Samwise North American Soccer Newsletter
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Son Heung-min Ends Scoring Drought as LAFC Romp to El Tráfico Victory
Los Angeles FC demolished the LA Galaxy 3-0 on July 17 in El Tráfico, vaulting LAFC three places in the MLS Power Rankings. Mark Delgado opened the scoring in the 26th minute, Denis Bouanga converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time, and Son Heung-min finished in the 57th — his first MLS goal of 2026 after 45 shot attempts across 13 appearances without scoring. Son leads the league with nine assists. LAFC now sit third in the Western Conference with 27 points (8-5-3, 16 games played), five behind pacesetters Vancouver Whitecaps.
Sources: MLS Soccer Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Robert Lewandowski Set to Make Long-Awaited MLS Debut Tonight for Chicago Fire
Robert Lewandowski, who signed with Chicago Fire on a free transfer from Barcelona on a two-year deal through the 2027-28 season, is scheduled to make his MLS debut tonight when Chicago host Inter Miami at 7:30 p.m. ET on Apple TV. His original July 16 debut against Vancouver was postponed after wildfire smoke forced a postponement due to poor air quality. The Fire enter the match third in the Eastern Conference with 26 points (8-4-2). Leading scorer Hugo Cuypers, who paced the Golden Boot race with 13 goals, is reportedly set to depart for Monterrey. (MLS Soccer)
Sources: MLS Soccer Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Messi and De Paul Sit Out Two Miami Games After World Cup Final Defeat
Inter Miami will be without Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul for Wednesday’s home match against Chicago and Saturday’s trip to Montréal after Argentina fell 1-0 to Spain in extra time in the World Cup final on July 19. Messi played all 120 minutes, becoming the first player to captain three World Cup final appearances, and set career records for World Cup goal contributions (33) and assists (12). Both players are also unavailable for the MLS All-Star Game on July 29 under the league’s 21-day rest protocol. Miami sit second in the East with 31 points (9-2-4). (ESPN)
Gotham Stun Seattle From Two Down to Leap to Top of NWSL Table
NJ/NY Gotham FC climbed to No. 1 in the NWSL after two victories last week. On July 15, Rose Lavelle’s 37th-minute goal secured a 1-0 win over the Washington Spirit before a record Citi Field crowd of 42,175. Three days later at Icahn Stadium, Gotham trailed Seattle Reign 0-2 before Esther González scored twice and Lavelle struck in stoppage time for a 3-2 comeback — the first time any NWSL side has overturned a two-goal deficit after the 80th minute. Seattle scored via a Mia Fishel penalty and Maddie Mercado’s fourth of the season. (ESPN)
Cruz Azul Come From Behind to Beat Puebla 2-1 in Liga MX Apertura
Cruz Azul came from behind to defeat Puebla 2-1 on Tuesday in the Liga MX Apertura. Puebla broke the deadlock when F. Monarrez finished in the 28th minute, but Cruz Azul responded before halftime as L. Romero leveled the score in the 44th minute. O. Ebere then sealed the comeback with a goal in the 82nd minute to give Cruz Azul all three points. The victory keeps Cruz Azul in positive form in the early weeks of the Apertura as clubs build toward the playoff Liguilla, traditionally held in October and November. (ESPN)
Pumas UNAM Stage Second-Half Comeback to Win 2-1 at Toluca
Pumas UNAM earned a 2-1 comeback victory away at Estadio Nemesio Díez Riega against Toluca on Tuesday in the Liga MX Apertura. J. Díaz gave the home side an early lead in the 14th minute, but Pumas mounted a strong second-half response. V. Arteaga equalized in the 57th minute before S. Córdova converted the decisive goal in the 63rd to hand Pumas all three points on the road. The result is a statement away win for Pumas as both clubs launch their Apertura campaigns. Liga MX clubs are in the early phase of a 17-round regular season. (ESPN)
Portland Timbers Hire Former Leicester Manager Martí Cifuentes as Head Coach
The Portland Timbers named Martí Cifuentes as head coach on a three-year contract through the 2028-29 season, the club announced Wednesday. The 44-year-old Spaniard most recently managed Leicester City in the EFL Championship before departing in early 2026, and brings more than two decades of coaching experience across England, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, and Spain. Cifuentes replaces Phil Neville, who was let go in late May after a 3-1 home defeat to San Jose, with Jack Cassidy serving as caretaker since. Portland sit 11th in the Western Conference with 17 points (5-8-2), one of seven MLS clubs to change managers in 2026. (ESPN)
MLS Eastern Conference
Through July 21 · Playoff line = 7th
1. Nashville SC — 36 pts
2. Inter Miami — 31 pts
3. Chicago Fire — 26 pts
4. New England — 25 pts
5. NY Red Bulls — 22 pts
6. Charlotte — 21 pts
— Playoff line —
7. FC Cincinnati — 20 pts
MLS Western Conference
Through July 21 · Playoff line = 7th
1. Vancouver — 32 pts
2. San Jose — 32 pts
3. LAFC — 27 pts
4. Real Salt Lake — 26 pts
5. FC Dallas — 25 pts
6. Seattle — 24 pts
— Playoff line —
7. Houston — 22 pts