Everton in advanced talks to sign Bordeaux winger Malcolm

Everton are reportedly in advanced talks to sign Bordeaux winger Malcolm.

The Brazilian, who has scored 20 goals in 84 appearances for the Ligue 1 outfit, had been attracting interest from Arsenal in January, though it appears Marco Silva’s side are in a promising position to sign the highly rated forward.

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Capped once at U23 level for Brazil though yet to make an appearance for the seniors, Malcolm at the age of 21 is considered to be one of Ligue 1’s biggest future stars, and his potential arrival at Goodison Park is likely to excite fans of the Toffees as they go in search of a redeeming 2018/19 campaign after a dismal showing last season.

For Malcolm, a move to Merseyside would present a truly outstanding opportunity to test himself as well as reap the financial rewards the Premier League has to offer. If Everton are able to secure this singing, adding to the forward players they already possess, including Yannick Bolasie, Theo Walcott and Cenk Tosun, then 2018/19 could truly be an exciting for Silva’s side as they pursue domestic glory and push for an elusive Champions League qualification.

Liverpool launch bid for Roma keeper Allison

Liverpool have reportedly tabled a £62m offer to sign Roma’s Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson.

Roma are waiting to see if Liverpool will increase their bid, though it would currently break the world record fee for a goalkeeper. The Italian side is rumoured to be seeking in excess of £65m for their star asset.

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Alisson, who recently turned out for Brazil at the World Cup in Russia, has been on the books for two years at Roma, though a blockbuster move from the Merseyside outfit could turn his head towards the realms of the Premier League.

The 25-year-old kept 15 clean sheets in 34 Serie A appearances last season, proving his ability as a shot-stopper. As well as this he possesses superb distribution boasting a 79% pass accuracy in the league last term. Although his most eye-catching performances came via excellent Champions League displays as Roma reached the semi-final, before succumbing to Liverpool.

This is a breaking news story. 90MAAT will bring you the latest updates on Liverpool’s pursuit of Allison was we get them.

Lothar Matthäus Foto: Imago/Action Pictures An Lothar Matthäus scheiden sich bekanntlich die Geister. War der deutsche Rekordnationalspieler auf dem Rasen unbestritten einer der Größten der Fußball-Geschichte, so sind die Erfolge als Trainer doch eher blass geblieben. Und auch manche seiner Äußerungen finden nicht immer grundsätzliche Zustimmung bei jedermann. Dennoch hält sich der frühere Spieler vom FC Bayern München, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Inter Mailand und den New York Metro Stars selten zurück. So auch jetzt in Sachen Transfers beim FC Bayern. Paulo Dybala könnte Bayerns Hammer-Transfer werden Denn nach den Hammer-Transfers von Neymar vergangenen Sommer und von Cristiano Ronaldo diesen Sommer erwartet der Herzogenauracher Ähnliches auch in Zukunft beim FC Bayern München. In seiner wöchentlichen Kolumne auf Skysport.de schrieb der Rekordnationalspieler nun: „Der FC Bayern wird in naher Zukunft die 41,5 Millionen, die für Corentin Tolisso bezahlt wurden, toppen und 60, 70 oder 80 Millionen für einen Spieler bezahlen. Der Erste der mir dabei einfällt ist Paulo Dybala. Sollte Juve und der Spieler Gesprächsbereitschaft signalisieren, sind die Bayern garantiert da.“ Paulo Dybala beim FC Bayern München? Auf den ersten Blick ist dieser Transfer kaum vorstellbar. Allerdings scheint ein Abgang des Argentiniers bei Juventus Turin nach der Ronaldo-Verpflichtung nicht ausgeschlossen zu sein. Doch sollte der deutsche Rekordmeister tatsächlich an diesem Wechsel baggern, so ist man an der Säbener Straße sicherlich nicht glücklich über die Matthäus-Äußerung. Julian Draxler für Lothar Matthäus vorstellbar Darüber hinaus bringt Lothar Matthäus auch einige deutsche Nationalspieler mit dem FC Bayern in Verbindung. Dazu schrieb der 57-jährige: „Meiner Meinung nach, ist der aktuelle Kader der Bayern schon ziemlich gut. Wenn ich an einen Transfer denke, der „Bayern-like“ wäre, fällt mir als erstes Julian Draxler ein. Deutsch, jung, vielseitig einsetzbar, schnell. Und wenn man ihm Vertrauen schenkt, so wie Jogi beim Confed Cup, ist Draxler ein richtig toller Spieler. Ich wünsche mir Tempo, Dribbling, Mittel um defensive Teams zu knacken. Da fällt mir für die Bayern eben ein Draxler ein, der bei Paris unzufrieden auf der Ersatzbank sitzt. Ebenso denke ich da sofort an Timo Werner oder Julian Brandt.“ Bislang hat der FC Bayern München für die neue Saison 2018/2019 mit Leon Goretzka erst einen neuen Spieler verpflichtet. Der deutsche Nationalspieler kam ablösefrei vom FC Schalke 04.

Foto: Imago/Contrast

Das Finale der Weltmeisterschaft 2018 ist erst wenige Tage vorbei, da hält sich das BVB-Gerücht um den kroatischen Vizeweltmeister Mario Mandzukic hartnäckig in den Medien. Ein Wechsel des im Dienste vom italienischen Serienmeister Juventus Turin stehenden Mittelstürmers scheint nach Meinung vieler Experten dennoch als ausgeschlossen.

Mandzukic mit Bundesligaerfahrung

Trotz der Verpflichtung von Cristiano Ronaldo soll Mario Mandzukic beim Serie A Meister Juventus Turin bleiben. Zwar benötigt Juve aufgrund der fälligen Ablöse für Ronaldo dringend Einnahmen durch Spielerverkäufe, aber Mandzukic soll nicht zu den Verkaufskandidaten gehören. Ob der kroatische Nationalspieler überhaupt einen Wechsel anstrebt, ist nicht bekannt. Sein Ziel dürfte es aber sein, neben dem mehrmaligen Weltfußballer Ronaldo auf dem Platz zu stehen, wenn gleich ihm Coach Massimiliano Allegri keine Garantie erteilt, dass dieser wie einst beim FC Bayern München, als zentraler Mittelstürmer vorgesehen ist.

Ronaldo löst bei Juventus Turin eine Wechselrochade aus, da der Verein dringend Einnahmen durch Spielerverkäufe generieren muss, um die Ablösesumme von gut 117 Millionen Euro zu finanzieren. Bisher wurde bereits ein Teil der Summe durch Trikotverkäufe generiert. Um weitere Ablösesummen zu erzielen, soll stattdessen Gonzalo Higuain den Verein verlassen, dieser liebäugelt offensichtlich mit einem Wechsel zum FC Chelsea, wo seit einigen Tagen Maurizio Sarri als neuer Teamchef das Sagen hat.

Borussia Dortmund auf Stürmersuche

Die Leihe von Michy Batshuayi, der seit Beginn der neuen Saison wieder beim FC Chelsea trainiert, wurde nicht verlängert, obwohl der BVB noch immer in der dünn besetzten Offensive Verstärkung sucht. Kein Wunder, dass sich die Borussia mit dem erfahrenen und einst erfolgreichen Stürmer Mandzukic beschäftigt. Seine Qualitäten sind trotz seiner 32 Jahre unumstritten. Zwar wusste Mario Mandzukic bei den Bianconeri nicht immer zu überzeugen und erzielte in 129 Spielen nur 34 Tore, dennoch schafft er in der Offensive immer wieder wertvolle Freiräume. Der BVB wird sich laut Tuttojuve.com nach einer Alternative umsehen müssen.

LAFC vs. Portland Timbers | 2018 US Open Cup Match Preview

LAFC vs. Portland Timbers
U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals
Banc of California Stadium — Los Angeles
July 18 - 10:30 pm ET
WATCH: USSoccer.com

It's deja vu all over again as LAFC and the Portland Timbers square off at Banc of California Stadium for the second time in four days. This time, a berth in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals will be on the line after the Western Conference foes battled to a 0-0 draw in MLS play Sunday.

The Timbers are in the quarterfinals for the third time in club history, while Bob Bradley tries to march another expansion team to the title after doing that with the Chicago Fire in 1998.

• LAFC, Timbers ready to "go for it" in USOC rematch
• Bradley compliments Timbers after "hard game"
• Who helped or hurt their stock in Week 20?
• Davies: Why Chara is Portland's Kante
• Analysis: Can anyone break down Timbers defense?

LAFC  

LAFC left it late in a dramatic 3-2 win over Sacramento Republic in the Round of 16, with Diego Rossi equalizing in the 67th minute and then setting up Latif Blessing’s 89th-minute winner.

LAFC remain unbeaten at the Banc (7-0-4 overall) and are within three points of first-place FC Dallas in the Western Conference with a scoreless draw against Portland on Sunday that stretched an unbeaten streak to six.

“They’re a team that’s dangerous in transition and we did a solid job of handling that so now we turn it around and play them under different circumstances on Wednesday, obviously Open Cup and a night game,” Bob Bradley said. “A lot of the ball, but now it’s just that pure ability to find the way to make a real chance.”

• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: None
• International duty: None
• Injury Report: OUT: GK - Luis Lopez (right tibial stress fracture), GK - Quillan Roberts (right fibular fracture), M - Eduard Atuesta (left ankle sprain)

Projected Starting XI
(4-3-3, right to left)
GK: Tyler Miller — Steven Beitashour, Walker Zimmerman, Laurent Ciman, Jordan Harvey — Mark-Anthony Kaye, Benny Feilhaber, Lee Nguyen— Latif Blessing, Adama Diomande, Diego Rossi

Portland Timbers

Sebastian Blanco’s goal on the half-hour mark proved to be the difference as Portland defeated the LA Galaxy, 1-0, in the Round of 16 last month at Providence Park. If they eliminate the other LA club on Wednesday, the Timbers will equal their deepest run in the tournament since joining MLS in 2011, reaching the semifinals in 2013.

The Timbers extended an unbeaten streak to 12 league games with Sunday’s 0-0 draw against LAFC. Portland beat the expansion side, 2-1, at Providence Park in May in the only other matchup between the Western Conference powerhouses.

“We’ll analyze what we did well today, what we need to improve, and we have an idea already for Wednesday,” Giovanni Savarese said “But we have to make sure that we revise it, plan and be ready for what we’re going to bring on Wednesday.”

• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: None
• International duty: None
• Injury Report: QUESTIONABLE: D - Roy Miller (left Achilles tendon injury), M - Cristhian Paredes (right thigh injury)

Projected Starting XI
(4-3-2-1, right to left)
GK: Jeff Attinella — Alvas Powell, Larrys Mabiala, Julio Cascante, Zarek Valentin — Diego Chara, Lawrence Olum, Andy Polo— Diego Valeri, Sebastian Blanco — Samuel Armenteros

All-Time in U.S. Open Cup

• Overall: LAFC 2 wins, 5 goals … Portland Timbers 10 wins, 29 goals
• This is the first U.S. Open Cup meeting between LAFC and the Portland Timbers

Houston Dynamo vs. Sporting Kansas City | 2018 US Open Cup Match Preview

Houston Dynamo vs. Sporting Kansas City
U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals
BBVA Compass Stadum — Houston
July 18 - 8:30 pm ET
WATCH: USSoccer.com

For the fourth year in a row, the Houston Dynamo and Sporting Kansas City will meet in the U.S. Open Cup, with a berth in the semifinals on the line Wednesday night at BBVA Compass Stadium.

A year ago, ike Opara and Gerso Fernandes scored second-half goals to lift eventual champion Sporting KC to a 2-0 win over Houston in the Round of 16.

In 2016, the Dynamo won, 3-1, in the Round of 16 on the strength of a Mauro Manotas brace after SKC were victorious, 3-1, in the 2015 quarterfinals.

• Wilmer Cabrera | Postgame at Colorado Rapids
• You Make the Call: Did Gerso deserve a penalty?
• Beyond The Box Score: Vermes adds another longevity milestone
• Dynamo hire Holocher to as academy director

Houston Dynamo    

The Dynamo reached the quarterfinals for the third time in four years by defeating Minnesota United FC, 1-0, in the Round of 16. Manotas scored the lone goal two minutes into the second half, heading in an Adam Lundqvist corner kick.

In league play on Saturday, Houston played the Colorado Rapids to a 0-0 draw at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park with Joe Willis making three saves to earn the clean sheet.

“When you go away and get the zero in the back and you’re solid, I think it’s important for the mentality of this group, understanding that we have a game on Wednesday, Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday,” Wilmer Cabrera said. “It’s a good beginning of these five games in two weeks, but we now have to focus on the next game.”

• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: None
• International duty: None
• Injury Report: OUT: D - A.J. DeLaGarza (torn left ACL), M - Juan David Cabezas (left quad injury), M/D - Andrew Wenger (left calf injury), M - Arturo Alvarez (right hip injury)

Projected Starting XI
(4-3-3, right to left)
GK: Joe Willis — Adolfo Machado, Alejandro Fuenmayor, Philippe Senderos, DaMarcus Beasley — Eric Alexander, Darwin Ceren, Tomas Martinez — Alberth Elis, Mauro Manotas, Romell Quioto

Sporting Kansas City

Sporting booked their spot in the quarterfinals in dramatic fashion as Yohan Croizet struck for the winner in the 89th minute in a 3-2 victory over FC Dallas in the Round of 16.

SKC look to bounce back from a league loss to the New York Red Bulls by the same scorelineSaturday night at Red Bull Arena. Johnny Russell leveled four minutes after Bradley Wright-Phillips gave the Red Bulls an early lead and Roger Espinoza gave Sporting a 2-1 lead in the 51st minute. But Marc Rzatkowski came off the bench to score a pair of goals seven minutes apart late, as SKC lost for the third time in four games.

“I just think that we have to be much more difficult to play against,” Peter Vermes said. “I think we gave them too much time and space on the field. They were able to break through us on the lines, and they caused us a lot of problems with movement only because I think that we were reactionary, not anticipating.”

• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: None
• International duty: None
• Injury Report: OUT: D - Jimmy Medranda (knee injury), M/D - Cristian Lobato (knee injury), F - Khiry Shelton (right MCL tear, lateral meniscus tear), D/M - Brad Evans (Achilles injury); QUESTIONABLE: M - Felipe Gutierrez (sports hernia surgery), D - Ike Opara (hamstring injury)

Projected Starting XI
(4-3-3, right to left)
GK: Tim Melia — Graham Zusi, Graham Smith, Emiliano Amor, Jaylin Lindsey — Roger Espinoza, Ilie Sanchez, Yohan Croizet — Johnny Russell, Daniel Salloi, Gerso Fernandes

All-Time in U.S. Open Cup

• Overall: Houston Dynamo 14 wins, 42 goals … Sporting Kansas City SC 35 wins, 106 goals
• This is the fourth consecutive year the Houston Dynamo and Sporting Kansas City are meeting in the U.S. Open Cup. SKC has won two of the previous three encounters, including, 2-0, in the Round of 16 on June 28, 2017

Chicago Fire vs. Louisville City FC | 2018 U.S. Open Cup Match Preview

Chicago Fire vs. Louisville City FC
U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals
Toyota Park — Bridgeview
July 18 - 8:30 pm ET
WATCH: USSoccer.com

After knocking off Atlanta United in front of the largest crowd in U.S. Open Cup history on a Nemanja Nikolic goal in the 54th minute, the Chicago Fire return home for their 14th quarterfinal appearance in club history, good for third most in USOC history.

Louisville City FC became the first team from Kentucky to make the quarterfinals in tournament history by defeating Nashville SC, 2-1, in a battle of USL rivals.

This is the second USOC meeting between Chicago and Louisville City with Quincy Amarikwanetting the extra-time winner in a 1-0 victory in the Fourth Round of the 2015 tournament.

• On #CHIvLOU | Nemanja Nikolic
• Fire vs. Louisville City FC: Prep for Wednesday's Quarterfinal

Chicago Fire    

The Fire come into the match off a 3-1 loss at FC Dallas Saturday night.

Carlos Gruezo scored the lone goal of the first half and Kellyn Acosta and Reto Ziegler (PK) struck seven minutes apart to five FC Dallas a commanding 3-0 lead. That came after Drew Conner was sent off for his second bookable offense in the 70th minute.

Brandt Bronico scored a cosmetic goal four minutes from full time or the Fire, who dropped their third straight game.

“We had two difficult games in the first two rounds of the U.S. Open Cup against two really good teams away,” said Nikolic, who has three goals in two USOC matches this year. “We showed great character in these games and the next game on Wednesday will be really important for us, for the club, for the fans. We are prepared and of course our goal is to go to the next round.”

• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: None
• International duty: None
• Injury Report: OUT: M - Djordje Mihailovic (right ACL surgery), F - Michael de Leeuw (left ACL surgery), D - Matt Polster (MCL surgery), GK - Patrick McLain (hamstring injury), F - Luis Solignac (left quad injury), D - Grant Lillard (right quad injury); QUESTIONABLE: D - Kevin Ellis (undisclosed injury)

Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1, right to left)
GK: Stefan Cleveland — Drew Conner, Johan Kappelhof Christian Dean, Brandon Vincent, Mohammed Adams, Dax McCarty — Elliot Collier, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Aleksandar Katai — Nemanja Nikolic

Louisville City FC

Louisville City are fourth in the USL’s Eastern Conference with an 8-4-5 record and enter the match following a 2-1 loss to the Charleston Battery at MUSC Health Stadium Saturday night.

The Battery raced out to an early lead when Ataullah Guerra scored inside five minutes on his own rebound and the hosts doubled their advantage when Neveal Hackshaw headed home from close range in the 27th minute.

Louisville City had late life on an own goal by Taylor Mueller, but all hope of a comeback was dashed when Oscar Jimenez was sent off deep in stoppage time.

“We have to learn from this and take action to not let it happen again,” Louisville player-coach Luke Spencer said. “We’re going to reflect on this game, learn from what we can do better, and move forward to Chicago.”

• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: None
• International duty: None
• Injury Report: OUT: Richard Ballard (stress fracture), Luke Spencer (knee injury)

Projected Starting XI
(4-1-4-1, right to left)
GK: Greg Ranjitsingh — Pat McMahon, Paco Craig, Sean Totsch, Oscar Jimenez — Paolo DelPiccolo — Niall McCabe, Magnus Rasmussen, Devon Williams, Kyle Smith — Cameron Lancaster

All-Time in U.S. Open Cup

• Overall: Chicago Fire 48 wins, 117 goals … Louisville City SC 5 wins, 16 goals
• This is the second all-time meeting in the U.S. Open Cup with the Chicago Fire beating Louisville City, 1-0, in the Fourth Round on June 16, 2015

Minnesota United FC vs. New England Revolution | 2018 MLS Match Preview

Minnesota United FC vs. New England Revolution
2018 MLS Regular Season — Week 21
TCF Bank Stadium — Minneapolis
July 18 — 8 pm ET
WATCH: ESPN+, MLS LIVE on DAZN (Canada)

Two teams coming off disappointing performances in the final moments of their Week 20 matches meet on Wednesday night when Minnesota United FC host the New England Revolution.

The Loons defeated Real Salt Lake at home on Saturday, but Adrian Heath was anything but happy with the way they played, while the Revs surrendered a pair of stoppage-time goals in a 3-2 loss to the LA Galaxy at Gillette Stadium.

This will be just the second meeting in MLS play between Minnesota and New England. The first game between the two ended in a 5-2 home win for the Revolution last March.

• You Make the Call: Did Gerso deserve a penalty?
• Watch: MNUFC's Heath is heated in postgame presser
• Revs' Agudelo: Loss to LA one of the worst at home
• Farrell: Trip to Minnesota is "going to be a good challenge"

Minnesota United

Darwin Quintero scored a goal and set up two others as the Loons won for the second time in the last three games.

The Colombian Designated Player set up Ibson’s opening goal in the 51st minute, scored his seventh goal of the season in the 62nd minute and had the assist on Miguel Ibarra’s goal that put Minnesota (7-11-1) up 3-0 in the 68th minute. Instead of a cakewalk, the Loons had to sweat out the three points after Joao Plata struck for a late brace.

“Three points, we did our best to throw it away, tried to throw away 75 minutes of good work by people deciding that they know best, they’ll do what they want rather than doing what we know is right,” Adrian Heath said “It doesn’t matter who they are. We win together, we lose together. It’s the group. The group scored the goals, the group conceded the goals.”

• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: M - Rasmus Schuller
• International duty: None
• Injury Report: OUT: M - Sam Cronin (cervicogenic dysfunction), M - Kevin Molino (torn left ACL), M - Ethan Finlay (torn ACL), D - Jerome Thiesson (right leg injury); QUESTIONABLE: D - Marc Burch (left knee injury), F - Abu Danladi (left leg injury), D - Eric Miller (left hamstring injury)

Projected Starting XI
(3-5-2, right to left)
GK: Bobby Shuttleworth — Michael Boxall, Brent Kallman, Francisco Calvo — Miguel Ibarra, Ibson, Collen Warner, Rasmus Schuller, Alexi Gomez — Christian Ramirez, Darwin Quintero

• Notes: Quintero has scored three goals from outside the box since June 1. Only two players have scored more from outside the box in all of 2018. … The Loons have won five of their last eight MLS home games (2L-1D), keeping as many clean sheets during this stretch as they had in their previous 17 games at home (two).

New England Revolution

Like Heath, Brad Friedel was left to rue conceding late chances and it cost the Revs three points as Dave Romney and Chris Pontius scored one minute apart in stoppage time to lift the Galaxy to a 3-2 win Saturday night.

Five minutes after Cristian Penilla was sent off violent conduct, Diego Fagundez opened the scoring in the 28th minute and, after Pontius leveled in the 38th minute, Luis Caicedo sent New England (7-5-7) into halftime with a 2-1 lead.

Teal Bunbury’s toe-poke hit the post and had an attempt headed off the line, opening the door for the dramatic late Galaxy rally after Ashley Cole was sent off for his second bookable offense.

“Three individual errors on the goals and it cost us dearly, but there are so many good things to take out of the match, so many things we have been working on and some really good individual performances,” Friedel said. “We’ll have to take all the positives into our next two games and there were many.”

• Suspended: M - Cristian Penilla, M - Luis Caicedo, D - Antonio Delamea
• Suspended after next caution: None
• International duty: None
• Injury Report: OUT: D - Chris Tierney (torn right ACL), F - Femi Hollinger-Janzen (dislocated elbow)

Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1, right to left)
GK: Matt Turner — Andrew Farrell, Claude Dielna, Jalil Anibaba, Gabriel Somi — Scott Caldwell, Wilfried Zahibo — Brandon Bye, Diego Fagundez, Kelyn Rowe — Krisztian Nemeth

• Notes: Fagundez is averaging 0.73 goals+assists per 90 this season. Only six Revs players have averaged more in a single season ( min. 1,000 minutes played). … New England has lost just one of their last six road games in league play (1W-4D). They are averaging 1.0 points per away game, which would be tied for their third highest in a season since 2010.

All-Time Series

• This is the second all-time meeting with the New England Revolution beating Minnesota United FC, 5-2, on March 25, 2017.

Officials

Referee: JC Rivero
Assistant Referees: Eduardo Mariscal
4th Official: Kyle Longville
VAR: Drew Fischer