From his inauguration in 2009 until his final days as the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama was always a passionate supporter of the world’s game while in office. He’s invited multiple MLS Cup champions to the White House, the USWNT and he shared a phone call with the USMNT after a successful World Cup.
Here are some of the best soccer-related photos of Obama during his time in the White House.
Of course you remember Jesus "Tecatito" Corona's goal against Venezuela in the Copa America Centenario. It was incredible. He looked so much like Messi we had to blink a few times to make sure they hadn't switched jerseys.
Here is is, in all its glory:
This goal was (correctly) named the CONCACAF Goal of the Year. Now that you have this information, watch it again.
Ever since the LA Galaxy acquired the rights to USMNT midfielder Jermaine Jones in exchange for a 2017 1st Round MLS SuperDraft pick, it’s been something of a foregone conclusion that the former Colorado Rapids player would sign with the club. On Wednesday, the Galaxy used targeted allocation money to officially sign the 35-year-old.
USMNT and Tijuana winger Paul Arriola scored a vicious volley for his club side on Friday in their 6-2 victory over Puebla. Tijuana had opened the 2017 Liga MX Clausura with a disappointing 2-0 loss to Morelia — the team in last in the relegation table. In that defeat, Arriola had been substituted at half time.
However, the 21-year-old has been tipped to have a breakout 2017 and his goal against Puebla was evidence of his talent. With the scores level at 2-2 in the 61st minute, Arriola struck this wicked volley to put his side ahead for good.
Christian Pulisic scored another goal for Borussia Dortmund in a friendly over the Bundesliga winter break, notching the opener in his sides 3-0 victory over Belgium’s Standard Liege.
For Pulisic, it was his second goal in two games following his strike against PSV Eindhoven last weekend.
Christian Pulisic’s 2017 is off to a fine start after the 18-year-old American scored in Borussia Dortmund’s friendly victory over PSV Eindhoven during the Bundesliga’s winter break.
Yeah, it was only a friendly, but scoring a goal against Champions League opposition still probably means more than taking it to the Colorado Rapids.
Pulisic scored off a Andre Schurrle cutback for Dortmund’s fourth goal in their 4-1 victory.
Bruce Arena's first USMNT squad probably won't tell us much. The Europe-based players are unavailable because it isn't an international break, and the USA-based players aren't in shape because the MLS doesn't start for a while. Also, the games won't be anywhere near competitive international matches.
That said, it is his first squad and therefore people will wildly speculate on what his team selection means. Maybe we'll learn something about the type of player Arena is looking for. More likely we won't.
For many, 2016 will be remembered as a year of loss. For all the remarkable gains, achievements and creations that sprung from 2016, it’s often the hurt derived from defeats and casualties that reverberates most poignantly. Here are 10 things we’ve lost in football over the course of 2016.
After three years with Bayern Munich, and one on loan at Hamburger SV, Julian Green is set to leave the Bavarian giants in January with the hopes of becoming a first-team regular at Stuttgart.