Best football prediction site. For your accurate free football betting tips. Get our sure 2 odds, sure 3 odds and sure 4 odds from our experts using cutting edge algorithm. Get our today prediction
The World Soccer 500 broken down by nationality. Which country has the most? Find out by checking out the list below.
Which country provided the most players for this year's World Soccer 500?
TORONTO – Marky Delgado wasn’t credited with an assist on the goal, but he should have been.
Earlier this week, Delgado made his national team debut when the United States hosted Paraguay in an international friendly in North Carolina, and it was a sublime piece of skill from the Toronto FC midfielder that broke open the game.
With the scored tied 0-0 and halftime looking, the U.S.’s Jorge Villafana forced a turnover in his end of the field and played a quick ball to Tyler Adams who sent a short pass to Delgado. Adams then made a darting run down the left side as Delgado sent a perfectly-weighted long ball to his feet, hitting the New York Red Bulls midfielder in full stride as he broke in on goal.
Paraguay ‘keeper Gatito Fernandez took down Adams inside the box, and forward Bobby Wood converted the ensuing penalty. Delgado’s vision and execution in that split second when he picked out Adams was the decisive moment of the match, as the Americans held on for a 1-0 win.
Fresh off what many pundits called a man-of-the-match effort against Paraguay, Delgado will try to duplicate that performance when TFC hosts Real Salt Lake on Friday night at BMO Field, as the Reds search for their first win of the MLS season.
“You get a lot of confidence when you get called up to the national team, especially when you play well. You carry more confidence with you [going forward], and hopefully I can carry that over into our next few matches here,” Delgado said.
The soft-spoken, mild-mannered Delgado downplayed his role in the buildup up to the winning goal, choosing to highlight the play of Adams.
“I peeked over my shoulder and I saw him, and he called out early, so I knew he was there. I saw the space in behind where [Paraguay] had a high backline line. I just chipped it over right into his stride. He made a good run, so it was big on his part to stick with that run,” the TFC midfielder explained.
Delgado, a 22-year-old native of California, joined the Reds prior to the 2015 season, but it was last year when he broke out, establishing himself as a key starter on a TFC side that enjoyed the single greatest MLS campaign in history.
With the U.S. national team in rebuilding mode after failing to qualify for this summer’s World Cup, interim U.S. coach Dave Sarachan decided not to call on veteran players, and instead went with a roster full of youngsters against Paraguay. A first cap for the U.S. was just reward for Delgado, who has established himself as one of the brightest young prospects in MLS.
His solid showing against the South Americans didn’t go unnoticed by TFC coach Greg Vanney, a former U.S. international himself. Vanney was impressed with Delgado’s hard work off the ball, both on the offensive and defensive end, was efficient in possession, and kept the ball moving – all the things he normally does with TFC.
“To me, Marky is the kind of play you can slip into any team and he just fulfills the role that is required, and he does it in a logical and sensible manner,” Vanney offered.
“Sometimes with national teams, especially when you haven’t bene together a long time, it’s hard to get everybody on the same page. I think Marky is one of those guys, because he’s a quality role player on our team, he knows how to assimilate within that team.”
Toronto FC captain Michael Bradley, a mainstay with the U.S. national team who wasn’t called up for this match, was equally impressed, but not surprised by Delgado’s debut performance.
“I’ve been able to see up close how much he’s improved over the last few years, what a good player he is, what a good teammate he is … His qualities in terms of being mobile, how he reads the game, the way that he plays quickly and simply – he’s fun to play with. He makes guys around him better, he makes things easier for them,” said Bradley, who also captains the U.S. side.
“I’m very excited for him to get his first taste of [international duty]. I know they’ll be plenty more, and I’m also looking forward to the day when he and I are playing together on the national team.”
var adServerUrl = ""; var $el = $( "#video_container-484421" ); var permalink = $el.closest('.snet-single-article').data('permalink');
if ( "1" == true && 'undefined' !== typeof window.getIndexAds ) { var so = {preroll:{1:{1:{siteID:191888},2:{siteID:191889}}}}; adServerUrl = window.getIndexAds( 'http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=5760582133001&cmsid=384', so, permalink); } else { adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=5760582133001&cmsid=384"; }
$el.after( unescape("%3Cscript src=\"" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\" %3E%3C/script%3E") );
$( document ).one( 'ready', function() { $( "#video_container-484421" ).SNPlayer( { bc_account_id: "1704050871", bc_player_id: "rkedLxwfab", //autoplay: false, //is_has_autoplay_switch: false, bc_videos: 5760582133001, is_has_continuous_play: "false", adserverurl: adServerUrl, section: "", thumbnail: "https://assets1.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/1704050871_5760583436001_5760582133001-vs.jpg", direct_url: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/tfcs-van-der-wiel-set-display-qualities-off-pitch/" }); });
MORROW UNLIKELY FOR FRIDAYToronto FC could be without three key starters against Real Salt Lake: defender Chris Mavinga (lower body), full-back Justin Morrow (calf) and midfielder Victor Vazquez (back).
Vanney said Morrow is unlikely for Friday, while Mavinga and Vazquez are both questionable. Vanney said he doesn’t want to rush any of them back too soon ahead of next week’s CONCACAF Champions League match.
Vazquez has been troubled by his back since being subbed out of Toronto’s season-opening loss to Columbus on March 3. Mavinga and Morrow picked up their injuries in the second leg of TFC’s CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal against Tigres on March 7.
SHOWDOWN WITH CLUB AMERICA LOOMSAfter the Real Salt Lake match, Toronto hosts Mexican side Club America on April 3 in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals. The return match is April 10 in Mexico City.
TFC booked its spot in the final four of the continental competition after besting Mexican club Tigres in the previous round.
“They’re an aggressive team, probably more aggressive than Tigres. Their front five or six guys look to try to get out and get pressure on things, and try to create some transitions and shorten up the field,” Vanney said of Club America.
Morocco is excited to host a World Cup.
Rabat, MOROCCO -- In just over two months, FIFA will vote to decide the hosts of the 2026 World Cup when Congress chooses between the "United" bid from the United States, Mexico and Canada and that of Morocco, which is bidding for the fifth time.
ESPN FC visited Morocco this week to meet the key figures involved in the bid and assess the North African nation's plans. So can Morocco win and become only the second African country to stage the World Cup?
Q. DOES MOROCCO HAVE A GENUINE CHANCE OF VICTORY?
A....
Ruben Loftus-Cheek has not given up hope of making England's World Cup squad.
The Chelsea midfielder, currently on loan with Crystal Palace, has recently returned to training after he injured his ankle in December.
Read more on Tribal Football
Vancouver’s perfect start to the season came to an end on Saturday as it suffered a heavy defeat in Atlanta after defender Kendall Waston was controversially sent off early in first half.
MAIN TALKING POINTS1. Harsh call on Waston
The turning point came when Kendall Waston was shown a red card for elbowing Atlanta’s Leandro Gonzalez Pirez in the 13th minute. There was no initial call on the play, but then referee Ismail Elfath consulted the replay after the VAR official alerted him. Following more than four minutes of review, Elfath brandished the red card and awarded a penalty, which Josef Martinez duly dispatched.
However, from this observer’s point of view, it was a harsh call, as Waston’s arm was in a natural position, his back was to Gonzalez Pirez, and there didn’t appear to be any intent to elbow him. In fact, it looked like Gonzalez Pirez and Waston were both tussling with each other and simply jockeying for position as the cross came into the box, and a foul could just have easily been called on Gonzalez Pirez. Also, the fact it took nearly five minutes to decide Waston committed a foul worthy of a red card suggests that it wasn’t “clear and obvious,” as mandated by the VAR stipulations.
2. Davies, Mutch bright spots for Whitecaps
Despite the 4-1 loss, there were a few positives for the Whitecaps. Once again, Canadian Alphonso Davies was a dangerous threat down the left side with his speed, deft ball control and technical skill. Atlanta right fullback Franco Escobar struggled to contain the talented teenager, who burned him for pace and nearly opened the scoring in the first few minutes of the match.
Also, Jordon Mutch put in a solid shift in his first start for the Whitecaps since joining the club earlier this month on loan from Crystal Palace. The Englishman provided a steady and physical presence on the left side of midfield, and he played a wonderfully weighted ball over the top of Atlanta’s defence for Erik Hurtado, who collected it in full stride and then scored with a composed finish.
3. Hurtado for Blondell a wise swap
With star forward Kei Kamara at home nursing a groin injury, coach Carl Robinson gave a first MLS start to Anthony Blondell. The Venezuelan never influenced the game, in large part because he was too isolated up front after Waston was given his marching orders. Robinson subbed off Blondell and replaced him with Erik Hurtado in the 55th minute. Hurtado immediately provided the Whitecaps with a dangerous outlet up front, while giving the Atlanta defence something to worry about with his speed. He also latched onto Mutch’s raking pass and slotted it past Atlanta ‘keeper Brad Guzan with five minutes left in the match. The Whitecaps looked far more likely to score when Hurtado came on, raising the question: Why didn’t Robinson replace Blondell sooner?
13’ RED CARD! Vancouver Whitecaps 0, Atlanta United FC 0: Referee Ismail Elfath’s decision (after consulting with VAR) to send off Kendall Waston not only preceded Josef Martinez’s opening goal from the penalty spot. It also changed the complexion of the game, forcing the visiting Whitecaps to play a man down for the bulk of the match against one of the best home sides in MLS.
BURNING QUESTIONWhat can the Whitecaps take away from this match?
Not much. It would have been interesting to see how things would’ve played out had it remained 11-v-11. As it was, the complexion of the game changed after Waston was sent off. Atlanta dominated the remainder of the game with the man advantage, with Josef Martinez and Miguel Almiron running rampant in attack. The bigger question is who will replace Waston in the heart of the defence, as he will miss Vancouver’s next two games due to international duty with Costa Rica and suspension. With Doneil Henry still dealing with an injury, Robinson is short on centre-back options, so it’ll be interesting to see what adjustments he makes.
It’s difficult to imagine that Kendall Waston’s reputation didn’t play some part in Ismail Elfath’s decision to brandish a red card. Waston has established himself as one of the best defenders in MLS since joining Vancouver in 2014, noted for his solid positioning and expert reading of the game. But Saturday’s red card was the fourth of his MLS career, and he’s collected 15 yellow cards over the past two seasons. Walking the fine line between physical and ill-discipline is a dangerous game at times, and it no doubt hurt him against Atlanta.
INTERESTING STATSince the start of last season, Atlanta has scored multiple goals in 14 home games, more than any other team in MLS.
MAN OF THE MATCHJosef Martinez, Atlanta United FC: Who else would it be? The wily Venezuelan opened the scoring from the penalty spot, and had two other scoring chances in the first half. He completed his hat trick in the final 45 minutes with a composed finish past Whitecaps goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic on a break, and a wonderful header off a cross played to the far post by Andrew Carleton.
American midfielder Danny Williams will miss the rest of the Premier League season after breaking a bone in a leg during training with Huddersfield.
The club said Thursday that the 29-year-old fractured a distal fibula a day earlier. He was scheduled to have surgery Friday.
Williams has one goal in 24 games in his first season, scoring against Bolton in the FA Cup in January. He made 20 Premier League appearances, including 11 starts.
Williams made his U.S. national debut in 2011 and has two goals in 23 appearances, scoring in exhibitions against the Netherlands and Brazil.
Italian agent Gianfranco Cicchetti says Roma will have regrets over the sale of Mohamed Salah to Liverpool last summer.
Salah, who left Roma for the Reds for a fee rising to 50m, has been outstanding this season, with Giallorossi chief Monchi conceding the timing of the sale worked against them. Salah was sold by Roma just weeks after PSG smashed the transfer market with their 222m swoop for Neymar at Barcelona.
Read more on Tribal Football
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has admitted that losing to his club's historic arch-rivals Manchester United during the weekend is a bitter pill to swallow.
Saturday's 2-1 defeat against the Red Devils presented Klopp's men with only their fourth top-flight loss from 30 outings during the current campaign.
Read more on Tribal Football
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho says the media are being unfair towards Chelsea and Antonio Conte.
Mourinho made the comments after their thrilling 3-2 win at Crystal Palace.
Read more on Tribal Football
Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola feels the quality of the manager is becoming more and more important in the Premier League.
Zola, who has managed West Ham, Watford and Birmingham, claimed the role of the coach is increasingly important in the Premier League.
Read more on Tribal Football
Former Germany defender Christoph Metzelder has told Sky that Bayern Munich will not allow the "irreplaceable" Robert Lewandowski to joinMANCHESTER CITY travel to London for the second time in less than a week to face Arsenal tonight.
The two sides met at Wembley on Sunday in the Carabao Cup final with the Premier League leaders lifting the trophy.
Pep Guardiola was delighted after the strong performance of his team which meant he lifted his first trophy since becoming managerPA:Press Association
Goals from Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany and David Silva secured Pep Guardiola his first trophy as Man City manager.
The Gunners want to put the game behind them as they look to catch up to the top five in the Premier League – they are currently sixth – eight points behind Chelsea in fifth.
What time is kick-off?THIS game takes place TONIGHT – Thursday, March 1.
The match will be held at the Emirates Stadium.
Kick-off is at 7.45pm.
YOU can watch this game live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event.
To stream the game live, you can buy a Sky Sports Day Pass from Now TV for £7.99.
Alternatively, you can keep up-to-date with the latest action on the SunSport LIVE blog.
Manchester City were named Carabao Cup winners on Sunday following their 3-0 win over Arsenal at WembleyAFP or licensors
What is the team news?
ARSENAL have no new injury or suspension concerns for the game at the Emirates.
The Gunners are desperate to get back to winning ways after some disappointing results including defeats to Tottenham and Swansea in the league.
Alexandre Lacazette (knee), Nacho Monreal (back) and Santi Cazorla (Plantaris injury) remain sidelined.
Vincent Kompany came back into the side for the Carabao Cup game against Arsenal on Sunday and made a great return, scoring the second goal of the afternoon.
He was chosen over John Stones, but it is thought that he will drop back to the bench despite the impressive performance.
There is a slight chance that Raheem Sterling could make a return from his hamstring injury.
Fernandinho (hamstring) and Benjamin Mendy (ACL knee) are unavailable.
