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USA Today
27-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Inter Miami coach blasts MLS decision to discipline Lionel Messi for All-Star absence
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano criticized Major League Soccer's decision to suspend Lionel Messi for the team's home match vs. FC Cincinnati on Saturday, July 26 over skipping the All-Star Game. Messi and Jordi Alba were both out due to league discipline as Inter Miami and Cincinnati played to a scoreless draw at Chase Stadium. 'Now I have a question: What if today's game was an away game?" Mascherano said afterwards. "Would you ask for Leo not to play? Because when it comes to filling stadiums and making money, no one complains. 'The thing is: This game happened to be a home game. That's the issue. I'll leave it up to you to decide.' Mascherano also questioned officiating against Inter Miami. The club is the only team in the league to not have a penalty kick granted this season. There were two instances against Cincinnati where they should have received a penalty call, Inter Miami contested. Luis Suarez and Fafa Picault incurred contact on two separate plays, but no penalty was awarded. 'A team that has scored as many goals as we have in MLS … zero penalties,' Mascherano said. 'Strange, considering how much we're in the area, zero penalties. I'll leave that for you to think about.' Inter Miami did get the most controversial call of the match to go their way against Cincinnati, though. Cincinnati's Miles Robinson scored a header (90'+3'), but appeared to hit Inter Miami defender Noah Allen in the head during the score. The play was ruled a foul on the field, and VAR wasn't enough to overturn it to a goal. 'The referee delayed the whistle to allow the opportunity for VAR to review for a possible goal. After the VAR check, the referee's decision was confirmed,' lead referee Tori Penso said in a pool report after the match. Mascherano was seen yelling 'do your job' at least twice towards officials, including Penso, resulting in a yellow card being shown in the first-year coach's direction in the 70th minute. Both sides earned one point in the standings after the draw. Inter Miami maintained fifth place in the MLS Eastern Conference with 42 points, while Cincinnati (49 points) dropped to second place behind Philadelphia (50 points).
NDTV
26-07-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
Lionel Messi 'Very Upset' After Being Penalised By MLS: "Draconian..."
Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas has revealed Lionel Messi is 'very upset' after being given a one-game ban for missing out on the Major league Soccer (MLS) All-Star game, a punishment which he believes is 'draconian.' Messi and Jordi Alba will miss the game against MLS Eastern Conference leaders FC Cincinnati on Sunday (IST) as MLS rules state that any player who does not participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete in his club's next match. "Lionel Messi is very upset, like we all are in the club, with the fact that they won't be able to play tomorrow night. But I think what we have to do as a club is to get together as one, have an attitude that is us against the world," Mas said at a news conference. Mas had also confirmed that the decision to rest the two players was made by the club given they had played nine games in a span of just 36 days and the heavily congested schedule with Concacaf Champions League, MLS regular season and FIFA Club World Cup duties having been carried out. "I think that the punishment for the rule is frankly draconian. Obviously, it was not a positive reaction [from Messi and Alba]. They want to compete, they want to play games. That's what they're here for, to play and win. They understand the magnitude of tomorrow's night's game. "So no, their reaction was exactly as expected of two competitive players who don't understand the decision, who don't understand why not attending an exhibition match leads directly to a suspension,' he added. Inter Miami currently sit at fifth place in the Eastern Conference and are seven points behind leaders Cincinnati, making it a very high stakes clash when the two teams meet on Sunday (IST).
USA Today
19-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Inter Miami vs New York Red Bulls: TV, time, how to watch MLS game
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will be hoping to get rolling once again Saturday night as they face an MLS Eastern Conference foe in the New York Red Bulls. For Miami, it's a chance to get back on track after a mid-week stumble. The Herons came into Wednesday's road game against FC Cincinnati on a five-game winning streak in MLS play, with Messi on a league-record hot streak, only to fall in a humbling 3-0 defeat. The loss served as a reminder that for all of Miami's star power and talent, they can be at a deficit in terms of athleticism. That dynamic may be a factor against the Red Bulls, who sit eighth in the East. While the visitors are well short of Cincinnati's overall quality, they can call on a young, fast squad supporting Swedish playmaker Emil Forsberg and former Bayern Munich striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. Here's what to know about the New York Red Bulls vs. Inter Miami MLS game, including start time and how to watch: What time is Inter Miami at New York Red Bulls? Saturday's MLS game between the New York Red Bulls and Inter Miami is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey. How to watch Inter Miami at New York Red Bulls MLS game: TV, stream
USA Today
17-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Lionel Messi's record-breaking MLS goals streak ends in Inter Miami loss vs. FC Cincinnati
A Major League Soccer team finally came away with a clean sheet facing Lionel Messi on Wednesday, July 16, and the result officially set a new record for the Inter Miami star that will be tough for anyone else to break. Messi didn't score a goal when Inter Miami suffered a 3-0 loss to FC Cincinnati, snapping his record-shattering streak of five-straight games in which he scored multiple goals facing MLS competition. The MLS record was three games. It was the first time in nearly two months that Messi had been held without a goal facing an MLS opponent, a span of seven games. Messi was limited to one goal over four games when Inter Miami played into the Round of 16 at the FIFA Club World Cup last month. The former Barcelona star, who led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup trophy, has 16 goals and 7 assists over 17 appearances with Inter Miami in 2025. 30 BEST PLAYERS IN MLS HISTORY: From BWP to Beckham, Messi to Moreno. See who made the cut FC Cincinnati's Evander had two goals in Wednesday's win over Inter Miami, which kept Messi's team in fifth place in the MLS Eastern Conference standings with an 11-4-5 record and 38 points. Cincinnati kept the ball away from Messi early, limiting him to only a couple chances before halftime. Messi registered five shots overall and two shots on target for the match, including one in stoppage time from about 20 yards out that was stopped by the Cincinnati goalkeeper. This was Messi's fourth MLS game in less than two weeks and his eighth match in 33 days for Inter Miami. Miami head coach Javier Mascherano said on Saturday, July 12 after Inter Miami's 2-1 win over Nashville that Messi will likely sit out a game at some point soon due to the team's compressed schedule. "There are not many words," Mascherano told reporters last Saturday about Messi's recent stretch of performances. "It is incredible what he continues to do, breaking records every three days ... it is what I have said a thousand times in this room he is the flag of our team, the one who shows us the way how to compete, he is the leader the one who obviously encourages his teammates, shows them how we have to continue and above all maintain at this moment the tone that we have been having and well. "The reality is that it is a blessing to be able to accompany him at this stage of his career." Inter Miami is next scheduled to play Saturday, July 19 when it faces the New York Red Bulls at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey in MLS action.
Toronto Sun
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Late penalty rescues Atlanta United in draw with Toronto FC
Published Jul 12, 2025 • 4 minute read Toronto FC's Theo Corbeanu (front) takes a shot on goal as Atlanta United's defence looks on during first half MLS action in Toronto, Saturday, July 12, 2025. Photo by Chris Young / The Canadian Press Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. TORONTO — Ivory Coast forward Emmanuel Latte Lath scored from the penalty spot in the 101st minute to lift Atlanta United into a 1-1 draw with Toronto FC on Saturday in a clash of two teams at the wrong end of the MLS Eastern Conference. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Atlanta called for the penalty in stoppage time when Luke Brennan went down in contact with Toronto substitute Charlie Sharp's boot. Referee Jon Freemon pointed to the spot after reviewing the play on the pitchside monitor. Goalkeeper Sean Johnson, who had been excellent all night, got a hand on the ball but it still went in. Latte Lath, who joined Atlanta in early February for a reported MLS-record US$22-million transfer fee, had not scored in his previous 13 appearances after recording five goals in his first six outings. He had a goal called back in the 21st minute for offside. Deybi Flores had put Toronto ahead in the 48th minute, rising unchallenged to head home a Matty Longstaff corner. The set piece came after stand-in goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert parried Theo Corbeanu's hard shot. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It was the second goal of the season for the Honduran midfielder, back from International duty at the Gold Cup. Flores had to exit the game five minutes after scoring and was later seen limping back to the bench. Toronto (4-11-6) lost forward Ola Brynhildsen in the 35th minute reportedly due to illness. He was replaced by Deandre Kerr. Attendance was announced at 23,100. Atlanta (4-10-7) arrived in 13th place in the Eastern Conference, one place and one point above Toronto. Its high-priced roster has not delivered, a predicament TFC has some of its own history with. Saturday marked Toronto's second game since buying out Italian designated players Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi. Atlanta has just two wins in its last 15 league outings (2-8-5) since a March 29 decision over New York City FC. Toronto, which had not played since a 3-1 loss at New York City FC on July 3, had won just one of its last six (1-4-1). This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Tsubasa Endoh, who spent five seasons with TFC from 2016 to 2021, was honoured before the game. The 31-year-old winger from Tokyo, who was diagnosed with leukemia in December 2022, signed a one-day contract this week so he could retire as a Toronto player. Endoh received a standing ovation when he brought out the match ball before the game. Atlanta was coming off scoreless draw last Saturday at D.C. United, just its second clean sheet of the season, that snapped a three-game losing streak. Atlanta has yet to win away from home this season with an 0-7-4 away record. Toronto has suffered at home (2-7-4) and away (2-4-2). Toronto coach Robin Fraser made three changes to his starting lineup with Flores, Richie Laryea and Derrick Etienne Jr. slotting in. Laryea started at centre back alongside Sigurd Rosted in a makeshift backline. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Toronto was missing captain Jonathan Osorio and defenders Nicksoen Gomis, Henry Wingo and Zane Monlouis, with all three likely out for the season. Veteran defender Kevin Long, not listed on the league's injury report, did not dress. Osorio, injured on international duty with Canada, is close to returning and was seen doing a fitness test on the field before Saturday's game. Midfielder Markus Cimermancic, who last played for the first team May 28, started on the bench. Toronto's nine-man bench, which included two goalkeepers, had a combined 21 career MLS goals with 14 of those from Kerr. Atlanta was missing injured goalkeeper Josh Cohen, defenders Stian Gregersen and Derrick Williams and midfielder Jay Fortune. Veteran 'keeper Brad Guzan, who underwent surgery this week to repair a fractured cheek bone suffered against D.C. United, was on the bench with the 20-year-old Hibbert making his first career MLS start. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Atlanta's three designated players — Latte Lath, Paraguay's Miguel Almiron and Russian Alexey Miranchuk — led the attack along with Georgia international Saba Lobjanidze. It was one-way traffic early on with Atlanta leading the dance. But TFC began to claw its way back with Corbeanu a threat on the right flank. Johnson had to stop a long-range rocket from Bartosz Slicz in the ninth minute. Latte Lath's low shot went just wide in the 34th minute with Johnson beaten and Lobjanidze just missing getting a foot to the ball before the shot went past the post. A the other end, Hibbert had to stop Corbeanu from a tight angle in the 39th minute for TFC's first shot on the mark after six attempts off target. Brooks Lennon hammered a shot right at Johnson in first-half stoppage time. Toronto outshot Atlanta 8-6 in the first half (2-2 in shots on target). While the overall series with Atlanta was even-steven at 5-5-6 before Saturday, Toronto held a 4-1-2 edge at BMO Field. Toronto plays its next four games on the road, at San Diego, Nashville, Charlotte and Philadelphia, with its next home outing Aug. 16 against Columbus. Canada World Toronto & GTA Toronto & GTA Toronto Raptors
