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Add practicality and swagger to your soccer routine

Are you someone who is a soccer beginner, someone who plays on a regular basis, or simply wants to add some organization to your routine – then you're going to need a good bag. Having a good quality soccer bag can make all the difference to your match day or training experience.

Various features separate soccer bags from your average backpack or duffel, from zippered pockets to sports drink pockets, sizes, and types. You can get backpacks, duffels, cleat or ball bags, and even tote bags. It all depends on what you want from a soccer bag – comfort, organization, style?

But some key characteristics that you likely will want to have in your bag are durability and, ideally, water resistance, with straps that provide a high level of comfort – especially after you've put in a good shift on the soccer pitch.

Whatever it is you may be looking for, we've trawled through the internet to tick all those boxes and then some. Without further ado, here are the top 11 soccer bags you can buy right now.

Shop: Best soccer bags

This classic New Balance duffel bag is perfect for all of your soccer gear. It features external and interior compartments so you can safely store small and big items in an organized way. Perfect for soccer training or even the gym to prep for the big game.

The stylish bag comes in a khaki green colorway, with black and stone detailing.

Are you looking for a simple soccer bag that does the job while saving some money? Look no further than the Himal backpack. It has a separate compartment for cleats and soccer balls, which comes in handy and helps to keep you organized.

It's also designed with vents to promote air circulation and keep everything nice and dry. There's also a back compartment so you can store clothes – making it the best overall budget option out there.

Do you prefer a straight-up backpack instead of duffels or drawstring options? Then you'll love this adidas Stadium 3 backpack for all of your soccer needs. It has a side water bottle pocket, so you always remember to stay hydrated.

The bottom zip pocket is also spacious enough to hold a size five soccer ball, and the padded shoulder straps make it easy to carry all your equipment to and from home.

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At 31 liters, The North Face camp duffel is great for everyday use – not too small or too big. It has alpine-cut shoulder straps for an ergonomic and comfortable fit, with minimal twisting to get it on and off your back.

Boasting a water-repellent finish, you can play the beautiful game whatever the weather might throw your way. The bright yellow finishes off the look and brings a cheery vibe to your soccer routine.

Although the forward has insisted he isn't bigger than the Ligue 1 leaders, his brand and influence are now too inflated for PSG to contend with.

On Thursday, Paris Saint-Germain unveiled their promotional campaign to encourage fans to buy season tickets for next year. The video was suitably cliche, with Kylian Mbappe reading a curated script about what PSG is and means to him. It was all accompanied by shots of children playing football, and the occasional highlight from a tepid 2022-23 campaign for the French giants.

However, notably, neither Lionel Messi nor Neymar appeared in the video, with Mbappe taking centre stage as he talked up PSG's new era.

The player was outraged by the video — despite presumably knowing what it would look like — and took to social media to express his displeasure. Spitting blood, he wrote: "I just took part in the viewing of the club’s re-subscription campaign for the 23-24 season. At no time was I informed of the content of the interview. It looked like a basic interview during a club marketing day… PSG is a big club and a big family but it is especially not Kylian Saint-Germain.”

PSG, PR experts that they are, swiftly scrubbed it from their social channels. Mbappe's complaint, it seems, had a real impact.

By making the statement and forcing his club to delete the content, the star striker inadvertently contradicted his own statement. He insisted he isn't bigger than the club, but as soon as he spoke out against a decision, they swiftly walked it back. Whether he realised it or not, Mbappe paradoxically wielded the power that he claimed he doesn't have.

This isn't the first time that Mbappe's individual influence has outweighed the PSG brand. Indeed, his unnecessary statement was inadvertently the latest in a string of petulant outbursts that prove he is bigger than PSG.

Whether Mbappe will admit it or not, accidentally or intentionally, harmlessly or maliciously, he has turned the club into the 'Kylian Saint-Germain' he insists it isn't.

GettyMbappe the marketing behemoth

It is difficult to outright blame Mbappe for all of this; the PSG striker is a product of the system of stardom. At this point Mbappe is a brand – as much a walking marketing tool as a world-class footballer. The power simply comes with the territory.

In that sense, Mbappe's indignation at PSG is misdirected; the club would be foolish not to milk every last 'like' out of their talisman on social media.

Much of this is of his own making — Mbappe and his entourage have clearly picked the right sponsors to make him a behemoth of a brand. But his argument in his social media post from Thursday — that he knew nothing about the campaign and does not want to be bigger than the club — could hold true.

It is plausible that Mbappe the footballer just wants to express himself on the pitch without the off-field noise. Indeed, although humility in elite sport is hard to find, there is always the possibility that he doesn't care much for fame, and wants to focus solely on the game.

However, a series of off-field actions over the last year suggest that Mbappe knows exactly what he's doing.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesA huge contract and huge influence

This all started in October 2021, when Mbappe released a very carefully curated graphic novel. Entitled "Je m’appelle Kylian”, the 223-page read chronicles Mbappe's rise to fame and, in visual form, made clear his desire to move to Real Madrid. It was the ultimate way of taking control of his own narrative, and effectively requesting a transfer without uttering the words himself.

It also proved to be a move of marketing genius. The comic strip made Mbappe desirable, turned him into a powerful brand, and effectively set up the bidding war that would conclude in him penning what was at the time the most lucrative contract in football history with PSG.

That deal, paying him a base salary of €72 million (£63m/$77m), plus a loyalty bonus of €70m ($75m/£60m) for every year he stayed at the club, allegedly gave Mbappe unprecedented influence over the club. PSG reportedly granted Mbappe input over signings and managerial decisions, handing a 22-year-old — who wanted to leave a few months beforehand — the power to influence every single footballing decision.

The player has denied that such an agreement was in his contract, and whether he helped to pick Christophe Galtier to lead the side is impossible to know. But his influence over the team and willingness to speak out – often to the detriment of his team-mates – suggest that Mbappe feels untouchable.

GettyMbappe fires shots on and off the pitch

Since penning the deal, Mbappe has sent a series of not-so-subtle messages that demonstrate he runs everything at PSG.

He took a shot at Galtier in an Instagram story in October 2022, including the hashtag "pivot gang" after a 0-0 draw with Reims.

The comments came a few days after Mbappe expressed his displeasure that PSG refused to pair him with a natural No.9 — the very system that he thrives in for the France national team. Mbappe swiftly deleted the post, but not before Galtier publicly admitted that the club should have signed a central striker to keep Mbappe happy.

There have been further incidents since. Mbappe wore the captain's armband for PSG in their Coupe de France clash with lowly Pays de Cassel in late January — a decision that made sense in the absence of Presnel Kimpembe and Marquinhos. After the game, Galtier swiftly announced, without warning, that Mbappe was PSG's new vice-captain, making a point of the player's decision to stay at PSG when pressed to explain the choice.

"He stayed at PSG and deserves to have this armband in the absence of Marquinhos," Galtier explained.

That all came as a surprise to the injured Kimpembe, who held the role at the time: "I was not made aware of this decision, this is completely false…That said, I will always respect the decisions of the club."

Chances are, Kimpembe knew who really made the decision.

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Getty ImagesGrowing dissent as PSG flail

But handing Mbappe the armband for his supposed love of the team is perhaps unfair — especially given some of his actions in recent months. Indeed, Mbappe, for his own part, hasn't shown the unwavering commitment to the badge that his statement, and the vice-captaincy, suggests.

Just hours before a crucial Champions League clash last year, it emerged that Mbappe wanted to leave the club in January. Football advisor Luis Campos commented on the rumours, thereby validating them. Galtier, for his part, was miffed that Campos had put weight behind what had been considered to be hearsay.

Then, six days later, well after the transfer rumour mill had spun into overdrive, Mbappe denied that he had ever requested such a thing.

The whole saga drew the ire of prominent figures in the France football world. Even Thierry Henry, one of Mbappe's most loyal supporters, told the player to put his head down. PSG, meanwhile, simply allowed him to play. Mbappe followed it all by scoring six goals in his next five games — his best run of the season. In the weeks after, Galtier simply praised his star for his goalscoring ability.

He was at it again after PSG's loss against Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Mbappe captained the side as they were handily beaten 3-0 on aggregate, by a team that would soon sack their manager.

After a toothless performance, Mbappe stood in front of the cameras and asserted that PSG simply were not built to win a Champions League. He quite clearly was not too wide of the mark in his claim, but his observations were perhaps not so innocent following PSG's refusal to sign the striker that Mbappe requested six months prior.

It was almost as though Mbappe was trying to have the last laugh — even in a PSG defeat.

Following the release of their new shirt for 2023-24, GOAL looks back on some iconic, and hugely successful, Reds jerseys from over the years…

Red, Red, Red. Few clubs in world football are as synonymous with one colour as Liverpool. Their iconic jersey is known and recognised across the globe, the all-red strip associated with passion, pride, emotion, and above all success.

It's a formula that is difficult to get wrong, and as such Liverpool have had some iconic looks over the years, while other kits are fondly remembered for the success the club tasted while they were wearing them.

So as Liverpool launch their new 2023-24 home kit, GOAL takes a look at the best Reds home kits through the years…

Getty10Gerrard & Torres (2008-10)

For many, adidas will always be THE manufacturer when it comes to Liverpool kits – sorry, Nike!

This was one of their better efforts, the shirt worn by Rafa Benitez's side, which came close to Premier League glory in 2008-09. Memories of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres laying waste to defences will always abound when remembering this jersey, even if success would ultimately elude Rafa's Reds.

AdvertisementGetty9Treble-tastic (2000-02)

When you win three trophies in a single season, the shirt you were wearing while doing so is always going to be remembered fondly.

Aesthetically, Liverpool's Reebok offering between 2000-02 is far from exceptional. The red was a little strange, the collar is not great and the central location of the badge just doesn't sit right. But on the flipside, they won the League Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup in it, the likes of Michael Owen, Gary McAllister, Gerrard and Robbie Fowler all providing iconic moments.

On that basis alone, it belongs in this list.

Getty8Seventies style (1976-79)

V-necks were a big thing in the 1970s, apparently, and this beauty of a home shirt taps into that energy.

Worn by the Reds' first-ever European Cup winning side – the team of Kevin Keegan, Phil Neal, Terry McDermott and the rest – it's a genuine classic, and one which is still a favourite among retro collectors.

It will forever be associated with success, too. Then again, so will most Reds home shirts…

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Getty Images7Iconic Istanbul (2004-06)

Sometimes, a kit's appeal is down to what was achieved in it, rather than how it looks. That is surely the case with this Reebok effort from the mid-2000s. It's a nice enough shirt, granted, but it is the success Liverpool enjoyed wearing it which makes it iconic.

The 2005 'Miracle of Istanbul', in which the Reds staged the greatest Champions League final fightback of all time to stun AC Milan, means its place in Anfield folklore is always assured. The fact they then followed that up with a Gerrard-inspired FA Cup triumph against West Ham a year later only adds to its lustre.

A nightmare for everyone involved, the 2022-23 campaign is finally over – but who deserves the least criticism after a shambolic season at the Bridge?

Finally and thankfully, the curtain has come down on one of the worst seasons in Chelsea's modern history. It's been painful viewing; three managers later, the campaign culminated in the Blues' lowest league finish since 1993-94 and being dumped out of the Champions League with barely a whimper.

The club is clearly very keen to move swiftly on from the fiasco and look ahead to better things, with Mauricio Pochettino appointed as head coach ahead of a fresh start, but there must first be a period of reflection so the same mistakes are not repeated.

After scattergun spending across both transfer windows, Chelsea's bloated squad has been pointed to as a huge hindrance across a nightmare season, but GOAL has taken on the challenge of ranking every single one of them against expectation at the start of the season or when they signed.

It's largely a case of 'who has been the least sh*t', but let's get into it…

Getty32Gabriel Slonina – N/A

It's far too early to judge Slonina, who only joined up with the Blues in January following his summer transfer from MLS' Chicago Fire. The 19-year-old is yet to make his first-team debut for Chelsea, but he has been plying his trade in Premier League 2 and his work ethic has been impressing at Cobham.

The USMNT prospect is currently demonstrating his potential at the Under-20 World Cup in Argentina, where he's kept four clean sheets in as many games so far. One for the future.

AdvertisementGetty Images31Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 2/10

The man who was signed as the solution to Chelsea's goalscoring woes hardly kicked a ball all season. Things got off to an awful start when the manager who signed him, Thomas Tuchel, was sacked a week later. Who knows what happened behind the scenes, but Aubameyang subsequently failed to earn the trust of either Graham Potter or Frank Lampard, having been omitted from the Champions League squad to make way for the raft of January signings.

He will leave the club with a solitary Premier League goal to his name.

Getty Images30Denis Zakaria – 2/10

The writing was on the wall for Zakaria when he was forced to wait until late December to make his Premier League debut, with both Tuchel and Potter reluctant to throw him into action for one reason or another.

Even so, there were fleeting moments when it seemed as though Zakaria's loan at Chelsea from Juventus would be a success and a permanent transfer was on the cards – but ultimately it was a damp squib as injury brought his season to a premature end.

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Getty29Christian Pulisic – 2/10

It's only upon reflection that it becomes clear just how underwhelming Pulisic's season was; the USMNT talisman – who was really supposed to be a superstar by this stage in his career – managed just 1,012 minutes of action all season long.

A knee injury certainly disrupted his campaign, but he simply never did enough to be relied upon as a regular starter under any of the three managers he played under in 2022-23. A decision over his future will come into sharp focus this summer.

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Look like a Lioness

Serena Wiegman's Lionesses lost 1-0 in the Women's World Cup final against Spain – breaking England fans' hearts everywhere. But, the team did us proud and made amazing history by becoming the first England squad to progress to a World Cup final since 1966.

It's only up from here, and they still need your support. So whether you're going to attend friendlies or upcoming games in the Nations League, look the part with the amazing collection of England kits and leisurewear.

👕 Shop England National Team kit collectionNike

Earlier in the year, before the 2023 Women's World Cup started, Nike released the stunning England home and away jerseys. The national team collection is inspired by the Art Deco movement and the architecture of the famous Wembley Stadium – as it celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.

So, whether you will be watching England live, hosting a watch party, or simply watching future games in the pub with friends, Nike has a piece for everyone in their England National Team kit collection.

You can add something casual like an England T-shirt or don the complete kit look – whatever it is, we take a closer look at some of the items on offer:

Shop: Nike's England National Team kit collection

England’s new home kit honours and remembers the past through colour. First, taking inspiration from the original Wembley’s white, chalky brick exterior of 1923 — the jersey takes a chalky off-white colour for its base. This is also in keeping with tradition, where a white jersey is synonymous with England.  

The Stadium home shirt pairs all the replica details of the Match shirt with sweat-wicking technology to get you game ready.

Also available inmen'sand kid's versions.

Want the real deal? Then you will want the England Match home kit, the shirt the Lionesses will wear on the big stage. It features authentic details and all the top-notch technology made for players, so you will be cool and dry if you decide to play in it.

If you're going to be playing football during the tournament and want to evoke your inner Lioness, then it will be a good idea to be fully kitted out. These blue home shorts will complete the entire home outfit, ready for you to boss it on the pitch.

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England’s new away kit moves away from their classic white and red kits, bringing in the first expression of blue for the women's team. The pattern of the top is a geometric form, speaking specifically to the Art Deco movement. The slight gradient of colour is a nod to the chalky façade of the original Wembley and the screever chalk drawings that were popular at the time of the origin of Wembley.  

Also available in men's and kid's versions.

The 18-year-old recently shone at the CEE Cup in Prague, and is keen to follow in the footsteps of his footballing icon, Lionel Messi

Vision, organisation, planning and above all the incredible ability to find and train world-class talent, Palmeiras continue to reap the rewards of excellent work on and off the pitch at academy level. The Verdao are producing one success after another thanks to their ability to find diamonds that have grown and blossomed in Sao Paulo.

Some have gone on to lock down roles in the club's first team, while others have said or are planning to say goodbye, leaving their homeland to make their European dream come true while netting Palmeiras millions; the natural consequence and fruits of a job done in a careful and smart way.

That was again on show at the 2023 CEE Cup, as the Verdao defended the crown they won in 2022 at the prestigious Under-19s tournament that is held in Prague on an annual basis. The leader of the team this time around was attacking midfielder David Kaua, who was named the NXGN Player of the Tournament.

Kaua lit up all stages from the tournament, from his Olimpico goal direct from a corner in Palmeiras' opening group game against West Ham, all the way through to his sparkling display in the 2-1 final win over Slavia Prague.

But what makes the 18-year-old so special? Let NXGN explain…

Where it began

Born in Bandeirantes, in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Kaua began his formal footballing education at the age of 11 when he joined the youth team Laranja Mecanica. From there, he moved on to Uniao Bandeirantes and Gremio Ourinhos, before moving to Resende, a club in Rio de Janeiro, at the age of 15.

It was there that Palmeiras discovered him and invited Kaua to join their academy as the club's scouts were taken by his talent. Kaua credits the club's academy director, Richard Pabon, for the help he has given him since arriving in Sao Paulo, as well as the influence his father has had on his footballing career.

"Ever since I was a child, I have strongly believed that certain people are in our lives for a reason," Kaua tells NXGN. "I consider myself incredibly lucky to have had people like Richard Pabon and, most importantly, my father by my side. They have always believed in me and, together with divine guidance, have been the foundation of my career."

AdvertisementCopinha glory

At the beginning of every calendar year, attention among Brazil's fanatical football supporters turns to the Copinha, the annual youth tournament that pits every Under-19s side in the country against one another, with academies believing that victory in the competition is a crowning moment for their academies.

In 2022, an Endrick-led Palmeiras side were victorious, meaning the pressure was on Kaua and his team-mates to replicate that success 12 months later. Needless to say, they stepped up, sealing the title with a 2-1 win over America-MG in the final.

"Participating in the Copinha has always been a personal goal of mine," Kaua explains. "I vividly remember watching the tournament every year and picturing myself on the pitch, competing at the highest level. This year that dream has turned into reality. I had the privilege not only of playing the Copinha, but also of having my father close to me in the stadium, watching me live rather than on TV. That moment embodied years of hard work, sacrifice and unwavering support, making it an incredibly emotional and cherished achievement."

Following that success, Kaua's thoughts quickly switched to what the future may hold. Many players who have starred in the Copinha have gone onto enjoy professional careers, and the teenager is hopeful of following in their footsteps.

"One of the most important achievements so far is playing for a prestigious team like Palmeiras," he says. "It was not only my dream, but also my family's. Getting to the first team and wearing the Palmeiras jersey would be a source of immense pride and satisfaction for all of us.

“Looking ahead, I aspire to further establish myself as an integral part of Palmeiras. I want to contribute not only on the pitch, but also in a wider context, to the successes of the club. Furthermore, I aim to achieve more and more important goals in my football career. Representing my country's national team is a dream I hold dear, and I am committed to working tirelessly to achieve this."

A No.10 & set-piece specialist

Free to act between the lines and create numerical superiority thanks to his dribbling ability and a very skilled left foot, Kaua played the role of central attacking midfielder in Palmeiras' 4-2-3-1 system as they sealed the CEE Cup.

The fulcrum of attack, Kaua has a clear idea on what his best position is and how he can then show off his enormous qualities, saying: "I feel more comfortable when I play as No.8 or No.10. These positions allow me to show my strengths in creating chances and dictating our attacking tempo.

"I like to be on the ball, orchestrate moves and shoot on goal. As an attacking midfielder, my approach revolves around a mix of vision, creativity and technical quality. I am proud to have a deep connection with my team-mates on the pitch, which allows me to know where they are and find them."

As well as his prowess in open play, Kaua has also been noted for his ability from dead-ball situations, and has become something of a free-kick and corner specialist, as illustrated by his Olimpico against West Ham.

"Free-kicks and corners? I take them on with the utmost dedication," he says. I believe these situations offer valuable opportunities to score important goals. I spend a lot of time practicing free kicks to refine my technique and accuracy in execution. The corner kick goal at the CEE Cup was a memorable moment, a testament to the hours of training I have invested."

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Areas to improve

There is no shortage of flair and imagination to Kaua's game, as and his match-winning ability is there in abundance too. For him to make the definitive leap in quality, though, he now has to work on both his physicality and his consistency of performances, both within matches and for a prolonged period of time.

That consistency would allow him to constantly be a determining factor and lead his team from the front, just as he did during the CEE Cup.

The coach's first camp back had some ups and downs, but the good news is that it ended on a high as the U.S. looks head to bigger tests.

There was a real sense of intrigue heading into the U.S. men's national team's September friendlies. On the surface, they were somewhat typical: two games against overmatched opponents as tune-ups before bigger games to come – but there was significant subtext due to the return of Gregg Berhalter.

Leading up to his first camp back, there were questions about what this USMNT group would look like; would it be more of the same, a continuation of the 2022 World Cup cycle in many ways, or would Berhalter take anything from the changes we saw during his brief time away from the team?

What we ended up getting was a bit of both, and a solid two-game window to showcase it. A 3-0 win over Uzbekistan was followed up with a 4-0 win over Oman, with the two games showing the good and bad of Berhalter's USMNT.

The good news is that the bad preceded the good and that Berhalter and the USMNT improved as the camp wore on. A relatively tame attacking effort against Uzbekistan was followed by a dominant display against Oman that should leave USMNT fans excited about this team's potential in the attacking end of the field.

Opinion is still very much divided regarding Berhalter's second tenure but, now in the role, the coach made a strong second, first impression. Under his watch, several players, new and old, stood out and took steps forward as this group begins their run towards the 2026 World Cup.

GOAL breaks down the winners and losers from the September window.

GettyWINNER: Kristoffer Lund

From relatively unheard of to very much in the mix…that's how quickly things can change with one solid performance.

Lund arrived in the USMNT camp as an unknown quantity. Born in Denmark, but eligible for the USMNT, the left-back earned a transfer to Palermo this summer after starring at Hacken, but how he would fare with this U.S. group was anyone's guess.

It against Oman (yes, so take it all with a grain of salt), but Lund's first real USMNT outing was a good one, showing that he may just be an answer for that pesky backup left-back spot.

Lund was solid against Oman, having made a cameo appearance against Uzbekistan a few days earlier. He looked like a prototypical attacking fullback, one with plenty of effort and plenty of energy as he ran up and down the left sideline.

It was a good first impression for Lund, who has earned himself another chance to show what he's made of against tougher competition.

AdvertisementGettyLOSER: Leeds fans

If anyone in Leeds happened to be watching these games, not that they really had any reason to, they'd likely be thinking one thing: where the hell was that when they were on our team?

Both Weston McKennie and Brenden Aaronson showed who they really are in this camp, with both standing out in a big way over the two games.

We'll start with Aaronson, who picked up a goal and an assist off the bench. The assist was lovely, as he found Ricardo Pepi for a late goal against Uzbekistan. The goal? A bit fortunate, as his free-kick slipped through the wall and into the back of the net. For a player who struggled to contribute to goals last season, it was nice to see him get two to lift spirits as he prepares for the Champions League with Union Berlin.

As for McKennie, there were no goals, but he was about as influential as can be. Particularly against Oman, he ran the show, demonstrating incredible passing range and ridiculous effort and overall domination. It was a good statement to Juventus, proving exactly what he can do when played as a midfielder and not a wingback.

Overall, it was an important window for McKennie and Aaronson, both of whom look fully prepared to shake off a disastrous club season and start anew as this new campaign begins.

Getty ImagesWINNER: Ricardo Pepi

When Folarin Balogun arrived, the USMNT coaching staff made it clear that no one is just handed a job in this group. Things have to be earned, especially at the striker position where a player's worth is so easily measured by one statistic: goals.

Well, if we're going off that metric, then you have to admit that Pepi is very much in the mix. Balogun may be the guy of the present and future, but don't overlook Pepi just yet.

With his two goals off the bench in these two games, Pepi now has six in as many games for the USMNT. That's a massive haul for a player who struggled to score for the better part of a year leading up to the World Cup, costing him his dream trip to Qatar.

It seems, though, that Pepi's World Cup dreams were just delayed, not destroyed. It's hard to fathom this group without him now, as he's very much closer to pushing Balogun than he is to falling back into the rest of the pack.

After years of having zero goalscoring strikers, the U.S. suddenly has two, and it'll be fun to watch those young stars duel over the next year leading up to the Copa America.

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GettyLOSER: The familiar midfield ideas

For nearly all of the 2022 World Cup cycle, the U.S. set up in a 4-3-3 with McKennie, Yunus Musah and Tyler Adams. However, this week proved that this cycle will require, at the very least, a little bit of flexibility if the U.S. are to get their best-performing group onto the field together.

With Adams out, the U.S. stuck with the 4-3-3 against Uzbekistan, putting in Luca de la Torre, and then Tanner Tessman once the Celta Vigo man got injured, into the No.6 role. The U.S., by and large, was ineffective, struggling to break down the defense as Balogun dropped deeper and deeper to receive the ball.

Against Oman, the U.S. had no such issues. Malik Tillman was brought in as a more attacking midfielder with Yunus Musah dropped deeper. You can call it a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1, whichever your heart desires, but the fact is that the U.S. had a more attack-minded midfield in that second game with all three midfielders given more license to get forward. McKennie roamed, as he usually does, Musah took off on some good runs even as the No.6, and Tillman also got into the mix, allowing the U.S. attack to dominate.

It's a small sample size, sure, but there's also data from the Nations League to look at, and those Nations League examples combined with the Oman win lead to one question: how much better can this team look when it gets Gio Reyna back in as a No.10?

Back to Adams' absence, it seems that, after years of looking for an Adams replacement, the answer when he's out may be to just flip the midfield. Adams has carved out his own role but, when he isn't available, the U.S. is much, much better when they drop Musah and put a more attacking midfielder into the mix.

The MMA midfielder of Musah, McKennie and Adams got the U.S. through 2022, but, on the road to 2026, that formula isn't locked in, at least against the lesser teams on the U.S. schedule.

Manchester United outcast Jadon Sancho was nowhere to be seen as the Red Devils squad posed for their official 2023-24 team photo.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Winger's last appearance at end of AugustTraining away from first-team squadExpected to be on the move in JanuaryWHAT HAPPENED?

The England international has been frozen out of the first-team picture at Old Trafford by Erik ten Hag after seeing his commitment to training called into question – with his last appearance coming in a 30-minute came off the bench against Nottingham Forest on August 26.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Sancho responded on social media to being called out by his manager – a situation that did not go down well with Dutch tactician Ten Hag. The 23-year-old has been made to train separately since then, as he uses United’s academy facilities, while his manager refuses to refer to the winger by name when asked for updates on an unfortunate saga.

DID YOU KNOW?

Sancho has now fallen so far out of favour that he was absent from United’s official squad photo – with clips from that shoot being shared on the club’s TikTok account. Injured stars such as Tyrell Malacia and Amad Diallo were in attendance, alongside forgotten midfielder Donny van de Beek, but Sancho was a notable absentee.

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WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

United were reportedly prepared to part with Sancho in the final days of the summer transfer window, as he attracted interest from the Saudi Pro League, and there is every chance that he will be on the move in January amid talk of interest from the likes of Barcelona and Juventus.

Sergino Dest started and played 90 minutes as PSV picked up a massive win in the Champions League on Wednesday.

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Dest starts for PSVPepi and Tillman come off benchPSV pick up huge win

Led by a goal from Luuk de Jong, PSV took down Lens, 1-0, to earn three crucial points in the fourth game of the Champions League group stage. Dest started the match at left-back, continuing to play a key part for the Dutch side.

His U.S. men's national team teammates, Malik Tillman and Ricardo Pepi, were named to the bench, with both coming on in the second half of the big win.

Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

PSV took the lead early and never looked back, seizing a crucial Champions League win in the process.

The goal came in the 12th minute with De Jong providing a trademark header on a cross from Johan Bakayoko. De Jong's finish was his second in the competition as he continues to hold off Pepi for starting minutes.

Dest was the lone starter of the USMNT contingent, as he once again featured as an inverted left-back playing behind Hirving 'Chucky' Lozano. Tillman, meanwhile, came in midway through the second half, replacing Guus Til, while Pepi joined the fray as a 90th-minute sub to help kill the game.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

With the win, PSV have given themselves a chance at escaping from a competitive Group B.

As things stand, they sit second in the group on five points, four points behind leaders Arsenal. They're level with Lens, with Sevilla bottom on just two points after these four matches.

PSV will still need to visit Sevilla before hosting Arsenal in their final two games, but the Dutch side do have their fate in their hands after four massive Champions League matches.

GettyUSMNT IMPACT

Not much has changed for the USMNT contingent, with all three having pretty defined spots in the hierarchy at this point.

Dest has the flexibility to play on either the left or the right and has gotten games on both sides this year. Tillman is very much in the mix to start as an attacking midfielder, even if he didn't in this one. Pepi, meanwhile, is very much a backup for this team, having not gotten many minutes in recent weeks.

Pepi's situation will be the most concerning, as it'll take either an injury to De Jong or a huge downswing in form from the striker for the American to get minutes. Pepi will have to make the most out of whatever chances he gets, as he is currently second choice for both club and country.

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Getty ImagesGOAL'S RATINGS

Sergino Dest (6/10):

Had a few okay moments and was better than usual defensively, but he just never feels quite as effective when played on the left-hand side.

Malik Tillman (6/10):

Didn't get too many chances to make things happen after coming on, with PSV relatively content to protect their 1-0 advantage.

Ricardo Pepi (N/A):

Didn't get into the match until the 90th minute as Peter Bosz didn't rock the boat with subs until it was time-wasting time.

Bayern Munich's sporting director, Christoph Freund, suggested that they will return for Fulham's Joao Palhinha after a failed summer move.

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Palhinha continues to be on Bayern's radarTransfer broke down on deadline dayFreund hints at renewed interest in JanuaryWHAT HAPPENED?

The Bavarians continue to have an active interest in the Portuguese midfielder despite failing to land him at Allianz Arena in the summer. Their previous pursuit could not be finalised by the deadline as Fulham were reluctant to let him go due to their inability to sign a replacement but the reigning Bundesliga champions have not given up on him and will once again attempt to sign the player in the upcoming winter window.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT FREUND SAID

Speaking to , Freund said: "Of course, he is still on our radar. The club worked intensively with Palhinha in the summer. I was there for the bit on the last, strange day of the transfer window, but you can't say yet what will happen. We are generally exploring the market."

Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Palhinha committed to a new long-term contract with Fulham until the summer of 2028 with an option to extend it by another 12 months. This could complicate Bayern's pursuit as the Cottagers are firmly in control of the player's future. He continues to be an important piece of the jigsaw under Marco Silva and has started in nine of his 10 appearances this season.

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WHAT NEXT FOR PALHINHA & BAYERN?

Palhinha will be in action with Portugal against Liechtenstein and Iceland in two Euro 2024 qualifiers on November 16 and 19 respectively. Meanwhile, Bayern will take on Koln on November 24 in a Bundesliga fixture after the international break.