Samwise North American Soccer Newsletter
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
USMNT Edges Senegal 3-2 as Pulisic Breaks Five-Month Scoring Drought
The U.S. Men’s National Team opened its pre-World Cup tuneup series with a 3-2 win over 14th-ranked Senegal on Saturday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Sergiño Dest opened the scoring in the seventh minute on a Pulisic assist, and Christian Pulisic himself made it 2-0 in the 20th, ending a five-month scoring drought spanning eight international matches. Folarin Balogun sealed the result in the 63rd. Sadió Mané pulled goals back in the 44th and 52nd to keep Senegal in contention, but the USA held on. The USMNT next faces Germany in a sold-out send-off at Soldier Field in Chicago on June 6.
Sources: ESPN, American Soccer Now
Canada Blanks Uzbekistan 2-0 in Edmonton World Cup Send-Off Opener
Canada opened its World Cup send-off series with a 2-0 win over Uzbekistan on Monday evening at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton. Jonathan Osorio broke the deadlock in the 58th minute, and Jayden Nelson added a stoppage-time insurance goal in the 91st to secure a clean sheet for goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair. Jesse Marsch’s squad competes in Group B of the 2026 World Cup, facing Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 12 in Toronto, Switzerland on June 18 in Vancouver, and Qatar on June 24 in Vancouver. Canada plays its second send-off against the Republic of Ireland in Montréal on June 5.
Sources: ESPN, Canada Soccer
Chris Richards Remains Doubtful for USA World Cup Opener After Ankle Injury
USMNT defender Chris Richards remains a doubt for the United States’ opening World Cup match against Paraguay on June 12 after tearing two ankle ligaments in Crystal Palace’s 2-2 draw at Brentford on May 17. Richards did not travel to Charlotte for Saturday’s Senegal friendly and instead continued rehabilitation at the National Training Center outside Atlanta. Coach Mauricio Pochettino named Richards in his 26-man squad despite the injury, saying it was “too early” to determine his fitness for the opener. Separately, Pochettino named defender Tim Ream as team captain ahead of the tournament. If Richards cannot recover in time, Tristan Blackmon and Walker Zimmerman are potential replacements.
Messi and De Paul Headline Argentina’s Final 26-Man World Cup Roster
Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul, teammates at Inter Miami CF, were both named to Argentina’s final 26-man World Cup squad as coach Lionel Scaloni formally submitted his selection to FIFA on Monday. Messi, 38, will captain the defending champions in what becomes his record sixth World Cup appearance, the most by any outfield player. De Paul joined Inter Miami from Atlético Madrid on loan in July 2025 before joining permanently. Messi also overcame a hamstring fatigue issue suffered in Inter Miami’s final MLS game before the league’s World Cup pause, which had raised short-term fitness concerns. Argentina opens Group play on June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City.
Sources: MLSSoccer.com, ESPN
San Diego Wave Defeat Chicago Stars 2-0 in Final NWSL Match Before World Cup Break
San Diego Wave FC moved up the NWSL standings with a 2-0 win over Chicago Stars FC at Northwestern Medicine Field in Evanston on Sunday, as the league approached its June World Cup break. Dudinha opened the scoring in the third minute, and Trinity Byars added a stoppage-time second to seal three points in front of 6,014 supporters. San Diego have been among the NWSL’s top clubs this season, battling Washington Spirit for supremacy in the power rankings through the first half of the campaign. The NWSL is expected to resume play after the World Cup group stage concludes in late June.
Sources: ESPN
Eight MLS Players Join Canada’s 26-Man World Cup Roster for Home Tournament
Canada Soccer formally submitted its 26-man World Cup roster on Monday, and eight players currently active in MLS will represent the country at its home tournament this summer. The group includes goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair of Inter Miami CF and Toronto FC defender Richie Laryea, as well as Chicago Fire FC’s Joel Waterman and goalkeeper Owen Goodman of Barnsley FC on loan from Crystal Palace. Canada head coach Jesse Marsch has named a squad featuring stars like Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies and Juventus striker Jonathan David. Canada opens Group B action on June 12 in Toronto against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Sources: MLSSoccer.com, Canada Soccer
Four Days to Germany: USMNT Eyes Final World Cup Tune-Up at Soldier Field
Four days separate the United States from its World Cup campaign, but first Mauricio Pochettino’s squad faces Germany in a sold-out send-off at Soldier Field in Chicago on June 6. The match is the USMNT’s final preparation before opening the tournament June 12 against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Germany enter ranked 10th globally, four-time World Cup winners with Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala headlining their attack. The USA holds a 4-8-0 all-time record against Germany. Saturday’s 3-2 win over Senegal built momentum, though defensive questions remain after conceding two second-half goals. Kickoff is 3:30 p.m. ET on TNT and Telemundo.
Sources: U.S. Soccer, U.S. Soccer
MLS Eastern Conference
Season paused — World Cup break — Resumes July 16–17
1. New York City FC — 10 pts (3-1-0)
2. Nashville SC — 10 pts (3-1-0)
3. Inter Miami CF — 7 pts (2-1-1)
4. Red Bull New York — 7 pts (2-1-1)
5. D.C. United — 6 pts (2-0-2)
6. Charlotte FC — 5 pts (1-2-1)
7. Chicago Fire FC — 4 pts (1-1-2)
8. Toronto FC — 4 pts (1-1-2)
9. New England Revolution — 3 pts (1-0-2)
10. Atlanta United FC — 3 pts (1-0-3)
11. FC Cincinnati — 3 pts (1-0-3)
12. CF Montréal — 3 pts (1-0-3)
13. Orlando City SC — 3 pts (1-0-3)
14. Columbus Crew — 2 pts (0-2-2)
15. Philadelphia Union — 0 pts (0-0-4)
MLS Western Conference
Season paused — World Cup break — Resumes July 16–17
1. Vancouver Whitecaps — 12 pts (4-0-0)
2. LAFC — 12 pts (4-0-0)
3. San Diego FC — 10 pts (3-1-0)
4. San Jose Earthquakes — 9 pts (3-0-1)
5. Seattle Sounders FC — 9 pts (3-0-1)
6. Real Salt Lake — 9 pts (3-0-1)
7. Colorado Rapids — 6 pts (2-0-2)
8. Houston Dynamo FC — 6 pts (2-0-1)
9. FC Dallas — 5 pts (1-2-1)
10. LA Galaxy — 4 pts (1-1-2)
11. Austin FC — 4 pts (1-1-2)
12. Sporting Kansas City — 4 pts (1-1-2)
13. Minnesota United FC — 4 pts (1-1-2)
14. Portland Timbers — 3 pts (1-0-3)
15. St. Louis CITY SC — 1 pts (0-1-3)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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