The 2022-23 Premier League season is almost upon us, meaning Fantasy managers around the planet are tinkering with their squads more often than Pep Guardiola on a Champions League semifinal night.
A well-oiled defense can be the difference between going out in the group stage and winning a tournament. Scoring four goals in a game is well and good until you turn around are realize the other team scored five. Every successful team needs to be able to keep the ball out of its own net. Defending is an art, and at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, many artists will be on display, putting their bodies on the line to ensure their team advances to the next round. But not all defenders are created equal.
England’s Championship division is one of the most intense seasons in Europe. The 46 games played, just in the league itself, give players more opportunities to perform well but also for a team’s season to come crashing down. While there are more games, every game means just as much in the Championship, if not more, as the teams compete for the right to move up to the Premier League.
Here in the good ol’ US of A, we’re in that terrible time of year where most sports are in the middle of their offseason. For action-starved Premier League fans, there's no NBA, no NFL and no NHL to turn to. Worst of all, there's no World Cup. On the soccer side of things, I would highly recommend giving the Women’s Euros, MLS and NWSL a chance if you haven’t already. But for fans looking to freshen things up, why not give Formula One a go?
Every lock has a key, but not every key fits in every lock. Even the best have their limits. This summer, Cristiano Ronaldo has been linked with a move away from Manchester United following the club’s dismal 2021-22 Premier League campaign that saw the club finish sixth with its fewest points total ever. The Red Devils will be playing Europa League soccer in the fall, and reportedly Ronaldo is less than happy and wants a move away, but where can he go?
England reached the final hurdle in its quest for a first European Championship after defeating Sweden 4-0 Tuesday at Bramall Lane in Sheffield. Goals from Beth Mead, Lucy Bronze, Alessia Russo and Fran Kirby punched the Lionesses ticket to the final Sunday at Wembley, where they'll meet the winner of Wednesday's match between Germany and France.
This summer's Luis Suárez transfer saga has been all over the place, and reports now place the Uruguayan in MLS.
After two seasons at Atlético Madrid, Suárez became a free agent July 1 and it was time to look for a new club. Many suggested that a move back to South America would be ideal for the striker after a 16-year career abroad. However, with Qatar around the corner, Suárez preferred to remain in Europe to prepare for his last World Cup.
“My priority is to stay in Europe,” he said.
RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazil manager Tite is excited by the rise of the young players who surged to stardom in European soccer last season and will be available for the national team in November when his side bid to win a record-extending sixth World Cup at the finals in Qatar.
Wednesday night, Minnesota United welcomed Everton for a friendly match at Allianz Field in St. Paul. The English side was getting ready to begin its season while taking on a Minnesota team halfway through its MLS campaign.
Jordan Pickford, Dominick Calvert-Lewin and Tom Davies featured for Everton along with a host of other traditional starters. Minnesota only made one change from its weekend lineup against DC United — signalling an attempt to make a statement as they took on a side that finished just four points from relegation last year.
FC Barcelona’s money issues are no secret. The Spanish giant famously had to let Lionel Messi leave for PSG after a violation of LaLiga’s financial fair play rules. In March 2021, the club was technically bankrupt. Prior to the 2021-22 season, La Blaugrana were not able to register the salaries of Memphis Depay and Eric García until several players accepted wage deferments. All the while, Barcelona debt reached a reported $1.32 billion.