Can’t Ignore: The Fan Protest

The silence was clear in the first 85 minutes of Sunday’s match, with Inter Miami’s supporters groups, which make up “La Familia,” staying silent for the majority of the game. 

Fans explained to local press that they had been frustrated by the lack of home results since opening the stadium, and by the players for not clearly showing their thanks to the supporters’ groups after the matches. 

Noah Allen, a Miami homegrown and often the player facing the post-game press, was the only one to wave to supporters after the last home match against Orlando City, when Miami surrendered a 3–1 lead and lost 4–3. 

🚨The fans were singing: “Players respect your fans and acknowledge your people. And now both Messi and De Paul with gestures towards the fans. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/a2MCu8LePP

— Inter Miami News Hub (@Intermiamicfhub) May 18, 2026

On Sunday, Messi made it clear that he understood the issue, saluting supporters in the 88th minute, prompting a roar from the crowd. Later on, De Paul went up to fans as Messi waited for a corner kick, embracing several and making clear gestures of appreciation.

After the game, several players, including Bright, stayed to sign autographs before leaving the pitch, but that group did not involve Messi, De Paul or Suárez, prompting boos from the supporters.

While the previous results left a sour taste for many of the players and fans, Sunday’s win was critically important. It marked the penultimate home game before the World Cup and helped re-establish trust with supporters. For some, the Inter Miami experience centers on Messi’s status. Still, for many, the club’s history from 2020 is its primary importance, and ensuring a connection to those fans is vital for the team’s future outlook in a post-Messi existence. 

What’s Next For Inter Miami?

Inter Miami will have one more match before players go their separate ways for the 2026 World Cup, taking on the Philadelphia Union next Sunday, looking to continue their rise up the Eastern Conference and Supporters’ Shield standings. Miami’s first game after the World Cup will be July 22 at home against the Chicago Fire.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Grading Inter Miami’s First Home Victory Amid Eerie Fan Protests.

Messi led La Albiceleste to 2022 World Cup glory in Qatar, Argentina’s third time winning the competition (1978, 1986). The former FC Barcelona star, then 35, won the Golden Ball after scoring seven goals and adding three assists en route to the trophy, making history as the only player to ever win the Golden Ball twice (2014).

To much reluctance, many fans accepted that Messi’s heroic affair may be the perfect curtain call for the world’s best player, understanding it was likely his last outing at the World Cup, and it still might be.

The eight time Ballon d’Or winner, however, has continued to feature for the sky blue and white since Qatar, donning the nation’s jersey as recently as the March international window in friendlies against Mauritania and Zambia, even scoring a goal in a commanding 5–0 victory over the latter.

On Friday, Argentine teammate and fellow Inter Miami superstar Rodrigo De Paul revealed the intense training regimen that he and Messi are following together in Miami in order to be in the best possible shape for the upcoming World Cup. Argentina is a heavy favorite coming into the tournament, ranked No. 3 globally as of Sunday and will compete in Group J, facing Algeria, Austria and Jordan before the knockout stages.

Double Training Commitment

According to De Paul, he and Messi have drastically increased their training sessions beyond their standard duties with club side Inter Miami, even investing in a separate trainer.

"Between two and three months ago, we have had a training plan beyond what we do at the club, and the two of us kill ourselves to reach the best physical shape," the defensive midfielder told Lo del Pollo on Friday.

"We proposed a double shift for ourselves and we have our trainer there, and we give it our all,” he added.

Although implemented with an eye towards the summer, the extra training sessions are having an immediate positive effect for both Messi and De Paul.

Messi has notched 12 goals and five assists in the first 12 matches of the new MLS season, smashing a league record last week by becoming the fastest player in its history to reach 100 regular-season goal contributions, doing so in 64 matches—31 fewer than the former record-holder required. He also scored a hat trick on Wednesday for a theatrical 5–3 win over FC Cincinnati on the road.

After a slow start to the season, De Paul has significantly improved his form, likely in an effort to confirm his spot on Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni’s final roster. The 31-year-old has been a commanding force at the back of the midfield and even shown bursts of speed and agility moving up into the attack. He has three goals and seven assists himself thus far this season.

Both Messi and De Paul were named to Scaloni’s preliminary 55-man roster, and the Argentine boss will announce the official 26-man squad soon, as all competing nations are required to do so by June 1 at the latest. Some powerhouse nations, such as France, have already revealed their final rosters.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Messi’s Intense World Cup Training Regimen—Revealed.

After a busy, record-breaking midweek slate that saw 58 goals for the highest scoring matchday in league history, this weekend’s round of action promises to bring some thrilling contests as well.

Headlined by the first regular season Hudson River Derby of 2026 and a race atop the Western Conference, the two days of games provide some must-watch soccer, with 12 matches on Saturday and three on Sunday.

Here’s what Sports Illustrated predicts for the 14th matchday of MLS in 2026.

CF Montréal vs. Chicago Fire

• Date: Saturday, May 16
• Time: 4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PT

CF Montréal weren’t supposed to contend for the MLS Cup playoffs in 2026, but with just two games to go until the World Cup break, they’re right in the mix. Led by Prince Owusu’s six goals and some positive play from Matty Longstaff, they have three wins, a draw and a loss in their last five.

At home this weekend, they try to take advantage of a recently loose Chicago Fire backline, while looking to neutralize the threat of Hugo Cuypers, who has scored in nine straight games.

Prediction: CF Montréal 2–2 Chicago Fire

Charlotte FC vs. Toronto FC

• Date: Saturday, May 16
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

After a nine-game homestand, Toronto FC are back on the road for the final two weeks ahead of the World Cup, as BMO Field becomes Toronto Stadium while it prepares to host six tournament games this summer.

The Reds are coming off a dismal week, losing to Inter Miami and to CPL side Atlético Ottawa, dropping them out of the Canadian Championship. This week, they remain heavily injured and likely without Josh Sargent, as they hope to break down Charlotte FC, who will lean on a frustrated Wilfried Zaha, after he missed out on the Côte d’Ivoire World Cup squad.

Prediction: Charlotte 1–1 Toronto FC

D.C. United vs. St. Louis CITY SC

• Date: Saturday, May 16
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

D.C. United had a nice spell of two wins and a draw before a midweek loss to Chicago Fire, but will hope to turn things around quickly when they host struggling Western Conference side, St. Louis CITY SC.

Romanian striker Louis Munteanu has four goals this season and is in form, giving D.C. another attacking focus in addition to Tai Baribo heading into this weekend.

Prediction: D.C. United 2–0 St. Louis CITY SC

New England Revolution vs. Minnesota United

• Date: Saturday, May 16
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

The New England Revolution are off to a record start on home turf at Gillette Stadium. They won the first six home games before losing 3–0 to Nashville SC on Wednesday and will look to re-establish their fortress form against Minnesota United this weekend.

While Luca Langoni and Carles Gil lead the attack for the Revs, goalkeeper Matt Turner and his backline won’t have to worry about Minnesota’s James Rodríguez, who has now left the club for Colombia’s World Cup training camp and is not expected to return after the tournament.

Prediction: New Englnd Revolution 3–1 Minnesota United

Red Bull New York vs. New York City FC

• Date: Saturday, May 16
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

The first MLS Hudson River Derby of the season takes center stage on the Saturday schedule with both teams tied on 18 points in the middle of the Eastern Conference. Red Bull New York were the better team midweek, with Julian Hall becoming the youngest player in MLS history to score a hat trick.

Yet NYCFC are in strong form as well, with back-to-back wins over Columbus Crew and Charlotte FC. They also hold the leg up after winning the U.S. Open Cup battle between the Tri-State sides 3–1 on April 29.

Prediction: Red Bull New York 3–2 New York City FC

Orlando City vs. Atlanta United

• Date: Saturday, May 16
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

For two teams at the bottom end of the Eastern Conference, there’s a surprising amount of potentially World Cup-bound talent between Orlando City and Atlanta United. For Orlando, Maxime Crépeau (Canada), Marco Pašalić (Croatia), and Braian Ojeda (Paraguay) are expected to be at the tournament. At the same time, Atlanta’s Paraguayan duo of Miguel Almirón and Matías Galarza could also join them. 

If you’re a World Cup fan, especially a Paraguayan one, tune into this game. Otherwise? It’s probably a relative stalemate between two sides that haven’t quite hit their stride this season. 

Prediction: Orlando City 1–1 Atlanta United

Philadelphia Union vs. Columbus Crew

• Date: Saturday, May 16
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

Just a year ago, the Philadelphia Union vs. Columbus Crew matchup would have been must-watch TV between two potential Eastern Conference contenders. Now, it’s a battle for positioning in the middle of the table, with valuable points in the playoff race up for grabs.

The Union are likely already out of playoff contention after one win in 13 games, but can some World Cup-bound players, like Haiti’s Danley Jean Jacques, begin to find some form?

Prediction: Philadelphia Union 1–1 Columbus Crew

Austin FC vs. Sporting Kansas City

• Date: Saturday, May 16
• Time: 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT

Sporting Kansas City might just be what the doctor ordered for Austin FC. After falling 5–0 to San Diego FC on Wednesday, Los Verdes need a big bounce back, so who better to play than a team that has won just twice this season?

SKC are coming off a win against the LA Galaxy midweek, but do not have many threats outside of Dejan Joveljić, who said, “Can we play them every week?” when asked about the Galaxy—the only side his team has beaten this season. 

Prediction: Austin FC 1–0 Sporting Kansas City

Houston Dynamo vs. Vancouver Whitecaps

• Date: Saturday, May 16
• Time: 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT

The Vancouver Whitecaps got back into the win column midweek with a stupendous brace from USMNT World Cup hopeful, Sebastian Berhalter and the return of Thomas Müller from illness in a 3–2 win over FC Dallas.

This weekend, they continue the Texas vibes, heading to Houston, where Berhalter will look to ball out against 2025 Gold Cup teammate Jack McGlynn, who is looking for a last-gasp effort at the USMNT World Cup squad.

Prediction: Houston Dynamo 2–2 Vancouver Whitecaps

Seattle Sounders vs. LA Galaxy

• Date: Saturday, May 16
• Time: 9:15 p.m. ET / 6:15 p.m. PT

The LA Galaxy have a Sporting Kansas City problem. SKC have beaten just one team this year, and it’s happened twice, with the Galaxy falling to the worst team in MLS on both occasions, including on Wednesday night.

Luckily, they’re taking on the Seattle Sounders this weekend, holding hopes that Joseph Paintsil and Gabriel Pec can keep up some strong attacking form against an elite Western Conference team, which knocked off San Jose midweek.

Prediction: Seattle Sounders 3–1 LA Galaxy

Real Salt Lake vs. Colorado Rapids

• Date: Saturday, May 16
• Time: 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT

Has Zavier Gozo done enough to play himself onto the USMNT as an 18-year-old? After a brace in Wednesday’s win over the Dynamo, the dynamic youngster is up to five goals and four assists this season. He’s leading his Claret and Cobalt into this Saturday’s clash against the Colorado Rapids, where he likely has a better chance at the national team for the World Cup than opponents Paxten Aaronson and Zack Steffen, who at one point looked like locks for the roster. 

Prediction: Real Salt Lake 4–1 Colorado Rapids

San Diego FC vs. FC Cincinnati

• Date: Saturday, May 16
• Time: 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT

San Diego FC got exactly what they needed: a big win. After struggling as a sophomore team and dealing with the sidelined, expensive situation surrounding Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, the group finally found an offensive explosion, beating Austin FC 5–0 at home.

With the feeling of scoring still fresh, they’ll hope to continue that this weekend as they face a testing FC Cincinnati side, which has seen immense play from Evander since the Brazilian took over the captaincy.

Prediction: San Diego FC 3–3 FC Cincinnati

San Jose Earthquakes vs. FC Dallas

• Date: Saturday, May 16
• Time: 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT

The San Jose Earthquakes fell for just the second time in 2026 on Wednesday, losing 3–2 in the final minutes to the Seattle Sounders in front of over 28,000 at Lumen Field. The loss and Vancouver’s win saw the Earthquakes fall off the Supporters’ Shield lead, and they will hope to find their way back into the mix this weekend against FC Dallas, the team Vancouver beat midweek. 

Yet, manager Bruce Arena’s side will forge ahead without Niko Tsakiris, who is out for several months, as well as Timo Werner while he continues to work his way back from injury.

Prediction: San Jose Earthquakes 2–1 FC Dallas

Inter Miami vs. Portland Timbers

• Date: Sunday, May 17
• Time: 6:00 p.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. PT

Inter Miami are back in form. Guillermo Hoyos, the interim manager, has figured it out. 

After dropping Maxi Falcón from the starting center back pairing, Inter Miami has had far fewer defensive lapses, allowing Lionel Messi even more space to provide the spectacular in attack. The 38-year-old Argentine scored a brace in the 5–3 win over FC Cincinnati midweek, bringing him to 11 goals and five assists on the season. There’s no reason that should slow down this weekend either, taking on a struggling Portland Timbers, who are led by former Miami manager Phil Neville.

Prediction: Inter Miami 5–1 Portland Timbers

Nashville SC vs. LAFC

• Date: Sunday, May 17
• Time: 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT

Nashville SC and LAFC meet each other at the perfect time. After enduring deep runs into the semifinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup, the two sides have struggled with fatigue, injuries and adjustments, as they find their rhythm back in regular-season MLS competition.

LAFC lean on Denis Bouanga, given Son Heung-min’s underwhelming form in 2026, while Nashville turn to Hany Mukhtar and Cristian Espinoza, as well as Warren Madrigal and Bryan Acosta, with talismanic striker Sam Surridge unavailable. It’s two similar sides at this point, with Sunday providing an opportunity for both. 

Prediction:  Nashville SC 2–2 LAFC

MLS Predictions: Matchday 14

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

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• Uruguay 2026 World Cup Roster Confirmed: Full List of Players, Luis Suarez Pleas Ignored
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• The 30 Most Valuable Soccer Teams in 2026—Ranked
• Lionel Messi Injury: Argentina Boss Reveals Next Steps As World Cup Roster Looms

This article was originally published on www.si.com as MLS Predictions: Hudson River Derby Headlines Matchday 14 .

The game in Cincinnati, Ohio was anticipated to be action-packed and goal-filled, bringing together the two highest-scoring teams in the Eastern Conference. It certainly did not disappoint, featuring a hat trick for Lionel Messi—the third hat trick of his MLS career, which brings his total career goals to a whopping 910.

The Argentinian legend opened the inevitable scoring frenzy. He charged the box and punished a mistake from flustered Cincinnati center back Matt Miazga, blasting the ball past goalkeeper Roman Celentano in the 24th minute. The first half was relatively quiet thereafter, until Cincinnati star striker Kévin Denkey nailed in a penalty kick in the 41st minute.

The match quickly became a dramatic back-and-forth battle in the second half, though, seeing the hosts return from the break firing on all cylinders to take a 2–1 lead, before Messi took personal offense and bit back to equalize eight minutes later.

Cincinnati’s star player Evander sent the crowd into an eruption of cheers with his perfect-picture upper-90 finish from outside of the box, which gave the hosts the lead yet again in the 64th minute, 3–2. Fans in blue and orange surely thought they would leave home happy, but Inter Miami added three more thereafter to prove them wrong, including a Germán Berterame volley off of a wild collision between Cincinnati’s goalkeeper and center back and Messi’s third of the night in the 89th minute.

Here is Sports Illustrated’s breakdown of the match, featuring report card grades for each Inter Miami player who saw the pitch. 

Inter Miami Report Card vs. FC Cincinnati (4-3-3)

GK: Dayne St. Clair—D-: The Canadian impressively got a full palm on Kévin Denkey’s penalty kick before it went in, but Cincinnati completely overpowered him in the second half.

RB: Ian Fray—B: Back from injury, after missing the Toronto match at the weekend. Did well to get up the right flank and into the attack, allowing Messi to slide centrally into dangerous positions.

CB: Gonzalo Luján—C-: Replacing Maxi Falcón once again in an effort to shore up the defensive outlook, he proved to be a much more stable, consistent option in the Herons’ backline. Gave up the penalty kick, though, after tugging on the jersey of star striker Denkey.

CB: Micael—C-: The Brazilian center back struggled in his communication with Reguilón, with the duo often overwhelmed by the creativity of Denkey and Evander or simply not stepping to them early enough.

LB: Sergio Reguilón—D: Made just his third start in league play this season after plagued with a series of knocks earlier in the season. Looked a bit out of sorts, especially in the early minutes while trying to contain Denkey, but soon settled in. Left Bucha unmarked on the back-post though, leading to Cincinnati’s second goal.

RM: Rodrigo De Paul—B: Rodrigo De Paul’s efforts to make the Argentina World Cup squad continued on Wednesday. The 31-year-old looked agile and explosive. He frequently got into the attack, despite his typical defensive positioning.

CM: Yannick Bright—C: Continuing to take on a more central role in the 4-3-3 as De Paul shifts to the right. He looked overwhelmed by Evander’s offensive prowess at times.

LM: Telasco Segovia—A: Dynamic through the middle and everywhere on the pitch. He combined well with Bright and De Paul and made up for Suárez’s lack of mobility on the left flank.

RW: Lionel Messi—A+: Third straight match with at least three goal contributions. Third hat trick of his MLS career.

ST: Germán Berterame—C: Germán Berterame was largely ineffective in this match. Often forgot he was even there, until he capitalized on Cincinnati’s fateful collision.

LW: Luis Suárez—D: Looked largely immobile, but had a few bursts of speedy brilliance. They were to no avail, though.

SUB: Facundo Mura (65’ for Reguilón)—C: Provided much needed relief from Reguilón.

SUB: Mateo Silvetti (76’ for Suárez)—A+: Returned from a hamstring injury. Needed just three minutes to prove how much Inter Miami missed him.

Subs not used: Rocco Ríos Novo (GK), Maxi Falcón, Cesar Abadia-Reda, David Ruiz, David Ayala, Preston Plambeck, Dániel Pintér.

One Thing We Can’t Ignore

Although Inter Miami ultimately secured the win, Wednesday marked the third consecutive game in which they let their guard down after an early lead, seemingly an unfortunate habit they are developing, and one that makes their lives much harder than they need to be.

The habit was first—and most brutally—on display in Inter Miami’s humiliating 4–3 loss to Orlando City on May 2. The South Florida side led 3–0 by the 33rd minute, but were soon completely overtaken by the usually-underperforming Central Florida side, after consecutive moments of complacency and carelessness.

Although Inter Miami did secure a 4–2 win against Toronto FC in their following outing over the weekend, that match was likewise plagued by late carelessness. They had a dominant 4–0 lead up until the 82nd minute, but once again lost focus, allowing the Canadian side to nail two in the final eight minutes of the game.

The squad in pink will need to hone in on the mental side of their game and tighten up on defense if they have any desire of winning back-to-back MLS Cup titles this fall.

What’s Next For Inter Miami?

Inter Miami head back to South Florida for the last two games before the 2026 FIFA World Cup international break. Still desperately seeking their first win at Nu Stadium since the permanent home base opened in early April, they first welcome the Portland Timbers on Sunday, followed by another shot at home victory against the Philadelphia Union the following week.

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

• The Greatest Soccer No. 9s of All Time—Ranked
• Uruguay 2026 World Cup Roster Confirmed: Full List of Players, Luis Suarez Pleas Ignored
• Lionel Messi Chasing 64 Years of History After World Cup Call-Up
• The 30 Most Valuable Soccer Teams in 2026—Ranked
• Lionel Messi Injury: Argentina Boss Reveals Next Steps As World Cup Roster Looms

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Grading Inter Miami’s Theatrical Win Over FC Cincinnati As Messi Records Hat Trick.

While the 2022 World Cup saw 35 MLS players selected across 12 countries—a record representation for the league—the 2026 tournament will see far greater participation. Not only has the World Cup grown, but the league has too, with two more teams than in 2022. 

The U.S. men’s national team and Canada men’s national team are most likely to feature the heaviest contingent of MLS talent, but plenty of other nations will as well. At the same time, nearly every club has a chance of being represented on the world stage. 

Here, Sports Illustrated takes a look at each MLS club, picking out one player from their roster who is the most likely to go to the World Cup next month.

Atlanta United FC — Miguel Almirón (Paraguay)

The Paraguayan veteran could very well be on the pitch against the USMNT in the World Cup opener, set to add to his 79 international caps, previously highlighted by 13 Copa América appearances. While he has lost a step since his starring days with Newcastle United, he stands as an Atlanta United legend and an invaluable piece to a country returning to the World Cup for the first time since 2010.

Likelihood: 9/10

Austin FC — Facundo Torres (Uruguay)

Previously a regular presence on Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay, Torres came under intense fire from the Uruguayan public when he returned to MLS this season with Austin FC. He was an unused sub in recent March friendlies against England and Algeria, but should crack the World Cup squad, at least as a depth player.

Likelihood: 7/10

CF Montréal — Prince Owusu (Ghana)

Prince Owusu has gotten off to a stellar start in MLS this season, with six goals and five assists in his first 11 games of the season. While the physical striker has not been a regular for Ghana, he has made two international appearances and only recently made his debut in the November 2025 window. Few other players on CF Montréal stand a chance of making a World Cup squad.

Likelihood: 5/10

Charlotte FC — Tim Ream (USMNT)

Veteran center back Tim Ream stands as the most likely call-up to the World Cup on Charlotte FC’s roster, and the 38-year-old could start for the USMNT in the first matchup against Paraguay. With 80 USMNT caps, he is one of the most experienced players currently in the U.S. player pool.

Likelihood: 9/10

Chicago Fire FC — Mbekezeli Mbokazi (South Africa)

Mbekezeli Mbokazi is one of the most highly touted young defenders in the world and is expected to star at the World Cup with South Africa, having become a regular defensive stalwart for the Chicago Fire this season. While his move to MLS was heavily judged back home, he has helped establish the Fire as one of the finest defensive sides in MLS.

Likelihood: 8/10

Colorado Rapids — Lucas Herrington (Australia)

There aren’t many teenagers who crack World Cup squads, with tournaments often favoring veteran players, but Colorado Rapids center back Lucas Herrington stands a chance of playing for the Socceroos this summer at just 18 years old. He became the youngest player to debut for Australia in over 40 years in March and started each of the first 11 games for the Rapids this season.

Likelihood: 8/10

Columbus Crew — Steven Moreira (Cabo Verde)

The Columbus Crew will likely have a few players at the World Cup, but none will take on as much national spotlight as Steven Moreira, one of the top players for African minnows, Cabo Verde. The World Cup debutants and the second-smallest nation at the tournament have few top-tier players, with the veteran MLS right back standing out. He has 17 caps and is expected to start.

Likelihood: 9/10

D.C. United — Kye Rowles (Australia)

Kye Rowles is a potential starter for Australia at the World Cup this summer, with 25 international caps and having played for the Socceroos at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. One of the top defenders to come out of the Australian A-League, Rowles has significantly solidified D.C. United in their improvements at the back this season.

Likelihood: 9/10

FC Cincinnati — Miles Robinson (USMNT)

Miles Robinson is the highest-paid center back in MLS and is likely to start for the USMNT this summer, having played a key role in nearly every system in Pochettino’s managerial tenure. While he will battle for time with Tim Ream and others, his tactical versatility should allow him to play plenty of minutes, building on his 2022 World Cup experience.

Likelihood: 8/10

FC Dallas — Petar Musa (Croatia)

Petar Musa could be leading the line for some of the best midfielders in the world this summer, standing out as the best Croatian forward across world soccer. He has been a consistent international presence in his 10 recent caps and has been one of the most productive offensive players in MLS over the past two seasons. Standing at 6’3” and with a knack for goalscoring, he’ll hope to give Luka Modrić one last World Cup to remember.

Likelihood: 8/10

Houston Dynamo FC — Jack McGlynn (USMNT)

The UEFA World Cup playoffs weren’t friendly to the Houston Dynamo’s hopes of having a player at the World Cup, with star winger Mateusz Bogusz falling short of qualifying for the tournament with Poland. Instead, U.S. midfielder Jack McGlynn holds an outside shot of making the USMNT after impressing at the 2025 Gold Cup and scoring against Group D opponents, Türkiye, in a pre-Gold Cup friendly.

Likelihood: 3/10

Inter Miami CF — Dayne St. Clair (Canada)

You were expecting Lionel Messi in this spot, weren’t you? The Argentine legend has not committed to playing in the World Cup with La Albiceleste this summer, potentially favoring his final World Cup moment being the title-winning day in Qatar. Instead, we’ve gone with a lock for the tournament in Canadian backstop and Inter Miami starting goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, who is in contention to start for the co-hosts after splitting games with Orlando City’s Maxime Crépeau since manager Jesse Marsch took over in 2024.

Likelihood: 9.5/10

LA Galaxy — Joseph Paintsil (Ghana)

Joseph Paintsil has not been a regular for Ghana throughout his career, but with 15 caps and recent strong form with the LA Galaxy, he stands a chance of cracking the roster. He recently found the back of the net against Vancouver Whitecaps, bringing him to two goals and two assists in seven games, potentially making him an attractive depth option for manager Carlos Queiroz.

Likelihood: 5/10

Los Angeles FC — Son Heung-min (South Korea)

The most significant South Korean superstar and one of the greatest Asian players in soccer history, Son Heung-min, is bound for his fourth World Cup after helping LAFC to the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals. While he has struggled to score in 2026, his creativity continues to stand out, and the now 33-year-old will remain a key piece of his nation's hopes at the tournament.

Likelihood: 9.5/10

Minnesota United FC — James Rodríguez (Colombia)

James Rodríguez hasn’t enjoyed the most successful spell with Minnesota United, but the target has always been to be in top form for the World Cup, set to be his third time at the tournament, which sparked his stardom in 2014. While he has struggled for minutes in MLS and doesn’t quite have the same edge he did in his younger years, he remains a key leadership piece on Colombia’s squad, even at 34 years old. 

Likelihood: 10/10

Nashville SC — Woobens Pacius (Haiti)

Nashville SC’s best players come from nations with immense soccer talent: Hany Mukhtar from Germany, Cristian Espinoza from Argentina and Sam Surridge from England. As such, the most likely World Cup player in the group is forward Woobens Pacius, who grew up in Canada and developed through the Canadian system, but represents Haiti through his parents. The former Canadian Premier League star has earned regular callups to Haiti since switching his allegiance from Canada, but has made only one official appearance.

Likelihood: 8/10

New England Revolution — Matt Turner (USMNT)

Matt Turner is set to head to his second World Cup with the USMNT and could be the starter for the host nation, having enjoyed an impressive season with the New England Revolution so far. The 31-year-old fell out of favor with Pochettino and his staff, but the recent form and a strong showing in a March friendly against Belgium could see him afforded the starting honors once again, as he had at the 2022 World Cup.

Likelihood: 9/10

New York City FC — Matt Freese (USMNT)

Matt Freese is bound for the World Cup with the host USMNT, having been the starting backstop for the majority of Pochettino’s time leading the program. After taking the starting role at the 2025 Gold Cup, Freese started all but one match for the USMNT through to March of this year. While he has taken a slight dip in form with New York City FC this season and has allowed Turner to re-enter the starter’s conversation, the 27-year-old remains the most likely man between the sticks for the opener against Paraguay.

Likelihood: 9/10

Red Bull New York — Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty (Canada)

Red Bull New York could have no World Cup players on the roster, or potentially two, with both Swedish veteran attacker Emil Forsberg and Canadian full-back Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty in contention for their respective nations. We’ve gone with Marshall-Rutty as the most likely, as the 21-year-old left back already boasts over 120 MLS appearances at such a young age and could shore up the defensive aspect of Canada’s left flank, with superstar and captain Alphonso Davies now in doubt for the tournament.

Likelihood: 6/10

Orlando City — Maxime Crépeau (Canada)

Orlando City have been anything but outstanding defensively this season, but will see their goalkeeper head to the World Cup as Maxime Crépeau approaches his first tournament, after missing out on Canada’s first World Cup in 36 years in 2022 due to a now-legendary broken leg in LAFC’s 2022 MLS Cup win over the Philadelphia Union. With 30 Canada caps and a penchant for the big save, Crépeau stands a chance to start the most important games in his nation’s soccer history, having already started through the 2024 Copa América.

Likelihood: 9/10

Philadelphia Union — Danley Jean Jacques (Haiti)

One of the top players for Haiti, Philadelphia Union midfielder Danley Jean Jacques, will be a starring center piece for his nation this summer, leading them back to the World Cup for the first time since 1974. The controlling and defensive midfielder has represented his nation 29 times and played a regular role on the Union’s Supporters’ Shield-winning squad of 2025—and has continued to play regularly, even as the team’s form has dipped significantly in 2026. 

Likelihood: 9/10

Portland Timbers — Finn Surman (New Zealand)

The Portland Timbers will see center back Finn Surman heading to the World Cup with New Zealand, who were one of the first teams to qualify for the competition back in March of 2025. The 22-year-old has started regularly for the Timbers over the past two seasons, including every match in 2025, becoming one of the few New Zealanders playing in a top-10 league worldwide. On the most recent March squad, he was one of just 10 players playing outside Australia or New Zealand. 

Likelihood: 9/10

Real Salt Lake — Diego Luna (USMNT)

Diego Luna missed out on the March camp for the USMNT due to injury, but has been one of the greatest benefactors of Pochettino’s era, earning plenty of trust through 2025, highlighted by his role in the 2025 Gold Cup. Since returning from injury, the diminutive and skillful midfielder has been stellar with Real Salt Lake, scoring three goals and three assists in his first seven games, while showcasing elusive dribbling skills few other players in the U.S. pool possess. While he’s not a lock, the 22-year-old stands a good chance of making the team.

Likelihood: 7/10

San Diego FC — Aníbal Godoy (Panama)

Aníbal Godoy played for Panama at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and will likely return to the tournament this summer, now a 36-year-old veteran who still has plenty left to give. While San Diego FC has struggled in 2026 after an outstanding 2025, Godoy has been a key player throughout and is a machine in the team’s midfield transition. Boasting over 250 MLS appearances since making his 2015 debut, he will build on his 159 international caps this summer, taking on the UEFA giants of Croatia and England in the group stage, as well as Ghana.

Likelihood: 9/10

San Jose Earthquakes — Timo Werner (Germany)

The San Jose Earthquakes have been stellar this season, but are unlikely to have any players at the World Cup. Before Niko Tsakiris’ recent injury, which manager Bruce Arena says will “keep him out a while,” he stood as the best chance for the USMNT, having scored two goals and seven assists this season. Now, there are no players on the team who stand even an outside shot, unless Germany makes a shock turn to Timo Werner, who has four goals and three assists in seven games.

Likelihood: 0.25/10

Seattle Sounders FC — Cristian Roldan (USMNT)

Cristian Roldan is one of the most divisive players in the USMNT sphere when it comes to his potential inclusion on the World Cup roster. At 30 years old, with World Cup experience and a calmness on the ball, he likely stands a strong chance of making it. While he may not play at all, his presence and leadership have been vital to Pochettino’s tenure, and he could be one of the final names on the roster for this summer.

Likelihood: 7/10

Sporting Kansas City — Zorhan Bassong (Canada)

Sporting Kansas City is amid what could be a historically bad MLS campaign, leaving few options for a World Cup squad. The most likely to make the tournament would be Zorhan Bassong, the fullback who boasts seven caps with Canada and is seen as a third option at right or left back, a potential position of concern for the co-hosts due to injuries. 

Likelihood: 5/10

St. Louis CITY SC — Lukas MacNaughton (Canada)

St. Louis CITY SC has struggled this season and has no likely World Cup players. However, Canadian center-back Lukas MacNaughton could work his way into Marsch’s squad if several injuries strike the Canadian pool, despite not representing the senior squad since 2022. 

Likelihood: 1/10

Toronto FC — Derrick Etienne Jr. (Haiti)

Derrick Etienne Jr. has been a consistent player for Haiti’s national team over the past year and has amassed 49 caps since his senior international debut in 2016, scoring eight goals. While he is not likely to be a starter, his two-goal contributions and consistent minutes with Toronto FC this season should put him on the squad, with the potential to showcase himself against the global titans that are Brazil and Morocco, as well as against Scotland in both nations' return to the World Cup for the first time in the new millennium.

Likelihood: 9/10

Vancouver Whitecaps FC — Andrés Cubas (Paraguay)

Andrés Cubas is arguably one of the most important players on his team in MLS, playing a commanding defensive midfield role with Vancouver Whitecaps, while holding a similar responsibility in Paraguay’s setup heading into the World Cup. A tough-tackling central presence, he has shut down Lionel Messi for both club and country on several occasions and could be the key to his nation in a challenging group against the USMNT, Türkiye and Australia. 

Likelihood: 9/10

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

• The Greatest Soccer No. 9s of All Time—Ranked
• Uruguay 2026 World Cup Roster Confirmed: Full List of Players, Luis Suarez Pleas Ignored
• Lionel Messi Chasing 64 Years of History After World Cup Call-Up
• The 30 Most Valuable Soccer Teams in 2026—Ranked
• Lionel Messi Injury: Argentina Boss Reveals Next Steps As World Cup Roster Looms

This article was originally published on www.si.com as The Most Likely Player From Every MLS Team to Play in the World Cup.

What may have been a surprise, though, was the giant pay raise Messi received, not because he doesn’t deserve it, but rather, because of the sheer total: $25 million base salary with a $28.3 million guaranteed compensation. Despite being in the twilight of his career, the 38-year-old led Inter Miami to their first MLS Cup last winter, setting a historic postseason record for goal contributions with 15 total, six goals and nine assists. He also became the first player to win back-to-back MLS MVP awards. The lavish salary makes sense.

Inter Miami don’t just dole out the cash for Messi, though. They pay a pretty penny for fellow Argentinian superstar Rodrigo De Paul too, although his wage feels like petty cash compared to what Messi gets. De Paul earns a $7.5 base salary with $9.6 million guaranteed compensation this season, the third most of anyone in the league. With two of the league’s top three earners, the Herons were bound to be the club with the most expensive payroll, paying a whopping $54.6 million in guaranteed compensation, nearly half of which goes to one of the greatest players of all time.

LAFC come in at second, yet they are over $20 million in spending behind Inter Miami. The Western Conference side spends one-third of its grand bill of $32.7 million in guaranteed compensation on South Korean star forward Son Heung-min, who has the second-largest salary in MLS, sandwiched between Messi and De Paul with a base salary $10.3 million and $11.1 million in guaranteed compensation.

Inter Miami and LAFC are by far the two biggest spenders, but it seems to be worth the investment. The Herons have had great success since Messi’s arrival, winning the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 Supporters’ Shield ahead of the league title last season, and LAFC have dominated the Western Conference in past few years, with deep postseason runs and even winning the MLS Cup in 2022.

Sporting Kansas City and the Philadelphia Union both have the least expensive payrolls this season at $12.4 million and $11. 7 million in guaranteed compensation respectively, perhaps one of several reasons both currently sit at the bottoms of their conferences.

The Top 10 Most Expensive Payrolls in MLS

Guaranteed compensation includes a player’s base salary and all signing and guaranteed bonuses annualized over the term of the player’s contract, including option years, per MLSPA.

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

• The Greatest Soccer No. 9s of All Time—Ranked
• Uruguay 2026 World Cup Roster Confirmed: Full List of Players, Luis Suarez Pleas Ignored
• Lionel Messi Chasing 64 Years of History After World Cup Call-Up
• The 30 Most Valuable Soccer Teams in 2026—Ranked
• Lionel Messi Injury: Argentina Boss Reveals Next Steps As World Cup Roster Looms

This article was originally published on www.si.com as The 10 MLS Clubs With the Most Expensive Payrolls—Inter Miami Reign Supreme.

The salaries, released Tuesday, are the first of two annual releases by the MLSPA and are current as of April 16, 2026. The average guaranteed compensation for the league’s players is $688,816.

Messi signed a three-year contract extension with the Herons through the 2028 season last October, right before leading the club to its first MLS Cup title. His base salary of $25 million, including guaranteed compensation of $28.3 million, this season marks a drastic increase from the $12 million base and guaranteed compensation of $20.4 million he earned last year, per the MLS Players Association salary guide from October.

While the 38-year-old Argentinian superstar’s salary makes him by far the U.S. top flight’s highest-paid player, he actually takes home significantly more cash. Inter Miami actually pay him $70 to $80 million annually, according to club owner Jorge Mas, making the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and World Cup champion the second-highest paid player in the world, behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s estimated $230 on-field salary with Al Nassr.

In addition to his salary, Messi earns money through an MLS-related deal with adidas and receives a cut of revenue sharing from Apple TV, among other business ventures, all of which brought his annual earnings to around $135 million in 2025, a number that has likely increased this season, with the salary pay raise and plethora of 2026 FIFA World Cup endorsements.

Way behind Messi, LAFC’s Son Heung-min is the second highest-paid player in MLS with a base salary of of $10.3 million and guaranteed compensation of $11.1 million. Miami’s Rodrigo De Paul sits in third with a base salary of $7.5 million and guaranteed compensation of $9.6 million.

Here’s a look at the top 10 salaries in MLS in 2026, which include players for nine different clubs.

Top 10 Player Salaries in MLS as of April 16, 2026

Guaranteed compensation includes a player’s base salary and all signing and guaranteed bonuses annualized over the term of the player’s contract, including option years, per MLSPA.

READ THE LATEST MLS NEWS, TRANSFER RUMORS AND GOSSIP

• The Greatest Soccer No. 9s of All Time—Ranked
• Uruguay 2026 World Cup Roster Confirmed: Full List of Players, Luis Suarez Pleas Ignored
• Lionel Messi Chasing 64 Years of History After World Cup Call-Up
• The 30 Most Valuable Soccer Teams in 2026—Ranked
• Lionel Messi Injury: Argentina Boss Reveals Next Steps As World Cup Roster Looms

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Top 10 MLS Salaries in 2026: Lionel Messi Earns Giant Pay Raise.

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami bounced back from last week’s humiliating upset to Florida rivals Orlando City with a 4–2 win over Toronto FC, which marked the first match with over 43,000 fans at the newly-expanded BMO Field, which will host six World Cup games in Toronto this summer. 

Meanwhile, over in the Western Conference, the top of the table clash between the San Jose Earthquakes and Vancouver Whitecaps ended in a 1–1 draw to cap off Saturday night, before the Houston Dynamo thrashed LAFC 4–1 in Sunday Night Soccer—just after James Rodríguez posted his first MLS assists in Minnesota United’s 2–2 draw with Austin FC. 

With a thrilling weekend of Matchday 12 action in the books and ahead of a double gameweek for most squads, here’s how teams stack up in Sports Illustrated’s latest MLS Power Rankings, including some massive shifts.

MLS Power Rankings Matchday 12: Clubs 30–11

30. Sporting Kansas City (Previous: 30)
29. Philadelphia Union (Previous: 29)
28. St. Louis CITY SC (Previous: 27)
27. Atlanta United (Previous: 26)
26. Colorado Rapids (Previous: 25)
25. Orlando City (Previous: 24)
24. CF Montréal (Previous: 28)
23. D.C. United (Previous: 24)
22. Toronto FC (Previous: 19)
21. Portland Timbers (Previous: 23)
20. Austin FC (Previous: 18)
19. Red Bull New York (Previous: 17)
18. Columbus Crew (Previous: 15)
17. Houston Dynamo (Previous: 20)
16. San Diego FC (Previous; 13)
15. FC Dallas (Previous: 16)
14. LA Galaxy (Previous: 14)
13. Charlotte FC (Previous: 13)
12. Minnesota United (Previous: 10)
11. New York City FC (Previous: 12)

10. New England Revolution 🆙 (Previous: 21)

We’ve given the New England Revolution one of the most significant bumps this week, as it is truly remarkable the consistency this team has shown over the last while. Under new manager Marko Mitrović, it has consistently felt as though we were waiting for things to revert to mid-table. Still, it’s 11 games into the regular season, and the Revs find themselves sitting pretty, with the best home start in club history at 6-0-0. Might they be an MLS Cup contender, even?

While they weren’t dominant in a 2–1 victory over the struggling Philadelphia Union this weekend, the performance still showed some of their best elements. Carles Gil added his fourth of the season for the 87th-minute winning strike, after setting up Luca Langoni earlier in the match. Between the sticks, potential USMNT World Cup starter Matt Turner made one save, good enough for his side to win. 

The Revolution are not a possession-dominant team; they’re not doing it in the prettiest of styles, and they certainly aren’t scoring at an elite clip—15th in the league. However, they’re still delivering elite results and an uplifting spell after finishing 11th and 14th in the Eastern Conference the past two seasons. 

9. Chicago Fire 📉 (Previous: 7)

For everything that has gone right for the Chicago Fire this season, things have started to revert to a more mid-table level. This weekend’s 3–1 loss to Red Bull New York was an example of that, with Gregg Berhalter’s men giving RBNY its first win in six games. 

This week saw the Fire shift to a 4-2-3-1 out of possession and 4-4-2 on the ball, rather than the 4-3-3 that they have played in for most of 2026. With this shift, Hugo Cuypers had to adjust to playing with a strike partner and often crossed his runs with Maren Haile-Selassie, staying off the scoresheet until the 88th minute. 

It’s three losses in a row now for the Fire, and they will look to return to winning ways against D.C United midweek, hoping to turn a corner ahead of the World Cup break.   

8. Real Salt Lake 🤝 (Previous: 8)

It wasn’t a week that Real Salt Lake will be too fond of, dropping a 3–1 result to FC Dallas in a game that could prove pivotal in the second tier of teams in the Western Conference. 

Yet, it was a clash of tactical approaches and identities that eventually spelled RSL’s demise in this one. FC Dallas absorbed pressure and allowed a Diego Luna-led RSL buildup to maintain 73% possession, while also drawing the visitors into a high defensive line. That opened up space for FC Dallas to exploit, none more so than on Sam Sarver’s exceptional 3–1 goal in second-half stoppage time, where he ran the entire length of the field. 

For Luna, his World Cup hopes were likely lofted by the performance, creating three chances and scoring. Still, the Claret and Cobalt will hope their identity finds a winning way against the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday. 

7. FC Cincinnati 📉 (Previous: 6)

Superb Evander chip 😱

Cincinnati leads 2-0! pic.twitter.com/rzBrWGprah

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

A game where Kévin Denkey and Evander both scored? It was a fun, rare occurrence for FC Cincinnati, despite the 2–2 draw on the road against Charlotte FC, who saw elevated performances from Pep Biel and Idan Toklomati. 

Evander’s goal, as seen above, should contend for one of the best goals of the season, and the Brazilian midfielder continued his strong spell of productive form, now with six goals in his last five matches. Denkey, meanwhile, has scored five in his last four appearances, his best spell yet since joining the Ohio club ahead of the 2025 campaign. 

The Gary Lions are up to sixth in the Eastern Conference now, hitting their stride and will fancy their in-form attack against Inter Miami’s faulty defense in midweek action.

6. Inter Miami 🆙 (Previous: 9)

Bravo, Guillermo Hoyos. After several missteps from defender Maxi Falcón, the interim manager opted to drop the center back from the starting lineup this weekend, leading to a more coherent backline in a 4–2 win against Toronto FC—a result that, if it weren’t for David Ayala’s miskick, should have been even more convincing.

With the improvements around him and continued strong form from Rodrigo De Paul, Lionel Messi continued to hold up his end, scoring a goal and providing two assists to break the record for the fastest player to reach 100 goal contributions in MLS regular-season history. 

There are still plenty of issues with Miami, and Germán Berterame struggled mightily once again, missing gaping goals twice in the performance, but with strong play from Messi, De Paul and Luis Suárez, the Herons have floated to second in the Eastern Conference ahead of the midweek clash against FC Cincinnati.

5. LAFC 📉 (Previous: 4)

LAFC had a challenging week, crashing out of the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals in the second leg against Liga MX’s Deportivo Toluca, before quickly regrouping only to fall 4–1 to the Houston Dynamo in front of home fans. 

While the Black and Gold were victims of Jack McGlynn’s potent left-foot strikes and desire to make a last-gasp run towards the USMNT World Cup squad, they also showed gaps in midfield. Houston simply had no issues playing through the midfield triangle of Stephen Eustàquio, Mark Delgado and Son Heung-min, leaving space for Guillherme, Lawrence Enalli and McGlynn to exploit. 

As a team, should LAFC worry? Probably not, given they were coming off a gruelling Concacaf run and were without the suspended Denis Bouanga. Yet, productivity is becoming a concern for Son, who now has no goals and seven assists in nine MLS matches this season. 

After a week they’ll want to forget, it becomes critical to find a win against St. Louis CITY SC on Wednesday, before a testing game against Nashville SC on Saturday. 

4. Seattle Sounders 🤝 (Previous: 4)

The Seattle Sounders are a weird team right now. They dropped points to Sporting Kansas City, a side that lost 6–0 to the Portland Timbers this weekend, and then drew with San Diego FC on home turf. 

This week’s draw wasn’t for lack of chances, creating 2.53 xG and putting 26 shots towards San Diego’s goal in the 1–1 finish, but rather the continued search for an outright and potent goalscorer, since each of Jordan Morris, Albert Rusnák and Jesús Ferreira has yet to show they can truly take a game over this season. 

Could that answer be Danny Musovski? The North Macedonian international scored 18 goals in 2025 and netted his first of the season after coming in to play in a two-striker setup for 27 minutes with Morris in this match. Don’t be surprised if that’s an approach manager Brian Schmetzer pursues. 

At the back, there’s nothing to worry about. The defense has conceded a league-best six goals in 10 games, and sitting fourth in the Western Conference, they have two games in hand on teams around them. Two draws to San Diego and Sporting Kansas City aren’t great, but it’s far from time to worry about the Sounders right now.

3. Nashville SC 🤝 (Previous: 3)

Nashville SC is going to have a tough spell. Not only did they fall short of beating Liga MX’s Tigres UANL in the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals this week, but they also saw Patrick Yazbek and Edvard Tagseth suffer significant injuries, taking out two of their best players this season. 

Andy Najar remains one of the most exciting fullbacks in MLS and showed that with his assist in this weekend’s 2–2 draw with D.C. United, and the brace off the bench from Warren Madrigal was also a standout moment of the weekend. Although, without Sam Surridge in the lineup, the Nashville attack misses a finishing touch, and Hany Mukhtar doesn’t quite work as a central attacker.

This week doesn’t get any easier for Nashville. First, it’s a midweek visit to the Revolution, who are unbeaten at home, before hosting LAFC and Denis Bouanga’s return from suspension on the weekend. Good luck!

2. San Jose Earthquakes 🤝 (Previous: 2)

Preston Judd is the breakout player of 2026. The 26-year-old scored just four minutes into this week’s eventual 1–1 draw at home against the Vancouver Whitecaps, netting his eighth goal of the season in just 12 games, eclipsing his previous career-high of seven from last season.

While Judd’s fourth-minute goal stood out, it was an admirable performance considering the Earthquakes’ two best chance creators, Timo Werner and Niko Tsakiris, were sidelined with injuries. Still, they didn’t have many outstanding spells of possession or attacking opportunities in this one, and they didn't hold momentum at any stage of the game beyond the first seven minutes. 

Daniel Munie and Reid Roberts had another stellar showing at center back, and the late effort to keep the ball out of high-xG areas stood out, allowing the Earthquakes to grab a point on a night when they were second-best. 

After back-to-back draws, the Supporters’ Shield leaders look to return to winning ways against Seattle and FC Dallas this week. 

1. Vancouver Whitecaps 🤝 (Previous: 1)

When the Vancouver Whitecaps hit the road for eight straight games due to FIFA taking over operations at BC Place, it was fair to guess that they might slide from form. Two weeks in, it’s two 1–1 draws to the LA Galaxy and San Jose Earthquakes, respectable results without German superstar Thomas Müller in the lineup due to illness. 

Saturday’s draw was far better than last week's, though. Making his first start, 21-year-old winger Bruno Caicedo was a consistent threat down the left wing, and 20-year-old left back Tate Johnson bolted forward throughout the performance, while making six tackles. Andrés Cubas also continued to prove his prowess as the best defensive midfielder in MLS. 

Sebastian Berhalter, looking to make a final impression in the hunt for a spot on the USMNT’s World Cup squad, scored a skillful trivela for the 1–1 goal, bringing him to four goals and seven assists. He is the cornerstone of Vancouver's transition right now and should be on the World Cup squad as he continues to evolve in the role. 

“He has a great belief, and he’s also very optimistic in his play,” Vancouver manager Jesper Sørensen said of Berhalter. “That’s why he ended up in situations where he can also be decisive and score goals, like that run he took in for the goal was not necessarily a run you often take from a No. 6 position.”

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

• The Greatest Soccer No. 9s of All Time—Ranked
• Uruguay 2026 World Cup Roster Confirmed: Full List of Players, Luis Suarez Pleas Ignored
• Lionel Messi Chasing 64 Years of History After World Cup Call-Up
• The 30 Most Valuable Soccer Teams in 2026—Ranked
• Lionel Messi Injury: Argentina Boss Reveals Next Steps As World Cup Roster Looms

This article was originally published on www.si.com as MLS Power Rankings: New England Shines at Home, Inter Miami’s Resurgence and More From Matchday 12.

Barça were able to clinch the title by beating Clásico rivals Real Madrid at Camp Nou, extending their winning run in the top flight to 11 games. A sensational Marcus Rashford free kick set the hosts on their way against a Madrid team merely focussed on not brawling one another, then Ferran Torres rounded off a flowing team move to double Barça’s lead in the first half.

Dani Olmo’s flick, which presented Torres with a glorious opening, was Messi-esque, and the Argentine was doubtless tuned in to Sunday’s ongoings in Catalonia after dazzling in Inter Miami‘s 4–2 victory over Toronto FC the previous day.

The reigning MLS Cup holders sit third in the Eastern Conference, having won half of their first 12 games. Messi, meanwhile, has 12 goal contributions in 11 outings, including nine goals. He remains in fine form heading into his sixth World Cup, which he hasn’t fully committed to yet.

Lionel Messi’s Social Media Response to Barcelona’s La Liga Triumph

Woeful financial mismanagement forced Messi out of Barcelona after 21 blissful years in 2021. The Argentine certainly didn’t want to leave Catalonia, but there was no bad blood. It’s a city he adores, and a club that helped him blossom into an all-time great.

Thus, Messi still relishes the Blaugrana’s triumphs. After his former club sealed the La Liga title on a rather novel occasion as their fiercest competitive rivals were the defeated opposition, the 38-year-old posted an image of Flick’s squad on his Instagram story with the words: “Campeones!!! Visca el Barça!!!”

For those who haven’t yet dabbled with Catalan on Duolingo, that translates into: “Champions!!! Long live Barça!!!”

How Many Trophies Have Barcelona Won Since Lionel Messi Left?

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner claimed a whopping 34 major honors with Barcelona, including 10 La Liga titles. Messi’s Barça retained their crown on multiple occasions, and the Argentine left in 2021 having helped the Blaugrana conquer the continent four times.

Champions League glory has continued to elude Barça since Messi‘s exit, with Flick’s side following last season’s cruel semifinal exit with a disappointed quarterfinal elimination at the hands of domestic rivals Atlético Madrid.

Still, that wasn‘t enough to dampen the mood in Catalonia on Sunday night. This was their third La Liga title celebration in a post-Messi world, having won their first with the Argentine‘s former teammate, Xavi Hernández, in 2023. Barcelona also have a Copa del Rey to their name and three Spanish Super Cups.

Flick, who has said this job will be his last in soccer management, won’t be satisfied until Barça are recognized as Europe‘s finest again. His team are close.

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

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• Transfer Rumors: Man Utd Contact Vinicius Jr; Real Madrid Eye Blockbuster Rice Move
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• Why New Barcelona Signing Anthony Gordon Already Speaks Fluent Spanish

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Lionel Messi Offers Four-Word Response to Barcelona’s La Liga Title Triumph.

Saturday’s outing means the Herons have successfully bounced back from last week’s humiliating affair, surrendering a 3–0 lead against Florida rivals Orlando City and ultimately losing 4–3.

While Messi’s impressive showing dominates the storyline, it was a complete team effort from the reigning MLS Cup champions. 

Rodrigo De Paul scored the opening goal right before half-time on a highlight-reel second attempt, after his free-kick initially hit Toronto’s wall of players. He perfectly struck the bouncing ball on a volley and hit the side-post into the net, leaving Toronto’s goalkeeper Luka Gavran utterly stunned.

Luis Suárez netted his third goal of the campaign in the 55th minute after a quick breakout play from De Paul and Messi, before the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner picked up his second assist of the day on Sergio Reguilón’s first MLS goal minutes later. Messi then added a goal of his own in the 75th minute. 

De Paul ➡️ Messi ➡️ Suárez

Luis Suárez makes it a 2-0 @InterMiamiCF lead. pic.twitter.com/O1Xn8QpjX1

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

While Miami dominated, they weren’t able to avoid a late-game collapse, allowing two goals to Toronto’s Emilio Aristizábal.

Outside of the dramatic goalscoring, the matchup also featured several stoppages for pitch invasions, including a four-person effort late in the match, following an earlier invader who ran out to Messi for a photo. It’s not an unusual occurrence to see pitch invaders looking for the superstar, but upwards of five in one match is extraordinary.

It all came in front of a record crowd for the venue as well, as 44,828 fans packed into the recently expanded stadium, which will host six games at the upcoming World Cup. That record stands as the most for a soccer game at the stadium, but also eclipsed the previous venue record of 40,148 set at the NHL Centennial Classic between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings in 2017.

Here is Sports Illustrated’s breakdown of the match, featuring report card grades for each Inter Miami player who saw the pitch. 

Inter Miami Report Card vs. Toronto FC (4-3-3)

GK: Dayne St. Clair—C+: The Canadian backstop was in familiar surroundings for the match on his birthday and stood out with a sharp first-half save on Daniel Sallói, as one of his three saves on the day, despite allowing two goals.

RB: Facundo Mura—B+: Stepping into the right back position for the injured Ian Fray, Mura was a constant presence up the right wing throughout the match, making quick interplays with Rodrigo De Paul.

CB: Gonzalo Luján—B: Replacing Maxi Falcón in an effort to shore up the defensive outlook, Luján stood out alongside Micael in a largely uneventful effort, far better than the mistake-ridden play from Falcón’s nine previous starts.

CB: Micael—B-: The Brazilian center back completed the most passes in the match of any player and was vital in keeping Toronto’s attackers at bay for most of the afternoon. However, his loss on Emilio Aristizábal’s header in the final moments cost him a higher grade.

LB: Noah Allen—D: The Greek youth international has become one of the most consistent pieces for Inter Miami in the last three seasons and was largely unproblematic in his efforts down the left flank, ending his afternoon with three defensive contributions in 68 minutes.

RM: Rodrigo De Paul—A: Rodrigo De Paul’s efforts to make the Argentina World Cup squad have been impressive since the March international window, and his showing against Toronto FC stood out, first with his impressive goal on the volley before an assist to Messi later, stringing together a goal that will no doubt catch the eye of Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni.

CM: Yannick Bright—A+: Taking on a more central role in the 4-3-3 as De Paul shifted to the right, Bright was a physical force in midfield, while also creating space for each of De Paul and Segovia in wider positions. His 13 defensive contributions led the match, showcasing his impressive two-way skillset.

LM: Telasco Segovia—C: In a match where Inter Miami dominated the run of play and created plenty of chances, Telasco Segovia was unable to get in on the fun, despite amassing 49 touches through 79 minutes.

RW: Lionel Messi—A+: Playing in his 101st match for Inter Miami, Lionel Messi stood out in this one, scoring once and picking up two assists, while also creating four chances and taking five shots. With his impressive showing, he broke Toronto FC legend Sebastian Giovinco’s record for the fastest player to reach 100 goal contributions in MLS regular season play, doing so in just 64 games.

ST: Luis Suárez—A+: Luis Suárez might not be the most mobile player anymore, but his finishing touch is still as good as ever. Amassing 45 touches through 78 minutes, the Uruguayan found himself in prime scoring areas, netting his third goal of the season to sit second in the club’s goalscoring race, only behind Messi.

LW: Germán Berterame—F: Germán Berterame is in a last-gasp effort to crack Mexico’s World Cup squad and his massive second-half miss in this match won’t help him draw many positive review. The $15 million man had no shots and just 26 touches through 90 minutes.

SUB: Sergio Reguilón (68’)—A: The Argentine wingback came into the game late on and had one of his best MLS showings to date, picking up a goal in the 73rd minute while making his presence known up the wing.

SUB: David Ayala (78’)—F: A highly-regarded offseason add from the Portland Timbers, Ayala struggled off the bench on Saturday, making a horrible mistake to allow Toronto to get onto the scoresheet.

SUB: Preston Plambeck (78’)—D: The 20-year-old academy product had 15 touches and was largely invisible as the Herons saw out the lead, despite giving up two goals.

SUB: Dániel Pintér (78’)—C: The 18-year-old Pintér continued to collect minutes off the bench this season and made four successful passes late in the game for the Herons.

Subs not used: Rocco Ríos Novo (GK), Maxi Falcón, Alex Shaw, David Ruiz, Mateo Silvetti

One Thing We Can’t Ignore

Saturday’s match marked the first time in nine games that the club did not start center back Maxi Falcón, dropping him from the lineup after a string of poor performances and questionable decisions cost his side points at Nu Stadium.

While Toronto were still able to create chances and find their way through the central defensive pairing of Gonzalo Luján and Micael, there were far fewer glaring positional errors, than there have been with Falcón.

The shift showed the growth of new interim manager Guillermo Hoyos, who made just two substitutions in last week’s collapse against Orlando City. Instead of sticking to his usual lineup, he made adjustments to solve a problem, and it paid off, emphasizing his abilities as a manager and not just as a coach that has a history with Lionel Messi from their time in FC Barcelona’s academy.

What’s Next For Inter Miami?

With the victory, Inter Miami snapped a brief two-game winless skid following a draw against the New England Revolution and a loss to Orlando City. Now, the group looks ahead to three more games before the break for the 2026 World Cup, starting with Wednesday's match against FC Cincinnati, followed by two home dates against the Portland Timbers and Philadelphia Union.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Grading Inter Miami’s Turbulent Win as Messi Sets MLS Record in Front of Historic Crowd.

In Inter Miami’s 4–2 win over Toronto FC on Saturday, the star midfielder scored one goal and added two assists, earning Player of the Match honors, and more significantly, breaking Toronto legend Sebastian Giovinco’s record by becoming the fastest player in MLS history to reach 100 regular-season goal contributions, doing so in 64 matches—31 fewer than Giovinco needed (95 matches).

Messi left BMO Field with 59 goals and 41 assists in his 64 MLS regular season games, accrued since he joined the South Florida side in the summer of 2023.

One of one. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/GF7Y8P9o8t

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

Messi has taken MLS by storm, despite entering the league in the twilight of his career. The 38-year-old is the only player to have won MLS MVP two seasons in a row (2024 and 2025).

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner also set the record for most goal contributions in a single season—including regular and postseason matches—with 62 contributions in 2024–2025, surpassing LAFC’s Carlos Vela’s record of 52 set in 2019. Messi also has the record for the most goal contributions in a single postseason with 15 last winter: six goals and nine assists, a feat he achieved en route to the Herons’ first MLS Cup win.

Messi also holds the record for the most assists in a single MLS game: five against Red Bull New York in May 2024, the same match in which he scored a goal to secure the most goal contributions in a single game as well, six. Inter Miami won the historic match 6–2.

The former FC Barcelona legend now has 907 total career goals, becoming only the second player ever to hit the 900-goal mark when he scored against Nashville SC in Concacaf Champions Cup play back in March. Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo was the first to reach 900, doing so in 2024, and is well on his way to 1,000.

Messi Graces Same Pitch as Giovinco, Ronaldinho

Legends of the game sharing the pitch in Toronto 🤩

🇮🇹🇧🇷🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/0lMcb8CLFu

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 9, 2026

Messi’s impressive showing against Toronto at BMO Field came less than 24 hours after the previous record holder, Giovinco, rekindled some of his former magic on the same pitch. 

On Friday night, a group of Toronto FC legends, including Giovinco and former U.S. men’s national team star Jozy Altidore, played to a 4–3 loss in a showcase game against a team of Brazilian legends, including Ronaldinho. Giovinco scored in the showcase, linking up with Altidore throughout the night. 

The former Italian international remains one of the best MLS players of all-time, having scored 68 goals and 52 assists in 114 regular-season games between 2015–19, while winning the 2015 MLS Golden Boot and MLS MVP Award, a dual feat Messi matched in 2025. 

Giovinco also helped Toronto to the 2016 and 2017 MLS Cup finals, winning the title in 2017. With that resumé, the club even brought the 38-year-old retiree back to trainings in 2025 to help the squad prepare for playing against Messi. Saturday’s outing proved the sound reasoning behind that, as Messi and Giovinco are so nearly aligned in their successes at the MLS level.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Lionel Messi Smashes MLS Record in Latest Inter Miami Win.

Despite being devastatingly snubbed by manager Carlo Ancelotti for the most-recent international window, the 34-year-old forward is set to be included in Brazil’s preliminary 55-man list, the pool from the final 26-man squad will be selected, per Brazilian newspaper O Globo.

The preliminary list will be officially announced Monday, with the final squad to be released on May 18.

Neymar, who surpassed Pelé in 2023 as Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 total appearances, has not appeared for the Seleção since October of that year. Ancelotti excluded him from the March friendlies against France and Croatia on the premise that he was not at his best.

“Neymar is not at 100% of his capability,” Ancelotti said before the March window. “If he can be at 100% physically, he can be there. Neymar could be at the World Cup. Neymar has to keep working, playing, showcasing his qualities and maintaining good physical condition.”

The Brazilian superstar and Barcelona legend has been plagued by injury in recent years, keeping him on the fringes of the country’s squad. It was an ACL tear back in 2023 that ended his regular international participation, and he required arthroscopy knee surgery last December, keeping him out of Santos’ first 12 matches this season.

Neymar, however, has seemingly done enough to prove himself to Ancelotti, regaining fitness since his most recent December injury, for the possibility of making his fourth career World Cup appearance.

Since his return in February, Neymar has dominated the pitch for Santos. In 12 matches, he has scored five goals and added three assists, helping his boyhood club climb the league table and playing a key role in their CONMEBOL Sudamericana outings.

Messi Weighs in on Neymar’s World Cup Chances

Messi and Neymar first shared the pitch at Barcelona, striking fear in opponents for four straight seasons (2013–17) and creating an unstoppable attacking trio with Luis Suárez for three of those. They then reunited at Paris Saint-Germain for two seasons (2021–23), playing a grand total of 206 matches together across the decade.

“I can’t be very objective, he’s a friend of mine,” Messi told Pollo Álvarez when discussing Neymar. “Obviously, I would love for him to go [to the World Cup] and for good things to happen to him because he deserves it.

“At World Cups, we always want the best players to be there, and Neymar, as long as he’s around, will always be one of them.”

Should Neymar get the call, he could find himself on the opposite side of the center circle to Messi’s Argentina, with the South American giants potentially meeting in the semifinals.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Update on Neymar’s 2026 World Cup Chances As Lionel Messi Weighs in.

Across 17 seasons, Messi established an era-defining legacy with his unrivaled creativity, poise and dribbling skills. Now, Yamal paves his own path for the Blaugrana, with his own unique creativity and flair from the right wing, all while donning Messi’s No. 10 jersey.

“There is a new generation of footballers who are very good and who have many years ahead of them, but if I have to choose one because of age, for what he has done so far and for the future he may have, it is Lamine,” Messi said at an adidas event this week, per Diario Sport. “There’s no doubt, for me, he’s the best.”

Yamal, Barça’s current leading goalscorer and assist provider, most recently won the Laureus Young Sportsperson of the Year award, recognizing him as the best young athlete under the age of 21 globally. He also finished runner-up in the 2025 Ballon d’Or voting, ultimately losing to Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembélé.

A Relationship Decades in the Making

In 2007, a 20-year-old Lionel Messi was pictured bathing a baby for a Barça-UNICEF charity campaign—that baby, Lamine Yamal, is now a rising football star. pic.twitter.com/wCbjWHCEm5

— Historic Vids (@historyinmemes) July 16, 2025

Although Messi and Yamal have never met on the pitch, their relationship famously began nearly 20 years ago, of pure coincidence—or perhaps, fate.

In 2007, Messi, 20 years old at the time, was tapped by Barcelona to participate in a charity photoshoot at the Camp Nou, taking photos to raise funds for UNICEF and for the Barça Foundation childhood protection programs. The six-month-old Catalan baby that Messi was photographed with was none other than Yamal.

“UNICEF did a raffle in the neighborhood of Rocafonda in Mataró where Lamine's family lived,” the charity photoshoot photographer, Joan Monfort, said in 2025. “They signed up for the raffle to have their picture taken at the Camp Nou with a Barça player. And they won the raffle.

"Messi didn’t even know how to hold him at first. Messi is a pretty introverted guy, he’s shy. He was coming out of the locker room and suddenly he finds himself in another locker room with a plastic tub full of water and a baby in it. It was complicated.

“For Lamine to grow up to be a footballer, and to have this photo, I’m just really happy it happened. It’s especially nice in today’s football, when so much is to do with money and power.”

Many fans consider that encounter to be a symbolic “soccer baptism,” foreshadowing the torch Messi would one day pass to Yamal.

Although Yamal is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, out for the remainder of the La Liga season, he is anticipated to return for the 2026 World Cup and make his debut for Spain on the sport’s grandest stage. It is there that the reigning European champions could come face-to-face with the World Cup holders, Argentina, seeing Yamal and Messi on the same pitch for the first time ever, as early as the round of 32.

Yamal Outspoken in His Admiration of Messi

After Barcelona’s star forward won the first-ever Young Sportsperson of the Year—marking back-to-back honors for the prodigious star at the Laureus World Sports Awards, after winning Breakthrough Sportsperson of the Year in 2025—Yamal couldn’t help but praise Messi, expressing his desire to follow in his footsteps.

Messi also has two Laureus awards in his trophy cabinet, winning his first World Sportsman of the Year award in 2020 while playing for Barcelona, becoming the first soccer player to do ever do so. He won it again in 2023, making him the only team-sport athlete to win it twice. The Inter Miami captain is still the only soccer player to have ever won the award.

“For me, Messi is the best player in history,” Yamal said at the awards ceremony last month. “I don’t know if he’s the best player in all sports, but if not, he’s close. He’s an idol. Everyone respects him for everything he’s done. He’s been a part of the childhood of all the kids who played at school, in the park.

“I hope I can follow in his footsteps and have another one of those [trophies] in my house.”

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as ‘There’s No Doubt’—Lionel Messi Makes Huge Lamine Yamal Claim.

With MLS clubs taking several weeks off for the tournament, banking points before the break is vital to every team. Individual players also look for standout performances to earn a spot at the first-ever 48-team World Cup.

Matchday 12 features 15 games, with 12 on Saturday and three on Sunday, headlined by the San Jose Earthquakes hosting Vancouver Whitecaps in a massive clash atop the Western Conference table on Saturday night.

Here’s what Sports Illustrated predicts for the 12th matchday of MLS in 2026.

Toronto FC vs. Inter Miami

• Date: Saturday, May 9
• Time: 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT

Toronto FC fell 3–1 to one of the Canadian Premier League’s poorest-performing teams midweek, crashing out of the Canadian Championship to Atlético Ottawa. Now, they look to return to form against the 2025 MLS Cup champions, Inter Miami.

The Herons are looking to bounce back after blowing a 3–0 lead to lose 4–3 to Florida rivals Orlando City, and will hope to avoid falling as low as 10th in the Supporters’ Shield table. The hosts are likely to be without key USMNT stars, Josh Sargent and Đorđe Mihailović.

Prediction: Toronto FC 3–5 Inter Miami

Chicago Fire vs. Red Bull New York

• Date: Saturday, May 9
• Time: 2:30 p.m. ET / 11:30 a.m. PT

Chicago Fire FC welcomes Red Bull New York to the Windy City this weekend, with Gregg Berhalter’s men looking for a fifth win in eight games after dropping a dramatic 3–2 result to FC Cincinnati last week. Hugo Cuypers looks to both build on his brace and bounce back after missing a second-half stoppage-time penalty. Meanwhile, New York hope to snap a six-match winless run.

Prediction: Chicago Fire 3–2 Red Bull New York

CF Montréal vs. Orlando City

• Date: Saturday, May 9
• Time: 4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PT

CF Montréal will take on former academy product and potential Canada World Cup goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau this weekend, as he heads back up north with Orlando City, a side reveling in form after staging a four-goal comeback to win last week’s Florida Derby. Can Crépeau prove himself in his home province of Québec, or will Prince Owusu maintain his standout form and lead CF Montréal to the three points?

Prediction: CF Montréal 3–1 Orlando City

Atlanta United vs. LA Galaxy

• Date: Saturday, May 9
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

Atlanta United had some Canadian fun the past two weeks, picking up their first back-to-back wins of the season by defeating Toronto FC and CF Montréal. Now, they’re back at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the last time until Aug. 15, after it hosts eight World Cup games this summer, taking on the LA Galaxy. Momentum and the moment favor the Five Stripes here, with travel and inconsistent form likely hampering the 2024 MLS Cup champions.

Prediction: Atlanta United 1–1 LA Galaxy  

Charlotte FC vs. FC Cincinnati

• Date: Saturday, May 9
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

Charlotte FC are back at Bank of America Stadium, looking to halt a three-game losing streak, which saw them drop three of four games on the road. It’s the club’s first home match since April 17, and it will need to see some offensive improvement from Pep Biel and Idan Toklomati after being shut out in a 1–0 loss to the New England Revolution last week. It’s a spell of five-straight home matches now as well, making a win over Cincinnati a tidy tone-setter for the next while. 

Prediction: Charlotte FC 2–2 FC Cincinnati

New England Revolution vs. Philadelphia Union

• Date: Saturday, May 9
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

If this were 2025, the Philadelphia Union would be feeling pretty good about walking into Foxborough to take on the New England Revolution. Yet this season, the defending Supporters’ Shield winners sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with six points in 11 games, while New England leads with 19 points in 10. Expect Dor Turgeman and Carles Gil to have a field day against a dismal 2026 edition of the Union in front of the home supporters.

Prediction: New England Revolution 2–0 Philadelphia Union

FC Dallas vs. Real Salt Lake

• Date: Saturday, May 9
• Time: 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT

Two teams with talent that could be bound for the World Cup, this will be a key audition game for USMNT’s Diego Luna and Croatia’s Petar Musa, both vying to make their respective teams as previously called-up players. Luna is in outstanding form at the moment and showed impressive confidence in last week’s win over the Portland Timbers, while Musa scored in his return from injury in a win over the Red Bulls. With those clashing missions, Dallas have a slight advantage at home. 

Prediction: FC Dallas 2–1 Real Salt Lake

Nashville SC vs. D.C. United

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

Nashville SC saw their Concacaf Champions Cup journey come to an end this week, eliminated by Tigres UANL in the semifinals. While B.J. Callaghan’s men won’t have to balance both competitions anymore, they paid a hefty price for the run—key scorer Sam Surridge is likely unavailable due to an ongoing injury. At the same time, Australian World Cup hopeful and star midfielder Patrick Yazbek was seen on crutches midweek. Hany Mukhtar and Cristian Espinoza will hope to keep the group afloat against Tai Baribo’s D.C. United.

Prediction: Nashville SC 1–3 D.C. United

Colorado Rapids vs. St. Louis CITY SC

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

The Colorado Rapids have played some outstanding soccer under new manager Matt Wells, but are now amid a four-game winless run, including three losses. This week marks their first match back at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park since April 11, and after facing the likes of Miami, LAFC and Vancouver over the last month, they take on a St. Louis CITY SC side that sits on just six points and second last in the Western Conference. It should be a fairly simple result for the Rapids given the talent of Rafael Navarro and Paxten Aaronson, among others. Plus, they could be aided by the altitude.

Prediction: Colorado Rapids 3–0 St. Louis CITY SC

Portland Timbers vs. Sporting Kansas City

• Date: Saturday, May 9
• Time: 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT

The Portland Timbers will consider themselves massive favorites this weekend at home against Sporting Kansas City, despite goalkeeper James Pantemis being forced into an MLS record-setting 13-save performance in last week’s loss to Real Salt Lake. Yet, despite SKC’s one win in 10 games this season, the Dejan Joveljić-led group might just be able to scrape out a point.

Prediction: Portland Timbers 1–1 Sporting Kansas City

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Vancouver Whitecaps

• Date: Saturday, May 9
• Time: 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT

It’s a clash of titans atop the Western Conference, as Vancouver Whitecaps look to avenge an early-season loss against the San Jose Earthquakes, the only team to beat them in 11 games this season. While Thomas Müller is doubtful after missing last week’s draw against the Galaxy with illness, Vancouver will be able to rely on Sebastian Berhalter and Brian White, who are enjoying immense form in an effort to crack the USMNT World Cup squad. San Jose, meanwhile, look to defend their Western Conference lead without star midfielder Niko Tsakiris, who will be sidelined with injury. 

Prediction: San Jose Earthquakes 2–2 Vancouver Whitecaps

Seattle Sounders vs. San Diego FC

• Date: Saturday, May 9
• Time: 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT

Seattle Sounders welcome a struggling San Diego FC side this week, as the Californian second-year club searches for a road win to snap an eight-game winless run, which has included just two draws. Anders Dreyer remains the sole hope for San Diego’s middling form, coming up against a Seattle side boasting in-form talents of Paul Rothrock, Cristian Roldan and Albert Rusnák. 

Prediction: Seattle Sounders 3–0 San Diego FC

New York City FC vs. Columbus Crew

• Date: Sunday, May 10
• Time: 4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PT

New York City FC are back on the baseball diamond this week, looking to return to winning ways after going winless through the last seven matches, as Nicolás Fernández and Maxi Moralez have been unable to push the team to victory. While they remain the cornerstones of any NYCFC effort, they face a structured Columbus side, with the matchup also featuring a USMNT goalkeeper battle between presumed starter Matt Freese and potential third-string backstop Patrick Schulte. 

Prediction: New York City FC 1–1 Columbus Crew

Minnesota United vs. Austin FC

• Date: Sunday, May 10
• Time: 7:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. PT

Minnesota United are enjoying exceptional form, boasting five wins from the last six matches thanks to striker Kelvin Yeboah returning to his potent scoring self, as he showed throughout 2025. While the James Rodríguez experiment hasn’t quite worked out, this week’s clash against Austin FC should have plenty of star power, with Yeboah battling Austin’s returning Brandon Vázquez and Myrto Uzuni in a clash of the strikers.

Prediction: Minnesota United 1–2 Austin FC

LAFC vs. Houston Dynamo

• Date: Sunday, May 10
• Time: 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT

Timothy Tillman missed a gaping goal in LAFC’s matchup against Toluca midweek, kicking off a poor performance that saw the Black and Gold bid adieu to any hopes of the Concacaf Champions Cup, eliminated by Toluca despite winning the first leg. This weekend, they turn their focus back to MLS, and they will do so without Denis Bouanga, who is suspended for the matchup against Guillherme’s Houston Dynamo. 

Prediction:  LAFC 3–0 Houston Dynamo

MLS Predictions: Matchday 12

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as MLS Predictions: Western Conference Clash of Titans Headlines Matchday 12 .

The 39-year-old striker, who is Uruguay’s all-time leading goalscorer with 69 in 143 total appearances, competed for La Celeste for 17 years—spanning the four previous World Cups (2010, 2014. 2018, 2022), before announcing his retirement from international play in September 2024, a door he has since regretted closing.

“I wanted to be called up,” the now-Inter Miami star told reporters in Spanish on Wednesday.

“Obviously, being Uruguayan, I would never turn down the national team,” he added. “I stepped aside back then because I felt I needed to make way for the younger generation ... As I’ve said before, I would never say no to the national team if they needed me—especially with a World Cup just around the corner.”

This marks Suárez’s second plea for a World Cup spot in recent time, after he made it clear last month that he wanted to reopen the conversation.

Would Uruguay Actually Roster Suárez?

Suárez hasn’t played for Uruguay since Sept. 2024, in which he featured in a goalless draw against Paraguay.

“I’m 37 years old and it’d be a huge struggle for me to make it to the next World Cup, as there are so many talented up-and-coming players,” Suárez said at the time of his retirement. “The fact that I’m able to call time on my international career and not have it decided for me by injuries is a great feeling for me.”

It’s not surprising that Suárez wants to turn back the clock, especially given his recent club resurgence and current bill of health, and it’s not unfathomable that Uruguay’s manager Marcelo Bielsa could let him do it.

Suárez tallied 10 goals and 11 assists last season as a starter for Inter Miami, but opened the 2026 season rooted to the bench, in the shadows of $15 million transfer of Germán Berterame. Yet while Berterame struggled to find his footing, Suárez prevailed, once again proving himself integral to the Herons’ operation.

The seasoned striker has notched two goals and two assists across 303 minutes of MLS play, averaging a goal contribution every 75 minutes. He has since been reintegrated into the starting lineup, becoming a more favorable option for interim manager Guillermo Hoyos, who took over following Javier Mascherano’s sudden departure last month.

Suárez also has a long history of success on soccer’s grandest stage, meaning the experience and veteran leadership he would bring to Uruguay’s relatively unproven World Cup squad cannot be understated.

He has bagged seven total goals in World Cup action, including a brace against Korea Republic in the round of 16 of the 2010 South Africa tournament that singlehandedly took Uruguay to the quarterfinals. In the subsequent match, he infamously palmed the ball in order to deny Ghana a late winner, inevitably helping La Celeste advance to the semifinals.

Uruguay has also struggled in Suárez’s absence to find a consistent starter at the No. 9 position. In the 17 international matches without him, Bielsa has shifted primarily between Darwin Núñez, Rodrigo Aguirre, Federico Viñas and Luciano Rodríguez, none of whom have been able to match Suárez’s impressive output from years past.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Inter Miami’s Luis Suarez Makes Late World Cup Plea—Could He Be Called Up?.

The Manchester United star announced his impending Old Trafford exit in January, lighting the fuse of a transfer frenzy from teams across the globe. Casemiro’s recent performances for the Premier League’s form team has only heightened speculation—with plenty in Manchester keen to hang onto the veteran midfielder for “one more year.”

However, the chance to move to Major League Soccer appears to be too appealing for Casemiro to turn down. Inter Miami are one of several U.S. clubs linked with the five-time Champions League winner and Sky Sports News claim the Herons boast the ultimate trump card: Messi.

Such is his admiration of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, the report claims that United’s top earner would be prepared to reduce his salary demands. This compromise could prove decisive in Miami’s negotiations given the strict wage regulations which are in place across MLS.

Messi is a familiar foe for Casemiro. The pair have lined up on opposite sides of two historic soccer divides, clashing repeatedly for Barcelona, Argentina, Real Madrid and Brazil. Despite this constant enmity, there is a clear level of affection spilling out of the United midfielder.

Casemiro’s Clear Messi Stance

“I think that Messi marked an era,” Casemiro told Placar in the summer of 2023. “He’s always been a rival, he’s always been at Barcelona, he’s always been at Argentina. There’s no escaping him.”

“I always like to say, ‘He who likes soccer, likes Messi.’”Casemiro

“It was a pleasure to watch him play, it was a pleasure to play against him. I didn’t have the opportunity to play with him, unfortunately,” he added.

At this point, it was noted that Messi was in search of a new club having left Paris Saint-Germain earlier that summer. “If you want more, I’m there too,” Casemiro laughed. Is the door open, he was asked. “For Messi, yes!”

Casemiro Puts Foot Down on Man Utd Future

Each Manchester United fixture seems to feature the club’s fans pleaded with Casemiro to stay for “one more year.” This stance has been echoed by some of his teammates yet no amount of affection is going to convince the 34-year-old: his mind is made up.

“I don’t think there’s a chance, there’s no chance,” Casemiro told ESPN. “Mostly because of what I said, you know? Go out the big door, I think it was four beautiful, wonderful years and I am eternally grateful not only to the club, but to the fans.

“But I think I have to leave in good terms, I have to go out on top. I will be an eternal United fan here in England and I just have to thank all the love from the fans.”

There are 24 million reasons for United to part ways with Casemiro, too. The Red Devils stand to save the eye-watering annual salary which the Brazilian would be entitled to next season, which would represent an increase upon his current earnings thanks to United’s Champions League qualification.

While Casemiro is supposedly willing to swallow some salary demands for the chance to play alongside Messi in Miami, there are no suggestions that he would make the same sacrific to carry on at Manchester United.

READ THE LATEST TRANSFER NEWS AND RUMORS FROM WORLD SOCCER

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as ‘He Is Willing’—How Lionel Messi Is Helping Inter Miami’s Quest to Sign Casemiro.

Neymar’s excellent technique, the capacity to control the ball and bamboozle opponents with his trickery, is a quality which has been evident since his time as a child dancing around the futsal courts of São Paulo. The Santos academy product was once described as a “synonym for showtime,” lighting up the South American game before dominating Europe with Barcelona, where he played alongside Messi and often against Ronaldo.

However, just when Neymar hit his peak and threatened to derail the golden duopoly of the modern era, the Brazilian joined Paris Saint-Germain, where injury, poor recruitment and a general decline ultimately knocked Neymar off his pedestal. Not that Cafu was deterred.

“For me, Neymar was technically even better than Ronaldo and Messi,” the two-time World Cup winner told The Times. “He’s had a brilliant career.”

There is no suggestion that Neymar ranks himself in that lofty company. When the fleet-footed forward was named on the final three-man shortlist for the 2015 Ballon d’Or, he was openly in awe of his fellow nominees.

During a Q&A between all three players, Ronaldo accepted that Messi had a better left foot than himself. At that point Neymar interjected: “I’d take both of his feet,” he laughed, reasoning that he wouldn’t mind Ronaldo’s right foot either.

“I don’t know if I’m up to their level,” Neymar humbly added. “These are two idols—it is difficult to think of yourself as equal or better than them.

“I admire them both tremendously, I have done for many years, and it is a big honor to be here with them. I hope to be back, I hope my team goes on winning, and that I may be back another time.” He would return to the Ballon d’Or podium again in 2017—finishing behind the same duo once more—after leaving for PSG in that summer. Not once has he climbed above 12th in the ranking for the best player in the world since.

Neymar Never Finished Above Messi or Ronaldo in Ballon d’Or Voting

‘It’s Obvious’—Brazil Legends Demands Neymar World Cup Decision

Cafu wasn’t only concerned with Neymar’s historical status in the game. The three-time World Cup finalist also weighed in on the debate of whether the 34-year-old should be taken with Brazil to this summer’s tournament in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. For Cafu, “it’s obvious.”

“Any team that has a decisive player like Neymar needs that player,” the retired right back argued. “If Neymar is in good shape—physically fit, tactically fit, technically fit—it’s obvious he’s a player who decides games. But only [Brazil manager, Carlo] Ancelotti can decide and only Neymar can know if he’s ready.”

Ancelotti has yet to hand Neymar a call-up since taking the helm of the Seleção last summer. The “most Brazilian Italian coach there has ever been”—by Cafu’s reckoning—has made it expressly clear that Neymar must be “100% physically” to have a chance of making the roster.

Rather than the game’s best players, Neymar’s chief battle at this stage of his career is with his own body. It’s not one he has won recently.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Two-Time World Cup Winner Names Player ‘Technically Better’ Than Messi, Ronaldo.

While the slate saw a dramatic Inter Miami collapse against Orlando City, it also saw nearly every top team in the table drop points, forcing some significant shifts in Sports Illustrated’s weekly MLS Power Rankings. 

With Matchday 11 all wrapped and the World Cup break now just four games away for most clubs, here’s how the teams stack up in the latest edition of this week’s rankings.

MLS Power Rankings Matchday 11: Clubs 30–11

30. Sporting Kansas City (Previous: 30)
29. Philadelphia Union (Previous: 29)
28. CF Montréal (Previous: 27)
27. St. Louis CITY SC (Previous: 25)
26. Atlanta United (Previous: 28)
25. Colorado Rapids (Previous: 23)
24. Orlando City (Previous: 27)
23. Portland Timbers (Previous: 21)
22. D.C. United (Previous: 24)
21. New England Revolution (Previous: 22)
20. Houston Dynamo (Previous: 20)
19. Toronto FC (Previous: 18)
18. Austin FC (Previous: 19)
17. Red Bull New York (Previous: 14)
16. FC Dallas (Previous: 17)
15. Columbus Crew (Previous: 13)
14. LA Galaxy (Previous: 15)
13. San Diego FC (Previous: 12)
12. New York City FC (Previous: 10)
11. Charlotte FC (Previous: 11)

10. Minnesota United 🆙 (Previous: 14)

Minnesota United isn’t quite getting the same results as last year’s defensive-based, shutdown systems. Still, things are certainly improving under manager Cameron Knowles at the one-third mark of the 2026 campaign. This week, it was a 3–2 win over the Columbus Crew, with all goals coming in the first or second phase after a set play. 

Minnesota’s first goal came off a long throw, the second off a corner, and the third from a throw and a cross, exposing Columbus’ tactical frailties in defending set plays. The team has become more fluid with Anthony Markanich taking on more responsibility in running the midfield, while serving up Kelvin Yeboah up top.

For Yeboah, his brace and recent form stand out as one of the best spells he has had since the club transferred Canadian attacker Tani Oluwaseyi to Villarreal. That’s only a good sign for the Loons, even though the club might be tempted to add further this summer.

9. Inter Miami 📉 (Previous: 7)

It was the most embarrassing day in Inter Miami’s history, squandering a 3–0 lead to lose 4–3 to rival Orlando City, primarily on defensive errors, allowing their Florida foes to become the first team to secure three points at Nu Stadium.

Lionel Messi left the pitch in clear frustration. Meanwhile, interim manager Guillermo Hoyos answered just a single question post-match, offering little insight or accountability into one of the worst collapses in MLS history. 

So far this season, Miami has been defined by aimlessness. They floundered in the Concacaf Champions Cup and are making routine defensive errors nearly every week. Messi—even at his best—can’t save the team like he used to, now at 38 years old. 

Winless in four games at home and having allowed 19 goals in 11 games, it’s panic time for Miami. If next week’s matchup against a pesky Toronto FC doesn’t amount to three points, there’s potential to fall to as low as 10th in MLS. 

8. Real Salt Lake 🆙 (Previous: 9)

The chatter around Zavier Gozo and Diego Luna and the U.S. men’s national team’s 2026 World Cup roster will only grow louder after this week’s 2–0 win over the Portland Timbers, as the standout U.S. youngsters each scored in the victory. 

Gozo got things going early with a perfectly weighted strike in the 10th minute and amassed seven shots through 71 minutes. Meanwhile, Luna starred with deft dribbles, cheeky shoulder feints and a clinical finish to seal the three points—in a performance that saw him complete three dribbles and create 10 chances. 

If it weren’t for a starring performance from James Pantemis between the sticks for the Timbers, making an MLS regular-season record 13 saves, this game could have been a far heftier scoreline for Real Salt Lake. On the backend, the defense ensured Rafael Cabral only needed to make two saves to send the sold-out crowd home happy. 

Next week, RSL goes up against fellow Western Conference upper mid-table team FC Dallas, hoping to significantly improve their standings, potentially as high as third place.

7. Chicago Fire 📉 (Previous: 6)

WHAT JUST HAPPENED?! 🤯

Celentano made a penalty kick save to maintain the draw. pic.twitter.com/tGZviwrjzQ

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 3, 2026

Oh no, Hugo Cuypers. Despite scoring a brace for his ninth and 10th goals of the season, a missed penalty in the 91st minute proved costly for the Belgian forward’s side, as Chicago Fire fell 3–2 to FC Cincinnati, where Evander scored a winning penalty in the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time. 

Having gone up a man after Cincinnati’s Kyle Smith picked up a 56th-minute red card, the Fire were unable to make the most of their chances, failing to score more than twice on 33 shots and 4.47 xG, headlining a day that will keep manager Gregg Berhalter up at night. 

6. FC Cincinnati 🆙 (Previous: 8)

While the Fire will rue their missed chances, it was an outstanding day for FC Cincinnati and Evander, with the Brazilian netting a hat-trick, including the 97th-minute winning penalty for his side’s victory, despite the squad being outshot 33-10. 

Chicago native Roman Celentano played a key role, making eight saves in the performance, including the penalty save on Cuypers’ 91st-minute penalty. At the same time, the ferocity of Cincinnati to continue striving for all three points despite playing with 10-men for over 35 minutes should be admired. 

This is a good Cincinnati team, and it might look even better if they swing a Neymar deal this summer. Even without that Brazilian, though, they already have Evander showcasing his nation’s soccer prowess—and he’s already up to five goals and an assist in this season, after his first career hat-trick. 

5. Seattle Sounders 📉 (Previous: 4)

The Seattle Sounders will want to have this weekend’s game back as they surrendered points to Sporting Kansas City in a 1–1 draw, allowing SKC to pick up just a fifth point in 10 matches and to score an eighth goal in that same period. 

Cristian Roldan’s push to make the USMNT’s World Cup squad also likely took a hit this week, as he made a poorly weighted pass, which was intercepted by SKC’s Dejan Joveljić, leaving the Rave Green battling in a physical affair from the 18th minute onwards. 

Is it time to panic for Seattle, though? Not at all; it just showed they haven't yet hit the same intense winning habits they showed in 2025—a factor that shouldn’t worry them too much, given manager Brian Schmetzer’s history of peaking in the fall. 

4. LAFC 🆙 (Previous: 5)

LAFC will feel lucky to get out of this week with a point, but at the end of the day, it’s the score at the end of the match that matters more than any performance, and the board at Snapdragon Stadium read 2–2 between LAFC and San Diego FC. 

The Black and Gold fielded a partially rotated squad, with manager Marc Dos Santos eyeing the second leg of the Conacaf Champions Cup semifinal against Deportivo Toluca on Tuesday. Still, it was enough to scrounge a point, with a controversial late moment leading to Ryan Hollingshead’s tying goal in the 16th minute of stoppage time, following a lengthy VAR review for a handball. 

There are concerns about not being able to take three points against an underwhelming 2026 San Diego FC, and with a yellow card, star attacker Denis Bouanga will miss next week’s match against the Houston Dynamo. Still, the focus is clearly on the Champions Cup right now, even as their gap to the top of the Western Conference grows to seven points behind the San Jose Earthquakes.

3. Nashville SC 🤝 (Previous: 3)

Not dissimilar to LAFC, Nashville SC is dealing with the weight of a Concacaf Champions Cup run and will face an uphill task this Tuesday when they look to rebound from a 1–0 home loss to Tigres in the first leg. 

With none of Sam Surridge, Hany Mukhtar or Cristian Espinoza in the starting lineup, the heavily rotated squad played to a scoreless draw against the Philadelphia Union. It was probably the right move to make for manager B.J. Callaghan, and the draw leaves Nashville atop the Eastern Conference by a four-point margin. 

If the Coyotes can push past Tigres, expect some more rotation and potentially a rescheduled match in the next few weeks. If not, then we’ll likely see the potent attacking trio return to full MLS involvement, hunting down the Supporters’ Shield.

2. San Jose Earthquakes 📉 (Previous: 1)

How has Reid Roberts gotten to that?!

A goal line clearance you have to see to believe! 😮 pic.twitter.com/xloY7yl9ql

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

Speaking to reporters post-match, manager Bruce Arena was not pleased with his team’s performance on a cold, windy afternoon at BMO Field, as the San Jose Earthquakes played to a 1–1 draw with a heavily injured Toronto FC side. If it weren’t for a goal-line clearance from 22-year-old defender Reid Roberts in the 86th minute, the Earthquakes would likely be looking to bounce back from a second loss, instead. 

It was the Earthquakes’ seventh game in 21 days, as the club also advanced to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup, but it marked one of their least impressive showings in MLS to date—even with a strong finish from Preston Judd in the 14th minute for his sixth goal of the season. 

“There are no excuses for how we played today,”  Arena said. “Regardless of the extra games over the past couple of weeks, we didn’t play well, and that’s how we’ll analyze and review it as we look to improve.”

The Earthquakes face a massive test next week as they look to stay atop the Western Conference against a Vancouver Whitecaps side nipping at their heels.

1. Vancouver Whitecaps 🆙 (Previous: 2)

All the storylines this week surrounded the Vancouver Whitecaps’ for-sale status, the club’s unclear future and a lucrative offer to purchase and relocate the club to Las Vegas. Amid it all, the fact that the Whitecaps are among the best teams in MLS right now seemed to fall by the wayside, as they hit the road for the first of eight away games through August 1 due to World Cup stadium operations. 

Playing the late game on Saturday, the Whitecaps had a chance to hop into first in the Supporters’ Shield race, after each of LAFC, San Jose and Nashville dropped points. Yet, an arid pass from usual star goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka allowed LA Galaxy’s Joseph Paintsil to score, and a response from Mathías Laborda on a set-piece from USMNT World Cup hopeful Sebastian Berhalter wasn’t enough to claim anything but a 1–1 draw. 

Still, it was an impressive performance—hence the team’s bump over the Earthquakes, who didn’t show as well and played to the same result against Toronto FC. Vancouver outshot the Galaxy 19–7 and had 2.61 xG compared to LA’s 1.38, all with superstar Thomas Müller sidelined due to illness. 

Next week is critical against San Jose, as the players and coaching staff focus on the pitch rather than business talks in boardrooms and with the media.

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

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• Lionel Messi Injury: Argentina Boss Reveals Next Steps As World Cup Roster Looms

This article was originally published on www.si.com as MLS Power Rankings: Top Teams Faltered, Inter Miami Humiliated and More From Matchday 11 .

Since then, Messi has made plenty of history. In his first 100 matches across all competitions, he notched 86 goals and 56 assists (including 10 secondary assists, as recognized in MLS), became the first player to win back-to-back Landon Donovan MLS MVP Awards and won the 2025 MLS Golden Boot. He also became the first active player in MLS to win the Ballon d’Or, winning his eighth in 2023, largely for his performance at the 2022 World Cup with Argentina.

Outside of the personal accolades he has amassed with the South Florida side, he has led the team to the 2023 Leagues Cup, 2024 Supporters’ Shield and 2025 MLS Cup titles. Yet, he has rarely thrived under the final spotlight by himself, preferring to set up his teammates to write their own historic moments. 

While Miami lost the 2023 U.S. Open Cup final and the 2025 Leagues Cup final and has not advanced to the Concacaf Champions Cup final, there is little to drag on performance-wise in the Messi era. 

Here, Sports Illustrated takes a look at the top five moments from his first 100 games, and shockingly, none have come in finals, as much as hoisting MLS Cup was a defining moment for the club. 

5. Messi Turns Back the Clock

Ankara Messi, Ankara Messi, Ankara Messi Ankara Messi, Ankara Messi . 🐐 pic.twitter.com/DsvmC73hns

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 6, 2025

Messi has always been a star dribbler, and he shows those skills in nearly every match for Inter Miami. Yet, his goal in a 2025 4–1 win over CF Montréal stands out as his best with those skillsets, when he turned back the clock to a similar goal he scored in 2007—known as the “Ankara Messi” goal. 

With his team already up 2–1, Messi picked up the ball in midfield and kept it in close control, dropping defenders with little touches and deft shoulder feints, before smashing past the goalkeeper to seal all three points. 

That moment came 18 years after a 19-year-old Messi scored a very similar goal for FC Barcelona against Getafe in the 2007 Copa del Rey semifinal. That one still reigns as one of his best, with the play-by-play call to match its magic.

4. A Debut to Remember

LIONEL ANDRÉS MESSI IS NOT HUMAN. pic.twitter.com/2mBDI41mLy

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 22, 2023

After putting pen to paper with Inter Miami on July 15, Messi’s debut for the club didn’t come in MLS; instead, he came off the bench in a Leagues Cup clash against Liga MX giants Cruz Azul. 

Entering the match in the 54th minute with the score tied 1–1, the Argentine made an immediate impact. He ended the night with 25 successful passes on 26 attempts, while also showcasing his silky dribbling in North American soccer for the first time. 

While his sheer confidence and skill on the ball would have been enough to entice fans for what was to come in his career with Miami, he authored his first iconic moment as well, curling a perfect free-kick over the wall to win the match 2-1 in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time.

3. Dominating FC Cincinnati in MLS Cup Playoffs

As much as Inter Miami leaned on Messi to win the 2025 MLS Cup, the playoffs weren’t only filled with exceptional standout performances from the superstar, overshadowed instead by Tadeo Allende’s record-breaking pace and Rodrigo De Paul’s midfield prowess in tough games. 

Messi, however, did take control of the second round matchup against FC Cincinnati, scoring a goal and pulling the strings in attack for three assists, as the Herons dismantled the Gary Lions 4–0 to move on in the postseason. 

Messi would finish the 2025 MLS Cup playoffs with six goals and nine assists, including an assist in the final against Thomas Müller’s Vancovuer Whitecaps, giving him a rare win in the storied rivalry against the German. Still, it was that Cincinnati game where he made his most significant mark.

2. MLS Record Against Red Bull New York

The diminutive Argentine has spread his name across the MLS record books through his first 100 games, but the performance in a 6–2 win over Red Bull New York in Miami’s 2024 Supporters’ Shield-winning season stands out as his best. 

Messi also turned back the clock in this one, making the most of his partnership with Luis Suárez and bringing back memories of the duo’s time at FC Barcelona. Red Bull opened the scoring, before Messi took over, providing a goal in the 50th minute as well as five assists to a Matías Rojas brace and a Suárez hat-trick. 

The performance set a record for most goal contributions in a single MLS regular-season match and played a significant role in his campaign to secure the first back-to-back MLS MVP Awards.

1. History vs. FC Porto at the FIFA Club World Cup

No MLS team had ever beaten a European side in a competitive match—that is, until Messi stepped up to the challenge and scored a free-kick against FC Porto in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. 

Having been awarded the host spot to the first 32-team Club World Cup, Miami faced an immense challenge. Still getting up to speed in the 2025 MLS season, the Herons were navigating through the early days of Javier Mascherano’s managerial tenure. Suddenly, they had to shift from MLS opponents to a group stage schedule against Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly, Brazilian giants Palmeiras and Portuguese titans FC Porto. 

FC Porto opened the scoring early with an eighth-minute strike from Samuel Aghehowa, before Telasco Segovia levelled the match in the 47th minute. Then, it was Messi’s 54th-minute free kick from long range, which put the Herons up 2–1, securing the first-ever MLS win over a UEFA opponent. 

That victory also allowed Miami to advance to the knockout stages of the competition, where its journey ended against 2025 UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain. 

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

• The Greatest Soccer No. 9s of All Time—Ranked
• Uruguay 2026 World Cup Roster Confirmed: Full List of Players, Luis Suarez Pleas Ignored
• Lionel Messi Chasing 64 Years of History After World Cup Call-Up
• The 30 Most Valuable Soccer Teams in 2026—Ranked
• Lionel Messi Injury: Argentina Boss Reveals Next Steps As World Cup Roster Looms

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Lionel Messi’s Top Five Moments In His First 100 Inter Miami Games—Ranked.

The Argentine got his landmark night at Nu Stadium off to a dream start, recording a goal and an assist to help the Herons take a 3–0 lead in the Florida derby. Orlando City had the last laugh, though; the Lions rattled four past Dayne St. Clair to secure a 4–3 comeback victory, leaving Messi and Co. stunned.

Still, the defeat on the night does not take away from all the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has accomplished since making the move to south Florida. Messi has broken record after record in MLS, putting together a career in a pink shirt that only furthers his untouchable legacy, fueled by his success with Barcelona and the Argentina national team.

Here’s how Messi’s first 100 games at Inter Miami compare to his records with the Catalans, as well as La Albiceleste.

Goals

In 100 appearances at Inter Miami, Messi scored a staggering 86 goals. Half the Argentine’s tally came in the 2025 season in which he found the back of the net 43 times in 49 matches across all competitions. He took home the MLS Golden Boot for his efforts.

On his journey to the century mark for Barcelona, Messi scored 41 goals. Sure the number pails in comparison to his haul in a pink shirt, but the forward was just 17 years old when he made his competitive debut for the Catalans. It also must be said he was facing much tougher competition, yet he still averaged roughly a goal every 2.4 matches.

The same goes for Argentina, where Messi bagged 46 goals in his first 100 appearances for his country. He was 18 years old when he made his senior international debut—and the rest is history.

Assists

Even in the twilight of his career, Messi is still putting on a show in MLS. Not only is the 38-year-old tearing up the goalscoring charts, but he is also setting up goal after goal for his teammates. In a pink shirt, the Argentine has registered 45 assists.

Going back to the start of his career, Messi’s supreme dribbling and creativity was on display even when he was far from the finished product. Although his 14 assists in his first 100 games for Barcelona do not jump off the page, they were a sign of what was to come in the next 678 matches in a Blaugrana shirt.

His numbers were more impressive on the international stage. Messi tallied 27 assists in the buildup to hitting the century mark in appearances for La Albiceleste. That’s 73 goal contributions in just the first-half of his Argentina career.

Trophies

Since Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023, he led the team to their first three trophies in history, one in each season: the 2023 Leagues Cup, 2024 Supporters’ Shield and 2025 MLS Cup. The former Barcelona legend will hope to add a fourth in 2026 to keep the tradition going.

Speaking of the Catalans, Messi already had four pieces of silverware in his trophy cabinet by the time he made 100 appearances for the Spanish giants. Two La Liga titles, a Champions League and a Spanish Super Cup at the age of 20 is a haul some players never achieve in their entire career.

In comparison, it took Messi much longer to lift a trophy for Argentina. Beyond winning a gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Games, he did not find any glory with La Albiceleste until the latter stages of his career. The wait was worth it, though; Argentina won back-to-back Copa América titles, as well as the World Cup from 2021–24.

READ THE LATEST INTER MIAMI NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC

• The Greatest Soccer No. 9s of All Time—Ranked
• Uruguay 2026 World Cup Roster Confirmed: Full List of Players, Luis Suarez Pleas Ignored
• Lionel Messi Chasing 64 Years of History After World Cup Call-Up
• The 30 Most Valuable Soccer Teams in 2026—Ranked
• Lionel Messi Injury: Argentina Boss Reveals Next Steps As World Cup Roster Looms

This article was originally published on www.si.com as How Lionel Messi’s First 100 Inter Miami Games Compare to Barcelona, Argentina Records.

The Herons were cruising early against their Florida rivals, going up 3–0 by the 33rd minute at Nu Stadium thanks to goals from Ian Fray, Telasco Segovia and Messi. The Lions came roaring back, though, scoring four unanswered goals to claim all three points against a shellshocked Inter Miami.

After the implosion, Fray spoke to the media and revealed what Messi had to say about the shock loss. “Our captain spoke and obviously, he gave us a bunch of words, encouraging us for the next game and saying this is unacceptable, which we all agree with him.

“It is unacceptable and it won’t happen again, for sure.”

Inter Miami’s Continued Defensive Woes Spell Trouble

It’s a not a new narrative floating around South Florida, but it perhaps has never rung more true: Inter Miami are too easily beaten at the back. Despite signing 2025 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Dayne St. Clair, center back Micael and left back Sergio Reguilón in the offseason, the Herons have kept just three clean sheets in 13 matches across all competitions.

The team have also conceded 20 goals already. For comparison, through their first 13 games last season, Inter Miami only let in nine goals.

In the past, they had Jordi Alba commanding the left flank and Sergio Busquets often filling in as a center back. Without the two Barcelona legends, who retired at the end of last season, the team are floundering inside their own half without any glimmer of improvement.

Messi is doing all he can to bail out his poor backline. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has already scored eight league goals in 2026, the most by any player in a pink shirt and the third-most in the MLS Golden Boot race. He also leads the league in shots and shots on target.

Yet even Messi’s heroics cannot shore up a defense so easily exploited. As long as the Herons keep allowing inferior teams to get back into matches, their hopes of winning another Supporters’ Shield are all but dead.

What’s Next for Inter Miami?

Inter Miami have a week to flush their embarrassing defeat to 13th place Orlando City before they must make the trip north to take on Toronto FC on Saturday, May 9. The game presents the perfect opportunity for the defending champions to bounce back; their Canadian opponents have failed to find a win in their last five matches.

Then, the Herons are headed to TQL Stadium on Wednesday, May 13, to face off with FC Cincinnati, a team slowly finding their form after a poor start to the season.

Currently sitting in third place of the Eastern Conference with 19 points through 11 games, Inter Miami will hope two wins in their next two matches will help them chase down conference-leaders Nashville SC.

More dropped points, though, could see Messi and Co. tumble down a congested table should their closest competitors, Chicago Fire and Cincinnati themselves, pick up big results.

READ THE LATEST INTER MIAMI NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC

• The Greatest Soccer No. 9s of All Time—Ranked
• Uruguay 2026 World Cup Roster Confirmed: Full List of Players, Luis Suarez Pleas Ignored
• Lionel Messi Chasing 64 Years of History After World Cup Call-Up
• The 30 Most Valuable Soccer Teams in 2026—Ranked
• Lionel Messi Injury: Argentina Boss Reveals Next Steps As World Cup Roster Looms

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Lionel Messi’s Scathing Reaction to Stunning Inter Miami Implosion Revealed.

The Herons’ first 33 minutes were outstanding, featuring a goal and two assists from Lionel Messi, as the Argentine maestro picked out Telasco Segovia and Ian Fray to put his team ahead 3–0. Yet, everything quickly fell apart, with Martín Ojeda scoring a brilliant solo strike in the 39th minute, unleashing a shot past Dayne St. Clair after a quick spin around a defender. 

The onslaught continued for the Orlando side that has otherwise floundered this season, as the Lions leaned on pure direct soccer in the second half to pierce through Miami’s defensive weaknesses, featuring another two goals from Ojeda and a final winning strike from Tyrese Spicer in the third minute of second-half stoppage time. 

Messi is magical. 🔮 pic.twitter.com/v2PlU1vLuX

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 3, 2026

With the loss, Miami remains winless at Nu Stadium, defeated for the first time on the new turf after opening the grounds with three straight draws against Austin FC, Red Bull New York and the New England Revolution. 

Despite the thrilling scoreline, it was a memorable night for both goalkeepers as well. St. Clair made five stops, including a late breakaway off his face to temporarily hold Miami’s lead, while his Canadian counterpart Maxime Crépeau had a mesmerizing four-save sequence in a seven-save performance for Orlando. 

Here is Sports Illustrated’s breakdown of the match, featuring report card grades for each Inter Miami player who saw the pitch. 

Inter Miami Report Card vs. Orlando City (4-3-3)

GK: Dayne St. Clair—D: It’s hard to see many positives for a goalkeeper who allowed a hat-trick, but if it weren’t for the Canadian international, Miami likely loses this game by a more significant margin. Featuring a save with his face and a breakaway stop, it was a decent performance from the Miami backstop.

RB: Ian Fray—C: Drawn back into the lineup as Miami went back to a four-man backline, Fray netted his first goal of the season in the first half, but struggled to defend counter-attacks in the second. However, that likely came down to a coaching decision, which Hoyos will regret.

CB: Micael—F: It was a catastrophic showing by both Miami center backs, and Micael was not spared from the poor performance. Pushing too high up the pitch, caught flat footed on Orlando counter attacks and failing to complete passes, it was a dismal night for the Brazilian.

CB: Maxi Falcón—F-: When I was in grade school, there was the option to get an “incomplete”grade on an assignment. It was worse than an F, and that's likely what Maxi Falcón deserved in this match, another day where his mistakes cost Miami critical points. This time, he was consistently behind the play, lost all three of his duels, had no defensive actions, was dribbled past three times and conceded the penalty, leading to the 3–3 goal. Without Falcón, Miami would be a better team.

LB: Noah Allen—D: In the 2025 MLS season, Noah Allen lamented the fact that he had to adjust to several positions and that he was unable to build consistency in one role. This year, he has shifted between left back and left wingback and has been one of the better performers, but failed to catch Tyrese Spicer on the go-ahead goal.

RM: Telasco Segovia—C: Telasco Segovia had a first half to remember, scoring a goal and picking up an assist as Miami launched out to a 3–0 lead. Yet, those efforts were quickly dashed by a lack of defensive effort in the second half, leaving the wide areas open for Orlando to expose.

CM: Rodrigo De Paul—D: Under pressure to impress in order to make the Argentina World Cup roster later this month, it was a bad day for Rodrigo De Paul in the center of the park. The veteran defensive midfielder failed to make critical tackles, leaving passing lanes open for Orlando to play directly through.

LM: Yannick Bright—C: Returning from suspension, Yannick Bright completed the most passes of any Inter Miami player and was largely unproblematic throughout the second-half collapse.

RW: Lionel Messi—A-: The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner scored a goal and had two assists in the first half in an impressive showing, but was clearly frustrated throughout the rest of the game, earning a yellow card as his team surrendered four goals in quick succession. Still, the three goal contributions are hard to rank poorly.

ST: Luis Suárez—D+: The Uruguayan attacker was a significant presence throughout his 71 minutes, picking up an assist and creating a game-high four scoring chances. Unfortunately, his age and mobility issues prevented him from making any significant defensive contributions.

LW: Germán Berterame—F: Germán Berterame continued to struggle on key opportunities, failing to finish into gaping goals in both halves, despite having 15 touches in the opposition’s box.

SUB: Facundo Mura (66’)—C: The Argentine wingback came into the game late on, but was unable to calm things down at the back, as Orlando continued their historic comeback.

SUB: Tadeo Allende (71’)—D: The hero of the 2025 MLS Cup playoffs, Allende made one threatening run as soon as he entered the match, but failed to produce any significant chances or make an impact at either end of the pitch.

Subs not used: Rocco Ríos Novo (GK), Daniel Sumalla, César Abadia-Reda, Gonzalo Luján, Alex Shaw, Preston Plambeck, Dániel Pintér

The Problem That Won’t Go Away

Despite having some aerial prowess, the centre back pairing of Maxi Falcón and Micael struggles to keep up with the play. More often than not, the two can be seen pointing towards the attacker, making slow, albeit lung-busting, runs in a fruitless effort to get back in time.

At the same time, the technical direction they have been given is too aggressive at the best of times. Given the state of the game and momentum, there is a case to be made that Miami should not have pushed for a winner after giving up three goals—but that’s what they did on the clip below, leaving Micael and Falcón exposed, and Allen too far behind to make a difference. 

TYRESE SPICER. ORLANDO COME ALL THE WAY BACK TO TAKE THE LEAD 4-3. pic.twitter.com/2JDTySgjTm

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 3, 2026

The Herons are currently linked with Casemiro from Manchester United, and although that could clog up the midfield and shore things up there, maybe the club should be eyeing a fleet-footed central defender instead.  

What’s Next For Inter Miami?

Inter Miami will want to quickly move on from the historic loss in the Florida Derby and look towards next week’s trip to Canada, where they will face a Toronto FC side completing a nine-game home stand at BMO Field. Following that match-up, the Herons face a double gameweek, with a visit to FC Cincinnati on May 13, before returning to Nu Stadium on May 17 against the Portland Timbers, still desperately searching for a first victory at the new grounds.

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

• The Greatest Soccer No. 9s of All Time—Ranked
• Uruguay 2026 World Cup Roster Confirmed: Full List of Players, Luis Suarez Pleas Ignored
• Lionel Messi Chasing 64 Years of History After World Cup Call-Up
• The 30 Most Valuable Soccer Teams in 2026—Ranked
• Lionel Messi Injury: Argentina Boss Reveals Next Steps As World Cup Roster Looms

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Grading Inter Miami’s Historic Collapse Against Rivals Orlando City.

“Despite some calls from Saudi Arabia, MLS remains a strong, concrete, real possibility,” Romano said on his YouTube channel. “Casemiro and MLS, also including Inter Miami in the conversation. Inter Miami are working on a deal to sign Casemiro since March. Inter Miami really want to go for Casemiro.”

While Inter Miami currently do not have a Designated Player (DP) slot available and would not have enough Targeted Allocation Money to accommodate the Brazilian, they are still exploring potential solutions.

If everything goes to plan, Casemiro could play a starring role for the club and fill a midfield void Sergio Busquets left when he retired after winning the MLS Cup in 2025. To fit him in, Miami would likely need to sell one of the other three DPs, which include Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul and Germán Berterame, the latter of whom joined the club on a $15 million transfer ahead of the 2026 campaign.

But, how could Miami look if Casemiro were to sign this summer? To consider that possibility, one of the DPs has to exit the fold. For this sake, we’ll say the Herons sell Berterame at a loss, given he has struggled to live up to the expectations since joining the club.

With the Mexico striker out of the picture, here’s how Miami could line up with the addition of Casemiro.

Sticking With the 4-3-3

Since Guillermo Hoyos relieved Javier Mascherano as Miami’s manager, at least on an interim basis, he has bounced between a three-man and four-man backline. Yet, the best moments for Miami have come with the four-man system, dating back to last year’s run to MLS Cup victory.

Given Casemiro’s versatility in the center of the park, combined with his fitness, reliability and overall resurgence, the best spot for him might be at the core of Miami’s setup, the exact role Busquets played last season. 

In this system, current defensive midfielders De Paul and Yannick Bright would shift to the right and left sides in front of the fullbacks. That would leave the potential of Mateo Silvetti and Messi as wingers, centered by Luis Suárez up top, with the Uruguayan enjoying a recent late-career spell as a playmaker and goalscorer this season. 

Shifting to 3-4-3

If Hoyos, or whichever new manager, wanted to shift to a 3-4-3, it would likely mean dropping Bright from the starting lineup, while introducing versatile wingbacks to the system. Casemiro would then partner with De Paul in central midfield, as outlined above. 

While this system would still rely on the same front three, it could allow former Premier League and La Liga defender Sergio Reguilón to get further up the field, as Jordi Alba used to do, while bringing Tadeo Allende back into the fold as a starter, despite his production struggles in 2026. 

Either way, bringing in Casemiro is a complicated task for Miami, and the potential of splitting with Berterame at a significant loss may not sit right, especially when it would leave an aging Suárez as the primary striker option for 2026 and beyond.

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

• The Greatest Soccer No. 9s of All Time—Ranked
• Uruguay 2026 World Cup Roster Confirmed: Full List of Players, Luis Suarez Pleas Ignored
• Lionel Messi Chasing 64 Years of History After World Cup Call-Up
• The 30 Most Valuable Soccer Teams in 2026—Ranked
• Lionel Messi Injury: Argentina Boss Reveals Next Steps As World Cup Roster Looms

This article was originally published on www.si.com as How Inter Miami Could Line Up With Man Utd Star Midfielder Casemiro.

Over the course of his glittering career, the Argentine legend has amassed not just an extraordinary trophy haul—including a record eight Ballons d’Or and a World Cup—but also hundreds of millions of dollars.

Those riches have come from his eye-watering on-field earnings with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami, as well as from countless sponsorship deals and an ever-growing investment portfolio.

Here’s how much Messi is worth in 2026, along with a breakdown of how he earns—and spends—his vast fortune.

What Is Lionel Messi’s Net Worth in 2026?

As of 2026, Lionel Messi has an estimated net worth of $850 million (£629 million), according to various sources, including GIVEMESPORT and Parade.

That figure places him as the second-wealthiest active soccer player in the world, behind only his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who recently achieved billionaire status.

How Much Does Messi Earn?

According to Forbes, Lionel Messi earned an estimated $135 million (£94 million) in 2025, a figure that combines his on-field salary with Inter Miami and his substantial off-field income from endorsements and business ventures.

That total placed him among the very highest earners in global sports. Only four athletes—NFL quarterback Dak Prescott, boxer Tyson Fury, NBA superstar Stephen Curry and Ronaldo—earned more during the same period.

Below is a full breakdown of where Messi’s money came from over the year.

Messi’s Salary Breakdown

Messi is the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer by a considerable margin, earning $20.4 million (£14.8 million) in guaranteed compensation through his lucrative Inter Miami contract.

In October 2025, he signed an extension that will keep him at the club through the end of the 2028 season.

While that is hardly a modest sum, Messi’s salary still represents only a relatively small portion of his overall income.

Messi’s Endorsements and Sponsorships

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Despite his recent surge in success under interim manager Michael Carrick, the 34-year-old remains steadfast in his departure from Old Trafford upon his contract expiration this summer, ruling out an extension after four seasons with the club and more than 150 appearances.

“Casemiro keeps planning for an exit from Manchester United,” insider Fabrizio Romano said on his YouTube channel Friday. “...I am told this is not changing. Casemiro is leaving Manchester United at the end of the season.”

Despite the various logistical challenges his signing could create, Inter Miami remain equally steadfast in their efforts to win the Brazil international’s heart.

“Despite some calls from Saudi Arabia, MLS remains a strong, concrete, real possibility,” Romano added. “Casemiro and MLS, also including Inter Miami in the conversation. Inter Miami are working on a deal to sign Casemiro since March. Inter Miami really want to go for Casemiro.”

Inter Miami to Capitalize on Casemiro’s Resurgence

Fans cried for “one more year” from Casemiro after he opened the scoring in Monday’s 2–1 win over Brentford, moving the star to visible tears on the pitch. Monday’s outing was just the latest continuation of an excellent run of form for Casemiro, which will come to an end this summer after he announced his impending departure in January. Matheus Cunha, teammate for both club and country, echoed the pleas of the fans on social media after the game as well.

Casemiro began his resurgence under manager Ruben Amorim, who was fired in January, and has only skyrocketed under Carrick’s tutelage since, combining his box-crashing capabilities and defensive solidity with the freedoms Carrick’s system affords him. His efforts have been integral for United’s bid for Champions League qualification, which is all but guaranteed now, with just four matches left in league play.

Casemiro anchors the midfield with vigor, and his success on set pieces has been unparalleled throughout the Premier League, accounting for eight of his nine goals this season—all headers.

Inter Miami are simultaneously faltering right now, showing nothing of the dominance that led them to hoist the 2025 MLS Cup less than six months ago. The Herons have yet to earn a win at their brand-new home stadium in Miami proper, Nu Stadium, walking away with draws to Austin FC, the New York Red Bulls and the New England Revolution over the past month.

Even Messi seems to be breaking down under the weight of the responsibility of generating every creative offensive moment for the Herons, evidenced by the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s frequent displays of frustration last Saturday against a pretty average Revolution squad.

Casemiro, however, could be exactly the spark plug Inter Miami need. If the MLS side are willing to make some major roster upheavals, the Brazilian could be matching Messi in pink as early as this summer, during the league’s secondary transfer window which opens in mid-July.

READ THE LATEST INTER MIAMI NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC

• The Greatest Soccer No. 9s of All Time—Ranked
• Uruguay 2026 World Cup Roster Confirmed: Full List of Players, Luis Suarez Pleas Ignored
• Lionel Messi Chasing 64 Years of History After World Cup Call-Up
• The 30 Most Valuable Soccer Teams in 2026—Ranked
• Lionel Messi Injury: Argentina Boss Reveals Next Steps As World Cup Roster Looms

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Update on Lionel Messi, Inter Miami’s Bid for Man Utd’s Casemiro—Report.

With the calendar flipping to May, it is officially the final month for players to impress for World Cup roster spots, as each of the 48 competing nations must name their rosters by May 30. There is little potential to make changes thereafter. 

Although the race for roster spots spreads across nearly every top division in world soccer, the Florida Derby brings a special spotlight to the World Cup, given Lionel Messi’s status, the goalkeepers on show and several others who could suit up for their nations next month. 

Here, Sports Illustrated takes a look at three key World Cup storylines in the matchup. 

Lionel Messi’s Status Remains Unknown

Despite winning the 2025 MLS MVP and Golden Boot, Lionel Messi’s status for the 2026 World Cup is still in question.

After winning the 2022 World Cup and capturing a second-career Copa América in 2024, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner may not want to risk stepping away from Argentina with anything but a trophy. At this point, the 38-year-old has the perfect farewell story.

This season, Messi has slowed down in production, as Inter Miami have struggled to find an identity, first under Javier Mascherano’s management and now under Guillermo Hoyos. As such, his status for the summer remains undecided, but Argentine manager Lionel Scaloni would welcome him if he wishes to join. 

“I will do everything I can to make sure he is there,” Scaloni said in a March press conference when asked if Messi will feature at the World Cup. “I believe that he has to be there, for the sake of football, but it's not me who decides. It's up to him how he feels in his mind and his physical condition.”

The Battle for Canada’s No. 1

The race to start for Canada between the sticks at the first men’s World Cup on home soil could come down to Saturday’s matchup, as Orlando City backstop Maxime Crépeau stares down his longtime friend and goalkeeping competition, Dayne St. Clair of Inter Miami. 

Both got off to rocky starts with their new clubs, but have enjoyed recent improvements. St. Clair’s distribution and tight-space shot-stopping have been on full display, with the only goals conceded coming from defensive failures. At the same time, Crépeau recently made five saves in a 1–1 draw with the Columbus Crew. 

A very promising performance from Maxime Crépeau on Sunday with this stellar stop among five saves.

Orlando City were well outplayed by th Columbus Crew, but the #CanMNT man saved a point for his side.

pic.twitter.com/FGFdbcqtoX

— Ben Steiner (@BenSteiner00) April 13, 2026

Canada manager Jesse Marsch has long quibbled with the goalkeeping conundrum, starting both regularly since taking over the team in May 2024. Yet, he has previously stated that he will name an outright No. 1 for the World Cup. At its core, Crépeau has often performed better for Canada, while St. Clair offers more mobility and has reached greater heights at the club level. 

This weekend will provide the final matchup between the two, before players convene in Charlotte for a pre-World Cup camp ahead of Canada’s final two friendlies against Uzbekistan and Ireland. Canada opens World Cup play on June 12 against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto. 

Will Rodrigo De Paul and Germán Berterame Maintain Form?

Inter Miami’s inconsistent start to the 2026 season has raised doubts about two regular players at the international level.

For Argentina’s Rodrigo De Paul, struggling to defend against Red Bull New York last month highlighted the weak points that have been emphasized in his drop in form since joining MLS last summer from Atlético Madrid; meanwhile, Germán Berterame hasn’t scored at the same clip that made him a potent attacker for CF Monterrey, where he was a Mexico national team lock. 

That form had both of them in doubt for World Cup outings, with Scaloni emphasizing in March that the Argentine team would be “decided based on objective criteria” and include “only players who are ready and in their best form.” Since then, De Paul has improved, scoring a goal and three assists in his last four games, while providing slicing passes and key vision to attackers, potentially crawling back into Scaloni’s plans. 

Berterame seems to be on a similar trajectory. After eight games without a goal to start his Inter Miami career, he now has three goals and two assists across his last five games, potentially regaining Mexico manager Javier Aguirre’s trust, despite being left off the initially named roster of 12 players. 

After Saturday, Inter Miami will play four more league matches before MLS pauses for the World Cup, while Orlando have five, including a U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal against Atlanta United. 

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

• The Greatest Soccer No. 9s of All Time—Ranked
• Uruguay 2026 World Cup Roster Confirmed: Full List of Players, Luis Suarez Pleas Ignored
• Lionel Messi Chasing 64 Years of History After World Cup Call-Up
• The 30 Most Valuable Soccer Teams in 2026—Ranked
• Lionel Messi Injury: Argentina Boss Reveals Next Steps As World Cup Roster Looms

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Inter Miami vs. Orlando City: Three Reasons Why This Match is Crucial for the World Cup.

While the most significant storyline remains the future of the Vancouver Whitecaps, with the club currently linked to a relocation to Las Vegas, competition moves along with a 15-match slate to start May, including 13 games on Saturday and two on Sunday. It is also expected that several Save The Caps banners and protests will be on display across the league.

Here’s what Sports Illustrated predicts for the 11th matchday of MLS in 2026.

Toronto FC vs. San Jose Earthquakes

• Date: Saturday, May 2
• Time: 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT

Toronto FC’s seven-game undefeated streak came to an end with a 2–1 loss to Atlanta United last week, and things only get more difficult as the Reds welcome the MLS-leading San Jose Earthquakes to BMO Field. It will be a strong contest, highlighted by the star striker battle of San Jose’s Timo Werner—up to four goals and five assists in seven games—and Toronto’s Josh Sargent, who has two goals and an assist in 492 minutes.  

Prediction: Toronto FC 2–4 San Jose Earthquakes 

Sporting Kansas City vs. Seattle Sounders

• Date: Saturday, May 2
• Time: 2:30 p.m. ET / 11:30 a.m. PT

Sporting Kansas City are up to five losses in a row and have scored just three times in that spell, dropping the last two games to Vancouver and Chicago by a combined scoreline of 8–0, which might actually be flattering. They’re back at Sporting Park this weekend, facing a punishing Seattle Sounders attack, USMNT World Cup hopeful Cristian Roldan and leading scorer, Paul Rothrock. 

Prediction: Sporting Kansas City 1–4 Seattle Sounders  

Real Salt Lake vs. Portland Timbers

• Date: Saturday, May 2
• Time: 4:45 p.m. ET / 1:45 p.m. PT

Real Salt Lake were flying high with three wins in four games, but have since lost back-to-back contests and will hope this weekend’s home date against the Portland Timbers sparks their return to form. It’s down to the final weeks for Diego Luna and Zavier Gozo to push for the USMNT’s World Cup squad, while the rest of the team looks to shut down Kevin Kelsy’s newfound form that has seen him score two goals in three games for the Timbers.

Prediction: Real Salt Lake 2–2 Portland Timbers

Inter Miami vs. Orlando City

• Date: Saturday, May 2
• Time: 7:15 p.m. ET / 4:15 p.m. PT

The second Florida Derby of the season is on Saturday, with Inter Miami welcoming Orlando City to Nu Stadium for the first time. It’s the Herons’ fourth home game this season, and they are on the hunt for a first win in front of their supporters, after draws against Austin FC, Red Bull New York and the New England Revolution. After a 4–2 Miami win in the first derby of the year, could Saturday’s clash see as many goals?

Prediction: Inter Miami 3–1 Orlando City 

Atlanta United vs. CF Montréal

• Date: Saturday, May 2
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

Atlanta United snapped a four-game losing skid with a win over Toronto FC on the road last week, and the Five Stripes will look to find back-to-back victories against Canadian opponents this weekend. Montréal enters with plenty of confidence, coming off two wins against Red Bull New York and New York City FC, buoyed by impressive goal-scoring from Prince Owusu, who has six goals and three assists in nine appearances. 

Prediction: Atlanta United 1–1 CF Montréal 

Columbus Crew vs. Minnesota United

• Date: Saturday, May 2
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

With back-to-back wins, the Columbus Crew might have found their stride in MLS under new manager Henrik Rydström. Yet, it won’t be easy this weekend, taking on a Minnesota United side with four wins in five games, while the only loss saw James Rodríguez make his first start and impress in a dominant, but eventually disappointing, effort to LAFC. 

Prediction: Columbus Crew 2–1 Minnesota United

New England Revolution vs. Charlotte FC

• Date: Saturday, May 2
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

Carles Gil remains an underrated quality in MLS, even as other stars have flocked to the league in recent seasons. The New England Revolution talisman helped secure a 1–1 draw against Inter Miami last weekend, and enters this weekend’s clash against Charlotte FC with goal contributions in each of his last three outings. Back at home, he and the Revolution look to extend the undefeated streak to seven games against a Charlotte side that has lost its last two. 

Prediction: New England Revolution 2–1 Charlotte FC

Red Bull New York vs. FC Dallas

• Date: Saturday, May 2
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

Red Bull New York began the season in incredible form, but have now gone four games without a win, including two losses in that spell to FC Cincinnati and CF Montréal. As impressive as the young stars have been, led by Julian Hall, finding more consistency will be vital. They fell 3–1 in the U.S. Open Cup to rivals New York City FC midweek, and will need to bounce back against Petar Musa’s FC Dallas. 

Prediction: Red Bull New York 2–2 FC Dallas

Philadelphia Union vs. Nashville SC

• Date: Saturday, May 2
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

The vibes have shifted for Nashville SC this week, with Concacaf Champions Cup dreams now on edge after a 1–0 loss in the first leg of the semifinals to Liga MX’s Tigres UANL. Yet, they remain atop the Eastern Conference and are riding a three-game MLS win streak heading into their visit to the last-place Philadelphia Union. Expect manager B.J. Callaghan to rotate his squad again, looking ahead to the second leg against Tigres, but it should be enough to find another win. 

Prediction: Philadelphia Union 0–3 Nashville SC

Chicago Fire vs. FC Cincinnati

• Date: Saturday, May 2
• Time: 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT

It’s a good time to be a Chicago Fire FC supporter, seeing a team that throttled Sporting Kansas City 5–0 last week for a fifth game undefeated and fourth win in that run. Led by Hugo Cuypers and Philip Zinckernagel, thriving under Gregg Berhalter’s tutelage, the Fire head to Cincinnati this week with hopes of continuing strong form. Yet, it won’t be so simple, with impressive form from Evander, Pavel Bucha and Kévin Denkey to lead FC Cincinnati. 

Prediction: Chicago Fire 3–3 FC Cincinnati

Houston Dynamo vs. Colorado Rapids

• Date: Saturday, May 2
• Time: 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT

The Colorado Rapids are facing a crisis. After an impressive start under new manager Matt Wells, the club have found no consistency in results and have just one win in the last five games. Amid the recent struggles, star goalkeeper Zack Steffen has been at fault for several goals against, making it a challenge for Rob Holding and the backline. The Houston Dynamo will be another strong test, but Rafael Navarro and Paxten Aaronson should be able to help them secure a point.   

Prediction: Houston Dynamo 2–2 Colorado Rapids

San Diego FC vs. LAFC

• Date: Saturday, May 2
• Time: 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT

LAFC doesn’t want to be playing this match, with manager Marc Dos Santos lashing out that he would have liked schedule adjustments to focus on the Concacaf Champions Cup. The Black and Gold beat Deportivo Toluca 2–1 in the first leg of the semifinal, but now, they will face a stiff test in the upcoming second leg. As such, expect a heavily rotated LAFC squad to visit the struggling San Diego side, which is reeling from a five-game losing skid. 

Prediction: San Diego FC 2–1 LAFC

LA Galaxy vs. Vancouver Whitecaps

• Date: Saturday, May 2
• Time: 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT

The Vancouver Whitecaps begin a lengthy road spell, with eight straight away games due to the World Cup, meaning the next home match won't be until August 1 against LAFC. While much of the focus has been on their unclear future off the pitch, the team continues to thrive, sitting with eight wins in nine games and second in the Western Conference. Eyes will be on Thomas Müller’s clash with LA Galaxy’s Marco Reus, with additional focus on Brian White’s Golden Boot race, sitting on eight goals, one behind league-leading Sam Surridge. 

Prediction: LA Galaxy 2–3 Vancouver Whitecaps

New York City FC vs. D.C. United

• Date: Sunday, May 3
• Time: 3:00 p.m. ET / 12:00 p.m. PT

After a thrilling start to 2026, things have gotten difficult for New York City FC now amid a six-game winless run heading into this weekend’s clash against D.C. United. Still led by Nicolás Fernández and Maxi Moralez, manager Pascal Jansen’s group looks to snap their skid against a D.C. United side that earned their first win in six games over Orlando City last time out. 

Prediction:  New York City FC 0–0 D.C. United

Austin FC vs. St. Louis CITY SC

• Date: Sunday, May 3
• Time: 5:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. PT

The week wraps up with a Western Conference clash between Austin FC and St. Louis CITY SC, with the potential of Los Verdes welcoming Owen Wolff back to the lineup, alongside Myrto Uzuni and Facundo Torres. While the Texas side hasn’t been exceptional, it should have enough to prevail against a St. Louis side that has just one win in nine games. 

Prediction: Austin FC 3–0 St. Louis CITY SC 

MLS Predictions: Matchday 11

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

• The Greatest Soccer No. 9s of All Time—Ranked
• Uruguay 2026 World Cup Roster Confirmed: Full List of Players, Luis Suarez Pleas Ignored
• Lionel Messi Chasing 64 Years of History After World Cup Call-Up
• The 30 Most Valuable Soccer Teams in 2026—Ranked
• Lionel Messi Injury: Argentina Boss Reveals Next Steps As World Cup Roster Looms

This article was originally published on www.si.com as MLS Predictions: Reus vs. Muller, Florida Derby and More for Matchday 11.

Wednesday’s Matchday 9 slate brought some of the most chaotic moments of the season so far, with a pair of 4–4 draws, as well as a 3–3 tie between Toronto FC and the Philadelphia Union, in which Toronto’s Luka Gavran scored the third goalkeeper goal in MLS history. 

Meanwhile, the San Jose Earthquakes dominated their way to two wins, and the Vancouver Whitecaps moved to eight wins in nine games with a commanding performance against the Colorado Rapids, among just a few of the storylines this week. 

With Matchday 9 and 10 in the rearview, here’s how the teams stack up in the latest edition of Sports Illustrated’s MLS Power Rankings.

MLS Power Rankings Matchday 10: Clubs 30–11

30. Sporting Kansas City (Previous: 30)
29. Philadelphia Union (Previous: 28)
28. Atlanta United (Previous: 29)
27. Orlando City (Previous: 26)
26. CF Montréal (Previous: 27)
25. St. Louis CITY SC (Previous: 24)
24. D.C. United (Previous: 25)
23. Colorado Rapids (Previous: 20)
22. New England Revolution (Previous: 23)
21. Portland Timbers (Previous: 22)
20. Houston Dynamo (Previous: 20)
19. Austin FC (Previous: 21)
18. Toronto FC (Previous: 18)
17. FC Dallas (Previous: 15)
16. Minnesota United (Previous: 14)
15. LA Galaxy (Previous: 17)
14. Red Bull New York (Previous: 13)
13. Columbus Crew (Previous: 16)
12. San Diego FC (Previous: 11)
11. Charlotte FC (Previous: 10)

10. New York City FC 📉 (Previous: 9)

The good vibes for New York City FC from the start of the season have largely evaporated, with this week featuring a blown 4–2 lead in second-half stoppage time to settle for a 4–4 draw against FC Cincinnati, before losing 1–0 to a CF Montréal team that has largely struggled in 2026. 

Although the primary reason remains the lack of a genuine goalscoring threat outside of Nicolás Fernández and Maxi Moralez, the last two games showcased defensive shortcomings, with a pair of underwhelming performances from veteran center back Thiago Martins and a lack of critical moments between the sticks for Matt Freese, who suddenly could be slipping in the USMNT depth chart. 

Given Alonso Martínez’s injury, it doesn’t appear any quick offensive fix is in the works for Pascal Jansen’s men. Yet, they will look to continue advancing in the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, facing local rivals Red Bull New York in the round of 16, before turning their focus to their next MLS match against Columbus Crew. 

9. Real Salt Lake 📉 (Previous: 8)

Hoping for a chance to take some massive steps into the upper ranks of the Western Conference, Real Salt Lake were unable to make much of the week, losing to Inter Miami 2–0 at home before falling 2–1 to the LA Galaxy on the road. 

While there have been standout moments—the loss to LA saw Zavier Gozo score his fifth goal contribution of the season—the inconsistencies that can come with relying on youth showed this week.

At the same time, as much as USMNT World Cup hopeful Diego Luna has returned to form, he wasn’t able to overwhelm Miami’s midfield and couldn’t control the game against the Galaxy. 

Overall, this RSL side under manager Pablo Mastroeni is still very much a work in progress. Luckily, they should have at least one more year with the youngsters and Luna, which could make 2026 simply a warm-up for bigger plans down the road.

8. FC Cincinnati 🆙 (Previous: 12)

Pavel Bucha ➡️ Kevin Denkey 💥@fccincinnati takes the lead just before half.

📺 Apple TV: https://t.co/y3S2oT6z8b pic.twitter.com/a2sZShzyNL

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 26, 2026

Why hello there, Kévin Denkey!

With rumors swirling about FC Cincinnati potentially luring Neymar to Ohio, the current Designated Players on the roster used this week to make sure no one would give them up too easily.

For Denkey, the club’s record signing from ahead of the 2025 season, that meant a four-goal week, scoring a brace in a 4–4 comeback to draw New York City FC and another pair in a 2–0 win over Red Bull New York. 

The Togo international attacker stood out in his connections with Evander, a partnership that has struggled to flourish for over a year, as well as with Pavel Bucha. Evander, the club’s current star Brazilian, also scored against NYCFC, making him the highest-scoring Brazilian player in MLS history. 

While it wasn’t a win against NYCFC, scoring six goals—four from Denkey—and picking up four of a possible six points makes for a pretty good week for FC Cincinnati, who are set to face Chicago Fire next week. 

7. Inter Miami 📉 (Previous: 6)

Who knows whether Javier Mascherano is watching any Inter Miami games these days—but if he is, he can probably rest knowing it wasn’t his coaching outlook or plans that were causing Inter Miami’s struggles this season. 

While the midweek slate saw the Herons pick up a commanding 2–0 win over Real Salt Lake on the road, the weekend left a sour taste, with a 1–1 draw against the New England Revolution off a defensive error from Maxi Falcón, leaving the club with three draws in as many games at Nu Stadium. 

For new manager Guillermo Hoyos, the lack of a “new coach bump” is concerning. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi was held off the scoresheet twice and has been evidently frustrated with his teammates and opponents on the pitch. The biggest concern, however, has to be Falcón’s defensive liability, with his tentativeness against New England costing his side all three points. 

On the positive side, Luis Suárez continues to enjoy a resurgence at 39 years old, picking up a goal and an assist in the week, while Rodrigo De Paul has leveled up his play, showcasing himself with a goal against Salt Lake and some stellar play on the weekend. 

Sitting second in the Eastern Conference, the Herons are still in a decent position for a regular MLS club. Yet, with such demanding standards and expectations, there is no doubt a tense feeling heading into the Florida Derby against Orlando City next weekend. 

6. Chicago Fire 🆙 (Previous: 7)

Philip Zinckernagel ➡️ Hugo Cuypers

That's 3 unanswered for @ChicagoFire! pic.twitter.com/ctGrmMKSQx

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 26, 2026

Undefeated in five games and boasting four wins in that spell, the Chicago Fire are enjoying some of their best soccer under manager Gregg Berhalter.

This week saw them out of action for the 11-game midweek slate, before trouncing bottom-of-the-table Sporting Kansas City 5–0 in one of the most commanding performances in Berhalter’s tenure.

Shifting to the 4-2-3-1 this week, the Fire played with more interplay between all attackers, with Hugo Cuypers and Philip Zinckernagel each scoring a brace and orchestrating plenty of chances between their pairing. At the same time, Maren Haile-Selassie stood out as the No. 10. 

With the level that Sporting Kansas City is playing at this season, it’s hard to take too much from a commanding win of this sort, but the three points are still vital. Next up, it’s a U.S. Open Cup clash against St. Louis CITY SC. 

5. LAFC 📉 (Previous: 4)

After a few weeks of defensive missteps, LAFC were back to their best in the defensive third this week, keeping two clean sheets in a scoreless draw against the Colorado Rapids and a 1–0 win over Minnesota United. Yet neither performance was pretty, and the club relied on Hugo Lloris to make six saves across the two games, while Minnesota placed only three of its 23 shots on target. 

Son Heung-min is still awaiting his first goal of the 2026 MLS season, but was left out of the lineup against Minnesota, with manager Marc Dos Santos eyeing a full-strength squad for the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals against Liga MX giants, Deportivo Toluca. 

However, even with the focus clearly on the Champions Cup, the team didn’t falter too much. Canada international and midfield lynchpin Stephen Eustàquio returned from injury, while Venezuelan youngster David Martínez scored an outstanding strike for the Minnesota win. 

Now, it’s all eyes on the Concacaf Champions Cup—even if it means surrendering a top-end squad against San Diego FC next weekend.

4. Seattle Sounders 🆙 (Previous: 5)

The Seattle Sounders played just one game this week and came away as 2–1 victors against FC Dallas, despite struggling with the Texas side’s press at points throughout the early moments. 

This game, however, could have looked very different if it had included Seattle’s Cristian Roldan or either of FC Dallas’s potent striker duo of Petar Musa and Logan Farrington, all of whom did not see the pitch in the contest. 

Without those key players, it left former Dallas star Jesús Ferreira to step up with a goal and a missed penalty, as well as veteran Sounders forward Jordan Morris, who scored a goal and assisted as a winger. 

It wasn’t the prettiest for the Sounders, but the three points moved them to fourth in the Western Conference ahead of next week’s match against last-place Sporting Kansas City. 

3. Nashville SC 📉 (Previous: 2)

The best news from Nashville SC this week came with the reintroduction of Sam Surridge on Saturday, as the English striker came off the bench to score a brace in a 4–2 win over Charlotte FC in his first appearance since April 11. 

Outside of Surridge’s goals, captain Hany Mukhtar also made history, netting a goal and an assist to become the third fastest player in MLS history to hit 150 regular season goal contributions, trailing only league legends Landon Donovan and Preki. 

While the two goals against will be cause for some concern, the match followed a common theme for Nashville, at least when it came to an attack. Leaning on both Mukhtar and Cristian Espinoza, before Surridge’s introduction, the team extended their goal differential lead, now outscoring opponents 21–6 in the seven wins, one loss and one draw this season. 

Now, the focus turns to the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals, where they meet Tigres UANL in Tuesday night’s first of two legs, with the winner set to face either LAFC or Deportivo Toluca in the final ahead of the World Cup.  

2. Vancouver Whitecaps 📉 (Previous: 1)

The Vancouver Whitecaps fall in the rankings to San Jose this week, despite earning a commanding 3–1 victory over the Colorado Rapids.

As they have been so often at home, the Whitecaps controlled every aspect of the match, with Andrés Cubas and Sebastian Berhalter orchestrating midfield patterns and providing key passes to striker Brian White, as well as direct-facing wingers Emmanuel Sabbi, Bruno Caicedo and Cheikh Sabaly. 

Throughout the approach, it was evident that Jesper Sørensen had planned to attack Colorado’s wide defenders and to take advantage of long balls into the top of the final third, leaving Rapids goalkeeper Zack Steffen to make a decision of whether to come out or not. 

Dominance on the pitch isn’t anything new for the Whitecaps in the past year, and the club will be dreaming of an MLS Cup this season, while also courting new ownership to remain in the market. Now, things get challenging, with the next eight MLS matches on the road.

1. San Jose Earthquakes 🆙 (Previous: 2)

Everything is going right for the San Jose Earthquakes right now. 

This week saw the Earthquakes take the top spot in the Supporters’ Shield table, thrashing Austin FC 5–1 on Wednesday, before beating St. Louis CITY 3–2 on Saturday. 

While it took a few games for him to get entirely up to speed, Timo Werner has hit top form, scoring three times this week, while Preston Judd continued his immense form, now up to six goals and two assists in 10 games.

The Earthquakes are 5-0-0 away from home, a feat only done twice in MLS history ( La Galaxy in 1998, Red Bull New York in 2022) and boast an incredible nine wins in 10 games, which has never been done before in MLS’s post-shootout era (2000).. 

During their successful spell, they have taken advantage of wide areas for most of their attacks, avoiding shutdown defensive midfielders, while creating the most crossing opportunities of any MLS team. With that, they’ve created an immense amount of high-quality scoring chances, while still being able to counterpress in the center of the park through Niko Tsakiris and others.

Led by 74-year-old manager Bruce Arena, the team can already be dreaming of the trophies, including the U.S. Open Cup—they have a round of 16 match against Minnesota United on Tuesday—but more importantly, both the Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup.

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

• The Greatest Soccer No. 9s of All Time—Ranked
• Uruguay 2026 World Cup Roster Confirmed: Full List of Players, Luis Suarez Pleas Ignored
• Lionel Messi Chasing 64 Years of History After World Cup Call-Up
• The 30 Most Valuable Soccer Teams in 2026—Ranked
• Lionel Messi Injury: Argentina Boss Reveals Next Steps As World Cup Roster Looms

This article was originally published on www.si.com as MLS Power Rankings: San Jose Dominates, Inter Miami Underwhelms and More After Matchday 10.

The Herons had plenty of chances throughout Saturday’s match, posting 18 shots, including 10 on target, but were ultimately met with a stronger match in U.S. men’s national team goalkeeper Matt Turner, who will hope his second-consecutive standout performance will help him catch the eye of USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino and reclaim the starting role for the World Cup.

Following a scoreless first half, the Revolution broke the deadlock in the 57th minute, when Dor Turgeman stripped Miami center back Maxi Falcón of the ball off a throw-in, before Carles Gil chipped a near-side shot past Dayne St. Clair.

Miami equalized in the 76th minute when midfielder Rodrigo De Paul sent a perfectly weighted pass to striker Luis Suárez, whose shot rebounded into the path of Germán Berterame, who then fired the ball to claim a third straight draw at Nu Stadium.

Here is Sports Illustrated’s breakdown of the match, featuring report card grades for each Inter Miami player who saw the pitch.

Inter Miami Report Card vs. New England Revolution (3-4-3)

GK: Dayne St. Clair—D: While the Canada international made several key stops through the first 60 minutes, he failed to adjust to cover his near post after Turgeman beat Falcón, allowing a tidy chipped finish for Carles Gil to put the visitors up 1–0.

RCB: Gonzalo Luján—C: Tasked with the wide threats of Peyton Miller and Turgeman’s diagonal runs, Luján took an extremely physical approach to his defending, finishing the night with three defensive actions.

CB: Maxi Falcón—F: The start of the match showcased some communication errors as Miami and Falcón adjusted to playing with a back three, and things got worse from there. On New England’s first goal, Falcon was tentative on a clearance despite having ample time, before Carles Gil stripped him of the ball and chipped a finish past St. Clair. With all the struggles from the Uruguayan defender, it is perplexing that Miami still rely upon him to center the backline.

CLB: Micael—C: If Micael had the chance to go back and rework his Inter Miami deal, he might just do that. With the amount of times he has had to cover for Falcón’s mistakes, he is proving to be a vital piece of Miami’s setup. Yet, he has consistently been left out of position, when looking to solve other defensive concerns.

RWB: Facundo Mura—C: The 27-year-old Argentine was unable to create many chances with a more attacking outlook, as right back continues to be a questionable position for the Herons.

CM: Rodrigo De Paul—A: After a slow start to the season, the Argentine international has impressed over the last several weeks, with Saturday’s game proving no different. He showcased clear vision and patience on the ball, leading to a secondary assist on Berterame’s 1–1 goal.

CM: David Ruíz—C: The young midfielder stepped in for the suspended Yannick Bright and ensured that De Paul had a productive evening. While he did not make a massive difference in his third start of the season, he allowed De Paul to take on more attacking movements—and he can count himself lucky that Gil failed to finish a free-kick, which followed a risky foul.

LWB: Noah Allen—C: Shifted to a wingback position and given more room to roam attacking-wise, the Greek youth international was active in wide areas and was not afraid to take on defenders in order to gain crossing opportunities.

RW: Lionel Messi—C: The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner had plenty of time on the ball, amassing 98 touches, but struggled to produce as he started as a winger, before shifting to a more central role in the second half.

ST: Luis Suárez—B+: The Uruguayan attacker has developed more trust under Hoyos’ leadership and made several key runs in behind the backline through the match, including a 71st-minute sprint for a curled-in pass from De Paul, before a defender pushed him from behind, sparking unanswered calls for a penalty kick. Moments later, he made the key run and shot, leading to Berterame’s goal.

LW: Germán Berterame—A: Germán Berterame was the target man under Mascherano, but his adjustment to a providing role for overlapping runs from Messi and Suárez against New England showcased a new element to his game. In the 38th minute, he played a perfectly weighted chipped pass to Messi, who was unable to control the opportunity on goal, before finding himself in the perfect position to finish off a rebound for his third goal in four games.

SUB: Tadeo Allende (46’)—B-: The hero of the run through the 2025 MLS Cup playoffs, Allende made an immediate impact when he came on at halftime, making key runs for through balls from De Paul and other midfielders.

SUB: Ian Fray (69’)—C: The Jamaica international stepped into the match with more offensive edge than Noah Allen, putting a shot off target and making two crosses in a late-game push.

SUB: Preston Plambeck (69’)—B: The 20-year-old made his MLS debut in this match, signing a short-term contract from Inter Miami CF II just hours before kickoff. He put one shot on target from distance, but was unable to beat Turner.

SUB: César Abadia-Reda (76’)—C: A call up from Inter Miami CF II, Abadia-Reda helped solidify the defensive outlook in the final minutes.

Subs not used: Rocco Ríos Novo (GK), Daniel Sumalla, Alexander Shaw, Santiago Morales, Dániel Pintér

Winners and Losers

Winner: Rodrigo De Paul

After an underwhelming start to the season, Rodrigo De Paul’s recent form has been tremendous. The Argentine was responsible for many of the best moments in Saturday’s match.

Through the first half, he was consistently playing looped balls from the top of the box, when he drifted wide from his central midfield position. Yet, it was his second-half slicing passes alongside the ground that made the difference, first forcing an offside goal from Tadeo Allende, before sending Luis Suárez clear on goal, leading to Berterame’s rebound finish.

Just a few weeks ago, there were questions about whether he would make Argentina’s World Cup team as a struggling MLS midfielder. It’s evident he took that to heart, improving his play over the last four matches, which has seen him post three assists and a goal.

Loser: Maxi Falcón

Carles Gil comes out of nowhere to open the scoring for the @NERevolution in Miami. 🌬️ pic.twitter.com/VSePHaYZ02

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 26, 2026

Maxi Falcón has become the primary liability for Inter Miami and has been the reason that the team has dropped several points this season, including in all three matches at Nu Stadium. This week, he became too focused on a physical battle with Dor Turgeman that Carles Gil easily stripped him off the ball and finished into the goal.

While he appeared more confident in the back three than he has at times in the back four, which forces him out of position, it has become overwhelmingly evident that he is not strong, fast or skilled enough as a defender to shut down the often star-studded attacks across MLS.

What’s Next For Inter Miami?

After playing three matches in three cities in eight days, the Herons will now have the full week off as they prepare for the second Florida Derby matchup against Orlando City on Saturday, bringing the rivalry night to Nu Stadium for the first time ever.

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

• The Greatest Soccer No. 9s of All Time—Ranked
• Uruguay 2026 World Cup Roster Confirmed: Full List of Players, Luis Suarez Pleas Ignored
• Lionel Messi Chasing 64 Years of History After World Cup Call-Up
• The 30 Most Valuable Soccer Teams in 2026—Ranked
• Lionel Messi Injury: Argentina Boss Reveals Next Steps As World Cup Roster Looms

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Grading Inter Miami, Messi’s Underwhelming Showing Against USMNT Hopeful.

Saturday marks the second game in five days for 22 of the 30 MLS clubs, after an intense 11-game Wednesday slate provided an impressive amount of drama.

With players contending for World Cup roster spots and teams looking to put themselves in the best possible spot heading into the extended summer, every weekend in the first portion of the season is vital—and it all begins to feel closer on Matchday 10, with Vancouver Whitecaps set to play at BC Place for the last time until August.

This weekend’s MLS slate sees battles atop both conferences, with 14 matches on Saturday, before a Sunday Night Soccer showcase match between the LA Galaxy and Real Salt Lake.

Here’s what Sports Illustrated predicts for the 10th matchday of MLS in 2026.

Toronto FC vs. Atlanta United

• Date: Saturday, April 25
• Time: 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT

Toronto FC are riding a seven-game undefeated run and making the most of a string of nine-straight home matches in MLS play.

This weekend sees the Reds duel with a middling Atlanta United side, flying high with confidence after Luka Gavran scored the third goalkeeper goal in MLS history to secure a last-gasp 3–3 draw against the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday. At the same time, new club record signing Josh Sargent has found his form, now with two goals in six games. 

While Toronto has had their own struggles since last making the MLS Cup playoffs in 2020, they will be the undeniable favorite against an Atlanta side that has struggled over the past two seasons. The Five Stripes head north amid a four-game losing skid, sitting second last in MLS and boasting just two goals from the last five matches. 

Prediction: Toronto FC 3–2 Atlanta United

CF Montréal vs. New York City FC

• Date: Saturday, April 25
• Time: 2:30 p.m. ET / 11:30 a.m. PT

CF Montréal may just have a knack for teams from the Tri-State Area. Through the first nine games of the season, the Québec side has just two wins—both against Red Bull New York, who has been one of the league’s better teams.

Given where Montréal’s roster stands, the trend at the club over the last several years, as well as the recent firing of Marco Donadel as manager, it’s challenging to tip them as the favorite in any clash. However, with the entire week off—compared to NYCFC’s 4–4 draw against FC Cincinnati, combined with striker Prince Owusu’s five goals and three assists in eight games—the Black and Blue might just come out on top and link back-to-back wins for the first time this season. 

Prediction: CF Montréal 3–1 New York City FC

Minnesota United vs. LAFC

• Date: Saturday, April 25
• Time: 4:45 p.m. ET / 1:45 p.m. PT

At one point, this match was set to feature both Son Heung-min and James Rodríguez in prominent roles for their respective clubs. Yet, James has played just 40 minutes since signing with Minnesota, struggling for form and fitness, making him, at best, a depth piece. At the same time, Minnesota has failed to replicate the defensive stinginess shown through the 2025 season, having conceded 13 goals through the first nine games of the campaign. 

Although the Loons sit fourth in the Western Conference following a 1–0 win over FC Dallas midweek, there is more possibility for the team. James will want to ramp up his minutes in the lead-up to the World Cup with Colombia, while each of Anthony Markanich, Kelvin Yeboah and Tomás Chancalay have had strong flashes.

Coming up against LAFC will be a big test, given they need a win to keep pace with the San Jose Earthquakes and Vancouver Whitecaps atop the Western Conference. However, manager Marc Dos Santos could opt to rest Son, Denis Bouanga and others ahead of next Wednesday’s Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal first leg against Toluca.   

Prediction: Minnesota United 1–1 LAFC  

FC Cincinnati vs. Red Bull New York

• Date: Saturday, April 25
• Time: 7:30 p.m.ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

FC Cincinnati and Red Bull New York will be pleased they both scored four goals in midweek action, but no doubt frustrated by the four goals they conceded in thrilling 4–4 draws. 

Cincinnati, however, enter this match with a little more confidence. Trailing 4–2 to New York City FC on Wednesday, they got a 92nd-minute goal from 17-year-old Andrei Chirila and the 4–4 goal in the 96th minute, a penalty kick that established Evander as the highest-scoring Brazilian in MLS history. Still, finding a way to avoid four goals against will be critical, especially against an energetic Red Bulls attack, led by 18-year-old Julian Hall, who has six goals and two assists in his first nine games of the season. 

Expect another high-scoring affair, but for the Gary Lions to come out on top, sending the once thriving Red Bulls to two losses and a draw in three games over an eight-day spell. 

Prediction: FC Cincinnati 4–3 Red Bull New York

Columbus Crew vs. Philadelphia Union

• Date: Saturday, April 25
• Time: 7:30 p.m.ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

It has not been the dream season for the Columbus Crew, picking up two wins through the first nine games and seeing star striker Wessam Abou Ali ruled out for the season due to an ACL injury. Yet they found some momentum on Wednesday, authoring a 2–1 win over the LA Galaxy with goals from Diego Rossi and Dániel Gazdag—two key players who need to step up in Abou Ali’s absence. 

While Rossi has been a constant star, there is hope that Gazdag’s goal can spark some better form. The former Philadelphia Union talisman has largely struggled since arriving last spring. For him in particular, Saturday’s match looms large, facing his struggling former club, now a team middling at the bottom of the table and reeling after allowing two points to slip on Toronto’s goalkeeper goal midweek. 

Prediction: Columbus Crew 2–0 Philadelphia Union

D.C. United vs. Orlando City

• Date: Saturday, April 25
• Time: 7:30 p.m.ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

For two teams that had struggled to score consistently in the early stages of the 2026 MLS season, Wednesday night was near therapeutic. For D.C. United, it came with a hat-trick from Tai Baribo in a 4–4 draw with Red Bull New York, while Orlando City picked up a stunning 4–1 win over Charlotte FC for just their second success of the season.

A week ago, this fixture would have looked like a low-scoring affair between two struggling teams. Now, it looks as though it could be a barnburner, with Baribo’s trio of goals and Martín Ojeda’s brace from earlier in the week sparking some rekindled attacking prowess. 

Prediction: D.C. United 3–3 Orlando City

Inter Miami vs. New England Revolution

• Date: Saturday, April 25
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

The new era, sorry—Nu era— of Inter Miami heads to Nu Stadium for the first time, with interim manager Guillermo Hoyos set to lead the team onto the home pitch in the first home match since Javier Mascherano’s departure from the sidelines. At the same time, Hoyos is looking to lead Miami to a first victory at the stadium, after 2–2 draws against Austin FC and Red Bull New York in the first two home matches. 

Coming off a 2–0 win over Real Salt Lake, which saw Rodrigo De Paul score in his best performance of the season and Luis Suárez net his second goal in a mere 142 minutes, there should be some confidence in the group as well. With a victory, climbing to first place in the Eastern Conference stands as a possibility, as well. 

For the visiting Revolution, finding a way to disrupt Miami’s rhythms will be key, as will ensuring that difference-makers, including 18-year-old Peyton Miller and veteran MLS star Carles Gil, remain heavily involved, particularly on counterattacks.

Prediction: Inter Miami 3–0 New England Revolution

Austin FC vs. Houston Dynamo

• Date: Saturday, April 25
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

The Copa Tejas continues this weekend as the Houston Dynamo look for a third straight 1–0 victory in a visit to Austin FC, who hope to rebound from a disheartening 5–1 loss to the Western Conference-leading San Joe Earthquakes. 

While state cup points are on the line, the mid-table clash could also prove invaluable as the season wears on, given the trajectories of both sides as probable playoff participants.

For Houston, the hope for three straight wins will come from the back, with Jonathan Bond between the sticks seeking another standout performance, behind veteran center backs Franco Negri and Antonio Carlos, who led them to wins over San Diego FC and Orlando City. 

Meanwhile, Austin will look for more creative attacking moments from Facundo Torres and Myrto Uzuni, with the latter set to return after a slight ankle injury held him out of midweek play. 

Prediction: Austin FC 0–2 Houston Dynamo

Chicago Fire vs. Sporting Kansas City

• Date: Saturday, April 25
• Time: 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT

Neither Chicago Fire nor Sporting Kansas City were among the 22 MLS teams that played midweek games, keeping them both fresh for Saturday’s matchup, which sees Chicago as the overwhelming favorite. 

The Fire have won three of the last four games and are looking to extend an undefeated streak to five games, while SKC is off to one of the worst starts in MLS history with a mere four points through eight games—their latest loss, 3–0 to Vancouver, saw them outshot 27-2. 

For the Fire, the focus will be on maintaining their confidence and building out their ability to control the game against a lesser opponent, while also keeping star striker Hugo Cuypers in form after he scored a brace in his return from injury in last week’s 3–3 draw against FC Cincinnati. 

Prediction: Chicago Fire 4–0 Sporting Kansas City

Nashville SC vs. Charlotte FC

• Date: Saturday, April 25
• Time: 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT

Nashville SC is flying higher than ever through the start of the 2026 season and will no doubt have eyes on Wednesday’s Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal first leg against Liga MX’s Tigres UANL, whilst also seeking three points at home against Charlotte FC. 

Given the importance of the Champions Cup for Nashville this season, expect manager B.J. Callaghan to rest each of his two key stars, Hany Mukhtar and Cristian Espinoza. In contrast, star striker Sam Surridge is likely to remain out as he recovers from a muscle injury. Still, this game should favor the Tennessee side. 

Charlotte will look to take advantage of a potentially weakened Nashville, looking to rebound after a 4–1 loss to Orlando sent a shock through their otherwise promising outlook. Yet, there will be some fear for The Crown as well, having fallen 2–1 to a rotated Nashville side back on April 11.

Prediction: Nashville SC 1–1 Charlotte FC

St. Louis CITY SC vs. San Jose Earthquakes

• Date: Saturday, April 25
• Time: 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT

Just how good can the San Jose Earthquakes be this season? Sitting atop the Western Conference with eight wins through nine games and coming off a 5–1 dominant win over Austin FC on Wednesday, it could already be an MLS Cup or bust mentality for a side that few expected to be in such a commanding position.

Led by 74-year-old manager Bruce Arena, the Earthquakes are getting stellar play from new key signing Timo Werner, as well as dynamic 20-year-old midfielder Niko Tsakiris, both of whom had standout showings against Austin. At the same time, Dániel has been a key star guarding the goal. 

While they hit the road this week, it should be a relatively straightforward win against a St. Louis CITY SC side that has not hit its stride under new manager Yoann Damet, boasting a single win through the first eight games of the campaign. 

Prediction: St. Louis CITY SC 1–5 San Jose Earthquakes

San Diego FC vs. Portland Timbers

• Date: Saturday, April 25
• Time: 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT

A home match against the Portland Timbers on Matchday 10 feels must-win for San Diego FC after four straight losses. One thing to immediately work on is discipline—five straight red cards across all competitions a complete disaster.

Mikey Varas’ side will still fancy themselves in most matchups, given Anders Dreyer’s potential to make a key difference after winning the 2025 MLS Newcomer of the Year, but are also evidently held back by the lack of a pure striker and star creative midfielder.

The visiting Timbers may not boast anywhere near an outstanding record with two wins in eight games, but have seen recent flashes from Kristoffer Velde and Antony, who could make a key difference in the return to positive results. 

Prediction: San Diego FC 2–2 Portland Timbers

Seattle Sounders vs. FC Dallas

• Date: Saturday, April 25
• Time: 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT

Jesús Ferreira and Paul Arriola headline this Saturday night Western Conference clash, with the two former FC Dallas stars now healthy and suiting up for the Seattle Sounders against their ex-club at Lumen Field. 

While the reunion takes a key storyline, this matchup also brings together two Western Conference contenders, with Seattle sitting in fifth place on 17 points and Dallas in eighth on 13. Both teams have struggled with some inconsistency this season, but have showcased the game-changing talents and standout performances that are often needed to contend among the best. 

For the Sounders, much of that form runs through Albert Rusnák and USMNT World Cup hopeful Cristian Roldan in attack, while Dallas leans on Petar Musa’s Golden Boot-leading nine goals in nine games.

Both sides boast punishing and decisive players throughout the roster, making this match one of the most enticing of the weekend—and potentially one that could prove to have decisive points come the end of the season. 

Prediction: Seattle Sounders 2–2 FC Dallas

Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Colorado Rapids

• Date: Saturday, April 25
• Time: 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT

The Vancouver Whitecaps were bumped from the top spot in the Western Conference for not playing on Wednesday. Now, they look for an eighth win in nine games when they host the Colorado Rapids in front of an expected 27,000-person sellout at BC Place, the club’s final home match ahead of the 2026 World Cup. 

Vancouver come off a dominant 3–0 win over Sporting Kansas City, which saw Thomas Müller score his fourth goal in eight games, alongside electrifying performances from wingers Emmanuel Sabbi and Bruno Caicedo. At the same time, the goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka and the backline kept a fifth clean sheet of 2026. 

Coming up against the Rapids won’t be easy, though. Under new manager Matt Wells, Colorado boasts a promising attack of Rafael Navarro and Paxten Aaronson, while also leaning on MLS veterans Georgi Minoungou and Darren Yapi, who impressed in the recent 3–2 loss to Inter Miami. 

If Colorado can win this match, they will prove themselves to be a top-tier MLS Cup contender. In contrast, Vancouver looks to extend their season in front of a massive crowd, buoyed by the launch of the “Save The Caps” movement, which aims to ensure the team’s future in Vancouver amid speculation of relocation. 

Prediction: Vancouver Whitecaps 2–1 Colorado Rapids

LA Galaxy vs. Real Salt Lake

• Date: Sunday, April 26
• Time: 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT

Sunday Night Soccer’s marquee clash sees the LA Galaxy welcoming Real Salt Lake to Carson, with both sides looking to rebound from midweek losses to Columbus Crew and Inter Miami, respectively. 

While the Galaxy will embrace their friendly home confines, they will be missing key starting striker João Klauss due to injury, which will heavily hamper their attacking abilities. Meanwhile, RSL is thriving despite the recent 2–0 loss to Miami, with Diego Luna playing with clear confidence in an effort to crack the USMNT World Cup roster, and Zavier Gozo standing out as one of the top youngsters in MLS. 

With all the factors at hand and the recent upswing of Real Salt Lake, the Western Conference clash may fall in favor of the visiting Claret and Cobalt.

Prediction: LA Galaxy 0–2 Real Salt Lake

MLS Predictions: Matchday 10

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

• The Greatest Soccer No. 9s of All Time—Ranked
• Uruguay 2026 World Cup Roster Confirmed: Full List of Players, Luis Suarez Pleas Ignored
• Lionel Messi Chasing 64 Years of History After World Cup Call-Up
• The 30 Most Valuable Soccer Teams in 2026—Ranked
• Lionel Messi Injury: Argentina Boss Reveals Next Steps As World Cup Roster Looms

This article was originally published on www.si.com as MLS Predictions: Top of the Table Races Headline Matchday 10.

Gavran, who has taken on Toronto’s regular starting role for the first time this season, rushed up the pitch in second-half stoppage time, with the Canadian side looking to amend an 89th-minute 3–2 go-ahead goal from Philadelphia’s Nathan Harriel. 

After several attacking waves, the ball made its way back to Dániel Sallói, for the Hungarian to send in a pinpoint cross to Gavran’s aerial finish, which sailed past Andre Blake in the Philadelphia goal for the tying marker. 

It marked the first goalkeeper goal in Toronto FC’s 19-year MLS history and extended the club’s undefeated streak to seven games—their longest run without a loss since the start of the 2024 campaign. 

GOALKEEPER LUKA GAVRAN TIES IT AT THE DEATH! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/t564thkRW9

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 23, 2026

Gavran became the first goalkeeper to score in MLS since Columbus Crew’s William Hesmer scored against Toronto on Oct. 16, 2010. Overall, three goalkeepers have found the back of the net in MLS regular-season play since the league began in 1996. 

“I can’t even remember what happened; all I remember was that there were 10 seconds left, and I looked to the bench, and everyone was waving me down to go,” the Canadian backstop said. “I used to be a number nine, and you do set pieces every day, so I’m used to it.”

As the ball nestled into the net, Gavran ensured he wasn’t instantly swarmed by his teammates either, sprinting towards the stands and pumping his chest amid a knee slide, a celebration he had rehearsed in training sessions. 

“This was the perfect moment to knee slide,” he added. “I would have taken my jersey off, but my gloves are on, so I would have been awkward so I didn’t.”

Can Toronto FC Continue Rekindled Form?

After finishing 12th and 11th in the Eastern Conference over the last two seasons and having not cracked the MLS Cup playoff picture since 2020, the run of seven games undefeated is bringing hope back to Toronto FC.

The draw saw club-record signing Josh Sargent score his second goal since joining for $22 million from English Championship side Norwich City — a deal that could rise to $27 million to eclipse the MLS incoming transfer record. At the same time, the resilience to battle back after Philadelphia’s 89th-minute goal was evidence of a significant shift in the club’s approach under manager Robin Fraser. 

With the point, Toronto lofted itself to sixth in the Eastern Conference with 13 points across the first nine games, while Philadelphia saw valuable points slip out of their control, now sitting on one win, two draws and seven losses to start the 2026 campaign. 

Wild Night of MLS 

The goalkeeper goal and 3–3 draw was far from the lone thrilling moment in MLS on Wednesday, as the first midweek slate of the season brought immense performances across the board. 

FC Cincinnati’s 17-year-old Andrei Chirila scored from distance in the 92nd minute, and talisman Evander scored in the 96th, helping their side to a dramatic 4–4 draw against New York City FC at Yankee Stadium. Across the Hudson River, D.C. United’s Tai Baribo scored a hat trick in a 4–4 draw with Red Bull New York. 

Orlando City, sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, shocked Charlotte FC 4–1, backed by a brace from Martín Ojeda, and the Houston Dynamo downed San Diego FC, with both sides earning red cards, all before Inter Miami managed a first clean sheet win of the season in a 2–0 result over Real Salt Lake.

Andrei Chirila from distance!

Can @fccincinnati find their equalizer? 👀 pic.twitter.com/gX3lbD3IME

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 23, 2026

For Miami, it marked the first win under new interim manager Guillermo Hoyos, in addition to a starring performance from Rodrigo De Paul, who completed the most passes in the match and scored his second goal of the season. With the victory, the Herons rose to second in the Eastern Conference as well on 18 points through nine games, riding an eight-game undefeated run.

The night wrapped with the San Jose Earthquakes continuing their outstanding start to 2026 under 74-year-old manager Bruce Arena, thrashing Austin FC 5–1. Timo Werner’s second MLS goal helped bump them atop the Western Conference, though Vancouver Whitecaps hold a game in hand.

In total, four teenagers also scored on Wednesday, alongside some superstars, including De Paul, Sargent, Werner and Luis Suárez, setting the tone for an immense upcoming weekend with 15 matches across Saturday and Sunday. 

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

• The Greatest Soccer No. 9s of All Time—Ranked
• Uruguay 2026 World Cup Roster Confirmed: Full List of Players, Luis Suarez Pleas Ignored
• Lionel Messi Chasing 64 Years of History After World Cup Call-Up
• The 30 Most Valuable Soccer Teams in 2026—Ranked
• Lionel Messi Injury: Argentina Boss Reveals Next Steps As World Cup Roster Looms

This article was originally published on www.si.com as MLS History Made in Toronto As Goalkeeper Heroics Spark Wild Midweek Slate.

Barcelona’s star forward won the first-ever Young Sportsperson of the Year award at the Laureus World Sports Awards on Monday, establishing himself as the best athlete under the age of 21 and marking back-to-back honors for the prodigiou star following his win of Breakthrough Sportsperson of the Year in 2025.

“I am very happy to be the first to receive this award for the best young athlete,” Yamal said from the Cibeles Palace in Madrid. “It’s a source of pride. I wanted to thank the [Laureus] Academy; all the legends who have voted for me and that are here; my two brothers who are sitting there; Jorge [Mendes, Yamal’s agent], who has always accompanied me; my team; my mother who is taking care of my brother at home; my father; my grandmother; obviously my teammates and the staff.

“I am very happy. I hope that this serves to keep going, to move forward. I still have a long way to go.”

Yamal also couldn’t help but praise former Barcelona legend Messi, expressing his desire to follow in his footsteps.

Lamine Yamal Lauds Lionel Messi

Messi also has two Laureus awards in his trophy cabinet, winning his first World Sportsman of the Year award in 2020 while playing for Barcelona, becoming the first soccer player to do ever do so. He won it again in 2023, making him the only team-sport athlete to win it twice. The Inter Miami captain is still the only soccer player to have ever won the award.

There is no doubt that Yamal has his sights set on the Laureus World Sports Award’s most prestigious accolade, given to the man who exhibits the highest level of athletic performance and achievement globally. Tennis phenom Carlos Alcaraz took the prize in 2026.

“For me, Messi is the best player in history,” Yamal added on Monday. “I don’t know if he’s the best player in all sports, but if not, he’s close. He’s an idol. Everyone respects him for everything he’s done. He’s been a part of the childhood of all the kids who played at school, in the park.

“I hope I can follow in his footsteps and have another one of those [trophies] in my house.”

🖊️ Lamine Yamal signs his name in Laureus World Sports Awards history.#Laureus26 | @FCBarcelona_cat @LaLiga pic.twitter.com/i3b8Pqa19v

— Laureus (@LaureusSport) April 20, 2026

Yamal has openly hailed Messi many times in the past, expressing his desire to use the Argentine legend’s success as a blueprint for his own journey.

“Lionel Messi is indeed the greatest player in history for me,” Yamal said last July. “We’re both left-footed. He played for Barça, and so do I. We do have many similarities, but I want to walk my own path.

“I hope I can have a career as successful as his, but I only think about playing in my own way, writing my own history and having people remember the name ‘Lamine Yamal.’”

Yamal, who leads Barcelona with 15 goals and 11 assists this season as they close in on La Liga victory, is well on his way. He also won the 2025 Kopa Award just seven months ago—his second-consecutive win—and recently rewrote Champions League history, becoming the youngest player to ever record 20 goal contributions in the premier European competition.

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

• Four Potential Destinations for Marc Cucurella As Chelsea Exit Looms—Ranked
• Transfer Rumors: Man Utd Contact Vinicius Jr; Real Madrid Eye Blockbuster Rice Move
• The Greatest Soccer No. 9s of All Time—Ranked
• ‘Prioritizes’—How Marcus Rashford Responded to Anthony Gordon’s Barcelona Transfer
• Why New Barcelona Signing Anthony Gordon Already Speaks Fluent Spanish

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Lamine Yamal Follows in Lionel Messi’s Footsteps With Prestigious Individual Award.

The latest round of MLS saw Thomas Müller lead the Vancouver Whitecaps to a dominant 3–0 win over Sporting Kansas City, Lionel Messi harness his superpowers to push Inter Miami to a 3–2 win over the Colorado Rapids and the San Jose Earthquakes stun LAFC with a 4–1 win to close out action on Sunday.

Outside of league action, MLS teams were busy as well. Nashville SC made history, becoming the first MLS club to win at Estadio Azteca, eliminating Club América and advancing to the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals, a stage LAFC also advanced to with a win over Cruz Azul. 

With Matchday 8 all wrapped up, here’s how the teams stack up in the latest edition of Sports Illustrated’s MLS Power Rankings.

MLS Power Rankings Matchday 8: Clubs 30–11

30. Sporting Kansas City (Previous: 30)
29. Atlanta United (Previous: 28)
28. Philadelphia Union (Previous: 27)
27. CF Montréal (Previous: 29)
26. Orlando City (Previous: 24)
25. D.C. United (Previous: 25)
24. St. Louis CITY SC (Previous: 23)
23. New England Revolution (Previous: 26)
22. Portland Timbers (Previous: 20)
21. Austin FC (Previous: 22)
20. Colorado Rapids (Previous: 21)
19. Houston Dynamo (Previous: 19)
18. Toronto FC (Previous: 18)
17. LA Galaxy (Previous: 17)
16. Columbus Crew (Previous: 15)
15. FC Dallas (Previous: 14)
14. Minnesota United (Previous: 16)
13. Red Bull New York (Previous: 10)
12. FC Cincinnati (Previous: 13)
11. San Diego FC (Previous: 9)

10. Charlotte FC 🆙 (Previous: 12)

Charlotte FC have had few standout moments from Wilfried Zaha this season, often needing to rely on one of Pep Biel, Idan Toklomati or Ashley Westwood for the successes they have enjoyed so far. On Saturday, they finally got the type of game that they signed Zaha for, with the Ivory Coast international stepping up to skip through NYCFC’s midfield for Toklomati’s opening goal, before making a slicing pass in the buildup for Kerwin Vargas’s second, proving Charlotte the eventual winner. 

Manager Dean Smith had clearly noted Zaha’s struggles. He altered his system to better harness the Premier League veteran’s abilities, lining him up as a secondary central attacking midfielder alongside Biel, instead of a pure winger—and it worked. 

Will that tactic be one that Charlotte sticks with? More pertinently, is it the type of playing style that the often demanding Zaha can adapt to? If so, things should be looking up for The Crown, even as Zaha’s contract creeps closer to its end.

9. New York City FC 📉 (Previous: 8)

NICOOO PULLS ONE BACK WITH A BELTER 🚀 pic.twitter.com/KwWaTMBosp

— New York City FC (@newyorkcityfc) April 19, 2026

We’ll be seeing more of Nicolás Fernández's stellar strike from this weekend’s 2–1 loss to Charlotte FC in Goal of the Year voting at the end of the season. Yet, it was another week and another worrying performance for an NYCFC side now riding a four-match winless streak, with only one of those results a draw.

Still, it was a marked improvement on last week’s loss to Vancouver. This NYCFC effort saw them pepper Charlotte’s Kristijan Kahlina with seven shots on target, and out wide, each of Hannes Wolf and Agustín Ojeda offered threatening moments. 

The biggest issue for Pascal Jansen’s side right now is the lack of central attacking depth outside of Fernández and 39-year-old Maxi Moralez. The pair can provide special moments and are reliable creators, but it's going to take one more scoring-focused piece to put this team into the upper echelon of MLS.

8. Real Salt Lake 🆙 (Previous: 11)

Real Salt Lake is very quickly becoming a must-watch team in the Western Conference, and this week’s 4–2 win over San Diego FC was the latest chapter in that project.

Recently back from injury, Diego Luna had a shining day with a goal off an aggressive press against San Diego backstop Duran Ferree and two assists, as he begins to play himself back into contention for the USMNT World Cup squad. 

Yet, the play of Sergi Solans might have been the bigger story. A gem from the MLS SuperDraft in 2025, Solans scored a brace and added an assist in the performance, amassing four shots on target and creating a trio of chances in the best showing of his professional career.

Under the tutelage of Pablo Mastroeni and with the return of Luna buoyed by new form from Solans and Zavier Gozo, the sky seems to be the limit with this RSL side, now up to 16 points in seven games. Next up, they get a chance to test themselves against an Inter Miami side that has been more reliant on Lionel Messi than ever before.

7. Chicago Fire 🤝 (Previous: 7)

Chicago Fire had plenty of chances to secure what would have been a rather dominant victory against FC Cincinnati, but struggled in moments demanding a clinical touch, eventually settling for a 3–3 draw on Dje D’Avilla’s late own goal. 

Getting Hugo Cuypers back into the lineup for the first time since March 21 made a massive difference in how manager Gregg Berhalter’s side is able to attack, even with winger Jonathan Bamba unavailable for selection. With Cuypers—who scored a brace—the Fire were dominant in central areas, and were able to take advantage of Cincinnati’s three-man defensive unit. 

At the same time, the switch to a 4-4-2 allowed Cuypers to begin forming a cohesive attacking unit with offseason signing Robin Lod, while the winger duo of Philip Zinckernagel and Maren Haile-Selassie had space to attack up the flanks, with the backline drawn into narrow positions. 

With the potential of reintegrating Bamba back into the team soon, the Fire looks ahead to next Saturday against Sporting Kansas City, a team that was outshot 25-2 this weekend and boasts a measly -13 goal differential.

6. Inter Miami 📉 (Previous: 5)

It was a massive week for Inter Miami, parting ways with now former manager Javier Mascherano and beginning the Guillermo Hoyos era, as the now ex-sporting director stepped onto the touchline for the 3–2 win over the Colorado Rapids in front of the largest crowd Miami has seen in MLS play. 

While the win snapped Miami’s winless skid, it caused some worries as well, as they needed to rely on Messi’s brace and a creative moment to pick up the victory in an otherwise damning performance. 

Outside of Messi’s moments in attack, it was midfield breakdowns, positional errors and defensive mishaps that highlighted this game for the reigning MLS Cup champions. Colorado’s Rafael Navarro dribbled through the entire team before side-stepping center back Micael for a goal, and the second marker from Darren Yapi came on a direct over-the-top ball with both Micael and Maxi Falcón struggling to recover from mistaken positions. 

Add in the factor that the team needed to weather late pressure after Yannick Bright picked up a red card for derogatory language, and this victory caused more concerns than positives. Yes, it helps in the standings — but where would this Miami side be without Messi to save them? They’ll get a good test against Real Salt Lake this week.

5. Seattle Sounders 🆙 (Previous: 6)

Cristian Roldan off the corner AGAIN! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/Ox5ji9f5uU

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 19, 2026

Cristian Roldan really wants to be on the USMNT this summer and took strides towards that possibility with a brace in a dominant 4–1 win over St. Louis CITY SC. At the same time, much of this victory came down to set pieces, which sparked the 2–0 lead, before the Rave Green ushered in the further onslaught. 

Aside from Roldan’s brace and the two assists, the match highlighted Snyder Brunnell’s potential, with the 19-year-old active up and down the right wing throughout the night and making six passes into the final third while overlapping with Roldan and right back Kalani Rienzi. 

Under manager Brian Schmetzer, the Sounders have never reached their peak early in the season. At this point, sitting on 16 points in seven games, it’s clear that there is a defined absence of what the 2026 Sounders could be, but expect them to heat up throughout the summer and into the fall as they get up to speed. 

4. LAFC 📉 (Previous: 2)

Where’d the vibes go?

LAFC suffered its first loss by more than two goals since March 2025 on Sunday, falling 4–1 to California rivals, the San Jose Earthquakes, for a second defeat in as many MLS games. Suddenly, the team that didn’t allow a goal through six matches has lost twice and has conceded six goals across 180 minutes. 

Yet, this weekend’s loss was more worrying than the 2–1 defeat to the Portland Timbers on Matchday 7. Playing at home against the Earthquakes, manager Marc Dos Santos started each of Denis Bouanga, Son Heung-min and Hugo Lloris in a full-strength effort, but they were still overwhelmed in every aspect of the game—and Ryan Porteous’s own goal was only salt in the wound. 

The week wasn’t a total loss, though. LAFC did manage to oust Liga MX’s Cruz Azul from the Concacaf Champions Cup with a 1–1 draw and is now focusing on a semifinal first leg against Deportivo Toluca on April 29, which was clearly the team’s mindset in league play. 

Now down to third in the Western Conference, it will be vital for LAFC to return to winning ways when they take on the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday, hoping not to make these results a habit as a club accustomed to victories.

3. San Jose Earthquakes 🆙 (Previous: 4)

Bruce Arena, take a bow. Then take another.

The winningest coach in MLS history, Bruce Arena, has coached many an MLS Cup contender and helped usher in some of the best talents across MLS through his time with the LA Galaxy, New England Revolution and D.C. United. Yet, at 74 years old, he might be writing his best chapter now with the Earthquakes, who sit second in MLS on 18 points through eight matches, boasting a 7-1-0 record. Among those seven wins? A victory against Vancouver, the lone team in front of them on goal differential. 

Timo Werner scored his first MLS goal in a dominant performance in Los Angeles, Ousseni Bouda continued his standout form with his third and fourth goals of the season, all while Niko Tsakiris and Beau Leroux continued to stand out as young U.S. stars in midfield. 

San Jose boasts two MLS Cups and a pair of Supporters’ Shields, and Bruce Arena has five MLS Cup titles himself, yet both might be having their best moments of all time at the start of the 2026 season. Next up? A chance to build more momentum against Austin FC.

2. Nashville SC 🆙 (Previous: 3)

Nashville breakaway! 💨

Shak Mohammed secures his first MLS goal. pic.twitter.com/cIIav8e7gW

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 19, 2026

Nashville SC had no issues cruising past Atlanta United this weekend, dominating from start to finish in a 2–0 victory at Mercedes-Benz Arena. It came as a sweet end to a historic week as well, having eliminated Liga MX’s Club América from the Concacaf Champions Cup on Tuesday.

While Concacaf Champions Cup remains the club’s priority early in the season, this weekend saw a largely first-choice lineup control the run of play against Atlanta. Still without talismanic striker Sam Surridge, due to a muscle injury, the Coyotes leaned on Hany Mukhtar’s creativity and a standout moment in the buildup from Cristian Espinoza as well. 

The best moment of the weekend came late in the match as well, when 22-year-old Shak Mohammed scored off a first-touch, side-footed finish. He instantly broke into tears and an emotional embrace with Mukhtar, who had laid the perfect pass for Mohammed’s first career MLS goal. 

Nashville SC is keeping things simple right now, and the wins are flowing: they sit atop the Eastern Conference on 19 points through eight games, with a chance to continue their stellar run when they face Charlotte FC next weekend. 

1. Vancouver Whitecaps 🤝 (Previous: 1)

There’s nothing stopping the Vancouver Whitecaps right now, and a Friday night 3–0 win over Sporting Kansas City is one that actually flatters their opponents, considering the 2025 MLS Cup finalists outshot their Western Conference foes 25-2. 

While Vancouver never looked concerned in this match, the big storyline was the continued impressive form of Emmanuel Sabbi, whose electrifying dribbling skills are bringing fans to their feet at BC Place. On Saturday, he used his speed to slide and keep a ball in play before sending a pinpoint cross to Thomas Müller, who fired home his fourth goal of the season. 

Moments later, Caicedo exploited space, challenged a defender one-on-one and finished a perfectly placed side-footed shot through a narrow shooting lane past his defender and goalkeeper John Pulskamp. With his skill set, combined with Müller’s clinical edge, the Whitecaps are now the second team in MLS history to score at least 22 goals within the first eight games of a season and the first since LA Galaxy scored 26 in 1998. 

Nothing about the win over Kansas City was surprising, but Vancouver did what they needed to against the opponent in front of them. Next week, they’re up against a stronger Colorado Rapids side, where they hope to remain atop the Supporters’ Shield standings. 

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

• The Greatest Soccer No. 9s of All Time—Ranked
• Uruguay 2026 World Cup Roster Confirmed: Full List of Players, Luis Suarez Pleas Ignored
• Lionel Messi Chasing 64 Years of History After World Cup Call-Up
• The 30 Most Valuable Soccer Teams in 2026—Ranked
• Lionel Messi Injury: Argentina Boss Reveals Next Steps As World Cup Roster Looms

This article was originally published on www.si.com as MLS Power Rankings: Timo Werner’s San Jose Dominate as LAFC Continue Slide in Matchday 8 .

For the third time in the 2026 season, a match surpassed 70,000 supporters, as Inter Miami defeated the Colorado Rapids 3–2 at Empower Field at Mile High, the home of the NFL’s Denver Broncos, on Matchday 8. 

The match, which saw Lionel Messi score a brace and set up another goal, clocked in with an attendance of 75,824 fans, ranking second in all-time MLS matches, only behind a 2023 Independence Day El Tráfico Derby between the LA Galaxy and LAFC at Pasadena, California’s famed Rose Bowl. 

It also marked the highest attendance for any game featuring Inter Miami or Messi and the highest without LAFC on show, surpassing the 75,673 that were on hand at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for LAFC’s 3–0 win over Inter Miami to open the 2026 MLS regular season. 

Outside of the LAFC and Colorado clashes, Inter Miami also played in front of a crowd of 72,026 in the 2026 season, defeating D.C. United at the home of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens. With those three matches, Inter Miami reached a historic mark as the first MLS team to play in front of more than 71,000 fans at least three times in a single MLS campaign. 

While MLS teams have drawn significant numbers in recent years, the addition of Messi in the summer of 2023 has only boosted attendance, as well as the controversial moves many clubs have taken to depart their soccer-specific stadiums for nearby NFL behemoths for matches featuring the diminutive Argentine. 

Such attendances dwarf the numbers in Inter Miami’s home venue. Nu Stadium, opened in April 2026, has a capacity of 26,700.

When it comes to the MLS Cup playoffs, Atlanta United holds the top three most-attended games, with crowds of over 73,000 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the 2018 postseason, and the fourth-ranked game is the Seattle Sounders’ 69,274 fans at the 2019 MLS Cup, where they knocked off Toronto FC for the title. 

Yet, things are far from done. With the ever increasing number of stars and the expected boost of soccer popularity in the wake of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, there is a chance that more records are toppled in the near future.

Top 10 Regular Season Attendances in MLS History

READ THE LATEST MLS NEWS, TRANSFER RUMORS AND GOSSIP

• The Greatest Soccer No. 9s of All Time—Ranked
• Uruguay 2026 World Cup Roster Confirmed: Full List of Players, Luis Suarez Pleas Ignored
• Lionel Messi Chasing 64 Years of History After World Cup Call-Up
• The 30 Most Valuable Soccer Teams in 2026—Ranked
• Lionel Messi Injury: Argentina Boss Reveals Next Steps As World Cup Roster Looms

This article was originally published on www.si.com as The Top 10 Attendances in MLS History: Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami a Major Draw.

Taking to the pitch at Empower Field at Mile High, Miami were playing in front of the most fans in club history, with the official attendance of 75,824 ranking as the second-highest in MLS regular-season history—outshining the 75,673 that attended the season-opening loss to LAFC. 

And those fans weren’t left without entertainment, as the Herons made the most of their early chances and Messi scored a brace, while the Rapids put on an inspiring second-half performance, before the loss. 

Pressing the Rapids’ backline aggressively, Miami earned a penalty kick after Yannick Bright fell to the ground following a collision with Colorado’s Josh Atencio. Messi then scored the 905th goal of his career for the 1–0 lead from the penalty spot in the 18th minute. 

Even as the Paxten Aaronson Rapids controlled the game in the moments after, they fell victim several times to Miami’s press, often featuring a trio to isolate the Rapids’ ball carrier. In the 45th minute, the setup led to Telasco Segovia forcing the ball away from a Rapids defender, before Messi set up Mateo Silvetti for a cross and a headed finish from Germán Berterame.

GERMÁN. BERTERAME.

Two goals in two games for the @InterMiamiCF man. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/P82QIfXKFc

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 18, 2026

Once again, the aggressive approach paid off for the Herons, and the direct goal from Berterame marked his second in as many games, as he hit a run of form after nine straight games across all competitions without a goal. 

The Rapids didn’t go away easily, though, taking advantage of Miami’s defensive missteps, as the South Florida side pushed ahead, leaving players out of position and exposed for a skillful Rapids attack to take advantage. 

Colorado made it 2–1 through a nifty dribble from Rafael Navarro in the 58th minute, before an over-the-top pass to Darren Yapi sliced Miami’s midfield and defense for the 2–2 marker in the 62nd minute. 

MESSI MAGIC AT MILE HIGH! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/cJaO56dDhI

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 18, 2026

Yet, as has become the case so often for the Herons, Messi had to step up to save an otherwise underwhelming effort, as the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner scored a solo effort and skillful, side-footed finish from distance to put his team up 3–2 in the final 10 minutes, securing the three points, but not before Bright picked up a red card in the 87th minute. 

While the victory brought an end to Miami’s winless streak, it wasn’t an incredibly impressive team performance, once again relying on one of the best players of all time to avoid another disheartening finish.  

Here is Sports Illustrated’s breakdown of the match, featuring report card grades for each Inter Miami player who saw the pitch.

Inter Miami Report Card vs. Colorado Rapids (4-2-3-1)

GK: Dayne St. Clair—D: The Canadian backstop has not lived up to the standards he set with Minnesota United last season, but has been left out to dry several times. Despite making two stops, he was unable to find heroic moments with struggling center backs.

RB: Gonzalo Luján—C: Luján got the opportunity to start ahead of Ian Fray at right back and offered a calmer defensive approach, controlling the pressure from Colorado’s Georgi Minoungou.

CB: Maxi Falcón—F: Falcón’s positional awareness against counter attacks continued to plague his abilities as a physical defender, after he was caught out of position by a large margin on both of Colorado’s goals. At the same time, soft passes back to St. Clair were nearly picked off by the Rapids several times.

CB: Micael—F: After a positive first half, the Brazilian defender had an atrocious showing in the second half, first side-stepped around after diving in to defend Navarro on the Rapids’ first goal, before being caught in no man’s land on the second goal.

LB: Facundo Mura—C-: Miami were caught with an extremely narrow approach, leaving Mura out of the key moments for most of the match, and the 27-year-old was unable to combine with Segovia up the left side.

CDM: Rodrigo De Paul—C: Another game, another step further off the Argentina roster, one could guess. Rodrigo De Paul could be seen trying to organize defenders around him, but failed to adjust his approach to Colorado’s second half direct attacks.

CDM: Yannick Bright—D: Yannick Bright had a standout showing in the first half, drawing the penalty and hopping up in the attack when Miami held possession. The second half, however, saw him drawn into a narrow setup, unable to defend against Colorado's second marker, and he earned a red card in the 87th minute, canceling out most of his positives.

RM: Mateo Silvetti—C-: Silvetti looked to be in immense pain after pulling up on his leg before leaving the match in the 70th minute. The young Argentine is one of the few Herons players who thinks the game at a similar level to Messi, and that familiarity played a key role in the anticipation for the assist on the opening goal.

CM: Lionel Messi—A+-: Messi is solely responsible for this result for Miami, scoring the first goal from the penalty spot, making the key pass to Silvetti on the second goal, before scoring a world-class solo effort in the 79th minute to put his team ahead. He might be in the twilight of his career, but the Argentine remains a stunning difference-maker.

LM: Telasco Segovia—D: It takes quite an effort to put in as underwhelming a performance as Telasco Segovia. Often a key offensive driver down the wing, he amassed just 35 touches and was never involved in any key moments outside of giving up a free kick in the late stages and earning a yellow card.

ST: Germán Berterame—A: This is the Germán Berterame so many were waiting for. While Miami struggled with a narrow approach as they often have this season, the key moment where Silvetti brought the ball wide and sent in a floating cross for the Mexico international to finish signified the type of chances he can thrive on.

SUB: Noah Allen—D: The young defender did little to convince Hoyos of a starting role in the new setup after entering the game in the 70th minute, despite Miami not allowing any goals after his introduction.

SUB: Dániel Pintér—C: The 18-year-old winger jumped into a right back role and didn't look incredibly out of position, but failed to make any substantial contribution.

SUB: Alexander Shaw—N/A: Shaw entered the match in the 90th minute and helped the Herons see out the lead.

SUB: César Abadia-Reda—N/A: Abadia-Reda entered the match in the 90th minute and helped the Herons see out the lead.

Subs not used: Rocco Ríos Novo (GK), Ian Fray, David Ruiz, Luis Suárez, Tadeo Allende.

Winners and Losers

Winner: Germán Berterame

Reports emerged earlier in the week that Mascherano was not keen on the club’s move to bring in Berterame ahead of the 2026 season. Instead, that decision was made higher up, by Hoyos in his role as sporting director.

Throughout the first half in particular, it was clear that Miami had re-adjusted how they were going to supply the former Liga MX star with chances, and it paid off with his second goal in as many games.

Loser: Maxi Falcón

Since the start of the 2025 season, Maxi Falcón has been one of the most regular starters for Inter Miami. While his lack of speed has been an issue in the past, this season has seen him struggle tactically, no more so than in the second half on Saturday.

In the image above, he can be seen pushing significantly up the field, leaving his side exposed to a simple ball over the top, which eventually led to the second goal. Those struggles, combined with his evident frustrations, could cost Miami a similar result on another day.

What’s Next For Inter Miami?

With the win, Miami are now up and running in their post-Mascherano era and will hold onto at least third place in the Eastern Conference by the time the weekend comes to a close.

Yet, they won’t have much practice time just yet with Hoyos at the helm, given the demands of the pre-World Cup MLS schedule, which sees them take on Real Salt Lake on Wednesday in Utah before returning to Nu Stadium to host the New England Revolution on Saturday, April 25.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Grading Inter Miami's Important Win Over Colorado Rapids in Front of Historic Crowd .