Latest news with #FortLauderdale
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Columbus Crew lack finish. What will they do against Lionel Messi, Inter Miami?
The Crew's Wilfried Nancy is one of the best coaches in MLS. That's the safe way to put it. I've said he's the best coach I've seen at any level in any sport, and I'll stick to it. Nancy's style demands brave players who buy in, completely, to the system. They aim to possess the ball, break down the defense in front of them and score. When they lose the ball, they endeavor to get it back as quickly as possible and score. Neither the scoreboard nor the time clock dissuades them from these tasks. They don't bunker. They go forward. Advertisement "This is the poison that I decided to drink, because I like it," Nancy said earlier this week. On the evening of May 28, Nancy's team had to come from behind − twice − to secure a point in a 2-2 draw with Nashville in the new Crew Stadium. That's the way it has been going for the Crew of late. They'll take a five-game winless streak (0-4-1) into a monster game against Lionel Messi Inter Miami in Fort Lauderdale on May 31. More: Columbus Crew extend winless streak to 5 games with draw vs Nashville SC: Takeaways The Crew have suffered from defensive lapses − why is Nashville's leading scorer left open on the back post? − and have conceded goals on set pieces. These miscues were rare last year, when they made it to the final of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, won Leagues Cup and set franchise records for goals and points, among other things (including differential). These miscues were more common during Nancy's first season, 2023, but they were mitigated by the lethality of the Crew's attack. By the time the playoffs rolled around, everything was clicking and the Crew went on to win the 2023 MLS Cup. Advertisement More: How the Columbus Crew climbed from near extinction to the top of American soccer Other teams are now familiar with the Crew's style and are better prepared to counter it. That said, part of the bedrock of Nancy's philosophy is that it doesn't matter much what other teams are doing if the Crew are executing. And he's right. During this interlude of a four-game winless streak, the Crew have dominated their opposition for long stretches. The problem is the possession and attacking has not led to enough goals. The Crew (7-2-7) aren't in bad shape: They've lost only two of 16; they're in fourth place in the East and fifth place in the league; there's more than half of the season yet to play, and the Supporters' Shield, which goes to the team with the best record, remains in play. That said, they have a scoring problem which looks acute when they play against the league's elite. Fans felt it as they watched the Crew lose to Miami in Cleveland and settle for draws against Cincinnati (at home) and Philadelphia (away). What fans felt is a painful pining for Cucho Hernandez, who was sold to Spanish team Real Betis on the eve of the regular season. Hernandez may have been the best player in the league and he, along with Christian Ramirez (traded to the LA Galaxy) accounted for 27 of the Crew's 72 goals last season. Advertisement Attacker Daniel Gazdag, acquired in a cash deal with Philadelphia last month, has yet to fill these boots. He fills a Designated Player slot. He has zero goals and zero assists in eight appearances (six starts). Nancy said, 'I try to fight people (who tell) Daniel, 'You've got to score. You've got to score.' Leave him alone. He's going to score, yes, because he has been doing that for many years." Nancy said, 'What I do when a player comes, he sits on the bench. He doesn't start. … That, I didn't do with Daniel. … Now, he just needs time. And I will give him the time. I fully trust his quality. I fully trust in the person.' And Nancy said: "So, with a lot of respect and a lot of humility, we are not a common team where we focus on one guy. I don't believe in that." Real Betis forward Cucho Hernandez celebrates scoring during the Spanish league football match between Real Betis and Sevilla FC at Benito Villamarin Stadium in Seville on March 30, 2025. (Photo by CRISTINA QUICLER / AFP) (Photo by CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP via Getty Images) Nancy is consistent in this: He likes the story his players are writing. There are things that need to be cleaned up, but that is so for every team, all the time. The goals will come. Advertisement Note: Nancy's teams, dating back to his time in Montreal, have been subject to spring swoons. His first Crew team went 1-4-2 during April-May of 2023. His second Crew team went 0-2-5 in April-May of 2024. Here they are again, winless in their past six. More: Will Columbus Crew sign a striker? Wilfried Nancy talks focus for MLS summer window Nancy has earned some leeway here. It may be that the Crew go down to Florida and defeat Messiami behind two goals from Gazdag and two from Diego Rossi (who is having a splendid season). Then, this whole narrative changes. General manager Issa Tall goes out and adds critical reinforcements during the summer transfer window, which opens July 24, and the Crew go on to contend for trophies. "For me, my focus is not about looking for a No. 9 (striker), I want to be clear with that," Nancy said. "This is not my focus. My focus is to be better with my team, to bring a player or a few players to help my team get better. Simple as that." Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy watches his team against Nashville SC in the second half during their MLS game at Field on May 28, 2025. Maybe the Crew can find some finish. Maybe they'll be able to create even more chances, although that's difficult to fathom (they create so many as it is). Maybe they'll manage to create different types of chances to better facilitate the finishers. None of this is beyond Nancy's genius. Advertisement But if the Crew continue to have problems with the elites (and non-elites) of the East, it will behoove them to do what Nancy says they do not want to do − and that is to go out on the market and find a forward with a $15-million-plus price tag to regain some of what they lost when Hernandez took his talents to Seville. marace@ Get more Crew news by listening to our podcast This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami face Columbus Crew in MLS rematch
CBS News
3 hours ago
- General
- CBS News
911 call released after Broward Animal Control worker seriously injured by dog
Police have released a 911 call on Friday after a Broward Animal Control worker was attacked by a dog in Fort Lauderdale. In the 911 call, the woman screams and begs for the dispatcher to send help immediately. At one point, you hear the dog growling as they wrestle to get it off the animal control officer. The woman told the dispatcher her son got the dog off the animal control officer and was lying on top of it so it wouldn't get loose. Authorities confirmed Friday the woman is expected to survive.
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Messi in top form, but Inter Miami faces Columbus Crew on Saturday with depleted roster
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates with teammates Sergio Busquets (5) and Federico Redondo (55) after scoring during the first half of an MLS match against CF Montréal at Chase Stadium on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) reacts after scoring a goal against CF Montréal in the first half of their MLS match at Chase Stadium on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against CF Montréal in the first half of their MLS match at Chase Stadium on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) reacts after scoring a goal against CF Montréal in the second half of their MLS match at Chase Stadium on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) reacts after scoring a goal against CF Montréal in the second half of their MLS match at Chase Stadium on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates with teammates Sergio Busquets (5) and Federico Redondo (55) after scoring during the first half of an MLS match against CF Montréal at Chase Stadium on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) reacts after scoring a goal against CF Montréal in the first half of their MLS match at Chase Stadium on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against CF Montréal in the first half of their MLS match at Chase Stadium on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) reacts after scoring a goal against CF Montréal in the second half of their MLS match at Chase Stadium on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Inter Miami, eager to build on a midweek victory and head into June on a high note after a miserable May, will be forced to play with a depleted roster against perennial power Columbus Crew at Chase Stadium on Saturday. In addition to the loss of defensive midfielder Yannick Bright, who is out indefinitely with a hamstring injury, Miami lost left back Jordi Alba and center backs Gonzalo Lujan and Tomas 'Toto' Aviles to injury during Wednesday's 4-2 win against Montreal. Advertisement Alba and Lujan have unspecified leg muscle injuries and Aviles hurt his ankle. Coach Javier Mascherano said there is no timetable for their return. The team is off for FIFA break after Saturday's game and returns to action June 14 for the opening match of the Club World Cup against Egyptian team Al Ahly at Hard Rock Stadium. Miami's defense has been shaky of late, giving up 15 goals over the past five games, so the loss of those four players is particularly costly. Maxi Falcon and David Martinez, who finished the game at center back on Wednesday, are likely starters with Ian Fray at right back and Noah Allen on the left. 'Clearly, we have a very long list of injuries,' Mascherano said Friday. 'I would love to have a crystal ball to know when they'll be back. For sure they cannot play this weekend. Then we have two weeks, and, although I am not a doctor, we think a few of them can recover by then. And then, we hope the players who are leaving for national team duty come back healthy, as well.' Advertisement Lionel Messi was called up by Argentina for World Cup qualifiers against Chile on June 5 and Colombia on June 10. Telasco Segovia was called up by Venezuela for World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia on June 6 and Uruguay on June 10. Haiti invited Fafa Picault for World Cup qualifiers against Aruba on June 7 and Curacao on June 10. Benja Cremaschi will be with the U.S. Under-20 national team in Egypt for a camp and friendlies against Colombia on June 7 and Egypt on June 10. But first, it has a difficult game on Saturday against the Crew (7:30 p.m., Apple TV). Columbus last year won the Leagues Cup, reached the final of the Champions Cup, and like Miami, fell short in the playoffs. Also, like Miami, the Crew is in a bit of a slump, heading into this game on a five-game winless streak with four ties and a loss. Columbus is in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with 28 points. Inter Miami is in sixth place with 26 points and has a game in hand on the top nine teams in the conference. Advertisement A victory Saturday would allow Miami to leapfrog the Crew in the standings. 'We want to play a good game Saturday, reinforce what we did against Montreal and improve in the areas we need to improve,' Mascherano said. 'We know we are facing, in my opinion, the best team in MLS, without a doubt. They have a coach who has a very clear style and does it very well. It is important for us to neutralize them and not let them play their game and control the game and win it.' Miami beat Columbus 1-0 on the road April 10 on a goal by Cremaschi. The Crew plays a possession-style attack, as does Miami, and is getting adjusted to playing without Cucho Hernandez, who left for Spanish club Real Betis. Daniel Gazdag, a designated player who joined Columbus from Philadelphia, remains scoreless through his first eight games with the Crew and has no assists. Advertisement Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari signed a contract extension through 2026 on Thursday. The 38-year-old Argentine is a locker room leader and has tried to keep the team calm during the ups and downs. 'I see the stats floating around and what people are saying,' Ustari said. 'But if you really calculate, our situation is not that bad. It's true when you have Messi on your team, the expectations are going to be extremely high. But we have done a lot of things very well. There is more that we've done well than what we haven't. Yes, we have things to improve, but we are still a growing team with a lot of young players.' Angel Di Maria was not an option for Inter Miami Many Inter Miami fans hoped that Argentine great Angel Di Maria would join Messi at Inter Miami, but Mascherano, who was also Di Maria's longtime teammate with the national team, said he knew that was never an option. Advertisement Di Maria, 37, announced this week that he was leaving Portuguese club Benfica and returning to his boyhood club Rosario Central in Argentina. 'I am friends with him, and I knew there was no chance he was coming to Miami because he wanted to go home,' Mascherano said. 'It was a decision he made a long time ago. You have to understand that when you spend many, many years away from home, it is normal to want to return home and be with your loved ones. Especially in his case, with a chance to return to his club, where it all began. 'He wanted to finish his career in Central, so I am very happy for him.'
CBS News
20 hours ago
- General
- CBS News
Family reels in 800-pound great white shark off Fort Lauderdale coast
What started as a perfect day of fishing for one family turned into the trip of a lifetime when they hooked a massive 800-pound, 10-foot great white shark. It happened while aboard a Fishing Headquarters charter off the coast of Fort Lauderdale. "Humongous… It's ginormous!" The Jennings family had already reeled in two large fish when they got a third bite — and instantly knew something was different. "Humongous. I can see it from up here, it's ginormous!" someone on board exclaimed. "You got a great white guys," the captain yelled as the excitement escalated. "Shut the front door," said Lauren Jennings, reacting with disbelief as the family worked together to reel it in. The struggle to land the shark was intense. "My arm was hurting. I was shaking. I thought I was going to throw up. He was shaking. Our son was shaking, trying to reel it in," Lauren said. A rare catch in South Florida waters "I haven't ever experienced power like that before. That was scary, yeah, it was fun. Yes, very fun," said Mikel Jennings. "I thought, holy cow, that is more than I imagined," added 11-year-old Grayson Jennings. David Joy, First Mate with Fishing Headquarters, said the catch was extraordinary. "It was a really cool, really cool fish to catch down here," Joy said. Captain Paul Paolucci, who has worked with Fishing Headquarters since 2003, said sightings like this are uncommon. "It's pretty rare out here. I've been doing this since 2003. This is the fifth one I've caught. So I know people who have done it a long time — never caught one," he said. Expert says shark likely migrating Catherine McDonald, a shark expert with the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School, explained that great white sharks are often seen in Florida's waters during the cooler months. "Great whites really love to come into Florida's waters during the cooler months of the year," she said. "I wouldn't be at all surprised if that shark is wrapping up having wintered here in the Gulf of Mexico and is currently heading up the coast towards New England." McDonald added that great whites generally pose little threat to humans. "They're really not interested in us. They are minding their own business on their own journey," she said. "They normally keep a healthy distance and stay a few miles offshore." A fish tale with video proof For the Jennings family, the encounter has become an unforgettable story and one they can prove. "This was trip of a lifetime," Mikel Jennings said. The family already plans to return next spring.
CBS News
a day ago
- General
- CBS News
Broward Animal Control officer injured in dog attack, expected to survive, FLPD confirms
A Broward County Animal Control officer remains hospitalized with serious injuries following a dog attack Thursday evening in Fort Lauderdale. Authorities confirmed Friday the woman is expected to survive. Officer respond to dog incident The attack occurred around 7 p.m. in the 700 block of Southwest 14th Terrace, according to the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. Officers responded after receiving a call about the incident. Police confirmed the injured woman is an Animal Control Officer with Broward County Animal Care. FLPD said the first officer arrived at the scene three minutes after the call was dispatched over police radio. The woman, who has not been identified, was found with severe injuries and was transported by Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue to Broward Health Medical Center. Witnesses tried to help, dog injured Police said witnesses attempted to intervene during the attack. As a result, the dog was also injured. CBS News Miami captured video of a large brown dog with its face covered in blood as it was taken away by animal control. No criminal investigation at this time FLPD stated that, based on preliminary information, there will not be a criminal investigation at this time. However, they emphasized that this is subject to change if new information emerges. The incident has been thoroughly documented and Broward County Animal Care will serve as the lead agency on the case. 911 calls and report to be released Police confirmed that the incident report and 911 calls will be made available as soon as they are ready for release.
