Analysis

The Playoffs Reach Fever Pitch With Sunday's MLS Conference Semifinals

With no teams holding more than a single goal advantage in their respective ties, all four MLS Conference Semifinals are set for tense finishes heading into Sunday.

For fans of MLS, it promises to be 360 minutes (likely more) of continuous drama and thrills.

MLS Conference Semifinals

Pragmatism Allowed Arsenal To Beat Bayern Munich. Can They Do It Again?

The agony and the ecstasy. No it’s not a soap opera, just another champions league campaign for Arsenal football club and Arsene Wenger. Defeating a giant on the back of defeats to Dynamo Zagreb and Olympiacos feels commonplace, but this result demonstrates the gunners are developing into a formidable outfit.

What can the FAWSL learn from the NWSL?

It is hard to think of women’s soccer in the USA without Abby Wambach’s face (or perhaps, feet) immediately coming to mind.

The 2012 Women’s Ballon D’Or winner and 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup winner has scored 182 goals for the USWNT in 243 appearances, making her the greatest international goalscorer of all time, easily eclipsing Ali Daei who holds the men’s record with 109 international goals.

Why Cup Soccer Is So Much Fun

There are countless soccer competitions happening around the globe every year. These competitions have many formats and styles, but the main two are league and cup soccer competitions. Big leagues are where the big name players guarantee their paychecks and where their bosses get most of the revenue to fund those large paychecks. 

In most of these big league competitions, we usually see a certain monopoly in terms of titles. In Spain, we have the Real Madrid vs. Barcelona duel year after year deciding who takes home the gold, with occasional appearances by Atletico Madrid. 

The Opening Round Of The 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs Could See The Defending Champions Sent Packing

Decision Day has come and gone, the Supporters’ Shield has been awarded and the field is now set for the 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs. 

Juan Carlos Osorio Has Everything He Needs To Succeed With Mexico

Mexico's national team has a new commander in chief. After months of uncertainty and many possible candidates, FEMEXFUT decided to bet on a Colombian coach by the name of Juan Carlos Osorio, a decision that was questioned by all, fans and media that preferred to have a big star or, at least, a known character in the bench of their national team.

Messi vs Ronaldo: Breaking It Down Professionally, Financially, Personally

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi need no introduction on the field. The two play for the two biggest teams in the world, are the two best players in the world, and are the two most recognizable faces in soccer. As such, every year the debate of Messi vs Ronaldo flares up, and this year is no different. 

So, in order to provide some fuel for the fire, we here at The18 have taken up the task of comparing Messi vs Ronaldo in an assortment of ways: the basics, professionally, financially, and even a light social segment. 

Let’s begin. 

Tyne-Wear Derby Reveals Premier League's Problems

After six managers in four years, the only constant at Sunderland A.F.C. is their sustained dominance over Newcastle United in the most important fixture of the two sides’ calendar year, the Tyne-Wear derby.

A 3-0 victory for the Mackems, their record setting sixth in succession, is especially sweet for newly appointed Black Cats manager Sam Allardyce, who exacted a bit of revenge on his former employers.

How Did Joe Cole Fall So Far So Fast?

It was the beginning of the 2010-11 Premier League season and Liverpool had a new manager at the helm. Roy Hodgson was brought in from Fulham, and his first managerial signing was gifted English midfielder Joe Cole on a free transfer from Chelsea. It was expected that Cole would make a great partnership in midfield with Steven Gerrard. 

It led to this quote from the Liverpool skipper:

Winners And Losers: South American World Cup Qualifiers

Shocking is a good word to describe how the World Cup qualifiers in South America started. From historic victories to close calls, here are the biggest winners and losers in South America during the first round of qualifying games for Russia 2018.

Winners:

Ecuador

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