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CTV News
2 hours ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Vancouver Whitecaps look to snap two-game skid against Los Angeles FC
Vancouver Whitecaps' Tate Johnson, front, is upended by Los Angeles FC's David Martinez during the first half of an MLS soccer match, in Vancouver, on Sunday, May 11, 2025. (Darryl Dyck / The Canadian Press) VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Whitecaps are in unfamiliar territory — looking to snap a losing skid. A 5-3 defeat to expansion side San Diego FC on Wednesday marked Vancouver's second loss in a row. It's the first time this season the team has dropped back-to-back games. The result saw the Whitecaps (10-3-5) slip to the No. 2 spot in Major League Soccer's Western Conference. They'll strive to reclaim first place Sunday when they visit Los Angeles FC (7-4-5). Even after a pair of losses, there's no panic among the 'Caps, said head coach Jesper Sorensen. 'It's about believing in what we should be good at and what we should be doing well,' he said. 'We're in a very good position. We've earned our position. So we earned the right to step aside a couple of times. But we, of course, have to get back into winning things as well. But it's a difficult position.' There are lessons to be taken from Wednesday's loss, he added, including that the team needs to play with courage and without hesitation. 'Of course we got punished pretty hard,' the coach said. 'That's what it is. But also that we shouldn't wait to start taking initiative — we should take it right away.' LAFC is a team Vancouver knows well — Sunday's matchup will mark the 14th time the two sides have clashed since April 2023. The last bout came May 11 at B.C. Place, where the 'Caps fell behind early before rallying to earn a 2-2 draw. The Whitecaps need to play with more intensity to collect all three points this time out, said defender Mathias Laborda. 'We have to step forward and do a good game,' he said. With elite players — including striker Denis Bouanga — on the roster, L.A. presents a number of offensive threats, Laborda added. 'They're a really good team. They have really good players with quality. So we expect a really good game,' he said. L.A. is coming off a tough run at the FIFA Club World Cup where they finished at the bottom of their group with two losses and a draw, but is unbeaten in the club's last nine MLS games (4-5-0). The club is one of the better teams Vancouver has faced this season, Sorensen said, and Sunday's contest will be a difficult one. 'We know that they have some players we have to give special attention to. We know they have some things in their play that they're very good at and we have to take care of,' the coach said. 'But we also know we're a pretty good team ourselves and we have to also believe and trust in what we are doing. And then believe that that's how we're going to win the game.' VANCOUVER WHITECAPS (10-3-5) AT LAFC (7-4-5) Sunday, BMO Stadium GOODBYE GIROUD: Olivier Giroud is set to play his final game for LAFC on Sunday. The club announced Friday that is has 'mutually parted ways' with the famed French striker. Giroud signed with L.A. in May 2024, but has struggled in MLS, putting up five goals in 37 games across all competitions. HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE?: LAFC has been solid at BMO Stadium this year, posting a 6-1-1 record in MLS play. The Whitecaps have been one of the league's best road teams, though, and are 4-1-3 away from B.C. Place. LOCKED DOWN: Despite giving up five goals on Wednesday, Vancouver has conceded the fewest goals in the Western Conference (19) and is tied with San Diego for the best goal differential (+15) in the West. This report by Gemma Karstens-Smith of The Canadian Press was first published June 27, 2025.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Key Update On Lionel Messi To Al Hilal Reports Amid New Inter Miami Contract
Key Update On Lionel Messi To Al Hilal Reports Amid New Inter Miami Contract originally appeared on Athlon Sports. With Lionel Messi yet to sign a contract extension with Inter Miami, rumors of Saudi Arabia's interest in bringing the Argentine star increased. Messi's contract with Inter Miami expires at the end of the 2025 MLS season (Late December). Advertisement The Inter Miami star is currently focused on the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, but after the tournament, questions about his future will be answered. Reports of Al Hilal interested in signing Messi for next season continued to grow as no clear sign of Inter Miami close to renewing his contract has been reported. New reports from Saudi Arabia suggested that Al Hilal held talks with Messi and his father on a potential transfer this summer. The report included details such as the Al Hilal president, Fahad bin Nafel, reportedly arriving in the U.S. to discuss with Messi's father and his team about having the Inter Miami star join Al Hilal this summer. Advertisement Reliable journalist Guillem Balague debunked the rumors of Al Hilal talking with Messi and gave insight into the reports. Lionel Messi set to stay at Inter Miami Guillem Balague reposted a report on the Al Hilal president meeting Messi's team on his X account and mentioned that it was 'fake news.' While calling the report false, he also gives a quick insight into Messi's contract renewal situation. Guillem Balague: "Not true at all that Al Hilal has met or is about to meet Messi's dad. Inter Miami and Leo [Messi] are still in ongoing discussions aimed at renewing his contract; this is the truth so far." Messi's chances to stay at Inter Miami for another year are high, which also means his chances to play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Argentina are also increasing. The Athletic reported that there are advanced negotiations between Messi and Inter Miami for a contract extension. Advertisement Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas has expressed his desire to see Messi play at Inter Miami's new stadium, Freedom Park, which is set to open in Spring 2026. What's Next for Inter Miami and Messi? Lionel Messi and Inter Miami set their sights on the club's biggest challenge to date. The MLS team will take on current Champions League winners PSG in the Round of 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup. The game between the two teams will be played on Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Inter Miami has learned its potential path to the final in case they defeat PSG in the Round of 16. If Inter Miami advances to the quarterfinals, their opponents will be between Flamengo and Bayern Munich. If they reach the semifinals, their potential opponents will be among Real Madrid, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, and Monterrey. Related: Lionel Messi's Inter Miami Earns Staggering Amount With Club World Cup Knockout Berth Related: Lionel Messi to Break 1100 Game Streak as Club World Cup Finally Ignites This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Associated Press
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Los Angeles FC takes home winning streak into matchup with the Vancouver Whitecaps
Vancouver Whitecaps FC (10-3-5, second in the Western Conference) vs. Los Angeles FC (7-4-5, sixth in the Western Conference) Los Angeles; Sunday, 9:30 p.m. EDT BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: LAFC -130, Vancouver +342, Draw +264; over/under is 2.5 goals BOTTOM LINE: Los Angeles FC hosts the Vancouver Whitecaps looking to prolong a three-game home winning streak. LAFC is 6-4-4 against Western Conference opponents. LAFC ranks fourth in the Western Conference giving up 23 goals. The Whitecaps are 9-1-4 against Western Conference teams. The Whitecaps have a 1-2-0 record in games they score just one goal. Sunday's game is the second meeting between these teams this season. The last meeting ended tied 2-2. TOP PERFORMERS: Denis Bouanga has scored eight goals and added five assists for LAFC. Cengiz Under has one goal and two assists over the last 10 games. Brian White has 10 goals for the Whitecaps. Pedro Vite has scored three goals over the past 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: LAFC: 4-1-5, averaging 2.2 goals, 6.4 shots on goal and 5.0 corner kicks per game while allowing 1.4 goals per game. Whitecaps: 4-2-4, averaging 1.7 goals, 4.1 shots on goal and 5.3 corner kicks per game while allowing 1.3 goals per game. NOT EXPECTED TO PLAY: LAFC: Jude Terry (injured), David Emmanuel Martinez Morales (injured), Nathan Ordaz (injured). Whitecaps: Giuseppe Bovalina (injured), Ali Ahmed (injured), Sebastian Berhalter (injured), Jayden Nelson (injured), Brian White (injured), Sam Adekugbe (injured), Ryan Gauld (injured). ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Associated Press
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Russell-Rowe and the Columbus Crew host the Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia Union (12-3-4, first in the Eastern Conference) vs. Columbus Crew (9-3-7, third in the Eastern Conference) Columbus, Ohio; Sunday, 6 p.m. EDT BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Columbus -123, Philadelphia +307, Draw +272; over/under is 2.5 goals BOTTOM LINE: Jacen Russell-Rowe leads the Columbus Crew into a matchup with the Philadelphia Union fresh off of a two-goal showing against Atlanta United. The Crew are 6-3-4 in conference play. The Crew are sixth in the Eastern Conference with 85 shots on goal, averaging 4.5 per game. The Union are 10-2-3 against Eastern Conference opponents. The Union have an MLS-leading +16 goal differential, scoring 35 goals while giving up 19. The matchup Sunday is the second meeting of the season between the two teams. The last meeting ended tied 2-2. TOP PERFORMERS: Diego Rossi has scored nine goals and added three assists for the Crew. Dylan Chambost has one goal and two assists over the past 10 games. Thai Baribo has 13 goals and one assist for the Union. Nathan Harriel has scored two goals over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Crew: 4-2-4, averaging 2.0 goals, 4.9 shots on goal and 6.0 corner kicks per game while allowing 1.9 goals per game. Union: 7-0-3, averaging 1.9 goals, 5.4 shots on goal and 6.6 corner kicks per game while allowing 1.0 goal per game. NOT EXPECTED TO PLAY: Crew: Maximilian Arfsten (injured), Malte Amundsen (injured), Nicholas Hagen Godoy (injured), Rudy Camacho (injured). Union: Francis Westfield (injured), Ivan Glavinovich (injured), Quinn Sullivan (injured), Nathan Harriel (injured), Oliver Mbaizo (injured), Thai Baribo (injured), Andre Blake (injured), Mikael Uhre (injured). ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
The Hindu
9 hours ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
French striker Olivier Giroud parts ways with MLS club LAFC after disappointing year
Olivier Giroud is parting ways with Los Angeles FC after one disappointing year with the Major League Soccer (MLS) club. The 38-year-old Giroud and LAFC announced the decision on Friday on social media. He will play in his final match on Sunday night at home against Vancouver. After scoring only five goals in 37 matches for LAFC, Giroud will become a free agent after his departure. He is widely expected to join Lille, which finished fifth in the French league last season, on a free transfer. 'I want to thank all of the fans, my teammates and the staff at LAFC for making this an enjoyable stop in my career,' Giroud said in a statement. 'I am happy to have played a part in the success of LAFC. From winning a trophy last season to participating in the Club World Cup, this has been a great experience in LA for me and my family.' Giroud joined LAFC in July 2024 as a designated player after a long European career highlighted by prolific tenures with Arsenal and Chelsea. The top goal-scorer in the history of France's national team was expected to provide dynamic offense alongside MLS stars and fellow Frenchmen Denis Bouanga and Hugo Lloris. Instead, Giroud clearly struggled to adapt to the MLS game and to LAFC's counter-attacking style under coach Steve Cherundolo. LAFC also failed to figure out ways to involve Giroud in the offense consistently, unable to provide service to one of the sport's most dangerous finishers earlier in his career. Giroud usually played as a substitute for LAFC, and he didn't score his first MLS goal until last April 19. He did find the net in big moments, scoring in the US Open Cup final last season and in the Leagues Cup final. 'Olivier has been an exemplary professional during his time at LAFC,' general manager John Thorrington said. 'He brought humility and a winning mentality that helped elevate everyone around him. Olivier has been a tremendous ambassador for the club on and off the field. We are grateful for his contributions.' LAFC is suddenly a team in full transition after a winless three-game run at the Club World Cup earlier this month. Cherundolo already has announced he will leave the club to move back to Germany after the season, and LAFC could be down to Bouanga as its only designated player by next month. LAFC added Dutch winger Javairô Dilrosun on loan from Club América earlier this month, but the loan is only through July 24. Dilrosun replaced Cengiz Ünder, whose disappointing MLS tenure ended this month. LAFC's lengthy pursuit of Antoine Griezmann also came up fruitless earlier this month when the French star extended his contract with Atlético Madrid through 2027. LAFC (7-4-5) still sits sixth in the Western Conference standings with two or three games in hand on every club above it, and it has an infusion of cash from beating América in a play-in match to reach the Club World Cup.
