SOME OBSERVATIONS FROM THE SHOCKING DEFEAT OF THE USMNT TO JAPAN

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On Friday morning, a little after 7:00 AM CST, the United States played and lost 2-0 in their next to last warm up for the 2022 World Cup. They’ll play one more time against Saudi Arabia next week. Other countries are playing days before the World Cup in Qatar in a friendly, so maybe they’ll add a game, but right now there is just one more warm up before it starts to count.


Matt Turner was a Bright Spot

Let’s start positive before it turns very negative. This game could have easily been four or five to nil. The United States generated zero shots on goal (whoops, I got negative) but Matt Turner was a shining beacon in net. He made several really good saves and seemed to prove not starting everyday at Arsenal isn’t hurting him. His feet still need work, but they are noticeably better and that’s why he’s playing in the Premier League. Read more ”        SOME OBSERVATIONS FROM THE SHOCKING DEFEAT OF THE USMNT TO JAPAN”

             NOTTINGHAM FOREST SNUBBED CHAMPIONSHIP TRANSFER AFTER TALKS

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Championship interest in the Nottingham Forest defender has been revealed in the aftermath of a temporary return to Major League Soccer with former club Toronto FC. Nottingham Forest reportedly “opted against” loaning full-back Richie Laryea out to Hull City in favour of a return to Toronto FC for the Canada international. Laryea made the move back to Major League Soccer earlier this month, just under seven months after signing during the January transfer window. The right-back made his second MLS debut over the weekend and was on form, assisting two Toronto goals as they edged a 4-3 thriller against Nashville SC.

The full-back made just five appearances under head coach Steve Cooper during the second half of last season’s Championship promotion campaign. Just one of these was from the start, on the final day of the season at Hull’s MKM Stadium, and Laryea appears to have impressed the hosts. Read more ”             NOTTINGHAM FOREST SNUBBED CHAMPIONSHIP TRANSFER AFTER TALKS”

FERREIRA HITS FOUR IN GRENADA ROUT

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FC Dallas striker Jesus Ferreira scored four times as the United States of America (USA) sealed a big win over Grenada at home in the CONCACAF Nations League. Ferreira was one of two FC Dallas on target for USA during the 5-0 rout of Grenada at the Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas.


USA took the lead against Grenada with two first half minutes left on the clock through Ferreira during the Nations League clash played on Friday. The goal from Ferreira gave USA a slim first half lead. Ferreira doubled the advantage for the home team nine minutes after restart. He completed his hat-trick two minutes later to edge his team 3-0 ahead. Read more “FERREIRA HITS FOUR IN GRENADA ROUT”

WORLD CUP: USA DRAWN ALONGSIDE ENGLAND

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Manager Greg Berhalter and his USA senior national team players have been drawn alongside Euro 2020 finalist and 1966 world champions England for this year’s FIFA World Cup tournament in Qatar after the draw took place on Friday. The two countries were drawn in Group B alongside Iran and the winner of the playoff route involving Wales, Scotland and Ukraine.


One of Scotland, Ukraine and Wales would be at the World Cup in Qatar via the path A playoff route in the European section of the qualifiers. The team to qualify from path A would have been decided by now if not for the Russian invasion of Ukraine which prompted the postponement of the playoff semifinal tie between hosts Scotland and Ukraine. The one-legged tie initially billed to take place in March has been postponed till June with the winner taking on Wales in a one-legged tie to determine who will face England, USA and Iran in Group B. Wales qualified to face the winner of the Scotland and Ukraine tie for a place in Qatar after seeing off Austria in their playoff semifinal tie thanks to the brilliance of star man Gareth Bale. The Real Madrid star scored a brace with a goal in each half on the way to a 2-1 win over Austria. Read more “WORLD CUP: USA DRAWN ALONGSIDE ENGLAND”

STEFFEN BENCHED AS CITY INCREASE LEAD

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United States of America (USA) international Zack Steffen was on the substitutes’ bench for the entire duration of the game as Manchester City beat newcomers Brentford 2-0 at home to increase their lead at the summit as far as the Premier League is concerned this season. Manchester City were able to return to winning ways at the first time of asking in the league after they drew their last league game.

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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EraXOPUXIAIGxhe.jpg

USA national team goalkeeper Steffen is the second choice goalkeeper at Manchester City behind Ederson Moraes who’s the undisputed first choice at the club. Brazilian international Ederson was in the Manchester City goal for the game against Brentford at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.
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MCKENNIE INJURED IN DISAPPOINTING ATALANTA LOSS

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Juventus fans showed their dissatisfaction with their players in the league clash with Atalanta on Saturday as they booed them off the pitch at the end of the first half while they were losing 1-0 at home to the team from Bergamo thanks to the 28th minute strike from Colombian international Duvan Zapata. In the end, Atalanta held on to claim a memorable win and open a six-point gap on AS Roma who are in fifth place. Atalanta are the best team outside the three title contenders AC Milan, Inter Milan and Napoli. The Champions League campaigners complete the top four teams on the Italian Serie A log.

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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FFOa_g4VcAAU7L_.jpg

Atalanta were able to record a big win against Juventus in Turin as they have had to wait for over three decades to secure an away win over the Old Lady in the league. Argentine football icon Claudio Cannigia was the hero for Atalanta when they last recorded an away win over Juventus in 1989.
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PREMIER LEAGUE: CHELSEA BAG TOP SPOT

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European champions Chelsea have the Premier League summit in the bag for two more weeks at least after former leaders Liverpool failed to beat holders Manchester City when the two teams met at Anfield on Sunday evening.


Liverpool or Manchester City needed to win to deny Chelsea the Premier League summitbut they were unable to secure the much-needed victory. In the end, the two teams settled for a 2-2 draw. Read more “PREMIER LEAGUE: CHELSEA BAG TOP SPOT”

PULISIC MISSES OUT ON DERBY WIN

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United States of America (USA) national team talisman Christian Pulisic was a major absentee as Chelsea claimed a big London Derby win at the home of Arsenal at the weekend.Pulisictested positive to Covid-19 last week and was ruled out of the Arsenal game played at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday evening.

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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E9PJwxKXIAgSeBL.jpg

USA player Pulisic had started the new Premier League campaign on a fantastic note as he was responsible for the second goal when Chelsea beat Crystal Palace at home to claim a London Derby victory. The Blues thrashed Palace 3-0 at home to lay down a marker for the new league season in the English top flight.
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ISAK ON CHELSEA RADAR

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Chelsea are one of several teams interested in signing highly rated Real Sociedadstriker Alexander Isak who impressed for Sweden at the Euro 2020 tournament being played across several European countries this summer.

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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E4p5r3VUcAcsciB.jpg

The Blues’ interest in Isak was confirmed by media portal Noticias de Gipuzkoa. Apart from Chelsea, other Premier League clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool have been linked with the 21-year-old who won the La Liga Young Player of the Season at the end of the last campaign. He was rewarded for a stellar season with Basque club Real Sociedad.
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PULISIC, STEFFEN OUT OF US SQUAD

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Chelsea attacker Christian Pulisic and Manchester City shot stopper Zac Steffen have both been left out of the latest United States of America (USA) squad named by manager GreggBerhalter due to their Champions League commitments.

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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E1byxFrWQAEFemT.jpg

Berhalter has named his USA squad ahead of the friendly with Switzerland and the CONCACAF Nations League semi-final clash with Honduras. The latest USA squad of players will then face the winner of the other CONCACAF Nations League semi-final clash between Mexico and Costa Rica in the final if they see off Honduras before facing Costa Rica in a post-tournament friendly. Potentially, the USA team could play four high profile games this summer starting with the Switzerland game on May 30.
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