LAFC, the newest MLS expansion team, makes its debut this year. The club is still working on sorting out a number of variables from finalizing its roster to completing construction of its stadium. But a new LAFC YouTubeTV deal announced Wednesday means the club now has a shirt sponsor and a local broadcaster. But the local English-language broadcasts won’t be free.
The story of Bruno Zuculini’s young career is one of fire, fury and loan moves. A product of Buenos Aires club Racing, Zuculini made his first team debut with the club, one of the “big five” clubs of Argentine football, at the tender age of 16. After establishing himself as one of the Primera Division’s top talents, Manchester City signed him at the age of 21 for $3.2 million in 2014.
For most sports in the United States, transfer fees are a foreign idea. Athletes in basketball and American football move as free agents or in trades, but rarely are they outright sold for a lump sum. While Major League Soccer maintains some of these cultural ideals, transfer fees are still commonplace. The most expensive MLS transfer fees highlight some of the league’s most ambitious clubs.
There’s no question that Ronaldinho was at the height of his powers between 2002 and 2007, when he was twice named FIFA World Player of the Year and helped Brazil to the World Cup (’02) and Barcelona to the Champions League (’06). However, given how quickly his star faded after leaving Barca in 2008, you could say that the Brazilian attacker’s prime was a 10-year period beginning with his meteoric rise in 1999.
In August 1985, a little late to the party, the U.S. debuted its first full women’s national team in international competition. The first USWNT played in a tournament in Italy, losing three of four matches, drawing once.
Among the players on the inaugural squad was Michelle Akers, who would go on to become a two-time World Cup winner and be named FIFA Female Player of the Century in 2002, a couple years after her retirement.
The USWNT’s latest January training camp had players aged 19 through 35 in attendance, and that blend of youth and experience will hold true at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France (qualification secured, God willing). It only follows that these footballers were at very different stages in their respective careers back in the heady days of 2008.
Here’s 18 USWNT players as they were 10 years ago in 2008 versus now. It’s been a wild ride for some, and a measurement of resolute consistency for others.
Hola compadres welcome back to FCEPL.
First 2003-04 Arsenal players. Pop the champagne because Man City is no longer invincible. That gunners squad remains the only team in the PL era to be invinclable and it will last another season. Maybe send Liverpool a card? Lets get to it, here are the potential transfers to make this week-
3 Mans You Could Pick Up
Callum Wilson (Bournemouth):
Less than a week after Sporting KC beat the New York Red Bulls to win the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in September, qualifying for the 2018 tournament began. More than 100 amateur clubs entered the competition, dreaming of a chance to compete in the 105-year-old event against the best professional teams in the country.
Of those scores of squads, 14 Open Division Local Qualifying teams emerged, 14 flag bearers for an ever-growing stanchion of U.S. soccer.
We made it through the blitz of games over the past month folks. Now you have a fresh wildcard to use if you'd like or you can keep rolling with your squad. Oh the decisions. Here are some Lads you can pick up this week:
Ayoze Perez (Newcastle):
Newcastle host Swansea, the Premier League’s worst team, on Saturday. Ayoze Perez is Newcastle’s in-form attacker with three goals in his last two games. At only £5.2, he’s easily the biggest sleeper among FPL Gameweek 23 attackers.
Jesse Lingard (Manchester United):