Gooood Morning everyone!

We’ve just eclipsed 5,000 subscribers (5,187 of you to be exact). We could not be more grateful for everyone 🙏 . Here’s what we’ve got for you this week…

• 🔄 MLS Updates

• 🇺🇸 Yanks Abroad Update

• 🇺🇸 USMNT Defender Pool

• 🇺🇸 U-17 USYNT 22-0 Win?!

• ⚽️ Goal of the Week

• 😂 Meme of the Week

MLS Update

The Lucho Acosta saga has come to an end. FC Dallas has acquired him from Cincy for $5M in cash plus add-ons. Acosta wanted out since the season ended and finally got his wish. All reports insist that FC Cincinnati will now look to sign Evander from Portland as their new #10.

Meanwhile, Dallas has gone through a total makeover this offseason. Lucho will pair with Petar Musa as one of the best-attacking duos in MLS. These inter-league cash trades are crazy!

The LA Galaxy quickly replaced Dejan Joveljic by signing Christian Hernandez from the Columbus Crew. The 33-year-old MLS veteran will likely start at center forward for the reigning champs. But they’re also finalizing a deal with Brazilian youth international striker Matheus Nascimento on loan from Botafogo. The 20-year-old has already made 96 appearances in the Brazilian top flight and will be a U-22 initiative signing.

The Galaxy will also start the season without Joseph Paintsil after the winger injured his quad. He’ll be out 6-8 weeks.

Orlando City SC has signed Eduard Atuesta from Palmieras. The midfielder was on loan at LAFC last season and will immediately slot into a starting role in the Lion’s rebuilt attack.

Nashville SC is finalizing a deal to sign Swedish youth international winger Ahmed Qasem from Elfsborg IF. The 21-year-old will be a U-22 initiative signing.

The Philadelphia Union are making a move. Can you believe it?! Well, let’s hope. They’re in advanced talks to acquire Uruguayan youth international striker Bruno Damiani from Nacional. The 22-year-old would likely be a DP. Here’s him towering over defenders to win a header in the Copa Libertadores 👇️ 

Yanks Abroad

A couple usual suspects and some new names in this week’s recap.

Christian Pulisic came on at halftime and assisted both goals in Milan’s 2-0 win over Empoli. His first one was a gorgeous chip to Rafael Leao and his second was to fellow Concacaf man and newly signed striker, Santi Gimenez. He leads Serie A in assists and has 21 goal contributions in 30 games this season.

NY Red Bulls fans will like this one. John Tolkin delivered a beautiful free kick for his first European assist. Holstein Kiel still sit in relegation zone in the Bundesliga.

Alejandro Zendejas has five goal contributions in his last four games for Club America and was named the Liga MX Player of the Month for January.

We haven’t written enough about Damion Downs. Downs is a 20-year-old German American striker who plays in the German second division for FC Koln. He’s appeared for both Germany and the US at the youth level but has yet to commit to a national team. Last week he scored a goal and had an assist against Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen and then netted the winner against FC Schalke over the weekend. With Balogun and Pepi sidelined with injuries, it makes a ton of sense for Poch to give Downs his first senior call-up in the Nations League.

Josh Sargent scored his 4th goal in Norwich City’s last three games. We have an in-form striker for March’s Nations League tournament!!

Weston Mckennie had an insane volley in Juve’s 2-1 win over countrymen Richard Ledezma’s PSV in the Champions League. Ledezma got the start at RB making that 13 starts in 15 games for PSV this season.

USMNT Defender Pool

This week, let’s take a look at the defenders who are vying for a roster spot on the 2026 World Cup squad.

The Cream of the Crop: Antonee Robinson(27), Sergino Dest(24), Chris Richards(24), Miles Robinson(27), Mark McKenzie(25), Joe Scally(22), Cameron Carter-Vickers(27)

These 7 players would be locks if the World Cup started today and we’ll likely see all of them a year and a half from now. Dest is nearing a return from injury and will likely resume his role as starting right back. Antonee has solidified his role as the starting left back barring any injury, and the centerbacks will shake out over the next year. Chris Richards is playing well for Crystal Palace and as of now seems to be a solidified CB starter(take a look at his 2025 FOTMOB game ratings).

Contenders: Tim Ream(37), Austin Trusty(26), Caleb Wiley(20), Dejuan Jones(27), Matt Miazga(29), John Tolkin(22), Marlon Fossey(26), Richard Ledezma (24)

The big question here is who will step up as the backup left-back behind Antonee Robinson. Tolkin went to Europe specifically to find his way on this World Cup squad so he’s our best bet right now. Will ole Timmy Ream still be playing good enough soccer to be included? We’ll see.

Notable Others: Noahkai Banks(18), Lennard Maloney(25), Deandre Yedlin(31), Shaq Moore(28), John Brooks(32), Jalen Neal(21)

Due to age, declining form, or a changing player pool, most of these defenders face an uphill battle to make the final roster. Noahkai Banks is the interesting one here at only 18 years old. If he continues to develop for FC Augsburg in the Bundesliga he’ll make a case for a center-back spot.

CONCACAF Special : 22-0

On Monday night the U-17 USMNT faced off against the US Virgin Islands in a World Cup Qualifier and well… it was a bit of a lopsided affair.

The US poured on 22 goals, the largest scoreline ever by any American team in any level of World Cup qualifying. Here are all 22 goals if you’d like to indulge yourself.

They had a mind-boggling 52 shots, with 30 on target! Chase Adams, a Columbus Crew 2 striker, scored 10 of them.

The U17 USVI team hasn’t won a game since 2006!! They typically don’t even play in these qualifiers, but with the expanded format they’re now facing top CONCACAF competition.

Goal differential matters in World Cup Qualifiers, so I guess that’s why the US didn’t let down but you can’t help but feel bad for the opposing team. We hope the US Virgin Islands can bounce back from this!

They’ll face St. Kitts and Nevis tonight in what’ll probably be another blowout.

Goal of the Week

Calvary FC became the first ever Canadian Premier League to win a match in the Concacaf Champions Cup after beating Mexican giants Pumas 2-1 in the first leg of Round 1. The game-winner was sick 👇️ 

Meme of the Week

Almost there, folks. Almost there.

Quick Hits

• MLS runs a Super Bowl ad promoting the start of the season (Link)

• Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund are interested in NY RedBulls talent, Julian Hall (Link)

• MLS lays off 5% of its workforce (Link)

• USWNT releases roster for the She Believes Cup (Link)

• MLS clubs reportedly interested in Roberto Firmino (Link)

• Mark McKenzie was forced off at halftime due to injury (Link)

• Sergino Dest and Richard Ledezma returned to practice from injury (Link)

As always, thanks for reading :)

Max & Mason

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