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Birmingham City and Tom Wagner are believed to have reached a fee agreement over the exit of a player who works “extremely hard”, according to a new update.

Birmingham buzzing after Wrexham victory

The Blues are still buoyant after their most impressive League One result and performance of the season so far earlier this week, as they beat Wrexham 3-1 at St Andrew’s.

The match was billed as a top-of-the-table clash involving two clubs renowned for their A-List owners, with the likes of Tom Brady and Ryan Reynolds huge figures in modern popular culture. Brady was even at the game with David Beckham, in what was a star-studded affair.

It was Birmingham who prevailed on the night, comprehensively outplaying Wrexham, who took an early lead but couldn’t contain the hosts from that point on. Not only was it a statement victory from Chris Davies’ side, but it also showed why plenty consider them the favourites to win League One this season.

This weekend, the Blues make the trip to Rotherham on Saturday afternoon, looking to remain unbeaten in the league and aiming to go top of the table above Wrexham, despite playing one game fewer.

Birmingham reach agreement over player's exit

According to The Birmingham Mail, Birmingham and Wagner have come to a fee agreement over Rico Browne’s move to Walsall, having decided against signing a new deal at St Andrew’s.

The report says that Walsall “have agreed a compensation package with Blues due to Browne’s age and contract offer”, bringing an end to his time at the club.

This feels like the best outcome for all concerned, even though the fact that Birmingham were willing to offer Browne an extension does suggest that they valued him as a player. The 20-year-old will now have a far better chance of enjoying regular playing time at Walsall, who currently play in League Two, allowing him to grow as a player and not risk growing stagnant at St Andrew’s.

Meanwhile, Walsall head coach Mat Sadler has made clear his happiness at the signing of the young centre-back, saying after his arrival on Thursday:

“With the injuries that we had, it’s a really good opportunity for an extra player to be with us and somebody who we think can improve with us. I didn’t just want to bring anybody in, I wanted to bring somebody in who’s got a real chance of getting better, improving and will work extremely hard, so I’m delighted to bring Rico in and we look forward to working together.”

Birmingham must rue selling £3m ace who's now worth as much as Stansfield

Birmingham City must regret selling on this gem now.

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By
Kelan Sarson

Sep 19, 2024

There is always a risk that Birmingham could regret not doing even more to keep hold of Browne as the years pass, but it does look as though he had made up his mind when it came to his future, and it will be heartwarming to see him do well at Walsall, having made 31 appearances for the Blues’ Under-18 and Under-21 sides combined.

A lack of public interest coupled with the prospect of Champions League qualification leaves the Ram Slam T20 in danger of becoming a means to an end

Firdose Moonda08-Jan-2014″The future is that we will play in the Ram Slam T20.”That was Graeme Smith’s curt reply, accompanied with a smile that belied his frustration, when asked what was on the horizon for his team after their series win over India. Smith’s irritation with the curtailed India tour and stop-start nature of South Africa’s Test schedule is understandable but, for once, it had a welcome consequence: the biggest cricketing draw cards could bolster the domestic game.South Africa’s 20-over competition is one of the lower-profile ones going around. It is not a Premier League like the Indian, Bangladesh and Caribbean varieties and lacks a ‘glam’ factor. At the end of last summer, CSA committed itself to changing that. Suggestions included creating a family atmosphere and abolishing midweek matches in favour of weekend double-headers.The former became the focal point of the domestic 50-over competition while the latter seems to have been shelved. The idea that remained intact was involving as many big names as possible and it is this concept Justin Kemp, a veteran of the domestic scene who is in 16th season, believes will give the competition much-needed clout.”The more the national players turn out, the more credibility a tournament has,” Kemp told ESPNcricinfo. “Over the years, we haven’t seen the national players really turn out in this competition and that may be why interest hasn’t been that high and audiences have dwindled. If you look at the Caribbean competition, it was packed out every day. They had a fair number of overseas players, three to four per team. Since we have something similar this time, with our own national players, we may start seeing bigger crowds and more interest.”The shortened India tour has allowed for national player availability for the entire 20-over competition and not just the latter half, as originally planned. With five of the six franchises signing foreign names, and no other cricket going on in the country until the Tests against Australia in mid-February, that should mean T20 takes centre stage, as it has done in other places. But the early indications are that this will not be the summer South Africa’s local hit-and-giggle finally grows up to match its international counterparts.The competition kicked off on the third day of a festival of cricket at Newlands, as part of the efforts to make up for the absence of a New Year’s Test. Unlike any other year, it got underway with a triple-header. All six franchises were in action on one day but the guarantee of big-name sightings was only partially fulfilled.Three of the expected superstars did not turn out for the teams and will not be seen for the duration of the competition. Dale Steyn has been granted extended rest for a rib problem so won’t be bowling for the Cobras, while the Titans were without AB de Villiers, who requires hand surgery before the Australia series. Shahid Afridi withdrew from the Knights squad for personal reason.On Wednesday, Chris Gayle, arguably the biggest crowd-puller of them all, was also taken out of contention. The Jamaican has not recovered from a hamstring tear and cannot fulfil his contract with the Dolphins.Still, there was an overseas name in action on the opening day – the Lions fielded Azhar Mahmood – and there were plenty of South Africa superstars on show. David Miller was in the Dolphins XI, Wayne Parnell in the Warriors and Albie Morkel and Faf du Plessis turned out for the Titans. But they had few people watching them, far fewer than the number that turned up to watch an exhibition match between the national cricket and rugby teams two days earlier.”I expected more,” Kemp said. “It was disappointing to see a full stadium to watch the Proteas take on the Springboks and then maybe only half full for the other matches.”For the final match, featuring the home-side the Cobras, who boast the largest contingent of national players including Smith, Hashim Amla, JP Duminy and Robin Peterson, the gates were opened to let people in for free and still the stands did not swell.Low crowd figures were criticised throughout the India series and although they are not the only measure of interest, they are an important one. The South African stadium experience is comfortable, food and drink is readily available and ticket prices are reasonable.With that in mind, there’s reason to wonder whether vacant seats are either an indication that the product not compelling enough or that it’s missing its market. Kemp thinks it could be the latter. “It’s difficult to get people out of their living rooms, maybe because the television coverage is too good,” Kemp said, jokingly. “But time of year could also be a problem. January is tough. People have just come back from holidays.”Choosing a different window is impossible for South Africa because their prime period, over December, is reserved for international cricket. This season has given them their best-case scenario. If even that is not good enough, then the event may fizzle into just another barely watched local competition, with one major difference for those involved.”The pressure goes up for us players in the twenty-over competition because of the money at stake,” Kemp said. The two teams in the final book places in the lucrative Champions League, which may end up being the most important outcome for the competing franchises.

The 26-year-old earned just his second start for the Premier League club, recording his first victory after nearly a decade with Spurs

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• Tottenham defeat Hoffenheim 3-2 in UEL
• Brandon Austin records second start for Spurs
• Goalkeeper represented USA at youth levels

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Former U.S. youth international Brandon Austin and Tottenham Hotspur defeated Bundesliga side Hoffenheim 3-2 in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday, as Spurs secured a crucial three points behind the goalkeeper, who earned just his second start for the club.

  Austin, who has been with the club for nine years, made his senior debut with Spurs in early January after the club was dealing with an injury crisis in net.

  On Jan. 4, he earned Man of the Match in a 2-1 loss to Newcastle, and in his second start on Thursday, earned his first victory with his boyhood club.

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• AFP
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Austin represented the U.S. only once at the youth level, but was on the bench for three other matches at the U18 level. In his lone cameo for the U.S., he led the squad to a 5-3 penalty shootout victory over Slovakia, where he made a crucial save in the second round of spot kicks.

  With Spurs, his first appearance in January marked his first competitive match at the senior level since 2021, as he's long served as the club's third-string shotstopper. However, at age 26, he has stepped up in recent weeks due to injuries to Guglielmo Vicario and Fraser Forster.

  With Thursday's result, Spurs sit fourth in the UEL standings on 14 points.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Austin also represented England at multiple youth international levels, playing for their U20 and U21 squads, but he never logged a start for the primarily playing as a backup goalkeeper.

  In addition, he had a short stint on loan with Orlando City SC – making five league appearances for the MLS club.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR AUSTIN AND SPURS?

  Tottenham are back in action on Sunday in the Premier League against Leicester City. Austin will likely serve as the backup to January signing Antonin Kinsky, while Forster is also back to fitness.

Three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India to consider reviewing 2018 judgement on board’s constitution

Nagraj Gollapudi20-Jul-2022The Supreme Court is likely to hear on Thursday the BCCI’s plea requesting for several amendments to its constitution, which could roll back some of the most significant reforms that were recommended by RM Lodha Committee and approved by the court in 2018.The case will be heard by a three-judge bench led by the Chief Justice of India NV Ramana.Thursday’s hearing will be the first time in more than two years that the Supreme Court will take up the BCCI’s petition, which was originally filed in December 2019. The board then filed a fresh application in April 2020, and last week it requested the court to hear the case urgently.Among the key reforms that the BCCI has asked the court to review are the mandatory cooling-off period for its office-bearers, modifying the disqualification criteria for holding office, giving unprecedented powers to the board secretary, and preventing the court from having a say if the BCCI wants to alter its constitution in the future. (Read more on the BCCI’s proposed amendments.)Related

• Fate of Ganguly, Shah in focus as Supreme Court begins hearing BCCI plea to amend constitution

• BCCI plans sweeping changes, Lodha reforms under threat

• Supreme Court approves new BCCI constitution

At present, the cooling-off period means that an office bearer who has held any post for two consecutive terms (six years) either at a state association or in the BCCI, or a combination of both, shall not be eligible to contest any further election without completing a cooling-off period of three years. During the cooling-off period, the person cannot serve in any capacity at both the BCCI or state level.In its 2018 judgement passing the new BCCI constitution, the Supreme Court had relaxed a couple of the original recommendations including the one concerning the cooling-off period. As per the Lodha Committee recommendation an office bearer – at BCCI or state association – would need to take a three-year break after serving one term of three years. However, the court changed that and allowed an office bearer to serve two consecutive terms (six years) separately at the state association or the board, or a combination of both, while retaining the maximum tenure of nine years.In October 2019, a new BCCI administration was elected with Sourav Ganguly as president, Jay Shah as secretary, Arun Dhumal as treasurer, and Jayesh George as joint secretary. Within two months of taking charge, the Ganguly administration moved the court contesting the cooling-off period: it wanted the cooling-off period to come into effect after the office bearer had been in a post for six consecutive years at one place – either a state association or the BCCI but not a combination of both.At present, all five BCCI office-bearers including vice-president Rajiv Shukla have finished six consecutive years in some office, having earlier served at their respective state associations before becoming BCCI office bearers.Ganguly was meant to start his cooling-off period after July 2020, having started as secretary at the Cricket Association of Bengal in 2014, following which he became the association’s president in 2015, and was re-elected in September 2019 before moving to the BCCI.As for Shah, he was elected joint secretary of the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) in 2014. The internal records of the GCA suggest Shah’s tenure started on September 8, 2013.In Shukla’s case, he is ineligible to continue as a BCCI office-bearer on the basis of him being a Member of Parliament – as per the board’s constitution a politician cannot serve as an office bearer.The challenge for the current Supreme Court bench, which also includes Justice Krishna Murari and Justice Hima Kohli, is to decide whether to change – and on what grounds – the 2018 judgement, which was passed by Justice Dr DY Chandrachud, one of the most senior judges in the court who was part of this case since 2016.While adding leniency to the COA’s original cooling-off recommendation, Justice Chandrachud had said that “allowing an individual to act as an office bearer for six years in continuation is a sufficiently long period for experience and knowledge gained to be deployed in the interest of the game without at the same time resulting in a monopoly of power.”The cooling-off period, Justice Chandrachud said, was necessary because it would be act as a “safe guard” against “vested personal interests”, as well ensure against the “concentration of power in a few hands” while encouraging more administrators to gain experience.”Cooling off must be accepted as a means to prevent a few individuals from regarding the administration of cricket as a personal turf. The game will be better off without cricketing oligopolies,” Justice Chandrachud had written in his judgement.And that is the basis of a counter filed against the BCCI petition this week by Subramaniam Swamy, a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party that leads the Indian government. According to Bar and Bench, an Indian legal website, Swamy said the BCCI request was aimed at “negating and destroying” the cooling-off period, “resulting in a monopoly of power in the hand of few individuals,” and “destroying the quintessence” of the 2018 Supreme Court judgement.”

Liverpool’s academy has become renowned for being the home of some of the very best talents in English football, producing endless stars who either have an effect on the first team or make the club a hefty fee.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is undoubtedly the best modern-day example – a local lad who developed rapidly before securing his place under former boss Jürgen Klopp.

The 25-year-old has made 313 appearances for the Reds in all competitions since his debut at the start of the 2016/17 campaign, producing numerous moments of magic in the process.

Arguably, his most iconic moment came in the Champions League semi-final comeback against Barcelona back in 2019, where the full-back played a quick corner into the path of Divock Origi, who slammed the ball home to complete an unlikely 3-0 deficit from the first-leg.

However, despite early promise in the club’s first-team, one academy graduate decided to jump ship in favour of a move to a Premier League rival – to the disappointment of many within the fanbase.

Raheem Sterling’s time at Liverpool

After joining the club as a 15-year-old from Queens Park Rangers, winger Raheem Sterling quickly progressed through the club’s youth setup before making his debut for the first team at the age of just 17.

He would become a full senior team member during the 2012/13 campaign, making 36 appearances in all competitions – registering five goal contributions in the process.

Whilst he didn’t set the world alight during his debut campaign, it would be the following campaign where Sterling announced himself to the world, producing ten goals and five assists in a campaign where the club narrowly missed out on their maiden Premier League title.

The winger continued on his upward trajectory in 2014/15, this time registering 20 combined goal contributions – but it would be his final season at Anfield after a contract dispute which saw the club cash in on the talent.

Then manager Brendan Rodgers grew frustrated with the antics between Sterling and his representatives – resulting in the attacker moving to Manchester City in a £49m deal – a record for an English player at the time.

However, despite the disappointment in his departure, Liverpool legend John Aldridge believed the club had a player who could follow in the footsteps of the departing talent, but unfortunately for both parties, his career never went to plan.

The player who was meant to be the next Sterling

Winger Jordon Ibe joined Liverpool in the same way Sterling, a compensation fee as a teenager, but after his compatriot’s move to City, it opened the door for him to secure a regular first-team role.

He made 58 appearances for the Reds, with 41 coming in the year of Sterling’s big-money move, with Aldridge writing at the time that Ibe has 'got as much if not more potential than Raheem and will go on to be a better player'.

As it proved, however, it would be his only full campaign of regular first-team action, as he was sold to Bournemouth for £15m during the summer of 2016.

In hindsight, the price tag was an excellent one for Liverpool, with Ibe never reaching the heights he once was predicted to, only scoring five times in 92 appearances for the Cherries.

His departure on a free transfer in 2020 would start a downward spiral for the forward, having temporary stints with Derby County and Turkish side Adanaspor – all whilst in a battle with his own mental health.

Ibe joined non-league side Ebbsfleet United last year in an attempt to kick-start his career, but after only three appearances, he was released at the end of last season and found himself without a club at the age of just 28.

It’s a real shame to see a player with such promise failing to live up to his potential, with Ibe – who Aldridge dubbed a 'terrific player' – having all the attacking qualities to thrive in the Premier League for the Reds.

Hopefully, he can find his feet sooner rather than later at a new club.

Liverpool may regret selling talent who outscored Szoboszlai last season

He’s got all the skills to succeed at the top of the game…

By
Angus Sinclair

Sep 11, 2024

Blessed with an ability to swing the bat liberally and be equally care-free in the field, Ben Stokes is a bright spark for Durham who is catching the eye of England’s hierarchy

Vithushan Ehantharajah06-Aug-2013″No one needed to sit me down and tell me – you quickly realise how foolish you were,” Ben Stokes said ruefully in the Lord’s pavilion.In February, during a challenging tour of Australia as a member of the England Lions squad, Stokes, along with Kent’s Matt Coles, found himself returning home early. “Alcohol related incidents”, or some variant of was echoed throughout the press, as ECB performance director David Parsons, in charge of the tour, spoke of previous warnings going unheeded.Stokes couldn’t have timed this final misdemeanour worse. England team director Andy Flower had just stopped over in Australia, on his way to New Zealand for the Test series, as the two roommates embarked on the night out that broke the camel’s back. It is thought that Flower rubberstamped their early return home.Understandably, Stokes, the Durham allrounder, is sheepish went reflecting six months on. He has previous after he was arrested in 2011 for obstructing a police officer.”I knew what I had to do when I got back to England to make sure I got my career back on track,” Stokes said. “I know I had a lot of work to do to get the England selectors back on my side.”Selection in the Twenty20 series with New Zealand, with the majority of England’s Champions Trophy squad rested, represents a pardon of sorts. But less than a month later, it seemed he had convinced Flower of his reform and reiterated his worth.Ahead of the 2nd Investec Ashes Test, Stokes was on the Nursery Ground training with the senior side. Net work with Graham Gooch, a bowl at the top order to keep the overs ticking over and some extensive drills with Richard Halsall was tough, but the chance to reconnect with the national setup once again was welcome.”It’s been a long time since I’ve been in the one day team,” Stokes said. “It’s pretty nerve-racking if I’m honest. To be around the Test squad and to share a changing room, sitting next to some great England players gives you butterflies. But it’s nice to know that you know them and they know who I am. That settles things a bit. It’s just nice to be involved again.”This heightened sense of responsibility has extended into Stokes’ game, specifically his batting, which has helped Durham reach the quarter-finals of the Friends Life t20 as one of the two best third-placed sides.Occupying No. 5, he has a hat-trick of scores that secured three out of Durham’s final four wins to take them out of the North group. His most notable, a 72 off 48 balls against Nottinghamshire, came with his side struggling on 30 for 3 after six overs – 130 shy of their target. In the end, Durham won off the final ball.

“I was born with that desire to throw myself about. I do try and practice the most unlikely catches.”

Up against an impressive Northants outfit on Tuesday, who boast this year’s revelation and leading wicket-taker, Pakistani fast-bowler Azharullah, his form will be tested.”The way games have panned out, I think it’s given me the chance to fulfil my role as ‘finisher’,” Stokes said. “It’s one thing to take that responsibility on but you need to back it up. The game at Trent Bridge was that moment for me as it then gave me the confidence to do it. Then, with games against Derbyshire and Leicestershire coming within six days, I was able to carry that over and do the job in those matches, too.” Stokes made 46 and 41 not out as Durham finished with a flourish.Apart from his hitting, which has allowed him to clear the fence 18 times – the most by any player in this year’s competition – Stokes’ fielding borders on freakish. In the final group match against Derbyshire, he sent Dan Redfern back to the pavilion with a stunning catch at long-off, while also displaying his athleticism off his own bowling to run out Alex Hughes.But his kamikaze approach to fielding has also caused him problems, most notably against Surrey in a Yorkshire Bank 40 clash at The Oval where he was stretchered off after taking a superb diving catch to get rid of Jason Roy that had his body seemingly bent in three. Luckily, he was back the very next day for the County Championship match between the two sides, albeit playing a limited role in the field and not bowling. Typically, he saw Durham home to a five wicket win with an unbeaten 35.”I’m not too sure why I field the way I do,” he said with a grin. “I think I was born with that desire to throw myself about. I do try and practice the most unlikely catches – that way you’re ready when one comes along that needs you to do something a bit special.”Twenty20 matches are much closer than they used to be and batsmen are getting better at both setting a target and chasing one down. Any way you can shave a few runs off their total or hold them back in a chase is invaluable. You’ve got to put your body on the line.”Still without a T20 title to their name, Durham have the right blend of experience and youth to at least see them through to their second Finals Day. No one better reflects the strength and exuberance of that youth like Ben Stokes – a future star in waiting.

Bangladesh seamer reduced hosts to 9 for 3, with John Campbell and Jermaine Blackwood easing the tension out

Associated Press19-Jun-2022Stumps West Indies 265 (Brathwaite 94, Blackwood 63, Mehidy 4-65) and 49 for 3 (Campbell 28*, Blackwood 17*, Khaled 3-14) need another 35 runs to beat Bangladesh 103 and 245 (Nurul 64, Roach 5-53, Joseph 3-55)Bangladesh went from looking like losing by an innings to beating West Indies on a compelling day three of the first test on Saturday. A brilliant rearguard stand by captain Shakib Al Hasan and Nurul Hasan saved Bangladesh from an innings defeat.But when they were all out for 245, they left West Indies with only 84 to win with more than two days left at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.The target suddenly looked like 840, though, when Bangladesh medium-pacer Khaled Ahmed took three wickets in 11 balls and reduced West Indies to 9 for 3 in the fourth over of the chase.Opener John Campbell and Jermaine Blackwood eased the tension by holding out to stumps and leading West Indies to 49 for 3. The team should knock off the remaining 35 runs on Sunday morning in the series opener.Khaled gave West Indies a good scare. He had captain Kraigg Brathwaite caught down the leg side for 1 from his first delivery, and Raymon Reifer gloving his fifth on 2. Nkrumah Bonner hadn’t scored when his off stump was bowled by Khaled.Campbell, 28 not out, and Blackwood, 17 not out, combined for 40 to get the home side back on track.In the morning, West Indies seemed like they were going to wrap up the match by mid-afternoon. Bangladesh were reeling at 109 for 6 in the second innings and still trailing West Indies by 53 runs when Shakib and Nurul came together in the morning.Khaled Ahmed took three wickets in 11 balls•AFP/Getty Images

But showing the patience most of their team-mates didn’t on a good batting track, they rubbed out the first-innings deficit through a wicketless middle session, and pushed Bangladesh 70 runs ahead when they were broken up soon after tea.With the new ball, West Indies pace bowler Kemar Roach made Shakib drive straight to a man at short extra cover. Shakib was out for 63, his third straight Test half-century and second of the match. His demise ended a 123-run stand with Nurul. They seemed to match each other run for run, as Nurul was on 60 at the time. He was out for 64 after 147 balls, also bagged by Roach.Bangladesh started the day on 50 for 2, and got into deeper trouble with poor shots to regulation deliveries.Najmul Hossain Shanto went from 8 overnight to guiding Kyle Mayers to the slips on 17, then Mominul Haque was leg-before to Mayers and not saved by a review. Mominul’s score of 4 was his ninth straight Test score in single figures, and his tenth of 11 this year.Litton Das was caught by Mayers in the slips, and Mahmudul Hasan Joy’s stoic 42 that started late on Friday ended four overs from lunch when he was caught behind off Roach, going for a wide ball he should have left alone. He had endured 153 balls.Shakib and Nurul dug in and West Indies wasted their last two reviews after lunch trying to get them out. Ultimately, they had to wait for the new ball, and Roach delivered.Roach conceded the only six of the Bangladesh second innings when Mustafizur Rahman blasted him over the third-man boundary, but Roach had the last say by ending the innings by bowling Ebadot Hossain. That gave Roach his tenth test five-for – 5-53 – and tied him with Michael Holding on the West Indies wicket-taking list: 249, and sixth place.Alzarri Joseph took 3 for 55 and Mayers 2 for 30.

The new competition will increase the number of clubs in MLS NEXT while strengthening the player pool and coaching staff

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• MLS NEXT announces new competition tier
• Set to deepen player pool, coaching staff
• Begins in September 2025

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  MLS NEXT announced a new competition tier that is set to begin in fall 2025. Clubs who are accepted will participate in one of eight possible regional tournaments each season, in addition to age-eligible groups attending MLS NEXT Fest in December. The regional events will thereby serve as qualifying tournaments for a "championship event" at MLS NEXT Cup in 2026.

  Players competing in this new tier will also be eligible to play high school soccer.

  Operators of the competition include: National Academy League (NAL) operated by 3Step Soccer, Elite Academy League (EAL), Sporting Development League (SDL), Cobalt Sports, and Cal North Soccer Association.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  “MLS NEXT is elevating soccer across North America for players, coaches, and referees,” said MLS NEXT general manager Kyle Albrecht. “This expansion, alongside our strategic alliance with the Girls Academy, brings together top-tier resources to continue building a clear pathway across North America for more players to reach their highest potential.

  "The addition of a new tier to MLS NEXT reflects Major League Soccer’s continued dedication to growing the game at the youth level,” added MLS NEXT technical director Luis Robles. “We are excited to deepen the talent pool and welcome more players and coaches as we work with them to develop the next generation of talent who will impact the professional game and national teams.”

  MLS NEXT was launched in 2020, and prides itself on being the "most elite" platform for youth player development in North America. There are 151 total clubs across multiple age groups competing in the 2024-25 edition of the competition, including MLS NEXT Fest, the Generation Adidas Cup and two more marquee events.

• WHAT MLS NEXT PARTNERS SAID

  “We think it is wonderful that MLS NEXT has expanded its pathway to give access to more clubs and players. National Academy League has a proven record of working with MLS NEXT Elite Academies and other top clubs. We are thrilled to support MLS NEXT to unite the youth soccer landscape and enhance player development," said vice president of 3Step Soccer Ian Burgess.

  “For the last 5 years, the EA has provided clubs across the U.S. the opportunity to be a part of a national platform, and we are honored that our body of work has been recognized. The alignment with MLS NEXT allows there to be collaboration and cooperation to bring the game together," added Ryan Miller, EA Commissioner. "The EA is excited to play an important role in this new tier of MLS NEXT, while continuing to grow clubs and set standards for clubs to progress and develop within the EA.”

• USA Today Sports
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR MLS NEXT?

  Applications for the new tier, beginning in 2025, are now open, with MLS NEXT encouraging eligible teams for apply for participation.

Glasgow Rangers failed yet again to win an Old Firm derby under Philippe Clement. This was the fifth time the Belgian had led the Ibrox side into this fixture, coming out with just one draw for his troubles.

The stark reality is, Rangers' fierce rivals in Celtic were far too good. The Light Blues started brightly, yet once Daizen Maeda scored the opener, there was never going to be a way back into the tie for the Gers.

The international break perhaps comes at the right time for Clement, who will need to have a long think about what is continually going wrong in these matches.

Several of the players who shone vs Ross County last weekend were dismal when the pressure was on, particularly Rabbi Matondo.

Rabbi Matondo’s statistics vs Celtic

The Welsh winger shone against County, scoring twice while grabbing two assists, but playing Celtic at Parkhead is a completely different story indeed.

Matondo was unleashed on the left wing over the weekend, with Clement hoping he could replicate his feats from the previous match.

He only lasted 38 minutes, hobbling off holding his hamstring, but his time on the field lacked any meaningful impact.

The 23-year-old had one shot (off target), missed a big chance, failed with his only dribble attempt and took just nine touches overall.

This plus his injury combined to make it a horrible experience for the player. It remains to be seen how long he will be missing, but his spell at Ibrox has failed to yield any sort of consistency.

Aside from his excellent display against County, Matondo has been off the pace so far this season for the Ibrox side. Perhaps it is time for Clement to unleash Oscar Cortes when he is fit instead.

Rabbi Matondo’s statistics this season

His performance against the Highland side has certainly skewed his statistics, as across the other three Premiership matches, Matondo has been poor.

The winger has missed two big chances already this term, winning only 36% of his total duels per game along with being dribbled past on 0.8 occasions each match. His displays are a far cry from that wonderful goal he scored against Celtic last term. Why can't we see more of that?

Add in the fact he has lost possession 27 times after just four games, and it is clear that while Matondo’s pace might be a great asset, defensively, he is failing to contribute when required.

Cortes appears to be near a return to full fitness. Hopefully, by the time the Light Blues take on Dundee United in the league once the international break is over, the Colombian will be ready to be unleashed.

Although less experienced than Matondo, the 21-year-old has shown flashes of his abilities during his time in Glasgow. A run in the starting XI could allow him to build his confidence, establishing himself as the main option on the left flank.

It is all fine starring against the likes of Ross County, but when it comes to high-pressure games such as the Old Firm, Matondo has failed to showcase anything near his best form.

Fewer touches than Butland: Rangers must drop a star who lost 9/9 duels

The Light Blues attacker may have just played his way out of the starting line-up.

By
Dan Emery

Sep 2, 2024

Bruno Fernandes says he is "upset" by Manchester United's inconsistency after a spirited 2-2 draw against Premier League leaders Liverpool.

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• Man Utd draw 2-2 at Liverpool
• Bruno "upset" at team's results
• Says United have to perform "everywhere"

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Red Devils put in one of their best performances of the season as they fought back to claim a point at Anfield on Sunday. Despite this much-improved display, exasperated United captain Fernandes lamented why his side couldn't play this way "every week" and warned that his team-mates need to maintain this "level" going forward.

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  WHAT BRUNO FERNANDES SAID

  He told Sky Sports: "We have been criticised and fairly. Our position in the table says it all, we have lost too many points. Even today we can't be happy with a point. We need the points and we could've won the game at the end, but it's a fair result. Both teams played good football. I'm pretty upset. If we show this level at Liverpool, first in the league, why can't we do this everywhere? It frustrates me. Also, finally I did a proper performance. We said we need much more from ourselves to get more from this season. Being 2-1 [down] then scoring it's good to get a point but we need more. Now we have an FA Cup tie at Arsenal and it is going to be very tough but we want to get to the final again. We know how tough it is to play against Liverpool. Today we put in a real effort to the game, playing with some passion and heart is what is going to give you something from the game. You have to put in effort and that's why we took something from today. It can't stop here, We have to bring this frustration to the next game to understand this has to be the level. If we can do it an Anfield, we have to do it everywhere. It can't stop here, We have to bring this frustration to the next game to understand this has to be the level. If we can do it an Anfield, we have to do it everywhere."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  United are still 13th in the Premier League and they were close to registering a fourth-straight league defeat – something they have not done since 1979. Ruben Amorim's team now need to kick on from this result but if they don't, the new head coach could be under pressure again.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  United take a break from league action next weekend when they travel to Arsenal in the third round of the FA Cup.