By: Casey Rhine
Ohhhh El Clásico, where to begin. One of soccer's most heated, yet most deeply cherished rivalries.Few of you readers get to experience El Clasico, in Barcelona, while it's happening. This was my mission on December 23rd and should be your mission on May 6th if you are not lucky enough to go to the game in the Camp Nou.
People were excited when Mexico-American striker Santiago Muñoz signed a contract with Newcastle. Sure, it was a great move for the youngster to show off his talents, but much of the buzz was more related to the similarities between his story and the story of Santiago Muñez, the main character in the Goal!-movie franchise.
People imagined he would succeed playing at St. James Park and one day move to Real Madrid to achieve the ultimate glory.
However, 18 months later, Muñoz's dream has taken a heavy hit.
Manchester City have topped the Deloitte Football Money League for the second year in a row as the world's highest revenue-generating club in the 2021-22 season in which fans returned to stadiums as COVID-19 restrictions were eased.
Abu Dhabi-owned City generated total revenue of $790.65 million, followed by Real Madrid ($771.42 million) and Liverpool ($758.45 million).
City's rivals Manchester United generated $744.41 million and Paris St Germain made $706.59 million.
The Supercopa de España took center stage Sunday with casual American viewers probably wondering what in the hell this match meant during its afternoon broadcast on ABC.
Yes, it's a supreme money grab in Saudi Arabia at an obtuse time in the season, but a Clásico is a Clásico — they're all memorable, even if they're part of the International Champions Cup and staged in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Seattle Sounders learned on Friday how their path at the Club World Cup looks. And to be honest, it's pretty exciting!
Following FIFA's official draw, the current Concacaf champions and the first team in MLS history in the tournament is just one game away from a potential clash against Spanish giant Real Madrid.
Seattle Sounders will debut in the Club World Cup – held in Morocco – on Feb. 4 against the winner of the game between Egyptian powerhouse Al-Ahly and New Zealander hope Auckland City on Feb. 1.
According to the latest reports, Liverpool and Jürgen Klopp are leading the race to sign 20-year-old USMNT and Valencia midfielder Yunus Musah for a modest transfer fee of just over $20 million.
On Wednesday in Valencia's Supercopa de España semifinal against Real Madrid, Musah only added to his value with a defensive performance not unlike the rousing displays he gave against England and Iran in Qatar.
France Football Federation (FFF) president Noël Le Graët apologized to Zinedine Zidane on Monday after his comments on the former Real Madrid coach drew the ire of players, politicians and even the Spanish club.
Zidane was one of the favorites to take charge of the national team if Didier Deschamps had stepped down but his contract was extended after he led France to the World Cup final, where they lost to Argentina in Qatar last month.
French outlet L’Equipe reported on Saturday that U.S. Soccer had approached French legend and former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane with the idea of him becoming the new head coach for the USMNT. Gregg Berhalter’s contract has run out and U.S. Soccer is trying to figure out if he will stay for another cycle or be replaced.
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti said his team does not need winter signings as it is in good shape to resume the season in LaLiga, where they trail leaders Barcelona by two points.
The Italian coach considers that having healthy players, such as striker Karim Benzema, will be the key to face the schedule that awaits the Madrid side, who will be looking to defend their LaLiga, Spanish Super Cup and Champions League titles.
FBref.com last week published a map of its most-viewed soccer teams by state in 2022 and the results show the incredibly varied interests across the United States.
Across the 50 states there were teams represented from the English Premier League, MLS, La Liga, USL, NWSL, the EFL Championship, the English fifth-tier National League – and the U.S. national team.
“There were definitely some surprises,” Jonah Gardner, product marketing manager for FBref, told The18 in an email.