Off the Pitch

Ukrainian Soldiers Tell National Teamers How Much They Want Ukraine At World Cup

LJUBLJANA — Ukraine will pour their heart and soul into ensuring they win their World Cup playoff matches as soldiers repelling the Russian invasion want the team to do everything they can to qualify, midfielder Taras Stepanenko said on Friday.

Ukraine, who last played against Bosnia & Herzegovina in a 2-0 victory in November, faces Scotland in a World Cup playoff semifinal on June 1, with the winner set to face Wales for a place in the finals against the U.S., England and Iran in Qatar later this year.

NWSL Challenge Cup Prize Money Increasing Tenfold, Will Achieve Pay Equity With Men By 2023

When the Houston Dash won the 2020 Challenge Cup, it was a landmark moment for the National Women’s Soccer League. As the first professional team sport to return to play in the U.S. after Covid-19 shut the sports world down, the NWSL set the example for how leagues like MLS and the NBA could resume during a pandemic. For the players, however, there wasn’t much incentive to win beyond a bunch of Budweiser. 

Guardiola: ‘No Words Can Help’ After Real Madrid Defeat

A focused Manchester City will channel the pain of their Champions League semifinal defeat by Real Madrid into Sunday's home game against Newcastle United, manager Pep Guardiola said on Friday.

The Spaniard told reporters he had not spoken to his players since Real's astonishing comeback in Wednesday's second leg in Madrid and nothing he said would be any consolation.

Su Nombre Es Ander: Raúl Jiménez Y Daniela Basso Presentan A Su Segundo Hijo

Si bien su presente en el Wolverhampton no es el mejor, fuera de la cancha Raúl Jiménez tuvo un par de importantes eventos que celebrar durante la semana. ¿El más relevante? El nacimiento de Ander, su segundo hijo junto a Daniela Basso.

Nace segundo hijo de Raúl Jiménez

Tanto el jugador como su pareja compartieron la noticia a través de sus redes sociales, confirmando que su nombre será Ander.

"Nos emociona mucho compartirles que nuestro bebé Ander llegó para llenar más de amor esta hermosa familia", escribieron ambos en sus respectivas cuentas de Instagram.

Rodolfo Pizarro And Teófimo López Star In Bud Light's ‘Brewed In Texas’ Campaign

Open up your weather app, look at the week ahead and its easy to forecast a weekend with friends, family, barbecue and summer soccer. Tying it all together is Bud Light's latest campaign — "Brewed in Texas" — which celebrates good times and drinking occasions with family and friends by tapping into Texan passions and the beer's Texas roots.

Must-Know Soccer Terms | World Cup Fan Guide

New to the world of soccer and the biggest international tournament? The18 has you covered with our Fan Guide to the World Cup. First up is World Cup terms you need to know. Watch this and learn everything you need to sound like an expert at your watch party this November/December!

Group Play: Preliminary round-robin games (3 total) to qualify for knockout rounds

Knockout Rounds: The round following group play. Sudden Death. Winner moves on. Loser goes home. 

Cap: A game appearance made by a player, no matter the length of time in the game.

Traditional Mint Julep (and variations) | Flavors Of Football

The18 presents our at home Traditional Mint Julep recipe commonly drank at The Kentucky Derby. Inspired by NWSL team Racing Louisville FC, we put our bartender skills to the test to see how this fruit-forward Julep recipe stacked up against the Traditional Mint Julep.

Traditional Mint Julep Recipe:

- 2 oz. Kentucky bourbon (Woodford Reserve to mimic Kentucky Derby style)

- .5 oz. simple syrup

- 4 mint leaves

- crushed ice

Instructions:

- add simple syrup and mint to Julep cup

Hope Solo Asks To Postpone Her Soccer Hall Of Fame Induction To Enter Rehab

Former USWNT star goalkeeper Hope Solo was supposed to join Clint Dempsey in the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2022, however she has now asked to be inducted next year. Solo posted on social media Friday that she is entering herself into an alcohol treatment program.

Soccer Loses One Of Its Greatest Agents — Mino Raiola, 54, Dies After Battle With Illness

Soccer agent Mino Raiola has died at the age of 54 in an Italian hospital after battling illness, his family said in a statement on Saturday.

Born in Italy, Raiola grew up in the Netherlands before becoming one of the most powerful soccer agents in the world, with clients including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Erling Haaland and Paul Pogba.

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