Hello! A game-changing chapter in American women’s soccer came to a close with Alex Morgan’s retirement on Sunday, while another important chapter in the American’s men’s game could begin this week. I’m Pardeep Cattry with the latest as another big week begins.
???? Footy fix
All times U.S./Eastern
Monday, Sept. 9
???????? UEFA Nations League: France vs. Belgium, 2:45 p.m. ➡️ FS2
???? Concacaf Nations League: Guatemala vs. Costa Rica, 10 p.m. ➡️ CBS Sports Network, Paramount+
Tuesday, Sept. 10
???????? UEFA Nations League: England vs. Finland, 2:45 p.m. ➡️ FS2
???? World Cup qualifying: Colombia vs. Argentina, 4:30 p.m. ➡️ Fanatiz
???? Friendly: USMNT vs. New Zealand, 7 p.m. ➡️ TNT
???? Concacaf Nations League: Honduras vs. Jamaica, 10 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+
⚽ The Forward Line
1️⃣3️⃣ That’s a wrap for Alex Morgan
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Two-time Women’s World Cup winner Alex Morgan officially retired on Sunday, playing an eventful 13 minutes in a swan song that was in many ways emblematic of the large legacy she leaves behind.
Morgan started the San Diego Wave’s 4-1 loss to the North Carolina Courage, a game in which the visitors got off to a quick start with Haley Hopkins’ fourth minute goal, but offered a chance at a storybook ending for the 35-year-old when the Wave won a penalty six minutes later. Morgan stepped up to take the penalty but the spot kick was saved by Courage goalkeeper Casey Murphy. Morgan did not exit the field before one final goal celebration with a teammate, though, with Kennedy Wesley scoring in the 13th minute.
Her substitution shortly after was marked by hugs from her teammates, some of whom were in tears as well as chants of her name by the 26,000-plus who filled Snapdragon Stadium. It was a far cry from her first home game as a rookie for WPS’ Western New York Flash in 2011, when just over 2,000 people were in attendance. Morgan made history one more time before hanging up her boots — Sunday’s match was simulcast across CBS Sports Network, Paramount+, ESPN2, Amazon Prime Video and NWSL+, the first time multiple U.S. media companies joined forces to broadcast a women’s sports game.
It was a sendoff fitting for Morgan, whose incredible accomplishments on the field were matched by her advocacy for women’s sports off it. Shortly before her final game, Morgan spoke to CBS Sports’ Jenny Chiu about her game-changing impact, which she is more proud of than anything else she accomplished over an impressive 14 year career.
- Morgan: “There was a lot of moments that I feel like I would go out and do or say something that wasn’t the most popular thing or what maybe everyone was doing or saying, but I did everything that I felt in my heart and I believed in. … I think there were times where I wasn’t sure and I saw a little bit of ripple effects here and there, but I think just when I announced my retirement, just seeing the overwhelming love and support and appreciation for what I did and stood for off of the field, it makes it just all worth it because when I look at legacy, I don’t think about all the championships and gold medals and everything that I got on the field, it’s what I stood for off the field and I’m very proud of that.”
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???? Midfield Link Play
???????? USMNT’s woeful summer continues as Pochettino nears hire
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The U.S. men’s national team’s brutal summer took a turn for the worse on Saturday when they lost 2-1 to Canada, renewing questions about the work that needs to be done as the countdown to the 2026 World Cup continues.
Canada took an early lead with Jacob Shaffelburg’s 17th minute goal and doubled the score in the 58th minute through Jonathan David’s strike, and while Luca de la Torre scored for the USMNT eight minutes later, the hosts were unable to mount a comeback. It was ultimately a tale of two contrasting sides — Canada’s first win on U.S. soil since 1957 continued a high-flying start to life with Jesse Marsch, who took them to a fourth place finish in the Copa America after taking the head coach job in May. The USMNT, meanwhile, looked as lost as they did when they crashed out of the Copa America in the group stages, forcing a hard look at the direction of the program.
While Patrick Schulte made a decent impression in goal, few things went right for the USMNT on Saturday. Team selection was an issue against Canada, with veteran center back Tim Ream failing to impress and midfielder Johnny Cardoso unable to make a case for himself while the USMNT’s midfield remains in disarray. While interim head coach Mikey Varas took responsibility for the tactical faults, he admitted the team’s most glaring problem during the Copa America remained an issue on Saturday — their mentality.
- Powers: “With the ball, that’s on me. After three training sessions, I asked a lot of them. On the first goal, that’s on me. Both of those because when you don’t have a lot of time to work and you play a certain way, it creates confusion. The players are going to take responsibility for the quality of action but I eat that one. I think we were too static so my translation of the ideas wasn’t clear enough because you shouldn’t be static and you shouldn’t pass the ball just to pass the ball. You’re trying to accelerate play as quickly as you can, you know? On the other side, the mentality is on the players. Sorry, and they know it. They know it, we speak the truth to each other. I love those guys but they know. The mentality to fight and to run and to sacrifice, I can’t do that for them. I can’t do that for them, that’s on them. So at the end of the day, it’s a combination between all of us together.”
The USMNT have a chance to bounce back on Tuesday when they face New Zealand at Cincinnati’s TQL Stadium, though onlookers might be more focused on who’s in attendance rather than who’s on the pitch. U.S. Soccer is reportedly expected to finally hire Mauricio Pochettino this week, nearly a month after he agreed to take the vacant head coach job. U.S. Soccer’s board of directors met on Sunday night to approve the hire, per ESPN, which has been held up by negotiations between Pochettino and his former employer Chelsea over wages the manager is owed after leaving the Premier League club in May.
It is unclear whether or not Pochettino will be in Cincinnati to see or meet with his new team on Tuesday before taking charge of his first game next month, when the USMNT take on Panama at Austin’s Q2 Stadium. The hire will deliver a dose of positive energy during a summer to forget for the national team, but the last several months offer a stark reminder that Pochettino will inherit a deeply imperfect team once he finally takes over. As important as a top-tier manager will be for their chances to impress at the World Cup in two years’ time, the players will have to deliver in equal measure to make it happen — and they will need to show they are up for the task sooner rather than later if they are to live up to the hype.
???? Top Stories
???????? USMNT post-mortem: Ahead of the USMNT’s game against New Zealand, here’s a look at the players who need to step up before the international window comes to a close.
???????? Holy blue: France’s 3-1 loss to Italy on Friday adds to an already disappointing summer for Les Bleues, which forces the question: How low can they go?
????️ Hayes on coaching: USWNT head coach Emma Hayes criticized the power brokers in men’s soccer for failing to hire female coaches, which she said “just shows you ow much work there is to be done.”
⚽???? Rodman’s slam dunk: Trinity Rodman celebrated her goal in the Washington Spirit’s 2-1 win over the Portland Thorns by mimicking a slam dunk and high-fiving Earvin “Magic” Johnson, who became a minority investor in the team on Thursday.
???? Wilfried Nancy’s criticism: Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy hits out at MLS’ rules around national team call-ups after having just one goalkeeper available this weekend, when they lost 4-0 to the Seattle Sounders after he was sent off.
???? The Back Line
???? Best bets
- UEFA Nations League: France vs. Belgium, Monday, 2:45 p.m.
???? THE PICK: Kylian Mbappe to score (+130) — France’s international break did not get off to a positive start with their loss to Italy, but a game against a sometimes underwhelming Belgium could offer the reset they need. Count on Kylian Mbappe to be their best chance at scoring, especially as Les Bleues hope to get back to winning ways after a disappointing summer at the Euros. - UEFA Nations League: England vs. Finland, Tuesday, 2:45 p.m.
???? THE PICK: England to win 2-0 (+470) — While the search continues for Gareth Southgate’s successor, England’s aim for this international break is to stay steady, which they were with a 2-0 win over Ireland on Saturday. Expect a matching result on Tuesday when they prove why they’re the heavy favorites against Finland at Wembley Stadium, regardless of the lineup interim manager Lee Carsley goes with.
For more picks, predictions, expert tips and the latest betting news, don’t miss out on CBSSports.com’s betting home page.
???? What’s on CBS Sports Golazo Network
☀️ Morning Footy (Weekdays 8-10 a.m.): Hosts Susannah Collins, Charlie Davies, Nico Cantor and Alexis Guerreros help fans get their day started on the network’s flagship morning show with highlights, interviews and the biggest soccer storylines. Morning Footy is also available in podcast form, so you’ll never have to miss an episode.
3️⃣ Attacking Third (Monday, Thursday): The leading women’s soccer podcast and social brand is now a live studio show. The NWSL season is back and our coverage of the women’s game is stronger than ever. Our analysts will be breaking down the USWNT, NWSL and European domestic season all year long. And don’t miss Wednesday live streams on YouTube at 11 a.m. ET.
⚽ Call it What You Want (Monday night): A weekly podcast where Jimmy Conrad, Charlie Davies and friends cover all things USMNT and the state of the beautiful game in the United States. You can also catch the show streaming live on YouTube every Monday at 11 a.m. ET.
???? Scoreline (Daily): Scoreline is the newest place for fans to catch up on all the biggest news and results impacting global football, match highlights from the top soccer competitions and all the can’t-miss goals from the day’s action, starting Thursday and airing seven days a week.
???? How to watch: CBS Sports Golazo Network is a free 24/7 channel exclusively dedicated to offering unparalleled coverage of all the top soccer competitions worldwide. You can stream for free on the CBS Sports app, Pluto TV and Paramount+.
