Up-and-coming Players

Pepi And Dike Realize European Dreams In Quest To Become USMNT's Starting Striker

On Saturday, West Bromwich Albion and Orlando City confirmed that 21-year-old striker Daryl Dike was headed to the Championship side on a four-and-a-half-year deal for a transfer fee of $9.5 million.

Dike again joins forces with French manager Valérien Ismaël, who was Barnsley's boss last campaign when Dike scored nine goals in 19 second division appearances while on loan. Orlando is also in line to receive performance-based bonuses and 20% of any future sale.

Watch: Gavi Is Still Treating Defenses The Exact Same Way He Did At Age 12

The emergence of 17-year-old Pablo Páez Gavi for both Barcelona and Spain during the 2021-22 season has been criminally under-appreciated in the English-speaking world. It's a serious offense because just putting the La Masia product through the 90-minute eye test is enough to reveal a footballer of supreme talent, which is exceptionally rare when considering all the nuance and subtlety that comes with the midfield position. 

The Wheels Are In Motion For Daryl Dike's Return To England

One year ago, Daryl Dike was just another young American striker showing promise in MLS. Then a surprise last-minute loan ended Dike's off-season and sent him across the pond to EFL Championship side Barnsley.

Dike took to the English second tier as a Minnesota ice-fisherman takes to a frozen lake.

Bukayo Saka Delivers Masterclass In Arsenal's 5-0 Hammering Of Norwich City

NORWICH, England - Arsenal cruised to a 5-0 win at hapless bottom side Norwich City on Sunday, with Bukayo Saka's double helping them to secure the victory as they consolidated fourth place in the Premier League.

Saka opened the scoring early on before Kieran Tierney added another goal just before the break. The England forward got his brace midway through the second half, while Alexandre Lacazette, with a penalty, and Emile Smith Rowe wrapped up the victory.

USMNT Striker Jordan Pefok Delivers Statement With Four-Goal Game For Young Boys

The debate over who should be the USMNT's starting striker will continue into 2022 despite Ricardo Pepi's recent heroics in front of goal. The 18-year-old was quiet on Saturday night in the national team's 1-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina (a match The18's David Moore likened to "cruel and unusual punishment"), and Gregg Berhalter will be closely monitoring the FC Dallas striker's competition abroad.

Stanford And USYNT Defender Naomi Girma Selected No. 1 Overall In NWSL College Draft

The 10th annual NWSL Draft was held on Saturday evening, and with the No. 1 overall pick, expansion side San Diego Wave FC selected Stanford defender Naomi Girma, who was U.S. Soccer's 2020 Young Female Player of the Year.

Girma joins a San Diego backline anchored by USWNT veteran Abby Dahlkemper and former Stanford teammate Tegan McGrady. The 21-year-old can also play in midfield, where she may be needed after the club selected a forward, German international Marleen Schimmer out of Grand Canyon University, with its ninth pick in the first round.  

Real Madrid's 2-0 Win Over Atlético Was A Very Clear Transition Of Power

By defeating Atlético 2-0 at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday night for its seventh straight win in LaLiga, Real Madrid further enhanced its reputation as favorite while perhaps dooming Atléti's title defense before the campaign's halfway point.

The gap between first-place Real and fourth-place Atlético is already 13 points, and this edition of El Derbi highlighted what makes Carlo Ancelotti's side the best in Spain and a growing threat in the Champions League.

Conor Gallagher's 23-Yard Screamer Puts Rafa Benítez And Everton Back In Purgatory

LONDON - Conor Gallagher scored twice and James Tomkins was also on target as Crystal Palace arrested a run of three defeats by beating Everton 3-1 at Selhurst Park on Sunday to renew pressure on visiting manager Rafael Benítez.

Gallagher fired home four minutes before halftime as Palace took advantage of a defensive error and Tomkins stabbed home from a corner midway through the second half.

Barça's Teenagers Score 2 Great Goals, But Team Suffers Another Late Collapse In Osasuna Draw

Barcelona let three points slip from their grasp at Osasuna as a late stunner from Chimy Ávila secured a 2-2 draw for the hosts in LaLiga on Sunday.

Deprived of seven key players through injury, Barça coach Xavi Hernández was forced to turn to his youngsters and 19-year-olds Nico González and Abde Ezzalzouli both scored as the visitors twice took the lead.

Chris Richards Scores His First Bundesliga Goal And It’s A Brilliant 94th Minute Game-Winner

American defender Chris Richards scored the first Bundesliga goal of his career on Saturday against SC Freiburg in a crucial 2-1 victory. With the score tied at 1-1, Hoffenheim had a corner kick with 15 seconds left in the game. The ball was whipped into the box, and it would be the 21-year-old Alabama native who got his head on the ball.

Chris Richards Goal Vs Freiburg

Pages