Samwise North American Soccer Newsletter
Friday, May 15, 2026
Messi Sparks Stunning Inter Miami Comeback in 5-3 Thriller at Cincinnati
Lionel Messi delivered a masterclass at TQL Stadium on Wednesday, scoring twice and assisting a third as Inter Miami rallied from 3-1 down to defeat FC Cincinnati 5-3 in a Matchday 13 thriller. Cincinnati led through Kevin Denkey’s penalty and strikes from Pavel Bucha and Evander, who netted his seventh goal in six matches. Messi equalized in the 55th minute and set up Mateo Silvetti before German Berterame put Miami ahead. An 89th-minute effort deflected in off Celentano, initially credited to Messi before being ruled an own goal. Inter Miami extended their MLS road winning streak to seven consecutive matches.
Sources: Al Jazeera, FC Cincinnati, Bolavip
Portland Thorns Dethrone San Diego Wave to Claim 2026 NWSL Summit
Portland Thorns moved to the top of the 2026 NWSL standings with a commanding 2-0 home win over San Diego Wave at Providence Park on Wednesday night, displacing the Wave from first place. Defender Marie Muller opened the scoring in the 10th minute with her first NWSL career goal, assisted by Olivia Moultrie, and Sophia Wilson sealed victory in the 64th minute with her first home goal since November 2024. Goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold produced a crucial one-on-one save in the second half to preserve the clean sheet. Portland now lead the 16-team league with 19 points from nine matches, one clear of San Diego.
Sources: OurSports Central, NWSLsoccer.com
Cruz Azul and Chivas Share Spoils in Open Clausura Semifinal First Leg
Cruz Azul and Guadalajara Chivas played to a pulsating 2-2 draw in the first leg of the Liga MX Clausura 2026 semifinal at Estadio Cuauhtemoc on Wednesday night, leaving the tie finely balanced heading into the return leg. Santiago Sandoval gave Chivas an early lead before Bryan González equalized for Cruz Azul. Ángel Sepúlveda restored Chivas’ advantage with a second-half header, but Christian Ebere converted a controversial penalty amid furious protests from Guadalajara players. A draw in the second leg would advance Chivas, who hold the superior regular-season standing, to the Clausura final.
Sources: Bolavip, ABC17 News
St. Louis CITY SC Claim Historic First Win Over LAFC in Back-to-Back Victory
St. Louis CITY SC claimed their first-ever victory over Los Angeles Football Club on Wednesday, defeating LAFC 2-1 at home to extend their winning run to two consecutive matches. Tomas Totland struck in the fourth minute to give St. Louis the early lead, and substitute Rafael Santos doubled the advantage with a composed finish in the 64th minute. David Martínez pulled one back for LAFC late on, but the visitors could not find an equalizer despite outshooting St. Louis 17-8. LAFC have now lost three of their last four, while St. Louis continue to climb the MLS Western Conference standings.
Sources: OurSports Central, FOX Sports
Gozo Makes RSL History with Brace as Real Salt Lake Demolish Houston 3-0
Real Salt Lake produced a dominant 3-0 home victory over Houston Dynamo at America First Field on Wednesday night, with 19-year-old forward Zavier Gozo netting a historic brace in the second half. At 19 years and 54 days, Gozo became the youngest player in RSL’s 22-year history to score twice in a single MLS match, with both goals assisted by midfielder César Cabral. A third goal completed the rout as RSL extended their strong home form. Gozo was subsequently named to the MLSSoccer.com Matchday 13 Team of the Day, recognizing his breakthrough performance.
Sources: FOX Sports, MLSSoccer.com
Nimick Strike Keeps Forge FC at Top of CPL Table in School Day Victory
Hamilton’s Forge FC tightened their grip on the 2026 Canadian Premier League table with a 1-0 victory over FC Supra du Québec in Wednesday’s School Day match at Tim Hortons Field, played in front of 15,122 supporters. Daniel Nimick delivered the decisive goal in the 56th minute, securing Forge’s fifth clean sheet in six CPL matches this season. The fixture marked the first professional encounter between the two clubs. Forge fielded a heavily home-grown lineup for the mid-morning kick-off and continue to set the pace at the top of the CPL table as the Canadian season reaches its midpoint.
Sources: CPLsoccer.com, CBC Sports
MLSPA Salary Data: Messi Earns $28.3M as League Hits Record Payroll Milestone
The MLS Players Association released its first salary guide of the 2026 season on Thursday, confirming Lionel Messi as the league’s highest-paid player for a third consecutive year. The Inter Miami forward earns a base salary of $25 million with guaranteed compensation of $28.3 million, more than double the second-highest earner, LAFC’s Heung-min Son at $11.1 million. Rodrigo De Paul ranks third at $9.7 million, with Hirving Lozano fourth at $9.3 million and Atlanta’s Miguel Almirón fifth at $7.9 million. Across the league, 133 players now earn at least $1 million in guaranteed compensation, up from the previous season.
Sources: MASSIVE Report, SBI Soccer
MLS Eastern Conference
Through Matchday 13 — May 13, 2026
1. Nashville SC — 27 pts
2. Inter Miami CF — 25 pts
3. New England Revolution — 22 pts
4. Columbus Crew — 19 pts
5. Chicago Fire — 17 pts
6. Charlotte FC — 14 pts
7. Toronto FC — 13 pts
MLS Western Conference
Through Matchday 13 — May 13, 2026
1. Vancouver Whitecaps — 29 pts
2. San Jose Earthquakes — 29 pts
3. Seattle Sounders — 24 pts
4. Real Salt Lake — 22 pts
5. Portland Timbers — 20 pts
6. LA Galaxy — 16 pts
7. St. Louis CITY SC — 16 pts
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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