chicago fire sporting director georg heitz to leave club

Chicago Fire sporting director Georg Heitz to leave club

Chicago Fire announced on Monday, that sporting director Georg Heitz will leave the club. This will be after the 2024 MLS season.  Mentioning personal reasons, Heitz will return to Switzerland after five seasons managing Chicago’s football operations. He will remain on the board of directors at partner club FC Lugano. And will keep playing a major role in the relationship between both teams. “I’d like to express my deepest gratitude to [Chicago Fire owner] Joe Mansueto and his family for their unwavering trust and loyalty. Their commitment to the club is exceptional, and working alongside them has been an honor,” Heitz said in an official statement. “… Although the results have fallen short of our expectations, I am proud of our progress in other important areas and the working culture we’ve established, which will serve the organization well moving forward.” Heitz became Chicago sporting director in December 2019. During his stint, the Fire signed 10 homegrown players. They also completed two major outbound transfers: goalkeeper Gaga Slonina joining Chelsea FC and forward Jhon Durán joining Aston Villa.  He also presided over the signing of Swiss player Xherdan Shaqiri and club-record signing Hugo Cuypers.  Additionally, Chicago formed MLS NEXT Pro affiliate Chicago Fire II. They set up an international, multi-club network by buying of Swiss Super League side FC Lugano during Heitz’s tenure.  But, the Fire failed to reach the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs under Heitz. With nine matches left in their 2024 campaign, Chicago are 14th in the Eastern Conference. They are on pace to miss the postseason for the seventh straight season.  “Georg recently informed me of his decision to step away from the Fire after the season, and while I respect his choice to return to Switzerland, his presence and leadership will be greatly missed,” Mansueto said in a release. “I would like to sincerely thank Georg for his dedicated efforts to expand our football operations and build a structure that will set the club up for success.”

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former ac milan superstar olivier giroud arrives at lafc

Former AC Milan superstar Olivier Giroud arrives at LAFC

Former AC Milan star Olivier Giroud has officially arrived in Los Angeles, bringing him closer to his LAFC debut, potentially as soon as the Leagues Cup knockout stages.  “Hi guys. Happy to be in LA and I can’t wait to see you,” Giroud told supporters in a club video. Giroud signed with LAFC on May 14, reuniting him with his longtime France teammate Hugo Lloris. He signed a Designated Player contract through 2025 with an option for 2026, joining as a free agent from Italian Serie A side AC Milan.  At club level, Giroud has 286 goals in 718 games spanning Milan, Arsenal, Chelsea and more. He has won 13 trophies, highlighted by the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2021 UEFA Champions League.  Olivier is the all-time leading scorer for France with 57 goals and has played 137 times for Les Blues, trailing only Lilian Thuram and Lloris in the record books.  Now, all eyes are on when manager Steve Cherundolo can formally introduce him. He will play alongside Denis Bouanga and Mateusz Bogusz in the final third, in an attempt to bring LAFC to a third straight MLS Cup appearance.

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miami begin leagues cup title

Inter Miami begin Leagues Cup title defense: “Our obligation is to work”

Inter Miami got their Leagues Cup title defense off to a quick start on Saturday night, thanks to a 2-0 victory over Club Puebla at Chase Stadium. Although the result was the same; a victory over a LIGA MX opponent, it was in contrast to Miami’s first Leagues Cup match a year ago. On that day, Lionel Messi made his debut and scored a dramatic free-kick winner against Cruz Azul. Messi finished as the leading scorer for the tournament, leading Miami to the title through a penalty-kick shootout over Nashville SC. It was their first trophy. This year, Messi observed from the sidelines while nursing an ankle injury he suffered in the Copa América final. The setback could keep him absent for most, if not all, of Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup run. However, Messi enjoyed another spectacular performance from a team that keeps winning without the best player in the world. “We have the obligation of fighting for both tournaments [MLS Cup and Leagues Cup],” head coach Tata Martino said in Spanish after the match. “But that’s not because we won Leagues Cup last season, but because these tournaments are not played at the same time. … There’s no need for us to choose between one or the other.” Inter Miami competed in the Leagues Cup as leaders for the Supporters’ Shield race, five points ahead of FC Cincinnati. With impressive depth, they push for silverware in multiple competitions.  Matias Rojas helped Miami begin their feat with a powerful left-footed strike against Puebla. Before Luis Suárez capped them by tapping in a wonderful service from former Barcelona teammate Jodi Alba. Julian Gresse delivered a sublime pass opening the sequence on the latter goal. “We are a team that goes out to the pitch and establishes things during the first minutes of the game, that’s important to start winning,” Suárez told reporters after the match. “Puebla found themselves in a difficult situation, being down on the scoreboard. And we could finish it during the second half.” In the match with Club Puebla, David Martinez made his debut at center back after joining Inter Miami on loan from Argentine giant River Plate. While goalkeeper CJ dos Santos made two saves to earn Miami its clean sheet, with Santos substituting for Drake Callender. “We have two very good goalkeepers and this was a very good opportunity to give CJ a chance,” Martino said. “Now, our point of view of this tournament is different from the point of view we had a year ago. A year ago we were amongst the last in the league, but now we are in first place. We don’t find the need to take further precautions. We played a week ago, and we’ll play again in a week’s time. This is a very demanding tournament that wears off players a lot.” Inter Miami will face Tigers UNAL next on August 3rd, as they play for a spot in the knockout stage. The match will hold at NRG Stadium in Houston (8 pm ET | MLS Season Pass). “Inter have already won this, they have the experience,” Suárez said. “This is a matter of fighting until the end. Some like this, some may not, but we need to get used to it. Our obligation is to work.”

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soccer predictions today: new york vs cincinnati

Soccer Predictions Today: New York Red Bulls VS FC Cincinnati Sure Tips

New York Red Bulls will play for their first win in five MLS appearances when they host FC Cincinnati at the Red Bull Arena tonight. Watch New York VS Cincinnati. You can find the Soccer Predictions for New York VS Cincinnati on MatchPlug. We are a reliable  Prediction Site for Major League Soccer predictions and previews.  Predictions and Betting Preview For New York Red Bulls VS FC Cincinnati   Venue: Red Bull Arena, Harrison. When: Saturday, 20th July, 2024. Time: 00:30. Teams to play: New York and Cincinnati. MLS Picks: MONEYLINE 2.01. Odds presented by 1XBet. Betting On New York Red Bulls 1XBet Spread: 0 1XBet Over/Under: Over 2.5 1XBet Moneyline: 2.01 The New York Red Bulls ended their match against CF Montreal on a 2-2 draw on Thursday. Wikelman Carmona scored the first goal for the Red Bulls, while Mathieu Chioniere scored an own goal, before Josef Martinez pegged them back. New York is fourth in the Eastern Conference, 12 points away from division leaders Inter Miami. The Bulls next match will feature FC Cincinnati who they have shared two wins each with over their last four meetings. New York has yet to lose a match at home since the season started, and have proven to be hard to beat in front of fans recently. Betting On FC Cincinnati 1XBet Spread: 0 1XBet Over/Under: Under 2.5 1XBet Moneyline: 3.425 FC Cincinnati ended their Thursday match with Chicago Fire a 1-0 loss at the TQL Stadium. Despite being on top for a large part of the match, Cincinnati could not regain control and instead gave up a 69th minute strike to Brian Gutierrez. With 48 points scored from 24 games this season, Cincinnati are second in the Eastern Conference standings, 10 points away from the Red Bulls. After winning seven straight matches on the road, the guests will like their chances of winning again tonight. MatchPlug Prediction For New York Red Bulls VS FC Cincinnati   The last four matches between New York Red Bulls and FC Cincinnati have ended in a shared 11 matches, and fans can expect another entertaining match tonight. On that note, experts back the hosts to dispatch this new opponent. Final Prediction: New York Red Bulls Moneyline.

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soccer predictions today: minnesota vs san jose

Soccer Predictions Today: Minnesota United VS San Jose Earthquakes Sure Tips

Minnesota United and San Jose Earthquakes will compete tonight at Allianz Field for a win in the MLS. The home side have lost in nine successive matches while the guests enter this fixture with a victory in 12 of their last 13 games across all competitions since mid May. Don’t miss Minnesota VS San Jose. MatchPlug has the preview of Minnesota VS San Jose, which shows you the Best soccer bets today, picks, odds, and analysis for this match. Predictions and Betting Preview For Minnesota United VS San Jose Earthquakes  Venue: Allianz Field, St. Paul, Minnesota. When: Saturday, 20th July, 2024. Time: 01:30. Teams to play: Minnesota and San Jose.  MLS Picks: MONEYLINE 1.61. Odds provided by 1XBet. Betting On Minnesota United 1XBet Spread: -1.5 1XBet Over/Under: Over 3.5 1XBet Moneyline: 1.61 Minnesota United failed again as they took a disheartening 3-2 loss at the hands of DC United on Thursday morning. Tani Oluwaseyi quickly made his impact felt upon his return as he struck in the 32nd minute to cancel out Christian Benteke’s 14th minute opener before Teemu Pukki scored in the 80th minute turning the game around. But, in what has become a pattern this campaign, Minnesota continues to fall short. They are presently on a run of seven losses and two draws since June 1 after winning 3-1 over Sporting Kansas City. Despite their recent struggles, the hosts still have a shot at making the playoffs, as they are 9th in the Western Conference standings with 30 points from 24 games, six points from automatic qualification. Betting On San Jose Earthquakes 1XBet Spread: +1.5 1XBet Over/Under: Under 3.5 1XBet Moneyline: 4.64 The San Jose Earthquakes would need a miracle to reach the playoffs as they are presently at the bottom of the Western Conference standings with only 14 points from 24 games. They left empty-handed again as Houston Dynamo beat them 1-0, when both sides met at PayPal Park on Thursday morning. San Jose have lost eight of their last nine outings with just a 1-0 home victory over Chicago Fire on July 8 and failed to win 12 of their last 13 games in every competition since mid May. However, the Earthquakes will play to win this weekend when they face a side that lost in their last four meetings, losing twice and securing two draws since a 1-0 win in March 2022.  MatchPlug Prediction For Minnesota United VS San Jose Earthquakes  Although Minnesota have struggled to score points recently, they enter tonight’s match undefeated in nine of their last 10 MLS matches against the Earthquakes. Experts predict that the hosts will get back their fire against the hosts, who only have three points from a possible 36 since May 16. Final Prediction: Minnesota United Moneyline.

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soccer predictions today: new england vs dallas

Soccer Predictions Today: New England Revolution VS FC Dallas Sure Tips

Round 25 of the 2024 Major League Soccer season will feature a New England Revolution and FC Dallas clash at the Gillette Stadium tonight. The hosts were defeated last time out, while the guests got a second victory. Don’t miss New England VS Dallas. MatchPlug presents the Soccer Predictions today for New England VS Dallas, we are a Sure Prediction Site where you can get previews and picks for all MLS matches. Predictions and Betting Preview For New England Revolution VS FC Dallas  Venue: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts. When: Saturday, 20th July, 2024. Time: 00:30. Teams: New England Revolution and FC Dallas.  MLS Picks: DRAW 3.74. Odds as provided by 1XBet. Betting On New England Revolution 1XBet Spread: 0 1XBet Over/Under: Over 2.5 1XBet Moneyline: 1.98 New England Revolution delivered their worst performance of the season in a 5-1 beating by the Philadelphia Union at the Subaru Park on Thursday. Two goals from Tai Baribo either side of Jakob Glesnes’ strike lead Caleb Porter’s men into the interval before Ian Harkes pulled one back. The Revolution dropped to the bottom of the Eastern Conference in the MLS table, and are now 11 points away from a playoff qualification. Next for New England is to face FC Dallas who have lost just one of the last 13 meetings between the teams since 2012. However, this loss happened back in 2022 when the Revolution saw a 1-0 victory. Betting On FC Dallas 1XBet Spread: 0 1XBet Over/Under: Under 2.5 1XBet Moneyline: 3.58 FC Dallas quickly dispatched an Austin FC side to record a 3-1 win when both sides met at the Toyota Stadium on Thursday. Dallas opened scoring with Paul Arriola, but Austin qualified with Gyasi Zardes, and afterwards Peter Musa and Marco Farfan scored in the second half.  With 29 points scored in 24 games this season, El Toros are 11th in the Western Conference standings, one point away from Minnesota United in second place. Losing five and drawing one of their last six games on the road, Dallas have had a terrible time on the road and will want to change that tonight. MatchPlug Prediction For New England Revolution VS FC Dallas  New England Revolution have been terrible at both sides of the field this season and Dallas will want to make things worse for them tonight. However experts predict this match to end in a low scoring draw. Final Prediction: New England Revolution and FC Dallas Draw.

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dc-united's steven birnbaum retires

DC United’s Steven Birnbaum retires

D.C. United captain and center back Steven Birnbaum has retired from playing professional soccer after 11 seasons with the team.  He will be recognized officially and honored during D.C’s July 20 friendly against Celtic FC. D.C. chose Birnbaum at No.2 overall (first round) in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft presented by Adidas. He retired with 13g/6a in 254 regular-season appearances. “Steven was one of the first players I had a chance to build a relationship with after he joined us from the draft in 2014,” Jason Levien, D.C. United co-chairman and CEO, said in a release. “I could tell right away that there was something special about Steven. “It has been rewarding to watch him grow over the last 11 years as a player and person. He has been a pillar in our backline and more importantly, he has been an exceptional leader and human being in our community. “I want to congratulate Steven on a stellar playing career and thank him for his years of dedication to D.C. United on the field. I’m excited to keep Steven within the organization and look forward to watching him succeed in this next chapter in his life.” On the international stage, Birnbaum scored one goal in 11 US men’s national team appearances. He joined Jurgen Klinsmann’s squad for the Copa América Centenario and World Cup Qualifiers in 2016. “Steve is the prototype for the person and player who coaches want to lead their team,” head coach Troy Lesesne said in a release. “Although our time working together was brief, I benefited greatly from working with him and cherish all of our interactions. “His career with our club is one that I hope more players can model, as he was able to help bring the club success both on the field and in our community. His work ethic, competitive spirit, intelligence, and empathy for others made him a truly special leader in our club and I know those same characteristics will bring success in the next stage of his career. Thank you, Steve!” Birnbaum is the third-most featured player in D.C. United history with 275 all-competition appearances. He trails only Jaime Moreno (386) and Bill Hamid (297). Steven was also a finalist for the 2014 MLS Rookie of the Year award and named a 2016 MLS All-Star. “Steven is a true professional and is a captain who exemplifies the values of this city and club,” general manager and chief soccer officer Ally Mackay said in a release. “He has been a pivotal part of this organization since 2014 when the club drafted him out of college, and he has been an elite defender in MLS over the last 11 seasons. “We are truly going to miss a leader of his caliber in the locker room, but we are lucky to keep him within the organization in a different role. In my limited time with the club, I have gotten to know Steven well and I know he has the characteristics to continue making an impact on this club. Congratulations on an incredible career, Steven.”

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soccer predictions: dc vs nashville

Soccer Predictions Today: DC United VS Nashville SC Sure Tips

Two MLS teams vying for a win will clash at Audi Field when DC United hosts Nashville SC in DC VS Nashville. DC are winless in 11 consecutive matches entering this one, while Nashville are presently on a run of three consecutive losses. You can find the Soccer Predictions for DC VS Cincinnati on MatchPlug. We are a reliable Prediction Site for Major League Soccer predictions and previews.  Predictions and Betting Preview For DC United VS Nashville SC  Venue: Audi Field, DC, Washington. When: Thursday, 14th July, 2024. Time: 00:30. Teams to play: DC United and Nashville SC. MLS Picks:  Odds presented by 1XBet. Betting On DC United 1XBet Spread: 0 1XBet Over/Under: Over 2.5 1XBet Moneyline: 2.04 DC took their heaviest loss of the season so far, when Orlando City beat them 5-0 last Sunday at Inter&Co Stadium. First-half goals from Martin Ojeda, Robin Jansson and Ivan Angulo left the hosts with an uphill task after which Facundo Torres and Ramiro Enrique delivered more goals in the second half. Due to this loss, DC stays at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, four points away from the playoff race. Today, DC will be on trial again, when they face the Nashville side who are undefeated in the last seven editions of this match across all competitions. Searching for what could be their only first home victory since late April, United need a win and hope to get back on track for their fans. Betting On Nashville SC 1XBet Spread: 0 1XBet Over/Under: Under 2.5 1XBet Moneyline: 3.365 Nashville SC lost in a 4-1 defeat by Portland Timbers when they met at Providence Park on Sunday. Jonathan Rodriguez’s first-half double was propped up by strikes from Felipe Mora and Eryk Williamson which saw the guests down at halftime, after which Sam Surridge delivered one. With 26 points scored from 22 games this season, Nashville is eighth in the Eastern Conference standings, outside the final playoff spot only by one point. Having scored the lowest away goals in the division so far, the guests will need to increase the intensity of their attacks if they want a positive result on Sunday. MatchPlug Prediction For DC United VS Nashville SC  DC United have given up the most goals in MLS this campaign, and another goal fest could be in the cards for them in this fixture. Analysts back them to share some of the goals with Nashville SC. Final Prediction: DC United Moneyline.

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soccer predictions today: cincinnati vs charlotte

Soccer Predictions Today: FC Cincinnati VS Charlotte FC Sure Tips

FC Cincinnati will want to secure a fourth successive win when they host Charlotte FC at the TQL Stadium for Saturday’s MLS competition. Charlotte on the other hand, will want to get back to winning after losing in their last two appearances. Watch Cincinnati VS Charlotte. MatchPlug has the preview of Cincinnati VS Charlotte, which shows you the Best soccer bets today, picks, odds, and analysis for this match. Predictions and Betting Preview For FC Cincinnati VS Charlotte FC  Venue: TQL Stadium, Cincinnati. When: Sunday, 14th July, 2024. Time: 00:30. Teams to play: Cincinnati and Charlotte.  MLS Picks: MONEYLINE 1.65. Odds provided by 1XBet. Betting On FC Cincinnati  1XBet Spread: -1.5 1XBet Over/Under: Over 3.5 1XBet Moneyline: 1.65 FC Cincinnati lead the Eastern Conference after they leapt past Inter Miami with a remarkable 6-1 win in last Saturday’s faceoff between both clubs. The hosts solidified their place in the contest with a 5-1 head start before the hour-mark, thanks to a Yuga Kubo brace and goals from Luciano Costa, Pavel Bucha, and Yamil Asad. Miami’s Sergio Busquets then scored, before Gerardo Valenzuela delivered his first MLs goal to conclude a third successive win. Cincinnati have now won 11, drawn six and lost only three of their 22 MLS games, and they enter this meeting as the second-highest scorers in the Eastern Conference after scoring 42 goals. They also have the third-best defensive record in the Conference, conceding only 26 goals in 22 MLS appearances.  Betting On Charlotte FC 1XBet Spread: +1.5 1XBet Over/Under: Under 3.5 1XBet Moneyline: 4.705 After they lost only two points in four matches, Charlotte experienced a drop in form, losing matches successively to Houston Dynamo and Inter Miami. They missed an early goal to lose 1-0 to the Dynamo before giving up in the 86th minute to succumb to a slim 2-1 loss to Inter Miami. Despite some disappointing results, Charlotte are sixth place in the Eastern Conference with a six-point advantage over eighth spot. Having given up 23 goals in 22 matches, Charlotte presently boast the second-best defensive record in the East, but they are eager to improve at the opposite end of the pitch after scoring only 22 MLS goals this campaign. They did not win any of their last four matches against Cincinnati, so they enter this match with hopes of getting their first head-to-head victory since securing a 2-0 win in March 2022. MatchPlug Prediction For FC Cincinnati VS Charlotte FC  Cincinnati have won their last two home matches against Charlotte by a combined 5-0 scoreline, and experts believe they will want to leverage home advantage again to win in this fixture. Final Prediction: FC Cincinnati Moneyline.

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soccer predictions today: montreal vs atlanta

Soccer Predictions Today: CF Montreal VS Atlanta United Sure Tips

Two teams within close distance of an MLS playoff spot will play tonight as CF Montreal host Atlanta United at Saputo Stadium. Watch Montreal VS Atlanta. MatchPlug presents the Soccer Predictions today for Montreal VS Atlanta, we are a Sure Prediction Site where you can get previews and picks for all MLS matches. Predictions and Betting Preview For CF Montreal VS Atlanta United  Venue: Saputo Stadium, Montreal. When: Sunday, 14th July, 2024. Time: 00:30. Teams: Montreal and Atlanta United.  MLS Picks: MONEYLINE 2.4. Odds as provided by 1XBet. Betting On CF Montreal 1XBet Spread: 0 1XBet Over/Under: Over 3.5 1XBet Moneyline: 2.4 Last weekend, Montreal seemed doomed as they were down a goal and with just 11 minutes to go. However, they fought back and equalised in the final stages of the match, securing four points when they were behind at the interval in they last two games they played at Saputo Stadium. Lately, the hosts have found it hard to score three points, winning only two of their last 17 games across competitions. On the other hand, Montreal is steadfast in the playoff race by eluding defeat many times, only going without a score in one of their last nine domestic games (a 4-1 loss to the Colorado Rapids). They have lost twice at Saputo this season, going undefeated in the last six league matches they played here, making it their longest unbeaten streak since 2024. Betting On Atlanta United 1XBet Spread: 0 1XBet Over/Under: Under 3.5 1XBet Moneyline: 2.66 Atlanta United has had a disappointing month so far, losing three matches in a row across competitions. On they Tuesday, they were eliminated from the US Open Cup with a 2-1 loss to Indy Eleven from the United Soccer League (USL), giving up multiple strikes in all of their three losses this month. Although Atlanta are only below the playoff line because they have fewer wins that Toronto, they still sold three key attacking players, making almost £31m on those deals. The guests are winless in their last three road matches in this contest, giving up seven combined goals in their last two losses as the visitors. They have not faced three successive road losses in MLS since the 2022 season, when they lost four of their first five matches played outside their city. Atlanta won their two regular season fixtures with Montreal in 2023, ending a three-match winless run at Saputo Stadium courtesy of a 1-0 triumph last July. MatchPlug Prediction For CF Montreal VS Atlanta United  Neither Montreal nor Atlanta are at full capacity presently due to the transfer market or international tournaments, so experts expect a boring match between two sides, that want to stay in the playoff race.  Final Prediction: CF Montreal Moneyline.

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Skvelé tipy a triky pre zlepšenie vášho každodenného života, šikovné kuchárske recepty a užitočné články o záhradkárstve - to všetko nájdete na našom webe. Nechajte sa inšpirovať a objavujte nové spôsoby, ako si uľahčiť život a využiť svoj čas efektívne. Sledujte nás a získajte užitočné rady pre každý deň! Vyhľadajte chytrého mačku medzi sovami rýchlo: Varovanie: Navštíviť kostol na cirkevný Rýchly test na zistenie Hľadanie osoby: komplexná optická ilúzia, ktorú musíte spozať do 5 Hľadanie chýb s Hľadanie skrytých Kde je chyba v parku: rýchly IQ test Ako nájsť chybu na obrázku za menej ako 30 Objavte najlepšie tipy a triky pre zlepšenie vášho každodenného života! Užitočné rady pre varenie, domáce remeslá a záhradkárske nápady vám pomôžu starať sa o svoj domov a záhradu s ľahkosťou. Čítajte naše články a získajte užitočné informácie pre vaše každodenné potreby.