History

Evergreen Japanese footballer Kazuyoshi Miura, now 54, has no intention of hanging up his boots and said that as many as eight Japanese clubs are after his signature for next season, Kyodo News agency reported on Tuesday.

Miura, known as "King Kazu" in his homeland, became the oldest player to feature in Japan's first division when he played for Yokohama FC last season, but is now looking for opportunities elsewhere after the side were relegated to the second tier.

In Europe there's a pretty established pathway to becoming a professional footballer: get signed to the academy of a professional club at an early age and hope that one day you're good enough to make the first team.

For an American with European dreams, the route is similar: either have a rich family that can send you abroad or hope that a European club somehow spots you.

Sergio Agüero had an emotional farewell to the sport on Wednesday after being forced to retire at the age of 33 due to a heart condition. Fans of all clubs — even those who had Agüero as a bitter rival for so many years —fondly remembered Agüero’s career that was ended far too soon.

Running through Wednesday's KNVB Cup results on ESPN FC there was a name that stuck out like royalty among the Van den Bergs and Voets — a goalscorer for Den Haag identified as one "C. Seedorf". 

A quick search revealed that he's 21-year-old winger Cain Seedorf, who spent time at Ajax's youth academy before signing his first professional contract with Den Haag in 2020. And yes, he's a nephew of the legendary Clarence Seedorf. 

Thirty years ago to the day, the U.S. edged Norway 2-1 to claim the first Women’s World Cup title. Except, it wasn’t called the Women’s World Cup yet, matches were only 80 minutes because FIFA didn’t think women could handle a full 90 and the USWNT returned home to a greeting party of three. The first Women’s World Cup was far from the blockbuster it is today, but it was a start, one that can’t be forgotten on its 30-year anniversary.

Has Canada qualified for a World Cup before? The Canucks look well on their way to Qatar 2022 after an iconic victory against Mexico in World Cup qualifying. If Canada qualifies for next year’s tournament, it won’t be the first time the Northerners have made the big stage.