Latest news with #MikeyVaras
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
San Diego FC and LA Galaxy denounce post-match fan violence at Snapdragon Stadium
San Diego FC vs. LA Galaxy game (via Getty Images) San Diego FC and LA Galaxy issued a joint statement of condemnation after a violent fight involving fans erupted following their Saturday MLS match at Snapdragon Stadium. The fight, which broke out shortly after San Diego FC won on Saturday night, is a fresh wake-up call over fan behavior and matchday safety, particularly for the league's newest team that has already seen such incidents this season. San Diego FC-LA Galaxy post-game fan violence prompts joint response San Diego FC vs. LA Galaxy | Full Match Highlights | Chucky Lozano Stoppage Time Magic! The post-game environment at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday was anything but festive. While San Diego FC recorded another win against the LA Galaxy, video emerged of competing fans having outright fights in the stands shortly after the final whistle. Witnesses also reported persistent skirmishes in the parking lots surrounding the stadium, so authorities acted quickly. Local media CBS 8 San Diego confirmed that minor injuries were sustained by one individual in the fistfights. 'I just wanna state clearly, as we did earlier in the season, our club values are really clear. There's no place for violence in this sport. This is the beautiful game. It's supposed to bring joy.' San Diego FC head coach Mikey Varas said in his postgame press conference. It is not the first such incident that San Diego FC, a new club in its first Major League Soccer season, has had to deal with concerning fan activity. There were confrontations during an April home game against LAFC, and the club had to address reports of homophobic taunts from its own seating area earlier in the season. In both previous cases, San Diego FC reiterated its dedication to creating a safe and welcoming matchday atmosphere. Saturday's incidents evoked a collective response, with both the San Diego FC and the LA Galaxy issuing a joint statement: 'San Diego FC and the LA Galaxy are united in our efforts to foster a safe and welcoming environment for all fans attending our matches. There is no room for violence in our sport. The incidents that occurred following Saturday's match at Snapdragon Stadium do not reflect the values of either club and are entirely unacceptable.' Snapdragon Stadium, which seats about 35,000 supporters and also hosts NWSL and NCAA games, has, in general, had incident-free matches. The recent string of fan-on-fan incidents, though, has pressured the club executives and the stadium administrators to enhance security measures—particularly in high-profile rivalry matches. Also read: LA Galaxy predicted lineup vs. San Diego FC – Marco Reus, Gabriel Pec, and more As San Diego FC establishes itself in Major League Soccer, the test of fostering a respectful, open fan culture weighs heavily. Saturday's ugly scenes are a reminder that rivalries have to stay within the realm of passion, not violence. With both clubs taking a stand, and public pressure mounting, all eyes will now be on what tangible action ensues to avert a repeat of such incidents in future games. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
5️⃣ must-watch matches this weekend in MLS
After midweek action across the US Open Cup, MLS returns once again this weekend with a bevy of intriguing fixtures to please the footballing palate. Headlined by a pair of massive Eastern Conference clashes, let's take a look at five must-watch matches this weekend during matchday 15. We start in Southern California and inaugural MLS side San Diego FC, who look to continue their impressive first season under Mikey Varas when they host bottom-dwelling LA Galaxy at Snapdragon Stadium. Advertisement The two sides could not be any more different in 2025, with SDFC boasting an outside chance of challenging for the top spot in the West, while the Galaxy will be lucky to even make the post-season despite being the current MLS Cup holders. Headlined by budding league star Anders Dreyer, San Diego has been one of the feel-good stories of the season. But if there was ever a time for Greg Vanney and company to bag a much-needed result, it's this one. Next, we swap coasts and head to Subaru Park as a hot Philadelphia Union outfit welcomes Lionel Messi and a faltering Inter Miami side to the City of Brotherly Love. Advertisement Sitting atop the pile in the East, the Union are the form side across MLS, banking four wins and a draw in their last five league outings while currently boasting the highest rate of return in the final third to the tune of 27 goals scored. As for Javier Mascherano's troops, the Herons have secured all three points in just one of their previous five MLS fixtures while falling well off the pace in a season where many expected them to once again be in the Supporters' Shield conversation. Should Philly win, it would be hard to argue that Bradley Carnell's side would not cement their place as favorites to top the Conference come the end of the season, while even greater questions will be asked regarding what has happened in South Florida. Further down south, Orlando City is set for a tricky test in front of home support when Phil Neville's Portland Timbers rock up to Inter&Co Stadium, in a clash of two sides looking to close the gap to the top positions in their respective Conferences. Advertisement Óscar Pareja's outfit is one of the toughest clubs to beat this season, having booked three wins in two draws in their previous five outings, with the Lions putting themselves in striking distance of climbing into third in the East. Portland, who sit fourth in the West, are no slouches either and could climb as high as second should they win on the road. However, back-to-back draws against Real Salt Lake and the Seattle Sounders that featured just one goal scored, highlight an inconsistency in the final third which could be their undoing against a free-scoring Orlando. Bank of America Stadium is the venue for the fourth of five must-watch matches this weekend when a free-falling Charlotte FC plays host to a dangerous Columbus Crew side under Wilfried Nancy. Advertisement After a phenomenal start to 2025 with Dean Smith at the helm and the arrival of Wilfried Zaha, the Crown has hit a wall while rapidly plummeting down the table on the back of five straight losses in MLS and the possibility of crashing out of the post-season conversation this weekend. As for Columbus, three consecutive draws have put the Crew off the scent of the top spot in the Conference temporarily while only sitting just two points adrift of the aforementioned Philly and FC Cincinnati respectively. Masters of garnering results away from home, they will no doubt fancy their chances this weekend. Finally, we close out our preview at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the tall task of Atlanta United finding points against an elite FC Cincinnati side who are joint-top in the Supporters' Shield race. Advertisement One of the biggest disappointments across the 2025 season at the halfway marker, the Five Stripes are languishing just one place off the basement in the East while failing to win any of their previous five fixtures despite a high-powered attack, at least on paper. While it's all gone wrong in Georgia, Cincy has enjoyed the season on the back of the arrivals of Evander and Kévin Denkey, who have helped propel Patrick Noonan's team into a position of potential hegemony in the Conference. On paper, this looks to only go one way, but Atlanta is capable of banking a shock result if they can get it right on the pitch across 90 minutes. 📸 Editorial Photo Credit: © Albert Cesare/The En | 2025 May 10-Imagn Images
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
📈 MLS Power Rankings: LAFC on the rise, Seattle join the fray
The 2025 MLS is almost a third of the way complete, and top-10 power rankings is truly taking the shape. While our league leaders remained the same, we still had plenty of movement in the rankings. Let's dig in. 10. Seattle Sounders (🆕) 📸 Steven Bisig-Imagn Images The Seattle Sounders are getting hot as the 2025 MLS regular season presses on, and fans will certainly be sitting a bit more comfortably at Lumen Field. NOUHOUUUUUUUU! 🥳 Our fourth goal of the night is your @EQCasino Play of the Match from #SEAvSTL! — Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) May 6, 2025 On the back of a resounding 4-1 win over visiting St. Louis City at the weekend, the Sounders are undefeated in their last four (3-1-0) while boasting the second-best record in the Western Conference in that period. Look for them to potentially keep rolling along. 9. San Diego FC (🆕) 📸 Chadd Cady-Imagn Images San Diego FC's brilliant story continues to turn heads in their inaugural MLS season, and their recent 5-0 thumping of FC Dallas shows just how deadly they can be under Mikey Varas. .@sandiegofc becomes the third expansion club in @MLS history – Seattle Sounders FC and Houston Dynamo FC – to have multiple players (Lozano and Anders Dreyer) earn Player of the Matchday honors within the first 11 matchdays of their debut — MLS Communications (@MLS_PR) May 5, 2025 With Hirvin Lozano and Anders Dreyer leading the charge for SDFC, their previous three-match losing run came to an end and they sit fourth in the conference and just two points off second-sitting Minnesota United. If they can get back to a consistent run of positive results, something special could be brewing in SoCal. 8. Charlotte FC (👎) 📸 Aaron Doster-Imagn Images One of the clubs that made waves in the early doors of the current season, Dean Smith's Charlotte FC has hit a wall in recent weeks on the back of consecutive losses to the New England Revolution and Columbus Crew. Taking his place on the backline ⚔️ A Black & Blue debut for Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty — Charlotte FC (@CharlotteFC) May 5, 2025 Despite having to once again kick-start the motor, the Crown is still very much in the hunt for finishing in the upper echelons of the Eastern Conference, and the recent loan addition of Canadian international Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty could add further quality in depth to help them sustain a possible deep push throughout the 2025 season. 7. LAFC (👍) 📸 Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images Largely and justifiably viewed as one of the teams to beat in the Western Conference and a possible contender for MLS Cup honors, LAFC is slowly building momentum after their win against Houston Dynamo last time out. This build-up play 🤌 🔔 19 passes before Nathan Ordaz gave us the lead. — LAFC (@LAFC) May 6, 2025 Now on a four-match undefeated run (2-2-0), Steven Cherundolo's Black and Gold are within striking distance of further gains in the West after scoring over half their goals this season during their four-match push. But is this sustainable? 6. FC Cincinnati (👎) 📸 Mark Smith-Imagn Images So much praise has been dispatched in the direction of FC Cincinnati, and it certainly is not unfounded as Patrick Noonan's side is one of the most entertaining clubs in MLS on their day. FC Cincinnati had the best primary transfer window in MLS this year, I think. Here's why. That + a bunch more superlatives from the window that was — Tom Bogert (@tombogert) April 28, 2025 After a recent four-match tear saw them at the very top of the East, Cincy was brought back down to earth in a loss against NYCFC, being blanked in the process during a 1-0 loss. Not without plenty of attacking power on paper, Cincy has a chance to get back to business next time out against Austin FC and a possible push back up the rankings. 5. Minnesota United (👍) 📸 Dustin Safranek-Imagn Images With just one loss in their last five, while putting together a brilliant 2025 MLS season to date, Minnesota United has begun to believe that they can have a real say across the West and the league as a whole. With @MNUFC's 3-0 victory on the road this evening, goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair became the sixth 'keeper in the last decade to record six shutouts in his first 10 games to begin a season. — MLS Communications (@MLS_PR) May 4, 2025 Though they trail pace-setters Vancouver Whitecaps by seven points, the Loons are a competent side at both ends, but it's a defensive core anchored by shot-stopper Dayne St. Clair that has helped them climb the table in the West. While they may not be in the top five in the Supporters' Shield standings, their consistency in picking up points deserves proper recognition here. 4. Philadelphia Union (👍) 📸 David Kirouac-Imagn Images Three wins on the spin for the Philadelphia Union once again Bradley Carnell's outfit closing ranks with the Columbus Crew for who can claim Eastern Conference supremacy in the regular season. In head coach Bradley Carnell's first season with the club, the @PhilaUnion are off to their best start in history through 11 games, taking 22 points and boasting a +11 goal differential. — MLS Communications (@MLS_PR) May 4, 2025 With an upcoming clash against the Crew in their next league meeting, the Union will take confidence from their best start to a season in their history, and that comes despite losing key midfielder Dániel Gazdag. Having allowed just two goals in their last five outings, you'd bet your house that they will be among the top sides in MLS come post-season time. 3. Inter Miami (👍) 📸 Megan Briggs - 2025 Getty Images It has been an interesting season for Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in 2025 to date, with so much talk seemingly avoiding the Herons despite the likelihood that they will remain in the conversation across league and post-season play. What a night 💗🖤 — Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) May 4, 2025 Two frustrating draws against Toronto FC and the Chicago Fire, and a 4-3 loss against FC Dallas - matches they should arguably be winning - puts them into a position to chase the leading pack, but with a match in hand, mailing in three points would potentially have them right back at the top of the East. Currently fourth in the conference but boasting the second-best goal tally as well as goal difference, data dictates that they will continue to climb. 2. Columbus Crew (no movement) 📸 Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Columbus Crew is beginning to fire on all cylinders under fan-favorite manager Wilfried Nancy, making good on much of the pre-season talk that saw many place them as the team to beat in the East. By winning 4-2 at home this evening, the @ColumbusCrew have now produced nine regular season games with at least four goals since the start of 2024, which is two more than the next closest clubs in @MLS (Inter Miami CF and Portland Timbers). — MLS Communications (@MLS_PR) May 4, 2025 Sitting at the top of the table ahead of a critical MLS weekend in the wake of their 4-2 home win over a credible Charlotte outfit, Field has become a venue where the club is not afraid to put their opposition to the sword, and their second-best home points total in the East is a key reason why they're sitting atop the pile and on the tail of Vancouver for best record in MLS. 1. Vancouver Whitecaps (no movement) 📸 Simon Fearn-Imagn Images Top of the West and top of the Supporters' Shield; Vancouver is right where they belong, and Jesper Sørensen's outfit is truly enjoying themselves in 2025 thus far. By defeating Real Salt Lake at home tonight, @WhitecapsFC have become the sixth team in @MLS history to take at least 26 points in their first 11 games and only the fourth in the post-shootout era. — MLS Communications (@MLS_PR) May 4, 2025 Posting a rate of return in points that some of the elite sides across MLS history have managed to muster, current evidence would be hard to ignore regarding just how far the club can go this season. Thirteen from a possible fifteen points in their last five matches has them dictating terms to the rest of the pack, and a league-leading 22 goals shows they are where they are entirely on merit. 📸 Editorial Photo Credit: © Jayne Kamin-Oncea | 2025 May 3-Imagn Images
Fox News
30-03-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
USMNT has plenty to prove on Sunday against Canada. 'It's about how you bounce back'
INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- The last time the United States men's national team faced Canada, in a September friendly match in Kansas City, the Reds played the Americans off the field, winning for the first time on U.S. soil since 1957. Afterward, interim USMNT coach Mikey Varas publicly called out his players' lack of effort. "The mentality is on the players. They know it," Varas said. "We speak the truth to each other. I love those guys. But they know that mentality to fight, to run and to sacrifice, I can't do that for them. That's on them." Mauricio Pochettino was hired as the full-time U.S. coach a week later; at his introductory press conference, the highly respected former Chelsea, Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain manager vowed to restore the Americans' fighting spirit above all else. That combative spirit was nowhere to be found in Thursday's soul-crushing 1-0 loss to Panama in the Concacaf Nations League semifinals. The defeat eliminated the U.S. from title contention in a tournament they'd won the first three editions of, and the manner of it sets up what now feels like a inflection point in Pochettino's short tenure so far: Sunday's third place match against the Canadians (kickoff at 6 p.m. ET). Most third place games mean nothing. Neither team wants to be there. But given the way Pochettino's squad lost to Los Canaleros, this one sets up as a pivotal gut check for USMNT a little more than a year before this generation's legacy will be cemented at next summer's FIFA World Cup on home soil. "For me, [Sunday] is going to be an important game to see how we react," Pochettino said on the eve of the rematch. "We need to show character." Some of the players who under-performed on Thursday — which was basically all of them — won't get the chance. Pochettino confirmed on Saturday that there will be changes to his lineup. "Maybe you can find different ways to motivate people," he said. "But at the same time, you need to identify the players that have their own motivation." The coach explained that he didn't think the loss to Panama came down to his team not caring. But he also suggested that the U.S. took their opponent for granted. The hosts were heavily favored to advance to the championship tilt. Panama, despite its success against the Americans in tournament play, was considered the weakest of the four semifinalists. Now they'll face Mexico for the trophy. If the U.S. underestimates Canada on Sunday, it could be another long night. There's no lack of fight in Jesse Marsch's Canadians, who lost 2-0 to El Tri in Thursday's nightcap in a game that was closer than the scoreline would indicate. Although he wasn't asked, it was still notable that Pochettino didn't mention Sunday's opponent once in his pre-game press conference. Marsch, the Racine, Wisconsin native who was a finalist for the U.S. job following the 2022 World Cup and who took over Canada before last year's Copa América, leading the Reds to the semifinals, said on Saturday that he expects the USMNT to play like their hair is on fire. "The media here in the U.S. has been very aggressive about how disappointed they are in this team, and now they've turned a little bit and put it toward the players," Marsch said. "So we would be very foolish that if based on those two factors, we don't expect a hard, real game and a big response from the U.S. national team." Marsch knows the USMNT inside out. He managed star midfielders Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie during his time with then-English Premier League club Leeds United, and handed a 16-year-old Adams his professional debut in 2015, when both were with the New York Red Bulls of MLS. "I would criticize us, too," Adams said before the U.S. trained later Saturday. "If we want to be praised, we have to give people something to praise us about." "The one thing I know for sure is that it's a team of very good players," Marsch said. "I'm not underestimating their talent, and I'm certainly not underestimating the response that they're going to give to this match." Competitiveness wasn't the only thing the Americans lacked against the Panamanians. Pochettino also thought his team played too conservatively. He'll no doubt implore them to be more daring on Sunday. Playing a wide open game is a gamble, especially with European standouts Jonathan David, Alphonso Davies and Cyle Larin leading the visitors' attack. Yet the way the Argentine sees it, safe is death. It certainly was on Thursday. "They need to trust that they can make a mistake," Pochettino said. "People that take risks, it's what we want. It's what we love. You cannot play football without risk. If you want to play safe, you are not going to affect the game." Add it all up, and Sunday should reveal plenty about where the USMNT stands a little more a year away from the biggest test of them all. Although Pochettino still has the bigger picture in mind, the Americans desperately need both a victory and a much improved showing on Sunday. Pochettino knows it, even if he acknowledged that the results this month or even at the Gold Cup in June and July won't necessarily foreshadow what happens in front of a global audience next summer. "But this is not an excuse for not winning," Pochettino said. "Things happen, and it's about how you bounce back," winger Tim Weah said. "We know what's at stake." Doug McIntyre is a soccer writer for FOX Sports who has covered the United States men's and women's national teams at FIFA World Cups on five continents. Follow him at @ByDougMcIntyre.
Fox Sports
23-03-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
USMNT has plenty to prove on Sunday against Canada. 'It's about how you bounce back'
INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- The last time the United States men's national team faced Canada, in a September friendly match in Kansas City, the Reds played the Americans off the field, winning for the first time on U.S. soil since 1957. Afterward, interim USMNT coach Mikey Varas publicly called out his players' lack of effort. "The mentality is on the players. They know it," Varas said. "We speak the truth to each other. I love those guys. But they know that mentality to fight, to run and to sacrifice, I can't do that for them. That's on them." Mauricio Pochettino was hired as the full-time U.S. coach a week later; at his introductory press conference, the highly respected former Chelsea, Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain manager vowed to restore the Americans' fighting spirit above all else. That combative spirit was nowhere to be found in Thursday's soul-crushing 1-0 loss to Panama in the Concacaf Nations League semifinals. The defeat eliminated the U.S. from title contention in a tournament they'd won the first three editions of, and the manner of it sets up what now feels like a inflection point in Pochettino's short tenure so far: Sunday's third place match against the Canadians (kickoff at 6 p.m. ET). Most third place games mean nothing. Neither team wants to be there. But given the way Pochettino's squad lost to Los Canaleros, this one sets up as a pivotal gut check for USMNT a little more than a year before this generation's legacy will be cemented at next summer's FIFA World Cup on home soil. "For me, [Sunday] is going to be an important game to see how we react," Pochettino said on the eve of the rematch. "We need to show character." Some of the players who under-performed on Thursday — which was basically all of them — won't get the chance. Pochettino confirmed on Saturday that there will be changes to his lineup. "Maybe you can find different ways to motivate people," he said. "But at the same time, you need to identify the players that have their own motivation." The coach explained that he didn't think the loss to Panama came down to his team not caring. But he also suggested that the U.S. took their opponent for granted. The hosts were heavily favored to advance to the championship tilt. Panama, despite its success against the Americans in tournament play, was considered the weakest of the four semifinalists. Now they'll face Mexico for the trophy. If the U.S. underestimates Canada on Sunday, it could be another long night. There's no lack of fight in Jesse Marsch's Canadians, who lost 2-0 to El Tri in Thursday's nightcap in a game that was closer than the scoreline would indicate. Although he wasn't asked, it was still notable that Pochettino didn't mention Sunday's opponent once in his pre-game press conference. Marsch, the Racine, Wisconsin native who was a finalist for the U.S. job following the 2022 World Cup and who took over Canada before last year's Copa América, leading the Reds to the semifinals, said on Saturday that he expects the USMNT to play like their hair is on fire. "The media here in the U.S. has been very aggressive about how disappointed they are in this team, and now they've turned a little bit and put it toward the players," Marsch said. "So we would be very foolish that if based on those two factors, we don't expect a hard, real game and a big response from the U.S. national team." Marsch knows the USMNT inside out. He managed star midfielders Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie during his time with then-English Premier League club Leeds United, and handed a 16-year-old Adams his professional debut in 2015, when both were with the New York Red Bulls of MLS. "I would criticize us, too," Adams said before the U.S. trained later Saturday. "If we want to be praised, we have to give people something to praise us about." "The one thing I know for sure is that it's a team of very good players," Marsch said. "I'm not underestimating their talent, and I'm certainly not underestimating the response that they're going to give to this match." Competitiveness wasn't the only thing the Americans lacked against the Panamanians. Pochettino also thought his team played too conservatively. He'll no doubt implore them to be more daring on Sunday. Playing a wide open game is a gamble, especially with European standouts Jonathan David, Alphonso Davies and Cyle Larin leading the visitors' attack. Yet the way the Argentine sees it, safe is death. It certainly was on Thursday. "They need to trust that they can make a mistake," Pochettino said. "People that take risks, it's what we want. It's what we love. You cannot play football without risk. If you want to play safe, you are not going to affect the game." Add it all up, and Sunday should reveal plenty about where the USMNT stands a little more a year away from the biggest test of them all. Although Pochettino still has the bigger picture in mind, the Americans desperately need both a victory and a much improved showing on Sunday. Pochettino knows it, even if he acknowledged that the results this month or even at the Gold Cup in June and July won't necessarily foreshadow what happens in front of a global audience next summer. "But this is not an excuse for not winning," Pochettino said. "Things happen, and it's about how you bounce back," winger Tim Weah said. "We know what's at stake." Doug McIntyre is a soccer writer for FOX Sports who has covered the United States men's and women's national teams at FIFA World Cups on five continents. Follow him at @ByDougMcIntyre . recommended Get more from CONCACAF Nations League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more in this topic
