Paris Saint-Germain travels to Reims on Saturday in a showdown of top four teams, providing the perfect setting for Warren Zaire-Emery to stake a claim for a starting berth with France. On Thursday, the 17-year-old was called up by Didier Deschamps to the French senior national team for the next round of Euro 2024 qualifying internationals on Nov. 18 […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential
NWSL championship final: Tactics, narratives and everything you need to know
Listen quietly enough and you will hear the sound of the American women’s soccer universe descending upon Southern California. Excitement is at a fever pitch. That’s because the 2023 NWSL Championship is here, and it has never been a bigger or more anticipated event. On Saturday evening, OL Reign will meet NJ/NY Gotham FC in […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily
Colombian guerrillas free Liverpool striker Luis Diaz's kidnapped dad
Luis Manuel Diaz arrived in Barrancas to neighbors celebrating with drums and trumpet music outside his home, under police guard. * * * * * * * * * * Thursday freed the father of Liverpool player Luis Diaz, ending a 12-day kidnapping ordeal and triggering celebration in his hometown. After days of negotiations for […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily
Saudi Arabia ready for summer or winter World Cup after rapid bid process
Saudi Arabia is prepared to host the 2034 World Cup in summer or winter, its soccer chief told AFP, as the conservative oil giant was anointed the tournament’s host just weeks after announcing a bid. The quick-fire crowning of the alcohol-free desert monarchy, which first allowed non-religious foreign tourists in 2019, comes less than a […]
Posted inGame Report
USA-Colombia Friendly Women's Player Ratings
USA-COLOMBIA EXPRESS:Oct. 29 in San Diego USA 3 Colombia 0. Goals: Fishel 56, Horan 62, Shaw 83.Att.: 16,202. The USWNT shook off a misfiring first half to take care of Colombia 3-0 on a balmy afternoon at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego. It was a feisty match that tested the very notion of an international friendly, with 47 fouls […]
Posted inGame Report
USA-Colombia Friendly Women's Player Ratings
USA-COLOMBIA EXPRESS:Oct. 26 in Sandy, Utah USA 0 Colombia 0.Att.: 13,058 * * * * * * * * * * A clunky feeling of inertia ruled the day as an all too familiar USWNT played out a scoreless draw against Colombia on Thursday night in Salt Lake City. Just like at last summer’s disappointing World Cup, the […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential
Christina Unkel: Ref, lawyer and broadcaster moves into club presidency
Soccer referees often joke that when an official begins working with administrators, they’ve gone to “the dark side.” Christina Unkel has gone “even darker”: She’s now collaborating with players and coaches. It’s not a career twist the NWSL, Concacaf youth championship and MLS (VAR) referee ever imagined. But the recently appointed president of the new […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential
NWSL Playoffs: First round proves that defense might win a championship
OL Reign’s Emily Sonnett and Alana Cook (right) shut down Angel City’s Sydney Leroux. * * * * * * * * * * The opening round of the NWSL playoffs was not one for the soccer purists. There were no goalfests. Or too much slick passing and champagne soccer at all. OL Reign’s nervy […]
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Spain calls up Jenni Hermoso for first time since forced kiss scandal
Jenni Hermoso was on Wednesday included in the Spain women’s squad for the first time since the scandal over the unsolicited kiss former federation president Luis Rubiales gave her following the Women’s World Cup final in Australia. New coach Montse Tome included the 33-year-old midfielder, who plays for Mexican club Pachuca, in her squad to […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential
Can OL Reign break its NWSL playoff curse?
No NWSL team is more aware of the pitfalls of regular-season form not translating to the playoffs than OL Reign. Over the past 10 seasons, the Seattle club has lifted three Shield titles but never a league championship. With six trips to the postseason in that time, the Reign has a sluggish record of 2-6 […]