Football Blog (Page 109)

[ad_1] The United States Men’s National Team kicked off 2023 with a closely fought 2-1 loss to Serbia at LAFC’s BMO Stadium on Wednesday evening. Returning to action following their run to the 2022 World Cup round-of-16, an experimental Stars and Stripes side led by Anthony Hudson took the lead inside the opening half-hour with FC Cincinnati forward Brandon Vazquez heading home an excellent cross from Julian Gressel. The former Atlanta United duo have long waited for their USMNT debuts, with the latter also receiving US citizenship last year, so it was the perfect way to introduce themselves. However, the USMNT couldn’t hold onto theirRead More →

[ad_1] ​Tottenham Hotspur record signing Tanguy Ndombele has been ruled out of this weekend’s Premier League clash at home to Newcastle after picking up an injury in training, while fellow midfielder Dele Alli remains a doubt and will undergo a late fitness test over his availability. Ndombele made a significant impact on his official Spurs debut earlier this month when he scored the crucial goal that kicked off the opening day comeback against Aston Villa. He also played 90 minutes and bagged an assist in last week’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City. TEAM NEWS: 🔹 @JuanMFoyth (ankle) – continuing rehabilitation. 🔹 @RyanSessegnon (hamstring) – continuingRead More →

[ad_1] Barcelona are into the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey for the first time since the 2020/21 campaign courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad at Camp Nou. Ousmane Dembele scored the only goal of the game early in the second half, with La Real reduced to 10 players prior to the interval when Brais Mendez was sent off – the midfielder’s high challenge on Sergio Busquets was initially punished with a yellow card until a VAR intervention upgraded it to red. Barcelona were in control from the early stages and created chances even before the red card. Robert Lewandowski even had theRead More →

[ad_1] The Portland Timbers have appointed Heather Davis as the new chief executive officer.  She originally joined the Timbers in May 2022 as general counsel. Davis will now oversee all business and operational aspects of the Portland Timbers, Portland Thorns FC and Providence Park. “Heather has been nothing short of remarkable during her time here,” Timbers owner Merritt Paulson said in a statement.  “She joined us during a challenging period and has overseen significant positive change for the club. We had tremendous external interest in this position, but Heather has earned the trust of our staff and I could not be more pleased to removeRead More →

[ad_1] Barcelona won 7-0 against Levante Las Planas in Liga F on Wednesday evening. The result on its own is fairly unremarkable given Barça’s utter dominance of Spanish football in recent seasons – bear in mind this is a side that racked up a cumulative goal difference of +300 across the 2020/21 and 2021/22 campaigns. But this game was special because of what it represented in a wider context. It wasn’t just any win, it was a 50th consecutive league win. Not since June 2021 when Atletico Madrid, themselves three-time back-to-back Spanish champions in the not too distant past, edged a seven-goal thriller have BarcelonaRead More →

[ad_1] Optimism was rife in the red half of the north London divide heading into the 2022/23 season, but very few supporters, if any, projected this sort of majesty from Mikel Arteta’s Gunners. Arsenal currently sit in pole position at the top of the Premier League table, five points ahead of reigning champions, Manchester City, who have played a game more. Their form has failed to waver despite the absence of key man Gabriel Jesus, who had a transformative effect on the Gunners’ attack before the World Cup, with Eddie Nketiah filling in ably. While some are still projecting their demise, the vast majority haveRead More →

[ad_1] Arsenal face another big test on Friday night when they travel north to face Manchester City in the fourth round of the FA Cup. The Gunners beat Manchester United 3-2 in a thrilling Premier League encounter last weekend to stay five points clear of City in the standings. Mikel Arteta was once an assistant coach to Pep Guardiola at City. Which team might he pick to face his former mentor…? Matt Turner is Arsenal’s cup goalkeeper / Catherine Ivill/GettyImages GK: Matt Turner – Opportunities have already come for the American in both the Europa League and FA Cup so far this season. RB: TakehiroRead More →

[ad_1] Orlando City have signed Argentine defender Rodrigo Schlegel to a new contract, the club announced Wednesday. Schlegel has signed a two-year deal through the 2024 MLS season with club options on 2025 and 2026. “Rodrigo has continually proven himself an invaluable member of our Club, both on the field and off,” Orlando City SC executive vice president of soccer operations and general manager Luiz Muzzi said in a club press release. “He’s engrained himself into our team from the very beginning of his time with us with an incredible work ethic and dedication to achieving the team’s goals. He’s been a vital part ofRead More →

[ad_1] Real Madrid will be hoping to record their 115th win against city rivals Atletico Madrid when they meet in the Copa del Rey on Thursday. Los Rojiblancos make the short crosstown trip to the Santiago Bernabeu looking to reach the last four in the backyard of their greatest rivals. Carlo Ancelotti was still in his first spell as Real Madrid boss the last time they won this competition, with the now-retired Gareth Bale scoring the memorable clincher. Here’s how Los Blancos could set out for this quarter-final. GK: Thibaut Courtois – Under-appreciated outside Madrid and boy does he want you to know about it.Read More →

[ad_1] Leeds United have confirmed the appointment of former Manchester United assistant manager Chris Armas in a similar capacity, subject to obtaining a work permit. The 50-year-old assisted Ralf Rangnick during his spell as United interim manager, but left the club after the appointment of Erik ten Hag. Armas is no stranger to Leeds manager Jesse Marsch, having worked together at New York Red Bulls between 2015 and 2018, and he should be in the dugout for Saturday’s FA Cup fourth round tie with Accrington Stanley should all of the necessary paperwork be processed. “I’m delighted to welcome Chris to Leeds United,” Marsch told Leeds’Read More →