Time is running out in the NWSL Playoff race, and Wednesday night was one giant tick of the clock. 3rd through 8th are separated by 7 points; 3rd through 6th by just 5. With so little of the season left, and so little separating teams from the postseason, a dropped point or two is a matter of postseason life or death.
Liverpool have a very exciting year set out before them with new players, new attitudes, and a high chance of succeeding in Europe. Roberto Firmino is one of many new additions to the Liverpool squad that has excited fans to watch the link-ups between him and his Brazilian compatriot Philippe Coutinho.
Marcelo Bielsa is one of the most respected coaches in the world. Accordingly, it is no surprise that fans of El Tri and the Mexican media have tipped him as one of the favorites to fill the current Mexican managerial void. But, it seems, the current Marseille manager has no intention of leaving his Ligue 1 side, and is quite excited about getting his French league season underway.
Drogba lands in Montreal
Everyone's likely already heard that Didier Drogba has signed with the Montreal Impact, a team that recently put up a second place result in the CONCACAF Champion's League. While the rumors were originally for Chicago, Montreal was able to steal him away with a combination of targeted allocation money — they backed the Brink's truck up to Drogba's front door — and location — Montreal being a French speaking town.
Earlier this week, Sepp Blatter took another important step along the road to transforming FIFA from a governing body of the world’s most popular sport into a comedy troupe with a penchant for the absurd.
At the end of this past season there were numerous rumors about Bastian Schweinsteiger leaving Bayern Munich. Although no offers were made, Manchester United, with head coach Louis van Gaal, never failed to miss an opportunity to praise the German midfielder for his leadership, strength, and ability to control the game.
And although Schweinsteiger himself remained quiet for the most part about Manchester United’s interest in him, one could sense his passion and his will to move to another club, to get another challenge; Schweinsteiger never committed himself to Bayern Munich.
The temptation to believe that Karim Benzema will leave Real Madrid is at an all time high. As the team continues its preseason exhibition tour in China, the French international has posted a photo to Instagram of himself in a plane separate from the rest of the team, with the caption “let’s leave the past in the past.”
It is really easy to overhype players in soccer, especially young, talented forwards who like to beat a man. It’s just so tempting to see a couple highlights, a couple good displays and label them the next great thing. But you know what? That’s exactly what we’re about to do, with a little qualifying.
Jesus “Tecatito” Corona just won the CONCACAF Bright Future Award after helping Mexico win the Gold Cup, and there really is no arguing that he deserved it.
Life is unfair, but no one needs to tell that to Rafael van der Vaart.
He should have been an amazing player, and by most accounts he was. The man had incredible passing ability, and a canny knowledge of how to attack. For some players those two traits were enough to earn them millions of dollars, the adoration of their team’s fans, and probably a trophy or two. This was not the case for van der Vaart.
Real Madrid is stuck in a sticky spot after they let longtime goalkeeper Iker Casillas go on to Porto after 25 years with the club. To replace him Real Madrid is looking to make a deal for Manchester United keeper David De Gea, but it looks like the Red Devils won’t be willing to let him go without Sergio Ramos in exchange.
A solemn farewell to Casillas leaves backup keeper Jesus Navas, who is also Costa Rica’s first choice keeper. He had a great World Cup, but had a dismal first season for Real Madrid.