❌

Vue lecture

Wooden Spoon, Golden Boot and playoff spots: what to watch for on MLS Decision Day

The postseason is nearly upon us but there’s plenty to still be decided as the end of the regular season approaches

Just days after millions of Americans cast their votes in the midterm elections, we will soon arrive at the second-most meaningful decider in US society: Major League Soccer’s Decision Day. With eight 4pm ET kickoffs on the east coast and another seven games kicking off hours later out west on Saturday, there’s still plenty to play for at the end of the regular season.

This is an extract from Soccer Desk, a newsletter from the Guardian US. Subscribe for free here.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Chris Torres/EPA

© Photograph: Chris Torres/EPA

© Photograph: Chris Torres/EPA

  •  

Champions League review: comebacks, thrashings and a Mauritanian first

Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain flexed their muscles, Manchester United fought back and an unlikely star stole the show for AEK Athens

Still without the recovering Vincent Kompany, Bayern Munich are among the favorites to win the Champions League, which would be their first European title since 2019-20. René Marić’s side produced a dominant display at the Metropolitano, playing Atlético Madrid off the field in a commanding 2-0 win. Lennart Karl and Konrad Laimer made the difference, with Harry Kane providing Laimer with a fine assist in his first continental appearance since winning the Ballon d’Or. Bayern remain just outside the top eight, which guarantees automatic passage to the last 16, having won two and drawn two of their opening four matches.

Continue reading...

© Composite: Getty Images

© Composite: Getty Images

© Composite: Getty Images

  •  

Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun return to USMNT roster for Nations League

  • Mauricio Pochettino names 25-man roster to face Haiti

  • McKennie and Sullivan among notable inclusions

  • Quarter-final matches set for Miami, Cincinnati

Mauricio Pochettino has selected his 25-man roster for the United States’ Concacaf Nations League quarter-final matches against Haiti, including recalls for Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Folarin Balogun. After 13 players earned their first caps in the previous window, only two selections could be in line for international debuts this month.

The two-leg series against Haiti marks the first competitive action for the US since they exited the World Cup with a calamitous showing against Belgium in the last 16. Pochettino’s side are heavily favored to win the Nations League outright, arriving in better form and health than chief rivals Mexico and Canada. Haiti will host their “home” leg in Miami on 14 November due to years-long security issues stemming from widespread gang violence in Port-au-Prince. The return leg will be played in Cincinnati on 17 November.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Jose Breton/AFP7/Shutterstock

© Photograph: Jose Breton/AFP7/Shutterstock

© Photograph: Jose Breton/AFP7/Shutterstock

  •  

Folarin Balogun takes a first, tiny step toward moving on from a calamitous summer

The USMNT striker scored his first goal since the World Cup in a losing effort against Paris FC. Could it lead to something more?

Before this weekend, the last time Folarin Balogun scored was in the United States’ 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina at this past summer’s World Cup. In the immediate aftermath, the outlook for Balogun seemed rosy; an ascendant player who could muster a goal in tense games. At half-time against Bosnia, US fans weren’t just wondering how far his team could advance – they were sizing Balogun up against some of the world’s best strikers.

But for most of the ensuing four months, Balogun has been in limbo. His breakout World Cup was overshadowed by a red card in that same game against Bosnia and Herzegovina, followed by a scandal of which he wanted no part. Just as it seemed a summer move away from Monaco could get his club career on track, he broke off a possible deadline-day move to Everton after a lengthy visit to the training grounds and a medical he felt was improperly handled.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Xavier Laine/Getty Images

© Photograph: Xavier Laine/Getty Images

© Photograph: Xavier Laine/Getty Images

  •  
❌