Football

The USMNT team that should play at the 2026 World Cup

Published

3 months ago

December 22, 2022

The United States Men’s National Team returned to the World Cup stage this year full of optimism after missing out on the tournament in Russia four years ago.

In the end, Qatar 2022 turned out to be a mixed bag. On the one hand, the Stars and Stripes went unbeaten in Group B alongside England, Iran, and Wales, impressing many with their high-energy pressing. But on the other hand, the manner of their 3-1 defeat to the Netherlands in the round-of-16 was disappointing, while the US failed to get the best of their forward line.

As co-hosts alongside Mexico and Canada, the United States have already turned attention to 2026; learning from past mistakes and developing young talent to make sure they go much further on home soil.

How different could the side be that lines up in 2026 compared to that of 2022? Let’s build a very early starting XI:

GK: Gabriel Slonina – Matt Turner was one of the top American performers in Qatar but the fact remains his situation at Arsenal, stuck behind Aaron Ramsdale, is not ideal. In the meantime, the US have a number of supremely talented prospects emerging in this position, with new Chelsea signing Gabriel Slonina chief among them. Breaking in at Stamford Bridge will be tough, but if he can manage it, Slonina has all the tools to be an elite goalkeeper and one of the first names on the teamsheet in 2026.

RB: Sergino Dest – Sergino Dest was mostly excellent in Qatar and his speed and ability to press offered the USMNT another dimension. Age is very much on his side, with the only complication for Dest right now figuring out whether he should return to Barcelona following his loan spell with AC Milan, stay where he is now, or try something new. Regardless, he should be peaking by 2026.

CB: Chris Richards – Had he been fit, Chris Richards would almost certainly have gone to Qatar and, likely, played extensive minutes. He would have been better for that experience but over the coming years, the defender is primed to thrive at Crystal Palace. By the time the next World Cup comes around, he’ll be 26, seasoned and, hopefully, playing the best soccer of his career.

CB: Miles Robinson – Who lines up next to Richards is the biggest question. Existing options like Tim Ream and Walker Zimmerman will be pushing well in their 30s, while it looks like John Brooks’ international career is over already, let alone in 2026 when he’ll be 33. One player you shouldn’t sleep on is Miles Robinson. He likely would’ve partnered Richards in Qatar had it not been for an ACL injury suffered earlier this year. However, he’s ready to return for Atlanta United and continues to draw interest from Europe.

LB: Kevin Paredes – There’s every chance Antonee Robinson will maintain his left-back spot, but we wanted to give you some food for thought. Kevin Paredes was often overlooked as one of the most exciting talents in the league during his time in MLS with DC United, but Wolfsburg didn’t miss him and even paid over $7m to secure his services in January ’21. Paredes has all the attacking attributes to be an elite full-back, and is an incredible presser. He just needs to refine his defensive tools and gain experience, but he has four years to do that.

CM: Tyler Adams – At 23 years old, Tyler Adams is already the USMNT captain and one of the best players on the team. He’s thriving in the Premier League with Leeds United and all being well, looks set to remain on an upwards trajectory. Adams is the complete package and will maintain his spot in four years.

CM: Weston McKennie – There were a couple of dissenting voices calling for Weston McKennie to be dropped in Qatar prior to the tournament, but once there, he more than proved his worth. There are areas McKennie needs to work on and his fitness might be an issue, but his ability to arrive late in the box and coordinate the press are invaluable. If the USMNT stick with a midfield three, he’ll be there.

CM: Yunus Musah – Musah impressed in Qatar perhaps more than any other American. The 20-year-old’s speed, skill, and work rate put him on the map, but his passing ability and the way he drives the ball forward shouldn’t be overlooked either. Musah has the potential to be the perfect all-rounder and is drawing the attention of multiple Premier League giants. No reason to predict anything other than him being a key piece in 2026.

RW: Christian Pulisic – There’s an argument to say Christian Pulisic is no longer the USMNT’s most important player. However, he’s still ‘Captain America’ and has the ability to individually turn a game on its head like no other in this team. The chances of him still being at Chelsea in four years are very slim, but the chances of him still being with an elite European club? Much better.

ST: Ricardo Pepi – Few, if any, ommissions from the USMNT’s 2022 World Cup roster hurt more than Ricardo Pepi. The teenage striker burst onto the scene in qualifying and went to great lengths to turn his form around on loan with FC Groningen. In reality, he should’ve been on the plane. Pepi now has four years to keep developing and make himself indispensible for the United States; we’re backing him to do just that.

LW: Giovanni Reyna – On a pure talent level, Giovanni Reyna is both the best prospect the United States have and, probably, the best they have right now. That makes his limited minutes in Qatar and all the fallout that came after all the more shocking. Whether it’s Gregg Berhalter or someone else, they simply have to make sure they manage Reyna properly and put him in the positions to succeed. He’ll do the rest. A potential elite of the game by 2026.

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EPL

Fabio Paratici opens up on Antonio Conte’s Tottenham exit & provides update on manager search

Published

5 hours ago

March 28, 2023

Sean Walsh

Tottenham Hotspur managing director of football Fabio Paratici has discussed the decision to part ways with head coach Antonio Conte.

Spurs reached a mutual agreement for Conte to depart the club on Sunday night following a disappointing run of results.

Conte oversaw exits in the FA Cup, Carabao Cup and UEFA Champions League this season despite high hopes of ending the club’s 15-year trophy drought.

In his personal life, Conte lost three close friends – Spurs fitness coach Gian Piero Ventrone, former Italy colleague Gianluca Vialli and Serie A legend Sinisa Mihajlovic – while he had to undergo emergency surgery on his gallbladder at the start of February.

Speaking to Tottenham club channels, Paratici leaned on these reasons as to why Conte’s reign ended so sourly.

“About Antonio, we know how difficult this season was for him personally. Gian Piero died, Vialli and Mihajlovic [died], the surgery, the club supported him a lot about this and everyone was close with each other. But we arrived to this mutual agreement, and I think the decision we made was the right decision to everyone,” Paratici said.

Paratici went on to talk about interim manager Cristian Stellini – Conte’s former assistant who took charge of Tottenham in his absence this year – as well as speculation over a permanent successor.

“So Cristian managed the team even when Antonio was sick this season and was good. He has a lot of experience as a second and even first coach in the past. We have Ryan Mason who can help him a lot because he’s been part of this club for a long time, he knows everything about this club and this kind of group of players. So I think we are really, really confident that these two persons can do a very good job,” Paratici continued.

“The players doesn’t have to change a bit, the style of training. So change everything when you have just 10 games to go I think would be really difficult to the players.

“I would like to see, not just this season but even last season, when we came here we speak about ‘rebuild’ a bit. We started to play Conference League, starting not so good. Then at the end of the season we achieved a big result to get Champions League.

“Then this season, we played Champions League, we passed the group, it was a good achievement for us. And then we get out against Milan.

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“I think about growing up, the team and the club. The pathway for the club was good about results in that way. And then of course we are disappointed because we can be better in the FA [Cup] against Sheffield [United]. Every time you lose one game, you regret it.

“Of course we are focused and looking forward about being better arriving at the end of the season and the next season better again.

“The Premier League always is tough, so we have a lot of teams and clubs [who are] really, really prepared…but we fight, we like that. So we will fight to achieve our target, we are prepared to fight until the end of the season. We have to be focused on the last part of the season.

“We don’t speak about other coaches or follow the speculation in the media because this is just speculation. We are focused and now concentrating on helping Cristian and the staff, the players.

“I think today we have to be focused on our squad and our manager because it’s an important moment.”

Paratici is one of 12 former Juventus officials who were due in court this week regarding the club’s financial mismanagement, though a date for the hearing has now been pushed back until May.

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On this edition of Talking Transfers, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders, Graeme Bailey & Toby Cudworth discuss Julian Nagelsmann’s future and links to the vacant Tottenham head coach role, Barcelona’s ambition to bring Lionel Messi ‘home’, Brighton teenager Evan Ferguson, Florian Wirtz, Kalvin Phillips and more!

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EPL

Bruno Fernandes disagrees with Cristiano Ronaldo’s assessment of Roberto Martinez

Published

6 hours ago

March 28, 2023

Sean Walsh

Bruno Fernandes has revealed he does not agree with teammate Cristiano Ronaldo regarding the impact of new Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez.

The former Everton and Belgium boss was named as the surprise successor to Fernando Santos following the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

While Martinez has been known to coach attacking and entertaining football, his teams are often characterised by their haphazard and sloppy defending – almost the inverse to how Portugal played under Santos.

Ronaldo, who scored four goals in two games for Portugal this month, was quick to tell reporters of the positive impact Martinez has had on the team.

“It’s a new chapter for everyone, for the players, the staff and the country. We feel good energy. It’s a breath of fresh air,” the Al Nassr forward said.

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But when speaking to Portuguese channel RTP3, Fernandes simmered Ronaldo’s excited judgement.

When asked if he agreed with Ronaldo’s comments, Fernandes replied: “No, it’s just a new coach with new ideas. There is no breath of fresh air at all. It’s just a transition period.

“The atmosphere in the national team has always been good. There’s never been anything that wasn’t fresh of the air, so I think it’s just new dynamics, new coach, and you have to assimilate his ideas.”

Portugal have made a perfect start under Martinez’s management, securing a 4-0 win at home to Liechtenstein before beating Luxembourg 6-0 on the road.

Fernandes and Ronaldo’s recent careers have been intertwined due to their prominence with the Portugal national team and their 15-month spell together at Manchester United.

Upon Fernandes’ arrival in England, the Old Trafford faithful devised a chant which referenced his arrival ‘from Sporting like Cristiano’.

The duo didn’t quite hit their best heights in tandem while at United, and Ronaldo’s bitter exit in November 2022 was followed by the two appearing to be on frosty terms ahead of the World Cup.

But Ronaldo dismissed this suggestion at the time, telling the press: “My relationship with him is excellent.”

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Football

Barcelona appeal to RFEF to claim 1937 league title

Published

10 hours ago

March 28, 2023

Tom Gott

Barcelona are expected to appeal to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) in an attempt to be awarded the 1937 league title.

The RFEF was suspended between 1936 and 1939 due to the Spanish Civil War but, in the meantime, and handful of cup competitions were organised alongside the Mediterranean League which, unofficially, took the place of La Liga.

Barcelona won the Mediterranean League in 1937 but, given it was not an official RFEF tournament, it is not a triumph which has been counted in their tally of 26 league titles.

However, they could be about to change that as ESPN note Barcelona are prepared to appeal to the RFEF in an attempt to be formally recognised as national champions that season and therefore take their tally up to 27.

Barcelona, who failed with an appeal to be credited with this title in 2009, believe the RFEF have set a recent precedent which means they should be entitled to claiming the title.

Levante have recently been granted the honour of winning the 1937 Free Spain Cup, which took the place of what is now known as the Copa del Rey, even though that was not an official RFEF competition. Similarly, Deportivo de la Coruna have been named the winners of the 1912 Concurso de Espana – another unofficial cup competition.

With Levante and Deportivo now permitted by the RFEF to claim triumphs in these unofficial competitions, Barcelona are understood to believe that they must be recognised as league champions for 1937.

Barcelona have officially won 26 league titles to date, putting them second in the rankings behind Real Madrid, who have 35 trophies to their name.

Xavi’s side are favourites to win this season’s title, having opened up a 12-point lead at the top of the table, but Barcelona are looking to add a bonus honour to their record books.

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