Daily Links: Miami names Messi permanent captain

MLS News

Lionel Messi confirmed as Inter Miami CF captain
Lionel Messi will serve as Inter Miami CF’s captain moving forward, head coach Tata Martino confirmed in his matchday-1 press conference as the club prepares for a Leagues Cup showdown Tuesday night against Atlanta United.

San Jose Earthquakes give Cristian Espinoza contract extension
Espinoza, 28, has tallied 26 goals and a record-breaking 51 assists in 142 regular-season appearances (136 starts) for the Earthquakes since arriving in 2019 from LaLiga side Villarreal.

Columbus Crew CB Milos Degenek is returning home to Serbian club
Degenek, 29, left Red Star and joined the Crew as a free agent in 2022. At the time, he said he wanted to join an MLS team in part to be better prepared for the World Cup. Last autumn, he started all four World Cup for Australia, which was eliminated by eventual champion Argentina, 2-1, in the Round of 16.

Kwadwo Opoku signs new contract with CF Montréal
Before his move north of the border, Opoku produced nine goals and seven assists in 60 MLS regular-season games with LAFC.

World Cup News

Women’s World Cup Daily: History made and records broken left and right
The sixth day of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is one that fans of the Philippines aren’t likely to forget, and one fans of New Zealand are hoping won’t cost them a spot in the round of 16.