Blog (Page 246)

Atlanta United kept their MLS Cup Playoffs hopes alive with a vital 1-0 win away at rivals Orlando City on Wednesday evening. After an hour-long weather delay, we were treated to a tepid first 45 minutes by two sides who usually offer us so many fireworks. Even so, both sides still traded some decent chances, with the visitors missing the best opportunities through Andrew Gutman and Luiz Araujo. Orlando took the game to their opponents more at the start of the second half with the likes of Ercan Kara and Mauricio Pereyra flashing efforts just off target. But it was Atlanta United who finally brokeRead More →

For all of Chelsea’s defensive structure and solidity under Thomas Tuchel, the German was given his marching orders at least in part due to his inability to make the Blues a formidable attacking side. He had a plethora of forward options at his disposal, but even after the near-£100m re-signing of Romelu Lukaku last summer, Chelsea still couldn’t blow teams away on a regular basis. In the second half of Tuchel’s reign, they could barely squeak past them either. Todd Boehly’s desire to build an all-conquering football team has since led him to appointing his first new head coach in the shape of Brighton’s GrahamRead More →

Graham Potter began life at Chelsea with a 1-1 draw with Salzburg in the Champions League group stages. The Blues displayed a formidable intensity and structure in their first game under their new boss but were undone by a late Salzburg sucker-punch at Stamford Bridge. After a pre-match period of remembrance for the late Queen Elizabeth II, Chelsea came flying out of the traps and their first half-chances of the evening came through Kai Havertz and Pierre-Emerick Aubamayeng, but neither could keep their successive shots from the edge of the area on target. Havertz then had a goal-bound header blocked by Benjamin Sesko as Potter’sRead More →

Erik ten Hag has spoken to the media ahead of Manchester United’s Europa League clash with Moldovan side FC Sheriff. The Red Devils kicked off their group stage campaign last Thursday with a disappointing 1-0 loss at home to Real Sociedad. United’s trip to Crystal Palace was cancelled following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, while their upcoming home clash with bitter rivals Leeds has been postponed due to a shortage of police resources, making their match with Sheriff the last before the international break. Here’s what Ten Hag had to say at his pre-match press conference. Marcus Rashford will miss the game with SheriffRead More →

Arsenal welcome Brentford to the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League on Sunday lunchtime. The Gunners have had two matches postponed since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II was announced during their Europa League victory over Swiss side FC Zurich last week. While the powers that be shuffle the calendar around to find a slot for both fixtures, here’s the XI Mikel Arteta may deploy for the club’s trip to Brentford – which surprisingly escaped any postponement. Our @PremierLeague campaign will resume on Sunday with a trip to Brentford. Kick-off is now set to take place at 12pm (UK time). — Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 12,Read More →

Barcelona host La Liga strugglers Elche in the Spanish top flight on Saturday afternoon. The Catalan behemoths suffered their first defeat of the campaign in midweek, losing 2-0 to Bayern Munich despite creating a host of chances in the Allianz Arena which left manager Xavi Hernandez “fuming”. Elche operate in a different realm entirely. With just two goals and one point to their name this term, only Cadiz – who Barcelona swept aside 4-0 last weekend – have endured a worse start to the Spanish season. Here’s everything you need to know about the meeting between these contrasting clubs. Barcelona: 5 WinsElche: 0 WinsDraws: 0 Barcelona: WWWWLElche: LDLLL Xavi isRead More →

The 2022 Major League Soccer season is quickly coming to an end, but players don’t seem to be slowing down. Week 30 saw some unreal efforts across conferences, with Orlando City’s Andres Perea finding the back of the net in the East and Chicho Arango stunning in the West. But it all came down to Atlanta United’s young figure Thiago Almada. here’s all you missed on this edition of goals of the week… This assist by Chiellini on Chicho Arango’s goal. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/knLxYwhuVm — Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 11, 2022 To kick off, we have Chicho Arango’s first half goal against FC Dallas. TheRead More →

Toronto FC have signed forward Hugo Mbongue to a homegrown MLS contract through 2025 with an option for a further year. The 18-year-old signed an MLS NEXT Pro contract with the club’s affiliate side, Toronto FC II, in May, going on to notch four goals and five assists in 14 appearances during the development league’s inaugural season. “Hugo is a talented young striker who has worked hard to improve his overall game,” TFC head coach and sporting director Bob Bradley said in a club press release. “We look forward to seeing Hugo’s progress in his professional career and are confident that he’s going to becomeRead More →

New England Revolution star Carles Gil has claimed the club ‘don’t deserve’ to make this season’s MLS Cup Playoffs. A 3-1 defeat to the Houston Dynamo on Tuesday has left the Supporters’ Shield holders ninth in the Eastern Conference, still only three points adrift of the Columbus Crew in seventh but having played a game more than most of their rivals. What’s more, the Revs have won just one of their last seven MLS matches, taking only five points during that run. Hardly form that leaves you expecting a turnaround. “We lose many, many games, many chances to try to be there,” Gil told reportsRead More →

Barcelona have confirmed they have reached an agreement with midfielder Gavi for a new contract which will run until 2026. The 18-year-old has established himself in the starting XI under manager Xavi and started alongside fellow youth prodigy Pedri in the 2-0 loss at Bayern Munich on Tuesday. A statement from Barça reads: “FC Barcelona and the player Pablo Páez Gavira, ‘Gavi’, have reached an agreement to extend his contract to 30 June 2026. The buy out clause is set at €1bn.” Gavi will officially sign his new contract on Thursday in an open event at Camp Nou before he and president Joan Laporta speakRead More →