A U.S. national soccer team being knocked out at the group stage of a major tournament is a headline that we don't often associate with the women’s side, but today produced an outcome not many in the soccer world could've predicted. The U.S. U-20 women’s national team saw its journey at the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup come to a shocking end before it really even got started.
During a goal-packed, explosive MLS game between D.C. United and Orlando City on Sunday night, Wayne Rooney and Luciano Acosta combined to destroy Orlando at the death. United won 3-2 with Acosta’s hat-trick (two supplied by Rooney) surpassing the efforts of an own goal and Dom Dwyer.
In the 96th minute, a failed D.C. corner left their own net without a keeper (United's David Ousted had come forward despite the 2-2 scoreline — D.C. had to win this one) as Orlando’s Will Johnson sought to capitalize on the counter — until Rooney started rampaging.
It was only 109 days ago that Toronto FC was being hailed as the greatest side in MLS history after pushing Chivas to a penalty shootout in the final of the CONCACAF Champions League. Now, TFC’s in very real danger of missing the MLS Cup Playoffs and a chance at defending its 2017 title.
On Sunday, Toronto was defeated 3-2 by Eastern Conference rivals New York City FC in front of nearly 28,000 at BMO Field. It was a massive match for the Reds and a crucial opportunity to cut into the seven-point gap that separates them from Montreal for the East’s sixth and final playoff spot.
Barcelona defeated Sevilla 2-1 in the 2018 Spanish Super Cup thanks to goals from Gerard Pique and Ousmane Dembele. Pablo Sarabia had given Sevilla an early lead in the ninth minute, but Barcelona’s comeback was complete when Dembele thundered in a crossbar down effort in the 78th.
Sevilla earned a penalty and had a chance to equalize from the spot in the 90th minute, but Marc-Andre ter Stegen saved Wissam Ben Yedder’s tame effort.
Just eight days after scoring his first competitive goal for Paris Saint-Germain against Monaco in the Trophée des Champions, 18-year-old American phenom Timothy Weah has scored his first Ligue 1 goal for the club. PSG opened the 2018-19 league season against Caen and goals from Neymar and Adrien Rabiot had the home side cruising at the half.
Bayern Munich ran rampant against Eintracht Frankfurt in the 2018 German Super Cup — the curtain raiser for the German season — by posting a 5-0 victory thanks to a 33-minute hat-trick from rumored want-away Robert Lewandowski.
This was a rematch of last season’s improbable DFB-Pokal final, where Eintracht shocked Bayern 3-1 with Niko Kovac in the dugout for die Adler. With Kovac now patrolling Bayern’s touchline as the successor to Jupp Heynckes, this match belonged to FC Hollywood from start to finish.
Manchester City opened its title defense Sunday with a 2-0 victory over Unai Emery’s Arsenal at the Emirates. An early strike from Raheem Sterling and an emphatic finish from Bernardo Silva just after the hour mark proved enough for the Citizens, who spoiled Emery’s debut as Arsenal manager while clearly outlining the massive divide that remains between the two clubs.
Liverpool climbed to the top of the Premier League table after thrashing West Ham 4-0 at Anfield Sunday. Mohamed Salah opened the scoring in the 19th minute, Sadio Mane claimed a brace by the 53rd and substitute Daniel Sturridge scored just one minute after coming on to achieve a dream start for Jurgen Klopp.
In his first competitive match in charge of West Ham, Manuel Pellegrini can take solace from the fact that the Reds are going to do this to many opponents this season.
Luke Skywalker’s favorite soccer team is back in the Premier League but Everton’s new star stole the headlines on Saturday. Two Richarlison goals vs Wolves helped propel Everton to a 2-2 draw despite playing most of the match with 10 men after Phil Jagielka was sent off.
The Premier League opener between Manchester United and Leicester City failed to live up to the high-flying opener of last season. But the Friday night lights didn’t fail to elicit fantastic banter — from clubs outside of England.