Latest news with #YunusMusah
Fox News
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Diego Luna shines with two goals as USA advances to Gold Cup final vs. Mexico
Diego Luna scored two goals in the first 15 minutes and the U.S. men's national team overcame late adversity to beat Guatemala 2-1 and advance to the Gold Cup final. Fresh off a dramatic penalty shootout in the quarterfinal, the Americans put together a character-building win in front of a raucous, pro-Guatemala crowd on Wednesday in St. Louis. The USMNT dominated early before enduring some nervy moments against a team that had nothing to lose. It was just a few weeks ago that the headlines surrounding this team were all about Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, Antonee "Jedi" Robinson and the other American mainstays who were not on this summer's roster for one reason or another. Now, after some impressive and gutsy performances, this rag-tag group that has only played together for a few weeks will prepare to play in the Gold Cup final on Sunday. Here are takeaways from the match: Diego Luna's star continues to rise In a tournament where U.S. players are doing everything in their power to state their case for a 2026 World Cup roster spot, Luna's effort and determination has been impossible to ignore. The Real Salt Lake midfielder bagged a brace in the first 15 minutes, showing off his creativity and confidence. The first goal came in the fourth minute when Luca de la Torre's shot was blocked and Luna finished with his left foot to give the USMNT the early start it needed. His second goal came in the 15th minute when Malik Tillman switched the point of attack to find Luna just outside the box. Luna stepped over the ball before striking it – with his right foot this time – past goalkeeper Kenderson Navarro to score his third-ever international goal. Luna has certainly come a long way since being left off the U.S. Olympics roster last summer. And he's going to pose an interesting predicament for manager Mauricio Pochettino when he is ultimately forced to figure out how to get Luna on the field alongside Pulisic at the World Cup. "He is absolutely lighting up the Gold Cup," Landon Donovan said on the FOX Sports broadcast during the first half. "Fantastic quality and work rate. This man has become an absolute star." U.S. can't maintain fast start The U.S. dominated the first 15 minutes with both of Luna's goals coming in those early moments of the match. Guatemala, meanwhile, played the remaining 75 with desperation and put the USMNT on its heels. Olger Escobar scored in the 80th minute – after Pochettino had already subbed off guys like Luna and Tyler Adams – riling up an already rowdy crowd. But the USMNT was able to hold on for a stressful final 10 minutes, which included a big-time save by Matt Freese at the near post in stoppage time. It would be easy to criticize the U.S. for not maintaining its intensity for the full 90 minutes of a tournament semifinal. Especially after rallying a fan base by beating Costa Rica in a quarterfinal penalty shootout. But this is a young team that's still gelling, learning and figuring out what Pochettino and his staff want from them. It wasn't perfect, but the USMNT handled the pressure and did what was necessary to win a tough game and make it to a final. What's next for the USMNT? The U.S. will play Mexico in the Gold Cup final in Houston on Sunday (7 p.m. ET on FOX). The last time the Americans and El Tri played was in Pochettino's second-ever match as the USMNT manager in October and Mexico won 2-0. Laken Litman covers college football, college basketball and soccer for FOX Sports. She previously wrote for Sports Illustrated, USA Today and The Indianapolis Star. She is the author of "Strong Like a Woman," published in spring 2022 to mark the 50th anniversary of Title IX. Follow her at @LakenLitman.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
West Ham United ‘interested' in signing 22-year-old AC Milan star
Milan's Midfield Revolution Signals a New Era Under Allegri and Tare Fresh Faces, Familiar Intentions Milan's transfer activity is gathering momentum, and it is not just about who arrives at San Siro this summer. With the Ricci deal edging closer, Jashari in the crosshairs and discussions underway for Xhaka, there is clear intent from Massimiliano Allegri and sporting director Igli Tare to lay solid foundations after a season of tactical inconsistency. As reported by TuttoMercato, a 'half revolution is underway to restart,' marking the beginning of a new era. Outgoings Reflect Shift in Strategy But every incoming wave requires an outgoing tide. Milan are clearly trimming the squad to reshape their identity. 'Among the players leaving, in addition to Theo Hernandez who is virtually an Al Hilal player, there are three names leaving in midfield,' writes Tuttosport. Theo's departure would be symbolic, and so too would the exits of Yunus Musah, Yacine Adli and Ismael Bennacer, all of whom once carried high expectations. Premier League Beckons for Musah For Yunus Musah, 'the Rossoneri are waiting for the Premier League,' with West Ham showing long-standing interest. Talks previously broke down due to Napoli's stance on Anguissa, but Milan's patience may finally be rewarded. Photo IMAGO Adli and Bennacer's Future in Limbo Adli and Bennacer, according to Tuttosport, are on the margins of Allegri's plans. 'The ball is mostly in the court of their respective agents who will have to find a solution for their clients.' Both players are at a crossroads, with technical profiles that once promised more than they ultimately delivered. Advertisement Milan fans will recognise this is not merely a rebuild but a redefining of identity. With Allegri back at the helm and Tare pulling the strings, the next chapter begins with bold choices and brave exits. Our View – EPL Analysis As a European football observer, this report feels like a red flag wrapped in a well-worded press release. Milan are hitting the reset button with Allegri and Tare, but selling so many key players in one sweep risks further instability. Theo Hernandez, effectively an Al Hilal player now, represents not just a loss of quality but also a symbol of star power walking out the door. Musah's possible move to West Ham? That might excite Premier League fans, but for Milan it screams of talent slipping through fingers just as it could blossom. Adli and Bennacer were once supposed to be the future of Milan's midfield engine. Now their agents are 'finding solutions' while Allegri appears set to discard them. Advertisement There's a worry here for fans that the 'half revolution' described could become a full collapse if results do not follow early. Milan may be laying new foundations, but these decisions need to be nailed down with performances or the structure could crumble just as quickly. Fans will back the badge, but Allegri and Tare must prove this overhaul is a vision, not a gamble.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wolves join pack of clubs keen on Milan's Musah
Premier League club Wolves are reportedly the latest club to register an interest in Milan midfielder Yunus Musah, just days after the player was linked with Nottingham Forest. According to what has been reported by the Gazzetta dello Sport, both Wolves and Forest are keeping a very close eye on the player – who appears to be considered expendable by the Rossoneri amongst a wealth of midfield options and more on the horizon. Milan midfielder Yunus Musah applauds the USA fans after the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 group C match between USA and Bolivia, in Arlington, Texas, USA, 23 June 2024. EPA-EFE/KEVIN JAIRAJ Could Musah leave Milan for Wolves? Musah signed for Milan in 2023 from La Liga club Valencia, for a fee in the region of €20 million. Since then, the 22-year-old has played 59 times in Serie A but it now seems likely he will not add to that tally. He has not scored a single goal for the club and was a part of the team that lifted last season's Supercoppa Italiana. MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 22: Yunus Musah of AC Milan shoots whilst under pressure from Ladislav Krejci of Girona FC during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between AC Milan and Girona FC at Stadio San Siro on January 22, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by) Speaking earlier in the week, Rossoneri sporting director Igli Tare said that 'I consider Musah a very good player but we're looking for midfielders with the right traits for Allegri's project. We want deep-lying midfielders in a three-man midfield and Musah doesn't quite fit the role – he's better in a double pivot or as a mezzala.'
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What is behind Musah tension for Milan and Napoli
What is behind Musah tension for Milan and Napoli There is still no real progress in the impasse between Milan and Napoli over the sale of Yunus Musah, but the clubs are working on resolving the issue of add-ons. It had seemed last week like practically a done deal, waiting only for the final details to be worked out. US midfielder Yunus Musah speaks to the media during a post match press conference after the men's friendly soccer match between the US and Panama, in Austin, Texas, USA, 12 Oct. 2024. EPA-EFE/DUSTIN SAFRANEK However, it all ground to a screeching halt when Milan turned down the offer worth €23m plus bonuses, a proposal that Napoli believed to be entirely fair. Advertisement Now the Partenopei have no intention of spending over the odds for the USMNT midfielder, who Milan paid €21.2m to purchase from Valencia in the summer of 2023. Napoli have plan for Musah talks Yunus Musah of AC Milan in action during the Serie A match between AC Milan and SSC Napoli at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on October 29, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by) According to the situation remains fairly static, as both clubs are sticking to their valuations of the player. It is possible it can be resolved by working on the add-ons, which could allow Napoli to pay the lower fixed fee, with performance-related bonuses on top. Some can be harder to achieve than others, giving the clubs some leeway on negotiations, but this is going to take time.
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Why Christian Pulisic and other USMNT stars aren't playing in Gold Cup
The U.S. men's national team enters the CONCACAF Gold Cup coming off a four-game losing streak under new head coach Mauricio Pochettino. And if the USMNT is going to right the ship this tournament, it's going to do so without its best players. In recent years, the Gold Cup has been relegated to a developmental tournament with U.S. Soccer opting to instead send its best team to the CONCACAF Nations League or last year's Copa America. But this summer's Gold Cup could have been different with it being the final competitive tournament for the USMNT before next year's World Cup. Advertisement Yet, when the rosters were announced, star players like Christian Pulisic, Antonee Robinson, Yunus Musah and Weston McKennie were not included ... for different reasons. Pulisic's absence was especially controversial among the USMNT fan base as the 26-year-old was coming off his best season at AC Milan. Pulisic, though, asked to not be a part of the Gold Cup roster in order to give himself an offseason to recover. Pulisic told CBS Sports that he was willing to play in the pre-Gold Cup friendlies, but Pochettino declined that request. The USMNT coach wanted to use the same roster for both the friendlies and Gold Cup, so Pulisic opted to stay home. Advertisement Musah and Robinson had similar reasons to Pulisic. They wanted to use the summer as an opportunity to recover ahead of the club season and World Cup. When it comes to McKennie, Gio Reyna and Tim Weah, they were not available as their club teams are competing in the FIFA Club World Cup. USMNT starters Folarin Balogun and Sergiño Dest were included on the initial camp roster but withdrew ahead of the friendlies. Both players were coming off lengthy injuries and were still working back to full strength. This article originally appeared on For The Win: Why Christian Pulisic and other USMNT stars aren't playing in Gold Cup
