Feel Good

Sophia Smith becomes youngest ever NWSL MVP

Portland Thorns striker Sophia Smith was named the National Women's Soccer League's (NWSL) Most Valuable Player on Thursday, becoming the youngest to earn the regular-season honor days before their championship match against Kansas City.

The 22-year-old scored a club record 14 goals in 18 appearances, the second highest tally this season behind San Diego Wave forward Alex Morgan (16), and three assists to help the Thorns to a second consecutive postseason appearance.

Antony's trademark skill is so entirely useless that it's the best in the game

The moment we've been waiting for finally arrived Thursday during Manchester United's Europa League match against Sheriff. With the score level at 0-0 and his marker smartly giving him room, the trademark Antony spin skill — followed directly by an overweighted pass — was unleashed.

The sequence has gotten a lot of hate (the British absolutely despise this sort of thing) but that's because the internet is a foul place where joy and individual expression go to die.

Inter Milan seals Champions League last-16 place and eliminates Barcelona

MILAN - Inter Milan sailed into the Champions League last 16 after an Edin Džeko double fired them to a 4-0 home win over Viktoria Plzeň in Group C on Wednesday, a result that eliminated Barcelona and relegated them to the Europa League.

The Italians moved up to 10 points with the win, six clear of Barça who were hosting Bayern Munich later on Wednesday. Even if Barça beat the Germans and win their final group game against Plzeň, Inter will still qualify with a better head-to-head record against the Catalans.

Pulisic returns to Chelsea XI and plays big role in reaching UCL round of 16

Chelsea travelled to Red Bull Arena and beat Salzburg 2-1 Tuesday night to clinch passage to the Champions League Round of 16 for the fourth straight year.

Christian Pulisic, making his first start since scoring against Wolves on Oct. 8, played a role in both goals, although they were spectacularly finished by Mateo Kovačić and Kai Havertz.   

Team-by-team guide: 2022 Wales World Cup preview

To prepare you for the tournament, The18 has launched team-by-team previews for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. This is the preview for Group B's Wales.

Wales World Cup 2022 Preview

World Cup appearances: Second 

Best finish: Quarterfinals (1958) 

USWNT fans get 2 prime time games, 1 brutally late night at World Cup

The draw made next summer's tournament in Australia and New Zealand come into focus, but we can really start to anticipate the event with FIFA now revealing the 2023 Women's World Cup kick off times. 

The Qatar World Cup's 'first fan' arrived 6 months ago and has been 'having a blast' ever since

BUENOS AIRES - Argentina's self-styled "first fan" Marcelo Martinez is so keen to see Lionel Messi and teammates at the World Cup that he arrived in Qatar six months early.

The first traveling Argentinian fan — and possibly the first visiting fan full stop — flew into Doha on May 3 with his blue-and-white wig, and has been having a blast ever since.

"Wonderful things have been happening," said the 54-year-old lawyer, who has found plenty of Qataris and expatriates sporting Argentina shirts. "They all love Messi and Argentina here."

Team-by-team guide: 2022 Iran World Cup preview

To prepare you for the tournament, The18 has launched team-by-team previews for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. This is the preview for Group B's Iran.

Iran World Cup 2022 Preview

World Cup appearances: 6th 

Best finish: Group stage (every time) 

How they got here: Iran finished top of Group A, above South Korea, in AFC qualifying. 

Coach: Carlos Queiroz (Portuguese) 

Women's World Cup draw: USWNT to face Dutch in rematch of last final

AUCKLAND - Four-times winners the United States will face the Netherlands in a rematch of the 2019 Women's World Cup Final after being drawn with the European side, debutants Vietnam and a playoff winner at Saturday's draw in Auckland for next year's showpiece.

European champions England will also take on a playoff winner, Denmark and China in Group D, while 2003 and 2007 World Cup winners Germany will play Morocco, Colombia and South Korea in Group H at the July 20-Aug. 20 tournament next year.

Tonight's El Tráfico feels like the biggest MLS rivalry game ever

Los Angeles Football Club and the LA Galaxy will meet for the fourth time this season in Thursday night's Western Conference semifinal, but the dynamics are considerably different than their last match in early July.

Regular season West champions LAFC have added European stars like attacker Gareth Bale and defender Giorgio Chielini, as well as more under-the-radar additions up front in Cristian Tello and Denis Bouanga.

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