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 . . .
Is there an MLS Cup favorite?
The soccer news starts with the obvious question with the conclusion of the 2018 MLS regular season. After a shakeup at the top of the Eastern Conference and several teams vying for underdog status later this week in the knockout round, is there a clear favorite to win the 2018 MLS Cup? It's a safe assumption that those two teams at the top of the Eastern Conference would say yes. The New York . . .
FIFA recommends against La Liga in Miami
At a meeting of the FIFA Council in Rwanda on Friday, world soccer's governing body advised against La Liga playing a game that counts in Miami. The proposed game in January between Girona and Barcelona requires the consent of multiple parties in world soccer's governance including FIFA's. "Consistent here with the opinion already expressed by football stakeholders committee, the council . . .
Dortmund wins again in the Champions League
The soccer news starts with another big result for Borussia Dortmund in the 2018-19 UEFA Champions League. Dortmund shutout Atletico Madrid 4-0 at home. Axel Witsel opened the scoring in the 38th minute with Raphael Guerreiro adding a goal in the 73rd. Jadon Sancho made it 3-0 in the 83rd with Guerreiro scoring again in the 89th minute. Roman Burki kept the clean sheet with two saves. Pulisic . . .
The Juventus lesson
The soccer news starts with Juventus at Manchester United in the Champions League. It didn't take a deep knowledge of contemporary soccer tactics and trends to notice that Juventus was the better team in a game they won 1-0. That's not a commanding scoreline, but the performance showed a class distinction that's tough to ignore in Group H. Something has to give with Manchester United, and . . .
Will FIFA push UEFA?
The soccer news starts with the latest on the potential for FIFA and UEFA squaring off over the plans for the revamped Club World Cup and global Nations League. FIFA wants both tournaments as a package they'll sell in part to outside promoters for $25b. UEFA would prefer that doesn't happen. In the NY Times, Tariq Panja has this moving forward with FIFA insisting on their plan even with UEFA's . . .
