Hey friends,

It’s Max and Mason here as usual. Hope you’re week is going well. Here’s what we’ve got kicking around today…

• ⏯️ Match Day 30 Recap

• 🇺🇸 Yanks Abroad

• 🇺🇸 USMNT September Roster

• 🏆️ US Open Cup Final

• ⚽️ Goal of the Week

• 😂 Meme of the Week

Match Day 30 Recap

Miami have almost surely clinched the Shield. While plenty of others are still scratching and clawing for a playoff spot.

The Houston Dynamo beat LAFC 2-0 on the road? Uhh what? A massive statement win for the Orange. New DP signing Ezequiel Ponce scored his first MLS goal and new U22 initiative Lawrence Ennali added the second (then went down with an ACL tear 😢). Reliable finishers is exactly what this team needed. LAFC looked like the schedule congestion finally caught up to them. These two teams play again on Saturday in Houston.

Nothing has gone right this season in Nashville. Their 3-0 loss to Orlando was their 8th straight loss in MLS play. Ugly mistakes in the back and an inability to finish chances in the final third leave this team dead last in the East. Their xG was 2.08 while Orlando’s was 1.55. Soccer is a brutal game sometimes.

Portland outlasted rivals Seattle in a gutsy 1-0 match. An impressive win without Felipe Mora and Jonathan Rodriguez who were suspended. Portland have Colorado, LA Galaxy, and RSL up next. A tough stretch that will prove just how serious a threat this team is in the West.

Tai Baribo is on a freaking tear for Philadelphia. He scored a gorgeous one from outside the box for his 14th goal in the last 15 games. And all of a sudden Philly are revived after winning 3 of their last 4 in MLS play. The Red Bulls were the only team to be unbeaten at home until now.

After losing 4 straight FC Cincinnati desperately needed an easy win to get back on track and that’s exactly what they got. Luca Orellano scored his second goal from mid-field (watch below). Cincy are fighting with Columbus for the second spot in the east. Hell is Real is coming up next weekend 🍿 

Yanks Abroad

Antonee Robinson had another great assist to give Fulham their only goal. He’s one of the deadliest crossers in the world right now. He was also the top-rated left back in the EPL in August.

Cade Cowell won Liga MX Player of the Month in July with 3 goals in his last 5 games. The move to Mexico is doing wonders for his growth.

Christian Pulisic grabbed another assist over the weekend. Only Lautaro Martinez (30) and Rafael Leao (28) have been involved in more goals than Pulisic (27) since he made his debut with Milan last August.

Austin Trusty transferred to Celtic, leaving England’s top division for a team that plays in the Champions League every year. He’ll be playing alongside USMNT teammate Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Matt Turner made the move to Crystal Palace. He had fallen to #3 in the pecking order at Nottingham Forest and will now be the #2 at Palace. Hopefully, he’s able to get some minutes this season.

Johnny Cardoso gets a potential move to Tottenham in the English Premier League in one of the weirdest deals we’ve seen. They agreed to a pre-arranged fixed fee of $33M if and when the Spurs want to trigger it to sign Cardoso. A deal that’s similar to how MLS does discovery rights. It would be an incredible move for Cardoso, whose value has been increasing fast.

USMNT September Roster

The USMNT roster for the September International window is out. Let’s break it down for you.

It’s filled with a lot of usual suspects. Save for Weah, Adams, and CCV who are out with injuries and Antonee Robinson who deserves much needed rest there aren’t a lot of huge surprises left off.

One player who’s back on the squad is Aidan Morris. He’s impressed in his first 4 games in the Championship and scored what should have counted as his first goal for Middlesborough this weekend but was somehow an own goal.

Two Names getting their first senior call-up:

• Diego Kochen - The 18-year-old keeper for Barcelona B is a dual national who the US are trying to cap tie. He made his Barcelona first team debut last December in a friendly vs Club America. He’s highly regarded in Catalonia as a potential replacement for Marc Andre Ter Stergen.

• Marlon Fossey - The 25-year-old right-back plays for Standard Liege in the Belgian first division. The depth behind Sergino Dest continues to be explored.

Mikey Varas (future San Diego FC head coach) will serve as the interim until the Pochettino deal is finalized, which should be soon. We’ll play Canada this Saturday in Kansas City and New Zealand on Tuesday the 10th in Cincinnati.

US Open Cup Final

The US Open Cup Final is set. LAFC will host Sporting KC on September 25th.

Sporting KC took care of business against USL squad Indy Eleven, winning 2-0. Johnny Russell scored an absolute banger to open the scoring.

LAFC beat Seattle 1-0 on the road to extend their unbeaten streak against the Sounders to 10 games. Bouanga had the only goal from the penalty spot.

Sporting KC are seeking an MLS-record 5th US Open Cup title. LAFC are looking for their first in their second final of the year.

Goal of the Week

His second goal of the season from beyond mid-field. Just insane.

Meme of the Week

The Reddit meme makers were on fire this week. This one’s special 🤣 

Quick Hits

• Cucho Hernandez gets called up to the Colombian National Team (Link)

• Christian Benteke signs contract extension through 2025 (Link)

• New England Revolution loan Noel Buck to Southampton (Link)

• Apple TV lower prices of MLS Season Pass for the remainder of the year (Link)

See you next week 👋 

Max & Mason