Category: Soccer Players

Toronto FC III arrive in Italy for prestigious Viareggio Cup

Toronto FC ‘s senior academy team, TFC III, touched down this morning in northern Italy, where they’ll be competing in the world-renowned Viareggio Cup youth tournament. The Under-20 squad travelled to Viareggio, Tuscany to play against world-famous clubs such as AC Milan and title-holders Juventus.

Barcelona inspired by Super Bowl comeback – Rakitic

Barcelona’s remarkable Champions League comeback to beat Paris St Germain 6-1 at the Nou Camp and snatch a place in the quarter-finals will take some time to sink in, according to midfielder Ivan Rakitic. Trailing and wounded from a 4-0 humiliation from the opening leg of the last-16 clash in France, Luis Enrique’s men were looking to make history and also avoid their earliest exit from the competition in a decade.

Palace players hit the beach in Morocco on scooters

With his arm-waving antics, revolutionary tactics and love affair with Chelsea fans, Conte has made Mourinho a distant memory Pogba’s impact at Manchester United was criticised by Lampard and Carraghera and here’s why they were RIGHT to question the A 90m midfielder Shakespeare ready to pen new chapter at Leicester as he prepares to take charge until the end of the season FAN’S VIEW: Wenger’s criticism of Sanchez made no sense… you can’t blame our star for showing frustration ‘Here’s why English clubs keep flopping in Europe’: Bale on faltering Premier League, Spanish lessons and that man Ronaldo Celtic could wrap up the Scottish title by March 12 by beating Rangers… and their next target is a European record Kante deserves to be crowned player of the year… his quiet influence in Chelsea’s engine room is unrivalled in Premier League Chelsea are 10 points clear at the top and on … (more)

West Ham vs Chelsea live score and goals updates from Premier League clash at the London Stadium

Follow all the latest as Chelsea look to increase their lead in the title race with victory over their London rivals Antonio Conte has no injury concerns heading into the game but Hammers boss Slaven Bilic is set to welcome back striker Andy Carroll. Michail Antonio is suspended for the hosts, who will hope to repeat last October’s EFL Cup victory over the Blues at the London Stadium.

David Silva sets up 2 goals as Man City beats Sunderland 2-0

Manchester City’s Leroy Sane, right, celebrates scoring his side’s second goal of the game with team mates Manchester City’s David Silva and Gael Clichy during the Premier League soccer match between Sunderland and Manchester City at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland, England. Sunday March 5, 2017.

Dele Alli: There are ‘no boundaries’ to what Tottenham can achieve

Spurs legend Cliff Jones spoke to Football London during an exclusive interview, and offered his opinion on current Tottenham star Dele Alli, claiming that the 20-year-old needs to start focusing on showing how good he is, rather than trying to prove his toughness. “When we are on form and playing well, I don’t think there’s anyone in the Premier League that can beat us”, Alli, who scored his 12 league goal of the season in Sunday’s 4-0 win against Stoke City, said.

Shanghai SIPG’s Elkeson celebrates after scoring against Changchun Yatai. Photo: Reuters

Experienced Brazilian striker Elkeson scored a hat-trick and compatriots Hulk and Oscar also contributed as Shanghai SIPG underlined their Chinese Super League title credentials with an impressive 5-1 comeback win over Changchun Yatai in Saturday’s 2017 domestic opener. Andre Villas-Boas’ side recovered from conceding to Fan Xiaodong’s 26th-minute stunner at Shanghai Stadium to record a fourth consecutive win at the start of the year, having also reeled off a hat-trick of victories in the AFC Champions League.

Sport24.co.za | Ibrahimovic in elbow controversy after stamp

Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic escaped a red card despite appearing to intentionally elbow Bournemouth’s Tyrone Mings during Saturday’s Premier League game between the teams. Ibrahimovic caught Mings with his elbow late in the first half, moments after the Bournemouth defender appeared to stamp on the Swede’s head with his left foot as he jumped over him.

Monaco down Marseille in French Cup thriller, PSG through

Thomas Lemar’s extra-time winner sent Monaco into the quarter-finals of the French Cup after a thrilling 4-3 victory over Olympique de Marseille on Wednesday as holders Paris St Germain left it late to down Ligue 2 side Niort. Lemar scored with a powerful shot from inside the box in the 113th minute after Marseille had come from behind three times.

PSG scores late goals to scrape into French Cup quarters

Substitute Javier Pastore scored an opportunist late goal and then set up Edinson Cavani as Paris Saint-Germain won 2-0 at second-tier Niort to reach the French Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday. After Niort’s goalkeeper Artur Desmas went close to equalizing in injury time following a corner, there was just enough time for Pastore to break down the left wing and set up Cavani’s 36th of a prolific season.

Hulk, Oscar inspire Shanghai to rout Western Sydney in ACL

Goals from big-money stars Oscar and Hulk helped Shanghai SIPG defeat Western Sydney Wanderers 5-1 in the Asian Champions League on Tuesday. The Brazilians, signed for a combined total of around $100 million in the last two transfer windows, struck early in the first half to give the Chinese Super League team a second win from two matches in Group F. Hulk, scorer of the only goal in the win at FC Seoul last week, rose above the Wanderers’ backline to send in a powerful header in just the third minute.

‘Isco wasted at Real Madrid’

Terry Gibson expects Isco to be on the move this summer, claiming a player of his quality is being wasted at Real Madrid. The 24-year-old has spent much of this season on the periphery of Zinedine Zidane’s thoughts, starting just 11 league games for the current La Liga leaders.

Eric Dier stands up for Dele Alli after red card

Eric Dier says Dele Alli’s mistake against Gent will not be his last but believes the Tottenham midfielder proved his mettle by bouncing back against Stoke. Alli came under fire after being sent off for a rash tackle versus Gent last week as 10-man Spurs drew 2-2 and crashed out of the Europa League.

Payet has a chance to shine in France’s biggest rivalry

Dimitri Payet left the glamour of the English Premier League for this kind of match: 67,000 home fans screaming their support against their fiercest rival. The fans at Stade Velodrome are renowned for their fervor and rebelliousness, and they will be counting on Payet, the club’s newly recruited star, to reverse a horror show of poor results against PSG.

Madrid wastes chance to extend lead after losing at Valencia

Real Madrid failed to recover from the shock of conceding two goals in the first 10 minutes on Wednesday, losing 2-1 to Valencia and wasting a chance to increase its Spanish league lead. The end of Madrid’s four-game winning streak left Zinedine Zidane’s team one point ahead of Barcelona, although it still has another game in hand.

Mourinho: No guarantees on Rooney’s United future

Jose Mourinho cannot guarantee that Wayne Rooney will end the season at Manchester United despite the manager’s desire to keep hold of his captain. A hamstring injury prevented the 31-year-old from travelling to France for the Europa League last-32 second leg with St Etienne, yet the forward still dominated the pre-match talk.

Spotlight shifts to teams with less Champs League pedigree

After the Champions League knockout phase was opened by teams with a combined 24 European titles, the spotlight shifts to those with far less of a continental pedigree. Just one of this week’s four Round of 16 matches features former European champions, with FC Porto and Juventus — both two-time winners — meeting in Portugal on Wednesday.

FA Cup: Tottenham to host Millwall; Lincoln awaiting Arsenal

Lincoln City manager Danny Cowley and assistant Nicky watch the FA Cup quarter-final draw with fans in the club bar at Sincil Bank Tottenham have been handed a home quarter-final tie against Millwall in the FA Cup following their 3-0 win at Fulham. North London neighbours Arsenal, meanwhile, will entertain National League leaders Lincoln City at the Emirates – if they can win their fifth-round tie at Sutton United on Monday.

I Know Paul Pogba Can Do More – Former Manchester United Defender

After the game, Florentin chose to remain in Manchester with his family rather than travel with his teammates back to France. Ferdinand has told BBC Radio Five Live that Keane is always looking to improve his game, and that leaving Manchester United has actually allowed him to improve, suggesting that he could emulate Paul Pogba in leaving United as a youngster before returning as a more polished player.

Video: Balotelli’s baffling red card

MARIO Balotelli was sent off on his return to the Nice team but Lucien Favre’s side held on for a 1-0 win at Lorient on Saturday which sees them close the gap on Ligue 1 leaders Monaco. Wylan Cyprien scored the only goal of the game in Brittany, collecting Arnaud Souquet’s pass and firing home from inside the area in the 15th minute.

Mourinho: In a couple of years you’ll realise Pogba was cheap

The Manchester United manager believes deals done this summer will justify the decision to spend a world-record fee on the France midfielder Jose Mourinho is confident that the world-record deal which brought Paul Pogba back to Manchester United will be made to look “cheap” by future transfers. The Red Devils splashed A 89 million on the France international last summer, making a former product of their academy system the most expensive player in world football.

Six things you missed from Chelsea’s win over Wolves

Wolves 0-2 Chelsea: Pedro and Costa secure FA Cup progress for Conte’s side as Premier League leaders keep double hopes alive Watson is dragged 500 yards along the street while hanging out of his vehicle following a bungled car theft – 26 years after he was brain-damaged by Eubank Ranieri’s crisis deepens after champions Leicester are dumped out of FA Cup by 10-man League One side Millwall Ibrahimovic has made mockery of those who doubted him… but will he finally end his Champions League curse at United? Bale’s back! Welshman scores on his return from injury to help Real Madrid sink Espanyol and move four points clear I was made to feel like a criminal, says United legend Yorke after he was denied entry to US because of Iranian stamp in his passport What life is REALLY like for a Chelsea kid on loan: ‘I was out of the team and it was difficult.

Reunions abound as Man Utd tackle Saint-Etienne in Europa League

Just like the New England Patriots boss, Manchester United’s manager wasn’t smiling after his team beat AS Saint-Etinne in the first leg of their Round of 32 meeting in the UEFA Europa League. Manchester United will travel to Stade Geoffroy-Cuichard in Saint-Etinne, France on February 22 for the second leg of the Round of 32. The pair have spoken of their excitement prior to the game and another player rubbing his hands in anticipation is United’s Anthony Martial , who came through the ranks at Saint-Etienne’s arch rivals Lyon.

Jose Mourinho will not make wholesale changes for United’s FA Cup clash with Blackburn

Fresh from comprehensively winning the first leg of their Europa League last-32 clash with St Etienne, United turn their attention to the only major trophy they have won since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement. Mourinho’s side travel to Ewood Park looking to overcome Sky Bet Championship side Blackburn and reach the quarter-finals, although it would be tempting to rest players given a return leg in France and EFL Cup final against Southampton follows this week.

Vitesse’s key man Lewis Baker can use Ajax game to show quality to Chelsea

The 21-year-old midfielder has no intention of staying for a third season with the Arnhem club and could show up Bertrand Traore in Sunday’s game Heading into the final months of his second season in the Eredivisie, Lewis Baker is preparing for the next step. The Chelsea loanee has developed into the star man at Vitesse, but has set his sights on a place in Antonio Conte’s team.

Ignored by Spain, Borja Valero shines on at Fiorentina

Ignored by Spain, Borja Valero shines on at Fiorentina Long ignored by Spain’s national team, Borja Valero’s talent and creativity shine on at Fiorentina Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2kxEWA8 Fiorentina’s coach Paulo Sousa gestures during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Fiorentina and Udinese at the Artemio Franchi stadium in Florence, Italy, Feb. 11 2017. The playmaker scored one goal and set up another as Fiorentina beat Udinese 3-0 in Serie A to move back within striking distance of the Europa League places on Saturday.

Norwich City 5 Nottingham Forest 1

Norwich City turned on the style to hammer 10-man Nottingham Forest and keep up the heat on the Championship top six at Carrow Road. Alex Neil’s side were rampant with a three-goal spell inside eight first-half minutes over-powering the Reds.

Benfica striker Jonas on Beijing Guoan radar

China’s Beijing Guoan have made a bid to sign former Brazil international striker Jonas Goncalves Oliveira, according to reports in Brazilian media. The 32-year-old Benfica player has been tempted to accept a salary offer of six million US dollars a year, the Lance news outlet said on Friday.