Category: SI

Pachuca Book Concacaf Champions Cup Final Place
1 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Pachuca Book Concacaf Champions Cup Final Place

Pachuca booked their place in the Concacaf Champions Cup final after two goals in two minutes from Miguel Rodriguez and Nelson Deossa helped down rivals America 2-1 on Tuesday night, sealing a 3-2 aggregate win.

The five-time winners will now face Columbus Crew or Monterrey in the June 2 final, with the former holding a 2-1 advantage heading into their semifinal second leg tie on Wednesday night.

Pachuca had earned a valuable 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture at the Estadio Azteca, and flew out of the traps against the most successful side in Concacaf Champions Cup history.

Rodriguez opened the scoring on 12 minutes, reacting quickest to Salomon Rondon's blocked effort to fire the ball beyond Luis Malagon, before Deossa doubled the advantage after Erick Sanchez's effort was kept out.

America replied soon after through Henry Martin, but they were unable to put sustained pressure on Pachuca's goal despite enjoying 69% ball possession throughout the game.

Pachuca rained down 19 shots on goal, nine of which were on target, while America were only able to force Carlos Moreno into making one save. The seven-time Concacaf Champions Cup winners also saw Ismael Reyes sent off late on.

The results sees Pachuca return to the final for the first time since 2017, when they beat Tigres, and that could be a significant advantage if Columbus Crew are able to outlast Monterrey, who like Pachuca are five-time champions and are yet to taste defeat in a Concacaf Champions Cup final.

Monterrey were the team responsible for dumping out Lionel Messi's Inter Miami in the quarterfinals, while Columbus Crew edged out Tigres on penalties after their two-legged tie finished 2-2 on aggregate.

Concacaf Champions Cup, SI, Soccer
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Man Utd Hoping to Sell Mason Greenwood on Permanent Deal - Reports
1 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Man Utd Hoping to Sell Mason Greenwood on Permanent Deal – Reports

Manchester United want to permanently sell Mason Greenwood this summer but a return to the club has not been ruled out, reports claim.

The 22-year-old was sent out on loan to La Liga outfit Getafe last summer, with his United career all but over after he was charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault in 2022. The charges were later dropped after the withdrawal of witnesses and new evidence coming to light meant there was "no longer a realistic prospect of conviction."

Greenwood has registered 16 goal contributions in 31 appearances for Getafe this season - ten goals and six assists - and has attracted interest from some of Europe's top teams.

The Times report that Juventus are among those eyeing a potential move for Greenwood, who United valued at between £30m and £40m last summer, at a time when he had been sidelined for the best part of 20 months.

It's reported that United will look to facilitate a permanent exit for Greenwood this summer, although it remains to be seen whether Juventus, or any other interested parties, are prepared to stump up a transfer fee that Getafe will almost certainly not be able to afford.

One that United will not do, ESPN state, is accept a reduced fee for Greenwood, making a return to Old Trafford a distinct possibility. The forward has one year remaining on his current contract, with the option to an extend by a further year.

Premier League, SI, Soccer
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How Quickly Wrexham Hope to Achieve Promotion to Premier League
1 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

How Quickly Wrexham Hope to Achieve Promotion to Premier League

Wrexham's executive director Humphrey Ker had admitted the club hope to achieve promotion to the Premier League "sort of as quickly as possible".

The Red Dragons recently booked their place in League One, securing back-to-back promotions after a whirlwind first season back in the English Football League.

All eyes are on Wrexham because of the worldwide fame and wealth of co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, whose involvement with the Welsh club stemmed from Ker being instructed by the duo to look for a historic football club to purchase.

Many believe Wrexham can quickly build on their success and continue working up the English football pyramid, and Ker didn't downplay the club's aspirations in an interview with The Independent.

"Sort of as quickly as possible," he replied when asked for a projected timeline of reaching the Premier League. Whilst being mindful of those challenges I was just talking about, with facilities and infrastructure.

"Our commercial department is very strong and we make huge amounts of money from selling shirts off the back of the documentary and from sponsorship. All that's very, very strong but it's also quite fragile because we don't have a big operation behind it."

Ker did attempt to manage expectations, however, stating that immediate promotion to the Championship may be a bridge too far regardless of the club's pulling power and rapidly increasing reputation.

"I think promotion would be a real push," he said. "I think we've often talked about the idea that it takes three transfer windows to really build a squad into what you need to compete in any one division and next season will be one window shorter than that.

"But I think the core of this team is very strong. They’re very strong personalities, good players and they love each other, so that's a great basis to build from. We'll be adding players in the summer and sadly saying goodbye to one or two, which is sort of just the nature of football, and then we'll sort of see where we wind up.

"Inside the building, we're like, ‘look, our objective is get up and stay up, stabilise and build a good platform and go again the following year.’ But stranger things than promotion have happened – we might go through the division again.

"To be honest, that would probably be too fast for us. It wouldn't actually be that good for the club as a whole if we did go all the way through this year because we'd just be going so quickly. Then we’d be trying to catch up with infrastructure and our facilities and everything would be a big, big challenge. So I think something nice and comfortable – upper mid-table, please! Tenth. I'd be very happy with that."

READ NEXT - 'Welcome to Wrexham' Season 3 Trailer Will Give You Goosebumps

SI, Soccer, Wrexham
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Borussia Dortmund vs PSG: Preview, How to Watch on TV and Prediction
1 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Borussia Dortmund vs PSG: Preview, How to Watch on TV and Prediction

Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain clash in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie on Wednesday night, just 24 hours after Bayern Munich and Real Madrid clashed in a pulsating game at the Allianz Arena.

Dortmund were involved the last time Wembley Stadium hosted the final of European football's most prestigious club competition, back in 2013 when they were managed by Jurgen Klopp. On that occasion, they slipped to a late 2-1 defeat to Bayern, courtesy of Arjen Robben's dramatic goal.

PSG have less Champions League pedigree, losing their only final appearance in 2020 - ironically to Bayern - but have a fantastic chance of reaching a second final against a Dortmund side who have struggled to string together results consistently during 2023/24.

That said, Edin Terzic's side have turned it on in Europe, besting PSG in a group that also contained AC Milan and Newcastle United, before beating PSV Eindhoven and Atletico Madrid in the knockout stages.

Where to watch Borussia Dortmund vs PSG

  • United States (TUDN.com, TUDN App, Univision, TUDN USA, CBS, Paramount+, Univision NOW)
  • Canada (DAZN)
  • United Kingdom (discovery+ App, TNT Sports 1, discovery+)

Borussia Dortmund team news

Mats Hummels is expected to be fit for Wednesday's game after a recent knock, but Ramy Bensebaini and Sebastien Haller are ruled out with respective knee and ankle injuries.

Donyell Malen has been struggling with a thigh issue but is expected to make the matchday squad, and he'll be joined by Emre Can and Ian Maatsen, who return after Bundesliga suspensions.

PSG team news

PSG have a pretty clean bill of health, certainly in the respect of key players. Presnel Kimpembe, Sergio Rico, and Layvin Kurzawa are absent, but all three are unlikely to have been included in Luis Enrique's best XI.

Kylian Mbappe will start as a central striker - perhaps a glimpse into his future at likely next club Real Madrid - and he'll be supported in the wide areas by Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele, both of whom have been in good form of late.

Borussia Dortmund vs PSG prediction

Few would have expected Borussia Dortmund to reach the last four of the Champions League, especially as their domestic form has been inconsistent to say the least.

But after seeing off Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals, in front of a vibrant home crowd, they will fancy their chances of taking the game to PSG, who are still bidding to win their first Champions League after years and years of huge investment.

The visitors are favourites to win the tie overall and even the game in Germany, but they will be vulnerable on the counter attack. However, it's impossible to overlook the attacking talent that Enrique possesses, with Mbappe the obvious threat running in behind.

Score prediction: Borussia Dortmund 1-2 PSG

Champions League, SI, Soccer
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Harry Kane Explains How He Blocked Out Jude Bellingham 'Mumbling'
1 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Harry Kane Explains How He Blocked Out Jude Bellingham ‘Mumbling’

Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane revealed Jude Bellingham had no chance of putting him off as he prepared to take his penalty against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

The game at the Allianz Arena ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw, with Kane's penalty and Leroy Sane's first goal since October cancelling out a brace from Vinicius Junior.

Kane registered his 43rd goal of the season, punishing Lucas Vazquez's clumsy challenge on Jamal Musiala, but before he stepped up to take the spot kick, Bellingham attempted to have a word in the ear of his England teammate.

Referee Clement Turpin quickly ushered Bellingham out of the area, but Kane revealed after the game that he'd barely registered what the Ballon d'Or contender had said.

"I don't know what he was saying. I saw him mumbling something," Kane said. "Once I'm in that moment, I'm in my zone, trying to block everyone out. I'm sure he was saying something to try to put me off."

Kane's successful conversion helped Bayern turn the game around in the space of three minutes. Vinicius had capitalised on poor defending from Kim min-jae to give Madrid the lead in the first half before Sane rocketed a shot past Andriy Lunin at his near post. Bayern were unable to hold on though, with Kim making another mistake when hauling down Rodrygo to concede a penalty.

On the overall result, Kane continued: "A little disappointed. Once we got 2-1 ahead we had two or three good chances.

“This is the Champions League semi-final. We expected a tough game. Real are one of the best teams in Europe who can punish you with one or two actions. All to play for next week. We know we can have chances next week we just have to take them.

‌"We started on the front foot. Their goal came against the run of play. We struggled to play our game. Second half we played with a higher intensity. We deserved our two goals, shame we couldn't get a third.

"It's not a one-off year I'm here for. Of course at the start of the season the expectation was to win trophies. The Champions League is the biggest one. If we can somehow get our hands on that one it would be an amazing season.

Champions League, SI, Soccer
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3 Reasons Why Hirving 'Chucky' Lozano Could Be One of MLS’ Most Exciting Signings Ever
30 Apr 24 Jimm Sallivan

3 Reasons Why Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano Could Be One of MLS’ Most Exciting Signings Ever

Hirving “Chucky” Lozano is in 'advanced talks' with MLS’ newest expansion club, San Diego FC, The Athletic report.

San Diego FC joins MLS for the 2025 season, and it seems Lozano could be the marquee signing that helps to usher in a new era. Lozano rejoined PSV last summer after four years at Napoli, and, barring a massive collapse and a series of unlikely events, the Eredivisie giants will lift the league title for the first time since 2017/18. Ironically, PSV last won the league in Lozano’s first stint with the club.

Aged 28, Lozano is the perfect talismanic signing for the expansion club, and he could end up being one of MLS’ most exciting signings ever alongside the likes of Carlos Vela, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and, of course, Lionel Messi.

1. Immediate Impact in MLS

San Diego FC will slot into the Western Conference alongside the likes of LAFC, Seattle Sounders, LA Galaxy and more. There will be immediate comparisons made to St. Louis City S.C. who won the Western Conference in its first season as an expansion club, plus broke the record for most wins by an expansion club.

Lozano would give San Diego a credible attacking threat up top thanks to his searing pace and goal-scoring ability.

2. Following in Carlos Vela’s Footsteps

Lozano would be 29 if and when he joins San Diego, just a couple months older than when Carlos Vela first signed for LAFC. Vela set MLS ablaze for LAFC scoring 78 goals in 152 appearances and lifted the MLS Cup in 2022. Both attacking-minded wingers, Vela and Lozano have eerily similar statistics for the Mexican national team. Vela, despite being retired from international soccer, scored 19 goals in 72 appearances. Lozano is currently on 18 and 70 respectively. Plus, Lozano hopes to play a big part in Mexico’s Copa America campaign this summer.

From 2012-2018, Vela scored 54 goals in 184 appearances for Real Sociedad before moving to LAFC. In Lozano’s first stint at PSV and time at Napoli (2017-2023), Lozano had 57 goals in 180 appearances. Eerily similar.

Lozano could capture the same amount of attention if he hits the ground running for San Diego playing in the same state, and there will likely be comparisons made among the two if the move comes to fruition.

3. International Pedigree

Lozano first garnered international attention and praise during the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He scored the lone goal assisted by Javier “Chicarito” Hernandez against defending champions Germany in a 1-0 group stage win. He returned the favor to Chicarito assisting the striker in a 2-1 win over South Korea. Lozano started every game of that World Cup for Mexico.

His World Cup performance, alongside his first stint at PSV, earned him a move to Napoli making him the most expensive signing in the club’s history at the time. While he didn’t have the same goal-scoring numbers in Italy, he helped to the club’s first Serie A title in 32 years.

Lozano returned to PSV last September and became the first PSV player since Mark van Bommel in 2005 to score a hat-trick against rival Ajax in a 5-2 win. Lozano also featured in PSV’s Champions League run before going out to Borussia Dortmund in the Round of 16.

While the rest of the roster is still being built, Lozano brings immediate credibility to a team that looks to have success in its debut season.

News, SI, Soccer
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