USL

13-Year-Old Makes USLC Debut, Becoming Youngest-Ever Pro On An American Sports Team

Real Salt Lake Academy's Axel Kei made his professional debut at age 13 on Friday night in Herriman, Utah.

The Ivory Coast-born striker was a second-half substitute for the USL Championship side Real Monarchs, entering in the 61st minute of a 0-0 draw against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. 

At 13 years, nine months and nine days old, Kei is believed to be the youngest-ever player to make a professional appearance in American team sports.

USL Super League Wants To Evolve Soccer In The U.S.

Soccer is weird. I mean that in the best possible way, but it is weird, especially in the U.S. While every other major sport in the country has well-established leagues and divisions, soccer in this country is still trying to figure things out. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing, and the introduction of the new USL Super League could yet prove to be a boon for the sport. 

The United Soccer League announced on Tuesday the Super League will begin play in 2023. What is it and why should you care? Let’s explain.

Frankenstein Field: The Ultimate Amalgamation Of U.S. Soccer Stadium Abnormalities

One of the biggest struggles in American soccer, both at the amateur and the professional level, is the lack of quality, soccer-specific fields. 

The only options are sharing a field with every other notable mid-level sports team in the city or playing on a forsaken piece of grass with significant wear and minimal seating.

And yet we wonder why we struggle to produce high-quality soccer players.

Romeo Beckham Signs Contract With His Daddy’s Sister Club

I can’t imagine the pressure of being the son of two world-famous celebrities. No matter what Romeo Beckham does with his life, it will be nearly impossible to live up to his dad, legendary footballer David Beckham, or his mother, famed Spice Girl/fashion icon Victoria Beckham. You gotta give Romeo credit for trying to follow in his father’s footsteps, even if he’s getting a bit of help from dear old dad in the process.

Let’s Bring Back NASL’s Goofy Points System

Back in 1979, the New York Cosmos set an NASL record for most points in a season, one that would obliterate any Premier League, LaLiga, Bundesliga or Serie A points record. Led by Franz Beckenbauer, Giorgio Chinaglia and Carlos Alberto, the Cosmos racked up an unthinkable 216 points in a 30-game season. 

More of that, please.

USL Makes SportsCenter With Ridiculous First-Time Strike From Inside Own Half

Hartford Athletic put the beatdown on New York Red Bulls II in USL Championship play on Saturday night, winning 7-0 despite only holding a 1-0 advantage up until first half stoppage time.

The pick of the bunch was scored by 22-year-old American midfielder Conor McGlynn, who lobbed Anthony Marcucci from deep inside his own half to put Hartford up 5-0 in the 59th minute.

It’s rare that goals from the half-way line actually occur inside the goalscorer’s own half, and it’s even more wild that it was a first-time effort from McGlynn after Hartford had secured possession.

USL Player Indicted For Swindling $200,000 In Romance Scams

A 24-year-old defender for USL League One club Union Omaha was indicted on federal fraud charges on Wednesday. Abdul Osumanu, 24, is accused of being involved in various internet romance scams, one of nine men charged of defrauding at least 200 victims of at least $2.5 million.

Tampa Bay Rowdies Just Dropped The Rowdiest Crest You’ll Ever See

As with many things to come out of Florida, the Tampa Bay Rowdies do things a little differently than the rest of the country. Ahead of the 2021 USL Championship season, the club dropped a new Tampa Bay Rowdies crest that is quintessential Florida, in the best way possible.

The Rowdies, who have been around in some form since 1975, unveiled their rowdiest crest yet, prominently featuring a reimagined Ralph Rowdie, a relic of 1970s sports design and prototypical Florida Man. 

Former Champions League Winner Djibril Cissé Rebuffs Retirement To Join NPSL Club

Somewhere in an alternate universe, Lionel Messi is the best player MLS has ever seen, Luis Suárez and Edinson Cavani are both pushing for their third MLS Cup and the United States is the premier destination for global footballing talent. 

In the meantime, we'll have to settle for a new signing who, while not quite as well-known, is arguably more intriguing than any player to ever put on an MLS kit.

The18's Complete 2021 Soccer Calendar

No one can argue that 2020 has been an awful year that we all want to put behind us. But before we look ahead 2021, we have to take a minute to appreciate how sports have provided something resembling normality in recent months.

Considering the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been incredibly lucky to have soccer leagues playing regularly since June.

Pages