Phenoms

Forward Christian Pulisic headlines the 25-man roster announced Thursday for the United States Men's National Team's upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Players will begin reporting to camp in Cincinnati this Sunday. The USMNT will face Mexico at Cincinnati's TQL Stadium on Nov. 12 before traveling to face Jamaica in Kingston on Nov. 16.

The U.S. (3-1-2, 11 points) is currently in second place behind Mexico (4-0-2, 14 points) in the CONCACAF qualifying table for the Qatar World Cup. Canada (2-0-4, 10 points) is third.

BARCELONA - Ansu Fati marked his first start in almost a year by scoring one goal and creating another as Barcelona came from behind to beat Valencia 3-1 in LaLiga at Camp Nou on Sunday.

Despite being allowed a full capacity crowd for the first time since March 2020, Barça's ground was only half full — and those in attendance were silenced after five minutes as José Gayà's long-range strike swerved into the far corner.

JOSÉ GAYÁ GOLAZO

The 2021 Golden Boy finalists list was revealed on Friday and USMNT star Gio Reyna’s name is on the list. The Golden Boy is an annual award voted on by 30 different journalists to determine the best under-21 player in Europe. 

The Golden Boy was created in 2003 and has been won by notable names like Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney, Paul Pogba, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland. An American has never won the award before.

Reyna is the third American in the last four years to make the cut as a finalist for the honor. Here are the players he will be competing with this year.

BERLIN - Bayer Leverkusen are enjoying a three-game winning run in the Bundesliga and could not have hoped for a better time to meet champions Bayern Munich in Sunday's top-of-the-table clash.

Leverkusen have been superb this season, showing consistency and playing an exciting, attacking brand of football under their new Swiss coach Gerardo Seoane as they prepare to host a Bayern side who lead the table only on goal difference.

Spanish and Barcelona phenom Pedri can’t legally buy an alcoholic drink in the United States, but he can claim the title of having the highest release clause in all of soccer and Barcelona history.

Barcelona will be keeping Pedri until June 2026 after extending the Spaniard’s contract and setting his release clause at a whopping 1 billion euros ($1.16 billion). This ties him with Karim Benzema for the highest release clause in soccer.

Back on Sept. 29, Michigan high school Benzie Central defeated Kingsley 17-0 in a match that was declared over at halftime. If that wasn’t sensational enough, how about this: 16 of the goals were scored by one player, making Kevin Hubbell the new national record holder in men's high school soccer.

The fact that the record was achieved by halftime has caused a national stir.

Real Salt Lake Academy's Axel Kei made his professional debut at age 13 on Friday night in Herriman, Utah.

The Ivory Coast-born striker was a second-half substitute for the USL Championship side Real Monarchs, entering in the 61st minute of a 0-0 draw against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. 

At 13 years, nine months and nine days old, Kei is believed to be the youngest-ever player to make a professional appearance in American team sports.

UEFA Group B in FIFA World Cup qualifying continues to deliver after both Sweden and Greece secured victories on Saturday to put pressure on leader Spain with only three matchdays remaining.