MLS

In a country where other sports dominate, hosting the World Cup for the second time is the penultimate chance to make soccer a mass phenomenon. EL PAÍS visited Kearny, New Jersey, where it all began in the 19th century through the nostalgia of Scottish immigrants

The popularity of the most-followed sport in the world is growing at a faster rate than any other, driven by Latino passion, the Messi effect, the Copa América and the 2026 World Cup

The final game of this year’s season will be played on December 7. Will Inter Miami make it to the match?

The MLS side will travel to Saudi Arabia to play an exhibition competition also involving Al-Hilal, where the Argentina and Portugal captains will renew their rivalry

The team said it would play a pair of friendlies against Chinese Super League teams, first against Qingdao Hainiu on November 5 and then Chengdu Rongcheng on November 8

Since the Argentine arrived in the United States, the league and his team have both been enjoying a rare spotlight, what is not so certain is whether it will translate to greater success for the MLS as a whole

Facundo Farias added the third goal for Miami (8-14-4), which remains 14th in the Eastern Conference table

Messi’s dazzling goal in the 89th minute helped a transformed Inter Miami beat the New York Red Bulls 2-0 on Saturday night and end an 11-match league winless streak

“From the beginning, from my arrival, it’s been an impressive welcome that we’ve received,” Messi said

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner who led Argentina to the World Cup crown last year has scored in all five of his appearances with Miami

Messi will also compete in the US Open Cup on Aug. 23 when Miami visits MLS-leading FC Cincinnati for a semifinal match

Messi scored on another mesmerizing free kick in his third consecutive two-goal game for Inter Miami

Troves of fans, some from as far away as Ecuador and Messi’s native Argentina, bounced around the outskirts of the stadium ahead of Messi’s debut

His magical left foot sent a free kick into the upper left corner of the net in the 94th minute Friday night, giving Inter Miami a 2-1 win over Mexican club Cruz Azul

Inter Miami (5-13-3) had taken a 2-1 lead in the 68th minute on an unassisted goal by defender Noah Allen

Four more former professional soccer players have been diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disease that has been linked to concussions