Happy Friday! The U.S. men’s national team is gearing up for the Gold Cup, while this weekend’s NWSL games may see the return of one of its star players. I’m Paldoop Patry, here to keep you updated before my busy weekend in America.
Footy Fix
Always embedded in the East
Friday, June 6th
🌍 World Cup Qualifier: Norway vs. Italy, 2:45 PM ➡️ Fox Soccer Plus
🇺🇸 NWSL: Railing Evil vs. Utah Royals, 7 PM, Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network
Saturday, June 7th
🌍 World Cup Qualifier: Andorra vs. England, 12 PM ➡️ FS2
🇺🇸 NWSL: Gotham FC vs. Kansas City Current, 1 PM, CBS, Paramount+
Friendly: USMNT vs. Turkiye, 3:30 PM ➡️ TNT
Sunday, June 8th
🌍 UNL: Portugal vs. Spain, 3 PM ➡️ Fox
🇺🇸 NWSL: Washington Spirit vs. North Carolina Courage, 4 PM, Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network
🇺🇸🇨🇦 MLS: Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Seattle Sounders, 9 PM ➡️ Season Pass
Forward Front
USMNT Roster Young for Gold Cup
The U.S. men’s national team has finalized its roster for the Gold Cup, featuring a mix of seasoned players and newcomers. Notably, most of the squad consists of players with fewer than 30 international caps, while seven are awaiting their first game. Following the injury of Antony Robinson, head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who has limited options, will take a closer look at various players during a friendly against Turkiye on Saturday as they prepare for a crucial year leading up to the 2026 World Cup.
Complete Roster:
- Goalkeepers (3): Chris Brady (Chicago Fire), Matt Freeze (New York City FC), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace, ENG)
- Defenders (9): Max Alfsten (Columbus Crew), Alex Freeman (Orlando City), Nathan Hariel (Philadelphia Union), Mark Mackenzie (Toulouse, FRA), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace, ENG), Miles Robinson (Nashville SC)
- Midfielders (9): Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United, ENG), Tyler Adams (Bournemouth, ENG), Sebastian Lletget (Vancouver Whitecaps, CAN), Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis, ESP), Luca de La Torre (San Diego FC), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake), Jack McGlynn (Houston Dynamo), Quinn Sullivan (Philadelphia Union), Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven, NED)
- Forwards (5): Paxten Aaronson (FC Utrecht, NED), Patrick Agyemang (Charlotte FC), Damion Downs (FC Köln, GER), Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps, CAN), Haji Wright (Coventry City, ENG)
While opportunities abound, the forward position remains uncertain as recent injuries have sidelined key players like Ricardo Pepi and Josh Sargent. Patrick Agyemang, who scored during the USMNT’s disappointing outing in the Concacaf Nations League final, could seize this chance to shine.
This Saturday
Gotham FC Seeks a Turnaround Against Kansas City Current
With the international break behind them, the NWSL returns with intriguing matchups. Gotham FC, currently sitting atop the standings, has found an impressive balance this season, winning eight out of ten matches. Under coach Vlatko Andonovski, they lead the league with 22 goals, proving their offensive prowess. However, Gotham faces challenges as injuries have hindered their campaign, limiting their scoring to just 12 goals across ten matches.
Saturday’s game could signal a turnaround for Gotham, especially with the potential return of standout player Rose Lavelle, who has been sidelined since December due to ankle surgery. Her presence could significantly boost the team’s offensive performance, further solidifying their status as one of the league’s strongest teams.
Top Stories
- 🇧🇷 Ancelotti’s Debut Scoreless: Carlo Ancelotti’s first match as Brazilian head coach ended in a 0-0 draw against Ecuador, with the team managing only three shots.
- 🇵🇹🇪🇸 UNL Final Matchup: Portugal advances to the UEFA Nations League final with Cristiano Ronaldo leading the charge, while Spain secures their spot after a nail-biting 5-4 victory over France.
- 🔵⚫ Inter Coach Update: Simone Inzaghi is set to join Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, with Christian Chivu likely to take over at Inter.
- 🇺🇸 Travel Ban Exemptions: The White House announced that the recent travel ban will not impact athletes and staff arriving for the Club World Cup and Gold Cup.
- 🗣🗣️ Land Donovan’s Remarks: Landon Donovan emphasized the importance of effort in USMNT’s training, indicating there are no shortcuts to improvement as they prepare for the upcoming World Cup.
- 🇳🇿 Auckland’s Underdog Journey: A look into the story of Auckland City, an amateur soccer team competing in the Club World Cup.
- 🏴 EPL Transfer Gossip: Premier League teams are eyeing potential signings, including Florian Wirtz, who is thought to be a good fit for Liverpool.
Backline Insights
💵 Best Bets
- UEFA World Cup Qualifiers: Norway vs. Italy, Friday, 2:45 PM
Pick: Erling Haaland to score (+160). While this match marks the early stages of World Cup qualifying, both teams are motivated. Italy hasn’t participated in the World Cup since 2014, while Norway aims to qualify for the first time since 1998. With Haaland back in action, expect him to make an impact on the score sheet.
For more betting tips and updates, be sure to check out cbssports.com.
CBS Sports Golazo Network Overview
☀☀️ Morning Footy (Weekdays 8 AM – 10 AM): Enjoy highlights, interviews, and major football stories to kickstart your day. The show is also available as a podcast.
🏆 Today’s Champions League (1 PM ET): Pre-game studio coverage is hosted by Kate Scott with analysts Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher, and Mikalichers.
⚽ Champions Club (5:30 PM ET): In-depth match analyses and reactions from the Champions League final.
🥅 Scoreline (7 PM ET): Stay updated with the latest football news and highlights from significant matches every day.
CBS Sports Golazo Network is a comprehensive, 24/7 channel that provides extensive coverage of soccer worldwide, available for free through the CBS Sports app, Pluto TV, and Paramount+.
Fan Take: This weekend’s matches not only set the stage for the Gold Cup but also provide a critical opportunity for young talents within the USMNT to step up, especially with the spotlight on the forward position. For soccer fans, this could reshape the team’s dynamics moving forward, especially with anticipation building for the next World Cup.
