James Nalton
@jdnalton.bsky.social
Freelance sports and football writer for the Morning Star newspaper, Forbes, World Soccer magazine, Guardian US, FotMob, BBC, and the Soccer Times.
MLS, USL, US Open Cup, Concacaf and American soccer reverie.
MLS, USL, US Open Cup, Concacaf and American soccer reverie.
Pinned
James Nalton
@jdnalton.bsky.social
· Aug 1
📌 Heading into 2025/26, my freelance ⚽ writing will once again focus on Everton, Liverpool, and occasionally Manchester teams + others. Elsewhere, my coverage of American soccer from both sides of the Atlantic means I'm uniquely placed to cover the 2026 World Cup- I'm on the lookout for related work
This is good. Alongside the change to a July-May season and the much-needed move to get the league out to a wider TV audience, MLS needs to be careful it doesn't do all this at the expense of existing and potential local match-going fans.
“Season-ticket holders across the league, who have previously received a complimentary subscription to MLS Season Pass, will now receive an annual Apple TV subscription at no additional cost.”
www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/202...
www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/202...
MLS matches moving to main Apple TV package in 2026
All MLS matches will be made available as part of the main Apple TV subscription offering beginning next season, bringing an end to the standalone MLS Season Pass subscription that Apple and the leagu...
www.sportsbusinessjournal.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:08 PM
This is good. Alongside the change to a July-May season and the much-needed move to get the league out to a wider TV audience, MLS needs to be careful it doesn't do all this at the expense of existing and potential local match-going fans.
Big game between Curaçao and Jamaica on the final matchday of Concacaf World Cup qualifying next week. Curaçao will become the smallest nation to reach the World Cup if they avoid defeat 🇨🇼
November 14, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Big game between Curaçao and Jamaica on the final matchday of Concacaf World Cup qualifying next week. Curaçao will become the smallest nation to reach the World Cup if they avoid defeat 🇨🇼
It didn't seem to be working. From introducing local TV replays of games to making playoffs available to all Apple TV subscribers, they have been moving away from Season Pass, for a reason. It's fine to say it wasn't working and we moved to a broader platform to make the league more widely available
“This wasn’t about Season Pass not working” -Don Garber in SBJ
November 14, 2025 at 3:12 PM
It didn't seem to be working. From introducing local TV replays of games to making playoffs available to all Apple TV subscribers, they have been moving away from Season Pass, for a reason. It's fine to say it wasn't working and we moved to a broader platform to make the league more widely available
Probably the most comparable European league to the new MLS timings from July to May, with a long winter break, is the Russian Premier League.
Reading a lot of comments on social media that suggest the soon to come MLS season structure will make it like Germany!
Not exactly. These days our winter break is less than 3 weeks & really just so that Christmas remains quiet as per tradition.
1/2
Not exactly. These days our winter break is less than 3 weeks & really just so that Christmas remains quiet as per tradition.
1/2
November 14, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Probably the most comparable European league to the new MLS timings from July to May, with a long winter break, is the Russian Premier League.
Suriname win 4-0. Handy goal difference that puts them closer to a World Cup spot, but Panama will want that automatic qualification spot too, and play Guatemala later. Big final matchday on Tuesday night regardless 🇸🇷
This Suriname v El Salvador game is also available to stream on Concacaf's YouTube channel in many countries outside the US and Mexico. Link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2tZ...
Suriname-El Salvador kicks off from Paramaribo in 15 minutes.
It once again is in the MORE SOCCER tab on Paramount+ AKA Sickos Central.
NBC Universo has the game in Spanish!
It once again is in the MORE SOCCER tab on Paramount+ AKA Sickos Central.
NBC Universo has the game in Spanish!
November 14, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Suriname win 4-0. Handy goal difference that puts them closer to a World Cup spot, but Panama will want that automatic qualification spot too, and play Guatemala later. Big final matchday on Tuesday night regardless 🇸🇷
Also, MLS Season Pass is no more after MLS and Apple announced that all MLS matches will be available to stream for Apple TV subscribers at no additional cost.
November 13, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Also, MLS Season Pass is no more after MLS and Apple announced that all MLS matches will be available to stream for Apple TV subscribers at no additional cost.
The 2027 MLS mini-season ahead of the switch to summer to spring seasons could be great.
They need some version of the MLS IS BACK tournament.
November 13, 2025 at 10:11 PM
The 2027 MLS mini-season ahead of the switch to summer to spring seasons could be great.
Reposted by James Nalton
The new MLS schedule has already brought a ton of debate amongst the soccer community
The biggest issue? North American weather.
🥶 or 🥵
The biggest issue? North American weather.
🥶 or 🥵
November 13, 2025 at 10:05 PM
The new MLS schedule has already brought a ton of debate amongst the soccer community
The biggest issue? North American weather.
🥶 or 🥵
The biggest issue? North American weather.
🥶 or 🥵
This Suriname v El Salvador game is also available to stream on Concacaf's YouTube channel in many countries outside the US and Mexico. Link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2tZ...
Suriname-El Salvador kicks off from Paramaribo in 15 minutes.
It once again is in the MORE SOCCER tab on Paramount+ AKA Sickos Central.
NBC Universo has the game in Spanish!
It once again is in the MORE SOCCER tab on Paramount+ AKA Sickos Central.
NBC Universo has the game in Spanish!
November 13, 2025 at 9:59 PM
This Suriname v El Salvador game is also available to stream on Concacaf's YouTube channel in many countries outside the US and Mexico. Link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2tZ...
Reposted by James Nalton
I'm satisfied with my photo choice here. www.theguardian.com/football/202...
MLS announces calendar change, will play fall-to-spring from 2027 onward
The North American league will do away with the calendar in use since its 1996 founding, starting in July and ending in May in a single table format
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:36 PM
I'm satisfied with my photo choice here. www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Hidden amid the big news that MLS is changing to a July-to-May season from 2027/28 is the news that it looks like MLS will once again be withdrawing some of its teams from the US Open Cup in 2027.
November 13, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Hidden amid the big news that MLS is changing to a July-to-May season from 2027/28 is the news that it looks like MLS will once again be withdrawing some of its teams from the US Open Cup in 2027.
Reposted by James Nalton
It really hits you in the face how badly they dropped the ball that this isn’t starting in July of 2026. IT WAS RIGHT THERE
As part of the shift, the 2027–28 MLS regular season will kick off in mid-to-late July 2027 and conclude with the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs in May 2028.
MLS will observe a midwinter break from mid-December through early February, with no league matches scheduled in January.
MLS will observe a midwinter break from mid-December through early February, with no league matches scheduled in January.
November 13, 2025 at 9:27 PM
It really hits you in the face how badly they dropped the ball that this isn’t starting in July of 2026. IT WAS RIGHT THERE
Cameroon will miss out on the 2026 World Cup after Chancel Mbemba scored for DR Congo in added time to win the CAF qualification playoff semifinal. DR Congo will play Nigeria in the final on Sunday for a place at the inter-confederation playoffs 🇨🇩
November 13, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Cameroon will miss out on the 2026 World Cup after Chancel Mbemba scored for DR Congo in added time to win the CAF qualification playoff semifinal. DR Congo will play Nigeria in the final on Sunday for a place at the inter-confederation playoffs 🇨🇩
Ireland 2-0 up vs Portugal with 30 mins to go. Cristiano Ronaldo sent off for elbowing Dara O'Shea.
🇮🇪👀
November 13, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Ireland 2-0 up vs Portugal with 30 mins to go. Cristiano Ronaldo sent off for elbowing Dara O'Shea.
This is the kind of thing FIFA and the United States should have sorted for the 2026 World Cup, as Russia did in 2018.
Morocco and CAF have announced that fans with tickets for the upcoming AFCON can now obtain electronic visas to enter Morocco free of charge through the YALLA app, which is being used to streamline travel and ticketing at the tournament.
November 13, 2025 at 12:34 PM
This is the kind of thing FIFA and the United States should have sorted for the 2026 World Cup, as Russia did in 2018.
Morocco and CAF have announced that fans with tickets for the upcoming AFCON can now obtain electronic visas to enter Morocco free of charge through the YALLA app, which is being used to streamline travel and ticketing at the tournament.
November 13, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Morocco and CAF have announced that fans with tickets for the upcoming AFCON can now obtain electronic visas to enter Morocco free of charge through the YALLA app, which is being used to streamline travel and ticketing at the tournament.
Cristian Espinoza has been one of the best players in MLS in recent years, sometimes overlooked because of San Jose's poor league finishes. Should be plenty of teams interested in him.
November 12, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Cristian Espinoza has been one of the best players in MLS in recent years, sometimes overlooked because of San Jose's poor league finishes. Should be plenty of teams interested in him.
Reposted by James Nalton
FIFA has raised ticket prices for dozens of 2026 World Cup games, in some cases by more than 20%.
Most upper-deck tickets to the World Cup final are now $5,055 or $3,450.
Increases for two of three USMNT games.
Details @theathletic.com:
Most upper-deck tickets to the World Cup final are now $5,055 or $3,450.
Increases for two of three USMNT games.
Details @theathletic.com:
2026 World Cup ticket prices jump; FIFA targets knockout rounds, USMNT games, cohosts
Another purchasing window has opened for 2026 World Cup tickets, and dynamic pricing is in full effect
www.nytimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:30 PM
FIFA has raised ticket prices for dozens of 2026 World Cup games, in some cases by more than 20%.
Most upper-deck tickets to the World Cup final are now $5,055 or $3,450.
Increases for two of three USMNT games.
Details @theathletic.com:
Most upper-deck tickets to the World Cup final are now $5,055 or $3,450.
Increases for two of three USMNT games.
Details @theathletic.com:
Reposted by James Nalton
Love, love, love
These beautiful words by @jdnalton.bsky.social
And these beautiful images by
@tylerlittwin.bsky.social
For @nyintfc.bsky.social & @evlovesnyc.bsky.social &
Davide Giri
Bravo to all involved @protagonistsoccer.bsky.social
@joshuaduder.bsky.social
These beautiful words by @jdnalton.bsky.social
And these beautiful images by
@tylerlittwin.bsky.social
For @nyintfc.bsky.social & @evlovesnyc.bsky.social &
Davide Giri
Bravo to all involved @protagonistsoccer.bsky.social
@joshuaduder.bsky.social
November 11, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Love, love, love
These beautiful words by @jdnalton.bsky.social
And these beautiful images by
@tylerlittwin.bsky.social
For @nyintfc.bsky.social & @evlovesnyc.bsky.social &
Davide Giri
Bravo to all involved @protagonistsoccer.bsky.social
@joshuaduder.bsky.social
These beautiful words by @jdnalton.bsky.social
And these beautiful images by
@tylerlittwin.bsky.social
For @nyintfc.bsky.social & @evlovesnyc.bsky.social &
Davide Giri
Bravo to all involved @protagonistsoccer.bsky.social
@joshuaduder.bsky.social
This kind of thing, along with (dynamic) ticket pricing, etc., was the reason FIFA chose the United States as a World Cup host. Elements of the US sporting experience allow it to exploit fans. Wrote about it here for the Morning Star. morningstaronline.co.uk/article/fifa...
FIFA is selling parking spots near 2026 World Cup stadiums for between $75 & $175 per spot & per gameday.
A 2026 parking pass alone, at $75 in the group stage, costs more than a Category 3 ticket to any group match at the 2022 World Cup, which was $69.
More from @henrybushnell.bsky.social ⤵️
A 2026 parking pass alone, at $75 in the group stage, costs more than a Category 3 ticket to any group match at the 2022 World Cup, which was $69.
More from @henrybushnell.bsky.social ⤵️
FIFA’s next 2026 World Cup cash cow: Exorbitant parking prices
If you're paying to park at 2026 World Cup matches it'll cost you more than some match tickets at previous editions of the tournament
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:25 PM
This kind of thing, along with (dynamic) ticket pricing, etc., was the reason FIFA chose the United States as a World Cup host. Elements of the US sporting experience allow it to exploit fans. Wrote about it here for the Morning Star. morningstaronline.co.uk/article/fifa...
Reposted by James Nalton
As always I am open to commissions from US soccer outlets on how the #JLeague has spent 3+ years preparing for its transition to fall-spring.
You’ve probably heard that the MLS Board of Governors is meeting this week to discuss, among other things, a move to the “European” schedule. My understanding is that there’s no way that happens in 2026, but there’s a very real possibility that it could happen in 2027.
November 10, 2025 at 10:51 PM
As always I am open to commissions from US soccer outlets on how the #JLeague has spent 3+ years preparing for its transition to fall-spring.
Article by Linda Pentz Gunter in today's Morning Star on FIFA's "peace prize"
November 10, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Article by Linda Pentz Gunter in today's Morning Star on FIFA's "peace prize"
Reposted by James Nalton
There were some calls for this CPL final to be postponed, but I doubt it would have got the attention it did without the snowy conditions. I've never seen the CPL (or Canadian Championship) get this much coverage before. The "Icicle Kick" goal from David Rodriguez will be legendary 🇨🇦⚽❄️
Scenes at the Canadian Premier League final between Atlético Ottawa and Cavalry FC, which is underway in Ottawa. Goalkeeper Nathan Ingham is helping clear snow off the pitch.
November 10, 2025 at 11:41 AM
There were some calls for this CPL final to be postponed, but I doubt it would have got the attention it did without the snowy conditions. I've never seen the CPL (or Canadian Championship) get this much coverage before. The "Icicle Kick" goal from David Rodriguez will be legendary 🇨🇦⚽❄️