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Angel City defender and New Zealand captain Ali Riley has been withdrawn from the Olympics by head coach Michael Mayne on medical grounds.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…
Javier Aguirre has been named head coach of Mexico for a third time and will have former captain Rafael Marquez as his assistant, the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) announced on Monday. Aguirre will initially take the head coach job and lead the team for two years through the 2026 World Cup, before leaving Marquez in charge ahead of preparations for 2030. Marquez recently terminated his contract as Barcelona B manager…
It was close to midnight when Canada’s Julia Grosso readied herself to take the 12th kick of the penalty shootout against Sweden in the women’s Olympic soccer final in 2021. After a 1-1 draw at the International Stadium in Yokohama, Japan, the two teams couldn’t be separated after extra time or even after five spot kicks apiece — with both missing three under enormous pressure. But when Sweden’s Jonna Andersson…