Managers

The United States women’s national team had an incredible 2024 winning their first Olympic gold medal in 12 years. The 2025 USWNT calendar might not have any major tournaments on schedule but will still be an important 12-month stretch.

In 2025 the sole tournament for the USWNT will be the SheBelieves Cup in February against top opponents Australia, Japan and Colombia.

2025 USWNT calendar

January

• Jan. 14-21: Training camp in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

February

SheBelieves Cup

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta brought out an ancient excuse that we haven’t heard in 15 years for why his players couldn’t hit the target in their 2-0 loss to Newcastle on Tuesday in the Carabao Cup.

Arteta said the game balls were different.

The last time someone tried to blame the ball for their team’s failures was the 2010 World Cup with the infamous Jabulani ball. Arsenal’s boss now claims there are key differences between the Carabao Cup balls and Premier League balls.

Mikel Arteta Carabao Cup ball complaint

Former Mexico coach Miguel Herrera has been appointed as Costa Rica's head coach ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the country's soccer federation (FCRF) said in a statement.

The 56-year-old Herrera, a former defender who coached Mexico to the last 16 at the 2014 World Cup and a CONCACAF Gold Cup title in 2015, replaced Gustavo Alfaro who left in August to coach Paraguay.

Miguel Herrera Costa Rica manager

Plymouth Argyle have mutually agreed to part ways with head coach Wayne Rooney after just over seven months in charge, the second-tier Championship club said on Tuesday.

Rooney had replaced Ian Foster in May on a three-year deal at Plymouth. However, the team struggled under his leadership, failing to win away this season, and are bottom with 18 points from 23 games, four points adrift of the safety zone.

Wayne Rooney fired from second manager job this year

LONDON — Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka is set to be sidelined for more than two months after an operation on a hamstring injury, manager Mikel Arteta said on Friday.

"He had a procedure, everything went well but unfortunately he will be out for many, many weeks," the Spaniard told reporters after Arsenal beat Ipswich 1-0 to go second in the Premier League table.

Bukayo Saka hamstring injury

Injury issues continue to plague AC Milan with leading scorer Christian Pulisic now out of Sunday's Serie A clash against AS Roma after a setback during his recovery, coach Paulo Fonseca said.

"I expected to have Pulisic. He is fine, he has recovered from his calf problem, but in the last two days he has had an ankle problem," the coach said about the U.S. international.

"It has arisen in the recovery process and he is not ready to play tomorrow, not even for the bench."

Pulisic injury setback

BIRMINGHAM — Aston Villa inflicted more misery on shell-shocked Manchester City on Saturday, defeating them 2-1 in the Premier League with goals from Colombian forward Jhon Duran and former City forward Morgan Rogers.

Villa rose above City into fifth place in the Premier League table, and the title holders dropped provisionally to sixth with their ninth loss in 12 games across all competitions.

Pep Guardiola's team could fall to as low as ninth by the end of the weekend and have just one victory to show from that 12-game stretch.

MANCHESTER — Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola blames the congested fixture schedule for the injuries that have ravaged his struggling team this season, saying he needs a squad of 45 or 50 players to weather the storm.

Saying City are in survival mode, Guardiola added he could have just three defenders available when they host Manchester United in Sunday's derby at Etihad Stadium, another blow to their dwindling hopes of retaining their Premier League title.

They are fourth in the table and have just one victory to show for their last 10 games across all competitions.

Tottenham Hotspur coach Ange Postecoglou said on Friday that he was not hurting but determined to get things right after confronting angry fans as his inconsistent side slipped to a 1-0 loss at Bournemouth.

Spurs have won just one of their last six games across all competitions, with that victory coming against reigning Premier League champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in November.

Bracing for a tough test against second-placed Chelsea at home on Sunday, Spurs are 10th in the league standings with 20 points from 14 matches, having lost six of those games.