Samwise North American Soccer Newsletter
Friday, June 26, 2026
USMNT Tops Group D Despite Last-Second Turkey Stunner
The United States men’s national team closed group stage play at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 3-2 defeat to Türkiye on June 25 at SoFi Stadium, a result that carried no consequence after the Americans had already claimed first place in Group D. Auston Trusty converted a Sebastian Berhalter corner kick in the third minute, but Türkiye recovered through Arda Guler and Orkun Kokcu to lead 2-1. Berhalter equalized in the 49th minute before Kaan Ayhan struck in the 98th minute. The U.S. finishes Group D with six points. Christian Pulisic made a substitute appearance to a standing ovation on his return from a calf injury.
Sources: CBS Sports NPR Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Berhalter Becomes First USMNT Player With World Cup Goal and Assist in Modern Era
Sebastian Berhalter became the first USMNT player in the modern era to record both a goal and an assist in a single World Cup match during Thursday’s 3-2 loss to Türkiye, and the first active MLS player ever to accomplish the feat. The midfielder delivered the corner kick Auston Trusty converted in the third minute, then struck home a deflection from the 18-yard line in the 49th minute. Berhalter was named Man of the Match despite playing in a rotational lineup, as coach Mauricio Pochettino rested starters with Group D already secured. The performance dramatically elevated the 22-year-old’s profile heading into the knockout rounds.
Sources: MLS Soccer Philadelphia Inquirer Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Canada Makes History, Advances to First-Ever World Cup Knockout Round Despite Switzerland Loss
Canada made history on June 24 by securing the country’s first-ever World Cup knockout stage appearance, despite a 2-1 defeat to Switzerland in their final Group B match in Vancouver. Ruben Vargas opened the scoring just 39 seconds into the second half before Johan Manzambi doubled the lead in the 57th minute. Substitute Promise David pulled one back with a well-struck 76th-minute volley, but Canada were unable to level. Switzerland won the group outright; Canada finish second with four points. The Canadians will face South Africa in the Round of 32 on June 28 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California — kick-off is at 3 p.m. ET on Fox.
Sources: FIFA Yahoo Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
USMNT Set for Bosnia Showdown at Levi’s Stadium in World Cup Round of 32
The United States will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup Round of 32 on July 1 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, kick-off at 8 p.m. ET on Fox. Bosnia advanced from Group B as one of the eight best third-place finishers, defeating host nation Qatar 3-1 to finish with four points. Veteran striker Edin Dzeko scored against Qatar, extending a remarkable run to goals for Bosnia in 20 consecutive years. Coach Sergej Barbarez deployed a defensive 4-4-2 throughout the group stage, using two holding midfielders in all three games. The U.S. enters as sizable favorites. A sold-out crowd is expected for the Americans’ home-soil knockout debut.
Sources: CBS Sports Yahoo Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
CPL Season Resumes Friday as Halifax Wanderers Host Pacific FC
The Canadian Premier League resumed regular season action Friday after pausing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the Halifax Wanderers hosting Pacific FC in the Maritimes. Halifax sits seventh in the CPL standings with a 2-3-5 record and nine points, just three points outside the four playoff positions with 18 weeks remaining. The Wanderers have scored the joint-fewest goals in the league with nine in 10 matches and have been shut out in four of their last six appearances. The restart begins a busy stretch including a Canada Day double-header. The race for four playoff spots remains extremely competitive across the league heading into the second half.
Sources: CPL Soccer Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
USL Championship Hits Midseason Mark With Smith, Sacko Leading Award Nominees
The USL Championship reached its official midseason mark this week with fan voting open for the league’s Fans’ Choice Mid-Season Awards through Monday at noon ET. Detroit City FC forward Darren Smith leads the division with 11 goals, having equalled a league single-game record with a five-goal performance. Phoenix Rising FC’s Ihsan Sacko tops overall goal contributions with 12, combining nine goals and three assists. Voting covers five major categories: goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, forward, and coach. The league is on its midseason break coinciding with the World Cup, with Week 17 fixtures set to resume the action for all clubs shortly.
Sources: USL Championship Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
MLS Eastern Conference
Standings (pre-break)
1. Nashville SC — 27 pts
2. Inter Miami CF — 25 pts
3. New England Rev. — 22 pts
4. Chicago Fire — 20 pts
5. Columbus Crew — 18 pts
MLS resumes July 16
MLS Western Conference
Standings (pre-break)
1. Vancouver Whitecaps — 29 pts
2. LA Galaxy — 27 pts
3. Seattle Sounders — 24 pts
4. Real Salt Lake — 22 pts
5. LAFC — 21 pts
MLS resumes July 16
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.