The U.S. men`s national team is getting ready for the Gold Cup with important friendly matches on the horizon. This weekend also features exciting NWSL games, potentially seeing the comeback of a key player. Here`s an overview of the upcoming weekend in U.S. soccer.
📺 Upcoming Matches
All times U.S./Eastern
-
Friday, June 6
- World Cup Qualifiers: Norway vs. Italy, 2:45 p.m. ET
- NWSL: Racing Louisville vs. Utah Royals, 7 p.m. ET
-
Saturday, June 7
- World Cup Qualifiers: Andorra vs. England, 12 p.m. ET
- NWSL: Gotham FC vs. Kansas City Current, 1 p.m. ET
- Friendly: USMNT vs. Turkey, 3:30 p.m. ET
-
Sunday, June 8
- Nations League: Portugal vs. Spain, 3 p.m. ET
- NWSL: Washington Spirit vs. North Carolina Courage, 4 p.m. ET
- MLS: Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Seattle Sounders, 9 p.m. ET
⚽ Team News
🇺🇸 USMNT Selects Young Squad for Gold Cup
The official roster for the U.S. men`s national team participating in the Gold Cup has been announced. It combines a few experienced players with a largely young and inexperienced group. Only six players have more than 30 international appearances; seven players are uncapped.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino`s selection strategy is influenced by the absence of several key players. Antonee Robinson is injured, Christian Pulisic chose not to participate after a demanding club season, and Weston McKennie, Timothy Weah, and Gio Reyna are involved in the Club World Cup. Consequently, the Gold Cup and the preceding friendly matches against Turkey and Switzerland represent a crucial opportunity for Pochettino to evaluate a broad range of players as the team prepares for the 2026 World Cup.
Here is the full roster:
- Goalkeepers (3): Chris Brady (Chicago Fire), Matt Freese (New York City FC), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace/ENG)
- Defenders (9): Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Alex Freeman (Orlando City), Nathan Harriel (Philadelphia Union), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse/FRA), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace/ENG), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), John Tolkin (Holstein Kiel/GER), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC)
- Midfielders (9): Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United/ENG); Tyler Adams (Bournemouth/ENG), Sebastian Berhalter (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 Koln/GER), Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps/CAN), Haji Wright (Coventry City/ENG)
Opportunities abound across the squad, particularly in the forward position. The USMNT has frequently rotated players in the striker role for several years. Folarin Balogun was establishing himself, with Ricardo Pepi as a backup. However, both are absent from the Gold Cup due to injury. Additionally, Josh Sargent was not selected, a decision Pochettino termed a `football decision`.
This situation leaves the striker position uncertain, creating a chance for a player in the Gold Cup squad to step up. Patrick Agyemang is noteworthy, having scored the team`s only goal during their poor performance in the Concacaf Nations League finals in March. Brian White aims to carry his strong MLS scoring record into the national team, being one of the most productive American forwards in the league lately.
🔗 League Action
🗽 Gotham FC Seeks Improvement Against Top Side Kansas City Current
Following the international break, the NWSL season resumes this weekend with several compelling matches. A key fixture is the game between Kansas City Current and NJ/NY Gotham FC.
Last season, these two teams were among the top four and reached the playoff semifinals, but their performance this year has differed. After 10 games, the Current are in first place, showing excellent form with eight wins. Coach Vlatko Andonovski`s team maintains its attacking style and leads the league in scoring with 22 goals, contributed by various players including 2024 NWSL MVP Temwa Chawinga (six goals), Debinha (five), and Bia Zaneratto (three).
Crucially, they have significantly improved defensively, conceding only seven goals in 10 games this season compared to 15 at the same point last year. This strong defense has helped them neutralize opposing attackers.
On Saturday, they face Gotham, a team with inconsistent league results this season, although they recently made history by winning the first Concacaf W Champions Cup. Gotham`s league performance has been affected by injuries. Emily Sonnett and Jess Carter have covered at center-back due to Tierna Davidson`s absence, and rookie Sarah Schupansky played in attacking midfield while Rose Lavelle was unavailable.
This is reflected in their results: Gotham, typically strong defensively, has conceded 10 goals in 10 league matches and scored only 12, with seven scored by Esther Gonzalez.
Saturday`s game could be significant for Gotham, as Rose Lavelle might return to play her first match of the season. The World Cup winner has been sidelined since December following ankle surgery. Her potential return is expected to boost the attack for the 2023 NWSL champions. Last season, despite missing early games with a leg injury, she scored eight goals and provided an assist, contributing to Gotham becoming one of the league`s top attacking sides.
🔗 Top Stories
💰 Betting Insights
💵 Betting Tips
-
UEFA World Cup Qualifying: Norway vs. Italy, Friday, 2:45 p.m. ET
💰 Prediction: Erling Haaland to ScoreThis early World Cup qualifier is crucial for both teams seeking qualification. While the match odds are close, Norway has Erling Haaland back. Expect him to score as he tries to help his team reach the World Cup for the first time since 1998.
📺 Featured Content
📺 Programming Guide
☀️ Morning Footy (Weekdays 8-10 a.m. ET): A daily morning show covering major soccer news, highlights, and interviews. Also available as a podcast.
☀️ Morning Footy (10 a.m. ET): Special edition of the morning show for pre-game coverage. Also available as a podcast.
🏆 Champions League Today (1 p.m. ET): Pregame studio analysis for the Champions League final with expert panel.
⚽ The Champions Club (5:30 p.m. ET): Live reactions and analysis after the Champions League final match.
🥅 Scoreline (7 p.m. ET): Daily program summarizing global football news, results, highlights, and goals. Airs seven days a week.
📺 How to watch: The channel offers free 24/7 coverage of top soccer competitions. It can be streamed on various platforms.
