The Portland Thorns FC faced Sky Blue FC in a 2-2 draw continuing their unbeaten streak (5-0-3) on Sunday.
Sky Blue took an early lead after Carli Lloyd netted a goal in the sixth minute and again in the 18th minute.
The Thorns continued to fight back and found the back of the net in the 32nd minute when Christine Sinclair slotted a ball across the 6-yard box picking out Emily Sonnett, who put the Thorns on the scoreboard.
Manchester City returned to the top of the Premier League table with a 1-0 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor on Sunday, and it was Sergio Agüero’s goal-line technology-assisted strike — his 20th of the season — that proved the match-winner in the 63rd minute.
Many predicted the most difficult match of City’s title run-in here, and the scoreline demonstrates how precarious it was, but the level of control exerted by Pep Guardiola’s side will give very little hope to Liverpool that either Leicester City or Brighton can stop City from successfully defending its title.
Lionel Messi started Saturday’s match against Levante on the bench on Saturday. With a big match against Liverpool in the Champions League semifinals on Wednesday, Ernesto Valverde wanted to rest his star man, knowing any win in the final four matches would wrap up the LaLiga crown.
But after a scoreless first half, Valverde had no choice but to bring on his Argentine maestro — and you already know where this is going.
While there’s a thrilling Premier League title race going on right now, as Arlo White loves to tell us, we can’t forget there’s also an incredible Golden Boot race shaping up.
While the Premier League overseas actually has an exciting title race for once, the best race of 2019 might be across the pond in Major League Soccer. We’re less than 10 games into the season, but the 2019 MLS Golden Boot race is shaping up to be something special.
Case in point: Wayne Rooney’s free kick against Columbus on Wednesday night.
Manchester City’s 2-0 victory over derby rival Manchester United clearly defined the massive divide that’s grown between the two clubs. Sure, United supporters can find immediate solace in keeping the title out of Liverpool’s hands, as well as Chelsea and Arsenal dropping points, but the ‘wee club’ diatribe that Sir Alex Ferguson once so famously threw at Newcastle now seems a fitting moniker for the Red Devils.
With a home match to come against Levante on Saturday followed by next Wednesday’s Champions League semifinal first leg against Liverpool, Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde elected to begin today’s away match versus Alavés with Lionel Messi on the bench.
No matter.
Before Messi entered the match in the 61st minute, goals from Carles Aleñá and Luis Suárez had already put Barça on the verge of a second straight LaLiga title. If Atlético Madrid loses to Valencia tomorrow, the crown belongs to Barcelona. Regardless, there’s no way in hell Barça loses it now.
The opening seven seconds of today’s Premier League fixture between Europa League hopefuls Watford and relegation-threatened Southampton DID NOT DISAPPOINT. A lot of supporters inside Vicarage Road hadn’t even made it to their seats by the time Shane Long opened the scoring for the Saints. Clocked at just seven seconds, it’s the fastest goal in Premier League history.
The previous mark was held by Tottenham’s Ledley King, who scored with a deflected effort against Bradford back in 2000 inside 9.7 seconds.
It’s interesting to see how the media leans into stereotypes and known formulas of success — regardless of truth or sincerity in approach — to perpetually reinforce the confirmation bias of its readership.
For example, this past weekend Chelsea striker Gonzalo Higuain spoke about how criticism used to affect his personal life before he acquired a sense of perspective regarding his own career and the amount of importance that should be placed on chasing a ball around a large patch of grass.
This past Sunday night the Orlando Pride faced the Seattle Reign in Tacoma, Washington, where the Pride picked up its first point of the 2019 NWSL season after drawing 1-1 at Cheney Stadium.
Orlando took an early lead after being rewarded a free kick outside the box in the sixth minute. Australian defender Alanna Kennedy gave the Pride the upper hand when she casually hit a perfect bicycle kick inside the box. Although the Pride didn't ultimately get all three points, if there were points awarded for style they definitely would have won by a landslide.