Morning everyone,

Max and Mason reporting for duty as usual. We’ve got a lot to cover this week. Let’s get right to it.

• 📰 MLS News

• 🇺🇸 USMNT Advance in Gold Cup

• 🏆️ MLS Club World Cup Update

• 🌎️ More Club World Cup Tidbits

• ⚽️ Goal of the Week

• 😂 Tweet of the Week

MLS News

There were no games this weekend as the league takes a break during the busy summer but we still have some news to get you caught up on. The league starts back up tonight with a full slate of games.

The summer transfer window opens up in under a month. Rumors are starting to swirl about specific clubs and players. Here’s what we’re reading.

The Patrick Agyemang sweepstakes continues to heat up. First, Tom Bogert reported that multiple EFL Championship teams as well KRC Genk of the Belgium league are in serious talks with Charlotte. Then Fabrizio Romano reported that Derby County are closing in on a deal to sign him. It looks like he’s headed to the EFL Championship. Charlotte have a DP spot open so if big Pat were to make a move they would likely add an attacker.

The Colorado Rapids had agreed to a deal with center back Stav Lemkin from Shakhtar Donetsk for $1.6M but lost him at the last second. FC Twente of the Eredivisie came in late, and the player preferred to go to the Dutch league. The Pids will look elsewhere for defensive help.

FC Cincinnati are finalizing a deal to sign Ender Echenique from Caracas FC for $550k. The 21-year-old forward/wingback will join as a U-22 initiative signing. Here’s a sneak peek at what Cincy is getting.

USMNT Advance in Gold Cup

The USMNT concluded group play with two more wins, a 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia and a 2-1 win over Haiti.

USMNT 1-0 Saudi Arabia

We used the same starting lineup from their first match against a tougher opponent in the Saudis. Chris Richard’s 63’ goal off a set piece from Sebastian Berhalter was the decider in this one. Richards was the man of the match, contributing a stellar defensive performance that included this goal-saving tackle. He firmly cemented himself as our best center back, but it remains to be seen who the best option to line up next to him is.

USMNT 2-1 Haiti

The US ended the group stage with a lackluster win over Haiti. It was a game we should have won handily, but we lacked any real attacking creativity and played fairly predictable soccer. Matt Freese’s mistake in his box provided Haiti with their only goal. Malik Tillman continued to shine with another goal, scoring a header after a brilliant ball by Brendan Aaronson. Patrick Agyemang scored the game winner(what an assist by John Tolkin) and is now the only player to appear in all 9 USMNT games this year.

For the 17th time in 18 attempts, the US has won its group in the Gold Cup. Although the state of our men’s team has been of major concern of late, they take care of business against easy competition.

We take on Costa Rica in the quarterfinal at 7 pm EST on Sunday in Minneapolis.

MLS Club World Cup Update

LAFC

LAFC were eliminated after losing to Tunisian side ES Tunis, 1-0. It was the most disappointing performance from an MLS side at this tournament. They were awarded a penalty in stoppage time to tie the game but Denis Bouanga’s shot was saved and with that their tournament was over. After winning their way into the dance in dramatic fashion three weeks ago, their lack of quality attacking play led to an early exit.

Seattle Sounders

Seattle was eliminated after losing all 3 games, with PSG beating them 2-0 in their final group game. Seattle held their own, with Christian Roldan being a standout player in the tournament, going toe to toe with some of the best midfielders in the world and proving he can play at that level. Their draw in the group of death with PSG, Botafogo, and Atletico Madrid gave them little shot to advance but at least the Sounders showed fight and didn’t get embarrassed in any of the matches.

Inter Miami

On Thursday, Inter Miami became the first MLS club and first Concacaf team to beat a European opponent in a competitive match with their 2-1 win over FC Porto. Messi scored the winner with a brilliant free-kick golazo (below). Miami finished their group stage play with a 2-2 draw against Palmeiras, a game in which they were up 2-0 and blew the lead late in the game. But nonetheless an impressive performance against a team worth almost $300M in market value. Peek at this vintage Suarez goal that put them up 2-0.

They’ll take on PSG in the round of 16 on Sunday in Atlanta. After advancing to the knockout rounds they’ve earned nearly $21M in total in this tournament and would earn another $13M if they beat PSG.

More Club World Cup Tidbits

This tournament has been awesome. The upsets, the passion of fans from all around the world, the scenes from stadiums. It’s been fun to have in our backyard.

Auckland City, the only team comprised of mostly amateur players, pulled off the shock of the tournament by tying Boca Juniors 1-1. According to Opta, Auckland are the 4,917st ranked club in the world while Boca, the Argentine giants, are ranked 152nd. Christian Gray, a teacher, scored the game tying goal.

Some teams have been complaining about the heat during games. Borussia Dortmund had their substitutes sit in the locker room during the first half of their second match to stay cool when it was 87 degrees in Cincinnati. Is 87 degrees really that bad? These are the worlds best athletes, they should be plenty capable of playing in these conditions.

Above all, my favorite part of this tournament has been seeing the fans from all around the world cheer on their clubs.

Botafogo, the Copa Libertadores Champions, beat PSG, the winners of the Champions League, 1-0. The scenes from the Brazilian fans were incredible. And these scenes of fans of the Urawa Red Diamonds of the Japanese League, 40 minutes before the game even started. Another of Pameiras fans taking over the Brooklyn Bridge. Or this scene below of Boca fans after scoring against Bayern Munich.

I hate to admit it but American soccer fandom simply does not compare to those from around the world. Maybe some day. One can only wish.

Goal of the Week

WOW

Tweet of the Week

Never underestimate the passion of an Argentine soccer fan 🤣 

Quick Hits

• Best-selling jerseys in MLS (Link)

• Bundesliga side Bayern Leverkusen has opened talks for Malik Tillman (Link)

• Johnny Cardoso to finalize deal with Atletico Madrid (Link)

• Tigres make a $10M offer to the Sounders for Obed Vargas (Link)

• Nottingham Forest agree to deal for Tim Weah (Link)

• Club America reportedly make a bid for Denis Bouanga (Link)

That’s all, folks.

Max & Mason

p.s. Is watching all these games making you crave a new kit? Classic Football Shirts is having their Summer Clearance Sale, and I just grabbed an epic Tyler Adams Jersey for a steal!