Samwise North American Soccer Newsletter
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Messi Breaks All-Time World Cup Scoring Record With Brace in Argentina’s Win Over Austria
Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi became the FIFA World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorer Monday, netting twice as Argentina defeated Austria 2-0 to clinch a berth in the Round of 32. Messi’s brace raised his career World Cup total to 18 goals, breaking the all-time men’s record and surpassing Miroslav Klose’s previous mark. The 38-year-old also eclipsed Brazil’s Marta to become the record-holder across both the men’s and women’s tournaments. Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul also featured for Argentina, who advance to the knockout stage with one group match remaining.
Sources: Al Jazeera
Pulisic Returns to Full Training as USMNT Prepares for Turkey Group Finale
Christian Pulisic returned to full training with the USMNT on Monday, a positive sign ahead of the team’s final Group D match against Turkey on June 25 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. Pulisic had missed the 2-0 victory over Australia after sustaining a calf injury, but Folarin Balogun and Alex Freeman scored to secure the group-clinching result. The United States has already clinched first place in Group D with wins over Paraguay and Australia. USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino is expected to rotate the squad with the knockout stage approaching.
Sources: ESPN
Canada and Switzerland Square Off in Decisive Group B Finale With Top Spot at Stake
Canada and Switzerland meet Wednesday at BC Place in Vancouver with Group B leadership on the line, both teams level on four points entering the final group stage match. Canada leads on goal difference following their historic 6-0 win over Qatar on June 18, their first-ever World Cup victory, and an opening 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Switzerland sit second after a 4-1 win over Bosnia and a 1-1 draw with Qatar. Canada can secure the group with a draw or better on home soil, which would earn them a home Round of 32 fixture.
Sources: Goal.com
Panama and Croatia Face Off at Toronto’s BMO Field in High-Stakes World Cup Group Clash
Panama and Croatia meet Tuesday evening at BMO Field in Toronto in a critical Group L match, both sides winless through two games and at risk of elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Panama fell 1-0 to Ghana in their opener; Croatia, the 2018 World Cup finalists, suffered a 4-2 loss to England. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. ET at BMO Field, home of MLS club Toronto FC and one of Canada’s three 2026 tournament venues. Both sides remain mathematically alive heading into the match, though a loss would effectively end their chances of advancing.
Sources: RotoWire
Nashville SC Lead Eastern Conference as MLS Resumes July 16 Following World Cup Break
Major League Soccer paused regular-season play on May 25 to accommodate the 2026 FIFA World Cup and will resume July 16. At the break, Nashville SC lead the Eastern Conference with 33 points from 14 matches, with Inter Miami CF second on 31. In the Western Conference, Vancouver Whitecaps FC and San Jose Earthquakes are level atop the table on 32 points each, with Vancouver ahead on goal difference. A record 45 MLS players are competing at the World Cup, representing 22 clubs and 17 countries, underscoring the league’s growing global footprint.
Sources: ESPN
MLS Eastern Conference
As of May 25 break — resumes July 16
1. Nashville SC — 33 pts (10-1-3)
2. Inter Miami CF — 31 pts (9-2-4)
3. Chicago Fire FC — 26 pts (8-4-2)
4. New England Revolution — 25 pts (8-5-1)
5. Red Bull New York — 22 pts (6-5-4)
6. Charlotte FC — 21 pts (6-6-3)
7. FC Cincinnati — 20 pts (5-5-5)
8. New York City FC — 19 pts (5-6-4)
9. D.C. United — 18 pts (4-5-6)
10. Columbus Crew — 16 pts (4-7-4)
11. CF Montréal — 14 pts (4-8-2)
12. Orlando City SC — 14 pts (4-9-2)
13. Toronto FC — 14 pts (3-6-5)
14. Atlanta United FC — 11 pts (3-9-2)
15. Philadelphia Union — 7 pts (1-10-4)
MLS Western Conference
As of May 25 break — resumes July 16
1. Vancouver Whitecaps FC — 32 pts (10-2-2)
2. San Jose Earthquakes — 32 pts (10-3-2)
3. Real Salt Lake — 26 pts (8-4-2)
4. FC Dallas — 25 pts (7-4-4)
5. LAFC — 24 pts (7-5-3)
6. Seattle Sounders FC — 24 pts (7-3-3)
7. Houston Dynamo FC — 22 pts (7-6-1)
8. Minnesota United FC — 22 pts (6-5-4)
9. LA Galaxy — 20 pts (5-5-5)
10. San Diego FC — 17 pts (4-6-5)
11. Colorado Rapids — 16 pts (5-9-1)
12. St. Louis CITY SC — 16 pts (4-6-4)
13. Portland Timbers — 14 pts (4-8-2)
14. Austin FC — 14 pts (3-7-5)
15. Sporting Kansas City — 11 pts (3-9-2)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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