Jonathan Sigal

New York

Senior Content Producer at MLS Soccer

Senior Content Producer @MLS | Email: [email protected]

Articles

LAFC to face Club América in playoff match for FIFA Club World Cup berth

1 week ago | mlssoccer.com | Jonathan Sigal

There is officially a path towards a third MLS team qualifying for this summer's FIFA 2025 Club World Cup, with the sport's governing body announcing Tuesday that LAFC will face Club América in a playoff match to determine who replaces Club León in the global tournament. Should LAFC win, they would join Seattle Sounders FC (2022 Concacaf Champions Cup winner) and Inter Miami CF (host nation spot) when the 32-team tournament unfolds from June 14 to July 13 across the United States.
HISTORIC! Vancouver Whitecaps reach Champions Cup final over Inter Miami

2 weeks ago | mlssoccer.com | Jonathan Sigal

Vancouver Whitecaps FC soared into the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup final on Wednesday evening, earning a comprehensive 3-1 victory over Inter Miami CF in Leg 2 of their semifinal series to advance 5-1 on aggregate. The Whitecaps now await the single-match CCC final on June 1, meeting the winner of Thursday's semifinal second-leg matchup between Mexican sides Cruz Azul and Tigres UANL. The three-time defending Canadian Championship winners can potentially host at BC Place.
Changing scenery: How Marco Perugini hit the ground running at Connecticut College

1 month ago | soccerjournal.com | Jonathan Sigal

Make no mistake: Marco Perugini (Medway, Mass.) had an exceptional freshman year in Division 3 college soccer. The former NEFC midfielder, then playing at Union College, earned First Team All-Liberty League honors and recorded a team-high 15 points (6g/3a) across 18 matches. But Union didn’t advance past the Liberty League quarterfinals, where it fell in penalty kicks to Ithaca. Perugini, who committed to the program amid a rebuilding phase, started having second thoughts.
How Ondřej Lingr lifts Houston Dynamo FC: "I'm a warrior"

1 month ago | mlssoccer.com | Jonathan Sigal

Houston Dynamo FC have their missing piece. The Western Conference club unveiled Ondřej Lingr as their newest Designated Player on Friday, acquiring the 26-year-old attacking midfielder from Czech powerhouse side Slavia Prague. According to Houston president of soccer Pat Onstad, Lingr is a box-arriving No. 10 who not only provides a goal threat, but should get more out of DP No. 9 and club-record signing Ezequiel Ponce.
D3 Women: Why Sofia Schallmo has been a game-changer for UMass Boston

1 month ago | soccerjournal.com | Jonathan Sigal

UMass Boston forward Sofia Schallmo (Norwood, Mass.) made history last fall. As her freshman season wound down, Schallmo was named the 2024 Little East Offensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year -- making her the first player in conference history to win both awards in the same season. It was wildly deserved, too, with Schallmo leading the Little East in scoring. She racked up 16 goals and seven assists for 39 points, plus paced the conference in points per game (2.44).
San Diego FC: MLS home opener will be "magical night"

2 months ago | mlssoccer.com | Jonathan Sigal

A momentous occasion awaits San Diego FC. The MLS expansion club will host St. Louis CITY SC on Saturday evening and expects Snapdragon Stadium's largest-ever crowd for their inaugural home match (10:30 pm ET | MLS Season Pass, Apple TV+). To put it mildly, excitement surrounds the newcomers as Matchday 2 approaches. “Hopefully, it’s going to be a magical night,” said winger Anders Dreyer after training this week.
Jayden Nelson steals the show for Vancouver Whitecaps: "I'm not satisfied"

2 months ago | mlssoccer.com | Jonathan Sigal

Jayden Nelson mouthed those very words after scoring for Vancouver Whitecaps FC to cap a 4-1 season-opening win Sunday at Cascadia rivals Portland Timbers – and cement a fantastic debut performance. Nelson left his 62-minute shift with one goal and three assists. And while it helped that Timbers' center back Kamal Miller was issued an 11th-minute red card, the Canadian international winger was still brilliant at Providence Park.
LAFC acquire Turkish forward Cengiz Ünder from Fenerbahçe

2 months ago | mlssoccer.com | Jonathan Sigal

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing LAFC have acquired forward Cengiz Ünder on loan from Süper Lig powerhouse Fenerbahçe, the club announced Thursday. The 27-year-old Turkish international's deal lasts through June 30 and has a purchase option. He will be a Designated Player for the Black & Gold alongside forwards Denis Bouanga and Olivier Giroud. In addition to their DP trio, LAFC's attack includes striker Jeremy Ebobisse and rising talents David Martínez and Nathan Ordaz.
FC Cincinnati acquire Evander from Portland Timbers in MLS-record trade

2 months ago | mlssoccer.com | Jonathan Sigal

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Trade CIN receive: EvanderPOR receive: $12 million, $150k incentives, sell-on & trade % FC Cincinnati established an MLS trade record on Monday, acquiring Evander from the Portland Timbers for $12 million guaranteed and up to another $150k in incentives. Portland also retain a future sell-on and trade percentage in Evander, who's signed a Designated Player contract with Cincy through 2027 with an option for 2028.
FC Dallas acquire Luciano Acosta from FC Cincinnati in blockbuster trade

Feb 12, 2025 | mlssoccer.com | Jonathan Sigal

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Trade DAL receive: Luciano AcostaCIN receive: $5 million guaranteed, $1 million incentives, trade % Luciano Acosta has a new home in MLS, with FC Dallas acquiring the 2023 Landon Donovan MLS MVP from FC Cincinnati on Wednesday. In exchange for the Argentine No. 10, Cincinnati receive $5 million guaranteed in a straight cash-for-player trade.