🇺🇸 The State of the Union: Messi mania, Savarese axed, and more | OneFootball

It has been another drama-filled week in American Soccer, and as always were here to highlight some of the biggest stories.

Here is all you need to know!

Messi magic claims another victim

Inter Miami looked all but set to suffer their first defeat of the Leo Messi era, but the Argentine magician had other plans once again.

FC Cincinnati were perhaps the toughest opponents the new-look Miami side had faced to date, and the Ohio outfit were cruising with a 2-0 lead heading into the final 20 minutes of the US Open Cup semifinal.

Messi took matters into his own hands however, providing two superb assists to Leo Campana, the latter coming in the seventh minute of stoppage time to send the tie to extra-time.

Miami would go on to win in penalties and book their USOC final showdown with Houston Dynamo.

Portland Timbers part ways with Gio Savarese

The Timbers have put an end to a six-year stint with Gio Savarese at the helm after the Cascadia club suffered a 5-0 defeat away to Houston Dynamo last weekend.

While Savarese had led the Timbers to two MLS Cup final appearances, an 8th-place finish in the 2022 season and a current standing of 12th in the Western Conference has seen the Venezuelan manager lose his job in the northwest.

“There is a life cycle sometimes to what we do,” Timbers General Manager Ned Grabavoy said. “At this point, I believe it’s important that there’s new leadership and the club moves in a new direction and we continue our next evolution.”

While the mood around Providence Park is sour, the Timbers only sit five points out of the playoff spots with ten games remaining in the MLS season.

San Diego Loyal to fold in wake of SDFC expansion

USL side San Diego Loyal have announced that they will close their doors permanently after the 2023 USL season.

This decision comes in the wake of Major League Soccer’s expansion to the city with their newest club, San Diego FC.

The Loyal, co-owned by MLS legend Landon Donovan, reportedly failed to find a ‘viable near and long-term stadium solution in the market’.

As a result, the club which was founded only in 2019, will cease operations in the coming months, when their current campaign wraps up.

New England Revolution agree deal to sell goalkeeper to Chelsea

The ever-growing list of players to make the jump to Europe from MLS will find itself with one more name this summer, as the New England Revolution have reportedly agreed a deal to sell Djordje Petrović to Chelsea.

The Serbian has been one of the standout goalkeepers in the league since replacing former Revs keeper Matt Turner, who also left for the Premier League.

Chelsea are said to have agreed to splash up to $17 million on the impressive shot-stopper, who will undergo a medical in West London in the coming days.

The Athletic have revealed that New England are closing in on free agent and Czech Republic international goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik as a replacement.

Games to watch in matchweek 28

With some teams heading into their final 10 games of the season, things are starting to heat up. Here are some of the key showdowns in MLS this weekend.

FC Dallas vs Austin FC

Not only are bragging rights in Texas on the line, but the showdown in Frisco could have some major implications in the Western Conference standings. A win for Dallas would see them leapfrog their Texan counterparts and move into the automatic playoff spots with a game in hand. A win for Austin however, would see the Verde extend their slender gap ahead of Dallas to five points.

New York Red Bulls vs Inter Miami

Messi mania has fully taken ahold of American soccer, but there is one key point, Messi has not kicked a ball in MLS regular season play yet. While his Miami side are red-hot, they still have plenty to do if they want to sneak into the playoffs. The south Florida outfit find themselves 14 points out of the playoff spots with just 12 games remaining. A win on the road in New Jersey would be a good place to start the tall task.

Seattle Sounders vs Minnesota United

At the start of the MLS season Seattle looked for all the world to be a strong favorite for another MLS Cup. But the numbers show a downward trend for the PNW outfit, as Brian Schmetzer’s side have not won a game since July 8, including Leagues Cup play. A home loss to Minnesota United, who sit just five points behind the Sounders could be a crushing blow to any chance momentum.