Analysis

Kylian Mbappé’s Four-Goal Master Class Puts Him On Pace To Rewrite History

PARIS - Kylian Mbappé continued his meteoric rise on Saturday with another jaw-dropping performance as France qualified for next year's World Cup with an 8-0 demolition of Kazakhstan.

The Paris Saint-Germain striker became the first player to score four goals for France in a single game since Just Fontaine against Sweden at the 1958 World Cup.

Five weeks before his 23rd birthday, Mbappé has scored 23 international goals from 52 caps — bettering the marks of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at the same age.

The USMNT Should Use Some Real Home-Field Advantage Against Mexico And Play In North Dakota

The USMNT is preparing to host Mexico in a crucial World Cup qualifying game at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, Friday night. The weather calls for cool temperatures in the 40s with a slight chance of rain. This is far from the coldest USA Mexico game ever played.

Mexico has routinely made trips to Columbus, Ohio, in the months of February and November. The weather has never been outrageously cold or wild like the Snow Clasico against Costa Rica in 2013. There was one game against El Tri that does stand out though.

Mexico’s First-Choice Front Three Is Out For Vengeance Against The U.S.

When the USMNT welcomes Mexico to TQL Stadium in Cincinnati on Friday night, the Stars and Stripes will boast the emotional and mental edge of having defeated El Tri in their last two meetings — both finals, no less. 

But it’s Mexico that holds a three-point advantage over the U.S. at the top of the Octagonal as we hit the halfway point of qualifying, and Tata Martino can rely on a first-choice attack that Gregg Berhalter’s men didn’t see over the summer.

The Clueless Fan’s Guide To The 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs, Complete With Predictions

After a remarkable Decision Day that ended with Colorado atop the Western Conference and Salt Lake in the postseason at the expense of the LA Galaxy, it’s time to begin our countdown to the Cup final on Dec. 11 with some MLS playoff predictions.

Thankfully, this season’s action begins after the November international break so there’ll be no awkward space between the first round on Nov. 20 and the conference semifinals on Thanksgiving.   

Raiders Receiver Henry Ruggs And Marcos Alonso Committed The Same Crime — Yet One Still Plays

Sports fans across the U.S. were appalled by news in November 2021 that Las Vegas Raiders receiver Henry Ruggs III drove drunk and crashed into a car going 156 mph, killing a woman and her dog. What sports fans may not know is that one of Christian Pulisic’s former teammates committed a similar crime. Did Marcos Alonso kill someone? Let’s compare the Ruggs and Alonso situations.

Christian Pulisic Headlines USMNT Roster For Upcoming World Cup Qualifiers

Forward Christian Pulisic headlines the 25-man roster announced Thursday for the United States Men's National Team's upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Players will begin reporting to camp in Cincinnati this Sunday. The USMNT will face Mexico at Cincinnati's TQL Stadium on Nov. 12 before traveling to face Jamaica in Kingston on Nov. 16.

The U.S. (3-1-2, 11 points) is currently in second place behind Mexico (4-0-2, 14 points) in the CONCACAF qualifying table for the Qatar World Cup. Canada (2-0-4, 10 points) is third.

Saturday’s Manchester Derby At Old Trafford Is Can’t-Lose For The Red Devils

LONDON - A comfortable win at troubled Tottenham Hotspur and then a Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired escape from defeat at the hands of Atalanta have taken some of the heat off under-pressure Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

But a more severe test of his side's health will come this Saturday when they host Premier League champions Manchester City in the derby — a game fraught with danger for a United side that has been wildly unpredictable this season.

Preposterous Portland Timbers Bicycle Kick Wasn’t Even The Best Goal From Wednesday’s MLS Action

An incredible Portland Timbers bicycle kick goal from Dairon Asprilla rocked Providence Park on Wednesday night as his side defeated San Jose 2-0.

Asprilla’s goal instantly went viral. A bicycle kick from outside of the penalty box is a rarity in soccer and quickly was featured on SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays.

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