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Atlanta United’s home opener offered both encouragement and frustration. The Five Stripes controlled long stretches of the match against Real Salt Lake, finishing with more than 60% possession and more shot attempts, but ultimately fell 3-2 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The result leaves Atlanta winless through three matches to start the 2026 season despite signs that the team’s underlying performance is beginning to improve.

From a tactical perspective, the game reinforced a theme that has followed Atlanta through the opening weeks of the year. The team is improving in building possession and circulating the ball, but the decisive moments inside matches have gone the other way. Real Salt Lake struck three times in the first half through young attackers Sergi Solans, Aiden Hezarkhani, and Zavier Gozo, taking advantage of quick transitions and decisive attacking sequences.

For deeper perspectives on the match, Madison Crews’ Maddie’s Version explores the emotional reaction to the night, while The Long View breaks down the tactical and analytical story behind the numbers. Together they paint the same picture: Atlanta United had control of the ball, but Real Salt Lake controlled the moments that decided the game.

Matchday 3 of the MLS season delivered a little bit of everything across the league: dominant wins, milestone moments, and a handful of early surprises in the standings. Four Western Conference clubs remain perfect through three weeks, including San Diego FC, Vancouver Whitecaps, LAFC, and a San Jose Earthquakes team that few expected to be among the league’s early leaders.

San Jose’s turnaround under Bruce Arena has been one of the most eye-catching storylines so far. The Earthquakes earned a 1-0 win at Philadelphia thanks to Ousseni Bouda’s goal set up by new signing Timo Werner, giving San Jose three wins and three clean sheets to start the year. Meanwhile, Vancouver emphatically opened Cascadia Cup play with a 4-1 win at Portland behind a brace from Brian White, while San Diego stayed perfect with a 1-0 victory at Sporting Kansas City.

Elsewhere, Lionel Messi continued his march toward another career milestone. His goal in Inter Miami’s 2-1 win over D.C. United was the 899th of his career, scored in front of more than 72,000 fans at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. That crowd ranks among the largest regular-season attendances in MLS history and highlighted the league’s ability to draw major-event atmospheres around the sport’s biggest global stars.

The weekend also included some dramatic swings in momentum. NYCFC routed Orlando City 5-0 after goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau was sent off early, leaving the Lions at 0-3-0 with a league-high 11 goals conceded. Colorado delivered one of the most emphatic results of the round with a 4-1 win over the LA Galaxy, while Charlotte defeated Austin 3-1 after Austin went down to 10 men.

A handful of tight matches rounded out the slate. LAFC stayed perfect and unscored upon with a 1-0 win over FC Dallas thanks to a long-range strike from David Martínez, while Toronto FC grabbed a late 1-0 victory at FC Cincinnati through new signing Dániel Sallói. CF Montréal also picked up its first win of the season in convincing fashion, defeating the New York Red Bulls 3-0 behind two goals from Wiki Carmona against his former club.

AC Milan kept the Serie A title race alive on Sunday with a 1-0 victory over city rivals Inter in the Derby della Madonnina at San Siro. Pervis Estupiñán’s first-half goal proved decisive as the Rossoneri cut Inter’s lead at the top of the table to seven points with 10 matches remaining. The win reignited Milan’s hopes while bringing the league’s title picture back into focus.

The breakthrough came in the 35th minute when Youssouf Fofana played Estupiñán into space on the left. The Ecuadorian fullback drove forward and fired a powerful shot past Yann Sommer to give Milan the lead. The moment came shortly after Inter had wasted a major chance at the other end when Henrikh Mkhitaryan, in a numbers-up situation, was denied by Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

Inter pushed late for an equalizer and thought they had found it in stoppage time after a quickly taken corner ended with the ball in the net. However, referee Daniele Doveri had blown his whistle just before the ball crossed the line, ruling the play dead and sparking immediate protests from Inter players and staff. The decision became the dominant talking point after the final whistle.

Former Serie A referee Gianpaolo Calvarese later criticized Doveri’s handling of that moment, arguing the referee should not have intervened once the corner was taken and the ball was in play. Calvarese did support the decision not to award Inter a penalty for a late handball involving Milan’s Samuele Ricci, saying the midfielder’s arm was in a natural position and the ball came from close range. Regardless, the controversy overshadowed what was a critical result in the title race, with Inter remaining on 67 points and Milan closing to 60 while Napoli lurk in third with 56.

The U.S. Women’s National Team captured its eighth SheBelieves Cup title on Saturday with a 1-0 victory over Colombia in Harrison, New Jersey. Alyssa Thompson delivered the decisive moment in the 82nd minute, scoring the late winner to seal the tournament for the Americans and earning MVP honors for her performances across the three matches.

The match was not straightforward for the United States. Colombia created several dangerous chances in the first half and finished the game with more total shots, but the U.S. controlled possession for long stretches and showed patience against a physical Colombian side that tried to slow the tempo with fouls and stoppages. Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce helped anchor the defensive effort as the Americans limited Colombia to just one shot on target.

The breakthrough came after a wave of second-half substitutions energized the U.S. attack. Olivia Moultrie and Lindsey Heaps helped move the ball forward before Thompson combined with fellow substitute Jaedyn Shaw near the top of the penalty area. Shaw returned the pass, and Thompson smashed a right-footed shot into the top corner to ignite the crowd of more than 22,000 at Sports Illustrated Stadium.

The victory completed a perfect tournament for the United States, which finished first with nine points and did not concede a single goal. Veteran defender Emily Sonnett lifted a record eighth SheBelieves Cup as an individual, while the U.S. program continued its dominance in the competition ahead of an upcoming three-match April series against Japan.

Sergiño Dest Injury Could Impact USMNT March Friendlies
PSV right back Sergiño Dest left Sunday’s match against AZ with an upper leg injury that is expected to sideline him for the upcoming U.S. men’s national team friendlies later this month. The United States is scheduled to face Belgium and Portugal in Atlanta on March 28 and March 31, but PSV said it is currently difficult to predict how long Dest will be out. The defender said he is focused on returning before the end of the club season and thanked supporters for their messages during his recovery.

USL Championship Season Opens Amid Labor Dispute
The USL Championship began its 2026 season without a new collective bargaining agreement between the league and the USL Players Association. Players across all 10 opening matches stood still for the first minute in a coordinated protest highlighting ongoing negotiations over working conditions and protections. The USLPA said the demonstration was meant to emphasize unity among players and push for enforceable professional standards in the league’s most commercially successful division.

Expansion Clubs Split Opening Results
Two first-year clubs began life in the USL Championship with very different results. Sporting Jax fell 3-0 at home to Hartford Athletic in front of a crowd of more than 10,000 supporters, while Brooklyn FC earned a 1-0 victory over Indy Eleven at Maimonides Park in Coney Island. The contrasting outcomes offered an early glimpse into the challenges and opportunities facing the league’s newest teams.

Visa Issues Threaten CONCACAF Champions Cup Match
The LA Galaxy’s upcoming CONCACAF Champions Cup match against Jamaican side Mount Pleasant has been complicated by visa denials affecting a large portion of the visiting squad. Reports indicate as many as 10 players, including six Haitian nationals, have been denied entry documents to travel to the United States, leaving the club scrambling to assemble a competitive roster. The situation has sparked broader concerns about how travel restrictions could affect international tournaments hosted in the United States, including the 2026 World Cup.

SDH AM returns this morning at 9:05 a.m. with Jon Nelson in the host chair. The Monday edition brings together the regular crew as Abe Gordon from 92.9 The Game, our own Madison Crews, and Bart Keeler from the Soccer For US podcast join the conversation. Expect a wide-ranging look back at the weekend’s matches and the biggest stories from across the soccer world.

Carolina Core equalized just after halftime through an unfortunate Atlanta own goal, but Atlanta United 2 regained control in the 62nd minute when Daniel Chica’s shot deflected past the goalkeeper to restore the lead. The Five Stripes held firm through a physical closing stretch to secure their first MLS NEXT Pro victory in Athens and the club’s first win of the 2026 season.

The latest edition of The Georgia Call-Up shines a spotlight on Jeff Davis High School senior Konnor “Fish” Munsayac, one of the most productive players in the state. A former baseball player who only began playing soccer in seventh grade, Munsayac has quickly developed into a standout attacker with 52 goals and 15 assists in his high school career. His rapid rise on the field has been matched by success in the classroom, where he carries a 4.0 GPA and will graduate with honors.

Beyond the numbers, Munsayac’s story reflects the impact of the sport in communities across Georgia. Active in his church and involved with FCA and the BETA Club, he represents the kind of well-rounded student-athlete that high school programs aim to develop. In conversations with SDH, both Munsayac and his coach Brian Lawson highlighted the dedication and work ethic that have helped him grow into a leader for the Yellow Jackets program.

Iran Women’s Team Safety Concerns in Australia
Urgent talks between FIFA, the Asian Football Confederation, and the Australian government are underway about extending the Iranian women’s national team’s stay in Australia following escalating tensions in the Middle East. The team had been scheduled to leave after its Women’s Asian Cup exit but has not yet booked return flights amid safety concerns. The players had already drawn attention earlier in the tournament by refusing to sing the national anthem in their opening match.

Iraq Requests World Cup Playoff Delay
Iraq head coach Graham Arnold has asked FIFA to postpone his team’s inter-confederation World Cup playoff scheduled for March 31 in Monterrey. Airspace closures and visa complications following military strikes in the region have prevented several players and staff from traveling. Arnold suggested delaying the match until closer to the World Cup to ensure Iraq can field its full squad.

Old Firm Cup Tie Ends in Crowd Trouble
Police Scotland has launched an investigation after chaotic scenes followed Celtic’s penalty shootout victory over Rangers in the Scottish Cup quarterfinal at Ibrox. Fans from both clubs entered the pitch after the final kick, and objects including pyrotechnics were reportedly thrown between supporters. Several arrests were made and authorities confirmed officers and members of the public were injured.

Mass Brawl Leads to 23 Red Cards in Brazil
A violent brawl overshadowed the final seconds of the Campeonato Mineiro final between Cruzeiro and Atlético Mineiro. The melee, sparked by a challenge on Atlético goalkeeper Everson, escalated into a mass fight involving players, substitutes, and staff. Officials eventually issued 23 red cards as Cruzeiro secured a 1-0 victory to claim the state championship.

Port Vale’s Cup Run Defies League Struggles
Port Vale’s difficult League One season has been offset by a remarkable run in cup competitions. Their 1-0 victory over Premier League side Sunderland sent the club into the FA Cup quarterfinals for just the second time in its history. The giant-killing result followed a midweek win over Bristol City and highlighted a stark contrast with their league form.

Mourinho–Porto Derby War of Words
Benfica manager José Mourinho accused FC Porto assistant Luis “Lucho” González of repeatedly calling him a “traitor” during a heated 2-2 draw between the rivals. Both men were sent off late in the match after an exchange near the benches. Mourinho defended his career path, saying he had given everything to every club he has managed.

Hecking Returns to Wolfsburg Amid Relegation Fight
Bundesliga club Wolfsburg has turned to a familiar face in its battle against relegation, reappointing Dieter Hecking as head coach. The move follows the dismissal of Daniel Bauer and the club’s sporting director after a winless run stretched to eight matches. Wolfsburg sits second from bottom with nine games remaining in the season.

Investment Group Nears Majority Purchase of Atlético Madrid
Apollo Sports Capital is reportedly set to complete its acquisition of a 55% stake in Atlético Madrid this week. The deal would value the Spanish club at approximately €2.5 billion and make the U.S.-based investment group the majority shareholder. The move reflects continued growth in private investment across global soccer.

Toluca Continues Strong Clausura Run
Toluca strengthened its position near the top of the Liga MX Clausura table with a 3–1 victory over FC Juárez at Estadio Nemesio Díez. Helinho opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the second half before defender Antonio Briseño added a second, putting the hosts firmly in control. Juárez briefly pulled one back through Guilherme Castilho, but Toluca sealed the win deep into stoppage time when Paulinho chipped the goalkeeper for the third goal.

The result keeps Toluca unbeaten in the Clausura campaign and reinforces their status as one of the league’s early contenders. They controlled much of the match with the majority of possession and nearly doubled Juárez’s shot total, continuing the momentum from a strong start to the tournament.

From Atlanta United searching for answers after a dramatic home opener to a busy weekend across MLS and major storylines around the global game, the soccer calendar continues to accelerate as spring approaches. Early-season narratives are starting to take shape, whether it’s surprise contenders in MLS, title races heating up in Europe, or international teams preparing for the next major tournaments.

We’ll keep following all of it throughout the day across the SDH Network. Join us for SDH AM at 9:05 a.m. with Jon Nelson and the Monday crew, and stay connected with us on the website and social channels as the next chapter of the season unfolds.