Felipe Cardenas

3 weeks ago | miamiherald.com | Felipe Cardenas

When Gregg Berhalter took a largely MLS-based squad to the 2021 Gold Cup, the decision was part of the manager’s grand plan to expand the player pool of the U.S. men’s national soccer team before the 2022 World Cup. Momentum was on his side. Berhalter had celebrated a CONCACAF Nations League title over Mexico with his full senior roster, and the young Americans were viewed as a promising generation of European-based players before the World Cup in Qatar.

3 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Felipe Cardenas

On Saturday afternoon MLS gave its audience something that is a rarity during the regular season. The top of the table matchup between Inter Miami and the Columbus Crew, the league's only undefeated teams, felt like a game that mattered. It was a match of consequence in April, something that doesn't happen often in American soccer. The two sides were locked at the top of the Eastern Conference, but the circumstances and a nearly sold out NFL venue in Cleveland, gave the match a MLS Cup final feel.

3 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Felipe Cardenas

Since coming to Major League Soccer, Lionel Messi has done much of his talking on the field of play. Getting Messi in front of a camera for a casual chat about life, past successes or why he can't go back to FC Barcelona has been hard to come by. When Messi has spoken exclusively, it's been through one of his brand partnerships or with a trusted journalist. This week, Messi sat with veteran broadcaster Quique Wolff of Simplemente Fútbol for a rare look into the mind of the recent World Cup winner.

4 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Felipe Cardenas

ATLANTA - It was 10 years ago when the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation raided FIFA and Concacaf offices in Zurich and Miami, respectively. FIFAGate, the most damning case of corruption in FIFA's existence, played out on U.S. soil. It led to the conviction of nearly a dozen FIFA officials who were accused of wire fraud, racketeering and money laundering. Shift to the present day, and FIFA has seemingly turned the page on its darkest hour.

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Felipe Cardenas

An abrupt ending for Inter Miami, MLS and their greatest venture does not appear to be in the cards. Lionel Messi is set to extend his contract with Miami, according to The Athletic's David Ornstein. By resigning Messi, the club will have its Argentine World Cup winner in uniform when it opens its new stadium next year. And while that's a primary goal of Inter Miami, Messi's renewal could have a larger impact on MLS and on American sports culture, as well.