Barcelona Femení will return to the United States this summer as part of their preparations for the new season, with friendlies scheduled against Bay FC and Dallas Trinity FC in August. The European champions will kick off their mini-tour against National Women’s Soccer League side Bay FC at Paypal Park in San José, California, on Aug. 27. They will then head to Texas where they will play Dallas Trinity, who…
Perched on a rock surrounding by the soothing sounds of a flowing stream and tweeting birds, Erling Haaland cuts a serene figure. Sitting cross-legged with hands out and eyes closed, the striker adopts the same meditative pose that fans of Manchester City have seen when he celebrated one of his many goals for the club. This tranquil scene, captured in a video posted on Instagram on the day of the…
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Two members of Stanford University’s American football team tried to talk their way past security and into Chelsea’s first training session on this summer’s preseason tour of the United States. “We just need to get something from our lockers … but don’t tell the coach,” one said to an unimpressed and unmoved guard at Stanford Stadium’s Gate 1, everyone bathed in Tuesday’s 90-degree Fahrenheit heat. Intrigue…
With the return of the Premier League on Aug. 16 edging ever closer, defending champions Manchester City have released their new third kit for the 2024-25 campaign. The strip was launched as City embark on a whistle-stop preseason tour of the United States, with fans afforded their first glimpse of the fresh design at a special block party event organised by the club in New York. The area on 49th…
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has said the club is even bigger than he imagined after he was officially presented on Thursday, almost two months after his appointment was confirmed. Flick, 59, replaced Xavi Hernández at the end of May and takes over a Barça side which failed to win a trophy last season. Despite that, he is excited by what he has seen since taking over and insists he is…
As Barcelona prepare to head to the United States this week for a preseason tour that will see them play Manchester City, Real Madrid and AC Milan, work is ongoing behind the scenes to improve the squad for new coach Hansi Flick after a disappointing 2023-24 campaign that ended with the dismissal of Xavi Hernández. Barça ultimately finished last season in second place in LaLiga behind champions Real Madrid, though…
Brazil legend Marta, 38, is set to retire from international football after the 2024 Olympic Games this month, but what legacy has she left on the women’s game? We spoke to those who know her best to tell the story of her incredible career. Information from ESPN Brasil was used in his piece. 1. Long before she became the best women’s soccer player in the world, Marta was seven years…
Angel City defender and New Zealand captain Ali Riley has been withdrawn from the Olympics by head coach Michael Mayne on medical grounds. The 36-year-old was due to play in her fifth Olympic Games in Paris this week. “This decision to medically withdraw Ali has not been easy,” Mayne said in a statement. “She has done everything in her control to get herself ready to compete ahead of what would…
Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Neymar are just some of the names who come up in the debate over the best soccer players in the 21st century. Then there are upcoming stars such as Kylian Mbappé and players of a different era such as Ronaldinho. Where do they stand? The conversation can be a never-ending one. How do you rank legends of the game — some the best…
Euro 2024 and the Copa América might both be done and dusted, but 2024’s grand summer of football continues as the Olympic Games get underway in Paris. Once again, a FIFA-sanctioned football tournament will take place at the Games with both men’s and women’s competitions set to kick off this week — on Wednesday and Thursday respectively. As per competition rules, the men’s tournament is predominantly restricted to under-23 players…