GOAL reviews the major takeaways from Americans playing in MLS, including a star showing from Jack McGlynn
As U.S. men's national team manager Mauricio Pochettino starts to prepare for the final 10 matches his team will play in the buildup to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, he and his staff will have eyes on the player pool ahead of each FIFA international window.
With the European season beginning this weekend, there will be a heavy focus on Americans Abroad, but here at home, there are still multiple members of the national team competing domestically in Major League Soccer.
Goalkeeper Matt Turner made his New England Revolution debut, while forward Brian White had a historic evening for the Vancouver Whitecaps, scoring a landmark goal. Then, midfielder Jack McGlynn had the performance of the weekend as he scored twice to lift the Houston Dynamo to a draw.
Meanwhile, attacker Diego Luna was on the tail-end of a baffling refereeing decision that ultimately proved to be pivotal in the New York Red Bulls' big win over Real Salt Lake.
GOAL looks at the major takeaways from this weekend's USMNT players in MLS.
McGlynn comes up clutch
Deployed in a higher role to begin the match against their eventual 2-2 draw with Austin FC at the weekend, Jack McGlynn looked a bit uncomfortable being forced into attacking positions he was not used to. Come the second half, manager Ben Olsen moved him into a deeper-lying midfield role, and from there, he flourished.
He scored two late goals, one from the penalty spot and one from the edge of the box with his trademark left foot to secure a draw for his club, coming up big as a leader in the contest. It was a reminder of why he shouldn't be played on the wing, and a reminder that even at 22, he's a reliable playmaker in this league and a contender for the national team.
Across 90 minutes, he created eight chances, registered 21 passes across the final third, completed 54 of his 59 pass attempts, and registered five defensive ball recoveries in the match. It brought his season total to five goals this season, while in 20 regular-season appearances, he's added another five assists along the way.
The 22-year-old, following a 2025 Gold Cup selection, now has 11 caps with the USMNT, where he's bagged three goals along the way. Poch is surely watching.
AdvertisementImagnLuna bewildered
Let’s get into it. There’s a case to be made that Luna’s dismissal was warranted – there was contact from both players – but it still doesn’t sit right. In Real Salt Lake’s 2-1 loss to the New York Red Bulls, Luna picked up yellow cards in the 83rd and 85th minutes, leading to his ejection. The controversy stems from VAR later ruling the second yellow a refereeing error.
Here’s the clip.
In the 85th minute, Luna was handed his second yellow card of the match for a scuffle in the corner that saw both him and Kyle Duncan fall to the floor. After Luna's dismissal, VAR recommended that the play be looked at for serious foul play by Duncan on Luna, and after review, Duncan was handed a straight red card for the offense. However, yellow cards are not reviewable offenses, so Luna's dismissal was not reversible, despite VAR deeming it to be an error.
Now, that's not to say VAR deemed the yellow to be an error (because they can't, it's not reviewable), but they clearly stated that the foul offense for the flag being raised and the whistle being blown was due to violent conduct by Duncan.
Surely RSL will look to appeal this, but RBNY also went on to win the match in stoppage time. Any reversal now doesn't change that.
White hits the big 100
The Vancouver Whitecaps fell to the San Jose Earthquakes over the weekend, losing 2-1 in a stoppage-time defeat, but White had himself a night up top for the Canadian side.
The 29-year-old scored his 100th professional goal, bringing his 2025 season total for Vancouver up to 12 goals. The strike itself was nothing short of sublime. He took the ball out of the air with a world-class touch and dribbled off to his left, beating a defender, before loftily chipping the ball past the goalkeeper into the right side of the net.
White hasn't had quite the scoring streak he started the season with of late, but his influence for Vancouver has been nothing short of monumental this season. Following a Gold Cup selection, he's building off it nicely with some solid play domestically.
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+ Goalkeeper Matt Turner made his New England Revolution debut, keeping a clean sheet and making four saves.
+ U.S. youth international Zavier Gozo scored the lone goal in RSL's defeat. He is expected to be a part of the U20 World Cup roster in September.
+ Senior team defender Tim Ream logged 90 minutes and kept a clean sheet as Charlotte FC stunned FC Cincinnati and MVP candidate Evander. Ream kept a 96.4 passing percentage in the match.
+ U.S. youth international Darren Yappi scored a brace as the Colorado Rapids defeated Minnesota United 2-1 on Sunday. Yappi, a traditional striker, played in a wide role and flourished.
