How we doing folks?

Another week delivering our country’s soccer updates to your inbox in a 5-minute read. Please do enjoy :)

• 2️⃣ 5️⃣ MLS Match Day 25

• 🇺🇸 Americans Abroad

• ➡️ Summer Transfer Moves

• 🐍 The Union Top the Shield Race

• ⚽️ Goal of the Week

• 😂 Meme of the Week

MLS Match Day 25 Recap

Leagues Cup started yesterday. Here’s a breakdown of the new format featuring 18 MLS teams and all 18 Liga MX teams. MLS will take a break this weekend for the group stage of this tournament. Here’s what took place in league play last weekend:

Orlando City were down 1-0 on the road in the 76th minute against the Columbus Crew and won the game 3-1. Ramiro Enrique subbed on for Luis Muriel and scored two goals (one, two)to take the lead. Martin Ojeda put the finishing touches with his 96th-minute goal off a nice assist from Alex Freeman. Ojeda has a goal contribution in 10 straight games, extending his club record. Orlando is the first team to beat Columbus at Lower dot com Field this year.

Austin FC beat DC United 4-2 to go 4W-1D-1L in their last 6 league matches. Osman Bukari and Owen Wolf each tallied a goal and an assist. Bukari’s goal was one of Austin’s best team goals of the season. With one of the league’s easiest remaining schedules and with two games in hand on several teams behind them, I expect them to make the playoffs in the West. On the other hand, DC United supporters were chanting “Sell the team”. It’s been bad in the capital.

Charlotte FC is the hottest team in MLS. They beat Toronto 2-0 for their 4th straight win on Saturday. Idan Toklomati scored his 6th goal of the season, matching Patrick Agyemang’s total in 237 fewer minutes. It seems like selling big Pat was absolutely the right move.

NYCFC beat FC Dallas in a thrilling 4-3 road win. Alonso Martinez’s hat trick was the difference. It was a must-win for the Pigeons, who play Columbus, Nashville, and Cincinnati in their next three league games. Their remaining schedule also includes Charlotte, Miami, Philadelphia, and Seattle. It will be no easy task to make the playoffs in the East.

Americans Abroad

The USMNT dropped to No. 5 in the latest global rankings of CONCACAF teams. After a tough Summer of friendlies and competitions, the boys are back across the pond for preseason. Here’s what’s happened recently:

Christian Pulisic grabbed an assist against Liverpool, with this tantalizing ball to Rafael Leao.

Cavan Sullivan, America’s 15-year-old phenom, scored his first goal for future club Manchester City in his first appearance in only 16 minutes of play. He joined Man City’s U-21 side for a summer training camp before returning to the Union until he is 18.

Tim Weah is pushing for a move to Olympique Marseille, but negotiations with Juventus have stalled. Marseille matched Nottingham Forest’s €15M offer, but Juventus are now demanding €20M, frustrating both the French club and Weah, who is eager to join OM.

Noahkai Banks has 3 assists in preseason, as a center back! The 18-year-old had 8 appearances for FC Augsburg in the Bundesliga last season, and looks to make a big leap this year. His ball-playing ability may already be better than anyone else in our center back pool. His progress will be exciting to watch this season.

Damion Downs scored a beauty in his debut for English side Southampton. Downs is brimming with potential, so hopefully Southampton is the spot to develop this goalscorer. Great to see Poch in the bleachers watching his debut as well.

Summer Transfer Moves

The transfer market is heating up.

The Vancouver Whitecaps have finalized a deal to sign German and Bayern Munich legend Thomas Muller. The Whitecaps have agreed in principle to acquire his discovery rights from FC Cincinnati for around $400k in GAM. Cincy made him an offer earlier this summer, but couldn’t use a DP spot on him, so he preferred to go elsewhere where he could make more money. Muller will be a DP for Vancouver in 2026. The organizational turnaround that’s happened in Vancouver over the past six months has been nothing short of extraordinary.

Scottish defender Ryan Porteous has found a new home in LAFC, with English side Watford selling him for around £850,000($1.1 million). He’s a strong ball-playing center back known for his tough tackles and strength in the air. The 26-year-old Scottish fan favorite should immediately boost LAFC’s back line.

And LAFC does not seem to be done. They’re in advanced talks to sign Son Heung-min from Tottenham. The South Korean star is in the last year of his contract and is reportedly open to the move. Nothing is imminent as he’s contractually obligated to play in their preseason Asia tour, but a move late in the window is possible. Saudi clubs are also keen on signing him.

The Columbus Crew have found their Cucho Hernandez replacement. Palestinian striker Wessam Abou Ali will join the Crew from Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly for $7.5M with up to $1M in add-ons. The 26-year-old produced 38 goals and 10 assists for Al Ahly while winning four titles for Africa’s biggest club. He’ll be a designated player. Just last month, he scored a hat trick at the Club World Cup against FC Porto. If Wilfried Nancy wanted this guy, I expect him to be good.

The Union Top the Shield Race

With their 3-1 win over the Colorado Rapids, the Philadelphia Union became the first team to reach 50 points this season. They also leapfrogged FC Cincinnati in the Shield standings after Cincy tied Inter Miami 0-0. They’re also on track to beat their 2022 team, which scored the most points in club history.

On Saturday night, they peppered Zach Steffen with 30 shots compared to just 5 from the Rapids. Steffen was fantastic, making 8 saves, but wasn’t able to hold off the onslaught in the second half. Mikael Uhre had a brace, and Tai Baribo scored his 15th of the season. The Union had 4.8 expected goals to the Rapid’s 1. It was a clinical performance.

It’s been a remarkable season in Chester, Pennsylvania. Their +19 goal differential is the best in MLS. They’ve proved everyone wrong, including us, who thought they would struggle this year. Bradley Carnell replaced a legend and inherited a team that missed the playoffs for the first time in 7 seasons. In his first season, he’s defied expectations and gotten significant contributions from several different players. The Union remain a shining example of one of the best organizations in sports.

They’ll play Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday in a friendly while the league takes a weekend off for the Leagues Cup. They have two back-to-back road games coming up against Cincinnati and Vancouver. Those will likely decide the Shield winner.

Goal of the Week

Miranchuk rescues an important point with this beauty.

Meme of the Week

After being completely dropped from the lineup last week, Lucho Acosta didn’t start again this past weekend. The team at Third Degree reported that Lucho and teammate Pedrinho broke the team curfew rules on their trip to LA earlier this month. Someone’s in the dog house.

Quick Hits

• Every penalty from England’s UEFA Women’s Euro Final win over Spain (Link)

• Vermont Green wins promotion to US Soccer’s third division (Link)

• The draw for the 2025 World Cup will take place on December 5th in Las Vegas (Link)

• MLS Matchday 25 Ankle Breakers (Link)

• CONCACAF Top 10 Club rankings (Link)

Please give us some hard-earned feedback below. We’d really appreciate it!

Max & Mason