Major League Soccer news

Lionel Messi delivered a masterclass to lead Inter Miami past Nashville SC and into the Eastern Conference semifinals. After last weekend’s defeat at GEODIS Stadium forced a decisive third match, Miami responded with authority, shaking off the nerves that had built up during the week to set up a clash with FC Cincinnati.

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.

Galatasary club president Dursun Ozbek has dropped a massive hint that the Turkish giants will make a sensational move for Argentina maestro Lionel Messi. Gala have dominated Turkish football in recent seasons, winning three consecutive titles and notably tallying a record-breaking 102 points back in 2023-24. And now Ozbek believes he can convince Messi to swap Inter Miami for the Turkish capital.

Lionel Messi scored twice and added an assist, while Tadeo Allende bagged a brace as Inter Miami thumped Nashville 4-0 to reach the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Herons were dominant throughout, leaning on their star man to cruise past their opponents, with Jordi Alba also providing an assist as Miami sealed their first-ever playoff series win.

Liverpool star Federico Chiesa, who was once a teammate of Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus, settled the GOAT debate as he picked Lionel Messi over the Al-Nassr star. It’s the question that has divided football fans for nearly two decades, and still, when both legends are at the twilight of their respective careers, the debate rages on. There have been contrasting opinions, but Chiesa has no doubt that the crown belongs to one man, and he is Messi.

Chicago Fire midfielder Brian Gutierrez is a target for Liga MX club Chivas de Guadalajara, sources tell GOAL. The interest follows Gutierrez’s acquisition of a Mexican passport, which could open the door for a potential switch from the U.S. men’s national team to Mexico. Gutierrez is coming off a breakout campaign where he had nine goals and six assists.

The Herons might miss the Uruguayan when they take on Nashville Saturday night, yet his absence could offer some answers as to how they function going forward

Inter Miami will be without Luis Suarez for Saturday’s decisive Game 3 against Nashville SC after MLS denied the striker’s suspension appeal. Head coach Javier Mascherano confirmed the decision on Friday, noting Suarez had sought to overturn the one-match ban ahead of the series finale, with a semifinal berth on the line.

Former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen claims that Cristiano Ronaldo "would love" to join Lionel Messi at Inter Miami as two all-time greats approach the end of their record-shattering careers. It has, however, been suggested that Hollywood would be a more likely MLS landing spot for CR7 if opportunities to join teams in Los Angeles materialised.

Bradley Carnell was named MLS Coach of the Year after an impressive season in which he guided the Philadelphia Union to a Supporters' Shield win in his debut campaign. The South African manager set a club record with 20 wins and was named Coach of the Week four times over the season. The Union had MLS's best defense in 2025, conceding only 35 goals.

Chicago Fire midfielder Brian Gutiérrez is reportedly eligible to represent Mexico after obtaining his Mexican passport, according to Súper Deportivo. Born in Illinois to Mexican parents, the 22-year-old has been one of MLS’s top young playmakers and now hopes to make the jump to Javier Aguirre’s national team.

Gerardo “Tata” Martino has returned to Atlanta United as manager on a two-year contract, the club announced Thursday. The 62-year-old reunites with the team where he enjoyed his greatest success, winning the 2018 MLS Cup and being named Coach of the Year. Martino aims to restore Atlanta’s status as a contender after inconsistency since his 2018 departure.

Lionel Messi has hinted that he will form part of Argentina’s squad at the 2026 World Cup, with the all-time great expecting that event to be “extraordinary”. Questions have been asked of whether Messi, who will turn 39 next summer, will grace another international tournament. He is, however, excited about what the United States, Canada and Mexico have to offer.

Lionel Messi has responded to Cristiano Ronaldo’s claim that winning the World Cup is not something that he is overly concerned about, as success in that competition will not define his legacy. Messi has savoured success on the grandest of stages and considers his triumph with Argentina at Qatar 2022 to be the “ultimate” accolade in his record-shattering career.

After claiming the MLS Golden Boot, Lionel Messi has been named to the MLS Best XI for the second time since joining Inter Miami. The recognition comes after Messi finished with the second-most goal contributions in a single season in MLS history and became the second player in league history to lead the league in goals and assists.

GOAL reviews the major takeaways from Americans playing in MLS, including Arfsten elevating his game to lead the Crew