The 16-year-old Mathis Albert came off the Borussia Dortmund bench in the 89th minute of its 4-0 win over Freiburg on Sunday to break the record for youngest Bundesliga debut by an American player. Youngest U.S. players (Bundesliga debuts)1. Mathis Albert (Borussia Dortmund, April 26, 2026)16 years, 11 months, 5 days.2. Giovanni Reyna (Borussia Dortmund, […]
Mike Woitalla
Soccer America Executive Editor Mike Woitalla has written freelance articles about soccer for more than 30 media outlets in nine nations. The winner of eight United Soccer Coaches Writing Contest awards, he is the author of two books. He coaches and referees youth soccer, and is a "Soccer Without Borders" volunteer.
Malik Tillman: Part of Bayer’s ‘117 million euro debacle’?
When Bayer Leverkusen lost, 2-0, to Bayern Munich in Wednesday’s German Cup semifinal, Bild newspaper pointed out that four Bayer summer acquisitions, who cost a combined 117 million euro ($137 million), languished on the bench. U.S. midfielder Malik Tillman, acquired on a $41 million transfer fee from PSV to replace Liverpool-bound Florian Wirtz, was the […]
Your World Cup 2026 ticket guide
A new batch of World Cup tickets to all 104 matches will go on sale via FIFA’s website “on a first-come, first-served basis” on Wednesday at 11 a.m. ET.
Haji Wright scores No. 17; Coventry clinches English second-tier title
Haji Wright scored his 17th goal of English Championship League season in a 5-1 win over Portsmouth that clinched the 2025-26 title for Coventry City.
Goalkeeper Jonathan Klinsmann suffers neck bone fracture
The foot of Palermo’s Filippo Ranocchia’s slammed into Klinsmann’s head as they slid toward a loose ball at the edge if the goal area in stoppage time of the Italian Serie B game.
Game Report: USA-Japan Women’s Friendly Player Ratings
Coach Emma Hayes’ team came out on all cylinders after the halftime break and overpowered the visitors for 3-0 win.
Ali Curtis on MLS Next Pro progress and the personal experience that inspires his work
Ali Curtis is the President of MLS Next Pro, which launched in 2022 and in its fifth season fields 30 teams — 27 of which feed into their MLS affiliate teams and three three independents: Carolina Core, Chattanooga FC and CT United. When a record 30 teenagers saw action on Matchday 4 of the current […]
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill calls on FIFA to pay for transportation costs
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill, who took office January 20, 2026, responded to reports that NJ Transit train fares could surge past $100 for games at MetLife Stadium. “You may have seen some recent headlines about transportation costs for World Cup games in New Jersey, so let me tell you exactly where things stand. Our […]
Game Report: USA-Japan Women’s Friendly Player Ratings
USA-JAPAN EXPRESS:April 14 in SeattleUSA 0 Japan 1. Goals: Hamano 27.Att.: 36,128. The entirely different starting XI Coach Emma Hayes fielded for Tuesday’s evening rematch of the USA’s 2-1 win over Japan on Saturday produced a sharply contrasting performance. Tuesday’s U.S. crew failed to replicate the backline composure and midfield cohesion we witnessed three days […]
Eight U.S. match officials appointed to 2026 World Cup
FIFA has appointed 170 match officials to the 104-game 2026 World Cup. They hail from 50 nations, with the USA providing one of the largest contingents. 🇺🇸 U.S. 2026 World Cup officialsReferees: Ismail Elfath*, Tori PensoAssistant referees: Kyle Atkins*, Brooke Mayo, Kathryn Nesbitt*, Corey Parker*Video match officials: Joe Dickerson, Armando Villarreal** Officiated at 2022 World […]
