Latest news with #SummerSeries
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Alan Shearer on the Premier League's US growth: ‘I've seen fans queue for miles'
Alan Shearer was nearly 30 when he experienced for the first and only time something that is now commonplace, and at much younger ages, for most global football stars: Playing in the United States. It was, to say the least, a completely different scene than today. Shearer's Newcastle United, then led by Sir Bobby Robson, played DC United in a friendly at RFK Stadium in July 2000 – a game the local United won 3-1 thanks to goals from Jaime Moreno, Carlos Llamosa, and 'Sneaky' Pete Marino. Advertisement Shearer, who came on as a second half substitute, recalls the game as 'not too serious,' but it's a moment he looks back on as he considers the remarkable growth in popularity of football in the US in the intervening quarter-century. Particularly, he notes, for the Premier League. 'I've seen them queueing for miles along the block at silly o'clock in the morning, whether that's to look at the Premier League trophy, whether that's to come and meet the ex-players or the people at the football clubs that are that are there or whether it's to watch the games with everyone else,' Shearer says. 'It really is a brilliant atmosphere and I've seen it grow from years ago to what it is now and it's been great to play a small part in that.' Related: Premier League 2024-25 season review: our predictions versus reality These days, Shearer's stateside trips are far more common, as he travels to promote the Premier League's annual Summer Series. The pre-season friendlies rotate through a selection of US cities each year, and this time around they include Manchester United, Bournemouth, West Ham United and Everton playing in Chicago, Atlanta, and the New York/New Jersey area. Advertisement 'I understand that it's going to be very difficult for it to be the No 1 sport [in the US] and maybe it never will be, but I think from where football was in the 2000s when I went … it is phenomenal, it really is,' Shearer says. 'Sport is something … that brings everyone together. I guess you've got a lot more sports in your country for your people to look at than we have over here, but that hasn't stopped football growing exponentially.' Whereas Newcastle's friendly aginast DC drew about 17,000 to the cavernous RFK Stadium, summer friendlies between European teams of all types have drawn much larger US crowds in recent years. Recent attendance figures for the summer friendlies represent a dip from their heyday in the late-2010s, but many of the largest attendances in the last five years have come from Arsenal – who have finished second in the last two Premier League seasons and are looking for a way to hit another level under Mike Arteta. 'I mean, it doesn't take a genius to work out that every attacking stat in terms of shots, goals, xG, everything for Arsenal in four positions is down from what it was last year when they finished second. Then they finished second again,' Shearer says. 'Whoever's decision it was, whether it was the manager, or whether it was the top brass whose decision was it to go into the season without having a striker, it's cost them dearly because they've never really put up a serious fight to Liverpool. Related: Men's transfer window summer 2025: all deals from Europe's top five leagues Advertisement 'Is it as simple as buying a striker? It's not as simple as that, but it wouldn't not have helped them if they were to get someone who's going to get them 25 goals. When you look at Erling Haaland, apparently he's had a really poor season. He got 31 goals. And you look at Liverpool with Mo Salah and what he's done in terms of assists and goals, something along the lines of 47 goal involvements. Arsenal never had that.' Assuming they do improve their attacking output, Arsenal will be among an unprecedented nine teams in the Premier League to take part in European competition next season – all of whom Shearer believes have a chance to make a deep run in their respective competitions. Naturally, he believes Newcastle could turn heads in their return to the Champions League. 'Newcastle know that they got to Champions League two years ago, but then really struggled with injuries. Having said that, they got some great results. They sampled what it can be all about,' he says. 'St James' Park is a really tough place to come for anyone. I don't care how good you are, how experienced you are. PSG found that out two years ago when they came to Newcastle and got done, big style.'
The 42
3 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
Ireland name 37-player preparation squad for World Cup
IRELAND HAVE NAMED 37 players for their preparation squad ahead of the World Cup in England later this summer. A group of 21 forwards and 16 backs includes the uncapped duo Alma Atagamen and Ivana Kiripati. Meanwhile, Jane Clohessy and Aoife Corey have retained their places after impressing on their debuts in the Six Nations. Sarah Delaney, Shannon Ikahihifo, Sam Monaghan, Eimear Corri, and Beibhinn Parsons return after missing the WXV1 and Six Nations campaigns through injury. The backroom team has also been confirmed. Joining head coach Scott Bemand are Denis Fogarty (Scrum Coach), Alex Codling (Forwards Coach), Gareth Steenson (Kicking Coach) and James Scaysbrook, who comes onboard as Defence Coach. Ex-Bath and Exeter Chiefs flanker Scaysbrook previously had stints with England U20s and Coventry RFC, in addition to spending time coaching in Hong Kong and Japan. Advertisement The squad will assemble on 2 June at the IRFU High Performance Centre ahead of warm-up matches against Scotland and Canada in early August. The 16-team World Cup takes place between 22 August and 27 September. Ireland have been paired in Pool C, along with Japan (24 August), Spain (31 August) and New Zealand (7 September). More information on tickets for the Summer Series can be found here. Ireland squad – Club/Province/Caps: Forwards: Alma Atagamen (Balbriggan RFC)* Aoife Wafer (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)(15) Brittany Hogan (Old Belvedere RFC/Ulster)(32) Christy Haney (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)(24) Clíodhna Moloney (Exeter Chiefs)(43) Deirbhile Nic a Bháird (Old Belvedere RFC/Munster)(11) Edel McMahon (Exeter Chiefs/Connacht)(34) Eimear Corri (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)(4) Fiona Tuite (Old Belvedere RFC/Ulster)(15) Grace Moore (Trailfinders Women/IQ Rugby)(20) Ivana Kiripati (Creggs RFC/Connacht)* Jane Clohessy (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)(1) Linda Djougang (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(46) Neve Jones (Gloucester Hartpury)(35) Niamh O'Dowd (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(15) Ruth Campbell (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(7) Sadhbh McGrath (Cooke RFC/Ulster)(14) Sam Monaghan (Gloucester Hartpury/IQ Rugby)(21) Sarah Delaney (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)(3) Shannon Ikahihifo (Trailfinders Women/IQ Rugby)(3) Siobhán McCarthy (Railway Union RFC/Munster)(8) Backs: Amee-Leigh Costigan (Railway Union RFC/Munster)(18) Anna McGann (Railway Union RFC)(10) Aoibheann Reilly (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht)(15) Aoife Corey (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)(1) Aoife Dalton (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(23) Béibhinn Parsons (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht)(26) Dannah O'Brien (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(24) Emily Lane (Blackrock College RFC/Munster)(15) Enya Breen (Blackrock College RFC/Munster)(29) Eve Higgins (Railway Union RFC)(26) Katie Corrigan (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(5) Molly Scuffil-McCabe (Manawatū RFC/Leinster)(21) Nicole Fowley (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)(15) Stacey Flood (Railway Union RFC)(19) Vicky Elmes Kinlan (Wicklow RFC)(4) Training Panellist: Méabh Deely (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht)(13).
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
International rugby tournament to take place at Caerphilly venue
The Centre for Sporting Excellence in Ystrad Mynach will host the 2025 Six Nations Women's Summer Series. Caerphilly County Borough Council announced the venue for the prestigious international tournament, which will take place on July 5, 11, and 17. The Summer Series features mainly under-20 squads from all Six Nations unions: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales. Each team is allowed to include up to five under-23 players per matchday squad. The event provides a vital platform for the next generation of rugby stars to compete at an international level. Councillor Chris Morgan, cabinet member for leisure, said: "It's fantastic to see the Centre for Sporting Excellence hosting international fixtures of this scale. "Events like this put Caerphilly on the sporting map, showcasing our world-class facilities and commitment to both grassroots and elite sport. "We look forward to welcoming teams, supporters, and rugby fans to the borough this summer." The decision to bring the tournament to Ystrad Mynach reflects the centre's growing reputation as a hub for both community use and elite performance sport. All matches will be streamed live via the Six Nations U20 YouTube channel, with additional content shared across Six Nations Rugby social media channels.
South Wales Argus
4 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Ystrad Mynach to host Six Nations Women's Summer Series
Caerphilly County Borough Council announced the venue for the prestigious international tournament, which will take place on July 5, 11, and 17. The Summer Series features mainly under-20 squads from all Six Nations unions: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales. Each team is allowed to include up to five under-23 players per matchday squad. The event provides a vital platform for the next generation of rugby stars to compete at an international level. Councillor Chris Morgan, cabinet member for leisure, said: "It's fantastic to see the Centre for Sporting Excellence hosting international fixtures of this scale. "Events like this put Caerphilly on the sporting map, showcasing our world-class facilities and commitment to both grassroots and elite sport. "We look forward to welcoming teams, supporters, and rugby fans to the borough this summer." The decision to bring the tournament to Ystrad Mynach reflects the centre's growing reputation as a hub for both community use and elite performance sport. All matches will be streamed live via the Six Nations U20 YouTube channel, with additional content shared across Six Nations Rugby social media channels.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Referee and VAR confirmed as Albion return to the capital
Rob Jones will referee Albion for the first time since they drew in the capital. The Merseyside official has been handed the middle for the season-ending trip to Tottenham. He will be assisted by top Prem ref Michael Oliver from Stockley Park. Jones last refereed the Seagulls as they drew 1-1 at West Ham just before Christmas. He has never sent off an Albion player in a Premier League or domestic cup cup fixture. But he red-carded head coach Fabian Hurzeler earlier this season in the 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest. He also dismissed Jan Paul van Hecke in a Summer Series match versus Chelsea in Philadelphia. That's my guy - nine months on, why 'fearless' Brajan Gruda has become an overnight success Jones has already shown a yellow card to an Albion player at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this season, booking on-loan Facundo Buonanotte So far this season, across all competitions, Jones has refereed 31 matches, showing six red cards and 135 yellows – the card stats covering players only. Tottenham will go inti the game celebrating their Europa League final success over Manchester United. Albion heading for a Europa party - as Son jokes about calling the game off Plans have now been unveiled for an open-top bus victory parade tomorrow, which will last 'between 60-90 minutes, with a staging area to be erected outside the stadium on Paxton Terrace to host the players and coaching staff for a presentation of the trophy to fans. The full officiating team for Tottenham v Albion is as follows. Referee: Rob Jones. Assistants: Adrian Holmes, Simon Long. Fourth official: James Linnington. VAR: Michael Oliver. Assistant VAR: Richard West.
