Samwise North American Soccer Newsletter
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Chicago Fire FC Signs Robert Lewandowski as Designated Player
Chicago Fire FC completed the signing of Polish striker Robert Lewandowski on Monday, bringing one of the world’s most prolific goal scorers to Major League Soccer. The 37-year-old joins as a free agent after his FC Barcelona contract expired, inking a two-year Designated Player deal through the 2027–28 MLS season. Head coach Gregg Berhalter, who began pursuing Lewandowski as far back as January 2025, said the club had worked on the deal for 18 months. Lewandowski scored 120 goals in 193 appearances for Barcelona, winning three LaLiga titles. He turned down interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia and Europe to join Chicago, who sit third in the Eastern Conference.
Sources: ESPN
Sam Kerr Returns to NJ/NY Gotham FC on Five-Year NWSL Deal
Sam Kerr has completed a return to NJ/NY Gotham FC, signing a five-year deal through the 2030 NWSL season. The Australian striker, who won the NWSL Championship with Gotham in 2023, was a free agent after her contract with English club Chelsea expired. The signing, announced Monday, makes Kerr one of the NWSL’s marquee additions ahead of the league’s return from its June World Cup break. Gotham, the reigning NWSL champions, successfully defended the Challenge Cup earlier this month, with Esther González and Jordynn Dudley scoring in a 2–0 win over Kansas City Current on June 26. The NWSL regular season is set to resume next week.
Sources: ESPN
USMNT Faces Bosnia-Herzegovina in World Cup Round of 32 on Wednesday
The USMNT enters Wednesday’s World Cup Round of 32 against Bosnia-Herzegovina riding high after winning Group D with a program-best six points and eight goals in three matches. The game takes place July 1 at SAP Center in Santa Clara, with kickoff at 8 p.m. ET. Veteran defender Tim Ream said the team would “do what we must to advance,” while midfielder Antonee Adams has won more challenges (20) and intercepted more passes (22) than any central midfielder in the tournament through the group stage. Bosnia-Herzegovina qualified for the knockouts for the first time in program history, with three of their five tournament goals coming from set-piece situations.
Sources: ESPN
Balogun Says USMNT Is Finding Another Gear for Knockout Stage
United States striker Folarin Balogun says the USMNT is “finding another gear” as elimination soccer arrives. The forward leads the team with two goals in the group stage and told reporters he can “feel the difference” in atmosphere now that knockout rounds have begun. “It’s crunch time,” Balogun said. “This is the business end and this is the stage where the big players step forward and make things happen.” Balogun scored both U.S. goals against Paraguay in the opener, becoming the first American to score twice in a single World Cup match since the inaugural tournament in 1930. He also forced an own goal against Australia.
Sources: ESPN
Morocco Eliminates Netherlands to Set Up Round of 16 Clash With Canada
Morocco sent the Netherlands home from the 2026 World Cup on Sunday, winning 3–2 on penalties after a 1–1 draw to book a Round of 16 clash with co-hosts Canada. Cody Gakpo put the Dutch ahead in the 72nd minute before Morocco’s Issa Diop equalized in the 91st, heading in a long cross from Chemsdine Talbi. Ismael Saibari scored the decisive penalty as Morocco advanced. The result sets up a July 4 showdown in Houston between Canada and a Morocco side that has been one of the tournament’s most resolute defenses. Canada qualified for that match after Stephen Eustáquio’s stoppage-time volley beat South Africa 1–0 on Saturday.
Sources: ESPN
Mexico vs. Ecuador: El Tri Host World Cup Round of 32 Tonight at Azteca
Mexico host Ecuador tonight in the World Cup Round of 32 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, with kickoff at 9 p.m. ET. El Tri enter as favorites after winning all three group stage games without conceding, topping Group A with nine points. MLS connections run through both squads: Chicago Fire FC midfielder Brian Gutiérrez and Seattle Sounders’ Obed Vargas feature for Mexico, while former Vancouver Whitecaps standout Pedro Vite is central to Ecuador’s midfield. Vite starred in Ecuador’s dramatic 2–1 win over Germany, assisting on one goal and setting up the decisive corner kick. The sides have met once at a World Cup, with Mexico winning 2–1 in 2002.
Sources: ESPN
Eustáquio’s 92nd-Minute Volley Sends Canada to World Cup Round of 16
Los Angeles FC midfielder Stephen Eustáquio delivered one of the 2026 World Cup’s defining moments on Saturday, volleying home from outside the penalty area in the 92nd minute as Canada beat South Africa 1–0 to reach the Round of 16. Eustáquio created five chances from set plays — joint-most on record in a World Cup knockout game alongside Andrea Pirlo — earning man-of-the-match honors. The victory ends South Africa’s tournament run while Canada, competing at their home World Cup, advance to the last 16 for the first time in national team history. Head coach Jesse Marsch praised his “Canadian heroes” after the win at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles.
Sources: ESPN
Paraguay Stuns Germany on Penalties for Biggest Upset of 2026 World Cup
Paraguay delivered the 2026 World Cup’s biggest upset Monday, defeating Germany 4–3 on penalties after a 1–1 draw at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough to reach the last 16 for the first time since 2010. Julio Enciso headed Paraguay ahead before Kai Havertz equalized after halftime. Goalkeeper Orlando Gill saved penalties from Havertz and Nick Woltemade, with José Canale netting the decisive kick after Thomas Tah blazed over. It was the first time in World Cup history that Germany lost a penalty shootout. Atlanta United midfielder Miguel Almirón featured for Paraguay in a result that raises the stakes for all remaining knockout contenders.
Sources: ESPN
MLS Standings
World Cup Break
MLS is on FIFA World Cup break May 25 – July 16. Regular season resumes July 17.
NWSL
World Cup Break
NWSL is on June World Cup break. Regular season resumes next week.
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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