Preview

Tasty Premier League weekend with Manchester and North London derbies on the menu

MANCHESTER - Manchester United were outclassed by Manchester City in the last local derby but the mood could not be more different as they prepare to host their city rivals in the Premier League on Saturday in the middle of a remarkable run of form.

League leaders Arsenal, meanwhile, face another test of their credentials in a derby of their own away to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday on a weekend where local rivalries could have a huge say in the title race.

After failing to make USWNT roster, Mia Fishel opens new season with 2 goals

After winning the 2022 Liga MX Femenil Apertura Golden Boot with 17 goals in 17 games before adding three more in the playoffs during Tigres' run to the title, 21-year-old American Mia Fishel picked up right where she left off Monday night in the opening match of the Clausura: Fishel scored a first-half brace in her side's 6-0 win over Atlas.

adidas X Jamaica partnership quickly leads to the most anticipated jersey of 2023

Maybe you missed it since the news appeared on New Year's Day, but the Jamaica Football Federation recently announced a partnership with adidas to "not only celebrate Jamaican football but also Jamaican style and culture."

We're expecting jersey, training wear and lifestyle clothing drops soon with the new kits reportedly coming by the end of January. It's a busy summer for Jamaica with the Reggae Girlz competing in their second straight FIFA Women's World Cup and the Reggae Boyz attempting to claim the Concacaf Gold Cup for the first time.

Not over yet? Portugal's new coach says he'll ‘sit down and talk’ with Ronaldo

LISBON - Portugal named former Belgium coach Roberto Martínez as their new manager on Monday and the Spaniard said he would sit down with Cristiano Ronaldo to talk about his future in the team.

Martínez, 49, replaces Fernando Santos, who left his job after Portugal suffered a shock defeat by Morocco in the World Cup quarterfinals.

"I appreciate the enthusiasm and ambition with which he (Martínez) received the invitation," Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) President Fernando Gomes told a news conference as Martínez stood next to him.

Dortmund's Sébastien Haller ready for comeback after 6-month battle with testicular cancer

BERLIN - Borussia Dortmund forward Sébastien Haller is back in team training and ready to make his competitive comeback following surgery and treatment for testicular cancer.

The striker was diagnosed during a pre-season training camp in July and had been signed only weeks earlier by Dortmund for an initial fee of $33.24 million.

USWNT roster: Megan Rapinoe and Sophia Smith out, Lynn Williams makes return

NEW YORK - Veteran forward Alex Morgan heads a largely inexperienced roster as the U.S. women's national soccer team kick off 2023 with two friendlies on the road against World Cup co-hosts New Zealand.

The United States are gunning for an unprecedented third straight World Cup title — and fifth overall — when the tournament kicks off in less than 200 days, after a frustrating end to 2022.

Kylian Mbappé responds to Emi Martínez's World Cup taunts

PARIS - France striker Kylian Mbappé has shrugged off Argentina keeper Emiliano Martínez's taunts after the World Cup final, saying he did not "waste energy on such futile things" as he awaited the return of Paris Saint Germain teammate Lionel Messi.

Mbappé became the second player to score a World Cup final hat-trick as he dragged his country back into the match with a late second-half double and an extra-time penalty, which was still not enough as Argentina prevailed in a shootout.

Japan coach Moriyasu extends through 2026 with clear task: reach the World Cup quarterfinals

TOKYO - Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu will remain in charge of the Asian team for another World Cup cycle, the country's football association announced on Thursday, with the aim of breaking new ground after a number of near misses.

That Moriyasu would continue in the role came as little surprise after he led Japan to victories over former World Cup winners Germany and Spain during the finals in Qatar en route to topping what was considered the most difficult group at the tournament.

El Tráfico at the Rose Bowl, St. Louis City SC’s opener and more — MLS 2023 season schedule released

Major League Soccer opens a new season on Feb. 25 looking to ride a wave of interest from the Qatar World Cup as the league's 29th franchise St Louis SC makes its debut.

The first match of the 2023 campaign sees Nashville SC and MLS most valuable player Hany Mukhtar hosting New York City FC followed by the "El Tráfico" derby between MLS Cup champions Los Angeles FC and Los Angeles Galaxy at the Rose Bowl.

World Cup final starting XIs: Ángel Di María makes surprise start for Argentina

LUSAIL, Qatar - Ángel Di María is starting for Argentina in their World Cup final clash against France as coach Lionel Scaloni opted for a 4-3-3 formation on Sunday.

Di María, who has not started since the group phase and played only eight minutes in the quarterfinal victory against the Netherlands, is on the right flank of attack, with Lionel Messi set to become the player with most appearances at the World Cup finals (26).

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