Up-and-coming Players

Two Diego Luna goals vs Guatemala secured the United States men’s national team a spot in the 2025 Gold Cup final as the 21-year-old shined the brightest during Wednesday’s 2-1 U.S. victory.

Luna was riding high from the quarterfinal against Costa Rica where scored his first-ever international goal. He now has triple that number following a 15-minute brace to open the game against Guatemala.

Diego Luna goals vs Guatemala

Rising United States women’s national team star Lily Yohannes is on the brink of making a big career move as she’s set to leave Ajax and join Lyon, per ESPN’s Jeff Kassouf.

Yohannes has been electric in her two seasons with Ajax’s senior team as the young midfielder impressed in the Eredivisie and earned call ups to the USWNT. Yohannes was eligible to represent the U.S. and Netherlands, but ultimately decided the Stars and Stripes looked best on her.

Barcelona secured their 28th LaLiga title on Thursday when they beat city rivals Espanyol 2-0, securing an unassailable seven-point lead over second-placed Real Madrid with two games left to play.

Following a 4-3 loss at Barcelona on Sunday, Real needed to win their final three games and hope the leaders didn't earn more than one point in the same period to maintain any mathematical chances of claiming the title.

Al Nassr superstar Cristiano Ronaldo shared exciting news on Tuesday that his eldest son — Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. — received his first international call-up from Portugal.

The 14-year-old plays for Al Nassr’s academy and will now wear the national team shirt for the first time in his young career. 

Cristiano Ronaldo Jr Portugal call-up

BARCELONA — Raphinha scored twice and Lamine Yamal netted with a stunning strike as a superb Barcelona dismantled Benfica 3-1 in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday, advancing to the quarter-finals with a 4-1 aggregate victory.

It was an inspired evening for teenager Yamal who was virtually unplayable running up and down the right channel, creating most of Barca's scoring chances.

Lamine Yamal goal vs Benfica

The United States men’s national team defeated Venezuela 3-1 in a friendly at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Flordia, on Saturday with several players impressing for the Stars and Stripes.

Saturday’s friendly was outside of the traditional FIFA international windows meaning big name players like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and others weren’t available. Many USMNT fans dislike the annual January friendly the team does and refers to it as “Camp Cupcake.”

All players on the roster are domestic-based and play in Major League Soccer.

MANCHESTER — Three late goals from Amad Diallo dragged a below-par Manchester United to an unlikely 3-1 comeback victory over bottom side Southampton in the Premier League on Thursday.

United will have fancied their chances of getting back to winning ways against struggling Saints but the hosts were second best from the off, deservedly falling behind to a Manuel Ugarte own goal just before halftime.

jEDDAH — Goals from Gavi and Lamine Yamal earned Barcelona a 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final in Jeddah on Wednesday to reach their third successive final.

Gavi opened the scoring in the 17th minute and Yamal doubled Barca's lead seven minutes after the break.

Gavi turned provider with a delightful pass played forward which Lamal controlled beautifully on the turn before taking the ball into the area and coolly driving his shot past Simon.

Lamine Yamal goal vs Athletic Bilbao

The New England Revolution said farewell to Esmir Bajraktarevic and signed fellow forward Luis Diaz on Thursday.

The Revs transferred Bajraktarevic, 19, to Dutch side PSV Eindhoven for an undisclosed fee after three MLS seasons. New England retained a percentage of the homegrown player's future sell-on rights.

Bajraktarevic appeared in 45 matches (28 starts) from 2022-24, contributing three goals and three assists.