The MLS 360 en Espanol host joined Mic'd Up to discuss Messi, Inter Miami and the Latin imprint on the league
When Lionel Messi debuted for Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup in 2023, he came off the bench against Cruz Azul to see the Liga MX side equalize 10 minutes into his first showing for the . Then, with the final touch of the game, the Argentine drilled home a stupendous free kick to lift Miami to victory in the Group Stage of the competition.
Afterward? He gave his first MLS interview with Apple TV to reporter Antonella Gonzalez, who recalls the moment as "life-changing."
"For me, that interview that I did, the first one with Messi was the first interview that he was doing for the media. In the first interview after his debut in Major League Soccer," Gonzalez told GOAL. "Having the opportunity to interview him in the best way possible, because it was like a Hollywood movie that day for me, it was life-changing, and I understood that he is just a guy who wants to keep playing and enjoying the game, and he's really happy right now."
Since then Gonzalez has had a chance to interview the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner multiple times.
"What I can see from right by his side," she says, "is that he doesn't suffer from the ego of being so popular. He just wants to keep playing, and he's just a really good guy."
Watching him grow with the South Beach club has been a joy, but his influence on the league and Latin-American culture in MLS may be what his true legacy.
"I have to say that he's a little kid playing and enjoying the game," she says. "That is what I can see when I am right by his side as a sideline reporter. When he's on the bench, when he's not In the starting XI, he's just watching the game like he is as excited as a little kid."
As a reporter for MLS 360 en Espanol, Gonzalez has experience covering the game through a unique lens, both in South American and Spanish soccer. With MLS, she's embarked on a new task: to make Latin American communities across the United States get excited about the league.
Gonzalez spoke on the Messi's influence on the league, the growth of the Latin American game within MLS and more in the latest edition of Mic’d Up, a recurring feature in which GOAL US taps into the perspective of broadcasters, analysts, and other pundits on the state of soccer in the U.S. and abroad.
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ON MESSI'S IMPACT
GOAL: What is Messi's legacy in MLS going to be for the Latin American, the Hispanic community, that has become so fond of what Major League Soccer has developed into? What influence does he bring on and off the pitch?
GONZALEZ: I think the way the people can see MLS has changed, and they show that he is involved in everything Mayor League Soccer does. I think the name Major League Soccer will change forever due to his arrival in MLS, because… I can see I travel a lot to South America, and I travel a lot to cover the South American qualifiers. I can notice every time that I go to the airport or I'm walking through the stadiums, everybody has stopped me to talk about Major League Soccer and about Messi.
And that's unbelievable, you know, the name, the brand – I think that Major League Soccer is becoming unforgettable for everybody. And that's amazing, because 10 years ago, maybe we knew Major league soccer because of the LA Galaxy, or [Andrea] Pirlo before retiring, or David Villa, or all these big legends.
But I think that Messi’s arrival, Major League Soccer is going to be unforgettable, and for this new generation just to get involved in the meaning of Major League Soccer and try to become a fan or wear the jersey… I have a kid, he is six years-old, and he loves to wear his inter Miami Jersey. When I went to the MLS Cup in Columbus in 2023, the first thing that he called me about, he told me: Hey, Mom, can you bring me a Columbus jersey? Then it was, can you bring me an LA Galaxy jersey? And that's amazing. And I think that is just because of this Messi effect, it is getting to the new generation.
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ON THE LATIN INFLUENCE IN MLS
GOAL: We recently had a La Liga Sporting Director mention MLS has become a great stepping stone for players from South America and Central America who want to continue to develop their games. What do you make of that trend, and who would you say are the perfect examples?
GONZALEZ: I think it's not a trend. It's a reality that Major League Soccer now is just a step forward to go to Europe. The perfect example is Diego Gomez. Diego Gomez came from Paraguay last year, and spent just one year playing for inter Miami.
He learned a lot playing alongside Messi, Busquets and all these legends, and one year after he just now went to the Premier League with Brighton. So in one year, being a 20-21 year old player, it is amazing how MLS is such a big step and exposure for players. And now, as a Venezuelan, we have Telasco Segovia [in MLS]. Telasco used to play in Europe, in Portugal, and people criticized him a lot for going from Europe to MLS with Inter Miami saying his career is over.
But he's only 21 years old, and for me, he's learning a lot, playing alongside Messi, Suarez, Alba, and Busquets. It’s a league where you can have a lot of minutes and opportunities to be in the starting 11 and to be in the spotlight. I'm sure if he has a good season we are going to see the same as Thiago Almada with Telasco Segovia… Playing one year, two years, and then he can just go to a bigger team in Europe, just as Diego Gomez did, too.
GOAL: What are some trends you’ve noticed about Latin American players in MLS who may not participate in English-language interviews all the time? Constantly being around them as a sideline reporter or virtually through 360 Espanol, what are some of the common traits shared across the league, and how do you think they’re influencing the growth of MLS?
GONZALEZ: It's so funny that everyone drinks mate, because even though you are not from Argentina, you see it in the locker room at the end of the season, everybody just drinks mate. It's like this special drink inside locker rooms. But I think it’s the Latin music, that is so contagious that can just get you in the mood before and after the game. I had the opportunity to be in the locker room after the LA Galaxy won the championship, and I was with Riqui Puig, Diego Fagundez, and all these Latin American players and you can see that the DJ and the music is controlled by Latin American players.
So I think sometimes when they don't want to speak English, I think it's more because they are afraid to make any mistake, or because they are not fluent in English. I think it's more like that. It's not because they don't want to speak or they don't want to do the interview. I think it's the insecurity to not have the fluency, to not have the answer, and to feel comfortable with that.
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ON ONE THING TO WATCH IN THE 2025 MLS SEASON
GOAL: It was a record-breaking offseason for MLS with the amount of money spent and the players brought in, obviously, Kevin Denkey at FC Cincinnati, Miguel Almiron and Emmanuel Latte Lath to Atlanta – and Wilfried Zaha. Is there one storyline across all 30 teams that you are picking out that maybe the rest of MLS is overlooking?
GONZALEZ: The Eastern Conference, this year, is the most competitive conference in the history of Major League Soccer. That's the story – in the Eastern Conference because we have inter Miami with the obligation and responsibility to get to the MLS Cup. That is the trophy that they need to become this legendary team with Messi and everybody else.
But we have Atlanta United with Miguel Almiron with Emmanuel Latte Lath, too. I think the combination of these two inside Atlanta United is going to be amazing. Nobody talks about Charlotte, and I think that they are the silent team that everybody is going to end up looking at. We have to pay attention to what they are because they have a really good defense and then they brought in Zaha and have Patrick Agyemang.
Those two together are going to be amazing on offense, so I think the storyline is the East to see who can win that part of the conference. And on the other side, we have LA Galaxy and LAFC with all of the legends we want to see, and this summer we’re watching LAFC to see if they bring a big name in.
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ON HER ROLE WITH MLS AND APPLE TV
GOAL: How has your time with MLS and Apple TV been so far for you, and what would you say has been your favorite part so far?
GONZALEZ: It has been a dream. I have to say that I'm living a dream with Major League Soccer, just to have the opportunity to arrive in the United States and start all over again, finding the perfect job that matches what I love to do. That is journalism, that is following sports, with the league that… if you see the progress every year, it is just unbelievable. Every time that I visit a stadium, when I go and have to do my job as a sideline reporter, I see the stadium and all the families just together, watching the game and loving the game.
For me, it's just amazing how MLS has been growing the family culture with soccer nowadays. So it's amazing, I am living the dream. I know that now we have more responsibility on the Spanish side because we know that the Latin American community and the European community… All of the people love Messi, [Sergio] Busquets, Jordi Alba, and all these Spanish and Latin American Legends. They are watching the game, so we have more responsibility to show the world what Major League Soccer is and why you have to keep watching the league, even though Messi, Alba, and Busquets all play in the league.
GOAL: What would you say are some of your strengths in the footballing world that you bring to the table as a personality?
GONZALEZ: Well, I think that I have traveled a lot and I have seen a lot of football my entire life. I had the opportunity to cover two World Cups, Euro Cups, and the Spanish League. So I think that I can show and bring to MLS, the huge part of what football means for the entire world because I know that, even though we call it soccer, and I have it in my vocabulary, I know that is a newer sport inside the U.S.
And you have huge competition with NFL, with NHL, with NBA, with MLB. So for me, it’s.. .my purpose and my role is to help all the Latin American communities and the Latin American community living inside the U.S. to fall in love with Major League Soccer… So I'm trying to mix my knowledge and my culture, the Latin American culture that is huge when we talk about football, and try to help the fans get in love with the meaning of soccer.
Liverpool’s victory over Real Madrid in midweek was their first over the Spanish side in eight games, stretching back to the stunning 4-0 thrashing of Los Blancos in 2009.
Despite their strong start to the campaign, many had claimed the Anfield side had yet to defeat a genuine world-class team. The 2-0 victory in midweek will surely put that argument to rest.
Ending this winless run against the 15-time European champions will also give them a psychological boost, especially if the two sides meet in the latter stages of the Champions League this season.
The barren spell started way back in 2014 when Brendan Rodgers was in charge. Having finished second in the 2013/14 Premier League table, the Reds qualified for the group stages, drawn in the same group against Madrid.
A 3-0 loss at Anfield was followed by a 1-0 defeat at the Bernabeu as Rodgers’ side struggled in the competition.
Despite coming so close to the league title just months before, Rodgers failed to truly improve his squad during the summer transfer window.
Liverpool’s business in the 2014 summer transfer window
Rodgers had money to spend ahead of the 2014/15 campaign and with the prospect of playing against Europe’s elite, the supporters looked forward to an exciting summer.
Southampton were targeted, as Adam Lallana, Ricki Lambert and Dejan Lovren made the move to Merseyside. Lazar Markovic was one of the more exciting signings, as the Reds splashed out £20m on exciting Benfica winger Lazar Markovic, while Mario Balotelli returned to the Premier League.
Mario-balotelli-liverpool
A couple of interesting signings for sure, but they weren’t quite of the required quality to fire the club to glory during the 2014/15 season.
While money was available due to Champions League qualification, Rodgers secured a financial windfall for one of his key players – Luis Suárez.
Liverpool's sale of Luiz Suarez
The 2013/14 season was a remarkable one for the Uruguayan as he scored a staggering 31 goals in the Premier League while registering 13 assists. This was made even more special considering the striker missed the first five matches of the season due to suspension which had carried over from the previous campaign.
These performances under Rodgers were bound to attract attention from elsewhere and when the summer transfer window opened, it was clear Suarez would be leaving Anfield.
Indeed, when Barcelona came in with an offer of £75m, Suarez left for La Liga, linking up with fellow South Americans Neymar and Lionel Messi.
He is still remembered fondly among the Anfield faithful and if he remained at the club, just how many goals would he have scored?
Luis Suárez’s Liverpool statistics
The centre-forward signed for the club in January 2011 with Kenny Dalglish spending around £22.7m to lure him from Ajax.
Where Are They Now
Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast's Where Are They Now series.
He signed alongside Andy Carroll and he went slightly under the radar due to the Reds spending £35m on the Englishman. This new strike partnership looked like it could fire Liverpool to glory in the future, especially given both players were under the age of 24 at the time.
Only one left their mark at Anfield, however, as Saurez became one of the best strikers in the world.
He netted 17 times during the 2011/12 campaign as the Reds won the League Cup while reaching the FA Cup final, before adding another 30 goals the following season – although this was marred towards the end when he was given a suspension due to biting Branislav Ivanovic in a tie against Chelsea.
Despite this, 2013/14 was incredible for the player. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher lavished praise on the Uruguayan for his exploits at the club, saying:
Club
Games
Goals
Assists
Barcelona
283
195
113
Ajax
159
111
68
Liverpool
133
82
34
Atlético Madrid
83
34
6
Gremio
53
26
17
Inter Miami
37
25
10
FC Groningen
37
15
12
Nacional
20
8
3
Despite leaving Liverpool more than a decade ago, the 37-year-old is still going strong.
What Luis Saurez has done since leaving Liverpool
The former Ajax gem spent six seasons at Barcelona, finally getting his hands on the Champions League trophy while scoring 195 goals for the La Liga side.
A spell at Atlético Madrid saw Suarez secure yet another league title, before he had spells at Club Nacional in his homeland and Gremio in Brazil.
It was his move to MLS side Inter Miami in December 2023 which has seen him enjoy an Indian summer to his impressive career. Linking up with former Barcelona teammate Messi in Florida, the duo aimed to fire the club to glory.
Across 30 MLS and MLS Cup Playoff games during the 2024 season, Suarez scored 21 goals along with grabbing nine assists as Miami ended the regular campaign with a points total of 74, the highest in the history of the league.
They were surprisingly defeated by Atlanta United in the first round of the playoffs, but for his performances, the striker was rewarded with a new one-year contract extension.
“I’m very happy, very excited to continue for another year and to be able to enjoy being here with this fanbase, which for us is like family,” Suarez said.
His exploits for Miami have even seen the player nominated as one of the best attackers at the Best FIFA Football Awards 2024, ranking him alongside the likes of Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland to name just a couple of stars.
He might not win the title, but just being named alongside some of these players is a testament to Suarez’s amazing longevity and the fact he is still scoring regularly for his club side.
Forever a Liverpool icon, the Uruguayan will be aiming to finish his career on a high next term by leading Miami to MLS glory, that’s for sure.
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Manchester City star Erling Haaland has opened up on his 'horrible week' after missing the losses against Real Madrid and Liverpool due to injury.
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Haaland missed losses to Real and LiverpoolReturns to action with a goal against Tottenham Opens up on 'horrible week' as he discusses injuryFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Haaland picked up an unfortunate knee injury during City's 4-0 win over Newcastle United on February 15 and missed two crucial clashes for Manchester City this past week. Pep Guardiola's side crashed out of the Champions League after a 3-0 second-leg loss to Real Madrid and a 2-0 Premier League loss to champions-elect Liverpool with the Norwegian missing.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Haaland returned to action during Manchester City's 1-0 midweek win over Tottenham Hotspur as the Norwegian scored an early winner in the first half of the clash and has now opened up on his injury and his missing out on the two crucial clashes against Real Madrid and Liverpool.
GettyWHAT HAALAND SAID
Speaking to the BBC, Haaland said: “I feel good – it's good to be back. It's been a horrible week. It's good to win and I'm happy. As a footballer, all you want to do is play but sometimes you have to listen to your body.
"Of course, it’s never nice to be injured and not play, but it’s about looking forward and staying positive. We can only do things about the present and future, today was all about winning."
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WHAT NEXT FOR HAALAND?
The two-time Premier League Golden Boot winner is likely to start yet again in Manchester City's next clash as Guardiola's side take on Plymouth Argyle on Saturday, March 1.
Paul Pogba will not be reunited with Mason Greenwood until at least next season, with Marseille addressing links to the ex-Manchester United star.
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Contract terminated by Serie A giants
Free to resume career from March
Needs to prove his form and fitness
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WHAT HAPPENED?
World Cup winner Pogba is currently a free agent after seeing his contract terminated by Serie A giants Juventus. He is still serving a doping ban at present but, after seeing that sanction reduced to 18 months on appeal, will be cleared to resume his career from March.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Having already been linked with a move to MLS or potential third stint at Old Trafford, Pogba has seen a return to his native France speculated on. There were suggestions that he could link up with former United team-mate Greenwood at Stade Velodrome.
DID YOU KNOW?
Marseille’s sporting director, Mehdi Benatia, has played down such talk as Pogba will need to prove his fitness before the Ligue 1 outfit show any interest in doing a deal. The 31-year-old midfielder has not made a competitive appearance since September 3, 2023.
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WHAT MARSEILLE DIRECTOR SAID
Benatia has told of the Pogba rumours: “He is a player, a man that both President Longoria and I admire. We thought about him, we wanted to do it, but did it make sense to bring in a Pogba who was not yet in shape?
“The risk was to disrupt the balance of the team with a player who wouldn’t have been at his best by the end of the season. However, if the opportunity arises, we would be happy to have a player like Pogba who can help us in the next campaign.”
O aumento no registro dos casos de Covid-19 em território baiano fez com que as partidas do estadual tenham a capacidade de público reduzida, decretou o governador Rui Costa na última semana. Com isso, apenas três mil pessoas por jogo poderão comparecer.
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Por conta dessa determinação que pode ter sua validade inicial de 15 dias renovada sem maiores limitações, o Bahia divulgou a programação que será seguida em partidas onde o Esquadrão mandará seus compromissos na Arena Fonte Nova.
Utilizando o sistema de check-in, o clube divulgou que disponibilizará os lugares da Fonte somente para a lista de sócios-torcedores adimplentes, relação conde constam 13 mil torcedores do tricolor.
Entretanto, para tentar assegurar que a maior parte dos sócios do Bahia tenham a oportunidade de acompanhar o time em campo no Baianão, haverá um critério de aceitação onde o ineditismo pode influenciar na possibilidade de acompanhar os jogos no caso do número de check-ins ser superior a três mil pessoas.
Outros pontos a serem considerados na realização do check-in serão a adimplência, situação vacinal (mínimo de duas doses ou vacinas de dose única) e também o tempo que cada sócio terá de participação no programa de sócio-torcedor.
O primeiro confronto que essas regras terão vigência na Arena Fonte Nova acontecerá na próxima quarta-feira (19) onde o Esquadrão, depois de empatar com o Bahia de Feira na estreia, receberá o UNIRB.
Andy Flower, the former Zimbabwe captain, has been named Afghanistan consultant for the T20 World Cup starting later this month.An Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) release said Flower, who oversaw England’s title-winning 2010 T20 World Cup campaign during his time as head coach between 2009 and 2014, has entered the Afghanistan team bubble. He joins a coaching staff that also includes former Australia fast bowler Shaun Tait, who was appointed the bowling coach in August for a five-month tenure, and head coach Lance Klusener.Related
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“We are delighted that Andy has joined ACB. Andy has worked with a number of our players in various franchise completions and his vast experience will be very beneficial and useful to help the team in the World Cup,” ACB chairman Azizullah Fazli said in a statement.Flower, 53, represented Zimbabwe in 63 Tests and 213 ODIs between 1992 and 2003, and has been a sought-after coach on the franchise cricket circuit since his England stint. He has held coaching and consultancy positions in IPL, CPL, PSL, T10 and the Hundred.Afghanistan departed Kabul for Doha, Qatar, on October 6 to take part in a preparatory training camp ahead of the T20 World Cup which will be played in the UAE and Oman from October 17. Pooled in Group 2 alongside Pakistan, India, and New Zealand, Afghanistan are scheduled to play all their group matches of the tournament in the UAE. They kick off their campaign on October 25 in Sharjah.
The transfer window has been closed for nearly two weeks now, but Manchester United are still continually being linked with new players as INEOS plan more business for the 2025 windows.
Man Utd and INEOS looking at free move to sign 28 y/o "battleship" in 2025
Manchester United already have their eye on one player they would like to sign in 2025.
ByBrett Worthington Sep 12, 2024 Manchester United plotting Unai Simon transfer
Erik ten Hag was backed by INEOS during the summer, as the club added three defenders, a midfielder, and a forward to their squad. But that doesn’t appear to be enough so far, as the Red Devils still have their eye on some big-name players.
Leny Yoro
Lille
Joshua Zirkzee
Bologna
Matthijs de Ligt
Bayern Munich
Noussair Mazraoui
Bayern Munich
Manuel Ugarte
PSG
United are well stocked in the goalkeeping department; Andre Onana currently has the number one spot, followed by Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaten providing backup, but they are also eyeing a change in that area of the pitch.
It has been reported that Man United are “very interested” in signing Athletic Bilbao’s Unai Simon. The goalkeeper has been really impressive for the La Liga side in recent seasons and has now established himself on the international stage with Spain, playing a key role in their Euro 2024 success.
Those performances have caught the attention of United, who are said to be willing to pay a “considerable sum” to sign the shot stopper. While United weigh up a move for Simon, they are also looking at signing another established international star.
Man Utd now keen on "obscene" £35m target
According to Caught Offside, Manchester United are admirers of AS Monaco defender Vanderson. The report states that fellow Premier League side Chelsea are showing the most interest in the player, but United and Tottenham Hotspur are in the mix.
The 23-year-old, who has been with Monaco since January 2022, has really impressed for the French side lately. Vanderson played 20 times in Ligue 1 last season, scoring three goals and chipping in with one assist. The defender is in the 99th percentile for tackles when compared with right-backs in similar leagues, and FBRef ranks his combination of ferocious defending and attacking quality as a similar profile to Tottenham's Pedro Porro.
Vanderson, who has been described as having "obscene pace and acceleration" by U23 scout Antonio Mango, was linked with an exit during the summer, but Monaco selling Youssouf Fofana to AC Milan eased any pressure they were under to sell. The right-back, who has been capped twice by Brazil, is contracted until 2028, but the French side could be willing to let the player leave for around €35-40 million, which is roughly £29-35 million.
Vanderson has started this 2024/25 season strongly, starting two of Monaco’s three league games, grabbing the assist in their opening day win against Saint-Étienne.
كشفت تقارير صحفية إسبانية، عن قيام هانز فليك باستبعاد أحد لاعبي فريق كرة القدم الأول بنادي برشلونة، من المشاركة أساسيًا ضد رايو فاليكانو.
ويستضيف برشلونة نظيره رايو فاليكانو، اليوم الإثنين في تمام العاشرة مساءً، ضمن الجولة 24 من بطولة الدوري الإسباني، على ملعب لويس كومبانيس “مونتجويك”.
برشلونة أعلن تشكيل الفريق لمواجهة رايو فاليكانو، وشهد غياب جوليس كوندي الظهير الأيمن الأساسي، مع مشاركة هيكتور فورت بدلًا منه.
طالع أيضًا.. تشكيل برشلونة أمام رايو فاليكانو في الدوري الإسباني
التقارير الإسبانية، وتحديدًا من خلال جيرارد روميو، الصحفي الإسباني المقرب من برشلونة، كشف عن سبب استبعاد كوندي، وهو أن اللاعب الفرنسي وصل المحاضرة الفنية متأخرًا.
وحسب ما أكد باسل طبال مراسل “بي إن سبورتس” من ملعب المباراة، أن اللاعب الفرنسي بالفعل تأخر في الحصة التكتيكية الأخيرة قبل مواجهة رايو فاليكانو مما أدى لاستبعاده من جانب هانز فليك.
التقارير الإسبانية، أشارت إلى أن هذه ليست المرة الأولى، فقد فعل ذلك في إحدى مباريات أكتوبر الماضي.
وتعتبر هذه المرة الثانية التي يقوم فيها هانز فليك باستبعاد لاعب بقرار انضباطي، حيث قام بالأمر ذاته في مواجهة برشلونة وأتلتيك بلباو في نصف نهائي كأس السوبر الإسباني يناير الماضي، ومنذ ذلك الحين أصبح تشيزني هو الحارس الأساسي للبلوجرانا.
وفي تعليقه على استبعاد كوندي، قال فليك في تصريحات لقناة الدوري الإسباني: “هذا القرار داخلي، ولا يمكنني قول أكثر من ذلك”.
Leeds United return to action in the Championship on Saturday as they travel away from Elland Road to take on Cardiff City in Wales in their sixth league outing of the season.
The Whites will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing 1-0 defeat to Burnley in West Yorkshire last weekend, thanks to a goal from Luca Koleosho.
Daniel Farke’s side will be without Dan James once again as the Wales international remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, which is expected to keep him out until after the international break in October.
Dan James
His absence is a blow for the German head coach because he has proven himself to be a very capable Championship performer over the past 13 months.
Dan James' Championship form for Leeds
The Welsh speedster started this season with one goal and zero assists in the first three matches of the second tier campaign, scoring in the 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday in the club’s first win.
This comes after his superb performances in the division during the 2023/24 campaign under Farke, as Leeds finished third in the league and lost in the play-off final.
Appearances
40
Goals
13
Assists
7
Big chances created
13
Key passes per game
1.4
As you can see in the table above, James provided regular quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals from a right wing position for the Whites.
The 26-year-old star was a reliable goalscoring outlet for Leeds and Farke could ease the blow of losing him to injury by unleashing a goalscoring forward from the academy – Luca Thomas.
Why Luca Thomas should be unleashed
The amazing U21s starlet was once described as a “versatile” attacker by journalist Graham Smyth, which is backed up by his ability to play on either flank or through the middle as a centre-forward.
This means that Farke could utilise him in a multitude of roles, whether that is on the right as a direct replacement for James, or as depth on the left wing and at striker.
Thomas has started this season with two goals in two Premier League 2 matches for the U21 side and boasts an impressive record at U21 and U18 level.
The former Manchester City gem racked up 23 goals and three assists in 32 appearances for the U18s before stepping up to the next age group at Thorp Arch.
Since making the step up, the versatile talent has produced eight goals and four assists in 27 games for the U21s, with all of those goal contributions coming in his last 20 outings at that level.
Thomas, who turned 20 this week, has proven himself to be a reliable goalscoring outlet for the U18s and U21s as a winger or striker and Farke should now unleash him in the first-team to see if he can handle another step up, to ease the blow of losing James to injury.
Summerville rates him: Leeds academy star could be Ampadu 2.0 for Farke
Former Whites star Crysencio Summerville thinks the young gem is “really good”.
ByDan Emery Sep 17, 2024
If he can translate his academy form over to the senior side then the German head coach could have his next Archie Gray and Mateo Joseph on his hands.
Temperatures in Multan have touched over 40 degrees over the past week
ESPNcricinfo staff05-Jun-2021Rising summer temperatures have led to the PCB shifting a training camp of Pakistan Women from Multan to Karachi.Last week, ESPNcricinfo had highlighted how big a challenge the extreme weather – where temperatures have hovered over 42 degrees Celsius – would pose for the 26-member contingent during their 25-day camp in Multan.At the time, while acknowledging the severity of the conditions, the PCB has said it had few other options but to hold the camp in Multan, given numerous challenges including the need to prepare a bio-secure bubble in the time of the Covid-19 pandemic.Karachi had been earlier ruled out due to a surge in covid-19 cases, while grounds in Central Punjab, according to Urooj Mumtaz, the chair of the PCB’s women’s selection committee, are presently undergoing renovation.Historically during the summer months, the PCB has mostly held camps in Abbottabad, which is located in the hilly Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province and experiences relatively temperate weather. This move comes seven days into the camp, with the women’s team now set to train at Hanif Mohammad Hig Performance Centre.The Multan camp will be wrapped up by Monday, with all players and support staff likely to travel to Lahore by road on Tuesday morning, before boarding a flight to Karachi the next day. The revised camp will resume from Wednesday, with the team spending another 18 days in Karachi as part of the originally designed 25-day camp, which is set to conclude on June 22.The PCB and SLC are understood to be in talks for a potential series in Sri Lanka in July, Wirth the camp serving as preparation for the series. Pakistan are also slated to play in the 50-overs Women’s World Cup Qualifier that is scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka in December.