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This is the final T20I series for them before the T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies in June

Alex Malcolm19-Feb-20241:43

Where does Glenn Maxwell rank in T20 cricket?

Should Steven Smith be picked for the World Cup?
Steven Smith’s role in Australia’s T20I side has been diminishing in recent years. In 2019-20 when Australia were the No. 1 ranked T20I side he was locked in at No. 3. In the 2021 T20 World Cup triumph he was shifted to a floating No. 4, behind Mitchell Marsh, who would only bat there if Australia lost powerplay wickets. He lost his place from the first-choice XI for the 2022 T20 World Cup when Australia opted to promote Glenn Maxwell to No. 4 and select Tim David at No. 6, with Smith only playing the final game when Aaron Finch and David were injured. He has only played twice for Australia in the format since. He was supposed to get the opportunity to open in a series in South Africa last year but suffered a wrist injury then played the first two games of a five-match series in India but was clearly fatigued and went home to rest from the final three.Australia’s first-choice top three looks fairly settled with the ballistic Travis Head likely to open alongside David Warner with Marsh at No. 3. Australia will want to replicate their powerplay pyrotechnics from the ODI World Cup. Smith can’t match Head’s aggression as he has only struck at more than 146 once in his last 21 T20I innings, and there is an expectation that anchors are going to be rendered obsolete in this World Cup.Related

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There will be those questioning how he is even playing in this series against New Zealand, let alone be in the frame for the World Cup when someone like Matthew Short could be given a chance at the top. The issue is that Smith has outperformed Short at BBL level in the last two seasons, even though Short has been player of the tournament for two seasons running. The sample size is small, but Smith has two hundreds and two fifties from seven innings, averaging 67.83 and striking at 168.87 opening the batting for Sydney Sixers. Short has one hundred in 25 innings for Adelaide Strikers, averaging 45.40 and striking at 149.10. Smith’s career BBL record is far superior to Short’s, highlighting the difficulty for the selectors of rewarding BBL performances when Australia’s Test players don’t get to play.There is one other factor in Smith’s favour. Whilst the World Cup could be a power-hitting bonanza, which would play against Smith’s inclusion in Australia’s final 15, there is always the possibility that a knockout game is played on a worn, spinning surface. Smith’s prowess against spin at the top of the order in a low-scoring game could be a valuable resource. He will get an opportunity in very different conditions in New Zealand. What he will need to show is an ability to go up the gears, like he has done at BBL level, to prove he can be an asset in more scenarios than just low-scoring scraps on spinning tracks.Is the middle order set in stone?Australia’s middle-order has long been a weak point in T20I cricket but it has become a strength in the last three years with the axis of Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, David and Matthew Wade proving a very versatile and powerful combination in a multitude of different scenarios.Stoinis’ injury is untimely, and his injury history would have the selectors wary going into a World Cup. Many have conflated his underwhelming batting form in ODI cricket with his T20I place, but he has been very consistent for Australia in the shortest form and his bowling has become invaluable. Taking him out of the middle-order, even temporarily, disrupts Australia’s balance.Josh Inglis could force his way into Australia’s middle order•Getty ImagesMaxwell will be Australia’s first-choice fifth bowler in spinning conditions but Stoinis is a vital sixth option if an opponent collars Maxwell or Australia’s quicks in the powerplay on a slow surface. Stoinis’ cutters and changes of pace are crafty. If he’s not there, that role falls to Marsh, who is not as skilled, and Head’s offspin is the only other option.Josh Inglis will be in Australia’s World Cup squad as the second wicketkeeper and a versatile back-up batter. His skill against spin would mean he is an easy option to slide into No. 5 and could even be a better batting option than Stoinis in certain conditions against opponents with high-quality spinners. But that robs Australia of a bowler. The other option to strengthen Australia’s batting against spin is to play Inglis instead of Wade and rejig the order slightly with David moving lower. That may happen in game one against New Zealand in Wellington with Wade missing on paternity leave. But Wade is Marsh’s vice-captain and his presence at No. 7 is highly valuedHe has proven the ability to get either 41 off 17 or 7 off 3 depending on what is required. He is one of Australia’s best death overs pace-hitters and the only left-handed batter outside of Warner and Head.Short gets the chance to push their case in New Zealand as a back-up allrounder in that middle-order, especially with Aaron Hardie also ruled out. But he does not have much experience in the specialised role and although New Zealand may provide him with chances, it will be very different to the conditions and pressure of a World Cup in the Caribbean. The only other allrounder in the mix for the World Cup is Cameron Green. But he is not in New Zealand with the selectors preferring him to focus on his Test preparations. He will have to prove his case in the IPL and like the other two, is better suited to batting up the order.Who is the back-up quick?Australia will go to the well for a fourth straight limited-overs World Cup with Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc as their first-choice pace trio in a four-man attack alongside Adam Zampa. But it’s worth remembering that Cummins and Starc have not played a T20I since the 2022 World Cup when Starc was dropped for the final game.Nathan Ellis currently leads the race to be Australia’s back-up quick at the T20 World Cup•Getty ImagesNathan Ellis is the fourth quick chosen on the tour of New Zealand and has edged ahead of Sean Abbott, Jason Behrendorff and Spencer Johnson as the fourth option for the World Cup although Johnson has been called into the squad after Stoinis and Hardie were withdrawn. Death bowling in New Zealand is as difficult as it gets, and he will get the chance to cement his place although he will also have a full IPL with Punjab Kings in conditions that are far closer to what Australia will face at the World Cup.Do Australia need two spinners in the World Cup 15?Based on Australia’s last two World Cup triumphs in the T20 version in the UAE and the 50-over version in India, the answer is no. Zampa has been the main spinner and Maxwell the second option. Head also chipped in with vital wickets in the ODI World Cup semi-final. But the pitches in the Caribbean can sometimes spin even more than the UAE or India.The chair of selectors George Bailey did state on record recently that a second spinner would travel to the World Cup. The question for the selectors is then, do they carry a spare spinner in the 15 on the off chance they need to play two in the same side? Or do they do what they did in India and carry a 16th travelling reserve in case Zampa gets injured? The problem is each equation potentially requires a different player.Tanveer Sangha was Zampa’s reserve in India as the 16th player who could only play if Zampa was ruled out of the tournament. But they won’t want to play two legspinners in the same XI. If they wanted a second spinner in the XI, then left-arm orthodox Ashton Agar comes back into the mix.The problem for Agar and Sangha is neither will get any cricket between now and the Caribbean, as neither were selected for New Zealand. Both have one 50-over Marsh Cup final to play in the domestic summer and neither are involved in the IPL.

India batter shrugs off Bevan comparisons as he works on becoming whatever his team needs

Shashank Kishore08-Feb-20221:22

Suryakumar Yadav: ‘We are going to bat the same way we did in the last game’

“Michael Bevan, huh?”Suryakumar Yadav laughed off the suggestion that “people had started labelling him as a finisher”, just like the former Australia batter.”Sir, I’ve just played five games. Or maybe seven,” he responded with a grin. “Let me remain Suryakumar Yadav (laughs). Whatever number I can bat, whatever situation I am in, if I can make the team win from there, that will be my focus. But I want to be fearless as I am, always.”On Sunday, Suryakumar walked in after India had lost 3 for 31 following a bruising batting performance from Rohit Sharma in an 84-run opening stand. They had just lost Virat Kohli and Rohit in the same over. Then, three overs later, Ishan Kishan holed out to deep square leg.Between the two dismissals, Suryakumar received friendly banter from his IPL mate. “Show us those flicks you play in the IPL,” Kieron Pollard is believed to have said.”I didn’t get a chance to sledge him though, he was in a hurry,” Suryakumar laughed.When in full flow, Suryakumar can be a head turner. He has a 360-degree game that is a result of years of trying. It has helped that he is no longer the insecure “always having to prove a point” cricketer, riddled with self-doubt and anger.Related

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Now he can arch back and ramp the ball over third man if it’s short. Walk across and scoop it over short fine if its full. Even hook his first ball for six, like he did off Jofra Archer in international cricket.From a generic IPL and domestic player who was yo-yo’ed up and down the batting order since 2011, Suryakumar has conditioned his game to the extent that he is seen as a middle order lynchpin for whichever team he plays for.He can shun the itch to be inventive. He can temper his game to milk runs. He can stem early damage, play the middle-order enforcer, or take on the mantle of a finisher. With India having lost four wickets, a combination of these traits was on show as he made a polished unbeaten 34 to kill the chase alongside debutant Deepak Hooda.”Things were really clear, he (Hooda) has played a lot of domestic cricket, so he knew the situation really well,” Suryakumar said. “We were having little conversations and setting little goals (in our partnership). His confidence was spot on though.”Suryakumar’s composure and reading of situations have made him more complete. So complete that he is now seen as a back-up middle order batter in the Test squad, apart from being a regular in the white-ball set up.It has been a remarkable transformation for the 31-year-old, who two years ago began to wonder if the India cap would bypass him. But he didn’t lose hope. “I strongly feel I’m going to push the door this year,” he said and that’s what he did, at every available opportunity.Having made the batting switch, he is now regularly turning his arm over in the nets too. India are looking for a top-six batter who can also bowl. Suryakumar may not be there yet but he’s never been one to miss a chance to contribute to his team.”I’m bowling in the nets,” he said with a smile. “Whenever the opportunity comes, I’ll be ready. Whenever they feel they can use me, I’m always available.”

West Ham are closing in on a deal for one highly-rated Tottenham youngster after sporting director Mark Noble played a key role in the transfer, according to a new report.

West Ham take on Brighton after Man United draw

On the pitch, Nuno Espírito Santo’s side can take real encouragement from their 1-1 draw with Man United at Old Trafford.

West Ham demonstrated admirable resilience at Old Trafford, battling back from Diogo Dalot’s 58th minute opener to salvage a point through Soungoutou Magassa’s late equaliser.

The Malian midfielder opened his Premier League account with a composed finish seven minutes from time after substitute Andy Irving’s corner caused chaos in United’s penalty area, silencing the Theatre of Dreams.

While earning a point at United represents a creditable result, West Ham’s relegation concerns are still very much there.

The Hammers remain stranded in 18th with just 12 points from 14 games, with Nuno’s men having now conceded 28 goals this season, managing just three victories and failing to keep a clean sheet in their last 11 attempts across all competitions.

Sunderland 3-0 West Ham

West Ham 1-5 Chelsea

Nottingham Forest 0-3 West Ham

West Ham 0-3 Tottenham

West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace

Everton 1-1 West Ham

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

West Ham 0-2 Brentford

Leeds 2-1 West Ham

West Ham 3-1 Newcastle

West Ham 3-2 Burnley

Bournemouth 2-2 West Ham

West Ham 0-2 Liverpool

Man United 1-1 West Ham

Brighton now pose a tough test for them too.

Lucas Paqueta has returned following a one-match suspension for his red card against Liverpool, offering Nuno crucial midfield reinforcement. However, his Brazilian compatriot Igor Julio cannot feature against his parent club, while Crysencio Summerville remains doubtful with a persistent knock.

Lukasz Fabianski and Oliver Scarles are confirmed absentees.

Brighton present formidable opposition despite their own recent setback. Fabian Hurzeler’s side suffered a dramatic 4-3 home defeat against Aston Villa on Wednesday, surrendering a two-goal advantage as Unai Emery’s men scored four unanswered goals before Jan Paul van Hecke’s late consolation.

The Seagulls sit seventh, just two adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea, and maintain an exceptional home scoring record with at least two goals netted in each of their last six Amex Stadium fixtures.

Veteran striker Danny Welbeck should return after missing the Villa defeat, having scored six Premier League goals against West Ham throughout his career.

Away from the field, West Ham are believed to be eyeing a new striker in January, with Noble now also bolstering the club’s youth ranks with a rival sensation.

West Ham 'set to sign' Tottenham sensation Frankie Day

That is according to very reliable club insider ExWHUemployee, who has told his Patreon that West Ham are now ‘set to sign’ Tottenham starlet Frankie Day.

The 16-year-old, who plays as a striker, is said to be ‘prolific’ in his age group and Noble has personally been very involved in making the transfer happen.

Day is now poised to swap Tottenham for West Ham, with the deal seen as a ‘bit of a coup’ factoring in his potential.

As West Ham wait for the formalities to be completed, it will be very interesting to see what the future holds for Day in east London.

The Irons have been more focused on youthful recruitment these past few seasons, as evident by their recent signings of Mohamadou Kante, Mateus Fernandes and Magassa.

Their academy sides have shown great promise as well, with West Ham’s Under-23s completing a league and cup double in 2023 whilst finishing that campaign with 26 wins out of a possible 30 in all competitions.

Day could be at the perfect place to further his development, and there’s no doubt Noble will have emphasised that in talks with the teenager.

While Arsenal dropped points prior to the international break, this weekend represented a colossal opportunity for Mikel Arteta’s men to stamp their authority on this Premier League title race.

Manchester City and Liverpool suffered defeat, meaning that once the Gunners had beaten fierce rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, their advantage over City in third was now seven points.

As Jamie Carragher put it at full-time on Sky Sports, the only team who can stop Arsenal from winning the league are Arsenal.

They have the tactics, they have the defensive shape and they now have the attacking firepower and depth to their squad to take on anyone.

As Arsenal swatted aside Spurs, they did so without a recognised centre-forward, they did so without captain Martin Odegaard and they did so without Gabriel, one of the most influential players in the entire division this season.

The man to thank? Well, it was certainly Eberechi Eze.

The key men as Arsenal defeat Spurs

Coming into this game the narrative was all about Eze.

The attacking midfielder had famously rejected a move to Spurs in the summer in favour of returning to his boyhood club.

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank was quizzed on that in his pre-game press conference and muttered a response that he will now live to regret: “Who’s Eze?”

The Dane said that with a smile. Well, he certainly knows who Eze is now.

He became the first Arsenal player to score a hat-trick in the north London derby since Alan Sunderland in 1978 and he did so in some style.

It was Leandro Trossard who has opened the scoring but Eze, signed for £67.5m over the summer from Crystal Palace, stole the show.

Arsenal have lacked a player with his ability to shoot on sight and boy did he do so on Sunday evening. His first was a brilliant taken effort in a crowded penalty area but his second and third goals came with more space.

The quality, however, was equally as good each time. The England international scored a stunning goal for his country over the international break and was bang in form again here. The way he dispatched his second on his weaker foot spoke volumes of the form this man is in.

The third was also sumptuous. Fed the ball by Trossard, the former Palace star took one touch to set himself, ignored Bukayo Saka to his right and rifled the ball home.

Eze deserved most of the plaudits but the aforementioned Trossard did too. He scored and assisted, meaning that in the 32 games where he has found the net for Arsenal, he has never been on the losing team.

An amount of praise must be passed to Piero Hincapie too.

With Gabriel injured and out of the side the Ecuadorian stood in at centre-half and was exemplary on his first start in the Premier League, winning all three of his contested aerial duels.

Still, there was a rather underrated performance elsewhere that we’re yet to mention.

Arsenal star shows shades of Ozil and Odegaard

An attacking midfielder lights up the Emirates again and you’d be forgiven for thinking that Eze was the most alike to a certain Mesut Ozil and Odegaard.

Yet, in rather surprising circumstances, the player who evoked memories of those dazzling Arsenal players was Mikel Merino.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

When the Spaniard signed for the Gunners in 2024 he was renowned as something of a duel monster. While he’s played regularly in midfield for Arteta, he has been most impactful as a makeshift striker.

Injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus last term meant that the Spain international needed to fill in as a centre-forward. He performed admirably too, notably scoring against Real Madrid and rescuing that win against Leicester when he first featured as the number 9.

Arsenal signed Viktor Gyokeres in the summer but have still had to rely on Merino with Jesus, Havertz and the Swede on the sidelines in recent weeks.

The £32m midfielder netted twice against Slavia Prague in the Champions League a few weeks ago but perhaps saved his finest display of the season for Spurs on Sunday.

He started the game slowly but held the ball up admirably and although he won’t run the channels like Gyokeres, he made the team click and was the catalyst for Eze’s hat-trick. That was outlined by analyst Raj Chohan on social media.

That wasn’t the best thing Merino did, however. The pass for Trossard’s goal was remarkable.

He received the ball 25 yards from goal, waited for precisely the right moment to clip the ball into the box and he did so delightfully, finding the Belgian who swivelled and then found the net.

It was a scarily good pass, one that evoked memories of a certain Ozil.

In the process of being hailed as “Arsenal’s most underrated player” by club insider, Hand of Arsenal, he stated that “if that pass is made by Ozil we are raving.”

Minutes played

88

Touches

44

Accurate passes

16/22 (73%)

Shots

1

Key passes

1

Successful dribbles

0/2

Tackles won

5/5

Ground duels won

8/15

Aerial duels won

2/7

Recoveries

3

CBS reporter James Benge had a similar viewpoint, remarking that it was “an Arsene Wenger building an entire midfield out of diminutive playmakers” type of pass.

Cast your mind back to the days of Ozil, to some of Odegaard’s magical assists in Arsenal colours, it was right out of their playbook and it broke down what had been a stubborn Spurs defence up to that point.

Merino is not the most stylish of players, he is not the Rolls-Royce. However, what he will always guarantee is a mighty strong shift and a very efficient performance. He delivered just that on Sunday again, all with a bit of Ozil flavour.

Not just Eze: £27m star just had his best game for Arsenal

Eberechi Eze scored a remarkable hat-trick as Arsenal defeated Spurs.

ByMatt Dawson Nov 23, 2025

Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeness has launched a blistering attack on Liverpool’s disastrous season, claiming that new arrival Florian Wirtz has been left to suffer because Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and others “want to play with their own ball”. With Liverpool in crisis after spending £450 million ($595m) on summer transfers, Hoeness insists the squad is full of “chiefs and no workers”.

Liverpool struggling while Wirtz fails to find his feet

Liverpool’s 2025-26 season has spiralled into turmoil despite a record-breaking summer outlay of almost £450m, leaving the Premier League giants sitting eighth and already nine points off leaders Arsenal. A humiliating 4-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League deepened the crisis, with fans labelling the performance one of the club’s worst in Europe in recent memory. Head coach Arne Slot now finds himself under intense scrutiny as pressure mounts and rumours of a potential exit swirl.

The high-profile arrivals of Wirtz, Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike were intended to launch a new era of dominance, yet the Reds have instead struggled with cohesion, balance and consistency. Defensive frailties, disjointed pressing and ineffective attacking patterns have contributed to repeated lapses, with six defeats in seven matches across all competitions representing an alarming collapse. These shortcomings have allowed critics to accuse the squad of lacking structure and leadership, prompting scrutiny from figures across European football.

Wirtz, signed to be the new creative heartbeat of the team, has endured an especially difficult adaptation to the Premier League, failing to score or assist in his first 12 league matches. As the Reds sink deeper into an early-season crisis, frustrations have intensified and external voices have begun to lay blame squarely at the feet of Liverpool’s expensive signings.

AdvertisementAFPBayern chief Hoeness defends Wirtz but takes shots at Liverpool

Hoeness delivered one of the most scathing assessments yet, arguing that Liverpool’s fundamental problem is a squad overloaded with individualists rather than functional team players. He said: “They have spent 500 million euros and are playing a catastrophic season… In my opinion, that’s because you only have superstars. You only have chiefs and no workers.”

Hoeness went further by accusing Liverpool’s attackers of refusing to share the ball and undermining their own playmaking unity. He claimed: “I always say: at Liverpool, they’ll soon have to play with five balls because the stars don’t want to give up a ball.”

In what has become the most headline-grabbing portion of his outburst, Hoeness expressed sympathy for Wirtz while placing blame squarely on Salah and Szoboszlai. He added: “Poor Florian Wirtz, he doesn’t get the ball at all because Salah and Szoboszlai and what they’re all called want to play with their own ball.”

Slot under pressure as failures pile up

Liverpool’s slump has unfolded across multiple tactical and structural elements, creating a fractured team unable to execute Slot’s high-intensity principles. Their once-feared press is now inconsistent, leaving spaces for opponents to exploit while simultaneously limiting their ability to counter quickly and effectively. As a result, matches have been dominated statistically but lost through decisive moments, poor finishing and lapses in defensive concentration.

The summer departure of wide man Luis Diaz have left a noticeable drop in pace and directness, stripping Liverpool of the explosiveness required to break low blocks. Even though players like Cody Gakpo remain influential in carries and build-up play, the final ball has repeatedly fallen short, preventing the team from converting favourable attacking positions. These deficiencies have fostered an overreliance on individual flashes rather than coordinated patterns, intensifying the pressure on midfield creators.

Wirtz’s struggles mirror the wider issues, as his skillset relies on rapid combinations, synchronised movements and team-mates who recognise early passing triggers. At Bayer Leverkusen, he thrived in a system built around habit-forming repetitions. At Liverpool, he often drops deep only to find passes arriving too late or not at all.

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Getty ImagesSlot fighting for his job as Wirtz looks to find form

Liverpool now face the task of stabilising their season before it drifts into an outright collapse, beginning with the need to rebuild confidence and restore structure in possession and transition. Slot must find immediate solutions within the squad, especially in creating a functional environment for Wirtz while reducing the reliance on isolated star moments. Should results fail to turn quickly, continued pressure could force Liverpool into major January decisions – both in personnel and potentially in the dugout.

After getting somewhat back on track by beating West Ham on Sunday, the Reds will be up against Sunderland and Leeds United before taking on Inter in the Champions League.

Arsenal are now reportedly tracking one of Europe’s leading young talents in an attempt to hijack Chelsea’s move and deal their Premier League rivals a frustrating blow.

Whilst Arsenal will have been disappointed to see their clean sheet streak go against Sunderland as well as their recent winning run in a last-gasp 2-2 draw, they have plenty of reason to be positive.

Arsenal leading race to sign "explosive" gem ahead of interest from Barcelona

He’s a man in demand.

ByTom Cunningham Nov 10, 2025

Heading into the November international break, the Gunners sit four points clear at the top of the Premier League and on course to end their wait for glory under Mikel Arteta.

They’re doing it their way, too. Arteta is no longer simply a disciple to Pep Guardiola. His Arsenal side are far more pragmatic and could have one of the best defensive records that English football has ever seen come May. Meanwhile, in what is a reflection of Premier League football in 2025, Arsenal are benefitting from their position as set piece kings.

When you’re on top, however, it’s all about staying there and it’s no surprise that Andrea Berta is already eyeing potential incomings as a result. The champions-elect are reportedly interested in signing Malick Fofana from Lyon in an attempt to strengthen their left-hand side.

Both Martinelli and Leandro Trossard have competed for the role this season but with the former becoming inconsistent and the latter now 30 years old, there’s certainly room for another option to arrive.

Reports have even claimed that Arsenal are leading the race to sign Fofana ahead of 2026 in what would be another intelligent move from new sporting director Berta.

After Fofana, he may still welcome other options too. The Gunners have also been linked with a move to sign an impressive attacking midfielder ahead of Chelsea.

Arsenal eyeing Nico Paz hijack

According to Caught Offside, Arsenal are now tracking Nico Paz in what could see them hijack Chelsea’s move in unexpected fashion. The Como attacker is one of the best young players in European football and has attracted interest from the Premier League as well as Inter Milan as a result.

So long as Real Madrid don’t trigger their bargain buy-back options worth less than £10m in the next two years then the race to sign the 21-year-old will swing wide open. And that’s when Arsenal could swoop in.

If the Gunners are looking to find out more about the Argentine, meanwhile, then all they have to do is ask Cesc Fabregas. The former Arsenal midfielder is currently the manager of Como and has benefitted more than most from Paz’s brilliance.

With four goals and four assists in 12 games this season, the former Real Madrid star is undoubtedly the standout player under Fabregas, who could now make up for his transfer antics as a player by answering Arsenal’s potential call about his midfield sensation.

Arsenal "monster" is becoming the new Xhaka and he's not even a midfielder

Jazz Chisholm Jr. authored some pretty serious bulletin board material for the Kansas City Royals on Monday night.

After the New York Yankees lost Game 2 of the ALDS 4–2 to even the series at 1–1, Chisholm was asked about his team taking the defeat. He immediately claimed the Yankees would win the series and that the Royals got lucky on the night.

Chisholm was asked how different the series felt compared to after Game 1, which the Yankees won. He said, "It still feels the same, that we're gonna win it, you know? I don't feel like anybody feels any different, you know? We're gonna go out there and do our thing still. We still don't feel like any team is better than us. Like you said, we had a lot of missed opportunities tonight. So, they just got lucky."

While I appreciate the confidence in his teammates, that's a rough look for Chisholm.

The Royals didn't get lucky, they battered Yankees starting pitcher Carlos Rodon. The lefty gave up four runs on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings. They also got three hits with runners in scoring position while the Yankees were 1-for-6. That's not luck, it's execution.

Both teams got stellar work from their bullpens. The Yankees' pen went 5 1/3 innings, allowing no runs on four hits and two walks. Meanwhile, the Royals used four relievers to cover the final five innings. They allowed one run on four hits and three walks. Closer Lucas Erceg surrendered a solo home run to Chisholm in the ninth and that was the only damage.

Kansas City did what it needed to on Monday night. Chisholm should recognize that.

MatériaMais Notícias

Os torcedores do São Paulo têm mais um motivo para comemorar a conquista da Copa do Brasil. O Lance! volta às bancas na segunda-feira (25) trazendo as lembranças da conquista em uma edição especial e histórica, com uma revista pôster. Os exemplares custam R$ 10,90 e serão encontrados na cidade de São Paulo. O Lance! hoje é uma plataforma 100% digital e teve sua última edição em banca no ano de 2021, celebrando o título de campeão do Brasileirão 2020 conquistado pelo Flamengo.

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+ Lance! Betting vai sortear ingressos para a final da Libertadores no Maraca! Vem conferir!

+ Olha ele aí! Aposte R$10 e ganhe mais de R$55 com Payet e o Vasco no Brasileirão

+ Tem promoção exclusiva de boas-vindas pra você! Aposte a partir de R$10 e receba até R$200 de bônus na Lance! Betting

Além do tradicional pôster com a foto do Tricolor paulista, a revista contará a trajetória da conquista, curiosidades da campanha, depoimentos de influenciadores e torcedores. Além disso, trará QR codes com conteúdos extras, tanto no site quanto nas redes sociais do Lance!.

Para Igor Novello, gerente de canais do Lance!, a torcida do São Paulo terá um item colecionável para sempre relembrar o título da Copa do Brasil 2023.

– Todos os dias recebemos comentários de fãs em nossas redes relembrando a época em que compravam o nosso jornal nas bancas. Estamos querendo transformar essa nostalgia em realidade. O campeão da Copa do Brasil terá uma edição comemorativa física que será distribuída nas bancas das cidades de São Paulo, já no dia seguinte ao segundo jogo da final. Será um item de colecionador, como as revistas que todos lembram, mas com uma experiência nova, por conta dos conteúdos digitais – explica Novello.

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LAFC has been energized by Son, but clever transfer window additions could make the difference in MLS postseason

You can hear Son Heung-Min’s laugh from a room over. At least, that’s what Mathieu Choiniere claims. Walk into the LAFC training ground, get your reps in at the gym, listen for long enough, and you will hear that chuckle bouncing around the room. 

It is, these days, a fundamental part of the LAFC experience. This club will forever be associated with Son, not only for his hot start on the pitch, but also for the pedigree that comes with him. He carries the weight of a nation on his shoulders every time he puts an LAFC jersey on.

And it’s something he has embraced in full – that much is clear in his laughs, grins, and constant media appearances alone. 

But while Son has grabbed the headlines for his transfer fee and fine goal catalogue, there are plenty of others who have set this all up. LAFC may have made headlines when they shattered the MLS transfer record to bring in Son. But three other shrewd summer additions might be just as important – if only because of the way they have complemented Son, and allowed this team to function as a unit. 

That trio – Ryan Porteous, Choiniere and Andrew Moran – have all played their part. And if LAFC are to push for MLS Cup this winter in Steve Cherundolo’s final playoff push, then it will be as much down to the supporting cast as the big name.

“I don’t know where we can go. But this club has been going for everything, for every trophy, for every competition, every single time. That won’t change,” Choiniere said.

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  'What pieces do we need?'

  Just 10 games in, things were looking bleak in Los Angeles. The front office, usually so shrewd, had pieced together an unbalanced team. Olivier Giroud, a France legend and World Cup winning striker, was an expensive misfit up front. The rest of the side wasn’t quite firing around him. The Black and Gold, perennial cup contenders, sat in eighth. 

  Something had to change. And it did over the ensuing months. Giroud departed. The groundwork was laid for Son, who was ready to leave Spurs after a decade in North London. But things needed rounding out, too. Los Angeles had a main man in attack to pair with Denis Bouanga.

  But they also needed help in midfield, solidity in the back, and, ideally, an extra creative presence in the final third. In Porteous, Choiniere and Moran, they found all three – at minimal cost.

  “When you are looking at how things come together in complementary pieces and what have you, then you look on the field and you say, ‘OK, how will Sonny be utilized, and what pieces do we need around him to make the team better?’” LAFC GM John Thorrington said.

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  'Better late than never'

  It was a precarious spot for Cherundolo. The manager had announced in April that he planned to leave the club at the end of the campaign and return to Germany. A few eyebrows were raised when LAFC agreed to retain him for the entire season. In effect, they had a lame duck coach – and one that wasn’t getting the requisite results out of the team. 

  Some clubs would have stayed in stasis. Others would have removed the manager. LAFC, meanwhile, decided to go big. 

  “It's really important. If you asked me, if I had a choice, will we have a finished roster in the beginning of season or by the first of October? I would prefer the first of March,” Cherundolo said. “But better late than never, and finishing the season strong in our league is obviously more beneficial than starting strong.” 

  Communication with the front office was vital in the effort, Cherundolo said. At one point, he found himself short on options, dealing with multiple competitions, and pushing his players to the limit. These days, things are different. 

  “John and I talk all the time. He’s more than welcome to give me problems as far as choosing the roster and lineups every week. I like those problems,” Cherundolo said.

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  'It was a no-brainer'

  Porteous had his choices. The Scottish centerback – who had 13 caps for his national team – was frozen out at Championship side Watford. A loan to Preston yielded some success, but he was told by the club that he could leave if the right offer came in. And with two full seasons still left on his contract, there were options. 

  “I had offers elsewhere in the Championship, offers to go back to Scotland, other places abroad,” Porteous said. 

  But a few messages with other players in America, MLS and the direction of the league convinced him to make a move to the West Coast. The front office’s pitch – that he would be a crucial part of a team looking to make a run – sealed the deal. 

  “As soon as I had the conversations with the manager, the sporting directors, it was a no-brainer, because everything kind of aligned as in terms of the player they wanted to bring in, and the environment and the atmosphere that I wanted to join,” Porteous said. 

  He could sense the vibe as soon as he walked into the locker room. There was a real intent here. Change was already afoot. Son’s arrival – announced three days after Porteous’ signature – was no secret by that point. 

  “I was coming into a team that maybe had a stumbling block in the mid part of the season and just needed a little pick me up in terms of the recruitment,” Porteous said. "I think the people that they've brought in have added that energy.” 

  “Energetic” is one way of describing the Scotsman. He immediately established himself as a hard-nosed presence at the back – a leader who can play across multiple different positions, and also add a much-needed bite. It’s been there for as long as he can remember, Porteous admitted. He cut his teeth in the lower leagues of Scottish football, and then grew into the game in the physicality of the English Championship. 

  “If anybody met me on the field, they wouldn't like me. But I'd like to think anybody that knows me off it as a completely different person,” Porteous admitted. “But it’s always been that way.” 

  Cherundolo has repeatedly said that his aggression is key. Porteous has established himself as LAFC’s preferred right center back – and played every minute since his first start. And with Aaron Long out long term with an Achilles injury, his presence is vital.

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  'I needed something else'

  Choiniere had been in and out of MLS before. The Canadian came through the Montreal academy system, and was a two-time All-Star before being sold to Swiss Super League side Grasshopper in August 2024. His time in Switzerland was mixed. He made 17 appearances for the club, but was looking for a way out.

  “I needed something else. I wanted a new challenge,” he told GOAL. “I was training well, but wasn’t getting the playing time I wanted in the system that I wanted.” 

  LAFC came calling. Porteous added bite. But they also needed some control. Choiniere fit the bill perfectly. Thorrington’s pitch was simple. He needed someone to hold things down in midfield – cover the spaces, move the ball, put out fires. LAFC had the attacking talent. Choiniere was going to be the connective tissue in the middle. 

  “It's been amazing since I arrived. The club made me feel like I'm home, and since the first day, I'm feeling like I'm in the right place,” he said. 

  And he has returned the faith put in him by the front office when they invested on a short-term loan. He established himself as a starter in the latter days of the season, and now figures to be a part of Cherundolo’s best XI, sitting in a midfield three and pulling the strings. 

  “I’m waking up every morning and I want to go to training. You go into the locker room, everybody’s laughing, everybody’s talking to everyone. It could be about anything,” Choiniere said.

MatériaMais Notícias

Após conquistar o título da segunda divisão na Bélgica, defendendo o RWD Molenbeek, o volante Barreto acertou o seu retorno para o Criciúma. Cria das categorias de base do Tigre, Barreto foi relacionado para os dois últimos jogos da equipe catarinense na Série B do Campeonato Brasileiro. Entretanto, ainda não pôde fazer a sua reestreia.

– Fiquei muito feliz por poder voltar ao Criciúma, um clube que tenho muito carinho, fui formado aqui e foi uma honra poder voltar. Eu acredito que já estou com uma condição física muito boa, tenho trabalhado forte com o grupo, estou muito ansioso para voltar a entrar dentro de campo, sentir o calor da torcida e poder defender a camisa do Criciúma novamente – disse.

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O próximo duelo do Criciúma pelo Campeonato Brasileiro da Série B será contra o Sport, fora de casa. Caso vá para o jogo, Barreto reencontrará um velho conhecido, o técnico Enderson Moreira, com quem Barreto foi campeão da Série B em 2021 pelo Botafogo. Por conta disso, o volante falou sobre a preparação para a partida e o provável reencontro com Enderson:

– Estamos trabalhando muito forte para esse jogo contra o Sport. Será, novamente, uma viagem longa, assim como foi contra o Ceará, mas estamos bem preparados e acredito que vamos fazer um grande jogo. O Enderson é um cara espetacular, um grande treinador, que eu tive o prazer de trabalhar e será uma honra reencontrá-lo, dessa vez, em lados opostos. Mas sempre terei um respeito e um carinho muito grande por ele.