Paul Tenorio
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paultenorio.bsky.social
Paul Tenorio
@paultenorio.bsky.social
Senior writer covering soccer for The Athletic. Author of The Messi Effect, out June 9, AVAILABLE NOW FOR PREORDER! https://read.macmillan.com/lp/the-messi-effect-9781250364173/
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I am thrilled to announce my book, The Messi Effect, comes out June 9 and is available now for preorder.

This book takes you behind the scenes of Messi in Miami, and into the MLS boardroom as owners debate how to grow in a fast-evolving American soccer landscape.

read.macmillan.com/lp/the-messi...
The Messi Effect 9781250364173 - Macmillan
In The Messi Effect, Paul Tenorio, national soccer writer for The Athletic, draws on coveted insider access to bring readers behind Lionel Messi&#82...
read.macmillan.com
So incredibly sad to learn this today.

Vassili always had a smile on his face when I saw him. Was an incredibly kind person. Had a ton of respect around the league and served as a co-chair of the CSO committee.

My condolences to his family and friends.
"The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro @thesickpodcasts 51m

Heartbreaking news @SJEarthquakes Head Sporting Strategist @VCremanzidis passed away late last night at a Montreal hospital at only 36 years old due to cancer

Vassili was formerly the Asst Sporting Dir. of @cfmontreal 🥲"
February 5, 2026 at 9:55 PM
Kicking off the fifth edition of the anonymous MLS executive survey and was wondering: what one question would you ask an MLS sporting executive if you had the chance?
February 4, 2026 at 5:59 PM
Obed to Atletico now official.

“I want to say thank you to all my teammates, all the technical, medical and equipment staff and everyone that helped me throughout this journey, that made my time in Seattle amazing. You took in a 14-year-old boy and helped him grow,” Vargas says in a press release.
February 2, 2026 at 8:42 PM
Sources: Atlético Madrid in talks with Seattle Sounders about Alaska native and Mexico international midfielder Obed Vargas.

Reporting with @tombogert.bsky.social and Guillermo Rai:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
Atlético Madrid in talks with Seattle Sounders for Obed Vargas: Sources
Vargas talked about how he had grown up a fan of Atlético before a Sounders matchup against the club in the 2024 FIFA Club World Cup.
www.nytimes.com
February 1, 2026 at 7:20 PM
Asked about high World Cup ticket prices and Tim Weah saying they are "disappointing," USMNT's Mauricio Pochettino said focus should be "on the pitch" and to leave questions to FIFA.

"We are not politicians. ... It’s not up to us to provide our opinion."

www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
Pochettino on Weah’s critique of World Cup ticket prices: Players should keep focus on the field
The U.S. manager indicated that it's not his or the players' place to answer for FIFA's decisions and that opinions should be kept quiet
www.nytimes.com
January 29, 2026 at 9:59 PM
USL's new first division league to launch in 2028 will be called USL Premier. (Naturally.) Completes pyramid with Championship and League One.

Plan is to grow to 20 teams in USL Premier and 20 in the USL Championship.

More details here.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
USL Premier announced as new professional league, pro-rel era to launch in 2028
The comprehensive revamp of American lower league soccer is start to take shape
www.nytimes.com
January 27, 2026 at 1:47 PM
Reposted by Paul Tenorio
💣🇺🇸 BREAKING: Villarreal has agreed to a deal to sign USMNT right back Alex Freeman from Orlando City, per sources.

Deal worth north of $4m plus another $3m in add-ons + sell-on clause.

Freeman was set to leave for free when contract expired end of year. www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
Sources: USMNT, Orlando breakout talent Freeman seals move to Villarreal
www.nytimes.com
January 27, 2026 at 1:08 AM
Grew up reading @postsports.bsky.social section every morning with my cereal. It inspired me to go into journalism. It was a dream to start my career there and to learn by working around the very best. I still read it every day and it continues to produce incredible work. #SaveThePost
January 26, 2026 at 8:27 PM
Reposted by Paul Tenorio
🇺🇸 New episode of Inside American Soccer is out!

Tab Ramos and I were joined by my man @paultenorio.bsky.social. Latest news + Paul’s 5 things to watch for USMNT before World Cup.

Can catch the show wherever you get your podcasts… or YouTube link here

youtu.be/fRb-JvJYxyM
The Truth on Gio Reyna, McKennie's USMNT Fit & Being Unprepared for the World Cup with Paul Tenorio
YouTube video by InsideAmericanSoccer
youtu.be
January 22, 2026 at 3:26 PM
Ex-MLS coach Adrian Heath thought the job interview might lead to the next part of the world football would take him.

Instead, it turned into a nightmare.

“I started thinking about all the good stuff about my life,” he said. “My wife. My children. My grandkids.”

www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
The extraordinary story of a soccer coach, a kidnapping and a Saudi job that didn’t exist
Adrian Heath was duped into thinking he was on the verge of a new job – only to be held at knifepoint in Morocco. Turns out he's not alone
www.nytimes.com
January 21, 2026 at 12:54 PM
Reposted by Paul Tenorio
🇲🇽🦩 BREAKING: Inter Miami is in final stages of a deal to sign Mexico int'l forward German Berterame from CF Monterrey, per sources. @santiago4kd 1st

$15m fee. Final details between Berterame and the clubs to be sorted. Would be Miami's third DP.

w/ @PaulTenorio www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
Sources: Inter Miami nears $15M move for star Monterrey, Mexico striker
www.nytimes.com
January 17, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Josh Sargent training with Norwich's U21s amid Toronto bid.

Club insists he's not for sale, but Clement did crack door open a bit, "there needs to be an amount where the club agrees with that it’s big enough to do the situation now."

With @tombogert.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
Josh Sargent sent to train with Norwich U-21s after making Toronto transfer wish
Despite Norwich's public stance that the U.S. striker won't be sold, sources tell The Athletic talks with Toronto are continuing
www.nytimes.com
January 16, 2026 at 4:44 PM
Reposted by Paul Tenorio
Josh Sargent is training w/ Norwich U21s and won’t play this weekend

🔴 Sargent ONLY wants Toronto
🟢 Norwich say “not for sale”… but talks continue with TFC
🇺🇸 Sargent just welcomed third child. Family wants to go back to North America

w/ @paultenorio.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
USMNT striker Sargent sent to train with Norwich U-21s amid transfer saga
www.nytimes.com
January 16, 2026 at 4:38 PM
#USMNT striker Josh Sargent wants out of Norwich, but the manager says he's not for sale — a position sources have strongly reinforced this week.

Reporting with @tombogert.bsky.social:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...
Josh Sargent’s Norwich transfer saga: What we’re hearing about the wantaway USMNT striker
The American forward wants out of his Championship club, and he has an eager MLS suitor, but it might not be that simple
www.nytimes.com
January 15, 2026 at 7:38 PM
NEWS: Brazil, France, Colombia and Croatia coming to the U.S. for friendlies in March for 'Road to 26' series.

Games in Boston, Orlando and D.C.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
Brazil, France, Colombia, Croatia to play March pre-World Cup matches in USA
Four World Cup contenders will be coming to the U.S. a few months early to continue their preparations for the summer
www.nytimes.com
January 8, 2026 at 2:20 PM
Reposted by Paul Tenorio
Vancouver Whitecaps CEO & sporting director Axel Schuster in a statement on Tristan Blackmon situation:

"We firmly reject reports suggesting that we are close to completing the transfer of any of our players. The situation is, in fact, the exact opposite."

Full statement
January 7, 2026 at 9:55 PM
Reposted by Paul Tenorio
🇦🇷 BREAKING: Inter Miami is nearing a deal to sign winger Tadeo Allende on a permanent deal from Celta Vigo, sources say.

Allende won’t be a DP as deal currently planned.

Reporting with @paultenorio.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...
Inter Miami closing on deal to keep star winger Tadeo Allende: Sources
www.nytimes.com
January 7, 2026 at 1:14 AM
If you were thinking about preordering THE MESSI EFFECT, now is the time!

Barnes & Noble Rewards and Premium Members get 25% off all pre-orders from 12/30 - 1/1 using code PREORDER25! Premium Members get an additional 10% off! Preorder your copy now!

www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-messi-...
The Messi Effect: How the Global Legend Changed the Future of American Soccer|Hardcover
In The Messi Effect, Paul Tenorio, national soccer writer for The Athletic, draws on coveted insider access to bring readers behind the ropes and into the inner sanctum and chronicle the last act of L...
www.barnesandnoble.com
December 30, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Reposted by Paul Tenorio
The furor over 2026 World Cup ticket prices raised a fascinating question:

How did sports tickets get so expensive in the United States — all while remaining relatively modest in the UK, Europe & elsewhere?

Spoke to economists, sports execs, etc. for answers @theathletic.com:
How U.S. sports tickets got so expensive – and why it shocks the rest of the world
World Cup ticket prices are symptomatic of a greater issue across sports in America, where enough people have proven they'll pay in excess
www.nytimes.com
December 19, 2025 at 2:01 PM
#USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams has a torn MCL and will be out 2-3 months.

Not ideal, but that puts him back around late-March, on late end, which means he should have about two months to get back into shape and back into form.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...
USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams could miss up to three months after MCL tear
Adams is now facing a race against time to be match fit for international friendlies against Belgium and Portugal on March 28 and April 1.
www.nytimes.com
December 19, 2025 at 2:09 PM
My opinion: this makes sense. RBNY vs DCU and Cali Clásico don’t go away, they just move to once a year.

Geographically this would be the right call.
🚨 Sources: All info on new divisions in MLS in future...

- 5 divisions, six teams each
- San Jose not with California teams
- D.C. United not with Northeast teams

Likely plan, but not 100% confirmed yet. Playoff proposals too

With @paultenorio.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...
Sources: MLS divisional revamp may split rivalries, blend conferences
www.nytimes.com
December 17, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Sources: All info on new divisions in MLS in future...

- 5 divisions, six teams each
- San Jose not with California teams
- D.C. United not with Northeast teams

Likely plan, but not 100% confirmed yet. Playoff proposals too

With @tombogert.bsky.social:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...
Sources: MLS divisional revamp may split old rivalries, blend conferences
A significant switch in MLS's structure could have ramifications for historic rivalries within the league
www.nytimes.com
December 17, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Reposted by Paul Tenorio
We talked to @paultenorio.bsky.social about his book “The Messi Effect” and what it could mean for the Sounders. www.sounderatheart.com/2025/12/chat...
Chatting with Paul Tenorio about this book, The Messi Effect
There’s more to this book than the story of an Argentinian.
www.sounderatheart.com
December 16, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Reposted by Paul Tenorio
News: FIFA, amid backlash to World Cup ticket prices, has carved out ~1,000 tickets per game to sell for $60 to supporters.

More details and context @theathleticfc.bsky.social:
FIFA, after backlash to World Cup ticket prices, creates new $60 category for small number of supporters
One thousand of the cheaper tickets will be available for each team per game after outrage over historically high prices this month.
www.nytimes.com
December 16, 2025 at 6:15 PM
👀 that’s a long time. Let’s see if Reyna is turning the corner health-wise.
Gio Reyna gets third straight start for Borussia Monchengladbach today. First time the #USMNT attacker has made three consecutive starts at club level since August 2021.
December 13, 2025 at 1:49 PM