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Cup

Will Tessmann leapfrog McKennie, Musah to start World Cup for U.S.?

by admin September 25, 2025

Jeff CarlisleSep 25, 2025, 10:05 AM ET
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The European club season has been in full swing for over a month now, giving those U.S. men’s national team players plying their trade overseas the chance to establish themselves. Some have gotten off to uneven starts, with the opening round of UEFA Champions League fixtures proving to be especially difficult. Others have hit the ground running. Those in MLS have been in rhythm for a while now.

Then there’s Christian Pulisic, who has been leading the U.S. charge in Europe for nine years now and already has five goals in all competitions this season. Fortunately for the USMNT, Pulisic is one of several players who have been hitting their stride in recent weeks.

Throughout the season, ESPN will be monitoring the progress of the U.S. player pool, delivering insights into those whose form or fitness has made them particularly intriguing. We call it the USMNT’s countdown to the World Cup.

ESPN will count down to June 11 every week so that way, when the U.S. team is announced for this highly anticipated World Cup on home soil, no names on that 26-man roster will come as a surprise.

Only 260 days to go.

– Rae: Will Gladbach instability be a blessing or a curse for Reyna?
– USMNT 2026 World Cup Big Board 2.0: Balogun, Zendejas rise
– Carlisle: Zendejas’ starring role has come at the right time for USMNT

2025-26 minutes: 450
2025-26 FotMob rating: 7.5

Tessmann proving he deserves to start in midfield

Tessmann had already enjoyed a solid start to the season, but last weekend he kicked his campaign into overdrive, scoring the lone goal in Lyon’s 1-0 victory over Angers, a result that put the club in a tie atop the Ligue 1 table, behind AS Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain on goal differential. Not bad for a team that was threatened with relegation due to financial irregularities before the start of the season.

As for Tessmann, the question remains: Will these performances be enough to get him back in the U.S. squad? He hasn’t been called up since the Concacaf Nations League in March. To be clear, they should be, but the mind of U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino works in mysterious ways. At minimum, Tessmann should be in contention to provide cover for Tyler Adams, or even crack the starting lineup.

2025-26 minutes: 264
2025-26 FotMob rating: 7.1

USMNT could do with a dose of Tillman’s perseverance

Credit Tillman for showing a strong mentality, bouncing back from a dreadful match in midweek against F.C. København in the Champions League to deliver a man of the match performance against Borussia Mönchengladbach in which he scored his second league goal of the season. A tactical tweak from manager Kasper Hjulmand might have helped.

Against Copenhagen, Tillman was operating as one of the dual No. 10s and struggled mightily to get on the ball. Against Gladbach, he was deployed deeper in midfield and had a much stronger impact on the game, even beyond his 70th-minute goal. Hjulmand afterward continued to preach patience, as Tillman is one of many new arrivals to the squad, but the player’s ability to shake off a poor performance will serve him well for both club and country.

Christian Pulisic | Attacker | AC Milan

2025-26 minutes: 286
2025-26 FotMob rating: 7.9

Italy can’t stop Pulisic

This was an impressive week for Pulisic, even by his lofty standards. After scoring two goals and helping set the table for a third in last weekend’s 3-0 win over Udinese, Pulisic maintained his fine form by scoring the final goal — on the half-volley, no less — in a 3-0 Coppa Italia win over Lecce.

There’s not much more to be said about Pulisic that hasn’t been already. He remains the USMNT’s most important attacking player, and he now holds the mark for most goals by an American in Europe’s top five leagues with 59. As long as he can stay healthy, he’s a lock to be in the U.S. lineup.

Tanner Tessmann’s form for Lyon this season should have him in the conversation to start in the USMNT midfield at next summer’s World Cup. Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images

He’ll try to keep the momentum going in this weekend’s momentous clash with top-of-the table Napoli.

The in-form XI

When Pochettino switched to a three-man back line during the September international window, it was a move that didn’t appear to benefit Gladbach’s Joe Scally. The wing back position favors the mobility and attacking instincts demonstrated by the likes of Sergiño Dest and Alex Freeman over the defending of Scally, but then Gladbach interim manager Eugen Polanski trotted out a 3-4-3 with Scally as the right wing back, and the American delivered an impressive performance.

Scally showed an ability to get forward that was unexpected given that he recorded no goals and no assists this past season — his xG of 0.26 is already on its way to eclipsing last year’s 0.38. Granted, who knows what formation the permanent Gladbach coach will prefer once he’s hired, but the performance should help keep Scally in the lineup.

Given his performance last weekend, why isn’t he in this week’s in-form XI? It’s a fair question, especially when you consider Dest conceded a penalty that was converted in PSV Eindhoven’s 2-2 draw with Ajax. Combined with some defensively shaky moments during the September international window, it’s worth weighing whether Dest is enough of a defensive liability that he loses his spot in the starting lineup. That said, Dest’s value in attack is still high enough given his ability to deliver the unexpected, though Scally has given Pochettino something to think about in terms of who his starting wing backs should be.

Meanwhile, the relative stock of the U.S. corps of forwards continues to go through some wild swings in form. Folarin Balogun looked to have gained some separation from the chasing pack after a great performance against Japan, but that was before his tepid effort in a 4-1 Champions League defeat to Club Brugge landed him on the bench for last week’s league encounter against Metz. Even worse for Balogun, his replacement, Mika Biereth, scored the opener in a 5-2 win, while Ansu Fati scored two off the bench and George Ilenikhena also got on the score sheet.

The silver lining for Balogun is that no other U.S. center forwards scored last weekend, although Ricardo Pepi’s selfless run to the near post allowed Ismael Saibari to score PSV’s first, so he’ll remain the starter in this week’s lineup. Also, Balogun’s skill set is unique within the USMNT player pool, given his ability to make runs in behind the opposition defense, and this should mean his spot in the U.S. squad is still secure. He’ll need to work his way back into the Monaco lineup, though, and this week’s match at Lorient will reveal the extent to which his spot in the club hierarchy has fallen.

Big Board 2.0 update

ESPN’s USMNT Big Board 2.0 went live earlier this month, and each Big Board will provide the foundation for weekly player updates. Below are the minutes and player ratings for each of those 37 players.

Matt Turner, goalkeeper, New England Revolution: 630 minutes in 2025; 7.1 FotMob rating in 2025.

Matt Freese goalkeeper, New York City FC: 2,790 minutes in 2025; 7.1 FotMob rating in 2025.

Zack Steffen, goalkeeper, Colorado Rapids: 2,160 minutes in 2025; 6.9 FotMob rating in 2025.

Patrick Schulte, goalkeeper, Columbus Crew: 2,430 minutes in 2025; 6.8 FotMob rating in 2025.

Chris Richards, center back, Crystal Palace: 659 minutes in 2025-26; 7.4 FotMob rating in 2025-26.

Richards continues to deliver for Palace, completing 86.7% of his passes and winning 87.5% of his duels in a 2-1 win over West Ham United.

Tim Ream, center back, Charlotte FC: 2,147 minutes in 2025; 6.7 FotMob rating in 2025.

Mark McKenzie, center back, Toulouse: 450 minutes in 2025-26; 6.6 FotMob rating in 2025-26.

Cameron Carter-Vickers, center back, Celtic: 750 minutes in 2025-26; 7.5 FotMob rating in 2025-26.

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Miles Robinson, center back, FC Cincinnati: 2,438 minutes in 2025; 6.9 FotMob rating in 2025.

Auston Trusty, center back, Celtic: 152 minutes in 2025-26; 6.4 FotMob rating in 2025-26.

Tristan Blackmon, center back, Vancouver Whitecaps: 2,962 minutes in 2025; 7.2 FotMob rating in 2025.

Sergiño Dest, fullback, PSV Eindhoven: 691 minutes in 2025-26; 7.5 FotMob rating in 2025-26.

Antonee Robinson, fullback, Fulham: 141 minutes in 2025-26; 6.8 FotMob rating in 2025-26.

Robinson’s recovery from offseason knee surgery took way longer than expected, but he finally played a full 90 minutes for the Cottagers in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup victory over fourth-tier side Cambridge United. Now let’s see if he can reclaim his spot in league play.

Joe Scally, fullback, Borussia Mönchengladbach: 355 minutes in 2025-26; 7.2 FotMob rating in 2025-26.

Caleb Wiley, fullback, Watford: 18 minutes in 2025-26; 6.2 FotMob rating in 2025-26.

Max Arfsten, fullback, Columbus Crew: 2,682 minutes in 2025; 7.5 FotMob rating in 2025.

Alex Freeman, fullback, Orlando City SC: 2,802 minutes in 2025; 7.5 FotMob rating in 2025.

Tyler Adams, midfielder, AFC Bournemouth: 464 minutes in 2025-26; 7.1 FotMob rating in 2025-26.

Tyler Adams has been ever present in Bournemouth’s midfield this season, remaining healthy and playing at a high level for the fourth-place Cherries. Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images

Weston McKennie, midfielder, Juventus: 141 minutes in 2025-26; 6.7 FotMob rating in 2025-26.

Johnny Cardoso, midfielder, Atlético Madrid: 185 minutes in 2025-26; 6.8 FotMob rating in 2025-26.

Cardoso has been dealing with an ankle injury, hence his omission from the game-day roster in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Mallorca.

Luca de la Torre, midfielder, San Diego FC: 2,299 minutes in 2025; 6.8 FotMob rating in 2025.

Tanner Tessmann, midfielder, Lyon: 450 minutes in 2025-26; 7.5 FotMob rating in 2025-26.

Yunus Musah, midfielder, Atalanta: 206 minutes in 2025-26; 6.5 FotMob rating in 2025-26.

Sebastian Berhalter, midfielder, Vancouver Whitecaps: 2,906 minutes in 2025; 7.6 FotMob rating in 2025.

Cristian Roldan, midfielder, Seattle Sounders FC: 3,425 minutes in 2025; 7.4 FotMob rating in 2025.

Christian Pulisic, attacker, AC Milan: 286 minutes in 2025-26; 7.9 FotMob rating in 2025-26.

Tim Weah, attacker, Marseille: 397 minutes in 2025-26; 7.0 FotMob rating in 2025-26.

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Weah has been Marseille’s Mr. Fixit, lining up as a right wing back in OM’s 1-0 win over previously unbeaten PSG. Will that help him or hurt him when the next USMNT camp opens? Either way, his versatility remains impressive.

Malik Tillman, attacker, Bayer Leverkusen: 264 minutes in 2025-26; 7.1 FotMob rating in 2025-26.

Diego Luna, attacker, Real Salt Lake: 2,255 minutes in 2025; 7.2 FotMob rating in 2025.

Alejandro Zendejas, attacker, América: 777 minutes in 2025-26; 7.4 FotMob rating in 2025-26.

Gio Reyna, attacker, Borussia Mönchengladbach: 84 minutes in 2025-26; 6.7 FotMob rating in 2025-26.

Folarin Balogun, forward, AS Monaco: 306 minutes in 2025-26; 6.9 FotMob rating in 2025-26.

Ricardo Pepi, forward, PSV Eindhoven: 306 minutes in 2025-26; 7.0 FotMob rating in 2025-26.

Josh Sargent, forward, Norwich City: 581 minutes in 2025-26; 7.5 FotMob rating in 2025-26.

Patrick Agyemang, forward, Derby County: 66 minutes in 2025-26; 6.9 FotMob rating in 2025-26.

Haji Wright, forward, Coventry City: 542 minutes in 2025-26; 7.5 FotMob rating in 2025-26.

Damion Downs, forward, Southampton: 271 minutes in 2025-26; 6.3 FotMob rating in 2025-26.

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September 25, 2025 0 comments

Esports

Can anyone stop Yamal and Spain marching to World Cup glory?

by admin September 9, 2025

Graham HunterSep 9, 2025, 04:00 AM ET
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While the majority of the world’s great national teams were doubting, pouting or ‘what-abouting?’ over the last few days of the September international break, Spain got on with routing Turkey in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Sunday. It was a recital of football which underlined that, on their day, the European champions remain the most exciting, devastating and irresistible team in the world.

If you didn’t see their 6-0 thrashing of Vincenzo Montella’s team which featured Real Madrid’s Arda Güler, Inter Milan’s Hakan Çalhanoglu and Fenerbahce’s Kerem Aktürkoglu then, please believe me, it was not just a big score against a team which hasn’t shipped six at home for 41 years — it was sublime, choral football.

Turkey goalkeeper Ugurcan Çakır was by far their best player (let that one sink in). Spain started without six of the XI which won the European Championship last summer, and yet La Roja‘s second goal came from 75 seconds of possession, 25 passes, 66 touches on the ball with every single one of Luis De La Fuente’s team having been involved in the move at least once.

– Why left-footed right wingers like Yamal are so hot right now
– With nine months until World Cup, does Poch know best U.S. XI?
– Which teams can book their place at the 2026 World Cup this week?

Meanwhile, Germany fell to Slovakia (No. 52 in the FIFA World Ranking) — Die Mannschaft‘s first-ever away defeat in the history of their World Cup qualifying campaigns (56 matches) — and England bored their fans into snores while edging narrowly 2-0 past 174th-ranked Andorra (population 82,000).

Netherlands snuck a 3-2 win against 143th-ranked Lithuania in Kaunus, having stumbled 1-1 against Poland at home a couple of days earlier, while 2018 World Cup and 2023 Nations League finalists Croatia, still boasting Luka Modric, squeaked home 1-0 against 142th-ranked Faroe Islands (population 54,000).

Italy — having had to sack their coach, Luciano Spalletti, following a 3-0 humbling against Norway — beat minnows Estonia 5-0, the same scoreline by which Portugal won in Armenia with a 40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo still leading the line (and scoring goals).

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But what of the South American behemoths? World champions Argentina won 3-0 against a weak Venezuela, but there was a bust-up in the tunnel after half-time and, postmatch, Lionel Messi stunned the world by announcing that “the most logical thing is that I won’t make it” to next year’s World Cup. We shall see.

Brazil also won 3-0 against bottom-of-the-group Chile, but they’ve needed to appoint a foreign coaching staff — Carlo Ancelotti and Paul Clement — for the first time in their proud history to do so. Plus, there’s a running spat with Neymar, who’s miffed at having been excluded from Ancelotti’s first squad.

Asian powerhouse Japan are going great guns, becoming the first country to qualify for next year’s World Cup in March. They claimed a creditable 0-0 draw in Mexico on Saturday and face United States on Tuesday,

So, there’s your worldwide context and a lens through which to view Spain’s performance. Now, back to La Roja.

Spain’s 6-0 win in Turkey was an exquisite recital of sublime football that has the European champions looking like World Cup winners in waiting. OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images

The summary is that they could easily have won 10-0, they danced across a cow-patch of a pitch in Konya, played with brutal intensity, never took their foot off the accelerator (nor the throat of Montella’s team) and Pedri played Ballon d’Or vote-winning football with Lamine Yamal not far behind (sadly, voting closed a week ago.) Once you watch the highlights, by all means take your pick of the favourite — but the 2-0 goal was pretty special. Maybe even all-time special.

By the time the move reaches Nico Williams just outside the penalty spot it has been uninterrupted Spain possession for well over a minute, 10 of La Roja‘s players have participated and the Athletic Club winger is in a position to have a shot, but he thinks Mikel Oyarzabal (who thus becomes the 11th man in the move) is in a better position. ‘Big Foot’ Oyarzabal thinks that Merino’s in an even better position, and once the ball’s zipped through three pinball penalty-box passes in three seconds the Arsenal man slots home with his left foot.

Merino is now on a run of six goals, plus two converted shootout penalties, in just six Spain appearances. In the absence of a true No. 9 (though converted winger Oyarzabal has a goal and three assists in the last two matches), he is La Roja‘s increasingly well-known ‘secret’ weapon.

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Possibly most interesting are Pedri and Lamine Yamal. In just under a fortnight, Yamal will become the youngest footballer ever to earn a podium place (whether he’s first, second or third) in the history of the Ballon d’Or. But the brutal truth is that, with the exception of 30 startling minutes against Mallorca, the 18-year-old has been far from his best or most effective for Barcelona this season.

Going on Spain duty has jolted him back to life. On day one he was teased, mercilessly, by Oyarzabal during training in the playful accusation that he’d dived the previous night when winning and converting a penalty at Rayo Vallecano. That’s not something he’s going to experience when working with Hansi Flick’s squad.

Then reigning Ballon d’Or holder Rodri admitted: “I didn’t want the cameras to catch me doing it but, yes, I told Lamine ‘Keep working and you can achieve whatever you want’ and I also told him ‘make sure you put yourself at the service of the team, and of football worldwide.’

“We’ve all seen footballers of huge talent who then go on to ‘lose’ themselves. Lamine really sees things clearly and he’s got people around him who support him with good advice. What I see is a happy kid, smiling and if he develops this massive talent he’s got it’ll be to the benefit of Spain.”

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2:25

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Under a different spotlight, surrounded by guys who don’t rely on him the way his Barça teammates do, mixing with hard-nosed serial winners, the catalytic effect on this genius teenager has been notable. Three assists, probably the game-changing performance in Thursday’s 3-0 win in Bulgaria, and electrically good against Turkey with several defensive tackles in the mix. Not to mention him and Arda sparking a little ‘who you looking at?’ push-and-shove scuffle which bodes well for the ‘Morbo’ in the build-up to the next Clásico (Oct. 26, stream LIVE on ESPN+.)

Then there’s Pedri. There seemed to be three of him on the pitch in Turkey. Intercepting, tackling, blocking, running elegantly into space, creating chances, scoring and, late in the game when everyone else was running on empty, making lung-busting overlapping runs.

UEFA’s social media accounts posted: “Pedri makes excellence look so easy!” De La Fuente added, postmatch: “Pedri’s the best in the world in his position.” And that’s right.

What to do once Rodri — back again in these last two matches after long-term injury — Fabián Ruiz, Merino, Gavi, Dani Olmo plus Pedri are all fit and in top form at the same time? One thing’s for sure, Pedri will start. Probably with Rodri and Fabian. He’s that good, that important.

And now with three goals in his last four Spain matches, and only 22, and racking up appearances for club and country without a hitch, the outstanding assignments, scoring big goals and staying fit, are arriving long before he hits the peak of his career.

Spain are now two matches (home to Georgia and Bulgaria) away from equalling their all-time run of 29 competitive matches unbeaten (in normal or extra time).

Set aside Williams’ adductor injury (Athletic will be praying for a lad they so badly need for when the UEFA Champions League campaign begins) and this has been an outright stellar few days for Spain. They play the most delightful football in the world, and are best-placed to make their part in the World Cup an attractive prospect next summer.

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September 9, 2025 0 comments

Gaming Gear

Turkey vs. Spain: Livestream World Cup 2026 Qualifier Soccer From Anywhere

by admin September 8, 2025

See at Fubo

Watch international soccer for $56 per month

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61% off with 2yr plan (+4 free months)

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See at Stan Sport

Watch international soccer live in Australia from AU$32 a month

Stan Sport

See at DAZN

Watch international soccer in Canada from CA$30 a month

DAZN

European champions Spain face a tough match in Turkey on Sunday as they look to make it back-to-back wins in World Cup qualifying Group E.

Below, we’ll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch the game as it happens, wherever you are in the world, and how to use a VPN if the match isn’t available where you are.

The Spaniards kicked off their campaign with a comfortable 3-0 dispatch of Bulgaria in Sofia on Thursday, thanks to first-half goals from Mikel Oyarzabal, Marc Cucurella and Mikel Merino.

Sunday brings an altogether more daunting prospect for Luis de la Fuente’s team, however, as they head to the intimidating confines of the Metropolitan Municipality Stadium to face a Turkey team that’s well primed to pull off a shock home win. Vincenzo Montella’s men come into this clash in confident form, having fended off a spirited comeback from Georgia to win 3-2 in Tbilisi on Thursday.

Turkey takes on Spain at the Konya Metropolitan Municipality Stadium on Sunday Sept. 7. Kickoff is set for 8:45 p.m. CEST local time. That makes it a 7:45 p.m. BST start in the UK and a 2:45 p.m. ET or 11:45 a.m. PT kickoff in the US and Canada. For viewers in Australia, the game gets underway at 4:45 a.m. AEST on Sunday morning.

Real Sociedad forward Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring for Spain in their 3-0 win over Bulgaria in Sofia on Thursday.

Nikolay Doychinov/AFP/Getty Images

Livestream the Turkey vs. Spain match in the US

Today’s game is available to watch in the US on Fubo Sports Network, the streaming platform’s dedicated sports service.

Fubo

Fubo Sports Network is included in Fubo’s new Fubo Sports plan which cost $56 per month ($46 for the first month.

The skinny bundle also includes FS1 and FS2 along with ABC and CBS (but not NBC) in addition to ESPN and NFL Network. It also includes access to ESPN’s new streaming app. Click here to see which local channels you get in your region with Fubo. Read our Fubo review.

Spanish-language service ViX also has the rights to show the game live in the US.

How to watch the Turkey vs. Spain match online from anywhere using a VPN

If you’re traveling abroad and want to keep up with all the World Cup qualifier action while away from home, a VPN can help enhance your privacy and security when streaming.

It encrypts your traffic and prevents your internet service provider from throttling your speeds, and can also be helpful when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks while traveling, adding an extra layer of protection for your devices and logins. VPNs are legal in many countries, including the US and Canada, and can be used for legitimate purposes such as improving online privacy and security.

However, some streaming services may have policies restricting VPN usage to access region-specific content. If you’re considering a VPN for streaming, check the platform’s terms of service to ensure compliance.

If you choose to use a VPN, follow the provider’s installation instructions, ensuring you’re connected securely and in compliance with applicable laws and service agreements. Some streaming platforms may block access when a VPN is detected, so verifying if your streaming subscription allows VPN usage is crucial.

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Price $13 per month, $75 for the first year or $98 total for the first two years (one- and two-year plans renew at $100 per year)Latest Tests No DNS leaks detected, 18% speed loss in 2025 testsNetwork 3,000 plus servers in 105 countriesJurisdiction British Virgin Islands

ExpressVPN is our current best VPN pick for people who want a reliable and safe VPN, and it works on a variety of devices. Prices start at $3.49 a month on a two-year plan for the service’s Basic tier.

Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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Livestream the Turkey vs. Spain match in the UK

Amazon Prime Video is showing this World Cup qualifier clash live in the UK via pay-per-view.

James Martin/CNET

You won’t need to be a Prime subscriber to access Amazon’s coverage, but there is a £2.49 fee to watch this game.

If you like the look of what Amazon is offering, Prime Video standalone subscriptions start at £9 a month or £95 per year in the UK and includes access to Prime Video’s content library of shows such as Clarkson’s Farm, Heretic and more. The service is also included with a Prime membership.

Livestream the Turkey vs. Spain match in Australia

Football fans Down Under can watch this match on streaming service Stan Sport.

Stan

Stan Sport will set you back AU$20 a month (on top of a Stan subscription, which starts at AU$12). It’s also worth noting that the streaming service is currently offering a seven-day free trial.

A subscription will also give you access to Premier League, Champions League and Europa League action, as well as international rugby and Formula E.

Livestream the Turkey vs. Spain match in Canada

If you want to stream this game live in Canada, you’ll need to subscribe to DAZN Canada.

DAZN

A DAZN subscription currently costs CA$30 a month or CA$200 a year and will also give you access to the UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League, plus EFL Championship soccer, Six Nations rugby and WTA tennis.

As well as dedicated apps for iOS and Android, there’s a wide range of support for set-top boxes and smart TVs.

Quick tips for streaming international soccer using a VPN

With four variables at play — your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN — your experience and success when streaming soccer may vary.
If you don’t see your desired location as a default option for ExpressVPN, try using the “search for city or country” option.
If you’re having trouble getting the game after you’ve turned on your VPN and set it to the correct viewing area, there are two things you can try for a quick fix. First, log into your streaming service subscription account and make sure the address registered for the account is an address in the correct viewing area. If not, you may need to change the physical address on file with your account. Second, some smart TVs — like Roku — don’t have VPN apps you can install directly on the device itself. Instead, you’ll have to install the VPN on your router or the mobile hotspot you’re using (like your phone) so that any device on its Wi-Fi network now appears in the correct viewing location.
All of the VPN providers we recommend have helpful instructions on their main site for quickly installing the VPN on your router. In some cases with smart TV services, after you install a cable network’s sports app, you’ll be asked to verify a numeric code or click a link sent to your email address on file for your smart TV. This is where having a VPN on your router will also help, since both devices will appear to be in the correct location.
And remember, browsers can often give away a location despite using a VPN, so be sure you’re using a privacy-first browser to log into your services. We normally recommend Brave.

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September 8, 2025 0 comments

Game Reviews

New Reese’s Oreo Cup Is Tasty, But Only If Luck Is On Your Side

by admin September 6, 2025

Over the last few years, it feels like there has been a large increase in the number of limited-time Reese’s Cup variations and gimmicks. Many of these have been bad. But the newest crossover featuring Oreo cookies is the first time I’ve tried one of these oddball concoctions and enjoyed it. But only when RNG was on my side.

Released this month, the new Reese’s Oreo cup isn’t simply a Reese’s cup with some Oreo bits shoved inside. Well, okay, sure, it is mostly that, but the Reese’s cup itself is half milk chocolate and half white chocolate. As someone who is a big fan of the white chocolate Reese’s Cup, I was very happy about this choice. It also makes sense as the Oreo cookie bits, in theory at least, should blend with the white chocolate to create something similar in taste to an actual Oreo cookie.

And then you have the classic Reese’s peanut butter filling, which is fine by me as I love that stuff more than real peanut butter. So does this all come together into a winning creation? Well, you know the answer already, I said it in the first paragraph. But yes, it’s pretty dang good!

The cookie bits add a nice and crunchy texture to each cup, and the darker, more bitter flavor of the Oreo cookie cuts through the peanut butter, so they complement each other in a way that a lot of other gimmicky flavors have been lacking. But that Oreo-ness also doesn’t overpower the entire cup, something that can also happen. (Looking at you, fudge-filled Reese’s Cups.) Instead, the cookie bits and the rest of the cup blend together perfectly. The white chocolate top of the cup also helps add a bit of sweetness and creaminess to the candy, which does sort of recreate the taste of an Oreo that has been dipped in peanut butter. I would know how that tastes, as I’ve done that many times before.

There is an asterisk, though, next to my “Pretty Dang Good!” appraisal of the new Oreo Reese’s abomination. It all depends on how much Oreo is in your Reese’s Cups. I bought four of the King Size version and three of them had a lot of cookie bits and were fantastic. But one had barely any inside the peanut butter, so you were left with a cup that was just half white chocolate and half milk chocolate. Not a horrible fate, but disappointing if you were expecting some Oreo goodness.

For those of you out there who miss the Crunchy Cookie Reese’s Cup from the ’90s, this might be your best bet for re-experiencing that fan-favorite flavor that is no longer sold by Reese’s. From my memory, it’s not quite the same thing, but it’s awfully close. And in the absence of Reese’s bringing it back, this will do just fine for all of you longing for the sweet return of the Crunchy Cookie cup.

One last note: If you do buy some of these, stick ’em in the fridge. The one I stuck in the fridge and tasted a few hours later was even better. I mean, Reese’s Cups in general are better cold, but these in particular taste wonderful. The cold stiffens up the chocolate more and adds even more crunch. It’s nice. I can’t buy any more or I’ll eat them all.

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September 6, 2025 0 comments

an image of EWC 2025 and CS2 logos on a blurred background

Esports

CS2 Esports World Cup 2025: Schedule, standings, more

by admin August 23, 2025

This year’s Counter-Strike 2 event at the Esports World Cup (EWC) has begun. 16 teams from all over the globe have participated, and only one will be crowned the champions of EWC 2025.

The opening games have been nothing short of exhilarating. NAVI, the winners of EWC 2024, were eliminated right in the first match by 3DMAX, while G2 Esports were made to head back home by Team Falcons on Aug. 21.

At the time of writing, quarterfinals, semi-finals, third place match, and the grand final remain. So, here’s everything you need to know about the CS2 Esports World Cup 2025 schedule, competing teams, and more.

CS2 Esports World Cup 2025 start and end dates

The CS2 Esports World Cup 2025 playoffs will run from Aug 20 to 24. The tournament features a single-elimination format.

All teams participating in CS2 Esports World Cup 2025

A total of 16 teams are taking part in the CS2 Esports World Cup 2025. While 15 teams are chosen based on the June 2025 Valve Regional Standings (VRS), the last slot is reserved for the Asian Champions League 2025 winner.

Big names. Screenshot taken by Dot Esports from official EWC website

Here’s a complete rundown of all the teams participating in the 2025 Esports World Cup for CS2:

Team Vitality: apEX, ZywOo, flameZ, mezii, ropz, XTQZZZ
MOUZ: Torzsi, xertioN, Jimpphat, Brollan, Spinx, sycrone
Team Spirit: chopper, magixx, zont1x, donk, sh1ro, hally
Team Falcons: Magisk, NiKo, TeSeS, kyxsan, m0NESY, zonic
The MongolZ: bLitz, Techno4K, 910, mzinho, Senzu, maaRaa
Aurora Gaming: XANTARES, MAJ3R, Wicadia, woxic, jottAAA, Fabre
G2 Esports: huNter, malbsMd, HeavyGod, SunPayus, matys
Natus Vincere: b1t, Aleksib, jL, iM, w0nderful, B1ad3
GamerLegion: sl3nd, ztr, Tauson, PR, REZ, ashhh
FaZe Clan: rain, karrigan, frozen, broky, jcobbb, NEO
Astralis: dev1ce, Staehr, stavn, jabbi, ruggah, HooXi
3DMAX: Lucky, Ex3rcice, Maka, Graviti, bodyy, wasiNk
HEROIC: SunPayus, LNZ, yxngstxr, xfl0ud, tN1R, sAw
Team Liquid: NAF, Twistzz, ultimate, NertZ, siuhy, DeMars DeRover
Virtus.pro: FL1T, fame, electroNic, FL4MUS, ICY, F_1N
TYLOO (Asian Champions League 2025 winner): Attacker, JamYoung, Moseyuh, Mercury, Jee, zhokiNg

CS2 Esports World Cup 2025 prize pool distribution

The total prize pool of the CS2 Esports World Cup 2025 is $1,250,000 (USD). Here’s what the team standings and the prize distribution look like as of Aug. 22, 2025:

PlacePrize moneyTeamEWC Club Points1st$500,000TBD1,0002nd$230,000TBD7503rd$130,000TBD5004th$70,000TBD3005th to 8th$40,000TYLOO
3DMAX
TBD
TBD2009th to 16th$20,000Team Liquid
Astralis
Natus Vincere
GamerLegion
Virtus.pro
G2 Esports
FaZe Clan
Team Spirit– It was an exciting opening game. Photo by Dot Esports

I will update this table as teams secure their positions and when they proceed to the next rounds or are eliminated.

How to watch CS2 Esports World Cup 2025

The entire Esports World Cup 2025 will be livestreamed on their official Twitch and YouTube channels.

This article is a work in progress. As the tournament progresses, I will update the standings, results, and prize pool distributions.

Dot Esports is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy

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August 23, 2025 0 comments