Tanner Tessmann starting at center back for Lyon. 👀 I have been wanting to see this for some time. Think his value there could be substantial if he looks good... #USMNT
Enjoyed this from @tutul.bsky.social and it’s something @felipecardenas.bsky.social and I polled MLS execs about in our anonymous survey.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...
1000% a former sponsor. A lifetime sponsor.
If Allocation Disorder still existed, it'd be sponsored this week by SweeTarts Jelly Beans.
Last night, Alejandro Zendejas played a game on U.S. soil for the first time since he scored for the #USMNT vs. Japan.
With two weeks until the last U.S. camp before the World Cup, he says "I’ll be working hard to make that roster":
www.inquirer.com/soccer/aleja... via @phillysport.bsky.social
Big read on Atlanta United and its humbling '26 start
Interviews with Miguel Almirón, Tata Martino and Chris Henderson
- Why Martino isn't willing to "sacrifice" his players
- Almirón's description of the team's culture
- Henderson's "frustrating" transfer window
www.nytimes.com/athletic/710...
I’m going to be absolutely insufferable in the Familia Tenorio WhatsApp chat if Liga pulls this off.
👀
Liga!
The #USMNT will train at Great Park in Irvine, California during this summer’s World Cup.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
Tom is the best and he is running a contest if you preorder my book so...go preorder my book and share the screenshot with Tom!
GIVEAWAY!!
Preorder Paul’s book + reply with a screenshot here and 5 people will be randomly selected to get MLS gear + a note from me.
I have a bunch of different random things so will let the 5 winners choose from options of kits/scarves/or something reasonable if we come up with different idea
100 days til the World Cup.
Massive effort from 100+ folks across @theathletic.com and @theathleticfc.bsky.social to set the stage for a massive (and massively complex) event.
Go dive in!
❓ www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...
⚽ www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...
🏙️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...
A week after Gianni Infantino claimed that “every” 2026 World Cup match is “already sold out,” FIFA... launched an unexpected sale of 2026 World Cup tickets.
At least 64 of the 104 matches were available, according to fans who sent information and screenshots to @theathletic.com.
🤔
The takeaways:
Mbekezeli Mbokazi is the most popular MLS player that you've never heard of, a social media sensation in his native South Africa and the main reason why the Chicago Fire has seen its social media accounts explode with popularity.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...
Some exciting news: My book pub date was moved UP to June 2!
Preorder The Messi Effect now wherever you buy your books. Read the story of behind-the-scenes story of Messi's arrival in MLS and how the league's owners debated their own change and growth.
read.macmillan.com/lp/the-messi...
101 days before the World Cup, a host nation is bombing a participant.
An unprecedented situation that is, of course, way larger than sport, with implications that aren't yet clear.
That said, if Iran can't or won't play...
Explainer @theathleticfc.bsky.social:
Weston McKennie has agreed a new Juventus contract through to 2030.
McKennie’s existing deal expires in June this year and he has been free to negotiate a pre-contract with an overseas club since January.
More from @jameshorncastle.bsky.social & @paultenorio.bsky.social
Yes, def pertinent. Just saying that DCU signed for the followers. Fire signed the player and then got the followers as a surprise/bonus!
Yes but Mbokazi played for South Africa at AFCON and is a starter for the Fire…so not quite the same
When Messi and Son came to MLS, they brought their many social media followers with them.
Meet the player you (might not) have heard of who boosted the Chicago Fire's social media following by more than half a million people.
The Mbokazi Effect.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...
So what you're saying is that MNUFC already plays home games in the cold without the calendar flipping? Interesting.
Back in 2023, I wrote this piece on the effectiveness of a new set of rules introduced in MLS Next Pro aimed at gamesmanship, how they came to be and why they were coming to MLS.
Now, after an IFAB vote, those rules will be in the World Cup.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/501...
Inter Miami will visit the White House on Thursday, March 5 to mark the team’s MLS Cup win, according to a White House official.
A representative of Lionel Messi did not respond when asked whether the Argentina international will join.
More from @adamcrafton.bsky.social
#USMNT's Josh Sargent is in Toronto and looking forward after ‘complicated’ Norwich transfer saga.
“I don’t want to get into too much about everything at Norwich. It was complicated. But happy to finally be here and start this new chapter of my life.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...
🇬🇦⭐️ BREAKING: LAFC has signed star Denis Bouanga to a new contract, sources tell me and @paultenorio.bsky.social
New deal ends speculation after bids from Fluminense most recently and Inter Miami earlier this winter.
Atalanta's two first-half goals makes it 2-2 on aggregate with Dortmund in Champions League.
Could Yunus Musah play in the second half? James McNicholas spoke to him recently.
“I believe it’s possible,” Musah said of getting back into the USMNT picture.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...
"The sun king", "an empty suit", Donald Trump's "great friend", "sort of the king of soccer... I guess… in a certain way"
Ten years ago this week Gianni Infantino became FIFA president, pledging to "restore the image and the respect of FIFA"
It's been ... a ride
www.nytimes.com/athletic/641...
Bødo/Glimt hasn't played a league game since Nov. 30. Has since beaten Manchester City, Atlético and now Inter across two legs in the Champions League.
No more MLS Concachampions schedule excuses from me.
🤐
GM survey Part II
🔋 Would superteams help MLS?
🇺🇸 Who is the next breakout USMNTer?
⚽ Breakout MLSer at World Cup?
⭐ Would you sign Cristiano this summer?
“I think I'd be nuts if I said I wouldn't want to sign Cristiano.”
With @felipecardenas.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...
BREAKING: Orlando City is in advanced discussions to sign Atlético Madrid legend Antoine Griezmann as a DP.
Nothing agreed. Orlando still engaged with other targets. But Griezmann is the focus.
With @tombogert.bsky.social and Mario Cortegana.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...
