Europe

Ajax hosted Feyenoord on Sunday afternoon in a massive De Klassieker that was bound to prove decisive in the Eredivisie title race with the home side entering the match top of the table but just two points above second-place PSV. Feyenoord sat third, eight points back of Ajax, but a win at Johan Cruyff Arena would put the Rotterdam-based club right back in it.

Ajax experienced a foreboding start when a pyrotechnics display accidentally set fire to the club's own banners. The inferno caused a delay, but no injuries have been reported. 

FIFA has sent medical supplies to the Ukrainian Football Association (UAF) and allocated $1 million to the FIFA Foundation for humanitarian aid in Ukraine, soccer's world governing body said on Saturday.

More than 3.3 million refugees have already fled Ukraine through its western border, with around 2 more million displaced inside the country following Russia's Feb. 24 invasion.

FIFA Foundation helps victims of war in Ukraine

The United States men’s national team has its three biggest games in half a decade right around the corner. Three World Cup qualifiers against Mexico, Panama and Costa Rica to punch a ticket to Qatar 2022.

It was one of the longest halves in Jesse Marsch’s career, both literally and figuratively. The new Leeds United coach had to replace three of his starters with first-half injuries and in the 11th minute of added time Wolverhampton scored a second goal that seemingly consigned the American to a third defeat in four matches since taking the job. 

Thursday’s game between Everton and Newcastle had a unique disruption when a fan ran onto the field. Pitch invaders aren’t a strange occurrence, but you don’t see invaders tie themselves to the goal post around their neck too often. So, why did the fan tie himself to the goalpost?

Louis McKechnie used a cable to tie his neck around the goalpost and donned a bright orange shirt that read “Just Stop Oil.” It took several minutes and a crew of around 10 people to cut McKechnie loose and drag him away.

It’s a big weekend in men’s soccer. Like, really big. But you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you aren’t also paying attention to women’s soccer this weekend. 

Where is Sergiño Dest for El Clásico and the USA-Mexico World Cup qualifier? Unfortunately, ahead of what was going to be the biggest week of his career, an untimely Sergiño Dest injury is keeping the U.S. and Barcelona fullback off the pitch. Fortunately, he won’t be out for too long.