Samwise North American Soccer Newsletter
Thursday, July 16, 2026
MLS Resumes With Four-Match Rivalry Week as Season Returns From World Cup Break
Major League Soccer resumes its 2026 season on Thursday following a seven-week pause for the FIFA World Cup, with Matchday 16 delivering four marquee rivalry matches on Apple TV. CF Montréal hosts Toronto FC at 7:30 p.m. ET in the Canadian Classique, Chicago Fire meet Vancouver Whitecaps at 8:30 p.m. ET, St. Louis CITY SC face Sporting Kansas City at 8:30 p.m. ET, and Seattle Sounders host Portland Timbers in the Cascadia Cup derby at 10:30 p.m. ET. Nashville SC lead the Supporters’ Shield race with 33 points heading into the restart. MLS launched its largest coordinated marketing campaign in league history, “Thanks World, We’ll Take It From Here.”
Sources: MLS Soccer MacTrast Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Chicago Fire Complete Signing of Robert Lewandowski on Free Transfer From Barcelona
Chicago Fire FC have completed the signing of Robert Lewandowski on a free transfer from FC Barcelona, with the 37-year-old Poland striker formally introduced at a Chicago news conference on Tuesday. Lewandowski, who scored 120 goals in 193 appearances for Barcà, said he couldn’t “imagine” joining another European club after leaving Barcelona, calling the move to the United States a new chapter for himself and his family. Head coach Gregg Berhalter said the club had been working on the deal for roughly a year and a half. Lewandowski joins Golden Boot leader Hugo Cuypers, who has 13 goals on the season, in Chicago’s attack.
Sources: ESPN theScore Soccer America Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Sam Kerr Returns to NWSL With Gotham FC, Debuts in 1-0 Win Over Washington Spirit
Sam Kerr made her highly anticipated return to the NWSL on Wednesday, coming off the bench for NJ/NY Gotham FC in a 1-0 victory over the Washington Spirit in front of a record crowd at Citi Field in Queens, New York. Kerr, 32, joined Gotham on a five-year deal through 2030 after her contract with Chelsea expired, rejoining the club she represented from 2015 to 2017 under its previous name, Sky Blue FC. Her debut came one day after the NWSL’s transfer window officially opened on July 14. Kerr is still the NWSL’s all-time leader in regular-season goals despite not playing in the league since 2019.
Pochettino Stays Mum on USMNT Future After 4-1 World Cup Exit to Belgium
Mauricio Pochettino declined to address his future as United States men’s national team head coach following the USMNT’s 4-1 defeat to Belgium in the round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with his contract having expired at the tournament’s conclusion. The Americans advanced through their group with victories over Paraguay and Australia before eliminating Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32, only to fall to Belgium — the fourth time in five World Cups the USMNT has exited at the round-of-16 stage. U.S. Soccer and Pochettino are engaged in ongoing contract talks, though no announcement has been made.
Sources: ESPN U.S. Soccer Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Keylor Navas Headlines Liga MX All-Star Squad for July 29 Showdown in Charlotte
Liga MX has unveiled its squad for the 2026 MLS All-Star Game presented by Chime, with Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas — a three-time World Cup participant — and Mexican teen phenom Gilberto Mora among the headliners. The MLS squad, announced July 8, features Lionel Messi of Inter Miami CF alongside USMNT World Cup veterans Matt Freese, Sebastian Berhalter, and Tim Ream. The match, the fifth all-time between MLS and Liga MX All-Stars, takes place July 29 at Charlotte FC’s Bank of America Stadium and kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on Apple TV. The MLS All-Star Skills Challenge is set for July 28 in Charlotte.
Sources: ESPN MLS Soccer Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Mohamed Salah Draws MLS Interest From Multiple Clubs as Post-World Cup Window Opens
Mohamed Salah has emerged as a target for several MLS clubs following the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Sporting Kansas City among the sides interested in the Egypt international, according to ESPN. Salah, 34, has been a free agent since his Liverpool contract expired, and his salary demands have complicated a potential move to the Saudi Pro League. MLS Commissioner Don Garber said he would “love” to see Salah join the league. The secondary MLS transfer window, which opened July 13, runs through September 2, giving interested clubs a broad opportunity to pursue a deal. No agreement has been finalized.
Balogun Lands on Juventus Shortlist Amid Growing European Bidding War for USMNT Striker
USMNT striker Folarin Balogun has landed on Juventus’s shortlist as European interest in the AS Monaco forward intensifies following the 2026 World Cup, according to ESPN. PSG, Tottenham Hotspur, and Chelsea had already been linked to the 25-year-old New York-born forward, and Juventus are reportedly considering him as an alternative to PSG’s Randal Kolo Muani. A transfer fee in the region of €50 million would be required to sign Balogun, who scored 13 goals in Ligue 1 last season. Balogun also scored for the USMNT at the tournament before the team’s round-of-16 exit.
MLS Eastern Conference
Heading into Matchday 16
1. Nashville SC — 33 pts (10W-1L-3D)
2. Inter Miami CF — Contending
3. New England Revolution
4. New York Red Bulls
5. Chicago Fire FC
Full table at mlssoccer.com
MLS Western Conference
Heading into Matchday 16
1. Vancouver Whitecaps — Leading West
2. San Jose Earthquakes
3. LAFC
4. Colorado Rapids
5. LA Galaxy
Full table at mlssoccer.com
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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