FC Kansas City, the reigning champs of the NWSL, got a little shock when they received their shiny new championship rings.
FCKC, who have won the NWSL in two of the league's three seasons (season four just started), shared a nice photo of their championship rings on Twitter (the tweet has since been deleted). But something was a little off.
Megan Rapinoe has been here before. Twice she tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee while playing her college ball with the University of Portland, injuries which resulted in her missing out on both the 2007 FIFA World Cup and the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Now, aged 30 and with more than 100 caps with the United States national team, Rapinoe is once again facing the arduous trials and tribulations of returning from an ACL injury, this one having been sustained in her left knee.
The NWSL schedulers really know what they're doing in terms of manufacturing storylines. The Orlando Pride, the newest NWSL franchise, and the Portland Thorns completed a trade this offseason that sent Alex Morgan, one of the most marketable USWNT stars, from Portland to Orlando.
So of course they played each other for their season opener.
Precocious 17-year-old American Christian Pulisic scored his first-ever first-team goal for Borussia Dortmund Sunday in a 3-0 win against Hamburg. This is a big deal, but just how bit a deal it is remains to be seen.
"A star is born!" #USMNT's Christian Pulisic scores his first Bundesliga goal for Borussia Dortmund. #BVBHSV https://t.co/tPSnRgHJph
The digital editors over at MLS have created an astounding compilation video comprised of each MLS team’s best goal ever. The video includes goals from all 20 current MLS clubs, as well as the best from the now defunct Chivas USA, Miami Fusion and Tampa Bay Mutiny.
Entering its 21st season, MLS may not have as large of a selection size as the Premier League or La Liga (especially so for clubs like New York City FC, Orlando City SC and the Montreal Impact) but there are some absolute beauties in this mix.
One of the most talented young forwards in the history of the American game has officially joined Schalke 04, bringing a close to a deal that had been in the works since January.
Haji Wright, an 18-year-old from Los Angeles, California, has been on Schalke’s radar for years. However, he was unable to sign with the club, or any club abroad, until his 18th birthday, a milestone he reached on March 27. Wright and Schalke had agreed to terms earlier this year but he's finally been allowed to put pen to paper.
Giuseppe Rossi is perhaps the greatest American soccer player to never have played for the United States Men’s National Team. Why? Well, because he chose to play for Italy instead. But that’s actually not what I want to talk about. While it is a fascinating story, the real story here is the aftermath of Rossi’s decision. Not on the soccer field, but in everyday life.
Nigel de Jong is a tiger. I'll explain.
Chris Rock's Never Scared is the first comedy special during which I remember laughing so hard I couldn't breathe. One of my favorite bits from that particular special is his joke about magicians Siegfied and Roy and the alleged tiger that ended their show in Las Vegas. Have a watch:
Bob Bradley has taken charge of some massive games over the course of his 35-year coaching career. The 58-year-old has captured an MLS Cup, two U.S. Open Cups and a CONCACAF Gold Cup. He led the United States to victories over Spain in the 2009 Confederations Cup and to the top of group C at the 2010 World Cup.
He’s also been on the losing side of some of those momentous matches.
El Clasico was memorable while my predictions this past weekend were not. I pegged three correct winners without getting close on any scores. It could be worse, I could have received a red card for hitting my own keeper. Uff Da!! With the domestic seasons winding down, here are the five best matches of the weekend: