All posts by h716a5.icu

Three-day tour game ends in a draw after Australia A give Indians a proper workout

Andrew McGlashan08-Dec-2020A significant worry was sent through the Australian camp late on the final day of the warm-up match at Drummoyne Oval when Will Pucovski was hit on the helmet by a short ball and was forced to retire hurt. It was later confirmed that he had experienced “mild concussion symptoms”.During the 13th over of Australia’s second innings, in the closing moments of the match after they had been set 131 to win in 15 overs, Pucovski got into a tangle going for a pull against Kartik Tyagi, and took the ball on the helmet. He was on his hands and knees at the crease for around 90 seconds before walking off the ground with the doctor John Orchard nearby.Pucovski has a long history of concussion with eighth previous occasions dating back to when he played junior football.He had seemed set to make his Test debut in Adelaide following the injury to David Warner, but that may rest on the outcome of assessments carried out by the medics over the coming days. In a positive sign, he was up and talking in the changing room when the match ended and walked with his team-mates to the bus.However, he has been ruled out of the day-night Australia A match starting at the SCG on Friday. He will remain with the squad when a group of the Test players head to Adelaide on Monday and be monitored by medical staff.”Will experienced mild concussion symptoms but was able to leave the field unassisted,” Orchard, Cricket Australia’s chief medical officer, said. “He was monitored in our medical room and was communicating freely with staff and teammates as well as family over the phone.”Wriddhiman Saha pulls one away•Getty ImagesThe blow to Pucovski means Australia may need to add another opening batsman to the Test squad – at least as cover – which would likely be Marcus Harris, who was batting with Pucovski at the time.A few minutes after Pucovski’s blow, hands were shaken on a draw. Joe Burns’ problems had also continued when he fell for a duck in the first over, dragging a drive into his stumps against Umesh Yadav, to leave him with 61 runs in seven innings this season.Pucovski could have gone cheaply as well when he flashed at Mohammed Siraj on 1 and was put down by a diving Prithvi Shaw at second slip. He also survived a very close shout for lbw against Siraj when on 16 before his worrying exit from the crease.When Siraj was bowled by Mark Steketee to complete his five-wicket haul, the Indians were just 84 ahead with 30 overs remaining, but Wriddhiman Saha and last-man Tyagi, in his second first-class match, were able to survive long enough and stretch the lead far enough that Ajinkya Rahane could call them in with an hour remaining.Still, it was an unconvincing day with the bat for the Indians ahead of the opening Test in Adelaide. They have one more warm-up match, a day-night match at the SCG starting Friday, to fine-tune their game. However, they can be comforted by the time in the middle for Rahane, who added 28 to his first-innings century before he was the first of three wickets for Steketee in three overs before tea.Cameron Green sent back the Indian openers•Getty ImagesTravis Head opted to continue Australia A’s first innings rather than declare first thing, which allowed Cameron Green to extend his score to 125. The Indian opening pair swiftly chipped away at the lead before Green’s introduction with the ball had an impact, when Shaw fenced at his fifth delivery and sent a sharp catch to Pucovski above his head at gully.Michael Neser then produced the ball of the match to nip past Cheteshwar Pujara’s outside edge and take off stump – Tim Paine, watching closely, will hope his Test attack has a few of those ready – and then Green struck again in his third over when Shubman Gill carved a short ball to point. The Indians were three down without getting into the lead at that stage. Green could not have done much more to force the selectors’ hands.For 21 overs after that, Hanuma Vihari and Rahane chipped way and, with Australia A a bowler down in the absence of injured Jackson Bird, appeared to be taking the game towards a point where they may have been conversations about an early finish. But Vihari then nicked Neser to first slip and that was the beginning of a collapse of 6 for 24 which made an Indian defeat appear likely. After Rahane was given lbw, R Ashwin got a leading edge back to Steketee, who then had Kuldeep Yadav fending to first slip. After tea, he added Umesh Yadav, caught in the gully, and three balls later Siraj, who missed a wild swing.Saha, making his return from the hamstring injury he suffered at the IPL, farmed the strike well, although Tyagi was impressively resolute when needed and was angry with himself after one play and miss. Saha went to his half-century from 99 balls with the first of consecutive boundaries off Head, which signalled the declaration.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers enjoyed a relatively successful first season back in the dugout at Parkhead with a domestic double during the 2023/24 campaign.

The Northern Irish head coach won the Scottish Premiership title and the SFA Cup after returning to Glasgow for a second spell, following Ange Postecoglou's departure from the club.

He was immediately dealt with a difficult situation as three key players moved on from Paradise that summer; Jota, Aaron Mooy, and Carl Starfelt.

To replace Starfelt, Rodgers brought in three new central defenders during the summer transfer window but none of them hit the ground running.

Celtic's centre-back signings struggled

Maik Nawrocki and Gustaf Lagerbielke, both right-footed enforcers, were snapped up from Legia Warsaw and Elfsborg on permanent deals, whilst Nat Phillips joined on loan from Liverpool for the first six months of the campaign.

Unfortunately, none of those players were able to make a particularly positive impression on the pitch for the Scottish giants, as they all failed to nail down a regular place in the team.

Appearances

7

10

6

Starts

4

7

3

Clean sheets

3

0

0

As you can see in the table above, the three signings combined for just 14 league starts in 38 matches in the Premiership, with 23 appearances combined in total.

Thankfully, Liam Scales came back from his loan from Aberdeen the previous season and made it into the PFA Scotland Team of the Year for the 2023/24 campaign, but Celtic are yet to replace Starfelt with a reliable right-footed defender who can play on either side of the centre-back pairing.

Celtic could finally replace Carl Starfelt

The Hoops could finally land a dream replacement for the Swedish titan by securing a deal to sign reported transfer target Dara O'Shea from Burnley.

A right-footed defender, the Clarets battler is comfortable on either side of the defence, with six starts as a left-back in his career, and this would make him a like-for-like heir to Starfelt, rather than being restricted to the left – like Scales.

Appearances

33

28

Tackles + interceptions per game

2.3

2.1

Duel success rate

60%

67%

Error led to a shot or goal

2

3

Penalties committed

0

2

As you can see in the table above, O'Shea's performances in the Premier League last term suggest that he offers similar defensive qualities to the former Hoops star.

The Ireland international, who was described as a "leader" by former manager Vincent Kompany, can win the majority of his physical contests whilst making multiple tackles and interceptions to break up attacks each game.

O'Shea also ranked within the top 37% of centre-backs in the English top-flight for progressive passes (3.80) and progressive carries (1.00) per 90 respectively, which shows that he was above average at progressing play out from the back.

This suggests that the Irish brute could suit playing in a dominant Celtic team that would allow him to showcase his ball-playing skills more frequently than in a Burnley side that suffered relegation.

Celtic struck gold with Ange signing who's worth more than Idah

The Hoops are reportedly looking for a staggering fee of £25m for the attacker this summer.

ByDan Emery Jul 8, 2024

Therefore, the Bhoys could finally replace Starfelt by signing another versatile right-footed defender who could offer quality in and out of possession as a reliable option for Rodgers.

Afghanistan Cricket Board had considered moving the series to Oman

Matt Roller05-Jan-2021Afghanistan’s ODI squad will arrive in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday after a delay in the arrival of their visas had threatened to bring about a late shift in venue for their upcoming series against Ireland.The UAE temporarily suspended visas for nationals of 13 countries in November for Covid-related reasons, leading the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) to make contingency plans to stage the three-match, World Cup Super League series in Oman instead.Afghanistan have played the majority of their home fixtures in India in recent years, but are currently exploring alternative venues. Oman’s main home venue in Al Almerat recently received ICC accreditation, and the ACB had suggested staging the series there. Zimbabwe’s planned tour next month is also likely to be held in Oman.But with Ireland already in Abu Dhabi, having scheduled a four-match ODI series against the UAE to help them acclimatise before the Afghanistan fixtures, Cricket Ireland maintained that the series should be played at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium if possible.The two boards met virtually on Monday, with Cricket Ireland outlining their concerns over the possible switch in venues. Ireland’s A team, the Wolves, are planning a tour of Bangladesh in February and March, immediately after the series, with some overlap in squad members and support staff, while they had also hoped to minimise travel in order to mitigate the risks of Covid-19 transmission.And after Afghanistan’s visas for the UAE finally came through, the ACB confirmed in a press release on Tuesday morning that the series would be staged in Abu Dhabi as initially intended, with fixtures due to be played on January 18, 21 and 23. However, the ACB’s release left open the possibility of a change in dates, saying: “the hurdles may result in the series being postponed by three to four days than originally scheduled”.Afghanistan named their squad for the series last week, with the majority of players due to travel to the UAE on Tuesday. There was no place in the 16-man group for Hazratullah Zazai, who has struggled for form since his 162* in a T20I against Ireland in February 2019, or for the veteran allrounder Samiullah Shinwari, while Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Azmatullah Omarzai could make their ODI debuts.Three players – Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman – are currently involved in the Big Bash League, and are set to miss the end of the group stage and the play-offs as a result of their inclusion. An ACB spokesperson told ESPNcricinfo that their arrival date was unclear at this stage, with Melbourne Renegades coach Michael Klinger suggesting on Tuesday that Nabi is likely to be available for his side’s fixture against Adelaide Strikers on January 8.Afghanistan squad: Asghar Afghan (captain), Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Javed Ahmadi, Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Najibullah Zadran, Naveen-ul-Haq, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rahmat Shah, Rashid Khan, Sayed Shirzad, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Usman Ghadi, Yamin AhmadzaiAfghanistan vs Ireland, World Cup Super League fixtures:1st ODI – January 18
2nd ODI – January 21
3rd ODI – January 23

Erik ten Hag bizarrely refused to count Manchester United's 3-0 loss to Tottenham as a refereeing error took centre stage at Old Trafford.

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United have had a troubled start to the campaignWent down 3-0 to Spurs at Old TraffordTen Hag ignores defeat due to rescinded red cardFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Ten Hag dismissed the loss against Tottenham, attributing it to refereeing decisions rather than the team's performance, as his side continues to grapple with inconsistent form and setbacks. The Dutch tactician asserted that the decision to send off Bruno Fernandes, which was later reversed, fundamentally skewed the game’s course, leaving United disadvantaged early on and unable to respond effectively.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The clash with Tottenham began poorly for United, with Spurs taking the lead just three minutes in through Brennan Johnson’s goal. The situation worsened when Fernandes was shown a controversial red card for a tackle on James Maddison, leaving United down to 10 players for much of the match. Ange Postecoglou's men capitalised on United’s weakened defence, with Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke adding two more goals to complete the 3-0 victory.

WHAT TEN HAG SAID

Speaking to reporters, Ten Hag said: "I deny and ignore the game against Spurs because we were down to 10 at 1-0. That is not a fair assessment to the team to take this into consideration, because we didn't have the chance to bounce back."

United’s difficulties extend to European competitions as well. After the draw against Porto and Fenerbahce, the team have now gone a full year without securing a victory in continental tournaments, compounding the pressure on Ten Hag.

Nevertheless, the manager emphasised: "You see this team is resilient. The team is determined. Brentford, two tough away games in Europe – this team has character and shows fighting spirit and determination to win games."

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DID YOU KNOW?

United's record this season speaks of a broader struggle. The team has suffered three league defeats so far, with heavy losses to Tottenham, Liverpool and Brighton and their slender 2-1 win over Brentford remains their only victory in the last seven games across all competitions.

Lucy Bronze warned her colleagues to "think about life after football" as the Chelsea star believes they aren't paid enough to retire on salaries.

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Bronze wants peers to get "smart" with moneyInsists salaries wouldn't last them their lifetimeShe has been investing to beat that trapFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Bronze believes that despite the growing popularity and revenue in women’s football, only a tiny fraction of players, approximately 0.01 per cent, are in a financial position to retire comfortably. The 33-year-old England international acknowledged that while she personally could manage a stable retirement, most of her colleagues will need to consider future career options.

AdvertisementAFPWHAT BRONZE SAID

Addressing the disparity, Bronze explained how her financial planning and disciplined lifestyle have allowed her the possibility of retirement, a privilege few of her peers in the sport can enjoy.

"Probably 99.9% of women's players… you have to think about life after football," she told

"I don't live a crazy lifestyle with crazy cars or houses. So I could retire and live on my investments. I've been smart with my money, I've paid off student loans throughout my career. I know I've been successful in teams with a lot of money… I'm probably in that top per cent."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Bronze’s comments come on the heels of revelations by former England captain Steph Houghton, who reflected on her early career earnings. Speaking to the BBC, Houghton shared that during her time with Arsenal, she received an annual salary of just £4,000 and through bonuses, a part-time coaching stint and a club ambassador role she managed to reach £9,000.

"It was never about the money when I joined Arsenal," said Houghton to . "Now I look back at those figures and I think 'oh my god'. I was living in London, although I was fortunate that the club paid for the apartment. At the same time, to live off that and try and save for a house, simple things we all do as human beings, it was quite tough to do."

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DID YOU KNOW?

Bronze also addressed the impact of England’s historic Women’s Euro 2022 victory, which brought newfound recognition to the Lionesses and increased visibility to the women’s game. Reflecting on her own experience, she explained that her personal career rise was more of a gradual process, and the Euro win, while transformative, didn’t dramatically alter her life as it might have for less established players.

"I didn't have to go from 0 to 100 overnight. I had a steady buildup throughout my career," she said. "Winning the Euros – it changed things, but I'd already had that experience."

West Indies’ top run-getter in their last two Test series believes he has a similar batting style to that of Rishabh Pant

Mohammad Isam27-Jan-2021Trust Jermaine Blackwood to know what it’s like to bat deep into the fourth innings. His match-winning 95 during the Southampton Test against England last year put him in a category of cricketers who can withstand a different type of pressure: to win an overseas Test by batting beautifully in the fourth innings.It hasn’t just been one innings for Blackwood recently though. He has been West Indies’ top run-getter in Test series in both England and New Zealand, having made 427 runs with a century and three fifties, averaging 42.70 in the combined five Tests. Not to forget, he is on the comeback trail.”I think I have been out of the West Indies team for almost three years,” he said on his routines while being away from the national team. “On the sidelines, I did some work on my mental space. I trained twice a day and hit the gym every day. I put in a lot of hard work to be as fit as possible. I tried to come back as strong as possible. You can see the results. I am better at my shot selection, I am starting to understand my game very well, [and] I want to continue to do the same going forward.”Related

Da Silva prepares for his time in the limelight

Roach draws up plans ahead of Bangladesh Tests

Simmons: West Indies 'need to play spin better'

In the only Test innings that he played during this long break – as a concussion sub for Darren Bravo against India in Kingston in 2019 – Blackwood picked the brains of India captain Virat Kohli, who advised him to focus on spending time at the crease, a dictum he has taken to heart.”I talked to Virat Kohli a few times as well on social media. The last time India toured the Caribbean, I had a chance to talk to him in Jamaica when I was there subbing,” he said, “So after the game, I just had a small conversation. I asked him about how I have a lot of half-centuries and [only] one century. He just said, ‘What will you do when you score a century? How many deliveries did you face?’ I said I faced 212 balls.”He said, ‘That’s it, once you can bat some balls, you’re going to score runs’. So I took a big thing from that. After that conversation, I tell myself that once I can bat over 200 or 300 balls, the way I bat, I can score runs regardless of who I am playing against or where I am playing.”Blackwood also believes he has a similar style to that of Rishabh Pant, and admitted to being impressed by his batting display during the Brisbane Test earlier this month.”I was following the series between India and Australia,” Blackwood said. “During the fourth innings with an hour left, I was saying to myself that once Rishabh Pant is there, you’re going to win. I think we have the same batting style. He looked to score and a player who puts bowlers under pressure. That’s the same way I bat. I was just rooting for him because I know he was under a little bit of pressure. He is a very cool guy.”But without disturbing his own method, he now has to make a whole new set of adjustments for the slow and low pitches in Bangladesh, where the West Indies ODI side were whitewashed 3-0. Blackwood believes that the adjustment has to happen mentally first.”These type of surfaces are very slow. So I have to [prepare] mentally, because technically I can’t do too much work right now,” he said about the Bangladesh pitches. “But mentally I know it is going to be very slow and it will spin. Once mentally I am ready, I am good. Then everything takes care of itself.”I am batting very good in the nets, so I am just looking forward to transfer that in the middle. I can’t really wait to just go out there and play some cricket. I have been in Bangladesh for a while now so I am just eager to go out and play some cricket.”

Aston Villa have been offered the chance to bolster their ranks with a decorated free agent this summer, according to fresh reports.

Aston Villa lead Premier League's transfer business

Unai Emery's side are in Europe's top club competition for the first time in over 40 years and are flexing their financial muscle ahead of the new Premier League season in a bid to ensure that they stay there for the long term.

Much of their focus has been on adding depth to their ranks, with eight new signings already having been made by the club. However, the squad is still lacking any real Champions League experience, with Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne the only players in Emery's side to have played more than 15 times in Europe's elite competition.

Champions League games played by Villa's new signings

Amadou Onana

8

Ross Barkley

6

Ian Maatsen

7

Samuel Iling-Junior

1

Enzo Barrenechea

1

Lewis Dobbin, Jadon Philogene and Cameron Archer

0

Though by no means a pre-requisite for success in the competition, European experience is useful as Premier League rivals Arsenal have found out in recent seasons. Now, Villa have been offered the chance to bring in a man who has plenty.

Aston Villa offered to sign free agent

That comes as journalist Graeme Bailey claims that Villa have been "offered" the chance to sign veteran attacking midfielder James Rodriguez this summer.

The two-time Champions League winner is a free agent after leaving Sao Paulo a year early and is reportedly "keen" on a move back to England, where he spent a season with Everton.

Imagine him & Williams: Aston Villa could sign a "clinical" star for £0

Unai Emery is in the market to sign a striker this summer…

ByRoss Kilvington Jul 22, 2024

He managed 10 goal contributions in a stop-start season for the Toffees, before leaving for Qatar and subsequently moving to Brazil. The ex-Real Madrid man boasts a mammoth 53 appearances in the Champions League, during which time he has found the net on five occasions and set up a further 11.

Villa are just one of the sides his representatives are thought to have contacted, with the likes of Midlands rivals Wolves and Nottingham Forest among those who have also been made aware of his availability.

Rodriguez could be Aston Villa's Coutinho 2.0

Of course, Aston Villa have just got rid of an attacking midfielder in their early thirties who boasts a Champions League trophy in his cabinet, but Rodriguez's performances in the most recent Copa America suggest that his arrival could play out differently were it to come to fruition.

While he brings a wealth of Champions League experience, he is also still performing on a regular basis, at least for his national side.

The Colombian attacker helped his side reach the final of the competition before they were eventually beaten by Argentina, grabbing a goal and six assists on the way.

Those six assists were enough to set a new record for the competition and land the 33-year-old the player of the tournament award ahead of the likes of Lionel Messi and Emiliano Martinez.

There are certainly question marks about whether that form can be sustained over the course of an entire season, but as he showed during the early stages of his stint with Everton, he has the ability to carve Premier League teams apart when he wants to. He could well be worth taking a risk on as a free agent, making this one to watch.

Captain takes break after gruelling run of biosecure campaigns in UAE, South Africa and Pakistan

Firdose Moonda15-Feb-2021Quinton de Kock will sit out of South Africa’s domestic T20 competition, which starts on Friday, on medical advice. De Kock has been given a mental health break and will aim to be ready for the Pakistan white-ball series at home in April.”On medical advice, Quinton will be on a break for a few weeks. The South African Cricketers Association and Cricket South Africa (CSA) will continue to support him through this process,” Andrew Breetzke, SACA CEO told ESPNcricinfo.This season has been particularly taxing on de Kock, who took on the responsibility of captaining the Test team in a temporary capacity, along with leading the white-ball sides, being the first-choice wicketkeeper in all formats and among the senior-most batsmen. His form took a significant dip and he only scored 74 runs in six innings as captain, after being moved to the No.5 position in the Test line-up, further adding to his burden.Related

Quinton de Kock announces sudden retirement from Tests

Dean Elgar braces for 'tough' South Africa captaincy tenure

Quinton de Kock: 'Bubble life is very unsettling. I don't know how long it can last for'

The de Kock issue South Africa need to address quickly

Mark Boucher: Quinton de Kock to be released from 'burden' of Test captaincy after Pakistan tour

The effects of living in biosecure bubbles also appear to have taken their toll on de Kock. In January, he described the environment as “unsettling,” and spoke about the scarcity of time at home over the summer.Since September last year, de Kock has been involved in several bubbles, from the IPL to South Africa’s white-ball series against England (which was interrupted by Covid-19 concerns and ended early) to the festive-season Tests against Sri Lanka and the recently completed trip to Pakistan. South Africa were due to go directly from the bubble in Pakistan to a home series against Australia, but the indefinite postponement of that three-Test series means that de Kock will have some time off.On Monday, CSA’s director of cricket Graeme Smith confirmed that all nationally contracted players will be obliged to play in the domestic T20 competition and the four-day matches which will follow in March. De Kock and Faf du Plessis are the only exceptions. CSA have yet to make a decision about whether the contracted players have to remain at home for the Pakistan series, or will travel to the IPL for the start of the tournament, expected to be in mid-April. The Pakistan series runs from April 2 to 16.

After a 1-0 win in Kingston, the U.S. cruised to a 4-2 win in St. Louis to book a spot in the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals

ST. LOUIS – Monday night's match in St. Louis seemed as if it was the first REAL Mauricio Pochettino game with the USMNT. It was the fourth of his U.S. men's national team tenure, in terms of math, but it felt like the initial moment in which his ideals truly shined through.

Facing off with Jamaica in the second leg of the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals, the USMNT's stars were ruthless, just as Pochettino wants them to be. Christian Pulisic scored a brace, and Ricardo Pepi and Tim Weah added goals, leading the U.S. to a comfortable 4-2 win that sealed a 5-2 aggregate triumph.

It was a match in which six USMNT players contributed a goal or an assist, and in which Pochettino's best players put Jamaica to the sword time and time again. It seemed as if every mistake was punished and every attack was dangerous, all match long.

It began early with a stunning 14th-minute Pulisic finish, one of the most difficult of his USMNT career. The second goal came 19 minutes later, as Lady Luck was on the U.S. side as Pulisic banked a shot off a defender and in. There was nothing lucky about Pepi's goal just before the half, though, as he picked a corner to make it 3-0, effectively ending the tie.

Pulisic, who became the fastest USMNT player to 50 goal contributions, said the confidence was high.

"It was an amazing performance," he said. "We came out really hot, obviously. It was nice to get the first goal, and early goal, and we built off that. I thought the first half was really strong … We should definitely feel good after these results. We’re obviously learning a lot of new things. Obviously with a new coach, some things have changed and it connected well today, and hopefully we can just continue to improve."

Jamaica fought back, with Demarai Gray getting two goals of his own in between a fantastic Weah finish, a major moment in his return to the USMNT and first match since his red card the Copa America. After an absolute beatdown of a first half, the Reggae Boyz gave the USMNT a fight in the second, turning Monday's clash into a challenging game by the end.

And Weah, who waited so long for this return, felt the collective effort paid dividends.

"Just a lot of grit, playing together as a family. Giving 100 percent for each other. I think that’s we did today. And we can all be happy and look forward to something special," he said. "Playing in that final, the Nation’s League final, and then kind of building our way up to the World Cup at home. That’s the main goal. We’re on the right track. We just have to keep trusting each other, playing with intention, and do what we do best."

Pochettino will like the way this match played out. He'll like that the second half gave him talking points to dive in on and improvements to make. He'll love that first half, though, one that was a near-perfect display of how he wants this team to play.

It's still early, but Monday night's win was a step forward for the USMNT. They ended 2024 on a high note, effectively and efficiently kickstarting the Pochettino Era. GOAL rates the USMNT's players from CITYPARK.

ImagnGoalkeeper & Defense

Matt Turner (6/10):

Had no real chance to save the first Gray goal but maybe could have pushed the ball elsewhere on the second? Had a few good stops throughout, though.

Antonee Robinson (7/10):

Tucked in a bit more than we're accustomed to seeing, particularly in the first half. Put Jamaica in a few uncomfortable positions and provided the assist on Pepi's goal.

Mark McKenzie (6/10):

A little miscommunication on the Jamaica goal, but that's certainly not all on him. Otherwise, had some really good moments to keep Jamaica quiet.

Tim Ream (7/10):

Was so patient on the ball, which helped the U.S. seize control early. Playing in front of his hometown crowd, Ream really rose to the occasion.

Joe Scally (5/10):

Got turned around a bit on Gray's second and could have better communicated on the first. A bit harsh to pick on him, though, as he did do some good things in possession.

AdvertisementImagnMidfield

Weston McKennie (9/10):

Assisted each of the first two goals, with his first being a legitimate highlight-reel pass. Took control of the midfield, completing nearly all of his passes while driving the U.S. forward throughout as the more free midfield.

Tanner Tessmann (7/10):

Don't overlook his contributions. While everyone around him was picking up goals and assists, Tessmann did so many little things well, from winning the ball back to keeping it in tight situations. They're not the most obvious contributions, but they did set a tone.

ImagnAttack

Christian Pulisic (9/10):

Incredible finish for his first, a lucky one for his second. But both counted. This was a 90-minute showcase of quality from a player that is simply unstoppable right now.

Tim Weah (8/10):

Was seemingly told to stay on the line to stretch the Jamaica defense. The Juventus star hit the post early, but got his goal midway through the second half with a ridiculous finish. Welcome back!

Yunus Musah (7/10):

Quietly pretty damn good on the wing, earning an assist on Weah's goal. Is that his position long-term? Probably not, but Pochettino clearly feels he can get something out of him from that wide spot.

Ricardo Pepi (8/10):

The train keeps steaming ahead. Another goal from Pepi on a day when he could have had one or two more. The PSV forward is a scoring machine right now, which will only make the debates over his role for club and country grow louder.

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Getty ImagesSubs & Manager

Gianluca Busio (7/10):

Super good passing-wise and had a few good defensive moments. Provided exactly what the U.S. needed at that point in the game.

Brenden Aaronson (7/10):

Tidy on the ball as he drove forward from that No. 10 spot. Kept the ball moving and kept the U.S. dangerous even without Pulisic on the field.

Brandon Vazquez (6/10):

Was inches away from two different opportunities after coming on to replace Pepi. Occupied Jamaica's defenders as the U.S. looked to see out the win.

Cade Cowell (6/10):

Came on and immediately brought some life back into the game as both teams looked ready to cruise to the finish line. Good to get him in against tired legs, but would have been interesting to see what he could do with more time to work.

Alejandro Zendejas (N/A):

Came in with just a few minutes left to see out the game.

Mauricio Pochettino (8/10):

Attacking-wise, this was just about perfect. The tactics were spot on and the players executed them about as well as he could have imagined. There were things to clean up in the second half, though, especially defensively. Still, a great night for the new coach.

Amid another summer full of arrivals, Chelsea now reportedly want to deal London rivals Tottenham Hotspur a blow by signing their young star who seems destined for the top.

Chelsea transfer news

As ever, it's been a busy transfer window at Stamford Bridge and one that is only set to get busier with the reported arrivals of Aaron Anselmino and Filip Jorgensen.

The duo are both reportedly set to undergo medicals before completing moves to the London club, which will see Anselmino return to complete his season with Boca Juniors and Jorgensen instantly stake a claim for Chelsea's number one shirt.

Even after Anselmino and Jorgensen, however, the Blues' business may not be done for the summer. Those at Stamford Bridge could yet deal London rivals Spurs the ultimate blow by landing a future star for Enzo Maresca before he signs his first professional contract.

According to The Sunday Mirror via The Boot Room, Chelsea are now interested in signing Mikey Moore, who has impressed for Spurs in pre-season. The winger can't sign a professional contract until his 17th birthday on August 11, leaving his future open for Chelsea to swoop in. That said, the Lilywhites reportedly expect their academy graduate to put pen to paper on his first senior contract.

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There's no doubt about Moore's ability and his arrival would certainly follow the trend of young stars making their way to Stamford Bridge. But, for now, he could remain loyal to those at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium instead of completing what would be an incredibly controversial move across London this summer.

"Fantastic" Moore is one for the future

Since becoming the youngest player to feature in the Premier League for Spurs last season, the only way has been up for Moore. The 16-year-old has thrived in pre-season, even scoring the winning goal against Vissel Kobe to secure the J.League World Challenge title to hand Spurs a boost in the form of pre-season silverware.

You can see why Chelsea are interested, with the winger recently earning the praise of Ange Postecoglou as a result of his form. The Australian said via Football London: "Mikey has been fantastic since we brought him in. He’s earned his spot on the roster at the moment – he did at the end of last year.

"He got a run with the first team because we could see in training that he was handling himself really well and that’s followed through into pre-season training. He’s been good in all the games – he probably should have had three tonight, to be fair – but he did take his goal well by being in the right areas."