Felipe Cardenas

2026 MLS Anonymous Executive Survey, Part 2: World Cup impact, league’s future In the second half of our annual survey, MLS club decision-makers address the league's outlook after what could be a formative summer

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...

Unrest in 2026 World Cup host city Guadalajara after Mexico kills drug lord ‘El Mencho’ The governor’s office told The Athletic it had not received any communications from FIFA “that should concern us".

There was unrest in Guadalajara, a 2026 World Cup host city, on Sunday after an operation meant to capture drug lord Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes resulted in his death.

Full story from @felipecardenas.bsky.social ⬇️

2026 MLS Anonymous Executive Survey, Part 1: Key figures on league’s bests, worsts For a fifth year running, we've asked top club officials for their candid thoughts on topics and themes around MLS. Here's what they said

Part 1 of The Athletic's annual anonymous MLS exec survey is now live. With
@paultenorio.bsky.social

nytimes.com/athletic/705...

I do love the candor.

“Espinoza is a good fit for Nashville. And obviously with the opportunity there after San Jose f***ed it up.”

Hockey golazo for the gold

From nods to Tina Turner and the Grateful Dead, some new MLS jerseys swing big As always, the fresh jersey designs for the new MLS season are destined to polarize opinions. Here are ours

Are MLS jerseys getting better? Or are they stuck in a constant rut of overused ideas?

These are my top 5 / worst 5 MLS jerseys for 2026

www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...

Opinion | Pam Bondi and the MAGA Brand of Insult Politics Insult everyone. Answer for nothing.

In @nytopinion.nytimes.com

“Trump, his aides and many of his supporters haven’t purged contempt from our politics. They’ve mainstreamed it. Purified it. Industrialized it. It’s their push-a-button pushback against everyone who challenges them,” argues Frank Bruni.

James Rodríguez interview: The ‘gasoline that fuels him’ and the truth about playing in the cold James Rodríguez has heard it all, but for Minnesota United's unlikeliest signing, his sense of duty to Colombia has never waned.

"You’re representing your ancestors, your roots, where you come from, where you were born. You have to give your life for your country. That’s that ‘extra something’ you have to give when you’re with the national team."

@felipecardenas.bsky.social 1-on-1 with James.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...

James Rodríguez interview: The ‘gasoline that fuels him’ and the truth about playing in the cold James Rodríguez has heard it all, but for Minnesota United's unlikeliest signing, his sense of duty to Colombia has never waned.

James Rodríguez Exclusive 🎙️

In a candid interview, the Colombian star talks about the mistakes he's made and said this to his detractors:

"They are the gasoline that fuels me. What they don’t realize is that they’re actually doing me a favor.”

www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...

James Rodríguez to Minnesota and the makings of an MLS shocker After years of links and courtship, James Rodríguez to MLS is not that surprising. But to Minnesota?

How James Rodriguez ended up with Minnesota United, of all teams.

➕ James Rodriguez set to be sitting courtside at the Minnesota Timberwolves game tonight against the New Orleans Pelicans.

With @felipecardenas.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...

James Rodríguez, Minnesota United finalizing deal to bring Colombian star to MLS: Sources The Colombian superstar appears headed to an unexpected landing spot as he aims to return to form before the World Cup

James Rodriguez is finalising a deal to sign with Minnesota United.

Talks between the MLS side and the player first emerged on Tuesday.

Rodriguez is set to join the club on a non-designated-player deal.

More from @tombogert.bsky.social & @felipecardenas.bsky.social

Truth Social slander in 3…2…1

Assumption of the Virgin, by Guido Reno, 1598-99, 📸 by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey

James Rodríguez, Colombia’s hero with World Cup expectations and no club James Rodríguez is still front and center for a World Cup contender – regardless of the fact that he remains an unsigned free agent

Cristiano Ronaldo, Zidane, Guillermo Ochoa and others have played World Cup tournaments without a club.

James Rodríguez may do so for Colombia this summer, but his importance to the national team has never been more pronounced.

New for @theathleticfc.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...

The Guardian expands its sports desk with key hires before 2026 World Cup in North America The new permanent roles are part of the Guardian’s larger investment in the US, which has come to include more than 20 additional journalists in the past year

I am absolutely over the moon to welcome @mlsist.bsky.social, @jeffrueter.bsky.social, and @ellabrockway.bsky.social to the Guardian.

www.theguardian.com/guardian-us-...

Messi, Inter Miami in Copa Libertadores? Even for the ambitious MLS club, it’s a dream too big A team headlined by Lionel Messi playing in South America's top club competition would be a big draw, but it's highly unlikely to happen

Jorge Mas and Inter Miami's desire to play the Copa Libertadores is a bridge too far.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...

The ‘other’ Luis Suárez is poised to teach the world his name Colombia's in-form striker is seeking to forge his own identity and claim a World Cup spot

His name is Luis Suárez but he's not Uruguayan.

One of Europe's most in-form strikers (and potential World Cup breakout star) is out to make a name for himself.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...

The Chicago Bears clinch a playoff spot, marking their first postseason appearance since the 2020-21 season.

Chicharito cements his lackluster Chivas return with an unceremonious exit Chicharito is leaving Chivas, the boyhood club he had returned to for a stint that wound up ending with a whimper

Chicharito cements his lackluster Chivas return with an unceremonious exit
www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...

Hotels across the United States, Canada and Mexico have hiked prices for rooms by hundreds of dollars per night during the FIFA World Cup in 2026, with an analysis by The Athletic revealing an average increase of more than 300 per cent around opening matches in the 16 host cities.

NEW:

Hotels across US, Canada & Mexico hiked prices during the FIFA World Cup in 2026, with an analysis by The Athletic revealing average increase of over 300 per cent per night around opening matches in the 16 host cities.

Report: nytimes.com/athletic/68757…

Florida State women’s soccer wins title rematch over Stanford in thrilling one-score game Wrianna Hudson scored with three minutes left as the Seminoles won their third title in the past five years.

More from the game: www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...

David Beckham relishes becoming first MLS Cup winner as both player and owner Beckham's efforts to build a winner in Miami – with Lionel Messi as its centerpiece – have paid off with a bit of MLS history

🚨 David Beckham becomes 1st person to win MLS as player & owner after Inter Miami beat Vancouver Whitecaps in #MLSCupFinal. “One of greatest moments in my career” 50yo tells @theathleticfc.bsky.social. Messi-inspired #InterMiamiCF champions only 6 seasons post-launch

www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...

Thank you, Harrison! Happy to hear that.

YouTube video by The Athletic FC Podcast World Cup Draw: Live Reaction

Good fun hosting the World Cup draw live reaction show for @theathleticfc.bsky.social with guests @mjslater.bsky.social @felipecardenas.bsky.social Jack Lang and Carl Anka getting their heads around it all.

youtu.be/R_pabIMGoyw?...

Atlanta World Cup 2026 guide: What to do, eat and see Everything you need to know as the city prepares to host World Cup games, from its sporting history to the best places to eat and drink

This is the official Atlanta World Cup city guide. Restaurants, travel hacks, and a booming soccer culture.

But as I wrote it, I realized it was like my love letter to the city I’ve called home since 2010.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...

Atlanta United CEO Garth Lagerwey will not return to club following leave of absence In October, Lagerwey and Atlanta United announced would take an indefinite leave of absence following a cancer diagnosis in July.

Garth Lagerwey will not return as CEO of Atlanta United.

A global search is underway to fill the role, one that will oversee both ATLTUD and the expansion NWSL team.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...

A card reads: "rage bait / noun: Oxford’s 2025 Word of the Year is defined as “online content deliberately designed to elicit anger or outrage by being frustrating, provocative or offensive.” Over the past year, according to Oxford’s data, frequency of use spiked by a factor of three."

Oxford University Press has chosen “rage bait” as its 2025 Word of the Year. The open-compound word, which beat out “biohack” and “aura farming,” goes back at least to 2002. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/a...

Shirtless Ben Johnson gets Chicago fans free hot dogs following Bears’ win vs. Eagles A popular hot dog joint in Chicago promised free hot dogs if the Bears won and Ben Johnson took of his shirt. Both delivered.

By taking his shirt off, Ben Johnson has guaranteed free hot dogs for Chicago 🌭

www.nytimes.com/athletic/684...

Sebastian Berhalter has come to epitomize everything Mauricio Pochettino wants Quite a plot twist: The son of the old coach has become a prototype for what the new coach wants leading into the USMNT's home World Cup

In an intriguing twist of fate, Sebastian Berhalter has come to epitomize the energy and culture of the USMNT's Mauricio Pochettino era

www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...

San Diego FC owner Mansour on early nerves and making MLS expansion history San Diego FC is a win away from reaching a conference final in Year 1, and Sir Mohamed Mansour assesses a formative debut campaign

I spoke to San Diego FC chairman Sir Mohamed Mansour about the expansion club's historic inaugural season and his goal for American soccer players.

“My dream is to have homegrown players from the U.S. who will be world-class players. And it will happen.”

www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...