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terça-feira, 31 de julho de 2018

MLS Homegrown Team vs. Tigres UANL U-20 | 2018 MLS Homegrown Game

MLS Homegrown Team vs. Tigres UANL U-20
2018 MLS Homegrown Game presented by Energizer
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground — Marietta
July 31 - 8 pm ET
WATCH: UDN, Twitter

Some of the best and brightest young talent from Major League Soccer and Liga MX will be on display, when the MLS Homegrown Team meet Tigres UANL U-20s in the fifth annual MLS Homegrown Game presented by Energizer, Tuesday night at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground, part of a week of events during 2018 MLS All-Star Atlanta.

Atlanta United Academy director Tony Annan will serve as the head coach for the Homegrown Team against Tigres. Annan, who helped build Atlanta’s academy from the ground up and brings over 20 years of youth development experience to the match, coached the club’s U-17 squad to a national title in the first year of the program.

The game is an opportunity to showcase the growth of the league’s youth development system. MLS academies have produced over 150 Homegrown Players who have signed professional contracts with MLS clubs, with academy products logging a record number of goals, assists, minutes and games played in 2017.

Tigres, the reigning Liga MX U-20 champions, feature a roster of 20 for this game, including seven current members of the club's first-team roster, and several players who have already gotten experience in senior-level competition.

MLS Homegrown Team

The 20-player MLS Homegrown Team roster features many familiar names, including several players who are regular starters for their senior squads. Included on that list are the Philadelphia Union central defense pairing of Mark McKenzie and Auston Trusty, D.C. Unitedcentral midfielder Chris Durkin and Real Salt Lake midfielder Sebastian Saucedo.

All but five players on the roster have seen first team minutes this season, though that includes 16-year-old LA Galaxy phenom Efrain Alvarez, who helped lead LA to the U.S. Soccer Development Academy’s Under-18/19 championship final, where they lost on PKs to NYCFC, who is represented by defender/midfielder James Sands.

Tigres UANL U-20

After beating Club America to win the Liga MX U-20 title in May, Tigres UANL is looking for regional bragging rights Tuesday night against the MLS Homegrown Team. Six players on the roster are members of the Tigres senior roster, including forward Luis Cruz, who is also a member of the Mexican U-20 national team.

Tigres opened defense of their title by knocking off Leon, 3-1, with midfielder Leal Cruz striking for a brace and forward Luis Cruz adding a second half goal. That was followed by a 2-0 victory over Club Tijuana on goals by Bryan Reyes and Luis Cruz.

MLS Homegrown Game History

After the MLS Homegrowns faced the Portland Timbers U-23s in the inaugural MLS Homegrown Game, the match has pitted some of the best young talent in MLS against their neighbors from the south.

This is the third match against Liga MX competition, with Club America prevailing on PKs in 2015 and the MLS Homegrown Team playing Chivas de Guadalajara to a 2-2 draw a year ago. In 2016, Mexico’s U-20 national team defeated the MLS Homegrown Team, 2-0.

International Champions Cup: Tottenham vs AC Milan – Lineups, Preview & Prediction

Tottenham round off their ICC campaign with their final fixture against Gennaro Gattuso's AC Milan.

01:30 BST, Wednesday 1st August, U.S. Bank Stadium (Minneapolis, MN, USA)

Tottenham’s pre-season campaign comes to end stateside when they face AC Milan in Minneapolis. The Lilywhites have won once in their two fixtures – losing the other to Barcelona on penalties – but it’s been a campaign shrouded in transfer stress and thwarted by injury concern as the issues continue to mount on the sidelines.

For Milan, however, they held their own against a lacklustre Manchester United before facing Tottenham and Barcelona.

Despite speculation linking Antonio Conte with the Milan job, Gennaro Gattuso is continuing his preparation in the United States, though rumours, too, of a Leonardo Bonucci exit threatens to undermine this.

Last Time Out

Barcelona 2-2 Tottenham (Barcelona win 5-3 on penalties) [International Champions Cup]

The Lilywhites were courageous in their attempts to battle back from a two-goal deficit and draw level, but their efforts let them down when it came to the penalty shootout as Barcelona went on to win 5-3.

Munir headed home the Spanish champions’ first, before new signing Arthur made it 2-0 after half an hour from the edge of the area.

Christian Eriksen was the player attempting to make things happen for Spurs, and hit the woodwork from a free kick, but it was his parried shot that Son Heung-min converted in the 74th minute.

Georges-Kevin Nkoudou then leveled the scores after pouncing on some defensive confusion in the box. But Spurs couldn’t carry their momentum into the shootout as Barcelona scored all five of their spot kicks.

AC Milan 1-1 Manchester United (United win 9-8 on penalties) [International Champions Cup]

The Red Devils needed 26 penalties to separate themselves from AC Milan, but Milan ended up on the wrong side of the scoreline after an eventual 9-8 loss to Manchester United.

Alexis Sanchez opened the scoring, but Suso equalized three minutes later as United failed to hold onto their lead.

The game went straight to penalties after 90 minutes and Ander Herrera – on the second rotation – scored the decisive spot kick as Franck Kessie was unable to respond.

Tottenham Lineup

Mauricio Pochettino has more injury concerns in the center of midfield as Victor Wanyama has been sent home with a recurrence of the knee injury that kept him out last season. Moussa Sissoko is also suffering from a hamstring problem.

This means that Luke Amos will retain his spot in the two-man midfielder, with Oliver Skipp or Christian Eriksen perhaps joining him as seven central midfielders are unavailable. Pochettino is hopeful Erik Lamela will be available after a minor muscle scare.

AC Milan Lineup

After playing the full 90 minutes against United and failing to have too much of an impact, Hakan Calhanoglu could make way for Fabio Borini.

Patrick Cutrone could also be replaced with Andre Silva, with the Portuguese in need of match fitness as he was not a key feature of Portugal’s World Cup campaign.

Key Battle: Kyle Walker-Peters (Tottenham) vs Suso (AC Milan)

With Kieran Trippier likely to sit out the start of the season, Serge Aurier will start on the right flank, but Pochettino, too, has this problem with centre back Jan Vertonghen – due to his World Cup involvement – whilst Toby Alderweireld’s future is as of yet unresolved.

Ben Davies, therefore, has been converted into a makeshift centre back – something he’s done before for both club and country – to cover the vacancy, and young fullback Kyle Walker-Peters has been drafted in to cover the left.

REUTERS/Denis Poroy

Walker-Peters started the first and last games of last season’s Premier League and excelled against both Newcastle and Leicester, respectively. Hence, he could well be included against Newcastle once more given his continued participation in the ICC.

Having looked competent so far on the left, he will face a big test in Milan’s Suso, the goal scorer against Manchester United in the previous game and creator of 16 goals (six goals, ten assists) in the 2017/18 Serie A.

Talking Points

The bad kind of headache

Pochettino has a selection headache ahead of their final ICC match, and not the good kind. With Wanyama on his way back to north London and Sissoko also suffering from injury, the Argentine now has seven central midfielders either injured or unavailable for this fixture.

REUTERS/Denis Poroy

It’s not just against Milan where this becomes a problem, however, as it leaves Tottenham short of options ahead of their Premier League opener against Newcastle United.

Eric Dier and Mousa Dembele have not yet rejoined training after the World Cup, whilst Harry Winks is injured, too. It likely means the Eriksen experiment will continue, either in a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3, with the start of the season in the back of Pochettino’s mind.

The season approaches…

With the Premier League season starting in 11 days – and Serie A beginning the following week – managers Pochettino and Gattuso will have one eye on their domestic campaigns with their team selection in this friendly.

It’s no longer a time for youthful experimentation, rather one to iron out final kinks, continue to build fitness of key players and set in motion the plans that will form the start of their campaigns.

Tottenham will struggle to do so, however, given nine of their first team squad made the World Cup semi-finals and are, thus, not in the United States.

Prediction: Tottenham 1-1 AC Milan

A difficult fixture to call given Tottenham’s injury struggles, but they’ve not been outplayed by either Roma or a weakened Barcelona so a draw is a fair prediction in their final ICC match.

This is more about resolving issues and building fitness than it is the result, though it’s useful to continue to create momentum before the new season.

International Champions Cup: Barcelona vs Roma – Lineups, Preview & Prediction

The Catalan club continues to ease into pre-season against the team that knocked them out of the Champions League last season, Roma.

REUTERS/Albert Gea

03:00 BST, Wednesday 1st August (AT&T Stadium, Arlington, USA)

Barcelona and Roma are both easing into pre-season after playing one game apiece at the International Champions Cup, each against Tottenham.

After leading 2-0, Barcelona were pegged back by the North London team but won on penalties. Roma didn’t fare as well, losing 4-1. Kicking off at 9pm in Arlington, Texas, local fans will miss out on superstars such as Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho as they rest and recuperate after the World Cup.

Although Roma have traveled with their strongest squad, they will have to adapt to life without Radja Nainggolan and Alisson Becker who departed to Inter Milan and Liverpool, respectively.

Last Time Out

Barcelona 2 – 2 Tottenham (Barcelona win 5-3 on penalties) [International Champions Cup]

Young Brazilian signing Arthur had a debut to remember after extending Barcelona’s lead, scoring a stunning strike from outside the box into the top corner. Munir El Haddadi, returning from a loan at Alaves last season, put Barcelona in front with a header after 15 minutes.

The Catalan giants made a raft of second half changes, with eight players coming on after the break and the game appeared to be drifting to a satisfactory conclusion, before Christian Eriksen rattled the post from a free kick to shock Barcelona.

If it was a warning sign, it wasn’t heeded as Son Heung-min scored shortly afterwards when the ball fell to him inside the box following a blocked Eriksen strike. They leveled two minutes later with Georges-Kevin Nkoudou providing the finishing touch to another scramble inside the area.

Barcelona regained their composure to score all five penalties in the shootout, as Jasper Cillessen saving Anthony Georgiou’s tame attempt.

Roma 1 – 4 Tottenham [International Champions Cup]

With many of Tottenham’s players going deep into the World Cup, Mauricio Pochettino fielded an under-strength team for their International Champions Cup debut, but good performances from fringe players such as Lucas Moura and Fernando Llorente saw them record a resounding victory.

REUTERS/Denis Poroy

Roma initially led after Patrik Schick opened the scoring after just three minutes, but it didn’t take long for Tottenham to strike back with Moura and Llorente each registering a brace before the stroke of half-time.

The ease with which Pochettino’s team carved Roma apart was reminiscent of the thrashing suffered against Liverpool in the Champions League last season, and it might have been more if wholesale changes from both teams in the second half didn’t completely alter the complexion of the friendly.

Barcelona Lineup

With most of Barcelona’s senior players miles away from Texas, still recuperating after a testing World Cup – from the likes of France, Spain, Argentina, Uruguay and Croatia – and Andres Iniesta and Paulinho leaving for Asia, it’s likely that Barcelona field an entirely different XI to the one that remarkably lost 3-0 at the Stadio Olimpico in the spring.

It will be an experimental first team if the game against Tottenham was any indication. Malcom, a substitute last time, may get his first start against the club Barcelona gazumped to sign him.

Roma Lineup

After so many goals conceded against Tottenham, Eusebio Di Francesco may look his more experienced players in order to avoid another embarrassing defeat.

He could revert to the three at the back that was so successful against Barcelona in the Champions League, and use the same five defensive options again.

New signing Javier Pastore could slot into the hole left by Nainggolan in midfield and Edin Dzeko should lead the line again.

Key Battle: Edin Dzeko (Roma) vs Clement Lenglet (Barcelona)

The Bosnian striker was a key figure in Roma’s stunning 3-0 win over Barcelona in the Champions League, getting in behind to score early before winning the penalty that doubled their lead. With a summer’s rest, and only featuring for half an hour against Tottenham, he’s fresh to cause havoc once again.

But it will be against a different centre-half this time. New arrival Clement Lenglet from Sevilla looked assured against Tottenham, and it was only after he was substituted that Barcelona conceded.

REUTERS/Albert Gea

Roma’s director of football Monchi will know all about the talents of the Frenchman, as he scouted the player at Nancy and signed him for his former club Sevilla.

The 23-year-old stood out despite Sevilla being the defensive shambles surrounding him, and was particularly impressive against Manchester United in the Champions League. This will be an intriguing early test for the player.

Talking Points

Malcom to show Roma what they might have had

After signing the likes of Ivan Rakitic, Seydou Keita, Dani Alves and Aleix Vidal (and Lenglet, too), Barcelona fast-tracked their usual method of paying over the odds for a Monchi gem and going straight to the source.

Malcom was all set to join Roma before Barcelona offered him more at the very last moment. Roma fans were waiting at the airport for his arrival only to be disappointing in one of the most memorable transfer sagas of the summer. The sporting director spoke at length about the situation:

The right winger, signed from Bordeaux, may make his first start for Barcelona, but he could so easily could have been playing in Roma's colours in this encounter. Will he show them what they're missing?

Life after Alisson

The Brazilian shot-stopper was exceptional for Roma last season and one of their most important players as they finished third in Serie A and reached the Champions League semi-finals.

Before him, Wojciech Szczesny was a key cog, so they have set a precedent in making effective replacements and they have signed three goalkeepers this summer to that end.

REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins Veteran Italian goalkeeper Antonio Mirante, signed from Bologna, suffered a torrid time against Tottenham, conceding four goals in the first half, though his second-half replacement Daniel Fuzato fared better. The 21-year-old Brazilian has a bright future and is well regarded from his time at Palmeiras.

If neither of them feature, it could see a debut for Robin Olsen. The Swedish international had an impressive World Cup and moves from FC Copenhagen. Between the three arrivals, the goalkeeping position could be up for grabs and this pre-season tournament could help Di Francesco decide his first choice.

Prediction: Barcelona 1-2 Roma

With Roma having comparatively fewer tired World Cup players, they can play a more experienced and senior first team in this game.

Barcelona have quality in reserve, and their new signings will be desperate to impress, but it will be difficult for Ernesto Valverde to craft a side to compete with such a team without his first-choice spine.

International Champions Cup: Manchester United vs Real Madrid – Lineups, Preview & Prediction

The Red Devils' US pre-season tour comes to a close when they face off against European Champions Real Madrid in Miami on Tuesday night.

01:00 BST, Wednesday 1st August, Hard Rock Gardens (Miami, Florida, USA)

As far as pre-seasons go, Manchester United haven’t had the best. The start of the domestic campaign is still two weeks away, yet we have already seen the defeatist, grumpy, less pleasant side of Jose Mourinho.

United are yet to win any of their four pre-season games in normal time, and the Portuguese is already under pressure, cutting a frustrated figure on the various American touchlines.

For Real Madrid, this clash will be their first outing since the 3-1 win over Liverpool in Kiev to secure their third consecutive European title – but there’ll be a hole in the team sheet.

Last Time Out

Manchester United 1-4 Liverpool

It may only be pre-season, but any loss to your bitter rivals stings. The scales of experience and quality may well have tipped heavily into Jurgen Klopp’s favour, but Mourinho and United will be disappointed to have gone down feebly in Michigan.

Liverpool had the luxury of being able to pick the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane for this contest after the duo had linked up with the rest of the squad. New signing Fabinho, Virgil van Dijk and James Milner were also named in the German’s starting XI.

For Mourinho, however, the depth of choice was slightly more limited. Alexis Sanchez and Ander Herrera were the only regulars from last season in the United side, and the gulf in class eventually told.

REUTERS/Rebecca CookMane’s 28th minute penalty was quickly cancelled out by Andreas Pereira as the sides went in level at the break.

In the second period, Klopp utilised his squad depth to great effect, making wholesale changes. Daniel Sturridge continued his recent return to form by scoring a minute after coming off the bench before Sheyi Ojo doubled Liverpool’s lead eight minutes later from the spot.

New signing Xherdan Shaqiri scored his first goal for his new club in acrobatic fashion ten minutes from time to complete the win.

Manchester United Lineup

With most of his senior players still on extended leave after their involvement in the World Cup, Mourinho has made no secret of his frustration with the lack of depth he has at his disposal.

Forward Sanchez has echoed his bosses’ concerns in his recent performances, disgruntled with the lack of quality and service around him.

Real Madrid Lineup

In a game of firsts, the Real Madrid team sheet will feature several world-renowned players, though fans in the US will be all too aware of the name that won’t be on it.

Cristiano Ronaldo is a Galactico no more, though it’s also a fresh start in the dugout for the new boss Julen Lopetegui after his move to the Bernabeu from the Spanish national side.

Key Battle: Ander Herrera (Manchester United) vs Isco (Real Madrid)

As Mourinho loses his patience with his squad, Ander Herrera is one of the few players he has with him which he can trust in the midfield.

Herrera has featured heavily so far this pre-season, and if United are to be in with any chance of taking something from their final game in Miami, the Spaniard will be called upon again, this time to face a potentially monumental task.

REUTERS/Carl Recine After early World Cup exits, Isco, alongside the likes of Toni Kroos and Marco Asensio, is available for selection. The Spanish attacking midfielder was a bright light in an otherwise dim Spain side in Russia this summer, and he’ll be eager to get his 2018/19 season off to a positive start.

Herrera will be played in his customary deeper midfield role, but keeping Isco quiet may only be the beginning of his worries.

Talking Points

All is not well at United

It doesn’t take much for Mourinho to get upset these days, but the mood emanating from their US-based camp have a rather toxic feel about them.

The Portuguese isn’t happy with the crop of players he has with him across the pond, and the situation isn’t helped by the lack of transfer activity back in Manchester, either. The Red Devils haven’t won a game in normal time in America, with a mammoth penalty shootout win over AC Milan their only claim to a somewhat of a victory.

United were completely outplayed by Liverpool last time out, and though the players at Jurgen Klopp’s disposal may have been of a higher quality than his counterparts, the recent United performances will have their fans on edge.

Wholesale change at Real

It’s been a rather tumultuous summer for Spanish football.

From seeing the national side lose their manager on the eve of the World Cup, to watching their side bow out to the hosts at a much earlier stage than planned, to seeing one of their domestic league’s most prized stars depart for pastures new.

Lopetegui’s situation within the national team set-up was handled embarrassingly, and the new boss will have a few angry fans to win over before he can really stamp his own mark on his new team.

It will take a while for Los Blancos and their fans to come to terms with the departure of Ronaldo though it marks the start of a new era in the Spanish capital.

Prediction: Manchester United 0-2 Real Madrid

Mourinho’s side have been toothless going forward in their recent fixtures and have scored only three goals in four games.

With the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford still recovering from their busy summer, the Red Devils are lacking firepower. With an attack so blunt coming up against the likes of Sergio Ramos and Keylor Navas, it is hard to see where United will make a breakthrough.

Lopetegui has a plethora of experienced talent at his disposal, and given he’ll want to get off to a winning start, there’s no reason for him not to use it. His side will have too much for United in this one. 0-3.

Tottenham Hotspur vs AC Milan Preview: Pochettino faces midfield injury crisis ahead of Milan clash

Will Tottenham's injury stricken midfield prove fatal in Wednesday's tie against AC Milan.

Tottenham Hotspur will finish their International Champions Cupwith a final game against AC Milan in Minneapolis.

Spurs won their opening game against Italian opponents AS Romabut tasted defeat on Sunday morning against Barcelona after a penalty shootout.

AC Milan meanwhile, are still searching for their first victory in the tournament after losing to Manchester United on penalties in Los Angeles.

Spurs riddled with injuries

Mauricio Pochettino had a depleted squad to choose from at the beginning of the International Champions Cup.

However, his selection has narrowed once more through injuries picked up by Erik Lamela, Victor Wanyama and Moussa Sissoko.

Victor Wanyama has suffered yet another knee injury and has flown home to London as he is unable to play again in the near future.

Moussa Sissoko suffered a hamstring injury during the match against Barcelona on Sunday and is not expected to return in time for Wednesday's Milan tie.

Pochettino admitted in the post-match press conference there is a chance Lamela may return in Wednesday's clash with Milan:

“Erik was after the game against Roma, he felt but in a different muscle a minor injury. That’s why he’s here with us.”

“We hope he can play against Milan,” Poch added.

With injuries to his established midfielders, Pochettino is expected to put his trust in youngsters Oliver Skipp and Luke Amos who have both impressed so far.

Embed from Getty Images

Strong Milan side available

Gennaro Gattuso has just about a full strength team to choose from for Wednesday's clash.

With the likes of Leonardo Bonucci, Hakan Calhanoglu and Patrick Cutrone at his disposal - Gattuso certainly has an advantage over Pochettino.

Milan have already recalled Andre Silva and Ricardo Rodríguez who both exited the World Cup early on in comparison to Tottenham's semi-finalists.

The two sides famously met in the 2010/11 Champions League last 16 meeting where debutants Tottenham advanced.

A first-leg goal from Peter Crouch was enough to see the Lilywhite's through to the quarter-finals where their fate would be sealed by Real Madrid.

A game which would bring unhappy memories for the current AC Milan manager who was caught up in off-field altercations with Tottenham's assistant coach Joe Jordan.