Who’s the greatest left back of all time? For most, the argument is between Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos and Italian icon Paolo Maldini. The two approached the position with entirely different styles, greatly complicating the debate. However, the two former players are both in agreement over who’s the best left back on the planet today, and that’s Real Madrid and Brazilian international Marcelo.
Japan joined hosts Russia, Brazil and fellow AFC side Iran as the only countries to have booked their places at next summer’s World Cup finals after defeating Australia 2-0 in front of over 60,000 delirious supporters. This will be Japan’s sixth straight World Cup finals appearance.
Takuma Asano gave the Samurai Blue the lead in the 41st minute, and 21-year-old midfielder Yosuke Ideguchi secured the victory with this stunning goal in the 82nd. With only one matchday remaining in AFC qualifying, Australia’s road to Russia just got a lot more complicated.
Major League Soccer may be a retirement home for some, but David Villa affirmed last week you can still factor into one of the best national teams in the world while plying your trade in MLS.
So why can’t Sebastian Giovinco get a recall from Italy?
Villa earned a spot on the Spanish roster for the two upcoming World Cup qualifiers after starting the season with 19 league goals for New York City FC. These aren’t throw-away qualifiers either; Spain faces Italy for first place in UEFA Group G on Saturday.
Orlando Pride forward Alex Morgan is on fire right now. Last week she scored both goals in a 2-1 win over Boston and she picked up right where she left off this past Saturday against FC Kansas City. With the score tied 1-1 in the dying minutes of the game, Morgan got on the end of a free kick from teammate Marta and scored the go-ahead and ultimately game-winning goal for the Pride.
This cheeky flick will be no doubt be a goal of the week contender and shows that Alex Morgan is back to her best.
After a long footballing period consisting of nothing but transfer market hell and the Gold Cup, it’s permissible that you’d forgotten the real meaning of the beautiful game. It’s totally normal to have watched an inning or two of MLB on the TV, to have spent an inordinate amount of time discussing which Game of Thrones characters and story arcs you vaguely remember.
Gerard Pique is a defender, not a poet. Mino Raiola is a sideshow, not the main attraction. The football’s since returned, but MLS would argue that it never really left.