Finally, some good news surrounding the U.S. men’s national team. 18-year-old Ajax defender Sergiño Dest has committed his future to the Yanks, and he'll hopefully be on display if we can qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
Some big news coming out of UEFA Youth League Group F on Wednesday — perhaps the biggest UEFA Youth League Group F news we’ve ever presented on the hallowed pages of The18: In the group’s early match, 18-year-old American winger Konrad de la Fuente scored two great goals as Barcelona thumped Slavia Prague 4-0. Later in the day, Inter Milan responded to Borussia Dortmund’s early goal with four unanswered, but that Dortmund opener was scored by Youssoufa Moukoko.
Inter Milan revived its hope of advancing to the Champions League Round of 16 with a much-needed 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund at the San Siro on Wednesday. Goals from the red-hot Lautaro Martínez and Antonio Candreva catapulted Inter up to second in Group F — three points behind leaders Barcelona — while Dortmund dropped to third.
When the Seattle Sounders signed 19-year-old goalkeeper Trey Muse to a Homegrown Player contract back in January, he was widely considered the best amateur keeper in the country. He's since been sent on loan to USL Championship side Tacoma Defiance to get more consistent competitive minutes.
While he's struggled at times this season behind the league's worst defense, he's also proven that he's still the goalkeeper of the future for the Sounders.
Just take a look at this incredible quadruple-save he made against New Mexico United on Wednesday night:
The Longstaff boys might’ve just signed Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s death warrant. Paired together at the heart of Newcastle’s midfield, Sean — the older brother at the age of 21 — and Matty — making his Premier League debut at the age of 19 — bossed Manchester United’s midfield duo of Scott McTominay and Fred to lead Newcastle to a 1-0 victory at St James' Park on Sunday.
The European transfer window has been closed for 31 days now, which is just enough time for layman to speak in absolutes. Of course we’re primarily talking about 21-year-old American Christian Pulisic, who had a solid game and an assist versus Norwich back on Aug. 24 before his career was ended by not making the 18 against Lille yesterday.
It doesn’t matter that wide attacking players like…
Despite his age, Ansu Fati doesn’t need any time to adjust to the highest level.
A 16-year-old forward, Fati became Barcelona’s youngest-ever goal scorer a couple weeks ago. He received his first start at home against Valencia on Saturday and took no time proving he belongs on one of the best teams in the world.
Fati scored in the second minute and added an assist five minutes later in a mindboggling opening to his first career start.
In time, the coaching tree that expands out from Pep Guardiola is going to be massive. Some will fail (like if Mikel Arteta had taken the job at Newcastle), but the Spanish tactician’s otherworldly training methods will almost certainly be absorbed and even expanded upon by some future coaching Übermensch that worked under Guardiola for a long period.
MLS youth academy coaching is about to get a serious revamp along with a fourth iteration of the visionary partnership between MLS and the French Football Federation (FFF).
Barcelona slumped to a 2-2 draw with Osasuna on Saturday, leaving the Blaugrana in eighth place and five points back of leader Atlético Madrid following three match days.