Joe Connor’s Global Soccer Odyssey
San Diego coach Joe Connor spent three years traveling to 144 nations to experience soccer in every corner of the globe, turning personal loss and pandemic isolation into a worldwide quest
May 22, 2026
Section
Soccer
Latest Slidescroller coverage in Soccer.
Naperville North Crushes Plainfield South in Regional Semifinal
Naperville North routed Plainfield South 7‑0 in a regional semifinal, with key contributions from Cameryn Lynde, Lauren Pera and others, and now prepares for the championship match.
May 22, 2026
Salthawks Bow Out in 6-0 Loss to Kapaun Mount Carmel
The Hutchinson High girls soccer team fell 6-0 to third‑seeded Kapaun Mount Carmel at the Stryker Soccer Complex, ending the season with a 9‑7‑2 record as the Wildcats cruise to the state quarterfinals.
May 22, 2026
Railbelt Conference Honors Local Boys Soccer Standouts
The latest Railbelt Conference awards spotlight exceptional performances by JDHS and West Valley players, with additional recognitions for John Melancon, Elliot Welch and Bryce Haygood.
May 22, 2026
Outdoor Sports Surge Fuels Athletic Footwear Demand Amid Tariff Pressures
A new Sports & Fitness Industry Association analysis reveals robust participation gains across several outdoor sports, driving demand for sneakers and cleats while tariff concerns and cost pressures temper overall revenue expansion.
May 22, 2026
ANF Overtime: Soccer Previews Group B of the 2026 World Cup
The upcoming episode of ANF Overtime: Soccer will dissect Group B of the 2026 World Cup, spotlighting the unexpected mix of teams and the show’s focus on local player ties.
May 22, 2026
Woodlands Township Honors State‑Champion Soccer Team and Advances Key Community Initiatives
The Woodlands Township Board of Directors celebrated the Cavaliers' first 6A state title and moved forward on park fee adjustments, performance restrictions, and a mobility hub study for The Woodlands Town Center.
May 22, 2026
Ravenwood Secures First Class AAA Boys Soccer Title in Penalty Shootout Thriller
Ravenwood claimed its inaugural Class AAA TSSAA boys soccer championship, winning 1-0 after a penalty shootout against Bearden.
May 22, 2026
Group B of the 2026 World Cup Set to Shake Up Soccer Landscape
The upcoming World Cup group includes co‑hosts Canada and Switzerland, Qatar looking to improve on its 2022 triumph, and Bosnia‑Herzegovina’s dramatic qualification, all to be explored by the ANF Overtime: Soccer crew on Atlanta News First.
May 22, 2026
Ravenwood Wins Class AAA State Title in Penalty Shootout Over Bearden
Ravenwood edged Bearden 1‑0 in a penalty shootout after a weather‑marred final, with goalkeeper Connor Shave’s decisive save sealing the victory.
May 22, 2026
Legacy in the Making: The Final World Cup Chapter for Soccer’s Aging Legends
The expanded 48‑team World Cup will see veteran stars such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric vie for a final triumph, while emerging talents look to inherit the spotlight.
May 22, 2026
Academic Magnet School’s Soccer Teams Reclaim State Crowns
The school's boys and girls soccer teams each defended their Class AA state titles with convincing wins, underscoring its dual excellence in academics and athletics.
May 22, 2026
Fort Worth’s Summer of Soccer Lights Up Sundance Square
Sundance Square transforms its downtown plaza into a vibrant hub for the World Cup, showcasing public art, live music, and family‑friendly activities while drawing millions of visitors to the Dallas‑Fort Worth region.
May 22, 2026
Bountiful Boys Soccer Claims First State Title in 13 Years
Bountiful's boys soccer team captured its first state championship since 2013 with a 1-0 win over Maple Mountain in the 5A final, highlighted by a late penalty and standout performances from coach Gabe Johnson, forward Martin, and goalkeeper Ethan Antonino.
May 22, 2026
Bountiful High School Boys Soccer Secures First State Title Since 2013
In a nail‑biting double‑overtime match, Bountiful defeated Maple Mountain 1‑0, with Cameron Martin’s decisive penalty sealing a historic victory that reflects a decade‑long tradition of excellence.
May 22, 2026
Wrexham eyes sizable FIFA payout as World Cup call‑ups approach
Two Wrexham players have been selected for the upcoming World Cup, triggering payments under FIFA’s Club Benefits Programme that could bring over $500,000 to the club.
May 22, 2026
Hayden and Washburn Rural Secure State Tournament Spots After Regional Victories
Hayden defeated Cair Paravel 6-1, Washburn Rural beat Derby 4-2, and Seaman's season ended with a loss to De Soto, advancing several local squads to the state tournament.
May 22, 2026
Maple Mountain’s Boys Soccer Team Falls in Double Overtime to Bountiful
Despite a resilient defensive effort and a late surge, Maple Mountain High School saw its 5A boys soccer championship hopes dissolve in the final minute of double overtime.
May 22, 2026
Memorial Day Weekend Brings Heavy Traffic to Charlotte Area Amid Major Races and Soccer Match
Heavy traffic is expected across Charlotte and Concord as the Coca‑Cola 600 and a Charlotte FC match draw large crowds, prompting road closures and detour recommendations.
May 22, 2026
Mexico’s ‘Wave Yes, Chant No’ Campaign Tackles Homophobic Echoes Ahead of 2026 World Cup
The Mexican Football Federation has teamed with legends of the 1986 World Cup to end a decades‑old homophobic chant that has drawn FIFA sanctions, promoting the iconic Mexican Wave as a symbol of unity.
May 22, 2026
Rock Springs Tigers Open State Softball Tournament with Convincing Win
Rock Springs High School's softball team secured a 19‑8 victory over Natrona County in the opening round of the state tournament, setting up a next match against Cheyenne East. Meanwhile, Green River's soccer teams fell in their openers and the 4A track meet continues in Casper.
May 22, 2026
Iain Langstone Returns to Slippery Rock as Assistant Coach
The university announces the hiring of Iain Langstone, a 2009 championship alumnus, to lead the men’s soccer program as a full‑time assistant coach beginning this summer.
May 22, 2026
Kaizer Motaung: The Soccer Bridge Between Atlanta and South Africa
A look at how Kaizer Motaung’s playing days with the Atlanta Chiefs, his return to South Africa, and his role in shaping football on both sides of the Atlantic helped professionalize the sport and bring the 2010 World Cup to his homeland.
May 22, 2026
World Cup Fever Sweeps the United States
Excitement builds as iconic Mexican grill, Bay Area FanFest, Seattle family traditions, and historic memorabilia at the George W. Bush Presidential Library highlight the growing soccer culture.
May 22, 2026