Passing

Inter Miami’s narrow 4-3 friendly defeat to Saudi Pro League leaders Al Hilal in Riyadh on Monday was highlighted with Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi’s first goals of 2024.

What needs to be discussed more is the incredible Messi assist vs Al Hilal in the 55th minute to set up youngster David Ruiz.

The Herons were trailing 3-1 in the second half until the 54th minute when Messi finished confidently from the penalty spot to bring his side within one. A minute later the score would be level thanks to a beauty of a goal.

Lionel Messi assist vs Al Hilal

Friday night’s Leagues Cup match between Inter Miami and Cruz Azul was a historical moment for soccer in the United States as Lionel Messi made his amazing debut.

Fans will talk about that night for decades. The night Messi arrived in Major League Soccer.

What isn’t being talked about as much but deserves a spotlight is the performance from Sergio Busquets who also made his Inter Miami debut.

It was only a preseason match against a third division team but Christian Pulisic won't care — he'll just be happy to be starting and contributing again after wasting away at Chelsea.

The 24-year-old American, having just completed his $24.5 million transfer, got the start for AC Milan on Thursday during the club's first fixture of the summer, a matchup against Serie C's Lumezzane at the Milanello Sports Center.

The Concacaf Nations League trophy has only ever known one home, and it's staying put after the USMNT defeated Canada 2-0 on Sunday in Las Vegas to claim their most coveted prize of the summer. 

Canada came into this one with genuine belief that they could claim their first continental crown since the 2000 Gold Cup, but the pressure is now on manager John Herdman after the Americans — led by the interim mind of B.J. Callaghan — nullified their talented attack and provided all the entertainment going the other way.

The United States U-20 team finished top of Group B at the U-20 World Cup on Friday after a 2-0 victory vs. Slovakia making it three wins in three group stage games. Cade Cowell stole the spotlight against Slovakia with several dazzling runs, a brutal miss and a fantastic solo effort.

He was all over the place in his 72 minutes against Slovakia.

Manchester City took a massive step on its journey to a third straight Premier League title by beating relegation-threatened Everton 3-0 at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon.

City midfielder İlkay Gündoğan was man of the match after scoring a stunning opener in the 37th-minute before setting up Erling Haaland for a header just two minutes later. Then, six minutes into the second half, Gündoğan curled home a right-footed free kick beyond the despairing dive of Jordan Pickford to secure all three points for City.  

Trinity Rodman recorded one goal and one assist to spark the Washington Spirit to a convincing 3-1 victory over the visiting San Diego Wave on Saturday afternoon.

Ashley Sanchez and Paige Metayer also scored goals for the Spirit (3-0-3, 12 points), who notched all their tallies in the second half.

Alex Morgan scored a late goal for San Diego (3-3-0, 9 points), which lost its second straight match.