كشف الاتحاد الأوروبي لكرة القدم ”يويفا” عن طاقم التحكيم الذي سيكون مسؤولًا عن إدارة مباراة نادي ريال مدريد أمام أولمبياكوس، وذلك ضمن منافسات بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.
وسوف يحل ريال مدريد ضيفًا ثقيلًا على نظيره أولمبياكوس يوم الأربعاء المقبل، ضمن بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا لحساب الجولة الخامسة من مرحلة الدوري.
ويسعى ريال مدريد إلى الفوز على أولمبياكوس من أجل استعادة الثقة، حيث فشل الفريق الملكي في تحقيق الانتصار في آخر ثلاث مباريات لعبهم بكافة المسابقات.
اقرأ أيضًا .. كانيزاريس محللًا سوء مستوى ريال مدريد أمام إلتشي: قرار ألونسو أثر على الفريق
وخسر ريال مدريد ضد ليفربول بهدف دون رد في دوري الأبطال قبل أسبوعين من الآن، ثم تعادل مع رايو فاييكانو 0-0 بالدوري الإسباني.
واستمر سقوط ريال مدريد بعدما تعادل مرة أخرى في الدوري الإسباني، وهذه المرة ضد إلتشي بهدفين لكل فريق. حكم مباراة ريال مدريد وأولمبياكوس في دوري أبطال أوروبا
وأشار يويفا، إلى أن مباراة ريال مدريد وأولمبياكوس سيديريها طاقم تحكيم إنجليزي بقيادة مايكل أوليفر، في حين سيعاونه ستيوار بارت وجيمس مينوارنينج.
وسوف يكون أندرو مادلي هو الحكم الرابع لمباراة ريال مدريد وأولمبياكوس، في حين يتواجد في تقنية الفار الأسكتلندي أندرو دالاس ويعاونه بيتر بانكس.
ويعتبر وضع ريال مدريد جيدًا في دوري أبطال أوروبا، حيث يحتل الفريق المركز السابع في مرحلة الدوري برصيد 9 نقاط.
If recent form is anything to go by, Australia have been bossing ODIs like, well, the world champions, whereas New Zealand, ranked fourth in ODIs, have a forgettable streak coming into this World Cup. Australia have won their last nine ODI series, last going down in the ODI leg of the 2023 Ashes in England, brushing teams aside both at home and away. They have been touring India almost every year in recent times, their top players have been getting used to the conditions in the WPL for the last three years, and they even played a three-match series in north India as a warm-up for this World Cup, which they won 2-1.Related
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New Zealand have no such records or achievements to show for. Jogging their memory back to the 2022 World Cup will only bring back disappointing recollections as they finished sixth out of eight teams in a home World Cup, they were rolled over for 128 by Australia for a 141-run thrashing in Wellington, and they haven’t played an ODI in six months.But they had shown last year that form and records are not much to go by. New Zealand entered the T20 World Cup with 10 consecutive losses in the format but went on to lift their maiden T20 World Cup with a stellar all-round show in alien conditions in the UAE. And they have a big chunk of players from that campaign to turn things around this time: captain Sophie Devine, former captain Suzie Bates, leader of the pace attack Lea Tahuhu, ace allrounder Amelia Kerr, among others.These two teams will clash it out at the Holkar Stadium in Indore, which is known for its flat tracks and will host its maiden women’s international on Wednesday.
Form guide
Australia WLWWW (last five completed matches, most recent first) New Zealand WWLLL
In the spotlight: Alyssa Healy and Sophie Devine
The last time Alyssa Healy turned out in a World Cup, she finished the 2022 edition by smashing back-to-back centuries in the semis and final to help Australia lift their record seventh title. Things are a lot different this time; it’s her maiden ODI World Cup as captain, after Meg Lanning’s departure, and she has just returned to action after a long injury layoff of a stress fracture in the foot. She got in the groove of international cricket with modest scores of 1, 30 and 9 in the recent bilaterals in India, but would want to use the big stage to get some runs going on a flat pitch. She averages 31.40 against New Zealand with a strike rate of 89.97 against New Zealand much lower than her overall ODI strike rate of 97.90, and New Zealand would want to keeps those numbers down on Wednesday too.This is going to be Sophie Devine‘s farewell ODI series, only available for T20Is after this. Having led her side to T20 World Cup glory less than 12 months ago, she wants to end her ODI career with a double and her all-round skills could play a major role, starting Wednesday. She comes into the tournament after a rich run of form in the Hundred and bucket loads of experience of Indian conditions, having first toured the country back in 2007 when she was just 17.2:19
‘NZ might find it tough switching to ODI mode’
Team news: one concern for New Zealand
Australia’s full squad trained on Tuesday evening under the lights after a few injury concerns to Phoebe Litchfield (low-grade quad strain), Annabel Sutherland (hip soreness) and Darcie Brown (back spasms) during the recent bilateral games against India, and Ellyse Perry was down with an illness during the warm-ups. Vice-captain Tahlia McGrath, however, confirmed on Tuesday that everyone in the squad will be available for selection. What mix of spinners and pace bowlers they finalise is the only question that remains, as Sophie Molineux returned to action after a knee surgery, in the warm-up against England, and Australia could think about leaving out one of the legspinners – Alana King or Georgia Wareham – to make place for her.Australia (probable): 1 Alyssa Healy (capt & wk), 2 Phoebe Litchfield, 3 Ellyse Perry, 4 Beth Mooney, 5 Annabel Sutherland, 6 Ashleigh Gardner, 7 Tahlia McGrath, 8 Sophie Molineux, 9 Kim Garth, 10 Alana King/Georgia Wareham, 11 Megan SchuttNew Zealand have one injury concern and Devine intentionally kept her name under wraps at the press conference on Tuesday. Their line-up is otherwise a great blend of youth and experience and if that mysterious player with a niggle is also fit on Wednesday, they won’t have too many headaches for the final XI. Devine also didn’t rule out uncapped 22-year-old left-arm spinner Flora Devonshire making her ODI in their opener.New Zealand (probable): 1 Suzie Bates, 2 Georgia Plimmer, 3 Amelia Kerr, 4 Sophie Devine (capt), 5 Brooke Halliday, 6 Maddy Green, 7 Isabella Gaze (wk), 8 Eden Carsen, 9 Jess Kerr, 10 Flora Devonshire, 11 Lea Tahuhu2:02
McGrath on playing NZ: ‘We know each other’s game really well’
Pitch and conditions
The curator at Indore has decided to roll out a flat track for its maiden women’s international, testified by both Devine and McGrath after they saw the pitch. They had no hesitations to call it “an incredibly flat” pitch which has the makings of a “run fest,” as is often the case there in men’s white-ball matches. Indore has been muggy in the lead up to this game, with plenty of clouds spread across and the sun appearing in parts. Temperatures are unlikely to cross 30 degrees Celsius but it could feel a lot worse with the humidity when the match starts, for the fielding team.
Stats and trivia
Australia have won the last 15 completed ODIs against New Zealand, last losing one in February 2017.
New Zealand have won just one ODI series since the start of 2024, and lost four (two home and two away).
Suzie Bates, 38, is just 104 runs away from 6000 in ODIs, and will be just the second woman to get there after Mithali Raj (7805). Bates is also joint-second with Smriti Mandhana with the most ODI hundreds, only behind Meg Lanning’s 15.
The last time New Zealand beat Australia in an ODI World Cup was in 2009, when Devine batted at No. 10 and Australia’s current coach Shelley Nitschke opened the batting.
Quotes
“Those stats are there and we’re aware of them, but at World Cups, it doesn’t matter. I think records and previous results go out the window for us.” “I joke that I’m basically a spinner at times when I can get slower and just bowl some pace off. So I feel as though I can adapt to any wicket and use some of my variations to suit different wickets.”
Lionel Messi extended his remarkable scoring streak in the MLS Cup Playoffs, netting his ninth goal in seven matches to give Inter Miami a 1-0 lead over FC Cincinnati in the Eastern Conference semifinal. The Argentine legend struck in the 18th minute, showcasing his aerial ability as he rose to meet a pinpoint cross from young winger Mateo Silvetti, silencing the packed crowd inside TQL Stadium.
Getty Images SportArgentine connection
Messi gave Inter Miami a crucial advantage in their Eastern Conference semifinal against FC Cincinnati, heading home in the 18th minute to put the visitors up 1-0 at TQL Stadium. The goal came after a swift counterattack sparked by former Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba, who intercepted a misplaced pass from Nick Hagglund in midfield.
Alba quickly found Messi in a central pocket, and the forward slid a perfectly weighted ball out to Argentine winger Mateo Silvetti on the left. The youngster delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, and Messi met it with a bouncing header that beat goalkeeper Roman Celentano and nestled into the far corner.
AdvertisementWatch the goalGetty Images SportMiami's tactical approach pays dividends
Inter Miami's tactical setup under head coach Javier Mascherano has proven effective thus far, with the team looking to advance to its first Eastern Conference final since joining MLS in 2020. Despite playing away from home, Miami have executed their game plan perfectly, absorbing Cincinnati's early pressure before striking clinically on the counter-attack.
The hosts had their best chance in the 22nd minute when forward Ender Echenique narrowly missed equalizing, his shot sliding just inches wide of the far post. The goal also sparked something in Miami, as Rodriguez fired a shot at Celentano after being fed in the area by Messi, only for the keeper to parry it clear.
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Getty Images SportMessi's playoff dominance showcases continued excellence
Messi's header against Cincinnati further cements his status as the most influential player in Major League Soccer. Since joining Inter Miami in 2023, the Argentine superstar has transformed the franchise from expansion strugglers to legitimate title contenders, bringing unprecedented global attention to the league.
A 61-run third-wicket stand held the Hong Kong innings together
ESPNcricinfo staff15-Sep-2025
Nizakat Khan was comfortable against spin•Sajjad Hussain/AFP/Getty Images
Hong Kong clambered to a respectable 149 for 4, as Nizakat Khan drove them through the middle and back end of the innings, after Anshy Rath had held down the fort in the early overs. The two combined in the middle for a partnership worth 61 off 43 balls – Nizakat contributing 33 off 22, while Rath went at a slower pace.Nizakat was not out at the crease on 52 off 38 balls at the end. It was his 12th T20I half-century, and his first against a Full Member (ICC or ACC), plus Hong Kong’s second ever fifty at this event. He’d been reprieved twice in the 17th over, bowled by Nuwan Thushara, but with so many wicket left, he was perhaps right to try low-percentage shots. Rath had fallen two runs short of 50, and struck at 104.34. He scored almost exclusively in front of square.Sri Lanka may have hoped to blow Hong Kong away when they asked them to bat first, but they didn’t have a lot of luck in the early overs. Zeeshan Ali scored boundaries off the outside and inside edge, and Dushmantha Chameera dropped off Thushara’s bowling.Chameera would go on to put in another strong performance, however, eventually dismissing Zeeshan, and later, Rath. He took the innings’ best figures of 2 for 29, but the spinners also delivered some economical overs. Maheesh Theekshana conceded only 22 off his four overs, while Wanindu Hasaranga took 1 for 27.
India captain also says bowling three overs of Bumrah in the powerplay is a plan “to use him as an attacking option”
Shashank Kishore15-Sep-20251:13
Wahab: Kuldeep always one step ahead of batters
“Where’s my cake?” birthday boy Suryakumar Yadav asked, as he fielded questions at the press conference after India’s seven-wicket win against Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday night.Suryakumar was, quite obviously, asked about India’s decision to not shake hands with Pakistan after the match. He was asked about sporting spirit, and if India’s actions were politically motivated. But beyond that, Suryakumar also gave more than just a peek into India’s thinking as they prepare for the Super 4s and beyond.For starters, Suryakumar was himself coming off a neat, little unbeaten 47 to see off India’s modest chase of 128 after Abhishek Sharma set the foundation. But Suryakumar deflected all his attention to the frontline spinners, and how they have made his job easier after they returned combined figures of 6 for 60 in 12 overs to restrict Pakistan to 127 for 9.Related
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“I gave all of them 12 overs combined – it was a return gift from me,” Suryakumar joked when asked if India’s spin trio of Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy had given him the perfect birthday gift.”They’re all working hard; you can see it at practice. They want to prepare really well. Once you come to the ground, you can see how well they’re prepared. And they’re very clear with their plans – that’s what I want. It makes my job very easy when I’m on the ground. They’re happy with fields, [and] happy with ends they’re bowling from. It’s good to see all three spinners firing, very well supported by Hardik [Pandya] and Jasprit Bumrah.”While some of the on-field decisions can be instinctive, Suryakumar said part of India’s planning on how to bowl spin and whom to target was often planned keeping in mind the opposition. On Sunday, for example, the call to bowl Axar even with a left-hand batter like Fakhar Zaman at the crease was part of a plan even if it went against what he referred to as a “traditional match-up”.”We prepare well for every team. The coaches – we all sit together, see if there are left-handers, right-handers, how to bowl in the middle, how to start in powerplay,” Suryakymar said. “All this comes with preparation, so when we go on the field, everything moves on autopilot.”The other aspect to India’s bowling performance was how they used Bumrah. When he bowled three overs up front against UAE, it was presumed the move may have been to get some miles under him, ahead of bigger challenges. But Bumrah was used similarly against Pakistan too, which Suryakumar highlighted as part of India’s plans in trying to make all their bowlers take ownership.”Till today, we’ve bowled him two overs in the powerplay, he’s never bowled three in the powerplay,” Suryakumar said. “We’re very happy using him as an attacking option. If he picks two wickets, even if he bowls a tight spell of his overs, later on we can have a good cushion for all the spinners to come over and make our job a little easier.2:02
Bangar: Axar doesn’t really try too many things
“He’s very happy with it [this plan]. Few days, if he has to bowl only two overs, he’ll bowl only two overs, but at least me and the management want to use him as an attacking option. That gives a good platform to someone like Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube to raise their hand to bowl crucial overs in the end and also in the middle. So we’re very happy with that.”Suryakumar was also asked about his own game, and if it was a relief to finally come good in a T20I against Pakistan after managing just 64 runs in five previous innings prior to Sunday’s unbeaten 47 off 37 balls.”Whichever team you play, there’s pressure. If there’s no pressure, no butterflies in your stomach, you won’t have fun in being able to overcome it after going to the ground,” he said. “Numbers are up and down, but what can you do? You’ve got to see how you can be better. If today hadn’t gone right, no problems; I would’ve gone back to the drawing board and focused on doing well in the next match.”It felt good to finish the match. It was important to stay there in the moment. [With regards to] batting position, we’re clear with management. Apart from openers, all other batters will be flexible, got to prepare in such a way where you can bat anywhere. If you play seven batters, it’s important for everyone to make a small impact. Everyone has accepted it. Everyone is flexible. If you are flexible to bat anywhere, the team becomes even more dangerous.”
Manchester United are on a better run of form than ever before under Ruben Amorim. They have now gone unbeaten in their last five games, a momentum that they will be looking to keep up ahead of what is set to be another busy festive period.
They will lose some players next month, though, with AFCON set to start just before Christmas. Bryan Mbeumo, who has been one of Amorim’s best players, will be representing Cameroon, and Noussair Mazraoui will be playing for Morocco, who host the competition.
However, perhaps the biggest loss for United will be Ivory Coast international Amad.
Why Amad will be the biggest loss during AFCON
It has not been easy for every member of United’s squad to find a place they fit into Amorim’s infamous 3-4-2-1 system. Yet, for Amad, that has been at right wing-back, a role in which he has gelled nicely.
The former Atalanta academy star has become a pivotal player on that right flank for Amorim. His electric ability going forward has been important, and his hard-working nature defensively is something which seemingly makes him a real favourite of the United manager on the right.
This term, the 23-year-old has made all but three of his ten Premier League appearances at right wing-back. Amad has grabbed two assists and a goal whilst playing that role, with the pick of the bunch surely the pass which set Mbeumo up to give the Red Devils an early lead at Anfield last month.
As to why Amad might be viewed as the biggest loss during AFCON, well, United don’t really have anyone else who can play that role like him.
If you take the Ivorian out of the equation, Diogo Dalot and Mazraoui, both full-backs, are the only viable options. The latter, of course, will be away on international duty himself.
So, Amorim may be forced to turn to the academy to help solve this particular issue.
United’s in-house Amad replacement
The academy has so often been the answer to United’s problems. Think back to Marcus Rashford’s debut for the club, when the then 18-year-old was drafted into the Europa League side at the last minute.
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He scored twice on debut, did the same again against Arsenal a few days later, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Well, the person who could step into Amad’s shoes when he is on national team duty is Shea Lacey. The youngster is also a right-winger by trade, a position in which he has shone for their academy this season.
In nine games across all competitions for the Red Devils’ youth sides, Lacey has scored three times and assisted a further two. He averages a goal involvement every 101 minutes, mainly operating as a right-winger.
The Liverpool-born forward has always been a highly-rated player. He has shone for several years in a United shirt, notably “beating Lamine Yamal” to the player of the competition award in a junior tournament, as per GOAL’s Richard Martin.
One reason why the youngster could excel as a right wing-back is his crossing ability. Look at this pass he played for Gabriele Biancheri a few weeks back.
Operating from wide on the right, he’s able to move inside and loft a perfect cross into the path of the Wales youth striker, who scored a lovely goal.
Lacey has impressed against senior sides in the EFL Trophy this term, too. The 18-year-old has put up some impressive numbers, averaging one key pass and completing 1.7 dribbles per 90 minutes.
Lacey – EFL Trophy 25/26
Stat
Per 90 mins
Competition total
Goals and assists
0.6
2
Key passes
1
3
Dribbles completed
1.7
5
Tackles
2.4
7
Stats from Sofascore
Losing Amad will be a blow to United, especially if this upturn in form continues. However, in Lacey, they might have a ready-made wing-back replacement, who, like Amad, will offer plenty going forward.
It could be seen as a risk to play the teenager in a new role, but if Amorim wants to keep in line with the DNA of the club, it might be something he is willing to do.
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Manchester United need greater depth in the middle of the park.
Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT just delivered its best camp yet – but the emergence of new standouts has created a real selection dilemma ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Mauricio Pochettino was angry. Not childish angry or stroppy angry.
Instead, Pochettino was egotistically angry. He was sports angry. He sat before the U.S. press pool after beating Uruguay, 5-1, and unleashed the kind of rant that coaches who know they have done a good job go on. He talked about respect. He snapped at a question. He declared, defiantly, that "it’s the U.S. men’s national team playing." The basic premise? People shouldn't question the fact that most of the starting XI on Tuesday night aren't in what most would consider his strongest team. This was, instead, the backups getting it done. Except, don't you call them backups.
The best part, for him at least? Pochettino was right. This was the kind of victory that coaches love, that they can hang their hat on. Pochettino went out there, made nine changes, played a slightly different system, and saw his side absolutely batter a top 15 team in the world. Wins, albeit in a friendly, don't come much better than this. All of the right bits were here: goals from set pieces, crunching tackles, constant running, guys coming off the bench, and making an impact. You wanted a hit? Well, here's a doing what squads do – 15 men deep and immensely effective throughout.
And, let's face it, this is exactly what Pochettino needed. There has been some serious back and forth on what constitutes success in these matches. The reality is that there is nothing material on the line. But winning is good. Winning curates a vibe. Winning changes perception. And winning, like this, is even better.
Yet there’s a caveat. Pochettino can show off his tactical nous and coaching chops all he wants- and he should. But he now has a real problem. It was the newer faces who delivered. At some point, he’ll need the same level from the players long viewed as the more talented options from afar. And the question now is whether he can actually trust them to do it, or if he’ll keep leaning into his approach.
Getty Images Sport
Calling in 71 players to change culture…
This wasn’t quite the Pochettino everyone imagined. A lot of assumptions were made early, and understandably so. The resume was impressive: Tottenham, PSG, Chelsea. Miracles at Southampton. Success everywhere – even if not always measured in trophies. He managed egos in Paris. He reached a Champions League final with Spurs while missing Harry Kane for key stretches. Those are the things that grab attention.
And then came his introductory press conference – tucked away in a secret room in New York, all theatrical buildup and “legion-of-doom” energy. But the man who walked in wasn’t ominous at all: sharp haircut, scruffy beard, smiling, joking. He didn’t promise a World Cup quarterfinal, but he did say he’d to be there.
Those were simpler times – full of optimism and possibility. Since then, the mood has shifted. Pochettino’s tactics have been mixed, leaning heavily into counter-attacking. He’s dipped deep into the player pool – sometimes by choice, often out of necessity. Calling up 71 players is good for the long-term health of the program. Whether wanted to do that so aggressively is another story. He also picked a high-profile fight, benching Christian Pulisic once it became clear the star wanted to save his legs during the Gold Cup (he got injured anyway – a twist that felt a bit like football karma).
That approach works in club football, especially with the talent-rich sides Pochettino once led. But with the USMNT, it just looked bad – particularly when paired with a Gold Cup final loss. The one upside? He got to position himself as a culture-builder. “Not a mannequin,” as he put it. This was his program now.
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Signs of growth
And that all set the table very nicely for this fall. The U.S. have improved camp by camp since the Gold Cup. And this November one was unquestionably Pochettino's best yet. You could make a pretty good XI out of the absentees, among them: Pulisic, Tyler Adams, Chris Richards, Yunus Musah, Malik Tillman, Weston McKennie, Antonee Robinson. In that group, there are, conservatively, four starters when the World Cup kicks off.
Pochettino went with his strongest side, given the circumstances. Sergino Dest, now fully fit, got a nod. Folarin Balogun played up front. Gio Reyna received a surprise start in an attacking midfield role. But Pochettino's MLS-heavy imprint was also there. Cristian Roldan started in the middle. Max Arfsten turned in a fine shift on the left. Miles Robinson went all 90 at right center back.
The U.S. were far from perfect, but the 2-1 win was agreeable. It was another example of how Pochettino's three-in-the-back system might work out. It was also a fine tryout for Reyna after a lengthy absence from both the U.S. and the very concept of playing soccer for more than 15 minutes. Paraguay weren't great. Neither were the U.S. in truth. With the benefit of hindsight, this was, effectively, the Reyna show, 80 minutes of him being very good at football while everyone around him made the right movements. But they all count.
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What the Uruguay thrashing meant
And then, Tuesday. You could make a pretty compelling argument that Pochettino had always been building to this. He made nine changes, and went for what looked like an entirely backup XI. Only Matt Freese and Dest retained their spots in the side. This was the kind of team that, just 12 months ago, was every U.S. fan's worst nightmare.
You could imagine the skeptics sitting around, heads in their hands.
On paper, in abstract, with no context and a fair bit of uninformed snobbery, it looked like suicide.
But this is Pochettino's U.S., or, at least, the version he likes to brag about. And here, they were magnificent. They scored five good goals, conceded one cheap one, yet completely smothered a top opponent. They were remarkably fluid on the break, tidy when they had the ball, and dangerous from set pieces.
Sebastian Berhalter, known really for being the son of Gregg Berhalter, whipped in an audacious free kick. Alex Freeman, a , and MLS Young Player of the Year, nodded a header in and then put Barcelona's Ronald Araujo on skates to complete a lovely brace. The camera panned to Pochettino after the third U.S. goal. The Argentine was sitting on the bench in shock. This was the performance of his wildest dreams.
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Vindication, finally
And this was the evidence he needed to quiet the doubters. This, he implied, was what all the pain was for. This is why he lost four straight, and five of his first 10. This is why they couldn’t beat Mexico and were hammered by South Korea. All the setbacks, all the uninspiring performances – they funneled into one emphatic response.
The vibes, the anger, the resilience: they all culminated here. There’s a clear line from the Gold Cup final loss, to a meaningless dust-up with Paraguay – essentially just childish petulance not worth overthinking – to a 5–1 demolition of the No. 15 team in the world. Pochettino’s players were fired up. And they played like it.
Inside the locker room, that message has landed.
"I think he's good at giving players confidence, which I definitely like and think is very important," Miles Robinson told GOAL. "We need to fight like our lives depend on it. Some of these players [who we play against], who come from other countries, this is their way out; they had nothing. He recognizes, 'Hey, that's not how most of you guys grew up, but we're going to have to beat them with our hearts, our minds, and other ways.' He's super truthful. His philosophy on life is something that I relate to."
His rant, then, touched on all of the right things. It cultivated the aura of the USMNT of old. You could imagine the patriotic music swelling up behind him as he spoke, picture famous victories at the World Cup in 2002, and dream of Tim Howard's performance against Belgium in 2014. It was suggested a year ago that this team was unlikeable and soft. Now they are competitive heroes, full of energy and verve, yet a real nightmare to play against.
Freeman knows it.
"It’s good to build our chemistry and confidence. In the past two games, not only did we play good, but we also dominated. So being able to get those wins in those situations is great for the team," he said after the Uruguay win.
Rodney Peete is best known as a former star quarterback at USC, and a longtime NFL signal caller who started 87 games and played for six franchises across a 15-year career. Today, he's a local sports personality in Los Angeles, and a diehard Dodgers fan, whose son RJ Peete works as a clubhouse attendant for the franchise.
The elder Peete and his wife Holly Robinson-Peete made the trip to Tokyo to watch the Los Angeles open its season against the Chicago Cubs, and he made a highlight of his own. In the bottom of the sixth inning with the Dodgers up 6–3, Pete—wearing a glove—appeared to rob L.A. third baseman Max Muncy of a catchable foul ball off the bat of Ian Happ.
Muncy was clearly irked by the play, but Peete took to X to argue that the infielder didn't have a legitimate chance to make the play.
Based on the replay, it certainly looks like Muncy had a chance at it, though the ball did seem to miss Muncy's glove, which looked to be positioned above Peete's, so maybe the Trojans great has a point here.
In any case, Happ would strike out in the at-bat and the Dodgers finished off the 6–3 win, so no harm, no foul.
We'll see whether Peete takes the time to call in and defend himself, live from Tokyo. Local radio host Tim Cates is already on the case.
Los Angeles Dodgers veteran starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw is progressing well in his recovery from offseason surgeries on his knee and toe and will begin a rehab stint in Triple-A Oklahoma City this week, manager Dave Roberts told reporters on Monday.
Kershaw was placed on the 60-day injured list prior to the start of the season as he continued his recovery. His first start in Triple-A will come on Wednesday, which will formally begin his 30-day rehab window. He's eligible to come off the injured list on May 17.
Kershaw threw just 30.0 innings last season as he was plagued by the knee and toe ailments. He went 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA.
The injuries have piled up a bit for Kershaw in the last several seasons. He has not thrown more than 132 innings since 2019.
However, when he's pitched, he's been effective. Kershaw posted a 2.46 ERA in 2023 in 131.2 innings pitched, aligning to the 2.50 ERA he's posted in his Hall of Fame career. The 10-time All-Star, three-time Cy Young winner and former league MVP is looking to prove he still has something left in the tank when he will hopefully join the Dodgers next month.
Leeds United’s work during the summer transfer window is naturally going to be called into question with the team currently sat in the relegation zone in the Premier League at the start of December.
Whilst two of their signings, Lukas Nmecha and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, scored in their loss to Manchester City, the summer arrivals have not done enough to keep the side out of the bottom three.
For example, James Justin was brought in as an experienced Premier League defender and was beaten with ease inside the opening minute for Phil Foden’s first goal on Saturday.
Ranking Leeds United's summer signings
Unfortunately, too many of the club’s summer signings have made similar mistakes without providing much quality, at one end of the pitch or the other, to make up for it.
Leeds paid £13.9m to sign goalkeeper Lucas Perri from Lyon to replace Illan Meslier, but he has let in 0.92 more goals than expected and saved just 54% of the shots against him in the Premier League this season, per Sofascore.
Whilst the Brazilian shot-stopper has been one of their worst additions, Sean Longstaff has provided consistency in midfield since his move from Newcastle, leading the team in ‘big chances’ created (six) and key passes per game (1.7).
Ranking Leeds United’s summer signings
Rank
Player
1
Sean Longstaff
2
Noah Okafor
3
Gabriel Gudmundsson
4
Anton Stach
5
Lukas Nmecha
6
Dominic Calvert-Lewin
7
Lucas Perri
8
James Justin
9
Jaka Bijol
10
Sebastiaan Bornauw
As you can see in the table above, Noah Okafor and Gabriel Gudmundsson rank just below the Englishman with the exciting connection that they have forged together on the left flank.
At the other end of the ranking, though, Jaka Bijol has to be down there because he was dropped for the last two games after his first three starts for the club in the Premier League.
It is, unfortunately, Sebastiaan Bornauw who currently ranks at the bottom of the pile, though, because he looks to be their biggest waste of a signing since Jean-Kevin Augustin.
Why Leeds need to move on from Sebastiaan Bornauw already
The Belgian defender seemed to be a signing that Daniel Farke had a big say in, because he came from Germany, Wolfsburg, and was a transfer target for the manager during his time at Norwich in the summer of 2021.
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This meant that it felt like a long time coming for Bornauw and Farke to finally work together, yet it has not played out that way in the first few months of the season, as the defender has not played a single minute in the league.
Every Leeds fan will be familiar with the story of Augustin’s time at Elland Road, as the club had to pay £24.5m for the player after opting not to go through with an obligation to sign him permanently because he only played 48 league minutes during his time on loan in the 2019/20 campaign.
Bornauw in the 25/26 PL
Game
Minutes
Man City
Not in squad
Aston Villa
Not in squad
Nottingham Forest
Not in squad
Brighton
Not in squad
West Ham
Not in squad
Burnley
0
Spurs
0
Bournemouth
Not in squad
Wolves
Not in squad
Fulham
Not in squad
Newcastle
0
Arsenal
0
Everton
0
Per Transfermarkt
As you can see in the table above, 48 minutes of league football looks favourable in comparison to how Bornauw’s season in the Premier League has gone.
The former Belgium international is out with an injury at the moment, but the Whites boss has left him as an unused substitute in the five top-flight games that he has been available for, despite having wanted to sign the star since 2021.
Bornauw’s only minutes in all competitions came in a loss to Championship strugglers Sheffield Wednesday on penalties in the League Cup back in August, per Sofascore, with the likes of Bijol, Joe Rodon, and Pascal Struijk all ahead of him in the pecking order at centre-back in the league.
At the age of 26, the Belgian defender should be playing regular football and be a first-choice at a club. Instead, he looks set to continue watching on from the bench at Leeds unless something drastically changes in the coming weeks.
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With this in mind, it may be best for both parties to find a solution in the January transfer window, as the transfer does not seem to have worked out and it has been a bit of a waste of time for the club and the player, as was also the case with Augustin.