We've reached 2016 NWSL postseason, and we already know a new champion will be crowned. Before the playoffs kick-off this weekend it is important to remember that no professional women’s league has survived past a third season. So, as the NWSL gets ready to celebrate this year’s best teams, there is an overarching sense of pride closing out year four.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s signing for Manchester United is the final big European stop for a man who has found success in the Netherlands, Italy, Spain and France. The questions surrounding his ability to succeed in the Premier League, while undoubtedly a media creation, still seem to fuel his desire to stay at the top of his game at 34 years of age.
Sunday, the Uruguayan Primera Division finally started play. The league is currently changing the Uruguayan football season from the European format to a calendar year format.
After 11 seasons in the European format, in 2017 the league will be play from January to December.
The change has had several delays, first because cameras and increased security measures at stadiums were required, and then by storms that occurred Saturday, August 27.
The Uruguayan Primera Division will end on December 4. The 16 teams will play a round robin, totaling 15 games.
To say things have been a bit rocky of late for one of the giants in world soccer would be a massive understatement. After three consecutive runner-up finishes at the World Cup and two Copa Americas, Argentina find themselves in a place where few international powerhouses have ever been. They can reach their ultimate goal, come near enough to touch it but they just can’t take the final step.
Leicester City kick-off their 2016-17 Premier League season on Saturday, August 13th against Hull City. The Foxes are 30/1 long shots to win the Premier League, but they’re tipped at 25/1 to be relegated from the division. To prepare, some poor sap has foot the bill to have them flown abroad to train in Austria. What a giant waste of time.
Leicester City, for those not in the know of English football, are a teeny-tiny club in the East Midlands (i.e. the middle) of England. They miraculously staved off relegation last year, and those plucky, midway bastards are back at it again!
France take on Portugal in the Euro 2016 final on Sunday in what promises to be a titanic battle.
Oh, who are we kidding?
Portugal are going to play the same blasé football that they have for the entire tournament, and we can only hope that France break their defense early enough to make them come out of their shell. Otherwise, get ready for a long battle of attrition, and possibly penalties.
Anyways, following that cheery outlook on proceedings, let's take a look at some of the interesting facts coming into this match.
Colombia and Chile are battling for the right to face off against Argentina in the final of the Copa America. For Chile, it would be a rematch of the 2015 Copa America final a year ago, in which they defeated Argentina to take home the title. For Colombia, it would be their best chance in years to take home their first piece of silverware in 15 years.
Tomorrow, Albania vs Switzerland finish up the first game of Group A in Euro 2016, and while football will certainly take center stage, there is another intriguing plotline to keep an eye on as the game kicks off. Granit Xhaka, Arsenal's new midfielder, will take the field for Switzerland against his brother Taulant, who plays for Albania.
You may be wondering how two brothers became seperated in such a fashion, especially as both of them have acknowledged that they share a very close relationship.
The USMNT face Colombia in the first match of the Copa America Centenario tonight, and they will have to put on a strong showing in order to get anything from the match. They have a potentially tough group that includes World Cup quarter-finalists Costa Rica and last year's fourth place Copa finishers, Paraguay. It is important for the U.S. to start strong in the hopes of grabbing what could be three vital points.
At Euro 2012, the Republic of Ireland, under the direction of former manager Giovanni Trapattoni, seemed pleased to simply be there. Their performances on the pitch validated the belief that they were only making up the numbers required to field the tournament.