Samwise North American Soccer Newsletter
Sunday, July 19, 2026
Portland Make History with 5-1 Cascadia Cup Demolition of Seattle
Portland Timbers delivered a crushing 5-1 defeat to Seattle Sounders on Thursday at Lumen Field — the biggest margin of victory for Portland over Seattle in MLS history. Kevin Kelsy powered the rout with two goals and an assist, while the result marked Seattle’s worst home loss since the club joined MLS in 2009. The timing was particularly cruel: Seattle had just inducted three legends into their Eternal Sounders Circle of Legends before kickoff. ‘Not good enough. Not even close to the standard that we set at the club,’ said head coach Brian Schmetzer. Portland are managed by interim boss Jack Cassidy following Phil Neville’s dismissal in late May.
Sources: mlssoccer.com Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Son Heung-Min Ends Goal Drought as LAFC Rout Galaxy 3-0 in El Tráfico
LAFC won the first El Trafico of 2026, defeating LA Galaxy 3-0 on Friday at Dignity Health Sports Park. Mark Delgado opened scoring against his former club in the 26th minute, Denis Bouanga converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time — his seventh goal in seven straight El Trafico games — and Son Heung-Min broke a three-month drought with a 57th-minute long-range shot, his first goal after failing to score in 45 attempts across 13 MLS appearances this season. ‘Being back, scoring goals, and winning with a clean sheet is going to be really helpful for our confidence,’ said Son. LAFC sit on 27 Western Conference points.
Sources: mlssoccer.com Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Nashville SC Beat Atlanta 1-0 to Maintain Historic Supporters’ Shield Pace
Nashville SC extended their historic season with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Atlanta United on Friday at GEODIS Park, maintaining top spot in the Supporters’ Shield race. Atlanta defended doggedly throughout, but substitute Alex Muyl delivered a perfect cross for Shak Mohammed — given just his second career start due to injuries to Cristian Espinoza and Warren Madrigal — to head home the winner. Goalkeeper Luka Gavran recorded just the second clean sheet of the season for the injury-hit Coyotes. The three points keep Nashville pacesetters heading into a crucial second half of the MLS season.
Sources: OurSportsCentral Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Denver Summit FC Open Centennial Stadium with 2-1 NWSL Win Over Portland
Denver Summit FC opened Centennial Stadium with a 2-1 victory over Portland Thorns on Saturday before a sold-out crowd of 12,372, the first venue built for women’s professional sports in Colorado. Sophia Wilson gave Portland an early lead from the penalty spot in the 25th minute, but Janine Sonis equalized for Denver in the 53rd minute. Natalie Means delivered the winning goal in the 86th minute off an assist from Lindsey Heaps to send the crowd home celebrating. The stadium, which features premium fan amenities and a dedicated supporter section, had previously been delayed before opening this weekend as Denver Summit’s new home in the NWSL.
Sources: Colorado Springs Gazette Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Liga MX Apertura 2026 Kicks Off with Cruz Azul Win and Chivas Upset
Liga MX’s Apertura 2026 season opened with a busy Jornada 1 this weekend, with Cruz Azul, the reigning Clausura champions, winning 3-2 away at Atletico de San Luis on Friday in their title defense debut. On Saturday at Estadio Akron, Guadalajara’s Chivas fell 0-2 to Toluca in one of the opening round’s marquee matchups. Also on Thursday, Xolos de Tijuana defeated Tigres UANL 3-1. The defending champions Cruz Azul, who won the Clausura title in May with a rally past Pumas UNAM, now head an Apertura tournament featuring 18 clubs competing over 17 matchdays before a playoff bracket crowns a champion in December.
Philadelphia Union Reacquire Kai Wagner After Seven-Month England Stint
The Philadelphia Union have reacquired defender Kai Wagner from Birmingham City, with the three-time MLS All-Star and two-time MLS Best XI selection signing through the 2028-29 season with a club option for 2029-30. To claim Wagner off waivers, Philadelphia acquired the top spot in the waiver order from Sporting Kansas City, giving up a 2026 international roster spot and the 22nd waiver position plus $100,000 in General Allocation Money. Wagner spent seven seasons with Philadelphia from 2019-25 before a seven-month stint in England, where he contributed one goal and three assists across 18 appearances for Birmingham City in the Championship.
Sources: OurSportsCentral Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Daryl Dike Returns to Orlando City as Free Agent After Five Years at West Brom
Orlando City SC has signed forward Daryl Dike as a free agent through the 2027 MLS Sprint Season, with a club option for 2027-28, reuniting the 26-year-old striker with his first professional club after five seasons with West Bromwich Albion in England’s EFL Championship. The Lions sent $75,000 in General Allocation Money to Seattle Sounders for Dike’s Discovery Priority, with an additional $75,000 GAM available on performance metrics. Dike scored 19 goals and added seven assists across 41 appearances for Orlando during his first stint, after being selected with the fifth overall pick in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft. ‘I’m thrilled to be back where it all started,’ said Dike.
Sources: Orlando City SC Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
MLS Eastern Conference
Through MD15 ★ = Playoff Position
1. Nashville SC — 33 pts (10-1-3) ★
2. Inter Miami CF — 31 pts (9-2-4) ★
3. Chicago Fire FC — 26 pts (8-4-2) ★
4. New England Rev. — 25 pts (8-5-1) ★
5. Red Bull NY — 22 pts (6-5-4) ★
6. Charlotte FC — 21 pts (6-6-3) ★
7. FC Cincinnati — 20 pts (5-5-5) ★
8. NYCFC — 19 pts (5-6-4)
9. D.C. United — 18 pts (4-5-6)
10. Columbus Crew — 16 pts (4-7-4)
11. CF Montréal — 14 pts (4-8-2)
12. Orlando City SC — 14 pts (4-9-2)
13. Toronto FC — 14 pts (3-6-5)
14. Atlanta United — 11 pts (3-9-2)
15. Philadelphia Union — 7 pts (1-10-4)
MLS Western Conference
Through MD15 ★ = Playoff Position
1. Vancouver Whitecaps — 32 pts (10-2-2) ★
2. San Jose Earthquakes — 32 pts (10-3-2) ★
3. Real Salt Lake — 26 pts (8-4-2) ★
4. FC Dallas — 25 pts (7-4-4) ★
5. LAFC — 24 pts (7-5-3) ★
6. Seattle Sounders — 24 pts (7-3-3) ★
7. Houston Dynamo — 22 pts (7-6-1) ★
8. Minnesota United — 22 pts (6-5-4)
9. LA Galaxy — 20 pts (5-5-5)
10. San Diego FC — 17 pts (4-6-5)
11. Colorado Rapids — 16 pts (5-9-1)
12. St. Louis CITY SC — 16 pts (4-6-4)
13. Portland Timbers — 14 pts (4-8-2)
14. Austin FC — 14 pts (3-7-5)
15. Sporting KC — 11 pts (3-9-2)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency