Category: MLS

Buck: Lining up with players like Mainoo is why I picked England

Buck and Mainoo started together with England’s U-19s last fall

Noel Buck has said the chance to play alongside the likes of Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo is why he’s committed his international future to England.

The New England Revolution midfielder has been involved with the U.S. at the youth level, but accepted a call-up from England’s U-19 side last fall and has made eight appearances for the Young Lions.

Buck is now provisionally cap-tied to England, meaning he would now need to file a one-time change of association to play for another country.

In an interview with The Athletic, Buck said that England made a strong push for him and that he’s happy with where he is for the time being.

“I’m in a good spot with England now, we’ll see what the future holds,” he said.

Buck was born and raised in the U.S. but is eligible for England and Wales through his father. The 19-year-old said that the quality of players at England’s disposal is one of the main reasons he’s cast his lot with the Three Lions for now.

“Each time I go with England, I learn a couple of new things, meet new people and get better experiences,” Buck said. “They’re all fantastic players — especially Kobbie. The fact he’s playing right now for England (seniors) is unreal to think about.

“It’s why I wanted to play for England: you get to play with these types of players and I’ll include (Leeds United’s) Archie Gray in that, fantastic player, and Jack Hinshelwood at Brighton. Quality.

“What Kobbie’s success does is also highlight the pathway and how quickly things can change.”

Mainoo, 18, has enjoyed a breakthrough season with Manchester United that has seen him go from starting alongside Buck with England’s U-19s to making his senior debut last month.

Buck isn’t shy about his desire to one day play in the same league as Mainoo, but added that his focus for now is on the Revs.

“I’ve always wanted to go and play in England,” Buck said. “That’s always been a dream — whether it’s in the Premier League or the Championship — but at the moment I’m focused on my football here.”

[lawrence-related id=30985,27337,27085]

Monterrey vs. Inter Miami: How to watch Champions Cup, TV channel

The Herons are facing an extremely difficult task in Mexico, even with Lionel Messi back

Inter Miami will head to Mexico with a mountain to climb, as it gets ready to face Monterrey in the second leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal.

With Lionel Messi sidelined, Monterrey took a huge step toward the semifinal by posting a 2-1 win at Miami in the first leg last week.

The battle between the teams continued after the final whistle, as a post-game altercation took place outside the Monterrey dressing room.

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch Concacaf Champions Cup FREE on Fubo” link=”https://www.fubo.tv/welcome?irad=343747&irmp=1205322&subId1=PSW&subId2=Generic&subId3=2023%2F24“]

Miami will need to win the second leg and score at least two goals to advance, a daunting prospect that has been made a little more achievable after Messi made a goalscoring return to the squad over the weekend.

The winner of this tie will face the winner of the quarterfinal between Tigres and the Columbus Crew.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.

Monterrey vs. Inter Miami (Concacaf Champions Cup)

  • When: Wednesday, April 10
  • Where: Estadio BBVA (Monterrey)
  • Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
  • Channel/streaming: FS1 (Watch FREE on Fubo), TUDN

[lawrence-related id=58146,55979,58051]

We recommend interesting sports viewing/streaming and betting opportunities. If you sign up for a service by clicking one of the links, we may earn a referral fee. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

Club America vs. New England Revolution: How to watch Champions Cup, TV channel

The Revs head to Mexico facing an almost impossible hurdle to overcome in the second leg

The New England Revolution don’t just have a mountain to climb on Tuesday at Club América, they have to scale Mount Everest.

América destroyed the Revs 4-0 in the first leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal last week, taking an almost insurmountable lead back home to the Estadio Azteca.

It may just be a matter of damage control in the second leg for Revs coach Caleb Porter, who has indicated he may rotate his squad with almost no hope of progression.

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch Concacaf Champions Cup FREE on Fubo” link=”https://www.fubo.tv/welcome?irad=343747&irmp=1205322&subId1=PSW&subId2=Generic&subId3=2023%2F24“]

That will suit América manager André Jardine just fine, as his side is in the middle of another Liga MX title pursuit. Las Aguilas are level on points with Toluca atop the table after a 1-1 draw with Santos Laguna over the weekend.

With a match against Toluca coming up at the weekend, Jardine likely will jump at the chance to rotate his squad as well.

The winner of this tie will face the winner of Pachua vs. Herediano in the semifinal. With Pachuca winning its first leg 5-0 in Costa Rica, an all-Liga MX semifinal looks inevitable.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.

Club America vs. New England Revolution (Concacaf Champions Cup)

  • When: Tuesday, April 9
  • Where: Estadio Azteca (Mexico City)
  • Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
  • Channel/streaming: FS1 (Watch FREE on Fubo), TUDN

[lawrence-related id=47870,55752,51332]

We recommend interesting sports viewing/streaming and betting opportunities. If you sign up for a service by clicking one of the links, we may earn a referral fee. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

Tigres vs. Columbus Crew: How to watch Champions Cup, TV channel, live stream

The MLS side faces a daunting task in the second leg of its quarterfinal tie

The Columbus Crew have a huge task on their hands in the second leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal with Tigres.

The two sides played out a 1-1 draw last week in the first leg, giving the Liga MX side an advantage as it heads home to El Volcán with an away goal.

Columbus controlled much of the first leg at Lower.com Field, but was only able to score a solitary goal from Diego Rossi. Prolific Tigres forward André-Pierre Gignac opened the scoring for his side with a header.

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch Concacaf Champions Cup FREE on Fubo” link=”https://www.fubo.tv/welcome?irad=343747&irmp=1205322&subId1=PSW&subId2=Generic&subId3=2023%2F24“]

Columbus will be without Aidan Morris for the second leg, as the influential midfielder picked up a red card in the second half of the first leg. Star striker Cucho Hernández should be back in the mix, however, after he was held out of the first leg due to a “team policy” violation.

The winner of this tie will face the winner of Inter Miami vs. Monterrey in the semifinal.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.

Tigres vs. Columbus Crew (Concacaf Champions Cup)

  • When: Tuesday, April 9
  • Where: Estadio Universitario (San Nicolás de los Garza, Mexico)
  • Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
  • Channel/streaming: FS1 (Watch FREE on Fubo), ViX

[lawrence-related id=47870,55752,51332]

We recommend interesting sports viewing/streaming and betting opportunities. If you sign up for a service by clicking one of the links, we may earn a referral fee. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

Monterrey assistant apologizes for leaked audio calling Messi ‘possessed dwarf’

Rayados assistant Nico Sanchez claimed the Argentina legend wanted to fight him

Monterrey assistant coach Nico Sánchez has apologized following a leaked audio clip in which he said of Lionel Messi: “The dwarf was possessed. He had the face of the devil.”

Sánchez said he shared the audio clip with close friends in the aftermath of last week’s Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal first leg between Inter Miami and Monterrey.

Messi didn’t play in the match, which ended in a 2-1 win for Monterrey, but was involved in a reported post-game altercation with referees and Monterrey officials alongside teammates Jordi Alba, Luis Suárez and Miami coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino.

The Miami players and coach took issue with several of the referee’s decision during the match, and were reportedly also upset with pre-match comments from Monterey head coach Fernando Ortiz suggesting Miami would receive preferential treatment from officials due to the celebrity status of some of its players.

“Messi wanted to fight me,” Sánchez said in the audio, which was leaked by Fox Sports Mexico. “I don’t think he wanted to hit me because he would have done it. He had me a centimeter away.

“The dwarf was possessed, he had the face of the devil. He put his fist next to my face and says: ‘Who do you think you are?’

“And Tata Martino, what a poor dummy, I had him in front of me telling me: ‘Fool, you going to cry? Fool you going to cry?’ What a dummy! All those videos, they probably erased them all because it leaves them looking bad. What they did was really serious. They want to dirty the pitch.”

In a statement on social media, Sánchez apologized for his comments, though he would only name Martino, not Messi, during his apology.

“I am present with this video to talk about this audio that went viral today. I could hide with a text or let the club act for me, but I prefer to choose this means to show my face and see the words come out of my mouth,” Sánchez said.

“I understand that when the audio is made public, many people feel offended or hurt. Since I do not know Inter coach, Gerardo Martino, and I referred to him in a disrespectful manner, I apologize. I am as Argentine as all of them and I will always defend my club. I’m here to show my face and take responsibility,” Sánchez said.

Miami and Monterrey will meet on Wednesday in Mexico for the second leg. While Messi sat out the first game, he is set to participate in the return leg after he made his return to MLS play this weekend. The Argentine scored a goal after coming on at halftime of his side’s 2-2 draw with the Colorado Rapids.

[lawrence-related id=58146,55979,59321]

Messi returns to Inter Miami gameday roster for Rapids match

The Argentina legend appears ready to play his first game in a month

Lionel Messi has been named to Inter Miami’s matchday squad for Saturday’s match against the Colorado Rapids, with the Argentine legend potentially set to play his first game in a month.

Messi has been sidelined for six matches now with a hamstring issue, most recently missing out as Inter Miami fell 2-1 to Monterrey in a Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal first leg on Wednesday.

Following that match, head coach Tata Martino said that Miami was evaluating Messi on a “game-to-game” basis.

Ahead of next week’s return leg in Mexico, the 36-year-old has taken his place on Miami’s 20-man matchday roster for a MLS clash with Colorado at Chase Stadium.

With nagging injuries plaguing Messi and a jam-packed schedule for Miami, the 36-year-old has played in just five of the Herons’ 10 competitive matches in 2024. This year, Miami has not lost a game that Messi has appeared in, but has just one win without him.

The club’s update on Messi’s status noted that the superstar is not listed at all on an updated injury report for the weekend. That’s welcome news, as Miami confirmed that seven players will miss out against the Rapids.

That includes winger Robert Taylor, who exited early against Monterrey on Wednesday, as well as highly-rated young midfielder Federico Redondo.

However, Messi isn’t the lone player to come off the injury report. U.S. men’s national team prospect Benjamin Cremaschi is also on the gameday roster after coming through a 25-minute appearance for Miami’s MLS Next Pro side on Tuesday. Cremaschi, 19, has yet to appear for Miami this season after suffering a sports hernia in January.

[lawrence-related id=58146,55979,57602]

Red Bulls withdraw youth teams from GA Cup after racism accusations

The Red Bulls withdrew their U-15 and U-17 after two separate incidents

The New York Red Bulls have withdrawn from the Generation Adidas (GA) Cup after the club’s U-17 team said it was the victim of multiple instances of on-field racism.

U-17 goalkeeper Joshua Grant said he was targeted by a Monterrey player and that his teammate, defender Eric Tai, was targeted in another game by a Hajduk Split player.

In response, the Red Bulls said Friday that they had pulled their U-15 and U-17 teams out of the competition. The U-17 team had already been eliminated, while the U-15s had advanced to the quarterfinal.

“The New York Red Bulls have decided to withdraw from the U-15 and U-17 tournaments,” the club said.

“There is no room for discrimination around competitive play. As an organization, we stand together with our players on and off the pitch.”

In response, MLS Next released a statement of its own on Friday, saying that it had issued suspensions to players who wouldn’t be named due to being minors.

“Following three allegations of discriminatory language used during two recent GA Cup matches, MLS Next immediately investigated and then issued suspensions in accordance with the MLS Next Disciplinary Code to the offending individuals for violating the MLS Next Safety & Wellbeing Policy,” it said. “In addition, MLS Next immediately made resources available onsite to the affected players and clubs.

“Due to the minors’ age, further details regarding the individuals involved will not be disclosed.

“MLS Next acknowledges the New York Red Bulls’ decision to withdraw their U-15 and U-17 teams from the tournament and will continue providing all those impacted with the necessary support and resources.

“MLS Next remains steadfast in its commitment to eradicating discriminatory and racial incidents at every level of the game and will continue to work with all players to properly educate, train and swiftly address any incidents.”

The GA Cup is one of the country’s premier youth tournaments, featuring all 29 MLS academies plus several teams invited from abroad to participate.

[lawrence-related id=58302]

Caleb Porter guarantees last-place Revs will beat Charlotte FC

This one could really backfire on the Revs coach

The pressure is already growing on Caleb Porter just a couple months into his tenure as New England Revolution head coach.

Now, Porter has taken a step that will undoubtedly ratchet that pressure up even more.

In an appearance on a Boston radio station, Porter guaranteed the Revs would defeat Charlotte FC at Gillette Stadium on Saturday.

The promise was notable, given the Revs are currently the worst team in MLS on a points-per-game basis. Porter’s side has one draw and four defeats in five games thus far, with a league-worst goal differential of -7.

New England is also coming off a dismal 4-0 home loss against Club América on Tuesday, essentially ending their Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal tie after just one leg.

Porter appeared on 98.5 The Sports Hub on Thursday, and closed out his interview by saying: “We’re going to get a win Saturday. I promise that.”

Word of Porter’s guarantee quickly reached Dean Smith, whose Charlotte  side currently sits six places and seven points above the Revs in the table.

“He shouldn’t make promises he might not be able to keep,” the coach fired back.

Whether Porter’s guarantee ends up being suicidal or a brilliant bit of motivation, we have to give the coach credit for turning a nondescript early-season matchup into a game MLS fans will now be closely monitoring.

[lawrence-related id=58146,58051,58071]

Wilfried Nancy can’t make the Cucho Hernandez story go away

The superstar forward missed another game on Tuesday due to a team policy violation

Whether Wilfried Nancy likes it or not, the continuing absence of Cucho Hernández will be a story that hangs over the Columbus Crew until there is some kind of a resolution.

Hernández missed his second straight game on Tuesday, as the Crew could only manage a 1-1 draw against Tigres in the first leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal.

It was a disappointing result in a game Columbus controlled for long stretches, and could have really used the services of one of the best players in MLS.

But Cucho was nowhere to be found. After the Colombian sat out Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Nashville SC, Crew head coach Nancy would only say that he had committed some unspecified “team policy” violation.

After the striker missed another match three days later, Nancy strangely seemed incredulous that anyone would dare ask about the absence of one of his best players.

“We just did a game and we’re talking about Cucho, no answer for that,” the Frenchman said in his post-match press conference. “We don’t play tennis, we play football. Football, this is 11 players on the pitch. Be patient, I know this is your job, next question please.”

Cucho’s absence would have been a story regardless, but the coach’s evasiveness is creating a Streisand effect around the entire situation.

The forward’s “team policy” violation seems to have been at least a notch or two above minor. Missing a single league game is one thing, but stretching that absence out to multiple games — including a Concacaf knockout-round match against a regional power — is quite another.

Nancy will continue to be asked about this issue and the longer the forward’s absence stretches, the more questions he’ll get. Next time, he’d be well served to have a more satisfying response.

[lawrence-related id=53424,55752,51332]

Inter Miami vs. Monterrey: How to watch Champions Cup, TV channel

It’s the biggest test yet for the star-studded Herons

Inter Miami will host Monterrey on Wednesday in the first leg of a high-profile Concacaf Champions League quarterfinal.

The Herons received a bye to the last 16 of the Champions Cup, and began their tournament with a 5-3 aggregate win against Nashville SC.

The second leg of that series on March 13 is also the last time Lionel Messi played in a game, with the Miami superstar sustaining a hamstring injury in that match.

After Messi missed five games for club and country, he returned to training for Miami on Tuesday. But head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino wouldn’t commit to the Argentine playing against Monterrey, instead saying he will be a game-time decision.

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch Concacaf Champions Cup FREE on Fubo” link=”https://www.fubo.tv/welcome?irad=343747&irmp=1205322&subId1=PSW&subId2=Generic&subId3=2023%2F24“]

Monterrey enters this tie after easily defeating Guatemalan side Comunicaciones in the first knockout round, before a comfortable 3-1 aggregate win over FC Cincinnati in the round of 16.

Rayados are led in attack by U.S. national team forward Brandon Vazquez, who has three goals in four Champions Cup appearances this campaign.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.

Inter Miami vs. Monterrey (Concacaf Champions Cup)

  • When: Wednesday, April 3
  • Where: Chase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET
  • Channel/streaming: FS1 (Watch FREE on Fubo), TUDN

[lawrence-related id=55752,51332,49202]

We recommend interesting sports viewing/streaming and betting opportunities. If you sign up for a service by clicking one of the links, we may earn a referral fee. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.