As we approach the halfway point in the season, destinies become clear. Moments become more important as every point carries increased weight in the race for the postseason. Hosting in the playoffs is great, but winning is better, and many teams have set themselves up for both outcomes after Matchday 17.
RB Leipzig defended their German Cup title with a 2-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt at Berlin's Olympic Stadium on Saturday, with Christopher Nkunku scoring one second-half goal and setting up Dominik Szoboszlai for the other.
After an entertaining but even first half, in which Leipzig's Timo Werner spurned an early golden opportunity, Frankfurt looked to be on top but were stunned when Nkunku's strike took a huge deflection off Evan Ndicka in the 71st minute.
After losing last year’s UEFA Women’s Champions League final to Lyon, Barcelona redeemed themselves with a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory vs. Wolfsburg on Saturday to claim their second-ever UWCL crown.
The Barcelona players must of thought they were having déjá vu of last year’s final when they once again conceded early goals. Last time against Lyon the Catalan club got scored on in the sixth and 23rd minute.
On Saturday Wolfsburg scored in the third and 37th minute.
LONDON — Manchester City moved to within one victory of completing a momentous treble as they beat Manchester United 2-1 in the FA Cup final thanks to Ilkay Gundogan's double on Saturday.
City captain Gundogan entered the record books by scoring the fastest goal in FA Cup final history as he crashed home a stunning volley 12 seconds after kickoff.
GUNDOGAN SCORES THE FASTEST GOAL EVER IN AN FA CUP FINAL
The U.S. Women’s time at The Soccer Tournament (TST) wrapped up on Friday as they were defeated 7-1 by Como 1907 in their final group stage game.
Mia Hamm coached the team filled with household names, World Cup winners and Olympic gold medalists.
US Women’s FULL TST ROSTER⚽️ pic.twitter.com/dRC9vmbLVp
— TST (@TST7v7) May 23, 2023
The Soccer Tournament (TST) kicked off on Thursday and saw the U.S. Women open their tournament with a 5-0 defeat to Say Word FC.
The U.S. Women team coached by Mia Hamm is the only team consisting of just women on the roster and features household names like Heather O’Reilly, Kristine Lilly and more.
US Women’s FULL TST ROSTER⚽️ pic.twitter.com/dRC9vmbLVp
Julian Gressel recorded the first two-goal game of his MLS career and the host Vancouver Whitecaps became the first team in MLS history to score within the first 30 seconds of each half while recording a 6-2 victory over the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday night.
Brian White, Ryan Gauld and Sebastian Berhalter each had a goal and assist and Pedro Vite also scored a goal as Vancouver (5-5-5, 20 points) improved to 5-1-2 at home this season.
While most European leagues are reaching their gripping conclusions, MLS is still very much up for grabs with 16 matchdays completed. The table has taken shape, but anything is possible in America’s top flight. From last-minute equalizers to incredible displays of impotence in front of goal, there was something for everyone on Matchday 16.
José Mourinho couldn’t keep his perfect record in European finals intact on Wednesday as his Roma side fell to Sevilla 1-1 (4-1 on penalties) in the Europa League final.
Mourinho has now won five of the six European finals he’s managed in.
Roma opened the scoring in the 34th minute through Paulo Dybala. The Argentine was a surprise start after missing the last seven weeks with injuries, most recently an ankle issue.
What is form but a spell to be broken? What are records but standards to be rewritten? Comfort and predictability have no home in MLS, especially not during Matchday 15. Across the league, teams and players alike found ways to buck their trends of frustration while others gave frustration a chance.