Soccer

10:31 AM ET In the end, the MLS is Back Tournament bubble worked. Unfortunately for MLS, as teams return to their home markets, they can’t take the bubble with them. After an initial spate of positive tests for COVID-19 resulted in the withdrawal of FC Dallas and Nashville SC from the tournament, MLS went the

12:15 PM ET MLS revealed its plans for resuming its regular season in home markets, with the first game set to take place on Aug. 12, the day after the final of the MLS is Back Tournament. The league also announced its playoff format, with 18 teams qualifying for the postseason, culminating in the MLS

6:25 PM ET Alex Kirkland Raphael Varane has taken responsibility for Real Madrid‘s Champions League exit after two mistakes from the defender saw them beaten 2-1 by Manchester City on Friday. World Cup winner Varane, 27, was caught out twice by Gabriel Jesus in the round of 16 second leg in Manchester — once in

5:54 PM ET MANCHESTER, England — For a club that has endured some agonising luck in the Champions League over the years, Manchester City will feel that they hit the jackpot on the night that Pep Guardiola’s team qualified for the quarterfinals by sending Real Madrid crashing out of the competition with a 2-1 victory.

4:00 AM ET The Champions League rolls back into action this weekend after a five-month hiatus with the remaining round-of-16 matches. But it’s not just the conclusion of this season’s tournament — the quest to crown the European champions for 2020-21 also begins on Saturday. The Toe Poke Daily is here every day to bring

6:00 AM ET There are not too many occasions when Pep Guardiola looks across at his opponent in the technical area and casts an envious glance, but when Manchester City face Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League round-of-16 tie on Friday, he might just do that with Zinedine Zidane. Here you

8:00 AM ET Manchester United have finally said farewell to Alexis Sanchez, bringing an end to a truly regrettable period in the club’s recent history. It was confirmed on Thursday that Sanchez had completed his permanent move to Inter Milan on a free transfer, an underwhelming final act in one of the worst-ever signings at

4:32 PM ET Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Lionel Messi has been a battle for the ages. It’s European vs. South American; Argentinian against Portuguese; a 6-foot-2 athlete blessed with Terminator-like remorselessness and ruthless technique pitted against a 5-foot-7, instinctive genius of juvenile physique; power, precision and pride vs. impish eruptions of intuitive invention. If you’ve been

3:22 AM ET The coronavirus pandemic has made the transfer window very different from usual. After months without football, Europe’s top leagues have now announced the dates for the start of their summer windows, while a coordinated Oct. 5 end is expected. 2 Related The start of the Champions League mini-tournament in mid-August throws another

11:11 AM ET Austin LindbergESPN FC Just three matches remain in the MLS is Back Tournament, with the Philadelphia Union, Portland Timbers, Orlando City SC and Minnesota United FC all advancing to the semifinals to be played out on Wednesday and Thursday. – Play Soccer Playoff Pick ‘Em through the MLS knockout rounds– Stream MLS

9:46 AM ET Tor-Kristian Karlsen Editor’s note: Tor-Kristian Karlsen is a Norwegian football scout and executive and is the former chief executive and sporting director at AS Monaco. He will write regularly for ESPN on the business of soccer and the process of scouting. In his latest column, he looks at some of the game’s

5:30 AM ET Premier League clubs often face a dilemma over whether to prioritise European competition or domestic pursuits, but it’s never quite like the choice facing them now. Recent confirmation that the next English top-flight season will start on Sept. 12 has prompted a scramble to start planning for a campaign that is already

5:20 PM ET Joe Bryan scored twice in extra time to lift Fulham past Brentford with a 2-1 win in the Championship playoff final and earn promotion back to the Premier League at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday night. – Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only) With so much at stake, the nerves for

9:23 AM ET Ian DarkeESPN.com writer Close Darke, who called games for the network during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, is ESPN lead soccer voice in the United States. He has covered the Barclays Premier League and the Champions League since 1982, and has one of the world’s most recognizable soccer voices.

10:45 AM ET Stefano FusaroESPN KISSIMMEE, Fla. — After 30 days inside the bubble at the MLS is Back Tournament, I promise I have not lost my mind yet! But I did want to provide some perspective on what life has been like not only for myself, but also the players, coaches, team staff, match

3:02 PM ET The English FA Cup has been handed out, the Serie A season is over and the transfer window is heating up. It’s Monday, so Gab Marcotti reacts to the weekend’s biggest moments. Jump to: Aubameyang’s Arsenal future | Conte moaning again at Inter | Chelsea stuck with Kepa? | Praise for Immobile

8:45 AM ET The transfer window will remain open until Oct. 5 for all of Europe’s top leagues as the football world attempts to overcome the financial implications of the coronavirus crisis. But despite the extended period for sales and signings, some players are in danger of being bracketed as “The Unbuyables” this summer. With

4:52 PM ET Andrew Cesare Richardson The coronavirus pandemic made this a Serie A season like no other, but as it concluded, the table had a familiar look with Juventus crowned champions for the ninth straight season. Below them, Inter made a late run to claim second, while Atalanta and Lazio are rewarded for superb