Samwise North American Soccer Newsletter
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Pochettino Names Pulisic, Reyna in 26-Man USMNT World Cup Roster After Live FOX Reveal
Coach Mauricio Pochettino unveiled the United States Men’s National Team’s 26-player FIFA World Cup 2026 roster on Tuesday in a nationally televised event from New York City. AC Milan attacker Christian Pulisic, Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie, and Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams were included as expected. The most notable selection was Borussia Mönchengladbach forward Giovanni Reyna, who has not started for his club since December. Lyon midfielder Tanner Tessmann was omitted following a muscle injury. Strikers Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, and Haji Wright completed the attacking unit. Thirteen of the 26 players also appeared at the 2022 World Cup. The United States open against Paraguay on June 12.
Cruz Azul Rally Late to Defeat Pumas UNAM and Claim Liga MX Clausura 2026 Title
Cruz Azul won the Liga MX Clausura 2026 championship on Sunday, May 24, defeating Pumas UNAM 2-1 in the second leg at Estadio Olímpico Universitario in Mexico City after the first leg ended 0-0. Pumas took an early lead, but Cruz Azul levelled through an own goal before Carlos Rotondi drove home the decisive winner in the 95th minute. Pumas finished the match with nine men following red cards in the 90th and 97th minutes. Interim coach Joel Huiqui became the first Mexican manager to claim the Liga MX title since Ignacio Ambriz lifted the trophy with León in Apertura 2020. Cruz Azul’s title ends a five-year wait.
Sources: ESPN
MLS Enters World Cup Break with Nashville SC on Historic Supporters’ Shield Pace
MLS paused its regular season on May 25 for the FIFA World Cup 2026, with Nashville SC leading the Supporters’ Shield standings with 33 points from 14 matches — a 10-win, 1-loss, 3-draw record tied for the third-best pace in league history. Nashville clinched the Shield lead with a 2-1 home victory over New York City FC despite managing early-season injuries to Patrick Yazbek, Eddi Tagseth, Andy Nájar, and Sam Surridge. Vancouver Whitecaps topped ESPN’s Power Rankings entering the break, with Inter Miami third. MLS will not resume regular season play until July 16, following the conclusion of the World Cup.
Sources: MLS Soccer, ESPN
Utah Royals Lead NWSL Table for First Time in Club History After Nine-Match Unbeaten Start
The Utah Royals claimed top spot in the NWSL for the first time in franchise history after Matchday 9, capping an unbeaten nine-match opening to the 2026 season. ESPN’s Power Rankings placed Utah at No. 1 with the Washington Spirit at No. 2. The Royals’ run includes just one result against a team currently in a playoff position — a 1-1 draw with Washington in March — prompting scrutiny of their schedule difficulty. Elsewhere, Kansas City Current’s 22-match home unbeaten streak was tied for the longest in league history, powered by Temwa Chawinga, who leads all players with 41 goals since 2024. Utah next plays Portland Thorns on May 30.
Sources: ESPN
Davies Injury Clouds Canada’s World Cup Build-Up as Marsch Names 32-Player Pre-Tournament Camp
Canada Soccer head coach Jesse Marsch named 32 players to the CANMNT’s pre-World Cup training camp in Charlotte, North Carolina, running through May 29, when the official 26-man roster will be announced on TSN and CTV. Alphonso Davies, recovering from a hamstring injury sustained during Bayern Munich’s Champions League campaign, will not join camp, instead reporting to the squad on May 31 in Edmonton. Marsch said Davies is unlikely to feature in Canada’s June 12 World Cup opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto, though he remained confident the full-back will play at some point in the tournament. Canada are in Group B with Bosnia, Qatar, and Switzerland.
Scaloni Confirms Messi Will Not Arrive at Argentina Camp at Full Fitness After Hamstring Scare
Lionel Messi left Inter Miami’s 6-4 win over the Philadelphia Union in the 73rd minute on Sunday, clutching his left thigh. Miami confirmed Monday that Messi suffered from muscle fatigue in his left hamstring, stressing the issue was not structural. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni addressed the incident Tuesday, saying initial medical updates are “not entirely bad” but confirming Messi would not arrive at the national team’s pre-tournament camp at peak physical condition. Scaloni noted all injured players would be evaluated until FIFA’s June 2 squad submission deadline. Argentina open their World Cup on June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City. Messi is expected to participate in his sixth World Cup.
MLS at World Cup Break
Supporters' Shield (after MD15)
1. Nashville SC — 33 pts (10-1-3)
2. Vancouver Whitecaps — ~32 pts
3. LAFC — ~32 pts
4. Inter Miami CF — Top 3 (East)
MLS resumes July 16
NWSL Standings (MD9)
Top of the Table
1. Utah Royals — Unbeaten (9 games)
2. Washington Spirit — Power Rankings No. 2
Kansas City Current — 22-match home unbeaten
Next: Utah at Portland Thorns, May 30
Curated by JD · samwise.agency