Samwise North American Soccer Newsletter
Saturday, July 18, 2026
LAFC Dominates El Tráfico Derby with 3-0 Shutout of LA Galaxy
LAFC shut out the LA Galaxy 3-0 Friday night at Dignity Health Sports Park in a commanding El Tráfico derby marking both clubs’ return from the eight-week FIFA World Cup break. Mark Delgado opened the scoring in the 26th minute before Denis Bouanga doubled the lead from the penalty spot just before halftime. South Korean international Son Heung-min added a third in the 57th minute, his 13th MLS goal and 26th overall goal contribution in just 27 appearances since joining the club last August. Hugo Lloris kept his MLS-best ninth clean sheet of the year. The result tied the all-time El Tráfico series at 10 wins apiece.
Nashville SC Beats Atlanta United 1-0 to Extend Record Unbeaten Run
Nashville SC remained at the top of the MLS Supporters’ Shield standings with a hard-fought 1-0 home victory over Atlanta United at GEODIS Park on Friday night, extending the club’s regular-season unbeaten streak to nine matches. Shak Mohammed scored the decisive goal in the 79th minute, his second of the season against Atlanta. Goalkeeper Brian Schwake made five saves to claim his league-leading eighth clean sheet of 2026. The result also marked the first time in club history that Nashville swept the full season series against Atlanta United. Head coach Gary Smith’s side leads Major League Soccer in points as Week 16 begins.
Sources: Nashville SC FOX Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Liga MX Apertura 2026 Opens with Cruz Azul Brace, Atlante’s Return
Liga MX’s Apertura 2026 kicked off Thursday through Saturday with several notable results from Jornada 1. Cruz Azul, the defending champions, began their title defense with a convincing win over San Luis, with Jeremy Márquez scoring twice. Atlas traveled to León and claimed a 3-2 victory despite the difficult road environment, while Tijuana defeated their opponent on a brace from Mourad Daoudi in stoppage time. Promoted side Atlante, returning to the top flight for the first time in 12 years, opened the tournament on July 16 under coach Miguel Herrera. Saturday’s Jornada 1 slate continues with Chivas hosting Toluca and América facing Querétaro.
Sources: Sports Illustrated México Soy Fútbol Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Gotham FC Records 7th Shutout in 10 Games, Downs Seattle Reign 2-0
NJ/NY Gotham FC extended their NWSL dominance with a convincing 2-0 victory over Seattle Reign at Icahn Stadium on Saturday, broadcast live on ABC. Jaedyn Shaw opened the scoring before Tierna Davidson netted a memorable goal — her first regular-season NWSL goal in 2,459 days. The win was Gotham’s seventh shutout in just 10 games, an NWSL record, and their fourth during a five-match unbeaten run. The result keeps Gotham firmly in contention for the 2026 NWSL Shield. Seattle falls to 5-7-2, while Gotham improved to 9-3-3 and remain one of the league’s most complete sides this season.
Sources: Gotham FC Seattle Reign FC Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Denver Summit FC Opens Centennial Stadium, NWSL Expansion Club’s New Home
Denver Summit FC opened the doors to their new permanent home, Centennial Stadium, on Saturday for the first time as an NWSL club. The expansion side, in its inaugural 2026 season, welcomed the Portland Thorns to the new venue in Centennial, Colorado, for a midday matchup in front of a sold-out crowd. Controlling Owner Rob Cohen and City of Centennial Mayor Christine Sweetland joined a ceremonial ribbon cutting before kickoff. Construction delays had pushed back the stadium’s opening from the start of the 2026 campaign. All of Denver Summit’s remaining 2026 home matches and their entire 2027 home schedule will be played at Centennial Stadium.
Sources: OurSports Central Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
San Diego Wave Earn Stoppage-Time Equalizer in 2-2 Draw at Kansas City
San Diego Wave FC earned a dramatic 2-2 draw against Kansas City Current at CPKC Stadium on Friday evening, rescuing a point in second-half stoppage time. Trinity Byars put San Diego ahead in the sixth minute before Kansas City’s Croix Bethune equalized shortly after halftime. The Current took the lead in the 61st minute when Temwa Chawinga converted to make it 2-1. With the game winding down, Byars struck again in stoppage time to complete her brace and preserve a point for the Wave. San Diego moved to 9-5-2 with 29 points, while Kansas City remained second in the standings with 25 points.
Sources: San Diego Wave FC ESPN Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Vancouver FC Rout FC Supra 5-1 in Dominant CPL Matchday 13 Victory
Vancouver FC put on a commanding performance in the Canadian Premier League on Friday evening, routing FC Supra du Québec 5-1 at Stade Boréale in a dominant Matchday 13 showing. Standout contributions from Damiano Pecile, Emrick Fotsing, and Thierno Bah drove the one-sided contest, as Vancouver controlled proceedings from early on. FC Supra pulled one back through Clément Bayiha shortly into the second half, but it was scant consolation for the league’s bottom side, which remains winless on the season with just three points. The victory helps Vancouver FC maintain their position in the CPL playoff race as the second half of the season begins.
MLS Eastern Conference
Through July 17, 2026
1. Nashville SC — 36 pts (11W-1L-3D)
2. Inter Miami CF — 31 pts (9W-2L-4D)
3. Chicago Fire FC — 26 pts (7W-3L-4D)
4. New England Rev. — 25 pts (8W-5L-1D)
5. NY Red Bulls — 22 pts (6W-5L-4D)
6. Columbus Crew — 21 pts (5W-4L-6D)
7. CF Montréal — 20 pts (5W-5L-5D)
8. Toronto FC — 18 pts (4W-5L-6D)
MLS Western Conference
Through July 17, 2026
1. Vancouver Whitecaps — 32 pts (9W-3L-3D)
2. San Jose Earthquakes — 29 pts (8W-3L-4D)
3. LAFC — 24 pts (7W-5L-2D)
4. Real Salt Lake — 22 pts (6W-4L-4D)
5. Minnesota United — 21 pts (5W-4L-6D)
6. LA Galaxy — 20 pts (5W-6L-3D)
7. Austin FC — 19 pts (5W-6L-4D)
8. Seattle Sounders — 19 pts (4W-6L-5D)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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