Archive

May 13, 2026 — Newsletter #31 First Touch is excited to continue the First Touch Writer Series with Musa Okwonga, co-founder of the Stadio podcast, and one of the game’s most distinctive voices. His essay this week reflects on World Cup legends, and on the pressure and possibility facing

May 8, 2026 — Committee Meeting # 39 Agenda Items 📋: * The Concacaf Champions Cup Final is set! Both Tigres and Toluca advanced to the final with home shutout victories against Nashville and LAFC. * This marks the first season since 2021 in which the final will consist entirely of Liga MX clubs, and

May 6, 2026 — Newsletter #35 Dear First Touch Friends, We know you’ve come here thinking “I just can’t start my day without reading about all the reasons I should be anxious about the 2026 World Cup delivering,” especially when we’ve delivered again and again. It’s may

May 1, 2026 — Committee Meeting # 38 Agenda Items 📋: * The Vancouver Whitecaps and city of Vancouver both released statements this week in efforts to keep the Whitecaps in Vancouver, while a potential buyer has come forward who wants to move the team to Las Vegas.  * Kickback Soccer Media’s own Matt

April 29, 2026 — Newsletter #34 Remembering a Random World Cup Legend Every Week German legend Gerd Muller! Headlines: Injuries are the news of the week, with the most notable being a Lamine Yamal hamstring injury that may impact his World Cup, as he will be out for the remainder of

April 24, 2026 — Committee Meeting # 37 Agenda Items 📋: * MLS held its first slate of midweek matches for the 2026 season, and they delivered! Wednesday night featured a pair of 4-4 draws, the first goalkeeper goal in 17 seasons, and countless sensational goals. * Elsewhere, Inter Miami picked up six points

April 22, 2026 — Newsletter #33 Remembering a Random World Cup Legend Every Week This week it’s Mexico’s Rafa Marquez, because… Headlines from Off-the-Pitch: Assistant Coach Rafa Marquez has been announced as the coach-in-waiting for Mexico, set to take over for Javier Aguirre after the

April 17, 2026 — Committee Meeting # 36 Agenda Items 📋: * Javier Mascherano has stunningly resigned as manager of Inter Miami, just 131 days after leading them to the 2025 MLS Cup. * His 2026 tenure has started unspectacularly, but reports have his resignation rooted in the disagreements with the star players. * The Concacaf

April 15, 2026 — Newsletter #32 Remembering a Random World Cup Legend Every Week Ferenc Puskas of Hungary and the “Magic Magyars!” A great week to be celebrating the iconic Hungarian team of the 1950’s. Headlines from Off-the-Pitch: The matches are done, as is the temporary afterglow of

April 10, 2026 — Committee Meeting # 35 Agenda Items 📋: * Concacaf Champions Cup returned this week, with four MLS vs. Liga MX matches taking place this week in the first legs of the Quarterfinal round. MLS only one won. * The winner? LAFC made a statement with a 3-0 win over Liga