Headlines:

• MLS is exploring a new playoff format for the 2027-28 season according to The Guardian. 20 teams, double-elimination bracket, and no more conferences. More on that in Thursday’s Soccerwise episode.
  

  

  
  

• Is there a homecoming on the horizon? The Philadelphia Union are working on a deal to bring USMNT center back Mark McKenzie to the club, with the two sides finalizing terms for a January return.

• Long reported by Tom Bogert, but now it’s official: Real Salt Lake’s American 19-year-old star Zavier Gozo was announced as Crystal Palace player on Tuesday.

• FIFA announced the 2027 Women’s World Cup match schedule on Thursday. The legendary Maracanã Stadium will host the final on July 25.

• In case you missed it, Sporting Kansas City acquired Brazilian winger André Luiz from Olympiacos. The $18 million transfer fee makes it one of the most expensive incoming transfers in MLS history.

• Celtic and Auston Trusty are one step closer to Champions League qualification after a 3-0 win over LASK in the first leg of the qualifying playoffs.

• The U-20 Women’s World Cup kicks off next month in Poland, and on Wednesday the U.S. announced their squad, which includes eight NWSL players.

• On Thursday afternoon, the National Soccer Hall of Fame released their finalists for the Class of 2027, some familiar MLS & USMNT names are on the shortlist: Jozy Altidore, Kyle Beckerman, Michael Bradley, Jermaine Jones & Graham Zusi.

Midweek Recap:

• In a top-of-the table clash, the Houston Dynamo jumped the Vancouver Whitecaps to go top of the West by a point with a 1-0 win. The Dynamo are now just the 3rd team in MLS history to record five straight shutout victories.
  

• It was cinema and scenes in Philadelphia, a 102nd-minute brawl saw both Cavan Sullivan and Yannick Bright sent off as the Union and Miami shared the points in a 2-2 draw. 18-year-old 6’7 centerback Neil Pierre just keeps shining with an equalizer—his third goal in five games for the Union.
  

• The sweet sounds grew louder in the Music City with Nashville leaving it late to grab a 1-0 win on the road against the New York Red Bulls. They are now seven points clear of Miami in the Supporters Shield race.

Story of the Week: Americans Across the Pond

The MLS season is in full swing, but things are just getting started for some of the biggest European leagues. We’ve got you covered when it comes to keeping tabs on your favorite Americans across the pond. 

England: The Premier League kicks off today, but USMNT fans will be looking to Saturday’s action where Chris Richards will lead the backline for Crystal Palace and Zavier Gozo will hope to debut against Everton. Meanwhile Brenden Aaronson, who closed out an impressive preseason with a goal against Manchester United, will travel to face Nottingham Forest. On Sunday, Tyler Adams and Bournemouth face a stiff test against Manchester City before Antonee Robinson and Fulham play host to Chelsea on Monday Night Football.

Italy: Serie A also kicks off with Christian Pulisic back in training, but reports say he’s not quite ready for AC Milan’s opening match against Torino on Sunday. Pulisic’s teammate Yunus Musah will hope Milan’s new system affords him a revival at wingback. Weston McKennie scored in Juventus’ final preseason friendly and his squad faces newly-promoted Frosinone to begin the campaign on Sunday. 21-year-old Benjamin Cremaschi looks to cement his role with Parma against Cagliari. 

France: Folarin Balogun has been linked to some big Premier League clubs, but his current club Monaco opens the Ligue 1 season against Le Havre on Sunday. Newly-minted Marseille team captain Tim Weah’s side opens up against Gio Reyna’s Strasbourg today, while Tanner Tessmann and Lyon are set to do battle with his USMNT compatriot Mark McKenzie and Toulouse on Saturday.

For more on Yanks Abroad, check out this week’s U.S. Soccerwise with David Gass and our newest addition to the Kickback family, Brian Dunseth, as they chat about USMNT players to watch in Europe, including Folarin Balogun, the boys at Middlesbrough, Alex Freeman, Gio Reyna, and more.

Matches to Watch:

New England vs. New York City FC, MLS (Aug. 23, 4:30 pm ET, Apple TV): NYCFC hopes to bounce back after a tough midweek loss to Cincinnati and keep pace in the East. New England looks to keep climbing, with the top three in the East in sight after a stellar midweek performance behind an Alhassan Yusuf hat trick and three assists from new signing Jack Harrison, who is set to face his former club.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. FC Dallas, MLS (Aug. 22, 9:30 pm ET, Apple TV): Can anyone stop Petar Musa? The Golden Boot chase is on and Dallas and “The Moose” have a chance to vault into the top four on Saturday when they make a visit to BC Place. The Whitecaps need to keep pace in the West, as they hope to turn their fortunes around at home and regain their first-half form.

San Diego Wave FC vs. Utah Royals FC, NWSL (Aug. 21, 10:00 pm ET, Amazon Prime): For the sickos, some NWSL After Dark action might be in store. The surprise team of 2026, the Utah Royals, visit the San Diego Wave in a top-five battle. No. 3 Utah holds a slim three-point lead over No. 5 San Diego, and a win by either team would shake up the standings once again.

Goal of the Week:

Fancy footwork from Kristoffer Velde and a beautiful finish from David Da Costa seals the win for the Timbers.

Quick Links, Kickback:

Soccerwise: David Gass, Tom Bogert, and Matt Doyle have you covered on all this weekend’s MLS action!

First Touch: Kickback’s global soccer platform got bigger this week First Touch Weekly, the best audio coverage in twenty minutes of the global game. This week, the Rise and Fall of Gianni Infantino.

Tom Bogert, The Athletic: No one better to keep you up-to-date on all of the silly season news from MLS!

Tactics Free Zone: Matt Doyle is back, and going deep on every MLS match again. Plus, this week he has articles on Eastern & Western Conference teams transfer window needs.

Quick Links, Kickback Partners:

SixOneFive Soccer has you covered as Nashville SC extended its lead atop the Eastern Conference with a midweek win against the Red Bulls.

Sounder at Heart was there to see Seattle drop its eighth straight game midweek as they go deeper on the growing injury problem as well as the frustration with the roster situation.

Quick Links, Kickback Favorites:

Soccerwise’s David Gass joined The Ball is Round Montreal earlier this week to chat about all things CF Montreal and their newest addition of Alexis Sanchez.

Backheeled has you covered with a piece on San Diego’s rising young talent Manu Duah.

Finally, here’s what a playoff bracket might look like thanks to our friend Chris Ivey at SixOneFiveSoccer.