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AMB Sports and Entertainment has secured a landmark commercial partner for its forthcoming NWSL expansion club, announcing a seven-year agreement with Aflac to become the Front-of-Kit sponsor for NWSL Atlanta beginning in 2028. The deal is believed to be the largest jersey sponsorship in women’s sports history, underscoring both the accelerating commercial growth of the league and Atlanta’s positioning as a flagship market before the team has even kicked a ball.

The franchise, awarded as the league’s 17th club in November 2025, is owned by Arthur M. Blank and operated by AMB Sports and Entertainment. The club will debut in 2028 and play at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, instantly giving the NWSL one of its most high-profile venues. AMBSE President Tim Zulawski described the partnership as foundational, aligning the new club with a Georgia-based corporation that carries national reach and deep community ties.

Beyond shirt placement, the agreement includes matchday activations at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, integrated storytelling across digital and social platforms, and Aflac serving as presenting partner for milestone events leading into launch, including the future unveiling of the club’s name and brand identity. The naming process remains in development with no fixed timeline announced.

The partnership also embeds a philanthropic component. A portion of net proceeds from NWSL Atlanta merchandise will support the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. For Aflac, whose sports marketing footprint already spans multiple properties, the deal reinforces its identity as a long-term investor in women’s athletics and community health initiatives.

Strategically, this is more than a sponsorship announcement. It is a signal. Atlanta’s NWSL club is building commercial scale two years before launch, leveraging brand equity, stadium infrastructure, and ownership stability. As the league continues its expansion phase, the market message is clear. Atlanta intends to enter not as an experiment, but as a fully capitalized contender in the business of women’s soccer.

Vinícius Júnior sealed Real Madrid’s place in the Champions League Round of 16, but the Spanish giants were pushed hard by S.L. Benfica on a night that carried both competitive and emotional weight. The second leg came one week after a heated encounter in Lisbon, where Vinicius alleged racial abuse from Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni. Prestianni, who denies the accusation, was provisionally suspended by UEFA and did not feature in Madrid.

Benfica also arrived without head coach José Mourinho on the touchline. Mourinho, returning to the Bernabeu for the first time since his tenure in charge of Madrid from 2010 to 2013, served a suspension following his red card in the first leg. His absence added another layer to a tie already surrounded by scrutiny.

On the field, Benfica struck first. Rafa Silva capitalized after Thibaut Courtois was forced into an early save, briefly stunning the home crowd. Madrid responded quickly through Aurelien Tchouameni, who swept home to level the match. Chances followed at both ends, with Courtois called into action again and Silva striking the bar as Benfica searched for a breakthrough.

Ultimately, Madrid’s depth and composure told. Vinicius slotted home in the 80th minute to settle the contest and celebrated in familiar fashion, closing a chapter that has extended beyond football. Madrid advance, but the conversation around the tie will linger well after the final whistle.

It was a night defined by red cards, extra time drama, and shifting momentum across three Champions League ties. In Turin, Juventus nearly authored a historic comeback against Galatasaray. Trailing 5-2 from the first leg, Juve stormed to a 3-0 lead in the return match and forced extra time despite playing much of the second half with 10 men after Lloyd Kelly’s dismissal. Weston McKennie’s goal leveled the aggregate score, but Galatasaray struck twice in extra time to win 7-5 overall. Juventus exited to applause from their supporters, a rally that restored pride but could not erase the damage from the first leg.

In Bergamo, Atalanta BC delivered the night’s most chaotic finish. Facing a 2-0 first-leg deficit against Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta roared back and appeared headed for extra time before a stoppage-time cross led to a bloody collision inside the area. After a VAR review, a penalty was awarded, Dortmund saw a player sent off on the bench for dissent and Remy Bensabaini dismissed for a second yellow card, and Lazar Samardzic converted in the eighth minute of stoppage time. The 4-1 win on the night sealed a 4-3 aggregate triumph and preserved Italy’s presence in the Round of 16.

The result was historic for Dortmund for the wrong reasons. According to UEFA, it marked the first time the German side failed to protect a two-goal first-leg advantage in European competition. Atalanta now return to the Round of 16 for the first time since 2020-21 and will face either Arsenal or Bayern Munich in Friday’s draw.

In Paris, defending champions Paris Saint-Germain advanced after a 2-2 draw eliminated AS Monaco 5-4 on aggregate. Monaco had control with the tie level before Mamadou Coulibaly’s second yellow card shifted the balance. Marquinhos equalized moments later, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia added a decisive second, and Jordan Teze’s late goal proved insufficient. PSG move on and await either Chelsea or Barcelona, while Monaco are left to rue another tie that slipped away after holding an early advantage.

Three matches, three very different paths. Comebacks, controversy, and composure under pressure defined a Champions League night that reshaped the Round of 16 field.

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What long felt like a summer storyline may now be unfolding in March. Reports out of Spain indicate that Antoine Griezmann is much closer to leaving Atlético Madrid than previously expected, with Orlando City SC pushing to complete a deal before the MLS primary transfer window closes on March 27. A three-year offer is reportedly on the table, and it may not be one that can simply wait until July.

Many around the club had anticipated that Griezmann would make the jump to Major League Soccer this summer or in 2027. Instead, Cadena SER reports that discussions have intensified, and the veteran forward has outlined a potential exit timeline if he gives the green light. That schedule would include upcoming fixtures against Real Oviedo and Barcelona before a possible farewell at the Metropolitano on March 7 against Real Sociedad, his first professional club.

The timing is complicated. Atlético remain in contention for a place in the Copa del Rey final, and Griezmann’s performances this season have been productive. He has 12 goals and two assists and is averaging a goal contribution every 111 minutes. Despite that output, reports suggest he is not fully satisfied with his role and believes he should carry greater importance within Diego Simeone’s plans.

Atlético would prefer that he finish the season in Madrid, and the club still considers that the more likely outcome. Orlando, however, are attempting to accelerate the process. If the move materializes before the end of March, it would shift one of the summer’s expected transfer sagas into the final weeks of the MLS winter window.

Timo Werner Arrives in San Jose
Timo Werner has received his visa and arrived in the United States following his winter move from RB Leipzig, per Tom Bogert. The 29-year-old becomes the new focal point of the San Jose Earthquakes attack after their 3-0 opening win over Sporting Kansas City. San Jose host Atlanta United on Saturday in what could mark Werner’s MLS introduction to a national audience.

Cincinnati, Vancouver, Galaxy Advance in Continental Play
FC Cincinnati routed O&M FC 9-0 to complete a 13-0 aggregate win, with academy graduates Ademar Chávez, Stiven Jimenez and Stefan Chirila scoring their first senior goals. Chávez became the youngest goalscorer in club history at 17 years, 44 days, and 2026 SuperDraft pick Ayoub Lajhar added two assists in his debut ahead of a Round of 16 clash with Tigres.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC defeated CS Cartaginés 2-0 to set up a historic rivalry matchup with the Seattle Sounders, while LA Galaxy advanced on aggregate after a 1-1 draw with Sporting San Miguelito. Joseph Paintsil’s away goal proved decisive as the Galaxy now turn their attention to Caribbean champion Mount Pleasant.

Denis Bouanga Commits Long Term to LAFC
Denis Bouanga has signed a multiyear contract extension with Los Angeles FC, keeping him as a designated player through 2028 with an option beyond. Bouanga has 101 goals and 42 assists in 152 appearances for LAFC and is coming off three straight 20-goal MLS seasons. The extension ends speculation of a move abroad and preserves one of the league’s most prolific attacking partnerships heading into another title push.

St. Louis City Extends Chris Durkin
St. Louis City SC have signed midfielder Chris Durkin to an extension through June 2028 with an additional option year. The 26-year-old has become a steady presence since arriving from D.C. United prior to the 2024 season. Sporting director Corey Wray emphasized Durkin’s leadership and reliability as central to the club’s long-term plans.

MLS NEXT Pro Heads to OneFootball
MLS NEXT Pro will stream all regular season and playoff matches free-to-air on OneFootball beginning with the league’s fifth season this Friday. Matches will also remain available on MLSNEXTPro.com, with highlights and additional content housed on the platform. The move broadens accessibility after previous seasons that included MLS Season Pass distribution.

SDH AM is live this morning at 9:05 on YouTube and Twitch, with the podcast available on demand later today. Jon Nelson hosts and will be joined by Max Anderson, commentator for Chicago Fire radio, plus a 10am Power Hour featuring Nino Torres and Niko Moreno as MLS storylines continue to take shape.

Madison Crews will be at Atlanta United training in Marietta today and will deliver a Training Ground Dispatch across our social media channels. A full Training Ground Notebook will publish on the website later today, along with Madison’s conversation with Atlanta United 2 manager José Silva as the second team prepares to open its season on Sunday night on the road.

Also on the site, check out our extended feature on Cooper Sanchez’s development and the pathway that led to his season-opening start.

Klopp’s Future at Red Bull Questioned
Reports in European media suggest Jürgen Klopp’s role as Global Head of Soccer with Red Bull GmbH could already be under scrutiny amid uneven results across the company’s football portfolio. Klopp only began the strategic oversight position in January 2025, but speculation has emerged that he may not remain long term. Red Bull leadership has publicly dismissed the claims, insisting they are satisfied with his work. Any departure would immediately trigger speculation about a return to frontline coaching.

Mexico Dominates Iceland in World Cup Warm-Up
Mexico wrapped up their international friendly against Iceland national football team with a commanding 4-0 victory in Querétaro. The win served as a key tune-up ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with goals from Richard Ledezma, Armando González, Jesús Gallardo and Brian Gutiérrez contributing to the clean sheet. The Tricolor’s performance highlighted depth in Javier Aguirre’s squad as they continue building momentum and evaluating options for the summer’s tournament.

Capelli Sport Partners With Cabo Verde
Capelli Sport has signed a four-year deal with the Cabo Verde Football Federation to outfit the Tubarões Azuis, or Blue Sharks. Cabo Verde are preparing for their first appearance at a FIFA World Cup, marking a significant commercial and competitive milestone for the island nation.

Cristiano Ronaldo Takes Stake in UD Almeria
Cristiano Ronaldo has acquired a 25 percent stake in UD Almería, joining a Saudi-led ownership group. The investment is his first in club ownership and comes amid his continued ties to Saudi Arabia through Al Nassr. Almeria sit third in Spain’s second division and are pushing for promotion.

Chelsea Post Historic Financial Loss
Chelsea FC recorded a €407 million pre-tax loss for the 2024-25 season, the largest in English football history according to UEFA’s latest financial report. The deficit includes significant accounting write-offs and a €31 million UEFA fine. Club sources suggest the figure reflects one-off adjustments rather than ongoing operating performance.

Arsenal Near Break Even With Record Revenue
Arsenal FC reported a £1.4 million loss while generating a club-record £691 million in revenue for 2024-25. Commercial growth and player sales strengthened the balance sheet, while operating costs and wage increases continued to rise. Their improved financial position coincides with a return to consistent Champions League participation.

Sheffield Wednesday Takeover Collapses
Sheffield Wednesday face renewed uncertainty after a proposed takeover fell apart. The consortium led by James Bord withdrew, citing valuation concerns following due diligence. The club, already docked points and relegated after administration, must now search for new investors.

Europa League Playoff Picture Clarifies
Nottingham Forest and VfB Stuttgart both carry commanding first-leg leads into their Europa League playoff second legs. Forest lead Fenerbahçe 3-0, while Stuttgart defeated Celtic 4-1 away. Elsewhere, Genk, Bologna, and Celta Vigo hold advantages, while Crystal Palace have work to do in the Conference League.

Real Madrid Expel Member Over Nazi Salute
Real Madrid have begun expulsion proceedings against a club member who was caught on camera performing a Nazi salute before their Champions League match against Benfica. The individual was removed from the Santiago Bernabeu immediately, and the club condemned the gesture. The incident follows ongoing scrutiny surrounding alleged racism in the first leg of the tie.

Barcelona SC Advances in Copa Libertadores
Barcelona SC pulled off a dramatic penalty-shootout win to eliminate Argentinos Juniors in the second preliminary phase of the 2026 Copa Libertadores. After a 1-1 aggregate draw, Jhonny Quiñónez’s goal leveled the tie and sent it to penalties, where Barcelona prevailed 5-4 in a tense shootout in Buenos Aires.

The victory keeps Barcelona SC alive in South America’s premier club competition and sets up a third preliminary round matchup against Brazilian side Botafogo for a place in the group stage. The result caps a comeback from the Toreros after earlier struggles in the tie and delivers a memorable night for the Ecuadorian club.

Morocco Coaching Change Rumors Continue
Foot Mercato reports that Walid Regragui has officially stepped down as head coach of the Morocco national football team and that the Royal Moroccan Football Federation has accepted his resignation, with youth coach Mohamed Ouahbi identified as a successor.

However, the federation has already denied reports of Regragui’s departure twice, including earlier this week, pushing back on speculation that he has left the post. As of now, there has been no official confirmation of a change, leaving the situation firmly in the realm of media reporting rather than formal announcement.

Big clubs making big decisions.

Atlanta’s NWSL side locks in a historic partner. European giants survive chaotic knockout nights. MLS teams secure their stars and sharpen their rosters before the window closes.

Plenty moving, everywhere you look, including us. I'm on my way to San Jose with Atlanta United later this afternoon. Morning Espresso will drop for you tomorrow morning as usual, along with plenty of coverage today and tomorrow getting you ready for Matchweek 2 in MLS.

Jason