Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey took a significant leap forward in his progress as a player last season. The Wales international scored 16 total goals (10 during Premier League play) from a central midfield role, and not only supplied the Gunners with goals, but he showed up in big matches. Ramsey started his superb season with three […]

The clear trend for hip, successful, front-running MLS clubs – almost always owned by young, heavily engaged owners – is to hire progressive American managers and rely heavily on systems, analytics and attractive soccer. Gregg Berhalter in Columbus, Caleb Porter in Portland, Peter Vermes in Kansas City, Greg Vanney in Toronto, and even Jesse Marsch […]

Thanks to a handful of thriving teams, Major League Soccer enters a 20th season few thought it would reach back when the San Jose Clash and D.C. United kicked things off on April 6th, 1996. We know which clubs have enjoyed the most on-field success, but can we accurately say which teams are the most popular? […]

For the third time in four seasons, Manchester City has experienced a decline in results during the months of January and February. Not so coincidently, these January/February plummets have occurred when Yaya Toure has been away on Africa Cup of Nations duty. Regardless of whatever statistics are cited by supporters of Manchester City, the reality is that the […]

Following his derby defeat to Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo went ahead with plans for a 30th birthday party. While the Ballon d'Or winner is entitled to do as he pleases in his personal life, the timing and publicity of the birthday bash has not impressed some of his teammates. Just hours after Real Madrid's 4-0 […]

In an interview with French television, Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann has revealed why he turned down an offer from Barcelona earlier in his career. The January player of the month in La Liga told RTL that the Catalan club initially approached him when the France international first broke into the squad at Real Sociedad in 2009 […]

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has warned Raheem Sterling's agents the club will not be held to ransom over his new contract. The Reds boss said the 20-year-old has been made an "incredible" offer on a new deal, which has been on the table for over a month. However, Sterling is yet to sign despite indications […]

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique claims his side's recent form has nothing to do with the reported fall-out between himself and Lionel Messi following La Blaugrana's 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad during the first week of January. Speaking after La Blaugrana's 5-2 defeat of Athletic Bilbao, Enrique stated he hasn't changed his tactics – or approach […]

Hull boss Steve Bruce has ridiculed reports linking him with a summer move to Fulham. Bruce has grown used to hints of his impending departure from the KC Stadium having been strongly tipped to succeed Alan Pardew at Newcastle earlier this season. And just last week Bruce was fielding questions about his future in charge […]

Tim Sherwood did a "fantastic" job at Tottenham and is eager to return to work as soon as possible, says QPR caretaker manager Chris Ramsey. Sherwood took over at White Hart Lane midway through last season but was sacked in the summer, despite achieving the highest win percentage of any Spurs manager in Premier League […]

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is in no doubt his squad have the necessary experience to win the battle for Champions League qualification once again. The Gunners find themselves down in sixth place in the Barclays Premier League following Saturday's 2-1 defeat at White Hart Lane, where a second-half salvo from Harry Kane secured Tottenham fans […]

Leicester boss Nigel Pearson has refused to clear up the confusion surrounding his job. However, BBC and NBCSN presenter Gary Lineker has shined some light on the developments. Reports on Sunday evening claimed the 51-year-old had been sacked, with the Foxes bottom of the Barclays Premier League, but the club issued a statement insisting Pearson […]

Those who have followed Real Madrid this season have seen trouble brewing since the club returned from its winter break. In their first match of the new year, Carlo Ancelotti's side saw their 22-match winning streak snapped by a resurgent Valencia. That was immediately followed by a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Atletico Madrid during the first leg […]

There was an unmistakeable arrogance about Atletico Madrid as they took apart city rivals Real Madrid 4-0 at the Vicente Calderon on Saturday. It wasn’t the kind of flash haughtiness that’s associated with Los Blancos either. Instead, Diego Simeone’s side showcased a simple, serene assurance throughout the contest. It was the kind of cockiness that […]

Just like in 1992, Ivory Coast defeated their neighbor and rival Ghana 9-8 in penalties to win the African Cup of Nations for the second time after a goalless draw. Often touted as the weak-link of the Elephants 'golden generation,' goalkeeper Boubacar Barry made two saves and the game-winning goal to become a hero forever […]