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From stadium anthems to sweltering afternoons in packed arenas, the summer of 1994 marked the moment football - or soccer - truly crashed the American party. It was the World Cup that changed everything: where global passion met U.S. showtime, and two sporting cultures began to merge.

Last summer, everyone was convinced that Rodrygo simply had to leave Real Madrid. There was no way of spinning it; the brilliant Brazilian had been frozen out both by Carlo Ancelotti and Xabi Alonso, and there was no future for him at the Bernabeu.

Thomas Frank has explained why he was bizarrely spotted drinking from an Arsenal-branded cup ahead of Tottenham’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth. The Dane, who is already seeing his position in north London called into question, risked incurring further the wrath of disgruntled supporters when being seen strolling around the Vitality Stadium with a drink that promoted Spurs’ fiercest rivals.

Xabi Alonso will hope his Real Madrid side can land a statement win when they take on Atletico Madrid in the Supercopa de Espana semi-final showdown on Thursday night. The winner of the Madrid derby in Jeddah will face Barcelona in Sunday's final after the defending La Liga champions eased to a 5-0 win over over Basque giants Athletic Club on Wednesday.

Antoine Semenyo delivered the perfect parting gift to Bournemouth fans ahead of his move to Manchester City later this week. The departing Cherries star rifled home a 95th-minute winner against Tottenham with what could prove to be his final touch for the club, topping off what was an electric and unpredictable evening on the south coast under the lights.

Ben Chilwell has told Liam Rosenior he is joining an "amazing club" as his ex-Strasbourg boss prepares to take the reins at his former side Chelsea. Rosenior has been named as the Blues' new head coach following Enzo Maresca's acrimonious exit, and the move has prompted Chilwell to bid him a heartfelt farewell as the English coach leaves the Ligue 1 outfit behind.

The change in coach did nothing to change the fortunes of Manchester United as the Red Devils were held to a 2-2 draw at battling Burnley on Wednesday in their first game since sacking Ruben Amorim. Benjamin Sesko scored twice in quick succession to give United the lead in the second half after falling behind to an Ayden Heaven own goal on a cold night at Turf Moor. But in the end they had to make do with a third draw in a row against teams fighting against relegation as Jaidon Anthony struck back for the Clarets.

Joao Palhinha scored his second overhead kick of the season as Tottenham ultimately fell to a late defeat at Bournemouth on Wednesday night. Palhinha thought he'd rescued a point with a superb strike at the Vitality Stadium in midweek only for Antoine Semenyo to win it late on for the Cherries on what is expected to be his final game for the south coast side ahead of his move to Manchester City.

Erling Haaland has linked up with UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov for an Instagram post that simply read 'Mentality'. However, eagle-eyed Manchester City fans were quick to spot the motivational message in the background of the image as the Cityzens look to chase down league leaders Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table. City went into the midweek fixtures six points behind the Gunners.

Erling Haaland could not seize several opportunities to move Manchester City to within three points of Premier League leaders Arsenal ahead as, despite scoring from the penalty spot to put his side ahead at the Etihad, Brighton fought back to claim a 1-1 draw on Wednesday, extending City's frustrating run of draws to three games in the top-flight.

Ten-man Chelsea were beaten 2-1 by Fulham in a fiery west London derby at Craven Cottage on Wednesday. A first-half red card for Marc Cucurella meant the Blues faced an uphill battle and ultimately succumbed to defeat in front of new head coach Liam Rosenior, who watched the game from the stands.

Chelsea fans have unleashed their rage on defender Marc Cucurella after he was sent off away to Fulham in the Premier League on Wednesday night. The Spaniard was caught out by a long ball over the top from goalkeeper Bernd Leno, who released Harry Wilson in on goal. Cucurella blatantly pulled the midfielder's arm back, sending him tumbling to the ground. To no-one's surprise, the full-back was shown a red card - the Blues' seventh of the season.

Folarin Balogun says that Mauricio Pochettino has ensured that no U.S. men's national team players feel their place is guaranteed, which only makes the Monaco striker's recent goals feel all the more important. After missing much of 2025 with injury issues, Balogun returned to full fitness in the fall and has been scoring for club and country.

Barcelona dominated against Athletic Club on Wednesday as the La Liga leaders eased to a 5-0 win over the Basque side to book their spot in the Supercopa de Espana final. Barca boss Hansi Flick opted to start teenage star Lamine Yamal on the bench in Jeddah, but it didn't hinder the Blaugrana, who were ruthless in their semi-final showdown.

Barcelona begin their quest to claim the Spanish Supercopa crown against Athletic Club in the semi-finals, taking place in Saudi Arabia, but they will do so without their talisman Lamine Yamal in the starting line-up. In a shock reveal, Hansi Flick named the 18-year-old on the bench, opting for a more cautious approach after struggling with injury issues this season.

Mario Balotelli is set to complete a transfer to the 14th club of his career as he closes in on a switch to Al-Ittifaq FC of Dubai. The former Manchester City and Liverpool striker has been a free agent since he left Italian side Genoa over the summer. Balotelli signed for the Serie A outfit on a season-long deal last October but did not stay there long.

Bryant Lazaro’s playing dream ended at 19. His education in soccer didn’t. Mentored by Bielsa, the American-born coach is now rising at Portugal’s Estoril.

Soccer’s rise in the United States has reached another milestone. According to a recent survey from The Economist, the sport has overtaken baseball to become the country’s third-most popular sport, trailing only American football and basketball - a shift driven in part by the continued growth of Major League Soccer.

Legendary former player and manager Kevin Keegan, famed for his time at Liverpool and in charge of Newcastle and England, has been diagnosed with cancer, his family have revealed. The 74-year-old was recently admitted to hospital after experiencing symptoms, and will continue to be monitored. Keegan's last managerial role was in 2008 when he completed a fairy tale return to Newcastle, only to fall out with owner Mike Ashley.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has admitted he partly agrees with comments that his team are 'drab' and 'boring', as the Reds prepare for their huge showdown with Premier League leaders Arsenal on Thursday night. The Dutchman has come under criticism for how his team play, and while there were no real arguments from the manager, he does claim he would word it differently.

The truth behind a proposed €150 million (£130m/$175m) bid from Chelsea for Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior has been revealed after reports the Premier League giants were planning a mammoth offer for the Brazil star ahead of the January transfer window, amid claims he is unsettled in the Spanish capital since head coach Xabi Alonso's arrival back at his old club.

Chelsea are set to be disappointed in their pursuit of AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, as the Italian giants edge closer to tying their captain down to a new contract. Maignan was a transfer target for the Blues last summer and they were expected to renew their interest this year given the Frenchman would be available on a free transfer. However, Milan are now in advanced talks to keep the highly-rated stopper at San Siro.

Inter Miami are close to securing Tadeo Allende on a permanent transfer from Celta Vigo following a record-breaking MLS season. The Argentine winger was a key figure in Miami’s MLS Cup triumph, and his return would bolster a roster preparing not only to defend the title in 2026, but also to compete on the international stage.

The 2026 SheBelieves Cup will feature four teams: The USWNT, Argentina, Colombia and Canada and will be held across Nashville, Tenn., Columbus, Ohio and Harrison, N.J. The 2026 SheBelieves Cup games will be a trio of domestic games that will prove to be a proper preparation and test ahead of the qualifications for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal has been named as the most valuable player on the planet in the 2026 CIES' Football Observatory top 100 list. Barca's young forward has seen his stock continue to grow in the last 12 months, earning second place in the Ballon d'Or rankings, behind Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembele. Bizarrely, however, the latest winner of the prestigious award has not been included in the top 100.

GOAL begins its Meet the USMNT series by examining the rise, pressure, and expectations surrounding Christian Pulisic as the U.S. prepare for a home World Cup.

Former Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic has opened up on his feud with Andre Onana after infamously calling the Cameroonian one of the Red Devils' "worst-ever goalkeepers". The two traded barbs in the lead-up to United's Europa League quarter-final clash with Lyon last season, before the Premier League side won a dramatic knockout tie. Now, the ex-Chelsea ace has revisited that thorny issue.

West Ham United have reportedly decided to stick with under-fire manager Nuno Espirito Santo despite calls for his head growing louder following a damaging 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest. The Hammers are mired in a relegation battle, sitting 18th in the Premier League and seven points from safety, but the hierarchy is preparing to back their coach in the market rather than show him the exit door.

United States international Weston McKennie will reportedly not renew his Juventus contract amid rumours of a Major League Soccer return. The 27-year-old's future has been up in the air for years now, ever since he had an underwhelming loan spell at Leeds United in 2023. The midfielder has spent more than five years at the Italian giants but his spell there may be drawing to a close.