Samwise North American Soccer Newsletter
Monday, May 25, 2026
Cruz Azul Win Liga MX Clausura 2026 Title on Rotondi Stoppage-Time Goal
Cruz Azul claimed their tenth Liga MX title Sunday, defeating Pumas UNAM 2-1 in the Clausura 2026 Final second leg at Estadio Olímpico Universitario. After a scoreless first leg at home, La Máquina came from behind in the decider. Robert Morales put Pumas ahead in the 31st minute, with Keylor Navas making several outstanding saves to protect the lead. Cruz Azul equalized through a Rubén Duarte own goal before Carlos Rotondi fired in the winner deep in stoppage time to complete a dramatic comeback. Pumas midfielder Uriel Antuna was sent off in added time before the decisive goal, leaving the hosts one man down at the crucial moment.
Sources: Bolavip
Nashville SC Beat NYCFC 2-1, Enter World Cup Break as MLS Supporters' Shield Leaders
Nashville SC secured their tenth win of the 2026 MLS season Saturday, defeating New York City FC 2-1 at GEODIS Park to enter the World Cup schedule break as Supporters’ Shield leaders with 33 points. Defender Jeisson Palacios headed a Cristían Espinoza corner into the net in the 17th minute to open scoring. After NYCFC equalized, defender Maxwell Woledzi put Nashville back ahead with his first career MLS goal in the 49th minute, assisted by Bryan Acosta. Nashville extended their unbeaten run to eight straight league matches. The league’s seven-week World Cup pause, running May 25 through July 16, locks Nashville’s lead in place through the break.
Sources: Nashville SC, Front Row Soccer
MLS Enters Seven-Week World Cup Break With Nashville SC on Top
Major League Soccer’s seven-week World Cup break begins today, with the league pausing from May 25 through July 16 to accommodate the 2026 FIFA World Cup across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Nashville SC leads as Supporters’ Shield holders with 33 points and 10 wins. In the Eastern Conference, Inter Miami sit second on 25 points, with New England third on 22 and Chicago Fire fourth on 20. In the West, Vancouver Whitecaps and San Jose Earthquakes are level on 29 points, separated only by goal difference, with Seattle Sounders third on 24. MLS returns July 16 with a round of marquee rivalry fixtures across the continent.
Sources: MLS Soccer, ESPN
Vancouver Whitecaps Route San Diego FC 4-2, Enter Break as Western Conference Leaders
The Vancouver Whitecaps entered the MLS World Cup break as Western Conference leaders Saturday, routing San Diego FC 4-2 at Snapdragon Stadium to move to 29 points. Brian White scored twice in the first half and contributed two assists in a dominant display, while Thomas Müller added three assists — a reminder of why Vancouver’s investment in the German legend has paid dividends this season. San Diego pulled a goal back through David Vazquez in the 53rd minute but could not find an equalizer. The Whitecaps share the West lead with San Jose Earthquakes on 29 points, separated only by goal difference heading into the seven-week break.
Sources: The Sporting Tribune, ESPN
Kansas City Current Extend Historic NWSL Home Unbeaten Run With 3-1 Win Over Portland Thorns
Kansas City Current defeated Portland Thorns 3-1 at sold-out CPKC Stadium on Sunday, extending their NWSL home regular-season unbeaten run to 22 matches — tied for the longest streak in league history. Portland’s Sophia Wilson gave the Thorns a 14th-minute lead, but Lo’eau LaBonta equalized for Kansas City in the 41st. Reigning league MVP Temwa Chawinga took over in the second half, finishing a counterattack in the 63rd minute before assisting Haley Hopkins’ stoppage-time goal to seal the win. Sunday’s result also marked Kansas City’s ninth consecutive home win in the regular season, the longest such streak in NWSL history.
Sources: Kansas City Current, KC Soccer Journal
Orlando Pride's Nicole Payne Scores First Career Goal in 1-0 Win at San Diego Wave
Nicole Payne scored her first professional goal as Orlando Pride held off San Diego Wave 1-0 at Snapdragon Stadium on Sunday, recording goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse’s third clean sheet of the season. The match was goalless until Luana played a long ball into the box; a defensive deflection fell to Payne, who struck right-footed from outside the area into the corner in the 45th-plus-third minute. Moorhouse made five saves to deny San Diego’s 17-shot effort. Orlando extended their unbeaten record against the Wave at Snapdragon to five matches — four wins and one draw — while dealing a blow to San Diego’s grip on first place in the NWSL standings.
Sources: The Mane Land, Orlando Pride
Chris Richards Tears Ankle Ligaments at Crystal Palace Ahead of USMNT World Cup Roster Announcement
USMNT central defender Chris Richards suffered two torn ankle ligaments during Crystal Palace’s Premier League draw with Brentford on Sunday, raising concern about his readiness for the 2026 World Cup, which begins June 12. Richards, 26, is widely considered a lock for Mauricio Pochettino’s squad and expected to start in the tournament. CBS Sports reports that sources indicate the damage is not severe and Richards is expected to be match-fit within a week. The USMNT’s 26-man World Cup roster is set to be announced Tuesday, May 26, in New York City, one day after this edition.
Sources: CBS Sports, ESPN
Atlético Ottawa End Forge FC's Unbeaten Run 2-1 in Coach Mejía's Farewell
Atlético Ottawa handed Forge FC their first loss of the 2026 Canadian Premier League season Sunday, winning 2-1 at TD Place in a match that doubled as head coach Diego Mejía’s farewell. Noah Abatneh opened the scoring for Ottawa before Forge equalized through Ismael Oketokoun, who converted from close range following a Ben Paton cross. Joaquim Coulanges restored Ottawa’s lead late in the match to secure the result. The defeat dropped Forge from the CPL summit, with Cavalry FC’s result on the same day pushing them above the Hamilton side. Mejía, who guided Ottawa to the 2025 CPL title, was confirmed to have left the club following Sunday’s victory.
Sources: Northern Tribune, CPL Soccer
Concacaf Champions Cup Final: Toluca vs. Tigres UANL Set for All-Liga MX Showdown This Saturday
An all-Liga MX Concacaf Champions Cup Final arrives this Saturday, May 30, with Deportivo Toluca FC hosting Tigres UANL at Estadio Nemesio Díez at 7 p.m. ET. It marks the 14th all-Liga MX final in Champions Cup history and the first meeting between the two clubs in the competition’s showpiece. Toluca eliminated LAFC 5-2 on aggregate in the semifinals; Tigres dispatched Nashville SC 2-0 on aggregate, conceding no goals across both legs. Tournament leading scorer Paulinho — eight goals — leads Toluca’s attack. The winner earns automatic entry to the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup, making Saturday’s final a historic occasion beyond the continental trophy.
Sources: Concacaf, Yahoo Sports
What's Trending in North American Soccer
USMNT Hosts Senegal and Germany in Pre-World Cup Friendlies — The United States plays Senegal in Charlotte on May 31, then welcomes Germany to Chicago’s Soldier Field on June 6, as Pochettino’s side makes final preparations before the June 12 World Cup opener.
Columbus, Ohio Lands 18th NWSL Franchise — The Haslam Sports Group has agreed to pay roughly $300 million for an NWSL expansion club in Columbus, Ohio, set to begin play in 2028 as the league’s 18th member franchise.
Denver Summit Draw 63,000 at NWSL Debut Home Match — Denver Summit FC’s first home game drew a record crowd of 63,004, smashing previous NWSL attendance marks in a landmark moment for the league’s 2026 expansion class.
MLS Standings — Heading Into Break
Eastern Conference
1. Nashville SC — 33 pts
2. Inter Miami — 25 pts
3. New England Revolution — 22 pts
4. Chicago Fire — 20 pts
5. NY Red Bulls — 20 pts
6. NYCFC — 19 pts
Full table: mlssoccer.com
Western Conference
1. Vancouver Whitecaps — 29 pts (GD)
2. San Jose Earthquakes — 29 pts
3. Seattle Sounders — 24 pts
4. Real Salt Lake — 22 pts
5. LAFC — 21 pts
6. Minnesota United — 21 pts
Full table: mlssoccer.com
Curated by JD · samwise.agency

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