History

After two long years without the U.S. Open Cup because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was the game that made us fall in love with this glorious competition all over again.     

Third-division Union Omaha — contesting just its second-ever Open Cup match — travelled to 60,000-seat Soldier Field on April 19 to take on four-time champion Chicago Fire and twice came from a goal down, including an equalizer in the 122nd-minute, to prevail in a penalty shootout.

Olivier Giroud will never be considered an all-time great footballer, but the Frenchman wins wherever he goes. He added yet another trophy to his considerable mantle while scoring a brace on Sunday.

Giroud’s two goals helped AC Milan beat Sassuolo 3-0 on Sunday, rendering Inter Milan’s 3-0 win over Sampdoria moot. The Rossoneri edged the Nerazzurri for the Serie A crown 86 points to 84, claiming Milan’s first Scudetto since 2011. 

AC MILAN'S FIRST LEAGUE TITLE SINCE 2011.

Clint Dempsey was tenacious as a footballer. He combined the typical American trait of indefatigability with verve and style going forward. Dempsey was unique as an American footballer, arguably the greatest offensive player the U.S. men’s national team has ever seen. 

Catarina Macario made history on Saturday when she became the first American to score in a UEFA Champions League final. Macario and her club Lyon faced Spanish powerhouse and defending champions Barcelona in Turin, Italy, and had a sensational first half.

With Lyon leading 2-0, Macario netted the third goal in the 33rd minute with a poacher’s finish at the far post. Lyon went on to win 3-1.

Christian Pulisic probably didn’t get any good sleep on Thursday night after he missed a golden opportunity against Leicester City during Premier League action. Wednesday’s sitter was the latest in a worryingly growing Pulisic miss compilation.

In the span of a year, Pulisic has had a high number of misses from close range. Here’s the full Pulisic miss compilation that spans from May 2021 through May 2022. We’ll start with Thursday’s missed chance.

American defender Timothy Chandler deserves some recognition as the first USMNT player to win the Europa League with his club team. Chandler and Eintracht Frankfurt lifted the 2022 Europa League trophy after defeating Scottish outfit Rangers 5-4 on penalties.