The Nigel de Jong show at LA Galaxy lasted 18 appearances and ended as one of the more puzzling league departures in recent history. It is not all that surprising that a figure like De Jong would cause a stir, especially in the relatively small and shallow waters of MLS. However, in a rather distasteful […]

Berlin (AFP) – With Manuel Neuer confirmed as his new captain, Joachim Loew plans to blood Germany's next generation as part of his team's preparations to defend their World Cup title in Russia. Germany's journey to the 2018 finals starts on Sunday at Oslo's Ullevaal Stadium in their opening qualifier against Norway. Since winning the […]

Trnava (Slovakia) (AFP) – Sam Allardyce's tenure as England manager begins on Sunday when his side launch their bid to reach the 2018 World Cup against former Euro 2016 foes Slovakia in Trnava. Allardyce, 61, was handed the role he had long coveted after Roy Hodgson stepped down in the immediate aftermath of England's humiliating […]

Kingstown (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) (AFP) – Borussia Dortmund teenager Christian Pulisic scored twice as the United States thrashed Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6-0 on Friday to edge closer to a place in the final round of CONCACAF qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup. A first half flurry of goals from Bobby Wood, […]

Rome (AFP) – Dutch midfielder Jonathan De Guzman will wear the number one usually seen on the backs of goalkeepers for Chievo this season. The 28-year-old Dutch international has joined the Verona team on loan from Napoli. Although unusual, his choice is not unique, even amongst his countrymen. "The number one, it's different, it's not […]

Buenos Aires (AFP) – Argentina striker Lionel Messi will miss Tuesday's 2018 World Cup qualifier away to Venezuela with a groin problem, national team coach Edgardo Bauza said on Friday. "Unfortunately, he won't be able to play. We can't take any risks. We spoke with the doctor and it's the sensible thing to do. It […]

London (AFP) – Sergio Aguero will miss Manchester City's derby showdown with Manchester United after the Argentina striker was given a three-match ban for violent conduct on Friday. Aguero was punished retrospectively by the Football Association after television cameras caught him elbowing West Ham defender Winston Reid during City's Premier League victory at Eastlands last […]

Paris (AFP) – The three candidates for the UEFA presidency, Aleksander Ceferin, Michael van Praag and Angel Maria Villar Llona, have all successfully passed FIFA eligibility checks, European football's governing body confirmed on Friday. FIFA carried out the checks because whoever replaces Michel Platini at the head of UEFA will automatically become a vice-president of […]

In addition to its comprehensive coverage of CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers, Univision Deportes has announced that it'll be broadcasting select European World Cup qualifying matches beginning next week when it showcases Spain against Liechtenstein and France versus Belarus in Spanish-language broadcasts to viewers in the United States. It's the first time that the Univision Networks […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Out-of-favour Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure will play no part in Manchester City's Champions League group stage matches after being left out of the squad named on Friday. The 33-year-old's sole appearance for City this season has been in the 1-0 victory over Romanian outfit Steaua Bucharest in the second […]

Bari (Italy) (AFP) – FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Friday hailed video replays as "a new page in history" a day after the technology had its first test in France's 3-1 friendly win over Italy in Bari. "It was a first at this level with national teams. We're moving forward. It was promising," said Infantino. […]

There are so many ways to stream soccer in the United States that sometimes it’s hard to keep up on all of the options that are available to you. One that you may not familiar with is a free streaming service from Verizon Wireless named GO90. Using the GO90 app, you can watch a ton […]

Berlin (AFP) – New captain Manuel Neuer says Germany have room for improvement when the world champions start their journey to the 2018 World Cup on Sunday in their opening qualifier against Norway. Germany's path to the finals in Russia starts at Oslo's Ullevaal Stadium and they also face Czech Republic, Northern Ireland, Azerbaijan and […]

Nice (France) (AFP) – Wayward Italian striker Mario Balotelli has insisted that French club Nice have not taken a risk in signing him from Liverpool. "The career that I have had, it's different to what has been written in the press," Balotelli said at a press conference on Friday as he and fellow new signing […]

London (AFP) – Stoke and England goalkeeper Jack Butland could be ruled out for up to two months after revealing on Friday he will undergo surgery next week on his injured ankle. Butland, 23, had surgery in March after breaking his ankle during England's 3-2 win over Germany in Berlin. He is yet to play […]