Monday is coming at you once again and the smell of barbeque is in the air. The USMNT is into the Gold Cup quarterfinals after topping Group H and now awaits its next opponents from Canada's Group D. Jesus Ferreira is blasting away at the top of the scoring charts with six goals to underline his attacking credentials as the USMNT shook off a tricky opening draw with Jamaica. Meanwhile, fellow U.S. international Christian Pulisic seems like he's now looking at AC Milan and Olympique Lyonnais for his next club with a move away from Chelsea edging closer. I am Jonathan Johnson with your Golazo Starting XI newsletter ahead of the new week.
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📺 Footy fix
All times U.S./Eastern
Monday, July 3
🇧🇷 Brazil: Goias vs. Coritiba, 7 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+
🇦🇷 Argentina: Newell's Old Boys vs. Gimnasia La Plata, 7 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+
Tuesday
🌎 Gold Cup: Canada vs. Cuba, 6:30 p.m. ➡️ FS1
🇺🇸 MLS: Inter Miami vs. Columbus, 7:30 p.m. ➡️ AppleTV+
🌎 Gold Cup: Costa Rica vs. Martinique, 8:30 p.m. ➡️ FS1
🇺🇸 MLS: LA Galaxy vs. LAFC, 10:30 p.m. ➡️ AppleTV+
Don't miss CBS Sports Golazo Network's Morning Footy, now in podcast form! Our crew brings you all the news, views, highlights and laughs you need to follow the Beautiful Game in every corner of the globe, every Monday-Friday all year long.
⚽ The Forward Line
Ferreira flashes prolific credentials
The USMNT's Jesus Ferreira has rocketed to the top of the Gold Cup scoring charts after his second consecutive hat trick in a 6-0 win over Trindad and Tobago followed the first against St. Kitts and Nevis. The 22-year-old is now the first U.S. player in history to net two straight trebles and the FC Dallas man is emerging as a credible No. 2 striker behind newly acquired Folarin Balogun. Ferreira's international strike rate is currently higher than one every two games and almost twice as good as his club pace which is close to one goal every three games. Admittedly, the USMNT are strong favorites in the majority of their Gold Cup fixtures, but these are still impressive numbers being put up by the Colombia-born hotshot. Here's Chuck Booth breaking down Ferreira's performance Sunday night.
- Booth: "DeJuan Jones at left back was excellent assisting Ferreira and creating another goal in the match but the midfield shined creating chances and maintaining possession with ease. With his hat trick, Ferreira has now scored 12 goals for the national team in only 21 matches played. While 10 of those goals have come against Caribbean nations, Ferreira can only play the teams in front of him and shooting with confidence is something that he needs to do more of. We know what Ferreira can do as a creator, but during this tournament, if he can continue to take his attacking chances well, it will go a long way to making sure that the USMNT can win a second consecutive Gold Cup title."
Booth raises an interesting point in that Ferreira's previous statistics, notably with Dallas, has shown greater balance in terms of distributing goals and assists. Before this current Major League Soccer season, he had notched 34 goals but also provided 19 assists across his three most prolific campaigns. This term, however, Ferreira's numbers are purer in terms of goals scored at the expense of teeing up other teammates with 16 goals from 21 outings across all competitions. Should he help the UMSNT to what could be their eighth Gold Cup title, his newfound clinical edge could make him a strong contender to be Gregg Berhalter's second striker behind Balogun and a key part of the FIFA 2026 World Cup cycle.
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🔗 Midfield Link Play
Is Christian Pulisic deciding between Milan and Lyon?
Christian Pulisic is arguably the biggest USMNT star name expected to be on the move this summer. The Chelsea man has seen offers from American-owned pair AC Milan and Olympique Lyonnais arrive and the chances of him leaving Stamford Bridge this summer are greater than ever. OL have now reportedly put forward just over $27 million for Pulisic which is higher than Milan's verbal offer of around $15 million which kicked off the bidding for the 24-year-old. Both are intriguing options for the American international and the two projects have significant pros and cons in terms of a potential decision between the pair.
With Milan, should Pulisic opt for the San Siro and should the Rossoneri presumably raise their offer, he would be the fourth player to move directly from Chelsea in the Italians' current squad. Olivier Giroud, Fikayo Tomori and now Ruben Loftus Cheek are part of Stefano Pioli's group and that might sway Pulisic from a personal point of view given those pre-existing relations. Another significant factor is that Milan will be playing UEFA Champions League soccer this coming season, which is not the case for both Chelsea and Lyon. However, Rafael Leao occupying Pulisic's preferred left-wing berth could give him cause to reflect upon which option best suits his game.
In Lyon, the chances are greater that Pulisic could be deployed in his preferred role while Les Gones are expected to cash in on some talents this summer, which could end up including Rayan Cherki or Bradley Barcola. OL are up against it without any form of European soccer for 2023-24, but of interest could be the fact that he would be one of the figureheads of the league if he were to move, given that he is a high-profile USMNT international which could be significant for Ligue 1's international appeal. Should Lyon manage to keep Cherki, Barcola and last season's top scorer Alexandre Lacazette, then the aim would be to return the club to Europe immediately.
Now let's get to the rest of the links:
🔗 Chuck Booth with all the latest on Pulisic's potential landing spots.
🔗 Francesco Porzio chimes in with an update on Manchester City's interest in RB Leipzig's Josko Gvardiol.
🔗 James Benge on another Leipzig outgoing move as Dominik Szoboszlai joins Liverpool.
🔗 Benge looks at why Declan Rice is such a big deal for Arsenal.
🔗 Manchester United is busy in the transfer market chasing Mason Mount and Andre Onana.
🔗 Porzio with the confirmation that Juventus have completed the signing of USMNT star Tim Weah
🔗 Here's Morning Footy about what that means for the American.
🔗And more from Porzio with Newcastle announcing Sandro Tonali.
🔗 I look at PSG choosing Luis Enrique to replace Christophe Galtier as head coach.
🔗 The Morning Footy crew talk Jesus Ferreira's massive performances.
🔗 And, if you missed any of Morning Footy, it's a podcast now! Catch up with the entire crew at your convenience.
🔗 In Soccer We Trust: The gang recaps Trinidad and Tobago.
🔗 Attacking Third: Don't miss your NWSL weekend recap.
💰 The Back Line
💵 Best bets
All odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook and all times U.S./Eastern. SportsLine has you covered with everything you need.
- Argentina: Newell's vs. Gimnasia, Monday, 7 p.m.
💰 THE PICK: Draw (+200) -- This one is a midtable battle with Newell's three points better off coming into it. However, on a run of three straight draws in the league, balancing domestic and continental competition is proving tricky. Newell's should be able to get the win here, but their recent stumble suggests that it will be tight and that a draw would not be an unwise shout. - Argentina: Lanus vs. Velez, Tuesday, 7 p.m.
💰 THE PICK: Lanus to win and both to score (+550) -- Lanus remain within reach of second spot while Velez are struggling at the wrong end of the table. This one should be a home win, but Velez are desperate for points to improve their position and could run Lanus close. Going for the hosts to win but both the score seems wise.
