Central & South America

That Ezequiel Barco Guy? Yeah He’s Really, Really Good

Ezequiel Barco, the 18-year-old Argentinian youth international who smashed the MLS transfer record back in January when Atlanta United paid $15 million for his services, scored his first goal for Atlanta Wednesday night in a friendly against Minnesota United.  

Playing at the Carolina Challenge Cup preseason tournament in Charleston, Barco’s first goal for the club salvaged a 1-1 draw in the 85th minute for Tata Martino’s boys. 

U-20 Player Becomes First To Take Out Corner Flag And Attempt To Stab Somebody

“Hey, I got a hockey record. I took my skate off and tried to stab somebody. I’m the only guy who ever did that.” - Happy Gilmore

A Copa Libertadores U-20 semifinal match between Uruguay’s Club Atletico River Plate and Ecuador’s Independiente del Valle did not pass without incident yesterday. No, it did not.

Peru Has Child Mummies To Thank For Paolo Guerrero Playing In The World Cup

Paolo Guerrero has had an interesting five months or so. He went from scoring the goal that essentially put Peru into its first World Cup in 36 years in October to FIFA banning him for a year for testing positive for cocaine in December.

Watch The Celebration That Got A Club Banned From A Stadium

Vinicius Jr., who will arrive at Real Madrid eventually, scored an incredible goal for Flamengo in a 3-1 win against Botafogo Saturday. Vinicius then celebrated by pretending to cry.

It turns out there is some history behind that celebration.

In 2008, some Botafogo players began crying in a press conference held to protest refereeing decisions. They have been mocked for that ever since.

This Defender Thinks He's Luis Suarez During The 2010 World Cup

Perhaps the most famous play of Luis Suarez's career occured during the quarterfinals of the 2010 World Cup, when Uruguay faced Ghana. Suarez blocked a header off the goal line with his hands late in extra time and was sent off. Ghana missed the ensuing penalty, and Uruguay advanced.

20 Haunting Photos Of Long-Abandoned Soccer Stadiums Around The World

Weeds and dirt and worms and flowers. Soon enough, every sinew of our being will be overloaded with the stuff. There’s no escaping it in our mortal flesh, and the corroding effect of time even conspires to destroy man’s most hallowed creations. 

Here are 20 once-great footballing grounds that have since been decimated by the ravages of old age.

One Month Into 2018, We’ve Got A Strong Contender For The Puskas

Ignacio “Nacho” Scocco scored perhaps the best goal of 2018 on Saturday during River Plate’s Argentine Primera Division match against Olimpo. Scocco scored a brace, leading Los Millonarios to a 2-0 victory, but the lasting memory will be this sensational solo effort, calling to mind the likes of international compatriots Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona.

The play-by-play from the commentator is absolutely sensational as well, it must be said. Scocco’s surname really lends itself to the ol' goooooooool call.

Despicable Nacional Fans Taunt Chapecoense With Nauseating Airplane Gestures

Wednesday’s Copa Libertadores match between Brazil’s Chapecoense and Uruguay’s Nacional at the Arena Conda in Chapeco was marred by one of the most compelling arguments ever made for misanthropy.

"Yago Pikachu" Is The Name Of A Professional Soccer Player

There is a soccer player named Yago Pikachu. We found this out and didn't know exactly what to do with this information so we are depositing it here.

(It turns out "Pikachu" is a nickname. For the rest of the article, let us joyously pretend this is not the case.)

Pikachu plays right back for Brazilian club Vasco da Gama, which is no stranger to incredible names (Vasco's all-time leading scorer is Roberto Dinamite). Pikachu made his Copa Libertadores debut on Wednesday. Vasco da Gama beat Universidad de Concepcion 4-0. 

Pages