Samwise North American Soccer Newsletter
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Mukhtar’s Hat Trick and 100th Nashville Goal Sinks LAFC 3–2
Hany Mukhtar scored three goals, including two direct free kicks, as Nashville SC defeated LAFC 3-2 on Sunday night at GEODIS Park. Mukhtar reached his milestone 100th goal for the club with a bending free kick in the 21st minute and sealed his fifth career hat trick with a second set-piece effort in the 59th minute. He became the seventh player in MLS history to score five regular-season hat tricks. Goalkeeper Brian Schwake made seven saves. The victory extended Nashville’s unbeaten league run to seven matches and pushed the club to 30 points atop the Supporters’ Shield standings, three clear of the Western Conference-leading San Jose Earthquakes.
Sources: Front Row Soccer, MLSSoccer
Messi Scores, Assists as Inter Miami Finally Win at Nu Stadium
Lionel Messi scored and assisted as Inter Miami CF defeated the Portland Timbers 2-0 on Sunday at Nu Stadium in the Herons’ first home win at their new 26,000-seat venue after three draws and a loss. Messi opened the scoring in the 31st minute, finishing from 12 yards following a combination with Luis Suárez and Telasco Segovia. German Berterame doubled the lead in the 42nd minute after Messi dribbled past two defenders. Drake Callender kept a clean sheet. The result lifts Inter Miami to second in the Eastern Conference on 28 points, two behind leaders Nashville SC with the World Cup break approaching.
Austin FC Fires Coach Estévez and Sporting Director Borrell in Midseason Overhaul
Austin FC fired head coach Nico Estévez and sporting director Rodolfo Borrell on Monday in a midseason overhaul, with the club sitting 13th in the Western Conference on three wins from 14 matches. The dismissal followed a 2-1 home loss to last-place Sporting Kansas City, after a historic 5-0 thrashing at San Diego — the worst defeat in club history. Assistant coach Davy Arnaud was named interim head coach. Estévez had guided Austin to the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2025 and the US Open Cup Final. The double exit is the second managerial change of the Matchday 14 weekend after the Columbus Crew parted with Henrik Rydström.
Sources: MLSSoccer, Soccer America
Columbus Crew Relieve Henrik Rydström After Five-Month Tenure
The Columbus Crew relieved head coach Henrik Rydström of his duties Sunday, making him the fourth MLS head coach let go this season following a difficult debut campaign that produced just three wins from 14 matches. General Manager Issa Tall cited results, style of play, and cultural concerns, calling the decision “much needed.” Rydström, hired December 31, 2025, compiled a 3-7-4 record that left Columbus near the foot of the Eastern Conference. First-team assistant Laurent Courtois was named interim head coach. The Crew, two-time MLS Cup champions in 2020 and 2023, have struggled following the departure of key players to Europe ahead of the 2026 season.
Sources: Front Row Soccer, Goal
Cruz Azul and Pumas UNAM Set for All-Capital Clausura 2026 Final
Cruz Azul and Pumas UNAM will contest the Liga MX Clausura 2026 Final after each won their semifinal second legs on Saturday in Mexico City. Cruz Azul edged Chivas 2-1 on the night to advance 4-3 on aggregate, with Agustín Palavecino’s goal proving decisive. Pumas defeated Pachuca 1-0 — Jordan Carrillo with the winner — to reach the decider. Liga MX confirmed the schedule on Monday: the first leg is Thursday, May 21 at Cruz Azul’s Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes, with the return on Sunday, May 24 at Pumas’ Estadio Olímpico Universitario. It is the first Clausura Final between the two clubs since 2009.
Sources: Bolavip, El Informador
Cavalry, Inter Toronto, and Forge Lead as CPL Top Three Stay Unbeaten Through Six Rounds
Cavalry FC, Inter Toronto FC, and Forge FC all remained unbeaten through Matchday 6 of the 2026 Canadian Premier League season after a round in which all four matches finished 1-0. Inter Toronto defeated Pacific FC while Cavalry beat Vancouver FC, with defender Levi Laing capitalising on a late error. Forge secured a 1-0 win over FC Supra du Québec on a Dan Nimick solo effort. Atlético Ottawa also won 1-0 against Halifax Wanderers. The slim margins have become a defining feature of the early 2026 CPL campaign, with the table tightly packed heading into a brief World Cup break.
Sources: Northern Tribune
With Roster Announcement One Week Away, USMNT’s Striker Race Remains Wide Open
Mauricio Pochettino will officially unveil the United States men’s national team’s 26-man World Cup roster on May 26 in New York City, and the battle for the starting striker spot is the most competitive selection decision heading into the summer. Folarin Balogun leads the race with 19 league goals for AS Monaco this season. Ricardo Pepi has scored four times in three matches for PSV Eindhoven to reinforce his case, while Haji Wright’s 17-goal Championship campaign with Coventry City keeps him firmly in contention. All three are expected to make the squad. The United States open Group D play against Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Sources: Sports Illustrated, ESPN
MLS Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference
1. Nashville SC — 30 pts (9-1-3)
2. Inter Miami — 28 pts (14 GP)
3. New England — 25 pts (13 GP)
4. Chicago Fire — 23 pts (13 GP)
5. NY City FC — 19 pts (14 GP)
6. NY Red Bulls — 19 pts (14 GP)
Playoff line: Top 9 qualify
MLS Western Conference
Western Conference
1. San Jose Earthquakes — 28 pts
2. Vancouver Whitecaps — 25 pts
3. LAFC — 21 pts (6-2-3)
4. Seattle Sounders — 20 pts
5. Minnesota United — 20 pts
6. Real Salt Lake — 19 pts
Supporters’ Shield leader: Nashville (30 pts)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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