Walker Zimmerman breaks down what it takes to be an elite soccer defender and reveals his two favorites to watch.

The world’s elite defenders will descend upon North America this summer. | Marcel Bonte/Soccrates/Getty Images, John Walton/PA Images/Getty Images, Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images. Defense wins ...

The U.S. men’s national team is less than three weeks away from kicking off the 2026 World Cup against Paraguay, starting a journey that they hope will lead to a deep run on home soil this summer.

Defense wins championships. That’s what grizzled former players often quip on punditry duty. Italy’s impenetrable title-winning backline from 2006 would concur, as would the defiant Brazilian ...