Cristian Arango scored twice in an historic performance as Los Angeles FC claimed a 3-2 win over Real Salt Lake in a thrilling MLS contest on Sunday.
Arango s brace included the fastest goal in club history for LAFC – who have won four consecutive games against RSL – after opening the scoring just 20 seconds into the match at Banc of California Stadium.
It eclipsed Eduard Atuesta s record – he scored after 85 seconds on April 24 earlier this season.
Real Salt Lake equalised through Damir Kreilach s stunner approaching the half-hour mark, when the Croatian curled a strike into the net from distance.
Guaranteed delivery in 20 seconds or less. 1-0
— LAFC (@LAFC)
Visiting RSL were only on level terms for two minutes after Arango res…
Alexis Sanchez has developed into a special all-round forward while at Arsenal, according to boss Arsene Wenger.
Chile star Sanchez netted his 26th goal in all competitions this season in the 4-1 rout of Stoke City on Saturday, while his exquisite pass for Mesut Ozil to score established him as the only player to have double figures in the Premier League for goals and assists this term.
The 27-year-old s future beyond the end of the campaign remains in doubt, even though Wenger remains confident he will sign an extension to a deal that expires in 2018.
Sanchez has been linked with a move to Manchester City, among other clubs, and his manager believes one of the hottest properties in Europe is a more complete player than when he moved to Emirates Stadium from Barc…
Former Liverpool goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis is on the verge of joining A-League club Melbourne Victory.
Bouzanis, who has been with Liverpool since he was 16, was once described by then manager Rafael Benitez as the best keeper at his age anywhere in the world.
Victory have denied an agreement has been signed to lure Bouzanis to the club but they are hopeful of completing the deal in the next few days.
I can now confirm that I have agreed terms with Melbourne Victory FC. Looking forward to the new season with my new club. #cantwait, Bouzanis tweeted on Thursday.
But the club said a deal is not yet completed and there are still a couple more conditions in the contract which are yet to be agreed upon.
Coach Mehmet Durakovic and assistant Steve Mauto…
Saudi Arabia captain Salman Al Faraj has been ruled out for the remainder of the World Cup through injury.
The Al Hilal defender injured his leg in Tuesday s shock 2-1 win over Argentina and left the stadium on crutches.
Al Faraj did not feature in Saudi Arabia s 2-0 loss to Poland in their second Group C contest on Saturday and will play no further part in their Qatar 2022 campaign.
A Saudi statement confirmed the news on Sunday and added Al Faraj, who has been capped 71 times for his country, will undergo a full recovery programme.
National team head coach permits Salman Al Faraj to leave the training camp to recover from his injury
— Saudi National Team (@SaudiNT_EN)
Saudi Arabia are also without Yasser Al Shahrani after he underwen…
According to a recent report from Marca, Barcelona are set to make a move for Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana – dependant on whether or not Jasper Cillessen leaves. It’s quite clear to see that ter Stegen is the number one man for Barca right now and will be for a long time, and the club are in need of a back up option. The Cameroon international has been with Ajax since back in 2015, when he joined from – ironically enough – Barcelona. He spent five years in their setup and made his debut for his native cousin.
Right now it seems like there are a parade of top goalkeepers around Europe just stood around doing nothing, and it can’t continue. Onana is getting some game time with Ajax and it’d be interesting to see whether or not he’d take the plunge, because financiall…
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp would find it tough to deal with another Champions League final defeat, according to Jose Mourinho.
Klopp s men are in the decider of Europe s premier club competition for the second straight season, facing Tottenham in Madrid on June 1.
The German saw his team suffer a 3-1 loss to Real Madrid in last year s final, while his Borussia Dortmund side were beaten in the 2013 decider by Bayern Munich.
Mourinho, a two-time winner of the Champions League, said another loss for Klopp would hurt.
If Jurgen wins it s an incredible achievement for him, Mourinho told Sky Sports News.
If Jurgen doesn t win, you know to lose three Champions League finals phew that has to be really, really hard, but he is a very positive guy, I m…
Xavi is urging Ousmane Dembele to make an effort after contract negotiations between the Frenchman and Barcelona hit an obstacle.
The 24-year-old has entered the final six months of his contract at the club, meaning he is able to begin talking with other clubs over a free transfer at the end of the season.
Dembele s Barca career has been largely disappointing since joining from Borussia Dortmund for a reported €105million in 2017, with injuries restricting him to just 86 LaLiga appearances from a possible 165.
Yet, ever since Xavi was appointed as Ronald Koeman s replacement in November, the new coach has frequently spoken of his admiration for Dembele, repeatedly backing him to be the best player in the world in his position.
Xavi remains hopeful in li…
If Brian Flores can sue the NFL for its racist hiring practices when it comes to selecting coaches, then Gus Johnson should be allowed to sue television networks for whitewashing the NFL broadcasting booth. With preseason games and Week 1 officially in the NFL’s rearview mirror, fans have had a chance to see every lead broadcasting duo that will call games this season. ESPN has Joe Buck and Troy Aikman. Kevin Burkhardt and Greg Olsen are at FOX. Jim Nantz and Tony Romo are still at CBS. Amazon has Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit. And NBC has Cris Collinsworth and Mike Tirico. Not a single Black man in sight. If you’re in the know, then that last line made you chuckle. If you aren’t, you think that line is omitting Tirico. Well, despite his skin color or what he would be listed …