US allows late goal off defensive mix-up in 1-1 draw vs. New Zealand as Pochettino hiring announced

A defensive mix-up by Caleb Wiley and Mark McKenzie led to Ben Waine's 89th-minute goal, giving New Zealand a 1-1 tie against the United States in a friendly after Mauricio Pochettino was hired to coach the Americans through the 2026 World Cup. Christian Pulisic scored in the 69th minute but the Americans, coming off their first home lost to Canada in 1957, stumbled near the final whistle and will enter the Pochettino era next month with a four-game winless streak dating to the Copa America first-round exit that cost Gregg Berhalter his job.

U.S. Soccer Schedule

U.S. Soccer Schedule

Colombia edges Argentina 2-1, Brazil loses to Paraguay in South American World Cup qualifying

Two South American soccer powerhouses have lost in World Cup qualifying in the absence of their biggest stars, with Lionel Messi missing Argentina's 2-1 loss to Colombia and Neymar on the sidelines for Brazil's upset defeat in Paraguay. James Rodríguez scored from the penalty spot and had an assist to help Colombia edge defending champion Argentina 2-1 in Barranquilla. Diego Gómez netted the winner for Paraguay in a 1-0 victory over Brazil in Asunción. Both Argentina and Brazil struggled without their injured stars, with the replacements for Messi and Neymar unable to deliver away wins for their teams.

Mauricio Pochettino hired to succeed Gregg Berhalter as US men's national team coach

Former Tottenham and Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has been hired to succeed Gregg Berhalter as U.S. men's national team coach, 21 months before the Americans host the 2026 World Cup. A 52-year-old Argentine, Pochettino became the 10th U.S. coach in 14 years and its first foreign-born leader since Jurgen Klinsmann from 2011-16. Pochettino has coached Espanyol, Southampton, Tottenham, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, winning a 2022 Ligue 1 title. Pochettino had been in negotiations since mid-August. Matt Crocker, the USSF's sporting director in charge of the search, was Southampton's academy director when Pochettino started at that club.

Harry Kane scores twice in his 100th game for England. Ake injured in Netherlands game

Harry Kane marked his 100th game for England with two goals and celebrations with his family in a 2-0 win over Finland in the UEFA Nations League. Kane was presented with a golden cap before kickoff and was playing in gold boots as he scored two second-half goals to decide the game at Wembley Stadium. It was the second straight 2-0 win for interim England manager Lee Carsley. Manchester City defender Nathan Ake went off with an apparent muscle injury shortly before halftime while playing for the Netherlands in a 2-2 draw with Germany in the top division of the Nations League.

Pogba's brother and 5 others to stand trial in extortion case targeting the ex-France star

A brother of World Cup winner Paul Pogba will stand trial with five other men as part of an extortion case that targeted the soccer player two years ago. The Paris prosecutor's office says that a judge ordered the six men to appear before a court following an investigation into whether Pogba was the target of extortion by his brother, Mathias Pogba, and childhood friends. The prosecutor's office says Mathias Pogba was ordered to stand trial "for the offenses of attempted extortion and criminal conspiracy." The court date has not been announced. The five others identified by their first names only allegedly demanded 13 million euros from the France midfielder.

Kane 'hungry' to prove doubters wrong as England captain nets twice in milestone game

Harry Kane captained England in his 100th international game Tuesday in the UEFA Nations League against Finland at Wembley Stadium and marked the occasion by scoring both goals in a 2-0 win before being met with a standing ovation as he was substituted off. Kane who had faced scrutiny over his performances at Euro 2024 says he was especially determined to show he's still a top-class striker. He says, "Whenever you're doubted throughout your career, it makes you more hungry and determined to prove people wrong and prove to yourself that you can still play at a high level."

Australia held to 0-0 draw by Indonesia in World Cup qualifying and China loses to Saudi Arabia

Australia's stuttering start to the third round of World Cup qualifying hit another bump Tuesday with a 0-0 draw against Indonesia in Jakarta. The result follows a 1-0 loss at home to Bahrain last week and leaves the Socceroos still without a goal in Group C as they aim for a sixth successive World Cup appearance. Australia had 20 shots but was unable to convert and silence the 78,000 home fans at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. Australia still moved one point ahead of China, which fell to a last-minute 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia. Son Heung-min helped South Korea to its first victory in Group B with a goal and two assists in a 3-1 win in Oman.

Vincent Labrune re-elected to another 4-year term as French soccer league president

French league president Vincent Labrune has been re-elected to another four-year term with an overwhelming majority. The league says Labrune, who was formerly club president of nine-time French champion Marseille, received strong support from the board and was then elected by the general assembly in the first round of ballots with 85.67% percent of the votes. Labrune faced criticism in recent months over the handling of the league's TV rights.

De Bruyne vents his frustration as Belgium's loss to France underlines its fall as a soccer power

Belgium captain Kevin De Bruyne appeared to criticize his teammates' work rate and his coach's tactics in fiery comments after the team's latest loss to France that highlighted its fall from the top table of world soccer. The Manchester City playmaker failed to hide his frustration during Belgium's 2-0 defeat in Lyon in the Nations League on Monday, especially near the end of the match as he held his hands up in despair and shook his head. The 33-year-old De Bruyne was outspoken after the match and said some things were "unacceptable." De Bruyne was a member of Belgium's so-called "golden generation" that got to No. 1 in the FIFA rankings but never reached a final at a major tournament.

China's Football Association bans 43 people for life after corruption investigation

China's Football Association says it has banned 43 people for life over allegations of match-fixing and other forms of corruption. The official Xinhua News Agency said Tuesday that Zhang Xiaopeng, a top police official, gave out details of a "two-year investigation that uncovered a series of online gambling, match-fixing and bribery cases." Xinhua said 120 matches in domestic leagues, 128 criminal suspects, and 41 clubs were implicated in the investigation. Of those banned, 38 were players and five were club officials. Other players and officials were given shortened bans, including foreign players lured to China by the promise of high salaries.