USA TODAY Sports spoke with the U.S. Soccer Federation and MLS about the state of the American youth game and the pipeline to the top following last summer’s World Cup.
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- Stephen Borelli USA TODAY
When Albert Pujols stepped into the batter’s box during his major league career, the game seemed to pause. Everybody wanted to watch.
- Stephen Borelli USA TODAY
As parents, we learn to be strategic, realistic about how to move our son or daughter along the line. Maybe we played sports at some level and can offer guidance.
- Gabe Lacques USA TODAY
The play-in round is over. The home teams won three of four wild-card series, with the worst team by record the other loser.
- unbranded - Sport Vertical
Home runs are some of baseball’s most exciting moments, and the players who consistently send the ball over the fence become some of the most celebrated stars. Here are the players who have hit the most home runs in MLB history. Henry Aaron held MLB’s all-time home run record for 33 seasons …
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Hickory FC has opened sales for 2027 season tickets with some added perks for advances buyers.
Hickory FC will have a new head coach next season.
The United States men's national team has announced four upcoming games. Mauricio Pochettino resigned as head coach after the team's 3-2 mark in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The friendlies will all be played in the United States, and one matchup is against rival Mexico. Sept. 26: USMNT vs. Peru …
The World Cup is over. Judging from the TV ratings, there's a good chance you tuned in. What now? a buffet.
"We're talking about Wednesday nights, 90-degree weather, and we'll have 4,000 fans," said Hickory FC coach Carlos Rubio.
Hickory FC finished 9-4-1 in their first year in the USL League 2 in 2026. The club missed the playoffs by just one point and broke their regular season attendance record.
Hickory FC took to social media after Appalachian FC's playoff clinching win on Sunday thanking fans, supporters and the community.
Asheville City SC's only loss this season came at the hands of Hickory FC. Hickory will likely need to do that again this weekend to make the playoffs.
Saturday’s game was a tense physical match littered with 12 yellow cards, eight of which were on Hickory FC.
Despite the loss, Hickory FC remains in second place in the South Atlantic Division as the club heads into its final three regular-season matches.
Recent high school graduate and UCLA commit James Lane was named Man of the Match on Wednesday after scoring the game winning goal in the 96th minute.
NEW YORK — Hours before the World Cup kickoff, the boost to travel and tourism expected from this year’s biggest sporting event has yet to materialize.
“I think it’s a sense of pride that the community gets to really feel,” Ferrari said. “Your community is now on a national stage, and you can tell your friends and family and be proud of it.”
“The soccer is the glue that puts it all together.”
More than 3,000 Hickory FC fans poured into Lenoir-Rhyne's Moretz Stadium Saturday to cheer on Hickory FC as they won their USL League Two home debut 2-1 over South Carolina Bantams FC 2-1.
The match remained scoreless throughout regulation and stoppage time despite Hickory FC playing the final 66 minutes with 10 men.
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“It’s not just soccer." said Hickory FC fan Paige Monks. "It’s our whole community, our whole area and they’re coming together to support a great team."
Hickory flipped the script on Asheville City SC this year. The teams were locked in a 0-0 battle for 93 minutes until Alvaro Maneiro broke free and won the game with a clutch goal.
The cup was made by Hickory artist Chad Soden. Soden also designed and built the Crosstown Cup, a rivalry trophy between St. Stephens and Hickory high schools.
"It’s a wild thing to think about. Just to see that kind of support. ... To see that many people come out is awesome," said Jonathan Rink, a club vice president.
For comparison, last year's attendance record, 3,403 fans, was more than 500 below this season's average.
A Hickory FC player was recognized as the national player of the year with the league's annual Golden Ball trophy.
“He recruits a lot of good character players,” said co-owner Dillon Smith. “It’s a resemblance of himself. When I see the players and how they act, I see a lot of Carlos and how Carlos acts.”
Before the season, head coach Carlos Rubio said he wanted Hickory FC to be a high intensity team that wins possession, scores quickly and presses on defense.