Culture

USMNT player watch: 3 trending in the right direction, 2 we're worried about

I'll whisper it, but I feel like I'm discerning some faint traces of light ahead with regards to the USMNT's direction. There's obviously still no permanent manager, but every day takes us further from Gregg Berhalter and closer to what's demanded when hosting the world's greatest sporting event come 2026.

PSG's sixth-tier French Cup opponents are mainly PSG Ultras facing difficult questions

Early stages of domestic cup play are consistently giving us unusual and peculiar moments we aren’t used to seeing in the professional scene: stadiums that hold less than 5,000 people, dressing rooms the size of a bathroom, players getting the chance to meet and play against their idols, etc.

Well, when PSG plays sixth-tier Pays de Cassel in the Coupe de France on Monday, the conflicts of interest might just be bigger than you average player-meets-idol story.

Release window revealed for Ted Lasso Season 3

We finally got some credible information for the Ted Lasso Season 3 release date on Thursday. Apple TV+ gave us a first look at the upcoming season — an image of Coach Lasso squaring off with protégé Nate — along with confirmation of a release this Spring.

Meaningless friendly emphasizes how Messi and Ronaldo should never be allowed to retire

The lasting feeling from Thursday's 5-4 friendly between PSG and a Riyadh All-Star XI in Saudi Arabia is that Cristiano Ronaldo, on the verge of his 38th birthday, and Lionel Messi, 35, could play forever. Neymar, 30, looks like he's got a year or two left in him.

It was Ronaldo who scored Riyadh's first two goals while Messi opened the scoring for PSG in the third-minute. Both provided moments of dazzling skill, much to the delight of the businessman who paid $2.66 million for a single ticket.

Messi opens the scoring off Neymar's pass

Premier League dominates latest list of the world's 20 richest clubs

Manchester City have topped the Deloitte Football Money League for the second year in a row as the world's highest revenue-generating club in the 2021-22 season in which fans returned to stadiums as COVID-19 restrictions were eased.

Abu Dhabi-owned City generated total revenue of $790.65 million, followed by Real Madrid ($771.42 million) and Liverpool ($758.45 million).

City's rivals Manchester United generated $744.41 million and Paris St Germain made $706.59 million.

5 USMNT players we're excited to see during January camp

As Mary J. Blige once said, "No drama, no more in my life (no more drama in my life, no one's gonna make me hurt again)." I'm so tired of the USMNT manager discussion, so this is the only time I'm going to mention that or the fact that Anthony Hudson is serving as interim head coach for January camp. Let's get back to the only things that matter, the game and the players who play it.

Up 2-1 in the 89th-minute, keeper picks the best moment to drop back-to-back skill moves

We have discovered the next Alisson Becker — it's 18-year-old Braga prospect João Carvalho, who makes Alisson look about as talented as Loris Karius in comparison. 

On Tuesday, in Portugal's Liga Revelação U-23 division, Carvalho took possession in the 89th minute with his Braga side holding a slender 2-1 advantage over Rio Ave. In this situation you're supposed to "GET RID!" by smashing the ball 30 yards out of play, but Carvalho is built different.

Newcastle flop Joselu is suddenly one of the world's best strikers and we love it

Ask any Newcastle United supporter to identify a player synonymous with the penny-pinching reign of Mike Ashley and there's a good chance you'll hear "Joselu" as the reply.

Fresh off winning the Championship and promotion, secure in the services of beloved manager Rafael Benítez and dreaming of a splashy return to the 2017-18 top flight, Toon supporters were left frustrated by a summer transfer window in which Joselu's $6 million purchase represented the biggest upgrade to the attack.

Jesse Marsch condemns Leeds chant about Gnonto's Willy

Since Jesse Marsch brought Wilfried Gnonto to Leeds United on deadline day in August, the young Italian has been a fan favorite. It wasn’t long after the young Italian made his debut in late October that the Elland Road faithful rewarded him with his own song. Unfortunately, the chant has quickly become a source of embarrassment for the club from West Yorkshire. 

Shakira's new song is a studs-up tackle on Gerard Piqué

Shakira's wounds are not closed. Or at least that's the feeling after listening to the lyrics of her new song, where justifiably there's not even an ounce of mercy for her ex, former Barcelona star Gerard Piqué.

The couple split last summer after reports showed Piqué was cheating on her.

The Colombian singer subtly alluded to the break-up a few months ago with the release of Monotonia, but in "BZRP Music Session #53" — in which she teamed up with Argentine producer Bizarrap — the pop icon went nuclear. 

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