Lizzy Becherano

Lionel Messi did not violate league policy after review of alleged locker room video, MLS says Major League Soccer is investigating allegations that Lionel Messi gained unauthorized access to the officials' locker room following the match between Inter Miami and LAFC on Saturday at the LA Memor...

After further review into the situation, Major League Soccer found that Messi did not violate league policy.

The video captures Messi entering an area that was not restricted by the league, with PRO also confirming he did not enter the officials’ locker room.

www.espn.com/soccer/story...

Sources: Leagues Cup to play in Mexican venues for 4th edition Leagues Cup officials are finalizing the details to have Mexico host certain matches of the upcoming edition of the tournament, sources told ESPN.

Leagues Cup officials are finalizing the details to have Mexico host certain matches of the upcoming edition of the tournament, sources told ESPN.

www.espn.com/soccer/story...

San Diego FC’s official supporter group Frontera San Diego united as one of their own was recently taken into ICE custody.

Seattle Sounders midfielder Obed Vargas joins Atlético Madrid Midfielder Obed Vargas completed a transfer to Atlético Madrid from MLS side Seattle Sounders FC, joining the LaLiga club through June 30, 2030.

W/ESPN colleague @lizzybecherano.bsky.social ...Obed Vargas achieved a lifelong dream when he transferred to Atletico Madrid. But the man who set the deal in motion was none other than #Sounders owner Adrian Hanauer. W/additional insight from Sounders GM Craig Waibel.

www.espn.com/soccer/story...

Sources: Inter Miami eyeing $15M move for Monterrey's Berterame Inter Miami is prepared to pay the $15 million release clause for Monterrey forward Germán Berterame, sources told ESPN.

Sources confirm to ESPN that Inter Miami has expressed interest in signing Rayados & Mexican National team forward Germán Berterame.

Nothing finalized yet.

www.espn.com/soccer/story...

The 50 best women's soccer players in the world for 2025, ranked! Here are the 50 best women's soccer players in the world for 2025, as ranked by an expert panel of coaches, GMs and journalists.

We're back! ESPN's expert voting panel of coaches, GMs and journalists ranked the top women's soccer players of 2025: www.espn.com/soccer/story...

Try to guess which #USWNT players made the list. Good luck!

2026 World Cup draw: How the U.S. matches up against group stage foes The draw for the 2026 World Cup is over, so who is the USMNT set to play next summer and how will it match up? ESPN breaks down the matchups.

Also if you’re looking for how to feel about the USMNT group and their opponents, @espnbillc.bsky.social, @cesarhfutbol.bsky.social, @lizzybecherano.bsky.social and @jeffreycarlisle.bsky.social break it down game by game and gut-check the tournament: www.espn.com/soccer/story...

Luis Suarez for ESPN

The complete interview live tonight on Futbol Americas & other ESPN programming

Copa organizers settle for $14M after final debacle A settlement has been reached in the class action lawsuit that was filed by fans in the wake of the chaotic 2024 Copa América final between Argentina and Colombia held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Ga...

BREAKING: A class action lawsuit filed by fans who were impacted by the chaos at the 2024 Copa America final has been settled. Defendants Concacaf, COMNEBOL, Best Security, and South Florida Stadium LLC will pay upwards of $14 million to those fans affected.

www.espn.com/soccer/story...

Miami Freedom Park from above: 11/14/2025

MLS switching schedule to align with world soccer The MLS Board of Governors voted Thursday to align with the international soccer calendar by shifting the regular season to a fall through spring campaign beginning in 2027.

MLS is officially switching to a fall-to-spring calendar beginning in 2027. That transition period from the current structure is a quick turnaround. From colleague @lizzybecherano.bsky.social:

Why MLS is changing to summer-spring schedule with a winter break MLS will soon adopt a schedule that will run from the summer through the spring, but how will the league manage matches in frigid winters?

With ESPN colleague @lizzybecherano.bsky.social …Why #MLS is changing to a summer/spring schedule with a winter break. And also why not everyone is convinced it’s a good idea. And then there are the pesky talks with the #MLSPA.

www.espn.com/soccer/story...

Inter Miami confirms that Lionel Messi missed this morning’s training session due to minor back discomfort.

Sources confirm to espn, however, that the captain will soon return to training & play a role in the MLS Round 1 playoff match against Nashville SC on Friday.

After USMNT firing, Berhalter leads Chicago to record season -- but not vindication, he says Gregg Berhalter speaks about whether he feels vindicated now that he's leading Chicago to a historic season and the USMNT still struggles without him.

In just over a year, Gregg Berhalter turned the from Wooden Spoon contenders to a playoff-bound team.

I sat down with Berhalter & a couple players to talk through the 2025 season under new management.

My latest for @espn

www.espn.com/soccer/story...

Sources: Messi, Miami near multiyear extension Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are nearing a final agreement on a new multi-year contract with the deal expected to be completed soon, sources told ESPN.

Leo Messi & Inter Miami are in the final stages of negotiating a new, multi-year contract extension for the club captain, sources confirm to ESPN.

The latest on Messi’s new deal for ESPN with @moillorens.bsky.social

www.espn.com/soccer/story...

Sources: USWNT to close out 2025 vs. Italy The United States women will host Italy in a friendly on Dec. 1 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Sources confirm to ESPN that the United States women’s national team is set to host Italy in a friendly on December 1 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

US Soccer to officially announce in the coming days.

www.espn.com/soccer/story...

Not even Messi can bridge gap between UCL champs PSG and MLS' Inter Miami At times, Lionel Messi has singlehandedly carried Inter Miami to victory. Against the European champions PSG, the Herons needed more than that.

Despite the 4-0 loss to PSG, Inter Miami should walk away from the Club World Cup with heads held high:

www.espn.com/soccer/story...

'Saturation of soccer': Why empty seats litter Club World Cup, Gold Cup Little more than a week into the summer of soccer, and some of the defining images of the Club World Cup and Gold Cup have been seas of empty seats.

"A saturation of soccer": Why empty seats litter the Club World Cup and Gold Cup. This was a group effort with reporting from @lizzybecherano.bsky.social, @marcotti.bsky.social, @jamesolley.bsky.social, @cesarhfutbol.bsky.social and Rob Dawson. #GoldCup #CWC2025

www.espn.com/soccer/story...

Inter Miami, Al Ahly open Club World Club with stalemate -- but FIFA will be happy The new era of the Club World Cup began on Saturday with a tense draw between Inter Miami and Al Ahly. It wasn't pretty, but tournament organisers will no doubt be satisfied.

Inter Miami kicked off the Club World Cup with a deceiving 0-0 draw against Al Ahly. Even with a squad of greats like Messi, Suarez and Busquets, Oscar Ustari stole the show:

www.espn.com/soccer/story...

Always fun to participate in the @InterMiamiCF media match, but even better when we win!

A special shout out to the communications team for providing a couple of us with awards for our continued coverage.

MLS, players still at odds on CWC compensation The discussions between MLS and the MLS Players Association over the Club World Cup prize money and player compensation remain ongoing, with the two sides failing to agree so far on terms in a newly r...

From ESPN colleague @lizzybecherano.bsky.social … #MLS, players still at odds on CWC compensation.

www.espn.com/soccer/story...

Thanks!

YouTube video by ESPN FC Pochettino EXCLUSIVE! Wanting USMNT to copy Argentina’s mentality, January camp & more! | ESPN FC

My interview with Mauricio Pochettino on Futbol Americas:

m.youtube.com/watch?v=V5Ps...

Thanks so much!

No better way to celebrate turning 27 today.

Interview with USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino coming soon to espn.

Sources tell me there is no current plan to include Liga MX & MLS teams in the upcoming editions of the Copa Libertadores.

They clarified that Inter Miami has not been invited to participate at the moment.

The dual-national dilemma: How Mexican Americans choose which country to represent U.S. or Mexico? Dual nationals talk about the "life-changing decision" of which country to represent at World Cups and Copa Américas.

Oh hey it's almost the end of the year!

Let's highlight some of my favorite articles I worked on for ESPN FC in 2024, starting with my collaboration with @lizzybecherano.bsky.social on the cultural push-and-pull for Mexican-American dual-nationals

www.espn.com/soccer/story...

Family members are sending me videos from el Ángel de la Independencia in Mexico City as Club America fans celebrate the team’s back-to-back-to-back championships.

Club America beat CF Monterrey tonight to secure the tricampeonato.

Leagues Cup scraps summer MLS, Liga MX break Liga MX president Mikel Arriola said on Sunday that the Leagues Cup will adopt a new format in 2025, eliminating the month-long pause for the competition and opting instead for mid-week matches.

A new development in the Leagues Cup saga as Liga MX president Mikel Arriola confirms midweek matches instead of month-long Summer pause.

Sources add Liga MX teams pushed for this change.

www.espn.com/soccer/story...

Sources: Despite conflict, Leagues Cup to continue The Leagues Cup is set to return in 2025 with teams from Liga MX and MLS participating in the month-long tournament during the summer, sources told ESPN.

Leagues Cup is considering a format that sees only 18 MLS teams participate in the upcoming edition, sources tell ESPN.

The 2025 iteration of Leagues Cup would pit 18 MLS teams against 18 Liga MX teams.

www.espn.com/soccer/story...