Notes Around The World
Man you gotta love soccer – Running Alexi Lala’s take on Boston Marathon. The Science behind the new EPL ball -is it leading to the higher scores this season? As the World Cup counts down – who can forget ‘Hand of God’ and the brilliance of Maradona. For those who watch We Are Wrexham they are in 7th place just 1 spot away from the Championship playoffs to make the EPL.
Bundesliga Milestones
Marie-Louise Eta will lead her first game for Union Berlin at home to Wolfsburg on Saturday (April 18), becoming the first female to take charge of a men’s team in one of the top five European leagues. “I totally understand that this is a big topic. But for me it has always just been about football and working with people,” Eta said ahead of the fixture. “I am often asked whether it is different to coach men and women, and I always say no. It’s about football, and it’s about people.”
TV Schedule – Games on TV
Tues, Apr 21
Sun, Apr 26
10 am ESPN2 Chelsea vs Leeds United (Aaronson) FA Cup
11:30 am ESPN+ Dortmund vs Freiburg
12 noon Para+ Torino vs Inter Milan
2:45 pm Para+ Juventus (Mckennie) vs AC Milan (Pulisic)
6 pm ESPN2 Angel City vs Portland Thorns NWSL
7 pm Apple LA Galaxy vs Real Salt Lake
8 pm Victory Seattle Reign vs Utah Royals NWSL
Sun, May 31
3:30 pm TNT, HBO, Peacock USA Men vs Seneg
Sat, June 6
2:30 pm TNT, HBO, Peacock USA Men vs Germany in Chicago Tix
Sat, June 12 WORLD CUP
9 pm Fox, Tele, Peacock USA Men vs Paraguay World Cup
Fri, June 19
3 pm Fox, Tele, Peacock USA Men vs Australia World Cup
Thur, June 25
10 pm Fox, Tele, Peacock USA Men vs Australia World Cup
Complete 2026 World Cup schedule featuring match dates and start times
NWSL Schedule
USMNT midweek viewing guide: Three cup semifinals
Follow along with all the USMNT action this week.
by Justin Moran
Apr 21, 2026, 8:30 AM EDT
London, United Kingdom – March 17: Malik Tillman of Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Bukayo Saka of Arsenal FC battle for the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Arsenal FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Arsenal Stadium on March 17, 2026 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Vince Mignott/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)DeFodi Images via Getty Images
Midweek action is here. All kickoff times are in EST. All MLS games are available on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, as well as any other networks listed. Let’s get into it!
Tuesday
- Coventry vs Portsmouth, 2:45p on Paramount+: Haji Wright and Coventry City host Portsmouth in the EFL Championship.
- Lens vs Toulouse, 3:10p on FS2, FOX Deportes, Fubo: Mark McKenzie and Toulouse visit Lens in a Coupe de France semifinal.
- León vs América, 11:06p on ViX: Alex Zendejas and Club América visit León in Liga MX.
Also in action:
- Hajduk Split vs Osijek, 12:45p: Rokas Pukštas and Hajduk Split host Osijek in Croatia’s top tier.
- Leuven vs Westerlo, 2:30p: Bryan Reynolds and Westerlo visit OH Leuven in the Belgium Pro League Conference League Group.
- Standard Liège vs Antwerp, 2:30p: Marlon Fossey and Standard host Antwerp in the Belgium Pro League Conference League Group.
- Norwich vs Derby, 2:45p: Patrick Agyemang is out injured for Derby County.
- West Brom vs Watford, 2:45p: Daryl Dike, George Campbell, and West Brom host Watford in the EFL Championship.
Wednesday
- Elche vs Atlético Madrid, 1p on ESPN Select, ESPN Deportes Select, FuboTV: Johnny Cardoso and Atléti visit Elche in La Liga.
- Leverkusen vs Bayern Munich, 2:45p on ESPNU, ESPN Select, Fubo, Onefootball: Malik Tillman, Monty Culbreath, and Bayer Leverkusen host Bayern in a DFB Pokal semifinal.
- Bournemouth vs Leeds, 3p on Peacock: Brenden Aaronson and Leeds visit Tyler Adams and Bournemouth in the Premier League.
- Atalanta vs Lazio, 3p on Paramount+: Yunus Musah and Atalanta are even 2-2 with Lazio going into the second leg of this Coppa Italia semifinal.
- NYCFC vs FC Cincinnati, 7:30p: Miles Robinson, Roman Celentano, and FC Cincinnati visit Matt Freese and the Pigeons in MLS.
- NY Red Bulls vs DC United, 7:30p: Ethan Horvath, Cade Cowell, Adri Mehmeti, Julian Hall, and the Red Bulls host DC United in MLS.
- Toronto FC vs Philadelphia Union, 7:30p: Josh Sargent and Toronto host Quinn Sullivan, Cavan Sullivan, and the Union in MLS.
- Atlanta United vs New England Revolution, 7:45p on FS1, FOX Deportes, Fubo: Matt Turner, Peyton Miller, and the Revs visit the Five Stripes in MLS.
- Real Salt Lake vs Inter Miami, 9:30p: Diego Luna, Zavier Gozo, and RSL host Inter Miami in MLS.
sp it so I think for me, I know that I can play an integral role in that. “I want to make sure that I do play that role.” The 1994 World Cup had a big impact on soccer in this country. Let’s see what the 2026 World Cup can do. Hopefully, Adams can help the USMNT make a deep run in the tournament. Watch the full interview https://youtu.be/Vn_BNxgNvpk?si=DyxFENnFf9_DgaA4vv
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US Americans Abroad Weekend Update
Another huge weekend across Europe with a lot of Americans involved — goals, promotion, and history on the line 👇
Folarin Balogun
Balogun scored again, now up to 8 straight Ligue 1 matches with a goal and 10 in his last 10 overall. His penalty (that he also drew) helped AS Monaco come back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Auxerre — and he’s now one game away from tying a historic Ligue 1 scoring record. He is the most in-form American right now.
Weston McKennie
McKennie delivered an assist in Juventus F.C.’s win over Bologna, marking his second straight game with a goal contribution. He now has 6 Serie A assists on the season and continues to produce from midfield.
Haji Wright
Wright and Coventry City F.C. officially secured Premier League promotion with a 1-1 draw vs. Blackburn. While he didn’t start, his 16 goals this season have been key to getting them there.
Joe Scally
Scally got on the scoresheet in Borussia Mönchengladbach’s 1-1 draw with Mainz, continuing a quietly productive season with 5 goal contributions from defense/wing-back.
Tyler Adams
Adams put in a strong midfield shift to help AFC Bournemouth secure a 2-1 win over Newcastle, playing a key role in controlling the game.
Brenden Aaronson
Aaronson played a great cross behind the defense, which assisted the opener in Leeds United F.C.’s 3-0 win over Wolves, continuing his push to help Leeds secure Premier League safety.
Quick hits:
- Christian Pulisic featured in AC Milan’s 1-0 win over Hellas Verona as they strengthened their top-four push. He had a quiet game, and his lack of productivity is slightly concerning at this point of the season.
- Antonee Robinson played 25 minutes in Fulham’s 0-0 draw with Brentford.
- Tanner Tessmann came off the bench as Lyon beat PSG.
- Daryl Dike scored his first goal since May 2025 in West Brom’s match vs. Preston.
- Malik Tillman saw limited minutes in Leverkusen’s 2-1 loss to Augsburg.
- Tim Weah came on at halftime in Marseille’s 2-0 loss to Lorient.
- Gio Reyna saw action for about 20 minutes in Borussia Mönchengladbach’s 1-1 draw with Mainz
- Aidan Morris impressed, but Middlesbrough drew 2-2 with Ipswich after conceding late.
Big-time performances across the board — and with the World Cup approaching, the momentum is building 🇺🇸🔥
American Captain Midfielder Tyler Adams Talks about Hosting the World Cup
How big of a deal could the 2026 World Cup be for soccer in the U.S.? That’s what Tyler Adams was asked during his recent interview with NBC Sports. Adams is not only a key player for the USMNT, but he’s also a part of the ownership group for USL League One side Westchester SC and USL League Two side Hudson Valley Hammers— clubs located near his hometown in upstate New York.“For me, I want the biggest benefit to be to the grassroots, right? I want more kids that are picking up a soccer ball and wanting to play soccer and stick with it,” Adams said. “I think in the U.S., it’s such a money driven sport at this moment in time, which part of it I understand, and part of it I don’t, because I play in Europe and I see how easy it is to get involved in this sport. “But at the same time, it really is the only sport. So like, compared to the U.S., where you have five major sports and kids can play anything and everything is at your fingertips, it’s a little bit understandable. “But we want to be the reason that more kids want to play the game. “I think now, having played in a World Cup, knowing what it means to our country and how we can really help the game grow at a faster pace, this is going to be a monumental change for U.S. Soccer. “I think it’s a huge opportunity and we want to be able to gra
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USWNT Win Over Japan Highlighted by Kennedy Wesley Performance Off the Bench
Wesley leads USWNT past Japan with goal, assist in 3-0 win
USWNT vs. Japan, the sequel: What We Learned
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Lindsey Heaps Returns to Colorado with USWNT Ahead of Summit NWSL Debut
USWNT gets sneak peak at WC grass at Lumen
USA Soccercast, Episode 183: WNT finishes strong, Crocker leaves, and World Cup price gouging
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US Men
USMNT roundup: Folarin Balogun chasing Ligue 1 history
USMNT roundup: Red-hot Folarin Balogun chasing Ligue 1 history as Americans’ World Cup form takes shape
Cesena’s Jonathan Klinsmann breaks neck in game
Life after Pochettino: USMNT needs ambitious post-World Cup succession plan
Aaronson: Not true that USMNT players don’t care
England
Arsenal are still Premier League title favorites, and here’s why
Premier League Awards: Derby drama and Arsenal agony rule the weekend
Is the Premier League now Man City’s to lose? PLUS: Bayern clinch Bundesliga, more
Should Arsenal fire Mikel Arteta if they end the season trophy-less?
How Man City’s win vs. Arsenal could actually decide the title
Van Dijk hands Liverpool a UCL boost and reason to believe after more late drama
Arsenal’s loss means only one Premier League team yet to suffer back-to-back defeats
Chelsea boss Rosenior refuses to give up Champions League hopes
Bruno Fernandes opens up on assist record and importance of Chelsea win
Panic on the streets of London? Five times Arsenal have let the Premier League title slip away
Is the new Premier League ball behind all the long-range goals? We asked a scientist
Pep: We cannot drop any points
Title race to the wire: Who do Manchester City and Arsenal play in the run-in?
‘Three reasons’ that edge City towards title
Wolves relegated aWhat happened to Leicester City? Why Foxes face back-to-back relegations 10 years on from historic Premier League titlefter West Ham draw with Palace
Bournemouth’s 13 Game Unbeaten Streak Alive
Who’s going up to the Premier League? Ipswich, Millwall, a fourth promotion for Wrexham?
MLS: Best Saves of the Week
San Diego Wave’s Strong Comeback & NWSL Season Insights
52 days to the World Cup: The ‘Hand of God’ and the brilliance of Diego Maradona
Championship promotion race: Ipswich, Millwall, Wrexham – who’s going up to the Premier League?
- ESPN
Apr 21, 2026, 01:57 AM ET
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As we head into the business end of the season, the Championship is well and truly heating up with promotion places, playoff spots and relegation scraps to be decided.
England’s second division is often the most dramatic in the Football League with so much at stake. This season Frank Lampard’s Coventry have already secured automatic promotion to the promised land of the Premier League, while Wrexham’s Hollywood story could still see a fourth straight promotion.
Millwall are also looking to reach the Premier League for the first time with Ipswich vying for a quick return.
Here’s everything you need to know from the Championship.
Who’s going up as things stand?
The current state of play sees Coventry sit atop the table with 86 points, enough to confirm their promotion after a late Bobby Thomas header secured the draw that they needed away at Blackburn on Friday night. They have three games left to secure the Championship title but already have Premier League status in the bag for next season, ending a 25-year hiatus from the top flight.
– Frank Lampard’s Coventry City promoted to Premier League
Frank Lampard has spearheaded Coventry’s title charge this term after guiding them to the playoff semifinals last season despite being appointed with the club in relegation trouble early on in the 2024-25 campaign. The likes of Victor Torp, Ellis Simms, Haji Wright and Brandon Thomas-Asante in Coventry’s forward line have torn up the league at times, with Lampard’s side having been the top goalscorers in the division throughout and now have their reward for it. Ipswich sit second in the league, behind Coventry. Kieran McKenna’s side were relegated from the Premier League last season and are the favourites to make a quick return alongside the Sky Blues thanks to their game in hand over the rest of the chasing pack.
Who looks good for a playoff spot?
Millwall, on 76 points, are in third on goal difference. They have been in and out of the top two in recent weeks and will see Ipswich’s failure to beat Boro at home as a huge boost to their own automatic promotion chances, nevertheless they are essentially guaranteed a playoff spot in their attempt to reach the Premier League for the first time in their history.
Southampton are fourth, on 75 points.
Middlesbrough, fresh from a 2-2 draw at Portman Road and Hull, who most recently drew 1-1 with Birmingham, are in the playoff spots.
Wrexham are seventh, one spot and two points outside of the playoff picture. They beat Stoke 2-0 to maintain the pressure on sixth-placed Hull with Derby remaining in the mix to steal the final playoff spot.
Often regarded as football’s most lucrative single game with not only the reward of Premier League football but a sum upwards of £100 million ($136m) on the line, getting to the playoff final is the goal for those who finish 3rd to 6th, but with the race for second so tight, a few sides will still harbour ambitions of an automatic promotion spot.
When are the playoffs?
After the final day of the Championship season on May 2, clubs that have secured their spot in the top six will have one week before the all-action playoffs begin.
6th vs 3rd will play their first leg on Friday May 8 and the second leg on Monday May 11, both evening kick-offs (8 p.m. GMT).
5th vs 4th will play their first leg on Saturday May 9 and the second leg on Tuesday May 12.
The side that finishes lower in the regular season will host the first leg while the team with the higher league position earns a home game for the all-important second leg.
There is a sizeable gap between the semifinals and final though, with football’s most lucrative game gracing the sunshine of Wembley once again on Saturday May 23, almost two weeks after the semifinals are completed.
Wrexham watch
Despite currently sitting outside the playoff spots, there is the sense that anything other than a top-six finish would be a huge missed opportunity for Wrexham. They are sitting on a commercial and footballing goldmine and a fourth straight promotion into the Premier League would launch the club well and truly into the stratosphere.
The Welsh side are on the cusp of the Premier League, here’s all the latest coming out of the Racecourse.
– Phil Parkinson vows Wrexham will take promotion push ‘to the wire’
Manager Phil Parkinson underlined Wrexham’s determination to take their Championship playoff push “to the wire” after beating Stoke got them back on track.
– Swansea raise concern after Wrexham coverage: We felt like ‘afterthought’
Swansea will raise concerns over television coverage of their all-Welsh affair against Wrexham with the EFL after saying the team owned by Hollywood stars Rob Mac and Ryan Reynolds “were given priority at every opportunity.”
– After five years of Reynolds and Mac, Wrexham are on cusp of Premier League
It has taken five years to get to this point, but Wrexham might now reach their ultimate destination in less than five months.
– Wrexham boss Parkinson welcomes Mac’s backing in club’s ‘fantastic story’
Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson has welcomed co-owner Rob Mac’s suggestion that he has the job for life, revelling in his role in the club’s “fantastic story.”
– Ben Foster: Wrexham’s journey under Ryan Reynolds, Rob Mac ‘ridiculous’
Ben Foster has hailed Wrexham’s “ridiculous” journey as Hollywood owners Rob Mac and Ryan Reynolds celebrate their fifth anniversary in charge of the Welsh club.
The relegation battle
From one end of the Championship table to the other, just like the fight to get out of the league, the battle to stay in England’s second division will go right down to the wire.
One side who won’t be involved in the drama though are Sheffield Wednesday. The Owls sit rock bottom in 24th, and are already relegated, miles away from ever leaving the foot of the table after having 18 points deducted this season for financial breaches linked to previous owner Dejphon Chansiri. They remain in administration and in the process of finding a buyer and defeat against bitter rivals Sheffield United on Feb. 22 saw them relegated in record time. They did manage to take a point from champions-elect Coventry though, a result that delighted their ever-enthusiastic travelling supporters.
However it may be more of the same next year for Wednesday after their preferred bidder Arise Capital Partners, a consortium led by David Storch, announced that they had been informed by the EFL that the club will start League One with a 15-point deduction, a decision that the Sheffield Wednesday Supporters’ Trust want the Independent Football Regulator to intervene over.
– Wednesday fan group seek review on 15-point penalty
Leicester City, champions of the Premier League a decade ago, are staggeringly 23rd after losing to Portsmouth. They are eight points from safety.
Oxford United are also in the relegation zone, five points adrift.
Whilst fighting for their spot in the Championship, West Brom also have the unnecessary distraction of reports of financial wrongdoing that could bring a potential points deduction, which the club strongly denies.
“West Bromwich Albion acknowledges media reports relating to the club’s compliance with the EFL’s Profitability & Sustainability (P&S) rules,” the club said in a statement.
“The club considers that it has fully complied with the P&S rules. The club will continue to co-operate with the EFL’s Club Financial Reporting Unit and looks forward to resolving this matter.”
Former Premier League winners Leicester (and at one point in time, European regulars) find themselves in danger of dropping down to England’s third division after being docked six points for EFL financial breaches, just five years after finishing fifth in the top-flight. They sit 23rd and four points from safety after the defeat to Swansea City on April 11.
What are the next key games on the calendar?
April 21 — Oxford vs Wrexham
April 24 — Leicester vs Millwall
April 26 — Coventry vs Wrexham
The Ole BallCoach 