☕️🍀⚽️ Good morning everyone! With March Madness kicking off yesterday, we couldn’t blame you if you had no idea that the USMNT played a semifinal against Jamaica for the CONCACAF Nations League. The boys pulled off a last minute comeback by scoring a 96th minute winner that pushed the game to extra time, eventually winning the game 3-1 to get them to the finals against Mexico. The final is set for this Sunday, March 24th, in what is likely going to feel like an away game for the USMNT as the game is in Dallas, Texas.

Giveaway: Wake up and smell the coffee. Our giveaway will be a $30 gift card for our favorite coffee brand- Kickoff Coffee. As always, each friend that you refer to subscribe to the newsletter is an entry to our raffle. Best of luck!

Business
The breakup heard around the world

💔😯 Adidas will stop being the shirt sponsor in 2027. A 70 year relationship is coming to an end. Adidas and Germany quite possibly the last partnership that we thought to see break up. The German based company seemed shocked by the decision as Germany has decided to partner up with Nike instead. German soccer altogether has been struggling with the balance of tradition and financial sense. There’s sure to be backlash from German fans on this decision but it’s clear that the best proposal from Nike was one that Adidas could not match.

Read the full article here.

Friday’s Recap

Women’s Champions League Quarter-final

UEFA Nations League A- Semi Final

UEFA Nations League B- Semi Final

CONCACAF Nations League A Championship Semi-Final

Transfer News
Real Summer Shake Up

👀⏳️ 🔜 And they call it puppy love, like a highschool newlywed couple, Real Madrid and Kylian Mbappe can’t stop flirting with each other in the hallways. Per Fabrizio, negotiations have been progressing very well. The parties have reached an agreement as to salary requirements, which pairs Kylian’s wages with some of the best players at Real Madrid (Jude and Vini). Parties are currently hashing over imaging rights and sign on bonus. It is only matter of days until the official contract is signed.

• Should Mbappe join Real Madrid this summer, his potential debut could take place against Barcelona at MetLife Stadium August 3rd

• However, Barca President Laporta barked back at the imminent signing, suggesting Mbappe’s salary will distort Real’s dressing room

• Laporta claims they will have to sell a player, as [Real] cannot play two stars in the same place.

😟🫠🛫 Queue Rodrygo Departure, Laporta might be onto something here. Mbappe is going to pull heavy on Real’s wages and salary cap, and big Real exits are inevitable. Having joined Real from Serie A’s Santos at the age of 18, the Real Madrid-Brazil forward recently signed a new extension at Real until 2028 with a reported release clause of one billion euros. The 22-year-old has scored 39 goals in 179 games for Real and also ranked in 18 Brazil caps.

• During his time with Real, he’s won two La Liga titles, the Copa del Rey, UEFA Champions League, the European Super Cup, and the Club World Cup.

• Liverpool are said to be interested in Rodrygo, and have already made contact with Real Madrid

• Rodrygo is reportedly concerned about his place in the team with the arrivals of Mbappe and Endrick soon

• Madrid are expected to demand at least £85M for his transfer

With Mbappe’s arrival, it is likely he will take up the winger position with plenty of space to be the threat he’s known for. However, Rodrygo has been occupying that role, and the writings starting to appear on the wall.

Quick Bites 🍕

Portugal thrash Sweden in Euros warm-up for 11th straight win

Poland to face Wales for Euro 2024 spot after thrashing Estonia

Saka leaves England camp

New rules against fasting in French soccer

Matches to Catch

US Major League Soccer

US NWSL

England WSL

International Friendlies

Banter of the Day

Football, by the fans for the fans

In search of a pub? Ever find yourself in a new city and are desperately searching for a local soccer pub? Who would have thought that the premier league took time out of their day to create a bar finder. There really is nothing better than catching an early premier league game on the weekends with fellow fans of the game, and finding that bar that will actually have the game sound on just got that much easier.

USA Bar Finder. Bar finder, aka Intern Jose’s nickname in college. Easy to use search platform on the premier leagues website. It has most major cities included, and they’re even accepting updates to their list if you email them at [email protected]

Find your local soccer pub here.