EFL Championship

Wayne Rooney has hit back at Tom Brady after the NFL great questioned his work ethic during his brief managerial spell at second-tier English club Birmingham City, saying the criticism was "very unfair".

Former New England Patriots quarterback Brady, minority owner of Birmingham, in an Amazon Prime documentary series titled, 'Built In Birmingham: Brady & The Blues', had said he was a little worried about Rooney's work ethic.

Tom Brady Wayne Rooney clash

Southampton denied Wrexham a fairytale return to England's second tier as two late goals snatched a 2-1 home win on Saturday and ruined what looked like a Hollywood script written by the Welsh club's celebrity owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

Josh Windass put Wrexham ahead with a 22nd-minute penalty, and they looked like enjoying a dream comeback to the Championship after 43 years until Ryan Manning levelled in the 90th minute and Jack Stephens got the winner deep in added time.

WREXHAM — Wrexham earned promotion for a record third straight season with a 3-0 home win over Charlton Athletic in League One on Saturday, the latest chapter in a stunning rise under the ownership of Hollywood A-listers Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

Sam Smith struck twice after Ollie Rathbone opened the scoring to send the Red Dragons up to the Championship (second tier) next season in front of a jubilant Racecourse Ground crowd that included Canada's Reynolds and American McElhenney.

MLS is the real deal, folks.

Major League Soccer has solidified its position among the world’s top-tier soccer leagues, now ranked as the ninth-best league globally, according to Opta Analyst.

MLS ranked as ninth-best league in the world, over EFL Championship and Eredivisie

This milestone places MLS above renowned leagues like the English Championship and the Dutch Eredivisie — two leagues in Europe with long histories of having top soccer talents.

The headline of this story might be one of the more unique ones I’ve written in my five years with The18. An American striker scored a key goal at the same time a squirrel was invading the pitch.

Sargent’s squirrely goal took place during Norwich City’s 1-1 draw against Hull City on Saturday in the EFL Championship. In the 47th minute Norwich left back Kellen Fisher was running stride for stride with a furry rodent on the near sideline.

Despite the excellent run made by Hammy from “Over the Hedge” Fisher elected to swing the ball into the box toward Sargent.

Atlanta United announced the splash signing of speedy Ivory Coast striker Emmanuel Latte Lath on Tuesday.

Atlanta reportedly paid an MLS-record $22 million transfer fee to English second-tier side Middlesbrough FC, breaking the mark of $16.2 million that FC Cincinnati spent in November to acquire forward Kevin Denkey from Belgium's Cercle Brugge.

Atlanta United break MLS transfer record

Welcome to this week’s edition of USMNT Abroad, where we bring you the latest updates on American soccer players making waves across Europe. 

From standout performances to key transfers, rumors and injury reports, The18 has got you covered with all the action involving U.S. men’s national team players in Europe’s top leagues. 

C’mon, you yanks!

USMNT Abroad this weekend: The latest on American players in Europe

Josh Sargent (Norwich City)

Oct 4 (Reuters) - Preston North End forward Milutin Osmajic has been given an eight-match suspension for biting Blackburn Rovers defender Owen Beck during their second-tier Championship draw last month, the Football Association (FA) said on Friday.

ELF Championship player hit with eight-match suspension for biting opponent

The FA charged the 25-year-old last month and Osmajic admitted biting Beck on the neck around the 87th minute of the match.