Soccer

Harvey Elliott shrugs off painful knee-slide celebration to lead England to U-21 final

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — Harvey Elliott's knee-slide celebration was brief — and painful. The Liverpool midfielder scored twice to help England beat the Netherlands 2-1 on Wednesday and advance to the Under-21 European Championship final.

Jun 25, 2025 4:37 PM Read more >

Filipa Patão named coach of NWSL expansion club, the Boston Legacy

BOSTON (AP) — Benfica coach Filipa Patão has been hired as the new head coach of the National Women's Soccer League club Boston Legacy.

Jun 25, 2025 1:40 PM Read more >

Miami's Lionel Messi at $20.4 million earns more than 21 other MLS teams' payrolls this year

NEW YORK (AP) — Lionel Messi is the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer for the third straight year with total annual compensation of $20,446,667, greater than the entire payroll of 21 teams.

Jun 25, 2025 11:37 AM Read more >

Miami's Messi still the highest-earner in Major League Soccer at US$20.5 million

Inter Miami's Lionel Messi remains Major League Soccer's highest-paid player this season at $20,446,667 (all figures in U.S. dollars), according to figures released Wednesday by the MLS Players Association.

Jun 25, 2025 11:00 AM Read more >

Canadian international Sarah Stratigakis returns home, signs with NSL's AFC Toronto

TORONTO — Canadian midfielder Sarah Stratigakis tells a familiar story in signing with AFC Toronto "I'm very excited. Finally, to have a chance to play professionally in Canada," said the 26-year-old from Woodbridge, Ont.

Jun 25, 2025 8:28 AM Read more >

FIFA investigates if Real Madrid's Rüdiger was racially abused by opponent at Club World Cup

MIAMI (AP) — FIFA has opened a disciplinary case at the Club World Cup after Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger claimed he was racially abused by Pachuca captain Gustavo Cabral.

Jun 25, 2025 6:48 AM Read more >

Billionaire Brighton owner Tony Bloom buys stake in Scottish soccer club Hearts

EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) — Brighton soccer club’s billionaire owner Tony Bloom invested in Heart of Midlothian of the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday, aiming to revive another unheralded team.

Jun 25, 2025 6:18 AM Read more >

German soccer federation fined for tax evasion related to suspicious 2006 World Cup payment to FIFA

BERLIN (AP) — The German soccer federation has been convicted of tax evasion related to its successful 2006 World Cup bid.

Jun 25, 2025 5:43 AM Read more >

Ronaldo's Saudi club Al Nassr without a coach as Pioli leaves ahead of expected return to Fiorentina

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo's Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr is without a coach after Stefano Pioli left Wednesday, with the Italian expected to return home to Fiorentina.

Jun 25, 2025 3:40 AM Read more >

Euro 2025: What to know about the Women's European Championship

Spain’s star-packed squad is bidding to follow up on its World Cup success with a first triumph at the Women’s European Championship.

Jun 25, 2025 2:07 AM Read more >