Phenoms

Watching Messi's latest goal in slow motion is the most satisfying thing ever

Lionel Messi entered as a substitute in the 60th minute and scored his first MLS goal in spectacular fashion in the 89th to seal Inter Miami's 2-0 win over the host New York Red Bulls in front of a raucous crowd in Harrison, N.J., on Saturday night. And, boy, was this Messi MLS debut goal a doozy.

David Beckham's reaction to Messi's unreal free kick is going viral. And it's pure joy.

David Beckham's reaction to Lionel Messi's late-game free kick against FC Dallas is pure joy.

It came in the 85th minute of Inter Miami's game versus FC Dallas in the Leagues Cup as his side needed an equalizer.

Here's the free kick in case you missed it.

18-year-old sensation Linda Caicedo inspires Colombia to stunning upset of Germany

SYDNEY - Manuela Vanegas headed a stoppage-time winner to give Colombia a 2-1 upset victory over Germany just when the twice world champions thought they had saved a point in a thrilling Women's World Cup clash on Sunday.

The defender powered the ball home from a corner eight minutes after German striker Alexandra Popp had converted a penalty to cancel out a stunning strike from Colombian teenager Linda Caicedo at Sydney Football Stadium.

Ricardo Pepi strikes again — he's scoring 20 goals this season

PSV hosted second division side FC Eindhoven on Wednesday in a derby preseason friendly, and 20-year-old American striker Ricardo Pepi was on the scoresheet in a 3-1 victory, giving him two goals in two appearances since arriving from FC Augsburg on a five-year deal.

It was an emphatic finish from the Texan as he swept a right-footed effort inside the far post.

Sophia Smith leads USWNT into critical clash with Dutch

The U.S. women's national team is in a position to win a record third straight World Cup because every player who steps on the field is expected to meet the high standards of their predecessors.

Sophia Smith is the latest example of a potential legend in the making, following in the footsteps of players such as Mia Hamm, Abby Wambach and current teammate Alex Morgan.

Thiago Messi steals the show from dad with a savage nutmeg during presentation

Lionel Messi was introduced as an Inter Miami player in front of a raucous sellout crowd of over 20,000 at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday night. Messi was welcomed in the driving rain with an impressive display of pyrotechnics and star-studded video messages (Tom Brady! Steph Curry! Gregg!), and he thanked the crowd for making his family feel so welcome in the city.

Why wasn't he at the Gold Cup? Diego Luna hype builds with brace against New York Red Bulls

Diego Luna scored a goal in each half to lead Real Salt Lake to a 3-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls on Saturday night in Sandy, Utah.

Luna's scoring helped Salt Lake extend its unbeaten run to nine matches. Jefferson Savarino added a third goal late in the second half.

U-17 free kick routine beginning with rock-paper-scissors is only getting started

What is it with the youth of Japan and unforgettable set piece routines? Every year we're visiting the All Japan High School Soccer Tournament to watch some team perform Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake before scoring, so it comes as no surprise that when all the finest young Samurai Blue minds come together to represent Japan at the U-17 level, magic happens. 

Carli Lloyd tips Naomi Girma to be cornerstone of USWNT defense for years to come

NEW YORK - United States defender Naomi Girma completes her meteoric rise from national team debutant to the Women's World Cup stage next month and many are predicting she will be a key player for the four-times champions for many years.

The 23-year-old center back first played for the senior U.S. team last year and quickly settled in to earn a place in Vlatko Andonovski's World Cup squad.

From youth soccer to the World Cup in 9 months: USWNT phenom Alyssa Thompson takes the spotlight

NEW YORK - Nine months ago, Alyssa Thompson was playing youth soccer. In July, the 18-year-old forward will test herself against the best after being named in the four-time champions United States' squad for the Women's World Cup.

It has been a dizzying rise for Thompson, the second-youngest ever named in a U.S. World Cup squad.

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