Chicago Fire

The business end of the MLS season is upon us, and with the MLS playoffs kicking off in just under a month, every game matters. Only six sides have officially been eliminated from playoff contention going into the international break and the race for the Supporter’s Shield is very much alive. Following Match Week 32, let’s break down what every team is playing for from here on out.

MLS Playoffs Picture Going into Matchweek 33

Eastern Conference

1. Philadelphia Union: 64 Points

Remaining Opponents: Charlotte FC, Toronto FC

The summer transfer window for the big five European leagues closes on Thursday, Sept. 1. The past few months have seen a handful of Americans make big moves between clubs. Here are all the USMNT transfers summer 2022.

USMNT Transfers Summer 2022

Brenden Aaronson

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It looks increasingly likely that the NFL's Chicago Bears will leave Soldier Field for a new stadium in Arlington Park, but that hasn't stopped the city and Mayor Lori Lightfoot from unveiling plans for a massive renovation to the 98-year-old facility and the 57-acre Museum Campus it sits on (home to the Shed Aquarium and Field Museum).

A fairly unassuming weeknight MLS match between the cellar-dwelling Chicago Fire and Toronto FC proved to be anything but on Wednesday night. Chicago took care of business at home thanks to a pair of goals by 18-year-old Colombian Jhon Durán, the second of which has garnered much attention thanks to a spectacular assist. 

THIS FLICK TO SET UP THE GOAL pic.twitter.com/HC9dKYo7gi

Sergiño Dest made history when he became the first American to appear in El Clásico for Barcelona in 2020. Still, no American has worn the famous white kits of Real Madrid. 

That might be changing if reports out of Spain are accurate.

The next potential goalkeeping great in U.S. soccer history has committed to play with the Stars and Stripes. Gabriel "Gaga" Slonina, 18, was eligible to represent Poland or the U.S. and even received a call-up from the Poland national team to play in the UEFA Nations League next month. 

Slonina was born in Addison, Illinois, and is of Polish descent.

Slonina, the youngest goalkeeper to ever start in MLS, took to Twitter on Friday to announce his “heart is American.”

We're under two months away from the all-important Concacaf U-20 Championship in Honduras, which serves as qualifying for both the 2023 U-20 World Cup in Indonesia and the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. 

It's going to be a wild tournament with 20 teams competing — the U.S. is in Group E alongside Canada, Cuba and Saint Kitts and Nevis — but only the semifinalists qualify for the World Cup while the Olympic spots are reserved for the two finalists.