Soccer
FILE - United States' Julie Ertz, left, battles Canada's Adriana Leon, right, for the ball during a women's semifinal soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, in Kashima, Japan. Ertz was named to the U.S. national team roster for a pair of upcoming matches against Ireland next after taking time off for the birth of her son. Ertz was among 26 players named to the roster, announced by coach Vlatko Andonovski on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara, File)
Canada vs USA 8/2/2021

Mar. 28, 2023 03:29 PM EDT

FILE - United States' Julie Ertz reacts after losing to Sweden at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, in Tokyo. Ertz was named to the U.S. national team roster for a pair of upcoming matches against Ireland next after taking time off for the birth of her son. Ertz was among 26 players named to the roster, announced by coach Vlatko Andonovski on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan, File)
Julie Ertz returns to US team for 2 friendlies with Ireland

By Anne M. Peterson Mar. 28, 2023 03:27 PM EDT

Empty seats are seen inside CityPark Stadium, Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, in St. Louis. When season tickets sales began for Major League Soccer's newest team, St. Louis City SC leaders figured they'd be a hot ticket in a city with a deep love for the sport. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Longtime soccer hotbed St. Louis finally gets MLS team

By Jim Salter Feb. 23, 2023 11:52 AM EST

A corner flag showing the logo of Manchester United is seen ahead of the English FA Cup 4th round soccer match between Manchester United and Reading at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)
Reading FC vs Manchester United 1/28/2023

Feb. 14, 2023 09:17 AM EST

A tribute to Manchester United team - nicknamed the "Busby Babes" is displayed on screen in memory of the 65th anniversary of the Munich air disaster which saw 23 people die, prior the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace, at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. The plane was carrying the Manchester United team - nicknamed the "Busby Babes". (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
Crystal Palace vs Manchester United 2/4/2023

Feb. 14, 2023 09:17 AM EST

An anti-Glazer family banner is held up by members of the crowd before the English League Cup semifinal second leg soccer match between Manchester United and Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. The Glazer family are the owners of Manchester United. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United 2/1/2023

Feb. 14, 2023 09:17 AM EST

A corner flag showing the logo of Manchester United is seen ahead of the English FA Cup 4th round soccer match between Manchester United and Reading at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)
From Qatar to Elon Musk, Man United sale rumors grow

By James Robson Feb. 14, 2023 09:15 AM EST

Leeds United's head coach Jesse Marsch sits by the bench during the English Premier League soccer match between Leeds United and Brentford at Elland Road, Leeds, England, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Brentford FC vs Leeds United 1/22/2023

Feb. 07, 2023 06:59 AM EST

Leeds United's head coach Jesse Marsch applauds after losing 0-1 against Nottingham Forest in an English Premier League soccer match at City Ground stadium in Nottingham, England, Feb. 5, 2023. American coach Jesse Marsch was fired by Leeds on Monday Feb. 6, 2023, after nearly a year in charge of the relegation-threatened Premier League team. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira, File)
Leeds United vs Nottingham Forest 2/5/2023

Feb. 07, 2023 06:59 AM EST

Leeds United's head coach Jesse Marsch sits by the bench during the English Premier League soccer match between Leeds United and Brentford at Elland Road, Leeds, England, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Fired Marsch not given chance to see Leeds overhaul through

By Steve Douglas Feb. 07, 2023 06:57 AM EST

Cristiano Ronaldo speaks during a press conference for his official unveiling as a new member of Al Nassr soccer club in in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. Ronaldo, who has won five Ballon d'Ors awards for the best soccer player in the world and five Champions League titles, will play outside of Europe for the first time in his storied career. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
ATP Challenger Canberra, Australia Men Singles

Feb. 01, 2023 09:17 AM EST

Cristiano Ronaldo speaks during a press conference for his official unveiling as a new member of Al Nassr soccer club in in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. Ronaldo, who has won five Ballon d'Ors awards for the best soccer player in the world and five Champions League titles, will play outside of Europe for the first time in his storied career. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Saudi soccer influence grows by winning seat on FIFA Council

By Graham Dunbar Feb. 01, 2023 09:13 AM EST

Juventus' Weston McKennie, right, and Atalanta's Jeremie Boga celebrates scoring during the Serie A soccer match between Juventus and Atalanta at Juventus Stadium in Turin, Italy, Sunday Jan. 22, 2023. (Marco Alpozzi/LaPresse via AP)
Atalanta BC vs Juventus Turin 1/22/2023

Jan. 30, 2023 04:19 PM EST

Juventus' Weston McKennie, right, and Atalanta's Jeremie Boga celebrates scoring during the Serie A soccer match between Juventus and Atalanta at Juventus Stadium in Turin, Italy, Sunday Jan. 22, 2023. (Marco Alpozzi/LaPresse via AP)
Weston McKennie becomes latest US midfielder to join Leeds

Jan. 30, 2023 04:17 PM EST

FILE - New York Giants linebacker Connor Barwin speaks to reporters during NFL football training camp, on July 26, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. Europe’s soccer leagues are so full of teams owned and operated by American investors that the market could soon be saturated. That’s why a group of six accomplished professionals studying in the executive MBA program at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School turned their attention to basketball and have acquired a 90% stake in the Italian team Pallacanestro Trieste. Former NFL linebacker Connor Barwin is one member of the ownership team. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
US owners of Italian team chose basketball over soccer

By Andrew Dampf Jan. 30, 2023 07:45 AM EST

Miami Dolphins place kicker Jason Sanders (7) celebrates after kicking the go-ahead kick during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (Miami Herald, Al Diaz via AP)
Dolphins clinch playoff berth after beating Jets 11-6

By Alanis Thames Jan. 08, 2023 04:31 PM EST

Youth players with the Gulf Coast Sharks Youth Football Club playing a tackle football game on Sept. 10, 2022, in Gautier, Miss. The league's founder, Joel Fields, said youth football leagues are often unregulated. Some leagues allow children as young as five years old to play tackle football, he said. (Joel Fields via AP)
Football fans grapple with violent side of a beloved sport

By Jocelyn Noveck Jan. 05, 2023 01:35 PM EST

FILE - Manchester United's Christian Eriksen celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the game during the English League Cup 4th round soccer match between Manchester United and Burnley, at Old Trafford in Manchester, England Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022. In June of 2021, Eriksen collapsed in the 43rd minute of a match against Finland, with doctors later revealing how incredibly close he came to death. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson, File)
Burnley FC vs Manchester United 12/21/2022

Jan. 03, 2023 01:01 AM EST

Asian soccer set to get new Champions League format in 2024

Dec. 23, 2022 08:23 AM EST
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — The Asian Champions League is set to be revamped in the 2024-25 season as part of reforms that should add a third club soccer...

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates his side's their goal as France's goalkeeper Hugo Lloris stands during the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
France vs Argentina 12/18/2022

Dec. 18, 2022 05:09 PM EST