Siddhant Lazar

The NWSL has reportedly awarded its 17th franchise to Atlanta, with Arthur Blank’s AMB Sports and Entertainment securing the expansion rights for a record $165 million fee, according to The Athletic. The team is set to begin play in 2028 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which also hosts Blank’s other professional teams - the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and MLS’s Atlanta United FC.

The NWSL has seen remarkable growth in its second season on ESPN platforms, with viewership reaching record levels. According to Nielsen’s Big Data + Panel, the league’s average viewership for the 2025 regular season rose 61 percent compared to the previous year, while Spanish-language broadcasts grew by an impressive 109 percent from the 2024 average audience.

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola expressed cautious optimism that U.S. international Tyler Adams avoided serious injury after a head collision with teammate Adam Smith during Sunday’s 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa. The incident occurred within the first four minutes at Villa Park and required immediate medical attention for both players, with Smith forced to withdraw.

Leeds United fell 3-1 to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, despite American midfielder Brenden Aaronson assisting Lukas Nmecha’s 13th-minute opener. The 25-year-old’s early contribution wasn’t enough to stop Daniel Farke’s side from suffering their fourth defeat in five Premier League matches.

Former U.S. international Stuart Holden believes Matt Turner’s 2026 World Cup hopes could be in jeopardy after the goalkeeper was left out of Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT roster for November 2025. Holden pointed to Turner’s lack of competitive minutes as a growing concern, warning it may be damaging his standing within the national team setup.

Former USMNT star Michael Bradley earned his first coaching title as New York Red Bulls II captured the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Cup. His side erased a two-goal deficit to beat Colorado Rapids 2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw. A record crowd of 9,095 at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, N.J., watched the Eastern Conference champs claim the league’s fourth title.

USMNT star Folarin Balogun experienced a rollercoaster of highs and lows on Saturday against Lens. The AS Monaco striker drew his side level with a 37th-minute penalty, only to be sent off before halftime - a turning point that left Monaco reeling. Lens capitalized, surging to a 3-1 lead by the break before sealing a 4-1 victory.

The U.S. booked their place in the knockout stage of the 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup after Cavan Sullivan’s calmly taken second-half penalty secured a 2-1 win over Tajikistan on Saturday in Qatar. The Union prodigy showed composure beyond his years with the spot kick, scoring with a panenka, capping a resilient display as the Americans overturned an early deficit to claim their second straight victory.

Patrick Agyemang continued his transition to English football with a powerful header that helped Derby County earn a 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers on Saturday. The 25-year-old American striker scored his second goal of the 2025-26 Championship campaign just before half-time, extending Derby’s lead after Carlton Morris’ opener and sealing the Rams’ fifth straight victory.

MLS NEXT Pro announced North Texas SC forward Sam Sarver has been named the 2025 MVP after a breakout campaign that saw the 22-year-old captain rewrite his club’s scoring history and finish near the top of the league’s charts. Sarver’s award caps a season in which he finished as the runner-up in the Golden Boot race and earned a spot on the league’s Best XI.

Benjamin Cremaschi, the 20-year-old American midfielder on loan from Inter Miami, made his long-awaited Serie A debut for Parma on Oct. 29, coming on as a 76th-minute substitute in a 2-1 defeat to AS Roma at the Stadio Olimpico. He replaced Adrián Bernabé as part of a triple change by coach Fabio Pecchia with Parma trailing 1-0.

Gio Reyna has opened up about the controversy that marred his 2022 World Cup, reflecting on his fallout with then-U.S. manager Gregg Berhalter and the lessons learned from that turbulent period. The U.S. international admitted he would handle certain moments differently if given the chance but insisted he shouldn’t shoulder all the blame for what unfolded.

Brenden Aaronson’s strong run of form reached new heights with a goal in Leeds United’s 2-1 victory over West Ham, earning plaudits from USMNT legend Alexi Lalas. The FOX Sports analyst praised Aaronson’s steady improvement and work ethic, saying the midfielder has played his way back into U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino’s plans.

FIFA began the second phase of World Cup ticket sales on Monday, putting one million tickets into a randomized draw that runs through Friday and includes a domestic priority window for residents of the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Fans worldwide can enter the draw but those in the three host countries who are selected will receive an exclusive time slot.

MLS announced that Los Angeles Football Club forward Son Heung-min has won the 2025 Goal of the Year for his free kick against FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium on Aug. 23. The award, decided by fan voting on MLSsoccer.com, capped a season full of spectacular strikes, with Son’s sixth-minute finish standing out for its precision and technique.

Former USMNT star Eric Wynalda endorsed Cristian Roldan’s place in the USMNT picture, arguing the 30-year-old Seattle Sounders midfielder brings personality, resilience and a veteran attitude. Wynalda said Roldan’s temperament and work ethic indicated he is unlikely to fold under the pressure of the World Cup stage.

U.S. international Timothy Weah set up Mason Greenwood to give Olympique de Marseille an early lead against RC Lens, but OM eventually fell 2-1. The American winger’s first-half assist highlighted another strong showing in his growing role with the club. His club, however, fall to third following the result.

Former U.S. striker Herculez Gomez believes Ricardo Pepi’s goal and assist in PSV Eindhoven’s 6-2 Champions League win over Napoli should spark a consistent run, urging the forward to keep pushing for a place with both club and country. Pepi has had inconsistent playing time this season due to injury, scoring two goals in six Eredivisie appearances.