Player Profile

The making of Weston McKennie: How America's most unique talent reached the top — and the team behind the scenes who helped him along the way

Weston McKennie is one of soccer's most unique talents. Even on the world's biggest stage, the 24-year-old American stands out in the middle of the pitch with his all-action style, covering every blade of grass, arriving first to every contested ball and occasionally looking like a one-man midfield out there.

But Weston would be the first to admit that his meteoric rise to playing for Italy's biggest club and representing his country on the world’s stage is grounded in the help, commitment and sacrifice of teammates, family, friends, and coaches.

10 players who only appear every 4 years to dominate the World Cup

Every four years, an elite sect of footballers emerge from their cryotherapy chambers without having aged a day since the game's last showpiece event. They have heard the call of their nation and awoken from their slumber, ready to once again take their rightful place on our television sets and to lay waste to group stage opponents with a fraction of their veteran experience. 

We've spent more time with these guys over the last 15 years than many of our relatives, and we'll finally now get to spend Thanksgiving with them too. 

BREAKING: Gerard Piqué abruptly retires from football

BARCELONA - Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué called time on his glittering career on Thursday, saying he will retire from football when LaLiga breaks for the World Cup this month.

Piqué, 35, said in a video posted on social media that Saturday's league clash with Almería on Saturday will be his last at Barcelona's Camp Nou after 14 years with the Catalan giants following his return from Manchester United in 2008.

Barcelona will travel to Osasuna on Tuesday for their final fixture before the Nov. 20-Dec. 18 World Cup.

Lionel Messi says he's counting down the days until his final World Cup

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has said he is counting the days until the World Cup and believes his team have a good chance of winning the tournament.

Messi, who will be playing his fifth World Cup in Qatar, told Star+ he is feeling nervous ahead of the tournament but is in positive mood.

Argentina will arrive in Qatar with their confidence high after winning the 2021 Copa América final against hosts Brazil, which Messi believes was a turning-point for his team after several near misses.

iShowSpeed's hilarious performance vs. Sidemen FC in the Sidemen Charity Match

The Sidemen Charity Match was inarguably the greatest edition of the event since its first in 2016. The soccer match gave us wonderful goals, tackles, celebrations and moments of comedy – all protagonized by many of social media’s most beloved influencers.

One of the most anticipated appearances was that of our very own iShowSpeed, and boy did he deliver.

A Soccer Player's Journey Across the Globe

Soccer in New Zealand is physical, competitive and for me it was an important part of my everyday life back home. 

Due to the country being small, New Zealand doesn’t have its own professional league. There is only one professional men’s soccer club in the country. Unlike Europe or other parts of the world, this makes the pathway to a professional contract unorthodox and the lack of systems in place mean that you must pave your own way. 

Meet Brandon Vazquez — The Dark Horse For The USMNT No. 9 Gig At The World Cup

“Who is Brandon Vazquez?” is a question that United States men’s national team fans could be asking themselves. If you’re a fan of the USMNT who doesn’t pay too much attention to Major League Soccer, then you might not know about the 23-year-old FC Cincinnati forward.

Who Is Brandon Vazquez

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Meet Wilfried Gnonto, Leeds' New Italian Genius

Just as deadline day was about to slam shut, Leeds United surprised many by signing winger, Wilfried Gnonto. Anyone familiar with the 18-year-old Italian however, will be aware of the brilliant business done by Jesse Marsch to bring him to England for as little as he did. 

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