Lionel Messi’s move to MLS has been nothing short of transformative. His presence has not only boosted the league’s profile but also contributed to an increase in social media followers, reaching over 100 million across various platforms.

The 28th annual MLS All-Star Game, held at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio, saw a record attendance of 20,931 fans, showing the growing interest in MLS and soccer in the United States. Despite Messi’s absence due to an ankle injury, the event was a significant milestone for the league. The MLS All-Stars faced off against LIGA MX standouts, with the latter winning 4-1.

MLS continues to expand its reach, with San Diego set to become the 30th team in the league. The league’s growth is not limited to the domestic scene; it also includes a strong partnership with Mexico’s LIGA MX.

The second Leagues Cup tournament, which started on July 27th, will see MLS teams competing against LIGA MX teams for a midseason trophy. This competition, along with upcoming international events like the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025 and the FIFA World Cup in 2026, reflects MLS’s ambitions on the global stage.

The future of MLS looks bright, with plans to continue building on the momentum created by the Messi effect and the league’s growing popularity. The All-Star Game and the Leagues Cup are just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting era for soccer in North America.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber expressed pride in the league’s achievements and optimism for its future, emphasizing the resilience of the sport in the United States. As MLS continues to grow and evolve, fans can expect even more thrilling moments and opportunities to engage with the sport they love.

Imagine putting all your chips on a single spin of a roulette wheel. Now, picture daring to take that plunge again two decades later. In 2004, Ashley Revell made headlines when he liquidated everything he owned, from his home to personal belongings, to finance a high-stakes, all-or-nothing wager. This bold move led him to place over $95,000 on a single spin of the roulette wheel at the Plaza Hotel & Casino. So what happened?

Opting for red proved fortuitous with the bet coming through and Ashley finding himself strolling through Sin City with a hefty sum of over $190,000 in his back pocket. Ashley’s clip from the reality show Double or Nothing in 2004 has resurfaced and gone viral. Two decades on, we revisit the daring gambler’s story as he gears up for another extraordinary gamble.

Back then, he made headlines with his significant bet in Las Vegas while participating in the Sky One reality show. The gamble garnered attention on international platforms, including an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in the United States and This Morning in the UK. Reflecting on the victorious bet, he openly admitted the risk, deeming it “very dangerous” to walk around Vegas with $190,000 in his hands.

At 52, Ashley revealed he’s not shying away from another all-or-nothing venture, but this time, it’s in the realm of business. He’s the brains behind the innovative tech startup, Four.me, a pioneering business that introduces a novel approach to URLs described by Ashley as being “like a memorable QR code but with words and colors instead.”

He’s expressed the thrill of kickstarting a new venture. Ashley has invested his all into the firm, and the early signs are promising, boasting over 1,000 users and potential clients in the pipeline, complemented by a pending patent.