Tactics

Tim Howard says ‘Pep Guardiola has ruined football’ with his coaching tactics

Former Everton and United States men’s national team goalkeeper Tim Howard says that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and his tactics have had a negative impact on the sport. The Tim Howard Pep Guardiola comment has garnered plenty of attention.

Howard shared his opinion during an appearance on the new podcast “It’s Called Soccer” with Rebecca Lowe, Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville.

Gregg Berhalter says USMNT will ‘stick to the plan’ against star-studded Brazil side

The United States will not change course in Wednesday's friendly against Brazil, head coach Gregg Berhalter said, despite a 5-1 mauling by Colombia in their Copa America warm-up last weekend.

Colombia scored three times in 11 second-half minutes to hand the U.S. team a thrashing on Saturday in Landover, Maryland, prompting alarm among the home fans.

Watch: Vinicius Jr’s time wasting vs. Bayern Munich is a work of art

If you’ve seen the hit show “Ted Lasso” then you might remember the scene where Lasso, Roy Kent and the gang convince Jamie Tartt to be a prick and get on the other team’s nerves.

One player who excels at this in the real world is Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. Not only do Tartt and Vini have incredible footwork and finishing abilities, but they both know how to get under opponent’s skin.

Bernardo Silva’s penalty vs Real Madrid wasn’t a bad shot — it was genius goalkeeping

The Bernardo Silva penalty vs Real Madrid during Manchester City’s shootout defeat in Wednesday's Champions League quarterfinal was one of the most discussed points of the game.

After a brilliant game that ended 1-1 (4-4 on aggregate) it went to a penalty shootout. Silva stepped up to take City’s second penalty and stunned fans when he shot it right up the middle into the grateful hands of Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.

Silva received hefty criticism online for his penalty. 

What if we told you, it wasn’t a bad kick but instead a genius bit of goalkeeping?

Korbin Albert benched for SheBelieves Cup opener, Mallory Swanson returns to starting XI

United States women’s national team head coach Twila Kilgore turned heads with her starting XI for the SheBelieves Cup semifinal vs. Japan on Saturday. Korbin Albert will start the game on the bench and Mallory Swanson returns for the first time in a year.

Swanson last started a game with the USWNT on April 8, 2023, when she suffered a severe knee injury. She’s back in the starting XI for the first time since.

USWNT starting XI vs Japan

Gio Reyna’s transfer drama is over — he’s going to Nottingham Forest on loan

United States men’s national team talent Gio Reyna has been linked to several clubs across Europe as he seeks playing time away from Borussia Dortmund. There were many reports on where he could go but, in the end, a Gio Reyna Nottingham Forest loan is the outcome.

Reyna will be loaned to Forest until the end of the 2023-24 season, however the Premier League club won’t be given the option to permanently buy. Instead, the 21-year-old has signed a new contract with Dortmund that runs through 2026.

Gio Reyna Nottingham Forest loan

Cheating or clever? Ivan Toney caught moving the ball before free kick goal

An Ivan Toney free kick goal is one of the big talking points from Brentford’s 3-2 victory vs. Nottingham Forest on Saturday after the Bees striker made his long-awaited return to the Premier League.

Toney returned from an eight month ban for betting offences and only needed 19 minutes to get on the score sheet. A closer look at the free kick shows that Toney moved the foam put down by the referee and the ball before taking the kick.

Was this cheating or was this clever?

Ivan Toney free kick goal controversy

3 takeaways from Gregg Berhalter and USMNT’s 4-0 victory vs. Oman

The United States men’s national team comfortably defeated Oman 4-0 Tuesday night at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minnesota, during an international friendly game.

USMNT fans will widely agree and say it was an alright performance from the team and a slight improvement from Saturday’s 3-0 win vs. Uzbekistan

Let’s get into the highlights and takeaways.

Lindsey Horan hints that the players took over the plan and tactics vs. Sweden, not Vlatko

Lindsey Horan had strong words about the United States women’s national team’s coaching staff and their World Cup failure when she sat down with her former teammates Christen Press and Tobin Heath on The RE-CAP Show.

Horan discussed that the team wasn’t set up for success at the tournament, had no joy throughout and dropped a bombshell about the team’s tactics during the Round of 16 loss vs. Sweden.

Watch: Sneaky Messi scooched the ball forward to get a better angle for free kick goal

Lionel Messi’s game-tying free kick vs. FC Dallas on Sunday in the Leagues Cup was an insane moment. A new video angle prior to the kick shows that Messi was a little sneaky when he was setting up to take the shot.

While the referee had his back turned the Argentine ever so subtly moved the ball closer to the middle of the field to get a better angle for the shot. 

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