Morning everyone,

Happy humpday. Over 1,200 words coming at you today. Dig in…

• ⏯️ Decision Day Drama

• 🏆️ MLS Cup Playoffs Preview

• 🇺🇸 Pulisic’s Insane Form

• 🐐 Why MLS Fans Dislike Messi

• ⚽️ Goal of the Week

• 😂 Meme of the Week

Decision Day Drama

Let’s start with the GOAT.

Inter Miami beat the Revolution 6-2 to break the Revs all-time points record with 74. It was a masterclass from Messi and Suarez, who combined for 5 goals and 2 assists to become the first teammates in league history to each score 20 goals in a season. Messi’s 11 minute hat-trick was his first for the Club and made him the highest score in Club history. Our vote still goes to Cucho but Messi likely just won the MVP with that performance.

Cascadia Climax

It’s been 7 years and 11 games since the Sounders beat the Timbers at home in a regular season game. The two tied on Saturday to give Portland their second Cascadia Cup in three years. The Sounders ended the second half of the season 12W-3D-2L with a 7-game unbeaten run. They’ll play Houston in a best of 3 series.

Portland will host Vancouver tonight in the play-in game for the right to face LAFC.

Madness in LA

All the Galaxy needed was a point to secure the top spot in the West. And in the 97th minute, Gabriel Pec converted a penalty to tie the game against Houston. Then chaos ensued. In the 111th minute, Daniel Steres headed home a cross for the winner. LAFC fans watched from BMO Stadium after they beat San Jose 3-1. Both teams finished with 64 points but LAFC win on goal differential to snag home field throughout the Conference playoffs. Don’t be surprised if these two meet again in the Western Conference Final.

Playoff Predictions

I believe one of Miami, Columbus, LAFC, or the LA Galaxy will hoist the MLS Cup. Yes, the Loons are red hot. Yes, Cincinnati can beat anyone when they play well. And sure, Seattle has the best PPG over the second half of the season. But I believe those four teams are a cut above the rest. And Columbus and Miami are probably in their own tier.

So atlas, our MLS Cup Playoff predictions. And some notes:

If this is the way the playoffs go (it won’t be) then we’re in for an incredible stretch of soccer. An El Trafico matchup to decide the West. Another Hell is Real matchup. And a potential Columbus vs Miami duel for a spot in the finals. This would be a treat.

If Seattle can get past Houston they’ll likely play LAFC in the Conference Semi’s. They’re winless against LAFC in their last 10 tries including 4 losses this season in 3 competitions by an aggregate score of 9-1.

I’d be shocked if we didn’t see another Hell is Real matchup. You can make an easy argument this Crew team plays the best soccer in MLS history. In 25 games spanning across the 2023 Leagues Cup, US Open Cup, playoffs, and 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup, and Campeones Cup the Crew are 16W-3L-6D. We think they’ll become the first team to repeat since 2011/12 LA Galaxy.

Make your bracket here.

Pulisic’s Insane Season

We’re witnessing the greatest form from a USMNT player in history. Christian Pulisic has been that good lately.

He became the first player in Europe’s top 5 leagues to have 7 goal contributions in 7 straight league games this season. There’s no question he’s America’s best player, but he’s now showing he’s a top-10 winger in the world. Italian media is even calling him “Milan’s captain without the armband”.

Pulisic currently leads Serie A wingers in:

First: Goals, Non-penalty goals, shot assists, passes, and short passes.

Second: Assists, expected goals, and goal conversion.

Third: Crosses, progressive passes, and shot-on-target percentage.

Last week Alexi Lalas ripped Pulisic apart for missing the Mexico game because of rest. He went on to play 100 minutes over the weekend for Milan and assisted the game-winning goal. It was the right call from Pochettino to send him back to Italy.

Since the beginning of 2024, Pulisic has 23 goal contributions, tied for first in Serie A. Over the last two seasons, only Lautaro Martinez has more goal contributions than him in Serie A.

He continued yesterday with a gorgeous Olimpico in the Champs League. With the goal, he became the first USMNT player in history to reach double-digit goals in the Champions League.

Go on, Captain America. Go on.

Why the Messi Hate?

After seeing a ton of hatred directed at Messi and Inter Miami on Twitter and Reddit I posted the below tweet on Monday. It caused quite the uproar.

So I wanted to give my nuanced take on this. A little OpEd if you will.

Most of the responses were something like, “We don’t hate Messi we just hate how the league is promoting him and how Miami are getting privileges that other teams don’t.” Regarding the first part, I get it. The league has done everything they can to benefit from his presence. After all, MLS is a business. It’s going to do what’s best for business just like La Liga and Ligue 1 did as well.

Regarding Miami’s special privileges, I agree. The disappointment regarding Miami getting a spot in the Club World Cup is warranted. This was FIFA’s call however, not MLS’s. They should have had qualification criteria announced prior but FIFA has no short history of being an inept organization.

But still…

MLS is undoubtedly better with Messi in it, in every way possible. You simply can’t argue that. This season MLS set a new attendance record with 11.4M people attending games which ranks top 3 among the world’s leagues (Premier League & Bundesliga). MLS teams have seen a 13% increase in sponsorship revenue compared to last year. Not all of this can be attributed to Messi of course but we can’t deny he’s played a big role. So yes, you’re team, Charlotte FC or Nashville SC, or whoever you support has benefited from him being here.

Will some fans stop watching MLS when Messi leaves? Sure. Will some also stay? Absolutely. MLS was growing before Messi arrived and it will continue to grow long after he leaves. But his presence has set this league on a growth trajectory that would not be possible without him. As someone who wants MLS to be a Top 5 League in the world I am grateful that the greatest to ever kick a ball is here with us.

If you have a rational and nuanced opinion on this just respond to this email. I’d love to hear back from some of you.

Goal of the Week

C’mon, what else would it be? 🤩 

Meme of the Week

🤣 🤣 🤣 

Quick Hits

• Messi and Bad Bunny launch an Adidas collab (Link)

• Awesome video of all the best saves of the MLS season (Link)

• Luis Suarez is in talks to return to Inter Miami next year (Link)

• Chicago Fire are actively looking for a site for a soccer-specific stadium (Link)

• Djordje Mihailovic was stretchered off the pitch with an ugly ankle injury (Link)

• San Diego FC’s first two matches have been announced (Link)

Alright, it’s a Wednesday. We gotta get back to work. See you next week.

Max & Mason