Inspiring

Australia explodes at 3 a.m. local time as Socceroos reach World Cup last 16

Heading into Wednesday's final matchday in World Cup Group D, Australia figured it'd probably only need a remarkable draw against Denmark, the world's 10th-ranked side, to advance to the round of 16 for only the second time in their history and first since 2006.

Kickoff was scheduled for 2 a.m. in Australia, and supporters took up their traditional post in Federation Square (downtown Melbourne) to watch as Australia went about its task admirably to keep things at 0-0 after 45 minutes.

Our boys are ready to run through a wall after hearing Charles Barkley's rallying cry

There's no stopping the United States now after a nerve-racking 1-0 win over Iran. With millions of their countryfolk rallying around the U.S. Soccer crest, Tyler Adams and company are ready to teach the purveyors of Total Football a harsh lesson in Berhalter Ball. 

Not even Alexi Lalas’ biggest haters can dislike his emotional USA vs. England pregame speech

Alexi Lalas is a polarizing character in the U.S. Soccer sphere. Beloved as player but not so much as a pundit, Lalas can rub people the wrong way. Despite this, the Alexi Lalas England pregame speech on FOX before kickoff could make his most vehement haters feel something.

The USA is about to play arguably its biggest men’s soccer game in recent history. This could be a defining moment for the program and Lalas emphasized this before kickoff.

Reactions in Australia to the Socceroos’ opening goal vs. France is what the World Cup is all about

Australia’s opening World Cup game against France went pretty must as expected. France dominated and cruised to a 4-1 victory, but there were 18 beautiful minutes that the Socceroos held a 1-0 lead.

Because of time zones, fans back in the land down under had a groggy morning to watch their team play. Kickoff was at 6 a.m. for fans that gathered to watch in Melbourne. Despite the fact the sun rose only a couple minutes before kickoff, the energy was still there from the fans.

Tunisia's Aïssa Laïdouni is my new favorite player

You'll hear the sentiment over and over again during tournament coverage: There are no mysteries at the World Cup anymore — modernity and globalization have combined to eliminate the past thrill of the complete unknown showing up on our TV screens and taking over.

Enner "Superman" Valencia adds to his cult status with game-winning double for Ecuador

AL KHOR, Qatar - Captain Enner Valencia extended his cult status in Ecuador to wider international acclaim with a first-half double that propelled the South Americans to a comfortable 2-0 win over hosts Qatar in the opening game of the World Cup on Sunday.

The 33-year-old forward, nicknamed Superman, increased his record tally of goals for Ecuador to 37 and became the country’s highest scoring player at World Cup tournaments as his double at the Al Bayt Stadium added to the three he scored in 2014.

DIRECTV is giving you a chance to win a $500 youth sports scholarship

Ingrained as they are in our social fabric, sports are crucial to bringing people and communities together. And this is especially true when we talk about youth sports. Unfortunately, it's not always a level playing field for those athletes trying to break through when the opportunities are not the same for everybody.

DIRECTV knows about these difficulties and hardships, so in partnership with LeagueSide, they decided to be an agent of change in society by offering a series of sports scholarships nationwide.

The best soccer TV shows and movies to stream this month

Have you come down with World Cup fever? The only cure is more of the beautiful game. Thankfully, we've got new soccer shows on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime and Disney Plus to watch this month. 

Looking ahead to 2023, we know we'll have a third and final season of Sunderland 'Til I Die, a third season of Ted Lasso, a second season of Welcome to Wrexham and the release of Taika Waititi's Next Goal Wins. I'm also still working on an original film about the life and badass times of André Villas-Boas.

Ted Lasso puts up billboards to support the USMNT

America’s favorite fictional soccer coach is back at it again. Ever the motivator, we definitely should have seen this coming. Following the USMNT’s roster release, people have spotted billboards with heartwarming messages popping up across the country, and AFC Richmond’s mustachioed manager is the one behind it. 

In the hometowns of players and coaches, on a classic yellow background akin to his famous “BELIEVE” sign, Ted Lasso has made his feelings known through the generous and kind words for which he has become so beloved. 

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