Good morning, y’all! Jackson joining you on your Wednesday for today’s Scarves and Spikes Daily Newsletter.
It’s nice to have peace now and again, especially from something that causes strife, distress, regret, or any other synonym you’d use to describe 2026 Atlanta United.
Thanks to that suffering, we’ve got ourselves a nice bye week while others kick off their Leagues Cup matches this week. Time to cool off, reset, and enjoy more golazos from Evander. The guy’s insane.
Evander with a brilliant strike and Cincy are level with Pachuca!
Today’s schedule, if you’re really hungry to watch something, is as follows:
Inter Miami vs. San Luis – 7:30 pm Monterrey vs. Orlando City – 7:30 pm FC Dallas vs. Queretaro – 8:30 pm Nashville SC vs. Leon – 8:30 pm Toluca vs. Seattle Sounders – 10:00 pm LAFC vs. Chivas – 10:30 pm
In a more Atlanta United focused storyline, Cooper Sanchez and the U.S. U-19 National Team have qualified for the 2027 U-20 World Cup (and Pan American Games) after defeating Guatemala by a score of 3-1 in the Concacaf U-20 Men’s Championship quarterfinal. Next up on Friday is Costa Rica in the semifinal, which will be held at Estadio Azteca at 5 pm.
On the transfer news front, more smoke is arising around the Romelu Lukaku rumors as the striker has not joined his Napoli teammates in their pre-season camp. Atlanta is one of a few options for him as he looks set to depart. Will Atlanta United ultimately be his choice?
🚨⚠️ Napoli confirm Romelu Lukaku has not joined pre-season camp.
The official agreement is for extra days off to join in the upcoming days.
His agent, working for the best solution on the market with Atlanta United and more clubs keen. pic.twitter.com/Eu1Pq74EHp
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 2026 being a World Cup year, 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.
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Atlanta United training ground updates
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Grey Gowder’s analytical deep-dives on roster construction, the academy, ATL UTD 2, and more
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