Soccer

11:53 AM ET LAFC is close to a deal to bring Real Madrid and Wales star Gareth Bale to Major League Soccer, sources have told ESPN. The blockbuster move would be a free transfer as Bale’s contract is up with Real Madrid and is expected to be completed using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM), as first

3:30 AM ET Thierry Henry is one of the best strikers to have ever played the game. AFP PHOTO/IAN KINGTON Clubs around Europe are deciding which players they want to bring in during the summer transfer window, but who would they pick if they could magically re-sign a former player? We went through some of the

3:30 AM ET Rob DawsonCorrespondent “A healthy dressing room is worth more than 100 hours of tactics,” the legendary Spain and Real Madrid coach Vicente del Bosque told El Pais in 2014. Del Bosque, who lifted the World Cup and Champions League during his career, knew a thing or two about winning. But so does

7:00 PM ET Abbie Ingham Gabriel Jesus is leaving Manchester City in a bid for more playing time, and his destination is reportedly Arsenal. Simon Stacpoole/Getty Images The summer transfer window is here, and there’s plenty of gossip swirling about who’s moving where. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings and goings

7:00 AM ET Four players, teams and tournaments to watch for this summer, from left to right: Lieke Martens, Netherlands, the Euros; Alex Morgan, USA, CONCACAF W Championship; Asisat Oshoala, Nigeria, Africa Women Cup of Nations; Debinha, Brazil, Copa America Femenina. Illustration by ESPN Ahh, summer — ’tis the season for the beautiful game’s biggest and

9:45 AM ET When U.S. Soccer sends out press releases to announce upcoming match rosters, there are always a few stats and facts included. But I think this bullet from the announcement of the 23-player roster for CONCACAF’S World Cup qualification tournament sums up the state of the U.S. women’s national team perfectly: Honestly, when

9:18 AM ET The European soccer season ended in May, and there’s no major men’s international tournament on deck this summer. The NBA season just ended, and the NHL season is about to. Happily distracted by the Men’s and Women’s College World Series? The latter is over, and the former will be soon. Granted, the

6:00 AM ET Chelsea may end up spending well over £100 million on new signings this summer, with a new centre-back, full-back, midfielder and centre-forward already on coach Thomas Tuchel’s list of priority acquisitions, but the biggest problem facing the Premier League club’s new American owners cannot be solved by any kind of transfer fee.

9:44 AM ET Jeff Carlisle Close U.S. soccer correspondent Jeff Carlisle covers MLS and the U.S. national team for ESPN FC. Kyle Bonagura Close ESPN Staff Writer Covers the Pac-12. Joined ESPN in 2014. Attended Washington State University. This summer’s transfer window will have a slightly different flavor than those in previous years. With the

10:00 AM ET Jeff Kassouf Megan Rapinoe is aware of the elephant in the room. She turns 37 soon and she has started only one game for OL Reign this season in the National Women’s Soccer League season due to injuries. Still, U.S. women’s national team head coach Vlatko Andonovski selected her for the 23-player

3:00 AM ET The transfer window for the English Premier League and French Ligue 1 is already open, but the rest of Europe is springing into life on July 1 when some of the big deals already agreed will go through officially. ESPN’s writers have everything you need to know about the top teams’ hopes

6:00 AM ET In June 2016, Sadio Mane became the most expensive African player in history at the time when he moved to Liverpool for £34 million from Southampton. The Senegal international forward had impressed new Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp with 25 goals in 75 games for Saints and quickly became a key player at

9:35 AM ET At a training session last month in Kansas City for an away game against the KC Current, Racing Louisville goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer was injured when one of the goals she was standing in front of reportedly fell over and hit her in the leg. Kim Björkegren, Racing Louisville’s frustrated head coach, complained

10:01 AM ET Associated Press The United States will play Japan and Saudi Arabia in its last two World Cup warmups. The 15th-ranked Americans will play No. 23 Japan in an exhibition on Sept. 23 at a European site that is yet to be announced, the U.S. Soccer Federation said on Tuesday. – Stream ESPN

4:46 PM ET Ryan Giggs confirmed on Monday that he has resigned as coach of the Wales national team. The former Manchester United winger is awaiting trial after being charged with controlling and coercive behaviour and assault against his ex-girlfriend and her sister. Giggs has pleaded not guilty to all charges and remains on bail.

6:06 PM ET Austin Lindberg Dan Hajducky Close ESPN Hajducky is a reporter/researcher for ESPN. He has an MFA in creative writing from Fairfield University and played on the men’s soccer teams at Fordham and Southern Connecticut State universities. The Seattle Sounders received adulation from across Major League Soccer when they defeated Pumas to win

3:54 AM ET It seems incredible, but the story is already over. Eighteen months after his arrival at Paris Saint-Germain as a very ambitious manager, and fully 20 years after serving as club captain, Mauricio Pochettino’s second spell in Paris has come to an end. ESPN sources revealed last week that he is to be

7:21 AM ET Liverpool have signed defender Calvin Ramsay from Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen, the Premier League club said on Sunday. British media reported that Liverpool paid Aberdeen £4.5 million ($5.50M) plus add-ons for the 18-year-old. – Notebook: Barca missed out on Liverpool’s Nunez– Don’t have ESPN? Get instant access Ramsay recorded nine assists in