Tag: Ligue 1

USMNT defender McKenzie completes transfer to Toulouse

The 25-year-old becomes the first America to ever play for the French club

Mark McKenzie has joined Ligue 1 side Toulouse on a transfer from Genk, the clubs announced on Friday.

McKenzie, 25, spent four seasons in Belgium with Genk, making 128 appearances.

The U.S. men’s national team defender told his new club’s website that he was ready to make the next step in his career.

“I am 25 years old, I have been playing in Belgium for several seasons now and I simply wanted to move up a level in my career,” the defender said.

“I think it was the right time. Above all, I wanted to make the right choice by joining a team with a real playing identity, a project that fits with my ambitions and a way of playing that matches my profile.”

The defender had been recently linked with a move to Germany, but will instead continue his career in the French top flight.

McKenzie will become the first American to ever play for Toulouse, which has finished mid-table in Ligue 1 the past two seasons.

“It’s always special to be the first to do something, no matter what it is,” he said. “It’s an honor to represent the United States so far. It adds a little pressure, yes, but I have to raise my own standards, lead the way and maybe inspire some in America.”

McKenzie has earned 13 caps for the USMNT. He was on the team’s roster for this summer’s Copa América but did not make an appearance at the tournament.

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USMNT left back Wiley joins Chelsea from Atlanta United

The 19-year-old is expected to join Ligue 1 side Strasbourg on loan this season

Atlanta United has confirmed the transfer of left back Caleb Wiley to Premier League power Chelsea.

The Blues paid a reported £8.5 million ($11m) fee for the 19-year-old, who is expected to join Ligue 1 side Strasbourg on loan for the upcoming season.

Wiley will join up with Chelsea following his participation in the Olympics with the United States.

“Caleb epitomizes the pathway that we envisioned when we started this club,” Atlanta United vice president and technical director Carlos Bocanegra said in a club release.

“Born and raised in Atlanta, he joined our Academy at 11 years old, played for ATL UTD 2 and went on to earn every step in his path up to signing as a Homegrown. Over that time, he debuted for the U.S. men’s national team and was chosen to represent our country at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“Now he can continue his career at a top club in Europe. We wish Caleb the best in this next challenge of his career and look forward to following his journey.”

Wiley made his pro debut for Atlanta United 2 in 2020 when he was just 15 years old, and made the jump to the first team as a regular in 2022.

Overall, Wiley made 85 appearances for Atlanta’s first team in all competitions, recording six goals and nine assists.

Wiley has earned two caps for the USMNT so far, making his debut in April 2023. He has also represented the U.S. at the U-17, U-20 and U-23 levels.

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Rumored USMNT coaching candidate Vieira leaves Strasbourg

The timing of the Frenchman’s departure raised some eyebrows

Patrick Vieira has departed RC Strasbourg by mutual consent, the Ligue 1 side announced on Thursday.

Vieira served one season as Strasbourg head coach, leading the club to a 13th-place finish in 2023-24.

The timing of Vieira’s departure has raised some eyebrows, as the 48-year-old Arsenal legend has recently been mentioned as a candidate for the vacant U.S. men’s national team position.

Earlier this week, former USMNT striker Taylor Twellman said that Vieira was interested in job.

“There’s one name that I’ve said from the beginning that has a real interest in this, and that’s Patrick Vieira,” Twellman said on the Rich Eisen Show.

“He won a World Cup as a player. He loves the American player. But he also walks into that room and every single player’s tail is going to be between their legs because he doesn’t hold back on anyone.”

After Vieira left Strasbourg on Thursday, reporter Fabrizio Romano added that the Frenchman was “under consideration” for the USMNT job.

TUDN, meanwhile, went one step further and said that U.S. Soccer and Vieira were in talks over the role.

Though Strasbourg framed Vieira’s departure as mutual, L’Equipe reported that the club actually sacked the coach for not being in accordance with its project.

Vieira is seen as a strong candidate for the USMNT position because of his sterling playing career, which included a World Cup win with France and several league titles with Arsenal and Inter, as well as his coaching experience in the U.S. and abroad.

The Frenchman began his coaching career in Manchester City’s academy, and his first senior role was with New York City FC, giving him a window into the American game. Vieira departed NYCFC in 2018 and has gone on to coach Nice and Crystal Palace.

The USMNT position has been vacant since Gregg Berhalter was dismissed last week in the wake of the team’s stunning group-stage exit at the Copa América.

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PSG 2024-25 kit leak includes Eiffel Tower tribute on away shirt

Kylian Mbappe may not be wearing these, but they still look pretty nice

PSG’s three main kits for the upcoming season have leaked, which include a striking away shirt that features a tribute to the Eiffel Tower.

Footy Headlines has revealed details of the home kit, away kit and third kit that the Ligue 1 champions will wear during the 2024-25 season.

Kylian Mbappé may be heading for Real Madrid at the end of the season, but the players that remain in Paris — both on the men’s and women’s side — will have some sharp-looking kits to choose from.

The home kit will return to the famed design from Daniel Hechter that features a wide vertical red stripe down the center of the kit. The Hechter design has been a major part of PSG’s history.

The away kit, meanwhile, will include a graphic of the Eiffel Tower along with red and blue accents on a white backdrop.

Finally, the club’s third kit from Jordan Brand will feature a pink design with a black center stripe, also utilizing the Hechter design.

PSG is expected to debut its 2024-25 home kit in Sunday’s home game against Toulouse.

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Balogun back among the goals with brace as Monaco trounces Metz

It’s badly-needed good news for Balogun, who helped Monaco claim a dominant win

The good news for the U.S. men’s national team just keeps coming.

Folarin Balogun emerged from a tepid run of form to score twice as Monaco thumped Metz 5-2 in Ligue 1 on Saturday.

Balogun came off the bench to score his brace, making him the first American man in a top-five European league to do that since Charlie Davies did so for Sochaux in 2009.

The goals come on the heels of a dominant win over Mexico in the Concacaf Nations League final, and just hours after Tyler Adams came through a 90-minute match unscathed for the first time in just over a year.

For Balogun, the goals will come as a particular relief. The striker entered the match having scored just two times in his last 12 Monaco appearances, and head coach Adi Hütter removed him from penalty-taking duties after multiple high-profile misses from the spot.

That added up to a start on the bench for the 21-year-old, with Wissam Ben Yedder leading the line for the principality-based club as a lone forward. However, Hütter turned to the USMNT striker in the 65th minute, sending him on for Eliesse Ben Seghir.

With the scoreline 3-0 at the time, Balogun could have just gone through the motions, but his effort quite literally made Monaco’s fourth goal.

A spell of pressure put Metz into a bad spot, with goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja receiving a pass as Monaco pushed numbers forward in the 76th minute.

Balogun’s hard running did the rest, allowing him to block Oukidja’s ill-advised attempt to chop the ball back from where it came, with the ball caroming off the USMNT man and over the line.

Perhaps stung through the embarrassing nature of that goal, Metz replied with two goals in short order. However, before Monaco had to truly sweat, Balogun struck again, sweeping home after Thilo Kehrer’s flick-on caught Metz out on a corner kick.

The double takes Balogun up to eight goals in 25 total appearances this season for Monaco, to go along with five assists.

Watch Balogun’s brace for Monaco

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Balogun responds to penalty nightmare with ruthless goal vs. Marseille

It only took one game for the USMNT forward to bounce back from a brutal outing against Nice

After a brutal game that saw him miss not one, but two penalties, Folarin Balogun produced an ideal response.

The Monaco forward bounced back from last week’s nightmare by scoring in the first half against Marseille on Saturday, leveling the score at 2-2 in just the 23rd minute at Stade Louis II.

Maghnes Akliouche received a pass and quickly found Balogun streaking in behind the Marseiile backline. From there, the USMNT forward was ruthlessly efficient, taking just two touches before slamming an overpowering low strike that beat Pau López at his near post.

It was Balogun’s second goal in four Ligue 1 games so far this season.

Akliouche would end up as the difference-maker on the night, scoring Monaco’s other two goals as the principality side won 3-2 to move into first place in Ligue 1, at least before Sunday’s game between high-flyers Brest and Nice.

The goal was a perfect way for Balogun to put the heartbreak of last week’s 1-0 defeat to Nice behind him.

Playing in his first-ever Derby de la Côte d’Azur, the 22-year-old saw penalties on either side of halftime saved by Nice goalkeeper Marcin Bułka.

After the game, Monaco manager Adi Hütter backed the summer arrival from Arsenal, saying: “Sometimes this is football in the end. We have to help him and we will.

“In the end, we have good conversations and positive communication. In the future, he will help us a lot.”

It only took a week for Balogun to prove his manager right.

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Nice ‘relieved everything ended well’ after player reportedly threatens suicide

The Ligue 1 club said that the player “had been taken care of”

OGC Nice president Jean-Pierre Rivère has said the club is “relieved” after a reported suicide threat from a player ended with him safe.

Multiple reports said that Nice midfielder Alexis Beka Beka sat on the edge of a bridge on Friday morning, with authorities attempting to talk him down for several hours.

Nice cancelled all of its media activities scheduled for Friday ahead of Sunday’s Ligue 1 match against Brest.

In a club statement, Rivère said: “We are above all relieved that everything has turned out well for Alexis today. He has been taken care of.

“We will continue to respect medical confidentiality and we ask everyone to do the same and respect his right to privacy. We are here to help him, as is everyone at the club.”

Beka Beka, 22, joined Nice last summer in a transfer from Lokomotiv Moscow. He made 14 Ligue 1 appearances last season and has yet to appear in a league game this term.

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else. To speak with a trained listener, call 988. Visit 988lifeline.org for crisis chat services or for more information.

Balogun has a day to forget, missing two penalties for Monaco in 1-0 loss vs. Nice

It could have gone worse for Balogun on Friday, but not by much

Folarin Balogun will want to forget his first-ever Derby de la Côte d’Azur.

The U.S. men’s national team striker was denied on two penalty kick attempts, a disappointment compounded as Nice pounced with a stoppage-time winner to claim a 1-0 victory at Stade Louis II.

Balogun got the nod for Monaco, starting for the first time since a €40 million summer move from Arsenal, but had two spot kicks saved by Nice goalkeeper Marcin Bułka. Unfortunately for the USMNT striker, it was truly a day to forget.

Bułka denied Balogun for the first time in the 12th minute. Aleksandr Golovin was clipped after racing in behind the Nice defense, but Balogun couldn’t fool the Polish goalkeeper.

In the second half, the situation was only marginally different. Takumi Minamino won the penalty this time, but once again Balogun shot low and to Bułka’s right. This time Balogun offered more power, but Bułka was still quick enough to get down and block the shot.

Monaco’s suffering was compounded seconds into stoppage time, when Jeremie Boga curled home a stunning winner.

Monaco boss Hütter backs Balogun

On the plus side, Monaco manager Adi Hütter told reporters after the match that he still believes in Balogun.

“He was unlucky today, but we win together and we lose together. We have to help him a lot because he is frustrated too,” Hütter said. “He wanted to score the second penalty, but sometimes this is football in the end. We have to help him and we will.

“In the end, we have good conversations and positive communication. In the future, he will help us a lot. He is a young striker. This evening isn’t one of his best, but as I said, we win together, we lose together.”

Still, Balogun made some unwelcome history, becoming the first player in Ligue 1 to miss multiple penalties in a single game since Toifilou Maoulida did the same for Auxerre in 2007.

In his time in France, Balogun has missed three of his nine penalty attempts, with the other miss also coming against Nice last season while he was on loan with Reims.

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USMNT striker Balogun scores first Monaco goal in Lorient draw

Balo is off the mark in just his second appearance for the principality club

Folarin Balogun is off the mark at Monaco.

The U.S. men’s national team striker came off the bench in the second half against FC Lorient on Sunday and within three minutes, he gave his new team the lead.

Balogun’s goal made it 2-1 in the 69th minute and appeared like it would give the principality side all three points.

But with virtually the last kick of the game, Romain Faivre equalized to earn the home side a 2-2 draw.

Monaco still remained in first place in Ligue 1 with the result, having taken three wins and two draws from its first five league matches.

For Balogun, who arrived last month in a €40 million transfer from Arsenal, it was an encouraging start to life with his new side. The 22-year-old was prolific on loan at Reims last season, and he appears set to continue his goalscoring ways in Ligue 1.

Aleksandr Golovin found the USMNT forward in the box, and Balogun did well to quickly turn away from his man and crack a left-footed shot that beat Yvon Mvogo at his near post.

It was just the second Monaco appearance for Balogun, both of which have come of the bench.

Balogun has now scored in two straight games in all competitions, though, as he found the net with the USMNT in Tuesday’s comprehensive 4-0 win over Oman.

Watch Balogun’s first Monaco goal

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Neymar: ‘I wouldn’t be surprised’ if the Saudi league is better than Ligue 1

“I can assure you the football in Saudi Arabia is the same. The ball is round, we have goalposts… There’s no secret.”

Did Neymar take a step down by moving from Paris Saint-Germain to the Saudi Pro League?

The Brazil star doesn’t seem to think so. Speaking at a press conference before a World Cup qualifier against Bolivia, Neymar — who joined Al Hilal last month in a €90 million deal — said that this summer’s Saudi spending spree may have tipped the scales against Ligue 1.

“For the names that went to Saudi Arabia, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Saudi league is better than [Ligue 1],” said Neymar, though his assertion was possibly deflated by his own chuckling.

“I can assure you the football in Saudi Arabia is the same. The ball is round, we have goalposts… There’s no secret. We have intense practice there, the thirst to win is still big. I want to win trophies with Al Hilal. It doesn’t change much.”

Only the Premier League spent more than the (often government-backed) clubs of the Saudi Pro League, with Transfermarkt reporting that the league’s total transfer spending in the summer window stands at €957 million.

Neymar’s argument doesn’t require much deep thinking. When he trains with Al Hilal, he’s doing so alongside Brazil teammate Malcom, World Cup star Yassine Bounou, Senegal center back Kalidou Koulibaly, Serbia duo Aleksandar Mitrović and Sergej Milinković-Savić, and Portugal defensive midfielder Rúben Neves. These players are all very good at soccer, and could play in any league.

The counter, of course, is that Saudi clubs added 40 players on permanent transfers, spread across 18 teams. A league of that size employs around 500 players, give or take, meaning that the nearly €1 billion in transfer spending only improved about 8% of the player pool. In other words, for every Neymar or Cristiano Ronaldo to make the jump, there are dozens of players who represent the average talent level for the Saudi Pro League.

None of that seems to be bothering Neymar much, as the forward compared the talk he’s heard since making the move to what people said when he moved from Barcelona to PSG.

“Everyone said the same when I went to France, and it was the place I was [kicked] the most in my life,” said the 31-year-old. “I am sure that it won’t be easy to win the Saudi championship. Other teams got stronger, have famous players. It will be very interesting and I am sure you will be watching.”

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