As European clubs continue their preseason tours and MLS shifts its focus to the Leagues Cup, the summer football season is in full swing. Here`s a look at the latest matches and key developments this week.
Upcoming Matches (All times ET)
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Wednesday, July 30
- Leagues Cup: Inter Miami vs. Atlas, 7:30 p.m.
- USL Championship: Hartford Athletic vs. New Mexico United, 8 p.m.
- Friendly: Manchester United vs. Bournemouth, 9:30 p.m.
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Thursday, July 31
- Friendly: Arsenal vs. Tottenham Hotspur, 7:30 a.m.
- Leagues Cup: Cruz Azul vs. Seattle Sounders, 10:30 p.m.
Leagues Cup Underway
The Leagues Cup has returned, with initial matches already played, including Toluca`s penalty shootout victory against reigning champions Columbus Crew. The tournament continues through Wednesday and Thursday, drawing significant attention to Inter Miami as Lionel Messi prepares to welcome another familiar face to South Florida.
Rodrigo De Paul, Lionel Messi`s Argentina national team colleague—affectionately dubbed his `bodyguard`—officially joined Inter Miami over the weekend and is set to debut Wednesday against Atlas. At 31, De Paul isn`t merely winding down his career; he`s expected to bring significant tactical value to Miami, a team aiming for a second Leagues Cup title and their first MLS Cup. Despite potential roster complexities, analyst Chuck Booth highlights De Paul`s strong tactical fit within the squad.
Booth explains: “Adding such a dynamic presence will allow Busquets to play in deeper positions while bolstering the defense. Miami has only managed one clean sheet in their last six matches, and although they won four of those, dropping points when chasing FC Cincinnati, Columbus Crew, and Philadelphia Union could hinder their playoff seeding. De Paul is not just a defensive midfielder; he can also link play and unleash long-range shots, demonstrated by his consistent record of at least eight goals and assists in league play for Atleti over the past three seasons.”
Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba return to the Miami squad after serving a one-game suspension for missing the MLS All-Star Game. Their presence is a significant boost for Inter Miami, not just for their individual skill. While the Leagues Cup gained immense prestige from hosting Messi`s initial games, it also offers a substantial prize: the top three teams qualify for the Concacaf Champions Cup. This makes the tournament crucial for Miami, potentially serving as an alternative route to the CCC if they fail to qualify via MLS league play.
North London Derby in Hong Kong
Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur continue their preseason preparations, clashing in the first-ever North London Derby held outside the UK, at Hong Kong`s Kai Tak Sports Park on Thursday. While preseason bragging rights differ from competitive fixtures, this match provides insight into two clubs with vastly different current standings.
Following three consecutive second-place Premier League finishes, Arsenal aims to finalize a squad capable of securing major titles. Thursday`s game could see manager Mikel Arteta give new forward Viktor Gyokeres his debut, following his $74.2 million transfer from Sporting Lisbon. This is a crucial move as Gyokeres is expected to address Arsenal`s long-standing need for a prolific goalscorer. He scored 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting, while also fitting into the defensive solidity that has defined Arteta`s five-year tenure. Even before Gyokeres` first appearance, Arsenal has assembled a high-caliber squad, prompting a notable admission from rival manager Thomas Frank.
Frank stated: “It`s a huge challenge. Besides being our biggest rivals and the first North London Derby outside the U.K., they are also, unfortunately, one of the best teams in the world right now. We need to be honest. So, it`s going to be a significant test, but it`s more than just a test against Arsenal; it`s not merely a friendly. Of course, it`s a game we`ll do everything we can to win.”
Frank`s assessment holds true: while Arsenal is nearing completion, Tottenham appears far from it. The former Brentford manager is navigating his first somewhat turbulent preseason with Spurs. Despite mixed preseason results not always indicating future performance, their transfer window hasn`t gone smoothly. While they secured Mohammed Kudus from West Ham, they missed out on Morgan Gibbs-White, who chose to extend his contract with Nottingham Forest. Furthermore, Son Heung-min`s potential departure to MLS side LAFC adds to their challenges. This leaves Tottenham feeling somewhat incomplete for Thursday`s match, which, while typical for a preseason friendly or a team with a new manager, raises questions about their potential ceiling for the upcoming season.
Top Football Stories
- England`s Lionesses Celebration: England`s Lionesses were celebrated by approximately 65,000 fans in London following their Women`s Euro victory, highlighting the significant growth and recognition of women`s football in the country since their last title three years prior.
- Latest Transfer News: Joao Felix`s move from Chelsea to Al-Nassr has been graded, and Thomas Muller is reportedly close to joining MLS` Vancouver Whitecaps as a free agent.
- Diaz to Bayern: Luis Diaz`s transfer from Liverpool to Bayern Munich is confirmed, prompting debate on its impact for Arne Slot`s team.
- 2027 Women`s World Cup Outlook: Early predictions place the U.S. Women`s National Team at the top of new power rankings for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, despite strong competition from other credible contenders.
Best Bets
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Leagues Cup: Inter Miami vs. Atlas, Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.
- THE PICK: Lionel Messi to score the game`s first goal (+245) – For the first time since April, Lionel Messi will have more than a week off from competition (due to MLS` controversial suspension for skipping the All-Star Game). Given this freshness, Messi is likely to perform strongly to ensure Inter Miami starts the Leagues Cup well. A goal seems inevitable, and while other Miami players might score, it`s reasonable to predict Messi will be the first.
