Atlanta United has rehired Gerardo 'Tata' Martino as head coach on a two-year deal, returning him to the club where he previously led them to an MLS Cup victory in 2018. Martino, with extensive coaching experience including stints at FC Barcelona and national teams, aims to restore Atlanta's success after a challenging recent season.
Philadelphia Union extended their lead in the Supporters' Shield race with a dominant 6-0 win, while FC Cincinnati's defensive issues and lack of finishing hurt their title hopes. Other notable stories include San Diego's struggles without Iloski, injuries affecting Vancouver and Seattle, and Miami's missed opportunities. The playoff race is heating up with teams like Chicago, NYCFC, RSL, and Dallas vying for positions, while others like Columbus and Houston face setbacks. LAFC continues to impress with their attacking duo, but their true strength will be tested in the playoffs.
Inter Miami CF has signed Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul on loan from Atlético Madrid, with an option for a permanent transfer through 2029. De Paul, a World Cup winner and key player for Argentina, brings extensive international and club experience to the team, and will be unveiled at Chase Stadium during Saturday’s pregame.
MLS commissioner Don Garber indicated that Major League Soccer is considering a major schedule change to align with the FIFA International Match calendar, potentially as soon as the 2026 World Cup, to improve international compatibility and boost domestic viewership.
The 2025 MLS All-Star Team will feature 26 players competing against Liga MX's best on July 23 at Austin FC's Q2 Stadium, with selections made through voting, coaching, and commissioner picks, representing 15 clubs with Lionel Messi, Diego Rossi, and other top talents.
Lionel Messi scored in his return to Inter Miami's lineup, but the team fell 3-1 to Atlanta United. Despite Messi's goal in the 62nd minute, Inter Miami struggled with fatigue from a long road trip, leading to their third loss of the season. Saba Lobjanidze scored twice for Atlanta, and Jamal Thiaré added a third goal. Inter Miami remains in first place in the MLS Eastern Conference, with FC Cincinnati close behind. Messi's participation in the next match against St. Louis City will be decided after Friday's practice.
Apple has released its first sports film shot in Immersive Video format for Apple Vision Pro users, featuring highlights from the 2023 Major League Soccer Cup playoffs with Spatial Audio. The film is available for free in the TV app and joins other Immersive Video content like documentaries. Apple Vision Pro, launched in the US in February, is expected to be available in other countries later this year.
Inter Miami CF has signed Argentine defender Marcelo Weigandt on loan from Boca Juniors through the 2024 Major League Soccer season, with an option to extend the loan for the 2025 season. Weigandt, known for his experience in domestic and international competitions, is set to bolster the team's defense pending the receipt of his P-1 Visa.
In Major League Soccer, Inter Miami shines with a 5-0 win led by Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, while Toronto FC impresses with a 1-0 victory and CF Montréal secures a 2-1 win. The LA Galaxy show promise with a 3-1 win over San Jose, but Orlando City and New York City FC struggle to find their form, failing to score in their first two games and facing performance issues.
Luis Suarez scored his first MLS goals for Inter Miami in their 5-0 victory over Orlando City, and he responded to critics by stating "people in soccer do not have memory." The former Barcelona striker has been managing long-standing knee problems and recently reunited with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami.
Eric Ramsay has been named as the new head coach for Minnesota United FC, joining from Manchester United where he served as a first-team coach. With experience at top clubs and a UEFA Pro License, Ramsay is seen as the ideal candidate to lead the club forward. His background includes coaching roles at Manchester United, Swansea City, and the Welsh National Team, and he is known for his alignment with the club's vision, playing style, and development philosophy.
Major League Soccer's 2024 season kicked off with standout performances from players like Antony, Christian Benteke, and Lionel Messi, leading to the first Team of the Matchday presented by Audi. The team includes notable players such as Brian Gutiérrez, Riqui Puig, and Robin Lod, with Phil Neville as the coach. Additionally, Audi has committed $1 million per season to support MLS Academies through the Audi Goals Drive Progress initiative, contributing $200 for every goal scored in the regular season.
Despite Lionel Messi's late-game magic, the LA Galaxy outplayed Inter Miami, highlighting the challenges of building a team around aging players. Messi's performance showed flashes of brilliance, but also revealed signs of aging, as he struggled to make a significant impact for most of the game. The Galaxy's youthful vitality and dynamic play overshadowed Inter Miami's reliance on retirement-age players, signaling potential challenges for the team as the season progresses in Major League Soccer.
Minnesota United has announced its roster for the 2024 Major League Soccer season opener against Austin FC, with midfielder Franco Fragapane and forwards Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Tani Oluwaseyi no longer occupying international spots due to receiving their U.S. Green Cards. The team's home opener will be against the Columbus Crew, and the roster includes designated players, domestic and international players, as well as those with U.S. permanent residency and on loan or unavailable status.
Apple is entering its second year of streaming Major League Soccer matches as part of a $2.5 billion deal, aiming to attract more fans and money to the 28-year-old league. The "MLS Season Pass" offers a sleek streaming package allowing fans to globally stream every game without blackouts for $14.99 per month or $99 for the season. Apple's efforts include glossy studio shows, expanded coverage, and integration of MLS content across its ecosystem of products and services. While actual viewership numbers are undisclosed, the package reportedly surpassed two million subscribers, with a significant surge after soccer superstar Lionel Messi's debut. Despite potentially low viewership, the $250 million yearly cost for Apple is considered a worthwhile investment to pull people into its ecosystem, given soccer's global popularity and the young demographic MLS attracts.