While most European leagues are reaching their gripping conclusions, MLS is still very much up for grabs with 16 matchdays completed. The table has taken shape, but anything is possible in America’s top flight. From last-minute equalizers to incredible displays of impotence in front of goal, there was something for everyone on Matchday 16.
What is form but a spell to be broken? What are records but standards to be rewritten? Comfort and predictability have no home in MLS, especially not during Matchday 15. Across the league, teams and players alike found ways to buck their trends of frustration while others gave frustration a chance.
I'll be honest, I don't spend a lot of time thinking about how we don't have promotion/relegation in the United States. I guess I've become numb to the discussion since it seems like it's never happening. But it's days like Sunday, with Everton, Leicester and Leeds dancing with the devil for the safety of 17th-place, when it's just unfathomable that we don't get to enjoy this spectacle stateside.
AS Roma suffered a late collapse to lose 2-1 to Fiorentina on Saturday, effectively ending any hopes Jose Mourinho's side had of a top four finish in Serie A.
Roma are sixth in the standings on 60 points from 37 games. They are four points behind AC Milan in fourth, who face Juventus on Sunday. Atalanta, in fifth with 61 points, play Inter Milan later on Saturday.
Both Roma and Fiorentina began the match at a slow pace as they look forward to cup finals in Europe.
Luton Town are headed to the Premier League for the first time in the club’s history after the team, along with U.S. goalkeeper Ethan Horvath, defeated Coventry City 1-1 (6-5 on penalties) in the EFL Championship Play-offs final on Saturday.
Luton have done the unthinkable and have been promoted from Non-League football (outside the top four tiers) to the Premier League. Luton last played in the first division of England back in 1992 before it was rebranded as the Premier League.
READING — In a squad bristling with internationals, Norway's Guro Reiten stood out as Chelsea secured their fourth Women's Super League title in four years on Saturday, continuing a superb run of six league titles on the trot for the diminutive Norwegian winger.
The 28-year-old was top scorer in the Norweigan Toppserien as her LSK side won the title in 2017 and 2018, and she has won the WSL title every year since joining Chelsea in 2019.
Bayern Munich are the Bundesliga champions for the 11th time in-a-row after Jamal Musiala’s 89th minute winner vs. Köln secured top spot in the league on Saturday. It was an exhilarating day that saw first place in the league switch back and forth between Bayern and Borussia Dortmund.
Here was the moment that Musiala saved Bayern’s season.
JAMAL MUSIALA SCORES AND BAYERN ARE BACK ON TOP OF THE LEAGUE pic.twitter.com/rDEE8ksIEt
The United States U-20 team finished top of Group B at the U-20 World Cup on Friday after a 2-0 victory vs. Slovakia making it three wins in three group stage games. Cade Cowell stole the spotlight against Slovakia with several dazzling runs, a brutal miss and a fantastic solo effort.
He was all over the place in his 72 minutes against Slovakia.
I love soccer. Really. However, I would never have thought of starting my honeymoon by attending a game of my favorite team as these newlyweds did.
Del altar a la #GranFinal ♂️♀️
Nadie se quiere perder el PARTIDAZO de esta noche #LigaBBVAMX pic.twitter.com/rJYiNwTvTL
As the tail end of the nation’s oldest and most storied soccer tournament approaches, two second-division teams continue to linger. The Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Birmingham Legion both welcomed MLS opposition into their humble abodes for the US Open Cup Round of 16 and won more than just the hearts of those watching.
Thank you, Pittsburgh
Thank you, Birmingham