Latest news with #Almiron
Mint
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Mint
Nashville SC secures draw vs. Atlanta United behind Daniel Lovitzs goal
Daniel Lovitz scored a game-tying goal in the 66th minute for visiting Nashville SC on Saturday afternoon, helping the club rally for a 1-1 draw against Atlanta United. Nashville (5-4-2, 17 points) finished with 12 shot attempts -- five on goal -- opposed to Atlanta's six shot attempts, two of which were on goal. After erupting for seven goals in its win against Chicago last week, Nashville has picked up at least one point in three of its last four games. Atlanta (2-5-4, 10 points) found the back of the net first on Miguel Almiron's goal in the 20th minute, snapping a three-game scoreless drought. The club also snapped a three-game losing streak but hasn't posted a victory since March 29. After Emmanuel Latte Lath and Almiron each had a shot attempt saved to begin the first half, Brooks Lennon found Almiron across the box for a goal at the 20-minute mark to give Atlanta a 1-0 lead. With the assist, Lennon passed Julian Gressel as the franchise's all-time leader with 40. Almiron is fourth all-time with 32 assists. Atlanta had two shots on goal in the first half to Nashville's none, despite Nashville holding possession for more than 53 percent of the first 45 minutes. From there, Nashville's Jacob Shaffelburg sailed his left-footed attempt in the 52nd minute, before his header was blocked three minutes later. Nashville finally cracked the scoreboard in the 66th, as its corner found Hany Mukhtar, who assisted Lovitz's goal at the center of the box. Nashville had a golden opportunity 10 minutes later, as Edvard Tagseth found Mukhtar, but Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan's sprawling save preserved the draw. Sam Surridge -- who scored a franchise record four goals in Nashville's 7-2 win last week against the Chicago Fire -- had an attempt saved by Guzan in extra time. Atlanta's Pedro Amador had the final chance of the game in the fourth minute of extra time but sailed the shot into the stands over the goal. The Eastern Conference foes will meet again on August 30 in Nashville. First Published: 4 May 2025, 02:48 AM IST
New York Times
14-03-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Miguel Almiron: Eddie Howe ‘changed everything' at Newcastle United
Former Newcastle United midfielder Miguel Almiron says that Eddie Howe changed the mentality at the club upon his arrival at the club as head coach in 2021. Almiron, 31, spent six years at St. James' Park after joining from Atlanta United in January 2019 before rejoining the Major League Soccer side in this year's winter transfer window. Advertisement The Paraguay international initially struggled on Tyneside but soon established himself as a staple of Newcastle's first team as the club went from avoiding relegation to qualifying for the Champions League. Almiron credits Howe with helping him to improve and turning around the team's fortunes. 'When Eddie arrived I think that everything changed,' Almiron told The Athletic. 'He changed our mentality. Then the club acquired some really good players. That really helped. There was more ambition. '(Howe) really helped me from an individual point of view. He changed my mentality, too. He helped me in training and always told me to get better, whether it was playing on the left, the right or with my finishing. I think all of that was evident on the pitch, not just for me but for the entire group. 'We qualified for the Champions League and played in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester United. The club improved.' Almiron made 223 appearances for Newcastle in all competitions, scoring 30 goals and providing 12 assists. He expressed his gratitude for the support from the club's fans in what he described as a 'challenging' first year in England. 'The Newcastle supporters are so passionate,' said Almiron. 'It's honestly incredible. Newcastle fans cheer a tackle, so to be honest, that experience, even when I was going through a difficult time, the fans always supported me. 'I felt that and I'm so grateful. I'll always be grateful to the people of Newcastle.' ()
New York Times
31-01-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Newcastle United had to sell Miguel Almiron for ‘PSR-related' reasons
Newcastle United had to sell Miguel Almiron for 'PSR-related' reasons and Eddie Howe admits the Paraguayan's departure has left him 'light' in attacking areas, with no reinforcements forecast this month. The head coach believes the £11million ($13.5m) transfer back to Atlanta United is a deal that suits Almiron and the club and accepts that losing the 30-year-old was necessary. Advertisement However, with only Jacob Murphy left as an out-and-out right-winger within the squad, Howe is going to be forced to look at alternative 'solutions' to provide cover and competition down that flank. Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes, and Joelinton have been trialled on the right already this season, with mixed success, while Howe namechecked William Osula as a potential option, and he will also explore whether any academy players, such as Trevan Sanusi, warrant an opportunity. GO DEEPER Bye-bye 'Wor Miggy' - Newcastle's frustrating finisher, but beloved grafter 'Yes. It's probably not ideal for us in this moment to be light in this position,' Howe said of Almiron's exit. 'But it is what it is and I've got no problem dealing with what I know and trying to make the best of the situation. We'll look at solutions and players in different positions if we need to. It's my job to find solutions if it happens.' Pushed as to why the Almiron sale was required, Howe replied: 'PSR-related. That's why we needed to do it.' Howe does not expect any incomings at senior level before next Monday's transfer deadline, with the head coach insisting that he was always aware that Newcastle were unlikely to be active due to the constraints of the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules (PSR). 'We knew this window, barring something huge happening that we didn't expect, would be a window we didn't recruit in,' Howe said. 'I've said that from the outset and despite being linked with numerous players, that's still the case. We're not actively looking to recruit at this stage.' However, despite Matt Targett, Sean Longstaff, and Lloyd Kelly attracting interest, Howe does not foresee any further departures. 'As we stand, currently, I don't,' Howe said of potential exits. 'Things can change. As we stand at the moment, I expect the squad to remain the same.' Martin Dubravka attracted interest from Al Shabab in Saudi Arabia earlier in the window, but discussions are ongoing with the Slovakia international behind the scenes and he will not leave before the deadline. Advertisement 'Martin won't leave,' Howe said. 'We're in discussions with Martin about a new contract. Hopefully there'll be a swift conclusion there. He's not sought any certainties on his place beyond trying to stay in the team and do well.' Osula, meanwhile, has attracted some loan interest, but the 21-year-old will not be permitted to leave temporarily either, with Howe believing he is best served training with elite players on Tyneside. 'I see that balance very firmly at the moment that he needs to be with us, he needs the training, he needs the understanding that we need to give him,' Howe said. 'He is a multi-talented player, he has played wide before and that's an option we could look at. 'Looking at him as a striker, he's competing with Alex (Isak), which you wouldn't necessarily want, but he is also working with two of the best strikers you could want. (He's) very much here at the moment.' GO DEEPER Provide and conquer: How Murphy and Isak became the Premier League's deadliest duo ()
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Newcastle's Almiron rejoins Atlanta United for £8m
Newcastle United winger Miguel Almiron has rejoined Atlanta United on a permanent deal for £8m. The 30-year-old Paraguay international signed for the Magpies from the Major League Soccer side in 2019 for a then club record fee of £20m. Almiron has made 223 appearances for Newcastle, scoring 30 goals, but has struggled recently to gain a place in manager Eddie Howe's starting line-up. Last weekend he came on as a substitute in Newcastle's 3-1 win against Southampton and waved farewell to the travelling supporters. Almiron played a significant role in Newcastle reaching the Carabao Cup final and finishing fourth in the Premier League in 2022-23. He also scored the opening goal in the Magpies' 4-1 win against Paris St-Germain at St James' Park on the club's return to the Champions League in October 2023. "On behalf of the club, I want to thank 'Miggy' for everything he has given us during our time together," said Howe. "He has been the ultimate professional, and he has been a big part of some of our most memorable moments in recent seasons. "He is a great person and we'll miss him greatly, but this is the right move at the right time for him and his family and we wish them well." Atlanta United play in the Eastern Conference of the MLS, with the 2025 season starting on 22 February. Latest Newcastle news, analysis and fan views Get Newcastle news sent straight to your phone
New York Times
30-01-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Miguel Almiron: Farewell ‘Wor Miggy' – Newcastle's frustrating finisher, but beloved grafter
The scorer of a historic Champions League goal against Paris Saint-Germain, the owner of the widest smile in football, and a mainstay of two disparate regimes and three very different managers, Miguel Almiron has left his mark on Newcastle United. His Wor Flags send-off ahead of the Bournemouth game at St James' Park on January 18 was merely the most recent of displays dedicated to the Paraguayan, including defending the winger after Jack Grealish mocked Manchester City team-mate Riyad Mahrez for 'playing like Almiron'. Advertisement Almiron was dubbed 'Wor Miggy' by the Newcastle faithful — 'wor' being the Geordie word for 'our' — underlining how fans accepted him as one of their own, largely based on his work rate and sunny disposition. He has never conducted a significant interview in English. There was an unveiling in Spanish following his January 2019 signing from Atlanta United of MLS and soundbites in his native tongue yet, despite having spent the past nine years playing in Anglophone countries, he has never felt confident enough to converse publicly in English. That is not intended as a criticism, given the difficulty of learning any foreign language. In fact, it is a compliment. Almiron has been able to express himself in other ways and still capture people's affection. Such ambiguity is reflective of Almiron's Newcastle career as a whole. From the very start, it was almost impossible to accurately ascertain anything relating to him; how good he was, what his role was and whether his limited end product, beyond a purple patch in the autumn of 2022, was sufficiently compensated by his less tangible contributions. Even the initial cost of his transfer was disputed. There was agreement that Newcastle could eventually pay Atlanta a club-record fee. But, while then owner Mike Ashley's regime did nothing to quell reports they had committed £21million ($26.2m at the present exchange rate) to sign Almiron, Newcastle's manager at the time Rafa Benitez insisted the initial outlay was lower and the remainder performance-related. When Newcastle officially announced Joelinton's acquisition in summer 2022, they stated the Brazilian had joined for a 'club-record fee'. That phrase was absent from their confirmation of Almiron's arrival six months earlier. Regardless, amid the bleakness of the Ashley era, Almiron immediately came to embody the Benitez-generated hope for a brighter future. His signing was exciting, ambitious, and hinted at a potential change of direction, even if the reality was different and Benitez was already heading towards the exit, believing the deal should have been done at the start of that winter window, not the end. Advertisement If Almiron had an immediate impact on supporter mood — Wor Flags unveiled a banner bearing the message, 'Wor Almiron quiero contar contigo', a phrase which had played an important role in his career and which translates roughly to, 'I want to rely on you' — his impact upon the team was just as instantaneous. His full debut against Huddersfield Town three weeks after arrival ranks among the most electrifying by a Newcastle player in modern times. The South American's pace forced a first-half red card and liberated Newcastle's attack. Almiron, Spaniard Ayoze Perez and Venezuelan Salomon Rondon, christened 'The Three Amigos' by supporters, formed a fluid and frightening attack. Almiron's relentless running created space and opportunities for the other two, who scored 14 goals between them during the second half of that season. But another moment against Huddersfield that day proved prescient. Clean through, Almiron chipped the goalkeeper, only for the ball to rebound off the post. That was the second appearance in a 26-game goalless run at the start of his Newcastle career. Almiron's first 117 Premier League games saw him only score 10 times, from an expected goals (xG) return of 15.36, and provide three assists. Between October 2020 and November 2022, he went 77 top-flight matches without an assist. For the most part, Almiron's final ball and shooting meant his assists and goals figures were damagingly low. His over-reliance on his left foot also limited his effectiveness. Yet those measurable metrics do not adequately reflect Almiron's attributes. He has an enviable ability to create space for others, merely by covering ground so rapidly, while his off-the-ball contributions and energy are invaluable. Context also provides mitigation. Almiron was signed by Benitez to play a clearly defined role as a flying left-winger in a 3-4-3 system, yet the Spaniard left Newcastle within six months, as did fellow forwards Perez and Rondon. Advertisement Steve Bruce, Benitez's successor, never seemed sure how best to use Almiron, whose versatility became a curse. The Paraguayan was often tasked, alongside Allan Saint-Maximin, with carrying the ball upfield from deep, meaning he was physically spent by the time he reached the final third. He was deployed as a No 10, a left-winger, a right-winger, a wing-back and even a No 8 — but rarely with precise instruction. When Almiron thrived for Newcastle, it was when he was given a specific position and exacting orders. Eddie Howe's front-footed, high-pressing style ideally suited his athleticism, but the forward also flourished because of the direction provided and the tailored one-on-one coaching. Having previously struggled as an inverted winger, preferring to play as a No 10 or left-sided forward, Almiron blossomed when he was partnered with the quality and intelligence of Bruno Guimaraes and Kieran Trippier down the right. That right-sided axis was critical to Newcastle's fourth-placed finish in 2022-23 and Almiron was pivotal to their success. Howe had wanted a new right-sided forward — he still does — but Almiron profited from the lack of an arrival and raised his levels beyond comprehension for 18 months. He scored more goals in six games in October 2022 (six), during a run of seven goals in as many matches, than he managed throughout any of his other full top-flight league seasons. That was not coincidental, either; Howe encouraged Almiron to aim his shots higher in the net and, when that technique proved successful, his confidence visibly grew. Almiron scored 11 of his 23 career Premier League goals across 34 appearances that season from an xG of 8.0. His other 12 were spread across six campaigns and 152 matches. Even then, creativity has been a constant shortcoming, with decision-making an issue. There were only three assists between Howe's appointment in November 2021 and the end of 2023-24. His expected assists (xA) per 90 minutes return was only 0.09, meagre for a top-level winger. While Almiron's effectiveness in the final third dipped last season, he remained first-choice for much of it. He featured in all six Champions League matches and scored Newcastle's first goal in the competition for 20 years, kickstarting that famous, exhilarating 4-1 victory over PSG. Advertisement Gradually, Almiron's game-time lessened, however, and Newcastle were seeking a buyer last January. This season, his appearances dwindled further, with only one Premier League start and just 157 top-flight minutes played. Jacob Murphy has usurped him from within, following the club's failure to sign an upgrade at the position last summer. Rather than return to the South American as an alternative to Murphy, Howe has trialled Joelinton, Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon down that flank. All parties accept Almiron's time at Newcastle has reached a natural end, although it could be argued that point arrived 12 months ago, when a sale could not be agreed. Perhaps Newcastle should even have tried to move him on in the summer after that 2022-23 season, when he was at peak valuation. Some inside the club accepted his goal-scoring uptick of that campaign felt unsustainable, though Howe did not want to rapidly overhaul the squad. Still, even when Newcastle were looking leggy in that recent home defeat against Bournemouth, Almiron wasn't sent on. The 30-year-old's imminent exit probably entered Howe's thinking, but he also appeared to have lost faith in his ability to influence top-flight matches. In that sense, allowing Almiron to return to Atlanta United for a fee of around £11m — more than some in recruitment circles felt was achievable before this winter window opened — represents good business, especially given club sources insist it aids Newcastle's position in relation to the Premier League's profitability and sustainability rules (PSR). Newcastle needed to sell someone for a reasonable profit in this year's winter window and Almiron turns 31 in less than two weeks, while his deal was due to expire in summer 2026. The extension he signed in February 2023 has served its purpose as it has actually partly protected his value. Advertisement There is a definite gamble in allowing Almiron to go without signing a replacement, however. The noises are that it will be very difficult for Newcastle to do significant incoming business, and they are expected to wait until the summer to finally acquire the right-winger Howe desires. Again, the assertion is that is PSR-driven, not a lack of desire to strengthen. With Barnes out injured until the middle of February, Howe is short of senior wide forwards. Should further attackers succumb to injury, then Newcastle's bid for European qualification and tilts at the two domestic cups may suffer. At some stage, though, they had to raise greater cash through players sales and that requires risks being taken. Howe did not deem Almiron to be the player of two seasons ago anymore, or even the player of the six months on either side of that, and so he was dispensable. Newcastle fans will only wish a fond farewell to Almiron, a player who often did not quite deliver in front of goal, but whose difficult-to-discern alternative contributions were appreciated. He will always be remembered fondly on Tyneside as 'Wor Miggy'. GO DEEPER Miguel Almiron: The journey of 'The Eel'
