Opinion

Al Ahly stands between Seattle Sounders and a game vs. Real Madrid — Does Seattle have a chance?

Al Ahly defeated Auckland City FC 3-0 in the opening game of the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup on Wednesday in Morocco. With the way the bracket is designed, Al Ahly advance to the second round where they will face the Seattle Sounders on Saturday, Feb. 4 at 12:30 p.m. ET.

The winner of Saturday's game faces Real Madrid in the semifinal.

Al Ahly’s victory against the semi-professional club from Oceania was comfortable. This is the eighth time the Egyptian club have participated in the Club World Cup. They’ve advanced to the semifinals in the previous two tournaments.

Unbalanced USWNT midfield is cause for concern at SheBelieves Cup

After playing the 2021 tournament in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2022 competition with a weakened field, the SheBelieves Cup returns in a big way this February with the USWNT playing matches against Canada, Japan and Brazil ahead of this summer's main event, the 2023 FIFA World Cup.

3 things we learned from the USMNT's January camp

The USMNT ended its January camp with a high-energy, low-quality 0-0 draw against Colombia on Saturday night. It was a match that suited Kellyn Acosta's ability to be everywhere all at once in midfield, and it provided us with a glimpse into the shattered goalscoring confidence of Matthew Hoppe. Time is still on the 21-year-old's side.

Has the USMNT finally found its No. 9 in Brandon Vázquez?

Amid the off-field chaos and turmoil within the United States men’s national team, some questions have remained on the pitch. The U.S. is dripping with talent in almost every position, but one spot has remained untethered. The No. 9 has long been a giant, flailing red flag alongside world beaters like Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie and Matt Turner. But after years of experimentation with different systems and players, there's finally a chance that the trial and error period is over.

USMNT player ratings vs. Serbia: 3 who impressed, 1 who messed up

The USMNT began 2023 with a frustrating 2-1 friendly defeat to Serbia at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday night, taking the lead through Brandon Vazquez's powerfully snapped header before clear defensive errors ruined Anthony Hudson's debut as interim manager.

With all six substitutions being made by the 73rd minute, quite a few players graced the pitch without making much of an impression. Club América winger Alejandro Zendejas went the full 90 on the right, but the 24-year-old's talent only came through in flashes. 

5 razones por las que Guillermo Almada es el técnico perfecto para la selección mexicana

El misterio en torno a quién será el nuevo director técnico de la selección mexicana pareciera ir disipándose, de acuerdo a una serie de reportes que ponen al entrenador del Pachuca, Guillermo Almada, a la cabeza del proyecto.

Ranking the 10 best Major League Soccer stadiums

As Major League Soccer enters its 28th season, one example of the league's growing strength is just how difficult it is to determine which 10 stadiums you'd like to visit most. 

USMNT player watch: 3 trending in the right direction, 2 we're worried about

I'll whisper it, but I feel like I'm discerning some faint traces of light ahead with regards to the USMNT's direction. There's obviously still no permanent manager, but every day takes us further from Gregg Berhalter and closer to what's demanded when hosting the world's greatest sporting event come 2026.

All 5 goals from Arsenal vs. Manchester United, ranked

They promised us the good old days when league-leading Arsenal welcomed third-place Manchester United to the Emirates on Sunday; a bit of blood and thunder of the Roy Keane-Patrick Vieira, Ruud van Nistelrooy-Martin Keown variety that's been largely lacking over the last 15 years of this rivalry.

Well it was just like old times with the Gunners taking the majority of possession and menacing throughout but United looking no less virile when they thundered forward on the counter (although the presence of Wout Weghorst does take some of the glamor away).

5 USMNT players we're excited to see during January camp

As Mary J. Blige once said, "No drama, no more in my life (no more drama in my life, no one's gonna make me hurt again)." I'm so tired of the USMNT manager discussion, so this is the only time I'm going to mention that or the fact that Anthony Hudson is serving as interim head coach for January camp. Let's get back to the only things that matter, the game and the players who play it.

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