Samwise North American Soccer Newsletter
Monday, May 4, 2026
Martin Ojeda Hat Trick Stuns Inter Miami in Historic Florida Derby Comeback
Orlando City SC overcame a 3-0 deficit to shock Inter Miami 4-3 in the Florida Derby on Saturday night at Nu Stadium, completing only the third such comeback in MLS history. Ian Fray, Telasco Segovia, and Lionel Messi — scoring in his 100th MLS appearance — gave the Herons a commanding first-half lead. Martin Ojeda then seized the night, netting a hat trick to complete a stunning reversal and converting a penalty in the 79th minute for the winner. Messi left immediately after the final whistle and called the display unacceptable. The defeat snapped Miami’s lengthy unbeaten run and leaves the defending champions third in the Eastern Conference.
Sources: MyNews13, FOX Sports
Nashville Lead East, San Jose Top West After MLS Matchday 11
Nashville SC lead the MLS Eastern Conference with 23 points after Matchday 11, while San Jose Earthquakes top the Western Conference with 27 points through 11 matches. In the East, New England Revolution and Inter Miami are joint second on 19 points, though Miami’s position was complicated by Saturday’s 4-3 home collapse against Orlando City. Vancouver Whitecaps sit second in the West on 24 points with the best goal difference in MLS. FC Cincinnati and D.C. United are tied at 15 points as the last teams inside the Eastern playoff line. The tight standings across both conferences reflect an unusually competitive early phase of the 2026 season.
Sources: ESPN, MLSSoccer.com
Pumas UNAM Down América 3-1 in Clausura Quarterfinal First Leg at Azteca
Pumas UNAM claimed a 3-1 first-leg advantage over Club América at Estadio Azteca in Sunday’s Liga MX Clausura 2026 quarterfinal, with veteran goalkeeper Keylor Navas outstanding throughout the match. The top seed entering the Liguilla, Pumas struck three times against a stunned América side at the historic stadium in Mexico City. América, the second seed, managed only a single reply and now face a major challenge ahead of the second leg on May 10 or 11, where they must score at least three goals without reply to advance to the semifinals. Sunday’s Clásico Capitalino drew a massive crowd and generated fierce intensity throughout.
Sources: VAVEL USA, Tico Times
Tigres Secure Strong First-Leg Lead Over Chivas in Clausura Quarterfinals
Tigres UANL secured a commanding 3-1 first-leg lead over Guadalajara in the Liga MX Clausura 2026 quarterfinal at Estadio Universitario on Saturday. Chivas broke the deadlock through Ricardo Marin, but Tigres dominated from that point, responding with three unanswered goals including strikes from Juan Brunetta and Diego Sanchez to take full control of the tie. The result puts Guadalajara in a precarious position heading into the second leg at Estadio Akron on May 10 or 11, where they must overturn a two-goal deficit to advance to the Clausura semifinals. The Liguilla continues with all four second legs scheduled for the following weekend.
Sources: VAVEL USA, FMF State of Mind
Ebere Brace Hands Cruz Azul Dramatic First-Leg Win at Atlas
Cruz Azul claimed a dramatic 3-2 victory at Atlas in the Liga MX Clausura 2026 quarterfinal first leg at Estadio Jalisco on Saturday. Rodolfo Rotondi and Ebere gave La Máquina a two-goal lead before Atlas rallied to level the match at 2-2 late in the second half. With the tie seemingly heading toward a draw, Ebere scored his second of the night in the closing minutes to restore Cruz Azul’s advantage. La Máquina now hold a one-goal lead ahead of the second leg in Mexico City on May 9 or 10, where Atlas will require a two-goal victory to advance to the Clausura 2026 semifinals.
Sources: VAVEL USA, FOX Sports
Enner Valencia Strike Gives Pachuca First-Leg Edge Over Toluca in Clausura Quarterfinals
Pachuca left Toluca’s formidable Estadio Nemesio Diez with a crucial first-leg advantage in the Liga MX Clausura 2026 quarterfinals on Sunday, as Enner Valencia’s eighth-minute strike proved decisive in a 1-0 victory. The veteran Ecuadorian forward received a pass from Elias Montiel and fired from outside the area to beat the Toluca goalkeeper early in the contest. Pachuca’s experienced defensive structure then held firm through an intense second half. Toluca, the two-time defending champion, now face a difficult return leg at Estadio Hidalgo on May 10, where they must score at least twice without conceding to keep their Clausura title defence alive.
Sources: VAVEL USA, FOX Sports
Portland Thorns Claim NWSL Lead with Home Win Over San Diego Wave
Portland Thorns FC moved to the top of the NWSL table following a 2-0 home victory over the San Diego Wave, displacing the Wave from first place in the early standings. The Thorns, sitting at 5-1-1 through seven matches and 16 points, have established themselves as the strongest side in the opening weeks of the 2026 campaign. San Diego, who had led the table before the match, slip to second place. Washington Spirit remain in strong contention after recovering from a difficult start, powered by Trinity Rodman. The top six teams at season’s end will earn NWSL playoff spots in the 14-team league.
Sources: Just Women’s Sports, ESPN
Forge FC Maintain Perfect Record with Commanding 3-1 Win Over Halifax
Forge FC extended their unbeaten start to the 2026 Canadian Premier League season with a commanding 3-1 victory over HFX Wanderers at the Wanderers Grounds in Halifax on Saturday. Brian Wright opened the scoring with his third goal of the campaign, and Forge added two more to take full control before Isaiah Johnston converted a penalty for Halifax — the first goal Forge had conceded in the entire 2026 CPL season. Head coach Bobby Smyrniotis’s side remain at the top of the CPL standings, while a frustrated Halifax camp described the defeat as their worst performance of the season.
Sources: HFX Football Post, CBC Sports
MLS Standings — Matchday 11
Eastern Conference
1. Nashville SC — 23 pts
2. New England Revolution — 19 pts
3. Inter Miami CF — 19 pts
4. Chicago Fire — 17 pts
5. D.C. United — 15 pts
6. FC Cincinnati — 15 pts
7. Charlotte FC — 14 pts
8. Toronto FC — 14 pts
Western Conference
1. San Jose Earthquakes — 27 pts
2. Vancouver Whitecaps — 24 pts
Liga MX Clausura 2026 — All QF First Legs
Second Legs: May 9–11
Tigres 3-1 Chivas
Cruz Azul 3-2 Atlas
Pumas 3-1 América
Pachuca 1-0 Toluca
NWSL 2026 Standings
1. Portland Thorns — 16 pts (5-1-1)
2. San Diego Wave — 12 pts (4-2-0)
3. Washington Spirit — in contention
Curated by JD · samwise.agency