National Teams

Dax McCarty: The Chicago Fire Are Still Favorites For The World Cup

It was a wild ride for American midfielder Dax McCarty in 2017. In January, McCarty was recalled by the national team for the first time since 2011, but he was subsequently shocked to learn that after five and a half seasons with the New York Red Bulls, he’d been dealt to the Chicago Fire before the start of the new campaign. 

McCarty then helped the USMNT triumph at the Gold Cup, starting in two group stage games and appearing in five games overall, including a late substitute appearance in the final against Jamaica.

Karpatalja Edges Northern Cyprus In Penalties To Claim First World Cup Title (Seriously)

Politics and sports, particularly on the international stage, often intersect. Their connection is amplified during the ConIFA World Cup.

Held every other year since 2014, the ConIFA World Cup gives teams comprised of stateless peoples, ethnic minorities and sub-national entities the opportunity to compete at an international level.

The World Cup And Olympics Are In A League Of Their Own When It Comes To TV Ratings

No sporting events captivate a global audience like the World Cup and Olympics. Roughly half of the world's population tunes in to see at least a part of each spectacle. When analyzing the World Cup vs Olympics debate, no clear winner emerges. However, TV ratings suggest that the Olypmics has a slight edge.

Man City Is Sending A Full Squad's Worth Of Players To The World Cup

Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona will be the top clubs at World Cup 2018, sending 16, 15 and 14 players, respectively. Even with Leroy Sane and Aymeric Laporte finding themselves among the most valuable World Cup snubs, Man City still managed to eclipse the two Spanish giants as the most-represented club in Russia.

Paraguay’s Oscar Romero Recreates Dele Alli’s 2016 EPL Goal Of The Season

Back in January of 2016, Tottenham attacker Dele Alli announced his talent to the world by scoring what BBC Match of the Day would later vote Goal of the Season against Crystal Palace. Alli controlled a Christian Eriksen knock-down with his thigh, flicked an audacious sombrero over the head of an onrushing defender, swiveled and struck a 22-yard volley inside the post. 

Lionel Messi Uncertain Over International Future Ahead Of World Cup

Lionel Messi will celebrate his 31st birthday on June 24, just two days before Argentina takes on Nigeria in its third and final group stage match. Accordingly, should Messi choose to prolong his international career after Russia, he’ll be 35 by the time Qatar 2022 kicks off (that World Cup will be played from late November until mid-December). 

After losing back-to-back Copa America finals on penalties to Chile, there’s also the 2019 tournament in Brazil to consider (that would certainly constitute sweet revenge for Messi and company). 

Peru Enters The World Cup As Unofficial World Champions

Peru is on something of a tear in the Unofficial Football World Championships — the hugely enjoyable competition that uses a boxing-style title system dating back to the first-ever international match to determine which nation is the current title holders. 

Neymar Murders An Austrian In What’s Supposed To Be A Friendly

Brazil defeated Austria 3-0 in Vienna on Sunday in the nation’s final warm-up match before opening World Cup group play against Switzerland on June 17. The match was memorable for two reasons: (1) Thank Freddy Adu we’ll have VAR in Russia — Brazil’s opening goal was the sort of break you’d expect the Seleção to get at a World Cup (Gabriel Jesus was four yards offside), but not anymore — and (2) Neymar killed a man.

U.S. Should Be A World Cup Favorite After 1-1 Draw With France

Before the USMNT vs France match on Saturday in Lyon the stadium PA played the Gloria Gaynor classic “I Will Survive.” You had to wonder if the kids Dave Sarachan opted to play could survive against the most valuable World Cup squad. The kids did one better than survive — they tied the team many consider a World Cup favorite 1-1. 

Did Mexico’s 2-0 Loss To Denmark Get El Tri Ready For Germany?

Mexico vs Denmark served as the final World Cup tune-up for El Tri ahead of a huge match against Germany a week from Sunday. While the team’s fought to a deadlock in the first half, two goals in the second sunk Mexico and sent El Tri to Russia with a defeat on Saturday in Brøndbyvester, Denmark. 

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