Soccer

5:50 PM ET Caitlin Murray OL Reign has decided not to protect USWNT player Megan Rapinoe in upcoming NWSL expansion draft. Photo by Elsa/Getty Images United States women’s team stars Megan Rapinoe, Becky Sauerbrunn, and Kelley O’Hara are among those who have been left unprotected by their teams and are available to be taken in next

10:44 AM ET PORTLAND, Ore. — On a rainy Thursday at Providence Park, the Portland Timbers‘ home venue has all the trappings of base camp on Mount Everest. Shelters have been constructed. Sleeping bags and blankets are everywhere. Propane canisters and space heaters provide little additional warmth against the December chill. Adult beverages are expected

12:17 PM ET EINDHOVEN, Netherlands — Young midfielder Richy Ledezma had just completed his first full contact session in nearly a year. It was with the Under-19s; the 21-year-old was smiling, his teeth chattering in the cold and rain on the balcony of PSV Eindhoven‘s training centre as he talked it through. One of the

4:00 AM ET Ralf Rangnick has identified Manchester United’s midfield as an area of weakness — ESPN’s Insider Notebook has the latest. Jump to: Chelsea fear Azpilicueta exit | Man City keen on Arsenal’s Tavares | Van De Beek’s Everton move is off | Spurs’ Bergwijn on the move? Rangnick talks up Bellingham, Haidara, Phillips

12:50 PM ET The last time rivals Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid met, Atletico rode an early Luis Suarez goal to a 1-1 draw. Real Madrid generated more scoring chances overall — 19 shots to 11, 1.9 expected goals to 1.3 — and pulled even with an 88th-minute goal from Karim Benzema. But late saves

7:00 AM ET Matchday six of the Champions League brought the group stage to a close. Three teams — Ajax, Bayern Munich and Liverpool — qualified for the knockout phase with a 100% record while Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United ensured that the Premier League will be fully represented in the round of 16.

5:39 PM ET Rob DawsonCorrespondent MANCHESTER, England — Ralf Rangnick used Manchester United‘s Champions League tie with Young Boys as an audition for his new-look team and while some of the players on show can expect a call back from the German, others will fear being left behind the scenes. With their place at the

Barcelona will play in the Europa League in the new year. The very same Barcelona that wanted to — and still want to — form a European Super League earlier this year are no longer good enough to make the knockout rounds of the Champions League, missing it for the first time in 17 seasons.

9:37 AM ET Brazil great Pele is in hospital to undergo treatment for a colon tumour, Sao Paulo’s Hospital Albert Einstein said on Wednesday. It added that the 81-year-old former Brazil international was in stable condition and should be discharged in the next few days. The three-time World Cup winner underwent surgery to remove a

2:15 PM ET Professional soccer players are in constant search of the perfect situation. It’s one where the player’s talent, role, the team, the manager and the city all come together to allow that performer to show the best version of his or her self. For some, that goal is achieved early in their careers.

5:44 PM ET MILAN — Champions League glory has always eluded Zlatan Ibrahimovic, despite a glittering CV that has seen him play for Europe’s biggest clubs for 20 remarkable years. And now, following AC Milan‘s 2-1 defeat against Liverpool in San Siro, the 40-year-old might just have played his last game in the competition. Milan

6:00 AM ET Barcelona might crash out of the Champions League this week, while Erling Haaland‘s Borussia Dortmund already have, and 40-year-old Zlatan Ibrahimovic could inspire a dramatic round-of-16 qualification for AC Milan. If you still needed convincing that the Champions League is just fine as it is, the next two days should offer unequivocal

12:01 PM ET What a weekend of soccer! We say it every weekend, and every weekend it’s true. We saw Manchester United get a first win under Ralf Rangnick, Bayern Munich wrap up a controversial derby over Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid edge away at the top of LaLiga and Inter Milan put Jose Mourinho under

5:38 PM ET Harry Kettle Arsenal were left stunned on Monday as Everton came from behind to beat Mikel Arteta’s men 2-1 at Goodison Park. Richarlison was twice denied a place on the scoresheet courtesy of VAR rulings, but it was third time lucky as he grabbed an equaliser for the Toffees after Martin Odegaard’s

4:33 PM ET Der Klassiker did not disappoint this weekend, but Barcelona certainly did. Elsewhere, the Simeone family had an up-and-down time of things, while Liverpool left it late and Man City were thankful for a player who almost left the club. Here are Mark Ogden, Andrew Richardson and James Tyler with what you need

12:29 PM ET Rob DawsonCorrespondent MANCHESTER, England — Ralf Rangnick’s Manchester United revolution is still in its infancy, but the fans who streamed away from Old Trafford, having watched the German’s managerial reign begin with a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace, will have done so convinced of what his team is supposed to look like.

12:22 PM ET Rob DawsonCorrespondent Newly-appointed boss Ralf Rangnick hailed Cristiano Ronaldo‘s defensive work as his Manchester United reign got off to the perfect start with a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace. The German’s first game as interim manager ended in victory after Fred‘s goal late in the second half. – Stream ESPN FC Daily

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