Watch out, Super Bowl...
In a major development that could revolutionize European soccer's global reach, UEFA and the European Club Association (ECA) have reportedly entered into negotiations with Relevent Sports, an American-based sports agency, to secure global commercial rights for Europe’s top men's club competitions for the coming years, according to The Independent.
Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham struck a last-gasp goal to give the holders a 3-2 first-leg victory over Manchester City in an edge-of-your-seat Champions League knockout phase playoff on Tuesday.
Kylian Mbappé and Brahim Diaz also struck for Real, to cancel out a double from City's Erling Haaland.
England international Bellingham scored the winner in the 92nd minute when Vinicius looped the ball over from the left and the Englishman got in front of John Stones to tap home.
Bellingham goal vs Man City
LONDON — Australia women's soccer captain Sam Kerr was on Tuesday found not guilty of racially abusing a British police officer after a dispute with a cab driver.
Kerr, who has Indian ancestry, called officer Stephen Lovell "stupid and white" after police were called following a drunken dispute with a cab driver in the early hours of January 30, 2023.
In a surprising move, FIFA has significantly slashed ticket prices for this summer’s inaugural 2025 Club World Cup in the United States.
2025 Club World Cup ticket price drop: FIFA 'panicking' amid low fan interest
Reports from Mail Sport indicate that the cost of the cheapest seats for matches at the last-16 stage and beyond has been reduced by as much as $385, with some tickets for the semi-finals plummeting from an eye-watering $526 to just $140.
LIVERPOOL — Holders Liverpool punched their return ticket to Wembley and a League Cup final against Newcastle United after a 4-0 rout, and 4-1 aggregate victory, over a toothless Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Thursday.
The runaway favorites took the lead, to overturn a 1-0 first leg deficit against the injury-depleted visitors, when Cody Gakpo fired in a right-foot shot in the 34th minute from a Mohamed Salah cross.
LONDON — Australia women's soccer captain Sam Kerr said she felt British police treated her differently because of the color of her skin, as she gave evidence in a London court on Wednesday while on trial accused of racially abusing a white police officer.
Kerr, who has Indian ancestry, told officer Stephen Lovell that "you guys are fucking stupid and white" after police were called following a drunken dispute with a cab driver in the early hours of Jan. 30, 2023.
Sam Kerr police officer video
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
Antonee Robinson (Fulham)
United States women’s national team fans have noticed a new trend happening. American players are flocking across the pond with more USWNT players in Europe by the week.
The biggest story in January was Chelsea breaking the bank and spending $1.1 million on Naomi Girma from San Diego Wave FC. This set the record for the most expensive transfer in women’s soccer history.
Two more USWNT players have also left the NWSL as Jenna Nighswonger and Crystal Dunn both departed Gotham FC for European clubs.
Defending champions Real Madrid will renew their Champions League rivalry with 2023 winners Manchester City in a blockbuster knockout phase playoff tie after the two teams were pitted against each other in the draw held in Nyon on Friday.
Both Real and City failed to advance automatically to the last 16 as one of the top eight sides after they finished 11th and 22nd, respectively, in the new league-phase format.
Teams that finished ninth to 24th will compete in a two-legged playoff to advance to the last 16.
UCL playoff draw
MANCHESTER — Manchester City kept their Champions League campaign alive by beating Belgian side Club Brugge 3-1 in a nervy must-win match on Wednesday thanks to goals from Mateo Kovacic and substitute Savinho, and a Brugge own goal.
The victory in their league-phase finale secured Pep Guardiola's men a spot in the two-legged playoff knockout round. They finished 22nd in the table, three places above elimination. They face either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid in the knockout stage.