Europe

With Goals Like These, Italy Must Bring Back Sebastian Giovinco

Major League Soccer may be a retirement home for some, but David Villa affirmed last week you can still factor into one of the best national teams in the world while plying your trade in MLS.

So why can’t Sebastian Giovinco get a recall from Italy?

Villa earned a spot on the Spanish roster for the two upcoming World Cup qualifiers after starting the season with 19 league goals for New York City FC. These aren’t throw-away qualifiers either; Spain faces Italy for first place in UEFA Group G on Saturday. 

Is Milan’s Great Start A Sign Of Things To Come Or Just A False Dawn?

When do we begin to take Milan seriously?

Before we continue with this week’s column, it’s essential that we pause for a moment. On Sunday evening, Andrea Belotti did something. Something fantastic. The goal he scored — a first-time overhead volley — deserves a moment of reverence. That’s why the man has a $120 million release clause in his contract. Let’s take a pause here and appreciate the goal.

Sorry to Ruin Your Day But You’ve Probably Been Saying “Offsides” Wrong Your Whole Life

The offside rule is one which causes a lot of controversy in soccer: was he or wasn’t he onside? For players and refs alike, the line is blurred. This same sort of grey area and sense of uncertainty presents itself in analyzing the semantics of the word itself: is it “offside” or “offsides”?

Drum roll, please.

Consistency Doesn’t Sell Like Goals, But That’s What Christian Pulisic Brought This Weekend

Without a goal or an assist in Borussia Dortmund’s 2-0 win over Hertha Berlin on Saturday, Christian Pulisic mania wasn’t allowed to grip the nation. But a “quiet” week from the 18-year-old also allows us to dissect his performance in a more serious manner. 

What the analysis reveals should obviously already be clear, but let’s just belabor the point: Pulisic isn’t a gimmick. He’s not the fevered creation of a nation starved of a world-class talent. He’s actually just really, really good.

Poetic Justice Finds Falcao In The Best Form Of His Career Before The World Cup

Up until their quarterfinal defeat to Brazil, no side was more thoroughly entertaining at the 2014 World Cup than Colombia. James Rodriguez was the tournament’s standout performer and plenty of additional firepower was provided by the likes of Juan Cuadrado, Jackson Martinez and Teofilo Gutierrez.

Watch Memo Ochoa Bail Out His Defense With An Amazing Triple Save

Mexico international goalkeeper Memo Ochoa bailed out his Standard Liege defense with an incredible triple save Sunday.

Ochoa faces down an attacker one on one and forces the ball wide, ultimately dispossessing the attacking player.

Watford’s Miguel Britos Decides He Doesn’t Like the Look of Anthony Knockaert’s Legs, Commits Horror Tackle

Watford were forced to play most of their tie against Brighton this Saturday with 10-men. The Hornets went down a player after this nasty two-footed tackle by defender Miguel Britos in the 24th minute.

Porto Almost Ruined A Great Team Goal, But Tecatito's Volley Saved It

Jesus "Tecatito" Corona scored his first goal of the season Sunday when he capped off a great team move for Porto against Braga.

You can see the move gets a little wobbly near the end, but they manage to get the cross in and Tecatito's finish was brilliant.

We Can't Stop Watching Andrea Belotti's Amazing Bicycle Kick Goal

Andrea Belotti is not generally mentioned in conversations concerning the elite strikers in Europe, but it is looking more and more like the Torino man should be.

Belotti hopped on his bike Sunday against Sassuolo and scored a goal for the ages.

Chucky Lozano Continued His Blistering Start In Europe With His Third Goal In 3 Games

Hirving "Chucky" Lozano continues to prove he is having no trouble adapting to European football. The 22-year-old former Pachuca winger made it three goals in his first three Eredivisie matches with a tap-in against Roda JC Sunday.

If Lozano continues to play like this, he will be a lock for Russia 2018, and Juan Carlos Osorio will be hard-pressed to keep him out of the starting lineup.

Pages