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Australia’s limited-overs captain Aaron Finch fell for a first-ball duck in a rare domestic outing

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Mar-2022Two brilliant 80s from Matthew Wade and Jordan Silk and a vintage four-wicket haul from Peter Siddle helped Tasmania vault into March Cup final calculations after thumping Victoria by 139 runs at Bellerive Oval.Wade produced a player of the match performance thumping 86 from 55 balls and shared in a century stand with Silk who stroked a composed 82 as the hosts posted 6 for 295 from their 50 overs. Siddle then ripped through Victoria’s talented top order taking 4 for 22, including two maidens, as the visitors crumbled to be all out for 156 in response.Wade, Australia’s T20I wicketkeeper, batted at No. 5 as Tasmania opted to open with stand-in skipper Jake Doran and Caleb Jewell. They slumped to 2 for 17 after being sent into bat, but Silk and Mac Wright steadied with a century stand before Wright fell for 49.Wade then unleashed on Victoria’s inexperienced attack cracking 11 fours and three sixes in a vicious assault. He looked set for a century but fell in the 43rd over to an excellent catch at long on with Brody Couch holding onto a flat, flushed lofted on-drive just inside the rope. Silk also missed out on a deserved ton after anchoring the middle order, holing out to deep midwicket for 86 with 21 deliveries left in the innings.Victoria’s chase never got going on with Siddle knocking over the top three. Australia’s white-ball opener and captain Aaron Finch was demoted to No. 3 behind Jake Fraser-McGurk and Mackenzie Harvey. He fell for a first-ball duck as Siddle was on a hat-trick in the fifth over. Siddle had both Harvey and Finch caught behind, Harvey off the inside edge by one that nipped back off the seam and Finch off the outside edge to a superb leg cutter.Glenn Maxwell was the only Victoria batter to get established reaching 44 off 66 but he flicked Siddle straight to fine leg to hand the veteran his fourth scalp. Victoria’s tail folded with Tom Andrews bagging three wickets.Tasmania now go top of the Marsh Cup table but they need either Victoria to beat Western Australia or South Australia to defeat New South Wales in the final two games on Tuesday to qualify for Friday’s final at the Junction Oval in Melbourne.

Jordan Henderson dedicated his first Brentford goal to "good friend" Diogo Jota after the Bees' 1-1 draw with Leeds on Sunday afternoon. Henderson broke the deadlock in the 70th minute as his low effort deflected past Lucas Perri. However, 12 minutes later, Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored for the fourth game running to ensure a share of the spoils in west London.

Henderson replicates Jota's celebration

Henderson paid heartfelt tribute to former Liverpool team-mate Jota after his goal. Jota and his brother Andre Silva tragically lost their lives in a car accident in Spain back in July, leaving Liverpool and the wider footballing community in mourning.

The Portuguese forward was an avid EA  Sports FC player and at one point reached number one in the Ultimate Team rankings. Jota's trademark celebration was to sit cross-legged while pretending to use a video game controller, which Henderson replicated against Leeds.

After receiving a round of applause from the Brentford fans, the England international sat on the Gtech Community Stadium turf and dedicated his goal to Jota, who he played alongside for three years at Liverpool.

Advertisement'We'll never forget him'

Paying tribute to Jota in his post-match interview with , Henderson said: "It was his [Jota's] birthday recently, we'll never forget him. We always remember him forever really. I can only imagine what the lads at Liverpool are going through. He was a good friend. I don't score many goals so I thought when I did I would dedicate it to him."

Henderson returned to the Premier League over the summer after 18 months with Eredivisie giants Ajax and has become a mainstay in the Brentford starting XI this season. Indeed, the 35-year-old has been involved in all 16 league matches for the Bees following his arrival, starting 14 times for Keith Andrews' side.

Getty Images SportBrentford suffer dip in form under Andrews

Brentford's 1-1 draw with Leeds leaves the Bees in 14th place after the opening 16 matches of the season. Sunday's stalemate means Brentford have now failed to win in three, and have won only one of their last five.

That said, the west London side exceeded expectations in the opening weeks of the season as Andrews made a solid start to life in the Brentford dugout. The capital outfit now sit seven points above the relegation zone following Sunday's action.

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Bees face tough midweek task

Brentford will hope to spring an upset in the Carabao Cup in midweek when they take on Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. City kept the pressure on title rivals Arsenal with a 3-0 win at Crystal Palace in one of Sunday's four early Premier League matches as a brace from Erling Haaland and a Phil Foden strike saw the Cityzens claim a fourth successive league victory.

The Bees will round off the year with games against relegation-threatened Wolves and Bournemouth.

Julen Lopetegui will desperately be hoping to claim a win against Leicester City on Tuesday night to try and save his West Ham United job.

The Spaniard has once again found himself under growing pressure after yet another defeat at the weekend, this time in embarrassing fashion to London rivals Arsenal once again.

The Hammers suffered a 6-0 battering to Mikel Arteta’s side last term, before falling to a 5-2 defeat to the Gunners on Saturday night, with the visitors scoring four in just 36 first-half minutes.

However, this evening’s clash against newly promoted Leicester, with boss Ruud van Nistelrooy taking charge of his first game, gives them a real opportunity to kickstart what has been a lacklustre start to the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.

The Foxes haven’t won in five league outings, losing four of them, leading to the dismissal of Steve Cooper, handing Lopetegui the chance to return to winning ways.

West Ham’s record against Leicester City

The meeting at the King Power Stadium tonight sees 16th take on 14th, with both sides desperately needing points to pull themselves clear of any looming relegation fears.

However, the last couple of games against the Foxes do not bode well for West Ham, failing to win in each of the last three matches against the East Midlands outfit.

The two sides last met back in May 2023, the season in which the hosts suffered relegation, but they were able to secure a 2-1 win on the final day after goals from Harvey Barnes and Wout Faes.

Leicester’s win on home soil saw them claim a league double over the Irons, after a 2-0 win at the London Stadium six months prior, following goals from that man Barnes and midfielder James Maddison.

However, neither of the latter two players ply their trade for Van Nistelrooy’s side anymore, leaving after dropping into the Championship, but the task in hand remains just as tricky with West Ham failing to win at the King Power since 2020.

Undoubtedly, given the situation both clubs currently find themselves in, the meeting will be a cagey affair as both sides look to claim three valuable points to put their respective campaigns back in the right direction.

28/05/2023

2-1

Loss

12/11/2022

2-0

Loss

13/02/2022

2-2

Draw

23/08/2021

4-1

Win

11/04/2021

3-2

Win

If Lopetegui is to claim just a third away league victory of the season, he must unleash one player who is deserving of a recall to the starting lineup.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

How West Ham can stop Leicester's answer to Saka

Bukayo Saka tore West Ham apart in East London on Saturday night, registering a goal and two assists during his 74-minute display, inflicting more pain on the Hammers boss.

However, tonight, he will face a similar situation in the form of Argentine attacker Facundo Buonanotte, who’s been impressive despite their poor form in recent weeks.

The 19-year-old, who’s currently on loan from Brighton, has scored four and registered two assists in his 11 Premier League outings – possessing a threat that certainly needs neutralising.

Lopetegui can do just that by recalling Edson Alvarez to the starting lineup in the East Midlands this evening after his impressive cameo off the bench at the weekend.

The Mexican missed the meetings with Newcastle United and Everton after his second red card of the season in the 3-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest back at the start of November.

However, he was brought off the bench against Arsenal on Saturday, producing some impressive figures despite the embarrassing loss against the title challengers.

Minutes played

45

Touches

29

Passes completed

17/18 (94%)

Dribbles completed

1/1 (100%)

Passes into the final third

5

Tackles won

1/2 (50%)

Defensive actions

3

The “sensational” midfielder, as dubbed by performance analyst Marcus Bring, completed all but one of his attempted passes after his introduction – achieving the highest pass completion rate of any player who featured for 45 minutes or more.

He also won five duels and completed three defensive actions as he tightened up the midfield after what was a dismal first-half showing at the London Stadium.

There’s no denying that he is a player who can often lose his head, as demonstrated by his two dismissals, but he does possess serious qualities that could aid Lopetegui’s hopes of saving his job.

The meeting will be a huge game for both sides, but if the Spaniard is to claim all three points, he simply must unleash the former Ajax ace to give himself the best chance of coming out on top in the East Midlands.

West Ham must axe £125k-p/w flop who was dubbed a "massive signing"

West Ham must ensure one of the club’s highest earners is given the boot.

ByConnor Holden Dec 2, 2024

The series, which was earlier postponed following the Covid-19 pandemic, will be part of the ODI World Cup Super League

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Apr-2022Netherlands are set to host Pakistan for three ODIs in August in Rotterdam. The series, which was supposed to be held in June 2020 and was postponed indefinitely following the Covid-19 pandemic, will be part of the ODI World Cup Super League.The series will also be the inaugural bilateral ODI series between the sides, with the three matches set to be played on August 16, 18 and 21 at the VOC Cricket Ground. The two sides have previously met in the World Cup in 1996 and 2003, and the Champions Trophy in 2002 with Pakistan winning the three encounters.Netherlands vs Pakistan in Rotterdam

1st ODI – August 16, 2022

2nd ODI – August 18, 2022

3rd ODI – August 21, 2022

Zakir Khan, PCB director, said: “We are pleased that with the support of the Koninklijke Nederlandse Cricket Bond (KNCB), we have been able to reschedule the series, which is important to the growth and development of cricket in Netherlands as well as to the two teams’ chances of progressing directly to the 2023 World Cup.”Our men’s national cricket team had an excellent 2021-22 season and I am confident they will build on the momentum to entertain expat Pakistanis and the Dutch spectators with good cricket. This series will also help KNCB attract new and young audiences towards the game.”Netherlands are currently at the bottom of the Super League table in the 13th place with two wins in 10 matches while Pakistan have won six out of 12 matches and are in the ninth place. The top seven sides plus hosts India will qualify directly for the 2023 Men’s World Cup.

As INEOS look to hand Ruben Amorim the squad he needs to finally help the club turn back towards the top of English football, Manchester United are reportedly weighing up a move to sign an Andre Onana heir.

Man Utd transfer rumours

Such is the complexities of Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system, Manchester United must get things right in the transfer market, especially after Erik ten Hag’s reign arguably left their squad in a worse place than when he initially arrived. With that said, the transfer rumours have, of course, already been coming thick and fast ahead of the January transfer window.

Man Utd sold "one of the best", now he's outscoring Amad in the PL

Manchester United may have made a mistake in allowing him to depart Old Trafford.

ByEthan Lamb Dec 14, 2024

Names such as Xavi Simons and Brighton & Hove Albion’s Evan Ferguson have already been mentioned, with both stars capable of transforming Manchester United’s fairly blunt frontline for years to come. Simons, in particular, would slot straight into one of the two number 10 roles in Amorim’s system to hand the Red Devils an instant boost next to Bruno Fernandes.

The difficulties of the new manager’s system were on show for all to see in midweek when Onana was asked to play from the back only for his pass to fall short of the poorly set Matthijs de Ligt to hand Viktoria Plzen an opening goal.

The mistake once again sparked doubts over Onana’s reliability with a potential heir to his number one role now emerging. According to Alan Nixon, relayed by Give Me Sport, INEOS and Manchester United are now weighing up a move to sign John Victor, who was voted the best player in Brazil after winning the Brazilian title and Copa Libertadores with Botafogo recently.

Impressive Victor could replace Onana

At 28 years old, Victor could finally get the biggest move of his career if Manchester United come calling, before he potentially gets the chance to steal in ahead of Onana and become Amorim’s undisputed number one. Whilst the current Red Devils shot-stopper is still stealing the headlines for all the wrong reasons, the door will certainly be open for another option.

Statistically speaking, it’s no surprise that Victor was voted the best in Brazil either. The goalkeeper kept the most clean sheets and crucially maintained the highest pass accuracy compared to other goalkeepers in a trait that Amorim needs his shot-stoppers to have in abundance.

Victor would be an unexpected arrival, but one that Manchester United would arguably be wise to pursue if Amorim wants a goalkeeper capable of playing the football that he desires on a consistent basis at Old Trafford.

England players have been getting to know new coach Thomas Tuchel after reporting for international duty with the Three Lions on Monday.

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Tuchel meeting his squad for first timeRecalled Henderson gets warms welcomeEngland preparing for World Cup qualifiersFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Tuchel is preparing for his first games in charge of England since replacing Gareth Southgate in the hotseat. The German coach has named his first Three Lions squad and raised a few eyebrows by calling up Newcastle's 32-year-old defender Dan Burn and recalling Jordan Henderson to the squad. Tuchel has now been getting to know his players at St George's Park ahead of World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

All eyes will be on Tuchel's first teamsheet on Friday to see how the former Chelsea boss lines his team up against Albania. Burn will be hoping for a first cap just days after scoring in Newcastle's Carabao Cup win over Liverpool, while a return for Henderson may well divide opinion among supporters. Indeed the decision to call up Burn, Henderson and Kyle Walker has already been met with derision by many England fans.

DID YOU KNOW?

At the age of 32 years and 311 days, Burn is the third-oldest Englishman to score in a League Cup final, after Stoke's George Eastham in 1972 (35y 163d) and John Terry for Chelsea in 2015.

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND

England's first fixture under Tuchel is against Albania on Friday night. The Three Lions then host Latvia three days later, with both games taking place at Wembley Stadium.

Duo share Surrey record eighth-wicket stand of 244 as Gloucestershire bowlers toil

ECB Reporters Network29-Apr-2022Jamie Smith’s maiden double-century and a second first-class hundred from Jordan Clark gave Surrey a stranglehold on the LV= Insurance County Championship match with Gloucestershire at the Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol.Unbeaten on 111 overnight, Smith had moved to 234 not out, from 430 balls, with 34 fours, by the time his side were finally bowled out for 603 shortly after tea on day two.It was a phenomenal effort of concentration from the 21-year-old, who occupied the crease for nine hours and 28 minutes, sharing a stand of 244 – a record for Surrey’s eighth wicket – with Clark to stifle the life out of a willing, but uninspired home attack.Clark provided positive support, making 137 after walking out at 349 for 7, with Surrey just having failed to claim a fourth batting point. He struck 15 fours and 2 sixes in an imposing 177-ball innings.By the close, Gloucestershire had replied impressively by posting 86 without loss. Openers Chris Dent, who was 45 not out, and Marcus Harris, unbeaten on 30, produced an array of positive shots in the face of considerable scoreboard pressure.Related

Surrey sign Colin de Grandhomme to replace injured Kemar Roach

Ollie Pope 84, Jamie Smith hundred turns tables for Surrey at Gloucestershire

The day began promisingly for the hosts as from 294 for 4 Surrey lost three wickets for the addition of 55 runs. Sam Curran was first to go, having added seven to his overnight 57 before being caught at gully driving a ball from Ryan Higgins.The next delivery saw Colin de Grandhomme bowled by a Higgins no-ball. He was then dropped at slip off the luckless Mohammad Amir before departing for 11, leg-before to Matt Taylor.When Will Jacks was caught and bowled by David Payne off a top-edged pull shot for 13, Gloucestershire were well in the game.But by lunch, Smith and Clark had added 37 to take the total to 396 for 7, Smith having gone past his previous career-best score of 138, and the afternoon session saw both batters dominate.Smith went to 150 with a leg-side boundary off Payne and in the same over produced one of the shots of his innings, a glorious straight drive for four that exuded quality.Clark brought up his fifty with an off-driven boundary off Amir, the one Gloucestershire bowler to threaten repeatedly, albeit in vain as he finished wicketless.Smith’s double hundred was brought up with a flourishing cover drive for four off Miles Hammond, his 30th boundary. It was greeted with warm applause and cheers from the Surrey balcony.Clark took two runs through the off-side from the off-spinner to reach his hundred off 151 balls, the second fifty having occupied only 60 deliveries.By tea, which was taken at 574 for 7, the partnership had overtaken the previous highest eighth-wicket stand for Surrey in first class cricket, an unbroken 222 between Ben Foakes and Gareth Batty against Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl in 2016.Still captain Rory Burns wanted more runs on the board and there were five more overs of toil for the home bowlers.Some lusty swings accounted for Clark and the tail-enders, Dan Worrall falling to Jack Taylor, who has reinvented himself as a leg-spinner having had his off-spin action deemed illegal back in 2017.Surrey’s seamers found it as tough as their Gloucestershire counterparts to make inroads on the slow pitch as Dent and Harris confidently saw out 24 overs to the close.

Ruben Amorim’s appointment has injected a newfound sense of excitement into the Manchester United fanbase after years of discontent under the former management team.

Erik ten Hag was unable to extract what he desired out of the playing squad, despite spending upwards of £600m on new transfers during his time at Old Trafford.

Many of his additions have failed to impress, with 32-year-old Casemiro now looking well beyond the level required of a top-level Premier League talent – worth nowhere near the £70m they forked out for his signature in 2022.

The Brazilian is just one of many additions who have failed to make the grade, costing the club fortunes and leading to the current cost-cutting operation currently in place at the Theatre of Dreams.

However, the 39-year-old’s appointment has given numerous members of the first team a new lease of life, handing them the opportunity to showcase their talents and stake their claim for a starting spot.

The players who have benefitted from Amorim’s appointment

Noussair Mazraoui joined the Red Devils in a £12.8m deal from German side Bayern Munich over the summer, so far only being the only success out of Ten Hag’s last additions.

The Moroccan has featured in a variety of roles since his move, including both full-backs and also the number 10 role in the Europa League clash with Fenerbahçe.

However, Amorim’s appointment has seen him feature in a right-sided centre-back role, a position that has allowed him to flourish.

The 27-year-old has started every game since the new manager arrived, a signal of his trust in the defender – with his best display undoubtedly coming in the clash with Bodo/Glimt last Thursday.

Amad Diallo is another player currently in the form of his life at Old Trafford, also switching positions into a right wing-back role rather than his usual attacking berth that he’s featured in since his transfer in 2021.

However, it’s been a masterstroke by the 39-year-old, registering three assists in his first two Premier League starts during his tenure, with the Ivorian’s relentless pressing making him the perfect fit for the manager’s 3-4-2-1 system.

The former Atalanta starlet has all the tools to be a real hit and continue his upward trajectory over many years to come, hopefully playing a vital role in the club’s potential return to league glory under the guidance of the ex-Sporting CP boss.

Amorim can also utilise the incredible youth system in place in Manchester, allowing him to unleash multiple talents who are more than capable of following in the footsteps of the aforementioned talents and become a hit with the supporters.

The United teen who could become the next Amad

United are lucky to possess numerous impressive youngsters within the Carrington training base, with the hierarchy keeping one eye on the future given their investment in recent times.

Striker Chido Obi Martin arrived from Arsenal over the summer, with the 17-year-old generating excitement within the fanbase given his goalscoring exploits.

The teen broke the record for the most U18 Premier League goals last weekend, scoring five in his first five since his switch from North London to the North West.

Such form has already seen Obi Martin handed a professional contract upon his 17th birthday, but there’s another talent within the youth setup that could have a huge role to play in the first team in the near future.

Winger, Shea Lacey has impressed in recent months, playing a vital part in the club’s success in the U18 Premier League.

The Red Devils youngsters have won all ten of their opening fixtures to date, conceding just four times and scoring a whopping 46 – the best record in each category within the division.

U18 Premier League

22

5

5

UEFA Youth League

4

0

2

FA Youth Cup

1

0

0

Total:

27

5

7

The 17-year-old has struggled with injuries in recent times, restricting him to just three appearances, but when he has featured, he’s demonstrated his elite-level quality.

Lacey, who’s been dubbed as “exceptional” by analyst Ben Mattinson, produced a moment of magic against Tottenham Hotspur a of couple months ago, showcasing his excellent dribbling and ball-carrying ability.

He’s since drawn “so many comparisons” to Manchester City’s Phil Foden, as per Mattinson, for his ability to drift inside onto his left foot, showing quality well beyond his tender age.

Such a skill set could see him become Amorim’s next Diallo, able to operate in an attacking area, or even slightly deeper as a wing-back, with his intelligence at youth level making him a perfect fit for the new role implemented by the boss.

He certainly will need time to make an impact at Old Trafford, but his ability has given the supporters a reason to be excited – and who can blame them?

Given the current crop of talent emerging throughout the club, it’s certainly an exciting time to be a United supporter, with the manager having all the tools at his disposal to potentially end their decade wait for a league triumph should he utilise the options he has correctly.

Amorim has already repeated one of Ten Hag's biggest mistakes at Man Utd

Ruben Amorim fell to his first Manchester United defeat last night.

ByEthan Lamb Dec 5, 2024

Prince William has had his say on the eternal debate about who is the greatest football player of all time between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

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Prince picks the all-time greatestAlso admits to injury recreating Ronaldo celebrationVilla supporter spoke with defender Tyrone MingsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Portuguese and Argentine icons are often cited as the best ever to grace the game, but debate rages on over who should be labelled the greatest of all time.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The royal Aston Villa fan was pressed on his favourite celebration before going on to pick the best player in a Q&A with Villans defender Tyrone Mings, and named Barcelona legend Messi as his number one.

WHAT PRINCE WILLIAM SAID

Asked in the interview with for the celebration he would want his ideal footballer to have, the prince said: "Well the most iconic I guess is Cristiano Ronaldo's."

When Mings asked him if he has tried to replicate the famous 'Siu' celebration in his garden, he said: "Well, obviously! And then I do a hammy."

He was then asked to put his favourite players head-to-head and ended up with Ronaldo against Messi, giving the nod to the Inter Miami player.

"Gotta go Messi, just," he said.

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO & MESSI?

Messi has not featured in Inter Miami's last three matches but will be available for their Champions Cup match against Cavalier in Jamaica this week. Ronaldo and his Al-Nassr team-mates will face Al-Kholood in the Saudi Pro League on Friday.

A true underdog of the tournament, Seattle will look to shock the soccer world this summer

The Seattle Sounders will be one of two MLS sides competing in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, with Brian Schmetzer's team looking to make a statement performance in the competition.

Schmetzer, the lone MLS manager to ever win the CONCACAF Champions Cup, is also a two-time MLS Cup champion and a two-time runner-up in the MLS Championship game as head coach of the Western Conference side. Representing MLS on the touchline in the competition, one of the league's most talented managers will look to navigate the "Group of Death" when Seattle take on some of the world's best in this summer's competition.

"If we can pull out a result against any one of those three teams. That makes a statement that MLS is not so far behind some of the other teams in the world," Schmetzer told GOAL at MLS's Media Day.

Bolstered by MLS' best defense in 2024, the Sounders will look to be poised on and off the ball in the tournament – a strategy under which Schmetzer-led teams have always flourished.

With their stout defense comes a blockbuster attack that – when healthy – rivals all of MLS. The group features U.S. internationals Jesus Ferreira and Jordan Morris, while Argentine winger Pedro De La Vega is their X-factor.

Behind them, though, is perhaps the most talented player in Seattle's colors: 19-year-old Obed Vargas. The midfielder is one of the hottest commodities in the league, and is bound to compete at the highest level in Europe. He's someone Schmetzer has highlighted as a key player heading into the competition – and even someone they could move in the transfer market thereafter if he impresses, too.

A true underdog of the tournament, Seattle will look to shock the soccer world this summer.

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will be played in 12 stadiums in 11 U.S. cities, from the opener on June 14 until the final on July 13. In the U.S., fans can stream or watch matches on DAZN or TNT. Leading up to kickoff, GOAL will provide scouting reports on each of the 32 participating teams in the expanded field.

Next up is Seattle, with a look at key players to watch, and expectations for one of MLS' two representatives – along with Inter Miami – at the tournament.

IMAGNThe Basics

DOMESTIC LEAGUE: Major League Soccer

CLUB WORLD CUP HISTORY: One prior appearance in 2022

GROUP: B (Seattle Sounders, Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico de Madrid, Botafogo)

OPENING MATCH:  Botafogo – June 15, 10 p.m., New York

AdvertisementSeattle SoundersHow they got here

Seattle clinched a berth in the 2025 competition after defeating Liga MX side PUMAS in the 2022 CONCACAF Champions Cup final, claiming one of the confederation's four allocated berths.

IMGANThe player to watch

Jordan Morris recently became Seattle's all-time leading scorer, and he's coming off a brilliant 2024 campaign in which he produced near career record numbers. Although he is currently sidelined with a minor injury, he's expected to return to the pitch by late April – thus getting him more than a month of regular season action before the Club World Cup.

The U.S. international can play as a striker or on the wing, and his pace plus goal-scoring ability has long been a threat he provides in the attack.

In the Club World Cup, he'll be one of their primary attacking outlets on the counter and on set pieces.

Getty Images SportRealistic Expectations

Realistically? Seattle should get grouped. They'll be lucky to earn a point against any of the three teams they face during the Group Stage. However, it's a tournament – and in competition soccer, legitimately anything can happen.

Seattle is arguably MLS' most composed and well coached team. They're resilient as hell, and from a defensive scheme are second to none within the league. From a comparison point of view, Schmetzer is a lot like Diego Simeone of Atletico Madrid – one of their Group Stage opponents.

It will be a fascinating tournament for Seattle and a real test. Can they prove their doubters wrong?