Soccerwise Minutes

October 16, 2026

MLS midweek action brought the fireworks again, with teams getting big results to clinch postseason spots. Out West, the race just keeps getting tighter, and in the East the cream is slowly rising to the top. For the USWNT, it was a massive window, and we learned a lot - winners, losers, and up next: World Cup qualifying in November. Let's catch you up on what you need to know:

📰 Headlines:

• It wasn’t quite a win, but it was something: the 🇺🇲 USWNT battled back from a 2-0 deficit to earn a 2-2 draw with Spain on Wednesday night at Subaru Park. We break down the window in this week’s episode of U.S. Soccerwise if you want more.
• Everyone’s favorite 🐱 Ashley Sanchez announced she is back. It was her first start with the USWNT since Oct. 2024, and the cherry on top was her first goal in 1,552 days.
• After Sanchez scored, it got interesting, and the third member of ☕ Triple Espresso, Mallory Swanson, provided the USWNT with the shot they needed with an 86th-minute equalizer, her first goal since that triumphant winner against Brazil in the 2024 Olympic gold medal game.
• And another one: shout-out to the ⛰️ Utah Royals Kate Del Fava and the 🌹 Portland Thorns Pietra Tordin for their first USWNT caps. They're the 33rd and 34th players to earn their first caps under U.S. head coach Emma Hayes.
• 🏆 Big news on Wednesday: we are getting a women’s Open Cup, but we are calling it the Crest Cup. Launch date is TBD. The winner will take home $1.1 million.
• Four more teams locked in their spots for the MLS postseason on Wednesday night: Inter Miami, New England, St. Louis and FC Dallas.
• St. Louis CITY SC has now gone 21 games unbeaten in all competitions, the longest streak in MLS history, surpassing Red Bull New York in 2016. They haven’t lost in 164 days.
• In the USL Championship, Rhode Island FC and Hartford Athletic FC secured playoff spots. In the Hartford match, Augi Williams assisted himself for his 90th career USL Championship goal.
• Oh, those European Nights. USMNT midfielder Malik Tillman scored his first goal of the season for Leverkusen in a 4-0 Europa League win over Lech Poznan.
• And finally, we’ve got an MLS Next Pro and USMNT link-up as Orlando City’s Justin Ellis was named the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Pathway Player of the Year.

🇺🇲  USWNT Winners & Losers: Spain Edition

By: Cat Bush

Winner: Ashley Sanchez

Ashley Sanchez was a name to watch heading into Hayes’ camp after a multi-year hiatus from the national team. The 27-year-old carried her league form into her start in the U.S.’s 2-2 draw against Spain, scoring a goal in the 49th minute to pull the home side back into the match. With that match swinging goal, and 20 more for the North Carolina Courage this season, Sanchez has cemented herself as Hayes’ most in-form attacker. She will be a key part of conversations heading into next summer’s World Cup. Where she slots into the lineup, and how big of a role she will have remains up in the air, but on Tuesday she was the spark the USWNT needed — something Hayes will need plenty more of moving forward. 

Loser: Hayes’ midfield stability

Lindsey Heaps, Rose Lavelle, Lily Yohannes, Claire Hutton, and Jaelin Howell all made appearances across the two matches, with only Heaps and Lavelle starting both matches. As I wrote in Monday’s newsletter, Hayes desperately needs players to step up and assume more responsibility in the midfield, especially with the two veterans only continuing to age and accumulate injuries. Even the third pick for midfield is uncertain — Hutton and Yohannes both started one match and made a substitute appearance in another, and neither was infallible in their time on the field. As Jeff Rueter wrote for The Guardian, “Continuous recalibration in midfield – for reasons of circumstance and experimentation alike – and a corresponding lack of system clarity in all phases threatens to keep a viable contender from maximizing its potential against fellow heavyweights like Spain.”

Winner: Kennedy Wesley

Kennedy Wesley has seemingly cemented herself in the squad this year, having played a large role in friendlies against Japan in the spring, started once against Brazil this summer, and now two straight starts against the world number ones. Wesley played a full 90 minutes in both matches, and though defending against Spain will be challenging for any center back, held her own. Wesley could have done better to prevent the incisive ball that became Spain’s first goal, but was fooled by a fake from Clara Pinedo. It’s clear, however, that Emma Hayes has confidence in Wesley. In friendlies like these, against teams like Spain, minutes can often be the most important indicator, and Wesley played every single one. 

Loser: USWNT’s FIFA Ranking

Hayes’ comments after the U.S. 's disappointing loss in the first match betrayed a sense of belief in the USWNT that borders on overconfident superiority. For many years, the prevailing notion was that the USWNT was number one, and if they weren’t, it was an anomaly. Now, however, that narrative may be changing. Just one year out from a World Cup, Hayes’ squad looked second best to a team missing key players, and the FIFA ranking updates reflected that. The U.S. are still second, but the gap only continues to widen.

⏪ MLS Midweek Rewind:

Wednesday sure didn’t clear much up, especially out West, except that four postseason spots are now locked up. Meanwhile, out East, Miami, New England and Philadelphia all got big wins, while Nashville continues to show their class. Again, if we missed anything (cause we probably did), check out Thursday’s MLS Soccerwise.

• We are in the midst of two unbelievable runs in MLS. First up, can anyone stop the Philadelphia Union? That makes it 14 unbeaten and eight straight wins as the Union continues its climb with a 3-1 win against the Chicago Fire. Things looked dicey against Chicago after red-hot Maren Haile-Selassie put the home team ahead. Then things unraveled still in the first half for Chicago when former Philadelphia defender Jack Elliot was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in a four-minute span. The Union took advantage and scored three unanswered goals in 18 minutes: a brace from Damiani and another from Milan Iloski. 
• But the Union are chasing new record holders in St. Louis, unbeaten in 21 straight games. Vancouver vs. St. Louis brought us true playoff vibes and energy. No goals came, as it finished 0-0. But there was plenty of energy and action, and it was a much tighter affair after St. Louis ran roughshod over the Caps in the first meeting. Vancouver had chances early on, with Brian White missing a chance just three minutes in and another from the visitors skimming off the crossbar in the 13th minute. Perhaps St. Louis is feeling the effects of a congested schedule; either way they’ll take setting a league record.
• Inter Miami looks to be back on track, and a 2-0 home win over New York City FC could be another boost for the reigning champs. That’s back-to-back wins for the first time since July. And the highlight might actually be two straight clean sheets, including a PK save for Dayne St. Clair in the 97th minute. A big boost for the Canadian international, who has had a rocky season in South Beach. The attack is starting to cook with the Herons up 70 goals for the season, and finally a goal from Germán Berterame, who scored for the first time since May.
• For the New England Revolution, the storybook season continues as they return to the playoffs for the first time since 2023, following a 3-2 win over FC Cincinnati. Rising MLS star 18-year-old Peyton Miller delivered two assists. Carles Gil continues to turn back the clock, adding his 10th assist of the season. He became the second player in MLS to record six consecutive seasons with 10 assists, joining Preki. Dor Tugeman was the man of the night, however, as his brace, including the 53rd-minute winner, proved to be the difference.
• And in the chaos reigns supreme, we aren’t dead yet category: Toronto FC everybody. With another late goal, this time Matheus Pereira in the 90th minute, secured a 3-3 draw with Orlando City SC. Toronto is alive in the playoff race, just three points back of a Wildcard spot. Make that 19 points gained from losing positions for Toronto this season. On the other side, Orlando’s offense is finally starting to click, and the man at the center of it all is Antoine Griezmann. He added a goal and an assist in this one and is shining brightly in purple with nine goals in his last eight games. 
• In the game of two teams quietly doing their thing heading into the postseason. FC Dallas prevailed with a 1-0 win over the Seattle Sounders. The win for Dallas snapped the Sounders' four-game winning streak. For Dallas, the strong home form continues as they haven’t lost at Toyota Stadium since May. Now thanks to a ridiculous game-winner, more on that below, the guys playing footie in Frisco secured their postseason spot. And don’t look now, but they are one point out of second place and two points out of the top spot in the West. 
• Despite the loss, Seattle sit in seventh place with the LA Galaxy hot on their heels after a 2-0 win over fellow playoff chaser Portland. It was the Marco Reus show for the home team. The former German international opened the scoring with his eighth goal of the season and played provider to seal the victory late in the match. The Timbers had a goal called back early for offside, and Galaxy goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski came up big on a few occasions to help the LA side earn the result.
• Over in the other part of LA, the Black & Gold got a much-needed win. Denis Bouanga bagged a brace as LAFC cruised to a 3-1 win over Austin FC. Austin FC's playoff hopes evaporated after an eight-game unbeaten run turned into back-to-back losses. Brad Stuver did his best to keep his team in it with nine saves, but it wasn't enough to slow down the Son-Bouanga show. The win ended LAFC’s four-game winless skid, but still leaves them at just two wins in their last 12 games (less than ideal for serial winners). Also, just an insane stat line from the home side: 28 shots, 11 shots on target, and 4.46xG.

📺 Weekend Watchlist:

The silly season is upon us. But we also want to make sure you get your biggest bang for your buck when it comes to action around MLS, NWSL, and the USL Championship. Here are some of the tastiest matchups heading into what we hope will be a beautiful fall weekend. 

Philadelphia Union vs. Charlotte FC, MLS (Sat, Oct. 17, 1:30 p.m. ET, Apple TV): We can definitively say now that Philadelphia is a must-watch every week. And it’s not just Cavan Sullivan; Milan Iloski and Bruno Damiani are required viewing too. The Union can make it nine wins in a row, but standing in their way is a Charlotte team that won nine straight a season ago to match the record. We’d expect some goals in this one. Oh, and just one point separates these two teams in the Eastern Conference table.

FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew SC, MLS (Sun., Oct. 18, 5 p.m. ET, Apple TV): Hell is Real is probably the best name for a rivalry match out there, right? And these two teams are scratching and clawing to find their way into the playoffs. Kevin Denkey is on a mission to drag Cincinnati across the postseason finish line while Columbus hangs onto a small glimmer of hope. Columbus eked out a win at home in July, but a visit to TQL Stadium will be tough for a Crew squad that has struggled on the road and hosts a final midweek.  

Washington Spirit vs. Gotham FC, NWSL (Sat, Oct. 17, 12:30 p.m. ET, CBS): People have had this one circled on their calendars. Rightfully so, featuring most people’s frontrunners for the NWSL Shield and a NWSL Championship rematch. This game probably won’t deliver the NWSL chaos and goals of some of the other matches this weekend, but it should be a tactical battle with a playoff-game vibe and some of the best attacking players in the game: Trinity Rodman, Rose Lavelle, Sam Kerr, and Jaedyn Shaw.

Utah Royals FC vs. Kansas City Current, NWSL (Sat., Oct. 17, 6:30 p.m. ET, ION): This is our personal pick if you want goals and high-pressing, all-action soccer. On top of that, it might be the biggest game in Utah’s short NWSL history, as they stand on the precipice of their first-ever playoff berth. They could clinch it this weekend, but standing in their way is a red-hot KC team, charging up the table with Temwa Chawinga and a home-playoff game on their minds.

Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Detroit City FC, USL Championship (Sat., Oct. 17, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+): The Rowdies have been the class of the USL Championship, with just five losses this season. One of those came at the hands of Detroit on the road in August, so Tampa Bay will be looking for revenge at home. Plus, it's No. 1 vs. No. 2 in the Eastern Conference, and features two of the league's top goal scorers: Detroit’s Darren Smith and Tampa’s MD Myers.

No. 4 Clemson vs. No. 8 Louisville, NCAA Men (Fri., Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m. ET, ACC Network): We’ve got a top-ten matchup in the cards as you settle in for the weekend, plus these two are in the thick of it for the ACC title. Clemson scores nearly three goals a game, and its home venue is a fortress Louisville hasn't won since 2017. This year however, the Cardinals bring a strong defensive side led by reigning ACC Defensive Player of the Week Nathaniel Abraham and enter the match riding a three-game winning streak.

🥅 Goal of the Midweek:

Yeah yeah, I know bicycle kicks, but can we talk about the skill and difficulty here to score this goal by FC Dallas’ Kaick.

🥳 The Best Thing We Saw:

Concacaf is special. And this is just too bizarre. We don’t advise you to try this in your Sunday Rec League.

Quick Links, Kickback:

• Soccerwise: David Gass and your Kickback family have you covered all things MLS, NWSL and U.S. Soccer.
• First Touch: Your American home for the global game. Join us every week for First Touch Dispatch and First Touch Weekly with Susannah Fuller for the stories and conversations shaping soccer around the world.
• Tom Bogert, The Athletic: No one better to keep you up-to-date on all of the silly season news from MLS!
• Tactics Free Zone: Matt Doyle is your go-to analyst for all MLS action.

Quick Links, Kickback Partners:

• Happy Foot, Sad Foot is your go-to podcast for LAFC. Check out their weekly pod and some pretty sweet merch. 
• Out West, San Diego Futbol has you covered for all things San Diego FC. San Diego’s #1 source for all things soccer.
• Five Stripe Final has your coverage of Atlanta United. Check out their Substack and listen to their podcast to keep up to date.
• And for our friends on the East Coast, The Blazing Musket covers soccer across New England, from the Revs to Legacy and a whole lot of love for the USL.
• SixOneFive Soccer has you covered as they continue to recap Nashville’s historic run. The Music City men are headed to Toronto midweek, and they have you covered.
• Check out Sounder at Heart as they provide all the coverage for the Boys in Rave Green, keeping you up-to-date as Seattle looks to make a playoff push.
• TopBin90 is your main source for Charlotte FC and beyond. Also, with college soccer season now in full swing, they can keep you up to date with College Soccer News.