Abeasher

It was the chance of a lifetime. A loose touch and follow-up dive from Italy’s stand-in captain Leonardo Bonucci sprung Wes Hoolahan, introduced as a substitute not ten minutes previously in Ireland’s do-or-die Group E finale, through on goal. But Hoolahan’s shot was tame, and easily saved by the deputy Italian goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu. It […]

The United States was demolished 4-0 by Argentina in the Copa America Semifinal in Houston on Tuesday night. Here are the player ratings for both teams. USA Brad Guzan, 3: Got caught on the opening goal in several different ways, and got beat on his side on the free kick. Did make a very good […]

Over the last several days, a series of flat 0-0 draws in marquee games on the field – paired with incessant fan misbehavior off the field – considerably deflated the mood surrounding the 2016 European Championships in France. Concerns over security, the format allowing progression for four third-placed teams, and an almost-bizarre lack of goal-scoring […]

This wasn’t the job Antonio Conte signed up for. When Cesare Prandelli resigned after Italy failed to advance from the group stage of the 2014 World Cup, and Conte agreed to take charge of his native country, he thought he’d be leading one of the world’s leading teams. Instead, Conte, who was coming off three […]

Too often, England arrive at major tournaments and play with the weight of the world on their shoulders. Frequently, England has had good teams. But the combined failures of countless tournaments past – along with the doubt and self-loathing that those failures have installed in the national psyche – have often proven too much to […]

Saturday's Euro 2016 competition was a fantastic day of tournament soccer. But it wasn’t a fantastic day at a major tournament. A dark cloud of hooliganism and thuggery, building for several days between English and Russian fans, exploded over the canvas of the championship in Marseille. Clashes before the game between England and Russia left the Old […]

It wasn’t France’s day. Struggling under the immense and unique pressure of trying lift a tense and nation at a home tournament, and struggling against a Romania side that came to play, Les Bleus looked destined to open Euro 2016 at the Stade de France with a disappointing 1-1 draw. Enter Dimitri Payet, the little […]

Here are player ratings for the United States’ much-needed 4-0 win over Costa Rica on Tuesday night in Chicago. U. S. Men's National Team Brad Guzan, 6: It was a quiet night for the American goalkeeper, who wasn’t forced into a single difficult save. DeAndre Yedlin, 6: The on-loan Sunderland fullback got caught a few […]

On Friday night, the United States stepped onto its biggest soccer stage since the end of the 2014 World Cup against Belgium: The Copa American Centenario opener against Colombia at a sold-out Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The US felt they were ready. The emergence of Christian Pulisic and Darlington Nagbe, along with several […]

Here are the player ratings from Colombia’s 2-0 victory over the United States to open the Copa America Centenario. USA Men's National Team Brad Guzan, 4: The Aston Villa goalkeeper didn’t have much of a chance on the two goals, but looked slow coming off his line as Carlos Bacca raced clear and hit the […]

Here are the ten things we learned from Week 13 of the 2016 MLS season. 1. Owen Coyle Out in Houston Owen Coyle became the first manager to lose his job this season, as the Scotsman and the Houston Dynamo parted ways on Wednesday night. It was a move that had to be made. Coyle […]

Here is a look at the 24 captains who will lead their teams at Euro 2016. Group A Hugo Lloris, France When he took charge of the national team four years ago, Didier Deschamps explored handing the armband to a field player – but it didn’t take the manager long to realize that he couldn’t […]

There are no two ways about it. New York City FC’s meltdown on Sunday against the New York Red Bulls was one of the most embarrassing and least forgivable performances in MLS history. That NYCFC got blanked 7-0 at home in a derby is shocking enough, but the manner of the team's capitulation only served […]

With the European Championships less than a month away, managers participating in the competition have plenty to grapple with – squad selection, the new tournament’s format, and the unrivaled pressure of a major international tournament. Here is a look at the 24 men that will lead their countries at Euro 2016. Group A Didier Deschamps, […]

Here are the ten things we learned from Week 11 of the 2016 MLS season. 1. Columbus Acts, Trades Kei Kamara Thanks in part to a well-placed transfer deadline, it took just four days for the Columbus Crew to ship Kei Kamara out of town after his incredible tirade against Federico Higuain a week last […]