Latest news with #WesselSpeel
The 42
22-07-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Shelbourne hope to have new Dutch goalkeeper available for Champions League tie
SHELBOURNE ARE IN a race against time to register new goalkeeper Wessel Speel for tomorrow's second round Champions League qualifier with Qarabag, although boss Joey O'Brien has confirmed that Lorcan Healy will start the first leg in Tolka Park. Speel has joined from Minnesota United in Major League Soccer but must have his international clearance signed off tonight in order to feature in the upcoming games. A hamstring injury to current first choice Conor Kearns is set to rule him out 'for a few weeks,' according to O'Brien, and that setback was part of the reason why Speel's signing was fast tracked having been on the League of Ireland club's radar for the past six months. The 23-year-old has made three appearances in the MLS this season and provides further competition for places after Kearns was forced off in the first half of last week's clash with Linfield in Belfast. Advertisement 'We need to get his international clearance done by this evening. If he's not available for this one, he won't be for the second leg,' O'Brien confirmed. 'Lorcan came in and did really well. To come on as a sub goalkeeper, there's massive pressure, it's always difficult as a sub goalkeeper coming on. He acquitted himself quite well, he had one mistake in the second half, he had a bit of luck, he got away with it. Full confidence, he's in tomorrow, he has the jersey and it's up to him then to perform. 'He (Healy) has a good way about him since he's come into the club. He's a good character, a good presence, he's got games this year, he's done well in them and hopefully he can take that into tomorrow.' 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗼𝗹𝗸𝗮 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 🔴 Shelbourne FC is delighted to announce the loan signing of Wessel Speel from Minnesota United, subject to international clearance. Read more on the Shelbourne FC website, — Shelbourne FC 🏆 (@shelsfc) July 22, 2025 As for Wessel, O'Brien praised the club for acting quickly to secure his signature. 'Waiting for his clearance, I don't know where that's going to be around matchtime. A player we've been following, he came onto our radar about six months ago, we've been following him from then, great work in the background with [goalkeeping coach] Paul Skinner in the background and [technical director] Luke [Byrne] to get it over the line, an opportunity came up for him to come in, the situation with Conor being out. I think he's going to add real competition to that goalkeeping department, it should be really good.' Jack Henry Francis is another new signing but the midfielder will not be involved in the tie as he's 'a bit behind fitness wise.' Captain Mark Coyle will be available for O'Brien and the Shels boss is hopeful Qarabag – who have played European group/league phase football in each of the last 11 seasons – might be caught on the hop given they are still in pre-season. 'It's definitely something I've found over the years when you're playing teams because fitness is a big thing. We're right in the middle of our season. Sometimes they lack match sharpness but once you have quality you don't lose it. This is our home game so its on us to get the atmosphere going, get on the front foot and go after them.' Tomorrow – Champions League second-round qualifier (first leg): Shelbourne v Qarabag, 7.45pm (Live on Premier Sports)
The Irish Sun
22-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Shelbourne sign Dutch keeper Wessel Speel on loan after Conor Kearns ruled out of Qarabag Champions League clash
SHELBOURNE have signed Wessel Speel on loan after Conor Kearns was ruled out of tomorrow's Champions League tie against Qarabag. Kearns was forced off in the first half of the second leg of Advertisement 2 Joey O'Brien's side are on the verge of signing a new keeper after Conor Kearns was ruled out of tomorrow's Champions League tie against Qarabag due to injury 2 Lorcan Healy is set to start for Shelbourne as new signing Wessel Speel will be on the bench in Dublin Both keepers made kicking errors which went unpunished by the Blues with Shels looking to strengthen between the posts by bringing in the Dutchman. The Reds were trying to get international clearance for Speel in time for him to be available for selection against the Azerbaijani champions on Wednesday, although Healy will start at Tolka Park. The Gouda native played for Utrecht at youth level before moving to the States to go to college five years ago. He joined Minnesota on a short-term contract at the start of the year before the club extended his contract until the end of the season with options for the next two campaigns. Advertisement read more on football He will join Shels until the end of the year. The 23-year-old has played in two US Open Cup ties before clocking up three MLS appearances last month when first-choice Dayne St Clair was away with Canada at the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Joey O'Brien said: 'He's a player we've been following, he came onto our radar about six months ago, we've been following him since then. 'An opportunity came up for him to come in, the situation with Conor being out. I think he's going to add real competition to that goalkeeping department, it should be really good.' Advertisement Most read in Football Live Blog Comment But O'Brien has expressed his faith in Healy - who has made only six appearances for Shels since joining from UCD before the start of last season. O'Brien said: 'Last year, Conor didn't miss many games, he missed a couple this year and Lorcan came in and did really well. Mikel Arteta could not be happier with new Arsenal signing Martin Zubimendi 'To come on as a sub goalkeeper, there's massive pressure, it's always difficult as a sub goalkeeper coming on. He acquitted himself quite well, he had one mistake in the second half, he had a bit of luck, he got away with it. 'I've full confidence, he's in tomorrow, he has the jersey and it's up to him then to perform. Advertisement 'He has a good way about him since he's come into the club. He's a good character, a good presence, he's got games this year, he's done well in them and hopefully he can take that into tomorrow.' O'Brien admitted he was unsure when Kearns would be fit again but there was a boost with Mark Coyle - who also came off in Belfast, with a knee injury - declared fit. O''Brien said: 'He's got a a hamstring so I suppose it will be a few weeks. We'll just take it from there. As a goalkeeper he doesn't have to sprint too many times so I could be proven wrong. 'Mark just pinched his knee. He trained today and he's in the squad tomorrow.' Advertisement
Irish Independent
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Shelbourne swoop to sign Dutch goalkeeper Wessel Speel
Shelbourne are bringing in Dutch goalkeeper Wessel Speel on loan from MLS side Minnesota United.
Associated Press
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scores in 90th minute to give New York Red Bulls 2-2 tie with Minnesota
HARRISON, N.J. (AP) — Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scored the equalizer in the 90th minute and New York Red Bulls forged a 2-2 tie with Minnesota United on Saturday night. Choupo-Moting caught up to a pass by Kyle Duncan and scored with a right-footed shot from the center of the box. It was the first score for New York (29 points, 8-7-5) since a milestone goal by Emil Forsberg in the 11th minute. After Minnesota rookie goalkeeper Wessel Speel made a play on the ball near the top of the box, Emil Forsberg picked up the loose ball at the front center of the box and delivered to the lower right zone for the game's first score. Forsberg became the eighth player in club history to reach 25 goal contributions in his first 40 games with the team. Speel, who was signed to a First Team contract on Friday, appeared to be injured on the play and was replaced by Alec Smir. Minnesota (34 points, 9-4-7) drew even in the 32nd minute when Kelvin Yeboah delivered a shot between a defender's legs to the bottom left corner of the goal. Minnesota took the lead in the 45th minute on a goal by Anthony Markanich, connecting on a left-footed shot from the center of the box to the upper right central zone. The Red Bulls are undefeated in their last five matches at their Sports Illustrated Stadium, outscoring their opponents, 16-4, in those matches. New York has acquired 23 points at home this season, breaking a tie with Columbus for the most home points this season. Columbus hosts Philadelphia on Sunday. Up next Minnesota plays at Dallas on Friday. Red Bulls travel to San Jose for a match on Saturday. ___ AP soccer:
CBS News
29-06-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Choupo-Moting scores in 90th minute to give Red Bulls 2-2 tie with Minnesota
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scored the equalizer in the 90th minute and New York Red Bulls forged a 2-2 tie with Minnesota United on Saturday night. Choupo-Moting caught up to a pass by Kyle Duncan and scored with a right-footed shot from the center of the box. It was the first score for New York (29 points, 8-7-5) since a milestone goal by Emil Forsberg in the 11th minute. After Minnesota rookie goalkeeper Wessel Speel made a play on the ball near the top of the box, Emil Forsberg picked up the loose ball at the front center of the box and delivered to the lower right zone for the game's first score. Forsberg became the eighth player in club history to reach 25 goal contributions in his first 40 games with the team. Speel, who was signed to a First Team contract on Friday, appeared to be injured on the play and was replaced by Alec Smir. Minnesota (34 points, 9-4-7) drew even in the 32nd minute when Kelvin Yeboah delivered a shot between a defender's legs to the bottom left corner of the goal. Minnesota took the lead in the 45th minute on a goal by Anthony Markanich, connecting on a left-footed shot from the center of the box to the upper right central zone. The Red Bulls are undefeated in their last five matches at their Sports Illustrated Stadium, outscoring their opponents, 16-4, in those matches. New York has acquired 23 points at home this season, breaking a tie with Columbus for the most home points this season. Columbus hosts Philadelphia on Sunday. Up next Minnesota plays at Dallas on Friday. Red Bulls travel to San Jose for a match on Saturday.
