Cheat Sheet: The Other Soccer Match We're Watching Today
If you read Soccer Sheet, you know there's a World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina today; but there's also a huge local contest at 7:30 PM.
Over 100 Men’s World Cup games have been played this summer — a new record for a single World Cup — and it all comes down to Spain and Argentina in the final. Spain is favored by oddsmakers, but many fans speculate Argentina is blessed by the “Hand of God,” a.k.a. FIFA.
An impossibly prescient photo of Argentina’s Lionel Messi bathing Spain’s Lamine Yamal as an infant seems to hint at a changing of the guard, but anything is possible. They’ll battle it out in New Jersey today.
However, speculation has already begun as to what’s next for domestic soccer in the wake of the biggest event in 32 years. The 1994 World Cup led to the creation of Major League Soccer, one of the few lasting experiments in over a century of American footy. Fans, players, pundits, and stakeholders alike are projecting their wishes onto the legacy of the 2026 Copa: a better academy system, the end of pay-to-play, an open pyramid with European-style promotion and relegation, and a U.S. Men’s National Team that can make it out of the Round of 16, to name a few.
Whatever form the legacy of 2026 takes, domestic soccer success will require more investment in the Beautiful Game at every level, including pre-professional …
After the World Cup: Asheville City SC vs. Appalachian FC at 7:30 PM
When Soccer Sheet reached out to Appalachian FC coach Tom Gillette after his team’s 0-2 upset victory over Charlotte Independence 2 in the USL League Two playoffs on Friday, he gave us a taste of the chaos the team has experienced to make it to today’s playoff match.
“Very proud of the effort and grit playing 3 games in 6 days in 4 different locations without conceding a goal,” Gillette told Soccer Sheet via email. “Defensively our determination and bravery in defending our box has stood out.”
A recap of the chaotic travels: On Sunday, July 12, they bested SC United Bantams 1-0 at home in Boone, N.C. in the final game of the regular season to earn a place in the playoffs, slipping past 2025 NPSL champions Hickory FC who they had defeated the week before. Carver Tierney was the hero with a 90th minute goal.
On July 14, they traveled to Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa., advancing 0-1 over LVU Rush with another 90th minute goal from Bennett Gerak. Then on Friday, they found a win 0-2 over the South Atlantic Division Champs, Charlotte Independence’s second team, with a 20th minute goal from Christopher Douglas, and an insurance goal from Mitchell Honcoop in the second half in Newport News, Va.
App FC are undefeated in their last 11 competitive starts, and the defense hasn’t conceded a goal in the last three matches, two of which were postseason contests.
Standing in their way are Asheville City SC, the 2024 Eastern Conference Champions. Asheville advanced with a 2-3 extra time win over Lionsbridge FC thanks to a 120th minute go-ahead goal from Tyler Trimnal. Jack McDaid and Mitch Picksley also contributed goals for Asheville.
App FC and Asheville City drew in both of their previous meetings this season. They meet tonight in Newport News at 7:30 PM; you can watch on NBC’s SportsEngine platform here.
The winner will advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, facing the winner of today’s match between the Ocean City Nor'easters and defending USL 2 champions Vermont Green FC.
North Carolina Soccer News
Mint Hill FC are hosting tryouts for the Fall NPSL Season on Saturday, July 25 at 12:30 PM in Mint Hill, and on Saturday, August 8 at 9:30 AM at OrthoCarolina Sportsplex in Pineville.
Charlotte Independence’s 14-match winning streak across all competitions finally came to an end as the Chattanooga Red Wolves won 2-4 in USL League One play at American Legion Memorial Stadium on Saturday, July 18.
The Jacks almost equalized in the 90th minute, when the score was 2-3, but the goal was called offside. Then, the Independence took goalkeeper Matt Levy out of the net for a corner kick set piece play, only to concede a late open-net goal.
“It is really positive,” said Independence head coach Mike Jeffries. “It was great to do that, to come in every day and have the confidence and feel like we’re going to find a way to win, and guys believe that. Look, we’ll regroup pretty quickly and travel pretty far west and work to get a better result there.”
The Jacks travel to Spokane on Wednesday, then return to Charlotte to host the Richmond Kickers on Saturday, July 25 at 7:00 PM. Attendees can score a Clay Dimick bobblehead.
The Independence (9-3-3, 30 Points) remain in 3rd place in USL 1.
The North Carolina Courage (6-5-3, 21 Points) are in 8th place in the NWSL after dropping two matches in a row. They start a two-match home stand on Saturday July 25 as they host the Utah Royals.
Carolina Ascent FC have a new kit for the USL Super League’s Sprint Season.
Crown Legacy FC (9-3-6-4, 37 Points) solidified their second-place standing in MLS NEXT Pro’s Eastern Conference with a 3-2 win over Chicago Fire FC II on Saturday, July 25.
Carolina Core FC (3-9-7-2, 18 Points), currently 14th in the Eastern Conference, host Inter Miami CF II at Truist Point on Wednesday, July 22 at 6:30 PM.