It’s been 20 years to the day since Cristiano Ronaldo made his debut at the youth level for Portugal. He was only a 16-year-old at the time, but he was also just one year away from a meteoric rise through Sporting’s system that would see him become the first to play for the club’s U-16, U-17, U-18, B team and first team all within the same season.
Historically speaking, there’s only ever been one correct answer to the question of a dream away day in the National Women’s Soccer League. As well as producing the sort of football that’s landed two NWSL championships, the Portland Thorns boast the division’s best atmosphere with an average attendance (we have to go back to 2019 to look at such things) of over 20,000 at beautiful Providence Park.
But I believe Portland has been usurped for three reasons: views, horse racing and bourbon.
USWNT and Orlando Pride power couple Ashlyn Harris and Ali Krieger have adopted a beautiful baby girl. On February 12, Sloane Phillips was born and will grow up in a loving household with two superstars and 20-plus aunties to help raise her. Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris have gone through the adoption process while also competing at the highest level of play. They were fully supported through the entire journey by their teammates, coaching staff and family and they will step away from the game for a bit while they take care of the new addition to their family.
Brazilian legend Marta turned 35 on Feb. 19 and she still proves to be one of the best in the world. She has the most goals in FIFA World Cup history, she is a six-time World Player of the Year and she is Brazil’s all-time top goal scorer, not to mention she just re-signed for the 2021 season with the Orlando Pride and received her green card so she no longer needs an international roster spot. As a player who many young players look up to, the day she decides to hang up her boots will certainly be a sad one.
The U.S. women’s national team has a remarkable record of reaching the semifinals in every Women’s World Cup. It’s a major reason why we often refer to the USWNT as the greatest sports team of all time. But the road to the final four hasn’t always been easy, and in 2011, the USWNT came closer than ever to an early exit. Only a stunning late Abby Wambach goal vs Brazil — I’d argue the greatest goal in U.S. soccer history — saved the Americans from a quarterfinal exit.
“There is nothing new about poverty. What is new, however, is that we now have the resources to get rid of it. … Why should there be hunger and privation in any land, in any city, at any table, when man has the resources and the scientific know‐how to provide all mankind with the basic necessities of life? … There is no deficit in human resources, the deficit is in human will.”
After the brutal police murder of George Floyd on May 25 in the Powderhorn Park neighborhood of Minneapolis, daily protests turned into nightly riots that shook large sections of the Twin Cities for three straight days.
The message could be heard loud and clear from protesters — “No justice, no peace” — and read on the graffiti scrawled across Target stores — “Merchandise can be replaced. Black lives can not” — as the worst imaginable provocation coalesced with centuries of repeated injustice to trigger an outpouring of rage and grief.
MANCHESTER, England - A training exercise from the golden era of Hungarian football is enjoying a remarkable revival in popularity with Europe's top clubs and has even become a fast-growing sport in it own right.
When Ferenc Puskás and Hungary's 'Golden Team' warmed up for games, such as their 7-1 hammering of England in 1954, they played 'Foot-tennis' — with pairs of players either side of a net, serving and volleying but with a leather football and their feet.
It was nighttime at the Yokohama International Stadium in Japan, but early morning in this part of the world. The respectful and silent crowd that usually populates the stands of this Japanese stadium gave way to the warming chants of the Paulista torcida, who never stopped cheering on their team, creating an atmosphere worthy of a final.
The overwhelming majority of Brazilian fans carried Corinthians from the first minute onwards and, with the feeling of playing at home, they went out to play with no holds barred.
Most American soccer fans will remember Jay DeMerit for playing every minute for the USMNT at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, but before DeMerit even dreamed of an international call-up, he overcame imposing odds just to become a Watford player.