Feel Good

The USWNT vs. Netherlands World Cup group stage match on Wednesday night was a fascinating midfield battle that epitomized the old cliché of it being "a game of two halves."

In the opening 45, the Dutch diced the Americans apart with a precision so masterful that it resembled ease. In reality, it's very difficult to turn the USWNT's finely tuned press against themselves, but the Netherlands were a Clockwork Oranje with clever movement, one-touch play and numerical superiority.

BRISBANE - Nigeria produced the first major shock of the Women's World Cup as they stunned Australia 3-2 on Thursday to leave the co-hosts' tournament hopes on thin ice and home fans reeling.

Asisat Oshoala volleyed into an open goal in the 72nd minute to seal a deserved win for the Africans after Uchenna Kanu cancelled out Emily van Egmond's opener on the cusp of halftime and Osinachi Ohale nudged Nigeria ahead after the break.

At the end of the day, it's all about Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba (maybe Luis Suarez) turning around Inter Miami's season with 12 matches remaining and getting them from dead last in MLS to the playoffs. 

In the meantime, they might just win the Leagues Cup.

The United States women's national team began their World Cup campaign in New Zealand on Friday, and their comfortable 3-0 victory over Vietnam was watched by record numbers back home on FOX and Telemundo.

How big is Lionel Messi?

Inter Miami, dead last in MLS, hosted Cruz Azul, bottom of Liga MX, in the uncelebrated Leagues Cup on Friday night, and a sellout crowd (one fan paid $3.5K for a spot near midfield) with LeBron James, Serena Williams, Kim Kardashian, Marc Anthony and Becky G in attendance showed up to watch.

You would've thought that Kim K had cursed Miami to a group stage exit, but Messi had other plans. 

Lionel Messi has already proved to be a team player at his new club Inter Miami as the Argentine forward surprised a teammate in the players' group chat by providing a timely assist with tickets to his presentation on Sunday.

Not even the pouring rain could spoil Messi's welcome party last weekend in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where the new face of Major League Soccer (MLS) was introduced to a packed stadium of adoring fans.

Shortly before the USWNT debuts at the 2023 World Cup against Vietnam, the NWSL published a series of clips in which national players read send-off letters from their families.

And, as you can imagine, things got weepy. 

USWNT players get emotional

The letters were written by parents, siblings and partners of the players, sharing stories of their sacrifices, expressing their unconditional love, support and — of course — wishing them the World Cup title.

It was only a preseason match against a third division team but Christian Pulisic won't care — he'll just be happy to be starting and contributing again after wasting away at Chelsea.

The 24-year-old American, having just completed his $24.5 million transfer, got the start for AC Milan on Thursday during the club's first fixture of the summer, a matchup against Serie C's Lumezzane at the Milanello Sports Center.

SYDNEY - Co-hosts Australia labored initially in the absence of injured captain Sam Kerr but a second-half penalty from Steph Catley got them off to a solid start at the Women's World Cup with a 1-0 win over Ireland in Group B on Thursday.

The news that striker Kerr had been ruled out by a calf injury stunned the record crowd of 75,784 as it filtered into Stadium Australia but Catley stepped up to take the captain's armband and score the decisive goal in the 52nd minute.