Soccerwise Minutes

October 9, 2026

The longest international window ever is over, but don’t cry because it’s over; smile because it happened. Plus, MLS action is back, and the playoff race is heating up. We’ve got your headlines and more as you head into the weekend.

📰 Headlines:

• The 🇺🇲 USMNT beat Canada 1-0 in what turned into a rock fight, with 42 fouls being dished out. On a high note, Brian Schwake looked great in his first start, and another teenager, Cole Campbell, made his debut.
• 4-0 in the international window for the USMNT, but how about 7-for-12? That’s right, seven of the 12 goals scored by the US in the window were scored by a teenager.
• Now all eyes are on what’s next for the USMNT. Mark those calendars for the quarterfinal round of the UEFA Nations League on Nov. 17 in Cincinnati.
• 🐐 A sad day in soccer as the one, the only Lionel Messi said goodbye to international soccer on Tuesday against Benin. 126 goals in 208 appearances. The best to ever do it is one step closer to hanging up his boots permanently.
• LAFC’s Son Heung-min made some history of his own this week. He became South Korea’s all-time leading scorer. Check out the goal that gave him the record. 
• ICYMI, a massive win at home for the 🔥 Chicago Fire 3-1 over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Tuesday night. Peep the highlights because Chicago’s goals are a thing of beauty.
• With all eyes on Brazil, the plan is coming into view for the 🇺🇲 USWNT. Head coach Emma Hayes says don’t expect the new players in camp to start against Spain, but what about Ashley Sanchez?
• NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman said more teams, why not? She’s got her eyes on expanding the NWSL to at least 20 teams. More on that here.
• Men’s college soccer’s move to a year-round calendar is coming. Well, sort of. It didn’t get all the votes it needed, but if there is no pushback in the next 30 days, it’s as good as done.
• Finally, the NWSL shopping window is now officially closed. We got a couple of big last-minute moves, including Nigerian international Gift Monday to Boston, and Zambian forward Racheal Kundananji to Chicago.

🇺🇲 Stock Up, Stock Down: USMNT edition

By: Cat Bush

Stock Up: Diego Kochen

Diego Kochen entered his first USMNT cap as a relative unknown. Despite showing promise among Barcelona’s youth ranks, Kochen only broke into professional football this season with Lyngby in the Danish Superligaen. The 6 '3 20-year-old played a full 90 minutes in the U.S.’s game against Mexico, making one save, completing 78% of his passes, and keeping a clean sheet. Mexico’s dismal display was an aiding factor, but the young goalkeeper’s distribution from the back was impressive and puts him in the conversation for future call-ups — Kochen will be just 24 by the next World Cup. 

Stock Down: Yunus Musah

Musah’s extended hiatus from the national team was a topic of conversation after the 23-year-old finally received the call from Pochettino this window, but despite putting in solid performances, he did little to wow the coach. The AC Milan midfielder played deeper in a start against Peru, where he completed 38/38 passes, but was overshadowed by Sebastian Berhalter, who came on in his stead in the 62nd minute. Musah’s second start was even quieter, with Alex Freeman commanding all the attention on the right wing. 

Stock Up: Gio Reyna

Gio Reyna played in all four of the USMNT’s games this window, with his start against Canada being his seventh straight start across club and country. The streak is the longest such starting streak in his career, marking a major milestone for the oft-injured 23-year-old. His improving performances at Strasbourg and his two assists this window will likely lend Pochettino confidence in Reyna moving forward. 

Stock Down: Miles Robinson

Robinson was one of five CBs called up for the international window and was arguably the least impressive of the bunch. Unlike the fresh faces of this camp, Miles Robinson is a known quantity. His 63 minutes were the least of any of the CBs in Pochettino’s camp, and though a squad veteran, it’s clear that his role with the USMNT is increasingly small. 

Stock Up: Seb Berhalter

Apart from the record-breaking youngsters of this USMNT camp, Berhalter was the headline-grabbing star. His goal and assist performances in two straight games earned him plaudits from Pochettino, with the coach saying, “To have a player like him is priceless.” Berhalter is on fire at Middlesbrough as well, and at just 25, he has yet to hit his prime.

📺 Weekend Watchlist:

MLS is back, and we’ve got the World’s #1 vs. #2 in women’s soccer doing battle stateside. To top that off, the playoff race is on in the USL Championship as well. Happy soccer watching this weekend!

USWNT vs. Spain, International Friendly (Sat., Oct. 10, 2:30 p.m. ET, TNT): There are now 260 days until the 2027 Women’s World Cup starts, and we are 51 days out from the U.S. Women’s National Team opening their qualifying campaign against El Salvador. So what better way to get prepped than a shot of Triple Espresso against Alexia Putellas and the reigning World Champions. Plus, tune in pre-match for a special Crystal Dunn retirement ceremony.

Charlotte FC vs. FC Dallas, MLS (Sat., Oct. 10, 7:30 p.m. ET, Apple TV): The race is incredibly tight in both conferences, and this one's a crossover battle between two teams fighting for a top four spot. Dallas enters on a six-game unbeaten run with Petar Musa still in the Golden Boot hunt and looking to break the FC Dallas single-season scoring record. Charlotte hopes to bounce back after a tough home loss before the break and push their way into the East contenders, but will have to do it without suspended Tim Ream.

St. Louis CITY SC vs. LA Galaxy, MLS (Sun., Oct. 11, 7 p.m. ET, Apple TV): Putting aside teenage phenom Cavan Sullivan for a second, the story of the second half of MLS is St. Louis. They are on the verge of MLS history. A win or a draw and they go to 20 games unbeaten, equaling the longest unbeaten run in all competitions by an MLS club. Energizer Park should be rocking for Sunday Night Soccer as an old friend in João Klauss pays a visit. 

Lexington SC vs. FC Tulsa, USL Championship (Fri., Oct. 9, 7:30 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Golazo): There are just three matches left in the USL Championship regular season, and every game counts for playoff position. This one pits fourth-place Lexington against fifth-place Tulsa as just one point separates these two in the table. A top three spot in the Western Conference is within striking distance for one of these clubs, and a win for Lexington means they clinch their first-ever playoff berth for their men’s club.

🥅 Goal of the Midweek:

This strike from Jonathan Bamba, his first goal since March. Precision, placement, nicely done.

🥳 The Best Thing We Saw:

Who is the most hated team in MLS? Take a look at this map, and do you agree or disagree? Maybe some people are surprised it’s not Miami.

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.