Inspiring

USWNT and Orlando Pride power couple Ashlyn Harris and Ali Krieger have adopted a beautiful baby girl. On February 12, Sloane Phillips was born and will grow up in a loving household with two superstars and 20-plus aunties to help raise her. Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris have gone through the adoption process while also competing at the highest level of play. They were fully supported through the entire journey by their teammates, coaching staff and family and they will step away from the game for a bit while they take care of the new addition to their family. 

Brazilian legend Marta turned 35 on Feb. 19 and she still proves to be one of the best in the world. She has the most goals in FIFA World Cup history, she is a six-time World Player of the Year and she is Brazil’s all-time top goal scorer, not to mention she just re-signed for the 2021 season with the Orlando Pride and received her green card so she no longer needs an international roster spot. As a player who many young players look up to, the day she decides to hang up her boots will certainly be a sad one. 

The U.S. women’s national team has a remarkable record of reaching the semifinals in every Women’s World Cup. It’s a major reason why we often refer to the USWNT as the greatest sports team of all time. But the road to the final four hasn’t always been easy, and in 2011, the USWNT came closer than ever to an early exit. Only a stunning late Abby Wambach goal vs Brazil — I’d argue the greatest goal in U.S. soccer history — saved the Americans from a quarterfinal exit. 

MANCHESTER, England - A training exercise from the golden era of Hungarian football is enjoying a remarkable revival in popularity with Europe's top clubs and has even become a fast-growing sport in it own right.

When Ferenc Puskás and Hungary's 'Golden Team' warmed up for games, such as their 7-1 hammering of England in 1954, they played 'Foot-tennis' — with pairs of players either side of a net, serving and volleying but with a leather football and their feet.

It was nighttime at the Yokohama International Stadium in Japan, but early morning in this part of the world. The respectful and silent crowd that usually populates the stands of this Japanese stadium gave way to the warming chants of the Paulista torcida, who never stopped cheering on their team, creating an atmosphere worthy of a final.

The overwhelming majority of Brazilian fans carried Corinthians from the first minute onwards and, with the feeling of playing at home, they went out to play with no holds barred.

Most American soccer fans will remember Jay DeMerit for playing every minute for the USMNT at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, but before DeMerit even dreamed of an international call-up, he overcame imposing odds just to become a Watford player. 

Whether it’s Kicking & Screaming, Ted Lasso or my personal favorite Pups United, Hollywood is genuinely obsessed with “running plays” when attempting to dramatize the game of soccer. 

Without a quarterback, point guard, catcher, timeouts or commercial breaks to dream up some sort of grand vision that topples the antagonist, screenwriters freak the hell out when confronted by the flowing, off the cuff ingenuity that defines the beautiful game.