David, Goliath, etc.
English side Chelsea, in America on a preseason tour, got off to a hot start Wednesday against American powerhouse New York Red Bulls. It's safe to say New York's manager will give his team a talking-to after Chelsea were allowed to not only take the lead in the first half but to score two (!!!) goals in the game.
Mexico have reached the semifinals of the Gold Cup, dispatching Costa Rica via a 122nd-minute penalty caused by Oribe Peralta going full-on Arjen Robben.
See for yourself.
Andres Guardado stepped up and drilled the penalty and Mexico were through.
For the first half hour or so, it looked like San Jose was going to spoil the party for Steven Gerrard and the LA Galaxy.
But, led by Gerrard and Robbie Keane, the Galaxy rallied behind the former Liverpool teammates to erase a 2-0 defecit and eventually win 5-2.
Gerrard scored his first MLS goal, added an assist and drew a penalty. Robbie Keane scored a hat trick, including two penalties.
This was one of the more exciting designated player league debuts we've seen. Now, the question is ifl Gerrard's good form will continue.
HIghlights below:
The Gold Cup's group stage was pretty noneventful until last night's game between Mexico and Trinidad & Tobago.
Wait, let me rephrase. The Gold Cup's group stage was pretty noneventful until the second half of last night's game between Mexico and Trinidad & Tobago, because this goal from Paul Aguilar was all that happened in the first.
Rivaldo and his son, the appropriately-named Rivaldinho, both play for Brazilian second division club Mogi Mirim (Rivaldo is also the club's president).
Given that Rivaldo is one of the best players of all-time (he's 43, but still), and Rivaldinho is the progeny of one of the greatest players of all-time, it's not surprising that they should both score in the same game.
It's a bittersweet moment when you do something amazing that doesn't count.
On one hand, you did something amazing. On the other hand, in the long run it doesn't count for anything.
Paderborn midfielder Marcel Ndjeng must be feeling this way after his insane volley in a preseason game against Bolton.
On one hand, holy cra did you see that? On the other, meh, it was the preseason. He has set the bar awfuly high though.
The USMNT tied Panama 1-1 in the last match of the Gold Cup group stage. The U.S. had already wrapped up the group, having won their two previous games, so there wasn't really any pressure on them.
Blas Perez scored for Panama in the 34th minute and Michael Bradley scored for the U.S. in the 55th minute.
USA center back John Brooks received a yellow card, his second of the tournament, which means he will miss Saturday's quarterfinal contest.
In a game that left many disappointed, Mexico struggled to a 0-0 draw with Guatemala, a team Mexico were expected to beat easily, and a team that was down to 10 men for the final 15-ish minutes.
Mexico's Andres Guardado was named man of the match, but had a close-range volley saved that would have put Mexico ahead.
Guatemala's Jose Contreras was shown a second yellow in the 76th minute, forcing Guatemala to go down a man.
Mexico couldn't finish, shooting 19 times and controlling about 80 percent of the possession but still failing to find the net.
Since their promotion back to the Premier League in 2013, Crystal Palace have been one of the most impressive newly promoted clubs. Finishing eleventh in their first season back to top flight football, they have continued to improve on that record both in the table and within their squad.
England will be wondering what could have been after losing a heartbreaker to Japan in the Women's World Cup semifinals.
Laura Bassett scored an own goal during injury time to send the defending champions into the final against the United States.
Japan opened the scoring on a 33rd minute penalty from Amy Miyama. England equalized on a Fara Williams penalty seven minutes later.
The score remained 1-1 until Bassett's own-goal in the 92nd minute.
Japan will play the U.S. on Sunday at 7 p.m. EST.
Highlights (or lowlights, if you're an England fan) below: