taylor twellman: mls league of the no. 10

Taylor Twellman: MLS, League of the No. 10

The newest episode of Offside with Taylor Twellman discusses how the importance of the No. 10 position has shifted on the global stage, and how that created the way for MLS to become a league where classic No. 10s survive and thrive.  The reason for this discussion, according to Twellman, was a statement Apple TV analyst Sacha Klejstan made.  “Listen, if you’re starting No. 10, whether you’re paying him $8 million or $800,000, and he’s getting you five goals and five assists, that’s not good enough in MLS,” said Kljestan. “This is the league of the number 10.” Twellman spoke to other bests at the position: Nashville SC’ Hany Mukhtar, Colorado Rapids’ Djordje Mihailovic and Portland Timbers’ Evander.  According to Mukhtar, MLS’ increased focus on the position is one of the reasons he went stateside.  “I think like two, three years into my career, being a professional soccer player, a lot of teams started to not play with the No. 10,” Mukhtar told Twellman. “… That was also a big reason why I ended up here in MLS, because to this day you still have a lot of No. 10s.” Will the trend continue? Or will MLS ultimately follow the footsteps of leagues around the world that have avoided building around classic 10s in favor of a different tactical set-up? Twellman asks that question to Kljestan, Jeff Rueter of The Athletic and MLS legend Marco Etcheverry, leading to differing perspectives on the matter. “We should always have the star No. 10s. These are the guys that should fill seats in the stadium,” Kljestan said. “They should be the guys that you tune in to watch every week. And then these should be the guys that are leading the All-Star game, leading the MVP race every season. It’s the most important position. Of course, putting the ball in the back of the net gets all the glory, but the game runs through the No. 10 and I love it.”

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tai baribo is good for philadelphia union

Tai Baribo is good for Philadelphia Union

When Julián Carranza was sent to Eredivisie side Feyenoord earlier this summer, people asked questions about who would be the next consistent goal scorer for the Philadelphia Union. Tai Baribo became the answer to that question.  Baribo, leads the Leagues Cup Golden Boot race with five goals and 11 goals in his last 11 games across all competitions.  The Israeli citizen was always on the sidelines looking in for the Union. Now, he is debatably the most in-form attack in the league.  Baribo and Philadelphia will get back to action on Saturday night when welcoming LIGA MX side Feyenoord in the League Cup quarter finals (7:30 pm ET | MLS Season Pass).

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toronto blue jays vs miami marlins betting predictions

MLB EXPERT PICKS: Toronto Blue Jays VS Miami Marlins betting Predictions

The Miami Marlins and Toronto Blue Jays meet Friday in MLB game 1 action at Rogers Centre. Here’s a Toronto Blue Jays vs Miami Marlins prediction for you.  Find the MLB best bets today, predictions, picks, and odds for Toronto Blue Jays vs Miami Marlins on MatchPlug. We are a Sure Prediction Site to get accurate previews on MLB matches. Predictions And Betting Preview For Toronto Blue Jays VS Miami Marlins  Odds by 1XBet. Betting On The Toronto Blue Jays The Toronto Blue Jays are 74-85 on the year after playing the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox. The Blue Jays have scored 12 runs in their last 3 matches and 4 or more runs in 6 of their last 12 matches.  Toronto have won 5 of their last 7 matches when scoring 4 or more runs. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. leads the Blue Jays with 197 hits and 102 RBI, while George Springer and Ernie Clement combine for 230 hits and 106 RBI. Betting On The Miami Marlins  The Miami Marlins are 59-100 on the year after playing the Atlanta Braves and Minnesota Twins. The Marlins scored 15 runs in their last 3 matches and 4 or more runs in 7 of their last 9 matches.  Miami have won 4 of their last 7 matches when scoring 4 or more runs. Jake Burger leads the Marlins with 127 hits and 72 RB, while Jesus Sanchez and Otto Lopez combine for 220 hits and 110 RBI. MatchPlug Prediction For Toronto Blue Jays VS Miami Marlins  Although both the Blue Jays and the Marlins have nothing to play for, Toronto was on a break yesterday while Miami played 13 innings. Adam Oller hasn’t given much in limited frames and suffered a hard hit on the road. Jose Berrios has been excellent in his few starts, which includes permitting 3 runs in his last 19 innings. Experts back the Blue Jays at home and with an All-Star material arm on the hill.  Prediction: Toronto Blue Jays -1.5.

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new york yankees vs pittsburgh pirates betting predictions

MLB EXPERT PICKS: New York Yankees VS Pittsburgh Pirates betting Predictions

The New York Yankees will face the Pittsburgh Pirates in Game 1 of their season-ending three-game Yankees VS Pirates series tonight at Yankee Stadium.  MatchPlug has the MLB Expert Picks, predictions, and odds for Yankees VS Pirates. We are a Hot Prediction Site that offers accurate MLB previews and match analysis. Predictions And Betting Preview For New York Yankees VS Pittsburgh Pirates  Odds as seen on 1XBet. Betting On The New York Yankees The New York Yankees rebounded on a powerful offensive day with the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday after dropping the first two. They will face the Pirates in the last three matches, which is the first time both teams are meeting in 2024.  New York winning in the series opener means they’ll stay in the sole spot of the best record in the American League. They are presently 1.0 game ahead of the Guardians. Their series loss against the Os broke a series of five straight series victories for the Yankees.  Betting On The Pittsburgh Pirates The Pittsburgh Pirates will end their disappointing campaign on a high. They have only 3 victories in their last 10 matches and are 2 points behind the Reds in NL Central standings in fifth.  Jared Jones will start for the Pirates after what was an appalling start against the Cincinnati Reds. In his last start versus Cincinnati, Jones had 5.0 innings, 6 hits, 6 earned runs, 3 walks, and 5 strikeouts.  MatchPlug Prediction For New York Yankees VS Pittsburgh Pirates  The Yankees will believe in Rodon to fix his 3rd best Win-Loss record in the league. They’ll focus on Aaron Judge, as the captain is expected to be hot at the plate after getting back to shape. The Pirates lineup’s .224 batting average in the last ten contrasts the New York’s 2.57 ERA from their pitching.  Final Prediction: New York Yankees Moneyline. 

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darvich restless at barcelona

Darvich restless at Barcelona

Noah Darvich is restless at Barcelona. The rookie forward is presently with Barca Atletic, but Jijantes reports that he is uncertain about his long-term prospects with the Blaugrana.  In four matches this term, Darvich has played for 130 minutes. Several opponents from across Europe are monitoring the German youth national’s situation.  Darvich was an excellent player as he helped Germany win the U17 World Cup last year. 

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zamalek chief reaffirms plans for real madrid star ramos

Zamalek chief reaffirms plans for Real Madrid star Ramos

Zamalek directors have reaffirmed their interest in Real Madrid star Sergio Ramos. The ex Real and Spain captain is still a free agent after leaving Sevilla last summer.  He was linked with Zamalek earlier this week and now the Egyptian team’s director Ali Hisham Nasr said: “Zamalek is a great club and deserves players like that. “We see the agreement with Ramos not only as something good in sporting terms, but also for marketing. The player is free and it would be a great advantage to hire him. online pharmacy buy singulair online with best prices today in the USA Any club in the world wants Ramos.” According to AS, Sergio is listening to Zamalek, although Saudi Arabia club Al Orobah is also interested in him. 

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palmeiras used facial recognition to stop ticket touting

Palmeiras used facial recognition to stop ticket touting

Fans need no physical tickets, membership cards or e-tickets. To enter Allianz Parque at Palmeiras, only facial recognition is needed. The technology was developed as a solution to a problem every club in Brazil is facing: ticket touting.  “Before we implemented facial biometrics, ticket touters would legally join Avanti, the club’s supporter programme, buy tickets within our system and then sell them for prices well above what we charged, which is a crime,” Everaldo Coelho Palmeiras’ marketing director explains.  “It was something that bothered us a lot, because our fans, including Avanti members entitled to priority purchase, were unable to get tickets for Palmeiras matches.” This revolution in changing the way fans can access the stadium has been good for the club. In August, Palmeiras hit a milestone of 200,000 active fan members, a record in Brazil. They got 62,000 new members between January and July this year. Due to this, the team expects to rake in over R$70 million (£9.5m) with Avanti in 2024.  Palmeiras claims to be the first football club in the world to adopt the facial biometrics system for all access to the stadium on match days. In Brazil, article 148 of the General Sports Law (LGE) stated that all sports arenas with a capacity of over 20,000 people must have facial recognition on their turnstiles by June 2025.  With these requirements, teams have gradually started adopting technology, but no other club demands facial recognition at 100% of its entrances. There are instances like Flamengo, which uses the system for all tickets sold online, but still sells physical tickets.  “We studied a number of technological options and realised that the problem could only be solved by facial recognition,” Coelho says . Palmeiras won’t reveal how much it spent to implement facial biometrics at Allianz, in a project carried out with Bepass. “I can say, however, that the investment is worth it,” says the marketing director.

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psg coach luis enrique describes expanded club world cup as 'exciting'

PSG coach Luis Enrique describes expanded Club World Cup as ‘exciting’

Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique on Thursday described the expanded Club World Cup, set to feature 32 clubs next year, as an  “exciting competition” while acknowledging the need to reduce player workloads.  “Once every four years there’s this new, extremely exciting competition. Everyone wants to go to the Club World Cup,” Enrique said, amid rising concerns from players and coaches over the growing number of fixtures. The 2025 Club World Cup will be held in the United States from June 15th to July 13th, with 12 European teams to take part in a tournament that only traditionally featured the six continental champions and host nation. Manchester City midfielder Rodri warned earlier this month that top players could go on strike to protest the number of matches they’re been asked to play.  Rodri will miss the rest of the term due to a ligament damage to his right knee at the weekend.  “Of course those involved must speak,” said Luis Enrique. “I understand and I agree that the calendar is very busy, particularly that of Manchester City. Ours is less so because we have two fewer teams in our league and therefore four fewer matches.” “A less hectic calendar would favour everyone,” he added.

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hall ready to play for blackhawks after healing from knee injury

Hall ready to play for Blackhawks after healing from knee injury

Taylor Hall has not played for the Chicago Blackhawks since November 19th, 2023. Eight days later, he had a season-ending surgery to fix a torn ACL in his right knee. “Even an exhibition game is going to feel like something I haven’t done in a long time. That’s exciting,” said Hall, who is expected to play against the Detroit Red Wings in the Blackhawks’ preseason opener at United Center on Wednesday (8 p.m. ET). “In the last, I don’t know, 14-16 months, I’ve played 10 games, so I can’t wait to play games and be a hockey player again.” It was a frustrating wait for Hall who the Blackhawks signed from the Boston Bruins, along with forward Nick Folingo on June 26th, 2023. He was expected to be Connor Bedard’s linemate, but injuries limited him to 10 matches, where he had four points (two goals and two assists).  And it has been apparent since the beginning of camp, that the forward is ready to be a significant part of the Blackhawks this campaign.  “He’s all business right now, just the way we want to conduct ourselves as a team and he’s driving that pace out there,” Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson said of Hall. “That’s the way he likes to play. “I remember him in New Jersey being the MVP of the League (won the Hart Trophy in 2017-18) and that’s the way he played. We’re expecting him fully healthy to kind of continue getting to where he was just getting to when he got injured unfortunately in the early part of November.” Hall has 697 points (266 goals, 431 assists) in 832 matches for the Oilers, New Jersey Devils, Arizona Coyotes, Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins and Blackhawks.  Foligno said Hall has been “flying” during camp training. “His speed is so lethal and the size that he is (6-foot-1, 210 pounds), it’s a dangerous combination when you have him flying down the wing,” said Foligno, who was named Blackhawks captain Sept. 18. “I’m sure [Bedard] is excited to have him and whoever plays with him. He’s a guy who can drive a line himself too. I’m thrilled for him that he’s back around the guys and playing hockey, which he loves.” Bedard discussed with Hall a lot last term about the expectations of being a No.1 pick, something he knew weekly. They teamed up early, with Hall getting the primary assist on Bedard’s first NHL goal, a wraparound in a 3-1 defeat to the Bruins on October 11th, 2023.  “He’s obviously a great player and someone we really missed last year, not only on the ice, but in the room as well,” Bedard said. “He’s a guy everyone really likes, really respects. Having a guy like that, another leader in our room, is going to be huge, and then he’s going to make a big impact for us on the ice.” To prepare for the season, Hall trained in Vail, Colorado with other players such as Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon and Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner.  He said he trained in Vail in the past, before COVID-19. “It’s the highest elevated hockey rink in North America, so that’s about as tough of skates as you can get. But it was fun,” Hall said. “I just wanted to go and test myself against some of the best players in the League and at that altitude, so that was a time of fun and really was a measuring stick for how my knee felt, how my cardio was and how I felt as a hockey player. Hopefully that can give me a good push coming into this year.” He said he was anticipating the training camp schedule even before it was released. Missing most of last term was hard for him, but the urge to get back on the ice, to play matches again, has been building. Now he’s ready to go. “It’s special for me and it really brings a lot of things to light,” Hall said. “It makes me be appreciative to be out here because I missed so much time. If there’s any positives I can take, it’s just the clarity and gratitude that I have to just be playing hockey again because I love it and I think it’s kind of what I was born to do. So to be back out here again is just a blast.”

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auston matthews leaves maple leafs practice

Auston Matthews leaves Maple Leafs practice

The 2024-25 NHL training camp has begun, and there’s already some development in the Toronto Maple Leafs camp. Auston Matthews has exited halfway through practice. Matthews departed on Tuesday due to what coach Craig Berube described as an “upper-body thing,” although he said the issue is nothing to be concerned about.  “It’s nothing serious,” Berube said. “He should be fine.” The Toronto captain centered a line between left winger Steven Lorentz and right winger Mitch Marner before leaving practice.  Matthews scored one goal and was plus-1 in his preseason debut, a 6-5 overtime defeat to the Ottawa Senators on Sunday.  Forward Calle Jarnkrok missed practice on Tuesday and is day to day with a lower-body injury Jarnkrok was minus-1 Sunday. Lorentz, who is going to the Maple Leafs training camp on a professional tryout, went to practice for the first time since September 19th, missing the last three day due to an upper-body injury.  Related: Peterka anticipates homecoming at Global Series Challenge Germany.

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