Argentina bounced back from its 2-1 Group D opening loss to Senegal at the U-17 World Cup in Indonesia with a 3-2 win over Japan, which opened with a 1-0 win over Poland. River Plate’s Claudio Echeverri opened the scoring with a Messi-like free kick in the fifth minute (above). England, which beat New Caledonia, […]
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.
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MLS Next Pro welcomes Chattanooga FC for 2024 season from the NISA
Founded in 2009, Chattanooga FC played in the NPSL until joining the NISA in 2020 and won the 2023 regular-season title before falling in the semifinals. The Tennessee club, one of the most well-known “independent” clubs in the country, will join MLS Next Pro, beginning in 2024, the league’s third season. Chattanooga FC is the […]
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Luca de la Torre's USMNT stock rises with LaLiga playing time
Derek Armstrong, the longtime director of San Diego-area club Nomads, remembers clearly the first time he saw Luca de la Torre play and the time the 15-year-old de la Torre decided to pursue a pro career in Europe. At a small elementary school in La Jolla, a 12-year-old de la Torre was playing for the […]
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Watch: Lionel Messi back in Argentina camp for 2026 World Cup qualifying
Inter Miami playmaker Lionel Messi is set to captain defending world champion Argentina against Uruguay in Buenos Aires on Thursday and Brazil in Rio de Janeiro on Nov. 21 in 2026 World Cup qualifying play. Argentina is in first place of the 10-team standings with a perfect 4-0-0 record. Messi, since joining MLS, has played […]
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Watch: World-class golazo from English Sunday league
Chells Rovers’ Charlie Unwin scored with a back-heel volley in a 5-4 win over The Cock FC in English Sunday league play.
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Watch (highlights): Iran stun Brazil at the U-17 World Cup
Defending champion Brazil squandered a 2-0 first-half lead — its second goal an own-goal gift in stoppage time — in a 3-2 loss to Iran on the second day of play at the U-17 World Cup in Indonesia.
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'Tico' Gonzalo Segares leads USA in new era of U-17 World Cup play
There’s been some pre-tournament media coverage in Costa Rica on the U-17 World Cup that just got underway in Indonesia even though Costa Rica, a four-time quarterfinalist, didn’t qualify. “El Tico Gonzalo Segares will be with the USA at the Mundial Sub-17,” was the Hoy headline on Thursday, referring to the Costa Rican coach who’s […]
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Watch: The American boys introduce themselves with fun facts
From the U-17 World Cup in Indonesia, the USA’s players each shared a quick personal insight into their off-field lives. Defender Stuart Hawkins, for example, has mastered the Rubik’s cube, Pedro Soma plays the guitar, Paulo Rudisill likes to cook and Nimfasha Berchimas can back-flip with ease. The USA starts group play on Sunday against Burkina […]
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USMNT roster: Pulisic and Weah out injured; what Berhalter sees in those who will get a chance on the wings
Italy-based Christian Pulisic and Tim Weah, the USA’s top wingers, won’t play in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals against Trinidad & Tobago (Nov. 16 in Austin and Nov. 20 in Port of Spain). Juventus’ Weah is out with a hamstring injury. Pulisic had to be subbed late in AC Milan’s 2-1 UEFA Champions League win […]
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Watch: Amazing assist on Real Betis' nutmeg goal
Real Betis’ Ez Abde scored the final goal of his team’s 4-1 Europa League win by nut-megging Aris Limassol goalkeeper Vaná after latching on to Isco‘s side-footed backward volley pass in midfield.