This year’s soccer calendar has presented some unusual circumstances. While there is typically an international break in March, the current break coincided with World Cup qualifying playoffs, resulting in most matches being scheduled for Thursday and Tuesday. Consequently, there was a noticeable lack of soccer action over the weekend, with only a few friendly matches taking place.
The absence of matches on a spring Saturday felt quite strange, leaving fans to ponder how those uninterested in soccer spend their time. Following the Carabao Cup final held the previous Sunday and the upcoming FA Cup sixth round matches, the title race has experienced a three-week pause, which may not have been advantageous for Arsenal.
The Premier League’s prominence often leads to discussions centered around the title race, which is understandable. However, the domestic cup competitions in England deserve their own recognition. Manchester City’s triumph in the Carabao Cup final exemplified a tactical victory for Pep Guardiola and was joyfully celebrated by fans who, after a challenging previous season, have come to appreciate the value of silverware.
This weekend showcased thrilling FA Cup action, including another strong performance from Manchester City, which raised questions about Liverpool’s Arne Slot, as well as Port Vale’s sobering reality check and Leeds’ dramatic penalty shootout win against West Ham.
The highlight of the weekend occurred on Saturday evening, as Arsenal faced defeat against a Southampton team donning a pale yellow and blue kit, a tribute to their FA Cup final victory over Manchester United in those colors from 50 years ago. This nostalgic element is a hallmark of the FA Cup, which also allows for the rise of unexpected heroes.
Ross Stewart, initially a promising target man but with an inconsistent track record—scoring 15 league goals in 63 appearances for Ross County—joined Sunderland in January 2021. During his first season in League One, he started only two league matches. However, the following season saw him start every game, accumulating over 4,000 minutes on the pitch, scoring 24 goals, and earning the nickname “the Loch Ness Drogba.” His playoff final contribution, a skillful finish from the edge of the box, helped Sunderland secure victory over Wycombe Wanderers.
In the 2022-23 season, Stewart faced a hamstring injury that sidelined him for three months, yet he managed to net 10 goals in 11 league matches before suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon during an FA Cup match against Fulham. After Sunderland accepted an £8 million transfer bid from Southampton, his comeback was hindered by another muscular injury that kept him out for four months. It wasn’t until October 2024 that he returned to start a league match against Arsenal, only to suffer another hamstring setback after just 26 minutes.
Since his Achilles injury over three years ago, Stewart has only started 12 league games. However, he did start on Saturday in the FA Cup, against Arsenal, the very team against which he had previously struggled with injuries. This match held significant meaning, and the FA Cup delivered an exciting performance. Stewart proved to be a constant threat, challenging Arsenal’s defenders and scoring impressively. At 29, while his career may not reach the heights once anticipated following his playoff final goal, he has secured his place in FA Cup history with two memorable goals.
If the FA Cup serves primarily to spotlight previously overlooked players, it certainly fulfills its purpose.
For Arsenal, pressing questions remain. Before the international break, they had an unbeaten streak of 14 league games. However, they have now lost two consecutive matches and appeared anxious and out of sync since their halftime performance against Manchester City. The return of goalkeeper David Raya, whose ability to distribute the ball effectively could alleviate some pressure, may help, but neither his absence nor Arsenal’s considerable injury list can fully account for the number of basic passes that went astray. Southampton could have easily won by a larger margin.
If Manchester City has indeed found their rhythm at a crucial time, there may still be a competitive title race ahead.
In 1988, when the United States was awarded the rights to host the 1994 World Cup, the US Soccer Federation assured FIFA that it would establish a professional league to replace the defunct North American Soccer League, which collapsed in 1984. As in the 1960s, various companies competed for the right to operate the league rather than existing clubs being organized into a league. Under the presidency of Alan Rothenberg, the USSF chose Major League Soccer, which he also chaired.
Tab Ramos became the first player signed by MLS, assigned to the New York/New Jersey Metrostars a month before the league was officially registered. With ten franchises confirmed, the league commenced on April 6, 1996, with the San Jose Clash defeating DC United 1-0 at Spartan Stadium before an audience of 31,000, including FIFA President João Havelange. Eric Wynalda scored the winning goal just two minutes before the end of the match. Despite losing their first three games and winning only two of their first nine, DC United managed to qualify for the playoffs with a 16-16 record and ultimately claimed the MLS Cup, also winning the US Open Cup that season.
This article is an excerpt from “Soccer with Jonathan Wilson,” a weekly column from the Guardian US that examines the game in Europe and beyond. Subscribe for free to receive updates.
