Messi back in Argentina's squad for World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Bolivia

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Lionel Messi will return to Argentina's national team for the South American World Cup qualifying matches against Venezuela and Bolivia. The 37-year-old star had missed recent matches because of an ankle injury. Coach Lionel Scaloni...

Pochettino says US men's players should aspire to achieve like American women

NEW YORK (AP) — Mauricio Pochettino views the U.S. women's team as the example for his men. “I think that is going to be our inspiration,” he said. “That is the objective to match.” Pochettino held a 48-minute introductory news conference Friday, three days...

US allows late goal off defensive mix-up in 1-1 draw vs. New Zealand as Pochettino hiring announced

CINCINNATI (AP) — Christian Pulisic stared in frustration after the final whistle and made clear how much work Mauricio Pochettino has ahead. An 89th-minute defensive mix-up had dropped the United States into a 1-1 tie with New Zealand in a friendly on Tuesday night, a match that...

Canada beats United States in U.S. for first time since 1957, winning friendly 2-1

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Hoping to show its first-round exit at the Copa America was a fluke, the United States instead displayed an alarming lack of intensity and an abundant defensive disarray that resulted in its first home loss to Canada since 1957. Jacob Shaffelburg and...

FIFA aims for the perfect pitch at 2026 World Cup following fields called a disaster at Copa America

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The 2026 World Cup is coming to North America with an ambitious plan, expanding the field by 50% and spreading the soccer spectacle over 16 cities in three countries with multiple climates and elevations. FIFA, aiming to create the perfect pitch for every...

Injured and locked-out fans file first lawsuits over Copa America stampede and melee

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — The first lawsuits have been filed in connection with last weekend's melees that broke out when fans without tickets forced their way into the Copa America soccer tournament final at Hard Rock Stadium, with one person citing serious injuries and some ticket holders...

Colombia's soccer federation president and son among 27 arrested in chaos at Copa America final

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Colombia’s soccer federation president and his son were among 27 people arrested during the crowd control issues that broke out at the Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia, police said Monday. Ramón Jesurún, 71, and his son Ramon Jamil...

Ramón Jesurún, head of Colombia's soccer federation, and son were among those detained at Copa America final, police say

Argentina fans revel in their Copa America triumph, a brief respite from their country's crises

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentines taking to the streets to revel in their Copa América triumph late Sunday inhabit a very different place now than they did 19 months ago, when their World Cup win sent millions surging into the same Buenos Aires square in a howl of collective celebration....

Argentina beats Colombia 1-0 in Copa America final after crowd control issues cause match delay

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Argentina defeated Colombia 1-0 in the Copa America final Sunday evening in a match that was delayed more than an hour because of crowd issues, including fans breaching security gates. Hours before Argentina won its record 16th Copa America title, fans...