Samwise North American Soccer Newsletter
Thursday, June 11, 2026
Philadelphia Union Fire Coach Bradley Carnell After Historic Collapse
Philadelphia Union fired head coach Bradley Carnell on Wednesday after the club fell to the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a 1-10-4 record and just seven points in 2026. The result marked a stunning reversal for a manager who won the 2025 Supporters' Shield and earned the Sigi Schmid Coach of the Year Award the previous season. Union II coach Ryan Richter will serve as interim manager while new sporting director Jon Scheer leads a global search for a permanent replacement. The dismissal came with MLS paused for the World Cup through July 16.
Sources: ESPN
2026 World Cup Opens at Estadio Azteca as Mexico Faces South Africa
The 2026 FIFA World Cup officially opened Thursday with a ceremony at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, marking the return of the tournament to North America for the first time since 1994. Shakira, Burna Boy, J Balvin and Tyla performed before Mexico faced Group A opponent South Africa in the tournament's first match. Mexico City schools and many offices closed for the day. The expanded 48-team tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, runs through July 19, with the final scheduled at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Sources: ESPN
USMNT's Chris Richards Cleared to Play as USA Opens vs. Paraguay Friday
United States defender Chris Richards has been cleared to play at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after recovering from torn ankle ligaments sustained May 17 while playing for Crystal Palace in the Premier League. Richards was considered a major doubt for the tournament. The United States open Group D play against Paraguay on Friday, June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles at 9 p.m. ET. The Americans' group also includes Australia and Türkiye. All three of the United States' previous competitive matches against their three group opponents each finished 2-1.
Sources: ESPN
Canada Opens Home World Cup Friday Against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Toronto
Canada opens its home World Cup campaign Friday against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Group B at BMO Field in Toronto at 3 p.m. ET. Coach Jesse Marsch named Orlando City goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau as his starter ahead of Inter Miami's Dayne St. Clair — a decision Marsch called one of his most difficult — following Crépeau's role in Canada's run to the Copa América 2024 semifinal. The squad is without defender Moïse Bombito and midfielder Jonathan Flores, both ruled out injured. Bosnia-Herzegovina drew 0-0 with North Macedonia and 1-1 with Panama in pre-tournament warm-up friendlies. Canada's Group B also includes Morocco and Croatia.
Sources: ESPN, MLSSoccer.com
Messi Scores on Return as Argentina Beat Iceland 3-0 in World Cup Warm-Up
Lionel Messi came off the bench and scored a penalty as Argentina beat Iceland 3-0 in a World Cup warm-up match Wednesday, easing concerns about the Inter Miami forward's fitness ahead of the tournament. Messi, who had been sidelined with a muscle fatigue injury since May 24, entered the game in the 70th minute. Ezequiel Barco opened the scoring in the eighth minute, Messi converted from the spot in the 72nd and Thiago Almada completed the scoring in the 86th. Argentina face Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City in Group J.
Sources: ESPN
CPL Matchday: Forge Top Table, Cavalry Rout Inter Toronto 5-1 Before Break
Forge FC entered the Canadian Premier League's World Cup break top of the table Wednesday after Brian Wright's 57th-minute goal secured a 1-0 victory over Halifax Wanderers at Hamilton Stadium, extending the club's run to seven clean sheets in ten league matches. In the day's other fixture at York Lions Stadium, Cavalry FC demolished Inter Toronto 5-1 with goals from Tobias Warschewski, Sergio Camargo, Nathaniel Edwards, Caniggia Elva and Niko Myroniuk. Cavalry's 5.31 expected goals total set a new CPL record. Both clubs enter the break ahead of the June 26 schedule resumption.
Sources: CPL Soccer, CPL Soccer
CPL's Choinière and Eustáquio Cheer Younger Brothers Into Home World Cup
Two Canadian Premier League figures will cheer their younger brothers when Canada hosts Bosnia-Herzegovina in its World Cup opener Friday in Toronto. FC Supra du Québec attacker David Choinière and Inter Toronto head coach Mauro Eustáquio each have brothers — Mathieu Choinière and Stephen Eustáquio respectively — in Jesse Marsch's squad. Mauro, who attended a Canadian national team camp as an assistant coach in September 2024, said his family carries the memory of their parents, who died in 2023 and 2024, throughout the tournament. David will watch from Montréal, where his wife is expecting a daughter.
Sources: CPL Soccer
MLS Standings
Eastern Conference — as of World Cup break (May 25)
1. Nashville SC — 33 pts (14 GP)
2. New York City FC — top 3 (confirmed)
3. Inter Miami CF — top 3 (confirmed)
4–14. Full table at mlssoccer.com
15. Philadelphia Union — 7 pts (1-10-4)
Western Conference — as of World Cup break (May 25)
1. Vancouver Whitecaps FC — leading West
2. LAFC — 2nd (confirmed)
3. San Diego FC — top 3 (confirmed)
4–15. Full table at mlssoccer.com
MLS on World Cup break May 25 – July 16. NWSL on break, returns July 3. NWSL Challenge Cup: Gotham FC vs. Kansas City Current, June 26 at Columbus.
CPL Standings
Canadian Premier League — Matchweek 10
1. Forge FC — 7 clean sheets in 10 matches
2. Cavalry FC — 2 pts behind Forge (Shield race)
Full table at cplsoccer.com
CPL on World Cup break through June 25. Forge host Vancouver FC on Canada Day (July 1). Cavalry host FC Supra June 28.
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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