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Charles Boehm ⚽️ @cboehm.bsky.social · 5h

Charles Boehm ⚽️ @cboehm.bsky.social · 8h

A source with knowledge told me it was a leading factor. Are decision-makers using it as cover? Quite possibly. Tho it's not hard to see the connection with ICE explicitly targeting the Latino communities who would usually comprise a key segment of the ticket-buying audience for a match like this.

Charles Boehm ⚽️ @cboehm.bsky.social · 8h

A source with knowledge told me it was a leading factor. Are decision-makers using it as cover? Quite possibly. Tho it's not hard to see the connection with ICE explicitly targeting the Latino communities who would usually comprise a key segment of the ticket-buying audience for a match like this.

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Charles Boehm ⚽️ @cboehm.bsky.social · 9h

Always a good idea to grab a blunt-speaking adjacent Dutchman and ask them for their take when big news like this hits

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Charles Boehm ⚽️ @cboehm.bsky.social · 9h

Understandable, tho the two factors may be interwoven at this point.

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Charles Boehm ⚽️ @cboehm.bsky.social · 9h

Important context here from Tim

bsky.app/profile/thot...

Tim Hotze @thotze.bsky.social · 9h

FWIW - sources I've talked to have said that the concerns were commercial, with almost no tickets having been sold.

Chicago Cubs playing a home playoff game tonight; Chicago Marathon w/50k athletes from around the world + many more spectators happening this Sunday w/no changes

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Charles Boehm ⚽️ @cboehm.bsky.social · 10h

Sorry. Hopefully that long-awaited youth movement will roll in next year

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Charles Boehm ⚽️ @cboehm.bsky.social · 10h

World Soccer Talk was out ahead of this - further details in their report from yesterday:

worldsoccertalk.com/mls-news-and...

Lionel Messi faces sudden change in US tour as Argentina vs. Puerto Rico moved from Chicago

Lionel Messi faces a sudden change of plans on Argentina’s US tour, as the match against Puerto Rico has been moved out of Chicago.

worldsoccertalk.com

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Charles Boehm ⚽️ @cboehm.bsky.social · 10h

I've gotten confirmation of this - Argentina vs. Puerto Rico is being relocated OUT of Chicago due to ongoing upheaval caused by ICE, National Guard.

Albiceleste will stay in Leo Messi's backyard (metaphorically) for both of this month's matches

Tim Hotze @thotze.bsky.social · 11h

Mailbox: Event promoters say that the friendly between Argentina and Puerto Rico for Oct 13 has been moved to Ft. Lauderdale for 10/14

No notice on socials or website from promoters or AFA.

Tickets remain on sale at pretty astronomical prices on Ticketmaster's website

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Charles Boehm ⚽️ @cboehm.bsky.social · 11h

And here's my #22U22 ballot:

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Charles Boehm ⚽️ @cboehm.bsky.social · 11h

Ha! Well, 'location location location' and all that

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Charles Boehm ⚽️ @cboehm.bsky.social · 11h

I think it might turn out to be a big loss

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Charles Boehm ⚽️ @cboehm.bsky.social · 12h

MLS's Breakaway video series did a great job, too, give that a watch. And @ari.lobbingscorchers.com added important insight with his accompanying written piece:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5jx...

www.mlssoccer.com/news/obed-va...

Obed Vargas: Seattle Sounders homegrown star has

RENTON, Wash. – Obed Vargas may not fit the typical profile or have the conventional origin story of a globally sought-after prospect.

www.mlssoccer.com

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Charles Boehm ⚽️ @cboehm.bsky.social · 12h

Some of my colleagues have told this story in more depth and warmth than we had space for here. @jonarnoldfc.bsky.social's profile for @backheeled.com is sensational.

It shows vividly how Obed's family's story is so deeply, beautifully American, in every sense:

www.backheeled.com/obed-vargas-...

Obed Vargas’ remarkable rise from frozen fields in Alaska to the Seattle Sounders and El Tri

Here’s how a Mexican-American soccer family grew in ice-cold Alaska.

www.backheeled.com

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Charles Boehm ⚽️ @cboehm.bsky.social · 12h

“I don’t know if there’s a club in the world that doesn’t know who he is.

“Anyone who’s got analytics, he’s triggered and kind of set off the red alarms.”

Obed Vargas' path from distant Alaska to world-class midfield prospect is even more amazing than it sounds:

www.mlssoccer.com/news/22-unde...

22 Under 22: Why Seattle Sounders midfielder Obed Vargas tops the list | MLSSoccer.com

Player development is both art and science, simultaneously brimming with intangibles and ruled by cold, hard numbers – like how quickly a youngster matures and masters the fundamentals, when and how t...

www.mlssoccer.com

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Charles Boehm ⚽️ @cboehm.bsky.social · 13h

The full list of MLSsoccer.com's 22 Under 22 rankings for 2025 is here:

www.mlssoccer.com/news/2025-22...

2025 22 Under 22 Rankings | MLSSoccer.com

Major League Soccer's annual 22 Under 22 list ranks the league's top 22 players under the age of 22 – as voted on by an expert panel of select MLS staff, MLS Season Pass talent and Club technical staf...

www.mlssoccer.com

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Reposted by Charles Boehm ⚽️

Charles Boehm ⚽️ @cboehm.bsky.social · 1d

“It's one of the most, if not the most exciting opportunity in all of MLS.”

Leaving Gotham and City Football Group for the Midwest is not a typical career move for a rising soccer executive. But David Lee has his reasons for NYCFC ➡️ Sporting Kansas City.

My 1v1:

www.mlssoccer.com/news/why-dav...

Why David Lee left NYCFC for “something special” at Sporting KC | MLSSoccer.com

As he leaves New York City FC this week to become Sporting Kansas City’s new chief soccer officer, David Lee expects to field an inevitable question, particularly from proud inhabitants of “the greate...

www.mlssoccer.com

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Charles Boehm ⚽️ @cboehm.bsky.social · 1d

Go Jays IMHO

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Charles Boehm ⚽️ @cboehm.bsky.social · 1d

Over the past decade NYCFC lead MLS in regular-season points (523) and playoff appearances (nine) in addition to their 2021 MLS Cup title.

Lee was central to building those rosters. Yet he's not universally adored among the Pigeons faithful. We got into that and the... complications of CFG life.

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Charles Boehm ⚽️ @cboehm.bsky.social · 1d

“It's one of the most, if not the most exciting opportunity in all of MLS.”

Leaving Gotham and City Football Group for the Midwest is not a typical career move for a rising soccer executive. But David Lee has his reasons for NYCFC ➡️ Sporting Kansas City.

My 1v1:

www.mlssoccer.com/news/why-dav...

Why David Lee left NYCFC for “something special” at Sporting KC | MLSSoccer.com

As he leaves New York City FC this week to become Sporting Kansas City’s new chief soccer officer, David Lee expects to field an inevitable question, particularly from proud inhabitants of “the greate...

www.mlssoccer.com

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Reposted by Charles Boehm ⚽️

Nordecke @nordecke.com · 1d

A statement from Nordecke regarding the retirement of Darlington Nagbe:

Build the statue.

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Charles Boehm ⚽️ @cboehm.bsky.social · 1d

Hell yeah. But when? 📅

Charles Boehm ⚽️ @cboehm.bsky.social · 1d

Big news for at least one soccer demographic: groundskeepers.

Louisville, Orlando, Dallas and Houston are all playing in their local MLS/USL Champo stadia, and overlapping with the home side's spring schedules.

Delightful reversal in C-bus, tho, where gridiron is taking over the OLD soccer venue.

Chris Vannini @chrisvannini.com · 1d

The UFL has announced new teams for spring 2026

-New, relocated teams:
Columbus Aviators
Louisville Kings
Orlando Storm

Rebranded teams:
- Dallas Renegades (not Arlington)
- Houston Gamblers (not Roughnecks)

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Reposted by Charles Boehm ⚽️

Felipe Cardenas @felipecardenas.bsky.social · 1d

Darlington Nagbe decided over the summer that 2025 would be his last season in MLS. He stayed quiet about until today.

Nagbe, and those closest to him, spoke to The Athletic about his decision and the emotional conflicts of his announcement.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

Darlington Nagbe retires: An understated star with an impeccable reputation

Nagbe is retiring after a distinguished, trophy-laden career in MLS, and those closest to him paint a picture of a revered superstar

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by Charles Boehm ⚽️

The Express US @the-express.com · 1d

Former USMNT captain Landon Donovan has unveiled a new look after admitting he has tried "different methods" to address his hair loss, including several failed hair transplant procedures

USMNT legend shows off new look after hair loss admission

www.the-express.com

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Charles Boehm ⚽️ @cboehm.bsky.social · 1d

OK OK, fair point

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