Leadership
Written by James Trance
InternationalJustin Ellis supplied the breakthrough and Brian Schwake earned a clean sheet in his first international start as the United States closed its October camp with a 1–0 win over Canada.
SoccerMajor League Soccer has confirmed the key dates and structure for its 18-team postseason, ending with MLS Cup on December 18.
InternationalThe Liga MX powerhouse will visit Sports Illustrated Stadium for a November 14 friendly against Red Bull New York.
SoccerLiverpool has been named in one report, but a separate ESPN report leaves the potential destination unidentified as Gilberto Mora approaches his 18th birthday.
SoccerAngel City extended its unbeaten run to seven matches after Taylor Suarez scored in stoppage time to earn a 1-1 draw at Gotham FC.
CommunityA World Cup youth program brings children from refugee and host communities into the same football experience.
SoccerOakland held Colorado Springs to a 0–0 draw on October 3, earning a road point as the regular season enters its final stretch.
SoccerA special-edition jersey draws from Dallas’s landscape ahead of an international friendly against Chivas Femenil.
SoccerThe Wave secured another postseason appearance while Racing Louisville welcomed Savannah DeMelo back after more than a year away.
InternationalCavan Sullivan became the youngest scorer in USMNT history as the United States beat Mexico 3-0 behind goals from two teenage starters.
EntertainmentZach Bryan drew 73,538 fans to Gillette Stadium, setting a new attendance record for any event held at the venue.
CultureValdas Dambrauskas used winnings from a Lithuanian quiz show to help fund a move to England and chase a coaching career. More than two decades later, that decision took him to the Champions League with Sabah.
CollegeFlorida climbed from No. 21 to No. 8 in the AP Top 25 after a commanding 52–28 victory over No. 4 Ole Miss.
SoccerAtlanta City FC officially revealed its name, crest and colors as the new NWSL club prepares to begin play in 2028.
SoccerNWSL playoff race tightens as final postseason spots remain up for grabs
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College
FashionLamine Yamal brings his relaxed off-field style to American Eagle through a new collection featuring oversized denim, cargo pants and everyday streetwear.
MLSDejan Joveljić scored twice in his Sounders debut, but Chicago Fire answered twice to earn a 2-2 draw at Lumen Field.
MLSEighteen-year-old Julian Hall has committed his future to the New York Red Bulls after emerging as one of MLS’s most exciting young forwards.
NWSL
MLSInter Miami is turning to former Argentine international Cristian “Kily” González to lead the club through its next chapter.
InternationalClub América and Chivas will bring Mexico’s biggest rivalry to the Oakland Coliseum for a special international friendly on October 4.
NWSLTrinity Byars produced two goals and two assists as the NWSL’s biggest performers stepped forward during Matchweek 18.
Leagues CupDíber Cambindo scored twice as Club León eliminated Real Salt Lake with a commanding 3–0 quarterfinal victory.
USLThree goals across two matches moved Phoenix Rising forward Ihsan Sacko level at the top of the USL Championship scoring chart.
MLSSeattle has acquired MLS Cup-winning striker Dejan Joveljić from Sporting Kansas City in a major $6 million trade.
MLSSan Jose’s early-season momentum continues to fade as defensive struggles and inconsistency lead to another disappointing result against St. Louis.
Leagues CupNYCFC’s Leagues Cup run came to an end after Necaxa erased a first-half deficit and completed a 2-1 comeback in New Jersey.
Leagues CupChicago Fire edged Cruz Azul 2-1 in dramatic fashion, with Puso Dithejane scoring a stoppage-time winner to send the Fire into the Leagues Cup knockout stage.
Leagues CupToluca returned to BMO Stadium with a familiar opponent standing across from them.
CultureOnce reserved for matchdays, soccer jerseys have escaped the stadium and entered an entirely different arena: American streetwear.
SoccerOakland Roots and Sacramento Republic closed the Coliseum chapter of their regional rivalry as Sacramento claimed a 3–1 victory in East Oakland.
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EntertainmentThe Dreamville rapper delivered a career-spanning performance in Miami as Culture Wave captured the night from inside Kaseya Center.
InternationalCape Verde has emerged as one of Group H’s biggest surprises, earning draws against Spain and Uruguay to stay alive in the race for the knockout stage. After holding Spain scoreless and later fighting back for a 2-2 result against Uruguay, Cape Verde has shown it can compete against some of the strongest teams in the group. Their final match against Saudi Arabia now gives them a chance to turn a strong start into a historic World Cup breakthrough.
InternationalThe USMNT is no longer playing like a team hoping to survive the World Cup — they’re playing like a team that believes it can make history.
InternationalBelgium entered the World Cup with the reputation of a contender, but through two matches, that reputation has been tested. After draws against Egypt and Iran, Belgium is still searching for its first win and the attacking sharpness that once defined its golden generation.
The CurrentIn this debut episode, Cruz Medina’s move to CD Tapatío is more than a career step — it’s a story of growth, faith, and learning how to chase a dream away from home.
InternationalQatar and El Salvador played to a 0–0 draw in Los Angeles, with both sides showing defensive discipline but struggling to find the final touch in attack.
InternationalScotland scored four first-half goals in a dominant 4–0 win over Bolivia, giving Steve Clarke’s squad a major confidence boost before the World Cup.
InternationalHarry Kane scored just before halftime as England defeated New Zealand 1–0 in a World Cup warm-up match in Tampa.
InternationalPortugal defeated Chile 2–1 in a heated friendly, with Gonçalo Guedes and Bruno Fernandes scoring before a late Chile goal.
InternationalSophia Wilson scored early, but Brazil responded with two quick first-half goals to defeat the USWNT 2–1 in São Paulo.
InternationalEndrick came off the bench to score the winner as Brazil defeated Egypt 2–1 in Cleveland, closing out its final World Cup tune-up with a hard-fought victory.
InternationalThe USMNT showed fight in a 2–1 loss to Germany at Soldier Field, with Antonee Robinson scoring a stunning volley in the team’s final match before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
NWSLGotham FC continued its strong run of form with a 1–0 win over the Houston Dash, powered by an early goal from rookie forward Jordynn Dudley. The victory gave Gotham another clean sheet and extended its unbeaten league streak, closing out the first half of the NWSL season with confidence and control.
InternationalThe United States begin their final World Cup tune-up stretch with a difficult matchup against one of Africa’s strongest sides.
NWSLA late stoppage-time strike from Sophia Wilson gave Portland a dramatic 2-1 road win over Angel City FC at BMO Stadium, closing out a chaotic match that looked headed toward a quieter finish until the final 15 minutes exploded.
InternationalAfter already taking control in the first leg, Toluca left no room for a Galaxy comeback in Carson.
U.S. Open CupTwo players tied to the club’s Earthquakes II pipeline found the net as San Jose handled business in Open Cup play.
U.S. Open CupFC Naples made Orlando City work for everything, but the Lions did just enough to move on in a tense Round of 32 battle.
InternationalThe U.S. Women’s National Team opens a three-match April series at PayPal Park on Saturday, with San Jose set to host one of women’s soccer’s best rivalries once again.
NWSLBay FC held firm for much of the afternoon, but a second-half own goal and a late finish from Gift Monday gave the Washington Spirit a 2-0 road win in San Jose.
InternationalJorge Sánchez scored from a corner in the first half, Dodi Lukebakio answered seconds after the restart, and both sides rotated heavily with World Cup roster decisions looming.
InternationalDanilo opened the scoring after a Vinícius Jr. run, Croatia equalized late, then Brazil answered immediately with an Igor Thiago penalty and a stoppage-time Martinelli finish to close out the win.
InternationalDésiré Doué scored his first two senior goals, Marcus Thuram added a header, and France handled Colombia in front of 60,734 at Northwest Stadium.
InternationalPortugal scored in both halves to beat the USMNT 2-0 in Atlanta, sending Mauricio Pochettino’s side into the final stretch before roster decisions with back-to-back losses and continued questions around finishing and form.
SoccerOakland Roots were minutes away from a perfect 3-0 start to the USL Championship season. Instead, a late Phoenix Rising surge forced a 2-2 draw Saturday night, ending Oakland’s 100% record but keeping the Roots undefeated at 2-0-1 through three matches.
InternationalPayPal Park gets an in-season international night this Wednesday, March 25 (7:30 p.m. PT) when Cruz Azul faces Atlético Nacional in a club friendly in San Jose.
NWSLAngel City FC went into PayPal Park and took a 3-1 win Saturday, jumping out early and holding off Bay’s second-half response to stay unbeaten through two matches. Bay FC, coming off an opening-week win over expansion Denver Summit, dropped to 1-0-1.
SoccerOakland Roots’ first night back at the Oakland Coliseum in 2026 came with exactly what the home crowd wanted: a win, a fast start, and another step forward under new head coach Ryan Martin.
NWSLBay FC opened the 2026 NWSL season with a 2-1 win over expansion side Denver Summit FC on Saturday at PayPal Park, giving new head coach Emma Coates a victory in her first league match in charge and snapping the club’s long winless stretch from last season.
USLOakland Roots opened the 2026 USL Championship season with a road win in a familiar NorCal rivalry, beating Monterey Bay FC 1-0 at Cardinale Stadium on Saturday night in Ryan Martin’s first match as head coach.
CultureOakland Roots just dropped their 2026 look — and it’s a full-on “Town story” release.
NWSLBay FC made one of the biggest moves of the NWSL offseason, acquiring midfielder Claire Hutton from the Kansas City Current in exchange for $1.1 million in intra-league transfer funds, the club announced Tuesday.
SoccerThe United Soccer League announced USL Premier as the official name of its planned Division One men’s league and unveiled a new men’s structure built around a connected three-tier pathway.
InternationalPayPal Park is set to host another marquee night of international soccer this spring, with the U.S. Women’s National Team returning to the South Bay to take on Japan on Saturday, April 11 (2:30 p.m. PT) in an international friendly.
CollegeFor Cal fans, this one had that “big-time” feel from the jump. A packed, sold-out Haas Pavilion (11,201 in attendance) showed up for the program’s first-ever meeting with Duke in Berkeley
NWSLBay FC has officially released its full 2026 NWSL regular-season schedule, setting the club up for a home start at PayPal Park to open the year.
EntertainmentBottleRock Napa Valley is set to return to the Napa Valley Expo from May 22–24, 2026, bringing three days of music, food, and wine to downtown Napa over Memorial Day weekend.
CollegeIn a bold move signaling a new era for the program by Cal’s new Head Coach, and former Oregon Defensive Coordinator Tosh Lupoi, the California Golden Bears have officially hired Minnesota Vikings safeties coach Michael Hutchings as their next Defensive Coordinator.
![TWICE Brings “[THIS IS FOR]” World Tour to Oakland Arena on Jan. 17](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/691ea8aa43d1d852bb7e9bb0/694d9cda02c7d43c365392be_TWICE.jpg)
EntertainmentTWICE is set to bring its “[THIS IS FOR] WORLD TOUR” to Oakland Arena on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026
CollegeCal jumped out to a 21-0 lead, but Hawai’i stormed back and stunned the Golden Bears 35-31 in the 2025 Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex.
NWSLBay FC might be lining up a true franchise move. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Catarina Macario’s agent says the club is in “preliminary phases” of talks with the USWNT star and former Stanford standout
USLOakland Roots’ offseason has felt like a full-on reset — new leadership, new ideas, and a roster that’s clearly being reshaped with 2026 in mind.
CollegeCal had No. 19 USC on the ropes for most of the night at Chase Center — then watched it slip in the final five minutes.
EntertainmentA major Super Bowl LX weekend concert is coming to the waterfront.
USLOakland Roots are wasting zero time setting the tone for 2026, and the message is pretty clear.
CollegeCalifornia is closing in on one of the most significant coaching hires in its recent history. Multiple reports indicate that Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi is in advanced negotiations to become the next head coach at Cal.
CollegeIn a game that felt like the end of one chapter and the start of another, California pulled off its biggest win of the season Saturday night, taking down No. 21 SMU 38–35 at Memorial Stadium thanks to a dramatic go-ahead touchdown in the final minute.
EntertainmentLeon Thomas, one of modern R&B’s fastest-rising voices and a multi-talented performer whose career spans Broadway, Nickelodeon, and Grammy-nominated songwriting, will headline the Fox Theater on December 19, 2025 at 8:00 p.m.
EntertainmentHeadliners E-40, Baby Bash, and LaRussell anchored the lineup, each repping a different era of Vallejo music — from hyphy legends to radio-era staples to the new wave of independent Bay Area rap.
Photography by James Trance
