Samwise North American Soccer Newsletter
Monday, July 6, 2026
FIFA Overturns Balogun Suspension After Trump Calls FIFA President; USMNT Hosts Belgium Tonight
FIFA reversed Folarin Balogun’s one-game suspension on Sunday, making the U.S. striker available for Monday night’s World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium at Lumen Field in Seattle. Balogun had been shown a red card during the USMNT’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1, but FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee suspended the ban for a one-year probationary period after President Trump reportedly called FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the U.S. government provided “additional evidence.” Belgium’s Royal Football Association called the reversal “astonishing” and pledged to pursue all available options. Balogun has scored three goals at the tournament. Kickoff is 8 p.m. ET Monday on Fox.
Chicago Stars FC 3-2 Utah Royals: 10-Game Unbeaten Streak Snapped in NWSL Return
Chicago Stars FC snapped Utah Royals’ 10-game unbeaten NWSL streak on Sunday, winning 3-2 in Chicago with a late goal from Jordyn Huitema. Utah had led 2-1 after Cece Delzer’s VAR-reviewed penalty in the 54th minute, but Sam Staab equalized with a direct free kick before Huitema headed home the winner in the 86th minute off a corner. The Royals, who entered the weekend one point off the league lead, had not lost a regular-season match in over two months. The result tightens an already crowded top of the table, with San Diego Wave, Utah, and Portland all within striking distance of the NWSL Shield.
Sources: KSL Sports, Equalizer Soccer Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Boston Legacy FC and Bay FC Share 2-2 Draw in NWSL Restart at Pawtucket
Boston Legacy FC and Bay FC played to a 2-2 draw Sunday at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, in both clubs’ first game since the NWSL’s six-week World Cup break. Bay FC raced into a 2-0 lead through Claire Hutton’s penalty in the fifth minute and Karlie Lema’s 17th-minute header. Legacy pulled even before halftime through Amalie Gutierres, then drew level from the spot via Aïssatou Traoré in the 79th minute. The result extended Boston’s unbeaten run to six matches. Both clubs now sit on 14 points and are level on goal difference heading into the second half of the NWSL season.
Sources: Boston Globe, Bay FC Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Halifax Wanderers Rout Pacific FC 5-2 in CPL Matchweek 11 Return
Halifax Wanderers returned from the CPL’s midseason break in dominant fashion, routing Pacific FC 5-2 on Sunday at Wanderers Grounds. Halifax opened the scoring in the 26th minute when a corner kick deflected off Pacific defender Eric Lajeunesse for an own goal after the goalkeeper failed to claim the ball. Isaiah Johnston then struck twice to reach 10 goals, tying Atletico Ottawa’s Ballou Tabla for the CPL golden boot. Pacific, last in the standings, surrendered the most goals of any side in Matchweek 11. Halifax climbed to second place, two points behind league-leaders Forge FC with nine matches remaining.
Football World Rallies Around MLS Teenager Herrington After Australia World Cup Exit
Colorado Rapids defender Lucas Herrington, 18, received an outpouring of support from the football world after missing a penalty in Australia’s Round of 32 shootout loss to Egypt at Toyota Stadium in Dallas on Friday. His attempt struck the crossbar as the Socceroos were eliminated. Thierry Henry, on Fox Sports, told Herrington: “Don’t be upset—you go there, you take it, you miss. Keep your head up.” Zlatan Ibrahimovic added online: “You’re 18 years old—this is just the beginning. You showed a lot of courage.” Herrington had become the youngest MLS player ever to start a World Cup match during this tournament.
Sources: MLSSoccer.com, Burgundy Wave Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
NWSL Power Rankings: Utah Royals Stay at Top as Portland Thorns Tumble After Weekend Losses
Utah Royals FC retained top spot in ESPN’s NWSL Power Rankings heading into Monday despite their first regular-season defeat, a 3-2 loss to Chicago on Sunday. Portland Thorns dropped sharply after Saturday’s 3-1 loss to Racing Louisville left them outside the top-four shield picture. San Diego Wave remain just one point behind Utah and are considered co-favorites for the NWSL Shield. Six teams are now separated by fewer than four points in the upper half of the standings with eight playoff spots available. The tight table ensures that every result in the second half of the season carries significant playoff and Shield implications.
MLS Standings on Hold as 45 League Players Compete in World Cup Round of 16
MLS released its guide to the record 45 league players competing in the World Cup Round of 16, the highest total at that stage of any men’s World Cup. Nashville SC midfielder Tomas Pochettino and Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka are among the prominent names still in the tournament. The MLS regular season paused May 25 and resumes July 16. Pre-break, Nashville SC lead the Eastern Conference on 30 points, with Inter Miami CF second on 25. Vancouver Whitecaps and San Jose Earthquakes are level atop the Western Conference on 29 points, with Seattle Sounders third on 24.
Sources: MLSSoccer.com Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
MLS Eastern Conference
As of May 25 (season paused for World Cup)
1. Nashville SC — 30 pts
2. Inter Miami CF — 25 pts
3. New England Revolution — 22 pts
4. Chicago Fire FC — 20 pts
MLS resumes July 16
MLS Western Conference
As of May 25 (season paused for World Cup)
1. Vancouver Whitecaps FC — 29 pts
2. San Jose Earthquakes — 29 pts
3. Seattle Sounders FC — 24 pts
MLS resumes July 16
NWSL Standings
After Matchweek 12 (July 5)
1. San Diego Wave FC — 28 pts
2. Utah Royals FC — 24 pts
3. Portland Thorns FC — 23 pts
4. Chicago Stars FC — 22 pts
5. Washington Spirit — 18 pts
6. Gotham FC — 18 pts
Curated by JD · samwise.agency