Major League Soccer's return from its World Cup break was immediately memorable for an exceptionally embarrassing own goal. Just minutes into the match between Inter Miami and Chicago, goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo gifted the opposing team the lead with a bizarre misjudgment.
As pressure mounted from Chicago attackers, the Inter Miami defender played a back pass to Novo. With ample time to clear the ball, Novo attempted a risky one-time kick with the outside of his right foot. The attempt failed spectacularly, sending the ball rolling into his own net. His teammates offered reassurances, but the damage was done, and Chicago took an early lead. The incident drew comparisons to a previous goalkeeping error by Matt Freese of the USMNT during the World Cup, who also made a critical mistake that was compounded by overcomplication.
Despite the early setback, Inter Miami managed to secure a 3-2 victory over Chicago. However, Novo's lapse in judgment became an instant talking point, particularly in light of MLS's post-World Cup slogan, "We'll take it from here." This slogan was part of a campaign featuring co-owner David Beckham aimed at retaining viewers who tuned in for the World Cup hosted in the U.S. The intent was to encourage these new fans to follow local MLS matches.
MLS teams are indeed experiencing a surge in ticket sales and viewership for their mid-July return. The league's quality and style of play are still developing, though there have been improvements. Even teams like the Philadelphia Union, who secured a 3-1 home victory against the New York Red Bulls, remain at the bottom of the league standings, a fact that might underscore the league's ongoing journey toward consistency. The slogan "Nowhere to go but up" might more accurately reflect the current state for some teams.