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The famous child actor decided to return to his cult movie roots, and 30 years after starring in The Big Green, reignited his passion for soccer

Patrick Renna was a crucial part of countless childhoods in America. First, it was the "Sandlot," the baseball classic in which he played Ham Porter, the misfit catcher who "calls his shot" before bashing a ball.

Then, it was "The Big Green," the soccer cult classic in which Renna, albeit briefly, was the best-worst goalkeeper you've ever seen, being flung into the back of the net by the sheer power of a shot one minute before saving a crucial penalty kick the next.

Kids of the '90s and before will tell you that Renna was always was a guy to which they could relate. His two most famous characters were dorky oddballs, the kind that loved sports but were never really all that good. It's a feeling that the vast majority of the population who aren't professional athletes know all too well.

The childhood actor into grown adult arc has been difficult to manage for many. Renna has handled it well, staying around the baseball community, tapping into the world that embraced him as a teenager. But that soccer part? Well, that's still there, too. And now, it's time for the soccer kid to become the football nerd. Renna is embracing soccer in full.

"I've always actually been interested in soccer. But the big three sports kind of take all your time in America. So soccer, not being one of those big three, not football, baseball, basketball. But what I find the most fun about soccer is the fandom," he told GOAL. "I think that the fans are the best."

GettyFinding a new passion

Renna is keenly aware – albeit with a bit of a sardonic nudge – that he didn't want to become another actor who starts a podcast. 

"I've gathered a bit of a social following, and with a social following, you're supposed to do a podcast. But then it's like, you can't do a podcast unless it's something that you're passionate about," he said. 

Renna pondered a bit of everything. Politics was a possibility, but that was quickly scrapped. 

"The only thing I'm passionate about with regard to politics is that I have no passion, and I don't know what I'm talking about enough," Renna said. 

Sports, then, was the natural choice. Basketball and baseball were always options. He has been around the game his whole life, riffing off the movie experience. The fact alone that he appeared for parody baseball team the Savannah Bananas tells you pretty much all you need to know.

Still, there was little juice there. And Renna, if he was going to do something, wanted to broaden his horizons. 

Advertisement'The good thing is, our team sucked'

And for that reason, soccer made sense. Renna is a sports fan down to his very core. He has appeared in a cult soccer movie. But his soccer knowledge, in a traditional sense? A little lacking. And with the World Cup coming to North America in 2026, he wanted to understand the game that is soon to arrive on American shores. 

His answer? Make a YouTube show with GOAL US, have it poke fun of the fact that he's the American who's trying to get into the beautiful game and call it "Soccer Guy."

"I was like, 'Wait a minute, I would love to learn about a new sport. I would love to learn about the biggest sport in the world.' And that would be fun for me, to make this an exploration and learn something out of this," Renna said, "and get just a new look on life, and take me to places I've never been."

There is, it must be pointed out, some baseline knowledge. Renna, for a start, knows the rules of the game. He understands offsides. He played youth soccer during his upbringing in Massachusetts.

And yes, that acting background did come in handy. He learned enough on the set of The Big Green – with plenty of soccer players-turned-actors – to have, at the very least, a cursory understanding of how the sport works.

"There were several players on that team that were really, really good. There was a handful of us who were actors, and then the rest were probably soccer players first," he said. 

It helped, though, that the whole point of the movie was that the team wasn't very good.

"The good thing is, our team sucked. We were like the bad news bears of soccer, so they leaned into that, and the fact that we didn't play well was good for me," Renna joked.

Roarke BoesSold on LAFC experience

But what he lacks, Renna admitted, was a starting point. Soccer is about the culture, the fandom, the experience. Renna is a guy who lives in Los Angeles, loves the Dodgers, but doesn't have a soccer team. So, to get things started, he went to an LAFC game.

He picked a good one, too. LAFC, reborn under Steve Cherundolo and with Son Heung-Min dominating up front, faced off against Real Salt Lake. They trailed early, but bagged two before half time. BMO Stadium, and the 3252 fan group, came to life. LAFC won 4-1. Denis Bouanga bagged three. Son scored one of his own.

Renna was sold.

"The beginning of the game started slow, and then it just ramped up, and LAFC scored like four goals, and it was crazy," he explained.

And the experience as a whole was entirely intoxicating (verging on literally). It started with a tailgate: sizzling tortillas, grilled meat, a michelada in the parking lot (review: "this is good dude!")

Renna interacted with the fans, learned the chants, and chatted with the locals. He walked past murals of Carlos Vela, and had some of the basics of the sport outlined to him.

"It's like basketball, but on a big-ass field," one fan eagerly outlined.

He stood in the 3252, was showered with beer, and sang at full time. He fell in love with the stadium, and was entirely captivated by just how close everything felt. 

"Every seat is good. The nosebleed doesn't exist in soccer," Renna said.

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Roarke BoesWhere he could turn up next

Renna has nearly 1 million followers on Instagram, and most of them want him to say "You're killing me smalls!" when he runs into them in public. He gets stopped for selfies, and will perhaps forever be the catcher who calls his shot. But this is not an attempt to redefine himself, or discover a new hobby. Renna is past the point of character building. 

Rather, Soccer Guy is an excuse to explore an avenue that had always interested him. So, yes, for all of the fun that the LAFC game brought, he was still recognized and stopped for pictures. He is still the dude from the Sandlot.

But that might not be the case in Brazil or Argentina, he admitted. Even in England, he might be able to sneak by unnoticed.

"I don't know about even the Premier League," he said. "It would be a much different experience."

Perhaps that's the point here. His horizons are broadened. He watched LAFC and Austin in the playoffs. He is now a proud LAFC supporter. 

And who knows where this Soccer Guy might turn up next?

It really didn't look too hard for Shohei Ohtani on Saturday night, who went 2-for-5 with three runs batted in in the first game of the postseason for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the first-ever MLB postseason game for Ohtani. The Dodgers won, 7-5, on their home field.

Ohtani, of course, has not played for a team that has qualified for the postseason to this point, despite winning two MVP awards with the Los Angeles Angels in 2021 and 2023.

After the game, Ohtani shared what he views as the "most difficult" part of a first postseason game while speaking about his fellow teammate's troubles.

Asked about Yoshinobu Yamamoto's struggles on the mound, Ohtani explained, "It's really hard to play loose in the first game of a playoff series. I'm sure Yoshinobu wasn't satisfied with his outing today."

In addition to it being the first game of the series, the Dodgers were coming off of five days' rest since they clinched a first-round bye in the National League.

While it's the first MLB playoff game for Ohtani, he did play deep in the postseason during his time in the Nippon Professional Baseball league.

Robert Lewandowski is approaching a defining moment in his career, as the Barcelona striker’s contract expires in June 2026 and while his priority is to stay, the club has yet to make a decision on whether to offer him an extension. Saudi Arabia is not an attractive option, and if Barcelona close the door, retirement is now a genuine possibility for the legendary goalscorer.

Lewandowski's future remains a mystery

The veteran striker Lewa has reached a crossroads, as his contract runs until June 2026, but Barca have not yet committed to extending or redefining his role, leaving one of Europe’s most iconic strikers in an unusual position of waiting. Despite a reduced role this season, Lewandowski remains Barca’s top scorer in La Liga with seven goals, ahead of Fermin Lopez, Lamine Yamall and Ferran Torres, proving his efficiency even in limited minutes.

According to a , inside the club offices, there are contrasting evaluations. On one hand, Lewandowski’s continued scoring gives Barca guaranteed quality and leadership. On the other, his departure would free up huge salary space to sign the long-term No.9 the club has been scouting across Europe.

For the Polish international and his family, the preference is clearly to remain in Barcelona. They feel settled in the city and deeply connected to the environment. Moving to Saudi Arabia for a massive contract has not been appealing to him, as per the report, his priority is both competitive level and lifestyle stability. However, the club’s planning is tied to financial structure as much as sporting performance, meaning the coming months will be decisive.

AdvertisementStriker fine with reduced role under Hansi Flick

The 37-year-old does not expect to keep star status or the symbolic leadership role in the dressing room. Instead, he is open to adapting his responsibilities, taking fewer minutes, and even accepting a substitute role if a new striker arrives to lead the project.

His aim is to remain competitive at the highest level, contributing in decisive phases, winning duels in the box and closing the circle of his journey at the club he joined in 2022 with the goal of conquering Spain. The Poland captain views the evolving situation pragmatically, as he will assess his body, performance and the sporting project across this season before making any final judgment.

The club, meanwhile, insist there is time and that no decision will be rushed. Executives point to the second half of the season as the real measure: his influence in big games, physical consistency, and the team’s direction under Hansi Flick will all shape the outcome.

New records and numbers strengthening his case

Lewandowski has continued to produce and, in doing so, has strengthened his argument for staying. His recent hat-trick against Celta Vigo took him to 106 Barcelona goals in just 159 appearances, passing Neymar in the club’s all-time scoring list. He remains within reach of the top 10, a remarkable feat for a player who joined the club in his mid-thirties.

Last season was his best in terms of output at Barca, with 42 goals in 52 matches. This season’s return of seven goals in nine La Liga matches shows he continues to convert chances with elite efficiency. For a club seeking stability upfront while it rebuilds around young players, Lewa continues to offer reliability.

However, the financial reality remains difficult to ignore, shedding his salary next summer would allow Barca to accelerate the signing of their striker of the future. Dusan Vlahovic, Julian Alvarez and Levante prospect Karl Etta Eyong are reportedly among the profiles being monitored.

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AFPIs retirement now a real possibility?

While discussions continue, an unexpected reality has emerged, if Barcelona decide not to renew and no external offer meets both his competitive standards and personal priorities, retirement is a genuine option. 

Should he choose to stop, it would be on his own terms, rather than being pushed out by decline or forced into a league he does not believe aligns with where he wants his career to end. For him, the decision is not about one more contract, but about the value of exiting the game as he entered it: sharp, respected, and fully competitive.

The outcome will likely rest on performance and fitness across the second half of the campaign, but if Lewandowski continues scoring at his current rate, the club will face strong pressure to retain him in a reduced but meaningful role. If form dips, Barcelona may consider an earlier transition.

Meanwhile, the interest from Saudi will remain, and European suitors will wait to see if Barcelona step back. For now, Lewandowski continues to let the football speak. And for now, the goals keep coming.

Ed Barnard rewarded for saving follow-on with unbeaten century

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay01-Aug-2025 Warwickshire 485 (Barnard 108*, Bamber 107, Mousley 75, Davies 52, Critchley 5-171) drew with Essex 602 for 6 dec (Westley 134, Allison 133, Pepper 107*, Walter 86) and 96 for 1 Tom Westley passed fifty for the fifth time in eight Rothesay County Championship innings before rain arrived at Chelmsford to confirm the inevitable draw between Essex and Warwickshire.The rejuvenated Essex captain was 51 not out, with seven fours in his 103-ball innings, to follow his 148 first time round. He had put on 86 in 28 overs with Paul Walter for the second wicket before umbrellas went up and the players scampered for shelter. Walter had contributed 35 to a stand that took Essex’s lead to a nominal 213.The match was effectively over as a contest late on the third evening when Ed Barnard struck the boundary that took Warwickshire past their follow-on target of 453, despite having just one wicket in hand. What had become a damp squib was officially called off at 3.25pm.The 14 points Essex gained kept them just ahead of the relegation places in Division One, while Warwickshire’s dozen points mean they are safely in mid-table.Barnard, meanwhile, gained reward for his overnight effort the morning after when he was left unbeaten on 108 in Warwickshire’s first-innings 485, 117 behind Essex’s 602-6 declared. The remarkably consistent all-rounder’s 123-ball knock took his season’s tally to 815 runs with three centuries. Matt Critchley’s marathon spell of 40 overs for Essex returned figures of 5 for 171.With Dean Elgar absent from the field since day one with a calf injury, Essex promoted Noah Thain to open their second innings. But Essex’s faith in the up-and-coming all-rounder was not fulfilled as Ethan Bamber got one to lift off the pitch and take the outside edge with only two against his name.Westley drove his first ball for four, but was fortunate when he reached 19 that a diving Kai Smith could not cling on to a catch in Beau Webster’s first over.Westley reached his fifty from 103 balls, clipping Hannon-Dalby past an unusual legside field comprising six fielders in a semi-circle between short mid-on and square leg. It turned out to be the last meaningful action before rain set in a 2.24pm.Walter had been comparatively subdued at the other end, though he did strike two boundaries in the last over before lunch that brought up the fifty partnership from a leisurely 18 overs.Barnard, 90 not out overnight, had become the game’s fifth century-maker when he swept Critchley for four from the 114th ball he faced. He had already launched the leg-spinner over midwicket for six during the 23 minutes that Warwickshire’s first innings extended into the fourth morning.Oliver Hannon-Dalby had kept Barnard company the previous evening when the ninth-wicket pair ensured Warwickshire moved safely beyond the follow-on mark. He remained unfazed for 27 balls in total, 15 in the morning, before Westley introduced his occasional off-breaks and had the No11 lbw with his fourth delivery.

West Ham striker Niclas Füllkrug is facing his final two months at the club, amid credible reports that the injury-prone forward is eyeing a January exit.

Fullkrug, who missed 28 games for club and country combined last season, has looked more and more like yet another torrid centre-forward investment by David Sullivan, Karren Brady and the Hammers board since his £27 million arrival from Borussia Dortmund last year.

Achilles tendon

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Hamstring injury

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The 32-year-old’s stay in east London has been marred by constant fitness issues and a struggle to adapt to Premier League football, with his stellar Euros and 16-goal haul for Dortmund at the end of 23/24 seeming like a lifetime ago.

Fullkrug’s managed three goals and two assists in 27 total appearances for West Ham when he has been available, but even that return is uninspiring at best.

Nuno Espirito Santo is poised to welcome Fullkrug back from his latest injury after the November international break, according to reliable club insider ExWHUemployee, but the former Bundesliga star may not be donning Claret and Blue for too long afterwards.

Supporters and critics alike held hope that Nuno could inspire a ‘Chris Wood-esque’ transformation for Fullkrug.

However, as backed up by Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, the number nine has already decided to depart Rush Green once the transfer window reopens at the turn of the year.

The main questions now are: who would buy Fullkrug given his injury record, who could West Ham sign to replace him, how much money could the London side realistically recoup from his sale and what are the key conditions of his departure?

Well, as per an unnamed football agent, at least one of these queries has been answered.

West Ham set out key Niclas Füllkrug transfer condition before January

Speaking to West Ham insider Claret & Hugh, the mystery representative explained that, while the Hammers are actively looking to find him a new club, West Ham will not let Fullkrug leave at all unless they source a replacement first.

The attacker was brought in with high hopes of ending West Ham’s long line of failed striker signings, but Fullkrug actually ended up being one of their more disappointing buys in that area.

Right now, Nuno has precious few alternatives, with fellow injury-prone ace Callum Wilson and youngster Callum Marshall standing out as their only natural options.

West Ham’s boss experimented with Lucas Paqueta as the false nine against Brentford and Leeds to no avail, prompting him to start Wilson against his former club Newcastle last weekend as the Irons won their first home game of the season.

Even if they can’t find a buyer for Fullkrug, West Ham simply must bring in a number nine when the winter window opens, and it is believed that they’ve reached out to former Brentford star Ivan Toney over a potential loan to buy deal.

The MLB's most active team in free agency so far hasn't been the New York Yankees or the Los Angeles Dodgers, but the L.A. area's other team, the Angels. General manager Perry Minasian has been actively adding pieces as the team seeks to snap its MLB-worst playoff drought, which dates back to 2014. The latest addition, according to Jon Heyman of the : veteran left-handed starting pitcher Yukei Kikuchi.

Kikuchi heads to L.A. on a three-year, $63 million deal, Heyman reports. The one-time All-Star began the 2024 season with the Toronto Blue Jays before being dealt to the Houston Astros at the trade deadline.

Kikuchi finished 2024 with a 9–10 record and 4.05 ERA but was excellent after his move to the Astros, posting a 5–1 record and 2.7 ERA in 10 starts. His 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings in Houston would have been his highest mark across a full season.

After beginning his career in Japan, Kikuchi spent his first three MLB seasons with the Seattle Mariners, making his only All-Star Game in 2021.

The Angels have been aggressive throughout the offseason. They dealt for Atlanta Braves slugger Jorge Soler in late October, and have signed catcher Travis d'Arnaud, right-handed pitcher Kyle Hendricks and infielder Kevin Newman among others so far.

In its first season after losing Shohei Ohtani to the Dodgers, the Angels finished at the bottom of the AL West at 63–99, the second-worst record in the American League in 2024.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is welcoming his Gunners squad back to training in London Colney ahead of his side’s crucial derby against Tottenham this weekend.

The face-off carries significant weight in this year’s Premier League title race, with Arsenal looking to maintain their position at the summit while Tottenham seek to disrupt their neighbours’ title aspirations.

Arsenal enter the match off a 2-2 draw at Sunderland, which ended their 10-match winning run in all competitions and eight-game run without conceding a single goal.

Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest

Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 1-1 Man City

Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal

Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

Fulham 0-1 Arsenal

Arsenal 4-0 Atlético Madrid

Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace

Arsenal 2-0 Brighton

Burnley 0-2 Arsenal

Slavia Prague 0-3 Arsenal

Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal

The Gunners have been in exceptional form this season, averaging over two goals per match and establishing themselves as the team to beat. Their defensive prowess has been particularly impressive, conceding just five goals so far and boasting the best defence in all of Europe’s top five leagues.

Fifth-place Spurs drew 2-2 with Man United in their last outing and currently hold the best away record in the Premier League with 13 points won from a possible 15, having scored the joint-most goals (12) and conceded the fewest (three) on their travels (NBC Sports).

Despite having won just three times at Arsenal since the Premier League’s inception, this remarkable away form makes them dangerous opponents and Arteta will be very aware of the threat Thomas Frank’s side pose.

Arsenal also face a real selection headache, with star defender Gabriel Magalhaes poised to be out for at least a month after sustaining a thigh injury on international duty with Brazil.

Arteta’s attacking depth faces a severe test heading into the derby too, with multiple forwards battling to prove their fitness. Viktor Gyokeres is still a doubt for the match, with little certainty around Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz.

Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann revealed that Havertz had a “minor relapse” of his knee injury and is expected to return “towards the end of the year”, casting doubt on his involvement in this weekend’s derby.

Captain Martin Odegaard’s situation remains unclear as well. Norway boss Stale Solbakken said Odegaard is “some distance away”, but the player himself stated the injury is “starting to look better” and will hopefully be back soon (TV2).

Noni Madueke was actually close to making the Sunderland squad, so he could well return to the fold for Spurs, but the game comes too soon for striker Gabriel Jesus.

Gabriel Jesus pictured in Arsenal training with teammates after lay-off

The Brazilian hasn’t played a single minute since rupturing his ACL in an FA Cup defeat to Man United at the start of the year, and reports suggest he’ll be the last in a long line of Arsenal attackers to return from injury (Simon Collings).

However, Jesus is back in Arsenal first-team training, with football.london relaying that the 28-year-old was pictured taking part in a session this week alongside Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ben White.

The former Man City star, once he makes his comeback, is set to play a role under Arteta this season, despite reports of a potential January exit.

Arteta has called Jesus an ‘unpredictable’ weapon he can’t wait to call upon, while the player himself is adamant that he’s not going anywhere.

It is unclear when Jesus will be available for full selection again, but it could well be soon given he’s back with the squad.

Pakistan coach feels they have “lost a bit of momentum” at the top after they were reduced to 83 for 7 against India

Danyal Rasool15-Sep-20251:13

Wahab: Kuldeep always one step ahead of batters

Pakistan coach Mike Hesson has acknowledged that they were “outplayed” on Sunday in their seven-wicket defeat against India. Speaking after the game, Hesson said Pakistan struggled to come up with answers to India’s spinners, who ended up “squeezing” them, and that Pakistan would have to play better cricket to stay competitive against the best sides.”We were outplayed today,” Hesson said at the press conference. “I don’t think we can hide from that. We didn’t bat well enough. We left ourselves probably 20 or 30 [runs] short, and we all know through those middle overs we got squeezed. Lots to work on against a good bowling attack, but I was pleased the way the guys fought hard in the field albeit with a score that wasn’t enough.”For much of the innings with the bat after Pakistan opted to set a target, they looked as if they might struggle to get to three figures. They found themselves on 83 for 7 in the 17th over, before a cameo at the end from Shaheen Afridi took them to 127.Related

Fun and banter but no drop in intensity at India training

Bruised Pakistan take on UAE in knockout clash

How Kuldeep and Axar slammed the door shut on Pakistan

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Kuldeep, Axar and Abhishek lead India to thumping win

“Up until the last few matches, Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub had averaged 40 opening the batting, and had done particularly well,” Hesson said. “Saim is a key player for us, and it’s important for any side that we get off to a good start. Four games ago, we were doing quite nicely at the top; we’ve lost a bit of momentum there, but I certainly have confidence in those two to turn it around quickly.”There was a touch of mayhem about the first two overs with the bat for Pakistan. Ayub sliced to point off the first legitimate delivery he faced in what was his second successive golden duck. The incoming Mohammad Haris lashed at Jasprit Bumrah right from the outset, and skied his second ball to square leg. Fakhar Zaman was nearly undone by a yorker later that over, surviving on review after the ball was found to have pitched outside leg stump.”With the bat, we were a little bit frenzied at the start,” Hesson said. “The ball held in the surface, as we expected, but we didn’t respond as well as we would have liked. We were in the game at the end of the powerplay, and then we got squeezed.”2:20

How big is the gulf between India and Pakistan?

Farhan, who had watched the carnage from the other end, found the odd big shot, but it was interspersed with long streaks of dot deliveries. He struck Bumrah for two sixes in the powerplay – the only player to have hit Bumrah for more than one six in a T20I. But 23 of the 44 balls he faced were dots, and as the spinners began to tighten their grip on the game, his effectiveness was diminished.”The more big games you play, the more trust you have in your own game,” Hesson said. “We’ve certainly got some players who’re finding their feet. They want to be in the battle, and we’ll come back stronger in a few days’ time.”Pakistan will have to do that. If results fall the way it is likely, Pakistan’s match against UAE will be almost a knockout game for them to advance to the Super Fours stage. Progression for Hesson’s side will mean another meeting with India next Sunday.”We’ll turn up in three days’ time. We need to play better than we did today with both ball and bat,” Hesson said. “We need to be more disciplined with the ball early on. I was actually really pleased with the way we fought in the field, where we showed a huge amount of character. We’re going to need a lot more of that on Wednesday. If we do that, we’re hopeful of having another crack in the Super 4s, where we’re going to have to play better cricket than we did tonight. I’ve certainly got confidence in this group.”

MLS owners have reportedly taken their first concrete step toward identifying a successor to Commissioner Don Garber, convening a small, closed-door “succession committee” ahead of last week’s Board of Governors meeting, according to the Sports Business Journal. The group held its initial session with Garber in attendance as it began outlining early plans for the league’s future leadership.

Getty Images SportSuccession committee holds inaugural meeting

A newly formed succession committee held its first closed-door meeting last Wednesday in Palm Beach, Florida, prior to the league’s full Board of Governors gathering the following day, per the SBJ report. The committee — tasked with planning for senior leadership transitions, including Commissioner Don Garber’s eventual replacement — is being co-chaired by LAFC’s Bennett Rosenthal and Columbus Crew’s Jimmy Haslam.

Additional committee members include Jonathan Kraft of the New England Revolution, Oliver Mintzlaff of the New York Red Bulls, and John Ingram of Nashville SC. Garber himself attended the inaugural session, according to the report, underscoring his involvement in the early stages of the succession planning process.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTiming coincides with calendar shift and Garber’s contract

The formation of the succession committee comes at a significant moment for MLS, which recently approved a major shift to a summer-to-spring calendar that will align the league with top European competitions. This calendar change complicates the timing of Garber's current contract, which is scheduled to expire at the end of the 2027 season – a date that would now fall midway through the 2027-28 campaign under the new calendar format.

League officials have not clarified whether Garber's contract expiration date has been adjusted to accommodate this calendar shift. The commissioner, who has led MLS since 1999, has not publicly indicated whether he intends to remain beyond his current agreement.

Getty Images EntertainmentDeputy commissioner's retirement adds context

The succession committee's first meeting occurred just one day after MLS Deputy Commissioner Gary Stevenson announced his plans to retire following next summer's FIFA World Cup.

The succession planning process appears to be part of a comprehensive strategic review that began in late summer 2025, which league spokesperson Dan Courtemanche described as focused on improving the league’s structure.

“Major League Soccer is currently engaged in a comprehensive, league-wide strategic planning process led by Commissioner Garber together with a committee of MLS owners and an external consulting firm,” Courtemanche told SBJ. “This process, which began in late summer 2025, is focused on strengthening the league’s organizational structure and preparing MLS for the opportunities and challenges that come with being a growing sports league.

“Like is the case with most high-performance organizations, this work includes broad, long-term succession planning for senior leadership positions, along with a holistic review of organizational design and operational effectiveness across the league office.”

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GettyGarber approaches milestone

As the succession committee begins its work, Garber is approaching his 27th year as commissioner, having guided MLS from its financially precarious early days to its current position as a stable, expanding league with 30 franchises across the United States and Canada.

Rodney Peete is best known as a former star quarterback at USC, and a longtime NFL signal caller who started 87 games and played for six franchises across a 15-year career. Today, he's a local sports personality in Los Angeles, and a diehard Dodgers fan, whose son RJ Peete works as a clubhouse attendant for the franchise.

The elder Peete and his wife Holly Robinson-Peete made the trip to Tokyo to watch the Los Angeles open its season against the Chicago Cubs, and he made a highlight of his own. In the bottom of the sixth inning with the Dodgers up 6–3, Pete—wearing a glove—appeared to rob L.A. third baseman Max Muncy of a catchable foul ball off the bat of Ian Happ.

Muncy was clearly irked by the play, but Peete took to X to argue that the infielder didn't have a legitimate chance to make the play.

Based on the replay, it certainly looks like Muncy had a chance at it, though the ball did seem to miss Muncy's glove, which looked to be positioned above Peete's, so maybe the Trojans great has a point here.

In any case, Happ would strike out in the at-bat and the Dodgers finished off the 6–3 win, so no harm, no foul.

We'll see whether Peete takes the time to call in and defend himself, live from Tokyo. Local radio host Tim Cates is already on the case.