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U.S. ends 2018 still stuck in neutral

The recent schedule has been tough and there have been some reasons for optimism, but the USMNT's year ends with answers needed regarding manager, depth, playing style and more.

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Pulisic, McKennie key for U.S., now and in 2022

If the World Cup began today - and the U.S. had qualified - how would they line up? There are obvious choices, plus others who can stake a claim.

Gomez: USMNT at its lowest moment

After a lackluster 2018 played entirely with an interim head coach, former U.S. international Herculez Gomez says the USMNT are at an all-time low.

1:38

You Have To Answer: Christian Pulisic

Beating Mexico or beating Bayern? Dempsey or Donovan? We put USMNT starlet Christian Pulisic on the spot in our latest edition of 'You Have To Answer.'

1:31

Italy 1-0 United States: Horvath let down on final kick

The United States ended 2018 with a loss to Italy on a late goal, despite a strong performance from goalkeeper Ethan Horvath.

1:45

Mancini: Every nation should fear Italy

Italy head coach Roberto Mancini said that all European sides should fear his team if they continue to improve and try to return to compete among the top sides in the world.

0:30

Extra Time: USMNT in 2018, Italy's strikers and more

The guys respond to your tweets about Italy's strikers struggling, the USMNT in 2018, PSG's defence and who would play them in a movie.

9:31

    editors' picks

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    Premier League verdicts on every team's season so far

    "Never look at the table until November" is a Premier League mantra. As club football returns with about a third of the season gone, Ian Darke assesses how all 20 clubs are faring.

    If the 2022 World Cup started today...

    Qatar 2022 is four years away, but if the tournament began now, how would the major nations line up? We asked our writers to look into the future.

    Should UEFA wait until next season to implement VAR?

    As UEFA considers implementing VAR for the UCL knockout rounds, the FC crew debate whether replays should be added in the middle of a competition.

    3:22

    European football power summit: Super League, VAR, Football Leaks

    The 2-7-2 formation: The future of football

    Giroud flies flag for strikers whose graft means more than goals

    Believe the hype: De Ligt, de Jong are future stars

    You Have To Answer: Christian Pulisic

    Beating Mexico or beating Bayern? Dempsey or Donovan? We put USMNT starlet Christian Pulisic on the spot in our latest edition of 'You Have To Answer.'

    1:31

    In football-mad Manchester, popular indoor venue faces closure

    Time right for Simeone to end home hoodoo vs. Barca

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    Mexico's end to 2018 encapsulates El Tri's deeper problems

    Mexico's World Cup opener offered a brief glimpse of hope but little has gone right since, as the reality of an uncertain future has taken hold.

    Photo by Jam Media/Getty Images

    Scaloni's style, side choices sparking Argentina's rebirth

    Lionel Scaloni has righted the ship since the shambles in Russia. But how long will it be his Argentina team? Big decisions now must be taken.

    Dybala praises Argentina's energy in Mexico win

    Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni and forward Paulo Dybala spoke of the teams togetherness and unity following their second win over Mexico in a week.

    0:54

      highlights

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      Mbappe forced off with apparent shoulder injury

      Kylian Mbappe was forced to exit France's friendly against Uruguay following an awkward fall during the first half.

      1:01

      Scotland 3-2 Israel: Forrest hat trick clinches promotion

      James Forrest's clinical treble proved just enough against Israel helping Scotland gain promotion in the UEFA Nations League.

      3:05

      Serbia 4-1 Lithuania: Serbia secure promotion

      Serbia earned promotion to the UEFA Nations League's second tier with a 4-1 win against Lithuania at FK Partizan Stadium

      3:10

      Sweden 2-0 Russia: Swedes top group

      A goal in either half gave Sweden their first win over Russia in 20 years and ensured they finished top of their group in the UEFA Nations League.

      1:42

      France 1-0 Uruguay: Mbappe injury overshadows win

      Olivier Giroud's penalty proved to be the difference for France in a friendly that saw PSG star Kylian Mbappe depart early with a shoulder injury.

      1:40

      Italy 1-0 United States: Horvath let down on final kick

      The United States ended 2018 with a loss to Italy on a late goal, despite a strong performance from goalkeeper Ethan Horvath.

      1:45

      Poland 1-1 Portugal: Milik penalty powers Poland

      A dramatic penalty sequence from Arkadiusz Milik provided the equaliser for Poland who earned a 1-1 draw with Portugal.

      1:41

      Germany 2-2 Netherlands: Dutch surge into finals

      The Netherlands trailed 2-0 with five minutes to play at Germany, but two late goals earned the Oranje a spot in the first Nations League finals.

      2:11

      Qatar 2-2 Iceland: Stunning strikes in Qatar

      Iceland and Qatar traded stunning strikes, including an impressive equaliser from Boualem Khoukhi to deliver Qatar a 2-2 draw.

      1:48

      England 2-1 Croatia: Three Lions roar to semifinals

      Jesse Lingard and Harry Kane each scored to seal England's 2-1 comeback win over Croatia to reach the UEFA Nations League semifinals.

      2:13

      Switzerland 5-2 Belgium: Seferovic sends Swiss into semis

      Haris Seferovic netted a hat trick as Switzerland erased a two-goal deficit by scoring five unanswered to defeat Belgium and advance to the League A semis.

      3:11

      Spain 1-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina: Mendez scores debut winner

      Brais Mendez scored the lone goal of his international debut to lift Spain to a friendly win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in Las Palmas.

      1:05

      UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE

      UEFA Nations League: All you need to know

      The Nations League group stage is over. Find out how who reached next June's finals, who earned promotion, who were relegated and how it all affects Euro 2020.

      Positive England reap rewards; Belgium implode

      Gareth Southgate's impact was evident again, though his praise of Harry Kane possibly went a bit far. Plus: What went wrong for Belgium and France?

      UEFA Nations League finals: All you need to know

      Euro 2020 qualifying draw: All you need to know

      De Gea frustrated by Spain criticism - sources

      Burley: Belgium dealt a blow to their ego

      Craig Burley explains what Belgium's exit from the UEFA Nations League by way of a 5-2 loss to Switzerland means for the team long-term.

      1:14

      What Nations League relegation means for Germany

      With Germany's relegation in the UEFA Nations League confirmed, the FC crew discuss Joachim Low's future and how his team will be judged.

      3:11

      Low: 2018 was a slap in the face for Germany

      Germany's Joachim Low reflects on a year that saw an early World Cup exit and Nations League relegation but believes they still have a bright future.

      0:27

      Do Portugal get enough credit?

      Sebi Salazar and Paul Mariner discuss whether Portugal's continued success is overlooked because they don't play attractive football.

      1:27

      Transfers

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      LIVE Transfer Talk: City need £75m for Frenkie de Jong

      Manchester City will need to break their own transfer record to beat Barcelona to Ajax's Frenkie de Jong. Transfer Talk is LIVE with the latest.

      VI Images via Getty Images

      Transfer Rater: Eriksen to Real Madrid, Elneny to Leicester

      Christian Eriksen to Real Madrid and Mohamed Elneny to Leicester City are two of today's hot rumours, according to Football Whispers.

      Laurens: Dembele has to worry about his Barcelona future

      ESPN FC's Julien Laurens explains why Ousmane Dembele is finding himself in hot water at Barcelona and what he needs to do to fix it.

      1:46

      espn fc tv

      Who would win the World Cup right now?

      ESPN FC's Stewart Robson shares his thoughts on the team most likely to win the World Cup if it were to take place tomorrow.

      1:40

      Extra Time: USMNT in 2018, Italy's strikers and more

      The guys respond to your tweets about Italy's strikers struggling, the USMNT in 2018, PSG's defence and who would play them in a movie.

      9:31

      Should UEFA wait until next season to implement VAR?

      As UEFA considers implementing VAR for the UCL knockout rounds, the FC crew debate whether replay should be added in the middle of a competition.

      3:22

      Which star is more important to PSG: Mbappe or Neymar?

      After Kylian Mbappe and Neymar both left friendlies injured, Julien Laurens and the FC crew discuss which player is more important to PSG.

      2:53

      Laurens: Dembele has to worry about his Barcelona future

      ESPN FC's Julien Laurens explains why Ousmane Dembele is finding himself in hot water at Barcelona and what he needs to do to fix it.

      1:46

      Extra Time: Neymar in Mbappe's shadow? Dembele to Liverpool?

      The guys respond to your tweets on Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, commentating in the cold, the Netherlands' defence and Ousmane Dembele's future.

      7:27

      Does Nations League failure matter to France?

      French World Cup winner Frank Leboeuf explains why France doesn't really care about its national team's group-stage exit in the UEFA Nations League.

      1:13

      Frank LeBoeuf understands Pogba's post-World Cup struggles

      Having won the World Cup with France himself in 1998, Frank LeBoeuf tells the FC crew he understands Paul Pogba's struggle to refocus.

      2:17

      Burley: Belgium dealt a blow to their ego

      Craig Burley explains what Belgium's exit from the UEFA Nations League by way of a 5-2 loss to Switzerland means for the team long-term.

      1:14

      Leboeuf: Henry, Monaco don't know how to fight relegation

      With Monaco sitting level on the fewest points in Ligue 1, Frank Leboeuf examines the challenge Thierry Henry has to withstand a relegation fight.

      1:53

      Marcotti: 'Relentless positivity' from fans lifts England

      Gab Marcotti says the current England team has a connection with the fans that hasn't been seen in the country in decades.

      1:39

      Mariner: Pulisic should stay away from Chelsea

      Former England international thinks that working under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool would be better for Pulisic, should he decide to move from Dortmund.

      3:01

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