To coincide annually with The Guardian’s excellent list of the 100 best male footballers in the world — compiled by a panel of 239 experts from 63 different nations — we here at The18 have compiled our own list over the last few years. There are no experts involved, there’s no rhyme or reason for anything, but we do hope you’ll join us on this adventure into the bowels of the beautiful game.
Rewind about five years and you'll find a name on the USMNT that most people have forgotten about: Aron Johannsson. People were excited about his potential and what the then 24-year-old could bring to the national team after scoring 17 goals and picking up 16 assists for AZ Alkmaar in the Eredivisie.
Since that season, Johannsson has struggled with injuries and has barely seen the field, not only taking him off the pitch but also off the USMNT, where he scored four goals in 19 appearances.
Any self-respecting Texan can vividly recall images of running back Earl Campbell plowing through defenders, his jersey turning to tissue as opposing players try in vain to bring him to the ground.
After an incessant 19-month news cycle that began on Mar. 31, 2018, with an incredible brace against LAFC and concluded on Oct. 24, 2019, with a playoff defeat to the same team, we’ll admit that we’re already feeling pretty empty without Zlatan Ibrahimović in America.
Last Friday, 25-year-old Philly native Lil Uzi Vert released the third single off his highly anticipated second studio album Eternal Atake. The song is entitled “Futsal Shuffle 2020,” which gives us more than enough loosely-based license to discuss it here at The18.
MLS teams released their 2020 schedules on Dec. 19, prompting a tidal wave of American soccer fans to come out of their caves.
The Los Angeles Galaxy were among those to naturally take to Twitter for the unveiling of their 2020 campaign. The Galaxy, however, took a different approach than your average hype video or link to tickets.
With the new Pokémon Sword and Shield games recent release, GAME brought in Chelsea Women stars Bethany England and Fran Kirby to go head to head in the game.
The English forwards were told they would be distracted while playing but the two did not think much of the light threat.
“Joe have said they’re going to try and distract us but I can’t see that happening,” England said. “We’re professional athletes.”
I don’t care much for the NFL. As a Texan by birth, I’m required to at least have a team (hint: it’s not the Cowboys), but other than that the Super Bowl is nothing more than an excuse to eat guacamole and queso.
But one thing caught my eye in the NFL on Sunday night as the Buffalo Bills beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 17-10 to clinch a playoff berth, just their second trip to the postseason this millennium.
During Bayern Munich’s 3-1 victory over Tottenham on Wednesday, Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer recorded 66 touches, which was more than any Spurs player on the day (Kyle Walker-Peters was tops with 59). With 48 accurate passes, he also outperformed all Tottenham players in that category. Oh, and his pass success rate of 89 percent (48 of 54) was also better than Spurs' best (Moussa Sissoko hit on 85 percent).