Soccer - Chattanooga Times Free Press

Atlanta United’s Thiago Almada broke ground for MLS with Argentina’s World Cup title

First, he cried with joy and shared the news with his family. And then Thiago Almada needed to catch a plane. Quickly.

By ANNE M. PETERSON / The Associated Press January 29, 2023

AP photo by Jeff Chiu / Atlanta United FC midfielder Thiago Almada speaks during Major League Soccer's media day on Jan. 10 in San Jose, Calif. Almada gave MLS a historic first when he became the first active MLS player on a World Cup championship team last month as Argentina won the title in Qatar.

Chattanooga FC impresses in draw with Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United

Former Dalton High School star Damian Rodriguez played on a higher level and against a higher level Saturday for the Chattanooga Football Club.

By Patrick MacCoon January 28, 2023

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Chattanooga FC players point to Damian Rodriguez after one of his assists during Saturday's 3-3 draw in a preseason match with Atlanta United FC at Finley Stadium.

Atlanta United era over as striker Josef Martinez heads to Miami

There was a time when Josef Martinez wanted to play the rest of his career in Atlanta. Now he's eager to make his mark in South Florida.

By PAUL NEWBERRY / The Associated Press January 18, 2023

AP photo by Lynne Sladky / Veteran MLS striker Josef Martinez, center, holds an Inter Miami CF jersey as he poses with coach Phil Neville, left, and chief sporting director Chris Henderson during a news conference Wednesday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Pelé buried at cemetery in Brazilian city he made famous

Brazil said a final farewell to Pelé on Tuesday, burying the legend who unified the bitterly divided country.

By MAURICIO SAVARESE / The Associated Press January 4, 2023

The entrance to the mausoleum of late Brazilian soccer great Pele features statues of him, before his coffin is placed inside at Necropole Ecumenica Memorial Cemetery in Santos, Brazil, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Impact of Pelé on US soccer blazed trail for 1994 World Cup, MLS

In less than three years with the New York Cosmos, Pelé took soccer to new heights in the United States, planting seeds that bloomed decades later.

By RONALD BLUM / The Associated Press December 31, 2022

AP photo / Brazilian soccer star Pelé, center, listens during a news conference on June 10, 1975, after signing with the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League. The buzz the three-time World Cup champion created with the Cosmos helped pave the way for the 1994 World Cup in the United States and the launch of Major League Soccer two years after that.

World reacts to death of Brazilian soccer king Pelé

Reactions poured in from around the world to the death of Brazilian soccer legend Pelé, who died of cancer in Brazil on Thursday at age 82.

By The Associated Press December 29, 2022

AP photo by Jasper Juinen / Brazilian soccer legend Pelé greets the crowd ahead of a Spanish league match on Jan. 16, 2005, in Madrid. Pelé, who won a record three World Cups and became one of the most commanding sports figures of the past century, died Thursday in Sao Paulo at age 82.

Soccer legend Pelé, Brazil’s mighty king of ‘beautiful game,’ dies at 82

Pelé, the Brazilian king of soccer who won a record three World Cups and became one of the most commanding sports figures of the last century, died Thursday.

By The Associated Press December 29, 2022

AP photo by Ray Stubblebine / Pelé listens to "The Star-Spangled Banner" prior to a North American Soccer League playoff game between his New York Cosmos and the visiting Rochester Lancers on Aug. 24, 1977, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Pelé, the Brazilian king of soccer who won a record three World Cups and became one of the most commanding sports figures of the past century, died Thursday in Sao Paulo at age 82.

5-at-10: With monster wins for the World Cup, losses too, and Dansby bidding Atlanta adios

The World Cup final. Wow, what a sports event. It was thrilling. It was edge-of-your-seat excitement.

By Jay Greeson December 19, 2022

Argentina's Lionel Messi holds up the trophy after winning the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec.18, 2022. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Messi wins World Cup, Argentina beats France on penalties

Lionel Messi’s once-in-a-generation career is complete. The Argentina superstar is finally a World Cup champion.

By STEVE DOUGLAS / The Associated Press December 18, 2022

AP photo by Petr David Josek / Argentina players, including Lionel Messi (10), celebrate after winning a penalty kick shootout, 4-2, to defeat France after the teams finished extra time tied 3-3 in Sunday's World Cup final in Lusail, Qatar.

Chattanooga FC will host Atlanta United in January friendly

The Chattanooga Football Club will host a preseason friendly against Major League Soccer's Atlanta United FC on Jan. 28 at Finley Stadium.

By Gene Henley December 16, 2022

More in Soccer, page 27