MLS Review: Red Bulls shock DC, Seattle hold Dallas

New York Red Bulls stunned Eastern Conference champions DC United 2-0 in the first leg of their semi-final in the MLS play-offs on Sunday.

DC United had arrived at Red Bull Arena unbeaten in nine matches in all competitions, although their last loss had come away to New York.

And it was again the Red Bulls that thwarted Ben Olsen s men with Bradley Wright-Phillips and Peguy Luyindula scoring either side of half-time for the hosts to claim a lead heading into Saturday s second leg in the American capital.

In the Western Conference, champions Seattle Sounders also had a tough game away from home, coming from behind to secure a 1-1 draw at FC Dallas.

Wright-Phillips the MLS golden-boot winner scored his 30th goal for the season two minutes before the break, …

Juninho makes Red Bulls switch

New York Red Bulls have announced the signing of former Lyon star Juninho Pernambucano from Vasco da Gama.

The 37-year-old Brazilian played under the Red Bull s head of global soccer, Gerard Houllier, at Lyon, and the Frenchman has decided to bring the veteran playmaker to Major League Soccer.

And, despite the player s advancing years, sporting director Andy Roxburgh is certain he will be a success in the USA.

Juninho is a world-class player who our global sporting director, Gerard Houllier, and I have known and admired for many years, Roxburgh said in a statement.

Aside from being a top dead-ball specialist and a tremendous talent, Juninho is a fantastic professional both on and off the field.

He is in great physical shape, and we think he ca…

I haven´t ruled out return to ´Les Bleus´, says Trezeguet

Juventus striker David Trezeguet said on Monday that he could still be persuaded to return to action for France in the future, but only if things change.

The 30-year-old who was a part of France s 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 winning sides was left out of the Euro 2008 squad following a deterioration of his relationship with coach Raymond Domenech that meant even his 20 goals in Serie A last season failed to count in the final reckoning.

Now though, following the 10-year anniversary match at Stade de France on Saturday night, Trezeguet has told La Gazzetta dello Sport that the desire to wear the blue shirt has not left him completely, though it remains unlikely that he will appear in one again whilst Domenech is at the helm.

When I took the field at Stade de…

Chelsea 0 Leicester City 0: Relentless Foxes hold on after Chilwell red

Chelsea missed a chance to go second in the Premier League as they were held to a 0-0 draw by a relentless Leicester City side that finished the match with 10 men.

Leicester put on a masterclass in pressing until Ben Chilwell was shown a second yellow card for a lunge on Victor Moses, but the champions were unable to take advantage and claim the three points that would have moved them above Manchester United.

Claude Puel welcomed Jamie Vardy back after two games out with a groin injury and the England striker, along with Riyad Mahrez, caused Chelsea no end of problems his chasing of a long ball leading to returning captain Gary Cahill going off with a hamstring injury in the 33rd minute.

The Foxes had the better of the chances and Antonio Conte reacted by replaci…

Roura reeling at Mallecano appointment

Barcelona assistant coach Jordi Roura has slammed referee Alberto Undiano Mallecano ahead of their Copa del Rey clash with Real Madrid.

Barcelona assistant coach Jordi Roura has slammed referee Alberto Undiano Mallecano ahead of their Copa del Rey clash with Real Madrid.

Mallecano took charge of Barcelona s only La Liga defeat this season at Real Sociedad, and will officiate again for the semi-final second leg at Camp Nou on Tuesday.

He also refereed the 2011 Copa del Rey final between Real and Barca, won by Madrid, and the Barca assistant expressed his disappointment at the decision.

He (Mallecano) is the referee we have for tomorrow, we can t do anything about that, Roura said.

We are not supposed to judge whether he is a good or a bad refe…

Bitesize Prediction: Sheffield Wednesday vs Sunderland – 10/08/22

Market: Both teams to score

Odds: 4/5 @

Two sides turning their attention back to League Cup duties on Wednesday night, Sheffield Wednesday will welcome Sunderland to Hillsborough.

Starting with the hosts, while Sheffield Wednesday might have signed off their pre-season preparations with three friendly defeats on the spin, it appears that the Owls have bounced back. After opening the 2022/23 League One campaign with an action-packed 3-3 draw against Portsmouth at Hillsborough, Darren Moore s men also put in an eye-catching display last weekend. Landing a 1-0 victory away at MK Dons, the one-time West Brom boss will be calling on his side to keep up that momentum here. Likewise, once again tipped as a standout pick to clinch another play-off finish this season, W…

Spain 6-1 Korea Republic: Nolito and Morata at the double as La Roja stroll to victory

Nolito and Alvaro Morata were the star men as Spain made a mockery of South Korea s recent fine form, winning 6-1 on the road to Euro 2016.
Uli Stielike had told his Korean side to play with the belief that they could beat the double-defending European champions, but a national-record run of nine games without conceding was emphatically ended in Salzburg.
David Silva s stunning free-kick brought the match to life on the half-hour, but things soon went from the sublime to the ridiculous as Korean goalkeeper Kim Jin-hyeon s comical error presented Cesc Fabregas with a tap-in.
Nolito and Alvaro Morata enhanced their chances of a place in Vicente del Bosque s frontline with a pair of goals each, though this week s arrival of Atletico and Real Madrid players none of whom featured here w…

Hammers dent Liverpool´s title credentials

Liverpool went one point clear at the top of the Premier League table despite suffering a frustrating goalless draw at home to West Ham on Monday.

Rafael Benitez s side replaced Chelsea at the summit yet few fans felt like celebrating after watching their side miss an ideal opportunity to open up a healthy lead on their title rivals.

Liverpool were guilty of wasting a string of chances while Yossi Benayoun was denied by a brilliant save from Robert Green.

But their performance raised more questions than answers as they were held at home by mid-table opposition for the second successive home game.

It is eighteen years since the title was last celebrated at Anfield yet Liverpool fans started the final month of 2008 optimistic about their club s prospec…

Serbia sack Krstajic after Ukraine humiliation

Serbia sacked head coach Mladen Krstajic following their humiliating loss to Ukraine in Euro 2020 qualifying.

Despite boasting Real Madrid recruit Luka Jovic and Ajax star Dusan Tadic, Serbia were routed 5-0 by Ukraine in Lviv on June 7 as pressure increased on Krstajic.

Serbia eased past Lithuania 4-1 on Monday but that was not enough to save Krstajic, with the country third and six points adrift of leaders Ukraine in Euro 2020 Group B qualifying.

The FSS executive board and coach Mladen Krstajic have terminated cooperation by mutual consent and a decision will be made in the forthcoming period who will take over, the Football Association of Serbia (FSS) said in a statement on Thursday.

We thank Krstajic for his efforts and especially on his Nations Le…

Giggs ends 29-year United association

Ryan Giggs has ended his 29-year association with Manchester United, the club has confirmed.

The 42-year-old former star player joined United s coaching staff under David Moyes, taking temporary charge when the Scot was sacked in April 2014, and was made assistant manager by Louis van Gaal.

However, new manager Jose Mourinho is expected to bring in trusted lieutenant Rui Faria to take on the role, with Giggs unable to agree a new position.

It means he will depart Old Trafford after almost 30 years of service, having joined United s academy in 1987.

After 29 seasons at Manchester United as a player and assistant manager, I know winning is in the DNA of this club giving youth a chance, and playing attacking and exciting football, he said in a statement rel…