The game never stops — and neither do we. Welcome to the SDH Network, Around the Corner from Everywhere.

Morning Espresso is brought to you by Oglethorpe University, Atlanta’s premier undergraduate learning experience and soccer powerhouse.

Bodo/Glimt are, by every traditional measure of European football power, impossibly small. The Norwegian town of Bodø sits just above the Arctic Circle with a population of roughly 40,000 people, small enough that the entire city could fit comfortably inside the San Siro. And yet on Tuesday night, that same “team from a small town up north,” as manager Kjetil Knutsen described them, walked into one of football’s most iconic stadiums and eliminated Inter Milan from the UEFA Champions League.

What makes the achievement remarkable is not simply that Bodo/Glimt advanced to the Round of 16 in their first-ever Champions League campaign. It is how they did it. After dominating the first leg in Norway with a 3–1 win, the Norwegian champions arrived in Milan already in control and extended their aggregate lead to 5–1 before Inter managed a late consolation goal. Last season’s finalists, and current Serie A leaders, were beaten convincingly across two legs by a club operating on an entirely different economic and historical scale.

The contrast between the two sides borders on absurd. When Inter last lifted the European Cup during their 2009–10 treble season, Bodo/Glimt were finishing sixth in Norway’s second division. Inter are 20-time Italian champions and three-time European winners. Bodo/Glimt, meanwhile, have built their rise only recently, winning their first Norwegian title in 2020 and turning sustained domestic success into increasingly fearless European performances.

Even more astonishing is the timing. The Norwegian season does not begin for another two weeks, meaning Bodo/Glimt eliminated one of Europe’s elite clubs while effectively in preseason conditions. Conventional wisdom suggests teams need the rhythm of weekly competition to survive at this level. Instead, Knutsen’s side relied on organization, intensity, and belief, absorbing pressure in Milan despite seeing far less possession and facing a barrage of shots that never truly translated into control for Inter.

Their success is not fueled by billionaire ownership or transfer-market spending. Bodo/Glimt’s rise has been driven by a clearly defined football identity: high-tempo attacking play, aggressive pressing, and recruitment centered on identifying players with a specific “X-factor” trait that can be developed within the system. Complementing the tactical work is one of the most unique performance cultures in European football, including mental training led by former fighter pilot Bjørn Mannsverk, whose emphasis on collective accountability and rapid problem-solving has become embedded in the squad’s identity.

Upsets have always been part of the Champions League’s mythology, but this one belongs in a special category. According to Opta, Bodo/Glimt have now won four consecutive Champions League matches against clubs from Europe’s traditional top five leagues, something not achieved since Ajax in 1972. Whether this run continues remains to be seen, but one thing is already certain: what once looked like a romantic underdog story has evolved into something far more serious. Europe is no longer surprised by Bodo/Glimt. It is trying to figure out how to stop them.

Real Madrid will be without Kylian Mbappé for today’s Champions League playoff second leg against Benfica after the French forward was left out of the matchday squad due to ongoing discomfort in his left knee. The issue has lingered for months and resurfaced during training on Tuesday, prompting club medical staff to take a cautious approach despite the stakes of a European knockout match.

Mbappé played the full 90 minutes in Madrid’s 1–0 first-leg win in Lisbon, but his movement has appeared restricted in recent weeks. He previously missed a La Liga match against Real Sociedad earlier this month and has been managing the same knee concern dating back to before Christmas, when it also ruled him out of a Champions League clash with Manchester City and limited his involvement during the Spanish Supercopa.

The absence is significant given Mbappé’s impact this season. He has been central to Madrid’s attack, scoring 23 goals in La Liga and adding 13 more in the Champions League, consistently serving as the player capable of deciding matches in decisive moments. Even as head coach Álvaro Arbeloa praised the forward’s commitment and willingness to push through discomfort, Madrid ultimately opted not to risk aggravating the injury.

Holding a narrow aggregate advantage, Real Madrid now face Benfica needing to finish the job without their most explosive attacking weapon. With league matches against Getafe and Celta Vigo approaching quickly, the decision reflects a longer-term calculation: protecting Mbappé’s fitness for the decisive stretch of both the domestic and European seasons rather than forcing his return too soon.

The ambitious multi-club vision built by John Textor is now facing its most serious challenge yet, as private credit giant Ares Management moves to recover hundreds of millions of dollars tied to Eagle Football Holdings. The dispute centers on more than $400 million loaned by Ares to finance Textor’s 2022 acquisition of French powerhouse Olympique Lyonnais, a deal that once symbolized the rapid expansion of institutional money into global football ownership.

Relations between lender and owner have deteriorated sharply. Ares has already recovered more than $200 million of its original investment but has significantly written down the remaining debt, reflecting concerns about Eagle Football’s financial stability. The firm recently removed Textor as a director of Eagle Football Holdings, a decision the American businessman disputes as tensions escalate over whether loan covenants were breached and how the group’s finances have been managed.

At the heart of the conflict is the sustainability of Textor’s multi-club ownership strategy, which links teams across France, Brazil, and Belgium under a shared operational model. Eagle Football reported losses of roughly €201 million for the financial year ending June 2025, while Lyon itself narrowly avoided severe sporting sanctions last summer amid debt concerns. Michele Kang’s appointment as Lyon president, supported by creditors including Ares, marked an early sign that financial partners were seeking tighter oversight of operations.

Textor has pushed back aggressively, accusing Ares and Kang of effectively running a “shadow board” that undermines his broader vision for Eagle’s network of clubs. He has filed complaints with France’s financial regulator and is now exploring refinancing options, including discussions with debt specialist Hutton Capital Management, in an attempt to replace Ares as lender and retain influence over the organization he built.

The situation reflects a broader reality confronting investors entering football as an asset class. While revenues and global visibility continue to grow, European clubs frequently operate at losses and remain vulnerable to regulatory pressure, sporting performance swings, and heavy debt structures. What appeared three years ago to be a bold partnership between institutional capital and entrepreneurial ownership has instead become a cautionary example of how volatile football finance can be.

For Textor, the stakes extend far beyond Lyon. Control of assets across Eagle Football, including Botafogo, could ultimately be affected if creditors enforce repayment terms or push restructuring further. The outcome will help determine whether one of football’s most aggressive multi-club experiments survives intact or becomes another case where lenders, rather than owners, end up holding the keys to historic clubs.

Most of us don’t need a complicated routine. We just want to feel good, stay energized, and not think too hard about it.

AG1 Next Gen is a clinically studied daily health drink that supports gut health, helps fill common nutrient gaps, and supports steady energy. One scoop in cold water replaces a multivitamin, probiotics, and more, so your routine stays simple.

Start your mornings with AG1 and get 3 FREE AG1 Travel Packs, 3 FREE AGZ Travel Packs, and FREE Vitamin D3+K2 in your Welcome Kit with your first subscription.

Get started today

River Plate is preparing for one of the most significant transitions in modern Argentine football following Marcelo Gallardo’s decision to step down, a moment that has already triggered intense planning behind the scenes at Núñez. Club leadership moved quickly after Gallardo confirmed his departure, knowing that replacing a figure who defined an era at River requires both sporting clarity and emotional sensitivity within a fanbase still processing the end of a historic cycle.

The early favorite to succeed Gallardo is Eduardo “Chacho” Coudet, whose name quickly rose to the top of a short internal shortlist being evaluated by president Stefano Di Carlo and sporting director Enzo Francescoli. River’s leadership views Coudet as a coach capable of restoring energy and competitive edge to a squad that has faced growing criticism from supporters. His strong connection to the club from his playing days and his motivational style align with River’s long-standing preference for managers who understand the institution’s identity.

However, the process has not been entirely smooth. Reports suggesting a verbal agreement with Coudet caused frustration within River’s leadership, who insist formal negotiations will only begin after Gallardo officially departs out of respect for the outgoing manager. That tension has left the door slightly open for alternatives, most notably Hernán Crespo, another former River player admired internally but currently under contract in Brazil, which complicates any immediate move.

For now, River Plate’s priority is managing both transition and symbolism. An interim staff is expected to guide the team briefly while the club accelerates its search, with hopes of appointing a new manager within days. Whoever takes the job will inherit not just one of South America’s biggest squads, but the challenge of following a coach whose influence reshaped River’s modern identity and set the standard future managers will inevitably be judged against.

CBS Sports Extends Concacaf Women’s Rights Deal
CBS Sports will remain the exclusive English-language U.S. broadcaster for all Concacaf women’s competitions through the 2029–30 season following a new partnership extension. The agreement includes World Cup qualifying, the W Gold Cup, W Nations League, and the Concacaf W Champions Cup, with every match streaming on Paramount+ and select games airing on CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports Golazo Network. The deal continues the growing visibility and centralized coverage of women’s soccer across the region.

San Diego FC Rewards Sporting Director Tyler Heaps
San Diego FC has signed sporting director and general manager Tyler Heaps to a multiyear contract extension after a record-setting debut season in MLS. The expansion club finished first in the Western Conference in 2025 with 63 points and reached the conference final, quickly establishing itself as a contender. Heaps’ roster construction and coaching hire of Mikey Varas have positioned San Diego as one of the league’s most ambitious new projects entering its second season.

LAFC Advances Comfortably in Concacaf Champions Cup
LAFC eased into the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 with a 1-0 win over Real España at BMO Stadium, completing a dominant 7-1 aggregate victory. With the tie effectively decided after the first leg, manager Marco Dos Santos rotated heavily while still seeing Nikosi Tafari score the lone goal of the night. LAFC now advances to face Costa Rica’s LD Alajuelense in what should present a significantly tougher test.

Atlético Ottawa Eliminated by Nashville SC
Atlético Ottawa’s continental run ended with a 5-0 loss to Nashville SC, sealing a 7-0 aggregate defeat in the Concacaf Champions Cup. The Canadian Premier League champions struggled against MLS opposition while also dealing with temporary home venue challenges during renovations at TD Place. Ottawa now shifts focus back to domestic play ahead of its CPL season opener in early April.

Orlando City Linked With Antoine Griezmann Move
Orlando City is reportedly in advanced discussions with Antoine Griezmann about a potential move to Major League Soccer before the league’s March transfer deadline. The Atlético Madrid forward has long been linked with MLS, though a strong season and the possibility of competing for trophies in Spain could delay his departure until later in the year. Atlético manager Diego Simeone has indicated the decision ultimately rests with the French veteran as he weighs the timing of a potential next chapter.

SDH AM goes live at 9:05 a.m. this morning with Jon Nelson hosting a look around the soccer world after opening weekend in MLS. Jon will be joined by Chicago Fire radio commentator Max Anderson and WESH-TV’s Mike Gramajo in Orlando to break down Week 1 storylines and preview what to watch heading into Week 2, along with updates from the Champions League, Concacaf competitions, and the day’s biggest headlines.

Also, catch up on yesterday’s Training Ground Notebook, featuring insight from Atlanta United goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos and midfielder Cooper Sanchez as the Five Stripes continue shaping their identity early in the 2026 season.

It was a night of major shakeups across Georgia high school soccer. In boys 6A, Wesleyan stunned top-ranked Berkmar, advancing on penalties after a 2-2 draw, while Collins Hill added another upset by knocking off No. 2 Peachtree Ridge. The surprises continued in 5A, where No. 1 McIntosh fell 2-1 at home to East Coweta and No. 2 Pope suffered a decisive 4-0 road loss at Walton.

In 4A, however, Dalton continued to look every bit the state favorite, staying unbeaten with an emphatic 8-0 win at Coahulla Creek.

On the girls side, No. 1-ranked West Forsyth dominated with a 10-0 home victory over West Hall in 6A, while defending 3A state champions Oconee County earned a hard-fought 1-0 road win against Clarke Central to maintain their strong start to the season.

Morocco Waiting on Xavi Decision
Morocco’s coaching situation remains unclear after reports that Walid Regragui submitted his resignation weeks ago, even as the Moroccan Football Federation publicly denied any separation this week. Behind the scenes, federation leaders are reportedly targeting former Barcelona manager Xavi Hernández as a potential replacement ahead of the upcoming World Cup cycle. Whether Xavi accepts remains uncertain, as the Catalan coach is believed to prefer a longer-term project rather than stepping into a role on short notice.

Brasileirão Clash at the Top
Palmeiras and Fluminense meet Wednesday night at Arena Barueri in one of the early headline matchups of the 2026 Brazilian Championship’s fourth round. Both teams enter level on seven points from three matches, with Palmeiras leading the table on goal difference after a 3-1 win over Internacional, while Fluminense arrives unbeaten this season following a derby victory over Botafogo.

Palmeiras manager Abel Ferreira is expected to keep a largely unchanged lineup as his side continues a stretch of home matches, led by attacking options Flaco López and Vitor Roque. Fluminense coach Luis Zubeldía is also likely to maintain continuity, with Savarino projected to replace the suspended Canobbio in a team that has won eight of its first nine matches since the main squad returned to action.

Mexico Assures World Cup Security Guarantees
Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum insisted that the country will provide full security guarantees for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following recent violence that forced the rescheduling of Liga MX and Liga MX Femenil matches. Speaking during her daily press conference, Sheinbaum responded firmly to concerns about safety for visiting supporters, stating there would be “all guarantees, no risk” for the tournament.

Despite those assurances, some participating federations remain cautious ahead of upcoming intercontinental playoff events scheduled in Guadalajara and Monterrey. Delegations from the Republic of Congo, Jamaica, and New Caledonia are reportedly awaiting further security information from local and federal authorities as FIFA continues monitoring the situation while logistical planning for travel, training, and accommodations moves forward.

From Arctic Circle history in the Champions League to coaching uncertainty at some of the world’s biggest clubs and early-season chaos in Georgia high school soccer, the global game continues to remind us how quickly narratives can change. European nights deliver surprises, domestic leagues begin to find their rhythm, and closer to home the season is already producing statement results. As MLS settles into Week 2 and competitions around the world gather momentum, the story everywhere right now is simple: seasons are just beginning, but the stakes already feel real.

Talk to y’all tomorrow,

Jason