Tag: Soccer

Orlando City Pick up Rare Home Win, Blank Galaxy

Ercan Kara produced a goal on a nifty play in the box and teammate Facundo Torres also scored as Orlando City topped the visiting LA Galaxy 2–0 on a rainy Saturday night. Orlando City (4–3–2, 14 points) won a home game for the first time since February. Orlando City goalkeeper Pedro Gallese became the franchise’s…


LAFC Scramble for Draw vs. Union in First Leg of CCL Semis

After conceding a late penalty that allowed the Philadelphia Union to take the lead, Los Angeles FC’s Kellyn Acosta scored in second-half stoppage time as the teams played to a 1–1 draw on Wednesday at Chester, Pa., in the first leg of a CONCACAF Champions League semifinal series. The second and final leg of the…


LAFC Remains Unbeaten, Earning 1–1 Draw vs. Nashville

Denis Bouanga scored the tying goal in the 59th minute and Los Angeles FC remained the lone unbeaten team in MLS with a 1–1 draw against host Nashville SC on Saturday night, April 22. Defending MLS champion LAFC (6–0–2, 18 points) trailed for the first time this season before salvaging the draw. The goal was…


Galaxy Shut out Austin FC for First Win of Season

Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez scored his first goal of the season and the LA Galaxy finally snapped their winless start with a 2–0 home victory over Austin FC on Saturday night, April 22. Riqui Puig also scored his first goal and added his second assist for the Galaxy (1–4–3, 6 points), who scored two goals for…


Arsenal Stage Late Escape to Snatch 3–3 Draw, but Title Hopes Hit

LONDON—Arsenal struck two late goals to escape with a point in a pulsating 3–3 home draw with bottom club Southampton but their Premier League title hopes suffered another setback on a Friday night of frazzled nerves in north London. For much of a stomach-churning encounter it appeared Arsenal were self-destructing in their quest to hold…


Maradona’s Medical Team on Trial in Former Great’s Death

BUENOS AIRES—Eight health care professionals will stand trial in the death of soccer great Diego Maradona in 2020, an Argentine court has ruled. The date of the proceedings has yet to be set, but they are unlikely to begin before next year, the court said Tuesday. A medical board’s report previously given to prosecutors concluded…


Despite Huge Investment, China’s Men’s Soccer Team Keeps Dropping in FIFA Ranking

The Chinese national soccer team (recognized as China PR by FIFA) slipped to 81st in the world with the rankings update by FIFA in April 2023, although the sport received big money and strong support from the communist regime. Their best-ever ranking was 37th in 1998, while their worst came in 2013, dropping to 109th….


Inter Advances Past Benfica, Sets up Milan Semifinal in Champions League

MILAN—The Milan clubs are set to meet again in another Champions League semifinal a decade after their last encounter in the final four of Europe’s elite club competition. Inter Milan drew 3–3 against Benfica on Wednesday, April 19, to complete a 5–3 aggregate victory over the Portuguese team. That came a day after AC Milan…


Real Madrid Sails Into Champions League SF, Chelsea Adrift

LONDON—Real Madrid’s pursuit of a 15th European Cup marches on. Chelsea, meanwhile, does not know when it will compete on this elite stage again. Madrid’s 2–0 win at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday completed a 4–0 aggregate victory and saw the Spanish giants advance to the Champions League semifinals for the 11th time in 13 seasons….


Giroud Sends Milan Into Semis Despite Late Napoli Rally

NAPLES, Italy—AC Milan reached the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since they won the trophy 16 years ago thanks to a first-half goal from Olivier Giroud at Napoli that secured a 1–1 draw and 2–1 aggregate win despite a barrage of pressure on Tuesday. Napoli battled until the end but could not break…