Latest news with #SportsmanoftheYear
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
What is inexplicable about Guillermo Barros Schelotto explains everything
What is inexplicable about Guillermo Barros Schelotto explains everything. It is captured, but not contained, in the moment that clinched the Crew's first MLS Cup in 2008, against the New York Red Bulls, in a stadium once known as the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. The Crew are pushing forward. An attempted through ball into the box by forward Alejandro Moreno is intercepted. Moreno digs it out and leaves it for midfielder Eddie Gaven, who touches it back to Schelotto. The incomparable one is stationed eight yards above the top of the box. He has two defenders converging on him head-on and another on his right periphery. He has the ball on his foot, which is to say he is happy. Somehow – does he have eyes on the right side of his head? – Schelotto spots fullback Frankie Hejduk screaming in on the diagonal. Or he sensed him. Ninety hundred and ninety nine times out of a thousand, Hejduk would have stayed wide on the right sideline, looking for a ball that he could cross. This one time, Hejduk saw a chance and cut inside for a run at the goal. 'I don't know how he saw me,' Hejduk said. 'I just don't know. I don't know how to explain it. And that explains him. What happened next, well … Of all the players in the world, 99.97% of them would have tried a through ball on the ground, and it would have been blocked or intercepted. But this is Guillermo. I've watched that replay 1,000 times, and I still don't know how he did it.' Schelotto toe-flicked the ball over a swarming mass of bodies. It was poetry amid chaos. The pass traveled in a lazy arc and came down, directly, on the forehead of Hejduk, who, while flying, didn't have to break stride. Hejduk had only to nod the ball over the goalkeeper to give the Crew a 3-1 lead in the 82nd minute, and that was it. More: Massive: Schelotto, hard-working Crew trounce Red Bulls for MLS Cup title The Crew won their first MLS Cup. Schelotto, who assisted on all three goals in the final, was the tournament MVP. He would also be named the league's MVP for leading the Crew to the Supporters' Shield, which goes to the team with the best record. He had seven goals and 19 assists as an attacking midfielder in 2008, the middle of his two-plus-season stint in Columbus. He was SI Latino's Sportsman of the Year. Under a new coach in 2009, he was asked to play as more of a forward and had 12 goals and three assists in 24 games. On July 19, when the Crew host D.C. United at the new Crew stadium, Schelotto will be enshrined in the team's Circle of Honor. He will join his former coach, Sigi Schmid (RIP); his captain in Columbus, Hejduk; and the team's first star, Brian McBride. The Circle is a tight one. There are things fans can gripe about: Presently, the wall where Circle members are posted for posterity can't be viewed as construction on high-priced luxury clubs continues. There's also the fact that Schelotto, whose coaching career continues in the Argentine Primera Division with Club Atletico Velez Sarsfield, has a scheduling conflict and can't be in Columbus for the ceremony. That sucks. Schelotto is a legendary figure in the history of one of Argentina's most storied clubs, Boca Juniors. Schelotto won 15 trophies in his decade with the club. He's not at Diego Maradona's level on the adoration scale, but he's not far off. In fact, one of Schelloto's biggest fans was El Pibe de Oro (RIP), who watched a lot of his old team when his playing days were over. Schelotto arrived in Columbus through the summer transfer window of 2007. When his new teammates spoke of him, they spoke of both the professional and the personal. They marveled at his mastery of the game. Years ago, Gaven was among those who talked about how Schelotto simplified everything. 'I just go where he tells me,' Gaven said, 'and then there's the ball.' Hejduk said, 'When he was playing his magic tricks, that's when everything happened. He took a couple of months to get used to the style of the league. After that, when he was running on all cylinders, every player on the team was on all cylinders. He ran the show. He made everyone better. It was like we were unstoppable.' Schelotto loved Columbus. He liked the lifestyle. After years of opening the drapes and seeing Boca fans all over his front lawn in Buenos Aires, he relished his quiet family time in the Columbus suburbs. He also enjoyed having the whole team over for barbecues, something he did often. 'He has a great mom,' said Dr. Pete Edwards. 'He's a great man. A great person. It's what has made him a great coach.' Edwards served as the Crew's team doctor from the inception of the franchise in 1996 until he and his family bought a piece of the team to help save it in 2018. Edwards remembers wondering what he'd find when Schelotto showed up as a 34-year-old. Arthritic knees? 'He was ready to go,' Edwards said. 'He wasn't Carlos Valderrama in terms of fitness, but he didn't have to run 10 kilometers a game like (current Crew midfielder) Dylan Chambost. When you know where everyone on the field is, you know when to pick your spots. Lionel Messi is the same way.' Schelotto was most responsible for delivering the Crew its first MLS Cup. He did it at a time when the Nordecke was still being organized and yet was already 'Massive' – the ability to overcome when so much, including penny-pinching owners and a league that looks down its nose at flyover country, is against you – was entrenched in the lexicon of Crew fans. More: Columbus Crew all-time Best XI 2.0: After two amazing years, major update required | Arace Schelotto had that vision thing. He saw the past and was a harbinger of the future. Two more Argentine attacking mids, Federico Higuain and Lucas Zelarayan, made indelible marks in Crew history in a homage to the incomparable one. In terms of iconic franchise players who had the biggest impact, it may be that McBride, the fearless striker of the early years, and Cucho Hernandez, the transcendent attacker of the Wilfried Nancy era to date, are (arguably) the only ones in Schelotto's league. McBride was the face of the new team. He scored the ball with gusto. Cucho was the monster who proclaimed a new era. He was brilliant in terms of soccer IQ and technical ability. Between them was Schelotto, who saw everything. marace@ Get more on the Crew by listening to our podcast This story was updated to add a gallery. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Crew's latest addition to Circle of Honor was an MLS magician
IOL News
10-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Sishi steps up as Stellenbosch chart bold path with uual promotions
Stellenbosch FC has announced that veteran goalkeeper Lee Langeveldt has signed a contract extension that will see him enter his 21st season as a professional. He will also serve as a goalkeeper coach for the club's reserve, youth, and ladies teams. Image: BackpagePix Stellenbosch FC have announced the exciting promotion of 20-year-old defender Simthandile Sishi to their first-team squad ahead of the 2025/26 season, signalling a continued commitment to nurturing young talent at the club. Sishi, who joined Stellenbosch in 2022, has quickly emerged as one of the club's leading prospects, having captained the reserve team last season. His leadership was pivotal in securing two major titles — the DStv Diski Challenge and the Premier League Next Generation Cup — showcasing his potential on the international youth stage. Sishi's accolades do not end there; his recent recognition as the Sportsman of the Year for the reserve team highlights his dedication and prowess as a rising star at the Winelands club. New era, same ambition — Stellenbosch FC promote Simthandile Sishi to the first team while preparing club legend Lee Langeveldt for life beyond the posts. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Wearing the No 22 jersey, he is poised to step onto the field alongside seasoned players as he embarks on this new chapter in his career. 'I'm very excited to sign a professional contract,' Sishi said. 'Playing in the DDC, winning the DDC, and taking part in the Next Gen Cup helped me grow as both a player and an individual, and I feel ready to make the step up.' The young defender's enthusiasm and ambition reflect the club's desire to develop homegrown talent, with expectations high for him to make a significant impact in the upcoming season. In tandem with Sishi's promotion, Stellenbosch FC are facilitating the transition of veteran goalkeeper Lee Langeveldt into coaching. This dual model sets the club apart in South African football. The club is proud to announce that Lee Langeveldt has signed a contract extension that will see him enter his 21st season as a professional ✍️ — Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) July 10, 2025 Rather than allowing legends to drift into obscurity post-retirement, Stellenbosch are crafting structured pathways for their players' futures. The 2025 CAF Confederation Cup semi-finalists recently extended Langeveldt's contract for one more season, allowing him to lend his invaluable experience to the team. Stellenbosch's statement reads: 'Langeveldt will remain part of the first-team squad for the 2025/26 season before being provided the opportunity to transition into a backroom role, where he will serve as a goalkeeper coach for the club's reserve, youth, and ladies teams.' Langeveldt has now clocked 21 years in professional football and stands as the last player from the squad that achieved promotion to the top flight during the 2018/19 season. His contributions to the club and connection to the community establish him as a living legend, one uniquely positioned to impact both on and off the pitch for Stellenbosch FC. This dual announcement not only exemplifies the club's commitment to developing youth talent but also its dedication to honouring and integrating its veteran players into meaningful roles. In a progressive move, Stellenbosch are demonstrating how to build a sustainable football culture — nurturing future stars while ensuring football legends remain actively involved in the sport.
The Sun
05-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Karate champion Arif Afifuddin targets Asian Games 2026 gold comeback
GEORGE TOWN: National karate exponent Muhammad Arif Afifuddin Ab Malik is determined to make a comeback from a recent surgery for his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, to defend his gold medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026. The gold medallist in the men's 84 kilogramme kumite (sparring) event at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games is currently undergoing rehabilitation and is confident that he can make a stronger recovery in the next six months before his knee is fully healed in 10 months, according to the head coach. 'I suffered an ACL injury at the K1 Series A Championship in Salzburg, Austria after being taken down in the first round earlier this year and I have just undergone surgery for it. 'I am now focusing on physiotherapy and rehabilitation. Hopefully, I will come back stronger by next year,' he told Bernama at the Penang State Sports Awards 2023/2024 ceremony at the Amari Food Gallery near here today. At the ceremony, the 26-year-old athlete was crowned Penang 2023/2024 Sportsman of the Year and received a trophy and cash prize of RM4,000 presented by state executive councillor for Youth, Sports and Health, Daniel Gooi Zi Sen. Commenting on the recognition, Muhammad Arif described the award as a morale booster to continue striving for greater and more prestigious success on the international stage. 'I never thought I would be selected as the Sportsman of the Year because I was nominated before but didn't win. This year, I got it. I am grateful and very happy,' he said. The 1.83-metre tall exponent also expressed his intention to continue his Masters studies in business or sports science in the near future. For the record, Muhammad Arif created history when he won the Hangzhou Asian Games gold medal after defeating 2021 World Championship bronze medallist Daniyar Yuldashev from Kazakhstan 10-4 in the final. Gold medal winner in chess at the 21st Malaysia Games (SUKMA Sarawak), Chua Jia Tien, was crowned Penang Sportswoman of the Year 2023/2024 and her father collected the award on her behalf. Meanwhile, Gooi said the presentation of incentives this year involved 12 categories of major state sports awards including a new category introduced for the first time, which is the Deaf Sports Excellence Award. He said the new award is dedicated to the deaf sports community in Penang and reflects the state's commitment to recognising the achievement of athletes from all walks of life despite physical disability, to instil an inclusive spirit in the development of state sports. 'This incentive is a sign of the state's appreciation for the hard work and commitment of the athletes, promoters and all state sports personnel in raising the prestige of Penang sports,' he said. He also congratulated the state contingent whose medal tally of 41 gold, 45 silver and 53 bronze medals secured fourth place overall at the 21st SUKMA in Sarawak last year, which showed a 39 per cent progress compared to the 20th SUKMA where Penang had to settle for seventh place. The gold medal winner for the chess event at the 10th Asia Pacific Deaf Games Championship (APDG) last year, Loo Pin Xie, 20, received the Deaf Sports Excellence Award. - Bernama
NBC Sports
20-06-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Saints sign three UFL players
The Saints made official the departures of cornerback Travion Fluellen and running back Xazavian Valladay, who were waived Friday. The Saints also announced three signings. Tight end Seth Green, cornerback Jayden Price and offensive tackle Barry Wesley are joining New Orleans on one-year contracts. Green, 27, played the past two seasons for the UFL's Arlington Roughnecks. In 2025, he caught 13 passes for 150 yards with a touchdown. Green played his college ball at Minnesota from 2017-20 before transferring to Houston in 2021. He caught 13 passes for 157 yards with three touchdowns in his last collegiate season before going undrafted in 2022. He spent two months on the practice squad with Cowboys in 2022 and also participated in Dallas' 2023 training camp and preseason. Price originally signed with the Falcons as a free agent following the 2024 draft out of North Dakota State but did not make the roster. He was a teammate of Green's with the Renegades this spring, recording 27 tackles and half a sack while adding 194 punt return yards and 337 kickoff return yards. In the fall of 2024, Price played one game for the Canadian Football League's Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Wesley played for the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL in the 2023 spring season coming out of Colorado State, where he played from 2018-21. After the XFL season, he signed with the Falcons and made the practice squad out of the preseason. After competing with the Falcons in the 2024 preseason, Wesley joined the UFL's Birmingham Stallions for the 2025 spring season. He started nine of 11 games played, seeing action at tackle and guard, and was a nominee for the league's Sportsman of the Year award.
Straits Times
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Kitefoiler Maximilian Maeder, wushu exponent Zeanne Law win top honours at Singapore Sports Awards
Singapore's Zeanne Law is the first wushu exponent to win the Sportswoman of the Year accolade. PHOTO: CHEAH CHENG POH Singaporean kitefoiler Maximilian Maeder, who clinched bronze at the Paris Olympics, earned his first Sportsman of the Year gong at the 2025 Singapore Sports Awards on June 20. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG SINGAPORE – Singaporean kitefoiler Maximilian Maeder added another feather to his cap on June 20, when he was named Sportsman of the Year at the Singapore Sports Awards for the first time. It was his first nomination for the award, having previously won Sportsboy of the Year for three consecutive years. Following an impressive 2024 season, the 18-year-old edged out strong contenders – silat exponent Sheik Farhan Bin Sheik Alau'ddin, pool player Aloysius Yapp, badminton's Loh Kean Yew, and wushu exponent Jowen Lim – to clinch the Sportsman gong at the ceremony held at Swissotel The Stamford Singapore. Maeder is the first sailor to win the top men's award since 1999, when Siew Shaw Her, who won gold in the men's 420 class at the 1998 Asian Games, last received the accolade. The teenager dominated the international kitefoiling circuit in 2024, winning nearly every event, including the European and World Championships. In August, he became Singapore's sixth and youngest Olympic medallist after clinching bronze at the Marseille Marina. After the Olympics, Maeder continued his fine form by clinching the overall title at the Kitefoil World Series, before capping off a stellar season with victory at the Formula Kite Youth European Championships. His achievements were further recognised in November, when he was named World Sailing's Male Young Sailor of the Year. The Sportswoman of the Year award also had a first-time winner in Zeanne Law, who is the first wushu exponent to win the top female accolade. The other nominees for the award were Daphne Tan (bowling), Valencia Yip (kickboxing), Teh Xiu Hong (shooting), Nurdianna Sidek (silat) and Gan Ching Hwee (swimming). In 2024, Law won gold in the women's taijiquan and optional taijishan events at the World Taijiquan Championships in Singapore, in addition to a women's optional taijiquan gold at the Asian Wushu Championships. With their wins on June 20, both Maeder and Law became the first athletes in two decades to claim both junior and senior honours in consecutive years. Swimmer Mark Chay was the last male athlete to be crowned the 2001 Sportsboy and 2002 Sportsman, while sailor Joan Huang claimed the 1998 Sportsgirl and 1999 Sportswoman gongs. Organised by the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) and Sport Singapore (SportSG), the annual ceremony honours outstanding sporting achievements of those who have done well at the national and international levels. The event, which is supported by the Tote Board, was attended by SNOC president Grace Fu and Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo. The Straits Times senior correspondent David Lee picked up the Most Inspiring Sports Story of the Year award for his story 'Old is gold for Singapore's 70-year-old darts legend Paul Lim'. Assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath and journalist Deepanraj Ganesan were also nominated for the award for their stories 'Joseph Schooling took us to brilliant places we'd never been to before' and 'From despair to delight: Jeralyn Tan's journey to boccia silver at the Paralympics' respectively. Singapore Sports Awards winners (selected) Sportsman of the Year: Maximilian Maeder (Sailing) Sportswoman of the Year: Zeanne Law (Wushu) Sportsboy of the Year: Kai Minejima Lee (Indoor Skydiving) Sportsgirl of the Year: Charlotte Ng (Wushu) Coach of the Year: Yeo Mee Hong (Netball) Team of the Year (event): Bowling Men's Team (2024 Asian Bowling Championships) Team of the Year (sport): Netball team Kimberly Kwek joined The Straits Times in 2019 as a sports journalist and has since covered a wide array of sports, including golf and sailing. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
