Samwise North American Soccer Newsletter
Monday, June 29, 2026
Canada Beat South Africa to Reach World Cup Round of 16 for First Time in History
Mauro Eustáquio scored deep into stoppage time to deliver Canada a 1-0 win over South Africa in their FIFA World Cup group-stage finale on June 28, sending the co-hosts into the Round of 16 for the first time in the country’s history. Eustáquio’s 92nd-minute strike sealed a tense victory as Jesse Marsch’s side survived to advance from their group as winners. Canada now face either the Netherlands or Morocco in the Round of 16 on July 4 in Houston, Texas. The result marks a landmark moment for Canadian football — a knockout-round appearance the nation has never previously achieved.
USA Set to Face Bosnia-Herzegovina July 1 in World Cup Round of 32 at Santa Clara
The United States men’s national team will face Bosnia-Herzegovina in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 on July 1 at 8 p.m. ET at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, after both sides advanced from the group stage. The USA won Group D, defeating Paraguay 4-1 and Australia 2-0 before losing to Turkey 3-2. Bosnia finished third in Group B, drawing with Canada 1-1 and beating Qatar 3-1. The Americans enter the knockout round having gone 12 games without a win against European opposition — a streak that gives the match a genuinely difficult edge heading into Tuesday’s clash in California.
Record 45 MLS Players in World Cup Round of 32, Led by Eustáquio and Freese
A record 45 MLS players featured in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32, the most in tournament history, according to MLS Soccer’s comprehensive guide published June 28. Among the headliners: LAFC midfielder Mauro Eustáquio for Canada, NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese for the United States ahead of their July 1 clash with Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Chicago Fire midfielder Mbokazi for South Africa. The guide tracks all 45 MLS representatives competing for 16 different nations as the tournament entered its first knockout phase — a testament to the league’s growing footprint in global football.
Sources: MLS Soccer Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Gotham FC Claims NWSL Challenge Cup 2-0 Over Kansas City in Historic Ohio Final
NJ/NY Gotham FC claimed the NWSL Challenge Cup with a 2-0 victory over Kansas City Current on June 26 at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field in Columbus, Ohio, in the first professional women’s soccer match ever played in the state. Esther González opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the first half before Jordynn Dudley added a late goal to seal the trophy for Gotham. The Columbus venue, which hosted 11,369 fans, will serve as the future home of a 2028 NWSL expansion franchise. The win adds silverware to a Gotham side already ranked among the league’s strongest this season.
Sam Kerr Signs With Gotham FC Through 2030 After Departing Chelsea
Australian striker Sam Kerr has completed a move to NJ/NY Gotham FC, signing a deal through 2030 after departing Chelsea. The transfer, confirmed June 29, brings one of women’s football’s highest-profile attackers to the NWSL, where she is eligible to feature once the summer transfer window opens on July 14. Kerr spent several seasons with Chelsea in England before returning to North America, where she previously played in the NWSL. Her arrival comes days after Gotham claimed the NWSL Challenge Cup with a 2-0 victory over Kansas City Current, further strengthening what is already one of the league’s most formidable rosters.
MLS Commissioner Garber Warns Vancouver Whitecaps Need Viable Stadium Deal to Stay
MLS Commissioner Don Garber issued a frank warning that the Vancouver Whitecaps need a viable stadium deal to remain in the league, speaking ahead of the United States national team’s group-stage match against Australia during the FIFA World Cup. The Whitecaps currently play at BC Place, a government-owned venue, and while a memorandum of understanding has been signed with the City of Vancouver for a new facility at Hastings Park, Garber said the situation remains unresolved. “We’re committed to keeping the team here if we have a viable stadium project, which we don’t have now,” Garber told reporters.
Halifax Wanderers Beat Pacific FC 5-2 in CPL Season Restart, Arilla Stars
Halifax Wanderers returned from the Canadian Premier League’s World Cup break in dominant fashion, defeating bottom-placed Pacific FC 5-2 at Wanderers Grounds on June 26. Miguel Arilla scored one goal and assisted another to earn CPL Player of the Match honours as Halifax took a 2-0 lead inside 32 minutes, survived a 2-2 equalizer, then pulled clear with three goals in the final 25 minutes — including a Tavio Ciccarelli penalty in stoppage time. The win drew Halifax level on points with Inter Toronto for fourth place, while Pacific FC remain winless through 11 CPL matches in 2026.
Sources: CPL Soccer Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
MLS Eastern Conference
Standings through MW17 (paused for World Cup)
1. Nashville SC — 33 pts
2. Inter Miami — 31 pts
3. Chicago Fire — 26 pts
4. New England — 25 pts
5. NY Red Bulls — 22 pts
6. Charlotte FC — 21 pts
7. FC Cincinnati — 20 pts
8. NYCFC — 19 pts
9. D.C. United — 18 pts
10. Columbus Crew — 16 pts
11. CF Montréal — 14 pts
12. Orlando City — 14 pts
13. Toronto FC — 14 pts
14. Atlanta United — 11 pts
15. Philadelphia Union — 7 pts
MLS Western Conference
Standings through MW17 (paused for World Cup)
1. Vancouver Whitecaps — 32 pts
2. San Jose Earthquakes — 32 pts
3. Real Salt Lake — 26 pts
4. FC Dallas — 25 pts
5. LAFC — 24 pts
6. Seattle Sounders — 24 pts
7. Houston Dynamo — 22 pts
8. Minnesota United — 22 pts
9. LA Galaxy — 20 pts
10. San Diego FC — 17 pts
11. Colorado Rapids — 16 pts
12. St. Louis City SC — 16 pts
13. Portland Timbers — 14 pts
14. Austin FC — 14 pts
15. Sporting Kansas City — 11 pts
Curated by JD · samwise.agency