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Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has returned to the matchday squad and is among the substitutes for the Herons’ Eastern Conference matchup against the Columbus Crew. Messi hasn’t appeared for the South Florida side since Argentina’s World Cup final defeat on July 19. His international teammate Rodrigo De Paul, however, has slotted straight into the starting XI.

EXCLUSIVE: GOAL spoke with the American wingback about what comes next and why, after some time, he's ready to turn the page on his big summer

Middlesbrough are finalizing an agreement to sign U.S. men's national team and Columbus Crew defender Max Arfsten in a deal worth up to $7.5 million, sources tell GOAL. The move to the Championship club would see Arfsten link up with USMNT teammates Sebastian Berhalter and Aidan Morris, both of whom are also Crew products.

Lionel Messi and Co. remain favorites, but strong starts from Nashville, San Jose and Vancouver have the league nicely poised heading into a long break.