Opinion

Why Soccer Dads Are Actually Worse Than Soccer Moms

When someone mentions "youth soccer in the U.S." the first thing that comes to mind isn’t the game, it’s not the coaching, it’s not even the actual kids. No, what comes to mind is something far worse: soccer moms. 

She’s got the mom jeans, a minivan packed full of kids and that oh-so-lovely Karen haircut. You know the one, it’s like a lady bowl cut.

And if you’ve ever been a referee for youth soccer, you know that soccer moms go absolutely ballistic over anything they don’t agree with. But even in all of her motherly glory, there's one thing worse than she… the soccer dad.

Your Complete Guide To Quintessential Neil Warnock Moments

Neil Warnock made his return to management Saturday in the most Neil Warnock way possible. His Middlesbrough outfit conceded 69 percent possession to Stoke City (yes, that Stoke City), was out-shot 22-8, yet managed tp pick up a 2-0 victory away from home, lifting the club out of the relegation zone.

"The lads have shown what they can do today and it's about standards," Warnock said after the match. "It's not just what they can do, it's a little bit more."

Kieran Tierney And The Famous Tesco Bag

Arsenal’s left back Kieran Tierney is all the buzz right now. Is it because of his play? Is it because he did something terrific off the pitch? 

No. It's because he carried a Tesco bag. 

Tierney showed up to Sunday's match against Sheffield United with his gear packed into a plastic Tesco bag. And fans are absolutely loving it.

Lukaku Swearing At Victor Moses Presents Another Prime Reason For Ending Fake Crowd Noise

We here at The18 have made our position on fake crowd noise as clear as can be: Get rid of it. I would rather have the Disney Channel laugh track in the background than have to listen to poorly timed chants and celebrations. 

The more I think about it, the Disney Channel laugh track and stock reactions would be absolutely hilarious. Imagine a player misses a penalty and then this cliché Disney Channel laugh track starts playing.

Nike’s New Ball Is About To Piss Off A Lot Of Goalkeepers

Goalkeepers hating new footballs is a tradition unlike any other, so prepare for an outpouring of grief come the start of the 2020-21 Premier League season as Nike debuts its new Flight ball. 

According to the geezers inside the Nike Lab, the Flight ball utilizes four panel construction — as opposed to the traditional 12-panel ball — which helps create a 30% truer flight than its predecessor (the Merlin).

Can We End The Fake Crowd Noise Experiment Now?

It’s been more than a month since European football returned to our TV screens following an eight-week absence because of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Watching the beautiful game has been a pleasant distraction from the anxiety caused by a deadly disease and the pain of a fight for racial equality that has enveloped the country. 

The 5 Most Controversial Goals Ever Scored, Ranked

Controversy is the key ingredient for a well-seasoned, spicy football match. Flops, red cards and VAR are all ingredients for a debatable match. But the crème de la crème — as Thierry Henry’s hand would say — are controversial goals. Here are the top five most controversial goals ever scored.

The 5 Most Controversial Goals Ever Scored

#5. Darren Bent’s Beach Ball Party

Sheffield United's Dean Henderson Makes His Case To Be England's No. 1

While Aston Villa goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland may have stolen the headlines on Premier League reopening day for his blunder in net, his counterpart Dean Henderson once again shone in goal for Sheffield United. Henderson recorded his 11th clean sheet for the Blades, tying for the league lead.

This save to deny Villa striker Keinan Davis is Henderson at his finest:

Andy Carroll Is Back And Better Than Ever

When Andy Carroll resigned for Newcastle United on a free transfer last August, the local hero was handed a heavily incentivized contract that largely depended on the 31-year-old’s notoriously fickle bill of health.

Celta Vigo Granted Emergency Transfer For Injured Keeper, Signs Striker Nolito Instead

Celta Vigo’s backup goalkeeper Sergio Alvarez is out for the season with knee ligament damage he suffered in May. Due to Alvarez being out for the season, the Spanish football authorities granted Celta permission to make an emergency signing of another player in LaLiga or a free agent. 

With the No. 2 keeper injured, most people would expect the club to sign a player to take his place. Instead, Celta decided that the only way to avoid relegation — only two points separates the club from the relegation zone — is with the signing of its former striker Nolito from Sevilla.

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