Samwise North American Soccer Newsletter
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Charlotte FC Signs French Winger Saint-Maximin as Designated Player
Charlotte FC signed French winger Allan Saint-Maximin to a three-year Designated Player contract Monday, taking the DP slot vacated by Wilfried Zaha. The 29-year-old arrives on a free transfer from RC Lens, where he helped the club finish second in Ligue 1 and win the Coupe de France. Saint-Maximin spent four seasons at Newcastle United, recording 13 goals and 21 assists in 124 Premier League appearances. Charlotte GM Zoran Krneta cited the Frenchman’s ability to spark an attack that managed only 24 goals before the World Cup break. “I’m a winner,” Saint-Maximin said at his Monday introduction.
Sources: Charlotte FC The Charlotte Post Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Chicago Fire Formally Introduces Lewandowski; Debut Expected Thursday vs. Vancouver
Robert Lewandowski was formally unveiled as a Chicago Fire player Tuesday, with head coach Gregg Berhalter confirming the club expects the striker to be available for Thursday’s home match against the Vancouver Whitecaps. The former Bayern Munich and Barcelona striker joined Chicago as a free agent on a two-year deal after his contract with the Catalan club expired at the end of June. Berhalter said the club began working on the deal as far back as January 2025. Chicago has not won an MLS Cup since 1998, and the Fire signed one of the game’s most prolific scorers to help end that wait.
Sources: ESPN Men In Red 97 Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
NWSL Summer Transfer Window Opens; Sam Kerr Now Eligible to Debut for Gotham FC
The NWSL summer transfer window opened Tuesday, clearing the way for Gotham FC striker Sam Kerr to be registered and play for the reigning NWSL champions. Kerr, the league’s all-time leading regular season scorer, signed a four-year contract with Gotham through the 2030 season last month after leaving Chelsea, where she spent six and a half years winning five WSL titles, three FA Cups, and three League Cups. She previously represented Sky Blue FC — Gotham’s predecessor — from 2015 to 2017 and set multiple NWSL records during that stint. Kerr is eligible to debut as early as Wednesday against the Washington Spirit at Citi Field.
Sources: The Equalizer CBS Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
USWNT to Face World No. 1 Spain in Two October Friendlies at Audi Field and Subaru Park
U.S. Soccer announced Monday that the USWNT will face World No. 1 Spain in two October friendlies, giving Emma Hayes’ side back-to-back tests against the defending Women’s World Cup champion before the Concacaf W Championship qualifying campaign begins. The first match is set for October 10 at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., with coverage on TBS and HBO Max; the second follows October 13 at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania. Crystal Dunn will be honored in a pre-game ceremony before the October 10 kickoff. Hayes said her staff had wanted Spain on the schedule for some time, calling the two fixtures “the perfect tests” heading into year-end qualifying.
Sources: U.S. Soccer The Equalizer Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
MLS Launches Largest Campaign in League History as Regular Season Returns Thursday
Major League Soccer launched what it described as the largest coordinated marketing campaign in league history Monday, titled “Thanks World, We’ll Take It From Here,” ahead of the regular season resuming with rivalry matches on July 16 and 17. The campaign features Lionel Messi, Son Heung-Min, David Beckham, Matthew McConaughey, Magic Johnson, and Kevin Durant, and coincides with the opening of the secondary transfer window. Twenty-two clubs are offering complimentary first-match tickets to new fans. MLS takes the field days after the World Cup semifinal, with all 30 clubs resuming their push for MLS Cup Playoffs spots after a seven-week break.
Sources: MLS Soccer Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Nashville Leads East, Vancouver Tops West as MLS Returns from World Cup Break Thursday
With MLS resuming Thursday, Nashville SC leads the Eastern Conference with 33 points, two ahead of Inter Miami on 31, while Vancouver Whitecaps top the West by goal difference over San Jose Earthquakes after both clubs reached 29 points. Vancouver secured that position with a 3-2 road win at FC Dallas. The summer transfer window opened Monday and clubs moved quickly: Chicago Fire unveiled Robert Lewandowski, Charlotte FC announced Allan Saint-Maximin, and LA Galaxy completed a club-record transfer of Gabriel Pec to Brazilian side Cruzeiro for approximately $12 million earlier this month.
Sources: Backheeled Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Liga MX Apertura 2026 Kicks Off Thursday; Atlante Returns After 12 Years, Cruz Azul Defends
The Liga MX Apertura 2026 begins Thursday, with defending champion Cruz Azul opening their title defense Friday and iconic club Atlante making their top-flight return after 12 years in the second division. Atlante open against Necaxa in a renewal of one of the oldest rivalries in Mexican soccer. Club América enter the season under new coach Guillermo Almada, who won Liga MX titles at Pachuca, but have yet to complete a single summer signing. Chivas, runners-up in the Clausura, add Jordan Carrillo and Kevin Castañeda. The format limits playoff access to eight clubs after owners eliminated the Play-In structure in April.
Sources: Soy Futbol ESPN Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
MLS Eastern Conference
At World Cup Break — MLS Returns July 16–17
1. Nashville SC — 33 pts (10-1-3)
2. Inter Miami CF — 31 pts (9-2-4)
3. Chicago Fire — 26 pts (8-4-2)
4. New England Revolution — 25 pts (8-5-1)
5. NY Red Bulls — 22 pts (6-5-4)
6. Charlotte FC — 21 pts
7. FC Cincinnati — 20 pts
8. New York City FC — 19 pts
9. DC United — 18 pts
MLS Western Conference
Secondary Transfer Window Open Jul 13 – Sep 2
1. Vancouver Whitecaps — 29 pts
2. San Jose Earthquakes — 29 pts
3. Seattle Sounders FC — 24 pts
4. Real Salt Lake — 22 pts
5. LAFC — 21 pts
6. Minnesota United FC — 21 pts
NWSL — Matchweek 12 Complete
Summer transfer window opens today — Sam Kerr eligible for Gotham FC debut
Liga MX Apertura 2026
Kicks off Thursday, July 16 — Cruz Azul defending; Atlante returns to top flight
Curated by JD · samwise.agency