Hurricanes continue loading up in trenches with commitment in-state offensive lineman
The Miami Hurricanes continue to load up on the offensive line in their 2026 recruiting class with a commitment from in-state prospect Canon Pickett.
Pickett, who plays at Tampa Bay Tech, is a three-star prospect by the 247Sports Composite ranking and ranked as the No. 43 interior offensive lineman in the class.
'I'm home!!!!!!!' Pickett posted Tuesday on his personal X account announcing his decision.
Pickett, listed at 6-4 and 320 pounds, is the sixth offensive lineman commit in Miami's Class of 2026. He joins five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell, four-star offensive tackle Ben Congdon, three-star offensive tackle Joel Ervin, three-star interior offensive lineman Rhys Woodrow and three-star interior offensive lineman JJ Sparks. He chose Miami over Florida and Clemson.
The Hurricanes have a dozen total players in their Class of 2026, which was ranked 13th by 247Sports prior to Pickett's pledge.
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Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
FIFA Club World Cup: Everything you need to know about all 32 teams
Manchester City's Erling Haaland is carried by teammates in celebration after scoring against Fulham in an English Premier League match on May 25. Manchester City is competing in the FIFA Club World Cup. (Dave Shopland / Associated Press) The FIFA Club World Cup, which kicks off Saturday in Miami Gardens, Fla., is the largest, richest and most ambitious club soccer tournament in history. The 32 teams will play 63 games across 12 U.S. venues, competing for a share of a $1 billion prize-money purse. There will be six first-round games played at the Rose Bowl, featuring UEFA Champions League finalists Paris Saint-Germain of France and Italy's Inter Milan. LAFC has also qualified and will play its group-play games in Atlanta, Nashville and Orlando. Group A Inter Miami's Lionel Messi takes part in a practice session for the FIFA Club World Cup. (Lynne Sladky / Associated Press) Palmeiras (Brazil) Advertisement Notable achievements: 12-time Brazilian champion and winner of three Copa Libertadores Top players: F Estevao, GK Weverton, MF Facundo Torres Porto (Portugal) Notable achievements: 30-time Portuguese champion; winner of two European titles and two UEFA Cup/Europa League crowns Top players: F Samuel Aghehowa, D Francisco Moura, GK Dioga Costa Al Ahly (Egypt) Notable achievements: 45-time Egyptian champion and winner of 12 African Champions League titles Top players: MF Emam Ashour, F Wessam Abou Ali Read more: Amid protests, questions loom about how active ICE will be at Club World Cup games Inter Miami (U.S.) Advertisement Notable achievements: 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield winner and 2023 Leagues Cup champion Top players: Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Tadeo Allende Group-play schedule June 14: Al Ahly-Inter Miami, Miami Gardens June 15: Palmeiras-Porto, East Rutherford, N.J. June 19: Palmeiras-Al Ahly, East Rutherford, N.J.; Inter Miami-Porto, Atlanta June 23: Inter Miami-Palmeiras, Miami Gardens; Porto-Al Ahly, East Rutherford, N.J. Group B Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembele chases after the ball during a Champions League match against Liverpool in March. (Christophe Ena / Associated Press) Paris Saint-Germain (France) Notable achievements: Reigning European champion and 13-time Ligue 1 winner Top players: F Ousmane Dembele, F Bradley Barcola, D Achraf Hakimi, Atlético Madrid (Spain) Advertisement Notable achievements: 11-time Spanish champion and three-time Europa League winner Top players: F Alexander Sorloth, F Julián Alvarez, MF Antoine Griezmann, GK Jan Oblak Botafogo (Brazil) Notable achievements: Three-time Brazilian champion and 2024 Copa Libertadores winner Top players: F Igor Jesus, F Artur Guimaraes, GK John Victor Read more: Why? Why not. The Club World Cup is more than a trial run for FIFA's marquee event Seattle Sounders (U.S.) Qualification: Two-time MLS champion, 2014 Supporters' Shield winner and the only MLS team to win the CONCACAF Champions League this century Top players: MF Albert Rusnak, MF Cristian Roldan, GK Stefan Frei Advertisement Group-play schedule June 15: PSG-Atlético Madrid, Rose Bowl; Botafogo-Seattle, Seattle June 19: Seattle-Atlético Madrid, Seattle; PSG-Botafogo, Rose Bowl June 23: Seattle-PSG, Seattle; Atlético Madrid-Botafogo, Rose Bowl Group C Bayern Munich's Harry Kane, center, celebrates with his teammates following their Bundesliga championship win on May 10. (Matthias Schrader / Associated Press) Bayern Munich (Germany) Notable achievements: Winner of 34 German titles, including 12 of the last 13, six-time European champion and two-time Club World Cup winner Top players: F Harry Kane, MF Michael Olise, MF Joshua Kimmich, GK Manuel Neuer Auckland City (New Zealand) Notable achievements: 10-time New Zealand champion and winner of 13 OFC Champions League titles Top players: F Guillermo May, D Ryan De Vries, GK Alex Paulsen Advertisement Boca Juniors (Argentina) Notable achievements: 35-time Argentine champion, winner of six Copa Libertadores and two Copa Sudamericanas Top players: F Miguel Merentiel, MF Carlos Palacios, D Lautaro Blanco, F Edinson Cavani Benfica (Portugal) Notable achievements: 38-time Portuguese champion and two-time European champion Top players: F Vangelis Pavlidies, MF Kerem Akturkoglu, D Nicolás Otamendi, GK Anatoliy Trubin Group-play schedule June 15: Bayern-Auckland, Cincinnati June 16: Boca-Benfica, Miami Gardens June 20: Benfica-Auckland, Orlando; Bayern-Boca, Miami Gardens June 24: Auckland-Boca, Nashville; Benfica-Bayern, Charlotte Group D Inter Miami defender Gonzalo Luján, left, and LAFC forward Denis Bouanga try to head the ball during a match in April. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press) Flamengo (Brazil) Advertisement Notable achievements: Seven-time Brazilian champion and three-time Copa Libertadores winner Top players: F Giorgian De Arrascaeta, F Pedro, GK Agustín Rossi Esperance de Tunis (Tunisia) Qualification: 34-time Tunisian champion, four-time CAF Champions League winner and 1995 African Super Cup titlest Top players: F Yan Sasse, F Youcef Belaili, GK Amanallah Memmiche Chelsea (England) Notable achievements: Six-time English champion, two-time European champion, winner of two Europa League titles and the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup Top players: F Cole Palmer, GK Robert Sánchez, MF Moisés Caicedo LAFC (U.S.) Notable achievements: 2022 MLS Cup winner, winner of two MLS Supporters' Shields and a two-time CONCACAF Champions League finalist Advertisement Top players: F Denis Bouanga, GK Hugo Lloris, MF Mark Delgado Group-play schedule June 16: Chelsea-LAFC, Atlanta; Flamengo-Esperance, Philadelphia June 20: Flamengo-Chelsea, Philadelphia; LAFC-Esperance, Nashville June 24: LAFC-Flamengo, Orlando; Esperance-Chelsea, Philadelphia Group E River Plate (Argentina) Notable achievements: 38-time Argentine champion, winner of four Copa Libertadores and one Copa Sudamericana Top players: F Miguel Borja, MF Franco Mastantuono, D Lucas Martínez Quarta, GK Franco Armani Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan) Notable achievements: Five-time Japanese champion and three-time AFC Champions League winner Advertisement Top players: MF Ryoma Watanabe, MF Matheus Savio, GK Shusaku Nishikawa Monterrey (Mexico) Notable achievements: Five-time Mexican champion and five-time CONCACAF Champions League winner Top players: F German Berterame, MF Jesús Corona, MF Sergio Canales, GK Esteban Andrada Inter Milan (Italy) Notable achievements: 20-time Italian champion, three-time European champion (and runner-up last month), winner of three UEFA Cups and the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup Top players: F Marcus Thurman, F Lautaro Martinez, MF Hakan Calhanoglu, GK Yann Sommer Group-play schedule June 17: River-Urawa, Seattle; Monterrey-Inter, Rose Bowl Advertisement June 21: Inter-Urawa, Seattle; River-Monterrey, Rose Bowl June 25: Inter-River, Seattle; Urawa-Monterrey, Rose Bowl Group F Borussia Dortmund's Serhou Guirassy, right, celebrates after scoring in a Champions League match against Barcelona in April. (Martin Meissner / Associated Press) Fluminense (Brazil) Notable achievements: Four-time Brazilian champion and winner of the 2023 Copa Libertadores Top players: F Kevin Serna, MF Jhon Arias, GK Fabio Borussia Dortmund (Germany) Notable achievements: Eight-time German champion and 1997 European champion Top players: F Serhou Guirassy, MF Julian Brandt, MF Pascal Gross Ulsan HD (South Korea) Notable achievements: Five-time Korean champion and two-time AFC Champions League winner Top players: F Erick Farias, MF Won-Sang Um, MF Darijan Bojanic, GK Hyeon-Woo Jo Advertisement Mamelodi (South Africa) Notable achievements: 18-time South African champion, 2016 CAF Champions League winner (and runner-up this season), and 2023 African Football League titlist Top players: F Lucas Ribeiro, F Iqraam Rayners, F Arthur Sales, GK Ronwen Williams Group-play schedule June 17: Fluminense-Dortmund, East Rutherford; Ulsan-Mamelodi, Orlando June 21: Mamelodi-Dortmund, Cincinnati; Fluminense-Ulsan HD, East Rutherford June 25: Dortmund-Ulsan, Cincinnati; Fluminense-Mamelodi, Miami Gardens Group G Manchester City's Erling Haaland, left, challenges for the ball with Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson during the English FA Cup final on May 17. (Kirsty Wigglesworth / Associated Press) Manchester City (England) Notable achievements: Winner of 10 English championships, including six of the last eight; 2023 European and Club World Cup winner Advertisement Top players: F Erling Haaland, MF Kevin De Bruyne, MF Rodri, MF Savinho, MF Phil Foden Wydad AC (Morocco) Notable achievements: 22-time Moroccan champion and three-time CAF Champions League winner Top players: F Mohamed Rayhi, F Cassius Mailula, GK El Mehdi Benabid Al Ain (Abu Dhabi) Notable achievements: 14-time national champion and runner-up in the 2018 FIFA Club World Cup Top players: F Kodjo Laba, MF Alejandro Romero, GK Khalid Eisa Read more: Why the CONCACAF Gold Cup carries significance for 2026 World Cup hosts Juventus (Italy) Notable achievements: 36-time Italian champion, two-time European champion and winner of three UEFA Cup/Europa League titles Advertisement Top players: F Dusan Vlahovic, MF Khephren Thurman-Ulien, MF Kenan Yidiz, GK Michele Di Gregorio Group-play schedule June 18: Manchester City-Wydad, Philadelphia; Al Ain-Juventus, Washington D.C. June 22: Juventus-Wydad, Philadelphia; Manchester City-Al Ain, Atlanta June 26: Juventus-Manchester City, Orlando; Wydad-Al Ain, Washington D.C. Group H Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe warms up before a match against Real Sociedad on May 24. (Cesar Cebolla / Associated Press) Real Madrid (Spain) Notable achievements: 36-time Spanish champion and winner of a record 15 European championships; two-time UEFA Cup/Europa League winner and winner of a record five FIFA Club World Cups Top players: F Kylian Mbappe, MF Vinicius Junior, GK Thibaut Courtois Advertisement Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabi) Notable achievements: 19-time national champion, four-time AFC Champions League Elite winner and runner-up in the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup Top players: F Aleksandar Mitrovic, F Marcos Leonardo, MF Salem Al-Dawsari Pachuca (Mexico) Notable achievements: Seven-time Mexican champion and six-time CONCACAF Champions League winner Top players: F José Salomon Rondon, MF John Kennedy, MF Oussama Idrissi Red Bull Salzburg (Austria) Notable achievements: 17-time Austrian champion Top players: F Dorgeles Nene, F Petra Ratkov, MF Oscar Gloukh, GK Alexander Schlager Group-play schedule June 18: Real Madrid-Al-Hilal, Miami Gardens; Pachuca-Salzburg, Cincinnati Advertisement June 22: Real Madrid-Pachuca, Charlotte; Salzburg-Al-Hilal, Washington D.C. June 26: Al-Hilal-Pachuca, Nashville; Real Madrid-Salzburg, Philadelphia Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Club World Cup stadium guide: 12 venues set to host some of the world's best
There is always one important factor, or at least a general understanding, that comes with an American-led sporting event: that stadiums will be top of the line. That Americans know how to put on a show. In many cases, venues in the U.S. are tailor-made for the world's biggest entertainment and sporting events. Advertisement Even the country's oldest stadiums, such as the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., which debuted in 1922, are still considered iconic sites for today's modern-day events. There's also the notion that security and crowd control measures are always top of mind in the U.S. If they are, and that's a big if, the past year has been a wake-up call for U.S.-based organizers, and for FIFA. Two separate incidents of unruly behavior from fans (and players) during last summer's Copa América in the U.S. reinforced the idea that international soccer tournaments are still misunderstood by those in charge of securing a venue. The Copa América semifinal between Uruguay and Colombia nearly turned into a crowd riot after fans from both countries brawled in the Bank of America Stadium stands. Several Uruguayan players joined the melee, including Liverpool's Darwin Núñez, which led to sanctions. The Copa América final between Argentina and Colombia was marred when thousands of fans were trapped outside the Hard Rock Stadium gates. Miami-Dade officials, Hard Rock Stadium officials and CONMEBOL, the tournament organizers, all pointed fingers at each other for the failed security protocols. Some context is needed, however. Simply peruse social media on an NFL Sunday and you'll find numerous videos of fans engaging in disorderly behavior. The terrorist attack before the College Football Playoff quarterfinal — the Sugar Bowl — in January in New Orleans was another incident that has raised alarms for Club World Cup host cities and local governments. All that being said, the Club World Cup will carry on as planned this summer, and all eyes will be on the 12 venues that were selected to host FIFA's expanded tournament. Here's a look at each stadium and what makes it unique. Of all the Club World Cup venues, Mercedes-Benz Stadium is the most eye-catching. Its enormous halo board and pinwheel-designed retractable roof are major features of the massive NFL structure. There are bars, restaurant stands and food stations throughout the stadium, and frankly, there isn't a bad seat in the house. One thing fans like most about MBS is that the stadium's food is among the most affordable in the U.S. Hot dogs, soft drinks and popcorn are all $2. In this economy, that's a dream. Advertisement MBS is the home of the NFL's Atlanta Falcons and MLS's Atlanta United. Its location in downtown Atlanta, close to a plethora of hotels and restaurants and Centennial Olympic Park, makes MBS an ideal venue for big events. The Premier League Summer Series has visited Atlanta recently, and in 2024, MBS hosted the inaugural Copa América match between Argentina and Canada. It's an artificial turf field that will be replaced with natural grass ahead of the tournament. How to get there using public transportation: MARTA, a citywide rail and bus system, provides two stops on the stadium's doorstep. The closest station to Mercedes-Benz Stadium is the GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center Station, and the Vine City stop also provides convenient access. Another downtown venue, Bank of America Stadium, is an open-air, multi-use ground that is home to the NFL's Carolina Panthers and MLS side Charlotte FC. It's located in the Uptown section of the city, according to locals. There are a handful of cities in the U.S. that have proclaimed themselves to be Soccer City USA. Charlotte hasn't gone that far, but with the growing interest in the sport, Charlotte is among the newest 'soccer cities' in the country. Bank of America Stadium has become a routine stop for international friendlies and Concacaf Gold Cup clashes, including hosting Mexico's sizable community of fans in the Southeast. Charlotte FC draws big crowds, as well, and with Real Madrid, CF Pachuca and Bayern Munich set to play one group stage match each in Charlotte, a solid turnout of fans is expected in the Queen City. How to get there using public transportation: To arrive closest to the stadium, catch the LYNX Blue Line light rail, with FIFA advising to disembark at Brooklyn Village Station, around a 10-minute walk from the stadium. Several bus routes also provide easy access. TQL Stadium, home to MLS side FC Cincinnati, might be my favorite soccer-specific stadium in the U.S. On a chilly night and with a packed crowd, it has a true European feel. When the U.S. hosted Mexico for a pivotal 2022 World Cup qualifier in November 2021, the energy was palpable. The stadium was brand new, but there was a rustic feel to it as thousands of fans sang and marched throughout the concourse. Advertisement The U.S. won that game 2-0 and established Cincinnati as a viable home for the U.S. national team. It's early in the stadium's history, but it should continue to be an option for international and club competitions. There are strong German roots in the city, which should bode well for support for Bayern Munich and their Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund. How to get there using public transportation: Connector streetcar service (free) has 10 stops within a 10-minute walk of the stadium, the nearest being Liberty Street and Washington Park. There are modern marvels like Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and there's the iconic and battle-tested Rose Bowl. This is truly the crown jewel of American stadiums. It has hosted two Olympic Games (1932 and 1984) and two memorable World Cup finals. The 1994 men's final between Brazil and Italy was the culmination of an iconic World Cup. That tournament put the U.S. on the map in the world of international football competitions. And who can forget Brandi Chastain's winning penalty kick in the 1999 Women's World Cup final? The U.S. win over China was its second World Cup title. Of course, American college football also has a long and rich history at the Rose Bowl, and there have been many hotly contested matches between rivals Mexico and the U.S. in Pasadena, too. The Club World Cup will reintroduce the stadium to a global audience before it is a main attraction for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. How to get there using public transportation: The Metro A Line serves Pasadena's Memorial Park Station, around 2.4 miles from the Rose Bowl. If that walk in the summer heat sounds grueling, a Rose Bowl Shuttle connects the station with the venue. The Club World Cup will begin in Miami on June 14. Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will face Al Ahly of the Egyptian Premier League in the same stadium that saw Messi win his last international trophy. Hard Rock Stadium was the site for the 2024 Copa América final between Argentina and Colombia. Argentina prevailed 1-0 in extra time, but the match was marred by a lack of crowd control that led to a near stampede outside the stadium's gates before kickoff. It was a security disaster for the tournament's organizers (CONMEBOL) and the local government. I was there that day. There are scenes of unconscious men and women and crying children pressed against the gates that will stay with me forever. Advertisement The Club World Cup will be another opportunity for Hard Rock Stadium to prove it can host international football matches safely before the 2026 World Cup. Messi will be the main attraction, but major brands like Real Madrid and Boca Juniors will attract local fan groups and neutrals alike. How to get there using public transportation: There is no public transportation system to the stadium, making driving or apps such as Uber or Lyft the most common way for fans to reach the site. If you want to feel as close to the action as possible, travel to Nashville and take in the intimate confines of GEODIS Park. The newest of the 12 venues, the home of Nashville SC has a similar feel to Cincinnati's TQL Stadium. The seats are close to the pitch, which makes Nashville's home stadium a fun venue for locals and neutrals. The city itself is worth a visit. There is always something to do in Music City. The matchups in Nashville don't jump off the page, but Mexican side Pachuca should certainly feel at home in the southern city when it faces Al Hilal on June 26. The opportunity to see Boca Juniors against Auckland City FC, a team of part-time footballers against one of the most scrutinized teams in the world, should make for some interesting storylines. How to get there using public transportation: Nashville's WeGo public transit system of buses and rail offers free rides on Club World Cup matchday on the 52 Nolensville Pike and 77 Thompson/Wedgewood routes. No venue will host more Club World Cup matches than MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Both semifinals and the final will be played in the same stadium that will host the 2026 World Cup final. After having been to MetLife Stadium multiple times to cover the Copa América last summer, I can understand why the venue has been chosen for back-to-back FIFA tournament finals. It's gigantic. It's the type of stadium that makes one feel tiny in comparison with the colossal concrete structure. Argentina's Copa América semifinal against Canada was a prime example of what MetLife Stadium can sound like for a big international football match. The Argentines took over the ground, chanting and singing throughout the game. Unfortunately, the press box is enclosed with large glass windows, which suppresses the ambient sound. So instead of feeling like I was part of the crowd, I felt like I was in a focus group, watching a game with the volume turned down. It's not a perfect venue, but it's the right stadium to host a major final. How to get there using public transportation: From New York City, NJ Transit trains marked 'SEC' from Penn Station stop at Secaucus Junction. Departure boards at Secaucus direct passengers to the correct platform to catch a train to the stadium. Camping World Stadium opened before World War II, and it's a huge stadium that is well known in the U.S. as a neutral site stadium for college football games. It has undergone several remodels and expansions that make the venue ideal for big concerts. In that sense, it's clear why FIFA picked Camping World Stadium as one of the stadiums that will host one of the tournament's marquee games. Juventus versus Manchester City will have a U.S. summer tour feel to it. This time it'll be, in theory, a meaningful match in which two European powers battle for first place in Group G. Advertisement It'll be scorching hot in Orlando, so bring your sunscreen and drink plenty of water. And try not to lose your wallet at Disney World. How to get there using public transportation: The LYNX bus service has routes 20, 21, 36 and 107 all linking with Camping World Stadium; additionally, Route 8 from Central Station, and Route 107 passes a block away from the stadium. Orlando has two stadiums as Club World Cup venues. The city failed in its bid to host matches for next year's World Cup, so perhaps this was a concession. Regardless, Inter&Co Stadium is a soccer-specific venue that is home to MLS side Orlando City. In MLS, Orlando City has one of the more authentic atmospheres. The crowd is hostile toward opponents, and there is a distinct Latin flavor to the drum sounds and energy when Orlando City plays. That is unlikely to be the case this summer when Orlando hosts South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns FC and Korean side Ulsan HD. The second match in Orlando won't make anyone's mouth water, either. It's surprising that FIFA did not put any of the four Brazilian teams in Orlando for the first round, considering the large community of Brazilians who call the city home. It's a downtown stadium, so fans who do attend matches here will be close to the city's center. How to get there using public transportation: The stadium is in downtown Orlando, so it will likely be within walking distance from your hotel. If you're staying slightly further out, SunRail is your best bet. Church Street Station is only a short walk from the stadium, so ensure your train stops there. Philadelphia will be a busy host with eight matches being held at Lincoln Financial Field, the home of the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. There are some intriguing matches, too. On June 20, Brazilian power Flamengo will take on Chelsea, and Real Madrid will meet FC Salzburg on June 26. Advertisement The stadium is located in South Philadelphia, and it's part of a bustling sports complex that includes Major League Baseball stadium Citizens Bank Park, where the Phillies play, and Wells Fargo Center, home of the NBA's 76ers and the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers. Of course, there are plenty of tourist attractions to visit, too, such as the Rocky Balboa statue. Hopefully, a brave coach or physio will make their team run the stairs that lead up to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, just as Sylvester Stallone did in the classic 1976 film 'Rocky.' How to get there using public transportation: The SEPTA Broad Street subway line offers the quickest way to the stadium. Exit at the last southbound stop, NRG Station. Another NFL stadium that is also home to an MLS side is Seattle's Lumen Field, a loud open-air venue that has for years been a bastion of home-field advantage for the Seahawks and the Sounders. Seattle is getting the best group-stage games of this Club World Cup. Look at the wide range of football cultures that will land in the Pacific Northwest. Botafogo, River Plate, Inter Milan, PSG and Atletico Madrid. Even the J-League power Urawa Red Diamonds should be a must-see club, and they should attract the large Japanese community that resides in Greater Seattle. The home side Sounders have been put into a brutal group. 'Seattle in that group – it's going to be a bloodbath,' an MLS executive told The Athletic in February. That might be true, but the Sounders should benefit from playing before their loyal fans. If I had to choose a city to visit for this Club World Cup, it would be Seattle. The city's culture, the history of iconic grunge music and indie bands, the food, the mountain air… Throw in some legitimate football heavyweights, and you've got a nice little vacation plan. Advertisement How to get there using public transportation: Multiple transit options connect to Lumen Field, including Link light rail, Sounder trains, ST Express buses and several Metro routes. The nearest stations, Stadium and International District/Chinatown Link, are a short walk away. Special Sounder game trains will be in operation for five of the six Club World Cup matches. In D.C., locals view Audi Field like a minor miracle. It still seems improbable that the city finally built a new stadium after MLS club D.C. United spent nearly 15 years trying to move the project forward. The result is a 20,000 soccer-specific stadium on the Southwest Waterfront that's surrounded by restaurants, hotels, bars and shops. The location includes Nationals Park, home of the city's baseball team. But compared with other MLS stadiums, Audi Field is quite basic. It's new, but it isn't a modern marvel by any means. D.C. United is pushing the city to expand the stadium's capacity, but for now, Audi Field is what it is: a place where former England and Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney once called home. Rooney's last-minute assist to Luciano Acosta versus Orlando City in 2018 is the stadium's most iconic moment to date, which tells you how bad D.C. United has been over the past decade. His tackle and cross-field assist is on a mural inside the Audi Field concourse. So if you're in the nation's capital this summer and feel motivated to watch Al Ain FC versus Juventus FC or a Middle Eastern clásico between Wydad AC and Al Ain FC in the hot D.C. sun, by all means, get yourself to Audi Field. How to get there using public transportation: Audi Field recommends accessing the venue via the Navy Yard Metrorail station on the Green Line. Waterfront station is another nearby option. (Illustration: Kelsea Petersen / The Athletic; Iconsportswire / Getty, Kirby Lee / Associated Press)
Chicago Tribune
an hour ago
- Chicago Tribune
Can Lionel Messi and Inter Miami really spring a surprise at the Club World Cup? ‘No one expects us to go far.'
MIAMI — The Club World Cup will take Inter Miami from start-up to the global stage. Just five years after its MLS debut, the team co-owned by David Beckham and starring Lionel Messi will have the eyes of the world on it as it kicks off soccer's newest competition with the chance to be crowned world champion. It has been a wild ride. 'This is a competition that will let us see where we are standing as a team,' coach Javier Mascherano said Friday as Miami enters the unknown in a competition featuring 32 of the best teams from around the globe. 'No one expects us to go far, but this should be an advantage. We don't have that in our national league when people expect Miami to be the winning team.' Up first for Miami at the Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday is Africa's most successful team — Al Ahly from Egypt, which has won a record 12 African championships. When it comes to winning heritage, there is no competition. Al Ahly, founded in 1907, has won a record 45 national-league titles and 39 domestic cups — another record. It qualified for the Club World Cup three times over by winning three of the last four African Champions League titles. Miami, meanwhile, is taking part in the tournament by more questionable means. Its place was secured as a result of winning the MLS Supporters' Shield, a decision that was greeted with some surprise when FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced it last year, and looked even more curious when Miami failed to lift the MLS Cup. A tournament devised to determine the best team in the world by largely bringing together continental champions managed to shoehorn in a team that hadn't even managed to win its own national title. No wonder questions were raised. Miami, however, has made a habit of pulling off the unlikely and setting its sights high. 'Our club will have a global vision,' managing owner and CEO Jorge Mas said when Miami was launched in 2018 — at that time without a team or even a name. Miami has lived up to that billing — luring star players such as former Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Higuaín and eventually landing the biggest of them all two years ago when signing Messi. It is no surprise Infantino wanted the Argentine great in his inaugural tournament. The presence of the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner adds glamour and interest, and boosts the chances of FIFA selling out more stadiums like the 65,000-seat Hard Rock. 'Everyone's talking about Messi 24/7 every day,' said former Italy striker Christian Vieri, who is an analyst for broadcaster DAZN. 'The whole world's going to be watching the first game and everyone wants to watch Messi, so it's just going be an incredible night.' Messi has not just raised the profile of Miami but also MLS, with clips of his goals shared around the world on social media. 'The league was growing before, but ever since his arrival it's grown a lot faster,' Miami teammate Benjamin Cremaschi said. 'What he's done for this sport in the States is huge.' With him on the team, Miami won the Leagues Cup in 2023 and the Supporters' Shield last year, setting an MLS record for the most points in a season. And it is the presence of arguably the greatest player of all time, along with other stars such as Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, that is driving belief Miami can make a statement over the next month. 'This club has had a short life, but this is the most important competition in the history of our club,' Mascherano said. 'It is only normal that a European team should win the competition, but these tournaments can spring a surprise. Why can we not be excited that we can spring a surprise?' Miami is likely to have to win its opening game to have a real chance of advancing beyond the first stage, with Brazilian giant Palmeiras and Portuguese side Porto also in Group A. For Messi, the tournament presents him with the unusual experience of being an underdog. 'The expectations I have are different to the ones I had when I played for other teams, but I'm eager and I look forward to competing against the best and doing well,' he said. Win or lose, Suárez believes Miami's rapid rise is just the beginning. 'We know how the club is improving now,' Suárez said. 'The last two years we've had so many people here to see us. We keeping going up and the next two or three years Inter Miami will become bigger and bigger.'
