What’s up lovelies,

Max here. It’s been hotter than the devils armpit in NYC. Thankfully, I’m headed back to California for the weekend. Hope you’re staying cool wherever you are. Let’s get to the footy.

• 🏆️ Leagues Cup Update

• 🇺🇸 USMNT Ousted at Olympics

• 📈 MLS Teams Loading Up

• 🇺🇸 USWNT Playing for Gold

• ⚽️ Goal of the Week

• 😂 Meme of the Week

Leagues Cup Round of 32

Leagues Cup Round of 32 starts today. It’s comprised of 21 MLS teams and 11 Liga MX teams. MLS squads won 11 of the 15 groups.

Some highlights from the past week:

The most impressive group stage performance was from Austin FC. They beat both Pumas and Monterrey. For a team that’s been out of form in MLS play, it’s a statement to beat two of the best teams in the continent. Next up is familiar foe LAFC who just added Olivier Giroud. Will he debut?

The biggest surprise was Liga MX giants Monterrey and Chivas being eliminated before the knockout round. Monterrey missed 3 PKs against Pumas to end their Leagues Cup hopes. And now they’ve sacked their manager. I guess Liga MX does take Leagues Cup seriously.

Biggest comeback goes to FC Cincinnati. Who else? They were down 2-0 in the 78th minute and scored 4 goals in 10 minutes to beat NYCFC and top the group. NYCFC even tweeted “They didn’t stand a chance” after going up 2-0. So embarrassing. They’ll have a chance to redeem themselves as they’re still moving on.

Oh… and the best pass goes to Riqui Puig. It seems like he makes this type of pass on a weekly bases.

USMNT Ousted at Olympics

The USMNT’s U-23 squad was beaten 4-0 by Morocco on Friday in the quarterfinals to end their Olympic dreams. It was a disappointing ending for a team that had a good chance to win the first medal in modern US men’s soccer history.

We had one shot on goal and gave up two penalties to a Moroccan team that was clearly more talented than us. The defense was leaky, giving up an easy goal to PSG man Achraf Hakimi. The offense lacked intent and didn’t have a goalscoring threat that worried Morocco in the slightest.

The talent gap was the biggest difference though. Here is the cumulative transfer market value of the two squads:

• Morocco - £165M (Led by Achraf Hakimi at £60M)

• USA - £81M (Led by Kevin Paredes at £7.5M)

Yes, there are good things to harp on. This was our first Olympics since 2008 and the first time getting out of the group stage since 2000. And to be fair this wasn’t our best U-23 squad. Players like Gio Reyna and Yunus Musah who are already first-team stalwarts were not included. So it wasn’t all bad.

But ultimately the two-tournament summer left us with so much to be desired from the USMNT. Change is coming with a new first-team manager. We have to get that right.

MLS Squads Loading Up

Look…a league is only as good as the players that play in it. That’s obvious but bears being repeated. So when we see MLS teams loading up on talent to make a run at trophies, our little hearts warm up.

And we’re seeing that lately.

We knew Olivier Giroud was coming to LA to spearhead an already loaded attack. And now serious reports indicate that LAFC are in active talks to acquire Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid. WOW. It’s like the French National team is confusing LA with Paris.

But it’s not only LAFC. Real Salt Lake just bolstered their midfield with DP signing Diego Goncalves from FC Copenhagen for $3M. Adding a new DP attacker to join MVP front-runner Chicho Arango was their biggest priority. A win-now move that makes them a serious Shield and Cup threat.

This is the ambition we need from every MLS club. Man, we can’t wait for season play to start back up.

USWNT Cruising

Once again our women's team is our only hope for an Olympic medal in soccer.

USA vs Japan(Quarterfinal)

We faced a top Japanese side and barely snuck out with a win. Japan played extremely defensive, lining up in a 5-2-3 formation with a mere 28% possession. Trinity Rodman hit a left-footed curling banger to win it in extra time, 1-0. Rodman now has 3 goals in 4 games at the Olympics and looks like the top winger in the tournament.

USA vs Germany(Semifinal)

This game was another extra-time thriller that had everyone sweating. The US was once again able to pull out a narrow victory, with Sophia Smith putting away a perfect thru ball from Mallory Swanson. With less than 2 minutes left in extra time, goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher had an incredible last-second foot save to keep our ladies on top.

We take on Brazil in the Gold Medal Final on Saturday.

Bring it home, ladies!!!

Goal of the Week

Are you kidding me??

Meme of the Week

No comment.

Quick Hits

• Liverpool vs Manchester United broke the record for most attended soccer match in the Carolinas with 77,559 (Link)

• Charlotte FC finalizing a deal to sign Tim Ream from Fulham (Link)

• New England Revolution acquire Tim Parker from St. Louis City (Link)

• New England Revolution agree to club-record signing for Argentine winger Luca Langoni (Link)

Let’s chat again next week ✌️