Samwise North American Soccer Newsletter
Sunday, July 5, 2026
Canada Bows Out of World Cup as Morocco Wins 3-0 in Houston
Morocco ended Canada's home World Cup adventure Friday in Houston, defeating the co-hosts 3-0 in the Round of 16. Azzedine Ounahi scored twice in the second half before Soufiane Rahimi sealed the victory in stoppage time. Canada captain Alphonso Davies did not feature after a hamstring complaint flared at training, coach Jesse Marsch confirming the Bayern Munich star did not feel right when he woke Saturday morning. Canada created early chances through Jonathan David and Tani Oluwaseyi, both denied by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, but faded after the break. The defeat ends Canada's best-ever World Cup campaign, which included an historic first knockout-round victory over South Africa.
Sources: ESPN NBC Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
USMNT Faces Belgium Monday Without Suspended Balogun in World Cup Round of 16
The United States faces Belgium on Monday in the World Cup Round of 16 at Lumen Field in Seattle without leading scorer Folarin Balogun, who was sent off in the 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina and serves a one-match suspension. Balogun has scored three times at this World Cup; Ricardo Pepi is expected to fill in at center forward. Belgium advanced dramatically, overturning a 2-0 deficit in the final five minutes against Senegal, with Youri Tielemans scoring twice — including a 120th-minute penalty — to win 3-2 in extra time. Belgium have won their last six meetings with the United States, including a 5-2 result in March.
Sources: NBC Sports ESPN CBS Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Sanchez Brace Leads NC Courage Past Seattle Reign 3-1, Takes NWSL Golden Boot Lead
North Carolina Courage midfielder Ashley Sanchez scored twice Saturday to lead the Courage past Seattle Reign 3-1, overtaking Kansas City Current striker Temwa Chawinga in the NWSL Golden Boot race. Sally Menti put Seattle ahead in the 19th minute before Sanchez equalized three minutes later. Courage goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan made two crucial saves just before halftime, and North Carolina went ahead through Riley Jackson's penalty and Sanchez's second. Seattle outshot the Courage 17 times but fell short in sizzling conditions. The Courage open the second half of the season on a strong note, while Seattle faces questions after their first post-break defeat.
Sources: ABC News / AP Equalizer Soccer Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
San Diego Wave Beat Gotham FC 2-0 to Reinforce NWSL Lead
San Diego Wave FC maintained its place atop the NWSL standings with a 2-0 home win over NJ/NY Gotham FC at Snapdragon Stadium. Melanie Barcenas opened the scoring just before halftime and Trinity Byars added a late insurance goal to seal three points for the Wave. Goalkeeper Luisa Agudelo made her NWSL debut for San Diego, earning a clean sheet against the visiting Gotham side. San Diego entered the match as league leaders, with Gotham ranked fifth in the table. The result was part of a busy July 4 holiday weekend of NWSL action as the league returned from its summer break, reinforcing San Diego's grip on top spot.
Sources: San Diego Wave FC OurSports Central Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Angel City FC Shut Out Orlando Pride 2-0 in Post-Break NWSL Return
Angel City FC earned a 2-0 home victory over Orlando Pride at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, their first match since the NWSL's summer break. The Los Angeles club secured a clean sheet and three points to launch the second half of their 2026 season. The NWSL resumed across multiple venues over the July 4 holiday weekend, including this match at BMO Stadium where Angel City recorded a complete shutout performance. The holiday-weekend return brought a full slate of NWSL action as the league pushes through its calendar alongside the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup across North America.
Sources: OurSports Central 365scores Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Racing Louisville Stun Portland Thorns 3-1, End Thorns’ Unbeaten Home Record
Racing Louisville FC pulled off a significant upset Sunday, defeating Portland Thorns 3-1 at Providence Park to end the hosts' unbeaten home record. Portland had not lost on home soil all season, standing as one of only two NWSL clubs with a perfect home record through the first half of the campaign alongside the Kansas City Current. Racing Louisville arrived with just 7 points and a 2-8-1 record, while Portland sat third in the table on 24 points. The win is a major result for Louisville and signals no NWSL outcome is guaranteed as the league returns from its summer break.
Sources: Portland Thorns ESPN Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Amissi Hat Trick Rockets Vancouver FC Into CPL Playoff Spot with 4-0 Rout
Mohamed Amissi scored a hat trick Saturday as Vancouver FC routed Inter Toronto 4-0 at Langley Events Centre in Canadian Premier League action, pushing the club into fourth place in the standings and into a playoff position. The dominant win came three days after Vancouver fell 3-2 to Forge FC on Canada Day, with Amissi's treble providing an emphatic response. The victory moved Vancouver into the CPL's top four, with those sides advancing to the postseason. The Canadian Premier League described the result as a dominant performance, with Amissi's goals the centrepiece of Vancouver's most commanding home result of the 2026 season.
Sources: CPL Soccer Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
NWSL Standings
Through July 4–5 Weekend
1. San Diego Wave — 31 pts (9–1–4)
2. Portland Thorns — 24 pts (7–4–3)
3. Utah Royals — 23 pts (7–3–2)
4. NC Courage — 22 pts (7–4–1)
5. Gotham FC — 20 pts (6–4–2)
6. Angel City — 17 pts (5–5–3)
MLS — On Break
League Resumes July 16–17
East: Nashville SC leads — Inter Miami 2nd
West: Vancouver leads — Seattle Sounders 3rd
MLS paused May 25–July 16 for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Full standings resume with the July 16 restart.
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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