- France vs. Morocco is a 2022 World Cup semifinal rematch — quarterfinals on July 9 at 4 p.m. ET in Foxborough.
- Kylian Mbappé is red-hot (7 goals through five games) as France advances; Morocco reached the quarters after a penalty-kick win over the Netherlands and a 3-0 victory over Canada.
- Argentine official Facundo Tello will referee — and all five match officials are from Argentina, the first time a 2026 game has had an all-one-country crew.
The news, distilled into what matters.
- Christian Pulisic suffered a bone bruise and microfractures to his right tibia and fibula vs. Belgium; no surgery expected but he’ll be sidelined for a few weeks before AC Milan preseason.
- He was visibly emotional when subbed out, and his postgame remark about having “time to rest” drew public criticism for bad optics.
- Injuries limited him to 196 of 450 World Cup minutes, fueling scrutiny since he’s long been the face of the U.S. team.
- Trump threatened to halt trade with Spain and called it a "terrible partner," then softened his tone after Madrid agreed to meet NATO’s 2% defence‑spending target.
- Spain says it will hit 2% of GDP in defence spending this year after doubling outlays since 2017, and PM Sánchez described his exchange with Trump as “very cordial.”
- Washington may still consider embargo options, but officials and businesses point out strong U.S.–Spain economic ties (big tech investment etc.), so it’s largely “business as usual.”
- Christian Pulisic suffered a right-leg injury (bone bruise and microfractures to the tibia and fibula) and will be out for several weeks.
- The injury occurred when his shot hit Belgium captain Youri Tielemans; he hobbled on briefly before being substituted in the U.S. loss.
- He’s expected to resume training before AC Milan’s Serie A opener on Aug. 23; Pulisic (turning 28 in September) has 30 goals in 90 U.S. appearances and went scoreless at the World Cup.
- Mike Trout returned from the IL and celebrated like his 2011 debut — a 438-foot homer — as the Angels thumped the Rangers 13-1 (Jo Adell hit two homers, too).
- Kyle Schwarber homered again and is on pace for another 50+ season, and meanwhile the Reds ripped a back-to-back-to-back homer sequence in a big offensive outburst.
- Dylan Cease carried a no-hitter into the ninth with 11 strikeouts before giving up a leadoff hit; the Blue Jays still cruised to a 10-0 win.
- After the U.S.'s disappointing 2026 World Cup exit, U.S. Soccer named former LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo to lead the U-23s at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics — a Southern California native with strong MLS coaching and playing credentials.
- As host the U.S. automatically qualifies for a now-smaller 12-team Olympic tournament, and teams can add three overage players — meaning stars like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie or Chris Richards could potentially join.
- U.S. Soccer views 2028 as a key chance to develop the next generation and excite fans at home, with Cherundolo billed as a proven winner and talent developer as the federation pursues an Olympic medal.
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