Messi and Busquets made their debuts against Cruz Azul. Fittingly, Messi scored a stoppage-time free kick to secure the win for Inter Miami. However, tickets were outrageously expensive for that game. With so many celebrities, including LeBron James, Kim Kardashian and Serena Williams in attendance, it was clearly a hot ticket to have. Some markets had tickets rise over 2,500% before that game.

Ticketing company Logitix pooled together the prices across several secondhand ticket exchanges. The following table shows the prices of those games and the relative increase. Note that this is before fees that can pile up so easily in the secondary market.

Average Inter Miami ticket price skyrockets

Overall, the average ticket price for Inter Miami home games following Messi’s announcement rose by $190.96. This represents a 690% increase in the average ticket price for games at DRV PNK Stadium for the rest of the 2023 campaign.

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Not just a problem in Miami

This is not a problem solely for those trying to attend DRV PNK Stadium to see Lionel Messi and Inter Miami. The club’s away games feature stops at LAFC, Charlotte, Atlanta United and more. Those tickets are also shooting up in price. Tickets across the league to see Inter Miami surged over 1,000% when the announcement rolled in. Ironically, some of those were for games that happened before the debut on July 21 against Cruz Azul.

PHOTO: IMAGO / Agencia-MexSport

Part of that secrecy is because Apple made many MLS team officias sign NDAs, or non-disclosure agreements, to protect some of this information. Sports Business Journal writer Alex Silverman revealed that several high-profile at Major League Soccer signed NDAs with Apple. Part of those NDAs centered around subscriber counts, keeping it away from public knowledge.

Still, there have been several instances where information has come out. For example, sources recently said the subscriber count is approaching 1 million. While this does include many season ticket holders and those who got MLS Season Pass for free via T-Mobile or an LG Smart TV, it is a major milestone for the league and broadcaster. However, there is not a specific number to revert back to. Instead, MLS leaves fans wondering how successful the platform and product is.

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The threat of the NDAs is simple. If one of these MLS team officials does share information on subscriber counts, that executive could face possible legal and financial action. It is a safeguard for Apple that demonstrates how serious it is about these figures.

MLS and Apple NDAs leave growth unclear

It is frustrating for those that want to see how well MLS Season Pass is doing though. Particularly with the arrival of Lionel Messi and the launch of the Leagues Cup, MLS Season Pass has been a major talking point. Moreover, international followers would be more inclined to watch with a superstar of Messi’s caliber doing phenomenal things. His debut goal to defeat Cruz Azul this past weekend exceeded 50 million views on Twitter. MLS Season Pass allowed that clip to have a global audience with few geographical restrictions.

PHOTO: IMAGO / Icon Sportswire

Friday night’s Inter Miami versus Cruz Azul game was televised across Univision and TUDN. While the viewing number doesn’t include how many watched the game on MLS Season Pass in English- or Spanish-language, the TV broadcast is still the most-watched MLS telecast in Spanish-language history.

Messi’s MLS debut for Inter Miami is also the fifth most-watched MLS telecast in the league’s 27-year history. Based on the promising start to Messi in MLS, the league may be hoping to break more records. Currently, the top five most-watched games in their TV history are:

1997: MLS Cup Final, ABC, 2.2 million
1996: MLS Cup Final, ABC, 2.1 million
2004: DC United vs San Jose (Freddy Adu debut), ABC, 2.0 million
2021: Thanksgiving Day game, FOX, 1.9 million

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Messi debut for Inter Miami

Major League Soccer and Apple are not releasing any details about viewing numbers for Messi’s debut on MLS Season Pass. However, reports this week indicate that the streaming service is approaching one million subscribers.

Certainly, interest in Messi playing at Inter Miami is going to generate more subscribers to the streaming service. In particular, if Messi can continue to dazzle viewers with goals like the 94th minute one he scored last week, the only way is up for MLS, Inter Miami and Messi.

Miami defeated Cruz Azul 2-1 in front of a sold-out crowd of more than 22,000. Celebrities at the game included LeBron James, David Beckham, Kim Kardashian and Selena Williams, among others.

The next test for MLS, Lionel Messi and Inter Miami is Tuesday night’s Leagues Cup game against Atlanta United.

Photo credit: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

In total, the Ivorian played 458 games with Crystal Palace. He scored 90 goals and provided 46 assists over that time. His appearance count ranks third all-time at Crystal Palace. Then, he ranks 10th all-time when it comes to goals scored for the club.

With Galatasaray, Zaha will have the chance to do something he never did at Crystal Palace, play in Europe. While Manchester United was playing in European action during Zaha’s time at Old Trafford, he never made an appearance. However, this past season, Galatasaray punched a ticket to the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round. It got there by winning the Turkish Süper Lig.

The Ivorian winger made his first public appearance in front of the Galatasaray faithful this weekend. The Turkish club beat out Saudi clubs, PSG, Lazio, Napoli and rivals Fenerbahce to land Zaha.

Wilfried Zaha says emotional farewell to Palace after Galatasaray move

The star took to Instagram to bid his farewell to Crystal Palace. He thanked the fans and many of his teammates and coaches for affording him the chance to play in the Palace kit.

“I’ve been wearing the Palace shirt since I was 8 years old, it’s literally been my second skin and I always gave everything when I wore it,” Zaha wrote. “I grew up two roads away from the bright lights and loud crowds of Selhurst Park, having no idea that I would be at the center of it all one day, and have the amazing journey I’ve had with this amazing club.”

Some of Zaha’s former teammates at Crystal Palace, including Christian Benteke, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Yannick Bolasie, commented on Zaha’s post.

PHOTO: IMAGO / Sebastien Frej

According to the Sports Business Journal, MLS Season Pass is nearing 1 million subscribers. Apple has said on several occasions that it is pleased with the number of subscribers for its first year broadcasting the league. For example, a clause between Apple and MLS involving revenue sharing with players kicks in with a certain subscriber count. According to reports, the service neared that quantity about a month ago.

Now, though, MLS Season Pass is coming up on seven figures of subscribers to MLS Season Pass. However, this does not mean that each of those 1 million subscribers are paying customers. There are, and have been throughout the season, several ways to get MLS Season Pass for free. One of the major ones came through season ticket holders.

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There are an estimated 420,000 season ticket holders in Major League Soccer. Each of those gets MLS Season Pass for free as a bonus with their ticket. Then, T-Mobile users and LG Smart TV owners can get a season of MLS Season Pass for free. Additionally, there are free trials throughout the season, whether those be from clubs or other promotions. In summation, there is no clear number of how many of these are paying for MLS Season Pass.

MLS Season Pass subscribers growing

Apple remains mute on the actual subscriber count, as is standard among some streaming services. However, the Sports Business Journal did note that the quantity has vastly increased over the last month. In early June, MLS Season Pass pulled in around 700,000 subscribers. Again, there is no indication of how many of those are paying for the service. Still, by the end of July, reports indicate the service is close to 1 million.

The arrival of Lionel Messi, as well as the beginning of the Leagues Cup, could be drawing in record numbers. Messi’s influence is clear, at least that is the case on social media. His game-winning free kick against Cruz Azul has over 50 million views on the MLS official Twitter account.

PHOTO: IMAGO / Icon Sportswire

Fitting the mold of many soccer stars, Saudi Arabia looks like a suitable destination. Al-Nassr is leading the race, and it has prepared a bid of $44 million to acquire Sadio Mane. According to James Benge from CBS, Mane would be the most expensive player for the club when it comes to transfer fees. The club started the great Saudi soccer migration when it landed Cristiano Ronaldo on a free move in the middle of the 2022/23 campaign. Since then, it has made more headline acquisitions. For example, the Saudi club brought in Marcelo Brozovic from Inter Milan, Manchester United’s Alex Telles and Seko Fofana from Lens.

Sadio Mane, though, carries a different weight than those three. The UEFA Champions League and Premier League winner was a star just two seasons ago. After a strong start to his time with Bayern Munich, an injury derailed his success. He missed Senegal’s appearance in the World Cup with that injury. Then, with his form dipping, things got worse off the pitch.

Mane punched Bayern teammate Leroy Sane, which yielded a brief suspension for the former Liverpool star. Now, the disgruntled star seeks money coming from Saudi Arabia.

Al-Nassr offers fancy wages for Sadio Mane

If Sadio Mane does make the switch over to Saudi Arabia, he would receive quite the bump in wages. That $44 million annual salary equates to a weekly salary of about $833,000. Currently, Mane is making roughly $24.5 million per year. So, Mane would almost double his wages if he jumps to Saudi Arabia.

PHOTO: IMAGO / Sven Simon

The main thing to keep in mind is that this is through MLS Season Pass. This worldwide deal includes most major countries. Crucially, though, this omits some. For example, Uruguay does not have access to MLS Season Pass. The same goes for countries such as Russia, China, Nigeria and Morocco. Fortunately for fans of the World Cup winner in his home country, Messi playing in MLS is available to watch in Argentina.

Sign up to watch MLS and Messi from Argentina

Signing up for MLS Season Pass is straightforward, as it is the same for every country.

1. Go ahead and activate the link for MLS Season Pass
2. Sign in or create an account. You do not need to subscribe to Apple TV+.
3. Register with payment information.
4. Watch Major League Soccer.

MLS Season Pass provides access to more than just games including Lionel Messi. It includes every single game in the league and the Leagues Cup. Even though Messi faces a tall task of getting Inter Miami into MLS Cup Playoff contention, MLS Season Pass does include every playoff game.

Each game is also available in multiple languages. There are English-language broadcasts. Crucially for fans in Argentina, every Major League Soccer game is available in Spanish, too. That comes from a talented crew that covers every single game. Plus, fixtures involving Canadian teams are available in French.

You can watch MLS Season Pass on every device, and you do not need an Apple device. If your device has an Apple TV app, you can go through there. If you do not have the Apple TV app, you must go through a web browser. For example, if you have an Android, you must go through the web browser.

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Generally, the annual plan is recommended to save money. However, if you are only concerned with watching the remainder of the 2023 campaign, the monthly option makes more sense. In Argentina, the base monthly fee is $14.99. Comparatively, the annual option is $99. However, by the time Argentina fans can watch Messi in MLS, the season will be over halfway complete so you can get MLS Season Pass for $49.99 for the rest of 2023.

PHOTO: IMAGO / Xinhua

For instance, Gremio is currently third in the Brasileirao. Luis Suarez is healthy enough to play for the club. The Uruguayan participated in training with the club on Friday. Yet, Gremio manager Renato Gaucho said Suarez will only play for the club if his head is there. In other words, he believes Suarez’s only focus is reuniting with his Barcelona teammates at Inter Miami. Consequently, Gaucho left Suarez off his matchday squad this past weekend.

Mundo Deportivo went further into Gaucho’s comments. The manager identified Suarez’s ‘problem’ as something akin to a Mexican soap opera. Suarez, who had the best years of a bountiful career with the likes of Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, is ready to pay Gremio to leave.

In fact, some reports indicate that Suarez is willing to pay the club his salary to move to Inter Miami. That includes all of Suarez’s earned money from when he joined Gremio. Then, Suarez would tack on extra money to help usher in a move to MLS. This is Suarez’s first year with the club, which is making its return to the Brazilian top flight after a year in the second division.

Luis Suarez targets MLS as latest Miami rumor

Gaucho confirmed the rumors that Suarez wants to leave the club. He said everything discussed by the press is true. However, it is up to the club president to decide Suarez’s fate.

Suarez is keen to move to Inter Miami, where Lionel Messi just made headlines in his first game with the club. A 90th-minute free-kick winner against Cruz Azul became one of MLS’s greatest moments in recent history. The Twitter clip of Messi’s goal from the official MLS account has over 50 million views.

Sergio Busquets also impressed in his debut with the club, and Jordi Alba’s first appearance is surely right around the corner. Suarez wants to be a part of the train that is taking over Major League Soccer.

PHOTO: IMAGO / Sports Press Photo

ESPN host Dan Thomas, working alongside Shaka Hislop in coverage of the game, acted swiftly in getting medical attention to Hislop immediately following the collapse. Yet, the focus for many watching was no longer on the game or the debut of Christian Pulisic. Many wanted to assure that Hislop was okay following his incident.

During the game, Thomas tweeted that Hislop was conscious and receiving medical attention. Then, at halftime, Thomas delivered the news that many fans wanted to hear. Hislop was okay, and he was slightly embarrassed over the whole situation.

“As it stands, it is good news,” Thomas told viewers on ESPN. “He’s conscious, he’s talking. I think he is a little embarrassed about it all. He’s apologized profusely.”

Thomas also clarified that it is far too early to make any diagnosis of what happened to Hislop. Regardless, the important news is that Hislop is recovering. “As it stands, it looks like Shaka will be alright.”

Christian Pulisic impresses after Shaka Hislop collapse

The game between AC Milan and Real Madrid did go on as planned, which provided Christian Pulisic a chance to play for his new club. In that game, Pulisic did well, picking up an assist in the contest. Even though Real Madrid won the game with a strong second-half comeback, Pulisic made an impact throughout the 70 minutes he played on Sunday.

Pulisic’s assist came on a cross on a corner to former Chelsea teammate Fikayo Tomori. Tomori, who played a role in luring Pulisic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek to AC Milan, thundered in the header.

A brace from Federico Valverde and a late Vinicius Junior goal ensured Real Madrid picked up the victory, though.

PHOTO: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

While all indications point toward Real Madrid, Al-Hilal may provide a buffer year for the Frenchman. The Saudi club has reportedly offered PSG over $330 million in a transfer for Kylian Mbappe. This would shatter Neymar’s record fee when he moved to PSG of $261 million. While Saudi Arabian clubs have several high-profile transfers this summer, Mbappe would assuredly top the list.

The kicker is, though, that this record transfer would last just a year. Part of the reason PSG is ready to sell Mbappe is because it is convinced he has already agreed to join Real Madrid in the summer of 2024. Yet, Al-Hilal is ready to honor that agreement between Mbappe and Los Blancos. Al-Hilal would only have Mbappe for one season.

However, in that one season, the club would pay him an exorbitant amount of money in wages. James Benge of CBS reports the Saudi club would pay Kylian Mbappe over $775 million. Again, this is just for one season. Unsurprisingly, this would make him the highest-paid athlete in the world by some margin. For reference, Al-Hilal offered Lionel Messi $100 million less than Mbappe for a two-year deal. In other words, Messi would have made a measly $325 million per season.

PSG ready to accept Saudi offer for Kylian Mbappe

With such high transfer fees, PSG will not find a better offer for Kylian Mbappe in this summer’s transfer window. Real Madrid seems content with waiting until he comes over next year on a free transfer. Other clubs, such as Chelsea, Manchester United or Tottenham, cannot match this offer.

However, the main hurdle now is the personal agreement between Mbappe and Al-Hilal. There have been no agreements between the player and the club over this proposed transfer. Most experts believe Mbappe wants to stay in Europe. He has a fantastic track record in the UEFA Champions League with 40 goals in 61 games in the competition. Domestically, he has won Ligue 1 Player of the Year each of the last four times the league gave out the award. Then, he helped France dominate on the world stage. In addition to winning the 2018 World Cup, he won the Golden Boot at the 2022 World Cup as France finished runner-up to Argentina.

PHOTO: IMAGO / Sportsphoto

When both were at Barcelona, Suarez and Lionel Messi’s families became great friends. They formed a legendary attack force with Neymar, the Brazilian striker, and together they won the UEFA Champions League.

TyC Sports’ Argentinean correspondent Gaston Edul has previously reported that Suarez and the Herons have been in negotiations for months and have made headway. He has just revealed a huge development.

Next week crucial?

“Inter Miami have advanced in talks with Luis Suarez and news is expected next week”, Edul has taken to Twitter to reveal on Saturday. According to a previous ESPN report, Tata Martino’s side are seeking to reach an agreement with the Gremio striker while negotiating a departure price with the Brazilian team.

This Friday, Gremio manager Renato Portaluppi confirmed that the striker has shown interest in playing in Major League Soccer, but that the club is hesitant to allow him to go.

“Suarez is now a problem that is in the president’s hands. They are exchanging ideas. As a coach, I have to focus on leading the team. It seems like a Mexican soap opera that should end now. Until August 2, I’m quiet, then we will see how we continue”, he told the media.

“Of course we want Suarez to stay. I can’t vouch for him. I know what he thinks and what the club thinks. For now, he has been talking to the board and the president.”

Suarez could scrap plans of retirement

Suarez’s contract with Gremio has 18 months remaining and he has already scored 13 goals there. Last month, there were rumblings that the 36-year-old’s knee problems would eventually drive him into retirement.

Nevertheless, things seem to have altered recently. Knowing that the Uruguayan veteran, Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba all played together at Barcelona, the odds of a possible reunion are very high.

For some time, it had been speculated that David Beckham’s franchise would want to reunite members of the great team that won the treble with the Blaugrana in 2015. However, few predicted that this would occur within a matter of weeks and simultaneously.

Photo credit: IMAGO / Sports Press Photo

The top scorer for the Cottagers over the last five seasons is said to have told family members that he will never play for Fulham again after the club put a $67 million price tag on him.

It is thought that he is angry because Al-Hilal made two unsuccessful offers to buy him but couldn’t afford to do so.

Fulham‘s pre-season tour is in the United States, but the Serbian striker is back in the UK, working alone in London.

The club’s stance didn’t change when they turned down the latest offer, saying that the Serbian international is not for sale. But that could be changing soon.

Fulham could have change of heart soon

It’s believed that Fulham don’t want to sell their best player, which makes sense.

However, they don’t have much power to stop an unhappy player from making a rich move to the Gulf state

Nevertheless, they are making significant progress in bolstering Silva’s squad with quality and depth, following an impressive top-half finish in the Premier League last season.

Club on verge of signing Raul Jimenez

Fabrizio Romano and The Athletic say that Raul Jimenez, a star player for Wolverhampton Wanderers, is close to joining the Cottagers. For the experienced scorer, the London-based team has agreed to pay a fee of around $6.4 million plus extras.

The 32-year-old’s current deal runs until 2024, but he seems likely to move to Craven Cottage unless something goes wrong at the last minute.

Jimenez will return from Wolves’ training camp in Portugal to undergo a medical with Fulham on Monday.

The Mexican international’s future has been uncertain this summer, and Fulham is an opportunity to start over.

He has been at Molineux for the last five years, where he has helped the team stay in the Premier League. The striker was a key player for Wolves after they got back into the English top division, but he got a serious head injury at Arsenal in November 2020.

Photo credit: IMAGO / Action Plus

So much so that the French giants are waiting for a bid from Chelsea, as reported by the Daily Express. The striker has repeatedly stated that he would be returning to the Parc des Princes for the next season. However, he might be compelled to go if a suitable offer is made.

The 24-year-old’s current deal with PSG runs until the summer of 2024, with an additional year included as an option that he is not likely to trigger. Any team that makes an offer for Mbappe next summer will be entitled to sign him without paying a transfer fee.

Chelsea have permission to table in bid

PSG are anticipating a formal offer from Chelsea, as they have already made early queries into the availability of the French international captain. Numerous teams have been made aware of the issue with the Ligue 1 champion, and offers are expected to be fielded next week.

Undoubtedly Chelsea owner and American billionaire Todd Boehly is eager to make a blockbuster signing. Mbappe, like recent Blues recruits Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson, might be the next big name to arrive at Stamford Bridge.

In addition, this summer, Pochettino is expected to add a new offensive player to his roster. It seems like the Stamford Bridge side are not going to allow this once-in-a-lifetime chance to slip away without making a serious offer, assuming they have the financial resources to do so.

No European action to be key?

Unfortunately, the Blues are in a bind because they cannot provide access to the UEFA Champions League. They are also not participating in any other European competitions for the 2023-24 season.

In pursuing the World Cup champion, Chelsea will face stiff opposition from Real Madrid. For years, rumors have swirled that the French superstar will transfer to Spain and will be a leader of the new Los Blancos era.

Photo credit: IMAGO / Sportsphoto

They did this by comfortably beating the Vietnam team 3-0, in front of a crowd of 41,107 and with thousands of traveling USA fans.

Sophia Smith, one of the 14 players in the squad making their first World Cup appearance, scored two goals before half-time for the four-time world champions.

The number-one ranked team in the world took the lead as Smith fired in a low-drilled finish from an angle. Meanwhile, after a lengthy check by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for an offside, her second goal was awarded.

How many people have watched it on English-language TV channel in US?

In the 77th minute, captain Lindsey Horan scored the third goal after an assist by Smith. The Vietnam keeper, Tran Thi Kim Thanh, had a memorable moment when her jubilant teammates mobbed her after saving Alex Morgan’s penalty, which was awarded for a foul on Trinity Rodman.

Vietnam hardly ever got out of their own half, but they worked hard and played tough defense to keep the score from being too bad.

FOX Sports have boasted that the game got 5,261,000 people tuning up on their channel, making it the second-most watched Women’s World Cup Group Stage game ever shown on an English-language channel.

It’s up +99% from the 2019 World Cup Group Stage broadcast from France on FOX, which showed the USA playing Thailand and was watched by 2,649,000 people.

The 2019 group game between the United States and Chile, which 5,337,000 people watched, is the one that has the most views so far.

How many people have watched it on Spanish-language TV channel in US?

Meanwhile, on average, 1 million people have reportedly watched USA’s 3-0 triumph on Telemundo, Peacock, Universo, and Telemundo online services on Friday night.

The match has now become the third most-watched Women’s World Cup Group Stage match in Spanish-language history.

In addition, it is the third largest ever, regardless of stage. The only matches surpassing it in viewership are the 2019 and 2015 Finals.

This year’s USA Team opener got twice as many views as the 2019 start against Thailand. It has thus become the most-watched Women’s World Cup match in Spanish-language history, with 152,000 people watching on average each minute.

Photo credit: IMAGO / NurPhoto

Luckily, it’s no problem at all. MLS Season Pass works in over 100 countries, so almost wherever you are, signing up and watching is exactly the same.

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If you already have MLS Season Pass and are heading overseas for vacation or business, watching is the same as at home. Just fire up the Apple TV app on your mobile device or computer, and you’re good to go. Odds are you’re not bringing your TV with you. But if you’re in a spot with a smart TV and wifi, like a hotel room, you’ll likely able to push the video to the big screen from your portable device.

Whether you’re an international fan and want to follow the American game, or perhaps one of the millions of Messi fans looking to catch the star in his new league, MLS Season Pass is the easiest way to watch. If you’re not a subscriber, getting MLS Season Pass is easy.

Get and subscribe to MLS Season Pass overseas

To get MLS Season Pass, here are the steps:

1. Activate this link for MLS Season Pass
2. Sign in or create an account. You do not need to subscribe to Apple TV+.
3. Register with payment information.
4. Watch Major League Soccer.

And you’re all set! You can now use your login information anywhere that has the Apple TV app and watch Season Pass. Android users can also get MLS Season Pass.

MLS Season Pass has four different price points. The base plan is $14.99 USD per month. However, you can get an annual option that covers an entire season for $99 USD, offering some savings. Or a midseason plan for $49.99 USD.

It’s important to note that Apple TV+ and MLS Season Pass are two separate entities. You do not need to subscribe to Apple TV+ to get Season Pass. If you are, or want to, you do get a discount however.

Apple TV+ subscribers have access to MLS Season Pass for an additional $12.99 USD per month. The annual plan for Apple TV+ subscribers will run you $79 USD.

A WHOLE DIFFERENT GAME

Previously, there was a patchwork of individual rights deals for different countries, if MLS was even available at all in certain regions.

Now everywhere is covered under MLS Season Pass. Unfortunately there are a few notable locations where the service is not yet available. But in general it’s easier than ever to (legally) watch MLS games outside the US and Canada.

To find out when soccer games are on, download the free Soccer TV Schedules App which includes listings of all of the live soccer matches available in the United States (available on Apple iOS devices and Android devices).

On Sunday, he was due to play for Spurs against Leicester in Bangkok, unfortunately, the game was cancelled due to bad weather. However, Kane’s long-term prospects may be better off outside the Premier League and England.

With his contract at Tottenham set to expire at the end of the upcoming season, the 29-year-old striker has been extensively linked to a transfer away from the club this summer.

Despite interest from English rivals like Manchester United and Chelsea, Spurs president Daniel Levy is adamant about holding on to his most prized asset.

Kane’s family spotted in Munich

However, speculation over Harry Kane’s possible exit from Tottenham continues to rise after reports that his wife and children had been sighted in Munich. The German tabloid BILD reports that Kane’s wife, Kate, and other family members recently visited the German city to scope out the area and potential housing options.

If accurate, it’s a huge development indicating the prolific striker has decided to go to Germany. The transfer decision appears to rest with Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich as they now need to negotiate a transfer fee for the England striker.

New offer incoming next week

Earlier proposals from $77 million and $90 million from the Bavarians for Kane were supposedly turned down, as previously confirmed by The Athletic. The Lilywhites, though, are believed to be demanding $111 million.

As a result, the Bundesliga champions are reportedly putting the finishing touches on a third bid to sign the player. SPORT BILD adds that it’s expected to satisfy Daniel Levy’s $111 million value requirement and open negotiations with Bayern.

It’s said that the new hierarchy at Allianz Arena are confident that they can finalize the signing of the Englishman before the end of July. In fact, they would want to present the revised bid on July 27 once the player returns from his Asian trip.

Photo credit: IMAGO / NurPhoto

Barcelona‘s United States tour was set to begin with a match against the Bianconeri on Saturday. However, the game had to be canceled because several players in the squad were affected by viral gastroenteritis.

Yesterday Barcelona confirmed the cancelation with a statement:

“FC Barcelona hereby informs that the game against Juventus FC, scheduled for today, July 22 at 7:30 PM at Levi’s Stadium, as part of the Soccer Champions Tour, has been canceled. A significant part of the Blaugrana squad has viral gastroenteritis”

Reason for virus yet to be determined

Reports in Spain say there was an early attempt to move the game, but it was hard to do so. In fact, about ten of the team’s players are said to be sick, which is why the Camp Nou side canceled the match.

The La Liga winners haven’t given any more information about how this could have happened. The Spanish newspaper Marca has, as an example, pointed out that French defender Jules Kounde missed the first double training session in Los Angeles because he had stomach issues.

Will Barcelona face Arsenal on Wednesday?

They will now focus on their next planned match, on July 26, against Premier League runners-up Arsenal.

Since Xavi Hernandez’s team is scheduled to play at the SoFi Stadium, there has been a lot of questions about whether the affected players will recover in time.

However, the Blaugrana have made an official statement regarding the fate of their next friendly fixture: “FC Barcelona would like to encourage its fans to attend and enjoy the game we are going to play this Wednesday against Arsenal at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Both teams are in close contact and we both have the utmost confidence that our game will go on as planned.”

Photo credit: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

Adams sustained the damage during the 2022-23 campaign and subsequently had surgery in March to repair it. After successful surgery, he was sidelined for the remaining two months of Leeds‘ Premier League season.

The loss of the 24-year-old midfielder compounded other problems at Elland Road, and the team was eventually sent down to the EFL Championship.

Daniel Farke confirms bad news

The optimistic scenario was that he would be back before the new season began. But now the Whites’ manager Daniel Farke has revealed he anticipates Tyler Adams will be out until after September’s international break.

After his side’s loss to Monaco in a pre-season friendly, Farke addressed the media and revealed that he expects the US Men’s National Team (USMNT) captain, along with winger Jack Harrison, to be sidelined until mid-September.

“Jack Harrison and Tyler Adams are still on their way back because they are still doing their rehab so they will definitely miss the start of the season and they will definitely miss also [the] next weeks. It will last a few weeks, it’s a bit too early to judge.”

“I expect them perhaps to be back after the first international break, but it will last a while so they have to work on the rehab. Jack Harrison and Tyler Adams, top-class players, top characters, are so important for us. It’s not easy for us to start without them, but that’s reality”, he said.

How many games will Adams miss?

Despite Adams missing out on the US team duty this summer, the team still managed to secure a comfortable victory in the CONCACAF Nations League without their captain.

Meanwhile, September’s FIFA window finds the U.S. national team hosting Uzbekistan on the 9th before facing off against Oman three days later. The Leeds star would be out for six months if he returned after those games.

Photo credit: IMAGO / Pro Sports Images

The Major League Soccer side first took the lead just before the halftime break. Robbie Robinson sent a long ball out towards the left flank to midfielder Robert Taylor.

The Finland international collected the pass, sized up his defender, and cut inside towards the opposing box. Taylor then sent in a dangerous low shot that struck the far post and went into the back of the net. It was Finn’s third total goal of the current campaign.

Visitors claw back as Messi free-kick marks debut

Messi, and fellow new signing Sergio Busquets, then entered the fray as substitutes 10 minutes into the second half. With the home crowd going wild, the Liga MX club struck back to tie the match. Jesus Duenas played teammate Uriel Antuna in on goal with a beautiful pass that cut through the Miami defense. Antuna then struck a powerful shot that went through a diving Drake Callender in goal.

Nevertheless, the sellout crowd at DRV PNK Stadium would be in for some Messi magic late in the match. The superstar was judged to have been fouled just outside of the opposing box in added time.

This would essentially be the final chance for Miami to win the game. There would be no doubts about who would step up to take the free kick. Messi sent his dead ball shot over the Cruz Azul wall and into the back of the net.

Superstar’s goal ‘like a movie’ says Inter coach

“It was like a movie that will play on repeat forever. It’s almost like it was written…[Messi] is always there to write these stories,” proclaimed Inter head coach Tata Martino after the match.

Messi also acknowledged that he knew it was his final opportunity of the game to grab the winner.

“I knew it was the last chance,” Messi told Apple TV.

“I just tried like I always do and fortunately the goalkeeper couldn’t get the ball. It is important for this team to get wins because we are not in a good position in the league. I know this is another tournament but it will help our morale.”

Inter will next face fellow American club Atlanta United in the Leagues Cup on Tuesday, July 25th. It could very well be Messi’s first chance to start for Martino’s team. The Argentine star will then get a break before his first taste of Major League Soccer. Inter is set to restart league play against Charlotte on August 20th.

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After Christian Eriksen went down with an injury in January, the Premier League giants swooped in to get Sabitzer on loan. The Austrian was benched at Bayern Munich and signed a six-month loan that did not contain a buyout provision.

In 18 games with the Red Devils, Sabitzer contributed to the team’s success by scoring three goals and assisting another. Injury ruled the 29-year-old out for the season. As a result, United took a step back and opted against making a long-term move over the summer.

Borussia Dortmund have offer on the table for Sabitzer

Sabitzer has since rejoined the Bundesliga champions and showcased his scoring prowess with five goals in his team’s recent 27-0 demolition of ninth-tier Rottach-Egern. The player has yet to make up his mind on his future since Thomas Tuchel hasn’t decided what will happen to him at Bayern.

The Austria international has reportedly drawn serious attention from the Bavarians’ arch-rivals, Borussia Dortmund in recent days. It’s been said that the club is making efforts to finalize a transfer deal with him, as reported by Sky Sports DE.

The Black and Yellows will offer Sabitzer a contract lasting between three and four years. After losing Jude Bellingham, Mahmoud Dahoud, and Raphael Guerreiro, they will need to bolster their midfield for the next season.

Player has heart set on premier league return

German outlets Sport1 and Sport Bild report that the midfielder has his eyes set on the Premier League.

They believe that many teams in England’s top flight hold an interest in acquiring the player.

Reports have indicated that the Bavarians are willing to sell him this summer. They want a fee of approximately $17 million plus bonuses.

Photo credit: IMAGO / Eibner

The Major League Soccer side did not initially announce a clear reason for the move. Instead, the club stated that the duo “have been placed on paid administrative leave while MLS investigates possible violations of league policy.”

Nevertheless, The Athletic is reporting that the incident between the two involved a racial slur. According to the news outlet, Fountas hurled a slur towards Robertha during a club training session.

Sources then claim that the two teammates had a physical altercation. It is being alleged that Robertha assaulted Fountas upon hearing the racial slur. The club has so far declined to comment on the issue.

Fountas has prior investigtion for similar situation

This is not the first time that Fountas has reportedly used a racial slur. The Greece international allegedly used the N-word during a league match in 2022.

According to players on the pitch, Fountas used the slur against then Inter Miami player Damion Lowe in a September matchup. MLS investigated the incident last season, but eventually declined any discipline for the DC forward.

Team trainer recently fired for using hate symbol

The most recent episode is also not the only off-field issue for the club. A team trainer was recently fired for making a hand gesture deemed to be a hate symbol. The trainer made an “OK” symbol with his hand during a trip to the National Mall earlier this week. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) added the sign to their list of hate symbols back in 2019.

“There is no place for racism, homophobia, misogyny, or discrimination of any kind in our sport and world and DC United do not tolerate any acts of this nature,” the club said in a brief statement.

D.C. United are preparing for their Leagues Cup matchup with Montreal on Wednesday, July 26th. They then finish the group stage of the competition with a visit to Liga MX side Pumas three days later.

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Last season, the Dutchman guided United back into the UEFA Champions League with a third-place finish. He also ended a trophy drought of six years by winning the Carabao Cup. He also advanced to the FA Cup Final, where they were defeated by Manchester City.

As Ten Hag put it, “We have to raise the bar – by raising the bar you cannot always express that in a clinical result. We want to win every game and we have shown last season we can beat all the teams in the world. Now we have to do that consistently and that is our objective, then we will see what we have.”

Could ten Hag’s Man United challenge City for the title?

Ten Hag has made two signings so far this season, midfielder Mason Mount and goalkeeper Andre Onana. However, the Red Devils are still on the lookout for a world-class center striker. They have shown a serious interest in Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund.

Due to the potential improvement brought by the new players, questions of a title challenge have been raised.

“We want to be more consistent, play at a high level, raise the bar, lift the demands. The competition is very strong but we can beat any club in the world.”

Week of departures at Old Trafford

At the same time, Alex Telles’ reported transfer to Saudi Arabia is the latest in a string of departures that began last weekend at Old Trafford. After having a verbally agreed transfer to Al-Nassr on Tuesday, the week has been nothing but ups and downs for the Brazilian fullback.

There was initially some uncertainty since there were rumors the Saudi Arabian side were having second thoughts. Throughout this time, the Premier League team were said to be waiting on the necessary paperwork.

However, it seems that the move is once again feasible and perhaps imminent. United’s Anthony Elanga is also leaving for a new club, as he is returning to England to finalize his transfer to Nottingham Forest after already having agreed to terms.

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The USMNT striker is now prepared to take on the challenge of Serie A despite the possibility of a difficult transition period. Weah took the next step in his developing European career this summer, signing a long-term contract with Juventus after previously playing for Lille in Ligue 1.

The 23-year-old has had several offers from teams in England, Spain, and internationally during the previous two seasons. However, after rumors started to circulate that Juventus were interested in signing Weah, the American striker quickly agreed to the transfer.

Why did Weah Juventus move happen?

“I am very happy to be here at Juve. It is a blessing for me and my family. Thank you all for this opportunity, I am very honored to be Bianconero. I know that Serie A is one of the most amazing leagues if not the best in the world. There are teams like Napoli and Milan, I know that the competition and the level are very high. I’m ready to learn”, he said at his presentation.

The striker said that when news broke that the Biancomeri were interested in him, he didn’t have to think twice.

“Choosing Juve was easy. When I learned that they were interested in me, I really wanted to come here to write my own story. I knew this was going to be a big challenge, but as a professional, I want to work, learn, listen to everyone and push myself to my limits. I’m ready, my first days here were fantastic, I was welcomed wonderfully by the club.

“My dad has always supported me and has always been a Juventus fan, it was a coincidence.”

On being used as a wingback under Allegri

Having just been converted to the wingback position, he also offered his thoughts on how he may help coach Massimiliano Allegri’s team.

“Getting here that was already my thought. It’s a challenge, as a professional I have to listen to the coach and the other players. I’ll push myself beyond my limits, when they tell me I’m ready I’ll be ready to go.

“Last season I played as a winger and it comes very naturally to me, so I concentrated on this, trying to adapt to the defensive aspect as well. I’ll play where it’s needed. I listen a lot to the coach’s advice. He’s a great person as well as a great coach. I’m sure I’ll be able to improve my game with him. He is very attentive to all the details, he told me to learn a lot from my teammates, to have fun and be ready to improve.”

Photo credit: IMAGO / NurPhoto

Kai is currently taking a break from normalcy in Manchester to play in the famous Gothia Cup in Sweden. The youth tournament has previously featured famous players such as Xabi Alonso, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Andrea Pirlo. The United youngster has impressed during his time at the competition. And like his father, Kai is also scoring goals from up front for his team.

Teen happy with his play during prestigious tournament

“I’m quite pleased with my performances. Obviously, I could have been better, but generally, I think that I have been quite good,” the young Rooney told the tournament’s media team.

“I have scored a few goals. It’s a great tournament with many different teams. So many different countries are involved. It’s the biggest tournament in the world. The feeling here is good. It’s lots of different pitches, we live together and many people are watching.”

Legendary father has given son sound advice

Along with assessing himself at the competition, Kai also fielded questions about his father. Particularly, the teen was asked about any advice Wayne has given to him. “It’s a lot about scoring goals because he was pretty good at scoring goals,” replied Kai. “So it’s mainly tips about that. He is preparing me to get into professional football with the right mentality.”

“He’s helping me a lot. He watched the last game and he’s been looking at the fixtures. He says he’s pleased with them all. My dreams are to win the Premier League, Champions League, and the World Cup.”

Wayne also recently spoke about his son during an interview with The Athletic. The D.C. United head coach made it clear that having fun and enjoying the moment are the most important thing for the youngster. Nevertheless, the teen could very well be on his way to playing first team matches for United in the future.

Photo credit: IMAGO / Action Plus

Ajax head coach Maurice Steijn admitted on Saturday that he told Bassey it would be better if he joined Fulham. The coach was brutally honest in his assessment of the defender, essentially telling him that he wouldn’t play much in the upcoming season. “Also because of the money. Because if he goes, we can strengthen ourselves considerably,” Steijn told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf. “I told him that honestly.”

“He had a very tough year last season. Everyone gets a second chance and if he does better than anyone else he will play. But chances are, especially if we get a new left back or left central defender, he won’t play.”

Dutch club to break even on Bassey investment

Bassey only just joined Ajax from Rangers last summer in a deal worth $23 million. The Dutch side will essentially break even on their investment with the impending sale to Fulham. A Nigeria international, Bassey was a mainstay in Ajax’s defense for much of the first half of the 2022/23 season. However, he fell out of favor in the spring and managed just two Eredivisie appearances in the club’s final eight games.

Move could affect USMNT defender

Nevertheless, Fulham will hope that the player just needs a change of scenery. Although the Cottagers finished in the top half of the table last season, they did allow the second-most goals of any club inside the top 12 of the division. Fulham boss Marco Silva could deploy Bassey alongside USMNT defender Tim Ream in the back line. However, the club could also see the Nigerian as a long-term replacement for the 35-year-old American.

Bassey’s move to London will be the third significant departure for Ajax this summer. They have also sold Jurrien Timber to Arsenal and terminated Dusan Tadic’s contract.

Photo credit: IMAGO / ANP

After a scoreless first half between Dunston and Gateshead, supporters were shocked to witness both vehicles executing burnouts and donuts all over the field during halftime.

Images shared online showed the trucks being driven in a circle through the middle of the field. The two men, who witnesses claimed were wearing masks, then alighted from the hearse and entered the waiting vehicle.

Gateshead incident looked like protest against two individuals

According to a Gateshead FC supporter who spoke with the BBC, the burglars “apparently barged through the gate from the car park” before crashing over the perimeter fence.

In what is likely a protest, he claims that posters were thrown out the window of a vehicle before “two people in ski masks” leaped out of the hearse and into the other car and drove off.

Two persons were the targets of several scathing personal accusations in the posters. The game was called off just after halftime, with Dunston UTC tweeting, “Tonight’s match has been abandoned due to an incident at half-time.”

After the match was called off, Gateshead FC issued a similar statement on Twitter:

“Due to an incident on the pitch occurring shortly after halftime, tonight’s match has been abandoned by the referee.”

Police launch investigation

The police have reportedly opened an inquiry after reports of trouble in Gateshead, as reported by Sky Sports.

“Officers attended the scene within minutes where nobody was reported to have been injured or threatened. An investigation was immediately launched – and a number of enquiries are ongoing. This is to establish the full circumstances surrounding the issue, and locate those involved.

“Disorder will not be tolerated in the community, and anyone found to be involved will be dealt with robustly. While enquiries are at an early stage, it is believed that those involved are known to each other. As such there was no wider risk to the public.

Photo credit: IMAGO / NurPhoto

Recent reports indicate that Mauricio Pochettino is placing a high priority on acquiring 21-year-old midfielder Moises Caicedo. Multiple offers from the Stamford Bridge outfit have been turned down in recent weeks for the player.

Their attempts to persuade Brighton owner Tony Bloom to sell the Ecuador international, which they estimate to be worth approximately $129 million, have so far been unsuccessful.

Caicedo Chelsea deal is under threat from Arsenal

Arsenal, have been linked to a move for the Ecuadorian midfielder for quite some time. In January, the Gunners made several offers for the 21-year-old rising star, but all of them were turned down.

They just completed the $129 million purchase of Declan Rice, so it seems doubtful that they would come back for Caicedo. However, Chelsea‘s prospects look to still be alive, and they may be improved further with one move.

Levi Colwill could unlock the deal

Offering defender Levi Colwill in a swap deal, according to the Seagulls’ coach Roberto De Zerbi, might be the key to closing the sale.

“There are two questions. Not only about Caicedo, but also about Colwill, and maybe it can be [a swap]. I would like to play with Caicedo and Colwill together but at the moment I can only speak about Caicedo as Colwill is not one of my players.”

As for a verbal agreement to sell his midfielder for a particular sum, De Zerbi categorically refuted the talk.

“It is not true. I am coach, not owner, I’m not a sporting director. I’m only a coach. Believe me, it is difficult to be a coach.”

“At the moment Moises is a Brighton player,” the Italian added. I spoke with [club owner] Tony Bloom and he told me if the conditions don’t change, Moises stays with us. For me it should be great news because it is difficult to find another player like Moises. If Moises leaves we have to find another player of the same level because we deserve to play the next season with the same [quality].”

Photo credit: IMAGO / Colorsport

According to reports, the former Barcelona captain was offered $400 million a year by Saudi giants Al-Hilal, and the Mas brothers had no intention of competing in a bidding war for his services. However, Major League Soccer had a trump card in the shape of the biggest corporation in the world, Apple.

The potential boost in interest in the MLS Season Pass service on Apple TV was enough to include Messi in the arrangement. The deal with Miami is worth $50 million to $60 million a year and extends until 2025. He also receives an ownership part in the organization.

Messi Apple relationship already established

MLS commissioner Don Garber told Sports Business Journal that Lionel Messi‘s bonus pay would be tied to the increase in foreign MLS Season Pass subscribers. There is little information available as yet. However, Messi’s cut from the Apple arrangement will not affect the club’s part of the money.   

According to Jorge Mas, talks were moved along more quickly because Apple’s senior vice president of services, Eddy Cue, already had a relationship with Messi. It’s all thanks to the company’s deal to distribute a documentary detailing Argentina’s 2023 World Cup.

“The commissioner and I and my brother wanted to make sure that the package that we were able to put together for Lionel, the options that we were presenting to the Messi family, were going to encompass more than just a salary as a player. When we approached Eddy on this idea, he was amazing. He activated his team. He pushed hard”, Mas revealed.

Argentine expected to bring more sales to Apple

In North American sports, it is unprecedented for a media partner to take such an active role in recruitment. Nevertheless, Apple’s goals extend well beyond growing its streaming user base. According to Sports Journal, Apple is placing its bet on Messi and his home fans. This is in the hopes that this would lead to increased sales and brand awareness for Apple in Latin America.

According to the latest estimate by Counterpoint Research, Apple has just a 7% market share in Latin America. This ranks fourth after Samsung, Motorola, and the Chinese company Xiaomi. As a comparison, it has just 21% market share worldwide and 53% in the United States.

“You sit down with a company like Apple, you understand the reach. It takes an athlete like Messi to truly maximize that reach. When an athlete like Messi and a company like Apple come together, the possibilities are really endless”, Colorado Rapids vice president Josh Kroenke states.

Photo credit: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

Of course, the coverage of MLS Season Pass is phenomenal. There are studio shows, a variety of live broadcast options that include multiple languages and a whiparound show for the Saturday slate of games when almost every team plays. It is expansive. But, it may be too expensive for the more casual fans of Major League Soccer.

So, getting the platform for free can be pivotal to both get a glimpse of what Apple is providing in this record-breaking deal and to see some soccer.

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There are several ways to get at least temporary access to MLS Season Pass before you start shelling out the cash. Here are a few examples.

Unlock MLS Season Pass for free

LG Smart TV users

If you have an LG Smart TV, you can unlock two months of MLS Season Pass for free without doing anything. Any smart TV made between 2016 and 2023 fits the bill to get MLS Season Pass for free for two months. This offer does run out on July 27. As a result, it does not see through the end of the MLS campaign, even if you take advantage in late July.

LG TV users must ‘subscribe’ on the TV, including payment information. However, the two-month complimentary period will be in effect. After that, the base fee of $14.99 per month kicks in. However, if you are not satisfied, be sure to cancel the subscription before it charges you. Note, it’s only available if you’re in North America or Latin America.

Free trial on Apple TV

Apple TV is also trying to build its subscriber base. One of the ways it is doing that is with a simple trial period. Up until October 31, fans can get one month of MLS Season Pass for free via Apple TV. Using the link to the Apple website, you can subscribe. Again, this does require you to put in payment information. At the end of your one-month trial, the subscription renews for $14.99 per month.

MLS Season Ticket holders

One of the most interesting ways to get a MLS Season Pass account at no charge is to be a season ticket holder of an MLS club. It’s great value to go watch your club in person, then watch every single other game at no extra charge on your device.

Chances are, MLS and Apple will bring this back for the 2024 season. Fans across the country used this offer ahead of the first season between Apple and MLS. For example, the Seattle Sounders said it was a success at that club.

Further discounts

There are other ways to get MLS Season Pass for free. For example, T-Mobile subscribers can take advantage to get an entire season’s worth of content. T-Mobile Tuesdays, an app that provides free promotions to subscribers, provides MLS Season Pass for free, so check that app often for the latest deals.

If you’re not a T-Mobile customer, you can still jump on considerable discounts for the remainder of the 2023 season. One of those is through Best Buy. There, you can get Apple TV+ for free for three months. While Apple TV+ does not allow access to live broadcasts of MLS games, it does make it significantly cheaper. You can buy the annual option while using the free three months of Apple TV+. There, it is just $79. Compare that to just using the regular monthly plan, and you save over $70 for an entire season. Granted, the season is more than halfway over. But, savings are savings.

Finally, Apple and MLS announced a midseason rate. Fans can subscribe to the remainder of the calendar year for a one-time payment of $49.99. This is half of the regular annual option. Of course, you are getting only half of the games of the full annual option. Still, it is cheaper than the monthly option and far cheaper than just buying the regular annual option.

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Mbappe is the club’s all-time top scorer, but he is not willing to activate the one-year extension to his current deal, which will expire in the summer of 2024. That’s why PSG would prefer to get a transfer price for the France attacker now than lose him for free in the future.

The 24-year-old has, however, stated his intention to stay in France for another year before departing at the conclusion of his current contract. The general consensus is that he plans to sign a Bosman deal with Real Madrid at the conclusion of the forthcoming season.

Mbappe future on the agenda as he is officially put for sale

Because of this, the Parisian outfit is proceeding with its preseason trip to the Far East without Mbappe.

Unless he has a dramatic change of heart, he will be officially placed on the transfer list on 1 August. He has until the day before to decide whether to extend his current contract by a year until 2025.

On the same day, he is scheduled to receive half of an $89 million loyalty bonus from PSG, which is complicating the Mbappe future drama.. However, for now, he has been left behind as the Ligue 1 champions embark on their tour of Asia. Despite this, it seems unlikely that these circumstances will sway him to stay.

Let the battle for his signature begin

Real Madrid aren’t the only team keen on signing Mbappe; many others have also shown an interest in doing so. Chelsea are reportedly exploring other funding options while preparing a formal bid to PSG, as reported by French broadcaster RMC Sport.

While the forward might theoretically transfer anyplace, L’Equipe insists that it can only go to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

Al Hilal, a team in the Saudi Pro League with vast financial pockets, is also said to be interested. The Riyadh club is offering the Frenchman a staggering $445 million over two seasons. This is in addition to a transfer fee of $225.5 million. However, a transfer to Real Madrid would entice him more than a move to Saudi Arabia.

Photo credit: IMAGO / HMB-Media

Rising star Sophia Smith netted a brace for the USWNT, while captain Lindsey Horan put the finishing touches on the victory with a late goal.

Smith started the scoring for the Stars and Stripes in the 14th minute thanks to a clever assist from Alex Morgan.

Horan first sent a powerful, low pass towards Morgan near the edge of the box. The striker flicked the ball neatly into Smith’s path as she ran towards goal. Smith collected the pass and put her shot into the back of the net from nine yards away.

Smith adds second goal as USWNT win easily

The 22-year-old forward would grab her second goal of the match just before the halftime break. American defender Naomi Girma initially sent in a dangerous cross inside Vietnam’s box.

Goalkeeper Trần ThịKim Thanh attempted to punch away the lofted pass, but the ball eventually fell straight to Smith. The Portland Thorns star took a first-time shot from 15 yards away that would get by the opposing keeper. She is the second-youngest ever USWNT player to score multiple goals at a Women’s World Cup.

Horan essentially finished off Vietnam with a goal in the 77th minute. Smith, despite scoring the first two goals, set up the final strike for the captain. The forward won possession deep inside Vietnam’s box and then sent a pass against the grain to a wide open Horan. The captain cooly collected the ball, took a touch, and hit a strike into the open net.

Americans took 28 shots while limiting opposing offense

Vietnam, making their first ever Women’s World Cup appearance, played a solid defensive game utilizing a back five. Nevertheless, the USWNT controlled the match and recorded an impressive 28 total shots.

This was compared to the Asian nation not able to register a single shot in the game. Stars Megan Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle entered the action in the second half as they stepped up their injury recovery.

The Americans will next face the Netherlands on Thursday, July 27th in the second match of Group E. The Dutch side is set to start their World Cup run early Sunday morning against Portugal.

Photo credit: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

United States squad

The roster called in for this tournament by manager Vlatko Andonovski features a healthy mix of experienced veterans and young, up-and-coming talent. In goal is Alyssa Naeher who has 91 caps and started every game for the US four years ago in France.

In the field, six of the players have amassed triple-digit appearances for the US. Defenders Kelly O’Hara and Crystal Dunn have over a century. Then, midfielder Julie Ertz has 118 and Lindsey Horan has 129. Finally, the forwards lead the way with experience. Megan Rapinoe’s 199 caps are second to only Alex Morgan’s 207.

The flip side of that is that there are four field players who have fewer than 20 caps for the US. Those players are Naomi Girma (16 caps), midfielder Savannah DeMelo (1 cap), and forwards Alyssa Thompson (4 caps) and Trinity Rodman (18 caps).

Unfortunately, the US title defense will be missing one of their best players due to injury. Mallory Swanson suffered an injury back in April that will force her to miss this edition of the Women’s World Cup. Swanson is just one of several players from around the world who will be forced to miss this tournament due to injury.

USWNT begins World Cup defense against Vietnam

Late last year, the US suffered a little bit of a crisis in confidence. Between October 7 and November 10, the USWNT suffered its first three-game losing streak in well over 20 years. They lost both October games on the road in Europe against England and Spain. November got off to a rough start with a home loss to Germany. Fortunately, they haven’t lost since.

The Americans have won nine straight games. In those nine games, the United States scored a combined 21 goals while conceding only two (against Germany and Brazil). They won the She Believes Cup back in February, in large part due to the exploits of the now-injured Swanson.

Following the She Believes Cup they played a total of three home friendlies, though they did not get a true send-off series of games. In April was a pair of home wins over Women’s World Cup debutant Republic of Ireland and just a few days ago was a win over Wales.

Perhaps the most important part of the friendlies this year was a pair of wins against New Zealand in January. The important thing about that was both games were in New Zealand. The hope there is that they will be more prepared for what to expect during the US title defense.

Vietnam

It took something of a miracle run for the Women Gold Star Warriors to qualify for their first-ever Women’s World Cup. At the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup they were placed in Group C along with Japan, South Korea, and Myanmar. A third-place finish with a single, solitary point was enough to see them through to the quarter-finals where they were eliminated by China. But because they made the quarter-finals they went into a playoff group with Chinese Taipei and Thailand. This time, they finished top of the group with six points and qualified without the need for further playoffs.

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Vietnam’s form coming into this tournament has been somewhat impressive. They won the gold medal at the Southeast Asian Games by defeating Myanmar 2-0 in the final. They haven’t won since. However, their performances have shown promise. First was a narrow 2-1 loss against two-time champions Germany in Offenbach. And most recently was a 2-0 loss t tournament co-host New Zealand earlier this month.

The player to watch for the US is Vietnamese captain Huynh Nhu. At the age of 31, she amassed 67 goals in 103 career international appearances for her country. Her strike partner Pham Hai Yen could also pose problems for the US defense with 42 goals in 76 appearances.

The US game against Vietnam is set for a 9 p.m. ET kickoff on Friday evening. It will air on FOX in English as well as Telemundo and NBC Universo in Spanish. Coverage is available via streaming on Peacock, too.

PHOTO: IMAGO / Action Plus

PSV are one of the Eredivisie’s “Big Three” (the others being Ajax and Feyenoord) that have dominated the competition over the years.

Where can I watch the PSV Eindhoven game?

PSV Eindhoven on TV and streaming: U.S. only:

Founded: 1913
Stadium: Philips Stadion
Manager: Peter Bosz
Dutch top-flight titles: 24
KNVB Cup titles: 11
Champions League titles: 1

PSV Eindhoven TV schedule and streaming links

ESPN hold the broadcasting rights to the Eredivisie in the United States. Select league games from each match week stream live on ESPN+. PSV, as one of the major clubs, is almost always featured.

The KNVB Cup can be found on GolTV, which in turn is available on the streaming services Fanatiz and fuboTV.

When PSV heads to Europe, you should head to Paramount+. Every Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League game streams there. Late stage UCL matches often simulcast on CBS, as well. TelevisaUnivision networks (Univision, UniMás, and TUDN) show games in Spanish on TV. Non-televised games are shown on the ViX streaming service.

Watch PSV Eindhoven on ESPN+:

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PSV Eindhoven History

PSV Eindhoven’s full name is Philips Sport Vereniging. The club was founded in 1913 for employees of the Philips corporation, which still retains close ties to the football club. One notable connection is the Philips Stadion, where the club have played since their inception.

When football turned professional in the Netherlands, the Eredivisie was created as the top division in 1956. Since that time, PSV have never been relegated from the top tier. And they’ve managed not just to survive in the top tier, but dominate. To put it in perspective, they’ve only finished as low as fourth place three times since the year 2000.

Including pre-Eredivisie titles, PSV are the second-most decorated club in Dutch football, after their main rivals Ajax. Feyenoord are also key opponents, but not as highly regarded as Ajax.

In addition to domestic dominance, Einhoven have secured a pair of European triumphs in their history. First was the UEFA Cup in 1978, a precursor to today’s Europa League. The ultimate victory came in 1988, when they captured the European Cup.

Despite playing in what many would consider a “second tier” European league, countless legendary players have made their way through PSV over the years. These include Ruud Gullit, Arjen Robben, Ronaldo, Romario, and Ruud van Nistelrooy, and Park Ji-sung.

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Roma haven’t quite enjoyed the historic success that northern rivals from Turin or Milan have, but remain one of Italy’s most competitive sides.

Where can I watch the Roma match?

Founded: June 7, 1927
Stadium: Stadio Olimpico
Manager: José Mourinho
Italian top-flight / cup titles: 3 / 9
European titles: Conference League (2022)

Roma TV schedule and streaming links

Catching Roma, and all of Serie A, is easy in the USA.

Serie A and Coppa Italia are both aired on Paramount+, with every match streaming live. Certain games, sometimes featuring Roma, are moved to CBS Sports Network on TV. For those matches, cable or satellite providers that carry CBSSN, or streamers like Fubo and DirecTV Stream will get you the action.

CBS Sports also holds the rights to UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League. Similar to Serie A, all games air live on Paramount+, with selected knockout games also shown on the main CBS network. Spanish broadcasts of UEFA club competitions can be found on Univision, TUDN, and/or UniMás. Spanish-language streaming can be found via ViX.

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Roma History

Associazione Sportiva Roma is the result of a merger of clubs in the 1920s. At the time, the fascist government of Italy wanted a strong side in the capital to rival the clubs in the north of the country. Roman FC, SS Alba-Audace and Fortitudo-Pro Roma SGS were combined to create Roma.

The only major Roman club able to resist this merger was Lazio, who became Roma’s biggest local rival.

Roma have played every season of their existence, save one, in the Italian top flight. The lone exception, 1951-52, saw them win Serie B and quickly gain promotion.

However, the sustained presence in Serie A has delivered relatively few triumphs. Only three times have Roma been crowned champions – 1942, 1983, and 2001. They’ve finished second fourteen times however, with most of those campaigns have been in the 21st century.

The club have been frequent participants in European football, particularly in recent decades. However, like their domestic pursuits, success has been relatively minimal. Only the 1961 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup and 2022 Conference League, minor continental titles, are in the trophy case.

In addition to the recent third-tier European glory, Roma have jumped into the global footballing consciousness by hiring the always entertaining José Mourinho as manager.

Over the years many notable names have come thru the club, such as Cafu, Francesco Totti, Carlo Ancelotti, and Falcão.

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The red and black of Flamengo is iconic in South American football (or futebol, as it were), and the club has never been relegated from the Brazilian top tier.

Where can I watch the Flamengo match?

Flamengo on TV and streaming: U.S. only:

Founded: 1895 (football team established in 1911)
Stadium: Maracanã
Manager: Jorge Sampaoli
Brazilian top-flight titles: 7
Copa Libertadores titles: 3 (1981, 2019, 2022)

Flamengo TV schedule and streaming links

Flamengo’s Brazilian league matches in English can be found on Paramount+. Fanatiz and ViX show each game in Spanish. For Portuguese language coverage, Fanatiz has that option.

CONMEBOL’s Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana competitions air on beIN SPORTS and beIN SPORTS en Español. Select games (including the Portuguese language option) stream live on beIN SPORTS CONNECT.

beIN SPORTS is available on certain cable and satellite providers as part of add-on sports packages. It’s also available on the streaming services Fanatiz, Fubo and Sling.

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Flamengo History

Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, as the full name would suggest, actually got its start as a rowing club in 1895.

In fact, Football did not come until later, 1911 to be specific. Disillusioned players from Fluminense, one of whom was a member of the Flamengo rowing team, joined the club , and the football team was formed officially on December 24 of that year. Their first official match came the following Spring, a 16-2 win that remains their largest victory ever.

They would play Fluminense for the first time in July of 1912, kicking off one of the most heated rivalries in world football. In 1934, the club turned professional.

Flamengo have most most titles ever in the Campeonato Carioca – the Rio de Janeiro state championship. Their first such triumph was all the way back in 1914, just two years after the soccer side of Flamengo was formed.

Nation-wide, top tier football only began in Brazil in 1959. Flamengo captured their first Brasileirão title in 1980, and have won six more since. They’ve also been champions of South America three times, winning the Copa Libertadores in 1981, 2019 and 2022. The club’s success have made them arguably the most popular team in Brazil.

Some of the notable players who’ve come through Flamengo include Zico, Vinícius Júnior, Júlio César, and Adriano.

In addition to soccer, Flamengo also operates rowing (of course), tennis, basketball, and American football teams, among other sports.

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Sporting is one third of the Portuguese “Big Three”, the others being rivals Benfica and Porto, who have never been relegated from the top flight.

Where Can I Watch the Sporting CP Match?

Sporting CP on TV and streaming: U.S. only:

Founded: 1906
Stadium: Estádio José Alvalade
Manager: Rúben Amorim
Primeira Liga titles: 19
Taça de Portugal titles: 17
European Cup titles: 1 (Cup Winners’ Cup 1964)

Sporting CP TV Schedule and Streaming Links

Benfica isn’t as easy to locate on US TV as some other European powerhouse clubs.

GolTV holds the rights to the Portuguese Primeira Liga in the United States. While the network is not available on many cable or satellite providers these days, Fanatiz and Fubo do carry GolTV.

Sporting games are almost always featured amongst the weekly Primeira coverage from GolTV.

Plus, Fubo is the home of Taça de Portugal games – which is Portugal’s primary cup competition.

When Sporting qualifies for UEFA club competitions – Champions League, Europa League and Conference League – you can find those games on Paramount+ (and sometimes CBS). Spanish-language games are streamed on ViX/ViX+. If Sporting find itself in a big matchup with another marquee club, you can usually see those games televised on Univision, UniMás, and/or TUDN.

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Sporting CP History

Sporting Clube de Portugal dates back to July 1, 1906. With over 160,000 members, Sporting are the second-biggest football club in terms of membership in Portugal, and sixth-largest on Earth. Outside of Portugal, the club is often referred to as “Sporting Lisbon”, but this is not a part of their official name.

True to their name, they also host a wide variety of other sports within the club. This includes auto racing, billiards, golf, gymnastics, rugby, swimming – even chess and ping pong!

The club falls behind rivals Benfica and Porto in terms of domestic trophies won, and have only triumphed once in Europe – the 1964 Cup Winners’ Cup. However, they do hold the distinction of having played in the first ever European Cup (Champions League) game in 1955. They drew that match 3-3 at home vs Partizan Belgrade.

Since the foundation of the Primeira Liga in 1934, Sporting have almost always found themselves at the very top end of the table. Only once have they ever finished worse than fourth place (2012-13 when they finished in seventh). Fourth isn’t terribly common either, as most seasons they’ve placed 1-3 in the final rankings.

Modern times have been the longest stretch of failure, if you can call it that, for the club. Since 2002-03, the club have only won the league one time, in 2020-21. But outside league play in that stretch, they’ve won four Taça de Portugal titles and a matching four Taça de Ligas.

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The club hails from the city of Seville, and is the oldest football-specific club in Spain.

Sevilla TV Schedule

Sevilla on TV and streaming: U.S. only:

Founded: 1890
Stadium: Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium
Manager: José Luis Mendilibar
Spanish top-flight titles: 1 (1946)
Spanish Copa del Rey titles: 5 (1935, 1939, 1948, 2007, 2010)
European titles: Europa League – 7 (record)

Where Can I Watch the Sevilla Match?

LaLiga is streamed on on ESPN+ in English and Spanish in the US, with every match available. Copa del Rey also features on the streaming service.

The majority of games each weekend are also shown on ESPN Deportes in Spanish. This means you can find them on Fubo and DirecTV Stream, or your cable/satellite provider if you get Deportes.

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In recent decades, Sevilla has been a staple in European competition. UEFA games are show live on Paramount+ in English (Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League). Important late-round UCL games often end up on CBS as well.

Spanish-language UEFA club competition games are shown on Univision, UniMás, and TUDN on TV. Streaming for these games in Spanish is on ViX.

Sevilla History

Sevilla FC was founded by mostly Scottish British ex-pats living in Seville in 1890, as “Sevilla Foot-ball Club”. The club’s match (a 2-0 win) on March 8, 1890 vs the Huelva Recreation Club was the first official game every played in Spain.

Sevilla achieved great success in early years, taking part in local and regional competitions. Despite being one of the very first clubs in the country, Sevilla was not a part of the first edition of a Spanish national league in 1928. It would take until 1934 that they won promotion to the top tier.

In the nearly 100 years of first division football in Spain, Sevilla have only been crowned champions once – in 1946. They’ve managed to stay a consistent member of Spain’s elite level, neither triumphing in it nor dropping below. Only seven seasons have seen Sevilla in the second division.

Similarly, in Europe, Sevilla are what you could call “the best of the second-best”. They’ve only played in the European Cup / Champions League ten times – never reaching further than the quarterfinals (and that was way back in 1958).

However when it comes to the UEFA Cup / Europa League, no one is better than Sevilla. They’ve won Europe’s second tier tournament a record seven times – all since 2006.

In 2006 they also won the UEFA Super Cup, defeating Spanish rivals Barcelona 3-0.

Current Sevilla man Jesús Navas far and away has the most appearances all-time for the club. Campanal I, who played from 1929-46, impressively netted over 200 goals for the club.

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