The USL has a new vice-chair, Kewsong Lee, and some new investment geared toward its upcoming D1/pro-rel launch. The firm, BellTower, also invested in the group that built the stadium/mixed use project for Rhode Island FC, and that wants to do similar in Albany. www.theguardian.com/football/202...

The last time the U.S. hosted the World Cup, a ticket to the final was <$200 — in today's dollars. Next year, we're looking at *face value* tickets of $6,000. I joined Lina Khan on @pablotorrefindsout.bsky.social last week to talk about FIFA's absurd and greedy ticketing plans.

Five things to watch in MLS this week: 1️⃣ Behind clutch scoring from Alonso Martínez, New York City FC has made a surge up the Eastern Conference standings with just one loss to its name since July 16, compiling a 7-1-1 record over the span as the club enters a critical week.

Checkout the @brooklynfc.bsky.social authentic kit + ticket bundle this Sunday — $50 will get you a seat and a 2024.25 authentic away kit $38 will get you a ticket + 2025/26 replica home kit November 8 👀 Here's Tyrese Allyeyne-Davis with more ⬇️

Oppo Research: 5 Things about Inter Miami @matthewmangam.bsky.social talks to Michelle Kaufman of The Miami Herald to learn more about an Inter Miami that scores buckets of goals — and lets in buckets of goals, too More here ⬇️

While Tayvon Gray was putting the clamps on Wilfried Zaha, #NYCFC coach Pascal Jansen had a moment along the touchline w/ the former #PremierLeague winger. Listen 👇 From my exclusive w/ the City profe after training today. @siriusxmfc.bsky.social @newyorkcityfc.com @sickpodnycfc.bsky.social

Your #NYCFC Player Ratings are live after Saturday’s win Freese, Gray, Tanasijević all earned season-best numbers Alonso has his 8th POTM More here ⬇️

Santi finally seeing playin time for Botafogo - his first goal for his new club was a game-winner knocked in after going down to 10 players 💪

#NYCFC wins 2-0 against Charlotte and has officially qualified for the playoffs. Alonso Martínez scores his 16th and 17th goals of the season from the spot, and Matt Freese denies Wilfried Zaha from the spot. Charlotte's winning streak ends at nine straight games.

Our coverage of the impressive 2-0 win by #NYCFC over Charlotte FC is up Here's the Game Recap from @matthewmangam.bsky.social ⬇️

-Death, taxes, Alonso Martínez goals -Freese > Kahlina in the Elite GK Battle in the Bronx -Star turn for ref Timothy Ford -Playoffs here we come Plus more reactions and takeaways from @markradigan.bsky.social on NYCFC 2, Charlotte 0

Hey look at that: NYCFC just qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs for the 9th time in 11 tries. Not the biggest achievement (given MLS lets in 18/30), but a big step for Pascal Jansen’s team. More in here about the playoffs, the schedule, and the standings as things stand post-Charlotte win

It’s over at Yankee Stadium: NYCFC snapped Charlotte’s winning streak to deny them an MLS record, and now you can rate all the players from NYCFC’s 2-0 afternoon win

Last 2 penalty kicks saved by Matt Freese were attempted by James Rodríguez and Wilfried Zaha. The Iceman collecting name-brand victims

Mitja Ilenič sighting! His first minutes of any kind since going 59 minutes vs Toluca in Leagues Cup on August 5, snapping a streak of 5 straight MLS matches in which he didn't get off the bench

Penalties remain his thing 🧊

If his previous handling of VAR is any indication, Timothy Ford needed to ask to see this replay at least 42 times (he gave NYCFC another PK in the end)

HT, Charlotte with more possession but they’ve done little to nothing with it; NYCFC with 8 shots and at least one great chance to add a 2nd goal, but they’ll take the 1-0 lead after 45 minutes. Tired legs in the 2nd half, luckily for Jansen, his bench has randomly become a cheat code last few weeks

8th penalty conceded by Charlotte this season, tied for 2nd most in MLS: NYCFC took advantage, too, not a given with Martínez having missed twice from the spot earlier this season

Best #NYCFC lineup card ever Raul Gustavo with the start, Justin Haak in midfield, Aiden O’Neill on the bench - some rotation during this run of 5 games in 15 days

U.S. Soccer announced the Second Qualifying Round pairings for the 2026 U.S. Open Cup. Included in the 128 teams are 15 New York and New Jersey clubs, all of which are three wins away from a @opencup.ussoccer.com berth. Read more on @hudsonriverblue.com: www.hudsonriverblue.com/local-amateu...

It’s Matchday 30! NYCFC could clinch a playoff spot with a win today in The Bronx — to do that they'll need to break Charlotte's 9-game winning streak, and deny them a new MLS record More here ⬇️

‼️BREAKING: Gotham midfielder Taryn Torres if officially out for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL Gotham announced Torres suffered s tear in her left knee during training on Sunday - will be on NWSL's season-ending injury list

More news dropping: The New York City FC 2025 Roster Profile update was released today Here are 5 takeaways about a roster that's the most complete it's been in three years, but that still has flexibility ahead of 2026 ⬇️

Tri-State Soccer Scene Update: 15 clubs from New York and New Jersey will compete in the next qualifying round to be held in October, and two of the matches will take place in New York City @battista.bsky.social has the story here ⬇️

Hannes Wolf is the anti-Talles Magno: He's one of the worst dribblers among MLS wingers, but has 16 goal contributions through 29 games, and is one of the best defenders among attackers in the league Here's @markradigan.bsky.social with the story ⬇️

The Best Defender in the Attack: Why Hannes Wolf is so important to NYCFC @markradigan.bsky.social took a deep dive into Wolf's season, and discovered his defensive numbers are through the roof Not bad for a winger with 16 goal contributions through 29 games More here ⬇️

Dare I say, might be better than the NYCFC capsule collection with Adidas...

#NYCFC’s roster profile was updated and released today by MLS, here it is below:

Some light news from Gothamland: The #GothamFC Fall Collection just dropped, and it's good ⬇️

Oppo Research: 5 Things about Charlotte FC @matthewmangam.bsky.social talks to Jorge Gonzales of Topbin90 to learn more about the hottest team in Charlotte, and why he thinks they can set a new MLS record for consecutive wins tomorrow in The Bronx 🤔

Finally, with the loudest pop of the night, New York Knicks stars Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart. #NewYorkForever #Knicks

I’m sure Matt enjoyed announcing this while sitting next to the man who questioned whether USMNT “had the wrong Matt” a few months ago teehee

BREAKING: Matt Freese announces he’s signed an extension with New York City FC at the @meninblazers.bsky.social LIVE event in NYC, third highest contract for a goalkeeper in Major League Soccer history. #NYCFC #USMNT

Next up, Emil Forsberg from the New York Red Bulls. The captain with a warm reception. #RBNY

First guests are New York City FC stars Matt Freese and Justin Haak. #NYCFC #USMNT

AYYYYYY

Breaking news at the @meninblazers.bsky.social event: Matt Freese signed a contract extension, will be third-highest paid gk in MLS

"NYCFC Views Live" later w/ a lot to review, preview & share. Highlights from (a not so rare) come from behind win plus Pascal Jansen, Brad Sims & a celebration video of 400 radio broadcasts for #NYCFC 7pm ET 👉 youtube.com/live/8x5XzZs... @newyorkcityfc.com @robertoabramowitz.bsky.social

Time to do that soccer… media company. On site at @meninblazers.bsky.social Live at Terminal 5 in NYC. Both the New York Red Bulls & New York City FC will have players interviewed by Roger Bennett ahead of the Hudson River Derby next weekend. #RBNY #NYCFC #NYCSN @rdbullnationnyc.bsky.social

We here @meninblazers.bsky.social @newyorkcityfc.com @newyorkredbulls.com #HudsonRiverDerby

#NYCFC leads MLS with 23 points taken after falling behind. They've gone down 18 times, but stormed back to win 7 times this season. Also, NYCFC has allowed its opponent to score first 15 times this season, but fought back to win six times and tie twice. @hudsonriverblue.com

about last night…

It was a fever-dream finish last night as Julián Fernández scored the latest game-winner so far this season to help #NYCFC beat Columbus Crew for the first time since 2022 Here's @markradigan.bsky.social with the Game recap...

This is a notification I like to see. #NYCFC

With that win, #NYCFC jump Orlando, Miami, and Columbus, moving to 5th place in the east on 50 points That 50 point total equals last season’s tally with 5 matches still to play They’re currently 7 points off the supporters shield with a game in hand

NYC 3-2 CLB: A cathartic win for #NYCFC Now it's time for you to rate the players ⬇️

Hannes Wolf scoring when it counts, brings NYCFC even with his second goal of the night NYC 2-2 CLB

Abou Ali with the glancing header to give Columbus the lead It's his second goal since joining the Crew this summer

Dániel Gazdag up to 5 career goals vs NYCFC in 11 appearances; tonight's PK makes it 4 straight seasons in which he's scored a goal on NYCFC #PigeonKiller