Football

Jeff Carlisle, U.S. soccer correspondentDec 8, 2023, 11:03 AM ET Close Jeff Carlisle covers MLS and the U.S. national team for ESPN FC. Open Extended Reactions COLUMBUS, Ohio — Frankie Hejduk is in his element. The skies are cloudy, with a late fall chill in the air. But on the corner of North High and

Connor O’Halloran Dec 8, 2023, 09:23 AM ET Open Extended Reactions Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has said “pressure” is inevitable when results are not forthcoming as his side face an uphill battle to qualify for European football this season. Nearing the midway point of Pochettino’s first season in charge at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea are 10th

Sam Marsden, Barcelona correspondentDec 8, 2023, 04:30 AM ET Open Extended Reactions GIRONA, Spain — Something special is cooking in Girona, and that’s doesn’t just mean the giant paella served to supporters outside their Montilivi stadium before matches. Last weekend, they came from behind to beat Valencia 2-1 to remain top of LaLiga, level with

Dec 7, 2023, 09:58 PM ET Open Extended Reactions Lionel Scaloni, head coach of Argentina who are current holders of the Copa America and World Cup, presents the Copa America trophy during the official group stage draw on Dec. 7. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images) The stage is now officially set for the 2024

Sid Lowe, Spain writerDec 7, 2023, 10:34 AM ET CAGLIARI, Italy — Jakub Jankto just wants to play football, like he always did. The Czech midfielder sits by his locker in the dressing room at Unipol Domus, Cagliari Calcio’s temporary home while the Stadio Sant’Elia silently awaits reconstruction next door. A small red-and-blue shirt cut

Open Extended Reactions Video Assistant Referee causes controversy every week in the Premier League, but how are decisions made, and are they correct? After each weekend we take a look at the major incidents, to examine and explain the process both in terms of VAR protocol and the Laws of the Game. – How VAR

Open Extended Reactions MANCHESTER — Erik ten Hag has taken back control at Manchester United by proving that no player is bigger than the team. By dropping Marcus Rashford and then seeing his side seal a 2-1 win against Chelsea on Wednesday, Ten Hag has delivered a clear message to the dissenters in the dressing-room.

ESPN news services Dec 6, 2023, 01:10 PM ET England FA Chair Debbie Hewitt, in a FIFA report made public on Wednesday, accused former Spain federation president Luis Rubiales of “inappropriate” conduct with the English players at the 2023 Women’s World Cup medal ceremony. FIFA said it considered more severe sanctions than the three-year ban

Dec 6, 2023, 08:09 AM ET Open Extended Reactions Bayern Munich have announced the signing of Bryan Zaragoza from LaLiga side Granada for an undisclosed fee, with the Spain international set to join the club at the end of 2023-24 season. Zaragoza, 22, has signed a contract with the Bavarian giants through June 2029. –

Open Extended Reactions LONDON — The summer signing who nobody questioned bailed out the one most people did. Just when it appeared as though Mikel Arteta would face another inquisition over his goalkeeper choices, Declan Rice popped up with a priceless header beyond added time to earn Arsenal a stunning 4-3 win at Luton Town

Open Extended Reactions Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s £1.25 billion ($1.57bn) investment in Manchester United will be confirmed next week and could be finalised as early as Monday, a source familiar with the sale process has told ESPN. Ratcliffe, Britain’s second-richest person with a net worth estimated at £29.6bn by the 2023 Sunday Times Rich List, has

Rob Dawson, CorrespondentDec 5, 2023, 06:36 AM ET Open Extended Reactions Manchester United had a positive first season under manager Erik ten Hag. It was meant to be the foundation for the Dutchman to take his team onto bigger and better things, but after four months of this campaign, the mood around Old Trafford is

Dec 4, 2023, 10:14 AM ET Open Extended Reactions Columbus Crew won the 2023 MLS Eastern Conference finals after a dramatic comeback victory against FC Cincinnati. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images) The MLS Cup playoffs delivered more drama and excitement in the conference finals as Columbus Crew stunned FC Cincinnati in a thrilling 3-2 comeback win

Gabriele Marcotti, Senior Writer, ESPN FCDec 4, 2023, 12:06 PM ET Open Extended Reactions It’s been another fun weekend in Europe’s top leagues this weekend, so let’s review. Manchester City‘s 3-3 draw with Tottenham provided goals and high drama, while Barcelona‘s impressive win over Atletico Madrid will help ease a lot of the pressure on

Open Extended Reactions Marcus Rashford was the player Erik ten Hag couldn’t do without last season, but the Manchester United forward has become the problem that could define his manager’s career at Old Trafford. Unless Ten Hag drops Rashford from his team, starting with Wednesday’s Premier League clash against Chelsea at Old Trafford, it will

Open Extended Reactions MANCHESTER, England — It’s hard to win anything with an unreliable defence, so Pep Guardiola has work to do if Manchester City are to come close to replicating last season’s treble success this time around. Eight goals conceded in three games with the lead surrendered six times in those fixtures, are the

Open Extended Reactions Erling Haaland could be charged by the English Football Association for criticising the performance of match officials after reacting to a controversial late decision by referee Simon Hooper during Manchester City‘s 3-3 draw with Tottenham with a post on X saying, “Wtf.” Dejan Kulusevski‘s 90th minute header secured a point for Spurs,

Rob Dawson, CorrespondentDec 2, 2023, 06:53 PM ET Open Extended Reactions Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says Marcus Rashford will get “support” in a bid to rediscover his form after another disappointing performance in the defeat to Newcastle. Man United lost 1-0 at St James’ Park on Saturday as Rashford was substituted after just