World Cup News

Colorado Rapids and Inter Miami CF face off in a competitive Major League Soccer matchday, both aiming to climb the standings. Just minutes into the game, Lionel Messi lead the victory with a key brace in the MLS clash. Following the disappointing start of the 2026 MLS season, Javier Mascherano stepped down from Inter Miami, leaving head coach Guillermo Hoyos in charge of the team. Shortly after his departure, they now face Colorado Rapids, seeking a victory to end their negative run. While they have been dominated, Messi has already put them ahead, scoring a key penalty to open the scoring in the first minutes of the game. After a foul on Yannick Bright, the Herons strongly appealed for a penalty, prompting the referee to consult VAR. Following the review, the foul was awarded inside the box, with Joshua Atencio shown a yellow card. Taking responsibility from the spot, Messi struck a well-placed shot to score the opening goal and give his side the early advantage, beating Colorado Rapids‘ Zack Steffen. Never in doubt for Leo Messi. The perfect start for @InterMiamiCF at Mile High! 📺 Apple TV: https://t.co/J7xz7x8aQd pic.twitter.com/oZkSw5Q1Xv — Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 18, 2026 Despite trailing, Colorado Rapids have shown an impressive attacking presence, emerging as the more proactive side in possession and consistently posing a forward threat. They have applied a high press and demonstrated a well-developed connection. As a result, Inter Miami continue to struggle against an opponent that appears capable of finding an equalizer and exposing the team’s ongoing issues. After conceding two goals to the Colorado Rapids in the second half, the Herons managed to turn the game around, thanks once again to Lionel Messi. Following a pass from Rodrigo De Paul from midfield, the veteran received the ball on the right wing, dribbled past three defenders, and fired a powerful shot past Zack Steffen once again. MESSI MAGIC AT MILE HIGH! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/cJaO56dDhI — Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 18, 2026 Germán Berterame struggles to adapt with Messi at Inter Miami At the start of 2026, Inter Miami CF pursued the signing of Germán Berterame, aiming for him to replace Luis Suárez in the short term. After paying €12.6M to CF Monterrey from Liga MX, the Mexican forward arrived in MLS with high expectations. While he managed to score an important header against Colorado Rapids, he has yet to fully adapt to playing alongside Lionel Messi, exposing a clear lack of understanding on the pitch. Alongside Luis Suárez, Mateo Silvetti, and Tadeo Allende, Lionel Messi has developed strong on-field chemistry, showing fluidity and consistently creating space for one another. However, Germán Berterame has managed just two goals and one assist in 10 matches for Inter Miami CF, lacking a clear connection with the Argentine. As a result, he has struggled to find space and contribute to the team’s collective play. Far from there being any issue between them, Lionel Messi has shown himself to be highly supportive of Germán Berterame, meaning their on-field connection could improve over time. After investing a significant fee in the Mexican, head coach Guillermo Hoyos now faces the key task of developing that chemistry and establishing them as the new attacking partnership, as Luis Suárez under contract only until December 2026 and expected to move on.

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, CONCACAF Champions Cup, and FIFA chat.The Whitecaps keep rolling with a very strong performance against Mexican powerhouse CF Monterrey in Champions Cup action, followed by a victory over CF Montreal in MLS action in their Canadian derby that saw them go top of the Western Conference standings.We pick over the bones of both matches and the main talking points coming out of them. We look at the standout performances, chat about Jesper Sorensen's early enforced use of his squad depth, and ponder just how much Ryan Gauld's knee injury could derail the 'Caps excellent start depending on how severe it is and how quickly the club act to bring in another piece.We also chat with Montreal's Canadian midfielder Victor Loturi about coming back to Canada to play in MLS, his time in Scotland, and how playing in the CPL shaped him as a player.It's also been a newsworthy week for FIFA with the 2026 World Cup countdown continuing apace and we talk halftime shows, government taskforces, bitcoin, weather concerns, further expansion to 64 teams, and Canada's latest plans.All of this, plus Sleeper kick off their residency as our Album of the Month, there's another Britpop song, and it's Football Violence Awareness Month in Wavelength.Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:01.28: Intro - CPL preseason, extra podcasts, jersey chat12.30: Will Whitecaps' blistering start be derailed by Gauld injury?22.28: Whitecaps very much in the hunt against Monterrey60.05: Dominant Vancouver dispatch Montreal100.41: Victor Loturi interview110.15: FIFA World Cup 2026 chat - halftime shows, bitcoin, 64 team expansion, weather concerns150.20: Wavelength - Slaughter and the Dogs - Where Have All The Bootboys Gone?157.20: Goodbyes - Bayern are 125, East Fife back to winning ways, Clyde Only Fans controversy!

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and CONCACAF Champions Cup chat, and we're joined by AFTN writer Felipe Vallejo again to do it all this episode.It's been a good start to the Jesper Sorensen era in Vancouver. Advancing in the Champions Cup with an aggregate win over Saprissa and a dominant dismantling of Portland in MLS action has certainly put a spring in the steps of those of a blue and white persuasion. We take a look at the takeaways from both matches and look ahead to the visit of the LA Galaxy in MLS action and Mexican giants CF Monterrey in the next round of the cup next week.Whitecaps CEO and Sporting Director Axel Schuster held a media roundtable on Wednesday. We bring you that in full and unpack some of the main talking points around the make up of the roster, new additions, the latest on the sale, the MLS schedule, and more.All of this, plus Pop Will Eat Itself wrap up their residency as our Album of the Month, there's Norwegian Oi in this episode's Wavelength, and another Britpop song.Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:01.26: Intro06.57: Whitecaps see off Saprissa in Champions Cup31.15: Tough Monterrey test now awaits in Round of 1644.15: Whitecaps destroy Timbers in MLS season opener82.10: Axel Schuster media roundtable128.00: Unpacking Axel145.40: Wavelength - Premier League - Kick Off Time

Ty Fisher and Jerald Lucas recap the Columbus Crew's 0-0 draw against CF Montreal. Jerald gives and update on the Columbus Crew 2 win over NYRBII and the guys recap the historic 3-1 win over CF Monterrey in the Concacaf Champions Cup