Champions League Semi’s Leg 2 Tues Atletico @ Arsenal (1-1) 3 pm on CBS/Univ Wed PSG @ Bayern (5-4) 3 pm on CBS & Univision
My god I love Champions League – last Tues’ 5-4 thriller between PSG and Bayern Munich was spectacular and down to the last minute – both teams are good at scoring so it was an up and down affair with little defense and 1 huge Horrible call for a handball on PSG that lost the game. (9 goal thriller Highlights). Many are calling that the best semi-final ever played – thank goodness this is a 2 legged affair as the 2 giants will square off at Bayern Wed 3 pm in what is must watch TV on CBS. The other Semi was equally fun if not as high scoring as my Atletico Madrid tied Arsenal 1-1 at home (Highlights). Atleti should have had another as they pushed for the lead but settled for the tie – It will all be decided at the Emirates. Despite the lead, the prediction market projects Bayern have a 56% chance of winning within 90 minutes, with PSG at 26% and a draw at 19%. The French side is two goals away from matching the all-time Champions League goal record (45) in a single campaign, albeit in an expanded competition, set by Barcelona in the 1999-00 season. Bayern are three goals away. Preview I see Bayern winning at home 4-2 to take it 8-6 overall.
UEFA Champions League semi-finals (May 5): Arsenal vs. Atletico Madrid (Agg 1-1). Arsenal beat Atletico 4-0 at the Emirates during the league phase of this year’s competition, and the Spaniards have lost six of their last seven away games against English sides in the Champions League. However, Atletico have faced English teams in three previous Uefa semi-final ties and won all three, as well as six of their last seven Uefa semi-final ties overall. Of course American Johnny Cardoso (Johnny on his shirt) . See possible line-ups here.Preview As for this draw I see reluctantly agree Arsenal will probably win this 2-1 at home to take a 3-2 overall win into the finals in Budapest on May 30th. Coverage starts at 2 pm on CBS — 12:30 pm on Paramount plus also David Beckham and Friends will have an alternate broadcast on Para+ as well as pregame and postgame inclusion. Set those recorders early – take a late lunch or call in sick to school – Champions League Semi-Finals are here baby !!
UEFA Champions League semi-final leg 2 (May 6): Bayern Munich vs. Paris Saint-Germain, agg 4-5, 3 pm ET. The first leg saw the highest scoring European Cup semi-final match since Eintracht Frankfurt beat Rangers 6-3 in 1959-60. While Bayern trail by one goal going into this match, PSG have lost more away games against the German side (5) than any other opponent in major European competition. However, when losing the first leg in five previous semi-finals, Bayern have been eliminated each time. See possible line-ups here.
Indy 11 lose 1-0 to Tampa Bay – Host Jax Sat 7 pm
St. Petersburg, Fla. – Indy Eleven battled the only undefeated team in the USL Championship to the final whistle in a 1-0 setback at the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday. That snapped the Boys in Blue’s five-match unbeaten streak dating back to the season opener on March 8. Midfielder Cam Lindley’s free kick from long range to the far post in the final minute of second half stoppage time was headed by forward Bruno Rendon toward the near post, but Rowdies keeper Jahmali Waite tipped it wide with his right hand to keep the Boys in Blue from equalizing.The Boys in Blue return home to Carroll Stadium for “The World’s Game Night” vs. expansion club Sporting JAX on Saturday, May 9 at 7 p.m. Ticket options include Family Four-Packs and Flex Mini-Plans. The Family Four-Pack is available for all 2026 home games and can be purchased online only. Priced at only $49, the Family Four-Pack includes four tickets, FREE parking, $20 in Concession Vouchers, and a 20% Merchandise Discount, along with access to the Fun Zone/Kids Activation Area.
NWSL Stays with Summer Schedule / Women’s Champs League Final 4
Great news that the NWSL is keeping the summer schedule – I really think their TV deals with CBS/ESPN/ABC/Prime Video & Tubi will only grow – as Fox would be nuts not to add some NWSL games with the Women’s World Cup being next year in Brazil then to follow in 2031 in the US. Will be interesting to see if the USL stays with the summer schedule and gains ground on MLS with them moving to a fall schedule. (Listen I am a soccer fan -but I will not Watch MLS over College Football or the NFL). MLS is going to severely limit their fans and stadium availability and TV coverage *(though NO ONE WATCHES MLS NOW – just ask your kids). Dang shame – I hope MLS doesn’t go the way of the NASL. Congrats to Lindsay Heaps (Horan) who along with Lily Yohannes helped OL Lyonnes advance to the Champions League finals vs Barcelona May 23.
Notes
Champions League Tues/Wed 3 pm on CBS/Univision is must Watch TV this week. In case you missed it here’s the 9 goal thriller Highlights from PSG vs Bayern last week. They play Wed. This vlog from the Leti vs Arsenal game gives you a sense for what’s its like at a Letico game. I was blown away in 2018 when my family went to the most electrifying pro event we have ever witnessed an Atletico Madrid game. We sat in just this location in the Caldron their old stadium. With over 80K fans Atletico’s Metropolitan Stadium is one of the loudest in the world. Speaking of Letico – Gotta love this as Deigo Simeone’s kid sings Atletico Madrid’s Fight song – Atletico Song by Simione’s kid. (here Atletico Song with words). Not to be outdone here’s some Arsenal chants along with fight song.Arsenal vs Atletico Semi- Final Leg 2 anthem.
Sunday gives us El Classico as Barcelona can win La Liga with a win at home over Real Madrid at 3 pm on ESPN & ESPND. For fans of Ryan Reynold’s We Are Wrexham out there – Wrexham AFC narrowly missed out on a fourth consecutive promotion during the 2025-26 season, failing to secure a Championship playoff spot on the final day. After a final-day draw against Middlesbrough, Wrexham finished 7th, missing the top-six playoffs by one point after Hull City overtook them, ending their immediate Premier League promotion hopes. Its 100% MLS teams now in the US open Cup QF – Schedule. Hey the World Cup is just over 2 months away – and don’t worry – while I hope to be in LA for the opening group stage games – I will still be running a pool. Details soon.
Had a blast doing Cup games last weekend at Grand Park — looking forward to more Cup Games – next Weekend. Bens S and my fellow Gator Jakob B did a full run of 4 Challenge Cup games last Sat @ Grand Park. Guess who forgot his hat – had to go to the emergency black hat instead. Dang it was cold Sat AM – always 15 degrees cooler on the feels at Grand. 7 Weeks and Counting to the Start of the World Cup !! So Excited as we try to follow the US from site to site.
TV Schedule – Games on TV
Tues, May 5 3 pm CBS, Para+ Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal USL Semi 9:30 pm FS1 vs Tigres UNAL 1 vs Nashville SC 0 CCC Cup Wed, May 6 3 pm CBS, Bayern Munich vs PSG (4-5) UCL Semi 7 pm CBSSN NY Red Bulls vs NYCFC US Open Cup 10 pm Victory+ Washington Spirit (Rodman) vs Houston NWSL 9:30 pm FS1 LAFC vs Toluca CCC Thurs, May 7 Europa League 3 pm Para+ Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa 3 pm Para+ Crystal Palace (Richards) vs Shakthar Donesk 1-3 Fri May 8 3 pm USA Dortmund vs Frankfurt 8 pm Prime Orlando Pride vs NC Courage NWSL Sat, May 9 7:30 am ?? Liverpool vs Chelsea 9:30 am ESPN+ Ausburg vs MGladbach (Reyna & Sally) 9:30 am EPNS+ Stuttgart vs Leverkusen (Tilman) 10 am USA Fulham (Jedi) vs Bournemouth (Adams) 12 noon Para+ Lazio vs Inter Milan 12:30 pm NBC Man City vs Brentford 12:30pm ESPN+ Atletico Madrid (Cardoso) vs Celta Vigo 1 pm Apple Miami (Messi) vs Toronto 2:45 pm Para+ Juventus (Mckinney) vs Lecce 7 pm ESPN+ Indy 11 vs Jax 6:30 pm 8pm Tubi Gothem vs Boston Legacy NWSL 9 pm FS1 Nashville SC vs DC United 10:30 pm Apple Seattle Sounders vs San Diego 11:15 pm CBSSN Cruz Azul vs Atlas Sun, May 10 9 am Peacock Everton vs Crystal Palace (Richards) 9 am USA Nottingham Forest vs New Castle 11:30 am USA West ham United vs Arsenal 12 pm Para+ Parma vs Roma 12:30 pm ESPN KC Current vs Chicago Stars NWSL 2:45 pm {Para+ AC Milan (Pulisic) vs Atalanta 3 pm ESPN Barcelona vs Real Madrid (el Classico) 4:30 pm Apple NYCFC vs Columbus Crew 7 pm Victory+ Seattle Reign vs Washington Spirit (Rodman) NWSL Mon, May 11 3 pm USA Tottenham vs Leeds United (Aaronson) 3 pm Para+ Millwall vs Hull City (Champ Playoff)
Sun, May 31 3:30 pm TNT, HBO, Peacock USA Men vs Senegal Sat, June 6 2:30 pm TNT, HBO, Peacock USA Men vs Germany in Chicago Tix Sat, June 12 WORLD CUP 9 pm Fox, Tele, Peacock USA Men vs Paraguay World Cup Fri, June 19 3 pm Fox, Tele, Peacock USA Men vs Australia World Cup Thur, June 25 10 pm Fox, Tele, Peacock USA Men vs Australia World Cup
Coming home from Practice or Games at Badger Fieldhouse? Try out the Best BarBQ in Town right across the street (131st) from Northview Church on the corner of Hazelldell & 131st. RackZ BBQ
Save 20% on your order
(mention the ole ballcoach)
Check out the BarBQ Ribs, pulled Pork and Chicken, Brisket and more. Sweet, Tangy or Spicy sauce. Mention you heard about it from the Ole Ballcoach — and Ryan will give you 20% off your next meal. https://www.rackzbbqindy.com/Call ahead at 317-688-7290 M-Th 11-8 pm, 11-9 Fri/Sat, 12-8 pm on Sunday. Pick some up after practice – Its good eatin! You won’t be disappointed and tell ’em the Ole Ballcoach Sent You!
Save 20% on these Succulent Ribs at Rackz BarBQ when you mention the Ole Ballcoach – Corner of 131 & Hazelldell. – Call 317-688-7290.
======================RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ======================
The NWSL calendar is staying put, as the league announced it will not shift to the previously proposed fall-to-spring schedule anytime soon. The Board of Governors declined to vote on any significant changes this week, committing to the current spring-to-fall schedule until at least 2030.“This does not close the door on future change, but any such change would not occur sooner than 2031,” the NWSL stated. (See full release) Big picture: While US men’s league MLS is shifting next season’s framework to mirror Europe’s transfer market, benefits for the NWSL’s flip appear slim — and faced significant pushback. The players union publicly opposed the idea after ESPN reported the impending vote, saying necessary league-wide infrastructure to winterize facilities doesn’t yet exist.“NWSL has made the right decision to provide stability and certainty over the calendar footprint,” said NWSLPA executive director Meghann Burke. (See full report)
Arsenal won January’s inaugural international club competition. (Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images)
FIFA Women’s Champions Cup heads to Miami
The Women’s Champions Cup is heading Stateside, as FIFA announced plans to stage the 2027 international club competition’s final phase in South Florida. Running January 27-31, the semifinals, third-place game, and final are set to take over the Miami area, though specific venues have yet to be announced.ESPN’s Jeff Kassouf reported Florida was expected to host the inaugural January 2026 event, but eventual winner Arsenal pushed for London.
Big picture: The 2027 tournament serves as the second official warmup for the 2028 Women’s Club World Cup, when six teams from different confederations compete for a world title. Gotham took third in 2026, and has a shot to represent Concacaf once again as regional Champions Cup winner alongside the Washington Spirit, Club America, and Pachuca. (See full FIFA release)
MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 29: Viktor Gyoekeres of Arsenal battles for possession with Johnny Cardoso of Atletico de Madrid during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final First Leg match between Atletico de Madrid and Arsenal FC at Metropolitano Stadium on April 29, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Midweek action is here. All kickoff times are in EST. Let’s get into it!
Tuesday
Arsenal vs Atlético Madrid, 3p on CBS, Paramount+, TUDN, Univision, Fubo (free trial), ViX: Johnny Cardoso and Atléti are even 1-1 with Arsenal going into the second leg of this Champions League semifinal.
Toronto FC vs Atlético Ottawa, 7:30p on FS2, Fubo: Josh Sargent and Toronto host Atlético Ottawa in a preliminary round of the Canadian Championship.
Tigres vs Nashville SC, 9:30p on FS1, TUDN, Fubo, ViX: Matthew Corcoran and Nashville are down 0-1 to Tigres going into the second leg of this Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal.
Wednesday
CF Montréal vs Calgary Blizzard, 7:30p on FS2, Fubo: Jalen Neal and CF Montréal host Calgary Blizzard in a preliminary round of the Canadian Championship.
Botafogo vs Racing Club, 8:30p on beIN Sports, Fubo: Matko Miljevic and Racing Club visit Botafogo in Group E of Copa Sudamericana.
Toluca vs LAFC, 9:30p on FS1, TUDN, UniMás, Fubo, ViX: Timothy Tillman and LAFC are up 2-1 on Toluca going into the second leg of this Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal.
Thursday
Crystal Palace vs Shakhtar Donetsk, 3p on Paramount+, ViX: Chris Richards and Palace are up 3-1 on Shakhtar going into the second leg of this Conference League semifinal.
Friday
Standard Liège vs OH Leuven, 2:45p: Marlon Fossey and Standard host Leuven in the Belgian Pro League.
Paderborn vs Karlsruher, 12:30p on ESPN Select, Fubo: Santiago Castañeda and SC Paderborn host Karlsruher SC in the 2. Bundesliga.
Venezia vs Palermo, 2:30p on Fox Soccer Plus, Fubo: Gianluca Busio and Venezia host Palermo in Serie B.
Champions League semi-final second legs: The numbers to know
We were served up an all-timer of a game at the Parc des Princes last week, and the second leg promises more of the same. For Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, the 2025-26 season will be measured by the Champions League. The contest resumes at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday, with PSG holding a one-goal lead.wenty-four hours after the fireworks in Paris came a different sort of game. Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid and Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, two coaches who have built reputations on defensive identity, played out a tense, attritional first leg that finished 1-1.Two ties, two shades of intensity. A reminder that the same sport can grip you in entirely different ways. The second legs will decide who walks out at the Puskas Arena in Budapest on May 30. But who will be in the final? Here are the numbers and trends that may give us a clue…
Arsenal v Atletico Madrid (agg 1-1)
Diego Simeone has rarely walked into a Champions League knockout against a side more defensively drilled than his own. Under Mikel Arteta in the European competition, Arsenal concede just 0.65 goals per game across his 37 matches in charge, the lowest ratio of any manager in the competition’s history with 20-plus games. Atletico, on the other hand, have evolved. They have scored 35 goals in this Champions League, their highest in a single edition, and arrive at the Emirates as the most attacking iteration of Simeone-ball we have seen.
At the Metropolitano, Atletico produced 2.22 expected goals. Only Aston Villa in December (2.52) have managed more against Arsenal in any competition this season. The threat ran through the strike partnership of Antoine Griezmann and Julian Alvarez, two forwards given the freedom to roam, with a chemistry that comes alive in transition. Alvarez alone accounted for 1.00 xG, more than any other player on the pitch. He scored his penalty, and now has 14 goal involvements (10 goals, four assists) in 14 Champions League games this season, making him the first Atletico player ever to reach double figures for goals in a single edition.
Gyokeres scored in the first leg and has 21 goals for Arsenal this seasonDan Mullan/Getty Images
While Atletico’s strike partnership is symbiotic, intricate and cerebral, Arsenal have an explosive focal point in Viktor Gyokeres — a different model of striker entirely. He is an orthodox shoulder-runner, explosive and vertical in his movement: a wrecking ball among the finesse around him. In Madrid, he buried his penalty. Against Fulham at the weekend, he scored twice and added an assist, all in the first half. He now has 21 goals in his debut Arsenal season.
The contrast with Alvarez extends from profile to involvement, and it showed clearly in Madrid. Gyokeres had 15 touches. Alvarez had 49. The two strikers have two very different jobs. One pins the last line. The other drops deep to facilitate and dictate, weaving himself into the very fabric of Simeone’s build-up.
The first leg was defined by two contrasting halves. Atletico were under the cosh in the first, and Simeone used half-time to change both personnel and shape. He switched from a back four to a back three, with Robin Le Normand replacing Giuliano Simeone alongside David Hancko and Marc Pubill. The effect was almost immediate. Atleti drew level and seized control: possession climbed from 48 per cent to 55 per cent, and their xG rose from 0.22 in the first half to 1.99 in the second.In the first half, Atleti’s midfield pairing of Koke and Johnny Cardoso was overrun by Arsenal. Declan Rice, as he has been throughout the season, was metronomic. His 83 passes, 12 line-breaking passes and 12 progressive carries were the most of any player on the pitch in all three categories.
The head-to-head reads in Arsenal’s favour. Atletico have shipped 16 goals in seven Champions League away games this season and lost six of their last seven away games against English sides. The 4-0 defeat at the Emirates in October is their joint-heaviest in continental history.
The new UEFA format rewards the top two league-phase finishers with the home leg in the semi-final. Tuesday will test whether Arsenal can convert that reward, at the same stage where they were knocked out last year.
Bayern Munich v Paris Saint-Germain (agg 4-5)
PSG take a one-goal lead to the Allianz Arena, and the precedent in two-legged ties favours the Parisians. Bayern have lost the first leg of a UEFA two-legged semi-final on 10 previous occasions and overturned the deficit only once — more than 40 years ago. They have lost their last five two-legged Champions League semi-finals. PSG, by contrast, have won 36 of their 43 previous UEFA two-legged ties when winning the first leg, and 14 of 17 when the lead was a single goal. An 82 per cent conversion rate.
The first leg was scintillating, and neither manager intends the second to be any different. Both Vincent Kompany and Luis Enrique have hinted, in their own ways, at more of the same.What unfolded in Paris was not random. It was controlled chaos: a breathless exchange of punches across 90 minutes. Both teams pressed man-to-man with relentless intensity, and the game became a chain of one-on-one duels.Michael Olise celebrates after scoring against Paris Saint-Germain in the first legAnne-Christine Poujoulat / AFP via Getty ImagesThe only space was behind the defensive lines, so both teams played long passes at almost double their season average to exploit it. In midfield, Aleksandar Pavlovic and Joshua Kimmich played 24 line-breaking passes between them, more than PSG’s four midfielders managed combined (17, of which Vitinha contributed seven). It was the only time this season a midfield facing PSG has out-line-broken Vitinha.Possession told the same story. PSG average 64 per cent possession in this Champions League, the highest of any side in the competition. In the first leg, though, they had just 43 per cent. PSG concede an average of 17 touches per game in their own box across this Champions League campaign. Against Bayern, they conceded 52. The xG read 3.06 to Bayern, 1.90 to PSG.
The underlying numbers suggest Bayern had the better game. PSG had five shots on target and scored five goals, a mark of exceptional finishing.
When the press creates one-on-ones, talent decides and the talent on the pitch was supreme. Bayern’s front three of Harry Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz have hit 100 goals across all competitions this season, only the third trio since 2013-14 to reach the mark.
PSG’s three of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele are arguably the most fluid attacking unit in Europe. They chop and change, switch flanks, drag defenders into empty space, and become impossible to defend against in full flight. Kvaratskhelia has been involved in 15 Champions League goals this season, a record by a PSG player in a single campaign.
Bayern have lost just one of their last 29 Champions League home games. They have won all six this season, and have averaged five goals per game across their last eight at the Allianz. The fortress is intact. Both sides also walk in fresh. PSG and Bayern rotated heavily over the weekend, with Luis Enrique resting almost his entire expected XI for Lorient, and Vincent Kompany doing the same against Heidenheim.
Barcelona one point from La Liga title ahead of El Clasico after Real Madrid beat Espanyol
Vinicius Junior scored twice in 11 minutes against Espanyol Judit Cartiel/Getty Images
Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champions if they avoid defeat against Real Madrid in the upcoming El Clasico. Hansi Flick’s side require just one point to take an unassailable lead over second-place Madrid, who defeated Espanyol 2-0 on Sunday. Vinicius Junior scored twice in 11 minutes in the second half of the fixture to keep Barca from taking the title this weekend. Barca are 11 points clear of Alvaro Arbeloa’s side with four rounds of matches remaining, with the visitors needing to win at Camp Nou if they are to keep alive the mathematic possibility of catching their rivals. If Barca were to win, it wold be the first time that a La Liga title was decided in a Clasico.Madrid could be without Ferland Mendy — who went off injured in the 14th minute of the Espanyol victory — and Kylian Mbappe, who sustained a hamstring injury last week. “We’ll see how Mbappe is this week,” Arbeloa said in his post-match press conference. “After last week’s tests, it looked as though it might take a bit longer.”Since February, Madrid have fallen behind their rivals with league defeats to Osasuna, Getafe and Mallorca, alongside more recent draws against Girona and Real Betis.Barca, meanwhile, have won each of their last 10 league matches following a mid-February defeat to Girona, to pull clear of Madrid.That run has allowed Flick’s side the possibility of crowning their season with clinching the title against their rivals next Sunday at Camp Nou.
Mendy went off injured early in the first half on SundayJosep Lago / AFP via Getty Images
Analysis
By Real Madrid correspondent Mario Cortegana
Real Madrid’s win only seemed to postpone the inevitable — Barcelona’s La Liga title win, which they could wrap up in next week’s Clasico at the Camp Nou.
Arbeloa’s team appeared uninterested during the first half before the individual quality of their players made the difference. Within the first four minutes, Espanyol failed to score from two opportunities.
The overall impression was the same as usual for Madrid in La Liga this season, and especially since their Champions League quarter-final elimination to Bayern Munich. This was a side who didn’t press, moved the ball slowly and allowed their opponents to attack them with ease.
Victory won’t quieten the noise around a side plagued by serious internal problems. This week, a veteran player treated the squad and staff to lunch at Madrid’s Valdebebas training ground, but the atmosphere behind the scenes is far from ideal.
Advertisement
TV cameras caught left-back Alvaro Carreras laughing when Arbeloa turned to Fran Garcia instead of him to replace the injured Ferland Mendy in the first half. The previous matchday, captain Dani Carvajal had also been seen apparently criticising Trent Alexander-Arnold’s defensive work from the dugout.
A personal trip Kylian Mbappe took to Italy while recovering from a muscle injury did not help either, and has not gone down well internally. Mbappe remains a doubt for El Clasico.
It goes without saying, but winning the title with victory in El Clasico against their arch-rivals would be particularly satisfying for Barcelona fans.
It would also confirm their recent dominance over Madrid domestically. Flick won a domestic treble of La Liga, Copa del Rey and Supercopa de Espana titles in his first season with the Catalans last year, finishing four points ahead of their biggest rivals in the league and beating them in both the Copa and Supercopa finals.
Barcelona’s main aim this season, however, was a first Champions League title since 2015. After reaching the semi-finals last year before being beaten by eventual runners-up Inter, they made the quarter-finals this time but suffered a 3-2 aggregate defeat by Atletico, with red cards shown after VAR reviews hampering them in both legs.
Diego Simeone’s team also beat them in the Copa del Rey semi-finals, including a 4-0 thrashing in the first leg. Barca almost mounted a spirited comeback in the return but a 3-0 home win was not enough to see them through to the final, where Atletico lost on penalties to Real Sociedad. Injuries to key players have hampered them, as Flick commented on in his post-match press conference on Saturday.
Barca could win at Camp Nou against their rivalsMaciej Rogowski/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
“We had to manage a lot of injuries,” he said when asked about the biggest difficulties this season. “That’s a thing we need to make better next season. But how the team is playing is fantastic. They improved a lot in these things. It makes me feel positive for the future. It is a young team with a lot of potential. We have just started our project and we want to move on.”
This has been an awful season for Real Madrid, which started with hope under new coach Xabi Alonso but looks certain to finish with his January replacement, Alvaro Arbeloa, overseeing a trophyless campaign. The fact that could be confirmed in El Clasico only underlines how galling this season has been for the side from the Spanish capital.
Madrid played out a thrilling Champions League quarter-final with Bayern Munich but were ultimately undone in the second leg in Germany after a late red card for Eduardo Camavinga. From being level in the tie as that match headed for added time, they lost 6-4 on aggregate thanks to 89th- and 94th-minute goals from Luis Diaz and Michael Olise.
Arbeloa’s position is very much in danger and widespread changes are expected at the Bernabeu over the summer. The Athletic reported last week that former Madrid coach Mourinho is club president Florentino Perez’s favoured candidate to return for a second spell in the dugout.
The effects of finishing a second consecutive season with no major trophies will certainly be felt by Madrid fans — particularly if they ‘lose’ La Liga to Barca in a Clasico.
Nobody in football works the touchline quite like Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone.
The Argentinian’s actions are often as absorbing and compelling as what happens on the pitch.
The latest installment came during the Champions League semi-final first leg against Arsenal last Wednesday, particularly after the away side were awarded a second penalty of the game in the 80th minute, when Eberechi Eze went down under a challenge by David Hancko.
Advertisement
As Danny Makkelie waited for instructions from the video assistant referee (VAR) Dennis Higler, Simeone could be seen trying to grab the Dutch referee’s attention by waving his arms in the air and imitating the ‘TV screen’ VAR signal.
Makkelie was advised to review the incident and, after watching it 13 times, reversed his decision. Footage on social media showed Simeone being prevented from approaching the referee while again waving his arms in his direction as the official studied the pitchside screen.
“I thought the behaviour of Diego Simeone and his assistants when the referee was trying to come over and look at the monitor was atrocious,” said former Liverpool, Real Madrid and England midfielder Steve McManaman, who was working as a pundit on the game for TNT Sports.
Simeone’s response to the overturned decision, keeping the score at 1-1, was to try to pump up his players. After the final whistle, with the sides still level at that scoreline, fan videos on social media appeared to show him confronting Ben White after the Arsenal defender walked across the Atletico club badge near the tunnel entrance.
Just a normal day at the office, then, for the 56-year-old Simeone, who lives and breathes every second of the action as if he were still playing.
Atletico have carried the ‘dark arts’ label during his 15-year spell in charge and reflect Simeone’s intensity on the touchline, where he plays the role of the pantomime villain to perfection.
They may have changed in footballing terms from rugged defenders to a more free-flowing outfit, but their boss, who regularly wears an all-black suit, shirt and tie during games, has not.
He can also be a joker. When asked before the second leg against Arsenal at the Emirates whether superstition was the reason for Atletico changing their London hotel from the one they used before the 4-0 league-phase defeat at the same ground in October, Simeone said: “We’re better now than we were in October. And the hotel was cheaper. That’s why we changed.”
Advertisement
Before what is sure to be an emotionally-charged match tonight (Tuesday), The Athletic has looked back at some of his most memorable touchline moments.
Simeone’s side had been moments away from the trophy that night in Lisbon, until Sergio Ramos headed a 93rd-minute equaliser. Madrid then ran out 4-1 winners thanks to three more goals in extra time but, after Cristiano Ronaldo scored their fourth from the penalty spot, his team-mate Raphael Varane kicked a stray ball in the direction of the opposition dugout.Simeone controlled the ball before firing it back in the defender’s direction, with Varane having to duck to avoid it. The Atletico coach then went onto the pitch in an attempt to confront the France international, before being escorted back off it by his own staff members and players.“Varane provoked me by kicking the ball at me,” Simeone told his post-match press conference. “Us older guys don’t like people doing that kind of thing to us. I also made a mistake with my reaction. He’s a young guy with a bright future.”Three months later, against the same opponents in the second leg of the Supercopa de Espana, Simeone learnt another valuable lesson — don’t tap the fourth official on the back of the head.After 25 minutes, home side Atletico were leading 1-0 (and 2-1 on aggregate) but Simeone took issue with the amount of time it took his defender Juanfran to be allowed to return to the pitch after getting treatment for a cut lip.The Argentinian repeatedly gestured on the sidelines and then, when fourth official Antonio Santos walked past him to return to his position, tapped him on the back of the head twice.
Simeone was shown a red card, and eventually left the field after further protests, then apologised for his actions after the game. He received an eight-match suspension — four for touching the linesman’s head, two for protesting, one for sarcastically applauding his sending-off and another for remaining in the stands instead of heading down the tunnel.
Diego Simeone was shown a red card in 2014 for tapping fourth official Antonio Santos twice on the headDani Pozo/AFP via Getty Images
As an 11-year-old, Simeone had been a ball boy at a 1982 game featuring Argentine sides Velez Sarsfield and Boca Juniors, when he was sent off for throwing an extra ball on the pitch to try and confuse Boca goalkeeper Hugo Gatti as Velez tried to launch a counter-attack.Thirty-four years later, there was more ball-boy controversy involving Simeone, but this time as a manager.As Atletico and Malaga approached half-time in a La Liga game in April 2016 with the scores level, the latter launched a counter-attack. From close to the Atletico dugout, a second ball was thrown onto the pitch, halting play.
It was not initially clear who the guilty party was, although TV footage found the culprit to be a ball boy. Simeone did not return to the bench after half-time due to La Liga rules that state that a head coach is responsible for the behaviour of his bench personnel and other staff.Whether Simeone was involved or encouraged the ball to be thrown on remains a mystery, although footage appeared to show him turning towards the ball boy before the Malaga move was stopped.“It’s clear that the referee took the correct decision, following the rules,” Simeone, who was later banned for three matches for the incident, said post-match. “He did what he had to do, sending off the coach. It was a kid who was beside us, but that does not change anything.”There have been other occasions when Simeone has been unable to resist getting involved.During a Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich 10 years ago, he ended up tussling with winger Franck Ribery while engaging in a verbal back-and-forth with their manager Pep Guardiola.More recently, he has clashed twice with Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior this season, during Atletico’s 2-1 defeat in the Supercopa de Espana semi-final in January and then in a 3-2 league loss in March. The Brazil international played a key role in his side winning both games.In the first incident, TV footage appeared to show Simeone goading Vinicius Jr after an Atletico penalty appeal, suggesting Madrid president Florentino Perez wanted to sell him.The pair exchanged words when the winger was substituted after 81 minutes and both received yellow cards. Real’s then head coach Xabi Alonso said that his Atletico counterpart wasn’t “an example of a good sportsman”, and Simeone again apologised for his actions four days later in a press conference.
In March, Simeone took issue with Vinicius Jr’s actions as he was substituted in the 87th minute, with the player raising his arms and encouraging the Bernabeu crowd to increase the noise levels.
England supporters will doubtless remember the former Argentina midfielder’s role in David Beckham’s red card during their 1998 World Cup round of 16 tie. But while his antics are regularly criticised in England and by rival fans, they come from a mentality of wanting to win — and he is beloved by his players.
Simeone’s competitive edge is never clearer than in his goal celebrations.
Perhaps his most controversial one was against Juventus in a 2019 Champions League round-of-16 first leg win. When Jose Maria Gimenez opened the scoring for Atletico, Simeone turned to the crowd and grabbed his crotch, which he later explained was because his side “have balls”. Simeone was fined €20,000, and another apology was issued as he said the gesture came “from the heart”.
Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, appeared to imitate the move after scoring a hat-trick in his side’s return leg victory, and also received a €20,000 fine.
Watch
How Atletico Madrid completely changed
Tifo Football, Dermot Corrigan and more
Against Barcelona in the quarter-finals of this season’s Champions League, Simeone performed a ‘go to sleep’ gesture towards Barca fans in the closing stages of the second leg to indicate the tie was over.
As much as he enjoys celebrating goals, however, he does not always respond well to setbacks, as those near the away dugout at Anfield found out in the aftermath of Virgil van Dijk’s winner in Atletico’s 3-2 league-phase defeat to Liverpool earlier this season.
Simeone appeared to be angered by the home supporters, with footage showing him heading towards the same section of that stand twice.
Stewards and staff members had to restrain him and, when his attention turned towards the fourth official, with Simeone appearing to gesture towards the crowd, it was not long before he was shown a red card.
After the game, Simeone described his reaction as “not justifiable” but said he had been insulted throughout the match.
The only moment of the game Simeone has no interest in engaging in is the traditional post-match handshake with his opposite number. He is often the first to leave the scene once the final whistle blows, making a beeline for the dressing room.
It is something those who face him regularly in Spain are used to, but former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was not aware of that when his side played Atletico in the Champions League in 2021.
Klopp was left looking bemused as he held out his hand while watching his counterpart hurry away…
…before sarcastically offering a thumbs-up and wagging his finger in the direction of the tunnel.
Klopp initially aired his frustration during his post-match media duties but was then informed of Simeone’s routine and said in his press conference: “He’s running off and I could have just turned around. He doesn’t do anything wrong, and I’m not overly happy with my reaction, to be honest.”
Simeone offered his own explanation as to why he does that.
Advertisement
“I always go without shaking hands at the end of the game,” he said. “I don’t think it’s healthy or natural, because there will always be one (of the managers) who’s not happy with the game. I always leave quickly if I lose or win.”
With Atletico’s semi-final against Arsenal finely poised, the cameras are likely to be trained on Simeone once more tonight.
Champions League Final 4 – Tues PSG Vs Bayern, Wed Atletico vs Arsenal CBS
So coverage on CBS starts at 2 pm with the Pregame show then a 3 pm kickoff each day for the first leg of the Champions League Semis. I am still flabbergasted that Bayern Munich Coach Vincent Kompany will miss the game. It’s all because Kompany was booked in Bayern’s thrilling quarterfinal win over Real Madrid for disputing the referee’s decision to allow Madrid to play on and score after a hard tackle on Bayern defender Josip Stanisic. That was Kompany’s third yellow card in Bayern’s 12th Champions League game of the season. He argued UEFA should relax the rules now there are more games than ever and he’s absolutely right!! “It’s an extended format and it’s the strictest-ever ruling with a lot of interpretation from referees, where sometimes you can get a yellow card wrong as well. So what happens then?” Kompany said after the game. Just like on players — yellow cards for coaches should all be wiped out if EUFA had any brains. Red Card – might be another thing. But its just nuts he’s going to miss the game in the Final 4 of Soccer! Back to the games – I like PSG at home 3-1 on Tues – and my Atletico Madrid 1-0 vs Arsenal as Diego Simione will find a way to shut down the Gunners offense at home.
Indy 11 fall to League 1 Union Omaha in US Open Cup – Play TB Rowdies Sat
Yes you read that right -our mighty Boys in Blue – fell at home 2-1 to a 4th place League 1 team at Carroll Stadium Sat night as 9K looked on. Forward Bruno Rendon scored his fourth goal in eight games this season, but it wasn’t enough as the 11 fall to 7th in the Eastern Conference. Indy resumes USL Championship play Saturday at Eastern Conference opponent Tampa Bay Rowdies at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN+. The Boys in Blue return home to Carroll Stadium for “The World’s Game Night” vs. expansion club Sporting JAX on Saturday, May 9 at 7 p.m. Ticket options available include Family Four-Packs and Flex Mini-Plans.
US Open Cup Play Continues on Paramount Plus Tues/Wed
While the 11 lost – fellow USL Champ team Louisville City knocked off Austin City FC on the road and will now face Houston at 8 pm Tues, while fellow USL team One Knoxville SC will travel to Columbus at 7:30 pm Tues on Para+.
Good times at the Girls College Showcase at Grand Park this past weekend – with Sofaine, Justine & I.
Man Chef/Master Assignor Nate fixed up a feast for us Refs at his house. The BEST BRISKET in Indiana – Thanks Nate! Here’s the late night crew Drew, Nate, Gator Rob, Grant, Kevin & I got soaked after this game Friday at the Girls Showcase – as extreme Thunderstorms came thru.
TV Schedule – Games on TV
Tues, Apr 28 3 pm CBS,Para+ PSG vs Bayern Munich UCL Semi 7 pm CBSSN Charlotte vs Atlanta United US Open Cup 9:30 pm FS1 Nashville SC vs Tigres UNAL CCC Cup Wed, Apr 29 3 pm CBS, Para+ Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal USL Semi 7 pm CBSSN NY Red Bulls vs NYCFC US Open Cup 7 pm Victory+ Washington Spirit (Rodman) vs Racing Louisville NWSL 7:39 pm Para+ Columbus vs One Knoxville SC US Open Cup 8 pm Para+ Chicago vs St Louis US Open Cup 8 pm Para+ Houston vs Louisville City US Open Cup !0:30 pm FS1 LAFC vs Toluca CCC Thurs, Apr 30 Europa League 3 pm Para+ Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa 3 pm Para+ Shakthar Donesk vs Crystal Palace (Richards) Fri May 1 3 pm USA Leeds United (Aaronson) vs Burnley 8 pm Victory+ Houston Dash vs Seattle Reign NWSL Sat, May 2 9 am beIN sport Nantes vs Olympic Marseille (Weah) 9:30 am ESPN+ Bayern Munich vs Heidenheim 10 am USA Brentford vs West Ham United 10:!5 am ESPN+ Valencia vs Atletico Madrid (Cardoso) 12:30 pm NBC Arsenal vs Fulham (Jedi) 2:30 pm Fox Sporting KC vs Seattle Sounders 4:30 pm Fox Real Salt Lake vs Portland Timbers 7 pm FS1 Inter Miami vs Orlando City 7 pm ESPN+ Indy 11 @ Tampa Rowdies 8:45 pm Tubi Angel City vs Utah Royals NWSL 9:30 pm Apple San Diego vs LAFC Sun, May 3 9 am Peacock Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace (Richards) 9 am Para+ Sassuolo vs AC Milan (Pulisic) 10:30 am USA? Man United vs Liverpool 11:30 am ESPN+ Dortmund vs MGladbach (Tillman) 12 pm Para+ Juventus (Mckennie) vs Verona 1 pm ESPN2 Chicago vs Portland Thorns NWSL 2 pm USA Aston Villa vs Tottenham 3 pm CBS Boston Legacy vs Denver Summit NWSL 3 pm ESPN Des Espanyol vs Real Madrid 5 pm CBSSN Gotham FC vs Racing Louisville FC NWSL 5:30 pm Apple Austin vs St Louis MLS 7 pm Victory+ San Diego Wave vs Bay FC NWSL Mon, May 4 10 am USA Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest 3 pm USA Everton vs Man City 3 pm ESPN+ Sevilla vs Real Sociadad (US Coach) Tues, May 5 3 pm CBS, Para+ PSG vs Bayern Munich UCL Semi 2 Wed, May 5 3 pm CBS, Para+ Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal USL Semi 9:30 pm FS2? Toluca vs LAFC CCC 10 pm CBSSN Utah Royals vs Houston Dash NWSL
Sun, May 31 3:30 pm TNT, HBO, Peacock USA Men vs Senegal Sat, June 6 2:30 pm TNT, HBO, Peacock USA Men vs Germany in Chicago Tix Sat, June 12 WORLD CUP 9 pm Fox, Tele, Peacock USA Men vs Paraguay World Cup Fri, June 19 3 pm Fox, Tele, Peacock USA Men vs Australia World Cup Thur, June 25 10 pm Fox, Tele, Peacock USA Men vs Australia World Cup
USMNT midweek viewing guide: Johnny, Richards kick off semis
Follow along with all the USMNT action this week. by Justin Moran Apr 27, 2026, 9:05 AM EDT
Liverpool’s Dutch striker #18 Cody Gakpo (L) and Crystal Palace’s US defender #26 Chris Richards clash as they vie for the ball during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on April 25, 2026. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /AFP via Getty Images
Midweek action is here. All kickoff times are in EST. Let’s get into it!
Monday
Cagliari vs Atalanta, 12:30p on Paramount+, DAZN, FOX Deportes, Fubo: Yunus Musah and Atalanta pay a visit to Cagliari in Serie A.
Tuesday
Charlotte FC vs Atlanta United, 7p on Paramount+, CBS Sports Network, Fubo: Tim Ream, Luca de la Torre, and Charlotte host the Five Stripes in the US Open Cup round of 16.
Also in action:
Nashville SC vs Tigres, 8:30p FS1, TUDN, Fubo, ViX: Matthew Corcoran and Nashville host Liga MX club Tigres UANL in this Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal.
San Jose Quakes vs Minnesota United, 10p on Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo: Niko Tsakiris and the Earthquakes host Minnesota in the US Open Cup round of 16.
Wednesday
Atlético Madrid vs Arsenal, 3p on CBS, Paramount+, TUDN, Univision, Fubo (free trial), ViX: Johnny Cardoso and Atléti host the Gunners in the first leg of this UEFA Champions League semifinal.
NY Red Bulls vs NYCFC, 7p on Paramount+, CBS Sports Network, Fubo: Matt Freese and the Pigeons visit Ethan Horvath, Cade Cowell, Adri Mehmeti, Julian Hall, and the Red Bulls in a US Open Cup edition of the Hudson River Derby.
New England Revolution vs Orlando City, 7:30p on Paramount+: Matt Turner, Peyton Miller, and the Revs welcome Duncan McGuire and the Lions into town for this US Open Cup match.
Sporting CP vs Tondela, 3:15p on Fubo: Jordan Pefok and Tondela visit Sporting Lisbon in Liga Portugal.
Columbus Crew vs One Knoxville, 7:30p on Paramount+: Patrick Schulte, Max Arfsten, and the Crew host third-division One Knoxville SC in the US Open Cup round of 16.
Chicago Fire vs St. Louis City, 8p on Paramount+: Chris Brady and the Fire host St. Louis in the US Open Cup round of 16.
Houston Dynamo vs Louisville City, 8p on Paramount+: Jack McGlynn and the Dynamo host Lou City of the USL Championship in the US Open Cup round of 16.
Colorado Rapids vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks, 9p on Paramount+: Paxten Aaronson, Zack Steffen, and the Rapids meet local USL Championship club Colorado Springs in the US Open Cup round of 16.
LAFC vs Toluca, 10:30p on FS1, TUDN, UniMás, Fubo, ViX, Univision NOW: Timothy Tillman and LAFC host Toluca in the first leg of this Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal.
Thursday
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Crystal Palace, 3p on Paramount+, ViX: Chris Richards and Palace visit Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk in Kraków, Poland for the first leg of this UEFA Conference League semifinal.
Friday
LASK Linz vs Altach, 10a: George Bello and LASK have the chance to visit a trophy as they meet Altach in Austria’s cup final.
Leeds vs Burnley, 3p on USA: Brenden Aaronson and Leeds United host Burnley in Premier League action.
Also in action:
Spezia vs Venezia, 9a: Gianluca Busio and Venezia visit Spezia in Serie B.
FC Andorra vs Albacete, 10:15a: Jonathan Gómez and Albacete visit FC Andorra in La Liga 2.
===RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ===
Coming home from Practice or Games at Badger Fieldhouse? Try out the Best BarBQ in Town right across the street (131st) from Northview Church on the corner of Hazelldell & 131st. RackZ BBQ
Save 20% on your order
(mention the ole ballcoach)
Check out the BarBQ Ribs, pulled Pork and Chicken, Brisket and more. Sweet, Tangy or Spicy sauce. Mention you heard about it from the Ole Ballcoach — and Ryan will give you 20% off your next meal. https://www.rackzbbqindy.com/Call ahead at 317-688-7290 M-Th 11-8 pm, 11-9 Fri/Sat, 12-8 pm on Sunday. Pick some up after practice – Its good eatin! You won’t be disappointed and tell ’em the Ole Ballcoach Sent You!
Save 20% on these Succulent Ribs at Rackz BarBQ when you mention the Ole Ballcoach – Corner of 131 & Hazelldell. – Call 317-688-7290.
======================RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ======================
(L to R) Grant Bruno, Aiden Minnick, & the Ole Ballcoach here soaked after Rain at Grand Park Friday during The Girls College Showcase –
USMNT analysis -Predicting the 2026 USMNT World Cup roster: tight races and form come into focus
ASN’s Brian Sciaretta offers up his latest prediction as to what the United States roster will look like for the 2026 World Cup, with breakdowns as to which players are in the mix and fighting for spots BY Brian Sciaretta Posted l 17, 2026 http://www.americansoccernow.com/articles/
IN ABOUT A MONTH, we will know the 2026 World Cup roster for the United States national team. The team will not gather between now and then, which means the only thing players can do is perform well for their clubs. While head coach Mauricio Pochettino insisted that the March roster was not the final roster, it should provide some clues.
The March roster was 27 players, although it had four goalkeepers – meaning that it was the same number of field players as the World Cup team will have. Assuming Tyler Adams, Sergino Dest, and Haji Wright will make the team after missing March due to injury, that means three players will have to come off, with one being Patrick Agyemang who is injured.
On top of that, the team did not play well in March against Belgium and Portugal. That could also make a few more players vulnerable.
The best guess, however, is that Pochettino has been trying to build something with this group and not use each window exclusively for auditions. There will be some changes, of course, but most of what we’ve seen since last September (when Pochettino said was the last chance to look at new players) is what will comprise of the World Cup roster.
With that said, here is a predicted roster.
Goalkeepers
1) Matt Freese 2) Matt Turner 3) Chris Brady
In the mix: Patrick Schulte, Roman Celentano, Jonathan Klinsmann
Analysis: Matt Freese has been the U.S. national team No. 1 since last summer and Matt Turner has settled into the No. 2. Nothing in the March window suggested anything different. While it is possible Freese or Turner could flip starting/back-up roles leading up to the World Cup, it is impossible (absent injury) to see a scenario where both do not make the team.
That leads us to the No. 3 goalkeeper. Chris Brady seems like the best possible choice at the moment. Roman Celentano and Jonathan Klinsmann have struggled since the start of 2026. Patrick Schulte has been decent, but Brady has been better.
Central Defenders
4) Chris Richards 5) Tim Ream 6) Mark McKenzie 7) Auston Trusty
In the mix: Miles Robinson, Noahkai Banks, Tristan Blackmon, George Campbell, Walker Zimmerman
Analysis: this is arguably the weakest area of the player pool – and that is not good. Being strong in central defense is needed by teams who require upsets to make a run. Chris Richards is the best of the bunch, by a wide margin. Tim Ream has had a great career but has not had a good start to 2026. It is clear that age is catching up to him, but Pochettino is very invested in Ream and it is hard to envision a scenario where Ream is cut.
Mark McKenzie has had a decent season for Toulouse even if he hasn’t had a defining performance for the U.S. national team. Meanwhile, Auston Trusty had a decent shift in March – so why not? There just aren’t a lot of options in the back.
Miles Robinson couldn’t play during the March window due to injury. But beyond that, Cincinnati has been terrible defensively over the last six weeks. That is not necessarily Robinson’s fault, but it doesn’t help his case either.
Noahkai Banks could be an option, but there isn’t anything to suggest he has decided to play for the United States. With him asking out of the final camp before the World Cup roster is named, predicting him making the team is nothing more than wishful thinking.
Tristan Blackmon, George Campbell, and Walker Zimmerman were all called-up in 2025 for limited times. But the fact they weren’t brought back suggests they are backup options now in case of injury.
Of course, Pochettino might bring a fifth central defender but players like Tanner Tessmann or Alex Freeman are just as likely to play in the backline if needed.
Fullbacks
8) Sergino Dest 9) Alex Freeman 10) Antonee Robinson 11) Max Arfsten
In the mix: Joe Scally, John Tolkin, Kristoffer Lund
Analysis: At this point, the best guess is that Pochettino will pick who has been calling up, whenever healthy. Sergino Dest, Alex Freeman, Antonee Robinson, and Max Arfsten have all been selected whenever they’re not injured. With that, Dest remains a bit of a wildcard. He has said that he is aiming to return from injury before the end of the season. For now, we think he’ll make it. If not, Scally comes back in.
Joe Scally is a tough omission because he can also play as a central defender in a three-man backline. Then again, so can Tanner Tessmann and Alex Freeman. But Pochettino has never seemed to full trust Scally and even left him out of some of the fall camps. Still, Scally should be there if Dest isn’t fully fit.
On the left side, Robinson is healthy – for now. Arfsten has had defensive liabilities but is good at getting forward. But Arfsten has been the preferred option when Robinson hasn’t been healthy. With John Tolkin injured (although it is unclear his timetable for return) and Kristoffer Lund having never been in the picture, Arfsten should certainly be there.
There is also Tim Weah, who could start at right back, right wing, or even left back. He is listed as a winger here, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t a fullback option.
Central midfielders
12) Tyler Adams 13) Tanner Tessmann 14) Johnny Cardoso 15) Sebastian Berhalter 16) Christian Roldan
In the mix: Aidan Morris, Yunus Musah
Analysis: This is the deepest area of the player pool and the place where the most difficult picks will be made.
Among those on the team, Tyler Adams is as close to a lock as anyone outside Richards or Pulisic. If central defense is a weakness, Adams can help alleviate that more than anyone as he is a very useful shield to the backline and he is a great disrupter. Tanner Tessmann has been singled out for his “brain” – which helps in his versatility to help in central defense if needed.
Johnny Cardoso only played 45 minutes for the U.S. team, but he was decent as the rest of the team struggled. He is yet to have a big game for the USMNT, but his club resume should be enough. Sebastian Berhalter was up and down in March but he is playing well for Vancouver and has had good moments for the U.S. team over the past year. Plus, he is an excellent free kick taker.
That leaves us with Cristian Roldan, who Pochettino likes and has singled out as a good teammate who adds value on a big 26-player roster.
The toughest omission here would be Aidan Morris, who has been consistently good for Middlesbrough. The problem for Morris is that he might be redundant with Tessmann, Cardoso, and Adams.
As for Yunus Musah, he seems like a longshot at this moment given his terrible season in Italy where his loan to Atalanta just hasn’t yielded meaningful minutes. He will still only be 27-years-old at the next World Cup but he needs to develop. Right now, at 23, he’s essentially the same players as he was at 19, but only rustier for not having played. He needs to make smart decisions this year about the next steps in his career. But it is hard to believe that a World Cup starter as a teenager could be left off the team four years later.
Attacking midfielders
17) Weston McKennie 18) Brenden Aaronson 19) Malik Tillman 20) Diego Luna
In the mix: Gio Reyna, Jack McGlynn
Analysis: This is an area of the field where it is difficult to predict given the inconsistency of the players. Weston McKennie has had a great season and can play in several different positions but seems the most valuable to this team further up the field. Brenden Aaronson is has also had a good season for Leeds although Pochettino has never been completely sold (leaving him off the 2025 Nations League roster and giving him only limited minutes at the Gold Cup and this past March window). But Aaronson is an energetic player who brings needed intensity to games.
Malik Tillman has not had a great season for Bayer Leverkusen, and has been considered a disappointment given the $40 million price tag paid for him last year. But he has done enough to be part of the team.
Then there is Diego Luna, who Pochettino said in March was struggling in his return from an injury. Luna was subsequently left off the March roster. But that seemed to be a direct challenge to Luna, and Luna has responded nicely – playing well after club play resumed after the window.
That brings us to Gio Reyna, a player who has been the center of much debate regarding his status on the U.S. team. In the end, the results speak for themselves. He is not playing for Borussia Monchengladbach. He hasn’t played much over the last four years. Pochettino brought him into the team for March, and while his minutes were limited, he didn’t stand out.
Maybe something changes in the weeks ahead and he beings to play and produce for M’Gladbach. Absent that, there just isn’t a lot there. Meanwhile, players such as Luna, Aaronson, and even Alex Zendejas are playing more, honing their craft, and building an affirmative case.
Wingers & Forwards
21) Christian Pulisic 22) Tim Weah 23) Haji Wright 24) Alex Zendejas 25) Folarin Balogun 26) Ricardo Pepi In the mix: Josh Sargent, Brian White, Damion Downs
Analysis: This area of the pool saw a shift in recent weeks with the injury to Patrick Agyemang. That opens the door for another player, although another center forward isn’t necessarily needed with Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi as established producers and Haji Wright able to play both on the wings and as a center forward.
Should another injury arise, distant options like Josh Sargent, Brian White, or Damion Downs become likely.
Christian Pulisic’s tough run of form thus far in 2026 remains the team’s top story heading into the World Cup. He’s a lock to make the team but success of the team likely hinges on him returning to top form. All other talk about who makes the final roster is largely irrelevant unless Pulisic can be Pulisic.
Tim Weah could feature on either side at fullback or winger, but he is a good player within this squad and has had a good season with Marseille where he has been a regular starter.
Alex Zendejas would be a surprise inclusion, but the stars could be aligning nicely for him. He is having a great year for Club America, he would bring a nice left foot to the mix, he is well-liked, and he did well in his most recent call-up (last September). Plus, the team could use another winger or a player who could play multiple roles.
Bottom Line
My take is that there aren’t many open spots. It is essentially these 26 players plus Miles Robinson, Noahkai Banks, Joe Scally, Aiden Morris, and Gio Reyna. That makes 31 players with a realistic shot. The other players listed only come into the mix if there is an injury or if something drastic happens.
On the roster, Zendejas represents the biggest stretch given he has not been with the team since September. But he seems like a good bet given that he’s playing well, he’s versatile, and he brings a left foot.
Regardless, roster projects shift and change on a weekly basis. That’s likely to continue right up until the team is named. Players on the “bubble” just need to play well.
As for team success, it is fun to debate over the margins of the roster and which players will make the team with the final spots, but ultimately team success will come down to how well the top players perform and whether the goalkeeper can make big saves. Down the stretch, it is most important to keep an eye on Pulisic, McKennie, Adams, Richards, and Freese. The U.S. team’s success hinges on them.
USMNT Player Tracker: Allegri offers Pulisic consolation, Albert’s bow, and Aaronson’s education
Justin Setterfield/Getty Images, Marco Luzzani/Getty Images
Sensitive Christian Pulisic is still searching for goals, Brenden Aaronson wants to learn from his big miss, and Mathis Albert makes the breakthrough. It was a lively weekend for Americans in Europe.Welcome to this week’s USMNT Player Tracker.
In a roundabout sort of way, Milan manager Max Allegri offered some reassurance to USMNT supporters this weekend when it comes to his struggling forward, Christian Pulisic.As the star’s drought in front of goal continues — it is up to 16 games now, matching his only other similarly dry streak at Chelsea in 2022 — his manager added some sympathetic context. Pulisic, to an extent, is being sacrificed for the team by regularly playing as a striker.He is ‘doing a job’ for Allegri in a position the manager admits will not eke the best from him, because Milan do not have a centre-forward he feels can start regularly in his 3-5-2 formation.
Christian Pulisic has now gone 16 games without a goal.Marco Bertorello / AFP via Getty Images
Thankfully, Mauricio Pochettino does not have that problem, given Ricardo Pepi was on target again for PSV at the weekend and Folarin Balogun is thriving at Monaco, so hopefully Pulisic’s life will be easier in a little over six weeks’ time when the World Cup begins.“He is also someone who struggles more with the physicality of duels and the lack of a centre-forward, but I must try to give a balance to this team as we have an objective to achieve,” Allegri told DAZN after Milan’s goalless draw with Weston McKennie’s Juventus on Sunday.“I realise he is not entirely suited to this. I had asked him to play centre-right tonight and Leao centre-left, so we were without a centre-forward. Rest assured, by the end of the season, Pulisic will have given his contribution.”
There was also an admission from the Milan boss that the lack of goals is having an impact on the American’s mood. “Christian is a very sensitive man and this drought is hitting him harder,” he added.There’s little doubt that Pulisic’s partnership up front with Rafael Leao, with whom he has rowed at times this term, is not bringing the best from him. He did not create a chance for Milan on Sunday, and only touched the ball in the Juve area once.Leao had better numbers and delivered a brighter display, but he has also gone six Serie A games without a goal as Milan’s league form faltered.
Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic have not always seen eye to eye on the pitch.Marco Luzzani / Getty Images
In the end, Pulisic was replaced by Niclas Fullkrug, a more conventional centre-forward.In the opposition ranks, McKennie lasted the full game and was more involved in his side’s efforts. There was a worrying moment, though, when he went down and required treatment after an innocuous clash with Milan defender Fikayo Tomori.Fortunately, the Texan recovered to play on.The draw meant Milan remain third and Juve fourth, trailing them by three points, with both currently in the Champions League qualification spots.
Aaronson learns the hard way
Most people would not care to dwell on the opportunity that Brenden Aaronson spurned in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday.The USMNT midfielder had a chance to put Leeds ahead against Chelsea early in the game after making a clever run to go through one-on-one against Robert Sanchez.His shot could not beat the Spanish goalkeeper, though, and eight minutes later, Chelsea scored what turned out to be the game’s only goal.Afterwards, Aaronson said he had already made a point of watching his chance back. “To be honest, I thought it was a goal. I thought I couldn’t have done much better, but it was a great save… I think I’ve watched it back three times already. I always want to get better and see how I can get better with my finishing,” he told ESPN.
“I work on it a lot, so I will watch it back. I know in that moment in time I was confident, and I knew where I wanted to put it, and I put it in the right spot, but sometimes you have to put your hands up for the goalkeeper.”
Brenden Aaronson fires off his shot, only for Robert Sanchez to save.Ben Stansall / AFP via Getty Images
There was a big step forward for 16-year-old Mathis Albert in the Bundesliga at the weekend.He surpassed Gio Reyna as the youngest American to play in the German top flight when he debuted for Borussia Dortmund on Sunday.Albert, who hails from Greenville, South Carolina, was introduced in the 88th minute of Dortmund’s win over Freiburg, aged 16 years, 11 months and 5 days. All eyes will now be on whether manager Niko Kovac gives the starlet more minutes between now and the end of the campaign.
Mathis Albert awaits his opportunity on the bench.Ronny Hartmann / AFP via Getty Images
Dortmund can only secure second place behind Champions Bayern Munich now, and Kovac also handed a full debut to gifted 18-year-old attacker Samuele Inácio in the 4-0 win over Freiburg.
It’s a big week for Chris Richards and his Crystal Palace team-mates, as they head into the first leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final against Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday.
Palace will have to put the disappointment of their 3-1 loss to Liverpool on Saturday behind them quickly, and focus on the dream of a second major trophy in as many seasons.
See how they get on during the away leg in Poland (3pm, Paramount +).
Chris Richards is hoping to secure a second major trophy in as many seasons for Crystal Palace.Paul Ellis / AFP via Getty Images
Then, three days later, Palace are in action again as they head back on the road to face Tyler Adams and Bournemouth (Sunday, 9am, Paramount +).
Also on Sunday, tune in to see whether Albert or Reyna — who came on for 19 minutes against Wolfsburg on Saturday — benefit from game-time as Dortmund face Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga (11:30am, ESPN+).
Greg O’Keeffe is a senior writer for The Athletic covering US soccer players in the UK & Europe. Previously he spent a decade at the Liverpool Echo covering news and features before an eight-year stint as the paper’s Everton correspondent; giving readers the inside track on Goodison Park, a remit he later reprised at The Athletic. He has also worked as a news and sport journalist for the BBC and hosts a podcast in his spare time.
Suspended Vincent Kompany backs Bayern Munich ‘100%’ vs. PSG
ESPN News Services
Apr 27, 2026, 03:01 PM ET
Vincent Kompany’s influence as coach is a key reason Bayern Munich are in the Champions League semifinals. Now Bayern will have to manage without him.
Bayern are preparing for arguably their toughest game of the season so far at Paris Saint-Germain with their head coach suspended and assistant Aaron Danks taking over. He’s well-regarded, but has only been head coach in two Premier League games.
“Danksy has plenty of experience, was on the touchline for a while in England,” Kompany said. “I’ve got 100% confidence in the staff and everyone else.”
Kompany was still involved in training on Monday before Bayern’s departure for Paris, but he’ll be barred from the team’s locker room and bench at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday.
Kompany ruled out copying Jose Mourinho’s notorious 2005 caper when the Portuguese coach hid in a washing basket to sneak into the locker room and speak with his Chelsea team while suspended for a game against Bayern.
“I’m 1.92 meters (6-foot-3) tall. I can’t fit in a washing basket,” he said.
Harry Kane thinks Kompany’s absence will be felt. “We’ll miss him on the touchline. He’s our boss, a coach who’d love to be out there with us,” the striker, who is set for talks to extend his stay at Bayern, said.
It’s all because Kompany was booked in Bayern’s thrilling quarterfinal win over Real Madrid for disputing the referee’s decision to allow Madrid to play on and score after a hard tackle on Bayern defender Josip Stanisic.
That was Kompany’s third yellow card in Bayern’s 12th Champions League game of the season. He argued UEFA should relax the rules now there are more games than ever.
“It’s an extended format and it’s the strictest-ever ruling with a lot of interpretation from referees, where sometimes you can get a yellow card wrong as well. So what happens then?” Kompany said after the game.
“I’m not happy because of this, but it’s not important. The team can do it and I’m there for the return game. I have total faith in the team, the staff, to not just continue but also gain strength and motivation out of it.”
PSG coach Luis Enrique praised Kompany’s work since arriving two years ago.
“Vincent Kompany is a coach of the highest level, Bayern is one of the teams I like to watch the most,” he said. “They’re very pretty to watch. I like all coaches but especially the attacking ones, and he is without doubt one of them.”
Danks is one of Kompany’s three main assistants. The 42-year-old English coach is a set-piece specialist who oversaw two games for Aston Villa as caretaker coach in 2022, beating Brentford 4-0 then losing to Newcastle by the same score.
Preparations haven’t exactly been easy, either.
With the Bundesliga title wrapped up, Bayern hoped to rest key players against Mainz on Saturday, but Kompany had to bring on Kane, Michael Olise and Jamal Musiala after slipping 3-0 down before coming back to win 4-3.
Musiala is facing PSG for the first time since suffering a bad leg break against the French team at last season’s Club World Cup.
The attacking midfielder didn’t return until January but has recently looked back on form with two goals and four assists in his last five games, including setting up Luis Díaz‘s crucial third goal in the second game against Madrid.
Lennart Karl got his break in the Bayern team during Musiala’s injury absence but the 18-year-old is likely to miss Tuesday’s game with a muscle issue which has sidelined him for the last three weeks. Forward Serge Gnabry is out with a muscle tear that’s ruled him out of the World Cup, too.
The Champions League isn’t just part of Bayern’s quest for a triple. An even rarer achievement is possible.
Bayern are in the hunt for a double-triple of league, cup and Champions League for both their men’s and women’s teams. The Bayern women have already won the German league, are in the final of the German Cup and are level with Barcelona at 1-1 in the Women’s Champions League semifinals.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
‘No team better’ than Paris Saint-Germain – Luis Enrique
PA
Apr 27, 2026, 03:26 PM ET ESPN FC
Luis Enrique insists “there’s no team better than us” as he prepares Paris Saint-Germain for a heavyweight Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.
The holders host the newly crowned Bundesliga champions in an eagerly anticipated semi-final first leg on Tuesday.
PSG head into the game at the Parc des Princes in strong form having won eight of their last nine matches and sitting six points clear at the top of Ligue 1.
They have also impressed in Europe, seeing off AS Monaco, Chelsea and Liverpool in the knockout phase.
They now face a Bayern side who boast their own formidable record but the PSG boss is confident his side have the edge.
“These are Europe’s top two teams,” the Spaniard told his pre-match news conference. “In terms of consistency, Bayern are perhaps slightly above us because they’ve only lost two games, but in terms of what we’ve shown, there’s no team better than us.
“You need to attack more than you defend if you want to win, and we know how hard that will be, but we’re not here to negotiate — we want to win.”
Bayern arrive in the French capital on a run of nine straight wins and 16 victories from their last 17 matches in all competitions.
They have won 11 of their 12 Champions League games this season, losing only at Arsenal in November, while a Bundesliga defeat by Augsburg in January is the only other blemish on their record.
England captain Harry Kane has led the charge with 53 goals in all competitions, including 12 in the Champions League. Bayern have also won their last five meetings with PSG, including a 2-1 victory in Paris earlier this season.
The occasion holds no fear for Bayern manager Vincent Kompany.
The former Manchester City captain said: “We’ve already won at the Bernabéu this year and won in Paris.
“Paris are obviously still the Champions League holders, but if any team can take on this challenge, it’s us. We know how good Paris are, but we want this game.”
The match will be the 15th meeting between the sides in the competition — and the ninth in as many seasons — continuing a rivalry that has become familiar on the European stage.
Kompany, who will watch the action from the stands as he serves a touchline ban, expects fine margins to settle the tie.
“We’ve got experience against them, but that’s the same for our opponent,” he said. “Both teams have so much creativity. It’s about details, intensity and energy.”
The myth of the 2026 World Cup hotel and tourism ‘boom’
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has boasted some lofty economic figures surrounding the 2026 World Cup Hector Vivas / FIFA / Getty Images
FIFA came to North America years ago promising that the 2026 World Cup would bring millions of visitors and billions of dollars. “The world will be invading Canada, Mexico and the United States [with] a big wave of joy and happiness,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in 2022 as 16 host cities were selected. In anticipation, hotels in those cities hiked their summer 2026 prices and prepared to capitalize on the deluge.
Advertisement
But with two months to go, the long-promised World Cup boom hasn’t yet materialized. Some in the U.S. tourism industry worry that it will turn out to be little more than a modest bump.
“It is not the cornucopia that FIFA talked about,” Vijay Dandapani, president and CEO of the Hotel Association of New York City, told The Athletic.
Chris Nassetta, longtime president and CEO of Hilton Hotels & Resorts, admitted at a conference in Washington, D.C., last week that “the World Cup, at this point, doesn’t look as strong as what we had hoped.”
Others remain bullish and expect travel bookings to pick up over the coming month. “We’re really not ready to pull the fire alarm yet,” Erik Hansen, the U.S. Travel Association’s head of government relations, told The Athletic.
Rosanna Maietta, president and CEO of the American Hotel and Lodging Association, added: “The industry, for sure, is still expecting to see a bump from those two months.”
She acknowledged, though, that “a lot of our members are reporting that bookings are below their projections.”
Many have re-calibrated expectations. And across the 16 host cities, most hotels have walked back their pricing surge.
In the aftermath of the World Cup draw and schedule reveal in December, The Athleticanalyzed hotel prices in the 16 markets. The 96 hotels in our sample were, on average, charging $1,013 per night around the opening match in their respective cities, compared with $293 for an equivalent stay in late-May, exactly three weeks earlier. The average increase was 328%.
The extent of the surge varied from city to city, but touched every market and cohost country. In the U.S., the average per-night price rose from $315 in late May to $1,028 during the first week of the tournament.
Four months later, at the same hotels, prices for those same June dates have fallen more than 40% from their earlier peak.
They remain significantly higher than May prices, but across 63 of the 66 U.S. hotels in the sample, the average rate last week was $579 per night around opening World Cup matches, down from $1,034 four months ago. (Three hotels were removed from the sample because rates were no longer available on the Marriott and Hilton apps, from which the data was sourced, when this follow-up analysis was conducted last week.)
The relatively steep decline aligns with industry-wide data and comments from executives and analysts.
“We are re-adjusting based on the market,” Maietta said.
Nearly everyone interviewed for this story said they expect bookings to accelerate between now and the start of the World Cup, or even during the tournament, which kicks off June 11 and concludes July 19. “I am still anticipating a banner summer,” Ed Grose, president and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association, told The Athletic.
But the “soft bookings,” as Maeitta put it, are fueling some concern that this World Cup won’t attract as many visitors as first thought.
The posited reasons range from a broader U.S. tourism slump to ticket prices that have dissuaded foreign fans, plus costs — including the hotel prices themselves — that have made a World Cup trip unaffordable for the vast majority of the world.
Fans attend the FIFA World Cup trophy tour in Kansas CityEd Zurga / FIFA / Getty Images
Reasoning for unmet expectations
When FIFA last year released a “Socieconomic Impact Analysis” report and boasted that the World Cup “could help drive up to $40.9 billion in Gross Domestic Product (GDP)” in the U.S., its analysis included an assumption that “40% of the total stadium attendance [would] consist of foreign tourists.”
If so, more than 2.5 million seats at the World Cup’s 104 matches would be filled by foreigners. Separately, officials speculated that the number could be around 3 million. And simultaneously, they promised that millions more fans would come from afar without tickets to partake in World Cup-adjacent festivities. Infantino said last week that there would be “tens of millions from all over the world coming to the U.S. just to feel the vibe.”
Advertisement
With two months to go, however, bookings and ticket sales suggest that the World Cup, as a tourist attraction, might fall short of those expectations.
According to April 6 data provided to The Athletic by CoStar, a real estate and hospitality data firm, the percentage of available hotel rooms already booked for matchdays in nine of the 11 U.S. host cities was roughly equal to the percentage of rooms booked for the same June and July dates at the same point last year.
In those nine cities, excluding Philadelphia and Kansas City, bookings were up 0.8 percent on average. On group-stage dates, the uptick was slightly higher (1.3 percent). Including the two Canadian host cities, Vancouver and Toronto, however, there have been relatively fewer bookings this year compared to last.
Cities that aren’t typically summer tourist destinations, such as Dallas and Miami, have seen significant upticks, especially on the nights of popular matches, including England vs. Croatia and Scotland vs. Brazil.
Colombia vs. Portugal is another Miami example. Those matches “are going to bring a higher demand than maybe some of those earlier games, like Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde,” James D’Agostino, a general manager at Gale Hotels in Miami, told The Athletic.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal are expected to be a big draw for traveling fans at this summer’s World CupPatricia De Melo Moreira / AFP / Getty Images
But for hotels in other cities that would welcome millions of tourists even without the World Cup, such as New York or San Francisco, the tournament has not yet had a noticeable impact.
“The pace, unfortunately, is the same as what it was last year,” Dandapani, the New York City hotel association executive, said.
Alex Bastian, who leads the Hotel Council of San Francisco, said that in the Bay Area, “many of the hotels adopted conservative budgeting and forecasting strategies” based on past World Cups — and then based on the 2026 match schedule announcement in December.
Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, is the only of the 11 U.S. stadiums that won’t host a single top seed. “If Germany was at play or France was at play,” Bastian said, “that would be a different impact than, for example, a team like Switzerland, or a team like, I don’t know, Jordan.”
Even in cities that received stronger draws, the share of international ticket buyers seems to be falling short of the 40-50 percent projection. Noelle LeVeaux, the Dallas host committee’s chief marketing officer, said recently that about 26-35 percent of tickets are being purchased by international customers. FIFA data distributed to the Los Angeles host committee and seen by The Athletic suggests that, similarly, less than a third of the fans at L.A.’s matches might be coming from abroad.
Dandapani said that FIFA’s pricing of tickets “at a really extraordinarily high level compared to” the 2022 Qatar World Cup had deterred travelers. He also cited widespread “headwinds,” such as strict visa policies, that have “put a chill” on international travel to the United States.
President Donald Trump’s “America First” agenda and rhetoric has also fueled widespread perceptions that the country is unwelcoming. Throughout 2025, the first year of Trump’s second term, “U.S. visitor numbers declined 5.5% against 2024,” according to the World Travel and Tourism Council, even as the travel and tourism sector experienced its “best year ever” globally.
The World Cup had been among the reasons that industry analysts expected the U.S. to rebound in 2026. Tourism Economics, a global travel data company, initially projected a 3.9% increase in arrivals throughout the calendar year. But recently, citing the “Middle East conflict” and its economic consequences, the firm downgraded its projection to “a moderate 3.4% gain.”
Aran Ryan, the company’s director of industry studies, told The Athletic via email: “We estimate World Cup attendees will boost growth in U.S. arrivals this year by about 0.8 to 1.3 percentage points … equivalent to about 742,000 incremental visitors during the tournament.”
A view outside the Marriott Marquis hotel in midtown New York CityZamek / VIEWpress
‘Artificial early demand’
Pricing, meanwhile, was muddled by FIFA hotel blocks. The global soccer governing body, which owns and runs the World Cup, booked hundreds or thousands of rooms in each host city. Then, like many conventions and other event organizers, it exercised its contractual option to cancel some of those reservations earlier this year.“FIFA’s room block overcommitment,” Maietta explained, “created artificial early demand.” Its opt-out then changed the supply-and-demand equation. Hotels suddenly had more rooms to sell, while potential visitors were perhaps not as numerous as expected.o, throughout 2026, they’ve adjusted prices accordingly.
The steepest decline in our sample — which serves as a rough approximation of the market, far from an exact measure — occurred in Atlanta, where average prices from June 14-16 at the six randomly selected tourist hotels fell from $968 in December to $390 in April. (Atlanta’s slate of group-stage matches is arguably the second-most underwhelming of the 11 U.S. host cities, better than only the Bay Area.)Boston, Philadelphia and Seattle also saw prices cut by around 50%.The most modest decline was in Dallas, where the average of $1,039 recorded in December has fallen to a still-high $773 around the first match at AT&T Stadium in nearby Arlington, between the Netherlands and Japan. (England vs. Croatia is three days later.)
The giant video board at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, dons World Cup branding in anticipation of a number of key World Cup matches at the venueJerome Miron / Imagn Images
“If they’re nickel-and-dimed every which way along that travel journey,” Maietta said of fans, “it makes it really hard for them to want to come out with, say, a family, or spend that extra night at a hotel. … It all adds up.”Optimists within the tourism industry note that the World Cup’s knockout rounds, which represent 31% of matches and the highest stakes, do not lend themselves to advanced travel planning. Many fans, they believe, will book at the very last minute if their team wins and progresses from one stage to the next.There are also still more tickets to be distributed. FIFA said Tuesday that it has sold 5 million, and that a new batch will be made available Wednesday at 11 a.m. ET. (The cumulative capacity of World Cup stadiums across the 104 matches is roughly 6.7 million.)The question is how significant the last-minute rush will be. No one is expecting the “tens of millions from all over the world” that Infantino mentioned, but the hope is that the World Cup will at least bring hundreds of thousands to each host city. And even if they are expats who travel from within the United States, they will still give the tournament international flair.“I think it’s too early to tell,” Hansen said of the ultimate impact. “I think plans are starting to be made now to come to the U.S. Ticket demand has been strong. So I think we’re going to start to see, in the next couple of weeks, how the data’s shaping out.”
Adam Crafton contributed reporting to this story
Henry Bushnell is a senior writer for The Athletic covering soccer. He previously covered a variety of sports and events, including World Cups and Olympics, for Yahoo Sports. He is based in Washington, D.C.
Whatever Wrexham’s fate – Premier League or not – this is what they can learn from Coventry
Coventry head coach Frank Lampard celebrated winning the Championship after the game against Wrexham Getty Images
Wrexham are no strangers to promotion parties. Not after charging from non-League to the Championship inside three years.Even so, as the fireworks soared skyward and Coventry City supporters brandished placards reading ‘We are Back’ to mark their team’s return to the Premier League after a quarter of a century away, the joyful scenes in the spring sunshine did provide pause for thought.Wrexham’s play-off destiny remains just about in their own hands, a 3-1 defeat to the champions partly mitigated by how rivals Hull City had lost 24 hours earlier at Charlton Athletic.With both teams locked together on 70 points and Derby County a solitary point behind in eighth, victory over Middlesbrough at The Racecourse Ground could be enough to clinch sixth place.
Anything less than a three-point return, however, and maybe next season will be, as the celebrating Coventry fans took great delight in pointing out during the closing stages a case of, “We’re going to Arsenal, you’re going to Stoke”.Whatever Wrexham’s fate — and it could be settled by goal difference, the Welsh club currently one goal better off than Hull with a game to go — this has been a fine season with comfortably their highest-ever league standing already secured along with the mantle of being Wales’ top club.But, as Frank Lampard and his players rightly basked in the gratitude of a city whose football club has known tough times since last sitting at the top table of English football, it was hard not to wonder just what scenes potentially lie ahead if Wrexham can, first, clinch sixth place on the final day and then end their play-offs final hoodoo at Wembley.
“It will be a cracking atmosphere next week,” says Phil Parkinson. “It won’t match this because Coventry have clinched the title and they were celebrating promotion. Next week is about, ‘Can we get into the play-offs?’.“But, we’ve had some brilliant days ourselves. It’s all to play for. The lads have been brilliant over 45 games and now we have an opportunity to get over the line.”
Like Wrexham’s own rise under Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, Coventry’s ascent to the Premier League has been impressive.
Jubilant Coventry fans after 25 years outside of the top flightJacob King/PA Images via Getty Images
Mark Robins did brilliantly to lead City to promotion from League Two in 2018 and League One two years later, despite a bleak financial outlook. Then came two heartbreaking losses at Wembley, first in the 2023 Championship play-off final, followed by the FA Cup semi-final 12 months later against Manchester United.By the time Robins left 17 months ago, however, Coventry were languishing in 17th place and needing a spark. Lampard, a serial winner in his playing career, provided just that.Wrexham, of course, were the first team to beat the champions, a 3-2 Halloween triumph that saw Kieffer Moore bag the ‘perfect’ hat-trick.
They were no less impressive in Sunday’s return, even if this time there was to be no reward for their efforts, as goals from Ephron Mason-Clark, Brandon Thomas-Asante, and a swerving free kick by Victor Torp ensured the title party was in full swing at the final whistle.No doubt that the trophy handed over by EFL chairman Rick Parry was well deserved. They have been the Championship’s standout team and fully deserving of the guard of honour provided by Wrexham before kick-off.The Welsh club may yet join Coventry in next season’s Premier League. But, even if that is to be the case, there are lessons to heed from how Lampard’s side have dominated the second tier.
Ollie Rathbone celebrates scoring against CoventrySimon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
The respective metrics for the two teams across 45 Championship games are revealing, especially how integral possession has been to the champions’ success.
Not just on Sunday — when Wrexham were worn down on an afternoon when they saw just 39.3 per cent of the ball — but across the entire season, where Coventry’s average possession stands at 55 per cent, compared with Wrexham’s 48 per cent.
This has allowed City to spend more time in the opposition third of the field, as shown by how 56 per cent of their overall touches have come in this area, compared with 47 per cent for Wrexham.
Seeing so much of the ball also helps partly explain the big disparity in attempted shots across the campaign, Coventry managing an average of 16.3 per game (5.5 on target) compared with 11.1 (3.7 on target) for Parkinson’s side.Of those, 72 per cent of Coventry’s attempts have been from inside the penalty area, the highest in the Championship and well ahead of Wrexham at 67 per cent.
The Welsh side put up a good fight on Sunday, carving out eight shots of their own inside the penalty area to nine by the hosts. Crucially, though, Coventry were more clinical, again mirroring a season-wide trend with Lampard’s side boasting a 35 per cent conversion rate from shots inside the six-yard box, 55 per cent on target.
In contrast, Wrexham’s conversion rate from the same area stands at 26 per cent and 36 per cent accuracy.
Shot conversion overall has been similar, at 14 per cent for City and 13 per cent for Wrexham, underlining how it’s volume and quality that most sets apart the teams sitting first and sixth respectively in the table.
Coventry are also better at fast breaks, averaging an expected goals (xG) of 0.2 per 90 minutes from this route, as opposed to Wrexham at a little over a third of that at 0.07.
An ability to win possession high up the field or win a set piece that subsequently leads to a goal also explains why Coventry are the division’s top scorers with 93, no less than nine goals having come from these high turnovers (2.5 per match). Wrexham, meanwhile, have scored just three from an average of 1.9, again something that will have to improve going forward.
“Congratulations to Coventry,” said the Wrexham manager. “They’ve earned it over the season. But the lads won’t be knocked by this. We went toe-to-toe with a very good team and the third goal was not a fair reflection.
“We had big moments in the game, but didn’t take them. We will next week.”
US Ladies Win Handily 2-1 – face Japan Tues 10 pm in Seattle, Fri 9 pm in Denver
The US ladies returned to form with a solid 2-1 win over Japan Saturday afternoon. Highlights The 2-1 margin could have been more as the US outpossessed Japan 62-38% and outshot Japan with impressive goals from Rose Levelle and Lindsey Horan (Heaps). For the US it is 10 straight wins, and paid them back for the 2-1 loss in the She Believe’s Cup. The two top 5 powerhouses face off again Tuesday in Seattle at 10 pm then Fri at 9 pm from Denver.
U.S. Women’s National Team Roster by Position (Club; Caps/Goals)2026 April Matches vs. Japan GOALKEEPERS (3): Jane Campbell (Houston Dash, 10),Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign FC; 8), Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United, ENG; 6) DEFENDERS (9): Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC; 67/3), Emily Fox (Arsenal FC, ENG; 74/1), Naomi Girma (Chelsea FC, ENG; 52/2), Avery Patterson (Houston Dash; 10/1), Lilly Reale (Gotham FC; 7/0), Emily Sams (Angel City FC: 9/1), Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC; 115/2), Gisele Thompson (Angel City FC; 7/0), Kennedy Wesley (San Diego Wave FC; 4/0) MIDFIELDERS (7): Sam Coffey (Manchester City, ENG; 44/5), Lindsey Heaps (OL Lyonnes, FRA; 173/39), Claire Hutton (Bay FC; 15/1), Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC; 118/27), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns FC; 15/5),Jaedyn Shaw (Gotham FC; 34/10), Lily Yohannes (OL Lyonnes, FRA; 16/1) FORWARDS (7): Michelle Cooper (Kansas City Current; 10/1),Jameese Joseph (Chicago Stars FC; 4/1),Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit; 52/13), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville FC; 17/6), Ally Sentnor (Kansas City Current; 18/7), Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea FC, ENG; 29/4), Sophia Wilson (Portland Thorns FC; 58/24)
Champions League – Quarterfinals 2nd leg Tues/Wed 3 pm Para +
Wow – my Atletico really put a spanking on Barcelona at the Camp Nou 2-0 – setting up a classic battle back in Madrid at the Metropolitano and will test what Atletico do best for their head man in Black Diego Simeone (El Cholo). Liverpool heads home down 2 goals to zero to PSG Tuesday at 3 pm on Paramount+ – with little hope of surpassing the Holders. Wed 3 pm on Para+ gives us the Classic as Bayern Munich returns home up 2-1 vs Real Madrid while Arsenal will try to buck form and hold on to their 1-0 lead over Sporting and their Talisman Jose Mourino. It drives me nuts that European Soccer is Too STUPID to put the top 8 teams in the World on in back to back games – say 1 pm and 3 pm – rather than playing simultaneously. But that’s Champions League so 2 TVs it is tomorrow for a late lunch.
Tues 3 pm Para+ Barcelona 0 vs Atletico Madrid 2 & Liverpool 0 vs PSG 2 Wed 3 pm Para+ Real Madrid 0 vs Bayern Munich 1 & Sporting CP 0 vs Arsenal 1
Indy 11 Wins 3-1 @ Birmingham Legion Sun 5 pm on ESPN+
Indianapolis – Indy Eleven extended its current USL Championship unbeaten streak to four (2-0-2) and its unbeaten run at home to six (5-0-1) dating back to last season with a 3-1 victory over Monterey Bay FC in front of 9,101 fans at Carroll Stadium. Boys in Blue midfielder Jack Blake became the club’s all-time leader in goals with his 28th on a bicycle kick in the 55th minute with the goal that put his team ahead 2-1. Indy Eleven travels to Eastern Conference opponent Birmingham Legion FC on Sunday, April 19 at 5:00 pm ET on ESPN+. The next Boys in Blue home game at Carroll Stadium is “Retro Night” and the opening of Prinx Tires USL Cup play vs. Union Omaha on Sat. Apr. 25 at 7 p.m.
Former Carmel FC 07 players Maverick McCoy & Evan Muckridge now playing College Soccer for Notre Dame & Butler. Maverick will play Fri eve 7:30 pm as Notre Dame faces IU at Grand Park as part of The Boys College Showcase.
What a pleasure it was to get to Ref The ENCL Boys Game Weekend at Grand Park this past Weekend. All the top Refs in the State were there.
The Ole Ballcoach (right) with Chris Smith in the middle and Olusina on the Left (L to R) Todd M with Bailey and myself running the middle at Grand Park ENCL Weekend. The Ole Ballcoach with Todd C running the middle and Efren Ramos
TV Schedule – Games on TV
Tues, Apr 14 3 pm Para+ Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid 3 pm PAra+ PSG vs Liverpool 7 pm CBSSN Louisville City vs Austin US Open Cup 7:30 pm CBS Golazo Detroit City vs Chicago Fire US Open Cup 10pm TNT, HBO US Women vs Japan 9 pm FS2 LAFC vs Cruz Azul CCC 11:30 pm FS2 America vs Nashville SC CCC Wed, Apr 14 3 pm Para+ Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich 3 pm Para+ Sporting CP vs Arsenal 7 pm CBSSN Naples vs Orlando City US Open 9 pm FS2 Toluca vs LA Galaxy CCC 11:30 pm FS2 Seattle Sounders vs Tigres CCC Thurs, Apr 15 Europa League 3 pm Para+ Bologna vs Aston Villa 3 pm PAra+ Porto vs Nottingham Forest 3 pm Para+ Crystal Palace (Richards) vs Fiorentina Fri, Apr 17 2:45 pm Para+ Inter Milan vs Caglairi Fri. Apr. 17, 7:30 pm | IU vs. Notre Dame GRAND PARK 9 pm TNT, HBO US Women vs Japan Sat, Apr 18 7;30 am USA Fulham (Jedi) vs Brentford 10 am USA Newcastle vs Bournemouth (Adams) 9:30 am ESPN2 Dortmund vs Bayer Leverkusen (Tillman) 12:30 pm NBC Tottenham vs Brighton 3 pm ESPN+ Athletico Madrid vs Real Sociedad 4:30 pm Apple Inter Miami vs Colorado Rapids 5 pm ESPN+ Indy 11 @ Birmingham Sat. Apr. 18, 6:00 pm | Saint Louis vs. Xavier GRAND PARK 7:30 pm Apple Atlanta United vs Nashville SC 7:30 pm Apple Cincy vs Chicago 9:30 pm Apple Seattle Sounders vs St Louis City 11 pm CBSSN America vs Toluca Mex Sun, Apr 19 9 am USA Everton vs Liverpool 9 am Para+ Verona vs AC Milan (Pulisic) 9 am Peacock Nothingham Forest vs Burnley (Adams) 11:15 am NBC Man City vs Arsenal 11:30 am ESPN2 Bayern Munich vs Stuttgart 12 noon Real Bettis vs Real Madrid 1:30 pm ESPN+ M’Gladbach (Reyna, Salley) vs Mainz 2:45 pm Para+ Juventus (Mckennie) vs Bologna 7 pm Apple LAFC vs San Jose MLS Sun, May 31 3:30 pm TNT, HBO, Peacock USA Men vs Senegal
Sat, June 6 2:30 pm TNT, HBO, Peacock USA Men vs Germany in Chicago Tix Sat, June 12 WORLD CUP 9 pm Fox, Tele, Peacock USA Men vs Paraguay World Cup Fri, June 19 3 pm Fox, Tele, Peacock USA Men vs Australia World Cup Thur, June 25 10 pm Fox, Tele, Peacock USA Men vs Australia World Cup
Coming home from Practice or Games at Badger Fieldhouse? Try out the Best BarBQ in Town right across the street (131st) from Northview Church on the corner of Hazelldell & 131st. RackZ BBQ
Save 20% on your order
(mention the ole ballcoach)
Check out the BarBQ Ribs, pulled Pork and Chicken, Brisket and more. Sweet, Tangy or Spicy sauce. Mention you heard about it from the Ole Ballcoach — and Ryan will give you 20% off your next meal. https://www.rackzbbqindy.com/Call ahead at 317-688-7290 M-Th 11-8 pm, 11-9 Fri/Sat, 12-8 pm on Sunday. Pick some up after practice – Its good eatin! You won’t be disappointed and tell ’em the Ole Ballcoach Sent You!
Save 20% on these Succulent Ribs at Rackz BarBQ when you mention the Ole Ballcoach – Corner of 131 & Hazelldell. – Call 317-688-7290.
USMNT midweek viewing guide: To Old Trafford we go
Follow along with all the USMNT action this week. by Justin Moran Apr 13, 2026, 8:31 AM EDT
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 05: Brenden Aaronson of Leeds United is fouled by Max Kilman of West Ham United resulting in a penalty kick being awarded following a VAR review during the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between West Ham United and Leeds United at London Stadium on April 05, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)Getty Images
Midweek action is here. All kickoff times are in EST. Let’s get into it!
Monday
Manchester United vs Leeds, 3p on USA, UNIVERSO, Telemundo Deportes: Brenden Aaronson and Leeds United visit Man U in the Premier League.
Also in action:
Tondela vs Gil Vicente, 3:15p: Jordan Pefok and Tondela host Gil Vicente in Liga Portugal.
Tuesday
Atlético Madrid vs Barcelona, 3p on Paramount+, TUDN, DAZN, Univision, ViX: Johnny Cardoso (out injured since March 28) and Atlético hold a 2-0 aggregate lead over Barcelona going into the second leg of this Champions League quarterfinal.
New England Revolution vs Rhode Island FC, 7p on Paramount+: Matt Turner, Peyton Miller, Griffin Yow, and the Revs host USL Championship club Rhode Island in the US Open Cup round of 32.
Westchester SC vs NYCFC, 7:30p on Paramount+: Matt Freese and the Pigeons visit USL League One (third division) club Westchester SC in the US Open Cup.
Club América vs Nashville SC, 11:30p on FS1, TUDN, Fubo, ViX: Alex Zendejas and América are tied 0-0 on aggregate with Matthew Corcoran and Nashville going into the second leg of this Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal.
Also in action:
Detroit City vs Chicago Fire, 7:30p on Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo: Chris Brady and the Fire visit USL Championship club Detroit City FC in the US Open Cup.
Cruz Azul vs LAFC, 9p on FS1, TUDN, Fubo, ViX: Timothy Tillman and LAFC are up 3-0 over Cruz Azul on aggregate. Now they make the trip to Mexico City for the second leg of this Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal.
Colorado Rapids vs Union Omaha, 9:30p on Paramount+: Paxten Aaronson, Zack Steffen, Reggie Cannon (ankle injury), and the Rapids host USL League One (third division) club Union Omaha in the US Open Cup.
Wednesday
Charlotte FC vs Charlotte Independence, 7:30p on Paramount+: Tim Ream, Luca de la Torre, and Charlotte FC have an Open Cup match against the club they supplanted when they joined MLS four years ago. Charlotte Independence were playing in the USL Championship back then, but they’re down in League One now (third-division).
Richmond Kickers vs Columbus Crew, 7:30p on Paramount+: Patrick Schulte, Max Arfsten, and the Crew visit USL League One club Richmond Kickers in the Open Cup.
Seattle Sounders vs Tigres, 11:30p on FS1, TUDN, ViX, Fubo (free trial): Jordan Morris, Cristian Roldan, Jesús Ferreira, and the Sounders are down 0-2 to Tigres UANL going into the second leg of this Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal.
Also in action:
FC Naples vs Orlando, 7p on Paramount+, CBS Sports Network, Fubo: Duncan McGuire and Orlando City visit USL League One club FC Naples in the Open Cup.
NY Red Bulls vs Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Paramount+: Cade Cowell, Ethan Horvath, Julian Hall, and the Red Bulls host reigning USLC champions Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the Open Cup.
LA Galaxy vs Toluca, 9p on FS1, TUDN, Fubo, ViX: Harbor Miller and the Galaxy are down 2-4 to Toluca going into the second leg of this Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal.
San Jose Earthquakes vs Phoenix Rising, 10p: Niko Tsakiris and the Quakes host USL Championship club Phoenix Rising in the US Open Cup.
Thursday
Fiorentina vs Crystal Palace, 3p on Paramount+, ViX: Chris Richards and Palace are up 3-0 over Fiorentina going into the second leg of this Conference League quarterfinal.
Also in action:
Strasbourg vs Mainz, 3p on Paramount+, ViX: Lennard Maloney and Mainz are up 2-0 over Strasbourg going into the second leg of this Conference League quarterfinal.
Friday
St. Pauli vs Köln, 2:30p on ESPN Select, Fubo: James Sands and St. Pauli host Kristoffer Lund and Köln in the Bundesliga.
Lens vs Toulouse, 2:45p: Mark McKenzie picked up a straight red card on Sunday and is suspended, unavailable for this Ligue 1 game.
Blackburn vs Coventry, 3p on Paramount+: Haji Wright and Coventry City visit Blackburn Rovers in the EFL Championship.
Vancouver Whitecaps vs Sporting KC, 10:30p on MLS Season Pass: Sebastian Berhalter, Brian White, and the ’Caps host Kansas City in MLS action.
Also in action:
Slaven vs Hajduk Split, 11:45a on ESPN Select, Fubo: Rokas Pukštas and Hajduk Split visit Slaven Belupo in the HNL (Croatia’s top tier).
Holstein Kiel vs Kaiserslautern, 12:30p on ESPN Select, Fubo: John Tolkin (knee injury) and Holstein Kiel host Kaiserslautern in the 2. Bundesliga.
That’s it! Did I miss anything that matters? Let me know in the comments below. Let’s see who stands out this week!
Man the play at the ENCL Boys Weekend was solid at Grand Park this past weekend
Americans Abroad Weekend Update
🔥 The USMNT No. 9 race is heating up, but otherwise not a ton of performances to highlight.
Folarin Balogun Balogun stayed red-hot, scoring for the sixth straight match — matching a record set by Neymar for consecutive goals scored. Even in defeat, his form is undeniable, and he’s peaking at exactly the right time in the striker race.
Ricardo Pepi Pepi added another goal in PSV’s win, bringing his tally to 11 goals in just over 1,000 minutes — an elite scoring rate. With clubs circling and the World Cup approaching, he’s making a strong case to climb the depth chart despite his apparent lack of standing in Pochettino’s pecking order.
Christian Pulisic Pulisic didn’t score, but was still Milan’s brightest spot in a tough 3-0 loss, earning a 7.5 rating from WhoScored, the highest on the team. Despite his goal drought, his overall play continues to improve even as Milan struggles.
Elsewhere around Europe:
Weston McKennie missed Juventus’ match due to suspension.
US Thoughts after Portugal – left the US with more questions than answers.
Auston Trusty went 90 minutes as Celtic F.C. earned a crucial 1-0 win to keep their Scottish Premiership title hopes alive.
Haji Wright and Coventry inched closer to promotion with a 0-0 draw, now on the verge of the Premier League.
Chris Richards featured in Crystal Palace’s 2-1 win over Newcastle.
Mark McKenzie was sent off in Toulouse’s heavy defeat to Lille.
Malik Tillman saw limited minutes off the bench in Leverkusen’s win over Dortmund.
Tyler Adams made a solid impact off the bench in Bournemouth’s 2-1 upset win over Arsenal.
Tim Weah played 90 minutes in Marseille’s 3-1 victory.
Antonee Robinson battled for an hour before being subbed in Fulham’s loss to Liverpool.
Gio Reyna stayed on the bench while Joe Scally went 90 for Gladbach.
John Tolkin suffered a serious knee injury for Holstein Kiel.
US thoughts after Portugal
Would certainly like to have seen better results against top quality opposition, and hopefully these losses turn into lessons rather than a preview of this summer. Some thoughts on the Portugal game
Our pressure created enough danger/opportunities, but we couldn’t capitalize on their mistakes. Our key players couldn’t make Portugal pay, and ultimately this was the difference on the night. If an early goal goes in for us, the complexion of the game changes.
If we are to upset anyone this summer (and we’ll need to if we want to make any sort of run), our final ball and finishing have to be of the quality we know our top players can deliver. Otherwise we will fall at the first major hurdle (aka a top 10 opponent). Fernandes on the other side showed what a moment of quality can do to change the game.
Pulisic was not at his best and was the main culprit of the first two talking points. We know he has the quality – he needs to find his groove in the last part of this season. Also don’t love him as a false 9, he tends to be better moving forward into space and arriving in the box rather than dropping back. Don’t mind the experiment at this point.
This looked and played more like a conventional 4-2-3-1 and less like the hybrid 3-4-2-1 Pochettino was using last year. The back three and wingbacks has looked better with this personnel.
Hopefully Trusty is not seriously injured. I thought he looked the best of all the CBs in this window. Probably should start next to Richards this summer, since no one else has really taken the chance.
Shocked that Berhalter got the start and lasted 75 mins. Didn’t put in a terrible performance, but he is clearly a level below.
Freese was busier than he has been in a US shirt, and he looked pretty solid. I think he locked down the #1 shirt this summer, barring a run of poor form in MLS.
This group is dying for Gio Reyna’s skillset. Any time he comes on, he brings a level of calm and technical quality we need to knit the attack together. We really need him to find some type of playing time at the club level so he can be the best version of himself. Otherwise, he is on the bubble.
Would like to have seen more of Aaronson.
Terrible set piece goal to give up. It felt like an eternity before the team realized what was happening and then closing it down. Not a new corner routine either.
Overall, I wouldn’t expect us to beat Portugal, as they are a more talented side. But we could have if we capitalized on our pressure. So that’s encouraging. But we need more than “encouraging” at this point – we need results.
I’ve flip-flopped on Pochettino and have liked his methods to get the group more motivated. It didn’t seem to pay off as much in this window. Hopefully he can show us why he’s such a highly regarded coach when the World Cup starts. Ultimately, that’s all that matters.
📺 USWNT vs. Japan, twice Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET and Friday at 9 p.m. on TNT and truTV The U.S. will likely roll out a similar lineup in the second match against Japan tomorrow, with a few minor changes, while the XI on Friday is anyone’s guess. Let’s just hope there’s a little more excitement in the follow-up matches. The good news for tomorrow: More than 35,000 tickets have been sold — putting the game on pace for a local record.
Get to know the USWNT’s keystone midfielder U.S. women’s national team and Bay FC midfielder Claire Hutton is a student of the game. The 20-year-old, who is crucial for both her club and country, has always been that way. Growing up, she would spend hours studying her favorite players like any Gen Zer — on Youtube. Initially, her favorite players were Brazilians, the likes of Marta and Ronaldinho. You’ll want to listen to this interview before game.
USWNT Watch: U.S. good but not great vs. Japan, Round 1
The U.S. women’s national team defeated Japan 2-1 on Saturday. Next up … Japan. The teams face off for the second of three matches this window tomorrow at 10 p.m. ET in Seattle.
Head coach Emma Hayes has plenty of new talent at her disposal to tinker with her lineup, players she’s given first caps to and developed in the last two years. But over the weekend, it was two veterans who steadied the team against a fierce opponent.
Midfielder Rose Lavelle, 30, opened the scoring in the ninth minute of her 100th career start with the U.S.
Lavelle later provided an assist to captain Lindsey Heaps, 31, in the 48th minute.
Sophia Wilson also made her long-awaited return, earning her first start and minutes since 2024 and becoming a mom.
This match was about the small details, things that might not be flashy to the casual viewer. So here’s Tamerra Griffin’s take:
💬 “The USWNT versus Japan isn’t a traditional rivalry, yet something about the first of the three-part series between the first- and fifth-ranked women’s teams in the world carried shades of a derby, as in: The anticipation was so high that it may have dampened the product, which was good but not always quality.
“It’s important — poetic, even — that the U.S. won by the same scoreline by which it lost to Japan at the 2025 SheBelieves Cup, and perhaps even more so that the match included prime-time experience for Gisele Thompson. “Just like at last month’s SheBelieves Cup, the younger Thompson sister delivered, covering acres of space behind when Japan launched its attacking threats and exploiting the space ahead of her, which on one occasion led to the U.S.’s go-ahead goal.” There was one moment Thompson may want to erase from her otherwise strong performance: In the 61st minute, Thompson’s position kept Riko Ueki onside, allowing her to convert Japan’s only goal. Still, Thompson is officially on our World Cup bubble watch list.
Gisele and Alyssa Thompson made their fourth starting lineup together for the U.S., a record for sisters. Ever since Alyssa left the NWSL for Chelsea in England, national team camp has been one of the few times we get updated dancing TikToks from the pair. Anyway, in today’s Full Time:
Emma Hayes hails USWNT’s evolution after 10th straight win
eff KassoufApr 11, 2026, 09:31 PM ET
The United States women’s national team defeated Japan 2-1 on Saturday at Paypal Park in San Jose, California, to win a 10th straight match, and head coach Emma Hayes said the team’s evolution was evident in how it managed late pressure.”I think 12 months ago, we might have drawn this game,” Hayes said in her postgame news conference. “I think the progress is in staying in the game and not conceding a second goal.”Rose Lavelle and Lindsey Heaps gave the United States a 2-0 lead, but Riko Ueki cut the deficit in the second half and nearly scored an equalizer moments later amid defensive lapses for the Americans. Saturday was the first of three meetings in a week between the United States and Japan.
Hayes said she wanted an experienced lineup in the first match against Japan, and it was the USWNT’s two most-capped players who scored. Lavelle also assisted Heaps’ goal.”I think when you play top teams, you need calm heads, and Rose has that in abundance,” Hayes said. “It’s why she’s one of the best players in the world.”Sophia Wilson added further experience with her much anticipated return to the international stage. She started on Saturday and played for 67 minutes in her first international match in 17 months after giving birth to her daughter in September.”I’m proud of her to come into that,” Hayes said. “And it takes a bit of time to find that rhythm and I think she gave it everything she could. One of the things I said to her is she’s gotta build her way back to it, but I’m really pleased with her. It’s a great, great start for her and something for her to build on.”Lavelle opened the scoring nine minutes into the match when she glided through the penalty area to volley a ball that Trinity Rodman sent back across the face of the goal after Sam Coffey hit a free kick to the back post. Lavelle was making her 100th start for the team, the 31st player in program history to reach the feat.
The United States knocked on the door for a second goal as the team broke Japan’s pressure from deep areas.An unmarked Alyssa Thompson missed the frame from a tight angle at the back post in the 21st minute. After a quick combination for the Americans down the right side, Heaps found Wilson in behind, who hit a ball toward the back post and Thompson, who flashed her shot wide.”You have to be really clinical at this level,” Hayes said. “We score off a set piece, boom, one-nil. We need to go two-nil up. [Alyssa’s] chance at the back post, that’s the top level.”The United States jumped on Japan at the start of the second half. Three minutes after halftime, Lavelle played a deft ball to Heaps, who patiently waited to slot her left-footed shot into the net from 12 yards out. The play began with United States full-back Gisele Thompson applying pressure high on the left side to force a turnover in Japan’s defensive zone.The Thompson sisters started together for the fourth time, a program record (they are the third pair of sisters to represent the USWNT). Hayes said Gisele Thompson had a “fantastic performance” on the left side in an attacking full-back role behind her sister, who started up top.”How nice is that, you’ve got your sister playing in front of you? They’re gonna die for each other on the field,” Hayes said.Heaps, the team’s captain, now has 40 international goals. She is the 16th player to reach that mark and the third oldest to reach it behind Megan Rapinoe and Julie Foudy.Heaps’ goal turned out to be the winner after Ueki pulled a goal back in the 61st minute.Ueki nearly had the equalizer nine minutes later when she found herself free in the middle of the box again, but she placed her shot right at United States goalkeeper Claudia Dickey.The United States controlled 61% possession in the match, in stark contrast to their 2-1 loss to Japan last year during the SheBelieves Cup.”Where we’ve come from that last time that we played them in SheBelieves,” Heaps said. “We’ve come a very long way, and that’s credit to this team, credit to the staff, the way that we want to control the game, where we want to control the game and the chances that we want to create.
The U.S. and Japan will play again on Tuesday in Seattle before wrapping the three-game series on Friday outside Denver.Japan had won eight straight matches coming into Saturday’s game, six of which came at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. The Nadeshiko won that tournament last month, but the federation parted ways with head coach Nils Nielsen shortly after the tournament.
Champions League
Bayern Munich vs.Real Madrid : Agg. 2-1 (Wednesday, 3 p.m. ET, Paramount+)
The Bavarian giants have a one-goal lead heading into this second leg in Munich, but all eyes are on Álvaro Arbeloa and Real Madrid. With Jude Bellingham coming off his first start since January on Friday, the England ace will look to land his first UCL goal contribution since December, while Kylian Mbappé will have his eyes on history. The Frenchman has 14 Champions League goals this campaign, and if he wants to break Cristiano Ronaldo’s long-standing record of 17, he’ll need to lace up his shooting boots against a Bayern side that have not conceded more than one goal in a UCL match since November. As for the hosts, with a healthy Harry Kane, their menacing trio of their star forward, Luis Díaz and Michael Olise will look to lock this up early and book their spot in the next round.
Arsenal vs. Sporting : Agg. 1-0(Wednesday, 3 p.m. ET, Paramount+)
With Anne Hathaway in their corner already, one would assume Arsenal are the clear favorites heading into this bout, but with three losses in their last four across all comps, Sporting have a chance to storm the Emirates and steal a result. The Gunners currently have the advantage, courtesy of a stoppage-time winner in leg one from Kai Havertz, but Portugal’s brightest prospect, Geovany Quenda, returned from injury at the weekend, giving Sporting a forward who has shown a knack for scoring in the competition when available. Still, the Gunners have only lost one of their last 12 UEFA matches against Portuguese teams and are unbeaten in their last eight at home to them, while Sporting have won nine of their last 10 two-legged UEFA matches against English opposition. Also, this:
Notre Dame vs Butler – as former Carmel FC Players Maverick McCoy & Evan Muckridge faced off. Notre Dame plays Indiana University Fri at 7:30 pm at Grand Park as part of The Boys College Showcase.
FIFA creates new World Cup ticket category, deepening suspicions of deception
FIFA has created a new category of 2026 World Cup tickets two months before the tournament in an apparent attempt to milk more money out of prime seats.
Throughout the fall and winter, the global soccer governing body sold millions of World Cup tickets in four categories. Category 1, the most expensive tier, seemed to encompass all seats and sections in a stadium’s lower bowl, per color-coded maps embedded in the ticketing portal. Fans paid hundreds or thousands of dollars for these tickets, then awaited seat assignments.Last week, FIFA delivered those assignments. It converted categorized tickets into specific rows and sections — and left many buyers disappointed with seats in corners, behind goals or farther away from the field.Then, a week later, FIFA began selling seats in the first several rows of lower-level sections for higher prices — in some cases triple the price of a standard Category 1 ticket.
Frustrated fans, in interviews with and messages to The Athletic last week, suspected that FIFA had given them lesser seats so that it could sell the better ones at elevated prices. But at the time, they had no firm evidence.The new category essentially confirms their suspicions.“This is just another example of how deceptive the original maps were,” one fan, Ben Kurzman, wrote in a Wednesday email. “[FIFA] let people believe that by buying Category 1 seats, they might end up in a lower sideline section close to the field, when that was never going to happen.”The new “Front Category 1” had not been previously advertised or mentioned. From an initial “presale” phase in October through last week, the normal “Category 1” had been sold as the top tier of ticket, with prices now ranging from $10,990 for the World Cup final to $450 for some group-stage games. The maps shown to buyers suggested that these tickets could yield seats anywhere in any 100-level section or, at most stadiums, in mid-level sections with good views.
Separately, though, FIFA has been selling hospitality packages at even higher prices. And its hospitality “seating example” illustrations suggest that many of the lower-level sideline sections supposedly within Category 1 are actually being reserved for hospitality buyers.
Over the past week, as fans realized that hardly any Category 1 ticket holders had been placed in those coveted sideline sections, many fumed.“A lot of people feel misled, or confused, or maybe just generally let down about the way seats were assigned,” Jordan Likover, one of the aggrieved fans, told The Athletic.Top League Content
Then, on Wednesday, as The Athletic publicized the saga and outrage spread, FIFA went a step further.It released new batches of tickets and, for dozens of games, it listed these new “Front Category 1” and/or “Front Category 2” seats in the first several rows of certain sections.For Algeria vs. Austria at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., for example, dozens of seats in the second row at the four corners of the stadium were priced at $900 apiece — twice as much as a standard Category 1 ticket that, if bought this winter, seemingly should have been eligible for placement in those exact same rows and sections.
Listings were similar for other matches. For Canada’s opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 12, a “Front Category 1” seat — in row 5 of a sideline section near the corner of Toronto’s BMO Field — cost $3,360, up from $2,240 for a regular Category 1 ticket.
For U.S. vs. Paraguay at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles that same day, a “Front Category 1” seat in Row 7 of a corner section is $4,105 — up from the standard Category 1 price that has already turned off many avid fans, $2,730.
For more than a dozen games, the “Front Category 1” price was exactly double the standard Category 1 price.
For Uruguay vs. Saudi Arabia in Miami, that meant an increase from $600 to $1,200 for a low seat behind one of the goals.
For Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia in Houston, Uzbekistan vs. the Democratic Republic of Congo in Atlanta, and other less-glamorous matchups, the “Front” price was $900, up from $450.
For other matches, the mark-up was even greater. For the likes of Australia vs. Turkey, Germany vs. Curaçao, Iraq vs. Norway, Belgium vs. Iran, South Korea vs. Czechia and Switzerland vs. Canada, a “Front Category 1” seat was listed Friday at 2.5 times the normal Category 1 price.
And for some headliners, FIFA had raised the price threefold.
For Argentina’s group-stage matches against Algeria and Austria, the “Front” price was $2,295 and $2,325, respectively, up from $765 and $775.
For the U.S. matches against Australia (in Seattle, pictured below) and Turkey (near Los Angeles), “front” seats were $2,325 and $2,970, respectively, up from less than $1,000.
Uruguay vs. Spain in Guadalajara; Scotland vs. Morocco in Foxborough, Mass.; Brazil vs. Haiti in Philadelphia; and other matches also had “Front” seats listed for triple the Category 1 price — in some cases over $2,000.
“Front Category 2” seats, at the front of less desirable sections, were also being offered at smaller mark-ups.
The Athletic asked FIFA on Wednesday why these “front” seats weren’t simply allocated to fans who’d applied for Category 1 or 2 tickets in the “Random Selection Draw” this winter — when FIFA supposedly received more than 500 million ticket requests. As of Friday afternoon, FIFA had not responded.
It also has not said why the new category was created, nor why it was appropriate to previously advertise Category 1 as if it gave buyers a chance at any seat in any coveted section.
In an emailed statement Tuesday in response to another set of questions last week, a FIFA spokesperson said that the “indicative category maps” were “to help fans understand where their seats could be located within a stadium. These maps were designed to provide guidance rather than the exact seat layout, and reflect the general extent of each ticket category within the stadium.”
FIFA has not said how many of these “front” seats it plans to sell, nor how many tickets generally are still available for the 2026 World Cup. It seems to be releasing new batches unannounced on a rolling basis.
Fans, in interviews late last week, blasted the governing body for its opacity and for other aspects of the ticketing process.
Advertisement“FIFA doesn’t have any goodwill with fans,” said Andrew Swart, a New York-based fan who said his Category 1 ticket — purchased for $862.50 on FIFA’s resale site — had yielded him a seat in a section once earmarked for Category 2. “Our default assumption is that they’re doing something to be either underhanded or maximize profit.”IFA has consistently defended its pricing and approach as a reflection of North American norms and “extraordinary” demand, and noted that, as a non-profit, it reinvests much of the World Cup’s revenue in the development of soccer globally.
DISCOUNT SMALL ENGINE & BIG ENGINE REPAIRS IN CARMEL
Need your Riding Mower, Push Mower or any small engine or Car Engine Work Done by Carmel High Junior Mechanical Wizard for a bargain basement Price? Email my buddy Marc Sultanov at marc.sultanov@gmail.com
Looking to Get a Professional Company Headshot? Check out https://capturely.com/ Tell Rob The Ole Ballcoach sent you and he’ll give you a deal.
DISCOUNT SMALL ENGINE & BIG ENGINE REPAIRS IN CARMEL
Need your Riding Mower, Push Mower or any small engine or Car Engine Work Done by Carmel High Junior Mechanical Wizard for a bargain basement Price? Email my buddy Marc Sultanov at marc.sultanov@gmail.com
USWNT 2, Japan 1: Rose Lavelle scores in 100th start, Sophia Wilson returns
Rose Lavelle scored the opening goal of Saturday’s win over Japan, which was her 100th career start for the U.S. Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images
The U.S. women’s national team passed its first test against Japan in San Jose, Calif. on Saturday, topping the 2026 Asian Cup champions in a 2-1 victory for the first of three matches between the longtime rivals.Midfielder Rose Lavelle opened the scoring in the ninth minute, finding the ball off a cheeky volley from forward Trinity Rodman in the goalie’s box. Scoring in her 100th career start for the U.S., Lavelle only needed one touch to finesse the ball as it fell before her. The 30-year-old carried this momentum into the second half, contributing to the U.S.’s second goal when she found captain Lindsey Heaps wide open in the center of the box in the 48th minute.Japan responded in the second half with a goal from Riko Ueki in the 61st minute, taking advantage of a flat-footed U.S. backline. Ueki nearly equalized in the 79th minute, but was unable to get around goalkeeper Clauda Dickey, who had a standout performance.What You Should Read NextUSWNT’s next test: Japan, champions of Asia, with a roster of international stars in the makingU.S. head coach Emma Hayes said Japan is “without question” a favorite for the 2027 Women’s World Cup“Anytime you can play a team of this caliber, it’s going to be a great learning experience,” Lavelle, who played a full 90 minutes, said after the match. “I can’t say it enough, like, they are such a good team, so to be able to have the opportunity to play them 3 times in one window, I think we can take it and it’s really going to help.”The match was a promising start for the Americans, whose last match against Japan ended in heartbreak during the 2025 SheBelieves Cup. During that match last year, it was Japan who started each half with two quick goals in the fifth and 50th minutes, with that momentum helping them lift their first-ever SheBelieves Cup title. The U.S. spent the last year regrouping.The night was a promising start for the U.S. women’s national team, who will face Japan two more times over the coming days. The Athletic analyzes the key takeaways from Saturday’s match …
Forward Sophia Wilson controls the ball during the international friendly match against Japan in her return to the USWNT.Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images
Sophia Wilson’s long-awaited return
After a promising return to the Portland Thorns in NWSL, Wilson has returned with the USWNT.
The 25-year-old started for the U.S. for the first time since giving birth to her daughter in early September. It was her first game for the team in 17 months. She played 67 minutes and earned her first start since the gold medal match at the 2024 Paris Games.
The new mom was all smiles as she walked onto the pitch alongside teammates Rodman and Naomi Girma. Wilson started alongside Lavelle as the two lone forwards in the U.S.’s attack against Japan. Her high pressure in the attack created opportunities for the U.S., as she slowly builds her minutes in camp.
Advertisement
“Any time you can get a result (like this) against a team like Japan, we’ll take it. I think we put out a solid performance. There were definitely moments within the game that we maybe dipped a little bit, but that’s something that we’ll work on,” Wilson said. “We’ll go back and look through everything and make sure that the next game we fix those things, and I’m sure the next game, more things will come up, but that’s just the sport, and we just continue to grow.”
Saturday’s match was the first time that two-thirds of the ‘Triple Espresso’ trio were on the same pitch playing for the same side since the Olympics. As Wilson exited the pitch, replaced by Ally Sentnor, the broadcast panned to her daughter, Gigi, in one of the stadium boxes, watching her mother return to the pitch.
“It was good for me to get this game out of the way, the first game back with the national team, and now my feet are wet,” Wilson said. “I feel confident going into the next few games.” — Melanie Anzidei
USWNT center back Kennedy Wesley and full back Giselle Thompson battle to stop Japan’s offense.Nic Coury / Getty Images
Last-minute change to evolving center back pairing
Ever since Tierna Davidson’s anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury last year, there’s been an open-ended question about which center back would replace her to slot in alongside Girma — and a revolving door of auditions to find out. For the majority of 2025, the answer appeared to be Emily Sonnet, whether Girma was on the pitch; her appearances on the national team were sporadic due to injury. But in the build-up to Saturday’s match, Sonnet sustained an injury during training that forced Hayes to make a last-minute decision about her starting XI. Hayes said Davidson’s return to the team was a little further back from full fitness.
Kennedy Wesley, who plays for the San Diego Wave, earned her fifth international cap when she lined up beside Girma. The two were flanked by Gisele Thompson and Emily Fox with Seattle Reign goalkeeper Claudia Dickey behind them. The backline’s mandate to play out of the back was clear in the first half and was largely successful apart from a few nervy moments. But Wesley’s aerial dominance and physicality with her press allowed Girma to keep the group organized. The security provided by the two Stanford alumni in the middle also freed Fox and Thompson to exploit the flanks and involve themselves in the attack.
Dickey recorded three key saves in the first half and one in the second, including a close-range shot from a corner kick. Her performance tightened the competition between her and Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce for the U.S. No. 1 role. — Tamerra Griffin
Advertisement
Japan midfielder Remina Chiba runs by U.S. forward Trinity Rodman and midfielder Rose Lavelle.Nic Coury / Getty Images
What’s next?
This was just the first of three matches the U.S. will play against Japan. The back-to-back-to-back fixtures offer head coach Emma Hayes a unique opportunity to test her players in real time against one of the most technical opponents in the world — an opponent who Hayes described as a contender to win next summer’s World Cup and one she is a “secret fan of.”
“I think 12 months ago, we might have drawn this game. The progress is in staying in the game and not conceding a second goal,” Hayes said after the match. “They created chances. It was a pretty even game with regards to that.
“It’s given me some things that I’ll sit on the plane now and watch to sort of add for our next level. But it’s the test we want, and I’m so happy to have it, because they’re an unbelievable team.”
Hayes has told reporters that her plans for this camp were to field two different teams for the first two matches against Japan. This roster may feature an entirely different look — with regulars like Davidson and Sonnett potentially back in the mix, as well as players like Gotham FC’s Jaedyn Shaw or 2025 NWSL Rookie of the Year Lilly Reale.
“I want to see a different side to us in the second game, with a less experienced group, and see the progress that we have made in the last 12 months,” Hayes said. “Knowing it’s not going to be the first time they’ve faced Japan, but I want to see the progress since the last time.”
Whatever Hayes does for their next fixture on Tuesday in Seattle will offer a rare glimpse into the head coach’s thinking for what this player pool has to offer, especially as more experienced players return to the fold with younger players who have risen through the USWNT ranks over the last year. “We have to prepare ourselves for qualifying,” Hayes said. “We don’t have a lot of windows left, so we need to get some of these players playing back together again. It’s important.”
As for the third match, Hayes has left that open. She suggested that her choices on Friday could be an assessment of how these first two games go, or they could be designed around player availability and managed minutes as some key figures continue to build up their minutes with the national team. — Anzidei
Before the U.S. women’s national team’s first of three games against Japan on Saturday, head coach Emma Hayes played “Back Together Again” by Roberta Flack featuring Donny Hathaway for Alyssa and Gisele Thompson.It was an ode to the sisters’ reunion. Ever since the elder Alyssa split from their hometown team, Angel City FC in Los Angeles, to sign with Chelsea last year, the Thompsons, separated by 13 months, now only compete together when they’re in national team camp.In the chorus of the duet is the line: “‘Cause you, you and I back together again // got the world in a spin.”The USWNT claimed the first match of the three-part series with a 2-1 win at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif. Neither the Thompson sisters nor the U.S. put Japan in a spin, per se. The champions of Asia demanded a full 90-minute performance from their opponents and came close to equalizing late in the game.But at just 20 years old, with eight caps on the national team, Gisele is steadily proving herself worthy of a spot on the 2027 World Cup roster and a chance to be back together again with her sister on football’s biggest stage.
Sisters Gisele Thompson and Alyssa Thompson hold the record for most starts by sisters on the USWNT.Brad Smith / Getty Images
“I mean, how nice is that?” Hayes said. “You’ve got your sister playing in front of you, and they’re going to die for each other on the field.”
For this week’s “Three Words” …
Younger Thompson rising
Gisele earned her first call-up to senior national team camp in November 2024, but her first cap didn’t come until February 2025 at the SheBelieves Cup. As tempting as the storyline has always been to thrust the Thompson sisters into the spotlight as the faces and futures of the USWNT, once Hayes took charge, she set all players on developmental paths that haven’t always aligned with marketable narratives.
Gisele, now 20, wove in and out of senior camps last year, at times spending the international window with the under-23 squad. Even so, Hayes has been keen to bring her into the USWNT. When center-back Tierna Davidson sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in March 2025, Gisele was plucked from the younger team.
“Giselle knows that my goal with her is that I need her to be more durable,” Hayes said after the USWNT’s 1-0 victory over Canada in March. “So I told her, ‘You’re playing 90 minutes. Don’t look at me. You’re not coming off.’”
Japan is an even bigger test.
Advertisement
The U.S. relies on its full backs to have the pace and discernment to propel themselves into the attack without sacrificing their defensive responsibilities. Adding to the challenge of playing Japan was the fact that U.S. center-back Emily Sonnett was pulled from the lineup at the last minute due to an injury from the previous day’s training. Considering Hayes’ plan to utilize two primary rosters across the three fixtures — let’s call them Team A (which will play twice) and Team B — it’s telling that Gisele earned the start on Saturday in a lineup that looked mostly like Team A.
If you look at the Japan match as a continuation of Gisele’s growth from the SheBelieves Cup, her performance was a natural and positive progression. She has figured out how to account for her slight physical size when matching up against opponents, becoming an expert in spatial awareness. Captain Lindsey Heaps had the game-winning goal and Rose Lavelle the assist, but the counterattack that generated the play came from Gisele’s high press that forced a turnover for her sister Alyssa to pick up.
Gisele Thompson and Alyssa Thompson maintain a close bond despite the latter’s move to England to play for Chelsea.Brad Smith / Getty Images
That’s the other factor. The Thompson sisters’ intuitive understanding of each other on the pitch can’t be taught.
At best, it can be manufactured from years of repetition, but with just four starts together (the most of any sister duo in the U.S. program’s history), Gisele and Alyssa already match and elevate each other’s shine. It’s only a matter of time before they are consistently putting the world in a spin like Flack and Hathaway sang about.
But Gisele’s game isn’t without its flaws.
“I think she’s got to develop a couple of things defensively,” Hayes said. “Like second half, she stepped out in situations where she’s got to stay in the back line, otherwise it’s a lot of running for Kennedy (Wesley), which it was.”
Advertisement
There was also an error (apparently due to a lapse in concentration) in the 61st minute when Gisele’s positioning during a Japanese counterattack kept striker (and Asian Cup Golden Boot winner) Riko Ueki onside as she dinked a header past U.S. goalkeeper Claudia Dickey, sullying their clean sheet.
“From a defensive perspective at the highest level, these are details that are going to really, really matter,” Hayes said. “I say that because I know she is not only capable of it, but she has to learn these things because when you play an opponent like Japan, if you watch the goal back, not getting pressure on the service is what’s required at the highest level.”
Japan midfielder Manaka Matsukubo shoots, challenged by US defenders Gisele Thompson and Kennedy Wesley.Nic Coury / Getty Images
With two matches against Japan remaining, the competition for a starting left full-back spot has taken on a new complexion. Defenders Avery Patterson and Lilly Reale have been in and out of recent national team camps due to illness and injury, respectively. They will likely get minutes in this window, and Emily Fox’s starting status at right back is essentially secured. Hayes’ assessment on the opposite side has become even tougher, courtesy of Gisele.
Of the three, Patterson has the most comprehensive attacking qualities as a full back. Reale’s delivery into the box is exceptional. And Gisele, for all of her own skills, also knows exactly how to unlock Alyssa, an edge that no other defender — or player — could come close to. The Thompson sisters have lost just once in the four matches they’ve started together: a 2-1 friendly against Brazil that also took place at PayPal Park last April.
Singers Flack and Hathaway are not siblings, but they were both Howard University students when they met on the historically black college campus in the late 1960s. They became creative co-conspirators and have featured on several of each other’s projects, as well as an eponymous collaboration in 1972.
One of the tracks on that album is a cover of Carole King’s “You’ve Got a Friend.” Hayes didn’t play that one for the Thompson sisters, but it could also hint at the potential for their partnership on the USWNT.
“You just call out my name // And you know wherever I am // I’ll come running, running, running // To see you again.”
Before the U.S. women’s national team’s first of three games against Japan on Saturday, head coach Emma Hayes played “Back Together Again” by Roberta Flack featuring Donny Hathaway for Alyssa and Gisele Thompson.
It was an ode to the sisters’ reunion. Ever since the elder Alyssa split from their hometown team, Angel City FC in Los Angeles, to sign with Chelsea last year, the Thompsons, separated by 13 months, now only compete together when they’re in national team camp.
AdvertisementIn the chorus of the duet is the line: “‘Cause you, you and I back together again // got the world in a spin.”
But at just 20 years old, with eight caps on the national team, Gisele is steadily proving herself worthy of a spot on the 2027 World Cup roster and a chance to be back together again with her sister on football’s biggest stage.
Sisters Gisele Thompson and Alyssa Thompson hold the record for most starts by sisters on the USWNT.Brad Smith / Getty Images
“I mean, how nice is that?” Hayes said. “You’ve got your sister playing in front of you, and they’re going to die for each other on the field.”
For this week’s “Three Words” …
Younger Thompson rising
Gisele earned her first call-up to senior national team camp in November 2024, but her first cap didn’t come until February 2025 at the SheBelieves Cup. As tempting as the storyline has always been to thrust the Thompson sisters into the spotlight as the faces and futures of the USWNT, once Hayes took charge, she set all players on developmental paths that haven’t always aligned with marketable narratives.
Gisele, now 20, wove in and out of senior camps last year, at times spending the international window with the under-23 squad. Even so, Hayes has been keen to bring her into the USWNT. When center-back Tierna Davidson sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in March 2025, Gisele was plucked from the younger team.
“Giselle knows that my goal with her is that I need her to be more durable,” Hayes said after the USWNT’s 1-0 victory over Canada in March. “So I told her, ‘You’re playing 90 minutes. Don’t look at me. You’re not coming off.’”apan is an even bigger test.
The U.S. relies on its full backs to have the pace and discernment to propel themselves into the attack without sacrificing their defensive responsibilities. Adding to the challenge of playing Japan was the fact that U.S. center-back Emily Sonnett was pulled from the lineup at the last minute due to an injury from the previous day’s training. Considering Hayes’ plan to utilize two primary rosters across the three fixtures — let’s call them Team A (which will play twice) and Team B — it’s telling that Gisele earned the start on Saturday in a lineup that looked mostly like Team A.
If you look at the Japan match as a continuation of Gisele’s growth from the SheBelieves Cup, her performance was a natural and positive progression. She has figured out how to account for her slight physical size when matching up against opponents, becoming an expert in spatial awareness. Captain Lindsey Heaps had the game-winning goal and Rose Lavelle the assist, but the counterattack that generated the play came from Gisele’s high press that forced a turnover for her sister Alyssa to pick up.
Gisele Thompson and Alyssa Thompson maintain a close bond despite the latter’s move to England to play for Chelsea.Brad Smith / Getty Images
That’s the other factor. The Thompson sisters’ intuitive understanding of each other on the pitch can’t be taught.
At best, it can be manufactured from years of repetition, but with just four starts together (the most of any sister duo in the U.S. program’s history), Gisele and Alyssa already match and elevate each other’s shine. It’s only a matter of time before they are consistently putting the world in a spin like Flack and Hathaway sang about.
But Gisele’s game isn’t without its flaws.
“I think she’s got to develop a couple of things defensively,” Hayes said. “Like second half, she stepped out in situations where she’s got to stay in the back line, otherwise it’s a lot of running for Kennedy (Wesley), which it was.”
There was also an error (apparently due to a lapse in concentration) in the 61st minute when Gisele’s positioning during a Japanese counterattack kept striker (and Asian Cup Golden Boot winner) Riko Ueki onside as she dinked a header past U.S. goalkeeper Claudia Dickey, sullying their clean sheet.
“From a defensive perspective at the highest level, these are details that are going to really, really matter,” Hayes said. “I say that because I know she is not only capable of it, but she has to learn these things because when you play an opponent like Japan, if you watch the goal back, not getting pressure on the service is what’s required at the highest level.”
Japan midfielder Manaka Matsukubo shoots, challenged by US defenders Gisele Thompson and Kennedy Wesley.Nic Coury / Getty Images
With two matches against Japan remaining, the competition for a starting left full-back spot has taken on a new complexion. Defenders Avery Patterson and Lilly Reale have been in and out of recent national team camps due to illness and injury, respectively. They will likely get minutes in this window, and Emily Fox’s starting status at right back is essentially secured. Hayes’ assessment on the opposite side has become even tougher, courtesy of Gisele.
Of the three, Patterson has the most comprehensive attacking qualities as a full back. Reale’s delivery into the box is exceptional. And Gisele, for all of her own skills, also knows exactly how to unlock Alyssa, an edge that no other defender — or player — could come close to. The Thompson sisters have lost just once in the four matches they’ve started together: a 2-1 friendly against Brazil that also took place at PayPal Park last April.
Singers Flack and Hathaway are not siblings, but they were both Howard University students when they met on the historically black college campus in the late 1960s. They became creative co-conspirators and have featured on several of each other’s projects, as well as an eponymous collaboration in 1972.
One of the tracks on that album is a cover of Carole King’s “You’ve Got a Friend.” Hayes didn’t play that one for the Thompson sisters, but it could also hint at the potential for their partnership on the USWNT.
“You just call out my name // And you know wherever I am // I’ll come running, running, running // To see you again.”
Ok I am going to be honest I did not see this coming. Yes I predicted a loss — 2-1 but 5-1. I can’t remember the last time the US conceded 5 goals in a game. Five goals? For those questioning my questioning of this defense – there it is. Lets start with the back 4 – not a bad idea to start with line-up against a superior team like Belgium – but Timmy Weah was way out of his league vs Doku – one of the best wingers in the world. I also thought Mark Mckensie was turned a # of times and did not have the best game as 3 of the goal attacks came down the left hand side. Tim Ream continued to show he is TOO OLD to play in the middle against Top 10 competition. Listen I love Tim Ream – have his Fulham jersey in my closet – but at 40 his foot speed is simply too far behind to play good teams. I would say he was involved on 3 of the goals – places where a good centerback makes the play. The lone bright spot was Jedi Robinson in an attacking role though his D could have been better. I know Chris Richards and Tim Robinson were hurt – but this might have showed we are a 3-5-2 team now. We needed 5 on defense vs Belgium and whatever that was needs to end.
Turning to Goalkeeper – unlike most – I was actually ok with the change – I thought Matt Turner might still sneak into the starting slot for the World Cup – ah that’s over now. Sad part is he made some fantastic saves on the day – hell it could have /should have been 8-1 if Turner doesn’t make some saves – but to give up 5 to anyone much less Belgium without Lukaku is a sign you are not the guy. Lets see if Matt Freese can handle the pressure that Portugal is sure to bring tonight.
Offensively we had our moments – Pulisic was still clearly not quite on – his 2 goal chances- blown completely. Balogun had little service but I don’t think I heard his name called once. Pepi and Agyemang coming on late and stealing one goal was impressive and might get Pepi an earlier call to come in during the World Cup. I am still not sure how Poch is going to get his 3 or 4 best mids on the field. I did not work to have Tillman behind the front 2 of Bola & Pulisic – unfortunately – I would like to see Reyna get a start vs Portugal in that spot to see if works. Also what to do with McKennie – he has to be on the field – he scored our goal on the Cornerkick, he probably was the best field player besides Antonee Robinson. The dmid line-up of Cardoso & Tessman actually held their own in the first half of a 1-1 game. Cardoso showed he deserves a spot on the bus for the WC. I thought Tessman had some moments – especially in the 1st half – but when Cristian Roldan came on in the 2nd for Cardoso – the duo was exposed during the 4 goal blasting. Late subs by Berhalter merely showed his MLS self is not ready for this level of play.
So now what? We HAVE to have a good showing vs Portugal, who is without Ronaldo but still tied Mexico 0-0 on Saturday. The Great New is it appears our best Centerback – the only one starting in the EPL Chris Richards is back in the mix for tonight, I would guess he will start with Trusty who is a left sided Centerback for Celtic. Will be interesting to see if he puts Trusty in the middle and Ream on the left (I hope not) or does he go Joe Scally on the right with Richards in the middle. (my preference). I would also love to see Alex Freeman get a run at right outside back. Of course Freese is back in goal. In the middle trying to replace Adams (who we desperately miss) and the injured Cardoso – I would go with Aidan Morris. The biggest thing is the US Team must show some grit some passion – we just got blasted 5-1 at home with 65K Atlanta – a place we might play in the World Cup – we must show better vs Portugal. With Richards back IF he doesn’t play Tim Ream I think we tie this game 1-1. If he starts Ream – its 3-1 Portugal.
WORLD CUP QUALIFYING the Last 6 Teams Will Be Decided Tuesday
So its put up or shut up time for 6 teams to make the World Cup – my Italy again has their backs to the Wall and must win in a hostile stadium vs an old Bosnia team at 2:45 pm on FS1. Of most interest for the US is Kosovo basically hosting Turkey with the winner advancing to the US group as the 3rd game vs the US. Turkey looked good – and 86th ranked Kosovo needed penalties to advance but look out on this one. The US REALLY NEEDS KOSOVO to Win. Live on FS2
Indy 11 Plays Tonite 7 pm and Sat 7 pm vs Pittsburgh
Indy Eleven came back from a halftime deficit with two second-half goals to earn a 2-2 draw at USL Championship Eastern Conference opponent Hartford Athletic. Indy Eleven has two home games at Carroll Stadium this week–Tue. Mar. 31 for a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Second Round match vs. Union Omaha at 7 p.m., and Sat. Apr. 4 against the defending USL champion Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. Ticket options available include Family Four-Packs, pro-rated Season Tickets, and Flex Mini-Plans. The Family Four-Pack is available for all 2026 home games and it can be purchased online only. Priced at just $49, the Family Four-Pack includes four tickets, FREE parking, $20 in Concession Vouchers, and a 20% Merchandise Discount, along with access to the Fun Zone/Kids Activation Area.
Congrats to the 2010 Carmel FC Boys for winning the River City Classic in Cincy for a 2nd time in 3 years
Huge congrats to Coach Mark Stumpf (right) battling thru the pain this weekend. The boys were great! Yes that’s me the ole ballcoach on the left.
TV Schedule – Games on TV
Tues, Mar 31 2:30 pm FS1 Italy vs Bosnia WC Qualifier 2:30 pm FS2 Kosovo vs Turkiye WC Qualifier 2:45 pm Fubu Sweden vs Poland WC Qualifier 2:45 pm Fubu Czechia vs Denmark WC Qualifier 7 pm TNT, HBO, Peacock USA Men vs Portugal 7 pm Para+ Indy 11 vs Union Omaha US Open Cup 9 pm FS1. Peacock Congo DR vs Jamaica WCQ 1 11 pm FS1, Peacock Iraq vs Bolivia WCQ2 Weds, Apr 1 7:30 pm CBS Galazo Michigan Bucks vs Detroit City US open Cup 8 pm CBS Sports Net Colorado Springs vs Spokane Wash US Open Cup Thur, Apr 2 12:45 pm CBSSN Barcelona vs Real Madrid – Women’s UCL 3 pm CBSSN OL Lyon vs Wolfsburg – Women’s UCL Fri, Apr 2 10 am Para+ West Brom vs Wrexham 3 pm PAra+ Coventry City vs Derby County (Agyemang) 8 pm Amazon Prime Orlando Pride vs Angel City NWSL Sat, Apr 4 7:30 am ESPN Man City vs Liverpool FA Cup 9:30 am ESPN+ Freiburg vs Bayern Munich 9:30 am ESPN+ Wolfsburg vs Bayern Leverkusen (Tilman) 12:!5 pm ESPN+ Chelsea vs Port Vale FA Cup 3 pm ESPN+ Southampton vs Arsenal FA Cup 3 pm ESPN+, ESPND Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona 4 pm CBS KC Current vs NY/NJ Gotham NWSL 6:30 pm Tubi TV NC Courage vs Portland Thorns NWSL 7 pm TV 8? Indy 11 vs 7 pm Uni Monterrey vs Athletico Liga MX 7:30 pm Apple Free Atlanta United vs Columbus Crew 7:30 pm Apple free Miami vs Austin 7:30 pm Apple Free NY Red Bulls vs Cincy 8:30 pm Apple free Houston vs Seattle Sounders 8:30 pm Apple free Chicago Fire vs Nashville 8:45 pm Tubi TV Seattle Reign vs Denver Summit NWSL 9:30 pm Apple Free LAFC vs Orlando 10:30 pm Apple Free LA Galaxy vs Minn Sun Apr 5 9:30 am ESPN+ Union Berlin vs St Pauli 10:30 am ESPN+ Valencia vs Celta Vigo 11:30 am ESPN 2 West Ham vs Leeds United (Aaronson) FA CUP 2:45 pm Para+ Inter Milan vs Roma Italy 2:45 pm beIN Sport Monaco (Balogun) vs Marseille (Weah) 5 pm ESPN2 Bay FC vs Washington Spirit (Rodman) NWSL
Sat, Apr 11 7 pm TNT, HBO US Women vs Japan Tues, Apr 12 7 pm TNT, HBO US Women vs Japan Sun, May 31 3:30 pm TNT, HBO, Peacock USA Men vs Senegal Fri. Apr. 17, 7:30 pm | IU vs. Notre Dame GRAND PARK Sat. Apr. 18, 6:00 pm | Saint Louis vs. Xavier GRAND PARK Sat, June 6 2:30 pm TNT, HBO, Peacock USA Men vs Germany in Chicago Sat, June 12 WORLD CUP 9 pm Fox, Tele, Peacock USA Men vs Paraguay World Cup Complete 2026 World Cup schedule featuring match dates and start times NWSL Schedule
US Players on Duty — Friday
PSG vs Toulouse, 2:45p on beIN Sports, Fubo (free trial): Mark McKenzie and Toulouse have a big task on their hands defending PSG in this Ligue 1 match.
Coventry vs Derby, 3p on Paramount+: Haji Wright and Coventry City host Patrick Agyemang and Derby County in the EFL Championship.
Also in action:
Middlesbrough vs Millwall, 7:30a on Paramount+: Aidan Morris and Boro host Millwall in the EFL Championship.
Charlton vs Bristol City, 10a: Charlie Kelman and Charlton Athletic host Bristol City in the EFL Championship.
West Brom vs Wrexham, 10a on Paramount+: George Campbell, Daryl Dike, and West Brom host Wrexham in the EFL Championship.
Vitória Guimarães vs Tondela, 1p: Jordan Pefok and Tondela visit Vitória de Guimarães in Liga Portugal.
===RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ===
Coming home from Practice or Games at Badger Fieldhouse? Try out the Best BarBQ in Town right across the street (131st) from Northview Church on the corner of Hazelldell & 131st. RackZ BBQ
Save 20% on your order
(mention the ole ballcoach)
Check out the BarBQ Ribs, pulled Pork and Chicken, Brisket and more. Sweet, Tangy or Spicy sauce. Mention you heard about it from the Ole Ballcoach — and Ryan will give you 20% off your next meal. https://www.rackzbbqindy.com/Call ahead at 317-688-7290 M-Th 11-8 pm, 11-9 Fri/Sat, 12-8 pm on Sunday. Pick some up after practice – Its good eatin! You won’t be disappointed and tell ’em the Ole Ballcoach Sent You!
Save 20% on these Succulent Ribs at Rackz BarBQ when you mention the Ole Ballcoach – Corner of 131 & Hazelldell. – Call 317-688-7290.
Huge congrats to my Ref Buddy (L doing his first D1 – College Game last Week !!
2026 World Cup playoffs: Who will claim the final six spots?
Mark OgdenMar 31, 2026, 03:21 AM ET
The 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup kicks off on June 11 when co-hosts Mexico play South Africa in Mexico City, but six qualification places are still up for grabs in the European and intercontinental playoffs.
The final qualified teams will be confirmed Tuesday with four European nations and the winners of the two intercontinental playoff finals sealing their spot in the Canada, Mexico and the United America this summer.
Kosovo will host Türkiye attempting to reach their first World Cup, and four-time world champions Italy must win at Bosnia and Herzegovina to avoid missing out on the finals for the third successive tournament.
Iraq (1986), Congo DR (as Zaire in 1974), Bolivia (1994) and Türkiye (2002) are all looking to end lengthy absences from the World Cup, but who will be victorious in the six qualification finals?
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Italy (Zenica, Bosnia):Edin Dzeko‘s 86th-minute goal against Wales in Cardiff was the lifeline Bosnia needed to stay in the semifinal and take the game to penalties, which ended with a 4-2 shootout win for Sergej Barbarez’s team. At 40 years old, former Manchester City, AS Roma and Inter Milan striker Dzeko will become one of the oldest outfield players to appear at a World Cup if he can inspire Bosnia again in the final, but Italy will go into the game as strong favorites.
Gennaro Gattuso’s team overcame a nervous start to beat Northern Ireland2-0 on Bergamo in Thursday’s semifinal and that victory has boosted morale in Italy following playoff heartbreak in 2018 and 2022. Bosnia have home advantage in Zenica at the hostile Stadium Bilino Polje, but Italy have the pedigree of Gianluigi Donnarumma, Sandro Tonali and Manuel Locatelli, so they will have no excuses for another playoff failure.
Winners: Italy
Laurens: Italy face tougher test against Bosnia and Herzegovina
Julien Laurens breaks down Bosnia and Herzegovina’s dramatic penalty win over Wales ahead of their World Cup showdown with Italy.
Sweden vs. Poland (Stockholm, Sweden): Viktor Gyökeres almost single-handedly sealed Sweden’s place in the final with a hat trick in Thursday’s 3-1 semifinal win against Ukraine in Valencia. Sweden, now coached by former Chelsea and West Ham United boss Graham Potter, seriously underperformed during the qualifiers witha winless group campaign, but they now have a home game against Poland to book a place at the World Cup.
The Poles had to fight back from going a goal down against Albania in Warsaw before winning 2-1 with goals from Robert Lewandowski and Piotr Zielinski and they go into the Sweden game having run Netherlands close in their qualifying group. Recent form suggests that Poland will be favorites, but Sweden are at home and the confidence of a big win against Ukraine. It will be close, but Sweden will shade it — maybe even on penalties.
Kosovo vs. Türkiye (Pristina, Kosovo): Though Türkiye’s semifinal against Romania went as expected with Vincenzo Montella’s team winning 1-0 through Ferdi Kadioglu‘s goal, Kosovo upset the odds with a 4-3 win away to Slovakia. Kosovo went into the playoffs as the lowest-ranked European nation still alive in the competition, sitting in 78th position between Israel and Oman in the FIFA World Ranking, but they dominated in Bratislava to seal a deserved victory.
Franco Foda’s team is young, bold and full of pace and energy, and they have the ability to shock a Türkiye team stacked with top talent including Arda Güler, Hakan Çalhanoglu and Kenan Yildiz. Türkiye have won the two previous meetings between the teams and will be favorites, but Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri will be rocking in Pristina on Tuesday, and a passionate atmosphere could tip the balance in Kosovo’s favor.
Czechia vs. Denmark (Prague, Czechia): Czechia looked dead and buried against the Republic of Ireland after finding themselves 2-0 down in Prague after 23 minutes, but Miroslav Koubek’s team fought back to take the game to penalties before winning 4-3 from the spot kicks.
But the Czechs will face a Denmark side that showed its quality with a 4-0 win against North Macedonia in Copenhagen, so the Danes will be strong favorites heading into the final. The questions about Denmark have nothing to do with their quality — coach Brian Riemer has Christian Eriksen, Rasmus Højlund and Christian Norgaard on his roster — but whether they can handle the pressure of being favorites. A draw against Belarus and defeat against Scotland saw them blow their hopes of automatic qualification, so will they feel the heat against the Czechs? That’s the danger for Denmark, but perhaps beating North Macedonia has proved their mettle.
Congo DR vs. Jamaica (Zapopan, Mexico): Jamaica toiled to a 1-0 win against rank outsiders New Caledonia in the semifinal, so they will have to step up several levels to have any hope of beating Congo DR.
Congo, nicknamed the “Warriors of the Equator,” have top-level European experience in their squad with Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United), Arthur Masuaku (Lens), Yoane Wissa (Newcastle United) and captain Chancel Mbemba (Lille), so they should be too strong for a Jamaica side led by interim coach Rudolph Speid. Wrexham’s Bailey Cadamarteri scored the match winner for Jamaica against New Caledonia, but repeating that effort will be tough against one of the strongest African teams.
Iraq vs. Bolivia (Guadalupe, Mexico): Iraq’s preparations for their playoff have been thrown into disarray by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, forcing coach Graham Arnold to ask FIFA for the game to postponed due to the difficulties of his squad being about to travel from the region. But Tuesday’s match will go ahead and the Lions of Mesopotamia will have a full squad due to call on after being given the use of a private jet to travel to Mexico. Whether the disruption to their plans will affect Iraq’s chances remains to be seen, but Bolivia’s 2-1 semifinal win over Suriname, when they overturned a 1-0 deficit to claim victory, showed that the South American nation is match ready — the same cannot be said for Iraq. Having had no competitive games since December, Iraq might struggle to win this game and end a 40-year wait for a World Cup appearance.
Winners: Bolivia
USA vs. Portugal, 2026 USMNT friendly: preview – the devil is in the big picture
More questions ahead of the last friendly before the World Cup breakby Parker Cleveland Mar 30, 2026, 11:44 AM EDT Stars & Stripes
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – MARCH 28: Weston McKennie #8 of the United States celebrates scoring during the first half against Belgium during an international friendly at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Omar Vega/USSF/Getty Images)Getty Images
The USMNT will close out its March friendly window looking to bounce back after falling apart in the second half to Belgium on Saturday. In that match, Mauricio Pochettino put forward an attack minded lineup with four out and out attackers plus Tim Weah at right back. It seemed to pay off at first with the USA jumping out to an early lead thanks to a goal from Wes McKennie, that would be the high point for the USA as Belgium scored four goals in 23 minutes scoring the first right before the half and another in 82nd with the Americans pulling one back three minutes before the death.
The match itself was underscored by questions in defense and goalkeeper – mainly, what happens when the team doesn’t have Chris Richards and who should start between the sticks? The answer to the Richards dilemma is clearly, we don’t know while the keeper solution is probably anyone except for Matt Turner. The match also showed that Tim Ream is not at the level needed to take on a top 10 team in the world, the same for that matter can be said of Mark McKenzie. Aside from Ream’s handball, Belgium had no issue controlling the ball around the box and playing around the central defenders.
As far as taking on Portugal, Poch will need to come up with more effective defensive tactics with the European Nations League champs licking their chops at the prospect of taking on a team that struggled the way the USA did defensively. Adding to this issue is that Johnny Cardoso was OK at defensive midfield. That might have been acceptable if the game wasn’t asking him to do more to cover for the center backs but either he needs to step up or step aside for the team to find an effective replacement for Tyler Adams.
Portugal comes into the game having drawn 0-0 to Mexico at El Azteca over the weekend. The Iberians were the more attack minded of the teams but failed to find a goal despite dominating possession with 66% of the passing and an xG of 1.39. El Tri played in a 4-1-4-1 formation and held strong defensively with Portugal getting the better of the chances. For their part, Portugal played in their 4-2-3-1 and was attack minded as advertised.
For this match, the task for the Americans is pretty straight forward: find a defensive posture that works, keep Bruno Fernandes from dictating the tempo, stop Joao Felix or Pedro Neto from finding space to score or create for his teammates, and in attack keep the ball in the face of their opponent’s press.
It will be interesting to see how Poch addresses the situation in defense. The USA did very well with a three center back set up at the end of last year. Alex Freeman and Joe Scally are both capable of playing in that system but the team needs a central defender to fill the void left by Richards in anchoring the backline. If the team steps up and plays solid defense, gets a good match out of whoever starts at keeper, and finds a way to get through the Portugal backline, the Americans might be able to go into the World Cup with a promising performance against one of the best teams in the world. If not, it could be a long night and a longer few months with more questions following the team into the start of the tournament.
USMNT exposed with tactical approach to Belgium, makes for a World Cup warning
Mauricio Pochettino of the United States speaks with the team during the first half of Saturday’s friendly against Belgium. Andrew J. Clark / ISI Photos / USS
ATLANTA — “Football,” Mauricio Pochettino said, “is in the details.” And it was in the details Saturday that the U.S. men’s national team faltered against Belgium.There was no one reason for the USMNT’s unraveling in a 5-2 loss. There was, instead, a succession of minor individual shortcomings that magnified one broader flaw in Pochettino’s tactical setup.“Pochettino should’ve never changed back to a back four,” says Charlie Davies, a former USMNT forward and columnist for The Athletic, “when he made so much progress with the back three this past fall.”Lineups with three center backs helped revive the USMNT last September. Players and Pochettino himself said the new formation helped “simplify things.” In October and November, they alternated between hybrid systems, but never returned to a back four with two fullbacks bombing up and down both wings.On Saturday, they did that — and they got burned.Belgium’s first three goals, plus a fourth that was disallowed for a handball, all originated on the left wing, with the ball at the feet of the game’s most dangerous player, Jérémy Doku. And three of the four happened after Tim Weah, the U.S. right back tasked with defending Doku, was caught higher up the field.He was higher up the field by design. In this more complicated 4-2-3-1 formation, when in possession, a central midfielder would drop between the center backs or to the left of them; an attacking midfielder would come deep; both fullbacks would advance.It was the opposite of the 3-4-3’s simplicity. And it came with tradeoffs.“There were a number of moments where the movement from Johnny Cardoso and Tanner Tessmann would ultimately help them in the buildup,” Davies says. “They found Weston McKennie in the pocket. He’d play it to Christian Pulisic, and then they’d get out. They would find ways to break down Belgium’s mid-block.” They would get Weah and Antonee Robinson, the fullbacks, on the ball in dangerous positions.“But in doing that,” Davies says, “multiple times, they also got exposed.”
Dealing with Doku
Pochettino, at his post-match news conference, brushed aside discussion of the formation switch. He also said that Weah, a converted winger, “defended really, really well.” The “problem,” Pochettino argued, “was that no one helped (Weah) in the last third, in the areas that are really important to help.”“The plan,” Weah confirmed, “was to double team” Doku. A midfielder would slide over to help. And for most of 45 minutes, Cardoso, Tessmann and McKennie did this reasonably well. They’d be responsible if Doku cut inside.If, on the other hand, Doku went toward the end line, Weah would be prepared to keep up and block the cross. When settled and with inside help, Weah did this reasonably well on all but one occasion.
In the 45th minute, though, the “help” was too passive. McKennie and Tessmann both retreated into the box… but never stepped up to confront Doku when the Belgian winger came inside.
Doku’s shot was palmed away by Turner, but in part because he’d drawn so much attention, the rebound found Zeno Debast in loads of space outside the box. Debast had time to line up a fizzing 25-yard drive. Multiple U.S. players were slow to close him down. Matt Turner was slow across his goal. And just like that, it was 1-1.That Belgian goal, however, was the outlier.
USMNT gets caught in transition
On the second Belgium goal and the sequence that led to the third, the root cause didn’t seem to be a lack of help; it was a lack of structure.Even in the first half, there were warning signs. In the 37th minute, the U.S. had taken up its in-possession shape, with Weah on the right wing. Turner mis-hit a pass, possession turned over, and suddenly, Doku was running at Cardoso one-v-one — with Weah trailing the play.
Then, in the 52nd minute, Weah was attacking deep in the final third. He helped set up a Pulisic chance. Moments later, he was racing back toward the defensive third, chasing Kevin De Bruyne. De Bruyne fed Doku, who ran at U.S. center back Mark McKenzie — with Weah once again trailing.
Seven U.S. players in total scrambled back into the penalty box to help. But that left Andre Onana free at the top of the box to put Belgium ahead — and remind U.S. fans of nightmares past.“What pisses me off is that the same weaknesses of younger U.S. squads still seem to be there,” Davies says. “They collapse into their own 18-yard box and defend. And it’s almost like a psychological thing: if you have numbers in the box, back, you feel like you’re defending, and you’ve got the numerical advantage in front of your goal. But ultimately, they leave the top of the box always open for late runs, for people who are just lurking at the top.”Three minutes later, the structural flaws emerged again.In the 55th minute, on one end, Weah advanced all the way into Belgium’s penalty box and sliced a volley off target.“He was almost like a right wingback on that play,” Davies says. The problem, of course, is that he’d been tasked with defending like a true fullback, with only two central defenders to cover for him.Weah lingered high up the field after that chance as the U.S. pressed Belgium.
When Belgium cycled the ball to the opposite side, easily evading the USMNT’s first line of confrontation, Weah began to retreat — but not quickly enough. His positioning allowed a Belgian defender to ping a 70-yard diagonal to Doku — a pass that should never be completeable.
Weah was suddenly scrambling and isolated. Tessmann hurried back to help but didn’t arrive in time. Doku beat Weah with a give-and-go. His shot was saved by Turner, but the follow-up earned Belgium a penalty. And the game, for all intents and purposes, was gone.
‘That’s what I don’t like about this fluid 4-2-3-1’
This is the peril of playing a shape-shifting 4-2-3-1 rather than a relatively simple 3-4-3.With the ball, the USMNT builds in a 3-2-5 shape. When set up in a 3-4-3, two of the “4” — the wingbacks — simply have to join the front three.To get to it from a 4-2-3-1 base, on the other hand, two of the back “4” — the fullbacks — were joining the front line on Saturday; one of the “2” holding midfielders had to fill for them; and one of the “3” had to fill for him.Back in September, when the U.S. switched to the 3-4-3, “we didn’t have guys moving from one position to another,” captain Tim Ream said. There were no convoluted rotations from defense to attack or vice versa. “We were already set in that structure.”In the 4-2-3-1, the movements provide attacking benefits, which is seemingly why Pochettino likes it.“This is his formation, this is where he feels most comfortable,” Davies says.“But in defensive transition — that’s what I don’t like about this fluid 4-2-3-1, with a center mid dropping deep,” Davies continues. “At least when you’re not typically a team that’s keeping possession. If you’re a team like Spain, go ahead. When you don’t do that consistently, and you have this type of formation, that’s when things get tough in transition.”
The ‘intensity’ dip
Pochettino’s main explanation for the collapse was a drop in “intensity.” On Belgium’s first goal, and again on the second, “we were not aggressive enough,” Pochettino said.Davies saw this too, especially after the second goal went in. “You could see heads drop,” Davies says. “And they’re like, ‘Oh s***, here we go again.’”That was perhaps most evident on Belgium’s fourth goal. When the ball switched from left to right, Pulisic simply let Belgian right back Thomas Meunier carry it from his defensive half into the final third. Cristian Roldan, therefore, was forced to step in, halt Meunier’s progress and track his run, leaving substitute fullback Max Arfsten one-v-one with Dodi Lukebakio. Arfsten got crossed, Lukebakio dipped inside, and multiple U.S. players just watched Lukebakio pick out the top corner.
Lukebakio dueling Arfsten also represented the gap in quality between the two squads. Belgium called upon substitutes from Benfica and Juventus. The U.S. brought in players from MLS. After those substitutions, the U.S. struggled to connect many progressive passes. Sebastian Berhalter, for example, looked out of his depth.The gap between the starting 11s was slimmer. And intensity can close some quality gaps.
“I feel pretty damn good about that first half,” Davies says. “It’s kind of what you would hope for when you’re talking about a competitive match against Belgium.”
But when focus and energy slipped, quality rose to the surface — just like it did when the U.S. lost to Germany in 2023 and the Netherlands in 2022.
All eyes will be on Tuesday’s response vs. Portugal.
Pochettino’s World Cup mandate for USMNT is clear: Intensity is not optional
Andrew J. Clark / ISI Photos / USSF / Getty Images)
MARIETTA, Ga. — On Sunday afternoon, a day after his team took a 5-2 loss to Belgium, U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino watched Colombia and France battle it out in an exhibition in Landover, Md.The ferocity and pace of France’s 3-1 win made an impression on him. There was nothing in the game that made it feel like it was a no-stakes “friendly.”
“Do you think that the coach of Colombia, losing the game, is going to complain about some players?” Pochettino asked. “They played like this was the final of the World Cup. And France, when they saw the intensity and the aggression of Colombia said: ‘If we don’t play as intense, they will kill us.’ That is intensity.”
After Colombia-France, Pochettino caught highlights of Argentine club Racing’s Copa Argentina clash with third-division side San Martín de Formoso, which featured several hard tackles, a few scraps and a red card. Finally, he caught his former club Newell’s Old Boys’ 2-0 loss to Acassuso in the same tournament.
“In these games, if you don’t have aggression and intensity and everything, you can’t play there,” Pochettino said.
That it was the intensity level that stood out across Pochettino’s soccer viewing was the problem.
An equivalent vigor was lacking from the U.S. against Belgium. It felt inexcusable with the World Cup just two months away. And that wasn’t just perception. U.S. Soccer’s data showed that the Americans were not as aggressive defensively almost across the board compared to previous camps, Pochettino noted.
“One of the things that worried us most when we compared the last two matches — Uruguay and Paraguay — with Belgium (it) was what I mentioned before: the lack of intensity,” he said. “Where? In both boxes, box to box. The numbers — how much we dropped in our ability to be aggressive, in that intensity when recovering the ball, in not allowing the opponent to transition — if you compare it to Paraguay or Uruguay, we’re at about half. We’ve given the opponent far too much space.”
Pochettino praised his team’s ability to be dangerous in the attack. “We have good players,” he said. But it’s the defensive aggression that gives the team the balance and “solidity” it needs to compete, he added.
Asked what might have been lacking against Belgium, U.S. captain Tim Ream said that, “in some moments, it’s a decision.”
Advertisement
“It’s just an overall effort,” he said. “It’s not that guys don’t want to do it; it’s sometimes, ‘Oh, we’ve just made an effort.’ And now it’s about making another one. It’s about making not just the first, (but) the second, the third, the fourth. And sometimes that doesn’t happen. And that’s just something that is a non-negotiable, really. And it’s something that we were doing really well in the fall, last year. And it’s something we have to get back to.”
I had a similar viewing experience to Pochettino on Sunday, only rather than the games the U.S. coach took in, I caught a preview of CBS’s new documentary series on former U.S. forward Clint Dempsey, You Don’t Know Where I’m From, Dawg.
The five-part series chronicles Dempsey’s rise out of Nacogdoches, Texas, to become a U.S. Soccer Hall of Famer who would score goals at three World Cups, tie for the USMNT’s all-time lead in goals and become Fulham’s all-time leading Premier League goalscorer. It honed in, unsurprisingly, on Dempsey’s famous drive and his constant need to prove himself.
“Make them f***king play you,” Dempsey said on Sunday night, summing up the mentality that drove him to the top.
Clint Dempsey scored against the USA’s next opponent, Portugal, back at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.Elsa / Getty Images
Dempsey invented slights and enemies to push himself to the next level. He took every snub and used it as motivation. It’s what made him one of the greatest players in U.S. history. Coming out of the documentary, it felt like it should be required viewing for this U.S. team. Not just because of how much Dempsey’s story and path to success might remind them of the drive needed to achieve greatness, but because the clips of the U.S. team’s successes at previous World Cups were rooted in the very same qualities as Dempsey’s own story.The U.S. has always been a team that has to prove itself. This team too often feels like it lacks that mentality.As another U.S. great, Landon Donovan, told The Athletic on Monday: “It’s not that they don’t care, but maybe they don’t have enough pride,” he said. “Maybe that’s the way I need to say it. … I would have been mortified to be losing in a home game three months before the World Cup with 70,000 people there. I would have been unbelievably embarrassed losing 4-1 and 5-1, forget it. I probably would have got sent off.“I’m just trying to figure out why is nobody yelling at each other? Why is nobody getting a yellow card? Why is nobody stopping (Jérémy) Doku after he’s terrorized us for 70 minutes? Why is this not happening? I can’t figure it out. I don’t know if it’s generational or if it’s this team in particular, but that just doesn’t happen. And it blows my mind.”It’s why Pochettino said he wants his players to watch the types of games he took in on Sunday. To see the level of aggression, desire and drive that is necessary for teams to reach their best levels. Not for nine out of 10 recovery runs, or for 60 minutes out of 90, but for every single run and every single minute.
It was a long day in goal for Matt Turner, who conceded five against Belgium in Saturday’s friendly.David J. Griffin / Icon Sportswire / Getty Images
The Argentine coach knocked on the table in front of him at Monday’s press conference as he thought about how to describe why it’s such an important part of any team’s identity — and especially so for this team.
It’s clear that the U.S. still hasn’t developed the necessary habits, the ability to push constantly, that will be needed to beat the best teams in the world. And if the U.S. players don’t do it against Belgium and Portugal in this window, what makes them think it’ll come naturally once the World Cup kicks off?
“There’s still time to realize that we need to compete like the (Colombia) game against France,” Pochettino said.
Tuesday against Portugal will show whether they’ve taken on that lesson. Because as special as these players might – and still can – be, the key to success might be to show just how much they’re the same as the U.S. teams that came before them. To prove that while they might be able to play their way into bigger conversations, they can also fight their way to results.
Landon Donovan questions USMNT pride, says Belgium loss could do ‘psychological damage’
ATLANTA — U.S. men’s national team great Landon Donovan has warned that Saturday’s 5-2 defeat to Belgium has the potential to do “psychological damage” to Mauricio Pochettino’s team ahead of the World Cup, and he also questioned whether the current squad is showing enough “pride” in its performances.Donovan, who represented the U.S. at three World Cups and is tied with Clint Dempsey as the team’s all-time leading scorer, spoke to The Athletic on Monday, less than 48 hours after the team began the March international window with the heavy loss at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The U.S. will play Portugal at the same venue on Tuesday night. The Athletic asked Donovan whether pre-tournament warm-up games could have a serious impact on a team’s momentum and confidence ahead of a World Cup. Donovan, reflecting on his own period as a player, said: “No — but I’ll tell you why. We were very clear in our identity. We were never worried about conceding five goals – that would never, ever have happened. We might have lost games and we did. But that was never in the conversation — ever. For this team, I am concerned. There’s no question that conceding five goals at home three months before the World Cup is going to do psychological damage to the team and the players. “The good news is they have another chance to get rid of that result quickly. The bad news is they’re playing Portugal and so we’re going to learn a lot about this team. ” The U.S. actually took the lead against Belgium in the first half through Weston McKennie but was pegged back before the interval. Then, between the 53rd and 68th minutes, the U.S. performance deteriorated and the team went 4-1 down. What does it feel like for a player when a game spirals out of a team’s grasp?
“I will never forget we played an MLS game with the (LA) Galaxy away in Houston. It was one of those August days, 97 degrees, and after 23 minutes, they were up three goals. I pulled everybody into the field and nobody wanted to hear it.
“They’re all looking away and I said, ‘Look at me, if we lose today, we lose, but we’re not getting embarrassed, have some personal pride, care about what you do.’ We ended up losing 3-0. Tim Howard and I did our podcast (Unfiltered Soccer) this morning and the part we cannot figure out is why it seems like nobody cared. They’re running around and they’re trying. But there were no yellow cards. Nobody got kicked.”
Does he really believe the USMNT players do not care?
“Care’s not the right word,” he clarifies. “It’s not that they don’t care, but maybe they don’t have enough pride. Maybe that’s the way I need to say it. Fair point. But I would have been mortified to be losing a home game three months before the World Cup with 70,000 people there. I would have been unbelievably embarrassed losing 4-1 and 5-1, forget it. I probably would have got sent off. I’m just trying to figure out why is nobody yelling at each other? Why is nobody getting a yellow card? Why is nobody stopping (Jérémy) Doku after he’s terrorized us for 70 minutes? Why is this not happening? I can’t figure it out. I don’t know if it’s generational or if it’s this team in particular, but that just doesn’t happen. And it blows my mind.”
One of the more unexpected and bizarre storylines on Saturday emerged due to a uniform clash between the USMNT home kit and the new Belgian away kit, and neither side had a spare stock of their alternative kit at the venue. The jerseys were approved in advance by the match commissioner and the referee also did not appear to take umbrage. Afterwards, players including USMNT forward Christian Pulisic and Belgian pair Senne Lammens and Amadou Onana complained about the challenge it presented to those on the field. Has Donovan ever experienced such a clash? “No,” he says, laughing. “In fact, one of the first things you’re taught when you’re a pro, and it only happened to me once, I didn’t have my studded cleats and it started to rain. The coach said if you ever show up without both pairs of cleats, then I would not play ever again. ‘I was like, OK!’“It is beyond my imagination how that is allowed to happen, the amount of people that had to get through and the amount of processes that had to happen. It just blows my mind. But in the end, the referee makes the final decision on all these things. At some point the referee had to say, or maybe they didn’t, that this is not OK. It was bizarre and probably fitting for the night.”
The U.S. was missing key players in central defense, with Crystal Palace’s Chris Richards a particular blow – though he said Monday he “is available” to face Portugal. Saturday’s goalkeeper, Matt Turner, is not expected to be the starter at the World Cup, where Matt Freese is thought to be in pole position. Yet it is clear that the U.S. has a weakness at the heart of the back line, and Donovan says it is only through making the team collectively harder to beat that this can be managed.
Advertisement
“I’ve said all along that when we play real teams, this is an issue,” Donovan says. “It just is what it is.”
“We still don’t have a lot of answers on the back line. All of that can be solved with a spirit and a fight that helps you compete, making the sum of the parts way better than the individual. If you’re playing a team like Belgium, with real world class players on the field, you can get embarrassed. So at a minimum, forget about the formation or tactics or who is playing, if you can’t compete man to man against somebody, you have no chance. They’re just better players. So we have to get that part right first.”
Player ratings: Weah poor as USMNT suffers heavy Belgium defeat
Amid a competitive first half, the U.S. took the lead in the 39th minute thanks to Weston McKennie tapping in the ball from short range after a corner from Antonee Robinson. Belgium equalized with Zeno Debast‘s powerful shot from distance in the 45th minute that sneaked past American goalkeeper Matt Turner.
After the break, the visitors took full and dominant control. Rapid-fire goals from Amadou Onana (53rd minute), Charles De Ketelaere (penalty in 59th minute) and Dodi Lukebakio (goals in 68th minute, 82nd minutes) silenced the crowd as Belgium flexed their muscle against a lackluster U.S. side. After a total of eight substitutions, a consolation goal was then earned by the Americans after Ricardo Pepi halted a pass that led to a shot that found the back of the net from Patrick Agyemang in the 87th minute.
From here, U.S coach Mauricio Pochettino and his roster will now prepare for their second and final friendly of the March window against Portugal next Tuesday.
Mauricio Pochettino, 3: To be fair to Pochettino, it’s difficult to put all the blame on the coach whose only real experiment was placing Turner in net. The U.S. were able to go toe-to-toe with Belgium in the first half, but also became outmatched in one-on-one situations that gradually worked in the favor of the visitors. All that said, the collective faltered and desperately needed additional motivation from the coach, who will have noticed his roster losing its composure with each passing minute.
Player ratings (0-10; 10 = best, 5 = average)
GK Matt Turner, 3 — How do you rate a player that had a handful of big saves, but also allowed five goals? Regardless of his shot-stopping, it wasn’t enough to stifle the volley of elite-level shots launched his way.
DF Tim Weah, 2 — Initially containing Jérémy Doku in the first 20-25 minutes, Weah was then constantly chasing when it came to keeping pace with the creative winger. Early on in the second half, and with Doku gaining a dangerous amount of momentum, he was withdrawn in the 64th minute.DF Mark McKenzie, 3 — Won a few duels and provided a handful of defensive contributions, but also failed to shut down Belgium’s attack that easily worked around his presence in the backline.
DF Tim Ream, 2 — Credit to the captain for his long-range distribution, but his decision-making was suspect in a couple of Belgium’s goals. A handball from the defender also provided Belgium with their third goal.
DF Antonee Robinson, 7 — The best USMNT player of the afternoon. Although he was fairly average defensively, he more than made up for it going forward with his active role on the left flank. The chance-creator earned a well-deserved assist off the first-half corner.
MF Tanner Tessmann, 4 — Created some crucial opportunities and provided a couple of vital tackles, he was also occasionally quiet in the heart of the XI. The USMNT needed a bigger presence in his position.
MF Johnny Cardoso, 4 — With something to prove after some underwhelming performances at the international level, Cardoso had brief moments of effectiveness thanks to his movement and highly accurate passing. Pochettino said after the match that pulling Cardoso at halftime was planned because of some discomfort the player felt earlier in the week.
AM Weston McKennie, 6 — Scored the first goal, took part in dangerous runs and build-ups, and connected well with the front line. One of the few bright spots.
AM Malik Tillman, 3 — Although he was the youngest member of the XI, more was expected. In a significant position behind the striker, the attacking midfielder was surprisingly invisible for long stretches of the game. He also could have done better to help prevent Belgium’s second goal.
AM Christian Pulisic, 3 — Credit to Pulisic for tracking back and helping defensively, there wasn’t much to say about his attacking influence aside from a brief positive start to the second half.
FW Folarin Balogun, 3 — A muffled game for a striker who had a shot on target in the first half and then didn’t do much afterward in the final third.
Substitutes (players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
MF Cristian Roldan, 4 (on for Cardoso, halftime) — The Seattle Sounders FC midfielder didn’t make much of a difference, although he should be given credit for a handful of defensive contributions.
MF Sebastian Berhalter, 3 (on for Tessmann, 64′) — Didn’t have a true impact and should have done better to prevent Belgium’s fifth goal.
DF Alex Freeman, 4 (on for Weah, 64′) — Didn’t have any successful dribbles going forward and lost possession a handful of times. A couple of ball recoveries and tackles were his low-key highlights.
DF Max Arfsten, 2 (on for Robinson, 64′) — A defensive weak point on the fourth and fifth goals for Belgium.
AM Gio Reyna, N/R (on for McKennie, 70′) — Aside from his passes in the opposition half, he didn’t truly alter the state of the game.
FW Ricardo Pepi, N/R (on for Balogun, 71′) — Provided the assist for Agyemang’s goal.
FW Patrick Agyemang, N/R (on for Tillman, 71′) — Earned the consolation prize and looked hungry for a second goal late into the game.
DF Joe Scally, N/R — (on for Pulisic, 71′) Limited time and influence for the defender, who lost both of his ground duels and got booked for a shirt pull.
Chris Richards ‘available’ for USMNT vs. Portugal, but Johnny Cardoso leaving camp
MARIETTA, Ga. — U.S. men’s national team center back Chris Richards says he is available to play Tuesday against Portugal after missing Saturday’s loss 5-2 to Belgium. Richards was held out of the first game of this window due to discomfort in his knee that he started to experience after arriving in camp on Monday. U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino said Friday that he hoped it was “nothing important,” but expressed doubt that the Crystal Palace veteran would take part in either friendly. Richards, though, said he is good to go. “I’m fine,” Richards said. “I had a bad tackle in my last game with Palace, so just a little bit of knee pain, knee soreness, but I’ve been training individually all week and I’m available tomorrow.”Midfielder Johnny Cardoso, however, is being sent back to Atlético Madrid due to discomfort in his leg, Pochettino said. Cardoso arrived with some issues from Madrid, the coach said, so the plan was for him to play 45 minutes on Saturday.“ After 45 minutes, he feel again this type of uncomfortable things in some part of his leg,” Pochettino said. The team decided to shut him down, Pochettino said. Cardoso trained in the gym Monday, and will return to his club without playing on Tuesday. As for Richards, he trained Monday with a wrap just below his right knee and a bandage on the back of it. His presence in the starting lineup is critical at a very thin center back position. Ream started alongside Mark McKenzie against Belgium, but Richards’ experience is considered vital for the U.S. group. The 26-year-old, who was the 2025 U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year, has mostly been a starter for the U.S. since the last World Cup cycle, though he missed the Qatar World Cup due to a hamstring injury. He started every game of the Gold Cup for Pochettino, as well as friendlies in September and October, but missed the November window due to a calf injury. The U.S. went back to a more traditional 4-3-2-1 on Monday, rotating midfielder Tanner Tessmann into the back line in the build-up. In the fall, the Americans used a winger-wingback hybrid role and inserted an extra defender who served as more of a center back in the build-up, but moved into the traditional right back role defensively. It effectively looks like a 3-2-2-3 shape in possession. Richards’ absence may have limited some of the options Pochettino wanted to consider for the Belgium game. Richards has started 36 games across all competitions for Palace this season, including all 26 Premier League games in which he has appeared, plus seven UEFA Conference League games.
Champions League Sweet 16 2nd leg Tues/Wed on Para+ & CBSSN
Champions League Sweet 16 action is here with some powerhouse games on hand in defending Champs PSG facing World Club Champ Chelsea up 5-2 head to London Tues, while powerhouses Real Madrid & Man City will once host Madrid down 3-0 Tues – sound familianr? A couple of American’s are still alive as Atletico’s Johnny Cardosa willtravel to Tottenham on Wed 4 pm on Para+ up 5-2, while Yanus Musah & the only Italian side left Atalanta will travel to Bayern Munich down 6-1 at 4 pm on CBSSN & Para where an American Born GK just 16 ____ might have to play for the Germans. Wed gives us Bayer Leverkusen and American Midfielder Malik Tillman hosting Arsenal at 1:45 pm on Para+.
Last 16 fixtures in full.
PSG 5 vs Chelsea 2 Galatasaray 1 vs Liverpool 0 Real Madrid 3 vs Man City 0 Atalanta 1 vs Bayern Munich 6 Barcelona 1 vs Newcastle 1 Bodo/Glimt 3 vs Sporting 0 Leverkusen 1 vs Arsenal 1 Atletico MAdrid 5 vs Tottenham 2
US Officially Releases New Jersey Look
If you read this blog – I released this a month ago -but its official now — Where’s Waldo Stripes is Back for the World Cup
Indy 11 Open Season Sat night at the Mike – US Open Cup on Tues, 8 pm Para+
Indy Eleven begins Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play on Tuesday, March 17 at 8 p.m. vs. Des Moines Menace indoors at the Community Health Network Events Center on the Droplight Grand Park Sports Campus. The Boys in Blue open their regular-season home schedule at Carroll Stadium on Sat. Mar. 21 vs. Eastern Conference rival Detroit City FC. Ticket options available are Season Tickets, Flex Mini Plans, and Home Opener Packs. Season Ticket Benefits (starting at $13.50 per game) include Season Parking Pass, unlimited ticket exchanges, and a 20% discount on all Indy Eleven merchandise. Flex Mini Plans include vouchers to be redeemed for any 2026 regular season home match. The 2026 Home Opener Pack includes two tickets to the home opener, two flex tickets to be redeemed to any 2026 home match, two Indy Eleven pennants, two posters, and access for two to a post-match autograph session for just $44. Carmel native and former Carmel Dad’s Club player and 2025 USL Championship MVP and Prinx Playoff MVP GK Eric Dick will start in the goal this season for Indy after winning the Cup with Pittsburg last season.
The 2026 Season Opens Saturday night at 7 pm at the Mike vs Detroit City – Special Tix Prices Available
NWSL Opening Weekend to Remember
Collectively, players scored 19 goals across the eight matches. All but the final match of the weekend between Angel City and Chicago Stars was decided by a single goal. While some teams welcomed back familiar faces, others embraced their new sparks. The league made history with 129,202 fans in attendance across eight matches, with an average of 16,150 per match. You can read an in-depth look at the weekend here.
Sophia Wilson’s return to the soccer field after more than a year away, Olivia Moultrie continuing to establish herself as a game changer and the Portland Thorns getting their playoff revenge on the Spirit; Seattle Reign also avenging their playoff loss in Orlando in the same place that their 2025 season came to an end; Banda getting back to her epic scoring ways; conversely, seeing Kennedy Fuller and Angel City completely dominate Chicago (sorry Alyssa Naeher, but what were you doing?). Dash forward Makenzy Robbe, Reign forward Brittany Ratcliffe, Angel City midfielder Ary Borges and Bay FC’s Alex Pfeiffer scoring for their new teams. Croix Bethune scoring for her new club, Kansas City Current, after her $1 million transfer, and on her birthday no less; Canadian players Janine Sonis and Bianca St-Georges receiving the first red cards in Denver Summit and Boston Legacy’s history. The very special return of Savy King to the NWSL after her cardiac incident last May. Seeing a record-breaking crowd of 30,000+ watch professional soccer return to Boston with the debut of the Legacy, knowing Denver has sold more than 50,000+ for their home opener on March 28. bonus)Rodman running herself right out of her cleat.
Man it was Great being back on the soccer fields this weekend doing a little reffing at Grand Park
Always a blast reffing with Mike A and Dan D at the Event Center Friday Night It was actually Warm Enough Sunday afternoon to go shorts – with Jakob and Ricardo in the Championship Game
TV Schedule – Games on TV
Tues, March 17 1:45 pm CBSSN, PAra+, Uni Sporting CP vs Bodo/Glint 4 pm Para+ Man City vs Real Madrid 4 pm Para+ Chelseavs PSG 4 pm Para+ Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen (Tillman) 8 pm CBS Galazom PAra+ Indy 11 vs Des Moines Menace 11 pm FS1 Monterey vs Cruz azul CCC Wed, March 18 1:45 pm Para+ Barcelona vs Newcastle United 4 pm PAra, CBSSN Bayern Munich ( ) vs Atalanta (Musah) vs 4 pm Para+ Atletico Madrid (Johnny) vs Tottenham 4 pm Para+ Liverpool vs Galatasaray 7 pm FS2 Inter Miami 0 vs Nashville 0 CC Cup 9 pm FS1 Club America vs Philly Union CCC 11 pm FS2 Toluca San Diego vs Cup 11 pm FS1 Seattle Sounders 4 vs Vancouver 0 CCup Thurs, March 18 1:45 pm Para+ Nottingham Forest vs Midtylland 1:45 pm Para+ Crystal Palace (Richards) vs AEK Lanarca 4 pm Para+, CBSSN Lille vs Aston Villa 9 pm FS1 Cincy vs Tigres UNAL CUP Fri, March 19 4 pm USA Bournemouth vs Man United 8 pm Victory+ Racing Louisville vs Washington Spirit (Rodman) NWSL 10 pm Amazon Prime Portland Thorns (Sophia Smith) @ Seattle Reign Sat Mar 20 8:30 am USA Brighton vs Liverpool 10:30 am ESPN+ Heidenheim vs Bayer Leverkusen (Tillman) 11 am USA Fulham (Jedi) vs Burnley 1 pm PAra+ AC Milan (Pulisic) vs Torino 1 pm Apple free Toronto FC vs Columbus Crew MLS 1:30 pm USA Everton vs Chelsea 3:45 pm Para+ Juventus (McKennie) vs Sassuolo 4 pm Ion Houston Dash vs Boston Legacy NWSL 4 pm USA Leeds United (Aaronson) vs Brentford 6:15 pm FS1 Nashville FC vs Orlando City 6:30 pm Ion NY/NJ Gothem FC vs NC Courage NWSL 8:30 pm Apple St Louis City vs New England 8:45 pm FOX Austin FC vs LAFC 8:35 pm ION Bay FC vs Angel City NWSL Sun Mar 21 8 am USA Newcastle United vs Sunderland 8 am ESPN+ Barcelona vs Rayo Vallencano 10:!5 am USA Tottenham vs Nottingham Forest 12:30 pm Para+ ARSENAL vs MAN CITY CUP 1 pm Apple Free NYCFC vs Miami (Messi) 1 pm Apple Cincy vs Montreal 2:30 pm FOX Minn United vs Seattle Sounders 4 pm ESPND, ESPN+ REAL MADRID vs ATLETICO MADRID 4:45 pm FOX Portland Timbers vs LA Galaxy 7 pm Victory+ Utah Royals vs San Diego Wave NWSL
Sat, Mar 28 3:30 pm TNT, HBO, Peacock USA Men vs Belgium Tues, Mar 31 7 pm TNT, HBO, Peacock USA Men vs Portugal Sun, May 31 3:30 pm TNT, HBO, Peacock USA Men vs Senegal Fri. Apr. 17, 7:30 pm | IU vs. Notre Dame GRAND PARK Sat. Apr. 18, 6:00 pm | Saint Louis vs. Xavier GRAND PARK
Sat, June 6 2:30 pm TNT, HBO, Peacock USA Men vs Germany in Chicago Sat, June 12 WORLD CUP 9 pm Fox, Tele, Peacock USA Men vs Paraguay World Cup NWSL Schedule
===RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ===
Coming home from Practice or Games at Badger Fieldhouse? Try out the Best BarBQ in Town right across the street (131st) from Northview Church on the corner of Hazelldell & 131st. RackZ BBQ
Save 20% on your order
(mention the ole ballcoach)
Check out the BarBQ Ribs, pulled Pork and Chicken, Brisket and more. Sweet, Tangy or Spicy sauce. Mention you heard about it from the Ole Ballcoach — and Ryan will give you 20% off your next meal. https://www.rackzbbqindy.com/Call ahead at 317-688-7290 M-Th 11-8 pm, 11-9 Fri/Sat, 12-8 pm on Sunday. Pick some up after practice – Its good eatin! You won’t be disappointed and tell ’em the Ole Ballcoach Sent You!
Save 20% on these Succulent Ribs at Rackz BarBQ when you mention the Ole Ballcoach – Corner of 131 & Hazelldell. – Call 317-688-7290.
======================RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ======================
USMNT midweek viewing guide: Staying alive
Follow along with all the USMNT action this week.
by Justin Moran Mar 16, 2026, 12:59 PM EDT Stars & STripes
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 10: Michael Olise of FC Bayern Muenchen competes for the ball with Yunus Musah of Atalanta BC during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Atalanta BC and FC Bayern München at Stadio di Bergamo on March 10, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Luca Amedeo Bizzarri/Getty Images)Getty Images
Midweek action is here. All kickoff times are in EST. Let’s get into it!
Monday
Portsmouth vs Derby, 4p on Paramount+: Patrick Agyemang and Derby County visit Portsmouth in the EFL Championship.
Also in action:
Albacete vs Las Palmas, 3:30p: Jonathan Gómez and Albacete visit Las Palmas in La Liga 2.
Racing Club vs Estudiantes de Río Cuarto, 7p on Fanatiz: Matko Miljevic and Racing Club go on the road in Argentina’s Liga Profesional.
Tuesday
Arsenal vs Leverkusen, 4p on Paramount+, ViX: Malik Tillman, Monty Culbreath, and Bayer Leverkusen are even 1-1 with Arsenal after the home leg in Champions League. They will need to win at the Emirates to advance.
Also in action:
Mantova vs Cesena, 3p: Jonathan Klinsmann and Cesena visit Mantova in Serie B.
Venezia vs Padova, 3p on DCTV: Gianluca Busio and Venezia host Padova in Serie B.
Alajuelense vs LAFC, 9p on FS1, TUDN, Fubo, ViX: Timothy Tillman and LAFC only managed a 1-1 draw in the first leg at home, so they’ll need to win in Costa Rica to advance in Concacaf Champions Cup.
Wednesday
Bayern Munich vs Atalanta, 4p on Paramount+, CBS Sports Network, Fubo, ViX: Yunus Musah and Atalanta trail Bayern 1-6 after getting demolished at home in the first leg of this Champions League matchup.
Tottenham vs Atlético Madrid, 4p on Paramount+, DAZN: Johnny Cardoso and Atléti are up 5-2 on Spurs as they go into the away leg in Champions League.
You know that expression “a picture is worth a thousand words”? That started because of Brandi Chastain. Probably. You know the picture I’m talking about. She had just won the ’99 World Cup with a penalty kick, and in a moment of unfiltered elation fell to her knees, ripped her shirt off, and screamed with a joy most of us can only hope to one day feel. Today, it’s universally regarded as a symbol of women’s strength, and fearlessness, and ability. And while some saw it that way at the time… many, very loud people, did not. Let’s view this photo, and Chastain herself, through the prism.
View MoreView Less
Also in action:
Ried vs LASK Linz, 1p: George Bello and LASK are on the road in a cup semifinal in Austria.
Inter Miami vs Nashville SC, 7p on FS1, TUDN, UniMás, Fubo, ViX, Univision NOW: Matthew Corcoran, Thomas Williams, Reed Baker-Whiting, and Nashville are still even 0-0 with Noah Allen, Ian Fray, and Miami in this Concacaf Champions Cup showdown.
Club América vs Philadelphia Union, 9p on FS1, TUDN, Fubo, UniMás, ViX, Univision NOW: Alex Zendejas and América are up 1-0 over Quinn Sullivan, Frankie Westfield, Cavan Sullivan, and the Union in this Concacaf Champions Cup clash.
Seattle Sounders vs Vancouver Whitecaps, 11p on FS1, Fubo, ViX: Jordan Morris, Cristian Roldan, Jesús Ferreira, Jackson Ragen, and the Sounders are up 3-0 over Sebastian Berhalter, Brian White, and the ’Caps in this Concacaf Champions Cup matchup.
Toluca vs San Diego FC, 11p on FS2, TUDN, Fubo, ViX: Luca Bombino, Pedro Soma, Duran Ferree, and San Diego hold a 3-2 lead over Toluca going into the Concacaf Champions Cup second leg.
Thursday
Lyon vs Celta Vigo, 1:45p on Paramount+, DAZN: Tanner Tessmann and Lyon are in a strong position, tied 1-1 going into the second leg at home in this Europa League fixture.
AEK Larnaca vs Crystal Palace, 1:45p on Paramount+, ViX: Chris Richards and Palace didn’t manage a goal at home in Conference League, leaving it 0-0 as they travel to Cyprus for the second leg.
Also in action:
Mainz vs Sigma Olomouc, 1:45p on Paramount+, ViX: Lennard Maloney and Mainz are still at 0-0 in their Conference League tie with Sigma Olomouc.
Real Betis vs Panathinaikos, 4p on Paramount+, DAZN: Erik Palmer-Brown and Panathinaikos hold a thin 1-0 lead over Betis going into the Europa League second leg on the road.
Mount Pleasant vs LA Galaxy, 7p on FS1, TUDN, Fubo, ViX: Edwin Cerrillo, Elijah Wynder, and the Galaxy are up 3-0 from the home leg in Concacaf Champions Cup.
Tigres vs FC Cincinnati, 9p on FS1, TUDN, Fubo, ViX: Miles Robinson, Roman Celentano, Matt Miazga, and Cincy are winning 3-0, and will advance in Concacaf Champions Cup unless they collapse in Monterrey.
Villarreal vs Real Sociedad, 4p on ESPN Select, ESPN Deportes, Fubo (free trial): Alex Freeman and Villarreal host Real Sociedad in La Liga.
Also in action:
RB Leipzig vs Hoffenheim, 3:30p on ESPN Select, Fubo: Cole Campbell played 45 minutes with Hoffenheim’s reserves on Sunday, so he may not be with the senior squad for this Bundesliga match.
Looking to Get a Professional Company Headshot? Check out https://capturely.com/ Tell Rob The Ole Ballcoach sent you and he’ll give you a deal.
DISCOUNT SMALL ENGINE & BIG ENGINE REPAIRS IN CARMEL
Need your Riding Mower, Push Mower or any small engine or Car Engine Work Done by Carmel High Junior Mechanical Wizard for a bargain basement Price? Email my buddy Marc Sultanov at marc.sultanov@gmail.com
USMNT Player Tracker: Tessmann experiment, Balogun work pays off, and is Pulisic in need of a reset?
Folarin Balogun and Tanner Tessmann Valery Hache/AFP via Getty Images; Sebastien Bozon/AFP via Getty Images
Experimental positions, goal-scoring consistency and, perhaps, is it time for a reset? It was another busy weekend for Americans in Europe. Welcome to this week’s USMNT Player Tracker.
In France on Sunday, Lyon conducted an experiment which may have interesting implications for the USMNT. Tanner Tessmann, the 24-year-old midfielder, played at centre-back for the third time this season and produced another assured performance in a goalless draw at Le Havre. On each occasion the Alabama-native has been moved into the back-line by coach Paulo Fonseca, Lyon have kept a clean sheet. His flourishing comfort in the role could give Mauricio Pochettino pause for thought. Is it too late now, with the World Cup only three months away, for the national team to conduct their own experiment given their defence has been relatively settled? Only Pochettino can answer that, but Tessmann’s growing versatility will do his own cause for a place on the roster no harm. And given there are forthcoming friendlies against Belgium and Portugal, Tessmann’s performance on Sunday might be perfectly timed to allow the USMNT manager to at least try it.
Tanner Tessmann has played more recently as a centre-half for LyonOlivier Chassignole/AFP via Getty Images
At 6ft 2in (188cm), the former Venezia player has the physical stature to play as a centre-back, and his eye for a progressive pass may offer the USMNT another dimension to their defence as they seek to break opposition pressing.
Against Le Havre, Tessmann was the most accurate passer of any of the starting Lyon team at 92 per cent accuracy, according Opta, and he made more passes into the final third (17) than any other player on the pitch. He also made more ball recoveries (eight) of any defender on either team.
Tessmann is a defensive midfielder with growing potential, a player who already boasts top-level experience in the Champions League and Ligue 1. Now he has demonstrated the ability to influence games from the back, having previously played at centre-back in a top-flight win over Nantes and a 6-0 thrashing of Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Europa League.
His latest cameo in defence may yet tempt Pochettino to try him there. He may have far more experienced and tested options in Chris Richards, Auston Trusty and Tim Ream, but in tournament football, multi-positional players are a compelling option.
Tessmann scored the last goal of the USMNT’s last impressive game, that 5-1 win against Uruguay in November, from midfield. His credentials in the middle of the park are still strong.His credentials in the middle of defence, though, are intriguing.
Balogun timing his scoring run
Another week, another positive sign for Pochettino’s front line.
Folarin Balogun now has six goals in six games for Monaco. His response to an injury-hit and underwhelming last season, when he managed only four goals in 13 Ligue 1 games, has so far been emphatic. His timing might be in when it comes to the World Cup, too.
Balogun scored the first in a 2-0 Monaco win over Brest with a left-footed effort on 19 minutes on Saturday. His coach Sebastien Pocognoli credited Balogun’s streak to hard work on and off the field.
Folarin Balogun celebrates scoring against BrestValery Hache/AFP via Getty Images
“It is quite simply the fruit of his labour,” the Belgian said after the game. “He invests a tremendous amount of effort to achieve this level of consistency. His performance level also elevates the other players in the attacking third.
“Today, he is reaping the rewards of his efforts. He is an ambitious player, highly focused on his objectives.
“He knows that he still has plenty of opportunities to shine this season — and even beyond his time at AS Monaco, with his national team. His professionalism is exemplary.”
Pulisic reset?
It is getting to the point where the imminent international breaks might be helpful for Christian Pulisic to reset his club form.
It is not that the USMNT star is playing badly for Milan. He isn’t. It’s only that, after such a strong start to the season, his numbers have ground to a halt.
The 27-year-old has still not registered a goal or assist in Serie A in 2026, and that continued on Sunday as his side let slip a chance to make ground on table-topping rivals Inter by losing 1-0 at Lazio.
Christian Pulisic fires off a shot against LazioAlberto Pizzoli/AFP via Getty Images
Pulisic created two big chances, per Opta, but his partnership in attack with Rafael Leao failed to spark.
The American rarely fails to deliver for the national team. Maybe he could use the games against Belgium and Portugal to sharpen his attacking edge.
What’s coming up this week?
The second leg of the Champions League last 16 round beckons with some interesting U.S. sub-plots.
On Tuesday (4pm, Paramount +) Malik Tillman, fresh from helping Bayer Leverkusen to a 1-1 draw with table-topping Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga at the weekend, goes into his team’s finely-poised tie at Arsenal after they drew the first leg 1-1 in Germany.
Tillman missed a big chance against Bayern, but was back in the starting line-up — a sign he is getting over over the ankle problem he picked up against Mainz in February.
On Wednesday (4pm, Paramount +) Johnny Cardoso, an unused substitute in Atletico Madrid’s 1-0 win against Getafe in La Liga on Saturday, will hope to be involved for the Spaniards at struggling Tottenham Hotspur. Atletico lead 5-2 after the first leg in Madrid.
Finally, Yunus Musah did not feature for Atalanta in their draw with Inter on Saturday. But the midfielder may get the chance to assist his team’s daunting assignment in overhauling their first-leg 6-1 hammering by Bayern in Munich.
The hosts have some injury problems, particularly in goal where first-choice Manuel Neuer is out and there are concerns over the fitness of other senior shot-stoppers Sven Ulreich and Jonas Urbig. If none are passed fit it could mean an extraordinary senior debut for 16-year-old American goalkeeper Leonard Prescott, who was on the bench for the last two fixtures.
Prescott, who was born in New York, is eligible for both the USMNT and Germany, but appears to be leaning towards the country where he plays his football with six under-17 caps for Germany and three under-16 appearances.
He started at Union Berlin’s youth system before joining Bayern’s academy in 2023.
A 16-year-old German-American goalkeeper could potentially find himself playing in the Champions League this week. Leonard Prescott, who was born in New York, but who has never made a senior appearance in his career, might be the beneficiary of unprecedented injury crisis at Bayern Munich that thrusts him into the limelight.
Advertisement
Bayern’s first choice is legendary goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. Now 39, Neuer suffered the latest in a succession of muscular injuries at the beginning of March and has not played since. Jonas Urbig is Bayern’s second choice — and most likely Neuer’s eventual successor — but he might be unavailable, too. While deputizing for Neuer in last week’s Champions League last-16 first leg against Atalanta, Urbig was involved in a collision at the end of the game. He missed this weekend’s 1-1 draw with Bayer Leverkusen with a suspected concussion.
And Urbig’s deputy, Sven Ulreich, is also unavailable. Ulreich, 37, has been at Bayern for 11 years, barring one season spent at Hamburg, and was Neuer’s long-term backup prior to Urbig’s arrival in 2025.
He was called into action for the game at the BayArena and, despite not having played a competitive minute since September 2024, performed extremely well, making a couple of crucial saves. But the cost of that appearance was a torn adductor muscle, which Bayern estimate will keep Ulreich sidelined for the next six weeks.
Bayern are due to face Atalanta again on Wednesday night, carrying a 6-1 aggregate lead from the first leg into a game carries little jeopardy; barring anything except a historic collapse, Bayern are assured of a place in the Champions League quarterfinal.
Yet they do still need a goalkeeper, which leaves head coach Vincent Kompany scrambling for options. Bayern have a second team, a side built from U-19 players and amateur veterans, that competes at Regionalliga level —the fourth tier of German football — but its first-choice goalkeeper Leon Klanac, 19, is, remarkably, also injured. He has a hamstring problem and will not be fit in time for Wednesday.
That leaves 19-year-old Jannis Bartl, Klanac’s backup, as an option, or Prescott, who was on the substitutes’ bench for Bayern’s Bundesliga game against Leverkusen on Saturday. He joined Bayern from Union Berlin in 2023, having grown up in the German capital, and, still 16, has never made a senior appearance anywhere, even for Bayern II.
He is extremely well regarded by the club, though, and seen as the most talented goalkeeping prospect within the youth campus. Prescott has represented Germany’s U-17 team internationally, and has also played for Bayern’s U-19 team at UEFA Youth level.
is German and father is American, were to play on Wednesday, he would break a record. The youngest starting goalkeeper in Bayern’s history so far is Sven Scheuer, who made his debut at 18 years and 237 days back in 1989, before embarking on a nomadic career in Turkey and Austria (and growing an outstandingly 1990s hairstyle).
If Prescott is to break his record, he will have to navigate some red tape. The Youth Employment Protection Act prevents under-18s from working after 8 p.m. Athletes do enjoy an exemption from that under special circumstances, but only up to 11 p.m.
That means that with the game due to kick off at 9 p.m. CEST, he would need further dispensation to take part in extra-time and penalties, were they to take place.
The chances of that are extremely slim, with Bayern are expected to cruise through. And the chances of Prescott taking part at all, beyond the substitutes’ bench, may also be diminishing. On Monday, Urbig took part in some aspects of first-team training, with Bayern expected to make a decision about his involvement closer to game time.Prescott is seen as a great prospect. Well-built at 6-foot-4 (1.96m), technical, modern and brave, he seems likely to have a future in the professional game. It’s just that nobody expected that moment to arrive this week.
If it was to happen, it would also present a moment of symmetry. Prescott was once a ballboy at Allianz Arena. In March 2024, he was working behind Neuer’s goal when Bayern played Lazio in the Champions League and was pictured celebrating with him at full time. Almost exactly two years later, he could be about to replace him.
Champions League 2025-26 Projections: Who will lift the trophy in Budapest on May 30?
Design: The Athletic; Photo: Getty Images
By The Athletic UK Staff
March 12, 2026
Which club will win the 2025-26 Champions League?
Paris Saint-Germain are the holders after their stunning 5-0 win against Inter in last season’s final, the biggest margin of victory in the competition’s history. The Premier League, meanwhile, has six entrants in this season’s edition, and several of those will fancy their chances of lifting the trophy in Budapest on May 30, 2026.
Advertisement
Throughout the season, we will publish projections — powered by Opta data — to show how teams are expected to perform. These will update after each matchday, so check in each time to see how the latest results have impacted your team’s chances.
Last updated March 12, 2026 at 9:20 AM
Before round of 16 second leg
The state of play after the Round of 16 first leg as teams aim to win the 2025-26 Champions League in BudapestCHANGE PROJECTIONS:Before round of 16 2nd leg (Mar. 17-18)Before K.O. playoff 1st leg (Feb. 17-18)Before Matchday 8 (Jan. 28)Before Matchday 7 (Jan. 20-21)Before Matchday 6 (Dec. 9-10)Before Matchday 5 (Nov. 25-26)Before Matchday 4 (Nov. 4-5)Before Matchday 3 (Oct. 21-22)Before Matchday 2 (Sept. 30-Oct. 1)Before Matchday 1 (Sept. 16-18)
Champions & Europa League Play Returns Tues/Wed/Thurs Match Day 6
Awesome to see the top clubs in the World battle it out – thru 5 rounds Arsenal, Bayern, Atalanta, PSG & Inter stand in the Top 5, while my Juventus with McKinney & Leverkusen with Tillman are just above the cut line. American’s Ricardo Pepi scored late for PSV in a 3-2 loss, and Foralin Balogon scored the winner for Monico over Galatasaray for his 3rd straight Champions League game with a Goal. McKinney’s stunner the winner for Juve in Champs league. Not UCL but Pulisic has been deadly in front of net this season for AC Milan as he’s tied for Serie A lead for scoring despite only playing 9 games. Pulisic ties it up 30 seconds after coming on then Supersub Scores a Brace as Milan wins it. See all the US players playing below.
US Draw Includes Australia, Paraguay, (Euro Winner Turkey?)
So the US got a decent draw – no reason the US can’t get out of this group – honestly in the #1 slot. The US has recently beaten both Australia and Paraguay in the past few months often without our team. The draw looks like we could make a run to Sweet 16 where we would face Belgium – again. But lets not count our chickens yet. Also exciting to see the US has signed to play Germany in Chicago June 6, and Portugal and Belgium in Atlanta in late March.
Inter Miami & Messi Win MLS Cup over Vancouver
Messi continued his mastery over MLS – with a goal and an Assist in the 3-1 win over a game Vancouver at home in Miami. MLS Final Highlights The win finally justifies the extreme amount of money Miami has spent in signing the trifecta of Messi, Jordi Alba & Sergio Busquets (both of who are retiring). Fun game to watch as Vancouver made a game of it before Messi helped Miami pull away late.
Former Carmel GK Eric Dick Signs with Indy 11 after winning USL Championship for Pittsburgh
Awesome to see former Carmel Dad’s Club/Carmel High/Butler GK Eric Dick is coming home to Indy as he will return to the Indy 11 this upcoming season — fresh off a Player of the USL Championship performance for Pittsburgh.
Notes
Thrilled for Wilfried Nancy, who has just moved from Columbus to manage Celtic. We’ve had him on a number of times. He is such a soulful, inspirational leader. I can’t wait to watch him learn and grow in Scotland. I want to send huge love to the great Shaka Hislop (ESPN Analyst), who revealed he is battling prostate cancer and urged Caribbean men to get tested. His message is a crucial one. I wish Shaka and his family strength and health at this moment.
Mohomed, Margaret, and Shane reffing indoors at the Grand Park Tourney Sunday – last 1 of the year.
====RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ===
Coming home from Practice or Games at Badger Fieldhouse? Try out the Best BarBQ in Town right across the street (131st) from Northview Church on the corner of Hazelldell & 131st. RackZ BBQ
Save 20% on your order
(mention the ole ballcoach)
Check out the BarBQ Ribs, pulled Pork and Chicken, Brisket and more. Sweet, Tangy or Spicy sauce. Mention you heard about it from the Ole Ballcoach — and Ryan will give you 20% off your next meal. https://www.rackzbbqindy.com/Call ahead at 317-688-7290 M-Th 11-8 pm, 11-9 Fri/Sat, 12-8 pm on Sunday. Pick some up after practice – Its good eatin! You won’t be disappointed and tell ’em the Ole Ballcoach Sent You!
Save 20% on these Succulent Ribs at Rackz BarBQ when you mention the Ole Ballcoach – Corner of 131 & Hazelldell. – Call 317-688-7290.
======================RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ======================
GAMES ON TV
Wed, 12/9 Champs League 12:45 pm Para+ Villareal vs Kebenhavn 2:45 pm Para+ Hull City vs Wrexham 3 pm Para+ Real Madrid vs Man City 3 pm CBSSN Bayern Leverkusen (Tilman) vs New Castle United 3 pm Para+ Juventus (McKennie) vs Paphos 3 pm Para+ Arsenal vs Club Brugge 3 pm Para+ Athletic Club vs PSG 3 pm Para+ Dortmund vs Boda Glimt Thurs, 12/10 Europa 12:45 pm Para+ Rangers vs Ferencvaros 12:45 pm Para+ Young Boys vs Lille 12:45 pm Para+ Nottingham Forest vs Utrecht 3 pm Para+ Lyonnais (Tessman) vs Go Ahead Eagles 3 pm Para+ Celtic (Trusty) vs AS Roma 3 pm Para+ Shelbourne vs Crystal Palace (Richards) Fri, 12/12 2:30 pm ESPN+ Union Berlin vs RB Leipzig 3 pm Para+ West Brom (Dike) vs Sheffield United Sat, 12/13 8 am ESPN+ Atletico MAdrid vs Valencia 9:30 am ESPN+ MGladback (Reyna, Scalley) vs Wolfsburg 10 am USA Chelsea vs Everton 10 am USA Livepool vs Brighton 12:30 pm NBC Burnley vs Fulham (Jedi) 3 pm USA Arsenal vs Wolverhampton Sun, 12/14 6:30 am Para+ AC Milan (Pulisic) vs Sassuolo 9 am USA Sunderland vs New Castle 9 am Peacock Crystal Palace (Richards) vs Man City 9 am PEacock Nottingham Forest vs Brighton 9 am Pea West Ham vs Liverpool 11:30 am ESPN+ Bayern Munich vs Mainz 11:30 am USA Brentford vs Leeds United (Aaronson) 3 pm ESPN+ Alavez vs Real Madrid 8 pm CBSSN Toluca vs Tigres UANL Mon, 12/15 3 pm USA Man United vs Bournemouth (Adams) Wed, Dec 17 2:30 pm Para+ New Castle vs Fulham (Jedi) 2:30 pm Para+ Man City vs Brentford Fri, Dec 19 2:30 pm ESPN+ Dortmund vs MGladbach (Reyna, Scalley) 4 pm CBSSN Bologna vs Inter Milan Jan 24 5:30 pm TNT, HBO USWNT vs Paraguay Jan 27 10 pm TBS, HBO USWNT vs Chile Sat, March 28 3:30 TNT, Max USA Men vs Belgium in Atlanta Tue, Mar 31 7:30 pm TNT, Max USA Men vs Portugal in Atlanta Sat, June 6 2:30 pm TNT. Max US Men vs Germany in Chicago June 12 9 pm Fox US Men vs Paraguay World Cup June 19 3 pm FOX US Men vs Australia World Cup June 25 10 pm FOX US Men vs European Team World Cup
USMNT weekend viewing guide: Scoring Champions
League play continues ahead of the winter break
Burnley v Fulham – 9:30a on 12:30p on NBC: Antonee Robinson has been progressing well in training and reportedly could return to the field on Saturday as Fulham face Burnley. Fulham are in fifteenth place and have lost their past two matches. They will look to get back on track against a Burnley side that is second worst thus far and have lost six straight matches.
Bayer Leverkusen v Koln – 12:30p on ESPN Select: Malik Tillman and Bayer Leverkusen will look to bounce back from their loss to Augsburg last weekend as they take on Kristoffer Lund and his Koln team that are in ninth place but coming off a disappointing draw with St. Pauli.
PSV v Heracles – 2p on ESPN Select: Sergino Dest has started 14 of 15 league matches for PSV this season and Ricardo Pepi has joined him in the past two as PSV maintain their league lead. Pepi also scored in each of the last two league matches and has an assist as well as he looks to make his case for additional minutes moving forward. He also was one of several American’s to score midweek and he notched a goal for PSV in their 3-2 loss to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday. On Saturday PSV will face 16th place Heracles who after a particularly rough start to the season are actually undefeated in their past six matches across all competitions.
Atalanta v Cagliari – 2:45p on Paramount+: Yunus Musah saw three minutes off the bench on Tuesday in Atalanta’s 2-1 win over Chelsea in Champions League play. Unfortunately, Musah still hasn’t appeared in a league match since October and he has just 80’ across all competitions since late September. The loan at Atalanta does not seem to be going well and Musah is at real risk of missing out on next summers World Cup if he isn’t able to turn things around or find another move.
Paris v Toulouse – 3:05p on beIN Sports: Mark McKenzie started again for Toulouse last weekend as they snapped their six match winless streak by defeating Strasbourg 1-0. Toulouse now face Paris FC who are in fourteenth place and are winless in their last four matches.
Sunday
AC Milan v Sassuolo – 6:30a on Paramount+: Christian Pulisic came on as a second half substitute on Monday as AC Milan came from behind to defeat Torino 3-2 after falling behind 2-0 in the opening 20 minutes of the match. Pulisic’s goals were his six and seventh of the Serie A season and he has eleven goals and assists in the twelve matches be has played across all competitions this season. With the win Milan remain tied with Napoli for first place in Serie A.
Crystal Palace v Manchester City – 9a on NBCSN and Peacock: Chris Richard, the best player in the USMNT pool (which I’m sure itself will cause some debate), started yet again for fourth place Crystal Palace as they defeated Fulham 2-1 last weekend. Palace haven’t had a lot of tough matchups this season but they have been in every match they have played, with just three losses on their record, all of which were by a single goal.
Olympique Lyon v Le Havre – 9a on beIN Sports: Tanner Tessmann has been sidelined for Lyon’s past two matches and will reportedly be out again this weekend as fifth place Lyon face a Le Havre side that are just three points out of the relegation playoff spot.
Brentford v Leeds United – 11:30a on USA Network: Brenden Aaronson came off the bench for 25’ and notched an assist as Leeds drew with Liverpool 3-3 after initially falling behind 2-0. Leeds have four points from their last two matches but still are just two points out of the relegations spots.
Olympique Marseille v Monaco – 2:45p on beIN Sports: The second USMNT matchup of the weekend sees Tim Weah and third place Marseille facing off against Folarin Balogun and seventh place Monaco on Sunday afternoon. Weah has started three straight league matches for Marseille since returning from injury while Balogun missed last weekends league match but started and scored for Monaco midweek in their 1-0 win over Galatasaray in Champions League play.
Bologna v Juventus – 2:45p on CBS SS and Paramount+: Weston McKennie also scored in Champions League action this week, notching the opener for Juventus as they defeated Pafos 2-0 on Wednesday. McKennie also started against Napoli last weekend and notched an assist but Juve fell to the second place team and remain in seventh place in the league standings. They could move past fifth place Bologna who they face on Sunday as they trail their opponents by two points.
USMNT midweek viewing guide: Rounding into form
Follow along with all the USMNT action this week. Wednesday
Leverkusen vs Newcastle, 3p on Paramount+, CBS Sports Network, FuboTV, ViX: Malik Tillman and Leverkusen host Newcastle United in Champions League.
Juventus vs Pafos, 3p on Paramount+, ViX: Weston McKennie and Juve host Cyprus-based club Pafos in Champions League.
Thursday
Lyon vs Go Ahead Eagles, 3p on Paramount+, ViX: Tanner Tessmann and OL host Dutch club Go Ahead Eagles in Europa League.
Shelbourne vs Crystal Palace, 3p on Paramount+, ViX: Chris Richards and Palace visit Irish club Shelbourne in Conference League.
Also in action:
Celtic vs Roma, 3p on Paramount+, CBS Sports Network, TUDN USA, UniMás, FuboTV, ViX: Auston Trusty and Celtic host AS Roma in Europa League. Cameron Carter-Vickers is out for the season with an Achilles tendon injury.
Panathinaikos vs Viktoria Plzeň, 3p on Paramount+, ViX: Erik Palmer-Brown and Panathinaikos host Viktoria Plzeň in Europa League.
KuPS vs Lausanne, 3p on Paramount+, ViX: Swiss-American center-back Bryan Okoh and Lausanne Sport visit Finnish club KuPS in Conference League.
Lech Poznań vs Mainz, 3p on Paramount+, ViX: Lennard Maloney and Mainz visit Lech Poznań in Conference League.
Friday
Greuther Fürth vs Hertha Berlin, 12:30p on ESPN Select, FuboTV: Julian Green, Maxi Dietz, and Fürth host Hertha BSC in the 2. Bundesliga. John Brooks (on Hertha’s books) hasn’t played since May 2024, missing time due to multiple separate injuries.
Standard Liège vs OH Leuven, 2:45p: Marlon Fossey and Standard host Leuven in Belgium’s top tier.
West Brom vs Sheffield United, 3p on Paramount+: Daryl Dike, George Campbell, and West Brom host Sheffield United in the Championship.
Looking to Get a Professional Company Headshot? Check out https://capturely.com/ Tell Rob The Ole Ballcoach sent you and he’ll give you a deal.
DISCOUNT SMALL ENGINE & BIG ENGINE REPAIRS IN CARMEL
Need your Riding Mower, Push Mower or any small engine or Car Engine Work Done by Carmel High Junior Mechanical Wizard for a bargain basement Price? Email my buddy Marc Sultanov at marc.sultanov@gmail.com
Messi wins MLS MVP for second straight season, makes more league history
Maddie Meyer / Getty Images By Felipe Cardenas Dec. 9, 2025Updated 11:46 am EST
Days after becoming an MLS Cup champion, Lionel Messi has etched out even more of a place in league history. Messi was officially announced as the 2025 Landon Donovan MLS MVP on Tuesday, becoming the first player to win back-to-back MVP awards in league history. He’s just the second to win multiple MVP honors, joining former Kansas City great Preki, who won it in 1997 and 2003. It’s hardly a surprise: Messi, even at 38, finished the regular season with 29 goals and 19 assists, leading the league in both categories.He added six goals and nine more assists during Miami’s playoff run – a playoff-record 15 goal contributions in a single season. Messi narrowly missed breaking Carlos Valderrama’s 25-year-old assists record, with the Colombian legend tallying 22 assists in 2000 with the since-defunct Tampa Bay Mutiny. If the evidence of his play on a game-by-game basis – and his commitment to a new three-year deal – weren’t enough, Messi’s numbers this season are unequivocal proof that the Argentine has taken his MLS era seriously.Messi received over 70% of the total vote, which was conducted by media, players and club personnel, to claim his latest individual prize in a career full of them. San Diego FC winger Anders Dreyer, who tied for the league lead in assists and added 19 goals, finished second with just over 11%. He was followed by LAFC’s Denis Bouanga (7.27%), FC Cincinnati’s Evander (4.78%) and Nashville SC’s Sam Surridge (2.42%). Interestingly, Messi received just 55.17% of the player vote.
“First of all, I’m thankful for this recognition,” Messi said in a statement. “It’s always nice to receive individual awards but I want to share it with my teammates. I was also fortunate to win the MLS Golden Boot thanks to the help of my teammates. I’m happy to receive this award and be the first in the history of this league to win it in two consecutive years. I’m very thankful.”As for more context regarding his eye-opening stats: His 48 total goal contributions were the second highest single-season total in MLS history (Carlos Vela; 49 in 2019). It’s an impressive statistic considering Messi played in 28 of 34 regular season games. When factoring in the playoffs (63 goal contributions), his production is second-to-none.He is the only player in league history to record at least 36 goal contributions in a season multiple times (2024, 2025) and is the second player in MLS history to lead the league in both goals scored and assists. In 2015, former Toronto FC playmaker Sebastian Giovinco led the league with 22 goals and 16 assists. Messi is only the fourth player in the last decade to be named MVP and win the MLS Golden Boot in the same season.
Messi wins MLS Cup MVP honors after Inter Miami’s 3-1 win over VancouverElsa / Getty Images
He was dominant throughout the year, and even though Saturday’s 3-1 win over Vancouver in the MLS Cup final was devoid of a magical Messi goal, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain attacker finished the game with two decisive assists.His second was a beauty to Tadeo Allende, who iced the game and title for the home side. It capped a remarkable year for Messi, who continues to perform at a level that keeps him relevant just months away from the 2026 World Cup – even though he has resisted publicly committing to playing in the competition so far.Messi’s 10 multi-goal games in a single season marked a new MLS record, breaking the previous record of eight shared by Stern John (Columbus Crew, 1998), Mamadou Diallo (Tampa Bay Mutiny, 2000), and Zlatan Ibrahimović (LA Galaxy, 2019). During one of Messi’s most dominant stretches this season, he scored multiple goals in five consecutive games from May 28 to July 12 – another record. No other player in MLS history has had a multi-goal run of more than four matches.To cap it all off, Messi is also just the sixth player in MLS’s 30 seasons to win both the regular season MVP and the MLS Cup final MVP in the same season. Messi joins Tony Meola (2000), Carlos Ruiz (2002), Guillermo Barros Schelotto (2008), Robbie Keane (2014), and Josef Martínez (2018) in that select group.
As it relates to MLS MVPs and hitting new ground, there’s one more frontier to conquer, and it’s a term with which Messi has plenty of familiarity: the hat trick.
Christian Pulisic can use USMNT World Cup draw to launch himself as an American icon
Christian Pulisic is targeting World Cup success with the USMNT John McGloughlin / Icon Sportswire / Getty Images
After the Village People had shuffled off stage, Donald Trump had put his FIFA Peace Prize on the shelf in the Oval Office, and Gianni Infantino had starting scrolling his Instagram notifications, I imagine that Christian Pulisic, sat in his apartment in Italy, took another glance at the outcome of the draw for the 2026 World Cup and let out a little sigh of relief.
Group D: the United States, Paraguay, Australia and a European playoff winner, most likely Turkey. Not bad. Not bad at all.Pulisic certainly would have known it could have been much, much worse.And as he reflected a little on what awaits him in June (and hopefully July) next year, the Milan winger would have surely felt that tingling in his stomach.Because that draw, with no major obstacle likely until a possible meeting with Belgium in the round of 16, sets the stage perfectly for Pulisic for what could be the summer of his life. It creates the ideal stage for him to make the defining run of his career and transition from being merely a U.S. soccer star to a true, mainstream American sports superstar.The stakes are absolutely colossal for him in 2026. If Milan manages to win Serie A and he maintains his current form – two more goals Monday have him atop the league’s scoring chart – it’s near-certain he would be named Serie A Player of the Year. Carrying that momentum into a World Cup on home soil, the expectations would be that he would take his team on a thrilling adventure.
Christian Pulisic struck twice in Milan’s Monday victory over Torino.Image Photo Agency / Getty Images
This is the tournament that could absolutely change his life and his legacy in the United States. If he can be the hero for the USMNT on home soil, in a World Cup, the opportunities that will open up for him in terms of his reputation, commercial appeal and marketability will be enormous.American sports fans, the kind who only tune in to soccer once every four years, will judge Pulisic in the same way they judge NFL and NBA stars — on whether he can deliver on the biggest stage when the stakes are highest. In this sport, that means the World Cup. Soccer fans know winning Serie A would earn Pulisic respect throughout the game and adoration in Italy, but it still wouldn’t make him a household name in America.Bringing people to their feet in stadiums, fan zones and bars across America next summer? That would catapult Pulisic to true Captain America status.We know that World Cups are unpredictable, however, and the first random element is the draw. Traps can be set and challenges get tougher just from those plastic balls pulled out on stage.Group D isn’t easy – almost no group that could be imagined for a team like the USMNT in the modern game can truly be considered that way. Yet when you compare it with, say, 2014, when the USA was dealt a group stage with Germany, Portugal and Ghana (and no progression for third place in that edition) and was written off by many international commentators, you realize that it is a setting that offers Mauricio Pochettino’s team every chance of advancing.What makes me excited for Pulisic and the team as a whole is the way that Pochettino is setting up the USMNT, with his tactical restructuring and overall approach, with the focus taken off Pulisic and put squarely on the team. In the past, he felt pressure, having to do too much and dropping into parts of the field he didn’t need to, which took away from his game.
Top League Content
Pochettino has changed the dynamic. He has made it clear that this is not a squad with a Messi-like player and he is setting up the system so that there are several attacking players with responsibility to be creative forces. There is Malik Tillman, Sergiño Dest, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah and, in the right circumstances, Gio Reyna. Folarin Balogun is expected to deliver goals and Ricardo Pepi and Haji Wright will be waiting for the chance if he doesn’t deliver. It’s not all on Pulisic.
Players such as Malik Tillman have helped share the USMNT’s attacking burden.David Buono / Icon Sportswire / Getty Images
But make no mistake, the USMNT still needs Pulisic to be the ‘Messi’ figurehead in some ways, providing that high-level creativity, without the crushing weight of having to solve all the questions himself. He can now play his game exactly as he would at Milan, saving his energy for those one-v-one moments and open spaces where he can produce the magic.On paper, this is the best World Cup group draw the program has had in a long time. Crucially, the U.S. got the absolute weakest team in Pot 2 with Australia — that’s a dream outcome. But let’s be clear: there’s a big difference between paper and performance. People confuse “best outcome” with “easiest,” a concept that doesn’t exist at a World Cup.There isn’t an absolute minnow in the group, the kind of opponent that teams look to boost their goal difference. Every game will be competitive, featuring teams that are cut from the same cloth as Wales and Iran from four years ago — tough, resilient, and hard to break down. But none of these three opponents possesses the game-breaking individual brilliance of a Kylian Mbappé, a Lamine Yamal, or an Erling Haaland, who can ruin your perfect game plan by beating three guys and scoring out of nowhere. In terms of individual star power, even if Turkey and exciting Real Madrid rising force Arda Güler make it through the playoff, Pulisic is top of the tree in this group.Still, the team’s tactical planning must be spot on for each opponent.Paraguay is a side that is defensively stout, resilient and comfortable sitting deep in a mid-block and playing on the counter. What is needed are players who can break down that deep block. This is where a number of players, such as a healthy Reyna or Tillman, are vital, as they are creative, can force defenses out, and open up space for runners like Balogun or Pulisic in behind.Australia, who will perhaps be feeling disrespected, are capable on the counter and will be playing with immense self-belief. What hurts Australia is pace, exploiting the space they leave when they throw their outside players forward. Players such as Balogun, Weah, and hopefully a healthy Antonee Robinson, who thrive in transition, will be absolutely necessary in that game. Australia relies on work rate, physicality and set pieces to make up for any difference in quality, which reminds me a little bit of how the U.S. team used to play.If Turkey makes it out of the UEFA Path C playoff and into the tournament, they will be a tough team to beat, but their defense can be vulnerable to pace and there are ways to get past them. The U.S. has pace in the roster and options available to Pochettino to exploit identified weaknesses.
One factor not to be discounted is home-field advantage. If the U.S. is playing its best, and with full stadiums of American supporters pushing them on, they will feel that they can run through walls. After Friday’s draw, I fully expect that the U.S. tops the group.If that task is navigated, the pathway opens up beautifully. Next would be a third-place team in the round of 32. Then, the likely round-of-16 opponent, if paper form is followed, is Belgium.They are a good team, but you would still take Belgium 10 times out of 10 over facing alternatives such as France, England, Spain, or Portugal. While they are not the “golden generation” anymore, they still have quality players such as Youri Tielemans, Jeremy Doku, and Amadou Onana, but I still feel the USMNT has the tools to get the job done.If you’ll indulge the dream and look ahead, beating Belgium would push the U.S. into the quarterfinals – and I believe that is realistic if the team executes Pochettino’s plans and plays to its very best. Morocco showed in 2022 that a team can go deep by being cohesive, and the U.S. now has the quality and a world-class coach to deliver something special.
Turkey must make it through a UEFA playoff if Real Madrid youngster Arda Guler is to make his first World Cup appearance next summer.Alberto Gardin / NurPhoto via Getty Images
Pochettino has taken a massive step by setting the team’s mentality and unity, reminding the players that there are no guarantees for anyone. But now, the focus has to shift to tactical management.The Argentine must now start to deal with ideas for different opponents and game situations, focusing on whether the plan is high-pressing, playing on the front foot, or dropping deep to protect a lead. He needs to finalize the blueprint of how the team operates, which, frankly, took until mid-October to figure out.The U.S. will be in possession more often in the group stage than in previous World Cups. Pochettino has to deliver top game plans that expose opponents, similar to how Bob Bradley was able to neutralize the midfield source of Xavi and Xabi Alonso against Spain in the 2009 Confederations Cup. He needs soldiers who can play short-impact roles effectively, and he needs to ensure the team utilizes the scoring options he’s found.here are four friendlies scheduled before the opening game against Paraguay on June 12 in Los Angeles. The March 28 game against Belgium in Atlanta takes on a new tone given the draw, and it will be interesting to see if the two coaches are wary of showing their hand against potential World Cup opponents.Portugal and Germany are also on the docket, and these games will offer real tests of just how close the squad is to the level needed for the latter stages of the tournament.The USMNT has been dealt a good hand by the draw, but as any poker player knows, it’s how you play ’em that counts.You need something special to go far at a World Cup, and watching Pulisic add to his tremendous season with two more goals on Monday gave me that feeling that we have an ace in hand.
USA coach Mauricio Pochettino says patriotic ‘emotion of the people’ can inspire World Cup run
Mauricio Pochettino hopes soccer fans will feel intense passion and non-soccer fans will get swept up by patriotism during the World Cup run. Jamie Sabau / Getty Images
As the 2026 World Cup came into focus after Friday’s draw, U.S. men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino reiterated his call for the entire country to get behind his players — and for those players to fight for their country.
The national team, he said, is “not a normal team,” and the World Cup is not a normal event.“Did you see today?” Pochettino rhetorically asked reporters a few hours after the draw, which doubled as a bizarre, patriotic show described by others in attendance as “very American.”
“We are going to have a country behind us,” Pochettino said. “We are going to play with the emotion of the people.”
He then sent a message to his players: “People need to feel proud about you, but not because you are going to win — we cannot promise that we are going to win — but in the way that you are going to defend your shirt, your flag, your culture, your philosophy. How we are, how the people are here, how the society is, how you think, in a cultural way.
“Every time that we are going to play a game, the World Cup is this.”
Pochettino, an Argentine coach who took charge of the USMNT last year, has spoken frequently about the need for the American public to get behind his team. He began delivering passionate monologues during and after this past summer’s Concacaf Gold Cup, when Guatemala and Mexico fans outnumbered U.S. fans at the semifinal and final in St. Louis and Houston.
Mauricio Pochettino wants stadiums for USMNT World Cup games to be filled with red, white and blue.Matthew Visinsky / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
“The fans,” he said in July, “have one year to realize how important fans are in soccer.”
He now assumes the World Cup will be different. Soccer fans will feel intense passion; non-soccer fans will get swept up by patriotism. SoFi Stadium in Southern California and Lumen Field in Seattle, the USMNT’s two group stage venues, will fill with red, white and blue.
For a while, there were questions about public support, as even USMNT die-hards were frustrated by losses and overcome by apathy. The team’s second-to-last game of 2025, a 2-1 win over Paraguay — the opponent it will face in its World Cup opener — did not fill an 18,500-seat stadium.
“The last few games, the last few windows, I think the team (showed) a very good thing to the fans,” Pochettino said Friday. “To attract, to say, ‘C’mon, guys, you need to support us,’ that is how we feel, how we are. We need your energy, your support. And I think the fans are there, behind the team. And I think it’s going to be exciting. We are building a very good relationship. I think we start to show that we are USA.”
With the positive results, the dream of a World Cup run has been rekindled. And the vision of American flags flying, of millions of people inspired, has returned.
That’s what people at U.S. Soccer and around the team have envisioned for years. Gregg Berhalter, Pochettino’s predecessor, recalled being in Germany during the 2006 World Cup. “Just to see how the fans got behind the country — and it just pivoted, it changed, it became a wave,” Berhalter said in 2024. “And that’s what I’d say to fans: This is your opportunity. … The team is trying to do something that’s never been done before. So, be part of that.”
Over the nine-decade history of the men’s World Cup, there is solid evidence to suggest home advantage can be a powerful force. Six hosts have won the tournament: Uruguay in 1930, Italy in 1934, England in 1966, West Germany in 1974, Argentina in 1978 and France in 1998. In 2002, co-host South Korea embarked upon a stunning run that saw its group of domestic-based players make it all the way to the semifinals, collecting famous victories over Spain and Italy along the way.
South Korea’s squad and head coach Guus Hiddink were honored with a ticker-tape parade after their 2002 semifinal run.Emmanuel Dunand / AFP via Getty Images
Four years later, as Berhalter referenced, Jurgen Klinsmann united Germany behind a young team that had been written off before the tournament and took it to the brink of the final, before an extra-time defeat to eventual victor Italy. And eight years ago, while the U.S. was licking its wounds from a humiliating and doomed qualifying campaign, Russia’s squad quickly drew nationalistic support behind it, ousting heavily-favored Spain in the round of 16 before being squeezed out by Croatia on penalties.
Advertisement
The U.S., which advanced to the round of 16 in 1994, probably belongs in the category of hosts who outperformed their talent as well, a group stage victory over Colombia being the highlight.
Some others have struggled, either unable to lift their standard despite the home support or perhaps overwhelmed by it. Qatar was the first team eliminated from the 2022 World Cup without a single point. South Africa was valiant in 2010 but ultimately exited in the group stage. Brazil crumbled under the unimaginable pressure of hosting the 2014 tournament and infamously lost to Germany in the semifinals 7-1.
Pochettino is wary of that pressure but said, “I think it’s good pressure.”
“We need to be careful (with) the message we are going to send,” he continued. “Because every time we are here talking, the players are listening.” But pressure, he said, is OK as long as it’s not pressure to win. What it should be is pressure that pushes him and his team to “try to be better.”
Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool downfall was inevitable – and it stems from Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving
Liverpool’s post-Mohamed Salah era might have begun, with a strange twist in the way that the Egyptian King has lost his team
Mohamed Salah looks on ahead of the Champions League group game against Eintracht Frankfurt (Image credit: Getty Images)
What may be Liverpool’s first post-Mohamed Salah win didn’t introduce a shred of irony. It was just as we all expected, in the shadow of the monarch. Salah would have ordinarily taken the penalty that won the Reds the game; ordinarily, he’d be far and away their best player this season.But he wasn’t, and he isn’t. That’s Dominik Szoboszlai on both counts, who buried the spot kick late into the Lombardian twilight. It’s safe to assume that if anyone’s picking up the dropped baton, it’s Szoboszlai – at least for now.
That’s the opposite of ironic – the next guy assumes the reins, who’d have guessed? – but nevertheless, it’s a weird feeling. Liverpool have been far from a one-man team over the past eight years: they’ve had one of the greatest centre-backs in Premier League history, a right-back and a goalkeeper to a similar level and Salah himself was only 33 per cent of a world-class frontline, with plenty still surely debating that Sadio Mane, at his peak, was a better footballer. The red side of Merseyside has been blessed with one of its greatest-ever eras for talent.
Yet, the ‘Egyptian King’ nickname rings true. For the past eight years, Salah has been watching the throne. For all the leaders (Van Dijk and Henderson), the local lads (Trent and Jones), the superstars (Alisson and Mane) and the next generation (Wirtz and Isak), this has always been his team. Salah first: everyone else later.He is the last surviving starter from his debut against Watford in August 2017, with substitute Joe Gomez the only other in that matchday squad still kicking about at the training ground (though it’s so long ago that it’s a different training ground). That afternoon, Salah scored his third Premier League goal, following two in a spell at Chelsea. Now, he has more strikes in the competition than anyone else from overseas ever. And 190 more than Gomez, coincidentally (though this may be misattributed as ironic, it’s not).They’ve had their differences since – but in 2022, Carragher told FourFourTwo that Salah’s future was abundantly clear from that afternoon at Vicarage Road.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.“I’ll always remember that first game, away at Watford,” he said. “He only got the one goal that day but the actual runs he made, you could tell that this fella was going to score goals.“You could tell right away what kind of player he was, he was a goalscorer, he wasn’t a winger. He wasn’t going to be whipping crosses in at all – the goals were going to become a big part of his game.” Eight years later and no one has so much as challenged that right-wing spot. Salah has helped change the perception of wide players in England.But the fact of the matter is that wide players do not score that many goals without the team being theirs. From the minute he signed, Liverpool’s then-best player, Mane, moved from his customary right-wing berth. From then on, Salah’s place in the side has been a non-negotiable. Roberto Firmino got a little older and Diego Jota came along. Mane moved out for Luis Diaz; Darwin Nunez came along and Cody Gakpo signed. Salah remained – signing two huge contracts, too.So he should have: he won back-to-back Golden Boots in his first two seasons and never let up. But perhaps underrated in the years since, is the strength of that right-hand side. In Liverpool’s prime, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jordan Henderson and Mohamed Salah were on a telepathic wavelength with one another: one holding width, one dropping deep, one pushing on, in perfect unison.
Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold were key to Salah’s success (Image credit: Getty Images)
It was all done to get Salah into the areas where he was most dangerous. It’s an oversimplification to point out that after Henderson left in the summer of 2023, Salah had his worst campaign in terms of goals… but it’s worth mentioning.It makes the present all the more fascinating.When Arne Slot arrived, he followed Jurgen Klopp’s playbook: Liverpool exerted a little more composure, but with no major signing aside from Federico Chiesa, everything remained the same: the first-choice XI, with everything in its right place. Alexander-Arnold, tasked once more, with overlapping. And this season, there is too much chaos – too many deck chairs and wheelie bins in the tornado – to point out exactly where it’s going wrong.
But the mayhem and Slot’s suggested solution is at least reminiscent of Andoni Iraola’s first few weeks at Bournemouth. The Basque, too, unleashed a high press with little to no synchronicity and tanked the first two months of his tenure. Full-backs can’t maraud that high without protection further back: something that Slot has realised, too, with the gradual phasing out of all those shiny new parts.
Slot has struggled to find answers with this side (Image credit: Getty Images)
Wirtz has been dropped, Ekitike and Isak have rotated and new combinations are emerging in midfield. But perhaps most intriguingly, Gomez is back in the fold. The defender had one foot out of the door on deadline day: now he’s seemingly the only right-back in the squad with his head screwed on. Cause and effect. It has a kick-on with the right-winger.It marks the first time in almost a decade that the side is no longer geared towards Mohamed Salah. Some may say this was always going to happen anyway – if not this way, than with an influx of superstar arrivals. Others will claim it’s about time – and no shame – when your talisman is 33.True irony is difficult to find with coincidence a more likely substitute: but whatever you’d describe it as, it’s decidedly bizarre that Joe Gomez – the only man there before him – perhaps signals the end of Salah’s time at the club.All good things come to an end: Trent knew that all too well. Now it seems the pair were linked closer telepathically than we cared to credit. The Egyptian King could outlast almost everyone at Anfield.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn’t receive a winners’ medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson’s season at Barcelona to Robinho’s career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
Kind of gives me chill-bumps when you hear an American being cheered like this in Italy – Pulisic in Milan. Wonder why the EPL is so popular Worldwide – games like this – Arsenal wins in Extra Time. When you are at the fields this weekend – think about this before you yell at the ref.
Champions League & Europa League this Week
Champions League Action is back today and Wednesday with some big games like Barcelona hosting PSG & Villareal vs Juventus & American McKinney, and the battle of American’s Pepe & Dest for PSV traveling to Bayer Leverkusen and Tillman on Wednesday at 3 pm. Tuesday we get the return of Jose Mourino to Chelsea as he brings Portugal’s Benefica into town at 3 pm on Para+. (Full schedule & coverage below)
US U20 Boys in World Cup – Sun 4 pm FS2
The US U20’s got over to great start with a 9-0 win (US Goals) in game 1 of their World Cup start. Games continue on Fox Sports 1, 2 and Desportes all week and weekend long. Spain vs Mexico Wed at 4 pm on FS2, Spain vs Brazil Sat 4 pm on Univision & USA vs South Africa on Sunday at 4 pm on Fox Sports 2. (Full schedule & Stories below)
US Open Cup Wed Night CBS Sports Network, Para+
The US Open Cup finals are Wed night with Austin City hosting BJ Callahan and Nashville SC at 8 pm on CBSSN. This is a historic moment for both teams, as it’s the first time Austin FC has hosted a major tournament final and the first Open Cup final appearance for Nashville SC. (Stories below)
Indy 11 Win Again – @ Louisville on WNDY 23 7:30 pm Sat
Indy Eleven midfielder Jack Blake scored his USL Championship era (2018-) franchise record 25th Boys in Blue goal for the game-winner in a huge 2-1 victory over Western Conference leader FC Tulsa at Carroll Stadium. The win moves Indy Eleven into a playoff position one point ahead of Rhode Island FC with four games left in the regular season. Indy Eleven will take their two-game winning streak to USL Championship Eastern Conference leader Louisville City FC next Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on WNDY 23 and CBS Sports Golazo Network. The Boys in Blue have their final regular season home game with Fan Appreciation Night on Saturday, October 18 at 7 p.m. at Carroll Stadium vs. Loudoun United FC.
Brett Y, Will F and me reffing at Purdue Polytech High in Broadripple Monday.
====RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ===
Coming home from Practice or Games at Badger Field? Try out the Best BarBQ in Town right across the street (131st) from Northview Church on the corner of Hazelldell & 131st. RackZ BBQ
Save 20% on your order
(mention the ole ballcoach)
Check out the BarBQ Ribs, pulled Pork and Chicken, Brisket and more. Sweet, Tangy or Spicy sauce. Mention you heard about it from the Ole Ballcoach — and Ryan will give you 20% off your next meal. https://www.rackzbbqindy.com/Call ahead at 317-688-7290 M-Th 11-8 pm, 11-9 Fri/Sat, 12-8 pm on Sunday. Pick some up after practice – Its good eatin! You won’t be disappointed and tell ’em the Ole Ballcoach Sent You!
Save 20% on these Succulent Ribs at Rackz BarBQ when you mention the Ole Ballcoach – Corner of 131 & Hazelldell. – Call 317-688-7290.
======================RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ======================
FULL TV GAME SCHEDULE
Tues, Sept 30 Champions League 12:45 pm Para+, Uni Kairat vs Real Madrid 3 pm CBSSN Paphos vs Bayern Munich 3 pm Para+ Galatasaray vs Liverpool 3 pm Para+ Atletico Madrid vs Frankfurt 3 pm Para+ Marseille (_) vs Ajax 3 pm Para+ Chelsea vs Benefica 3 pm Para+ Inter vs Slavia Praha 3 pm Para+ Boda vs Tottenham 4 pm FS2 Panama U20 vs Ukraine U20 WC 7 pm FS1 Chile U20 vs Japan U20 7 pm FS2 Korea U20 vs Paraguay U20 Wed, Oct 1 Champs League 12:45 pm Para, Uni Union Saint Gilloise vs Newcastle United 3 pm CBSSN Dortmund vs Athletic Club 3 pm Para+ Barcelona vs PSG 3 pm para+ Arsenal vs Olympiakos Piraues 3 pm Para+ Napoli vs Sporting CP 3 pm Para+ Bayer Leverkusen vs PSV (Pepe) 3 pm Para+ Villareal vs Juventus (McKinney) 4 pm FS2 Spain U20 vs Mexico U20 7 pm FS1 Brazil U20 vs Morocco U20 7 pm FS2 Argentina U20 vs Australia U20 8 pm CBSSN Austin City vs Nashville SC US Open Cup Thurs, Oct 2 Europa 12:45 pm CBSSN Roma vs Lille 12:45 pm Celtic (Carter Vickers) cs Sporting Braga 12:45 pm Dynamo Kyiv vs Crystal Palace (Chris Richards) 3 pm CBSSN Feyenoord vs Aston Villa 3 pm Para_ Sturm Graz vs Rangers 3 pm Para+ Nottingham Forest vs Middtylland 3 pm Para+ Olympique Lyonnais vs Salzburg Fri, Oct 3 3 pm USA Bournemouth (Adams) vs Fulham (Robinson) 7 pm FS1 Egypt U20 vs Chile U20 WC 7 pm FS2 New Zealand U20 vs Japan U20 Sat, Oct 4 7:30 am USA Leeds United (Aaronson) vs Tottenham 9:30 am ESPN+ Bayer Leverkusen (Tillman) vs Union Berlin 9:30 am ESPN+ Dortmund vs RB Leipzig 10 am USA Man United vs Sunderland 10 am Peacock Arsenal vs West Ham 12:30 pm NBC Chelsea vs Liverpool 4 pm Tele Mexico U20 vs Morocco U20 4 pm Univision Spain U20 vs Brazil U20 7 pm FS2 Argentina U20 vs Italy U20 10:30 pm Apple Seattle Sounders vs Portland Timbers Sun, Oct 6 4 pm FS2 USA U20 vs South Africa U20 7 pm FS2 Nigeria U20 vs Colombia U20 9 pm Apple LAFC vs Atlanta United MLS
Fri, Oct 10 8:30 pm TNT, Max USA Men vs Ecuador Tues, Oct 14 9 pm TNT, Max USA Men vs Australia Thurs, Oct 23 9 pm TNT, Max USA Women vs Portugal Chester PA Sun, Oct 26 4 pm TNT, Max USA Women vs Portugal Hartford CT Sat, Nov 15 5 pm TNT, Max USA Men vs Paraguay Chester PA Tues, Nov 18 7 pmTNT, Max USA Men vs Uruguay Tampa, FL
USMNT midweek viewing guide: Champions League, Championship
Follow along with all the USMNT action this week. by Justin Moran Stars & Stripes
Midweek USMNT action is here. All kickoff times are in EST. All MLS games are available on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV and EA Sports FC, as well as any other networks listed. Let’s get into it!
Tuesday
Atalanta vs Club Brugge, 12:45p on Paramount+, Prime Video, ViX: Yunus Musah and Atalanta host Brugge in Champions League.
Atlético Madrid vs Frankfurt, 3p on Paramount+, Prime Video, ViX: Johnny Cardoso and Atléti host Nathaniel Brown and Frankfurt in Champions League.
Marseille vs Ajax, 3p on Paramount+, Prime Video, ViX: Tim Weah and OM welcome Ajax into town for this Champions League match.
Also in action:
Frosinone vs Cesena, 2:30p on Onefootball: Jonathan Klinsmann and Cesena visit Frosinone in Serie B.
Palermo vs Venezia, 2:30p on Onefootball, DCTV: Gianluca Busio and Venezia visit Palermo in Serie B.
Birmingham vs Sheffield Wednesday, 2:45p: Ethan Horvath and Sheffield United visit Birmingham City in the Championship.
Middlesbrough vs Stoke, 2:45p on Paramount+, Prime Video: Aidan Morris and Boro host Stoke City in the Championship.
Sheffield United vs Southampton, 2:45p: Damion Downs and Southampton visit Sheffield United in the Championship.
Derby vs Charlton, 3p on Paramount+, Prime Video: Charlie Kelman and Charlton Athletic visit Derby County in the Championship.
Inter Miami vs Chicago Fire, 7:30p: Chris Brady, Brian Gutiérrez, and the Fire visit Inter Miami in MLS action.
Wednesday
Leverkusen vs PSV, 3p on Paramount+, Prime Video, ViX: Malik Tillman will face his former team as he and Leverkusen host, Sergiño Dest, Ricardo Pepi and PSV in Champions League.
Monaco vs Manchester City, 3p on Paramount+, Prime Video, TUDN USA, UniMás, Univision NOW, FuboTV (free trial), ViX: Folarin Balogun and Monaco host Man City in Champions League.
Villarreal vs Juventus, 3p on Paramount+, Prime Video, DAZN USA, CBS Sports Golazo: Weston McKennie and Juve visit Villarreal in Champions League.
Also in action:
Millwall vs Coventry, 2:45p on Paramount+, Prime Video: Haji Wright and Coventry City visit Millwall in the Championship.
Norwich vs West Brom, 2:45p on Paramount+, Prime Video: Josh Sargent and Norwich City welcome George Campbell and West Brom for this Championship match.
Portsmouth vs Watford, 2:45p: Caleb Wiley and Watford visit Portsmouth in the Championship.
Austin FC vs Nashville SC, 8p on Paramount+, Prime Video, CBS Sports Network, FuboTV: Walker Zimmerman and Nashville visit Owen Wolff and Austin for a chance to hoist a trophy in the US Open Cup final.
Vancouver Whitecaps vs Vancouver FC, 10p: Sebastian Berhalter, Brian White, and the Whitecaps meet Vancouver FC in the Canadian Championship final.
Thursday
Celtic vs Braga, 12:45p on Paramount+, Prime Video, ViX: Cameron Carter-Vickers and Celtic host Braga in Europa League.
Dynamo Kyiv vs Crystal Palace, 12:45p on Paramount+, Prime Video, ViX: Chris Richards and Palace visit Dynamo Kyiv in Conference League.
Lyon vs RB Salzburg, 3p on Paramount+, Prime Video, DAZN USA: Tanner Tessmann and Lyon host Anrie Chase and Salzbug in Europa League.
USA U20 vs France U20, 4p on FS2, UNIVERSO, Prime Video, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, FuboTV, Sling TV: Benja Cremaschi, Niko Tsakiris, Frankie Westfield, Nolan Norris, Taha Habroune, and Cole Campbell were the scorers in the USA U20’s 9-1 win over New Caledonia to open the U20 World Cup. France will be a much tougher test.
Also in action:
Panathinaikos vs Go Ahead Eagles, 12:45p on Paramount+, Prime Video, ViX: Erik Palmer-Brown and Panathinaikos face Go Ahead Eagles in this Europa League battle to see which club can have the longest name.
Lausanne vs Breidablik, 12:45p on Paramount+, Prime Video, ViX: Bryan Okoh and Lausanne host Breidablik in Conference League.
Omonio Nicosia vs Mainz, 12:45p on Paramount+, Prime Video, ViX: Lennard Maloney and Mainz visit Mix Diskerud’s old club Omonio Nicosia in Conference League.
Friday
Bournemouth vs Fulham, 3p on USA, UNIVERSO, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, FuboTV, Sling TV, TeleXitos: Antonee Robinson and the Cottagers visit Tyler Adams and Bournemouth in Premier League action.
US U20 ROSTER GOALKEEPERS (3): 1-Gavin Beavers* (Brøndby), 12-Adam Beaudry (Colorado Rapids), 21-Duran Ferree (San Diego FC) DEFENDERS (7): 2-Reed Baker-Whiting (Seattle Sounders), 18-Luca Bombino (San Diego FC), 5-Noah Cobb (Colorado Rapids), 16-Ethan Kohler (SC Verl), 3-Nolan Norris (FC Dallas), 17-Francis Westfield (Philadelphia Union), 4-Joshua Wynder (Benfica) MIDFIELDERS (6): 19-Matthew Corcoran (Nashville SC), 8-Benjamin Cremaschi (Parma), 14-Taha Habroune (Columbus Crew), 6-Brooklyn Raines (Houston Dynamo), 15-Pedro Soma (San Diego FC), 10-Niko Tsakiris (San Jose Earthquakes) FORWARDS (5): 11-Luke Brennan (Atlanta United), 7-Cole Campbell (Borussia Dortmund), 20-Zavier Gozo (Real Salt Lake City), 13-Peyton Miller (New England Revolution), 9-Marcos Zambrano (Real Salt Lake) *Diego Kochen was initially called in, but FC Barcelona recalled him on Saturday.
Until 2:45 p.m. ET on Sunday, the last weekend of September was a quiet one for U.S. men’s national team players in Europe. Several USMNT regulars had been relegated to the bench for their clubs. None had scored. Then, in the third minute of a showdown with the reigning Serie A champions, Christian Pulisic changed everything. He burst down San Siro’s left wing for a world-class assist. Later, he scored his league-leading fourth goal, and sixth in all competitions this season.He propelled Milan to a 2-1 win against Napoli, and to the top of Serie A. So, of course, that’s where we’ll begin our weekly roundup of USMNT players.
Pulisic’s red-hot form and vindication
Pulisic opting out of the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup left him facing weeks of criticism and questions. But when he finally explained himself, on a CBS Sports podcast in June, his reasoning was clear: He needed a break. He needed a proper offseason to rest and recharge, so that he could be at his best for Milan and the USMNT throughout the 2025-26 season and 2026 World Cup.“This is the right decision for myself, and for the team, at the end of the day,” Pulisic said at the time. “And people will see that. You guys will see, man. I’m hungrier than ever — truly. I’m really looking forward for big things to come.”And over the past few weeks in Italy, with four goals and two assists in three games, he has proven his point.He is playing with a lethal combination of explosiveness and calm. Despite a preseason ankle knock, and despite a not-quite-defined place in manager Massimiliano Allegri’s lineup, he is averaging more than two goal contributions per 90 minutes. He is skipping past defenders, and threading through balls. He is looking focused and fit. He is making lots of critics look silly.
Injuries, playing time concerns
Among U.S. players in Europe, Pulisic is something of an outlier.Before his man-of-the-match performance on Sunday, the stories of the weekend were starting lineup absences and injury concerns.In the Netherlands, Ricardo Pepi left PSV’s 2-1 win against Excelsior in the 32nd minute with apparent discomfort. PSV coach Peter Bosz indicated the injury was “minor,” and said he simply didn’t want to “take a risk” at this stage of the season. But Pepi’s status for the USMNT’s October camp is now in doubt.Stay in the know by selecting your interests on The Athletic:In Spain, Johnny Cardoso has not played at all in the month of September due to an ankle injury suffered in training.
In Germany, Gio Reyna, after one start and one substitute appearance for Borussia Mönchengladbach, missed Saturday’s game against Eintracht Frankfurt with a thigh injury. (Joe Scally, who has been playing as an attack-minded right wingback, registered two assists in Gladbach’s 6-4 loss.)In England, Antonee Robinson got his first start of the season midweek in a Carabao Cup win over Cambridge United, but he played those 90 minutes alongside a mixture of regulars and reserves. On Sunday, he was back on the Fulham bench, and played only 11 minutes in a 3-1 Premier League loss at Aston Villa. After offseason knee surgery, he is healthy enough to play, but nowhere near his 2024-25 best. And it’s not quite clear what he’ll have to do to reclaim his starting spot ahead of Ryan Sessegnon.In New Jersey, meanwhile, Matt Freese, who’s been the USMNT’s No. 1 goalkeeper since June, left Saturday’s 3-2 win over the New York Red Bulls with a head injury. “He’s being checked by the doctors, and we’ll wait and see,” NYCFC coach Pascal Jansen said after the match.And elsewhere, there are non-injury concerns. In Italy, Weston McKennie was back on the Juventus bench for a 1-1 draw with Atalanta, playing 32 minutes as a sub. Yunus Musah, after one start for Atalanta (in a 4-0 Champions League defeat against Paris Saint-Germain), has been a sparsely used reserve. He played 14 minutes off the bench against Juve.In France, Folarin Balogun — who seemed to cement himself as the U.S. No. 9 this month — was out of Monaco’s starting 11 for a second consecutive Ligue 1 game.Like in 2024 before the Copa América, club playing time could be developing into a broad worry for the national team. In September, it isn’t cause for alarm. In April, it would be.
Zendejas, Tessmann, others make statements
On the fringe of the U.S. roster, a few players have stated their case.Alex Zendejas has followed up his volley for the national team against Japan with four goals in four games for Club América. The third of four, on Saturday against Pumas, was an audacious, confidence-oozing chip over legendary goalkeeper Keylor Navas.Tanner Tessmann, who has been on the outside looking in at the USMNT since the March Nations League debacle, also scored a worldie Thursday for Lyon to beat Utrecht in the Europa League. He followed it up with a strong 90-minute shift in a 1-0 win at Lille on Sunday.Tessmann, perhaps more so than any other American player, has made a statement over the first two months of the 2025-26 season. He has been one of the best and most consistent players for a team that’s now won five of six Ligue 1 games, and currently sits tied atop the table with PSG.Aidan Morris, at a slightly lower level, has also been making noise at Middlesbrough. After three consecutive man of the match awards in August, he has continued apace in September and helped lead Boro to the top of the English Championship. They remain unbeaten after Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Southampton.Haji Wright and Coventry City are also unbeaten, having trounced Birmingham City 3-0 this weekend.Especially with Johnny and Pepi likely sidelined, Morris and Wright seem like strong candidates for the USMNT’s October roster, which will be released early this week. Tessmann, meanwhile, seems like a no-brainer inclusion.
How did other USMNT players perform?
Brenden Aaronson is battling at Leeds United. Amid relentless criticism from fans, and despite his lack of production in the final third, he has played in all six Premier League games for Leeds this season, including starts in the past three. He received a standing ovation from the home crowd when substituted late in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Bournemouth. During the Gold Cup, he seemed to be drifting out of the USMNT picture, but with his work rate and fortitude, he is keeping himself in World Cup contention.In that same Leeds-Bournemouth game, Tyler Adams — who was booed by the Leeds fans throughout — was his usual pugnacious self for 81 minutes.Also in the Prem, Chris Richards was arguably culpable on Liverpool’s late equalizer, but was then spared by Eddie Nketiah’s dramatic 97th-minute winner. Richards took to social media afterward to amplify claims that the Liverpool goal should have been disallowed for a Mohamed Salah handball, which might have put Richards off as he tried to clear a cross with his head.Elsewhere in England, down in the Championship, Patrick Agyemang notched an assist for Derby County. Josh Sargent has cooled down for Norwich City. Damion Downs is struggling badly at Southampton.Agyemang and Sargent are right on the World Cup roster bubble. Their inclusions or omissions in October could say a lot about U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino’s preferences.(Top photos: Matt Freese, left; Christian Pulisic; Getty Images)
Champions League Standings after 1 game
Five talking points ahead of the Champions League action
Story by
Powered by
Five talking points ahead of the Champions League action
The Football Faithful
Tue, September 30, 2025 at 6:56 AM EDT·
4 min read
The Champions League returns for matchday two this week, as Liverpool, Barcelona, PSG, and Spurs all face key clashes on the European stage.
Five talking points ahead of the Champions League action:
Jose Mourinho returns to Chelsea
Chelsea welcome a familiar figure back to Stamford Bridge as Jose Mourinho’s Benfica take on Enzo Maresca’s side on Tuesday night.
The Special One’s shadow looms large over the club this week amid a run of poor form. The Blues are looking for their first win this month, against the manager who guided them to three Premier League titles across two stints.
The days when Chelsea played like true world beaters feels a long time ago now. They may be world champions, for whatever that is worth, but after losing consecutive league games it looks like this will be another year in which they don’t challenge for the title, despite their massive spending in recent years.
Chelsea came out 4-1 winners from their meeting Benfica in the Club World Cup this past summer, although the Portuguese giants did take them to extra time. They are favoured to win this tie, but could the Mourinho factor give the visitors an edge?
The west London outfit hope not; Maresca can’t really afford to lose this one after falling to a 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich on the opening week of this year’s competition.
On Wednesday we will finally get the matchup that we should have seen in last season’s final as Barcelona host PSG at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.
Barça’s defensive frailties ultimately cost them in the semi-final defeat to Inter Milan, and given how the Italians fared in the decider, Hansi Flick’s men may have avoided a drubbing of their own in Munich.
They could be facing Paris at a good time, though. The reigning champions recently lost to Marseille and have not been their typically dominant selves against Ligue 1 opposition, despite topping the table.
Barcelona, meanwhile, are in scorching hot form; unbeaten in all competitions, they have scored 23 goals in eight matches. This will be a very early test for Flick’s side and a measure of their credentials for the ultimate glory.
All eyes will be on that titanic clash, but elsewhere two giants of the European game will travel to face the tournament’s supposed whipping boys.
Real Madrid make the arduous trip to Kazakhstan to take on Kairat Almaty, while Bayern Munich head to Cyprus for a meeting with Pafos FC.
Real and Bayern have 21 Champions League titles between them, while Kairat and Pafos are competing at this level for the first time ever.
These matches are expected to only go one way, but it has only been four years since Real were shocked by Moldovan outfit FC Sheriff Tiraspol in the group stage. Bayern are only two years removed from an embarrassing defeat to third-tier Saarbrucken in the German Cup, so neither club is a stranger to unlikely upsets.
Liverpool make the trip to Galatasaray for just the third time in Champions League history this Tuesday as they look to bounce back from defeat to Crystal Palace at the weekend.
The Turkish outfit’s fans have become known for creating a febrile atmosphere on these European nights ever since their famous win over Manchester United in 1993.
The Gala fans welcomed the United players at the airport with banners reading “Welcome to Hell”, and they certainly delivered on that front.
A win here would be another shock on that scale. Liverpool are prohibitive favourites, despite their unconvincing performances this season. Galatasaray may be dominating the Super Lig after signing Leroy Sane and Victor Osimhen, but they were trounced 5-1 by Eintracht Frankfurt on the opening week.
The Champions League might quickly become a hellscape for Okan Buruk’s team if Liverpool find their scoring touch.
On their way to Europa League glory last season, Tottenham Hotspur had to go through Bodo/Glimt. It was a tricky tie against the Norwegian upstarts who have taken many scalps in Europe in recent years.
Spurs won the quarter-final clash 5-1 on aggregate, ensuring Glimt have never beaten an English side, losing all five of their encounters.
Thomas Frank should guide his side to another victory here, although he would probably prefer not to have to travel to the Arctic Circle this week. His squad will make a 6,200km round trip, before heading to Leeds this Saturday.
Jose Mourinho: He meant everything to Chelsea fans in his heyday, but what about now?
On Tuesday night, Jose Mourinho will get to discover if he is still seen as special among Chelsea fans.You would think the answer would be a categorical ‘yes’, right? This is the man who ended the club’s 50-year wait for a league title in 2005. The Portuguese won seven major trophies (three Premier Leagues, an FA Cup and three League Cups) during two spells at Stamford Bridge (2004-7, 2013-15) and boasted extraordinary statistics like not losing any of his first 77 home Premier League games (a run finally ended by Sunderland in 2014). Pictures of him posing with the Premier League trophy are still on the walls inside the Drake Suite at the ground.He returns this week as Benfica’s head coach but this will not be the first occasion Chelsea fans have had a chance to show what they think of him. Mourinho was booed following one game as Manchester United manager after Chelsea beat them in an FA Cup quarter-final. His popularity sank to a deeper low after taking charge of bitter rivals Tottenham (2019-21).So how is he viewed now? “Time is a healer,” veteran season ticket holder Tim Rolls tells The Athletic. “If you look at what Chelsea are now and where the club were under him 20 years ago, people will look back so much more fondly to what we had. We had an air of invincibility. You knew if Chelsea went 1-0 up, that was it. That does not happen now. People appreciate Mourinho’s record even more.”
Mourinho in November 2004, his first season at ChelseaRichard Heathcote/Getty Images
Another season ticket holder Rafael Alleyne, who has supported the club for over 40 years, agrees. “I know there can be mixed feelings. There was a funny spell in terms of how he was perceived during his time at Manchester United. But he will always be top for me.
“Why did his popularity dip? Going to a rival like Manchester United was one thing. There were also some digs he made at Chelsea. I didn’t have a problem with it because that’s just Jose but others did.”Claudia Coulter was just a young child during Mourinho’s first tenure and only really got to appreciate what he brought to Chelsea between 2013-15. But that is what made seeing him then take charge of two Premier League sides tougher to bear.“I found it particularly hard to see him in the Tottenham dugout, it just felt so wrong,” she says. “My dad (also a Chelsea fan) felt the same, we could not believe it. Seeing him at another Premier League team was always going to be weird and we had that first with Manchester United. But seeing him at Tottenham was a real kick in the gut because we obviously hate them. It was a real shock.d“He knew what the Chelsea fans thought about Spurs so it was not great at that moment. But you kind of have to move on. It is not a case of forgetting it, it is still a sore point, but you have to concentrate on all the good things that he did.“I will be there at the game and I can’t wait to see him back. I think he is going to get a good reception. There will always be some people who are not happy but I will give him a good reception. I just hope we beat him!”
Mourinho prepares to manage Tottenham against Chelsea in 2019Michael Regan/Getty Images
Since being fired by Tottenham four years ago, Mourinho has gone on to coach Roma and Fenerbahce before taking over at Benfica two weeks ago. In terms of his standing at Chelsea, Mourinho once said, “Until the moment they have a manager that wins four Premier Leagues for them, I’m the No 1.”
No one has got close. Antonio Conte is the only other coach to guide Chelsea to top spot (in 2016-17) following Mourinho’s last triumph in 2014-15. Under the Todd Boehly-Clearlake consortium, who bought the club three years ago, Chelsea have not even challenged, although they did claim a unique double of the FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Conference League last season.
Stay in the know by selecting your interests on The Athletic:
Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino and incumbent Enzo Maresca are the three managers hired by the current regime. None of them forged a bond akin to the one Mourinho enjoyed. The latter goes into the game under increasing scrutiny from many in the stands because Chelsea have lost three of their last four games.Another season ticket holder Dave Chidgey says: “Chelsea were a top club under Mourinho, not this state we are in at the moment. I go back to the recent hires. We have had Potter, Pochettino and Maresca. They are not at his level.“Would I have him back for a third time? I don’t know, to be honest. It is a head-vs-heart situation. I know deep down it will never work under this ownership. He would see holes in the squad and want world-class guys to fill them, not caring how old they are or how much they cost. That mantra is a thing of the past at Chelsea and will never happen as long as these guys are in charge.”
Mourinho’s commitment to the cause made him very popular with the Chelsea faithfulClive Brunskill/Getty ImagesDan Silver believes the 3-1 loss to Brighton three days ago has improved Mourinho’s chances of being greeted warmly. The season ticket holder explained: “There could be a lot more vocal support for Mourinho because of the Brighton result. Maresca is still very much a Marmite figure.”There were other factors that made Chelsea fans lose a bit of their admiration for Mourinho while he was at the helm. For example, he criticised fans for the atmosphere at Stamford Bridge in 2014, saying that it was like playing in an empty stadium. Opposition fans have been chanting, “Mourinho’s right, your fans are sh*te,” ever since.Chidgey says: “I didn’t like it when he dug the fans out. It was just unfair because, if you have an understanding of what’s been going on at Premier League clubs for the last 20 years, the way people have been priced out, the sport being gentrified, that all plays a part. It felt like kicking a dog when they’re down. That’s what ground my gears. That, for me, is deliberately not understanding what supporters have to go through.”Mourinho was often on the back pages of newspapers and leading sports broadcast bulletins for things he did and said. Former head of UEFA’s referees committee Volker Roth labelled Mourinho an “enemy of football” after he had wrongly accused then Barcelona head coach Frank Rijkaard of visiting referee Anders Frisk at half-time during a 2-1 Champions League defeat in 2005.
Mourinho called much-respected Arsenal head coach Arsene Wenger a “voyeur” and “a specialist in failure”. In June 2005, he was fined £75,000 (then $135,000) for meeting then Arsenal player Ashley Cole, without the north London club’s consent. Cole joined Chelsea the following year.
ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images
Perhaps the most damning incident was reaching a discrimination settlement with former Chelsea doctor Eva Carneiro in 2016. Carneiro was demoted soon after a game against Swansea in August 2015. Mourinho was furious that she and first-team physio Jon Fearn ran on to the pitch late on to treat Eden Hazard. Carneiro accused Mourinho of shouting “filha da puta” at her, which means ‘daughter of a whore’. Carneiro brought a case against Chelsea too for constructive dismissal after leaving in September 2015 and both the club and Mourinho ended up paying an undisclosed sum to resolve the case.Speaking generally about Mourinho’s antics, Silver says: “Some of his behaviour was not a good look for him or the club. It left a bad taste. But no one acts perfectly. Wenger was seen in a different, positive light and yet he pushed Mourinho in a game and kicked water bottles in another. You think of Sir Alex Ferguson shouting in referees’ faces. It felt like Mourinho was singled out for criticism. Mourinho fought the club’s corner. He was the master of the siege mentality, us against the world.”
Alleyne continues: “At the time, I may have been more like, ‘Did we have to do this, do we have to be public enemy No 1?’ There were times when I would think, ‘Jose, don’t do that,’ because he was either putting himself in a negative light or the club. But it was never to the degree of not wanting to have him, this is the kind of heat that comes with a guy like Mourinho. We had a target on our back.“I know people had a problem with his playing style too, that the result was king. But I was always about that. Perhaps he brainwashed me completely but it was all about the result and not being there to just mess around.”
Phil Cole/Getty Images
Chidgey is another who felt living with Mourinho’s flaws was a price worth paying: “He is not a saint and that is the brilliant and beautiful thing about him,” he explains. “Mourinho says and does stupid things, he annoys people. We have all done that. But at the same time, he won loads of trophies and put Chelsea on the top table of Europe. You cannot airbrush that from history just because he has done a few daft things over time.”Another possible criticism is that he did not win a Champions League with Chelsea despite having one of the best squads in Europe to work with. He lost two semi-finals against Liverpool (2005, 2007) and Atletico Madrid in 2014. It was Roberto Di Matteo (2012) and Thomas Tuchel (2021) who wrote their names into Chelsea folklore by winning Europe’s most prestigious competition. Mourinho did lift the trophy with Porto in 2004 and, six years later, with Inter Milan, having beaten Chelsea at the last-16 stage.
“I do not see it as a mark against him,” Alleyne insists. “It’s knockout football, it happens. He got to three semi-finals in the five full seasons he had, that’s still very good. He proved himself by winning three league titles. I would say it just highlights the bit of luck you need, which we clearly had in 2012.“I don’t think Mourinho is given enough credit for the winning DNA that was instilled in the club. The way that we talk about winning silverware now, the expectation, has come from him. It wasn’t there before he turned up.”Mourinho is 62 now and the grey hair betrays the reality he has aged quite a bit since walking into Chelsea for the first time 21 years ago.“The reality is you have to say he is a fading force,” Rolls concludes. “He is no longer in the conversation for a job at the top clubs and that says it all. But I go into the Benfica match with a lot more trepidation than I had before. That says a lot about him. He is so astute tactically, you never lose that.”(Top photo: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Atletico dominated the derby by exposing Real Madrid in the channels
It is rare to see such a basic approach working in a high-level football match, but Atletico Madrid’s style in their 5-2 thrashing of Real Madrid felt like old-school Atleti: 4-4-2, and lots of balls into the channels.
Diego Simeone’s approach has evolved across his 14-year spell as head coach, introducing more attacking flair. For the ‘derbi’, though, Atletico often go back to basics. And it worked on Saturday, with Atleti putting five goals past their city rivals for the first time in nearly 75 years.
Advertisement
“We knew where we could do damage, with breaks on the outside with Nicolas Gonzalez, Pablo Barrios, Julian Alvarez and Giuliano Simeone,” said Simeone after the game. “Taking the centre-backs out and leaving Alexander Sorloth inside to get chances. Beyond their two goals, the team did well. I liked everything. The team always knew what they had to do.”
That summarised it neatly. Atletico were particularly good at attacking down the flanks, most decisively with crosses — but their approach was about running the channels and dragging out the centre-backs.
This was how Real Madrid lined up. Xabi Alonso’s system was roughly 4-2-3-1, but with Arda Guler playing very narrow from the right, and Vinicius Junior offering little support to Alvaro Carreras at left-back.
It left Carreras badly exposed, with and without possession. Here, despite being in a decent position to track the run of Simeone Jr, a simple ball behind him causes all sorts of problems, with centre-back Dean Huijsen having to sprint across in an attempt to close down. This left central defensive partner Eder Militao isolated against Sorloth for the cross, although Militao dealt with this well.
Carreras was also caught out on the ball here, taking too long and allowing Barrios to pounce and slide a pass for Sorloth to go through on goal, although the Norway striker lacked the acceleration to get there before goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Down the other flank, Madrid had slightly different problems. Because Guler was playing so narrow, Dani Carvajal was tasked with providing right-sided width, and he also pressed high.
Here, three minutes in, the right-back is dragged out from defence to close down Gonzalez, and Clement Lenglet has the fairly simple task of knocking the ball in behind for Sorloth’s run. Again, Sorloth lacked the speed to ensure this was a clear goalscoring chance, and Militao recovered to make an excellent tackle.
Here is a more extreme example, when a pass is lobbed out to David Hancko at left-back. Carvajal is never going to get this ball, but he presses anyway, which makes it easy for Hancko to knock the ball past him. This time, it is Alvarez working the left channel, although the pass forces him wide and Militao shadows him well.
The problems continued after the break, particularly as Militao was forced off injured and replaced by Raul Asencio.
Advertisement
The below example was unfortunate, as Carvajal went in for a tackle and the ball deflected straight to Alvarez. But again, centre-back Asencio was forced out wide into an uncomfortable position, and ended up hacking down Alvarez just outside the box.
Carvajal was then replaced, which initially seemed a mere tactical change considering how badly Madrid were struggling down that side, although it later emerged the captain had picked up a calf injury. This meant Asencio going to right-back, with midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni dropping to centre-back.
This first frame shows the tactical battle perfectly: Real Madrid’s full-backs are always significantly ahead of the centre-backs, and Atletico’s two strikers in the channels are waiting for a forward pass. Here, another simple pass from Hancko finds Alvarez, and Tchouamani decides to hold his position, allowing Alvarez to assess his options.
The strange thing is that none of these situations actually led to a goal.
Atletico’s first four goals came from set pieces, in different ways: a Robin Le Normand header in the aftermath of a free kick, a Sorloth header after a throw-in, an Alvarez penalty after Guler was penalised for a high boot at a corner, and then a whipped Alvarez direct free kick. In stoppage time, Antoine Griezmann rounded things off with a goal on the break, his first in La Liga since February. The highlights alone would suggest that Real Madrid’s problem was defending dead-ball situations.
With just 260 days to the World Cup and the 1st round of ticket ordering done (4.5 million entries were submitted -we put in like 15) it will be interesting to see if we get selected this week to buy tix and how much they are – cute World Cup Mascots announced this week. The US should announce our squad for the Oct friendlies sometime this week as well. US players rocked this past weekend and week as Pulisic became the all-time leading goal scorer overseas for an American and led the way with 3 goals and an assist, Chris Richards helped Crystal Palace stay unbeaten in the EPL, while Tanner Tessman scored this banger for Lyon in Europa League. In other news legendary EPL announcer Jon Champion shares his game notes, gotta love the EPL, Inter Miami midfielder Sergio Busquets announced his retirement at the end of the season, and of course Ousmane Dembélé Won the 2025 Ballon d’Or. Enjoy the Madrid Derby Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid Sat at 10:15 am on ESPN Desportes or ESPN+, & undefeated’s Liverpool vs American Chris Richard & Crystal Palace (Preview) at 10 am on Peacock and a battle of 2 American’s Juventus’ Mckennie vs Atalanta’s Musah as Juve vs Atalanta plays at noon on CBS.
INDY 11 Indy Eleven scored two second-half goals in a six-minute span to rally to a key 2-1 victory over USL Championship Eastern Conference opponent Birmingham Legion FC in front of 10,375 at Carroll Stadium. The win moves the Boys in Blue to one point out of playoff position behind Rhode Island FC with five games remaining in the regular season. Indy Eleven hosts Western Conference leader FC Tulsa on Saturday at 7 pm on Oktoberfest ($11 tix, Special Indy 11 Beer Stein, Guest Brewers in fun zone starts at 5:30) at Carroll Stadium. Single-game tickets for all matches are available via Ticketmaster.
Beer’s, Brat’s, & Bangers at the Mike for Octoberfest Sat nightGot the Distinct pleasure of reffing with Edwin Schowe who at 80 years old we think is the oldest active ref – reffing high school or middle school games in Indiana. A rainy afternoon at Northview Middle – solid teams. Working with Jakob from Gainesville, FL at Kuntz on a Tues Night. Fellow Gainesville High Soccer player and University of Florida Grad. Beautiful Sat morning at North Central Boys Varsity game with Omar & Alex
First Time reffing at Tipton High Varsity Boys with Jacob and Zach. Beautiful night of soccer.
When you Ref in Broadripple you have to go to La Piedad after right? Here with my longtime buddy Mike Arrington grabbing a bite after our Purdue Polytech Varsity Boys game. Another beautiful night reffing.
=====RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ===
Got some Good BarBQ for your Summer Plans ? Try out the Best BarBQ in Town right across the street (131st) from Northview Church on the corner of Hazelldell & 131st. RackZ BBQ
Save 20% on your order
(mention the ole ballcoach)
Check out the BarBQ Ribs, pulled Pork and Chicken, Brisket and more. Sweet, Tangy or Spicy sauce. Mention you heard about it from the Ole Ballcoach — and Ryan will give you 20% off your next meal. https://www.rackzbbqindy.com/Call ahead at 317-688-7290 M-Th 11-8 pm, 11-9 Fri/Sat, 12-8 pm on Sunday. Pick some up after practice – Its good eatin! You won’t be disappointed and tell ’em the Ole Ballcoach Sent You!
Save 20% on these Succulent Ribs at Rackz BarBQ when you mention the Ole Ballcoach – Corner of 131 & Hazelldell. – Call 317-688-7290.
======================RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ======================
FULL TV GAME SCHEDULE
Fri, Sept 26 2:30 pm ESPN2 Bayern Munich vs Werder Bremen 8 pm Prime KC Current vs Chicago Stars NWSL 10:30 pm Para+/Golazo San Diego Wave vs Orlando Pride NWSL Sat, Sept 27 7:30 am USA Brentford vs Man United 10 am USA Man City vs Burnley 10 am Peacock Crystal Palace (Richards) vs Liverpool 10 am Peacock Leeds United (Aaronson) vs Bournemouth (Adams) 10:15 am ESPND, ESPN+ Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid 12 pm CBS, Para+ Juventus (Mckinnie) vs Atalanta 12:30 pm ESPN+ B Mglabach (Reyna, Scally) vs Frankfurt (Chandler) 12:30 pm USA Nottingham Forest vs Sunderland 3 pm USA Tottenham vs Wolverhampton 7:30 pm Tubi Racing Louisville vs Angel City FC NWSL 10 pm Tubi Bay FC vs Utah Royals NWSL Sun, Sept 28 9 am USA Aston Villa vs Fulham (Robinson) 11:30 am USA Newcastle United vs Arsenal 2:45 pm Para+ AC Milan (Pulisic) vs Napoli (Musah) 3 pm ESPNd, ESPN+ Barcelona vs Real Sociedad 7 pm Apple TV Cincy vs Orlando City 7 pm FS1 Brazil U20 vs Mexico U20 World Cup 7 pm FS2 Cuba U20 vs Argentina U20 Mon Sep 29 3 pm USA Everton vs West Ham 4 pm FS2 France U20 vs South Africa U20 7 pm FS1 USA U20 vs New Caledonia U20 World Cup 7 pm FS2 Colombia U20 vs Saudi Arabia U20 Tues, Sept 30 Champions League 12:45 pm Para+, Uni Kairat vs Real Madrid 3 pm CBSSN Paphos vs Bayern Munich 3 pm Para+ Galatasaray vs Liverpool 3 pm Para+ Atletico Madrid vs Frankfurt 3 pm Para+ Marseille (_) vs Ajax 3 pm Para+ Chelsea vs Benefica 3 pm Para+ Inter vs Slavia Praha 3 pm Para+ Boda vs Tottenham 4 pm FS2 Panama U20 vs Ukraine U20 WC 7 pm FS1 Chile U20 vs Japan U20 7 pm FS2 Korea U20 vs Paraguay U20 Wed, Oct 1 Champs League 12:45 pm Para, Uni Union Saint Gilloise vs Newcastle United 3 pm CBSSN Dortmund vs Athletic Club 3 pm Para+ Barcelona vs PSG 3 pm para+ Arsenal vs Olympiakos Piraues 3 pm Para+ Napoli vs Sporting CP 3 pm Para+ Bayer Leverkusen vs PSV 3 pm Para+ Villareal vs Juventus (McKinney) 4 pm FS2 Spain U20 vs Mexico U20 7 pm FS1 Brazil U20 vs Morocco U20 7 pm FS2 Argentina U20 vs Australia U20 8 pm CBSSN Austin City vs Nashville SC US Open Cup Thurs, Oct 2 Europa 12:45 pm CBSSN Roma vs Lille 12:45 pm Celtic (Carter Vickers) cs Sporting Braga 12:45 pm Dynamo Kyiv vs Crystal Palace (Chris Richards) 3 pm CBSSN Feyenoord vs Aston Villa 3 pm Para_ Sturm Graz vs Rangers 3 pm Para+ Nottingham Forest vs Middtylland 3 pm Para+ Olympique Lyonnais vs Salzburg Fri, Oct 3 3 pm USA Bournemouth (Adams) vs Fulham (Robinson) 7 pm FS1 Egypt U20 vs Chile U20 WC 7 pm FS2 New Zealand U20 vs Japan U20 Sat, Oct 4 7:30 am USA Leeds United vs Totteham 9:30 am ESPN+ Bayer Leverkusen (Tillman) vs Union Berlin 9:30 am ESPN+ Dortmund vs RB Leipzig 10 am USA Man United vs Sunderland 10 am Peacock Arsenal vs West Ham 12:30 pm NBC Chelsea vs Liverpool 4 pm Tele Mexico U20 vs Morocco U20 4 pm Univision Spain U20 vs Brazil U20 7 pm FS2 Argentina U20 vs Italy U20 10:30 pm Apple Seattle Sounders vs Portland Timbers Sun, Oct 6 4 pm FS2 USA U20 vs South Africa U20 7 pm FS2 Nigeria U20 vs Colombia U20 9 pm Apple LAFC vs Atlanta United MLS Fri, Oct 10 8:30 pm TNT, Max USA Men vs Ecuador Tues, Oct 14 9 pm TNT, Max USA Men vs Australia Thurs, Oct 23 9 pm TNT, Max USA Women vs Portugal Chester PA Sun, Oct 26 4 pm TNT, Max USA Women vs Portugal Hartford CT Sat, Nov 15 5 pm TNT, Max USA Men vs Paraguay Chester PA Tues, Nov 18 7 pmTNT, Max USA Men vs Uruguay Tampa, FL
USMNT weekend viewing guide: Important impressions
World Cup selections are getting closer every window by jcksnftsn Sep 26, 2025, 1:42 PM EDT
Getty Images
With rumors that Mauricio Pochettino intends to use the October USMNT roster to begin to lock in his intended World Cup call ups, and the announcement for the October roster likely to be made late next week, this weekend likely represents a last chance for players to make their statement about why they should be considered for a callup. To add to it there are head-to-head matchups in the EPL, Bundesliga, and Serie A to watch this weekend. It’s a full weekend of action so let’s get to the matches that we’ll be keeping an eye on:
Friday
Strasbourg v Olympique Marseille – 2:45p on beIN Sports
Tim Weah followed up his Bernabeu Banger with a solid shift against PSG last weekend as Marseille handed the French giants their first loss on the season, dropping them into a four-way tie atop Ligue 1. Marseille are three points back of the league leaders, a group which also includes this weekend’s opponent, Strasbourg, who’s lone loss on the season was a 3-2 defeat to Monaco who are also a part of the four at the top of the table.
Saturday
Coventry City v Birmingham City – 7:30a on Paramount+: Haji Wright and Coventry City tied their third straight game last Saturday, 0-0 with Leicester. Coventry have yet to suffer a loss this season but they have drawn four of their six matches and currently sit in sixth place.
Heidenheim v Augsburg – 9:30a on ESPN Select: Noahkai Banks has appeared in one of Augsburgs four matches to start the season, seeing just one minute. You probably don’t need to work your schedule around this match and we’re going to drop Augsburg from the guide until it looks like he may start getting regular action.
St. Pauli v Bayer Leverkusen – 9:30a on ESPN Select: James Sands and Malik Tillman will go head-to-head in the midfield on Saturday morning as St. Pauli face Bayer Leverkusen. Sands and St. Pauli suffered their first loss of the weekend last Friday, falling to Stuttgart 2-0 with Sands playing the full 90’ and picking up a yellow card in the 40th minute. Meanwhile on Sunday, Tillman scored a goal against Borussia Monchengladbach but his team would end up settling for a draw after giving up a tying goal in stoppage time.
Crystal Palace v Liverpool – 10a on Peacock: Chris Richards and Crystal Palace have yet to suffer a loss to start the 2025-26 season though they have drawn three times and sit in fifth place. Their opponent for this weekend is a Liverpool side that has won every match in league play. However, Palace did defeat Liverpool to start the year in the Community Shield match.
Leeds United v AFC Bournemouth – 10a on Peacock: Our EPL head-to-head matchup of the weekend sees Brenden Aaronson’s Leeds side take on Tyler Adams and Bournemouth. Adams has started every match for a Bournemouth side that haven’t lost since their opening match against Liverpool and currently sit in fourth place, they are coming off a scoreless draw with Newcastle. In Leeds, Aaronson has started the last two matches after coming off the bench in the first three, and Leeds’ 3-1 win over Wolverhampton last weekend gave them seven points through five matches this season as they move into 12th place and look to snap the streak of newly promoted sides heading straight back to the English Championship.
Stoke City v Norwich City – 10a on Paramount+: Josh Sargent has cooled off a bit in the Championship, failing to score in his past two matches after starting the season with five goals in his first four. Norwich lost to Wrexham 3-2 last weekend, their third loss early in the season and they currently sit in 15th place in the Championship table.
Southampton v Middlesbrough – 10a on Paramount+: Meanwhile, also in the Championship, Aidan Morris has played every minute for a Middlesbrough side that have five wins and a draw through their first six matches and currently sit atop the Championship standings, four points ahead of Stoke. This weekend Middlesbrough face a Southampton side that were playing in the EPL last season but have only one win in the Championship to start this campaign and currently sit in 19th place, just a point out of a second straight relegation.
Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid – 10:15a on ESPN Deportes and ESPN Select: Johnny Cardoso will miss his first chance at a Madrid derby as he suffered a sprained ankle in training that held him out of Atletico’s Champions League match with Liverpool and has already ruled him out for this weekends match as well.
Lorient v Monaco – 11a on beIN Sports: Folarin Balogun was an unused substitute last weekend in Monaco’s 5-2 win over FC Metz. Balogun had started the past three league matches for Monaco as well as the Champions League match just three days prior so it is unsurprising there was some rotation. He’ll hopefully be back in the lineup this weekend as Monaco look to continue their hot form in league play that has them tied for the league lead.
Juventus v Atalanta – Noon on Paramount+: Yunus Musah will face off against his old team including fellow USMNT member Weston McKennie as Atalanta travel to Turin to face Juventus on Saturday. Musah has come off the bench in his first two league matches since joining Atalanta but he did start the teams Champions League class with PSG (albeit an embarrassing 4-0 loss). Weston McKennie did not make it off the bench last weekend as Juventus settled for a 1-1 draw with Hellas Verona who were tied for last place in the league standings. It was Juventus’ first hiccup of the season and they are now two points back of Napoli, and two points ahead of this weekends opponent.
Borussia Monchengladbach v Eintracht Frankfurt – 12:30p on ESPN Select: Joe Scally, Gio Reyna, and Borussia Monchengladbach notched a late goal last weekend to steal a draw with Bayer Leverkusen. It was Gladbach’s first goal of the season and just their second point through four matches. This weekend they will face a Frankfurt side that has a pair of wins to go with a pair of losses.
Toulouse v Nantes – 1p on beIN Sports: Mark McKenzie has played every minute of the season for Toulouse thus far. Unfortunately the club have lost three straight and currently sit in ninth place. If you set aside the embarrassing 6-3 loss Toulouse have given up just three goals in their other four matches this year which would be a solid defensive record. This weekend Toulouse host a Nantes side that sit near the bottom of the table with just one win and one draw, but they have been close in every match this season, never loosing by more than a goal, and only once conceding more than one.
Excelsior v PSV – 2p on ESPN Select: Sergino Dest, Ricardo Pepi, and PSV settled for a draw with Ajax last weekend and are now three points back of league leading Feyenoord. PSV now face an Excelsior side that are coming off their second win of the season, a 2-1 win over Volendam.
Club America v Pumas UNAM – 11:05p on CBSSN: Alex Zendejas scored for Club America last weekend after coming on as an injury substitute just before the end of the first half. Zendejas’ late goal was the match winner for America as they defeated San Luis to move within three points of league leading Cruz Azul. America now face a Pumas side who are coming off a 3-1 win over FC Juarez.
Saturday MLS Matches with USMNT flavor – here is when the September MLS call ups are kicking off their matches this weekend, all matches on MLS Season Pass:
Charlotte v Montreal – 7:30p: Tim Ream
DC United v Philadelphia Union – 7:30p: Nathan Harriel
New York Red Bulls v NYCFC – 7:30p: Matt Friese
Nashville SC v Houston Dynamo – 8:30p: Jack McGlynn
Real Salt Lake v Austin FC – 9:30p: Diego Luna
Seattle Sounders v Vancouver Whitecaps – 10:30p: Cristian Roldan
San Diego FC v San Jose Earthquakes – 10:30p: Luca de la Torre
LA Galaxy v Cincinnati – 10:30p: Roman Celetano
Sunday
Aston Villa v Fulham – 9a on USA Network: Antonee Robinson played 90’ minutes midweek in Fulham’s 1-0 EFL Cup win over Cambridge United. Robinson was back on the field after missing Fulham’s past two league matches. On Sunday Fulham will take on Aston Villa who are still looking for their first win of the Premier League season though they did defeat Bologna in Europa League action on Thursday.
Lille v Olympique Lyon – 11:15a on beIN Sports: Tanner Tessmann is doing everything he can to catch the eye of Mauricio Pochettino. Tessmann scored in his second straight match on Thursday, coming off the bench to lift Lyon to a 1-0 win over FC Utrecht in Europa League action. Tessmann also scored the lone goal last weekend as Lyon defeated Angers 1-0 in league play. Lyon are 4-0-1 to start the season and part of the group at the top of the Ligue 1 table, a group that are two points ahead of this weekend’s opponent, Lille.
AC Milan v Napoli – 2:45p on Paramount+: Perhaps the only USMNT player hotter than Tessmann right now is Christian Pulisic who came off the bench and scored on Tuesday in a Coppa Italia match on Tuesday after starting and contributing to all three goals Milan scored against Udinese last weekend, scoring two and assisting on the third. If Pulisic can keep that form heading into this weekends match against league leading Napoli it would be a huge boost to Milan’s title hopes this season. Napoli are currently three points ahead of Milan and have won every league match that they’ve played.
Sunday MLS Activity:
Cincinnati v Orlando City – 7on MLS Season Pass: Alex Freeman
Looking to Get a Professional Company Headshot? Check out https://capturely.com/ Tell Rob The Ole Ballcoach sent you and he’ll give you a deal.
DISCOUNT SMALL ENGINE & BIG ENGINE REPAIRS IN CARMEL
Need your Riding Mower, Push Mower or any small engine or Car Engine Work Done by Carmel High Junior Mechanical Wizard for a bargain basement Price? Email my buddy Marc Sultanov at marc.sultanov@gmail.com
Yanks Abroad
Malik Tillman faced off against fellow countrymen, Gio Reyna and Joe Scally, on Sunday as Leverkusen tied Monchengladbach 1-1. Tillman scored the goal, making that 2 goals in his first 3 Bundesliga matches. Good to see the trio linking up after their game as well.
Tanner Tessman scored a game-winner for Lyon in their 1-0 win over Angers on Friday. Chris Richards put together another stellar outing against West Ham. Full highlight clip. He has solidified himself as one of the top defenders in the world’s top league. Crystal Palace and Liverpool are the only remaining undefeated teams in the Premier League. They’ll face off on Saturday.
It’s been a MASSIVE week for Christian Pulisic. He had a brace andan assist in Milan’s 3-0 win over Udinese. It’s early, but he’s tied for first in Serie A for goals and goals per 90. After the game head coach, Massimiliano Allegri, called him the “Michael Jordan of soccer”. While that’s a stretch, his form is elite. With the goals, he passed Clint Dempsey (57) for the most ever by an American in the top 5 European leagues (59). He scored again yesterday in the Coppa Italia after coming on as a sub, making that 5 goals in his last 6 games.
USL Investment for Pro/Rel
The United Soccer League (USL) has attracted a major investor to help develop its football league pyramid system, aiming to rival Major League Soccer (MLS). The investment comes from BellTower Partners, a firm run by former Carlyle Group CEO Kewsong Lee. Earlier this year, the USL announced plans to launch a new US men’s league with first-division sanctioning in 2027, thus becoming the second such league in the country, alongside MLS. The USL already operates three men’s leagues, and the addition of a tier-one league will enable the organisation to become the first sports league of any type in the United States to implement a promotion and relegation system. Dive deeper into how this move will compete against the MLS here. The USL is not disclosing the size of the investment, the size of the equity stake, or the current valuation of the USL used for the purposes of the investment.
Expanded World Cup Considered
FIFA is reportedly open to expanding the men’s World Cup to a 64-team tournament in 2030. It follows a formal pitch made to Fifa by football executives from CONMEBOL, South America’s governing body, to celebrate the centenary of the competition. One source, unverified, claims that Fifa is sceptical about whether expanding the tournament again is a viable proposition. Expansion would represent an increase from the 48 teams competing in next year’s tournament, which is already a rise from the 38-nation format that has been in place since 1998. CONMEBOL is lobbying to further enlarge the tournament in a move that would likely guarantee a qualification spot for all 10 of the continent’s member nations. The proposal has drawn opposition. Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin believes that expansion would be damaging to the tournament and would reduce jeopardy in the qualification stage. If Fifa approves the move, it would create a tournament of 128 matches, double the number that was played from 1998 through 2022. The 2030 edition of the World Cup will be played across six host nations and spread across three continents—read more here.
NUTMEG SOCCER MLS Match Day 34 Recap
Max Palmer & Mason Palmer Read Online Decision day is looming. Here’s what went down over the weekend… Orlando City SC beat Nashville 3-2 behind a brace from Martin Ojeda and a goal from Duncan McGuire. Nashville’s recent league form has been abysmal; they’ve lost 6 out of their last 7 league games and are close to falling into the play-in round. They’ll play Austin FC in the US Open Cup final for maybe their only chance at hardware this season.
FC Dallas beat Colorado 3-1 and have now gone 6 straight unbeaten, all since selling Lucho Acosta. Logan Farrington and Petar Musa linked up once again for the game’s first goal. For the first time since early May, Dallas is back in a playoff position, one point ahead of Houston with a game in hand.
Austin FC beat the Seattle Sounders 2-1 behind Myrto Uzuni’s last-second goal. Brad Stuver was phenomenal in this one, preventing 1.81 expected goals. It’s Austin’s 3rd win in their last 4 league games. Meanwhile, Seattle is winless in their last three games and now gets Vancouver.
The Chicago Fire blanked Minnesota 3-0 on the road for one of their best performances of the season. Their 8th road win ties their club record in a season. The last wild card spot in the East is between them and the NY Red Bulls. The Fire are two points ahead and have a game in hand. They’ll try to end the Red Bulls historic 15-year playoff streak and join the dance for the first time since 2017. Inter Miami beat DC United 3-2 on Saturday. Messi had two goals and an assist to become the fastest player in league history to reach 70 goal contributions, doing so in just 46 games. His second goal was spectacular. That’s 22 goals and 12 assists in 22 games played, utterly insane stuff. Miami has three more consecutive weeks of two games per week. If they win out, they’ll win the Shield and he’ll win MVP again. But that’s far from a sure thing.
The Best Attacking Duo in MLS
What a week for LAFC. They beat Real Salt Lake twice in the span of four days by the same score of 4-1 each time. They now have three straight league wins, scoring 12 goals in that span. Led by the best attacking duo in MLS, they can score in bunches and are peaking at the right time.Denis Bouanga (8) and Son Heung-min (6) have scored all 14 of their goals in the last 5 games. It didn’t take the two stars long to start clicking. Bouanga has two hat-tricks in the last three games to put him even in the Golden Boot race with Messi at 22 goals. He became the first player in league history to score 20+ goals in three straight seasons. He’s quickly becoming one of the best players in league history. As for Son, he scored a hat trick mid-week in their first match-up against Salt Lake. He now has 6 goals and 2 assists in just 550 minutes played. His presence has taken much of the opposing defense’s attention away from Bouanga, who has 9 goals in the 7 games since Son made his debut. They complement each other perfectly. Per Tom Bogert, before Son’s debut, LAFC ranked 12th in goals, 10th in expected goals, and 20th in chances. Since his debut, they’re 1st in goals, 4th in expected goals, and 4th in chances. This attack is scary good. If I were a betting man, my money would be on LAFC coming out of the Western Conference.
Will Tessmann leapfrog McKennie, Musah to start World Cup for U.S.?
Jeff CarlisleSep 25, 2025, 10:05 AM ET ESPNFC
The European club season has been in full swing for over a month now, giving those U.S. men’s national team players plying their trade overseas the chance to establish themselves. Some have gotten off to uneven starts, with the opening round of UEFA Champions League fixtures proving to be especially difficult. Others have hit the ground running. Those in MLS have been in rhythm for a while now.Then there’s Christian Pulisic, who has been leading the U.S. charge in Europe for nine years now and already has five goals in all competitions this season. Fortunately for the USMNT, Pulisic is one of several players who have been hitting their stride in recent weeks.Throughout the season, ESPN will be monitoring the progress of the U.S. player pool, delivering insights into those whose form or fitness has made them particularly intriguing. We call it the USMNT’s countdown to the World Cup.ESPN will count down to June 11 every week so that way, when the U.S. team is announced for this highly anticipated World Cup on home soil, no names on that 26-man roster will come as a surprise. Only 260 days to go.
Tessmann had already enjoyed a solid start to the season, but last weekend he kicked his campaign into overdrive, scoring the lone goal in Lyon’s 1-0 victory over Angers, a result that put the club in a tie atop the Ligue 1 table, behind AS Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain on goal differential. Not bad for a team that was threatened with relegation due to financial irregularities before the start of the season.
As for Tessmann, the question remains: Will these performances be enough to get him back in the U.S. squad? He hasn’t been called up since the Concacaf Nations League in March. To be clear, they should be, but the mind of U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino works in mysterious ways. At minimum, Tessmann should be in contention to provide cover for Tyler Adams, or even crack the starting lineup.
USMNT could do with a dose of Tillman’s perseverance
Credit Tillman for showing a strong mentality, bouncing back from a dreadful match in midweek against F.C. København in the Champions League to deliver a man of the match performance against Borussia Mönchengladbach in which he scored his second league goal of the season. A tactical tweak from manager Kasper Hjulmand might have helped.
Against Copenhagen, Tillman was operating as one of the dual No. 10s and struggled mightily to get on the ball. Against Gladbach, he was deployed deeper in midfield and had a much stronger impact on the game, even beyond his 70th-minute goal. Hjulmand afterward continued to preach patience, as Tillman is one of many new arrivals to the squad, but the player’s ability to shake off a poor performance will serve him well for both club and country.
This was an impressive week for Pulisic, even by his lofty standards. After scoring two goals and helping set the table for a third in last weekend’s 3-0 win over Udinese, Pulisic maintained his fine form by scoring the final goal — on the half-volley, no less — in a 3-0 Coppa Italia win over Lecce.There’s not much more to be said about Pulisic that hasn’t been already. He remains the USMNT’s most important attacking player, and he now holds the mark for most goals by an American in Europe’s top five leagues with 59. As long as he can stay healthy, he’s a lock to be in the U.S. lineup.He’ll try to keep the momentum going in this weekend’s momentous clash with top-of-the table Napoli.
The in-form XI
When Pochettino switched to a three-man back line during the September international window, it was a move that didn’t appear to benefit Gladbach’s Joe Scally. The wing back position favors the mobility and attacking instincts demonstrated by the likes of Sergiño Dest and Alex Freeman over the defending of Scally, but then Gladbach interim manager Eugen Polanski trotted out a 3-4-3 with Scally as the right wing back, and the American delivered an impressive performance. Scally showed an ability to get forward that was unexpected given that he recorded no goals and no assists this past season — his xG of 0.26 is already on its way to eclipsing last year’s 0.38. Granted, who knows what formation the permanent Gladbach coach will prefer once he’s hired, but the performance should help keep Scally in the lineup. Given his performance last weekend, why isn’t he in this week’s in-form XI? It’s a fair question, especially when you consider Dest conceded a penalty that was converted in PSV Eindhoven‘s 2-2 draw with Ajax. Combined with some defensively shaky moments during the September international window, it’s worth weighing whether Dest is enough of a defensive liability that he loses his spot in the starting lineup. That said, Dest’s value in attack is still high enough given his ability to deliver the unexpected, though Scally has given Pochettino something to think about in terms of who his starting wing backs should be. Meanwhile, the relative stock of the U.S. corps of forwards continues to go through some wild swings in form. Folarin Balogun looked to have gained some separation from the chasing pack after a great performance against Japan, but that was before his tepid effort in a 4-1 Champions League defeat to Club Brugge landed him on the bench for last week’s league encounter against Metz. Even worse for Balogun, his replacement, Mika Biereth, scored the opener in a 5-2 win, while Ansu Fati scored two off the bench and George Ilenikhena also got on the score sheet.
The silver lining for Balogun is that no other U.S. center forwards scored last weekend, although Ricardo Pepi‘s selfless run to the near post allowed Ismael Saibari to score PSV’s first, so he’ll remain the starter in this week’s lineup. Also, Balogun’s skill set is unique within the USMNT player pool, given his ability to make runs in behind the opposition defense, and this should mean his spot in the U.S. squad is still secure. He’ll need to work his way back into the Monaco lineup, though, and this week’s match at Lorient will reveal the extent to which his spot in the club hierarchy has fallen.
Big Board 2.0 update
ESPN’s USMNT Big Board 2.0 went live earlier this month, and each Big Board will provide the foundation for weekly player updates. Below are the minutes and player ratings for each of those 37 players.
Robinson’s recovery from offseason knee surgery took way longer than expected, but he finally played a full 90 minutes for the Cottagers in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup victory over fourth-tier side Cambridge United. Now let’s see if he can reclaim his spot in league play.
Joe Scally, fullback, Borussia Mönchengladbach: 355 minutes in 2025-26; 7.2 FotMob rating in 2025-26.
Weah has been Marseille’s Mr. Fixit, lining up as a right wing back in OM’s 1-0 win over previously unbeaten PSG. Will that help him or hurt him when the next USMNT camp opens? Either way, his versatility remains impressive.
Malik Tillman, attacker, Bayer Leverkusen: 264 minutes in 2025-26; 7.1 FotMob rating in 2025-26.
Inter Miami star Lionel Messi took a comfortable lead for this year’s Golden Boot by scoring two goals in Miami’s dramatic win over New York City FC on Wednesday night.Beneath the Citi Field lights and in the pouring rain, Lionel Messi and Inter Miami clinched a spot in the MLS playoffs. The South Florida club downed New York 4-0, carried by the Argentine striker’s late-game heroics and fueled by a pro-Miami crowd in New York. Messi opened the night with an assist to Baltasar Rodríguez in the 43rd minute, giving Inter Miami its first lead of the night.The team later rallied in the second half, scoring three goals in 12 minutes. Messi scored a brace, first in the 74th minute off a stunning pass from Sergio Busquets, and then again in the 86th. In between both goals, Luis Suárez scored off a penalty Messi’s pair of goals brings his tally to 24 scored this season, while LAFC’s Denis Bouanga trails with 22. Inter Miami sits third in the MLS Eastern Conference standings with 55 points, behind the Philadelphia Union (60 points) and FC Cincinnati (58 points). Miami heads to BMO Field, where they will face Toronto FC on Saturday. Inter Miami has its eyes set on reclaiming the Supporters’ Shield, which the club won in 2024. “We know how difficult Saturday will be because we have less than 72 hours to play, but we will try to play our best and try to win the game and try to qualify as high as possible,” Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said. “If we can win the next five games, we’ll be great and we’ll have (a) chance to fight for the Supporters’ Shield.” While Inter Miami were more than 1,000 miles from home, the near sellout crowd in Queens was unmistakably there for Messi. The crowd of 40,085 cheered after every play made by the striker and roared whenever the 38-year-old appeared on the Jumbotron. After each goal, the stadium filled with chants of “Messi, Messi!” Still, NYCFC tried its best to take advantage of the unusually large crowd that came out to Queens on Wednesday night, with messaging throughout the night reminding fans of their future stadium slowly taking shape next door. (Photo: Mark Smith / Imagn Images)
As Atlanta United flounders, would a Tata Martino reunion be the right play?
It has been a difficult summer for Atlanta United. In July, president and CEO Garth Lagerwey stepped away from his role after a cancer diagnosis. Well-liked around the building and highly respected across MLS, Lagerwey had publicly lauded the current squad entering the 2025 season. Ronny Deila, Atlanta’s first-year head coach, was the candidate that he fought for internally. Deila has led Atlanta to just five wins in 29 matches, though, and Lagerwey’s continued absence heading into the fall could alter the direction of the club.Deila may not be working out as Lagerwey hoped, but he did also hire Chris Henderson, Atlanta’s chief soccer officer and sporting director, last December. Talks with Deila were already at an advanced stage when Henderson joined the club from Inter Miami. He replaced Carlos Bocanegra and is now a leading decision maker on Atlanta’s future, which is under great focus considering the ongoing struggles. And that’s where the avenues the club can take in an effort to return to MLS’s elite could get interesting.Henderson came to Atlanta after helping Tata Martino build a Miami squad that broke MLS’s regular-season points record and won the Supporters’ Shield in 2024. Having Lionel Messi certainly helped, too. For his part, Martino led Atlanta to an MLS Cup victory in 2018 and he remains a well-regarded figure inside the club. His title-winning team and a near-perfect club launch unexpectedly brought the eyes of the football world to the city. Seven years later, Martino is available again, and it’s only natural to consider whether a reunion might make sense.Speaking exclusively to The Athletic last week, Martino touched on the emotional attachment some managers have after they depart a job. Inter Miami, he said, remains unfinished business. However, there’s nothing pending for Martino in Atlanta. He won a final then accepted the Mexico national team job in 2019 after two seasons.“I think at that time, the Atlanta project, for various reasons, had more room to grow, but not with me in charge,” Martino said. “The Miami project, yes, because I compare it to the Argentina national team project. There was more ahead, more to do. It wasn’t something already finished. Today I understand that some projects start and finish, and that’s that.”Asked if he maintains contact with Henderson, Martino smiled.“Yes, I care about him a lot,” he said. “Honestly, he’s someone I’ve had a really good working relationship with. First, because he’s a great professional, and second, because he’s an extraordinary person. I’ve really enjoyed working with him. Every now and then we exchange messages and say hello. I have a lot of affection for him.”The 62-year-old Argentine is among the top available coaches for MLS teams that are looking for a new manager. New England, St. Louis City, and Sporting Kansas City all have vacancies, and Steve Cherundolo will depart LAFC at the end of this season.
Atlanta United has struggled in Ronny Deila’s first season at the helm (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
Atlanta could potentially become an option, too, although Lagerwey has made a concerted effort to turn the page on the club’s successful past. Deila, whom Lagerwey touted as a serial winner, was supposed to end the club’s crisis with a firm European hand. Despite his best efforts and the millions of dollars spent on players, though, few improvements – if any – materialized.
On the other side, if Martino were to consider a highly-publicized reunion in Atlanta, he would put his legacy at the club at stake. The squad has not been well built, with high-priced players failing to deliver, while the shortcomings of long-standing members of the team have held the club back. Secondly, Atlanta’s player profiles don’t align with what Martino would prefer. There is no discernible identity under Deila, so another major evaluation of the roster would be necessary. Even so, Martino offered his thoughts on the state of his former team.
“I try to be careful because I don’t see the day-to-day,” he said. “From the outside, you look at the squad and think, ‘It’s strange to see them in that position in the standings,’ but there are different circumstances, so maybe a season doesn’t turn out the way you expect. In MLS, this happens a lot: players come from different places, and you have to see how the ideas come together, how the players click with each other, with the coaching staff, with the club and with the city.“Sometimes everything clicks perfectly, and it works spectacularly,” Martino continued. “Other times, just as you can’t always explain why everything went so well, you can’t always explain why nothing worked out as expected. Looking at the squad from a distance, you might’ve expected a different outcome for the season.”The same can be said about Miguel Almirón. The Paraguayan international was widely considered the best player in MLS when he wore Atlanta’s black and red kit under Martino. Now 31, Almirón rejoined Atlanta in January after six seasons in the Premier League with Newcastle United. He was celebrated by Atlanta’s fans upon his return, but that euphoria has since subsided. Like Atlanta as a whole, Almirón has struggled to have the same impact as he once had in MLS. He has four goals and seven assists on the year, and at times has either been misused as a traditional winger by Deila, or hasn’t been decisive enough in the middle of the field to make a difference.
Josef Martínez was prolific under Tata Martino in Atlanta (Mark J. Rebilas / USA TODAY Sports)
In his final year in Atlanta, prior to becoming MLS’s highest outgoing transfer at the time, Almirón teamed with 2018 MLS MVP Josef Martínez to the tune of 12 goals and 14 assists in the regular season. Martino may be watching from afar, but his assessment of Almirón 2.0, an experiment that hasn’t been an immediate success, rings true.“The main difference for Miguel is that the (2018) team had a solid base,” Martino said. “We kept a strong American core through Brad (Guzan), Parky (Michael Parkhurst), (Jeff) Larentowicz and even Greg Garza, who was Mexican-American but very connected to American soccer. At the same time, the team had a very strong Latin side. So obviously, Miguel felt much more supported.“On top of that, Miguel had that partnership with Josef. That’s how all the pieces come together for a season to go well. Today’s team, the nationalities and customs are very different, and Miguel arrived at a tricky moment. When the tournament is already underway, it can be hard to achieve that same unity of ideas.”After Atlanta’s 5-4 loss to the Columbus Crew on Saturday, a game in which Atlanta was down 5-0 at home after 39 minutes, Deila defiantly fought for his job. The defeat was Atlanta’s 13th of the regular season, which eliminated the club from the MLS playoffs.Deila, 49, insisted afterwards that Atlanta is in good hands. The Norwegian’s first year in Atlanta has been mired in uncertain tactics and a glaring lack of pride from Atlanta’s players week-to-week. Deila admitted on Saturday to relaying inconsistent messages to his players after trying different formations throughout the year. Still, the former Celtic manager believes he’s the right man to turn this into something positive in 2026.“We’re going to be competitive next season. I’m 100 percent sure,” Deila said. “If not I wouldn’t sit here. I’ve done this for 20 years. I’ve had success with almost every team I’ve had. I’ve made improvements everywhere. I won almost everywhere I’ve been.”Perhaps Deila hasn’t completely thrown his players under the bus, but he has questioned their professional character and mentality. It was evident on Saturday that he has lost faith in some of his players, despite stating adamantly that he hasn’t lost the locker room.“I want to improve things, but we have to change a lot of the personnel this season because some (players) didn’t have the opportunity to get better and some of them aren’t interested in getting better,” Deila said. “I believe and I feel I have the boys with me. And I feel that I have the staff with me, and I feel that we’re on the start of something.”Whatever Deila believes hasn’t been up to standard. Atlanta invested over $50 million in new player acquisitions last season. The objective was to provide Deila with a squad capable of challenging for the top four in the Eastern Conference. Instead, the club was struggling through its worst start in franchise history in May. The momentum that Atlanta garnered at the end of the 2024 season under interim manager Rob Valentino sputtered almost immediately in 2025. Atlanta’s shocking first-round defeat of Martino’s heavily-favored Inter Miami during the 2024 playoffs was supposed to inspire a now-apathetic fanbase and position Atlanta with the right building blocks moving forward.
Atlanta has just five wins through 29 games, tied for second-fewest in MLS (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
But there is nothing inspirational about this Atlanta side. It has conceded 54 goals and scored just 36 times in 29 matches. There are 11 teams in the East that have scored more goals than Atlanta this season. Deila, who won an MLS Cup final with New York City FC in 2021, has been unable to manufacture solutions both in-game and mid-week to improve the team.On Saturday, Columbus was surgical in how it attacked Atlanta’s woeful midfield and backline, while Deila’s men delivered another display of football malpractice. Deila called it the “the strangest game I’ve seen in my life,” but in reality, it was a representation of his tenure in Atlanta. The four-goal comeback did not mask his team’s permanent flaws, which go far beyond a tactics board.Deila and his staff have succumbed to the culture of defeat in Atlanta rather than turn it around. Losing has become normalized within Atlanta’s training facility in Marietta, Ga., which later this month will be newly unveiled following a $23 million investment from owner Arthur Blank. Yet, Deila stressed on Saturday that a coaching change wasn’t necessary.“I’m the guy who can make this team successful,” he said. “I cannot handle what the board is thinking. If peopl don’t believe in me, then of course we have a challenge.”“Right now we’re struggling,” he continued. “We’re eating a lot of s***, but that creates unbelievable power and energy to go forward and prove everybody wrong. It’s easy to sit on the outside and have opinions now, but get in the ring and we’ll see how it is and who ends up on the right side. That’s going to be us.”
It very well could be – unless Atlanta believes that revisiting its past can finally awaken the club’s future.
Wow the world’s best competition is back with a vengance – we had a 4-4 thriller at Juventus as Juve and American Weston McKinney came back from 0-2, then 2-4 down to tie it in extra time. Marcus Rashford returned to London in Barca colors and helped Barcelona win 2-0 with a Brace vs Tottenham. Awesome as Tim Weah Becomes 1st American to Score at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu as Mareille took a 1-0 lead on Real before the Galictico’s got a questionable PK late to secure the 2-1 win. Matchday 1 ScoresMatchday 1 great saves | Best Saves | UEFA Champions … (see GK section below). Games return Sept 30th with Matchday 2.
INDY 11 hosts Birmingham Sun 5 pm Hispanic Heritage Night The two teams battling for the final playoff position in the USL Championship Eastern Conference faced off Saturday night, with host Rhode Island FC scoring a second-half goal and surviving a frantic finish for a 1-0 win. With six games left in the regular season, Indy Eleven trails Rhode Island by one point. Indy Eleven hosts Birmingham Legion FC this Sunday, September 21 at 5 pm on Hispanic Heritage Night at Carroll Stadium with $11 tickets & an $11 scarf special.
Shane, Nick H and Ted Howlet enjoying Gene’s Rootbeer in Anderson after an Indiana Christian game. Fried Cheeseburger baby!! Rachel and Jason M at Covenant Christian High Thursday night – this D1 team is really good.
Jorge, Nick & The Ole Ballcoach at University High Monday Night Doing a little 2 man with Scott Baker at Zionsville vs Noblesville Girls. Got to do some MAL games U12 at Grand Park with these young Refs
=====RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ===
Got some Good BarBQ for your Summer Plans ? Try out the Best BarBQ in Town right across the street (131st) from Northview Church on the corner of Hazelldell & 131st. RackZ BBQ
Save 20% on your order
(mention the ole ballcoach)
Check out the BarBQ Ribs, pulled Pork and Chicken, Brisket and more. Sweet, Tangy or Spicy sauce. Mention you heard about it from the Ole Ballcoach — and Ryan will give you 20% off your next meal. https://www.rackzbbqindy.com/Call ahead at 317-688-7290 M-Th 11-8 pm, 11-9 Fri/Sat, 12-8 pm on Sunday. Pick some up after practice – Its good eatin! You won’t be disappointed and tell ’em the Ole Ballcoach Sent You!
Save 20% on these Succulent Ribs at Rackz BarBQ when you mention the Ole Ballcoach – Corner of 131 & Hazelldell. – Call 317-688-7290.
======================RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ======================
FULL TV GAME SCHEDULE
Fri, Sept 19 8 pm Prime Houston Dash vs Chicago Red Stars NWSL 10 pm CBSSN, Prime Utah Royals vs Racing Louisville NWSL Sat, Sept 20 7:30 am USA Liverpool vs Everton 7:30 am CBSSN Leicester City vs Coventry City (Wright) 9:30 am ESPN+ Hoffenhiem vs Bayern Munich 10 am USA West Ham vs Crystal Palace (Richards) 10 am Peacock Burnley (Adams) vs Nottingham Forest 10 am Peacock Wolverhampton vs Leeds (Aaronson) 10 am Para, Prime Norwich City (Sargent) vs Wrexham 10:15 am ESPN+ Real Madrid vs Espanyol 12 noon Para+ Hellas Verona vs Juventus (McKennie) 2:45 pm Para+ Udinese vs AC Milan (Pulisic) 12:30 pm NBC Man United vs Chelsea 3 pm USA Fulham (Robinson) vs Brentford 7:30 pm Prime Columbus Crew vs Toronto FC 7:30 pm Prime, Apple Miami vs DC United 7:30 pm TUBI KC Current vs Seattle Reign NWSL 10 pm TUBI Portland Thorns vs San Diego Wave NWSL 10:30 pm Prime LA Galaxy vs Cincy Sun, Sept 21 9 am USA Bournmouth vs New Castle 10:15 am ESPN+ Mallorca vs Atletico Madrid (Cardosa) 11:30 am ESPN+ Bayer Leverkusen (Tillman) vs B Mgladbach (Scally, Reyna) 11:30 am USA Arsenal vs Man City 2:45 pm Para+ Inter Milan vs Sassuolo 2:45 pm beIN Sport Olympique Marseille (Weah) vs PSG 3 pm ESPN+ Barcelona vs Getafe 8:30 pm ESPN2 Bay FC vs NY/NJ Gotham FC NWSL 9 pm FS 1 LAFC (Son) vs Real Salt Lake (Luna) Tues, Sept 23 2:45 pm Para+ Fulham (Jedi) vs Cambridge 2:45 pm Para+ Wrexham vs Reading League Cup 3 pm Para+ AC Milan (Pulisic) vs Lecce Copa 3:30 pm ESPN2 Levante vs Real Madrid Wed, Sept 24 Europa League 3 pm Para+ Crvena Z vs Celtic (CVB) 3 pm Para+ Real Betis vs Nottingham Forest thur, Sept 25 Europa League 3 pm Para+ Rangers vs Genk 3 pm Para+ Aston Villa vs Bologna Fri, Sept 26 2:30 pm ESPN2 Bayern Munich vs Werder Bremen 8 pm Prime KC Current vs Chicago Stars NWSL 10:30 pm Para+/Golazo San Diego Wave vs Orlando Pride NWSL Sat, Sept 27 10 am USA ? Crystal Palace (Richards) vs Liverpool 10 am Peacock Leeds United (Aaronson) vs Bournemouth (Adams) 10:15 am ESPND, ESPN+ Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid 12 pm Para+ Juventus (Mckinnie) vs Atalanta 12:30 pm ESPN+ B Mglabach (Reyna, Scally) vs Frankfurt (Chandler) 12:30 pm USA Nottingham Forest vs Sunderland 3 pm USA Tottenham vs Wolverhampton 7:30 pm Tubi Racing Louisville vs Angel City FC NWSL 10 pm Tubi Bay FC vs Utah Royals NWSL Sun, Sept 28 11:30 am USA Newcastle United vs Arsenal 3 pm ESPNd, ESPN+ Barcelona vs Real Sociedad 7 pm Apple TV Cincy vs Orlando City Sept 30, Oct 1/2 Champions League Fri, Oct 10 8:30 pm TNT, Max USA Men vs Ecuador Tues, Oct 14 9 pm TNT, Max USA Men vs Australia Thurs, Oct 23 9 pm TNT, Max USA Women vs Portugal Chester PA Sun, Oct 26 4 pm TNT, Max USA Women vs Portugal Hartford CT Sat, Nov 15 5 pm TNT, Max USA Men vs Paraguay Chester PA Tues, Nov 18 7 pmTNT, Max USA Men vs Uruguay Tampa, FL
Looking to Get a Professional Company Headshot? Check out https://capturely.com/ Tell Rob The Ole Ballcoach sent you and he’ll give you a deal.
DISCOUNT SMALL ENGINE & BIG ENGINE REPAIRS IN CARMEL
Need your Riding Mower, Push Mower or any small engine or Car Engine Work Done by Carmel High Junior Mechanical Wizard for a bargain basement Price? Email my buddy Marc Sultanov at marc.sultanov@gmail.com
USMNT weekend viewing guide: Ides of September
Some of our most watched leagues embark on a new season.
Getty Images
It was a full week of soccer with Champions League rounds kicking off midweek but things aren’t slowing down over the weekend and we have a slew of matches including some head-to-head action in Germany. Here’s what we have our eyes on this weekend:
Saturday
Augsburg v Mainz – 9:30a on ESPN Select: Noahkai Banks did not appear last weekend in Augsburg’s 2-1 loss to St. Pauli, a week after getting his first minute off the bench in a 3-2 loss to Bayern Munich. Augsburg have lost their last two and look to get back on track as they play host to a Mainz side that are still looking for their first win of the season.
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Leeds United – 10a on Peacock: Brenden Aaronson received his first start of the season last weekend in Leeds’ 1-0 loss to Fulham. Leeds have one point from their past three matches, after opening the season with a win over Everton, and are in 16th place early in the season. This weekend they face a Wolverhampton side that have lost all four matches this season, though three of the four have been decided by a single goal.
West Ham United v Crystal Palace – 10a on USA Network: Chris Richards came off the bench to score a goal and convert his penalty midweek as Crystal Palace defeated Millwall in a penalty shoot-out to advance in the third round of the EFL Cup. Palace are undefeated though they have just one win in four matches early in the EPL season. They take on a West Ham side that have been involved in some lopsided affairs, winning 3-0 over Nottingham Forest for their lone points of the season while giving up three or more goals in each of their losses.
Norwich City v Wrexham – 10a on Paramount+: Josh Sargent was held scoreless for the first time this season as Norwich City drew with Coventry 1-1 last weekend. Sargent will look to return to his scoring ways against Wrexham this weekend as Norwich look for their third win against a newly promoted side that have just one win on the season.
Hellas Verona v Juventus – Noon on Paramount+: Weston McKennie was back in the lineup for Juventus because of course he is. McKennie, who had appeared as a late sub in Juve’s first two matches started as a left wing-back as Juventus defeated Inter Milan 4-3 last weekend, and started again midweek as Juve drew with Burussia Dortmund 4-4 in Champions League action. Despite speculation that McKennie was on the outside looking in to start the season he has once again shown himself to be a part of the picture in Turin. Juventus have won their first three league matches and are tied with Napoli atop the Serie A table. On Saturday they face a Hellas Verona side that are looking for their first win of the 2025-26 campaign.
Udinese v AC Milan – 2:45p on Paramount+: Christian Pulisic has come off the bench in AC Milan’s past two matches, wins over Lecce and Bologna. The team doesn’t have European competition to worry about though they do have a Coppa Italia match with Lecce coming up on Tuesday. Their slip up to start the season, a 2-1 loss to Cremonese, has Milan in fifth place, a point behind this weekend’s opponent Udinese.
Fulham v Brentford – 3p on USA Network: Antonee Robinson was an unused substitute last weekend in Fulham’s 1-0 win over Leeds United, and he has appeared twice for just over fifty minutes combined this season. Fulham’s win over Leeds was their first victory of the season and they are currently a point ahead of Brentford who drew with Chelsea last weekend in league play and defeated Aston Villa midweek on penalties in the Carabao Cup.
Saturday MLS Matches with USMNT flavor – here is when the September MLS call ups are kicking off their matches this weekend, all matches on MLS Season Pass:
NYCFC v Charlotte – Noon: Matt Freese v Tim Ream
Philadelphia Union v New England – 2:30p: Nathan Harriel
Atlanta United v San Diego – 4:30p: Luca de la Torre
Columbus Crew v Toronto FC – 7:30p: Max Arfsten and Sean Zawadski
Orlando City SC v Nashville SC – 7:30p: Alex Freeman
Sporting Kansas City v Vancouver Whitecaps – 8:30p: Tristian Blackmon
Houston Dymano v Portland Timbers – 8:30p: Jack McGlynn
LA Galaxy v Cincinnati – 10:30p: Roman Celetano
Sunday
PSV v Ajax – 8:30a on ESPN Select: Sergino Dest and Ricardo Pepi had a rough midweek falling to Union Saint-Gilloise 3-1 in Champions League group stage play with Pepi having a bit of a howler on the defensive end (don’t ask me what he’s doing down there). They return to Eredivisie action which is normally safer, Pepi scored two last weekend and Dest had an assist in PSV’s 5-3 win over NEC Nijmegen, but they will be facing rivals Ajax, who are just a point back of them in the league standings.
Bournemouth v Newcastle – 9a on USA Network: Tyler Adams and Bournemouth have won three straight and currently sit tied with Arsenal and Tottenham for second place with nine points. On Sunday they face Newcastle who picked up their first league win 1-0 over Wolverhampton last weekend and fell 2-1 to Barcelona in Champions League play on Thursday.
Torino v Atalanta – 9a on Paramount+: Yunus Musah got his first start for Atalanta on Wednesday in Champions League play. Unfortunately, his side fell to last seasons champions PSG 4-0. Musah had also come off the bench last weekend to make his first appearance for his new club in a 4-1 win over Lecce.
Mallorca v Atletico Madrid – 10:15a on ESPN Deportes and ESPN Select: Johnny Cardoso was not included in the squad for Atletico Madrid midweek as the team fell to Liverpool 3-2 and he was an unused substitute last weekend in his teams 2-0 win over Villarreal. Cardoso apparently picked up a bit of an injury though it’s unclear at this time how much action he will miss.
Monaco v Metz – 11:15a on beIN Sports: Add Folarin Balogun to the list of USMNT players who had a rough start to the Champions League midweek. Balogun’s Monaco side fell to Club Brugge 4-1 on Thursday. In League play Monaco have won three of four, including a 2-1 win over Auxerre last weekend with Balogun picking up an assist, and the team sits in third place heading into their match with Metz who have just one point in four matches.
Bayer Leverkusen v Borussia Monchengladbach – 11:30a on ESPN Select: Mallik Tillman and Gio Reyna will face off on Sunday as Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Monchengladbach meet up in league play. Tillman started on Thursday but went just 51’ in Leverkusen’s 2-2 draw with Copenhagen. Meanwhile Reyna made his first appearance for Gladbach, getting the start and going 74’ in the team’s 4-0 loss to Werder Bremen. Interestingly, Joe Scally who has been such a consistent feature for Gladbach was an unused substitute in the loss that cost manager Gerardo Seoane his position.
Olympique Marseille v PSG – 2:45p on beIN Sports: Tim Weah was one of the few American’s to have a positive match midweek in the Champions League group stage. Weah opened the scoring at the Bernabeu to put Marseille up 1-0 on hosts Real Madrid. Unfortunately, Marseille were unable to hold on to the lead as Madrid took advantage of a questionable handball call late in the match to pull out the 2-1 victory. Marseille have alternated wins and losses to start the Ligue 1 season, most recently defeating Lorient 4-0, and will now host league leading PSG on Sunday.
Sunday MLS Activity:
Austin v Seattle Sounders – 7p on MLS Season Pass: Cristian Roldan
LAFC v Real Salt Lake – 9p on FS1: Diego Luna
Champions League overreactions: Arsenal only PL team to have deep run
Bill ConnellySep 19, 2025, 07:00 AM ET ESPNFC
One of the lessons we learned in last season’s Champions League league phase was that there’s little sense in playing for draws. Twenty-six teams won at least three of their eight matches, and 24 advanced. Feyenoord lost by scores of 4-0 and 6-1, but advanced with three wins. Club Brugge lost by scores of 3-0, 3-1 and 3-1 and advanced. Hell, three wins for Dinamo Zagreb damn near overcame a 9-2 first-matchday loss to Bayern Munich.If Matchday 1 of this year’s competition is any indication, teams figured this out, too, because teams were going for it. Sixteen of 18 matches featured at least two goals, and 11 featured at least four. We saw 18 goals after the 80th minute, and it only felt like all those were in the epic 4-4 between Juventus and Borussia Dortmund. We know that one matchday won’t teach us everything we need to know about a given competition; in last year’s Champions League, after all, eventual champion Paris Saint-Germain barely salvaged a meek 1-0 win over a bad Girona team, and eventual semifinalist Barcelona lost to Monaco. Reserved reactions are smart, but they’re also no fun whatsoever. So as we do at the start of the club season, we’re going to take the regulator off a bit and overreact.Here are five things I’m far more confident in than I was when matches began on Tuesday. – Champions League talking points: Is Rashford back to his best? Who shone? – Women’s Champions League: Arsenal draw Lyonnes, Chelsea get Barça –
Arsenal will win the Champions League
The only surprise about Arsenal‘s 2-0 win at Athletic Club on Tuesday was that they didn’t score from a set piece. Otherwise, it was just about as Arsenal as an Arsenal match could be in that a) very little happened over a long period of time and b) Arsenal won. They have long been happy to default to “war of attrition” mode (total goals in their first four Champions League league phase matches last season: 4), and following a summer of ambitious spending — eight new acquisitions, nearly €300 million in transfer fees — they now have the depth to really lean on opponents.That depth earned them three points in Bilbao. Through 70 minutes, the two teams had combined for just 0.9 xG from 17 shots. But in the 72nd minute, substitute Gabriel Martinelli scored on a breakaway assisted by substitute Leandro Trossard, and then Trossard put the match away with a goal (assisted by Martinelli) at the end of another vertical attack in the 87th minute.Arsenal’s subs were difference-makers while in a combined 82 minutes, Athletic’s five subs combined for two shots (combined xG: 0.05) and no chances created. In fact, after a decent run of attacking to start the second half, Athletic managed only those two shot attempts in the final 33 minutes.Arsenal already have the best defensive setup in Europe at a time when many top clubs, including Premier League rivals Liverpool and Manchester City, are struggling at times with transition defense and tactical balance. Now coach Mikel Arteta knows he can eventually find attacking answers, too, even if he has to wait for opponents to wear down first. That means he has even less reason to take major tactical risks. Athletic had kept wingers Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke mostly quiet on the night, and they’d gotten away with allowing a couple of decent opportunities to Viktor Gyökeres. But even without injured stars Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard and Kai Havertz, Arsenal still landed a knockout blow.You can make an easy case that the Gunners overpaid for both Eze and Gyökeres — both are 27 years old, neither are heavily involved in link-up play or intricate passing sequences, and both could become albatrosses by the end of their respective contracts. But Arsenal can afford them, they’re clearly in win-now mode, and it’s hard not to like their chances of making a run even deeper than last year’s semifinal trip. (I said something similar about their chances in their other primary competition recently.)
Arsenal threw body blows, bided their time and then put the match away. Thrilling? No. Effective in a way that could remain effective through May? Yes.
No other Premier League team will make a major run
Arsenal obviously weren’t the only English club to spend absurd amounts to build roster war chests this summer. In fact, among the Premier League’s Champions League teams alone, their outlay of transfer fees (€293.5 million) was dwarfed by that of Liverpool (€484.7 million) and Chelsea (€339.2 million) and nearly matched by Newcastle’s (€278.9 million). The league threw its financial weight around in an almost unprecedented way.
However, spending power has not bought loads of Champions League runs in recent seasons. After producing all-Premier League finals in 2019 and 2021, the league has averaged only one semifinalist per year since. And aside from Arsenal, the other English teams in this competition are in odd places at the moment.
Liverpool is less a team and more a collection of adrenaline junkies at the moment. They’ve already blown five leads in six matches, including three two-goal leads. Now, they’ve still won five of those six, including all four Premier League matches and Tuesday’s raucous affair against Atlético Madrid. They’ve scored five game-winners after the 82nd minute, too, three in stoppage time. This is an absolute thrill-ride, and with their suddenly epic spending, they’re almost developing a Real Madrid-like inevitability. But Real Madrid’s most clutch squads weren’t blowing leads at this rate, and relying on late heroics is a good way to eventually fall in a knockout competition.
That said, from a stats perspective, their match against Atletico was probably their best of the season. They attempted 20 shots to Atleti’s 10 despite leading most of the way, and their plus-2.1 xG advantage was far greater than in early Premier League wins over Bournemouth, Newcastle and Arsenal (combined: plus-0.3). Yes, it was another blown lead, but it required a couple of miraculous Marcos Llorente goals — the kind he particularly enjoys delivering at Anfield (and Anfield only) — and it was otherwise a one-sided affair. Maybe that’s a good sign.
Manchester City also handled its business just fine this week, eventually easing to a 2-0 win over 10-man Napoli. Napoli were enjoying their only particularly threatening spell at the time of Giovanni Di Lorenzo‘s red card in the 21st minute, and it was one-way traffic from there. It looked for a while that Napoli might be able to will themselves to a 0-0 draw, but Erling Haaland put an end to that in the 56th minute.
Napoli finished with one shot attempt and 26% possession, but that one shot was a close-range effort on a set piece and required a pretty good save from Gianluigi Donnarumma. It was worth 0.17, which just about mirrored the average xG per shot City are allowing in Premier League play. Going back to the 4-3 Club World Cup loss against Al-Hilal, there’s a level of defensive fragility here that makes it hard to trust this team just yet.Tottenham Hotspur also won their opener, but they did the bare minimum against Villarreal, scoring on a dreadful error from keeper Luiz Júnior in the fourth minute and closing up shop. They attempted just nine shots (0.5 xG) and allowed 10 (0.5). They got the job done, but did nothing to assuage my concerns about their ability to create quality shots — they’re currently 17th in the Premier League in xG per shot — and I’m guessing this is a round-of-16 or quarterfinal team this year.
On paper, Chelsea certainly have the pieces to make a run, but their dramatic Champions League inexperience was laid bare in Munich on Wednesday. Against a sharp Bayern Munich, they were outshot and outrun, 3-1. Cole Palmer scored on a counterattack and had a second goal disallowed, but Chelsea ceded control to their hosts in a way that a genuine contender rarely does. They looked like an inexperienced underdog. Not a great start.
Newcastle United probably deserved a better outcome on Thursday against Barcelona; they generated more xG in 10 shots (1.4) than Barça did in 19 (1.3), but they were bested by Barça’s high defensive line, possession-hungry play and two goals — one good, one unbelievable — from Marcus Rashford.The concerns I have for Newcastle in the Premier League — depth and scoring capabilities, basically — certainly apply in the Champions League, and their chances of securing a top-eight finish in the league phase took a hit here.
A Belgian team is making the quarterfinals
Don’t ask me which one, though, because two have a shot.
Since a Super Cup loss to Club Brugge, Belgian champion Union St.-Gilloise — one of the most enjoyable teams to follow in recent years as they leapt from the second division to immediate top-division contention and landed exciting young player after exciting young player — has laid down a path of destruction. They’ve outscored seven Belgian opponents by a combined 15-3 margin this season, and in their first-ever Champions League match on Tuesday, they traded haymakers with PSV for most of an hour, then shut things down and won easily, 3-1.PSV finally scored in the 90th minute, and they perhaps deserved more after creating shots worth 2.2 xG, but USG generated 3.4 xG from 18 shots. They out-PSV’d PSV.Club Brugge, meanwhile, out-everything’d Monaco in a 4-1 home win on Thursday. They’ve dropped some points in domestic play, but they could be forgiven since, including qualification ties, they’ve outscored five Champions League opponents by a combined 17-3 thus far. Veteran Hans Vanaken and the left-sided duo of Christos Tzolis and Joaquin Seys have combined for seven goals and eight assists; Vanaken had one of each as four different FCB players scored.Going back to last year’s round-of-16 run, Club Brugge have now won nine of their last 14 UEFA matches. Via the Opta Supercomputer, they now have the 12th-highest projected point total for the league phase now; USG is 11th. Both are ahead of Borussia Dortmund, Napoli, Newcastle, Juventus and Atlético Madrid, among many others.Dutch teams have the far greater history in this competition, but their neighbors to the south are looking great, and they’ve positioned themselves well.
The price tag for Eintracht’s Can Uzun keeps going up
One of the most ruthless aspects of European competitions is that even if an upstart emerges and threatens to upend the status quo, the sport’s powers can pluck that upstart apart in the transfer window before the competition is even over.
Benfica had one of the most impressive teams in the group stage of the Champions League in 2022-23, winning a group with both PSG and Juventus while going unbeaten against both. But Chelsea offered eleventy million Euros (okay, €121 million) for star midfielder Enzo Fernández — who had himself only arrived from River Plate that previous summer — in the January transfer window, and that was that. Benfica still walloped Club Brugge in the round of 16 in February, but they fell with little resistance against Inter Milan in the next round. (Chelsea grabbed another breakout star, Shakhtar Donetsk’s Mykhailo Mudryk for €70 million in that same window. That one hasn’t worked out quite as well.)
For players on teams that aren’t mega-clubs, European competitions are almost like auditions. Eintracht Frankfurt know this as well as anyone. Omar Marmoush‘s four goals and two assists in 406 Europa League minutes last season helped to provide proof of concept for a €75m January transfer to Manchester City.
For good measure, Hugo Ekitike (four goals and three assists in 809 minutes) then left for Liverpool for €95 million over the summer and even though they aimed for more of a veteran presence with their own summer acquisitions, another young star has quickly emerged. Nineteen-year-old Can Uzun has three goals and two assists in three Bundesliga matches this season, and he made an immediate Champions League impact with a go-ahead goal against Galatasaray on Thursday.Eintracht have made a lot of money due to their recent run of great talent identification and development, and it seems they’ll probably be rewarded for Uzun’s star turn, too. But it would be awesome to see what they might be capable of if they could keep some of this talent in-house for a bit longer at some point. They scored five goals against Galatasaray even without Marmoush and Ekitike, after all.If we’re doing some proper scouting for future big moves, here are eight other players who probably saw their respective stock prices rise quite a bit this week under the floodlights.
Ismael Saibari, PSV Eindhoven (24). He’s a central midfielder who plays so advanced that he was second in the Eredivisie in assists last season (11) and ninth in goals (11), and for all the nice words I paid to Union Saint-Gilloise above, Saibari created a couple of spectacular chances to redefine the game, missing opportunities in the sixth (0.54 xG) and 55th (0.80 xG) minutes.
Camilo Durán, Qarabag (23). Qarabag have come to rule Azerbaijan’s Premier League with a veteran-heavy squad, but Durán, acquired this summer from Portugal‘s Portimonense, took full advantage of a shot at Portuguese giants Benfica. He assisted Qarabag’s first goal, then scored its second as the Atlilar (the Horsemen, a pretty fantastic nickname) came back to secure their first-ever group stage victory in the Champions League.
Lamine Camara, Monaco (21). Monaco got absolutely wrecked by Club Brugge, but Camara still filled the box score. He had 20 combined progressive passes and carries and 10 ball recoveries, most of anyone in Matchday 1. He also suffered two fouls and won seven ground duels. He enjoyed a breakout season last year, with seven league assists, and if Monaco did anything right on Thursday, Camara was probably behind it.
Daniel Bassi, Bodo/Glimt (20). He has only just begun to work his way into the rotation for the Arctic Circle club, but in just 45 minutes on Wednesday, he won a penalty, scored to cut Bodo/Glimt’s deficit to 2-1, then played a key role in the sequence that made it 2-2.
Youssoupha Mbodji, Slavia Prague (21). Why was Bodo/Glimt down two goals to begin with? Because Mbodji scored twice, appearing out of nowhere from his left back position to finish two great opportunities.
Georgiy Sudakov, Benfica (23). A Benfica player recently acquired from Shakhtar? He was destined to become a Champions League star! And while his team played poorly enough against Qarabag to get its manager fired, Sudakov was fantastic, creating one assist from two chances and completing 12 progressive passes.
Nicolo Tresoldi, Club Brugge (21). After a couple of solid seasons in the 2. Bundesliga, the 6’0 Tresoldi joined a Champions League team, and including qualification he has two goals and an assist in 226 minutes. He scored Brugge’s first against Monaco, and I’m guessing that’s not his last in the league phase.
Marcus Rashford, Barcelona (27). Have you heard of this up-and-comer? Okay, no, this list was neither meant for known onetime stars or Barcelona players, but I had to squeeze him in here somewhere. I mean, did you see this strike?This is what life looks like when you escape Manchester United, I guess.
My off-the-cuff 1-to-36 rankings after one matchday
• 1. Arsenal • 2. PSG • 3. Liverpool • 4. Real Madrid • 5. Bayern Munich • 6. Barcelona • 7. Manchester City • 8. Inter Milan
Real Madrid are a perfect 5-for-5 since the Xabi Alonso era began in earnest last month, and while they needed a pair of penalties to survive Marseille at home, 2-1, the score was misleading — Real Madrid generated far more quality chances (even while playing down a man for about 20 minutes because of Dani Carvajal‘s foolish red card) and got away with both the red card and an early-game injury to Trent Alexander-Arnold.
• 9. Chelsea • 10. Tottenham • 11. Napoli • 12. Newcastle • 13. Borussia Dortmund • 14. Juventus • 15. Eintracht Frankfurt • 16. Sporting CP
• 17. Atlético Madrid • 18. Bayer Leverkusen • 19. Villarreal • 20. Union Saint-Gilloise • 21. Club Brugge • 22. Atalanta • 23. Athletic Club • 24. Bodo/Glimt
The fightin’ Glimts of Bodo, semifinalists in last year’s Europa League, erased a 2-0 deficit at Slavia Prague to salvage a point, and now they’ll get a shot at revenge with a semifinal rematch at home against Tottenham Hotspur in two weeks. (Monaco, Juventus and Manchester City must also visit the Arctic circle. Love it.)
I got to know this Qarabag team watching them nearly take down Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League two years ago, and with the dose of energy Durán has given them, they look awfully fun. Their comeback win over Benfica was a stunner, and they might need to spring only one more surprise to advance to the knockout rounds.
Juventus 4-4 Borussia Dortmund: Breaking down an instant Champions League classic
“I’ve already had enough of this type of match,” grumbled Juventus manager Igor Tudor in his post-match interview with Sky Sports Italia after their 4-4 draw with Borussia Dortmund. He certainly wasn’t speaking for the majority.For those fortunate enough to watch on, the Champions League laid out an opening-night banquet in Turin: eight goals from seven scorers, the latest two-goal-deficit fightback in the competition’s history, refereeing controversy and a glimpse of the game’s next star. Now, with breath just about regained, it’s time to unpack how last night’s madness unfolded.
Borussia Dortmund go 4-2 up in the 86th minute. Job done, surely… (Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
“We are conceding too many. At least we’re scoring a lot too, but we cannot carry on like this,” said Tudor, his fatigue betraying the whirlwind week his side has endured. A few days after a last-gasp 4-3 Serie A victory against perennial rivals Inter, here he was again embroiled in another chaotic thriller.While Italian football has shed much of its traditional defensive skin, Serie A still averaged fewer goals per game last season than Europe’s other ‘big five’ leagues, and its coaches bristle when games descend into disorder.The opening half was far more restrained, feeling like a subdued comedown from Juventus’ weekend exploits. It was tame and tentative, with neither side especially eager to force the issue. A speculative long-range effort from defensive midfielder Khephren Thuram after just three minutes drew a sharp save from Gregor Kobel, but action was scarce thereafter.The expected goals (xG) step chart below shows that while Juventus created more chances in the first half (0.67 xG), they didn’t exactly overwhelm Dortmund. Most of their threat came from corners and Weston McKennie’s long throws rather than incisive attacking play.
Juventus’ blunt approach still carried more impetus than Dortmund could muster, with the visitors failing to register a shot on target in the first half. Their first sign of attacking life arrived five minutes into the second period, when right centre-back Julian Ryerson picked out the darting run of Maximilian Beier. The attacking midfielder stretched to meet it and almost squeezed in his extremely acute effort, only to rattle the base of the post.
At last, a spark, and moments later, Adeyemi’s wonderful opener ignited the night. The 23-year-old German is blessed with quick feet, and only Jamie Gittens, now at Chelsea, completed more take-ons per 90 minutes for Dortmund last season. That elusiveness proved decisive, as Adeyemi skipped by three closely attendant markers before arrowing his shot into the corner.
As good as Adeyemi’s goal was, Kenan Yildiz’s wonder strike leveller 10 minutes later was the standout effort in a game packed with goal-of-the-round contenders. The move began with excellent work from substitute Joao Mario, the summer signing from Porto, who carried the ball across the width of the pitch before laying it off to Yildiz on the right edge of the box. From there, he curled a stunning effort into the top-right corner, a finish he later described as “a bit instinctive”. Those innate instincts for the spectacular are among the reasons that the 20-year-old Turkish winger is fast emerging as one of the most precious young gems in European football.
Yildiz was at his effervescent best all evening. As his player dashboard shows, no player was more involved in Juventus’ attacking sequences. Ryerson endured a tough evening, struggling to contain him.
Seemingly still spellbound by Yildiz’s strike, Juventus forgot they still had a match to play, falling behind again less than a minute after the restart. Below, Felix Nmecha can be seen screaming for the ball, arms outstretched, as Juventus left vast space at the edge of the area. The warning went unheeded when the ball was finally poked out to him, Nmecha punished them with yet another curling finish into the top corner.
This madcap spell was far from finished, and Juventus equalised again moments later, completing a remarkable flurry of three goals in four minutes. This time it was Dusan Vlahovic’s turn. Having only just come on, he could scarcely believe the space afforded to him as Yildiz slipped a clever through ball into his path. Vlahovic’s finish was relatively routine — the first goal of the night to come from inside the box.
Compared to the manic tempo that had preceded it, the ensuing seven-minute goalless lull felt like a marathon, broken when wing-back Yan Couto fired Dortmund back in front in the 74th minute. His low, driven effort from just inside the box skidded past Michele Di Gregorio at his near post, one the goalkeeper will feel he ought to have saved.
No thriller is truly complete without a dash of controversy, and this one duly obliged in the 86th minute when Dortmund were awarded a penalty. After squandering a golden counter-attack, the visitors worked the ball to Guirassy, whose shot struck a falling Lloyd Kelly’s hand, which he was using to break his fall. Centre-back Ramy Bensebaini calmly converted from the spot, and with a two-goal lead, it seemed Dortmund had settled the contest.Six minutes of stoppage time offered Juventus only a sliver of hope, and after three of them, it seemed to have fully evaporated. But Dortmund, a side with a reputation for late implosions, were architects of their own downfall. Penalty-scorer Bensebaini, instead of taking the sensible option of clearing long or conceding a throw, played the ball straight to the feet of Juventus’ Pierre Kalulu. From there, Kalulu flashed a cross across the face of goal for Vlahovic to turn in.
The dramatic equaliser came from the unlikeliest of sources, as Vlahovic then laid on an assist to Kelly, playing now as an auxiliary centre-forward, who powered home a headed effort. Few would have imagined Kelly delivering the decisive touch in a rip-roaring Champions League contest when he arrived from Newcastle United in February. Yet in some ways it was fitting: an unconventional goalscorer for a thrillingly unconventional game.Kelly’s goal is the latest scored by a Juventus player in the Champions League, which, for a club as storied as the Turin side, is quite something.Igor Tudor might be tired of chaotic games like this, but for everyone else, this was Champions League football at its very best, whetting our appetites for the campaign ahead.
Champions League post-MD1 projections: Liverpool early favourites but are Inter flying under the radar?
There were 67 goals scored across a thrilling Matchday 1 of the 2025-26 Champions League.Most of the big-hitters began with wins, some doing so in hostile territory and difficult circumstances. There were a few surprises along the way too, adding to the intrigue of this second season in the competition’s expanded 36-team format.Throughout the tournament, The Athletic will use its projections — powered by Opta data — to understand each club’s probability of league-phase elimination, direct qualification to the last 16 via a top-eight finish, entry into the play-off round by placing ninth to 24th and of winning the whole thing at the final in Budapest, Hungary on May 30.Despite being just one week into the eight-round league phase, our projections have already seen plenty of movement. The link to them is below.What You Should Read NextChampions League 2025-26 Projections: Who will lift the trophy in Budapest on May 30?Our Opta-powered Champions League projections update after each matchday
Here, we break down the key risers, fallers and more from Matchday 1.
Match of the week
Juventus’ stunning comeback to draw 4-4 with visitors Borussia Dortmund was the pick of the games. A fixture that was goalless for the first 51 minutes sprang to life in true “under the lights on a Tuesday night” fashion.
The result in Turin did not move the needle too much in terms of our projections for either team. Dortmund are still projected to pick up 12 points and have a 63 per cent chance of making the play-off round, the same as Juventus, who our calculations have finishing with 11 points.
Real Madrid are the only truly tough team among Juventus’ remaining seven opponents, while Dortmund must still play Manchester City and Inter.
How did the contenders do?
Despite wins for champions Paris Saint-Germain, Inter, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Arsenal and Barcelona, Liverpool lead the pack with a 20 per cent chance of being crowned champions of Europe for the seventh time.
Arne Slot’s side scored twice in the opening six minutes against Atletico Madrid but, typical of their start to the season, needed a stoppage-time goal from Virgil van Dijk (celebrating in the top image) to take all three points at Anfield. That improved their chances of qualifying directly for the round of 16 from 77 per cent to 84.
They trail only Arsenal, who beat Athletic Club 2-0 in Bilbao, on that front — Mikel Arteta’s side now have an 86 per cent chance of reaching the last 16 without having to go through February’s play-offs. This is largely due to the fact the north London club face, according to Opta’s fixture difficulty rankings, the third-easiest set of league-phase fixtures (Liverpool’s schedule ranks seventh). Arsenal currently have the second-highest chance of winning the competition at 17 per cent.
Barcelona are the only other team, alongside Liverpool and Arsenal, to have a less-than-one-per-cent chance of league-phase elimination after an impressive 2-1 away win against Newcastle United thanks to Marcus Rashford’s double. The manner in which Pedri and Frenkie de Jong dealt with Newcastle’s physical, ground-consuming midfield was also a joy to behold.
Barcelona’s projected points tally has improved to 17 (from an initial 15), while their chances of directly reaching the round of 16 have increased to 71 per cent (from 56).
Bayern, who have the hardest fixtures of all, were dominant in a 3-1 home win against Club World Cup champions Chelsea, courtesy of a Harry Kane brace and some self-enforced errors by the west London club. Though the Germans look a much more complete team now than last season, they have to play both Arsenal and PSG away, as well as a couple of potentially tricky games against Belgian pair Club Brugge and Union Saint-Gilloise. Bayern’s chances of league-phase elimination have fallen substantially, from 11 per cent to three, and beating Chelsea also boosted their odds of a top-eight finish to 50 per cent from 35.
City saw Napoli off 2-0, with Kevin De Bruyne’s swift return to the Etihad Stadium following his summer transfer cut short after 26 minutes as he was substituted following team-mate Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s dismissal. The win reduced City’s odds of finishing outside the top 24 to one per cent, while they have a 70 per cent chance of directly qualifying for the round of 16 in March. Barring a visit to Real Madrid in early December, Pep Guardiola’s side do not have a particularly tricky set of league-phase fixtures left.
Speaking of Madrid, they huffed and puffed to a 2-1 home win against Marseille to overcome losing Trent Alexander-Arnold to injury and Dani Carvajal to a red card either side of Timothy Weah’s 22nd-minute goal for the visitors.While not the most convincing victory, it means Madrid’s chances of league-phase elimination fell from six per cent to two, while their top-eight-finish probability rose from 48 per cent to 57. A 4,000-mile (over 6,000km) journey to play Kairat in Almaty, Kazakhstan, isnext for them, before facing Juventus, Liverpool and City all before Christmas. Phew.Inter’s 2-0 win against Ajax in Amsterdam went under the radar slightly, but the Italian side will once again be expected to go a long way in the competition. Champions League runners-up in two of the past three seasons, they have a three per cent chance of lifting the trophy this time and a 42 per cent chance of finishing in the top eight of the league phase. Inter host Liverpool and Arsenal and go to Atletico Madrid, but will be the favourites in their other four matches.
Biggest movers
Union Saint-Gilloise have increased their chances of qualification due to a surprise 3-1 win at PSV, courtesy of goals from rising stars Promise David and Anouar Ait El Hadj and centre-back Kevin Mac Allister (brother of Liverpool’s Alexis).Having begun the projections in 24th spot, the Belgian champions have soared to 13th with a 62 per cent chance of making the play-off round and 24 per cent odds of a top-eight finish. Newcastle, Inter and Atletico are USG’s next three opponents, so this may be short-lived, but for now, optimism in Brussels is through the roof.
PSV’s defeat at home, combined with Ajax never really threatening visitors Inter, poses some early questions for the competition’s Dutch contingent. Ajax were already ranked 32nd in our projections and are now down to second-last with a 71 per cent chance of league-phase elimination. This despite the fact John Heitinga’s side have the sixth-easiest schedule overall.
Eredivisie champions PSV have dropped from 22nd to 32nd, with their projected points falling from 10 to seven. They have the same odds as Ajax of finishing outside the top 24 in January and face the third-hardest schedule with visits to Anfield and St James’ Park, as well as home matches against Napoli, Atletico and Bayern. Yikes.
Alongside USG, Qarabag enjoyed an unexpectedly positive start in what is just the second time in the Champions League proper in club history. The side from Baku in Azerbaijan beat Benfica 3-2 away, courtesy of 25-year-old winger Oleksiy Kashchuk’s 86th-minute winner after the hosts had gone two up in 16 minuteQarabag ranked 35th out of 36 in our initial projections, having come through three rounds of qualifying to reach the league phase, and were estimated to pick up just six points, with elimination considered an overwhelming possibility (87 per cent). Wednesday’s result has added three points to their projected total and moved them up to 29th with a 41 per cent chance of making the play-offs and a two per cent probability of finishing in the top eight. They have the 12th-hardest schedule, with matches against Chelsea, Liverpool and Napoli to come, the latter two away, but this is the time to dream.
Benfica, meanwhile, could not have gotten off to a worse start, dropping from 13th to 23rd in our rankings following Tuesday night’s defeat in Lisbon. Their projected points tally has fallen from 12 to nine.
The “us against them” mentality Mourinho brings with him could yet have another say in Europe, so don’t count them out just yet. Benfica have a virtually equal probability of finishing within the top 24 (48 per cent) and outside it (47).
The chasing pack
Chelsea began the tournament with a seven per cent chance of winning it, but that has now dropped to five following defeat in Munich. Their odds of a top-eight finish fell from 51 to 37 per cent. Though it may not be time to panic just yet: last season’s UEFA Conference League winners have the fifth-easiest schedule, with matches against Ajax, Pafos of Cyprus and Qarabag, though the visit of Barcelona and a finale at Napoli will pose challenges.
Their fellow English sides Newcastle and Tottenham, the latter beat Villarreal 1-0 at home, are in a similar boat. Both have a greater chance of needing the play-offs to get to the round of 16 than of finishing in the top eight and neither of them are considered likely tournament winners. But don’t let that fool you: these two can cause plenty of difficulties, as Barcelona found in the opening 30 minutes against Eddie Howe’s side.
Spurs have the fourth-easiest schedule, with PSG away in late November their toughest remaining fixture. Games against Bodo/Glimt, Copenhagen and Slavia Prague will provide opportunities to rack up points. It will not be as straightforward on paper for Newcastle, who have the fifth-toughest schedule. Before a final-game visit to Paris in January, they face Benfica, Athletic Club, Marseille and Bayer Leverkusen.
Atletico, who struggled early in the league phase last season too, losing two of their first three matches, have it all to do after being handed a very tough fixture list. Games against Inter and Arsenal, the latter away, will need them to both play superbly and have their full squad fit, with neither being the case for that opening defeat at Liverpool. Diego Simeone and company now have just a 10 per cent chance of finishing in the top eight, but do have a less than one-third probability of league-phase elimination (31 per cent).
Napoli shot themselves in the foot early on Thursday night against City at the Etihad but can take some solace from getting their toughest league-phase fixture out of the way early.
The Italian champions’ projected final points tally is 12, while they still have a 17 per cent chance of finishing in the top eight. Their next two games are home against Lisbon’s Sporting CP (who beat Kairat 4-1 on Thursday) and at PSV. Antonio Conte’s side don’t play what looks the second-toughest tie of their opening eight — a visit from his former employers Chelsea — until the final matchday in late January.
(Photo: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Little-known World Cup ticket rule sparked confusion. FIFA has (some) answers
When the first 2026 World Cup ticket lottery opened last week, Nick, a longtime soccer fan in Colorado, had a plan. Like many others across North America, to double his family’s chances in the random draw, he and his wife both signed up for FIFA IDs and entered. Then, via social media, they learned of a little-known rule that has sparked confusion as the Sept. 19 application deadline nears: “entries are limited to only one (1) entry per household.”
The restriction exists on Page 3 of the lottery’s “official rules,” and within the answer to Question 7 of a general ticketing FAQ on FIFA’s website. It was not, however, communicated to media or fans prior to the opening of this first sales phase, the “Visa Presale Draw,” last Wednesday.
So it startled some fans whose spouses, parents, children or roommates had applied.
Some were especially spooked by a portion of the FAQ that reads: “If FIFA identifies multiple registrations originating from the same household, it reserves the right to disqualify those entries and prevent the associated individuals from being selected in the draw.”
The revelation triggered flurries of questions on Reddit, TikTok, Instagram and elsewhere. As millions of applications rolled in — FIFA said there were over 1.5 million in the first 24 hours, and demand was “extraordinary!” — fans worried that their attempts to increase their lottery odds might backfire.
Ticket limits have become commonplace at major sporting events. (Carl De Souza / Getty Images)
“Everybody wants to maximize their opportunities,” said Jason Daley, a longtime fan who runs The World Cup Guide, “but nobody wants to risk their entire application being ignored.”
Nick — who spoke on the condition that The Athletic only publish his first name, so that the interview wouldn’t impact him professionally — said that he and his wife decided to delete one of their two entries.
Zara Pira, a fan in Toronto, told her apartment roommate to withdraw an entry because she was worried they’d both be disqualified. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” she said. “I don’t want to get stuck in this limbo and lose my chances.”
None of them, though, had seen any guidance from FIFA. A FIFA spokesman, when asked last week by The Athletic whether a husband and wife who applied would both be disqualified, did not provide a definitive answer.
Another FIFA spokesperson eventually told Travel Futbol Fan, a content creator who’s been explaining World Cup ticket intricacies to his TikTok followers, that households who’d submitted multiple applications didn’t need to take any action, but FIFA would only consider the first application.
On Tuesday, a third spokesman then told The Athletic that, in the days after the application window closes on Sept. 19, FIFA employees and other humans will manually check entries tied to the same home address as another entry. If they determine the two entrants are spouses or partners, the second application will be scrubbed, and the first will remain valid.
In other cases, specific details — such as credit cards, names and contact information — will be “taken into consideration,” the spokesman said, “and fans should not be concerned.”
When asked whether unrelated roommates, such as Pira and her friend, were allowed to apply separately, the spokesman confirmed that they can.
When asked about multigenerational households, though, and the precise line between permissible and impermissible, he could not give a conclusive answer. Much of this, he admitted, is “complex,” with many “different nuances.”
The reason for household limits
Ticket limits have become commonplace at major sporting events as a means to shut out scalpers and broaden access. The 2024 Paris Olympics, for example, capped purchases at four tickets per person for high-demand events and six per person for other events. At the 2018 men’s World Cup, according to FIFA, a given household could buy up to four tickets per match and 28 across the entire tournament. At the 2022 World Cup, the household caps were six per match and 60 overall.
“Household limits have been introduced to ensure fair and equitable ticket access for all fans,” the FIFA spokesman said.
For the 2026 World Cup, an expanded 48-team tournament set to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer, FIFA lowered the cap back to four per household per match, and 40 tickets per household across all 104 games.
The spokesman said that data from the 2018 and 2022 tournaments — where the average number of tickets purchased per order (per match) was 2.2 and 2.8, respectively — “came into play as they were determining the specific rules and conditions for this tournament.”
The cap, though, has become a hurdle for families of five or more, and for larger groups hoping to attend games together. (There are 11.7 million households of five or more in the U.S. alone, according to the Census Bureau’s 2024 Current Population Survey.)
When asked about options for large families or groups, the FIFA spokesman mentioned hospitality packages. (The cheapest package for the cheapest group-stage game costs $1,400 per person.)
Separately, in theory, families could buy additional tickets, beyond the four-per-match limit, on unauthorized resale sites like StubHub. But it’s unclear if they’d be able to sit together, and FIFA, in the past, has warned fans to “be wary of unofficial ticketing sites claiming to be already selling tickets.”
On FIFA’s official resale platform, household limits will apply, though it’s unclear how they’ll be enforced in later phases.
It’s also unclear how, exactly, FIFA will distinguish between roommates and spouses who have different last names and different credit cards.
‘Annoyed with the lack of clarity’
Amid the uncertainty, Daley said he got many questions from friends, readers and others about what, exactly, was permissible as the presale draw opened. There were people wondering if they could apply twice with the same card. There were people wondering whether sons, daughters and parents could apply, essentially on their behalf. “There’s definitely high interest in trying to maximize opportunities,” he said.
Initially, he didn’t have clear answers to those questions. He scrutinized the information available and didn’t see any reason two spouses couldn’t both apply. FIFA’s “Visa Presale Draw Explainer” video on YouTube noted that “households can purchase up to four tickets per a match,” but said nothing about a limit on applications. FIFA officials had not mentioned the application limit during an hour-long Zoom call with reporters the week prior. There was nothing in the “Visa Presale Draw” section or “Sales Restrictions” section of a World Cup customer support website.
It wasn’t until the following day that a significant number of applicants began to discover the one-per-household limit and question FIFA.
“I think most people are fine with one entry per household,” Daley said. “But — just tell them. I think that’s where the frustration came from.”
Nick, who was feeling pessimistic about his chances of being selected for a ticket-buying opportunity in this first phase, agreed. “I’m not really stressed out about it,” he said. “I’m just kind of annoyed with the lack of clarity.”
Next steps in the 2026 World Cup ticket process
After the Sept. 19 deadline for applications, FIFA will complete its “data cleansing” or “data scrubbing” process. With the help of technology, it will weed out bots and other improper entries. It will then select applicants at random and begin notifying some on Sept. 29 that they have an opportunity to purchase tickets on specific dates, in specific time slots, starting Oct. 1.
It’s unclear how many people will be chosen in this first lottery phase. Soon after it concludes on Oct. 21, there will be a second lottery phase similar to the first — but with no stipulation that entrants must have a Visa credit card, debit card or reloadable prepaid card.
The second phase will be open to people who entered this first lottery, whether or not they were chosen and purchased tickets, FIFA has said. The official rules state: “A person entering the Presale Draw also may enter any other random selection draw separately offered by FIFA subsequent to this Presale Draw.”
After the second phase, and after the Dec. 5 World Cup draw places teams into groups and host cities, there will be a third lottery phase, during which ticket buyers can select specific matchups. There will then be a “first-come, first-served” phase or “last-minute sales” phase in the spring. FIFA will also operate a resale platform where fans can buy tickets on the secondary market at uncapped prices.
The four-per-household-per-match and 40-per-household limits will apply across all phases — meaning, for example, that if someone purchases four tickets to a given group-stage match next month, they cannot purchase four more tickets to that same match next spring.
Three of Europe’s top five leagues return on Friday, with the Premier League, La Liga, and Ligue 1 kicking off for Matchday 1; the German Bundesliga and Italian Serie A will start a week later on Aug 22/23 they both have League cup games this weekend. See La Liga (Spain) games (More) and Ligue 1 (France) fixtures (More) – full season previews below for all 3 leagues. In the EPL my Final 4 are Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City, Chelsea – hoping Crystal Palace or Fulham can make a top 6 run. Premier League Fri 3 pm USA Network Liverpool vs. Bournemouth, Liverpool haven’t lost their opening league game in any of the last 12 seasons, winning nine of them. Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah is the Premier League’s top goal scorer and leading player for goal contributions on Matchday 1. Adding to this, Bournemouth and American midfielder Tyler Adams have just one point from their eight Premier League visits to Anfield. See the full list of Premier League fixtures here.
Notes
Chelsea players will give an equal portion of their $15.5M Club World Cup bonus to the family of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva, equating to around $500,000 (More). Cute look at new Everton Stadium. Funny Wrexham Fans left too early – I have to admit I am watching these games on Para+ now that they are in the Championship – Ollie with the brace.
US Players Abroad Begins Seasons this Week – Richards Palace Wins Community Shield What a thrill to see Chris Richards and Crystal Palace win the Community Shield 3-2 in PKs over Liverpool on Sunday (Palace Hi-lights), just months after winning the FA Cup at Wembley over Man City – Crystal Palace looked the better squad vs the defending EPL Champs. Palace plays at Chelsea at 9 am on Sunday on USA, while Fulham hosts – while Complete rundown on American’s Abroad below. Man I am not sure who is advising Christian Pulisic but I wish he would just leave well enough alone on the criticism from Landon Donovan & Tim Howard here’s what was said. Not sure if he’s doing it to get more people to watch his Series on Golazo Network (see Pulisic Docuseries Trailer) or what. Tim Weah, speaking on the CBS Sports series Pulisic about criticism by former USMNT stars now working as television and podcast commentators of Christian Pulisic‘s decision not to play in the 2025 Gold Cup. (Golazo Network). At this point lets just get to early September play our friendlies – Pulisic can come score a couple of goals and we can put this all behind us. Oh by the way the US men are coming to Columbus, Ohio Lower.com Field on Tuesday night Sept 9th for a 7:30 pm match up with #17 ranked Japan. The Ole Ballcoach is going along with some buddies to the game sitting in section 129 ($50) – close to the American Outlaws who will be in the Nordic Section 127. Visit http://ussoccer.spinzo.com/CarmelFC this special link to get discounted tickets. Let me know if you plan to join – feel free to send on to friends.
LEAGUES CUPfour MLS vs. LIGA MX quarterfinals Wed Aug 20.
Quarterfinal matchups
Inter Miami CF (MLS 2) vs. Tigres UANL (LIGA MX 3) 8 pm on FS1, Apple TV Free Seattle Sounders FC (MLS 1) vs. Club Puebla (LIGA MX 4) 11 pm FS1, Apple TV Free
LA Galaxy (MLS 3) vs. CF Pachuca (LIGA MX 2) 11:45 Apple TV Free
Orlando City (MLS 4) vs. Toluca FC (LIGA MX 1) 9 pm Apple TV Free
High School Soccer Season Kicks Off!
High school soccer officially starts this weekend across the state, and Carmel FC wants to send a huge congratulations and good luck to all our current players representing their schools this season. We’re proud to see you take the field, wear your school colors, and continue to showcase the skills, hard work, and sportsmanship you’ve developed here at Carmel FC. The Carmel High Girls Come in Ranked 3rd with new head coach John Simmons and Asst Coach and former Carmel FC Coach Carla Baker in charge replacing long time coach Frank Dixon at the helm. The CHS Boys are unranked after a 7-8-3 record but reached the Regional Semi’s last year.
ISCA Class 3A girls soccer poll
Hamilton Southeastern
Noblesville
Carmel
Crown Point
Evansville Memorial
Brownsburg
Cathedral
Castle
Center Grove
Homestead
Penn
East Central
Westfield
Zionsville
FW Carroll
Northridge
Fishers
Bloomington South
Lake Central
Mt. Vernon
ISCA Class 2A girls soccer poll
Lawrenceburg
Brebeuf Jesuit
Mishawaka Marian
FW Bishop Dwenger
SB Saint Joseph
Bishop Chatard
Guerin Catholic
Evansville Mater Dei
Bellmont
Hanover Central
Heritage Hills
Highland
Washington
FW Concordia Lutheran
West Lafayette
Hamilton Heights
Roncalli
Park Tudor
Gibson Southern
Madison
ISCA Class 3A boys soccer poll
Harrison (West Lafayette)
Hamilton Southeastern
Center Grove
FW Carroll
Zionsville
Fishers
Bloomington South
Noblesville
Concord
Evansville Memorial
Brownsburg
Cathedral
Columbus North
Goshen
Warsaw
Castle
Westfield
Chesterton
Crown Point
Penn
ISCA Class 2A boys soccer poll
FW Concordia Lutheran
Park Tudor
Hammond Bishop Noll
Bishop Chatard
Illiana Christian
Heritage Hills
FW Bishop Luers
Washington
South Bend St. Joseph
West Lafayette
Cascade
Hanover Central
Leo
Bethany Christian
FW Bishop Dwenger
Speedway
Culver Academy
Charleston
Heritage Christian
West Noble
Mike S, Shane & Scott F last preseason High School Scrimmage at Bishop Chatard Thurs Night. Excited to hit the fields Saturday at @ Heritage Christian & Guerin. Had a blast training new Carmel Dad’s Club Refs Ryleigh, Fred, & Noah last weekend at Badger Field.
TV GAME SCHEDULE
Fri, Aug 15 EPL Starts 12 noon ESPN+ Grobaspach vs Bayer Leverkusen German Cup 3 pm USA Liverpool vs Bournemouth (Adams) 8 pm Amazon Prime Washington Spirit (Rodman) vs Racing Louisville NWSL 10 pm CBS Golazo Utah Royals vs Angel City (Thompsons) NWSL Sat, Aug 16 7:20 am Para+ Wrexham vs West Brom 7:30 am USA Aston Villa vs New Castle United 10 am USA Brighton vs Fulham (Robinson is hurt) 12:30 pm NBC Wolverhampton vs Man City 1:30 pm ESPN2 Mallorca vs Barcelona 2:30 pm ESPN+ Stuttgart vs Bayern Munich 4 pm CBS KC Current vs Orlando Pride (Marta) NWSL 7 pm TV6, ESPN+ Loundoun United vs Indy 11 7:30 pm Apple TV free Inter Miami (Messi) vs LA Galaxy 7:30 pm ION NC Courage vs Portland Thorns NWSL 8:30 pm FS1 Minn vs Seattle Sounders 9 pm ESPN2 Tampa Bay Rowdies vs Phoenix Rising 10 pm ION Bay FC vs San Diego Wave NWSL Sun, Aug 17 6:50 am Para+ Ipwich Town vs Southampton 9 am USA Chelsea vs Crystal Palace (Richards) 11:30 am NBC Man United vs Arsenal 3 pm Para+ AC Milan (Pulisic) vs Bari Copa Italia 3:30 pm ESPN2 Espanyol vs Athletico Madrid (Cardoso) 4 pm Para+? NY Gothem vs Houston Dash NWSL 5 pm Apple TV NYCFC vs Nashville 7 pm Apple TV San Jose vs San Diego 9 pm Apple TV Vancouver (Mueller) vs Houston Mon, Aug, 18 3 pm USA Leeds United vs Everton 10 pm CBSSN Seattle Reign vs Chicago Red Stars NWSL Weds Aug 20 Leagues Cup MLS vs Liga MX Inter Miami CF (MLS 2) vs. Tigres UANL (LIGA MX 3) 8 pm on FS1, Apple TV Free Seattle Sounders FC (MLS 1) vs. Club Puebla (LIGA MX 4) 11 pm FS1, Apple TV Free LA Galaxy (MLS 3) vs. CF Pachuca (LIGA MX 2) 11:45 Apple TV Free Orlando City (MLS 4) vs. Toluca FC (LIGA MX 1) 9 pm Apple TV Free Sat, Sept 6 5 pm TNT, Tele, Max USA Men vs Korea Tues, Sept 9 7:30 pm TNT, Tele, Max USA Men vs Japan in Columbus, Ohio Fri, Oct 10 8:30 pm TNT, Max USA Men vs Ecuador Tues, Oct 14 9 pm TNT, Max USA Men vs Australia
=====RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ===
Got some Good BarBQ for your Summer Plans ? Try out the Best BarBQ in Town right across the street (131st) from Northview Church on the corner of Hazelldell & 131st. RackZ BBQ
Save 20% on your order
(mention the ole ballcoach)
Check out the BarBQ Ribs, pulled Pork and Chicken, Brisket and more. Sweet, Tangy or Spicy sauce. Mention you heard about it from the Ole Ballcoach — and Ryan will give you 20% off your next meal. https://www.rackzbbqindy.com/Call ahead at 317-688-7290 M-Th 11-8 pm, 11-9 Fri/Sat, 12-8 pm on Sunday. Pick some up after practice – Its good eatin! You won’t be disappointed and tell ’em the Ole Ballcoach Sent You!
Save 20% on these Succulent Ribs at Rackz BarBQ when you mention the Ole Ballcoach – Corner of 131 & Hazelldell. – Call 317-688-7290.
======================RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ======================
Premier League referees’ chief Howard Webb has suggested that VAR could be expanded to include reviews for yellow cards and corners. The technology is currently only used to review potentially match-changing decisions such as goals, straight red cards, penalties, and mistaken identity. The case in favour argues that second yellow cards, which result in red cards, can significantly influence a match. Webb revealed that the game’s law-making body, the International Football Association Board (Ifab), is considering changes to VAR’s scope, including discussions around possible extensions for the technology. This comes after Uefa recently opposed measures to widen VAR’s powers to intervene in corner kicks and yellow cards, arguing it would increase delays. In related news, Webb said it would be “tough” for David Coote to return to top-level refereeing after being sacked for making derogatory remarks about Liverpool and then manager Jurgen Klopp. “Under the circumstances, it’s difficult [for him to return],” said Webb. “We stay in contact and care about him, but it would be tough.”
Americans abroad
Dest, Morris, Corboz, Pittman stand out, Jedi shelved, & Much More
ASN’s Brian Sciaretta writes up his thoughts from the weeekend amongst Americans abroad. Sergino Dest looked terrific, while Scott Pittman, Aidan Morris, Marlon Fossey, and Mael Corboz are also standout performers. Plenty of good and bad to go through.
BY Brian SciarettaPosted August 11, 2025 9:00 AM
SHARE THIS STORY
IT WAS A BUSY weekend for Americans in Europe, despite the top divisions in Germany, England, France, and Italy still at the tail end of preseason. Many U.S. players, in including USMNT hopefuls, were in action in both regular season and preseason games.
For now, let’s just get right into it and we will start with the Eredivisie opening weekend.
Dest shines vs. PSV
One of the big stories this weekend for American in Europe was the big statement made by defending champion PSV, who sold a lot of talent this summer (including USMNT midfielder Malik Tillman) but also spent money on new players.
Despite playing well at times this preseason, Ricardo Pepi was not deemed fit enough to be in the squad for Saturday’s opener against Sparta Rotterdam. But Sergino Dest, who mist most games this calendar year, including the Gold Cup, did start.
The news could not have been any better for Dest, who played in top form and did not show any indication of his ACL tear or subsequent injury at the end of the season. He played like the high level player he is.
Dest scored the third goal in a 6-1 win over Sparta that featured PSV having five different goal scorers. That is what makes this team difficult to beat – numerous scoring options.
Overall, Dest played 82 minutes and had three shots. He was consistently dangerous. This bodes well for both PSV and the USMNT as it heads into the fall.
Rest of Eredivisie
In the rest of the Eredivisie outside of PSV, Taylor Booth started and played all 90 minutes for Twente in a 1-0 loss to PEC Zwolle. It was a disappointing result for Twente, who is expected to be in contention for a top five finish, because Zwolle is typically in relegation battles.
Booth, 24, wasn’t one of Twente’s problems on the day and he did create a few chances. He had his own shot in the box blocked in the first few minutes and then he set up two chances later in the game with crosses.
Booth is still likely a long way off from the USMNT but a good season could put him into the picture next year, likely after the World Cup.
The younger Booth brother, Zack Booth, had a tough game in Excelsior’s opener as he came off the bench in the 71st minute in a 5-0 loss to NEC Nijmegen. The game was 4-0 when he came on. The best news for Booth, 21, is that Excelsior will likely have to make changes after such a poor result.
Championship: Morris impresses for Boro
There are a lot of Americans in the Championship this season and we could see a few involved in the promotion races.
Aidan Morris, 23, was solid in central midfield for Middlesborough in a 1-0 win over Swansea to open the season. He was good at setting the pace and helping Boro win the possession battles.
It wasn’t a flashy performances, but he is very important to the Boro midfield moving forward.
After a big 2024/25 campaign, Josh Sargent scored his first goal of the new season in Norwich’s opening day win. The 55th minute goal was an equalizer in what eventually turned out to be a 2-1 loss at home to Millwall.
The goal was all hustle as Sargent blocked a goalkeeper clearance directly back into the goal. It was more seen as a goalkeeper error, but Sargent hustled on the play.
Sargent remains an interesting player for the rest of the month. Norwich is still hopeful of selling him, as they could use the money. But for Sargent to get interest, he needs to keep scoring in any way possible. But where does Sargent want to go? Turning down Wolfsburg two weeks ago shows signs of a limited options.
Damion Downs played the final 31 minutes for Southampton and was on the field as they scored two very late goals to turn a 1-0 loss into a 2-1 win over Wrexham in the season opener. It was a good shift for Downs as he was involved in the final goal where he slightly touched a pass to Jack Stephens, who smashed in the winner from close range.
Downs, 21, is in a good spot. He will continue to get chances and he will contribute to a team that should be in contention to bounce right back up.
George Campbell came on in the dying minutes for West Brom to help see out a 1-0 victory over Blackburn. It marked his debut for the club after moving from Montreal earlier in the transfer window.
Charlton defeated Watford 1-0 on Saturday. Charlie Kelman, 23, started and played 71 minutes for Charlton. He is coming off a season where he won the third-tier League One scoring title with Leyton Orient. Caleb Wiley was out with a back injury for Watford. Kelman had a good chance to score in the 59th minute but his close-range shot was saved. Charlton found a stoppage time winner to earn all three points.
Scotland: Pittman & CCV stand out
Scott Pittman, 33, has scored goals in Livingston FC’s first two games of the Scottish Premiership season. The latest in a 3-1 win over Falkirk on Saturday.
The all-time appearance leader for Livingston opened the scoring in the 18th minute with a shot from inside the box for a 1-0 lead.
After earning promotion last season, Livingston is looking to pull away from a relegation battle early.
Celtic dominated its way to a 2-0 win over Aberdeen on Saturday. Cameron Carter-Vickers completed 139 passes in the win. Auston Trusty completed 51 passes in just 24 minutes when he came on to see out the win.
Those passing numbers reflect Celtic’s domination in possession which typically began with the central defenders.
Coincidentally enough, Aberdeen’s best chance of the game came from American midfielder Dante Polvara in the 75th minute – two minutes after he subbed on. His right footed shot from close range was saved.
Belgium: Fossey scores in big Standard win
Standard Liege defeated Genk 2-1 on Sunday to move to seven points from three games to start the Belgium First Division season. Standard captain and USMNT hopeful Marlon Fossey scored in the 54th minute to give Standard a 2-1 lead – which he then celebrated with a back flip.
On the play, Fossey, 26, moved into the attack and was able to pounce on a ball from close range and beat the keeper with a shot into the top of the net.
Will Fossey make it back into the USMNT picture? It seems difficult. With Dest now back, Alex Freeman continuing to impress in Orlando, and Joe Scally continuing to be the starter for Borussia Monchengladbach, there is a crowded field. But performances like this don’t hurt.
Also in Belgium, Westerlo dropped a 1-0 loss at home to KV Mechelen at home after conceding a goal in the 84th minute. Griffin Yow started at right wing for Westerlo but was subbed out after the first half as part of a tactical change. Despite the loss, Bryan Reynolds had a strong 90-minute shift at right back. Both Yow and Reynolds could move before the end of the month as they have likely done all they can do for a small club like Westerlo. The club could also use the money but it comes down to offers.
2.Bundesliga: Corboz impresses again
It was the second matchday in the 2.Bundesliga season where several Americans play their trade. This week, there were two games that saw multiple players involved.
Holstein Kiel dropped a 2-0 decision to Arminia Bielefeld and it was a big setback for Holstein Kiel, which has no points from the first two games in a season where they are coming back down from the Bundesliga.
John Tolkin, 23, started for Holstein Kiel but was subbed out at halftime for tactical reasons as both wingbacks were removed. The tactical shift did not help at all. Tolkin was okay in his 45 minutes, but the team overall was very poor and does not want to have a poor start to the season. Such starts only create relegations battles.
On the flip side, Arminia Bielefeld was excellent and now has a perfect six points from two games – immediately coming off promotion last year. Led by American captain Mael Corboz, Arminia Bielefeld is off to a great start. Corboz has done well to add maturity to a team that looks ready for the 2.Bundesliga. Corboz, 30, is one of the best “under the radar” stories in American soccer.
Eintracht Braunschweig defeated Greuther Furth 3-2 and Johan Gomez enjoyed one of his best performances in years when he came off the bench in the 61st minute. He was dangerous, assisted on goal that was called back, won a lot of duels, and built a case to start for the club.
For Eintracht, the club has six points from two games. This is huge after narrowly avoiding relegation last season.
On the flip side, Furth sits on three points from two games after the loss. Both Julian Green and Max Dietz both started. Green was subbed out in the 86th minute while Dietz went the whole game. Neither stood out.
On Friday, Paderborn drew Preussen Munster 1-1. Santiago Castaneda, 20, started in defensive midfield for Paderborn but did not stand out in his 78 minutes. Both of the Tampa native’s first two games have been quiet.
Richards wins Community Shield
Chris Richards can now add a Community Shield to his trophy case as played the entire game at Wembley as his Crystal Palace defeated reigning Premier League champions Liverpool on penalties after a 2-2 draw.
Richards had a “hockey assist” on his team’s second goal and saw his header off a corner saved in the 61st minute.
Richards looks to be in great shape to start the Premier League season next week. His great calendar year of 2025.
Elsewhere abroad
In Poland’s Ekstraklassa, Jagiellonia Bialystok defeated Cracovia 5-2 with Aziel Jackson making his first start for Bialystok in the win. Leon Flach also played the final 12 minutes in the win. Kahveh Zahirolelam made his debut for Cracovia when he came on in the 79th minute.
In Croatia’s HNL, Hajduk Split defeated HNK Gorica 2-0. The win was helped by a Gorica red card in the 50th minute when the score was 0-0. Rokas Pukstas returned to the starting lineup after struggling to break in recently and he was helped by injuries that made him needed. He was active in the attack, despite no goal contributions. Was it enough for him to remain in in the starting lineup? That is an open question.
In the Austrian Bundesliga, George Bello scored in the 50th minute for LASK in a 3-1 loss to WSG Tirol. Sam Adeniran started for LASK but was ineffective. It was good news for Bello to have scored but LASK is winless after two games and has work to do in the weeks ahead.
Quincy Butley, 23, meanwhile started and played well for WSG on the right side of the midfield where he won duels and passed effectively. WSG has won its first two games of the season.
In the Swiss Super League, Lausanne dropped a 2-1 decision at home to FC Zurich. Konrad de la Fuente played the final 18 minutes in the loss.
In the Danish Superliga, Matthew Hoppe started for SonderjyskE but was held in check by Viborg in a 1-0 loss. Hoppe was subbed out in the 71st minute.
In Uruguay’s Primera, Agustin Anello played 82 minutes for Boston River in a 1-1 draw with Montevideo City Torque. Anello was subbed out with his team trailing 1-0 and down to 10 men. Boston River now has four points from two games.
Preseason & Transfer updates
Robinson on the shelf
Antonee Robinson has not played at all this preseason and will not be available for Fulham to start the season. Once figured to be the subject of transfer rumors this summer to big clubs, everything with Robinson has been quiet.
Every year, McKennie is on the brink of falling out of favor with Juventus and has always pulled himself back into the mix. But eventually this will end. Perhaps now is a good time for him to make a break and Roma is still a very high landing spot. McKennie knows Serie A well and likely wouldn’t need as much adjustment.
Also in this game was Cole Campbell, who played the last 15 minutes for Borussia Dortmund. This comes after interest from VfB Stuttgart was shelved – at least temporarily as Dortmund assess its winger situation. The speedy U.S. U-20 attacker has been on the edge of BVB’s first team and has made his debut. But works remains for him to be a consistent presence.
As expected, there was no Gio Reyna for BVB and there has been no breakthrough on the transfer front.
Captain McKenzie
Toulouse played Sevilla to a 1-1 draw in a preseason friendly and the big takeaway is that USMNT central defender Mark McKenzie wore the captain’s armband for Toulouse – a sign of his growing importance to the Ligue 1 club.
Chelsea smashed AC Milan 4-1 over the weekend with Yunus Musah starting and playing 73 minutes for Milan. It was 3-1 when Musah departed the game. Musah remains a player to watch in the weeks ahead as his preseason has not gone well. Milan might opt to drop their asking price and move on.
Looking to Get a Professional Company Headshot? Check out https://capturely.com/ Tell Rob The Ole Ballcoach sent you and he’ll give you a deal.
DISCOUNT SMALL ENGINE & BIG ENGINE REPAIRS IN CARMEL
Need your Riding Mower, Push Mower or any small engine or Car Engine Work Done by Carmel High Junior Mechanical Wizard for a bargain basement Price? Email my buddy Marc Sultanov at marc.sultanov@gmail.com
Antonee Robinson’s injury timetable underscores his importance to USMNT
By Jeff RueterAug. 14, 2025Updated 12:47 pm EDT The Athletic
No doubt, Fulham will feel a bit up against it heading into the club’s Premier League opener, away at Brighton.The 2024-25 season saw Antonee Robinson cement his place as one of Marco Silva’s most vital charges, arguably the best pure left back in the Premier League. Nicknamed “Jedi,” he’s proven capable of containing Bukayo Saka and Mohamed Salah on one end before dependably squaring crosses right into his striker’s stride. He gutted out an injury to his right knee until season’s end, finishing third in the fan-voted Player of the Season pageant after a 10-assist campaign.On Thursday, 48 hours before a trip to the AmEx, Silva confirmed that Robinson would not be available for selection as he works back from an offseason surgery on that vital plant-leg knee. So, too, would Ryan Sessegnon, leaving the Portuguese manager without his two top options at left back.Mauricio Pochettino may still be envying Silva’s situation. At least the Fulham boss has a viable alternative in the role to Robinson.It’s hardly a new phenomenon that the U.S. men’s national team is dangerously thin at left back. In fact, the program went over a decade with makeshift solutions, forcing players like DaMarcus Beasley and Fabian Johnson to own the role despite spending their careers up until that point further afield. While U.S. Soccer can’t take credit for Robinson’s development, his commitment was a clear end to holding the left side of the back line together with duct tape and chewing gum.While Robinson has amassed a tidy 50 caps to date, he’s been absent for the last four camps under Pochettino, a 12-game sample from which the coach has learned plenty about his player pool. He’s had his initial trust in Diego Luna validated by a star-making turn at the Gold Cup. That same tournament gave reason to think Matt Freese could be a shot-stopping alternative to Matt Turner in goal.There have been frustrating realizations, too. Mexico is back on the ascent, although that’s a bit more of a subplot than usual as both nations will abstain from World Cup qualifying this cycle. His faith in the core that helped qualify for the 2022 installment has potentially been rocked by Christian Pulisic and others opting out or missing out on the Gold Cup. And, more relevant to today’s news via Silva: he doesn’t have a clear alternative to Robinson at left back.
USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino doesn’t have many options behind Antonee Robinson at left back (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
Unlike other USMNT mainstays like Gio Reyna, Pochettino and Robinson have already logged a bit of collaboration. The left back was on Pochettino’s first squad last October, and started both legs of the Concacaf Nations Leg quarterfinal against Jamaica the following month. In the second, Robinson assisted on the second goal of a 4-2 win that sent the U.S. through to the final four. Since then, however, Pochettino has had to play alternatives to Robinson. When an ailment kept Robinson out for the Nations League’s business end in March, it became a calamity: Panama targeted out-of-position Max Arfsten and, later, Joe Scally, exploiting the latter’s lack of awareness to score a last gasp winner in a 1-0 semifinal upset. Scally went on to start the third-place game, putting in such a poor shift that he got a halftime hook.In the 12 games that have passed since Robinson’s last U.S. appearance, four players have been called upon in his absence. Arfsten has been Pochettino’s most relied-upon alternative, appearing in nine of that dozen, most often as starter. John Tolkin, of recently relegated Holstein Kiel in Germany, has made five appearances, while Scally and DeJuan Jones have each appeared twice in the role. None have made a terribly compelling case for further looks.Throughout the Gold Cup, Arfsten and Tolkin — as indicated by their higher utilization — were the two options on Pochettino’s squad.Arfsten, a winger with the possession-dominant Columbus Crew, has fared about as you’d expect for a player who usually sees the game from a vastly different perspective. His attacking contributions were that of an ideal wingback, logging assists and chipping in goals as an auxiliary threat from wide. His defensive performances were riddled with the kinds of mistakes coaches have to drill out of defenders in the youth ranks, taking the bait and making needless fouls (like one just inside the box against Costa Rica that resulted in a penalty).Tolkin, largely as a substitute, has at least spent his career in the role since debuting with his boyhood New York Red Bulls. His issues more closely mirror the struggles recently seen from young left backs George Bello, Kris Lund and Sam Vines: bona fide left backs, but unable to prove themselves at the international level.There’s a paucity of alternatives, too. Unlike other spots, there’s no alternative who hasn’t been tested and is flying under the radar. The closest to matching that mold is Caleb Wiley, the Chelsea prospect who earned three caps in 2023 and 2024 but hasn’t been in a national team camp since Pochettino took charge. While it’s impressive for a 20-year-old to have amassed 135 club appearances, mostly with Atlanta United before the club from London came calling, his first loan with Strasbourg was inconclusive. He’s at Watford now, and could very easily work into the fold in the months to come. The other alternatives to Scally are, in the program’s grand tradition, playing out of position. There’s Arfsten, still tapping into his winger’s instincts at the expense of his team’s defending. There’s Scally shifting over from right back (and Sergiño Dest before him, the first-choice option in that spot), who fancy themselves to put in a shift on the left. Even then, it weakens the right back contingent that is seemingly three players deep: Dest, Scally, Alex Freeman. If Robinson’s recovery timetable will keep him out of the next international camp spanning from Sept. 1-9 (the fifth-to-last camp before the 2026 World Cup), those speculative alternatives may get another chance to log starts and fortify their cases for inclusion. Pochettino and a fanbase starved for optimism will rightfully hope for a pleasant surprise. As it stands right now, it’s a bleak reality for the USMNT: against ideal operational standards, this is a Jedi without a worthy padawan. (Top photo: Julian Finney/Getty Images)
La Liga season preview: Our predictions on Barcelona, Real Madrid and much more
The new La Liga season gets started later on Friday, with defending champions Barcelona opening at Real Mallorca tomorrow and Real Madrid welcoming Osasuna on Tuesday.
As usual, there is no shortage of storylines, including Barca again struggling to register their new signings, Madrid once more battling against La Liga’s authorities and Atletico Madrid spending big to try to challenge the Clasico duo for the title. There’s also plenty of political intrigue, controversy, figures under pressure and the possibility for history to be made on and off the pitch.
The Athletic has taken its annual stab at predicting how things will go (which will hopefully turn out better than last year, when we predicted Barcelona would sack new manager Hansi Flick by Christmas)…
Who will win La Liga and why?
Flick had a phenomenal first season in charge at Barcelona, winning the domestic treble of La Liga, Copa del Rey and Supercopa.
His squad is arguably stronger this year. Defender Inigo Martinez has left, but on-loan Marcus Rashford brings another option in attack, and most importantly, the team’s young core should be even better — centre-back Pau Cubarsi, midfielders Pedri and Gavi, and especially emerging-superstar attacker Lamine Yamal.
Can Flick’s Barca build further on last season’s success? (Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)
Madrid also look to have significantly improved, with a rebuilt defence and fresh energy and impetus under new coach Xabi Alonso. Atletico have spent a lot again to try to mount a challenge, and Diego Simeone arguably now has the deepest squad of his 14 seasons in charge. But Alonso’s impact across the capital could be hampered by minimal pre-season preparation time after going to the final four of the Club World Cup last month, while Simeone’s new signings might take a while to settle in.
Barcelona, Madrid and Atletico have finished among the top four in Spain every year since 2012-13, and they will again this time. But the race for the fourth Champions League qualification spot looks wide open.
Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal are playing in that competition this season, so their domestic form could suffer as they juggle the extra eight games. That might open up an opportunity for Real Betis, who continue to make progress year on year under veteran coach Manuel Pellegrini. Betis’ top-four challenge will be especially strong if they can secure the return of Brazilian attacker Antony from Manchester United after his impressive loan spell in the second half of last season.
Mallorca could potentially challenge for a European spot, while Valencia improved tremendously after Carlos Corberan took over as coach in January.
Who will be the biggest underperformers?
One of the biggest questions is how Madrid’s Club World Cup exertions, tacked onto the end of last season, will affect how they start this new campaign.
Madrid’s players finally got to go on holiday on July 10, after losing 4-0 to Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals in the United States. They then returned for pre-season training on August 4, just 15 days before they welcome Osasuna to the Bernabeu for both sides’ opening La Liga fixture.
Managing that situation is a huge challenge for new coach Alonso, who also has to integrate three new defenders in Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen and Alvaro Carreras.
Alonso was appointed as Madrid coach back in May (Sara Gordon/Real Madrid via Getty Images)
Their games at the Club World Cup suggested that Alonso’s biggest issue will be how to fit both Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior into his XI while implementing a version of the high-energy, high-pressing style he used at previous club Bayer Leverkusen.
Midfielder Jude Bellingham will be missing until mid-October at least, following a summer operation to fix a long-running shoulder issue, and players could also still leave in the summer transfer window, including Brazilian attacker Rodrygo.
Alonso could well end up being a success at the Bernabeu – he has the experience and nous to deal with the challenge of the job – but there might be some bumps along the way, and Madrid could be playing catch-up in the 2025-26 title race from early on.
How do you expect the promoted clubs to do?
Levante, Elche and Real Oviedo would all see a 17th-place finish in the 20-club table, so avoiding an immediate return to the second tier, as success.
The three promoted clubs are working with limited finances, having spent around €10million (£8.6m; $11.7m) between them so far on new players (for comparison, the three teams promoted to the Premier League this summer have spent over €300m combined).
Levante’s players, coach and staff played a big role in providing crucial supplies and support when the team’s home city of Valencia was badly flooded last October. Elche owner Christian Bragarnik’s CV includes experience as a striker in fifth-tier Argentine football, time spent as a video-store assistant, and working as an agent to Diego Maradona.
Who will be the best young player this season?
Yamal only turned 18 in mid-July and could already be the best player in Spain, if not the world, so he’s a good candidate for this section.
Already a senior Argentina international, Mastantuono is used to dealing with pressure and expectation. He has already played 64 senior games for River, scoring 10 goals and providing seven assists. Some of those goals were spectacular, especially the tremendous free kick scored in a 2-1 derby victory against fierce local rivals Boca Juniors in April.
Many kids have arrived at Madrid with big hype and have taken a long time to settle, or just never made it at all. But people who know Mastantuono reckon he can hit the ground running and quickly rival Yamal as the hottest teenager in La Liga.
Which under-the-radar figure have the big clubs been sleeping on?
Athletic Club’s Mikel Jauregizar had a real breakout season in 2024-25 and is fast developing into one of the top defensive midfielders in La Liga. Only 18 months on from his senior debut, the super-combative and mobile 21-year-old has established himself as a key member of coach Ernesto Valverde’s team.
Jauregizar, pictured in pre-season for Athletic (Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
He is not the biggest at 177cm (5ft 10in), but Jauregizar ranked third-highest among all midfielders for tackles in La Liga last season. That ability to regain possession and then launch attackers such as brothers Inaki and Nico Williams was key to Valverde’s team’s success in finishing fourth.
Jauregizar did not help himself with his performance in Athletic Club’s biggest game of the season, being embarrassingly dribbled past by Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire in the Europa League semi-final first leg at San Mames. But his career so far suggests he is a very quick learner, and playing in the Champions League this season should bring plenty more experience and exposure.
For much of last season, Atletico appeared set to seriously compete on all fronts, but their season shuddered to a stop in March with a series of disappointing defeats by Barcelona and Madrid across La Liga, Copa del Rey and the Champions League.
Atletico’s subsequent summer spending of around €150million looks directly aimed at fixing issues in the squad highlighted during that tough spell. Slovakia defender David Hancko and United States international midfielder Johnny Cardoso bring more physicality, while Italian Matteo Ruggeri and Spain’s Alex Baena form an all-new left flank.
United States international Cardoso in action for Atletico in pre-season against Newcastle (Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images)
On paper, they all look like excellent acquisitions. The question now is how Simeone integrates all his new players and whether he can get them to buy quickly into his trademark super-intense style of play.
If it all clicks, Atletico’s challenge could go a lot further this season.
Which club have had the worst transfer window?
Villarreal supporters had known that Spain international Baena was set to leave, and the club banking €42million from Atletico and signing Las Palmas’ Alberto Moleiro as a replacement for €16m was not such bad business. Similarly, selling inconsistent forward Thierno Barry to Everton for €30m and getting Spain Under-21 international centre-back Rafa Marin on loan from Napoli look like smart moves.
Less easy to understand is bringing in former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey on a free transfer.
Partey’s experience and ability could be useful on the pitch as Villarreal return to the Champions League this season, but for many, it is just unacceptable to sign a player who has been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in England. Partey denies the charges, and club president Fernando Roig said on Tuesday: “We respect the presumption of innocence and of course we condemn any kind of violence, inside or outside football.”
Advertisement
Tell us one great storyline we might have missed…
Barcelona’s issues around registering their summer signings with La Liga are eye-catching due to the size of the club and the regular drama involved, but they are far from the only ones struggling in this area ahead of the new season.
Just days before the games kick off this weekend, more than 50 new arrivals had yet to be officially registered with La Liga. Clubs still looking to make room within their budget included the three promoted clubs, as well as Sevilla, Celta Vigo, Espanyol, Getafe, Real Sociedad, Betis and Alaves.
So some well-known names are likely to watch their new team’s opening game from the stands, while a frantic couple of weeks of wheeling and dealing are likely until the end of the transfer window.
What will be making headlines as the season progresses?
La Liga president Javier Tebas has been openly trying to stage official Spanish top-flight games in the United States since 2018, but until now has always been denied by a mix of political and practical factors.
Tebas is nothing if not dogged, however, and many of the big hurdles have now been removed — including the settlement of a U.S. legal case between world football’s governing body FIFA and promoters Relevent, and improved relations with the Spanish FA in the post-Luis Rubiales era.
The biggest opposition domestically comes from Madrid president Florentino Perez, while green lights are still required from the European game’s rulers UEFA, Concacaf (the regional federation that includes the U.S.) and the United States Soccer Federation.
Though it’s not yet fully sorted, sooner or later, Tebas’ signature project looks certain to happen.
(Top photos of Rashford, left, and Alexander-Arnold: Getty Images)
FourFourTwo Premier League Season Previews 2025-26
Our legendary previews on all 20 teams set to grace the Premier League this season is here, brought to you by expert journalists and hardcore fans at the heart of each club
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool, lifts the Premier League trophy after his team’s victory in the 2024/25 Premier League (Image credit: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
We’re not far away from the start of the 2025/26 Premier League and all the twists, turns and drama that comes with it.
The transfer market has been going into overdrive as teams look to do battle once again, with some mouthwatering spectacles set to light up the pitch again from August to May.
Read on for FourFourTwo’s preview on all 20 Premier League teams in the 2025/26 season…You may like
Bukayo Saka celebrates with Gabriel Martinelli after scoring for Arsenal against Real Madrid (Image credit: Getty Images)
After finishing second for a third season in a row last year, Arsenal are looking to go one better and finally lift the Premier League title. Preseason has been strong, with several new signings through the door, and now, Mikel Arteta is ready to take his side over the line and lift silverware this season.
FourFourTwo has your complete season preview ahead of the new campaign, with the lowdown on star players, what to expect and predictions of what’s to come over the next few months, along with Arsenal’s full fixture list, too.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa celebrate (Image credit: Getty Images)
Unai Emery’s Aston Villa missed out on Champions League football on the final day of last season. After another impressive campaign, in which they qualified for European football, reached the quarter-final of the Champions League, and the semi-final of the FA Cup, they will be looking to continue finishing inside the top six and make a serious play for one of the cups.
FourFourTwo has everything you need for the new term with our season preview. Get the inside scoop on star players, what to look forward to, and our predictions for the coming months, along with Aston Villa’s fixtures.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
Brentford
Nathan Collins of Brentford (Image credit: Getty Images)
Brentford are entering uncharted waters. For the first time in the Premier League they will not be led by Thomas Frank, and Bryan Mbeumo will not be in the squad. They have attempted to negate too much disruption by appointing former set-piece coach Keith Andrews, while they’ve brought in Caoimhin Kelleher and Jordan Henderson as they look to solidify their mid-table status.
Your essential guide to the new season is here. FourFourTwo brings you the full preview, including key players, team expectations, our final predictions and Brentford’s fixtures.
This will be Brighton’s eighth season in the Premier League and they enter with significant expectations. 18-year-old Charalampos Kostoulas has become their third highest transfer of all-time as they look to push for European football for the second-time in their history.
Ahead of the new campaign, FourFourTwo offers your complete season preview. We’ve got the lowdown on the biggest stars, what to expect, and a glimpse into our predictions for the next few months – plus Brighton’s full fixture list.
Burnley
Josh Brownhill of Burnley (Image credit: Getty Images)
Burnley finished second in the Championship last season with 100 points, the most ever for a team in second place, only beaten to the title on goal difference. Across the 46 games, they conceded just 16 goals, but shot-stopper James Trafford has returned to Manchester City. Scott Parker will be hoping they can build on their strong defensive performance and stay up this season.
Fresh off the back of their record points tally, Bournemouth will be looking to go one further and reach European football for the first time. Adoni Iroala’s side however, will be without much of their defence from last season, including Kepa Arrizabalaga, Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez making their task slightly more difficult.
FourFourTwo’snew season preview is out now. Dive into our analysis of key players and our predictions for what’s to come over the next few months – and check out Bournemouth’s fixture list, too.
Chelsea
Chelsea star Cole Palmer (Image credit: David Ramos/Getty Images)
Club World Cup champions Chelsea head into the season with lofty expectations. Their impressive performance in America this summer shows their scatter-gun transfer approach has worked and after spending north of £250 million again this summer, the Blues fans will be hoping they can make a serious bid for the title.
And the new season is almost here: FourFourTwo has your complete preview, covering everything from top players to our final predictions, and even Chelsea’s fixtures.
The mood is mixed at Selhurst Park. On the one hand, Oliver Glasner has delivered nothing that any Eagles manager has ever done before and won a trophy: the good feeling isn’t going to disappear any time soon, and Crystal Palace fans are hoping to push on up the league – but on the other, the cloud of the European football debacle and what competition they’ll be dropped into still lingers.
We’ve got everything you need to know ahead of the start of a new campaign with our comprehensive season preview, delving into what to look forward to and where Palace will be in another year’s time – plus, see Crystal Palace’s fixture list.
Everton
Everton manager David Moyes (Image credit: Alamy)
David Moyes is back at the wheel at Everton and the Toffees are under new ownership, as they look to buck the recent trend of fighting the drop and push on up the league: it’s arguably the most exciting time to be on the blue side of Merseyside for quite some time – and that’s before you factor in the small matter of a new home.
Find out what to expect from the new campaign: FourFourTwo provides a full season preview, including insights on star players and our predictions for the months ahead, along with Everton’s fixture list.
Fulham
Alex Iwobi of Fulham battles with Yegor Yarmolyuk of Brentford (Image credit: Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
Fulham are looking up in the table. Marco Silva has been in charge since 2021 now and with the Cottagers having kept key stars over the summer, now could be the time to mount a serious charge up the Premier League.
Leeds United are back in the big time – but can they remain there? Things are going to be tough for the Championship winners but after strengthening this summer, they’re in a good position to give it a whirl.
Be prepared for what’s to come: FourFourTwo offers you a full preview with the lowdown on star players and our predictions for the months to come, plus Leeds’ complete fixtures.
Liverpool
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah (Image credit: Pic Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Liverpool have refused to stand still. After winning the title last term, big money has been spent on improving Arne Slot’s side, as Florian Wirtz joins for a British record fee and two new full-backs join the side.
Are the Reds set for the new season? FourFourTwo has you covered with our complete preview, featuring key players, what’s expected, and our predictions, along with Liverpool’s fixture list.
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola instructs his players (Image credit: David Ramos/Getty Images)
Manchester City failed to win the title last year for the first time in five seasons. Now, armed with new recruits across the pitch and newfound fire to get back on top, Pep Guardiola is looking to wrestle back his crown.
FourFourTwo’scomplete season preview is here to get you hyped for the new campaign. We break down the star players, what you can expect, and our predictions for the campaign, ahead of Manchester City’s full fixtures.
Manchester United
Bryan Mbeumo trains with Manchester United (Image credit: Getty Images)
Last season was a generational low for a Manchester United side that finished 15th and lost the Europa League final. There’s certainly hope, however, that complete with a new-look frontline, the Red Devils can go again and that boss Ruben Amorim can start to get this side clicking under his system.
Before the new campaign kicks off, check out our full season preview from FourFourTwo. You’ll get the inside scoop on top players, what to anticipate, and what we think will happen over the next few months – and check out Manchester United’s complete fixture list.
Newcastle United
Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe (Image credit: Getty Images)
Newcastle United may have had a tough summer but they go into the new season having lifted a trophy last term and with Champions League to look forward to. Despite the struggles in the transfer market, Eddie Howe has built a side to be feared on the pitch: and this is a club that will be looking to go even further in their ambitions.
Ready for the new season? FourFourTwo has you covered with our in-depth preview. We give you the lowdown on the players to watch and share our predictions for the coming months, ahead of Newcastle’s fixtures.
Nottingham Forest bucked all expectations last term with a finish in the European places – and after the unexpected bonus of Europa League football to look forward to, the Tricky Trees are welcoming European football back for the first time in a generation. There’s plenty to be excited by.
The new season is just around the corner, and our complete preview is finally here. FourFourTwo gives you the essential details on star players, a rundown of expectations, and a look at our predictions, plus Forest’s fixture list.
Sunderland
Sunderland fans (Image credit: Getty Images)
Sunderland’s dramatic promotion in the play-offs sees the Black Cats returning to the Premier League and wanting to do far more than make up the numbers: if summer business has anything to go by, they could be about to spring a few surprises, too.
What’s in store for the new season? Find out with our complete preview from FourFourTwo. We’ve got the scoop on key players, what to expect, and our predictions for the months to come – and we’ve even got Sunderland’s complete fixture schedule.
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank (Image credit: Copyright (c) 2025 Shutterstock Editorial. No use without permission.)
Optimism at Tottenham Hotspur is unusually high for a team that only scraped 17th in the table last season: that will be because Thomas Frank has arrived, preseason has been positive and the Europa League triumph last season means that the trophy curse has finally been banished. Now, Spurs can start looking upwards again.
The wait is over: FourFourTwo presents our comprehensive season preview, complete with a close look at the most exciting players and our predictions for the next few months., along with Tottenham’s fixture lists.
West Ham United
West Ham man Tomas Soucek (Image credit: Getty Images)
West Ham United are quietly going about their business this summer and with a highly-rated coach in Graham Potter, they’ll be hoping to cause some upsets and return to battling for Europe.
Anticipation is building, and so is our new season preview: FourFourTwo brings you all the essential info on players to watch and our bold predictions for the season – plus, West Ham’s fixtures.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolves boss Vitor Pereira (Image credit: Getty Images)
Wolverhampton Wanderers enjoyed a remarkable turnaround under Vitor Pereira last season – but having lost star players Rayan Ait-Nouri and Matheus Cunha, can the Old Gold expect another campaign like last, or can they push on up the Premier League?
Get a head start on the new campaign with the FourFourTwoseason preview: we’ll give you a full rundown on the top stars and offer our predictions for the season ahead, along with Wolves’ complete fixtures.
Premier League Predictions: Liverpool vs Bournemouth, Man Utd vs Arsenal and the rest of Matchday 1
Welcome to the first edition of The Athletic’s new Premier League Predictions game.
This is where you (our lovely subscribers) have the opportunity to join a data algorithm, a six-year-old boy, and me in putting our credibility on the line on a weekly basis.
Every week, we will give score predictions for each of the 10 Premier League games, with a correct scoreline gaining three points and a correct result gaining one point. To make things more interesting, there will be a bonus point if a player is the only one to get a scoreline or result correct. You’ll be able to see the standings from next week.
We will have a different subscriber each week, chosen from those who have replied with their interest (see here for how to get involved and for other general information), but I will be a constant throughout the season until May, along with the algorithm and, of course, six-year-old Wilfred.The more I talk about this, the more convinced I am that The Athletic are setting me up for a fall here, exposing not only my inability to predict the outcome of football matches but, even worse, my blatant bias against your team.Ah, let’s brush away these pangs of insecurity. Three hundred and eighty Premier League matches lie ahead of us from now to May 24, so let’s get cracking.For the opening weekend, the subscribers will be represented by Vaageesh, a Manchester United supporter who hails from Chennai, India. Will he tip his beloved team to hit the ground running against Arsenal? Will any of us? This is already causing me more stress than I thought it would…
Our subscriber’s match of the week
Manchester United vs Arsenal, Sunday 4.30pm BST/11.30am ET
Vaageesh says: “I don’t have much time; I’m writing this moments after entrapping my battling optimistic and pessimistic selves in a bunker. Here’s the rationale: Manchester United’s ability in transition will cancel out Arsenal’s confidence when in possession and neither will quite have the fluidity required to pull ahead despite the fact that both teams seem to have improved over the summer.”
Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal
Oli says: I’m old enough to remember Arsenal, as champions, being obliterated on the opening day in 1989-90 by a new-look Manchester United team, for whom it proved a classic false dawn. United’s prospective new owner, Michael Knighton, was on the pitch beforehand, ball-juggling and blowing kisses to the crowd, and Neil Webb smashed one in from 25 yards on his debut — wild stuff, honestly (yeah, get on with it, Grandad).If I close my eyes, I can imagine a scenario where something similar happens — this new United front line looks perfect for a balmy Sunday afternoon in August — but… no, not quite. This Arsenal team strike me as too serious to be rolled over on day one. I’ll try not to sit on the fence too often, but I’m going to have to go for a very lively draw here.
Manchester United 2-2 Arsenal
Bryan Mbeumo (left), Benjamin Sesko (middle) and Matheus Cunha (Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Oli’s other predictions
Liverpool vs Bournemouth
Oli says: If I describe this as an awkward start for Liverpool, it’s in part because Bournemouth are unconventional opponents. Nobody seems to have it easy against them. I’ll go for a home win, but not a comfortable one. It might be a tight, nervous one, requiring a lively cameo from Rio Ngumoha and a late winner from Mohamed Salah, that kind of thing.
Liverpool 2-1 Bournemouth
Aston Villa vs Newcastle
Oli says: They have both had challenging summers, but stylistically this is one of my favourite match-ups in the league. The past six meetings have seen four wins for Newcastle (4-0, 5-1, 3-1, 3-0) and two for Villa (3-0 and 4-1), and I could see this one swinging violently one way or the other. Which way? I’ll say Villa this time.
Aston Villa 3-1 Newcastle
Brighton vs Fulham
Oli says: Another nice match-up, another that could certainly go either way. Why am I going with Fulham to hit the ground running against a Brighton team I rate? Not sure, but perhaps because of their quiet summer in the transfer market, rather than despite it.
Brighton 1-2 Fulham
Sunderland vs West Ham
Oli says: I’ve missed having Sunderland in the Premier League — or certainly the notion of what Sunderland should or could be. The place will be rocking on Saturday and even though I like the look of a couple of West Ham’s signings, it’s a winnable opening game for Sunderland.
Sunderland 1-0 West Ham
Tottenham vs Burnley
Oli says: I don’t know what to expect from Tottenham this season, but I will at least predict a winning start. Burnley had an outstanding defensive record last season, but facing Dominic Solanke, Mohammed Kudus, etc, represents a step up in class for Scott Parker’s team.
Tottenham 2-1 Burnley
Wolves vs Man City
Oli says: The Wolves fans I know are all worried after another summer dominated by departures. As opening games go, this looks more likely to intensify the gloom rather than lift it. Manchester City always seem to hit the ground running — Erling Haaland in particular — and I expect that to continue.
Wolves 0-2 Manchester City
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
Oli says: I don’t know how Chelsea’s Club World Cup exertions will affect them in the long run, but I fancy them to start well. Palace, incidentally, have been slow starters and excellent finishers over the past few seasons. There’s no reason to expect that pattern to continue, but Chelsea away on the opening weekend is tough.
Chelsea 2-1 Crystal Palace
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
Oli says: Looking at how the fixtures have fallen, Forest are another team I fancy to start well — at least until the European commitments kick in, which will test their squad depth — whereas I’m slightly concerned for Brentford. I’m expecting a home win and a Morgan Gibbs-White goal, followed by a flamboyant kiss of the badge.
Nottingham Forest 2-0 Brentford
Leeds vs Everton
Oli says: For Leeds and their fans, this is the perfect opening game, particularly under the floodlights on a Monday night. They didn’t get to enjoy an occasion like this after promotion during the Covid pandemic in 2020, so I’m predicting an utterly wild atmosphere, an exuberant performance, a refereeing controversy, and, ultimately, a Leeds win to round off a lively opening weekend.
How players force a transfer, Pulisic and Weah hit back at ‘evil’ ex-USMNT stars NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – MAY 25: Alexander Isak of Newcastle United applauds the fans as he warms up prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Everton FC at St James’ Park on May 25, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) By Phil Hay Aug. 14, 2025 1
The Athletic FC ⚽ is The Athletic’s daily football (or soccer, if you prefer) newsletter. Sign up to receive it directly to your inbox.
Hello! Feigning injury, missing pre-season, downing tools. We’re covering the dark arts involved in convincing a club to sell you. Just don’t bother with an actual transfer request.
On the way:
How footballers force a move Pulisic beef intensifies Rooney fires back at Brady A stone-cold 50-metre lob Exit strategy: Isak wants to leave Newcastle… but how do players get their way?
Alexander Isak during pre-season training in July (Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images) I once asked a footballer (best left nameless) why, at one of his previous clubs, he upset all and sundry by submitting a transfer request. “It wasn’t a transfer request,” he replied. “It was a perceived transfer request.”
You can guess the follow-up question: what on earth is a perceived transfer request? “They took it to be an official request, when it wasn’t,” he explained, which sounded suspiciously like semantics to me; a player actively plotting to leave, without saying so formally or quite so explicitly.
Advertisement
Written transfer requests — the unequivocal, black-and-white means by which restless pros can manipulate a move — are less common than you might think. For one thing, submitting a demand in writing risks forfeiting future bonuses or loyalty payments. For two, they’re regarded as small-time. As one agent tells The Athletic’s Stu James: “You’re handing in a letter saying you want to leave. What the hell does that do?”
Stu wrote about the art of manufacturing a transfer in 2021 but he updated his piece when trouble brewed between Newcastle United and Alexander Isak (above), and it’s relevant again in light of the sorry deterioration of that relationship. The Swedish striker has no intention of making another appearance for the Tyneside club. He would sooner sign for Liverpool. But how does he force his way out the door if Newcastle aren’t minded to trade him?
This isn’t new ground, or even close. Cerys Jones went back through the Premier League archives to analyse other high-profile names — Harry Kane, Luis Suarez and others — who effectively went on strike, hoping to be sold. Some who stamp their feet get their way. Others don’t. Stu’s feature is a window into Newcastle’s reality.
Top Stories The biggest issues facing youth sports? Greg Olsen has strong opinions NBA 2025-26 schedule release: 40 games I’m looking forward to next season The epicenter of stalking in sports? Why tennis stands apart Never get an owner angry Isak hasn’t done a bad job in employing the tactics suggested by different agents Stu talked to (all of whom spoke on condition of anonymity). Complain of minor injuries? Check. Refuse to travel on a pre-season tour? Check. Down tools, or cast doubt over your commitment to your existing employers? Check. Textbook stuff.
Here’s what those who know the drill had to say about facilitating a contentious exit from a club:
One agent warned: “What you must never do is get an owner angry. Once a billionaire says, ‘He’s not for sale’, you’re dead. You’re ain’t going nowhere because their credibility is on the line.” A manager with Premier League experience talked about trying to drop a wantaway star down to work with the club’s under-23s: “Then you’ll have the club push back on you and say, ‘He’s an asset, he needs to be involved’. You end up having friction with the club. It’s an absolute nightmare.” Another high-profile representative said, “Some agents try to force things through that are just ridiculous. And all that happens is that it causes a load of bad feeling, nobody wins. Try to find a solution for everybody.” But by far the most revealing quote came from David Sullivan, the co-owner of West Ham United. Generally speaking, Sullivan said, coaches want disruptive players out of the building because they “create a terrible atmosphere”. A sulking asset is essentially a bad apple. And in the case of Isak, it might be that fact that grants him his wish.
‘I feel like they’re evil’: Pulisic and Weah bite back on criticism of ex-USMNT players. Again. USMNT’s Tim Weah and Christian Pulisic Christian Pulisic and Tim Weah celebrate against Germany in 2023 (Alex Grimm/Getty Images) To say that current USMNT stars are at odds with certain retired U.S. internationals would be the understatement of the day. Tyler Adams tried to be diplomatic about criticism from Landon Donovan and others in an interview with The Athletic this week, but yesterday’s episode of the ‘Pulisic’ series on Paramount+ took the beef up a notch.
Advertisement
One thing to point out first: by any objective measure, the USMNT have done nothing to shield themselves from ex-pro scrutiny. The past couple of years have been miserable, and Christian Pulisic and Tim Weah (above) choosing to miss this summer’s Gold Cup wasn’t going to pass without comment. But blimey, they’re taking it all to heart. Here’s what was said on ‘Pulisic’:
Weah: “Those guys are chasing cheques. And for me, I just feel like they’re really evil. Because they’ve been players, and they know what it’s like when you’re getting bashed. Those are the same guys that’ll turn around and shake your hand, and try to be friendly with you at the end of the day.” Pulisic: “The most annoying thing, and the biggest cop-out of all time, is when all pundits want to say, ‘They didn’t want it, they didn’t have the heart. Back in our day, we would fight and die on that field’. It’s frustrating.” Pulisic’s father, Mark: “These guys want clicks. It’s social media, it’s, ‘Subscribe to my channel, listen to my podcasts’, or whatever.” Quote three is a little ironic coming from someone talking in a docuseries, but here we are. The thing is, I don’t see the former USMNT corps backing down tamely, so where this goes from here is anybody’s guess. National unity with less than a year to a home World Cup? If only.
News Round-Up A tasty spat has broken out between Birmingham City shareholder Tom Brady and the club’s former head coach, Wayne Rooney. Brady was filmed raising doubts about Rooney’s work ethic in a recent documentary. Rooney hit back on his new podcast, saying the comments were “very unfair” and that Brady didn’t “really understand football that well”. Barcelona’s board are putting millions of their own money on the line in an effort to get Marcus Rashford and others registered with La Liga. Their salary-cap stress has reached crisis point, again. The Daily Liverpool: they’re closing in on the signing of 18-year-old defender Giovanni Leoni from Parma in Italy. He’ll set them back £26m ($35.2m). The Club World Cup was a nice little earner for the squad at Chelsea. After winning the tournament, their players will share bonuses worth more than £10m. But, bless them, a portion is to be donated to the family of Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva. Gimnastic de Tarragona, a Catalan club who play in Spain’s third division, have cancelled the signing of Jose Manuel Calderon…after the defender was caught on camera saying: “I sh** on all dead Catalans.” Calderon apologised, albeit too little too late. An under-21s match involving Manchester United had to be abandoned after midfielder Sekou Kone suffered a bad head injury. The 19-year-old was taken to hospital but appears to be OK. Keeping it together: Chevalier and PSG come back from 2-0 down to beat Spurs in Super Cup
TNT Sports Well, colour us shocked. Paris Saint-Germain ostracise Gianluigi Donnarumma and the first thing the goalkeeper’s replacement, Lucas Chevalier, does is mark his debut in last night’s UEFA Super Cup match by throwing one in this goal, above. That’s football being football.
The evening got better for Chevalier, who saved a penalty in a shootout as PSG picked up their fourth trophy of 2025. They were on the ropes in normal time, trailing 2-0 to Tottenham Hotspur with five minutes to go, but something woke them from their slumber.
I’d caution against reading too much into Tottenham’s display because PSG were rusty, as if they were psychologically tearing themselves away from the beaches of Saint-Tropez. That said, for much of the game, there was decent structure to Spurs and their set pieces worked. It was only as they dropped deep in defence of their lead that PSG got a sniff. No early silverware for Thomas Frank, but green shoots all the same.
It didn’t stop Sheffield United sliding out of the Carabao Cup, but I wouldn’t have you missing Gustavo Hamer’s glorious 50-yard finish against Birmingham City last night. Nottingham Forest’s Murillo should sign him up for lessons.
ITV Sport Around TAFC On the eve of the Premier League season, I’ll point you towards a rundown of all the coverage you can expect from The Athletic. It’s here and it’s epic. I like the sound of the alternative league table. There can’t have been many summers in which top-flight English teams threw more money at attacking signings, including Viktor Gyokeres and Florian Wirtz. Mark Carey and Thom Harris have taken a closer look at an expensive trend. Gyokeres, in theory, should enhance Arsenal’s chances of winning the title. Amy Lawrence sat down for an exclusive chat with their manager, Mikel Arteta. James Milner is a machine: 39 years old and still at it in the Premier League. This interview with him by Oli Kay is ace. Fantasy Premier League: once more, the code to our TAFC league for any readers who wish to be part of it. Enter using 30j0f7. We’ve got a few more last-minute tips for you. Most clicked in Wednesday’s TAFC: the PSG-Donnarumma rift. And finally…
X / @sportsru How we chuckled a few weeks back at the footballer in Brazil who re-enacted the Cristiano Ronaldo ‘Siu’ celebration routine and gave himself a gammy leg in the process.
But that self-inflicted wound looks fairly pedestrian when set aside the post-goal backflip attempted by Dynamo Barnaul’s Kirill Mogel in a Russian lower-league match at the weekend. To cut him some slack, the striker hadn’t scored for months but if the crunch was as nasty as it looked, he might not be scoring again for a good while either.
“The acrobatic trick didn’t work out for him,” lamented Dynamo Barnaul’s official website. I’ll say.
(Top photo: George Wood/Getty Images)
How players force a transfer, Pulisic and Weah hit back at ‘evil’ ex-USMNT stars
Hello! Feigning injury, missing pre-season, downing tools. We’re covering the dark arts involved in convincing a club to sell you. Just don’t bother with an actual transfer request.
Exit strategy: Isak wants to leave Newcastle… but how do players get their way?
Alexander Isak during pre-season training in July (Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
I once asked a footballer (best left nameless) why, at one of his previous clubs, he upset all and sundry by submitting a transfer request. “It wasn’t a transfer request,” he replied. “It was a perceived transfer request.”
You can guess the follow-up question: what on earth is a perceived transfer request? “They took it to be an official request, when it wasn’t,” he explained, which sounded suspiciously like semantics to me; a player actively plotting to leave, without saying so formally or quite so explicitly.
Advertisement
Written transfer requests — the unequivocal, black-and-white means by which restless pros can manipulate a move — are less common than you might think. For one thing, submitting a demand in writing risks forfeiting future bonuses or loyalty payments. For two, they’re regarded as small-time. As one agent tells The Athletic’s Stu James: “You’re handing in a letter saying you want to leave. What the hell does that do?”
Stu wrote about the art of manufacturing a transfer in 2021 but he updated his piece when trouble brewed between Newcastle United and Alexander Isak (above), and it’s relevant again in light of the sorry deterioration of that relationship. The Swedish striker has no intention of making another appearance for the Tyneside club. He would sooner sign for Liverpool. But how does he force his way out the door if Newcastle aren’t minded to trade him?
This isn’t new ground, or even close. Cerys Jones went back through the Premier League archives to analyse other high-profile names — Harry Kane, Luis Suarez and others — who effectively went on strike, hoping to be sold. Some who stamp their feet get their way. Others don’t. Stu’s feature is a window into Newcastle’s reality.
Never get an owner angry
Isak hasn’t done a bad job in employing the tactics suggested by different agents Stu talked to (all of whom spoke on condition of anonymity). Complain of minor injuries? Check. Refuse to travel on a pre-season tour? Check. Down tools, or cast doubt over your commitment to your existing employers? Check. Textbook stuff.
Here’s what those who know the drill had to say about facilitating a contentious exit from a club:
One agent warned: “What you must never do is get an owner angry. Once a billionaire says, ‘He’s not for sale’, you’re dead. You’re ain’t going nowhere because their credibility is on the line.”
A manager with Premier League experience talked about trying to drop a wantaway star down to work with the club’s under-23s: “Then you’ll have the club push back on you and say, ‘He’s an asset, he needs to be involved’. You end up having friction with the club. It’s an absolute nightmare.”
Another high-profile representative said, “Some agents try to force things through that are just ridiculous. And all that happens is that it causes a load of bad feeling, nobody wins. Try to find a solution for everybody.”
But by far the most revealing quote came from David Sullivan, the co-owner of West Ham United. Generally speaking, Sullivan said, coaches want disruptive players out of the building because they “create a terrible atmosphere”. A sulking asset is essentially a bad apple. And in the case of Isak, it might be that fact that grants him his wish.
‘I feel like they’re evil’: Pulisic and Weah bite back on criticism of ex-USMNT players. Again.
Christian Pulisic and Tim Weah celebrate against Germany in 2023 (Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
To say that current USMNT stars are at odds with certain retired U.S. internationals would be the understatement of the day. Tyler Adams tried to be diplomatic about criticism from Landon Donovan and others in an interview with The Athletic this week, but yesterday’s episode of the ‘Pulisic’ series on Paramount+ took the beef up a notch.
One thing to point out first: by any objective measure, the USMNT have done nothing to shield themselves from ex-pro scrutiny. The past couple of years have been miserable, and Christian Pulisic and Tim Weah (above) choosing to miss this summer’s Gold Cup wasn’t going to pass without comment. But blimey, they’re taking it all to heart. Here’s what was said on ‘Pulisic’:
Weah: “Those guys are chasing cheques. And for me, I just feel like they’re really evil. Because they’ve been players, and they know what it’s like when you’re getting bashed. Those are the same guys that’ll turn around and shake your hand, and try to be friendly with you at the end of the day.”
Pulisic: “The most annoying thing, and the biggest cop-out of all time, is when all pundits want to say, ‘They didn’t want it, they didn’t have the heart. Back in our day, we would fight and die on that field’. It’s frustrating.”
Pulisic’s father, Mark: “These guys want clicks. It’s social media, it’s, ‘Subscribe to my channel, listen to my podcasts’, or whatever.”
Quote three is a little ironic coming from someone talking in a docuseries, but here we are. The thing is, I don’t see the former USMNT corps backing down tamely, so where this goes from here is anybody’s guess. National unity with less than a year to a home World Cup? If only.
News Round-Up
A tasty spat has broken out between Birmingham City shareholder Tom Brady and the club’s former head coach, Wayne Rooney. Brady was filmed raising doubts about Rooney’s work ethic in a recent documentary. Rooney hit back on his new podcast, saying the comments were “very unfair” and that Brady didn’t “really understand football that well”.
Barcelona’s board are putting millions of their own money on the line in an effort to get Marcus Rashford and others registered with La Liga. Their salary-cap stress has reached crisis point, again.
The Daily Liverpool: they’re closing in on the signing of 18-year-old defender Giovanni Leoni from Parma in Italy. He’ll set them back £26m ($35.2m).
Gimnastic de Tarragona, a Catalan club who play in Spain’s third division, have cancelled the signing of Jose Manuel Calderon…after the defender was caught on camera saying: “I sh** on all dead Catalans.” Calderon apologised, albeit too little too late.
An under-21s match involving Manchester United had to be abandoned after midfielder Sekou Kone suffered a bad head injury. The 19-year-old was taken to hospital but appears to be OK.
Keeping it together: Chevalier and PSG come back from 2-0 down to beat Spurs in Super Cup
TNT Sports
Well, colour us shocked. Paris Saint-Germain ostracise Gianluigi Donnarumma and the first thing the goalkeeper’s replacement, Lucas Chevalier, does is mark his debut in last night’s UEFA Super Cup match by throwing one in this goal, above. That’s football being football.
The evening got better for Chevalier, who saved a penalty in a shootout as PSG picked up their fourth trophy of 2025. They were on the ropes in normal time, trailing 2-0 to Tottenham Hotspur with five minutes to go, but something woke them from their slumber.
I’d caution against reading too much into Tottenham’s display because PSG were rusty, as if they were psychologically tearing themselves away from the beaches of Saint-Tropez. That said, for much of the game, there was decent structure to Spurs and their set pieces worked. It was only as they dropped deep in defence of their lead that PSG got a sniff. No early silverware for Thomas Frank, but green shoots all the same.
On the eve of the Premier League season, I’ll point you towards a rundown of all the coverage you can expect from The Athletic. It’s here and it’s epic. I like the sound of the alternative league table.
There can’t have been many summers in which top-flight English teams threw more money at attacking signings, including Viktor Gyokeres and Florian Wirtz. Mark Carey and Thom Harris have taken a closer look at an expensive trend.
Gyokeres, in theory, should enhance Arsenal’s chances of winning the title. Amy Lawrence sat down for an exclusive chat with their manager, Mikel Arteta.
James Milner is a machine: 39 years old and still at it in the Premier League. This interview with him by Oli Kay is ace.
Fantasy Premier League: once more, the code to our TAFC league for any readers who wish to be part of it. Enter using 30j0f7. We’ve got a few more last-minute tips for you.
How we chuckled a few weeks back at the footballer in Brazil who re-enacted the Cristiano Ronaldo ‘Siu’ celebration routine and gave himself a gammy leg in the process.
But that self-inflicted wound looks fairly pedestrian when set aside the post-goal backflip attempted by Dynamo Barnaul’s Kirill Mogel in a Russian lower-league match at the weekend. To cut him some slack, the striker hadn’t scored for months but if the crunch was as nasty as it looked, he might not be scoring again for a good while either.
“The acrobatic trick didn’t work out for him,” lamented Dynamo Barnaul’s official website. I’ll say.
Probably not, because it never really stopped. But if you were struggling, fear not, because the Premier League is back.
Three hundred and eighty matches, 282 days, 20 teams, endless grumbling about VARs, and almost certainly a new officiating debate that none of us have dreamed up yet are waiting just around the corner, all starting when reigning champions Liverpool host Bournemouth on Friday at 8pm BST/3pm EST.Leeds United, Burnley, and Sunderland are up from the Championship, there are new faces on the pitch and in the technical areas, and, as always, there are a host of minor tweaks, too.his, then, is what you need to know for the new Premier League season.
New laws
The major change (and, whisper it, possibly even a popular one) is the introduction of the eight-second rule, which will already be familiar to those who watched the Club World Cup.If goalkeepers are in control of the ball with their arms/hands for more than eight seconds, they will concede a corner from the side closest to them. This replaces the old law, which was rarely enforced, where goalkeepers could concede an indirect free kick if they held onto the ball for more than six seconds.When the rule was announced by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), it said only four corners were awarded in its trial of the rule, which consisted of hundreds of matches.It is up to the referee to decide when the ’keeper has control of the ball and start the countdown. They will visually count down the last five seconds so it is clear to the goalkeeper what is happening.
There will be no disciplinary action unless the ’keeper repeatedly commits the offence, and they are not penalised if they are starting to or about to release the ball as the countdown ends.
The referee will also not start counting if the goalkeeper is being obstructed by an opposition attacker — if, during the countdown, an opponent pressures the ’keeper, they will concede an indirect free kick.
Teams will be awarded a corner if the opposition goalkeeper holds onto the ball for too long (Julian Finney/Getty Images)
There are also new ‘only the captain’ guidelines on approaching the referee. ‘Normal interactions’ between players and the referee will be allowed, but the guidance is aimed at preventing players from surrounding or mobbing them after big incidents or decisions. Team captains are responsible for helping direct team-mates away from the referee, and anyone who approaches without permission may be booked.The referee may invite the captain over to explain a decision. The hope is that players will know there is an avenue for them to receive engagement with the referee through their captain, but also know they can expect a booking if they approach when they should not.If the captain is the goalkeeper, they can nominate an outfield team-mate before the coin toss to approach the referee instead.Finally, the rules have been tweaked for accidental ‘double-touch’ penalties. If a player scores a penalty kick but accidentally touches the ball twice, they will be allowed to retake it. If they miss, they do not get another chance.
Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez was involved in a double-touch penalty in last season’s Champions League (Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
New refereeing tech: semi-automated offside technology (SAOT), announcements, and ‘Ref Cam’
Some might recall that SAOT was on our list last year and was expected to be introduced “from after one of the autumn international breaks”. It actually ended up being introduced to the Premier League in April, so we deem it new enough to make the list again, as this will be the first full season where it is used.
The technology aims to reduce the length of VAR checks by automating parts of the decision-making process. The technology won’t be used for clear offside decisions. However, the old method of ‘drawing lines’ might still be needed in some cases if the technology fails, or if players are blocking the view of the ball or the system’s cameras.
(Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
This happened in March, on the first weekend when the technology was trialled in English football. During Wolverhampton Wanderers’ FA Cup game against Bournemouth, a congested penalty area meant officials could not rely on the technology and there was an eight-minute delay.There will also be more information for fans in stadiums this season. Graphics showing the results of SAOT decisions will be shown on giant screens, and after a trial in the Carabao Cup, referees will make an announcement in the stadium explaining the outcome of all VAR reviews (except for factual offside or onside calls).The league also plans to trial referee-worn cameras, as seen at the Club World Cup. The trial is expected to begin this month and last for around six weeks.The footage can be used as an additional replay angle in broadcasts, allowing fans to see the game from the referee’s perspective. However, no confrontational or controversial moments should be shown.
A new, bigger, UK broadcast deal
More Premier League games will be shown on TV than ever before as the league’s new broadcast deal, agreed back in December 2023 and worth £6.7bn, takes effect.
All games outside the Saturday 3pm blackout will now be broadcast live in the UK. Previously, some Sunday 2pm games were not available to watch live in the UK if they had been moved to that slot due to teams competing in European competition in midweek.
At least 215 matches will be on Sky Sports, and TNT will show 52. Amazon Prime no longer shows any.
Sky will show games on a Saturday at 5:30pm, on a Sunday at 2pm and 4:30pm, Monday and Friday evening games, and the first three rounds of midweek fixtures. Sky’s coverage also includes a new ‘Multiview’ format, which will allow customers to watch up to four games at once on Sunday afternoons.
TNT will show the early kick-off games at 12:30pm on Saturdays, as well as the last two rounds of midweek fixtures.
BBC Sport has highlights rights for all 380 matches.
In the U.S., NBC will show all 380 games, with just under half of them streamed exclusively on Peacock. The remainder will be shown on a main NBC channel or USA Network.
(Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
New broadcast access — including in-game and half-time interviews
Clubs are now obligated to grant more access to broadcasters, including the potential for access to dressing rooms or interviews at half-time or during the match.
Each club will only have to agree to these extra obligations a limited number of times.
At least twice per season, each club must do one of the following:
Allow filming for at least 90 seconds in their dressing room. This could be between the end of the warm-up and start of the match, at half-time, or immediately after the match once the players are back in the dressing room. The club can request that this footage is without audio unless they approve it.
Make a player or manager available for an interview at half-time. This should be no more than three questions, all of which should be positive and related to the match. The interview must be timed so it will not delay the restart.
Make a substituted player, or the manager, available for an interview during the match. This must be by no later than the 85th minute and the interview should be no more than two questions, both of which must be related to the match and positive.
The broadcaster will request this extra access before the fixture and say which of the three options it would prefer, but the club chooses which it plans to provide.
If a club is losing when they were supposed to provide this extra access, they can choose to do it at another match instead.
(Stu Forster/Getty Images)
A new ball — and not a Nike one
Lastly, the official ball has changed. Nike’s 25-year partnership has come to an end and Puma will now supply the match ball.
The German company is already the ball supplier for Serie A, La Liga, the English Football League, and the Carabao Cup. It was in the latter competition that Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta referred to the match ball when dissecting his side’s 2-0 loss to eventual tournament winners Newcastle United in the first leg of their semi-final.
“(The Carabao Cup ball) is very different to a Premier League ball, and you have to adapt to that because it flies differently. When you touch it, the grip is also very different, so you adapt to that.”
(Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Check back for Arteta’s review of Puma’s Orbita Ultimate ball when the season gets underway…
=====RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ===
Got some Good BarBQ for your Summer Plans ? Try out the Best BarBQ in Town right across the street (131st) from Northview Church on the corner of Hazelldell & 131st. RackZ BBQ
Save 20% on your order
(mention the ole ballcoach)
Check out the BarBQ Ribs, pulled Pork and Chicken, Brisket and more. Sweet, Tangy or Spicy sauce. Mention you heard about it from the Ole Ballcoach — and Ryan will give you 20% off your next meal. https://www.rackzbbqindy.com/Call ahead at 317-688-7290 M-Th 11-8 pm, 11-9 Fri/Sat, 12-8 pm on Sunday. Pick some up after practice – Its good eatin! You won’t be disappointed and tell ’em the Ole Ballcoach Sent You!
Save 20% on these Succulent Ribs at Rackz BarBQ when you mention the Ole Ballcoach – Corner of 131 & Hazelldell. – Call 317-688-7290.
======================RackZ BAR BQ ====Save 20% ======================
Wrexham’s revamped home: A (longer) £1.7m pitch, heated dugout seats and goal-line technology
But he’s far from alone at Wrexham in experiencing a hectic close season. Aidan Miller, the club’s strategy and projects director, has overseen a revamp of the SToK Cae Ras designed to nudge the world’s oldest international football ground into the modern era.A new £1.7million ($2.3m) pitch, complete with undersoil heating and new drainage, has been the marquee addition. No one at Wrexham’s Carabao Cup first-round victory over Hull City could have failed to notice just how lush the new surface looked in the August sunshine. Nor how well it played.
The seeding and stitching operation to make Wrexham’s surface compliant with European football’s regulations was only part of an overhaul that included moving both dugouts to the opposite side of the pitch, building a new TV gantry, reconfiguring stands to squeeze in extra seats, erecting two new giant TV screens at one end and taking down the old scoreboard at the other.
Wrexham’s new pitch, as seen before their first home match of the season (Robbie Jay Barratt/Getty Images)
There was also the dismantling of a temporary stand, plus the all-important deactivation of a live electric cable underneath the old Kop, as preparatory work continues ahead of the new 7,500-capacity stand starting to go up, on schedule, in the autumn.To squeeze all this into exactly 100 days between Wrexham staging a promotion party after last season had ended and Tuesday’s cup tie against Hull is impressive. Even more so when you consider the club did not know until beating Charlton Athletic on April 26 when the 20224-25 season would finish — or when their 2025-26 league campaign would start.“We had to do a lot of planning,” explains Miller, who joined Wrexham early in 2025 after almost seven years at Everton, primarily working on the club’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium. “The key thing with the pitch is it would take six weeks to reconstruct it. But two months to grow it.
“If we’d finished third and then not gone up, the window would have been tight. In the end, the opposite happened, where we had an extra three weeks (due to Wrexham clinching automatic promotion). But we’d had to plan for the worst and hope we got the best.”In recent years, Wrexham’s historic home has struggled to keep pace with Parkinson’s upwardly mobile team. Facilities have been improved, such as the installation of new floodlights prior to returning to the EFL in 2023. But, really, it won’t be until the new Kop stand is finished that The Racecourse Ground will truly shine.The changes — which include the installation of goal-line technology — have brought a new sheen to a venue that first hosted a Wales international in 1877.
The newly-installed cameras (Richard Sutcliffe/The Athletic)
“We’ve always said with the sporting side being so successful, then the standards get raised in terms of what is expected,” says Rob Faulkner, Wrexham’s chief business and communications officer, when giving The Athletic a tour of all the changes, including upgraded concourses and hospitality areas.
“A lot of things will go into the new Kop, particularly for the fans and players with top-class facilities, new dressing rooms and so on. But until then, we are trying to catch up as much as we can.”
At one stage this summer, six different projects were being worked on inside The Racecourse at the same time by a small army of workers.
Contractors Cleveland Land Services (CLS) worked around the clock to get the pitch ready, with seeding taking place on June 1 and the stitching in July.
The dugouts were moved across the pitch to the Mold Road Stand, where coaching staff and substitutes will benefit from heated seats in what can be a cold part of the stadium. This has allowed the old dugouts to be converted into fan seating.
Two hundred and 24 seats have been added to the Tech End behind the goal, giving a full extra row at the front of the upper section. The old electronic scoreboard at that end has also gone, so the view of those who stand on the back row will no longer be impeded.
The pitch has been extended in length to allow for rugby matches to be played in the future and also shifted a couple of metres towards the Kop. This meant the new two-level TV gantry had to be situated slightly to the side of its predecessor, to ensure the main camera position remains on halfway.
The new two-level TV gantry (Richard Sutcliffe/The Athletic)
A second gantry has also been built on the opposite side of the ground on halfway, meaning Wrexham now comply with UEFA and Championship (and Premier League) standards regarding a reverse angle camera position.
“It’s a bit like building a house, in that the plumber has to come in before the joiner,” says Miller. “As part of the work, we’ve had all the steelwork in the Wrexham Lager Stand painted. This involved someone abseiling, which meant two blocks of seats had to be taken out each time.
Advertisement
“It was the same with taking down the temporary stand. We removed one section (containing 558 seats) after the Stockport game last season (on March 22) to help with the pitch project.
“The fan zone also went at the same time, allowing us to create a pathway for the contractors to bring in mountains of gravel, soil and so on. We wanted these onsite, meaning we could start straight away the moment we got the green light.”
This also explains why the remaining blocks of the temporary stand were not taken down until late June, several weeks after the season had ended.
Miller adds: “We had work to do around the outside of the site, tidying up the drainage, laying tarmac and a few other things. Only then did we have the space to take down the temporary stand. Coordination was key, in terms of what is the priority — which for us was getting the pitch work going.”
The summer revamp is only the start. A new Kop stand will soon start to go up, with the intention to be ready for The Racecourse hosting the UEFA Under-19 Championship in June 2026.
Barriers obscure the building of the new Kop stand (Robbie Jay Barratt/Getty Images)
It will be the key building block of a stadium masterplan drawn up by Populous, the same firm that designed Arsenal and Tottenham’s new homes, as well as Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, Wembley and The Sphere in Las Vegas.
The initial plan was to house 5,500 fans with the design, then allow another 2,000 to be added. However, a new planning application went in last month for a 7,500 capacity structure and a decision will be made soon by Wrexham Borough Council.
A new electricity substation on University land adjacent to The Racecourse’s main entrance on Crispin Lane has also been constructed.
This will provide power to the three blocks of student flats that sit behind the main stand, replacing the previous substation located towards the back of The Turf pub on the footprint of where the new Kop will stand. As part of this switch, a live power cable running underneath the area was deactivated.
“Until that was done, you couldn’t even start digging,” says Miller. “So, from a big ticket perspective, that’s probably the biggest thing we did this summer.”
As Miller says proudly, this now feels like “a Championship ground”.
Arsenal won January’s inaugural international club competition. (Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images)
Top FIFA MEN’S WORLD CUP Stories
vs. Real Madrid 
: Agg. 2-1 (Wednesday, 3 p.m. ET, Paramount+)
vs. Sporting 
: Agg. 1-0 (Wednesday, 3 p.m. ET, Paramount+)
Mark OgdenMar 31, 2026, 03:21 AM ET
Cesar HernandezMar 28, 2026, 06:47 PM ET
Top CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Stories
Top MLS Stories
Jeff CarlisleSep 25, 2025, 10:05 AM ET ESPNFC 
Atlanta United has struggled in Ronny Deila’s first season at the helm (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
Josef Martínez was prolific under Tata Martino in Atlanta (Mark J. Rebilas / USA TODAY Sports)
Atlanta has just five wins through 29 games, tied for second-fewest in MLS (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
Bill ConnellySep 19, 2025, 07:00 AM ET ESPNFC 
Borussia Dortmund go 4-2 up in the 86th minute. Job done, surely… (Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Ticket limits have become commonplace at major sporting events. (Carl De Souza / Getty Images)
USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino doesn’t have many options behind Antonee Robinson at left back (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
Can Flick’s Barca build further on last season’s success? (Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)
Alonso was appointed as Madrid coach back in May (Sara Gordon/Real Madrid via Getty Images)
Jauregizar, pictured in pre-season for Athletic (Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
United States international Cardoso in action for Atletico in pre-season against Newcastle (Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images)
Bryan Mbeumo (left), Benjamin Sesko (middle) and Matheus Cunha (Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Alexander Isak during pre-season training in July (Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Christian Pulisic and Tim Weah celebrate against Germany in 2023 (Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
TNT Sports
ITV Sport
X / @sportsru
Teams will be awarded a corner if the opposition goalkeeper holds onto the ball for too long (Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez was involved in a double-touch penalty in last season’s Champions League (Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
(Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
(Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
(Stu Forster/Getty Images)
(Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Wrexham’s new pitch, as seen before their first home match of the season (Robbie Jay Barratt/Getty Images)
The newly-installed cameras (Richard Sutcliffe/The Athletic)
The new two-level TV gantry (Richard Sutcliffe/The Athletic)
Barriers obscure the building of the new Kop stand (Robbie Jay Barratt/Getty Images)
The Ole BallCoach 
