Central & South America

I Know What You Did This Summer: Tata Martino Needs Wins To Avoid Slash

After a summer spent playing the role of bridesmaid, Tata Martino’s Mexico begins World Cup qualifying by putting on a brave face and getting back out there, but September’s trifecta of matches each pose their own particular challenges for El Tri.

A couple big names miss out entirely through injury — Chucky Lozano, Héctor Herrera, Diego Lainez and Héctor Moreno — although Andrés Guardado returns after recovering from his own ailments. Meanwhile Covid continues to change, disrupt and alter plans by the minute, so don't be surprised if this preview is already entirely worthless.

Win At Home And Draw Away: First 3 WCQ Opponents Will Push USMNT To Edge

As the holder of the Nations League, Gold Cup and a new world ranking of 10th, the USMNT approaches World Cup qualifying at its highest level of confidence in five years — since John Brooks destroyed the house that Ecuador built at the Copa América.

But the formula for success in CONCACAF never changes: try to win at home, try to draw away. Get that done and you’re going to Qatar; experiment with the formula like Jürgen Klinsmann and you’ll kill Taylor Twellman.

Lionel Messi Included In PSG’s Squad For Sunday’s Ligue 1 Match

REIMS - Argentine forward Lionel Messi has been included in Paris Saint-Germain's squad for Sunday's Ligue 1 trip to Reims, the club said on Sunday.

The 34-year-old, who signed a two-year deal with PSG with an option for a third year after his contract with Barcelona expired, had yet to feature in the squad since joining on Aug. 10.

Messi has not played since winning the Copa América with Argentina against Brazil on July 10.

Go Home Everyone Else, Copa Libertadores Quarterfinal Has Produced The Goal Of The Year

Matías Zaracho and Atletico Mineiro booted River Plate out of the Copa Libertadores in style Wednesday night. This Zaracho goal vs. River Plate was the opening strike of the game and is one of the best seen in 2021 so far.

A silky move from Hulk, the Chinese Super League legend, gave him space to cross it in toward Zaracho, who pulled off one of the most amazing goals ever seen.

Zaracho Goal Vs. River Plate

Diego Costa Could Be Back With A New Club After 8-Month Hiatus

The soccer world has been without its greatest villain, or hero depending on if he’s on your team. A new Diego Costa transfer could be announced soon and the 32-year-old plans on taking his talents to Brazil with Atlético Minerio.

Lionel Messi Trains, Meets His New Best Friends At PSG

PARIS - Lionel Messi trained with new club Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday, two days after joining the Ligue 1 giants from Barcelona, French daily L'Equipe reported.

It was the first time Messi, who won 10 LaLiga and four Champions League titles with Barcelona, set foot on the pitch since leading Argentina to the Copa América title with a 1-0 win over Brazil.

USMNT Is A Month Away From Heading To The Dreaded Olímpico Metropolitano; Will They Get A Result?

Concacaf World Cup qualifying begins for the USMNT on Sept. 2 against El Salvador. After the match in El Salvador, the U.S. hosts Canada on Sept. 5 and then travels to Honduras to play on Sept. 8. The last game of this first WCQ window is the one that has me concerned.

I predict the USMNT to get seven points from these first three qualifying games in the form of victories against El Salvador and Canada, but a hard-fought draw in Honduras. Why is that? The Olímpico Metropolitano, and really anywhere in Honduras, is a fortress.

Things Fall Apart: Barça’s Sergio Agüero Ruled Out For Extended Period

BARCELONA - Barcelona striker Sergio Agüero has been ruled out of action for 10 weeks, the club said on Monday, deepening the Catalans' troubles ahead of the new season following Lionel Messi's shock departure.

Agüero, a close friend of Messi and his international teammate with Argentina, joined Barça as a free agent in June after 10 years with Manchester City.

Most Decorated Men’s Footballer Of All Time Overcome With Joy After Winning First Olympic Gold

No one in the world has won more men’s soccer trophies than Dani Alves. You’d never know it from how he celebrated his first Olympic gold medal on Saturday.

The 38-year-old Alves helped his country to a repeat gold at the Olympics as the Seleção beat Spain 2-1 in extra time. When the final whistle blew, Alves broke down in tears of joy.

This Is Why Lionel Messi Is Leaving Barcelona

Last week I was happily reporting to you that Lionel Messi had touched down back in Barcelona to put pen to paper on a new five-year contract at the Camp Nou. It was so widely accepted that nobody batted an eye at the six-time Ballon d’Or winner’s strange status as a free agent following the expiration of his previous deal at the stroke of midnight on July 1.

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