Inter&Co Stadium (Orlando) — The U.S. men’s national team’s long road toward the 2030 World Cup is off to a winning start.In the USA’s first match since being eliminated from the 2026 event by Belgium in the round of 16, the Stars and Stripes got goals from veterans Malik Tillman and Sebastian and teenage debutants Justin Ellis and Julian Hall to defeat Peru 4-1 on Saturday at the home of MLS side Orlando City in the first of four exhibitions over the next week-and-a-half.Here are my takeaways following Saturday’s victory.1. Cavan Sullivan Grabs The Spotlight …Two days shy of his…

England would be making a mistake by trying to replicate Spain’s successful style of play in a bid to win major tournaments, winger Anthony Gordon said ahead of Saturday’s match between the European giants.Gordon is well-placed to discuss the qualities of Spain’s World Cup-winning players, given he now trains daily with many of them — like Rodri, Lamine Yamal, Pedri and more — following his offseason move to La Liga champion Barcelona.”They’re definitely built different,” Gordon said. “So I’m not sure we can ever get that.” (Photo by Pablo Rodriguez/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) Long-held doubts over England’s ability to end…

Maybe the U.S. men’s soccer team’s so-called “Golden Generation” never stood a chance.There’s been plenty of theories about why the USA, with a collection of in-their-prime players who star for some of the planet’s leading clubs and who thrilled fans en-route to the round of 16 at this summer’s World Cup, fell flat against Belgium and bowed out at the same stage as the last three American squads to participate in the tournament despite this one being played on home turf.Maybe it was just a bad game. Maybe they just weren’t good enough. Maybe the “target” that defender Chris Richards…

Cristiano Ronaldo weighed ending his Portugal career after the World Cup and acknowledged Wednesday some critics at home want him out of the team.The 41-year-old Ronaldo was confirmed by coach Jorge Jesus as a starter for this 234th Portugal game — on Thursday against Wales in the Nations League.Asked at a pre-game news conference if he thought of stopping his international career in July, after Portugal’s round-of-16 loss to Spain, Ronaldo said: “Yes, I did. Of course, I’m always thinking on my decisions, my future, the present also.””I had a conversation with our president, with our coach,” he said of…

France star Kylian Mbappé did not train with his teammates Tuesday because of a bout of the flu, the team said.The French players have gathered at Clairefontaine, on the outskirts of Paris, for a training camp ahead of Nations League matches.France plays away against Turkey on Friday and at Belgium next Monday before hosting Italy on Oct. 2 and Belgium on Oct. 5.Mbappé, who won the 2018 World Cup with France, remains the team captain under new coach Zinédine Zidane.This summer, the Real Madrid forward overtook Lionel Messi for the most all-time World Cup goals (22).Reporting by The Associated Press.…

Cristiano Ronaldo was included in Portugal’s squad by new coach Jorge Jesus for its upcoming Nations League games on Friday.The 41-year-old Ronaldo said that this summer’s World Cup was his last, but the global star has yet to say when he plans to retire from international play. He will be 43 by the time the 2028 European Championship, the next major tournament, is held.This was the first squad named by Jesus, who was hired to replace Spaniard Roberto Martinez after Portugal lost 1-0 to Spain in the round of 16 of the World Cup. Jesus’ previous coaching job was with…

There might not be a more fitting place for Chris Richards to talk college football than Wembley Stadium.The U.S. men’s national team defender, who currently plays for Crystal Palace in the English Premier League, joined the “Big Noon Kickoff” crew in London ahead of Saturday’s Kansas-Arizona State matchup at Wembley. Right away, the conversation turned to Richards’ love for college football … and being an Alabama fan.Richards greeted the crew with a “Roll Tide” before admitting that former Alabama running back and current “Big Noon Kickoff” analyst Mark Ingram is his favorite Crimson Tide player. Richards said he grew up watching…

Kylian Mbappé is trading the Swoosh for the On after two decades with Nike.The Real Madrid and France star announced Friday that he has joined Swiss sportswear company On, ending a relationship with Nike that began in 2006, when Mbappé was just nine years old.Mbappé revealed the move in a social media statement titled “Dream On, Football,” reflecting on playing with friends until sunset before football became his career. “I have followed this dream for as long as I can remember,” Mbappé wrote.The move gives On one of sport’s most recognizable stars as it attempts to expand beyond the running and…

Jürgen Klopp said he wants to help spread national pride in Germany as he announced a super-sized first roster as national team coach with an appeal to “reclaim the flag.”Klopp is aiming to reconnect German soccer fans with their team after yet another World Cup failure. With a roster of 44 players across two separate squads — 16 of them uncapped — for upcoming Nations League games, he’s creating many more Germany internationals, too.”I’d like to reclaim the flag for me, or for us, to be totally honest,” the former Liverpool manager said, wearing a cap in German black, red…

Todd Boehly and fellow co-owner Mark Walter have sold their stakes in Chelsea, the English Premier League club said on Wednesday.”Chelsea Football Club today announced affiliates of Clearlake Capital Group will acquire the ownership interest of Todd Boehly,” it said in a statement.”As part of the transition, Clearlake will also acquire Mark Walter’s ownership interest and therefore acquire full control of the club.”Reporting by The Associated Press. Source link