Opinion

LA disappoints with shockingly low attendance for USWNT’s Gold Cup opener

Soccer fans in Los Angeles did not show out for the United States women’s national team’s 5-0 victory vs. Dominican Republic in the Concacaf Women’s Gold Cup on Tuesday.

The USWNT will play all three of their group stage games at Dignity Health Sports Park, the home of the LA Galaxy. The players will be hoping the attendance improves as the tournament progresses.

On Tuesday just 3,242 fans filled the 27,000-seat stadium.

Why was the USWNT attendance so low?

Gregg Berhalter has a striker dilemma with three valid options to start for USMNT

United States men’s national team head coach Gregg Berhalter has a decision to make that few people will envy. Who will be the USMNT starting striker?

The answer to that question will be vital for this summer’s Copa América as the USMNT will be tested against South America’s elite teams.

Before the highly anticipated tournament begins, Berhalter will give USMNT fans some insight on which striker(s) he prefers with the Concacaf Nations League in March.

The18’s top five Champions League goals of the week: UCL is back baby

After a two-month break the UEFA Champions League returned this week as the knockout stages kicked off. We at The18 are trying something new and we’re picking our favorites for the best Champions League goals of the week.

Of the four games played this week eight goals were scored. Let’s get into the list.

Top 5 best Champions League goals of the week

5. Kylian Mbappé attacks at the back post

Lindsey Horan apologizes to U.S. soccer fans after calling them ‘not smart’

A Lindsey Horan apology was given to American soccer fans on Thursday during a press conference with the United States women’s national team.

Horan ruffled a litany of feathers for her February interview with The Athletic when she remarked on the low intelligence levels of USWNT fans.

"American soccer fans, most of them aren't smart,” Horan said to The Athletic. “They don't know the game. They don't understand. It's getting better and better.

Lionel Messi and Ted Lasso’s Michelob ad wins our favorite Super Bowl commercial

Enough time has passed that we can look back on Super Bowl 58 and all agree that the commercials were lackluster. That being said, our favorite was the Lionel Messi Super Bowl commercial with Ted Lasso actor Jason Sudeikis and a feature from NFL legend Dan Marino.

We’re not sure what it was but the commercials weren’t that memorable. Many ads followed the cookie-cutter format of somewhat recognizable celebrity does something goofy. It was either that or having to watch three dogshit Temu commercials or ANOTHER homes.com video.

Jordan Pefok deserves another shot with USMNT and should be called up in March

Jordan Pefok’s recent form to start 2024 deserves recognition and an international call-up in March if he remains consistent. 

The 26-year-old provided an assist in Borussia Monchengladbach’s 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich on Saturday marking his third goal contribution in his last four Bundesliga games.

Alexi Lalas claps back to Lindsey Horan and says American soccer fans are ‘the most educated’

Drama in the U.S. Soccer sphere wouldn’t be complete without former player and pundit Alexi Lalas chiming in to give his opinion. Lalas has responded to USWNT captain Lindsey Horan’s quote about American soccer fans not being smart.

Horan’s chief complaint with American soccer fans was when they only listen to what the U.S. pundits and commentators say and accept that as the truth.

Watch: Christian Pulisic laughs at the idea of Landon Donovan being his soccer hero

Christian Pulisic couldn’t help but laugh and make a face when his fellow AC Milan and USMNT teammate Yunus Musah guessed that Landon Donovan was Pulisic’s soccer hero.

The humorous moment happened during a “Teammates” video with Soccer.com where the two players quizzed each other to see how well they know one another.

Pulisic Donovan soccer hero moment

Gio Reyna’s transfer drama is over — he’s going to Nottingham Forest on loan

United States men’s national team talent Gio Reyna has been linked to several clubs across Europe as he seeks playing time away from Borussia Dortmund. There were many reports on where he could go but, in the end, a Gio Reyna Nottingham Forest loan is the outcome.

Reyna will be loaned to Forest until the end of the 2023-24 season, however the Premier League club won’t be given the option to permanently buy. Instead, the 21-year-old has signed a new contract with Dortmund that runs through 2026.

Gio Reyna Nottingham Forest loan

Matt Turner’s poor form this season a major concern for USMNT during Copa América

Nottingham Forest nearly secured a big point at home against Arsenal however a costly Matt Turner mistake at his near post saw the Gunners win 2-1 on Tuesday.

The latest Matt Turner mistake featured the United States men’s national team goalkeeper conceding a goal between his legs. Turner’s errors are cause for concern among the USMNT faithful.

In the 65th minute with the score tied 0-0 Gabriel Jesus was in on Forest’s goal but at a tight angle. What should have been a standard save instead turned into disaster for Turner as it went right through the wickets.

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