The soccer news starts with the conclusion of the semifinal round of the 2018 MLS playoffs. Sporting KC beat Real Salt Lake 4-2 at home to advance and face the Seattle Sounders in the Western Conference finals on November 25 (7:30pm ET - FS1) and 29 (9:30pm ET - ESPN). On the other half of the bracket, Atlanta will play the New York Red Bulls on Nov 25 (5pm ET - ESPN) and 29 (7pm ET - . . .
Portland advances in the MLS playoffs
We start the soccer news with Portland knocking Seattle out of the 2018 MLS playoffs on penalties. With the second-leg finishing 2-1 Seattle in regulation, 3-3 on aggregate, the series headed to extra time. Raul Ruidaz put Seattle up in regulation in the 68th minute, shifting the series with the Sounders advancing had that score held. Portland responded with a goal from Sebastian Blanco in the . . .
Manchester United’s Champions League turnaround
The soccer news starts with Manchester United's late winner to beat Juventus 2-1 away in the Champions League. Though the 89th minute winner came from a deflection off of Juventus's Alex Sandro rather than the type of wonder goal Cristiano Ronaldo scored to put Juventus up in the 65th, it still counts. How much for Manchester United is now the question. We're not far removed from open speculation . . .
Horvath gets Champions League shutout
The soccer news starts with the USMNT players in the Champions League. Ethan Horvath was in goal for Club Brugge's 4-0 win at Monaco in Group A. Hans Vanaken opened the scoring in the 12th minute and converted a penalty in the 17th. Wesley Moraes made it 3-0 in the 24th and Ruud Vormer scored in the 85th. Horvath made six saves to keep the clean sheet. After five matchdays, Club Brugge is in . . .
Playing for perfect in the Champions League group stage
We start the soccer news with matchday four from the 2018-19 Champions League group stage and another opportunity for a streak to end. Borussia Dortmund in Group A, Barcelona in Group B, and Juventus in Group H are three for three with 9 points. Borussia Dortmund and Juventus have both yet to give up a goal. Making it through the group stage without dropping any points is a rarity. It's happened . . .
Columbus, Portland, and Atlanta take first-leg leads
The soccer news starts with the first-round of the MLS conference semifinals. Columbus took a 1-0 lead over the New York Red Bulls at MAPFRE Stadium. Gyasi Zardes scored the game's only goal in the 61st minute with Zack Steffen keeping the clean sheet with three saves. New York hosts the 2nd-leg on Sunday, November 11 at 7:30 pm ET on FS1. Portland came back at home to take a 2-1 lead over . . .
Away wins in the MLS knockout round
The soccer news starts with the away teams in the MLS knockout round. Columbus needed penalties to see off DC United at Audi Field. In a back and forth game, Frederic Brillant put DC up in the 21st minute. Federico Higuain equalized in the 30th minute. With the game in extra time, Higuain scored again in the 96th. Nick DeLeon equalized in the 116th to send the game to penalties. Columbus advanced . . .
NYCFC and Portland advance in the 2018 MLS playoffs
The soccer news starts with the knockout round of the 2018 MLS playoffs. NYCFC beat Philadelphia 3-1 at Yankee Stadium to advance to the semifinals. Ismael Tajouri put NYCFC up in the 10th minute with David Villa doubling the lead in the 26th. Maxi Moralez scored NYCFC's third goal in the 78th. Cory Burke pulled a goal back for the Union in the 83rd minute. "We tried to play, we made mistakes, we . . .
Infantino talks World Cup expansion for 2022
The soccer news starts with what we already know. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will have 48 teams. That's approved and set as the Confederations work through what happens with qualifying. What isn't so sure is whether or not the 2022 World Cup goes ahead at 32 or 48 teams. FIFA president Gianni Infantino highlighted that uncertainty in comments to the Asian Football Confederation. "Will it happen in . . .
Making too much about Decision Day
The soccer news starts with another look at the final day of the 2018 MLS season, specifically what happened at BMO Field. Decision Day underlined one talking point plenty of people felt like making following Atlanta United's announcement that Tata Martino will leave at the end of the season. How does the squad respond? What happens now with the Supporters' Shield in question and the playoffs on . . .
