Soccer Watch
By Nick Barbaro, Fri., Dec. 18, 2015
Brief notes from around the world, as the soccer season heads into its mid-winter break in most places:
The end of an era: Abby Wambach is playing her final game for the U.S. national team as we go to press Wednesday – an exhibition match against China in New Orleans.
Stanford phenom Jordan Morris led the Cardinal to the men's NCAA title Sunday, scoring two goals and setting up another in a 4-0 pasting of Clemson. Look for him to be a big factor in the national team for the next few World Cup cycles.
Defending English Premier League champions Chelsea slumped to their ninth loss of the season, against just four wins; it appears that "the special one," coach José Mourinho, has lost control of the locker room, and has worn out his welcome in London.
There are some juicy matchups in the European Champions League draw announced this week, highlighted by Arsenal vs. Barcelona and Juventus vs. Bayern Munich. Play in the Round of 16 begins Feb. 16.
The FIFA Club World Cup is being played this week in Japan. Argentina's River Plate beat Hiroshima in one semifinal on Wednesday; the other (Barcelona-Guangzhou) is being played before you read this, in the early morning hours Thursday. Want to watch the final? It kicks off at 4:30am Sunday morning, live on Fox Sports 1.