Game Recaps

In the build up to Manchester United’s top-of-the-table Champions League Group F clash with Villarreal at El Madrigal, caretaker manager Michael Carrick revealed that his revolution would be a subtle one; blink and you just might miss it.

“Obviously I’ve worked closely with Ole for a long time now and we do have very similar beliefs,” the defeatist inside Carrick said. “We did as players and we certainly do as coaches and manager so, yes of course, I’ve got my own personality to Ole, but it’s very similar.”

There’s something about snow that brings out both the beauty and the pain of this world. Few things in life are more beautiful than watching frozen water crystals fall to the Earth, transforming the landscape. Few things in life are more painful than taking a blow to the crotch in below-freezing weather, altering your entire world view. Few things in life are more beautiful than a perfectly executed bicycle kick; few things in life are more painful than a complete whiff by a goalkeeper. 

Major League Soccer Golden Boot winner Valentín Castellanos scored his first MLS Cup playoff goal in the 49th minute to lead NYCFC to a 2-0 home victory in Sunday's first-round clash against Atlanta United at Yankee Stadium.

Sunday’s Intercontinental Derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe featured two sides that are struggling to keep pace with the top of the Süper Lig, but it’s always a monumental occasion when the European side of Istanbul clashes with the Asian. 

The scene at Galatasaray’s NEF Stadium was electric before kick-off, with players entering the pitch to one of this season’s greatest tifos. If there’s a contest going on without a reference to Squid Game these days, did a contest really even take place?

MANCHESTER, England - Manchester City moved back to second in the Premier League after a stylish 3-0 win over Everton at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday as Pep Guardiola's side responded to convincing Chelsea and Liverpool wins with a reminder of their class.

Champions City dominated possession from the start against an Everton side that struggled to get a foothold in the game, but created few real openings in the opening half hour.

Chelsea kept pace with Arsenal at the top of the Women’s Super League (the two sides will clash on Dec. 5 in the FA Women’s Cup final at Wembley) by destroy second-to-last Birmingham City on Sunday in an entirely one-sided game.

Chelsea controlled 76% possession and outshot the visitors 25 to two at Kingsmeadow, with Sam Kerr scoring a first-half hat trick and providing one assist while Fran Kirby recorded a brace. 

The pick of the goals was scored in the fourth-minute by Kirby, who saw the keeper off her line and provided a delicate chip from 18 yards out.  

The 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs began this weekend, rendering all other sports and leagues entirely meaningless over the next two weeks. If the snob in you says “no, I want to watch Liverpool stick four past Arsenal” or the masochist points you in the general direction of the Detroit Lions, let Saturday’s opening two games serve as a lesson.