This reminds me that May 2026 marks ten years since the U.S. lower leagues' record was set: The Miami FC prying Richie Ryan from the Jacksonville Armada for $750,000.

Deeply unserious half for Bournemouth. Pass the nog.

The ESPN FC top 50 is here and we need to talk about the sudden conflict of interest the league has created with the high-impact player rule. With coaches and GMs weighing in on these lists, they can influence whether or not their players can get a bag. www.espn.com/soccer/story...

Ah yes, the famously informed and reflective Ballon d’Or Féminin and a not-at-all convoluted and devoid of ball knowledge “SportsPro Media Top 150 Most Marketable Athletes.” An all-time fumble from a league that looks less confident in its trajectory and planning with every passing week.

Few purer scenes left in this sport than when a tournament host scores its opening goal - this time, Morocco and AFCON. Nifty sequence to break down a well-organized Comoros defense.

Some parting thoughts on Jake Paul, Anthony Joshua, 6ix9ine, the attention economy, the streaming wars and What It All Means. www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/d...

Good business for the Loons, who looked much better with Anthony Markanich at LB down the stretch. Austin gets a versatile chance creator with international pedigree, mind the temperament.

this was well done and also the first place I've seen actual results of dynamic ticket pricing. spoiler: doesn't really go well for fans!

Fresh off signing Hassani Dotson, @jeremiah.sounderatheart.com and @elrolonw.bsky.social talked to @jeffrueter.bsky.social to get a better idea of what kind of player the Sounders got. www.sounderatheart.com/2025/12/what...

We know that World Cup ticket prices are way up on past years. But a new @us.theguardian.com analysis of current prices + past World Cups shows exactly where and how those increases are being felt most. Via @jeffrueter.bsky.social + Andrew Witherspoon: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

the tldr - you need to be an "Insider" and the higher your annual fee and the more years you've been in the program, the better your chances

this is why the 'high impact player' mechanism is a cynical solution imo, it's a way to raise salaries for a fraction without influencing the floor

NEW: The 2026 #FIFAWorldCup was priced beyond many fans' budgets. Comparing ticket prices dating back to 1994 shows the scale of next summer's mark-up, and where the steepest hikes were felt. With Andrew Witherspoon, for @us.theguardian.com: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Honestly makes Minnesota’s summer business even less sensible if they’re heading into a partial-to-full rebuild.

On today's episode of the @totalsoccershow.bsky.social, Taylor and I braved the Wheel of Topics! - Inter Miami roster, Vancouver stadium updates - What's at stake as USL, USLPA near CBA's end - Why NWSL's "Rodman Rule" is a vital idea - MLS at AFCON ...and more! www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJlC...

From Paul's tier 1 last year, 15 of 19 were selected, 6 went in the top 10, 5 played >1000 MLS minutes, some dominated USL. Of players selected not found in any tier, 0 played >300 MLS minutes. There is not a public college evaluation with a better hit rate.

Really enjoyed voting on The Guardian's Top 100 male (soccer players) in the world for an eighth year. Especially tricky in years without major tournaments to tiebreak, but felt good listing Vitinha at the top on my ballot. www.theguardian.com/football/ng-...

the only plausible winner, this is prime marta'ing, elite marta'ing, doing something so outrageous that even exceptional, world cup-winning players fall to their knees in disbelief

USL's proposed salary floor for a Div 1 league that doesn't exist yet – with 0 players under contract – is $55k... in 2028. That's lower than the RESERVE minimum was in #MLS in 2019 – WITHOUT adjusting for inflation. In 2027, MLS's floor will be $97,700.

Stoked to see Danielle kicking off her new national enterprise role with USA Today Sports. Worth a follow if you aren’t already!

Had a ton of fun kicking off the MLS offseason with @jeffrueter.bsky.social on the @totalsoccershow.bsky.social earlier. ✍️ Playing free agency matchmaker with Benteke, Espinoza 👀 Best coaching job still available 🆕 New eras for Columbus Crew, LAFC

🗺️ Possible MLS destinations for Benteke! 🇪🇬 Could Salah come to MLS? ✍️ Managerial appointments across the league! Today's 𝐌𝐋𝐒 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 with @taylorrockwell.bsky.social, @joeclowery.bsky.social & @jeffrueter.bsky.social 👇

"...(offer) would make it unfeasible for the Spirit to field a team in 2028 and still be salary cap compliant. The NWSL might think the Spirit are making a nonsensical decision, and they may be right. It’s still the Spirit’s call to make." The NWSL is casting such pessimism about its own future.

Watch our 𝐌𝐋𝐒 𝐂𝐮𝐩 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 with @taylorrockwell.bsky.social, @joeclowery.bsky.social & @jeffrueter.bsky.social on YouTube 📺

🏆 Inter Miami win MLS Cup! 🌴 How did Messi and co. get the job done? 🔜 What's next for Miami, Vancouver Whitecaps? Our MLS Cup review show with @jeffrueter.bsky.social, @joeclowery.bsky.social & Taylor is out now👇

Few games have as consistent of a "yeah, that game ruled" hit rate than MLS Cup, especially considering expectations. Another worthy installment tonight.

Leo Messi finally wins the one trophy he's pursued his entire life: MLS Cup. Now officially the GOAT.

Strap in, folks. It's time for a masterclass of being elegant in triumph.

Theoretically, getting this game to extra time favors the team with fewer guys aged 35+. Might not get there at this rate. Miami has shockingly retreated into its shell for much of the game since conceding. They need to remember their strengths in a hurry — Vancouver is in its flow state rn.

Édier Ocampo with a half to forget, adding a yellow card to his own goal and (seemingly) keeping Allende onside. Would be easy for Jesper Sørensen to give a halftime hook: replace him with left back Tate Johnson, and shift Mathias Laborda to RB. Whitecaps have to build off a promising response.

Me when they bring out the chips and salsa.

MLS Cup ref cam is box office. POV: you’re in good with the Barca boys.

Play the Tshabalala goal on a loop for the next seven months.

For a culture obsessed with reboots, remakes, and nostalgia, it's only right to open the World Cup like it's 2010: Mexico versus South Africa.

You know what actually this sums up today perfectly

If the past two years have reinforced anything, it's that these two were made for each other. In any corner of the multiverse, no matter their roles or lot in life, via any means necessary: these two will find themselves in cahoots. It's fate.

Good boy endorsed. 🤝

Pathetic!!! This dog had a chance to test itself at proper European kennels but chose to stay home with Jordan Morris!!!

The only World Cup draw live blog you’ll ever need, featuring dispatches from me, chief football writer David Hytner, and Washington bureau chief David Smith at Kennedy Center, along with all the smart folks at Guardian HQ: www.theguardian.com/football/liv...

Garber on Vancouver Whitecaps: The situation "has to change." "The MLS team, its owners, its fans, its players have done everything to earn the support that they're not getting today from the city and province."

When a star like Thomas Muller turns up, you have to build the team around him, right? But the Vancouver Whitecaps didn't, benefitting from his desire to be a team player & the way he makes those around him better. For @espn.com: www.espn.com/soccer/story...

"Muller has shown up 100% of the way for Vancouver" - @jeffrueter.bsky.social 🗣️ 𝐌𝐋𝐒 𝐂𝐮𝐩 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 - watch/listen 👇 🍎: tinyurl.com/2x23f4cr ✳️: tinyurl.com/492zymuk 📺: tinyurl.com/2h797ct8

It's the @totalsoccershow.bsky.social's MLS Cup preview! @joeclowery.bsky.social and I went deep into the paths taken by Inter Miami and the Vancouver Whitecaps, how they've strengthened throughout 2025, and what to expect from a clash of two truly great sides. youtube.com/watch?v=Ii0ngz-yPwI

Just the second time since 2018* that each conference's best team in terms of expected goal difference has made it to MLS Cup. The other: 2022. Pretty damn good Cup that year! Can't wait for next weekend. *fbref's first year avail

Add in their star No. 9 for another $400k, which means they spent less than $1m total on one of the best spines in the league. And the guy who was their director of recruitment during that era is currently a free agent.

Just remembering that Tristan Blackmon was atop everyone's big board for the 2021 expansion draft, and I still don't think Charlotte FC got enough flack for punting on a free claim on a sure-thing defender.

San Diego out here playing (themselves) out (of the playoffs) from the back.

Enforcing the roster rules

I am furious and devastated that ICE was once again present in Saint Paul and that federal agents continue to jeopardize the safety and well-being of our residents. The destruction this White House has caused our city in just a matter of days is unconscionable.