Archive

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

April 8, 2026 — Newsletter #31 First Touch is excited to launch the First Touch Writer Series, beginning with Musa Okwonga, co-founder of the Stadio podcast, and one of the game’s most distinctive voices. His essay this week reflects on 1994, 2026, and what the World Cup still means.

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.

April 1, 2026 — Newsletter #30 Remembering a Random World Cup Legend Every Week Luca Toni, from a better era of Italian soccer. Headlines: It was the biggest week left before the World Cup arrives in a few short months, as the final six nations stamped their ticket to the World

March 27, 2026 — Committee Meeting # 33 It’s the final international window before the long awaited 2026 World Cup in North America. This week, we’ll pivot in the men’s international window to check the barometer on the U.S. USMNT Vibe Check: Entering the final international window, the

March 25, 2026 — Newsletter #29 Remembering a Random World Cup Legend Every Week Paddy Moore, who put four in for Ireland against Belgium in 1934! What To Watch, FIFA & UEFA Playoffs: Four UEFA World Cup spots are up for grabs, with each side needing to win two consecutive matches:

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