USA

These days, Alexi Lalas is known for his outlandishly stupid hot takes. But like most American soccer broadcasters on TV, Lalas had quite the playing career back in the day, including a stint in Serie A and two World Cups.

Aside from play-by-play men and women like John Strong and JP Dellacamera and studio hosts like Rob Stone and Max Bretos, most American soccer broadcasters were experienced players before they joined the world of television. 

After Antonee Robinson’s rumored AC Milan move to become one of the few Americans to play in Italy’s first division fell through, we at The18 were reminded of the last USMNT defender to appear for the Rossoneri — Oguchi Onyewu.

Onyewu’s story is a cautionary tale for any American playing abroad, and a reminder that nothing in sports is a given, even if you want it so bad you break a legend’s rib fighting for it.

When you think of great left feet, you think of Gareth Bale golazos, Arjen Robben curlers, John Arne Riise smashers, Robin van Persie volleys or anything Lionel Messi does. 

But the best left foot in the history of Major League Soccer doesn’t conjure images of spectacular goals. Heck, most people probably couldn’t pick him out of a lineup. 

There have been a fair number of fantastic left-footers to grace MLS, perhaps none greater than Preki. Ashley Cole spent a few seasons with the LA Galaxy and more recently Carlos Vela obliterated the MLS single-season scoring record. 

Christian Pulisic might just be the most scrutinized U.S. soccer player of all time. Having moved to Borussia Dortmund at age 16, his career has been well documented and closely followed by American fans eager for a soccer savior. 

But how well do you actually know the 21-year-old Chelsea winger? Here are 10 Christian Pulisic facts you might not know.

10 Christian Pulisic Facts You Probably Didn’t Know

1. His middle name is Mate

Pulisic’s middle name comes from his grandfather, Mate Pulišić, who was born in Croatia.

When Christian Pulisic scores or DeAndre Yedlin showcases his pace on a recovery run, the highlights are available for consumption across the United States almost instantaneously. 15 years ago, that was certainly not the case.

This was a time without Twitter, YouTube and Reddit — a time when you had to visit yanks-abroad.com for news while scrounging up money to pay for Fox Soccer Channel because your parents sure as shit weren’t expensing it. 

One of the most highly anticipated soccer babies in U.S. history is almost here. Alex Morgan, who has won two Women’s World Cups and an Olympic gold medal, will soon give birth to a baby with her husband, Servando Carrasco, a former LA Galaxy midfielder. So y’all want to see some Alex Morgan pregnancy photos?

Alex Morgan is having a baby. 

The global women’s soccer icon posted a baby announcement on social media on Oct. 23, confirming the two-time Women’s World Cup winner is pregnant and expecting to give birth in April. Morgan is married to former LA Galaxy midfielder Servando Carrasco. 

According to the announcement post, the Carrascos are expecting a baby girl. This is the couple’s first child.