Hey friends,

Lots to get to this week. Dive right in.

• 3️⃣ 0️⃣ MLS Match Day 30 Recap

• 🇺🇸 Yanks Abroad Update

• 🏔️ Paxton Aaronson’s Back in MLS

• 🇺🇸 USMNT September Friendlies Roster

• ⚽️ Goal of the Week

• 😂 Meme of the Week

MLS Match Day 30 Recap

Nashville SC got back on track with an emphatic 5-1 win over Orlando City. Just like it’s been all season, they were reliant on Sam Surridge and Hany Mukhtar, who each scored a brace. They overtook Orlando in the standings and are firmly back in the Shield race.

The Philadelphia Union jumped back into the Supporters’ Shield lead with their 4-0 win over Chicago. The Union had four different goal scorers, outshot the Fire 23-7, and probably should have won by more. They’re still in play for three trophies this season. We expect them to win at least one. Next up is a MASSIVE Eastern Conference showdown with Cincinnati. As for the Fire, they’re 0W-6L-2D this season against Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Miami, Columbus, and Nashville. They can’t beat good opponents.

There is no team hotter in MLS than Charlotte FC. They beat the New York Red Bulls 1-0 to win their 7th straight game, albeit a game which the Red Bulls had more expected goals, more possession, and more shots. It’s the second-longest single-season win streak in MLS since 2000. Their 15th win on the season is also a club record. They have 4 straight clean sheets, and the last 3 wins have all come without star DP, Pep Biel. It’s been an impressive run to say the least. Kerwin Vargas scored the game’s only goal to keep their streak alive. They’re still 7 points back on the Shield leaders, but they are firmly a contender in the East.

The Seattle Sounders trounced Sporting KC 5-2 with a heavily rotated squad, led by Danny Musovski’s first career hat trick. Their 4th goal was a gorgeous team goal. They’re three points clear of LAFC for the final home playoff spot, but LAFC have two games in hand. They play the LA Galaxy tonight in the Leagues Cup semi-final.

St. Louis City SC had points stolen from them in their 3-2 loss to Vancouver. In the 14th minute of stoppage time, a Whitecaps attacker tripped over himself in the box with a St. Louis City defender next to him. There was no call on the play, but the assistant referee recommended a check. The replay clearly shows the defender didn’t touch him, yet the referee’s VAR check determined a penalty. A ridiculous call. Thomas Müller then slotted home the penalty for his first MLS goal.

Americans Abroad

Haji Wright scored a brace, making that 3 goals in his last 2 games. Wright and Coventry City are flying with super Frank Lampard at the helm. Both Wright and Josh Sargent sit atop the English Championship in goals scored so far. The American Golden Boot battle is center stage in the English second division.

Gio Reyna officially joins Borussia Mönchengladbach of the Bundesliga for a fee of $7.5 million—a shock move after extensive negotiations with the Italian side Parma. He’ll join fellow USMNT teammate and best friend Joe Scally. It’s a great opportunity for Gio to get back into form. Borussia lacked that creative attacking playmaker last season, giving him an opportunity to make an immediate difference.

Tyler Adams highlights are some of our favorites. With the NFL in preseason, Tyler gave his best linebacker impression. In all seriousness, though, this tackle led to a massive Leeds goal and is exactly why Adams’ presence is so crucial in front of the back line.

Sergino Dest had another assist. Here’s his full highlight reel from the weekend. He now has 2 goals and 1 assist in 4 games this season. He’s back in his bag, and it’s amazing to see.

Antonee Robinson and Ricardo Pepi both returned from injury as substitutes over the weekend. They both should return to the starting lineups quickly as they acclimate to full health.

Aidan Morris had an assist for Middlesbrough and has back-to-back Player of the Match performances. Middlesbrough have 3 wins in 3 games to start the season, with Morris anchoring the midfield.

Josh Sargent scored again. That’s 4 goals in 4 games. Pochettino has definitely been watching.

Paxten Aaronson’s MLS Move

One of the most interesting moves in recent MLS and USMNT history happened last week. Paxten Aaronson, the newly minted 22-year-old, is returning to MLS and signing a five-year deal with the Colorado Rapids.

The Rapids paid a club record $7M transfer fee with $1M in add-ons to acquire the young attacker from Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt. Aaronson will be the face of the club and start a new era in Colorado.

It’s rare for an ascending young player like Aaronson to choose to come back to MLS after playing well in Europe. Because of this, USMNT fans on social media were in uproar over the move.

Aaronson was coming off an incredible season on loan with Eredivisie side FC Utrecht, where he was a finalist for Dutch league’s Young Player of the Year and racked up 9 goals and 6 assists. He was back with Eintracht Frankfurt this season and just scored a goal in their preseason game last week. Everything was lining up to continue his development at the highest level in Europe.

For a young player trying to break into the US squad on a more permanent basis, it’s tough to believe this was the right move. Although as you’ll read below, Pochettino sure doesn’t discredit MLS players. And neither should he. I just believe that Paxten’s most optimal development would happen in Germany. Let’s hope I’m wrong.

Paxten explains a bit of his decision-making here:

USMNT September Friendlies

Mauricio Pochettino released his roster for the USMNT’s two September friendlies this coming week. We’ll play South Korea on Saturday at Red Bull Arena and Japan on Tuesday in Columbus.

It’s an interesting squad to say the least. Out of the 22-man roster, 12 are MLS players. There are a plethora of surprising names left off the roster as well. Players who are fully fit but didn’t make the cut include Matt Turner, Weston McKennie, Joe Scally, Gio Reyna, Johnny Cardoso, Tanner Tessman, Yunus Musah, and Haji Wright. Three others that are nearing full fitness are Antonee Robinson, Ricardo Pepi, and Folarin Balogun.

I can’t say I agree with players like Triston Blackmon (watch this funny video of Thomas Müller leaking his call-up), Nathan Harriel, Sean Zawadzki, and Alex Zendejas being included over some of those others. This is the first of 4 training camps prior to the World Cup. It’s crunch time. Shouldn’t we have all of our best players together as much as possible over the next year?

Pochettino did say this camp is the last chance for players on the fringe to prove themselves. While I’m unsure if his approach is right, I’m excited to see which players take advantage.

Fun fact: This is Jonathan Klinsmann’s first senior team call-up. John and I played together for the Strikers Academy in high school. John now plays for Serie B side Cesena, and has been playing well lately. It’s awesome to see him get the opportunity!

Goal of the Week

First of many.

Meme of the Week

Audi Players of Matchday 🤣 

Quick Hits

• LAFC signs Romanian Winger Alexandru Băluță (Link)

• St. Louis City part ways with Sporting Director Lutz Pfannenstiel (Link)

• Some interesting MLS stat leaders (Link)

• Aerial view of NYCFC’s new stadium being built (Link)

• FC Cincinnati re-signs Brenner on loan (Link)

Let’s chat again next week. Thanks, everyone!

Max & Mason