Category Other

Pep: City ‘machine’ not good despite FA Cup final

Pep Guardiola said reaching the FA Cup final doesn’t come close to making up for Manchester City’s poor season. City beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 at Wembley on Sunday to set up a final against Crystal Palace next month. But after failing short in the Premier League, Guardiola insists securing Champions League qualification and winning the FA Cup won’t make him view the campaign as anything other than a disappointment. Asked…

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April 28, 2025

More than just the ‘Burrito Boys’: How a Bay Area taqueria built an amateur soccer team with Open Cup lore

JUST OFF THE corner of 24th and Mission streets in San Francisco sits a distinctive piece of domestic American soccer’s past and present. The past perches inconspicuously over El Farolito’s bar, where the 1993 U.S. Open Cup trophy sits tucked among an array of championship hardware. The present lies on the sign announcing the taqueria’s name to prospective customers walking down Mission Street — which also serves as a billboard…

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April 27, 2025

Wrexham’s latest promotion is a miracle. The next will be even harder

WREXHAM, Wales — Wrexham are one step away from the Premier League. The club with the Hollywood owners is now writing a script way beyond the most extraordinary plots in Tinseltown, but after achieving a historic third successive promotion, they are potentially one year away from joining Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal in football’s most glamorous league. When Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought Wrexham for just £2 million in…

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April 27, 2025

Ter Stegen back in Barça squad for Copa final

Marc-André ter Stegen has been included in Barcelona’s squad for the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid after recovering from a knee injury ahead of schedule. Ter Stegen, 32, ruptured the patella tendon in his right knee in a LaLiga game in September and was expected to miss the remainder of the season. However, the Germany goalkeeper returned to training in March and has now been given the all…

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April 26, 2025

Transfer rumors, news: Contract delay opens door to Barcelona exit for Raphinha?

Raphinha is struggling to agree a new contract with Barcelona as Saudi Pro League clubs watch on, while Manchester United are keen on signing Atalanta midfielder Éderson. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors and gossip from around the globe. Transfers homepage | Done deals | Men’s January grades | Women’s January grades – Sources: Brazil in talks again with Ancelotti’s camp – Source: Bayern’s Müller rejects Cincinnati offer…

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April 26, 2025

Macarthur FC taking Football Australia to court

Football Australia is set for a legal showdown with Macarthur FC amid claims soccer’s governing body misled club owners when they applied for entry into the A-League. Documents filed in the Federal Court claim FA breached consumer law and adopted unfair tactics when expanding Australia’s top-flight competition to 12 teams. A southwestern Sydney team was originally slated to enter the A-League for the 2019-20 season alongside a club from Melbourne’s…

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April 25, 2025

Sources: Brazil in talks with Ancelotti’s camp

Carlo Ancelotti is once again the front-runner for Brazil’s vacant coaching job, sources told ESPN Brasil. Brazil’s Football Confederation (CBF) fired coach Dorival Júnior last month and had considered Al Hilal manager Jorge Jesus as a potential replacement. Ancelotti, whose contract with Real Madrid runs until June 2026, has been CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues’ preferred choice to lead Brazil ever since Tite stepped down after the 2022 World Cup. Although…

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April 25, 2025

Source: Rashford eyes Champions League club next

Marcus Rashford is targeting a club playing in the Champions League for his next move, a source has told ESPN. The forward, on loan at Aston Villa from Manchester United, is set to delay a decision on his future until after the end of the season. Villa have an agreement with United to make his loan move permanent for a £40 million ($53m) fee, although a source has told ESPN…

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April 24, 2025

Arena: Poch doesn’t understand culture of USMNT

Former United States men’s national team coach Bruce Arena has criticized the appointment of current head coach Mauricio Pochettino, saying that a non-American lacks the necessary understanding of the country’s culture. Argentine coach Pochettino was appointed last August with the task of leading the USMNT into the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico. He is far from the first non-American coach of…

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April 24, 2025

The Football Reporters: Does a Marcus Rashford-Ollie Watkins swap make sense for Man United?

Marcus Rashford will be back in Manchester on Tuesday night when Aston Villa face Manchester City in the race for Champions League qualification. However, it remains to be seen if the England international returns permanently in the summer. The 27-year-old has impressed at Villa since joining on loan from Manchester United in January. He has nine goal contributions in 16 appearances for the club, with his performances ousting Ollie Watkins…

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April 23, 2025

Crystal Palace bests Man City to claim FA CupMay 18, 2025
Crystal Palace won their first ever major trophy with a surprise 1-0 win over Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday, thanks to Eberechi Eze’s first-half goal and Dean Henderson’s penalty save.
Villa ease past Spurs for huge boost to UCL hopesMay 17, 2025
High-flying Aston Villa dispatched Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in the Premier League on Friday to improve their chances of more Champions League football and leave their visitors firmly focused on next week’s Europa League final.
Casemiro: Brazil needed ‘big name’ like AncelottiMay 17, 2025
Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has praised the hiring of Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti for the Brazilian national team, saying that his country “needed” a prominent manager like the five-team Champions League winner. Casemiro won two Champions League titles and a LaLiga crown during his three seasons playing under Ancelotti in Madrid. “After Tite left, I… Read more: Casemiro: Brazil needed ‘big name’ like Ancelotti
CBF prez ousted days after Ancelotti appointmentMay 16, 2025
A Rio de Janeiro court ordered the board of Brazil’s Football Confederation (CBF) to be removed from their positions, including president Ednaldo Rodrigues on Thursday. Fernando Sarney, one of the CBF’s vice-presidents who requested Rodrigues’ removal, was appointed interim president and was tasked with holding elections “as soon as possible”. Rodrigues, who was successfully re-elected… Read more: CBF prez ousted days after Ancelotti appointment
Transfer rumors, news: Wrexham target Premier League stars for promotion pushMay 16, 2025
Wrexham are planning to move for experienced Premier League players as they look to secure promotion to the top flight, while several clubs are targeting Brighton & Hove Albion’s João Pedro. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip from around the globe. Transfers homepage | Done deals | Men’s January grades |… Read more: Transfer rumors, news: Wrexham target Premier League stars for promotion push
Madrid down to 10 from first team vs. MallorcaMay 15, 2025
Injuries to Brahim Díaz and Andriy Lunin left Real Madrid with just 10 available first-team players for Real Madrid’s crucial LaLiga game against Real Mallorca on Wednesday. The match has little significance for Madrid but a loss means rivals Barcelona can claim the league title while a win for Mallorca puts them closer to securing… Read more: Madrid down to 10 from first team vs. Mallorca
Transfer rumors, news: Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea eye João PedroMay 15, 2025
A trio of Premier League clubs are targeting Brighton’s João Pedro, as Dean Huijsen moves ever closer to joining Real Madrid. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip from around the globe. Transfers homepage | Done deals | Men’s January grades | Women’s January grades – Sources: Man City eye Wirtz; Liverpool… Read more: Transfer rumors, news: Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea eye João Pedro
Returning World Cup to Brazil would make Ancelotti the GOATMay 14, 2025
The walls finally collapsed after the abject humiliation of the 4-1 defeat to Argentina in World Cup qualifying at the end of March, a game where Brazil in which dominated from first to last. Coach Dorival Júnior appeared hopelessly out of his depth — and he was the last card played by the sizable lobby… Read more: Returning World Cup to Brazil would make Ancelotti the GOAT
Transfer rumors, news: Delap to choose Man United over ChelseaMay 14, 2025
Manchester United have moved ahead of Chelsea in the race to sign England under-21 international Liam Delap, while Liverpool have held advanced talks regarding Jeremie Frimpong. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors and gossip from around the globe. Transfers homepage | Done deals | Men’s January grades | Women’s January grades – Brazil… Read more: Transfer rumors, news: Delap to choose Man United over Chelsea
The VAR Review: Why Jackson was sent off for throwing an elbow, but Mings escapedMay 13, 2025
Video Assistant Referee causes controversy every week in the Premier League, but how are decisions made, and are they correct? After each weekend we take a look at the major incidents, to examine and explain the process both in terms of VAR protocol and the Laws of the Game. In this week’s VAR Review: How… Read more: The VAR Review: Why Jackson was sent off for throwing an elbow, but Mings escaped