Samwise North American Soccer Newsletter
Sunday, June 7, 2026
USMNT Falls 2-1 to Germany in Pre-World Cup Sendoff at Soldier Field
The United States Men’s National Team fell 2-1 to Germany at Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday before 63,636 fans in its final pre-tournament tune-up. Germany struck inside two minutes through Kai Havertz, but Antonee Robinson equalized with a thunderous volley in the 37th minute. Leroy Sané’s 57th-minute strike proved decisive for the visitors. The result extended the USMNT’s losing streak against European opponents to nine straight. Manager Mauricio Pochettino called the performance competitive, noting the U.S. created clear chances in the second half. Defender Chris Richards did not feature due to an ankle injury. The U.S. opens World Cup play against Paraguay on June 12 in Los Angeles.
Sources: Cronkite News · ESPN · NBC Sports
Messi Sits Out Argentina Friendly as World Cup Fitness Is Monitored
Lionel Messi was absent from Argentina’s pre-World Cup friendly against Honduras on Saturday as the Inter Miami star manages a left hamstring issue. Messi suffered muscle fatigue after leaving Inter Miami’s final MLS match before the World Cup break on May 24, exiting a 6-4 win over the Philadelphia Union in the 73rd minute. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said the injury is “not that bad” and that Messi has returned to training on an individual program, but is unlikely to feature in the June 9 warm-up against Iceland. Argentina opens its 2026 World Cup title defense against Algeria on June 16, and Scaloni remains optimistic about Messi’s availability.
Sources: Al Jazeera · CBS Sports
Canada Draws 1-1 with Ireland in Final Pre-World Cup Friendly in Montréal
Canada concluded its pre-World Cup preparations with a 1-1 draw against the Republic of Ireland at Stade Saputo in Montréal on Friday night. Les Rouges took the lead in the 24th minute when a corner from Stephen Eustáquio deflected off Ireland defender Jake O’Brien for an own goal. Ireland equalized on the hour through Chiedozie Ogbene, who fired in the rebound of Troy Parrott’s penalty saved by goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau. Crépeau, confirmed as Canada’s World Cup starter, also denied Mason Melia from close range in the 83rd minute to preserve the draw. Canada begins Group B play against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 12 in Toronto.
Sources: CBC Sports · MLSSoccer.com · theScore
Nine Straight Losses to Europe Raise Questions as USMNT Opens World Cup in a Week
Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Germany has amplified questions about the United States Men’s National Team’s readiness for its home World Cup, opening June 12 against Paraguay. The USMNT has now lost nine consecutive matches against European opposition and conceded multiple goals for the fourth straight game. ESPN noted the U.S. generated 5.6 expected goals against Germany but struggled to convert, while conceding decisive strikes to Kai Havertz and Leroy Sané. Bleacher Report cited six unanswered questions for manager Mauricio Pochettino, including center back Chris Richards’s ankle fitness and defensive organization. Pochettino said after the match: “We competed and were unlucky.” Group D also features Australia and Türkiye.
Sources: ESPN · Bleacher Report
Cavalry FC Tops CPL Table with Commanding Win Over Halifax Before World Cup Break
Cavalry FC moved provisionally to the top of the Canadian Premier League standings with a 2-0 victory over the Halifax Wanderers at ATCO Field on Saturday. Goals from Goteh Ntignee and Daan Klomp gave the Calgary club a clean sheet and three points, displacing rivals at the summit with the CPL’s World Cup break approaching. Halifax, which has struggled to find recent form, remained in sixth place in the eight-team table following the defeat. The CPL is scheduled to pause from June 11 through June 27 for the FIFA World Cup, making Saturday’s result the last chance for clubs to move in the standings before the break.
Sources: CPLSoccer.com · CPL – Halifax Recap
Nashville SC Leads MLS with Three First XI All-Star Selections
Nashville Soccer Club leads Major League Soccer with three players named to the 2026 MLS All-Star Game First XI. Midfielder Hany Mukhtar, defender Andy Nájar, and goalkeeper Brian Schwake earned selections for the showcase scheduled for July 29 in Charlotte. The picks reflect Nashville’s dominant season, with the club entering the FIFA World Cup break atop the Supporters’ Shield standings at 10-1-3 and 33 points through 14 matches. Mukhtar, who netted his fifth career Nashville hat trick earlier this season against LAFC, has anchored a midfield that drove the league’s best record. Nashville resumes MLS play on July 16 when the schedule restarts following the World Cup break.
Sources: Nashville SC · MLSSoccer.com
Charleston Battery Earn Bonus Point with Penalty Win Over Riverhounds in USL Cup
The Charleston Battery drew 0-0 with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds at Patriots Point Soccer Complex in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina on Saturday in Prinx Tires USL Cup Group Stage action, then claimed the bonus point with a 4-2 penalty shootout victory. The match remained goalless through 90 minutes despite Charleston holding an 11-8 edge in shots. The Riverhounds were reduced to ten men in the 81st minute when defender Lasse Kelp received his second yellow card. Charleston converted all four shootout kicks through Sean Suber, Miguel Berry, Kirill Pakhomov, and Joey Akpunonu. The result left Pittsburgh’s hopes of group advancement in serious doubt.
Sources: Pittsburgh Riverhounds · Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
MLS Standings — World Cup Break
Eastern Conference (leaders)
1. Nashville SC — 33 pts (10-1-3)
2. Inter Miami CF — 25 pts (through MD13)
3. New England Revolution — 22 pts
4. Chicago Fire FC — 20 pts
Paused May 25 • Resumes July 16
MLS Standings — World Cup Break
Western Conference (leaders)
1. Vancouver Whitecaps FC — 29 pts
2. San Jose Earthquakes — 29 pts
3. Seattle Sounders FC — 24 pts
4. Real Salt Lake — 22 pts
Full standings: mlssoccer.com/standings
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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