More than a few eyebrows would have been raised at the news of Lassina Traoré's move to Shakhtar Donetsk this summer. Just two years after he joined Ajax from the youth side of the Dutch giant's affiliate in Cape Town, Traoré made the $12 million move to Ukraine as one of the first signings of new manager Roberto De Zerbi, who left Sassuolo to take up the post.
After a potential title chase ended up in a fifth-place finish and a change of manager, Olympique de Marseille has been remarkably active in the transfer window this summer.
Jorge Sampaoli has been backed to the tune of $52 million as Marseille has secured 10 signings thus far. This summer has been one of transition for the side from France's second city, as Valère Germain, Yuto Nagatomo and Florian Thauvin have left the club in addition to academy graduate Maxime Lopez, Kevin Strootman and Hiroki Sakai.
Crystal Palace supporters have good reason to be excited for the coming Premier League season. The Eagles, not generally known for efficient or exciting business in the transfer market, are in the midst of a youth revolution in the current window as they seek to improve on last season's 14th-placed finish.
Aston Villa took supporters by surprise when the club splashed the cash to sign Emi Buendia from Norwich. The $42 million transfer made Buendia, 24, Villa's record signing.
Rubin Kazan has one of the gems of the Russian Premier League on its hands in Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
The Tbilisi, Georgia, native moved to Kazan in 2019 after a loan spell with Lokomotiv Moscow. Two years on, those in decision-making positions at the capital club may be kicking themselves for not making that loan permanent. Kvaratskhelia has scored eight goals and assisted 13 in 53 appearances for Rubin Kazan and, still just 20 years old, has found himself linked with several clubs across Europe, most recently AC Milan.
TOKYO — Host Japan displayed nerves of steel as it edged out New Zealand 4-2 in a penalty shootout to reach the men's Olympic soccer semifinals on Saturday, while Spain survived a scare in an extra-time win over Ivory Coast.
After a goalless 120 minutes at the Ibaraki Kashima Stadium, New Zealand full back Liberato Cacace's penalty was saved by Kosei Tani and midfielder Clayton Lewis blasted his spot kick over the bar.
Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus released a joint statement welcoming a Madrid court's decision on Friday asking European soccer governing body UEFA to revoke action against them for planning the creation of the breakaway Super League.
There’s a moment in “Ted Lasso” where the eponymous coach yells at an assistant referee: “How is that offside!? No, I’m asking you, seriously: Explain offside to me, it makes no sense!”
Part of me wonders if that scene was based on the true story of Vlatko Andonovski at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Andonovski’s USWNT has had nine goals called back for players being in offside positions in four matches at the 2020 Olympics. The U.S. has scored eight goals that actually counted.
It’s a major problem, but so far it’s yet to really cost Team USA.
TOKYO — Canada reached the semifinals in women's soccer for the third consecutive Olympic Games as goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe saved two Brazil penalties in a 4-3 shootout win on Friday. Australia smashed Great Britain in extra time and Sweden knocked out host Japan.
After Canada captain Christine Sinclair's penalty was saved by Barbara, Labbe rescued her side with two diving saves to keep out Brazil's final two spot kicks from Andressa and Rafaelle.
Chelsea has once again caused a stir with its new away kit. If there's something that characterizes the London club year after year, it's the annual release of away jerseys that always generate opinions and rarely leave fans feeling indifferent.
This is the case for the 2021-22 season. After unveiling the home uniform, which has a clear nod to the past, now it's the away shirts turn.