Analysis

Donovan had some interesting things to say about U.S. Soccer.

U.S. men’s national team legend, Landon Donovan, was invited as a guest on Alexi Lalas’ State of the Union Podcast, with the former U.S. goalscorer giving some pretty interesting takes on the state of the men’s national team, the possibility of coaching the United States, what we can expect from the extraofficial appointment of Mauricio Pochettino and the brewing problem of the USMNT — youth soccer.

Colorado Rapids defender Moïse Bombito is one of the fastest soccer players in the world. The 24-year-old Canadian international posted an insane top speed of 23.16 miles per hour during the Rapids’ 2-2 draw vs. Inter Miami on Saturday.

The Rapids posted several clips of their speedster with Major League Soccer confirming Bombito’s top speed.

Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah and AC Milan’s 2023-24 UEFA Champions League campaign has failed to get off the runway. The Italian side was held scoreless again on Wednesday at the Parc des Princes as PSG went top of the group with a 3-0 victory.

Pulisic was arguably one of Milan’s brightest sparks in attack, however his performance will mostly be remembered for a big chance missed in the second half.

Time almost has run out for Inter Miami to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs, so all eyes will turn to Lionel Messi when the club hosts FC Cincinnati on Saturday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Will Messi return to the pitch this evening? Signs look good, but nothing is confirmed so far.

Messi aggravated a scar tissue injury in his leg on Sept. 7 when playing for Argentina in a World Cup qualifying match. He tried to play in Miami's win over Toronto FC on Sept. 20 but exited after 37 minutes and hasn't played since.

Paris St Germain will kick off their quest for a maiden Champions League trophy in a strong Group F, which looks to be the Champions League Group of Death, featuring Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan and Newcastle United following the draw on Thursday. This means American Christian Pulisic will face his former club Dortmund as well as PSG in the opening stage of his quest for a second Champions League trophy.

There can be zero question over the value of MLS Season Pass on Apple TV now. Lionel Messi's arrival at Inter Miami turned the streaming service into the hottest thing since the first guy to open a sandwich shop, and it certainly doesn't hurt when you also get to see Sergio Busquets apply tennis ball-like spin to his entry passes in 1080p. Oh, Jordi Alba's here too.  

So when does Messi play again? Messi next match for Miami is part of a string of fixtures coming in hot for the Herons as they fight on three fronts: Leagues Cup, U.S. Open Cup and MLS.

The USWNT's 0-0 draw with Portugal was a cry for help. If there's one thing we can say with 100 percent certainty, it's that Vlatko Andonovski's previous call for patience and simply more of the same is entirely without warrant. Recurrent issues have been plaguing the team for almost two years and they aren't working themselves out — there's something wrong with the system.

The United States women's national team is still heavily favored to move on to the knockout rounds, but a small chink in the armor of the two-time defending Women's World Cup champions has caused a ripple effect at sportsbooks.

The USWNT needs to earn at least a point against Portugal at Auckland, New Zealand, early Tuesday (3 a.m. ET) to guarantee it advances out of Group E.

AUCKLAND - Holders United States arrived at the Women's World Cup as favorites to win an unprecedented third straight title but their place in the tournament will be on the line when they take on Portugal in Tuesday's Group E showdown in Auckland.

The Americans, who have never been eliminated from the group stage in World Cup history, have not yet hit peak form. They beat minnows Vietnam 3-0, and a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands left both teams locked on four points.

It's Sunday morning in the United States and every nation at the Women's World Cup has completed at least two matches. Group A, the Group of Life, went ahead and finished their third and final games in the early hours so that makes our Power Rankings a little clearer, but this is how things stand in our eyes with the knockout stages taking shape.

2023 Women's World Cup Power Rankings (Pt. II)

#32. Zambia (Change: 0)