Most of the Americas football headlines this week focus on continued transfer market activity, with notable players Hirving Lozano, Juan Fernando Quintero, and Thiago Almada all making moves. We also have early results from the 2026 Leagues Cup, a competition that pits MLS against Liga MX.
2026 Leagues Cup Group Phase Reaches Final Stage
MLS Clubs have performed well in the initial phase of the 2026 Leagues Cup, however, those results come with an asterisk, as the games played in Mexico were heavily lopsided in favor of Liga MX.
Tigres hosts Vancouver Whitecaps, and Toluca hosts FC Dallas in the third and final phase of the opening round. Toluca took down Seattle Sounders 3-0 on August 5th, and a day later, Club America were 3-1 winners over San Diego FC in Mexico City. Toluca outshot Sounders an insane 40-4 in the matchup, in a game that created a number of highlights, but only for the team in red.
Beyond that, MLS clubs have generally looked more focused, organized and motivated in the tournament, as two of the biggest Liga MX sides, Chivas and Pumas were both poor through two games failing to register a win. Instead, Juarez and Leon have won two games from two already, Tigres are without defeat.
On the MLS side, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Columbus and FC Dallas already have two wins from two and LAFC is undefeated as well.
Inter Miami’s ambitions to win the Leagues Cup were significantly altered as Lionel Messi’s father Jorge passed away during the tournament, meaning their key player will be on a leave of absence for the third game, as well as the club’s 2-1 defeat against Monterrey Rayados in Miami. That lone goal for Miami was scored by Messi’s best friend, Rodrigo De Paul, the Argentine international took off his shirt and underneath was Messi’s #10, as he honored his dear friend.
Independiente Medellin Recruits Colombian international Juan Fernando Quintero
After a difficult period where Independiente Medellin fans lost confidence in club management and stormed the field in a Libertadores clash vs Flamengo, leading to sanctions, Medellin’s second club has announced a major statement of intent signing. Juan Fernando Quintero, a Colombian international, #10 attacking midfielder, is set to join the club after a stint at River Plate in Argentina. Quintero was one of the best passers and chance creators at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, att 33, he’s long been accused of lacking motivation at club level, and his previous stint in Colombia’s Liga Betplay Dimayor with America de Cali was not successful, but he will instantly be the highest profile player in the league, and Medellin’s biggest signing in years.
As reported by El Colombiano newspaper Quintero said:
“You know that the love for Medellín surpasses any kind of thing. I’m very happy, very happy. Living a dream for my family and loved ones. This is the team I love. I thank the board of directors, the club and now you need to fill the stadium so that every time DIM plays it is a party,”
Medellin, having changed their club crest and uniforms as part of a rebrand, has pursued other big names in recent months to strengthen a squad that had mainly focused on developing and selling young talent onwards. Frank Fabra from Boca Juniors joined in the previous transfer window, for this edition of the tournament they have added Jarlan Barrera from Deportivo Cali and Jader Valencia (25) from Millonarios.
The ambition hasn’t stopped with Quintero, he could be joined by former Colombian international Juan Cuadrado, who is considering signing with Medellin after a long time in Europe.
Quintero, who is from Medellin and personally supports the club, will look to lift Medellin’s trophy drought, as the club has come close to lifting titles in recent years, but has failed to seal the deal.
Other top contenders in Colombia are not resting on their laurels, Atletico Nacional brought back former Libertadores winning goalkeeper Franco Armani to replace David Ospina, and signed Ian Poveda, a 26 year old English-Colombian dual national who spent time at Manchester City as a youth player, Leeds, and Sunderland.
Both Cali based clubs, America de Cali and Deportivo Cali are also off to a solid start this season, Yeison Guzman (28) is one of the most valuable players in the FPC and is the #10 for America de Cali.
Diego Forlan Announced as Uruguay National Team Manager
After the disastrous tenure of Marcelo Bielsa and failure in the World Cup, Uruguay has opted to sign a national hero, Diego Forlan as their next national team manager. Now 47, Forlan played 112 games and scored 36 goals for his country from 2002 to 2014, notably mastering the Jabulani football in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The Penarol youth product who spent time at the club level for Atletico Madrid and Manchester United, briefly managed Penarol in 2020, but has limited experience as a manager. However, his career and knowledge of Uruguayan football should inspire a team that under Bielsa, lacked motivation. Of note, Forlan’s grandfather also managed the national team. Forlan’s most important objective is to help discover the next key striker for the national team, as the attack for Uruguay has been sluggish this cycle.
River Plate’s Spending Spree Continues, Thiago Almada Set to Join from Atletico Madrid
River Plate remain winless in the Liga Argentina, but their spending spree continues, River has now put Thiago Almada’s transfer on their credit card, paying 20 million for the Argentine international in his prime to join ‘El Mas Grande’. Given his age and his profile, Almada instantly becomes one of the most famous players in not just the Liga Argentina, but South American football as a whole. Almada and River are set to face Colombia’s Santa Fe in the Copa Sudamericana later this month.
River Plate has effectively opted to reboot their entire squad, adding Nicolas Otamendi, Lucas Beltran, Colombian international Rafael Santos Borre, Angel Correa from Liga MX and more this season, spending over 55 million on transfer fees for players with international pedigree. Leaving the club are notable names like veteran goalkeeper Franco Armani, and Colombian internationals Kevin Castano and Quintero. Castano is being discussed as a potential loan player for Atletico Mineiro in Brazil.
Boca Juniors Signs Ecuador International Enner Valencia
Enner Valencia retired after this World Cup with Ecuador’s La Tri, the veteran striker has now joined Boca Juniors, choosing the legendary Argentina club over his own nostalgic team, Emelec in Ecuador. Arriving at the airport in Buenos Aires, Valencia stated he “couldn’t say no” to Boca Juniors.
Valencia will now occupy the role left absent by the departure of Edinson Cavani, at 36 years old, he provides veteran leadership and could function as an impact sub for the club captained by Argentina international Leandro Paredes.
Sergi Roberto and Hirving Lozano Reinforce LA Galaxy
While many supporters of LA Galaxy are questioning the move, one of the most historic clubs in MLS has decided to roll the dice this transfer window on two marquee signings. Hirving Lozano, the former Mexico international, who was left jaded at San Diego FC, will head an hour north on loan to play as a key attacker for the Galaxy. Joining him is veteran defender Sergi Roberto (34), a Barcelona legend who was most recently part of Como in Serie A.
While the Galaxy have found themselves trailing western conference rivals including LAFC in recent seasons these moves could be the start of a revival, especially if Riqui Puig can eventually return from injury and contribute again. The Galaxy, who continue to rely on former German international Marco Reus in the midfield, are aiming to secure an MLS playoff position.
Lozano has found himself outside of Mexico’s El Tri, and despite being a marquee signing for the inagural season of SDFC, fell out of favor with management due to locker room issues. The San Diego Union-Tribune reported: “Lozano and SDFC have been on the outs since last Oct. 4, when Lozano threw what witnesses described as a locker-room tantrum after coach Mikey Varas subbed him out of a match against the Houston Dynamo. Lozano has not appeared in a match of any kind since Nov. 29, when he played the second half of SDFC’s season-ending playoff loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps.”
Still in his early 30s, he still likely has plenty to contribute to the right team, while Roberto provides senior leadership to any team he’s part of.
US Men’s National Team Sets 4 Fall Friendlies as Pochettino Set to Continue As Manager
The US Men’s National Team will continue their dance with Mexico’s El Tri and CONEMBOL sides, as Mauricio Pochettino will continue to lead the stars and stripes. There are four friendlies scheduled for the September/October window. The US MNT takes on Peru, Chile, Mexico in Arizona, and Canada in Minnesota.
While none of these matchups are unfamiliar to the team, we will likely see some roster changes as Pochettino looks to move beyond the Round of 16 result at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Both Canada and Mexico exited the World Cup at the same stage, and Mexico has a new manager now, Rafa Marquez.
CONCACAF’s Central American Cup is Underway
The best clubs in CONCACAF’s Central American region are once again renewing their rivalries as the Central American Cup is underway. The Central American Cup offers a pathway to the CONCACAF Champions Cup for clubs from these Central American nations including Honduras and Costa Rica. Given the massive financial and infrastructure disparities between Central American clubs and MLS/Liga MX, it’s been difficult for even the winners of this competition to compete on a bigger stage.
Alajuelense from Costa Rica has won all three editions of this tournament while Nicaragua’s Real Esteli is the second most successful club to this point. Olimpia from Honduras is another notable team that was placed in pot 1 of the draw.
Main Photo Credit: smartframe images
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