MLS has been told that it needs to change its recruitment strategy when it comes to bringing overseas stars to the United States, with Gus Poyet telling GOAL of how that process could be tweaked to the benefit of everybody. Efforts to expand the domestic game Stateside have tended to focus on the acquisition of household names on the field, but could that process be expanded to include bigger names in the dugout?
Sergio Busquets has revealed that he could have continued playing alongside Lionel Messi at Inter Miami in MLS, but has chosen not to. Instead of prolonging a remarkable playing career, the legendary former Barcelona midfielder has announced that he will be retiring at the end of the 2025/26 season. A break from football is being planned, but he could return to the dugout at some point in the future.
Lionel Messi joined Carlos Vela in an exclusive MLS club after posting a hat-trick of assists for Inter Miami. The Argentine GOAT was at his brilliant best once again as the Herons eased to a 4-1 victory over the New England Revolution. When it comes to combined goals and assists in 2025, Messi has burst beyond 40 - a mark that only one other player has passed at the highest level of North American soccer.
Celebrations are underway in Pennsylvania as the Philadelphia Union are Supporter Shield holders once again, following an 1-0 victory over NYCFC at Subaru Park on Saturday night. Mikael Uhre delivered the clinching moment for team, scoring the game-winner in the 40th minute. The club will have home field advantage throughout the MLS playoffs.
Inter Miami conceded five goals in a humbling defeat to the Chicago Fire on Tuesday, putting manager Javier Mascherano’s tactics under scrutiny. But the Herons made sure there wouldn’t be a repeat, allowing just one goal while Lionel Messi proved the catalyst with three assists in a convincing 4-1 win over the struggling New England Revolution on Saturday night.
Jimmy Haslam, who owns the Columbus Crew and Cleveland Browns, claimed that MLS has a "long way to go" before it is able to consider itself a top-five league. He called on the league to "put a better product on the field" and suggested that a promotion-relegation system could potentially drum up interest as MLS continues to struggle in drawing consistent TV audiences.
Inter Miami boss Javier Mascherano quashed "nonsense" claims of fallout with Lionel Messi after a shock home defeat in MLS to Chicago Fire. The loss leaves Miami clinging to fourth place in the Eastern Conference on 56 points, seven adrift of table-toppers Philadelphia Union, and with the Supporters’ Shield slipping further from their grasp.
Inter Miami will pay tribute to Spanish legend and long-time Lionel Messi teammate Sergio Busquets after Saturday’s match against New England Revolution at Chase Stadium, celebrating the 2010 World Cup winner’s remarkable career as he prepares to retire at the end of the MLS season. The midfielder announced his retirement last week.
Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano highlighted the influence of Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, one of the marquee summer signings in MLS who has taken control of the Herons’ midfield. Miami will look to bounce back Saturday at Chase Stadium against the New England Revolution after a midweek 5-3 loss to the Chicago Fire.
Lionel Messi's mooted contract renewal at Inter Miami could impact a number of other players on the club’s books, GOAL has been told in an exclusive interview, with Gus Poyet casting an eye over goings on in South Florida. He has seen Argentine GOAT Messi assemble a cast of close friends alongside him, with it possible that one of those - Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez - will also agree to extend his career in MLS.
Thomas Muller became Germany’s most successful player after winning the Canadian Championship with Vancouver Whitecaps, who defeated local rivals Vancouver FC 4-2 in the final. Muller had previously been tied on titles with Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos. However, he downplayed the achievement, saying he plays for the love of the game and not for trophies.
Lionel Messi is seemingly ready to extend his association with Inter Miami, with a new contract being mooted that will keep the Argentine GOAT in MLS. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has, however, been told that the “God-given” physical attributes that he possesses would make him a star in MMA if he ever fancied swapping a rectangular football field for a fighting octagon.
Antonio Mohamed said Toluca were hungry to lift the Campeones Cup and the Diablos Rojos delivered on his words in a thrilling 3-2 win over the LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park. Despite Gabriel Pec’s 84th-minute strike giving LA Galaxy the lead and a disallowed Paulinho goal earlier, Mohamed’s side dominated the second half and ultimately saw justice served on the field.
Less than two months after arriving from Bayern Munich, Thomas Muller lifted his first trophy with the Vancouver Whitecaps, scoring in a thrilling 4-2 win over Canadian Premier League side Vancouver FC in the Canadian Championship final on Wednesday night. It was the 35th trophy of the German star’s storied career.
England legend and Inter Miami owner David Beckham raked in a fortune after a year of record-breaking profits. His company earned a consolidated revenue of £73 million ($98m), which is 1 per cent up from the previous year. Other than co-owning Major League Soccer club Inter Miami and English fourth-tier club Salford City, Beckham also runs several businesses under umbrella company DRJB Holdings.
Lionel Messi has been sent a retirement warning with his Inter Miami contract renewal yet to be confirmed. Messi’s future has been the subject of much speculation after it emerged that his first Inter Miami deal does not include a player option beyond 2025. The 38-year-old attacker, who initially signed with Miami in July 2023, will become a free agent in November unless fresh terms are hammered out.
Javier Mascherano took responsibility after Inter Miami turned in one of their worst performances of the season at Chase Stadium, falling 5-3 to the Chicago Fire. The setback leaves the Herons in a precarious spot in the Supporters’ Shield race - they sit fourth in the Eastern Conference with 56 points, seven behind leaders Philadelphia Union.
The Chicago Fire are returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2017, but Inter Miami won't be thrilled the visitors' postseason ticket came at their expense in a 5-3 defeat at home. Luis Suarez rolled back the years with two goals, but his brilliance wasn’t enough to cover for the Herons’ season-long defensive frailties, as they shipped three before halftime.
Greg Vanney knows LA Galaxy’s season has been a disappointment, with the reigning MLS champions bottom of the Western Conference and out of the playoffs. But on Wednesday at Dignity Health Sports Park, the Campeones Cup final against Toluca offers a chance to salvage something meaningful, with Vanney viewing a trophy as a vital boost for his players and the club.
Sporting Kansas City has appointed David Lee as President of Soccer Operations and General Manager, bringing one of Major League Soccer’s most accomplished sporting directors to the Midwest. Lee spent nine years with New York City FC, helping build the club from its inaugural season in 2015. Under his leadership, NYCFC won the MLS Cup in 2021.
MLS announced Charles Altchek has been named as Executive Vice President of Club Performance and League Growth while Ali Curtis takes over as President of MLS NEXT Pro and Executive Vice President of MLS Sporting Development. Altchek will work directly with team owners and executives to drive business growth, while Curtis takes control of MLS's developmental league.
Toluca head coach Antonio Mohamed says his side arrives at Wednesday’s Campeones Cup final against LA Galaxy motivated and hungry for silverware. For him, the clash at Dignity Health Sports Park is more than a shot at a trophy - it’s also a chance to measure the growth and resilience of his squad. Toluca currently sit top of the Liga MX standings.
Former Juventus winger and ex-Italy international Federico Bernardeschi chimed in on the Cristiano Ronaldo-Lionel Messi debate. The Bologna player heaped praise on the two icons and explained what makes the duo different from each other. While Messi was called "divine," Ronaldo was hailed as someone who "revolutionized football" and is admired by numerous athletes.
USMNT star Quinn Sullivan has confirmed that he suffered a devastating ACL injury blow during the Philadelphia Union’s 6-0 victory over D.C. United. The 21-year-old midfielder lasted just six minutes of that contest before picking up a knock. He initially attempted to play on, but it soon became apparent that would not be possible. Sullivan is now sweating on his place in Mauricio Pochettino’s plans for a home World Cup in the summer of 2026.
An RB Leipzig insider has delivered a brutal assessment of Timo Werner, revealing a former coach branded him "lazy as hell in training." The ex-Chelsea striker, who has played just one minute this season, is now tipped to make a January switch to MLS after a summer move to New York Red Bulls failed to materialise.
Red Bull head of global soccer Jurgen Klopp offered a glowing endorsement of the future of MLS during a recent New York visit, predicting major growth for the league over the next five years. The former Liverpool manager made his remarks before attending Saturday’s Hudson River Derby between the New York Red Bulls and New York City FC.
Son Heung-min's blistering start to life in Major League Soccer continues to turn heads after the former Tottenham star scored twice in LAFC's 3-0 win over St. Louis CITY, taking his tally to eight goals in as many matches. Spurs fans are now lamenting the club's decision to sell the South Korean icon too early, insisting he looks reborn in Los Angeles.
Manager Javier Mascherano lamented Inter Miami’s missed opportunity to climb in the Eastern Conference standings after a 1-1 draw with Toronto FC on Saturday night, just 72 hours after facing NYCFC. While his side still hold games in hand, the dropped points complicated their pursuit of the Supporters’ Shield amid a congested schedule.
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