I am not sure how many on here have a photo of their soccer team from 5th grade ... taken in 1965. This is the Tuxedo Park School's soccer team. We played in sneakers on the sloping lawn behind the school building. Soccer was for boys -- girls played field hockey -- who were too young for 6-man tackle football. TPS dropped football the next year, so all the boys played soccer, we moved to the big field, and we started facing other schools. There was no store to buy soccer equipment so the mothers made shinguards out of tomato stakes and long socks. I started in 7th grade (RMF) and 8th grade (GK). I then had the silly idea to go out for football (skin-and-bones right tackle) when I went away to The Hill School in 9th grade ... (h/t classmate Robyn Geddes, who found this amazing photo in his late mom Carolyn Amory's photo collection.)

FF editor Vincent Garcia says Kane beat Mbappe by less than 41 points, Rodri's margin over Viní Jr in 2024 (1,170 to 1,129). This is 3rd year of top 10 lists (15 to 1 pts). Point totals/journalist lists will appear in magazine issue available on Saturday. My vote? All I'll say is I got top 5 "dans le désordre" (wildly). Close votes: 1956 Matthews 47 Di Stéfano 44 1966 Charlton 81 Eusébio 80 1996 Sammer 144 Ronaldo 143 1972 Beckenbauer 81 Müller 79 Netzer 79 (!) 1977 Simonsen 74 Keegan 71 Platini 70 2019 Messi 686 van Dijk 679 ballondor.com

Fifth English winner after Matthews, Charlton, Keegan (2x) and Owen. Fourth Bayern winner after Muller, Beckenbauer (2x) and Rummenigge (2x).

No Ballon d’Or for Spanish World Cup hero Ferran Torres but he picks up French players union monthly award tonight at the Parc des Princes.

For the second year in a row, PSG is playing on the night of #BallonDor ceremonies. (Authorities pushed back match against Lyon due to security concerns.) Last year Ousmane Dembélé was injured so he was able to collect award. This year he’s again injured. He’ll finish in top 10.

#BallonDor2026 voting: The votes of 100 jurors representing the top 100 countries in the FIFA rankings (50 for the women) are tabulated on a point system: 15 points for 1st, 12 for 2nd, 10 for 3rd, 8, 7, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 point for 10th. socceramerica.com/ballon-dor…

In the period of 1965-76, eight of the 12 Ballon d’Or winners went on to play in the NASL, such was the North American league’s importance: Eusébio, George Best, Gerd Müller, John Cruyff (3x) and Franz Beckenbauer (2x). socceramerica.com/ballon-dor…

#BallonDor2026: This year’s World Cup was unusual in that so many stars showed up. Then you have Spain. It dominated in 2026. World Cup champions don't always win the Ballon d’Or in World Cup years, though. And Ballon d’Or winners aren't always the big stars ...

The #BallonDor2026 ceremonies will be held today at the London Palladium. I have no idea if No. 1 on my top 10 list will win. I do know this year’s vote has been the most wide-open and most promoted since I joined the jury in 2007. socceramerica.com/ballon-dor…

#BallonDor2026 reminder: Ballon d'Or awarded based on three criteria, in the order of importance. Here's the language in France Football's five-page instructions.

The story of Holden Trent. It reminds us we don’t always know what someone has been through. nytimes.com/athletic/7721336…

I wrote about #BallonDor2026. Men's and women's awards will be handed out today at the London Palladium. socceramerica.com/ballon-dor…

Sebastian Nava's late goal gave @LAFC2 a 1-0 win at @AustinFCII, top seed in @MLSNEXTPro's Western Conference. Eastern Conference No. 1 @crownlegacyfc also lost 2-1 to @ColumbusCrew2, which got goals from Prince Forfor (17) and Brent Adu Gyamfi (20). socceramerica.com/mls-next-p…

Spanish press on Alex Freeman: • El Gol Digital: “He defends like a titan and carries the ball like the gods.” • AS: “He tried playing on his opposite foot, but struggled considerably. On the right, he was one of the best players.” socceramerica.com/americans-…

So in the last 24 hours three #USMNT right backs have scored. After Scally and Freeman yesterday, Weah with a solo act.

Corner bar has Barca vs. Real from god-knows-when via beIN on big screen. (A young Leo hit a ridiculous ball off the far post from the right side.) Bar doesn’t usually use screen. But it will also have Sunday Clasico. Kickoff a late 4 pm Et (1 pm here).

This on France from former SA contributor. Me: I arrived in France to work in 4/15/1976. I remember … 1 Pilot: « Allez Les Verts ». Me the soccer guy knew what that went. St. Etienne was going to European Cup final after tying PSV. 2 Other thing: student protests broke out.

Saw xG on this game before I watched now the full highlights. Could have been a lot bigger win for #RBNY but 3 points are what matter! share.google/m6LQY12QODv3U7j…

Authorities are scrambling to prepare for winter flooding in Bay Area. 37 is vulnerable. Parts are shut down for work. Marin roads particularly vulnerable too. Both roads driven with lifetimes of wonderful memories. #newnorm