Despair after four years of pressure: how do Olympians deal with disappointment?

Despair after four years of pressure: how do Olympians deal with disappointment?

By Christopher Mesagno, Victoria University and Courtney C Walton, The University of Melbourne Australia’s soccer team entered Paris with high hopes of notching their first Olympic medal but those aspirations came crashing down with defeat to the United States. Even without star striker Sam Kerr, the Matildas – who enjoyed a famous run to finish fourth at the 2023 FIFA World Cup – were […]

August 1, 2024 17

Sport

Lobjanidze upstages Messi as Atlanta stun Miami in MLS

Georgia international Saba Lobjanidze upstaged Lionel Messi with two goals as struggling Atlanta United stunned league leaders Inter Miami 3-1 on Wednesday in Major League Soccer. Lobjanidze stunned a star-studded Miami line-up with two long-range strikes either side of half-time to fire Atlanta into a 2-0 lead. Argentina superstar Messi threatened to inspire a comeback for the home side after pulling a goal back to make it 2-1 but […]

May 30, 2024 6

Sport

Without Messi, Miami’s winning run ends with derby draw

Inter Miami's five-match winning run came to an end on Wednesday as, without the injured Lionel Messi, they were held to a 0-0 draw at Orlando City. Messi had featured in all five of those wins for the MLS league leaders but sat out the game in Orlando due to a knee injury. Miami said the injury was not serious and Messi has trained in recent days but […]

May 16, 2024 6

Sport

Orlando Pirates fans react to Thembinkosi Lorch transfer to Mamelodi Sundowns

February 22, 2024 12

Sport

MLS chief blasts referees union over lockout

Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber has hit out at referee union members after talks broke down leaving the league to start the new season without their top referees. Garber, speaking to reporters prior to the opening game of the season between Inter Miami and Real Salt Lake, warned MLS was "very prepared" to deal with the lockout of the officials. The Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) said on […]

February 22, 2024 6

Sport

Messi the creator as Miami win in MLS opener

Lionel Messi created both goals as Inter Miami made a winning start to the new Major League Soccer season with a 2-0 victory over Real Salt Lake on Wednesday. The Argentine World Cup winner, who played the entire game, put aside any concerns about his fitness with an excellent performance for Gerardo "Tata" Martino's team. Against a cautious Salt Lake side, Messi went close to opening the scoring in […]

February 22, 2024 4

Sport

Manchester United plans to accelerate after Sir Jim Ratcliffe completes deal

Sir Jim Ratcliffe says Manchester United’s journey back to the top of world football starts now after completing his £1.3billion deal to become minority owner of the Premier League giants.A year and three months after the club announced a strategic review, and 58 days after a deal was struck, there is finally a new power structure in place at Old Trafford.Ratcliffe has completed his purchase of 25 per cent of […]

February 21, 2024 13

Sport

Morgan to play for USA in Women’s Gold Cup after Fishel injury

Veteran striker Alex Morgan, a two-time World Cup winner with the United States, was called up Tuesday for the first ever Women's Gold Cup after a serious injury to Mia Fishel. Fishel, the 22-year-old Chelsea attacker, suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee during training on Monday, the US team said. The injury came a day before the tournament kicked off and robs the US of […]

February 21, 2024 2

Africa

International clubs look to Africa for female football talent

By Bonface Orucho, bird story agency Africa is growing into a critical supplier of professional female football talent to international clubs outside the continent, according to a new FIFA report. The ‘Global Transfer Report 2023’ released on January 30 by the international football governing body, FIFA, shows that Nigeria and Ghana produced among the highest number (in the top ten globally) of women players in the international transfer […]

February 1, 2024 94