Off the Pitch

Oklahoma City set to build beautiful $71 million downtown soccer stadium

We here at The18 are suckers for a good downtown soccer stadium in the United States. Whether it’s MLS, NWSL or USL, a shiny stadium in the heart of a city hits the same.

Oklahoma City looks to be the latest major U.S. metro area ready to add the beautiful game in the downtown area.

Wayne Rooney’s train wreck move from MLS to England sees him fired after horrid run

Wayne Rooney has been dismissed as the manager of Birmingham City after less than three months in the role, the second-tier Championship club said on Wednesday, after a winless run left them hovering above the relegation zone.

Rooney was appointed Birmingham manager in October when the club were sixth in the table, but they have since fallen to 20th place, six points above the relegation zone.

Rooney took over from John Eustace after resigning as coach of Major League Soccer (MLS) club D.C. United, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract.

The 2023 map of most-viewed soccer teams by state is here and two teams took over

FBref.com released their annual report of the most-viewed soccer teams by state and it’s a drastic change from the 2022 map.

American soccer fans couldn’t get enough of last year’s results as a wide range of teams from the Premier League, MLS, LaLiga, USL, NWSL, the EFL Championship, the English fifth-tier National League and the U.S. national team all made the cut.

Fast-forward to 2023 and only the EPL, MLS and LaLiga are represented.

FBref soccer map of the U.S.

2023

Burglars steal more than $1 million from Jack Grealish’s home during Man City vs. Everton game

Jack Grealish's home was burgled when Manchester City were playing away at Everton earlier this week but fortunately none of his family members were harmed, his coach Pep Guardiola said on Friday.

British media reported Grealish's home in Cheshire was targeted by burglars on Wednesday when his fiancee and family were at the property.

Reports said jewellery and watches worth $1.27 million were stolen.

LAFC reportedly in advanced talks to sign Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris

Los Angeles FC reportedly are in talks to bring World Cup-winning goalkeeper Hugo Lloris to MLS.

Current club Tottenham Hotspur already gave the green light and the decision is now up to the 37-year-old French star, Italian soccer journalist Fabrizio Romano reported Thursday.

Hugo Lloris LAFC rumors

Atlético Madrid win Christmas commercial of the year with incredibly touching video

An Atlético Madrid Christmas video has pulled at the heartstrings of soccer fans everywhere. The LaLiga club wished fans “a Happy and Red and White Christmas” this year and shared a video that checks all the boxes for an emotional Christmas classic.

The two minute and 45 seconds long clip shares that humanity and kindness triumph over rivalry and division.

We’ll provide an explainer for the video just in case it’s needed.

Atlético Madrid Christmas video

USWNT’s Kristie Mewis joins fiancée Sam Kerr in Women’s Super League with West Ham transfer

United States women’s national team midfielder and 2023 NWSL Champion Kristie Mewis is taking her talents to London as she leaves Gotham FC to join Women’s Super League (WSL) side West Ham United.

Mewis and Gotham FC mutually parted ways as the 32-year-old will face an entirely new challenge with West Ham who face a relegation battle. The Hammers sit second from last in the WSL table, have one win from 10 games and have the fewest goals scored in the league with eight.

Kristie Mewis West Ham transfer

Neymar won’t recover in time to play in 2024 Copa América

Brazil forward Neymar will not recover from knee surgery in time to play at next year's Copa America, national team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said on Tuesday.

Brazil's top scorer underwent surgery last month after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus in his left knee on international duty in October.

Lasmar, who carried out the surgery, said the 31-year-old is not expected to be fit until August and they do not intend to take short cuts in the recovery process for him to play at the June 20-July 14 tournament in the United States.

U.S. Soccer makes stunning move and denies MLS’ request to use reserve teams in U.S. Open Cup

Major League Soccer's (MLS) request to send their reserve teams to participate in the U.S. Open Cup, the country's oldest tournament, was denied by U.S. Soccer on Wednesday.

MLS clubs voted to send teams from MLS Next Pro, a lower division developmental league formed two years ago comprising of their reserve players, as the U.S. Open Cup was not a priority and because they wanted to reduce fixture congestion.

We’re still laughing at Tigres’ goalkeeper hiding under a tarp to watch the game after red card

Tigres may have lost 3-0 in extra time of the Liga MX final to Club América on Sunday, but the club’s goalkeeper Nahuel Guzmán was the big winner on the internet. Guzmán hiding under a tarp to watch the game after receiving a red card was amazing.

Let’s set the scene really quick. The situation was the two Liga MX clubs playing in the second leg of the final with the aggregate at 1-1. After 90 minutes the game went into extra time and Tigres were down a man after winger and substitute Raymundo Fulgencio saw red in the 80th minute.

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