National Teams

WARSAW — Poland and Sweden said they would not play their soccer World Cup qualifiers against Russia in March, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the governing bodies of both national teams said on Saturday.

The playoff matches are set to be held in March to fill a slot for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and several Poland players including captain Robert Lewandowski backed the decision with statements on social media.

The USWNT just won a landmark settlement to end its long battle with U.S. Soccer for pay equity on Tuesday. On Wednesday night, many of those players were back using their platform to bring attention to another human rights issue: transgender rights.

We here at The18 have long touted the exploits of Catarina Macario, from her time at Stanford to the start of her pro career with Lyon to her naturalization from Brazil to join the USWNT. Finally given the keys to drive the U.S.

A Roman Yaremchuk Ukraine shirt celebration during Benfica’s 2-2 draw with Ajax in the Champions League caught the attention of fans on Wednesday. With Yaremchuk’s side trailing, the 26-year-old striker was able to bundle in a rebound in the 72nd minute to tie the game. He celebrated the goal appropriately.

Yaremchuk Ukraine Shirt Celebration

What a game it has been at the Estadio da Luz!

Americans tuning in to Juventus’ 1-1 draw with Villarreal in the Champions League on Tuesday watched in horror as the Old Lady’s young American limped off injured in the 81st minute. The Weston McKennie injury is a broken foot, according to reports, putting into doubt his ability to participate in vital World Cup qualifiers for the USMNT next month.

For decades, U.S. women’s national team players have fought for equal pay for equal work. From trailblazers like the beloved 1999ers to the divisive 2019 World Cup winners, USWNT players have long battled to receive pay commensurate to their worth. 

The U.S. women have won their fight for equal pay. 

Boris Johnson Says Russia Can't Be Allowed To Host Champions League Final

LONDON — Russia should not be allowed to host soccer events such as the Champions League final after Russian President Vladimir Putin recognised two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Tuesday.

Britain said that it would discuss the location of the Champions League final, which is scheduled to take place in St Petersburg in May, with the relevant governing bodies.

New Zealand defender Meikayla Moore scored three goals — for the U.S. women's national team — and the Americans won in a bizarre manner, 5-0, in Carson, Calif., on Sunday in their second match of the SheBelieves Cup.

The Americans, who tied the Czech Republic 0-0 in their tourney opener on Thursday, got all the help they needed when Moore had own goals in the 5th, 6th and 36th minutes.

To my knowledge, there's been one hat-trick of own goals in football history (although even that's disputed). On Sunday, USWNT fans were witness to a second.

New Zealand's Meikayla Moore, who plays her club ball for Liverpool and was receiving her 50th cap on Sunday, put the ball into her own net three times in 36 minutes during the Football Ferns' SheBelieves Cup match against the USWNT.