Sure seems to me that the USMNT could use a bit of personality on and off the field!

Paul Tenorio@paultenorio.bsky.social · 7h ago

#USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino warns against ‘arrogance’ for young USMNT prospects breaking through. “We are watching everything, we are seeing everything.” www.nytimes.com/athletic/757...

Sergi Roberto was the best player on the field in his first start for the LA Galaxy 🇪🇸 Brilliant possession play. Feels fitting that he's wearing Riqui Puig's old No. 6 shirt. If Roberto and Puig are healthy at the same time for the Galaxy next year...

The Portland Timbers sold Kevin Kelsy for eight-figure and got...better? I wrote about Vincent Janssen making history at Providence Park, a new star emerging in the East + @backheeled.com has tons more from around MLS. Read ⤵️

MLS Winners and Losers: St. Louis City impress, a new star emerges & more

This week, we spotlight a must-watch summer signing. We also do a lot of other stuff.

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𝐌𝐋𝐒 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐬 ▫️ St. Louis City, MLS Cup contenders? ▫️ Josh Sargent’s statement ▫️ Allan Saint-Maximin puts on a show ▫️ ...and much more! @joeclowery.bsky.social, @benwright.bsky.social & @aclausen90.bsky.social dive into the standout players, teams & stories from around MLS ⤵️

MLS Winners and Losers: St. Louis City impress, a new star emerges & more

This week, we spotlight a must-watch summer signing. We also do a lot of other stuff.

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Allan Saint-Maximin has already become one of MLS's must-watch players. 100th percentile dribbler + passing is a threat. ASM's quick switches created chances for Biel vs. Houston. I imagine ASM + Biel will continue to understand each other better, too. Charlotte FC are fun.

There's lots of talk about the USMNT's next generation these days — and for good reason. But one name not mentioned enough? Landon Emenalo. 🇺🇸 Born in the U.S., the 18-year-old left back is on loan at Celtic from Chelsea. Very promising player. @totalsoccershow.bsky.social 🎙️

Dortmund could have sent Mathis Albert out on loan this summer 🇺🇸 Instead, the USMNT prospect stayed put and is a member of the first team squad. Can he carve out regular Bundesliga minutes? I took a closer look at the 17yo winger's game + what comes next. 🎙️ @totalsoccershow.bsky.social

MLS summer transfer window is closed. In fact, like every transfer window ever, it *slammed* shut. So: superlative time! Inter Miami had the best window. Lots of contenders for the worst. Elias Saad might be the signing of the year. Tons more analysis of the window for @backheeled.com ⤵️

MLS summer transfer window superlatives: Best signing, worst window, most underrated signing & more

After yesterday’s transfer deadline day, we’re looking back on the window that was for MLS.

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MLS's summer transfer window shut last night — and we're handing out some superlatives: ▪️ Best signing ▪️ Team with the best, worst window ▪️ Best under-the-radar deal ▪️ Best intra-league move ▪️ ...and more! From @joeclowery.bsky.social, @benwright.bsky.social & @aclausen90.bsky.social ⤵️

MLS summer transfer window superlatives: Best signing, worst window, most underrated signing & more

After yesterday’s transfer deadline day, we’re looking back on the window that was for MLS.

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I'm *incredibly* high on St. Louis City's Rafael Navarro transfer. $12 million fee going to the Colorado Rapids. Club-record outlay 🔴 Navarro is a perfect bit for what St. Louis are building under CSO Corey Wray and head coach Yoann Damet. Here's why. From @totalsoccershow.bsky.social 🎙️

Inter Miami are on their third head coach of 2026, with Kily Gonzalez now in tow. Shouldn't that much turnover be a concern? Not with Messi performing at still-superhuman levels + an elite squad around him. Top-tier transfer window from Miami 🌴 From @totalsoccershow.bsky.social 🎙️

👀 Sources: MLS is fully returning to the U.S. Open Cup. All 27 U.S.-based MLS teams will participate in a revamped version of the country's longest-running soccer competition 🏆 Reporting with @benwright.bsky.social for @backheeled.com ⤵️

Sources: MLS to return all of its teams to the U.S. Open Cup

All 27 U.S.-based MLS teams will return to a revamped version of the country's longest-running soccer competition.

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I maintain that David Martinez was one of the most talented players in MLS right up until this exit. I’m expecting Martinez to do very well in Denmark and beyond. LAFC now need a playmaker. Will they get one over the line before the deadline?

Tom Bogert@tombogert.bsky.social · 6d ago

🇻🇪 David Martinez officially joins FC Midtylland from LAFC Sources say the fee is in the region of $8.5m... a new Danish league record fee for the 20-year-old Venezuela int'l

MLS is fully returning to the U.S. Open Cup, sources tell @benwright.bsky.social and @joeclowery.bsky.social. All 27 U.S.-based MLS teams will participate in a revamped version of the country's longest-running soccer competition. More ⤵️

Sources: MLS to return all of its teams to the U.S. Open Cup

All 27 U.S.-based MLS teams will return to a revamped version of the country's longest-running soccer competition.

backheeled.com

👀 Sources: MLS is fully returning to the U.S. Open Cup. All 27 U.S.-based MLS teams will participate in a revamped version of the country's longest-running soccer competition 🏆 Reporting with @benwright.bsky.social for @backheeled.com ⤵️

Sources: MLS to return all of its teams to the U.S. Open Cup

All 27 U.S.-based MLS teams will return to a revamped version of the country's longest-running soccer competition.

backheeled.com

In his return to San Diego, Chucky Lozano got to experience what the rest of MLS does when they try to press SDFC. Lozano + Galaxy get roasted in the press. Lozano then doesn't track back. Free final third entry for San Diego FC. New experience against his old team.

Houston has one of the best defenses in MLS post World Cup, without pressing much or winning the ball back high. Went and figured out how.

Houston's No-Press Defense

A good defense doesn't have to mean winning the ball back early. Houston is proof.

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It doesn't feel real that Lionel Messi's Argentina career is over. No athlete has ever given me greater joy than Messi. It's not close. I'll soak up every last bit of his professional career with Inter Miami. My thoughts on Messi from CNN earlier this summer 📺

Cashfers rule. What makes Cavan Sullivan special? FC Cincinnati have problems. Chucky Lozano gives Mikey Varas the cold shoulder. CF Montreal continue to embarrass themselves. That and more in @backheeled.com’s latest look around MLS ⤵️

MLS Winners and Losers: Cavan Sullivan's stock rises, transfer drama & more

This week, we examine what actually makes the brightest young star in MLS shine. We also do a lot of other stuff.

backheeled.com

𝐌𝐋𝐒 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐬 ▫️ Cavan Sullivan shines yet again ▫️ Cashfers add needed intrigue ▫️ Chucky Lozano’s San Diego FC return ▫️ ...and much more! @joeclowery.bsky.social, @benwright.bsky.social & @aclausen90.bsky.social dive into the standout players, teams & stories from around MLS ⤵️

MLS Winners and Losers: Cavan Sullivan's stock rises, transfer drama & more

This week, we examine what actually makes the brightest young star in MLS shine. We also do a lot of other stuff.

backheeled.com

Catch me on 📺 right now for Phoenix Rising vs. Indy Eleven. ESPN+. @azfamily.com. Rising have just added one of the USL’s most entertaining players: Juan David Torres, the Championship's xA and shots leader in '25. Come through!

🤝 Sources: FC Tulsa's sporting director Caleb Patterson-Sewell and head coach Luke Spencer have signed multi-year contract extensions at the club. Tulsa secures two crucial pieces after winning the West and making a run to the USL Championship Final last year. @backheeled.com.

Catch me on ESPN+ right now for ASU vs. LSU women’s soccer! So fun to do something new. 📺

every MLS team's most recent graphic accompanying an announcement of an international slot ↔ GAM transaction, a breakdown:

Yunus Musah is starting games for AC Milan and seems to be in Ruben Amorim's plans 🔴 He should be in the next USMNT camp — and he should've been in Mauricio Pochettino's World Cup roster. My latest thoughts on Musah on @totalsoccershow.bsky.social 🎙️🇺🇸

Dejan Joveljic has been apart of two cash for player trades in MLS. That by itself isn’t weird, but the fact that both trades have come as surprises in certain aspects makes it a talking point. We dive into the trade what it means for both the Sounders and Sporting Kansas City.

Analyzing another Dejan Joveljic trade

Every time Joveljic is traded, he’s caused plenty of debate. What’s the situation this time?

footyanalyticmusings.substack.com

Wrote about all my sneaky favorite MLS players for @backheeled.com. 🟩 Ervin Torres, Austin FC 🟨 Harbor Miller, LA Galaxy 🟦 Luighi, NYCFC ⬜️ …more for every team These are the guys you don’t hear much about, but I think you'll hear *lots* about very soon.

The player on each MLS team you should buy stock in

From little-known homegrowns to under-the-radar stars, don't sleep on these MLS players.

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Will Breel Embolo be a hit signing for Atlanta United? I love the move. The Swiss striker is still in his prime. A totally different profile to Latte Lath. Good fit short and long term. More thoughts from @totalsoccershow.bsky.social. 🎙️🇨🇭

I'm very eager to see how Rokas Pukstas does at a higher level than Croatia — he's now a MiddlesBro with Morris, Berhalter, and Arfsten. Pukstas very well could get the USMNT this cycle 🇺🇸 Can use both feet, good ball-carrier, covers ground, crashes the box. Passing can improve.

NY Times@nytimes-news.bsky.social · 2w ago

Middlesbrough expected to confirm signing of American midfielder Pukstas

Kelsy's athleticism will absolutely translate to Europe. But most encouraging recently has been the striker's improved understanding of how to move off the ball. Kelsy has gotten tons better when it comes to finding good shots (image via @mattdoyle.bsky.social's excellent newsletter).

Tom Bogert@tombogert.bsky.social · 2w ago

🇻🇪🔵 BREAKING: Rangers has agreed to a deal to sign Venezuela int'l forward Kevin Kelsy from the Portland Timbers, per sources Fee is $13m + add-ons + sell-on % Kelsy, 22, joined for just under $6m in the winer. Had 10g/3a in 1,332 mins www.nytimes.com/athletic/753...