The game of soccer is always full of rivalries and head-to-heads. The biggest one you’re probably thinking of is the Messi vs. Ronaldo feud, which is never ending. My recent favorite is the comparison of their 2020 hairstyles.
But I’m sick of talking about them. Plus, I have another interesting head-to-head matchup that should be talked about more: Lynn Williams vs. Alex Morgan.
When compiling a list of the best American soccer players right now, it’s paramount to consider the sporting impact of COVID-19. For example, Megan Rapinoe received the 2019 Ballon d’Or as the best female footballer on the planet, but she’s played a total of 366 minutes in 2020 and probably won't add to that.
With this list, we’ll celebrate the players that obviously stayed physically and mentally strong throughout quarantine before channeling that professionalism into a strong return to the pitch — whether that’s in the Bundesliga, Premier League or NWSL Challenge Cup.
The MLS Is Back Tournament kicks off this week, starting with Orlando City vs. Inter Miami on Wednesday. Major League Soccer’s odd little tournament will follow the NWSL as the second major professional team sports league in the U.S. to return since the novel coronavirus pandemic, with an MLS quarantine set up in Orlando, Florida. But is it safe to be playing sports in this country right now? Is it worth it?
Sometimes it seems to me like beIN Sports is actively working to safeguard LaLiga from American viewers. Much of the television network’s coverage since 2012 — rather than celebrating a golden era that’s included Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo going head-to-head in sport’s greatest individual and team rivalry — has been hellbent on being as unappealing as possible.*
*I’m not talking about the commentary partnership of Phil Schoen and Ray Hudson here. They’re the best.
The Christian Pulisic pandemonium has taken full effect with American sports outlets finding literally any excuse to write about him. Is that exactly what you’re reading right now? Perhaps.
The American’s form since the return of football has been out of this world, and frankly, his spotlight in the media and among fans is well deserved. Chelsea fans have voted Pulisic "Man of the Match" in each of the club's four previous victories. He is now being compared to former superstar Eden Hazard, which Pulisic addressed after the Watford match.
More often than not a club makes the risky decision to rebrand and change its logo and is immediately drowned in backlash. The flak is often well deserved as some badge alterations are horrendous and deserve to be put on a list of the top five worst logo changes.
Cuando alguien menciona el "fútbol juvenil en los EE.UU." lo primero que viene a la mente no es el juego, no es el entrenamiento, ni siquiera los chicos de verdad. No, lo que me viene a la mente es algo mucho peor: las mamás de los futbolistas.
Tiene los pantalones tejanos de mamá, un minivan lleno de niños y ese adorable corte de pelo a lo Karen. Ya sabes, es como un corte de pelo de mujer.
Neil Warnock made his return to management Saturday in the most Neil Warnock way possible. His Middlesbrough outfit conceded 69 percent possession to Stoke City (yes, that Stoke City), was out-shot 22-8, yet managed tp pick up a 2-0 victory away from home, lifting the club out of the relegation zone.
"The lads have shown what they can do today and it's about standards," Warnock said after the match. "It's not just what they can do, it's a little bit more."
Arsenal’s left back Kieran Tierney is all the buzz right now. Is it because of his play? Is it because he did something terrific off the pitch?
No. It's because he carried a Tesco bag.
Tierney showed up to Sunday's match against Sheffield United with his gear packed into a plastic Tesco bag. And fans are absolutely loving it.
We here at The18 have made our position on fake crowd noise as clear as can be: Get rid of it. I would rather have the Disney Channel laugh track in the background than have to listen to poorly timed chants and celebrations.
The more I think about it, the Disney Channel laugh track and stock reactions would be absolutely hilarious. Imagine a player misses a penalty and then this cliché Disney Channel laugh track starts playing.