9/5/25 US Men vs Korea Sat 5 pm vs Japan Tues 7 pm in Columbus, World Cup Qualifying, Leagues Cup Champ Seattle, Full TV Schedule

September 5, 2025September 6, 2025 gatorbest leagues-cup, mls, premier-league, soccer, us-soccer, usmnt

Around the World of Soccer

Interesting week of soccer I’ll start with Sad to see Wrexham’s Ollie Palmer’s farewell for those who watch We are Wrexham on FX or Disney+ Ollie was a big part of their multiple promotions – but his time with the club has come to and end. Also in the Championship American forward Josh Sargent Can’t Keep from Scoring as he notched a brace last weekend on his way to league leading 5 goals so far. Cool to see Pochitino Take in Ohio State College Football last weekend on Fox’s Texas vs OSU pregame show. Messi’s last home WC Qualifier at Argentina was last night. Another record signing on the ladies side as American & Angel City star Alyssa Thompson goes to Chelsea for $1.3 million-sad for my daughter who has season tix for Angel City FC. World Cup Tix Go on Sale starting next week unfortunately our closest locations are Atlanta & Kansas City. If you haven’t seen the Pulisic special series on Paramount plus its 8 episodes and worth the watch.

USA faces Korea Sat 5 pm then Japan Tues at 7:30 pm in Columbus on TNT, HBO, Peacock

So lets put it out there – I said it last week that Men’s Coach Bochitino has no clue what he is doing after again seeing what a pathetic roster he called in for this one of the last 10 games we will play before the World Cup. Now the media is finally starting to agree with me –ESPNFC Agrees Poch is Clueless. How he could leave home our starting GKs, starting 8, backup 6s, and outside backs is just beyond me. He should be getting this squad ready for battle against top 20 competition and instead he brought questionable MLS players in for their first camps. At least Pulisic is back and Dest and Weah. But there is still a lot of the core of this squad missing. I may be the one holding up the Go Back Home BOCHITINO POSTER in Columbus on Tuesday night. Clueless is all I can say at this point. I honestly think this guy is mailing this $6 million a year job in and laughing in our US faces. So what do I see this weekend? 1 loss and 1 tie. We’ll lose the first one to Korea and Son as he’ll torch our backline and its lack of speed. While Japan will match us in possession but will not beat us in the fortress that is Columbus with the American Outlaws in Full Voice. I hope we have a good crowd – though US soccer and Boch have given us NOTHING to get excited about. I truly thought Poch was gonna bring our A team and we would win both of these games this weekend. I guarantee if Nashville Headman BJ Callaghan who won a nations league and Gold cup with this team was in charge that is what would happen. But with Boch calling the shots its a lost and tie and him saying we need to play em better with more hart. Since I would have NEVER picked this US Roster– I have no clue who might start this weekend but lets try this.

Leagues Cup – Seattle Dominates Miami – Miami Fights Post-Game Disgusting

Seattle was truly spectacular last Sunday Full house in Seattle – as they destroyed Messi and Inter Miami 3-0 Hi-Lights on the night. After such a fantastic Leagues Cup that the MLS dominated – it was sad to see Miami players Suarez and Busquets just absolutely lose it after the game as the post game broke out into an all-out brawl. I am not sure MLS has punished Miami’s punks enough as Suarez (6 games) and (Busquets 2 games) were only kicked out of Leagues Cup games. Suarez spit on coach or security guard from Seattle he has to be suspended from MLS games too.

More USA Friendlies this Weekend and Tues in Columbus

USA v. South Korea (Saturday, 5 p.m. ET, TNT/Peacock)
USA v. Japan (Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. ET, TNT/Peacock)

If the U.S. men’s national team World Cup squad was one of those reality cooking challenge shows, we are at the stage where the clock is running down but the raw ingredients are still spread out all over the prep table, and it remains to be seen if we can combine them into any kind of competitive recipe. South Korea and Japan will be testing mid-tier opponents. Win one game, get Pulisic firing, and we can all feel so much better. Lose both and it is going to feel very, very dark. Two very different paths lie ahead. Here are the headlines to prepare you for all that is to come:
Christian Pulisic, Our Lord and Savior, Is Back
When the roster for the upcoming friendlies was announced last week, Pochettino said he hadn’t spoken with Pulisic since the Gold Cup, adding, “I think everything is behind us, all that happened in summer, and I think now we need to look forward.” We will find out the truth of that the moment Christian takes the field for his first appearance since that Nations League disaster back in March. He has looked spritely for Milan with a goal in his first two games, but must now play for the U.S. with the same dominance as he did in the commercials which were omnipresent this summer. Knowing Christian, he will be highly motivated to score. He knows one electric moment of football can change everything in the blink of an eye. I would settle for another goal testicled over the line. When I spoke to Tyler Adams, he told me the difference between the U.S. with and without Pulisic is that Christian is the one American player who can make something out of nothing. I both pray and expect that to happen tomorrow.

The Focus is Going to Shift Immediately from the Big Names Who Are Not There, to the Glut of New Ones Who Are ️
So much focus over the past weeks has been spent on the vast number of big-name players who were not called up. Make no mistake: this is an MLS-heavy, raw squad with some mighty omissions—not just reputationally in terms of the more familiar names like Weston McKennie and Gio Reyna, but also from a footballing perspective. Aidan Morris, who has been balling out for top-of-the-Championship Middlesborough, is outside looking in.

There are honestly so many questions all over the field. Who is the No. 1 striker? Who is our goalkeeper, out of a very raw group? Who are our leaders? The midfield group looks very green aside from Tyler Adams. There is always a sense with our squad, that the big names—McKennie, Reyna, Brendan Aaronson, Yunus Musah—will come back and save us. We often tell ourselves this team is just a placeholder and that the cavalry is coming. What if it is not coming? And this is it?
The U.S. are playing South Korea and Japan. Two teams who are well-drilled, intelligent collectives, primed to punish any mistake we make at high pace. They will be stern tests. The kind of quality we could expect to face if we make the knockout phase of the World Cup. This is a moment for the USMNT to prove themselves to themselves against teams at the level of Türkiye and Switzerland, the two sides who outclassed them in friendlies ahead of the Gold Cup.

One Thing Not to Worry About
Finally, don’t stress the noise from outside pundits. Their voices and opinions and insights are actually what you want. I laughed with Tyler Adams that the volume of noise we currently have in the United States is a tiny squeak compared to the booming torrent of punditry in England or Italy. Think about how many former NFL or NBA stars have platforms to make their opinions known.
A vast layer of pundits is ultimately a sign of a healthy football-sphere. Indeed, it will hopefully grow and grow as the profile of the game grows, and the U.S. men, please god, begin to capture the interest of the nation. That is the real story of the moment. This team needs to start winning. The empty seats at Gold Cup stadia spoke volumes about where this team is right now. Charlie Davies wrote this week: “There is already a worrying lack of enthusiasm bordering on apathy in the USMNT’s fan base at a time when positivity and optimism should be growing in anticipation of this huge moment in American soccer. I don’t even want to think about what the impact would be of another heavy loss at home.” It is hard to live out this team playing in the shadows like this. The truth is, we are in danger of becoming a club football country now. Liverpool-Arsenal felt like a massive rumble that captured the interest of American sports fans. The lack of casual chatter going into this U.S. game is deafening. This is the moment to change everything.

Got to Ref with Drew Emenhiser for the first time at Lawrence North Wed a little 2 man style.

Nice night for soccer with Jonathan and Andrew at Heritage Christian with the Girls Thursday night.

**All Youth Players who wear their Jersey to the Game will get FREE ADMISSION vs #19 Columbus North**

TV GAME SCHEDULE

Sat, Sept 6
9 am Fox Sport 2 Latvia vs Serbia WCQ
10 am CBSSN,Para+ Bolton vs AFC Wimbledon
12 noon FS2 England vs Andorra WCQ
2:45 pm FS2 Ireland vs Hungary WCQ
5 pm TNT, Tele, Max USA Men vs Korea
7:30 pm ESPN+ Charleston vs Indy 11
7:40 pm Tubi NC Courage vs Utah Royals NWSL
10 pm Tubi Bay FC vs KC Current NWSL
Sun, Sept 7
9 am FS1 Georgia vs Bulgaria WCQ
12 noon FS1 Lithuania vs Netherlands WCQ
2:45 pm FS1 Germany vs Northern Ireland WCQ
2:45 pm FS2 Poland vs Finland WCQ
2:45 pm ?? Turkey vs Spain WCQ
3 pm Para+, Prime Chicago Red Stars vs Orlando Pride NWSL
4 pm CBSSN, Para, Prime, Washington Spirit (Rodman) vs Seattle Reign NWSL
5 pm ESPN NY/NJ Gotham vs Angel City NWSL
7 pm Apple free Sporting KC vs Austin MLS
8:30 pm ESPN San Diego Wave vs Houston Dash NWSL
Mon, Sept 8
2:45 pm FS2 Israel vs Italy WCQ
8:30 pm Para+, Peacock El Salvador vs Suriname WCQ
9:30 pm CBSSN, Para Panama vs Guatamala WCQ
Tues, Sept 9
12 noon ESPNDes South Africa vs Nigeria WCQ
2:45 pm FS2 France vs Iceland WCQ
2:45 pm ?? Serbia vs England WCQ
3 pm ?? Wales vs Canada
7:30 pm TNT, Tele, Max USA Men vs Japan in Columbus, Ohio
9 pm Uni, TUDN Mexico vs Korea
Fri, Sept 12
2:30 pm ESPN2 Bayer Leverkusen (Tillman) vs Frankfurt
Sat, Sept 13
7:30 am USA Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest
10 am USA? Fulham (Robinson) vs Leeds United (Aaronson)
12 noon Para+ Juventus vs Inter
12:30 pm CBS NC Courage vs Angel City NWSL
5 pm Tubi Orlando Pride vs Bay FC NWSL
7:30 pm Tubi KC City vs Washington Spirit NWSL
7:30 pm Apple Cincy vs Nashville
8:30 pm Apple Seattle Sounders vs LA Galaxy
Sun, Sept 14
9 am USA Burnley vs Liverpool
11:30 am USA Man City vs Man United
11:30 am ESPN+ M’Gladbach (Reyna, Scally) vs Werder Bremen
2:45 pm Para+ AC Milan (Pulisic) vs Bologna
3 pm ESPN+ Barcelona vs Valencia
3 pm ESPN Chicago Red Stars vs Portland Thorns NWSL
6 pm Golazo, Para Utah Royals vs Houston Dash NWSL
8 pm Golazo, Para Seattle Reign vs Racing Louisville NWSL
Fri, Oct 10
8:30 pm TNT, Max USA Men vs Ecuador
Tues, Oct 14
9 pm TNT, Max USA Men vs Australia

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US MEN

USMNT September 2025 friendlies USA vs. South Korea: what to watch for
Pochettino, Pulisic must reconcile for USMNT to be at its best going into World Cup
USMNT roster omissions might hamper World Cup preparations
2025 USMNT Friendly: Scouting South Korea
USMNT players on risks, rewards of World Cup year transfers
How Columbus became a Fortress for the USMNT
Yanks abroad: Pulisic, Adams, Morris, Balogun stand out, Cremsaschi to Parma, and more
Mitrovic discusses U.S. U-20 team’s progress as World Cup nears
USMNT transfer grades: Analyzing every American move in the summer window
USMNT Embracing Competition to Impress Pochettino
The Group is Looking Lovely’: USMNT Looks to Build on Standard Set in Gold Cup
How the Legacy of Michael Bradley Remains with the USMNT
Cristian Roldan Added to USMNT Roster for September Matches against Korea Republic and Japan
USMNT Needs Momentum

Goalkeeping

Top Premier League saves from Matchweek 2 (2024-25) | NBC Sports
Top Premier League saves from Matchweek 3 (2024-25) | NBC Sports
Top Saves Leagues Cup
USL Championship Save of the Week – Week 26

NWSL

Chelsea breaks transfer record to sign USWNT’s Alyssa Thompson
Women’s transfer record broken again: Here’s what happened on WSL deadline day
Chelsea sign USWNT’s Alyssa Thompson from Angel City
Alyssa Thompson joins Chelsea: What to know about forward’s NWSL departure
Roundabouts, sheepherding, hot sauce: How USWNT stars adapt to life in England

MLS

Seattle Sounders humiliate Inter Miami: Leagues Cup title, trophy grand slam, and a night for the history books
Miami fight with Seattle after loss embarrassing
Shameful Miami after Leagues Cup loss to Seattle

WORLD

Lionel Messi on future with Argentina and 2026 World Cup: ‘I haven’t made a decision’
Lionel Messi gives frank assessment of 2026 World Cup hopes after Venezuela win
Lionel Messi says presence at 2026 World Cup is unlikely – ‘The logical conclusion is…’

Daniel Levy steps down as Spurs chairman after more than 2 decades with the club
Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe: ‘I don’t know if we’re ready for a 60-game

Unlike his Miami Teammates – Messi shows nothing but pure CLASS. The GOAT!

Reffing

Offsides?
8 Second GK Rule
Interesting Var Review Audio Fulham game Shame
Head EPL Ref Howard Webb Says Var Missed it Fulham Game

Pochettino, Pulisic must fix rift as USMNT prep for World Cup

Jeff CarlisleSep 4, 2025, 09:56 AM ET

Mauricio Pochettino and Christian Pulisic are back together, with head coach and player taking part in the U.S. men’s national team training camp ahead of this month’s friendlies against South Korea and Japan.

Just how “together” they are will be revealed over the next week and beyond, but make no mistake: they need to be on the same page if the U.S. is to reach its stated aim of making a deep run at next summer’s World Cup.This isn’t to say that the two have had a falling out, nor do they need to be best friends and have regular dinners together. But there has been a disconnect.

– USMNT transfer grades: Analyzing every American move in the summer window
– USMNT players on risks, rewards of World Cup year transfers
– USMNT roster omissions might hamper World Cup preparations

Pulisic waved off an attempt by Pochettino to sub him out of the third-place game at the Concacaf Nations League last March. He missed out on the recent Gold Cup two months later, and while USSF sporting director Matt Crocker said at the time, “We made the collective decision that this is the right moment for [Pulisic] to get the rest he needs,” the public backlash was intense, with former USMNT players, among them Landon Donovan, questioning the player’s commitment.

Pulisic’s response, in part, was to state in an interview with CBS Sports that he had offered to play in two pre-Gold Cup friendlies, but that Pochettino had turned him down. Pulisic later said in the interview that he didn’t understand the decision even as the manager explained he wanted just one roster for the entire Gold Cup program. While Pulisic’s impulse to defend himself is understandable, divulging some of the deliberations about his Gold Cup participation was a mistake and only served to annoy Pochettino. The U.S. manager responded, stating that he is “not a mannequin” and that he alone would decide who plays for the USMNT and when. When the roster for the upcoming friendlies was announced last week, Pochettino said he hadn’t spoken with Pulisic since the Gold Cup, adding, “I think everything is behind us, all that happened in summer, and I think now we need to look forward.”Left unsaid is how effective that approach will be if there hasn’t been any communication. To be clear, success at the World Cup doesn’t rest solely on Pulisic, as numerous moving parts need to align for a deep run to occur. The U.S. needs to sort out its goalkeeping situation. Right back Sergiño Dest has to be healthy, the better to augment the attack with his ability to deliver the unexpected. The same is true for Antonee Robinson on the opposite flank. Holding midfielder Tyler Adams needs to be at his ball-hawking best. One of the available strikers — be it Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, Josh Sargent, Haji Wright, etc. — needs to hit top form ahead of the tournament.But Pulisic’s combination of talent, creativity and experience remains a critical piece of the attack. When Pulisic plays well and is in full flow, the team usually follows suit. Scoring goals is the most difficult part of the game, and Pulisic remains a vital contributor to that aspect of the cause. Pochettino and Pulisic need each other for the team to succeed. Part of what’s at issue between Pulisic and Pochettino is that the U.S. manager is in the middle of attempting a cultural reset. That goes for everyone, from the biggest stars down to uncapped players who get called in. Pochettino is demanding total commitment, at least as he defines it. As fatigued as Pulisic was after playing over 50 games a season at AC Milan the last two years, his decision to sit out the Gold Cup, while offering to play in the two friendlies before the tournament, sent Pochettino a different kind of message.

“If you arrive to the camp and you want to spend a nice time, play golf, go for a dinner, visit my family, visit my friend, that is the culture that we want to create?” Pochettino said last May. “No, no, no, no, no. What we want to do is to go to the national team, arrive and be focused and spend all my focus and energy in the national team. If we want to be good in one year’s time, we need to think that today is the most important day.”The adjustment from the players — including Pulisic — to Pochettino’s approach has taken some time. Defender Tim Ream admitted after the Gold Cup that it had taken too long. At Tuesday’s media availability, Ream said that with players just arriving, there hadn’t been a team-wide meeting yet to discuss expectations, though coaches had been pulling players in for individual meetings.”We’ll sit down I’m sure [Tuesday] and have a discussion,” he said.”But for us, it is just the guys who were here during the Gold Cup … We kind of know what the standard needs to be and what it is going forward and just making sure that everybody’s being held accountable, pushing each other, helping each other, and making sure that we all know that we’re on the same page, we’re on the same team.”Pochettino was a top-flight manager for 15 years — with stops at Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea — before taking up with the USMNT. If there is to be movement in any direction, that will fall on Pulisic, because Pochettino won’t be changing his ways. The U.S. manager has made it clear that no one’s spot is secure. Weston McKennie was left off the current roster, and while Pochettino blamed his absence on a lack of rest due to participation in the Club World Cup, Tim Weah had a similar workload, yet was included in this camp. Relationships between players and coaches can be fluid, going through difficulties. Pulisic’s rapport with former U.S. manager Gregg Berhalter experienced some rough patches before the two found alignment ahead of the 2022 World Cup, in which Pulisic played a critical role in the U.S. reaching the round of 16. That could very well be the case with Pochettino and Pulisic. However, Pulisic and the rest of the team will need to adapt to Pochettino’s ways.

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USMNT’s home crowd dilemma is US Soccer’s age-old problem

Guatemalan fans at the Gold Cup semifinals

By Paul Tenorio Sept. 5, 2025 10:00 am EDT

Since taking over as coach of the U.S. men’s national team last fall, Mauricio Pochettino has had a jarring introduction to some aspects of American soccer culture. He has felt it most acutely standing on the sideline and looking into the stands around him.Pochettino’s first competitive games in charge of the U.S. were opening acts in doubleheaders staged by Concacaf, meaning swathes of ticket holders for the late games, which featured Mexico, didn’t show up for the U.S. contests. Then, during the Gold Cup, Pochettino experienced the power of the immigrant communities in the U.S. as Guatemala fans far outnumbered Americans in St. Louis for the semifinal and Mexico supporters created a home-field advantage for El Tri in Houston in the final.Other games highlighted a lack of interest. Six games between September 2024 and July 2025 had 18,008 or fewer fans in attendance.For an Argentine used to diehard fans packing home stadiums, the huge numbers supporting visiting teams and the lack of U.S. fan support seemed to catch Pochettino off guard. After the final, he implored U.S. soccer fans to come out and support the team. “I would love to see my players playing with 70,000 people cheering,” Pochettino said in the postgame press conference in Houston. “We need the people. We need the fans. The fans have one year to realize how important are the fans in soccer.

“I think that today (against Mexico), like with Guatemala, it’s a scene in our country to see how important are the fans – to be in the stadium, to stay with the team, to support, not only through Instagram, social media or behind the TV. It’s (important) to be here and translate the energy.

“Football without fans? It’s impossible.

Mauricio Pochettino ha expressed his wish for packed home crowds – full of USMNT fans. (Robbie Jay Barratt / AMA/ Getty Images)

“Here, I think that it’s time to realize that we need the fans. … I think, I hope, and I wish, next time to play with full stadium, with our fans there cheering for the team and helping to achieve a good performance and good result.”The U.S. coach was wading into an attendance issue that has ensnared the program for more than a decade now. It traces back to a ticketing strategy built around revenue rather than accessibility, a team that has struggled on the field and the realities of playing a global sport in a country defined by its diversity.On Saturday, the U.S. will play South Korea in front of a 25,000 sold-out crowd at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey. Tuesday’s friendly against Japan at Columbus’ 20,000-capacity Lower.com Field is trending toward a sellout as well. Fewer than 600 tickets were available, including suites and premium options, as of Thursday night.The crowds are indicative of U.S. Soccer’s efforts to alter the equation and find the right mix of market, price point and opponent to balance sporting goals, fan engagement and revenue-driven realities. With what has long been expected to be a transformative home World Cup approaching, the efforts to reach new fans and bring them into the gates are as critical as ever to the short- and long-term growth of the sport. As the men’s team struggles to get results, making the games more accessible will be a vital part of any attempt to build excitement in the run-up to the tournament.

The slide is infamous in American soccer circles. As part of a presentation at a board meeting in 2017, U.S. Soccer executives presented how the federation’s ticketing strategy shifted from the 1998 World Cup cycle through to the 2018 cycle to emphasize smaller venues and higher ticket prices for U.S. games. Ticket prices in the 2002 cycle averaged $28.05. By the 2018 cycle, when the U.S. men missed the World Cup, the average price jumped to $97.06. Revenue more than doubled, from $7 million over eight games in the 2002 cycle to $17.6 million in the 2018 cycle. But it came at a cost of attendance and accessibility. In that same period, attendance dropped from 249,266 fans across eight games to 181,090.What You Should Read NextDoes USMNT have an attendance issue? The answer isn’t simpleThe USMNT’s friendlies against Canada and New Zealand were played with swathes of empty seats in the stadia – but is that cause for concern?

Undoubtedly, the socioeconomic makeup of those in the stadium shifted along with those fast-rising prices.U.S. Soccer chief commercial officer David Wright insists that the federation is “an organization that has evolved dramatically in the last three to five years.” But ticket prices for games can vary dramatically, based both on dynamic pricing and also on the business realities for U.S. Soccer.

“We’re a 501(c)(3), nonprofit, but as many people know, our ability to drive revenue is really important because it funds and candidly accelerates our ability in the sport,” Wright tells The Athletic. “Obviously, we’ve got our women’s and men’s senior national teams, but we have 25 other national teams that are really important to U.S. Soccer and our overall efforts throughout the game. We’re also thinking about coaching, we’re thinking about refereeing, thinking about participation, and have programming against all three to grow. So it takes resources. It’s always a balance between the business side, but then also providing access and accessibility.”

The USMNT takes on Japan, and Yuto Nagatomo, next week. (Koji Watanabe / Getty Images)

Tickets were available for the Japan friendly in Columbus for less than $50. The get-in price for friendlies in Austin and Colorado in October are currently $54 and $75, respectively. Tickets prices in New Jersey were not as friendly. The original get-in price for non-supporters in New Jersey was $50, but a month later that had jumped to $180.There have been at least some steps toward increasing that accessibility.U.S. Soccer recently reached a deal with the American Outlaws, its largest supporters group, in which all tickets for supporters in federation-hosted matches through October 2026 will be capped at $45 (plus fees), and will be sold directly by the Outlaws to members.The aim is not just to drive accessibility, but to bring new fans into the supporters’ culture.“Our supporter groups are the lifeline,” Wright said. “They provide incredible energy and atmosphere. I think it also speaks to our fan-first approach. We’re an evolving organization. We have great relationships with our supporter groups. And I think it’s just an acknowledgement that (they) are really important, and to be able to provide access in a really meaningful way is a win-win.”In a statement, Justin Brunken, co-founder of the American Outlaws said the partnership, “helps eliminate one of the biggest barriers — cost — and makes it possible for more passionate fans to stand, sing, and support together.”“This isn’t just about saving a few bucks,” the statement read. “It’s about keeping soccer grounded in community.”U.S. Soccer has also done more outreach toward college students to bring younger games into the stadium at discounted prices.The business side of U.S. Soccer has changed dramatically since 2017, which has also impacted the reliance on ticket revenue for the federation’s aims. U.S. Soccer brought all commercial work in-house in 2022, ending its longstanding relationship with Soccer United Marketing. Since the federation’s sponsorships have been moved in-house, commercial and event revenue has increased substantially, with projections above $200 million in total revenue.The federation also grew out its “advancement” team, which focuses on donations. Those efforts have brought in enormous donations from Arthur Blank for the new training facility and Michele Kang with a directive to grow women’s and girls’ soccer, as well as many other donations pointed toward everything from hiring Pochettino to growing youth programs or coaching and referee education. In prior years, U.S. Soccer raised between $4 to $6 million annually in contributions. That number jumped to around $70 million under the expanded advancement team.“As a percentage of revenue, (ticker revenue will) come down, but it doesn’t diminish the importance,” Wright said. “Not only is the revenue obviously important to fuel the business and to provide opportunities, but it’s obviously one of the most high-profile opportunities to engage with fans,” Wright said. “So the ability to have 20 to 25 marquee matches a year that provide access and leave an impact in a community, while also engaging millions of fans via social (media) and broadcast is really important. It’s something that we recognize, and obviously we’re leaning in on.”The strong expected crowds in New Jersey and Columbus show that the U.S. men can draw a crowd, but finding the right venue and the right opponent is an increasingly difficult dance.

It’s easy to point to some of the repeat visits to cities — Austin, Columbus, Cincinnati, St. Louis — and wonder how exactly U.S. Soccer makes decisions on where they play games. It’s not an easy process.

It starts with finding an opponent, which has been especially difficult in this cycle because the U.S. men are not playing qualifiers, but confederations are still going through their qualification process. That, combined with the Nations League, has decreased available opponents in every window.Once an opponent is found, John Terry, U.S. Soccer’s senior director of events, tries to narrow down markets based on a number of factors.Opponents often have preferences on how far they will travel based on their second opponent in the window and where that game is being staged. Brazil, for example, was willing to play the U.S. ahead of the Copa América, but only if the game was staged in Orlando. U.S. Soccer was willing to make that accommodation, and to play on a temporary surface at Camping World Stadium, in order to get a game against such a high-quality opponent.U.S. Soccer also has to find training facilities for both teams in markets — one reason why it hasn’t frequented the New York market as often, for example, and why Austin and St. Louis have been favorites for the team.The availability of venues in markets isn’t always simple either. In the fall, U.S. Soccer is contending with the NFL, college football, MLS and concerts. It has to think about the cost of playing on grass laid on top of turf — both in terms of dollars and in quality of play. It considers the size of the venue and the ticket demand in the market. And it isn’t picking a city based solely on what is happening in that window. It also has to consider future windows and look at where it can play games in future months. And, of course, it’s weighing those options simultaneously for both the men’s and women’s national teams.

Austin’s Q2 Stadium has become a popular site for the USMNT. (David Buono / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Even then, repeats can happen. U.S. Soccer had its October USMNT friendly scheduled in Austin against Ecuador for months when Concacaf put them in Austin for a Gold Cup group stage game this summer, for example. Meanwhile, travel for a team increasingly based in Europe has made it more difficult to schedule games on the West Coast. (Though the makeup of the roster under Pochettino has been swinging back toward a prominent mix of MLS players.) U.S. Soccer also tries to avoid traveling far distances between games in a window. There has been an effort in recent years to go to new markets, or to get back to cities for the first time in several years. That includes a friendly played in San Antonio, Saturday’s game in New Jersey — the first there since the U.S. lost to Costa Rica in World Cup qualifying in 2017 — and a reported friendly set for Tampa in November. “It’s not just because we’ve got a World Cup (coming), that’s a strategy that I think we’ve employed for a number of years now,” Wright said. “For us, it’s: How do you expose the sport to a variety of different markets, but also partner with local markets that really want you to be there?” In addition to all of those considerations, U.S. Soccer does think about trying to maximize home field advantage. But as the pro-Guatemala crowd in St. Louis showed, sometimes it doesn’t matter where the U.S. plays. The makeup of the country is such that it can lead to crowds that favor the visitors.That may not always be what the coach or team wants, of course. But for U.S. Soccer, there are still gains to be made in those crowds. “The amount of diversity in this country is a really, really powerful thing, and something that, as an organization, I think we’ve really leaned in and embraced,” Wright said. “If you’re a fan of the sport in this country, we believe we’ve got a real opportunity to engage with you. There’s about 130 million fans of the game. We expect that number to drastically increase coming out of the next summer. Not all those 130 million are passionate U.S. soccer fans, but they’re passionate about the game … And I think it is really powerful as we think about the future. It’s a huge area of opportunity.” Those points of connection will be the true measure of success of the World Cup, and that’s a process that has already started. The magnitude of the World Cup’s impact will depend on many things, including the results of the host team. But beyond what happens on the field, U.S. Soccer must find wins off of it, too. Getting the cities, venues and prices right to open the game up to fans can make just as lasting an impact. (Top photo: Joe Puetz / Imagn Images)

USMNT’s Balogun finally has his chance for a late first impression on Pochettino

By Henry Bushnell Sept. 3, 2025

U.S. striker Folarin Balogun, back with the national team for the first time in nearly a year, said Wednesday that the injuries that kept him away from the USMNT are “behind me.” “I’m in a good shape, and in a good way,” Balogun said via Zoom from U.S. camp in Morristown, N.J., ahead of Saturday’s game against South Korea. Those injuries cost him four consecutive U.S. camps, the team’s first four under head coach Mauricio Pochettino. Balogun, after starting or appearing in all nine A-team games for the USMNT in 2024 under former head coach Gregg Berhalter and interim Mikey Varas, missed camps in October, November and this past March due to injury. He was initially named in Pochettino’s pre-Gold Cup squad, but also withdrew from that camp due to an ankle ailment. “It was a tough period, but I think every athlete goes through that at some stage,” Balogun said. Another ankle issue in August cost him a preseason game and Monaco’s Ligue 1 opener. It was presumably part of the reason why the 24-year-old was not on the first version of the USMNT’s September roster, which was revealed last week. But when Brian White withdrew due to injury, U.S. Soccer contacted Balogun, who’d made his 2025-26 debut that past weekend, playing 90 minutes in a 1-0 loss to Lille. “I got the call — I can’t remember the date, exactly, but it was a bit late,” Balogun acknowledged Wednesday. “I was really happy,” he added. “It was important for me to be back with the team.” Several days later, he scored his first goal of the season in a 3-2 win over Strasbourg. Then he jetted across the Atlantic, to New Jersey, where he was one of the last to arrive at U.S. camp. Now, he will get his chance to make a delayed first impression. He is one of a few players who, at roughly the midway point of Pochettino’s tenure, are meeting and training under the new boss for the first time. “Everyone wants to make an impression,” Balogun said. “And I think that’s just natural, with such a big competition coming in 10 months, it’s important to leave your mark.” That “big competition,” of course, is the World Cup. The 2026 edition, slated for June and July in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, would be Balogun’s first. For roughly 11 months, the countdown to that milestone coincided with Balogun’s absence from the USMNT. Now, a first opportunity to impress the coach who’ll select the U.S. World Cup roster might lead some players to press, to over-exert, to try to be something other than themselves. “That’s part of the psychology, to not overdo it, because things will just become more complicated,” Balogun said. “The harder you try sometimes, the more difficult it is.” But Balogun is comfortable searching for and finding a middle ground, and pushing for a potential place in the U.S. starting lineup come next June. He’ll compete with EFL Championship leading scorer Josh Sargent and new Southampton signing Damion Downs for the prime minutes at striker in this camp, which also includes a friendly against Japan. “It’s something I’ve been doing all my career, fighting for my position and fighting to get in teams,” the former Arsenal academy product said. “I believe that’s a balance that comes naturally to me.” (Top photo: Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

Pochettino, ‘jealous’ of CFB atmospheres, wants Americans to share same passion with soccer

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JUNE 29: Head coach Mauricio Pochettino of United States gestures before the Gold Cup 2025 Quarterfinals against Costa Rica at U.S. Bank Stadium on June 29, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

By Henry Bushnell Sept. 5, 2025Updated 2:39 pm EDT

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — For Mauricio Pochettino, the 2025 Gold Cup doubled as a crash course in American soccer culture. First in half-empty stadiums, then in front of hostile crowds on home soil, the Argentine coach of the U.S. men’s national team seemed shocked by the lack of public passion for his team.After a Gold Cup semifinal against Guatemala and a final against Mexico, he spoke about the missing emotional connection between U.S. players and fans. “The fans,” he said, “have one year to realize how important fans are in soccer.”Ahead of his next USMNT camp, though, he learned that such passion exists in the United States — for the other type of football.Last Saturday, Pochettino visited Columbus, Ohio, for the Week 1 college football showdown between the universities of Ohio State and Texas. He stood among a crowd of 107,524 people, nearly all wearing red and silver for the Buckeyes. “It was amazing,” Pochettino said Friday ahead of the USMNT’s first of two September games (Saturday against South Korea).“For me, it was a massive surprise,” Pochettino continued. “I’m 53. It’s difficult to have this type of surprise. But to live the atmosphere that we lived there, three hours before, seeing the passion of the people, the atmosphere … the fans in the stadium, 100,000. I was so jealous.”

He was jealous, of course, because that type of passion often doesn’t follow the USMNT or any U.S. soccer team.“I was so jealous, I said, ‘I want to coach these teams. I want to be next,’” Pochettino said with a wide smile and a laugh.Throughout his three decades in soccer, he has played for and coached teams boosted by similar passion. He has seen it at Newell’s Old Boys and Espanyol, at Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain.When he didn’t see it this summer — or when he saw it for Guatemala in St. Louis, and when he saw it for Mexico in Houston — he called it out.“The fans gave to you, to Guatemala, an unbelievable energy,” he said after the U.S. squeaked past Los Chapines in the semis. “That is football. That is football. When we say the connection between the fans and the team, that is the connection that we like to see in the World Cup. That connection that makes you fly. The energy that translates.”He said he saw Guatemala players crying after the loss and noted, “That is the way that we need to feel. And our fans need to feel the same. It’s not to come here to enjoy all the spectacle, and if you lose, nothing happens. … You play for your pride. … When we talk about culture, that is culture. … That is an important thing that we need to learn here in this country.”Pochettino saw an example of that kind of sports culture at 9 a.m. last Saturday, when he appeared on Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff pregame show in Columbus. He led an “O-H-I-O” chant. “We really feel the passion of the people here in this country,” he said Friday.And he knows that part of his job, as USMNT coach, is to try to create that passion for soccer. He talked Friday about being a “representative or ambassador” for the sport. “I think I feel a little bit of responsibility,” Pochettino said. “It’s our responsibility to translate to all these people that maybe are more focused on another sport like football, American football. It’s to try to convince them (to) share with soccer that passion. “If only a little bit we can translate to our sport, I think our players will appreciate a lot, and for sure (the fans) will help us to achieve or earn what we want.” (Photo: Stephen Maturen / Getty Images)

USMNT star Tim Weah doubles down on ‘evil’ comment about former players turned pundits

By Henry Bushnell Sept. 4, 2025

U.S. men’s national team forward Tim Weah said Thursday that he doesn’t regret calling former USMNT players turned pundits “evil” for their criticism of the current team.Weah made the comments earlier this summer in an interview for Christian Pulisic’s Paramount+ docuseries. The remarks aired in an episode released last month and reignited the public spat between active USMNT players and alumni.“I think those guys are chasing checks,” Weah said in the docuseries. “And for me, I just feel like they’re really evil. Honestly. 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.”“Don’t get me wrong,” he added, “I respect all of them. They were the players that I looked up to. But quite frankly, the guys before us didn’t win anything, either. Christian himself has had a better career than every single one of the guys who speak negative on us.”On a video call with reporters Thursday from U.S. camp in New Jersey, Weah was asked whether, in retrospect, he felt the term “evil” was accurate and appropriate.“One hundred percent — don’t regret anything I said,” he began. “But I’m fully focused on the positives now. I’m leaving all that negative energy out the window.”

Tim Weah, left, trains with USMNT teammate Folarin Balogun. (John Dorton / ISI Photos / USSF / Getty Images)

Weah continued: “I think right now it’s important to kind of shift the focus to what we’re doing as a group, and what this team is doing, and how we can execute performances and kinda take our game to the next level in order to be prepared for the World Cup. I’m 100 percent focused on that. And if that means blocking out all the noise, that’s what we’re gonna have to do. We’re just focused on what our main goal is. We’re, each camp, trying to build. I’m so happy to be back with the boys.”

Weah missed this summer’s Gold Cup while with Juventus at the Club World Cup. Then, last month, he completed a roughly $17 million transfer from Juve to Marseille — a club with whom his father, George, played for six months at the end of his career. The move begins as a loan deal but includes an obligation to buy after the current season. “The move to Marseille was a fun one, obviously, with my family history,” Weah said Thursday. “Joining the club, for me, was a no-brainer. I know the history of Marseille, how passionate that city is and how fans are and the team is. I knew it was the right place for me to be before the World Cup and building up to one of the biggest tournaments of our lives.” U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino left other regulars who’d recently moved to new clubs off his September roster. Pochettino said last week that the reason for omitting Johnny Cardoso, for example, was to allow Cardoso to settle at Atlético Madrid.Weah completed his transfer more recently and has played fewer games for Marseille than Cardoso has for Atleti. But when asked if missing this U.S. camp was ever a consideration, Weah said, “No, I never thought about not coming into camp.”“As Marseille’s a priority, the national team is also a priority to me as well,” he continued. “Coming here, and being with the group, and building on what we already have, and fine-tuning a lot of things, for me, is important. Because at the end of the day, the goal is nine months away. We have to perform and be on top of our game. So, any chance I get to come in and kinda build with these guys, I’m 100 percent for it. I’m always here.”He also spoke about Marseille — the city and club — as the ideal place for him as he and the USMNT build toward next summer.

“The club is everything to the city, everything to the fans. I mean, they eat, sleep, breathe football; eat, sleep, breathe Marseille,” Weah said. “You know what it means to them, it’s their heart and soul, so you have to give 100%. If we lose a game, they’re on us. It’s super intense. Just the group alone, we get into so [many] fights together, in trainings, in the locker rooms, that people think we’re crazy at times. But it’s just because everyone is so passionate, everyone has the same goal, everyone wants to win. “And I think being at a club like that before the World Cup, and before going into something so big, I think it’s super important for me. Because I get to build that mindset of being a warrior, I get to build on that. I think that’ll be super positive for me going into the World Cup — and also for the [national] team, because I get to bring that kind of vibe into camps when I come back.”(Top photo: Jeff Roberson / Associated Press)

8/15/25 EPL, La Liga, Ligue 1 Return, US Open Cup Final 4 Set, Local High Schools Start, Americans Abroad, Pulisic row continues

August 15, 2025September 12, 2025 gatorbest carmel-fc, carmel-high-school, carmel-soccer, epl, football, goalkeeping, indy-11, liverpool, premier-league, pulisic, soccer, us-soccer

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 CUP four 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

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USA

Pulisic slams ‘cop-out’ criticism by ex-U.S. players
USMNT winger Paredes suffers fresh injury blow
Dest, Morris, Corboz, Pittman stand out, Jedi shelved, & Much More
Dest nets stunner as PSV hits 6 in league opener
How Columbus became US Fortress
MLS Commish Garber on Apple Deal, Legacy of 2026 World Cup
Discounted Tix for USA vs Japan in Columbus

EPL

Premier League 2025-26 mega-preview: Key stats, questions, predictions for all 20 teams
Liverpool favored over Man City to repeat in EPL
What’s new in the Premier League: War on holding, goalkeeper rule, RefCam, more
Ranked: The top 50 players going into the new Premier League season
Premier League Week 1 predicted starting XIs: Liverpool, Arsenal, Man City, more
Arteta: Arsenal need a ‘title’ to secure elite tag
Premier League 2025-26 kits: Ranking every jersey released
Men’s summer transfer grades: C+ for Grealish loan to Everton

Championship
Wrexham smash transfer record to sign Broadhead
For Wrexham to reach Premier League, they must survive tough Championship first

Fantasy
FPL tips 2025/26: 30 players you should consider signing including Palmer, Wirtz and Gyokeres

World

LaLiga 2025-26 burning questions: Barça, Real Madrid, title race, Mbappé vs. Yamal
GFFN journalists’ Ligue 1 season predictions 25/26
PSG stage stunning comeback vs. Tottenham to win Super Cup
Chelsea players donate some of Club World Cup winnings to Jota
Ranking the 30 best men’s soccer club managers in Europe
Men’s Ballon d’Or list: Yamal, Dembélé favourites
What’s in a soccer contract? Salary, add-ons, transfer fees, release clauses and more
Madrid want Barça-Villarreal U.S. game blocked
Could a Barça LaLiga game in Miami happen? Why do Real Madrid want to block it?

MLS

Müller lands in Vancouver: Feel ‘too good to retire’
Maga hats, anti-Ice banners and plenty of confusion: did MLS create its own political mess?

Goalkeeping

🧤Save of the night: Armani rescues River in Paraguay
Indy 11 Sulte in Save of Week Contention
Carmel’s own Eric Dick in Save of Week Contention for Pitt

Barça can register García after Ter Stegen ruling

Reffing

Premier League cracking down on holding in area

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

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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.

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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 71^st 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.

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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 55^th 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.

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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 59^th 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 18^th minute with a shot from inside the box for a 1-0 lead.

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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.

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Coincidentally enough, Aberdeen’s best chance of the game came from American midfielder Dante Polvara in the 75^th 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 54^th 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.

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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 84^th 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 61^st 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 86^th 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 61^st minute.

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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.

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It’s hard to see him part of the USMNT in September at this rate.

McKennie & Campbell meet

Juventus defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-1 and there is a lot to unpack in this game from an American perspective.

Weston McKennie came off the bench in the 66^th minute as part of a near-entire team substitution for Juventus.

There wasn’t much to report on his performance on the field. But off the field, we now have this – Roma interest.

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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.

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Milan smashed by Chelsea

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.

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Antonee Robinson’s injury timetable underscores his importance to USMNT

Fulham and USMNT left back Antonee Robinson

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.

Antonee Robinson and Mauricio Pochettino 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

By Dermot Corrigan

Aug. 15, 2025 12:20 am EDT

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.

So, assuming Barcelona’s annual issues with actually registering their new players are resolved, and they get to return to play at their iconic Camp Nou again from September as planned, Flick’s team should be celebrating another title in May.What You Should Read NextHansi Flick and the curious challenge of a second season at BarcelonaThe German manager has proved himself an expert handler of Barca’s infamous ‘entorno’. Can he build on last season’s success?

Who else will qualify for the Champions League?

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.

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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).

But they all have superb stories to follow.

Oviedo’s club captain is former Arsenal and Spain playmaker Santi Cazorla, now 40, whose fairytale return to his hometown club saw him score in last June’s emotional play-off final victory.What You Should Read NextSanti Cazorla on ‘ideal Arsenal coach’ Mikel Arteta and Barca’s ‘unfair’ treatment of XaviThe former Arsenal midfielder, who is now 40 and playing for boyhood club Real Oviedo, speaks to The Athletic

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.

But Franco Mastantuono, Madrid’s new €63million signing from River Plate in Argentina, is even younger (his 18th birthday was on Thursday) and, some say, just as talented.

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.

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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.

https://e2f6d63cb7cd781a752a15b785bf8705.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-45/html/container.html

Which club have had the best transfer window?

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.”

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.

A plan to play late December’s Villarreal vs Barcelona fixture in Miami is now well advanced, with both clubs publicly backing the idea.

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

By Ewan Gennery published August 8, 2025

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

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Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool, lifts the Premier League trophy after his team's victory in the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield on May 25, 2025 in Liverpool, England.

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)

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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

Arsenal

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

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.

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Brentford

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.

Brighton

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

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.

Get ready for the new season with FourFourTwo’s comprehensive preview. We’ll give you the scoop on star players and share our predictions for the months ahead, along with Burnley’s complete fixture list.

Bournemouth

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’s new 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

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.

Crystal Palace

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

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

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.

FourFourTwo’s complete season preview is here to get you ready. We’ve got the details on top players, what to expect, a look at our predictions and Fulham’s fixture list.

Leeds United

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 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

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’s complete 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 hopes to hit the ground running at Old Trafford — 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 has endured a challenging summer transfer window — 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

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’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

FFT381.feat_whatsnew_a.shutterstock_editorial_15364130i — 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

Tomas Soucek is the Hammers' unsung hero, according to fans — 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 has done a fine job since his arrival in December 2024 — 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 FourFourTwo season 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

Oliver Kay

Aug. 15, 2025Updated 2:29 am EDT

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.

Leeds 2-1 Everton

(Top photo: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images; design: Demetrius Robinson)

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.

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.

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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.

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

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

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.”

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.

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.

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.

“The acrobatic trick didn’t work out for him,” lamented Dynamo Barnaul’s official website. I’ll say.

(Top photo: George Wood/Getty Images)

What’s new in the Premier League in 2025-26?

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 08: A detailed view of the new Puma Premier League match ball during the pre-season friendly match between Brentford and Borussia Moenchengladbach at Gtech Community Stadium on August 08, 2025 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

By Cerys Jones

Aug. 15, 2025 12:05 am EDT

Have you missed football?

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…

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Wrexham’s revamped home: A (longer) £1.7m pitch, heated dugout seats and goal-line technology

By Richard Sutcliffe

Aug. 15, 2025 12:22 am EDT

With Nathan Broadhead’s club record £7.5million transfer taking Wrexham’s tally of signings to nine, and more additions expected, Phil Parkinson has had a busy summer.

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.

“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”.

(Top photo: Wrexham AFC)

8/8/25 English Championship starts can Wrexham compete? MLS vs Liga MX Leagues Cup Semis, MLS Signs stars, Brazil wins Copa, High School teams set games start next weekend

August 8, 2025August 11, 2025 gatorbest carmel-dads-soccer, carmel-fc-soccer, carmel-goalkeeping, leagues-cup, mls, nwsl, premier-league, reffing, soccer

MLS Takes Center Stage with League Cup Domination & Key Additions

A couple of Weeks after the All Star Game where MLS spanked Mexico’s Liga MX in both the skills comp and the All Star game itself – for the first time (for both) – the MLS has now spanked Liga MX in the Opening Rounds of the Leagues Cup between the two leagues over the past two weeks setting up the Quarters Aug 18 & 19. Now the Signing of 3 huge players how New MLS Stars Atletico Madrid’s Rodrigo De Paul, Bayern Munich’s Thomas Muller and Tottenham’s Son will impact their Teams. (read more below)

Can Wrexham Continue the Climb in the Championship? Starts Saturday

Another Championship season begins this weekend and there are plenty of storylines to keep an eye on. Will Wrexham make it four promotions in a row to give their Hollywood-celebrity owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney their Premier League dream? How about Tom Brady and Birmingham City? Can relegated trio Leicester City, Ipswich Town, and Southampton bounce back up to the top flight at the first time of asking? Full Championship Previews below including how American’s like this summer’s forwards Patrick Agyemang (Derby County), and Damion Downs (Southampton), along with more experienced US forwards Dike (West Brom), Haji Wright (Conventry City) and of course one of the leading scorers in the league last season Josh Sargent player of the year at Norwich will fare. The Addition of Wrexham should bring some well needed attention to the Championship and the American’s who play there.

Brazil Wins Copa America In Shoot-out over Colombia 5-4

Wow what a game between Brazil and Colombia in the Copa America Final – a 4-4 thriller that went to extra time and then PKs before Brazil pulled off the victory behind who else Marta. Marta scored in Extra time to knot it up and send it to over time. Copa Highlights

US Men vs #17 Japan in Columbus on Tues. Sept 9th – Discount Tix Available

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. I for one was sick of seeing US fans outnumbered all summer long in our own stadiums. Let’s prove Columbus and Cincy are the HOME STADIUMS of US Soccer – this is where US Fans will not be outnumbered! Join me in the trek to Columbus to fight for our Red, White and Blue! Reach out to the Ole Ballcoach at shanebestsoccer@gmail.com if you want to coordinate travel plans.

Congrats to all of our Carmel FC and former CFC players and everyone making High School teams this week. Superproud of everyone who tried out. Not easy to make a team with 4500 kids in a school.

LEAGUES CUP four MLS vs. LIGA MX quarterfinals from August 19-20.

Quarterfinal matchups

Seattle Sounders FC (MLS 1) vs. Club Puebla (LIGA MX 4)
Inter Miami CF (MLS 2) vs. Tigres UANL (LIGA MX 3)
LA Galaxy (MLS 3) vs. CF Pachuca (LIGA MX 2)
Orlando City (MLS 4) vs. Toluca FC (LIGA MX 1)

TV GAME SCHEDULE

Fri Aug 8
2 pm ESPN+ Chelsea vs Bayer Leverkusen
3 pm CBSSN Birmingham City (Tom Brady) vs Ipswich Town
8 pm Golazo, Para+ Houston Dash vs NC Courage NWSL
10 pm Amazon Prime Utah Royals vs KC Current
Sat Aug 9
7:30 am CBSSN Coventry City vs Hull City
7:30 am CBS Golazo, Para+ Southampton vs Wrexham
10 am Para+ Norwich City (Stewart) vs Millwall
12 ESPN NY/NJ Gotham vs Washington Spirit NWSL
12:30 pm CBS Golazo Sheffield United vs Bristol City
7 pm ESPN+ Detroit City vs Indy 11
7:30 PM Ion Orlando Pride vs Racing Louisville
7:30 pm Apple Free Montreal vs Atlanta
10 pm Ion San Diego Wave vs Angel City
8:45 pm FS1 Kansas City vs San Diego MLS
Sun, Aug 10
10 am ESPN+? Crystal Palace (Richards) vs Liverpool Community Shield
2 pm CBS Chicago Red Stars vs Bay FC NWSL
4 pm CBS Portland Thorns vs Seattle Reign
6 pm Apple Free Cincy vs Charlotte
8 pm Apple Free Orlando vs Inter Miami
10 pm FS1, Apple LA Galaxy vs Seattle Sounders MLS
Tues, Aug 12
2 pm Para+ Wrexham vs Hull City
2 pm Para+ Watford vs Norwich City (Sargent)
Wed, Aug 13
2:30 pm Para+ PSG vs Tottenham EUFA Super Cup
2:50 pm Para+ Birmingham City (Tom Brady) vs Sheffield United
7:30 pm Para+ Philly vs NY Red Bulls US Open Cup QF
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)
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 ESPN+ Loundon vs Indy 11
7:30 pm ION NC Courage vs Portland Thorns NWSL
8 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
Mon, Aug, 18
3 pm USA Leeds United vs Everton
?? FS1 Leagues Cup MLS vs Liga MX
10 pm CBSSN Seattle Reign vs Chicago Red Stars NWSL
Tues Aug 19
?? FS1 Leagues Cup MLS vs Liga MX

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

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USA

Tim Weah heads to Marseille on loan
Report: Napoli target USMNT midfielder Yunus Musah for transfer
USMNT 2026 World Cup Big Board 1.0: Early picks for Pochettino’s team
Captain America’s new kicks: Christian Pulisic and Puma launch ‘Never Stop’ cleats

USWNT falls to #2 in FIFA world rankings
Report: USWNT set to take on Portugal in an October friendly hosted in Philadelphia

Like Father like Son – Tim Weah comes to his dad’s ole Stomping Grounds Story above.

EPL & England

Ian Darke’s 2025-26 Premier League preview: Chelsea to contend? Will Man United rebound? ESPN
Premier League Preseason Hype rankings: Which 10 stars are generating the most buzz?
Premier League preseason: Club-by-club fixtures, kick-off times, results
Community Shield will tell us whether Liverpool are the team to beat
O’Hanlon: Why Liverpool are spending big after winning Premier League
Leaving Liverpool: Luis Diaz is a big gamble for Bayern Munich
Can Wrexham’s Hollywood fairytale continue in Championship, or is rude awakening ahead?
📰 Today’s Wrexham news: Championship return, Broadhead back?

Reffing

Love Tori Penso – from St Pete – Great Ref
How was this not a Red Card in Copa Women’s Final?
Red Card on Miami’s Falcone Really?
This was NOT a HandBall
Red Card or Not – Dogso?

GoalKeeping

Best Saves Match Day 27 MLS
Best Saves Match Day 26 MLS
How to Throw like Neuer
Hampton threw away Spain GK’s notes in shootout
Ter Stegen breaks his silence with statement after controversy
Report – €30M Rated Inter Milan Target Rejects PSG Contract Offer As Man City & Bayern Munich Keen
Inter and Italy goalkeepers nominated for Yachine Trophy at 2025 Ballon d’Or
Official – Inter Milan Star Included In Ten-Player Shortlist For FIFA Ballon D’Or Lev Yashin Trophy
OFFICIAL: U.S. goalkeeper Matt Turner returning to New England on loan from Lyon

Carmel FC Goalkeeping Training Should Kick Back off Next Monday at Shelbourne Fields @ 6 pm with former CHS and College Goalkeeper Erin Baker along with me.

MLS

How New MLS Stars De Paul, Muller and Son will impact their Teams
Son Addition huge for LAFC
Orlando City vs. Inter Miami: Keys to Sunday Night Soccer
Leagues Cup Quarter Finals Set

News from abroad

Heading overseas, let’s break down the news.

Weah joins Marseille

Tim Weah has officially joined Marseille after terms were finally agreed with Juventus. The deal is a €1 million dollar loan for the coming season followed by a €14 million obligation to buy and €3 million in bonuses. There is also a sell-on clause.George Weah has accompanied his son to Marseille for the announcement (Weah’s medical is on Wednesday). The elder Weah made the final stop of his European career at Marseille.Overall, it’s a great move for Weah because Marseille is spending money on him that reflects an intent to play him. Hopefully he returns to the wing, where he is better, but he should be ready to help on several levels.

Minimal movement with Reyna

Gio Reyna is still in limbo as Borussia Dortmund are insisting on €11 million and Parma raised their last offer to €8 million but are reluctant to go higher. Reyna is seen as a nice piece for Parma but is not critical.

Chances are the deal still gets completed but time jeopardizes everything. There is always the risk that Parma moves on and finds another player. The fact that no other offers are knocking suggests that Reyna really needs to get this deal done or else he is in the abyss.

Musah struggling with form amid Napoli rumors

Thus far in Milan’s preseason, Yunus Musah’s form has simply not been good. He’s struggled with bad turnovers and his final product continues to lag. A goal in a 9-0 romp over Perth Glory doesn’t change that. Now there are reports that Napoli is back in play for Musah. Napoli was in the hunt for Musah earlier in the summer but later walked away from the high price tag.Why would Napoli get back into the market if Musah isn’t playing well? The likely reason is that Napoli believes they can get him at a lower price. If Musah appears to be falling out of favor at Milan, Milan can’t ask a lot for him and might simply want to take what they can get and move on. If Musah stays and hardly plays, his value will be very low in January.

There is also interest from Nottingham Forest, but Musah might not be seen as a starter at Forest. He might prefer staying in Italy.

Lund loaned to Koln

Kristoffer Lund, 23, has moved to FC Koln on a season-long loan from Palermo that includes an option to buy. The left back will now join the newly promoted Bundesliga club and finally get his taste of being in a top five league.

Lund is coming off a Serie B season with Palermo where his playing time became more sporadic in the second half of the season. This is a good move because it gets him out of a stagnating situation.For the national team, he’s been out of favor under Pochettino who didn’t even include him on the preliminary roster for the Nations League. At this point, getting into the picture for the World Cup seems unlikely.But it’s a good move. The big question is whether Koln will play in a way that allows him to get forward into the attack. Newly promoted teams can struggle.

2.Bundesliga gets underway

In the 2.Bundesliga opening weekend, the biggest game from an American perspective was Paderborn’s 2-1 win over Holstein Kiel. What was peculiar about this game is that John Tolkin played well at left back in the loss while Santiago Castaneda didn’t play well in the win. lot is on the line for both American players as Tolkin is on the bubble of the USMNT and needs to play well to move inside. Despite the loss, he should thrive in the 2.Bundesliga and be among the best left backs in the league.

Castaneda, 20, is hoping to build off a season where he moved from a fringe player on the border of the professional level to a solid 2.Bundesliga player for a good team. The defensive midfielder from Tampa is still mostly unknown but another good season could put him into a place where he starts to gain a lot attention.

Also in the 2.Bundesliga, Greuther Furth defeated Dynamo Dresden 3-2. Max Dietz went the full 90 minutes in the win while Julan Green was subbed out in the 90^th minute. The former USMNT attacker created a number of chances in the win.

Newly promoted Arminia Bielefeld defeated Fortuna Dusseldorf 5-1 after Fortuna was reduced to 10 players in the first half. Arminia’s American captain Mael Corboz assisted on the team’s first goal. New Jersey-born forward Isaiah Young subbed into the game in the 86^th minute for Arminia.

Johann Gomez played the last 31 minutes for Eintracht Braunschweig in a 1-0 away win over Magdeburg.

Belgium: Yow & Reynolds stand out

In Belgium, Westerlo defeated Zulte Waregem 3-1 with both right back Bryan Reynolds and right wing Griffin Yow both impressing after an ugly 5-2 loss to Anderlecht in the season opener.

The two combined nicely on the opening goal in the first minute when Reynolds won the initial ball and Yow showed fantastic skill in a direct play forward before scoring. Yow was just 3/10 in passing in his 60 minutes but had three shots and a goal.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/1lgTXOCaJMo?si=BTZTeg545UMUILt2

Both players are potentially on the move but time is getting short. Westerlo would love to cash in as both players have reached their top value at a small club such as Westerlo.

Eintracht wraps up USA tour

Eintracht Frankfurt wrapped up its preseason tour and the club featured four American players.

Marvin Dills scored in the team’s 5-2 win over Louisville and impressed. But as a 2007-born player, he is still in the youth system but don’t rule out a loan or maybe even a Bundesliga debut later in the year.

Timmy Chandler is wrapping up his career and is on a one-year deal. He almost seems like an player/coach at this point.

Nene Brown dumped cold water on any potential USA call-up in the near future. He is focused on life with Germany’s U-21 team and their full national team after that.

Paxten Aaronson is coming off a great loan from FC Utrecht – who would love to have him back for another year. At one point Dino Toppmöller seemed to indicate Aaronson was in his plans, but the preseason rotation doesn’t make that clear.

Other game notes

James Sands went 90 minutes for St. Pauli in a 2-2 draw with Coventry. He’s a player who has a better chance of making the USMNT World Cup team that many are overlooking. Sands spoke about this after the game.

“The World Cup is a big dream of mine, especially because it’s taking place in the US,” Sands told St. Pauli’s website. “It would be great to be a part of it, but there’s a long way to go. I’m focusing on making a good start to the season. I want to grow as a player, it’s the reason I moved to the Bundesliga. The standard is higher here and I’ll have a better chance of being called up to the national team if I get a lot of playing time. There are lots of good players in the States, but I think I have a good chance.”

Johnny Cardoso made his first appearance for Atletico on Sunday when he played the second half of a 1-0 loss to Porto (with the goal coming at the end of the first half).

The reviews from the local media were very positive for Cardoso who played the pivot very well as he won possession and got the ball into the attack. All of this bodes very well for Cardoso having a starting role at the beginning of the La Liga season.

Tanner Tessmann played 81 minutes for Lyon in a 2-1 preseason loss to Bayern. Now wearing the No. 6 for the club, it was a good shift for Tessmann who looks like a starter heading into the Ligue 1 season.

Rokas Pukstas played the final 11 minutes for Hajduk Split in its 2-1 win over Istra 1961 in the HNL opener. The club as a new coach, but Pukstas is still not playing much and it is a concern for the once highly rated USYNT player.

Cameron Carter-Vickers wore the captain’s armband for Celtic in its Premiership opening 1-0 win over St. Mirren. Nothing too much to take away other than Celtic controlled the game. Auston Trusty, meanwhile, only was subbed into the game in the second half and came in as a left back.

Matthew Hoppe scored for SonderjyskE in a 3-2 win over Nordsjaelland – coming off the bench in the 60^th minute and breaking a 1-1 draw in the 69^th minute. Ever since his breakout for Schalke as a teenager, his career has been adrift – with unsuccessful stops in Spain, the USA, Middlesbrough – before trying to reboot himself in Denmark with a small Superliga team in SonderjyskE.

For Wrexham to reach Premier League, they must survive tough Championship first

Ryan O’HanlonAug 8, 2025, 04:30 AM ET ESPN

After Wrexham won their third successive promotion — the first-ever team in the history of organized English soccer to do so — their billionaire, superhero co-owner had a message for the haters.

“I remember the first time I did a press conference there,” Ryan Reynolds said, “and one of the media people asked me, ‘How far do you think this dream goes?’ And I said, ‘Well, we’re going to take this team to the Premier League,’ and they laughed and even the players laughed. But they’re not laughing now. We’re in the Championship.”

Ever since the “Deadpool” star paired with Rob Mac — formerly Rob McElhenney of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” — to buy the club in 2021 and turned the experience into a docuseries, they’ve been talking about the Premier League.

“We say this all the time, but we want to be in the Premier League, as crazy as that sounds to some people,” Reynolds told ESPN in 2023. “If it is theoretically possible to go from the fifth tier in professional football to the Premier League, why wouldn’t we do that? Why wouldn’t we use our last drop of blood to get there? We’re in it for the ride. This is a multi-decade project.”

They’re not the only ones talking about it, either. Earlier this year, NPR’s “Morning Edition” ran a segment that not only suggested Wrexham will one day make the Premier League, but that they’ll eventually host Real Madrid for a Champions League match.

Now, I’m guilty, too. Back when they earned promotion from the National League to League Two, I wrote a piece with the following headline: “Could Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham honestly ever reach Premier League?” And, well, they are one season away from promotion to the Premier League, as they will make their Championship debut on Saturday against Southampton. But they’re also one season away from relegation to League One.

While they’ve mostly been able to overpower their lower-league opponents with brute-force spending, the club now face an altogether different kind of challenge in England’s second tier. For the first time since Reynolds and Mac took over, Wrexham are going to be serious underdogs on and off the field.

What happens when you’re promoted to the Championship?

Over the past 12 seasons, 36 clubs have been promoted from League One up to the Championship. Here’s what happened to each one after a season:

• Stayed up: 25 (69%)
• Relegated: 10 (28%)
• Promoted: 1 (3%)

If we go off the base rates, then it’s nine times more likely that a promoted club to the Championship gets relegated back down to League One than it gets promoted to the Premier League. Except, if you squint hard enough, you can see some similarities between Wrexham and the only team that made the leap in one season.

Under first-time manager Kieran McKenna, Ipswich Town were promoted from League One in 2022-23 after finishing second with 98 points and a plus-66 goal differential. The following season, they were then promoted from the Championship after finishing second with 96 points and a plus-35 goal differential.

Wrexham, of course, were promoted from League One in 2023-24 after finishing second with 88 points and a plus-37 goal differential. And then this past season, they won promotion again with 92 points and a plus-33 goal differential.

Except, Wrexham don’t want to pull an Ipswich. They said as much to ESPN’s Joey Lynch during their tour of Australia this past month.

“I have no doubt we can arrive at Premier League at some point,” Wrexham CEO Michael Williamson said, “but what I want to make sure is that we’re future-proofing so that when we arrive there, we’re able to stay there and that we don’t just come falling crashing back down like you’ve seen other clubs do.”

In the Premier League this past season, Ipswich won four games, ended the season with a minus-46 goal differential and finished 19th.

Why is the Championship so different?

Since the league itself is relatively popular and one good-to-great season puts you in the Premier League, Championship clubs both have way more money to spend than League One clubs and they spend a higher proportion of their money than any other league in the world.

For the 2023-24 season, per data from Kieron O’Connor’s Swiss Ramble, Premier League clubs made £317.5 million on average, while Championship clubs took in £39.9 million and League One teams reported revenues of £9.4 million. For the same season, Premier League clubs spent £289.5 million on transfer fees and wages, Championship clubs clocked in at £48 million and League One clubs spent £9.8 million.

What that means is that Premier League teams spent 95% of what they made and League One teams were essentially putting all their revenue (101%) back into wages. With a handful of Premier League teams not really at risk of relegation but also not in contention for a title, it makes some financial sense that not everyone is maxing out their competitive spending. In League One, everyone is trying to avoid relegation and eventually get promoted, so a little more money gets poured back into player costs.

Well, in the Championship, spending on wages and transfer fees made up a whopping 121% of revenue. With an average revenue increase of nearly £280 million between the top-flight and second-tier teams, clubs are not trying to make year-on-year profits in the Championship. They’re doing whatever it takes to get promoted, season after season. And the promotion structure — with two clubs automatically going up and the next four in the table fighting it out in a playoff — makes it so more than half of the clubs in the league can convince themselves that they’re just a season away from the Premier League.

On top of all that, the finances in the Championship are way more unequal than they are in League One. Since teams relegated from the Premier League get a succession of parachute payments in the years following their demotion, the teams at the top of the Championship can carry way more expensive rosters than the just-promoted clubs down at the bottom.

In 2023-24, the highest revenue recorded by a Championship club was £127.6 million and the lowest was £16.6 million. In League One, the difference was between £21.3 million and £5.8 million. It’s a similar story with wage spending. In the Championship, the high was £107 million and the low was £12.9 million. In League One, the difference was between £22 million and £4 million.

In the Championship, then, the biggest payroll is more than eight times more expensive than the smallest wage bill. In League One, it’s an increase of about five and a half.

So, what does it mean for Wrexham and the Premier League?

It will be a while until we have access to Wrexham’s true finances for this upcoming season, but multiple studies have found that the crowd-sourced transfer valuations at Transfermarkt serve as a very accurate proxy for a team’s wage bill. And that, in turn, is a rough proxy for a team’s talent level.

So far this summer, Wrexham have signed eight players for fees totaling to an estimated €12.8 million. Among them: former England international Conor Coady, former Premier League striker Kieffer Moore, former Liverpool goalkeeper Danny Ward and former Premier League midfielder Lewis O’Brien.

Since June 1 — when the transfer window briefly opened for two weeks — the transfer value for Wrexham’s squad has increased by 110.3%, the second-highest mark in the league.

The result of more than doubling the value of their squad in just two months? Wrexham currently have the 21st-most valuable roster in a league with 24 teams.

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Their team is worth €28.7 million. The Championship average club has a roster valued at €70.8 million. The most valuable roster, Leicester City, is worth €208.1 million, while the other two clubs just relegated from the Premier League, Southampton and Ipswich Town, have rosters valued at more than €180 million.

The reality is that Wrexham’s roster isn’t close to seriously competing for promotion. Of course, this is soccer, and weird stuff happens every season. It’s a lot easier to bounce up to sixth than first, and once you’re in the promotion playoff, anything can happen. But we just haven’t seen this club outsmart its opponents and be efficient with its spending yet. Wrexham have been one of the richest teams with one of the most expensive rosters in every other league in which they’ve competed.

In fact, the only team we’ve seen them be at a significant financial disadvantage to was Birmingham City in League One this past season. Wrexham finished 19 points and 20 goals behind Birmingham this past season. They were closer to not getting promoted than they were to catching Birmingham and based on Transfermarkt’s estimates, summer spending by Birmingham has increased their roster value by €40 million. Even with that, five other Championship teams still have more valuable squads than Birmingham and two others have similarly valuable rosters.

There’s also just not a ton of room for internal improvement at Wrexham, either. Very few players are likely to get better. The average age of their current roster is 27.7 — almost at the tail end of a soccer player’s peak years from 24 to 28. They currently represent the second-oldest team in the Championship, after Derby County who finished this past season in 19th.

So, what might it all mean for this season?

Based on projections from the consultancy Twenty First Group, its simulations expect Wrexham to score 44.9 goals — 22nd-most in the league, 9.6 fewer than league-average — and concede 53.9 goals, good for 11th-fewest in the league and 0.6 fewer than league-average. That’s what Wrexham’s makeup was this past season, too: only Birmingham conceded fewer goals in League One, but seven sides scored more.

And for now, it probably is the right balance. This is an old team that’s still way-too-reliant on a British and Irish player pool. To maximize its chances in the future and find a way to score more goals, the team are going to have to eventually extend their scouting search beyond a couple islands in the Atlantic Ocean.

As currently constituted, though, Wrexham are way more likely to have a successful season by leaning on the defense, rather than risking being too aggressive and ending up with the deadly combination of a bad attack and a bad defense. The latter could raise their ceiling, but the former will raise their floor.

Eliminating as much downside as possible is what they need to do. According to Twenty First Group, Wrexham have a 3.6% chance of being promoted — and a 19% chance of being relegated.

After three successive promotions since Reynolds and Mac took over, success won’t be continued upward movement. No, a successful season for Wrexham is anything that doesn’t send them back down.

MLS vs LIGA MX – Leagues Cup rolls on

Some people love this tournament, others hate it. I like it. Ultimately, it is good that MLS creates an opportunity for its teams to play opponents from outside its own borders. It doesn’t mean there aren’t drawbacks. Going to the well of the USA vs. Mexico rivalry (apologies to Canadian teams) has its limits – and this pushes it.

Also, the new format is a letdown. It was started because Liga MX teams bombed out of the 2024 edition leaving an all-MLS semifinal and final. The 2023 edition was an all-MLS final. The new format ensures four MLS teams and four Liga MX teams are in the quarterfinals.

That is waste. The best teams from the group stages should qualify, regardless of league. I agree that MLS should be capped at 18 teams to match it with Liga MX’s 18 total teams. But the handicapping of standings to ensure as much Liga MX vs. MLS hurts the overall competitiveness.

Anyway, here are some thoughts about 2025 Leagues Cup

Seattle is the class, so far

The Seattle Sounders have been the best team in the tournament through two games. The almost completely unbelievable 7-0 win over Cruz Azul followed by a 2-1 win over Santos Laguna.By now, you’ve seen the Pedro de la Vega goal against Cruz Azul – but I can’t take the chance you haven’t. It’s one of the greatest ever MLS-related goals ever. Fans want a Puskás Award nomination and they might get their wish.But apart from the brilliant strike, what has been most striking about Seattle has been its variety of scoring. They’ve scored nine goals and only one player, de la Vega, has scored twice. The entire team is playing well and the Sounders have a lot of ways that can beat you. This is the team we were predicting them to be in preseason and they’re now hitting that form – despite no Jordan Morris or Paul Arriola.

The question is whether this will translate over to the regular season.

Messi injured as Miami near advancement

Inter Miami has one regulation – a 2-1 win over Atlas – win and one shootout win – after a 2-2 draw with Necaxa- for a total of five points out of a possible six. That’s pretty good even if their defense has been shaky.

But in the Necaxa draw, Lionel Messi was hurt with what is now listed as a “minor muscle injury in his right leg. His medical clearance will depend on his clinical progress and response to treatment.”

The good news for Inter Miami is that the early returns for Rodrigo De Paul are strong.

Still, Miami have a great chance to advance if they can defeat Pumas in regulation by multiple goals.

Standings: Crew & Toluca: In, Big Liga MX: Out

Tuesday saw a few teams play their third game and right now, Columbus ( 7 points) Seattle (6 points), Portland (6 points), and LAFC (6 points) would advance. But the following teams have one game remaining: Miami (5 points), Minnesota (4 points), LA Galaxy (4 points), New York Red Bulls (4 points), Orlando (4 points), Cincinnati (4 points). Theoretically, Real Salt Lake and Colorado are alive at 3 points, but it is unlikely.

Overall, MLS execs are probably going to like their final four – especially if Miami advances.

The Liga MX standings are seeing a wipeout of top teams. Club America, Monterrey, Cruz Azul, and Chivas are already eliminated. Toluca is through and likely Pachuca as well. Tigres is done playing at 6 points. That makes them vulnerable to Juarez, Pumas, and Necaxa.

Arfsten raising game for Crew

Max Arfsten has been playing very well lately for the Crew and on Tuesday night he scored his second goal of the Leagues Cup tournament in a 1-0 win over Leon. Columbus became the first MLS team to secure a quarterfinal spot.

Arfsten has been the subject of transfer rumors and Middlesbrough and Toulouse have both submitted bids. But Columbus does not want to sell Arfsten midseason. But will teams still be interesting in January?

Moving forward it will be important to observe if Arfsten plays more as a winger or as a left back. He is much more effective as a left winger and it also allows him to not be in as many critical defensive positions.

American youth doing well

We’ve seen a lot young American players in MLS take advantage of opportunities at Leagues Cup – which has been promising to see.

Taha Habroune had two assists for Columbus in the 3-1 win over Puebla. Always considered a top prospect, Habroune is finally getting on the field lately and he is making the most of his opportunities over the past six weeks. He is surging into the U-20 World Cup (if Columbus releases him).

Gerardo Valenzuela continues to be an important player for a Cincinnati team that is among the best in the league. The 20 year old from Florida picked up an assist in the 3-2 win over Monterrey and then started in the 2-2 draw with Juarez (which ended in a shootout loss). He’s never been highly rated nor a U.S. youth international, but he’s increasing his stock with good play.

Benja Cremaschi: it was good to see the U.S. U-20 midfielder wear the captain’s armband in the second half of the 2-2 draw (later a shootout win) over Necaxa. On a team full of veteran stars, he is a respected as a youngster. He’s likely the U.S. U-20 captain.

David Vazquez: While San Diego is eliminated, David Vazquez impressed in his first two games for the club. Specifically in the 2-0 win over Mazatlan on Tuesday where he picked up an assist.

Pedro Soma: Also made his debut for San Diego in the win over Mazatlan and he played the final 28 minutes, completing 37/37 passes.

Alex Freeman: the new USMNT right back might be young and adjusting to his first season as a first-team starter, but his athleticism is impressive an makes people believe in his upside. This was a great run out of the back and into the attack for an assist in a 3-1 win over Atlas.

Muller joins Vancouver

Thomas Müller needs no introduction. A World Cup winner with Germany, Müller has 150 Bundesliga goals in 503 appearances all with Bayern Munich. He’s scored 45 goals for Germany in 130 caps. Müller, 35, has now decided to leave Germany and Europe all together and join Vancouver – after all the nonsense such as having to buy his “discovery rights” from Cincinnati for $400,000 in GAM.

Vancouver has been a good team and will now look a lot different with Müller as well as the looming return of Ryan Gauld. Head coach Jesper Sørensen as a lot of pieces, and it won’t be easy to get them to work tougher.But the potential upside is that Vancouver can win MLS Cup with its talent. The downside is that they could just as easily fall on their face.

LAFC signs Son Heung-min

As has been rumored for a long time, Son Heung-min finally signed with LAFC from Tottenham, where he spent the last 10 years.t is a massive move that makes Son one of the most expensive players in the history of MLS.”I’m incredibly proud to be joining LAFC, a club with big ambitions in one of the most iconic sports cities in the world,” Son said. “Los Angeles has such a rich history of champions, and I am here to help write the next chapter.”I’m excited for this new challenge in MLS. I have come to L.A. to lift trophies and give everything for this club, this city, and its fans. I cannot wait to get started.”At first glance, the move seems well worth the investment. On jersey sales and endorsements alone, LAFC will come out a financial winner.On the field, LAFC should only be expected to continue to dominate even after Steve Cherundolo’s final year as the head coach. LAFC is ambitious and this shows that.Meanwhile, LAFC defeated Tigres 2-1 behind a great game from David Martinez. After a win over Club America in the Club World Cup play-in game, LAFC has posted some big wins over Liga MX. But unfortunately, LAFC needs many Liga MX teams to win tonight in order to advance.

But the introduction of Son is the top story of the day, by far.

Championship season preview: Can Wrexham reach the Premier League? Will relegated clubs bounce back?

By The Athletic UK Staff Aug. 8, 2025 12:12 am EDT

Another Championship season begins this weekend and there are plenty of storylines to keep an eye on. Will Wrexham make it four promotions in a row to give their Hollywood-celebrity owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney their Premier League dream? Can relegated trio Leicester City, Ipswich Town, and Southampton bounce back up to the top flight at the first time of asking? Are Sheffield Wednesday already doomed to League One after a summer of chaos off the pitch? And how many managers will Watford get through between now and May?Here, our EFL experts answer all the key questions before the campaign kicks off with Tom Brady’s promoted Birmingham City hosting Ipswich tonight (Friday).

Who will win the Championship title?

Gregg Evans: Ipswich. They look too strong, even with the departure of Liam Delap to Chelsea, and will dominate, most likely from start to finish. Manager Kieran McKenna knows exactly what he’s doing, too.

Richard Sutcliffe: Ipswich have the attacking armoury to bounce straight back up as champions.

Philip Buckingham: I can’t see past Ipswich either. Their ploy of signing the Championship’s best players 12 months ago backfired in the Premier League, but it means they’ve got a squad as strong as any in the second division now. They’ll take some stopping.

Chris Weatherspoon: Ipswich. Last season was pretty much a free hit for them and they’ll bounce back immediately.

Andrew Pigott: Southampton. They have a nice spine to their team, but also the best firepower in the division in Adam Armstrong, Ross Stewart, Ben Brereton Diaz, Cameron Archer and Damion Downs, even if they end up selling Tyler Dibling.

Who will go up automatically in second, and via the play-offs?

Evans: Leicester were dreadful in the Premier League last season but have a squad packed with quality in terms of the second tier. As long as they don’t lose too many more — players or points — they’ll be tough to beat and should go up in second. And I’ve got Wrexham as play-off final winners — they’ve recruited well and will carry momentum from previous seasons into this one. They won’t be strong enough to challenge for automatic promotion, but will be fired up to make a real impact.

Sutcliffe: Birmingham City feel like a good bet to snaffle second place in a division that looks pretty open. As mentioned, Leicester have a possible points deduction hanging over their heads, meaning the play-offs are their most likely route back to the Premier League.

A Birmingham City mural at St Andrew’s featuring minority owner Tom Brady (Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)

Weatherspoon: Sheffield United became only the third second-division team ever to amass 90 points — even after a two-point deduction — and not go up automatically last season. Ruben Selles is a better manager than he showed at his last two clubs and will guide them to second. I fancy Coventry City as play-offs winners — they have a nice start, fixtures-wise, and pushed on impressively under Frank Lampard in the second half of last season after Mark Robins’ departure.

Buckingham: I’ll go with Southampton in second under new coach Will Still. Coventry get the nod to finally go up through the play-offs if they’re able to replicate the form shown after Lampard came in last November.

Pigott: Ipswich will go up in second — they’ve kept together a good core of the team that won promotion two years ago. I see Birmingham as play-off winners. With momentum on their side, plenty of goals and some big signings, it’s hard not to see them passing straight through the Championship.

Who will be relegated?

Pigott: Things look very bleak for Sheffield Wednesday before a ball has even been kicked. Hull City were fortunate not to go down last year, and despite impressing in their first year up after promotion, Oxford United will find it harder this time around.

Evans: Norwich City, Wednesday, Oxford. It’s a very poor second-tier this season and I reckon as many as 10 teams will be nervously looking over their shoulder at various stages. West Bromwich Albion also look like a club heading for trouble.

Sutcliffe: Wednesday, Charlton Athletic, Hull. The latter’s scattergun approach to player and manager recruitment is likely to come home to roost. Newly promoted Charlton have cherry-picked a lot of last season’s League One talent, but the danger with such an approach is ending up with a team that really belongs in the division below.What You Should Read NextHow Sheffield Wednesday descended into chaos under Dejphon Chansiri’s ownershipUnpaid wages, a highly regarded manager on way out and very real fears for the future. A once proud club is on the brink

Buckingham: It’s sad to say, but it already looks as if Wednesday are doomed after a summer that means they’re turning up for a gunfight armed with a water pistol. I’ve also got concerns for Hull, who narrowly avoided the drop last season, but I’ll go with Oxford and Charlton to complete the three. They have decent managers in Gary Rowett and Nathan Jones, but both have shortcomings.

Weatherspoon: Wednesday’s awful off-field summer speaks volumes. Hull nearly dropped down last season and have little to crow about either. After those two, it’s one from as many as 10. Oxford signing young striker Will Lankshear on loan from Tottenham Hotspur could prove crucial in keeping them up. If they survive again, the end of Preston North End’s dreary 11-year stay in this division looms.

How will Wrexham do?

Sutcliffe: Mid-table. A big rebuild was needed to make last season’s squad Championship-ready, and this is well on track. But it’ll be another couple of windows before they are ready to make a concerted push for Premier League promotion starting this time next year. For now, beating the club’s previous highest-ever league finish, 15th in the old Second Division in 1978-79, is an achievable target.What You Should Read NextWrexham are now a Championship club. Can they be a Premier League one next year?The question is whether their unprecedented summer splurge has sufficiently equipped Wrexham for a division they were last in 43 years ago

Evans: They’ll make a decent impression and kick on. Conor Coady and Kieffer Moore are good signings and I’ve no doubt their spending won’t stop here. Looking forward to another series of Welcome to Wrexham.

Weatherspoon: Outside the play-offs, but inside the top half. It’s easy (some might say mandatory) to dismiss them as a fairytale never too far from crashing into reality, but beneath the Hollywood glitz, there’s a football club in better health than many they’ll face this season. They have momentum after three promotions in a row, but the big question is whether investing in older heads might finally start to falter — and if Phil Parkinson, who has managed over 1,000 games in his career but only 141 as high as this division, has hit his ceiling.

Could Parkinson hit his ceiling in the Championship? (Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Buckingham: Reality will bite this season. I struggle to see them getting near the top six, given the clubs they’re competing against. This is a very different test from the ones Wrexham have repeatedly aced in the past three years. The top half would be a huge achievement.

How will the relegated clubs do?

Weatherspoon: Parachute payments play a huge part here, but there are some quirks to consider. Southampton have an impressive squad on paper but are carrying the mental scars from that 12-point, two-win Premier League season, while Still is going to have a lot of eyes on him. They’ll be up there, through having a high floor. A long-awaited points deduction for Leicester will likely be hefty, albeit not enough to keep them completely away from the promotion discussion. As I said above, Ipswich will win the title.

Sutcliffe: All three will challenge, albeit Leicester’s possible points deduction hangs over the club like a dark cloud. Ipswich’s attack looks strong, and it will be fascinating to see how Still adapts to managerial life in England after making his name in France’s top flight.

Pigott: This is an incredibly unforgiving league and I have a feeling Leicester will find it the hardest of the three. Play-off push for them.

Evans: They will all finish in the top 10.

How will the promoted clubs do?

Evans: There’s a lot of noise around Birmingham and their push for back-to-back promotions under NFL legend Tom Brady and co is on. Perhaps they’ll make the play-offs and it will be intriguing to see who finishes higher between themselves and Wrexham. It feels like Charlton will struggle. The Valley, in south-east London, is a decent away day, though.What You Should Read NextWhat Tom Brady has taught Birmingham City… and what he thought of Wayne RooneyNew Amazon documentary ‘Built in Birmingham: Brady & the Blues’ charts the impact the legendary NFL quarterback has had on the English club

Pigott: I’ve been impressed with Charlton’s business. A mixture of solid Championship experience — Amari’i Bell, Reece Burke, goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski, Joe Rankin-Costello — plus players who have shown signs they could handle the step up to the second tier — Charlie Kelman, Rob Apter, Harvey Knibbs and Tanto Olaofe. They’ll have enough to remain in the division.

Weatherspoon: Birmingham, buoyed by their money and momentum, should occupy a play-off spot Wrexham will come to covet. Charlton risk being a ‘Best of League One’ side in the wrong division, but the inadequacies of others will see them just about secure safety.

Which manager will attract Premier League interest?

Pigott: John Mousinho continues to do an excellent job at Portsmouth on a tight budget. Premier League clubs will surely be keeping an eye on his progress.

Evans: At this stage, none of them. If Chris Davies keeps Birmingham on an upward trajectory and flying high, his reputation will continue to grow, but which club could convince him to move on when the project is so exciting at St Andrew’s?

Weatherspoon: I agree with Gregg — possibly none of them. Ipswich’s McKenna remains an obvious candidate, while, at a push, Liam Manning has City Football Group experience and an opportunity to impress at Norwich.

Sutcliffe: It’s difficult to say in a division where 19 of the 24 managers have been appointed in the past 12 months. McKenna has his admirers, but last season was a struggle among the elite.

Player of the season

Evans: Birmingham’s Tommy Doyle. An all-action 23-year-old midfielder with Premier League experience for Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers, he should stand out at this level and could become his team’s heartbeat.

Sutcliffe: Louie Barry, 22, could be an inspired loan signing by Sheffield United. The Aston Villa winger was far too good for both Leagues One and Two as a loanee at Stockport County for a season and a half from summer 2023, but injury ruined his short spell at this level with Hull for the second half of last season.

Barry celebrates scoring for Stockport in League One last season (MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Buckingham: Jack Clarke. He is coming off a trying first season with Ipswich in the Premier League, but, boy, was he a star at this level with Sunderland. There were not many better than him in 2023-24, and the 24-year-old is still a winger who can make a fool of most full-backs.

Weatherspoon: Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney, 23, has turned down a move to Ipswich, though wealthier suitors lurk. If Hackney goes, or even if he doesn’t, 21-year-old midfielder Shea Charles will be a huge part of Southampton’s promotion bid after spending last season on loan in this division at Wednesday.

Pigott: Ronnie Edwards at Southampton. Perhaps signed a year ago with this season back in the Championship in mind, the 22-year-old is an excellent defensive prospect with lots of league experience under his belt already after four seasons with Peterborough United.

Leading goalscorer

Pigott: Mihailo Ivanovic’s record in his debut year at Millwall last season (12 goals in 37 league games, 22 of them starts) was impressive. Left-footed efforts, right-footed ones, penalties, headers in the air and headers on the floor. Still only 20, the Serbian looks a real prospect.

Sutcliffe: Southampton’s Archer, 23, should be in the goals, but 22-year-old Jay Stansfield may well be the player who fires Birmingham back to the Premier League after 15 seasons in the second and, briefly, third divisions.

Buckingham: Sammie Szmodics could do no wrong when last in the Championship with Blackburn Rovers (27 league goals in 2023-24), and the 29-year-old ought to get plenty of opportunities in a potent Ipswich attack.

Evans: Ellis Simms at Coventry. If he stays fit, this could be the season the 24-year-old former Everton striker really kicks on.

Weatherspoon: Most teams in the Championship share their goals around — no player scored 20 in the league last season, despite it being a 46-game regular season. United States international Haji Wright, 27, heads a strong-looking Coventry attack and has got to double figures in each of his two years at the club, even while missing three months in the middle of last season with an ankle injury.

Wright of Coventry could be a contender for top scorer (Bradley Collyer/PA Images via Getty Images)

Breakout star

Evans: Jeremy Monga at Leicester. The 16-year-old made his senior debut last season and has all the attributes to develop into a regular.

Pigott: I’m very interested to see how Watford’s 19-year-old winger Nestory Irankunda does. He’s obviously raw at that age, but quick and powerful. The Tanzania-born Australia international could benefit nicely from the creative talent around him at Vicarage Road.

Sutcliffe: Charles enjoyed an exemplary 2024-25 season on loan at Wednesday and the 21-year-old Northern Ireland midfielder will now be looking to make a big impact back at Southampton.

Buckingham: Provided his recovery from November’s season-ending anterior cruciate ligament knee injury goes to plan, this ought to be the year we see Ollie Arblaster really make a name for himself in senior football with Sheffield United — at 21, he’s a midfielder with huge potential.

Weatherspoon: Barry has been talked about as a prospect for so long, he feels older than 22 (here’s The Athletic labelling him Aston Villa’s breakthrough star at the beginning of the 2020-21 season!). He scored goals aplenty in League One in the first half of last season as Stockport chased promotion and at Sheffield United this time, he’ll similarly enjoy playing in a team battling at the top end of a table.

Game you can’t miss

Evans: Birmingham vs Ipswich tonight! Expect an electric atmosphere at St Andrew’s as the newly promoted home side test themselves against the best team in the division.

Pigott: Southampton vs Portsmouth; Sunday, September 14. It’s nearly six years since these bitter south-coast rivals and near-neighbours last met. That’ll be a quiet night at the library.

Buckingham: The Sheffield derbies might be too one-sided to really pique the interest, so I’ll go Swansea City vs Wrexham — an all-Wales affair — on Friday, December 19. The first time the clubs have met since March 2003.

Weatherspoon: The East Anglian derby is usually fun. If Manning can get Norwich ticking, Ipswich’s mid-April trip to Carrow Road will have a lovely mix of local acrimony and promotion jeopardy.

(Top photos: Wrexham owners Rob McElhenney, left, and Ryan Reynolds show off their latest promotion trophy; and Leicester City’s Jeremy Monga; by Getty Images)

Why are U.S. forwards spying opportunity in the Championship?

By Greg O’Keeffe Aug. 8, 2025Updated 7:48 am EDT

At least for USMNT scouting purposes it is a tidy remit: one division, five contenders to fill out the striker spots on the World Cup roster.Expect to see Mauricio Pochettino’s staff glued to videos of games from the English Football League (EFL) Championship in the forthcoming season.The summer transfer window has seen two U.S. international attackers sign for clubs in England’s second tier, joining the three American forwards already there. Damion Downs’ move from Koln in Germany to Southampton, plus Gold Cup star Patrick Agyemang’s switch to Derby County, means they join more experienced USMNT forwards Josh Sargent, Haji Wright and Daryl Dike — whose stint at West Bromwich Albion has been so wrecked by injuries — in the same division.But what is it about the Championship that has attracted the quintet — all of whom, to varying degrees, will still aspire to make Pochettino’s 2026 World Cup squad? And what qualities do they bring that appeal to clubs vying for promotion to the Premier League?What You Should Read NextChampionship season preview: Can Wrexham reach the Premier League? Will relegated clubs bounce back?Our EFL experts make their predictions as English football’s second tier kicks off a new campaign this weekend

The Championship might be second tier, but it is not second rate when it comes to Europe’s most competitive leagues.

Opta’s Power Rankings, published in June and assessing football’s global hierarchy, has the Championship listed sixth in the Top 30 leagues based on their “advanced performance metrics” used to “identify which leagues are home to the highest concentration of elite clubs”.

That is higher than the Dutch, Belgian and Portuguese top flights.

That said, last year The Athletic reported how a data-driven model by Twenty First Group, a sports intelligence firm that advises clubs, leagues and investors, had the Championship ranked 12th.Its World Super League model uses a machine-learning algorithm to generate a single rating for every team in world football. League strength can then be calculated from the average rating of each team.Either way, with its gruelling 46-game season (the Championship has 24 clubs compared with 20 in the Premier League, La Liga and Ligue 1, and 18 in the Bundesliga), it represents a formidable challenge. Add to that two domestic cup competitions and Championship players are pushed to their physical limits.

Danny Higginbotham played for a string of English clubs as a defender and featured in the Premier League with Manchester United, Derby County, Stoke City and Southampton. He also made 100 Championship appearances during a 17-year professional career, but now lives in the U.S. where he worked for Philadelphia Union before becoming a match analyst for Major League Soccer broadcasts.

He sees similarities between MLS and the Championship that may make young players from the former attractive to English clubs.“The speed and physicality of MLS is, to a certain extent, increasingly quite similar to the Championship,” says Higginbotham. “It’s probably fair to say the quality is a bit higher in the Championship but there are key qualities they share now.“Recruitment teams in the Championship are seeing that these guys have all the attributes. They’re asking: are they good enough or with their age, can we make them better?“They see that the players are physically and mentally robust. They’re used to the long travel time in MLS, the flights and time differences. Then there’s the extreme weather these days. Plus they play a lot of games too. Factor all this in and they’re probably not going to be as fazed by a 46-game season.

“I feel they’re well placed to acclimatise quickly to the Championship.”

Downs made the switch from German football to the Championship this summer (Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images)

For Downs, who broke into the USMNT picture earlier in the summer and has made five appearances under Pochettino, the number of games he faces at St Mary’s under new manager Will Still is a positive.

“For me to be an option for that (the USMNT World Cup squad) as a striker you need to score goals,” he told Jimmy Conrad and Tony Meola in an interview with CBS Sports Golazo America. “Obviously, you don’t play more games anywhere than in England and that’s a big chance for me.”

MLS clubs are increasingly focused on creating their own homegrown stars, spending time and money on producing elite coaches capable of finding players capable of elevating the league’s standing.What You Should Read NextInside the French coaching course that could propel U.S. soccer into a new stratosphereThe Athletic went to Clairefontaine, French football’s famed training centre, to see the latest set of MLS coaches take ‘the French Course’

“There are some good quality players coming out of MLS academies now,” adds Higginbotham. “You only have to look at the Philadelphia Union and Cavan Sullivan.“If they’re good they are also likely to get opportunities when they’re young in MLS so they have experience of first-team football.“I think as well that the younger players (in MLS) have benefited from the big names going there. Guys like Lionel Messi, Emil Forsberg, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and now Son Heung-min and Rodrigo De Paul. That highly professional elite mentality of these guys, how they prepare and conduct themselves, is rubbing off on the younger American players.”All of which makes those developed in MLS attractive to suitors from Europe. Championship clubs can also find value for money with fees for players from MLS.In July, Derby spent an initial £5.8million ($8m) on Agyemang after the 24-year-old, a native of East Hartford, Connecticut, scored 18 goals and provided six assists in 63 career games with Charlotte. That tally included eight, with two assists, this year before the move to Pride Park. Agyemang has also become one of the bright points for the national team, making all 12 of his appearances in 2025, including playing every game of the Gold Cup.By contrast this summer, Norwich City forked out £6.9m ($9.2m) on Denmark international forward Mathias Kvistgaarden, 23, who scored 23 goals in 38 appearances in all competitions for Brondby in 2024-25.

Then Birmingham City signed 30-year-old former Celtic forward Kyogo Furuhashi for a reported £10m ($13.4m) after he scored 10 goals in the Scottish Premiership for Celtic before a short-lived move to Stade Rennes in France earlier this year.

Agyemang moved to Derby this summer (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

Agyemang has yet to make his Derby debut after undergoing hernia surgery that is likely to see him miss the season’s start, but he is backed to make an impact.“At almost $8m — and that could rise — that’s actually a lot of money for an MLS team,” Higginbotham says of the Agyemang fee. “But he has got something. He is raw but he is a player who is quick, strong and knows how to finish.“Now the question is: can he improve? If he can do that, then Derby could get significantly more than what they paid for him down the line.“You’ve got to imagine that Dean Smith (former Aston Villa manager and now Charlotte FC boss) has assessed that he’s good enough to make that step.”Similar logic may have been behind Downs’ move to the south coast, although the German-U.S. dual national was plying his trade at FC Koln in the second-tier 2 Bundesliga last season, where he delivered 10 goals and three assists.“I see it (moving to the Championship) work with a lot of other players, and Southampton has a great resume of players who have taken the next step with their careers here,” said Downs.“I think I have a great switch of coming short and getting the ball to my feet but also running in behind — giving the defence different things to worry about. And I’m pretty versatile as well. I’m a young player with a lot of stuff I can develop on… with all kinds of things to work on to take my game to the next level.”In an interview with BBC Radio Solent he added: “I think English football is the most attractive you can play so it was a no-brainer for me.“Their (Southampton’s) ambition is to get to the Premier League and stay in the Premier League and that’s something I want to do as well.”

Sargent in action for Norwich against Northampton Town in pre-season (Pete Norton/Getty Images)

The two relative ‘elder statesmen’ of the USMNT roster in England, Sargent at Norwich and Wright at Coventry City, have long since proved to be successful MLS exports to the Championship. Sargent also enjoyed a brief stint in the Premier League.

And Higginbotham thinks their impact, along with the growth of MLS’ popularity around the world, means the flow of talent to the English second division is likely to continue. Another 24-year-old American striker, Max Arfsten, has been mooted as a potential new arrival at Middlesbrough from Columbus Crew during this window.

“With the Apple TV deal, there is greater accessibility to the MLS brand and overseas fans watching these players,” adds Higginbotham. “So I don’t think the optics of signing these players are viewed as a risk so much by fans in England, where maybe they once were. They can tune in and see the quality of the league.”

The hope is that Pochettino’s staff, and everyone invested in the U.S. hopes for progress on home soil next year, will be tuned into Paramount Plus’ coverage of the Championship.

(Top photos: Getty Images)

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7/25/25 Euro Finals England vs Spain Sun 12 Fox, USMNT tix vs Japan Sept 9 Columbus discount tix, Indy 11 Xmas in July Sat night 7 pm, Messi suspended

July 24, 2025August 4, 2025 gatorbest carmel-fc, euros, goalkeeper, indiana-soccer, indy-11, mls, mls-allstar-game, nwsl, premier-league, pulisic, soccer, soccer-reffing, spain, us-men, usmnt, womens-euros

Women’s Euro Finals England vs Spain Sun 11 am Fox

Just amazing that all the Semifinals went to extra time with England again pulling a rabbit out of the hat to beat a game Italy in Extra time England- Italy highlights . The same for Spain as they found a way past Germany Highlights in extra time. It gives us the dream final — the rematch England vs Spain. At the beginning of the tournament, both teams were ranked first and second favorites to win the competition. England, who have become the third European team to reach the final of three consecutive major tournaments, lost 1-0 to Spain when they met in the Fifa World Cup final in 2023. I like Spain again – 2-1 in Extra time of course.

Still sad for Germany goalkeeper Ann Berger who was inspiring and added the save of year with this Amazing Save. Germany vs France Shootout Even more remarkable is her fight and win against Cancer and her story gets even more inspiring Berger’s Journey from Cancer to Shootout Hero. (in honor of my Bruz Cable who’s birthday would have been in just 5 days and lost his battle with cancer in 2023).

Indy 11 Xmas in July promo Sat night 7 pm @ The Mike

The Boys in Blue host the final round of USL Jägermeister Cup group play with “Christmas in July on Saturday, July 26 at 7 p.m. at Carroll Stadium vs. FC Tulsa. Indy 11 Christmas in July Indy Eleven leads Group 3 with a 2-0-1 record and can clinch a berth in the quarterfinals of the 38-team event with a victory. Single-game tickets for all matches are available via Ticketmaster. Flex Plan, Group, and Hospitality tickets are available here. For questions, call (317) 685-1100 during business hours or email tickets@indyeleven.com.

US Men vs #17 Japan in Columbus on Tues. Sept 9th – Discount Tix Available

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. Visit http://ussoccer.spinzo.com/CarmelFC this special link to get discounted tickets. We plan to sit in section 128 or 129 ($50/each) beside the American Outlaws who will be in the Nordic Section 127. Let me know if you plan to join – feel free to send on to friends. I for one was sick of seeing US fans outnumbered all summer long in our own stadiums. Let’s prove Columbus and Cincy are the HOME STADIUMS of US Soccer – this is where US Fans will not be outnumbered! Join me in the trek to Columbus to fight for our Red, White and Blue! Reach out to the Ole Ballcoach at shanebestsoccer@gmail.com if you want to coordinate travel plans.

MLS All Stars beat Mexico Liga MX – Leagues Cup between the two starts this weekend

So I tuned in to both the Skills Challenge and the MLS vs Liga MX Allstar Game this week — and you what — it wasn’t bad. Austin Texas filled the stadium for both events and it was a pretty good watch on Apple TV. Dissapointing to have no Messi or Jordi Alba on the field for MLS – but honestly the MLS were the better squad in both halves even without them. The Skills Challenge had my favorite MLS Allstar Goalie Wars Were Great & MLS Allstar Game highlights. This week the Leagues cup between Liga MX and MLS will start with games all week and weekend featuring MLS vs Mexican teams on Apple TV and FS1. (see schedule below). Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba suspended by MLS for skipping All-Star Game

Had a great time reffing some high school games with the legendary Tom Baker today. My favorite Canadian!

RIP Mike Sommer

CDC Celebration of Life for Long Time Carmel Dad’s Club Ref Mike Sommer
Date: Saturday, July 26, 2025 Time: 9:00AM
Location: Conference Room above Badger Field Concession Stand

My Bruz Cable Best – here in JC – best soccer player in the Family.
Had a chance to make Clemson while they were top 5 in the US
before getting hurt. RIP Bruz!!

TV GAMES SCHEDULE

Coverage starts at 11 game at 12 noon Sunday on Fox

Fri, July 25
8 pm FS2 Brazil vs Colombia Women Copa
Sat, July 26
5 pm NBC, Peacock Everton vs Bournemouth (Adams)
7 pm FS1 Inter Miami vs Cincy
7 pm TV 6, ESPN+ Indy 11 vs FC Tulsa Christmas in July
7 pm Peacock Man United vs West Ham
9:30 pm Apple TV Salt Lake vs San Jose
10:30 pm Apple TV Vancouver vs Kansas City
11 pm Univision Necaxa vs America (Zendejas)
Sun, July 27
11 am Fox Coverage Women’s Euros
12 noon Fox England vs Spain Euro Finals
2:30 pm Golazo Ajax vs Celtic (CVB, Trusty)
Mon, July 28
5 pm FS2 Womens Copa America Knockout
8 pm FS1 Women’s Copa America knockout
Tues, July 29
7 pm Apple Toluca vs Columbus Crew Leagues Cup Mex vs MLS
8 pm FS1 Women’s Copa America knockout
10 pm?? FS1 Pachuca vs San Diego Leagues Cup Mex vs MLS
Weds, July 30
7 pm Apple Miami (Messi) vs Atlas Leagues Cup
8 pm? FS1 Orlando City vs Pumas UNAM
10 pm FS1 Portland Timbers vs Atletico San Luis
Thurs, July 31
7 am Golazo Arsenal vs Tottenham (friendly)
7 pm Apple Monterey vs Cincy
10 pm FS1 Cruz Azul vs Seattle Sounders
Fri, Aug 1
8 pm FS2 Women’s Copa America QF
8 pm Prime Racing Louisville vs KC Current NWSL
8 pm Apple? Columbus Crew vs Puebla
10 pm Apple? LAFC vs Pachuca
10 pm FS1? Tigres vs San Diego
10:30 pm Para+ Seattle Reign vs Angel City NWSL
Sat, Aug 2
5 pm FS2 Women’s Copa America QF
7:30 pm Ion NC Courage vs San Diego Wave NWSL
8 pm Apple? Columbus Crew vs Puebla
8 pm FS1? America (Zendejas) vs Minn United
10 pm FS1? Portland Timbers vs Queretaro
10 pm ION Bay FC vs Houston Dash NWSL
Sun, Aug 3
12:30 pm ABC Washington Spirit vs Portland Thorns NWSL
6 pm Para+ Orlando Pride vs Utah Royals
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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

Its EPLs Aston Villa vs Germany’s Frankfurt in Tix In Louisville

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Women’s Euros

Agyemang: From ball girl to baller
Euro 2025 semifinals: Aitana Bonmatí’s game-winner in extra time lifts Spain over Germany
Bonmati shows why Spain was so eager to have her back
Fox evolved approach with Euros broadcast
Wiegman tips Arsenal’s Agyemang for ‘bright future’

USA

If Zendejas can’t crack the USMNT, is Liga MX a viable league for aspiring Americans?

USMNT after 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup: Whose stock is up or down?

MLS

No Messi, no Alba: Can the MLS All-Star Game be fixed, and where does it go from here?
MLS ASG: Surridge leads MLS to dominant win over Liga MX Ryan Young
MLS All-Stars dispatch Liga MX All-Stars in 2025 showcase
Back on top! MLS All-Stars top LIGA MX All-Stars in Austin
Austin brings the party for MLS All-Star Game: “This is a soccer city”
All-Star Game: Another chapter in MLS vs. LIGA MX rivalry
The MLS All-Star game entertained plenty, but that may no longer be
Power Rankings: Inter Miami & San Diego FC vie for top spot
MLS Brings Lionel Messi Cam Back to TikTokLionel Messi will star in an exclusive TikTok livestream during Inter Miami’s Aug. 2 Leagues Cup matchup with Necaxa
Buyer beware: The gamble MLS clubs make with designated players

Source: LAFC eyeing move for Spurs star Son
🎥 Messi involved in four goals to make absolute mockery of NYRB 😮
🎥 Portland Timbers unveil largest tifo in MLS history for 50th anniversary
Galaxy scores in final minute to force draw with LAFC in tense El Tráfico
Commentary: LAFC fans put aside their rivalry with Galaxy to stand in solidarity against ICE

Goalkeeping

Stefan Frei injury: Seattle Sounders goalkeeper back home resting
War brewing? Barcelona expect Ter Stegen to be out for 4-5 months, not three
Barcelona goalie Marc-André ter Stegen set for back surgery, faces spell on sidelines
> Keylor Navas, former Real Madrid goalkeeper, is set to join UNAM Pumas in Liga MX after a six-month stint in Argentina with Newell’s Old Boys (More)

Reffing

Foul or not ?
Is Hairpulling always a Red Card?
Neymar Yellow?

GK Yellow or Red Rush in?

TOP TALKING POINTS

UEFA Opposes VAR Changes

UEFA reportedly opposes any measures to widen VAR’s powers to intervene in corner kicks and second yellow cards. The International FA Board (Ifab), football’s lawmaking body, is considering extending VAR’s powers (see previous write-up), but Uefa believes this would increase delays, negating any benefit from the extra interventions. It is also opposed to plans that would scrap rebounds on penalties, whereby the ball would be declared “dead” if the goalkeeper saves the penalty or it strikes the post or crossbar.

The European governing body was unhappy that Ifab approved changes to the laws of the game in March without consulting them. The most notable enforced change is that a goalkeeper now concedes a corner instead of an indirect free-kick for holding on to the ball for longer than eight seconds. The rule was applied for the first time at the Club World Cup–watch here.

Uefa is required to take on Ifab’s law changes. Changes approved at Ifab’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), which will next take place in March 2026, are binding and come into effect globally. While some rules can be subject to interpretation by different bodies, such as the interpretation of handball, the proposed VAR and penalty changes would not allow for that.

Aitana Bonmati of Spain celebrates scoring her team's first goal during the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Semi-Final match

Women’s Euro Final Confirmed

England will face Spain in the 2025 Uefa Women’s Euro final on Sunday, July 27, at 17:00 BST (12:00 ET). This comes after Spain’s first win against Germany in the semi-finals, secured by an extra-time goal from Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati—read the full match report here.

Spain are given the edge over England in the final, with Opta’s model projecting a 51.5% chance of victory. At the beginning of the tournament, both teams were ranked first and second favourites to win the competition. England, who have become the third European team to reach the final of three consecutive major tournaments, lost 1-0 to Spain when they met in the Fifa World Cup final in 2023. However, both nations secured a 1-0 win at home, respectively, when they met earlier this year in the Uefa Nations League.

Viewership numbers have been high throughout the tournament. An average of eight million people in the UK watched England’s win against Italy in the semi-final, delivering ITV’s highest viewership of the year. The peak audience reached 10.2 million, compared to 9.3 million in England’s 2022 semi-final victory over Sweden.

> Arsenal made a winning start to their preseason tour of Asia after Bukayo Saka’s 53rd-minute goal earned a 1-0 victory over AC Milan in Singapore (More) | Liverpool have officially signed Hugo Ekitike for £79m, subject to international clearance (More)

> The great-grandson of dictator Benito Mussolini, Romano Floriani Mussolini, has joined Serie A side Cremonese on loan (More)

> Kylian Mbappe will wear Real Madrid’s No. 10 shirt next season; the French forward didn’t ask to wear it, but the club is expecting record sales (More)

> Raheem Sterling is receiving interest from Juventus and Bayer Leverkusen as Chelsea look to offload the 30-year-old (More)

> Crystal Palace have submitted an appeal against their demotion from Europa League with the Court of Arbitration for Sport; decision expected on or before August 11 (More) |

Congrats to the 6 Indiana Soccer Teams Playing this weekend in the USYS National Championships in Orlando July 22-27.
B15U – Indy Premier Elite 64 10B B15U – ZYSA 10B Green NL B19U – Alliance Eleven 06/07B
G17U – FW United Elite 64 08G G19U – FW United Elite 64 06/07G NWI Lions United 2011G Yellow.

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Messi, Jordi Alba suspended by MLS for skipping All-Star Game

Inter Miami's Jordi Alba and Lionel Messi

By Paul Tenorio July 25, 2025 1:00 pm EDT

Inter Miami stars Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba have been suspended for Saturday’s match against FC Cincinnati after skipping Wednesday’s MLS All-Star Game.The league announced the sanctions on Friday afternoon.“Inter Miami CF’s Jordi Alba and Lionel Messi will be unavailable for the club’s match against FC Cincinnati on Saturday, July 26, due to their absence at this week’s Major League Soccer All-Star Game,” a statement from the league read. “Per league rules, any player who does not participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete in their club’s next match.”While Alba took a knock in Miami’s last game, Messi was rested for fatigue issues.In a phone interview with The Athletic, MLS commissioner Don Garber said it was a “very, very difficult decision” to suspend Messi.“The most important thing is I know Leo Messi loves this league, and MLS is an entirely different league because of the years he’s been here helping to show the world what MLS is and what it’s capable of being,” Garber said. “One of the learnings that we have here is clearly MLS is different than other leagues around the world, and we have an approach to building events and building other activities we feel are important to help us grow interest in the league. I think it’s important — and particularly important to me — nobody has done more for Major League Soccer than Lionel Messi. Not just what he’s done off the field, but what he’s done on the field. Every game is a must-see match. I fully understand and respect and admire his commitment to Inter Miami.

“His decision [not to attend the All-Star Game] is not one that I really can argue with whatsoever and I understand it. But unfortunately we have a longstanding policy relating to player participation in the All-Star Game and we had to enforce that policy. It was a very, very difficult decision, but one I hope both [Messi] and everyone else can understand and respect. He has shown up for his club, for his teammates, for our league time and time again and I respect his decision.”Garber said the league would look to adapt the policy for future years.“We are going to take a very hard look at the rule moving forward. It is important to all of our players and all of our fans that we have a policy that reflects and involves the realities of our league and its players going forward. I am committed to working with all of our players and to start working with Leo Messi to adapt this rule so it makes sense going forward.”Prior to the ruling coming down Friday, Miami coach Javier Mascherano offered a suggestion to avoid this dilemma in the future, saying the All-Star Game should be held on a weekend and not played mid-week as a means to build in the requisite rest.He had been under the impression earlier on Friday that both players would be available for Saturday’s game, which pits two of the top teams in the league against one another.

“Well, Messi showed normal fatigue from the number of games and minutes he’s been playing,” Mascherano said. “Look, players always have discomfort, especially when they play every three days. But luckily, he is returning today. Let’s hope he can train alongside the group so we can count on both of them for tomorrow’s game.”Messi has played 90 minutes in every Inter Miami game dating back to April 30. That includes nine games since June 14, four of which came at the FIFA Club World Cup. He last missed a match on April 27, in between legs of the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals.MLS has weighed the decision the last few days after learning on Wednesday morning that the two players would not be traveling for the game. Notably, FC Cincinnati’s star players Evander and Miles Robinson both took part in the All-Star festivities, which meant they did not get rest nor were they able to train with their teams.“I don’t know that we necessarily need clarity,” FC Cincinnati coach Pat Noonan said in his Friday press conference regarding the lingering uncertainty about Miami’s star duo. “There’s rules. I’m aware of those. We’re under the impression that we’ll prepare for the game without those two available. We just played them a week ago, we know what it looks like with them on the field. But that’s kind of how we approached it.”Noonan added that FCC never considered having Evander or Robinson sit out the exhibition. Evander took part in the Skills Challenge on Tuesday night – Alba had initially been scheduled to as well – before captaining MLS opposite Liga MX’s Sergio Ramos on Wednesday.“There was no thought of holding our guys back,” Noonan said. “That’s never been the case. Our guys have always gone to represent our club and then that won’t change. They did a great job. Miles and Evander represented the club in a really good way and it was nice to see Evander be the captain to go and do well in the skills competition, and for the stretch of the first half that I saw, he did a good job. I’m happy for those two and their performances.”This is not the first time a major star has faced this sanctioning. Former LA Galaxy star forward Zlatan Ibrahimović was also suspended one game for missing the All-Star Game in 2018. Still, suspending one of the most famous players in the world and the reigning league MVP ahead of a showdown against a first-place FC Cincinnati team is a major decision considering the implications for the audience, playoff positioning and commercial benefits. The suspension also comes in the midst of Miami and Messi negotiating a contract extension. Messi’s current deal expires at the end of the 2025 season.Messi is obviously the league’s biggest draw. On Thursday, the league announced the return of a “Player Spotlight” TikTok broadcast of Messi for four of Inter Miami’s matches, beginning on Aug. 2 in the opening round of the Leagues Cup against Liga MX side Necaxa. Last season, the spotlight event on TikTok drew “more than 6.4 million live views” across MLS and Inter Miami’s accounts, per a release from the league, setting the record for the largest live audience for a U.S. sports event on TikTok.Garber reiterated that he hopes Messi understands why the league made its decision.

“I hope he does,” Garber said. “I think it’s important to state that I respect the fact that he made this decision because he’s played more games than almost any other player — 22 of the last 23 matches, including nine in the last 35 days. We don’t have a policy that says those players who have played more games at a particular time therefore they don’t have to show up, play or attend the All-Star Game. That’s the kind of thing we need to look at going forward.

“MLS doesn’t get everything right all the time. We always need to adapt, and really look at this rule going forward. The struggle is that I know 100 percent from everything I’ve heard and everyone involved, he made this decision because he’s playing so much and he wants to focus on his team.”

(Top photo: Jeff Dean/Getty Images)

No Messi, no Alba: What’s next for the MLS All-Star Game?

Cesar HernandezJul 24, 2025, 09:38 AM ET
With a 3-1 win over the Liga MX All-Stars on Wednesday night, MLS stole back regional bragging rights through a victory in the 29th edition of the league’s All-Star Game.
Carried by goals from Sam Surridge, Brian White and match MVP Tai Baribo in front of a packed crowd at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas, the evening and encompassing All-Star festivities throughout the week will go down as a well-deserved success for MLS.
All of that said, in a marquee showcase that was filled with many of the best and the brightest from both leagues, there was one noteworthy omission: global superstar Lionel Messi. Earlier on Wednesday, MLS confirmed the absence of the Inter Miami CF player, as well as that of teammate Jordi Alba, despite both being selected for the match. Heading into the All-Star Game, Miami coach Javier Mascherano publicly stated that having his starters in the exhibition wasn’t ideal.

“The players are called up, I would like them to be able to rest but that is not my decision,” Mascherano said. “I know how important the All-Star [Game] is, and as far as I know, there is no decision from the club, everything is as normal.”This isn’t the first time that a high-profile player or club has said no to the event. In 2018, the LA Galaxy‘s Zlatan Ibrahimovic turned down the opportunity, and on the Liga MX side of the competition this year, 2025 didn’t feature selected players such as Leon‘s James Rodríguez or Cruz Azul‘s Erik Lira and Carlos Rotondi. The participation of Monterrey star Sergio Ramos also wasn’t officially confirmed until the night before.

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Why is this an issue for the All-Star Game? And with next year’s edition taking place in a World Cup year, when plenty of eyes will be on North America, where does the high-profile exhibition go from here?

Schedule congestion

The packed schedule is the most significant factor in the subdued vibes of the 2025 event. Both MLS and Liga MX will not only have a rapid turnarounds with regular-season matches this weekend, but will then also kickoff their joint Leagues Cup tournament next week. Including Leagues Cup and MLS, Messi & Co. are currently on a nine-game stretch between July 5 and Aug. 6. If they advance in Leagues Cup, up to three additional knockout-round games would then be played next month.

With that in mind, it’s understandable that Mascherano does not want to overtax his players.

“The intensity of the games we’ve played, especially in the last month and a half, has been very, very high,” the Miami coach, who has also had to manage injuries in his roster, added recently.

Not everyone agrees with Mascherano, though. Despite having to travel to the events during his playing days, six-time MLS All-Star Brian Ching viewed his involvement as a moment to relax and connect with other important names across the country.

“I always enjoyed the All-Star Game because it allowed you to meet and play with some of the best players in the league,” he said to ESPN. “These games are a mental break from the season for everyone because the games are fun to play in. None of the players play more than a half so it is like a practice for them.

“Most players enjoyed the opportunity to do something different from their normal week with their teams.”But that still hasn’t been enough to convince all involved. When Ibrahimovic missed out in 2018, the superstar cited fatigue, and was then surprised when he was handed a one-game suspension in accordance to league rules.

“[I] think it is ridiculous, but yeah, no comments,” Ibrahimovic said at the time. “They do whatever they want. I come from a different world; I come from the real world.”

Regarding when a one-game suspension could arrive for Messi and Alba, MLS commissioner Don Garber said that the league is “managing through that process as we speak” ahead of Wednesday’s game, while also admitting that there has been a heavy workload that had been put on the players.

“Miami had a schedule that is unlike any other team,” he said. “Most of our teams had a 10-day break. Miami hasn’t. We had Leo playing 90 minutes in almost all the games. That’s nine games in 35 days.”

It isn’t as if facing off against Liga MX is a unique opportunity either. In the modern era of MLS, there’s been a growing number of matchups between the two leagues that have sought to collaborate as often as possible. Along with Leagues Cup, Campeones Cup and clashes in the Concacaf Champions Cup, the All-Star Game can feel lost in the list of Liga MX-vs.-MLS battles.

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“You already have Campeones Cup and you already have Leagues Cup,” said ESPN’s Herculez Gomez, who played in both MLS and Liga MX. “How much is too much and then what are we trying to do here? Does a fan really enjoy [the All-Star Game]?”

Supporters of the league, especially those who sported a Messi jersey at Q2 Stadium, might also think twice about the All-Star Game going forward.

“It’s unfortunate because if you wanted to highlight this product or your products to the rest of the league, well, your biggest assets have to be there,” Gomez said.

Changing the competition format

Getting all players on board is something that the league will have to continue to manage in future editions, but what about the format of the competition itself that could perhaps garner more appeal for players and fans?

While the “all-star” concept itself is novel to the traditional hotbeds of the sport in Europe and Latin America, MLS could do more to stand out in an American sports landscape that has no shortage of high-profile exhibitions — let alone stand out in their own series of Liga MX-vs.-MLS events.

Making changes wouldn’t be a stretch when considering how often the league has tinkered with formats that have ranged from games against European club giants, the United States, Liga MX, and intraleague battles such as East vs. West and MLS USA vs. MLS World. And more generally, the league has demonstrated an appetite for experimenting with new rules and innovations for the global game.

The addition of the skills challenge is a step in the right direction during the All-Star week, but if MLS wants to capitalize on a younger demographic, the league could tap into the burgeoning scene of alternative tournaments such as The Soccer Tournament, Kings League and Baller League. Invited teams and celebrities from abroad, viral online moments through new rules, all on a small-sided pitch, the ingredients are there to experiment in a sport that has traditionally pushed back on new ideas that can allow players to show off a different side of their character.

Nicol backs Messi’s MLS All-Star snub

Stevie Nicol backs Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba’s decision to skip the MLS All-star game as the pair face a one-match ban for their absence.

“I [definitely] believe what lacks in normal football now is personality, in terms of players being able to be themselves,” Baller League player Josh Harrop, a former Manchester United midfielder, said to ESPN earlier this year. “I am a big football fan, but I kind of lost interest in watching it as much, because games are just so, so boring and dry.”

The argument, at least from the league’s perspective, could be made that those ideas are already being tested out within the skills challenge that has events such as goalie wars and the crossbar challenge. On Tuesday, guests such as U.S. men’s national team icon Clint Dempsey, U.S. women’s national team captain Lindsey Heaps, Liga MX Femenil star Nicki Hernandez and Liga MX icon Oribe Peralta also took part in the competition.

Ching, who has had a lengthy experience in the All-Star Game, doesn’t want to see too many changes.

“I feel this format keeps it competitive and entertaining for the fans while keeping it interesting and fun for the players,” the three-time MLS Cup champion said. “These games get competitive because of the rivalry between the two countries but both teams get to enjoy the experience of playing with the best of the best.”Either way, MLS still has plenty to ponder before a World Cup year in which lots of attention will be focused on the North American soccer landscape.

“I love the All-Star Game. You know, most leagues probably do, [but] how do you get your players to love the All-Star Game? Your partners to love the All-Star Game, and fans too,” Garber said. “Ninety-plus percent of our Leagues Cup matches are going to be MLS-vs.-Liga MX games, so maybe it is time for us to evolve the format … we’ll see how it plays out.”

For now, the opponent and date for the 2026 All-Star Game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, is to be determined — as is whether all of the league’s biggest names will be in attendance.

Should any of England’s Euro 2025 finishers be starters in the final?

By Cerys JonesJuly 24, 2025

England are in a major final again, and once more, their substitutes proved the difference.

Against Sweden, it was Michelle Agyemang who equalised and fellow replacement Chloe Kelly who played a key role in both of England’s goals. Against Italy, Agyemang was the hero who forced extra time again before Kelly scored the 119th-minute winner — which, incidentally, was from a penalty won by Beth Mead, another substitute.England’s strength in depth has been their superpower in Switzerland, allowing them to break down low blocks, stretch tired defences and, ultimately, pull off two great escapes. The question now is whether any of Sarina Wiegman’s so-called ‘finishers’ have earned a start for Sunday’s final in Basel against Spain.Here, The Athletic looks at each of their cases for a place.

Michelle Agyemang

In four senior caps, 19-year-old Agyemang has scored three goals — two of which were late equalisers to make England’s progress through the knockout stages possible. That is all without coming on before the 70th minute. Naturally, that begs the question of what she could do in 90 minutes instead of 20.

The map below shows how Agyemang has made the most of her minutes, taking up dangerous positions while, against Sweden, helping break down opposition attacks early.

Against Spain, those attributes — and particularly her strength in hold-up play, allowing team-mates time to get up the pitch and join a counter-attack — could be a great fit. After seeing her latch on to a long ball and lob Italy goalkeeper Laura Giuliani, only to hit the bar and let out a yell of frustration, the idea of her running in behind to exploit Spain’s high line is tantalising.

Is the time right for her to take the starting spot up top? That would feel harsh on Arsenal team-mate Alessia Russo, who has only scored once but has led the press brilliantly, run tirelessly and been a creative force too, with three assists. Russo is also adept at hold-up play and exploiting a high line (as shown for England’s first goal in the 4-0 win against the Netherlands).

Will she start the final? Excellent as Agyemang has been, starting her over Russo would be uncharacteristic for Wiegman. There is no guarantee the teenager can replicate over a full game what she has achieved against low blocks and tired defences. Wiegman will opt for experience, and that is the sensible call — but if England need a hero, it would make sense to give Agyemang more than 20 minutes.What You Should Read NextMichelle Agyemang: The teenager who saved England at Euro 2025The Arsenal forward rescued England against Sweden, showing her clinical finishing and ability to disrupt defences

Chloe Kelly

Kelly is the only one of England’s super-subs from Euro 2022 who has kept that role, with Russo and Ella Toone having become starters. Had that apparent standstill been put to her two years ago, she might have been disappointed. Now, though, after the gamble of leaving Manchester City in January in search of more playing time at Arsenal, she will be delighted she has even made it to Switzerland, let alone proven to be so crucial.

She has been as important as Agyemang in England’s progress. Kelly was instrumental in England’s goals against Sweden before hammering home her penalty in the shootout. Against Italy, her dribbling and pace on the right wing were crucial in opening up space in the middle and creating opportunities for herself. She almost scored an iconic winner when she skipped away from four Italian defenders and bent her shot just wide of the top-left corner in extra time. In the furore, it went largely unnoticed that she almost scored directly from a corner. Instead, she would seal victory by turning in her saved penalty.She tracked back tirelessly against Italy, and made a key defensive contribution after substitute Giada Greggi had got the better of Grace Clinton. Again, she finds herself vying for a starting spot in a European final.

Will she start the final? Kelly has the best chance of any of the substitutes. Her contributions have been slightly less obvious than Agyemang’s, but equally as important, and she has more experience than her Arsenal colleague. A lot will depend on Lauren James’ fitness. If the Chelsea forward can bounce back from the ankle injury she suffered on Tuesday, she will be hard to displace. If not, Kelly will be first in line.What You Should Read NextMichelle Agyemang: The teenager who saved England at Euro 2025The Arsenal forward rescued England against Sweden, showing her clinical finishing and ability to disrupt defences

Aggie Beever-Jones

The Chelsea forward had a strong build-up to the Euros, planting herself firmly in Wiegman’s thinking with a hat-trick at Wembley against Portugal, but has had limited opportunities in Switzerland. Her standout moment was her first tournament goal, England’s sixth of the match against Wales — a well-taken but admittedly poorly defended header. The 21-year-old came on in the 85th minute against Italy and helped stretch their tired defence throughout extra time, coming close to turning home a couple of crosses but she could not find a way past Giuliani.Spain, her speed and dribbling on the counter-attack could be a weapon, and her adaptability to play across the front three helps provide cover. However, she is less physically imposing than Lauren Hemp (left wing) and Russo (striker), and has far less major tournament experience.Will she start the final? Beever-Jones’ competitors have the edge over her for a starting spot. She is still best used as a ‘finisher’, testing tired defenders.

Grace Clinton

Clinton faces stiff competition for a midfield role from Manchester United team-mate Toone, as well as Georgia Stanway and James. When she has got on to the pitch — which has been for no more than 16 minutes at a time — the 22-year-old has shown relentless energy but has not been at her best. Mostly employed to refresh England’s midfield and rush opponents with box-to-box running, Clinton has helped stop teams from building attacks.At her peak, Clinton balances reading of the game, movement and link-up play with defensive nous; that has not quite happened this tournament. Against Italy, when she came on in the 106th minute for Keira Walsh, she had to help prevent counter-attacks while simultaneously trying to provide a spark from deep. She looked comparatively sluggish when Greggi intercepted Kelly’s loose ball and pulled away into England’s half. Clinton has massive potential, but we have not quite seen it at this tournament.

Will she start the final? England desperately need to exercise some control over the midfield in the final and it does not feel like Clinton has shown more ability to do that than Stanway, Toone or Walsh. She will stay as a substitute.

Beth Mead

Mead’s Euros has not gone how she, or Wiegman, had planned. She started in her favoured right-wing position for England’s opening defeat against France, a performance that prompted a rethink about how England could extract the best from James. The Chelsea attacker was moved to the right, with Toone stepping in behind the forward line and Mead dropping to the bench.

Wiegman still seems to trust the Arsenal forward — she has featured in every game, and was the first port of call when James was forced off with an ankle injury against Italy. She showed versatility in that semi-final, moving into the No 10 role when Kelly was introduced, and looked dangerous in the box, not least when she won England’s penalty.

Mead was fouled for the penalty that led to England’s dramatic extra-time winner against Italy (Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

However, that role change arose out of exceptional circumstances as Wiegman was trying to piece together an unusual number of attackers on the pitch, rather than providing any hints at where she could play in the final.

Will she start the final? Right now, the options ahead of her appear stronger. James did not have her best half against Italy but, if fit, would still be first in line to start on the right. Even without James, Kelly’s excellent substitute performances would put her ahead of Mead in the pecking order. Given Mead’s drop-off in minutes, no matter her experience, she is not best placed to start.

Germany 0 Spain 1: Aitana Bonmati’s strike lifts Spain to first Euros final appearance

Spain's midfielder #06 Aitana Bonmati (L) celebrates after scoring Spain's first goal during the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 semi-final football match between Germany and Spain at the Letzigrund Stadium in Zurich, on July 23, 2025. (Photo by Miguel MEDINA / AFP) (Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images)

By Cerys Jones and Tamerra Griffin

July 23, 2025

Aitana Bonmati nearly missed the 2025 European Championship due to a bout with viral meningitis the week before the tournament began. But on Wednesday, the two-time Ballon d’Or winner found a late goal to lift Spain to their first appearance in a Euros final. They will face a familiar opponent in England — the team Spain beat in the 2023 World Cup final.

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In a record fourth match that went to extra time this tournament, Spain needed a bit of magic from their star player to get past eight-time tournament winners Germany. The German side nearly ended the game in regular time with a pair of back-to-back shots in the 94th minute, but Spain goalkeeper Cata Coll made two acrobatic saves to keep the score level going into extra time.

Spain also finally broke their drought against Germany, a team they hadn’t beaten in the last eight meetings.

Despite Germany holding Spain scoreless through 90 minutes, something no other team at Euro 2025 could do, they failed to capitalise on multiple chances at the other end. Germany’s first of three shots on target came after the hour mark, despite multiple chances throughout the game.

Cerys Jones and Tamerra Griffin analyse the main talking points, setting up yet another final between Spain and England.

quarter-final

Sweden2

England2*

Norway1

Italy2

France1

Germany1*

Spain2

Switzerland0

semi-final

England2

Italy1

Germany0

Spain1

final

England

Spain

Bonmati to the rescue

Bonmati should not have scored that goal. Given how airtight Germany’s defense has been the whole game; how sharp Ann Katrin-Berger’s coverage of the goal; how underwhelming Spain have been on the attack with lofty crosses and half-hearted shots; how likely this game was to end with yet another set of penalties; and how Bonmati might still be recovering from viral meningitis; it simply did not seem possible by any stretch of the imagination.

But this is why Bonmati is a two-time Ballon d’Or winner. When the pressure is high and the chances slim, she transcends imagination and executes.

Bonmati’s extra time goal lift Spain to the Euros final (Sebastien Bozon/AFP via Getty Images)

She had fist-slamming frustrations throughout a game that saw Spain uncharacteristically frustrated over a much longer period than they’re used to against a steely Germany, but still Bonmati decided to do a dummy run that allowed her to slip past Rebecca Knaak before firing a low, driven, near-post shot at such an acute angle, you could hardly blame Berger for assuming she wouldn’t bother exploiting it. The shot was simply avant-garde in its brilliance. We will never know whether it was purposeful or a misdirected cross, but the way Bonmati pointed to her head during her celebrations suggests it just might have been.

Tamerra Griffin

Germany were their own worst enemy, again

Germany reached the final four despite doing their level best to put obstacles in their own path. Against Spain, they again have themselves to blame for their defeat.

Nobody has managed to keep a clean sheet against this Spanish side with their vast reserves of goalscorers and creators. No matter how dogged your defence, they will eventually score by hook or by crook — so opponents’ only real hope is to outscore them by exploiting their high line and being clinical in front of goal.

Germany became the latest side to fail to pull that off. Despite holding Spain scoreless for more than 100 minutes, it was through their own wayward finishing and lack of an incisive final action that they found defeat.

Germany held Spain for more than 100 minutes (Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)

Most teams have not even got as far as creating the opportunities that Germany carved out against Spain, so they deserve credit for that, but will be bitterly disappointed in their lack of end product.

Giovanna Hoffman had a particularly infuriating few moments in the first half, snatching at Sara Dabritz’s promising cross in the 28th minute and rolling a shot wide from Carlotta Wamser’s sumptuous curled pass in the 30th. She was offside for the latter, which she might well have been relieved by after failing to convert when one-on-one with Cata Coll. Before that, in the eighth minute, Klara Buhl had missed a golden opportunity to put Germany ahead when she fired wide after a perfectly timed run onto Berger’s long free kick. The ending of stoppage time summed it up: they had four shots, two of which were superbly saved by Coll and two of which were comfortably off target.

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They followed the blueprint for beating Spain up until the final step. They attacked well on the counter, exploited their high line, created good chances from the wings, and did so with only 33 per cent of possession – but let themselves down in front of goal. They had ample chances to take the lead before Bonmati eventually scored deep into extra time.

Having suffered avoidable and obvious red cards for Carlotta Wamser and Kathrin Hendrich against Sweden and France, they caused their own downfall with attacking rather than defensive errors in the semi-final.

Cerys Jones

Germany goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger and Spain forward Esther Gonzalez are teammates at Gotham FC in NWSL (Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

Familiar foes among two Gotham FC players

Some of the striker-keeper duels between Spanish striker and Euros golden boot leader Esther Gonzalez and German goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger could have ended differently had Berger not been so deeply familiar with her goal-hungry opponent.

The two have been holding down both ends of the fort for Gotham FC in the National Women’s Soccer League (NSWL). Esther, in this tournament and her club’s league, leads the scoring (four goals at the Euros, 10 in the NWSL), while Berger was voted goalkeeper of the year last season and regularly dazzles with highlight-reel-calibre saves, even before the one that nobody can stop talking about in the quarter-final against France.What You Should Read NextBreaking down Ann-Katrin Berger save of the Euros, sending Germany to semi-finalsBerger is unflappable in goal for Germany

That’s the kind of edge a keeper needs against a prolific, confident, and in-form striker like Esther, whose threat is at least twofold: she can score with both feet and her head; and her movement off the ball is as cerebral as it is dizzying for a defender to track.

Tamerra Griffin

A rematch waiting in the final

The final against England is Spain’s chance to lay an unequivocal claim to the title of best team in Europe.

They are already familiar with England as opponents on the biggest stage, having beaten them in the final of the 2023 World Cup. Much about England remains the same: familiar faces like Ella Toone, Alessia Russo, Lucy Bronze, and Georgia Stanway were stalwarts of that final, and their attacking identity has stayed similar. However, there are new variables: Spain were not facing England’s likely front three, crucially including an in-form Lauren James, and England did not enter that final as, arguably, underdogs.

From World Cups to Nations Leagues, Spain and England know each other well (Judit Cartiel / Getty Images)

Sarina Wiegman’s team have made life incredibly difficult for themselves at Euro 2025, falling to a concerning opening defeat against France in the group stage and twice needing Michelle Agyemang’s late equalisers to drag them through the knockouts. Several times they have looked beaten, and several times they have bounced back. That puts a different complexion on this final to Spain’s win in Australia in 2023, when it was Spain whose build-up had not gone smoothly and England who were entering on the back of a major tournament win. Those roles are now reversed.

https://2146cd609774ad6a88d39eb917a4edfe.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-45/html/container.html

England are beatable. France have done it once this tournament, and Sweden and Italy came remarkably close. But in spite of the noisy buildup, the early defeat, the scrappy knockout performances, here are England in a third consecutive major final. Spain face a side with proven winning credentials, but an underdog mentality – a combination which, if they cannot break England’s spirit early, could be lethal.

Cerys Jones

(Top photo: Miguel Medina/AFP via Getty Images)

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5/24/25 EPL Ends Sun 9 am, US Ladies & Men’s Squads Announced,

May 24, 2025 gatorbest arsenal, football, liverpool, premier-league, sports

It’s the final weekend of play in the European leagues with lots of spots still up for grab for Champions League and European league options – especially in the EPL. Read below for all the breakdowns.

US Men’s Team Roster Set for Gold Cup

So the last major tournament before the World Cup will happen with about 1/3 of the US starters missing due to World Club Cup matches this summer – and of course Pulisic is not coming due to wear and tear this season. (read all about the rosters below)

US Men’s Team Roster

GOALKEEPERS: Matt Freese (New York City FC), Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew), Zack Steffen (Colorado Rapids), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace)

DEFENDERS: Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven), Alex Freeman (Orlando City), DeJuan Jones (San Jose Earthquakes), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati)

MIDFIELDERS: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United), Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps), Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis), Luca de la Torre (San Diego FC), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake), Jack McGlynn (Houston Dynamo), Quinn Sullivan (Philadelphia Union), Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven), Sean Zawadzki (Columbus Crew)

FORWARDS: Patrick Agyemang (Charlotte FC), Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Damion Downs (FC Köln), Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps), Haji Wright (Coventry City)

TV Games

Wed, May 28

Paramount Plus Chelsea vs Real Bettis (Ricardo) Europa Conference League Final in Poland

Sat, May 31

CBS 3 pm Inter Milan vs PSG UEFA Champions League Final in Munich, Germany

5 pm TBS US Women vs China

Sun, June 1

Fox Sport 1 Cruz Azul vs Vancouver Whitecaps CC Champions Cup Final

Tues, June 3

TNT, Max, Peacock US Women vs Jamaica

Wed, June 4

2:45 pm Fox Germany vs Portugal – Nations League Semi

Thurs, June 5

2:45 pm Fox Spain vs France– Nations League Semi

Sat, June 7

3:30 pm TNT, Tele US Men vs Turkey

Sun, June 8

2:45 pm Fox Nations League Finals

Tues, June 10

8 pm TNT, Peacock US Men vs Switzerland

June 13 – 29 GOLD CUP MEN

Sun, June 15

6 pm FS1 US Men vs Trinidad Gold Cup

Thur, June 19

6 pm FS1 US Men vs KSA Gold Cup

Sun, June 22

7 pm FS1 US Men vs Haiti Gold Cup

Sun, June 26

TBS, Peacock US Women vs Ireland

Sun, June 29^th

TNT, Peacock US Women vs Ireland in Cincy

USMNT weekend viewing guide: Long weekend, short schedule

Still some things to be wrapped up this holiday weekend. May 23rd – Stars & Stripes

It’s the last weekend of action in Italy, England and Spain, and the Netherlands and Germany have already wrapped up. So it’s a bit of an abbreviated schedule with many places already set, but there is still some action to catch this weekend ahead of the long summer break. Here’s what we’re watching:

Saturday

AC Milan v Monza – 2:45p on Paramount+

Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah also finish their season at home hosting already relegated Monza on Saturday afternoon. Milan will finish no worse than their current ninth place, but can climb no higher than seventh (and would need help for that) so will finish outside of the European spots this season. It’s possible that both Pulisic and Musah could move on from the club this summer, Musah’s playing time has really fallen off down the stretch and Pulisic would reportedly like to learn more about Milan’s plans before committing to a contract extension that would lock him in past next season.

Sunday

Fulham v Manchester City – 11a on Peacock

Antonee Robinson and Fulham sit in tenth place, leading the pack of American’s in the middle of the table. Fulham could hop Brentford for ninth place but will be facing a Manchester City side that need a win to guarantee their Champions League spot for next season. A loss, combined with wins by the trio of teams behind them (Newcastle, Chelsea, and Aston Villa) would push City down to sixth place and the Europa League. Robinson started again last week but has missed alternating matches over the past four matchdays and he was not included in the summer roster that was released on Thursday.

Bournemouth v Leicester – 11a on Peacock

Tyler Adams and Bournemouth sit in eleventh place, one point back of Fulham. Bournemouth’s task is quite a bit easier this weekend as they take on an already relegated Leicester City side. Since his return from injury in mid-October Adams has appeared in nearly every match for Bournemouth, starting most of those. Unfortunately a mid-February through March swoon took Bournemouth out of the running for the top six and they have dropped their last two matches as well but finishing the season with a win against Leicester on Sunday could end things on a more positive note.

Liverpool v Crystal Palace – 11a on NBC

Chris Richards and Crystal Palace are the last of the US trio and are facing Liverpool who will be taking a victory lap for having won the league title. It will be tough work to jump Fulham and Bournemouth into the top ten of the Premier League standings but Crystal Palace already have a Europa League spot for next season thanks to their FA Cup victory which also brought home the first trophy in the clubs 120 year history.

Venezia v Juventus – 2:45p on Paramount+

Venezia’s loss last weekend combined with wins by both Empoli and Lecce dropped Venezia into nineteenth place, needing a win this weekend as well as loss from Lecce and a loss or draw from Empoli this weekend. Unfortunately, Gianluca Busio and Venezia will be facing fourth place Juventus who also need a win to secure a Champions League spot for next season. Weston McKennie started and Tim Weah came on as a substitute last weekend as Juventus defeated Udinese 2-0 to maintain their narrow lead over Roma and Lazio, either of who could pass Juventus this weekend if they fail to defeat Venezia.

USA

Mauricio Pochettino names 27-man USMNT training roster ahead of Gold Cup
Gold Cup absences are a worst-case scenario for USMNT’s World Cup hopes Jeff Carlisle
Five fringe players who deserve a call-up for USMNT Gold Cup team Jeff Carlisle

IFA’s amazing 2026 World Cup host city posters feature astronauts, cowboys, giant lobsters
USMNT midweek roundup: Freeman, Sullivan, Agyemang in Open Cup

USWNT star Fox on Arsenal’s resilience, facing Barcelona in UWCL final

World

Salah named Premier League Player of the Season
What’s at stake on the final weekend: Titles, cup finals, UCL, relegation
Napoli edge out Inter to win 4th Serie A title
Klopp on booing TAA: So upset I turned off TV
How Arne Slot, Liverpool won the Premier League in 2024-25
Why do fans boo their team, and will it happen again to Liverpool’s Alexander-Arnold?
What’s at stake on the final weekend: Titles, cup finals, UCL, relegation
Son ends Spurs drought: ‘Let’s say I’m a legend’

Goalkeeping

1 v 1 – Close Down Attacker – don’t back up
Yes Yann Sommer was that good vs Barca – 10 saves
Sommer tips last shot to save game vs Yamal

June 16th: 9-4 / June 17th: 8-3 12383 Cyntheanne Rd, Fishers, IN $595 Register

Reffing

El Classico Handball or not?
Attacking Player in Wall?

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Europe’s top soccer leagues: Titles, cup finals, UCL, relegation

Dale JohnsonMay 23, 2025, 06:42 PM ET

The 2024-25 season has entered the closing stages, with the battles for the major honours, European qualification, relegation and promotion reached their conclusion.

Here’s a roundup of what’s at stake and what could be decided in the English Premier League, German Bundesliga, Spanish LaLiga, Italian Serie A and French Ligue 1.

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This page will be updated through to the end of the European season.

Premier League
Last day: May 25

Title

Liverpool (83) were confirmed as champions on April 27, with four games to spare.

Champions League (6)

CONFIRMED

1. Liverpool (37 games played, 83 points)
2. Arsenal (37, 71)
17. Tottenham (Europa League winners)

Premier League table

	GP	PTS	GD
1 – Liverpool	37	83	+45
2 – Arsenal	37	71	+34
3 – Man City	37	68	+26
4 – Newcastle	37	66	+22
5 – Chelsea	37	66	+20
6 – Aston Villa	37	66	+9
7 – Nottm Forest	37	65	+13
8 – Brighton	37	58	+4
9 – Brentford	37	55	+9

In 2025-26, the Premier League has been allocated five teams in the Champions League due to the performance of its clubs in Europe this season, meaning the top five will qualify for the UCL. Liverpool and Arsenal (71) have booked two of them.

In addition, Tottenham Hotspur won the Europa League, beating Manchester United 1-0 in the final, which earns a place in the Champions League. So the Premier League will have six teams in the UCL and nine in Europe.

All of the top seven are guaranteed European football of some description.

That leaves three spots up for grabs, with five teams battling it out. Manchester City, Newcastle United and Chelsea are holding them right now; Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest will try to fight their way into those key positions on Sunday.

Remaining games – UCL race

Team	GW38
CHELSEA	Nottm Forest (a)
FOREST	Chelsea (H)
NEWCASTLE	Everton (H)
MAN CITY	Fulham (a)
VILLA	Man United (a)

Superior goal difference over Villa means Man City only need a point, while Newcastle and Chelsea definitely seal it with a win.

But there’s a big last-day fixture, when Chelsea head to Forest — who need a victory to have any chance.

Newcastle are at home to Everton, Villa go to Man United and Man City are at Fulham.

This is what each team needs for UCL football:

MAN CITY (68, +26)
In short: a point seals it
Win: Guaranteed UCL
Draw: Effectively guaranteed UCL due to superior goal difference over Villa
Lose: Get UCL unless Newcastle, Chelsea and Villa all win

NEWCASTLE (66, +22)
In short: a win seals it
Win: Effectively guaranteed UCL due to superior goal difference over Villa
Draw: Get UCL unless there’s both a winner in Forest vs. Chelsea and Villa win
Lose: Only get UCL if Villa lose to Man United

CHELSEA (66, +20)
In short: a win seals it
Win: Effectively guaranteed UCL due to superior goal difference over Villa
Draw: Get UCL unless both Newcastle win/draw and Villa win
Lose: Only get UCL if Villa lose to Man United and Newcastle lose by a greater margin (than Chelsea) of four goals

ASTON VILLA (66, +9)
In short: a draw could do it, but really they must win and hope another result goes their way
Win: Get UCL if one of Man City lose, Newcastle lose/draw or Chelsea lose/draw
Draw: Get UCL if Newcastle lose
Lose: Cannot get UCL

NOTTINGHAM FOREST (65, +12)
In short: must win and hope another result goes their way
Win: Get UCL if one of Newcastle draw/lose or Aston Villa draw/lose
Draw: Cannot get UCL
Lose: Cannot get UCL

Europa League (2)

CONFIRMED

12. Crystal Palace (FA Cup winners)

As it stands, sixth (Aston Villa) will enter the Europa League by league position, and it will go to one of those teams in the Champions League section.

Editor’s Picks

With one game to go, find out how the European places work in the Premier League1dDale Johnson
Clásico kits: Barcelona, Real Madrid’s all-time best, worst jerseys16dAlex Kirkland and Sam Marsden
Champions League final: Inter or PSG? Our experts make their picks16dMultiple contributors

Sixth are joined by the FA Cup winners, Crystal Palace. (stream a replay on ESPN+ in the U.S.)

If Chelsea win the Conference League — they are in the final vs. Real Betis on Wednesday — they are guaranteed at least a place in the Europa League, but will play in the Champions League if they finish in the top five. Their final position could also influence the allocation of European places.

There is a way for seventh to get a place in the Europa League. This requires:

1) Newcastle to finish in the top five
2) Chelsea to finish sixth
3) Chelsea to win the Conference League

In this scenario, there would be no English club in the Conference League, but three in the Europa League.

How Manchester United can recruit for the rebuild

Mark Ogden talks about Manchester United’s recruitment approach to improve the squad for next season under Ruben Amorim.

Conference League (1)

Newcastle are guaranteed at least a place in the Conference League playoff round, as they won the Carabao Cup. But if Newcastle finish in the top six, which is almost certain, to play in the UCL or UEL, the Conference League place goes to seventh.

Eighth can still take the Conference League place, which requires:

1) Chelsea to finish seventh
2) Chelsea to win the Conference League

It’s also possible if Chelsea finish sixth and Newcastle are seventh, but that is now highly improbable.

After Tuesday night’s results, we now know exactly what needs to happen for eighth (and that means 10 Premier League teams) to get into Europe. And it really is possible:

1) Chelsea lose at Nottingham Forest
2) Aston Villa win or draw at Manchester United
3) Chelsea win the Conference League

Brighton & Hove Albion (58, +4) are in command of the place and only Brentford (55, +9) can catch them.

Brighton need at least a point from their game at Spurs on Sunday to secure eighth place. However, if Brighton lose they can get overtaken by Brentford, who are away at Wolves, as the Bees have the better goal difference.

Relegation (3)

CONFIRMED

18. Leicester (37, 25)
19. Ipswich (37, 22)
20. Southampton (37, 12)

Southampton (12), Ipswich Town (22) and Leicester City (25) have been relegated.

Leeds United and Burnley were automatically promoted back to the top flight from the Championship; Sheffield United take on Sunderland in the Championship playoff final on Saturday.

Serie A
Last day: May 25

Title

The tight title race came to a head on Friday when either Napoli (82) or Internazionale (81) could have been crowned champions.

Both won 2-0, with Napoli’s victory over Cagliari ensuring they were crowned champions.

Champions League (4)

CONFIRMED

1. Napoli (38, 82)
2. Inter Milan (38, 81)
3. Atalanta (37, 74)

Napoli and Internazionale have already been joined by Atalanta (74). The fight for the last spot goes to Sunday.

Juventus (67) have fourth place in their own destiny. AS Roma (66) are the closest challengers, while Lazio (65) are outsiders.

Juve must win at relegation-threatened Venezia to be sure of their place in the UCL.

If Juve draw, they can only be overtaken by Roma (because Juve hold the head-to-head record over Lazio), who would have to win at Torino.

If Juve lose, they drop out of the top four with a win for either Roma or Lazio. If Juve and Roma (with a draw) are on 67 points, Juve will be ahead on goal difference — but Lazio could take fourth with a victory.

Lazio are at home to Lecce, another team in relegation danger. Lazio have to win, hope Juve lose and Roma draw/lose.

NB: There is one crazy scenario. If Juve lose 3-0 to Venezia, Roma draw 1-1, and Lazio draw/lose, then Juve and Roma would be level on all tiebreakers. Fourth place would be decided by … a coin toss.

If Inter win the Champions League there will be no impact on the Serie A places.

Europa League (2)

CONFIRMED

8. Bologna (Coppa Italia winners)

Bologna (62)are guaranteed Europa League football after they won the Coppa Italia, beating AC Milan 1-0 in the final.

Fifth place (Roma as it stands) will play in the Europa League by league position, which will also be a battle between Juve, Roma and Lazio.

Conference League (1)

At present this goes to sixth (Lazio), though it will pass to seventh if Bologna finish sixth.

Even so, if Bologna win at home to Genoa on Saturday, and Lazio lose to Lecce on Sunday, then Bologna could be sixth and Lazio seventh — so it would still be Lazio in the Conference League place.

However, if Fiorentina (62, away to Udinese on Sunday), Bologna and Lazio end up level on 65 points, that will be the final order — with Fiorentina in the Conference League spot.

AC Milan (60) cannot qualify for Europe.

Relegation (3)

CONFIRMED

20. Monza (37, 18)

Monza (18) were relegated at the start of this month.

It’s a fierce battle to avoid the last two spots between Venezia (29), Empoli (31) and Lecce (31).

Going into Sunday’s games, Venezia have to win at home to Juve to have any chance, and then hope both Empoli (home to Hellas Verona) and Lecce (away to Lazio) lose to definitely stay up.

If two teams finish level on points for 17th — this can happen if Venezia win and one of the other teams draw — then there will be a one-legged playoff hosted by the team with the best goal difference to stay in Serie A.

In Serie B, Sassuolo and Pisa have been promoted. One of six clubs will also come up through the end-of-season playoffs. Spezia, Cremonese, Juve Stabia, Catanzaro, Cesena and Palermo will take part for the last promotion place. The second leg of the semifinals take place on Sunday.

LaLiga
Last day: May 25

Title

There is one round of games to be played in Spain. (Stream all LaLiga games live on ESPN+, US only)

Barcelona (85) were crowned champions on May 15.

Champions League (5)

CONFIRMED

1. Barcelona (37, 85)
2. Real Madrid (37, 81)
3. Atlético Madrid (37, 73)
4. Athletic Club (37, 70)
5. Villarreal (37, 67)

Like the Premier League, LaLiga will have five teams in the Champions League next season.

Barcelona, Real Madrid (81), Atlético Madrid (73), Athletic Club (70) and Villarreal (67) have already booked their places.

Barcelona celebrate 28th title win with parade

Barcelona celebrate winning their 28th LaLiga title win with an open-top bus parade through the streets of the city.

Europa League (2)

CONFIRMED

6. Real Betis (37, 59)

As Barcelona won the Copa del Rey, the place for the cup transfers to the league — sixth and seventh will enter the Europa League. One place goes to Real Betis (59), but there’s a close race for seventh.

Celta Vigo (52) hold the spot, followed by Rayo Vallecano (51) and Osasuna (51).

LaLiga table

	GP	PTS
1 – Barcelona	37	85
2 – Real Madrid	37	81
3 – Atlético	37	73
4 – Athletic Club	37	70
5 – Villarreal	37	67
6 – Real Betis	37	59
7 – Celta Vigo	37	52
8 – Vallecano	37	51
9 – Osasuna	37	51

The games involving these teams will be played on Saturday.

Celta Vigo go to Getafe knowing it’s still in their own hands: win, and they are in the Europa League.

Vallecano are at home to Mallorca, while Osasuna go to Alavés. If Celta Vigo slip up, Vallecano or Osasuna could take advantage. Vallecano hold the head-to-head record over Osasuna, who can therefore only qualify for the UEL with a victory if both Celta and Vallecano fail to win.

Real Betis are in the Conference League final, with the winners of competition earning a spot in the Europa League, but their performance can’t impact the LaLiga allocation.

Europa Conference League (1)

This will go to eighth place, held right now by Rayo Vallecano, with the same three teams battling it out as noted in the Europa League section. One of the trio will miss out on European football altogether.

Relegation (3)

CONFIRMED

19. Las Palmas (37, 32)
20. Real Valladolid (37, 16)

Real Valladolid (16) and Las Palmas (32) are already down, but the third relegation place is going to be decided on Saturday.

Leganés (37) host rock-bottom Valladolid, so they have a chance.

The only team Leganés can catch is Espanyol (39), who were well clear but have lost their last five matches. The good news for Espanyol? They are at home to Las Palmas, the other relegated team.

Leganés hold the head-to-head record over Espanyol, which means if Leganés get three points they will be safe if Espanyol fail to win.

It’s a very tight race for the two automatic promotion places from LaLiga2 with two games to be played. Levante, Elche, Real Oviedo, Mirandés and Racing Santander are fighting it out. A third team comes up through four-team playoffs.

Bundesliga
League season completed

Title

Bayern Munich (82) won the title on May 4.

Champions League (4)

CONFIRMED

1. Bayern Munich (34, 82)
2. Bayer Leverkusen (34, 69)
3. Eintracht Frankfurt (34, 60)
4. Borussia Dortmund (34, 57)

Bayern and Bayer Leverkusen (68) had already secured their places weeks ago, leaving a three-horse race for the final two spots on the final day.

Borussia Dortmund (57) booked a place on the final day, along with Eintracht Frankfurt (60) who won at Freiburg to cling on to a spot in the top four.

Has Bayer Leverkusen’s golden era come to an end?

Janusz Michallik believes Bayer Leverkusen’s most successful era has officially come to an end.

Europa League (2)

CONFIRMED

5. Freiburg (34, 55)

Only fifth qualified via league placing, with SC Freiburg (55) having to make do with a spot in the Europa League.

For the second successive season, the final of the DFB Pokal (stream LIVE on May 24 on ESPN+, U.S. only) sees a Bundesliga club take on a lower-league side. Last season, Leverkusen beat then-2. Bundesliga strugglers Kaiserslautern.

This time VfB Stuttgart will play Arminia Bielefeld who, incredibly, are in the third division and have been promoted as champions.

The winners of the Pokal will qualify for the Europa League.

Stuttgart finished ninth on 50 points, so there will be no transfer of the place to the league if they win the cup. If Arminia Bielefeld produce a shock win in the final, they are set to play in the Europa League as a second-division club

Conference League (1)

CONFIRMED

6. Mainz (34, 52)

Mainz (52) drew 2-2 at home to Leverkusen on the final day to finish sixth, though as it turned out they could have lost and still taken the Conference League qualifying round spot.

Relegation (2+1)

Two teams are relegated automatically, while third-bottom takes on third place in the 2.Bundesliga in a playoff.

CONFIRMED

17. Holstein Kiel (34, 25)
18. VfL Bochum (34 25)

VfL Bochum (25) and Holstein Kiel (25) are down, with 1. FC Heidenheim (29) unable to avoid the playoff after losing to Werder Bremen on the last day.

In 2.Bundesliga, Hamburg and FC Cologne are promoted. SV 07 Elversberg will face Heidenheim in the playoff. The first leg on Thursday finished 2-2, with the return to be played on Monday.

Ligue 1
League season completed

Title

Paris Saint-Germain (84) secured the title with ease on April 5.

If PSG win the Champions League there will be no impact on the Ligue 1 places.

Champions League (3+1)

France gets three automatic places, with fourth place entering the UCL in the third qualifying round.

CONFIRMED

1. Paris Saint-Germain (34, 84)
2. Marseille (34, 65)
3. AS Monaco (34, 61)
4. Nice (34, 60)

Marseille (65) and AS Monaco (61) sealed the direct spots with a game to spare.

Nice (60, +25) thrashed Brest 6-0 to secure the place in qualifying on goal difference ahead of Lille (60, +16).

Europa League (2)

CONFIRMED

5. Lille (34, 60)

Lille are sure to be in the Europa League.

If PSG win the Coupe de France final on Saturday, a UEL place will pass to sixth-placed Lyon (57). PSG play Stade de Reims, who are 16th and will not finish in a domestic European place. If Reims win the cup, they will be in the Europa League — possibly as a Ligue 2 club.

Conference League (1)

Strasbourg (57) were certain of being in Europe, until they lost to at home to Le Havre on the final day through a penalty in the 99th-minute. That meant they dropped below Lyon, and the only way Strasbourg can now qualify for Europe is if PSG take the Coupe de France — seventh place will be in the Conference League playoff round.

NB: Lyon are provisionally relegated to Ligue 2 on financial grounds, which could affect European allocation.

Relegation (2+1)

CONFIRMED

17. Saint-Etienne (34, 30)
18. Montpellier (34, 16)

Montpellier (16) went down in April.

Relegation for Saint-Etienne (30) was confirmed when they lost at home to Toulouse on the last day. Le Havre AC (34) looked certain to be in the relegation playoff with their game at Strasbourg level in the ninth minute of added time, but the late winner lifted them out of the bottom three and dumped in Stade de Reims (33).

Lorient and Paris FC have secured promotion from Ligue 2, with Metz to play Reims in the relegation/promotion playoff final — the first leg was 1-1 with the second leg on Thursday.

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What it’s like to watch your son win the FA Cup – by Chris Richards’ parents

Adam Crafton

May 24, 2025Updated 4:06 am EDT

Almost a week has passed since Carrie Richards watched her son climb the Wembley steps to be greeted by Prince William, and raise the FA Cup with his victorious Crystal Palace team-mates.

The rush of adrenaline will take some time yet to subside. So, too, will the beaming pride felt by Carrie and her husband, Ken. They flew in from Birmingham, Alabama, to see their son, the 25-year-old USMNT defender Chris Richards, become only the third American to win the FA Cup — as part of the Palace team that defeated Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

Matt Turner, the national team’s goalkeeper, also received a winner’s medal, albeit he was an unused substitute on the day.

“Saturday was the most surreal experience of my life,” Carrie grins, speaking on a video call with The Athletic from the family home. “Seeing the fans walking down Wembley Way… I have never seen anything like it. The stadium was electric. My heart was beating. If I had worn my Apple watch, it probably would have told me I needed to go to the emergency room, from the moment we got there to the moment we left.”

The game itself was a nerve-shredding, nail-eviscerating experience.

Palace had never won a major trophy in their history. This was City’s 14th appearance in an FA Cup final and they had won two of the previous six editions of the tournament. For Palace to win demanded extreme commitment, the players stretching every last sinew in red and blue. It needed supreme organisation, a splash of quality and also a little fortune.

Palace scored the game’s only goal via their talismanic attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze, but also survived a red card review against their goalkeeper, Dean Henderson. He subsequently saved a penalty.

Henderson saves Omar Marmoush’s penalty as Richards watches on (Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar/Getty Images)

Carrie says: “Even if we’d been two or three ahead, I don’t I think I would have felt any more comfortable! A few weeks back, we were 2-0 up against City and we still lost 5-2 (in the Premier League fixture).”

Even after Palace survived 90 minutes of ordinary time, the fourth official’s board indicated 10 additional minutes for stoppages. Ken and Carrie blow out their cheeks. “We were counting down every last second,” she says. “I remember seeing we were down to three minutes, but there wasn’t a second where I was like, ‘OK, I can breathe now!’ until he blew the final whistle.”

That was the starting pistol for an explosion of joy and abandon. Carrie, who was seated with the families of the Palace players, says: “Everyone was in tears. Everyone was hugging…”

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“High-fiving, too,” Ken interjects. “It was crazy. We were just ecstatic, there were lots of balloons going around.”

The couple took in the scene. Multiple generations of families collapsing into each other on the terraces. Some players appeared to enter a trance; some sinking to their knees, others on their backs, exhausted, while more still embraced joyously. Messages from across the pond flooded into Carrie’s inbox. One photograph in particular, of royalty placing the winners’ medal around her son’s neck, kept coming through.

She says: ‘What’s funny is all my friends were more impressed with him being greeted by Prince William. They were like, ‘Oh my gosh!’ Americans are so fascinated with the royal family!”

Prince William, Prince of Wales, presented the cup to Crystal Palace (Eddie Keogh – The FA/Getty Images)

Richards excelled in the Palace defence, muzzling City superstar Erling Haaland. He made four blocks, 12 clearances and won five duels. Not once did an opponent dribble past him.

Before the game, his parents had sent their usual text messages. Ken says: “I tell him good luck. Trust your instincts, trust what you see, go out, play and have fun.”

Carrie’s message was a little more sentimental. “I was telling him how proud I was. The coach Oliver Glasner told him this opportunity was not a burden, but a privilege. We just wanted Chris to stay in the moment, be present, enjoy every minute, because we knew or had been told that it could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Carrie and Ken’s first pleasant surprise came when arriving at Wembley and seeing their son on the front cover of the match-day programme. As for how the Palace fans feel about him?

“People were walking around with Afro wigs on and American flags,” Carrie laughs. “A whole group (of fans) were in the section of the stadium chanting ‘USA!’ That’s priceless.”

Richards at Wembley (Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

For the Richards family, this represented a milestone.

Their collective story is one of devotion and sacrifice. Unseen to the ordinary fan is how families share in the emotional rollercoaster of professional soccer; matchday at the highest level can test emotions, but the journey to the summit requires patience, empathy and no little resilience.

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Richards was born into a comfortable household. His mum worked in a managerial paralegal-type role in a law firm, while his dad owned a moving transportation company that helped people with house moves. But when the economy crashed in 2009, and far fewer people moved home, the business went under.

“We lost everything,” Carrie says. “We had to start completely over, from doing very well before to having absolutely nothing. We were definitely pinching pennies every week. I can remember one time even Chris getting in from practice and him handing me a letter that said if we didn’t pay his soccer fees, then he wouldn’t get to play that next week.

“I was so embarrassed. We were just robbing Peter to pay Paul every week.”

In the United States, life as a soccer parent can be exorbitantly expensive. Carrie and Ken say that Chris would often have games either out of state, or far enough away to require a hotel stay. He had two younger siblings who also required attention. “We were an average family and we were struggling to pay it,” Carrie says.

Trips out of town would cost at least $500 for a weekend. Carrie or Ken would often volunteer to drive the passenger van for the team, because that was a way to have the cost of a hotel covered.

“There was another player whose parents could never go, so they would split the hotel costs with us and they would stay in our room,” she says. “I don’t think him quitting was ever a question. For us, it was always just, ‘How are we going to do it?’ rather than, ‘Will we do it?’.”

A young Richards takes on his marker (Carrie Richards)

The family lived in Hoover, Alabama, around 10 miles south of Birmingham. A place where football is king — Hoover High School has 13 state titles — and soccer is seen as a curiosity. “Soccer here is probably the fifth most popular sport,” says Carrie. “It is only now (after the final) some people around us are starting to say, ‘Oh, now I understand what Chris achieved because he’s on the news’.

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“A few weeks ago, somebody asked me what I was going to London for. I said: ‘Oh, my son plays soccer in England’. And they’re like, ‘Oh he doesn’t want to play in the United States?’. So I think there’s still a lot of people around here just don’t understand the magnitude of playing in the Premier League.

“They’re like, ‘Oh, you’re going all the way to the UK for a game?’. Yes, the FA Cup is the oldest tournament in history! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

USA 🇺🇸 #CPFC pic.twitter.com/SGMtGrwuGJ

— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) May 17, 2025

On Richards’ arms, he has tattoos of heroes including Martin Luther King Jr., Muhammad Ali and Barack Obama, but his first tattoo, written in Roman numerals, is the date he left home shortly after turning 16.

He had not long been cut by FC Dallas when he was offered a place at U.S. Soccer Academy Development club Houston Texans SC. This was a step down to move forwards, playing in a non-MLS academy 10 hours from home.

Chris, his mum admits, was “devastated” when Dallas let him go.

Ken says, “I’m a little old school and I felt like he would do one of two things: he would give up or use it as fuel to push him on. That’s exactly what he did. Sometimes it’s good to have a little disappointment. It built a resilience which helped him as he left home and especially when he later moved to Europe.”

A delighted Richards with team-mate Jean-Philippe Mateta at Wembley (Julian Finney – The FA/Getty Images)

For both parents, letting their eldest boy fly the nest was a wrench. Houston found him a host family, the Eastons, who met Carrie and Ken once before taking in their son. They remain in touch to this day and describe the family as “just amazing”.

“We were thinking that we have two more years to prepare him for life — to learn how to cook, how to make a doctor’s appointment,” says Carrie. “He moved 10 hours away to a family that we’d barely met in a city that we’ve never been to. We were praying for the best.

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“But he was saying: ‘We’ve got to do this’. So, OK, I’ve got to get on board. It was heart wrenching.

“I cried every day for God knows how long. Every time we went to see him, I would cry when we left. He didn’t even have his driver’s licence yet. Our other son Christian was two, just a little baby, and he was missing his big brother. It was almost like he’d gone to college two years early. We mentally weren’t ready for that.”

Ken smiles. “And there were so many people, family and friends, in our ears, saying, ‘Are you guys going to let them go? You guys are crazy. This is the worst idea you could have!’,” he says.

Carrie continues, “We were second guessing ourselves, asking: ‘Is this the dumbest thing we’ve ever done?’.”

It turned out to be the opposite.

Richards grew in height and quality while in Houston and his team racked up a string of impressive wins, including against the team who had released him. Dallas then invited him back and, after trials at Borussia Dortmund and Hoffenheim, he was signed by Bayern Munich just as he turned 18.

There were a handful of appearances for Bayern’s first team, as well as loan spells at Hoffenheim, before Palace spent an initial €12million (£10m; $13.5m) on Richards in the summer of 2022. This campaign has been his best yet, starting 28 games in Glasner’s exciting Palace team, particularly coming to the fore in a second half of the season in which Palace have shot up the Premier League table and claimed the FA Cup.

Carrie, Chris and Ken Richards with the FA Cup (Carrie Richards)

“It was very moving at the final to see how much it meant to the people of south London — for him to be a part of something that’s so historic,” says Ken. “He’ll forever be a part of that. Maybe 100 years from now, it’ll be maybe a trivia question: ‘Who’s the American centre-back when we won our first FA Cup?’.”

After the game, there was time for hugs, drinks and photographs at the nearby Boxpark, both with his parents and his girlfriend, who recently gave birth for the first time. His siblings watched from home, with his sister Mackenzie studying at college and younger brother Christian still at school. They sent explanations from across the pond when Carrie and Ken were trying to understand, amid little in-stadium communication, why the game had been delayed for a VAR review of Henderson’s handball outside the penalty area.

But enough about Chris the footballer. What does Chris the person mean to his parents?

Ken pauses, his eyes moistening. “He’s such a good person. Everybody thinks highly of their kids but he really is a great person who cares about other people. He’s very humble, very considerate…”

Carrie jumps in: “He has a really good sense of humor.”

Ken nods: “Yes, he’s funny. There are so many adjectives I can use, but he’s special.”

Carrie says: “He would do anything for either of us, for his siblings. He’s loyal to the friends he grew up with.”

Richards and fellow USMNT player Turner parade the FA Cup around Wembley (Glyn Kirk/AFP via Getty Images)

As parents of an American soccer player, the next year brings excitement, with a home World Cup on the horizon in the summer of 2026.

“He was injured right before the World Cup in Qatar,” Carrie adds. “Since we had already taken off the time to go to the World Cup, we decided to go over and spend that time with him, because he was not in a good place emotionally at all. So we made sure we were there for him.

“When he was a little boy, he always had these little sticky notes on his mirror: he wants to achieve this or he wants to achieve that. Playing in the World Cup was one one of these. We would be so incredibly proud.”What You Should Read NextHow Crystal Palace won the FA Cup: A tearjerking tifo, lucky cufflinks and Glasner’s masterplanThe most glorious day in Crystal Palace’s history was a long time coming – and a result of meticulous planning

(Top photo: Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)

Pochettino uses USMNT Gold Cup squad to send a pointed message

By Paul Tenorio

May 22, 2025

The news coming out of Thursday’s U.S. men’s national team roster release was the names that were missing.

No Christian Pulisic, Antonee Robinson, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, Gio Reyna, Yunus Musah or Josh Sargent.

The reasons for those absences from this summer’s Concacaf Gold Cup vary. McKennie, Weah and Reyna are playing in the FIFA Club World Cup. Musah asked to be excused due to personal reasons. Sargent was a coach’s choice. Robinson has dealt with numerous injuries this season with Fulham and needed a rest. Pulisic requested to get the summer off after playing another 50-game campaign for AC Milan.

“Many people can say it’s really important for us to be all together for the last time (in a tournament) before the World Cup,” Pochettino said. “But always as a coaching staff we listen to the player and then, of course, we take the decision. We have our own idea in everything, but after the consideration … we decided the best for him, the best for the team, the best for the national team is the decision that we made.”

The larger message from Pochettino, though, was clear — both for the players who were absent and the ones that were going to be in camp.

Mauricio Pochettino and Christian Pulisic Christian Pulisic won’t be involved in the USMNT’s Gold Cup quest this summer. (Photo by Shaun Clark/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images)

“The important thing is to provide to the new players the possibility to challenge,” Pochettino said. “And to challenge the possibility to take a place. My first conversation we are going to have on (June 1) when we are all together is: ‘Listen, guys. You have the possibility to defend your place. When you are now in the national team, it is not because you are here to try to replace people that (are) sure that (they are) going to be here. No, you have the possibility to defend your place. How you are going to defend your place, that is the important thing for us. You need to fight, you need to show attitude, the right attitude, but not only that, perform, and be brave, and follow the rules that we set in the group.’

“I think it is really important for us. And of course they need to know that they … are going to compete in a fair way with different people that maybe are not involved today in this squad.”

In other words: Fight like this is your job to lose, not your job to win. Because no one is guaranteed a spot on this U.S. national team.

The performances in March in the Concacaf Nations League finals, when the U.S. lost to both Panama and Canada, left plenty to be desired and room to see more desire from the group. That is what Pochettino seems to be seeking. His praise of Diego Luna’s approach in the last camp was about the RSL midfielder’s passion as much as his on-field play.More on U.S. SoccerNew USMNT, USWNT kits feature classic looks with a nod to an iconic throwbackWith the 2026 World Cup on home soil nearing, the USMNT has one new look, while the USWNT has a complete set that meets a World Cup standard

The names being brought into this camp seem to be a bid to inject more of that into a group that needs it. There are players like Sebastian Berhalter, the son of ex-U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter, who got released by Columbus and Austin and has earned his call-up with his strong form for the Vancouver Whitecaps; Luna, who has spoken often about constantly feeling like he needed to prove himself; and Alex Freeman, the son of a Super Bowl winner who will get a chance to make his national team debut amid a breakout season in Orlando.

“Obviously those thoughts have crossed my mind,” Freeman said when asked last week by The Athletic about a potential USMNT call-up. “It just gives me more to work for, more to strive for. It would be a dream to play for them.”

The value of this Gold Cup could be finding the right mix of hungry players for the World Cup squad in order to offset a core that has at times been considered a “golden generation.” The utility is in creating the right culture within the group.

Pochettino has made clear that he doesn’t care where players play their club soccer. Asked about a handful of European-based players who were not on the team, Pochettino said they are “at the same level as some of the players that are now involved in the roster.”

“My feeling in all these camps — from October, November, January and March — I think many players, they took the chance and deserve again to come back,” he said. “Because they not only performed and behaved well in the camp, after that they kept performing in their teams.”

USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino Pochettino is hoping for a bounce-back summer for the USMNT, a year out from the World Cup it will cohost. (Photo by Erich Schlegel/Imagn Images)

Pochettino continued rolling in his answer, thinking back on a previous question asked. His response spoke plenty about where he thinks this team can improve and the type of players he’s seeking to improve it.

“In a previous question you asked: Is (this squad meant) to punish or say ‘pay attention’ to some players? I think what we want to create in our national team is people desperate to come, but desperate to come to perform,” he said. “To perform means follow the rules, create a good atmosphere, be part of the team. Be able, in every single aspect, (to meet) our (federation) demands … and understand that it’s possible (this could) be the last possibility to be with us. Because (in most windows) we only have time to come to maybe train one, two, three times, then play. One, two recovery sessions and then play. And then go home and maybe wait two months to be all together (again). If you arrive to the camp and you want to spend a nice time, play golf, go for a dinner, visit my family, visit my friend. Is that the culture that we want to create? No, no, no, no, no.

“What we want to do is to go to the national team, arrive and be focused. And spend all my focus and energy on the national team. Because we need to create this culture about winning and we need to chase our aim. If we want to be good in one year’s time, we need to think that today is the most important day, because we need to build from today our way to arrive. It’s not to say, ‘OK, I wait, I wait, I wait. No, the World Cup is in one year. It’s in six months. It’s in one month.’ And then it’s late.

“That is why I think it’s important to have (a) different approach. And for us, I think we learned a lot in the last few camps, for sure in March. And I think it is about maybe using a different way to approach this. These opportunities are amazing. We are so motivated, so excited. That is why I am full of energy. We are full of energy working in trying to create a good group that we can feel proud (of).”

After a string of bad results in major competitions, it’s clear something different is needed. If the result of the Gold Cup is that it injects a different and more competitive culture into this U.S. national team, then it will be an incredibly successful tournament.What You Should Read NextUSMNT frustrations boiling over as World Cup clock keeps on tickingExpectations of this U.S. group are growing, especially with a World Cup on home soil. So why does it feel like progress has been stunted?

(Top photo: John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images)

USMNT Gold Cup squad: Pulisic, Musah not the only high-profile absences

By Paul Tenorio

May 22, 2025

The U.S. will be without several regulars for this summer’s Gold Cup, including stars Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah and Antonee Robinson.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino named a 27-man roster for camp ahead of this summer’s Gold Cup on Thursday. The U.S. will only be able to carry 26 players into the tournament, with Concacaf’s deadline to finalize the squad on June 4. The U.S. will play friendlies against Turkey and Switzerland before group games against Trinidad & Tobago, Saudi Arabia and Haiti.

Pulisic and Robinson have been given the summer off after long seasons with AC Milan and Fulham, respectively. Robinson has been dealing with several injury issues, including tendinopathy, which caused him to miss the Concacaf Nations League finals in March. If Pulisic plays this weekend for AC Milan, it will be his 120th game for club and country in the past two years.

“Christian and his team approached the Federation and the coaching staff about the possibility of stepping back this summer, given the amount of matches he has played in the past two years at both the club and international level with very little break,” U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker said in a statement. “After thoughtful discussions and careful consideration, we made the collective decision that this is the right moment for him to get the rest he needs. The objective is to ensure he’s fully prepared to perform at the highest level next season.”

McKennie and Weah (Juventus) and Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund) will also miss the tournament due to commitments with their club teams, which are competing in this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup.

Other notable names not on the squad include midfielder Yunus Musah, who had an up-and-down season for Milan, and Josh Sargent, who scored 15 goals for Norwich this season in the English Championship.

The absence of so many notable players means the U.S. will go into the summer’s tournament with a mix of players considered to be first-choice regulars, as well as more than a few players trying to break into the squad ahead of next summer’s World Cup.

Despite all of the omissions, there are some positive developments within this team.

USMNT right back Sergiño Dest is back in the mix ahead of the Concacaf Gold Cup. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

Sergiño Dest is back after tearing his ACL in April 2024, a welcome return for one of the USMNT’s best players. Several others who missed the Nations League through injury — Johnny Cardoso, Malik Tillman and Folarin Balogun — are also back in the rotation.

World Cup veterans Tyler Adams, Matt Turner, Tim Ream, Luca de la Torre, Brenden Aaronson and Haji Wright are also in the team, while veteran center backs Mark McKenzie, Miles Robinson and Chris Richards bolster the defensive options.

Among the notable new names in the mix: Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, the son of former U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter; Orlando City right back Alex Freeman, the son of NFL Super Bowl winner Antonio Freeman; Philadelphia Union attacking midfielder Quinn Sullivan; and German-American striker Damion Downs, a 20-year-old who had 10 goals for Koln in the 2. Bundesliga as the club earned promotion to Germany’s top flight.

Interestingly, Pochettino opted for MLS-based strikers Patrick Agyemang and Brian White over Sargent, who started multiple games for the U.S. at the 2022 World Cup. Diego Luna, a standout at the Nations League, will also get another opportunity to make his case for inclusion in the World Cup squad.

The full roster is below:

GOALKEEPERS: Matt Freese (New York City FC), Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew), Zack Steffen (Colorado Rapids), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace)

FORWARDS: Patrick Agyemang (Charlotte FC), Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Damion Downs (FC Köln), Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps), Haji Wright (Coventry City)

Christian Pulisic missing Gold Cup: Bad look for the player, bad break for USMNT

By Paul Tenorio

116

May 21, 2025

Christian Pulisic has long been the tone-setting player on this U.S. men’s national team, a leader by example who has been counted on in the program’s biggest moments.

With just more than a year left to prepare for the World Cup, however, the U.S. will have to work its way out of a major slump without its most important player.

Pulisic will not be a part of the U.S.’s Gold Cup roster, sources confirmed to The Athletic on Wednesday night. The news was first reported by Fox Sports. The 26-year-old winger seemingly wants a break after a long season with AC Milan. He has nursed and played through several slight injuries over the course of the Serie A campaign. The hope is that resting Pulisic in the Gold Cup will give him a better chance at being healthy for next season and, by extension, next summer’s World Cup.

All of that may be true and valid. The demand of an increasingly grueling calendar on players is as under the microscope as ever, and we won’t hear the official reasons for Pulisic’s absence until U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino speaks Thursday.

But it is still a bad look for the player and a bad break for this U.S. team that its best player and face of the program is missing this tournament.

The U.S. is in the midst of a major tailspin. It was knocked out in the group stage at the Copa América last summer and then dumped in the semifinals of the Nations League by Panama in March before losing the third-place game to Canada.

Vibes around this group are alarmingly low. The Gold Cup was meant to be a potential salve to the culture within the team, and the faith of the fanbase around it. Ahead of a home World Cup, it took on even more importance.

It is also the first time Pochettino will get more than a short international window with his Europe-based players. That has real value for a new coach trying not just to instill a system, but also heal the internal mindset and attitude. Pulisic himself called on Pochettino to do that last September.

“Hopefully, he’s someone that’s going to come in and really change the culture around here,” Pulisic said at the time.

Now, Pulisic appears to be opting out of that chance at a cultural reset this summer.

Mauricio Pochettino and Christian Pulisic Christian Pulisic will be a spectator for this summer’s Concacaf Gold Cup. (Photo by Shaun Clark/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images)

The U.S. was already weakened by the FIFA Club World Cup this summer. Weston McKennie and Tim Weah, two regular USMNT starters, will be participating in that tournament with Juventus and won’t be with the U.S. Gio Reyna, once an enticing prospect, is struggling for minutes at the club level, but will be with Borussia Dortmund for the Club World Cup, as well.

Yunus Musah, Pulisic’s Milan teammate, will also miss the tournament, sources told The Athletic, meaning the U.S. will be without five players from its supposed “golden generation” this summer.

That doesn’t mean the group will be entirely decimated. Several key players are still expected to be a part of the squad. Left back Antonee Robinson, right back Sergiño Dest, forward Folarin Balogun and midfielders Johnny Cardoso and Malik Tillman, all of whom missed the Nations League debacle, were on the 60-man preliminary roster and are expected to make the squad.

World Cup captain Tyler Adams should also be there, as well as FA Cup winner Chris Richards.

The absence of those other key figures means opportunities could be opened up for players who are trying to make an impression and whose hunger could help this team. The preliminary list included the likes of Diego Luna, a standout at Nations League, and Brenden Aaronson and Alejandro Zendejas, who missed the previous squad and will want to prove a point. (Though Zendejas would not be available if Club America qualifies for the Club World Cup at the end of the month.)

A wildcard may even be able to slip in there if they get a look.

The positive spin on this situation is that the void left behind by one player opens a window for another. But the reality is that there is no replacement for Pulisic. The 2026 World Cup has been touted for some time as a transformative moment for the sport in this country. Pulisic is undeniably the most famous American on the national team. The responsibility that comes with that fame is enormous. For some fans, Pulisic is the national team.

His absence, particularly at this time, hits differently.

When Pochettino was hired last September, he was supposed to be a stabilizer. His sterling resume and global recognition was meant to calm some of the diehard fans that were turning on the program and blaming former coach Gregg Berhalter for all that was going wrong.

One of the benefits of Pochettino’s hire was that it would turn the pressure back onto the players. That has certainly proved to be true. The Nations League was eye-opening. The team looked disinterested. Fans and alumni started to call out a group they felt was complacent and entitled. At the time, Pochettino preached patience.

“I don’t want the people to feel pessimistic,” he said. “Disappointed? Disappointed, we are all. And the fans need to feel the disappointment that we didn’t win. But I don’t want to allow (them) to feel pessimistic, because we have good players. We are going to find a way to perform.”

Since the 2022 World Cup, Pulisic has been one of the few American players that has taken steps forward in his game. He’s become counted on to deliver week-in and week-out at AC Milan, and has mostly done so. Out of any of the so-called “golden generation,” the winger’s play and desire to produce for the U.S. has been evident.

“This team is everything to me,” Pulisic said on Paramount+ after the Nations League losses. “I care so much for this team, for this country. I hope people know that about me. It’s truly an honor to lead this country.”https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHkElrsM6Km/embed/captioned/?cr=1&v=14&wp=540&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com&rp=%2Fathletic%2F6373974%2F2025%2F05%2F21%2Fchristian-pulisic-out-gold-cup-usmnt-impact-pochettino%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A2312.3000000000466%2C%22ls%22%3A778.8000000000466%2C%22le%22%3A1283.8000000000466%7D

It’s hard to argue that his absence from this tournament a year out from the World Cup doesn’t speak just as loudly, though.

One can’t help but think back to something Pochettino said the day he was introduced as the U.S. coach. Asked about the lack of meaningful competitive games before the World Cup, Pochettino pushed back on that notion.

“When I was a player with Argentina, Copa America, World Cup or friendly, it was the same,” he said. “To show that you are the best and win the game for your country, for your pride and everything. Because that is what it means to be competitive. We are going to be focusing on that.”

This Gold Cup was already going to be a test on that competitiveness and desire. That one of its leaders won’t be there is a rough start to the evaluation.

5/16 Final weeks of Euro seasons, American in FA Cup Final Sat 11:30 ESPN+, MLS Rivalry Weekend, Europa Cup Wed 3 pm, State & Prez Cup this weekend at Grand Park

May 16, 2025May 18, 2025 gatorbest msl, nwsl, premier-league, soccer, us-open-cup

Lots to play for this weekend and Germany & Spain wrap up their seasons and Italy & England are not far behind. Champions & Europa League and even Relegation Battles for some. (Read full round-up below).

FA Cup – Crystal Palace vs Man City Sat 11:30 am on ESPN+
American Chris Richards will look to become one of the few American’s (Tim Howard 2 times) to lift a FA Cup Trophy as Crystal Palace battles Man City in London at 11:30 am on ESPN+. Should be quite a game – especially if Palace can continue their run of scoring goals. The first American to win the FA Cup was… Julian Sturgis, from Boston, in 1873. He did it with Wanderers FC, an amateur club who are sadly no more. Props to Pablo Maurer for a hot piece of trivia. Of course Pulisic and AC Milan failed to win the Copa Italia on Wed vs Bologna and hopefully this will be enough to fire their pathetic coach. Pulisic always gets pulled in the last 15 minutes even if he has been the best player on the field. Drives me nuts. Pulisic scores again vs Bologna in Mother’s Day weekend

The Indy 11 ladies return to Grand Park indoors tonight as they open their season tonight!
Gamedays with the girls are BACK. That’s right—Indy Eleven W League team is SERVING goals, glory, and greatness all season long. We kick-off the season , May 16 at 7 PM. Join us at Grand Park Events Center as we cheer on our Girls in Blue! GET YOUR W LEAGUE TICKETS TODAY!

I want to wish everyone good luck at the President’s Cup and State Cup games this weekend on Saturday & Sunday at Grand Park. I will be out there coaching and reffing both days.

Congrats to the 2008 Girls – Kings Hammer Champs in Cincy (Lilly in goal)

Carmel FC 2013 Boys Gold Champions at Dynamo Tourney (Coach Brian Felter R)

Back on the Fields for President Cup at Grand Park this weekend! Here with Brad & Daniel.

TV Games

Fri, May 16
3:15 pm Peacock Chelsea vs Man United

7 pm ESPN+ El Paso vs Indy 11

8 pm Prime Video Orlando Pride (Marta) vs KC Current

Sat, May 17

9:30 am ESPN+ Dortmund (Reyna) vs Kiel
9:30 am ESPN+ Borussia MGladbach (Scaley) vs Wolfsburg
11:30 am ESPN+ Crystal Palace (Richards) vs Man City FA Cup Final
2:45 pm Para+ Genoa vs Atalanta 5 pm
CBS Golazo NC Courage vs Chicago Red Stars (Nayher) NWSL
7:15 pm FS1, Apple Columbus vs Cincy MLS
9:30 pm FS1, Apple Portland Timbers vs Seattle Sounders
10 pm Ion Bay FC vs Angel City NWSL

Sun, May 18

USA 7 am Everton vs Southampton (last game at Goodison Park)
9 am USA West Ham vs Nottingham Forest
10 am Peacock Brentford vs Fulham (Robinson)
11:30 am USA Arsenal vs New Castle
1 pm ESPN+ Atletico vs Real Bettis, Barca vs Villareal, Valencia vs Athletic Club all Spain games 2:45 pm CBSSN Inter vs Lazio Italy
2:45 pm Para+ Roma vs AC Milan (Pulisic)
7 pm Apple Miami (Messi)vs Orlando City MLS
9 pm Apple TV LA Galaxy vs LAFC – El Traffico
9:15 pm Univision America vs Cruz Azul
Tues, May 20
3 pm USA Man City vs Bournmouth (Adams)
3 pm Peacock Crystal Palace (Richards) vs Wolverhampton
7:30 pm Para+ NE vs Chicago Fire US Open Cup
10:30 pm CBSSN SJ Earthquakes vs Portland Timbers US Open Cup

Wed, May 21

CBSSN, Para+ Man United vs Tottenham Europa League Final in Balboa, Spain
7:30 pm CBSSN NY Red Bulls vs Dallas US Open Cup
7:30 pm Para_+ Philly Union vs Pittsburg Riverhounds (GK Carmel’s Eric Dick)

Wed, May 28

Paramount Plus Chelsea vs Real Bettis (Ricardo) Europa Conference League Final in Poland

Sat, May 31

CBS 3 pm Inter Milan vs PSG UEFA Champions League Final in Munich, Germany

5 pm TBS US Women vs China

Sun, June 1

Fox Sport 1 Cruz Azul vs Vancouver Whitecaps CC Champions Cup Final

Tues, June 3

TNT, Max, Peacock US Women vs Jamaica

Wed, June 4

2:45 pm Fox Germany vs Portugal – Nations League Semi

Thurs, June 5

2:45 pm Fox Spain vs France– Nations League Semi

Sat, June 7

3:30 pm TNT, Tele US Men vs Turkey

Sun, June 8

2:45 pm Fox Nations League Finals

Tues, June 10

8 pm TNT, Peacock US Men vs Switzerland

June 13 – 29 GOLD CUP MEN

Sun, June 15

6 pm FS1 US Men vs Trinidad Gold Cup

Thur, June 19

6 pm FS1 US Men vs KSA Gold Cup

Sun, June 22

7 pm FS1 US Men vs Haiti Gold Cup

Sun, June 26

TBS, Peacock US Women vs Ireland

Sun, June 29^th

TNT, Peacock US Women vs Ireland in Cincy

USMNT weekend viewing guide: Finales

By jcksnftsn May 16, 2025, 10:47am PDT

Tottenham Hotspur FC v Crystal Palace FC - Premier League

We are down to the final matchday in Germany, France and the Netherlands and there is a FA Cup final with USMNT implications this weekend as well, so despite a slow start on Friday there’s a lot of action on Saturday and Sunday as all the major leagues are still in action before the summer break. Here’s what we’re watching:

Saturday

Borussia Dortmund v Holstein Kiel – 9:30a on ESPN+

Gio Reyna was an unused substitute again last weekend and has appeared just once in league play since early March. His Dortmund side enter the last weekend of the Bundesliga season within a point of Freiburg for fourth place. Freiburg’s 2-1 victory last weekend relegated Holstein Kiel and John Tolkin with a week remaining.

Borussia Monchengladbach v Wolfsburg – 9:30a on ESPN+

Joe Scally did not start last weekend but came on as a halftime substitute as Borussia Monchengladbach fell to Bayern Munich 2-0. Gladbach are in tenth place heading into their finale against Kevin Paredes’ twelfth place Wolfsburg though it appears that Paredes has been shut down for the season.

St. Pauli v Bochum – 9:30a on ESPN+

James Sands remains out but his St Pauli teammates need just a point to guarantee that they will be in the Bundesliga again next season when Sands returns to the field. They face a Bochum side that are set to finish dead last in the Bundesliga table.

Crystal Palace v Manchester City – 11:30a on ESPN+

Chris Richards and Crystal Palace will be heavy underdogs on Saturday but have a chance to take home a trophy as they face Manchester City in the FA Cup Final. Richards scored in Palace’s last meeting with Man City, just a month ago, but City came back to thump Palace 5-2 in the league match.

Olympique Lyon v Angers SCO – 3p on beIN Sports

Tanner Tessmann and Lyon have lost their last two and three of their past four to fall out of the spots for European competition next season. To pull into the top six Lyon will need to defeat thirteenth place Angers and will need a loss from at least one of Nice, Lille, or Strassbourg in the last week of the season.

Lens v Monaco – 3p on beIN Sports

Folarin Balogun was out injured again last weekend as Monaco defeated Lyon 2-0 to clinch their top three finish and a Champions League spot next Fall. Monaco will now face Lens in the final weekend of the season with neither team able to make significant moves up or down the table, though Monaco could still overtake second place Marseille.

Saint-Etienne v Toulouse – 3p on beIN Sports

Mark McKenzie and Toulouse are in twelfth place heading into their final match, clear of the relegation scrum but unlikely to break into the top ten either as the season closes out. McKenzie returned to the starting lineup last weekend following his two match red card suspension and he has appeared in 29 of 33 matches for the Ligue Un side this season.

Sunday

Sparta Rotterdam v PSV Eindhoven – 8:30a on ESPN+

Malik Tillman, Sergino Dest and PSV defeated Heracles Almelo 4-1 on Wednesday with Tillman scoring twice and adding an assist and Dest assisting on the other goal. The victory, combined with yet another Ajax draw, pulled PSV into first place in what is an incredible comeback for the league title, thanks in no small part to Ajax’s meltdown. Ajax have failed to win in their past four matches, dropping ten points to allow PSV to retake the league lead heading into the final weekend. Eindhoven travel to Rotterdam controlling their own destiny and will clinch the league title with a win over the eleventh place side which they defeated 2-1 at home in October.

Brentford v Fulham – 10a on Peacock

Antonee Robinson was not included in the squad last weekend as Fulham fell to Everton 3-1. That makes two of the past three league matches in which Robinson did not appear which is quite unusual for a player who has been so consistent, logging just under three-thousand league minutes this season. Fulham are in eleventh place going into the final two weeks of the season and will face eighth place Brentford who are four points ahead of them in the table.

Atletico Madrid v Real Betis – 1p on ESPN+

Johnny Cardoso and Real Betis drew with Rayo Vallecano on Thursday and are now four points behind fifth place Villarreal with two matches to play. Betis can do no worse than their current sixth place position and qualifying for Europa League next fall but they will need some help over the next two weeks if they are going to catch Villarrreal for the coveted Champions League spot. Betis will have their hands full this weekend as well as they take on third place Atletcio Madrid. Betis won the first matchup between the clubs this season, 1-0 back in October with Betis hosting the match.

Cagliari v Venezia – 2:45p on Paramount+

Gianluca Busio and Venezia defeated Fiorentina 2-1 last weekend to pull a point ahead of Lecce and they now control their own destiny in the fight to avoid relegation. They will face fourteenth place Cagliari this weekend before finishing the season against a Juventus side that are fighting to remain in the top four. Venezia are just a point ahead of both Lecce and Empoli with the latter easily having the easiest remaining schedule of the three as they face last place Monza this weekend before finishing with 15th place Hellas Verona next Sunday. Venezia do hold the tie-breaker over Empoli should the teams end even but Lecce hold the tiebreak advantage over Venezia.

Juventus v Udinese – 2:45p on Paramount+

Tim Weah and Weston McKennie both started and went the full 90’ last weekend with Weah feeding Weston to setup the go ahead assist. Unfortunately, Juventus would play down a man the final 30’ after Pierre Kalulu was sent off with a straight red and Lazio would tie up the match late in stoppage time. The two teams remain tied for fourth place and the final Champions League spot with Juventus holding the tiebreaker advantage thanks to their 1-0 win in October. Juventus now face twelfth place Udinese who are coming off a 2-1 loss to last place Monza.

Roma v Milan – 2:45p on Paramount+

Christian Pulisic and AC Milan fell to Bologna midweek in the Coppa Itallia and will need help to pass at least two teams to make any European competition next Spring. They are within three points of Roma and a win this weekend would give them the tiebreaker but they will still need help as they remain two points behind Bologna in league play and four points behind fourth place Juventus and fifth place Lazio. Yunus Musah did not appear midweek in the Coppa Itallia and saw just a handful of minutes off the bench last weekend in Milan’s 3-1 Serie A win which was also against Bologna. Roma are coming off a 2-1 loss to third place Atalanta and still have hopes of cracking the top four though they will also need help as they trail by a point.

WORLD

FA Cup win won’t save Man City, but it can kick-start their rebuild
How Hansi Flick won the LaLiga title and took Barcelona back to the top
Madrid’s Carlos Ancelotti to Brazil is official And he reckons Ancelotti has his work cut out

Moyes: Goodison farewell match will be emotional

Salah: Don’t boo TAA in final Liverpool games

USA

Tillman puts PSV on title brink as Ajax collapse
Pulisic scores again vs Bologna in Mother’s Day weekend
USMNT to face Korea, Japan in Sept. friendlies
USWNT celebrates 40 years with beautifully complementary kits
FIFA confirms 48-team Women’s World Cup in ’31
Kassouf: Tullis-Joyce top contender for USWNT goalkeeper

Goalkeeping

1 v 1 – Close Down Attacker – don’t back up
Yes Yann Sommer was that good vs Barca – 10 saves
Sommer tips last shot to save game vs Yamal

June 16th: 9-4 / June 17th: 8-3 12383 Cyntheanne Rd, Fishers, IN $595 Register

Reffing

El Classico Handball or not?
Attacking Player in Wall?

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Must Watch: Orlando Pride vs. Kansas City Current this Friday on Prime Video

The league’s top two teams will face off in Orlando in the third installment of Rivalries presented by Ally. Orlando went unbeaten against the Current in 2024, lifting the Championship trophy on Kansas City’s home turf. Who will appear in the top spot after this weekend?

Watch this Friday on Prime Video at 8PM ET. Read More

Nominees Announced for 2025 NWSL Lauren Holiday Impact Award

The Lauren Holiday Impact Award, presented by Nationwide, recognizes an NWSL player for outstanding service and character off the pitch, with the winner receiving a $50,000 donation to a charitable organization of their choice. Check out this year’s nominees!Read More

Esther González extends contract with Gotham FC through 2027

NWSL Champion and World Cup winner Esther González is here to stay. Her 2023 signing has made an immediate impact for Gotham FC. She scored the game-winning goal in the their first NWSL Championship in club history in her debut season. Now, in Week 9, González leads the league in goals (7). Read More

Louisville’s Arin Wright rocks captain armband designed by son for special Mother’s Day moment.

The Racing Louisville captain dons an armband every game, but the one she wore on May 9 may be one of the most cherished mementos of her career.
Read More

Indy 11

Gamedays with the girls are BACK. That’s right—Indy Eleven W League team is SERVING goals, glory, and greatness all season long.
We kick-off the season , May 16 at 7 PM. Join us at Grand Park Events Center as we cheer on our Girls in Blue! GET YOUR W LEAGUE TICKETS TODAY!

Europe’s top soccer leagues: Titles, cup finals, UCL, relegation

Dale JohnsonMay 16, 2025, 04:00 AM ET

The 2024-25 season has entered the closing stages, with the battles for the major honours, European qualification, relegation and promotion heating up.

Here’s a roundup of what’s at stake and what could be decided this weekend in the English Premier League, German Bundesliga, Spanish LaLiga, Italian Serie A and French Ligue 1.

This page will be updated through to the end of the European season.

Premier League
Last day: May 25

Title

Liverpool (83) were confirmed as champions on April 27 with four games to spare.

Champions League (5)

CONFIRMED

1. Liverpool (36 games played, 83 points)

Premier League table

	GP	PTS	GD
1 – Liverpool	36	83	+46
2 – Arsenal	36	68	+33
3 – Newcastle	36	66	+23
4 – Man City	36	65	+24
5 – Chelsea	36	63	+19
6 – Aston Villa	36	63	+7
7 – Nottm Forest	36	62	+12
8 – Brentford	36	55	+10
9 – Brighton	36	55	+3
10 – Bournemouth	36	53	+12
11 – Fulham	36	51	+1

In 2025-26, the Premier League will have five teams in the Champions League due to the performance of its clubs in Europe this season, meaning the top five will qualify for the UCL.

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur play each other in the Europa League final on May 21. The winners will qualify for the Champions League, meaning the Premier League will have six teams in the UCL and nine in Europe.

Liverpool have already booked their place, and while Arsenal (68) looked assured of qualifying they still have a little work to do. Two points will secure it for the Gunners as a maximum of 70 is needed.

All of the top seven are now guaranteed European football of some description.

Five other teams are battling along with Arsenal for the remaining four places, with just two fixtures remaining. Newcastle United (66), Manchester City (65) and Chelsea (63) are holding them right now; Aston Villa (63) and Nottingham Forest (62) will try to fight their way into those key positions.

Remaining games – UCL race

Team	GW37	GW38
CHELSEA	Man United (H)	Nottm Forest (a)
FOREST	West Ham (a)	Chelsea (H)
NEWCASTLE	Arsenal (a)	Everton (H)
MAN CITY	Bournemouth (H)	Fulham (a)
VILLA	Spurs (H)	Man United (a)

Chelsea and Aston Villa are first up on Friday. At the start of the season, their fixtures would have been marked down as tricky. But Chelsea are at home to 16th-placed Man United, and Villa host 17th-placed Spurs, just a few days before the pair meet in the Europa League final. Chelsea and Villa will be expected to win to put the pressure on in the UCL race.

On Sunday, Forest travel to West Ham, which looks a must-win game to keep their hopes alive. Then Arsenal are at home to Newcastle, and if the Gunners lose they will suddenly look in a little danger, though they have relegated Southampton on the final day.

Man City don’t play until Tuesday, when they are at home to Bournemouth.

There’s a big last-day fixture, when Chelsea head to Forest in what could be a winner-takes-all UCL showdown.

Europa League (2)

As it stands, sixth (Villa) will enter the Europa League by league position, and it will go to one of those teams in the Champions League section.

Editor’s Picks

How Premier League teams can qualify for Champions League, Europe this season4dDale Johnson
Clásico kits: Barcelona, Real Madrid’s all-time best, worst jerseys9dAlex Kirkland and Sam Marsden
Champions League final: Inter or PSG? Our experts make their picks8dMultiple contributors

Sixth will be joined by the FA Cup winners, with Crystal Palace taking on Man City in the final on Saturday. (stream live on ESPN+ in the U.S.)

If Palace, who are 12th, win the FA Cup, then there will be no knock-on effect to the league places; the Eagles will be in the Europa League.

If Man City win it and finish in the top six, the FA Cup’s Europa League place will go to seventh — to last of the teams in the UCL race.

If Chelsea win the Conference League — they are in the final vs. Real Betis on May 28 — they are guaranteed at least a place in the Europa League, but will play in the Champions League if they finish in the top five. Their final position could also influence the allocation of European places.

Why Crystal Palace could stun Man City in the FA Cup final

Mark Ogden explains why he is backing Crystal Palace to win the FA Cup final.

Conference League (1)

Newcastle are guaranteed at least a place in the Conference League playoff round, as they won the Carabao Cup. But if Newcastle finish in the top six, to play in the UCL or UEL, the Conference League place goes to seventh. If Man City also win the FA Cup, the Conference League playoff-round place goes to eighth — so it’s a position worth fighting for.

With the FA Cup final taking place on Saturday, those in contention will know if it’s still on before they play again.

Brentford (55) have eighth in their control, with Brighton & Hove Albion (55), AFC Bournemouth (53) and Fulham (51) in contention.

Fulham have four points to make up and travel to Brentford on Sunday; Brighton have a tough game against champions Liverpool, while Bournemouth have to take on Man City.

If Brentford can win, a loss for Brighton on Monday and a draw/loss for Bournemouth on Tuesday will effectively lock the Bees in eighth, due to their far superior goal difference — but will it matter?

Relegation (3)

CONFIRMED

18. Ipswich (36, 22)
19. Leicester (36, 22)
20. Southampton (36, 12)

Southampton (12), Leicester City (22) and Ipswich Town (22) have been relegated.

Leeds United and Burnley have been promoted back to the top flight from the Championship; another team will come up via the playoffs.

Sheffield United take on Sunderland in the playoff final on May 24.

LaLiga
Last day: May 25

Title

Remaining games

	Barcelona	Real Madrid
G37	Villarreal (H)	Sevilla (a)
G38	Athletic (a)	Real Sociedad (H)

There are two games left to be played in Spain.

Barcelona (85) were crowned champions on May 15 with a 2-0 victory at Espanyol, moving them seven points ahead of Real Madrid (78).

Champions League (5)

CONFIRMED

1. Barcelona (36, 85)
2. Real Madrid (36, 78)
3. Atlético Madrid (36, 70)
4. Athletic Club (36, 67)

LaLiga table

	GP	PTS
1 – Barcelona	36	85
2 – Real Madrid	36	78
3 – Atlético	36	70
4 – Athletic Club	36	67
5 – Villarreal	36	64
6 – Real Betis	36	59
7 – Celta Vigo	36	52
8 – Vallecano	36	48
9 – Osasuna	36	48
10 – Mallorca	36	47
11 – Valencia	36	45

Like the Premier League, LaLiga will have five teams in the Champions League next season.

Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid (70) had already booked their places, with Athletic Club (67) making it four with a 2-0 win at Getafe on Thursday.

The contenders for the last UCL place are fifth-placed Villarreal (64) and Real Betis (59) in sixth.

Villarreal beat Leganés 3-0 on Wednesday to pull away from Betis.

Betis dropped points in a draw at Rayo Vallecano on Thursday, and that means it’s almost over for them. Villarreal can seal their place with a win on Sunday … the only issue is they are away at Barcelona. A chance for Betis? Unfortunately they also have a very difficult away fixture, at Atlético Madrid.

– Stream all LaLiga games live on ESPN+ (US only)

McManaman: I’ve never seen an El Clásico as chaotic as that

Steve McManaman reacts to Barcelona’s 4-3 win over Real Madrid in LaLiga.

Europa League (2)

As Barcelona won the Copa del Rey, the place for the cup transfers to the league — sixth and seventh will enter the Europa League. One place will go to Athletic Club, Villarreal or Real Betis in sixth, but there’s a close race for seventh.

Celta Vigo (52) hold the spot, followed by Rayo Vallecano (48), Osasuna (48) and Mallorca (47).

On Tuesday, Celta Vigo won at Real Sociedad to open a gap and end the home side’s hopes of European football. On Wednesday, Valencia suffered a damaging defeat at Alavés and Mallorca lost at the Bernabeu.

Then on Thursday, Osasuna won 2-0 against Atlético Madrid and Vallecano drew with Betis.

It now looks very good for Celta, and they can confirm their place in the Europa League if they win on Sunday — but it’s certainly not over. Celta entertain Rayo Vallecano, so an away win opens it right back up again. Also on Sunday, Osasuna are at home to Espanyol and Mallorca host Getafe.

Real Betis are in the Conference League final, with the winners of competition earning a spot in the Europa League, but this can’t impact the LaLiga allocation.

Europa Conference League (1)

This will go to eighth place, held right now by Rayo Vallecano, with the same list of teams battling it out as noted in the Europa League section.

Although Valencia (45) cannot now qualify for the Europa League, they do have a sniff of eighth. But on Sunday they face a tough home game against Athletic Club.

Relegation (3)

CONFIRMED

19. Las Palmas (36, 32)
20. Real Valladolid (36, 16)

Real Valladolid (16) went down last month, and they were joined by Las Palmas (32) on Wednesday. Alavés (38) pulled clear by beating Valencia, leaving them six points ahead of Las Palmas with a better head-to-head record.

That leaves one place, with Leganés (34) looking doomed after losing in midweek. There would appear to be no way out, but there actually is hope of catching Alavés as Leganés travel to Las Palmas on Sunday.

If Leganés lose, they would definitely be down.

If the game is a draw, Leganés would be relegated if Alavés win or draw.

If Leganés win, it will likely go to the final day for the third relegation place and we might see Espanyol (39) and Getafe (39) in trouble.

It’s a very tight race for the two automatic promotion places from LaLiga2.

Elche, Levante, Mirandés, Racing Santander and Real Oviedo are fighting it out. A third team comes up through four-team playoffs.

Bundesliga
Last day: May 17

Title

Bayern Munich (79) won the title on May 4.

Has Bayer Leverkusen’s golden era come to an end?

Janusz Michallik believes Bayer Leverkusen’s most successful era has officially come to an end.

Champions League (4)

CONFIRMED

1. Bayern Munich (33, 79)
2. Bayer Leverkusen (33, 68)

Bundesliga table

	GP	PTS	GD
1 – Bayern	33	79	+63
2 – Leverkusen	33	68	+29
3 – Frankfurt	33	57	+20
4 – Freiburg	33	55	-2
5 – Dortmund	33	54	+17
7 – Mainz	33	51	+12
6 – RB Leipzig	33	51	+6
8 – Bremen	33	48	-6
9 – Gladbach	33	45	-1

Bayern and Bayer Leverkusen (68) have already secured their places.

It’s now a three-horse race for the final two spots, with one game to be played on Saturday.

Third-placed Eintracht Frankfurt (57, +20) looked certainties two weeks ago, but are now in danger of finishing fifth; while SC Freiburg (55, -2) sit fourth.

But Freiburg are at home to Frankfurt on the final day, and that leaves the door wide open for in-form Borussia Dortmund (54, +17).

Dortmund are assured of UCL football if they win at home to relegated Holstein Kiel by 2+ goals. A win of any description will be enough if Freiburg draw. A draw or win does the job for Dortmund if Freiburg lose.

For Freiburg, they will be in the UCL if they match or better Dortmund’s result but, with BVB at home to Kiel, the likelihood is that Freiburg must win.

And if Freiburg do win, it means Frankfurt, who only need a point, are in big trouble and could miss out on goal difference to Dortmund (if they win by those 2+ goals). If Freiburg win by one goal, they would qualify for the UCL with a negative goal difference.

If Freiburg get a victory, and Dortmund win by only one goal, then it’s Freiburg and Frankfurt (goal difference over BVB) in the UCL.

Europa League (2)

Only fifth place will be in this competition via league placing, and that place will almost certainly go to the team that misses out on the UCL.

This time VfB Stuttgart will play Arminia Bielefeld who, incredibly, are in the third division. The winners of the final will qualify for the Europa League.

Stuttgart are in ninth on 47 points and can’t finish in the top six, so there will be no transfer of the place to the league if they win the cup. If Arminia Bielefeld, who are top of 3.Liga and have sealed promotion, produce a shock win in the final, they are set to play in the Europa League as a second-division club

Conference League (1)

While Mainz (51, +12) and RB Leipzig (51, +6) have a mathematical chance of finishing fifth if Dortmund lose, goal difference means that’s highly improbable. The same can be said of Werder Bremen (48, -6) and their chances of sixth.

So, two clubs are fighting for sixth and a place in Conference League qualifying.

Mainz have a far superior goal difference to RB Leipzig, so a win will punch their ticket. The problem is Mainz are at home to Leverkusen, not an easy task. RB Leipzig host Stuttgart, who will have one eye on the cup final and must better Mainz’s result to claim sixth.

There is no route into Europe for seventh or eighth as there was last season.

Relegation (2+1)

Two teams are relegated automatically, while third-bottom takes on third place in the 2.Bundesliga in a playoff.

CONFIRMED

17. Holstein Kiel (33, 25)
18. VfL Bochum (33, 22)

VfL Bochum (22) and Holstein Kiel (25) are down, with 1. FC Heidenheim (29, -24) only having slim hopes of avoiding the playoff as they are three points behind TSG Hoffenheim (32, -18).

Heidenheim must beat Werder Bremen at home, hope Hoffenheim lose and there be a goal difference swing of 6+ goals. A chance? Hoffenheim have to host champions Bayern.

In 2.Bundesliga, Hamburg have been promoted. FC Cologne need at least a draw at home to sixth-placed Kaiserslautern on Sunday to be promoted. If Cologne lose, SV 07 Elversberg or Paderborn would overtake them on goal difference with a win for the second automatic spot.

Serie A
Last day: May 25

Title

The tight title race continues between Napoli (78) and Internazionale (77) with two games to be played.

On Sunday, it’s Parma vs. Napoli and Inter vs, Lazio. The title can be decided if Napoli win and Inter lose.

If the two teams finish on the same points there will be a one-legged playoff, hosted by the club with the best goal difference, to decide the Scudetto.

Champions League (4)

CONFIRMED

1. Napoli (36, 78)
2. Inter Milan (36, 77)
3. Atalanta (36, 71)

Atalanta (71) got over the line with a 2-1 win over Roma on Monday. The fight for the last spot is intense, with a maximum of 71 points required.

Juventus (64) are in fourth, followed by: Lazio (64), AS Roma (63), Bologna (62) and AC Milan (60).

All the teams in contention play at the same time on Sunday.

Juventus are at home to Udinese and have the most favourable fixture. Lazio have to go to Inter Milan, Roma and Milan face each other, and Bologna are at Fiorentina.

Juve could be confirmed in the UCL if they win, Lazio and Roma lose, and Bologna fail to win.

Milan have won four of their last five matches to climb back into contention for Europe, but taking fourth looks a huge stretch.

If Inter win the Champions League there will be no impact on the Serie A places.

Inter or PSG: Which team is favourite to win the Champions League?

Stewart Robson and Alejandro Moreno preview the Champions League final between PSG and Inter Milan.

Europa League (2)

Bologna are guaranteed at least Europa League football after they won the Coppa Italia, beating AC Milan 1-0 in the final. If Bologna finish in the top five, then sixth will play in the UEL by league position.

On league position, fifth place (Lazio as it stands) will play in the Europa League, which will also be a battle between the clubs listed above.

Milan and Fiorentina (59) still have a chance of finishing fifth or sixth if others stumble.

Conference League (1)

At present this goes to sixth (Roma), though it will pass to seventh if Bologna finish in the top six. If so, that gives AC Milan and Fiorentina a marginally better chance of claiming a place in Europe.

Relegation (3)

CONFIRMED

20. Monza (36, 18)

Monza (18) were relegated last month.

It’s a fierce battle to avoid the last two spots between Empoli (28), Lecce (28) and Venezia (29).

On Sunday, Empoli are at Monza, Lecce host Torino and Venezia make the trip to Cagliari.

While it’s probably a three-horse battle, Parma (32), Hellas Verona (33) and Cagliari (33) aren’t quite safe.

In Serie B, Sassuolo and Pisa have been promoted. One of six clubs will also come up through the end-of-season playoffs. Spezia, Cremonese, Juve Stabia, Catanzaro and Palermo have booked five of the six places with one round to play.

Ligue 1
Last day: May 17

All teams have played 33 games, with one round of games to go — to be played on Saturday.

Title

Paris Saint-Germain (81) secured the title with ease on April 5.

If PSG win the Champions League there will be no impact on the Ligue 1 places.

Champions League (3+1)

France gets three automatic places, with fourth place entering the UCL in the third qualifying round.

CONFIRMED

1. Paris Saint-Germain (33, 81)
2. Marseille (33, 62)
3. AS Monaco (33, 61)

An incredibly tight race, where most teams kept on winning, took a strange twist on Saturday.

Nice, Lille, Strasbourg and Lyon remarkably all lost, meaning that victories for Marseille (62) and AS Monaco (61) sealed their spots. It seemed certain to go down to the final day, but it’s already resolved.

That does still leave the fourth place in qualifying, which is in the control of Nice (57, +19). A home victory over Brest should be enough, because they are four goals better off than Lille (57, +15) and six of Strasbourg (57, +13).

If Nice fail to win though, Lille (home to Reims) or Strasbourg (home to Le Havre) could take advantage.

There’s a very unlikely scenario where all three lose and are overtaken by Lyon (54, +17), who are at home to Angers, on goal difference.

NB: Lyon are provisionally relegated to Ligue 2 on financial grounds, which could affect European allocation.

Europa League (2)

Fifth place (Lille now) will be in the Europa League.

However, if PSG win the Coupe de France final on May 24, the UEL place will pass to sixth (that’s Strasbourg at the moment). PSG play Stade de Reims, who are 14th and will not finish in a domestic European place. If Reims win the cup, they will be in the Europa League.

Conference League (1)

At present, this goes to sixth (Strasbourg) and is a battle between the clubs listed in the Champions League section.

If PSG take the Coupe de France, seventh will be in the Conference League playoff round — a position held by Lyon.

Relegation (2+1)

CONFIRMED

18. Montpellier (33, 16)

Montpellier (16) are already relegated, leaving one automatic and one playoff spot to be decided.

The best second-bottom Saint-Etienne (30, -37) can hope for is to get above Le Havre AC (31, -32) and into the playoff place as they have far inferior goal difference to 15th-placed Nantes (33, -16) and Stade de Reims (33, -13).

To avoid automatic relegation, Saint-Etienne almost certainly must win at home to Toulouse, and hope Le Havre do not take three points at Strasbourg.

There is a scenario whereby Saint-Etienne draw and Le Havre lose by five goals — which would see Saint-Etienne in the playoff place on goal difference and Le Havre relegated.

Due to goal difference, Nantes and Reims only need a point to make sure they avoid the playoff spot. But if Le Havre beat Strasbourg, a loss for Nantes (home to Montpellier) or Reims (away to Marseille) would seen them finish third bottom and in the playoff.

Lorient and Paris FC have secured promotion from Ligue 2, with Metz playing third bottom in that relegation/promotion playoff.

Wrexham in swoop for Premier League captain: report

By Ewan Gennery published 7 hours ago

Wrexham are aiming to make it four promotions in a row next season

Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, Wrexham’s owners (Image credit: Getty Images)

Wrexham have enjoyed a sensational rise up the English football pyramid in the last few seasons.

They’ve earned promotion back-to-back-to-back and will play in the EFL Championship for the first time ever.They are looking to complete an unprecedented four promotions in a row and reach the Premier League, and have their eye on some spectacular reinforcements to make it happen.You may like

Ex-Scottish international being lined up for move to Wrexham

Several high profile names already turn out for the Red Dragons including captain James McClean, Jay Rodriguez and Steven Fletcher.

Ben Foster made football headlines across the country when he returned to the club and saved a stoppage time penalty against Notts County to put them three points ahead in an intense National League title race.

Steven Fletcher of Wrexham and Alfons Sampsted of Birmingham City challenge for the ball during the EFL League One match at St Andrew's on September 16, 2024 — Steven Fletcher of Wrexham turning out against Birmingham last season (Image credit: Alamy)

However, owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds are prepared to make their biggest signing yet this summer.TalkSPORT is reporting that Fulham captain Tom Cairney, who is out of contract at the end of the season is being lined up to join the Welsh club in their bid to reach the Premier League at the first time of asking.

The most prominent U.S.-born FA Cup winner – and his little-known predecessor

By Pablo Maurer The Athletic – May 16, 2025 6:00 am EDT

Tim Howard is arguably the greatest goalkeeper in U.S. men’s soccer history, and when he thinks of the FA Cup, memories come flooding back. There are the obvious ones, like his championship in 2004 and his heroics in the 2009 semifinals, when a pair of penalty saves guided Everton by Manchester United, his former club. But Howard has others, too, amassed during a decade-long career in the Premier League, to this day a rare feat for an American. Speaking to the U.S. men’s national team legend, it becomes obvious the tournament is special to him. “I’ve had some good fortune and some sad days,” Howard said. “But having been to three Cup finals and winning one, it is just an incredible day out. The pageantry to the Cup final. You get a new suit, the stadium is brimming with fans from both teams, which you don’t really get in England frequently – it is half and half, fans from both sides. I have so many dear memories of those finals, and they are so lasting because of how special the FA Cup is to people in the UK. There is still a magic to the FA Cup there.”

That atmosphere is something a pair of Americans – Crystal Palace’s Chris Richards and Matt Turner – will get to experience, in varying degrees, in the 2025 final Saturday at Wembley Stadium. Other U.S. internationals have appeared in an FA Cup final, but winning it has proved rather elusive. John Harkes’ Sheffield Wednesday forced Arsenal into a final replay before ultimately succumbing in 1993, while current U.S. star Christian Pulisic was a runner-up for three straight seasons with Chelsea and even scored in the 2020 final defeat to Arsenal. Should Palace beat Manchester City, Richards and Turner will join Howard as the only American men in the modern era to win the trophy.

Crystal Palace's Chris Richards and Matt Turner Crystal Palace’s Chris Richards and Matt Turner are hoping to win the FA Cup. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)

There is, though, one other U.S.-born man who tasted FA Cup glory. Over 150 years ago, Boston native Julian Sturgis won the second edition of the tournament with Wanderers FC, an amateur side that took its name from the fact that, well, it did not have a home ground. In 1873 – a full 134 years before Howard won his FA Cup with Manchester United – Sturgis became the first American-born player to win it. That was news to Howard. “Even back then when I won it,” said Howard, laughing, “I thought I was the first American to do it. But I guess not. It still feels good to be in a class with very few.” The paths the two players took to win the trophy could not be more different.

Howard arrived at Manchester United in 2003 after a dominant first stint in MLS. At the time, the $4 million paid for him was a king’s ransom for an MLS player, and Howard’s early performances at Old Trafford did not disappoint. He was instrumental in helping the club win a Community Shield, and he started the 2004 FA Cup final vs. Millwall, a 3-0 United triumph.

Howard had briefly lost his starting spot in ‘04 to Roy Carroll, and an erratic start in ‘05 saw him supplanted once again by the Northern Ireland international. Howard played a pair of early-round cup matches but did not figure in the 2005 final, forced to start the game on the bench.But United coach Sir Alex Ferguson did favor Howard in penalties, and prior to the match, the American was told to remain ready should the encounter with Arsenal end in a draw.“Because I’d had some success with penalties prior – in the Community Shield the year before for example – there was a thought that we’d switch up the goalkeeper, make a sub late on in extra time, to kind of get me in the game if it got to that,” Howard said

Howard remembers being told to warm up. He trotted down the touchline to prepare for his entrance.“The final whistle blew and I was like ‘What happened?’” Howard said. The answer he got from Ferguson feels, to this day, a little unbelievable. I forgot. “And we lost,” Howard said, with a laugh. “It was always a big ‘what if’ for me. What if we’d won again? What if I’d made the game-winning save? What if I could have been a two-time FA Cup champion? But it obviously wasn’t meant to be.”

Tim Howard wins the FA Cup with Man United Tim Howard won the 2004 FA Cup with Manchester United, which shut out Millwall 3-0 in the final (Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images; John Peters/Manchester United/Getty Images)

Two years later, Ferguson had moved on from Carroll and Howard, with the American finding himself at Everton. Though Howard holds little resentment toward United, the club that brought him to Europe, the semifinals of the 2008-09 FA Cup presented the American with a chance to close the door entirely on his time at Old Trafford. A matchup with United seemed the perfect opportunity. “Any athlete who wants to compete will have a bad taste in their mouth (when a club moves on),” Howard said. “United didn’t do anything to me, they helped boost my career beyond measure, but as a competitor, there was part of me that just wanted to slay that dragon, to put that whole situation to bed. On this stage, and against this opponent, it was my opportunity to exorcise those demons. If I could perform against Manchester United, I could prove something to other people and mostly to myself.” Howard certainly did so. A tense 0-0 affair was followed by penalties, offering Howard the opportunity he so badly wanted. Everton’s efforts started auspiciously, with Tim Cahill putting the club’s opening effort over the bar. But the American kept things level with a stop on a poor effort from Dimitar Berbatov. Howard’s second save, on Rio Ferdinand, was far more memorable, perfectly read and executed. By the time Howard watched Everton defender Phil Jagielka send Evertonians into bedlam with the winner, the demons had been fully exorcized. “God that felt good, man,” Howard said. “I remember we went into the dressing room, I put a towel over my head and I was just sobbing. The outpouring of emotion – it was just like, ‘It’s done now.’ I didn’t have to question if I was good enough anymore. That chapter was just done. It felt incredible.” Howard remains an Evertonian to this day, as he will proudly tell you. The magic of the FA Cup, that persists for him as well.

“There’s a history to the tournament,” Howard said. “There have been so many giant-slayings. Teams that should never have ever graced the pitches of the biggest teams in the world go get to play there. There is a prestige to that, because of how special football is in the UK. It’s just incredible.”

There was very little prestige involved when Sturgis won the tournament in 1873. The game of football itself was borderline unrecognizable back then – Sturgis’ taste of glory came just 10 years after the official establishment of the game in the UK and just six after the introduction of the first offside rule, which stated that three defenders must remain ahead of the ball at all times. Matches were crude and violent and played on muddy pitches. Tactics remained an afterthought, chucked aside in favor of brute force and the long ball.

This was the context for Sturgis’ club, Wanderers. Founded in 1859, right around the time that Darwin published “The Origin of the Species” and Dickens penned “A Tale of Two Cities,” Wanderers culled their entire team from local private schools in their early years. They were founding members of the Football Association in 1863, and by the time Sturgis debuted a decade later, they’d become a dominant force in English football. Sturgis himself was born in Boston in 1848, the fourth son of a merchant and lawyer. His father did business with China and just seven months into Julian’s life, the affluent family relocated to London. Sturgis attended Eton and was a standout athlete there, participating in both of the school’s varieties of football – wall and field. The Eton “wall game,” still played at the school to this day, shares little to no resemblance to the modern game of football, while the school’s field variety feels a little more familiar – you aren’t allowed to handle the ball, for example – but seems more aligned with rugby.

Sturgis’ athletic ways continued at Oxford, where he excelled on the college’s rowing team. After graduating, he began working towards a career as a barrister; as a pastime, he joined up with Wanderers, a fully amateur side.

Wanderers had actually won the FA Cup a year prior, in 1872, though the tournament was then known as the Football Association Challenge Cup. The format of the tournament back then was also vastly different, with the prior year’s champions being granted automatic entry into the next year’s finals, a format which would be abandoned by 1874. As the previous year’s winners, Wanderers were also allowed to select the venue for their title defense, another rule thrown away just a year later.

Calling Sturgis the tournament’s first American is a bit of an understatement, actually. He was not only the first American to participate in a final, he was the first foreigner to appear in any phase of the tournament, which had previously been populated exclusively by English, Irish or Scottish nationals. Sturgis was likely not perceived as an American back then, and no newspaper clippings or match reports mention his nationality, as he’d spent the vast majority of his life in the UK. We’ll have to assume that any trace of a Boston accent had been wiped away.More on the FA Cup FinalRebecca Lowe: Crystal Palace are my lifelong love. Winning the FA Cup would mean everythingNBC’s Premier League presenter will see her beloved Palace play for the first time in 12 years at Wembley as the club target a first trophy

Like so many other bits of football history, the number of people who were in attendance at Lillie Bridge Stadium in Fulham (demolished in the late 1800s) is hard to pin down. Some accounts put the number at 3,000, while others claim only 150 people attended the 11 a.m. match.

The formation of both teams serves as a testament to how much things have changed, with both teams lining up in a traditional 1-1-8. One fullback, one halfback and eight forwards. Oxford controlled the opening phases of the match, but Wanderers surged ahead on a 27th-minute strike from Arthur Kinnaird, by most accounts the man of the match. Wanderers’ 1873 Cup title would be Kinnaird’s first of five titles, a record that stood until 2010 when Ashley Cole broke it. His nine FA Cup appearances remain a record to this day.

Moments later, William Kenyon-Slaney – another standout for Wanderers who a year earlier had become the first player to score for England at the international level – appeared to double the lead for Wanderers, but the goal was waved off for an offside infraction.

Oxford pushed for an equalizer but was reduced to 10 men after losing a player to injury (the use of substitutes, which was pioneered in the U.S., was still many years away as well.) Instead of playing a man down, Oxford chose to pull its goalkeeper, a rash decision that was immediately punished. The 2-0 final score sent Sturgis home as the first American to ever win the FA Cup.

Sturgis would make the Cup final again in 1876, scoring the only goal in the semifinals to push his new club, Old Etonians, to the brink of glory. Though they lost that match, Sturgis was influential in nearly every edition of the tournament in which he participated, scoring a hat trick for Etonians in 1878. The press described him as “clever,” “brilliant” and always “working hard from first to last.” The Christmas Eve 1866 edition of the Pall Mall Gazette describes Sturgis as “most conspicuous.”

Sturgis’ playing career drew to a close in the late 1870s, but his second act feels like the sort of story unique to that era, the sort of jack-of-all-trades, P.T. Barnum tale made impossible by modern life. By the time he debuted for Wanderers, Sturgis was already an accomplished rower, football player and debater, and by the end of his career a decade later he was a well-regarded lawyer. He became a British citizen in 1877 and in the years that followed he became a well-known librettist – one who writes lyrics and accompanying text for an opera.

His work as a novelist and librettist continued until the turn of the century. When Sturgis died in 1904, little was made of his football career, as he’d long surpassed it. Renowned novelist Henry James wrote of Sturgis’ “beautiful, noble, stainless memory, without the shadow upon him, or the shadow of a shadow, of a single grossness or meanness or ugliness – the world’s dust on the nature of thousands of men.”

While Howard is, for now, the only American male to have won an FA Cup in the modern era, it’s undeniable that Sturgis did so considerably earlier. And while Howard has gone on to great things in his post-playing days – he is an accomplished pundit and remains around the game – it’s highly unlikely that any FA Cup winner anywhere will ever touch Sturgis’ life off the field.
What You Should Read NextThe FA Cup final, an occasion full of historic traditions and unusual quirksFA Cup final day in England is a moment when the national sport celebrates its long history via a series of much-loved rituals

(Top photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Infantino, Trump and a walkout at FIFA summit, Ronaldo tops money list again

LUQUE, PARAGUAY - MAY 15: FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during the 75th FIFA Congress at Centro de Convenciones de CONMEBOL on May 15, 2025 in Luque, Paraguay. (Photo by Marcelo Endelli - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

By Phil Hay May 16, 2025Updated 7:19 am EDT

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. The bromance between Gianni Infantino and Donald Trump continues to blossom. But closer to home, Infantino has trouble in paradise.

FIFA Congress mess: UEFA delegates’ dramatic exit as Infantino arrives late from Trump meeting

(Daniel Duarte/AFP via Getty Images)

Gianni Infantino, the FIFA president, is in his element in American political circles, which is to say that he spends a lot of time in Donald Trump’s orbit. The men are friends, as far as these things go. Infantino has been in the Oval Office. So has the World Cup trophy, and the Club World Cup trophy (below).

Infantino says a tight alliance with America’s president is vital, with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon. In cultivating that relationship, however, he might have pushed things too far. His choices have led to an internal mutiny at FIFA. Here’s what’s happened…

Three-hour delay

Over the past week, FIFA’s diary was filled with various events, including yesterday’s congress — an annual gathering of representatives from the world governing body’s 211 members. These meetings are important, with issues affecting football debated and addressed. Paraguay hosted this week’s edition.

Infantino, as FIFA’s head, was scheduled to be there. But out of the blue, he announced he was joining United States president Trump on a trip to the Middle East for meetings with Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, and the emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The change of plan had knock-on effects: a meeting of the FIFA council, which was supposed to be held in person in Paraguay on this Tuesday just gone, was staged virtually last Friday instead.

Infantino then arrived late for the congress, causing a three-hour delay. This, he said, was due to a complication with the jet that was flying him to the Paraguayan capital of Asuncion.

In protest, eight delegates from UEFA — European football’s governing body — walked out of the congress and issued a statement attacking Infantino. Adam Crafton was on hand to follow the clown show.

Infantino was contrite to a point, saying: “Apologies, sorry, and I am looking forward to spending time with you here.”

But he defended his tour with Trump on the grounds that the U.S. is one of the hosts of the 2026 World Cup, Qatar staged the tournament in 2022 and Saudi Arabia has been chosen as the host for 2034.

“Some important World Cup discussions took place and I needed to be there to represent football and all of you,” he said. As far as the European contingent were concerned, the explanation didn’t wash.

‘Private political interests’

(Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

One of the problems for Infantino is that his relationship with Trump, and meetings such as the one in the Middle East, can be rather opaque.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin and Debbie Hewitt, the president of England’s Football Association, were among the executives to walk out on Thursday.

A UEFA statement issued last night read: “The last-minute changes to the timings of the FIFA congress are deeply regrettable. To have the timetable changed at the last minute for what appears to be simply to accommodate private political interests does the game no service and appears to put its interests second.”

FIFA can be highly political but a certain etiquette persists. By the organisation’s standards, accusing Infantino of “accommodating private political interests” is a hell of a dig. He has bridges to build and dissent to quell, but as the 2026 World Cup draws nearer, his proximity to Trump promises to get closer, too. Those around him are finally asking: who is this relationship benefiting most?

FIFA is under additional pressure from the Palestinian FA, which says the body is failing to properly examine whether teams from Israeli settlements in the West Bank are breaching FIFA statutes by competing in Israeli competitions.

News round-up

For the third year running, Cristiano Ronaldo is the world’s highest-earning sportsperson. Forbes’ annual report estimates that he pulled in $275m (£207m), ahead of the NBA’s Steph Curry ($156m) and boxer Tyson Fury ($146m). Lionel Messi was fifth on $135m.
Jordi Alba has signed a new deal at Inter Miami, through the 2027 MLS season. The full-back will be a ‘designated player’ — one whose wage exceeds MLS’ individual salary cap.
We wondered if Neymar might use a stint at Santos in Brazil to pave the way for a return to a bigger team, but no: he’s in negotiations with Santos to extend his contract to 2026.
I’m trying hard not to laugh at this, because it’s not clever or funny, but Everton have banned a supporter from their last home game of the season, which is also their final men’s fixture at Goodison Park. Why? Because the fan allegedly smuggled tools into a previous match and tried to remove his seat as a memento.
The penultimate fixture of Leicester City’s campaign, at home against Ipswich Town on Sunday, will be Jamie Vardy’s last for them, to ensure he finishes on exactly 500 appearances. He needs one more goal to hit the 200 mark for Leicester. The gods should make it happen.
The Premier League is about to introduce a rule preventing any player other than a club’s captain from speaking to the referee. The same rule has been in place in UEFA competitions in 2024-25.
The NWSL has admitted last week’s game between Angel City and Utah Royals should have been called off after the on-field collapse of Savy King.

Barca Crowned: Flick’s side clinch La Liga title after worrying scenes outside stadium

Premier Sports

A 28th title in La Liga is Barcelona’s, still eight behind Real Madrid. Fittingly, the goal that set them on their way last night was assisted by their most effective (and complicated) signing, Dani Olmo, and scored by the star of the show, Lamine Yamal (above). The 17-year-old is having his own goal-of-the-season contest.

That facilitated a 2-0 win at local rivals Espanyol, where things seem to happen when Barca show up in party mode. Two years ago, when Barca also won the title there, the club’s euphoric players were chased down the tunnel by magnanimous home fans. At full time yesterday, Espanyol turned on their sprinklers, seemingly attempting to clear the pitch and avoid a repeat. Beforehand, there was a far more troubling incident in which a car drove into a crowd outside the stadium, injuring 15 people. We’re awaiting further updates regarding the severity of those injuries. But Barca have done it, in Hansi Flick’s first year and with an extraordinary amount of swagger. Laia Cervello Herrero picked out the five key moments in their campaign, and I had completely forgotten about Flick lamenting a “s*** November”. Set against Barca’s supreme serenity, that month is like a bad dream.

5/10/25 Champ & Europa League Finals set, EPL battle for top 4/6, Pulisic scores, El Classico & Liverpool v Arsenal Sun

May 10, 2025May 13, 2025 gatorbest champions-league, soccer, usmnt, football, premier-league, indy-11, liverpool, soccer-on-tv

PSG & AC Milan advance to Champions League Final

Again Champions League delivered on Tuesday as Barcelona battled Inter Milan to a instant classic 4-3 win in Extra Time at the San Siro. It was scintillating as Milan scored early in ET – and held on to win a second straight spectacular game after tying 3-3 in Barcelona. Rocky Ray Hudson was on the call – so glad this game was on CBS. If you didn’t you must watch this – Barca vs Inter Highlights. Inter’s GK Yon Sommer stood on his head (saves in GK below). It was honestly one of the best games and certainly the Best Champions League game I have ever watched on TV – Hopefully America Watched! Milan will move into the Champions League final vs PSG who easily handled Arsenal 2-0 at home (Highlights) to win 3-0 in aggregate. Its sets up the Final on May 31 at 3 pm on CBS in Germany.
Inter Milan vs. Barcelona:This match on CBS attracted an average of 1.278 million viewers, setting a U.S. record for the most-watched non-final Champions League match in English. Viewership Increase: The complete UEFA Champions League semi-finals averaged a combined 1.25 million viewers, up 50% from last year and 92% from 2017. CBS Sports touted the match as the most-watched UEFA Champions League semifinal in U.S. history.

Inter Milan vs PSG – Champs League Final May 31st
Man United Tottenham Europa League Final
Chelsea vs Real Bettis (Cordosa)

Congrats to the Carmel FC 2014 Blue Boys for Advancing to the Challenge Cup Finals – other CFC teams to advance below.

– 2013 Girls Blue 1 in Challenge Cup
– 2008/2009 Girls Gold in Challenge Cup
– 2014 Boys Gold in Presidents Cup
– 2014 Boys Blue in Challenge Cup
– 2012 Boys Blue in Challenge Cup

Wrapped Up the CYO Regular Season with a Game with Sue Howard at St Luke Catholic-more Ref pics below

Super proud of my Son and former Carmel FC & Carmel High Goalkeeper **Tyler Best** for graduating this weekend from Indiana University with a Double Major in the History (Civil War) & The Classics (Rome & Greece)

TV Games

Wed, May 14

CBS Sports Net, Para+ AC Milan (Pulisic) vs Bologna Coppa Italian Final

Sat, May 17

ESPN+? Crystal Palace (Richards) vs Man City FA Cup Final
Wed, May 21

Paramount Plus Man United vs Tottenham Europa League Final in Balboa, Spain

Wed, May 28

Paramount Plus Chelsea vs Real Bettis (Ricardo) Europa Conference League Final in Poland

Sat, May 31

CBS 3 pm Inter Milan vs PSG UEFA Champions League Final in Munich, Germany

5 pm TBS US Women vs China

Sun, June 1

Fox Sport 1 Cruz Azul vs Vancouver Whitecaps CC Champions Cup Final

Tues, June 3

TNT, Max, Peacock US Women vs Jamaica

Wed, June 4

2:45 pm Fox Germany vs Portugal – Nations League Semi

Thurs, June 5

2:45 pm Fox Spain vs France– Nations League Semi

Sat, June 7

3:30 pm TNT, Tele US Men vs Turkey

Sun, June 8

2:45 pm Fox Nations League Finals

Tues, June 10

8 pm TNT, Peacock US Men vs Switzerland

June 13 – 29 GOLD CUP MEN

Sun, June 15

6 pm FS1 US Men vs Trinidad Gold Cup

Thur, June 19

6 pm FS1 US Men vs KSA Gold Cup

Sun, June 22

7 pm FS1 US Men vs Haiti Gold Cup

Sun, June 26

TBS, Peacock US Women vs Ireland

Sun, June 29^th

TNT, Peacock US Women vs Ireland in Cincy

USMNT midweek viewing guide: Pulisic, Musah in Coppa Italia final

Plus Haji Wright and Coventry look to rebound in the promotion playoffs to reach the Premier League.

Tuesday

Sunderland vs Coventry, 3p on Paramount+, CBS Sports Network, FuboTV: Haji Wright and Coventry lost the first leg 1-2 at home to Sunderland in the Championship promotion playoff semifinal. They’ll have to respond in the away leg to move on to the final at Wembley.

Also in action:

Modena vs Cesena, 2:30p: Jonathan Klinsmann and Cesena visit Modena in Serie B.
Palermo vs Carrarese, 2:30p: Kristoffer Lund and Palermo host Carrarese in Serie B.

Wednesday

PSV vs Heracles, 2p on ESPN+ (free trial): Sergiño Dest, Malik Tillman, Richy Ledezma, and PSV host Heracles in the Eredivisie.
AC Milan vs Bologna, 3p on Paramount+, CBS Sports Network, FuboTV (free trial): Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, and Milan could lift a trophy here in the Coppa Italia final.

Also in action:

Utrecht vs Sparta Rotterdam, 2p: Paxten Aaronson and Utrecht host Sparta Rotterdam in the Eredivisie.
Stockport County vs Leyton Orient, 3p on Paramount+: Charlie Kelman scored both of Orient’s goals in the 2-2 first leg draw in this League One promotion semifinal. Kelman and Orient will need to do better in the away leg if they hope to reach the promotion final with a shot at the Championship next season. Kelman is on loan from Championship club QPR, so he theoretically has a shot at the second tier regardless of the result.
Aberdeen vs Celtic, 3p on Paramount+: Scottish champions Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty, and Celtic visit Aberdeen in the league.
CF Montréal vs Columbus Crew, 7:30p: Patrick Schulte and the Crew visit Jalen Neal and Montréal in MLS action,
DC United vs NYCFC, 7:30p: Matt Freese and NYCFC visit DC in MLS play.
Orlando City vs Charlotte FC, 7:30p: Tim Ream, Patrick Agyemang, and Charlotte visit Duncan McGuire, Alex Freeman, and the Lions in MLS.
Philadelphia Union vs LA Galaxy, 7:30p: Quinn Sullivan and the Union host the Galaxy in MLS action.
Toronto FC vs FC Cincinnati, 7:30p: Miles Robinson, Roman Celentano, Matt Miazga, and Cincy visit Toronto in MLS play.
Austin FC vs Atlanta United, 8:30p: Brandon Vázquez, Owen Wolff, and Austin host the Five Stripes in MLS.
Houston Dynamo vs Minnesota United, 8:30p: Jack McGlynn and the Dynamo host Minnesota in MLS action.
Real Salt Lake vs Portland Timbers, 9:30p: Diego Luna and RSL host the Timbers in MLS play.
América de Cali vs Huracán, 10p on beIN Sports Connect USA, FuboTV, Sling TV, Fanatiz: Matko Miljevic and Argentine club Huracán are on top of Group C in Copa Sudamericana with 10 points from 4 games played. Based on group results so far, this away trip to América de Cali will be their toughest test; América are second with 6 points.
San Diego FC vs Colorado Rapids, 10:30p: Zack Steffen, Djordje Mihailovic, Cole Bassett, Reggie Cannon, Sam Vines, and the Rapids pay a visit to Luca de la Torre and San Diego in MLS.
San Jose Earthquakes vs Inter Miami, 10:30p: Benja Cremaschi and the the Herons visit Niko Tsakiris, Noel Buck, and the Quakes in MLS action.

Thursday

Rayo Vallecano vs Real Betis, 1p on ESPN+: Johnny Cardoso and Betis visit Rayo in La Liga.

USMNT weekend viewing guide: Closing in

With a small handful of matches yet to play, things are getting tight.

By jcksnftsn May 9, 2025, 10:13am PDT 19 Comments / 19 New

There is much yet to play for rolling into the last few weeks of the season with Champions League qualification for American’s still to be sorted out in four of the top five leagues and clubs grasping for safety in Italy and Germany. Here is what you should keep an eye on this weekend:

Saturday

Holstein Kiel v Freiburg – 9:30a on ESPN+

John Tolkin and Holstien Kiel have won two straight matches to pull within a point of Heidenheim who currently sit in the relegation playoff spot. However, things will get tougher this weekend as Kiel face fourth place Freiburg who are looking to hold off Dortmund’s late charge for the final Champions League qualification position.

Fulham v Everton – 10a on Peacock

Antonee Robinson was back in the starting lineup last weekend after a rare respite the prior week. Robinson went the full 90’ in Fulham’s 1-0 loss to Aston Villa and he will pass the 3,000 minute mark assuming he starts again this weekend. Fulham are in eleventh place with three matches remaining.

Lazio v Juventus – Noon on Paramount+

Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, and Juventus drew with Bologna on Sunday and remain in fourth place, tied on points with both Roma and this weekend’s opponent, Lazio. Five points back of third place Atalanta there are four clubs vying for one remaining spot to qualify for Champions League play next season and every point will count over the last three match days.

Bournemouth v Aston Villa – 12:30p on NBC and Peacock

Tyler Adams and Bournemouth defeated Arsenal 2-1 last Saturday for their first ever win at the Emirates. Adams started and went the full 90’ as Bournemouth gave up the opener in the 34th minute but would score two in the second half for the away win. Bournemouth moved into the top ten with the win and now face an Aston Villa side that are one spot, but seven points, ahead of them in the Premier League table.

Bayern Munich v Borussia Monchengladbach – 12:30p on ESPN+

Joe Scally and Borussia Monchengladbach played Hoffenheim to a 4-4 draw in a back and forth affair last weekend. Gladbach haven’t won in their past five matches and now face a Bayern Munich side who are celebrating their league title thanks to Bayer Leverkusen’s draw with Freiburg last weekend.

Monaco v Lyon – 3p on beIN Sports

Folarin Balogun received his first league start this year and scored a goal in Monaco’s 3-1 win over Saint-Etienne last weekend as Monaco maintained their one point lead for third place and Champions League qualification. Balogun and Monaco will face Tanner Tessmann and Lyon this weekend who just a few weeks ago looked as though they also had a shot at Champions League play next season but defeats in two of their past three matches have them in seventh place and outside of European qualification altogether with two matches remaining in the Ligue 1 season.

Sunday

Feyenoord v PSV Eindhoven – 8:30a on ESPN+

Richard Ledezma and Malik Tillman started for PSV last weekend as they defeated Fortuna Sittard 4-1. PSV now face third place Feyenoord as they look to gain ground on league leading Ajax who have left the door open just a crack by failing to win in their past two matches. Ajax still hold a four point lead for the league title with three matches remaining but PSV still have something to play for, at least for the moment. Sergino Dest also made it off the bench last weekend picking up a handful of minutes in his first appearance since March.

Tottenham v Crystal Palace – 9:15a on Peacock

Chris Richards and Crystal Palace drew 1-1 with Nottingham Forest last Monday with Richards starting and going the full 90’ in the draw. Palace will take on a struggling Tottenham side on Sunday before facing Manchester City in the FA Cup final next weekend.

Bayer Leverkusen v Borussia Dortmund – 9:30a on ESPN+

Gio Reyna did not make it off the bench last weekend in Dortmund’s 4-0 defeat of Wolfsburg. The win pulled Dortmund within a point of Freiburg for fourth place and a shot at Champions League play next season. On Sunday Dortmund will face second place Leverkusen who drew 2-2 with the aforementioned Freiburg last weekend.

Real Betis v Osasuna – 3p on ESPN Deportes and ESPN+

Johnny Cardoso and Real Betis went to extra time on Thursday to draw 2-2 with Fiorentina and advance to the Conference League final by defeating the Italian side 4-3 over the two leg semi-final. Betis are also within a point of fifth place Villarreal with the top five qualifying for Champions League. Betis face ninth place Osasuna who are coming off a 4-2 loss to Villareal.

Monday

Venezia v Fiorentina – 12:30p on Paramount+

Gianluca Busio and Venezia drew 1-1 with Torino last Friday to pull within a point of Lecce for safety. Venezia hold a healthy goal differential advantage over Lecce so would secure safety if they are able to make up the remaining point over the final three weeks of the season. They start by facing Fiorentina on Monday who will have some added rest coming off their grueling defeat to Real Betis in the Conference League semi-final on Thursday.

NWSL Week 8 Preview: Buckle Up for More Chaos

Last weekend delivered peak NWSL chaos—stoppage-time stunners, breakout rookie moments, and a history-making sister-to-sister goal. Topping that energy won’t be easy, but if there’s one thing this league guarantees, it’s that every weekend there’s potential for more fun. Here’s what to expect in Week 8!
Saturday, May 10

Chicago Stars FC vs. Washington Spirit – 12:50 PM ET

How to watch: ABC, ESPN+

Chicago held Gotham scoreless last week behind Alyssa Naeher’s brilliance, giving the veteran goalkeeper her 50th career regular season shutout. They’ll be hoping to repeat that performance against the Washington Spirit, one of the most dangerous teams in the league. Washington arrives off a wild loss to Angel City, with Esme Morgan netting a brace, Gift Monday grabbing a goal as well, and Croix Bethune seeing more game time. Expect this one to be tight and physical, with Hatch, Leicy Santos, and Morgan all dangerous in the final third.

North Carolina Courage vs. Orlando Pride – 7:30 PM ET

How to watch: ION

Previously winless before Week 6, North Carolina is now coming off back-to-back wins, thanks to game-winners from Ashley Sanchez in both games and a milestone shutout for Casey Murphy in the most recent. With Kaleigh Kurtz’s ironwoman streak still alive, Denise O’Sullivan anchoring the midfield, and Ryan Williams getting involved in the offense, the Courage are starting to hit their stride. Orlando will look to bounce back after their first road loss of the year. Marta and Barbra Banda remain the heartbeat of the Pride’s attack despite not having scored in recent games, and they lead the league in goals after the 75th minute—so don’t turn the game off early .

San Diego Wave FC vs. Portland Thorns FC – 10:00 PM ET

How to watch: ION

Three wins in a row have San Diego climbing fast, and rookie Trinity Armstrong’s stoppage-time winner last weekend only added to the momentum. With 11 different goal scorers and Kailen Sheridan in top form, the Wave have all the answers. Portland, fresh off a 1–0 win over the reigning champs, continues to lean on young contributors like Jayden Perry and Reilyn Turner. Jessie Fleming opened her NWSL account via PK the week prior—expect more set-piece danger here in a clash between two of the league’s most balanced rosters.

Sunday, May 11

Kansas City Current vs. Bay FC – 12:50 PM ET

How to watch: ESPN, ESPN+

Despite suffering two straight losses, Kansas City remains atop the table thanks to early-season dominance and the fewest yellow cards in the league. Temwa Chawinga is still searching for her next goal, while Debinha and LaBonta pose constant threats. Bay FC enters with Jordan Silkowitz fresh off a PK save and rookie Taylor Huff quietly logging every minute this season. With both teams among the league leaders in shots and corners, expect end-to-end action—and maybe a goal-of-the-week contender.

Seattle Reign FC vs. Houston Dash – 8:00 PM ET

How to watch: NWSL+, Paramount+, Golazo

Seattle handed Kansas City its first scoreless match of 2025 last week behind Lynn Biyendolo’s first Reign goal and clutch saves from Claudia Dickey and return home this weekend to welcome the Dash. Houston experienced defeat last weekend against Racing and before that, a gutsy win over Utah. They now turn to Jane Campbell—who just hit 40 career clean sheets—and sophomore Avery Patterson to keep things on track. With both sides ambitious to make up for a poor start to the season, this one could be a statement win in the making.

5 Reasons to Watch Chicago Stars vs. Washington Spirit

Champions League

Champions League final: Inter or PSG? Our experts make their picks
Inter Milan, Barcelona write new chapter in UCL folklore
Arsenal can’t shake nearly-men tag as PSG’s collective wins out

Man United reach Europa League final, but hardly look up to the task

US

U.S. duo Balogun, Dike net 1st goals since injuries

American Brendan Aaronson wins Championship title with Leeds United – back to the EPL

World

What’s at stake across the top leagues: Titles, cup finals, UCL, relegation
Alonso to leave Leverkusen, Madrid beckons
Bellingham ruled last season’s Clásicos. Can he save Madrid’s title hopes vs. Barça?
Memorable Classico’s
Clásico kits: Barcelona, Real Madrid’s all-time best, worst jerseys
Ancelotti’s Real Madrid limbo explained: Why he could leave, and what comes next
Why Lamine Yamal is already better than Messi in some ways, but still has room to improve

**Catch EL Classico Sun at 10:15 am on ESPN** – Madrid just 4 pts back of Barca for the title with 4 games to go.

EPL

Liverpool’s Salah named Footballer of the Year
Pep: This season ‘most difficult’ of my career
Arteta warns fans: Finding striker will be tough
Liverpool boss Slot ‘disappointed’ by TAA exit
Arsenal Keep or Dump: What must Arteta change this summer in order to win league?
‘Annoyed’ Arteta says best team in UCL ‘are out’
How Liverpool move on from Alexander-Arnold, as Real Madrid move nears

GOALKEEPING

Somner Ruled The Champions League Semis for Inter Milan
Great Saves Gigi for PSG
USL Jägermeister Cup Save of the Round – Round 1
USL Championship Save of the Week – Week 8/9
USL Championship Save of the Week – Week 7
Goal Kick Technique
How to Throw the Ball Properly

**June 16th: 9-4** / **June 17th: 8-3** 12383 Cyntheanne Rd, Fishers, IN **$595** Register

Reffing

Great to ref with Jacob and his daughter Peyton at Grand Park for Challenge Cup Games Sat.

Got to Ref with a 1st timer Matthew Nelson (L-R) along with TRay and the OBC – at Challenge Cup @ Grand Park

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Save 20% on your order

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Champions League final: Inter or PSG? Our experts make their picks

Multiple contributors

May 8, 2025, 05:00 AM

The 2025 UEFA Champions League final is set: Reigning Italian champions Internazionale will take on French giants Paris Saint-Germain in the finale in Munich.

In a strange quirk, it will the first time in history that the two clubs — both European royalty — will face off in a competitive fixture in what promises to be compelling clash of styles.

PSG secured their spot in the finale after completing a 3-1 aggregate win over Arsenal on Wednesday, in a tie that saw Les Parisiens team ethic come to the fore. Inter, meanwhile, edged Barcelona in what will go down in history as one the great Champions League semifinals.

With all that in mind, ESPN’s team of writers have gazed into their crystal balls to predict which club will be crowned European champions at the Allianz Arena on May 31.

It’s Inter Milan vs. Paris Saint-Germain in the final! How will things play out, and what will be the score?

MARK OGDEN: It’s a really tough call. Two teams chasing a treble, led by experienced, successful coaches in Luis Enrique (PSG) and Simone Inzaghi (Inter), and both sides aiming to overcome recent memories of defeats in the Champions League final — PSG in 2020 and Inter in 2023. It’s also two teams with totally contrasting styles, and they each master their own way of playing.

Editor’s Picks

Arsenal can’t shake nearly-men tag as PSG’s collective wins out2dMark Ogden, +3 More
Inter Milan, Barcelona write new chapter in UCL folklore3dSam Marsden, +2 More
The worst good players: Which elite stars stink at passing? Who can’t dribble or shoot?1dRyan O’Hanlon

So what will it be? The irresistible force of PSG or the immovable object of Inter? The football romantic in me says it will be PSG and their free-flowing attacking style, led by Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué, that will come out on top, but my head says that Inter will have a plan to nullify PSG and that their experience will get them over the line.

Francesco Acerbi‘s stoppage-time equalizer against Barcelona in the semifinal second leg in San Siro might just be a sign that this will be Inter’s year. When a 37-year-old center-back breaks forward to score a center-forward’s goal to save his team — it was Acerbi’s first goal in UEFA competition — you can’t help but think that the stars are aligning for Inter. Inter 2-1 PSG.

GAB MARCOTTI: I kinda expect a pretty tactical final, which doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to be a dull game. Both managers can scheme in different ways to get an edge. On paper, PSG will be fresher because they’re a younger side and because, unlike Inter, they have nothing to play for between now and the final. You’d think Luis Enrique would look to exploit that, but whether he does it by coming out of the gates quickly or later in the game — perhaps after their possession game has tired Inter out — is tough to predict.

Inter boss Inzaghi will feel like he has an edge on set pieces and with his 3-5-2 set-up, which many clubs are unaccustomed to facing. A lot will depend on what the Nerazzurri coach can get out of his midfield and how well they stack up against the trio of João Neves, Vitinha and Fabián Ruiz, especially since Hakan Çalhanoglu has been carrying an injury for months.

Beyond that, I imagine this game being decided by X factors such as goalkeeping (we saw Yann Sommer in miracle mode Tuesday night and then on Wednesday, Gianluigi Donnarumma was like “Hold my beer …”) and substitutions. There is so much quality for PSG to call on from the bench — with Warren Zaïre-Emery, whichever forward doesn’t start and, of course, Gonçalo Ramos. But subs are Inzaghi’s thing; few managers in the world spend as much time thinking about them. I can see a low-scoring game. Inter 1-0 PSG.

Leboeuf: PSG deserve to reach the Champions League final

Frank Leboeuf reacts to PSG’s Champions League semifinal victory against Arsenal.

JAMES OLLEY: There was a fearlessness about Inter against Barcelona that will make them dangerous if they can replicate that, especially contrasting with the nervousness PSG showed in the first half of their second leg against Arsenal.

Mark is right in that there are signs this could be Inter’s year, but PSG have the star power to emerge triumphant. Their midfield should prove too strong for Inter to wrestle control of the game away from and PSG have the added benefit of tailoring the next three weeks entirely toward the final, with the Ligue 1 title already wrapped up. I agree with the general consensus here that it will be tight, but I think that man Dembélé will get on the scoresheet and cap a wonderful 2025. Inter 1-2 PSG.

JULIEN LAURENS: Once again, the contrast in style will be huge between the two teams. The youngest team of the competition against the oldest team, the 4-3-3 against the 3-5-2, the intensity against the composure, the 2020 losing finalist against the 2023 losing finalist, the Parisian flair against the Italian tactics: You can’t really do much different than PSG and Inter Milan.

Dan Thomas is joined by Craig Burley, Shaka Hislop and others to bring you the latest highlights and debate the biggest storylines. Stream on ESPN+ (U.S. only).

They have points in common, too, though: two managers, Luis Enrique and Inzaghi, who built these teams and squads, implementing a definite style but also the right mentality. They never give up, play the right way, have absolute faith in their own ability.

There won’t be much in between them in the final. Paris have been the best team in Europe in 2025 and have the best midfield and front three. But Inter have the best defense, while the two most in-form goalkeepers in Europe are Donnarumma and Sommer. So, what will make the difference? Individual talent, special quality, a glimpse of genius. In that regard, PSG have more to offer. Inter 1-2 PSG.

TOM HAMILTON: This is a flip-of-a-coin match. Defending against PSG sometimes must feel like trying to hold back the tide. Against Inter, it must be like swimming in a calm sea, only to suddenly get ended by a rogue wave.

Inter have done their best impression of Lazarus in this season’s Champions League and the sight of Acerbi appearing on the edge of Barcelona’s box to slice home the equalizer, just seconds after Lamine Yamal had hit the post at the other end, will be one of those enduring snapshots of this year’s competition. Inter have such a sturdy structure and they are a team far more than the sum of their parts. PSG have this brilliant midfield which can push and pull a match, with their lethal batch of forwards looking to pounce at any moment.

You have this wonderful matchup of youth against experience, flair against pragmatism and contrasting formations, all played under the guidance of a pair of outstanding managers. In short, this will come down to fine margins and focus. Logic suggests this is PSG’s year, with Dembélé the outstanding player in the tournament, but this Champions League hasn’t gone to script. Inter 3-2 PSG after extra time.

BETH LINDOP: Inter helped to deliver one of the most entertaining semifinals in Champions League history but, since the turn of the year, PSG have been the best team in Europe and I expect them to have too much for Inzaghi’s side in the final.

They’re among a select group of teams to have made Premier League champions Liverpool look ordinary this season, and their performance across the two legs against Arsenal was mature and measured.

PSG’s squad is stacked with talent and Dembélé is in incredible form at the moment, so I think he’ll be decisive in Munich, providing he’s fully recovered from his hamstring injury. The most impressive thing about the French champions, though, is their tenacity and relentlessness under Luis Enrique. PSG have always had a sprinkling of star quality but too often, in the decisive moments, their mentality has let them down. They’re now a proper team, with every player fighting for each other. Inter 1-2 PSG.

Klinsmann hails Yann Sommer’s heroics in Inter’s semifinal win

Jurgen Klinsmann names Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer as his man of the match after coming up with some huge saves to deny Barcelona.

ALEX KIRKLAND: I agree that it will be very tight, and I think that actually (sorry) it might be a just little bit dull. These finals tend to be incredibly tense, nervous occasions, with both teams focused on not taking too many risks and giving up chances. That’s especially true when they’re between two good, evenly matched sides, as is the case here with PSG and Inter. Four of the past five UCL finals ended 1-0, and even in last year’s 2-0 win for Real Madrid over Dortmund, both goals came late. We’ve been spoiled for entertainment in this year’s knockout phase, so I guess it’s OK if the final isn’t quite as much fun.

I’ve really enjoyed watching PSG this season — especially that silky midfield — and I’d like to see them win. But it’s worth underlining that even in last night’s 2-1 win over Arsenal, an all-round good performance, they still gave up 2.91 xG to an Arsenal team with literally no striker. They also had a fairly rudimentary attacking plan of getting the ball out wide to their wingers, and then hoping for the best. Donnarumma will need to be at his best again, and even if he is, I’d back Inter to edge the game. Inter 1-0 PSG.

SAM MARSDEN: I will take Gab’s point about PSG being fresher and spin it in Inter’s favor. It can sometimes help to be distracted. Inter’s battle for the Serie A title with Napoli will not only provide them with that, but it will also keep them in a competitive rhythm going into the final. PSG now have two inconsequential games in Ligue 1 to come — although the Coupe de France final against Reims on May 24 may serve as a nice warmup — and that gap in intense games can sometimes do more harm than good.

That said, it really does feel like a balanced final between teams with different setups. Everyone expected Real Madrid to beat Borussia Dortmund last year. Manchester City were big favorites against Inter in 2023. There is no clear pick this year. Inter’s relatively unique (at this end of the Champions League) two-striker system could cause PSG problems, but the French side have tons of verve in attack, a decent crop of midfielders and an incredible work ethic.

It’s the old cliché, isn’t it? It will probably come down to the small details: a mistake here, a great save there, a red card … Inter have already won ties without seeing much of the ball against Barcelona and Bayern Munich — who Inzaghi says are the best two teams in Europe — so why not against PSG, too? Inter 2-1 PSG.

ROB DAWSON: Inter did incredibly well to survive three Barcelona comebacks to book their place in the final. They showed unbelievable resilience to score so late on in stoppage-time and then again in extra-time.

But amid all the excitement, they also looked vulnerable. They gave up goals in quick succession and lost their organization a number of times in key moments. Plenty of that is down to the way Barcelona play, but it will also give Luis Enrique and Paris Saint-Germain a lot of encouragement.

It’s been a long season, and the final in Munich will depend a lot on which team turns up with the most energy. For one of them, it might end up being one step too far. PSG look more stable. They weathered a lot of Arsenal pressure over the two legs of their semifinal and had the attacking players to make the most of opportunities at the other end. It should be a tight game, and PSG have the tools to edge it if it comes down to fine margins. Inter 0-2 PSG.

Could Manchester United or Tottenham become the lowest-placed team ever to win a European trophy?

Sevilla's players and members of staff parade with their trophy aboard a open-top bus to celebrate their seventh UEFA Europa League title, in Seville on June 1, 2023. Sevilla won a record-extending seventh Europa League title after overcoming Roma 4-1 on penalties in yesterday's final in Budapest following a 1-1 draw after extra time. (Photo by CRISTINA QUICLER / AFP) (Photo by CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP via Getty Images)

By Will Jeanes The Athletic May 9, 2025Updated 10:55 am EDT

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur will contest the Europa League final on May 21, with the winner — alongside picking up a coveted piece of silverware — qualifying for next season’s Champions League and all the financial rewards that come with it.

This has happened despite both teams enduring miserable seasons in the Premier League, racking up unwanted records and winless runs unbefitting of European finalists.

As things stand, Manchester United are 15th and Tottenham are one place below in 16th. Neither team can come higher than 12th and the possibility of finishing just one spot clear of relegation in 17th remains alive for both sides.

The rule change brought in at the start of this campaign which meant no clubs from the Champions League dropped into the Europa League has certainly played a big part in two such teams reaching the final. However, as we shall see, this is still an unusual situation and the victor in the showpiece in Bilbao will join a select group of clubs to have won continental silverware despite having historically poor domestic seasons.

Here, The Athletic talks you through the five lowest-placed league teams to have won a major European trophy.

West Ham United in 2022-23: Finished 14th in the Premier League and won the Europa Conference League

West Ham have the dubious honour of being the lowest-placed team to ever win a major European trophy.

David Moyes’ side triumphed in the second edition of the Europa Conference League (‘Europa’ was dropped from the competition’s name at the start of this season) in 2022-23, despite coming a lowly 14th in the Premier League.

The London club won 14 of their 15 matches in the continental competition and sealed the trophy following a dramatic 2-1 victory over Italian club Fiorentina in the final in Prague, with Jarrod Bowen scoring a 90th-minute winner.

In contrast, they won just 11 of their 38 Premier League matches in 2022-23 — finishing only six points clear of the relegation zone. Their longest winning streak in the league was two games (achieved once) but in the Europa Conference League it was 10 matches.

Bowen strikes late to win the Europa Conference League for West Ham (Photo by Joe Klamar/AFP via Getty Images)

Moyes’ team won just three away games in the top flight, a figure that they had reached by October 6 in the Europa Conference League. A further juxtaposition was in their overall goal difference in both competitions; it was 26 in the Europa Conference League and -13 in the Premier League.

Nevertheless, their triumph in the Czech capital meant they qualified for the following season’s Europa League. In contrast, Aston Villa, who finished seventh in the Premier League with 21 more points than West Ham, went into the play-off round of the Europa Conference League — UEFA’s tertiary competition.

Should Manchester United or Tottenham finish in their current league positions, then whoever wins the final will replace West Ham as the lowest-placed league team to win a major European trophy.

Inter in 1993-94: Finished 13th in Serie A and won the UEFA Cup

Inter’s 13th-placed finish in Serie A in 1993-94 is the worst in their history and the second-lowest a team has finished domestically while winning a major European trophy.

A topsy-turvy first half of the season resulted in Osvaldo Bagnoli being dismissed as the Italian club’s manager in early February. Inter were sixth in the table at the time of his departure.

Bagnoli was replaced by Gianpiero Marini, who as a player made more than 350 appearances for the club and won the World Cup with Italy in 1982. The new boss oversaw Inter’s win over German club Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Cup quarter-finals, but the two-legged victory coincided with a collapse in league form that saw Marini’s side lose four Serie A games in a row from March 13 to April 2.

They also lost the first leg of their UEFA Cup semi-final in this period, going down 3-2 to fellow Italian side Cagliari in Sardinia on March 30.

Inter recovered from this slump to beat Cagliari 3-0 in the second leg on April 12 for a 5-3 aggregate victory, with Dennis Bergkamp, Nicola Berti and Wim Jonk scoring the goals at San Siro that sealed Inter’s place in the final.

Bergkamp’s Inter also beat Ian Crook’s Norwich City on the way to winning the UEFA Cup (Shaun Botterill/ALLSPORT/Getty Images)

The triumph was tempered by the fact that the club had been sucked into a relegation battle in what was a remarkably tight Serie A season.

They got away with it, though. Despite failing to win any of their final three league games, Inter stayed up… by one point. Marini’s side finished 13th out of 18 teams and a sign of how close the season was is that Piacenza, who came 15th and were relegated, were just six points off sixth-placed Napoli who qualified for the UEFA Cup (though it was two points for a win at the time).

The two-legged UEFA Cup final, which came either side of Inter’s last Serie A game, was against Austria Salzburg (now Red Bull Salzburg). The Italian club won 2-0 on aggregate (0-1 and 1-0) thanks to goals from Berti and Jonk and in doing so secured the club’s fourth major European trophy after their European Cup triumphs in 1964 and 1965 and their UEFA Cup victory in 1991.What You Should Read Next‘I remember marking Bergkamp at the time and he was taking me to areas of the pitch that I had never been before’Norwich’s 540 minutes of European football put the club on the map. Those involved tell the story of their UEFA Cup run in 1993…

Arsenal in 1969-70: Finished 12th in the First Division and won the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup

Since their 12th-place finish in the English top flight in 1969-70, Arsenal have only registered a worse league position twice — 16th in 1974-75 and 17th in 1975-76.

That 1969-70 campaign did, however, see the London club win their first major European trophy. With Bertie Mee — the man second only to Arsene Wenger for the most games as Arsenal manager — in charge, they put the disappointment of third-round exits in both the FA Cup and League Cup behind them to reach the final of the penultimate edition of the Inter-Cites Fairs Cup; defeating Glentoran (Northern Ireland), Sporting CP (Portugal), Rouen (France), Dinamo Bacau (Romania) and Ajax (Netherlands) to get there.

A 10-game winless run in the league from mid-December to late February threatened to derail Arsenal’s season, but a narrow 1-0 aggregate victory over Rouen in the third round of the Fairs Cup (the second leg was on January 13) provided some much-needed mid-winter confidence.

Bob Wilson, Peter Simpson and Frank McLintock savour Arsenal’s Fairs Cup victory (Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Mee’s team proceeded to thrash Dinamo Bacau 9-1 over two legs in the quarter-finals before defeating an Ajax team containing a 22-year-old Johan Cruyff 3-1 on aggregate in the last four. The Dutch club would go on to win the European Cup (today’s Champions League) in each of the following three seasons.

The final, also played over two legs, was against Anderlecht in late April. The Belgian club won the first match at home 3-1, with Ray Kennedy scoring what would prove to be a vital 82nd-minute goal for Arsenal. Back at Highbury, goals from Eddie Kelly, John Radford and Jon Sammels secured a 3-0 win for the English club and a 4-3 victory on aggregate.

Schalke in 1996-97: Finished 12th in the Bundesliga and won the UEFA Cup

The lowest-placed German team to ever win a major European trophy, Schalke triumphed over Inter in the last two-legged UEFA Cup final in May 1997 to secure their only piece of continental silverware.

An unimpressive Bundesliga season saw the club from Gelsenkirchen collapse from fifth to 12th after winning just one of their last 12 matches, overall barely averaging a goal per game in the league and finishing with a goal difference of -5.

They were much more dependable in Europe, however, defeating Roda (Netherlands), Trabzonspor (Turkey), Club Brugge (Belgium) and both Valencia and Tenerife of Spain to set up the final with Inter.

Schalke’s Jens Lehmann and Mike Buskens sandwich Inter’s Youri Djorkaeff at San Siro (Ben Radford /Allsport/Getty images)

Both teams won 1-0 at home, with Belgian attacking midfielder Marc Wilmots scoring for Schalke and Ivan Zamorano finding the net in the 84th minute for Inter at San Siro in the second leg to force extra time — the first UEFA Cup final to need an additional 30 minutes since 1988.

Neither side could score a golden goal and Schalke won the penalty shootout 4-1, with Ingo Anderbrugge, Olaf Thon, Martin Max and Wilmots all converting for the German club.

Sevilla in 2022-23: Finished 12th in La Liga and won the Europa League

The lowest-placed Spanish side to ever triumph continentally, Sevilla handed Jose Mourinho his first defeat in a major European final when they beat Italian club Roma 4-1 on penalties following a bad-tempered 1-1 draw in Budapest in 2023.

After coming third in their Champions League group and dropping into the Europa League, Sevilla battled their way to the final of UEFA’s secondary competition by winning three of their four two-legged knockout ties by a single goal — including former Tottenham player Erik Lamela’s extra-time winner against Juventus in the semi-finals.

Sevilla’s players celebrate after winning a seventh Europa League (Ferenc Isza/AFP via Getty Images)

Sevilla failed to win any of their last four La Liga games of the season, all of which came after they had secured their place in the Europa League final. As a result, they dropped down to 12th in the Spanish top flight — at the time their lowest finish since coming 20th and being relegated in 1999-00.

However, they more than made up for that by winning the Europa League for a record-extending seventh time (with all of those from 2006 onwards) and qualifying for the following season’s Champions League.

(Top photo of Sevilla’s parade: Cristina Quicler/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal missed chances against PSG – but the issues go beyond needing an elite striker

Mikel Arteta coaches Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League Semi-final Second Leg football match between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Parc des Princes Stadium, on may 07, 2025. (Photo byIbrahim Ezzat/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

By Jordan CampbellMay 9, 2025

“Nothing is logical in football,” said Luis Enrique, reflecting on how his Paris Saint-Germain side had survived a precarious league phase and an early Arsenal onslaught in a semi-final second leg in Paris to make this season’s Champions League final.

It was a sentiment also expressed by his counterpart Mikel Arteta, who spoke of tears in the away dressing room and his mix of pride, upset and annoyance at the 3-1 aggregate loss.

Arteta believed the probabilities had somehow evaded the natural end-result by progressing the French champions rather than his Premier League team. Luis Enrique disagreed. Just because Arsenal were able to play in the way they wanted, he argued, did not mean they were superior.

But Arsenal created seven big chances (which Opta defines as “a situation where a player should reasonably be expected to score”) across the two games against PSG, three while being beaten 1-0 in the first leg at the Emirates Stadium and four in the Parc des Princes return, outperformed PSG on expected goals (xG) in both matches by a margin of 1.7-1.2 and 3.0-1.7 and dominated territory.

The tides of a two-legged tie contain more nuance than numbers can capture, but they reinforced the sense that Arsenal had delivered part of the performance required to overturn that single-goal deficit from the home leg. The only things missing were the finishes.What You Should Read NextPSG 2 Arsenal 1 (agg: 3-1): Decisive Donnarumma, worthy finalists, Arteta’s set-piece problemParis Saint-Germain saw off Arsenal to book a date with Inter in the Champions League final – The Athletic analyses the action

“When you analyse both games, who has been the best player? The MVP has been the same player — the goalkeeper (PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma),” Arteta said.

“The Champions League is decided in the boxes and it’s won the game for them because obviously today after 20 minutes, and what happened in London as well, the result should have been very different.”

It is rare for Arteta to accept that Arsenal did not do enough to win a game. Based on the logic of statistics, he sees his team dominate most phases of most matches and believes falling on the wrong side of fine margins is what is keeping them at the gates of major honours.

Luis Enrique may believe nothing is logical in football but it was surely obvious to him that the difference between the two teams was the superior end-product of PSG’s players.

Arsenal lack a killer striker, a lesson they were taught by Newcastle United and their front man Alexander Isak in the Carabao Cup semi-finals earlier this season. But they also lack end-product on the wing and in midfield, too, a lesson they were taught by PSG.

Does Arteta recognise that second lesson? Given he believes no team has been better than his in the 2024-25 Champions League and that this setup and personnel delivered a performance worthy of beating PSG, can he diagnose where they are still lacking when his assessment suggests such limited room for improvement?

In the wake of the limp defeat against Bayern Munich at the quarter-final stage last season, there was an acceptance that Arsenal, even with Kai Havertz up front, lacked an edge in attack at the top level.

Yet they did not then purchase a striker, wide player or creative midfielder last summer. Arteta instead chose to spend heavily on a left-back in Riccardo Calafiori and a duelling midfielder in Mikel Merino. Merino and Havertz, who was signed the summer before, were both brought in to solve the left No 8 problem but neither looked like the right fit there once they arrived and only improved after moving to a striking position by sheer happenstance.

They can be seen as a misdiagnosis by Arteta, who now appears to have settled on Declan Rice as that left eight, a player initially brought in as a holding midfielder and then shifted to another role too.

Merino has been used as a makeshift forward (Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Recalibrating rather than sticking to a failing plan is positive and a sign of humility, but it is understandable why these final few tweaks and additions are proving to be testing.

Arsenal are a side of few sharp joins, which makes pinpointing fault lines difficult. When a squad of hybrid players has been built to fit hybrid roles, how easy is it to identify the missing piece of the jigsaw? Is there even just one piece missing, or are there two or three?

What should have been the final-build phase of the team last year now rolls into another summer, which becomes a critical juncture for Arsenal.

Arteta cannot allow the impressive European displays, or the harsh red cards and injuries that have dogged their Premier League season, to cover his team’s shortcomings. He must accurately diagnose what is preventing Arsenal from taking the final step.

He has done an exceptional job in reshaping an entire club over the past five years but the danger with being chief architect for so long is the potential to become blind to the flaws in your own engineering, unable to see past the original vision.

When Kieran Tierney leaves this summer, every player in the squad bar Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli will have been given their senior Arsenal debut by Arteta. How they defend and attack, and who does it, have been entirely shaped by him.

His default over the last two years has been to reinforce the defence and strengthen in midfield rather than indulge in flair and imagination at the top of the pitch. Perhaps it was a natural overcorrection to how this squad’s first tilt at the Premier League title collapsed two years ago on the run-in, but he must surely recognise Arsenal need more incisive players across several positions.

There is a gap up front, and in other areas of attack, where Arsenal do not stack up compared to rivals such as Liverpool and PSG, but they will not be able to address every flaw or upgrade all areas where there is headroom in one transfer window. Completing this team will be a question of prioritising, and diagnosing issues correctly.

Rice looks rueful as Ben White shakes Donnarumma’s hand after the final whistle in Paris (Thomas Samson/AFP via Getty Images)

The singular conclusion drawn whenever Arsenal are outgunned by another team is that they are missing a striker.

But whether they had a better No 9 or not was not a prescient point in this Champions League elimination.

The opening 25 minutes in Paris, until the sucker-punch of Fabian Ruiz’s deflected goal to make it 2-0 on aggregate, was as perfect a display from Arsenal as Arteta could have hoped for. Bar one or two turnovers and shots left on the shelf, they had PSG in a daze.

Even without a natural striker, Arsenal dominated Real Madrid in the quarter-finals and then created enough big chances to beat PSG. But those opportunities, barring Leandro Trossard’s one-v-one miss in the first leg, did not fall to the player who had been deployed up front.

Some will argue this is an indictment of what they are missing and that a better striker would have provided the movement and link-up play to get on the end of more chances, but the ones Arsenal did produce against PSG should have been enough. It was the individual execution of their supporting cast — plus an inspired Donnarumma — that has stopped them making the final against Inter on May 31.

Trossard and Martinelli — playing in wide forward roles — missed two one-v-one chances in that 1-0 defeat last week. Then in the opening eight minutes on Wednesday, Rice saw a back-post header shave the post, Martinelli had a volley parried away and a Martin Odegaard shot from the edge of the box was terrifically pushed wide by Donnarumma.What You Should Read NextArsenal came close to a Champions League final with an incomplete squad – they need to strengthenMikel Arteta needs the sort of clinical firepower that PSG can call upon – it’s a gap that must be addressed this summer

In the second half, Saka had a curling shot destined for the top corner tipped over and, after scoring to give Arsenal hope of a comeback, he was unable to convert a golden chance when Calafiori’s cross flashed into his path, although Donnarumma’s dive made it a much harder task to keep the ball down.

There will be many who believe that if Arsenal swallow the magic-striker pill, they will automatically become trophy winners again. No doubt, an elite player up front would elevate the team, but football is not as binary as that and the issues with creation and conversion that have arisen over the past two seasons stretch beyond just one position.

Additional firepower is clearly needed but how Arteta diagnoses and treats that requirement will be an interesting sub-plot to the arrival of new sporting director Andrea Berta, who will have developed his own thoughts on the make-up of the squad in recent months.

Perhaps it’s part psychological, though, and now is the time for the signing of a couple of elite specialists in attacking positions to convince the rest of the dressing room that goals are inevitable.

(Top photo: Ibrahim Ezzat/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Even in defeat, Lamine Yamal proved he has become Barcelona’s main man

MILAN, ITALY - 2025/05/06: Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona seen in action during UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final - 2nd leg football match between FC Internazionale and FC Barcelona at San Siro Stadium. Final score; FC Internazionale 4: 3 FC Barcelona. (Photo by Fabrizio Carabelli/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

By The Athletic FC PodcastMay 9, 2025Updated 7:02 am EDT

Barcelona’s heartbreaking 4-3 loss against Inter Milan on Tuesday night, which sunk them to a 7-6 aggregate defeat, was a crushing way for their European campaign to end.

Amid the chaos in Milan, 17-year-old Lamine Yamal put on another breathtaking performance, just as he did in the first leg, further solidifying his status as the most exciting prospect in world football.

On Wednesday’s episode of The Athletic FC Podcast, Ayo Akinwolere was joined by The Athletic’s Barcelona correspondent Pol Ballus and Italian football broadcaster Max Callegari to break down what makes Yamal such a special talent. Watch the episode below.

A partial transcript has been edited for clarity and length. The full episode is available on YouTube below or on The Athletic FC Podcast feed via Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Ayo: Pol, let’s give Lamine Yamal some light. This boy is unbelievable. There’s a piece you and a whole heap of other journalists have got out now on The Athletic where you spoke to former managers, agents and coaches from around the global game on what they think this kid can offer.

He already feels like one of the leaders in this team but something I got from that piece was that he doesn’t just dribble for the sake of dribbling, there is already an end product.

Pol: When things were tough against Inter, he was like, ‘Pass me the ball, just pass the ball to me because I know what I have to do’. All the Barca players know that this is how they should approach the game. They know that the chosen one is him. That comes from Pedri, Pau Cubarsi, Gavi, Dani Olmo and everyone else, and these are all world-class players. But they know that there’s no one in that team like Yamal.

That’s what speaks for itself, and that’s what makes him different.

The big stage is what suits him, this tie confirmed it. He likes to be in the spotlight with everyone looking at him, and with San Siro fans booing him. When he came onto the pitch just before the game, his name was chanted and all the fans in San Sirio were shouting, “Boo!” But he just smiled and was like, ‘Yes, get in! Bring it on’.

At this point, it’s impossible to say what he will become because football, as an industry, is so difficult to deal with. It’s going to be down to him and how he handles it, but also how Barcelona handle his career.

He is surrounded by team-mates who understand him and a club willing to make him the star. His impact and progress has even taught the veteran players in the squad, such as Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, and made them understand that the kid is the one. The players in the team know you don’t have to cross the ball to Lewandowski, you have to pass the ball to Yamal now — that’s the changing of the guard.

Max: What was also very good to see at the end of the game was the admiration of the Inter players for Yamal. Marcus Thuram, Federico Dimarco and others went to console him, showing him how they admired his style of play and his incredible personality.

Ayo: What was it like watching Yamal through an Italian lens, Max? Italy doesn’t produce those kinds of players and Yamal at 17 is quite phenomenal. I’d hate to be Dimarco marking him because at half-time, Dimarco looked like he was out of steam. It must be magical to see, especially on a big stage like that.

Max: It is magical. I couldn’t imagine seeing a player like him just a few years after the era of Lionel Messi. I thought we’d need to wait much longer to see another player who could give us the feeling Yamal is giving us now. This is the magic of Yamal, of football. As Pol says, we don’t know where he will arrive, it’s up to him. But we know that he is better than Messi was at the same age and the same stage.

You can listen to full episodes of The Athletic FC Podcast free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and watch on YouTube.

(Top photo: Fabrizio Carabelli/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

5/2/25 Champs League Semis Tues/Wed spectacular on CBS, Indy 11 home Sat, Messi & Miami lose cup game to Vancouver

May 2, 2025May 6, 2025 gatorbest ac-milan, arsenal, barcelona, carmel-fc, carmel-fc-soccer-club, carmel-goalkeeping, champions-league, epl, europa-league, indy-11, messi, mls, premier-league, pulisic, soccer, soccer-on-tv, soccer-tv-schedule, us-soccer, usmnt

Captain America did it again as his goal vs Inter Milan help AC Milan advance to the Coppa Italia final at the Stadio Olimpico on May 14 where a win would insure a Europa League spot during this disappointing 9th place season. Word is he’ll sign on till 2029 with a new contract and a hefty raise soon. Chris Richards anchored the 3 man defense for Crystal Palace in 3-0 thumping of Aston Villa Highlights in their FA Cup Semi and will face Man City in the FA Cup Finals at Wembley Sat, May 17 with a Champions League spot on the line. Both American’s play Monday. Awesome Call on Wrexham Final Goal as they become 1st team to win back to back to back promotions. Also cool to see Eric Dick a former Carmel High, CDC, & Butler Goalkeeper will be on TV Wed night on CBS Sports Network as his Pittsburgh Riverhounds host MLS NYCFC at 7 pm in US Open Cup play. Sunday we get NWSL action Gotham FC vs Chicago Stars on CBS at 1 pm. Oh and Good Luck everyone playing in the Challenge Cup this weekend at Grand Park – I will be reffing all day Saturday on F12.

Champions League Tues/Wed, Europa Thurs

Wow do I love Champions League football – no my favorite teams are not alive, and there are no American’s in this year’s final 4 – but the excitement of the World’s Top Club competition is exhilarating! Arsenal is down 1-0 to PSG on the way to Paris Wed, while Barcelona and 17 year old Messi like Yamal will host Inter Milan Wed on Para+ after a spectacular 3-3 tie highlights in Milan on Wed. In Europa action the 3 English teams rolled at home looks to be an all English final with a Champions League spot on the line, while the lone American still playing Johnny Cordosa & Real Bettis take a 2-1 lead to Fiorentina. (see some fantastic saves in both Competitions in the GK section below) Buckle up this week folks – gonna be a doozy Tues/Wed.

Tues Champions League

Inter Milan vs Barcelona (3-3) on Para+, Univision
Wed Champions League
PSG vs Arsenal (1-0) on CBS & Para+ 3 pm
Thurs 3 pm Europa League on Para+
Man United vs Athletic Club
Bode vs Tottenham CBSSN
Djurgarden vs Chelsea
Fiorentina vs Real Bettis (Cordosa) (1-2)

MLS Miami falls to Vancouver in Champions Cup to face Mexico’s Cruz Azul in Final

Its was prime time MLS viewing on Wed night as Miami and Messi returned home down 2-0 to the hottest team in MLS the Vancouver Whitecaps. After scoring early everyone of course assumed Miami would come back like always and close out the series – everyone but Vancouver. Behind goals from Brian White and Sebatian Berhalter (yes GB’s son) the Caps – capped Miami 3-1 to win 5-1 on aggregate setting up the final with Mexico’s Cruz Azul on June 1st. On TV Sat struggling Atlanta will host Nashville winners of 2 straight at 2:45 pm on Fox, while you can check out San Diego’s new stadium vs Dallas at 9:15 on FS1 Sat. Meanwhile word is Man City’s Kevin DeBruyne is in talks with Chicago Fire while Paul Pogba seems to be leaning away from DC United.

Indy 11 home vs Detroit City 7 pm Mental Health Awareness Night on TV8.

The Indy Eleven made its USL Jägermeister Cup debut in impressive fashion with a 4-0 victory at Forward Madison FC to take an early lead in the Group 3 standings with three points, followed by One Knoxville SC with two. Those two teams will meet on May 24 at Knoxville in the second of four Group Stage games.
Join us for a meaningful and impactful evening as Indy Eleven hosts Mental Health Awareness Night—a special event dedicated to raising awareness, reducing stigma, and supporting mental health initiatives in our community. Together, we’ll shine a light on the importance of mental well-being while the Boys in Blue take on Detroit City FC on the field. Discounted Tickets: For the first 500 fans, tickets start at just $12 exclusively via This Link! They play at the Philly Union Wed night May 7th in US Open Cup on Paramount+.

Congrats to the Carmel FC 2009 Boys Blue & Coaches for win at Terre Haute Tourney!

June 16th: 9-4 / June 17th: 8-3 12383 Cyntheanne Rd, Fishers, IN $595 Register

TV Games

Fr, May 2

2:45 pm Para+ Torino vs Venzia (Busio)

3 pm Peacock Man City vs Wolverhampton

8 pm Amazon Prime Washington Spirit vcs ACFC NWSL

10:30 pm Gola, Para Seattle vs KC NWSL

Sat, May 3

7:30 am USA Villa vs Fulham (Robinson)

10 am Peaccok Everton vs Ipswich Town

12:30 pm NBC Arsenal vs Bournmouth (Tyler Adams)

2:45 pm Golazo, Para Inter Milan vs Hellas Verona

3 pm ESPN+ Barcelona vs Real Valladolid

2:45 pm Fox Atlanta United vs Nashville SC MLS

7:30 pm Ion Portland Thorns vs Orlando Pride (Marta) NWSL

7:30 pm TV? Indy 11 vs Detroit City @ the Mike

9 pm FS1 San Diego vs Dallas MLS

10 pm Ion Utah Royals vs NC Courage NWSL

Sun, May 4

10 am CBSSN Monza vs Atalanta

11:30 pm Peacock Chelsea vs Liverpool

1 pm CBS Gothan FC vs Chicago Stars (Naher) NWSL

2:45 pm Para+, Juventus (Mckinney, Weah) vs Bologna

7 pm Apple TV Sporting KC vs LA Galaxy

8 pm Golazo, Para+ San Diego Wave vs Bay City NWSL

Mon, May 5

2:45 pm Para+, FoxD Genoa vs AC Milan (Pulisic)

3 pm USA Crystal Palace (Richards) vs Nottingham Forest

Tues, May 6 Champions League

3 pm CBS, Uni Inter Milan vs Barcelona

Weds, May 7 Champions League

3 pm CBS, Par+ PSG (1-0) vs Arsenal

7 pm CBSSN Pittsburgh Riverhounds (Dick) vs NYC USL

7:30 pm Para+ Philly Union vs Indy 11 US Open Cup

Thurs, May 8 Europa

3 pm CBSSN Bodo vs Tottenham

3 pm Para+, Uni Man United vs Athletic Club

3 pm para+ Real Bettis (Cordosa) vs Fiorentina

3 pm para+ Chelsea vs Djurgarden

Sat, May 17

ESPN+? Crystal Palace (Richards) vs Man City FA Cup Final
Wed, May 21

Paramount Plus Europa League Final in Balboa, Spain

Wed, May 28

Paramount Plus Europa Conference League Final in Poland

Sat, May 31

CBS 3 pm UEFA Champions League Final in Munich, Germany

5 pm TBS US Women vs China

Sun, June 1

Fox Sport 1 Cruz Azul vs Vancouver Whitecaps CC Champions Cup Final

Tues, June 3

TNT, Max, Peacock US Women vs Jamaica

Wed, June 4

2:45 pm Fox Germany vs Portugal – Nations League Semi

Thurs, June 5

2:45 pm Fox Spain vs France– Nations League Semi

Sat, June 7

3:30 pm TNT, Tele US Men vs Turkey

Sun, June 8

2:45 pm Fox Nations League Finals

Tues, June 10

8 pm TNT, Peacock US Men vs Switzerland

June 13 – 29 GOLD CUP MEN

Sun, June 15

6 pm FS1 US Men vs Trinidad Gold Cup

Thur, June 19

6 pm FS1 US Men vs KSA Gold Cup

Sun, June 22

7 pm FS1 US Men vs Haiti Gold Cup

Sun, June 26

TBS, Peacock US Women vs Ireland

Sun, June 29^th

TNT, Peacock US Women vs Ireland in Cincy

USA

Opinion: Bruce Arena and the weary take of staggering frailty on Mauricio Pochettino’s nationality
Christian Pulisic hits consecutive double-digit scoring seasons in 2-0 win over Venezia
Christian Pulisic’s decade-long European streak still alive as AC Milan advance to Coppa Italia final
USMNT weekend highlights: Puli goal, Luna brace, Sargent TOTS
SSFC Spotlight: Alex Freeman lighting up MLS
Poch will only select ‘right characters’ for USMNT
Marsch banned 2 games after red card vs. USMNT

Netflix to release “The 99ers” film on 1999 USWNT World Cup triumph
Atlanta a likely host for 2031 Women’s World Cup hints FIFA president Gianni Infantino
USWNT and Angel City FC superstar: A brief analysis on Alyssa Thompson
FIFA-funded study to begin research into possible menstrual cycle link to women’s knee injurie

American Forward Josh Sergant was elected to the Best 11 for the Championship this season

Champions League

Breaking down European semifinals: Arsenal vs. PSG, Barcelona vs. Inter predictions
Barça, Inter, Yamal deliver perfect Champions League night
How Yamal’s first 100 games compare to other phenoms’: Messi, Ronaldo, Mbappé
Inzaghi: Phenoms like Yamal ‘born every 50 years’
Thuram and Dumfries fuel return of ‘real Inter’
Sources: Barça’s Kounde to miss Inter 2nd leg
Barça battle back for draw in goalfest with Inter
Inter’s Martínez plays down Yamal-Messi links
PSG’s Dembélé shows Arsenal what they’re missing: a clinical forward
Arteta: Arsenal need ‘something special’ in Paris
The fatal errors that cost Arsenal against PSG
On a day when Messi and Ronaldo faded, Lamine Yamal filled the void

Europa League continues to offer Man United a lifeline for this season
Wins put Man Utd, Spurs on brink of unlikely final
Tottenham’s confusing season could still end with Europa League glory
How Premier League teams can qualify for Champions League, Europe this season
The secret behind Arctic Circle club Bodo/Glimt’s red-hot Europa League run
Where are the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League finals?

MLS

Inter Miami and an aging Messi ousted from CONCACAF Champions Cup
Lionel Messi continues to set attendance records during 2025 — here’s the full list
BREAKING: Club América and LAFC set to play Club World Cup playoff; Infantino ‘confirms’ FIFA plan
Inter Miami has little to show for Messi and its star-studded roster
Sources: Pogba eyeing Europe despite D.C. talks
Cruz Azul dispatch Tigres to reach the CONCACAF Champions Cup FinalOneFootball

EPL

Taking Palace to FA Cup final, Eze looks ready for next step
Chris Richards

World

Men’s soccer rivalries to know: El Clásico, Manchester Derby
Antonio Rüdiger could serve up to a 12-match ban after red card in Copa del Rey final
Cristiano Ronaldo fights back tears as Al-Nassr set to end season without a trophy

OFFICIAL: Jamie Vardy announces he’s leaving Leicester City after 13 seasons

NWSL & World

If parity is NWSL’s ‘superpower’ vs. Europe competition, is expansion its kryptonite?
Last-place Chicago Stars fire coach Donaldson
NWSL seeks to launch second division in 2026
NWSL MVP Tracker: Thompson leads USWNT in ranking, but other internationals dominate
How ruthless Chelsea romped to a sixth consecutive WSL title
Chelsea left ‘sad and frustrated’ after UWCL exit
Wrexham women lose cup final but take another step forward

Indy 11

Indy Eleven at MLS Philadelphia Union in Open Cup
Blake, Amoh Earn USL Jägermeister Cup Team of the Round Honors
Recap-MAD 0:4 IND
Indy Eleven Academy wins 3 National Championships!
Recap-IND 1:3 CHS
Foster repeats on USLC “Team of the Week”

Goalkeeping

Great Saves Donnarumma & Szczesny
Champs League Great Saves Wed
Europa League Semi Final Great Saves
Cortious Saves vs Arsenal last round
Not Cool by Gigi Donnarumma fake falldown on Corner
Goal Kick Technique
How to Throw the Ball Properly

Reffing

Copa del Rey final referee breaks down in tears after Real Madrid TV releases video bashing him
Real Madrid’s running battle with referees: How did it start? When will it end?
Did the VAR slip up with Evanilson’s red card vs. Man United?
Not Cool by Gigi Donnarumma

If this is offsides Soccer has a problem

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This Week in the NWSL
Records Fall and Rookies RiseThis past game weekend was perhaps the most action-packed weekend of the season so far, with dramatic comeback winners, rookie breakthroughs, and lots and lots of goals. Week 6 introduced 8 new goal-scorers to the books, with the NWSL now nearing 500 unique goal scorers in league history. The 40 club is also growing with the Spirit’s Aubrey Kingsbury and Houston’s Jane Campbell becoming the fourth and fifth goalies to have 40 career shutouts in the last two game weekends respectively. Casey Murphy needs one more shutout to add this milestone to her career.

The search for record-breaking continues as Lynn Biyendolo is only one assist away from the most regular season assists in league history. Catch Lynn at home with the Reign as the Current joins them in a high-stakes match, where the Current seeks to extend their league record for consecutive multi-goal games.

NC Courage complete historic stoppage-time comeback to beat undefeated KC Current

The North Carolina Courage delivered the upset of last Saturday night, storming back in the final minutes to stun the 5-0-0 Kansas City Current. This made the Courage the first team since 2017 to score both a game-tying and game-winning goal in the 90th minute or later.
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Must Watch: Gotham FC vs. Chicago Stars this Sunday

With Esther González leading the Golden Boot race, she will be a force to be reckoned with, although historically Chicago has the edge in this match up. On the Chicago side, Alyssa Naeher needs one more shutout for her 50 career shutout milestone.

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USMNT Player Tracker: Pulisic saves Milan (again), Richards gets real, and Paredes setback

By Greg O’Keeffe April 28, 2025 The Athletic

Across the Atlantic this week, the USMNT’s overseas contingent has savored titles (and tangerines) in Scotland and enjoyed the magic of the FA Cup at Wembley. But some things don’t change: once again, Christian Pulisic gave Milan something to cling to. Elsewhere, Johnny Cardoso and Paxten Aaronson turned heads in La Liga and the Eredivisie, but Wolfsburg’s Kevin Parades suffered a blow as he continues his return from a foot injury. Read on as this week’s USMNT Player Tracker brings you all the ups and downs of the players national head coach Mauricio Pochettino will turn to this summer.

Pulisic keeps Milan’s fading hopes alive

Pulisic’s nerves of steel meant Milan clung onto their hopes of Champions League football next season.The USMNT star was unflappable when presented with an early unexpected chance to score against Venezia on Sunday, on what manager Sergio Conceicao said was a small, dry pitch that wasn’t easy for his players.An error from the hosts at the Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo, when they gave the ball away cheaply in their own half, allowed Milan’s Youssouf Fofana to seize possession and play in Pulisic at close range. Of course, the 26-year-old stayed cool and put it in the back of the net, giving the Rossoneri a major boost after just five minutes.That was it for another agonizing 91 minutes, as Milan had to fight against the relegation-battling Venetians before Santiago Gimenez made it 2-0 in stoppage time at the end. Pulisic’s big moment earned him the nod from Milan fans as man of the match, and he also put himself in elite statistical company. According to Opta, the goal meant he is now only one of the three Serie A players to have been directly involved in at least 50 goals (31 goals and 19 assists) in the last two seasons in all competitions, alongside Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman (50) and Lautaro Martinez (54) of Inter. In terms of what it means for his club, they are still eight points away from the Champions League qualifying spots with four league games remaining. It will be a tall order to drag themselves ahead of the teams above them, not least Weston McKennie’s Juventus, who are currently fourth and also won on Sunday. But after springing something of a surprise win over rivals Inter last week to reach the final of the Coppa Italia, then winning in Venice, at least Pulisic and co are developing upward momentum in the closing stages of what remains a below-par season.

Jeff Rueter’s graphic of the weekend

Champ Carter-Vickers sets Rangers record straight

It was an altogether more decisive win for Pulisic’s international team-mates in Scotland on Saturday.

But USMNT defender Cameron Carter-Vickers probably did not envisage spending a few minutes picking tangerines off the field before later celebrating his team being crowned champions. Celtic’s 5-0 thrashing of Dundee United earned the 27-year-old a fourth title medal with Celtic in a game that was interrupted during the first half when Celtic fans threw the fruit onto the field as a protest against their opponents’ ticketing prices for the game. Around the 12-minute mark, the supporters in the away section threw the tangerines and unfurled a banner reading “£njoy th£ fruits of our labour”.

Staff clear tangerines from the Tannardice turf (Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

That aside, it was easy work for Carter-Vickers and his team, who have now won the Scottish top flight 13 times in the past 14 seasons.

Carter-Vickers was a happy man, then, but he disagreed when asked afterwards whether Celtic had to set the record straight in their next game, which happens to be against rivals Rangers, who have dented an otherwise glittering season by beating them twice.

“Yes. I mean, some people might say set the record (straight),” he told the Daily Record. “I wouldn’t personally use that kind of language because for me, it’s not just like one or two games in the season, but the whole 38.“And I think we’ve shown over the 38 games that we are the best team. But, yeah, we definitely want to win the game next weekend and put in a strong performance because, at the end of the day, we know it’s something that the fans care about and we care about also.“Of course we want to win. We want to win every game we play. And that’s no different for who it is.”It might have been a less perfect afternoon for Carter-Vickers’ U.S. team-mate Auston Trusty, who was benched and did not make it onto the field in the game that confirmed their title. Trusty, who recently became a new father, has not featured in three of his team’s four most recent games. On Saturday, manager Brendan Rodgers preferred Republic of Ireland defender Liam Scales ahead of him. But he did not let that spoil the fun for him and was on the fruit-free pitch to enjoy the post-match celebrations.

Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Jeffrey Schlupp and Arne Engels celebrate on a fruit-free field (Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Straight from the horse’s mouth

The Champagne wasn’t quite uncorked yet for another USMNT defender on Saturday, but it could be on ice. Chris Richards took his usual place in Crystal Palace’s indomitable back three at Wembley in their hugely impressive 3-0 FA Cup semi-final win over Aston Villa. The south London club will now face Manchester City in the final on May 17, after Pep Guardiola’s side beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 in the other semi on Sunday. Before Palace’s big win, Richards did the media rounds and chatted with Men in Blazers, who asked him about the USMNT’s woeful performances in March’s Concacaf Nations League semi-final and third-place games.

“I think the best adjective for what happened in the last camp was we got Concacaf’d,” he said. “We’re going to have to put this show pony-ness away.”

Richards and Ben Chilwell helped Palace shut out Aston Villa (Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Then asked why the U.S. players haven’t always been able to translate successful club form onto the international scene, he added: “One of the reasons I think that everyone has been so successful at their clubs is you’re in that environment every day. “I know it’s hard to emulate that when it comes to national team, but I think that’s why guys seemed so much more in tune or sharper — you’re playing with these guys every single day and when you’re coming to national team, these are guys you only train with, depending on flights, depending on times, maybe two days leading up to a game.

“I understand that’s what every national team is doing, so there’s no excuse, but we needed to be more competitive in the last camp and I think going forward, not just from the players’ aspect but from the coaching aspect… we kind of had a coming-to-Jesus meeting after the last game and we can’t let something like the last camp happen again — especially leading up to a World Cup.”What You Should Read NextChris Richards on USMNT and Crystal Palace ambition: ‘It would go berserk if we won a trophy’The defender from Birmingham, Alabama is part of a tight-knit group at Selhurst Park whose faith has strengthened team unity

How did other U.S. players get on?

Name: Ethan Horvath
Club: Cardiff City
Position: Goalkeeper
Appearances (all competitions): 18

Horvath experienced the low of relegation with his Welsh club on Saturday when their 0-0 draw with U.S.-owned West Brom sealed their EFL Championship fate.

It meant Cardiff will be in League One, England’s third-tier, next term, but the 29-year-old, who joined the Bluebirds in the winter transfer window, still made some excellent saves on a difficult afternoon.

Name: Kevin Paredes
Club: Wolfsburg
Position: Midfielder/wing-back
Appearances: 2

Paredes was so impressive on his return from long-term injury last time out, creating a goal in the 2-2 draw with Mainz, that he kept his place for Wolfsburg’s game against Freiburg on Saturday.

However, it was a difficult afternoon for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side, who were reduced to 10 men after just 26 minutes and ended up losing 1-0. Despite the result, Paredes looked sharp again until he was forced off just past the hour with a hamstring problem.

That is believed to be a minor strain and while he is likely to miss the next game against Gio Reyna’s Borussia Dortmund, he should be back in contention for Wolfsburg’s final two fixtures of the Bundesliga campaign.

Paredes grabs Freiburg’s Patrick Osterhage (Maja Hitij/Getty Images)

Perhaps Paredes will have the words of the national coach in his mind after Pochettino said last week that the USMNT needs players to “fight for the people that would love to be in your position” and “the right characters to be really competitive”.

The 21-year-old, who fell to his knees and sobbed when his young U.S. side were knocked out of the men’s soccer tournament during last summer’s Olympics, is hoping that his will to win (and electric talent) catches Pochettino’s eye. Now he must end the season with Wolfsburg strongly and earn a chance to feature in the USMNT’s summer friendlies or Gold Cup campaign.

Name: Paxten Aaronsen
Club: FC Utrecht
Position: Midfielder
Appearances: 35

The 21-year-old is another young prospect hoping to gain more senior USMNT exposure this summer on the back of a strong season.

He grabbed an assist as Utrecht won 4-0 away at RKC Waalwijk in the Eredivisie. They’re now fourth in the table and level on points with Feyenoord in third. Aaronson has been a key part of this push for Champions League football, with seven league goals to his name so far and having created four more.

His success means the Dutch club, who loaned him for the season from Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt, want to borrow the American again next season.

“We are in talks with Frankfurt,” said Utrecht coach Ron Jans recently. “We hope we can keep him for another year. It will take a few weeks before it is clear whether it will work.”

Whether Frankfurt are inclined to oblige remains to be seen.

Een jongensdroom die uit is gekomen voor Paxten Aaronson 💭

— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) April 24, 2025

What’s coming up?

(All Eastern Time)

Johnny Cardoso is having a fine old time with his club Real Betis. They’re sixth in La Liga, on course for Europa League qualification and only six points off the Champions League qualification places.

Last Thursday, they thumped Valladolid 5-1, meaning they head into their Europa Conference League semi-final against Fiorentina on Thursday in fine fettle.

Cardoso’s performances have caught the eye and he has been praised by former USMNT player Charlie Davies.

“Johnny Cardoso: we have to talk about him now, at the moment,” Davies said on CBS Sports Golazo America. “(He’s) 23 years old, killing it at Real Betis, another massive goal for him at the club, and he was near perfect on the ball (in Betis’ previous win over Girona). I think he’s really found a good role within this team and Isco is the guy that makes this team tick, but in terms of being an outlet and being able to shuttle the ball across, he has great positioning.”

Watch them in that semi-final on Thursday (3pm, Paramount+).

Cardoso is enjoying his time with Real Betis (Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

By Saturday, we will know if Antonee Robinson has recovered from the knee pain that has plagued him lately to face Aston Villa in the Premier League (7:30am, Peacock Premium).

Given the load on him this season for club and country and the possibility of further football in the summer’s Gold Cup, it will be vital that the left-back’s minutes are managed carefully to prevent his knee issue becoming worse going into the World Cup year.

Also on Saturday, Bournemouth and Tyler Adams are charged with trying to end their season on a high after their promise stalled, leaving them in mid-table. They travel to second-placed Arsenal (12:30pm, Peacock Premium).

Finally, next Monday, see if Pulisic and Milan’s belated mini-revival can keep going when they take on Genoa (2:45pm, Paramount+).(Top photos: Getty Images)

Barcelona are the world’s most fun team to watch – because they are flawed

Raphinha right winger of Barcelona and Brazilcelebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg match between FC Barcelona and FC Internazionale Milano at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on April 30, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

By Pol Ballús May 1, 2025

“I am extremely proud of the performance my squad has put in, because tonight we faced one of the most offensive and beautiful teams in the world.”

Those were the words of Inter manager, Simone Inzaghi, after the first leg of a thrilling tie in the Champions League semi-finals. Six goals, an endless carousel of highlights and arguably the best game in the competition this season.

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Among all the things we learned on Wednesday night was the reassurance that Barcelona are the world’s most entertaining team — which does not mean the best.

How Lamine Yamal carried his team in a mind-blowing exhibition, the fact they scored three goals against a team that had only conceded four in 12 games in the Champions League this season, and the mentality the squad showed in coming back from a two-goal deficit, and then 3-2 down, were a treat to witness. But all of this happened because the Catalans were imperfect, as they have been throughout the whole season.

Since Hansi Flick took charge last summer, Barca’s approach in games has been enthralling but self-destructive. They are defined by a high defensive line, which they combine with a relentless counter-press. Flick’s system has been generally well adjusted during the season, and his squad’s offensive firepower has brought them to where they are right now — in sight of a remarkable treble of La Liga, Champions League and Copa del Rey (which they won in similarly ridiculous fashion last weekend).

But their football is a high-wire act, and it feels like every play in a game has only two potential outcomes: Barcelona suffocates their opponent and destroys them, or as soon as a team slides through their first line of pressure, they find a vulnerable defence to capitalise on.

That was perfectly exposed in the Inter game. Barca registered 19 shots against Inter. They scored three goals and hit the woodwork two more times. Meanwhile, Inter had seven shots, three of them on target which resulted in goals, and had a fourth one disallowed because Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s toe was somehow in an offside position.

This is the price Flick has to pay in order to play like Barca do. The most extreme example is probably Yamal, a precocious talent who makes the difference like nobody else in the offensive end. However, that attacking output is offset by the knowledge that he will be less active in off-the-ball pressing or defending.

Frenkie de Jong is similar. He is a luxury of a holding midfielder, a gifted technician that does not lose a ball, can split pressing lines driving the ball and is in the best form of his Barca career. However, as soon as he is not in possession, you will see him struggling to fill the gaps in defence, being as aggressive on duels as he should be and, therefore, making the team more vulnerable.

“We are not going to back down on our plan — in fact, I’d say the opposite,” said a source in Barcelona’s backroom staff — who prefers to remain anonymous in order to protect their position — in the build-up to the Inter game. “We’ll double our trust in the approach we have to the game. We’ll keep playing as radical as you’ve seen.”

Yamal is a genius on the ball but offers little protection (Lluis Gene/AFP via Getty Images)

Inter manager Simone Inzaghi went on the same line while speaking to Italian broadcasters after the game. “Barcelona’s strategy is very risky, but it pays off,” he said. “They’ve scored over 150 goals, have already won two titles, and are still competing for two more.”

What happened in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals is not news to Barcelona. They arrived at the game after Saturday’s fascinating Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid, when they won 3-2 with a comeback sealed in extra-time.

A week earlier, they came back from 3-1 down against Celta Vigo to claim another injury-time win in La Liga. Over the last five games Barca played across all competitions, they have conceded 11 goals.

There might be an explanation behind this recent tendency, though: Barca players are exhausted, and some are injured.

Robert Lewandowski and Alejandro Balde were not available for the first leg, with backups Ferran Torres and Gerard Martin replacing them. Jules Kounde is very likely to miss the second leg through a hamstring injury suffered against Inter. Meanwhile, Pedri, arguably their most influential player, has spent so long on the pitch this season that he can hardly complete 90 minutes.

“It’s not easy, when you play every three days, to train things as you’d want,” said Flick during his post-match media duties. “This is the situation. Kounde’s injury is also about playing every three days. It happens.”

It all comes at a time when Barca are facing some of the best squads in Europe as they pursue the treble. But the dressing room is not worried by that.

“It’s good to see what we do because we like to play attacking football, control the game and score goals,” said De Jong after the game. “We take some risks with that, but I think we also obtain many good things, so we will keep having the same mentality.”

De Jong says Barcelona will not sacrifice their principles (Carl Recine/Getty Images)

“We wanted more,” added Yamal. “I believe we could have won the game. I’m happy to help the team but I always want to win and that’s why I ended the game a bit bitter.

“But we will go again like we did today. We are focused on the second leg, and we’ll go right after them.”

Hold on tight: next Tuesday’s decider in Milan promises to be a must-watch.

(Top photo: Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Lamine Yamal’s first press conference: Messi comparisons, hair dye and silencing the critics

Lamine Yamal on Lionel Messi parallels: ‘I don’t want to compare me with anyone’

Barcelona’s Jules Kounde likely to miss Champions League semi-final second leg with injury

Inter Miami has little to show for Messi, star-studded roster

Lizzy Becherano ESPN May 1, 2025, 01:40 AM ET

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Chase Stadium was vibrating just moments ahead of the first whistle as supporters filled every seat, with chants echoing throughout the stands and pink Inter Miami CF flags waving in the air. By the 72nd minute, however, the Vancouver Whitecaps managed to completely silence the once lively cauldron with a fierce attack as the large scoreboard read MIA: 1, VAN: 3. The life that once coursed through the rows of Chase Stadium in the moments prior to the goals felt like a distant memory as fans succumbed to the disappointment of an elimination in the knockout round of yet another tournament. Once the referee blew the final whistle, those still left in the stands clapped, but the players ignored those efforts, choosing to exit the pitch with haste. Lionel Messi rushed into the tunnel with his head down, stepping into the darkness of Chase Stadium’s infrastructure to leave everything about this series behind him on the pitch.

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Inter Miami knew they faced an enormous challenge when entering the match with a 2-0 deficit from the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal first leg, but no one expected the final 5-1 aggregate scoreline.

When signing the Barcelona boys, Inter Miami co-owner Mas vowed continuous success would enthrall spectators at Chase Stadium and fans all over the world. Though the club saw immediate results when winning the inaugural Leagues Cup trophy, in 2023, Inter Miami could not keep up with expectations. With each passing season, the club finds new ways to strengthen the playing squad and provide Messi with the necessary tools to thrive in the final third in a bid to keep that initial promise of trophies. But efforts continue to fall short, paving the way for the same, tired concern: where is the silverware for this star-studded roster?

Just over a year ago, on April 11, Inter Miami fell 5-2 on aggregate to CF Monterrey in the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup. Former head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino blamed MLS roster rules, insisting the constraints of the American system held the team back from competing against Liga MX giants who overspend on every position. Despite the initial declarations, Inter Miami vowed to come back stronger in 2025.This year felt different for supporters as the club made several changes to the roster in hopes of finding success after the 2024 disappointments. The team incorporated players like Telasco Segovia, Tadeo Allende and Maximiliano Falcón into the starting XI, while making necessary additions to the bench for depth. At the helm, Miami found new leadership to steer the club to triumph. Mesmerized by his football philosophy, Mas insisted Javier Mascherano would be the one to untap international stardom and guide the historic leap into the semifinals.”There is pressure here to win, and that pressure is going to continue. We expect it of ourselves, our coaches and players,” Mas said when introducing Mascherano as head coach in November 2024.To which the new coach reaffirmed: “I am convinced I can do it. I have no doubt.”But instead, history repeated itself as the team fell short and Inter Miami was once again eliminated just shy of the final.Inter Miami started the second leg strongly, kicking off the match with the energy of a team that needed a miracle to advance. Players chased every ball, won those 50-50 challenges that felt impossible in Canada, and connected well on the attack.By the ninth minute, Messi danced his way to the final third to find Luis Suárez and initiate the first goal-scoring play of the night. The pass from Messi to his former Barcelona teammate and current attacking partner ignited Suárez to connect with Jordi Alba — another Barça alum — for the left-back to fire truly home.

The goal made its way through the fantastic four, starting from Sergio Busquets, coming through Messi and Suarez before Alba found the net. But the magic fizzled out in the second half, after suddenly two defensive errors cost Miami two goals in the span of three minutes and ultimately the series. Those two goals dismantled the hope of a comeback for Inter Miami and, with that, the game plan Mascherano set out to complete through his players vanished.Instead, flashbacks of the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals match against Monterrey began to crop up. On April 11, 2024, the team entered the second leg at a disadvantage, needing two goals or more to secure a positive result. Though players arrived at the BBVA Stadium in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, anxious to live up to the expectations that the coach, squad and team executives set for fans, efforts disappointed. When Monterrey gained the lead, the Herons took an anemic hit and began unraveling.

Herculez Gomez and Cristina Alexander debate the biggest storylines and break down the best highlights that soccer in the Americas has to offer. Stream on ESPN+ (U.S. only)

This time around, the game felt no different.

After the 53rd minute, when Brian White and Pedro Vite scored within four minutes of each other, desperation became the leading contributor to decision-making. The deep concentration and man-to-man marking that defender Maximiliano Falcon discussed during the pre-match conference could no longer be seen on the field.Players resulted to shoving and physical tactics over technique, while Mascherano made rash decisions from the sidelines. The two goals forced the Miami boss to make key changes to the line-up, incorporating Allen Obando for Segovia, and Gonzalo Luján to replace Falcon for the first time since signing those players in pre-season.On the field, those in the attack began to sporadically shoot in the direction of the goal in hope of finding the back of the net. Even Messi, who knows how to read the field with precision to perfectly plan his next move, began involving himself in every aspect of the game with angst. The player who naturally prioritizes calculated plays over impulsive actions could not hold back from attacking every opportunity with frustration. He didn’t wait for players to find him in the final third for the determining goal-scoring opportunity, instead he went out of his way to find the ball himself across the entire pitch.

With patience, smarter decisions could’ve been made to connect passes and dance through defenders to beat the goalkeeper, as the team has done countless times this season.

Gomez: More important Inter Miami win Champions Cup than MLS

Herculez Gomez speaks ahead of Inter Miami’s Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal second leg vs. Vancouver.”In the span of three to four minutes they decided the series. We wanted to play a longer game, without rushing and with calm,” said Mascherano after the match. “We were one goal away from tying the series and what we pretended to do is have a long game.”The hardest part was done, which was to score the first goal. But this is football, especially in a semifinal. Two or three errors against a good opponent, obviously good because they reached the semifinal, but they end up hurting you and end up sentencing with the series.”The game plan dissipated and no amount of star power on the roster could save the club from elimination. Inter Miami have come to know this reality all too well. Mascherano couldn’t even rely on Tata Martino’s former excuse as the team played against three MLS teams and stood as one of the highest-valued rosters on this side of the bracket.After Wednesday’s match, Busquets vowed that Miami would come back stronger, like the team did in 2024.”We keep getting further and further every year,” he said. “But with that consolation although today it’s not much. We think ahead.”The difference this time around, however, is that time is running out, and the clock continues to wind down on the careers of Miami’s fantastic four. By 2026, the Herons may look wildly different as the contracts of Suárez, Messi, Alba and Busquets run through the end of the 2025 MLS campaign.Rumors continue to swirl, and talks remain ongoing about extending the contract of Messi, but his supporting cast may choose to retire come December, or play somewhere else, and Inter Miami will have little to show for their time in South Florida.One Leagues Cup trophy and a Supporters’ Shield is not the decorated silverware that Mas promised at the presentation of these players in 2023. Breaking the MLS record for most points scored in single season will not be enough for Inter Miami at the end of this star-studded chapter.Inter Miami still have three opportunities to win a trophy this season: MLS, the Leagues Cup and the Club World Cup. Wednesday night’s elimination has never made it more clear: this side has precious few chances left to win the silverware it so desperately craves.

Sebastian Berhalter’s arrival makes for a unique North American soccer plot twist

Vancouver Whitecaps standout Sebastian Berhalter

By Jeff Rueter pril 30, 2025 The Athletic

Study Sebastian Berhalter’s rapidly burgeoning goal catalog, and the majority of any clip’s duration leaves him out of the frame entirely.A breakout star on the Vancouver Whitecaps, currently the hottest team in North America, Berhalter is a regular starter as a right-sided central midfielder. He’s a vital part of the Whitecaps’ build-up, an increasingly expert progressive passer who rates among MLS’s best in the current season. Once the ball is among the forwards, he carefully picks his moment to arrive near the box. It’s a facet of his game that he’s been relishing in this year.Minnesota United was just the latest to learn about Berhalter’s late-arriving quality to open the scoring in their Sunday matinee.It’s perhaps a fitting calling card given Berhalter’s gradual rise as a player. Just shy of his 24th birthday, he was touted as a player to watch as a future MLS contributor but was often overshadowed. He didn’t break out before turning 20, as peers like Aidan Morris and Caden Clark may have, and he wasn’t a regular starter until landing with his third team in the league, joining Vancouver ahead of the 2022 season.These days, the son of former USMNT manager Gregg Berhalter is making a name all his own, among the headliners of a Whitecaps side entering the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal second leg against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in pole position.

“It’s kind of been a steady incline, and I think that’s something that’s kind of been consistent in my life,” Berhalter told The Athletic. “It’s never come for me all at once. I’ve had to work really hard to be where I’m at, so it’s kind of like — I don’t want to say it’s what I’m expecting, but it’s something that I have the confidence that if I just keep doing what I’m going to do, then eventually it’s going to come.”

The 2020 season was poised to be the dawn of Berhalter’s MLS career. He had just signed a homegrown contract with the Columbus Crew and was projected to earn MLS minutes. When the COVID-19 pandemic put the country into lockdown, however, his development went in an entirely different direction.

With the world displaying an abundance of caution, the sport stood still for clubs and countries alike. There were no games, no training sessions for young players to get their reps and be ready for a return to play. Sebastian headed to Chicago, joining his father and working under Gregg to refine his game as his professional career was just kicking off.Look beyond the family ties, and this was a rare chance for a still-developing young midfielder to get one-on-one guidance from an active national team coach. Throughout his upbringing, Sebastian had been told he’d need to forge his own path to reach his professional dreams.“That’s probably, when I look back at it, one of the most important times in my life, in terms of as a soccer player and as a person,” the younger Berhalter said of those sessions at a field beside Lane Tech High School.“He knows how to kind of keep me in check, how to push my buttons. It was fun, man. Looking back on it, that’s exactly what I needed. I needed to kind of be broken down a little bit, and that’s what he did.”Admittedly, Sebastian didn’t always “love it all the time.” There was no corner to cut, no eased expectations to keep the peace at that night’s dinner. These sessions were tailored specifically to bolster the young player’s chances of enjoying a successful career.

Ex-USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter Former USMNT manager Gregg Berhalter now runs the Chicago Fire in MLS. (Photo by Anne-Marie Sorvin/Imagn Images)

Among the most important takeaways from these sessions was helping Sebastian adjust his game to “physically, actually just grow into my body.” Speed was at the top of the list, recalibrating his stride and explosiveness to get as much from him as he could.“He did a great job, and I’m thankful for that,” Sebastian said, “because it was one of the only times in my life he’s really trained with me. He was super hands off (when I was) growing up. It was always, like, ‘You’ve got to do it by yourself.’ It kind of instilled that into me, my work ethic — ‘OK, if I want this, I’m gonna have to go get it.’”While he didn’t immediately parlay those lessons into a starting role, making nine league appearances as the Crew went on to win MLS Cup 2020, it was a vital crash course that provided a sturdy bedrock upon which to build out his technical skillset and mental acumen.When talking about those training sessions, Berhalter calls himself “one of the luckiest guys in the world.” If he feels he needs a keen observer to provide a tip or some advice, he’s able to pick the brain of the USMNT coach with the best winning percentage of anyone who has held the job on a permanent basis.There were times, however, when that status as a national team manager put Gregg and his family in a bright, if unwanted, spotlight — perhaps at no time more than after the 2022 World Cup.

Sebastian was in Qatar throughout the USMNT’s run, seeing his dad’s team advance from its group before falling to the Netherlands in the round of 16. Soon after, news broke that midfield star Gio Reyna — whose lack of utilization was a common talking point during the team’s run — had frustrated his teammates with a lack of effort in training before the opening match against Wales. Reyna apologized to the team later during the group stage, and the matter seemed resolved.

Public interest around Reyna’s situation sustained into early 2023, when Gregg Berhalter’s comments at a leadership symposium went public. He referenced the situation (omitting any player’s name) in what he said was supposed to be an off-record session. News also broke that Reyna’s parents, Claudio and Danielle, had called U.S. Soccer to bring up a domestic incident between Gregg and his now-wife, Rosalind, while the two were in college — a perceived attempt at blackmail against a coach who didn’t start their child at a World Cup.That the two families were close and had shared deep ties with each other made for, without a doubt, one of the ugliest off-field scandals in program history. Berhalter was ultimately re-hired for a second tenure after an independent investigation, and his dynamic with Gio Reyna was a frequent point of discussion through the rest of his tenure, which ended after the 2024 Copa América. While it was undeniably a difficult moment, Sebastian felt it ultimately strengthened the Berhalters’ bond.“I think it definitely brought our family closer together, everyone,” Sebastian said. “Because of that, we’re closer together than we were before, which is cool, just to see everyone have each other’s backs. Now we know that we’re a tight-knit family.”Berhalter unequivocally said he’s proud of his father’s work with the USMNT, adding that he took cues from how Gregg handled media scrutiny.“It just never affected him. It doesn’t matter what anyone says, you’re doing your job. It’s something that I definitely take with me,” he said.Given their similar ages and parents’ friendship, Sebastian and Gio (who is roughly 18 months younger) grew up as friends. When asked if he and Gio have spoken about the saga, or if their relationship is in a better place, Sebastian simply said “no,” not displaying a desire to elaborate.

Vancouver Whitecaps standout Sebastian Berhalter Sebastian Berhalter has had plenty to celebrate in 2025. (Photo by Anne-Marie Sorvin/Imagn Images)

To further Berhalter’s development after its 2020 MLS Cup title, Columbus sent him on loan to Austin FC for their inaugural season in 2021. Coached by Josh Wolff, a former assistant of Gregg’s with the Crew and USMNT, Sebastian Berhalter admitted he “got beat down a little bit,” but quickly assessed that it was what he needed to make it at the game’s highest level.

When Austin, whose sporting director at the time was Claudio Reyna, turned down the purchase option at the end of his loan, Berhalter was traded by Columbus to Vancouver for just $50,000 of allocation money — the lowest amount MLS allows teams to trade — with an additional $50,000 of performance metrics. Even when assuming he cleared those benchmarks, it’s among the best bargain acquisitions in recent memory.

Since joining the Whitecaps, Berhalter’s minutes have increased with each successive season, and he’s on track to eclipse his 2024 ledger of 2,021 in MLS competition. He has evolved into the archetypal box-to-box midfielder, a late-arriving number 8 who can keep the team moving towards goal while having an eagerness to track back and defend if possession changes hands. He’s part of an established core that have been together for multiple seasons, making movement patterns easier as many starters can dependably trust each other’s instincts.

“I think you see that when we play,” Berhalter said. “You can see it’s a group that’s been together for three to four years, and everyone trusts each other. Everyone believes in each other. We know each other so well. It’s nice to see that everything’s coming together.”

Goals like the opener on Sunday are also a byproduct of how the Whitecaps have had to adjust in the young season. Since 2021, Scotland international Ryan Gauld has been at the heart of Vancouver’s attack, among the best playmakers in MLS. However, Gauld picked up a knee injury in the team’s third game of the regular season, leaving reason to wonder if the club could maintain its form without its most important facilitator.Berhalter has picked up some of that responsibility, also benefitting from new coach Jesper Sørensen’s field-tilt machine that keeps more of Vancouver’s touches in the final third. As of April 29, he averages 37.4 pass attempts in the opponent’s half per 90 minutes, up from roughly 26 per 90 in each of the last three seasons. Despite the massive uptick in volume, he’s also displayed career-best accuracy, completing 87.9% of his attacking half passes and 79% of those attempted in the final third.

“It’s something I think I can do as a player, and it’s been fun,” Berhalter said of his increased utilization near the box. “I like arriving. I feel like when I arrive, I can still get back, so it’s not a big issue for me. I want to score, I want to assist, I want to help the team win games. I think that’s the most important thing, whatever role it is.”

“Arriving” is a word Berhalter uses often when talking about his progression over the past year or two, using movement to unsettle a defense as it establishes itself against an attack. Two players he studies closely in regards to arriving are Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali and Barcelona attacking midfielder Pedri.

“I think those two are ones that are a little bit different in ways,” Berhalter said. “But they both have that almost defining characteristic of having their specialties. With Tonali, it’s just powerful, being able to arrive (despite contact). Pedri, it’s the way he can take the ball anywhere and also still being able to arrive.”

He’s also a key figure on a team that’s often overlooked in the broader MLS landscape. Vancouver props up the upper-left corner of the league’s geography, some distance from other Canadian clubs in Toronto and Montreal while being overshadowed in the Pacific Northwest by a historic rivalry between the Seattle Sounders and the Portland Timbers. This year has even more weight to it for Vancouver, as the club is actively up for sale.

Berhalter stops short of branding his team an underdog, even as it squares off with the superteam on the opposite corner of MLS’s map. He said Vancouver “doesn’t need the media attention,” and has gotten used to not getting much over the past three seasons. When bringing a 2-0 advantage from the first leg to Miami, it’s highly unlikely that the moment will phase the Whitecaps.

“Yeah, it’s one game at a time,” Berhalter said. “That’s probably been the biggest thing, because when you have that many games, you can’t look too far ahead. Especially with opponents like Miami, you can tend to look ahead and be like, ‘Oh, we’re playing this guy, playing that guy.’ It’s been good. It’s honestly been impressive with this group, how we’ve handled this. I think just internally, everyone’s been really driven, really focused, and everyone knows what they need to do to get the job done.”

Sebastian Berhalter marks Lionel Messi in the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals. (Photo by Anne-Marie Sorvin/Imagn Images)

The Berhalter family has never been more present in MLS, with Sebastian starring for an MLS Cup contender and Gregg attempting to rebuild the Chicago Fire as head coach and director of football. And we may again see a member of the family back with the USMNT given Sebastian’s play. Few midfielders in the U.S. pool are in as fine of form, and his two-way play and emergence stand in sharp contrast to the criticism U.S. players received after a shocking showing in March’s Nations League finals.

As of April 28, Berhalter said he hasn’t heard from manager Mauricio Pochettino or his staff about whether he’s being eyed for a possible call-up at this summer’s Concacaf Gold Cup. Then again, these things move quickly — Charlotte FC striker Patrick Agyemang hadn’t heard from the federation either until just before his debut in January. While Berhalter is level-headed as always with his answer, it’s clear how much it would mean for him to represent his country.

“It’s been my dream since I’ve been a kid, but I think it’s something that I’m just taking one game at a time,” Berhalter said. “Being around the national team so much — I think I’ve watched every recent game more than probably anyone else has (laughing) — but yeah, it’s not something I’m thinking about. I just worry about winning games here and performing well.”

Those wins keep coming for Vancouver, which sits atop the MLS Supporters’ Shield standings at the end of April. Goal contributions and good team results are providing plenty of highlights and moments to bookmark. So, too, did the team’s sole defeat to date in league play.

On March 22, with the Whitecaps among many teams carrying depleted rosters during the international window, Vancouver welcomed Chicago to BC Place. For the first time, Sebastian lined up against a team coached by his father. The Fire won 3-1.

Nevertheless, it was an unforgettable instance for a player who has earned his starting spot. Regardless of whether he breaks through with the U.S. before the World Cup, or at all, his form since becoming a regular in the Whitecaps’ lineup last year has cemented his arrival.

“I went to him before the game,” Sebastian said of Gregg, “and right after everyone shook hands, he just came over and said he’s proud of me. That was probably one of the coolest moments in my career, where you have your dad on the sideline telling you he’s proud of you.

“It was a cool moment. That gave me the confidence to just go have fun and enjoy it; you know, you’ve earned this.”

The prospect of a Man Utd vs Spurs Europa League final feels wrong – but is it really a shock?

By Elias Burke ay 2, 2025Updated 5:28 am EDT

After Paris Saint-Germain burst Arsenal’s post-Real Madrid bubble in the Champions League on Tuesday, Thursday was England’s day in Europe.

In the UEFA Conference League, a heavily rotated Chelsea side hammered Djurgarden 4-1 on artificial turf in Sweden. In the Europa League, Manchester United produced one of the shocks of the competition, putting their five-game Premier League winless run behind them to beat Athletic Club 3-0 in Bilbao.

n the other side of the bracket, Tottenham Hotspur took care of business in north London, beating Norway’s Bodo/Glimt 3-1. Glimt are excellent at home, and the Arctic conditions and plastic pitch at the Aspmyra Stadion will act as a leveller in the second leg, but Spurs’ two-goal advantage makes them firm favourites to reach the final.

It won’t be the first time a Premier League club has come close to European glory in unusual circumstances — England has produced a few unlikely Europa League finalists over the years. In 2005-06, when the tournament was named the UEFA Cup, Middlesbrough reached the final while toiling in the league’s bottom half, finishing 14th. They knocked out Roma and Basel, among others, before losing 4-0 to Sevilla in the final.

Fulham’s run to the final in 2009-10 was arguably even more impressive, eliminating Italian giants Juventus 5-4 on aggregate in the last 16 despite only finishing 12th in the league.

United and Tottenham’s status and financial strength meant they were both among the strong favourites to win the tournament before it started, but if they both make it to Bilbao’s San Mames Stadium on May 21, given their domestic struggles, it will rank among the Premier League’s most prominent displays of strength on the European stage.

Ruben Amorim’s domestic struggles have been forgotten in Europe (Ander Gillenea/AFP via Getty Images)

Both sides are on course for historically poor Premier League seasons. After taking a 5-1 battering away to Liverpool on Sunday, Tottenham can no longer mathematically finish in the top half — the first time they’ll finish outside the top 10 since 2008 (also, coincidentally, the last year they won a major trophy, the League Cup).

Since breaking the top four in 2009-10, Spurs have established themselves as a near-perennial top-six club, but having already lost 19 times in the league (a club Premier League record), the prospect of restoring pride in the league is gone and winning the Europa League is the only way to save their season.Much of this narrative also applies to United, perhaps even unlikelier Europa League finalists. After a second-half collapse at Old Trafford in the quarter-final against Lyon, allowing the French club to come back from 2-0 down to lead 4-2 in extra time, United produced a fightback that was improbable even by their illustrious standards, scoring three times in seven minutes to win 5-4 on aggregate. Against all logic, both clubs, under the guidance of under-pressure head coaches, have displayed an ability to leave their weekend woes behind to step up on Thursday nights.

Should we be that surprised, though? The obvious caveat to any narrative regarding the “magic” of their European journeys, and the shock at seeing two teams who have struggled so badly in the Premier League stand on the cusp of a major trophy, is that Tottenham and United were the obvious favourites to reach this point given their financial strength.

The figures show that English top-flight clubs, particularly those in the ‘Big Six’, operate far above their Europa League competitors in terms of their transfer kitty and salary budget. Indeed, their resources dwarf many of the continent’s most prominent “legacy clubs”.

Tottenham have a vast stadium – and resources (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

According to the Deloitte Money League, United’s revenue in the 2023-24 season of £655million (€770million; £$870m) made them the fourth richest club in the world. Tottenham, whose revenues totalled £523m are ninth. The next club from this season’s Europa League in this table are 20th-placed Lyon, with revenues of £224m.

This is also the first season under the new 36-club format where third-placed clubs from the Champions League have not dropped to UEFA’s secondary tournament, eliminating the chance of facing clubs who started in Europe’s premier club competition and may come closer to financial parity.

None of that will matter to the players or their coaches, both of whom have been under intense scrutiny given their Premier League records. The prospect of reaching a European final will also not be lost on the supporters, many of whom have travelled the country watching their clubs fail on a weekly basis. Irrespective of how likely their chances of reaching the final were before the first ball was kicked in September, the fact they’re on their way to one is remarkable given the wider context of their seasons.

Those at Old Trafford for the quarter-final second leg will be reluctant to assume the final is a formality, as will the Spurs fans who watched Glimt beat Lazio 2-0 in the quarter-final first leg in freezing temperatures Ange Postecoglou’s players are not accustomed to.

But if they meet in Spain on May 21 and Chelsea join one of them in lifting a European trophy in Poland a week later, this unlikely-ish meeting will perhaps be the most convincing display yet of the depth of quality in England’s top tier.

(Top photos: Casemiro, left, and James Maddison; Getty Images)

Is Lamine Yamal already the best footballer in Europe? And if not, who is?

By Oliver Kay, Stuart James and more

110

May 2, 2025 12:10 am EDT

“Lamine is the kind of talent that comes along every 50 years,” said Simone Inzaghi after watching the 17-year-old Yamal shine against his Inter team during a breathless 3-3 Champions League semi-final first leg draw in Barcelona.

“One thing that amazes me in football is you always think that there is nobody better than Ronaldo and Messi, (Ruud) Gullit, (Diego) Maradona, a lot of people, and then Lamine Yamal arrives,” said Thierry Henry, the former Arsenal and Barcelona forward working for U.S. broadcaster CBS.

In the afterglow of a wonderful performance, in which he scored one beautiful goal, glided across the pitch, turned defenders inside out and showed off his range of tricks, there was no shortage of praise for Yamal.

Yamal bends in a beautiful Champions League goal against Inter (Joan Valls/Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The draw with Inter was his 100th appearance and brought his 22nd goal (along with 33 assists). At the same age, Cristiano Ronaldo had made 19 appearances (featuring five goals and four assists) and Lionel Messi had made nine, scoring once.

All of which makes it easy to conclude that he is already the best player in Europe. Or as the former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand put it: “As a pure football talent, I’m going as far as to say I think Lamine Yamal is on another level to any player playing the game in the top five leagues in world football.”

Excitement has long surrounded Yamal, from his moment of perfection at the Euro 2024, to the comparisons with Messi he is keen to avoid.

But is he already the best footballer in Europe? And if he isn’t, who is?

We asked our writers.

‘It is when, not if, he wins the Ballon d’Or’

If I could watch anyone play right now, it would be Lamine Yamal. Every time Yamal got the ball against Inter, you expected something to happen — and that something could be anything because of his incredible talent and the fact that he plays with so much freedom. His goal was breathtaking — a sinuous run and then a shot that was not just beautifully placed but executed in a way (taken early, minimal backlift) that left Yann Sommer, the Inter goalkeeper, rooted.

I actually enjoyed Yamal’s run a few minutes later even more. Poor Federico Dimcarco, who went sliding on by (totally off the pitch) as Yamal, the master of the chop, expertly dragged the ball back inside the wing-back. But for Sommer’s fingertips, we would be talking about another exceptional goal.

To say that Yamal is the best in the world right now, at the age of 17, feels like a big claim. There’s an argument that he needs to score more prolifically – he’s averaging close to one every three this season in all competitions (six goals in 30 appearances in La Liga), and for that reason, I’d put him behind someone like Mohamed Salah, whose numbers are astonishing. But Yamal is a genius and it’s a matter of when, not if, he wins the Ballon d’Or.

Stuart James

‘I’ve never seen a better 17-year-old footballer… but…’

He’s phenomenal and I love watching him. I would go so far as to say — with caveats to follow — that I’ve never seen a better 17-year-old footballer.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were incredibly talented, but they were not influencing games at the highest level at 17. What Yamal is doing is almost unheard of, but a word of caution: what Ansu Fati was doing at 17 was also extraordinary. Progression is rarely linear.

The Messi/Ronaldo period has created what is an unrealistic perception of what greatness is. In the 1990s and 2000s, “best in the world” was always a fairly fluid debate; back then, it was arguably Rivaldo or (original) Ronaldo or Zinedine Zidane or Paolo Maldini or Luis Figo or Ronaldinho or Kaka or, indeed, Thierry Henry at various points.

Messi and Ronaldo shifted expectations, but Yamal is doing things beyond them at 17 (Lluis Gene/AFP via Getty Images)

I expect the post-Messi era will be similar, with “best in the world” status more transient. This season has brought arguments, at various points, for Mohamed Salah, Raphinha, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior — not forgetting Rodri, the deserving winner of last year’s Ballon d’Or. It’s wonderful to think a 17-year-old might be part of that conversation for years to come if he continues to develop.

Oliver Kay

‘I’d still put Salah ahead of him’

He’s the player I most enjoy watching at the moment and to turn a Champions League semi-final in the way that he did, against players of that calibre, clearly describes ability that should terrify everyone.

But the best? I would still put Mohamed Salah ahead of him, just on numbers and the consistency of his output. And longevity. Salah is still dominating opponents at 32, having been studied and strategised against for years, which is a hard value to quantify but clearly worth something.

It’s extremely close, though, and if you ask me again in a year, I will probably have changed my mind.

Seb Stafford-Bloor

‘Yamal is uniting generations’

My 10-year-old nephew Flynn is in his football mad era. Last year, he asked me who Steven Gerrard was, which made me feel extremely old. He never needed to ask me who Lamine Yamal was, though. If anything, he’s the one telling me all about him. This 17-year-old kid is uniting generations with his talent.

On Saturday, my nephew, who spent the afternoon watching his beloved Tranmere Rovers secure League Two status after a dismal season, asked if we could watch the Copa del Rey final. Who was the player he most wanted to watch? You guessed it. The magic.

When we grow up, the vividness of imagination that we enjoy during childhood fades, but when watching a player like Yamal, we are all back in time and feel capable of anything. He’s the best right now and will be high up on that list for a long time to come.

Caoimhe O’Neill

‘Mbappe is still the man’

At the top of his game, there’s no better footballer in Europe than Kylian Mbappe.

Not since Cristiano Ronaldo’s early days in Madrid have we seen a player more capable of dominating defences with an equally potent blend of skill and physicality. Whether it’s done by a shifty stepover or brute force and world-class pace, he has more tools to find a yard of space in a crowded box than anyone. Twenty-two goals in 29 league appearances in his debut La Liga season is an excellent return, but such is his quality that we expect much more in the future.

Mbappe has done it on the biggest stages (David Ramos/Getty Images)

When he inspired France to World Cup glory as a teenager, it appeared he was the immediate successor to Messi at the top. At 26, he’s yet to win a Ballon D’Or. Still, while the crown is not undisputed, Mbappe is the man in European football in my eyes.

Elias Burke

‘Clearly Barcelona’s most important player’

Yamal’s tremendous solo goal in Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg between Barcelona and Inter showcased the teenager’s tremendous dribbling ability and outstanding shooting prowess.

Barca’s youngest player is already their on-pitch leader — his goal against Inter was the game’s key moment, coming with his team reeling at 2-0 down.

Over the 90 minutes, he had the most shots (6), most crosses (10), and most dribbles (6) of any player on the pitch. Only midfield colleagues Pedri and Frenkie De Jong had more interventions than his 102.

A superb fingertip save from Sommer denied him a second wonder-goal. He set up chances for team-mates Ferran Torres and Dani Olmo, his dummy distracted the defence for Raphinha’s 3-3 goal, and he hit the crossbar with a late cross-shot.

You keep having to remind yourself that he does not turn 18 for another few months. But he is already clearly Barcelona’s most important player, nothing seems to faze him at all, and the really scary part is that he can still get a lot better.

Dermot Corrigan

‘Let’s not forget Rodri’

Please, let’s not allow injury to make us forget Rodri’s existence. The Manchester City midfielder was Spain’s key player in their European Championship win last summer and is the reigning Ballon d’Or winner.

If we’re talking about right now with the blinkered definition of a player who has literally kicked a ball in the last 48 hours, then it’s Yamal, sure. If we extend it to a player who has graced the pitch in the past week, it’s Salah.

Rodri has been absent from the pitch and maybe our minds? (Michael Regan/Getty Images)

But if we take a step back and ask who the best player currently operating is, the understated Rodri is that man. He may not play in the most heralded of positions, slaloming through and curving shots off the post, but his job is to play the position of two men. He does that at an elite level.

Only this week, he returned to Manchester City training and could return before the end of the season. Rodri, I remember you, and look forward to seeing you soon.

Jacob Whitehead

‘Is he better than Vinicius Jr at full tilt?’

In the maelstrom around Real Madrid’s Ballon d’Or no-show and banners mocking him this season, it seems we might all have forgotten just how good Vinicius Jr really is.

When he is on top form, nobody comes close — in a very literal sense. Just look at the host of right-backs the winger has left in his wake while racking up 105 goals for Madrid.

That puts him ahead of Ronaldo Nazario as the top-scoring Brazilian in Madrid’s history and is even more impressive given how much he struggled to find the target at the start of his time in the Spanish capital.

Vinicius Jr was unplayable in the first half of this campaign, best summed up by his devastating hat-trick in a 5-2 Champions League comeback win against Borussia Dortmund.

It seemed the 24-year-old was on a mission to claim the Ballon d’Or, so perhaps it is no surprise he has failed to hit those heights since missing out on football’s most prestigious individual award to Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri in October (although he did win FIFA’s The Best award in December). The fallout did him and Madrid no favours.

Having another galactico alongside him in Mbappe has also taken some of the shine off his role for his club. Even so, there are few other players who can terrify an opposition defence in the way he does. When Vinicius Jr is at full tilt, you know something special is about to happen.

Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero

(Top image: Getty Images)

4/28/25 Champs League Tues/Wed, Liverpool wins EPL, Wrexham Wins League 1, Europa Thurs 3 EPL teams left

April 28, 2025May 1, 2025 gatorbest arsenal, champions-league, christian-pulisic, europa-league, football, goalkeeping, indiana-soccer, liverpool, mls, nwsl, premier-league, soccer, wrexham

Man I skip 1 week and lots of stuff happened. Awesome Scenes from Anfield as Liverpool clinched the EPL title at home Sat. – my coaching buddy Bill is thrilled!! Christian Pulisic Scored (highlights) Saturday to notch his 50th goal contribution in 2 seasons at Italian powerhouse AC Milan. I will be glued to Fox Sports 1 Wed night 8 pm as Messi & Inter Miami look to overcome a 2 goal deficit at home vs Vancouver in the 2nd leg Semi-Final of the Champions Cup. Awesome story on Bodo/Glimt below – the Norwegian side playing at Tottenham is in their 1st ever Semis of Europa – located just 30 miles from the Arctic Circle they have just 55 thousand people. We’ll see how many yellow toothbrushes get into Tottenham stadium. Games kicking off Thurs 3 pm on CBSSN and Golazo & Para+.

Champions League Tues/Wed, Europa Thurs

We are down to the Final 4 in Champions League Tues with Arsenal facing PSG on 3 pm and Barcelona hosting Inter Milan on Wed @ 3 pm on Wed on Paramount plus. Kind of sux that these games are not going to be on CBS or at least CBS Sports Network – of course they are gonna make us pay to see these games. Anyway lots over coverage below on the game coming up Tues/Wed.

Tues Champions League
Arsenal vs PSG on Para+ 3 pm
Wed Champions League
Barcelona vs Inter Milan on Para+
Thurs 3 pm Europa League on Para+
Athletic Club vs Man United
Tottenham vs Bode CBSSN
Djurgarden vs Chelsea
Real Bettis (Cordosa) vs Fiorentina

We Are Wrexham Wins League One – Back to Back to Back

Cool seeing the scenes from Wrexham as they became the first English team to ever win back to back to back promotions as they won League one – just 3 seasons after being in the lowest pro division in English soccer. The TV show on FX should be really exciting when it comes out following Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney as they chronical the club they purchased 4 years ago. On to the Championship now just 1 league below their aim of the EPL. Stories below…

Indy 11 hosts Detroit City Wed Night 7 pm @ the Mike

Indy Eleven: 1-2-2 (+1) will face Detroit City FC on Wed night 7 pm @ the Mike. Single-game tickets for all matches are available via Ticketmaster. Season, Flex Plan, Group, and Hospitality tickets are available here. For questions, call (317) 685-1100 during business hours or email tickets@indyeleven.com.

GoalKeeper Training for Carmel FC Is outdoors
Coach James Pilkington will run sessions on Monday at Shelbourne 6-9 pm and Wed at Badger 6-9 pm. Keep your eyes here for info on the big Summer White Glove GK camp coming June 16-17 in Fishers. More info to come.

Always fun to ref with T Ray and Mike A – at The Girls Showcase this weekend at Grand Park. Got close to 30 miles on the legs reffing this weekend. Of course Nate Sinder’s Brisket was still the highlight of the weekend however. Best in the Midwest!

TV Games

Tues, Apr 29 Champions League

3 pm Par+ Arsenal vs PSG

Weds, Apr 29 Champions League

3 pm Par+, Uni Barcelona vs Inter Milan

7 pm ?? Indy 11 vs Detroit City

8 pm Fox Sport 1 Inter Miami vs Vancouver (0-2) Champ Cup

Thrus, Apr30 – Europa

2:30 pm USA Nottingham Forest vs Brentford

3 pm CBSSN Tottenham vs Bodo

3 pm Para+, Unimas Athletic Club vs Man United

3 pm para+ Real Bettis (Cordosa) vs Fiorentina

3 pm para+ Djurgarden vs Chelsea

10 pm FS2 Cruz Azul vs Tigrees Champ Cup

Fr, May 2

2:45 pm Para+ Torino vs Venzia (Busio)

3 pm Peacock Man City vs Wolverhampton

8 pm Amazon Prime Washington Spirit vcs ACFC NWSL

10:30 pm Gola, Para Seattle vs KC NWSL

Sat, May 3

7:30 am USA Villa vs Fulham (Robinson)

10 am Peaccok Everton vs Ipswich Town

12:30 pm NBC Arsenal vs Bournmouth (Tyler Adams)

2:45 pm Golazo, Para Inter Milan vs Hellas Verona

3 pm ESPN+ Barcelona vs Real Valladolid

2:45 pm Fox Atlanta United vs Nashville SC MLS

7:30 pm Ion Portland Thorns vs Orlando Pride (Marta) NWSL

9 pm FS1 San Diego vs Dallas MLS

10 pm Ion Utah Royals vs NC Courage NWSL

Sun, May 4

10 am CBSSN Monza vs Atalanta

11:30 pm Peacock Chelsea vs Liverpool

1 pm CBS Gothan FC vs Chicago Stars (Naher) NWSL

2:45 pm Para+, Juventus (Mckinney, Weah) vs Bologna

7 pm Apple TV Sporting KC vs LA Galaxy

8 pm Golazo, Para+ San Diego Wave vs Bay City NWSL

Mon, Tues May 7

2:45 pm Para+, FoxD Genoa vs AC Milan (Pulisic)

3 pm USA Crystal Palace (Richards) vs Nottingham Forest

Tues, May 6 Champions League

3 pm Par+, Uni Inter Milan vs Barcelona

Weds, May 7 Champions League

3 pm Par+ PSG (1-0) vs Arsenal

7 pm CBSSN Pittsburgh Riverhounds (Dick) vs NYC USL

7:30 pm Para+ Philly Union vs Indy 11 USL

USMNT midweek viewing guide: Johnny in Conference League semis

A fairly slow midweek features Johnny and Betis in the first leg of a semifinal.

Wednesday

FC Barcelona vs Inter Milan, 3p on Paramount+, TUDN USA, Univision USA, FuboTV, ViX: Diego Kochen may be on the FC Barcelona bench as they take on Inter in the first leg of a Champions League semifinal first leg.
Toronto FC vs CF Montréal, 7p on FS2, FuboTV, Sling TV: Jalen Neal and Montréal visit Toronto in the Canadian Championship.
Inter Miami vs Vancouver Whitecaps, 8p on FS1, TUDN USA, FuboTV (free trial), Sling TV, Tubi, ViX: Brian White and the ‘Caps visit Benja Cremaschi and Inter Miami in a Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal second leg. Vancouver leads 2-0 on aggregate.

Thursday

Real Betis vs Fiorentina, 3p on Paramount+, ViX: Johnny Cardoso and Betis host Fiorentina in a Conference League semifinal first leg.

Also in action:

Mantova vs Cesena, 9a: Jonathan Klinsmann and Cesena visit Mantova in Serie B.
Palermo vs Südtirol, 9a: Kristoffer Lund and Palermo host Südtirol in Serie B.

Champions League

FC Barcelona Vs Inter Milan: An Intense Battle of Giants in the UCL
Thanks to Flick and young stars, Barcelona are fun again as they eye trophy treble
How Mbappé’s arrival made Real Madrid worse, and his exit made PSG better
Inter Milan defensive mainstay ruled out of Barcelona encounter –
Ligue 1 Review | Troubling signs for PSG ahead of Arsenal semi-final
Inter Milan handed major Thuram injury boost ahead of Barcelona clash
De Jong, Lewandowski, Balde: latest Barcelona injury updates for Inter
Arsenal vs PSG predicted lineups, team news, analysis for Champions League semifinal first leg
Brazil Star Tipped To Start Barcelona Vs Inter Milan Champions League Showdown
4️⃣ things to look out for in the Champions League this week
How Premier League teams can qualify for Champions League, Europe this season

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

📊 Mo Salah sets new Premier League record with goal against Tottenham
🔬 The Debrief as Liverpool are crowned Premier League champions
Best Moments That Made Liverpool’s 2024/25 Season One to Remember
‘Congratulations, Liverpool – it took you long enough’
Premier League Glory Sees Liverpool Captain Praise Most Beautiful Club
Bernardo Silva believes Man City’s season cannot be saved by FA Cup or Champions League qualification
Five things we learned from the Premier League weekend
Mo Salah sets new Premier League record with goal against Tottenham

World

Wrexham clinches promotion to EFL Championship, notching third promotion in as many seasons
Ryan Reynold Excited for Wrexham SI
Real Madrid to send Ancelotti off with a proper farewell, will pay his full salary
Carlo Ancelotti to leave Real Madrid and take charge of Brazil
Serie A Table: Insane battle for Champions League, 5 teams within 3 points

Reffing

Official–French Referee Clement Turpin To Ref Barcelona Vs Inter Milan Champions League Showdown
Referee Michael Fabbri’s Penalty Horroshow In Inter Milan 0-1 Roma Clash Condemned As An Error By Italian Refereeing Association Chiefs
Starter Kit New Refs

Shane, and T Ray at The Girls Showcase at Grand Park this weekend

GK

PSG Donnarumma’s weakness under the high ball could be exploited by Arsenal in CL semis
Great Saves Europa League Last Round
Save of the Week NWSL
USL Championship Save of the Week – Week 7
USL Championship Save of the Week – Week 6
Goal Kick Technique
How to Throw the Ball Properly
6 exercises to protect your Ankles

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Bodo/Glimt: How a team from a small Norwegian coastal town became European semi-finalists

ROME, ITALY - APRIL 17: Players of FK Bodo/Glimt celebrate in front of their fans, after FK Bodo/Glimt defeat Lazio 3-2 in the penalty shootout to progress through to the Semi-Finals of the Europa League, following the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between S.S. Lazio and FK Bodo/Glimt at Stadio Olimpico on April 17, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Tullio Puglia - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

By Elias Burke April 30, 2025 The Athletic

Assessing the Europa League semi-finalists, there is a clear outlier in relation to European success.Manchester United are one of Europe’s most decorated clubs and won this competition in 2016-17. Athletic Club had spent six seasons outside European competition before this term, but they had been a fixture in Europe through the 2010s and reached the Europa League final in 2011-12, beating United en route. Tottenham Hotspur have not won a European trophy since 1984, but reached the Champions League final in 2019. Like United and Athletic Club, Spurs were grouped among the favourites to lift the trophy in Bilbao on May 21. For their semi-final opponents Bodo/Glimt, who knocked out Lazio in the quarter-final to reach the final four, the prospect of European glory is relatively new. As recently as 2017, Glimt were in Norway’s second tier — a footballing galaxy away from Old Trafford, the Stadio Olimpico or the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. After a season consolidating their position in Norway’s top flight, the club, based north of the Arctic Circle, finished second in 2019 to begin a rapid rise that has seen them become the nation’s undisputed top dogs.

Nikita Haikin saved two Lazio penalties in the quarter-final shootout win (Silvia Lore/Getty Images)

On their way, they collected four out of five Eliteserien titles between 2020 and 2024 and established themselves as a force in Europe, beating a Jose Mourinho-led Roma 6-1 in the 2021-22 Europa Conference League group stage, before thrashing Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic 5-1 over two legs in the play-off round.

This year, they’ve taken another leap, becoming the first Norwegian team to reach the semi-finals of a major European competition. It’s the club’s greatest accomplishment and the outstanding achievement of any Scandinavian side this century.

“Bodo is a small coastal town in the north,” says Lars Magnus Roys, a football journalist for Norwegian broadcaster TV2, based in Bergen. “There’s not really much happening in Bodo other than football. What they’ve done in the past few years has been just remarkable.”

Now they have their sights on Tottenham Hotspur, and what would be their most remarkable feat yet — earning a place in the Europa League final.

Unlike most of football’s recent risers, Glimt’s ascent has not coincided with a takeover from a billionaire or sovereign wealth fund. After yo-yoing between Norway’s second and first divisions for the decade prior, Glimt won promotion in 2017 and implemented a plan to revolutionise their culture and playing style — catching Norway’s biggest clubs with solid practise, not cash injections.

Led by Kjetil Knutsen, promoted to head coach in 2018 after serving as an assistant, Glimt left a counter-attacking style behind and began dominating in the opposition’s half.

“The history of Bodo/Glimt until 2018 is that they were a counter-attacking team,” former assistant coach Morten Kalvenes told The Athletic in 2022. “So what we had to change at the beginning of 2019, to adapt but use that (counter-attacking history), firstly was to press higher as a team. Move the whole team much higher up the field, when the situation required it. When we were forced to defend low, then we defended low, but every week we were constantly looking for the signal where we can go from low to high.”

Inspired by the principles of Uruguay head coach Marcelo Bielsa, Knutsen is renowned in Norway for his “murderball” training sessions, preparing his players physically to carry out the energetic style that has provided the foundations for their success.

Knutsen is inspired by Marcelo Bielsa (Andrea Staccioli/Getty Images)

“Kjetil and I had a few meetings working on the preparation before pre-season,” said Kalvenes. “He told me, ‘No 1: when we do pre-season, I want you to highlight especially one thing, and that is the training culture, the training culture, the training culture’. That meant we raised expectations. We raised the bar in structure, discipline, consistency, everything.

“What I noticed immediately was how the players were in training. I felt that I really liked the attitude of the players, how they were reacting to our coaching, how open-minded they were about the feedback, how — if we are training for one hour — then all 60 minutes are of the same level of intensity. What I mean is that if you do some simple passing drills at the beginning of the sessions, then you get the players as focused even when you’re working on simple details.”

Knutsen’s success did not come overnight, despite these principles in place. After winning promotion from the second tier, Glimt lost four of their first five games in charge, and outside pressure began to grow. Still, the club did not flinch, believing in the style and culture he was building.“It was never, ever a discussion internally,” says sporting director Havard Sakariassen. “The way I see it, if you know something about football, you saw the team was on a really good path. The way we played was much more dominant than the years before. We didn’t manage to score a lot of goals, but we drew a lot of games. It was more, ‘If you go, we all go’. That was the internal thing.This is not a big club with a lot of decision-makers. There is no owner here. Nothing like that. In core, during that period, we were 100 per cent certain Kjetil was the right man — and he knew it.”

A joined-up focus between the coaching team and the recruitment strategy was crucial to the eventual success. Without hordes of cash to hoover up Scandinavian talent set for stardom, Glimt have typically recruited locally.

Only one senior player, goalkeeper Nikita Haikin, who was born in Israel and represents Russia, hails from outside Norway and Denmark. Patrick Berg, their midfield fulcrum and star player, is homegrown and part of a family dynasty. Berg’s grandfather Harald played 12 seasons for his hometown club and won 43 caps for Norway, and his three sons, Runar, Arild and Patrick’s father Orjan, also played for Glimt.

Patrick Berg scored 10 goals for Bodo/Glimt in the 2024 season (Kent Even Grundstad/Getty Images)

There’s never a guarantee of success when signing a player, but recruiting almost exclusively from Scandinavia brings unique challenges. Of the eight permanent signings Glimt have made in the last 12 months, only Jens Petter Hauge has featured for their national team in the past five years. Like Berg, who left for Lens in 2022 and returned six months later, Hauge was re-signed from Eintracht Frankfurt after leaving Norway for a top-five European league and struggling to adjust. Placed within an environment that allows incoming players to settle, it’s no coincidence that Glimt players tend to maximise their talent.

“The logistics are really, really hard,” says Sakariassen. “But the main thing is how you work with people because I know that we recruit good players. We have seen the potential. If they come here and don’t perform well for the first or second month, or everything is new, we still spend the time, and we try to get the potential out of them. We work hard with the people we have, and we believe that when we bring people in, we can help them release their potential. But it’s hard, and everyone is trying to do the same.

“We have a clear way of playing, which makes it easier to recruit players. We play 4-3-3. The demands of each role are really easy to identify, so we look for players with an X factor, players who can make a difference for us in Europe. We truly believe we can develop players and those players can get to their full potential. We need a blend of older players with experience, younger players and those peaking in performance, but they all have to be able to handle the intensity we demand, and that can be hard for older players.

“I think it has a value in itself, in your life, to be able to play at this level in your home town, also with your friends. So I think the culture in the club here is something they really enjoy. Also of course, over the years, we have become competitive in Scandinavia regarding salaries and the business part of it. But I think it has to be rare to be able to play football with your mates at this level anywhere in Europe, and that has a value.”

Time, which allowed Knutsen to thrive in his first job in Norway’s top tier and brought the best out of players who had difficulty with the initial adjustment, is a privilege not often afforded to big clubs in elite leagues. There is some parallel with Athletic Club, whose Basque-only policy emphasises long-term player development, but Ruben Amorim and Postecoglou are under pressure to deliver in Europe after disappointing league seasons at United and Spurs, respectively. As the leading light of Scandinavian football, there is regional pressure to maintain their relative overperformance, but the freedom to operate outside the intense microscope their semi-final counterparts are subjected to has helped their evolution.

“There is pressure around us, but not in the way you see in other clubs,” says Sakariassen. “That pressure is not just something for the club, but also with the players. If you get a lot of criticism, it’s maybe hard to perform. Bodo is 55,000 people, and it’s on another level. So it’s probably easier to get out their potential and have some time here, too.”

Bodo/Glimt fans salute Knutsen after the win over Lazio (Giuseppe Maffia/Getty Images)

“For us, it’s to ride the momentum, and that means that we have to be a performing club all the time. We have to work on that and try to be patient with the players that we have, to have the time to grow. Normally, it takes even the best players that we brought in… like Albert Gronbaek, it took him six to nine months. Hugo Vetlesen, it took him one and a half years before he showed his full self in the team. So patience is definitely a part of it. And luckily, we have people with some patience.”

Gronbaek later became a Denmark international and was eventually sold for €12million (£10m) to Rennes after two seasons in northern Norway. Vetlesen left for Club Brugge in 2023 and made seven appearances in the Champions League this term. While performance in European competition has propelled them into financial parity with Scandinavia’s biggest clubs, there’s an acceptance that when players shine, there will be interest from more affluent and prestigious sides.

Given this success has been under the watch of Knutsen, clubs around Europe have their eyes on the coach, too. He was reportedly on Brighton and Hove Albion’s list before they appointed Roberto De Zerbi in 2022 and had interest from Ajax and Celtic the following summer. As he has been the guiding light through this period, there’s an element of the unknown if he were to leave Glimt, but the club is confident that their culture — akin to Liverpool’s famous “boot room” succession plan — is strong enough to continue rising.

“Of course, Kjetil is one of the key personnel here. But we are very team-driven, also within the coaching room,” says Sakariassen. “Of course, Kjetil will take the decisions at the end, but it’s a kind of a flat structure where everyone is cautious on the pitch. Also, the way we work with the logistics, it’s not one person who makes the decisions; it’s not me who makes the decisions and ‘We do it this way’, we do it together. So I hope that if somebody quits or for other reasons can’t work in the coming year, we are spreading out the knowledge that could be a good and sustainable path into the future.”

The future appears to be in safe hands but all immediate focus is on the Europa League semi-final. Three Glimt players are suspended for the first leg, including Berg, and an injury to starting centre-back Odin Bjortuft in their 3-0 win over KFUM in the Eliteserien could weaken their preferred starting XI further. Glimt have learned to be savvy in European matches and have impressed away from home this season, including in a narrow 3-2 defeat away to United in November. But on the artificial pitch at Aspmyra, they truly fancy their chances against anybody.

“I think we will have the same belief that we had against Olympiacos, Lazio, Twente — it is not an easy way to play Tottenham,” says Sakariassen. “I hope we don’t focus on the occasion, play the game, and dare to be ourselves. Of course, it is a massive game, the interest around the club and the games are massive here in Bodo too, but I hope we have and I truly believe we have all the tools to be brave enough to go out in London and just be Bodo/Glimt.

“The experience that we have gained over the last few years makes us more confident in situations like this. I truly believe in the team and hope we make two great performances against Tottenham. Starting away.”

(Top photo: Tullio Puglia/Getty Images)

Champions League semi-finals: Breaking down the strengths and weaknesses of all four contenders

By Mark Carey and Conor O’Neill April 28, 2025 12:10 am EDT

From 36 clubs at the start of the season, just four remain.

After four quarter-finals filled with tension, it is Inter and Barcelona, and Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain who face off in two blockbuster semi-final ties.

While the remaining quartet still represent some of Europe’s heavyweight clubs, there is a refreshing narrative that is guaranteed to occur this year. Arsenal and PSG are still looking to win the competition for the first time in their history while Barcelona and Inter have not lifted the trophy for a decade or more. In a period dominated by Real Madrid and other English powerhouses, a new chapter is imminent.

As things stand, Arsenal edge it as the favourites to lift the trophy with a 28.7 per cent chance of victory per Opta’s Supercomputer. In truth, the margins are paper-thin between the final four — and you could make a strong case for any of the remaining clubs to go all the way.

Where might each tie be won and lost? Allow The Athletic to walk you through the tactical wrinkles for each side, with the added inclusion of a few data nuggets to whet the appetite for this week’s matches.

Arsenal

Forget the Premier League, Arsenal are on a rampage in Europe.

Mikel Arteta’s men were good value for their victory against holders Real Madrid after progressing to their first semi-final since 2009 — showing different sides to their game in and out of possession across both legs.

For all that they have come unstuck against deep defensive blocks in recent seasons, Arsenal’s attacking style is arguably more suited to the Champions League as they face up to teams more willing to go toe-to-toe with them.

With greater space for their wingers to stretch their legs, Arteta’s side have doubled down on width when going forward in Europe. Of the remaining semi-finalists, Arsenal’s 24 per cent share of attacking touches through the middle of the pitch is the lowest.

Bukayo Saka’s return to fitness and form has been unanimously welcomed by Arsenal fans, with the 23-year-old having a crucial impact in Arsenal’s victory over Madrid. His two fouls drawn allowed Declan Rice to steal the headlines with his subsequent free-kick strikes, with a dead-eyed dinked finish at the Bernabeu capping off a pair of memorable performances.

The game in Spain took a different form to the first leg at the Emirates. For long periods, Arsenal set up in their typical 4-4-2 out of possession at the Bernabeu — staying compact to force Madrid into wide areas and rarely through the centre of the pitch.

However, there were plenty of occasions when this defensive shape dropped even deeper.

Such was the strong organisation that Arteta’s side showed out of possession that you could map different sequences dropping into a back five, a back six, a back seven, and even a back eight across the duration of their second-leg victory — with Rice or Thomas Partey dropping between the centre-backs, or Saka and Gabriel Martinelli tracking back to support their respective full-back.

While you would not expect Arsenal to perform in the same way across the entirety of their semi-final tie against PSG, there may be occasions when similar penalty-box defending will be required.

Given the fluid rotations of Luis Enrique’s forward line, Arsenal will need to ensure that they do not break their structure too often across both legs. Fortunately, Arteta’s side thrive out of possession, boasting the second-strongest defensive record across Europe’s top five leagues when looking at their 0.83 expected goals conceded per 90 minutes this season.

Add in the fact that Arsenal kept a clean sheet in their 2-0 victory over PSG during the competition’s league phase in October, and there is reason to be quietly confident of more memorable nights in north London and Paris.

Paris Saint-Germain

A second successive Champions League semi-final is not to be underestimated for PSG, particularly given the context within which Luis Enrique has achieved the feat this season.

A Kylian Mbappe-less PSG is one that is far more cohesive, co-ordinated, and coherent than recent years, and it is clear that this is the closest iteration to Enrique’s ideals — both in and out of possession — since he arrived in the French capital.

A 3-1 first-leg lead over Aston Villa should have made for a straightforward second-leg at Villa Park but Unai Emery’s men gave PSG a scare with some aggressive, direct attacks through the heart of their defence.

“Villa never managed to equalise the tie but for 10 minutes, we wondered whether we could keep the ball, if we could get the ball out of midfield or play long,” Luis Enrique said after the game.

“I don’t think this team has been so dominated by another team in that way, but this opponent has to take risks because they were going out of the competition. They attacked with great intensity and we were playing in front of a great crowd too.”

Many clubs can get swept up in the atmosphere of a Champions League night under the lights but PSG stood firm with some help from goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma — and were deserving winners across the two legs.

Luis Enrique will be less pleased about PSG’s out-of-possession performance on that Tuesday evening at Villa Park, particularly when considering it has been one of the strongest parts of their game this season. A co-ordinated high-pressing approach has helped to force opponents to go long when building up as PSG look to regain the ball as quickly as possible and dictate the tempo of the game.

It feels disingenuous to discuss PSG’s defensive approach before acknowledging their incredible technical quality going forward. They might have had a slower start than they would have liked in this year’s Champions League but there is little doubt that they have clicked into gear at the perfect time.

Step off them and they have the technical quality of Joao Neves, Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz to pop the ball around you, with any of them dropping outside of the opposition block to kick-start PSG’s progression through the thirds.

Get tight to them and they have the individual quality to make some of Europe’s best look rather ordinary. For context, PSG’s 27.9 take-ons per 90 is more than any other side in the Champions League this season, with one-v-one specialists across the forward line.

It was less frequent at Villa Park but any one of Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola, Desire Doue or Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will frequently rotate across the forward line and pop up in different positions across the pitch.

Throw in the running power of full-backs Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi — both of whom scored in their quarter-final second leg — to support attacks, and it is often a case of picking your poison when PSG throw bodies forward.

Mendes’ goal was a perfect example of the razor-sharp threat that Enrique’s side possesses. Third-man running, one-touch play and maximum width across the pitch make for a devastating combination.

It is fair to say that PSG were a little undercooked in their October game against Arsenal but Luis Enrique’s men have hit top gear in the months that followed. With a(nother) Ligue 1 title sewn up and a treble-winning season still on the cards, the momentum is with PSG as they look to lift the Champions League trophy for the first time.

Barcelona

A 3-1 second-leg defeat by Borussia Dortmund was an anomalous result for Barcelona.

Their 24-game unbeaten run had ended but a four-goal buffer from the first leg meant that Hansi Flick’s side were never likely to be at full tilt at Westfalenstadion, managing the tie more so than the game itself.

As well as their three strikes, Dortmund had the ball in the back of the net twice more after Pascal Gross and Julian Brandt made deep runs behind Barcelona’s defensive line to race through on goal.

Both efforts were chalked off for offside but the events were a microcosm of Barcelona’s season under Flick with a brave high line.

The numbers to support this are staggering. Barcelona have drawn opponents offside on 68 occasions in the Champions League this season, which is comfortably the most of any team to have made it into the knockout phase. For context, Aston Villa are the second-highest on the list with 34 — exactly half the number with the same number of games played.

With an average defensive line height of 33.7 metres — the highest of any side to make it to the knockout phase — Barcelona’s choreographed approach out of possession has been highly refined under Flick.

That being said, there are signs that such an approach is fallible. With Ronald Araujo coming into Flick’s defence against Dortmund, Barcelona fans must still wince when watching the bravery that is required to play such a high line.

That approach will gain increased focus against Inter’s attacking duo of Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram. While neither has blistering pace to run in behind, their neat combination play is enough to worry any defence in European football.

Of course, Barcelona’s strengths far outweigh any weaknesses under Flick as they push for another historic treble. Going forward, the versatility that they offer makes them perfectly suited to knockout football — resembling Luis de la Fuente’s Spain national team during their winning Euro 2024 campaign.

On the one hand, Flick’s side are one of the teams most likely to play nine-plus passes per sequence in the competition, regularly circulating possession with the technical quality of Pedri, Frenkie De Jong, and (earlier in the competition) Marc Casado.

However, do not be fooled into thinking Barcelona simply pass teams into submission. The pacy threat and tireless running of Lamine Yamal and Raphinha means that Flick’s side can punish you in transitional moments.

Eight of their goals in the Champions League this season have come from direct attacks, the most of any side in the competition. They might not employ it as frequently as others — for example, PSG boast double the volume of direct attacks this year — but when they do regain possession, Barcelona can pierce through opposition defences in the blink of an eye.

Raphinha has had a career-best season in Spain with 12 Champions League goals to sit alongside his 15 La Liga strikes — but Yamal is undoubtedly the jewel in Barcelona’s crown.

Many superlatives have already been attached to Yamal’s name but the teenager’s unpredictability is one of his strongest traits in his fledgling career. When mapping his progressive carries in La Liga this season, you can see below that he is equally likely to cut inside onto his stronger left foot, drive outside to his right, or direct his runs straight towards goal.

Whether Yamal will have the same joy against Inter’s defensive back five is another story. Simone Inzaghi’s side are one of the toughest teams in Europe to break down and will often double up in wide areas against opposition wingers — whether it is a supporting centre-back or midfielder to drop in and help their respective wing-back out of possession.

For all of the incredible talent on display for both sides, keep an eye on the flanks across both ties.

Inter

Inter might be viewed as underdogs but no remaining team has reached a Champions League final more recently.

The core of that side is still intact, with eight of the starters from the 2023 final — a narrow 1-0 defeat by Manchester City — still at the club. That continuity has allowed Inzaghi to mould the most tactically distinct team left in the competition.

While the other semi-finalists are broadly defined by high pressing and front-footed play, Inter favour a more measured, controlled approach. Of the teams to reach the last 16, only Club Brugge pressed less intensely, as shown on the PPDA graphic below.

Instead, Inter are comfortable sitting deep, holding their disciplined 3-5-2 shape, and building slowly from the back. Their direct speed — a measure of how quickly a team progresses the ball upfield — is slower than every Champions League side except for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

This restrained approach complements their out-of-possession game. Like classic Italian sides of the past, they are comfortable defending without the ball — no team has conceded fewer than their five goals in this season’s competition. Inzaghi often speaks of Inter’s willingness to do the hard yards out of possession; ahead of their quarter-final second leg against Bayern Munich, he predicted the match would contain “moments where we’ll have to suffer”.

That proved true across both legs as Inter conceded the bulk of possession to Vincent Kompany’s side. While they rode their luck at times, Inter’s methodical build-up means they are rarely caught out of shape when they forfeit the ball. They have conceded just 0.18 xG from fast breaks and their xG per shot against is the lowest in the competition.

Yet their disciplined approach should not be mistaken for being unadventurous. Inter are one of the most fluid sides in Europe, with positional rotations a key feature of their possession play.

Nicolo Barella’s touch map in this season’s competition reflects that fluidity — nominally a central midfielder, he has popped up on both wings, in deeper defensive zones, and in the final third behind the two strikers. Inzaghi gives his players the licence to rotate freely, making Inter unpredictable in attack and capable of creating overloads across the pitch.

Another strength of Inzaghi’s system is the blossoming partnership it enables up top between Martinez and Thuram. A two-man strike force is increasingly rare in modern football, but it has given Inter a unique edge.

Before facing RB Leipzig earlier in the competition, Inzaghi spoke of the importance of “keeping our shape, and knowing when to pick our moments”. Inter’s first goal away at Bayern was a textbook example — and the telepathic understanding between the two strikers was pivotal.

After launching a quick break, Thuram played an intelligent backheel from the middle of the box into the path of Martinez, who finished with the outside of his boot, in what was a real contender for goal of the competition.Against Barcelona, Inter will again likely be limited to fleeting moments on the ball. But with their defensive discipline, tactical flexibility, and ability to strike with precision, they remain more than capable of posing a serious threat.When Inter faced Barcelona in 2022, Inzaghi said: “It is a very delicate match, where we have to show our teeth.”Expect the same again. (Top photos: Bukayo Saka, left, and Lautaro Martinez; Getty Images)

Christian Pulisic ‘gave a lot’ during AC Milan Coppa Italia victory – Sergio Conceicao

By Pablo Maurer April 24, 2025 The Athletic

AC Milan head coach Sérgio Conceição praised U.S. men’s national team captain Christian Pulisic on Thursday, saying he has “great confidence” in the midfielder.Conceição’s comments were made following Milan’s 3-0 win over rivals Inter in the second leg of the Coppa Italia semifinals on Wednesday.Milan advanced to the finals with the 4-1 aggregate victory. A first-half brace from Serbian striker Luka Jović led the way for Milan, but Pulisic’s influence on both sides of the ball was also essential to the victory, according to Conceição.“He sacrificed himself for the team,” Conceição said in his post-game remarks. “He had a good game. We had to balance the central areas, he and Jovic were important on Asllani. He ran a lot, he gave a lot to the team.” Pulisic put in a 78-minute shift before being replaced by Ruben Loftus-Cheek. He had 41 touches during the match but lacked polish at times on the ball, completing 22 of his 28 pass attempts, though his defensive performance was sound. “Then it’s clear, he lacks a bit of freshness with the ball,” said Conceição. “When we spend more time without the ball, for players like Puli, it becomes more difficult. But I have great confidence in him.” Milan’s victory on Wednesday keeps their hopes of European soccer alive, with a spot in the UEFA Europa league awarded to the winners. Milan are in the midst of a bitterly disappointing league campaign and currently sit ninth in the Serie A table. The club are ever-present in European competition and have not missed continental play since the 2016-2017 season, when they finished seventh. They are eight points behind the final European spot awarded for league play. Those poor performances have put Conceição himself at risk. On Wednesday, he deflected questions about his own job security. “Conceicao is not important,” he said. “It is important to win against Venezia and then, when the final comes, we will be happy to do it. It’s not that we have already won it. I’m the same coach as two days ago, it’s not that everything is beautiful or everything is ugly. We need to find balance also on an emotional level, not just as a team.”

Milan will face the winner of Thursday’s semi-final between Bologna, who won the first leg 3-0, and Empoli in the Coppa Italia final at the Stadio Olimpico on May 14.What You Should Read NextBruce Arena questions if Mauricio Pochettino hire as USMNT head coach was a mistakeThe national team coach finds himself under fire again, this time from the most successful manager in USMNT history.

(Photo: Alessandro Sabattini / Getty Images)

Why this Premier League title meant everything to Liverpool

Liverpool fans celebrate` victory and the Premier League title following the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture date: Sunday April 27, 2025. (Photo by Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images)

By Simon Hughes

April 28, 2025Updated 8:07 am EDT

When Alexis Mac Allister struck the goal that made Liverpool’s title feel that bit more secure, the noise that followed prompted principal owner John W. Henry to adjust his hearing aid.

Yes, this isn’t baseball, John. This is football and this is Liverpool, where Henry and an entire generation of Liverpool supporters were experiencing something for the first time. It felt like the roof on the new Anfield Road stand was about to fly off. The boom at the other end seemed to rumble from the bowels of the Kop.

All day long in the city there was a sense that the place was going to go up, and at the moment of reckoning the detonation was even louder.

The central figure in this scene was the referee, Tom Bramall. For four minutes of stoppage time, the focus of the crowd fell on him. With a blow of his whistle, all sorts of words applied: pandemonium, euphoria, mania. Scouse men, old enough to have been around when this club became relevant under Bill Shankly, were hugging one another. “Finally,” one said, though he did not seem to be talking about this game, but a much longer story.

(Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

It is easy to frown at such language and descriptions. After all, Liverpool emerged as champions elect some time ago. All they needed to do was get a point against opposition that had not won at this venue in 14 years. Their football now is methodical rather than thrilling, not the type to stimulate enthusiasm among neutrals — if they exist.

None of that matters to Liverpudlians who, it is fair to say, do not really care for the impressions of others anyway. This team has created its own mini-jeopardies along the way, adding to the suspense, and that included Spurs taking the lead via a former Liverpool player in Dominic Solanke. Yet inside 22 minutes of that goal, Liverpool were 3-1 up. And that was very much that.

It was tempting to look at the pitch during the celebrations, examining the reactions of the players. But the real stuff was in the stands. And by that, I don’t mean Henry and Mike Gordon, the man previously tasked with the running of Liverpool, high-fiving one another, or Richard Hughes, the sporting director less than a year into the job, earnestly shaking the hand of anyone congratulating him.

Arne Slot and John W. Henry share a moment after Liverpool’s title win is confirmed (Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Nearby, the legendary defender Alan Hansen, having recovered from a health scare a year ago, was raising his fists. Hansen was the last Liverpool captain to lift the title in front of fans at Anfield. The tale after that achievement is well-told. Here are your medals. A few beers shared by the players. Enjoy the summer. See you in a few weeks’ time for pre-season training. We’ll be doing this again.

Except that did not happen. And even when it did, nobody was around to really share it. It explains why this meant everything.

To understand the scenes inside Anfield, you have to take a walk through the city and you have to wind back in time, stopping first at 2020. You have to stand at the Pier Head, overlooking the River Mersey, and remember the strangeness of the 24 hours after Liverpool secured their first title in 30 years.

(Drew Jordan / The Athletic)

On the night that happened, crowds descended onto the streets around the stadium despite restrictions on mass gatherings owing to the spread of Covid-19. Dusk was settling and, within an hour, it was difficult to tell how many were there. Amid a whiff of cordite and the light of flares, shadows were everywhere. Everybody seemed faceless. There was energy and joy but the mood was thick with desperation and laced with danger.

Fans had to celebrate outside Anfield when Liverpool won the title in July 2020 owing to Covid-19 restrictions (Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images)

It was a carnal reaction, but it felt synthetic and, in pursuit of the real, the party trudged on. There was no official organiser for the Pier Head, but everyone seemed to know where to go. Local match-goers hung around chatting, reaching into plastic bags for warming bottles of beer. Songs went up and, eventually, a teenager from Southport attempted to change the pace by directing a couple of fireworks at offices owned by rivals, Everton. His mates cheered. Not many others did. After thousands of pounds worth of damage to the Royal Liver Building, an arson conviction followed. Liverpool had won the league but the response, in very unusual circumstances, felt a bit tryhard.

On a glorious Sunday morning nearly five years later, with Liverpool hours away from becoming champions again, it is easier to draw distinctions from the same, albeit quieter, setting about what the achievement means for club and place. Much can be gleaned from the Pier Head because of its connection to brown, scudding waters and the riches the river brought through shipping and trades as grim as slavery, which helped finance the resplendence of the civic structures marking its frontage.

(Simon Hughes for The Athletic)

The spread of wealth in Liverpool, however, was spectacularly uneven. By the 1840s, as its port grew to become the second largest in the British empire behind London, life expectancy on the shores of the Mersey fell to just below 26. Seventy-five per cent of young men who volunteered for military service were turned away for being unfit and many headed for the docks, where the work was casual.

Unlike in the manufacturing towns of England’s north west, where shifts were brutal but income was steady, dockers from Liverpool would assemble at the gates of the shipyards twice a day not knowing whether they were going to be allowed in and ultimately get paid. On top of that, clocking-on times were determined by the unpredictable tides of the Mersey. Liverpool’s geography therefore contributed as much towards a less structured way of life as an overriding employment culture without contracts or certainty.

Its geography also accounted for enormous challenges after the heavy bombing of the Second World War, including the rise of containerisation, because the Mersey simply wasn’t big enough to accommodate ships increasing in size. By the end of the 1970s, Liverpool’s social and economic struggle was visible inside the stadiums of Liverpool and Everton, where attendances slumped despite a period of unprecedented success on the pitch for both clubs. In 12 of the 15 seasons between 1975 and 1990, the old First Division title was won by a team from Merseyside. Football offered salvation, but sites such as the disused Albert Dock, crumbling beside the Pier Head, became a symbol of decay.

https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/2yky8t1EfQIaYW6rcx7RZV?utm_source=generator

In 1981, prime minister Margaret Thatcher had received a memo from her chancellor, Geoffrey Howe, which proposed the abandonment of Liverpool through a process called “managed decline”. With Conservative popularity in the city collapsing as fast as living standards, her many critics in Liverpool believe that Howe’s recommendation was carried out. By the time Liverpool’s dominance of English football ended in 1990, you only needed to look around for proof.

That achievement came 12 months after Hillsborough, where 97 Liverpool supporters were crushed to death. Though authorities in South Yorkshire and centrally were to blame for the disaster, some of the deceased were still fighting for their lives when those responsible started shifting the focus away from their own failings, buttressed by support from craven sections of the media.

The subsequent fight for justice ran parallel with the story of the city’s football clubs trying to get back on track. In 2020, Liverpool’s younger supporters were close to experiencing something for the first time in their lives when events way beyond anyone’s control altered what felt right. It’s strange how moments you have rehearsed in your mind for so long end up with a very different script.

It was once claimed that the steel birds sitting on top of the Liver Building would fly away if Liverpool won the FA Cup but after that happened in 1965 for the first time, they remained and the team marked the achievement with a civic reception on the balcony of the town hall.

Bill Shankly addresses guests at a civic reception at Liverpool’s town hall in 1965 (PA Images via Getty Images)

There were huge crowds in all directions, choking Water Street, Dale Street and Castle Street. You would have thought that such a scene would be regarded as one of the most famous in Liverpool’s history. Perhaps that would have been the case had it not been for a reaction to a loss to Arsenal in the final of the same competition six years later.On this occasion, when the squad returned from London, they assembled on the steps of St George’s Hall, a mile or so inland from the Pier Head. Shankly turned to the 100,000 people in front of him, telling them that he’d “drummed it into our players, time and again, that they are privileged to play for you. And if they didn’t believe me, they believe me now.”Secretary Peter Robinson concluded the Liverpool manager’s power was total; that if he told supporters to “storm through the Mersey tunnel and seize Birkenhead, they’d have done it”. Yet the imagery from that day had a more profound effect because the fortunes of the club Shankly and Robinson guided was connected to somewhere other than Anfield.In defeat, the matrimony between manager, club and city had never been more visible. Shankly could say anything and his followers would believe it. You can imagine, then, the effect of his belief that the league title was the club’s “bread and butter — that’s what we want to win, all the time”.
Except for 30 years, Liverpool did not get there. Maybe that explains why, even with a 12-point lead at the top of the table and needing only one more, there remained some sense of caution in the city on Sunday morning. The “Liverpool Champions 2024-25” season t-shirts being flogged on the steps of St George’s were not exactly flying out. Liverpool had a slightly occupied feel to it. Everyone knew something was happening but until you got closer to the ground, it wasn’t clear exactly what that was.

(Simon Hughes for The Athletic)

The quickest route from the centre of the city to Anfield takes you via Scotland Road and through Everton, a district that defined the foundations of both of the city’s football clubs, as well as preconceptions nationally about Liverpool as a place. Everton has had several identities, but crucially in 1878, when the club that takes its name was founded, it was a desirable suburb for wealthy merchants who built mansions on the hillside and enjoyed the views. It was therefore more practical to build a stadium in the neighbouring borough of Anfield, but after a rent dispute 14 years later, Liverpool FC came along, pushing Everton further away from its roots and into Walton.

More development introduced a mass of terraced housing for working-class Catholic and Protestant communities and Everton became one of the biggest hubs of Irish immigration outside of Ireland. The influx contributed greatly to the way Liverpool feels about itself and how the rest of Britain tends to feel about Liverpool. A sense of otherness is at play on both sides. Some Liverpudlians do not think very highly of the rest of England and that augments the desire for its football team to prove itself as the best in the country.

From St Domingo Road, you can’t see Anfield, but on this day you knew exactly where it was because of the red cloud hanging over it. Ninety minutes before kick off, Liverpool’s squad had arrived.

Fans gather at Anfield before kick-off (Simon Hughes for The Athletic)

Closer more, in pubs like the Mere, the Grove and the Salisbury, it was impossible to avoid the chants of “We’re gonna win the league…” They were not quite saying they were champions yet. It was still too early. But a few hours later, it wasn’t.Liverpool were champions. Liverpool are champions. In the traditions of the past, it is now their job to keep it that way.(Top photo: Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images)

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The miseducation of Yunus Musah at Milan

USMNT and AC Milan midfielder Yunus Musah

By Jeff Rueter April 22, 2025

Before Yunus Musah could collect a pass from Kyle Walker early in the first half, a Fiorentina opponent was converging. The quick action should not have come as a surprise for the 22-year-old. Musah’s stock rose on the back of some precocious play with Valencia and the U.S. men’s national team, particularly as a box-to-box midfielder. When presented with space into which to run, his athleticism and close-control dribbling has allowed him to quickly progress upfield. When presented with little room to roam, he has shown a willingness to keep it conservative and recirculate. On April 5, however, Musah was not playing as a number 8. Instead, AC Milan manager Sergio Conceição lined Musah up in a double-pivot alongside Youssouf Fofana, facing Fiorentina’s three-man engine room. It was a more withdrawn role than his preferred utilization, but the hope was that the similar role description would still set Musah up to succeed. Back to that ball from Walker. In the seventh minute, Musah was moving toward his defense to collect a pass up the channel from the England international. Fiorentina’s numerical advantage put Nicolò Fagioli in prime position to quickly pounce, and Musah attempted to dribble around the Italian. It’s a natural maneuver on the wing, but one that requires precise execution in the heart of the park. Unfortunately for him, he wasn’t so nimble on this occasion. The ball trickled away from Musah and right to Fiorentina, giving the visitors a chance for an unexpected short-field counter. Another midfielder, Rolando Mandragora, collected the ball and caught Fofana in two minds about whether to converge or let off and pick up another defensive mark. It created enough time for Mandragora to bypass Fofana with a quick pass to Albert Gudmundsson, who dribbled toward the touchline and crossed in front of the goalmouth for a clumsy tapped-in own goal.

A brutal start for Milan 😳

Yunus Musah gives possession away and ends in a own goal for the Rossoneri 👀 pic.twitter.com/gjMwMOK1RS

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 5, 2025

Merely seven seconds passed from Musah’s dribble attempt to Fiorentina opening the scoring. After tracking back in vain, Musah looked to the sky in dejection. No teammate approached to console him.

Minutes later, Fiorentina doubled its lead. Musah had done well to recover and defend Walker’s usual terrain down the right flank, but when he forced his opponent to pass backwards, it was to a player standing where Musah would usually be in midfield. His unmarked cross flew into the box, leading to an easy squared assist for a Moise Kean finish.Even after his team halved its deficit, Musah was visibly shaken. In the 23rd minute, Conceição made a dramatic first-half tactical substitution, pulling Musah for another striker and dropping Tijjani Reijnders back into midfield. Although Milan rescued a 2-2 draw, this was a missed chance to make up ground in Serie A against a team directly above them in the table. It was also an awful shift for Musah, who has been an unused substitute in each of Milan’s two ensuing matches. As the 2024-25 campaign nears its end – and the second leg of the Coppa Italia semifinals vs. rival Inter Milan beckons on Wednesday – he looks to be a shell of the prospect who was among Europe’s most promising midfielders less than two years ago. For a player whose trademark characteristic is his smile, there’s been little to celebrate in a setback of a season.

At this point of 2023, Musah looked to have outgrown Valencia. Then just 20, he had drawn plenty of praise for his breakout performance at the 2022 World Cup, teaming with Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams to give the U.S. a coherent midfield trio. Musah didn’t have McKennie’s vivacious personality, nor Adams’ tireless work rate, but his technical ability and linking of both the defense to the midfield and the midfield to the forward line made him an essential part of Gregg Berhalter’s side. He had also become a mainstay for his club, logging 2,120 minutes in La Liga. By and large, those shifts came as a central midfielder, just as they had in Qatar. It was easy to see why Milan was among his suitors, as then-manager Stefano Pioli’s team had a clear need for a progressive box-to-box midfielder. They got their man, spending £17 million ($21.8 million) to sign Musah shortly after acquiring Pulisic.

While Musah was still filling other roles, especially out wide, this was the year that saw Valencia work to refine his game in the heart of the park. Previously, the club had alternated him between midfield and right wingback, enjoying his progressive dribbles as an outlet to build up the pitch. The concentrated focus in midfield helped show he could fit the role, and this was the year (and set of shifts) that ultimately won Milan’s favor. Throughout 2023-24, Pioli experimented more with a base 4-3-3 formation. It was a natural alternative to the 4-2-3-1 that Milan used heavily throughout Pioli’s tenure, and one that provided Musah with shifts in his preferred role. While Musah was needed to play other roles, from a deeper defensive midfield spot to a few roles along the right flank, he still logged much of his minutes in central midfield.

More importantly, it helped Milan to a second-place finish in Serie A after finishing fourth a year prior. However, Pioli announced his plan to depart the club as the season neared its end. Paulo Fonseca was appointed before the start of preseason in early June. Fonseca operated in a base 4-2-3-1, only sparingly shifting to a three-man midfield. Poor results led to his sacking in late December, with Conceição stepping in to start the new year. While his approach asked for more long balls and direct attacks than Fonseca’s, Milan still predominantly stayed in a 4-2-3-1 with a double-pivot at its midfield base. In Serie A, Milan has used a three-man midfield just three times since changing coaches. As a result, Musah has had less time in his preferred role than at any point of his senior career.

To understand why Musah’s ever-changing role could directly lead to his awful 23 minutes against Fiorentina, let’s strip the situation down to its basics.

Here is a young midfielder who was signed on the back of his box-to-box work. Currently, Milan does not play with a true number 8, leaving Musah to bring his approach to either defensive midfield or attacking midfield. The more advanced role invites a player to take more risks: more of the dribbles Musah enjoys taking, more high-risk passing. This is where Musah has spent the most of his time in 2024-25.

Against Fiorentina, those same actions (like the dribble leading to the own goal) are more dangerous when attempted in a player’s defensive half. There are fewer lines of teammates to bail someone out after a mishap, and less time to form a makeshift defensive shape. An opponent of their caliber will hardly be wasteful when such a gift finds them. Each role also asks a player to read a game in different ways. This isn’t a new issue for USMNT players at the club level, with McKennie and Pulisic having to change roles throughout their careers based on teammates’ availability and their coaches’ wishes. A young midfielder like Musah may drift even further from their eventual home as their athleticism outpaces their game reading. Before establishing himself as a defensive midfielder, Adams logged many shifts at fullback and wingback with his boyhood New York Red Bulls.Another midfielder on the 2022 World Cup squad, Kellyn Acosta, did similar time upon breaking through with FC Dallas. For years, his midfield shifts were scattered in between starts at either fullback position. In his “My Game in My Words” installment on The Athletic, Acosta recalled that shifts at outside back allowed him to “take multiple touches and find my pass” without the quick decision-making necessary to navigate a crowded midfield.“As I was younger, it was one of those things where you don’t want to make a mistake,” Acosta said in 2022. “You’re like ‘OK, I received the ball from my center back; the safe option is often to go back to the center back.’ Eventually, I started connecting passes and being more daring. I started being more comfortable with overlapping, finding space, taking shots, getting assists, crossing. As the games went on, I felt more and more comfortable.”Eventually, those reps were put into action as Acosta carved a role in midfield. Across 58 senior international caps with the U.S., the overwhelming majority were as a central or defensive midfielder.Of course, the 29-year-old Acosta has spent his entire career to date in MLS. With Dallas, the Colorado Rapids, Los Angeles FC and the Chicago Fire, Acosta has been a primary target each time he moves clubs. Colorado, LAFC and Chicago all signed Acosta to fill a specific role in their midfield.

When a young player like Musah leaves a relegation-zone side in La Liga for a Champions League qualifier in Serie A, his immediate role is best defined as “a squad option.” He’s there to patch holes, and the versatile skillset that made him seem like such a promising midfielder can be transposed to fill a lot of gaps as first-choice options are hurt, need a rest or are out of form.

MIlan's Yunus Musah and Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior in the UEFA Champions League Musah and Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior vying for possession in the UEFA Champions League. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

Tack on Milan’s pair of coaching changes and sustained poor form over the last 10 months, and there’s no room for a coach to ride out a developing midfielder in hopes that time will refine his rough edges. The stakes are too high for Milan to exhibit that kind of patience, and players will be graded on the same pass/fail curve whether they’re young or old.ake a mistake like Musah’s against Fiorentina, and the ensuing first-half hook and two games as an unused substitute are a sad reality of the situation he signed on to enter.Playing for the best club possible still provides a player with trade-offs. For someone in critical developmental years like Musah, who hasn’t looked any more evolved than he did in Valencia’s most hapless stretches, it may be too great a sacrifice without a makeweight payout. Even the nature of this latest gaffe suggests that playing in the defensive half is too negative of an assignment given how Musah approaches the game. That dribble was his instinctive reaction to a converging defender, rather than a safer recirculated pass attempt or clearance out of bounds.Milan will need to retool its squad again whether or not Conceição is brought back. Musah’s name has understandably been in transfer rumors, with his status as a homegrown in England (after years in Arsenal’s academy) inviting links to Premier League sides like Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and Tottenham.If Musah leaves, the global status of his suitors ought to be of secondary importance. With time running short before the 2026 World Cup, the priority has to be getting him into a situation where he can dependably earn the right to play in his preferred slot. If he can return to his best form and improve upon it with consistent playing time in midfield, he could ensure that Mauricio Pochettino builds his squad with Musah at its heart. If not, then one of the breakout players of the 2022 World Cup could be a non-factor altogether just four years later.

USWNT captain Lindsey Heaps says salary cap issue to blame for NWSL departures

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 05: Lindsey Heaps #10 of the United States celebrates scoring during the second half against Brazil at SoFi Stadium on April 05, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

By Melanie Anzidei April 19, 2025

USWNT captain and Lyon midfielder Lindsey Heaps says the NWSL salary cap may be to blame for some of America’s top players leaving the league for Europe.A small wave of Americans left the NWSL for Europe this summer, highlighted by Naomi Girma who became the first million-dollar transfer in women’s soccer. Girma left the San Diego Wave for Chelsea for a world-record $1.1 million fee in January.Speaking ahead of Lyon’s Champions League semifinal clash with Arsenal, Heaps called the cap an “ongoing issue,” when asked why Americans are coming to Europe.“There’s a salary cap in NWSL and I think that’s an ongoing issue there that hopefully can be changed or increased,” Heaps said at Lyon’s press conference. “It’s a factor in the NWSL and for players coming overseas.”Heaps will square off against USWNT teammates Emily Fox and Jenna Nighswonger, both defenders on Arsenal, on Saturday. She described the matchup as “so cool, so exciting and also very special for me, because these moments don’t happen a lot.”There are “a lot of things” that attract Americans to Europe, Heaps said. “You have two very, very good leagues. (When) you play a lot of time in the NWSL, like I did, I wanted a different challenge.“It wasn’t anything against the NWSL, but I wanted to come play in Champions League again. I wanted to play for a big club like this. I think I just needed a different kind of challenge.“Maybe that’s also what these players felt. Speaking with Nay [Naomi Girma], speaking with Jenna [Nighswonger], speaking with Foxy [Emily Fox], that’s what they need. That’s what they needed at the time.” At their recent national team camp, Heaps said she teased Fox ahead of their Champions League clash. “I was giving Foxy [Emily Fox] as much crap as I possibly could and trying to just chip at her a little bit.”She said it was “special” to see her U.S. teammate’s excelling in an environment like Arsenal’s. “To see [Fox] go and make that big move and play well and be a very impactful player for the team as well, I think that’s really special for me to see as a captain.“I want all of my players to be doing well – just not this weekend, I hope.”

4/15 Champions League Quarter Finals Tue/Wed, Indy 11 US Open Cup Wed 7:30 pm @ the Mike, US Ladies Split with Brazil

April 15, 2025April 15, 2025 gatorbest carmel-fc, champions-league, football, indiana-soccer, indy-11, indy-11-us-open-cup, liverpool, premier-league, soccer, us-womens-soccer, usmnt, uswnt

Champions League Tues/Wed, Europa Thurs

Its the Final game of the Round of 8 in the Champions League today and Wed at 3 pm on Paramount+ as Aston Villa is just 2 goals down to PSG in their home tally 1-3, while Barcelona will travel to the Big Yellow wall – Dortmund (we’ll see if Reyna gets time after being told he can look for a new club this summer) with a 4-0 lead. Meanwhile Arsenal take a 3-0 lead to Real Madrid on Wednesday, while Bayern Munich travels to Milan down 2-1 to Inter – both games at 3 pm.

Tues Champions League
Dortmund vs Barcelona & Aston Villa vs PSG on Para+
Wed
Arsenal vs Real Madrid & Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan on Para+
Thurs 3 pm Europa League on Para+
Man United vs Lyonnais & Frankfurt vs Tottenham & Chelsea vs Warszawa & Athletic Club vs Rangers

Around the World – Messi signs 2 more yrs w/Miami, Reyna free to go, US hosts 2031 WWC

Great news hearing that Messi has signed on to continue playing 2 more years with Inter Miami. In fact I am heading to Cleveland this weekend to see him play Sat vs Columbus at 4:30 pm. That means he will be there when Miami opens its new stadium next year and will be in Miami after the World Cup wraps up in the summer of 2026. Does this mean he’ll play 1 more World Cup for Argentina? Interesting to see what happens there – as Argentina qualified for the World Cup and pounded Brazil without Messi in the team. In other interesting news- Dortmund has given Gio Reyna permission to look for another team this summer. He’s gotten playing time but has not performed that well over the past few weeks. The US will need him in top form for the Gold Cup this summer. A must win event after getting pounded in Nations League.

Indy 11 host US Open Cup Game vs Miami FC Wed Apr 16 7:30 pm @ the Mike & on Paramount+

Indy Eleven: 1-1-2 (+1), 5 pts; 7th in Eastern Conference had their game at Hartford canceled on Saturday and will return home to face Miami FC in the US Open Cup 3rd round Wed night @ the Mike. Single-game tickets for all matches are available via Ticketmaster. Season, Flex Plan, Group, and Hospitality tickets are available here. For questions, call (317) 685-1100 during business hours or email tickets@indyeleven.com.

GoalKeeper Training for Carmel FC Is outdoors starts next week

Coach James Pilkington will run sessions on Monday at Shelbourne 6-9 pm and Wed at Badger 6-9 pm

Stepping up to the A team – at the Boys Showcase @ Grand Park Sat with Alex F & Brent – always good to learn from the Best.

Hey look who hopped in on a cold Sunday at Grand Park Dave Howard joins (L-R) Pedro, Shane & Ruiz)

TV GAMES

Tues – Champions League
Dortmund vs Barcelona & Aston Villa vs PSG on Para+ 3 pm
Louisville City FC vs. Loudon United FC on CBS Sports Network 7 pm US Open Cup

Wed
Arsenal vs Real Madrid & Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan on Para+
Indy 11 vs Miami FC 7:30 pm @ the Mike & Para+ US Open Cup

Thurs 3 pm Europa League on Para+
Man United vs Lyonnais & Frankfurt vs Tottenham & Chelsea vs Warszawa & Athletic Club vs Rangers

USMNT midweek viewing guide:

Plus Johnny, Tessmann, and Brown in Europa and Conference Leagues on Thursday.

Tuesday

Borussia Dortmund vs FC Barcelona, 3p on Paramount+, FuboTV, TUDN USA, Univision USA, ViX: Gio Reyna and Dortmund host Barcelona in the second leg of this UEFA Champions League quarterfinal. Barça are up 4-0 on aggregate after the first leg in Spain last week. Diego Kochen is often in Barça’s squad. Cole Campbell has played with Dortmund’s first team this season, but not recently, and he’s currently out with a minor injury.
Chivas vs Puebla, 9:05p on Peacock, UNIVERSO, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, FuboTV: Cade Cowell and Chivas de Guadalajara host Puebla in Liga MX.

Wednesday

Newcastle vs Crystal Palace, 2:30p on USA, UNIVERSO, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, FuboTV, Sling TV: Chris Richards, Matt Turner, and Crystal Palace visit Newcastle United in Premier League action.
Monterrey vs Club América, 9p on TUDN USA, Univision USA, FuboTV, ViX: Alex Zendejas and América visit Rayados in Liga MX.

Thursday

Jagiellonia Białystok vs Real Betis, 12:45p on Paramount+, CBS Sports Network, FuboTV, ViX: Johnny Cardoso and Betis visit Jagiellonia Białystok in the second leg of this Conference League quarterfinal. Leon Flach has been a regular starter for Jagiellonia Białystok since joining from the Philadelphia Union in January, but Flach was subbed off due to injury only 5 minutes into Jagiellonia’s game on Sunday. Betis are up 2-0 on aggregate.
Frankfurt vs Tottenham, 3p on Paramount+, ViX: Nathaniel Brown and Eintracht Frankfurt are all even 1-1 with Tottenham Hotspur after the first leg of their Europa League quarterfinal.
Manchester United vs Lyon, 3p on Paramount+, TUDN USA, UniMás, FuboTV, ViX: Tanner Tessmann and Lyon visit Manchester United in the second leg of their Europa League quarterfinal, all tied 2-2 on aggregate.

Friday

Norwich vs Portsmouth, 10a: Josh Sargent and the Canaries host Portsmouth in the Championship.
Coventry vs West Brom, 10a on Paramount+: It’s a meeting of American forwards as Haji Wright and Coventry host Daryl Dike and Albion in the Championship.
Watford vs Burnley, 10a on Paramount+, CBS Sports Network, FuboTV: Caleb Wiley and Watford host Luca Koleosho and Burnley in the Championship.
Oxford United vs Leeds United, 3p on Paramount+: Brenden Aaronson and Leeds visit Oxford United in the Championship.

Also in action:

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth, 10a: Aidan Morris and Boro host Plymouth Argle in the Championship.
Sheffield United vs Cardiff, 12:30p on Paramount+: Ethan Horvath and Cardiff City visit Sheffield United in the Championship.
NK Varaždin vs Hajduk Split, 12:45p: Rokas Pukštas and Split visit Varaždin in Croatia’s top tier.
LASK Linz vs WSG Tirol, 1:30p on Onefootball: George Bello and LASK host Tirol in Austria’s top tier relegation group.

NWSL Schedule
MLS Schedule
USL Schedule

— US OPEN CUP ON TV —

Atlanta (April 14, 2025) – Paramount+ and CBS Sports are set to kick off their partnership as the exclusive English-language broadcast home of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, U.S. Soccer’s National Championship, with unprecedented tournament coverage, beginning with the competition’s Third Round this Tuesday, April 15, and Wednesday, April 16. The entire 16-game Third Round slate – and every match onward to the tournament Final – will stream live on Paramount+. Six of those Third Round contests will also be simulcast via additional platforms; fans can watch four matches for free on CBS Sports Golazo Network, while two more contests will air on CBS Sports Network. The full broadcast schedule for the Third Round can be found below.

CBS Sports’ Open Cup presence will be bolstered across both days with studio shows featuring host Nate Bukaty and analysts Charlie Davies and Tony Meola, along with Mike Grella (Tuesday) and Michael Lahoud (Wednesday). Coverage from the studio will begin with Tuesday evening’s U.S. Open Cup Preview, a 30-minute look-ahead to the Third Round airing on CBS Sports Network at 6:30 p.m. ET. The studio crew will also take fans around the country with live analysis and previews on the Golazo Matchday show, airing between games on CBS Sports Golazo Network both Tuesday (9-10 p.m. ET) and Wednesday (9-9:30 p.m. ET) nights – pending the finish of the network’s early-window match. In all Third Round contests, 16 clubs from the Division II USL Championship will enter the tournament against a Second Round victor. That latter group includes 15 professional teams spanning the USL Championship (4), USL League One (9), and MLS NEXT Pro (2), in addition to El Farolito, which for the second year in a row is the last club standing from the amateur Open Division.

Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Broadcast Schedule – Third Round

Tuesday, April 15 (all times ET)

Columbus Crew 2 vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC	6:00 PM	Paramount+
U.S. Open Cup Preview	6:30 PM	CBS Sports Network
Louisville City FC vs. Loudon United FC	7:00 PM	Paramount+ & CBS Sports Network
Charlotte Independence vs. North Carolina FC	7:00 PM	Paramount+
Portland Hearts of Pine vs. Rhode Island FC	7:00 PM	Paramount+ & CBS Sports Golazo Network
Charleston Battery vs. South Georgia Tormenta FC	7:30 PM	Paramount+
Union Omaha vs. San Antonio FC	8:00 PM	Paramount+
CBS Sports Golazo Matchday	9:00 PM	CBS Sports Golazo Network
AV ALTA FC vs. Orange County SC	10:00 PM	Paramount+ & CBS Sports Golazo Network
Tacoma Defiance vs. Oakland Roots SC	10:30 PM	Paramount+

Wednesday, April 16 (all times ET)

Detroit City FC vs. Westchester SC	7:00 PM	Paramount+
FC Naples vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies	7:00 PM	Paramount+ & CBS Sports Golazo Network
Indy Eleven vs. Miami FC	7:30 PM	Paramount+
FC Tulsa vs. Phoenix Rising FC	8:00 PM	Paramount+
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs. One Knoxville SC	9:00 PM	Paramount+
CBS Sports Golazo Matchday	9:00 PM	CBS Sports Golazo Network
New Mexico United vs. El Paso Locomotive	9:30 PM	Paramount+ & CBS Sports Golazo Network
Sacramento Republic FC vs. El Farolito	10:00 PM	Paramount+ & CBS Sports Network
Las Vegas Lights FC vs. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC	10:30 PM	Paramount+

A red-hot Third Round will have barely cooled off before the focus turns to the Round of 32/Round of 16 Draw, to be held this Thursday, April 17, as part of CBS Sports Golazo Network’s flagship program, Morning Footy, at 9:15 a.m. ET. Thursday’s Draw will combine a pair of Third Round winners with another pair of clubs entering the tournament from Division I Major League Soccer, all drawn from eight groups of four teams. In addition to full matches and highlights, CBS Sports’ coverage will include studio programming on CBS Sports Golazo Network and the creation of ancillary content beyond games which will focus on markets and clubs in the competition, as well as the tournament’s rich history as the oldest ongoing national soccer competition in the United States. CBS Sports will also provide additional Open Cup editorial coverage on CBSSports.com, the Golazo Starting XI newsletter and across its @GolazoAmerica and @CBSSportsGolazo social accounts.

About the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

Now in its 110th edition, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup has crowned U.S. Soccer’s national champion since 1914. The history-filled tournament is conducted on a single-game-knockout basis and is open to professional and amateur teams affiliated with U.S. Soccer. In 1999, the oldest ongoing national soccer competition in the U.S. was renamed to honor American soccer pioneer Lamar Hunt. The 2025 U.S. Open Cup winner will earn a berth in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup and have its name engraved on the Dewar Challenge Trophy – one of the oldest nationally contested trophies in American team sports – now on permanent display at the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Frisco, Texas. The 2025 tournament features a total purse worth $1 million that includes a $600,000 award for the champion. Los Angeles Football Club of MLS is the defending Champion. The 109th edition of the tournament concluded on September 25, 2024, with LAFC beating four-time Champions Sporting Kansas City 3-1 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles to become Open Cup Champions for the first time.

The official website of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is ussoccer.com/us-open-cup. Fans can also follow the competition on X/Twitter and Instagram @OpenCup and Facebook @OfficialOpenCup.

Champions League

Real Madrid’s greatest UEFA Champions League comebacks

Reffing

Tanner, Casey and Shane Saturday at Grand Park for the Boys College Showcase actually warmed up a tad

Man Nate our Ref Assignor makes the BEST BRISKET I have ever had- here’s Shane – eating waay to much!

First time reffing with Mike Strang along with Matt and me Friday at the Boys College Showcase

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Champions League projections: How Arsenal steadily became 2024-25 tournament favourites

Arsenal's English midfielder #41 Declan Rice celebrates scoring the team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League Quarter final first leg football match between Arsenal and Real Madrid, at the Emirates Stadium, in London, on April 8, 2025. (Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP) (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

By Anantaajith Raghuraman 70 ril 15, 2025Updated 10:33 am EDT

Time can make fools of us all. Even supercomputers.

Barring some sensational results in the quarter-final second legs this week, there are probably only five teams left who can win this season’s Champions League (Arsenal, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter and Bayern Munich). That’s a significant shift from the start of the season when, before a ball was kicked in the new-look format, The Athletic’s Opta-powered projections had Manchester City (25 per cent) and Real Madrid (18 per cent) as the most likely sides to lift the trophy. How are those projections calculated, you ask. Well, Opta’s win prediction model estimates the probability of each match’s outcome (win, draw or loss) by using a combination of betting market odds and Opta’s team power rankings. The odds and rankings are based on historical and recent team performances and the competition in its entirety is simulated 10,000 times to produce a final projection for each side.But not even models can anticipate things such as Rodri’s season-altering injury for City or Declan Rice suddenly discovering he can take direct free kicks like a Brazilian.

If slow and steady really does win the race, then Arsenal’s progression to tournament favourites, per our projections, looks to be well-timed. Here’s how the fortunes of the remaining eight clubs have fluctuated throughout the season.

Arsenal

Arsenal began the Champions League campaign behind Manchester City, Real Madrid and Inter with a six per cent chance of winning the competition for the first time. A 0-0 draw at Atalanta on matchday one, combined with other results, saw Bayer Leverkusen (who beat Feyenoord 4-0) overtake them. The next three weeks brought a 2-0 win over PSG and a 1-0 loss at Inter. Few were thinking of Arsenal as tournament favourites at this point.

But they won their final four league games 13-1 on aggregate to boost their title odds to 17 per cent, tied with Inter and behind only Liverpool (24 per cent) before the playoff round.

PSG’s elimination of Liverpool in the round of 16 and Arsenal’s convincing 3-0 win in Madrid last week mean they are now the (narrow) favourites to win it all, with a 27 per cent chance.

Whisper it quietly, but Arsenal could go all the way (Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

It’s been a frustrating, injury-hit season for Mikel Arteta’s side, but after enduring a six-season absence from European football’s leading competition, they could — and should — follow up last season’s quarter-final appearance with their first trip to the semi-finals since 2008-09.What You Should Read NextArsenal are forging ‘football heritage’ in both the men’s and women’s Champions LeaguesBoth Arsenal’s men’s and women’s teams are marching on in the Champions League, laying the foundations for sustained success along the way

Real Madrid

Despite starting the season as the reigning champions and second favourites in our projections, Real Madrid stuttered and stumbled through the league phase in uncharacteristic fashion after winning 15 of their 18 group stage matches in the previous three seasons.

They needed late heroics to beat Stuttgart on matchday one before losing 1-0 to Lille in France and 3-1 at home to Milan either side of a 5-2 comeback win against Borussia Dortmund.

A chastening 2-0 loss at Liverpool on matchday five reduced Madrid’s title chances to six per cent, with a seven per cent chance of league-phase elimination.

Defeat at Lille is one of several Champions League low points for Real Madrid this season (Sameer Al-Doumy/AFP via Getty Images)

But Carlo Ancelotti’s side beat Atalanta, Red Bull Salzburg, and Brest in their final three matches to make the playoff round, where they thrashed Manchester City 6-3 on aggregate. That boosted their title chances to 11 per cent, behind only Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal and Inter.

But a poor display in north London last week has seen that drop to less than one per cent. There have been Bernabeu turnaround miracles in the past, but Madrid have just a three per cent chance of making it into the last four as it stands.

Barcelona

Barcelona were level with Arsenal with a six per cent chance of winning the title before the season began. A surprise 2-1 loss at Monaco set them back, but a statement win over Bayern on matchday three, combined with comfortable victories against Young Boys (5-0) and Red Star Belgrade (5-2) meant that figure jumped to nine per cent — just ahead of Arsenal’s eight per cent — at the halfway point.Relive a statement winBarcelona 4 Bayern Munich 1: Raphinha hat-trick gives Hansi Flick a triumphant night against his former clubWe analyse the key talking points from one of the most enticing matches from the initial stage of this season’s Champions League

They ended the league phase with three wins and a draw to finish second, but Barcelona’s title chances remained the same before rising to 20 per cent — the best of the teams left in the competition — after their 4-1 aggregate win over Benfica in the round of 16. Despite beating Dortmund 4-0 last week, they are now narrow second-favourites to win the title (26 per cent) behind Arsenal, who they could meet in the final in what would be a repeat of the 2006 edition.

Raphinha and Yamal have Barcelona flying high again (David Ramos/Getty Images)

Borussia Dortmund

Dortmund scored 10 goals in their first two Champions League matches this season, prompting early optimism and doubling their title chances to four per cent from two before matchday one. It was false hope, though, as losses to Real Madrid (5-2), Barcelona at home (3-2) and Bologna (2-1) in the next five games saw them fall out of the top eight.

They beat Sporting CP 3-0 in the play-off round but were given just a 38 per cent chance of beating Lille after the first leg of their round-of-16 tie ended 1-1. Even so, they came from behind to win the second leg 2-1 but saw title chances boosted to only one per cent after they drew Barcelona in the quarter-finals (with Bayern Munich or Inter in the semis, were they to progress). A 4-0 first-leg defeat suggests the projection model was spot-on about Dortmund.

Dortmund’s chances of turning over a four-goal deficit are reflected in The Athletic’s projections (David Ramos/Getty Images)

Inter

Having started the competition with an 11 per cent chance of winning it (behind only Real Madrid and Manchester City), the only blemish on Inter’s league phase was a 1-0 defeat at Bayer Leverkusen on matchday six. They conceded just one goal in eight matches and recorded impressive wins over Arsenal and Monaco, which boosted their title chances to 17 per cent (tied with Arsenal for second) after the league phase was completed.

Feyenoord were a mere formality in the round of 16 and while their last-eight tie with Bayern is the closest on paper at 2-1, Inter have every reason to be confident, with an 85 per cent chance of progression to the last four. Can the 2023 runners-up go one better two years on?

Inter’s late win in Munich has boosted their chances of overall victory (Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

Bayern Munich

Bayern began the league phase with only a four per cent chance of winning the title, tied for sixth overall. That instantly improved (albeit only by one percentage point) after they thrashed Dinamo Zagreb 9-2 on matchday one, the second-highest number of goals in a single Champions League game behind Dortmund’s 8-4 win against Legia Warsaw in 2016.

Defeats to Aston Villa and Barcelona then dropped their chances to three per cent and increased the probability of a league-stage elimination to six per cent.

A run of four wins in their final five matches saw them finish 12th. They required a last-ditch Alphonso Davies winner to get past Celtic in the playoff round but comfortably trounced domestic rivals Leverkusen 5-0 in the round of 16.

Even so, last week’s home loss to Inter has left them with just a two per cent chance of winning the title in Vincent Kompany’s first season in charge.

Can Bayern turn around their tie in San Siro? (Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

Paris Saint-Germain

If Arsenal’s projections have shown steady progress, PSG have experienced a huge surge. Having started the season with a four per cent chance of winning the tournament, they won just one of their first five matches, losing to Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Bayern while drawing with PSV. That left them with a 42 per cent chance of league-phase elimination and dropped their title chances to two per cent. It looked all but over for Luis Enrique’s side.

But a 4-2 comeback win against Manchester City breathed life into their European season, before a 10-2 aggregate destruction of Brest in the playoffs boosted their title chances to nine per cent. Defeating long-time favourites Liverpool on penalties in the round of 16 more than doubled it to 19 per cent and the 3-1 lead over Villa means they now have a 23 per cent chance of winning the competition for the first time.

If momentum wins you titles, then this season’s Champions League is surely PSG’s to lose.

Momentum is with PSG, but can they maintain it? (Bertrand Guay/AFP via Getty Images)

Aston Villa

Aston Villa have enjoyed their Champions League adventure, which understandably began with a less than one per cent chance of winning the title. They had memorable results against Bayern (1-0), Juventus (0-0), Bologna (2-0), RB Leipzig (3-2) and Celtic (4-2) to finish eighth and avoid the playoff round.

Their chances of winning the title ‘improved’ to one per cent after matchday eight and peaked at three per cent before the quarter-finals got underway. But a 3-1 defeat in Paris has seen that return to less than one per cent, with just a nine per cent chance of even making it into the semis.

(Top photo: Adrian Dennis/AFP via Getty Images)

Jude Bellingham: Champions League comeback challenge ‘tailor-made’ for Real Madrid

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 26: Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid speaks to the media during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 training and press conference at Anfield on November 26, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jess Hornby/Getty Images)

By Mario Cortegana April 15, 2025 11:16 am EDT

Jude Bellingham says the possibility of a historic Champions League comeback against Arsenal is a challenge ‘tailor-made’ for Real Madrid.The Spanish side trail 3-0 following last week’s first leg defeat in London but will still believe they can progress to the semi-final stage, having enjoyed multiple comebacks in the knockout stages in recent seasons.In 2021-22, Madrid came from 2-0 down on aggregate to eliminate Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 and defeated Manchester City in the last four, despite trailing 5-3 on aggregate going into the final minute of the second leg.Bellingham, who was part of the Madrid squad that won the 2023-24 Champions League following two late goals to eliminate Bayern Munich in the semi-finals, was asked ahead of Arsenal’s visit what the most-repeated word in the dressing room was this week.“‘Remontada’ (Spanish for comeback),” Bellingham said. “Honestly, I’ve heard it a million times this week, I’ve seen a lot of videos on social media, and I’ve also heard it from you, the press.“It’s a night tailor-made for Madrid.”

Bellingham was then asked at what point Madrid’s players began believing in the possibility of a comeback.What You Should Read NextReal Madrid’s board must shoulder some blame for Arsenal thrashing – it’s not all on Carlo AncelottiIt is easy to single out the manager for Tuesday’s collapse, but he has been calling for reinforcements since the middle of last season

“Honestly, after the game it’s complicated because you have that difficult moment, analysing what you haven’t done well,” the England international said.“But as you talk about it and you see the confidence you get into all that. We have had previous experiences. These feelings are contagious. It was almost immediate, on the bus, even though we weren’t like we are now.”

Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti called on his side to play “with our heads, with heart and with guts”, while also speaking of the importance of using a “cool head”.“Madrid have all the resources to turn this tie around: quality, commitment, experience, the fans,” Ancelotti said.“We have to get the best out of each and every one of us. In previous years it’s not that people said we played spectacularly, and maybe that’s true because we want to be effective rather than spectacular.”Madrid will return to La Liga action four days after the Arsenal visit as they host Athletic Club of Bilbao.What You Sh

USMNT Player Tracker: Carter-Vickers’ piledriver, Pulisic the assist king and Richards’ consolation

By Greg O’Keeffe April 14, 2025

It was another busy weekend for the United States’ contingent of players across Europe’s major leagues, as Cameron Carter-Vickers moved tantalisingly close to becoming the season’s first American title winner, Christian Pulisic got back to business and Malik Tillman’s comeback continued apace.Jump into this week’s analysis of how the USMNT emigres are faring as we run the rule over their fortunes ahead of a key summer.

Carter-Vickers unleashes hell

In another memorable season for Celtic, Cameron-Carter Vickers created one for the highlights reel on Saturday.The centre-back is on the brink of a fourth title winner’s medal in as many years in Scotland, and it is now a matter of when, not if, Brendan Rodgers’ side are crowned champions. That would have happened already had 10-man Rangers not mounted an unlikely recovery to secure a 2-2 away draw against Aberdeen on Sunday. Their 97th-minute equaliser is merely delaying the inevitable, though.During Celtic’s 5-1 demolition of Kilmarnock the previous day, Carter-Vickers scored a goal that he — or any of his team-mates — will do well to better before the end of the campaign.It was his first of the season and he did it in style: carrying the ball forward unchecked before unleashing an unstoppable long-range strike into the top right of the goal.t’s not the sort of thing you’d associate with the 27-year-old — as demonstrated by team-mate Alistair Johnston’s priceless reaction, looking completely stunned with his hands on his head.It had to be good simply to be considered the best finish of the game, as Celtic’s Japanese midfielder Reo Hatate had earlier scored his own contender for goal of the season from a similar range. But given Hatate is more of an attacking player with nine goals and four assists to his name already in the current campaign, we’re inclined to give the American’s stunner the edge.

Carter-Vickers celebrates with his Celtic team-mates (Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images)

From a USMNT point of view, it can only be a positive that a defender who appears to be part of Mauricio Pochettino’s plans — he featured in both of March’s Concacaf Nations League finals matches — is developing a consistent winning mentality with his club.“Before I came here, I played five seasons in the Championship down in England and that league is a lot more win, win, lose, lose,” he told the Daily Record, recalling his previous spells at Bournemouth, Luton Town, Stoke City, Swansea City, Ipswich Town and Sheffield United in England’s second tier while on Tottenham Hotspur’s books.“As a player, I’m used to not necessarily winning all the time and I understand that it’s actually very hard to win all the time, no matter who you’re playing. It’s definitely something we’ve done well over the last few years and something we want to continue to do.

“We’ve got one cup (the Scottish League Cup) in the bag so far, and are in a good position to get two more trophies domestically. Our Champions League campaign was a decent one and we showed we could compete at that level. Now you want to finish it in style.”It might be that winning the Scottish Premiership is less difficult than securing the title in some other top-flight leagues — Celtic have been its champions in 10 of the past 11 seasons — but for Carter-Vickers and U.S. team-mate, new father Auston Trusty, a regular who was on the bench at the weekend, it will be a first title with a predominantly American central defence.What You Should Read NextForty years of dominance and a 55th title on ice, but Scottish football is more than just Rangers and CelticCeltic will have to wait a little longer to draw level with Rangers on 55 league titles after late drama at Aberdeen delayed the inevitable

Pulisic and Leao’s creative tete-a-tete

In Italy, Milan’s season continues with more ups and downs than recently endured by the stock exchange.They may still be outsiders to qualify for next season’s Champions League, but Milan can at least continue to rely on Christian Pulisic. The USMNT star created his side’s second goal, with a dangerous corner kick, during a 4-0 away win against Udinese on Friday.It was Pulisic’s 10th league assist of the season (he has 11 in all competitions) and continues a friendly competition with influential team-mate Rafael Leao over which of them can emerge this season as the Milan squad’s most prolific provider.

Pulisic prepares to take a corner at Udinese (Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

“We have a good competition between the two of us,” Pulisic told DAZN after Portugal international Leao also grabbed a goal and assist against Udinese. “He’s fantastic when he plays like that.”

Milan are in ninth, eight points behind Weston McKennie and Tim Weah’s Juventus, the team currently occupying fourth spot, which is the last place in Serie A that brings Champions League qualification.

Chris Richards’ silver lining

It may not have been as spectacular as another U.S. defender’s goal at the weekend but, in the Premier League, Chris Richards was in on the act, too.The Crystal Palace centre-half was in the right place to guide in Adam Wharton’s corner from close range to put his team 2-0 up at Manchester City on Saturday.It was his first Premier League goal of the season and the highlight of a solid performance — for the 25-year-old at least. That 21st-minute header was about as good as it got for the Londoners, with City turning it around thereafter and going on to win 5-2, a rare setback in recent weeks for Oliver Glasner’s otherwise upwardly mobile outfit.“We just didn’t do everything to the highest level,” he told TNT Sports after the game. “That is what we’ve done so well, for the last probably two or three months. We’ve been really strong defensively and we’ve taken our chances up front.“We definitely want to be fighting for one of those (European) spots. We still can do it in the league and we can also do it in the cup. We just want to take them one game at a time. But I think everybody can see the European spots are up for grabs right now.“So we can’t let it dent our confidence. We have four or five more games in the next two weeks. We are disappointed with today, but we have a chance to get a little bit of retribution on Wednesday.”

As he says, Palace can make amends in midweek, albeit they face another difficult away game — against Champions League-chasing Newcastle United.

Richards nods in Palace’s second at the Etihad Stadium (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Jeff Rueter’s graphic of the weekend

How did other U.S. players get on?

Name: Josh Wynder
Club: Benfica
Position: Defender
Appearances (all competitions): 1

The 19-year-old celebrated a landmark in his promising Benfica career by making his senior bow for the Portuguese giants in the nation’s top knockout cup competition last week.

Wynder came on in the 76th minute of a 5-0 victory at fourth-division Tirsense, and gave a good account of himself. The Kentucky-born centre-back, who has had one senior USMNT call-up so far, is said by Portuguese media to be in contention for more regular first-team football at the Estadio da Luz next season.Name: Gio Reyna
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Position: Midfielder
Appearances: 22

How Reyna must pine for the days of youthful potential being enjoyed by Wynder in Lisbon. While he’s not exactly long in the tooth at 22, it does seem a while ago that we spoke of the USMNT playmaker in those terms — in European football at least. The promise of Reyna’s time in the Bundesliga has flatlined this season and he was an unused sub again on Saturday, as Dortmund got a 2-2 away draw against league leaders Bayern Munich. He hasn’t played in the league now since March 1 and three different managers, in a turbulent season for the club, have yet to consider him a regular. Reyna does tend to get more action in the Champions League, and played 22 minutes of Dortmund’s 4-0 quarter-final first-leg thumping at Barcelona last week. There might be another runout in the second leg at home on Tuesday with the tie surely already over, but the noise about him needing to move on in the summer if he wants regular football is only increasing.

Reyna, centre, in training at Dortmund (Ina Fassbender/AFP via Getty Images)

Name: Malik Tillman
Club: PSV
Position: Midfielder
Appearances: 29
Goals: 13

Having scored on his first start in almost three months against Groningen, Tillman continued his encouraging comeback from an ankle injury with another goal — this time it was a tap-in, but they all count — in Saturday’s 5-0 thrashing of Almere City. It may be too late to help PSV retain their Dutch league title, with Ajax nine points ahead of them in first place and only five games to go, but Tillman’s impressive return will be good news for Pochettino.he goal aside, there was plenty to like in his performance against Almere: backheels, smart interventions and two almost-assists.

What’s coming up?

(All Eastern Time)

He may have been frustrated again at the weekend, but Reyna might get another chance to impress new coach Niko Kovac and show what he can do on the biggest stage when Barcelona come to town on Tuesday (3pm, Paramount +). It’s hard to see Dortmund overturning a 4-0 first-leg deficit in the second leg of this Champions League quarter-final, even with home advantage, but Kovac was buoyed by the weekend’s draw with Bayern and wants to see his players continuing to perform as they did in Munich. “We have to do more. Against top teams, you have to push yourself to the limit, which we didn’t do in Barcelona,” he said.Speaking of tough tasks, that daunting trip to Newcastle we mentioned for Palace and Richards is on Wednesday (2.30pm, USA/Universo). Despite the eventual scoreline, there were flashes of promise in Palace’s loss at outgoing champions City, and Richards and company have shown the sort of spirit this season which suggests they won’t let that result get them down for too long.Manchester United’s blundering campaign continues to implode and it’ll be interesting to see if Tanner Tessmann gets the chance to make things worse for the Premier League giants in the finely-balanced second leg of their Europa League quarter-final against Lyon at Old Trafford on Thursday. It finished 2-2 in the first leg in France and, while Tessmann wasn’t involved, he came off the bench in Sunday’s 3-1 Ligue 1 defeat of Auxerre and will hope for more minutes against Ruben Amorim’s men.It should be a simpler Thursday evening for Johnny Cardoso and Real Betis in their UEFA Conference League quarter-final’s second leg. They beat Jagiellonia Bialystok 2-0 in the first game and head to Poland for the decider smarting from a 2-1 loss against Villarreal in La Liga on Sunday, when Cardoso was taken off after 71 minutes.(Top photos: Getty Images)

For Pochettino and USMNT, Gold Cup is a time to reboot, not experiment

By Felipe Cardenas April 11, 2025Updated April 14, 2025 The Athletic

When Gregg Berhalter took a largely MLS-based squad to the 2021 Gold Cup, the decision was part of Berhalter’s grand plan to expand the U.S. player pool ahead of the 2022 World Cup. Momentum was on his side. Berhalter had celebrated a Concacaf Nations League title over Mexico (a 3-2 extra-time win in Denver) with his full senior roster, and the young Americans were viewed as a promising generation of European-based players ahead of the World Cup in Qatar.The nominal U.S. B-team reached that Gold Cup final and handed a veteran Mexico side a second consecutive final defeat to lift the continental trophy. It was arguably the highest point of Berhalter’s tenure. The squad’s depth was celebrated, and the U.S. was hands down the strongest team in the region.Four years later, the tides have turned against the Americans. The U.S. is drowning in a sea of heightened expectations ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which it will co-host with Mexico and Canada. Manager Mauricio Pochettino, after just eight games in charge, is in need of a signature win after the U.S. finished fourth in the Nations League finals.The Europe-based players, led by Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, Tim Weah and Weston McKennie, are under increased pressure after their poor performances in Los Angeles in March. The unheralded U.S. team at the 2021 Gold Cup showed fight and grit in their defeat of Mexico, something that has been lacking ever since Pochettino replaced Berhalter last fall.It will all come to a head in June when the U.S. faces Trinidad & Tobago, Haiti and guest nation Saudi Arabia in Concacaf’s premier tournament, with the groups confirmed in Thursday night’s draw.

Make no mistake: the U.S. has to win this Gold Cup. And Pochettino has to take his strongest-possible squad, not an experimental one. He is in dire need of positive energy and will have no excuses as the U.S. will once again play a tournament comfortably held on U.S. soil. The Americans won’t face hostile crowds unless a matchup against Mexico materializes in the knockout rounds. But they wouldn’t face Mexico in Guadalajara or in Mexico City. The U.S. will still be at home – not that it was much of a help in last summer’s pre-Pochettino Copa América or last month’s Nations League finals.

Nevertheless, the group is beyond manageable. If an overconfident or uninterested U.S. team flops this summer, the pitchforks won’t necessarily be out for Pochettino, but his reputation, and that of the players, will take another hit. No matter how secure his job is, or how large his contract buyout may be, Pochettino must lead the U.S. to a trophy. Not to save his job, but, rather, to fend off the growing sense of negativity around the senior national team – at a time when galvanizing the country around this team is paramount.His previous record as a manager who punched above his weight in Europe made for a nice story when he was hired by U.S. Soccer. Right now, however, his inexperience at the international level, and his lack of knowledge of American soccer and the types of players the country produces, is shining far brighter than his résumé.Pochettino looked befuddled at his players’ casual approach in losses to Panama and Canada last month. He was at a loss of words and asked the American soccer public to have patience just 426 days before the 2026 World Cup.“I don’t want the people to feel pessimistic,” Pochettino said after the 2-1 loss to Canada in the Nations League third-place game at SoFi Stadium. “Disappointed? Disappointed, we are all. And the fans need to feel the disappointment that we didn’t win. But I don’t want to allow (them) to feel pessimistic, because I think we have good players. We are going to find a way to perform. And for sure we are going to compete in a different way. And (at) the end, we are going to get different results than Thursday and today.”

USMNT star Christian Pulisic Christian Pulisic and the USMNT struggled in the Nations League finals. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Because Borussia Dortmund and Juventus will participate in the Club World Cup this summer, Pochettino will be without playmaker Gio Reyna, who plays sparingly for the German club, and McKennie and Weah, who are key players for the Serie A giant. FIFA has given participating clubs player priority over national teams, so barring any transfers, they won’t be available. Pulisic, however, will be, as AC Milan is not in the Club World Cup. If Pochettino is thinking about giving Pulisic the summer off, he should reconsider.Pulisic didn’t end the Nations League unscathed. His performances were muted as team captain. His messaging, though, was on point, albeit it painfully obvious after a tremendously disappointing tournament. Pulisic should not be given a pass this summer.

“Obviously, the feeling is not good right now,” he said after last month’s loss to Canada. “We need to turn it around and we can hopefully build some momentum this summer, because we really do need it and with big, big tournaments ahead.”

For whatever reason, the Gold Cup has gradually lost its prestige. Nations League has soaked up the narratives and is growing in popularity, despite its young history as an official competition. That should not matter. The Gold Cup will be the last opportunity for Pochettino to test his players in a tournament environment before their opening match at the World Cup. Certain places on the squad, namely in midfield, at center forward, at center back and at goalkeeper, should be up for grabs.

That puts Pochettino in a complex position. If he’s going to experiment, he better get it right. If he’s going to demote a player, say like starting goalkeeper Matt Turner, the replacement has to elevate the team. If Real Salt Lake No. 10 Diego Luna is viewed as a viable alternative for a World Cup-bound team, then the 21-year-old must take a major stride as a creative player this summer. In Los Angeles last month, the U.S. side was void of leadership on the pitch.

“The mentality has to change,” Adams said before the Canada game. “We’ve had good talks about where we are and where we need to go, just an honest evaluation and then there needs to be a response.”

There wasn’t a response against Jesse Marsch’s Canadian side. Adams talked like a team leader, but he was among the squad’s most subpar performers. The Gold Cup will be a referendum for the Bournemouth midfielder, as well. The expectation is that he will be joined by fellow Premier League standout Antonee Robinson.

Fulham's Antonee Robinson and Liverpool's Mohamed Salah U.S. fullback Antonee Robinson was hailed for his performance against Liverpool and Mohamed Salah. (Photo by Henry Nicholls/AFP/Getty Images)

The 27-year-old missed Nations League through injury, but he has since reclaimed his starting position with Fulham, and is widely considered as one of the best left backs in England. Robinson’s direct play, speed and service were missed last month, and Pochettino will be relieved if Robinson is fit for competition this summer. He has no like-for-like replacement on the U.S., and, along with Pulisic, Robinson will be counted on at the Gold Cup to provide a higher level of play in a key position.

When Pochettino was hired, the Gold Cup was viewed as an important dress rehearsal before the 2026 World Cup. After underperforming at the Nations League, this is no time to experiment with the player pool. The U.S. and Pochettino must now approach the Gold Cup as a test of their dwindling fortitude. Regional foes like Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama and Canada are eagerly waiting for an opportunity to bury the Americans in their own mediocrity.

If Pochettino and his players don’t punch back this summer, the pessimism that the former Tottenham manager wants to stamp out will further engulf a program that’s swinging and missing more often than expected.What You Should Read NextUSMNT frustrations boiling over as World Cup clock keeps on tickingExpectations of this U.S. group are growing, especially with a World Cup on home soil. So why does it feel like progress has been stunted?

(Top photo: Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images)

Emma Hayes is putting her USWNT players in the frying pan. Who can handle the heat?

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 08: United States head coach Emma Hayes, Sam Coffey #17 of the United States and Crystal Dunn #19 of the United States during pre-game activities prior to game vs Brazil at PayPal Park on April 08, 2025 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

By Tamerra Griffin 41 ril 9, 2025

Compared to the bright, breezy environment of SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles for game one, the United States women’s national team’s (USWNT) swift rematch with Brazil at San Jose’s PayPal Park carried an inverted energy, atmospherically and competitively. The latter ended in a 2-1 defeat for the U.S. before a packed house of 18,000 in California’s Bay Area on Tuesday night, the booming, sold-out crowd competing with the periodic sound of planes touching down at the nearby airport. The first, in the sunshine of Saturday afternoon, brought 32,303 people to a venue that holds 70,000 to see what turned out to be a secure 2-0 win for the hosts.Match two also embodied the classic traits of a return fixture against the same opponent, with noticeable changes to the previous lineup. But as U.S. head coach Emma Hayes has reiterated throughout this window, experimentation was going to be the prevailing theme of these two fixtures. She is working toward identifying a core group of players by the end of June who will eventually compete in the 2027 World Cup.“I wanna put players in the frying pan and I want you to feel the heat,” Hayes said in her post-game news conference late Tuesday night. “This camp was always about expanding and experimenting (with) that player pool. I really feel like that is becoming so clear to me on which players I think are really ready for us right now, which ones are not.”With that mandate, this could, arguably, have been a period better enjoyed behind closed doors for the team.Of the 22 players (including alternates) selected for the 2024 Olympics, headlined by Sophia Wilson, Mallory Swanson and Trinity Rodman as the Triple Espresso forward line, only 10 made the most recent roster. The starting 11 on Tuesday averaged just 17 caps and formed the youngest USWNT roster in 24 years. It was bound to look as challenging as it felt — especially when that group, unlike Saturday’s squad, was tasked with handling 2023 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) MVP Kerolin Nicoli for 90-plus minutes.

Brazil’s Kerolin Nicoli was a threat all evening. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)

When caterpillars retreat to their cocoons, part of the process of transformation can be aesthetically unbecoming and grotesque. For the USWNT, though, that metamorphosis is happening in real-time and out in public view. The revolution is being televised, and Hayes is unconcerned with how it might look to an untrained eye.“We could play 11 relatively experienced players now and build those connections, there’s no problem,” Hayes had told reporters on Friday. “But if we get to a World Cup in two years and all of a sudden, an Ally Sentnor or Lily Yohannes are completely underprepared, then you’re going to say, ‘Well, why didn’t we give them the opportunities in that period?’”Hayes shared that Sentnor — a 21-year-old striker and No. 1 NWSL draft pick of the Utah Royals in 2024 who is known for scoring long-range bangers — had told her that February’s SheBelieves Cup finale, which saw the USWNT fall to Japan 2-1, had been the most difficult game she’d played in her career. The manager also pointed out Yohannes, whose skill and promise as a midfielder became popular knowledge following her Champions League debut at 16 (she is now 17) for Dutch club Ajax, had not been involved in the U.S. youth national team system very long and thus has limited experience with international competition outside of Europe.

“It’s a completely different situation that we have to expose them to,” Hayes continued, “and if I put on the field (a lot of) 17, 18, 19, 20-year-olds, I’m setting them up to fail, in my honest opinion, so we have to drip-feed it in, whether it’s some of them in one game, some of them in another game, (or) some of them from the bench.” The four halves of soccer against Brazil this week have provided that.Saturday’s game kicked off with the five most-capped players on the roster — Lindsey Heaps, Crystal Dunn, Emily Sonnett, Emily Fox and Rodman — in the starting 11. The second half, however, saw the entries of Yohannes and 20-year-old Jaedyn Shaw, plus a national-team debut for Houston Dash defender Avery Patterson, 22. Last night, by contrast, 31-year-old Sonnett was the most-capped player at kickoff with 106. Next in line? Midfielder Korbin Albert with 25, aged 21.Claire Hutton watched the first match from the bench as an unused substitute, then started the second to double her number of international caps. The 19-year-old, who plays for the Kansas City Current, roamed about central midfield Tuesday night with Albert and distinguished herself with her brave defending and positioning, according to Hayes.“We’ve done a lot of film with her this week, a lot of detailing,” said Hayes. She added that the Americans’ goal, scored by Catarina Macario in the first minute of the game, came as a result of Hutton stepping up further away from the back line, allowing her to intercept the ball and initiate the decisive counter-attack — something Hayes and the coaching staff have been working on with her.Hutton, for her part, spoke with Sentnor, who did play in that first match, on the team’s flight up to the Bay Area from LA. The pair are good friends. She knew what she experienced Tuesday night would be “a whole different beast” compared to Saturday.“It’s international football. You’re gonna get clobbered if you take too many touches on the ball,” Hutton said. “So it’s just a learning moment and a moment to move forward on.”

It’s no secret that the state of the USWNT’s midfield has for years been shrouded in concern, but the teenager’s aggression toward an opposing team that relishes one-versus-one duels demonstrated for Hayes that she is suited for this level.

“For a 19-year-old to play like that against Brazil is a superb performance from her. One in which I know she is ready to progress with us,” Hayes said.

The USWNT fell to a defeat against Brazil in San Jose. (Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

And while the second half of Tuesday’s game saw the return of more veteran players — Heaps, Sam Coffey, Dunn and Alana Cook, and even Shaw, subbed on for her 25th cap — Hayes found the group’s performance flat. The USWNT’s expected goals figure for the second half was zero, and Hayes said only one player broke into the top 10 for pass completion.

Patterson’s determined performance as a left back crackled with possibility, but concerns remain in the middle defensively — both in terms of the ongoing audition to be Naomi Girma’s co-conspirator and the ability of both goalkeepers who played in this window, Phallon Tullis-Joyce and Mandy McGlynn, to distribute the ball with precision.nt“I think both her (McGlynn) and Phallon have had the opportunity to play against a top opponent, just like Jane (Campbell) had the opportunity to play against a top opponent with Japan, and I think it’s fair to say I’m a lot clearer,” Hayes said Tuesday night.It’s hard to imagine these players returning to their clubs after these two games without stacks of notes and feedback from Hayes and, for the younger set, the veteran teammates around them.“Every time I go into camp, it’s definitely a learning experience and developing as a player,” 19-year-old defender Gisele Thompson told reporters in the mixed zone. “I think I can learn so much from all of these players, especially Crystal, (and) Emily Fox. They’ve helped me so much along the way. Just being in these camps helps me as a player, even (at) club.”Thompson and Hutton both spoke of confidence in their reflections on camp, how the experience and what they learned from it bolstered their toolbox as players, imbuing them with excitement about how they’ll integrate their notes.“That was a battle. I’ve never played a game like that before,” Hutton said of last night’s game, the beginnings of a laugh escaping from her response in the mixed zone. “So knowing that I had that, I can do anything now.”(Top photo: Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

USWNT forward Alyssa Thompson’s resurgence on the field is a lesson in resilience

Apr 5, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; United States of America forward Alyssa Thompson (11) celebrating forward Trinity Rodman’s (2) goal against Brazil at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bailey Holiver-Imagn Images

By Tamerra Griffin ril 7, 2025Updated April 8, 2025

This is Alyssa Thompson’s moment.

That much was palpable when she received the ball left of the center circle from defender Crystal Dunn during the U.S. women’s national team’s 2-0 win over Brazil on Saturday in front of 32,303 people in her home city of Los Angeles.

For anyone who has watched the 20-year-old attacking player during her three seasons across town with Angel City FC in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), her path might as well have been cut into the field at SoFi Stadium with a lawn mower: straight to goal.

One feint sent a Brazilian defender sliding out of the play and Thompson exploited the space left behind. By the time she reached the top of the 18-yard box, the moment had begun to feel like what could one day be considered vintage Thompson, much like the goal she scored for Angel City before the international break. But rather than aim for the goal, Thompson delivered an assist that split two more defenders to reach an oncoming Trinity Rodman, who knocked the ball past Brazilian and Kansas City Current goalkeeper Lorena in the sixth minute.

“That was the perfect ball to a perfect finish. I think we read each other’s minds in that moment,” Rodman said after the match.

Trinity Rodman and Alyssa Thompson celebrate the opening goal against Brazil at SoFi Stadium. (Bailey Holiver / Imagn Images)

Her direct attacking style aside, Thompson’s short journey from being voted Gatorade Player of the Year at high school level in 2021 to this moment has been anything but linear.

She was the first overall pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft and the youngest player on the USWNT’s World Cup roster in a matter of months. Her standout rookie season rolled into her first senior call-up, however, and things quickly changed.

Thompson made just two appearances off the bench in the defending champion United States’ ill-fated run to the round of 16 at that World Cup, playing just 17 minutes in a tournament that saw very little squad rotation by coach Vlatko Andonovski. The World Cup crash led to Andonovski resigning and the youngest member of the squad getting left out of the roster to regain form, with mixed results, for her club.

After new coach Emma Hayes took the reins midway through 2024, Thompson watched the USWNT’s Olympic gold medal run from home. Instead of a summer in France, she worked to hone her skills, and after five goals and two assists in seven NWSL games, Thompson got the call from Hayes in October. And she didn’t waste her shot.

The then-19-year-old scored her first senior international goal 39 minutes into a friendly against Iceland in Austin. The joy was apparent on her face as she leaped into the arms of substitute Sophia Wilson on the sideline.

“I feel like last year, and the last couple of years, I put a lot of pressure on myself,” Thompson told reporters last week. “I think just coming in this year, I just wanted to be confident in my abilities and know what I bring as a player, and not compare myself to other people. I think that has helped me a lot, just knowing that if I’m playing like Alyssa Thompson then I’ll be able to put a good foot forward for my team.”ach month since, Thompson has been finding and learning ways to sharpen her craft. And, with the marquee front three of Wilson, Rodman and Mallory Swanson, who headlined that Olympic triumph, down to just Rodman for now, Thompson found another moment to make her case on Saturday.Hayes acknowledged Thompson’s journey ahead of the match as a cautionary tale of how a mistimed moment can obscure a player’s potential, especially from an outsider’s perspective.“I hope that we can look at someone like Alyssa Thompson’s situation, i.e. a 17-year-old coming into the program probably underprepared for that because the level is so much higher, to then have a journey which is pretty normal for a young player. But I think she’s in the best place she has been in terms of her start to the season,” Hayes said.But the former Chelsea manager also expressed her intention to continue elevating the characteristics that make Thompson an attacking threat as she progresses through national team camps and racks up minutes on the field.“Since October we’ve been working so hard positionally with her to get her to have a better understanding of what to do and when, and saying, ‘Listen, at the top level, you’re a great one-v-one specialist, but when you’re playing the top players in the world, they know how to drop off of you in a certain way where they don’t give you a one-v-one opportunity, so how do you link with others?’,” Hayes said.There were glimpses of those areas of growth in Saturday’s match, particularly in some of Thompson’s unsuccessful attempts to take on the well-read Brazilian and Olympique Lyonnais central defender Tarciane. Still, she created dangerous scoring opportunities that contributed to the team’s 2.72 expected goals (xG) figure.

Alyssa Thompson has worked herself back into the U.S. team after a long absence in 2024. (Bailey Holiver / Imagn Images)

Hayes has seen the gap close between where Thompson was six months ago and where she is now, and part of that comes through in her instinctive thinking.“When you play for me, I will overload you to take a player to another level tactically, but that means for a period of time, there’s a lot of thinking going on, a lot of processing,” Hayes said. “There’s a lot of conscious thinking, whereas I feel like with Alyssa now, she understands that, so she’s able to do it more naturally.”Thompson is still at the beginning of her professional career and it’s important to consider: managing internal pressure, brewing confidence and resisting the urge to compare herself to others. These are all tall orders for most teens (and adults) even when they haven’t faced the challenges she has. But they, too, have led to the moment Thompson is now enjoying, and she credits her teammates with supporting her through it.“They believe in me so much and I attribute a lot of my success to them because their help and reassurance has really helped me become the player that I am right now,” Thompson said.Angel City captain and defender Ali Riley has viewed Thompson’s journey from a unique vantage point.The 37-year-old Los Angeles native attended Harvard-Westlake, the same high school Thompson and her younger sister and Angel City teammate Gisele did, and experienced that same World Cup in 2023, though Riley played for co-host New Zealand (she was born in LA but her father is from New Zealand). Riley was quick to refuse credit for any guidance she’s given the elder Thompson and made clear her progress is just as promising as her ceiling — as a player and as a face of the sport.

Angel City teammate Riley has had a front-row seat to Alyssa Thompson’s rise. (Kiyoshi Mio / Imagn Images)

“Even when we look at how much she’s grown, her performances on the field, what’s so special about her is that this is the beginning,” Riley told The Athletic. “I think she has the personality and the eloquence to be someone who can speak about being a woman in sport, being a woman of color in sport. She’s so good about speaking about her experience growing up, the value of representation.”

Riley, who hasn’t played since last season because of nerve damage in her left leg, added that Thompson was voted into the team’s leadership group this year.

When Thompson went through a bit of a scoring drought during that 2024 season, Riley said she faced criticism from “keyboard warriors” on social media who picked through her stats and body language with a fine-tooth comb. Now, Riley said, “when she scores, she doesn’t seem relieved, she’s genuinely happy.”

So far, that happiness has shown up as cheeky TikTok goal celebrations with her sister Gisele and fellow Angel City striker Casey Phair on the sidelines. Other times, it’s a full-throated rebel yell.

For Thompson to enjoy another stellar performance in her hometown on Saturday only sweetened the moment — topped off with one of those yells after assisting fellow Southern California native Rodman.

“I love playing in LA,” Thompson said in the mixed zone following the match. “Being here is amazing for the club, and I’ve never played in LA with the national team, so being able to feel that comfort from my city and my family and friends, I just felt like I could be more like me, and I knew what I could do.”

(Top photo: Imagn Images)

U.S. Soccer, NWSL see 2031 Women’s World Cup as ‘catalyst’ for growth and league expansion

LYON, FRANCE - JULY 07: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been digitally enhanced.) Carli Lloyd of the USA celebrate with the trophy following victory in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France Final match between The United States of America and The Netherlands at Stade de Lyon on July 07, 2019 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

By Meg Linehan April 5, 2025Updated April 8, 2025

LOS ANGELES — The United States has not yet formally won the bid to host the 2031 Women’s World Cup but various figures from the U.S. Soccer Federation and the NWSL are already looking six years ahead to harness the power of hosting the tournament.

“It gives us something to work towards that we know from history can change the interest level in women’s soccer,” NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman told The Athletic before the U.S. women’s national team face Brazil on Saturday, a rematch of the 2024 Paris Olympics gold medal match.

AdvertisementFIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Thursday that the U.S. submitted the only “valid bid” to host the 2031 tournament before the governing body’s deadline. FIFA later announced that the U.S. submitted a joint bid with “other member associations from Concacaf (to be confirmed in due course).”

The longer runway allows for significant planning time, especially with the potential to build upon hosting the 2026 men’s World Cup alongside Mexico and Canada, and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

U.S. Soccer CEO J.T. Batson stressed that the bid includes growing the game across the region through Concacaf participation, and pointed to Friday’s announcement of Washington Spirit owner Michele Kang doubling down on her investment in U.S. Soccer with a $25 million contribution. Batson said this will allow the federation to be better prepared for 2031.

“Your ability to use the World Cup as a catalyst is before, not after,” Batson said. “So starting way early on, that is something that we’re really excited about.”

Michele Kang with U.S. Soccer CEO J.T. Batson. (Mike Lawrence / Getty Images for USSF)

Details about what the bid includes are thin, with Mexico absent on paper after their previous co-host billing from the 2027 bidding process. However, Batson called the U.S. a “co-host” rather than a host. Many of the details, he said, depend on the tournament potentially expanding to a 48-team endeavor, which he said is something U.S. Soccer has been “passionate supporters for.”

“We think it would be incredible for growing the women’s game,” Batson told reporters on Friday.

“One of the things we hear from folks who lead federations around the world is they view the Women’s World Cup as an opportunity for them to 1. make a World Cup, and 2., really go compete in a way they wouldn’t be able to on the men’s side,” Batson said. With U.S. Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone now a member of the FIFA Council, it’s another chance for the federation to advocate for tournament expansion.

Beyond U.S. Soccer, the NWSL stands to benefit from the third Women’s World Cup on home soil — and the first with a professional league in a position to take advantage of the tournament bump.

“Hopefully, this will be a catalyst for a lot of cities,” Kang, whose Washington Spirit was a beaten finalist in the NWSL last year, said following the SheBelieves Summit at a small media roundtable. “Even from an infrastructure perspective, I’m trying to convince our area that the World Cup is coming and Washington, D.C. could be the center of women’s football, not just government and political power. We’re trying to use that as an opportunity to expand the presence and get women’s football squarely in the mainstream.”What You Should Read NextEmma Hayes: USWNT in ‘dreamland’ as United States set to co-host 2031 Women’s World CupFIFA confirmed that a joint bid from U.S. Soccer and other Concacaf member associations was the sole expression of interest for 2031.

Angel City CEO and co-founder Julie Uhrman was enthusiastic about what hosting the World Cup could offer all levels of the sport.

“It’s more visibility for women’s football, it’s more access to see incredible athletes,” Uhrman said. “Then the idea that most of them play in the NWSL, and you can continue to see them every single month following the World Cup, it’s a huge opportunity, not only for the league but to grow the sport from the grassroots level all the way to the professional level.”

Existing and potential NWSL markets stand to benefit six years down the line, a landscape that Berman has aspirations to expand as large as the NFL.

With Denver and Boston entering the league in 2026 before the men’s World Cup, there are no signs that the NWSL will stop there. Berman said that while expansion plans have been based on the league’s business, a 2031 World Cup in the U.S. could provide an additional filter for the league to consider.

“I’m very confident that our expansion will continue between now and then, so this will certainly give us even more reason to be bullish on our expansion plan,” Berman said. “Seeing how the country reacts to the men’s World Cup next year will be really important. We’re already working closely with FIFA and the host committees, even though it’s the men’s World Cup, to capitalize on it being here. Through that, we can formulate a plan that will take us through 2031.”

(Top photo: Alex Grimm / Getty Images)