Lionel Messi is set to become part of the next chapter of men’s soccer in North America. With a World Cup on the horizon in 2026, Messi’s announcement Wednesday that he will join Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami is another landmark moment for the league and the sport in the United States. But he’s only the latest big-name international player to bring his talents to the U.S. Here’s a look at others who have come before him: PELÉ Edson Arantes do Nascimento was already a three-time World Cup champion and undoubtedly the best player in the world when he left Brazil in 1975 for the chance to be ..read more

TORONTO (AP) — Lorenzo Insigne notched assists on goals by Deandre Kerr and Kosi Thompson and Toronto FC cooled off D.C. United with a 2-1 victory on Saturday night. Toronto (3-5-7) jumped out in front early on a goal by Kerr in the 14th minute. Insigne had the assist on Kerr’s second goal this season. Kerr’s goal ended a four-match scoreless streak. It was the first time Toronto had been blanked four straight times since 2010. The club set a league record in 2007 with a nine-match scoreless run. Thompson stretched the lead to 2-0 in the 72nd minute when he took a pass from Insigne and scored ..read more

CHESTER, Pa. (AP) — Andre Blake finished with three saves for the Philadelphia Union and Tyler Miller stopped two shots for D.C. United as the two clubs played to a scoreless draw on Wednesday night. It was quite a turnaround for DC United (4-5-4) after losing twice to Philadelphia (5-4-3) last season by a combined score of 13-0. The goal differential set a league record for a two-match span. Julian Carranza had hat tricks for the Union in both victories, joining the LA Galaxy’s Cobi Jones as the only players with two hat tricks against the same opponent in the same season. Jones did it agains ..read more