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Canada Standard
4 days ago
- Sport
- Canada Standard
(SP)CANADA-TORONTO-FOOTBALL-MLS-TORONTO FC VS CHARLOTTE FC
(250601) -- TORONTO, June 1, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Pep Biel of Charlotte FC reacts after missing a shot during the 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) regular season football match between Toronto FC and Charlotte FC at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada, on May 31, 2025. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Report: Former MLS coach Ian Fuller brings pro vision to One Knoxville SC amid local soccer boom
Former Major League Soccer manager Ian Fuller is now leading One Knoxville SC into a larger spotlight, applying his first-class experience to East Tennessee's burgeoning soccer landscape. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now With One Knox becoming established at Covenant Health Park and further building its swift climb through the United Soccer League ranks, Fuller views Knoxville as fertile ground for professional soccer—even with potential in Major League Soccer. Ian Fuller brings MLS pedigree to One Knoxville SC with vision for East Tennessee soccer growth As One Knoxville SC prepares to play Indy Eleven on May 24 at Covenant Health Park, head coach Ian Fuller already has long-term visions. The former Minnesota United FC assistant coach thinks the city can sustain a Major League Soccer franchise — but only if the city itself comes to support soccer outside college campuses and Friday night lights. Fuller, who played professionally for Clemson University and was drafted by the New England Revolution in 2002, signed with One Knoxville SC this year with a purpose: to assist East Tennessee in developing into a soccer town. With more than a decade of coaching experience within Major League Soccer and extensive participation in developing clubs such as Orlando City SC and Minnesota United FC, Fuller understands what it takes to construct a franchise from the beginning. For Ian Fuller, there's more to it than victories. He talks of overall growth, explaining, 'First and foremost, I care about the guys. I care about them as men ... I love coaching now, wanting to get the best out of our guys. I don't want them to give up opportunities. I don't want them to wake up at 40 and their careers are over and realize they didn't take advantage of everything.' The Fullers themselves have embraced Knoxville life, with Ian's wife, Susannah Collins — a former CBS Sports soccer commentator — joining him in the move from New York City to Maryville. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The change in pace has proven rewarding, with Ian saying, 'We're enjoying every second of it. We sit on our wraparound porch. We sit out there every day and look at the Smokies.' Also read: For One Knoxville SC and Ian Fuller, the journey is just beginning. While the road to Major League Soccer involves financial strength, supporter support, and community commitment, the puzzle is falling into place in East Tennessee. With Fuller's vision, a committed fanbase, and an increasing passion for the sport, Knoxville may have everything it needs to be America's next soccer citadel.
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First Post
19-05-2025
- Sport
- First Post
Lionel Messi opens up on 'GOAT' debate with fellow legend Cristiano Ronaldo: 'It's always been a great battle...'
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo aren't just the leading players of their generation – they are widely considered among the greatest to have ever played football, and their rivalry among the most intense in sporting history. Choosing the 'Greatest Of All Time' (GOAT) between the two thus is a fierce debate. read more The iconic rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi had hit its peak when they were playing for Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively in the Spanish top division LaLiga. Reuters Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo stand out as two of the best footballers of their generation, and among the greatest to have ever played the 'Beautiful Game'. The two began their senior careers in a span of a couple of years and would go on to share what is one of the greatest rivalries in sporting history. And choosing the 'Greatest Of All Time' (GOAT) between the two global superstars is among the most fiercely-debated topics in sport. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Ronaldo and Messi are two of the highest goal-scorers in football history – whether in international or club football or both. Portuguese legend Ronaldo, who has represented iconic clubs such as Real Madrid, Manchester United and Juventus and currently plays for Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr, is currently ahead in terms of goal count – overall as well as the club and country categories. More from Football Barcelona legend Messi, who has also represented Paris Saint-Germain and currently plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, leads Ronaldo when it comes to the awards – whether it's the 'Ballon d'or' (8 to 5) or 'The Best FIFA Men's Player' (3 to 2). Messi also has what Portuguese icon Ronaldo has been chasing his entire career – the FIFA World Cup, helping Argentina win their third title in Qatar nearly three years ago. Messi offers his take on his iconic rivalry with Ronaldo Despite their intense rivalry that spanned more than a decade and had reached its zenith when Messi and Ronaldo were playing for Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively in the LaLiga, the two retain a sense of mutual respect for one another. And when asked for his personal opinion on his rivalry with Ronaldo and who the GOAT between the two really is, Messi retained that sense of respect for the 40-year-old, saying they both deserved credit for staying at the top for so long and being the architects of a 'golden era'. 'It's always been a great battle in sporting terms. I think we've fed off each other with this rivalry because we're both great competitors. He too always wanted to win all the time,' Messi told France Football. 'It was a golden era for us and for every football fan. We deserve a lot of credit for staying at the top for so long. Because, as they say, it's easy to get there but what's difficult is staying there. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'We stayed at the top for ten, fifteen years. It was a spectacular and remains a great memory for everyone,' the 37-year-old added. Messi and Ronaldo currently are in the twilight of their careers, and fans are hopeful of witnessing the two football titans share the pitch one last time, possibly in next year's FIFA World Cup that will be co-hosted by USA, Mexico and Canada.
Winnipeg Free Press
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Lionel Messi speaks after latest Inter Miami loss, says reeling team must stick together
Lionel Messi isn't happy right now. After Inter Miami was routed 3-0 by Orlando on Sunday night and fell to 1-5-1 in its last seven matches across all competitions, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and 2022 World Cup champion — who rarely gives interviews after matches — told Apple TV that it's imperative for the team to stick together. 'It's a difficult time, but we're going to come through this,' Messi said in Spanish. 'Now we'll really see if we're a team. These are difficult times. When everything is going well it's very easy, but when difficult times come — like now — we have to be more united than ever, be a real team, and get through it.' Inter Miami fell to 6-3-4 in Major League Soccer this season, sixth in the Eastern Conference. Messi's team set an MLS record for best regular-season mark a year ago, going 22-4-8 — finishing with the most points and top winning percentage in league history. The four regular-season losses tied a league mark for the fewest in a season. But this season looks nothing like the way last season went. 'We're coming off a period of bad results,' Messi said. 'But we have to keep working and think about what's next. With three or four games left in May, we (have to) finish the best possible way to be able to face the Club World Cup.' That tournament starts June 14. It's the next big event on Inter Miami's calendar — but there may be some other news in the interim, with coach Javier Mascherano, in a separate Apple TV interview before the match, hinting that the team and Messi may be together longer than first thought. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Messi — who came to the club on a 2 1/2-year deal — is only under contract through the end of this MLS season, though the team has made clear it wants him around through at least 2026, when it plans to move into its long-awaited new stadium near Miami International Airport. The team signed one of Messi's longtime Barcelona and Miami teammates, Jordi Alba, through 2027 last week in what seemed like a sign that keeping Messi may be possible. 'Hopefully in a few weeks we can have some news about Leo,' Mascherano said. 'I think it will be very, very important for the club, the fans, and for MLS.' ___ AP MLS:
Boston Globe
20-04-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Revolution offense appears, as Leo Campana, Ignatius Ganago each score first in shutout of NYCFC
Again playing the two-striker arrangement Porter debuted in 'Thought we should've scored more than two,' Porter declared postgame. Advertisement Campana's pressure specifically continued to create chances, with the breakthrough coming in the 43rd minute. Alhassan Yusuf controlled a long clear in the center circle, finding Campana — who started for the first time since injuring his hamstring March 8 — just outside the penalty area. Campana ran a quick give-and-go with Ganago, pushing a left footer toward goal that hit sliding New York defender Justin Haak and popped past goalkeeper Matt Freese. Advertisement Ganago's goal came three minutes into the second half. Gil, after a short corner, created space despite pressure from New York's Jonathan Shore and sent a left-footed cross screaming toward the goal mouth. Ganago, who'd gone scoreless in his prior 27 matches dating to June 2023 with France's FC Nantes, drove the net and redirected it past Freese. Ignatius Ganago extends the lead! — New England Revolution (@NERevolution) Gil's assist was his 74th in the regular season for New England, breaking a tie with Steve Ralston for the club record. His 79 (including playoffs) since the start of 2019 are the most in Major League Soccer. The Revolution's defense more than made it stand up, limiting New York (3-4-2, 11 points) to a pair of late shots on Aljaz Ivacic for the keeper's second straight shutout. New England did, however, see midfielder Peyton Miller limp off with a right leg injury in the second half following another strong performance. (The 17-year-old — whose high school graduation the team celebrated during the week — has consistently battled injuries, and missed the season's first four matches with a groin issue.) Center back Mamadou Fofana, a key part of the rebuilt back line, also was replaced in the waning minutes following a visit from a trainer. The Revolution play their next three matches away from Foxborough, with a visit to East-leading Charlotte FC on Saturday night.
