Minutes from the Committee Meeting

February 6, 2026 — Committee Meeting # 26

Agenda Items 📋:

• We did not see this one coming. Colombian icon James Rodrigues has signed a short term contract with Minnesota United and will spend his pre-World Cup period with the “Loons.”
• As Soccerwise co-host Tom Bogert reported, James signs a short-term contract in Minnesota and will not be a Designated Player.
• Now we will watch to see if Minnesota makes significant changes to a system predicated on playing against the ball for the technically gifted playmaker.
• The other pleasant surprise for MLS this week was the hammer 4-1 San Diego FC dropped on Mexico’s Pumas in their opening match of Concacaf Champions Cup.
• San Diego FC was nearly three weeks away from the start of their MLS season, and faced a Pumas side four matches into theirs. Nonetheless, San Diego maintained 73% of possession while all four goals came from players 23-and-under.
• In the NWSL, the good news of the week comes from NWSL expansion side Denver Summit announced it has already surpassed 40,000 tickets sold for their home opener at Mile High.
• The Summit have already matched the NWSL record, and seem set to crush it by the time they kick on March 28th.

A Random Preseason MLS Prediction:

One of MLS’s best supporter traditions is the “Wooden Spoon,” awarded amongst fans to the club with the worst record of the season. D.C. United are the current holders.

Our too early 2026 favorites for the Wooden Spoon?

5. Portland Timbers

4. CF Montreal

3. Real Salt Lake

2. D.C. United

1. Sporting KC

Soccerwise's Season Previews:

This week, David Gass and the gang at Soccerwise launched our MLS and NWSL season previews! In addition to dedicated podcasts, we’re introducing a series of one-minute preview videos for every MLS and NWSL club!

Today, we’re checking in on the ascent of the Chicago Fire:

This Week's Biggest Signings:

Obed Vargas, Atletico Madrid (Previously: Seattle Sounders): The Alaska-born, Seattle homegrown, Mexican international has made his long awaited move to a major European club. Vargas has been one of the rising stars in MLS since he became the youngest player ever to debut for the Seattle Sounders. Vargas will be closely watched in Spain not only by legions of El Tri fans, but by the droves of Sounders supporters following one of their own.

Eva Gaetino, Denver Summit (Previously: PSG): The Summit are loading up for their expansion season, and sign another essential player in centerback Eva Gaetino. Only 23-years-old, Gaetino joins from European power PSG, where she featured 30 times while earning her USWNT debut. Gaetino will be the central building block for the Summit defense. 

Morgan Guilavogui, Real Salt Lake (Previously: Lens): Did they finally get it right? While RSL has developed some quality talent of late, they’ve missed badly on a series of Designated Players and really need this one to work. Guilavogui, a 27-year-old Guinean striker, has shown goal scoring prowess in Ligue 2 and (to an extent) the Bundesliga, but has struggled in the French first division.

Moves to Watch:

Your Kickback Moves to Watch is pretty literally brought to you by Tom Bogert, America’s premier soccer news breaker.

Our congratulations to Tom who this past week a new son to the world! Congrats Tom, and thank you for continuing to do what you do!

Zavier Gozo (Real Salt Lake -> Atletico Madrid/Aston Villa)

One of the bigger revelations in MLS in 2025, 18-year-old Gozo won a starting spot with RSL and proved a crucial piece in their playoff run, stretching defenses with electric pace, and easily beating defenders 1v1. Gozo’s USMNT debut may not come long after the 2026 World Cup, and it seems like some major European players have taken notice.

Nimfasha Berchimas (Charlotte FC -> FC Bayern)

The Charlotte homegrown attacker has supposedly been on the radar for the Bavarian superclub for years, and as he approaches his 18th birthday, that interest may be turning into action. The American attacker has starred for the USYNT at every major tournament he’s played in, and is a centerpiece of the next generation fo American talent.

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

Odds are you’ve been inundated with some snow recently. Sooz asks, what’s better to get cozy with than a White Russian? 

1. Rocks glass, filled with ice.
2. 2 oz Vodka.
3. 1 oz Coffee Liqueur.
4. Top with 1 oz Heavy Cream.
5. Stir gently.

You probably haven’t seen Big Lebowski in a few years anyways…

Action Items, Kickback:

Soccerwise: It’s Soccerwise pre-season time! We’ve not only released two special series, our “Over/Under” and “Soccerwiser” episodes, but our MLS preview specials start this week!!

Kickback Committee: Kickback Committee is back with Susannah Fuller and guest co-host Jordan Angeli tackling the big news of the week!

First Touch: Catch up on our special capsules on every nation participating in the 2026 World Cup as we get set to launch an exciting new project on First Touch!