Santos Laguna up first for NYCFC in Leagues Cup, and the Liga MX club is stuck in a slump, with 3 straight losses to open the Apertura, but with a reworked backline now featuring ex-Galaxy fullback Mauricio Cuevas. More on Los Guerreros via @matthewmangam.bsky.social ⬇️

Scouting Santos Laguna: 5 things to know before the Leagues Cup opener

The Liga MX club based in Torreón enters its Leagues Cup opener against New York City FC with a new coach, a rebuilt backline, and a sputtering attack.

nysoccerjournal.com

Another big one this week on the @nysoccerjournal.com podcast. We hit… ⚽️Toronto recap ⚽️New MLS Commissioner Larry Berg ⚽️Pochettino’s re-signing to the USMNT ⚽️Arnau Farnos’ brutal training injury ⚽️Leagues Cup preview … and more! Listen anywhere!

#ICYMI @vermontgreenfc.bsky.social are USL League Two champions. The Final last weekend (featuring former #MLS keeper Steve Clark) saw the Green cap off another undefeated season with a second straight championship. Article below ⬇️ cc: @stumptownfooty.bsky.social @districtpressdc.bsky.social

NY Soccer Journal@nysoccerjournal.com · 3d ago

Vermont Green made it back-to-back USL League Two titles this weekend, and @battista.bsky.social explains in here how the Burlington-based club did it, and why they continue to set the standard for what amateur soccer can be in America, on and off the pitch

Todd Dunivant spoke yesterday and addressed the Nico Fernández Mercau transfer situation (screenshotted a salient bit), what to like about Luighi, how to get a “flagship” signing right, and his positive view of the overall state of the squad. Full interview www.nysoccerjournal.com/todd-dunivan...

NYCFC's president and CEO had a lot to say about: Expectations for the new MLS commissioner; Etihad Park; becoming MLS's flagship team & attracting marquee players; teaming up with Gotham FC; opting NYCFC II into the Hometown Soccer Holdings plan to rebrand and relocate MLS Next Pro teams

Brad Sims: Our project is as compelling or more compelling than any in American soccer

An interview with the New York City FC president and CEO on expectations for the new MLS Commissioner and MLS 3.0, what it means for NYCFC to be a "flagship club," Etihad Park, collaborating with Goth...

nysoccerjournal.com

MLS has selected its next commisioner, LAFC co-owner Larry Berg, sources tell me and @jeffrueter.bsky.social. Sportico first on this. More details & background on @us.theguardian.com: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

LAFC co-managing owner Larry Berg voted as next MLS commissioner

Berg, a senior partner at private equity firm 26North, will succeed Don Garber as commissioner in 2027

theguardian.com

In an interview today, NYCFC president and CEO Brad Sims confirmed NYCFC II will be one of the teams opting into the new Hometown Soccer Holdings initiative for MLS Next Pro, with the II squad set to rebrand and relocate. No hints on where they’ll go, said it should be public in 30-60 days’ time

NY Soccer Journal@nysoccerjournal.com · 3mo ago

The private-equity-backed push to centralize biz operations of MLS Next Pro teams could drastically shake up the lower-league soccer scene Piece on the new initiative, including some past comments from NYCFC execs that hint at NYCFC II choosing this route www.nysoccerjournal.com/mls-next-pro...

NYCFC roster for Leagues Cup is out and it includes Next Pro players João Loiola, El Hadji Samb, Peter Molinari. New signing Luighi also eligible and officially on the roster. Enjoy the experience of learning everyone’s full legal names, there will be a quiz later

On Saturday, Vermont Green FC (@vermontgreenfc.bsky.social) won a second straight USL League Two title. The Burlington side, unbeaten in league play over two years (38 games), is setting a standard for non-professional teams. Article for @nysoccerjournal.com: www.nysoccerjournal.com/vermont-gree...

Vermont Green wins second straight USL League Two title

The Burlington-based side continues to set the standard for amateur soccer in America on and off the field, beating Flint City Bucks to make it back-to-back USL 2 titles and cap off another unbeaten s...

nysoccerjournal.com

Vermont Green made it back-to-back USL League Two titles this weekend, and @battista.bsky.social explains in here how the Burlington-based club did it, and why they continue to set the standard for what amateur soccer can be in America, on and off the pitch

Vermont Green wins second straight USL League Two title

The Burlington-based side continues to set the standard for amateur soccer in America on and off the field, beating Flint City Bucks to make it back-to-back USL 2 titles and cap off another unbeaten s...

nysoccerjournal.com

That 5-0 Toronto win in the Bronx in the 2016 playoffs never happened, according to the AI author of the AP’s NYCFC-TFC recap from Friday. “In the regular season” qualifier would make this true but that qualifier isn’t in there so…

Sam Kerr scored another history-making goal, Shelby Hogan kept a 2nd straight clean sheet filling in for Ann-Katrin Berger (out for “rest” reasons), and Gotham extended their unbeaten run to 6, closing out the road trip with another 1-0 win. @meghaggupta.bsky.social with more ⤵️

Sam Kerr goal helps Gotham FC close road trip with a win

Kerr missed an early penalty but made up for it by scoring a 46th-minute winner, while goalkeeper Shelby Hogan kept another clean sheet to keep Gotham unbeaten in six and make it back-to-back 1-0 wins...

nysoccerjournal.com

Another good one with @treyfillmore.bsky.social on this weeks episode of The Blueprint for @nysoccerjournal.com This week, we broke down the US soccer landscape coming out of the World Cup. We get into the weeds on pay-to-play, and how MLS is position to capitalize on World Cup momentum

Nicolás Fernández Mercau, MLS ranks after 18 matches Minutes: 3rd (1,588) Goals: t-1st (13) Goals+assists: 3rd (16) Big chances created: t-8th (9) G-xG: 1st (+5.47) Non-PK goals: t-6th (9) Shots on target: t-3rd (28) Successful dribbles/gm: 11th (1.78) Fouls: 3rd (37) Fouls drawn: 2nd (55)

Frustrating result for NYCFC as they settle for a point at home against a scuffling Toronto side, with NYC unable to build on their momentum following 2 wins in a row coming out of the World Cup break, instead getting trapped by a trap game @markradigan.bsky.social with more on the 1-1 in the Bronx

New York City FC stumbles in trap game, settles for draw with Toronto

Riding high off two straight wins, New York City came back down to Earth with a disappointing draw against Toronto FC under the lights in the Bronx on Friday night.

nysoccerjournal.com

Pascal Jansen: "First half, the control wasn't as good as I would like it to be...You have to keep a high rhythm of play; I thought we slowed things down. Gave Toronto way too big of a piece of the game.” Said conceding before HT "showed we were not switched on anymore. We got punished for that."

A 1-1 draw in the end, one mistake in possession at the very end of the 1st half cost NYCFC in a relatively even match in which neither team created many great chances after HT. 26 points through 18 played for NYCFC, middle of playoff pack in East as they turn to Leagues Cup

Most influential performance from Bénie Traoré so far in his 3rd game with NYCFC. A major threat on runs in behind when ball turns over, just forced TFC’s new DP Niklas Dorsch into a yellow after he isolated him on the counter. Signs of more sauciness to come from the new signing

Very quick yellow card shown to Nico Fernández Mercau here at the 18th minute for kicking the ball away and delaying a restart (3rd yellow of the match shown already by ref Ramy Touchan). Nico now suspended for NYCFC's next MLS match for accumulation

More soccer in the Bronx, third game played on this pitch since last Saturday night. Beautiful night here for it

Before NYCFC plays Toronto, catch yourself up on the state of Toronto FC by reading @matthewmangam.bsky.social's latest scouting report, in which he spoke to John Molinaro of @tfcrepublic.bsky.social to learn more about TFC’s underperforming DPs, their bad injury luck, an improved defense

Scouting Toronto FC: 5 things to know before Friday night's clash

Toronto needs its Designated Player attackers, Josh Sargent and Djordje Mihailovic, to produce like DPs if they're going to snap their 11-match MLS winless streak.

nysoccerjournal.com

New ep. of The Blueprint with @thepigeonsnycfc.bsky.social and @treyfillmore.bsky.social out now: How can soccer in the United States actually take advantage of its big World Cup moment? What capitalizing on World Cup Fever looks like, who stands to benefit, and what stands in the way. Listen 🎧

The Blueprint: Capturing World Cup momentum in America

The World Cup is over, so what happens to American soccer now? An attempt to figure out what the country's post-World Cup soccer landscape should look like, and if the moment can be properly capitaliz...

nysoccerjournal.com

Under the Friday night lights at Yankee Stadium as NYCFC plays a final MLS match before the annual Leagues Cup diversion. 30th time ever playing Toronto, and this year’s Toronto last won a game on April 4th. Viernes de Fútbol preview, including player availability (no Luighi yet), H2H history, etc ⤵️

Matchday 18: New York City FC vs Toronto in the Bronx

It's been back-to-back wins out of the World Cup break for New York City despite a double-digit injury list, while Toronto hasn't won a match since early April.

nysoccerjournal.com

Not a big crowd, only one early goal from distance to earn a Leeds win, but with new faces in new places plus some returning World Cup heroes getting a run-out to add some intrigue. @matthewmangam.bsky.social with more on tonight’s Premier League preseason showcase in Harrison, NJ

Leeds bests Sunderland as Premier League preseason hits Sports Illustrated Stadium

A long-distance strike from Leeds' Lukas Nmecha in the eighth minute proved the difference in a 1-0 win in front of a light Thursday night crowd in Harrison, New Jersey.

nysoccerjournal.com

Gotham's roster is in flux, but they keep finding ways to get results, as a Midge Purce goal after 119 seconds held up thanks to the 10th clean sheet kept by Gotham so far this season. More from @meghaggupta.bsky.social on Gotham's 1-0 triumph away to Bay FC late last night

Another early Midge Purce goal gets Gotham FC a road win over Bay FC

Gotham remains in second place in the NWSL table after a Purce goal scored 119 seconds into the match held up thanks to another clean sheet kept, the 10th shutout for the Bats so far this season.

nysoccerjournal.com

After Liverpool's win over Wrexham at Yankee Stadium, players and Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson discussed the memorable atmosphere, plus the impact new manager and returning NYCFC alum Andoni Iraola is having on Liverpool in his early days in charge

Liverpool, Wrexham discuss IraolaBall, Yankee Stadium atmosphere following Reds' victory

After Liverpool's win in front of 42,204 fans, players and Wrexham coach Phil Parkinson weighed in on Andoni Iraola's early tactical impact on Liverpool as the first-year manager made a happy return t...

nysoccerjournal.com

Liverpool fans ended up being the happier and louder set of red-clad supporters out of the 42,204 at Yankee Stadium tonight to see a late Rio Ngumoha goal beat Wrexham. @matthewmangam.bsky.social reports in from from the high-profile preseason friendly in the Bronx

Sea of red at Yankee Stadium as Liverpool tops Wrexham in summer friendly

42,204 fans packed Yankee Stadium to watch Andoni Iraola's Liverpool FC earn a late 1-0 win over Wrexham AFC in a preseason friendly.

nysoccerjournal.com

So confused by the MLS All Star Game doing a whole voting process for a “First XI” involving media, fans, players…but then that’s not the actual starting lineup for the MLS All Stars (Matt Freese starting in goal but he didn’t get voted in, Brian Schwake did)

NYCFC injury updates from Pascal Jansen: Aiden O'Neill (ankle surgery): "looks very positive, 'less worse' than we anticipated. Raul Gustavo: 2-3 weeks, then expected back w/ squad Kevin O'Toole: "Ticked all the boxes & will be joining squad again." Arnau Farnós: Injured in training, severity TBD

Pascal Jansen on new NYCFC signing Luighi: "Available for minutes once we start Leagues Cup, not ready to play against Toronto just yet due to paperwork. Happy that he chose to come, support this project, very talented Brazilian striker, looks very mature in the way he plays."