Minutes from the Committee Meeting

January 9, 2026 — Committee Meeting # 22

2026 is here, as are the American soccer preseasons! Follow us here for coverage of all the big news, and check out Soccerwise on your preferred podcast or social media platform for our unparalleled coverage with hosts David Gass, Tom Bogert, and Jordan Angeli.

Agenda Items 📋:

• Just as every head coaching position in MLS had been filled, Minnesota United has been left to contend with the departure of their head coach Eric Ramsay. The Welsh 33-year-old led the Loons to arguably their best stretch in club history, and was presented the opportunity to return to the U.K. as West Brom’s new Head Coach.
• With preseason days away, Minnesota will look to quickly anoint a successor, and our own Soccerwise co-host Tom Bogert is reporting assistant coach and former interim head Cam Knowles is the front runner. 
• The holidays had previously seen the remaining MLS head coaching positions filled, with Sporting KC appointing Swiss coach Rapha Wicky and the Columbus Crew turning to Henrik Rydstrom.
• This is Wicky’s second head coaching stint in the league, briefly managing the Chicago Fire after a well-respected run as U.S. U-17 head coach. However, the former Chivas USA player did win a domestic double in Switzerland with Young Boys (it’s a soccer club, not a weirdly capitalized way of saying he played the kids).
• Rydstrom joins Columbus as one of the most intriguing coaching personalities on the planet, much like his predecessor Wilfried Nancy. A former title winner at Malmo, the highly philosophical Swede is a proponent of “Relationism,” a possession-obsessed, heavily asymmetrical approach to play that involves bunching players together when on the ball.
• NWSL offseason is just really kicking into gear, with the rocky implementation of the new “High Impact Player” rule still the main topic. The holidays came and went with no resolution from the Trinity Rodman saga, so the new signing mechanism for big name players remains unused.
• By the way, USWNT coach Emma Hayes did say that she was not consulted by the league office about the rule, despite one means of activating the budgetary allocation it offers being USWNT minutes played.
• A labor dispute between the USL Players Association and the USL has come to the fore as the CBA for the USL Championship expired on December 31st. While the parties are engaged in talks in advance of the 2026 season, the Players Association has asserted that the lack of mandated health insurance, below living wage salary minimums, and the implementation of 10-month contracts were not commensurate with the USL Championships’ professional expectations, its stature, nor its ambitions.

This Week's Biggest Signings:

Chris Armas, Kansas City Current (Previously: Colorado Rapids): The reigning NWSL shield winners Kansas City Current made a surprise signing, hiring three-time MLS Head Coach Chris Armas as their new manager. Armas joins Nick Cushing as new NWSL head coaches who managed in MLS, but differs from Cushing in never having coached women before. In taking the helm of a club coming out of the most successful NWSL regular season ever, expectations will be high and the honeymoon will be short.

Cristian Espinoza, Nashville SC (Previously: San Jose Earthquakes): Nashville SC’s title ambitions became clear as they made one of MLS’s biggest ever free agent signings, adding San Jose’s perennial star player Cristian Espinoza as a Designated Player. Espinoza contributed to nearly 100 goals in his time as the star playmaker in San Jose, but in joining two MLS Best XI attacks in Nashville, will be expected to supplement one of the League’s elite front lines.

David Ayala, Inter Miami (Previously: Portland Timbers): It doesn’t seem fair at this point. Inter Miami went and got yet another proven MLS star, this time via intraleague transfer. Ayala is a burgeoning Argentine defensive midfielder who became a focal point for the Timbers in 2025, but will now join countrymen Rodrigo De Paul and Messi in Miami. A proven MLS commodity at just 23,  Ayala further bolsters Miami’s chances of claiming the title of best club on the continent.

Moves to Watch:

Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns -> Manchester City)

By the time you read this, there’s a good chance that USWNT stalwart midfielder Sam Coffey has joined Manchester City. Coffey has become a fan favorite for club and country as her relentless running and pitch control make everyone around her better. Coffey’s departure will be a blow to both the Thorns and the League, but a boon for City’s aspirations.

Robert Lewandowski (FC Barcelona -> Chicago Fire)

Where there’s smoke, there’s Chicago Fire (yeah, we got puns). Reports over the holidays have the Fire in pole position for the Pole (ok, that’s one too many). In all seriousness, the Chicago Fire’s ambitions and finances in the Mansueto era match that of any MLS club, and Lewandowski’s connection with the Polish community in Chicago make him an ideal candidate to be the face over the new stadium era.

Tristan Blackmon (Vancouver Whitecaps -> Inter Miami)

A rumor that a few journalists announced as fact. For a moment, it seemed like Inter Miami were in the midst of the best offseason in MLS history, adding the MLS Defender of the Year to join their new MLS Goalkeeper of the Year and a slew of other savvy signings. However, a statement from the Whitecaps front office asserted they were nowhere near a deal, and in fact hoping to extend Blackmon. We will be watching this drama play out closely in the coming days.

Musings from Soccerwise: What are the Most Attractive Clubs for Coaches in MLS?

With arguably the most respected MLS coach of the decade, Wilfried Nancy, suddenly back on the market, we’re asking the question…what are the most attractive jobs in MLS?

At this juncture, Inter Miami has clearly established itself as the MLS superclub. With the unbeatable atmosphere, Los Angeles as a home, and the ability to attract global superstars, LAFC clearly is in the first tier. 

Otherwise? Atlanta United has increasingly struggled since their 2018 title, but boast best-in-class facilities and finances. L.A. Galaxy similarly has the brand and budgetary muscle to build dynasties, and the Seattle Sounders have combined local relevance, a robust player pathway, and championship pedigree to become one of MLS’s premier franchises. Chicago Fire have the magic mix of a deep-pocketed owner, new stadium and facilities on the horizon, the allure of a major city, and an awesome academy. 

For us, it goes Inter Miami, LAFC, Atlanta United, Chicago Fire, and then there’s a drop to the next tier. Disagree? Hit us up on @soccerwisehq and tell us why!

Susannah “Cup Should Always Be” Fuller’s Cocktail Recipe of the Week:

With our Committee Chair Sooz living it up in France, we’ll have a few guest mixologists over the next few weeks. This week, Kickback Soccer Media Co-Founder David Gass is filling in with a drink honoring one of our favorite MLS cities, the Toronto!:

1. 2 oz Canadian Rye Whiskey.
2. ¼ oz simple syrup (or maple syrup, if you wanna go real Canadian).
3. ¼ oz Fernet
4. 2 dashes Angostura.
5. Stir thoroughly with ice.
6. Strain and serve neat with an orange garnish.

Action Items, Kickback:

Soccerwise: Soccerwise is back with a special reunion episode with Matt Doyle and Bobby Warshaw, and Tommy Scoops joins Gass to break down all of the offseason action!

Kickback Committee: Kickback Committee will kick back off in February with some exciting announcements and additional formats!

First Touch: We’ve released nearly 40 special episodes of our World Cup country capsules, 10-20 minute podcasts each detailing the unique soccer story of this World Cup’s participating nations. Follow our feed for the final capsules and brand new shows being launched over the next month.