Up-and-coming Players

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.

The United States women’s national team received a major boost as talented Ajax midfielder Lily Yohannes announced her decision to represent the U.S. instead of Netherlands on Monday. This calls for some Lily Yohannes highlights.

❤️ pic.twitter.com/nEnoJg6wvO

— Lily Yohannes (@LilyYohannes10) November 11, 2024

An amazing Alyssa Thompson goal vs Iceland opened the scoring for the United States women’s national team in their 3-1 victory on Thursday. The goal also marked Thompson’s first for the Stars and Stripes.

The USWNT went up against a compact and feisty Iceland side in their first game since the gold medal match at the Paris Olympics in August. 

Emma Hayes is ushering in the new era of the United States women’s national team with fresh faces on the October USWNT roster.

Hayes was required due to the USWNT’s CBA to call up all available players from the Paris Olympic roster, but she still brought in some new names and players we haven’t seen in over a year.

Here’s the 26-player roster that will play two friendlies against Iceland and one against Argentina this month.

USWNT October roster

Headin' South!