Ben Wright
@benwright.bsky.social
⚽️ @sixonefivesoccer.com
📝 @backheeled.com, @SoccerAmerica.bsky.social & http://MLSSoccer.com
🏅 Nashville Scene's Best Sports Writer of 2024 & 2025
✟ Christ follower
#ITFC fan 💙🚜
https://linktr.ee/benwri
📝 @backheeled.com, @SoccerAmerica.bsky.social & http://MLSSoccer.com
🏅 Nashville Scene's Best Sports Writer of 2024 & 2025
✟ Christ follower
#ITFC fan 💙🚜
https://linktr.ee/benwri
Pinned
Ben Wright
@benwright.bsky.social
· Dec 2
Just got this in the mail. Thanks again to everyone who voted for me! Not sure how we pulled it off, but I’m so grateful to everyone who’s read my coverage over the last seven years.
It’s been a joy covering Major League Soccer and Nashville SC, and I can’t wait to keep it going!
It’s been a joy covering Major League Soccer and Nashville SC, and I can’t wait to keep it going!
Stopped by the MLS headquarters today 👍🏻
December 26, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Stopped by the MLS headquarters today 👍🏻
Not at all surprised to see interest in Surridge from England. I’d be a bit surprised to see him go to a relegation candidate, but that’s just my opinion.
I think the most likely outcome is a new contract for Surridge + hefty pay increase, which was due already (contract ends in ‘26 w/ ‘27 option)
I think the most likely outcome is a new contract for Surridge + hefty pay increase, which was due already (contract ends in ‘26 w/ ‘27 option)
Wolves are considering a January move for Nashville’s Sam Surridge.
Former Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest striker Surridge scored 24 goals in MLS last season, second only to Lionel Messi, and got 31 in all competitions.🎯
Former Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest striker Surridge scored 24 goals in MLS last season, second only to Lionel Messi, and got 31 in all competitions.🎯
December 26, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Not at all surprised to see interest in Surridge from England. I’d be a bit surprised to see him go to a relegation candidate, but that’s just my opinion.
I think the most likely outcome is a new contract for Surridge + hefty pay increase, which was due already (contract ends in ‘26 w/ ‘27 option)
I think the most likely outcome is a new contract for Surridge + hefty pay increase, which was due already (contract ends in ‘26 w/ ‘27 option)
Reposted by Ben Wright
Midfielder Moisés Véliz is set to return to Huntsville City FC on loan for the 2026 season, sources confirm to @benwright.bsky.social. The 21-year-old played for HCFC last season and is on the fringes of Panama's senior national team.
Sources: Midfielder Moisés Véliz returns to Huntsville City on loan
The Panama international spent 2025 on loan with Huntsville City FC
www.sixonefivesoccer.com
December 26, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Midfielder Moisés Véliz is set to return to Huntsville City FC on loan for the 2026 season, sources confirm to @benwright.bsky.social. The 21-year-old played for HCFC last season and is on the fringes of Panama's senior national team.
☘️ Wilfried Nancy’s Celtic through five games:
Avg. possession: 67%
Shots for/against: 83–61
xG for/against: 12.63–6.03
Goals for/against: 6–11
Big chances missed: 12
Wins: 1
The performances have been significantly better than the results.
Avg. possession: 67%
Shots for/against: 83–61
xG for/against: 12.63–6.03
Goals for/against: 6–11
Big chances missed: 12
Wins: 1
The performances have been significantly better than the results.
December 21, 2025 at 5:03 PM
☘️ Wilfried Nancy’s Celtic through five games:
Avg. possession: 67%
Shots for/against: 83–61
xG for/against: 12.63–6.03
Goals for/against: 6–11
Big chances missed: 12
Wins: 1
The performances have been significantly better than the results.
Avg. possession: 67%
Shots for/against: 83–61
xG for/against: 12.63–6.03
Goals for/against: 6–11
Big chances missed: 12
Wins: 1
The performances have been significantly better than the results.
Reposted by Ben Wright
MLS is a very challenging league in its own way, but managing a team like Celtic is a different proposition altogether, from media scrutiny to expectation. Nancy is a good coach who came into a new environment at a bad time (understatement).
Article for the Daily Record on Wilfried Nancy, MLS, and Celtic www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/footba...
Wilfried Nancy is just a symptom of what's really wrong at Celtic
Nancy is under severe pressure but can he really be blamed for the club's current trajectory?
www.dailyrecord.co.uk
December 20, 2025 at 12:49 PM
MLS is a very challenging league in its own way, but managing a team like Celtic is a different proposition altogether, from media scrutiny to expectation. Nancy is a good coach who came into a new environment at a bad time (understatement).
December 19, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Reposted by Ben Wright
Sources 🚨 Vancouver Whitecaps have traded Jayden Nelson to Austin FC. GAM and a pick coming back per sources.
Nelson wanted more playing time to have a chance to make the #CanMNT ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Nelson wanted more playing time to have a chance to make the #CanMNT ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
December 18, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Sources 🚨 Vancouver Whitecaps have traded Jayden Nelson to Austin FC. GAM and a pick coming back per sources.
Nelson wanted more playing time to have a chance to make the #CanMNT ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Nelson wanted more playing time to have a chance to make the #CanMNT ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
This Inter Miami roster is already incredibly loaded, and they still have an open DP spot and plenty of cap space with which to work. They're gonna get even better this offseason.
December 18, 2025 at 12:08 AM
This Inter Miami roster is already incredibly loaded, and they still have an open DP spot and plenty of cap space with which to work. They're gonna get even better this offseason.
lmao Miami are gonna be so much better next year
💣🇨🇦 BREAKING: Inter Miami is nearing a deal to sign Canadian int'l GK Dayne St. Clair, per sources.
St. Clair, 28, just was named MLS GK of the Year.
Huge signing for Miami, who just won MLS Cup.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...
St. Clair, 28, just was named MLS GK of the Year.
Huge signing for Miami, who just won MLS Cup.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...
Inter Miami nearing deal for Canada goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair
St. Clair was named 2025 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year and is one of the marquee free agents on the market.
www.nytimes.com
December 17, 2025 at 11:05 PM
lmao Miami are gonna be so much better next year
Reposted by Ben Wright
Dayne St. Clair posts what seems to be a farewell message to Minnesota United on Instagram.
Still no word on where he’ll sign, but looks like he’s moving on from the counter pressing Loons.
Plenty of interest across MLS and abroad.
#CanMNT
Still no word on where he’ll sign, but looks like he’s moving on from the counter pressing Loons.
Plenty of interest across MLS and abroad.
#CanMNT
December 17, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Dayne St. Clair posts what seems to be a farewell message to Minnesota United on Instagram.
Still no word on where he’ll sign, but looks like he’s moving on from the counter pressing Loons.
Plenty of interest across MLS and abroad.
#CanMNT
Still no word on where he’ll sign, but looks like he’s moving on from the counter pressing Loons.
Plenty of interest across MLS and abroad.
#CanMNT
Reposted by Ben Wright
Nashville SC have officially re-signed midfielder Bryan Acosta to a one-year deal, with an option for 2027.
Acosta, 32, played 19 matches in all competitions for Nashville last season.
www.sixonefivesoccer.com/sources-brya...
Acosta, 32, played 19 matches in all competitions for Nashville last season.
www.sixonefivesoccer.com/sources-brya...
December 17, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Nashville SC have officially re-signed midfielder Bryan Acosta to a one-year deal, with an option for 2027.
Acosta, 32, played 19 matches in all competitions for Nashville last season.
www.sixonefivesoccer.com/sources-brya...
Acosta, 32, played 19 matches in all competitions for Nashville last season.
www.sixonefivesoccer.com/sources-brya...
Now official. Acosta comes back on a one-year deal with an option for 2027.
🇭🇳 Nashville SC have re-signed Honduran international Bryan Acosta for the 2026 season with an option for 2027, per sources. Acosta, 32, made 19 appearances in all competitions for Nashville last season. Reliable veteran depth option on a club-friendly budget charge.
December 17, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Now official. Acosta comes back on a one-year deal with an option for 2027.
Reposted by Ben Wright
Just three games in, Wilfried Nancy is fighting to win over a Celtic support that has already made up its mind on him.
📝 for @fotmob.com
📝 for @fotmob.com
New Celtic coach Nancy endures baptism of fire
Just three games after his appointment, Wilfried Nancy is already fighting for his job as Celtic manager.
www.fotmob.com
December 17, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Just three games in, Wilfried Nancy is fighting to win over a Celtic support that has already made up its mind on him.
📝 for @fotmob.com
📝 for @fotmob.com
I'm really excited to see how Woobens Pacius can impact the first team in 2026. He was excellent for a pretty bad Tampa Bay side and scored 17 goals in all competitions. Could be an X factor for Nashville this year.
2025 was a breakout campaign for Woobens Pacius in the USL Championship. After making his international debut for Haiti, the striker looks set to factor into Nashville's plans in 2026.
Woobens Pacius: 2025 report card
The striker had a stellar campaign on loan with the Tampa Bay Rowdies
www.sixonefivesoccer.com
December 17, 2025 at 2:11 PM
I'm really excited to see how Woobens Pacius can impact the first team in 2026. He was excellent for a pretty bad Tampa Bay side and scored 17 goals in all competitions. Could be an X factor for Nashville this year.
This is an excellent breakdown and lines up closely with where I had his value (I had Rothrock penciled in as a $600k max salary).
We don’t take a ton of submissions, but sometimes we’re totally blown away. This was one of those times. www.sounderatheart.com/2025/12/how-...
How much is Paul Rothrock actually worth?
A deep dive into the numbers behind the hometown hero's market value.
www.sounderatheart.com
December 16, 2025 at 6:38 PM
This is an excellent breakdown and lines up closely with where I had his value (I had Rothrock penciled in as a $600k max salary).
🇭🇳 Nashville SC have re-signed Honduran international Bryan Acosta for the 2026 season with an option for 2027, per sources. Acosta, 32, made 19 appearances in all competitions for Nashville last season. Reliable veteran depth option on a club-friendly budget charge.
December 14, 2025 at 6:01 PM
🇭🇳 Nashville SC have re-signed Honduran international Bryan Acosta for the 2026 season with an option for 2027, per sources. Acosta, 32, made 19 appearances in all competitions for Nashville last season. Reliable veteran depth option on a club-friendly budget charge.
Sources: Nashville SC striker Adem Sipić is on trial with Almannia Aachen in the German third division. Kicker 1st.
19-year-old was Nashville's first homegrown signing but has yet to make his first-team debut. Has seven goals in 53 appearances with Huntsville City FC.
19-year-old was Nashville's first homegrown signing but has yet to make his first-team debut. Has seven goals in 53 appearances with Huntsville City FC.
December 13, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Sources: Nashville SC striker Adem Sipić is on trial with Almannia Aachen in the German third division. Kicker 1st.
19-year-old was Nashville's first homegrown signing but has yet to make his first-team debut. Has seven goals in 53 appearances with Huntsville City FC.
19-year-old was Nashville's first homegrown signing but has yet to make his first-team debut. Has seven goals in 53 appearances with Huntsville City FC.
🚨🇳🇴 BREAKING: The LA Galaxy are closing in on a blockbuster deal to acquire former MLS Defender of the Year Jakob Glesnes from the Philadelphia Union, per sources.
Not done, but final details now.
Agreement between clubs is north of $1m GAM + add-ons
www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
Not done, but final details now.
Agreement between clubs is north of $1m GAM + add-ons
www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
LA Galaxy close in on Jakob Glesnes deal, terms with Philadelphia Union complete
The 31-year-old center-back was named in the MLS' Best XI in 2025 after winning the Supporters' Shield with the Union.
www.nytimes.com
December 13, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Reposted by Ben Wright
⚫️🔴 BREAKING: D.C. United is in advanced talks to sign Israel int'l forward Tai Baribo from the Philadelphia Union, per sources.
Would be a cash transfer worth around $4m. Baribo would be a designated player in D.C.
Almost done.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
Would be a cash transfer worth around $4m. Baribo would be a designated player in D.C.
Almost done.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
D.C. United in advanced talks to sign Tai Baribo from Philadelphia: Sources
D.C. finished last in MLS in 2025 and is seeking a replacement for star forward Christian Benteke
www.nytimes.com
December 12, 2025 at 3:44 PM
⚫️🔴 BREAKING: D.C. United is in advanced talks to sign Israel int'l forward Tai Baribo from the Philadelphia Union, per sources.
Would be a cash transfer worth around $4m. Baribo would be a designated player in D.C.
Almost done.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
Would be a cash transfer worth around $4m. Baribo would be a designated player in D.C.
Almost done.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
Reposted by Ben Wright
An eye-opener for Wilfried Nancy so far in the drop in quality of player from Columbus Crew to Celtic 👀
December 11, 2025 at 8:40 PM
An eye-opener for Wilfried Nancy so far in the drop in quality of player from Columbus Crew to Celtic 👀
This is a good step. Really hope this pans out. Vancouver is one of the best soccer markets in North America, and the 'Caps are one of the few teams with more than a cursory history. They deserve to stay.
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim puts it bluntly: "There are interested parties who want to take the Whitecaps out of Vancouver...
Let's just call it what it is. There's probably absolutely no path for the Vancouver Whitecaps to remain in Vancouver without this MOU."
#VWFC
Let's just call it what it is. There's probably absolutely no path for the Vancouver Whitecaps to remain in Vancouver without this MOU."
#VWFC
December 11, 2025 at 7:59 PM
This is a good step. Really hope this pans out. Vancouver is one of the best soccer markets in North America, and the 'Caps are one of the few teams with more than a cursory history. They deserve to stay.
Reposted by Ben Wright
In 5 minutes I’ll be going live on spaces to discuss the results of the MLS reentry draft phase 1
December 11, 2025 at 7:04 PM
In 5 minutes I’ll be going live on spaces to discuss the results of the MLS reentry draft phase 1
Reposted by Ben Wright
FIFA has hiked World Cup ticket prices yet again.
It's now...
💵 $700 for some standard group stage tickets
💵 $140 *at minimum* — no more Category 4
💵 $8,680 for a Category 1 ticket to the final
@theathleticfc.bsky.social has published a full list of prices here:
It's now...
💵 $700 for some standard group stage tickets
💵 $140 *at minimum* — no more Category 4
💵 $8,680 for a Category 1 ticket to the final
@theathleticfc.bsky.social has published a full list of prices here:
World Cup ticket prices rise again after draw; What each match costs to attend
For the first time, tickets are available to specific World Cup games, and the prices are largely on a significant rise
www.nytimes.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:39 PM
FIFA has hiked World Cup ticket prices yet again.
It's now...
💵 $700 for some standard group stage tickets
💵 $140 *at minimum* — no more Category 4
💵 $8,680 for a Category 1 ticket to the final
@theathleticfc.bsky.social has published a full list of prices here:
It's now...
💵 $700 for some standard group stage tickets
💵 $140 *at minimum* — no more Category 4
💵 $8,680 for a Category 1 ticket to the final
@theathleticfc.bsky.social has published a full list of prices here:
If Nashville do advance past Atletico Ottawa, by the time the Round of 16 is over, six of their last 10 matches will have been against Miami.
Nashville SC drawn into spot A6 in the Concacaf Champions Cup Round One. If they advance to the Round of 16, they'll play....
Inter Miami.
You can't make this up.
Inter Miami.
You can't make this up.
December 10, 2025 at 7:58 PM
If Nashville do advance past Atletico Ottawa, by the time the Round of 16 is over, six of their last 10 matches will have been against Miami.
Reposted by Ben Wright
Nashville SC will take on Canadian Premier League champions Atlético Ottawa in Round One of the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup. If they advance to the Round of 16, they'll take on... Inter Miami.
Nashville SC drawn against Atlético Ottawa in Concacaf Champions Cup
The 'Yotes will begin their continental campaign in Canada
www.sixonefivesoccer.com
December 10, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Nashville SC will take on Canadian Premier League champions Atlético Ottawa in Round One of the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup. If they advance to the Round of 16, they'll take on... Inter Miami.