Football

5:53 AM ET Champions League holders Chelsea will find out their opponents for the knockout stages of the competition with the draw taking place at 11 a.m. GMT / 6 a.m. ET on Monday. Thomas Tuchel’s side are looking to become the first club to retain the Champions League title since Real Madrid in 2018.

8:07 PM ET Was this the weekend that saw decisive moves by the leaders in Spain and Germany? Real Madrid and Bayern Munich fans certainly hope so! Elsewhere, Juventus dropped more points, a USMNT youngster scored a vital goal and Manchester United were thankful for their world-class goalkeeper. Here are Rob Dawson, Andrew Cesare Richardson,

Dec 10, 2021 Sid LoweSpain writer “Wanted: Worthy Rival for a Decent Derby.” Oh, they got that all right. It was November 2011, more than a decade into a long, long run of dominance from Real Madrid and their fans were getting bored, or so they claimed. They said they actually wanted Atletico Madrid to

5:00 AM ET PORTLAND, Ore. — When fans started lining up outside Providence Park on Monday, five days before the Timbers were set to host their first MLS Cup, their rationale boiled down to something simple: They wanted to experience history. Portland has billed itself as Soccer City USA for decades and the opportunities to

9:19 PM ET PORTLAND, Ore. — Ronny Deila is a man of his word. Minutes after New York City FC had claimed its first MLS Cup, beating the Portland Timbers via penalties, there was Deila, the coach stripping down to his underwear in front of the team’s fans and doing pushups on the Providence Park

2:29 PM ET Two-hundred-thirty-eight days ago, 27 teams had visions of lifting MLS Cup. That dream has long been extinguished for all but the Portland Timbers and New York City FC, who contest the league’s showpiece event on Saturday (3 p.m. ET, stream live on ABC). For the first time, the Rose City plays host

5:50 PM ET Caitlin Murray OL Reign has decided not to protect USWNT player Megan Rapinoe in upcoming NWSL expansion draft. Photo by Elsa/Getty Images United States women’s team stars Megan Rapinoe, Becky Sauerbrunn, and Kelley O’Hara are among those who have been left unprotected by their teams and are available to be taken in next

10:44 AM ET PORTLAND, Ore. — On a rainy Thursday at Providence Park, the Portland Timbers‘ home venue has all the trappings of base camp on Mount Everest. Shelters have been constructed. Sleeping bags and blankets are everywhere. Propane canisters and space heaters provide little additional warmth against the December chill. Adult beverages are expected

Dec 9, 2021 No matter what he does as Aston Villa manager, Steven Gerrard’s post-playing career will ultimately be defined by whether his path takes him back to Liverpool. Football loves the story of a returning hero and there are none bigger than Gerrard when it comes to going back to the club he graced

4:00 AM ET Ralf Rangnick has identified Manchester United’s midfield as an area of weakness — ESPN’s Insider Notebook has the latest. Jump to: Chelsea fear Azpilicueta exit | Man City keen on Arsenal’s Tavares | Van De Beek’s Everton move is off | Spurs’ Bergwijn on the move? Rangnick talks up Bellingham, Haidara, Phillips

12:17 PM ET EINDHOVEN, Netherlands — Young midfielder Richy Ledezma had just completed his first full contact session in nearly a year. It was with the Under-19s; the 21-year-old was smiling, his teeth chattering in the cold and rain on the balcony of PSV Eindhoven‘s training centre as he talked it through. One of the

7:00 AM ET Matchday six of the Champions League brought the group stage to a close. Three teams — Ajax, Bayern Munich and Liverpool — qualified for the knockout phase with a 100% record while Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United ensured that the Premier League will be fully represented in the round of 16.

4:00 AM ET Tor-Kristian Karlsen The Champions League is a competition that defines careers. A few good performances on the biggest club stage in Europe can enhance a player’s reputation, get them a new contract, or even attract a host of scouts from opposing teams. 2 Related Over the years we have been blessed to

Barcelona will play in the Europa League in the new year. The very same Barcelona that wanted to — and still want to — form a European Super League earlier this year are no longer good enough to make the knockout rounds of the Champions League, missing it for the first time in 17 seasons.

9:37 AM ET Brazil great Pele is in hospital to undergo treatment for a colon tumour, Sao Paulo’s Hospital Albert Einstein said on Wednesday. It added that the 81-year-old former Brazil international was in stable condition and should be discharged in the next few days. The three-time World Cup winner underwent surgery to remove a

2:15 PM ET Professional soccer players are in constant search of the perfect situation. It’s one where the player’s talent, role, the team, the manager and the city all come together to allow that performer to show the best version of his or her self. For some, that goal is achieved early in their careers.

5:44 PM ET MILAN — Champions League glory has always eluded Zlatan Ibrahimovic, despite a glittering CV that has seen him play for Europe’s biggest clubs for 20 remarkable years. And now, following AC Milan‘s 2-1 defeat against Liverpool in San Siro, the 40-year-old might just have played his last game in the competition. Milan

6:00 AM ET Barcelona might crash out of the Champions League this week, while Erling Haaland‘s Borussia Dortmund already have, and 40-year-old Zlatan Ibrahimovic could inspire a dramatic round-of-16 qualification for AC Milan. If you still needed convincing that the Champions League is just fine as it is, the next two days should offer unequivocal