Argentina’s U-20 World Cup campaign is off to a glorious start in Poland, thanks in large part to Atlanta United’s Ezequiel Barco. The 20-year-old attacker scored a penalty in the 63rd minute to put Argentina up 2-1, and then he scored what would prove to be the match-winner in the 71st with a stunning side-foot volley from distance.
Celtic had another historic season in Scotland. The Hoops beat Rangers to the title and qualified for the Champions League yet again. Even with the departure of now-Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers, Neil Lennon kept Glasgow’s green and white on course and kept the Scottish Premiership trophy on the green side of Glasgow.
In great news for Jamaica, the 2019 Gold Cup and fans attending the USMNT’s upcoming friendly against the Reggae Boyz at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., 21-year-old Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey is reportedly finally set to make his international debut for the side after years of disputes between the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), the player and his representative, step-father Craig Butler.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney may grab the headlines, but Major League Soccer is seeing noticeable growth from the other side of the career timeline. Efrain Alvarez, Paxton Pomykal and Gianluca Busio have already had tremendous starts to their 2019 campaigns and should continue to be regular contributors for the Galaxy, FC Dallas, and Sporting Kansas City, respectively.
Emile Smith Rowe is a promising youth player for Arsenal.
When he was 16, he was already playing for Arsenal's U-23s and signed his first professional contract at age 17 last July. He also played a few Europa League matches with the Gunners, scoring a goal against Qarabag in a 3-0 win.
After advancing to the quarterfinals of the 2017 event, Mexico looks to advance even further at this summer’s FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland with a group of 21 players that’ve excelled at the youth level for El Tri.
A big talking point, much to the consternation of coach Diego Ramirez, is the fact that Monterrey has barred Jonathan Gonzalez from joining the side with the Liga MX playoffs looming.
When Garth Lagerway joined the Seattle Sounders in 2015 as the General Manager and President of Soccer, it wasn't just to get Seattle its first MLS Cup. The Sounders wanted to build an entirely revamped academy system — one able to develop talent for the MLS side, challenge at the youth level, gain pro experience at a USL affiliate (the Tacoma Defiance), and potentially be sold on to Europe.
The club's recent historic achievement in the Generation Adidas Cup was a major step in the evolution of the process.
With a home match to come against Levante on Saturday followed by next Wednesday’s Champions League semifinal first leg against Liverpool, Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde elected to begin today’s away match versus Alavés with Lionel Messi on the bench.
No matter.
Before Messi entered the match in the 61st minute, goals from Carles Aleñá and Luis Suárez had already put Barça on the verge of a second straight LaLiga title. If Atlético Madrid loses to Valencia tomorrow, the crown belongs to Barcelona. Regardless, there’s no way in hell Barça loses it now.
During Monday’s Premier League matchup with Burnley, Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi was subbed off after an apparent foot injury in the first half. The 18-year-old phenom had to be helped off the field in the 42nd minute and was replaced by Pedro. Chelsea went on to draw 2-2 with Burnley as both teams went scoreless in the second half after a frantic opening 45 minutes.
After the game, Chelsea fans' worst fears were confirmed as the attacker said his Achilles was ruptured in a tweet.