Tag Futebol

Liverpool decimated Tottenham Hotspur to overturn their one-goal deficit and advance to the final of the Carabao Cup. Newcastle United await, and it promises fireworks.

Trailing after a north London defeat last month, Arne Slot knew that his side had to impress themselves on the shaky Spurs backline from the offing, and were duly rewarded for their pressure when Cody Gakpo broke the stubborn resistance after the half-hour mark.

Mohamed Salah added to his greedy haul with another goal and another assist, but Liverpool’s high-flying Dutchman is really shaping into some player.

Cody Gakpo's performance vs Spurs

Gakpo started the Slot era on the bench, entering the fray in the Premier League off the bench for the first six outings of the campaign.

He’s now bagged in seven successive Anfield appearances across all competitions and has been Liverpool’s main man in the Carabao Cup for the second successive season. The 25-year-old’s cool strike to open the scoring took his tally to 16 this season.

Slot has got the best out of Gakpo, recognising his countryman’s flair and keen-edged ability when playing off the left flank, thus keeping him there and reaping the rewards.

Gakpo has faced his detractors since leaving PSV Eindhoven and moving to Merseyside in January 2023, with Jamie Carragher even taking to X (formerly Twitter) last season to comment that he “plays like the game is in slow motion.”

Gakpo is not the speediest runner and at times looked disjointed under Jurgen Klopp as his dynamism saw him shoehorned in various positions across the field, but it’s clear to see that now, with a recognised and thriving role, he’s become one of the finest forwards across the continent.

However, Gakpo’s not the only recent recruit to have proved the Sky Sports pundit wrong, with Dominik Szoboszlai impeccable as the midfield engine.

Dominik Szoboszlai has proved Carragher wrong

Szoboszlai is just completely indefatigable. He overwhelmed a struggling Tottenham side with his energy and exuberance behind Darwin Nunez, chipping in defensively and putting in the perfect all-encompassing effort.

Dominik Szoboszlai – Stats vs Tottenham
Match Stats	#
Minutes played	90′
Goals	1
Touches	67
Shots (on target)	5 (2)
Accurate passes	36/40 (90%)
Key passes	5
Dribbles (completed)	3 (2)
Tackles + interceptions	4
Total duels (won)	15 (7)
Stats via Sofascore

It was only a matter of days ago that Carragher remarked that he’s “not Szoboszlai’s biggest fan,” acknowledging his athleticism but criticising his lack of potency in front of goal.

There’s some degree of truth to this argument. Since Szoboszlai joined from RB Leipzig in July 2023 for a £60m fee, he’s posted 12 goals and nine assists across 76 matches, a contribution rate of 0.28 per game.

But he’s an unsung hero of sorts, supercharging this unstoppable Liverpool force and giving rise to Salah and Gakpo’s terrific goalscoring ability.

The Liverpool Echo’s Ian Doyle awarded the Hungary skipper – who notably won seven duels on the night – with an 8/10 match rating and hailed him for his energy, leading the press.

Performance in Numbers

An integral part of the team, Szoboszlai is silencing his critics, Carragher among them.

Worth more than Salah: Liverpool must rue offloading their own Kvara for £0

Had things been different, Liverpool might not have needed to register an interest in PSG’s prized recruit.

By
Angus Sinclair

Feb 5, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

Em medida que irá favorecer a adesão ao programa de sócios-torcedores do Internacional, o clube irá praticar um percentual maior de desconto em ingresso para não-sócios e também pertencentes a dois planos específicos:Campeão do Mundo e Nada Vai Nos Separar.

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>Quais clubes ganharam mais com transmissões em 2021?

Para aquelesda modalidade Campeão do Mundo, haverá o desconto de 60% de redução e passam a pagar R$ 16. Já os da categoria Nada Vai nos Separar terão 20% de abatimento e pagam R$ 32. Por sua vez, os não-sócios pagarão R$ 40.

Quem comentou a medida foi o Vice-Presidente de Adminstração do Colorado, Victor Grunberg, entendendo que o maior importante é proporcionar a presença cada vez mais maciça do público no Gigante:

-Fizemos essa adequação buscando satisfazer, prioritariamente, nossos sócios. Mas também estamos contemplando os torcedores em geral, pois queremos aumentar nosso quadro social e entendemos que um caminho para isso ocorrer é ofertar valores mais em conta. Nosso desejo é que a torcida volte ao Beira-Rio, queremos casa cheia e que todos possam acompanhar de perto a boa campanha do Colorado dentro de campo.

A validade dos novos preços será a partir da próxima quinta-feira (24), data onde o Internacional jogará em seus domínios contra o Coritiba, às 21h30 (de Brasília), pelo Campeonato Brasileiro.

MatériaMais Notícias

Uma das leis mais famosas do futebol atacou novamente e dessa vez fez o Corinthians de vítima. Com gol do lateral-esquerdo Uendel, ainda no primeiro tempo, o Cuiabá bateu o Timão por 1 a 0, na Arena Pantanal, no Mato Grosso, nesta terça-feira (7), pela abertura da 10º rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro.

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+ATUAÇÕES: Vítor Pereira e Robson Bambu vão mal em derrota do Corinthians para o Cuiabá
+ GALERIA – Jogadores da base que mais ganharam chances com VP
+ TABELA – Confira e simule os jogos do Corinthians no Brasileirão

A vitória foi a primeira do Dourado em casa pela competição nacional e, de quebra, interrompeu uma sequência de 11 jogos sem perder do clube paulista.

+ Afastado por lesão, Jô é flagrado em pagode durante a derrota do Corinthians; assista

O revés também pode tirar o Alvinegro do Parque São Jorge da liderança do Brasileirão, já que a equipe estacionou nos 18 pontos, mas pode ser ultrapassada por Atlético-MG e Palmeiras, que tem 16 e entram em campo nesta quarta (8) e quinta-feira (9), respectivamente, no complemento da rodada.

SALVA CÁSSIO

Aos dois minutos de jogo, a primeira grande chance foi criada pelo Cuiabá, mas parou em grande defesa do goleiro Cássio. Robson Bambu vacilou na defesa, Felipe Marques tomou a bola, rolou para trás e André encheu o pé para grande defesa do goleiro corintiano.

ANDRÉ COMEÇA ON FIRE

Dois minutos depois, a bola foi esticada para André Felipe, que encarou a marcação, finalizou com perigo de fora da área e a bola passou tirando tinta da trave esquerda do goleiro Cássio.

CORINTHIANS RESPONDE

Aos seis minutos do primeiro tempo, o Timão respondeu levando perigo pela primeira vez contra o Cuiabá. Os jogadores corintianos foram tocando bola de pé em pé, Mantuan recebeu pela direita e cruzou no segundo pau para Mosquito cabecear e obrigar João Carlos fazer boa defesa.

LEI DO EX NÃO FALHA

Depois da blitz no início da partida, o jogo caiu muito de rendimento. O Corinthians acertou o seu esquema defensivo, teve ligeiramente mais a bola, mas pecou na falta de um homem de armação no meio-campo. A aposta corintiana foi no jogo rápido pelas pontas, mas sem efetividade.

Sem muitas movimentações, o Cuiabá encontrou seu gol aos 35 minutos do primeiro tempo, e com um ex-atleta corintiano, o lateral-esquerdo Uendel.

Se a parte defensiva do Timão estava bem postada, houve alguns vacilos na saída de bola, quando o Dourado apertava. E foi assim que o time do Mato Grosso abriu o placar.

O Corinthians tentou saiu jogando, Mosquito soltou bola na fogueira para Adson, que não dominou, Uendel tomou, a bola sobrou para Felipe Marques, que devolveu para o lateral-esquerdo finalizar no canto esquerdo de Cássio e marcar o primeiro gol da partida.

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VÍTOR PEREIRA MEXE MUITO NO INTERVALO

Sem gostar do que viu no primeiro tempo, o técnico Vítor Pereira embaralhou novamente as peças do quebra-cabeça corintiano e voltou para a etapa final com quatro alterações. Entraram Lucas Piton, Giuliano, Renato Augusto e Júnior Moraes, e saíram Robson Bambu, Bruno Melo, Du Queiroz e Adson.

Assim, o Timão passou a jogar em um 4-3-3, com Mantuan como lateral-direito, Gil e Raul Gustavo fazendo a dupla de zaga, e Piton caindo pela ala esquerda; o meio-campo passou a ter Cantillo atrás e uma dupla de meias, com Giuliano e Renato Augusto, na frente; e a trinca ofensiva contou com Mosquito pela direita, Róger Guedes na esquerda, e Júnior Moraes como atacante de centro.

QUASE O SEGUNDO DO DOURADO

Mesmo com as quatro alterações corintianas, o primeiro lance de perigo do segundo tempo foi do Cuiabá, assim como havia sido no primeiro tempo. Aos três minutos, Rafael Gava bateu escanteio com perigo, pelo lado direito, o zagueiro Alan Empereur ganhou de Róger Guedes por alto, mas mandou para fora, mesmo assim levando perigo ao gol de Cássio.

TIMÃO LEVA PERIGO PELA PRIMEIRA VEZ NO SEGUNDO TEMPO

Aos 10 minutos do segundo tempo, o Corinthians chegou com perigo pela primeira vez no segundo tempo, quando as mudanças foram feitas.

Róger Guedes recebeu passe de Giuliano pela esquerda, cortou para dentro, finalizou no canto esquerdo e obrigou boa defesa do goleiro João Carlos.

A jogada nasceu de uma boa recuperação de bola do zagueiro Raul Gustavo no meio-campo.

FALTA NO RÓGER GUEDES

Aos 20 minutos, o Corinthians teve boa chance com Róger Guedes, que recebeu em boas condições na entrada da área, pelo lado direito, foi tocado por Pepê e sofreu falta. O próprio Guedes cobrou e mandou por cima de gol, mas levando perigo para a meta adversária.

CUIABÁ QUASE AMPLIA

Aos 30 minutos, o volante Marcão Silva, que havia saído do banco de reservas, arriscou um belo chute de primeira, fora da área, e a bola passou com muito perigo ao gol de Cássio.

SINALIZADORES CORINTIANOS PARAM O JOGO

Por volta dos 35 minutos do segundo tempo, o jogo precisou ser parado por quase três minutos, por conta de sinalizadores acesos na torcida do Corinthians, que tomou todo o setor atrás de um dos gols da Arena Pantanal. Foram quase 10 mil corintianos no estádio em Mato Grosso.

POKO PRUDENTE

A expectativa é que o meia Valdívia, o popular ‘Poko Pika’, começasse a partida como titular, mas a comissão técnica do Cuiabá optou colocar o atleta durante o jogo. No entanto, mesmo entrando na etapa final, o jogador foi para o chuveiro mais cedo, já que aos 48 minutos do segundo tempo entrou com muita imprudência e força cometendo falta em Mantuan, no Timão.

FICHA TÉCNICA
CUIABÁ 1 X 0 CORINTHIANS
CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO – 10ª RODADA

Local: Arena Pantanal, Cuiabá (MT)
Data e hora: 7 de junho de 2022, às 21h30
Árbitro: Marcelo de Lima Henrique (CE)
Assistentes:Nailton Júnior de Sousa Oliveira (CE) e Márcia B. Lopes Caetano (RO)
Árbitro de vídeo: Rafael Traci (SC)
Público e renda: 22.129 pessoas / R$ 1.957.000,00
Cartões amarelos: Raul Gustavo e Du Queiroz (Corinthians)
Cartão vermelho: Valdívia (Cuiabá)

GOL: 1-0 Uendel (35’/1T)

CUIABÁ: João Carlos; João Lucas, Alan Empereur, Marllon e Uendel; Camilo, Rafael Gava (Valdívia, 21’/2T) e Pepê (Paulão, 35’/2T); Felipe Marques (Marcão Silva, 21’/2T), André Felipe (Jenison, 21’/2T) e André Luís (Alesson, 3’/2T). Técnico: Bernardo Franco.

CORINTHIANS: Cássio; Robson Bambu (Júnior Moraes, intervalo), Gil e Raul Gustavo; Gustavo Mantuan, Cantillo, Du Queiroz (Giuliano, intervalo) e Bruno Melo (Lucas Piton, intervalo); Gustavo Mosquito (Wesley, 37’/2T), Róger Guedes e Adson (Renato Augusto, intervalo). Técnico: Vítor Pereira.

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Seamer makes most of months on sidelines to justify leapfrogging Broad in pecking order

Vithushan Ehantharajah28-Aug-2022

Ollie Robinson dismissed Sarel Erwee at Old Trafford, having troubled him during the England Lions game too•Getty Images

On Wednesday, on the eve of the second Test against South Africa, Ben Stokes and Stuart Broad were driving back to the team hotel after a round of golf at The Mere Golf Resort & Spa. It was here that Broad first heard he would not be taking the new ball at Emirates Old Trafford.He wasn’t told, expressly. Instead, his captain floated the idea to the 36-year-old, whose last appearance as the third seamer in a home first innings was 100 Tests ago, at Trent Bridge in the 2013 Ashes Test. Broad had a think and quickly agreed the logic was sound.The response from Broad was to be expected for one who thrives on proving a point. His 3 for 37 in the first innings after being introduced first-change included Proteas skipper Dean Elgar. He ended up being the fifth option in the second innings, following an early foray for the spinners, but accounted for Aiden Markram, whom he’d earlier missed out on after overstepping.He now has 559 Test dismissals, four short of his hero Glenn McGrath who sits fifth on the all-time list. It’s not always the case that someone so decorated is so accommodating – indeed there have been times in the past when Broad might have contested the new tactic. But he took the demotion with grace, and Stokes lauded his senior man: “For Broady to understand the bigger picture about why I wanted that to be the option was an absolute credit to him.”What helped Broad see the bigger picture was that Stokes wanted to give the new ball to Ollie Robinson. Of all the quicks he has seen come through the changing-room door, Broad regards Robinson as one of the most skilful, which makes sense given that James Anderson was already inside when Broad himself walked in back in 2007. Despite Robinson being recalled for just his 10th Test, and his first since Hobart in January, Broad knew his team-mate was the better option.The prospect of this switch emerged after the England Lions match against South Africa at Canterbury, where the feedback to the main group was of Robinson’s joy against Sarel Erwee. After missing the series opener at Lord’s, and getting match-ready in the shadow of England’s innings defeat, the cord was pulled in Manchester to great effect.Robinson was unlucky to just take just the one wicket for 48 on day one – “he was on the best none-for that I’ve ever seen,” Stokes said at the post-match presentations – but bagged England’s best figures of the match on day three, with 4 for 43 as South Africa folded for 179 to confirm defeat and make it 1-1 going into the final match at The Oval.As it happens, despite the seed of an idea being planted at the start of August, and revealed to Broad on Wednesday, Robinson was only informed he was opening from the Brian Statham End after Elgar had won the toss on Thursday morning and opted to bat first.”I got told 10 minutes before we were going out I was taking the new ball,” Robinson said on Saturday night, “and then got the nod as we walked onto the field.”I was buzzing because I feel that’s my strength – making the batsman play as much as possible with the new ball. So it was a nice confidence booster from Stokesy and Baz as well.”Ollie Robinson says he has become a ‘gym freak’ in the months since his previous Test appearance in the Ashes•Getty Images

For the 28-year-old, who now boasts 44 dismissals at 20.93 at Test level, this felt like the turning of a page in a 14-month international career that has already been punctuated with controversy and misfortune. Of the 10 matches he has missed since making his debut at Lord’s against New Zealand at the start of the 2021 home season, one was due to a suspension after the emergence of historic offensive tweets, three were because he was not fit enough to cope with the rigours of a Test winter, and the four at the start of this summer were due to a combination of Covid-19, back troubles and a dental issue.”It’s been a tough six months with injury and a few doubts about myself,” Robinson said. “So it’s really satisfying to get the win here and make a decent contribution at the end.”I’ve tried to keep my head up, be quite positive and try to work as hard as I can to just get back into this environment. I was chuffed to be in this squad before we played the first Test, and to play this one I was over the moon. It’s just great to be back and that winning feeling – you just can’t beat it.”The overriding narrative around Robinson has been about fitness, something made public during the Ashes. Bowling coach Jon Lewis said Robinson needed to be fitter after struggling in the fifth Test of the 4-0 defeat, stating: “He’s got to get used to understanding what it takes to be a full-time year-round international cricketer.”It was a statement that resonated beyond the dressing-room because of the implication that Robinson was not as professional as he should be. But there were also some who felt the public chastising was not the best approach. Robinson, however, accepts nothing said was incorrect, and that Lewis, who remains part of the backroom staff but will be moved back to the ECB pathways at the end of the summer, was not saying anything he hadn’t told Robinson in private. Since working together at Sussex, the pair have a strong relationship.”It’s not easy but we’re an honest group,” Robinson said. “I took that on the chin and took it as a wake-up call as well. So I’ve used that to drive me forward in the last six months and, when times have got tough, I’ve just used that as a drive to try and keep positive.Related

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“I’ve always had that positive mindset that I would get back,” he added. “I think people don’t realise that me and Jon go back quite a long way. He was my bowling coach at Sussex for three, four years. So we do have that honest relationship. It’s just hasn’t obviously come out in the press before, but we do have that honest relationship where we can say what we feel and how we felt and we just moved on after that. We spoke about it, moved on, and like I said it drove me for the last six months to get to this place today.”It is a place where, now, training no longer feels like a chore. “I’ve become a bit of a gym freak,” he added with a smile, “which I never thought I’d say.”I wake up in the morning and I’m like, I’ve really got to go to the gym. Yeah, so it’s become a bit of a habit, whereas before it was a chore and I think that’s really helped me as well. The running three times a week, the gymming three times a week, it’s just ingrained in me now, which hopefully will help for years to come.”The real change has been one of mindset rather than diet and behaviour, something triggered by chats with Stokes during the period in which Robinson was sidelined. Much of that was of the standards expected, but there was empathy, too. Stokes used himself as an example of someone who did not fully appreciate the importance of fine-tuning your body until later in his career.Stuart Broad took his demotion to first-change with grace and produced a vital first-innings spell•AFP/Getty Images

“When he first started international cricket he wasn’t in the shape he is now, and I spoke to him about how he got there – mentally, physically, the lot. And he really helped me in that stage of building back to this point today. Along with the England medical team and everyone behind the scenes, they really helped me. I’m not there yet, I’m not the finished article at all, but we’re well on the way of getting there hopefully.”Robinson regards the last six months as something of a blessing in disguise. An intense first half of his career has given way to a much quieter one in which he has been able to improve his numbers without a ball in his hand.”We’ve got obviously the last Test and then we’ve probably got six, seven weeks again before Pakistan,” he said. “So I have the opportunity again to go to the next level again. So that’s what I’m thinking at the moment, just using that time as wisely as I can to improve myself as best I can.”This realisation, authentic if overdue and all the more welcome for it, comes at a crucial juncture for the life cycle of this England side. As much as there has been a reinvigoration of Anderson and Broad, quite how long both have left is a constant fear, even if the pair state they are as happy and as willing as ever.Beyond their world-class ability is longevity, which has offered England an earthing, even in troubled times. And while they are still around, Robinson says he will absorb as much of their knowledge as possible while also working out how he might replicate their endurance, popularity and, ultimately, legacy.”Watching them two is so inspirational for me.” he said. “That’s how I want to be: I want the crowd cheering my name and that’s what I’m driving to do.”I had a point today when I was fielding at mid-off and I thought ‘I don’t want to do this for 18 months. I want to do this for five, six years’ and I feel more driven today than I did at the start of my career. I feel in such a good headspace now, after this week’s game, I can drive on and push on a lot more.”

Looking to bridge the gap between themselves and the Premier League’s top four, Aston Villa have reportedly submitted a second offer worth over £15m to sign a Champions League talent this month.

Aston Villa transfer news

The Villans enjoyed quite the summer transfer window, welcoming names such as Amadou Onana ahead of a number of sides, but that has not seen them repeat last season’s achievements as of yet. Sat ninth in the Premier League and struggling to juggle both European and domestic football for the first time, Unai Emery’s side could still do with some fresh faces this month, as their 2-2 draw against Brighton highlighted last time out.

With that said, names such as Yasin Ozcan have already been mentioned as the January transfer window rolls on. Recent reports even went as far to suggest that those in the Midlands have already agreed a deal to sign the young central defender from Super Lig side Kasimpasa. Whether that deal goes over the line remains to be seen, however.

Duran replacement: Aston Villa chasing exciting Donyell Malan alternative

Villa are targeting a new attacker to add more goals

ByJoe Nuttall Jan 3, 2025

He’s seemingly not the only target either. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Aston Villa have submitted a second bid worth €18m (£14.9m) + add-ons to sign Donyell Malen after their initial bid was turned down by Borussia Dortmund who want more than €20m (£17m) guaranteed.

The German club are ready to sell their winger, as relayed by Sky Sports’ Florian Plettenberg, but are seemingly in no mood to accept a cut-price. With negotiations ongoing, however, it’s clear that Aston Villa are not giving up in pursuit of securing Malen’s signature.

A player who can play on the right-hand side and lead the line, Malen’s arrival could create instant concern for Leon Bailey, who has struggled to replicate last season’s impressive form.

"Incredible" Malen could complete Aston Villa attack

Bailey’s form should worry those at Villa Park, who will be desperate to see their goals shared around rather than solely rely on Ollie Watkins or Jhon Duran – often from the bench – provide the golden touch. Without a goal all season and with just three assists to his name in 22 appearances in all competitions, the winger is quickly becoming a point of weakness that Malen could arrive to solve instantly.

Starts

6

11

Goals

3

0

Assists

0

2

Expected Goals

2.8

1

The stats suggest that, whilst Malen desperately needs a move away from Dortmund this month, he has remained clinical in front of goal – scoring three goals in just six starts. Bailey, meanwhile, has struggled to carve opportunities and struggled to become the attacking spark that Villa benefitted from throughout the last campaign.

Despite where he finds himself at the German club, Malen was at the centre of Sebastian Kehl’s praise in 2023. The sporting director told WAZ as relayed by BVB Buzz: “We’ve known for months that he has incredible potential, and we knew that last year as well.

“He is an incredibly enriching element for this team, that was the idea behind his signing and I’m glad he’s showing that much more often now. The last step was still missing for him and he has taken it now. Donny has gained incredible self-confidence.”

MatériaMais Notícias

A partir das 15h desta quarta-feira, a bola vai rolar para o início do Campeonato Paulista sub-20 2022. A edição contará com 72 times, divididos em 12 grupos de seis equipes. Uma dessas está o Monte Azul, clube que completou 102 anos há cinco dias.

Comandado por Andrews Deco, treinaor com licença A na CBF, o Monte Azul está no grupo B, completado por Francana, Inter de Bebedouro, Ribeirão Preto, Olímpia e Botafogo-SP. O treinador comentousobre as expectativas para estreia e como foi a preparação de toda equipe para o primeiro confronto no torneio.

– Conseguimos montar um time competitivo e qualificado, a preparação foi bem importante e vantajosa para nossa equipe. Queremos fazer um bom campeonato, pois esses meninos merecem e vamos trabalhar muito por isso. A expectativa é a melhor possível e quando entrarmos em campo, é buscar jogar bem, compactados e acima de tudo desfrutar dessas oportunidades que a vida nos dá – afirmou o treinador.

A primeira partida do Monte Azul será contra o Botafogo-SP, às 15h pelo horário de Brasília, no estádio Otacília Patrício Arroyo, em Monte Azul. Posteriormente, no próximo dia 11 (quarta-feira), a equipe viaja até Francana para encarar o time da casa.

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The former USMNT defender believes that there are questions surrounding the USMNT after the Concacaf Nations league

Lalas criticizes USMNT's boring performancesQuestions arise about players' commitment to the national teamConcerns grow over team's readiness for the 2026 World CupGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED

The USMNT suffered back-to-back defeats in the CONCACAF Nations League, losing to Panama in the semifinals and then to Canada in the third-place game. Former U.S. star Alexi Lalas, speaking on his State of the Union podcast, expressed frustration with the team's performances.

“You think, ‘Well with a couple of days in the different air and with the light of those different days, maybe you’re gonna feel different,' ” Lalas said on his State of the Union podcast, referencing his immediate reaction to the U.S. loss to Canada. “I don’t feel any different. And I do think that the situation has only been exasperated by more of the questioning of whether this team is good enough. And that in and of itself would give us plenty to talk about.

"But also the real question is to whether these players care? And care when they step on the field to represent what I feel is the greatest country in the world? And I think that that conversation is going to continue."

AdvertisementWHAT ALEXI LALAS SAID

Lalas also touched upon the 2025 Gold Cup that the USMNT are co-hosting alongside Canada and believes that while the Americans are favorites, Pochettino and his team need to show the fans something more.

“It’s also worth looking at the fact what the Gold Cup is in this moment," he said. "We all know that the U.S. has won multiple Gold Cups, that the U.S. going into a Gold Cup are, traditionally, one of the favorites. And notwithstanding what just happened, this summer in the Gold Cup the U.S. are going to be one of the favorites.

“But I think because of what has happened not just over the last week but over the last year with Copa America, now there is a real pressure and onus on Mauricio Pochettino in the Gold Cup to at least show progress, at least show improvement and to win back some of those hearts and minds, as it’ll then be a year before the World Cup."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The USMNT lost 1-0 to Panama in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Nations League and then lost 2-1 to Canada in the third-place game, finishing fourth in the tournament. It marked the first time since the tournament was created that the USMNT have not won the trophy.

AFPWHAT’S NEXT?

The USMNT will face Turkiye and Switzerland prior to the Gold Cup, and then participate in the summer tournament, which will be their last competitive international games before the 2026 World Cup.

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah among the premier players rested for the series

ESPNcricinfo staff22-May-202211:36

Shastri: On current form, India might just play Malik against SA

Rohit Sharma, the designated all-format captain, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah are among the senior players to be rested for India’s five-match T20I series at home against South Africa next month. KL Rahul has been named the captain of the 18-man side, which welcomes back Hardik Pandya, and has maiden call-ups for Umran Malik and Arshdeep Singh.Also missing from the squad are Deepak Chahar, Ravindra Jadeja and Suryakumar Yadav, who are all carrying injuries. Chahar, of Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, has a back injury, and played no part in the tournament. Jadeja, also of Super Kings, left the IPL with a bruised rib that he picked up earlier this month, while Mumbai Indians’ Suryakumar also left the IPL earlier this month because of a left-forearm injury.Related

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From the squad that took on Sri Lanka in their T20I series, also in India, in February this year, Mohammed Siraj and Sanju Samson have been left out. Kohli, who last played a T20I in February, against West Indies, had been rested for the Sri Lanka series as well. In fact, since stepping down as India’s T20I captain after the 2021 T20 World Cup, Kohli has played only two T20Is.As such, both Kohli and Rohit have been in patchy form at the IPL. Rohit, whose Mumbai Indians finished last on the points table, had a best score of 48 and tallied 268 runs overall from 14 innings, scoring at an average of 19.14 and a strike rate of 120.17. Kohli’s run was arguably even poorer, but he has shown signs of returning to form of late, hitting 73 in 54 balls in Royal Challengers’ last game, against Titans, which gave them an eight-wicket win and helped them stay in contention for the playoffs. Overall, Kohli has 309 runs from 14 innings, at an average of 23.76 and a strike rate of 117.93.IPL form is likely to have played a part in the Hardik and Dinesh Karthik recalls too.ESPNcricinfo LtdKarthik, one of the top finishers in the competition this year, last played a T20I – or a match in any format for India – in 2019, but forced the selectors to turn to him after hitting 287 runs at a strike rate of 191.33 in the IPL 2022 league stage. He has also been the best Indian batter in the death overs this season [min 30 balls faced], striking at 226.37.Hardik, meanwhile, last turned out for India at the 2021 T20 World Cup, but played primarily as a batter, bowling only in a couple of games in the group stage. But he has bowled a lot more in IPL 2022 – 24.3 overs across eight innings – where he has led Titans to the top of the points table. With the bat, he had an excellent start to the tournament, but then tapered off before smashing 62 not out in 47 balls in their last match, against Royal Challengers Bangalore.His international appearances have been sporadic of late, especially since back problems, which necessitated a surgery, cropped up in 2019. But Hardik has always remained a part of India’s plans, which was evident when he was asked by the BCCI to take the fitness tests at NCA days before the IPL began. It is understood that the national selectors wanted to be sure that Hardik can consistently bowl at least a couple of overs in every match.Arshdeep and Malik, meanwhile, have been among the most exciting young Indian quicks at the IPL. Malik has consistently bowled at speeds upwards of 150kph, and has 21 wickets to show for his efforts even while he has, at times, been expensive. Arshdeep has been the go-to bowler for Punjab Kings at the death, his yorkers reaping great rewards for him on most occasions. He hasn’t always been a big wicket-taker, though, with ten strikes in 13 outings, but has an overall economy rate of 7.82 this season, and an impressive death-overs economy of 7.31, the best among all bowlers to have sent down at least 50 balls in that phase.The players to retain their places in the squad were Ruturaj Gaikwad, Deepak Hooda and Shreyas Iyer in the batting line-up, wicketkeeper-batters Rishabh Pant and Ishan Kishan, allrounder Venkatesh Iyer, spinners Yuzvendra Chahal, the Purple-Cap holder at the IPL at this stage, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel and Ravi Bishnoi, and seamers Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel and Avesh Khan.But two of the names that had been discussed during IPL 2022 after making big impressions – batter Rahul Tripathi and quick bowler Mohsin Khan – didn’t get a look-in.

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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• Apple TV
  

  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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• Apple TV
  

  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.

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.

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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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