USA

This is Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s dark period. Like Francisco Goya before him, he’s probably living in near-solitude outside Lose Angeles in a farmhouse, painting haunting themes concerning his bleak outlook on VAR and retrospective fines from Major League Soccer.

It’s been 227 minutes since his last goal in MLS, a stretch that’s included three straight defeats for the LA Galaxy. When considering his exploits so far this season — nine goals and two assists in 10 games — this current run of form is apocalyptic. 

The 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup is only 25 days away, and the USWNT is showing how prepared it is to defend the title. In its first Send-Off Series match against South Africa on Sunday night in Santa Clara, California, the USWNT struggled to find the back of the net until the 36th minute.

Samantha Mewis took matters into her own hands when she beat a South African defender at the top of the box and put the U.S. on the scoreboard. 

Despite a 3-1 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor today, Arsenal finished outside the Premier League top four for the third consecutive campaign. A damning run of late-season form saw the Gunners ultimately stumble to fifth.

Following a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United back on match week 31, Arsenal sat third in the table, but over the final seven matches of the season, the Gunners won only two, drew one and lost four to finish one point behind fourth-place Tottenham.

Alejandro Pozuelo wasn’t a splashy signing like many in the recent years from Toronto FC. The former Real Betis, Swansea and Genk midfielder didn’t have the name recognition of a Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore or Sebastian Giovinco, the man he was brought in to replace after Seba was sold to Saudi Arabia.

But Toronto FC’s new No. 10 is quickly winning over fans north of the border. 

Major League Soccer has fined Zlatan Ibrahimovic an undisclosed amount for diving in Wednesday’s 3-1 defeat to the Columbus Crew.

Ibrahimovic was found guilty of simulation in the 23rd minute when going for a loose ball in the box. The hulking Swede threw his body over Crew keeper Zack Steffen, who didn’t make any real contact with the Galaxy striker. 

The referee waved play on with no foul called nor was Zlatan booked for the offense. 

Tim Weah, son of Liberia President and former FIFA Player of the Year winner George Weah, headlines a stacked USMNT U-20 World Cup roster, which was announced by U.S. Soccer on Friday morning. 

In great news for Jamaica, the 2019 Gold Cup and fans attending the USMNT’s upcoming friendly against the Reggae Boyz at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., 21-year-old Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey is reportedly finally set to make his international debut for the side after years of disputes between the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), the player and his representative, step-father Craig Butler.

Sports Illustrated just released its 2019 Swimsuit edition and USWNT superstar Alex Morgan continues to prove that she can in fact do it all.

For the second time in history, three stunning females take over the cover as they show off their hard work, dedication and confidence, including soccer star Alex Morgan. 

“Alex Morgan stands for feminine strength and power — using her voice to fight for gender discrimination and equal pay,” SI Swimsuit editor MJ Day said.

Watch a couple minutes of Concacaf U-17 Championship highlights and one thing is clear: There is a lot of talent in the youth ranks at some of North America and Central America. 

This isn’t that surprising to anyone who follows MLS these days. Two of the biggest stars in the field are Mexico’s Efrain Alvarez and the United States’ Gianluca Busio, two 16-year-olds who are already making waves in MLS.