MLS’s transfer window and the spending line that keeps going up

Summer spending across the league’s 30 clubs has ballooned. Here are three takeaways from the league’s transfer window truewildgame.online

With the shadow of the 2026 World Cup hanging over the league and a potential set of rule changes looming, Major League Soccer’s summer transfer window was one defined by uncertainty, diverse strategies and record spending. It was the fourth transfer window since MLS allowed clubs to purchase players from other clubs using traditional transfer fees rather than general allocation money (GAM), the intraleague currency system. The new rule, which is now being used more frequently, has helped account for rapid growth in league expenditure, as has increased GAM allotted to each club.

These trends have been seen broadly over the last two seasons, but this past window took it to a new level, smashing the previous record for summer spending. This summer, MLS teams spent 65% more year-over-year, with a total of nearly $190m spent, accounting for 45% of the 2026 total. The above factors combined to create one of the most consequential transfer windows in MLS history, which may give a glimpse into the league’s future trajectory.

The days of young quarterbacks patiently waiting for their turn to take over after they learn the NFL game are mostly a thing of the past. That's what made the Las Vegas Raiders ' decision to keep No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza on the bench to start the season behind Kirk Cousins a little unusual, even if it was telegraphed from the moment he was picked. Mendoza is the first quarterback taken No. 1 overall to start his career on the bench since Baker Mayfield in 2018, with the last six since then earning Week 1 starts. Mayfield came in as a reserve for Cleveland in Week 3 that season and made his first start the following week. When Mendoza does it remains to be seen. But with Mendoza and No. 13 pick Ty Simpson of the Los Angeles Rams starting the season as reserves, this marks just the second time in the last 19 seasons that no rookie quarterback will start the season opener. It also happened in 2022, when Kenny Pickett was the only QB taken in the first round when he went 20th to Pittsburgh. Before that, it hadn't happened since 2007 when JaMarcus Russell was drafted first overall by the Raiders. He held out that summer and didn't sign a contract until after the opener. He didn't start that season until the final game. There were three rookie quarterbacks starting the opener in three of the previous five seasons as teams have become quicker to turn over the reins as the differences between the college and pro games have lessened. That's been especially true of No. 1 picks for a long time. Mendoza is the 30th quarterback taken first overall since the start of the common draft era in 1967. Twenty of those QBs started the season opener as rookies and all but one made at least one start in their first year, with only Carson Palmer in 2003 missing out. Palmer didn't play at all that season for Cincinnati before taking over in 2004. Three others made their first starts early with Tim Couch (Game 2), Mayfield and Alex Smith (Game 5) getting the chance in the opening weeks. Michael Vick made his first start in the eighth game in 2001, while Eli Manning (Game 10), Jared Goff (Game 10), Vinny Testaverde (Game 12) and Russell didn't get the chance until late in their rookie seasons. The Raiders also will tie a record by having a different head coach and different starting quarterback for the opener in four straight seasons. The streak started in 2023 with coach Josh McDaniels and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, followed by Antonio Pierce and Gardner Minshew in 2024, Pete Carroll and Geno Smith in 2025 and now Klint Kubiak and Cousins. The only other team to do that was the Houston Texans from 2020-23, with coach Bill O'Brien and Deshaun Watson the first year, followed by David Culley and Tyrod Taylor, Lovie Smith and Davis Mills, and DeMeco Ryans and C.J. Stroud. Reporting by the Associated Press.

• Teetotal Hull teed off alone in practice

• Briton in Women’s Open controversy in August

Charley Hull has, unsurprisingly, been involved in a colourful start to Solheim Cup week. After arriving late for her Tuesday practice tee time in the Netherlands, an online clip of her joking about the reason prompted a cascade of online speculation and ended with members of the European team hierarchy forcibly denying any overindulgence on the teetotal Hull’s behalf on Monday night.

In an unusual scene, Hull, who is crucial to Europe’s quest to reclaim the Solheim Cup from the United States this week, drove off alone at Bernardus Golf and caught up with her teammates after arriving on the 1st tee minutes behind them. In a clip that gained traction, Hull appeared to jokingly blame “drinks” from the night before. The English golfer did, however, seem to point towards her caddie at the time.

Ten wins, for the most part, means you're making it to the playoffs. Consider this: Dating back to the 2016-17 season, only twice has a team won 10 games in the regular season and missed the playoffs. Those two teams are the 2024 Seattle Seahawks (10-7) and the 2020 Miami Dolphins (10-6). Last season, all 12 10-win teams made it to the postseason, and two teams that won fewer than 10 games — the 9-7 Packers and the 8-9 Panthers — made it past the regular season. Which squads will win 10 in 2026? Let's check out the odds at bet365 as of Sept. 8. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. Rams: -450 (bet $10 to win $12.22 total) Ravens: -270 (bet $10 to win $13.70 total)Bills: -210 (bet $10 to win $14.76 total) Seahawks: -200 (bet $10 to win $15 total) Lions: -190 (bet $10 to win $15.26 total)Bengals: -155 (bet $10 to win $12.22 total)Chiefs: -150 (bet $10 to win $16.45 total)Patriots: -150 (bet $10 to win $16.45 total) Eagles: -150 (bet $10 to win $16.45 total) 49ers: -145 (bet $10 to win $16.90 total) Texans: -140 (bet $10 to win $17.14 total) Chargers: -135 (bet $10 to win $17.41 total) Broncos: -130 (bet $10 to win $17.69 total) Packers: -130 (bet $10 to win $17.69 total) Nine of the 14 teams favored to reach at least 10 wins this season reached that mark last season. In fact, Seattle (14), Denver (14), New England (14), the Rams (12), Houston (12), Buffalo (12), San Francisco (12), Philadelphia (11) and the Chargers (11), all eclipsed 10 wins. Only one team won exactly 10 games last season and that was the Pittsburgh Steelers. They are +170 to reach 10 victories this season. As for the teams favored to win 10 this year that didn't last year, that list includes Detroit (9 wins last year), Green Bay (9), Baltimore (8), Kansas City (6) and Cincinnati (6). The Chiefs had won at least 10 games for 10 consecutive seasons before last season, while the Ravens had reached 10 in six of the previous seven seasons before last season. Two teams missing from this list are Jacksonville and Chicago, who won 13 and 11 games last season, respectively. The Jaguars are +130 to win 10, while the Bears are at +100.

• Pair have joined Sale after spells in France

• Duo last played for England at 2023 World Cup

Courtney Lawes and Joe Marchant have been warned they must go “over and above” the performances of their rivals in the first five weeks of the new seasonto earn England recalls this autumn.

Lawes, 37, and 30-year-old Marchant have both joined Sale this summer after spells in France and stated their ambition to resurrect their international careers, having last represented England at the 2023 World Cup.