Other Leagues

From Kepa To Krul: A History Of Goalkeepers Subbed In For Penalty Kick Shootouts

Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel's decision to bring on Kepa Arrizbalaga late in the 2022 EFL Cup Final was not unprecedented — both for Chelsea and the footballing world. Kepa had replaced Mendy in the waning moments of extra time in the UEFA Super Cup against Villarreal earlier in the year, saving two penalties in Chelsea's shootout victory.

In fact, the Spaniard is an above-average keeper in his career when it comes to saving penalties. 

¡Insólito! Jugadores Del Atlante Chocan Entre Sí Y El Árbitro Cobra Penal

El arbitraje mexicano cavó un nuevo nivel bajo tierra. Sí, todas las semanas hay decisiones que dejan a los aficionados preguntándose si están en un programa de bromas con cámaras ocultas, pero lo que ocurrió anoche en la Liga Expansión desafía toda lógica posible: un choque entre dos jugadores de un mismo equipo acabó siendo sancionado como penal por el silbante Edgar Allan Morales.

Minnesota Announces Groundbreaking Two-Sport Athlete Sarah Fuller As Team's First Signing

Minnesota's new women-led, community-owned club is absolutely rolling right now. 

After tapping into the state's previously unmet desire for a high-level women's soccer team by crowdfunding over $1 million from 3,000 investors, the club then revealed its name, badge and branding — as voted on by community owners — at the end of January: Minnesota Aurora FC.

80-Yard Volley In Brazil Is Understandably Getting Puskás Award Hype

The Campeonato Pernambucano — the state football championship of Pernambuco, Brazil — was the site of an unbelievable goal on Sunday from 21-year-old Salgueiro AC defender Lucão.

Up 1-0 shortly before halftime and facing pressure from Sete de Setembro, Lucão showed everyone that the quickest transition from defense into attack is simply an 80-yard volley from the middle of your own half that touches down inside the opponent's net. 

It's an effective way to beat the high-press that should be taught in academies across America — if Brazil's doing it, we should do it too.

Gael Sandoval Debuta Con Un Gol En La Lejana Ciudad De Wollongong

A 13.000 kilómetros del DF, en la localidad costera de Wollolong, Australia, hubo un grito de gol mexicano.

Detrás del festejo estuvo Gael Sandoval, un jugador que al no tener muchas opciones en Chivas agarró sus bultos para sumarse en condición de préstamo al Wellington Phoenix de la A-League.

Keeper Is Left Dumbfounded After 40-Yard Lob Enters Orbit Before Dipping Into The Corner

So Érik Lamela has claimed the 2021 Puskás Award for his absurd rabona, meaning it's time to start labelling every gorgeous goal we see over the next 12 months as "Puskás worthy."  

We'll start in Germany's third division, where Borussia Dortmund II (the U-23s) defeated SV Waldhof on Monday with one of the greatest lobs/90th-minute winners you'll ever see. 

James Rodríguez Saved The Life Of A Rival Who Had A Cardiac Arrest

James Rodríguez is being praised as a hero in the Qatar Stars League after saving the life of a colleague on Jan. 8. The Colombian was playing for Al-Rayyan when Al-Wakrah defender Ousmane Coulibaly collapsed on the goal-line due to a cardiac arrest, just seconds after he sent the ball to a corner kick. 

James Rodríguez saves rival's life in Qatar

Reports say while everybody was panicking, Rodríguez ran to Coulibaly and performed a life-saving maneuver. The phrase is not an oversell — the doctors who took care of Coulibaly in the stadium applauded his intervention.

Big Man Adebayo Akinfenwa Crushes His Teammates After Incredible 90+8' Equalizer

Wycombe Wanderers and Sunderland played out a batshit crazy League One match Saturday that saw the two clubs exchange four goals in the opening 39 minutes before each scored in second-half stoppage time to cap a wild 3-3 draw. 

A David Stockdale own goal gave Sunderland the lead in the third minute, but Wycombe responded through Anis Mehmeti in the 13th. The Blues then went ahead through Sam Vokes in the 36th, but the Black Cats equalized only three minutes later thanks to Ross Stewart's goal.

A-League's First Openly Gay Player The Target Of Homophobic Abuse During Match In Melbourne

Adelaide United's Josh Cavallo on Sunday called out homophobic abuse that was directed at him during an A-League draw with Melbourne Victory, saying he had "no words" to describe his disappointment.

Cavallo became the first active A-League player to come out as gay in October, drawing support from fellow professionals across the world.

2021’s Most Successful Coach Snubbed From FIFA Best Finalists; We’re Not At All Surprised

There was but one major global international soccer tournament in 2021. For some reason, the coach who inspired an underdog victory in that competition wasn’t deemed worthy by FIFA to even be a finalist for the organization’s FIFA Best Coach of 2021 award. Not that we’re the least bit surprised; we’ve long learned to expect the worst from FIFA.

Pages