Inspiring

Brazilian winger Malcom hasn’t quite hit the heights expected of him after a $46 million transfer to Barcelona in the summer of 2018. He lasted just one season in Spain before he was shipped off to Russia. But just look at the man now; I don’t think he could be any happier.

Malcom and Zenit St. Petersburg players walked onto the pitch for a Russian Premier League match against FC Rostov on Friday carrying puppies in their arms. It was all part of an attempt to get these good boys and girls adopted from local shelters. 

To Argentina’s reserve league we go for a Thursday morning match between Racing and Huracán, the site of two very good goals for the Avellaneda-based club.

The first was scored by 18-year-old Nicolás Meaurio. It’s a scorpion kick that takes on the form of a BMX Superman trick. It might lose a style point since the goalkeeper got his hand to it, but you can tell that the total unreasonableness of the effort caught him completely by surprise.    

Thirty years ago to the day, the U.S. edged Norway 2-1 to claim the first Women’s World Cup title. Except, it wasn’t called the Women’s World Cup yet, matches were only 80 minutes because FIFA didn’t think women could handle a full 90 and the USWNT returned home to a greeting party of three. The first Women’s World Cup was far from the blockbuster it is today, but it was a start, one that can’t be forgotten on its 30-year anniversary.

FIFA announced the 2021 Puskás Award nominees on Monday and once again it’s a list of all-time bangers. The 11 goals include scorpion kicks, rabonas, bicycle kicks, audacious chips and goals from midfield — and Tottenham Hotspur could repeat as winner.

The Puskás Award is voted upon by two groups with equal electoral weight: an international panel of “FIFA Legends” and fans, who can vote here through Dec. 17. 

The USWNT is in Australia for a pair of friendlies against the Matildas on Friday and Tuesday. Away from their families for Thanksgiving, the U.S. squad and staff found comfort in meeting some adorable Aussie animals on Wednesday. 

Before the first match on Friday, the Americans hung out with kangaroos and koalas, getting up close and personal with two of Australia’s most prominent creatures. 

A holiday season done right celebrates the greatest aspects of family, food and relaxation, but we all know that an excess of any of those three things can negatively impact our mind and body (sorry Aunt Linda!). 

It’s important to keep things in perspective. Your health or diet isn’t going to be completely sabotaged by one meal or even a handful of meals throughout the holiday season, and there’s no reason you can’t enjoy your favorite foods to mark these special occasions; the key is to find a balance that allows you to feel good afterward. 

The 2021 NWSL Championship aired on CBS as the Chicago Red Stars and Washington Spirit met in the season finale. CBS opened its broadcast with an emotional open letter from U.S. soccer legend Carli Lloyd.

From the first day it was officially announced Los Angeles would be getting an NWSL expansion team, Angel City FC has done things differently. From the star-studded cast of owners and investors to the commitment to community, Angel City has already made more headlines before playing a single match than some NWSL clubs that have been around for years.