DC United 3, One Knoxville 3 after extra time. One Knoxville win 6-5 on penalties. Scoreline graphic from FotMob.

A big result in the US Open Cup last night as USL League One ('third tier') side One Knoxville knocked out MLS side DC United.

Raphinha went to Ronaldinho's leaving party when he was 7.

22 years later, he knows the pressure that comes with leading Brazil. Dinho succeeded. Raphinha needs to do the same.

Exclusive on (nearly) leaving Barca, the Ballon d'or, and the World Cup:

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I have a not-so-revolutionary theory that USL kits are pretty much the coolest things out there.

Then, I talked to Hummel, the tiny Danish brand behind these things, about how the hell they keep churning out heat

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now THAT would be cinema.

Get Gary in as an assistant while we're here.

True, I suppose. That still leaves a lot of names.

For example - and I say this out of speculation - would Xavi take the gig? Former teammate, supposedly tried to get him back to Barca. But all logic suggests he should get a European job.

Is Messi, MLS, better than whatever he could land there?

This Mascherano replacement hunt for Inter Miami is the best litmus test of how desirable MLS jobs really are. Club is clearly a bit of a mess, but they're also the richest lot out there and have the Messi guy.

In other words: who could want this thing? But isn't it impossible to turn down?

The audacity of Espinoza to not finish after this piece of set up play

I have a not-so-revolutionary theory that USL kits are pretty much the coolest things out there.

Then, I talked to Hummel, the tiny Danish brand behind these things, about how the hell they keep churning out heat

www.goal.com/en-us/lists/...

Update on USL CBA negotiations: recent discussions have focused on player image rights, per sources. Lots of moving parts as meetings continue.

Told that the gap in licensing money - a key issue in negotiations for months - is narrowing.

Talking Tactics: Son Heung-Min isn’t scoring - but here’s how LAFC made him MLS’s most dangerous creator | Goal.com US The Korean is struggling to score goals, but new manager Marc Dos Santos' more expansive system has unlocked his star man's creative abilities

Son Heung-Min isn't scoring goals, but that really doesn't matter. LAFC have a new system. They are yet to concede, and their star man is assisting in bunches.

Words about tactical switches and the goals that are to come:

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Countries with the most non-North American players in MLS:

Brazil (33)
Argentina (32)
Colombia (24)

MLS continues to be a hotbed of South American talent

Hey everyone a new iteration of the Rondo dropped, and it covers a lot of USMNT stuff. There's also other stuff in it, including my fave question thus far...

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Talking Tactics: Christian Pulisic's USMNT inconsistency isn't surprising - it’s just who he is | Goal.com US

Christian Pulisic is inconsistent. He always has been, and perhaps he always will be.

The USMNT just have to accept it.

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Four hours of joy and agony: How a NYC Italian restaurant perfectly captured Italy's heartbreak after missing a third-straight World Cup | Goal.com US Italy failed to qualify for a third straight World Cup on Tuesday, and a gathering in New York City restaurant showed just how painful missing the tournament is.

I went to an Italian restaurant in NYC to watch Italy yesterday. They failed to qualify for *another* World Cup.

This is what it all looked like:

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A promising soccer coach lost his hands due to a rare disease, how Scott Martin’s extraordinary, turbulent life found purpose 30 years later | Goal.com US The Wisconsin-born soccer coach was headed to the top before he had his life turned upside down by a rare condition that saw him lose his hands and part of his feet. But he has rediscovered his purpos...

Scott Martin has prosthetic hands, which really isn't that unusual. He doesn't want to be treated like it is, either.

But why he has them, and what any of this has to do with soccer? Now that's a story.

A tale of turbulence, tragedy and total football:

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USMNT target defensive stability as questions of intensity, aggression linger again ahead of Portugal game The USMNT return to play after Saturday's 5-2 loss to Belgium, an uneven showing in their second-to-last match before Pochettino names the World Cup roster

another #USMNT game day is upon us so it's time to focus on the topic that looms over the team like a dark cloud: intensity and aggression, one that inspired Mauricio Pochettino to name-drop France and a second division Argentine team in the same breath

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Talking Tactics: The USMNT were set up to fail against Belgium - and a calamitous collapse served up more questions than answers | Goal.com US The U.S. broke out a curious system against an elite opponent, and were rightfully punished. What is more concerning, though, is how little Mauricio Pochettino learned about his team as a whole.

4-2-3-1s, Tim Weah at right back, Jeremy Doku being very good and low vibrations: what went wrong for the USMNT, and where do they go from here?

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Antoine Griezmann doesn’t fit Orlando City SC on the pitch - but they still need him | Goal.com US The former France captain and Atletico Madrid legend has always been obsessed with American sports. Moving to Orlando City is a bad fit, but the transfer isn't about soccer.

Antoine Griezmann really wanted to move to America. Orlando City had the money to make it happen.

In theory, it's a pretty poor fit. But it makes perfect sense for a club that could do with looking good right now.

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'Sometimes maybe good, sometimes...' - USMNT can beat anyone, so why do they fall apart in big games? | Goal.com US Progress is clear under Mauricio Pochettino, but against top teams, the USMNT have struggled. Can March’s camp change that?

The USMNT: Sometimes maybe good, sometimes maybe shit.

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BREAKING: Sacramento Republic have unveiled plans for a 20,000 seater stadium, will open in 2028.

Expansion from the initial project that targeted a capacity of 12,000. USL Championship club have not committed to USL Premier League.

In full:

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MLS Winners and Losers: Sam Surridge runs riot, Michael Bradley’s Red Bulls get wake up call as James Rodriguez concerns mount | Goal.com US GOAL breaks down the weekend in MLS, featuring a Red Bull battering, Nashville attacking clinic, and one manager proving he was right all along.

MLS winners & losers, featuring the absurdity of Miami's center backs, the trials of reinventing Red Bull, and the wonderful simplicity of Sam Surridge being very good at football:

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2027 MLS sprint season details dropped:

- Starts in Feb, ends with MLS Cup in May
- 14 regular season games for each team
- Play every Conference team home and away
- Top 8 teams in both conferences qualify for playoffs
- Fall/spring calendar to start in full later that year.

World Cup 2026: ‘It’s a privilege’ — host committees push ahead despite political tensions | Goal.com US The World Cup has brought all sorts of political and logistical problems, but those involved in planning remain committed to putting on a show.

There's a lot of noise around the World Cup at the moment. Political tensions are everywhere. There is talk of funding issues and games getting moved.

It's all valid, but what is it like to be a host committee right now?

I asked:

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More here from the lovely people at Soccerwise

USL players plan protest against US Soccer ahead of U.S. Open Cup amid tense CBA dispute | Goal.com US USL players will wear t-shirts calling for professional standards prior to U.S. Open Cup games Tuesday night, in a coordinated effort to put pressure on the U.S. Soccer amid tense negotiations with th...

I'm told that USLPA, League remain far apart on CBA negotiations as talks drag on. Next bargaining session is on Thursday.

Players wore shirts in protest at Portland Hearts of Pine vs. Vermont Green on Tuesday night.

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'I needed something different' - Timo Werner says he still has plenty to show after blockbuster move to San Jose Earthquakes | Goal.com US The former RB Leipzig, Chelsea and Tottenham man raised a few eyebrows by signing for the Quakes, yet he insists that the club is a perfect spot for him to finish his career.

Timo Werner knows he left Europe for MLS earlier than most. But he rejects the narrative that he's a failure, bolting for the States because there were no other options.

Rather, San Jose might be a perfect fit for him to rekindle some magic.

Exclusive with the German:

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'Two community clubs that were always bound to clash' - Vermont Green vs. Portland Hearts of Pine is USL's dream hipster rivalry in the U.S. Open Cup | Goal.com US Portland Hearts of Pine and Vermont Green are New England's favorite community built clubs, and their meeting in the U.S. Open Cup brings a battle of brands onto the pitch

Portland Hearts of Pine and Vermont Green play in the U.S. Open Cup tonight and that felt like a perfect trendy derby, so I wrote about how “kindred spirits” now want to beat each other.

With input from the locals:

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Subscribe to The Rondo Newsletter | Goal.com US Subscribe to the Rondo

While you're here, a couple of requests:

1) Feel free to subscribe here!

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2) We now have an email to accompany this thing where you can harass me with thoughts/questions/propaganda, and it's goalrondo@gmail.com. Be nice and I might respond to ur email.