Jeff Carlisle
Soccer reporter for ESPN.
- Here's the story on Atlanta United prevailing in its battle with Botofogo on the Thiago Almada transfer. #ATLUTD www.espn.com/soccer/story...
- Atlanta United has reached a settlement w/Botofogo on the transfer of Thiago Almada. Though it sounds less like a settlement and more like total victory. #ATLUTD. Atlanta's statement says, "Botafogo will pay the full transfer fee, plus interest, under the terms of this settlement."
- Atlanta United has reached a settlement w/Botofogo on the transfer of Thiago Almada. Though it sounds less like a settlement and more like total victory. #ATLUTD. Atlanta's statement says, "Botafogo will pay the full transfer fee, plus interest, under the terms of this settlement."
- Minnesota United’s signing of James Rodriguez is the ultimate marriage of convenience. With little risk, it just might work. Plenty of questions still remain, however. #MNUFC www.espn.com/soccer/story...
- Reposted by Jeff Carlisle#VWFC have accepted the Gov’t offer from earlier this week. They are working on the final details. Axel Schuster “We understand this is the best they can give. We are far away from blaming them. We want to thank them.”
- Heavy news for #Quakes74 this morning, as the club announces the passing of head sporting strategist Vassili Cremanzidis. He was just 36. “There are no words to adequately express the depth of our grief,” the Quakes said in a statement.
- Not the worst injury, but not great for Cardoso either, especially when he was just starting to generate some momentum. #usmnt www.espn.com/soccer/story...
- Reposted by Jeff CarlisleI hope all who have enjoyed the amazing work of @3rddegree.net in the last 30 years, will find their way to this event and wish well, "my Hero, your Hero, everybody's Hero." 🥲
- Reposted by Jeff CarlisleCrestfallen and f$&@ furious about the closure as we know it of @postsports.bsky.social by an indifferent, compromised owner and a failing publisher — a dept of Povich and Boswell, Wilbon and Kornheiser, Gildea and Sheinin, of poets, authors, Hall of Famers and Pulitzer finalists. A terrible day.
- Reposted by Jeff Carlisle
- W/ESPN colleague @lizzybecherano.bsky.social ...Obed Vargas achieved a lifelong dream when he transferred to Atletico Madrid. But the man who set the deal in motion was none other than #Sounders owner Adrian Hanauer. W/additional insight from Sounders GM Craig Waibel. www.espn.com/soccer/story...
- Grim news from Vancouver Whitecaps CEO and sporting director Axel Schuster regarding sale of the team. Team has been for sale for 14 months. There were 100 outreaches. Almost 40 took a deeper look. Schuster said not a single one "is interested in buying even 1% of this club." Brutal.
- There still isn't a signed lease for this season. Schuster said the entity that runs BC Place made what he admitted was their best offer. Just a bad situation for #VWFC. "The challenges we have and we have raised cannot be addressed in a way that it is really bettering our situation in a good way."
- Reposted by Jeff CarlisleWorld Cup prep for the USMNT's MLS players doesn't just begin in the preseason. Whether it be through specialized training or at parks back home with friends, there was extra offseason work. Will it secure call-ups? Can it help lift the USMNT this summer? www.espn.com/soccer/story...
- Timo Werner officially signs with #Quakes74. Given the departures of Josef Martinez, Cristian Espinoza and (likely) Chicho Arango, Werner's arrival is big for San Jose. www.espn.com/soccer/story...
- Piece has been updated with additional quotes from Arena. #Quakes74
- Atlanta United announces that Brad Guzan is joining the team as a club ambassador and sporting advisor. Guzan said that he earned a masters degree from the Global Institute of Sport & completed a "Director of Football program." He'll report to Chris Henderson and help on club broadcasts too. #ATLUTD
- Benfica madness!
- I chose...poorly.
- Malik Tillman gets a second — and it’s a golazo. What a finish. #USMNT
- Source tells ESPN that Orlando City is finalizing the transfer U.S. int'l defender Alex Freeman to La Liga side Villarreal C.F. for a fee of $4 million with the fee increasing by $2.5 million if certain incentives are met. Orlando will get a 15% cut of any future transfer. #usmnt #VamosOrlando
- Having emerged from the Algebra II vortex, here is the newser on Freeman's move. #usmnt #VamosOrlando www.espn.com/soccer/story...
- Patrick Agyemang benefits from a keeper error to score inside the six-yard box to give Derby County a 1-0 lead over West Bromwich Albion. That's Agyemang's eighth league goal of the season. At minimum he's giving U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino something to think about. #usmnt
- Reposted by Jeff CarlisleOFFICIAL: #USWNT forward Trinity Rodman has signed a new, 3-year contract with the Washington Spirit. Per Mike Senkowski, Rodman’s agent, her new multi-million dollar contract will make her the highest-paid female soccer player in the world. www.espn.com/soccer/story... #NWSL
- 🚨 McKennie goal for Juve! 🚨 Some slick combo play with Jonathan David and then a composed finish from Weston puts Juve up 2-0 against Benfica. Nicely done. #usmnt
- Just a wild series of events. Glad Heath is okay, but what an ordeal - and well told by Paul.
- Ex-MLS coach Adrian Heath thought the job interview might lead to the next part of the world football would take him. Instead, it turned into a nightmare. “I started thinking about all the good stuff about my life,” he said. “My wife. My children. My grandkids.” www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
- Version 4.0 of the #usmnt Big Board is out. The World Cup roster is coming into focus, but there's still time for some movement. www.espn.com/soccer/story...
- Stunning news. Thought this guy would live forever.
- Rocco B. Commisso, the billionaire owner of Mediacom, president of ACF Fiorentina, and former majority owner of the New York Cosmos, has died at the age of 76. www.acffiorentina.com/news/scompar...
- Reposted by Jeff CarlisleDual-nationals Richard Ledezma and Brian Gutierrez highlight the latest call-up for Mexico. Details on the roster and also some updates on the status of the one-time switches for Ledezma and Gutierrez: www.espn.com/soccer/story...
- Tristan Blackmon has completed his physical & will join Vancouver for their preseason trip to Spain. When asked if Blackmon missed his physical on Wednesday, sporting director Axel Schuster told ESPN he didn't know the particulars of the schedule for players. #VWFC www.espn.com/soccer/story...
- Vancouver sporting director Axel Schuster says Tristan Blackmon had his medical this morning. Source with knowledge of Blackmon's thinking said the medical was originally schedule for yesterday. Talks on a new contract ongoing. #VWFC
- Vancouver Whitecaps defender Tristan Blackmon - the reigning MLS Defender of the Year - was a no-show on the first day of training camp for Vancouver. @tombogert.bsky.social first. www.espn.com/soccer/story...
- The U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year for 2025 is...Chris Richards. Much deserved IMO. #usmnt www.espn.com/soccer/story...
- Multiple sources tell ESPN that the MLSPA hasn't yet approved MLS's proposed switch to a summer/spring calendar. Talks between the MLSPA and #MLS are "ongoing" I'm told.
- Reposted by Jeff Carlisle#NWSL NEWS: #USWNT captain Lindsey Heaps has joined expansion side Denver Summit FC, returning home to Colorado beginning this summer. On @espn.com: Heaps on why, keeping it secret from her parents + learning from her husband's expansion season. The move comes as NWSL tries to retain top players.
- U.S. forward Ricardo Pepi sustained a broken left forearm while playing for PSV on Saturday. He will undergo surgery on Sunday and miss approximately two months. Brutal turn of events for the player. #usmnt www.espn.com/soccer/story...
- Good news: Ricardo Pepi scores in his fifth consecutive game. Terrible news: It looks like he sustained a serious left arm injury in the process. He had to be immediately subbed off. Will pass on more info as I get it. #usmnt
- ESPN colleagues in the Netherlands say that Pepi is on his way to the hospital. #usmnt
- Reposted by Jeff CarlisleSan Diego FC working on exit of Mexico star 'Chucky' Lozano www.espn.com/soccer/story...
- Inbox: Instead of using a remote coastal village like they did in 2014, Germany will utilize Wake Forest University and the nearby Graylyn Estate for its training base at the 2026 World Cup.
- Reposted by Jeff CarlisleManchester City is finalizing a transfer with the #NWSL's Portland Thorns for #USWNT midfielder Sam Coffey. Sources say the fee will be at least $800K, possibly higher when final. Coffey is flying to England, terms agreed, wants to experience Europe. @tomjgarry.bsky.social w/1st report of talks
- The slate of #SheBelievesCup games is out. The #uswnt will face Argentina, Canada and Colombia in early March. www.espn.com/soccer/story...
- The CBA for players in the #USL-C has expired, but talks are set to resume Thursday. While there is some agreement on 12-month contracts & clubs offering health insurance to players, there's still some distance to be navigated on salary increases and player licensing. www.espn.com/soccer/story...
- USLPA announces final bargaining session of the year with the USL and still no agreement on a new CBA for players in the USL Championship. Hopefully the new year brings more signs of progress. Will probably go down to the wire tho. www.instagram.com/p/DS6GnifEQN...
- And when I say “go down to the wire” I mean right before the season is supposed to start.
- The U.S. Soccer Federation is expecting numerous benefits from hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Among these is a $100 million payout from FIFA. A look at how that amount compares to the 1994 World Cup, & what the USSF plans to do with that cash infusion. #usmnt #ussf www.espn.com/soccer/story...
- Reposted by Jeff CarlisleWe're back! ESPN's expert voting panel of coaches, GMs and journalists ranked the top women's soccer players of 2025: www.espn.com/soccer/story... Try to guess which #USWNT players made the list. Good luck!
- Reposted by Jeff Carlislewell PHEW
- Richards stretchered off in Carabao Cup match. Not a good week for the #usmnt. www.espn.com/soccer/story...
- Wouldn't have predicted this one in a million years. Yet here we are.
- BREAKING: The Kansas City Current are finalizing a deal to hire Chris Armas as head coach, sources tell ESPN. Armas most recently coached MLS' Colorado Rapids. KC Current won the #NWSL Shield in 2025. Story with @jeffreycarlisle.bsky.social: www.espn.com/soccer/story...
- Reposted by Jeff CarlisleFull story on the #NWSL announcing the new High Impact Player rule we've been reporting... and the NWSLPA reaffirming its opposition to it, from @jeffreycarlisle.bsky.social: www.espn.com/soccer/story...
- I think the next logical step for the NWSLPA is that they file a grievance over the implementation of this rule. This would obviously be separate from the grievance they already filed over Trinity Rodman's proposed contract with the Spirit being rejected by the #NWSL.
- Statement from the NWSLPA. The union is definitely not on board with the new High Impact Player Rule. #NWSL
- Statement from the NWSLPA. The union is definitely not on board with the new High Impact Player Rule. #NWSL
- What's still unclear is the extent to which the NWSLPA is on board with this. Beyond the union's past opposition to this rule, the league having "exercised its discretion" and being in "consultation" hints that there is still some disagreement between the two parties. #NWSL
- What's still unclear is the extent to which the NWSLPA is on board with this. Beyond the union's past opposition to this rule, the league having "exercised its discretion" and being in "consultation" hints that there is still some disagreement between the two parties. #NWSL
- Full release from the #NWSL, including all the criteria to be a "High Impact Player" (must meet one of these points). www.nwslsoccer.com/news/nwsl-in...
- According to Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, #usmnt midfielder Tyler Adams is out for up to three months with a torn MCL in this left knee. This puts Adams' participation in the March international window in doubt. www.espn.com/soccer/story...
- Reposted by Jeff CarlisleBREAKING: The NWSLPA opposes the #NWSL's proposed "High Impact Player" rule. PA exec. dir. Meghann Burke tells @espn.com that the NWSL is controlling and interfering with which players can access a certain pot of funds. The PA's proposal is to raise the cap by $1M, the proposed "HIP" amount. MORE:
- In this week's In-Form XI... ✳️ Adams' latest injury ✳️ Jedi's return ✳️ Pepi making his case ✳️ Plus more on McKennie, Tillman and Agyemang. #usmnt www.espn.com/soccer/story...
- Antonee Robinson back in the lineup for Fulham in its Carabao Cup clash with Newcastle United. Good to see him recover well from his 90-minute stint last weekend. #usmnt
- Reposted by Jeff CarlisleToluca's 12th Liga MX title reshapes discussion of Mexico's biggest clubs www.espn.com/soccer/story...
- Not only does Antonee Robinson make his first start of the season for Fulham, but he goes the distance in a 3-2 win. Now comes the all important recovery, but huge news for the #usmnt.
- To clarify, Robinson's first *Premier League* start of the season. Still big news. #usmnt
- Reposted by Jeff CarlisleSOURCES: The #NWSL board has voted to approve a new star player fund—internally called "High Impact Player"—to allow teams to spend up to $1M over the cap with a much smaller cap hit for players who meet criteria. Crucially: A change affecting the cap requires NWSLPA consultation. On @espn.com:
- This week's In-Form XI focusing on: ✳️ Pulisic ✳️ Sargent ✳️ Banks ✳️ Plus Balogun makes history, and McKennie wins over another Juve manager. www.espn.com/soccer/story...
