Monday Morning Hot Links
The USMNT got thoroughly out-classed by Mexico last night Maybe it’s Mauricio Pochettino. Maybe he still has the Tottenham Stink on him and can’t win a trophy. No matter, it’s Pre-Season Report Day for clubs across England!
Leeds United
To say Brenden Aaronson was hoping for the Gold Cup to showcase his qualities to Leeds United and Daniel Farke, he only played 139 minutes in the 2025 Gold Cup, only coming on in the Final for the last five minutes…which probably isn’t what he was looking for.
I’m going to go through this gahdang clickbait so you don’t have to: The Yorkshire Evening Post published an “AI Predicts the Premier League Table” piece, and it has Leeds United in 15th, the only promoted side to stay up for a second year.
Possibly-relegated French giants Lyon are asking teams to pay 20 million for goalkeeper Lucas Perri, and Leeds are allegedly in.
A handful of Premier League teams are on the chase for Slavia Prague/Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf, including Leeds, though West Ham are currently (apparently) in the lead to bring him in.
Leeds are going to have to fight off other options in order to bring in Hoffenheim midfielder, and immaculately-named, Anton Stach.
Elsewhere
Diego Luna had one shot in the Gold Cup Final last night, not on target, after he scored on three of his five shots on target in the previous two games. The USMNT had possession 40% of the time throughout the game.
BBC: Did Mauricio Pochettino bring hope, or panic, to the USMNT? Poch lamented - correctly - the clear handball no-call.
CBS Sports: The Gold Cup was a mixed bag for the USMNT.
Arsenal were all-in on RB Leipzig striker Mohammed Kudus, but the £86 million price tag scared them off. That said, what Martin Zubimendi will bring Arsenal.
Chelsea need to sell £60 million worth of players in order to be able to use their new players in this year’s Champions League.
Callum Wilson has officially left Newcastle United and is now unemployed.
USMNT’s Damion Downs is set to sign a four-year deal with Southampton.
The Norway/Finland game at the Women’s Euros yesterday was incredibly entertaining, with Norway the first to qualify for the quarterfinals.
How to stop rogue football owners: take their keys.
Wired: Meteorologists say the National Weather Service did its job during the horrific Texas flooding. The Texas “legislature” decided not to pass a bill this past spring to improve local disaster warnings.
What To Watch: Monday
11am (Central): Women’s European Championships: Spain v Belgium. FS1.
2pm: Women’s Euros: Portugal v Italy. Fox.