Here are the ten things we learned from Week 1 of the 2017 MLS season. 1. Plenty To Be Excited About as MLS’ 22nd Season Kicks Off MLS’ 22nd season kicked off on Friday night in Portland, and its opening weekend included the debuts of two new teams, the opening of a gorgeous new stadium […]

London Colney (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil will miss Tuesday's Champions League last-16 second leg against Bayern Munich after illness, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger said. Ozil was absent from Arsenal's 3-1 defeat at Liverpool on Saturday and although the German star has returned to training, Wenger doesn't believe he is ready to […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea's plans to build a new £500 million ($610mn, 580mn euros) 60,000-seat stadium cleared another major hurdle on Monday when they received approval from London Mayor Sadiq Khan. "London is one of the world's greatest sporting cities and I'm delighted that we will soon add Chelsea's new stadium to the already fantastic […]

London Colney (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger on Monday dismissed reports of a training-ground bust-up involving star forward Alexis Sanchez as "completely false". Sanchez, 28, was reported to have stormed off the training pitch last week before becoming involved in an angry confrontation with his team-mates. He started Saturday's 3-1 Premier League […]

London Colney (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez shook hands with manager Arsene Wenger as he reported for training on Monday following reports of a training-ground bust-up. Sanchez, 28, was reported to have stormed off the training pitch last week before becoming involved in an angry confrontation with his team-mates. He started Saturday's […]

Kuala Lumpur (AFP) – Malaysia has banned its football team from playing an Asian Cup match in Pyongyang citing security threats as diplomatic relations between the two countries soured dramatically after the killing of Kim Jong-Nam, officials said Monday. Kim, the estranged half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, was poisoned with the deadly […]

London (AFP) – BT Sport has paid £1.18 billion ($1.45 billion, 1.36 billion euros) to retain exclusive rights to show Champions League and Europa League games in the United Kingdom, the broadcaster announced on Monday. The new contract, valid from 2018 to 2021, is worth £394 million per year, a significant increase on its current […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – Jonathan Klinsmann, the son of former US national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann, was named the top goaltender as the USA under-20 men's national team won the North American regional championship tournament. The Americans defeated Honduras 5-3 on penalty kicks following a 0-0 draw in Sunday's final of the Confederation of North, […]

Shanghai (AFP) – Carlos Tevez scored on his Chinese Super League debut for Shanghai Shenhua as he started repaying wages that have reportedly made him the world's best-paid player. The former Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus striker struck from the penalty spot and had a hand in two others as Gus Poyet's team beat […]

Miami (AFP) – The New York Red Bulls spoiled Atlanta United's Major League Soccer bow as a Daniel Royer header and Anton Walkes own goal lifted them to a 2-1 win over the expansion club on Sunday. Atlanta were off to a dream start in front of home fans in their first ever match, leading […]

Miami (AFP) – Cyle Larin's header in the 15th minute was enough to let Orlando City SC open their new stadium with a 1-0 victory over New York City FC Sunday on Major League Soccer's opening weekend. It wasn't all good news for Orlando, however, as Larin's header came minutes after Brazilian veteran Kaka limped […]

London (AFP) – Radiating anger and resignation in equal measure, Arsene Wenger wore the exasperated expression that has become all too familiar to Arsenal followers during their club's futile attempts to conquer Europe. Wenger's frustrated demeanour on the touchline at the Allianz Arena last month was provoked by the sight of Arsenal being outclassed by […]

Milan (AFP) – If Napoli goalkeeper Pepe Reina reproduces the kind of form that was key to Saturday's 2-1 win over Roma against Real Madrid in midweek, a Champions League upset could be on the cards. But the former Barcelona and Liverpool shot-stopper would be forgiven for also hoping Cristiano Ronaldo forgets his shooting boots […]

London (AFP) – Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's seemingly extraordinary decision to drop Alexis Sanchez before Saturday's defeat at Liverpool was the result of a training ground row, British media reported Sunday. According to the Daily Telegraph, Sanchez walked out of training and was involved in a bust-up with angry team-mates days before the match. The […]

Sunderland (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola has told his Manchester City side they are now into "must-win" territory in their three-pronged bid for silverware this season. City top-scorer Sergio Aguero's 23rd goal of the campaign and a third in as many matches from German midfielder Leroy Sane sealed a comfortable 2-0 Premier League win at struggling […]