Phenoms

Can England’s Next Golden Generation Be Any Worse Than The Last?

On Sunday, England won the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, sparking snarky Brits to declare the nation had finally ended its 51-year cycle of hurt, dating back to last winning the World Cup in 1966. 

Despite being home to arguably the world’s most entertaining league, England has consistently failed to flatter at the international level. A stellar crop of English players (including David Beckham, Frank Lampard and Michael Owen) in the 2000s were dubbed the Golden Generation. Their play at the highest level didn’t exactly live up to the lofty moniker. 

Thiago Messi And Benjamin Suarez Are Forming A Good Cop, Bad Cop Routine Like Their Fathers

It’s that time of year again, when football’s biggest stars trapeze around different Spainish isles, drop anchor off the coast of Ibiza and sleep on the streets of Tenerife. One of these days, The18 staff is going to invest in some large dolphin floaties and report live from the Mediterranean Sea while sipping on Skittles vodka, but today is not that day.

Watch 19-Year-Old Ronaldinho Begin Destroying Spanish Defenses At The Youth Championship

The 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship (now known as the U-20 World Cup) showcased some sensational young talent in Nigeria. Spain, the tournament’s champion, had both Iker Casillas and Xavi in its squad. Mali captured third place off the strength of a midfield boasting the greatest Malian footballer of all-time and the tournament’s Golden Ball recipient, future two-time UEFA Champions League-winner Seydou Keita, as well as future Real Madrid star Mahamadou Diarra. 

The USMNT Has Just Hit Its Growth Spurt, So Get Ready For Hormones

The United States men's national team isn't perfect, but with Christian Pulisic they have moments of perfection.

Pulisic's first goal against Trinidad & Tobago involved three players with incredible skill combining with perfection. Darlington Nagbe danced down the right channel of the field at Dick's Sporting Goods Park before dropping the ball back to DeAndre Yedlin, whose cross cut through the defense and found Pulisic for the tap-in.

Watch Mallory Pugh's First NWSL Goal

If all goes according to plan, Saturday will have marked the dawn of a new era in women's professional soccer in the United States. The Washington Spirit defeated the Houston Dash, 2-0, and one of the goals came courtesy of ultra-talented 19-year-old Mallory Pugh.

Mini Ronaldo Shows Off His Skills

Cristiano Ronaldo is undoubtedly preparing for the Champions League final against Juventus on Saturday, but it looks like he may have even more competition coming in the near future. A young Cristiano Ronaldo fan dressed as his hero shows off some serious skill in the yard here, even copying Cristiano Ronaldo's iconic goal celebration.

U.S. And Mexico U-20s Advance To World Cup Quarterfinals

The United States matched their biggest-ever triumph on the U-20 World Cup stage, and Mexico scored a game-winner in the 89th minute as North America sent two representatives into the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup quarterfinals — just as many as South America and one less than Europe.

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