Off the Pitch

USWNT defeat China 3-0 in front of shockingly low attendance — where were the fans??

New faces graced the pitch for the United States women’s national team on Saturday during their 3-0 victory vs. China, however there were a serious lack of faces in the stands of DRV PNK Stadium.

Saturday’s game in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was technically the first game of the Emma Hayes era as the new head coach will join the squad next year. 

Big names like Alex Morgan, Crystal Dunn, Alyssa Naeher and Becky Sauerbrunn were left off the roster as the USWNT begin preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Watch: NSFW sounds ruin the Euro 2024 group stage draw

The big story from the Euro 2024 draw should have been about the groups, however one google search of “Euro draw sex noises” will let you know what everyone is talking about.

The draw — which took place in Hamburg, Germany — fell victim to a prankster who played sexual noises for several minutes.

Here was the moment that the hosts tried to keep their cool while the sounds of intense intercourse echoed throughout the concert hall.

Tottenham's Postecoglou speaks for the people and hates the new sin bin rules being proposed

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou spoke out bluntly against soccer sin bins on Friday and said the idea itself should be binned.

"Yeah, bin it mate. Just bin the whole idea, just forget about it," the Australian told reporters ahead of his side's weekend Premier League game at champions Manchester City.

"I don't know why they keep interjecting themselves into the game. There’s not that much wrong with the game... I don't think there's a need for it."

USMNT still ranked top 15 in the world despite loss to Trinidad and Tobago

If you’ve kept up with The18 over the past couple years, then you know we love to poke fun at FIFA’s ridiculous world rankings. The latest FIFA rankings put the United States men’s national team at No. 12 in the world.

Latest FIFA rankings

Poll reveals that one in three women’s players at 2023 World Cup earn less than $30,000 annually

MANCHESTER — While the 2023 women's World Cup featured record prize money, many of the tournament's players still lack adequate financial compensation and one in five supplement their income with a second job, according to a FIFPRO poll released on Wednesday.

The global players union found that one in three of those World Cup players earn less than $30,000 a year from soccer from their national team and clubs combined. That figure does not include the pre-tax $30,000 minimum World Cup prize money that players were guaranteed from FIFA.

Hockey’s penalty box could be introduced to soccer as IFAB will trial temporary send offs

LONDON — Measures to improve player behavior and increase respect for match officials were supported at the law-making International Football Association Board (IFAB) annual meeting on Tuesday.

A proposed trial whereby only the team captain may approach the referee in certain game situations was backed and it was also agreed that temporary dismissals for dissent and specific tactical offences should be trialled at higher levels.

Sin bins (similar to hockey's penalty box) have already had a successful implementation in grassroots football.

Erling Haaland will cover the travel costs of 200 fans for his boyhood club’s playoff game

Norway and Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has offered to pay for fans of his former club Bryne FK to attend the team's playoff game on Saturday.

Second-tier Bryne, Haaland's boyhood club, have reached the playoffs for the first time since 2006 and have a chance of getting promoted to Norway's Eliteserien.

Haaland, 23, will cover the cost of the train trip for around 200 fans, around $16,000.

Officially official: Kristie Mewis and Sam Kerr have revealed their proposal photos

USWNT midfielder Kristie Mewis and Australia forward Sam Kerr have shared photos on Instagram of the moment the Matildas star proposed to the American.

Mewis revealed the news of their engagement to PEOPLE earlier in November, however there had already been speculation the two were engaged.

The caption on the proposal photos read: September 1st, 2023.

Emi Martinez tries to jump into stands to stop police officer from hitting fans during violent clashes

RIO DE JANEIRO — Argentina captain Lionel Messi accused the Brazilian police of brutality as the start of their World Cup qualifier against Brazil was delayed by half an hour after clashes between police and visiting fans at Maracanã Stadium on Tuesday.

Brazilian and Argentine fans started fighting behind one of the goals during the national anthems, prompting police to charge at the travelling contingent with night sticks drawn.

Christen Press says she cried at NWSL Championship when Megan Rapinoe tore her Achilles

Megan Rapinoe is on her path to recovery after tearing her Achilles tendon in the NWSL Championship game. The OL Reign forward’s injury was devastating for her fans and former teammates like USWNT star Christen Press who says she cried when it happened.

On an episode of “THE RE-CAP Show” featuring Press and Tobin Heath, the Angel City forward admitted that she teared up when Rapinoe went down injured.

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