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☆ US Women’s National Team ‘just getting started’ after fifth straight SheBelieves Cup victory
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Interim head coach Twila Kilgore said that the US Women’s National Team will only keep improving after winning a fifth straight SheBelieves Cup in a dramatic penalty shootout against Canada. Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher made three saves and scored a penalty in the shootout after Tuesday’s game in Columbus, Ohio, ended 2-2. We have a growth mindset, we’re getting better, and like I said at Gold Cup, this team is just getting started.”The victory marked the US’ seventh SheBelieves Cup title and fifth in a row after previous wins against Spain, Brazil, Iceland and Japan. The victory will give the team confidence ahead of the Olympics later this year with a fifth gold medal – and first since 2012 – on the line. “I will be there to support her and the team as we move forward and that’s an exciting thing.”

Persons: Twila Kilgore, Alyssa Naeher, Adriana Leon, Sophia Smith, Smith, Trinity Rodman, Crystal Dunn, Leon, Kadeisha Buchanan, Emily Sonnett, Lindsey Horan, Naeher, Evelyne, Emily Fox, Jason Mowry, ” Kilgore, Emma Hayes, “ I’m, we’re, Jay LaPrete, Hayes, “, ”, Kilgore Organizations: CNN, Interim, US, National Team, Canada, Getty, Chelsea, Gold, Spain, Brazil, Japan, South Locations: Columbus , Ohio, Brazil, Iceland, Japan, Canada, South Korea, Mexico, Paris

☆ Opinion: Caitlin Clark is still the GOAT, but she’s not the only one
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Opinion Amy Bass | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

This year’s women’s tournament just kept getting better with every turn. That intensity is proof positive that women’s basketball has exploded. The valuation of the college game, too, is on a meteoric rise. Caitlin Clark talks with the media after Iowa's loss to South Carolina in the 2024 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament National Championship on April 7. “I want to personally thank Caitlin Clark for lifting up our sport… she carried a heavy load,” Staley said.

Persons: Amy Bass, Read, CNN —, Georgeann Wells, Ashlyn Watkins, Rodney Bedsole, Caitlin Clark, There’s, Tara VanDerveer’s, Geno Auriemma, Rebecca Lobo, Renee Montgomery, Kerry Bascom, Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, Breanna Stewart, Dawn Staley, Pat Summit’s Lady, Clark, Kamilla Cardoso, Staley, It’s, Aaliyah Edwards, Cardoso, Paige Bueckers, Watkins, Angel Reese, We’ve, Reese, Stewart, Taylor Swift, –, ’, Clark pandemonium –, Jason Sudeikis, Steph Chambers, MiLaysia Fulwiley, Tessa Johnson, ” Staley, Stanford’s Cameron Brink, Tennessee’s Rickea Jackson, Edwards, “, Serena Williams, ” Reese, ” Kamilla Cardoso, Gregory Shamus Organizations: Manhattanville College, CNN, University of Charleston, Iowa, NCAA, Louisiana Tech, Cheyney, Nykesha, CBS, Pat Summit’s Lady Vols, Tennessee, Auriemma’s Huskies, Gamecocks, US Women’s National, WNBA, Seattle, LSU, UConn, MLB, NHL, MLS, ESPN, Getty, North, Vogue, South Carolina Gamecocks, Indiana Fever, Las Vegas Aces, Fever, Mobile, South Carolina Locations: West Virginia, South, Stanford, South Carolina, Iowa, North America

☆ Caitlin Clark will head to the WNBA at a critical moment for the league
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The WNBA, still emerging entering its 28th season, hopes Caitlin Clark can achieve what those athletes did and turn the league into a cultural phenomenon. WNBA players’ salaries also lag behind. Turning Clark fans into WNBA fansClark is already having an impact on the WNBA. “The need by WNBA teams to invest in fan acquisition and fan engagement is really critical to maximize this moment,” she said. Bebeto Matthews/APThe league was financially connected to the NBA, and each of the first eight WNBA teams was linked to an NBA franchise.

Persons: Woods, Venus Williams, Michael Jordan, Caitlin Clark, ”, Boris Lelchitski, Candace Parker, Jonquel Jones, ” Clark, Angel Reese, Clark, Reese, “, Phil Cook, Gregory Fisher, Nielsen, “ Caitlin Clark, Noah Henderson, Cathy Engelbert, “ We’ve, Erica Denhoff, Jessica Gelman, Gelman, David Stern, Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes, Rebecca Lobo, Bebeto Matthews, Terri Jackson, ” Donna Orender, Orender, ” Engelbert, Cameron Brink, ’, “ Clark, Donna Orender Organizations: New, New York CNN, NBA, WNBA, Indiana Fever, NCAA, University of Iowa, Louisiana State University, Tiger, USA, Sports, Reuters, Loyola University, CNN, LSU, WNBA's Indiana, Kraft Analytics Group, MIT Sloan Sports Analytics, Nielsen, Brands, Gatorade, State, longtime, Olympics, Basketball Players Association, Deloitte, Kraft Analytics Locations: New York, Chicago, Iowa, USA, Atlanta, San Francisco

☆ Luis Rubiales: Ex-Spain soccer boss denies kiss was sexual assault, claims he’s only being questioned because he’s a man
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

“For me, there is no crime,” Rubiales told TV channel La Sexta. Hermoso has previously said she did not consent and was not respected by Rubiales. “I’ve received threats and that’s something which you will never get used to.”Luis Rubiales attends a ceremony on October 14, 2022, in Madrid Spain. A Civil Guard spokesman confirmed to CNN that Rubiales was questioned over a different investigation than the sexual assault charge, but would not elaborate further due to a Court decision. Rubiales was later released, the Civil Guard said.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Jennifer Hermoso, Hermoso, ”, ” Rubiales, La, “, peck, “ I’ve, ” Luis Rubiales, Alberto Ortega, EURPRARC, Rubiales Organizations: CNN, Royal Spanish Football Federation, GQ Spain, FIFA, Spain’s Civil Guard, Civil Guard Locations: Madrid Spain, Madrid

☆ Brittney Griner re-signs with Phoenix Mercury ahead of Team USA training camp
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Jill Martin | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Brittney Griner has re-signed with her longtime WNBA team, the Phoenix Mercury, ahead of this year’s Summer Olympic Games in Paris. Griner also is a two-time Olympic gold medalist for Team USA. Tim Clayton/Corbis/Getty Images/FilePhoenix’s signing of Griner comes the same week that the USA Basketball Women’s National Team will hold a training camp in Cleveland, Ohio. On Thursday, the USA Basketball Women’s National Team announced the 14-athlete April training camp roster, which will be held Wednesday through Friday. When announcing the training camp roster Thursday, USA Basketball said at the time that Clark would attend contingent on Iowa’s progression through the NCAA tournament.

Persons: Brittney Griner, ” Griner, Griner, Tim Clayton, Corbis, Griner –, “, ”, Caitlin Clark, Clark Organizations: CNN, WNBA, Phoenix Mercury, Mercury, Team USA, Griner, Rio, USA Basketball Women’s, Paris, Phoenix, Las Vegas Aces, Team, NCAA Locations: Paris, Russia, United States, Cleveland , Ohio, Clark, Iowa, Cleveland

☆ Chen Xuyuan: China sentences ex-soccer chief to life in prison in latest crackdown on sports corruption
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The ex-soccer chief, Chen Xuyuan, was jailed on Tuesday alongside multiple senior sporting executives, according to state media, following a months-long investigation. Five years later, the Chinese soccer association unveiled a plan to make the country a “world football superpower” by 2050. The Chinese men’s soccer team currently sits third in its FIFA World Cup qualify group, with four points, behind group leader South Korea, and second placed Thailand. Last Thursday, the team drew 2-2 with city-state Singapore, in a major blow to the country’s World Cup 2026 dream. The two sides face off again, on Tuesday, in what is being billed as a crunch match for underperforming China.

Persons: Chen Xuyuan, Xi, Chen, Yu Hongchen, Li Tie, “, ”, Chen Yongliang, Yu, Dong Zheng Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, league, Chinese Super League, Winter, men’s, soccer, FIFA World, South Locations: Hong Kong, Chinese, Hubei, Huangshi, China, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore

☆ Son Jun-ho: South Korean soccer player returns home after being detained in China on suspicion of accepting bribes
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Gawon Bae | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —South Korean soccer star Son Jun-ho, who was detained in China for allegedly accepting bribes, has recently returned home, the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Monday. The ministry has been communicating with the Chinese authorities through “various channels” and requested cooperation to “ensure a swift and fair process,” it said without giving details of the release. He has also represented South Korea’s men’s national team and reached the knockout stages of the World Cup in 2022 with the squad. Son became the first foreign soccer player to be investigated and detained since the CSL started in 2004, according to China’s state-run Global Times. His arrest was part of a broader initiative by Beijing to rid Chinese soccer of alleged corruption in the highest levels of the sport, during which the Communist Party’s anti-graft watchdog has been investigating a host of Chinese Football Association figures.

Persons: Son, “, ” Organizations: CNN, South, country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chinese Super League, Football Association, Korea’s, CSL, Times, Communist, Chinese Football Association Locations: South Korean, China, China’s, Liaoning, Shandong Taishan, Beijing

CNN —Three Rapid Vienna soccer players were not selected for national team duty after video emerged of them taking part in post-match celebrations shouting homophobic chants with a selection of the crowd. Guido Burgstaller, Marco Grüll and Niklas Hedl were seen, among others, chanting after the club defeated rivals Austria Vienna on February 25. Austria’s men’s national team manager Ralf Rangnick said he left the trio out for the upcoming fixtures against Slovakia and Turkey after he and the coaching staff watched videos of the incident. The deciding factor is what the behavior looks like.”Austria manager Ralf Rangnick has not selected the three players from the most recent national team squad. Christian Hofer/Getty ImagesBurgstaller, Rapid Vienna’s club captain, issued an apology online for the “absolute misconduct.”“We bear full responsibility for what happened and deeply regret this action.

Persons: Guido Burgstaller, Marco Grüll, Niklas Hedl, Austria’s, Ralf Rangnick, Rangnick, ”, they’ve, ” Rangnick, it’s, Christian Hofer, Grüll, “, ” Grüll, Thorsten Schick, Maximilian Hofmann, Steffen Hofmann, Stefan Kulovits Organizations: CNN, Rapid Vienna, Austria Vienna, Manchester United, Rapid Vienna’s, SK Rapid, Austrian Football League Locations: Slovakia, Turkey, Austria

☆ Laureus Awards: Erling Haaland and Manchester City lead nominations for this year’s awards
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland leads the nominations at this year’s Laureus Awards as he continues his record-breaking goal-scoring form. Haaland scored a stunning 52 goals in all competitions during Manchester City’s treble-winning season last year, being named Premier League Player of the Year in the process. 1 tennis player Iga Świątek. Nominees for this year’s awards were determined by a vote from members of the world’s media. The winners are then chosen in a secret ballot by the 69 members of the Laureus World Sports Academy.

Persons: Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi, Novak Djokovic, Noah Lyles, Max Verstappen, Haaland, couldn’t, ”, Laureus, Pep Guardiola, ” Europe’s, Catherine Ivill, Mikaela Shiffrin, Iga, Jude Bellingham, Coco Gauff Organizations: CNN, Manchester City, Sportsman, Manchester, Premier League Player, “, Laureus, Premier League, ” Europe’s Ryder Cup, Red Bull Racing, Spanish women’s, City, Sports Academy Locations: Norwegian, England, Europe, Madrid, Spain, Real Madrid

☆ Opinion: Utah incident reveals this inherent threat in anti-trans efforts to ‘protect’ girls in sports
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Opinion Frankie De La Cretaz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

In 2022, the Utah legislature banned transgender girls from high school girls’ sports. In August 2022, a Utah judge granted a preliminary injunction allowing trans girls to compete on girls’ teams after the parents of two trans girls filed a lawsuit. But as long as transgender girls’ gender identities are policed, cisgender girls will continue to have theirs policed as well. “I avoided athletic activities out of terror, not disinterest,” one participant said (a new study published last month also found that trans girls are primarily avoiding sports out of fear of harassment). If cisgender girls avoid sports out of these fears as well, they stand to be similarly negatively impacted.

Persons: Frankie de la, “, Mary, CNN —, Natalie Cline, Delia M, Harrington, ” Gov, Spencer Cox, Deidre Henderson, “ unconscionable ”, Cline, What’s, Cox, Virginia Foxx, ludicrously, Megan Rapinoe, It’s, —, White, Jim Crow, Sarah Longwell, Melissa Gira Grant, Trevor, Trevor Project’s Organizations: National Women’s Football League, ”, The New York Times, Sports, CNN, Utah State Board of Education, Harrington The Utah State Board of Education, Facebook, Gov, GOP, US Women’s National, Berlin Olympics, Mental Health, Lifeline Locations: Utah, North Carolina, Idaho, California, Nazi Germany

☆ Racheal Kundananji: Bay FC signs Zambian soccer star for reported $787,000 world record fee
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Bay FC, the newest team in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), has made an ambitious statement of intent ahead of the upcoming season by signing Zambian international Racheal Kundananji. “I want to give the [Bay FC] fans what they want – to enjoy the games, to enjoy seeing me playing and scoring.”Kundananji joins Bay FC from Spanish side Madrid CFF for a reported world record fee of €735,000 (around $787,000), according to multiple reports including ESPN. CNN has contacted Bay FC, Madrid CFF and the NWSL regarding the transfer fee. The contract runs through the 2027 season with an option for an additional year in 2028, Bay FC said. “We are delighted to add Racheal to our group,” Bay FC general manager Lucy Rushton said in a press release from the club.

Persons: Kundananji, ” Kundananji, Lucy Rushton, Diego Souto, Asisat Oshoala, Jen Beattie, Brandi Chastain, Leslie Osborne, Danielle Slaton, Aly Wagner Organizations: CNN — Bay FC, National Women’s Soccer League, Zambian, “, BBC Sport Africa, FC, Bay FC, Madrid CFF, ESPN, CNN, Real Madrid, Liga F, Spain’s Liga, San, Spanish, Costa, US Women’s National, Sixth Locations: “ People, Zambia, Bay, Spanish, Scottish, San Jose, Kazakhstan, Costa Rica

☆ Irish women’s basketball team refuses to shake hands with Israeli team after accusations of antisemitism
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Jacob Lev | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The Irish women’s national basketball team refused to shake hands with the Israeli women’s national team ahead of the first game of the 2025 Women’s EuroBasket qualifier in Riga, Latvia, on Thursday. Basketball Ireland fully supports our players in their decision,” the statement continued. On Wednesday, Israeli basketball player Dor Sa’ar called the Irish team “quite antisemitic,” in an interview posted on the Israeli Basketball Association’s website. After the game, Israel head coach Sharon Drucker said he had “never seen such things” in his life. “There was no game where you don’t give concessions, shake hands, congratulate each other.

Persons: Dor Sa’ar, “, ” Sa’ar, Israel, Sharon Drucker, “ I’ve, I’ve, ” Drucker, ” Israel, Oksana Dzadan, let’s, James Weldon, ” “ It’s, ” Weldon, Weldon, didn’t, wasn’t Organizations: CNN, Irish women’s, women’s, Basketball Ireland, Ireland, FIBA Europe, Wednesday, Basketball, Israel, ” Basketball Ireland, FIBA Women’s, FIBA, Israeli Basketball Association Locations: Riga, Latvia, Israel, tipoff, Ireland

LOS ANGELES (AP) — SoFi Stadium will begin work Monday on renovations to increase the size of its playing field area in preparation for hosting eight matches during the 2026 World Cup. “It's really just changing pre-cast concrete in the corners of the stadium to a more retractable system,” Demoff said Sunday. SoFi also will have a temporary grass field for the World Cup in place of its usual artificial turf. The changes that we will make to the stadium were always contemplated for the World Cup. Although the Los Angeles-area World Cup organizers didn't get the final, only AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, will host more total matches than SoFi.

Persons: — SoFi, Kevin Demoff, “ It's, ” Demoff, “ We'll, ”, Chris Klein, we’re, Stan Kroenke, SoFi, Demoff, didn't, Larry Freedman Organizations: ANGELES, —, Los Angeles Rams, NFL, FIFA, U.S, Copa America, Rams, Arsenal, NBA, Denver Nuggets, CONCACAF, Mexico, SoFi, Los Angeles Chargers, Super, T, men's Locations: Los Angeles, Inglewood, United States, Arlington , Texas, LA, U.S

☆ Asian Cup: South Korea beat Saudi Arabia in dramatic penalty shootout to advance to the quarterfinals
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Samuel Joseph | Sam Joseph | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —South Korea was on the verge of being eliminated from the AFC Asian Cup after going 1-0 down against Saudi Arabia, but managed to turn things around with a late equalizer from Cho Gue-sung followed by a decisive 4-2 penalty shootout win. Giuseppe Cacace/AFP/Getty ImagesSouth Korea managed to grow into the game and began to rain chances down on the opposition goal late on. Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Ahmed Al-Kassar was called into action to deny Hwang In-beom and Seol Young-woo as the game ticked towards the final whistle. Hassan Tambakti of Saudi Arabia and South Korea captain Son Heung-Min battle for the ball. Robert Cianflone/Getty ImagesSouth Korea keeper Jo Hyeon-woo played hero in the shootout, saving Saudi Arabia’s final two spot-kicks before Wolves’ Hwang fired his deciding penalty into top corner, punching South Korea’s ticket to the quarterfinals.

Persons: Cho Gue, Roberto Mancini, Saleh Al, Ali Lajami, Salem, Abdullah Radif, slotting, Radif, Giuseppe Cacace, Ahmed Al, Kassar, Hwang, Seol Young, Cho, Hwang Hee, Hassan Tambakti, Son Heung, Robert Cianflone, Jo Hyeon, Wolves ’ Hwang, Jürgen, ”, “, Klinsmann Organizations: CNN, AFC Asian, Manchester City, Green Falcons, Getty, Warriors, Saudi, Wolves, South, US men’s, “, Australia –, Tottenham Hotspur Locations: South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Italy, AFP, Korea, Saudi, Indonesia, ” South Korea

“It is a privilege to select the team that will help us toward the goal of once again standing atop the Olympic podium. If he plays and the U.S. wins, Durant would be the first men’s player with four basketball golds. “I will play in the Olympics,” Durant adamantly said last fall at Phoenix’s media day. The other 28 players on the list are headlined by a pair who may make their Olympic debuts — Embiid and Curry among them. Players not in the pool aren’t exactly ineligible to make the Olympic team; while it is a long shot, it has happened before.

Persons: LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, Golden, Steve Kerr, Miami's Erik Spoelstra, Mark, Grant Hill, — Durant, James, Chris Paul, Anthony Davis, Bam Adebayo, Damian Lillard, Devin Booker, James Harden, Jayson Tatum, Jimmy Butler, Jrue, Kyrie Irving, Paul George, Durant, ” Durant, — Embiid, Curry, ” Curry, ” Embiid, Nick Nurse, Jarrett Allen, Paolo Banchero, Desmond Bane, Scottie Barnes, Mikal, Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson, Alex Caruso, Anthony Edwards, De’Aaron Fox, Aaron Gordon, Tyrese Haliburton, Josh Hart, Tyler Herro, Chet Holmgren, Brandon Ingram, Jaren Jackson Jr, Cam Johnson, Walker Kessler, Kawhi Leonard, Donovan Mitchell, Bobby Portis, Austin Reaves, Duncan Robinson, Derrick White, Trae Young, “, ”, Adebayo, ” Green, Green, Antonio’s Keldon Johnson, Gregg Popovich, Johnson, JaVale McGee, Bradley Beal, Kevin Love —, — Organizations: USA Basketball’s, Paris Olympics, U.S, Janeiro Games, USA Basketball, Los Angeles Clippers, NBA, ”, Philadelphia, France, ” 76ers, Golden State, Olympic, Tokyo Games, Spurs, AP Locations: USA, Paris, United, Cameroon, Mikal Bridges, Golden, paris

☆ Copa América 2024: CONMEBOL announces 14 host cities as tournament returns to the US
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —CONMEBOL, South America’s soccer federation, has announced the 14 cities that will host matches at the 2024 Copa América as the tournament returns to the United States for the first time since 2016. Ecuador was originally designated as the tournament host but pulled out in November 2022 due to economic and security concerns, as well as a lack of viable stadiums. CONMEBOL has encountered obstacles in hosting the last three editions of the Copa América held in South America. Now, for the third edition in a row, the host nation has been changed after the US took over organizing duties from Ecuador. Argentina won the postponed 2020 edition of the Copa América, which was moved to Brazil.

Persons: América, Atlanta United’s Mercedes, Michael Zarrilli, ” Ezequiel Fernández Moores, Copa América, Fernández Moores, Amanda Perobelli, ” Fernández Moores, “, Lionel Messi’s, Henry Romero, he’s, hasn’t, Messi, ” Sean Gregory, –, ” Organizations: CNN — CONMEBOL, Miami Gardens, Kansas City, Atlanta United’s, Benz, Copa América, CONMEBOL, CONCACAF –, Copa, Reuters, State, América, FIFA, USA, Canada, NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, US, National, Inter Miami, Host Chile, Copa America, –, Leagues, “, TIME, FIFA Club Locations: South, United States, Vegas, Arlington (, Charlotte, Orlando, Miami, Santa Clara, Atlanta, East Rutherford ( NJ, Houston, Austin, Inglewood, CA, Glendale, AZ, Kansas, South America, Ecuador, Peru, North America, Central America, Caribbean, American, America, Argentine, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Argentina, California, United, Mexico

☆ Timothy Weah and Samuel Iling-Jr.: Why Juventus duo are talking about mental health in soccer
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Matias Grez | Darren Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —“It was definitely heartbreaking to see,” American soccer star Timothy Weah says of a moment which, even 10 years on, he can still clearly recall. As a 12-year-old, it was the first time Weah – son of legendary Liberian soccer great George Weah – had seen racism in sport. “I think that was a moment that really … shook me as a young man,” the 23-year-old Weah tells CNN Senior Sport Analyst Darren Lewis. Weah and Iling-Junior agree that not spending much time with family is one of the most difficult challenges young soccer players face, especially those who move abroad, as they both did. “And I think, in mental health, that’s important to understand because I think there’s going to be a time where a lot more footballers are going to come and speak out about their mental health.

Persons: Timothy Weah, Kevin, Prince Boateng, Weah, George Weah –, Darren Lewis, “, we’re, they’ve, Samuel Iling, Marco Bertorello, ” Weah, Sam, ”, “ I’ve, Germain, I’ve, Iling, ” Iling, I’m Organizations: CNN, AC Milan, Liberian, Weah, Juventus, CNN Sport, Juventus ’ “, Getty, Junior, US, National Team, Paris Saint, London Locations: American, Europe, AFP, Paris, Turin, Italy, I’m, London

☆ Sam Kerr nets hat-trick as she captains Chelsea Women to a 4-1 Champions League win against Paris FC Féminines
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Samuel Joseph | Sam Joseph | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Australian superstar Sam Kerr scored a stunning hat-trick in Chelsea’s 4-1 win against Paris FC Féminines in the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) on Thursday. Paris sought to take the game to Hayes’ team early on and forward Mathilde Bourdieu forced a save from Chelsea goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger with a low strike. The deadlock was broken on the half hour as Kerr collected a pass from Lauren James, who was coming off a hat-trick in a 5-1 WSL win against Liverpool on Sunday, and poked past Paris goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie. A long ball forward by Berger evaded the Paris defenders and put the Australian striker through on goal. With Nnadozie off her line, Kerr audaciously lobbed the Nigerian goalkeeper from outside the penalty area to score her third.

Persons: Sam Kerr, Emma Hayes, Hayes ’, Mathilde Bourdieu, Ann, Katrin Berger, Kerr, Lauren James, Chiamaka Nnadozie, deservedly, Thea Greboval, Berger, Jess Carter, Fran Kirby, Bourdieu, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, John Walton, Nnadozie, Kerr audaciously, Erin Cuthbert, Louise Fleury, Kirby, Sophie Ingle, Ève, “, ” Hayes, “ Sophie, Ingle, Millie Bright Organizations: CNN, Paris FC Féminines, UEFA Women’s Champions, Chelsea, Super League, US, National, Stamford, Liverpool, Paris, Häcken, Real Madrid Locations: Paris

CNN —After more than three years of going missing from world soccer, North Korean striker Han Kwang Song has reappeared, playing for his country in two recent World Cup qualifiers and scoring in the 6-1 win over Myanmar on Tuesday. Attempting to qualify for the World Cup for a third time, North Korea lost 1-0. The North Korea football federation, the Asian Football Confederation and world soccer governing body FIFA didn’t respond to CNN’s request for comment on Han’s return to international football. The return of the North Korean wunderkind has surprised soccer pundits and fans, who worried about his safety and promising career being cut short. The Covid-19 pandemic led to North Korea fully sealing its borders, making it impossible for Han and fellow repatriated North Korean nationals to return home.

Persons: Han Kwang, Han, Duhail, –, Korean wunderkind, Max Canzi, ” Canzi, Han’s, Nicholas Pennington, Kwang, Choe, Pölten, Alberto Mier, Qatar’s, ”, Kim Jong, Kim, Tullio M Organizations: CNN, North, Myanmar, North Korean, Qatar, Al, Asian Football Confederation, FIFA, Korean, Serie, CNN Sport, Syria, Cagliari, Austria’s SKN, Italy’s, UN, Juventus, United Nations Security Council, Qatar Stars, Qatar Stars League, UNSC, Qatar Airways, Perugia, Getty, Tokyo, Beijing Winter Games, International Olympic Committee Locations: North Korean, Syria, Saudi Arabian, Jeddah, North Korea, Yangon, Rome, Qatar, Korean, Pyongyang, Myanmar, Austria’s SKN St, Arezzo, Qatari, Korea, Ahli, Doha, Puglia, Beijing, Asia

☆ US men’s soccer team shocked by Trinidad and Tobago but still makes Nations League semifinals
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The US Men’s National Team suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Trinidad and Tobago in the second leg of its CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal, but survived the upset to reach the semifinals 4-2 on aggregate. Dest, who assisted Robinson’s opening goal, picked up his first booking for deliberately kicking the ball into the stands in frustration at a refereeing decision. After the match, Dest issued an apology on social media and called his actions “immature.”“I want to apologize to my teammates, staff, fans and whole nation for my behaviour,” he wrote on Instagram. “There’s not too many things that I can say here, publicly, that we said privately,” Ream told reporters after the game. This year’s CONCACAF Nations League also acts as the qualifiers for the expanded 2024 Copa América, which will take place in the United States.

Persons: Antonee Robinson, Dest, Robinson’s, ”, Tim Ream, “ There’s, ” Ream, it’s, John Dorton, Reon Moore, Alvin Jones Organizations: CNN, US Men’s National, CONCACAF Nations League, Fulham, Getty, US, América, CONCACAF Locations: Trinidad and Tobago, Texas, United States

Four years after calling time on his playing career, Berbatov has grand ambitions of reshaping the football landscape in his native Bulgaria. “Bulgarian football is in major crisis,” Berbatov tells CNN Sport’s Amanda Davies from London in a recent interview. Mihaylov re-electedTwo years after submitting his resignation, Mihaylov stood again and was re-elected as BFU president for a fifth term when Berbatov was also a candidate. In the voting, 241 voted for Mihaylov, 230 for Berbatov, eight for a third candidate, and four did not vote. Dimitar Kyosemarliev/ReutersBulgaria last qualified for a major international tournament at Euro 2004, when a squad featuring Berbatov lost all three of its games.

Persons: CNN — Dimitar Berbatov’s, Berbatov, it’s, Amanda Davies, “, – Stiliyan Petrov, Martin Petrov, –, Borislav Mihaylov, Mihaylov, Mihaylov’s, Gareth Southgate, Boyko Borissov, Bulgaria “, ” Mihaylov, Borissov’s, ” Borislav Mihaylov, Georgi Paleykov, Georgi Ivanov, “ I’ve, ” Berbatov, Dimitar Dilkoff, Nikolay Doychinov, ”, Dimitar Kyosemarliev, hasn’t, Simon Holmes, Aleksander Čeferin, Čeferin, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, Bulgarian, –, Manchester United, Bulgarian Football Union, England, Bulgaria, ”, Guardian, Balkan Insight, FIFA, UEFA, CNN Sport, Latvia, Getty, Bulgaria’s, Hungary, men’s, Plovdiv’s Hristo Botev Stadium, Police, Vassil Levski Stadium, Hungarian Football Federation, Reuters, Croatia Locations: Germany, England, France, Greece, India, Bulgaria, Europe, London, Sofia, Bulgarian, “ Bulgaria, AFP, Plovdiv, Reuters Bulgaria, BFU

☆ Emma Hayes: Chelsea ‘robbed’ of Champions League win against Real Madrid, says Blues manager
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Chelsea manager Emma Hayes says her team was “robbed” of a win after controversial refereeing decisions overshadowed her side’s entertaining 2-2 draw against Real Madrid in the Women’s Champions League group stage on Wednesday. Firstly, a questionable penalty was awarded to Madrid in the 78th minute and then a last-minute winner was ruled out for offside. “I think we’ve been robbed of what should have been a 3-1 game,” Hayes said after the match. With Chelsea dominating proceedings, referee Frida Klarlund awarded Real Madrid the penalty after Blues defender Jessie Fleming brought down Athenea del Castillo. Real Madrid manager Alberto Toril said he was pleased with the performance and result against Chelsea.

Persons: Emma Hayes, “, ”, ” Hayes, OIga Carmona’s, Millie Bright, Niamh Charles, Sam Kerr, Misa Rodríguez –, Frida Klarlund, Jessie Fleming, Athenea del, Isabel Infantes, Carmona, Hayes, Jessie, Fleming, shouldn’t, ’ Chelsea, Lauren James, Charles, Kerr, Niamh, Sam, Alberto Toril Organizations: CNN, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Women’s Champions League, Reuters, Real, Super League, Madrid’s, Blues, Athenea, Getty, US, National, ” Chelsea, UEFA, Madrid, BK Häcken, Paris FC Locations: Madrid, Spanish, Real Madrid, Athenea del Castillo, she’s, European

☆ Emma Hayes named coach of US women’s national team, signs record contract
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Wayne Sterling | David Close | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Chelsea FC women’s manager Emma Hayes has been named head coach of the US Women’s National Team, the US Soccer Federation announced on Tuesday. She was named 2021’s Best FIFA Women’s Coach and is a finalist for the 2023 award. US Soccer, which reached an equal pay deal with female players in May 2022, said, without offering specifics, that Hayes’ contract makes her the highest paid women’s soccer coach in the world. “We felt strongly that Emma was the best person and coach to take the US Women’s National Team forward,” US Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker said. “I remember being a young coach working my way up through the system in the US and watching all those young girls aspire to play on the US Women’s National Team.

Persons: Emma Hayes, Hayes, ”, Andonovski, “, Emma, Matt Crocker, ” Hayes, Twila Kilgore, I’ve Organizations: CNN — Chelsea FC women’s, US, National Team, US Soccer Federation, Blues, FIFA, Soccer, CNN, US Soccer, US Soccer Sporting, Chelsea, Interim, Hayes ’, Women’s Super League, Chelsea –, FA Women’s, USA, Iona College, Professional Soccer, National, Summer Games Locations: Sweden, Paris

☆ Megan Rapinoe and Ali Krieger take to the pitch for the last time in NWSL Final
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-11 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Friends and teammates for much of their illustrious careers, US Women’s National Team legends Megan Rapinoe and Ali Krieger will take to the pitch one last time on Saturday as foes. Rapinoe’s OL Reign takes on Krieger’s Gotham FC in Saturday’s NWSL Final, which provides a fitting stage for the grand finale of two women’s soccer greats. Ahead of the game, in the final pre-match press conference of her career, an emotional Rapinoe couldn’t hold back the tears. Krieger’s farewellPerhaps it was written in the stars that both Rapinoe and Krieger would enjoy their last dance on the pitch together in the NWSL Championship game. On Monday, after both teams had booked their places in the final, Krieger revealed on Instagram a two-month-old text exchange she had with Rapinoe.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, Ali Krieger, Rapinoe’s, “ I’ve, ”, I’ve, Rapinoe, “, ” Rapinoe, Krieger, Stephen Brashear, Jessica Berman Organizations: CNN, National, Gotham FC, USA, Amazon Prime, ION, CBS, Paramount Plus, ESPN, Sports, Reuters, Champions League, Frankfurt Locations: Saturday’s, rondos, California

Gotham was able to run out the clock and marked its first NWSL title with a wild celebration near midfield. The non-contact injury to Reign star Rapinoe took some of the wind out of the crowd at San Diego State's Snapdragon Stadium. Rapinoe broke toward Maitane Lopez of Gotham, who was dribbling outside the penalty area, and suddenly went down in the third minute. Rapinoe announced before this summer’s Women’s World Cup that she was stepping away from the game after a career that included two World Cup titles, an Olympic gold medal and an Olympic bronze. The field at Snapdragon appeared in better shape than it was on Sunday night, when the Reign beat the San Diego Wave to advance, some 24 hours after a home San Diego State football game.

Persons: Esther González, Megan Rapinoe hobbled, Mandy Haught, Nealy Martin, Rose Lavelle, Rapinoe, San Diego State's, Gotham's Ali Krieger, Maitane Lopez, Gotham, Krieger, González, Midge Purce, Claudia Dickey, Purce, Lynn Williams, Lavelle dribbled, ___ Organizations: DIEGO, Gotham FC, Women's Soccer League, Gotham, San Diego, Women’s, San Diego Wave, San Diego State football, Spain Locations: Gotham, San, Rapinoe, Snapdragon

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