It was a late one getting back from Nashville, so this edition is landing more like an Afternoon Cortado than a Morning Espresso. Worth the wait. We've got Atlanta United's frustrating night, Argentina and Spain's final countdown, and everything else you need before tomorrow.

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Atlanta United came out of a 54 day World Cup break and played the kind of match that should have produced points. It did not. The Five Stripes fell 1-0 to Nashville SC at GEODIS Park on Friday night, outshooting the hosts 12-9 and out possessing them slightly, but a 79th minute header from Shak Mohammed was the only goal either side needed.

The chances were there early. In the eighth minute, Jay Fortune collected a pass in his own half and drove past two Nashville defenders into the attacking third before laying the ball off to Miguel Almirón on the left. Almirón's shot from a tight angle forced a save from Brian Schwake at the near post. Fortune did not last much longer. He went down a few minutes later with a hamstring injury and was replaced by Will Reilly. Tata Martino started four Homegrowns on the night in a lineup missing Junior Alonso and Paulo Diaz, both still waiting on visa paperwork, plus Stian Gregersen (quad) and Sergio Santos (calf).

The best of it came in the second half. Alexey Miranchuk was at the center of nearly every good sequence, first setting up a blocked effort from Luke Brennan in the 51st minute, then turning his marker a few minutes later to thread an inch perfect ball in behind for Brennan again. That one drew the best save of the night from Schwake, pushed over the bar with Brennan's shot nearly past him. Atlanta had the match's two clearest looks in the same ten minute stretch and had nothing to show for either.

Nashville needed one moment and got it. The defensive spacing on the right side got stretched and Alex Muyl got in behind to float a cross to the back post in the 79th minute, and Shak Mohammed rose above his marker to head it into the left side of the goal. Lucas Hoyos had a big save late to deny a point blank rocket from Andy Najar, but Atlanta could not find the equalizer.

The performance matched the underlying numbers. Atlanta led shots, shots on target, and expected goals, and did it with the youngest starting eleven it has fielded all season, an average age of 26 years and 79 days. None of that changes the result. Atlanta United (3-10-2, 11 points) heads back on the road Wednesday to face Charlotte FC at Bank of America Stadium, 8:15 p.m. ET on Apple TV, FS1, FOX Deportes, 92.9 The Game and La Mejor.

Tom Brady was on that stage. So was Novak Djokovic, and so was Kevin Durant. Three of the most decorated athletes on the planet took turns asking the questions at Friday's World Cup final preview event at Fanatics Fest in New York, a format FIFA built around letting stars interview stars instead of reporters. Before anyone left the stage, they all lined up for a selfie with Lionel Messi.

"It goes beyond words what Messi means as a player and what he means for Argentina," Spain captain Rodri said. "Obviously, for me, he's the greatest of all time."

Argentina did not walk an easy road to get here. The defending champions are 7-0-0 and the only unbeaten, undefeated team left in the tournament, but they rallied from a second-half deficit to beat England in the semifinal, rallied from two goals down to beat Egypt in the round of 16, and needed extra time to get past both Cape Verde and Switzerland earlier in the bracket. "I've said many times, we never stop fighting," Messi said. Manager Lionel Scaloni was asked how a team defends a desire to win when it already owns the sport's biggest trophy. His answer pointed straight at home. "You see your people, how they celebrate, how they are happy, that gets you," he said. "It's impossible for it not to touch your heart." Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez said much the same, describing fans celebrating at two in the morning in the Argentine cold as reason enough to keep giving everything.

There is a scheduling wrinkle working against Argentina. Their semifinal against England fell on Wednesday in Atlanta, one day later than Spain's, which leaves less recovery time heading into Sunday. Scaloni was matter of fact about it. "We don't have much time to train," he said. "Last night we arrived at 11pm. Tomorrow will be busy." What is not in question is what a win would mean. No team has repeated as World Cup champion since Brazil in 1958 and 1962, and Messi, at 39, has a chance to add that to a resume that already has nothing left to prove. "To be able to arrive at a final as he has at 39, I think that's something incredible," Scaloni said. "We have to value what he does. He's managed something that years ago wasn't thought possible."

Messi spent part of Friday's session on Lamine Yamal, the Spain forward who once appeared as a baby in a photo with Messi that has circulated again this week. "He has everything to dominate football in the coming years," Messi said. "I wish him all the best, because he'll be good for Barcelona. We will try to prevent it from happening this time." Martínez, working through pain in a hand he has been told needs surgery, put it simply. "I'm visualizing and dreaming of the fourth star."

Rodri does not sound like a captain satisfied with what his team has built. He sounds like one looking to add to it. "We can even do it better," Spain's captain said Friday, days removed from a 2-0 win over France that he called one of the best games his team has ever played. "But against Argentina, I think we have to rise a level, because they are the champions." This is only the second World Cup final in Spanish history, the product of a run that traces back through the 2024 European Championship and the 2023 Nations League title. "It has been a process for all five years," Rodri said.

The numbers back up the confidence. Spain has allowed a single goal across seven matches and, since an opening draw with Cape Verde, has outscored opponents 13-1. Mikel Merino broke a tie late to eliminate Portugal in the round of 16, Belgium fell in the quarterfinals to another late Merino goal, and Unai Simón has made nine saves behind a defense that Rodri, the reigning Ballon d'Or winner, insists is only one part of what this team can do. "I don't think you've seen the same Spain across all the matches," he said. "We can adapt to having to defend, counterattacking, to attacking. We are a very complete team, and that is why we are here."

The one open question is Lamine Yamal, spotted at training with his left thigh wrapped after taking a hit against France. Coach Luis de la Fuente shut down the concern directly. "Today he participated in the training with the other teammates, and he is fine," he said. "He is in optimal condition." Yamal is the same 19-year-old who once appeared, as a baby, in a photo with Lionel Messi, a picture that resurfaced this week and that Messi himself was asked about Friday in New York. De la Fuente is not interested in framing Sunday as a changing of the guard. "Lamine has to be Lamine," he said. "Messi is a one-of-a-time-in-history player. The best way we can support Lamine is by helping him be the person we know today."

Neither camp wants Sunday remembered for the wrong reasons. Former Spain manager Vicente del Bosque, who beat the Netherlands for the 2010 title, called Argentina "a real nuisance" and warned Spain not to take their comeback win over England lightly. The 2010 final still carries the memory of Nigel de Jong's kick on Xabi Alonso and a Dutch performance built on fouls, and Spain has already had one physical night this tournament, against Uruguay in the group stage. Rodri and De la Fuente were both asked about the possibility of a rough final and both waved it off, with De la Fuente putting his trust in referee Slavko Vinčić. "I like to think they're a team that gives their all," Rodri said of Argentina. "If that happens, we have to ignore it and play our own game."

De la Fuente found one thing to be nervous about, and it was not Messi. "I am nervous because we are going back by helicopter," he said, laughing. "About everything else, I'm calm. I'm lucky enough to be in this situation, and I insist, we just want to enjoy this amazing moment."

One World Cup weekend left, and it’s the biggest one. Today it's the match nobody wanted to play, France and England meeting in Miami for third place. Tomorrow it's the one everybody wants, Argentina and Spain for the trophy at MetLife Stadium. And a few hundred miles south, Decatur is still finding a way to make it feel like home.

On The Field

France came into the tournament a favorite to win it all. England was chasing its first title since 1966. Both fell one match short in the semifinals, and now they share a consolation match neither side asked for. "None of us wanted to play in this game for third place," France defender Ibrahima Konaté said Friday. "But France and England have a big story together." Thomas Tuchel, still fielding questions about his tactics in the semifinal loss to Argentina, framed it as a chance to show what his group is actually made of. "Mentality is not something that you switch on and switch off as you like it," he said. There's also a going away party built in. It's Didier Deschamps' final match after 14 years in charge of France, and Konaté said the squad wants to send him out with a win. The Golden Boot race is still unresolved too, with Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi tied at eight goals apiece and Messi holding the tiebreaker on assists heading into the final two matches.

Off The Field

Wildfire smoke drifting down from Canada triggered air quality alerts across New York and New Jersey this week, enough to postpone an MLS match in Chicago, but FIFA sources told ESPN the final itself is not in jeopardy as the forecast improves. Spain still trained outdoors in East Hanover, New Jersey, on Thursday under conditions health experts flagged as hazardous. Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić has been assigned to Sunday's final. And on the secondary market, tickets for Argentina versus Spain are on pace to be the most expensive in sporting history, averaging $12,751 on SeatGeek, more than $2,000 above the previous record set by the 2024 Super Bowl.

Decatur WatchFest ‘26 Continues This Weekend: Both remaining World Cup matches are showing free on three big screens at the Decatur Square, France vs. England Saturday at 5 p.m. and Argentina vs. Spain Sunday at 3 p.m. Pushback plays a free concert Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and the Indigo Girls close things out Sunday at 8 p.m. in a sold-out, ticketed show. More than 140,000 guests have come through the Square over the course of the tournament.

FIFA Introducing Championship Rings: For the first time, FIFA will award championship rings to the World Cup winning team, a nod to North American pro sports tradition given the tournament's U.S. host final. Only 2,026 rings will be made and individually numbered, with 30 going to the winning team and the rest offered for public sale.

LAFC Downs Galaxy 3-0 in El Tráfico: Denis Bouanga converted a first-half stoppage-time penalty to extend his scoring streak against the Galaxy to seven straight meetings, the longest such run in the rivalry's history, as LAFC won 3-0 in MLS's first weekend back from the World Cup break. Mark Delgado opened the scoring in the 26th minute against his former club, and Son Heung-min added his first goal of the season in the 57th. LAFC (8-5-3) evened the all-time series with the Galaxy at 10-10-7.

Wave and Current Play to 2-2 Draw: Trinity Byars scored twice, including a 90th minute equalizer, as San Diego salvaged a 2-2 draw at Kansas City on Friday night. Temwa Chawinga and Croix Bethune scored for the Current, whose 10-game home winning streak came to an end in the result. San Diego (9-5-2) stayed atop the NWSL standings.

Pochettino to Decide on USMNT Future Next Week: Mauricio Pochettino said on Spanish radio that he will make a decision next week on whether he remains as U.S. men's national team coach, with his current contract running through the World Cup. U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson said this week he is optimistic about an extension, and Pochettino confirmed he has received an offer to stay on. The U.S. topped its group before losing 4-1 to Belgium in the round of 16.

Soccer Fandom in the U.S. Keeps Climbing: Forty nine percent of Americans identified as pro soccer fans in June, up from 44 percent over the prior twelve months, a gain of roughly 15 million fans according to Sports Poll data. The number of Americans who named soccer their top sports priority nearly doubled during the month.

MLS Commissioner Search Narrows to Two: LAFC co-owner Larry Berg and former Fox executive David Nathanson are the finalists to succeed Don Garber as MLS commissioner, a source confirmed to ESPN. 49ers Enterprises president Paraag Marathe withdrew from consideration in the last 24 hours. Garber, commissioner since 1999, has a contract running through the end of 2027.

SDH AM
On demand now: Jon Nelson's morning show is live on YouTube, Twitch and the SDH podcast feed if you need your soccer talk before the World Cup weekend gets going.

Atlanta United 2 Radio
Tonight, pregame at 7:30 p.m.: Jon Nelson has the call as ATL UTD 2 plays in Huntsville in MLS NEXT Pro, streaming live at soccerdownhere.net/listen.

Atlanta Soccer Tonight
Tonight, 9 to 11 p.m. on 92.9 The Game and the Audacy app: Jason previews Sunday's World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, the last preview show before the trophy gets handed out.

South Downtown, All Day Sunday
Starting at 2 p.m. on 92.9 The Game and the Audacy app: Abe Gordon anchors live coverage with Madison Crews and me dropping in for match updates through the final, then Atlanta Soccer Tonight takes over at 6 p.m. to recap the result, celebrate the champions and close the book on the biggest World Cup this city has ever seen.

Jonathan Ransom is headed to Mexico. Canada Soccer named the 18-year-old goalkeeper to its Under-20 squad for the 2026 Concacaf U-20 Championship, running July 24 through August 9, making him the second Atlanta United academy product in the field alongside Cooper Sanchez, who was named to the U.S. U-19 team. Canada opens Group C play against Panama on July 25, then faces Honduras and Jamaica before the tournament shifts from Puebla to Estadio Azteca for the knockout rounds, with a World Cup, Pan American Games and Olympic berth all riding on the results. Ransom will suit up for Atlanta United 2's match at Huntsville tonight before leaving for camp. He signed with ATL UTD 2 in October 2025, has 25 starts and 80 saves for the club, and already has U-17 World Cup and U-20 experience with Canada, including a clean sheet against France at the 2025 U-17 World Cup in Qatar.

Spurs Reject Newcastle's Bid for Bergvall: Tottenham turned down a roughly £46 million offer from Newcastle for midfielder Lucas Bergvall, a bid that topped Nottingham Forest's approaches to date. Bergvall, 20, is under contract through 2031 but has told the club he wants to leave this summer, and Forest is targeting him as a replacement for Elliot Anderson.

Ederson Signs Extension With Atalanta After United Deal Collapses: Ederson has signed a new contract with Atalanta days after Manchester United abandoned a proposed €40.5 million transfer for the midfielder. United instead signed Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa, and Atalanta did not disclose the length of Ederson's new deal.

Brentford Discloses £50m Hollywood Investment: Brentford's accounts confirmed a £50 million investment from Marv Studios, co-owned by filmmaker Matthew Vaughn and Claudia Schiffer, delivered in two tranches since July 2025. The funds came through Best Intentions Analytics, the same holding company majority owner Matthew Benham uses to control Spanish side Mérida AD.

Winnipeg Named Northern Super League's First Expansion Club: The Northern Super League confirmed Winnipeg as its seventh franchise and first expansion team, set to begin play in 2027. The club is co-founded by Canadian international Desiree Scott and former Portland Thorns coach Rob Gale, and follows a $30 million investment in the league from APEX.

Sébastien Migne Named Gabon Coach: Migne, who led Haiti to its first World Cup in 52 years, has been appointed Gabon's coach ahead of Africa Cup of Nations qualifying. Gabon opens qualifying in September against Morocco and Niger.

Messi is chasing the ending a career like his deserves, and Rodri has made clear that Spain intends to be the team that denies him one. Tomorrow at three o'clock, the World Cup finally settles which side is right.

Song of the Day: "Anticipation" by Carly Simon. The whole soccer world is stuck exactly where the title says, and there's no better way to spend the wait than at Decatur Square or in front of your own screen tomorrow at three.

Jason