Sid Lazar

Siddhant Lazar

News writer

Bio: News Writer at GOAL, covering U.S. football’s biggest moments and its hidden corners. Grew up on late-night Premier League matches, gaining a global perspective with a love for the chaos of football culture.

My Football Story: One could say that it started as a child when I would live for playing football on a daily basis, or when I sneakily snuck out of my room and watched the 2006 World Cup final. But it all kicked off on the evening of Aug. 19, 2006 when Gilberto Silva scored a late equalizer for Arsenal, and we screamed the house down. It began a love affair that has thrived nearly twenty years later and shows no signs of stopping.

Favorite Footballing Memory: I will likely never forget the 2010 and 2014 World Cup finals as long as I live but even that doesn’t come close to Leicester City’s miracle. As an Arsenal fan, it was agony; as a devotee of the beautiful game, it was transcendence - proof that football still belongs to the dreamers and the impossible.

Articles by Siddhant Lazar
  1. USWNT announce January friendly against Paraguay

    The U.S. Women’s National Team will open 2026 with its annual January training camp in Southern California, holding sessions at Dignity Health Sports Park from Jan. 17–27. The camp will include a friendly against Paraguay on Jan. 24, featuring a special retirement celebration for Los Angeles native Christen Press, before a second match on Jan. 27 that will be announced at a later date.

  2. Report: Rodman receives significant contract offer from Power

    Trinity Rodman has received a contract offer from DC Power of the Gainbridge Super League that reportedly exceeds what the Washington Spirit or the NWSL can match. The U.S. forward’s contract with the Spirit expires next month, and negotiations over an extension have stalled. NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman has stressed her league will fight to keep the American star.

  3. U.S. Soccer appoints Dan Helfrich as COO

    U.S. Soccer has appointed Dan Helfrich, former Chair and CEO of Deloitte Consulting LLP, as its next Chief Operating Officer, effective Jan. 1, 2026. Helfrich will report to CEO and Secretary General JT Batson and oversee the federation’s day-to-day operations. His hiring comes shortly after his retirement from Deloitte in December 2025.

  4. WC 2026 ticket holders to get priority U.S. visa appointments

    FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket holders traveling to matches in the United States will be able to receive prioritized U.S. visa interview appointments under a new initiative announced at the White House on Monday. The program - the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS) - was introduced by the U.S. Department of State in coordination with the White House Task Force and FIFA.

  5. ‘Growing in confidence’ - Donovan sees emerging identity in USMNT

    Landon Donovan offered a positive assessment of the United States men’s national team following its 2-1 win over Paraguay during the November 2025 friendlies, noting signs that the squad is beginning to form a clearer identity as it continues preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil. He commended the team’s continued progress under the current coaching staff, led by Mauricio Pochettino.

  6. Robinson, Reyna point to late scuffle as positive for USMNT

    Miles Robinson addressed the altercation that erupted at the end of the United States men’s national team’s 2-1 win over Paraguay during the November 2025 friendlies, offering clarity on how a late throw-in dispute escalated into a bench-clearing confrontation. However, both Robinson and Gio Reyna said the scuffle ultimately reflected the team’s character and commitment to one another.

  7. Rodman’s future with Spirit reportedly remains uncertain

    United States forward Trinity Rodman’s future with the Washington Spirit is reportedly uncertain as she weighs more lucrative offers from overseas. Saturday’s NWSL semifinal win over the Portland Thorns at Audi Field may have been her final home appearance, with her contract set to expire next month and extension talks stalling.

  1. WATCH: Balogun scores game-winner for USMNT thanks to Reyna

    Folarin Balogun scored a crucial goal to put the United States Men’s National Team ahead 2-1 against Paraguay during the November 2025 international window. The strike was Balogun’s third goal in his last four appearances, with Gio Reyna creating the chance moments after ending his own scoring drought with the USMNT’s opener - his first goal since March 2024.

  2. WATCH: Reyna scores his first goal for the USMNT since 2024

    Gio Reyna earned a surprise start and made an immediate impact for the U.S. men’s national team, scoring inside four minutes against Paraguay during the November 2025 international window. The goal was his first for the USMNT since March 2024 and came in his first appearance since March 2025, marking a key step in his return to the squad.

  3. Apple and MLS's deal revised to reportedly end in 2029

    Major League Soccer and Apple are reportedly set to make significant revisions to their landmark streaming partnership, with the agreement now scheduled to conclude in 2029 - three-and-a-half years earlier than originally planned. The restructured deal, which includes increased payments and aligns with MLS’s upcoming calendar shift, marks a substantial evolution of the partnership.

  4. U.S. U17s suffers penalty shootout loss to Morocco

    The United States saw their FIFA U17 World Cup run end in the Round of 32 after a dramatic 1-1 draw and a 4-3 penalty shootout defeat to Morocco. Jude Terry’s early strike had the Americans in control for much of the match, but Abdellah Ouazane’s 90th-minute equalizer forced the shootout that ultimately sealed their exit.

  5. MLS owners reportedly expected to vote on fall-spring calendar

    MLS is reportedly poised to make significant changes to its season calendar and competition structure, with owners expected to vote Thursday on a shift to a fall-spring schedule that could begin as early as 2027.. The league’s Board of Governors is set to meet soon and is expected to finalize proposals that also include moving to a single league table with divisions - a major evolution for MLS.