What We're Reading - Soccer America Trump envoy pushes for Italy instead of Iran ... Lamine Yamal hamstring injury ... Fans skipping World Cup.

What We're Reading Thursday
• Trump envoy seeks to replace Iran with Italy at World Cup, says Financial Times report (Reuters)
• An unintended consequence of U.S. immigration policy: Some fans are skipping the World Cup in the U.S.: Vivian Song (CNN)

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Congratulations to the readers who answered all five questions correctly in Soccer America Trivia Contest #11.
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Your World Cup 2026 ticket guide - Soccer America A new batch of World Cup tickets to all 104 matches will go on sale via FIFA’s website “on a first-come, first-served basis” on Wednesday at 11 a.m. ET.

Your World Cup 2026 ticket guide
• Last-Minute Sales Phase: A first-come-first-served sale to general public.
• Resale tickets from successful purchasers are available on FIFA’s marketplace.
• Hospitality package sales continue.

www.socceramerica.com/how-to-buy-w...

The Soccer America Library - Soccer America The 2026 World Cup has sparked an unprecedented amount soccer publishing.

The 2026 World Cup has sparked an unprecedented amount of soccer publishing. Check out the Soccer America Library for books by category along with excerpts and reviews.

www.socceramerica.com/the-soccer-a...

Soccer America Trivia Contest - Soccer America From now through June 8, Soccer America will publish a series of trivia quizzes, with multiple chances to win a free annual subscription.

Play Soccer America Trivia. Easy. Five cool World Cup trivia questions. Great prize each week. Bonus… if you’ve never read Soccer America, you'll get our World Cup newsletter. Free!
socceramerica.com/trivia/

Steve Cangialosi on the play-by-play craft, his role models, and MLS on Apple TV - Soccer America Steve Cangialosi is in his fourth season as play-by-play announcer for Major League Soccer broadcasts on Apple TV.

Tim McCarver kept a card with the word, "because." Because that was the key phrase, and it reminded him of why he was there.

He’s not there to tell you WHATs happening. He’s there to tell you WHY it’s happening.

Steve Cangialosi and @johnshrader.bsky.social

www.socceramerica.com/steve-cangia...

Steve Cangialosi on the play-by-play craft, his role models, and MLS on Apple TV - Soccer America Steve Cangialosi is in his fourth season as play-by-play announcer for Major League Soccer broadcasts on Apple TV.

SA's John @johnshrader.bsky.social catches up with #MLS on #AppleTV announcer Steve Cangialosi.

He reveals the ideal broadcast ratio of play-by-play to color commentary and addresses rumors of Robert Lewandowski joining @chicagofire.bsky.social this summer.

www.socceramerica.com/steve-cangia...

What We're Reading - Soccer America What our editors have noted.

More of What We're Reading Tuesday
• Columbus council OK's $25M women's soccer deal with last‑minute update: Jordan Laird (Columbus Post-Dispatch)
• Spokane to host Egypt's soccer team as World Cup base camp: Angela Jara (kxly.com)(kxly.com)

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What We're Reading - Soccer America What our editors have noted.

What We're Reading Tuesday
• Big-city politicians are starting to worry about the World Cup By Daniel Miller, Ry Rivard (Politico)
• How the Rapids lobbied MLS for a visit from Lionel Messi By Alex Silverman (Sports Business Journal 🔒)

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World Cup 2026: Transportation options at the 11 U.S. venues - Soccer America Tens of millions of dollars are being spent to get transportation systems ready to take fans to the World Cup's 104 games.

World Cup transportation options
• Mass transit pricing varies widely by host city.
• Some public parking will be limited or nonexistent, & very expensive.
• All 11 U.S. venues are NFL stadiums.
• SA's @pkedit.bsky.social lays out transportation details here.

www.socceramerica.com/world-cup-20...

Earthquakes are thriving with a 'very, very Bruce-esque' approach - Soccer America The San Jose Earthquakes’ intent in its near-the-top-of-the-table showdown at Los Angeles FC was not to send a message.

“Off the field it’s even more fun. …We mess around with each other. He has good banter, Bruce does, and it’s more relaxed. I feel like we have more freedom, and he gives us that freedom, and it’s really nice as a player to have that."
— #Quakes74 Daniel Munie

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Sammy Sadovnik on his Emmy nomination for MLS play-by-play and prepping for 2026 World Cup radio with Carlos Bilardo's words on his mind - Soccer America Sadovnik is in his fourth year as the lead play-by-play voice for Apple TV’s presentation of Major League Soccer, after 17 seasons with Telemundo and five years at Gol TV.

“You can say that about a lot of immigrants in this country. It’s a beautiful country and that’s one of the reasons why. The mix enriches everybody and enriches the culture.”
— FDPRadio's Alejandro Gutman on Sammy Sadovnik, with SA's @johnshrader.bsky.social

www.socceramerica.com/sammy-sadovn...

Sammy Sadovnik on his Emmy nomination for MLS play-by-play and prepping for 2026 World Cup radio with Carlos Bilardo's words on his mind - Soccer America Sadovnik is in his fourth year as the lead play-by-play voice for Apple TV’s presentation of Major League Soccer, after 17 seasons with Telemundo and five years at Gol TV.

“Carlos Bilardo, the former World Cup championship coach from Argentina, who used to work with us here, said ‘you don’t sleep in the World Cup, you have to prepare, watch all the games.’ I always remember what he said.”
— Sammy Sadovnik

@johnshrader.bsky.social
www.socceramerica.com/sammy-sadovn...

Earthquakes are thriving with a 'very, very Bruce-esque' approach - Soccer America The San Jose Earthquakes’ intent in its near-the-top-of-the-table showdown at Los Angeles FC was not to send a message.

“We have only one DP. We have a lot of roster space. And we have a lot of GAM. So we have a chance to get a little better bringing in one or two players."
— #Quakes74 coach Bruce Arena, with SA's Scott French

www.socceramerica.com/earthquakes-...

Still More of What We're Reading Monday
• 'Thank you, Marcus’: Hundreds celebrate life of longtime SSU soccer coach: Kienan O'Doherty (Press Democrat)
• The decades-long internal takeover and exploitation of Rainbow Soccer: Keya Mahajan (Daily Tar Heel)

www.socceramerica.com/newsletter/m...

More of What We're Reading Monday
• The U.S. private credit firm betting on a lucrative World Cup trade: Michelle Chan (Financial Times)
• Most NWSL players currently oppose potential calendar switch: Jeff Kassouf (ESPN)

www.socceramerica.com/newsletter/m...

Soccer America Trivia Contest - Soccer America From now through June 8, Soccer America will publish a series of trivia quizzes, with multiple chances to win a free annual subscription.

We have a great #SoccerAmericaTrivia contest this week. Quiz #11: USA-Mexico (2-0) at 2002 World Cup! If you were in Jeonju or stayed up to watch the game, you should definitely take it. #USMNT

www.socceramerica.com/trivia/

World Cup train price to Meadowlands ($150 round-trip) touches off a political firestorm - Soccer America The public transportation plan for the eight World Cup 2026 matches at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, has been released.

"This increases concerns of congestion, late arrivals, and creates broader ripple effects that ultimately diminish the economic benefit and lasting legacy…from hosting the World Cup.”
— FIFA WC26 COO on $150 train fares, normally $12.90

@pkedit.bsky.social
www.socceramerica.com/world-cup-tr...

World Cup train price to Meadowlands ($150 round-trip) touches off a political firestorm - Soccer America The public transportation plan for the eight World Cup 2026 matches at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, has been released.

If NJ Transit gets 40,000 riders to buy $150 round-trip tickets for each of the eight MetLife Stadium games, it will cover the $48 million bill.

SA's @pkedit.bsky.social provides details here.

www.socceramerica.com/world-cup-tr...

Earthquakes are thriving with a 'very, very Bruce-esque' approach - Soccer America The San Jose Earthquakes’ intent in its near-the-top-of-the-table showdown at Los Angeles FC was not to send a message.

Unquestionably the most important coach in USA soccer history, Arena is weaving in #Quakes74 some of that magic we saw at #VamosUnited, with the #LAGalaxy, at #NERevs, earlier at #UVA, and, of course, with the #USMNT.

SA's Scott French tells all about it here.

www.socceramerica.com/earthquakes-...

Earthquakes are thriving with a 'very, very Bruce-esque' approach - Soccer America The San Jose Earthquakes’ intent in its near-the-top-of-the-table showdown at Los Angeles FC was not to send a message.

In a league dominated by foreign talent, Arena has focused on American players, mostly college product, a lot of it NorCal-developed. Eight of his starters Sunday played #NCAA ball.

SA's Scott French on the 7-1-0 #Quakes74 decisive 4-1 romp over #LAFC.

www.socceramerica.com/earthquakes-...

What We're Reading Monday
• Why a July 4 of soccer, sailors and Swift already has New York officials on edge.: RI Rivard (Politico)
• NYC may rename 2 streets for soccer legends to gear up for World Cup — but there’s a catch: Nicole Rosenthal (NY Post)

www.socceramerica.com/newsletter/m...

World Cup host Los Angeles: Through the eyes of Scott French - Soccer America “Los Angeles” is three things: a city, a county, and a metropolitan area of 20 million spread through 300 cities and communities over 5,000-square miles across five counties pockmarked by mountains, h...

Consummate LA tour guide Scott French
recommends:
• LA County Museum of Art
• The Museum of Contemporary Art
• The Getty Museum
• Norton Simon Museum
• Hammer Museum
• Museum of Latin American Art
• Exposition Park
• California Science Center
• The Huntington

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World Cup host Los Angeles: Through the eyes of Scott French - Soccer America “Los Angeles” is three things: a city, a county, and a metropolitan area of 20 million spread through 300 cities and communities over 5,000-square miles across five counties pockmarked by mountains, h...

This is, at its heart, a Mexican city, a Mexican region, and its deepest loyalties in this sport reach south of the border.

None of Greater LA's eight pro soccer teams are anywhere near as popular here as Club America and Chivas de Guadalajara.

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Top 5 games this weekend: Tracking USMNT World Cup hopefuls — and an American coach — in Spain, France, Italy and MLS - Soccer America This weekend ahead is full of top U.S. national team players trying to continue great form, or trying to snap out of funks, ahead of the World Cup. But the top story also features a coach from New Jer...

SMNT WEEKEND WATCH
Juventus (Weston McKennie) vs. Bologna, Serie A
Sunday, April 19, 2:45 pm ET Paramount+, Fox Deportes

SA's Brian Sciaretta declares it remains critical to the U.S. national team for McKennie to be in good form heading into the World Cup.

www.socceramerica.com/top-5-games-...

World Cup host Los Angeles: Through the eyes of Scott French - Soccer America “Los Angeles” is three things: a city, a county, and a metropolitan area of 20 million spread through 300 cities and communities over 5,000-square miles across five counties pockmarked by mountains, h...

Griffith Park, a mountainous urban wilderness five times the size of NYC Central Park, encompasses the Griffith Observatory, LA Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Autry Museum of the American West, Greek Theatre, & over 50 miles of hiking trails.

Scott French reports'
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World Cup host Los Angeles: Through the eyes of Scott French - Soccer America “Los Angeles” is three things: a city, a county, and a metropolitan area of 20 million spread through 300 cities and communities over 5,000-square miles across five counties pockmarked by mountains, h...

Hard to get more “LA” than a night at the Hollywood Bowl, which has 10 events during the month of SoFi games, including jazz and reggae fests, Fourth of July with the Beach Boys, and “The Classical World Cup,” with the LA Philharmonic.

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Top 5 games this weekend: Tracking USMNT World Cup hopefuls — and an American coach — in Spain, France, Italy and MLS - Soccer America This weekend ahead is full of top U.S. national team players trying to continue great form, or trying to snap out of funks, ahead of the World Cup. But the top story also features a coach from New Jer...

#USMNT WEEKEND WATCH
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Lyon (Tanner Tessmann), Ligue 1
Sunday, April 19, 2:45 pm ET BeIN Sports, BeIN Sports en Espanol

SA's Brian Sciaretta contends Tessmann needs to be back to where he was when Lyon was winning 13 games in a row.

www.socceramerica.com/top-5-games-...

Top 5 games this weekend: Tracking USMNT World Cup hopefuls — and an American coach — in Spain, France, Italy and MLS - Soccer America This weekend ahead is full of top U.S. national team players trying to continue great form, or trying to snap out of funks, ahead of the World Cup. But the top story also features a coach from New Jer...

#USMNT WEEKEND WATCH
Auxerre vs. Monaco (Folarin Balogun), Ligue 1
Sunday, April 19, 9:00 am ET BeIN Sports, BeIN Sports en Espanol

SA's Brian Sciaretta notes that Balogun has scored nine goals in his last nine games, with several against top teams.

www.socceramerica.com/top-5-games-...

World Cup host Los Angeles: Through the eyes of Scott French - Soccer America “Los Angeles” is three things: a city, a county, and a metropolitan area of 20 million spread through 300 cities and communities over 5,000-square miles across five counties pockmarked by mountains, h...

ENJOY Scott French's LA EATS

Burgers: Lucky Boy
Novelty hot dogs: Pink’s
Jewish delis: Canter’s, Langer’s
French Dip: Philippe’s
Pastrami: The Hat
Italian: Dan Tana’s
Armenian: Zankou Chicken
Mexican: El Tepeyec Cafe, Guelaguetza
Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles

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