Happy New Year and welcome to the first edition of Footy Fix! The soccer world never takes a break and the beginning of 2025 is packed with news for us soccer sickos here in the States. We’ve got Americans balling out in Europe, domestic players making moves stateside, and of course, the USMNT getting ready for their annual January Camp.
The players are set to report to the USMNT camp this week as Mauricio Pochettino will spend some time training them, before the upcoming two friendlies in sunny Florida.
Plus, we’ve got a couple of BIG transfers in Europe and some exciting NWSL news. So let’s dive in!
This week’s stories
Mauricio Pochettino talks about playing in Orlando.
Ricardo Pepi praises Mauricio Pochettino’s impact on and off the pitch.
Charlie Kelman is the first American to score in 2025.
James Sands returns to Europe.
Esmir Bajraktarević becomes another U.S.-born player to sign for PSV.
NWSL plants their flag in Denver.
Young American defender Matai Akinmboni moves to Bournemouth.
Coach Talk
The USMNT will be taking on Costa Rica in Orlando later this month. Mauricio Pochettino simply can’t wait to be at Inter&Co Stadium again.
“We had the chance to watch the Orlando vs Charlotte match. We got to see the warmth of the people and the way in which we were received and treated,” Pochettino said.
“So we are going to be in two incredible venues.”
The USMNT will also be playing against Venezuela in Inter Miami’s stadium.
He was then asked about his thoughts on over 61,000 fans showing up to the USMNT vs Brazil game in Orlando back in June.
“I think it’s incredible having people’s support in international matches and having our players feel that is priceless. It will be really nice to see,” Pochettino answered.
Player Talk
During the latest Behind the Crest video, Ricardo Pepi praised Mauricio Pochettino for his style both on and off the pitch.
“It helps as a player to be able to have a coach that makes you feel welcomed,” Pepi said.
“When it comes to off the pitch, I feel like it’s a special relationship that you can build with the coach.”
“Like I said, I’m a big family guy and I had this experience with him [Pochettino] meeting my family as well.”
“The first thing my parents told me was he’s such a genuine person and I feel the same on the pitch.”
“He’s such an open coach and the relationship between him and the players is amazing.”
“He’s always told us that in the attacking third, he’s not going to tell us how to play. He said you guys are here for a reason, you guys have talent, and it’s all about what you guys want to do up there. Up there, it’s all about your creativity.”
“To be honest, that’s the best thing that we could hear from a coach.”
Pepi is truly enjoying playing under Pochettino. In three games played under the Argentine so far, he’s scored in every single one of them.
First American Goalscorer of 2025
Because of his goal against Juventus, people may think the first American to score in 2025 is Christian Pulisic.
They’d be wrong.
The first American to score in 2025 is actually Charlie Kelman.
The 23-year-old scored for Leyton Orient against Bristol Rovers on New Year’s Day. It was his fourth goal in the last six games.
He now has nine goals and three assists so far in 31 games this season. Kelman is a forward who’s played for the U.S. U-18s and U-20s in the past, but has never been called up to the USMNT.
Transfers
James Sands is going back to Europe.
NYCFC have announced on New Year’s Day that they’ve loaned out USMNT midfielder Sands to German Bundesliga side St. Pauli for a six-month loan spell.
The 24-year-old has experience in Europe, having spent one year playing on loan at Rangers— where he made 41 appearances in total.
St. Pauli were promoted to the Bundesliga during the summer thanks to the U.S.-born coach Fabian Hürzeler, who’s now at Brighton. They’re currently 14th on the table out of 18 teams.
Will Sands help them stay clear of the relegation zone? We shall see.
Transfers
In September, Esmir Bajraktarević debuted for Bosnia & Herzegovina after switching allegiance from the USMNT. The game was against the Netherlands and it was in PSV’s Philips Stadion.
He assisted his idol Edin Džeko just five minutes after coming on.
Last week, Esmir was back at the stadium. But this time, he came back as a new PSV player.
Congratulations to the 19-year-old, who’s successfully made the move away from MLS to a top team in the Eredivisie.
He won’t be playing for the USMNT. But it will be great to see another U.S.-born player suiting up for PSV.
NWSL
It isn’t officially official yet. But Sportico reported last week that Denver has been awarded the NWSL’s 16th franchise.
The expansion will be $110 million— which is double the previous NWSL record and the largest ever paid for a U.S. women’s professional sports team.
The backers of the Denver bid, which includes IMA Financial Group CEO Robert Cohen, reportedly submitted their first payment on Tuesday. Denver beats out Cleveland and Cincinnati to get this franchise.
They will debut in 2026 alongside Boston— who paid $53 million in 2023. The Denver-based team is expected to play in a temporary venue, before building their NWSL-specific stadium.
Transfers
Bournemouth announced the signing of young American center-back Matai Akinmboni. The initial transfer fee is $1.5 million and could go up to $2.5 million.
Akinmboni made his MLS debut at just 15 for DC United under Wayne Rooney, and received huge praise from him.
He had been linked with a move to Europe since then and even trained with La Liga side Villarreal before.
And now that he finally turned 18, the 6’3 defender made his dream move to Europe a reality.
Bournemouth have USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams, and former MLS defender Julián Araújo who represents México. Their manager is Andoni Iraola, who briefly spent time playing in MLS before retiring. Their owner is American billionaire Bill Foley.
So hopefully, they can all allow Akinmboni to settle in quickly.
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