The Ole BallCoach

Gold Cup Schedule In July

International Champions Cup July Games in Nashville and Detroit

EPL

Winning FA Cup won’t Help Arsenal and Wenger ESPNFC

Arsenal need FA Cup win to Plaster over EPL disappointment – Andrew Mangan ESPNFC

Chelsea have Advantage over Arsenal in FA Cup – ESPNFC

Liverpool Must Respond to Man U’s glory in Europa League

Which Champions League Qualifier Had the Best Season

Conte vs Klopp – Who Wins Emotion on Touchline Trophy

Man U Has lots of Work Ahead – Marcotti – ESPNFC

USA

US U20s Beat Senegal 1-0 – look to advance with win or tie Sun 5 am

US Late Equalizer saves US vs Ecudor in U20 WC –US Soccer

Another rising U.S. teenage star: Meet 17-year-old Josh Sargent

US National Team Players Weekend Update – Pulisic helps Dortmund win, Bobby Wood avoids Relegation

Pulisic Weather’s Storm Adds to success in 1^st full season at Dortmund SI

The Coach who found Pulisic

WORLD

Juve + Madrid on Top –

Zidane guides Real to La Liga Title, Juve Win Title – Marcotti – ESPN FC

Copa Del Rey Final Saturday serves as Sendoff for Barca’s Manager Luis Enrique

Totti’s Awkward Farewell in Serie A for Roma

Argentina reach Agreement with Sevilla over Jorge Sampaoli Appointment as Argentina Coach

Chelsea eye domestic Double; Arsenal want record 13th FA Cup win

Chelsea will try to complete a domestic Double while Arsenal will attempt to win the FA Cup for a record 13th time when the two sides meet in the final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.The eventual top-flight champions have won the FA Cup on 11 occasions, with Chelsea the most recent club to do so in 2010. The last time a team failed to win the Double having reached the final was in 2007, when Chelsea defeated Premier League champions Manchester United.

If Chelsea were to win, they would capture the FA Cup for the eighth time. They have not lost in any of their last four finals, having also won in 2009 and 2012, with Arsenal the last team to beat them in the final in 2002.Regardless of the result on Saturday, the FA Cup will have been won by either Arsenal or Chelsea in seven of the last 11 years. Arsenal won in both 2014 and 2015, and another victory would give Arsene Wenger his seventh FA Cup, surpassing Aston Villa’s George Ramsay. Arsenal could claim a record 13th FA Cup title with a victory on Saturday.

Arsenal, who completed the Double in 2002, have not lost in the final since 2001 — a run of five successful appearances. They are playing in the final for the 20th time, with Chelsea making their 12th appearance.The only Chelsea player still with the club who participated in their last FA Cup final appearance in 2012 is defender John Terry, who will depart after 22 years this summer. Terry, who has won the FA Cup five times, could win his 16th major title with Chelsea should they win on Saturday.

Chelsea have a 62 percent of winning the FA Cup, according to FiveThirtyEight’s Soccer Power Index.

Theo Walcott, who has five goals for Arsenal, is the top-scoring player remaining in the competition. Pedro has scored four times for Chelsea in the FA Cup this season.The two sides each won their home Premier League fixtures, with Arsenal winning 3-0 on Sept. 24 and Chelsea claiming a 3-1 victory on Feb. 4. Chelsea have won eight of their last 13 meetings with Arsenal with only two losses — although one was the FA Community Shield at Wembley in 2015.

FA Cup final tale of the tape: Chelsea have the edge over Arsenal

For Chelsea, the chance to win a second Premier League and FA Cup double. For Arsenal, the chance to climb back above Manchester United and claim the trophy for the 13th time. Those are the barest facts of Saturday’s FA Cup final at Wembley.

The subplots get more complicated beyond that. Might this be Arsene Wenger’s final match in charge of Arsenal? Is this the last time Diego Costa leads the line for Chelsea? Similar might even be the case for Eden Hazard if Real Madrid can get their man.

All that could be answered in a match that is a rematch of the 2002 final, staged in Cardiff, when Arsenal were 2-0 victors. Only Wenger, and John Terry, for whom Wembley will definitely be his last day in the Chelsea sun, remain from that day. Here is a tale of the tape.

Goalkeeper

Petr Cech appears destined to face the club he spent 11 years serving with distinction, rather than David Ospina, who has usually played cup matches for Arsenal this season but did not play in the 2-1 semifinal victory over Manchester City. Cech won four FA Cups as a Chelsea player.

Thibaut Courtois will be in the opposing goal to former training partner Cech, whom he usurped during the 2014-15 season. Last year, as Chelsea faltered, there were some fans who yearned for his dependable predecessor as Courtois made some worrying flaps. This year, behind an admittedly excellent defence, he has returned to his previous form.

Edge: Chelsea

Defence

When Wenger made an April switch to a back three, he was accused of copying Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, but it has been a qualified success for Arsenal, helping them through that City semifinal and during a late-season run that took them to within a point of fourth place. The issue for Wenger is that he has barely three centre-backs to call on at Wembley. Laurent Koscielny’s senseless sending-off against Everton last week was followed by Gabriel ruining his knee. To persist with the formation, Per Mertesacker, whose season debut came in replacing Gabriel last week, may need to be employed. There will be a great deal of responsibility on Rob Holding. With Shkodran Mustafi recovering from concussion, Nacho Monreal may need to step inside from the left flank.

Conte has a clean bill of health in his defence with his trio of Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz and Gary Cahill set to line up. Terry can only expect to appear from the bench as a late, ceremonial sub at best, as Kurt Zouma is usual first reserve, and Nathan Ake is also more adaptable within that defensive trio. The wing-back play of Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso has been a key factor in Chelsea’s success and stopping them may be foremost in Wenger’s thoughts.

Edge: Chelsea

Midfield

Wenger had struggled for a midfield formula since Santi Cazorla was lost to injury in October but may have hit on one by accident during their late-season revival. That 3-4-2-1 formation suits the previously struggling Granit Xhaka far better in a deep-lying role and there have been recent glimpses of the same Aaron Ramsey who starred for Wales at Euro 2016. Their presence in the centre and with wing-backs pushed into midfield means Mesut Ozil is given licence to drift and does not have to track back.

N’Golo Kante is one of the many players Wenger claims he could have signed but chose not to. This season’s Footballer of the Year might just be the greatest miss on that lengthy list, since he has been the dominant player of two successive title wins, for Leicester and Chelsea, and could be the player that could answer Arsenal’s habitual lack of power and guile in big, crucial occasions. Alongside him, Nemanja Matic has been restored to the performance levels of two years ago. And, likely from the bench, Cesc Fabregas can hurt his former club with a passing quality that perhaps only Ozil in the English game is capable of emulating.

Edge: Chelsea

Attack

Once this game is finished, the transfer season is fully upon us, and Alexis Sanchez is being linked with a move to Chelsea, with just a year on his contract remaining. Saturday could be a busy day for body language experts. To play with Sanchez, Wenger has lately chosen the speed of Danny Welbeck over Olivier Giroud, preferring the greater pace the Englishman offers. Welbeck missed a couple of decent chances in last week’s 3-1 defeat of Everton but he also showed great composure in setting up the ball for Sanchez to score Arsenal’s second.

With a big move to China in the offing, this may well be the last chance to see Diego Costa run out for Chelsea. He has been a thorn in Arsenal’s side during his three seasons in English football, though he may also be their best route to victory. When he gets riled up and distracted, then Costa can be more help rather than hindrance. Behind him, sometimes beyond him, or wherever the mood takes him, Eden Hazard has been the best, most consistent attacker in England once more this year. Stopping him will be more difficult than putting Costa off his stride.

Edge: Chelsea

Manager

Arsene Wenger has a chance to go out on a high.

Last week, after months of batting questions away, Wenger opened up a little on what has been a harrowing season for him and Arsenal. “Yes, of course,” he replied when asked if questions over his future had been damaging. “You cannot say that the environment for the group of players was especially positive.” This week, he has been much more guarded, still refusing to publicly commit his future. Whether this is the last match of his Arsenal career or not, signing off such a difficult campaign with another FA Cup would be sweet for him.

For all Conte‘s dominance of Serie A with Juventus, where he won three titles, there is a significant absence in his medal collection. As a manager, he is yet to win a cup competition beyond the preseason Supercoppa Italia, failing to win a double of Coppa Italia to accompany that trio of championships. Were his team to win at Wembley, he would emulate Italian compatriot Carlo Ancelotti in winning Chelsea a Double, to cap off a season his team has dominated. And Conte’s own dominance is confirmed by the amount of managers copying his three-man defensive set-up this season. Including Wenger, of course.

Edge: Chelsea

Intangibles

Even with Chelsea going for a Double, a feat not completed since they last did it in 2010, most eyes will be on Wenger for signs that this may be his final bow. Having admitted his players have been affected, questions over their Wembley state of mind may be raised. And beyond Wenger himself, the contract situations of both Ozil and Sanchez also lie in abeyance. Arsenal are a club of uncertainties right now, as opposed to Chelsea, who have made an almost total recovery from the fallout that followed Jose Mourinho’s December 2015 departure.

First in the Premier League against fifth, after Arsenal finished 28 points behind, makes the champions favourite, especially in the light of that defensive injury crisis. For Arsenal to win would be no giant-killing but it would register as a significant shock.

Perhaps Chelsea’s greatest problem might be overconfidence but Conte, meticulous in preparation, clear-sighted in his vision, is unlikely to allow complacency to set in. Though it gave rise to the shift in formation that would swiftly alter the momentum of this season’s title race, he will well remember the lessons of losing 3-0 to Arsenal at the Emirates in September.Score prediction: Chelsea 3-1 Arsenal, with a flutter of late goals to seal the trophy.John Brewin is a staff writer for ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter @JohnBrewinESPN.

MNT REWIND: PULISIC HELPS BORUSSIA DORTMUND EARN UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PLACE

by Pulisic earns game-winning penalty kick, Wood helps Hamburg stay up, Cameron provides game-winning assist on final day of league seasons in Germany and England on May 21, 2017

League seasons across Europe ended this week, with a couple of Americans playing a role in helping their clubs to prime positions for next season.

Here’s how they performed:

In Germany, Christian Pulisic came off the bench at halftime and helped spark Borussia Dortmund’s 4-3 comeback win against Werder Bremen to clinch third and an automatic place in the UEFA Champions League. Pulisic played his part, earning the game-winning penalty kick which Bundesliga-leading scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sent home in the 89^th minute to earn all three points. Pulisic and Borussia Dortmund now turn their focus to Saturday’s DFB Pokal Final where they’ll take on Timmy Chandler and Eintracht Frankfurt. lsewhere, Bobby Wood went 90 minutes and helped Hamburg stay up in the Bundesliga thanks to a 2-1 win against Wolfsburg. The sides were tied 1-1 until substitute Gian-Luca Waldschmidt’s 88^th minute header gave HSV the goal they needed to remain in the German topflight next season. READ MORE: Five Things to Know About Bobby Wood

In England, Geoff Cameron collected his first assist of the campaign when his floated cross from the right picked out Peter Crouch at the back post for the game’s only goal in Stoke City’s 1-0 season-ending victory at Southampton.

A few other highlights:

Danny Williams and Reading are off to the English League Championship Playoff Final thanks to their 1-0 win against Tim Ream and Fulham at midweek. The Royals will face former U.S. international David Wagner and Huddersfield in the Final on May 29. Learn more about the English League Championship Promotion Playoffs.
Fabian Johnson started and went 74 minutes in Borussia Mönchengladbach’s 2-2 draw with Darmstadt. It was his second-straight appearance and first start since returning from a hamstring injury suffered back in March.
Nick Rimando extended his M.L.S. penalty kick save record to 23 when he denied Clint Dempsey’s attempt in Real Salt Lake’s 1-0 defeat to Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday.
Ethan Horvath ended the season with his fourth-straight appearance, helping Club Brugge to a 2-1 win vs. Gent and a second-place finish in the Belgian Jupiler League.
U.S. youth international Weston McKennie made his professional debut, entering Schalke’s 1-1 draw at Ingolstadt in the 77th minute. Fellow youth international Haji Wright also made the Schalke 18, but didn’t appear in the match.

Check out the full rundown of how MNT players performed for their clubs this past week:

Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas) – 88 minutes in 1-0 loss vs. San Jose Earthquakes (May 20)
Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC) – 90 minutes in 1-1 draw at New York Red Bulls (May 19)
Paul Arriola (Club Tijuana) – 90 minutes in 2-0 loss at Tigres UANL (May 17); Sunday, May 20 vs. Tigres UANL (9 p.m. ET – Azteca America)
DaMarcus Beasley (Houston Dynamo) – 90 minutes in 4-1 loss at Atlanta United FC (May 20)
Alejandro Bedoya (Philadelphia Union) – 90 minutes in 2-0 win vs. Houston Dynamo; 90 minutes in 2-1 win vs. Colorado Rapids (May 20)
Matt Besler (Sporting KC) – 90 minutes in 3-0 win vs. Seattle Sounders FC (May 17); 90 minutes in 2-0 loss at Vancouver Whitecaps FC (May 20)
David Bingham (San Jose Earthquakes) – 90 minutes in 1-1 draw vs. Orlando City SC; 90 minutes in 1-0 win at FC Dallas (May 20)
Steve Birnbaum (D.C. United) – 90 minutes in 1-0 loss vs. Chicago Fire (May 20)
Michael Bradley (Toronto FC) – 90 minutes in 1-1 draw at New York Red Bulls (May 19)
John Brooks (Hertha Berlin) – 45 minutes in 6-2 loss vs. Bayer Leverkusen (May 20)
Geoff Cameron (Stoke City) – 90 minutes, ASSIST in 1-0 win at Southampton (May 21)
Timmy Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt) – 90 minutes in 2-2 draw vs. RB Leipzig (May 20)
Joe Corona (Club Tijuana) – In 18, DNP in 2-0 loss at Tigres UANL (May 17); Sunday, May 20 vs. Tigres UANL (9 p.m. ET – Azteca America)
Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC) – 81 minutes in 1-0 win vs. Real Salt Lake (May 20)
Benny Feilhaber (Sporting KC) – 90 minutes, ASSIST in 3-0 win vs. Seattle Sounders FC (May 17); 34 substitute minutes in 2-0 loss at Vancouver Whitecaps FC (May 20)
Greg Garza (Atlanta United FC) – 90 minutes in 4-1 win vs. Houston Dynamo (May 20)
Lynden Gooch (Sunderland) – 13 substitute minutes in 2-0 loss at Arsenal (May 16); 28 substitute minutes in 5-1 loss at Chelsea (May 21)
Brad Guzan (Middlesbrough) – 90 minutes in 3-0 loss at Liverpool (May 21)
Bill Hamid (D.C. United) – 90 minutes in 1-0 loss vs. Chicago Fire (May 20)
Matt Hedges (FC Dallas) – 90 minutes in 1-0 loss vs. San Jose Earthquakes (May 20)
Ethan Horvath (Club Brugge) – 90 minutes in 2-1 loss at Oostende (May 18); 90 minutes in 2-1 win vs. Gent (May 21)
Tim Howard (Colorado Rapids) – 90 minutes in 3-0 loss at Chicago Fire (May 17); 90 minutes in 2-1 loss at Philadelphia Union (May 20)
Fabian Johnson (Borussia Mönchengladbach) – 74 minutes in 2-2 draw vs. Darmstadt (May 20)
Sacha Kljestan (New York Red Bulls) – 90 minutes, ASSIST in 1-1 draw vs. Toronto FC (May 19)
Dax McCarty (Chicago Fire) – 90 minutes in 3-0 win vs. Colorado Rapids (May 17); 90 minutes in 1-0 win at D.C. United (May 20)
Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC) – 77 minutes in 3-0 loss at Sporting KC (May 17); 90 minutes in 1-0 win vs. Real Salt Lake (May 20)
Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers) – 78 minutes in 4-1 loss at Montreal Impact (May 20)
Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund) – 45 substitute minutes in 4-3 win vs. Werder Bremen (May 20)
Tim Ream (Fulham) – 90 minutes in 1-0 loss at Reading (May 16)
Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake) – 90 minutes in 2-1 win vs. New York City FC (May 17); 90 minutes, PK SAVE in 1-0 loss at Seattle Sounders FC (May 20)
Luis Robles (New York Red Bulls) – 90 minutes in 1-1 draw vs. Toronto FC (May 19)
Danny Williams (Reading) – 90 minutes in 1-0 win vs. Fulham (May 16)
Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes) – 90 minutes, GOAL in 1-1 draw vs. Orlando City SC (May 17); 90 minutes in 1-0 win at FC Dallas (May 20)
Bobby Wood (Hamburg) – 90 minutes in 2-1 win vs. Wolfsburg (May 20)
Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy) – 90 minutes in 2-1 win at Minnesota United FC (May 20)
Walker Zimmerman (FC Dallas) – 90 minutes in 1-0 loss vs. San Jose Earthquakes (May 20)
Graham Zusi (Sporting KC) – 90 minutes, ASSIST in 3-0 win vs. Seattle Sounders FC (May 17); 90 minutes in 2-0 loss at Vancouver Whitecaps FC (May 20)

U.S. star Christian Pulisic: American soccer has ‘so much potential’

United States international Christian Pulisic believes the future is bright for American soccer.Borussia Dortmund winger Pulisic, 18, told The Guardian he is encouraged by the sport’s progress in his nation, who reached the round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup but face a fight to qualify for 2018, and is predicting that Bruce Arena’s side will be a force in years to come.”It’s been big flaw of ours in the soccer department that a lot of our best athletes go and play other sports,” he said. “But I think young players have seen me, and others, go over to Europe and play in some of the best leagues — and MLS is improving so much too.”There’s so much potential and I think it’s changing: we’ve had some bigger athletes in the past but I don’t think that defines us anymore.”We’re going to keep moving forward, developing young players and we’re going to have a really good shot in the next few years.”Pulisic has continued to impress for Dortmund in 2016-17, scoring three Bundesliga goals and recording six assists.He now shares an apartment with his cousin Will, a 19-year-old goalkeeper who joined Dortmund last year, and said the pair enjoy throwing a gridiron football around “just to still feel American” during their downtime.Asked about a possible return to MLS in the future, Pulisic said: “I’d never put that out of the question.”Playing in your home country would be special; obviously I don’t have any immediate plans to do that but it’s always an option. You see so many people at the games now and it’s exciting; we have a really strong soccer league we can build on.”Follow

Christian Pulisic weathers storms, adds to success in first full Dortmund season

QUICKLYFighting for his place, scoring big goals, confronting terror: Christian Pulisic’s first full season as a first-teamer at Borussia Dortmund featured a little bit of everything.SHAREBRIAN STRAUSFriday May 26th, 2017

For so many of soccer’s best players and biggest clubs, success is measured by silverware. They play to win (or in some cases, to finish fourth). Borussia Dortmund is a big club. It’s a former world and European champion that draws the sport’s largest average crowds to its colorful, boisterous Westfalenstadion. BVB is soccer’s 11th richest team according to the Deloitte Money League, and it’s the seventh strongest in Europe, according to UEFA.And on Saturday, it may win its first major trophy in five years.That’s the price to pay for being just the second biggest club in Germany, where Bayern Munich reigns so supreme. Recently, Dortmund has been forced to settle for being the highest hurdle between its Bavarian rival and the trophies they covet. Since winning the German league and cup double in 2012, BVB has finished second to Bayern three times in Bundesliga play, three times in the DFB Pokal and once in the Champions League.Iconic manager Jürgen Klopp left for Liverpool in 2015, and he then was followed out the BVB door by players like Mats Hummels, Ilkay Gündogan and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. When confronting a behemoth like Bayern, the departure of such influential personalities and then a challenging 2016-17 season—which has featured a slew of injuries, a potential falling-out between coach Thomas Tuchel and club administrators and the stunning April bombing of the team bus—the definition of success inevitably evolves. Beating Eintracht Frankfurt in Saturday’s DFB Pokal final in Berlin would have been mandatory just a couple seasons ago. Now, it likely would feel like a relief.”We had many injury problems and there were lots of issues. But it was always fun, even in the difficult times,” Tuchel told reporters following BVB’s Bundesliga finale. “Now we want to crown the season [in Berlin].” Among the highlights of Dortmund’s 2016-17 campaign has been the play of American attacker Christian Pulisic. He’s the rare U.S. teenager whose performance matches the hype, and his ability to shrug off pressure and scrutiny as if they’re just additional bewildered defenders has impressed on both sides of the Atlantic. Although he’s still only 18, Pulisic has been in Dortmund for over two years. He’s grown comfortable, he speaks the language and the club has invested in his success.Although BVB acquired German World Cup heroes Mario Götze and André Schürrle last summer—as well as French forward Ousmane Dembélé, Turkish rising star Emre Mor, German center midfielder Sebastian Rode and others—Pulisic has continued to play well and force his way onto the field. And he’s done this while handling transfer rumors (he reportedly was targeted by Klopp’s new club, Liverpool, last summer) and his increasingly vital role with the U.S. national team—these are the trappings of life as a top-notch player.“I’m very satisfied,” Pulisic told BVB TV when asked to reflect on his season. “We added a lot of new players and I didn’t know if I’d get to play that much. But I worked very hard every day in practice, and I think the coach saw that.”Said Tuchel: “What makes him special is the fact he never quits. He always delivers even, or especially, when the pressure is on.” Pulisic’s obvious poise has been matched by his statistics. He started frequently, but when coming off the bench he had the composure, confidence and maturity to assert himself and find ways to impact a match. He typically played on the right flank but had occasions when he shifted inside or to the left. In his 42 competitive appearances, Pulisic tallied five goals and 12 assists. He appeared in each of BVB’s 10 Champions League contests, starting six, and helped his club top a group that included finalist Real Madrid and Portuguese power Sporting CP. At the Bernabeu, he came off the bench and played a role in a late equalizer. It was his goal against Benfica in the round of 16 that put Dortmund in position to reach the quarterfinals.There have been American born-and-bred players who scored more goals during a European season. Jozy Altidore set the record at AZ Alkmaar. There were U.S. field players who featured more prominently for their teams, like Clint Dempsey and Brian McBride at Fulham or Steve Cherundolo at Hannover 96. Maurice Edu (Rangers) and Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht) won league titles. Michael Bradley excelled at Borussia Mönchengladbach and Chievo Verona and earned a transfer to Roma. DaMarcus Beasley played in the Champions League semis with PSV Eindhoven.• Another rising U.S. teenage star: Meet 17-year-old Josh Sargent

But Pulisic has accomplished something none of them managed, and he’s done so at 18. He is an integral, contributing member of a Champions League club from one of Europe’s top three circuits (La Liga, the Bundesliga and the Premier League). He’s weathered the various storms, found the extra gear needed to help the U.S. through its qualifying difficulties and even though he hasn’t started for Tuchel this month, he remains focused and effective. In last weekend’s league finale against Werder Bremen, for example, Pulisic drew the 89th-minute penalty kick that lifted BVB to a 4-3 win, third place and an automatic spot in the group stage of next season’s Champions League.“It’s been a crazy ride with Dortmund,” Pulisic told BVB TV. “I miss my family every day. My mom, my dad, my whole family. It’s very hard. It’s a new step for me and it’s difficult, but I feel very comfortable in Dortmund.”hat, by itself, represents a victory. His intangibles match the tangible. That can be as rare among young players abroad as the electrifying technical skill Pulisic posses

“The game is easy for him. He’s got exceptional skill, vision—he’s pretty smooth,” U.S. coach Bruce Arena said a couple months ago.It may look easy, but what Pulisic has accomplished this season has been anything but. It’s been a noteworthy success. And that will be the case regardless of whether he starts or comes off the bench Saturday against Eintracht Frankfurt and regardless of whether he leaves the Olympiastadion with a gold or silver medal. Big players and big clubs are defined by their honors—usually. Sometimes, circumstances require an adjusted metric. That’s been the case for Dortmund in recent years and this season, it’s the case for Pulisic.He can “crown” his memorable season, to use Tuchel’s terminology, by contributing to a cup final triumph. But there’s no risk of failure. Considering the rarity of his accomplishments, his age and the bright lights under which he’s been playing, Pulisic already has had a winning season.

Who had the better season: Liverpool or Man City? Spurs or Man United?

They’ve all qualified for the Champions League but in contrasting ways. Tottenham, Liverpool, Manchester City or Manchester United: Who had the better season?Each side’s fans will have a case for why their team enjoyed the best 2016-17 behind Chelsea. Tottenham finished second, while Manchester United finished sixth and won two trophies. Elsewhere, Liverpool and Manchester City finished in the top four. We have pitted Tottenham and Manchester United together to settle the age old debate about finishing in the top four vs. finishing outside but winning silverware. In the other battle, neither side won anything — it’s down to you to choose who performed better out of Liverpool and Manchester City.

Tottenham or Manchester United?

Dan Kilpatrick, Tottenham correspondent: Taking the season in isolation, United were the more successful, but remember the words of Bill Nicholson: “It is better to fail aiming high than to succeed aiming low.”Spurs are in no position to scorn silverware but while Jose Mourinho targeted the low-hanging fruit of the League Cup and Europa League, those competitions ranked fourth and third, respectively, in Pochettino’s priorities. Tottenham aimed for the league title.Mourinho’s pragmatism paid off but he finished the season a place lower than his predecessor and kissing a trophy he had previously derided; United fans were entitled to expect more from the most expensively assembled squad in history.Spurs, by contrast, reached new heights in the Premier League, playing scintillating football (light years ahead of United’s best) and they were only denied the title and an FA Cup final by a record-breaking and ruthless Chelsea team.Their season, while trophyless, was far more enjoyable than United’s and, given the two clubs’ resources and the preseason expectation, it was more impressive, too.Rob Dawson, Manchester United correspondent: Tottenham finished comfortably ahead of United in the league, but Mourinho and executive vice chairman Ed Woodward will feel they have had the better season.United are in the business of winning trophies, and they have won two this season — three if, like Mourinho, you count the Community Shield. United wanted to be back in the Champions League, that much is clear. But if at the start of the season you had offered Woodward and Mourinho second place in the league and no trophy, like Tottenham, they would not have taken it.In fact, both would have accepted finishing 10th — maybe even lower — if it meant winning two trophies. That’s how much winning silverware matters at Old Trafford. The Europa League is also a competition United have never won, which adds to its importance. Tottenham might have had a good season by their standards, but United have had a better one. You will not be able to convince Mourinho and Woodward otherwise.

Liverpool or Manchester City?

Glenn Price, Liverpool correspondent: After finishing fourth, you have to consider Liverpool’s season a success, while conceding City have been a little underwhelming, even if they did finish one spot above Jurgen Klopp’s side.Indeed, Champions League qualification would have appeared to be the bare minimum when Liverpool were making an unlikely push for the Premier League title, but a top four finish certainty represents progress under Klopp. Liverpool were able to finish fourth in a competitive league, despite rivals having deeper pockets and squad depth.Injuries and absences to key players consistently plagued Liverpool’s season, but they still pushed City right until the final day for third place. Klopp considered City to be “the most difficult team to play” this season, so he could also consider it a small feat to have been unbeaten against Pep Guardiola’s team this term — beating them 1-0 on New Year’s Eve before playing out an entertaining draw in March.Jonathan Smith, Manchester City correspondent: In the simplest of terms, Manchester City had the better season by finishing one place above Liverpool in the Premier League.But it’s also worth remembering that it was also done while City had a busy European schedule — playing nine more games throughout the season. While City were facing the likes of Barcelona and Monaco in the Champions League, Liverpool had a free week to prepare for each Premier League fixture. Next season, both sides will be in the same boat.There’s some disappointment that Guardiola failed to maintain an expected title challenge, but there is optimism at the emergence of exciting young attacking talents Leroy Sane, Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling. But City are still getting to terms with the Catalan’s tactics, although the fact they dominated possession in every game shows they are close to maximising his philosophy.Where Liverpool have the edge was their ability to win the big games. Guardiola’s biggest task is to turn around a poor record against their rivals while Klopp would appear to have a simpler mission of making his side capable of regularly beating teams in the lower half of the table.Follow @ESPNFC on Twitter to keep up with the latest football updates.

Juve, Madrid on top before Champions League final; Man United a new entry

The top two each wrapped a league title last weekend, Next stop Cardiff, via Shaka Hislop’s latest Power Rankings!

Juventus(no change)

A 3-0 win against Crotone confirmed what, in truth, most of us have expected all season: Juventus are champions of Italy for the sixth straight game. With two parts of a treble complete, only Real Madrid stand between Max Allegri’s men and footballing immortality.

Real Madrid(no change)

With Barcelona poised to take advantage of any slip, Madrid knew they had to start well at Malaga. Cometh the hour, cometh Cristiano Ronaldo, whose second-minute goal set up what would be a comfortable victory that clinched the club’s 33rd Spanish league title.

Chelsea(no change)

Having wrapped up the Premier League with two games to spare, Chelsea played with freedom in the last week of the season, scoring a total of nine goals in home wins vs. Watford and Sunderland. Saturday’s FA Cup final vs. Arsenal offers the chance of a double.

Bayern Munich(+1)

Last weekend featured several goodbyes and Bayern lost two modern-day greats, as Philipp Lahm and Xabi Alonso played their final games before retirement. Both will be difficult to replace in what could be an off-season of much change for the German champions.

Monaco(+1)

Monaco’s championship was the club’s eighth overall and the first since 1999-2000.

After four straight Ligue 1 titles, Paris Saint-Germain were expected to coast to another championship, but they didn’t reckon upon Monaco’s remarkable rise. Leonardo Jardim’s young side, who finished the season with a win at Rennes, were simply superb.

Barcelona(-2)

Luis Enrique’s final Liga game in charge did not end with a title triumph and, as away side Eibar took a 2-0 lead, it looked as though it would end in defeat. But then Lionel Messi took over to ispire a comeback win and set up Barca for the Copa del Rey final vs. Alaves.

Roma(no change)

Serie A still has one round of games remaining, which means Roma can’t yet relax. But a fourth straight win — this time at home against Genoa in Francesco Totti’s farewell — will seal second place and guarantee a place in the group stage of the Champions League.

Atletico Madrid(no change)

Ten wins in their final 13 league games saw Atletico claim third place at the end of a season that, perhaps, saw them slightly underperform, especially when compared to recent campaigns. Koke has signed a new deal, but will Antoine Griezmann be there next season?

Manchester United(new)

It hasn’t been pretty but Jose Mourinho achieved his main objective: Champions League qualification. Sixth in the league was disappointing but surely, at the start of the season, United fans would have taken two major trophies and a return to club football’s biggest competition.

Feyenoord(no change)

The Dutch champions are no doubt enjoying their holidays, while still basking in the glory of their first Eredivisie title since 1999. You wonder whether their success will attract bigger clubs toward their best players and there is also a Dirk Kuyt-sized hole that they must fill.

Dropping out: Benfica.

5/18/17 Final Game as Head Coach for the Ole Ballcoach, U-20 World Cup, Discount Tix for Indy 11 at Home Sat, World Leagues Wrap-up Season’s, Full TV Schedule

May 19, 2017May 19, 2017 gatorbest

So I put on the Head coaches shirt, hat and the ole orange and blue coaching shoes for the last time this past weekend as my son Tyler’s Carmel FC U18 boys wrapped up their season this past Sunday – Mother’s Day at Shelbourne Fields. I have been blessed to have coached 6 years of my daughter’s travel teams and 7 years of my son’s travel teams over the past 11 years (not sure how many season’s that is with Fall, Indoor and Spring + All but 2 of their rec teams since 2000) but it sure has been a blast. I have included photos below of my last team, along with pictures of the first ever group of U11 boys to start playing for Carmel FC back in 2008 who played their entire careers for us and the boys we still have from the First team to win a Challenge Cup Final for Carmel FC – the U14 boys under head coaches Tom and Carla Baker. Don’t worry I plan to still be around to help coach up the club’s Goalkeepers and cheer on Carmel FC as I continue to ref on the weekends so I will see you on the fields.

CFCU19B_U11s — First Carmel FC U11 boys who played entire career for CFC until U18. Jake Madden, Tyler Best, Coach Best, Noah Swanson, Asst Coach Todd Beck

CFC_U18B_u11all — First CFC U11 Boys still playing at U18. Front Max Toubin, Mason Hester (Back) Jake Madden, Alesandro Theilmann., Tyler Best, Coach Shane Best, Noah Swanson, Asst Coach Todd Beck.

CFC_U18Bchamps — U18 boys who played on CFC’s first Challenge Cup Winning Team as U14 Boys on Coach Tom and Carla Baker’s team. (Bottom) Noah Swanson, Mason Hester (top L-R) PJ Grocki, Jake Madden, Nick Bartling, Cory Chitwood.

The U-20 World Cup starts this weekend from Korea on Fox Sports 1 and 2 with the US and coach Tab Ramos looking to win their group and advance to the Final 16. (see full Previews below under US – sure would be nice to see the likes of Julian Green and Christian Pulisic on this squad – oh well. Still with Carter-Vickers of Totennham, Zelalem of Arsenal, and winger Brooks Lennon of Liverpool this should be worth watching). The US plays all their games on Fox Sports 1 at 4 am on Monday, Thurs at 7 am and Sunday at 5 am. (see in full TV Schedule below)

The Top World Leagues wrap up their regular season’s this weekend and while most have declared Champions – the EPL (Chelsea), German Bundesliga (Bayern Munich), French Ligue 1 (Monaco), and Italy Serie A (Juve) races to see who claims Champions League (top 3/4) or Europa League slots and relegation (bottom 3) in some leagues are still up in the air. Of course the Spanish La Liga comes down to the last day for Real Madrid (3 pts ahead) of Barcelona. Both games on TV on Sunday on beIN Sport at 2 pm. The EPL features 10 games across the NBC family of channels on Sunday at 10 AM with Arsenal hosting Everton on NBC, and Liverpool hosting Middlesborough on NBCSN + 8 other games. If Liverpool wins they get the 4^th and final Champ League automatic spot, if they lose or tie and Arsenal wins they get it. The gunners have finished top 4 for 25 years – while Liverpool looks to return to Champions League play under new coach Juergan Klopp. Germany’s Final day is Sat with 4 games on TV including a relegation battle at 9:30 am on Fox Sport 1 between US Bobby Woods and Hamburg vs Wolfsburg- the loser moves down. Champions Bayern Munich will host Frieburg who needs a win to stay in contention for a Europa League spot at 9:30 am on Fox.

The Indy 11 will host Miami at home this Saturday at 7:30 pm on MyIndyTV – join the 11 for Indy Car Night at the Mike and us this link for discount tickets. Indy 11 Discount Ticket Link. Oh and good luck to all those State Cup and President’s Cup teams playing this weekend.

Carmel Dad’s Offers co-ed Alumni/College age soccer in June/July on Tues Nights.

Also this reminder to All Seniors this year and current folks in College –gather a team or sign up as an individual just $95. Please click here for the registration form Register – May 10- June 1 Commissioner: Alex Scott scottaf2@gmail.com

Its almost Summer – Time to plan your Soccer Camps

Post2Post Soccer Camps

Cost: $195 per camper Location: Badger Fields Goalkeeper Camp: May 30 – June 2, 2017 Field Player Camp: July 24 – 27, 2017

Indy 11 Youth Soccer Camp at Carmel Dad’s Club

June 19-22 9 to 12 noon (ages 5-14) $135

Carmel High School Soccer Camps – July 17-20

CFC_U18Boys — Coach Shane Best’s Final Travel Squad Carmel FC U 18 Boys.

GAMES ON TV

Sat, May 19

FIFA U-20 World Cup

1:00am Venezuela U20 vs Germany U20 Fox Sports 1

3:30am Argentina U20 vs England U20 Fox Sports 1

4:00am Vanuatu U20 vs Mexico U20 Fox Sports 2

7:00am Korea Republic U20 vs Guinea U20 Fox Sports 1

9:30 am Fox Sport2 Whip-Around Coverage Final Day of German Bundesliga

9:30 am FOX Bayern Munich vs Freiburg

9:30 am Fox soccer+ Dortmund vs Werder Bremen (US Pulisic)

9:30 am Fox Sports1 Hamburg vs Wolfsburg (US Bobby Wood – Relegation Battle)

7:30 pm Myindy TV Indy 11 vs Miami

Sun, May 20

FIFA U-20 World Cup

1:00am Zambia U20 vs Portugal U20 Fox Sports 1

4:00am Iran U20 vs Costa Rica U20 Fox Sports 2

4:00am South Africa U20 vs Japan U20 Fox Sports 1

7:00a Italy U20 vs Uruguay U20 Fox Sports 1

10 am EPL FINAL DAY ACROSS 10 NBC STATIONS –battle for 4^th Place Champions League Spot

10:00 a.m., NBC      Arsenal vs. Everton
10:00 a.m., NBCSN: Liverpool vs. Middlesbrough
10:00 a.m., USA     Watford vs. Manchester City
10:00 a.m., CNBC:                 Manchester United vs. Crystal Palace
10:00 a.m., MSNBC: Hull City vs. Tottenham Hotspur
10:00 a.m., Bravo:                 Leicester City vs. Bournemouth
10:00 a.m., Oxygen: Burnley vs. West Ham United
10:00 a.m., E!:        Southampton vs. Stoke City
10:00 a.m., Syfy:    Chelsea vs. Sunderland
10:00 a.m., Esquire: Swansea City vs. West Bromwich Albion

2 pm beIN Sport Barcelona vs Eibar – (Final day of La Liga)

4 pm ESPN Minn. United vs LA Galaxy

7 pm Fox sport 1 Orlando City vs NYC FC

Monday, May 22

FIFA U-20 World Cup

4:00am Ecuador U20 vs USA U20 Fox Sports 1,

4:00am France U20 vs Honduras U20 FS 2

7:00am Saudi Arabia U20 vs Senegal U20 Fox Sports 1,

7:00am Vietnam U20 vs New Zealand U20 FS2

Tuesday, May 23

FIFA U-20 World Cup

4:00am England U20 vs Guinea U20 FS1

4:00am Venezuela U20 vs Vanuatu U20 FS2

6:00am Mexico U-0 vs Germany U-0

7:00am Korea Republic U20 vs Argentina U20

7:00am Mexico U20 vs Germany U20 FS1

Wed, May 24

FIFA U-20 World Cup

4:00am Zambia U20 vs Iran U20 FS2

4:00am South Africa U20 vs Italy U20 FS1

7:00am Costa Rica U20 vs Portugal U20 FS2

7:00am Uruguay U20 vs Japan U20 FS1

2:45 pm Fox Sports 1 Ajax vs Man United – UEFA Cup Final

Thurs May 25th FIFA U-20 World Cup

4:00am Ecuador U20 vs Saudi Arabia U20

4:00am France U20 vs Vietnam U20 Fox Sports 1,

7:00am New Zealand U20 vs Honduras U20

7:00am Senegal U20 vs USA U20 Fox Sports 1,

Sat, May 27

12:30 pm Fox Arsenal vs. Chelsea (FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium)

2 pm ESPN3 Dortmund vs Frankfurt (German Cup Final) (US Pulisic vs Timmy Chandler)

2:30 pm FOX Seattle vs Portland

9 pm myIndyTV Edmonton FC vs Indy 11

Sun, May 28

FIFA U-20 World Cup

2:00am New Zealand U20 vs France U20 Fox Sport1

2:00am Honduras U20 vs Vietnam U20 Fox Sport 2

5:00am Senegal U20 vs Ecuador U20 Fox Sport 2

5:00am USA U20 vs Saudi Arabia U20 Fox Sport 1

May 30-June 1 Tues/Wed/Thurs

FIFA U-20 World Cup Round of 16 Games 4 am and 7 am

Sat, June 3

2:30 pm FOX Juventus vs Real Madrid Champions League Final

U20 – WORLD CUP Schedule on Fox

Gold Cup Schedule In July

International Champions Cup July Games in Nashville and Detroit

USA

U-20 World Cup Preview – US games start Sat.

US Coach Tab Ramos Previews US Chances

Full U20 Coverage on US Socccer

FIFA U-20 World Cup on Fox Sports – Early AM games –

https://www.mlssoccer.com/meta/competition/u20-world-cup/standings

Road ahead for USA = Armchair Analyst Matt Doyle – MLS.com

Mexico Names Roster for US Game in June

Champions League

Champions League Final is a Toss Up – Grant Wahl video SI

http://www.espnfc.us/real-madrid/story/3123680/sergio-ramos-sparks-will-fly-when-real-madrid-play-juventus-in-ucl-final

http://www.espnfc.us/uefa-champions-league/2/blog/post/3123681/juventus-vs-madrid-ronaldo-bale-and-buffon-the-key-storylines-in-ucl-final

http://www.espnfc.us/uefa-champions-league/2/blog/post/3123660/cristiano-ronaldo-and-gianluigi-buffon-star-in-champions-league-team-of-the-semifinals

WORLD

Relegation and Promotion Across the World Leagues

Power Rankings top Teams in World

Phillip Lahm – Germany & Bayern Defender Retires

Pique in Wife Shakira’s new Video

MLS

Toronto FCs Current Win Streak Impressive – Matt Doyle – Armchair Analyst MLS.com

MLS Save of the Week

Kaka’s Passion still strong in Orlando

Carmel’s Matt Hedges Injured in Head Collision in Dallas

Indy 11

Indy 11 Lose in 1^st round of US Open Cup to PDL Side

3 things Indy loss to Miami

IMS Night – May 20

Earn your Degree While You Watch Your Kids Soccer Practice – ½ the time and cost of Traditional Schools

Parchman: Your 2017 FIFA Under-20 World Cup tournament preview

May 16, 20175:04PM EDTWill Parchman

The biggest youth soccer tournament in the world is nearly here.Whatever the reputation of other youth tournaments, the reality is the FIFA Under-20 World Cup remains the standard for major youth tourneys the world over. It’s the uppermost rung on the youth-only FIFA tournament ladder, and considering the Olympics is open to overage players, it still retains its sheen of pure development. It’s also an enormously important scouting device for dozens of players from under-scouted countries.And for the first time, the US U-20 team is going as continental champs.The tournament officially kicks off in South Korea on May 20 with a match between Venezuela and Germany, and the US opens with Ecuador two days later. Fresh off a brisk run to the quarterfinals in 2015, Under-20 coach Tab Ramos and his charges have even loftier ambitions this time around. The question is whether they can reach them.Here’s a deeper look into what to expect in South Korea over the next few weeks.

MLS players at the Under-20 World Cup

Across the breadth of the tournament’s 24 teams, 15 players are either signed by MLS sides or are currently Homegrown eligible. Unsurprisingly, almost all of those are ensconced on the American roster, 12 to be precise. Within that subset, seven are currently on Homegrown contracts, the largest percentage of any American Under-20 World Cup team in history.

Here’s the full list of MLS-connected players on Ramos’ 21-player World Cup roster.

Goalkeepers: J.T. Marcinkowski (Georgetown University/San Jose Earthquakes)

Defenders: Danny Acosta (RSL), Aaron Herrera (University of New Mexico/RSL), Justen Glad (RSL), Erik Palmer-Brown (SKC), Tommy Redding (Orlando City)

Midfielders: Eryk Williamson (University of Maryland/D.C. United), Tyler Adams (New York Red Bulls), Derrick Jones (Philadelphia Union)

Forwards: Jeremy Ebobisse (Portland Timbers), Brooks Lennon (Liverpool/RSL), Lagos Kunga (Atlanta United), Sebastian Saucedo (RSL)

But that’s not all. Two MLS-connected outliers currently on loan aren’t currently with the US in South Korea. And both could have outsized roles to play.

Yangel Herrera, NYCFC (Venezuela)

Herrera’s contract is currently owned by Manchester City, but the talented Venezuelan holding midfielder secured a loan to NYCFC before the 2017 season. The timing of the tournament was somewhat awkward for Herrera, considering he was just rounding into form with the NYCFC first team as he left for Venezuelan U-20 camp. That’s obviously good news for Venezuela, which welcomes a rampaging central midfielder who displaced the mighty Andrea Pirlo in a starting lineup earlier this season. Herrera is all-action, and the fact that he was given Venezuela’s No. 8 jersey for the U-20 World Cup is an adequate reflection of his likely role in South Korea.

Douglas Martinez, New York Red Bulls II (Honduras)

Like Herrera, Martinez was secured on loan earlier this year by the Red Bulls’ USL team after an impressive trial late last year. Martinez’s loan from Honduran club C.D.S. Vida was just announced on April 26, but he made quite the impression in his first match. On May 6, he entered for his debut against the Harrisburg City Islanders with 15 minutes left and scored his first USL goal shortly thereafter. Martinez was a regular starter in qualifying and scored the ultimate match-winner in a 4-1 victory against Antigua and Barbuda. Expect to see him start the tournament as one of Honduras’s primary scoring threats.

3 US names to know

Erik Palmer-Brown, Sporting KC

When Palmer-Brown was announced as a midfielder for the CONCACAF qualifying tournament, you could almost see the eyebrows raise in chorus across the country. Palmer-Brown played there sparingly this cycle, but most allow he’s best at his natural position at center back. Ramos admitted as much in his pre-tournament press conference, and he also said he plans to move Palmer-Brown back to center back for South Korea. But the SKC man, who’s still trying to break in with the first team, proved his mettle at the No. 6 in qualifying, and his distribution obviously benefitted by tourney’s end. Palmer-Brown, who wore the captain’s band in qualifying, remains the team’s important emotional anchor.

Tyler Adams, New York Red Bulls

You could be excused for failing to realize Adams is one of the three youngest players on this roster. He certainly doesn’t play like it. Adams was arguably the US’s most critical player in qualifying, covering scads of ground and relentlessly pursuing possession like a computer-guided missile. Adams fits Ramos’ frenetic high press system better than perhaps any midfielder on the roster, and Ramos spoke almost lovingly of Adams’ progression during this cycle in his pre-tournament press conference. Adams has gradually morphed from a sitting No. 6 under Ramos into more of a box-to-box midfielder, and his constant pressing makes the US a continual threat on quick-hitter attacks. He’ll be an American keystone on both ends of the field in South Korea.

Josh Sargent

If there was any rippling shockwave when Ramos dropped his 21-man World Cup roster, Sargent’s name was at the head of the list. Just a week earlier, Sargent polished a nearly three-week adventure at the U-17 CONCACAF Championship, where he wore the captain’s armband and led the US with five goals in six games. Sargent, arguably the most talented forward in the USYNT system at the moment, was then fast-tracked to the U-20 World Cup just weeks later.

What will the XI look like?

Injuries make guessing at Ramos’ XI for Ecuador on May 22 decidedly more difficult. Justen Glad was a first choice center back in qualifying, but he picked up an injury at the tournament and hasn’t played since. Tottenham center back Cameron Carter-Vickers is also nursing an injury, and Ramos was unsure of whether he’d be 100 percent for the opener.Even still, I think we can take a paw at Ramos’ preferred XI for the opener. At least this is what I’d go with.

The newsiest thing here is Sargent starting at the 9. I’m for it, even if Ramos probably won’t be. The US was poor in chance conversion in qualifying, and preferred No. 1 striker Jeremy Ebobisse didn’t score once despite a cavalcade of chances. Sargent, meanwhile, is bouncing off an incredible run of form in U-17 qualifying, and while going with one of the forwards who was here in qualifying is the safe option – Ebobisse or Emmanuel Sabbi most likely – Sargent is the best player of the three.Elsewhere I think the roster more or less picks itself. Luca de la Torre has been playing on the left to good effect for his Fulham youth side, and Brooks Lennon earned his spot in qualifying. The logjam at center back is unfortunate, but Carter-Vickers has to start if healthy, and Palmer-Brown at the No. 6 against World Cup competition might not go so well. Putting the much more spatially assured Derrick Jones there is a considerably better option.There isn’t a No. 10 here, but with Ramos’ preferred style that doesn’t much matter. Gedion Zelalem will almost certainly start and provide the possession metronome in the middle while Adams and Jones press for quick turnovers to lead attacking stabs.

What should the US expect?

This is not Ramos’ entire first choice roster. He was denied the opportunity to call in four European-based Americans, three of whom have been starting for Schalke’s winning Under-19 side. They’d almost assuredly be better across the board with their services, but this is still a quality side that should at the very least expect to get out of its group. Ecuador is the obvious difficulty, and they’ll get that one out of the way off the bat. The Ecuadoreans hosted the South American qualifying tournament and pulled in second, a run that included a smashing 3-0 win over Argentina. Ecuador is clearly good, and most consider them the favorites for the group, but the fact that they hosted qualifying perhaps obscures just how good on a neutral field. The US should be easily competitive, if nothing else.Saudi Arabia and Senegal are more of a mixed bag. Senegal has been good enough to reach successive AFCON U-20 finals and certainly good enough to beat the US on their day. In March, this Senegalese crew reached the AFCON final before falling to Zambia 2-0. The Saudi Arabians certainly look like the weak link of the four, but they opened some eyes in qualifying by dropping South Korea, which played in the AFC tournament but didn’t need to qualify, 2-1 in the group phase. They came within a breath of winning the whole tournament after knockout wins over Iraq and Iran (the latter in a 6-5 barnburner), and ultimately lost to Japan in penalties in the finale. Which means all three opponents reached their federation’s qualifying final.Each of these three matches provide some level of undercover difficulty for the Americans, but this is a winnable group all things considered. The base expectation, once again, should include progressing out of the group for just the second time in the last five U-20 World Cups. More loftily, the US has been to the quarterfinal phase in this tournament five times since 1989, and it’s never won two knockout matches in the same U-20 tournament in its history. Can this be the group to change that?

Armchair Analyst: Toronto FC’s winning streak enters historic territory

May 13, 20175:48PM EDTMatthew DoyleSenior Writer

D.C. United’s six-game winning streak came to a close on September 1, 2007. In the nine seasons since then, entering 2017, there were only two regular season winning streaks of six or more games, by any MLS team, in one season:

Sporting KC won seven games over 39 days to open the 2012 season
New England won six games over 46 days in the middle of the 2015 season

Toronto FC just won their sixth straight game, holding on for dear life with a 3-2 win over visiting Minnesota United at BMO Field on Sunday afternoon. They did it despite making three injury- or illness-related subs. They did it, for the second time this week, by bringing difference-makers off the bench. They extended their lead atop the Eastern Conference, and have now lost but once in their first 12 games.They entered the busiest part of their schedule, traveled cross-country to face last year’s MLS Cup champs and then to Ohio to face one of the most dangerous attacks in the league and then back home to host a team that dropped a very good Sporting side last week, and beat them all. They shut out Houston on a Friday then beat Orlando City on the following Wednesday. They played weekend-Wednesday-weekend-Wednesday-weekend, and won them all.Nobody’s put together a streak like this in the modern history of MLS. SKC’s took 39 days, New England’s 46. Toronto took… 22 days. They’re on only the third 6+ game winning streak of the past decade, and they’ve done it in a touch over three weeks.To add further perspective: Sporting’s streak, back in 2012, came to an end the first time they had a three-games-in-eight-days stretch. Same for New England in 2015. TFC just did it back-to-back.This is why I was nodding earlier this week when Greg Vanney asserted that his team is the deepest in league history, and certainly the ability to bring guys like Jozy Altidore and Victor Vazquez and Raheem Edwards and Tosaint Ricketts off the bench at various times in the past eight days was telling.

I’d also argue that Minnesota’s overly cautious fullback play made them a touch culpable (volume up for analysis):

Michael Bradley – who’s played every minute of this streak – was a step slow due to fatigue, and the Loons could’ve found paydirt earlier had they been willing to push the pace and swarm him with numbers. Once they did so (Marc Burch and Jerome Thiesson played much higher in the second half), they regularly troubled the Reds. Vanney even said “that second half was too exciting for my liking.” Had MNUFC been a bit more adventurous from the opening whistle, this one might’ve been different. But they weren’t, and it wasn’t, and so Toronto FC have set their club record in the blink of an eye. It’s a remarkable three-week stretch, and nobody’s seen the like in a decade

Ok, a few notes:

The official league record winning streak is 15 games, set by the Galaxy from late 1997 to May of 1998. The single-season record is 12, set by the 1996 Galaxy.

Those are all in the FARB, which I encourage you to peruse. But note that those two streaks, as well as the only other double-digit winning streaks in league history, came during the Shootout Era (1996-through-1999) when games couldn’t end in a draw. So I give them each an asterisk, and no I won’t change my mind about that.

In the post-shootout era Sporting’s seven-game streak is the longest single-season streak on the books. It’s also part of a longer, nine-game streak since they won their final two games in 2011 – and that, too, is the record for the post-shootout era.
The Red Bulls had a six-game winning streak ended in March – the last four of 2016 and the first two of 2017. They host Toronto this coming Friday in Harrison.

Philipp Lahm: Germany and Bayern defender the best of his generation

MUNICH — Philipp Lahm is the best defender of his generation, and his retirement at the age of 33 will leave a massive void, not just at Bayern Munich — a club he led with intelligence and always by example — but also within the game.Lahm’s unswerving brilliance helped him to eight Bundesliga titles (sharing the record with Mehmet Scholl, Oliver Kahn and Bastian Schweinsteiger), six DFB Pokals, the 2013 Champions League and then the World Cup a year later. World-class in at least four positions across the backline and midfield, his tactical nous and discipline made it look all so easy.He was a supreme professional — one of the few remaining role models in the unscrupulous world of football — and, remarking on his consistent performances over the years, Scholl described his former teammate as “75 percent outstanding, 25 percent world-class.””To compare him with Paolo Maldini is correct,” Bayern Munich boss Carlo Ancelotti told ESPN FC ahead of Lahm’s final game as a professional this Saturday.”Both players played for one team their whole career. There are so many similarities in quality, professionalism, attitude, personality and character. It’s a compliment for both to be compared with each other.”He’s really important for the club, the manager and a great example to his teammates. I love his professionalism and his quality. If we had 20 Philipp Lahms we would have no problems.”Bayern were his club and, as a son of the area, he knew not to mess with what he had. Lahm could have played for any team in the world but recognised that he was living the dream of so many young Germans. It’s going to take a bit of getting used to not seeing No. 21 Phillip Lahm on the team sheet for Bayern next season.– Derek Rae, Bundesliga commentator for ESPN.PERSUADED by a friend, Lahm attended his first training session at the age of 5 at local club FT Gern, where his father, Roland, used to play and his mum, Daniele, ran the youth department.Childhood dreams of becoming a baker and a banker fizzled out and Lahm settled on a new career choice at Rudolf Diesel School in Munich.”He repeated time after time, I want to make it as a professional footballer,” Lahm’s teacher Bernd Mainhardt once said.Signed by Bayern from Gern in 1995, aged 11, Lahm enjoyed the added responsibility of being a ball boy at their home games at the Olympiastadion and was on the side of the pitch when Borussia Dortmund beat Juventus in the 1997 Champions League final.Graduating serenely from the youth teams, a paltry crowd of 22,000 witnessed his first-team debut, entering the fray as a substitute in added time in Bayern’s final group game of the atrocious 2002-03 Champions League campaign — the Bavarians finished bottom of a group containing AC Milan, Deportivo La Coruna and Lens. However, Lahm found his immediate path to the first XI blocked by France international full-backs Willy Sagnol and Bixente Lizarazu.Considering his prodigy too good to languish in the reserves, coach Hermann Gerland arranged a two-year loan spell at Stuttgart, where Lahm made his Bundesliga debut as a substitute on the first day of the 2003-04 season in a 2-0 win over Hansa Rostock.He quickly established himself (at left-back) as a regular in Felix Magath’s young side, also leaving a lasting impression on Sir Alex Ferguson who wanted to sign him after his first Champions League start against Manchester United.nder Stuttgart’s Matthias Sammer (now a former Bayern sporting director), Lahm endured an injury-ravaged second season, suffering both a right foot fracture and a cruciate ligament tear, which curtailed his loan spell in Swabia. But, returning to Munich, Lahm finally made his Bundesliga debut for Bayern under new coach Magath against Arminia Bielefeld in November 2005 and hasn’t looked back since.In 516 games (soon to be 517), Lahm collected the same number of club titles as his shirt number (21), just behind the number of yellow cards (24) in his Bundesliga career. He even enjoyed over a year of serene Bundesliga action without even committing a foul, in 24 games between September 2014 and October 2015.Incredibly, he’s never even looked like getting sent off in his career, despite playing predominately as a defender and then in midfield under Pep Guardiola, who dubbed him “perhaps the most intelligent player I have ever trained.”

“For perhaps the world’s best full-back to be made into a midfielder as he approaches 30 is unusual. That the same player should make such a success of it that his national team adjusts to accommodate his new role is something else — and in the case of Philipp Lahm, indicative of not only his extraordinary application and professionalism in making a great job of both positions, but his integral importance to every team he played in, club or country.”– Andy Brassell, European football expert.

HOWEVER, it’s a huge injustice to the man to single him out as purely the prim and proper professional. He possessed the inner strength to stand up for himself and his team, questioning the direction of the club in 2009, having the gumption to criticise Bayern over transfer policy — earning himself a record €50,000 fine in the process by backing then-coach Louis van Gaal.Having reportedly rejected offers to join both Barcelona and Manchester United, Lahm blasted Bayern’s transfer policy, costing him a hefty fine in an uncharacteristically forthright interview.The defender said at the time: “Other clubs have a system, a philosophy, and buy the players accordingly. We don’t. It’s not enough to buy good players — we have to build a team.”Now ask yourself whether it’s a coincidence that ever since Lahm’s verbal shot in the arm, Bayern have become major players in the transfer market.He was also enough of his own man to snub a new role as the club’s sporting director. Lahm implied president Uli Hoeness wasn’t quite ready to hand over sufficient control to him in organising Bayern’s team affairs.”Generally, you can only influence things in and around the team when you hold that responsibility,” he said.Lahm appeared on ESPN FC’s ‘Perfect Player’ for his mind

WHEN he announced his retirement from football, Lahm said: “I’m sure that I can deliver top performances until the end of the season, but no longer than that.” And recently we’ve witnessed a few signs that suggest old father time may be catching up with him after 22 years at the club.A rare blemish gifted Borussia Dortmund a winning goal exquisitely taken by Ousmane Dembele in what proved Lahm’s last ever DFB Pokal tie. Typically, he fronted up after the game, admitting: “I made the decisive mistake.”He also made an uncharacteristically clumsy error in last Saturday’s 5-4 Bundesliga comeback win against Leipzig — taking a heavy touch in the box, which Timo Werner capitalised upon.But Gerland, one of Lahm’s mentors, insists performing at such a high level for such a long time has raised expectations for every game.”Philipp went on to win almost everything there was to win. He only failed to win the European championship,” he told the official Bayern website.”The only sad thing is that he hasn’t been named Player of the Year, which I don’t understand. Sure, Philipp doesn’t play in a spectacular manner. But if he’s sidestepped only once or plays a bad pass everyone’s asking: what’s wrong with Philipp today? That’s the mark of an extraordinary career.”“So after the dust and Weissbier settles following his farewell game on Saturday against Freiburg, what’s next?From December at Munich’s Residenztheater, the retiring skipper is set to become the subject of a play — unsurprisingly titled “Philipp Lahm.” Lahm is “the symbol of the Noughties,” says playwright and Bayern fan Michael Decar.”He embodies Germany like no other and his life is a reflection of modern times. He’s super correct, super intelligent — so boring that it hurts.”But the man himself will take time out of the game to spend more time with his wife (who is pregnant with their second child; they also have 4-year-old son, Julian), play a bit of golf and ski more in the winter, commit to his extensive charity work and attend to his various business interests. “My wife is already a little afraid. I’ve set myself the goal of getting to grips with cooking,” he said. “It promises to be very, very exciting.”However, a mind as keen as Lahm’s needs to stay busy. It certainly wouldn’t be a surprise to see him back at Bayern in the future, perhaps in the boardroom when Hoeness is finally ready take a backward step.Mark Lovell covers Bayern Munich for ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter: @LovellLowdown.

INDY ELEVEN FALLS IN SECOND ROUND OF 2017 U.S. OPEN CUP

“Indiana’s Team” drops 1-0 contest to PDL side Michigan Bucks at Ultimate Soccer Arenas-May 17, 2017

PONTIAC (May 17, 2017) – Indy Eleven’s run to the 2017 U.S. Open Cup was put to a halt as it began in a 1-0 loss to USL PDL club, the Michigan Bucks. Advancing to the Second Round of the historic competition following a 1-0 win over AFC Ann Arbor in the First Round, the Bucks welcomed Indy Eleven fresh off a 3-2 defeat to Miami FC. “Indiana’s Team” brought a side to Pontiac that featured defenders Nemanja Vukovic and Anthony Manning, both of whom earned their first starts since their return from injury, and kept young forward David Goldsmith up front with Justin Braun in place of the injured Eamon Zayed.The opening quarter of an hour saw both sides get the lay of the land with neither creating a quality opportunity. However, in the 16^th minute, Indy brought their attack to the match in the form of David Goldsmith. Linking up with Braun, the former Butler standout received the ball near the top of the box and shifted quickly, rifling a right-footed shot off the inside of the right post and out. In the right place at the right time, Braun was able to send a secondary effort at the Bucks ‘keeper Drew Sheperd, but the shot-stopper was equal to both. Just after the half-hour mark, Indy found their second chance of the half on a Tanner Thompson set piece. As the IU product connected with another former Hoosier in Brad Ring, the latter could not keep his header on frame.In the 35^th minute, the hosts would take their first real opportunity of the night and capitalize. Forward Francis Atuahene shot up the flank and got on the right side of defender Kwame Watson-Siriboe. In cutting inside, the Michigan man struck a low ball towards Cardona that the Indy ‘netminder couldn’t get a finger to, and gifted his side a first half lead.Coming out of the halftime break, Indy replaced midfielder Daniel Keller with Ben Speas and came out flying. Creating a couple of opportunities inside the opening 10 minutes of the second half, Indy’s best look came from Tanner Thompson. Settling a pass from Jason Plumhoff, Thompson elected to take on a curler from just outside the box, but his shot could not come around in time to find the side of the net.At the hour mark, Indy brought on defender Marco Franco in his return from injury. In the fifteen-minute span that followed, Indy would create three chances – one for Speas, one for Thompson, and one for Braun – but none would level the scoring. As momentum shifted the way of Indy, the Bucks found success on the counter-attack and nearly doubled their lead in the 81^st minute. Substitute forward Elliot Collier broke in on goal and tested Cardona, but the ‘keeper made an incredible save to prevent a two-goal deficit. On the follow-up, substitute midfielder Ivo Cerda would also see his shot saved and then cleared off the line by Watson-Siriboe.Though they pushed their press to the final whistle, Indy did not find another solid look at goal and their 2017 U.S. Open Cup run would be brought to an end on the 1-0 line.The “Boys in Blue” return home to IUPUI’s Michael A. Carroll Stadium to host Miami FC on Saturday, May 20 at 7:30 P.M. ET. Tickets for the game – and all remaining 13+ NASL matches at “The Mike” in 2017 – can be purchased for as little as $11 online at www.IndyEleven.com or by phone at 317-685-1100.

NASL Spring Season
Michigan Bucks 1 : 0 Indy Eleven
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Ultimate Soccer Arenas – Pontiac, MI

Scoring Summary:
MGN – Francis Atuahene (Jordon Snell) 35’

Discipline Summary:
MGN – Ivo Cerda 49’
IND – Anthony Manning 88’

Indy Eleven line-up (4-4-2, L–>R): Keith Cardona (GK); Nemanja Vukovic, Anthony Manning, Kwame Watson-Siriboe, Lovel Palmer; Daniel Keller (Ben Speas 45’), Brad Ring, Tanner Thompson, Jason Plumhoff (Marco Franco 61’); Justin Braun, David Goldsmith IND bench: Christian Lomeli (GK); Brandon Poltronieri

Michigan Bucks line-up (4-3-3, L->R): Drew Sheperd (GK); Alexi Souahy, Mo Kaba, Daniel Mukuna, Jared Timmer; Jordon Snell, Brad Dunwell, Tom Owens, Grant Stoneman (Ivo Cerda 46’); Francis Atuahene, Andre Landell (Elliot Collier 66’) MGN bench: Anthony Mwembia (GK)

From U11 to U18 my Little Goalkeeper-my son Tyler has grown into a fine young man.

ATP_Gen_350x250

Check out The Ole Ballcoach online www.theoleballcoach.com –

Proud Member of the Brick Yard Battalion – http://www.brickyardbattalion.com , Sam’s Army- http://www.sams-army.com , American Outlaws http://www.facebook.com/IndyAOUnite

5/12/16 Indy 11 on Road + Discount Tix, Champions League/Europa Results, MLS, Full TV Schedules, Summer Camps

May 12, 2017May 12, 2017 gatorbest

So let me start with I had the great honor to visit both the Bernabau (Real Madrid) and the Calderon (Atletico’s Stadium) on our trip to Spain to visit my daughter at Spring Break. And I was not at all surprised to see the sheer madness that was taking place in the first 25 minutes at the magical Calderon as Atletico scored 2 goals to cut the aggregate to 2-3. Just 1 more goal would have raised the decibel levels above Cameron Indoor, Boston Garden or the Swamp in the US. But Real showed their resolve in scoring the backbraking away goal just before break and with GK Navas saving ball after ball in the 2^nd – Real tamed the Calderon and her loyal patrons. It sets up a marvelous final of defending champs Real Madrid with all their stars including Renaldo and perhaps Wales (where the final will be played) favorite son Bale against the Old Lady Juventus and their magnificent defense led by All World 39 year old Goalkeeper Gigi Buffon looking for his first Champ League trophy. The Game will be on Fox Saturday, May 27^th at 2:45 pm. In Europa Man U somehow advances to the finals vs Ajax with a 1-1 tie at home.

As the season’s wrap up overseas voting for team of the year has opened in Germany with 2 US Players – Both John Anthony Brooks and Christian Pulisic up for selection. When you vote you have three choices for every position. If you want to vote for both men, click right here and go vote! Both players have been solid with their respective clubs, though Brooks did pick up an injury early on. Pulisic has been a (semi) regular choice of Thomas Tuchel’s Borussia Dortmund. When he’s not starting he’s coming off the by ench and making an impact as a super sub. So I urge you to go vote and get two Americans on the Bundesliga Team Of The Season. The voting is open for another 10 days. Huge game on Sunday as the top 2 teams in Germany square off RB Leipzig host Bayern Munich 9:30 am on Fox, while Dortmund and US Pulisic host Ausburg at 9:30 on FS1. In the EPL while Chelsea will probably clinch the title today the race for top 4 and relegation continues. Man City hosts Leicester City at 7:30 am Sat AM on NBCSN, while Arsenal continues its quest for Top 4 at Stoke City and US Defender Geoff Cameron at 12:30 on NBCSN. Sunday has Liverpool traveling to West Ham in a must win game at 9:15 am on NBCSN to stay in the top 4, while Tottenham closes out White Hart Lane at 11 on NBCSN. MLS offers a rising Chicago team vs Seattle on Sat night 9 pm on ESPN, along with a triple header on Sunday featuring Portland and Atlanta United at 4 pm on ESPN, NY RB hosting LA at 6 pm on FS1, and a battle of top 2 teams in Dallas and former Carmel High defender Matt Hedges vs David Villa and NYCFC at 8 pm on FS1. Oh and the Indy 11 will travel to Miami Saturday at 7:30 pm on MyIndy Channel looking for their first win of the season, before returning home for Indy Motor Speedway night on May 20^th at the Mike. Indy 11 Discount Ticket Link here.

GAMES ON TV

Friday, May 12

3 pm NBCSN West Brom vs Chelsea

Sat, May 13

7:30 am NBCSN Man City vs Leicester City

9:30 am FOX RB Leipzig vs Bayern Munich

9:30 am Fox Sport1 Dortmund vs Ausburg

10 am NBC live Sunderland vs Swansea (relegation)

12:30 pm NBCSN Stoke City vs Arsenal (US Cameron)

7:30 pm Myindy TV Miami vs Indy 11

9 pm ESPN Chicago vs Seattle Sounders

Sun, May 14

9:15 am NBCSN West Ham vs Liverpool

11 am NBCSN Tottenham vs Man United

2 pm beIN Sport Las Palmas vs Barcelona

4 pm ESPN Portland Timbers vs Atlanta United

6 pm Fox sport 1 NY Red Bulls vs LA Galaxy

8 pm Fox Sport 1 Dallas vs NYCFC

Monday, May 15

3 pm NBCSN Chelsea vs Watford

Tues, May 16

3 pm NBCSN Man City vs West Brom

2:45 pm NBC live Arsenal vs Sunderland

Thursday, May 18

2:45 pm NBCSN Leicester City vs Tottenham

Sat, May 27 Champions League Final

2:30 pm FOX Juventus vs Real Madrid

Real Madrid outlast Atleti with Street ball moves

Champions League

Real Madrid Player Ratings

Real Madrid Rides out the Storm

Atleti’s Caldron closes with a bang and an Almost Comeback for the Ages

Next Steps for Atletico – Simeion

Player Ratings Atleti

Uncertainty envelops Atletico Madrid – graham Hunter ESPNFC

Juve Fixes What isn’t even broken – Gab Marcotti – ESPNFC

Dani Alves magnificent in move past Monaco – ESPNFC

Buffon Soaks in the Win for Juve Video

Monaco Pride in Defeat

Celta Vigo were Superior to Man United – despite shocking loss

USA

Fast Track of US combined World Cup Bid – Restored – for 2026 bid

Best US Cities to Host 2026 Final?

Jermaine Jones out for June Qualifiers with knee Injury – Stars and Stripes

Who is goalkeeper of the Future?

Yanks Abroad Last Week – S&S

Vote for Pulisic and John Brooks Allstar Teams for German League

Bobby Wood Can’t Save Hamburg all by himself

US U20s World Cup Roster Released

MLS

MLS Power rankings

Toronto FC scores late to beat Columbus

Portland to Expand their park

Matt Hedges – Former Carmel High Star Defender for Dallas FC – Why Don’t You Smile in Photos?

World

Top Teams in World

Chelsea can Win Title Today, Spurs Last Game at White Hart Lane

So Much at Stake for Liverpool on Sat

Messi’s Argentina ban lifted after Appeal

David De Gea Throwing it Down

Indy 11

Injuries Add up for Indy 11 – Soctakes.com

IMS Night – May 20

Earn your Degree While You Watch Your Kids Soccer Practice – ½ the time and cost of Traditional Schools

SUMMER TIME SOCCER CAMPS

Post2Post Soccer Camps

Provides elite-level training for youth players who want to become better technical and tactical soccer players. Our camps focus on individual technical skills and game tactics in pressure situations using advanced training techniques. Come and join our staff of former Division I college coaches, National Team players, experienced youth, high school and college players for a fun learning experience.Cost: $195 per camper Location: Badger Fields

Goalkeeper Camp: May 30 – June 2, 2017 Field Player Camp: July 24 – 27, 2017

Indy 11 Youth Soccer Camp at Carmel Dad’s Club June 19-22 9 to 12 noon (ages 5-14) $135

Carmel High School Soccer Camps – July 17-20

(called Hounds Soccer Technical/Skills Camp and Hounds Soccer Tactical/Scrimmage Camp) and they are being held at Murray Stadium the week of July 17-20. The format will be where the morning session will run 10:00-12:00. This is the technical skills training – session runs 10 am till 12 pm and it will cost $85. The afternoon session is the tactical/scrimmage session and will run 1:00-3:00 at Murray Stadium. Boys and Girls – 8-14 Cost: $85/per camper per session.

Real Madrid ride out Atletico storm to reach another Champions League final

MADRID — Three quick thoughts from Atletico Madrid’s 2-1 Champions League semifinal second-leg win over Real Madrid on Wednesday at the Vicente Calderon, which sees Los Blancos move on to the final by an aggregate score of 4-2.

Madrid ride out storm to make another final

It has been a year of unbelievable comebacks in the Champions League, and Atletico Madrid came close to pulling off the most amazing of all at a rocking Vicente Calderon on Wednesday, but defending champions Real Madrid rode out the storm to progress to their third Champions League final in four years.Diego Simeone’s home side were incredible during an emotion-packed opening quarter-hour, and they steamrolled a dazed-looking Madrid team who began the game with what had seemed an unassailable 3-0 advantage from the first leg last week.Antoine Griezmann and Koke had already worried visiting goalkeeper Keylor Navas before the latter’s pinpoint corner was bullet-headed to the net by Saul Niguez on 12 minutes. Almost immediately, Fernando Torres was felled in the penalty area by Raphael Varane, and Griezmann’s spot kick made it past Navas even though the Frenchman slipped as he made contact.Down 2-0 on the night, Madrid were really in trouble, although Atletico had to pause for a breather after what had been an incredible opening. The game next entered a niggly phase with two players from each side booked as referee Cuneyt Cakir struggled to maintain control.Los Blancos emerged from the struggle with their composure once more, and they soon got a crucial away goal. Karim Benzema wriggled away from three Atletico defenders along the end line, and pulled back for Toni Kroos, whose shot was saved by Jan Oblak, but Isco was on the spot to scoop in the rebound with 42 minutes played.Atletico came out in the second half having to do it all again. They almost had a third when Yannick Carrasco easily beat Danilo to a long ball, but Navas saved the shot, then made a miraculous stop from substitute Kevin Gameiro’s follow-up header.At the other end, Cristiano Ronaldo saw a goal ruled out for offside, and Benzema had a decent penalty claim, but still Atletico kept pushing, and Gameiro really should have added another after some super work from fellow replacement Angel Correa.That was that, though, and Madrid are into the June 3 decider against Juventus in Cardiff. They remain on course to be the first team to defend the Champions League trophy in its modern format. But they got a huge scare on their last ever visit to the Calderon.

Isco, Benzema provide quality when needed

Madrid were reeling midway through the first half on Wednesday. Stand-in right-back Danilo had already been booked for a needless foul, Casemiro was a shaky presence in deep midfield and talisman Ronaldo was only noticed when he was elbowed in the back of the head by Diego Godin.Amid the chaos there were Blancos players who kept their heads. Luka Modric was a calming presence on the ball in the centre. Both Benzema and Isco had also shown some nice touches, dropping deeper to link the play and try to hold possession, before they were both involved in the night’s crucial moment.The Frenchman’s composure and ability were fantastic as he squeezed his way along the end line, and he also had the vision to see the pass to Kroos, with Isco then exactly in the right spot to cleverly finish the rebound. Madrid have now scored in 61 consecutive games, a testament to their squad’s sheer depth of attacking solutions.Isco might not have started on the night had Gareth Bale not been injured (again), but his worth was huge. Tactically manager Zinedine Zidane gets another player in the centre of the pitch, and the 25-year-old’s skill and touch in tight areas helped avoid the Atletico press and keep the ball moving. The little Andalusian also got involved physically to help his side when the game was at its most intense.The next few weeks are sure to see a lot of talk about Bale racing back to fitness for the final in his home city of Cardiff, but it is difficult to see how Zidane can find a place in this XI for the Welshman.

Atletico salvage some pride

This was the last European night at the old Vicente Calderon, and even though Atletico ended it out of the Champions League, their performance made sure the game will be remembered with pride long after the stadium is gone.The Rojiblanco family had been building a mood of defiance ever since last Tuesday’s first leg at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, with some fans claiming offence at a pregame banner shown by Madrid fans asking “How did it feel?” to have lost the 2014 and 2016 Champions League finals to their neighbours. The Calderon faithful shot back on Wednesday with “Proud to not be like you” written across one side of the old concrete bowl.Amid the incredible noise, Diego Simeone’s men showed an almost demonic energy from the off. The roars were even louder when veteran Torres beat Madrid captain Sergio Ramos to the first header, although the referee called play back for a foul. Atletico players seemed to be everywhere, and within the first five minutes they had showed more fight and spirit than in the entire 90 last week.But it was impossible to keep up such intensity for the entire game, even with Simeone regularly jumping off the bench and pumping his arms in the air to rouse the crowd. And when it went into a lull before half-time, Madrid were able to take advantage and get the crucial away goal.”Atletico until death,” sang the stadium through the second half, even when the heavens opened late on, and the home fans could not be but proud of the effort their team put in right until the end. Four straight years of losing to the same opposition in this competition would be tough for anyone to take, never mind when it’s against your closest neighbours and fiercest rivals. But the nature of Wednesday’s performance means that this exit should not be as painful as those that came before.Dermot Corrigan is a Madrid-based football writer

The Calderon’s irrepressible European farewell marks end of an Atletico era

MADRID — Diego Simeone was soaked through, but just as immersed in the moment as ever. As the rain hammered down upon Estadio Vicente Calderon, and as supporters reluctantly began to run for shelter, some cowering toward the back of the stands, the Atletico Madrid manager decided to galvanise his public one more time. A matter of minutes remained; Atletico were about to lose a Champions League semifinal to their most bitter rivals, he knew that, but Simeone turned to the masses behind his technical area, clapped his hands high, and the volume reached a crescendo again.Atletico defeated Real Madrid 2-1 in their second leg Wednesday, but Real won the UCL semifinal 4-2 on aggregate. Fifteen minutes after the final whistle, when Atletico’s players came back out, thousands remained in the stadium to show one last gesture of appreciation. Even more would have stayed in their seats if the heavens hadn’t opened, but this was not quite a night for storybook finishes.For the half-hour between the headed opening goal by Atletico’s Saul Niguez and the close-range stab by Real’s Isco that rendered the second half virtually unnecessary, Atletico had fed upon the awesome din inside their home and threatened a night to top any in its 51-year history. Eventually, they were well-beaten. But they still ensured that these walls, reverberating to the tension of one last derby match, will have one last tale to tell before they are rendered into rubble — Vicente Calderon will give way to Atletico’s new home next season — and the next phase of Atletico’s history begins.They had seen defiance — embodied by the prematch tifo that read, “We’re proud not to be like you” — turn into hope and then, when Atletico’s Antoine Griezmann beat keeper Keylor Navas with an element of fortune from the spot, transform into genuine belief. Atletico had begun thrillingly, ripping into Real Madrid and appearing, for a brief time, to have their opponents by the throat. The Calderon was throbbing; the noise was enough to make the most seasoned observers glance at one another with a puff of the cheeks.It was not to last. Instead, this second leg became the kind of rough-edged occasion that perhaps befits the image of this old stadium and its inhabitants; one that brought bundles of pride, but in the end saw Atletico outstripped by their neighbours. Simeone was smiling as he walked into his postmatch news conference. He had dried off and taken a few breaths to recover from 90 minutes of perpetual motion. He had been beaten, but he knew what he had seen: a team that, after being so puzzlingly flat in the first leg, had risen to the occasion this time and shown the best of itself.”I am happy, proud; we competed as we have shown over these five-and-a-half years, battling in the best places,” he said. “We believed we could do it, and people thought it was mind games, but games can be marvellous. The first 20 or 30 minutes will stay in the minds of everyone. There was disorder in our defence and they scored their goal, but the moments in this magic night at the Calderon will be remembered forever.”He was not wrong. It was some European sign-off, and that is why most of those present were keen to drink it in that little bit longer and rise above what might, in other circumstances, have been the kind of outcome from which you slink off home. And perhaps it might have meant something more. The Calderon will host no more games at this level, but it does not take a huge leap of the imagination to see Griezmann playing his next Champions League football in another team’s colours, and the future of Simeone, too, seems far from cut-and-dried. This could have been the end of an era in more ways than one.”I am not thinking about that at this moment, I try and be spontaneous,” Simeone said when asked about his future plans. “We still need to keep improving. The next step is not small, it is very big, but if we can improve then there is a future.”Reading between the lines, the suggestion is that Atletico’s move to the new Wanda Metropolitano stadium needs to bring about a shift in the club’s image. Atletico are a marvellous side but have given the impression of having to strain every sinew to reach their current level. They have battled tremendously, but when faced with Real in four separate Champions League ties across as many seasons, Atletico have fallen just short on each occasion.Real were deserving winners of the semifinal, eventually managing a situation that had threatened to overwhelm them. After getting sucked into Atletico’s early pace, Real eventually came to play around it, drawing niggly fouls and dictating the tempo.Real ‘s Luka Modric and Toni Kroos were near impeccable on the ball; Isco’s dribbling helped displace Atletico’s central midfielders; and then there was the performance of Karim Benzema, who had already threatened a couple of times before the display of power, balance and close control that led to Isco’s goal. Atletico’s centre-backs will not look forward to a second viewing, but it was just reward for the way Real played.”I did not think he [Benzema] could do that,” Zinedine Zidane smiled afterward. “We were talking after the game and I asked how he got out of [the tight space].” Zidane said he knew his team would have to “suffer,” but was correct to say the game “changed completely” after the 25-minute mark.It means he is a game away from winning successive Champions League titles in his first season and a half as a manager; that would be a remarkable feat, particularly noteworthy given that Real’s opponents in the final will be his former club Juventus, and over these two legs he has seen plenty to encourage him. If Real had some luck in the quarterfinal against Bayern Munich, they did not need any here; they look like a juggernaut, and next month’s showdown in Cardiff could not appear more evenly poised.Atletico will watch and wonder whether their time will come again. For the Calderon it will certainly not, and perhaps a Rojiblancos team with a completely different image will next make inroads in Europe. As their stadium is stripped down, they will rebuild; in the meantime, they did their utmost here to put on one final night of sheer theatre. The result was an event that, whichever side you take, was worthy of those sodden celebrations.Nick Ames is a football journalist who writes for ESPN FC on a range of topics. Twitter: @NickAmes82.

Isco, Benzema inspire Real Madrid into the UCL final with street football nous

MADRID — Albeit that this Madrid derby was in the most lucrative and aristocratic tournament in the history of the club game, the 2016-17 Champions League semifinal second leg was neverthless a triumph for “street footballers” and their values.Football at its richest, won by football at its most basic. A red-carpet night, decided by skills honed on black tarmac — and all the more healthy for that.And something I’m thrilled to report to you. Not because of any preference for Madrid over Atletico, but because of a love for the kind of mentality, attitude, decisions and skills that saw the reigning European champions through to a June 3 date vs. Juventus in Cardiff, in the face of what, initially, seemed like overwhelming traffic pouring towards Keylor Navas’ goal.An alien, who just arrived on our planet, could tell you that Isco was, by light years, the best player on the pitch. Far more than his goal, it was his ebullient love of the ball that turned this match back in Madrid’s favour and ensured that the tie was won.Atletico, for all that their flame burned brilliant bright in the first quarter of an hour, didn’t have a remedy. Often, they resorted to fouling him, barging him, kicking him. But, to the great delight of purists everywhere, Isco would jink away, then twist and turn and tie his pursuers in a variety of reef, hitch, shank and double-loop knots.This was Isco’s greatest Madrid match — among an increasingly long list — and came just when, at 2-0 down, his club needed it most.With 16 minutes gone, you might have believed that anything was feasible. Atleti were reminiscent of that day, just over two years ago, when the score between these teams was a four-goal win in the red-and-white favour.Two goals down, Madrid were shaken. Atleti had scored with yet another header against them, Raphael Varane had committed an error and the pace of the game seemed beyond Zinedine Zidane’s side; just one more good shot to the ribs or the jaw and we might have seen a giant begin to stagger. Even topple.What happened next, though, was that Isco — not alone, but the lead soloist — began to dance to some internal music only he could hear. You’d be a liar if you claimed that he did anything less than repeatedly spring up in about five different positions: Left, central and right midfield, second striker and, crucially when a goal needed to be scored, centre-forward.But back to the truth about red carpets and black tarmac. At the heart of football’s soul is the kid with the ball, who wants dribble past every opponent, who makes the entry fee worthwhile and who commands that you fall in love with the sport.Zidane is — not was — a street footballer; you never lose that mentality. He’s said that everything he is now is owed to that upbringing: Learn to be first, to be tough, to own the ball, to avoid skinning your knees. And don’t let anyone bully you. Fight in a metaphorical sense, literally if it’s absolutely required.When Zidane played for Juventus, he was a vastly expensive resource for the Turin club, yet his manager Marcello Lippi had to ban his superstar from joining in games with local kids. Teammate Edgar Davids, another brilliantly-skilled street footballer, would persuade Zidane to join in — something that was expressly forbidden by both their contracts — with the words “You’ve changed!” if the Frenchman showed any hesitation about joining an informal neighbourhood kickabout.What Zidane believes — what made him great — is in front-foot, playground football: “We’ll be better than you, we’ll attack more, we’ll have more quality on the ball, we’ll score more than you.” He learned on the mean streets of northern Marseille and it conditions his thinking to this day.It explains Isco’s selection on Wednesday, when there were copious other options, and also why Zidane was instrumental in the player’s signing in 2013. President Florentino Perez said publicly that his reticence to do the deal was based on the fact that Isco would never get in the Madrid team, only for the club’s then-principal football advisor to persuade him otherwise.”All I want when I play is to be on the ball,” said Isco just before he joined Los Blancos. “As a kid in my neighborhood of Las Flores the locals knew me as ‘the kid who always has a ball at his feet.’ I learned everything I know playing street football. The local square, playing against the big lads, getting kicked, learning how to trick them and to keep possession; that was my school.”Transport all those values forward 20 years to the Estadio Vicente Calderon and you get our man of the match. The more he got on the ball, the more Atleti’s threat dampened; when Isco took possession, the temperature went down. As he dribbled past two or three, the rest of his team breathed out that sigh of: “We’re not on the back foot anymore.”Lately there are those who have argued that, because you can win without dominating possession, either a) you should abandon the idea of controlling the ball throughout the game, or b) having too much of it is actually a bad thing.(I know, they should be outlawed from football and made to play Pétanque or reenact medieval battles.)So to see Madrid wrest control of Wednesday’s game back into their own hands by dominating possession 62-38 at half-time — in enemy territory, no less — was uplifting. But Zidane’s street-footballing mentality and Isco’s “I learned on concrete” skills weren’t alone.Karim Benzema always idolized Ronaldo. No, not that one, though they get on brilliantly.It was the Brazilian Ronaldo upon whom this elegant, clever, technically exquisite footballer modelled himself. Ronaldo learned to play on rock-hard, sun-cemented earth; bumps, bangs and all. To him, without money to pay for his bus fare to go and train with Flamengo, playing on concrete or tarmac would have been a luxury.Now Benzema most certainly is not Ronaldo’s equal, but what he copied from his idol most certainly makes his games worth watching.The goal that ended this tie, that put Madrid in with a chance of their first Liga and European Cup double since 1958, that maintains their chance of being the only club to retain the Champions League title; well, it was just sublime.Benzema dragged of a gaggle of Atleti players with him as he turned and ran. The Fred Astaire-feet, which seemed to bend space and time by looping the ball past Stefan Savic without going over the white painted line for a goal kick? Genius.What Benzema produced was straight out of street football, the way that you slip and skip between parked cars, the kerb of the pavement, a big lump of an opponent, a lamp post.And who was sharp? Who was the only player, who believed Benzema would or could produce a magic trick?Isco, of course: One man with sleight of foot, recognizing another. And so the midfielder, who stepped upon every single blade of grass in the same way he used to dance across cobblestones, was the only player to make a run toward the six-yard box. When Toni Kroos’ shot was parried by goalkeeper Jan Oblak, there was the man of the moment.As for the home side, when the bulldozers and diggers and cranes and drills move in to smash the Calderon to the ground, you won’t be able to hear a decibel of the industrial noise over the primeval roar of “Atleti, Atleti, Atletico de Madrid” that will still echo around that hallowed football site.It will never go away. Nor, I hope, will those who play like Isco and Benzema or who think like Zidane.The street rules.Graham Hunter covers Spain for ESPN FC and Sky Sports

Juventus — fix it even if it ain’t broke

You have to go all the way back to Chelsea in 2012 — five years and five managers ago — to find a Champions League winner that has changed more than Juve have in the past two seasons.Well-run clubs never need to rebuild; they simply reload. It’s an old maxim and it’s generally true. If you’re a dominant side, you maintain that dominance through continuous small changes rather than periodic blow-ups. Get the small changes right and you won’t need to rebuild.But for every rule, there’s a counterargument: Juventus’ run to the Champions League final, after they dispatched a young and vibrant Monaco side in the semifinals on Tuesday, is Exhibit A. When they take the pitch in Cardiff, assuming Sami Khedira recovers from injury, it could well be that Gianluigi Buffon and Leonardo Bonucci will be the only holdovers from the side that lost the Champions League final to Barcelona two years ago.Sure, had Giorgio Chiellini not been injured for the 2015 final, it would be three out of 11, but it’s still a pretty staggering turnaround in just two seasons. Indeed, 12 of the 18 in the matchday squad that day have now left the club.Contrast this with their opponents that day, Barcelona, who have shed six. Or, for that matter, Real Madrid, who also lost six players (if you want to count Alvaro Morata, who left and came back, it’s seven) from the side who won the trophy in 2014. You have to go all the way back to Chelsea in 2012, five years and five managers ago, to find a Champions League winner that has changed more than Juve have in the past two seasons.You simply can’t weather that much change unless you’re a well-run club. And that goes beyond the manager, Massimiliano Allegri, right up to the higher reaches with sporting director Fabio Paratici and chief executive Beppe Marotta.Not only have they rebuilt on the fly, they’ve done it twice in two seasons. In the summer of 2015, they lost Carlos Tevez, Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal. Last summer, it was Paul Pogba and Morata.It’s easy to say “well, they lost good players but replaced them with good ones too in the form of Sami Khedira, Paulo Dybala, Miralem Pjanic, Alex Sandro, Dani Alves, Mario Mandzukic and Gonzalo Higuain.” That’s true, but there are two points to make there.The first is that if replacing good players with equally good ones were that easy, every rich club would be doing it successfully. Heck, Paratici and Marotta have made plenty of mistakes themselves over the years, it’s the nature of the beast. (Old-school Serie A followers may recall Marotta’s time at Atalanta when he broke the bank to sign Luca Saudati and Gianni Comandini.) But the point is they got more right than wrong, especially over the past few seasons.Secondly, quite clearly the newcomers aren’t carbon copies of the guys they replaced. Here Allegri must get a ton of credit.Dybala is unlike any player Juventus have had for a long time; Higuain was a proven commodity as a lone striker in a 4-3-3 and yet Allegri found a way for him to be equally productive with a partner up front or in a different system, without wingers. Pjanic might be a gifted passer and free kick taker like Pirlo, but the similarities end there. Allegri realized early on he couldn’t be trusted with the deep playmaking duties on his own in the same way you could trust the “Bearded One,” so he stuck Khedira there and found a different role for Pjanic.The wide men represent an even bigger change. Stephan Lichtsteiner is a reliable, gutsy, hard-working full-back, but he’s an up-and-down guy; Alves is a wholly different beast altogether; Patrice Evra may have been comparable to Alex Sandro years ago, but past his 30th birthday he was a purely defensive full-back.Then, of course, there’s Mandzukic. Allegri didn’t reinvent the wheel by putting a hulking 6-foot-3 guy out on the wing — some of us are old enough to remember Egil Olsen and Jostein Flo — and, of course, Mandzukic occasionally played there in the past, but it still takes a thorough readjustment of the system to pull it off. A guy his size, with 30-year-old legs won’t be able to chase attacking full-backs, the way a more traditional winger might, nor is he going to beat anybody and put in a cross. But what he does offer is tremendous mismatches against opposing full-backs and a continuous aerial far post threat — as he proved with his opening goal against Monaco on Tuesday night.Allegri has overseen all these changes, but he didn’t prompt them. When he took the job, he knew Pirlo and Evra were old and would be moving on, but he hoped that Pogba, Morata and Vidal might stick around. When they did not, he worked with the hand he was dealt. He may have tremendous pieces, but they are still ones that needed to be fit together. And, crucially not just fit together well enough to win Serie A, but also to go deep in the Champions League.In addition, once Allegri had a set up in place that was yielding results and cruising along nicely in Serie A and in Europe, he conjured up a Plan B, which became the Plan A we saw against Barcelona. He chose to cram Pjanic, Mandzukic, Higuain, Dybala and Juan Cuadrado into the same XI at the same time. Thus was born the “5-star” option.He could have played it safe and relied on the tried-and-tested formula that got Juve where they were. A stout midfield, blue-collar wide men, Buffon, Barzagli, Bonucci and Chiellini locking the door at the back, and somebody to nick a goal at the other end. But he explained that he was no longer convinced this was the best way to win, not against big European sides. You had to take the game to them; you had to go toe-to-toe and dominate the pitch, playing in their half. Tight defending and counterattacking were too reliant on chance and probability to succeed.It’s one thing to make sweeping changes when things aren’t going right — after all, the definition of insanity is making the same decisions again and again while expecting different outcomes — but it’s a totally different matter to take something which “ain’t broke” and “fixing it” to make it better. All the while knowing full well that your “fixes” might actually make it worse.And that’s what sets Allegri, and the guys above him who supported him, apart from the pack this season. Before he was reloading/retrenching/readjusting by necessity. Now, it’s by choice. And it’s working.

Dani Alves simply superlative as Juventus move past Monaco

Defensively strong and offensively brilliant, Juventus played with balance and experience to defeat Monaco 2-1 to progress to the final of the Champions League.Presided over by a tactical genius, Juve’s progression wasn’t in much doubt after the victory in Monaco. With Dani Alves demonstrating his vision and Mario Mandzukic scoring in addition to mastering every role on the pitch, Juve produced the perfect team performance to secure another victory and their ninth Champions League final, keeping hopes of the treble alive.

Positives

Dani Alves must surely be considered the man of the two-legged semifinal. A veteran who boasts experience and great fight, he is relentless in his ability to deliver the perfect assist, given how he can spot the perfect pass like no other. His contribution to the team has helped Juventus grow offensively, and the team are no longer considered simply defensive but rather enthralling going forward as well.

Negatives

Having conceded only two goals in the entire tournament, it was a shame that Juventus conceded their third tonight. A drop in concentration led to a Kylian Mbappe goal that should serve to remind the Italians that the fight is never over until the final whistle.

Manager rating out of 10

9 — Massimiliano Allegri must surely be considered the best tactician in the world, based on how balanced and tactically fluid his Juventus have been this season. Shackling Europe’s best offence before then allowing his side to express their full attacking potential is a feat that must be admired and studied for years to come.

Player ratings (1-10, with 10 the best; players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating):

GK Gianluigi Buffon, 6 — Struggled initially but initiated the attack that led to the first goal. Intelligent, solid and visionary. There was nothing he could do about Mbappe’s consolation strike.

DF Andrea Barzagli, 6 — Wouldn’t let Mbappe out of his sight. A good performance from the player who, alongside Dani Alves, shackled the “wonderkid” until he was taken off.

DF Leonardo Bonucci, 6 — A leader who simply read every move perfectly, he commanded the defence with authority.

DF Giorgio Chiellini, 7 — A hero when called upon, Chiellini rescued his team from Falcao just before the end of the first half. He is a reliable warrior who wins his aerial duels and tries to block everything.

DF Alex Sandro, 6 — Boasting stamina and offensive ambition, it was his run down the left wing that led to the first goal, even if he isn’t always the most secure defensively.

MF Miralem Pjanic, 6 — The Bosnian is happy to show off his strength, fighting to win possession and always on hand to get Juventus moving. He is reliable when he has the ball at his feet.

MF Sami Khedira, NR — Taken off with injury after only 10 minutes.

MF Dani Alves, 10 — The man of the tie, the creator of all things beautiful, Alves was the personification of perfection. He not only helped Barzagli defend against Mbappe but also delivered a brilliant assist before demonstrating audacious technique to score Juve’s second on the night.

MF Paulo Dybala, 6 — Worked his magic between the lines, coordinating Juve’s countless attacks in the first half. A true playmaker. He had a chance for goal, but Subasic produced the save.

MF Mario Mandzukic, 7 — On a brilliant run that led to his important opening goal, Mandzukic was everywhere, fighting for ball until the final moment. He was simply sensational to deliver a booming long pass forward for Higuain, proving he really can do it all.

FW Gonzalo Higuain, 7 — Always available for the pass, Higuain boasts such great movement, even if he couldn’t score the goal he wanted. Always on hand to help his teammates and duel with the centre-backs, he provided what should have been a great assist for Mandzukic, but it wasn’t converted.

Substitutes

MF Claudio Marchisio, 6 — Delivering more attacking third passes than any other Juve player, Juventus are lucky to have such a gem to call upon from the bench. Tidy and intelligent, Marchisio knows how to provide balance.

MF Juan Cuadrado, 6 — Had a good chance for goal but took too many touches. A lot of energy but little incisiveness.

DF Mehdi Benatia, NR — Not on long enough to make an impact.

Mina Rzouki covers Juventus and the Italian national team f

Power Rankings: UCL finalists Juventus No. 1, Real Madrid No. 2

Europe’s top clubs keep winning. As a result, Juventus remain top and there’s only one new entry in this week’s Power Rankings.

Juventus(no change)

Max Allegri’s side dropped more Serie A points when Torino came within a whisker of winning the Turin derby, but Juve can still clinch the title this weekend. After that, focus will turn to the Champions League final, which they reached by beating Monaco 4-1 on aggregate.

Real Madrid(no change)

Zinedine Zidane rotated heavily for the visit to Granada, but it mattered little as Madrid eased to a 4-0 win. The main men returned in the Champions League semifinals at Atletico, where plenty of experience and some Karim Benzema magic sealed a place in Cardiff next month.

Chelsea(no change)

Relegation-threatened Middlesbrough were probably the ideal opponents to alleviate any pre-title nerves, and so it was that Chelsea swept to a 3-0 win with a minimum of fuss. It means three more points will seal the deal; they could be collected at West Brom on Friday.

Barcelona(no change)

Since a 2-0 defeat at Malaga appeared to end Barca’s hopes of winning La Liga, Luis Enrique’s side have reeled off five straight wins, scoring 20 goals in the process. The latest, a 4-1 thrashing of Villarreal, saw Lionel Messi net his 50th and 51st goals of the season.

Bayern Munich(no change)

The German champions coasted through a 1-0 win over Darmstadt, who were relegated as a result. The season is meandering to a close for Bayern, with Philipp Lahm and Xabi Alonso’s final games before retirement the only notable moments that remain.

Monaco(no change)

Their Champions League dream came to an end against Juventus, but Monaco can console themselves with having lit up European football this season. Plus, they are on the brink of winning Ligue 1; they will clinch this weekend if results go their way.

Atletico Madrid(no change)

It will hurt badly that they have been knocked out of the Champions League by their bitter, cross-city rivals for the fourth straight season. But at least Atletico restored some pride with a vibrant 2-1 win at the Calderon on Wednesday. Maybe next year?

Borussia Dortmund(+1)

Dortmund took a big step toward securing third place in the Bundesliga by beating their immediate competition, Hoffenheim, 2-1 at the weekend. Thomas Tuchel’s side have a two-point cushion with two games remaining.

AS Roma(+1)

The Giallorossi retained their grip on second place in Serie A behind champions-elect Juventus by thrashing Milan 4-1 last weekend. Napoli are just a point back; can Luciano Spalletti & Co. hang on?

Ajax(new)

Ajax have been in superb form of late and could still sneak the Eredivisie title from Feyenoord, who have a one-point lead, in the league’s final weekend. If they fail, not to worry: Ajax secured a place in the Europa League final after overcoming Lyon 5-4 on aggregate.Dropping out: Tottenham

EPL Predictions this weekend

WEST HAM: Liverpool desperately need a win at the London Stadium to cement their Champions League aspirations and may find hosts West Ham in a relaxed mood after reaching 42 points with the win over Spurs. EastEnders love an end-of-season knees-up, though, and both teams may have to settle for a point.
Prediction: West Ham 2-2 Liverpool — Peter Thorne

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool have been quite efficient in picking up points on their travels recently, while West Ham no longer have the home advantage of Upton Park and have struggled since moving to their new stadium. The Reds will get the win they need, but it will be close.
Prediction: West Ham 1-2 Liverpool — Dave Usher

MAN CITY: Prior to last season’s 3-1 home defeat to a vigorous Leicester side that would be heralded Premier League champions, this weekend’s visitors to the Etihad had inflicted next to no damage in Manchester for three decades. With City going hard for the finishing tape and a third-place finish, expect a home win.
Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Leicester — Simon Curtis

LEICESTER: Leicester will be glad they are safe, since an away trip to City followed by a home fixture with Tottenham is hardly ideal at this stage of the season. The Foxes underlined their title credentials at City last term and another shock win would virtually guarantee a top-half finish. A comfortable home win is likely but perhaps Leicester can raise their game to influence the race for Champions League football.
Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Leicester — Ben Jacobs

STOKE: Stoke will be revelling in the prospect of assuming the role of party-poopers in what could be Arsene Wenger’s final Premier League away game as Arsenal manager. The ever-industrious Mame Diouf deserves another start up top while Marc Muniesa will be lucky to escape the manager’s ire and keep his place following the horror show of his last performance.
Prediction: Stoke 2-1 Arsenal — James Whittaker

ARSENAL: Having not won at St Mary’s since 2003, Arsenal will be hoping their 2-0 over Southampton on Wednesday augurs well as they prepare for another away trip to a ground that has been difficult for them. The last time the Gunners went to Stoke and won was in 2010, so they have a similar hoodoo to break on Saturday. It’s a big test, but one they should just about be able to come through.
Prediction: Stoke 1-2 Arsenal — Tom Adams

Yanks Abroad: 10 things you need to know from this past weekend

A quick check-in with the US Internationals playing abroad.by Cody Bradley@ThatCodyTho May 8, 2017, 4:15pm PDT

Alex Morgan

She picked up two more goals in Lyon’s 9-0 victory over Soyaux. It was the 11th consecutive D1 title in France for Lyon. LINK

DeAndre Yedlin

Yedlin helped get the scoring started for Newcastle in a 3-0 win with an assist in the 23rd minute. He is on his way back to the Prem!

John Brooks

Hertha Berlin had a very rough day against RB Leipzig. RBL won the match 4-1 and guaranteed themselves a UCL playoff spot. But, Brooks returned from injury and went the full 90. He obviously did not play well in the hefty defeat and earned himself a yellow card.

Christian Pulisic

He was in the lineup but did not appear for Dortmund in the 2-1 win over Hoffenheim that put them back into a guaranteed Champions League group spot.

Crystal Dunn

The Chelsea forward came on in the 61’ in a 4-0 win over Reading. She didn’t score but she did create the final goal for The Blues. LINK

Ethan Horvath

The 21 year old made his debut in goal for Club Brugge in Belgium. His blunder led to a goal, but Brugge got all three points for his first match with a 3-1 win over Royal Chaleroi. It even looked as though he deserved an assist with a long ball in the match.

Carli Lloyd

She played as both a forward and a midfielder for a double game week for Manchester City. City drew with Birmingham 1-1 and defeated Reading 3-2 on Sundat.

Bobby Wood

The struggles continued for Bobby Wood this weekend. But Hamburger SV was able to get the 0-0 draw. The only goal HSV has scored in the last three weeks was credited as an own goal. Bobby hasn’t scored in the last seven matches (but he has picked up two assists in that span). The point could prove to be HUGE for Hamburg as they fight to avoid relegation.

Timmy Chandler

Timmy was named the captain of Eintracht Frankfurt for the first time in his career. Good to see him developing and getting respect. But Frankfurt lost 2-0 to Wolfsburg and sit in 11th place in the Bundesliga.

Geoff Cameron

Went the full 90 for Stoke City against Bournemouth in a 2-2 draw. He had a pretty decent match, winning his aerials and duels, and he added a couple key passes on the other end as well.

USA’s U-20 World Cup roster offers several surprises

Tab Ramos throws us some curveballs.by Rob Usry@RobUsry May 9, 2017, 9:42am PDT

Another FIFA U-20 World Cup is upon us and for the second straight cycle Tab Ramos has the United States looking pretty good heading into the tournament. Back in March, a group full of primarily domestic-based players won their first CONCACAF Championship for the age group. On Tuesday, Ramos named an altered 21-player roster with some very interesting changes to what worked earlier this year.”We are very excited to once again provide a great competitive opportunity to our players and are looking forward to heading to Korea Republic,” Ramos said in a statement released by U.S. Soccer. “As always there were some extremely tough decisions to make. This is a talented age group.”The most notable roster decision has to be the inclusion of 17-year-old strike Josh Sargent. The St. Louis native is fresh off scoring five goals for the U.S. U-17’s at their CONCACAF Championship. They’ve decided that their striker pool isn’t adequate enough and have reached into the younger age group to pluck their star player. It could be argued that striker was the most disappointing position in March with Jeremy Ebobisse failing to offer much of a scoring threat. Sargent’s inclusion is a bold move that proves Ramos and his staff think he could really improve the team’s chances to go far.

Another interesting choice is Atlanta United academy’s Lagos Kunga a speedy winger who only received his first ever call-up to the U-20’s for the most recent training camp in England in April. It’s quite rare to see a player come around so late in the cycle and make the final roster. Either he really impressed in that one camp or he fits a certain need that the Ramos felt the team lacked.Notable absences from the squad include many high profile names playing across Europe. None of the Schalke trio of Haji Wright, Weston McKinnie, or Nick Taitague were called in. It’s quite possible that the Bundesliga club declined to release them for the tournament. Which, unfortunately is their right as it is for every club. Other omissions include Fiorentina’s Josh Perez, Villarreal’s Mukwelle Akale, Manchester United’s Matthew Olosunde, Wolfsburg’s McKinzie Gaines, and Werder Bremen’s Isiah Young.Both Gedion Zelalem and Cameron Carter-Vickers are playing in their second straight U-20 World Cup after heavily featuring in the 2015 tournament.The majority of the roster is holdover from the qualification triumph. Including Brooks Lennon who starred for the team during that tournament from his right wing spot and has gone on to earn some starting nods for Real Salt Lake in MLS.The U-20’s kickoff the World Cup in South Korea on Monday, May 22 against Ecuador at 4:00 a.m. ET.

Here’s the full roster:

GOALKEEPERS (3): Jonathan Klinsmann (University of California; Newport Beach, Calif.), J.T. Marcinkowski (Georgetown; Alamo, Calif.), Brady Scott (De Anza Force; Petaluma, Calif.)

DEFENDERS (7): Danny Acosta (Real Salt Lake; Salt Lake City, Utah), Cameron Carter-Vickers (Tottenham Hotspur FC; Westcliff-on-Sea, England), Marlon Fossey (Fulham FC; Surbiton, England), Justen Glad (Real Salt Lake; Tucson, Ariz.), Aaron Herrera (University of New Mexico; Las Cruces, N.M.), Erik Palmer-Brown (Sporting Kansas City; Lee’s Summit, Mo.), Tommy Redding (Orlando City SC; Oviedo, Fla.)

MIDFIELDERS (5): Tyler Adams (New York Red Bulls; Wappingers Falls, N.Y.), Luca De La Torre (Fulham FC; San Diego, Calif.), Derrick Jones (Philadelphia Union; Philadelphia, Pa.), Eryk Williamson (University of Maryland; Alexandria, Va.), Gedion Zelalem (Arsenal FC; Bethesda, Md.)

FORWARDS (6): Jeremy Ebobisse (Portland Timbers; Bethesda, Md.), Lagos Kunga (Atlanta United FC Academy; Tucker, Ga.) Brooks Lennon (Real Salt Lake; Paradise Valley, Ariz.), Emmanuel Sabbi (Unattached; Columbus, Ohio), Josh Sargent (St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri; O’Fallen, Mo.), Sebastian Saucedo (Real Salt Lake; Park City, Utah)

THREE THINGS: #INDVFCE

Indy Eleven remains undefeated in 2017, gaining sixth point in sixth consecutive draw May 8, 2017

ENTER PLUMHOFF AND POLTRONIERI

New-in-Blue Jason Plumhoff and Brandon Poltronieri made their club debut on Saturday as late substitutes in the match against FC Edmonton. Plumhoff came in for Indy midfielder Sinisa Ubiparipovic in the 79^thminute and Poltronieri entered for striker Eamon Zayed in stoppage time in an attempt to bring in fresh legs and find a goal. Although their time on the pitch was limited, fans had a chance to see both new signings in action for the first time while key players, such as Ben Speas, Don Smart, and Marco Franco, work towards becoming match fit in the coming weeks.Plumhoff is a youth product of German giants Bayern Munich and SpVgg Unterhaching prior to relocating to the States. After a successful collegiate career with La Salle University, Plumhoff signed his first professional contract in 2015 with USL’s Harrisburg City Islanders, scoring 10 goals in 22 appearances. The following year, the German native made the jump to the NASL, which included stints at both FC Edmonton and Jacksonville Armada FC.Poltronieri, a native of Costa Rica, began his right through the ranks with Costa Rican FPD side Brujas FC, which included on and off loans with Portuguese side Lexioes SC and Mexican side CD Barrio Mexico before eventually finding his way in the States. Eventually, Poltronieri made his way to the NASL, first joining the Atlanta Silverbacks for a short stint before linking up with Indy Eleven captain Colin Falvey in Ottawa Fury’s squad and more recently playing for USL’s Phoenix Rising FC before arriving in Indy’s lineup.

JON BUSCH, OUR GOALTENDER, AND SAVIOR

Indy Eleven ‘keeper Jon Busch continued to show off his skills after a crucial save late in the game kept the score level for the home side. In the 74^th minute, the 40-year-old ‘keeper sent the ball over the crossbar after FC Edmonton’s Sabri Khattab sent a ball flying towards the back of the net from outside of the box. “Buschy” made a nearly identical save during Indy’s previous home outing against San Francisco Deltas on April 22 in the 75^th minute, when visiting winger Kyle Bekker sent a ball flying towards the upper left corner of the goal before Busch punched the ball over the bar to keep the score 0-0 and Indy undefeated at home, once more. Busch’s blocked attempt puts him at nine in 2017, placing him among the top 10 ‘keepers with the most saves in the NASL this season. The 2008 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year has kept his goals against average (GAA) below 1.00 since joining “Indiana’s Team” in 2016. Fans have the opportunity to pledge a donation for every save Busch makes in the 2017 season for his SAVES for SEALS initiative.

KELLER BUILDING MINUTES

Eleven veteran Daniel Keller found himself in the starting line-up for the second consecutive match and his fourth start in total for the 2017 campaign. In the last six matches, Keller has racked up a total of 378 minutes of play time so far this season, putting him within minutes of his total playtime during the 2016 season (402) and just over one-third of his total playtime since his first season in Indy in 2015 (1000). As his minutes on the pitch continue to rise, so does the young midfielder’s stats. In five games, Keller has put in impressive performances which have seen him win all but one of his tackles, 18 clearances, eight interceptions, and winning close to three-fourths of his duels as well as completing almost three-fourths of his passes. With a few of our defenders currently out injured, Keller has moved back in the defensive line and stepped up to the role presented to the former University of Louisville Captain.

Check out The Ole Ballcoach online www.theoleballcoach.com –

Proud Member of the Brick Yard Battalion – http://www.brickyardbattalion.com , Sam’s Army- http://www.sams-army.com , American Outlaws http://www.facebook.com/IndyAOUnite

5/9/16 Champions League today and Wed, Europa League Thurs

May 9, 2017 gatorbest

The Champions League is down to the final 4 – after the first legs – it looks like Juventus and Real Madrid are on their way to the Finals. Yes Real still must go to Atletico but with a 3-0 lead – it looks good for the Madradista’s returning to the finals looking for the back to back. For Juve – the old lady and the old Goalkeeper Gigi Buffon came thru again as they continued their shutout streak (since mid-November in Champions League) with 6 great saves and a 2-0 win at Monaco behind 2 Higuain goals off of Dani Alves passes. Return legs are Tues – Juventus hosting Monaco at 2:45 on Fox Sports 1 and Wed same time and channel for Atletico vs Real Madrid and Renaldo.

Huge congrats to all the volunteers at Carmel FC who helped the Challenge Cup and President’s Cup games go off without a hitch this past weekend at River Road Fields despite some interesting and very wet conditions. Congrats to those teams advancing.

cfcprezcup

Prezcupteam

GAMES ON TV

Tues –May 9 Champions League

2:45 pm FoxSport1 Juventus vs Monaco (2-0)

Weds May 10 –Champions League

2:45 pm FoxSport1 Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid (0-3)

Thur –May 11 Europa League

3:05 pm FoxSport1 Man U vs Celta Vigo (1-0)

3:05 pm FoxSport2 Lyon vs Ajax (0-2)

Friday, May 12

3 pm NBCSN West Brom vs Chelsea

Sat, May 13

7:30 am NBCSN Man City vs Leicester City

9:30 am FOX RB Leipzig vs Bayern Munich

9:30 am Fox Sport1 Dortmund vs Ausburg

10 am NBC live Sunderland vs Swansea (relegation)

12:30 pm NBCSN Stoke City vs Arsenal (US Cameron)

7:30 pm Myindy TV Miami vs Indy 11

9 pm ESPN Chicago vs Seattle Sounders

Sun, May 14

9:15 am NBCSN West Ham vs Liverpool

11 am NBCSN Tottenham vs Man United

2 pm beIN Sport Las Palmas vs Barcelona

4 pm ESPN Portland Timbers vs Atlanta United

6 pm Fox sport 1 NY Red Bulls vs LA Galaxy

8 pm Fox Sport 1 Dallas vs NYCFC

Monday, May 15

3 pm NBCSN Chelsea vs Watford

Tues, May 16

3 pm NBCSN Man City vs West Brom

2:45 pm NBC live Arsenal vs Sunderland

Thursday, May 18

2:45 pm NBCSN Leicester City vs Tottenham

Juve’s Gigi Buffon to make 100^th Champions League Appearance vs Monaco at home Tues

Champions League

Simieon has hope for Atleti miracle at home vs Real – ESPNFC

Juve in Control but don’t rule out Monaco just yet. ESPNFC

Marcelo and Dani Alves continue to redefine the Fullback Role Gab Marcoti – ESPNFC

Gigi Still a Rock after 100 Champ League Games

Just how Brilliant is Juve and Italy’s Gigi Buffon?

Gigi’s Greatest Nights

Saves vs Monaco 1^st leg

5 Best Saves for Gigi>

Europa League

Rashford Crashes a goal for Man United Lead in 1^st Lege

Ajax Crushes Lyon 4-0

Gianluigi Buffon still Juventus’ rock after 100 Champions League games

Gianluigi Buffon celebrated his 100th UEFA Champions League appearance for Juventus on Wednesday with a clean sheet in a victory in the first leg of the semifinal round against Monaco.Buffon became only the second Italian player to reach the century mark for one club after Paolo Maldini, who did so in 2007 and finished with 109 appearances for AC Milan.Coach Leonardo Jardim praised Buffon’s effort in the 2-0 victory, saying that the goalkeeper “pulled off two or three incredible saves” that moved the club closer to their ninth appearance in the final.Juventus, who are unbeaten in 11 Champions League games this season, have not conceded a goal since the group stage — a run of 621 minutes, the fifth-longest streak in the history of the competition.The last player to score against Buffon in a Champions League game was Sevilla’s Nicolas Pareja, who did so in the ninth minute of a 3-1 victory for Juventus on Nov. 22.Until Wednesday, Juventus had never kept six consecutive clean sheets in the Champions League. They now have a goal difference of plus-17, the best of any club in the competition, and have only allowed two goals, tied for the fewest in the tournament despite having played five more games.The last club to keep a clean sheet in each of their first five knockout-round games was Arsenal, who did so over their first six games in 2005-06 before losing to Barcelona in the final.Monaco failed to score for the first time in 30 home games this season and only the fourth time in 58 games in all competitions. They entered Wednesday undefeated at home this season in the Champions League and had outscored their opponents 11-3 in their last home four games in the competition.

Buffon’s #UCL wish: ‘I have always wanted to win it’

Monday 8 May 2017 by Paolo Menicucci in Turin

Ready to make his 150th UEFA club competiton appearance in the semi-final decider, Gianluigi Buffon recalled past near misses, and said what it would mean to finally win the UEFA Champions League.

On Monaco …

I’ll let you into a little secret. Around the 30-minute mark of their match away to Manchester City, I sent a message to one of our directors, saying: “Hey, this lot could make it to the final; they’re really strong!” That shows you how much respect we have for them. They play positive, energetic football and they’re a sparkling, physical side with quality players and a lot of experience. We know that if we want to get another shot at winning the Champions League, we have to overcome an obstacle that’ll be at least as tricky as Barcelona in footballing terms.

On feeling his age at 39 …

Monaco’s Kylian Mbappé was born in December 1998. I had already played at the World Cup in France by then! That’s the nice thing about having such a long career: meeting kids who weren’t even born when you already had a chunk of your career under your belt.I was thinking the other day that I’ve managed to span almost three generations. When I started playing, you still had guys born in the end of the ’50s and the ’60s –and I’ll finish with guys born in the 2000s. It’s a huge span of time! It’s nice knowing that I’m playing with the future Messis, Cristiano Ronaldos and Neymars, because in ten years, after I have been retired for a while, they will be confirmed superstars and I’ll remember facing them at the dawn of their careers.

How brilliant is Buffon?
Buffon’s first 1,000 games

On making up for past final losses …

There’s definitely a desire to make up for losing the final in Berlin [to Barcelona in 2015], but I also have to make amends for Manchester in 2003 [when Juventus lost to AC Milan on penalties], so going back through the years my motivation is a lot deeper.In 2015, we lost it at a moment when Barcelona were on the ropes. We let in a goal almost on the counterattack: Messi hammered a shot on goal, I diverted it and Suárez scored.Losing on penalties in 2003 was very painful, but since I was only 25, I was fairly calm because I was convinced I’d win many more! That’s the exuberance of youth. I was so close to winning it on that occasion; they missed three penalties in that final – I saved two of them. Strange things happen. It wasn’t meant to be and we weren’t good enough. In sport and life, those who deserve it more probably end up getting their rewards.After the return leg against Barcelona this season I was very happy, of course, but I did not celebrate too much, because I know that after a certain point you either win the trophy or get disappointed. And since I have been disappointed so many times, I want to get the victory before allowing myself to celebrate!

On what it would mean to finally lift the trophy …

It would mean a lot for me. It would be the greatest joy of my career, together with the [2006] World Cup, because it would almost be a reward – the end of a very difficult road paved by bravery, stubbornness and hard work. I have always wanted to win it and I have always been convinced that I can do it together with my team, the fans, my colleagues. That would be great – we can talk about it later if it happens!

Juventus appear Cardiff-bound but don’t rule out Monaco just yet

Ahead of Juventus and Monaco’s Champions league semifinal second leg, Julien Laurens and James Horncastle have been chatting again.The Italian side lead 2-0 on aggregate after a commanding display in the teams’ opening game but, as Julien says to begin; it’s not over yet…

So James, my friend,

You didn’t think you would get rid of me so easily, did you? No, I am still here, just like Monaco! And Juventus should be careful not to write them off before the second leg, as many people — including you! — are doing. This tie is not over just yet. Juve were so “Juve” last week, efficient with Gonzalo Higuain and solid with Gianlugi Buffon; nothing new there. But there is still hope for Monaco, who found a way to create big chances in the first leg, and unsettle the Juve defence.

This time, playing away from home will even be better for them. They are so good on the counter, as we saw at Manchester City (despite their defeat), at Dortmund and also at Wembley against Tottenham. Leonardo Jardim and his players have learnt from the first leg; they won’t make the same mistakes and they will not give up. They really believe they can come back in this tie. They have already scored over 150 goals this season in all competitions and so naturally fancy themselves to add two more — at least — to that tally.

Julien, I’m glad you brought up Buffon, mon cher,

I still find it baffling how reluctant people are to consider him the undisputed world No. 1. Maybe it’s because he’s 39 and, after a while, people want to see a new champion. But if Juventus have kept a club record six consecutive clean sheets in the Champions League this season and are currently 621 minutes and counting without conceding a goal, it’s down in no small part to their inspirational captain.

OK, Paulo Dybala stole the headlines against Barcelona and it was Higuain and Dani Alves’ turn against Monaco. But, in each of those games, Buffon came up big. People are quick to forget how he denied Andres Iniesta when the score was 1-0 in Turin or, last week, Kylian Mbappe at 0-0, Radamel Falcao at 1-0 and Valerie Germain at 2-0. Buffon had to pull off five saves at the Stade Louis II, which is the most he’s had to make in this competition since the group stages of last season. No wonder La Stampa celebrated his Mani d’oro — “golden hands.” “He’s still the best goalkeeper in the world,” Juventus manager Max Allegri said after the first leg; Buffon ttranscends his position. On the flight back to Turin, one of his teammates was overheard saying: “He’s our Cristiano Ronaldo.” And even if Monaco do get past him, Jules, do you really see them winning at the J Stadium, where Juve have lost only once in Europe? Need I remind you that was more than four years ago.

Ha, I love Buffon too, James!

And I agree with you that he is the undisputed No. 1. The Champions League is the only thing that is missing from his trophy cabinet and unfortunately for him, he will have to wait at least another year to win it, because Monaco will win in Turin and go through. After all, this is a season in which Barcelona produced the remontada of all remontadas against Paris Saint-Germain; there is another twist to come and it will happen on Tuesday. If any team is capable of a great comeback, it is Monaco!This time, Jardim will get his tactics right. Benjamin Mendy will be back, while. Falcao and Mbappe want their revenge over Buffon and will take their chances. The Monegasques will continue to create chances and bring craziness, pace and intensity to the game, everything that Juve will not want. They will want to slow the game down and control it but Bernardo Silva, Thomas Lemar and Co. will be unstoppable. Monaco have a rendezvous with destiny and they won’t miss it.

Jules, tu es fou! Crazy, I tell you.

You do know that only two teams have overturned a first-leg defeat at home in the Champions League knockout rounds? One was Louis van Gaal’s Ajax against Panathinaikos in 1996 — let’s just pause for a moment to reminisce about Jari Litmanen. OK, done — and the other was Inter against Bayern Munich back in 2011, AKA when Inter used to get into the Champions League.Granted, Monaco have been breathtaking on the road this season.They scored twice at Villarreal and Spurs and three times at Man City and Dortmund; beads of sweat are forming on my brow just thinking about it! But then I remember that this Juventus team has reached half-time in 12 games this season without even allowing a single shot on goal. What really struck me in Monaco was how confident, assured and unflappable Juve looked. They seemed completely at ease, which is perhaps the biggest measure of how far Allegri has brought them on from the days of Antonio Conte.Perhaps by dint of not being associated with a buzzword style like gegenpressing or tiki-taka, Allegri does not receive the acclaim he richly deserves. He is a masterful tactician, has great instincts, has managed a transition to enable young players to come through and turned Juventus into so much more than a team with a great defence. No one saw 3-4-2-1 coming last week and, watching the game back, Juventus changed system five times in the game. Allegri kept Jardim guessing and I’m not sure he’ll have the answers on Tuesday!

Come now, James!

As an educated man, you know what R. D. Laing (who died in France, not far from Monaco, by the way) used to say: “Insanity: a perfectly rational adjustment to an insane world.” It has been a crazy season in a crazy world and Monaco beating Juve on Tuesday, however hard it might seem, would be a perfect addition to the story!And I am glad you brought up the Ajax ’96 team because, in many ways, this Monaco side is similar to that of LVG back them, boasting youth, talent, belief and insouciance. I am convinced that, before being dismantled like Ajax were, Monaco will make it all the way to the top. Just like Ajax did.Focus on the league, Jules; leave Europe to the Old Lady.Allegri rested eight players for this game, while. Jardim only rotated Mbappe and Tiemoue Bakayoko. A big part of that is to do with depth, but I think it also shows Monaco’s intentions. A first league title since 2000 is within touching distance and, regardless of how this project started, that’s a remarkable achievement. Jardim said he wouldn’t swap winning the league for one night in Turin. Ligue 1 is returning to the Principality but the Champions League is en route to Turin via Cardiff.James and Julien will return after Tuesday’s game to react to the tie’s conclusion.

Marcelo, Dani Alves continue to redefine full-back role for Real, Juve

Maybe it’s a coincidence. Maybe there is no deeper tactical significance. Maybe they aren’t a dying breed but rather a one-off. Maybe they’re just two hugely gifted Brazilian full-backs who interpret the game in their own unique way. The fact that, for many years, they were teammates with the Selecao and rivals on the pitch is just another wrinkle.I honestly don’t know. I just find Marcelo and Dani Alves hugely compelling. And the fact that within the space of 26 hours, each played a key role in helping Real Madrid and Juventus take a giant step towards the Champions League final, is as good an excuse as any to write about them and their role in the game.The headlines went to the two outstanding natural goalscorers they play with — Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain — and that’s more than understandable. But the way they played underscores the fact that even though next month Marcelo turns 29 and Dani Alves 33, they represent a certain type of modern full-back, one that is frankly exceedingly rare.For a start, let’s get one thing clear. In 2017, full-back is not a defensive position. In most games regardless of the league, full-backs regularly rank in the top three or four in terms of touches on the ball. We may think in terms of 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 but the fact is when teams get the ball, the central defenders sit back, often with a holding midfielder, and one or both full-backs are way up the pitch, out on the wing.For top teams, that 4-3-3 becomes a 2-3-5 (or 3-2-5, if the defensive midfielder slips between the central defenders) when in possession. And even on a more conservative team, where only one full-back attacks at a time and the defence shifts across, the 4-3-3 becomes a 3-3-4. If you don’t notice this when you watch a game on TV, watch one in person. And if you can’t, check out heat maps and average positions.That part isn’t new. It used to be pretty simple (and in recreational football, it still is). Your left-back was whatever left-footed defender you could find and while he didn’t need to be particularly skillful, he needed to be left-footed because it’s easier to defender balls from that flank when you’re left-footed.Your right-back was usually the either the third-best centre-back on your team, which meant he was unlikely to be particularly gifted on the ball, or would be a guy with the skill set of a central defender who happened to be a little short. Gary Neville was perhaps one of the last great right-backs in this mold: Sir Alex Ferguson famously said he would have been the perfect centre-back had he been a few inches taller. (It’s not a knock on Neville, by the way — he was an exceptional footballer and what he lacked in attacking technique, he more than made up for through intelligence and work ethic.)That began to change in the late 1950s and 1960s with the emergence of the first great attacking full-backs. And for the last 10-15 years, everybody’s full-backs (at least on the better teams) have known how to attack and spend tons of time up the pitch. The difference is that the vast majority are basically adjunct old-school wingers. They pound the flank, up and down, providing width and putting in crosses. This became especially important as wingers increasingly became wide forwards, attacking midfielders or second-striker types who were encouraged to come inside at every opportunity.Here’s the thing about Marcelo and Dani Alves, though. They can do that part of the game. They can run and beat opponents and provide service to the middle (with a back-heel no less, if necessary). But they’re also devastating when they come into the middle and when they do that, they turn into legitimate attacking midfielders, No. 10s willing and able to play one-twos, pick out passes or shoot on goal. There’s a creative element and a passing quality to their game that we ordinarily associate with midfielders. This creates overloads and mismatches galore, wreaking havoc in the opposition.Juve boss Max Allegri was glowing when he lauded Alves after the Monaco game. “Did you see him? Did you see his assists? That’s what a central playmaker does…” That’s why he leaped at the opportunity to sign him as a free agent over the summer even though it meant committing a lot of cash to a guy who will be 35 when his contract expires.Zinedine Zidane — possibly because his bar is set way higher given his own playing career — wasn’t quite as effusive. But he has said in no uncertain terms that Marcelo is one of the pillars of his team. And against the sort of massed defences that Real often face, his ability to go central and help Luka Modric and Toni Kroos with playmaking duties is invaluable not least because it allows Zidane to carry Casemiro, whose attacking contribution is far more limited.Does it come at a price? Sure. Neither is an exceptional one-on-one defender. And, yes, when you spend so much time up the pitch, you leave space behind you. In most games, it matters little because their teams have so much of the ball and their teammates adjust and compensate. When they do screw up, it often looks bad.There’s also a question of durability perhaps because of their style of play. Dani Alves has not started more than 29 league games in a season since 2011 and Marcelo, who is five years younger, has done it just twice. But it’s a price worth paying.That skill is exceedingly rare even among the best full-backs in Europe. Think of the top full-backs in the world and, with a few exceptions (Bayern’s duo of David Alaba and Phillip Lahm come to mind) the vast majority are essentially up-and-down types. They don’t have that additional dimension these two offer.You wonder whether Dani Alves and Marcelo, had they been born and come through the ranks somewhere other than Brazil, would simply have been pushed to play as attacking midfielders or wingers (which, incidentally, Dani Alves did early in his career). And conversely, you wonder whether a promising attacking midfielder might not consider a career change to the flank (provided he has the requisite athleticism) rather than entering the crowded market for “No. 10s.”Time and again they’ve shown their value by interpreting what is still a fundamentally unglamorous role in their own way. And proving themselves to be not just indispensable but genuine difference-makers too.Gabriele Marcotti is a Senior Writer for ESPN FC

5/5/17 Indy 11 Tix Discount for Sat Night Game, Champs League 2nd legs, CFC host Cup Games, Game TV Schedule

May 5, 2017 gatorbest

The Indy 11 look to extend their NASL Record Non-Losing Streak to 21 games as they face FC Edmonton this weekend at 7:30 pm at the MIKE in their brand new Adidas Uniforms. NASL Player of the month Justin Braun will lead the blues. Get discounted tickets for the game and games in May/June/Jule by clicking Indy 11 Discount Ticket Link. This Sat night is Craft Beer Night as special Craft beers will be served starting 2 hours before gametime. This year’s edition of the Indy Eleven Craft Beer Fest will feature at least 13 breweries, with all but one bringing brews for tasting from right here in the Hoosier State.

So I have been frustrated with MLS for not showing good games this season – but man they have a doosy on Sat on ESPN at 2:55 pm with Defending Champs Seattle hosting Toronto FC. Both teams are on form as Seattle erased a 3 goal deficit last week to tie 3-3 and Toronto won 2-0 behind 2 great goals by Jozy Altidore. Set those DVRs or tune for the best match-up at least on TV of the MLS season so far. In other news the MLS Allstar game featuring defending Champions League Champs Real Madrid vs the MLS All-Stars will be held in Chicago on Wednesday Night, Aug 2 at Soldier Field. I am planning to go and would love to set up a caravan up there if anyone else wants to come. This is an exclusive link to purchase tickets before they go on sale to the general public Thursday morning. https://www1.ticketmaster.com/event/0400524DB5832485?CAMEFROM=CFC_MLG_17ASG_PREFIREDATABASE Tickets are about $60 in the upper decks and $90 for level 2 behind the goals (where we are looking) RE: If you would like to order tickets together and head over.

Carmel FC is proud to be hosting Challenge Cup and President’s Cup games this weekend May 5-7 at the River Road fields in East Carmel about 2 miles from Badger. CFC parents sign up here if you would be willing to volunteer to help: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090b44aaad22a0fe3-carmel.

Coaches and parents check out this great read Developing Warriors not Winners sent by our CFC DOC Matt Coyer.

GAMES ON TV

Thur –May 4 Europa League

3 pm FoxSport2 Celta Vigo vs Man U

Fri, May 5

3 pm NBCSN West Ham vs Tottenham

Sat, May 6

7:30 am NBCSN Man City vs Crystal Palace

9:30 am Dortmund vs Hoffenhiem

12:30 pm beIN Spo Barcelona vs Villarreal

12:30 pm NBC live Swansea vs Everton

2:45 pm beIN sport Granada vs Real Madrid

2:55 pm ESPN Seattle host Toronto FC (replay of Champ game)

7:30 pm Myindy TV Indy 11 vs Edmonton

Sun, May 7

8:30 am NBCSN Liverpool vs Southhampton

11 am NBCSN Arsenal vs Man United

1:30 pm Min United vs Sporting KC

Mon, May 8

3 pm NBCSN Chelsea vs Middlesbrough

Tues –May 9 Champions League

2:45 pm FoxSport1 Juventus vs Monaco

Weds May 10 –Champions League

2:45 pm FoxSport1 Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid

Thur –May 11 Europa League

2:45 pm FoxSport2 Man U vs Celta Vigo

Sat, May 13

7:30 am NBCSN Man City vs Leicester City

9:30 am Fox Sport1 Dortmund vs Ausburg

12:30 pm NBC live Stoke City vs Arsenal (US Cameron)

7:30 pm Myindy TV Miami vs Indy 11

9 pm ESPN Chicago vs Seattle Sounders

Sun, May 14

9:15 am NBCSN West Ham vs Liverpool

11 am NBCSN Tottenham vs Man United

4 pm ESPN Portland Timbers vs Atlanta United

Craft Beer Fest this Satruday – vs FC Edmonton

INDY 11

What to Watch for vs FC Edmonton

Justin Braun Wins Player of the Month

Ben Spea Wins Play of the Month

Indy 11 sign 2 new Players

Indy 11 stays Unbeaten with 1-1 Draw at Jax

3 Things Indy 11 vs Jax 1-1 Tie

Behind Great Defense and 2 goals Juve has 1 foot in final

Champions League

Monaco a Fluke? ESPNTV?

Juve Does what they need to on the Road = SI

Renaldo’s Hat Trick puts Real 1 foot into Final

Renaldo reminds us why he is 1 of top 2 players in the World today

Renaldo was Magnifico

Tues –May 9 Champions League

2:45 pm FoxSport1 Juventus vs Monaco

Weds May 10 –Champions League

2:45 pm FoxSport1 Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid

Thur –May 11 Europa League

2:45 pm FoxSport2 Man U vs Celta Vigo

MLS

Orlando goes Top with Kaka score

What to watch for Week 10 – Armchair Analyst

MLS Expansion News –SI – Planet Football

Time ticks on Beckham, Miami |

Do St. Louis, Charlotte bids have a pulse? |

Quiet confidence in Sacramento |

San Diegans sign on |

Nashville meets with Garber

USA

Miseducation of Julian Green – Stars and Stripes

US Hot List Overseas? ESPNFC

US Hot List Last Week

What do MLS Goalie Woes say about State of USMNT GK Pipeline?

Johannsson Where might he end up in MLS?

World Soccer

Power Rankings

Can Arsenal finally beat Man U?

World Races for titles,Champions League and Relagation are up for grabs still in most of the leagues in the world. Of course Bayern won the Bundesliga again as did Juve in Italy and Chelsea has a 4 pt lead in the EPL.

PREVIEW | #INDy 11 V FC Edmonton

Indy Eleven vs FC Edmonton – #INDvFCE Saturday, May 6, 2017 – 7:30 P.M. EST Michael A. Carroll Stadium – Indianapolis, Indiana
Watch/Listen Live: Local TV: MyINDY TV-23 Streaming Video: ESPN3
THE EDDIES RETURN TO INDY

“Indiana’s Team” makes their return to Carroll Stadium this Saturday as the “Fight for Three” continues on home turf against Canadian rivals FC Edmonton. From the two sides’ first meeting in Spring 2014, Indy has held a diverse record when it comes to competition against the Eddies (3W-2D-4L, plus one postseason win).Despite forward Justin Braun’s Player of the Month performance and Indy’s position among the top three highest scoring clubs, Indy currently sits in sixth place after each of the club’s first five matches resulted in a draw. While the last regular season match against Edmonton ended in a 2-1 loss away from home, the “Boys in Blue” will continue to fight for NASL supremacy and seek redemption for lost points in previous encounters. FC Edmonton currently sits at the bottom of the 2017 table with three points and a record of 1W-0D-4L. Edmonton’s visit to the Circle City this Saturday will mark the end of a three-game travel week for the visitors. Prior to their match with Indy, Edmonton has lost 2-0 away at Miami FC during regular season play and a 1-0 defeat away to former Canadian NASL rivals Ottawa Fury FC in leg one of the Canadian Cup Championship. This Saturday also marks the third out of six games the Canadian side will have to play within a 14-day time span. This bombardment of matches bodes well for Eleven head coach Tim Hankinson, who hopes that his side can have a leg up on their competitors in the rest column.“Any team that plays in Miami in the heat and humidity, and has to travel internationally from Canada to that tip of the U.S., and then return, and then have to play against really what is an archrival team in Ottawa in the Canadian Cup…traveling again internationally here, the weather conditions won’t be an issues for them, but it takes something out of the team,” detailed Hankinson. “We’ve tried to manage our training to be as fresh as possible come Saturday because I think that fresh legs will be the difference maker.”

WHO TO WATCH INDY ELEVEN EDITION: DF LOVEL PALMER

After a Team of the Week performance in Week 6 against Jacksonville, Jamaican defender Lovel Palmer looks to continue to fortify Indy Eleven’s backline. Away to Armada FC, Palmer’s performance saw the NASL veteran accumulate a total of five clearances out of dangerous territory, five interceptions, a shot within the opposition’s box, and win 60-percent of his duels and while completing over three-fourths of his passes. The former Chicago Fire SC man now finds himself among the list of top players to complete clearances with 22 total for his season so far.This Saturday is projected to be Palmer’s first start against Edmonton on home turf, which his last performance against the visitors at home on July 23, 2017, saw the defender play eight minutes after subbing in for former Eleven midfelder Dylan Mares in the 82^nd minute.

WHO TO WATCH FC EDMONTON EDITION: FW TOMI AMEOBI

England native and former Leeds United forward Tomi Ameobi returns for his fourth season with FC Edmonton. Since his arrival in Canada in 2015, Ameobi has tallied over 3,900 minutes of playtime over the span of 53 games and has netted 10 goals and three assists, making him the leading goalscorer for the current Eddies squad. During his breakout season in 2015, the Newcastle United youth product finished as co-leader in scoring with seven goals under his belt. In 2017, Ameobi has started the first five matches of Edmonton’s Spring season and has racked up a single goal for the Canadian side.Since August 2015, Ameobi has made a total of five appearances (four in regular season play & one in The 2016 Championship Semifinal) and has only managed one goal for his side in 358 minutes against the “Boys in Blue.”

MATCH-UP TO MARK: FW JUSTIN BRAUN VS. DF ALBERT WATSON

Earning NASL Player of the Month for the month of April, Justin Braun will be battling Albert Watson, one of Edmonton’s longest serving players in their current squad, for his position in the visitor’s box this Saturday when the “man on fire” clashes with the Irishman.Out of the six goals scored by “Indiana’s Team” on the season, Braun has been involved with all but one (three goals, two assists). In Week 6, Braun netted his 11^th career goal for Indy in the 25^th minute against Jacksonville Armada FC, which led him past former Eleven “original” Dylan Mares to claim second place on the club’s top goalscoring charts. Forward Eamon Zayed, who led the way in scoring in Indy’s 2016 campaign, has now been responsible for two (one goal, one assist), both of which have been linked with Braun. The striking duo’s interplay in front led Indy Eleven to a 2016 Spring Championship title and helped the club finish runner-up in the 2016 Championship finals, and the forwards are looking to improve upon their record. Watson signed for FC Edmonton back in 2013 and has made full 90-minute appearances in seven of the nine regular season matches the Eddies have played against Indy. The U-23 Ireland National Team member currently sits in sixth place among the top players with 25 total clearances to his name. The former Linfield FC player also has completed over 80-percent of his passes, won four-fifths of his tackles and has provided a defensive wall with six blocks. The defender and his staunch protective nature will prove to be an obstacle for any attacker who crosses his path.

Armchair Analyst: MLS Match-up Week 10

May 5, 20179:30AM EDTMatthew DoyleSenior WriterThe 94th game of the 2017 MLS regular season will mark the quarter pole of this year’s circuit of 374 games. As such, next week’s content plan includes looks at some of our early-season award winners like MVP, Coach of the Year, Young Player of the Year, etc. So keep that in mind as you watch this weekend’s games. Also keep in mind that, historically speaking, teams that are over the red line by mid-May have about a 90 percent success rate when it comes to staying in playoff position. That’s not a guarantee – everyone remembers what the Seattle Sounders and, to a lesser extent, D.C. United did last season. Still, it’s something to be aware of. There’s a nasty habit of writing off early-season struggles and assuming a correction can be made come summer. But more often than not those corrections don’t actually fix teams that have, for one reason or another, looked broken. On to the weekend ahead…

Call the Police

It’s fitting that the game wrapping up the season’s first quarter is the rematch of the one that capped last season, the 2016 MLS Cup final between Seattle and Toronto FC. This time it’ll be Seattle hosting, and Saturday’s contest (3 pm ET; ESPN & ESPN Deportes in US | CTV & TSN2 in Canada) gives us a chance to take the measure of the champs. Attack-wise, they’re as they were last year, only more so because 1) Clint Dempsey is back and healthy and playing good soccer, and 2) Joevin Jones is even more comfortable with his role as an overlapping, attacking left back. There are a lot of reasons why the Sounders attack is so scary and so effective, and lots of those come down to the mastery of Dempsey and Nicolas Lodeiro, or the threat of Jordan Morris, or the cleverness of center forward Will Bruin or midfielder Harry Shipp (two guys that GM Garth Lagerwey picked up this winter for a song), or the platform provided by this team’s rock solid central midfield duo. When the Sounders attack up that left flank they’re damn near unstoppable. Jones doesn’t just add an extra body: He adds an extra playmaker (five assists already this year), and that forces the opposing defense to either come all the way out to the touchline to meet him, or to track him all the way to the endline. While he’s doing that, Lodeiro has become expert at ghosting around into odd little pockets of space that no other attack in the league is quite multi-faceted enough to open up.It doesn’t always come off, obviously, but it’s quite a bit of fun to watch. The fact that they’re getting robbed by the woodwork at a record-shattering pace isn’t an indication that they’re cursed, rather that they’re creating the type of looks that eventually start to fall:

Washingtonians are having less fun watching the Seattle backline, which has been crippled by injury all year. Chad Marshall is still out, and it doesn’t seem like Brad Evans is all that close to returning. That’s left the Sounders in a situation where Tony Alfaro is getting decisive minutes maybe a little earlier than they’ve wanted, and where Gustav Svensson, a deep midfielder at heart, has spent more time in the heart of the defense and at right back than anyone would’ve expected.Now, teams have started to figure out they can bully Svensson in the box itself. Juan Agudelo dunked on him last week, and Jozy Altidore is even more of a physical presence than his younger countryman.The good news for Seattle is that Roman Torres is healthy and will probably be playing in the backline on Saturday (he played as a striker in his return to the lineup as a late-game toss-of-the-dice against the Revs, and it worked). He and Alfaro should start together, and Svensson should either get a break, or get shuffled back out to right back.I’ll also be watching: TFC are coming off a hard-fought, fast-paced midweek home win over Orlando City. So they’re traveling cross-country on short rest to play a non-conference road game during a month in which they’ve got eight games scheduled (including Canadian Championship work).There’s going to be some squad rotation here. Maybe even a lot of squad rotation.

Gonzalo Higuain’s goals put Juventus in commanding position vs. Monaco

MONACO — Three thoughts on an enthralling first leg at the Stade Louis II as Juventus picked up a commanding 2-0 win:

Juventus have one foot in the final

Wednesday’s result made it clear: Juventus have one foot in the Champions League final. It would take an astonishing second-leg turnaround, even allowing for the gifts of this Monaco side, to deny them after a 2-0 victory earned through a superb goal in each half from Gonzalo Higuain. The first half will be replayed for weeks; the second might well have decided the tie and, in the end, Juventus deserved nothing less.The key for Massimiliano Allegri’s side was depriving Monaco of the kind of momentum that has blown other opponents away. They took the sting out of the opening 10 minutes and had the first half-chance when Dani Alves, connecting at the back post, volleyed just over the head of an unmarked Mario Mandzukic.Yet the joy of Monaco this season has been that chances tend to come along so easily. Two excellent openings fell to Kylian Mbappe as they settled into the game: the 18-year-old headed straight at Gianluigi Buffon when he should have done far better. Then, in the 16th minute, he got in front of his marker sharply to direct a fizzing Nabil Dirar cross toward goal. This time, Buffon’s save down at his near post was superb.All of a sudden, Buffon was busy. Radamel Falcao was next to threaten, looping a header that the keeper had to claw away. Juventus were under real pressure now, but as sides of their experience do, they responded emphatically and Higuain’s goal was sublime. The striker sent Alves scampering away down the inside-right channel before, in a stunning piece of synchronicity, arriving at the perfect time to side-foot the Brazilian’s astute back-heel past Danijel Subasic.Now the wind had gone from Monaco’s sails and it took until after the interval for them to regain a head of steam. Then, it took just two minutes for Falcao to sidefoot at Buffon after being played in by Bernardo Silva. Monaco had upped the tempo but it was another big miss and Claudio Marchisio, shooting at the legs of Subasic, almost made them pay again.The reprieve was only temporary. Juve’s second goal arrived just before the hour when the outstanding Alves robbed a dithering Tiemoue Bakayoko, received a pass from Paulo Dybala and crossed perfectly for the onrushing Higuain at the far post. The finish was again clinical. Juventus’ celebrations allowed no doubt about the goal’s importance, and Monaco, for all their endeavour, had no answer in the remaining 31 minutes.It will have to be some response on Tuesday if they are to trouble the Italians further.

Dani Alves rolls back the years in vintage performance

At times, Allegri’s side were stretched more than at any point in this Champions League campaign, but they got the job done with some conviction, and the sense grows that there is no better team in Europe at the moment.While Higuain and Buffon will take the headlines, this was also a triumph for a manager who continues to impress. With Sami Khedira suspended and Monaco holding a physical advantage in central midfield, he opted for a three-man central defence with wing-backs to either side.While the idea was to shore things up, the move made a decisive difference in attacking areas. That is largely because Alves, who turns 34 on Saturday, put in a performance reminiscent of his most dynamic days at Barcelona and Sevilla.His two assists, a sparkling run and back-heel for the first goal and a perfectly weighted cross for the second after he’d pressed high up the pitch to win the ball back, were of the highest quality, and he gave Djibril Sidibe (primarily a right-back but repositioned to the left) an uncomfortable night throughout. Alex Sandro had slightly more trouble against Nabil Dirar on the other side, but it was Alves, whose energy levels never dropped, who made the difference.Juventus’ defence gave up chances but, when they were extended, the peerless Buffon was in immaculate form. His final save of the night was a last-minute tip-over from Valere Germain’s header. Had that gone in, there would have been a morsel of encouragement from Monaco, but the visitors were, overall, convincing winners. They play with a level of control and flexibility across all areas of the pitch that few can match, and it came to the fore yet again here.Juventus are utterly ruthless at both ends of the pitch; can anyone stop them now?

Mbappe and Monaco fall just short

It’s no surprise that 18-year-old strikers will miss chances, but it said something for the regard in which Mbappe is held that his 13th-minute miss, a harmless nod at Buffon when he had both space and time, was so surprising. Mbappe is such a razor-sharp customer, and his lavish talent was evident in abundance here; he will regret not opening the scoring, though, and it was symptomatic of a night on which Monaco did not quite fire.They have an uphill task now, but if Allegri retains the same formation in Turin, Juventus’ gnarled back three will know to expect a vigorous examination in the second leg. Among Mbappe’s many impressive facets is that he shirks nothing: he was back for more within moments of that fluffed header, forcing Buffon into a much more difficult save, and there was a spell before Higuain’s tie-altering goal when he had his battle-worn opponents firmly on the back foot.Mbappe’s work rate and cleverly timed spins out to the left caused problems throughout; perhaps the best example of his all-round package came a few seconds after the break when a wonderful, cushioned touch past Leonardo Bonucci and jet-heeled dash into the area led to a cutback that none of his teammates could put away. Like his pursuers, perhaps they simply could not keep up.Monaco will rue their missed opportunities (and Mbappe was not the only culprit) but eventually their inexperience told. They were not helped by a hamstring injury to their flying left-back, Benjamin Mendy, that ruled him out of the match and meant the equally exhilarating Sidibe had to be redeployed in his position. The balance and directness that have characterised so much of their play were not quite there and barring one cute pass for Falcao, the creative wiles of Bernardo Silva were relatively subdued too.The error by Bakayoko that led to Higuain’s second goal spoke volumes: in the end Juventus were just slicker and sharper. This tie was never going to make or break the careers of Mbappe and his thrilling young cohort but you wonder whether they will be seen at this level in Monaco’s colours again.Nick Ames is a football journalist who writes for ESPN FC on a range of topics. Twitter: @NickAmes82.

Timely Higuain, tactical tweak have Juventus on brink of Champions League final

QUICKLY It was the Gonzalo Higuain and Dani Alves show in Monaco, where Juventus extended its shutout streak to 621 minutes and took a big step toward the Champions League final.JONATHAN WILSON2 hours ago

The Champions League looks set for a repeat of the 1998 final after Juventus took charge of its semifinal against Monaco with a 2-0 victory in the principality a day after Cristiano Ronaldo-led Real Madrid seized a 3-0 lead after the home leg of its semifinal against Atletico Madrid.Monaco never hit its stride at home, failing to score in a league or Champions League game for only the third time this season (running Juventus’s shutout streak in the competition to 621 minutes), and it was undone by two goals from Gonzalo Higuain, both of them set up by Dani Alves.Here are three thoughts on Juventus’s win, which puts the club on course for a June 3 date in Cardiff.

Allegri’s tactical tweak works wonders

Max Allegri sprang a major surprise by reverting to the back three that Juve used with such success under Antonio Conte rather than the 4-2-3-1 that has been the usual formation this season. That meant Andrea Barzagli returning at the expense of Juan Cuadrado, with Dani Alves and Alex Sandro pushing up as wingbacks. That perhaps was an attempt to engage Monaco’s attacking fullbacks higher up the pitch–although they were less threatening than usual.One of the first-choice pair, Benjamin Mendy, was out with an injury suffered against Toulouse over the weekend and the other, Djibril Sidibe was playing on the opposite side than usual to allow Nabil Dirar to come in on the right. Monaco’s midfield four plays very narrow, meaning the fullbacks are critical to Leonardo Jardim’s side having width. Whether it was because of the change of personnel or Juve’s tactics, that threat never materialized.Having the old BBC central defense–Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini–back in harness also ensured there was an extra man to help deal with the twin attacking threat of Radamel Falcao and Kylian Mbappe, both of whom threatened only sporadically.

Higuain comes through at last

Higuain has developed a reputation as a player who cannot do it when the pressure is really on. He missed clear chances in both the 2014 World Cup and 2015 Copa America finals, and lost in three Champions League semifinals with Real Madrid.In 24 previous Champions League knockout ties, he’d scored only two goals, neither of them away from home. He looked a little out of sorts to start on Wednesday, wasting three promising opportunities, but, after 29 minutes, he rounded off a brilliant move to give Juventus the lead. It was a sequence that began with the ball at the feet of goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. He rolled it right to Barzagli, who went forward and inside to Claudio Marchisio, in for the suspended Sami Khedira. Marchisio clipped a pass forward and right for Paulo Dybala and the young Argentine flicked it inside for Dani Alves, who surged forward and gave the ball to Higuain in the center circle. He played a return, leading Dani Alves to scamper on into the right edge of the box. Kamil Glik seemed to have held him up, but the Brazilian back-heeled the ball into the path of Higuain, chugging up in support, and he stroked a first-time finish into the bottom corner, a goal of uplifting smoothness and geometry.Having ended a four-year wait for a Champions League knockout goal, Higuain soon scored a second. Earlier this season, the Argentine quoted advice once given to him by Ruud van Nistelrooy about overcoming goal droughts, likening them to ketchup bottles: “You try but they won’t come out. Then…they all come out at once.” And it proved, as Higuain put Juve up two just before the hour mark. The source was the same, Dybala and Dani Alves combining on the right before the latter shaped in a perfect fading cross for Higuain, arriving at the back post, to score with a low volley.

Monaco’s attack blunted

Surprising as the Juventus shape was, the plan worked. This is a Monaco side that has scored 146 goals this seasons, but this is a Juventus side that has conceded only two so far in the Champions League. There is a toughness about Juve as well as the capacity to read the game, exemplified by the elbow Chiellini planted on Falcao midway through the second half. The referee showed only a yellow card, suggesting he felt the act was careless rather than malicious–certainly Chiellini didn’t look at Falcao–but at the very least he knew where to leave his elbow to protect himself. In an era of high-tempo, high-pressing football, there’s something almost old-fashioned about such cynical arts.There were some concerns early on for Juve as the brilliant 18-year-old Mbappe twice went close. First he planted a free header straight at Buffon and then he made a sharp run between Chiellini and Bonucci to meet a Dirar cross. Again Buffon saved. Falcao had a couple of chances at the beginning of each half and was denied by Buffon on both occasions, and Valere Germain had a late leader tipped over by the keeper.But those threats were patchy, for all that Monaco dominated possession. Dirar bent in a few dangerous crosses, but after that first quarter-hour or so there was little in the way of sustained threat, while Juve always offers menace on the break. Marchisio, in fact, should have scored just after halftime as Monaco lost possession in the face of a rare Juve press.

Power Rankings: Juventus hold firm in top spot, Real Madrid still No. 2

Juventus keep rolling! Their impressive win at Monaco keeps them top of Shaka Hislop’s Power Rankings while Real and Chelsea stay second and third.

Juventus(no change)

Sure, they dropped two league points by conceding late at Atalanta but such is Juve’s Serie A lead that they could win the title this weekend. The more relevant result last week was a superb 2-0 win in Monaco, which means Max Allegri’s men have one foot in the Champions League final.

Real Madrid(no change)

After the trauma of losing El Clasico in such dramatic fashion, Madrid looked set to drop more points when Valencia equalised late on Saturday. But Marcelo popped up with a winner and then, three days later, Cristiano Ronaldo destroyed Atletico. All is well at the Bernabeu again!

Chelsea(no change)

A trip to Everton was viewed as a potential bump in the road on the way to winning the Premier League title, but Antonio Conte’s side responded in the way that champions do. Three second-half goals earned an emphatic win and saw Chelsea maintain their four-point lead at the top.

Barcelona(no change)

A city derby at Espanyol yielded a 3-0 win that sees Barca, who have won four straight league games and scored 16 goals in the process, keep the pressure on leaders Madrid. Luis Suarez scored twice to end a goalless run of five games; he now has 34 in all competitions this season.

Bayern Munich(new)

They’re back! Sealing the German Bundesliga was on their agenda after last week’s German Cup semifinal defeat, and guess what? They did it in fine fashion, thrashing Wolfsburg 6-0 to record a remarkable fifth straight league title.

Monaco(-1)

Three points clear and with a game in hand, the French league title is within touching distance for Monaco after they won and Paris Saint-Germain lost at the weekend. Having gone down to Juventus, though, European glory might be a step too far, this season at least.

Atletico Madrid(no change)

Winning 5-0 at Las Palmas appeared to be ideal perfect preparation for a Champions League derby but, unlike so many times when they have given Madrid all they can handle, Atletico offered so little on Tuesday. In the space of 90 minutes, their season might have ground to a halt.

Tottenham(new)

Winning the derby over rivals Arsenal marked Mauricio Pochettino’s side as the kings of North London for the first time in 22 years. It was a sweet bonus after such an emphatic 2-0 win that really could have been 5-0 were it not for Petr Cech. There’s a lot to love about this Spurs team … assuming Daniel Levy can keep them all after this summer’s transfer window.

Borussia Dortmund(no change)

Dortmund’s 0-0 draw with Cologne was a fine follow-up to beating Bayern last week as Thomas Tuchel & Co. try to finish in the top three.

AS Roma(-4)

Roma did lose the Rome derby 3-1 vs. Lazio, but the Giallorossi are still playing better than their immediate rivals for the final place in the top 10. And let’s face it: Derbies are notoriously impossible to call. The drive of Edin Dzeko and Mo Salah should be enough for Luciano Spalletti’s side to finish second behind Juventus in Serie A this season.Dropping out: Paris Saint-Germain, RB Leipzig.Shaka Hislop played for over 10 years in the Premier League and represented Trinidad and Tobago at the 2006 World Cup. Watch him on ESPN FC TV!

U.S. Hot List: Gonzalez, Miazga win trophies, Green struggling for time

It is hard to believe, but the United States national team is just weeks away from gearing up for a busy summer of international soccer, which includes a pair of CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers in early June and then the Gold Cup in July.Here are the highlighted players, for better or worse, from the past week.

Heating up:

Juan Agudelo, FW, New England Revolution (MLS)

Why he’s here: Agudelo was superb in a two-goal performance as the Revolution played to a 3-3 draw against the Seattle Sounders. But the goals only tell half the story. Agudelo also showed off his hold-up play, passing skills and improved defensive work.

What this means: It will be hard to break up U.S. coach Bruce Arena’s preferred forward partnership of Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey, and there are other strikers, such as Bobby Wood, who will be in the mix, but Agudelo is certainly making a strong case. And if not the qualifiers, then one has to think the Gold Cup will be on the docket for the Revs forward.

Omar Gonzalez, DF, Pachuca (Liga MX)

Why he’s here: It was quite the week for the former LA Galaxy defender. On Wednesday, Gonzalez started and went the full 90 minutes helping Pachuca clinch the 2016-17 CONCACAF Champions League with a 1-0 win over Tigres in the second leg. That was followed three days later by a solid 90-minute performance in a 2-2 draw against Cruz Azul.

What this means: While Gonzalez’s performances in a U.S. jersey have not been up to the standard that he has maintained in Liga MX — the 2-0 loss at Guatemala in March 2016 and last November’s 4-0 defeat at Costa Rica are the most glaring examples — Gonzalez is likely to play a key role for the Yanks in the June qualifiers. His Liga MX experience will be invaluable when the U.S. steps onto the Estadio Azteca turf on June 11 to face Mexico.

Matt Miazga, DF, Vitesse Arnhem (Eredivisie)

Why he’s here: For the first time in its 125-year history, Dutch club Vitesse won a major trophy with a 2-0 win in the Dutch Cup final over AZ Alkmaar in which Miazga started and went the distance. The Chelsea loanee has appeared in 21 of Vitesse’s 32 league matches this season.

What this means: Despite John Brooks’ injury woes, Miazga likely won’t feature in the June qualifiers since Arena has shown that he prefers other center-back options such as Gonzalez, Geoff Cameron and Tim Ream. But the Gold Cup would serve as a great way for Miazga to get some big-game national team experience.

Benny Feilhaber, MF, Sporting Kansas City (MLS)

Why he’s here: Feilhaber is no stranger to the spectacular, and he put on another show last Saturday with a stunning strike from distance in Sporting Kansas City’s 3-0 win over Real Salt Lake, his second goal of the young season.

What this means: Feilhaber has hit the ground running since returning from a hamstring injury on April 15, and any time he is on the field, Sporting Kansas City is a better team. More performances like last Saturday’s will put the veteran midfielder in discussion for a roster spot for next month’s qualifiers.

Cooling off:

Julian Green, MF, Stuttgart (2. Bundesliga)

Why he’s here: The 21-year-old Green was once again an unused substitute in Stuttgart’s 3-2 victory at Nurnberg. It was the fourth match in a row in which Green has failed to see any action, and he has played in just two matches since March 10.

What this means: While the lack of minutes at star-studded Bayern Munich was understandable and the failed loan to Hamburg two seasons ago could be attributed to a young player still trying to find his way, the hope was that Green, who turns 22 in June, would have had greater success thus far at Stuttgart. Now, Green’s chances of a Gold Cup spot appear to be fading, but with the tournament scheduled for July, it may well behoove Green to instead focus on having a strong preseason with Stuttgart, who look set for a Bundesliga return in 2017-18.

Jorge Villafana, DF, Santos Laguna (Liga MX)

Why he’s here: Perhaps it is harsh to include a player in the Cooling Off section that just made his seventh straight start and helped his team clinch a Liguilla spot, but it has to be said that Villafana struggled a lot in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Chiapas. He was unable to clear a ball that led to the first Chiapas goal and then fell while trying to defend on the second Chiapas score.

What this means: Villafana started the two March qualifiers back when he wasn’t even getting any first-team minutes at Santos, so a mini-slump will likely not change Arena’s opinion.

Jermaine Jones, MF, LA Galaxy (MLS)

Why he’s here: Playing in a more advanced role, Jones was unable to help the Galaxy solve their attacking woes in a 0-0 draw versus the Philadelphia Union. Jones had the biggest miss of all when he popped a wide-open header well over the crossbar.

What this means: Arena is a big fan of Jones, evidenced by his most recent start in the qualifier against Panama, so Jones’ early season struggles with the Galaxy won’t likely damage his national team standing.

Alfredo Morales, MF, Ingolstadt (Bundesliga)

Why he’s here: A sending off is never a way to earn favor, but that’s what happened to Morales, who picked up two yellow cards in relegation-threatened Ingolstadt’s 0-0 draw with RB Leipzig.

What this means: While Morales did feature for the U.S. in the 2015 Gold Cup, his chances of getting a call for the 2017 edition are slim at best.

U.S. Hot List: Dempsey, Morris impress but defensive injuries are a concern

One U.S. national team mainstay made consecutive Premier League starts for the first time since August, while another is heading back to England’s top flight after a productive detour in the second tier. In MLS, meanwhile, several attacking players are showing off their sharpness, but there’s also worrying injury news for Bruce Arena, both at home and overseas.

With the start of the next national team camp just over a month away, which Americans are trending north and whose stock is heading the other direction?

Warming up

Clint Dempsey, FW; Seattle Sounders (MLS)

Why he’s here: Dempsey took a ridiculous eight shots — scoring once and adding an assist — in Sunday’s 3-0 rout of the reeling LA Galaxy.

What this means: With seven goals in the nine games he’s played for club and country over the last month, Dempsey is back to his best. That could mean a selection headache for Arena in June if Jozy Altidore and Bobby Wood are also healthy. But it’s a good problem for the U.S. coach to have.

Jordan Morris, MF/FW; Seattle Sounders (MLS)

Why he’s here: The 22-year-old scored his second goal of the season in the win at LA.

What this means: A pair of strikes in seven appearances is respectable enough but more impressive than the numbers is how Morris’ runs have become sharper and his finishing cleaner in his second season as a professional. Both were on display last Sunday.

DeAndre Yedlin, DF; Newcastle United (English League Championship)

Why he’s here: On Monday, the 23-year-old veteran of the 2014 World Cup watched from the bench as his club beat Preston North End 4-1 to secure promotion to the Premier League for next season.

What this means: Yedlin’s gamble paid off. The former Tottenham full-back played well in the Prem last season on loan with Sunderland and wanted to stay there but, instead, moved to rivals Newcastle because Sunderland wouldn’t pay Spurs’ asking price. He’s spent most of the season as first-choice right-back and now Yedlin will get to test himself against all-world competition in the run-up to Russia 2018, while Sunderland look likely to be relegated.

Darlington Nagbe, MF; Portland Timbers (MLS)

Why he’s here: This brilliant individual goal in Saturday’s 2-1 triumph over the Vancouver Whitecaps:

What this means: Nagbe’s confidence is clearly sky high after starting two World Cup qualifiers last month. The knocks against the Akron alum throughout his MLS career have been a lack of production and a tendency to drift out of games. But the technically gifted 26-year-old has been at the heart of everything for the Western Conference-leading Timbers in the seven games he’s played this year, with his two goals already doubling his 27-match total in 2016.

Geoff Cameron, DF/MF; Stoke City (English Premier League)

Why he’s here: Cameron has gone the distance in Stoke’s last four contests after recovering from the strained quad he suffered during the U.S.’ win against Honduras last month.

What this means: Manager Mark Hughes once again deployed Cameron as a central midfielder at Swansea, just as he has in the 31-year-old’s eight league games this calendar year. It makes you wonder if Arena might try the versatile vet alongside Michael Bradley in the June 3 friendly vs. Venezuela and, if that goes well, subsequent qualifiers against Trinidad and Tobago (June 8) and Mexico (June 11).

Brad Guzan, GK; Middlesbrough (English Premier League)

Why he’s here: With starter Victor Vales sidelined by a rib injury, Guzan has been between the posts in relegation-fighting Boro’s last two games — his first back-to-back league starts in eight months — and should keep his place for looming tests against Sunderland and stacked Manchester City.

What this means: It sure doesn’t hurt Guzan to get some important games in before U.S. camp opens at the end of next month, especially with Tim Howard still serving a suspension in MLS. Still, one has to think that Howard remains Arena’s first choice.

Joe Corona, MF; Tijuana (Mexican Liga MX)

Why he’s here: Corona’s second goal of the season — and first since Jan. 13 — stood up as the winner Friday against Toluca, a victory that left Xolos alone atop the Mexican standings.

What this means: The 26-year-old No. 8, who hasn’t played for the U.S. since 2015, continues — slowly but surely — to build a case for his national team return.

Cooling down

John Brooks, DF; Hertha Berlin (German Bundesliga)

Why he’s here: Brooks is out indefinitely after sustaining a hip injury during Saturday’s 1-0 win over Wolfsburg.

What this means: If Brooks is still sidelined a month from now it will be a blow but not a disaster for the U.S., which has gotten used to being without the brittle center-back for important qualifiers. Tim Ream figures to be next man up in that scenario.

Nick Rimando, GK; Real Salt Lake (MLS)

Why he’s here: Rimando has made several costly blunders this season, including two that led to goals in Saturday’s 3-1 home loss to expansion side Atlanta United. The 37-year-old was later forced to leave the match with a leg injury.

What this means: Whether Rimando is even available next month remains to be seen. Either way, the door could be opening for another MLS keeper to stake his claim for the third-string job, with Luis Robles (New York Red Bulls), Bill Hamid (D.C. United) and David Bingham (San Jose Earthquakes) the leading candidates.

Michael Orozco, DF; Tijuana (Mexican Liga MX)

Why he’s here: The 31-year-old has missed Xolos’ last three games because of a knee injury.

What this means: With just two league games left on Tijuana’s regular-season slate, Orozco is in a race against time to return for the playoffs. If he’s unable to participate between now and the end of the postseason, then it’s hard to see him being part of Arena’s May and June plans.Doug McIntyre is a staff writer for ESPN The Magazine and ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter @DougMacESPN.

MLS expansion latest: Tampa Bay’s vote; Beckham’s new investor; a pulse for St. Louis?

QUICKLY

Stay up to date on the latest across the MLS expansion landscape, with the league continuing to churn on its decisions for the next franchises to enter the fold.SHAREBRIAN STRAUSFriday April 28th, 2017

Once again, the future of an MLS expansion effort is in voters’ hands. Three weeks ago, the citizens of St. Louis decided against providing funding for a soccer stadium. Next Tuesday, the St. Petersburg half of the Tampa Bay metro area will decide whether the Rowdies’ bid will move forward.There isn’t nearly as much money at stake in the St. Petersburg vote and thus, a much greater likelihood the Rowdies will get the result they need. But Rick Baker is taking no chances. The president of The Edwards Group (led by Rowdies owner Bill Edwards) knows a thing or two about elections. He was elected mayor of St. Petersburg twice. And he told SI.com this week that no matter the odds or outlook, there are only two ways to approach a vote: “One is unopposed. The other is scared,” Baker said.

So he’s literally been going door to door in an effort to share the Rowdies’ plans with area residents. Unlike the very public campaign waged in St. Louis, the MLS hopefuls in Tampa Bay are staying relatively quiet and working the grassroots. Baker said he’s visited some 50 groups in person over the past two months: neighborhood and homeowners associations, condo boards, rotary clubs and business owners. The Rowdies also sought the opinion of area stakeholders and event organizers during the stadium design phase. “It was important to Bill that we reach out to the community directly … and have a chance to see people face-to-face and give us an opportunity to respond to concerns,” Baker said. “We’ve used this opportunity of a referendum to explain why we think [the vote] is a good thing and also to try to help them understand why we think soccer is important to the city’s future.”Edwards and the Rowdies aren’t asking for money. Instead, they want permission to sign a 25-year lease with the city of St. Petersburg that will allow the club to upgrade Al Lang Stadium to meet MLS standards and then play there for the long term. Any lease on city-owned waterfront property that’s greater than five years requires public approval. Edwards is financing the special election himself to the tune of $280,000, and plans to spend $80 million of his own money to transform Al Lang into an iconic venue that looks out onto Tampa Bay and sits alongside the 2,000-seat Mahaffey Theater and the Salvador Dalí Museum, which holds the largest collection of the Spanish artist’s work outside Europe. Edwards also will foot the $150 million MLS expansion fee.So who would vote against it?“At this point, there really is no organized opposition that I’m aware of,” said Baker, who was mayor from 2001 to 2010. “People have questions about whether we have sufficient parking. Have you accommodated the lighting? In order to deal with the condominiums surrounding the stadium, do we have transportation covered—those kinds of questions. So we wanted to get around and talk to people.”The city has 168,000 eligible voters and nearly 22,000 ballots already have been sent in by mail. Saint Petersblog, a local news blog, conducted a poll in early April and reported that 70% of voters are expected to approve the referendum, with 19% opposing and 11% undecided.“If we pass the referendum, there’s a high degree of certainty associated with our stadium plan. That’s a pretty good advantage we have in our corner,” Baker said.But there’s no telling whether it’ll be enough to sway MLS. Competition for the four available expansion slots—at least two are expected to be awarded by the end of the year—is fierce. In Tampa Bay’s corner: it’s the 11th largest media market in the country and now the biggest without an MLS team, the aforementioned stadium certainty and the history behind the Rowdies brand. Potential pitfalls could be Tampa/St. Petersburg’s proximity to Orlando (plus a possible expansion team in Miami) and perceived competition from the Lightning, Rays and the array of annual or one-time sporting events staged in the area.“Everything that we’ve heard either privately or publicly from folks at MLS about Orlando is that not only is it not seen as an impediment, but it’s seen as a positive thing because of the opportunity to have a great rivalry down the I4 corridor,” Baker said.Orlando City plays about 110 miles from Al Lang and Miami is 260 miles to the south—that’s greater than the distance between Washington, D.C., and New York City.“I haven’t heard how [Miami] would impact us either way. Our perspective is that we’re just doing our thing,” Baker said.Whether the Rowdies can keep doing their thing will be determined Tuesday.“Hopefully we get over the hurdle. It’s still a hurdle,” said Baker, who will remain “scared” until the final votes are counted.Meanwhile, the Rowdies have averaged 5,591 fans at their four home games so far this season. That ranks eighth in the 30-team USL, behind rival MLS expansion bidders FC Cincinnati, Sacramento Republic, San Antonio FC and Phoenix Rising.Speaking of rival bids, here’s an update on some other areas of the MLS expansion landscape:

Time ticks on Beckham, Miami | Do St. Louis, Charlotte bids have a pulse? | Quiet confidence in Sacramento | San Diegans sign on | Nashville meets with Garber

Arsene Wenger out to end Jose Mourinho hoodoo in Arsenal vs. United

Arsene Wenger has never beaten Jose Mourinho in the Premier League.Mourinho will need that trend to continue if he is to take Manchester United into the top four this season. A draw, though, is no good for United this Sunday. Victories are needed to overtake Manchester City and Liverpool in the fight to finish in the Champions League places. Arsenal need three points to boost their own hopes of the top four while higher up, the title race remains alive after Tottenham beat the Gunners last week. Spurs can cut the gap to just one point if they beat West Ham on Friday before Chelsea host Middlesbrough on Monday.Predict the outcome of the latest round of fixtures in our match polls …

ARSENAL: Wenger has never recorded a Premier League victory over Mourinho, and with Arsenal in this form it doesn’t feel as if that’s likely to happen anytime soon. With Mourinho’s focus now arguably on the Europa League, he’s likely to be content to shut this game down and take a point.
Prediction: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United — James McNicholas

MAN UNITED: Mourinho has claimed that he way rest players for Manchester United’s trip to the Emirates so he can prioritise the Europa League semifinal. That may well be the case, but you would imagine that the manager will put something in place to deny Wenger a victory. Defensively, United will struggle, given how many players are missing through injury and how many others are exhausted through the lack of rotation. However, tactics similar to those employed at Man City might be on show. If someone like Anthony Martial or Henrikh Mkhitaryan can come up with a top performance, United may surprise a few people.
Prediction: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United — Scott Patterson

INDY ELEVEN FORWARD JUSTIN BRAUN NAMED NASL PLAYER OF THE MONTH

Salt Lake City native leads league in scoring, assists after fast start in 2017

NEW YORK (May 4, 2017) – Indy Eleven forward Justin Braun has been named North American Soccer League (NASL) Player of the Month for April after emerging from the first five games as the league’s leading scorer. The award is voted on by NASL media.With three goals and two assists so far this season, Braun sits atop the league’s scoring chart and is tied for the league lead in assists. The 30-year-old veteran’s best game of the opening month came on April 1 when he tallied two goals and an assist in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Puerto Rico FC. He scored the all-important equalizer to help Indy extend its record-setting home unbeaten streak at the time, and ultimately earned NASL Player of the Week honors for his performance.Braun’s third goal of the month came just last weekend in Jacksonville, where the Boys in Blue earned a 1-1 draw to stay undefeated on the season. He opened the scoring before Armada FC fought back to earn a share of the points.A tireless striker who seemingly never loses energy, Braun has played every minute of every game in 2017 and also leads Indy in shots. He has been a valuable asset in the air as well, leading the club in aerial duels won.Braun, an imposing figure standing 6-foot-3, joined the club in early 2016 from USL side Sacramento Republic, and ended up turning in a solid first season for Indiana’s Team. The Utah native scored eight goals and racked up five assists in 25 league appearances last year.Indy, which has drawn its first five games, returns home this Saturday to host FC Edmonton, the side it beat in The Championship Semifinals last November. Kickoff at Carroll Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m. ET, and the Week 7 clash can be seen live on ESPN3 (U.S.) and NASL.com (Canada).

BEN SPEAS WINS PLAY OF THE MONTH

The midfielder’s masterful chip vs. Puerto Rico FC voted best for April award May 5, 2017

Indy Eleven played to a thrilling 3-3 draw with Puerto Rico FC back in Week 2 of the NASL Spring Season. It was Indy’s 2017 home debut and the first chance for new signing Ben Speas to play in front of the home support. The midfielder certainly didn’t disappoint. For the second goal in the match, Speas timed his run to perfection, recieving the ball from forward Justin Braun, and then finished with aplomb. He chipped Puerto Rico FC goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberg for his first Indy goal, and the tally has won NASL Play of the Month, voted on by the fans. http://www.indyeleven.com/news/2017/05/05/ben-speas-wins-play-of-the-month

THREE THINGS: #JAX V INDY 11

Justin Braun picks up top scoring honor in fifth consecutive draw May 1, 2017

BRAUN TAKES THE LEAD

After sitting in a six-way tie going into Week 6, Indy Eleven’s forward Justin Braun forged ahead on Saturday night to take the lead in the race to become the top goal scorer in the league. Braun linked up with striking partner Eamon Zayed in spectacular fashion in the 25^th minute to zip past Jacksonville Armada FC’s offside trap, and followed up his run by narrowly avoiding a sliding tackle from Armada ‘keeper Caleb Patterson-Sewell to comfortably send the ball into the back of the net. However, Braun’s goal wasn’t enough to stop the table toppers after Armada forward Johnathan Glenn headed his first goal of 2017 from a corner five minutes later.Braun takes the number one spot on the list with three goals, leaving behind a now seven-way tie for second place; Hector Ramos (PRFC), Stefano Pinho (MIA), Kwadwo Poku (MIA), J.C. Banks (JAX), Thomas Heinemann (SFD), Lance Laing (NCFC) and Matthew Fondy (NCFC) all sit in second place with two goals each. After taking a fifth consecutive point in the 2017 season, “Indiana’s Team” remains amongst the top three highest-scoring teams in the league and remains one of two teams undefeated in 2017.

TORRADO CONTINUES TO DOMINATE

During Week 5’s 0-0 home draw against San Francisco Deltas, “Boys in Blue” midfielder Gerardo Torrado took home the honor of Wick’s Pie Chart Player of the Match for his outstanding performance and looked to replicate his performance in Week 6. “El Borrego’s” 90-minute performance saw the Mexico National Team legend win 100-percent of his tackles, complete nearly four-fifths of his passes and win the same amount of duels, and gained two interceptions for his side. Torrado’s versatile playstyle in the midfield makes him a viable attacking and defending option in any situation.While Torrado showed great defensive awareness on Saturday, good work from the rest of the team doesn’t go unnoticed. In similar fashion, Indy defender Lovel Palmer had a stellar performance, completing 85-percent of his passes, winning four-fifths of his duels, claiming four interceptions and clearing the ball six times.

WELCOME TO THE NASL, DAVID GOLDSMITH

In the dying minutes of the match, Indy Eleven forward David Goldsmith made his professional debut against Jacksonville Armada FC. The Bristol, England native came on the pitch in the 88^th minute for midfielder Sinisa Ubiparipovic as a last minute injection of fresh, attacking legs to help attempt to break the stalemate. Though the contest ended in a draw, hopefully, this is a sign of good things to come for the young striker.Prior to joining Indy Eleven, Goldsmith played for university champion side Butler University. Goldsmith helped secure Butler’s 2016 Big East Championship title, paving the way by scoring 12 goals and helping the team to earn 28 points, which ranked him among the top 20 goal scorers in the nation. In addition to his championship title run, Goldsmith also picked up several other awards, including: Big East Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year (2016), All-Big East First Team, Big East Co-Offensive Player of the Year (2016) and semifinalist for the Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy, the sport’s most prestigious collegiate award. Goldsmith is among three of the “Boys in Blue” to sign for the club out of college this season; Both Tanner Thompson and Christian Lomeli, Indiana University graduated, penned their names on contracts for the Eleven before the start of the 2017 season.Don’t miss out on the first chance to see “Indiana’s Team” in the new adidas home kits this Saturday as they continue the “Fight for Three” on home turf.

Earn your Degree While You Watch Your Kids Soccer Practice – ½ the time and cost of Traditional Schools

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5/2/17 Champs League, Indy 11 Tix Discount for Sat Night Game, MLS vs Real Madrid All Star Game Pre-Sale Ticket link, Game TV Schedule

May 2, 2017 gatorbest

So it appears I messed something up on the Indy 11 Discount Ticket Link – lets try this again with the actual link this time: http://2017specialmh.indyeleven.com Again this is for games in May/June/July so take advantage of these discounted prices on this link as I don’t know how long this link will be live. The Indy 11 managed a 1-1 tie on the road at Top Ranked Jacksonville as they join the Armada as one of 2 teams without a loss on the season. The 11 look to extend their NASL Record Non-Losing Streak to 21 games as they face FC Edmonton this weekend at 7:30 pm at the MIKE.

In other news the MLS Allstar game featuring defending Champions League Champs Real Madrid vs the MLS All-Stars will be held in Chicago on Wednesday Night, Aug 2 at Soldier Field. I am planning to go and would love to set up a caravan up there if anyone else wants to come. This is an exclusive link to purchase tickets before they go on sale to the general public Thursday morning. https://www1.ticketmaster.com/event/0400524DB5832485?CAMEFROM=CFC_MLG_17ASG_PREFIREDATABASE Tickets are about $60 in the upper decks and $90 for level 2 behind the goals (where we are looking) RE: If you would like to order tickets together and head over.

Champions League is to the Final 4 teams – and wow has Renaldo come alive for Real Madrid. I’ll admit I was wearing my Atleti Jersey when Renaldo struck for his 42^nd Hat Trick and scored 3 goals in back to back games for the first time in a long time in Champions League play in the big 3-0 win at home. By the way what were those ugly black and gold jersey’s Atleti were wearing? They looked like Dortmund – all the way to the no DEFENSE NEEDED. We’ll see if the Madradista’s can continue their dominance next Wed at the Cauldron looking to become the first back to back Champions League winner in the modern era. In the other match-up Juventus – the old lady – will look to use home field advantage in their matchup with the upstart Frenchmen from Monaco. That game kicks off Wednesday at 2;45 pm on Fox Sports 1 from Turin, Italy. Finally Man U is still looking to sneak into Champions League position next year by winning the Europa League this year – they travel to Celta Vigo for round 1 at 3 pm on Thurs. on Fox Sport 2.

Carmel FC is proud to be hosting Challenge Cup and State Cup games this weekend May 5-7 at the River Road fields in East Carmel about 2 miles from Badger. CFC parents sign up here if you would be willing to volunteer to help: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090b44aaad22a0fe3-carmel.

GAMES ON TV

Tues –May 2 Champions League

2:45 pm FoxSport1 Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid

Weds May 3 –Champions League

2:45 pm FoxSport1 Monaco vs Juventus

Thur –May 4 Europa League

3 pm FoxSport2 Celta Vigo vs Man U

Fri, May 5

3 pm NBCSN West Ham vs Tottenham

Sat, May 6

7:30 am NBCSN Man City vs Crystal Palace

9:30 am Dortmund vs Hoffenhiem

12:30 pm beIN Spo Barcelona vs Villarreal

12:30 pm NBC live Swansea vs Everton

2:45 pm beIN sport Granada vs Real Madrid

2:55 pm ESPN Seattle host Toronto FC (replay of Champ game)

7:30 pm Myindy TV Indy 11 vs Edmonton

Sun, May 7

8:30 am NBCSN Liverpool vs Southhampton

11 am NBCSN Arsenal vs Man United

1:30 pm Min United vs Sporting KC

Mon, May 8

3 pm NBCSN Chelsea vs Middlesbrough

Tues –May 9 Champions League

2:45 pm FoxSport1 Juventus vs Monaco

Weds May 10 –Champions League

2:45 pm FoxSport1 Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid

Thur –May 11 Europa League

2:45 pm FoxSport2 Man U vs Celta Vigo

Sat, May 13

7:30 am NBCSN Man City vs Leicester City

9:30 am Fox Sport1 Dortmund vs Ausburg

12:30 pm NBC live Stoke City vs Arsenal (US Cameron)

7:30 pm Myindy TV Miami vs Indy 11

9 pm ESPN Chicago vs Seattle Sounders

Sun, May 14

9:15 am NBCSN West Ham vs Liverpool

11 am NBCSN Tottenham vs Man United

4 pm ESPN Portland Timbers vs Atlanta United

Jardim confident Monaco can beat Juve

Champions League

Buffon Weary of Monaco

Better to be Monaco than Juve -TV

We’ll See how Good Juve’s Back Line Really is

Renaldo’s Hat Trick puts Real 1 foot into Final

Renaldo reminds us why he is 1 of top 2 players in the World today

Renaldo was Magnifico

INDY 11

Indy 11 stays Unbeaten with 1-1 Draw at Jax

Craft Beer Fest this Satruday – vs FC Edmonton

Earn your Degree While You Watch Your Kids Soccer Practice – ½ the time and cost of Traditional Schools

Gianluigi Buffon taking nothing for granted in UCL semifinal vs. Monaco

Gianluigi Buffon says playing in the Champions League makes him “feel young” ahead of Wednesday’s semifinal meeting with Monaco — but is wary of the challenge their in-form opponents will bring.Buffon, 39, has won almost everything over the course of a career which has spanned two decades. He has lifted the World Cup, seven Serie A titles, three Coppa Italia and the UEFA Cup but, despite playing in two finals, the Champions League is still missing from his collection.He can move closer to completing the collection by beating the Ligue 1 leaders on their own patch, and he says he hopes to play in the competition many more times in the future.”Playing in the Champions League makes me feel young, whether I win it or not,” Buffon told a news conference. “I know that in games like this, I am able to show my real essence; probably what I was born for. It’s a huge emotion and joy. I get so emotional for this, no matter whether I or we win this competition or not.”So I don’t think I am owed anything at all. If we are to win it, nothing would change because I have a contract until 2018 and I still have lots of objectives.”Buffon warned that Monaco’s youth and energy will provide a stern test over the course of the tie.”Tomorrow and over the two legs, experience of knowing that a place in the final is played for over 180 minutes could give us an advantage, but since they are young and show a lot of vitality when they play, I think that they have the enthusiasm that healthy youthful innocence brings,” Buffon added.”I know what it feels like when you play games as if you are unbeatable and indestructible and that is precisely how they are feeling now. Monaco are not in the semifinals by fluke. They have beaten big teams like [Manchester] City and [Borussia] Dortmund. They have great value.They are enthusiastic also because Monaco are flying in the league. Wins give you belief. They have a really good coach who has them playing attacking football, which you can do well when you have players who have extraordinary quality.”Buffon says they have much more depth than just two star names, Radamel Falcao and Kylian Mbappe.”Monaco have scored bucketloads of goals, but Mbappe hasn’t scored all of them,” he said. “Falcao and the other lads are also true threats. I have total respect for Monaco because they are strong and their attitude makes them unpredictable.”But in an interview with SportMediaset, Buffon compared the 18-year-old Mbappe to some of the best players in the world.”In 1998 I went to the World Cup in France, and he was born,” Buffon joked. “It’s beautiful and motivational to play against a future [Lionel] Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar… he’s an incredible talent, he’s a lad with his head screwed on and that will help him a lot. I wish him a stellar career.”Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri warned that Monaco must be taken seriously.”They are in the semifinals of the Champions League and they are top of Ligue 1, ahead of Paris Saint-Germain,” he said. “Let’s not forget that Paris were considered as one of the favourites to win this competition, so I think that says it all.”

Ronaldo reminds Europe of his class after dismantling Atletico in UCL semis with 42^nd Hat Trick

MADRID — At one stage of Real Madrid’s Champions League semifinal destruction of Atletico Madrid, it seemed to be a case of one No. 7 coming to the party and the other staying at home. But in the end, that perspective would not only be doing Cristiano Ronaldo a disservice, but also Antoine Griezmann.That simplistic comparison, legitimately based around Griezmann’s emergence as a genuine heir to Ronaldo’s crown as football’s most magnificent seven, was ultimately rendered meaningless by the Real forward’s stunning hat trick of a first-half header and two second-half strikes.Griezmann is a player of great talent, one who could yet become football’s biggest star when Ronaldo and Lionel Messi vacate the stage, but the 26-year-old Atletico forward remains a mere mortal when placed alongside the two players who have ruled planet football for the past decade.Yes, this was the Frenchman’s night to lift Atletico to new heights, against Real in their own backyard, but when Ronaldo is in this kind of mood, nobody is going to steal the spotlight. And no one did.Get ready for the stats: This was Ronaldo’s second hat trick against Atletico this season, his third in total against Real’s neighbours, and his 42nd for Real since moving to the Bernabeu from Manchester United in June 2009. That’s right, 42nd.He has now scored 103 goals in 138 Champions League games, 13 of them in semifinals, and this hat trick moves him level with Messi on seven in UEFA’s premier competition.Just to make life a little easier for Atletico, Ronaldo has scored more hat tricks against Sevilla (6), Espanyol (5) and Celta Vigo (4), but it is only the smallest crumb of comfort for Atleti to be fourth on his list of hat-trick victims.So Ronaldo has given Real a huge advantage ahead of next Wednesday’s second leg at the Vicente Calderon, despite being written off as a player in decline by many observers.Injuries are beginning to catch up with the 32-year-old and those trademark step-overs are not quite as lightning quick as they once were. And yes, his goal-scoring output is slowing down, with this hat trick only taking him to 35 goals in all competitions this season.Thirty-five? No wonder he is being written off.But it is on nights like these when the reality of Ronaldo’s genius is shown for all to see.Such have been the standards that he and Messi have set in recent years, any slight drop in their incredible statistics hints at a waning of their powers and leads to their footballing obituaries being penned.Yet at 32, with his body sometimes battered and bruised by 15 years at the top level, Ronaldo was still able to tear apart an Atletico team that reached this stage of the competition by being one of the most organised and miserly defences in the Champions League.Ronaldo did not simply score a hat trick, he scored it against one of the best teams in the world, against defenders of the quality of Diego Godin and a goalkeeper as highly rated as Jan Oblak.When Sir Alex Ferguson sanctioned the world-record £80 million sale of Ronaldo to Real eight years ago, the former United manager claimed at the time that the Spanish giants had secured themselves a bargain. Regardless of Real’s mammoth outlay, Ferguson has been proved right because Ronaldo has repaid the club countless times over.He has erased club legends such as Raul out of the Real record books, inspired them to two Champions League titles, with a third now within touching distance following this virtuoso display against Atletico.And much of it is down to his incredible work ethic and desire to improve, a trait stretching back to his time at Old Trafford, when he would take out a bag of balls on his own after training, while wearing ankle weights, to practice his step-overs and free kicks.He has always been engaged in the pursuit of perfection and has arguably gone beyond that because he has stretched the boundaries of perfection by recording such incredible career statistics.This was another chapter in the Ronaldo story. The night when he reminded his own club’s supporters, Atletico Madrid and the world that he is still in business.But let’s drag it back to the initial narrative, of Real’s fading star taking on Atletico’s rising sun, not only for a place in the Champions League final, but ownership of the pedestal of greatness that Ronaldo has owned in Madrid since the day he arrived.Griezmann had been regarded as a threat to his supremacy, but no longer.Perhaps we had allowed ourselves to believe that Ronaldo had fallen far enough to be compared to other footballers than Messi, but that was wrong. Ronaldo is still the main man, and don’t Atletico know it.Mark

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4/28/17 – Indy 11 Discount Tickets, Title races Tighten up, Messi wins El Classico, Champ League Tues/Wed

April 28, 2017May 2, 2017 gatorbest

Thank’s to the Indy 11 for a Link to Indy 11 Discount Ticket Link – in May/June/July. Order your tickets now as I am not sure how long this link will be live for us. The Indy 11 kept the NASL Record Home Non-losing Streak alive at 20 games with their 0-0 tie with San Fran this past weekend at the MIKE. They travel to Jacksonville to face the Armada on beIN Sport at 7 pm Sat. night.

So Messi did it again in El Classico – somehow I missed it as my beIN Sports Ap did me wrong on the fields this Sunday between reffing and coaching and I taped the wrong channel on my cable somehow. I hear it was one of the best ever and it sets up a close race as the teams are tied atop La Liga with Real Madrid having a game in hand. Should be a classic race down the stretch. Same for France as Monaco and PSG are going down to the wire tied in League One. The EPL is locked with 6 teams battling for the top 4 as just 3 points divides 3^rd place Liverpool, 4^th place Man City, 5^th place Man U, and 6^th place Arsenal (with a game in hand). Huge games this Sunday as 7^th place Everton host Chelsea 9 am on NBCSN and Arsenal travels to White Hart Lane and Tottenham at 11:30 on NBCSN. Of course Champions League returns next week with Final 4 action – with Real Madrid facing Atletico Madrid in a Madrid Derby Tuesday 2:45 on FS1 and Monaco facing Juventus in the other Wed and May 9/10 2:45 pm on Fox Sports 1.

Huge congrats to the US U17s who beat Mexico 4-3 in CONCACAF Champs 1^st game see this wonder goal from US forward Josh Sargent from St. Louis- games continue this weekend.

Good luck to our Carmel FC U15 + U16 Girls competing this weekend in the Crossroads of America Girls College Showcase at Grand Park – and to our teams in playing in Red Lion good luck dodging the rain. Carmel FC is proud to be hosting Challenge Cup and State Cup games the weekend of May 5-7 at the River Road fields in East Carmel about 2 miles from Badger. CFC parents sign up here if you would like to volunteer to help.

GAMES ON TV

Mon, May 1

3 pm NBCSN Watford vs Liverpool

Tues –May 2 Champions League

2:45 pm FoxSport1 Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid

Weds May 3 –Champions League

2:45 pm FoxSport1 Monaco vs Juventus

Thur –May 4 Europa League

3 pm FoxSport2 Celta Vigo vs Man U

Fri, May 5

3 pm NBCSN West Ham vs Tottenham

Sat, May 6

7:30 am NBCSN Man City vs Crystal Palace

9:30 am Dortmund vs Hoffenhiem

12:30 pm beIN Spo Barcelona vs Villarreal

12:30 pm NBC live Swansea vs Everton

2:45 pm beIN sport Granada vs Real Madrid

2:55 pm ESPN Seattle host Toronto FC (replay of Champ game)

7:30 pm Myindy TV Indy 11 vs Edmonton

Sun, May 7

8:30 am NBCSN Liverpool vs Southhampton

11 am NBCSN Arsenal vs Man United

1:30 pm Min United vs Sporting KC

Mon, May 8

3 pm NBCSN Chelsea vs Middlesbrough

Tues –May 9 Champions League

2:45 pm FoxSport1 Juventus vs Monaco

Weds May 10 –Champions League

2:45 pm FoxSport1 Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid

Thur –May 11 Europa League

2:45 pm FoxSport2 Man U vs Celta Vigo

Sat, May 13

7:30 am NBCSN Man City vs Leicester City

9:30 am Fox Sport1 Dortmund vs Ausburg

12:30 pm NBC live Stoke City vs Arsenal (US Cameron)

7:30 pm Myindy TV Miami vs Indy 11

9 pm ESPN Chicago vs Seattle Sounders

Sun, May 14

9:15 am NBCSN West Ham vs Liverpool

11 am NBCSN Tottenham vs Man United

4 pm ESPN Portland Timbers vs Atlanta United

Indy 11

Indy 11 Discount Ticket Link –

Indy 11 Tie San Fran at Home

Indy 11 Sign with Addidas for Uniforms

Indy 11 Enter US Open Cup in 2^nd round on May 17^th

Champions League

Real vs Atletico, Juve vs Monaco in Champ League Semi’s

Europa League Draw has Man U vs Celta Vigo + Ajax vs Lyon

Juve Favored to Win it

Juve Must Win it All

(check back Monday for Updated Champions League Stories) www.oleballcoach.com

World Soccer

Messi delivers huge classico Win

Juve Take over Top Slot in World – Power Rankings ESPN FC

Macotti’s Musings – World Soccer – Messi Clasico

2 Team race in La Liga

US Soccer

What if Hand Ball Were Called in US game vs Germany in 2002? Grant Wahl SI

What if US Greatest Athletes Played Soccer? Grant Wahl SI

World Cup 2026 Projected US Line-Up – Stars and Stripes Alex Showell

Omar Gonzales becomes 3^rd American to Win CONCACAF Champ League S&S

Measuring USMNT Results – S&S

Your Votes for who Should be Starting for the US

Bobby Wood – Where will he play next year?

Wondergoal for US U-17 Player

MLS

Week 9 What 2 Watch 4 Stars and Stripes

Week 9 Story Lines MLS.com

GAMES ON TV

Sat Apr 29

9:30 am Fox Sports2 Dortmund vs Koln (US Pulisic)

10 am NBCSN Stoke City vs West Ham United (US Cameron)

10:15 am beIN sport Real Madrid vs Valencia

12:30 pm NBC Crystal Palace vs Burnley (seriously)

12:30 pm Fox Sport2 Wolfsburg vs Bayern Munich

7 pm beIN Sport Jacksonville Armada vs Indy 11

Sun Apr 30

7 am NBCSN Man U vs Swansea (relegation time Swansea you US coach firing club you)

9 am Fox Sport 1 Ausburg vs Hamburger (US Bobby Wood)

9:05 am NBCSN Everton vs Chelsea

11:30 am NBCSN Tottenham vs Arsenal

3 pm Fox Sport1 Atlanta United vs DC United

Earn your Degree While You Watch Your Kids Soccer Practice – ½ the time and cost of Traditional Schools

Lionel Messi’s Clasico for the ages, Arsenal surprise us, Inter in trouble

Sometimes they live up to the hype. Sometimes they surpass it.From the neutral’s perspective, Sunday night’s Clasico took it to another level. No matchup in the world has as much talent on the pitch even with Neymar missing and Gareth Bale succumbing to injury after just more than half an hour, and few have had as much drama, individual displays of talent, handbrake turns in the narrative and end-to-end excitement as what we witnessed.And, as far as Lionel Messi is concerned, we’ve had the umpteenth confirmation that we are living in privileged times, able to see one of the greatest of all time doing it over and over again in the most dramatic fashion, including a virtual buzzer-beater.But start with the fallout.Barcelona’s 3-2 win at the Bernabeu doesn’t quite reopen the Liga race, but it does mean Real Madrid are one slip-up away from a potential neck-and-neck finish. Both are level on points, with Barca enjoying the edge in the tie-breaker, but Real Madrid have a game in hand: May 17 away to Celta Vigo. By that point, both Celta and Madrid could be in European finals: Eduardo Berizzo’s crew face Manchester United in the Europa League, and Real, of course, have the Madrid derby.Should Barca hold out hope? Sure. Celta have already beaten Madrid once this season in the Copa del Rey. You presume that the semifinal derby will stretch Real both in terms of mental and physical resources. Only a fool would rule out the possibility of this going down to the wire at this stage.The game itself offered positives and negatives for both sides. Zinedine Zidane made a big call by starting Gareth Bale, who had limped off injured against Bayern 11 days earlier. There’s no point in medical second-guessing, but the gamble clearly didn’t work, as the Welshman hobbled off after 38 minutes with the score at 1-1.Here, Zidane made the first of his three big substitution decisions. The draw would have likely handed the title to Madrid. But rather than looking to preserve the result, he went for the jugular. He could have sent on Isco, which might have shifted Madrid to a virtual 4-4-2, allowing them to control the midfield and, therefore, the game. Instead, he opted for Marco Asensio — a more direct, attacking player — which had the side effect of opening the game up further.Another was taking off Casemiro. The holding midfielder had opened the scoring, but he’d also been engaging in a game of “whack-a-Messi,” which had cost him a booking and could have cost him a sending off. Sending on Mateo Kovacic in his place was a fairly textbook decision.The third, nine minutes from time, involved withdrawing Karim Benzema for James Rodriguez. This was far from textbook. With Real Madrid chasing the game, conventional wisdom would have suggested a like-for-like change (Alvaro Morata) or maybe a guy like Isco. Instead, he opted for Rodriguez, trusting the Colombian’s long-range shooting and ability to improvise. He was quickly vindicated as Rodriguez lost Jordi Alba, cut across the box and was there to turn a cross from the brilliant Marcelo past Marc-Andre ter Stegen to make it 2-2.As for Barcelona, they put together three goals, each of them a peach in its own right. Lionel Messi’s opener featured a delicious swerve to befuddle Dani Carvajal and came after an 18-touch buildup involving eight different players. That was vintage Barca, as if the clock was being rolled back to circa 2009.The second was an Ivan Rakitic thunderbolt with an equally sweet buildup: He squared up to shoot with one foot and then cut across to his other and beat Keylor Navas. The third was the most dramatic: a long gallop from Sergi Roberto, a timely overlap from Alba and a deadeye finish from Messi deep in injury time. It was his 500th goal for Barcelona and his 47th of the season. It also marked the sixth time in his career that he passed the 30-goal mark in La Liga.More than that, it capped a performance that any fan of any team sport can relate to: one superstar taking over a game lock, stock and barrel. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it stands out.Messi had been whacked multiple times earlier by Casemiro, took an elbow to the head (inadvertent, perhaps, but still painful) from Marcelo and was on the receiving edge of an X-rated lunge from Sergio Ramos that saw the Madrid defender sent off for the 22nd time of his career.Messi’s usual supporting cast wasn’t getting it done. Neymar was suspended, and his replacement, Paco Alcacer, was ethereal. Andres Iniesta seemed to disappear as the game went on. Luis Suarez was ineffective, so it was up to Messi. And he delivered.Barca may end up well behind Real in the league; they may lose the Copa del Rey final to Alaves and end the season empty-handed. But Messi’s performance on the day will endure for a very long time.As for Madrid, they’ve been reminded it will be a long slog between now and the end of the season. They remain (in my opinion, anyway) the best team in the world. And the way they came back to equalize with 10 men showed a degree of guts, self-belief and personality that few can match, and that you rarely see on teams with this much talent. That, as much their talent, will determine whether they win their 33rd Liga title, let alone their 12th European Cup.

Arsene Wenger, Pep Guardiola surprise us all

Just when you thought you’d figured somebody out, they go and do something unexpected.

Take Arsene Wenger. He’s the guy we’ve been criticising for years for being too stubborn, too one-dimensional, too wedded to an idea of football that’s now passe, too soft, too unwilling to win ugly. So what does he do? He plays a 3-4-2-1 in an FA Cup semifinal at Wembley featuring two holding midfielders and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Nacho Monreal out wide. And rather than trying to pass his way around Manchester City, he happily concedes possession, relying instead on a front three of Olivier Giroud, Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil.Or take Pep Guardiola. He’s the guy who always wants to attack, who doesn’t know how to defend and who hates being pragmatic. What does he do when, nine minutes into extra-time and with the score deadlocked, he realizes that his center-forward can’t go on? He sends on two defensive midfielders like Fernando and Fabian Delph for Fernandinho and Sergio Aguero.What this should tell us, at the very least, is that it’s risky — and often inaccurate — to stereotype managers. At some point, they react to situations like the rest of us.Sunday’s 2-1 win for Arsenal was a game marked by mistakes, with both teams evidently showing signs of wear and tear after a long season. Each had a fairly decent penalty shout, but the episodes went against Manchester City, who hit the woodwork twice and had a goal disallowed when the linesman erroneously judged a cross to have gone out of play.Yet that doesn’t mean the victory wasn’t important, or deserved, for Arsenal. The reaction and the grit shown by the players rather contradicted the popular narrative whereby they’re all aching for a change and want to drive Arsene Wenger out the door.It also laid out a rather intriguing scenario. If, as some contend, Wenger would only consider leaving on a high, would an FA Cup win and maybe a strong finale in the Premier League — perhaps not a top-four finish, as that ship seems to have sailed, but some big wins against the likes of Tottenham and Manchester United — constitute enough of a high?As for City, Guardiola said what you expected him to say: City created more and better chances than the opposition; they could easily have won; he’s happy with the performance. And as often happens with Pep, you tend to believe him. You also tend to believe he couldn’t care less that this will be his first season in eight top-flight campaigns that he’ll finish without a trophy.

Bayern struggle after UCL exit

Talk about a Champions League hangover. Bayern took the pitch three days after the controversial extra-time defeat to Real Madrid and turned in one of their worst performances of the season against lowly Mainz. Indeed, you wonder if instead of making just four changes, Carlo Ancelotti would have been better off with a whole new XI.It felt as if Bayern’s heads were still at the Bernabeu. Twice they went behind on silly defensive mistakes by Arturo Vidal and Joshua Kimmich, and twice they scrambled to pull even for the 2-2 draw. They were poor at the back (and David Alaba’s injury won’t help) and while going forward, they looked slow and predictable, displaying the worst kind of sterile possession.Bayern need to snap out of it quickly. Borussia Dortmund beckons next in the German Cup semifinal this week, and the Bundesliga is not yet wrapped up.

Was Chelsea’s win genius or good luck ?

Was leaving Eden Hazard and Diego Costa on the bench for 60 minutes a tactical masterstroke by Antonio Conte? Or maybe just the realization that, while the FA Cup is nice and all, playing it safe and giving yourself the best possible chance to win the Premier League at your first attempt is a whole heck of a lot nicer?We may never know, and if you ask Conte himself, he’ll say something along the lines of choosing the best team to win this game and other platitudes. He’s getting a ton of praise for the impact that Hazard and Costa had off the bench in Chelsea’s 4-2 semifinal win over Tottenham. In many ways, it’s justified. Chelsea bounced back after the disheartening defeat to Manchester United with a victory against the team whom Conte himself had described as playing the best football in England.Yet you can also break down the game to its component parts and reach a different conclusion. Chelsea scored one goal on a free kick, another on a penalty gifted to them by a stupid tackle, a third with a clinical strike that snaked through penalty box traffic and a fourth with a long-range howitzer from a guy who hadn’t scored in nearly a year. For much of the game, it was Tottenham who had the upper hand, scoring two lovely goals with help from an inspired Christian Eriksen.But that’s football. These were two very good managers who were unafraid to take risks and make bold decisions, and the outcome ultimately favoured Conte. That doesn’t mean however that Mauricio Pochettino is a dud (as was suggested on the FC TV show last night) or that Tottenham will throw away the rest of the campaign like they did last season.Hindsight being 20/20, deploying Son Heung-Min as a wing-back, or even going with a back three, was not the right choice. But Tottenham did their part and could well have gotten more out of this.

Monaco, PSG pick up big wins in tight French Race

Edinson Cavani and Angel Di Maria scored as Paris Saint-Germain rolled to a 2-0 win over Montpellier on Saturday. Twenty-four hours later, Monaco did their bit as Radamel Falcao and Kylian Mbappe guided them to a huge 2-1 away win over Lyon. OL were fatigued from their Europa League exertions but still: this was one of the games where if you were a PSG fan, you most hoped for Monaco to drop points. As it stands, the two are level, but Monaco still have that game in hand.A word on Cavani, too. When Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored 51 goals in all competitions last season, it felt like the performance of a lifetime. Cavani is on 44 (in 43 appearances) and has another five matches — possibly six, if they reach the French Cup final — matches to go. Just to put things into a little bit of context.

Inter are in real trouble in Italy

When you’re 2-1 up nine minutes into the second half and then find yourself 5-2 down (despite your opponent missing a penalty) with 12 minutes to go, something is seriously wrong with you. That’s exactly what happened to Inter away to Fiorentina on Saturday night, and the fact that they scored two late goals to eventually lose 5-4 does nothing to minimize the hurt.Inter have taken two points from their past five games, and it looks as if Stefano Pioli’s run is over. I’ll admit it: I am a Pioli fan, and given the paucity of credible alternatives, I thought sticking with him next sason might not be such a bad thing. Now, I’m not so sure.The question is how you get out of this mess. Inter can’t spend their way out. They’re already under a Financial Fair Play settlement regime with UEFA, which is far stricter than folks seem to realize (at least the guys who mindlessly talk about Inter spending hundreds of millions next summer). In other words, they’re in a financial straitjacket, which makes it that much harder to lure a big-name manager.Inter’s owner, Suning, thinks it has the answer, having renewed director of football Piero Ausilio’s deal through 2020. This is the same Ausilio who has had the gig since 2014 and has seen Inter finish eight, fourth and wherever they end up this year (sixth or seventh). In that time, Inter have a negative net spend of some €120 million ($135 million).The thinking seems to be “you [and a cast of thousands] got us into this mess, you get us out of it.”Good luck.

Stop speculating about Zlatan!

I pray that we haven’t seen the last of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who suffered ligament damage to his knee in the Europa League against Anderlecht on Thursday. But I also hope we won’t get more idle speculation about whether he will or won’t return. Such injuries are difficult to evaluate to begin with, and in his case, his age and body type make him all the more tough to call.Let’s just chill out a minute and let time do its thing. There are only two decisions that matter here: One will be made by Manchester United by June 30 on whether or not to pick up the option on his deal for another season. The other will be made by Ibrahimovic himself at some point in the next six months, based on what his body tells him.Trying to guess now whether he’ll come back and when is pointless. It’s even a bit disrespectful to one of the better strikers of his generation.

Leipzig fail to close the gap in Germany

Leipzig spurned the chance to turn the Bundesliga into a legitimate race when they were held to a 1-1 draw away at Schalke. Timo Werner gave them an early lead but veteran striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar stunned them with an equaliser at the start of the second half, and from there they simply ran out of steam.In some ways, it rather mirrors their season. In their first 15 games, they gained a whopping 36 points. In their past 15, they managed just 26. Blame a combination of opponents figuring them out since promotion and, perhaps, a certain physical drop. That won’t get any easier next season.The gap remains at at eight points. One more slip-up and Bayern could have this in the bag by the time these teams meet on May 13. Gabriele Marcotti is a Senior Writer for ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter @Marcotti.

Power Rankings: Juventus retake top spot after Real Madrid’s mixed week

We have a new leader! Meanwhile, re-entering the countdown are a pair of Europe’s biggest clubs, while a German giant drops out.

Juventus(+1)

With a Champions League semifinal against Monaco on the horizon, Juventus continued to tick over in Serie A. A 4-0 win over Genoa means that Max Allegri’s side have an eight-point lead with five games to go; that sixth straight title is just a matter of time away.

Real Madrid(-1)

After battling back with 10 men to equalise vs. Barcelona, Madrid then conceded a last-minute goal that reignited the battle for La Liga. They recovered to win 6-2 at Deportivo in midweek but, with Barca lurking, know that they cannot afford any more slips.

Chelsea(+3)

Their defeat at Manchester United lead to some doubts but, in the past week, Chelsea reasserted their authority in fine style. First came an FA Cup semifinal win over Tottenham and that was followed by a nerve-settling league victory vs. Southampton.

Barcelona(new)

Look who are back! Just days after being dumped out of the Champions League, Barcelona dramatically won arguably the best Clasico in recent years. They then put seven past Osasuna and now lead La Liga, albeit having played one more game.

Monaco(no change)

Radamel Falcao and Kylian Mbappe scored at Lyon as Monaco retained their goal-difference advantage — they also have a game in hand — at the top of Ligue 1. A cup semifinal defeat at the hands of PSG came with a reserve side and showed Monaco’s priorities.

AS Roma(+3)

A comfortable 4-1 win at Pescara was the perfect preparation for Saturday’s Rome derby. Luciano Spalletti’s side are second in Serie, with a four-point advantage over next-best Napoli. Awaiting after Lazio, though, is a trip to Milan and Juventus at home.

Atletico Madrid(-3)

Antoine Griezmann’s 100th goal in La Liga was the highlight of a mixed week for Atletico. The French forward’s strike earned victory over Espanyol, but Wednesday brought a disappointing home defeat to Villarreal for Diego Simeone’s third-placed side.

Paris Saint-Germain(new)

The defending French champions are back in the Top 10 following a week in which they maintained the pressure on Monaco in the league, beating Montpellier 2-0, and thrashed their nearest rivals in the cup, earning a 5-0 semifinal victory.

Borussia Dortmund(+1)

Last week showed yet again that BVB rarely do things easily! First, Raphael Guerreiro scored an 87th-minute winner to beat Monchengladbach in league play, then Dortmund came back from 2-1 down to win 3-2 at Bayern Munich in the DFB-Pokal semifinal.

RB Leipzig(-2)

A draw at Schalke, secured by Timo Werner’s 17th goal of the season, moved Leipzig one point closer to finishing as runners-up in their first Bundesliga campaign. With four games remaining, Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side lead third-placed Dortmund by six points.

Dropping out: Bayern Munich, Tottenham.

Lionel Messi steps up and delivers a priceless Clasico win for Barcelona

Battered and bruised but still brilliant, Lionel Messi dragged Barcelona from the depths of their resounding Champions League elimination to Juventus to give his team’s ailing title bid the kiss of life. The Argentina international had not scored against Real Madrid since his hat-trick in the 4-3 win at the Bernabeu three years ago but the all-time top scorer in this magnificent fixture rarely stays quiet.

Despite the brutal tactics of Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Casemiro and even Mateo Kovacic, Real Madrid could not keep Messi down and no-one could have chosen a better scenario or moment for him to strike his 500th goal for Barca. It might just be the goal that reignites the Catalans’ title bid — and their season.

Positives

Barca showed real mettle at the Bernabeu, withstanding numerous setbacks during the game and some interesting decisions from referee Alejandro Jose Hernandez Hernandez, who lacked the courage to send off Casemiro before the break. Barca have often been accused of lacking steel but on Sunday night, they stood up and were counted.

Negatives

By the end of the game, Barca looked to have run out of steam and at some stages one might have suspected it was Luis Enrique’s side and not Zinedine Zidane’s that had 10 men on the pitch. Perhaps they were just saving their energy for the final moments, however, as so many poured forward to help set up Messi’s last-gasp winner.

Manager rating out of 10

5 — Made the right call with his team selection, deciding against playing Arda Turan despite recovering from injury on the day, something Zidane got hopelessly wrong in starting Bale. Didn’t change much during the game although his weak bench left him with little options. Perhaps should have gone for Real’s jugular more after Ramos was dismissed, even though Messi’s brilliance ensured everything turned out just fine.

Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK Marc-Andre ter Stegen, 8 — After misjudging the flight of the ball for Casemiro’s opening goal, the German produced one of his best displays for Barca, executing several stunning saves to thwart Cristiano Ronaldo, Toni Kroos and Marco Asensio. Was always alert to what was going on in front of his area too, making numerous well-timed challenges to clear the danger.

DF Sergi Roberto, 6 — Looked uncomfortable dealing with Kroos’ passes down Barca’s right hand side and his passing was imprecise until his courageous, gut-busting run through the middle that sparked Messi’s winner.

DF Samuel Umtiti, 6 — Rode his luck with an early tackle in the area on Ronaldo but regained his composure.

DF Gerard Pique, 6 — Suffered a lot in the first half, particularly against Ronaldo, although grew in stature after the break.

DF Jordi Alba, 5 — Was quiet going forward for most of the game but proved he is always worth having on the pitch for his cut-back pass to Messi before the game-winning goal.

MF Ivan Rakitic, 6 — Had done little in the game before his thumping strike, which looked to have made amends for his performance. That said, he will be blamed for his lethargic attempt to get tight on Marcelo for the equaliser.

MF Sergio Busquets, 6 — A steady performer in defence and starting attacks but fell asleep in the area to allow James to grab the equaliser right in front of him, which almost cost Barca the win.

MF Andres Iniesta, 8 — Was given far more freedom by Real’s midfield than Juventus had allowed him and he was able to direct Barca’s play with his faultless passing as a result. A great display, especially considering how the Juventus games could have jolted his confidence.

FW Lionel Messi, 9 — Answered any doubts from the Juve games in emphatic fashion despite being mercilessly targeted by Madrid for the entirety of the game. He was unmoved by Marcelo’s brutal elbow, which had him chewing on a tissue for much of the first half, and responded with the most stunning equaliser, ending a three-year drought in the Clasico. And just when Barca’s title bid looked doomed once and for all, he reignited the flame with his 500th goal for the club. Trust him to choose the biggest moment on the biggest stage to do so.

FW Luis Suarez, 4 — Had another desperately disappointing display, failing to impose himself on the game or link up with his strike partners, and wasted two great chances to score.

FW Paco Alcacer, 5 — Combined reasonably well with Messi but often got shrugged off the ball and spurned a huge chance when he only had Keylor Navas to beat.

Substitutes

MF Andre Gomes, NR — Never looked too confident when on the ball and neither did his teammates when he had it, although he did play his part in the winner.

WHAT IF … THE REF HAD CALLED A HANDBALL AGAINST GERMANY AT THE 2002 WORLD CUP?

by Grant Wahl

The stage has never been bigger for U.S. men’s soccer than it was on June 21, 2002, in Ulsan, South Korea. The Americans had made an inspiring World Cup run, beating Portugal and Mexico and advancing to the quarterfinals for the first (and still only) time in the modern era, and early in the second half they were largely outplaying mighty Germany, though they trailed 1–0. In the 50th minute, U.S. midfielder Claudio Reyna unspooled a near-post corner kick that was flicked into the path of defender Gregg Berhalter.

“As the corner was coming in I said, I’m going to gamble and move away from my opponent toward the center back-post area,” says Berhalter, now coach of the Columbus Crew. “The ball fell right to where I was gambling on, and I had a chance to lunge at it with my left foot. [I made] good contact and it was going into the goal; it beat the goalkeeper [Oliver Kahn], but [German midfielder] Torsten Frings put his hand out and blocked it right on the line.”

Nobody disputes that the ball hit Frings’s left arm, preventing it from entering the goal—but should there have been a penalty called and a red card given? The game’s Scottish referee, Hugh Dallas, ruled there was no infraction. “A foul can only be given if it is deliberate hand-to-ball and not ball-to-hand,” he told the Sunday Mail, adding that he’d had “a totally clear view” of the play, even though video replays show there were five players between him and the incident. (UEFA, which employs Dallas, declined to make him available for this story.)

Howard Webb, the Englishman who refereed the 2010 World Cup and Champions League finals, sees the play differently. When Webb became an international referee in ’05, Dallas (who had retired by then) was his mentor for a year. “This is a famous incident, but I don’t think I ever discussed it with him,” says Webb, who reviewed video replays for this story. “The correct outcome should have been a penalty kick awarded for the use of the hand, and a red card for the denial of a goal—not the denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, but the denial of a goal, because clearly the ball would have gone in had Frings not blocked it.”

The laws and interpretations governing such incidents have not changed since 2002, Webb notes. “There’s not a great deal of movement by Frings,” he says. “It’s not like Luis Suárez in ’10 against Ghana, when he threw his arms in the air goalkeeper-style” to block a clear goal, earning a penalty and a red card. “A handball has to be deliberate, but when a team gains such a huge advantage through a handball and there is that element of a slight movement toward the ball—or even not a retraction of the arm away from the flight of the ball—then the referee, generally speaking, will penalize the offender.”

So, what if the penalty and red card had been given? Going back to 1966, players have converted 81% of all World Cup penalty kicks. Kahn was in standout form in 2002, but it’s still likely the U.S. would have tied the score from the spot—Bruce Arena, the team’s coach then and now, says Reyna would have taken the penalty—and continued outplaying Germany with a man advantage for up to 70 minutes, including potential extra time. (Playing 11-on-11, the U.S. ended up outshooting Germany 11–6.)

The Americans’ chances of winning, had those calls been made, were “better than 50-50,” says Arena. “And I think if we were one of the big countries, we would have gotten that call.” Landon Donovan, who was a 20-year-old striker in that tournament, says, “Playing against most teams, you would say 75%, maybe 80% [for the U.S. to win]. But playing against top teams like Germany or Brazil, I would probably have put it at 50-50. They would have been smart enough to defend well, and they would have tried to steal a goal the other way on a set piece—and if not, then it goes to penalties, where they’re really good.”

“I think if we were one of the big countries, we would have gotten that call,” Arena says.

And what if the U.S. had advanced past Germany? Awaiting in the semifinal would have been co-host South Korea, whom the U.S. had already tied 1–1 earlier in the tournament and who they’d beaten 2–1 in the 2002 Gold Cup. That said, Arena would have had only 14 eligible field players due to yellow-card suspensions (Berhalter, Pablo Mastroeni, Eddie Pope) and injuries (Jeff Agoos, Steve Cherundolo, Joe-Max Moore). “Would we have beaten South Korea?” asks Donovan. “I don’t know—but it wouldn’t have surprised anyone.” And in a final against Brazil? “Highly unlikely that we win. But we’ve beaten Brazil before, and there’s no reason that, on that day, we couldn’t get a little lucky.”It’s often wondered in American soccer circles whether this country will ever win a men’s World Cup. But the fact is, the U.S. wasn’t that far away in 2002.Webb recently moved to New York City to oversee the new Video Assistant Referee program for the Professional Referees Organization, which handles MLS officiating. Refs are set to have video review for the first time in MLS this summer and at next year’s World Cup in Russia. The Frings incident “would have been a situation where, absolutely, 100% a recommendation would have been made by the video assistant referee for an on-field review,” says Webb. “And I’m pretty sure that would have led to the awarding of a penalty kick and a red card.”He smiles. “And then who knows what would have happened?”

WHAT IF … THE U.S.’S BEST ATHLETES ALL PLAYED SOCCER?

by Grant Wahl

The U.S. would win the World Cup! Like, every year!! I’ve heard that sentiment again and again when I’ve told people I write about fútbol. So let me answer the most tired hypothetical in sports, once and for all: No, LeBron would not help the U.S. win the World Cup. It just doesn’t work like that. The guy is 6′ 8″ and weighs 250 pounds, dimensions that work magnificently on a basketball court but get you nowhere on a soccer field. What if our so-called “best” athletes played soccer? Well, they’d do what Chad Johnson did when he tried out for MLS’s Sporting Kansas City a few years ago: All talk, zero game.

Please, just stop with the daydreaming. The less you know about a sport, the easier it is to assume some simple-minded change would transform the whole thing. (One of my favorites: The hockey outsider who believes an 800-pound goalie would rule the pipes.) Yes, athleticism is important in soccer. But, beyond that, it’s a game in which skill and coaching matter in a huge way. Usain Bolt can make a PR spectacle by practicing with Dortmund, but Dortmund isn’t about to sign Bolt to a real contract—not in a million years.

Is it possible that smaller, shorter athletes like Stephen Curry or Allen Iverson possess the attributes to become pro soccer players, had they only played from the age of five? Perhaps. But it’s just as likely that they wouldn’t have made it. And the paucity of high-level youth soccer coaches in the U.S. means that Curry and Iverson might not have learned much about soccer even if it had been their passion. Why is nobody asking, What if our best coaches had coached soccer?

It’s a moot point in the end. In the U.S., soccer will always have to compete against the other big sports for players. As soccer continues gaining popularity in this country, it’s reasonable to think the talent pool will grow in lockstep, so that it’s less of a middle/upper-class sport. But don’t assume those changes will deliver the World Cup trophy stateside. It’s the most coveted hardware on the planet for a reason.

U.S.’s Bruce Arena to visit Hamburg over Bobby Wood’s future – report

coach Bruce Arena is set to visit Hamburg next week to discuss Bobby Wood’s future at the club, according to kicker, amid reports linking the U.S. forward with a switch away from the Volksparkstadion.Having only joined Hamburg last summer, the 24-year-old Wood has been the subject of increasing rumours in recent weeks after he switched agents and a €12 million release clause was made public.Hamburg have previously said they are in contract negotiations with Wood, and speaking to kicker, the club’s sporting director Jens Todt confirmed the talks and said: “Bobby is a key player for us when he’s in top form, we need him.”The German football magazine added that Todt next week will welcome U.S. coach Arena at the club to also talk about the forward’s future.Speaking at a news conference ahead of Hamburg’s crucial match at Augsburg on Saturday, coach Markus Gisdol explained to a group of school kids in attendence: “He does not want to leave, the others want to buy him.”Gisdol added: “It’s about a lot of money. We have a good chance that he will continue to play for us. But I also understand that the lads think about their future when they are courted by other clubs.”German newspaper Bild previously linked Wood to Premier League clubs Leicester and West Ham, then last week reported that Borussia Dortmund were interested in the Hawaii native.Wood has scored five Bundesliga goals in 24 appearances this season, adding four more in as many games in the DFB Pokal, though he came into criticism after his performance last week in a loss to Darmstadt.

RECAP | INDY ELEVEN SETS NASL MODERN ERA RECORD IN STALEMATE WITH SAN FRANCISCO

“Boys in Blue” Earn Fourth Straight Point in 0-0 Draw at Carroll Stadium

Apr 22, 2017

INDIANAPOLIS (Saturday, April 22, 2017) – Indy Eleven extended its home unbeaten streak to an NASL Modern Era record 20 games in a 0-0 draw with the San Francisco Deltas on Saturday afternoon at Carroll Stadium.A tight contest that tested both sides from the get-go, Indy was the first to fire a shot away in the sixth minute as Gerardo Torrado ripped an effort from just outside the box only to see it blocked from near point blank range. Though the opening 15 minutes saw both teams settle into their game, San Francisco was the first to test the opposing ‘keeper in the 24^th minute. Defender Karl Ouimette collected a pass from out wide and lifted it in towards forward Tommy Heinemann, and though the attacker was able to connect on the dipping cross, he did not have enough on the chance to beat Indy ‘keeper Jon Busch. The closest Indy would get in the opening 45 minutes came 10 minutes before the halftime break when forwards Justin Braun and Eamon Zayed linked up and played a tight one-two only for Deltas defender Nana Attakora to break up the play and end the threat.As the second half wore on, Indy nearly found their way through just before the hour mark through Week 3 goalscorer Eamon Zayed. Taking a cross from Torrado, Zayed did well to get in position and power a header at SFD ‘keeper Romuald Peiser, but the ‘netminder was able to make the save at his near post and prevent the opener. The best chance of the match for the visitors came in the 75^th minute via midfielder Kyle Bekker. Settling the ball from the right flank, Bekker turned a speculative effort into a fantastic chance as he unleashed a curling shot towards the back post. However, “Buschy” was equal to the effort and put himself in perfect position to tip it over the bar at the last second.Two minutes later, Zayed was again in the thick of the action and used his head to test Peiser off a Vukovic cross. With similar power as his first chance, Peiser again beat the effort over the bar and out for a corner. Both teams had a chance in the final few minutes, but Indy came closest in the final minute of stoppage time. Forward Justin Braun collected a pass from Vukovic and hit a near-perfect knock towards goal, but the ball hit the outside of the post and turned the wrong direction. In the end, it proved a valuable point as Indy earned their fourth point on the year to remain unbeaten on the year and extend their 20-game home unbeaten run, an NASL Modern Era record.Indiana’s Team returns home to IUPUI’s Michael A. Carroll Stadium to host FC Edmonton on Saturday, May 6 at 7:30 P.M. ET. Tickets for the game – and all remaining 14 NASL matches at “The Mike” in 2017 – can be purchased for as little as $11 online at www.IndyEleven.com or by phone at 317-685-1100.

NASL Spring Season
Indy Eleven 0 : 0 San Francisco Deltas
Saturday, April 22, 2017 Michael A. Carroll Stadium – Indianapolis, IN

Discipline Summary:
IND – Lovel Palmer 42’, IND – Craig Henderson 67’, IND – Justin Braun 71’

Indy Eleven line-up (4-4-2, L–>R): Jon Busch (GK); Nemanja Vuković, Lovel Palmer (Daniel Keller 62’), Colin Falvey ©, Marco Franco; Sinisa Ubiparipovic (Tanner Thompson 60’), Gerardo Torrado, Brad Ring, Craig Henderson; Eamon Zayed, Justin Braun
IND bench: Keith Cardona (GK); Kwame Watson-Siriboe, Adrian Ables, David Goldsmith

THREE THINGS: #INDVSFD

Indy Eleven sets an NASL Modern Era record and more in this week’s Three Things Apr 24, 2017

“BUSCHY” SAVES THE DAY

Indy Eleven goaltender Jon Busch put in the paces between the posts on Saturday keeping the “Boys in Blue” in contention for points with his massive performance. The MLS veteran saved the day by shutting down the San Francisco Deltas offensive efforts on five separate occasions throughout the 90 minutes. The opposition’s first attempt came in the 24^th minute after Deltas forward Thomas Heinemann attempted to head in a cross from teammate Karl Ouimette, but “Buschy” was on the receiving end of the attempt. The next attempt came a minute later after Deltas fed a ball forward to Heinemann’s right foot, but Busch was ready and caught the ball off the bounce. Fast forward to the 37^th minute, Deltas midfielder Pablo Dyego sent a ball toward the center of the box, right into the arms of the Eleven keeper’s arms. The fourth and possibly biggest save came in the 75^th minute when the visiting Kyle Bekker sent a ball flying from outside the box to the upper left corner, but a massive leap from Busch forced the ball over the bar to keep the score level. The final of Busch’s saves came in the 86^th minute after Deltas Michael Stephens sent an aerial ball straight into the arms of our keeper.Since joining Indy Eleven in 2016, Busch has kept his overall goals against average (GAA) to below one. Fans have the opportunity to pledge a donation for every save “Buschy” makes in the 2017 season for his SAVES for SEALS initiative.

TORRADO ON THE BALL

“Boys in Blue” Gerardo Torrado took home the high honors of being the “Wick’s Pie Chart” Player of the Game for his performance on Saturday. The Mexican Men’s National Team legend completed over three-fourths of his pass, more than any other player suited up in blue, and created two chances in the second half of the game.“El Borrego” joined “Indiana’s Team” in 2016 after transferring from an 11-years stint with Liga MX side Cruz Azul. Since his addition to the club, Torrado has played a total of 1369 minutes in 20 appearances and has accumulated one assist.

RECORD SETTING AT HOME

While a 0-0 draw at home is not always ideal, fans and players can rejoice knowing that Saturday’s result set the NASL Modern Era record for the longest unbeaten streak at a club’s home stadium with 20 regular season games and counting. The “Boys in Blue” haven’t lost at “The Mike” since October 10, 2015 after a 1-2 loss to the now defunct San Antonio Scorpions. Indy was neck-in-neck in competition with the New York Cosmos, who led the unbeaten streak by one game before bowing out at a 19 in a 0-3 loss to Miami FC at MCU Park during Week 2 of the 2017 season. Indy’s 20 game streak includes 15 wins, five draws and eight clean sheets at home. Since the start of the 2016 season, “Indiana’s Team” also scored the most goals at home, leading the way with 40 goals. Don’t miss your chance to join Indy Eleven in their “Fight for Three” during the next home game on May 6th.

ADIDAS NAMED INDY ELEVEN’S OFFICIAL UNIFORM PARTNER

“Indiana’s Team” Joins Iconic Teams from Across the World in Wearing adidas’ Iconic Three Stripes; Pre-Orders for New Version of Blue Home Jersey Now Available Apr 25, 2017

INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, April 25, 2017) – Four years to the day Indy Eleven unveiled its club identity, “Indiana’s Team” is celebrating its anniversary today with a new look courtesy of adidas, the team’s new Official Uniform Partner.“Indy Eleven is excited and honored to join some of the world’s greatest clubs in representing adidas on the field,” said Indy Eleven president Jeff Belskus. “Soccer fans and players alike know and appreciate the quality that adidas delivers, and we look forward to wearing their three stripes with pride.”adidas is the world’s top selling-brand of soccer apparel and ranks second globally in sales across the overall sportswear industry. The German-based company’s stable of “superclub” partners include Real Madrid, Manchester United, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Juventus, while also boasting the national teams of current World Cup champion Germany, Spain, Argentina and Mexico.adidas is no stranger to the U.S. market either, serving as a partner of Major League Soccer since its 1996 launch, including as the official athletic sponsor and licensed poduct supplier apparel partner of the league and its member clubs since 2005.In conjunction with today’s announcement, Indy Eleven has opened up a pre-sale for authentic versions of its new blue primary (home) adidas jerseys, available both online at Shop.IndyEleven.com and in-person at the Indy Eleven Team Store in Broad Ripple (6280 N. College Ave.).Men’s and Women’s ($90) and youth ($75) sizes are available, with all jerseys to be available exclusively in authentic versions. These pre-sale orders will receive first priority for delivery once received by Indy Eleven in May.The “Boys in Blue” are expected to debut their new blue adidas home kits at IUPUI’s Carroll Stadium next Saturday, May 6 (7:30 p.m. kickoff), when Indy Eleven will host a NASL Seminial Championship rematch against FC Edmonton. In that match, Indy Eleven will look to extend its modern-day NASL record 20-game home undefeated streak at “The Mike.”Indy Eleven also expects to unveil the design for and debut its secondary adidas jersey in May.The new home and away jerseys were designed in partnership by Indy Eleven and Patrick Cummings, an Indianapolis-based graphic designer. A longtime member of the Brickyard Battalion, Cummings also helped design the Indy Eleven crest, logos and color scheme that were unveiled at Monument Circle four years ago on April 25, 2013.

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4/21/17 Indy 11 home Sat 3 pm vs San Fran, El Classico Sun 2:45 pm, FA Cup Semis Sat/Sun, Champions League Final 4 set, TV Games

April 21, 2017 gatorbest

Champions League Semi-Finals are set with Real Madrid facing Atletico Madrid in a Madrid Derby, and Monaco facing Juventus in the other May 2/3 and May 9/10. Champions League was pretty dramatic down the stretch especially the Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich game – what a performance by Bayern – as down a man (man the reffing was bad) they still found a way to take it to extra time. Renaldo was fantastic and carried his team to the final 4 with another hattrick in a Champions League match. What tension and drama as these 2 teams (both of whom could have made the finals) battled off in the Elite 8. The young squad at Monaco continued to impress with a solid 3-1 win at home – man they play attacking football and these young guys just don’t seem fazed at all by the bright lights of the TOP competition in the world. Teenage striker Mbappe scores another goal – that’s 5 in his 7 Champions League matches, only the legendary Thierry Henry scored more with 6 in his first 7 with Arsenal. Monaco becomes the 1^st French side to reach the Finals since Lyon in 2010. Atletico continues to impress their 1-0 wins at home and on the road vs Leicester City now sets up the Madrid derby with Real Madrid. Barcelona couldn’t pull the miracle at home this time as Juve showed what Italian Defense can be like as they held Barca to just 4 shots on target and did not allow a goal in either game home or away. The impressive win now labels Juventus as favorites moving into the final 4.

Over 500 million are expected to tune in as El Classico returns this Sunday with Real Madrid hosting Barcelona at 2:45 on beIN Sport– kind of anti climatic after the Champions League action this week but El Classico is always worth watchig. Real is 3 pts up in the table – so a Barca win could set up a tight race down the stretch for La Liga. FA Cup Semi-Final action this weekend features the Top 2 teams in the EPL as Chelsea vs Tottenham Sat at 12:15 on Fox, Sunday Arsenal faces Man City at 10 am on Fox Sports 1. EPL matches feature West Ham vs Everton on Sat at 10 on NBCSN, and Liverpool vs Crystal Palace 11:30 on Sunday NCBSN. Weekday games Tues/Wed/Thurs feature Chelsea vs Southampton Tues, Arsenal vs Leicester City Wed and Man City vs Man United on Thurs at 3 pm on NBCSN. See TV Games below. This Sunday serves up a stacked tripleheader of MLS action, and you can get the day started with MLS Matchday Live. With New York City FC facing Orlando City on FS1 and FOX Deportes (1:30 pm ET | , the Seattle Sounders visiting the LA Galaxy on ESPN and ESPN Deportes (4 pm ET ) and Minnesota United hosting the Colorado Rapids in the nightcap (6 pm ET | MLS LIVE), it’s an epic lineup, and Matchday Live will get you started at 12:30 pm ET on the MLS Facebook page.

Carmel FC will have a few teams competing next weekend in the Crossroads of America Girls College Showcase at Grand Park – also there will be some good Men’s College Games at the big field this weekend along with the Boys Showcase– tickets are just $5 at the door checkout www.gp2017crossroads.eventbrite.com for more info.

Fri 4/21 7 pm IU vs Cinncinati

Sat 4/22 5 pm IUPUI vs Uni. Indianapolis

St 4/22 7 pm UK vs Notre Dame

GAMES ON TV

Sat Apr 22

9:15 am NBCSN Burnley vs Man U

12:15 pm Fox Sport1? Chelsea vs Tottenham FA CUP Semi’s

12:30 pm Fox Sport2 B Mgladbach vs Dortmund (US Pulisic)

3 pm myindy 23 Indy 11 vs San Fran Deltas

Sun Apr 23

9:15 am NBCSN Burnley vs Man U

10 am Fox Sport1 Arsenal vs Man City FA CUP Semi’s

11:30 am NBCSN Liverpool vs Crystal Palace

11:30 am Fox Sport2 Schlake vs RB Leipzig

1:30 pm Fox Sport 1 NYCFC vs Orlando City

2:45 pm beIN Sport Real Madrid vs Barcelona -El Classico –

4 pm ESPN LA vs Seattle

Tues Apr 25

2:45 pm NBCSN Chelsea vs Southampton

Wed, Apr 26

1:30 pm beIn Sport Barcelona vs Osasuna

2:45 pm ESPN2 Bayern Munich vs Dortmund – German Cup

2:45 pm NBCSN Extra Arsenal vs Leicester City

3 pm NBCSN Crystal Palace vs Tottenham

6:30 pm Univision? Mexico U17s vs USA U17s Concacaf Championships

Thurs Apr 27

3 pm NBCSN Man City vs Man United

Sat Apr 29

9:30 am Fox Sports2 Dortmund vs Koln (US Pulisic)

10 am NBCSN Stoke City vs West Ham United

10:15 am beIN sport Real Madrid vs Valencia

12:30 pm NBSSN Crystal Palace vs Burnley

12:30 pm Fox Sport2 Wolfsburg vs Bayern Munich

7 pm beIN Sport Jacksonville Armada vs Indy 11

Sun Apr 30

7 am NBCSN Man U vs Swansea

9 am Fox Sport 1 Ausburg vs Hamburger (US Bobby Wood)

9:05 am NBCSN Everton vs Chelsea

11:30 am NBCSN Tottenham vs Arsenal

3 pm Fox Sport1 Atlanta United vs DC United

Mon, May 1

3 pm NBCSN Watford vs Liverpool

Fri, May 5

3 pm NBCSN West Ham vs Tottenham

Sun, May 7

11 am NBCSN Arsenal vs Man United

Indy 11 Preview vs San Fran

INDY 11

By the #s Week 5

Greg Ballard – Build a Stadium for Indy 11 Now

Indy 11 draw with PR on Road

Captain Falvey works way back from offseason injury

8 Game Flexpack

Champions League

Real vs Atletico, Juve vs Monaco in Champ League Semi’s

Europa League Draw has Man U vs Celta Vigo + Ajax vs Lyon

Juve Favored to Win it

Monaco too Much for Dortmund

Juve were never afraid of Barca

Juve Must Win it All

Chiellini and Bonucci lead Juve to Next Round

Video Replay is Needed – Just ask Bayern – Gab Marcotti ESPNFC

Real get help in Win over Bayern – SI

The Case for Simeone as Best Manager in the World

Notes on all the Games

Man U survives in ET at home in Europa League Play

Top Teams in the World – Power Rankings

Officials Catch Dortmund Bus Bomber

US, Canada, Mexico Prepair Joint Bid for 2026 World Cup

Predicting 2026 World Cup US Hero’s – Arm Chair Analyst Doyle

American players finding it tougher in MLS

US Will Train in Mountains before Mexico Clash in June.

How US Players Fared Overseas

Tottenham hot for Pulisic

Pulisic grows up fast after Bus Attacks SI Grant Wahl

MLS

MLS Allstar Game vs Real Madrid in Chicago

10 Things to Know About Real Madrid

Things to Ponder after Week 7 –Arm Chair Analyst Doyle

MLS Week 7 Preview – Jason Davis

Schwienstieger Might Just be Fine After all for Chicago Fire

MLS Power Rankings

MLS Snowball Fight?

Orlando’s Purple Wall

Tim Howard Suspended 3 games

Orlando’s record 4^th Win in New Stadium

No MLS Teams sho interest in Chelsea’s John Terry

World

El Classico on Sunday

Madrid Will Outlast Barca

FA Cup Keys this Weekend

Man U Stops Chelsea at home 2-0

Mourino’s Tactics down Chelsea –

Could Chelsea really lose the title?

FA Cup Clash Sat – Chelsea vs Spurs could decide EPL Title Race?

Indy Eleven Gameday & Match Preview
Indy Eleven vs San Francisco Deltas – #INDvSFD
Saturday, April 22, 2017 – 3:00 P.M. EST Michael A. Carroll Stadium – Indianapolis, Indiana

Watch/Listen Live: Local TV: MyINDY TV-23 Streaming Video: ESPN3

WELCOME TO OUR HOUSE

The “Boys in Blue” are back home again for the second time in 2017, facing off against the San Francisco Deltas for the first time on home turf. “Indiana’s Team” continues to “Fight for Three,” searching for their first win in the 2017 season as well as looking to extend the club’s unbeaten streak at home to 20 matches. During Indy’s first meeting with the Deltas at Kezar Stadium, MLS veteran Kyle Bekker netted the home side’s first NASL goal with hopes to secure three points in their inaugural match, but a second half goal from one of Indy’s new signings Tanner Thompson, brought the Eleven back from the brink to save a point.Since Week One, the Deltas have forged ahead and landed themselves in second place with five points going into Week Five. Two weeks after our initial draw with the new franchise, Deltas secured their club’s first win in a 3-1 stunner against North Carolina FC, with forward Tommy Heinemann (two goals) and midfielder Pablo Dyego (one goal) leading the club to victory. In Week Four, San Francisco was faced with another draw in the record books after traveling east for the first time to square up with the current table toppers, Jacksonville Armada FC. After a bye week, Indy Eleven enters Week Five with three out of nine possible points, finding themselves tied for sixth on the NASL table. In addition, Indy has managed to tally five goals in three games, making them the highest scoring club in the league with a 20-percent goals conversion. The group showcased their attacking prowess during the team’s first match at home after putting on a 3-3 thriller against the visiting Puerto Rico FC, with forward Justin Braun tallying two goals and an assist, and former Minnesota United FC midfielder Ben Speas getting his first goal for Indy.

WHO TO WATCH INDY ELEVEN EDITION: MF CRAIG HENDERSON

Continuing his chase for a title, former Ivy-League standout Craig Henderson looks to make his mark once more for the “Boys in Blue”. The New Zealand international made his first appearance for Indy as a sub in the final minutes against the Deltas on March 25. Since his debut, Henderson has played 120 minutes and has managed to complete nearly 75-percent of his passes. Joining the likes of Brad Ring and Gerardo Torrado in the midfield, Henderson’s versatility adds an additional offensive and defensive push in any given situation.

WHO TO WATCH SAN FRANCISCO EDITION: FW TOMMY HEINEMANN

Forward Tommy Heinemann continues to bring himself in the spotlight after his two-goal performance in Week Three places him in a four-way tie for the top individual goal scorer in the league, joining the ranks of Eleven star Justin Braun. Heinemann joins the Deltas after spending the 2016 season with former NASL side Tampa Bay Rowdies. During his stint with the Rowdies, Heinemann played a total of 1358 minutes, scoring four goals in 26 games. Heinemann was also a part of the 2015 Ottawa Fury squad that challenged the New York Cosmos for the season Championship, which ultimately ended with the Fury ending their season as runner-ups.

MATCH-UP TO MARK: MF PABLO DYEGO VS. DF MARCO FRANCO

Fluminense Youth Academy product Pablo Dyego will battle with Indy defender Marco Franco along the wing this Saturday. Dyego, a former Ottawa Fury player, has already made his mark after scoring one goal during his first start in San Francisco Deltas’ 3-1 home win against North Carolina FC. In comparison, Marco Franco has been a dominating defensive presence in Indy’s first three matches of 2017. By completing close to 74-percent of his passes, winning majority of his tackles and majority of his duels, Franco has positioned himself to be a defensive force to be reckoned with, as well as his ability to move the ball forward with speed and accuracy.Don’t miss your chance to see Indy “Fight for Three” as they look to continue to find their first win in 2017 and extend their record-breaking home undefeated streak.

Real Madrid vs. Atletico, Juventus vs. Monaco in Champions League semis

Reigning European champions Real Madrid will play neighbours Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semifinals.Eleven-time European champions Real, who eliminated Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals, could become the first club in the Champions League era to win the competition in successive seasons.The Madrid clubs have met in the Champions League final in two of the last three years, with Real coming out on top on both occasions.Atletico had also reached the final in 1974, when they lost to Bayern, but have yet to win the competition.Atletico director Clemente Villaverde said the club were not daunted by facing their rivals again, while Real director of institutional relations Emilio Butragueno said past meetings will have no bearing on the clash.The other tie sees Ligue 1 leaders Monaco take on Italian champions Juventus.Juventus, European champions in 1985 and 1996, lost the final to Barcelona in 2015 but defeated Luis Enrique’s side 3-0 on aggregate in this year’s quarterfinals.Monaco have only once reached the final, losing to Jose Mourinho’s Porto in 2004. They eliminated Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund on their way to the last four.Juventus director Pavel Nedved said the club could go all the way but warned that semifinal opponents Monaco would pose a tough challenge.Meanwhile, Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev said his side had the chance to gain revenge for their defeat to the same club in the 2015 quarterfinals.According to the Soccer Power Index (SPI), Real are 67 percent likely to beat Atletico, with Juve rated 70 percent likely to defeat Monaco. The Spanish club are marginal favourites to lift the trophy, rated at 38 percent in the SPI compared to Juve’s 36 percent chance. Real Madrid will host Atletico at the Bernabeu on May 2 before travelling to the Calderon eight days later on May 10.Juventus will go to the Stade Louis II on May 3 before Monaco travel to Turin the following week on May 9.The final will be played at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium on Saturday June 3.

SEMIFINAL DRAW:

The first legs will take place on May 2 and 3, with the second legs the following week.

Real Madrid	v	Atletico Madrid
Monaco	v	Juventus

Trending: Juventus do a job on Barca, Monaco too much for Dortmund

Following their performances against Barcelona in the UCL, the FC crew explain why Juventus are now the favourites to win it all.

Thursday’s latest stories from the world of football in ESPN FC’s What’s Trending…

JUVENTUS: Massimiliano Allegri has called his side “a great Juventus” after qualifying for the Champions League semifinals 3-0 on aggregate over Barcelona, after drawing 0-0 at the Camp Nou on Wednesday when his side looked like never conceding even if the match lasted all day. – Defender Leonardo Bonucci insists that every club must fear Juventus now after they knocked Barcelona out of the Champions League.

BARCELONA: Luis Enrique was left frustrated with Barcelona’s wastefulness in front of goal as they came up short against Juventus.

– Gerard Pique remained confident that Barcelona could recover in time for Sunday’s La Liga Clasico against Real Madrid.

– Barcelona and Brazil forward Neymar has professed his “love” of countryman Gabriel Jesus’ play, and counts him along with Antoine Griezmann as the next generation of superstars.

REAL MADRID: The club have not made an approach for Monaco star Kylian Mbappe, the Ligue 1 club’s sporting director Antonio Cordon has told Cadena Ser radio.

– Gareth Bale has stepped up his bid to return from injury in time for Real Madrid’s home Clasico against Barcelona on Sunday.

BAYERN MUNICH: The club have confirmed goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will be out for the rest of the season with a broken foot.

MONACO: Leonardo Jardim insists his free-scoring team are not among the favourites for Champions League success despite seeing off Borussia Dortmund 3-1 at Stade Louis II to secure their place in Friday’s semifinals draw.

– Radamel Falcao said he had kept faith during a difficult spell in the Premier League after his 45th goal in 50 European appearances made him the most prolific goal scorer in UEFA club competition history.

BORUSSIA DORTMUND: Thomas Tuchel said Dortmund’s morale was affected when police stopped their team bus from leaving the hotel before Wednesday’s Champions League game against Monaco — calling it “the worst thing that can happen.”

Power Rankings: Real Madrid still No. 1, Juventus No. 2 after advancing in UCL

The final four of the Champions League are set, albeit amid contentious circumstances, but there can be no doubting the validity of Shaka Hislop’s top 10.

Real Madrid(no change)

They needed a last-minute goal to beat Sporting and overcame Bayern thanks to the benefit of some controversial refereeing, but at the end of it all, Madrid remain top of La Liga and are in the Champions League semifinals. Next up? The small matter of El Clasico!

Juventus(no change)

An easy win over Pescara was ideal preparation for a trip to the Camp Nou, where Max Allegri’s men were resolute and disciplined to complete a 3-0 aggregate win. Juventus allowed just one shot on target as they claimed their place in the Champions league’s last four.

Bayern Munich(no change)

It was a week to forget for the German champions. First, they failed to find a way through Leverkusen, despite taking 21 shots, before things got worse in midweek. Having fought back to draw level vs. Madrid, Bayern were on the wrong end of key decisions.

Atletico Madrid(+1)

After claiming a fourth straight home league win to consolidate third place in La Liga, Atletico scored an away goal at Leicester and then withstood everything the English champions threw at them to claim a third Champions league semifinal place in four seasons.

Monaco(+2)

The treble chasers marched closer to marking an unforgettable season with silverware. Radamel Falcao’s superb free kick secured a league win over Dijon, and the striker was on the score sheet again as Monaco completed a Champions League win vs. Dortmund.

Chelsea(-2)

They’re still favourites to win the Premier league, but make no mistake, Chelsea have wobbled in recent weeks. Antonio Conte’s side did not manage a shot on target in their loss at Manchester United and must rediscover their form soon if they are not to collapse entirely.

Tottenham(-1)

Can Spurs, who have won seven straight league games, keep winning to maintain the pressure they have put on Chelsea? They get an opportunity to strike a psychological blow this weekend when they face their London rivals in the FA Cup semifinal at Wembley.

RB Leipzig(new)

The plucky upstarts in Germany endured a major bump in form that ended their remote title hopes, but they have rebounded sharply in the weeks since. Last weekend’s 4-0 win over Freiburg keeps Leipzig firmly in control of second place behind Bayern, seven points ahead of third-place Hoffenheim after 29 games. Will Leipzig contend again next season?

AS Roma(-1)

The Giallorossi are no longer competing in Europe but did pick up another draw, 1-1 at Pescara, last week to remain in control of second place in Serie A with six league games remaining.

Borussia Dortmund(no change)

Thomas Tuchel’s side had a pair of 3-1 results since last week: The first was a win against Eintracht Frankfurt, and the second a defeat at red-hot AS Monaco to end the Bundesliga side’s Champions League aspirations. Still, Dortmund are playing well domestically and are just a point off the top three (and automatic UCL qualification) with five games left. You’d bet on them to finish the job. Dropping out: Barcelona

La Liga on the line as Real Madrid face Barcelona in El Clasico

The world will stop for El Clasico this Sunday, with La Liga on the line.

Real Madrid will start the match three points ahead in the title race, with anything other than a win for Barcelona surely ending any hope of winning the league.

It’s a monumental match. Ed Alvarez (Real Madrid) and Sam Marsden (Barcelona) look ahead to the battle at the Santiago Bernabeu.

If Barcelona don’t win, is that it as far as La Liga is concerned?

Ed Alvarez: Their chances will be dismal, but they will exist. Madrid still have a few difficult La Liga fixtures left: Valencia and Sevilla will visit the Santiago Bernabeu, while Zinedine Zidane’s team must travel to Malaga — who defeated Barcelona two weeks ago — and Vigo, where the in-shape Celta await. Even though all seem like tough but winnable matches, the semifinals of the Champions League in between could have an impact on the team’s performance and make them lose a few points.

Barcelona have an easier calendar — only Villarreal at the Camp Nou seems mildly threatening — and to their own chagrin will not be distracted by Champions League action. That said, with a match in hand and a three-point advantage, Madrid would have to completely collapse for their visitors to win this one, but we’ve seen stranger things happen before.

Sam Marsden: After what happened against Paris Saint-Germain you can’t imagine Barcelona throwing in the towel, but if they don’t win at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday you have to say that’s that in the title race. Lose and they are definitely out of it, six points back having played a game more. A draw will keep them hoping, but Madrid — especially their players from the back of the wardrobe, as they say in Spain — have been consistent and possess a steely resilience.

BBC vs. MSN: Who has had the better season?

EA: Both have had their moments here and there, but neither has been particularly consistent as a trio. In previous seasons, we’ve seen whole months of outstanding football by Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, but in the current one it’s been a case of one footballer carrying the other two. Suarez started off well, Messi then took over and in some matches, such as the PSG comeback, Neymar became the reference.

The Real Madrid trio has not been any different: Gareth Bale began the season in terrific shape, but injuries have derailed his campaign. Cristiano Ronaldo commenced slowly and is finishing in top form, while Karim Benzema is as consistently inconsistent as ever. If anything, both trios have shown how important it is to have a physically strong, skilled midfield to get the best out of them.

SM: There can be few doubts that Messi, Suarez and Neymar have had the better season. Messi is the top scorer in the league and the Champions League and Neymar — until that Malaga game at least — has had a dazzling campaign, looking increasingly mature and ready to take over the mantle of world’s best player. Suarez hasn’t been as good, but still has over 20 league goals.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, has been hot and cold but has produced some incredibly important performances, like the ones against Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich. But he’s been let down by injury-hit Bale and inconsistent Benzema. Strangely, though, Madrid’s ability to cope without a red hot BBC is what has helped them build their lead at the top of the table, with their back-up players doing fine jobs. Barca, meanwhile, remain dependent on the same two or three.

Pick a combined XI

EA: Marc-Andre ter Stegen; Daniel Carvajal, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo; Luka Modric, Casemiro, Toni Kroos, Marco Asensio; Ronaldo, Messi.

This combined XI features only players available for the match, considering their current shape. That is why no Barcelona midfielders made it, as Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta — who would start in normal conditions — are far from their best form. Finally, with Ronaldo and Messi in the XI, another forward like Neymar or Suarez would make the team unbalanced defensively.

SM: Ter Stegen; Ramos, Pique, Samuel Umtiti; Carvajal, Kroos, Modric, Marcelo; Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar.

Based on this season’s form, there was no room for Iniesta or Busquets. The hardest decision, though, was leaving Suarez out. He’s scored plenty of goals, but the sensations have been that he hasn’t always been at his best — plus look at who he’s got for competition.

Danger Man

EA: Leaving the obvious choice aside — Ronaldo seems to be peaking at the right moment — Kroos will have the opportunity to shine against a tired Barcelona midfield that lacks confidence. If the Germany maestro can set the flow of the match with his passing and find ways to feed the forward line, Real Madrid’s challenge of defeating the Blaugrana to get closer to a much-anticipated La Liga title will become easier.

SM: Recent Clasico encounters have been dominated by the ongoing duel between Messi and Ronaldo, but it’s not all about them — and we’re approaching an era where it won’t be about them at all. Obviously Messi will have to be close to his best and Suarez will need to bring his shooting boots but, most importantly, Barca must find a way to make up for Neymar’s absence on the left. There’s no natural replacement for the Brazil international — and no one with anywhere near as much pace — so that will add extra significance to Jordi Alba’s role. The left-back has been in and out of the squad in recent weeks and should be fresh and ready to impress.

Prediction:

EA: 3-1. Madrid’s midfield line will control the match, taking advantage of Barcelona’s struggling form.

SM: 2-2. Barcelona have to go for the win and while Madrid will too, they will probably be happy to settle for a draw, which will keep their rivals at arm’s length.

Chiellini, Bonucci superb as Juve knock Barca out of the Champions League

Keeping a clean sheet, Juventus played with character and composure to earn a 0-0 draw at the Camp Nou and progress to the semifinal of the Champions League, 3-0 on aggregate.Demonstrating offensive strength in the first leg and offensive might in the second, Juve played as a unit with intensity and organisation. Aggressive from the get-go, they showed no fear and were quick to press, eager for a battle. Spotting the weaknesses, Barcelona attacked on the left through Neymar but often found themselves halted by a unit that worked impeccably well together. Throwing on more and more attackers as time wore on, Barca searched for ways to pierce through an impenetrable defence but proved incapable.

Composed and organised, Juventus held firm and looked comfortable defending, playing with maturity to hinder Barcelona’s ability to attack with force. It was a perfect performance that earned a great result.

Positives

You can search the world over, but you won’t find a defensive partnership as effective as Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini. Boasting experience, physicality and intelligence, they played with fluency and character and effectively muted the opponent. Leaders at the back, they secured Juve’s progression.

Negatives

Another huge Champions League night goes by, and Gonzalo Higuain isn’t any closer to scoring a goal. When offered the chance for goal, the Argentine was simply too eager to strike, playing in panicked fashion as opposed to demonstrating composure and confidence to finish well. Should the opportunities for goal arise again, Higuain must forget about the occasion and the pressure, focusing instead on a calm strike.Manager rating 9 (out of 10) — The coach, the intellectual, the legend. Eradicating the fear that once hindered Juve’s capability to produce in Europe, Allegri is a genius for finally allowing the Old Lady to play to her potential and to her strengths, as opposed to relying on intensity and relentless running to mask her weaknesses.Player ratings (1-10, with 10 the best; players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating):

GK Gianluigi Buffon, 7 — A leader at the back who transmits great serenity, Buffon made one misjudgement but was overall superb at the back, reading every situation well.

DF Dani Alves, 7 — Alves pressed aggressively and played like a champion. He was not always defensively perfect, but he ran everywhere and threw himself into every situation to ensure safety.

DF Leonardo Bonucci, 9 — He makes clearances to perfection, executed perfect tackles and closed every gap to produce a heroic performance at the back. He’s the perfect version of himself when alongside Chiellini.

DF Giorgio Chiellini, 9 — Master of the interception, Chiellini took Luis Suarez out of the game, read every move perfectly and defended like the warrior he is to ensure a perfect defensive performance.

DF Alex Sandro, 6 — Sandro was not the pillar of strength on this occasion in the same way he was in the reverse fixture, but he provided security at the back.

MF Sami Khedira, 7 — Impeccable. He did exceptionally well at stopping Busquets playing out from the back and provided excellent defensive cover while his tactical intelligence was in full view of the world.

MF Miralem Pjanic, 7 — Composed, intelligent and excellent at recovering possession, the Bosnian looked to create chances when on the ball and defended with might off it, tackling with excellence.

MF Juan Cuadrado, 6 — He always provided his teammates with an option in attack, using his pace to push forward and create problems, but he didn’t always make the right choice. He produced a great challenge to halt a swift Barcelona attack in the second half.

MF Paulo Dybala, 6 — Dybala always looked dangerous with the ball at his feet in the first half, wriggling his way past defenders. But he was keen to get back and help the unit to defend. He looked exhausted at the end.

MF Mario Mandzukic, 7 — He is practically an entire team by himself. He pressed the opponent, attacked with strength, defended like his life depended on it and showed great composure and desire. Perfect.

FW Gonzalo Higuain, 6 — Higuain wasted a few good chances but sacrificed for the team and was always on hand to help defensively.

Real Madrid announced as 2017 MLS All-Star Game opponent

April 15, 20172:41PM EDTMLSsoccer staffMLSsoccer.comThe most decorated club in European history will face off against the best of MLS this summer.The league announced Saturday that reigning UEFA Champions League winner Real Madrid will face the MLS All-Stars in the 2017 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target on August 2 at Soldier Field in Chicago. The game will be broadcast live at 9 pm ET on FS1, UniMás, TSN and TVA Sports in the US and Canada, as well as in 170 other countries around the world.Real Madrid is one of the most successful clubs in the history of the sport, having won a record 32 La Liga championships and 11 UEFA Champions League titles, as well as capturing the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup on multiple occasions. Managed by legendary French midfielder Zinedine Zidane and headlined by stars Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid currently sit atop the La Liga table and hold a lead over Bayern Munich heading into the home leg of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal series.This will mark the first time that the MLS All-Stars will play a team from Spain’s La Liga. The MLS All-Stars have previously faced clubs from the English Premier League, German Bundesliga, Italian Serie A, Mexico’s Liga MX and Scottish Premier League, posting a 9-4-1 record against some of the world’s most renowned clubs.MLS lost the 2016 All-Star Game, falling 2-1 to English side Arsenal at Avaya Stadium in San Jose. MLS had won the two previous All-Star Games, beating Bayern Munich in 2014 before downing EPL club Tottenham in 2015.The MLS All-Stars will be managed by Chicago Fire head coach Veljko Paunovic, who spent over a decade playing in Spain and made 87 appearances for Real Madrid’s crosstown rivals, Atletico Madrid.“It is an honor to represent Major League Soccer and to work with our league’s great players in a match against one of the top clubs in the word,” Paunovic said in a statement released by the league. “I know how special it is to compete against Real Madrid and I think our players and fans will also enjoy the experience.”Soldier Field, with a capacity of 61,500, has played host to some of the most exciting sporting and entertainment events in the world including CONCACAF Gold Cup matches, World Cup Qualifiers, 1994 FIFA World Cup matches, and last summer’s Copa America Centenario. The home of the NFL’s Chicago Bears, Soldier Field also has a rich MLS legacy, as it was home to the Chicago Fire for seven total seasons. The Fire owned a 62-23-10 record (.705 winning percentage) in their home games at Soldier Field, a span which also includes the club’s three appearances in MLS Cup.

MLS All-Star Game Tickets

Register for an All-Star Game presale code for an opportunity to purchase tickets ahead of the public sale. Tickets start at just $35!

US, Canada and Mexico launch joint World Cup bid for 2026

April 10, 20172:34PM EDT

Steve BrisendineContributorIn an unprecedented show of continental unity, the United States, Canada and Mexico on Monday launched a joint bid to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.If approved, it would be the first World Cup hosted by three nations and the first jointly hosted World Cup since Korea/Japan 2002. It would also be the first finals held in North America since the US hosted the 1994 tournament. Mexico would host matches for the first time since 1986, and Canada would host men’s World Cup matches for the first time in history after hosting the Women’s World Cup in 2015.The tournament would primarily be played in the United States, US Soccer president Sunil Gulati said during the announcement event in New York, with the US hosting 60 matches – including all matches after the quarterfinal round – and 10 matches each to be played in Canada and Mexico.”This is a milestone day for U.S. Soccer and for CONCACAF,” Gulati said. “We gave careful consideration to the prospect of bidding for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and ultimately feel strongly this is the right thing for our region and for our sport. Along with our partners from the Canadian Soccer Association and the Federación Mexicana de Fútbol, we are confident that we will submit an exemplary bid worthy of bringing the FIFA World Cup back to North America. The United States, Mexico and Canada have individually demonstrated their exceptional abilities to host world-class events.”When our nations come together as one, as we will for 2026, there is no question the United States, Mexico and Canada will deliver an experience that will celebrate the game and serve players, supporters and partners alike.”And despite any international tensions arising from last November’s US presidential elections, US soccer president Sunil Gulati tweeted that the bid has the full backing of President Trump.Gulati was joined in the announcement by CONCACAF and Canadian Soccer Association president Victor Montagliani and Federación Mexicana de Fútbol president Decio de Maria.”For the Federación Mexicana de Fútbol, and the entire Mexican soccer family, it is a source of pride to be candidates, along with the United States and Canada, to host the FIFA World Cup in 2026,” said de Maria, whose country also hosted the 1970 World Cup. “We have a unique opportunity to be the first country to host three World Cups.”As such we are filled with pride and committed to make it the best ever. Mexico has been recognized for being a magnificent host of past FIFA events, such as the 1970 and 1986 World Cups, the 1999 Confederations Cup, the 2011 Under-17 World Cup, and most recently the 2016 FIFA Congress. If we are selected to host, it will be an honor to welcome everyone with open arms.”In addition to the 2015 women’s Final, Canada has a successful history of hosting FIFA youth tournaments, including the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup.”Canada Soccer is honored to partner with fellow CONCACAF member associations USA and Mexico to bid for the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” said Montagliani. “Canada is the only remaining G-8 nation to have not hosted a FIFA World Cup despite our history of success in raising the bar for youth and women’s FIFA tournaments.”We look forward to continuing our successful collaboration with fellow CONCACAF member associations U.S. Soccer and Federación Mexicana de Fútbol under the FIFA Council principles for joint bids and to continue our tradition of hosting record-breaking international events.”Gulati told reporters that the memorandum of understanding between the three countries called for all of them to receive automatic qualification to the final – the first to be played under an expanded 48-team format – but that the FIFA Council will have final say on that matter.

Villa, NYCFC shoot up MLS Power Rankings, L.A. plummets, Dallas No. 1

David Villa’s wonder goal capped a win for New York City FC that pushed them up the latest MLS Power Rankings, while the LA Galaxy plummet and FC Dallas stays No. 1.

FC Dallas(no change)
FC Dallas was on its way to a win that would have lifted it to the top of the Western Conference, but a late goal changed things and the team settled for a 1-1 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes. Nevertheless, the Texas club holds on to the top spot thanks in large part to the slew of losses for other contenders to the throne.
Columbus Crew SC(+5)
Crew SC followed up a loss at the Chicago Fire with an impressive 2-1 home win over defending Eastern Conference champ Toronto FC. Niko Hansen was impressive in his first start. The win is good for a big boost up the rankings to go with Columbus’ spot at the top of the standings.
Orlando City SC(+5)
The Lions leap up the rankings on the back of a yet another home win. It’s now four out of four at the new stadium after a 2-1 victory against the LA Galaxy, a record start for an MLS club in a brand-new building. It’s also worth pointing out that Orlando is winning despite the absence of Kaka, who should be back on the field in a few weeks’ time.
Portland Timbers(-2)
The Timbers’ attack ran up against the best defense in the league on Saturday and dropped two places after a 1-0 loss to Sporting Kansas City as a result. The goalless performance against Sporting was Portland’s first of the year and shouldn’t be taken as a troubling sign of things to come. Slightly more worrying is the lack of a win in the past two home games.
Sporting Kansas City(+4)
Peter Vermes’ team benefited from the aforementioned win against Portland, moving into the top five on the back of that stifling performance at Providence Park and a lovely goal scored by Dom Dwyer. Sporting is making a habit of shutting down opposing attacks and then putting together expert moves that result in goals on the other end. It’s a good look.
New York City FC(+5)
New York City FC dominated possession, chances and the run of play at the Philadelphia Union in a 2-0 win and are rewarded with a move into the top 10. How good is David Villa? Jack Harrison’s goal was the game-winner, but it was the former Spain striker’s chip from midfield that stole the show and put an exclamation point on the win.
New York Red Bulls(+3)
The NYRB broke a four-game winless run with a 2-0 victory over rival D.C. United and get a push up the rankings for the effort. There are still questions about the attack, but Bradley Wright-Phillips’s nutmeg finish on Bill Hamid — from a perfect Felipe pass — is just the kind of thing Red Bulls fans want to see.
Toronto FC(-5)
TFC has a single win on the year and tumbles down the rankings after the 2-1 loss at Columbus. Jozy Altidore is scoring goals, but the Reds are dealing with a strange ineffective period from star Sebastian Giovinco. He is taking as many shots as you’d expect, but they just aren’t going in.
Seattle Sounders(-5)
A bit of bad luck and the head of Fredy Montero did the Sounders in up at the Vancouver Whitecaps. Seattle controlled the game from the outset and pushed hard to get back into it late, but neither was enough in the 2-1 loss.
Atlanta United(-5)
The rough three-game road trip that took Atlanta to Seattle, Toronto and Montreal netted the club two points and a slip down to 10th in the rankings. Facing the Impact didn’t look like the toughest task on paper, but a questionable penalty and red card on Leandro Gonzalez Pirez put the visitors in a difficult spot in a 2-1 loss.
Chicago Fire(+2)
Bastian Schweinsteiger scored again in a comprehensive 3-0 win over the New England Revolution, the latest bit of evidence that Chicago is improving on last year’s dismal campaign. But it’s still unclear just how good the team is, and the Revs did abet the win by going down a man early in the match. Chicago hangs just outside the top 10 with a chance of moving up.

Kurt Larson: Bastian Schweinsteiger is flipping the narrative in Chicago

April 20, 201712:06PM EDT

Kurt LarsonAdd my name to the exhaustive list of columnists who dismissed Bastian Schweinsteiger long before he stepped off the plane.A quick Google search reveals the glut of reasons – most of them unfounded hunches – pundits gave. Not only was the Manchester United import “declining,” but he was also apparently tiring and close to retiring. The Chicago Fire, some said, were suckers for believing he’d contribute in the ways we’ve seen.But now he has. And all of us – including myself – once again have proven our reactionary takes and inferiority complexes are sometimes blinding.We’re too eager to latch onto whatever narrative people around the world are perpetuating, often times nonsensically.It’s how North American media somehow turned a 32-year-old, World Cup-winner into a broken down, one-way midfielder with nothing left to give.I’m told the overwhelming negative response “surprised” the Chicago Fire, which didn’t expect the MLS community to “lump in” Schweinsteiger with previous over-the-hill signings, which the league was moving away from (the headlines this week pointed out how “MLS clubs have no interest in signing John Terry“).But many did. And for few other reasons than the long-running narrative that began last year when Fire bench boss Veljko Paunovic was spotted meeting with the German.Five months and a trio of positive performances later, Schweinsteiger – after two goals and an assist in 270 minutes – is making doubters look silly.The tacticians also are having a difficult time explaining how their X’s and O’s have so far failed them after many thought Schweinsteiger was too similar to Chicago’s veterans. However, the eye test and the analytics appear to completely discredit the notion that Schweinsteiger is incapable of being a consistent playmaker.MLSsoccer.com’s Ben Baer crunched some numbers and found that since his arrival Schweinsteiger is among the league leaders in completed passes (60) in the final third of the field, trailing only Seattle’s Nicolas Lodeiro and New York Red Bull’s Sacha Kljestan. He’s also completed the fourth most passes league-wide since joining MLS.The somewhat small sample size has shown Schweinsteiger to be a productive compliment to Fire midfield bulldog Dax McCarty, whose discipline and eagerness do the dirty work has allowed Chicago’s Designated Player to roam and cheat defensively and find the space that opens up when the Fire are and aren’t in possession.The next question is whether it will work this Friday in Toronto (7:30 pm ET on TSN4 in Canada; MLS LIVE in USA), where the Fire won’t enjoy the same amount of possession they have through the previous three weeks.In those three weeks, though, Schweinsteiger already has outpaced the extremely low expectations most set for him. It’s what led me to playfully mock the masses last month in the hours after Chicago announced his signing. Barring a string of never-ending injuries, it very likely won’t be.By all accounts, Schweinsteiger has completely bought in – the less-talked-about aspect of these multi-million dollar signings:

I’m told it also has culminated in “demand” (inbound calls, web traffic and other growth analytics) expanding by three-times year-over-year. There’s also been a significant bump in coverage from local outlets in the Windy City.Yet the number of “Hey, this guy might just pan out” columns hasn’t been proportional to the number of rash stories that were frantically written four weeks ago.Perhaps we’re all just waiting for something to go horribly wrong with a signing that seemed doomed from the start.Or, perhaps, some of us are just afraid we might have been wrong.Kurt Larson covers Toronto FC for the Toronto Sun and the Canadian national teams for Postmedia in Canada.

Greg Ballard: Build a soccer stadium for Indy Eleven

Greg BallardPublished 4:06 p.m. ET April 12, 2017 | Updated 4:55 p.m. ET April 12, 2017

Those of us fortunate enough to have been born and raised in Indianapolis can remember a time when the term “destination city” certainly didn’t make people think about our state capital.Dreary? Boring? Desolate? None of these words are too harsh; in fact, other than the 31 days in May, they are so accurate as to be painful. Growing up here in the 1960s and ‘70s, there is no way I could have predicted the brilliant success and terrific reputation Indianapolis has around the globe for hosting sporting events, a vibrant Downtown, and, yes, our Hoosier hospitality.In hundreds of countries around the globe, moreover, the national game, the national passion is soccer. Played by billions of people and watched by billions of people, fútbol is clearly the most popular sport in the world. In the United States and in Indiana, the popularity of soccer has grown exponentially during the past few decades. In 2013, our professional soccer team, Indy Eleven, joined the North American Soccer League. Quickly, and despite playing their games in a converted track venue, the team attracted a devoted and dedicated following, led the league in attendance, and proved they are a considerable driver to our city’s economy.

What we know:Briggs: It’s crunch time for Indy Eleven’s MLS expansion bid

The potential is there, however, for so much more. We have a chance this year to build on the vision articulated over the past several decades by the founders of modern Indianapolis: let’s come together and build a stadium that can host soccer games and other events involving thousands of fans and for soccer players at all ages.While we watch sports at all levels, we tend to gravitate to watching our favorite sports and teams that showcase skills at the highest level. For soccer in the United States, this is Major League Soccer. It has teams in the largest cities in the United States and Canada. To say MLS is thriving would be a significant understatement; last year’s average attendance for its 22 teams was nearly 22,000 (21,690), surpassing crowds attending NBA and NHL games.MLS has announced plans to expand its league by four teams; Indy Eleven is one of the teams applying to the league for an expansion franchise. While the impact of an MLS team on Indianapolis would be tremendous for the local economy, its statement to the rest of world would be just as powerful.A bigger stage for our soccer team means more visibility around the world for economic development. People in other countries and on other continents (read: leaders who make decisions about where to invest and create jobs) pay attention to Major League Soccer and understand the vibrancy it brings to a city. As mayor, a foreign dignitary or corporate executive frequently asked me about our local sports teams.Indy Eleven’s connection to its fan base is truly remarkable. If I were to have any doubt that Major League Soccer could succeed here, I would only have to go to a game. The team is a success on the field. Its activities mean more tax dollars for our city. It has recruited a substantial number of local investors. Indy Eleven’s presence in the community is constructive and constant.Indianapolis transformed itself because it wasn’t afraid to take the necessary steps to break into the major league of cities throughout the world. Sports and tourism were, and remain, a critical foundation of our growth for the past fifty years. Through Indy Eleven, we have been given a unique chance to expand our economic and entertainment portfolio in a way that will be noticed around the globe.Please join me in supporting Indy Eleven’s move to Major League Soccer.Ballard is a former mayor of Indianapolis.

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4/17/17 Champions League Elite 8 Tues/Wed, Indy 11 home Sat 3 pm vs San Fran, Full TV Schedule

April 17, 2017 gatorbest

Champions League heats back up with Elite 8 Final leg action on Tues/Wed on Fox Sports. Can Leicester City scrap back a goal at home with Atletico on FS 2 Tues at 2:45 pm? Will the holders Real Madrid hold on at home with a 3-2 aggregate lead heading home on Tuesday vs a fully recovered Bayern returning their star striker? Can Barca work another miracle at home down 3-0 to Juve on Wednesday? Can Dortmund regain their composure from last week’s bombing and take a point down 3-2 traveling to the hot young French side Monaco? Tune in to find out Tues/Wed.

GAMES ON TV

Tues –Apr 18 Champions League

2:45 pm FoxSport2 Leicester City vs Atletico (0-1)

2:45 pm FoxSport1 Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich (3-2)

Weds Apr 19 –Champions League

2:45 pm FoxSport1 Barcelona vs Juventus (0-3)

2:45 pm FoxSport2 Monaco vs Dortmund (3-2)

Thur, Apr 20 – Europa League

3 pm Fox Sport1 Man United vs Anderlect (1-1)

3 pm FS2 Schalke 04 vs Ajax

Sat Apr 22

9:15 am NBCSN Burnley vs Man U

12:15 pm Fox Sport1? Chelsea vs Tottenham FA CUP Semi’s

12:30 pm Fox Sport2 B Mgladbach vs Dortmund (US Johnson vs US Pulisic)

3 pm myindy TV Indy 11 vs San Fran Deltas

Sun Apr 23

9:15 am NBCSN Burnley vs Man U

10 am Fox Sport1 Arsenal vs Man City FA CUP Semi’s

11:30 am NBCSN Liverpool vs Crystal Palace

11:30 am Fox Sport2 Schlake vs RB Leipzig

1:30 pm Fox Sport 1 NYCFC vs Orlando City

2:45 pm beIN Sport Real Madrid vs Barcelona -El Classico –

4 pm ESPN LA vs Seattle

Real’s Bale to miss Bayern Match

Champions League

Barca Loss not due to Tactics

Barca’s Neymar we can Come back Again!

Leicester sets for unthinkable vs Athleti at home

Down just 1-0 Leicester must be Streetwise vs Athleti

INDY 11

Indy 11 draw with PR on Road

Captain Falvey works way back from offseason injury

8 Game Flexpack

US, Canada, Mexico Prepair Joint Bid for 2026 World Cup

Predicting 2026 World Cup US Hero’s – Arm Chair Analyst Doyle

American players finding it tougher in MLS

US Will Train in Mountains before Mexico Clash in June.

How US Players Fared Overseas

MLS

MLS Allstar Game vs Real Madrid in Chicago

10 Things to Know About Real Madrid

Things to Ponder after Week 7 –Arm Chair Analyst Doyle

MLS Power Rankings

MLS Snowball Fight?

Orlando’s Purple Wall

Tim Howard Suspended 3 games

Orlando’s record 4^th Win in New Stadium

No MLS Teams sho interest in Chelsea’s John Terry

World

Man U Stops Chelsea at home 2-0

Mourino’s Tactics down Chelsea –

Could Chelsea really lose the title?

Madrid Will Outlast Barca

FA Cup Clash Sat – Chelsea vs Spurs could decide EPL Title Race?

Leicester relish underdog billing, eye unthinkable UCL upset as goals flow

Leicester City are on the verge of the unthinkable: a place in the semifinals of the Champions League. They host Atletico Madrid trailing 1-0 from the first leg with the knowledge that they are very much in the tie, especially given that they have won every game at home since Craig Shakespeare replaced Claudio Ranieri.City will be delighted with a slender loss from the Vincente Calderon, even if they couldn’t steal an away goal like they did against Sevilla in the previous round. They proved they weren’t over-awed and that bodes well ahead of a crucial return leg.Atleti are still very much the favourites, especially when you consider they haven’t lost away since a 3-0 defeat at Villarreal in early December. Leicester, though, are suddenly scoring goals for fun and will thus expect — at the very worst — to get on the scoresheet.Leicester’s biggest concern could be fatigue. Shakespeare boldly chose to field his stars in the 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace on Saturday. The point might prove a vital one, since a tally of 37 could be enough to stay up, but if Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez look tired and the Foxes go out the manager could well come under a bit of criticism.City also have issues at the back. Robert Huth picked up a yellow card in Madrid and is suspended, while captain Wes Morgan could still be sidelined or forced to play at less than 100 percent.Yohan Benalouane also limped off at Palace, leaving Leicester very short of centre-backs and putting significant pressure on Wilfred Ndidi to protect them in what may be closer to a 4-1-4-1 formation than a 4-4-2.Marcin Wasilewski or Daniel Amartey may have to come into the side and both would be targeted by Antoine Griezmann and Fernando Torres. Leicester have looked extremely susceptible at the back when their regular defence is disrupted. This was arguably most apparent in a 5-0 drubbing at Porto in the group stage of the Champions League, though that was a game where City had nothing to play for.Atleti won’t care about scoring five. It won’t even be on their minds. As one of Spain’s top defensive outfits they will simply look for an early away goal, forcing the Foxes to score three to progress.The other thing perhaps working somewhat against Leicester is the second leg against Sevilla. Diego Simeone would be wise to play parts of it to his squad ahead of kickoff to ensure they avoid complacency and get an idea of the cauldron-like atmosphere at the King Power Stadium. A visit to the east Midlands shouldn’t be a surprise or culture shock to any of Atleti’s stars, even those who remember watching on television the more modest surroundings of Filbert Street around 20 years ago.Irrespective of their current purple patch, Leicester are huge underdogs with very little to lose and they will relish that billing. Mahrez and Marc Albrighton are in excellent form and Vardy suddenly looks sharp, hungry and most importantly clinical. If he can fire in the opening goal the Foxes will smell an upset.It might not be the biggest game in Leicester’s history, although some will certainly call it that — and that argument can be made. But the run-in to win the Premier League title surely had more significance and, unless Leicester win the Champions League, will live longer in the memory. However, this is easily the most prestigious individual fixture Leicester have ever played and there is a real sense around the city that the fairytale won’t end on Tuesday.Ben Jacobs is ESPN FC’s Leicester City blogger. Follow him on Twitter @JacobsBen.

Real Madrid announced as 2017 MLS All-Star Game opponent

MLS All-Star Game Tickets

Register for an All-Star Game presale code for an opportunity to purchase tickets ahead of the public sale. Tickets start at just $35!

US, Canada and Mexico launch joint World Cup bid for 2026

April 10, 20172:34PM EDT

Villa, NYCFC shoot up MLS Power Rankings, L.A. plummets, Dallas No. 1

David Villa’s wonder goal capped a win for New York City FC that pushed them up the latest MLS Power Rankings, while the LA Galaxy plummet and FC Dallas stays No. 1.

FC Dallas(no change)
FC Dallas was on its way to a win that would have lifted it to the top of the Western Conference, but a late goal changed things and the team settled for a 1-1 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes. Nevertheless, the Texas club holds on to the top spot thanks in large part to the slew of losses for other contenders to the throne.
Columbus Crew SC(+5)
Crew SC followed up a loss at the Chicago Fire with an impressive 2-1 home win over defending Eastern Conference champ Toronto FC. Niko Hansen was impressive in his first start. The win is good for a big boost up the rankings to go with Columbus’ spot at the top of the standings.
Orlando City SC(+5)
The Lions leap up the rankings on the back of a yet another home win. It’s now four out of four at the new stadium after a 2-1 victory against the LA Galaxy, a record start for an MLS club in a brand-new building. It’s also worth pointing out that Orlando is winning despite the absence of Kaka, who should be back on the field in a few weeks’ time.
Portland Timbers(-2)
The Timbers’ attack ran up against the best defense in the league on Saturday and dropped two places after a 1-0 loss to Sporting Kansas City as a result. The goalless performance against Sporting was Portland’s first of the year and shouldn’t be taken as a troubling sign of things to come. Slightly more worrying is the lack of a win in the past two home games.
Sporting Kansas City(+4)
Peter Vermes’ team benefited from the aforementioned win against Portland, moving into the top five on the back of that stifling performance at Providence Park and a lovely goal scored by Dom Dwyer. Sporting is making a habit of shutting down opposing attacks and then putting together expert moves that result in goals on the other end. It’s a good look.
New York City FC(+5)
New York City FC dominated possession, chances and the run of play at the Philadelphia Union in a 2-0 win and are rewarded with a move into the top 10. How good is David Villa? Jack Harrison’s goal was the game-winner, but it was the former Spain striker’s chip from midfield that stole the show and put an exclamation point on the win.
New York Red Bulls(+3)
The NYRB broke a four-game winless run with a 2-0 victory over rival D.C. United and get a push up the rankings for the effort. There are still questions about the attack, but Bradley Wright-Phillips’s nutmeg finish on Bill Hamid — from a perfect Felipe pass — is just the kind of thing Red Bulls fans want to see.
Toronto FC(-5)
TFC has a single win on the year and tumbles down the rankings after the 2-1 loss at Columbus. Jozy Altidore is scoring goals, but the Reds are dealing with a strange ineffective period from star Sebastian Giovinco. He is taking as many shots as you’d expect, but they just aren’t going in.
Seattle Sounders(-5)
A bit of bad luck and the head of Fredy Montero did the Sounders in up at the Vancouver Whitecaps. Seattle controlled the game from the outset and pushed hard to get back into it late, but neither was enough in the 2-1 loss.
Atlanta United(-5)
The rough three-game road trip that took Atlanta to Seattle, Toronto and Montreal netted the club two points and a slip down to 10th in the rankings. Facing the Impact didn’t look like the toughest task on paper, but a questionable penalty and red card on Leandro Gonzalez Pirez put the visitors in a difficult spot in a 2-1 loss.
Chicago Fire(+2)
Bastian Schweinsteiger scored again in a comprehensive 3-0 win over the New England Revolution, the latest bit of evidence that Chicago is improving on last year’s dismal campaign. But it’s still unclear just how good the team is, and the Revs did abet the win by going down a man early in the match. Chicago hangs just outside the top 10 with a chance of moving up.

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4/10/17 Champions League Elite 8 Tues/Wed

April 11, 2017April 11, 2017 gatorbest

Champions League Elite 8 action finds American Teenage sensation Christian Pulisic in unusual waters as a possible starter for a team in Quarter Final action of the world’s biggest club competition. Huge games on the docket as all the games listed below are world class now.

GAMES ON TV

Tues Apr 11 –Champions League

2:45 pm FoxSport1 Juventus vs Barcelona

2:45 pm FoxSport2 Dortmund vs Monaco

Weds –Apr 12 Champions League

2:45 pm FoxSport2 Atletico vs Leicester City

2:45 pm FoxSport1 Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid

Thur, Apr 13 – Europa League

3 pm Fox Sport1 Anderlect vs Man United

3 pm FS2 Ajax vs Schalke 04

Tues –Apr 18 Champions League

2:45 pm FoxSport2 Leicester City vs Atletico

2:45 pm FoxSport1 Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich

Weds Apr 19 –Champions League

2:45 pm FoxSport1 Barcelona vs Barcelona

2:45 pm FoxSport2 Monaco vs Dortmund

Thur, Apr 20 – Europa League

3 pm Fox Sport1 Man United vs Anderlect

3 pm FS2 Schalke 04 vs Ajax