Samwise North American Soccer Newsletter
Sunday, July 12, 2026
Washington Spirit Complete Back-to-Back Shutout Victories Over Courage and Bay FC
The Washington Spirit delivered a dominant weekend sweep in the NWSL, beating North Carolina Courage 2-0 on Saturday and Bay FC 2-0 on Sunday. Gift Monday came off the bench to clinch the Bay FC win, scoring two minutes after entering as a substitute. The Spirit’s strong form follows Trinity Rodman’s brace in a comeback victory over the Houston Dash on the first weekend back from the World Cup break. Washington extended their run to multiple consecutive victories since the NWSL resumed, keeping them firmly in the title conversation alongside table-leading San Diego Wave. The Spirit hold two games in hand over San Diego.
Sources: ESPN, Washington Spirit
Ludmila Goal Keeps San Diego Wave Atop NWSL Table in 1-0 Win Over Boston
San Diego Wave FC stayed first in the NWSL standings on Sunday with a 1-0 victory over Boston Legacy, as Brazilian forward Ludmila converted in the 63rd minute to secure three points. The win keeps San Diego at the summit as the regular season moves toward its crucial late stages, with Washington Spirit and Portland Thorns applying pressure from behind. Wave and Spirit are separated by a slim margin, though Washington holds games in hand. Sunday’s result re-emphasized San Diego’s quality heading into the playoff stretch and consolidated their grip on first place in a fiercely competitive table.
Sources: CBS Sports
Houston Dash Survive Seven-Goal Thriller to Edge Racing Louisville 4-3
Houston Dash edged Racing Louisville FC 4-3 in a breathless Sunday afternoon contest, with the two clubs combining for seven goals in a wild NWSL fixture. The Dash controlled stretches of the match but Louisville rallied repeatedly to keep the game alive, forcing Houston to hold on deep into stoppage time. The result strengthens Houston’s standing in the playoff picture while denting Louisville’s chances. With seven goals scored across 90-plus minutes, it was the highest-scoring single match on a packed NWSL Sunday that featured eight fixtures. Houston’s ability to withstand pressure will be a key storyline as the season’s second half unfolds.
Sources: CBS Sports
Kansas City Current Overcome Deficit to Beat Gotham FC 2-1 in NWSL Action
Kansas City Current defeated NJ/NY Gotham FC 2-1 in Sunday NWSL action, overcoming an early deficit to claim all three points. Gotham FC struck first before Debinha pulled the Current level in the 37th minute, and Michelle Cooper added the go-ahead goal in the 60th minute to complete the comeback. The win provides a timely boost for Kansas City as they push for a postseason berth in the competitive NWSL. With the regular season moving into its final stretch, every three-point result matters for playoff positioning. Gotham FC face growing pressure to build a more consistent run of form to secure a playoff place.
Sources: CBS Sports
MLS Ends Seven-Week World Cup Break This Week With Cascadia Derby, El Trafico on Tap
Major League Soccer ends its seven-week World Cup pause on Thursday, July 16, with a slate of rivalry matchups opening the second half of the season. Four games are scheduled on July 16, headlined by the Cascadia Derby between Seattle Sounders FC and Portland Timbers at 10:30 p.m. ET on Apple TV. Friday, July 17 features El Tráfico — LA Galaxy vs. LAFC — one of the league’s most electric rivalries, airing on Apple TV and FS1. The restart comes three days before the World Cup final on July 19. Teams will then play through Decision Day on November 7 before the MLS Cup Playoffs begin.
Sources: MLS Soccer
MLS Secondary Transfer Window Opens Monday as Clubs Eye World Cup Standouts
Major League Soccer’s secondary transfer window opens Monday, July 13, giving clubs an opportunity to reshape their rosters ahead of the playoff push. The window runs until September 2 — the latest closing date in two decades, now aligned with European leagues. With clubs having had seven weeks to scout the 2026 World Cup’s expanded 48-nation field, MLS front offices have identified multiple targets. Key prospects linked to clubs include center backs from deep-running nations and attackers who impressed in knockout rounds. Defending champion Inter Miami and top Western Conference clubs Nashville SC and LAFC are among those expected to be active in the window.
Sources: MLS Soccer
Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi Powers Argentina Into 2026 World Cup Semifinals
Lionel Messi and Argentina advanced to the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinals on Saturday after Julián Álvarez’s stunner sank Switzerland in the quarterfinal. Argentina will face England in the semis. Messi, Inter Miami CF’s star forward, has been among the tournament’s standout performers and remains a Golden Boot contender after registering 12 goals and eight assists in Inter Miami’s first 15 MLS matches before the World Cup break. His semifinal run means the most prominent player in Major League Soccer cannot return to Inter Miami until after the World Cup final on July 19, just days after MLS restarts on July 16 without him.
Sources: theScore
NWSL Standings (Top 6)
Through Week 12
1. San Diego Wave
2. Washington Spirit (2 games in hand)
3. Portland Thorns
4. Kansas City Current
5. Houston Dash
6. NJ/NY Gotham FC
MLS Calendar
What’s Next
Mon Jul 13 — Transfer window opens
Thu Jul 16 — MLS returns; Cascadia Derby
Fri Jul 17 — El Tráfico (Galaxy vs LAFC)
Sun Jul 19 — 2026 World Cup Final
Liga MX Apertura 2026 starts late July