Culture

3 guys figure out how to watch Barcelona for free

It's not every day you get a chance to see Robert Lewandowski, Sergio Busquets, Gavi and LaLiga champions-elect Barcelona in the flesh, so spectators used any accessible vantage point at the Alfonso Pérez stadium on Sunday to get a glimpse of the traveling Blaugrana. 

Following a 0-0 draw (Barça's second in a row), it's probably fair to say the main story actually concerns those who missed the trip through injury (Ousmane Dembélé and Pedri), but three ingenious young men avoided paying a dime for the nil-nil affair by scaling a large tree.

Can Richmond still win the Premier League? The answer might shock Ted Lasso

(S3E5 spoilers below)

As writers on the series, Jason Sudeikis (Ted), Brett Goldstein (Roy) and Brendan Hunt (Coach Beard) have always stressed that Ted Lasso isn't a show about soccer, it's a show about these characters who just so happen to be involved in the running of a professional soccer club. 

What's better than getting your first signature boot? Scoring and celebrating with it

There was a standout moment during Crystal Palace's incredible 5-1 victory over Leeds United on Sunday that I failed to notice — I think I was too busy trying to comprehend Leeds' total capitulation — but now register as one of the best goal celebrations of the 2022-23 season.

Ted Lasso's subtle, yet touching tribute to Grant Wahl

The newest episode of Apple TV’s hit show Ted Lasso features an extremely niche yet beautiful tribute to legendary sportswriter Grant Wahl, who died while covering the World Cup in Qatar. Season three’s fourth episode ended with a message, “In memory of Grant Wahl,” but it was an earlier moment that eagle-eyed viewers will remember most.

We've created the ultimate footballer for arguing with the ref

We thought the introduction of VAR would help eliminate all those messy emotions that lead to human error on the pitch, but as ChatGPT is quickly showing us, these technologies all too quickly go from feigning helpfulness to demanding free will.

Players are still free to utilize the dark arts and to work over referees by staying in their ear for 90 minutes, so it's time to fight fire with fire. This time we're using technology for the benefit of the CONCACAF region.

Rumors of slow subscription growth for MLS Season Pass make sense, but Apple won't care (yet)

If the most sensational rumors are to be believed, Apple is looking for a quick exit from its 10-year, $2.5 billion deal with MLS while the league prepares for an NASL kind of collapse into oblivion. 

The Athletic previously detailed an opt-out clause in the contract predicated on Apple obtaining a certain number of subscribers within a set timeframe, but it's impossible to speculate from the outside since Apple hasn't released any viewership statistics through six matchweeks.  

Like fine wine: 40-year-old Óscar Cardozo scores 4 goals... IN ONE HALF

Óscar Cardozo is refusing to take his foot off the goalscoring pedal, and even after 20 years of life as a professional footballer, the Guaraní is still defying the odds of an aging soccer player.

Óscar Cardozo scores 4 first-half goals against Cerro Porteño

Cardozo's Libertad hosted Cerro Porteño on Matchday 10 of Paraguay's Division Profesional on Saturday in a match featuring two of the league's three title-chasing teams. First-place Libertad had a five-point lead over third-place Cerro before kick-off.

3 midweek U.S. Open Cup games for your consideration

The Second Round of the 2023 U.S. Open Cup kicks off Tuesday with clubs from the third (USL1/NISA) and second (USLC) divisions now joining the fray — there will be cupsets. 

After a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic, 2022 was one of the competition's best years with Union Omaha (USL1) reaching the quarterfinals and Sacramento Republic (USLC) going all the way to the final before MLS side Orlando City won its first piece of major silverware. 

USWNT World Cup jerseys released — they're a lot better than the USMNT ones

After Nike set the bar about as low as it gets for the USMNT in Qatar, we're happy to report that the USWNT jersey options for the 2023 World Cup are much more desirable.

The sales people said we'd learn to love the USMNT kits eventually, but it's been five months and I still don't like them. As for the latest USWNT efforts, I do believe these will look better and better as the team moves toward the World Cup final in Sydney.

Do ties in MLS have a feel? 5 takeaways from MLS Matchweek 6

A week on from international matches and MLS has returned to full strength. The superstars have reappeared, replacing the excuses that swam in their wake and results are once again indicative of each team’s true ability. 

5 takeaways from MLS Matchweek 6

#1. Columbus is scoring goals for fun

Life under new manager Wilfried Nancy left a bit to be desired for the Crew. The former CF Montréal boss saw his new side secure just four points from its first four matches, but back-to-back dominant displays have given this marriage a new outlook. 

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