D.C. United has hired Erkut Sogut as its new sporting director, per sources. Indicative of leaning toward global experience as MLS model shifts in that direction in coming years. Confirming earlier reporting from @stevengoff.bsky.social and @tombogert.bsky.social. www.nytimes.com/athletic/664...

In the last 15 seasons, just four players have had a season with 9+ goals + assists in Europe’s Big 5, then played four straight seasons in B5 without reaching 1,000 mins in any – and then had 9+ G+A again in a Big 5, per TruMedia. Can Gio Reyna be the fifth? #USMNT www.nytimes.com/athletic/663...

Luis Suárez gets an additional three-game suspension from MLS for Leagues Cup rumble. Steven Lenhart's credential revoked for remainder of 2025 season. Seattle fined for misappropriation of credential. No other punishments for Inter Miami players. www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...

Mauricio Pochettino was trying to fix a very real problem in this #USMNT by creating competition. But the U.S. depth only extends so far. Pochettino has to cope with the flaws of the best players, bring them back in and coax more out of them. www.nytimes.com/athletic/660...

Sad. www.nytimes.com/athletic/660...

Guys. I say things are "peak MLS" all the time. This is the most #PeakMLS thing I have ever experienced. Inter Miami stars Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets and Sounders team psych Steven Lenhart among those suspended for postgame Leagues Cup final brawl. www.nytimes.com/athletic/660...

#USMNT’s Mauricio Pochettino looking forward to reuniting and coaching against his former star Son Heung-min www.nytimes.com/athletic/660...

Over/under on number of minutes after Cowboys-Eagles kicks off Leagues Cup (and MLS?) announce disciplinary decisions?

finally, we have some 2026 World Cup ticket info. (*some*) Here, @theathletic.com, is everything you need to know about how to get your hands on tickets, when, and what they might cost: www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...

USMNT's Josh Sargent relishes "good spot" at Norwich after passing on transfers in summer window. Six goals in five games. Now, he'll look to get back to scoring for the U.S. "I know it’s a matter of time," he said. www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...

🚨🚨You can now pre-order my book, THE LONG GAME, on the United States men's national soccer team and its messy rise from total international irrelevance to, well, TBD!🚨🚨 I spoke to ~150 players/coaches/etc. and got fresh stories and unprecedented access! www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/722130...

I chatted with U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker about his grand plan for player development. (and with him + others about why implementing it is so dang difficult.) Feature @theathleticfc.bsky.social:

LAFC hopes Son's biggest impact is on the field, but he also brings an enormous boost in visibility. Son can make LAFC go global. “The commercial benefits are undeniable, but it’s definitely a byproduct, it is not the priority,” John Thorrington said. www.nytimes.com/athletic/658...

Christian Pulisic returns; Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah among absences. Noahkai Banks gets first call. Pochettino's September roster is out. www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...

Chatted a bit about #STLCSC sporting director job over on The Athletic’s MLS WhatsApp channel. Gonna try to be on there a bit more every week. whatsapp.com/channel/0029...

One thing I'm thinking about re: STLCSC sporting director hire, and all similar hires in near future: Teams must weigh what MLS could look like in 2027, not what it looks like now. If roster rules are revamped and calendar flipped, the profile for the job changes. www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...

St. Louis City has fired Lutz Pfannenstiel. I spoke with STLCSC president Diego Gigliani about what's next. "The level of ambition and commitment that exists at the ownership level (is) to be ... as high performing on the pitch as the club is off the pitch." www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...

MLS will allow the display of a Palestinian flag at Columbus Crew home games in support of new signing Wessam Abou Ali but a league-wide ban will remain, according to multiple people briefed on the situation More from @henrybushnell.bsky.social & @colinmillar.bsky.social ⤵️

Can confirm @tombogert.bsky.social's report: Colorado Rapids have finalized a $7 million transfer (+ up to $1.5m more) for Paxten Aaronson. Reporting with @sebsb.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/656...

The Spanish Football Federation has approved the request for December’s La Liga fixture between Villarreal and Barcelona be played in Miami.

Son Heung-min's welcome to MLS: Bridgeview, Gillette Stadium, under-construction Toyota Stadium. 😬 After his debut last night, Son said he's here to help push MLS to the next level. "I’m very, very happy to be here. So let’s make this league big.” www.nytimes.com/athletic/654...

Son Heung-min played his last game for Spurs on Sunday in Korea. On Wednesday he was intro'd in LA. Saturday he debuted in "Chicago." A busy week. But "there was only one thing I wanted to do," he said. Son played. He drew the decisive pen. A strong start in MLS. www.nytimes.com/athletic/654...

Son Heung-min played his last game for Spurs on Sunday in Korea. On Wednesday he was intro'd in LA. Saturday he debuted in "Chicago." A busy week. But "there was only one thing I wanted to do," he said. Son played. He drew the decisive pen. A strong start in MLS. www.nytimes.com/athletic/654...

Son Heung-min enters the field for the first time for LAFC in tbe 60th minute here in Bridgeview. Nice ovation for the Korean superstar. Plenty of fans here to see him tonight (at Fire’s old, but still-sometimes home) despite only learning yesterday at 10pm he was available.

Four good MLS reads at @theathleticfc.bsky.social. @joshuakloke.bsky.social behind the deal: Müller to Vancouver @felipecardenas.bsky.social 1-on-1 w/ Rodrigo De Paul @henrybushnell.bsky.social on Sonny's LAFC intro @jeffrueter.bsky.social on Son's tactical fit www.nytimes.com/athletic/foo...

The Vancouver Whitecaps have confirmed the signing of former Bayern Munich and Germany forward Thomas Muller. More from @alirampling.bsky.social and @paultenorio.bsky.social ⤵️

Son Heung-min to LAFC is, potentially, a win-win-win for player, team and commercial department. And for many of the 320,000 Koreans in greater Los Angeles, especially the Koreatown-based LAFC supporters group TFC? “It’s like our wildest dream" www.nytimes.com/athletic/653...

#USMNT winger Tim Weah undergoing medical ahead of move to Marseille. Will be loan with an obligation to buy. Details here with @dansheldon.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/645...

LAFC has now sent out a release teasing a press conference for a "major announcement" tomorrow at 2 p.m. at BMO Stadium. 🤔

Apple broadcast of LAFC's Leagues Cup game just showed a shot of Son Heung-min watching from a suite at BMO Stadium. As I reported earlier today, the MLS-record deal for Son is done. Announcement coming soon. Son being at the game tonight indicative of that. www.nytimes.com/athletic/653...

LAFC's deal to sign Korean star Son Heung-min is done. It will be a league-record fee around $26.5 million (as reported by GiveMeSport and ESPN). Expected to be officially announced in the coming days. Huge signing for LAFC and MLS. www.nytimes.com/athletic/653...

Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min has asked to leave the club this summer. @paultenorio.bsky.social reported earlier this month that MLS side Los Angeles FC were interested in signing Son. More details: www.nytimes.com/athletic/652...

🚨 Spurs captain Son Heung-min has asked to leave the club this summer Interest from Saudi Pro League clubs but 33yo South Korea international is keen on a move to LAFC and talks are ongoing More on @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/652...

Can confirm the multiple reports that New England Revolution are in discussions to bring #USMNT goalkeeper Matt Turner back to MLS. Idea would be DP for cap purposes convertible into TAM. Hope is deal can get done this week, but lots of moving parts. www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...

Thrilled to welcome Henry to the team!

As reported in multiple other places, including by Ben Jacobs, @tombogert.bsky.social and @manuelveth.bsky.social, the Vancouver Whitecaps are in talks with Bayern Munich legend Thomas Muller. www.nytimes.com/athletic/652...

NEW: Diego Luna had the USMNT star turn he dreamt of in the Gold Cup. No player has benefitted more from Pochettino, and he’s in a good situation with Real Salt Lake. He isn’t satisfied. “I think it’s cool, but I think there’s still a lot of room for me to improve.” www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...

Safe to say Tim Weah's agent is fed up with Juve's approach, from Forest standoff to current Marseille hold-up. "Class can’t be bought for a manager, that’s for sure, but it has always been part of the history of Juventus. One person is undermining that. Let’s see…" www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...

Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas called for MLS All-Star Game scheduling to change. Said rule should change, too. “It was not a positive reaction,” Mas said of Messi and Alba learning of suspension. “They want to compete. They want to play games." Plenty more ⬇️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...

"Nobody has done more for Major League Soccer than Lionel Messi," Garber said. "Not just what he’s done off the field, but what he’s done on the field. Every game is a must-see match. I fully understand and respect and admire his commitment to Inter Miami." More in the story ⬇️:

NEWS: MLS suspends Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba for Saturday's match against FC Cincinnati after they skipped All-Star Game, enforcing rule that players must take part. I spoke with commissioner Don Garber about what he called a "very difficult decision." www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...

There was no official vote on changing MLS to the European calendar, but there are clear signs that show the change is coming. @paultenorio.bsky.social on the transformational decisions the league is mulling - and why they haven't been implemented just yet.

Don Garber offers a rare number on Apple streaming: "We're averaging 120,000 unique viewers per match. That's an increase of almost 50% from last year." Says "distribution" through cable and satellite box subscriptions has helped.

LAFC is pushing hard to sign Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min in this summer window, according to multiple sources briefed on talks. No major progress as yet, but LAFC trying hard to get the South Korean superstar for 2025 and beyond. www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...

Inter Miami stars Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba did not travel and will not be participating in tonight's MLS All-Star Game. League needs to speak to club before confirming player availability for Saturday. MLS board of governors currently in session. www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...

Can confirm that James Rodriguez did not travel for the MLS vs Liga MX All-Star Game. Sergio Ramos slated to arrive tomorrow. Jordi Alba was scrapped from skills challenge tonight. No word yet on Messi’s participation. www.nytimes.com/athletic/650...

'Chicharito' Hernandez's chauvinistic social media posts add controversy to his legacy. www.nytimes.com/athletic/650...

For this to work, Atletico Madrid would also have to eat all of Rodrigo De Paul's salary save for approximately $850k if he is going to stay under the TAM limit. 🤷🏻

Sources: LAFC set to sign #CanMNT midfielder Mathieu Choinière from Grasshopper. LAFC own Grasshopper, so probably not the toughest negotiation — good opportunity for Choinière to fight for more minutes with eyes on 2026 World Cup. www.nytimes.com/athletic/649...

Will #Messi make it six straight games with two or more goals? Inter Miami plays tonight in Cincinnati. Breaking down his five-game multi-goal streak with @conor-oneill.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/649...