For the Chicago Fire, 2021 marked a fourth straight season without qualifying for the playoffs. After finishing 22nd overall in 2020 with an average of 1.00 points claimed per game, the Fire where remarkably consistent with regards to being terrible in 2021, finishing 22nd overall with an average of 1.00 points per game.
Sin la lesionada Katty Martínez y con la petición expresa de Chivas de no convocar a Alicia Cervantes, la entrenadora de México femenil, Mónica Vergara, optó por la jovencísima Alison González para comandar el ataque de la selección en su amistoso ante Argentina.
La apuesta fue un éxito y demostró de paso que la delantera del Atlas es el presente y el futuro del Tri.
MADRID - The first Barcelona v Real Madrid meeting after the departure of Lionel Messi to Paris St Germain will be headlined on Sunday by two youngsters as a game typically billed as a clash of superstars instead looks to the upcoming talent of Vinícius Jr and Ansu Fati.
The two players still have a lot to prove, but their talent has elevated them to a point where they are becoming the new faces of their clubs.
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
Everyone is well-versed in Alphonso Davies’ game-changing pace and ability to dice any defender on the planet off the dribble, but it’s his increasing effectiveness in the final third that makes the 20-year-old standout as one of football’s brightest talents.
That’s not to say it’s a new development in his game. At the tender age of 17 Davies was already one of Major League Soccer’s most devastating players in attack, scoring eight goals and providing 10 assists in 31 games to help facilitate his $11 million move to Bayern. (He’s now valued at $155 million.)
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.
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.
The spectacle of the young phenom taking to the field against players 10 or 20 years their senior is one of football’s more fascinating subplots. As far as physicality will take you in the game, quality will always take you further, giving rise to the mantra that “there are no young and old players, only good and bad.”