Latest news with #MLSAllStarGame
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Landon Donovan on why Pulisic's Gold Cup absence was unacceptable + Messi's suspension the right move?
Subscribe to The Cooligans Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Christian Polanco and Alexis Guerreros bring on USMNT legend Landon Donovan and break down a controversial summer of soccer for the USMNT. Landon tells us why he took issue with Christian Pulisic missing the Gold Cup and what he would have done differently. Landon also reacts to Lionel Messi missing the MLS All-Star Game and how he thinks the league should react. Christian and Alexis then break down the Women's UEFA Euros Final and how England overcame Spain. After another dominant performance, does Chloe Kelly get the respect she deserves? Later, Christian and Alexis react to MLS suspending Lionel Messi for missing the All-Star Game. Was this the right move? They also react to Morgan Gibbs-White's hilarious interview after signing a new contract with Nottingham Forest amidst rumors of him leaving for Tottenham. (7:30) - Landon Donovan on why Gold Cup absence was unacceptable (15:30) - Landon Donovan's reaction to Messi's All-Star snub (23:30) - England win back-to-back women's Euros (39:30) - Was MLS suspending Lionel Messi the right move? (54:30) - Morgan Gibbs-White stays at Nottingham Forest 🖥️
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Minus Messi, Inter Miami, Cincinnati play to a scoreless tie
Inter Miami welcomed its newest star signing in a pregame ceremony, officially debuted a new jersey and created more than a dozen chances. None of that could overshadow Lionel Messi's absence. Inter Miami could not find the back of the net without Messi and settled for a point at home in a scoreless draw with FC Cincinnati on Saturday night at Chase Stadium. Messi — who was suspended along with left back Jordi Alba for not participating in Wednesday's MLS All Star Game — watched from the sidelines next to new Argentine acquisition Rodrigo De Paul as both teams misfired to a scoreless stalemate. The tie that came 10 days after FC Cincinnati drubbed Inter Miami 3-0 in Ohio left Javier Mascherano's men stagnant in fifth place in the standings with a 12-6-4 record while dropping Cincinnati into second. 'I do not agree at all with the decision (to suspend Messi and Alba), but we adapted,' said Mascherano. 'The team had a great game, and we clearly deserved to win.' Mascherano delivered more pointed comments to express his disagreement with MLS later in the news conference. . 'What would have happened if today's game was played away,' asked Mascherano. 'Would there still have been calls for Messi to be suspended? Because no one complains when it comes time to fill stadiums and sell tickets. 'What happened was this game was played at home. That was the situation.' Prior to kickoff, Inter Miami owners Jorge and Jose Mas officially welcomed De Paul with the same type of ceremonious presentation that was given in years past to the star foursome of Messi, Alba, Luis Suarez, and Sergio Busquets. De Paul, accompanied by his two kids, was brought out to midfield to pose for photos and deliver a quick speech. He then joined Messi outside of the ground-level suites that sit adjacent to the field. 'Rodrigo is another historic signing for the club,' Mascherano said. 'He is a World Cup winner, is coming here at 31 years old, is in his prime. I think it speaks to the ambition of this club in wanting to continue to grow.' Also missing centerback Maximiliano Falcon due to yellow card accumulation and goalkeeper Oscar Ustari to injury, Inter Miami came out with different personnel in Mascherano's usual 4-4-2 formation vs. FC Cincinnati. Benjamin Cremaschi filled in for Jordi Alba by playing out of position at left back while Telasco Segovia took over for Messi by partnering with Suarez on the front line. The teams combined for 21 shots without a goal, but both sides came close to finding the breakthrough. 'I think we probably deserved a bit more from the game,' said centerback Gonzalo Lujan, who delivered a sliding goal-line clearance in the second half. 'We controlled the game. We just lacked better decision-making in the final third.' Fafa Picault had Inter Miami's best opportunity in the 11th minute. Suarez played a delightful cross to Picault on the left before the ensuing header was saved by FC Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano. Picault was also involved in a controversial moment after the hour-mark. Inter Miami vehemently appealed for a penalty in the 65th minute after FC Cincinnati fullback DeAndre Yedlin — who previously played for the Herons — made contact with the winger in the 18-yard box. Head referee Tori Penso signaled for play to continue, however. 'I think we are among the top five teams in terms of generating chances, but through 22 [league] matches we have zero penalties called in our favor,' Mascherano said. 'Weird, huh, especially since we attack? Zero penalties called in our favor. I'll leave that there for you all to think about.' FC Cincinnati also created chances, but could not muster up the final bit of quality to beat backup goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo, who finished with three saves. The visitors thought they had snatched a late victory when centerback Miles Robinson towered over the outsized Noah Allen and headed the ball home on a free kick in stoppage time, but the goal was negated for a foul on Robinson while jostling for position. 'The defense was admirable today,' said Rios Novo. '...There are a lot of things to work on, but we are happy with the performance.' One other player who was not in uniform for Inter Miami on Saturday in addition to Messi and Alba was seldom-used winger Leo Afonso, who hours before kickoff was reported to be on his way to Atlanta United via trade. Inter Miami will now focus on the Leagues Cup, playing its Group Stage opener in that competition at home on Wednesday against Liga MX club Atlas.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
‘Suspending Lionel Messi is draconian': Controversy in the USA as Inter Miami owner slams MLS for action against star
Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba will not be present for Inter Miami's next game in Major League Soccer because the duo sat out the MLS All-Star Game. Both Messi and Alba were voted by fans to play in the exhibition game, but did not turn out. While Messi's decision not to play was chalked up to a packed schedule, Alba was reportedly healing from a previous injury. Messi and Alba will miss their club's home match on Saturday against FC Cincinnati, which sits atop the Eastern Conference standings. In fact, both players trained with the team with an eye on the game against Cincinnati. This was before the MLS announced that both players would be suspended. MLS Commissioner Don Garber called the decision a difficult one, but one that had to be enforced. MLS rules dictate that players who do not play in the MLS All Star Game without explicit permission from the league will face a one-game suspension. Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas had questioned the rule and told media in USA that it was the club which made the decision for Messi and Alba to sit out of the All-Star Game. He called the ruling a 'draconian' punishment. 'They (Messi and Alba) don't understand the decision. They don't understand why not attending an exhibition match leads directly to a suspension,' Mas said on Friday before pointing out that no less than six MLS games were scheduled on Friday night less than 48 hours after an All-Star Game. Mas said Inter Miami expressed its disagreement over the suspension and the rule. Mas also noted there were . 'That's not right,' Mas said. 'That's not right to the players.' 'I know Lionel Messi loves this league. I don't think there's a player — or anyone — who has done more for Major League Soccer than Messi. I fully understand, respect, and admire his commitment to Inter Miami, and I respect his decision. Unfortunately, we have a long-standing policy regarding participation in the All-Star Game, and we had to enforce it. It was a very difficult decision,' said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. Garber added that the league will re-evaluate the policy and work with players to 'determine how the rule should evolve.' (With inputs from AP)
National Post
5 days ago
- Sport
- National Post
MLS beats Liga MX 3-1 in All-Star Game
AUSTIN, Texas — Sam Surridge, Tai Baribo and Brian White scored goals and Major League Soccer defeated Liga MX of Mexico 3-1 in the MLS All-Star Game on Wednesday night playing without Lionel Messi. Article content Messi and his Inter Miami teammate, Jordi Alba, both face possible league suspensions for their team's next match against Cincinnati on Saturday for missing the All-Star game. Article content Article content 'Messi's the greatest,' MLS coach Nico Estevez said. 'Playing with him and coaching him would be something amazing. But we have to show respect for the guys that showed up today. They did great. It's a special week, a unique event. Not everyone can enjoy this. I'm fortunate.' Article content Liga MX's James Rodriguez also chose not to play in the game played in front of more than 20,000 fans at Q2 Stadium. Article content MLS has defeated Liga MX three times in four tries. Last year Liga MX won 4-1 in Columbus, Ohio. The MLS All-Stars won in 2022 and beat Liga MX on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw a year prior. Article content Messi has yet to appear in an MLS All-Star Game. He missed the game last year with an injury. Messi is currently tied with Nashville's Surridge for the MLS lead in goals with 18. Article content Surridge scored another goal on Wednesday, from the middle of the box, heading in to the lower right corner a ball directed by LAFC's Denis Bouanga in the 28th minute. Article content The opportunity developed after Bouanga had a point-blank attempt stopped by Liga MX goalkeeper Luis Malagon (Club America). Bouanga hustled to retrieve the long rebound and sent it to Surridge. Article content Article content Before the goal, both teams had attempts rejected with diving stops by Luis Malagon and Austin FC's Brad Stuver in the 13th and 18th minutes. Article content MLS went ahead 2-0 in the 51st minute when Diego Rossi (Columbus) passed ahead to Baribo (Philadelphia), whose right footed shot from the center of the box made it to the lower left corner of the goal. Article content Liga MX closed the gap to 2-1 just 13 minutes later when Gilberto Mora (Club Tijuana) converted a pass from Elias Montiel (Pachuca) from the middle of the box. Article content 'We had moments when we played good soccer,' Liga MX coach Andre Jardine said. Article content Liga MX's bid to tie the match was snubbed when a shot by Diber Cambindo (Necaxa) was stopped by Yohei Takaoka (Vancouver) in the 75th minute. Article content White (Vancouver) finished the scoring in the 80th minute. Article content Baribo ranks fourth in MLS with 14 goals and White has scored 11 as they chase Messi and Surridge. Article content 'They are competitive,' Estevez said. 'One scores and the other says 'I have to score.' Brian in the end said 'I have to score.' ' Article content
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
MLS All-Stars crush Liga MX despite Lionel Messi absence
July 24 (UPI) -- Sam Surridge, Tai Baribo and Brian White each found the net to steer a dominant MLS victory over Liga MX in the 2025 MLS All-Star Game in Austin, Texas. Liga MX launched 21 shot attempts, but placed just seven on target in the 3-1 setback Wednesday at Q2 Stadium. The MLS All-Stars placed 7 of 13 attempts on target, including two second-half scores. "It was a special week," MLS All-Stars coach Nico Estevez told reporters. "I think I've been in the country enough to value what this event means. ... This is special. It's a unique event. "Not everyone can come enjoy this thing. I'm honored and fortunate to coach the MLS All-Stars." Philip Zinckernagel, Diego Rossi and Denis Bouanga logged assists for the MLS All-Stars, who played without Inter Miami's Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba. Elias Montiel assisted Gilberto Mora for Liga MX's lone score. "It was my first time in the All-Star Game," Baribo said on the Apple TV broadcast. "I scored and we won, MVP, it's the best feeling. Great night." The win helped the MLS All-Stars avenge a loss to Liga MX in the 2024 MLS All-Star Game. The MLS All-Stars won three of the four previous editions of their matchup with Liga MX. "What I told them is that we have quality when we have the ball if we can do combinations, being together, get the good relations and interactions that will help us to break the opponent," Estevez said. "When we had the ball, it was less instruction and more about being a unit and being compact." The Liga MX All-Stars threatened early on, but were often denied by Austin FC goalie Brad Stuver. Those heroics included a one-handed diving block in the 19th minute. But Liga MX goalie Luis Malagon also stood strong between the posts, keeping the game scoreless until the 28th minute. Bouanga started that sequence by leading a breakaway into the Liga MX box. He blasted a shot on net, but the attempt was denied by Malagon. Bouanga regained control on the left flank and fired a pass back toward the far post. Surridge -- who is tied with Messi with a league-leading 18 goals this season -- jumped into the area and headed a point-blank range shot past Malagon for first blood. Bouanga and Surridge each earned separate attempts about five minutes later. Bouanga drilled the right post with a volley, while star defender Sergio Ramos blocked Surridge's shot. The MLS All-Stars finally doubled their lead with Baribo beat goalie Kevin Mier in the 51st minute. Ross cut off several Liga MX defenders with a ball into the box for Baribo on that play. The Philadelphia Union striker let the ball roll onto his right foot and finished with a shot just inside the left post. Mora cut the deficit in half by beating Minnesota United goalie in the 65th minute, but White went on to add the clincher in the 80th. Carles Gil gained control in transition, weaved through defenders and found fellow midfielder Cristian Espinoza on the left flank to lead that attack. Espinoza proceed to tap a pass ahead for Zinckernagel, who spotted White about eight yards in front of the net. The All-Star striker finished with a one-touch shot off Liga MX All-Star Brian Rodriguez and into the net. The MLS regular-season slate will continue with six games Friday. Orlando City will host the Columbus Crew at 7:30 p.m. EDT in Columbus, Ohio. The New England Revolution will host CF Montreal at the same time in Foxborough, Mass. Messi and Alba, who were the leading vote getters for their positions, could be open to one-game suspensions for not playing in the MLS All-Star game. Their fifth-place Herons will host first-place FC Cincinnati at 7:15 p.m. Saturday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
