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USL Championship news

El Paso announce signing of Ted Lasso's Cristo Fernandez

El Paso Locomotive have signed Cristo Fernandez, who played Dani Rojas in the hit show Ted Lasso, the club announced on Tuesday. Fernandez had previously been on trial with the club and played in a preseason friendly against New Mexico United. The forward was on track to play pro soccer before seeing injuries curtail his career at 15 after a stint at Tecos FC.

USL, USLPA verbally agree on CBA after testy negotiations

A landmark deal has been struck to set professional standards for both the USL Championship and newly-formed USL Premier.

How Hummel is taking over lower league soccer in the U.S., Canada

The Danish sportswear company now makes kits for 26 clubs in North America, and has pushed boundaries with innovative designs for USL teams.

USLPA to protest against USSF in U.S. Open Cup matches

USL players will wear t-shirts calling for professional standards prior to U.S. Open Cup games Tuesday night, in a coordinated effort to put pressure on the U.S. Soccer amid tense negotiations with the league on a Collective Bargaining Agreement. The USLPA has been engaged in talks with the League office for months, and with no deal near, they have decided to take action.

Inside USL CBA standoff: protests and a league at a crossroads

The USL Championship is currently operating in the absence of a Collective Bargaining Agreement, but many around the league aren't optimistic that a decision will be reached soon.

Fire II: Ted Lasso's Fernandez trained with team earlier this month

Cristo Fernandez, who played Dani Rojas in the beloved Apple TV series Ted Lasso, trained with MLS's Chicago Fire last month, the club confirmed Wednesday. GOAL reported the Mexican-born actor was on trial with USL Championship side El Paso Locomotive earlier this week, and could yet receive a contract. Fernandez played academy soccer in Mexico as a teenager.

Source: Ted Lasso star on verge of signing pro contract

Cristo Fernandez, who played Dani Rojas in the hit Apple TV series Ted Lasso, appeared in a preseason friendly for USL Championship side El Paso Locomotive on Saturday, a club source confirmed. They are expected to make a decision on a professional contract early this week. Fernandez, who appeared in the first three seasons of the show, played youth soccer in Mexico until he was 15.

Sacramento Republic sign MLS veteran Memo Rodriguez

USL Championship side Sacramento Republic have signed former Houston Dynamo and Sporting Kansas City midfielder Memo Rodriguez, sources told GOAL. The Texan midfielder will pen a two year deal with the USL giants, who finished second in the Western Conference last season. It continues a busy winter for Sacramento, following the signing of Canada's Mark-Anthony Kaye earlier this week.

Inside MLS 3.0: GMs, CSOs on what comes next - and what must change

GOAL spoke to GMs and chief soccer officers across MLS about the league’s 3.0 vision: the calendar change is progress, but executives say the next steps must come faster.

USL reveals name, competition format of Division 1 league

The United Soccer League revealed the name of its new Division One setup Tuesday morning, announcing that it will be called "USL Premier", with a targeted start date of 2028. The new top division, which was first revealed nearly 12 months ago, will sit atop a three-tiered structure that also includes the pre-existing USL Championship and USL League One.

NCFC’s shutdown for D1 move sparks questions over human cost

GOAL spoke to a number of former NCFC players, who outlined the harsh realities of a volatile league after being made redundant four days before a playoff game

Riverhounds claim first USL Championship title against FC Tulsa

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds claimed their first USL Championship title on Saturday, defeating FC Tulsa 5-3 on penalties after a tense 0-0 draw through regulation and extra time at ONEOK Field. Both teams were locked in defensively throughout, with each goalkeeper producing key saves to send the final to a shootout.

'Prove everyone wrong' - How Rodrigo Lopez became USL's GOAT

The Mexican-American playmaker survived injury, contract issues, and free agency across 13 clubs, and is finally ready to walk away from the game

How Texoma's 'self-relegation' could change USL ownership forever

Texoma FC rejects the idea of “self-relegation,” yet their drop to USL League Two and surprise second club have pushed them into an unexpected multi-club future.

USL's North Carolina FC announce they will not play in 2026

USL Championship side North Carolina FC announced Tuesday that they will not compete in the 2026 season. The club will release all players, after the playoffs, allowing them to sign elsewhere for 2026 and beyond. As part of the move, North Carolina said their focus will shift toward preparing an application for USL’s new Division One league, set to launch in 2028.

Brian McBride, MLS All-Star-Homegrown Game

U.S. icon McBride appointed GM of USL's Brooklyn Football Club

Brooklyn Football Club announced the appointment of U.S. soccer icon Brian McBride as General Manager, marking a significant milestone as the club builds toward its USL Championship debut in 2026. McBride will oversee all sporting operations for both the men's and women's teams, from roster construction, staffing, and performance analytics to long-term player development.

Betting spotlight

Bets of the week & predictions May - Week 20, 2026

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Atletico Dallas uses street soccer to show USL, MLS can coexist

The USL club insist that they can coexist with their MLS neighbor - they just need to take a different approach to the sport

USL receives 'strategic investment' from BellTower Partners

The USL has added an investor with significant capital as it aims to compete with MLS with a first division of its own starting in 2028. BellTower Partners, a private investment firm run by ex-Carlyle Group CEO Kewsong Lee, has purchased a minority equity stake in the North American soccer league. Lee reportedly has a net worth of $28 billion.

'The league is changing' - Robust transfer market propels USL

More robust scouting networks and sophisticated talent identification has allowed USL to grow exponentially

At a Crossroads: College soccer facing an existential crisis

With the landscape rapidly changing, the college game is facing an existential crisis as it embarks on a pivotal season

USL Championship's Detroit City reveal stadium plans

Renderings of the stadium showcase a modern 15,000-seat venue for the USL Championship team

How AC Boise launched a USL club steeped in Basque pride

With a deep Basque connection, AC Boise - set to kick off in 2026 - are on pace to break USL records for season ticket deposits

USL temp check: Charleston surges, Colorado slides

GOAL takes a look at some of the emerging storylines around the USL Championship at the halfway point of the season

How Rhode Island, USL 'cornered the market' in authenticity

The founder of Rhode Island FC and part owner of Ipswich has built a fine portfolio and proved that smart, sustainable growth works

Why Annapolis Blues are proof USL League Two can blossom

The semi-pro Blues, largely owned by locals, are one of the best-attended franchises in lower league soccer

Rhode Island's Smith watches from stadium roof after ejection

The Rhode Island FC head coach was forced to an unusual vantage point atop the stadium after receiving two yellow cards in his side’s 4-1 win

'Soccer culture is alive' - Five friends, one bus, U.S. Open Cup

GOAL Convo: CLUBELEVEN’s co-founder discusses "Soccer Odyssey," traveling to watch U.S. Open Cup matches and spotlighting American soccer

'Championship culture' - Dallas' Quill on MLS Cup aspirations

GOAL Convo: Quill moved from USL to MLS and installed a 'championship' mentality after Dallas' poor 2024 campaign

Scouting Wynder: Can USMNT defender make mark at Benfica?

The young defender has been compared to Virgil van Dijk, but to get anywhere near that level, he'll have to become Benfica's next star first

McAuley credits MLS Next Pro for improvement in American soccer

The former Sheffield Wednesday boss shared his perspectives on various topics including promotion-relegation and youth soccer

Frequently asked questions

Supporters have a number of opportunities to purchase tickets for matches involving Iran, via the FIFA website, between now and the big kick-off in June. The various sales phases differ in terms of purchasing processes, payment methods and ticket products.

To buy tickets, you must visit the official FIFA ticketing portal and register for an account. You can then log in to your FIFA account and check out ticket availability.

If you are looking for an official and secure way to resell/exchange your FIFA World Cup 26 tickets, the FIFA Resale/Exchange Marketplace is the official channel for doing so. The Marketplace opened in October and be accessed via FIFA.com/tickets.

FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets will also be available from secondary resellers, such as StubHub and Ticombo.

No, tickets will not be available for purchase at the stadiums during FIFA World Cup 2026. There will be no over-the-counter ticket sales. FIFA.com/tickets is the official portal for purchasing tickets.

Iran’s heavy 6-2 loss to England in their opener at the 2022 World Cup was a bitter pill to swallow, but Mehdi Taremi's consolation double strike meant that he became Iran’s top World Cup scorer of all-time. The Olympiacos striker will be hoping to add to his tally further in North America. In terms of World Cup appearances, Ehsan Hajsafi tops Iran's standings with 9 caps, after playing in all his side's matches at the 2014, 2018 and 2022 tournaments.

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