The FIFA men’s World Cup is the most popular tournament for the world’s most popular game. The 22nd edition kicks off in Doha, Qatar, on Nov. 20, 2022. You know it’s a big deal, but do you know how the World Cup works?
The United States men’s national team kicked off the 2026 World Cup cycle with a 2-1 defeat vs. Serbia in Los Angeles, Calif. on Wednesday. The squads that played the match were far from either’s team “A-list” players with seven USMNT starters making their debuts.
With plenty of fresh blood out on the field it was a surprise to see captain and World Cup starter Walker Zimmerman be the one to make a huge mistake.
The USMNT began 2023 with a frustrating 2-1 friendly defeat to Serbia at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday night, taking the lead through Brandon Vazquez's powerfully snapped header before clear defensive errors ruined Anthony Hudson's debut as interim manager.
With all six substitutions being made by the 73rd minute, quite a few players graced the pitch without making much of an impression. Club América winger Alejandro Zendejas went the full 90 on the right, but the 24-year-old's talent only came through in flashes.
Giovanni Reyna. The man.
Borussia Dortmund have played two league games since the Bundesliga restart and Reyna has scored late game-winners in both. On Sunday he scored a rocket of a goal in the 78th minute to seal a 4-3 Dortmund victory.
On Wednesday he was the hero again, but this time snatched the winning goal in the 93rd minute for Dortmund’s 2-1 victory vs. Mainz.
2023 marked the beginning of a new era for U.S. Soccer with broadcast coverage of every USMNT and USWNT friendly being provided by Turner Sports. This has opened the door to live sports on HBO Max, although certain competitions remain reserved for Fox Sports and Paramount Global.
It follows that the 2023 USMNT TV schedule is all over the place. Despite having just played in a World Cup, the U.S. has a busy calendar year with four windows for friendlies, the completion of the 2022-23 CONCACAF Nations League and the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
I'll whisper it, but I feel like I'm discerning some faint traces of light ahead with regards to the USMNT's direction. There's obviously still no permanent manager, but every day takes us further from Gregg Berhalter and closer to what's demanded when hosting the world's greatest sporting event come 2026.
LEEDS, England - Leeds United and Brentford played out a 0-0 draw in the Premier League at Elland Road on Sunday leaving the hosts a point above the relegation zone following a frustrating afternoon.
The disappointing result stretches Leeds' winless run to six league games and leaves them in 15th place in the standings just a point above third-bottom Bournemouth.
"Points are crucial for us at the moment," said Leeds forward Jack Harrison. "We would like to get as many as we can and would have liked to win but we take the point, move on and get ready for the next game."
As Mary J. Blige once said, "No drama, no more in my life (no more drama in my life, no one's gonna make me hurt again)." I'm so tired of the USMNT manager discussion, so this is the only time I'm going to mention that or the fact that Anthony Hudson is serving as interim head coach for January camp. Let's get back to the only things that matter, the game and the players who play it.
La selección de Estados Unidos comienza a pensar en el Mundial de 2026 y este miércoles publicó su convocatoria para los amistosos que jugará a fines de enero ante Serbia y Colombia. La gran sorpresa de la lista – ¡vaya, vaya! – es la inclusión de cuatro seleccionables mexicanos, entre ellos el extremo del Club América, Alejandro Zendejas.
¿Los otros tres? El defensor Jonathan Gómez y los delanteros Brandon Vásquez y Cade Cowell.
De los cuatro nombres, el de Zendejas es el que hace más ruido.
U.S. Soccer made its debut on HBO Max Tuesday night with the USWNT beating New Zealand in a friendly in Wellington thanks to four second-half goals, including Alex Morgan's 120th international strike off a ridiculous Rose Lavelle backheel.
The Football Ferns were a little overmatched.