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

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The NWSL market just hit another major milestone, with Georgia native Croix Bethune at the center of a blockbuster move. Kansas City Current have acquired the attacking midfielder from the Washington Spirit in a deal worth $1 million, one of the largest intra-league transfer fees in league history. Bethune, still only 24, is already one of the brightest young playmakers in the American game.

This trade is about more than a change of scenery. Bethune reportedly requested the move this offseason, and under the league’s CBA, player consent is required for every trade. Washington Spirit president of soccer operations Haley Carter framed it as a deal that honored Bethune’s development goals while delivering significant value back to the club.

Bethune’s rise has been meteoric. Drafted third overall in 2024, she tied the NWSL single-season assists record with 10 despite suffering a season-ending injury in late August. Even with two months missed, she swept major honors, winning Rookie of the Year, Midfielder of the Year, and a place in the league’s Best XI. Her breakout carried into the international level as well, earning Olympic gold with the USWNT squad and scoring her first senior national team goal in her most recent appearance.

Kansas City, already a Shield winner, now add a true No. 10 profile to an ambitious project built for trophies. The Current called Bethune an “exceptional playmaker with limitless potential,” and this is the kind of creative midfield investment that signals a club thinking not just about competing, but about shaping the league’s next era.

The ripple effect was immediate. Kansas City also sent USWNT defensive midfielder Claire Hutton to Bay FC for $1.1 million, another seven-figure deal involving one of the national team’s next leaders. Together, the moves underline a new reality: the NWSL’s talent economy is accelerating fast, and the league’s young American midfield core is now commanding global-level valuations.

Nottingham Forest’s managerial carousel keeps spinning. Sean Dyche has been dismissed after Wednesday’s goalless draw with bottom club Wolves, a result that left Forest hovering just three points above the relegation zone. With only three wins in their last 13 matches in all competitions, the club has decided another change was necessary in the fight for survival.

Dyche’s departure makes him the fourth head coach of Forest’s season, following earlier sackings of Nuno Espírito Santo, Ange Postecoglou, and the brief interim turbulence in between. Appointed in October, Dyche arrived with a reputation for structure and resilience, but results never stabilized enough to ease the pressure at the City Ground.

Attention now turns quickly to Vítor Pereira, with Forest already in talks with the Portuguese manager as a potential replacement. Pereira is known to owner Evangelos Marinakis from their time together at Olympiacos, and despite his recent Wolves dismissal, he remains respected for previous relegation-saving work and his ability to organize teams under stress.

Forest have a short window to regroup before their next match on February 19, a Europa League trip to Fenerbahce. The urgency is clear: another managerial reset is risky, but with relegation fears rising and the season slipping away, Forest are betting once again that a new voice can spark a turnaround.

Atlanta United continued a strong start to preseason with a 3-2 comeback win over the New York Red Bulls in Frisco, Texas, their second match of the Torneo de Tejas. The Five Stripes went into halftime down two goals, but flipped the match in the second half with a burst of pressure that produced two quick own goals in the 63rd and 65th minutes before Latte Lath finished the turnaround in the 76th, scoring his second goal of the preseason off an assist from Saba Lobjanidze.

With limited minutes managed across the squad, the match still offered useful signals: Atlanta’s attacking depth continues to show, the group has responded well when chasing games, and the preseason record now sits at 2-0-1. Alexey Miranchuk remains day-to-day, while the lineup rotation featured opportunities for young players and new pieces as Ronald Hernández, Enea Mihaj, and others logged important early reps ahead of the final tournament match against FC Dallas on February 14.

And later today, the Atlanta United at 10 series continues with one of the most fun chapters yet: Ten Cult Heroes in Atlanta United history. Not the headline superstars, but the players who became unforgettable through moments, personality, grit, and the kind of connection that only happens in this city. The names that still get cheers years later, because Atlanta always remembers its own.

England have opted for continuity at the top, with Thomas Tuchel signing a contract extension that will keep him in charge beyond this summer’s World Cup and through UEFA Euro 2028. The German’s original deal was set to expire after the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, but the FA have now moved early to secure him through a competition England will co host with Scotland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland.

Tuchel arrived with a short term mandate after taking over from Gareth Southgate, but the early returns have convinced both sides to keep building. England topped their World Cup qualification group with a perfect record, and Tuchel has spoken openly about how much he has enjoyed the rhythm of international football, calling it a dream job and emphasizing his ambition to make the country proud on the biggest stage.

For the FA, this is about clarity and stability. CEO Mark Bullingham framed the extension as a strategic decision to avoid uncertainty, remove Tuchel from the expected club market churn, and allow the squad to focus fully on the World Cup without speculation hanging over the manager’s future. England believe they have a world class coach, and they wanted that position settled before the tournament pressure peaks.

The extension also sets the runway beyond 2026. England will move straight into UEFA Nations League fixtures after the World Cup, and the FA see Tuchel’s staff alongside a broader pathway of English coaching talent as central to sustaining momentum. With Euro 2028 on home soil, England are making a clear statement that this is not just a summer project, but a long term push to finally turn contention into trophies.

Leagues Cup Expanding Into Mexico
Leagues Cup officials are finalizing plans to stage certain matches in Mexico for the first time. After three editions played exclusively in the United States and Canada, the tournament is moving toward a true continental footprint following the 2026 World Cup. Phase One begins August 4 with MLS and Liga MX clubs, with knockout qualification again decided through the opening three match round.

Messi Hamstring Strain Delays Inter Miami Friendly
Lionel Messi missed training this week with a lingering left hamstring strain, prompting Inter Miami to postpone a scheduled friendly in Puerto Rico. The club says his return will depend on his clinical progress in the coming days. Miami open the MLS season February 21 against LAFC, with a quick turnaround into a late February match against Orlando City.

Kaiser Permanente Partnership Sets New Standard in Portland
Kaiser Permanente has been named the official medical provider for both the Portland Thorns and the WNBA’s Portland Fire. The deal anchors a first of its kind dual sport performance center opening in 2026, aimed at elevating medical care for elite women athletes. The partnership will also extend into broader community health initiatives in the region. We are proud to partner with Kaiser Permanente here in Georgia to support our coverage.

World Cup Trophy Tour Coming to North America
Coca-Cola and FIFA have confirmed the World Cup Trophy Tour will make 38 stops across Canada, Mexico, and the United States ahead of 2026. The tour will visit all 16 host cities plus additional markets, beginning in Mexico City on February 26 before moving through the U.S. in late March and Canada in April. It is a major visibility push as North America builds toward the continent’s first expanded 48 team World Cup.

This morning on SDH AM we’ve got a stacked Power Hour at 10 with two of the sharpest voices in South American soccer. Nino Torres, South American soccer expert, and Niko Moreno from Pulso Sports join us to break down the latest storylines from CONMEBOL, player movement, tactical trends and what to watch as leagues across the region heat up.

Before you tune in, don’t miss these feature reads from Soccer Down Here that pair perfectly with today’s conversations:

📈 MLS Values Rising: Business Story Still Local — a deep look at how MLS club valuations are growing while maintaining strong local identities and community ties — https://www.soccerdownhere.net/post/mls-values-rising-business-story-still-local

⚽ Lagos Kunga & Portland Hearts of Pine: An Atlanta United Journey — an intimate profile tracing Lagos Kunga’s path from Atlanta to Portland and the heart behind his game — https://www.soccerdownhere.net/post/lagos-kunga-portland-hearts-of-pine-atlanta-united-journey

Plug in at 10am EST for the Power Hour with Nino and Niko — it’s going to be a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Creek Cup Begins Tonight on the Network
The Creek Cup kicks off tonight with matches at Johns Creek and Northview, and we are proud to be a broadcast partner for one of the can’t miss events on the Georgia high school soccer calendar. We will have radio coverage on our Mixlr channels of every match in the tournament, starting tonight at 6pm with Madison Crews and Drew Dickinson on the call from Johns Creek and Jon Nelson anchoring coverage at Northview. Listen live at soccerdownhere.net/listen.

Red Clay Soccer Report HS Edition Is Back
Yesterday also marked the start of Season 4 of the Red Clay Soccer Report, presented by our friends at Kaiser Permanente. Every Wednesday during the high school season, we lock in at noon to catch up with coaches across the state, track the sprint that is Georgia soccer, and spotlight the players, programs, and storylines shaping the year.

What You Missed in Episode 1
Our season opener hit the ground running with Lake Oconee Academy head coach Tyler Mayer, fresh off a title run and already learning new lessons with a retooled group. We also caught up with Walton girls head coach Jason Page, who talked about the shift from celebration to standards, and what it takes to manage depth, leadership, and minutes when you are defending a championship.

Creek Cup Coverage Continues
The show also set the table for Creek Cup with conversations including Tallulah Falls head coach Jeremy Steele and tournament organizer and Johns Creek head coach Kelly Bowler, digging into why this event has quickly become a destination for programs inside and outside Metro Atlanta. The next few days are going to bring real tests, real environments, and the kind of non region matchups that make teams sharper for the stretch run.

If you want to plug in, start with Creek Cup tonight at 6, then keep Wednesdays at noon circled for Red Clay all season long.

Arsenal Take Command in UWCL Playoff
Defending champions Arsenal cruised to a 4-0 first leg win at OH Leuven, with Frida Maanum scoring twice and Olivia Smith and Alessia Russo also on the board. The tie looks effectively decided heading back to London, though Smith will miss the second leg after a yellow card.

Real Madrid Rally Past Paris FC
Real Madrid came from behind to beat Paris FC 3-2 away in the first leg of their UWCL playoff. Caroline Weir and Athenea del Castillo turned it before halftime, and Linda Caicedo added a third before Paris FC pulled one back to keep the return leg alive.

Real Madrid and UEFA Move Toward Legal Peace
Real Madrid and UEFA announced an “agreement of principles” aimed at resolving their legal disputes stemming from the failed 2021 Super League project. Madrid had been pursuing massive damages, but both sides now frame the breakthrough as being in the wider interests of European club football and long term sustainability.

Manchester City Close the Gap
Manchester City beat Fulham 3-0, doing the damage in the first half to move within three points of Arsenal at the top, with Arsenal still holding a game in hand. Antoine Semenyo opened the scoring and added an assist for Nico O’Reilly, before Erling Haaland struck again to extend his Golden Boot lead.

Liverpool Injury Worry: Wataru Endo
Liverpool manager Arne Slot says Wataru Endo could be out “for a long time” after a serious looking ankle injury in a 1-0 win over Sunderland. The right back position has been a recurring problem area, with other options already sidelined.

Coppa Italia: Lazio Knock Out Bologna on Pens
Lazio eliminated defending champion Bologna after a 1-1 draw, winning the shootout 4-1. It is another setback for Bologna, who have also struggled in the league, while Lazio advance into a semifinal against Atalanta.

Copa del Rey Semifinal: Sociedad Strike at San Mames
Real Sociedad won 1-0 at Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of their semifinal, with Beñat Turrientes scoring the decisive goal. The return leg comes in March, and Athletic have work to do after failing to beat Sociedad in four straight meetings.

DFB-Pokal: Bayern Back in the Semis
Bayern Munich reached the German Cup semifinals for the first time in six years with a 2-0 win over RB Leipzig. Harry Kane converted a penalty, Luis Díaz added a second soon after, and Bayern keep their push alive to end a cup drought dating back to 2019-20.

Marcelo Flores Switches to Canada
Midfielder Marcelo Flores has formally changed his international allegiance from Mexico to Canada after receiving FIFA approval. The Ontario born attacker could debut in March, with Canada set for matches against Iceland and Tunisia.

Concacaf Champions League: Monterrey Finish the Job
Monterrey beat Guatemala’s Xelajú 2-0 in the second leg to advance 3-1 on aggregate. The tie was tighter than the scoreline suggested until a late penalty settled it, and Monterrey now move on to a blockbuster round of 16 matchup with Cruz Azul.

Concacaf Champions League: Club América Advance
Club América drew 0-0 with Olimpia in Mexico City to progress 2-1 on aggregate. Olimpia had moments, but América looked increasingly comfortable as the match wore on and now await their next opponent in the round of 16.

France World Cup Rights Controversy: beIN Wins Bid
The award of France’s 2026 World Cup TV rights to beIN Sports has sparked backlash locally, including reported resignation plans from Ligue 1+ executive Nicolas de Tavernost. FIFA sources framed it as a standard rights process where the strongest commercial offer won, and said PSG president Nasser al Khelaïfi was not involved.

Transfer Watch: Racing Defender Marco Di Césare Linked to Santos
Santos are reportedly advancing talks for Racing defender Marco Di Césare, with a proposed loan fee and an obligation to buy a majority share of his rights for a significant figure. Botafogo are also interested, but their reported structure is a loan with an option, not an obligation. Also, reports indicated that Racing wanted bank guarantees on any payment structure from Botafogo.

Copa Argentina: Gimnasia de Jujuy Stun Central Córdoba
Gimnasia de Jujuy eliminated Central Córdoba in a thrilling Copa Argentina match that finished 2-2 before going to penalties. The second division side held their nerve in the shootout, winning 5-4 to advance. It is an early statement result in the cup, knocking out a top flight opponent in dramatic fashion.

Damián Díaz Helps Barcelona SC Avoid Sanctions
Former Barcelona SC idol Damián Díaz has taken a step that could prove crucial for his old club during a turbulent period off the field. The veteran midfielder, now with Guayaquil City, agreed to voluntarily defer a payment Barcelona owed him, allowing the club to sidestep a possible suspension and proceed with the registration of players for the upcoming season. This gesture was widely praised by Barcelona’s leadership and supporters as a sign of Díaz’s enduring connection to the club amid ongoing financial strain.

From million dollar moves in the NWSL to managerial chaos at Nottingham Forest, the game’s landscape keeps shifting fast, on and off the pitch. Atlanta United’s preseason momentum continues to build, England have locked in long term stability with Thomas Tuchel, and the road to 2026 is already taking shape across North America.

And here in Georgia, the sprint has begun. Creek Cup starts tonight, Red Clay is back for season four, and high school soccer is once again ready to take center stage across the state.

The matches never stop, and neither do we. I’ll be live on 92.9 The Game tonight at 10pm talking all sports on The Intersection with Noel White & Miles Williams and then I’ll see you tomorrow for more Espresso.

Jason