IFFHS chooses Messi as the best player of the World Cup

Reactions to Ochoa’s retirement

A few days ago, Guillermo Ochoa announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 41. The news generated various reactions in the media. Carlos Salcido, a former teammate on the Mexican team, dedicated heartfelt words to him.

“I thank Memo for that energy, that positivity, that resilience that he has shown,” said the former defender. He stressed that these qualities must serve as an example for new generations.

Salcido also reflected on the lack of references in Mexico.

“Here we are lacking those guides, those characters that motivate us, especially the boys, the girls. Right now we are with the issue of the Women’s League and sometimes we grow a little from those guides to be protagonists and try to make our dreams of being soccer players come true. Today Memo is doing that, later the twenty will fall, but what he has done is impressive,” he explained.

In his farewell, Ochoa shared an emotional message after his participation in the 2026 World Cup, his sixth World Cup.

“I gave it my all, I left everything in my teams and in my national team, and today I hand in my gloves,” he stated.

Salcido closed with a thank you: he recognized the goalkeeper’s dedication during his long career.

Leagues Cup 2023: venues in Mexico and new dynamics

From August 4 to September 6, 18 clubs from Liga MX and 18 from Major League Soccer will compete for the Leagues Cup title. For the first time, four official matches will be played on Mexican territory.

Fans will be able to attend Toluca vs. Seattle Sounders and Toluca vs. Dallas at Nemesio Diez; America vs. San Diego FC at Banorte; and Tigers vs. Vancouver Whitecaps at the Universitario. The organization seeks to strengthen the growth of the contest on both sides of the border.

Carlos Salcido, former soccer player and ambassador of the competition, recalled the intensity of the previous duels between teams from both countries.

“I had to play very cool, very intense and very exciting matches as a player against teams from the United States. In this edition I don’t think it will be the exception.”

Salcido also hoped that a Mexican club could win the trophy, after the first three editions were won by MLS teams.

“We need a Mexican club to appear in this Cup. The last three editions have been won by clubs from the United States, let’s hope this is the good one.”

Tom Mayo, executive director of the Leagues Cup, highlighted the unique nature of the tournament.

“The Leagues Cup is the only official tournament in the world that pits two professional Leagues against each other. That makes this competition unique.”

Víctor Guevara, sports director, pointed out that the rivalry between both leagues is the essence of the championship.

“The rivalry between the Liga MX and MLS teams is the essence of the tournament. That was what we learned from the first edition and it is what we want to continue strengthening year after year.”

The format requires maximum concentration: each club plays three games in the initial phase, always against rivals from the opposite league. Afterwards, only the four best in each circuit advance to direct elimination. A draw or a defeat can leave anyone out.

Inter Miami added its fifth consecutive victory by beating the Chicago Fire 3-2 in a match marked by Robert Lewandowski’s debut with the local team. Uruguayan Luis Suárez scored two goals and Preston Plambeck sealed the victory with a goal in the 87th minute.

How the match was defined

The Fire opened the scoring in the 18th minute with an own goal by goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo. Defender Ian Fray sent a slow ball toward his goalkeeper, but the ball slipped between his legs as he attempted a pass.

Suárez equalized from the penalty spot in the 27th minute. Chicago regained the lead with a goal from Dithejane, who came on as a substitute and scored his first MLS goal in the 67th minute. But Plambeck took advantage of a rebound from goalkeeper Chris Brady to score the final 3-2.

Suárez reached five goals in the last two games after his first hat trick in MLS since 2024 against Philadelphia.

Lewandowski debut

Lewandowski, 37, signed with the Fire on June 29. His first appearance was delayed by the cancellation of the duel against Vancouver due to the air quality in Chicago. The Polish striker, a seven-time winner of the Bundesliga Golden Boot, has a record of 41 goals in the 2020-21 season with Bayern Munich.

Miami has 34 points and is second in the Eastern Conference. Chicago, with 26 points, saw its three-game winning streak snapped and is ranked third.

Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul did not play for Miami after Argentina’s defeat in the World Cup final against Spain.

According to reports, Hugo Cuypers, MLS goals leader with 13, would leave the Fire to join Monterrey of Liga MX.

Other results

Cincinnati beat Vancouver 4-3 with a goal from Brazilian Evander. New York City FC beat the Columbus Crew 2-1 with a penalty from Nicolás Fernández and a goal from Agustín Ojeda. Philadelphia defeated the New York Red Bulls 3-1, its first win in more than three months, and Toronto drew goalless against New England.