National Teams

Americans Abroad: 3 Players Ready For Qatar And 2 Who Look Lost

Another week, another opportunity to explore the depths to which I will exploit recency bias. Is Leadership Council member Christian Pulisic really being left off the plane or is that just a crutch for article formatting? Is Jesse Marsch a traitor to his nation for taking off Brenden Aaronson before full-time? Is Joe Scally the defensive infiltrator we've been having sleepless nights about?

It's only 25 days until the USMNT plays a friendly against Japan in Germany, and Gregg Berhalter has to answer these questions.

Paul Pogba Says He’s Victim Of Bizarre Extortion Attempts From An Organized Gang

France midfielder Paul Pogba said he is the victim of extortion attempts and threats from an organized gang and that authorities in Italy and France are investigating the matter.

Pogba, who rejoined Italian Serie A club Juventus in July following his departure from English Premier League side Manchester United, released a statement on Sunday after his brother Mathias Pogba posted a video online.

Argentina’s Beautiful Purple World Cup Jersey Promotes Gender Equality

Argentina's eye-catching purple away jersey at this year's Qatar World Cup will also have a powerful message associated with it, with sportswear giant Adidas saying the choice of colour represented gender equality.

The two-times champions will wear a vibrant purple kit for the first time in their history with its fiery graphics inspired by the Sun of May on their national flag.

Brazilian Players Celebrating For Japanese Golden Ball Winner Is Most Wholesome Thing You’ll See Today

Spain beat Japan 3-1 to claim the 2022 U-20 Women’s World Cup crown in front of 29,891 fans on Sunday night in Costa Rica. Spain was superb and a deserved winner led by Golden Boot winner Inma Gabarro, whose eight goals were double the next highest scorer. But arguably the most memorable moment of the night came after the match as awards were given out and Japan’s Maika Hamano was awarded the Golden Ball (Gabarro took silver).

Puma Commits An International War Crime Against Switzerland

Already the ugliest World Cup on every conceivable grounds, it seems like Puma has elected to pay homage to that fact with a horrendous new collection of away kits for its stable of competitors in Qatar — Switzerland, Uruguay, Senegal, Serbia, Ghana and Morocco.   

I feel bad for Switzerland. Here they are, qualifying for major tournament after major tournament with a population the size of Virginia, doing things like eliminating France at Euro 2020, and Puma does something like this to them. It's completely uncalled for. 

USMNT Strikers In Hot Form With Multiple Goals And Assists This Weekend

If someone had asked me close to this time last year which USMNT strikers would go to Qatar I would have had Ricadro Pepi top of mind. Fast forward to present day and the job for the starting striker at the World Cup with the USMNT is there for the taking with several bidders.

Josh Sargent is in the best form of his career, Jordan Pefok has been a menace in front of goal for Union Berlin and Haji Wright is racking up the goals in Turkey. All three USMNT strikers had goal contributions this weekend.

The Fine Folks Of Harrison, NJ, Will Be Among The Last To See Messi Play For Argentina

A congratulations is in order to the people of Harrison, New Jersey, who'll likely be counted among the last to have witnessed one of the final live performances of Lionel Messi in an Argentina jersey.

Americans Abroad: 3 Players Ready For Qatar And 2 Who Look Lost

This here is Week 3 of our keeping track of Americans abroad in these power rankings that aren't really power rankings, and I declare this edition a collector's issue. That's right, fire up the printer, make sure you've got the necessary ink levels and print this whole webpage out for posterity.

This was the week the USMNT made a strong claim to be retroactively awarded the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup after beating Chelsea 3-0 at Elland Road.  

Morgan, Rapinoe Named To Latest USWNT Roster — Crystal Dunn Makes Return (Kind Of)

Head coach Vlakto Andonovski named his 23-player USWNT roster for a pair of September friendlies against Nigeria on Monday, with Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe the biggest names on the U.S. squad and a partial inclusion for Crystal Dunn. 

Brenden Aaronson The Hero Of Leeds United's Historic Win Over Chelsea

The Major Leeds Soccer (MLS) experiment stunned the football community Sunday by recording its first win over Chelsea in almost 20 years, a 3-0 clinic at Elland Road, with USMNT attacker Brenden Aaronson scoring his first goal for the club and compatriot Tyler Adams putting Mason Mount in his back pocket for 77 minutes. 

A blood and thunder start to the match was followed by a period of Chelsea superiority where it looked like the Blues would ultimately punish Leeds' wild ways, but Jesse Marsch's team seems to gather its strength from periods of distress.   

Pages