Samwise North American Soccer Newsletter
Saturday, July 11, 2026
MLS Unveils All-Star Skills Challenge Roster With World Cup Stars Headlining July 28 Charlotte Event
Major League Soccer announced the roster for the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge presented by AT&T on Friday, naming 12 players to compete at Truist Field in Charlotte on July 28. Three USMNT World Cup participants headline the event: New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese, Charlotte FC defender Tim Ream, and Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter. LAFC forward Son Heung-min joins them from a roster spanning 10 MLS clubs. New this year, each individual challenge event will crown its own winner rather than the traditional team format. Coverage begins at 7:30 p.m. ET on Apple TV, the night before the July 29 MLS All-Star Game against Liga MX.
Sources: MLS Soccer Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
MLS Previews 10 Must-Know Storylines as League Counts Down to July 16 Restart
MLS published its 10 must-know restart storylines on Friday as the league prepares to resume play on July 16 following a seven-week break for the FIFA World Cup. Nashville SC leads the Eastern Conference with 33 points from 14 matches, while Vancouver Whitecaps top the West at 37 points. Key storylines include Lionel Messi and Inter Miami’s title push, LAFC’s bid to climb in the Western Conference, and Real Salt Lake’s young core. The restart slate on July 16-17 features rivalry matches including El Trafico between LA Galaxy and LAFC, and the Cascadia clash between Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers.
Sources: MLS Soccer Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Boston Legacy FC Blanks Chicago Stars 2-0 in NWSL Matchday 12 Home Win
Boston Legacy FC earned a 2-0 home victory over Chicago Stars FC on Friday at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Amanda Gutierres opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 22nd minute, and Prince extended the lead with a 58th-minute finish to secure three points for the expansion side. The Matchday 12 fixture was part of a busy NWSL Friday that saw four matches played across the league. Boston Legacy, in their inaugural NWSL season, continue to build a strong home record at Centreville Bank Stadium while Chicago Stars FC were unable to register a goal on the night.
Sources: ESPN Scoreboard Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Bay FC Completes Strong Road Swing With 2-0 Win Over Racing Louisville FC
Bay FC completed a two-match road swing with a 2-0 victory over Racing Louisville FC on Friday at Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky. Fuller opened the scoring in the 21st minute and Lema added a second in the 58th minute as Bay FC claimed all three points on the road. The win keeps Bay FC firmly in NWSL playoff contention as the California side continues to demonstrate strong road form. Racing Louisville, playing at home, were unable to create enough in the final third to threaten the Bay FC backline, leaving them without a home win in this Matchday 12 fixture.
Sources: OurSportsCentral ESPN Scoreboard Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Orlando Pride and Kansas City Current Share Goalless Draw in NWSL Matchday 12 Stalemate
The Orlando Pride and Kansas City Current played to a 0-0 draw on Friday at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida, in a NWSL Matchday 12 fixture that produced no goals. The result adds a point to each team’s tally as both sides continue to push for playoff positioning in the second half of the season. The Current entered the match in sixth place in the NWSL standings with 18 points from 11 games, while Orlando sat eighth with 14 points from 11 games. Neither side was able to break the deadlock across 90 minutes, leaving the tight NWSL playoff race largely unchanged heading into the weekend.
Sources: OurSportsCentral ESPN Scoreboard Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
NC Courage to Honor Club Legend Crystal Dunn in Ring of Honor Before Washington Spirit Clash
North Carolina Courage will induct club legend Crystal Dunn into their Ring of Honor on Saturday evening before hosting the Washington Spirit at First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. Dunn played for the Courage from 2018 through 2020 and was instrumental in helping the team win back-to-back doubles in 2018 and 2019. The Courage enter the match ranked seventh in the NWSL standings, while the Spirit sit fourth. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. ET with broadcast coverage on ION. San Diego Wave and Angel City FC also meet on Saturday evening at 8:45 p.m. ET in additional NWSL Matchday 13 action.
Sources: OurSportsCentral Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
LA Galaxy Sign Five From Ventura County FC for Club América Friendly as MLS Return Approaches
The LA Galaxy have signed five players to short-term agreements ahead of Saturday’s club friendly against Club América at Dignity Health Sports Park, kicking off at 7:30 p.m. PT. Forward Eric Preston, midfielder Brett Phan, defenders Mason Vanney and Jose Magaña, and goalkeeper Sebastian Conlon were all recalled from MLS NEXT Pro affiliate Ventura County FC. The Galaxy finished the first half of the MLS season with a 5-5-5 record before the World Cup break and return to league action July 17 against LAFC in El Trafico. The Club América match also provides preparation for the Mexican side ahead of Liga MX Apertura 2026 opening on July 16.
MLS Eastern Conference
At World Cup Break — Season Restarts July 16
1. Nashville SC — 33 pts
2. Inter Miami CF — 31 pts
3. Chicago Fire — 26 pts
4. New England Revolution — 25 pts
5. New York Red Bulls — 22 pts
Full table: mlssoccer.com
MLS Western Conference
At World Cup Break — Season Restarts July 16
1. Vancouver Whitecaps — 37 pts
2. San Jose Earthquakes — 33 pts
3. Seattle Sounders FC — 29 pts
4. Real Salt Lake — 26 pts
5. LAFC — 25 pts
El Trafico: LA Galaxy vs LAFC — July 17 — Full standings
NWSL
NWSL Standings — Matchday 12
1. Utah Royals — 23 pts
2. Portland Thorns — 23 pts
3. San Diego Wave — 22 pts
4. Washington Spirit — 18 pts
5. Kansas City Current — 18 pts
Ring of Honor: Crystal Dunn — NC Courage vs Spirit tonight
Curated by JD · samwise.agency