Portland Thorns

Portland Thorns Overview

Gotham FC lift NWSL

Six takeaways: Spirit open NWSL 2026 as Legacy, Summit debut

The NWSL has unveiled its 2026 regular-season schedule, opening March 13 with Washington Spirit hosting the Portland Thorns. Opening weekend also features expansion sides Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC making their league debuts on March 14, with Boston hosting defending champions Gotham FC and Denver opening on the road against Bay FC. Here are GOAL’s six takeaways.

Laila Harbert NXGN GFX

Arsenal's Lionesses prospect learning from the USWNT's best

Arsenal have had their fair share of success stories over the years when it comes to the women's side of the academy. Leah Williamson, England's two-time European Championship-winning captain, and Lotte Wubben-Moy, also part of those triumphs with the Lionesses, are two of the most high-profiles examples of players who have progressed through the youth set-up and become key members of the first team - and they will not be the last.

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Standings

NWSL crestNWSL

PosTeamPWDLFA+/-PTSForm
1Portland Thorns crestPortland Thorns8611146819
W
W
W
D
W
2Washington Spirit crestWashington Spirit8431146815
W
W
W
W
D
3San Diego Wave FC crestSan Diego Wave FC8503118315
L
L
W
W
W
4Gotham FC crestGotham FC842284414
W
W
W
L
D
5Utah Royals crestUtah Royals7412106413
W
W
W
W
D
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History

Manchester United, often simply referred to as "United," are one of the most iconic and successful football clubs in the world, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, England. The club was founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878 by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway depot at Newton Heath. The team changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to its current home, Old Trafford, in 1910.

Famous players

Manchester United have been home to some of the greatest footballers in history. Sir Bobby Charlton, a World Cup winner with England in 1966, is arguably the most iconic figure in the club's history. Other legendary players include George Best, known for his flair and skill, and Eric Cantona, who brought a winning mentality to the club during the 1990s. More recent stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, and Paul Scholes have also contributed significantly to the club's success.

Honours

Manchester United are one of the most decorated clubs in English football, having won a record 20 Premier League titles (formerly the First Division). They have also lifted the FA Cup 12 times, the League Cup five times, and the UEFA Champions League three times. The club's dominance in English football was particularly evident during the 1990s and early 2000s under manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Managers

Sir Alex Ferguson is undoubtedly the most successful manager in Manchester United's history. He spent 26 years at the club, leading them to an unprecedented era of success. Before Ferguson, managers like Matt Busby and Wilf McGuinness played crucial roles in shaping the club's identity. More recent managers, including David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, and José Mourinho, have faced the challenge of maintaining the club's high standards.

Stadium

Old Trafford, often referred to as the "Theatre of Dreams," is one of the most famous stadiums in the world. With a capacity of roughly 75,000, it is among the largest football stadiums in the United Kingdom. The stadium has hosted numerous major matches, including UEFA Champions League finals and FIFA World Cup matches.

Location

Manchester United are based in the city of Manchester, which is located in the northwest of England. The club's home ground, Old Trafford, is situated in the Trafford borough. Manchester is a major industrial city with a rich footballing heritage.

Owners

In February 2024, British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe's company, INEOS, acquired a significant 25% stake in Manchester United. This acquisition granted Ratcliffe sporting control over the club, placing him in a position to influence key decisions related to its operations.

Ratcliffe has already made a substantial financial commitment to Manchester United. His large investments demonstrate his dedication to the club's success and his willingness to provide the necessary resources for its growth.

Frequently asked questions

Besiktas Istanbul wurde im März 1903 gegründet.

Besiktas Istanbul ist ein mitgliedergeführter Verein. Die Profifußball-Abteilung ist in einer Aktiengesellschaft organisiert, an welcher der Stammverein mit rund 70 Prozent die Stimmenmehrheit hält. Die restlichen 30 Prozent befinden sich im Streubesitz an der Istanbuler Börse.

Das Stadion trägt den offiziellen Namen Tüpras Stadyumu. Es wird aber oft weiterhin als Besiktas Park bezeichnet.

Das Tüpras Stadyumu bietet Platz für 42.684 Zuschauer.

Besiktas Istanbul hat insgesamt 37 Titel gewonnen. Diese Sammlung umfasst unzählige nationale Meisterschaften, 11 Siege im türkischen Pokal sowie 10 Erfolge im türkischen Supercup.

Besiktas Istanbul hat insgesamt 16 nationale Meisterschaftstitel gewonnen.

Der Rekordspieler von Besiktas ist Mehmet Özdilek, der insgesamt 491 Pflichtspiele für den Verein absolvierte.

Feyyaz Ucar ist der Rekordhalter. Er schoss insgesamt 186 Tore für den Verein.

Der Portugiese Ricardo Quaresma war zum Beispiel mehrere Jahre bei Besiktas unter Vertrag. In der Vergangenheit trugen weitere Top-Akteure das Trikot des Vereins, darunter der deutsche Nationalspieler Mario Gomez und Portugals Abwehr-Ikone Pepe. Auch Rafa Silva war von 2024 bis 2026 Teil des Vereins.

Zu bekannten Namen gehören John Toshack, der Spanier Vicente del Bosque sowie die deutschen Trainer Christoph Daum, Hans-Peter Briegel und Bernd Schuster. 

Der bekannteste Spitzname von Besiktas ist „Kara Kartallar“ (die Schwarzen Adler).