
St. Louis CITY SC’s Unlikely Surge Propels Playoff Push
From basement dwellers to sixth‑place hopefuls, St. Louis CITY SC is rewriting its narrative with tactical innovation, key player breakthroughs and a clear recruitment vision.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning San Jose Earthquakes across Soccer, Baseball.

From basement dwellers to sixth‑place hopefuls, St. Louis CITY SC is rewriting its narrative with tactical innovation, key player breakthroughs and a clear recruitment vision.
With Nashville SC perched atop the Eastern Conference and FC Cincinnati looking to turn its road woes around, the upcoming showdown promises a clash of contrasting strengths.

The Pilots, ranked sixth nationally, open their 2026 campaign on Aug. 21 at Merlo Field against the California Golden Bears, aiming to build on a record‑breaking 2025 that featured a 14‑2‑4 finish and multiple NCAA Tournament runs.

The San Jose Earthquakes’ appointment of Gavin Wilkinson as a season‑long consultant has ignited criticism over the club’s commitment to safety and accountability, spotlighting a tangled history of past failures.

Gavin Wilkinson, the ex‑president of Portland Timbers and Thorns, has been hired as a consultant by the San Jose Earthquakes to assist head coach Bruce Arena in roster management for the remainder of the year.

The San Jose Earthquakes have appointed Gavin Wilkinson as a consultant to oversee roster management through the end of the current season, placing him under the direction of head coach Bruce Arena. Wilkinson’s recent history includes a brief, tumultuous tenure at Sporting Kansas City and a high‑profile departure from Portland’s soccer leadership following allegations of misconduct.

Robert Lewandowski’s brace, Evander’s 100th contribution and late heroics defined a thrilling round of MLS action.
Major League Soccer has handed down a two‑game suspension and monetary penalties after a heated confrontation that erupted following a hard foul on Columbus Crew forward Taha Habroune.

Son Heung‑min’s two goals in three minutes sparked a 4‑3 victory for the MLS All‑Stars over Liga MX in Charlotte, with Messi watching from the sidelines.

July 2026 saw a record number of American youth and college soccer players receive call‑ups to national teams across six continents, highlighting the growing global footprint of the United States’ developmental pipelines.
The upcoming MLS All-Star Game will pit a star‑studded MLS side against a select Liga MX XI in Charlotte, featuring World Cup veterans, a missing Lionel Messi, and a free Apple TV broadcast.

LAFC secured a 4‑0 victory, extending their scoring streak and climbing to joint‑first in the West.

Veteran Scottish goalkeeper Craig Gordon has announced his retirement following his inclusion in the World Cup squad, closing a career that spanned clubs in Scotland, England and a backup role to Angus Gunn, who recently joined the San Jose Earthquakes in MLS.

A 1‑1 draw between San Jose and LA Galaxy attracted the season’s seventh‑largest audience, highlighting the league’s ambition to capitalize on soccer’s surging popularity in the United States.

A surprise surge of supporters turned San Jose’s San Pedro Square into a festive arena, where the owner of Sushi Confidential said sales eclipsed those of six Super Bowls.

The 2026 MLS All-Star squad was revealed, featuring nine World Cup participants and selections from supporters, Charlotte FC and Commissioner Don Garber. Yet the roster omits several standout performers, sparking debate across the league.

Junior midfielder Lorenzo Avalos, who logged over 1,100 minutes last season, aims to translate his MLS Next captaincy and key plays into a standout year for Villanova.

From interactive games to mascot appearances, the city’s Summer of Soccer series is turning downtown into a vibrant fan zone ahead of the World Cup final

Veteran forward Landon Donovan highlights how escalating youth soccer expenses threaten talent development and calls for a more inclusive system that removes financial barriers for aspiring players.

Lionel Messi will sit out the 2026 MLS All-Star Game without facing suspension, joining Hugo Cuypers, Rodrigo De Paul and Mbekezeli Mbokazi on the sidelines; the league cites World Cup fatigue, and the match will feature stars such as Son Heung‑min, Thomas Müller, Gilberto Mora and Brian Gutiérrez.

Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul will miss the upcoming MLS All-Star match due to recovery from the World Cup, while the league announces four replacements and clarifies that no disciplinary action will be taken.

From academy alumni to high school coaches, the Bay Area grapples with an increasingly expensive pathway to competitive soccer.

During the six‑week FIFA World Cup, San Jose recorded close to one million downtown visits, driven by watch parties hosted with Major League Soccer and the San Jose Earthquakes. The surge revived local businesses, yet large crowds also sparked safety incidents that officials are working to address.

As MLS Matchday 18 approaches, teams battle for positioning ahead of the All-Star showcase in Charlotte, where Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul will sit out, while teenage sensation Julian Hall eyes a breakthrough.