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Last week marked a historical night for two MLS clubs in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Inter Miami started the night down one to nothing in the aggregate, with a roster that is out of its prime despite their talent.
Vancouver, on the other hand, has shown that they are no longer a Cinderella but a genuine contender for the Champions Cup, not just for the MLS Cup.
Inter Miami Defied the Odds
LAFC defeated Inter in the first leg of One Nil and jumped to a fast one-goal lead. Most teams would have thrown in the towel, especially a team with aging stars that have to pick and choose when they go all out.
For the first time since Messi joined Inter Miami, we saw nearly a full 90 minutes of him sprinting nearly box to box to bolster his team in the first half.
A wonder goal for Messi to tie the game and a penalty shot towards the end of the game to give them the win in the aggregate was his biggest moment with the Club so far.
This performance by Messi had the soccer world locked in on the Argentinean legend to propel his club to heights we haven’t seen before.
Last year, Inter Miami was knocked out in this round, making it their first appearance in the semi-final.
Vancouver No Longer the Cinderella
The Whitecaps haven’t had a load of success since becoming a club in 2011 with only one top-three finish in the Western Conference.
This drought has expanded to all competitions, they have never been a true threat to win any cup they are eligible including the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
The Champions Cup has traditionally been dominated by Mexican teams. Pumas UNAM has been one of these teams, having achieved historical success by winning the cup three times in its history.
The first Leg was tied at a goal apiece, giving Pumas the home advantage with the advantage in away goals.
Away teams have struggled over the years in this tournament when an American team has traveled to Mexico.
While being down 2-1, Vancouver needed a wonder goal and got one from Tristian Blackmon in extra time.
A celebration soon followed for the Whitecaps as this marks the furthest they have ever been in this competition.
Both Teams Battling With History
The CONCACAF Champions Cup has gone through major changes since it first started in 1962.
In 2008, the tournament became the Champions League, adopting similar rules to Europe.
In 2024, it switched back to the name Champions Cup and expanded the number of teams that will be participating in the Cup.
During this time, only three MLS teams have ever won the Cup.
In 1998, D.C. United became the first MLS team to win it, then followed up two years later by LA Galaxy.
A 22-year-long winning streak for Mexico occurred until the Seattle Sounders FC broke the streak in 2022.
Miami and Vancouver have a chance to etch their names with the very few MLS teams to not just make it this far in the Mexican-dominated tournament but win the Cup for themselves.
All or Nothing for the Cup
Miami’s window for success is only open for a few more years at best, and with an aging roster, every moment for this club is critical.
Messi is aging; that is no secret, when he may call it a career.
Miami have won a Leagues cup and a Supporters Shield so far with Messi with three more Cups to win, The Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, Champions Cup, and the MLS Cup.
Messi’s aging makes this year all the more important.
Winning the Champions Cup this season will cross another milestone off the board and allow Inter to consider their run with Messi a success up to this point.
Before Miami can crown themselves, they will have to fend off a hungry but talented Vancouver squad.
A Successful Season, No Matter the Outcome
No matter the outcome of the semi-finals, Vancouver supporters will always consider this run a success.
The only thing that could take away from the Whitecaps’ success would be a blowout. Miami wins on both Legs.
Vancouver has proven in this young season that they are not just an unexpected underdog in a weak Western conference but one of the best teams in North America, capable of winning the Champions Cup.
More must-reads:
- Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba suspended for skipping MLS All-Star Game
- Los Angeles FC's shrewd transfer moves could make it a contender for MLS trophies
- The 'NBA Summer League MVPs' quiz
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TODAY'S BEST
Sunderland Transfer Target Could Leave Bournemouth as Saudi Club Inquires About €20M-Rated Star
Liverpool-linked midfielder goes AWOL from training; his club are prepared to sell for £35m
One midfielder in whom Liverpool are reportedly interested may have burned his bridges with his current club after going AWOL from training in recent days. The Reds have already enjoyed a blockbuster transfer window which has seen them spend around £250m on new additions such as Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong, and speculation persists over a possible big-money swoop for Alexander Isak. The Swedish striker has fuelled the transfer fire by telling Newcastle chiefs that he wants to ‘consider his options’ this summer and asking not to travel with the Magpies’ squad for their pre-season tour to the Far East. It appears that the 25-year-old isn’t alone in being marked absent amid reported interest from Liverpool. Luiz AWOL from Juventus training amid reported Liverpool interest According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Reds have been keeping tabs on Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz, with Everton and West Ham also considering the possibility of bringing the former Aston Villa man back to the Premier League. The Brazilian failed to report for training on Thursday, with the Turin club now expected to ‘take disciplinary action’ over his unexcused absence. The Bianconeri are seemingly open to selling the 27-year-old for around €40m (£35m), and it’s claimed that his time with the Serie A outfit ‘is set to end’ before the conclusion of the summer transfer window. Liverpool have no real need to go after Luiz right now Luiz was a standout player for Aston Villa during his time in the Midlands, being voted Player of the Season two years ago by teammates and supporters, and then chipping in with nine top-flight goals in helping them to a first Champions League qualification in 2024. Former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant even proclaimed the season before last that the now-Juventus midfielder ‘can do everything’ that Declan Rice can ‘and better’ (talkSPORT), and a couple of years ago he may have seemed like the perfect transfer target for the Reds. That was at a time when we were undergoing an extensive midfield overhaul following the exits of Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, James Milner and others, but right now that part of the squad is delightfully stable at Anfield. Luiz’s failure to turn up for training as reported might also be considered a red flag for FSG, and is in marked contrast to how Luis Diaz has continued to display a positive attitude behind the scenes despite reportedly wanting to leave Liverpool. The 27-year-old’s future might lie away from Turin after his recent misdemeanour, but right now it’s hard to envisage him joining the Reds. A talented player he might well be, but timing counts for a lot in football, and at present he’s not someone we drastically need.
Yankees have finally found their third baseman in Ryan McMahon
After years of speculation and nothing materializing, the New York Yankees have at last acquired third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies, per the New York Post's Jon Heyman. Pitching prospects Griffin Herring and Josh Grosz are headed to the Mile High City in return. They were the number eight and 21st-ranked prospects in the Yankees' farm system, per MLB.com. Given the Yankees' struggles at the third-base position over the last few years, bringing in a guy who was an All-Star in 2024 and will be much more reliable is a win. Former MLB player and current analyst Cameron Maybin certainly believes that, as he was pushing the McMahon-to-New York narrative over the last week and feels it could be a great fit for both sides. "The third baseman they need plays in Colorado...I'm telling you! Defensively more than adequate and Taylor made for the ballpark offensively," Maybin wrote on social media. Maybin went on to mention how McMahon will feel reinvigorated joining a World Series contender like the Yankees after the last six-and-a-half years of being at the bottom in Colorado. The 30-year-old is not having his best season, slugging 16 home runs and 35 RBI with a .217 average through 100 games with the Rockies, per MLB.com stats. However, he's consistently been a 20-plus home run hitter who drives in runs at a strong rate and has a large sample size of doing so. Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez (.252 average, 36 HRs, 86 RBI) has seemed to be No. 1 target for most teams, and for good reason, but given the Yankees' current situation and weaknesses, McMahon made more sense. Not only does he play a better third base, which New York desperately needs, but he has another two years of control after 2025, whereas Suarez would have been a rental. The acquisition cost was nothing crazy, and adding a lefty bat with some power to potentially take advantage of the short porch at Yankee Stadium is always a bonus. Some may not be satisfied until they see McMahon positively impacting the New York Yankees, but rest assured, this is a very solid pickup.
ESPN Predicts Mets-Twins Trade One Week Before Deadline
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76ers unexpectedly waive veteran guard despite career season
The Sixers are waiving Ricky Council IV, the team announced in a press release. Council signed a four-year, partially guaranteed deal with the Sixers in 2024, which contained a team option for the 2026-27 season. Last season, he averaged 7.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 17.1 minutes per night — all career-high numbers. Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports notes that the timing of the move was unexpected, given that Council’s guarantee date is on Jan. 10, 2026, and the team currently has an open roster spot if they need it to add restricted free agent Quentin Grimes. While Council struggled with his three-point shot last season, he emerged as a reliable depth contributor, playing a team-high 73 games while bringing athleticism and energy from the wing positions.
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