No sport does rivalries quite like soccer. In terms of proximity, history, passion and the genuine animosity these conditions create, the biggest derbies and grudge matches in world soccer make the Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears look more like the World Stone Skimming Championship.
Every time it’s derby week in Europe, from Manchester to Madrid to Milan, American soccer fans listen to British commentators and ask themselves how to pronounce derby. Being one of the few American soccer websites that actively refuses to use British English, we at The18 decided it was time to once again explain basic soccer terms in American English.
No tengo la certeza, pero tampoco dudas, de que varios jugadores profesionales (y también amateurs) sueñan algún día cruzarse en una cancha de fútbol con Lionel Messi solo para esperar el final del partido y pedirle su camiseta. Seguramente hay horas de preparación para cuando llegue ese momento, las cuales incluyen tiempo frente al espejo ensayando un "Leo, tu camiseta, por favor" o cosas por el estilo. Sin embargo, suponemos que muy pocos están preparados para cuando ocurra lo contrario, cuando sea el mismísimo Messi quien pida tu camiseta.
It’s been 20 years to the day since Cristiano Ronaldo made his debut at the youth level for Portugal. He was only a 16-year-old at the time, but he was also just one year away from a meteoric rise through Sporting’s system that would see him become the first to play for the club’s U-16, U-17, U-18, B team and first team all within the same season.
Historically speaking, there’s only ever been one correct answer to the question of a dream away day in the National Women’s Soccer League. As well as producing the sort of football that’s landed two NWSL championships, the Portland Thorns boast the division’s best atmosphere with an average attendance (we have to go back to 2019 to look at such things) of over 20,000 at beautiful Providence Park.
But I believe Portland has been usurped for three reasons: views, horse racing and bourbon.
The USMNT and El Tri are considering Efraín Álvarez for the Concacaf Olympic qualifiers. The player who was runner-up in the World Cup with the U-17 Tricolor is on the preliminary rosters of both teams, which will be looking for a ticket to Tokyo 2021 in March.
18-year-old LA Galaxy midfielder Efrain Alvarez played for USMNT at U15 level, and Mexico at U15 and U17 level.
He's been named in both nation's preliminary rosters for Olympic qualifying.
A new movie about Brazilian soccer great Pelé is the latest in a series of documentaries in what has been described as a golden age of sports film.
Documentaries about American basketball player Michael Jordan, Argentine footballer Diego Maradona and Brazilian Formula One driver Ayrton Senna have transfixed fans with their insider look at the performance and personality of the biggest global sports stars.
After Diego Forlán stepped into one back in 2002, unleashing a howitzer from nearly 25 yards out that was still rising when it flew into the corner, you could sense the relief and outpouring of ecstasy from both the Old Trafford crowd and the Uruguayan forward.
On top of having one of the most badass names on the USMNT, Duane Octavious Holmes scored one of the best goals you’ll see from the past weekend. This Duane Holmes goal vs Swansea City was his second of the game and an absolute beauty.
Holmes might have had the most impressive weekend out of all USMNT players in Europe. Holmes bagged a brace in his fifth game back with boyhood club Huddersfield Town. His two goals in the second half came only three minutes apart. The first was a cool finish that followed an excellent string of passes.
A high-profile match between FC Zurich and Sion in the Swiss Super League was brought to a halt in the 40th-minute when a beautiful White Swiss Shepherd Dog appeared on the near touch-line before scampering down the wing.
As everyone wondered what to do next, FC Zurich chairman Ancillo Canepa appeared from his presidential suite, ran down the stairs past the substitutes and helped the dog find its way back down the tunnel.