USA

Last year, Darlington Nagbe flicked the ball up to himself and smashed a gorgeous volleyed goal that easily won 2020 MLS Goal of the Year honors. On the first day of the 2021 MLS season, João Paulo one-upped Nagbe with an even better version of the move, a stunning strike that will take some doing to prevent from being the 2021 MLS Goal of the Year.

The Seattle Sounders thrashed Minnesota United 4-0 on opening night in Seattle. The result was surprising given the intensity of the Sounders’ 3-2 stoppage-time win over United in the Western Conference Finals just a few months ago. 

Chris Wondolowski is the greatest goal scorer in MLS history, and he likely will be for some time. But while his finishing ability in the box in unparalleled, so too is his country’s desire to scapegoat him for that one miss against Belgium at the 2014 World Cup. So it’s impossible to ignore another incredible Wondo miss, made in the first game of his 17th MLS campaign on Friday night.

Major League Soccer (MLS) has said that Inter Miami's signing of French World Cup-winning midfielder Blaise Matuidi last year was not in compliance with their roster and budget rules and that the club could face sanctions.

The side co-owned by David Beckham recruited Matuidi on a free transfer after he left Italian champions Juventus in August. The league said last month it would launch a formal review of the deal.

Austin FC has signed a Pulisic, but it’s probably not the one you’re thinking. William Pulisic, cousin of Chelsea star Christian Pulisic, signed a contract with the MLS expansion club a day before the new Texas club makes its debut.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Austin FC also announced it had signed defender Aedan Stanley, who was the club’s third draft pick in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft. Pulisic and Stanley were teammates for a year at Duke University.

Tobin Heath’s season at Manchester United is over, manager Casey Stoney confirmed on Friday, a disappointing end after a second Tobin Heath injury for the USWNT winger. 

Heath had four goals and two assists in eight matches with United since joining (along with Christen Press) in September. She hasn’t played since Dec. 20, a two-goal performance against Bristol City.

Porto scored the goal of the competition during Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg. If you’re looking for the other Chelsea vs. Porto highlights, I’m afraid to tell you that there isn’t much to see. 

The Blues advanced to their first Champions League semifinal in seven years despite Porto winning 1-0 on the night. Chelsea advanced 2-1 on aggregate. 

To provide a taste of how riveting the affair was, here’s a highlight of the first shot on target … in the 64th minute.

Patrick Mullins and Justin Morrow scored in the second half and Toronto FC defeated Mexican club León 2-1 on Wednesday near Orlando, Fla., to advance to the second round of the CONCACAF Champions League 3-2 on aggregate.

Mullins struck first in the 55th minute when teammate Jacob Shaffelburg fed him a low cross into the box and he delivered it into the bottom right corner of the goal.

⚽️ Goal @TorontoFC !