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Tag: Professional soccer

  • DC United proposes new soccer stadium, academy project in Baltimore – WTOP News

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    D.C. United is looking to expand its reach to Baltimore, Maryland, proposing a new stadium for multiple teams and a youth academy in the Charm City.

    D.C. United co-chairman and CEO Jason Levien (left) and Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott during an event Feb. 12, 2026, announcing a planned partnership between the MLS team and the city of Baltimore.(WTOP/José Umaña)

    D.C. United is looking to expand its reach to Baltimore, Maryland, with a proposal to build a new stadium for multiple teams and a youth academy in the Charm City.

    The MLS club announced Thursday its push to pursue a 12,000-seat venue on the site of Carroll Park Golf Course, about three miles west of the Inner Harbor. United co-chair and CEO Jason Levien said the new stadium would house a new MLS Next Pro affiliate team, a new professional women’s soccer team and youth soccer academies.

    “We want to build the professional soccer foundation in Baltimore that’s going to lead to growth in the future,” Levien said.

    The push to Baltimore has been a yearslong process, since the Maryland Stadium Authority first approved conducting a stadium study for a new soccer-specific stadium in the Baltimore area in 2022. A more detailed report was released in May 2025, examining two sites, Carroll Park and Swann Park.

    United chose the 80-arce Carroll Park site, which has been home to a public golf course since 1923. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott identified it as the city’s least used golf course, Levien said, making it the team’s best option for the project.

    The project would include a stadium, a practice field and a 40,000-square-foot building, Levien said, with classrooms, a weight room, locker rooms, a gymnasium and a cafeteria.

    United’s affiliate team in MLS Next Pro, a third-division professional soccer league, would be housed at the new stadium. However, the primary tenant would be a professional women’s soccer team owned by NBA legend Carmelo Anthony, who grew up in Baltimore after moving from Brooklyn during his childhood.

    “Carmelo is someone who loves soccer. He owned a soccer team in Puerto Rico. He’s from Baltimore,” Levien said. “He’s going to lead that effort on the development but also with the professional women’s team.”

    Two state lawmakers — Sen. Antonio Hayes and Del. Mark Edelson — have introduced bills to provide $216 million of state bonds for the project. Levien said it will be a “private-public partnership.”

    “Now that we’ve got the legislation introduced; we’ve got the mayor on board; we’ve got Carmelo Anthony, who wants to be a sports team and owner with us and a partner in Baltimore … we think the stars have aligned for us to make this really happen,” Levien said.

    The stadium announcement also comes after United moved its upcoming regular season match against MLS Cup Champions Inter Miami on March 7 to M&T Bank Stadium.

    Miami features multiple high-profile stars, including Argentine midfielder Lionel Messi, bringing higher demand, Levien said, requiring the change. United’s home stadium, Audi Field, in Southwest D.C. only holds 20,000.

    Mayor Scott attended the news conference, declaring March 7 as “B-More United Day.” He also pledged his support on the stadium project and United’s involvement in the city.

    “We are proud to welcome D.C. United and professional soccer here to Baltimore next month, but more importantly, for the years to come,” Scott said. “We look forward to working with everyone to make sure that professional soccer has a home here in Baltimore.”

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    Jose Umana

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  • Long Island scores new stadium and pro soccer team | Long Island Business News

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    THE BLUEPRINT:

    • The joins , debuting in spring 2027

    • New 2,500-seat stadium planned at Mitchel Athletic Complex

    • Club aims to develop youth talent and expand soccer programs

    • Leaders promise economic growth and community engagement

     

    Elected officials and business leaders joined team owners on Tuesday to announce the launch of The Island F.C., a new team that will play in MLS Next Pro, the development league of Major League Soccer. 

    The new team is headed by developer Mitchell Rechler, who is its principal owner and chairman, and , who serves as its president. 

    The Island F.C. will play its home games at a new stadium to be built at the Mitchel Athletic Complex in Uniondale, which will launch with 2,500 seats and can be expanded to 5,000 seats. The new stadium will also serve as a year-round academy training facility for young players of soccer and other sports, and an entertainment complex, according to a team statement. 

    The new club is set to kick off its inaugural MLS Next Pro season in the spring of 2027. 

    Developer Mitchell Rechler is the principal owner and chairman of Long Island’s new soccer team. / Courtesy of The Island F.C.

    “Since 1960, my family has focused on building Long Island to create a better quality of life for its’ residents, and this is another exciting step in that mission,” Rechler, a principal of Plainview-based real estate development firm , said in the statement. “We have invested in the soccer space across Nassau and Suffolk for 20 years, and we are proud to bring professional soccer to our community with a club that will create lasting opportunities and give Long Islanders a team they can truly call their own.” 

    Zaratin, a former soccer goalie, is founder and CEO of Globall Concepts, a sports and management company, and an owner of the professional soccer team. 

    “We’re building a legacy for Long Island — one rooted in opportunity, pride, and lasting impact,” Zaratin said about the new venture. “Our mission is to empower aspiring soccer players through an Island-wide development pathway that ensures every player — regardless of background or gender — can reach their full potential in the game, while delivering a stadium experience that energizes fans, strengthens communities, and reflects the rich diversity of Long Island.” 

    Ali Curtis, president of MLS Next Pro, said Long Island has a tremendous soccer tradition. 

    “During the expansion process, Mitchell and his group continuously demonstrated their deep commitment and passion for the sport and for the Long Island community,” he said in the statement. “The Island F.C. will be a great addition to MLS Next Pro and we look forward to their first game.” 

    The new soccer club aims to expand opportunities for young players to grow and succeed, with future programming and scholarship programs to be announced, according to the statement. Plans are also underway to return professional women’s soccer to Long Island and expand initiatives in Suffolk County. 

    Both of Long Island’s county executives expressed enthusiasm for the new team and its goals to expand youth soccer. 

    “Soccer is one of the fastest growing sports and we are honored to have a professional soccer team right here in Nassau County, which will provide dynamic entertainment and create economic prosperity,” Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said in the statement. 

    Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine added that soccer is one of the most popular sports for young people with thousands of fans dedicated to their favorite teams around the world. 

    “The addition of a new MLS Next Pro team on Long Island would be a legacy achievement that will be supported for years,” he said in the statement. “Thank you to all who are working to bring this dream to Long Island.” 


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    David Winzelberg

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  • Lionel Messi’s no-show in Hong Kong will now cost the organizer $7.2 million in refunds to upset fans

    Lionel Messi’s no-show in Hong Kong will now cost the organizer $7.2 million in refunds to upset fans

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    The organizer of Inter Miami’s game in Hong Kong where fans booed Lionel Messi for not taking part said it will issue a 50% refund to ticket holders worth $7.2 million.

    Tatler Asia, which was criticized by the city’s leader for the debacle, apologized to spectators in a statement on Friday and blamed Inter Miami. Tickets cost as much as HK$4,880 ($624) for Sunday’s game, which was attended by some 38,000 people. 

    Pressure had been building on the organizer to offer compensation to fans angered by Messi’s no-show, especially after the Argentine World Cup winner played for half an hour in a match in Tokyo just days later. The refund comes after Tatler Asia said it would forfeit HK$16 million worth of funding from the government. The club is co-owned by David Beckham.

    “We put our blood and sweat into bringing a world-class football match to Hong Kong and we were let down along with all of you,” the company said in the statement, adding that there was a “seeming lack of respect shown to the crowd” by Inter Miami. 

    The refund means the luxury lifestyle brand will record a loss of HK$43 million from the event, instead of a planned profit of HK$13 million, according to the statement.

    Hong Kong’s government said it welcomed the refund and reiterated a request for Inter Miami to explain why Messi played in Japan so soon after sitting out the Hong Kong match due to injury.

    Messi’s perceived snub has also triggered outrage in mainland China, where the Argentine football team is due to play next month. The Global Times, a nationalist tabloid, said in an editorial that Messi failed to apologize and the impact of the incident “far exceeded the realm of sports.”

    Hu Xijin, former editor-in-chief of Global Times, said Messi’s commercial value in China will plummet as companies refrain from associating with the footballer.

    “For a person whose career is coming to an end and whose morals are not very good, we should simply scold him and then ignore him,” he wrote on China’s Twitter-like Weibo on Thursday.

    In a post on Weibo on Wednesday, Messi, 36, told fans he regretted being unable to play in Hong Kong due to an injury to his adductor muscles. The same day Inter Miami said it was sorry that Messi and teammate Luis Suárez couldn’t participate in the match. The team said it had waited until the last minute to rule out the players to maximize the chances of them playing, adding that injuries are part of the game.

    Messi last played in mainland China in June, when he led Argentina in a friendly match against Australia in Beijing. His national team is scheduled to return to China for exhibition games against Nigeria and Ivory Coast in March, according to the Argentine football association.

    Inter Miami was established in 2018, making it one of the newer teams competing in Major League Soccer in the US. It was launched with the backing of Beckham, the former Manchester United FC, Real Madrid CF and LA Galaxy star. Messi joined the club last year after leading Argentina to World Cup victory in Qatar in 2022. 

    Billionaire Jorge Mas, Inter Miami’s managing owner, said in a July interview that its value could reach $1.5 billion within a year.

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    Alan Wong, Bloomberg

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  • Little known before World Cup, Ramos goals lift Portugal

    Little known before World Cup, Ramos goals lift Portugal

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    LUSAIL, Qatar — In his first start for Portugal’s national team, Gonçalo Ramos showed that he has the goods — and the goals — to stand in for Cristiano Ronaldo.

    Even at the World Cup.

    The 21-year-old forward scored a hat trick Tuesday after surprisingly being called on to start against Switzerland in place of Ronaldo, the men’s record holder for most international goals. Portugal won the match 6-1 and advanced to the quarterfinals for the third time.

    “Not even in my wildest dreams did I think about being part of the starting team for the knockout stage,” Ramos said through a translator after being named player of the match.

    Those three goals, and the smoking pistols goal celebration, instantly made Ramos one of the sport’s hottest prospects.

    Morocco, which will next play Portugal on Saturday for a spot in the semifinals, may not have known anything about Ramos before Tuesday. That has certainly changed.

    Ramos had never played for Portugal before being selected in the World Cup squad last month. He was given the No. 26 shirt in the 26-man squad and played for only a few minutes as a late substitute in Portugal’s group wins over Ghana and Uruguay. He had zero attempts on goal in those games.

    “Most people in the world had never heard about him until today,” Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes said.

    The first hint that Ronaldo’s place might be at risk came Monday. Portugal coach Fernando Santos vented his frustration with his long-time star’s body language after being replaced in a 2-1 loss to South Korea on Friday.

    Sure enough, 80 minutes before the start of the match at Lusail Stadium, Ronaldo’s name was missing from the starting lineup. Ramos was his replacement.

    The final result made Santos look more like a mad genius than a madman.

    Ramos scored early, giving his team the lead in the 17th minute. Passes then started flowing, attacks came in waves and consumed the Swiss opposition, leaving them seemingly unable to track the speed and mobility of playmakers like Fernandes, João Félix and Bernardo Silva.

    Ramos was at the center of it all.

    “Gonçalo is more dynamic,” Santos said through a translator. “Cristiano currently is a player who is more fixed and plays in a more determined area.”

    Ramos linked easily with a group of teammates he has barely played with, ghosting in at the near post to poke the ball in from close range for his second goal, and the team’s third, soon after halftime.

    He created the fourth goal with a pass to Raphael Guerreiro and then completed his hat trick with a deft flick over onrushing Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer in the 67th minute.

    Seven minutes later, Ronaldo came off the bench and replaced Ramos on the field.

    They next met in the center circle after the final whistle, the established star hugging his potential successor. Ramos was holding the match ball, the usual gift for a player who scores three goals.

    The first hat trick at this year’s World Cup was only the fifth in the past three tournaments. One of those came from Ronaldo four years ago, when he was 33, in a 3-3 group-stage draw with Spain.

    When Ramos returns to play for Benfica in the Portuguese league, he will no longer be under anybody’s radar.

    Yet clues were there when the young forward stepped up a level this season to replace Darwin Núñez, now at Liverpool after another big-money sale by the Lisbon club. Led by goals from Ramos, Benfica is unbeaten both in Portugal and in the Champions League.

    “It’s because people are not aware of the quality in the Portuguese league,” Fernandes said. “I think people should be aware of Gonçalo and his qualities.”

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    AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

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  • Samuel Eto’o filmed in altercation outside World Cup game

    Samuel Eto’o filmed in altercation outside World Cup game

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    DOHA, Qatar — Cameroon soccer federation president and former star player Samuel Eto’o was filmed apparently kicking a man to the ground in an altercation outside a World Cup stadium early Tuesday.

    Eto’o had paused to pose for photos with fans near Stadium 974 after Brazil beat South Korea 4-1. Footage circulating on social media showed him then reacting to comments by a man holding a camera.

    The former Barcelona and Inter Milan forward was initially held back by people in his entourage then got clear and appeared to aim a kick at the man, who fell backwards to the ground.

    Eto’o has been in Qatar as president of the soccer federation of Cameroon, which was eliminated in the group stage last week.

    He also represents Qatar’s World Cup organizing committee as a Global Legacy Ambassador since 2019 and is part of the FIFA Legends program that uses former players to promote soccer.

    It was unclear in what capacity Eto’o attended the game Monday night.

    Qatari organizers said Eto’o had not been their guest at the game. FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesman for the Cameroon federation did not immediately answer phone calls or respond to messages seeking comment.

    Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, which oversees the World Cup, and its government did not immediately respond to questions about the incident.

    Eto’o played at four World Cups for Cameroon between 1998 and 2014, and was elected to lead its soccer federation one year ago.

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    AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

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  • Big day at World Cup looms for France, Poland goalkeepers

    Big day at World Cup looms for France, Poland goalkeepers

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    DOHA, Qatar — It’s a huge day for goalkeepers with big reputations when defending champion France faces Poland in the round of 16 at the World Cup on Sunday.

    Hugo Lloris will tie a national team record for Les Bleus four years after lifting the trophy as captain. Opposite number Wojciech Szczęsny is a penalty-saving, wise-cracking No. 1 who seems to be enjoying the tournament more than any other player.

    Both get a stage to shine at Al Thumama Stadium trying to deny two of the most feared forwards in Qatar — Kylian Mbappé and two-time FIFA player of the year Robert Lewandowski.

    “The key to stopping Mbappé? It’s me,” Szczęsny quipped when Poland’s place in the knockout bracket was confirmed.

    Lloris will face Lewandowski in an international game for the first time when he matches France’s record of 142 appearances held by Lilian Thuram, the right back in the 1998 world champion team.

    “It’s quite something and I’m very honored,” Lloris said Saturday. He was in the same France squad as Thuram as an uncapped 21-year-old in 2008 though was never played with him.

    France coach Didier Deschamps, who played often with Thuram and was captain in the 1998 final in Paris, paid tribute to them.

    “They have shown exemplary professionalism for the national team,” Deschamps said Saturday.

    Lloris is a naturally quiet and courteous leader of this talented France team and he praised Szczęsny, who he previously faced at opposite ends of the north London rivalry between Tottenham and Arsenal.

    “He’s playing a magnificent tournament,” Lloris said. “Poland deserve to be here at this stage and they’ve got a great goalkeeper as well.”

    Szczęsny is the only goalkeeper this World Cup to have saved two spot kicks — one against Saudi Arabia and the second against Lionel Messi. Szczęsny himself conceded the latter one for brushing the Argentina great’s face with his glove when stretching for a cross. It was scoreless at the time in a game Argentina won 2-0 on Wednesday.

    Szczęsny’s told the story of how he bet Messi during a lengthy video review that the penalty wouldn’t be awarded, only adding to his quirky time in Qatar.

    The character of the 32-year-old Juventus goalkeeper, who is set to play his 70th game for Poland, is no surprise to long-time teammates.

    “It’s not that Wojciech Szczęsny started to be such a great goalkeeper in this tournament — he’s been a great goalkeeper for years,” forward Arkadiusz Milik said Saturday through an interpreter. “It’s not a coincidence that in his career he played for wonderful clubs.”

    Poland likely will need Szczęsny and Lewandowski to excel in its first knockout game at a World Cup since 1986. Since that 4-0 loss to Brazil, France won both its world titles and also was a beaten finalist.

    Deschamps highlighted Lewandowski’s qualities as clever, technically gifted and knows how to use his body intelligently against defenders.

    “He didn’t get a lot of the ball in the group stage, but with just one chance he can be very dangerous,” the France coach said.

    Giving Poland some hope is that France lost in the round of 16 last year at the European Championship against Switzerland. Mbappé had the decisive penalty saved in a shootout after a 3-3 draw.

    “We talked about that a lot,” said Lloris, who couldn’t stop any of the five Swiss spot kicks that night in Bucharest. “You have to be confident, but if a penalty is well taken, then the goalkeeper has no chance of stopping it.”

    In Qatar, Szczęsny might be just the one to prove that wrong.

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    AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

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  • England bonds over cards ahead of Senegal World Cup clash

    England bonds over cards ahead of Senegal World Cup clash

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    DOHA, Qatar — For a nation that has frequently flattered to deceive at soccer’s major tournaments, a card game that relies on the art of deception is strengthening the bond among England’s players ahead of their match against Senegal in the World Cup round of 16.

    Werewolf, a game of roleplay and deduction, has become a popular pastime for the squad between games.

    “It’s about being the best liar,” said midfielder Declan Rice. “The villagers have got to snuff out the wolves and the wolves have got to lie and tell everyone why they are not a wolf. There is a lot of teamwork, ganging up.”

    Whatever England is doing at its base in Qatar, it’s working so far.

    It plays Senegal on Sunday after topping Group B and tying Spain as leading scorers in the tournament so far with nine goals.

    No other team picked up more than the seven points England recorded on its way to the knockout round and it is only one of three still undefeated.

    Yet the message from coach Gareth Southgate and captain Harry Kane this week has been about maintaining focus and standards.

    Belgium and Germany were high-profile departures from the group stage, while defending champion France, along with Argentina, Spain, Brazil and Portugal have all been on the wrong end of upsets.

    And to think England’s 0-0 draw with the United States was considered enough of a shock that it prompted loud jeers from Three Lions fans after that match last week.

    “I think it’s always difficult when you see big teams or big players in teams that don’t have the success that you want or don’t live up to the expectation of a nation or where they see themselves,” said defender John Stones. “We don’t ever want to fall into that category. I think that is great motivation for us as a reminder — you never want to take anything for granted or who you are playing against.”

    England may be considered a major soccer nation, but its only tournament success came when it hosted and won the World Cup in 1966.

    The years since have been pitted with disappointment and underachievement.

    There has been an upturn under Southgate, who led the team to the semi-finals of the World Cup in Russia in 2018 and to the final of last year’s European Championship, which it lost on penalties to Italy.

    The bond he has developed among the players is seen as a key factor in England’s improvement.

    Southgate is also meticulous about his planning, from psychological help to deal the pressure of taking penalties to even the most minor details.

    At a team meeting this week, players were reminded about leaving their socks out the “right way” for the kitmen to collect after training.

    “We get on each other for things like that because we have created those standards,” said Stones. “If you start getting sloppy with the little things, the bigger things start to get sloppy very easily. Any one percent or two percent of things that we can do to get better … obviously those are small things, but they matter to us.”

    So there should be no danger of England taking Senegal lightly.

    The African Cup of Nations winner finished second in Group A behind the Netherlands. That was despite suffering the pre-tournament disappointment of star striker Sadio Mane being ruled out.

    “They’re knockout games now: if you win, you get to stay here; if you lose, you go home,” said Senegal coach Aliou Cissé. “There’s no need to overthink things, every team is at the same level.

    “Our squad is experienced today, they’ve gone through a lot together and they know how to prepare for this type of game now, in competitions like this one,” he added.

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    James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson

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    AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

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  • Thorns to be sold amid fallout from women’s soccer scandals

    Thorns to be sold amid fallout from women’s soccer scandals

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    The owner of the Portland Thorns announced Thursday he is putting the club up for sale, the latest fallout from an investigation into misconduct in the National Women’s Soccer League.

    Merritt Paulson’s decision comes nearly two months after a pair of team executives were dismissed for their roles in systemic abuse and misconduct within the NWSL.

    Former acting U.S. Attorney General Sally Q. Yates and the law firm of King & Spaulding released results in early October of an investigation that detailed the series of abuses and misconduct that impacted multiple teams in the league, including the Thorns. U.S. Soccer retained Yates when a series of scandals rocked the league last year.

    Paulson had relinquished his decision-making role with the team in October. But calls had persisted for him to sell the Thorns.

    “The past year has been a challenging one for our club and our players. I regret the role our organization played in the failures identified by the investigations. Despite these challenges, the Portland Thorns have a bright future ahead and a lot left to accomplish,” Paulson said. “To fully realize that potential, I believe it is in best interest of the Thorns to have a new owner so that the club can operate at the league level with a fresh voice to be a driving force for the NWSL. This has been a difficult decision for me, but I believe this is the best way to position the Thorns for continued success during this next chapter of the NWSL and the sport.”

    The team doesn’t have a timeline for finding a buyer. A goal is to find an owner that will keep the team rooted in the Portland community.

    Paulson has owned the Thorns since the creation of the NWSL in 2013. The club has won three NWSL titles, including this year’s championship when it beat the Kansas City Current in the final.

    But the allegations of misconduct and the investigation by Yates have dogged the franchise for more than a year. The investigation was launched after two former players came forward with allegations of harassment and sexual coercion dating back a decade against former North Carolina Courage coach Paul Riley.

    Riley, who was fired, denied the allegations. He was one of five coaches in the league who were dismissed or stepped down last year amid claims of misconduct.

    The Yates report detailed how the Thorns mishandled complaints about Riley when he coached the team in 2014-15. In the wake of the report, the Thorns fired executives Gavin Wilkinson and Mike Golub.

    But some fans continued to call on Paulson to relinquish ownership. During the Thorns’ NWSL victory in the final at Audi Field, some fans held a sign that read: “Support The Players.”

    Those fans are getting their wish, although Paulson said the decision to sell the Thorns does not affect his ownership of his MLS franchise, the Portland Timbers. Paulson’s ownership group — Peregrine Sports LLC — also operates Providence Park, the home field for both teams.

    Paulson said he will work “to ensure a smooth transition and the continued success of the Thorns, including providing favorable usage terms for Providence Park.” Another lingering issue is development of a training facility for the Thorns, who have typically practiced at the stadium.

    “We are committed to continue to work collaboratively with the NWSL to ensure we find the right group to take the reins. We will not rush to a decision as we want to get it right for our players, for Portland and for women’s soccer,” Paulson said.

    Additionally, Paulson is contributing $1 million toward the establishment of an office within the NWSL focused on player safety.

    “I support Merritt Paulson’s decision to sell the Thorns, his commitment to aid in a smooth transition for a new ownership group in Portland, and the $1 (million) contribution to the league,” NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman said in a statement. “This money will be used to launch a new NWSL Player Safety Department — coming out of this chapter in the NWSL’s history we will emerge stronger than ever before and make this a league the players are proud to play in.”

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    AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

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  • Saudi Arabia exits World Cup with newfound confidence

    Saudi Arabia exits World Cup with newfound confidence

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    LUSAIL, Qatar — From a generational-defining win over Lionel Messi and Argentina to the recent reports that Cristiano Ronaldo could soon be on his way to play soccer in the kingdom, Saudi Arabia has caused a sensation at the World Cup.

    The Green Falcons have nothing to be ashamed about after being eliminated following a 2-1 loss to Mexico on Wednesday.

    The second-lowest ranked team in the tournament at No. 51 — one spot behind host Qatar — and ahead of only 61st-ranked Ghana, Saudi Arabia was competitive from start to finish at the first World Cup in the Middle East.

    “We did our best. Today it was more difficult for us,” said Hervé Renard, Saudi Arabia’s French coach. “But we don’t have to forget what we did together.”

    The Saudis opened with a surprising 2-1 victory over Argentina and also played solidly in a 2-0 loss to Poland before conceding two second-half goals to Mexico to finish last in Group C.

    Salem Al-Dawsari, the team’s star No. 10, pulled a goal back in added time, before the Saudi players bent over on the field at the final whistle in prayer and then stood up to applaud their fans.

    Strong goalkeeping from Mohammed Al-Owais prevented Mexico from scoring another goal — which could have sent the South Americans through to the round of 16. Instead, it was Argentina and Poland who advanced in the most wide-open group of the tournament.

    With Renard motivating the team in his emblematic white shirt on the sidelines, Saudi Arabia proved tough to beat with a team featuring all 26 players based at home.

    The fact that none of the Saudis play abroad may have been a surprise factor but the reality is that the country’s best players don’t need to go to Europe for rich contracts when they are paid handsomely in the lucrative Saudi league.

    A high-paying contract is exactly what could lure Ronaldo to join six members of the Saudi national team at Al Nassr, one of the country’s leading clubs.

    The reports linking Ronaldo with Al Nassr come after the five-time Ballon d’Or winner had his contract terminated by Manchester United.

    Saudi-controlled Newcastle is also reportedly in the market for Ronaldo.

    But whether Ronaldo goes to a Saudi or Saudi-owned club or not, the country’s national team leaves Qatar with plenty of newfound confidence.

    The performance could also help promote a possible joint bid by Saudi Arabia with Egypt and Greece to host the 2030 World Cup.

    ———

    Andrew Dampf is at https://twitter.com/AndrewDampf

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    AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

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  • Not much room for youth in Croatia vs Belgium at World Cup

    Not much room for youth in Croatia vs Belgium at World Cup

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    DOHA , Qatar — When Belgium’s “Golden Generation” meets Croatia’s accomplished veterans in a decisive World Cup match on Thursday, there won’t be much room on the field for younger players.

    Croatia, which reached the final four years ago, and Belgium, which finished third in 2018, each rely on a vast array of experienced players.

    Croatia’s 20-year-old Joško Gvardiol and 25-year-old Nikola Vlašić, plus Belgium’s 21-year-old Charles De Ketelaere, are some of the exceptions — with Belgium’s 21-year-old midfielder Amadou Onana suspended for the game after picking up two yellow cards.

    Nicknamed “Little Pep” because of the similarities between his last name and that of Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola, the physical Gvardiol has already become a fixture at center back for Croatia and Leipzig, which recently extended his contract to 2027.

    Despite the contract extension, Gvardiol has been linked with a possible to transfer to Chelsea, where he could join Croatia teammate Mateo Kovačić.

    “At the age of 20 he has demonstrated that he can play at a great level,” Kovačić said. “He just needs to continue doing that.”

    Nikola Vlašić, the younger brother of former high jump world champion Blanka Vlašić, usually plays as an attacking midfielder. But on a Croatia team featuring the likes of Luka Modrić, Marcelo Brozović and Kovačić in midfield, Vlašić is used as a winger.

    Statistically one of best midfielders in Serie A this season with Torino, where he is on loan from West Ham, Vlašić is often involved in the buildup to goals and also puts a lot of shots on target.

    Vlašić exited Croatia’s opening 0-0 draw with Morocco at halftime after picking up a knock, but returned as a substitute in a 4-1 win over Canada.

    “Everyone thinks about the three midfielders, and rightly so, but this team now carries even more threat,” Belgium coach Roberto Martínez said of Croatia.

    “(Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić) highlights new players that are coming in around those three players.”

    Belgium also relies on a veteran attacking core of Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku — who hasn’t been 100% physically — in attack, meaning that the baby-faced De Ketelaere, or “CDK” as he’s referred to, has only played off the bench so far at this tournament.

    But De Ketelaere impressed upon his arrival at Italian champion AC Milan in August, drawing comparisons to former Rossoneri standout Kaká for his dribbling ability and precise crosses in the playmaker position.

    “Some of the young players that haven’t been in the game, they are growing behind the scenes. I can feel that they can be called on when needed,” Martínez said. “I thought the players that came on against Morocco, they did their jobs, they performed well.”

    Croatia can secure a round-of-16 spot with either a win or a draw, while Belgium needs to win to be sure of advancing.

    Croatia and Morocco lead Group F with four points each, Belgium has three points and Canada has zero and is already eliminated.

    If Canada beats Morocco, it’s possible that both Croatia and Belgium will advance.

    “It’s very difficult to go into the game looking just for a point — that’s not our mentality,” Vlašić said. “We need to go for a win because if you just look for a point, you concede a goal and you are in panic mode all of a sudden. So we are going for the win.”

    ———

    Andrew Dampf is at https://twitter.com/AndrewDampf

    ———

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  • Pulisic listed as day-to-day with pelvic injury at World Cup

    Pulisic listed as day-to-day with pelvic injury at World Cup

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    DOHA, Qatar — U.S. forward Christian Pulisic is listed as day to day after sustaining a pelvic injury during his team’s 1-0 World Cup win against Iran that sent the Americans to the round of 16 of the tournament on Tuesday.

    Pulisic scored the 38th-minute winning goal against Iran, but crashed into Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand during the same play. The Chelsea striker was substituted at the start of the second half and taken to a hospital for tests.

    The U.S. Soccer Federation said Pulisic was diagnosed with a pelvic contusion and returned to the team hotel.

    A video posted later on social media by the U.S. team showed Pulisic celebrating with the rest of the squad as they arrived at the team hotel.

    ———

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  • France can win WCup group in style, Tunisia simply must win

    France can win WCup group in style, Tunisia simply must win

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    DOHA, Qatar — Defending champion France has not won its three World Cup group-stage matches since winning its first title in 1998.

    Tunisia hasn’t even won three matches in its World Cup history, but must beat France on Wednesday to have any chance of advancing to the round of 16 in Qatar. And Tunisia‘s coach Jalel Kadri is feeling the heat.

    “I’m not in Jalel’s position,” France coach Didier Deschamps said. “But they will go for broke.”

    Kadri said before the tournament it was his “personal mission” to advance past the group stage and hinted he would quit otherwise.

    The French are looking to match the ’98 team captained by Deschamps. But with Les Bleus already qualified, they only need a draw to guarantee top spot in Group D.

    Deschamps has the luxury of resting key players.

    “There will be changes,” he said. “Everyone’s ready to play.”

    He was evasive when asked if the prolific Kylian Mbappé insisted on playing or accepts he needs a breather.

    “Physically he’s fine,” Deschamps said. “Kylian doesn’t have a big ego, he’s important for us and makes the difference. But he’s always accepted what the team needs.”

    One option is to move Antoine Griezmann up from his new position in right midfield into a striker’s role alongside Olivier Giroud, who needs one more goal to become France’s all-time leading scorer with 52 goals.

    Deschamps hailed the unselfishness of Griezmann, a prolific forward himself with 42 goals and 26 assists for France.

    “He gets as much pleasure tackling someone as setting up a goal,” Deschamps said. “He’s always been like that. For him it’s not even been a sacrifice (in midfield).”

    The gulf between the sides looks vast.

    France has six goals in two games — three for Mbappé and two for Giroud — while Tunisia was blanked after drawing 0-0 with Denmark and fluffing chances in a 1-0 defeat against Australia.

    The Tunisians have never been past the group stage in five World Cups and their two wins were 40 years apart: against Mexico in 1978 and Panama four years ago in Russia.

    Despite good technical ability, there appears little cutting edge to this Tunisia side, despite the presence of attacking midfielders Wahbi Khazri — who scored twice at the last World Cup and has 24 international goals — and Naim Sliti.

    France, however, carries multiple attacking threats.

    Deschamps has always been a shrewd tactician, with deep layers of tactical knowledge gleaned from playing and coaching in Italy with Juventus.

    In Qatar he’s kept things more simple with a direct approach that has surprised opponents, using the wings as his main route to goal.

    It worked immediately, with the team scoring with three headers — a rarity for France — against Australia.

    The pace of Mbappé on the left and Ousmane Dembélé’s searing speed down the right, with the ideal marksman in Giroud benefitting from the crosses. If Dembélé comes off, then Deschamps can turn to Kingsley Coman — who scored Bayern Munich’s winner in the 2020 Champions League final.

    “Our wide players make the difference. Look at who they are!” central defender Raphael Varane said. “Going wide knocks our opponents off balance.”

    The French seem very relaxed at this World Cup, which hasn’t always been the case, notably when the squad went on strike at training at the 2010 World Cup.

    Midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni even started learning piano on Monday night, joining a group of wannabe musicians in the squad.

    “Hopefully if we win the World Cup we can put on a concert,” he joked.

    ———

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  • Ecuador frets over Valencia ahead of Senegal at World Cup

    Ecuador frets over Valencia ahead of Senegal at World Cup

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    DOHA, Qatar — Enner Valencia has scored Ecuador’s last six World Cup goals, so there’s no understating how worried his country is after he was carried off the field on a stretcher against the Netherlands.

    Ecuador hopes that the 33-year-old striker’s troublesome knees are OK for a decisive final group match against Senegal on Tuesday. He hurt his right knee against the Netherlands after spraining his left knee in the first game against Qatar.

    He was up and walking a little while after that stretcher ride with an ice pack strapped to his right leg and coach Gustavo Alfaro said Monday that Valencia might be ready to start against Senegal, although he could have to come off the bench.

    “He has a big heart and he wants to be in every battle with our national team,” Alfaro said. “He wants to be there. He’s an extraordinary player and we’ll try and get him ready.”

    Ecuador’s captain has three goals in two games in Qatar and is clearly key to its chances of reaching the knockout stage for only the second time. He scored three in three games in Ecuador’s last World Cup appearance in 2014, but that wasn’t enough to advance in Brazil.

    La Tri have a slight advantage this time by needing a win or a draw to be certain of going through. Senegal has to win to be sure of advancing.

    A victory by host Qatar over the Netherlands would make other permutations possible in Group A but that result is seen as unlikely given the Qataris’ struggles. They have already been eliminated.

    A prolonged stay at the World Cup would put more strain on Valencia’s knees and an ongoing ankle problem but he’d take the pain for some World Cup joy after 10 years of service to the national team.

    The young Ecuador team beat Qatar 2-0 in the tournament’s opening game and then stretched the favored Netherlands in a 1-1 draw. The performances were both impressive but may be forgotten if Ecuador doesn’t follow them up by sealing qualification.

    “There’s such a thin line between qualifying and not,” Alfaro said. “If we don’t qualify people will say we haven’t done our job and if we do, people will be euphoric. Hopefully we will go through because we deserve it.”

    While Ecuador holds out hope for Valencia’s fitness, Senegal is already two games into life without its best player.

    Sadio Mane’s injury just two weeks before the World Cup forced the African champions to reconfigure their forward line and their entire game plan.

    It was still a work in progress in an opening 2-0 loss to Netherlands but Senegal came closer to fully adjusting to Mane’s absence when forwards Boulaye Dia, Famara Diedhiou and Bamba Dieng all scored in a 3-1 win over Qatar to revive Senegal’s chances.

    Senegal, ranked No. 18 in the world and fresh from winning the African Cup of Nations title in February, would normally be the clear favorite over the inexperienced No. 44 Ecuador, even with Valencia’s extraordinary run of scoring in four of his country’s last five World Cup games.

    It’s never so simple at a World Cup and certainly not at this one after third-ranked Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia and second-ranked Belgium fell to Morocco.

    Senegal has the added pressure of the last World Cup in 2018. Then, the team missed out on a place in the last 16 after losing to Colombia, another South American team, in the final set of group games when a draw would have been enough. Senegal finished level on points with Japan but was eliminated because it had more yellow cards.

    “We’re dealing with the pressure and the stress. For me, it’s a good stress,” Senegal coach Aliou Cisse said. “We are not going to overthink it. There are no two ways about it, we have to win the game to advance.”

    ———

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  • Where’d he go? Morocco goalie disappears at World Cup game

    Where’d he go? Morocco goalie disappears at World Cup game

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    DOHA, Qatar — Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou mysteriously disappeared before kickoff of his team’s shocking 2-0 World Cup win over Belgium on Sunday.

    Bounou lined up with the Morocco team for the national anthems and then went to speak to coach Walid Regragui, who embraced him and turned to speak to his reserve keeper. Munir El Kajoui then ran onto the field in time to be included in the pre-match team photo and didn’t allow a goal as Morocco beat second-ranked Belgium.

    Regragui cleared up the mystery swap after the match.

    “He came to me (after the anthems), he didn’t feel right and he asked if we should substitute him,” Regragui said.

    The 31-year-old Bounou, who was born in Canada, is Morocco’s No. 1 goalkeeper and plays for Spanish club Sevilla. He played in Morocco’s 0-0 draw with Croatia in the opening round of group games.

    ———

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  • Japan aims for World Cup knockout stage against Costa Rica

    Japan aims for World Cup knockout stage against Costa Rica

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    DOHA, Qatar — How big was Japan‘s 2-1 upset of Germany in the opening round of the World Cup?

    Newspapers in Japan used the term “Daikimboshi” from sumo wrestling to describe the magnitude of the surprise: when a low-ranked wrestler overpowers a grand champion.

    The victory has also been compared to Japan’s 34-32 upset of powerful South Africa in the 2015 rugby World Cup in England.

    Japan was the underdog against four-time champion Germany, but it will be a strong favorite in its next Group E match against Costa Rica, where a victory could move Japan into the knockout stage with a game to spare.

    A loss by Costa Rica on Sunday would eliminate it from advancing. Costa Rica faces Germany in its final match and Japan goes against Spain.

    Costa Rica is reeling from a 7-0 thrashing against Spain in its opener, and it’s anyone’s guess how the Ticos will respond. With a population of just over 5 million, the tiny Central American country is appearing in its sixth World Cup. It reached the quarterfinals in 2014 in Brazil.

    Japan has never reached the quarterfinals at a World Cup, and that’s the aim this time. This is Japan’s seventh straight appearance, and it has reached the round of 16 on three occasions, including in Russia in 2018. It lost 3-2 in stoppage time to Belgium after leading 2-0.

    It was eliminated by Paraguay on penalties in 2010, and lost to Turkey 1-0 in 2002 when the country co-hosted the event with South Korea.

    Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu has spoken often about going farther this time and breaking the “final-16 hex.”

    Substitutes Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano scored late goals against Germany — they both play in Germany’s Bundesliga — to lead Japan to the upset. Asano got the winner in the 83rd minute, squeezing the ball behind German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer from a very sharp angle.

    Costa Rica was overwhelmed by Spain with only 28% of the possession. It would also face the same problem against Japan, which is able to hold the ball for long spells, and is also a quick, counterattacking threat.

    “We couldn’t complete three or four passes,” Costa Rica coach Luis Fernando Suarez said of the Spain loss.

    The Ticos will have to do much more against Japan.

    ———

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  • 2 brothers, 2 teams, 2 contrasting experiences at World Cup

    2 brothers, 2 teams, 2 contrasting experiences at World Cup

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    DOHA, Qatar — Joy for the Williams family of Spain on Wednesday at the World Cup. Then despair for the same Williams family, who are also of Ghana, on Thursday.

    Williams brothers Iñaki and Nico have managed to mark both sides of their family’s heritage in the most incredible way at this World Cup in Qatar by playing for two different countries. They were both born in Spain but their parents are from Ghana.

    Nico was part of the Spain team that beat Costa Rica 7-0 on Wednesday in the tournament’s most compelling performance so far. He came on as a second-half substitute to make his World Cup debut in Spain’s record win at the tournament.

    A day later, big brother Iñaki played his first World Cup game for Ghana, a 3-2 loss to Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal.

    That meant a complicated 24 hours in the family home back in Spain with celebrations for 20-year-old Nico no doubt swiftly followed by commiserations for 28-year-old Iñaki. The same for the two brothers, who Ghana coach Otto Addo said both feel as Spanish as they do Ghanaian.

    “I know that they both have a good strong relationship with their mother and their fatherland,” was how Addo put it.

    Because of his love for his parents’ country, Iñaki’s integration into the Ghana team has been very easy, Addo added, even if he was born in Bilbao in raised in the Basque region.

    Iñaki, a forward just like Nico, played the whole game for Ghana against Portugal and stood in the center circle at the end of the game looking bitterly disappointed with the loss.

    “Maybe for some it’s difficult to understand but I think it’s really possible to have two countries in your heart,” Addo said of Iñaki. “And surely he has Ghana in his heart from day one. But also Spain.”

    The story behind the situation is inspiring, and it involves their parents’ decision to leave Ghana nearly 30 years ago to find a better life in Europe.

    Never could Felix and Maria Williams have thought they would end up with two sons playing at the World Cup when they trekked barefoot through parts of a desert and climbed a fence to get into Spain in the early 1990s. Maria was pregnant with Iñaki at the time.

    They settled in Bilbao and both boys grew up to be soccer players. They still play club soccer together for hometown team Athletic Bilbao.

    The brothers careers have always been connected, even after Iñaki decided this year to switch allegiance to Ghana and go back his roots. Them playing for two different countries in the space of 24 hours was, incredibly, not the first time it has happened.

    Iñaki made his debut for Ghana on Sept. 23 this year against Brazil, featuring first this time. Nico made his first appearance for Spain against Switzerland a day later.

    ———

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  • Inflation or not, price of pro sports teams keeps going up

    Inflation or not, price of pro sports teams keeps going up

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    Inflation isn’t going to hurt the bankrolls of sports team owners.

    In fact, it may help.

    While the uber-rich will have to pay a little more for their eggs at the grocery store – just like everyone else – inflation isn’t likely to affect the bottom lines at their sports properties.

    “I’m resting pretty easy if I’m an owner,” said Tim Clarke, a senior analyst at PitchBook, which researches private financial markets. “That’s how people are viewing assets of the professional sports industry. They’re just not going down.”

    Inflation surged this year to levels unseen for four decades, slowing the economy and raising prices for consumers from the checkout line to the gas pump. For the most part, sports are no exception: Rising costs are making it more expensive for fans to go to games, for families who participate in youth sports and for college athletic departments trying to stay on budget.

    But the millionaires and billionaires who own sports team won’t be feeling the pinch, whether it’s the day-to-day cost of running the business or the sale price when they decide to move on. On the contrary: A franchise can be a safe place to park money and ride out a bear market.

    “I do think there is somewhat of a hedge,” said Inner Circle Sports CEO Rob Tillis, who has worked on the sale of dozens of teams in all four major U.S. pro sports and the top international leagues. “I have been doing this for 30 years. We’ve been through lots of business cycles and valuations have been strong. I don’t see that as any different now.”

    Most sports owners are also well-capitalized enough to keep their team budgets separate from their outside business and other sources of wealth. So even though rising interest rates have cooled the housing market, that’s unlikely to affect Cleveland Cavaliers and Rocket Mortgage owner Dan Gilbert, who with an estimated net worth of almost $52 billion is the 23rd-richest man in the world, according to Forbes magazine.

    (One exception: Losses in the Bernard Madoff Ponzi scheme squeezed the Mets payroll and forced owner Fred Wilpon to sell off first part, then the rest of the team.)

    “These guys, they have so much money that I think if they start to get pinched elsewhere, it’s more or less a rounding error for their clubs,” said Tom Pitts, the European head of LionRock Capital, a private equity firm that has a one-third interest in the Inter Milan soccer team. “Most of these guys haven’t stretched to buy the club. It’s an expensive hobby.”

    Rising interest rates could make it more expensive for would-be owners to buy into the club if they have to borrow money to pay for their new prize. “It just costs a lot more money in absolute dollars to service the debt,” Pitts said.

    A handful of high-profile teams are currently on the market.

    Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder, who is under pressure to sell his team after an investigation revealed a toxic corporate culture, says he would consider unloading all or part of the once-proud NFL franchise. It is expected to fetch even more than the $4.65 billion paid for the Denver Broncos this summer by Walmart heir Rob Walton, who with an estimated net worth of $61 billion is the 16th-richest person in the world.

    Robert Sarver has put his teams, the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, on the market after an investigation found evidence of a racially and sexually insensitive workplace. Baseball’s Washington Nationals are for sale and the family that owns the Baltimore Orioles has made noise about selling, as well. The NHL’s Ottawa Senators can also be had for the right price.

    Two of English soccer’s biggest names, Manchester United and Liverpool, are also on the market. Man U. was valued by Forbes in September at $4.6 billion — just a bit higher than Liverpool; both are expected to eclipse the $3.2 billion price paid for Chelsea this spring that was briefly the highest ever for a sports team.

    That record was less than two weeks old when the Broncos deal was announced.

    “You’ve got the likes of the Waltons, and it’s a drop in the bucket,” Clarke said. “It’s a club. It’s like, ‘When is the next Picasso up for sale?’ … The value sector has nothing to do with the economy. There’s always demand and there’s always scarce supply.”

    ———

    AP Sports Writer Jay Cohen contributed to this story.

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  • Japan gets 2 late goals to beat Germany 2-1 at World Cup

    Japan gets 2 late goals to beat Germany 2-1 at World Cup

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    DOHA, Qatar — Another World Cup day, another World Cup shock.

    Substitutes Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano scored late goals Wednesday to give Japan a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Germany.

    Both Doan and Asano play for German clubs.

    “I believe it’s a historic moment, a historic victory. If I think about the development of Japanese soccer, thinking of players, for them this was a big surprise,” said Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu, who had five Germany-based players in his starting lineup and three, including the scorers, on the bench.

    “They’re fighting in a very strong, tough, prestigious league. They’ve been building up their strength. In that context we believe that those divisions (Bundesliga and second division) have been contributing to the development of Japanese players,” Moriyasu said. “I’m very grateful for that.”

    Ilkay Gündogan had given four-time champion Germany the lead with a first-half penalty. But Doan, who plays for Freiburg, pounced on a rebound to equalize in the 76th minute after Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer blocked a shot from Takumi Minamino.

    Then Asano, who plays for Bochum, sprinted clear of Nico Schlotterbeck and beat Neuer from a narrow angle in the 83rd minute of the first competitive meeting between the two nations.

    The match was played a day after Argentina’s 2-1 upset loss to Saudi Arabia.

    Before Wednesday’s game, Germany’s players covered their mouths during the team photo in an apparent rebuke to FIFA following its decision to stop plans to wear armbands to protest discrimination in host nation Qatar.

    Nancy Faeser, Germany’s sports minister, attended the match at the Khalifa International Stadium and was sitting beside FIFA president Gianni Infantino while wearing the same “One Love” armband that FIFA had outlawed with its threats of consequences.

    It was only the third time Germany had lost its tournament-opening game after defeats against Algeria in 1982 and Mexico in 2018. In the other World Cup openers for Germany, the team had won 13 matches and drawn four.

    Germany outplayed Japan for much of the match with 24 attempts on goal compared to Japan’s 11. Despite giving away the penalty for a clumsy challenge on left back David Raum, Japan goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda made a string of saves and was player of the game.

    “We fought as a team,” Gonda said. “We have to make sure we never stop.”

    Japan next plays Costa Rica, while Germany faces Spain on Sunday.

    Germany’s buildup was fraught by protests and political statements because of Qatar’s human rights record and its treatment of migrant workers and members of the LGBTQ community.

    Germany was playing at the World Cup for the first time since its shocking group-stage exit as defending champion in 2018, while Japan is appearing in its seventh straight World Cup and is looking to reach the quarterfinals for the first time.

    ———

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  • First win key in tough World Cup group for Swiss, Cameroon

    First win key in tough World Cup group for Swiss, Cameroon

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    DOHA, Qatar — Even for their opening game at the World Cup, Switzerland against Cameroon has the look of a must-win opportunity in a tough group.

    With talent-packed Brazil and robust Serbia also in Group G, taking three points in the early afternoon heat on Thursday shapes as a key step for each team to advance.

    The task is harder for Cameroon based on recent World Cup form after being swept aside in three straight losses at each of its past two appearances, in 2014 and 2010.

    In that period the Indomitable Lions have scored fewer goals collectively as a team on soccer’s biggest stage than a single Swiss player, Xherdan Shaqiri.

    The score is 4-3 in Shaqiri’s favor since 2010 when he made his World Cup debut as a teenager. Now 31 and playing in MLS with Chicago Fire, Shaqiri returns again as playmaker equalling a Swiss record at his fourth edition of the tournament. Goals will more likely come from in-form Monaco forward Breel Embolo.

    At age 33, Cameroon’s star forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting arrives at his third edition in prolific form at Bayern Munich and looking for his first career World Cup goal.

    Choupo-Moting’s 11 goals in all competitions this season helped plug the gap left by Robert Lewandowski’s departure and lifted Bayern back atop the Bundesliga at the enforced mid-season break.

    Both Cameroon and Switzerland come to Qatar with solid results at their continental championships in the past 18 months though each now with different coaches.

    At the European Championship last year, the Swiss broke a streak of being stopped at the round of 16 in major tournaments by eliminating France on penalties after a 3-3 thriller.

    After losing another shootout in the quarterfinals to Spain, coach Vladimir Petkovic parlayed his rising reputation after seven years into joining Bordeaux. He was fired within months.

    Murat Yakin, a 49-times capped central defender, was hired from coaching a Swiss second-tier club. He immediately impressed by steering the team to finish top of a World Cup qualifying group ahead of European champion Italy.

    Cameroon started the year reaching the semifinals at the African Cup of Nations it hosted — losing on penalties to Egypt — then fired Portuguese coach Toni Conceição.

    Samuel Eto’o, Cameroon’s greatest player and now its federation president, turned to his long-time former teammate Rigobert Song who had a patchy record of results coaching within the national teams’ setup.

    Song was the captain and Eto’o scored the only goal when Cameroon last won a World Cup game, 20 years ago in Japan against Saudi Arabia.

    It is overdue for Africa’s first World Cup quarterfinalist, in 1990, to rediscover winning form.

    ———

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  • World Cup Viewer’s Guide: Messi seeks history with Argentina

    World Cup Viewer’s Guide: Messi seeks history with Argentina

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    DOHA, Qatar — Lionel Messi returns to the World Cup for a fifth attempt at finally winning soccer’s biggest prize.

    He’ll also be hoping to make history with Argentina.

    The Argentines are among the favorites to win in Qatar and victory would fill the one gaping hole in his resume. But a win or a draw Tuesday against Saudi Arabia, one of the weakest teams in the tournament, would give Argentina a record-tying result.

    Argentina arrived in Qatar on a 36-match unbeaten streak, one shy of tying Italy’s record in international men’s soccer, set from 2018-21.

    Argentina has not lost since falling to Brazil 2-0 in the 2019 Copa América. Argentina first won the World Cup in 1978, and then again in 1986 — one year before Messi was born. The team reached the final in 2014 and lost to Germany, and in a bitter follow-up four years later was eliminated in the round of 16 in Russia.

    Messi, meanwhile, is one of four players making their fifth World Cup appearance. He joins Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo, and Mexico teammates Guillermo Ochoa and Andrés Guardado.

    Saudi Arabia was eliminated in the first round in 2018, opening with a 5-0 loss to host Russia. In a tough Group C that includes Mexico and Poland, the Saudis will be trying to advance out of the group stage for only the second time, after 1994. The team has won two of its last 10 matches.

    DEFENDING CHAMPS

    Defending champion France opens play Tuesday against Australia in a rematch from four years ago.

    France won 2-1 in Russia when Paul Pogba’s shot in the 81st minute deflected in off a defender for an own-goal. Pogba is not in the squad following knee surgery, and France is also down another two stars with N’Golo Kante and Karim Benzema sidelined.

    France does expect defender Raphael Varane to play following a hamstring injury he picked up in October.

    Kylian Mbappé is ready to lead France to back-to-back titles. He was only 19 when he scored in the final and helped France win the World Cup four years ago. With 28 international goals, Mbappé wants to add to his count in the Group D opener.

    However, France arrived in Qatar with only one win in its last six games.

    Australia barely made the World Cup field and needed a dramatic penalty shootout win over Peru in the playoffs. The Socceroos have been eliminated from the group stage in four of five previous appearances.

    OTHER GAMES

    Mexico faces Poland, while Denmark plays Tunisia on the first of 11 consecutive days in which four games are played each day.

    Poland advanced to the World Cup behind striker Robert Lewandowski, who scored nine goals with four assists in qualifying. His 13 direct-goal involvements were twice as many as any teammate.

    He’s never scored in the World Cup, though, as Poland finished last in its group in 2018. The Barcelona striker is eager to find the net in Qatar.

    “I think about the last World Cup for sure,” Lewandowski said. “To score at a World Cup would be a huge dream and I’m going to do everything for this dream. I hope in this World Cup it will happen. I am glad for everything I have achieved and these memories for the World Cup, so now is the time to enjoy.”

    Poland last advanced out of group stage in 1986.

    Mexico, meanwhile, has advanced out of group play in each of its past eight appearances, last failing to move on in 1978. The national team has also won its opening match in five of its past six World Cups.

    Christian Eriksen figures to play for Denmark against Tunisia, 17 months after he was revived on the field during the European Championship.

    The Manchester United midfielder’s presence will be inspirational for Denmark, which sailed through its World Cup qualifying group by winning its first nine games — with clean sheets through the first eight.

    Tunisia has been strong at keeping games tight but its World Cup record isn’t great: Tunisia has lost 60% of its World Cup games (nine out of 15), trailing only Saudi Arabia and Australia.

    OUTSIDE CHAOS

    The first few days of the World Cup have been been marred by logistical snags, the latest on Monday when fans complained their tickets to the England-Iran match had vanished from their mobile FIFA application.

    Long lines grew outside the Khalifa International Stadium about an hour before kickoff with fans furious they might not get inside.

    The night before, the official fan zone quickly became overcrowded during the opening match between host nation Qatar and Ecuador. Tens of thousands of fans pushed and shoved against police lines to enter the venue, one of the few places where fans could purchase beer and watch the game.

    DAVIES UPDATE

    Canada coach John Herdman is expected to give a medical update on Tuesday regarding Alphonso Davies, who arrived in Qatar last week after receiving treatment on a hamstring strain he picked up this month while playing for Bayern Munich.

    Bayern has said Davies’ participation in Qatar was “not at risk,” but he has not played since the Nov. 5 injury.

    “My mission is to make sure he plays at this World Cup, it’s a childhood dream for him,” Herdman said. “And not to put him in a position where he’s unsafe.”

    Read up on all 32 teams playing at the World Cup.

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    AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

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