Julie Ertz makes NWSL return with Angel City
All signs pointed to a quick return to the NWSL after Julie Ertz made a surprising comeback with the USWNT, and on Monday we got confirmation of Angel City FC signing her to a one-year contract.
Prediction
Google AI simply instructed to score uses self-learning to devise new techniques, tactics
On Sunday's episode of 60 Minutes, correspondent Scott Pelley visited Google's AI lab in London for a segment looking at how the company was getting robots to play soccer.
The robots weren't programmed by humans — they learned the game themselves after only being instructed to score goals. From there the AI program went about devouring motion capture technology and testing different moves for about two weeks.
Through this system of trial and error, the robots just got better and better with more practice.
Chaos is Cascadia and Vanzeir's underwhelming suspension: 5 takeaways from MLS Matchweek 8
Major League Soccer is bound by parity and married to the chaos that comes with it. With late goals, monumental upsets and high-scoring affairs, Matchday 8 was one for the books.
USWNT World Cup roster prediction: Who makes it?
Based off what we've seen from the Concacaf W Championship and SheBelieves Cup, a USWNT World Cup roster prediction seems like a pretty straightforward exercise — Vlatko Andonovski hasn't been tinkering away with his squads.
However, the dramatic recall of Julie Ertz showed us that certain veterans can't be ruled out with three months of club ball still to be played. There are proven stars returning from longterm injuries who'll be watched closely by the staff, and let's just hope that Mallory Swanson is the only late addition to the casualty list.
Alleged racial abuse and Dénis Bouanga's hot streak: 5 takeaways from MLS Matchweek 7
MLS Matchweek 7 proved severely dichotomous to the league’s image. Fans were treated to the best that MLS offers with individual brilliance, age-defying heroes, local rivalries and close games. However, it was an alleged incident that occurred between San Jose and New York that left an extremely sour taste in fans' mouths.
This could be a fun USWNT starting XI vs. Ireland on Saturday
By the time the USWNT and Ireland wrap-up their two-match friendly series next Tuesday at CityPark, there'll be less than 100 days before the start of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
So although the U.S. holds a 13-0-0 advantage all-time against the Girls in Green (outscoring them 48 to one in the process), there'll be plenty of internal battles to focus on at Q2 Stadium in Austin on Saturday before the second game in St. Louis three days later.
3 midweek U.S. Open Cup games for your consideration
The Second Round of the 2023 U.S. Open Cup kicks off Tuesday with clubs from the third (USL1/NISA) and second (USLC) divisions now joining the fray — there will be cupsets.
After a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic, 2022 was one of the competition's best years with Union Omaha (USL1) reaching the quarterfinals and Sacramento Republic (USLC) going all the way to the final before MLS side Orlando City won its first piece of major silverware.
Do ties in MLS have a feel? 5 takeaways from MLS Matchweek 6
A week on from international matches and MLS has returned to full strength. The superstars have reappeared, replacing the excuses that swam in their wake and results are once again indicative of each team’s true ability.
5 takeaways from MLS Matchweek 6
#1. Columbus is scoring goals for fun
Life under new manager Wilfried Nancy left a bit to be desired for the Crew. The former CF Montréal boss saw his new side secure just four points from its first four matches, but back-to-back dominant displays have given this marriage a new outlook.
Saturday's hotly anticipated Der Klassiker is a potential Bundesliga title decider
BERLIN - New Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel needs a successful start after joining the German champions last week with his former team, Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund, in town for Der Klassiker on Saturday.
With the match being broadcast to 200 territories globally, all eyes will be on the former Paris St Germain and Chelsea coach who took over after Julian Nagelsmann's shock sacking days after Bayern's 2-1 loss at Bayer Leverkusen on March 19.
FIFA 23 competitor releases impressive new gameplay video
Is 2023 the year we finally, finally feel the winds of competition start to blow across the landscape of soccer video games? For far too long FIFA has stood virtually unopposed as the sole proprietor of allowing us to live out our dreams of hitting the post five times in three seconds.