ATLANTA — If fans of the U.S. men’s soccer team wanted to see an A-level squad take on Portugal’s stars, they didn’t get it.

But if U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino wanted to see what would come of a slew of auditions for spots on his World Cup roster, he certainly got that.

Pochettino tested 20 players across four formations over the ...Read more

SEATTLE — So much for seeing one of the most storied soccer countries in the world playing in the FIFA Men’s World Cup in Seattle.

The Italian curse continued.

Bosnia and Herzegovina pulled a shocking upset, beating Italy on penalties on Tuesday to claim the final European qualifying spot for the World Cup and with it a spot in one of the ...Read more

SEATTLE — FIFA president Gianni Infantino insisted yet again on Tuesday that Iran will participate in the men’s World Cup this summer, including its scheduled match in Seattle.

Infantino spoke to French news agency AFP while attending a friendly between Iran and Costa Rica that was played in Turkey on Tuesday.

“Iran will be at the World ...Read more

DENVER — The Best Little Sports Town in America just added another banner to hang a Mile High.

As the Summit drew near, Denver drew a line in the sand. And dared the rest of the U.S.A. to cross it.

“I think it’s intoxicating, that environment you just feel,” Summit FC goalkeeper Abby Smith said after Denver’s home opener ended in a ...Read more

The biggest winners from this year’s World Cup are poised to be those able to rent out their properties, especially in the tri-state area.

Bobby Roufaeal, who manages more than a dozen short-term rentals in New Jersey, said a luxury rental in the state could bring in $240,000 between June 11 and July 19 when the tournament runs. He said he’...Read more

MIAMI — Inter Miami had not scored in its past two matches, and Lionel Messi was stuck one goal short of the 900th of his legendary career.

It took less than seven minutes to end both droughts as Messi quickly achieved his historic milestone on Wednesday night at Inter Miami Stadium.

But the night ended with major disappointment for Inter ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — The last U.S. men’s soccer roster before the World Cup team is picked shows a far-from-settled depth chart three months before the tournament.

Attacking midfielder Gio Reyna made it despite barely playing for his club, Germany’s Borussia Mönchengladbach, but Alejandro Zendejas didn’t, despite playing well for his club, ...Read more

MIAMI — Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi was disappointed to learn of the cancellation of the Finalissima match between Argentina and Spain, which had been scheduled to be played in Qatar on March 27 but was called off due to the war in the region.

According to a source close to Messi, he was looking forward to playing in the match featuring ...Read more

ORLANDO, Fla. — In dire periods of uncertainty, sometimes sports franchises should resist the urge to march blindly into the future and instead reach back into their past; not merely for nostalgia, but for identity.

That is precisely where Orlando City Soccer Club finds itself today: staring into the fog of a confusing present while the ...Read more

President Trump said Thursday it wouldn’t be “appropriate” for Iran’s national soccer team to play in this summer’s World Cup on U.S. soil, even though he also said the squad would be “welcome” to compete in the world’s biggest sporting event.

“The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup, but I really don’t ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Iran’s sports minister said his nation will not participate in this summer’s World Cup following the attacks on the country by the U.S., one of the tournament’s hosts.

The U.S. bombing campaign against Iran, which began two weeks ago, has triggered a region-wide conflict and killed more than 1,300 Iranians including ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Twelve days ago the U.S., a World Cup host country, launched a full-scale bombing campaign against Iran, a country that has qualified to play in the tournament. That's never happened before.

Five days later, that same World Cup host began military operations inside the borders of Ecuador, another World Cup qualifier, half a ...Read more

A grueling travel schedule, including a White House visit on Thursday, did not seem to have any ill effect on Lionel Messi or his Inter Miami teammates, who came out inspired, took an early lead and held on to win, 2-1, over D.C. United in Baltimore on Saturday night.

A near-sellout crowd of 72,026 was on hand at M&T Bank Stadium as Messi ...Read more

HARRISON, N.J. — The U.S. women’s soccer team topped Colombia, 1-0, on Saturday afternoon to wrap up a sweep of the annual SheBelieves Cup friendly tournament.

U.S. Soccer traditionally puts the toughest opponent for the Americans in the last game, and this year gave it to Las Cafeteras over Canada. The decision was justified right away, as...Read more

LOS ANGELES — John Parker believes he has solved the riddle.

For years we've been told soccer is the sport of the future in the U.S. It's the fastest-growing, has the most attractive demographics, skews younger, is the most cosmopolitan, blah, blah, blah.

Yet the sport has struggled to find a broadcast audience, especially among the legacy ...Read more