Pat McAfee is proudly “apolitical,” saying sports is meant to unify. And yet he still finds ways to be divisive.

Watch today's 𝐌𝐋𝐒 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 on YouTube 📺

I broke down and I talked about Minnesota United and how f*cking dumb fun they are and how outside pundits don't get it. open.substack.com/pub/wburdine...

🧤 An instant-classic in Minnesota? 4⃣ San Diego FC drop four on the Timbers 🇦🇷 Messi leads the line for Inter Miami Listen to @jeffrueter.bsky.social, @joeclowery.bsky.social & Taylor on 𝐌𝐋𝐒 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞👇

You’ve probably heard that the MLS Board of Governors is meeting this week to discuss, among other things, a move to the “European” schedule. My understanding is that there’s no way that happens in 2026, but there’s a very real possibility that it could happen in 2027.

Imagine hating playoff soccer.

I'm not a big "goalkeeper has no excuse for conceding at the near post" guy most of the time, but this is a shock for someone of AKB's caliber. Hell of a take from Wheeler to catch her unaware.

You know it's a big game when Ann-Katrin Berger starts crampin'.

The Premier League is now 5 seconds of open play then 30 seconds of prepping for a set piece. We can fix this with rule changes: - Teams only get four set pieces per possession - If the set pieces are bad, the other team gets the ball - If they're good, they get four more - Let's call them "downs"

Still bullish on Nashville’s trajectory heading into 2026. Better core than most teams in the playoff bracket, to say nothing about The Rest. These final 4 performances are no joke, though. Defensive mobility, midfield functionality the offseason priorities imo. And a contender for Willis’ gloves.

I'm much more of a "team goal" guy than an "individual banger" guy but this shit's stayed with me for 15 years. Still my favorite thunderbastard in MLS history. Has a level of intentionality to it that few goals have ever matched. What a player, what a career.

Would guess that was why MLS’s officials determined not to have Obed Vargas retake his attempt.

Thats now two times I can think of where an MLS team’s season ends up resting on whether their backup goalkeeper can make a PK: Jon Kempin for Sporting KC v Portland, 2015 (aka the double post game), and Andrew Thomas for Seattle v Minnesota tonight. Both misses, both classic games.

Of course this series can’t even end with a normal shootout lmao

If you thought the fans' groans were loud at Allianz Field, sympathize with the writers whose ledes have gone to shit three times over.

Hey it's like the 2020 Western Conference Final all over again.

maybe not the best time but I can't fault them for trying

Joseph Rosales was so good last year, but that isn't the first time he's lost his head to his team's detriment. Just a ridiculous headbutt to make off the ball in a situation like this. Last thing this Minnesota side needed to save its season. Seattle will sigh.

scoring a banger away at arsenal, she’s proper chels now

Thanks, Chat 💜

NEW: North Carolina FC became a model of mid-market operation in the U.S. lower divisions. On Tuesday, they joined a lengthy list of former clubs. On the former Carolina RailHawks, and questions about the USL's plan to add more jeopardy to its ecosystem. jeffrueter.substack.com/p/so-long-sw...

"USL pushing out a new announcement about discussions around a soccer stadium on a near weekly basis is a strategy. ... USL has mostly dispensed with trying to paint itself as a purely soccer-focused benevolent actor."

Take the time to read this. Few understand the soccer landscape as well as Jeff. Even fewer are able to articulate with words the ever evolving and at times devolving landscape.

"We must forever capitalize the H out of reverence. We may not know what a RailHawk is, but we respect it all the same."

NEW: North Carolina FC became a model of mid-market operation in the U.S. lower divisions. On Tuesday, they joined a lengthy list of former clubs. On the former Carolina RailHawks, and questions about the USL's plan to add more jeopardy to its ecosystem. jeffrueter.substack.com/p/so-long-sw...

Teamed up with @jeffrueter.bsky.social on the @totalsoccershow.bsky.social to break down all the latest MLS playoff action, from sweeps to tactics to...cashfer candidates? Had a blast, as always. www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVe9...

NWSL has been standing still and hoping no one notices, and in all likelihood a Black player who stood up for others — in the absence of proper moral leadership from the league — is going to have the right-wing rage machine aimed directly at her. And everyone saw it coming.

🇦🇷 Nashville SC keep Messi (kinda) quiet 🔥 Chicago Fire's embarrassing playoff exit 🔙 Seattle Sounders, Columbus Crew roar back Listen to @jeffrueter.bsky.social and @joeclowery.bsky.social on 𝐌𝐋𝐒 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞👇

here's the play

"Seattle Sounders just about edging. At one point, they looked beyond comfort." MLS After Dark inspires some truly poetic commentary.

Nectarios Triantis is the exact kind of midfielder that Minnesota has needed since 2020. Press-resistent in possession, good reading in transition phases, physical against the ball. A clear pillar for the Loons going forward.

Seattle this year (in MLS) when Danny Musovski starts: 8-6-2 (1.88 PPG); +21 GD ...when Musovski doesn't start: 7-5-7 (1.37 PPG); -9 GD It's never really that easy, but like... it kind of is here. Sounders play better with a natural 9 leading the line.

Peak #MLSCupPlayoffs Apparently, some #NYCFC fans studied up on their "not nice" Croatian words ahead of Game 2 😂👋😘 @mls.bsky.social @charlotte-fc.bsky.social

See this is why y'all can't heap praise on Tyler Adams during a Bournemouth game, it agitates his injury bug.

Remember: MLS broadcasts cut down on camera angles after 2023, a change which also limits the number of views available during a VAR check. Rare that there’s an optimal angle for most checks since. Has slowed the process a bit given the lack of clarity, too.

How Is This Still A Thing (The Chant)

A great read for sport lovers. Thank you!!

Sportico reporting that the NWSL is paying global law firm Hogan Lovells for “government relations advice” from former Sen. Norm Coleman (MN-R). “The league has paid the global law firm $130K since May,” per @daniellibit.bsky.social. www.sportico.com/leagues/socc...

This is really great!

NEW: Five Asides - a compilation of posts on… - What I have(and haven’t) learned after USWNT’s experimental 2025 - Another reflection from Reyna - The NWSL’s latest test - An MLS original shuffles the deck - Football Manager 26’s first impression Read for free! open.substack.com/pub/jeffruet...

Taling Seattle-Minnesota after dark with @ari.lobbingscorchers.com over on the @lobbingscorchers.com YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCjn...

This is leadership, as many people have already said; but also another moment where people will wonder why anyone else in a position of power hasn't spoken up. It should not have to be just Sarah Gorden's job.

My new Five Asides post drops soon, and won't hit social until morning. You can have it delivered to your inbox tonight by subscribing (for free!) here: jeffrueter.substack.com

Tonight's lineup, brought to you by OG Four Loko:

We need data on Gio's minutes spent giving interviews versus playing professional soccer

This is a must for any hardcore or adjacent MLS fan. The crew @sixonefivesoccer.com has done so much work to make sure this hits as many fan bases as possible

An hour of MLS playoff talk with me and @jeffrueter.bsky.social has just blessed your podcast feeds 🎧

45 DOWN SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 135 AND 225 LEFT TO GO

I wish they said explicitly that there's $5 billion in emergency reserves they're refusing to use instead they're happy to let people - mostly children, the disabled, and elderly, starve.

A modern great of lower division U.S. soccer, one of the final active players with ties to the NASL. Anyone else feeling old?