Opinion

Luca de la Torre could miss World Cup with hamstring injury — what will this mean for USMNT midfield?

United States men’s national team and Celta Vigo midfielder Luca de la Torre is expected to miss the next three weeks of action after suffering a muscle injury in his left leg. His club announced the news on Friday.

Es hora de que Diego Lainez vuelva a la Liga MX

Las oportunidades pasan y Diego Lainez sigue sin hacer clic en Europa.

Sin opciones en el Real Betis, el extremo mexicano consiguió irse cedido  a préstamo al SC Braga de Portugal para la temporada 2022-23, con la ilusión de sumar minutos y asegurar un puesto en la nómina de México en el Mundial de Catar. Tres meses después, sin embargo, el panorama de Lainez no es alentador.

De hecho, su cosecha de minutos es tan mala que a estas alturas no sería mala idea que retornara a la Liga MX para recuperar la confianza perdida.

E interesados en contar con él no faltan.

Antony's trademark skill is so entirely useless that it's the best in the game

The moment we've been waiting for finally arrived Thursday during Manchester United's Europa League match against Sheriff. With the score level at 0-0 and his marker smartly giving him room, the trademark Antony spin skill — followed directly by an overweighted pass — was unleashed.

The sequence has gotten a lot of hate (the British absolutely despise this sort of thing) but that's because the internet is a foul place where joy and individual expression go to die.

Five outrageous playoff formats MLS should consider using

The MLS Cup Playoffs have never been set in stone. In the league’s 27 seasons, no fewer than four playoff formats have been used to varying degrees of success. The current system, which features a single elimination format with seven teams from each conference, is easy to understand and follow but could definitely use some improvement, at least according to MLS. 

Kepa vs. Mendy: Inside the battle to be Chelsea's starting goalkeeper

Few teams have attracted elite goalkeepers as Chelsea has. Between Petr Čech and Thibaut Courtois, Blues fans were spoiled with 15 years of world-class players between the sticks. But in the last five years, the club has struggled to find a consistent first-choice keeper.

Team-by-team guide: 2022 Wales World Cup preview

To prepare you for the tournament, The18 has launched team-by-team previews for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. This is the preview for Group B's Wales.

Wales World Cup 2022 Preview

World Cup appearances: Second 

Best finish: Quarterfinals (1958) 

Jesse Marsch leads the EPL ‘sack race’ — can he save his job against Liverpool?

When the final whistle sounds Saturday evening at Anfield following Leeds United's trip to Liverpool, there's a very real chance that Jesse Marsch could be out of a job if the Whites lose. Defeat would confirm a place in the relegation zone with over 30 percent of the Premier League season finished, and bottom three managers are typically dismissed around this period if they don't have the history of leading their club up from the Championship.

Team-by-team guide: 2022 Iran World Cup preview

To prepare you for the tournament, The18 has launched team-by-team previews for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. This is the preview for Group B's Iran.

Iran World Cup 2022 Preview

World Cup appearances: 6th 

Best finish: Group stage (every time) 

How they got here: Iran finished top of Group A, above South Korea, in AFC qualifying. 

Coach: Carlos Queiroz (Portuguese) 

Team-by-team guide: 2022 Spain World Cup preview

To prepare you for the tournament, The18 has launched team-by-team previews for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Here's the Spain World Cup 2022 preview. La Roja will play in Group E against Costa Rica, Germany and Japan.

Spain World Cup Preview 2022

World Cup appearances: 16th

Best finish: Champions (2010)  

Man United drops Cristiano Ronaldo from squad for Chelsea game after his early departure vs. Spurs

Cristiano Ronaldo was the hat trick hero when Manchester United last played Tottenham in March 2022. The two sides met again on Wednesday and Ronaldo made the headlines, but for all the wrong reasons. 

United had a dominant performance against Spurs with Fred and Bruno Fernandes scoring the goals in a 2-0 victory. What caught everyone’s attention was Ronaldo — who didn’t feature in Wednesday’s game — heading down the tunnel at Old Trafford in the 89th minute.

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