The United States lost 1-0 to Costa Rica in a friendly, giving them three consecutive home losses in the run up to the start of 2018 World Cup qualifying next month. This is obviously concerning for anyone who cares about the team, but the main issue is a simple one: they’re just not very good right now.
Author: Brooks Peck
Robin van Persie is in a bottomless pit of despair
A 3-2 loss to the Czech Republic sealed the Netherlands’ failure to qualify for Euro 2016. One of those three goals for the Czechs was an impressively terrible own goal from Robin van Persie.
Cristiano Jr appeared to give his father the finger during Golden Shoe ceremony
Cristiano Ronaldo was awarded his fourth Golden Shoe on Tuesday and he had his family sitting in the front row to witness the occasion. At one point during Cristiano’s acceptance speech, the camera cut to his son, Cristiano Jr., who appeared to give his father the finger before the man sitting next to him could cover his hand.
Djibril Cisse arrested in relation to Mathieu Valbuena sex tape extortion plot
Famous people sometimes get extorted when their private materials fall into the wrong hands, but rarely do those extortion plots involve their former international teammates. That’s what has allegedly happened in France, however, as former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse is one of four people who were arrested in relation to a plot to blackmail Lyon midfielder Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape.
French media, including Le Parisien, report that the arrests were made early Tuesday morning and that the alleged plan was to demand that Valbuena pay them or see the video (which has not been confirmed to exist) get released to the public.
From The Local:
According to L’Express news site, Cissé, a former French international striker and household name in the UK after spells with Liverpool, Sunderland and QPR, may soon be released without charge once he is ruled out any wrongdoing.
The other three men were arrested in the Bouches-du-Rhône and Oise départements, and are suspected of masterminding a blackmail plot against Valbuena.
This story will serve as the basis for a film that I really can’t wait to see.
Hooded Jose Mourinho attends Spain-Ukraine, possibly creeps out Cesc Fabregas
Spain beat Ukraine 1-0 to wrap up Euro 2016 qualifying in a match that happened to mark Cesc Fabregas’ 100th cap. Cesc had the opportunity to make the evening a bit more special with a penalty in the ninth minute, but his underwhelming effort was saved.
One possible explanation for Fabregas’ unsuccessful penalty was the fact that Jose Mourinho, his manager at Chelsea, was in the stands dressed as a Sith Lord/assassin from Assassin’s Creed. Looking up and spotting that as you’re about to take a penalty would unnerve anyone, let alone a player who was underperformed this season, contributing to arguably the darkest period of Mourinho’s career.
And if you’re now imagining Jose Mourinho dressed like this and standing in the shadows outside Cesc’s house, so is Cesc.
Zlatan awarded gold record for his version of the Swedish national anthem
As if you needed anymore proof that Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the true king of Sweden, on the same day he scored the opening goal in their Euro qualifier against Moldova, he was awarded a gold record for a version of Sweden’s national anthem he recorded as part of a Volvo commercial.
Zlatan’s rendition of the anthem has been streamed more than three million times in Sweden, earning him the award, and, according to Zlatan, the record for the most streamed national anthem ever.
Here’s the original ad…
DTotD: Brazilian U-20 match ends in kick fighting and 11 red cards
A U-20 match in Brazil between Sertaozinho and Flamengo de Guarulhos devolved into a giant kick fighting battle after the final whistle, resulting in 11 red cards (six for Sertaozinho and five for Flamengo).
According to Globo, the referee’s report stated that the fight began when Sertaozinho’s coach shoved a Flamengo player and Flamengo claimed that fans jumped the fence to attack their players, as did ball boys and opposing coaches. They also said that their bus was stoned as they embarked on their journey home.
If there’s one takeaway from this, it’s that these U-20 squads are definitely fighting at a senior team level.
This has been the Dirty Tackle of the Day: a chronicling of unfortunate events.
Mexico’s Paul Aguilar scores impressive late volley to win CONCACAF Cup
Mexico followed up their 2015 Gold Cup title by beating the 2013 Gold Cup winning USA in a playoff to decide which nation would represent CONCACAF in the 2017 Confederations Cup. And the goal that sealed the 3-2 extra-time win was probably more impressive than the rewards for it.
Future News: Premier League requires all foreign born managers to declare which “One” they are
The Premier League has instituted a new rule that requires all managers who do not hold a UK passport to select an adjective denoting which “One” they are.
Diego Costa: “Don’t blame Mourinho for my fatness”
Chelsea players have been coming to Jose Mourinho’s defense after starting the season with four losses in eight matches. John Terry and Cesc Fabregas both talked up his talents, but Diego Costa has mounted a different defense, blaming himself and his fellow players.