USA

Editor’s Note: See update at bottom.

The Orlando Pride are, by their very name, a symbol of the LGBTQ+ community. Many of the Pride’s most prominent players have been gay, and Exploria Stadium includes 49 rainbow-colored seats as a memorial to the victims of the 2016 Pulse nightclub mass shooting. But apparently, the word “gay” is too political for the team.

Karol Świderski scored his first two career MLS goals to fuel host Charlotte FC to their first win in franchise history, courtesy of a 3-1 victory over the New England Revolution on Saturday.

Świderski's goal in the sixth minute was the first at home for Charlotte FC (1-3-0, 3 points), who were shut out by the Los Angeles Galaxy on March 5 in front of an MLS record-high 74,749 fans at Bank of America Stadium.

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Angel City and San Diego Wave drew 1-1 Saturday night as both teams made their debut in the NWSL Challenge Cup. The star power was on display for both sides with massive names like Christen Press, Alex Morgan, Abby Dahlkemper and Sofia Jakobsson all featuring at Titan Stadium on the campus of Cal State Fullerton.

The United States men’s national team has its three biggest games in half a decade right around the corner. Three World Cup qualifiers against Mexico, Panama and Costa Rica to punch a ticket to Qatar 2022.

The United States soccer team finds itself at the beginning of a bright new era. 

The squad is young, hungry and ready to make its mark on the world’s stage, but the emerging generation knows it’s standing on the shoulders of those who came before them and helped establish the U.S. as a global force.

Landon Donovan — widely recognized as the best male U.S. soccer player of all time — is a legend of the American game, while Jordan Morris — winner of the Hermann Trophy (top college player) and MLS Rookie of the Year — is viewed as a difference maker for years to come.  

It was one of the longest halves in Jesse Marsch’s career, both literally and figuratively. The new Leeds United coach had to replace three of his starters with first-half injuries and in the 11th minute of added time Wolverhampton scored a second goal that seemingly consigned the American to a third defeat in four matches since taking the job. 

It’s a big weekend in men’s soccer. Like, really big. But you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you aren’t also paying attention to women’s soccer this weekend.