Highlights

The Philadelphia Union are playing in their first MLS Cup after taking out defending champions NYCFC 3-1 at Subaru Park on Sunday night. 

NYCFC — previously unbeaten in six straight postseason matches — sucked the life out of the ground in the 57th minute when Maxi Moralez orchestrated a quick break and finished it himself with a driven finish from 22 yards out. 

It seemed like Philly was forever destined to choke and the 35-year-old Moralez forever destined to dance all over them.

LAFC reached its first MLS Cup thanks to two well-taken Carlos Vela corners — the first met by Chicho Arango, the second an unfortunate Maxi Urruti own goal — and a late Kwadwo Opoku strike to defeat Austin FC 3-0 in the Western Conference final. 

Thanks to its status as Supporters' Shield winner, LAFC will host MLS Cup at Banc of California Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 5 against the winner of the Eastern Conference final between the Philadelphia Union and NYCFC.   

Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League on Sunday with a commanding 5-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the Emirates, and the Gunners dedicated their win to on-loan defender Pablo Marí, who was stabbed Thursday during an attack in an Italian supermarket that left one dead and five injured.

The Portland Thorns defeated the KC Current 2-0 in front of 17,624 fans at Audi Field in the nation’s capital on Saturday to win the club’s third NWSL Championship. Sophia Smith, the National Women’s Soccer League MVP, led her team to victory scoring the first and being involved in the second.

It was a momentous game for the league as the Championship game was CBS showed the game on national television during primetime for the first time in history.

2022 is the year of Sophia Smith.

There have been very few bright spots for Juventus this season. On the back of the club’s humiliation in the Champions League midweek, a host of injuries forced manager Massimiliano Allegri’s hand as he utilized many of his younger players against Lecce. His faith was rewarded by Nicolò Fagioli, who scored a stunning goal to give the Bianconeri a 1-0 win. 

21-year-old Nicolò Fagioli delivering for Juve ☄️

PARIS — Lionel Messi grabbed a goal and assist to inspire Paris Saint-Germain to a 4-3 comeback victory over Troyes on Saturday as the Ligue 1 table-toppers extended their lead to five points.

Troyes had stunned the crowd at the Parc des Princes when Mama Balde volleyed home in just the third minute but PSG midfielder Carlos Soler equalized after a superb pass from Neymar as the two teams went into the break at 1-1.

TROYES TAKE THE LEAD EARLY IN THE GAME! ⚽

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Brighton recorded its first-ever Premier League victory against Chelsea with a 4-1 win at the Amex on Saturday. A shocking Christian Pulisic miss vs Brighton was one of the lowlights for the Blues in the defeat.

Pulisic got his second start in-a-row on Saturday. He recorded a great assist to Kai Havertz on Tuesday in Champions League action vs. RB Salzburg but had a forgettable performance against Brighton.

Portland Thorns striker Sophia Smith was named the National Women's Soccer League's (NWSL) Most Valuable Player on Thursday, becoming the youngest to earn the regular-season honor days before their championship match against Kansas City.

The 22-year-old scored a club record 14 goals in 18 appearances, the second highest tally this season behind San Diego Wave forward Alex Morgan (16), and three assists to help the Thorns to a second consecutive postseason appearance.