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Welcome to Miami, bienvenido a Miami: Lionel Messi is here

The Messi clan has arrived in the United States. Disembarking from their $15.5 million private jet, Lionel, Antonela, Thiago, Ciro and Mateo were recorded at the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport on Tuesday afternoon, just hours after the official Lionel Messi presentation date and time was confirmed by Inter Miami.

This travel experience is nothing new for the Messi family as they've frequented Miami during the offseason. It hasn't been confirmed where they'll be living permanently, but for now the Messis will reside at the Porsche Design Tower in Sunny Isles Beach. 

Gold Cup semifinal predictions: We've been drinking the Kool-Aid

The Concacaf Gold Cup semifinals are upon us Wednesday night, and although it's easy to pencil the United States and Mexico into the final for a third straight time, we shouldn't be so quick to write off Panama or Jamaica.

This feels like a particularly open final four. You could probably make just as convincing of an argument about why the U.S. is the best team remaining as you could one about why they're the worst, and the same goes for El Tri. 

EA SPORTS FC 24 Ultimate Edition cover revealed with 31 players

EA SPORTS FC 24 is only a couple months away from its rumored release date, and this week offers our first major glimpse at the franchise formerly known as FIFA — beginning with Monday's release of an official announce trailer (voiced by Daniel Kaluuya).

I'm also just now realizing that EA SPORTS is attempting to get us to transition from saying "FIFA" to "FC," which is pretty smart marketing. So here's our first look at FC 24. 

Gold Cup quarterfinal: USMNT player ratings vs. Canada

The USMNT is through to the Gold Cup semifinals after a dramatic, back-and-forth penalty shootout victory over rivals Canada. 

The U.S. thought they'd won it in the 88th minute, only for Canada to equalize at 90+3'. Then the dramatics were reversed in extra time as the Canucks went up 2-1 in the 109th-minute before the Americans found a leveler in the 114th. 

In the shootout Matt Turner prevailed as Canada could only convert two of five attempts, and up next for the States is a semifinal against Panama on Wednesday night in San Diego. 

Rose Lavelle embraces the pressure of leadership ahead of second World Cup

Rose Lavelle said she is more comfortable taking on the responsibilities of leadership and is ready to step up as a senior member of the U.S. squad when she heads to her second Women's World Cup, even as questions remain around her fitness.

The 28-year-old midfielder, who scored in the 2019 final as the Americans won their fourth title, has been nursing a knee injury and last played on April 8 in a friendly against Ireland.

Brazil's Nycole gets emotional World Cup goodbye from her father, an airport worker

The Brazil women's national team has arrived in Australia to begin preparations for the World Cup, where they'll open play on July 24 against Panama in Adelaide. 

The squad played one final send-off match on July 2 in Brasília — hammering Chile 4-0 in front of over 15,000 — before heading to the local airport the following day.

It was an emotional send-off for 23-year-old forward Nycole Raysla, who's from the city and whose father actually works for the airport. The pair brushed away tears as Nycole said her goodbyes before jetting away to fulfill her life's ambition.  

Why not Guadeloupe? The case for the French overseas department to win the Gold Cup

One of the best subplots to follow throughout the course of a Concacaf Gold Cup is the evolving power rankings of the nations looking to end the United States and Mexico's hegemony of the region. 

And with the USMNT sending a B Team under the direction of an interim manager and El Tri in disarray with their own interim boss, this summer looked as good a time as any for the likes of Canada and Jamaica to strive for glory.

Alexia Putellas drops a golazo on Panama during Spain's 7-0 demolition

It's been almost a year since two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas went down with an ACL injury that cost her a place at last summer's European Championship and almost the entire 2022-23 club season with Barcelona.  

Her last appearance for Spain was actually July 2, 2022, when she received her 100th cap and scored her 27th goal in a friendly against Italy.

Now, after a long and demanding road to recovery, Putellas made her long-awaited return to the national team Thursday during a friendly against fellow World Cup participants Panama. 

Tim Weah set for Juventus transfer with medical scheduled this week

USMNT winger Tim Weah is moving closer and closer to a permanent transfer from Lille to Juventus with Fabrizio Romano reporting that the Italian club wants to complete the medical and get the contract signed by the end of the week.

The 23-year-old is fresh off a standout year for his national team. He started all four matches at the World Cup (scoring in the opener against Wales) and just recently started both Concacaf Nations League Finals games (assisting vs. Mexico).

Lynn Williams celebrates World Cup call with another banger for Gotham FC

Did anyone on the planet have a better week than Lynn Williams? Let's break it down.

On Tuesday, Williams went to the top of the Empire State Building to sign a new multi-year contract with NJ/NY Gotham FC through the 2025 season. 

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