Netherlands replaced North Korea

New FIFA women’s rankings, top 10:

1. 🇪🇸
2. 🇺🇸
3. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
4. 🇩🇪
5. 🇯🇵
6. 🇧🇷
7. 🇫🇷
8. 🇸🇪
9. 🇨🇦
10. 🇳🇱

Updated with Chris Richards for Crystal Palace on Monday …

USMNT roundup: Red-hot Folarin Balogun chasing Ligue 1 history as Americans' World Cup form takes shape Less than two months before the World Cup, Folarin Balogun is feeling it.

USMNT roundup: Red-hot Folarin Balogun chasing Ligue 1 history as Americans' World Cup form takes shape.

A close look at the weekend performances, including MLS goal scorers …

It happens to the best keepers on the best clubs in the best leagues in the biggest matches on the biggest stages …

Tim Ream comes off at halftime of Charlotte’s match at NYC with a groin ailment, Coach Dean Smith says. He’s questionable for Wednesday at Orlando.
#usmnt

Montreal scored four goals vs Red Bull NY today.

D.C. United has scored four goals in eight matches.

bsky.app/profile/jont...

Attendance for Messi / Miami MLS matches in large stadiums this spring

Today: 75,824 (Denver)
March 22: 45,845 (New York)
March 14: 34,780 (Charlotte)
March 7: 72,026 (Baltimore)
Feb. 21: 75,673 (LA)

James Justin with an absolute BEAUTIFUL bicycle kick to open the scoring for Leeds United. 🔥

New arrival …

With three matches to spare, Coventry City returns to Premier League for first time in 25 years, getting Bobby Thomas' late equalizer for 1-1 draw at Blackburn.

USMNT's Haji Wright (team-high 16 goals) entered in 62nd minute for Coventry, which has 86 points from 43 matches.

Event – GHI Washington

We’re excited to have Dee Kundra of #FCBayern and @stevengoff.bsky.social join us on May 13 for a conversation on “Globalizing Soccer: Clubs, Leagues, and Fan Culture,” moderated by Samuel Jackisch (ARD Radio). Sign up to attend here: www.ghi-dc.org/events/event...

🤔

Chris Richards and Crystal Palace advance to UEFA Conference League semifinals with 4-2 aggregate victory over Fiorentina after a 2-1 loss in Italy.

Next: Shakhtar Donetsk April 30/May 7.
#usmnt

Just announced …

San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium will stage two World Cup tuneups:

Switzerland vs. Australia on June 6 and Colombia vs. Jordan on June 7

The World Cup is coming. The soul of American soccer is already playing in the U.S. Open Cup For all its wonders, the World Cup will not accurately reflect the pulse of the sport on these shores. Soccer’s essence is found in municipal parks and on small stages.

A column about the gluttony of the World Cup, the imperfect wonders of the U.S. Open Cup and a magical night in the nation’s capital for a third-flight club …
@oneknoxsc.bsky.social

Longest assist in City SC history

Emma Hayes cites development and 'preparation' as USWNT falters in 1-0 loss to Japan behind young lineup: 'We cannot always simply play just for the result' 'I'm a developer of players and they need to go through these things.'

The USWNT fell to Japan in a 1-0 loss in Seattle on Tuesday. But postgame, Emma Hayes pointed to games like this as a chance for the team to improve.
"I’m a developer of players and they need to go through these things," she said.
sports.yahoo.com/soccer/artic...

USMNT's Johnny Cardoso helps lift Atlético Madrid into Champions League semifinals despite World Cup uncertainty Johnny Cardoso might not go to the World Cup this summer, but the U.S. midfielder is still very much in the running for the UEFA Champions League title.

USMNT's Johnny Cardoso and Atlético Madrid are headed to the Champions League semifinals.

Details …

Matt Crocker built U.S. Soccer's future — then left for Saudi Arabia 2 months before the World Cup Just two months before the World Cup, Matt Crocker is stepping down as the U.S. Soccer's sporting director after three years to work for the Saudi Arabian federation.

My column on Matt Crocker leaving U.S. Soccer and how the USMNT’s World Cup performance will reflect on him …

Updated with Brenden Aaronson helping Leeds win at Manchester United for the first time in 45 years …

Ticket sales for USWNT’s first visit to Seattle since July 2017 — vs Japan Tuesday night — have surpassed 35,000.

City record for stand-alone women’s match: 34,130.

It’s the first match on World Cup grass at Lumen Field — 7 pm PT on TNT, truTV, HBO Max, Universo, Peacock.

With the World Cup approaching, a rush of soccer books are hitting the market. A few that have arrived …

For its debut World Cup, Cape Verde has unveiled a sharp jersey design: triangular pattern replicating the flight paths between the nation’s islands.

⚽️🇨🇻

USMNT World Cup roster watch: Tyler Adams returns as Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi stay hot The USMNT player pool had a mixed weekend of fortunes, highlighted by the return of key midfielders Tyler Adams and Johnny Cardoso from injury.

USMNT World Cup roster watch: Tyler Adams returns as Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi stay hot.

The weekend roundup …

Holstein Kiel’s Tim Walter on John Tolkin’s feared ACL: “The scene looked really bad. He is a great footballer and also a kind-hearted person. This injury particularly hurts me. I have been very close to John in my heart in recent weeks." (Tolkin 3rd on USMNT LB depth chart.)