2 months ago
Continuing our series that examines the struggles faced by both teams in one of the world's biggest rivalries, we now turn to Boca Juniors, and the club's turn since an iconic figure became its president.
Yesterday, we took a look at how River Plate's enormous spending over the past few seasons has yet to produce any results. But whereas Los Millonarios' issues lie fiscally, Boca Juniors' are different.
On the blue side of Buenos Aires, the problems are closely tied to the leadership of one man: club legend turned president Juan Román Riquelme.
Photo by Daniel Jayo/Getty Images
Riquelme entered Boca politics in late 2019 after joining Jorge Amor Ameal's opposition ticket. He became vice president and head of football operations, eventually winning the presidency in December 2023.
#boca #turn #became #river
Yesterday, we took a look at how River Plate's enormous spending over the past few seasons has yet to produce any results. But whereas Los Millonarios' issues lie fiscally, Boca Juniors' are different.
On the blue side of Buenos Aires, the problems are closely tied to the leadership of one man: club legend turned president Juan Román Riquelme.
Photo by Daniel Jayo/Getty Images
Riquelme entered Boca politics in late 2019 after joining Jorge Amor Ameal's opposition ticket. He became vice president and head of football operations, eventually winning the presidency in December 2023.
#boca #turn #became #river
2 months ago
The Foals have made no secret of their desire to trim the size of their squad, while departures would also provide some welcome transfer income. Joe Scally, Nathan Ngoumou and Tomas Cvancara are all among those who could leave Gladbach in the coming weeks.
Sporting director Rouven Schröder has now provided an update on the situation surrounding the trio, with signs that developments could be forthcoming.
Scally appears to be the most valuable of the three in terms of potential transfer income. According to Bild, the American could command a fee of around €7 million, while his contract is due to expire next summer.
"Something could definitely still happen there – his profile attracts attention," Schröder is quoted as saying by the tabloid.
There has been speculation surrounding Scally's future for some time, and Gladbach will be keen to avoid losing the 23-year-old for nothing next summer given the club's reliance on transfer revenue.
#scally #gladbach #summer #nathan
Sporting director Rouven Schröder has now provided an update on the situation surrounding the trio, with signs that developments could be forthcoming.
Scally appears to be the most valuable of the three in terms of potential transfer income. According to Bild, the American could command a fee of around €7 million, while his contract is due to expire next summer.
"Something could definitely still happen there – his profile attracts attention," Schröder is quoted as saying by the tabloid.
There has been speculation surrounding Scally's future for some time, and Gladbach will be keen to avoid losing the 23-year-old for nothing next summer given the club's reliance on transfer revenue.
#scally #gladbach #summer #nathan
2 months ago
Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly close to agreeing a new contract to coach the United States men's national team, and that's good enough reason for us to dig into the "what's next" for the USMNT under the ex-Spurs and Chelsea boss.
MORE — Zidane takes over France national team
Pochettino could become the first USMNT coach to work consecutive World Cups since Bruce Arena, and he'll have the opportunity to lead the team through qualifying, a Gold Cup, and likely the 2028 Copa America in the United States.
And so Pochettino will look to have the team better prepared to show up against elite competition the next time a Belgium-level opponent is across the pitch in a tournament game.
Pochettino found plenty of success with a back three during the last year with the USMNT, but fullbacks Alex Freeman or Joe Scally were often slid into that back three.
#united
MORE — Zidane takes over France national team
Pochettino could become the first USMNT coach to work consecutive World Cups since Bruce Arena, and he'll have the opportunity to lead the team through qualifying, a Gold Cup, and likely the 2028 Copa America in the United States.
And so Pochettino will look to have the team better prepared to show up against elite competition the next time a Belgium-level opponent is across the pitch in a tournament game.
Pochettino found plenty of success with a back three during the last year with the USMNT, but fullbacks Alex Freeman or Joe Scally were often slid into that back three.
#united
2 months ago
Borussia Mönchengladbach's pre-season plans have taken an immediate hit. Newly signed right-back Yukhym Konoplya is set to miss the start of the Bundesliga season after suffering an inner ligament tear in his knee during his unofficial debut for the Foals.
The 26-year-old Ukrainian international arrived at Gladbach from Shakhtar Donetsk for a reported fee between €3.5m and €4.5m. Bringing valuable Champions League and Europa League experience to the Lower Rhine, Konoplya was brought in to finally solve Gladbach's long-standing issues on the right flank. Known for his dynamic overlapping runs, sharp crossing, and relentless work rate, he was also expected to apply direct pressure on inconsistent starter Joe Scally and the more defensively minded Stefan Lainer.
However, his start in Borussia colors turned into a nightmare. Brought on during a pre-season friendly against third-division side Rot-Weiss Essen to gather his first minutes, Konoplya was forced off after just a few minutes following an awkward movement with no opponent contact. While initial fears of a complete ligament rupture were ruled out after detailed examinations by the club's medical staff, the diagnosed partial tear will keep him sidelined for several weeks—ruling him out of both the DFB-Pokal opening round and the Bundesliga kickoff.
For manager Gerardo Seoane, the timing is a massive blow. Instead of hitting the ground running with a proven international on the right side, Gladbach must now reshape their backline for the opening weeks of the campaign while hoping Konoplya's recovery stays on track.
GGFN | Dennis Brinkmann
#gladbach #league
The 26-year-old Ukrainian international arrived at Gladbach from Shakhtar Donetsk for a reported fee between €3.5m and €4.5m. Bringing valuable Champions League and Europa League experience to the Lower Rhine, Konoplya was brought in to finally solve Gladbach's long-standing issues on the right flank. Known for his dynamic overlapping runs, sharp crossing, and relentless work rate, he was also expected to apply direct pressure on inconsistent starter Joe Scally and the more defensively minded Stefan Lainer.
However, his start in Borussia colors turned into a nightmare. Brought on during a pre-season friendly against third-division side Rot-Weiss Essen to gather his first minutes, Konoplya was forced off after just a few minutes following an awkward movement with no opponent contact. While initial fears of a complete ligament rupture were ruled out after detailed examinations by the club's medical staff, the diagnosed partial tear will keep him sidelined for several weeks—ruling him out of both the DFB-Pokal opening round and the Bundesliga kickoff.
For manager Gerardo Seoane, the timing is a massive blow. Instead of hitting the ground running with a proven international on the right side, Gladbach must now reshape their backline for the opening weeks of the campaign while hoping Konoplya's recovery stays on track.
GGFN | Dennis Brinkmann
#gladbach #league
3 months ago
In a closely contested presidential election in Colombia, controversial far-right candidate Abelardo de la Espriella emerged victorious. After an official recount, his opponent, left-wing senator Ivan Cepeda, conceded defeat. This was a hard-fought campaign which split the community, sparking much controversy across Colombia. While debate rages over De la Espriella's policies and ascension to power, it is clear his presidency will be a godsend for Colombia's beaten-down, economically critical oil industry.
After the closest election in Colombia's modern history, president-elect De la Espriella emerged victorious after a recount with a narrow margin of less than one percent. Considerable controversy surrounds his victory despite left-wing contender Ivan Cepeda conceding defeat after the recount by Colombia's electoral authority, the National Electoral Council (CNE). There are fears that De la Espriella will clamp down on law and order in such a radical manner that it will lead to widespread human rights violations and crimes.
Central to the president-elect's platform is his plan to revive Colombia's fiscally strained economy and achieve annual gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 7%. To pursue that goal, he is supported by Vice President José Manuel Restrepo Abondano, who served as Colombia's Minister of Finance and Public Credit from May 2021 to August 2022 under President Iván Duque. Alongside fiscal austerity aimed at bringing Colombia's ballooning fiscal deficit, expected to reach 7 to 8% of GDP, under control, De la Espriella plans to revive the economically vital oil industry.
A key factor behind Colombia's recent economic malaise is the collapse of the once-dominant hydrocarbon sector. Indeed, over the last decade, oil and natural gas production has declined sharply, sparking fears of an energy crisis, especially with costly liquified natural gas (LNG) imports spiraling ever higher. By April 2026, oil output of 724,910 barrels per day is well below the 915,087 barrels per day lifted for the same month 10 years earlier. Falling production and limited refining capacity are forcing Colombia to import considerably more diesel, mainly for agriculture and transport.
The marked drop in natural gas production poses a dire threat to the economy and the electricity grid. In April 2026, Colombia lifted 694 million cubic feet of natural gas per day, which is close to a multidecade low. It is also significantly less than the 1 billion cubic feet per day produced for the same period a month earlier. The widening supply gap between domestic demand and production forced Bogota, during December 2016, to start importing liquefied natural gas (LNG).
After the closest election in Colombia's modern history, president-elect De la Espriella emerged victorious after a recount with a narrow margin of less than one percent. Considerable controversy surrounds his victory despite left-wing contender Ivan Cepeda conceding defeat after the recount by Colombia's electoral authority, the National Electoral Council (CNE). There are fears that De la Espriella will clamp down on law and order in such a radical manner that it will lead to widespread human rights violations and crimes.
Central to the president-elect's platform is his plan to revive Colombia's fiscally strained economy and achieve annual gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 7%. To pursue that goal, he is supported by Vice President José Manuel Restrepo Abondano, who served as Colombia's Minister of Finance and Public Credit from May 2021 to August 2022 under President Iván Duque. Alongside fiscal austerity aimed at bringing Colombia's ballooning fiscal deficit, expected to reach 7 to 8% of GDP, under control, De la Espriella plans to revive the economically vital oil industry.
A key factor behind Colombia's recent economic malaise is the collapse of the once-dominant hydrocarbon sector. Indeed, over the last decade, oil and natural gas production has declined sharply, sparking fears of an energy crisis, especially with costly liquified natural gas (LNG) imports spiraling ever higher. By April 2026, oil output of 724,910 barrels per day is well below the 915,087 barrels per day lifted for the same month 10 years earlier. Falling production and limited refining capacity are forcing Colombia to import considerably more diesel, mainly for agriculture and transport.
The marked drop in natural gas production poses a dire threat to the economy and the electricity grid. In April 2026, Colombia lifted 694 million cubic feet of natural gas per day, which is close to a multidecade low. It is also significantly less than the 1 billion cubic feet per day produced for the same period a month earlier. The widening supply gap between domestic demand and production forced Bogota, during December 2016, to start importing liquefied natural gas (LNG).
3 months ago
Everton have stolen a march on Europe’s elite. According to reports from Africa Foot, via Sport Witness, the Toffees have tabled a formal opening bid for Bayer Leverkusen’s teenage sensation Christian Kofane. It is an unexpected, aggressive twist to the summer window.
The Merseysiders are long-term admirers. They tracked the 19-year-old Cameroon international well before his five million euro move from Albacete Balompié to Germany last July. Now, David Moyes has authorised a massive gamble to bring him to Goodison Park.
It is a crowded race. **** nal previously led the queue, with Barcelona, Newcastle United, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich all sniffing around. The hype is real, stoked by agent Eric Depolo, who publicly branded his client a future hundred-million-euro **** et. Leverkusen are playing hardball, too, demanding that exact nine-figure sum. Moyes, however, needs a reliable frontman right now to replace underperforming attackers, and the Goodison board are waiting on a response.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 17: Christian Kofane of Bayer 04 Leverkusen runs with the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between **** nal FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at **** nal Stadium on March 17, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
Fiscally, Everton are on a tightrope. Paying anything near Leverkusen’s public valuation is an absurd, unjustifiable risk for a player with so little top-flight experience.
The Merseysiders are long-term admirers. They tracked the 19-year-old Cameroon international well before his five million euro move from Albacete Balompié to Germany last July. Now, David Moyes has authorised a massive gamble to bring him to Goodison Park.
It is a crowded race. **** nal previously led the queue, with Barcelona, Newcastle United, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich all sniffing around. The hype is real, stoked by agent Eric Depolo, who publicly branded his client a future hundred-million-euro **** et. Leverkusen are playing hardball, too, demanding that exact nine-figure sum. Moyes, however, needs a reliable frontman right now to replace underperforming attackers, and the Goodison board are waiting on a response.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 17: Christian Kofane of Bayer 04 Leverkusen runs with the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between **** nal FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at **** nal Stadium on March 17, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
Fiscally, Everton are on a tightrope. Paying anything near Leverkusen’s public valuation is an absurd, unjustifiable risk for a player with so little top-flight experience.
3 months ago
After FIFA's controversial decision to lift Folarin Balogun's suspension, USMNT welcome Belgium in Seattle as the Round of 16 action continues at the World Cup. Their top-scorer starts up front, despite his red card in the previous round against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
After the dismissal of the Monaco striker, who scored the opener at the stroke of half-time, Malik Tillman sealed the victory for Mauricio Pochettino’s men with a direct free-kick goal. Bayer Leverkusen’s midfielder is on the starting lineup once again, while Gladbach's duo Joe Scally and Gio Reyna are on the bench.
Meanwhile, Arthur Theate is dropped to the bench by Rudi Garcia after he started the last two games for Belgium. Lille's centre-back Nathan Ngoy won his place back from Eintracht Frankfurt's defender. Belgium came from a two-goal deficit in the Round of 16 to beat Senegal in extra-time. As expected, the French coach made several changes including dropping Kevin de Bruyne and Jeremy Doku to the bench.
USA XI: Freese; Freeman, Richards, Ream ©, Robinson; Tillman, Adams, McKennie; Dest, Balogun, Pulisic
Belgium XI: Courtois; Castagne, Mechele, Ngoy, de Cuyper; Onana, Raskin; Lukebakio, Tielemans ©, Trossard; Charles de Ketelaere
After the dismissal of the Monaco striker, who scored the opener at the stroke of half-time, Malik Tillman sealed the victory for Mauricio Pochettino’s men with a direct free-kick goal. Bayer Leverkusen’s midfielder is on the starting lineup once again, while Gladbach's duo Joe Scally and Gio Reyna are on the bench.
Meanwhile, Arthur Theate is dropped to the bench by Rudi Garcia after he started the last two games for Belgium. Lille's centre-back Nathan Ngoy won his place back from Eintracht Frankfurt's defender. Belgium came from a two-goal deficit in the Round of 16 to beat Senegal in extra-time. As expected, the French coach made several changes including dropping Kevin de Bruyne and Jeremy Doku to the bench.
USA XI: Freese; Freeman, Richards, Ream ©, Robinson; Tillman, Adams, McKennie; Dest, Balogun, Pulisic
Belgium XI: Courtois; Castagne, Mechele, Ngoy, de Cuyper; Onana, Raskin; Lukebakio, Tielemans ©, Trossard; Charles de Ketelaere
3 months ago
USA host Bosnia & Herzegovina this Thursday at the Levi´s Stadium of the World Cup. The match will be broadcast live at 01:00 on BBC One.
In their last encounter, USA were beaten 3-2 by Turkey (World Cup 2026). In their last match, Bosnia & Herzegovina prevailed 3-1 against Qatar (World Cup 2026).
The last meeting between the two teams ended with USA winning 1-0.
USA ( vs Turkey 2026-06-26): Matt Turner, Joe Scally, Miles Robinson, Auston Trusty, Mark McKenzie, Sebastian Berhalter, Weston McKennie, Timothy Weah, Giovanni Reyna, Brenden Aaronson, Ricardo Pepi
Bosnia & Herzegovina ( vs Qatar 2026-06-24): Nikola Vasilj, Stjepan Radeljic, Nikola Katic, Arjan Malic, Sead Kolasinac, Esmir Bajraktarević, Ivan Basic, Ivan Sunjic, Kerim Alajbegovic, Ermedin Demirovic, Edin Dzeko
In their last encounter, USA were beaten 3-2 by Turkey (World Cup 2026). In their last match, Bosnia & Herzegovina prevailed 3-1 against Qatar (World Cup 2026).
The last meeting between the two teams ended with USA winning 1-0.
USA ( vs Turkey 2026-06-26): Matt Turner, Joe Scally, Miles Robinson, Auston Trusty, Mark McKenzie, Sebastian Berhalter, Weston McKennie, Timothy Weah, Giovanni Reyna, Brenden Aaronson, Ricardo Pepi
Bosnia & Herzegovina ( vs Qatar 2026-06-24): Nikola Vasilj, Stjepan Radeljic, Nikola Katic, Arjan Malic, Sead Kolasinac, Esmir Bajraktarević, Ivan Basic, Ivan Sunjic, Kerim Alajbegovic, Ermedin Demirovic, Edin Dzeko
4 months ago
The USA face Türkiye at Los Angeles Stadium in the early hours of Friday morning, already through as Group D winners and targeting an unprecedented third consecutive World Cup victory.
Mauricio Pochettino has made clear his ambition despite the freedom to rotate. The USMNT have won back-to-back World Cup matches for the first time since 1930, and a third straight win would give Pochettino more victories as a manager at this tournament than any American coach in history, surpassing Bruce Arena and Robert Millar’s mark of two.
Pochettino confirmed publicly on Wednesday that the four players carrying yellow cards — Tyler Adams, Folarin Balogun, Chris Richards and Antonee Robinson — will not start. Risking suspension ahead of the round of 32 fixture on 1 July is not an option.
Christian Pulisic, sidelined with a left calf complaint since being withdrawn at half-time against Paraguay, has returned to full training and is nearing fitness. He will not start, though a controlled cameo from the bench has not been ruled out.
Cristian Roldan is carrying a muscle strain and is day-to-day. Matt Freese continues in goal, having impressed throughout the group stage. Joe Scally covers at right back, with Max Arfsten on the left.
Mauricio Pochettino has made clear his ambition despite the freedom to rotate. The USMNT have won back-to-back World Cup matches for the first time since 1930, and a third straight win would give Pochettino more victories as a manager at this tournament than any American coach in history, surpassing Bruce Arena and Robert Millar’s mark of two.
Pochettino confirmed publicly on Wednesday that the four players carrying yellow cards — Tyler Adams, Folarin Balogun, Chris Richards and Antonee Robinson — will not start. Risking suspension ahead of the round of 32 fixture on 1 July is not an option.
Christian Pulisic, sidelined with a left calf complaint since being withdrawn at half-time against Paraguay, has returned to full training and is nearing fitness. He will not start, though a controlled cameo from the bench has not been ruled out.
Cristian Roldan is carrying a muscle strain and is day-to-day. Matt Freese continues in goal, having impressed throughout the group stage. Joe Scally covers at right back, with Max Arfsten on the left.
4 months ago
The entire family wished Donald Trump a happy 80th birthday publicly, except his wife, Melania Trump. However, she was spotted sitting alongside him during the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House. Previously, even the POTUS did not wish the First Lady a happy birthday on April 26.
Melania Trump didn't take to social media to wish her husband, Donald Trump, on his 80th birthday. It comes after several members of the family shared their wishes publicly. The president's youngest son, Barron Trump, also didn't wish because he doesn't have a public profile and prefers to lead a private life.
The last post on the First Lady's account was that of her shaking hands with U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. This was posted four days ago. The caption read, "Today, First Lady Melania Trump launched her Fostering the Future Accounts, a new financial resource established to empower foster youth to be fiscally autonomous upon reaching the age of majority."
While she didn't share any wishes for her husband, she did post a trailer-like video from the UFC Freedom 250 event, tagging the White House. In the caption, she only used an emoji of the U.S. flag. Back in April, Trump also missed out on wishing Melania on her birthday, but he did have an explanation for the same. During a conversation with 60 Minutes host Norah O'Donnell, he acknowledged his wife's special day. He said, "Today is her birthday, yes. Happy birthday. Happy birthday, Melania."
The president revealed that by the time he and Melania returned from the infamous WHCD, it was past midnight. "Well, it was—yeah, by the time we get back here, it's like around 12:00, and I said, 'Happy birthday, darling," he explained. Nevertheless, on her birthday, Trump was active on his Truth Social, posting about several topics, one of which also included WHCD's attempted **** assination (via The Daily Beast).
Melania Trump didn't take to social media to wish her husband, Donald Trump, on his 80th birthday. It comes after several members of the family shared their wishes publicly. The president's youngest son, Barron Trump, also didn't wish because he doesn't have a public profile and prefers to lead a private life.
The last post on the First Lady's account was that of her shaking hands with U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. This was posted four days ago. The caption read, "Today, First Lady Melania Trump launched her Fostering the Future Accounts, a new financial resource established to empower foster youth to be fiscally autonomous upon reaching the age of majority."
While she didn't share any wishes for her husband, she did post a trailer-like video from the UFC Freedom 250 event, tagging the White House. In the caption, she only used an emoji of the U.S. flag. Back in April, Trump also missed out on wishing Melania on her birthday, but he did have an explanation for the same. During a conversation with 60 Minutes host Norah O'Donnell, he acknowledged his wife's special day. He said, "Today is her birthday, yes. Happy birthday. Happy birthday, Melania."
The president revealed that by the time he and Melania returned from the infamous WHCD, it was past midnight. "Well, it was—yeah, by the time we get back here, it's like around 12:00, and I said, 'Happy birthday, darling," he explained. Nevertheless, on her birthday, Trump was active on his Truth Social, posting about several topics, one of which also included WHCD's attempted **** assination (via The Daily Beast).
1 yr. ago
Always find Joy .
HLA,HLA Scallywags
May your Thursday be filled with joy and happiness and laughter and fun and LOVE
Have A lakkkkaaaaaaà day today no matter the weather keep the sun shining in your heart
HLA,HLA Scallywags
May your Thursday be filled with joy and happiness and laughter and fun and LOVE
Have A lakkkkaaaaaaà day today no matter the weather keep the sun shining in your heart
