Champions League
Champions League was up and down for the American’s McKinney scored a Wonder goal from midfield to help Juventus carry a 2-1 lead back home over PSV and fellow American. While Pulisic was ineffective in just 55 minutes before being pulled in a 0-1 loss. I’m ticked off that Pulisic was the 1st of the strikers taken off – he’s Milan’s top player and not getting the respect he should by this new manager. Nice to see the CB pairing of Trusty and CVB hold up pretty well in a 2-1 loss at home for Celtic to Bayern. Don’t see them advancing but hope for another good showing. Reyna DNP for Dortmund as he continues his slide. Wow on Real Madrid scoring in extra time over Man City to take a 3-2 lead back home this Wed. Huge games this week especially for AC Milan !!
Tues Feb 18 Champions League
12:45 pm Para+ AC Milan (Pulisic, Musah) 0 vs 1 Feyenoord
3 pm Para+ Bayern Munich 2 vs 1 Celtic (CCV + Trusty)
3 pm Para+, CBSSN Atalanta 1 vs 2 Club Brugge
3 pm Para + Monaco 0 vs 1 Benefica
Weds, Feb 19
12:45 pm Par+ Dortmund (Reyna) 3 vs Sporting 0
3 pm Para+,TUDN Real Madrid 3 vs Man City 2
3 pm Para+ Juventus (Weah, McKinney) 2 vs PSV 1 (Ledezma)
3 pm Para+ PSG 3 vs Brest 0
Crazy Scenes from Goodison Park in the final derby played there – as Everton tied Liverpool In Extra Time Amazing stuff. Here’s a Shot of Roger Bennet from Men in Blazer’s. I got a chance to visit the old ballpark a couple of years back cool place. Cool spot after the superbowl MLS Returns Feb 22.
Huge Congrats to Head Coach John Simmonds and longtime Carmel FC Coach Carla Baker (Asst) who will be taking over the Carmel High School Girls Program from illustrious coach Frank Dixon.
Carmel Hires Park Tudor’s John Simmonds to replace Frank Dixon as Girls Soccer Coach
She Believes Cup USWNT– Thur vs Col 8 pm, Sun vs Aus 5 pm TBS, Wed 2/26 10:30 pm vs Japan TBS
The U.S. women’s national team, ranked No. 1 in FIFA’s women’s soccer rankings, will host eighth-ranked Japan, 15th-ranked Australia and Colombia, ranked 21st. The roster has a youthful look, and includes 12 players from the 22-player squad that won the 2024 Olympics but just 4 players who started 5 or more games in the tournament. Ten players on the current roster have four or fewer caps & Triple Expresso will be missing along with Girma who just transferred to Europe, and midfield standouts Horan and Rose. The excitement is Catarina Macario is expected to play for the first time in over a year. The USWNT will open the competition this Thurs, Feb. 20 8 pm on TBS against Colombia in Houston, followed on Sunday at 5 pm later with a match against Australia in Glendale on TBS. The final day of the competition is Wed Feb. 26 vs Japan at 10:30 pm on TBS @ Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, Calif.
U.S. Women’s National Team Roster by Position (Club; Caps/Goals) – 2025 SheBelieves Cup
GOALKEEPERS (2): Jane Campbell (Houston Dash; 8), Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals; 1)
DEFENDERS (8): Tierna Davidson (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 65/3), Crystal Dunn (Paris Saint-Germain, FRA; 155/25), Emily Fox (Arsenal FC, ENG; 62/1), Tara McKeown (Washington Spirit; 0/0), Jenna Nighswonger (Arsenal FC, ENG; 18/2), Emily Sams (Orlando Pride; 2/0), Emily Sonnett (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 103/2), Gisele Thompson (Angel City FC; 0/0)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain, FRA; 22/1), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC; 28/1), Lindsey Heaps (Lyon, FRA; 161/36), Claire Hutton (Kansas City Current; 0/0), Jaedyn Shaw (North Carolina Courage; 21/8), Lily Yohannes (Ajax, NED; 2/1)
FORWARDS (7): Lynn Biyendolo (Seattle Reign FC; 75/21), Michelle Cooper (Kansas City Current; 0/0), Catarina Macario (Chelsea FC, ENG; 19/8), Yazmeen Ryan (Houston Dash; 4/0), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville FC; 3/1), Ally Sentnor (Utah Royals; 2/0), Alyssa Thompson (Angel City FC; 13/1)
USL & INDY 11 to BATTLE MLS ?
Interesting news that United Soccer Leagues announced they would launch first tier division in 2027 – I assume that would include the Indy 11. Not 100% sure that this makes sense quite yet – but if USL were to go to Promotion/Relegation – perhaps. I still think this push for MLS or any US Soccer league to match the world schedule is instant death. No one will watch soccer head to head with football. NO ONE. Plus games here Dec-March in the Northeast or midwest? Heck no one watches MLS on APPLE TV now.
GAMES ON TV
Sat, Feb 15
7:30 am USA Leicester City vs Arsenal
9:30 am ESPN+ Bochum vs Dortmund (Reyna)
10 am USA Fulham (Robinson) vs Nottingham Forest
10 am Peacock Man City vs New Castle United
12:30 ESPN+ Leverkusen vs Bayern Munich
2:45 pm Para+ AC Milan (Pulisic, Musah) vs Verona
3 pm ESPN+ Villarreal vs Valencia
Sun, Feb 6
9 am CBSSN Empoli vs Udinese
9 am USA Liverpool vs Wolverhampton
11:30 pm PK Tottenham vs Man United
2:45 pm CBSSN Juventus (Weah, McKinney) vs Inter Milan
3 pm ESPN+ Sevilla vs Barcelona
Tues Feb 18 Champions League
12:45 pm Para+ AC Milan (Pulisic, Musah) 0 vs 1 Feyenoord
3 pm Para+ Bayern Munich 2 vs 1 Celtic (CCV + Trusty)
3 pm Para+, CBSSN Atalanta 1 vs 2 Club Brugge
3 pm Para + Monaco 0 vs 1 Benefica
Weds, Feb 19
12:45 pm Par+ Dortmund (Reyna) 3 vs Sporting 0
3 pm Para+,TUDN Real Madrid 3 vs Man City 2
3 pm Para+ Juventus (Weah, McKinney) 2 vs PSV 1 (Ledezma)
3 pm Para+ PSG 3 vs Brest 0
Thur, Feb 20
12:45 pm CBSSN Roma vs Porto
8 pm TBS, Max USWNT vs Colombia – She Believes Cup
Sun, Mar 1
5 pm TBS, Max USWNT vs Australia
Wed, Mar 5
10:30 pm TBS, Max USWNT vs Japan
USA
‘Lucky’ McKennie shrugs off spectacular UCL goal|
Goal-Driven: How Christian Pulisic Found Himself at AC Milan
Thoughts on McKennie, Champions League, MLS moves, USL D1, U-17 qualifying, & More
Christian Pulisic in Dreamland as he models new AC Milan kit ESPN
USMNT REWIND: Sargent’s scoring streak, super sub Pulisic, and more from last week’s club action
After a strong start with St. Pauli, Sands discusses move to Germany & USMNT ambitions
Americans abroad rundown, McGlynn moves, Cucho leaves Crew, U-17 roster, & much more
Soma holds ambitious goals in 2025 with both Barcelona and the U.S. U-20 World Cup team
U-17 MNT Takes Down St. Kitts and Nevis 7-0 in Second Match at Concacaf U-17 Qualifiers
USWNT SheBelieves Cup roster released
SheBelieves Cup: Macario returns to U.S. roster Jeff Carlisle
USWNT & Portland superstar Sophia Wilson featured in Nike’s 1st Super Bowl commercial in 27 years
WORLD
Madrid stun Man City again, Fafa Picault chats being Messi’s teammate & USL makes shock announce
Report: Surprise six-pointer – Milan playing for ‘everything’ starting with Verona
Nico Gonzalez Is In The XI | 4-2-3-1 Manchester City Predicted Lineup vs Newcastle United
Finally Some Rest–Inter Go Into Juventus Clash Without Playing Midweek For First Time In Three Months
Liverpool boss Slot charged after Everton red card
Moyes ‘feels’ for Slot: Young manager’s mistake
Brady’s B’ham, Wrexham drive record spending
Champions League
Man City and Real Madrid break UK streaming record for live sporting event in Champ League clash
Real Madrid set for triple injury boost for Manchester City encounter
Ancelotti will ask Real Madrid squad to avoid complacency in Man City decider
Carlo Ancelotti makes Real Madrid history during Champions League victory over Manchester City
Champions League Team of the Week – Olise, Guirassy, Dembele
Monaco’s alarming slide dims the high expectations early in the season
Tuttosport: ‘Back on the rollercoaster’ – Feyenoord loss proves Milan are ‘going nowhere’
Feyenoord 1-0 AC Milan: Five things we learned – ghosting on the frontline
CorSport: Milan Musah to ‘play immediately’ after serving suspension – the changes in mind
CorSport: Conceicao exit possible with Champions League or not – the reasoning
TMW: Hopes of Champions League place fade as Atalanta, Roma and Milan fail to win
Italy fall behind Spain in UEFA ranking for 5th Champions League spot
‘It’s game on in Munich’ – says US player Carter-Vickers
Celtic’s unforgivable error leaves them requiring a Champions League miracle
The battle for extra Champions League places: Premier League now firm favourites
Stones: Latest City loss brings anger, frustration
Monaco manager believes PSG are capable of winning the Champions League
Goalkeeping
USMNT’s Ethan Horvath lifts Cardiff in shootout win vs. Stoke
Indy Eleven brings back goalkeeper Hunter Sulte on loan from Portland Timbers
GdS: Maignan loses his magic – Milan goalkeeper guilty of another ‘huge mistake’
Great Saves Champions League Wed
Great Saves Tues
Reffing
CdS: Atalanta penalty incident highlights need to rethink VAR protocol
Liverpool boss Slot charged after Everton red card
New Ref Abuse Prevention Policy
Reffing for Carmel Dad’s Club this Spring
Become a Licensed Ref with Indiana Soccer – must be over 13
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Emma Hayes names USWNT squad for SheBelieves Cup: Triple Espresso remains out of action
By Meg Linehan The Athletic Feb 11, 2025
Emma Hayes named her 23-player roster for the 2025 SheBelieves Cup on Tuesday and once again she emphasized opportunities across the depth of the playing pool.Hayes named four uncapped players to this roster, with three of those players earning the senior team nod through the January Futures camp for under-23 players.Once again, it is a roster shaped by injuries and the Triple Espresso forward line remains out of action for another camp. The release states that Trinity Rodman is still regaining fitness while rehabbing her back injury, Mallory Swanson has personal commitments (she is also yet to report to NWSL preseason for the Chicago Stars) and Sophia Wilson (formerly Smith) is “not physically ready for national team competition.”Those three are not the only ones hurt, with midfielder Rose Lavelle recovering from ankle surgery, and centerback Naomi Girma is in the process of regaining fitness after a calf injury that also kept her out of January camp.
Rodman, Swanson and Wilson have not been selected (Brad Smith/ISI/Getty Images)
In better news, the USWNT is finally getting a long-awaited return from injury from one of its players. Cat Macario was forced to withdraw from the 2024 Olympics roster due to irritation in her knee from an injury after being named to Hayes’s first major tournament roster. She has not appeared for the U.S. since June 2024 — but she has been a more consistent starter with Chelsea since returning. She has scored five goals in 13 appearances this season.
The roster also has a decidedly more European presence compared to January’s training camp, thanks to the games falling in a FIFA window and following the winter off-season of the NWSL. Seven players of the 23 play in Europe, eight if you count Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce who will be attending as a training player.
“With many players at the beginning of their club preseasons, we’ll be patient with them but at the same time, we’re going to maximize the time we have together,” Hayes said in the USWNT press release. “We are facing three excellent teams with three very different styles and the tournament will be a great test to see who can perform against world-class players, but to see that, we need to give them opportunities. We have put in a lot of thought on how best to accomplish that while continuing to evolve and putting out a team that can win, so every game should be a lot of fun for the staff, the players and the fans.”
Emma Hayes outlines long-term strategy for U.S. women’s national team
USWNT SheBelieves Cup roster
Goalkeepers (2): Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals).
Defenders (8): Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC), Crystal Dunn (Paris Saint-Germain), Emily Fox (Arsenal), Tara McKeown (Washington Spirit), Jenna Nighswonger (Arsenal FC), Emily Sams (Orlando Pride), Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC), Gisele Thompson (Angel City FC).
Midfielders (6): Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Heaps (Lyon)*, Claire Hutton (KC Current), Jaedyn Shaw (NC Courage), Lily Yohannes (Ajax)
Forwards (7): Lynn Biyendolo (Seattle Reign FC)*, Michelle Cooper (KC Current), Catarina Macario (Chelsea FC), Yazmeen Ryan (Houston Dash), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville FC), Ally Sentnor (Utah Royals), Alyssa Thompson (Angel City FC).
*Lynn Biyendolo (formerly Williams) and Lindsey Heaps (formerly Horan) will be playing under their married names for the first time with the USWNT.
Hayes has also named three training players, all of whom are uncapped, goalkeeper Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United), defender Savy King (Angel City FC) and midfielder Hannah Bebar (Bay FC). They will train with the team for the duration of the camp and friendly tournament.
2025 remains an evaluation year
Just like January’s training camp, Hayes is using the SheBelieves Cup to figure out her pool as the team inches closer to World Cup qualifiers in 2026 and the 2027 World Cup. Ten players on this roster have four or fewer caps.
While injuries have continued to force her hand in some areas, especially the forward line, Hayes has continued to embrace those opportunities to bring new players in — or provide additional call-ups to those that might have otherwise been on the outside looking in of the depth chart.
Goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn is the only holdover from January’s camp from her positional group, this time with Jane Campbell of the Houston Dash back into camp. Combined, the two have nine caps between them. While McGlynn is the holder of only a single USWNT appearance, she has been making rosters pretty consistently and SheBelieves Cup will provide a higher-level test than a 3-0 victory against Argentina.As expected, there was turnover in the roster from the more exploratory January senior team camp, with only 12 players returning from that roster. Three players impressed at the concurrent Futures camp (for under-23 players) to get the nod for SheBelieves Cup, though none of the three names are particularly surprising considering their NWSL performances: defender Gisele Thompson of Angel City and defensive midfielder Claire Hutton and forward Michelle Cooper of the KC Current.
Looking ahead to SheBelieves Cup
The SheBelieves Cup turns 10 this year. Emily Sonnett is the only player remaining on the roster who has played all 10 editions (she has won seven). On the other end of the spectrum, 10 USWNT players will be making their SheBelieves Cup debuts in 2025.The tournament format goes back to its normal, more extended form this year. Last year, U.S. Soccer had to settle for only four games across two game days due to a more limited window with the 2024 Olympics; this year it returns to six total matches across three game days. The winner will be determined by total points, with goal differential being the first tie-breaker.
All the opponents are familiar ones: Japan (no. 8 in the FIFA rankings) on February 20, Australia (no. 15) on February 23 and Colombia (no. 21) on February 26.
Required reading
- An active global transfer market for USWNT stars is not sign to panic for NWSL
- Emma Hayes’ plan for USWNT looks to reframe approach through lens of women and girls
- USWNT defender Naomi Girma as $1m transfer pioneer should surprise nobody
(Top photo: Pau Barrena/Getty Images)
AC Milan, Pulisic will need comeback to continue Champions League quest
By Jeff Rueter The Athletic Feb 12, 2025
AC Milan’s mixed bag of a winter continued on Wednesday, with the club suffering a 1-0 defeat at Feyenoord in the first leg of their Champions League knockout playoff tie. An exit prior to the round of 16 would mark a disappointingly abrupt end to Milan’s continental campaign, having entered the final day of the league phase with the chance to skip this initial round altogether before losing to Dinamo Zagreb and tumbling into the playoff.The Dutch hosts scored early Wednesday, with Brazilian winger Igor Paixão tucking a shot past Mike Maignan at the near point in the game’s third minute.Feyenoord did well to contain Christian Pulisic, who came off the bench on Saturday to provide two assists against Empoli. The U.S. international was industrious in his attempts to impact the game, but saw his teammates’ passing lanes toward him cut down quickly to limit his touches. Pulisic exited the match in the 60th minute, having completed 18 of 22 passes and failed to attempt a single shot. He did manage to create one chance in the third minute, mere seconds before Paixão’s goal.
While Pulisic was neutralized, his Concacaf-rival-turned-club-teammate Santiago Giménez struggled mightily in his first appearance against his former club. The Mexico international, who joined Milan from Feyenoord just nine days ago, took 24 touches — just seven in Feyenoord’s box — and failed to convert any of his five dribbles. His sole attempted shot was blocked, while he drew two whistles for running into offside positions. Giménez exited in the 83rd minute to little noteworthy ovation or jeers.
McKennie hands Juventus Champions League edge with spectacular strike
The defeat continues a difficult stretch for Milan, which replaced manager Paulo Fonseca with Sérgio Conceição in late December. Now three years removed from their last Scudetto, Milan sits seventh in the Serie A table, four points behind Fiorentina for the final European position but having played one fewer game than all teams above them. Pulisic has remained arguably their most impactful attacker in his second season, but has scored twice in his eight most recent appearances across all competitions.
The tie will conclude on Tuesday in the early Champions League time slot (12:45 pm Eastern) at the San Siro. Milan will see another U.S. international, Yunus Musah, return from his one-match suspension, as the midfielder drew a red card in the club’s league phase finale against Dinamo Zagreb.With fellow esteemed Americans Weston McKennie and Tim Weah (Juventus, up 2-1 on PSV Eindhoven) and Gio Reyna (Dortmund, up 3-0 on Sporting CP) having their clubs in the driver’s seat after their respective knockout playoff first legs, Pulisic and Musah will have work to do to get a leg up on the hurdle standing between them and a last-16 date against either Inter Milan or Arsenal.
(Top photo: Marcel ter Bals/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
Weston McKennie hands Juventus Champions League advantage with spectacular strike
By Jeff Rueter The Athletic Feb 11, 2025
Weston McKennie’s spectacular first-half strike helped Juventus clinch a crucial 2-1 victory in the first leg of its Champions League playoff against PSV on Tuesday.
The USMNT midfielder smashed the ball home from the edge of the penalty area in the 34th minute to put his team in front as it bids to reach the round of 16 for the first time in three seasons.
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The goal was McKennie’s third in his last eight games, as well as his seventh career goal in the Champions League (six with Juventus, one with Schalke). It was also his third goal of the current competition, having previously scored in the league phase against PSV in September and, memorably, against Manchester City in December.
Weston McKennie’s player dashboard
McKennie made a late run onto a headed cross at the top of the box, connecting with a crisp low volley that sent the ball rising all the way into the net.
UK readers can see it here:
U.S. readers can see it here:
Ivan Perisic drew things level 10 minutes into the second half, nestling a low strike under Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio. Juventus substitute Samuel Mbangula put the game away in the 82nd minute to give the hosts a narrow advantage ahead of next week’s conclusion.
McKennie exited the match after 68 minutes, likely for a rest ahead of a crucial visit from Inter in Serie A on Sunday.
Two other players in Tuesday’s first leg are USMNT eligible and each started for their team at right-back. Tim Weah got the nod for Juventus, threatening the PSV defense with frequent crosses and capable dribbling up the flank. Weah made the game’s first real scoring threat in the opening minutes, forcing PSV goalkeeper Walter Benítez to parry the ball away.
Weston McKennie exclusive: ‘Everyone doubted me… but look at me now’
Weah also provided the first clear chance of the second half, eluding multiple PSV defenders as he dribbled through the attacking half and looped a cross to Mbangula that forced Benítez into a save. Weah took a speculative strike of his own a few minutes later, nestling an attempt between a couple of PSV defenders but hardly making Benítez work.
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His opposite number, Richy Ledezma, made his third start of PSV’s Champions League campaign, having also been in the lineup when these two sides kicked off their league phase against one another. Both teams prioritized operating down the opposite flank from Ledezma, leaving the once-capped United States international to put together a more nondescript shift.
Still, both men’s continued run-out at right-back could give Mauricio Pochettino alternatives to consider as the USMNT and PSV await the return of Sergiño Dest. The 24-year-old hasn’t played since tearing his ACL in April 2024, leaving the United States particularly thin in that position. Weah has customarily started for the USMNT at right wing, but he could be a timely alternative if Dest cannot play in March’s resumption of the Concacaf Nations League.
PSV was also without two of its other star Americans. Malik Tillman (ankle) and Ricardo Pepi (knee) are both out long-term, with the latter recently ruled out for the remainder of the season amid a scorching run of form.
(Top photo: Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
The spats, the scraps, the bedlam at Goodison Park: This is what we want to see, right?
By Tim Spiers Feb 13, 2025
Celebrate, but don’t celebrate too much. Enjoy the moment, but enjoy it in the way we tell you to.
The celebration police exist and they are coming for our game. They even have a name; Tony Scholes, the Premier League’s chief football officer, who last week reiterated the body’s stance on celebrations, which currently approves pretending to fire a gun into the crowd (Phil Foden) but condemns seagull impersonations (Iliman Ndiaye).Yep, no idea.To be fair, Scholes was helpful when he said: “I think we all like to see celebrations.” Good to clear that up.Essentially, he outlined that anything that “crosses over into mockery or criticism” would cause the league to “deal with it”, which sounded pretty ominous in a George Orwell kinda way.To Goodison Park yesterday, then, and Abdoulaye Doucoure sparking a melee (well, flicking a switch in Curtis Jones’ head) by celebrating Everton’s last-gasp equaliser against Liverpool in front of the away fans, shushing them and stuff.Doucoure was booked and sent off. So was Jones. So was Arne Slot, Liverpool’s head coach, and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff. And the whole spectacle was absolutely glorious.
The bedlam after the final whistle on Wednesday night (Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
In this correspondent’s home, a housemate came literally running with news of the ongoing feral scenes. He was wide-eyed and giddy, and he had no skin in that game whatsoever, being a fan of a lower-league club.
This is football. The whole point of the damn sport is that one team competes against another to win — and with that comes, well, competitiveness.
Throw in a local rivalry that dates back to the Victorian age, it being the final-ever Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, a stoppage-time equaliser for the home side and a ridiculously highly-charged atmosphere and, yes, you are going to get rowdy.
That’s why it was disappointing to see both players sent off: given the off-the-chart emotions at that precise moment, and the fact no punches were thrown (Jones pushed Doucoure in the back, then grabbed him by the shirt) or faces touched.
It was also a little perplexing to hear former Manchester United and England international Rio Ferdinand, on UK broadcaster TNT Sports’ coverage of the match, chastise some of what we all revelled in watching at home.
“You don’t want to see that,” Ferdinand said of Jones piling in, to which everyone collectively replied, “Yes, we do.”
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Ferdinand then regaled his colleagues and the audience at home with an anecdote of him doing exactly the same thing once when Manchester City’s Mario Balotelli celebrated in front of United supporters, before adding: “I can understand Curtis Jones there, you don’t want to see anyone creating a storm like that… but I understand his feelings.”
Understands it completely? Check. Doesn’t want to see it? Check.
Ferdinand was pitchside at Goodison Park last night (MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Ferdinand doubled down when joining fellow former pros Phil Jagielka and Steve McManaman and presenter Lynsey Hipgrave pitchside some 30 minutes after the end of the game, this time criticising Doucoure.
“I think going against the opposition fans, I don’t think it’s wrong,” he said. “The difference is, when it’s a local derby… you don’t like them (the opposition), I get that, but there’s a respect, almost, there and you know you’re lighting the touchpaper if you go over near them, and that’s what happened today.
“That’s where I think you draw the line. Other games you can do that, because it’s a bit of banter.”
A closer look at those full-time scenes at Goodison Park last night ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/vWWzNRURuK
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 13, 2025
McManaman echoed Ferdinand’s opinion, saying Doucoure should have celebrated in front of his own team’s fans instead of antagonising Liverpool’s. This was despite McManaman earlier appearing to fully endorse Doucoure’s actions as part of what was the perfect end to the final derby at Goodison.
“Wow, did it have passion, did it have fight, did it have energy,” McManaman said of the incredible climax. “The fact that there’s a number of sendings-off… people want to fight each other and people trying to antagonise the crowd… I think it was fitting that it’s ended like this — in absolute chaos.”
Absolute chaos was fitting? Check. But make sure you say later that Doucoure shouldn’t have antagonised the Liverpool fans? Check.
James Tarkowski’s stoppage-time equaliser sparks chaos (Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Look, pulling apart every sentence the TNT Sports panel said in their assessment of those full-time scenes is a futile exercise, but there is a wider point about broadcasters or law-makers having little sense of what fans do and don’t want from their sport (with an emphasis on the word their) — and what we should deem acceptable or not.
When the league (via their social-media channels) or the broadcasters encourage the madness and ramp up and revel in the intensity, it’s a bit rich to then go all Neil Warnock and expect players and fans to only enjoy it by being disciplined.
The last Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park had to end like this ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/FuYRTwV0GE
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 12, 2025
As an example, before the game, the Premier League itself posted a 23-minute video titled ‘Iconic Merseyside derby moments that get more and more intense!’ (that’s its exclamation mark, not ours). It was an enjoyable compilation of classic derby goals and dramatic winners, but also scuffles, scraps, yellow cards and red ones. Duncan Ferguson featured prominently.
And then after the match, TNT posted all the drama in full with a video titled ‘CRAZY FULL TIME SCENES at Goodison Park’ (its capital letters, not oursAt the time of writing, that video had 2.6million views. By way of comparison, the channel’s post-match interview with Everton manager David Moyes had garnered 71,000.So yes, people want to see the crazy. Whether Doucoure, Jones or anyone crossed a line or not, whether they deserved to be sent off or not, we want it to happen and we want to watch it when it does.
Everton’s final Goodison Park derby was wild – a fitting end that will go down in folklore
With the greatest respect, if broadcasters knew what viewers wanted to see, their coverage of football would be markedly different.
In other words, we would have watched the scenes of Everton fans celebrating on the pitch and lighting blue flares after James Tarkowski’s thundering equaliser instead of switching to the VAR feed for two minutes and 20 seconds just as commentator Darren ‘Fletch’ Fletcher ironically exclaimed: “Look at the scenes at Goodison Park!”
Yep, the final Merseyside derby goal ever scored at Goodison, and we weren’t allowed to watch the aftermath because running on the pitch is evil.
There would also be a wildly different roster of pundits, commentators and co-commentators. There is no need to name individuals, but there are certain personnel, especially at TNT Sports, who could be described as less popular than a large, greasy spot/pimple that appears on your nose just before a first date.
Goodison Park burns blue (Carl Recine/Getty Images)
“This place could be about to go bananas,” Ferdinand said before Tarkowski’s equaliser was confirmed by VAR. “Oh my gosh, listen to this place.”
Fletcher chimed in: “Listen to the roar! Unless you’re here right now, you can’t understand the sense of feeling here on all four sides.”
“The passion in this stadium is at absolute fever pitch,” co-commentator Ally McCoist added.
Oh, but hang on there, Abdoulaye. This situation is absolutely incredible but don’t shush the away fans! Oh, and Curtis, don’t push him in the back! Oh, this is absolutely scandalous.
Doesn’t quite tally, does it? Sadly, the urge and rush to condemn and take the moral high ground is just too strong for some to resist.
We hate it when footballers become robots and give bland, media-trained post-match interviews about taking each game as it comes. We hate it when a free-spirited street footballer such as Jack Grealish or Wayne Rooney is tamed.
So when it comes to celebrating a last-gasp derby draw, or being annoyed with a rival player, let’s just leave them to it and enjoy the CRAZY scenes.
(Top photo: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
The Ole BallCoach 