Morning ballers,

What are we waiting for? Let’s get right to it.

• 5️⃣ A Wild Matchday 5

• 🇺🇸 14-yr-old American Prodigy

• 👀 Team Playing Styles

• 🏆️ Nations League Roster

• ⚽️ Goal of the Week

• 😂 Meme of the Week

Matchday 5 Recap

Windy City Miracle 💨 

HOLY SH$T! What an ending. Chicago came back from 3-1 down in the 84th minute to beat the 10-man Montreal side. Kellyn Acosta’s last-ditch service was thrown into the air from mid-field. The 40 mph wind did the rest. Just look at the win probability throughout the game.

This game wasn’t without controversy. CF Montreal head coach was not happy with the refs after the game, “22 minutes added, red card on the (Chicago) goalkeeper that isn’t given… 3rd goal came from a corner that shouldn’t have been, 1st goal was offside. Something was taken from my guys”

The Fire are the first team in MLS history to win in regulation after trailing by multiple goals in the 84th minute or later.

The MLS’s Best 🥇 

The Columbus Crew are the best team in the MLS. We know… that’s not a crazy take, but it seems pretty solidified at this point in time. The Crew always feel in control. No matter how a team tries to attack them, in the low-block, on the counter, whatever it is, Nancy’s squad has the answers. And they’ve only improved in their second year under the frenchman.

Led by Cucho with 3 goals and 1 assist in 4 games, the Crew have extended their home unbeaten streak to 15 regular-season games, the second longest in club history. The Crew have yet to even trail in a game so far this season. They’re currently the 6th best team in the world at retaining the ball under high-intensity pressure. Insane. A repeat would not be a surprise at all.

You get a red, you get a red 🟥 

A total of six red cards were thrown out this weekend. Teams that received one were 1(W)-2(T)-3(L) with the lone win coming from NYCFC’s first win of the year. Is the increase in reds due to the replacement refs or just the nature of a wild MLS weekend? You be the judge.

14-Year-Old American Prodigy

The next Freddy Adu?? Nah let’s cool it a bit. 14 year old kids don’t need that hype. But Cavan Sullivan is a special talent. Just this weekend Fabrizio Romano announced that Man City is closing in on a signature for the youngster, beating out Real, BVB, Bayern, and more.

Cavan is the younger brother of Quinn Sullivan, a first-team regular for the Union, a true soccer family. Boy did the Union get lucky with this family! Take a look at Cavan’s career so far.

Current Accolades at 14 years old:

• Led Team USA to a U15 CONCACAF title and was awarded the Golden Ball in the tournament.

• Made 23 appearances in MLS's Next U17 competition for Philadelphia Union's youth sides, scoring 10 goals.

• Sullivan excelled in the Generation Addidas Cup, leading the Union U-15 team to victories over Arsenal and Real Madrid, reaching the final and earning a place in the GA Cup Best XI.

• Has already been involved in training with Philadelphia Union II.

What’s next for Cavan?

Once he hits 16, the plan's to loan him out to Lommel SK, part of the City Football Group. But he won't be suiting up for City's main squad until he's 18. Still, nothing's set in stone.

MLS Playing Styles

Here’s a fun graph for ya. Well… that is if you’re not a Austin FC fan.

It compares each teams playing styles based on passes per sequence and direct speed which is how quickly a team progresses the ball upfield in meters/second.

Take a look at LAFC for example, they play rather direct and can quickly make teams pay on the counter attack with Bouanga on the wing.

Houston on the other hand has done well at possessing the ball but has lacked the speed and decision making in the final third. Getting Hector Herrera back will definitely help that.

Nations League Roster

USMNT faces Jamaica Thursday night at 7pm EST in the semi-final of the Concacaf Nations League as they look to three-peat. The winner will play either Panama or Mexico in the final on Sunday. Quick outlook on this roster courtesy of the USMNT historian, Travis:

• 8 players 22 years-old or younger

• Average age: 24.3

• Average caps: 24.8

• Tim Ream you old statesman👴 

Notice the huge void of talent in the 27-35 age group. Almost like US Soccer skipped a generation. It’s likely a huge reason we missed the 2018 World Cup. Can you tell we’re still not over that?

Goal of the Week

Whew, that was sick! NYCFC on the board with their first win

Tweet of the Week

One of the funniest play-by-play calls you’ll ever hear 🤣 

Also that save by Burki 👀 

Quick Hits

• LAFC in talks with Olivier Giroud over a summer move (Link)

• Haji Wright scored the game winner to advance Coventry City to the FA Cup semi-finals (Link)

• MLS expected to decouple designated player and U-22 initiative rules (Link)