How we doing people?

Happy humpday. What a week in football. Dig in, it’s a juicy one.

• 🏆️ MLS Playoffs Round Two Preview

• 🇺🇸 USMNT Advance in Nations League

• ➡️ USMNT Potential Transfers

• 🤯 Wild Start to MLS Offseason

• ⚽️ Goal of the Week

• 😂 Meme of the Week

MLS Playoffs Round Two Preview

I have a feeling the run of wild upsets is over and we’ll see rather predictable results now. But what do I know, it’s MLS after all — the most entertaining outcome is the most likely.

Atlanta United (+2200 odds to win MLS Cup) at Orlando City SC (+450)

You get the vide that Atlanta aren’t “just happy to be here” and that they can continue to player the spoiler. We’ll see. Atlanta won both regular season matchups against Orlando, one of which was on decision day. Orlando are now the favorites to come out of the East after the barrage of upsets that ousted the three higher seeded teams.

Minnesota United (+1500) at LA Galaxy (+275)

I don’t believe the 22 days off will slow down this Galaxy attack. But I also don’t think it’s going to be a slaughter similar to the Rapids. The Loons have averaged 2.11 PPG since Kelvin Yeboah joined, the third-best in that span. He’s delivered exactly what you want in a new DP signing with 7 goals and 2 assists in 10 starts. I still think this Minnesota squad is a year away from a deep playoff run.

NY Red Bulls (+800) at NYCFC (+600)

The Red Bulls have made the playoffs 15 straight seasons yet haven’t seen any real playoff success until now. NYCFC won both matchups this season including the 5-1 thumping at Red Bull Arena so they’ll be favorites at home. But this is the toughest matchup to predict. I expect a low scoring affair with both teams being unwilling to take chances.

Seattle Sounders (+1200) at LAFC (+165)

The MLS Cup runs through LA. That is if LAFC do what we expect of them. Seattle hasn’t beat LAFC in 10 straight matchups, including 4 elimination games. So if recent history tells us anything, LAFC should roll in this one. But you know… that’s not how things always go. Seattle make very little mistakes defensively and will be prepared for the inevitable LAFC counterattacks. But will they be able to score? I’m not sure.

USMNT Advance in Nations League

The USMNT have advanced to the finals of the Concacaf Nations League after beating Jamaica 5-2 on aggregate. With the win we’ve also qualified for the 2025 Gold Cup. Here’s how the games went down:

Game One: USMNT 1 - 0 Jamaica

The first leg was quite ugly and boring. But the US got its third win in its last 15 road games. With the win, Pochettino matched Gregg Berhalter for road Concacaf wins with one. Yes, you read that right.

Christian Pulisic broke the lines of the Jamaican defense and threaded Ricardo Pepi through for the lone goal. Pepi joins Jozy Altidore, Landon Donovan, and Pulisic as the only USMNT players to score 12 goals before turning 22. Matt Turner subsequently saved a penalty to keep us on top and the rest of the game was rather dull.

Game Two: USMNT 4 - 2 Jamaica

The US looked like a totally different team in this game. It was the best they’ve looked in years actually. And it might not be close. They were pinging the ball around the pitch from the get-go. They attempted 5 shots with build-ups of 10 or more passes, the most they’ve had since Opta began tracking in 2010. You could finally see Pochettino’s influence in the play.

In his 76th cap, Pulisic became the fastest player in USMNT to hit 50 goal contributions. He finished a gorgeous ball from McKennie to open scoring and then had a second deflect off a defender. Ricardo Pepi added the third goal before the half with a potent strike for his 4th goal in his last 5 game against Jamaica. Then Tim Weah got on the score sheet with a volley over the keeper. It wasn’t perfect as Jamaica scored twice in the second half but it never felt like we weren’t in control.

This game was a tease of what’s to come in the Pochettino era. We can’t wait for more.

The USMNT’s next match is a friendly on January 18th against Venezuela at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.

Potential Transfers: Americans Abroad

Several Americans are having superb seasons abroad causing transfer rumors to heat up. Let’s take a look at a few of them.

Christian Pulisic 💰️ Market Value ~$60M

Obviously, Christian Pulisic is one of those, and the most valuable of them by quite some margin. Pulisic’s current transfer value sits around $60 million, way above his transfer of $25 million from Chelsea. There are at least 3 Premier League clubs interested in bringing him back to England with Liverpool, Man U, and West Ham all reportedly interested. Will a big move back to the EPL be better for him though?

Johnny Cardoso 💰️ Market Value $25M

Johnny Cardoso is another name that has been swirling around Premier League clubs like Tottenham and Aston Villa. He’s been the shutdown defensive midfielder that Real Betis have relied on all season. Cardoso’s value sits right around $25 million. Tottenham leads the race here as they have a $25 million clause from the last transfer window and will have first rights to sign him, as soon as January. This one seems inevitable.

Ricardo Pepi 💰️ Market Value ~$30M

Ricardo Pepi is having a breakout season for PSV with 6 goals and 1 assist in 11 matches. He’s typically been used as a substitute, but in both of his starts this season he bagged a brace. It would be good for Pepi to move unless PSV gives him a starting spot. Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and Liverpool are all interested in signing Pepi, valued at about $30 million.

Antonee Robinson 💰️ Market Value ~$30M

Antonee Robinson has been heavily linked with Liverpool over the past year with expectations that they will need a new left-back. He’s been the top-ranked left-back in the EPL this season by DataMB. He’s valued at $30 million, which is reasonable for any big club needing an outside back. In my opinion, he should be the most sought-after American outside of Pulisic.

MLS Offseason Off to a Hot Start

MLS offseason has started for 21 teams and it’s already eventful.

Tom Bogert dropped one of his patented Bog Bombs yesterday. Tata Martino has resigned as head coach of Inter Miami, citing personal reasons. The shocking move will leave the Supporters Shield champs in need of a new skipper after a disastrous exit from the playoffs. Xavi Hernandez is the name swirling around Twitter as an option to rejoin his former teammates. Could Jim Curtain be an option too?

FC Cincinnati just made the largest inbound transfer in MLS history with their signing of 23-year-old Togo international striker Kevin Denkey from Cercle Brugge. The $16.2M fee surpasses Thiago Almada’s previous record. Denkey was the leading scorer in the Belgium league and fills a massive need for Cincy. I LOVE ambitious moves like this from smaller market teams 👏 

Sporting KC announced roster changes including moving on from club legends Johnny Russell and Tim Melia. Melia will leave the club as the all-time leader in wins, saves, and shutouts. It’s the start of a new era in Kansas City. Expect more changes to come.

Goal of the Week

The international break bringing us bangers.

Meme of the Week

Bruce Arena and Gregg Berhalter were in attendance to watch Pochettino put on his first masterclass 🤣 

Quick Hits

• Ugly video of Mexico coach Javier Agguire being hit by beer can after El Tri’s lost to Honduras (Link)

• MLS fines Galaxy goalkeeper John McCarthy for this gesture (Link)

• Massachusetts makes progress on new Revolution stadium (Link)

• Gio Reyna is back in training for Dortmund (Link)

• Dillon Francis will perform at halftime for the LA Galaxy this weekend (Link)

• Angel City FC announce plans for multi-million dollar training center (Link)

1,358 words! That’s all ✌️ 

Max & Mason