What’s up everyone,

Wow, what a week of footy. So much to go over. But first, congrats to CammieBuckeye for winning the Copa America bracket challenge! Woohoo, go Cammie 👊

• ⏯️ Match Day 26 Recap

• 😞 Copa America Disaster

• 🇺🇸 USMNT Head Coach Candidates

• ⚽️ Goal of the Week

• 😂 Meme of the Week

Match Day 26 Recap

So many Shield race upsets — let’s chat through it.

Charlotte Win Big

This might’ve been the biggest win in Charlotte FC’s short history. On the road, against the Supporter’s Shield leaders. So impressive. Ashley Westwood assisted on all 3 goals. Their defense has given up only 24 goals this season, second in the league to the Crew’s 19. With 10 wins they’ve already matched their 2023 total and have almost for sure locked in a playoff spot.

FC Dallas Creeping Up the Table

Dallas beat the Galaxy 2-0 on Saturday night for another Shield race upset. Musa has 8 goals in the last 7 games and looks to be the DP Dallas gave up record money for. I’m not convinced this team has it really figured out yet but they’re 4 points outside of a playoff spot.

It’s doubtful the Galaxy win the Supporter’s Shield at this point. Next up is two massive Western Conference matchups this week with Colorado and Portland.

Portland Slay Salt Lake

Keeping the theme going. Portland beat Real Salt lake 3-0 to get their 5th win in their last 6 games. They’re tied for the lead in the West for goals (48) but also are 4th worst in goals allowed (39). The leaky defense will have to improve come playoff time.

Salt Lake get lucky that the other Shield contenders also face-planted this week.

The Crew Wallop LAFC

The Crew were the only Supporter’s Shield contender to show up this week and oh boy did they show up. A 5-1 hammering on the road. I don’t think I’ve ever heard BMO Stadium that silent. It was the biggest home loss in their history. We said last week that Cincinnati was the bell of the ball in MLS. Can we change our minds? The Crew have scored 20 goals in the last 5 matches and now look poised to make a run at the Shield.

LAFC’s 10 game unbeaten run ends and now they play Salt Lake and Seattle before League’s Cup action starts.

Copa Madness

Argentina beat Colombia 1-0 in extra time to win their second straight continental cup but unfortunately the football is not the story here. You probably saw the scenes on social media. The tournament culminated in disaster. Complete incompetence from everyone involved. There was more than just the final game, the whole tournament seemed like it was put on by amateurs.

Here’s what went wrong leading up to the final:

• It started with the field conditions. Numerous players from every team voiced their concerns, blaming several tournament injuries on the grass laid just three days before the games.

• Overpriced tickets that left stadiums with plenty of open seats

• The field size was far smaller than a typical soccer pitch.

• Uruguayan players fighting fans after they threatened their families

• Outspoken coaches (Bielsa, Marsch) voiced frustration and disappointment.

And then Sunday, when all hell broke loose before the Final.

• Fans getting crushed into the gates while trying to enter

• Fans breaking into the stadium through air vents

• Fans broke an escalator

• Fans bringing in bottles of tequila

• Some fans paid thousands of dollars for tickets but weren’t able to get in after the stadium reached capacity with fans who rushed in without a ticket

• The Head of the Colombian Football Federation and his son, a VP of CONMEBOL were both arrested after an altercation

This game should have been postponed. The safety of fans and players families was in jeopardy from the beginning. Some of you might be old enough to remember the 1989 Hillsborough Disaster that took the lives of 97 people. It looked like this could have escalated into something similar.

The US Soccer Federation and CONCACAF are not responsible for Copa America — it’s entirely organized by CONMEBOL. But that’s not going to stop people from thinking our country is not prepared to host the World Cup in two years.

What was supposed to be a showcase for American hospitality and organizational prowess turned into a glaring example of how not to host a major international tournament.

USMNT Coaching Candidates

Gregg was fired after a disappointing Copa America so we need a head coach to lead us into the biggest soccer event in our country’s history.

It’s not a perfect job given an unorganized and unambitious group in charge of US Soccer. Jesse Marsch said, “Unless there’s a big shift in the organization I don’t think I’ll have any interest in that job in the future”. Jurgen Klopp politely declined our initial contact, so it’s time we get serious and only go after real potential candidates.

Here are some options:

Steve Cherundolo - The current LAFC manager, and most likely pick. He was asked about it and sheepishly answered. If he’s offered it, there’s no way he’s turning it down.

Herve Renard - Herve is what you call a National team specialist having managed 7 different countries. He’s an intense leader who gets teams to punch above their weight class.

Luis De La Fuente - He just won the Euros with Spain! After the tournament, his agent reportedly expressed interest in the US job. If true, you hand him a blank check.

Mauricio Pochetino -Reports that he is a candidate have fired up USMNT fans. This one seems unlikely but the Argentine has an excellent track record with young players and just left the helm at Chelsea so he’s available.

Gareth Southgate - Some call him the Berhalter of Europe but let’s be honest he’s much better than that. He would instantly be a massive upgrade.

Wilfried Nancy - Nancy would be a tremendous hire. Have you not watched the Crew over the last two years? His style isn’t designed for tournament play but he’d be awesome.

Goal of the Week

Take a bow, Cucho

Meme of the Week

The comments on US Soccer’s Instagram post after Gregg was fired are all time.

Quick Hits

• Lionel Messi’s ankle injury doesn’t look great 😬 (Link)

• Cavan Sullivan will be in the first team match day squad against the Revolution (Link)

• Chicho Arango suspended 4 games for violating anti-harassment policy (Link)

• Tim Howard joins ownership group of Houston Dynamo (Link)

• Steve Birnbaum retires from MLS (Link)

• River Plate CB Hector Martinez reaches agreement with Inter Miami (Link)

Enjoy the games this week, see you soon!