Good morning! Sydney here with this edition of the Scarves and Spikes Daily newsletter. Follow me on X, BSky, IG, and Threads.
Scarves and Spikes: The Podcast is live tonight, 7 p.m. ET on YouTube!
- We’ll be talking Júnior Alonso, Paulo Díaz, and Atlanta United’s return to action against Nashville SC on Friday — plus a look back at the World Cup semifinals. Join us live at 7 p.m. or catch the replay anytime after the show.
- Afterwards, we’re recording a Patreon-only mailbag episode. Not a Patreon backer? Sign up right now in seconds (new subscribers get their first seven days free!)
A semifinal built for the Benz
I had the opportunity to see the USWNT in the Women’s World Cup during a trip to Europe in 2019: specifically their 3-0 win over Chile at the Parc des Princes and later a 2-0 victory over Sweden at Stade Océane in Le Havre. Looking back at it seven years later, it was an experience I’ll never forget.
Fast-forward to June 27 of this year, and the World Cup group-stage match between DR Congo and Uzbekistan at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Being in the building for that one (though it wasn’t one of the tournament’s headlining matchups) and sitting in what’s normally the Atlanta United supporters’ section was quite a different feeling, one of civic pride: Atlanta, the city I’d called home for over a decade, welcoming countless thousands of people onto its streets.
The eighth and final World Cup match to be held in Atlanta is an occasion worthy of the Benz itself. Argentina, 2018’s runner-up and 2022’s winner, is looking to join West Germany (1982, 1986, 1990) and Brazil (1994, 1998, 2002) as the only countries to appear in three consecutive finals. England haven’t been to the final since 1966, when it won the tournament on home soil. The last time each of these teams was in Atlanta, chaos abounded.
- Kickoff: 3 p.m. sharp on FOX/FOX One (English) and Telemundo/Peacock (Spanish).
- The winner moves to Sunday’s final at MetLife Stadium, where they’ll face Spain, a 2-0 winner over France yesterday at AT&T Stadium. Spain has now beaten France in three consecutive tournaments over the past three years. The other two? The Euro 2024 semifinals (2-1 in Munich) and the 2025 UEFA Nations League semifinals (5-4 in Stuttgart).
- You’ll want to follow our X, IG, and Bsky accounts if you aren’t already. Tyler will be posting throughout the day with the sights and sounds of what’s happening around the Benz.
- Can’t make it downtown? Here’s where to watch the semifinals (and the final) across Metro Atlanta.
Paulo Díaz is here
The latest member of Atlanta United’s centerback rebuild is here, as Paulo Díaz was officially announced on a deal through 2027-2028 with options for the following two seasons. Like with Júnior Alonso (although to a lesser extent), Díaz’s age (31) has been brought into question. And, like Alonso, it could be that he ends up a player in the style of Michael Parkhurst or shows every bit of his age on the pitch. One quick thing to note: Alonso’s visa is closer to being done, since he was already in the U.S. for the World Cup. In the case of Díaz, it might be a few weeks before he’s available for selection.
Another plug for our transfer tracker, updated when we hear the latest transfer buzz surrounding the Five Stripes.
Help support independent Atlanta soccer coverage
Every week, Scarves and Spikes brings you original interviews, on-site coverage, live shows and podcasts, and the analysis you won’t find at the bigger national outlets. With Atlanta United facing yet another important transfer window, the U.S. Soccer National Training Center setting up shop in the Atlanta area, and NWSL Atlanta kicking off in 2028, your support helps us do even more.
What you get on Patreon:
- Atlanta United training ground updates
- Exclusive interviews, like our recent sit-down with ATL UTD 2 head coach Jose Silva
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- Patreon-only mailbags
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That’s it for now. See you in the next one.