Minutes from the Committee Meeting (Copy)

March 20, 2026 — Committee Meeting # 32

Agenda Items 📋:

• The new mechanism for paying star players introduced by NWSL this offseason has led to the biggest contract in women’s soccer history. The San Diego Wave have signed USWNT star Cat Macario to an $8m, five year contract.
• Most importantly, the Macario signing vaults San Diego into title contention. If she can stay healthy, Macario can be an MVP candidate straight away.
• Secondly, this signing potentially reverses the narrative. After an offseason filled with handwringing about NWSL stars going to Europe, the transfer window ends with the biggest deal of all featuring a player being signed from Europe to NWSL.
• In Concacaf Champions Cup action, Inter Miami was stunned by a late Christian Espinoza goal and knocked out by Nashville in the Round of 16.
• LAFC is likely to pick up the mantle as CCC favorite from MLS, but they required a late David Martinzed winner of their own to reach the quarterfinals
• In domestic cup action, the U.S. Open Cup kicked off with the centerpiece being the New England hipster derby (Vermont Green vs. Portland Hearts of Pine). Vermont added another defining victory to their club’s history with the “Cupset” over Portland, winning 1-0 in front of a soldout crowd.
• Finally the MLS sprint season details were announced for 2027. The Sprint Season serves as a bridge from the current MLS format to the “European calendar” it adopts in 2027-28. Here are the details:

Matches to Watch:

New York City FC vs. Inter Miami, MLS (March 22nd, 1:00 PM ET, Apple TV): New York City FC are top of the east with a near perfect start, led by the Best XI quality play from their whatever-you-need-him-to-be attacker Nico Fernandez Mercau. Meanwhile, Inter Miami’s less-than-convincing start got even worse with their dismissal from continental competition by Nashville. This could prove a pivotal point in the season; Miami could reassert their authority by beating a top five team on the road, or this season could truly start to slip through their fingers.

San Diego FC vs. Real Salt Lake, MLS (March 22nd, 7:00 PM ET, Apple TV): This is this weekend’s match for the real ones. San Diego, despite their disappointing CCC result at Toluca, are at the top of the MLS watchability index and a serious threat for the Supporter’s Shield. Real Salt Lake, however, are one of MLS’s surprises, featuring teenage stars Zavier Gozo and Aiden Hazarkhani along with potential all-star attacking midfielders Diego Luna and Morgan Guilavogui.

Bay FC vs. Angel City FC, NWSL (March 21st, 8:45 PM ET, Ion): The California Clasico looks especially tantalizing following impressive debuts from Bay and Angel City. The former’s offseason makeover showed out in the opening match, with new star central midfielder Claire Hutton showing out, and 18-year-old Alex Pfeiffer earning a Player of the Week nomination. Meanwhile, Angel City won 4-0 in week one with contributions from…everywhere…but we’ll be keeping an eye on Gisele Thompson and her evolution into a potential Defender of the Year.

Brooklyn FC vs. Hartford Athletic, USL League One (March 21st, 7:00 PM ET, ESPN Select): A big test for expansion side Brookly FC as they host Brendan Burke’s Hartford Athletic. Hartford has four points in two matches, with a highlight 3-0 win in their opener. For Marlon Leblanc’s Brooklyn, this is an opportunity to make their Coney Island home a fortress with a second consecutive win. If you’re an MLS sicko, note that the legendary Tommy McNamara now patrols the midfield out in Brooklyn.

One Knoxville SC vs. Corpus Christi FC, USL League One (March 24th, 7:00 PM ET, ESPN Select): One Knox takes on the “sharks” of Corpus Christi, one of USL League One’s expansion sides! Did you know that vending machines toppling kill more people than sharks? It’d be more intimidating if they were, like, the “Corpus Christi Poorly Aimed Champagne Corks” (those also kill more people than sharks).

Level Up:

Domestic soccer is back, and so is our level up series. Each week, will recognize one player who has taken a big step in their game. This week, it’s Adri Mehmeti.

The 16-year-old Red Bull New York homegrown is already the fulcrum of Head Coach Michael Braldey’s midfield, giving Sergio Busquets vibes from his ability to shape the game with his ability to control and progress possession at will, notching two assists in his first two MLS matches. 

Statistically, Mehmeti is already amongst the league leaders in touches, chances created, progressive passes, duels won, and expected assists.

Mehmeti’s stay in MLS likely won’t last long past his 18th birthday, though his USMNT journey will likely start before it. Enjoy him while you can, New York fans, and spend your points wisely, Adri.

Matt Doyle's Cocktail Recipe of the Week:

Committee Chair Susannah Fuller is out this week, so we’ve tapped cocktail connoisseur Matt Doyle for bartender duties. This week, he’s serving up his favorite cocktail in the world, a 3/2/1 Mezcal Cardinale.

1. 3 parts Mezcal.
2. 2 parts Campari.
3. 1 part Dry Vermouth.
4. Stir gently. 
5. Pour over rocks glass with a single large ice cube.
6. Garnish with lemon or orange peel

Action Items, Kickback:

Soccerwise: Soccerwise has started the season in peak form, featuring Matt Doyle and Andrew Wiebe recapping the week in MLS, and Jordan Angeli joining David Gass to discuss NWSL action.

Also join us this week for Matt Doyle’s and David Gass’s USMNT roster release review.

Make sure you listen to Soccerwise now on SiriusXM, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9 p.m. on SiriusXM FC 157, and on the SiriusXM App!

Kickback Committee: MLS legend Walker Zimmerman makes his co-hosting debut, joins Susannah Fuller to talk U.S. Open Cup, listener voicemails, and his start at Toronto FC!

First Touch: Episode four 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.