Minutes from the Committee Meeting

April 3, 2026 — Committee Meeting # 34

Agenda Items 📋:

• The Denver Summit home debut smashed NWSL attendance records, ending with over 63,000 fans in attendance for their 0-0 draw against the Washington Spirit.
• The record was a more than 50% increase over the previous record set by Bay FC.
• It won’t set any attendance records, but Inter Miami will debut in their new stadium, Nu Stadium, this weekend.
• Constructed by the Miami Airport, the $750m stadium moves the club much closer to downtown Miami, and should prove to be a centerpiece destination for MLS.
• Elsewhere, U.S. Open Cup continued, but the final amateur sides were eliminated. Asheville City FC won the coveted $50,000 prize for the longest run by an amateur club via goal differential.
• Head Coach Emma Hayes announced her USWNT roster for an upcoming series of friendlies with Japan. Headlining the announcement is the return of USWNT stalwarts Tierna Davidson and Sophia Wilson following an ACL injury and maternity leave, respectively.

Story of the Week:

The impending World Cup has also quickened the conversation around the potential big name signings who may join MLS following the World Cup.

With the GOAT already in Miami, MLS clubs are truly reaching for the stars (sorry).

Mohammed Salah -> ?

The biggest name moving this summer will be Mo Salah. Our own Tom Bogert has reported that the rumored destination, San Diego FC, might not be in the cards. However, that impending stadium in Queens, New York, could really use some star power to open it…

Bernardo Silva -> New York City FC

…but the low hanging fruit for New York City FC may be signing Portugal star Bernardo Silva. The playmaker will depart CFG flagship Manchester City, and a move to their sister club in New York would seemingly make sense for all parties.

Robert Lewandowski -> Chicago Fire

The odds on this one decrease by the day, as reports have Lewandowski preferring to stay on at Barcelona with a pay cut this summer. If it’s not Lewandowski, keep an eye on the fire, who are still in the market for their big name signing.

Casemiro -> Inter Miami

Another report from Soccerwise’s Tom Bogert has Manchester United Brazilian midfielder linked to Inter Miami. Casemiro has additionally been linked to LA Galaxy, though neither club has a Designated Player spot available right now.

Of course, one big name signing has recently been completed, with Antoine Griezmann joining Orlando City this summer. Here are Soccerwise’s David Gass and Matt Doyle to discuss it:

Matches to Watch:

Orlando Pride vs. Angel City FC FC, NWSL (August 3rd, 8:00 PM ET, Amazon Prime): One of the NWSL preseason favorites, the Orlando Pride, face-off against the league leaders Angel City. Led by Player of the Month Sveindís Jónsdóttir and a cadre of up-and-coming American stars, Angel City has been perfect to start the season, racking up a +7 goal differential in three matches. 

San Jose Earthquakes vs. San Diego FC, MLS (April 4th, 10:30 PM ET, Apple TV): It’s a battle at the top of the west, as Bruce Arena’s new look Earthquakes challenge their pass happy foes to the south, San Diego FC. The Earthquakes have been rejuvenated through a worst-to-first type of defensive transition that features a real league leading type of press. No one is better in passing through those, though, than Mikey Varas’s San Diego. 

Washington Spirit vs. Portland Thorns, NWSL (March 13th, 8:00 PM ET, Prime): Two of NWSL’s premier clubs face-off in what could be a potential preview of a final or semi-final round. The Spirit, with MVP candidate Trinity Rodman at the forefront, again have leveraged owner Michelle Kang’s warchest to add elite talent, like Paraguayan Claudia Martinez. Meanwhile, Portland has only just added new coach Robert Vilahman, and have a Sam Coffey-sized hole in the midfield. Nonetheless, the return of Sophia Wilson from maternity league gives them one of the league’s best 1-2’s in the attack, along with Olivia Moultrie.

Orange County SC vs. San Antonio FC, USL Championship (April 8th, 10:00 PM ET, ESPN Select): It’s first versus second out west, as San Antonio travel to Orange County. Both sides feature young American centerbacks, with 16-year-old Tyson Espy recently scoring for Orange County, and Revolution loanee 20-year-old Santiago Suarez featuring in the USL Team of the Week for San Antonio.

Sarasota Paradise vs. One Knoxville SC, USL League One (April 4th, 7:30 PM ET, ESPN Select): It won’t be much of a Paradise for Sarasota as One Knox comes to play. The mighty East Tennesseans dispatch Asheville in the U.S. Open Cup this week, despite being down to only nine men. Perhaps they’ll play with just eight on Saturday, to show that they’re really about that grind.

Susannah "Cup Should Always Be" Fuller's Cocktail Recipe of the Week:

This week, we’re traveling up to visit our good friends in the Great North, and bringing back their variation of a Manhattan, a Toronto:

1. 2 dashes Angostura Bitters.
2. 2 oz Canadian Rye.
3. .5 oz Fernet.
4. .5 oz Simple Syrup.
5. Stir in a cocktail glass with ice.
6. Strain into a glass.
7. Garnish with an orange peel.

Action Items, Kickback:

Soccerwise: We’ve got your weekly MLS and NWSL reviews and previews, and a special episode discussing the USMNT friendly matches in Atlanta.

Make sure you listen to Soccerwise with David Gass, Tom Bogert, Matt Doyle, and Jordan Angeli now on SiriusXM, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9 p.m. on SiriusXM FC 157, and on the SiriusXM App!

Kickback Committee: Brianna Pinto and Michele Giannone joined David Gass to recap the U.S. losses to Portugal and Belgium in Atlanta.

First Touch: Episode six is now out! Make sure to subscribe and listen to the first ever World Cup 2026 dedicated show, First Touch! Inspired by podcasts with premium, rich storytelling like The Daily and Planet Money, this is Kickback Soccer Media’s most unique offering yet.