SAN DIEGO — When one single goal can be the difference between glory and failure, taking risks isn’t for everyone in soccer. Across the globe, some teams are specifically built to avoid any hints of hazard. Knowing that on-the-field pragmatism can pay off with conservative bets, it’s tempting for many tactical architects to play with caution. In a sport that’s demonstrated time and time again to be fickle, clubs often…
Crystal Palace midfielder Ruesha Littlejohn is likely facing a lengthy ban after she was sent off for placing Leicester City’s Hannah Cain in a headlock and wrestling her to the ground during their League Cup clash Sunday. The Republic of Ireland International reacted to another small altercation between opponents during Palace’s 3-0 win. Littlejohn, who joined Palace in September, gave Cain a slight push before the Wales international responded by…
Cristiano Ronaldo will likely avoid missing any Portugal games at the 2026 World Cup despite his red card in a qualifying game for elbowing a Republic of Ireland opponent. FIFA published a disciplinary verdict Tuesday that imposed a three-game ban, which judged Ronaldo’s action as “violent conduct” or “serious foul play,” but with two of those games deferred for a one-year probation period. Ronaldo served a mandatory one-game ban when…
Former Belgium international Zinho Vanheusden has announced his retirement from football at the age of just 26 after persistent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. Vanheusden began his senior career at Inter Milan but never went on to make a senior appearance for the Serie A side instead enjoying loan spells at Standard Liège, Genoa, AZ Alkmaar and K.V. Mechelen in the Belgian Pro League before finishing his career at Marbella…
Spain international Jenni Hermoso achieved her dream of winning a title in Mexico, helping Tigres Femenil to the 2025 Apertura trophy on Sunday. Tigres Femenil edged America 1-0 to take the tie 4-3 on aggregate win to clinch the 2025 Apertura tournament. Hermoso, 35, the victim of the ‘Rubiales kiss scandal’ that rocked Spanish football after the country’s 2023 World Cup triumph, had previously lost Liga MX finals with Tigres…
Florentino Perez hit out at LaLiga president Javier Tebas, rivals Barcelona, Spain’s referees and UEFA in a combative speech at Real Madrid’s annual general meeting, while insisting the club will “win the next battles” on the Super League. Around 1500 representatives of Madrid’s 98,000 members participated in Sunday’s meeting at the club’s Valdebebas training ground, approving its annual accounts, and quizzing the board. In an 80-minute intervention, Perez criticised the…
Ruben Amorim has told Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee that he will put the club first when it comes time to decide if they can leave Manchester United in January. Both Mainoo and Zirkzee have struggled for game time so far this season and are keen to explore moves away from Old Trafford ahead of next summer’s World Cup. But while the pair haven’t started often, they are regularly part…
Ruben Amorim is not taking anything for granted at improved Manchester United given their surprise setbacks and less shocking struggles during his first year in the job. Monday’s Old Trafford encounter against Everton comes on the first anniversary of his maiden game in the hotseat away to Ipswich. Amorim oversaw a 1-1 draw at Portman Road and went on to experience more downs than ups during his first campaign, but…
Bayern Munich are tracking young Vasco da Gama forward Rayan, while Barcelona want Harry Kane or Julián Álvarez to replace 37-year-old striker Robert Lewandowski. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe. Transfers home page | Men’s grades | Women’s grades – Tottenham women agree deal for young star Gaupset – Premier League clubs vote in new ‘squad cost ratio’ rules – Mané: I chose…
Marcus Rashford is a doubt for Barcelona’s return to Spotify Camp Nou this weekend after missing training with flu on Thursday and Friday. Barça coach Hansi Flick says he will make a late call on the availability of Rashford, who has started the last 10 matches in all competitions for his club, ahead of Saturday’s visit from Athletic Club. “Marcus has fever, so he was out [of training] yesterday and…