Soccer

Mark J. Terrill / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES
Canada’s head coach Jesse Marsch will have to rely on a number of prospects during the team’s friendlies, a move that’s necessary due to injuries and absences rather than a generational shift.

Friendlies more of a juggle for Team Canada bench boss than homecoming

Jerrad Peters 5 minute read Yesterday at 5:29 PM CDT

Ahead of the roster announcement for Canada’s upcoming friendlies, it might have been tempting to want a glimpse of the younger and fringier players who might just be the future of the national men’s program. An experimental squad, in other words.

Well, that is not what head coach Jesse Marsch has assembled in the run-up to matches against Chile, Peru and the United States. Yes, a number of prospects will see action, but their minutes have been necessitated more by injuries and absences than a generational shift.

After all, the purpose of this international window isn’t to anticipate coming accomplishments, but rather to honour past ones.

It’s right there in the branding for Saturday’s tussle with Chile in Toronto (6 p.m., TSN 4) and next weekend’s appointment with Peru in Montreal (Oct. 3, 1 p.m., TSN 4 & 5).

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Soccer

NSL Photo
AFC Toronto celebrates Victoria Pickett’s bending corner in the opening minute of play last Saturday. The marker for the visiting side was credited to Halifax Tides goalkeeper Anika Tóth.

Around the NSL: A corner to remember; De Filippo’s boot; a highlight-reel brace

Grace Anne Paizen 4 minute read Preview

Around the NSL: A corner to remember; De Filippo’s boot; a highlight-reel brace

Grace Anne Paizen 4 minute read Yesterday at 4:37 PM CDT

You better believe the race to the finish line is on and this weekend’s action proved just that.

The standings picture didn’t get any clearer — aside from the Roses securing their playoff ticket in a 2-2 road draw against the Rise last Saturday — with five of the league’s six club’s still very much in the post-season race.

Words of advice? Embrace the chaos of the final four weeks. But first, here’s the highlights and storylines out of an eventful Week 22.

Highlight of the week

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Yesterday at 4:37 PM CDT

Soccer

Man City chairman asserts club’s innocence over Premier League charges, says still ‘long way to run’

James Robson, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Man City chairman asserts club’s innocence over Premier League charges, says still ‘long way to run’

James Robson, The Associated Press 3 minute read 10:27 AM CDT

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak issued a direct message to supporters Saturday as the club faces the potential of losing its landmark case with the Premier League over alleged financial breaches.

City has reportedly been found guilty of nearly all of the 100-plus charges against the club, which could result punishments such as a huge points deduction or even expulsion from English soccer's top division.

The club has always denied wrongdoing and Al Mubarak restated that stance in a letter to fans.

“The Premier League process still has a long way to run, and our confidence and intent in proving the club’s innocence is just as strong as when this began,” he wrote.

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10:27 AM CDT

Soccer

Liverpool hires Julian Ward for second spell as sporting director

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Liverpool hires Julian Ward for second spell as sporting director

The Associated Press 2 minute read 5:17 AM CDT

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Liverpool appointed Julian Ward as sporting director on Saturday to replace Richard Hughes, who left to join Saudi club Al-Hilal.

Ward had held the sporting director job at the Premier League club during the 2022-23 season and most recently served as Fenway Sports Group’s technical director.

“The knowledge and expertise he brings will only enhance our football operations, while also ensuring Andoni (Iraola) is provided with the support he requires as he continues to make such a positive impression as head coach,” FSG president Mike Gordon said in the club's announcement.

Ward added: “This is an exciting period for Liverpool — on and off the pitch — in which change and opportunity go hand in hand, but at the same time the culture, values and principles that have underpinned the club for so long remain as strong as ever.”

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5:17 AM CDT

Soccer

Ireland players vote to go ahead with Israel games as pressure to boycott grows

Ciarán Fahey, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Ireland players vote to go ahead with Israel games as pressure to boycott grows

Ciarán Fahey, The Associated Press 4 minute read Updated: 9:32 AM CDT

Pressure to boycott upcoming Nations League games against Israel over that country’s actions in Gaza was taking its toll on the Ireland team Saturday when players ultimately put their participation to a vote.

Ireland is due to play Israel in Debrecen, Hungary in the first of those games Sunday, but the team’s press conference and training session Saturday were delayed by more than five hours as the players again held discussions among themselves in the team hotel over whether they should play.

“A player expressed their discomfort with fulfilling this fixture to the head coach and indicated their intent to withdraw from the squad," David Courell, the CEO of the Football Association of Ireland, told journalists in the rescheduled press conference. “As you can understand, this new variable required time and deliberation for the rest of the squad to consider.”

Courell said a vote was taken among the players and that “a significant majority” were in favor of continuing with the games.

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Updated: 9:32 AM CDT

Soccer

Fishlock breaks Rapinoe’s Reign scoring record in 2-0 win over the Legacy

Phuoc Nguyen, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Fishlock breaks Rapinoe’s Reign scoring record in 2-0 win over the Legacy

Phuoc Nguyen, The Associated Press 3 minute read Yesterday at 10:39 PM CDT

Jess Fishlock scored two goals to break Megan Rapinoe’s Seattle Reign career goal-scoring record in the team's 2-0 win over the Boston Legacy on Friday night.

In the day's other National Women's Soccer League matches, Gotham FC downed the Chicago Stars 3-1; and the San Diego Wave shut out Racing Louisville 2-0.

Fishlock scored her first in the 23rd minute when she won the ball high up the field and scored on a long-range shot for her 51st career goal. She broke Rapinoe's record when she scored her 52nd on another strike from outside the box in the 64th minute.

Fishlock has been with the Reign (12-10-4). since the NWSL's first season in 2013.

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Yesterday at 10:39 PM CDT

Soccer

US coach Pochettino regrets his limited role in Balogun red-card appeal at the World Cup

The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

US coach Pochettino regrets his limited role in Balogun red-card appeal at the World Cup

The Associated Press 3 minute read Yesterday at 6:12 PM CDT

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino says he should have been more involved in the decision to appeal the red card given to star forward Folarin Balogun during the World Cup.

Balogun's suspension for the red card was lifted after President Donald Trump spoke to FIFA leadership, allowing him to play against Belgium in the round of 16. Balogun was the top scorer for the Americans with three goals when he received the red card in a 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 32.

“At the time, I didn’t fully understand the criticism,” Pochettino said Friday ahead of the U.S. match Saturday against Peru. ”But now, with the benefit of time and looking back on it, the truth is that you have to learn from things, from mistakes. And I think sometimes the things that happen during a tournament have to stay there."

FIFA lifted the suspension, allowing Balogun to play in the round of 16, an extraordinary move that triggered praise from Trump and outrage from Belgium. It appeared to be the first time since 1962 that a red card during a World Cup didn’t result in a suspension.

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Yesterday at 6:12 PM CDT

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France coach Zinedine Zidane’s first win soured by Mbappé’s knee injury, Italy loses to Belgium

Jerome Pugmire, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

France coach Zinedine Zidane’s first win soured by Mbappé’s knee injury, Italy loses to Belgium

Jerome Pugmire, The Associated Press 3 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 5:00 PM CDT

Zinedine Zidane's first game in charge of France ended on a sour note as Kylian Mbappé injured his left knee moments after scoring in a 1-0 win in Turkey.

The 2026 World Cup's best passer Michael Olise threaded a fine pass and the World Cup's all-time leading scorer Mbappé rifled in a low shot in the 54th minute.

Mbappé then sat on the ground clasping his left leg and within minutes Zidane had to take him off.

The France camp said he suffered a knee tendon injury and would return to Madrid for treatment. A replacement was not immediately named.

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Updated: Yesterday at 5:00 PM CDT

Soccer

Italy crisis continues with home loss to Belgium before unfilled stadium on Mancini’s return

Andrew Dampf, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Italy crisis continues with home loss to Belgium before unfilled stadium on Mancini’s return

Andrew Dampf, The Associated Press 3 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 4:21 PM CDT

ROME (AP) — Six months on from failing to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup, four-time champion Italy is still struggling.

Italy was beaten 2-0 at home by World Cup quarterfinalist Belgium in the Nations League on Friday in the Azzurri’s first match since a playoff loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in March.

Roberto Mancini marked his return to Italy’s bench three years after he abandoned the job for a lucrative deal to coach Saudi Arabia and he appeared frustrated on the touchline.

By contrast, it was a successful debut for new Belgium coach Mark van Bommel, the former Netherlands international who was hired when Rudi Garcia left after the World Cup.

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Updated: Yesterday at 4:21 PM CDT

Soccer

Mbappé limps off with knee injury after scoring for France against Turkey and will leave squad

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Mbappé limps off with knee injury after scoring for France against Turkey and will leave squad

The Associated Press 2 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 4:51 PM CDT

IZMIT, Turkey (AP) — Kylian Mbappé limped off moments after scoring for France in a 1-0 win away to Turkey in the Nations League on Friday and coach Zinedine Zidane said he would leave the squad.

Mbappé rifled in a low shot in the 55th minute after he was set up by Michael Olise.

But moments after his France record-extending 67th goal, the Real Madrid star sat on the ground and grimaced as he rubbed the area around his left knee.

“No, it's not good. It's not good, unfortunately,” Zidane told French television. “He will have to go back. We will not take risks, he has extended his knee when he took the shot. It's not very encouraging.”

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Updated: Yesterday at 4:51 PM CDT

Soccer

Canadian men’s soccer coach Marsch says team hopes to crack top 24 in world rankings

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Canadian men’s soccer coach Marsch says team hopes to crack top 24 in world rankings

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 5:31 PM CDT

TORONTO - The memorable FIFA World Cup buzz has long dissipated from BMO Field and the temporary grandstands have been taken down.

The Canadian men's soccer team's wild ride to the round of 16 in the tournament began with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina at the lakefront venue in west-end Toronto last June.

The team returns to the same pitch Saturday night against Chile to kick off a new four-year cycle as it aims to return to the tournament in 2030.

"It was an incredible experience for all of us," Marsch said Friday. "And I'm very proud of the team and I'm proud of the country for how we showed up. But now it's time to get back to work."

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Updated: Yesterday at 5:31 PM CDT

Soccer

Northern Ireland's Shea Charles embraces Northern Ireland's goalkeeper Pierce Charles, back to a camera, celebrating after scoring his side's opening goal during the Nations League soccer match between Georgia and Northern Ireland in Tbilisi, Georgia, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Tamuna Kulumbegashvili)

Family affair: Shea and Pierce Charles help Northern Ireland defeat Georgia in Nations League

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Family affair: Shea and Pierce Charles help Northern Ireland defeat Georgia in Nations League

The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 1:35 PM CDT

TBILISI, Georgia (AP) — The Charles brothers combined to give Northern Ireland a 1-0 Nations League victory in Georgia on Friday.

The 22-year-old Shea Charles scored the winner in the ninth minute of injury time after brother Pierce Charles — who is one year younger — had saved a penalty from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia midway through the second half.

The fleet-footed winger Kvaratskhelia side-footed the penalty to the goalkeeper's left but Pierce, who is on loan at second tier Queens Park Rangers from Manchester City, guessed correctly and saved it.

Then, with time almost up, captain Trai Hume set up Shea to volley inside the near post. The Fulham midfielder's goal was allowed following a video review.

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Yesterday at 1:35 PM CDT

Soccer

Former England striker Andy Carroll reveals he was sexually assaulted by a man in 2021

The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Former England striker Andy Carroll reveals he was sexually assaulted by a man in 2021

The Associated Press 3 minute read Yesterday at 12:36 PM CDT

LONDON (AP) — Former Liverpool, Newcastle and England striker Andy Carroll has revealed in his autobiography that he was sexually assaulted by a man in 2021 and still struggles to deal with the ordeal.

Carroll's autobiography, called ‘Owning It’, was published on Thursday and in it the 37-year-old Englishman details the attack at his home in Newcastle, which led to the perpetrator reportedly being jailed for three years.

"Something happened to me a few years ago that was so traumatic I only decided to include it in this book at the very last minute," he wrote in the book, extracts of which have been published in the British press.

“I was sexually assaulted, there I said it. Scary to even think about and only a few people knew about it before now."

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Yesterday at 12:36 PM CDT

Soccer

Do-over: FA Cup game to be replayed because of referee error

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Do-over: FA Cup game to be replayed because of referee error

The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 12:12 PM CDT

LONDON (AP) — Manchester United only got a mea culpa for a refereeing error in a 1-0 loss to Manchester City earlier this month.

Woodford Town is getting a full game replay.

An FA Cup qualifying match will be replayed because of a refereeing mistake made in Mulbarton Wanderers' 2-1 win over Woodford last weekend, both lower-division clubs announced Friday.

The original result has been voided and the teams are set to square off again Tuesday.

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Yesterday at 12:12 PM CDT

Soccer

Timeline of Man City vs. the Premier League

Steve Douglas, The Associated Press 4 minute read Yesterday at 11:16 AM CDT

A verdict appears to be close in the seismic case between Manchester City and the Premier League.

City has been found guilty of nearly all of the more than 100 financial charges laid by the league, The Athletic and the BBC reported Friday, in a saga that dates back eight years.

The club has said the legal case is “ongoing."

Here is a timeline of events:

Soccer

Cole Palmer ‘misses way too many camps’ says England coach Thomas Tuchel

The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Cole Palmer ‘misses way too many camps’ says England coach Thomas Tuchel

The Associated Press 3 minute read Yesterday at 10:56 AM CDT

LONDON (AP) — Talk about cold.

Thomas Tuchel said Cole Palmer's withdrawal from the England squad was a lost opportunity and that the Chelsea star “misses way too many camps with injuries.”

The Three Lions coach, who left Palmer off his World Cup squad earlier this year, addressed the 24-year-old forward’s status on Friday at a press conference held on the eve of England's home game against Spain in the Nations League.

“My understanding is that he plays with discomfort and pain, and he cannot compete on the highest level with discomfort and pain. So he withdrew, and informed us,” Tuchel said. “And Chelsea informed us. That is my understanding. We’re not managing load.”

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Yesterday at 10:56 AM CDT

September 26, 2026

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