Off the Pitch

Google AI simply instructed to score uses self-learning to devise new techniques, tactics

On Sunday's episode of 60 Minutes, correspondent Scott Pelley visited Google's AI lab in London for a segment looking at how the company was getting robots to play soccer.

The robots weren't programmed by humans — they learned the game themselves after only being instructed to score goals. From there the AI program went about devouring motion capture technology and testing different moves for about two weeks.

Through this system of trial and error, the robots just got better and better with more practice.

Ciro Immobile suffers spinal cord injury and compound rib fracture in car accident

Lazio forward Ciro Immobile is under observation in hospital after he fractured his rib and hurt his back in a car crash in Rome, the Serie A club said on Sunday.

Italian media reported Immobile, who scored in Lazio's 3-0 win at Spezia on Friday, was involved in an accident after the Italy international's car collided with a tram in Rome.

Ivan Toney won't like this: Gambling sponsorships banned by English Premier League

The English Premier League and its clubs have announced they will not allow gambling sponsorships on the front of matchday kits following the culmination of the 2025-26 season. This decision comes as the UK aims to tighten its laws on betting and attempts to promote the use of gambling in a safer, more responsible way. 

What's better than getting your first signature boot? Scoring and celebrating with it

There was a standout moment during Crystal Palace's incredible 5-1 victory over Leeds United on Sunday that I failed to notice — I think I was too busy trying to comprehend Leeds' total capitulation — but now register as one of the best goal celebrations of the 2022-23 season.

FIFA confirms the U.S. is still better at soccer than Germany and Mexico in latest rankings

The United States men’s national team plays soccer better than the likes of Germany and rivals Mexico. FIFA confirmed this on Thursday in the latest world rankings.

FIFA last released the men’s rankings on Dec. 22, 2022.

The USMNT didn’t see any movement as the Stars and Stripes remain the 13th best nation in the world. Germany sits 14th while Mexico fills out the top 15.

Local man falls asleep during Chelsea vs. Liverpool: He missed nothing

Local soccer fan Trever Steinkrauser, known by friends and family as “The Trevmeister,” hoped for an exciting Tuesday afternoon of footy as Chelsea and Liverpool faced off in the Premier League. He would be treated to a monotonous 0-0 draw.

After having to call his mother for the Peacock login, The Trevmeister settled down for what he thought would be an entertaining match.

CONMEBOL president says it would be a mistake not to let South America host 2030 World Cup

The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) believes FIFA would be making a mistake to not award the 2030 World Cup to a joint bid from Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Chile, the regional governing body said at its 76th Congress on Friday.

With the slogan "Juntos" (together) and the promise of a "Centenary Cup", CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez called on FIFA to award the World Cup to the continent where it began.

Aaron Ramsdale can’t keep straight face talking about Matt Turner’s ‘Americanisms’

Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale says that USMNT and back-up Gunners keeper Matt Turner is the funniest guy on the team. Turner is “unintentionally” funny Ramsdale said.

During an interview that looked like a lie detector test, Ramsdale was asked if he was the funniest player on the Arsenal squad. To the surprise of the interviewer Ramsdale quickly said no.

The English goalkeeper went on to explain that he thinks his fellow shot-stopper Turner is the most humorous because of his ‘Americanisms.’

Pulisic and Reyna will miss next games after an illness spread through the USMNT camp

With club soccer returning this weekend American fans might be asking questions like: Why is Pulisic not playing? Where’s Gio Reyna? 

Christian Pulisic will likely miss Chelsea’s Premier League game vs. Aston Villa on Saturday while Gio Reyna is set to sit out Borussia Dortmund’s massive Der Klassiker clash with Bayern Munich. Both American players are dealing with “severe colds.”

¿Qué significa el nuevo acuerdo de patrocinio exclusivo de Nike con la Liga MX Femenil?

Como una "alianza histórica". Así definió la Liga MX Femenil su acuerdo de patrocinio exclusivo con Nike, el cual será válido a partir del próximo torneo Apertura 2023.

El vínculo no es el primero que Nike firma con una liga femenina y en ese contexto pone a la Liga MX Femenil a la par con la NWSL de Estados Unidos y la WSL de Inglaterra.

¿Qué implica el acuerdo Nike Liga MX Femenil?

El patrocinio de la marca estadounidense es un compromiso para apoyar el desarrollo de una competencia que cumple seis años en 2023.

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