Human Interest

Donovan had some interesting things to say about U.S. Soccer.

U.S. men’s national team legend, Landon Donovan, was invited as a guest on Alexi Lalas’ State of the Union Podcast, with the former U.S. goalscorer giving some pretty interesting takes on the state of the men’s national team, the possibility of coaching the United States, what we can expect from the extraofficial appointment of Mauricio Pochettino and the brewing problem of the USMNT — youth soccer.

Nashville’s Yazbek has been hit with an unprecedented suspension. And fans are not happy.

Nashville SC player Patrick Yazbek suspended for two games violation of the league's Non-Discrimination policy

Major League Soccer has suspended Nashville SC midfielder Patrick Yazbek for two games following a violation of the league's Non-Discrimination Policy during the Aug. 24 match between Nashville and Austin FC.

South American football was in mourning on Tuesday following the death of Uruguayan defender Juan Izquierdo, who collapsed on the pitch after suffering an irregular heartbeat during a Copa Libertadores game last week.

The 27-year-old had been undergoing medical treatment since collapsing during Nacional's game against Brazilian side Sao Paulo on Aug. 22.

SAO PAULO — Nacional defender Juan Izquierdo collapsed on the pitch and was taken to hospital after suffering an irregular heartbeat during the second leg of a Copa Libertadores round of 16 tie against Sao Paulo at Brazil's Morumbi stadium on Thursday.

Izquierdo had replaced Sebastian Coates for the Uruguayan club at halftime but fell to the ground unconscious in the 84th minute without any contact from another player.

The National Women's Soccer League and the NWSL Players Association have agreed to a collective bargaining agreement that will eliminate the draft, guarantee contracts and grant unrestricted free agency to all players.

The deal runs through the 2030 season and already has been ratified by the players. It replaces the previous CBA that was set to expire in 2026.

New NWSL CBA details

Thursday night was special for Angel City FC as they welcomed back United States women’s national team icon Christen Press for the first time in two years.

An ACL injury and four surgeries have kept Press off the field since the knee injury she sustained during a game in June 2022. 

Press’ cameo on Thursday was brief as she came on in the 88th minute, but it didn’t take anything away from the emotional and amazing return of a USWNT great.

Christen Press returns

San Diego Wave FC President Jill Ellis filed a defamation suit on Monday against a former team employee who accused Ellis on social media of creating a harsh work environment.

Brittany Alvarado, previously a video and creative manager for the Wave, wrote in a July 3 social media post that the treatment she and her co-workers endured under Ellis "has been nothing short of life-altering and devastating to our mental health."

Argentinian midfielder Angel Di Maria said death threats against his family in Rosario had forced him to change his mind about returning to his boyhood club Rosario Central.

Di Maria was targeted in what Argentine authorities have previously described as an attempted display of power by criminal organizations in Rosario, which has seen an increase in drug and gang related violence.

PARIS — New information from Soccer Canada showed suspended women's head coach Bev Priestman was likely aware of the drone use that has caused a scandal at the Paris Olympics, Canadian Olympic Committee CEO David Shoemaker said on Friday.

The COC removed head coach Priestman on Thursday after her suspension by Canada Soccer. The decision followed complaints from New Zealand that Canada flew drones over two of their training sessions before the two sides met in their opening Olympic fixture, which Canada won 2-1.