Samwise North American Soccer Newsletter
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Earthquakes Storm Back 4–2 Over Minnesota United in US Open Cup R16; Werner Hurt
The San Jose Earthquakes advanced to the US Open Cup quarterfinals with a dramatic comeback, defeating Minnesota United 4–2 at PayPal Park on Tuesday. Beau Leroux put the hosts ahead in the 15th minute, but Minnesota struck twice in four minutes through a Ronaldo Vieira own goal and Tomas Chancalay’s finish to lead 2–1. The Earthquakes responded with three goals in seven minutes: Ethan Skahan equalized, Leroux scored his second, and Kristoffer Tsakiris sealed the result. The win came at a cost as designated player Timo Werner was forced off in the 34th minute with a hamstring injury, raising doubts about his availability ahead of the World Cup break.
Sources: thecup.us, Press Democrat
Atlanta United Beats Charlotte FC 2–0 in US Open Cup Round of 16
Atlanta United advanced to the US Open Cup quarterfinals for the third time in club history with a 2–0 win at Charlotte FC on Tuesday. Alexey Miranchuk broke the deadlock before Cooper Sanchez added a second, with goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert earning a clean sheet as Charlotte pressed forward. The match at the Mecklenburg County Sportsplex handed Charlotte its first home defeat in Open Cup history. Atlanta edged the chance count at 10 shots to Charlotte’s eight and will face a to-be-determined opponent in the quarterfinals during the week of May 19. The clubs meet again in MLS play in Charlotte on July 22.
Sources: thecup.us, U.S. Soccer
NWSL Week 5: San Diego Wave Historic Start Continues; Utah Royals Climb to Third
San Diego Wave consolidated first place in the NWSL after a 3–2 comeback win at expansion side Denver Summit in Week 5 — the first time in club history the Wave have overturned a halftime deficit. Rookie Lia Godfrey scored her fourth goal of the season, a Wave record for a first-year player. Portland Thorns defeated Angel City 2–1 with Sophia Wilson netting her first goal since returning from maternity leave. Utah Royals stretched their unbeaten run to four with a 3–0 win at Seattle Reign, moving into third place. Washington Spirit followed a 4–0 rout of Kansas City Current by hosting Racing Louisville on Wednesday night.
Sources: Equalizer Soccer, Sports Illustrated
Hudson River Derby Comes to the US Open Cup: Red Bulls Host NYCFC in R16 Wednesday
Red Bull New York host rivals New York City FC on Wednesday in a US Open Cup Round of 16 clash at Sports Illustrated Stadium (7 p.m. ET, Paramount+). Both clubs arrive in poor MLS form, with each having won just once in their last five matches — those victories coming against lower-division sides in earlier Open Cup rounds. Red Bull New York hold a perfect record in all previous Open Cup editions of this derby, winning all three meetings and outscoring NYCFC 8–0. A win would provide crucial early-season momentum for whichever side prevails in the 33rd edition of the Hudson River rivalry.
Sources: amNewYork
Three Lower-Division Clubs Carry Giant-Killing Hopes Into USOC Round of 16 on Wednesday
Wednesday’s US Open Cup Round of 16 includes three lower-division sides seeking giant-killing glory. USL League One champions One Knoxville SC — who eliminated DC United in the Round of 32 after a penalty shootout — visit Columbus Crew at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field (7:30 p.m. ET, Paramount+), chasing what would be only the fourth time a Division III club has beaten two MLS teams in one tournament. USL Championship’s Louisville City FC travel to Houston Dynamo (7 p.m. ET), while Colorado Springs Switchbacks — who thumped Sporting KC 3–0 in their previous round — meet Colorado Rapids in a revival of the I-25 Derby at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park.
Sources: USL League One, Louisville City FC
San Diego Wave at Portland Thorns: NWSL’s Top Team Visits a Rising Contender Wednesday Night
San Diego Wave travel to Providence Park on Wednesday to face Portland Thorns in the NWSL’s top Week 6 fixture (7 p.m. PT, CBS Sports Network). San Diego arrive with the league’s best record at 5–0–1 — a club-record five-match unbeaten streak — led by rookie Lia Godfrey’s four goals, already a Wave record for a first-year player. Portland come in off a Week 5 win at Angel City, with Pietra Tordin’s five goal contributions and returning Sophia Wilson powering their attack. A Wave win extends their unbeaten run to six; a Thorns result would establish Portland as genuine title challengers in the NWSL’s most compelling early-season matchup.
Sources: San Diego Wave FC
MLS Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Nashville SC — 22 pts (7-2-3)
2. Inter Miami CF — 19 pts (6-2-4)
3. Chicago Fire FC — 15 pts (4-2-5)
4. New England Revolution — 15 pts (4-2-5)
5. Columbus Crew — 13 pts (4-3-4)
6. NYCFC — 12 pts (3-2-6)
7. NY Red Bulls — 11 pts (3-3-5)
8. CF Montréal — 10 pts (3-4-4)
9. D.C. United — 10 pts (3-4-4)
10. Toronto FC — 9 pts (2-3-6)
11. Charlotte FC — 9 pts (2-3-6)
12. New York Cosmos — 8 pts (2-4-5)
13. Orlando City — 7 pts (2-5-4)
14. Atlanta United FC — 7 pts (2-5-4)
15. Philadelphia Union — 5 pts (1-4-6)
Western Conference
1. San Jose Earthquakes — 27 pts (9-1-0)
2. Vancouver Whitecaps — 24 pts (7-1-2)
3. Seattle Sounders FC — 19 pts (6-3-1)
4. Minnesota United FC — 17 pts (5-2-3)
5. Real Salt Lake — 16 pts (5-3-2)
6. Colorado Rapids — 13 pts (4-4-2)
7. FC Dallas — 13 pts (4-4-2)
8. Houston Dynamo FC — 12 pts (3-3-4)
9. LA Galaxy — 12 pts (3-3-4)
10. Portland Timbers — 11 pts (3-4-3)
11. Austin FC — 10 pts (3-5-2)
12. Sporting Kansas City — 8 pts (2-4-4)
13. St. Louis City SC — 7 pts (2-5-3)
14. San Diego FC — 6 pts (1-4-5)
15. Los Angeles FC — 5 pts (1-5-4)
NWSL Standings (Top 6)
After Week 5
1. San Diego Wave — 16 pts (5-0-1)
2. Portland Thorns — 13 pts (4-1-1)
3. Utah Royals — 11 pts (3-1-2)
4. Washington Spirit — 10 pts (3-2-1)
5. NC Courage — 9 pts (3-3-0)
6. NJ/NY Gotham FC — 9 pts (3-3-0)
Liga MX Clausura Liguilla
Quarterfinals (First Legs May 2–3)
Pumas vs. América — May 3
Chivas vs. Tigres — May 2
Cruz Azul vs. Atlas — May 2
Pachuca vs. Toluca — May 3
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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