US Men Nations League QF vs Jamaica Tues Mon 8 pm TNT
So the US found a way to win at Jamaica – giving the Poch his first win on the road in Concacaf something GB only did twice in over 5 years. The US scored early with Pepi scoring on his best chance in the first 5 minutes – the US then held on with Turner making some fantastic – saves including a PK save in the first half. I honestly thought the US went too defensive in the 2nd half and were lucky to get out with the 1-0 win – it should have been 2-1 Jamaica. But sometimes its better to be lucky than good. The US will hopefully go for the win with perhaps a 2-0 or 2-1 win at home. I thought Brandon Vasquez really blew his chance – at center forward – as he had 2 chances to put the game away and missed on both. Pepi is showing he is the guy right now at the 9 slot. I am excited to see how adding Tim Weah on the right wing will change things. I expect Musah to perhaps drop back into the 6 or 8 slot replacing the injured Cardoso. Ream is from St Louis and he’s the captain – expect to stay with the same pairing with McKensie who played his best game in a US Uniform in the first round.
Nice to see young GK of the future 18 YO Diego Kochen of Barcelona in camp – a guy who can use his feet and might just be starting at Barca by 21.
MLS – Messi and Miami lose first round finale to Brad Guzan and Atlanta United Next Round Sat/Sun
So Messi & MLS star studded Miami is out of the playoffs as they were stone-walled in the 3rd and final game of the first round series at home by former US standout Brad Guzan in a 2-3 loss –hi-lights. It will be interesting to see what impact this has on the MLS Playoffs – for me personally – now that all the remaining games will be behind the Apple MLS firewall I am done watching. Sorry MLS but you have done this to yourselves – not even your playoff games are being watched by kids in America. I just can’t fathom the stupidity of paying so much for Messi to join MLS and then not letting anyone see it on free TV. I for one have checked out MLS – out of site – out of mind.
NWSL Has Fantastic Playoff Round in Semi-Finals
Now an American soccer league with a clue – the NWSL- actually has a clue as 3 of its four games this weekend were on network TV – ESPN, CBS, and ABC along with 1 on Prime. I actually watched both of Sunday’s games – since MLS wasn’t on – the game were exciting! Top seeds stole the show in this weekend’s NWSL quarterfinals, as all four higher-ranked teams advance to the semis in style.
No. 1 Orlando blasted No. 8 Chicago 4-1 behind star Barbra Banda’s brace on Friday before Golden Boot winner Temwa Chawinga’s eighth-minute goal secured No. 4 Kansas City’s 1-0 victory over No. 5 North Carolina on Saturday. While tactically different, Sunday’s doubleheader followed similar scripts: Goalless first halves for No. 2 Washington and No. 3 Gotham led to 1-1 scorelines before the East Coast powerhouses emerged with late 2-1 wins over No. 7 Bay FC and No. 6 Portland, respectively. Lavelle Wins it in Stoppage Time for Gothem FC.
USMNT Roster for Nations League Semis vs Jamaica :
Goalkeepers: Diego Kochen (FC Barcelona Atletic), Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew), Zack Steffen (Colorado Rapids), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace)
Defenders: Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Auston Trusty (Celtic)
Midfielders: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United), Gianluca Busio (Venezia), Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough), Yunus Musah (AC Milan), Tanner Tessmann (Lyon), Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven)
Forwards: Cade Cowell (Guadalajara), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Brandon Vázquez (Monterrey), Tim Weah (Juventus), Alex Zendejas (Club América)
Absolutely Thrilled to see that Former Carmel FC GK Coach and Indy 11 GK Jordan Farr signs with DC United in MLS. He comes off a successful 2 seasons at the Tampa Bay Rowdies where they went to the playoffs each season.
GAMES ON TV
Thur, Nov 14
2:45 pm FS 1 Greece vs England Nations League
2:45 pm TUDN Israel vs France
2:45 pm fubu Belgium vs Italy
8 pm TNT, Peacock Jamaica vs USA NL QF #1
9 pm Galazo, Para+ Costa Rica vs Panama QF #2
Fri, Nov 15
2:45 pm FS2 Denmark vs Spain Nations League
2:45 pm FS2 Portugal vs Poland
7 pm 6:30 pm Golazo Surinam vs Canada QF#4
9 pm Uni, Para+ Honduras vs Mexico QF #3
Sat, Nov 16
12 noon CBS Washington Spirit vs NY/NJ Gotham FC NWSL Semis
2:45 pm FS2 Netherlands vs Hungary NL
Sun Nov 17
12 pm ? England vs Ireland
2:45 pm FS2 Italy vs France NL
3 pm ABC Orlando Pride (Marta) vs KC Current NWSL Semis
7:30 pm Apple Vancouver vs LAFC
Mon, Nov 18
2:45 pm FS2 Croatia vs Portugal
8 pm TNT, Peacock USA vs Jamaica NL QF
9 pm Para+ Panama vs Costa Rica NL QF
Tues Nov 19
2:45 pm FS2 Bosnia vs Netherlands NL
2:45 pm TUDN? Hungary vs Germany NL
7 pm Telemundo Argentina vs Peru WCQ
7:30 pm Para+ Canada vs Suriname
9:30 pm Para+ Mexico vs Honduras QF
Midweek USMNT action is here. Let’s get into it!
Thursday
- Eintracht Braunschweig vs St. Pauli, 6a: Mexican-American forward Johan Gómez, an FC Dallas academy product, has 0 goals and 1 assist in 7 matches to start the 2. Bundesliga season with newly-promoted Braunschweig. This match is a friendly.
- Jamaica vs USA, 8p on TNT, UNIVERSO, truTV, Max, Peacock, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, The main event. The USA travel to Kingston, Jamaica to take on the Reggae Boyz in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals.
- Bonaire vs El Salvador, 8p on Paramount+: El Salvadar are in Nations League B, they visit Bonaire in Group 1.
- Costa Rica vs Panama, 9p on Paramount+: The Ticos host Panama in another Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal.
Friday
- Mönchengladbach vs Preussen Münster, 7a: Joe Scally was included in the USMNT roster for this international window, so he won’t be with Gladbach for this friendly.
- Suriname vs Canada, 6:30p on Paramount+: Jesse Marsch and Canada visit Suriname in the third Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal.
- Honduras vs Mexico, 9p on Paramount+, FuboTV, TUDN USA, Univision USA: Honduras host El Tri in the final Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal.
USMNT
Analysis: Pepi strikes early as USMNT win leg one in Jamaica 1-0
Weah ‘moved on’ from red card in Copa elimination ESPN Jeff Carlisle Poch: Playing in MLS no barrier to U.S. selection
Aaronson, Pepi, & Weah highlight positive weekend for Yanks in Europe Scouting Jamaica Tim Weah scores for Juve as dad George looks on
USMNT forward Sargent out 8 weeks after surgery
Manchester City register interest in Premier League US star left-back valued at £40 million Cole Campbell breaks through at Borussia Dortmund
MLS
Clock ticking for Messi as Miami suffer biggest shock in MLS postseason history A Messi situation: What is Inter Miami’s future after shocking upset? Messi: Miami will ‘come back stronger next year’ Messi, Miami suffer stunning 1st-rd exit to Atlanta1dLizzy Becherano
Arena makes MLS return as San Jose coach, GM Jeff Carlisle ESPN
Not even Messi could save Inter Miami from injury, depth issues In dismissing Curtin, the Union are no longer MLS’s model club
US Women & NWSL Playoffs
- Pride head to first NWSL championship after 3-2 win over Current
- Spirit advance to NWSL Championship after thrilling shootout win over Gotham FC
- NWSL taking a different approach than MLS in gaining an audience
Lily Yohannes, 17, picks USWNT over Netherlands
NWSL’s Big Four win dramatic quarterfinals, set up semifinals full of star power Lavelle Wins it in Stoppage Time for Gothem FC Gotham FC’s home playoff win exemplifies its ‘swell of momentum’ on and off the field Forget the stars, it’s NJ/NY Gotham FC’s depth that is so key Lavelle, Gotham top Thorns, end Sinclair’s career Rodman, Spirit beat Bay FC, reach NWSL semis Andonovski: Opposition ‘targeting’ KC’s Chawinga Orlando Pride dominate Chicago Red Stars in 4-1 victory Banda’s brace sends Pride into NWSL semifinals Wave make NWSL’s 1st signing direct from NCAA Canada fires Ladies coach Priestman over drone scandal
Goalkeeping
Former Carmel FC GK Coach and Indy 11 GK Jordan Farr signs with DC United in MLS
🥇 History made as MLS announce Goalkeeper of the Year 🧤
With 8 saves in the Finale Brad Guzan Won the Game as Atlanta downed Messi’s Miami
How to Save a Penalty
Reffing
Premier League ref David Coote suspended over video of crude rant at Jurgen Klopp
Webb admits to VAR error before Ten Hag sacking ESPN
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Pulisic, Weah headline USMNT squad for Concacaf quarterfinal
Jeff Carlisle, U.S. soccer correspondentNov 10, 2024, 10:00 AM ET
United States men’s national team manager Mauricio Pochettino has named a 25-player roster to compete in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals this week against Jamaica. Among those included are AC Milan‘s Christian Pulisic and the Juventus duo of Weston McKennie and Timothy Weah. Advertising
The quarterfinal matchup will be contested over two legs, with the first leg to be played in Kingston, Jamaica, on Nov. 14 and the second leg contested in St. Louis four days later. In 10 meetings in Jamaica, the U.S. has a record of 3-1-6. Players will report to the camp on Sunday and Monday, with the team departing Wednesday afternoon for Jamaica. Pochettino will have a greater number of first-choice players available compared to last month’s international window, the Argentine’s first in charge. Weah is recalled for the first time since his red card against Panama in the Copa América, and his subsequent suspension will carry over into the first leg in Kingston.”We select 25 players on the roster and we try to find the best balance, thinking not only about [performing] today if not to build something for 2026,” Pochettino told a news conference on Sunday. “That is the main objective. Of course the objective is always about to win because we need to be competitive but it’s important because we are not going to have too many camps to see players.” Other returnees include Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards, Fulham defender Antonee Robinson and Real Betis midfielder Johnny Cardoso. Pochettino will also get his first looks at Barcelona Atletic goalkeeper Diego Kochen and CD Guadalajara forward Cade Cowell. However, a host of regulars miss out for the U.S. with fitness concerns. Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams just recently returned to play after a lengthy injury layoff due to back surgery. Monaco forward Folarin Balogun continues to recover from a separated shoulder, while Norwich City striker Josh Sargent recently underwent groin surgery that is set to sideline him for up to eight weeks. Coventry City’s Haji Wright also suffered an ankle injury late in Sunday’s match against Sunderland.”He [Adams] is a highly important player for USA, for us, and I consider him personally a very important player for the future of this team. But the most important thing now is to see the progression. He came from a difficult moment. Yesterday, he played 60 minutes, 65 minutes,” Pochettino said.”I think it was important for him to see and for us so happy to see the evolution of him. But in the same time we know very well that we need to look after him if we want to have him in the best condition for 2026.”The injuries to Balogun, Sargent and Wright mean plenty of eyes will be on the group of forwards which in addition to Cowell includes PSV Eindhoven’s Ricardo Pepi and Monterrey FC’s Brandon Vázquez.
The roster does seem light on outside defenders, with just Robinson and Joe Scally having extensive experience in those roles. That hints that Pochettino may resort to playing with three defenders plus wingbacks, though Richards and Charlotte FC defender Tim Ream have played at outside back in the past in a four-back system. The USMNT is aiming to win its fourth straight CNL, having previously claimed every edition of the tournament since the first final was held in 2021.
USMNT Nov. training camp roster:
Goalkeepers: Diego Kochen (FC Barcelona Atletic), Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew), Zack Steffen (Colorado Rapids), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace)
Defenders: Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Auston Trusty (Celtic)
Midfielders: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United), Gianluca Busio (Venezia), Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough), Yunus Musah (AC Milan), Tanner Tessmann (Lyon), Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven)
Forwards: Cade Cowell (Guadalajara), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Brandon Vázquez (Monterrey), Tim Weah (Juventus), Alex Zendejas (Club América)
Mauricio Pochettino calls up Nations League roster, including Tim Weah, Chris Richards
By Paul Tenorio Nov 10, 2024
U.S. men’s national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino has called up 25 players for his first competitive games in charge, a set of Nations League quarterfinals against Jamaica, including his first look at two regulars with the team, Tim Weah and Chris Richards. Weah and Richards join Johnny Cardoso, Diego Kochen and Cade Cowell as five players who will get their first look under Pochettino this month.The U.S. will face Jamaica in Kingston on Thursday, November 14, and then in the return leg in St. Louis on November 18.Christian Pulisic, Antonee Robinson and Weston McKennie are in the squad, though the team will be without a few injured players including Gio Reyna, Josh Sargent and Sergiño Dest.
Inside Pochettino’s first month in charge of USMNT: Mate cups, meetings and a chance encounter
Another notable absence is Tyler Adams, who made his first start for Bournemouth on Saturday since returning from injury. Adams has played just 100 minutes since July 1, however, and with a short window, it allows him to stay at the club and continue building his fitness. “He is an important player for USA, for us, and I consider him, personally, a very important player for the future of this team,” Pochettino said explaining Adams’ omission. “But the most important thing now is to see the progression. “He came from a difficult moment yesterday, played 60-65 minutes, I think it was important for him to see, and for us (we were) so happy to see (his) evolution. “But in the same time, we know very well that we need to look after him if we want to have him in the best condition for 2026. I think it is important to build that relationship.”
Adams is still working his way back to full fitness (Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Elsewhere injuries to Haji Wright, Folarin Balogun and Sargent have opened the door for other forwards to stake their claims for a regular roster spot. “It’s true these types of injuries have opened opportunities for other players to get more minutes,” Pochettino added. “It’s a great opportunity for (Ricardo Pepi) to get the opportunity to play and show his talent.“Of course (we’re) disappointed with Haji, Sargent and Balogun injured and can’t be in the squad, but it’s a chance for (Pepi) and Brandon Vazquez to fight for their spot on their team.”Following his red card against Panama on June 27 during the Copa America, Weah will serve the second game of his two-match suspension during the first leg in Jamaica.The U.S. beat Panama and lost to Mexico in their first two games, both friendlies, under Pochettino last month. These Nations League games present the first test in official competition. The U.S. won the first three CONCACAF Nations League titles.Jamaica nearly eliminated the U.S. from the 2023-24 Nations League in the semifinals before a late brace from Haji Wright lifted the U.S. to the win.The group includes eleven players aged 23 and younger: Cardoso, Patrick Schulte and Tanner Tessmann (23); Gianluca Busio, Aidan Morris and Malik Tillman (22); Cowell, Yunus Musah, Ricardo Pepi, and Joe Scally (21); and Kochen (18).
USMNT Player Tracker: The return of the Brothers Aaronson, Pepi progress and outsider Weah
By Greg O’Keeffe 11/11/24 The Athletic
The Aaronson brothers’ resurgence, Ricardo Pepi’s progress at PSV Eindhoven and Tim Weah’s striking instincts all feature in this week’s USMNT Player Tracker.Throughout the season, we will bring you updates on the U.S. players plying their trade in various leagues around Europe. With a World Cup on home soil on the horizon and new national team boss Mauricio Pochettino monitoring from afar, we’re keeping tabs on how they perform every weekend.
Issue of the weekend
At relatively tender ages, they have already endured many of the European game’s ups and downs. But, after coming through challenging times last season, the Aaronson brothers are having something of a moment.
Last year Brenden, 24, and younger brother Paxten, 21, faced uncertain futures. The former was loaned out by recently relegated Leeds United after his dream move to England appeared to sour, and found himself in another relegation fight at Union Berlin in Germany.Paxten was also surplus to requirements at his club, Eintracht Frankfurt, and was sent out on loan to Vitesse Arnhem in the Netherlands.Neither, though, let the disappointment hold them back. Brenden helped his German club to stave off the drop, while Paxten played all but one game for his temporary team and contributed four goals — albeit enduring the other side of a relegation fight with Vitesse finishing bottom of the Eredivisie.
This time around, though, they are thriving.Brenden is adding plenty of value back at Leeds where the supporters have embraced him, and his four goals have helped the Yorkshire club into third place as they chase promotion back to the Premier League.
Brenden has made a positive impact back with Leeds (MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Paxten returned to the Dutch top flight via another loan, to Utrecht, and now he’s in an upwardly mobile outfit — the club is second in the table ahead of Aja and Feyenoord — and he is the team’s top goalscorer with four (and one assist).It was his close-range volley against Heracles on Friday that proved the only goal of a tense game in which he was the star man. The midfielder also created two chances according to Fotmob.Big brother Brenden started his 13th consecutive game for Leeds on Saturday and also tasted victory as Daniel Farke’s team beat Queens Park Rangers 2-0.It was no surprise the latter was included in Pochettino’s first competitive USMNT roster, albeit perhaps more of one that Paxten missed out.
Brenden Aaronson exclusive: ‘All I care about is getting Leeds United promoted’
However, if the younger sibling maintains this form, he cannot be far from adding to his solitary senior cap.
Player of the weekend
Ricardo Pepi heads off on international duty with a spring in his step having made another notch on his season’s goal-count at PSV. He was not going to let the chance of a rare start — and the flipped dynamic that saw his club’s usual starting centre-forward, Luuk de Jong, on the bench instead — pass him by without a flourish. So ‘El Tren’ provided the laser-guided finish that gave the defending champions the lead against NAC Breda on Saturday in what went on to become a routine win.“He was very threatening, constantly looked for depth and was sharp in finishing,” said a satisfied manager Peter Bosz to the PSV website. “He played well. That’s not surprising because he’s a good player. Only he is unlucky that Luuk de Jong is in front of him.“I do think he deserves more minutes than last season.”
Pepi celebrates with Ismael Saibari (Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
Pepi now has the same number of goals as De Jong (six) this season, but from just 420 Eredivisie minutes compared to the club captain’s 696.It’s enough to wonder how much longer a budding virtuoso can carry on playing second fiddle.
Quote of the weekend
“I play in attack. I’m happy. It’s a big thing for me, I feel like a striker. I prefer the outside role. Today I am happy, but for the team, we have to continue like this because when we play like tonight, we are strong. Now the game against AC Milan awaits us, it’s important, also for me and for my family history.”Tim Weah’s father George played 147 times for the Rossoneri across four highly successful seasons. He scored 58 goals, won two Serie A titles and the Ballon d’Or in 1995.Weah Jr scored his fourth goal in eight Serie A appearances this term for Juventus on Saturday as they beat Torino 2-0 in the Derby della Mole. Deployed on the right of the attack, he made himself a menace and also won praise from manager Thiago Motta, who was happy with Weah’s form when he moved further forward after regular starter Dusan Vlahovic was substituted.
Weah celebrates his goal against Torino (Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images)
“I think Weah is doing very well at the moment,” said the Juve boss to his club’s website. “But (Francisco) Conceicao is always an extra weapon. He can help us in the match and we can alternate them, or use them together.“For the role of centre forward in the absence of Vlahovic, I’ll evaluate match by match. It’s impossible to say an exact name at the moment.”
How did other U.S. players get on?
Name: Tyler Adams
Club: Bournemouth
Position: Midfielder
Games (in all competitions): 3
Another key moment for Adams in his return to full fitness as he made his first start of the season for Bournemouth.
The USMNT star played 67 minutes as his team lost 3-2 against Brentford, but he had a busy game with one chance created and more tackles (four) than any team-mate, according to Fotmob.
Name: Tanner Tessmann
Club: Lyon
Position: Midfielder
Games: 9
Tessman got onto the field as a second-half substitute to sample the atmosphere of a Ligue 1 derby win as Lyon beat bitter rivals Saint-Etienne on Sunday. He had a bright cameo with three passes into the final third, and the American won both of his two ground duels.
Lyon gears up for the Rhone-Alpes derby (Olivier Chassignole / AFP via Getty Images)
Name: Johnny Cardoso
Club: Real Betis
Position: Midfielder
Games: 15
Cardoso created a goal for striker Vitor Roque as Real Betis drew 2-2 with Celta Vigo on Sunday. It was his first assist in nine La Liga games for his team so far this season.
Name: Christian Pulisic
Club: Attacker
Position: AC Milan
Games: 15
Goals: 7
Such is his sensational form at present, it is rare to see a Milan game when the USMNT hero does not get on the scoresheet. But he was relatively subdued as Milan drew 3-3 at Cagliari on Saturday — even if he did play a part in the team’s third goal when his shot was palmed away for Tammy Abraham to convert the rebound and make it 3-2.
The 26-year-old was withdrawn on 82 minutes by manager Paulo Fonseca, and wasn’t on the field when Gabriele Zappa’s late goal snatched a draw for the hosts to leave Milan frustrated.
Pulisic had started in a central role behind 16-year-old striking prospect Francesco Camarda, and at times seemed to miss his ability to drift inside from his usual wide position.
Name: Haji Wright
Club: Coventry City
Position: Striker
Games: 16
Goals: 6
Another week, another goal for Wright. The striker helped Coventry draw 2-2 at Sunderland just days after manager Mark Robins was sacked.
His near-post finish — that’s six goals so far this term — pulled one back for the visitors, who went on to grab a point, but a late ankle injury spoiled the striker’s day. He hobbled off the pitch but then needed a stretcher to get to the treatment room, and he will not be involved in the USMNT games against Jamaica during the international window.
Wright departs on a stretcher (Steve Welsh/PA Images via Getty Images)
What’s coming up?
We enter an international break now but, when domestic fixtures resume in a fortnight, you can watch Antonee Robinson in action for in-form Fulham against Wolverhampton Wanderers 0n Saturday, November 23 (10am, Peacock Premium).
Also that day, Pulisic and Yunus Musah could go head-to-head with Weston McKennie and Weah as AC Milan face Juventus (12pm, Peacock Premium). The following day, Joe Scally and Borussia Monchengladbach face St Pauli in Bundesliga (Sunday, 11:30am, ESPN+).
MLS Final Table
MLS playoffs without Lionel Messi and Inter Miami could be a welcome reality check
Paul Tenorio Nov 11, 2024 The Athletic
Lionel Messi is out of the Major League Soccer playoffs after Inter Miami, the No 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, suffered a stunning opening-round loss to ninth-seeded Atlanta United.It is a disaster for MLS and the league’s media partner, Apple. The most popular athlete on the planet is out of the playoffs after just one round, before even the quarterfinals.Perhaps, though, it is also a blessing in disguise.From the moment Messi announced in summer 2023 that he was coming to MLS, the league has had dueling directives. The first was to maximize the moment and leverage Messi’s presence to bring new fans to the product. But the second job was more important: build on that initial pop and keep as many fans as possible around when the now 37-year-old is gone.Even optimistically, it’s tough to envision Messi playing more than two more seasons in Miami’s pink jersey — and the remainder of these playoffs will now be a test of whether MLS is succeeding on that second front.Inter Miami are undoubtedly maximizing their Messi moment, or at least doing everything in their power to do so. They have squeezed every dollar out of the salary budget to build a team around him. They circumnavigated the globe in preseason, bringing in millions in profit, to grow their brand. They have announced some of the biggest sponsorship deals in MLS history. They’ve also won two trophies in two seasons: the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2024 Supporters’ Shield, the latter by setting a record for most points earned in an MLS regular season.On-field success is never guaranteed, as the result of that best-of-three series against Atlanta shows, but Miami are doing everything they can to try to win — and to grow their fanbase, both locally and globally.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck/Imagn Images)
The league, meanwhile, has benefited from Messi’s presence, too.
MLS has set records this year in total attendance, average attendance, season-ticket sales, sold-out games and the number of matches with crowds of over 40,000 — numbers boosted not just by Messi’s presence, but also by having more teams in the league than ever before. MLS also boasted about increases in sponsorship revenues, record retail sales (driven by people buying Messi’s jersey, which ranked No. 1 globally for all Adidas football/soccer shirts) and record social and digital media audiences.
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Apple, which also partnered with Messi as part of his contract to come to MLS, has seen benefits, too. Last season, which the Argentine arrived halfway through, Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas tweeted that subscribers to MLS Season Pass on Apple TV had doubled in the first month of Messi in MLS, with the Spanish-language audience growing more than 50 percent.The fear is that those numbers might be a commercial blip. If MLS has a plan on how to fully leverage those audiences, we haven’t seen it yet.
Just days after Messi was officially unveiled as a Miami player, Mas delivered a line that spoke to the optimism over the transformation he might bring. “Evolution is inevitable,” Mas said. “And change is likely.”It has been nearly a year and a half since that moment, and MLS’s ideas on how to evolve aren’t yet clear. The league is discussing changes, including potentially flipping to a fall-spring calendar from the current February-December one but there has been little hint as to how it intends to grow the on-field product.
Last year, FC Dallas owner Clark Hunt told The Athletic that MLS was “studying” the Messi effect to “understand how that’s going to impact the league long-term, how it’s going to grow not only our fanbase in the stadiums each weekend, but also how it’s going to grow our media subscriptions through Apple”. The league was having “substantive conversations about the way we can move the league forward,” he said.
Those conversations are still ongoing.
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Meanwhile, it feels like the bounce from Messi’s arrival has worn off, beyond the sold-out stadiums around the nation when Miami and company are in town. Whereas every Messi highlight was on SportsCenter in his first months in MLS, his impact in the 2024 season, no less fantastic on the field, has felt less mainstream. Messi’s jerseys are everywhere, but MLS as a product is far less ubiquitous.
(Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MLS and Apple have not shared viewership or subscriber numbers. (Apple also does not share numbers for its MLB broadcasts.) It is therefore impossible to know whether Messi’s impact on subscribers has continued to grow, remained stable or fallen. Or whether Messi’s presence in the league has meant an uptick in viewership for games that don’t involve Inter Miami.
That last part is crucial.
This season’s MLS playoffs, now down to eight surviving teams, include four from the two biggest media markets in the country in New York and Los Angeles. Also represented are Atlanta, where MLS arguably resonates the most locally, and Seattle, where it traditionally has mattered in a big way. The final two, Minnesota and Orlando, are the league’s small-market success stories.
In many ways, Messi’s absence aside, this playoff field now sets up exceptionally well for MLS to showcase its product.
But will MLS resonate without Messi? Will people actually tune in to the remainder of the playoffs?
Historically, the answer has been no. At least not in a way that compares to other major American sports leagues. Or even to the very best soccer numbers for Mexico’s Liga MX, the Premier League in England and the Europe-wide UEFA Champions League. MLS has its loyal fanbase, but that level of viewership needs to grow substantially.
The 2024 postseason now will serve as a reminder of what MLS’s reality looks like without Messi. When the viewership data rolls in, will those with access to the numbers behind the scenes truly evaluate what they mean for the league’s future and the best path forward? Will it accelerate change? The league will be behind a paywall on Apple through 2032. MLS has to entice fans not just to watch its product, but to pay to do so. Bringing the world’s most popular player to its league was certainly one way to get them to do that. Figuring out how to keep those fans, and to get more to sign up, has always been the harder task.
Where did Miami go wrong and what does playoff exit mean for Messi and Martino?
“I wouldn’t say that the timing is when Lionel Messi leaves MLS, it’s really about what do we want to be by 2027,” MLS commissioner Don Garber said last year in his state-of-the-league address. “We’re going to have the eyes of the world on us (for the 2026 World Cup, when the majority of games will be played in the U.S. as it co-hosts with Canada and Mexico), and the soccer market here in the United States is going to be exposed to the entire global soccer and football community.“What is the product that we deliver?”The final two weeks of these playoffs — and Messi’s absence from them — is a crucial opportunity to evaluate exactly that.
Paul Tenorio is a senior writer for The Athletic who covers soccer. He has previously written for the Washington Post, the Orlando Sentinel, FourFourTwo, ESPN and MLSsoccer.com. Follow Paul on Twitter @PaulTenorio
Lily Yohannes picks USWNT over Netherlands: What Ajax teen’s decision means for Emma Hayes’ squad
By Steph Yang and Callum Davis Nov 11, 2024 The Athletic
Ajax teenager Lily Yohannes has committed to represent the U.S. women’s national team at international level.The 17-year-old midfielder was born in Springfield, Virginia, but moved to the Netherlands with her family in 2017 and was working toward eligibility to possibly represent the country as a Dutch citizen.In a social media post confirming her decision, she wrote: “After much consideration, I have decided to commit to represent my country, the United States.“The U.S. is my homeland, my birthplace, and where my extended family resides.“These strong connections have driven me to honor my roots and proudly commit to U.S. Soccer.”She added: “I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the United States and Dutch Football Federations for their unwavering support and patient guidance as I made my decision regarding my international future.“Their dedication and encouragement have been invaluable, and I extend my heartfelt thanks to both Federations.”Having progressed through the youth ranks at Ajax, Yohannes signed her first professional contract at the age of 15. She scored five goals in 20 appearances in 2023-24 and has netted two goals in six Eredivisie Women’s league games so far this term.In November last year, aged 16, she became the youngest player to start a Women’s Champions League group stage game. In June, she scored in her first appearance for the USWNT after being handed her debut by head coach Emma Hayes in 2-0 friendly win over South Korea.
FIFA rules allow players to switch international allegiance as long as they have played no more than three competitive senior games for a country before the age of 21. A switch was not necessary in Yohannes’ case.
‘Yohannes’ decision comes at the perfect time’
Analysis by Stephanie Yang
Yohannes’ declaration for the USWNT felt a bit like an inevitability after her debut for the United States against South Korea.In that game, Yohannes entered as a substitute in the 72nd minute and scored just 10 minutes later, finding some separation between herself and a defender in the box and picking out a cross that she placed through several players into the net.While friendlies do not cap-tie players, Yohannes did not appear to be a part of the Netherlands’ plans this year, with head coach Andries Jonker saying in late October that he was unable to invite her into camp, presumably due to eligibility reasons.All the same, Hayes kept any discussion of Yohannes close to her chest, saying on an October 17 call, “There has been communication post-Olympics between Lily and us at the Federation, so I’m always optimistic, but I don’t like to pressure anybody in this situation.Now that Yohannes has made her decision, it’s the perfect time for her to make herself available to Hayes, who has been on a tour of the U.S. to observe players at NWSL clubs and most recently gave seven players their first caps in one international window.Hayes has said repeatedly that this is a learning and planning period, allowing as many players as possible to come into a lower-stakes environment and ease them into the roster ahead of the 2027 World Cup.Though Yohannes only has one cap, in that game she was entrusted to deal with a fair amount of pressure in midfield, including defending Korean legend Ji So-yun. She could become an important central attacking midfielder for the U.S. with her vision and ability to play in forwards.Multiple teammates at her club, Ajax, and in the U.S. have complimented her ability to pick out passes and create with the ball, although it’s clear she still needs some seasoning as a pro — normal for any 17-year-old, no matter how mature.She has time now to get that seasoning at the international level; the next set of U.S. friendlies are a good opportunity to call in Yohannes for further evaluation as the U.S. will be traveling abroad to play England and the Netherlands in the November FIFA window. (Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
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