Samwise North American Soccer Newsletter
Friday, July 10, 2026
Pulisic Suffers Microfracture vs. Belgium, Expected to Miss Four to Six Weeks
Christian Pulisic sustained a bone bruise and microfracture in his lower leg during the USMNT’s 4-1 World Cup round-of-16 loss to Belgium, sources told ESPN. The AC Milan forward was injured in the 52nd minute when he struck Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans’ leg while attempting to shoot. He was substituted for Sebastian Berhalter seven minutes later. An X-ray and MRI on Tuesday confirmed the diagnosis. Pulisic is expected to miss four to six weeks, likely returning to preseason training in time for new AC Milan manager Ruben Amorim ahead of their August 23 season opener against Torino.
From Disaster to Landmark: NWSL’s Queens Classic at Citi Field Marks League’s Stadium Transformation
A decade after the NWSL’s infamous 2016 Rochester game — where the Flash beat the Seattle Reign 3-2 on a 58-yard-wide baseball field — the league stages its Queens Classic at Citi Field on July 15. Gotham FC faces the Washington Spirit in a showcase with approximately 38,000 tickets sold, potentially breaking the NYC women’s sports attendance record. Commissioner Jessica Berman cited new CBA field standards enforcing minimum pitch dimensions as proof the league has left those chaotic early days behind. Seattle Reign coach Laura Harvey, who witnessed the 2016 fiasco firsthand, reflected on how dramatically the league has transformed since.
Steve Cherundolo Named U.S. Under-23 Manager for 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
Steve Cherundolo has been appointed manager of the U.S. Under-23 national team for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, U.S. Soccer announced Thursday. The 47-year-old — an 87-cap USMNT international and three-time World Cup veteran — is the longest-serving American in Bundesliga history, making 415 appearances for Hannover 96. After retiring in 2014, Cherundolo coached LAFC to a 2022 Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup double and a 2024 U.S. Open Cup, posting a 106-55-32 overall record before stepping down after the 2025 season. USSF COO Dan Helfrich led the coaching search. VP Oguchi Onyewu, a former USMNT teammate, called Cherundolo the right coach for the role.
USMNT Earns C+ World Cup Grade: Record Goals, but Belgium Exit Leaves Scars
ESPN graded the USMNT a C+ overall for the 2026 World Cup — a campaign that set records before collapsing 4-1 against Belgium in the round of 16. The U.S. scored 11 goals and won three matches, both tournament records for the program, earning B+ marks for Physicality and Tactical Approach. However, Tactical Execution rated C+: the Americans ranked 23rd of 48 teams in expected goals per game and managed just one open-play goal after the Paraguay opener. A C grade for Psychological Prep reflected passive body language versus Belgium, which out-muscled the U.S. in 44 percent of first-half duels.
American Prospect Cole Campbell Joins Elversberg from Dortmund in €6M Deal
American forward Cole Campbell, 20, has signed with Bundesliga newcomer Elversberg from Borussia Dortmund on a four-year contract through June 2030, the clubs announced Thursday. Elversberg paid approximately €6 million ($7 million) for the Houston-born winger, who spent last season’s second half on loan at Hoffenheim making five substitute appearances. Campbell, who joined Dortmund’s youth academy from Iceland in 2022, becomes the third American to emerge from the Dortmund development pipeline after Christian Pulisic and Giovanni Reyna. His mother Rakel Karvelsson is a former Iceland women’s international. Elversberg won Bundesliga promotion last season as runners-up in the second division.
Pulisic Was America’s Greatest Hope at This World Cup. He Became Its Biggest Mystery.
ESPN senior writer Sam Borden argues Christian Pulisic’s 2026 World Cup represented squandered potential at the worst possible moment. The AC Milan forward played 45 brilliant minutes against Paraguay, then sat out the group stage meaningfully until a tune-up against Turkey, was unremarkable against Bosnia, and lost the ball 14 times in the Belgium defeat. His post-elimination Instagram post declaring “it’s just the start” drew criticism from Landon Donovan, Carli Lloyd, and Tim Howard. Borden notes Pulisic has scored no goals for AC Milan since December, has never captained the national team under any coach, and will be 31 entering the 2030 World Cup cycle.
FC Dallas Acquires Goalkeeper Daniel from San Jose in $1M GAM Trade
FC Dallas acquired Brazilian goalkeeper Daniel from the San Jose Earthquakes on Thursday, sending up to $1 million in General Allocation Money — $700,000 guaranteed and $300,000 conditional — in return. Daniel, who holds a U.S. green card and won’t occupy an international roster slot, posted 15 clean sheets in 86 appearances since becoming San Jose’s starter in 2023. Dallas chief soccer officer André Zanotta cited Daniel’s MLS experience as valuable depth behind Homegrown starter Michael Collodi, who has three clean sheets in 13 appearances this season. San Jose recently signed Scottish international Angus Gunn to fill the vacancy.
Sources: MLSSoccer.com Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
MLS Standings
Eastern — Pre-break (May 25)
1. Nashville SC — 30 pts
2. Inter Miami CF — 28 pts
Western — Pre-break (May 25)
1. Vancouver Whitecaps — 29 pts
1. San Jose Earthquakes — 29 pts (GD)
MLS resumes July 16 — transfer window opens July 13
NWSL Standings
2026 Regular Season — Top Teams
1. San Diego Wave FC
2. Portland Thorns
3. Washington Spirit
4. Utah Royals
5. Kansas City Current
Queens Classic at Citi Field — July 15
Curated by JD · samwise.agency