I have a theory as to one reason (of many) the England National Team tends to underperform in major tournaments: the players all play in the same league. Every England international plays in the Premier League. One might argue this breeds familiarity and is therefore good for the national team, but I think it leads to a lack of stylistic variety in the team and makes the payer pool stagnant. It's basically like inbreeding, is what I'm saying.
The United States men’s team are better than Mexico as of April 2025… according to FIFA. In the latest April FIFA rankings the USMNT remain the 16th best team in the world with Mexico one spot behind.
April FIFA rankings has USMNT above Mexico
One of the most bizarre bookings we’ve ever seen took place during a Sudamericano U-17 game between Brazil and Bolivia on Sunday. A Brazil player booked for standing on ball during the game was shocking.
Brazil player booked for standing on ball
In the 74th minute Brazil’s Ruan Pablo had the ball near Bolivia’s corner with his side leading 2-0. Ruan Pablo displayed a little bit of “Jogo bonito” with a clever display of skill before passing the ball to a teammate.
The referee then blew the whistle and gave Ruan Pablo a yellow card for the move.
A video of Kylian Mbappé picking up car that delivers the game ball went viral after the little delivery mobile broke down near midfield.
Prior to France’s UEFA Nations League quarterfinal clash against Croatia on Sunday, a little Volkswagen remote controlled car arrived at midfield with the ball. Mbappé picked up the ball and then would have to pick up the car because it appeared to be out of gas… or battery.
Kylian Mbappé picking up car after it breaks down
The 2025 USMNT Nations League roster was announced on Tuesday with head coach Mauricio Pochettino selecting the 23 players who will aim to defeat Panama in the semifinal and the winner of Mexico/Canada in the final.
There were plenty of questions heading into the roster announcement with a litany of injuries including the likes of Ricardo Pepi, Folarin Balogun and more. Here are the 23 players Pochettino called upon.
Goalkeepers:
The GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) debate in soccer seems to always revolve around Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The latter has added more fire to the debate during an interview with El Chiringuito where Ronaldo said that no player is more complete than him.
The United States men’s national team defeated Venezuela 3-1 in a friendly at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Flordia, on Saturday with several players impressing for the Stars and Stripes.
Saturday’s friendly was outside of the traditional FIFA international windows meaning big name players like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and others weren’t available. Many USMNT fans dislike the annual January friendly the team does and refers to it as “Camp Cupcake.”
All players on the roster are domestic-based and play in Major League Soccer.
Whether you’re a die-hard American soccer fan or a casual enjoyer, you might be curious about the best US soccer players. American players have been excelling in the world’s top leagues this season. Here are the ones to watch in 2025.
Honorable mentions: Johnny Cardoso, Sergiño Dest and Malik Tillman
10. Chris Richards
A Cristiano Ronaldo Ligue 1 comment is making the rounds on social media after the Al Nassr star forward said the Saudi Pro League is superior to France’s top flight. He then doubled down and said that Ligue 1 only has PSG, and the rest of the league is “finished.”
The comments were made during the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai, UAE, on Friday. Ronaldo, who was named Best Middle East Player 2024 at the award show, was asked about where the Saudi League ranks compared to a league like France’s Ligue 1.
CR7 didn’t hold back.
Weston McKennie is on Cloud 9 after scoring a fabulous scissor kick goal against Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday. His biggest haters, Leeds United fans, appear to be in shambles on social media.
After Wednesday's game McKennie did an interview with CBS and was asked by Micah Richards about his loan spell with Leeds United.