Samwise North American Soccer Newsletter
Sunday, May 31, 2026
Utah Royals Reach Top of NWSL Table With Late Portland Equalizer
The Utah Royals climbed to the top of the NWSL standings for the first time in club history following a hard-fought 2–2 draw at Portland’s Providence Park on Saturday. Olivia Moultrie opened the scoring for the Thorns in the 21st minute, but Kiana Palacios headed in a Nuria Rabaño cross to level for Utah before halftime. Cloé Lacasse put the Royals ahead 2–1 early in the second half, before Sophia Wilson converted a late penalty in the 88th minute to rescue a point for Portland. Utah, unbeaten in ten straight, sit atop the table tied with Portland on 23 points heading into the NWSL’s June midseason break.
Sources: Utah Royals, Salt Lake Tribune
Washington Spirit Beat Seattle in Final NWSL Match Before Midseason Break
Washington Spirit pulled off a 2–1 victory over the Seattle Reign on Saturday at Audi Field, capping the final NWSL matchday before the league’s June midseason break. Leicy Santos scored her fourth goal of the season for Washington, helping the Spirit improve to a 6–3–2 record. The win extended Washington’s recent run to six victories in their last seven league matches. Seattle was unable to snap a difficult run heading into the break. The NWSL pauses from June 1 through July 3 as seven of the league’s sixteen markets prepare to host 2026 FIFA World Cup programming. Washington enters the break as one of the league’s hottest sides.
Sources: WJLA
Canada Names 26-Man World Cup Squad, Eight MLS Players Included
Canada Soccer announced its 26-man World Cup squad Friday evening, with coach Jesse Marsch unveiling the roster at Toronto’s CN Tower in a live primetime broadcast on TSN, CTV and RDS. Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies, Juventus striker Jonathan David, and eight MLS players feature among the selections. LAFC leads all clubs with three representatives in Mathieu Choinière, Jacob Shaffelburg, and Stephen Eustáquio. Thirteen players return for a second World Cup. Marsch, who signed a contract extension through 2030, called this “probably one of the best squads that Canada has ever had.” Canada opens Group B play against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto on June 12.
Sources: Canadian Soccer Daily, MLSSoccer.com
USMNT Opens World Cup Preparations Against Senegal in Charlotte Today
The United States men’s national team begins its final World Cup preparations Sunday when it faces Senegal at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m. ET on TBS and Telemundo. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino named his 26-man squad on May 26, featuring eight MLS players including all three goalkeepers. The friendly comes after a difficult March window that saw the U.S. lose to Belgium 5–2 and Portugal 2–0. Defender Chris Richards will miss the match after suffering ligament damage with Crystal Palace. The USMNT opens World Cup Group D play against Paraguay in Los Angeles on June 12.
Sources: U.S. Soccer, NBC Sports
MLS Viewership Surges 62 Percent in 2026 Amid World Cup Momentum
Major League Soccer averaged 7.9 million live match viewers per week across streaming and linear platforms through the first three months of the 2026 season, an increase of more than 62 percent year-over-year, the league announced Friday. Attendance also surged, with fans averaging 22,109 per match and 4.8 million supporters attending games through the opening stretch — the second-highest figures in league history behind 2024’s record-setting campaign. MLS is currently in its seven-week World Cup break following May 24 action. Thirteen MLS host cities and nearly 40 MLS-affiliated stadiums and training facilities are playing roles in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which begins June 11.
Sources: MLSSoccer.com
Atlético Ottawa Extend CPL Lead With 2-0 Victory Over Pacific FC
Atlético Ottawa strengthened their grip on first place in the Canadian Premier League with a 2–0 victory over Pacific FC at Starlight Stadium on Saturday. Sam Salter opened the scoring in the 62nd minute, slotting home on a breakaway, and David Rodríguez added a second in the 72nd minute to seal the result. The win extended Ottawa’s lead atop the CPL table and maintained their status as the league’s form team through the early season. Pacific, who hosted one of the league’s stingiest defensive opponents, were unable to break Ottawa’s defensive structure despite sustained efforts throughout the second half.
Sources: CanPL.ca
Halifax Wanderers End Six-Match Home Winless Run With Late Strike
Halifax Wanderers ended a six-match home winless run with a 1–0 victory over Vancouver FC on Saturday evening. Tavio Ciccarelli scored a stoppage-time winner to deliver three points and snap the streak for the Wanderers, who had been struggling to find form at home through the opening portion of the Canadian Premier League season. The victory mirrored Halifax’s result against the same opponent on opening day and provided a timely boost heading deeper into the CPL campaign. Vancouver FC dropped to the bottom half of the table following the loss and will need a response when the CPL season resumes next weekend.
Sources: CPL Soccer
MLS Standings
Eastern Conference — after MD15 (on World Cup break)
1. Nashville SC — 33 pts (10–1–3)
2. Inter Miami — 32 pts
Western Conference
1. Vancouver Whitecaps — 32 pts
2. San Jose Earthquakes — 29 pts
3. Real Salt Lake — 25 pts
Season resumes July 16–17
NWSL & CPL Standings
NWSL Top 6 — after MD9 (break starts June 1)
1. Utah Royals — 23 pts (7–2–2)
2. Portland Thorns — 23 pts (7–2–3)
3. Washington Spirit — 20 pts (6–3–2)
4. San Diego Wave
5. Kansas City Current
6. North Carolina Courage
CPL Top 4 — after MW9
1. Atlético Ottawa (leading)
2. Forge FC
3. Cavalry FC
4. Halifax Wanderers
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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