Saturday's scoreline didn't show it, but with a surface watch of the Chicago Fire's 1-0 victory over Columbus Crew SC, you'd have missed one of the most interesting tactical games of the season ...

Positions guide: Sweeper This is a very specialised position, and you are more likely to see it in continental football than in Britain. Italy's Franco Baresi was a master. The sweeper's job is mainly ...

He won the prestigious Ballon d’Or award in 1972 and 1976, the only defender ever to win it twice and is credited with pioneering soccer’s ‘sweeper’ position.

Revolutionary soccer player Franz Beckenbauer, one of the few men to win the World Cup as both as a player and a coach, has died at the age of 78, according to the German football federation (DFB).

Revolutionary soccer player Franz Beckenbauer, one of the few men to win the World Cup as both as a player and a coach, has died at the age of 78, according to the German football federation (DFB).