Other Men

MUNICH — Bayern Munich parted ways with coach Julian Nagelsmann on Friday and appointed former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel as his successor, with the German champions in second place in the Bundesliga.

Nagelsmann, 35, had taken over in 2021 and led the Bavarians to their 10th straight German league crown but failed to win any other silverware last season.

Bayern crashed out in the German Cup second round after a demolition by Borussia Moenchengladbach and were then eliminated from the Champions League in a quarter-final defeat to Spanish underdogs Villarreal last term.

Arsenal loanee Folarin Balogun is having a remarkable season in Ligue 1 with Reims. He’s scored 17 goals in 27 games (only two behind league leaders Jonathan David and Kylian Mbappé) and is firing on all cylinders.

The 21-year-old talent has a big decision to make in his career and that is who he will represent on the international stage. Balogun was born in New York City to Nigerian parents and raised in England. He’s eligible to represent the USMNT, England and Nigeria.

NEW YORK — United States defender Tim Ream said the national team had moved on from an ugly saga involving the federation and teammate Gio Reyna, ahead of Friday's CONCACAF Nations League game against Grenada.

U.S. Soccer was embroiled in turmoil after returning from the World Cup in Qatar when a bitter dispute broke out between former coach Gregg Berhalter, U.S. midfielder Reyna and his parents.

LONDON — Crystal Palace sacked manager Patrick Vieira after 20 months in charge on Friday following the 1-0 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion that left the south London club three points above the Premier League relegation zone.

Palace are the only side in the league without a win in 2023, having drawn five and lost six of their games. Their last league victory came on Dec. 31, 2-0 at Bournemouth, and they are 12th on 27 points with 11 games to play.

NAPLES — Goals by winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and defender Amir Rrahmani steered runaway leaders Napoli to a 2-0 home win over sixth-placed Atalanta in Serie A on Saturday, extending the visitors' winless streak to four games.

Napoli, who suffered only their second league defeat last week at home to Lazio, extended their lead at the top of the table to 18 points after second-placed Inter, on 50 points, fell to a shock 2-1 defeat to lowly Spezia on Friday.

USMNT and Antalyaspor striker Haji Wright scored twice and got an assist during Saturday’s Turkish Süper Lig game vs. Kayserispor where his side won 4-0.

Wright missed all of February and most of January with a thigh injury and made his return to the field on March 6. He rediscovered his goal scoring form Saturday netting his fourth brace of the season.

Leeds United sit in the relegation zone after drawing Brighton 2-2 at Elland Road on Saturday. Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson started for Leeds while Weston McKennie came on as a second half substitute.

We’ll get to showing the highlights here in a bit, but first we need to discuss yet another lackluster performance from Aaronson. The American forward transferred to Leeds from Red Bull Salzburg before the 2022-23 season and he’s arguably been a bust.

Leeds reportedly paid $30 million for him and in return he has produced one goal and two assists in 29 appearances.

PARIS — Paris Saint-Germain right back Achraf Hakimi is facing a criminal investigation in France after an allegation of rape was made against him, an official from the Nanterre prosecution office said on Friday.

Hakimi, a Morocco international, firmly denied the allegation, according to his lawyer. PSG did not immediately reply to a Reuters request for comment.

The Nanterre prosecution office said Hakimi has been placed under police monitoring and was banned from contact with the alleged victim.