If you have not been watching UEFA Women's Euro 2017, you have been missing out. The Netherlands beat Belgium 2-1 on Monday, but the moment of the match came when Belgium's Tessa Wullaert lobbed a volley over the beleaguered Dutch goalkeeper for an incredible long-range goal.
Megan Rapinoe took her NWSL-leading goal tally to 12 from 15 matches with a remarkable hat trick in Seattle’s 5-4 victory over Sky Blue FC on Saturday. The Reign squandered a 4-0 lead, but Rapinoe rescued her side with an immaculately placed left-footed shot at the death.
Regardless of where you stand in your level of MLS fandom, there’s no denying that the league provides an abundance of goals. In 2017, 659 have been scored through 225 games — good for an average of 2.93 per match. Horrific defending from the likes of Minnesota United, Real Salt Lake and DC United certainly helps to elevate this number, but we’re not complaining.
Fans flocked to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California to watch 12-time European champions Real Madrid play three-time winners Manchester United with talents like Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial on display.
But the script was flipped when Ronald McDonald was seen leading the players from both squads onto the pitch, and the McDonald’s clown provided the summer’s best moment by staying alongside the referees and shakings hands with the players.
The current saucy transfer rumor in the soccer world is French giants Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly come knocking at Barcelona's door inquiring after Neymar, for a reported near quarter-billion dollar fee. Neymar is said to be interested in this offer, as the Parisiens have reportedly offered to double his wages.
This move might happen and it might not. For the moment, though, Neymar is still a Barcelona player, and what a player he is. The Brazilian forward scored one pretty good goal and one PRETTY GOOD goal against Juventus in the International Champions Cup Saturday.
Everyone knows Christian Pulisic is the light and the salvation, but VfL Bochum were reminded of that fact on Saturday during a preseason friendly draw.
Christian Pulisic scores equalizing goal for Dortmund against VfL Bochum. 2-2 preaseason draw. #BVB #USMNT pic.twitter.com/ii0mMUZ8jR
Mexico defeated Honduras 1-0 to advance to the Gold Cup semifinals behind an early goal from Rodolfo Pizarro, and they’ll now play Jamaica in a rematch of the 2015 final at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.
The Boyz are alright.
For all the hype surrounding Canadian youngsters Alphonso Davies (16 years old) and Cyle Larin (22), it was the Reggae Boyz who impressed most Thursday evening in Phoenix. Jamaica edged Canada 2-1 in the Gold Cup quarterfinals to set up a date with Mexico or Honduras in the semifinals on Sunday.
Jamaica has a chance to reach its second straight Gold Cup final and in doing so knock off the team that beat them in the 2015 final, Mexico.