Latest news with #GeneralAllocationMoney
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Lionel Messi expected back for Inter Miami vs. L.A. Galaxy game Saturday
Lionel Messi is expected to return to the Inter Miami lineup for Saturday's home game against the Los Angeles Galaxy after missing two games due to injury, according to coach Javier Mascherano. He comes back just as the team embarks on a critical week and tries to rebound from a humbling 4-1 loss to Orlando City last weekend. Following the Galaxy game, Inter Miami plays Mexican club Tigres on Wednesday in the Leagues Cup quarterfinal. Messi injured his hamstring on August 2 in the first half of Miami's win over Necaxa in the Leagues Cup. He sat out the 3-1 win against Pumas and the Orlando game. 'Leo is fine. He's been training with the team since Wednesday,' Mascherano said before training Friday morning. 'Barring anything strange [happening Friday], he should make the squad for Saturday's match.' Midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, who missed a few days of practice this week while getting his visa paperwork finalized, returned to training on Friday and will be available, as well. Messi, the reigning league MVP, leads the MLS Golden Boot race with 18 goals and nine assists in 18 games. He and his teammates are looking to climb in the league standings after slipping to sixth place in the East with 11 games remaining. They will be favored at home against the defending MLS Cup champion Galaxy, which plummeted to last place this season with the league's worst record (three wins, 15 losses and seven ties). Los Angeles has given up 52 goals through 25 games, the worst defensive record in the league. The Galaxy is winless in 15 road games and coming off a 4-1 loss to the Seattle Sounders. Galaxy star Riqui Puig has been out all season with a knee injury, but the roster includes high quality players such as Marco Reus, Edwin Cerrillo and Diego Fagundez. Despite L.A.'s league record, Mascherano said his team cannot afford to take the game lightly. The Galaxy managed to advance to the Leagues Cup quarterfinals by scoring 10 goals through its three group games, and coach Greg Vanney said that was proof that the team was finally re-finding its form. 'For me, they're a team in which the MLS standings don't reflect their quality, especially the quality of their players,' Mascherano said. 'The reality is that maybe they didn't start the season well because of injuries and different situations. But they've improved a lot over the last few months.' Defender Gonzalo Lujan agreed: 'We are coming from a tough loss, a result we did not expect. To have a long week helped us to prepare for this upcoming game and I think we'll be ready. More than the results, we know it will be a tough opponent. We have to be more focused from the start and not allow any early goals.' Inter Miami may be strengthening its defense in the coming week, before the MLS transfer window closes. The club on Thursday acquired a 2025 International Roster Slot from Toronto FC in exchange for $175,000 in General Allocation Money. Argentine defender Gonzalo Piovi, who plays for Mexican club Cruz Azul, is in negotiations with Inter Miami about a transfer, according to multiple published reports. 'Until the last day of the window, we will see options,' said Mascherano, who would not mention any names. 'We have a fairly complete roster for the final three months and should be fine. Maybe in a few positions we could use reinforcements. I don't like to bring players just to bring players.' Mascherano shared some insight into the transfer of Redondo to Spanish club Elche, which is owned by Redondo's agent Christian Bragarnik, an Argentinean businessman. The coach said once the club signed De Paul, Redondo realized that would limit his playing time and he asked to be moved. Although it has not been announced, a club source confirmed that goalkeeper Drake Callender, the team co-captain and a star in 2023 and 2024, was traded to Charlotte FC. He has played only three games this season as he dealt with injuries and sports hernia surgery. 'It is not concrete, but if it comes to be, we have to understand that Drake's contract expires at the end of this season, so if there is a time for the club to negotiate a move, it had to be now,' Mascherano said. 'If not, in December he becomes a free agent. Unfortunately, we could not count on him these seven month, other than the Dallas game, but otherwise, he was unavailable due to injuries. He and the club were searching for a solution to his situation. He is an important figure in this team's short history, one of the captains, but he had not reached an agreement for a new contract with the club, and they had to make the move.'
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Rejuvenated Toronto FC set for Djordje Mihailovic's home debut against Columbus Crew
TORONTO – There's a feeling of freshness around Toronto FC these days. Amid a flurry of transactions, TFC will return home after more than a month away on Saturday to host the Columbus Crew and the club's newest designated player, midfielder Djordje Mihailovic, will be front and centre. Asked for his initial impressions on Mihailovic after a week with TFC, head coach Robin Fraser put it succinctly: 'he's really good.' 'Watching him play, his ability to handle the ball in tight spaces, his ability to find solutions and execute them — all while it looks like he's having a stroll in the park — is pretty cool,' said Fraser. 'He's just a very aware player who's very capable of exploiting situations that he sees.' Mihailovic, the 26-year-old from Jacksonville, Fla., came to Toronto earlier in August in a cash deal with the Colorado Rapids worth up to US$9 million. He then signed on with Toronto FC as a designated player through the 2028 season with a club option for 2029. The American seemed to make an immediate impact during his TFC debut, starting in an impressive 1-1 away draw against the conference-leading Philadelphia Union that snapped a two-game skid. Fraser said that quick comfort has extended off the pitch, too. 'He's just one of the guys in the locker room. He obviously carries weight and influence because of the title that goes with him, but he doesn't carry himself like he's better than anyone, he doesn't look down at anyone,' Fraser said. 'Real excited about where we're going and the fact that he's been a part of it.' Richie Laryea, the TFC veteran, agreed that Mihailovic's early fit has been seamless. 'Even from the first session he was in and then to the game that he played against Philly — that's a tough place for anyone to have their first game is away at Philly — and I think he did pretty well. He has a ton of quality and he's going to help us a lot for years to come,' Laryea said. It's been a busy stretch of transactions for TFC between bringing in Mihailovic and cutting ties with big-name Italian imports Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi in July. In the days after the Mihailovic move, the team loaned forward Charlie Sharp to the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the United Soccer League and signed Malik Henry to a first-team deal from TFC II. On Wednesday, TFC dealt midfielder Matty Longstaff to CF Montreal for forward Jules-Anthony Vilsaint and up to $275,000 in General Allocation Money. Fraser said Vilsaint could play on Saturday. They also added another $350,000 in GAM in separate deals with Miami on Thursday and Charlotte on Tuesday. It's all led to a different atmosphere around the club as it enters the home stretch. 'Some of the distractions that have been there all year have been removed and now we just find ourselves in a position where we look around and 'OK, this is our group,'' said Fraser. A lot of the noise from outside seems to have quieted.' Still, they might not be done there. The transfer window ends Thursday and Fraser said general manager Jason Hernandez is in talks about several other potential moves. TFC currently sits 12th in the East at 5-7-13, 14 points out of a playoff spot. Columbus, at 12-8-5, is tied for fourth in the conference with 44 points, matching Orlando City. It's Toronto's first home game since July 12 when it hosted Atlanta in a 1-1 draw. Fraser said the team might be the healthiest it's been all season, and as such, internal competition has gone up a notch. The remaining nine games for Toronto are mostly about setting the franchise up to take a step forward next season with its newly established core — yet there's still, perhaps, an outside shot at making a late run into the playoffs. 'If this was April, this would be a perfect spot to be in because we feel like we're building and we're growing,' Fraser said. 'Having said all of that and all the positives that we can talk about, we have put ourselves in a big hole. Winning is still the No. 1 priority and we don't even want to talk about the P-word, but we can do everything we can to try to get involved in that discussion.' For TFC to cobble together a winning streak, it will need to score more goals after netting just 26 in 25 matches to date. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Mihailovic should help. For his professional career in MLS and Europe, he holds 48 goals and 63 assists in 244 games. Columbus could provide a good opportunity for the offence — the Ohio club sits middle-of-the-pack defensively, a contrast to the stingy Philadelphia side Toronto just tied. Still, TFC has not pushed across more than one goal since a 3-0 win over Portland in late June. The Crew are coming off two straight wins in the Leagues Cup, even as the reigning champions failed to advance past the group stage. They've also picked up victories in five of their last eight MLS matches. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 15, 2025.
India Today
06-08-2025
- Sport
- India Today
Thomas Muller joins MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps after Bayern Munich exit
Former Bayern Munich and Germany forward Thomas Muller has signed for Major League Soccer side Vancouver Whitecaps, ending one of the most storied one-club careers in modern football. The 35-year-old, who departed Bayern at the end of last season following the expiry of his contract, joins the Canadian outfit for the remainder of the 2025 MLS deal includes an option to extend Mller's stay as a designated player for the 2026 season - a status that exempts a player's salary from counting towards the club's wage cap. To secure his services, the Whitecaps acquired his MLS discovery rights from FC Cincinnati in exchange for $200,000 (149,000) in 2025 General Allocation Money (GAM), $100,000 (75,000) in 2026 GAM, and a conditional $100,000 (75,000) in 2026 GAM. advertisement Muller's move is being hailed as a landmark signing for the Whitecaps, who are currently second in the Western Conference, just one point adrift of leaders San Diego with ten regular season matches remaining. Unlike many European stars who have opted for marquee American markets such as Los Angeles, New York, or Miami, Muller has chosen a path less travelled - one that signals ambition rather than a mere swansong."I'm looking forward to coming to Vancouver to help this team win a championship," Muller said in a statement released by the club. "I've heard great things about the city, but first and foremost I'm coming to win. I've had great conversations with [sporting director] Axel Schuster and [head coach] Jesper Sorensen, and now I can't wait to play in front of the supporters at BC Place."Muller began his journey with Bayern Munich as a youth player in 2000, eventually becoming the face of the club through nearly two decades of unprecedented domestic and European success. He made a club-record 756 appearances, scoring 250 goals and registering 268 assists, while collecting 33 major trophies - including 13 Bundesliga titles, six German Cups, two Champions League titles, two UEFA Super Cups, and two FIFA Club World Muller was capped 131 times for Germany, scoring 45 goals. He was instrumental in their 2014 World Cup triumph in Brazil and won the Golden Boot at the 2010 tournament in South Africa. His tally of ten goals in World Cup finals places him among the top scorers in the competition's final appearance for Bayern came as a substitute in a 2-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup quarter-finals last month - a fitting curtain call marking his 756th and final match in arrival in MLS also completes something of a full-circle narrative: while Canadian talent Alphonso Davies made the move from Vancouver to Bayern in 2019, Muller now travels in the opposite direction, albeit in the twilight of his German forward will officially join the Whitecaps upon receipt of his international transfer certificate, visa, and work permit. While the move will undoubtedly elevate Vancouver's profile ahead of the city's role as a 2026 FIFA World Cup host, club officials have stressed this is no mere publicity 35, Muller's best years may be behind him, but his influence on and off the pitch - as a leader, a winner, and one of football's most intelligent attackers - could be just the edge Vancouver need in their pursuit of a first-ever MLS Cup.- EndsMust Watch
Canada News.Net
30-07-2025
- Business
- Canada News.Net
Reports: Whitecaps closing in on deal with Thomas Muller
(Photo credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images) The Vancouver Whitecaps are finalizing a deal to sign former Bayern Munich star Thomas Muller, according to multiple reports. Vancouver's next step in closing the deal, which would be its highest-profile signing in team history, is to acquire Muller's discovery rights. Discovery rights allow MLS clubs to negotiate with players outside of the league, and prohibit other clubs from negotiating with the player. FC Cincinnati currently hold Muller's discovery rights, but the World Cup winner reportedly declined an offer to join FC Cincinnati in April. Per The Athletic and ESPN, Vancouver is close to finalizing a trade for the discovery rights, in exchange for $400,000 in General Allocation Money. Muller, 35, played 17 seasons for Bayern Munich of the Bundesliga. He tallied 250 goals, 756 appearances and 33 trophies -- including a pair of Champions League titles and 13 league titles -- during one of the most illustrious tenures in club history. The attacking midfielder and forward also notched 45 goals and 131 caps for Germany. The Whitecaps (13-5-6, 45 points) are second in the MLS Western Conference right now, sitting one point behind San Diego FC for the conference lead.
Reuters
30-07-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Reports: Whitecaps closing in on deal with Thomas Muller
July 30 - The Vancouver Whitecaps are finalizing a deal to sign former Bayern Munich star Thomas Muller, according to multiple reports. Vancouver's next step in closing the deal, which would be its highest-profile signing in team history, is to acquire Muller's discovery rights. Discovery rights allow MLS clubs to negotiate with players outside of the league, and prohibit other clubs from negotiating with the player. FC Cincinnati currently hold Muller's discovery rights, but the World Cup winner reportedly declined an offer to join FC Cincinnati in April. Per The Athletic and ESPN, Vancouver is close to finalizing a trade for the discovery rights, in exchange for $400,000 in General Allocation Money. Muller, 35, played 17 seasons for Bayern Munich of the Bundesliga. He tallied 250 goals, 756 appearances and 33 trophies -- including a pair of Champions League titles and 13 league titles -- during one of the most illustrious tenures in club history. The attacking midfielder and forward also notched 45 goals and 131 caps for Germany. The Whitecaps (13-5-6, 45 points) are second in the MLS Western Conference right now, sitting one point behind San Diego FC for the conference lead. --Field Level Media
