Samwise North American Soccer Newsletter
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Suárez Scores Twice, Inter Miami Rally Past Fire 3-2 in Lewandowski’s MLS Debut
After a six-week FIFA World Cup break, Major League Soccer returned with a marquee midweek showdown on Wednesday night. Luis Suárez scored twice and Preston Plambeck netted his first career MLS goal in the 87th minute to lift Inter Miami CF to a 3-2 home victory over Chicago Fire FC. Robert Lewandowski, 37, made his long-awaited MLS debut for the Fire, playing 63 minutes without a goal. Puso Dithejane scored his first career MLS goal to tie the match 2-2 in the 67th minute, but Miami’s late winner secured the club’s fifth consecutive victory. Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul sat out, still recovering from the World Cup Final.
Sources: ESPN, Chicago Sun-Times Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
MLS Opens Tampering Review After Inter Miami Sign Casemiro
Inter Miami CF signed Brazilian midfielder Casemiro on a free transfer through the 2027 season, with an option extending through 2029. MLS immediately opened a tampering review after the LA Galaxy filed an allegation claiming Inter Miami made contact with Casemiro without first acquiring his Discovery Priority — a league rule requiring clubs to secure exclusive negotiating rights before approaching top international targets. In Major League Soccer, only the club holding a player’s Discovery Priority may negotiate with that player. Inter Miami and the Galaxy subsequently reached a settlement on the Discovery Priority dispute, but MLS said its investigation will continue until a final determination is made.
Chicago Stars FC’s Jordyn Huitema Out for Season With Torn ACL
Chicago Stars FC forward Jordyn Huitema will miss the remainder of the NWSL season after the club placed her on the season-ending injury list following confirmation of a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. Huitema suffered the knee injury in the 28th minute of the Stars’ 2-0 loss to Angel City FC on July 18 and was substituted off. The Canadian international had scored four goals in 12 league appearances since joining Chicago from Seattle Reign FC in March. Her season-ending injury also rules her out of November’s CONCACAF W Championship, which serves as the qualifier for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Sources: Equalizer Soccer, CBC Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
LA Galaxy Sign Japanese International Kyōgo Furuhashi From Birmingham City
LA Galaxy have signed Japanese forward Kyōgo Furuhashi from English Championship side Birmingham City on a deal through the 2030-31 MLS season, pending receipt of his P-1 Visa. The 31-year-old spent the 2025-26 season at Birmingham, where he scored three goals in 31 appearances. A former Celtic star, Furuhashi won nine titles in Scotland and earned both the Scottish Premiership Player of the Year and Golden Boot awards in the 2022-23 season. In 384 professional appearances, he has compiled 154 goals and 55 assists. He will occupy an international roster slot with the Galaxy.
Sources: MLSSoccer.com, LA Galaxy Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Cruz Azul and Pumas UNAM Both Win in Liga MX Apertura 2026 Matchday 2
Defending Liga MX champions Cruz Azul beat Puebla 2-1 on Tuesday in Matchday 2 of the 2026 Apertura. Fernando Monárrez opened the scoring for Puebla in the 28th minute, but Luka Romero equalized in the 44th and Christian Ebere’s 82nd-minute goal secured Cruz Azul’s win. In the concurrent early fixture, Pumas UNAM came from a goal down to defeat Toluca 2-1 at Estadio Nemesio Diez. Both matches were moved midweek because Cruz Azul and Toluca are set to meet in the Campeón de Campeones in the United States on Saturday. The remaining seven Matchday 2 fixtures are scheduled from Friday through Sunday.
Sources: ESPN Soccer Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
MLS Reveals 29-Man All-Star Roster for July 29 Game in Charlotte vs. Liga MX
Major League Soccer revealed its full 29-player roster for the 2026 MLS All-Star Game, set for Wednesday, July 29 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte (8 p.m. ET). The MLS All-Stars will face a Liga MX All-Star squad in the fifth edition of the inter-league format. Host club Charlotte FC contributed three players: Tim Ream, Pep Biel, and Ashley Westwood. The roster was assembled through a combination of fan, player, and media voting for 11 positions; MLS All-Star head coach Dean Smith selected 16 more; and Commissioner Don Garber made two selections, adding New York Red Bulls forward Julian Hall and Toronto FC defender Richie Laryea.
Sources: MLSSoccer.com, Axios Charlotte Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Canada Soccer Announces ‘The Homecoming’ — CanMNT to Host Chile and Peru This Fall
Canada Soccer has announced the Canadian Men’s National Team will return to action in front of home fans this fall, branding the fixtures as ‘The Homecoming.’ Canada will host Chile at BMO Field in Toronto on Saturday, September 26, before welcoming Peru at Stade Saputo in Montréal on Saturday, October 3. Canada Soccer described the series as a celebration of the team’s memorable World Cup run and an opportunity to welcome the squad back to action. CanadaRED presale tickets open July 27, with general-public sales beginning July 31 via CanadaSoccer.com.
Sources: Canada Soccer, CBC Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
MLS Eastern Conference
2026 Regular Season
1. Nashville SC — 36 pts (11-3-1)
2. Inter Miami CF — 31 pts (9-4-2)
3. Chicago Fire FC — 26 pts (8-2-4)
4. New England Rev. — 25 pts (8-1-5)
5. NY Red Bulls — 22 pts (6-4-5)
6. Charlotte FC — 21 pts (6-3-6)
7. FC Cincinnati — 20 pts (5-5-5)
── PLAYOFF LINE ──
8. NYCFC — 19 pts (5-4-6)
9. D.C. United — 18 pts (5-3-7)
10. Columbus Crew — 16 pts (4-4-8)
11. CF Montréal — 15 pts (4-3-9)
12. Toronto FC — 15 pts (4-3-9)
13. Orlando City — 14 pts (3-5-8)
14. Atlanta United — 11 pts (3-2-10)
15. Philadelphia Union — 7 pts (1-4-11)
MLS Western Conference
2026 Regular Season
1. Vancouver Whitecaps — 32 pts (10-2-2)
2. San Jose Earthquakes — 32 pts (10-2-3)
3. LAFC — 27 pts (8-3-5)
4. Real Salt Lake — 26 pts (8-2-4)
5. FC Dallas — 25 pts (7-4-4)
6. Seattle Sounders — 24 pts (7-3-4)
7. Houston Dynamo — 22 pts (7-1-6)
── PLAYOFF LINE ──
8. Minnesota United — 22 pts (6-4-6)
9. LA Galaxy — 20 pts (5-5-6)
10. St. Louis City — 19 pts (5-4-7)
11. Portland Timbers — 17 pts (4-5-7)
12. San Diego FC — 17 pts (4-5-7)
13. Colorado Rapids — 16 pts (4-4-8)
14. Austin FC — 14 pts (3-5-8)
15. Sporting KC — 11 pts (2-5-9)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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