Image missing.
Purpose and togetherness: What the soccer world can learn from FA Cup heroes Macclesfield

Connor O'Halloran

created: Feb. 16, 2026, 2:02 p.m. | updated: Feb. 16, 2026, 7:33 p.m.

Never before during 154 years of the FA Cup -- a competition, just like NCAA's March Madness, known for its "David vs. Goliath" upsets -- had a result delivered such a shock. The upset victory meant they won a place in the FA Cup fourth round and a date with Premier League side Brentford on Monday (Stream live on ESPN+). Paul Dawson, center, is mobbed by teammates and fans after Macclesfield's unlikely FA Cup triumph. The FA Cup third-round date would be the fourth. It was written on the side tunnel, the last they would have seen before they stepped out onto the field for the FA Cup tie.

1 week, 2 days ago: www.espn.com - TOP