Inter Milan and Juventus face off on Sunday in a clash between Serie A’s two title favorites and historic rivals, as Walter Mazzarri begins his second reign at troubled Napoli. Two points ahead of Juve after 12 matches, leader Inter has had a dream season so far as it looks comfortably Italy’s best team and […]
international
Posted inSoccer America Daily
Euro 2024 qualifying verdict
Croatia clinched the final automatic qualifying spot for Euro 2024 on Tuesday as Wales was forced to settle for a play-off place. Semifinalist at the World Cup 12 months ago, Croatia knew it would qualify for next year’s European Championship in Germany with a win against Armenia in Zagreb, but any slip-up would have allowed […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily
Tuesday morning: What we're reading (and listening to)
1. Latest Brazil-Argentina encounter presents a chance to change history By Tim Vickery (ESPN)2. Lionel Messi’s World Cup jerseys could set record for sale price of game-worn memorabilia By Camille Fine (USA Today)3. Why soccer fears tramadol: ‘It’s an evil drug – it nearly killed me’ By Daniel Taylor (The Athletic)
Posted inSoccer America Confidential
'Next Goal Wins,' the Hollywood treatment, isn't real, and that's OK
Among the most inspiring of soccer tales concerns American Samoa’s rise, so to speak, a dozen years ago when its national team, guided by Thomas Rongen, put behind it that record 31-goal travesty a decade earlier against Australia — and that dead-last position in FIFA’s rankings — by beating Tonga in a World Cup qualifier, […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily
Concacaf Nations League: Honduras stuns Mexico
• Honduras got goals from Anthony Lozano and Bryan Rochez and earned a fully deserved 2-0 win over Mexico in the first leg of their Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal series, which also serves as qualiying for the 2024 Copa America. Mexico goalkeeper and captain Guillermo Ochoa was injured and forced to leave the game in […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily
Pogba, potions and impotence: the secret world of witch doctors in France
“There’s a lot of jealousy in football,” said Sheikh Issa, holding up a piece of bark and a bottle of a yellowish potion. Which is why many professional players beat a path to the African faith healer in the Paris suburbs looking for ways to ward off the “evil eye” and other afflictions. Since World […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily
World Cup 2026 qualifying: Uruguay stuns Argentina
Uruguay ended Argentina’s 14-match unbeaten streak with a 2-0 victory over the world champions in World Cup 2026 qualifiers on Thursday. Defender Ronald Araujo fired Uruguay ahead on 41 minutes before Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez made the game safe with an 87th-minute goal on the counterattack to settle a hard-fought clash at the Bombonera Stadium […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily
UEFA Women's Champions League Preview: Barcelona refining perfection, Horan's back, no Macario
Barcelona kicks off its UEFA Women’s Champions League title defense this week, aiming to become only the fourth team to win the competition in consecutive years. Favorite Led by 2023 Ballon d’Or holder Aitana Bonmati and two-time winner Alexia Putellas (photo), as well as other World Cup conquering stars, Barcelona is tasked with refining perfection. […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily
What They're Saying: Luis Enrique
“I am not very happy with Kylian today. Why? Because managers are so strange. About goals, I have nothing to say, I have no complaints. But I think he can help the team a lot in a different way because he’s so important. I am going to tell him first, and after that I will […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily
Bundesliga: Unbeaten Bayern and Leverkusen leave rivals behind
Bayern Munich faces promoted Heidenheim, which has on Saturday the unenviable task of trying to stop the momentum of the side already vying with Bayer Leverkusen for this season’s Bundesliga title. Bayern and a skillful Bayer Leverkusen team coached by former Real Madrid and Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso head into the weekend as the only […]