Opinion

As we approach the two-month mark of having no live soccer to watch, I don’t think I’m alone when I say I really want the beautiful game to return as quickly — and safely — as possible.

For seven weeks, the only football we’ve been able to watch falls into two categories: replays of old matches and folks playing the FIFA video game. 

While it can be fun and enlightening to return to classic matches years or even decades later, you lose one of the most enjoyable aspects of watching live sports: the uncertainty of what will happen.

LaLiga has a tough decision to make if football can’t resume in Spain to finish the remainder of the current season. In France, Ligue 1 and 2 decided to end the season and award PSG the title. Awarding PSG the title wasn’t too controversial as the French giant was 12 points clear of second place with a game in hand. The logic does seem sound though, the team with the most points when the season ended gets the title. Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois doesn’t think so and has a different answer to who should be La Liga champions.

On May 3, 1998, legendary goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar scored the first and only goal of his professional career. In recognition of those in net, this list of the five best goalkeeper goals has been made to celebrate goals scored from the most unlikely source. Before starting the list, let’s take a moment to appreciate a young Van der Sar scoring.

Now on to the good stuff.

Despite the fact that no soccer is being played right now, our annual pre-game playlist is now ready for when the sport returns. The Fall 2019 playlist served us well, but 2020 has already produced some quality songs.

ESPN FC’s Twitter account has stirred up the pot and brought back a hilariously iconic moment in football. Nine years ago, in a friendly match between the LA Galaxy and Manchester City, Mario Balotelli committed what some would call a “heinous” and “disrespectful” act when his back-heel shot missed terribly. The Balotelli back-heel vs. LA Galaxy deserves to have the record set straight.

The man is innocent.

For starters let’s re-watch the glorious moment of pure skill and genius from the Italian.

The life of a defender can be a brutal one. Your strikers and midfielders score the glorious goals and get the attention while your goalkeeper makes the amazing saves. Unless your name is Virgil van Dijk, the majority of the players in the back line don’t typically bask in too much glory. In honor of those in defense, here is a list of the 10 best goals by defenders.

10 Best Goals By Defenders

10. Pique Turn vs. Inter Milan