Hey friends,

Big USMNT updates coming at you this week. And MLS play finally returns on Saturday. Never enough footy, is there? We’ve got you covered.

• 🏆️ Leagues Cup Update

• 🇺🇸 USMNT Hire Pochettino

• 🇺🇸 Yanks Abroad Update

• 🔙 MLS is Back

• ⚽️ Goal of the Week

• 😂 Meme of the Week

Leagues Cup Semifinals

Liga MX has been slayed. All four semifinalists are MLS clubs. This means that the three Concacaf Champions Cup spots left will go to three MLS teams, the top 3 finishers in this tournament. Here’s how the quarterfinals went:

Colorado 0 (9) - 0 (8) Club America

This one came down to the goalkeepers in a 10-round penalty shootout. Zack Steffen scored and Luis Malagon missed to send the Rapids through. They’ve beaten Club Leon, FC Juarez, Toluca, and now Club America. What a run it’s been.

They’ll be heavy underdogs tonight on the road against a red-hot LAFC squad but this team isn’t scared, they’ve embraced the underdog mentality.

Columbus Crew 1 (4) - 1 (3) NYCFC

Alonso Martinez scored 13 seconds in for the fastest goal in club history. But once again, you can just never count the Crew out. They’re so resilient. Cucho scored a header before the half and the Crew felt in control the rest of the way. New acquisition DeJuan Jones scored the final penalty to put them through.

Familiar foe Philadelphia is up next.

Philadelphia Union 1 (4) - 1 (3) Mazatlan

Yet another penalty shootout. Andrew Blake had two incredible saves in this one to send the Union to their second straight Leagues Cup semis. It was a vintage performance from Blake who had maybe the save of the tournament to stay level in the 86th minute.

Tai Baribo, the tournament’s leading scorer, received a red card late in the first half, making the game against the Crew that much harder.

LAFC 3 - 0 Seattle

LAFC cruised to victory on the road. Steve Cherundolo remains undefeated against Seattle in his time as LAFC skipper. LAFC have outscored opponents 9-1 in the knockout rounds. Hugo Lloris assisted Denis Bouanga to cap the night off. His second assist of the tournament.

These two teams will face off again in the US Open Cup semi-final on August 28th. Until then, LAFC will look to add another piece of hardware to their cabinet.

USMNT Hires Pochettino

You’ve already heard the news. We’ve got our man. Mauricio Pochettino is the next head coach of the USMNT. It’s a home run hire.

To the US Soccer Federation, we doubted you. And we shouldn’t have. Or… maybe after re-hiring Berhalter we had reason to doubt you. But anyway, enough about that. We’re moving on. It’s a new day for the USMNT and their 300M+ fans.

So who is he and what style of soccer will he bring us?

Above all, Poch is a culture builder. A man obsessed with building relationships with his players and staff. A passionate, empathetic, master motivator who has molded his players into gritty relentless soldiers for him. He plays an aggressive high-pressing style that demands his players to be in peak fitness (see photo below).

Just two weeks ago Tyler Adams said in an interview, “We need a coach that’s ruthless… willing to put everyone in their place.” That’s exactly what we’re getting.

His resume:

Espanyol 09’ - 12’ - Took over a team in relegation zone. The following year they finished 8th. Their 6th best finish since 1977.

Southampton 13’ - 14’ - They had their most points in a season since 1985. Poch worked with USMNT Sporting Director Matt Crocker so they have history from here.

Tottenham 14’ - 19’ - Five years is an eternity in the Premier League. He led them to 3 straight top 3 finishes. The first time they had finished top 3 in the PL era. Champions League finalists but no trophies won.

PSG 21’ - 22’ - Won the league and French Cup (How do you say “easy peazy in French?) His only major trophy as a manager.

Chelsea 23’ - 24’ - They finished 6th in his one season in charge after finishing 12th the season before.

Since taking over Southampton in 2013, Poch has won 191 matches in the European top 5 leagues, 9th most in that span. He’s the most accomplished manager we’ve ever hired. And it’s not particularly close. Our expectations are high. We hope you’re feeling the same.

Yanks Abroad

What a weekend for the boys abroad. Lots of goals…and one serious blunder.

Yunus Musah had the assist to tie the game for AC Milan. A gorgeous ball served on a platter for Okafor. Musah replaced Pulisic in the 73rd minute, as Pulisic started in the #10 role to kick off the season.

Josh Sargent had a goal and assist in Norwich City’s 2-2 draw. Sargent beat the keeper near post on his goal, blasting it right past him. FC Cincinnati tried acquiring him before the window closed but if this play continues it’s more likely he’ll be in the Premier League than MLS.

Haji Wright had a brace in Coventry City’s 3-2 win including the game-winner. Haji and Sargent could dual it out for most goals in the Championship this season.

USMNT CB Mark Mckenzie has left Genk to join French Ligue 1 side Toulouse. A big move to France for Mark.

Aidan Morris had an incredible game against Brendan Aaronson’s Leeds United in Middlesbrough’s 3-0 trouncing. Morris played the entire game as the defensive mid, with 7 duels won and an 85% passing success rate.

Tim Weah scored his first goal in his Seria A career. A stunna with his weak foot.

Trigger warning, this is painful to watch. Ethan Horvath fumbles the ball into his own goal.

MLS is Back

MLS play returns on Saturday. We’re gearing up for one of the best Shield races ever. Six teams are on pace to get over 60 points. MLS has never had more than three.

Here’s how the current table looks:

Goal of the Week

Sarg starts the season with a bang.

Meme of the Week

Sounders fans are getting too used to this 🤣 

Quick Hits

• Borussia Dortmund put a full-page ad in the LA Times to celebrate Marco Reus’ arrival (Link)

• San Diego FC sign Tyler Heaps as Sporting Director, the youngest in League History (Link)

• Landon Donovan will serve as the interim head coach of the San Diego Wave for the remainder of 2024 (Link)

• Carolina Ascent set the attendance record for a woman’s professional soccer match in the Carolinas (Link)

• Moise Bombito breaks MLS transfer record for a center-back (Link)

• Dax McCarty announces he’s retiring after this season (Link)

• Cade Cowell named Liga MX Player of the Month for July (Link)

That’s all, folks. Thanks for reading!