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• 1️⃣ 8️⃣ MLS Match Day 18 Recap

• 🇺🇸 USMNT Gold Cup Prep

• 🏆️ MLS Mid-Season Awards

• 🇺🇸 Christian Pulisic’s Dad Snaps Back at Landon Donovan

• ⚽️ Goal of the Week

• 😂 Meme of the Week

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MLS Match Day 18 Recap

It was a light weekend with only 5 games. Here’s what went down.

The Vancouver Whitecaps got back to their winning ways with a 3-0 win over the Sounders. They did it while missing a ton of players as well. Seattle had two red cards in the second half, which made a comeback impossible. This is not the form you want to see from Seattle heading into the Club World Cup.

Austin FC beat Colorado 2-0, but Colorado outshot them 19 to 11 and had 3.7 expected goals to Austin’s 1.9. More brilliance from Brad Stuver. It was Austin’s first win in their last 9 games.

LAFC beat Sporting KC 3-1. This game unfolded as expected. LAFC is simply the better team. Denis Bounga had one goal and two assists, including a cherry on top for Olivier Giroud.

The Portland Timbers took care of business at home with a 2-1 win over St. Louis City. Antony was the difference maker once again. Watch this filthy solo goal to equalize the match. St. Louis City looks better under their new head coach, but they don’t have the talent to consistently win games like this.

The Chicago Fire throttled DC United 7-1 (all 7 goals here). They did that without DP #9 Hugo Cuypers, who was out with an injury. Seven different players assisted five different goal scorers, including a hat-trick from Tom Barlow. Chicago is now second in MLS behind Miami with 35 goals this season. Even a baby wanted to get in on the fun 🤣 

USMNT Gold Cup Prep

The USMNT played two friendlies in preparation for the Gold Cup on Sunday and unfortunately I there aren’t many positive things to say about this team right now. Here’s how the prep went down.

USMNT 1- 2 Turkey

The US pounced to a quick 1-0 lead in the first minute off the classic Jack McGlynn golazo. It’s not an overstatement to say he has one of the best left feet in all of world football. And for the first 20 minutes, the US largely controlled play and looked good. Then this happened. The disastrous mistake from Johnny Cardoso was followed up by a poor defensive clearance two minutes later, and just like that, the US were down. Pochettino became the first coach since Jurgen Klinsmann in 2015 to lose three games in a row.

Despite the loss, Pochettino was happy with the overall performance and thought his team played good enough to deserve a tie.

USMNT 0 - 4 Switzerland

This one was ugly. Pochettino rotated the entire squad except for two players, and we got walloped. It was a lazy, undisciplined, and an uninspired showing. Nearly the entire Swiss starting lineup hailed from the top five European leagues. They were simply more talented and showed it from the start with all four goals in the first 36 minutes.

I’m not sure what to expect in this tournament but if these friendlies are any indication we may be disappointed once again.

MLS Mid-Season Awards

We’re just past halfway through the season, so let’s take a look at where each conference stands.

MLS MVP - Brian White, Vancouver Whitecaps

The old, best player on the best team argument. But actually, he’s very deserving given the output he’s provided across a difficult schedule in multiple competitions.

Newcomer of the Year - Anders Dreyer, San Diego FC

Anders Dreyer is exactly what you want in a DP signing for an expansion club. A player who works hard on both sides of the ball and leads by example. The winger is second in MLS in goal contributions behind Messi and

Young Player of the Year - Alex Freeman, Orlando City

Sure, Quinn Sullivan could win it. Diego Luna could win it again. But the 20-year-old right back has burst onto the scene this year to become one of the most promising young players in MLS. He leads all young players in the league in open play chances created… as a defender.

Defender of the Year - Michael Boxall, Minnesota United

The anchor behind the league’s third stingiest defense, with only 16 goals conceded, deserves more recognition. The Loons have also utilized his dangerous long throw all season to create extra set pieces. It’s time we start talking about the veteran defender as one of the best center backs in MLS.

Goalkeeper of the Year - Zack Steffen, Colorado Rapids

If it weren’t for Steffen, the Rapids would be far lower in the table. He has the best underlying numbers league as well. But now he’s out for 4-6 weeks after sustaining a knee injury at USMNT camp. His surgery was successful, but his absence may hurt his chances at this award by the end of the year.

Coach of the Year - Jesper Sorenson, Vancouver Whitecaps

The first-year skipper led this team through a gauntlet of Liga MX powerhouses to get to the CCC final. All while maintaining a record-breaking regular season pace. Oh, and it’s mostly been without Ryan Gauld. If this continues, he’ll easily have this award wrapped up by year’s end.

Christian Pulisic’s Dad Claps Back

We have another snafu involving the father of a prominent USMNT. Ugh.

On Sunday, as part of the broadcast crew for the UEFA Nations League final, Landon Donovan took the time to compare the passion of Portugal’s players with the US.

As he watched an emotional Cristiano Ronaldo celebrate, he said, “This is what it means to represent your country. If you don’t want to take this — as a professional soccer player, as someone who gets the opportunity to wear that jersey — seriously and responsibly, then don’t come in. Ronaldo’s 40 years old. He’s played a long-ass season. He’s tired and was out there grinding and hurt himself in the process. And I can’t help but think about some of our guys who are on vacation right now, not wanting to play in the Gold Cup. It pisses me off.”

The remarks were obviously directed at Christian Pulisic. And so Christian’s dad took to Instagram with the post below, which Christian liked.

It’s hypocritical coming from Donovan, who took a sabbatical of his own when he needed a break after playing a ton of soccer. I can understand both sides of this argument. How could our best player not play in a big tournament a year before the World Cup? But also, a player who has logged so many minutes needs a break, a year before the World Cup. Either way, I wish the family members wouldn’t get involved. It makes it all seem so childish.

Goal of the Week

Another lower league blast for you.

Meme of the Week

Put him in the game!

Quick Hits

• Napoli are closing in on signing USMNT midfielder Yunus Musah (Link)

• CONCACAF rejected Greenland’s application to join the federation (Link)

• Lyon verbally agreed to sign USMNT GK Matt Turner (Link)

• FIFA slashes Club World Cup ticket prices (Link)

Thanks again for reading. See you next week 👋 

Max & Mason