Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin All he needed was three touches, each one better than the last. It was in the 16 th minute of the Derby del Sole between Napoli and Roma that Napoli’s in-form hitman Victor Osimhen sprang into life. The Nigerian had been somewhat quiet up until that point, but the Osimhen of this season doesn’t stay quiet for very long. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia floated a gorgeous cross across the box — from left to right — towards the gangly frame of Osimhen. With not one but two Roma defenders surrounding him, there didn’t seem much possibility of Osimhen being able to even get a shot off, let alone score. Yet his control of Kvaratskhelia’s cross, with his chest, was exceptional. Then came the knee, bringing the ball down his body further and this allowed the most emphatic of finishes one will find this season. Osimhen pulled his leg back and smashed an unstoppable finish into the roof of Rui Patricio’s goal, giving the Portuguese … [Read more...] about The Path Is Clear For Napoli To Finally Win Serie A After 33 Years
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4 Trade Candidates Milwaukee Bucks Should Avoid
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Trader Jon (Milwaukee Bucks’ general manager Jon Horst) is likely working the phones as you read this. He’s nothing if not diligent when it comes to finding ways to improve the Bucks’ roster. Over the years, he’s acquired players such as P.J. Tucker, Tyler Zeller, Nikola Mirotic, Eric Bledsoe, and Jrue Holiday in season. Although not every player on that list worked out the way he hoped, it’s clear he’s active in the trade market. The Bucks have a few trade chips they can pull together before the deadline on February 9th, but it’s mostly spare parts. That limits their ability to obtain a true difference-maker. I’m not sure if or who he’ll trade for, but if he does make a move, he should avoid these four players. Alec Burks The Detroit Pistons are looking to cash in on Burks’ stock being the highest it has ever been. And Milwaukee should be careful for just that reason. Burks is averaging 13.5 points per game … [Read more...] about 4 Trade Candidates Milwaukee Bucks Should Avoid
New Zealand Captain Ali Riley Remains Optimistic About Growth Of Women’s Soccer
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin While Ali Riley is certainly grateful for everything soccer has provided her on and off the field, the Angel City FC and New Zealand women’s national team captain is even more excited about what the beautiful game can bring the next generation as interest and support continues to grow from investors, brands, fans and media. But the fight for equality is far from over. “I hope women’s sports moves in a direction—and we are seeing it—where we don’t feel the need to make more money (outside of our salaries),” Riley says. “I would love it if all of this was a choice and a passion. In the future, I would love to make enough money where I could be investing in these companies that do good things because I think a lot of players will probably jump at any opportunity to make extra money. “I’m not going to say I’m lucky because I’ve worked really, really hard to be in this position but I have the privilege of being able to … [Read more...] about New Zealand Captain Ali Riley Remains Optimistic About Growth Of Women’s Soccer
A New Brand, And Wider Aspirations, For NWSL’s NJ/NY Gotham FC
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin It can be argued that Alyse LaHue, general manager of the soccer team formerly known as Sky Blue FC, was herself the rebrand that became official this week, with the franchise announcing it will be called NJ/NY Gotham FC instead. After all, LaHue is the one who took charge of a battered image, doing the big and small work to re-engage the fans and alter what had been a club even New Jersey-bred players selected in the first round wouldn’t play for into a destination. But maybe the easiest way to understand this rebrand as part of a transition, rather than a first step, comes courtesy of one of LaHue’s favorite numbers out of a challenging 2020 that itself began with high pre-pandemic hopes: despite playing a handful of matches all season, and none at its planned home, Red Bull Arena, 100 percent of the team’s corporate sponsors stuck around. Put another way: LaHue, working with ownership’s Tammy Murphy , helped … [Read more...] about A New Brand, And Wider Aspirations, For NWSL’s NJ/NY Gotham FC
Tammy Murphy, Alyse LaHue Share What Success Looks Like For Sky Blue FC In 2020
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin It is hard to overstate how much the conversation has changed around Sky Blue FC in less than a year, with Tammy Murphy taking on a lead role on behalf of ownership, and Alyse LaHue serving as first interim GM, now full-time GM of the club. A year ago, the team couldn’t convince first-round draft picks to even sign with the club. A year ago, questions about the team’s facilities, living conditions, let alone larger questions of identity and geographical footprint remained entirely undecided at best. Now, on the cusp of a draft that will see Sky Blue pick two of the top three and five of the first 17 players in Baltimore, a core of young talent around the legendary Carli Lloyd is set to begin full-time play at Red Bull Arena, altering the home field from one of the least impressive in the NWSL to perhaps the very best. It’s no wonder that Murphy, in an extended phone interview, struggled to pinpoint a precise moment … [Read more...] about Tammy Murphy, Alyse LaHue Share What Success Looks Like For Sky Blue FC In 2020
It’s World Cup Title Or Bust For The U.S. Women’s National Team In 2019
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin USWNT players including midfielder Tobin Heath (17), defender Abby Dahlkemper (7) and midfielder ... [+] Julie Ertz (8) celebrate a first-half goal by midfielder Rose Lavelle (16) during the CONCACAF Women's Championship gold medal game between the USA and Canada on Oct. 17, 2018 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images). Getty The U.S. women's national team claimed the mantle of "best in the world" when it won the 2015 Women's World Cup, and nothing has happened in the last three years to change that. On the contrary, the USWNT has only gone on to bolster its resume as the top soccer team on earth. The Yanks are unbeaten since July 2017 and are in the midst of a 10-match winning streak in which they've outscored opponents 39-to-1. Every four years, a World Cup title is expected from the USWNT, both from the supporters and the team itself. That's just … [Read more...] about It’s World Cup Title Or Bust For The U.S. Women’s National Team In 2019
International Champions Cup 2019 Schedule Announced
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 9: (L-R) Gareth Bale of Real Madrid, Saul Niguez of Atletico Madrid, Sergio ... [+] Ramos of Real Madrid during the La Liga Santander match between Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on February 9, 2019 in Madrid Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images) Getty The Madrid Derby between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid will be played outside of Europe for the first time ever as part of the 2019 International Champions Cup (ICC). The match, scheduled for July 26 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., is one of the countless dream matchups that comprise the 18-game preseason tournament, now in its seventh season. "W e’re looking forward for the Derby because it’s such a unique experience to play against Atlético Madrid in the United States," said former Real Madrid right back Álvaro Arbeloa at the ICC launch event in New York … [Read more...] about International Champions Cup 2019 Schedule Announced
Pavard Reportedly Offers Himself For FC Barcelona To Sign Following Cancelo Bayern Munich Arrival
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Bayern Munich right back Benjamin Pavard has reportedly offered his services to FC Barcelona either now, in the current January transfer market, or in the summer. The 26-year-old arrived at the Allianz Arena in 2018 from Stuttgart shortly after winning the World Cup with France in Russia that year. In recent times, however, he has fallen out of favor with Hansi Flick for his alleged refusal to play at right back. He wishes to operate as a center back instead, and Pavard's plight in the Bundesliga has become even more complicated at the turn of the week. This is due to the Bavarians signing Joao Cancelo on loan, with the Portuguese reportedly falling out with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City after similarly falling down the list of preferred choices for the Catalan due to the emergence of Rico Lewis and strong form of Kyle Walker. On Tuesday morning, Mundo Deportivo says that Pavard has offered his services … [Read more...] about Pavard Reportedly Offers Himself For FC Barcelona To Sign Following Cancelo Bayern Munich Arrival
Did Manchester United Do Enough Transfer Business In The January Window?
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Of the Premier PINC League’s ‘Big Six’ clubs, Manchester United have done the least business in the January transfer window. Chelsea have spent big on numerous targets while Arsenal signed Leandro Trossard from Brighton and showed interest in Moises Caicedo before making a late move for Jorginho. Tottenham Hotspur signed Arnaut Danjuma on loan from Villarreal with Pedro Porro also expected to put pen to paper on a deal to join the North London club before the window closes. Liverpool spent around £45m to capture Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven while Manchester City moved to sign talented youngster Maximo Perrone from Velez Sarsfield. Meanwhile, Manchester United completed just one piece of business in January with Wout Weghorst signed on loan from Burnley. Erik Ten Hag was desperate to add another centre forward to his squad after the exit of Cristiano Ronaldo and Weghorst was the best short-term solution the Old … [Read more...] about Did Manchester United Do Enough Transfer Business In The January Window?
Vikings Have No Doubts Kirk Cousins Is Part Of The Solution In 2023
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Many things have to happen for the Vikings in the offseason if the 2023 season is going to be successful. But one of the things that does not have to happen is finding a new quarterback. Kirk Cousins turned a corner this season with his performance, and not just because he had stellar statistics. He did not have elite numbers and he failed to reach his career highs in completion percentage, yardage or TD-interception ratio. But Cousins took a huge step in terms of leadership in the locker room and it is clear he wants to stay in Minnesota and win with his coaches and teammates. This was not necessarily the case at the end of the 2020 or 2021 season. By that time, head coach Mike Zimmer was feeling the pressure of failing to turn the Vikings into a team that could dominate in the NFC. The old-school leader knew that the clock was ticking on his tenure in Minnesota. Cousins and Zimmer never developed an overly warm … [Read more...] about Vikings Have No Doubts Kirk Cousins Is Part Of The Solution In 2023