USWNT

I want to believe in the integrity of the game. I really do. I want to believe that players go out every game with the intention of winning, that managers select players with the same intention, and that referees call a fair game. Sadly I know that this is not always the case, that across the world there have been numerous confirmed instances of bribery, match-fixing, and general corrupt behavior on and off the field. But this, this is on a whole different level. You are about to watch what might be the worst referee decision ever.

Marvel Comics teamed up with espnW to honor this year’s IMPACT25 nominees and the results, in the words of Barack Obama, are badass. The annual IMPACT25 serves to highlight 25 female athletes and influencers who shaped and impacted the biggest sporting events of the calendar year. 

Alex Morgan wasn’t even a professional player when she stepped out onto the field for the USWNT on November 20th, 2010. Her team was full of them, but she herself was still nearly three months away from being drafted by the Western New York Flash into Women’s Pro Soccer.

It’s an accomplishment any time a player can score for her country. Abby Wambach has done it 184 times, more than any other player (male or female) in the world. While that feat is amazing, Abby didn’t score her first goal until her second game.

One of the cool things about winning something major in sports (other than, obviously, winning something major in sports) is that you get to meet the President. This is what happened to the USWNT Tuesday, as they visited the White House and hung out with Barack Obama. 

Obama had some very kind words to say about the USWNT, including this perfect line about the USWNT and changing peoples' minds about womens sports and soccer.

After years of dominance with the United States Women’s National Soccer team, forward Abby Wambach announces retirement from soccer following the USWNT’s World Cup celebration at the White House today.

As she leaves the game, Wambach holds the record as the leading scorer — for both men and women — in international soccer, with 184 goals in 252 international appearances.

Her USWNT swansong will be the final four games of the team’s 10-game victory tour, with her final match coming on Dec. 16 against China in New Orleans.

Who do you think is better at kicking something, Carli Lloyd or Vince Wilfork?

The producers of HBO show "Hard Knocks" endeavored to find out the answer by having the World Cup Golden Ball winner take on the All-Pro defensive tackle in a friendly field goal-kicking contest. 

We won't spoil the ending, but we will say that Wilfork, who it can be assumed has far less kicking things experience than Lloyd impressed with his kicking things ablility.

We should have know this, though, because Vince Wilfork is always loose. He said so himself.

It’s been just a few days since she announced her decision to retire, and Rachel van Hollebeke is busy. She starts medical school on Monday, August 31st, just six days after her announcement on the 25th. That’s six days until a transition that is four years in the making begins. 

Rachel has been deferring acceptance to medical school since 2011. Her decision means that her soccer career is ending, and as much as she has been looking forward to medical school, it was a hard choice to make. 

This is just too much soccer talent for one meeting. Lionel Messi, hands-down the best male soccer player in the world, was in Houston training with the Argentine national team. Carli Lloyd, hands-hown the best female soccer player in the world, was also in Houston, because she plays for the Houston Dash of the NWSL. A rendesvous seemed obvious. And it happened.