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WTC final scenarios – India need four wins from six remaining Tests to seal a spot

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Five teams, including Australia, South Africa and Sri Lanka, are still in contention for a spot in the WTC final

S Rajesh26-Oct-2024India
Two shocking defeats against New Zealand means that India have left themselves with plenty to do to make a third consecutive WTC final, although they are still hanging on to the top spot currently with a slender lead over Australia. To be certain of a place in the top two in this cycle, India need to win the last Test of the ongoing series against New Zealand – in Mumbai – and then beat Australia 3-2. That will take them to 64.04% points (assuming they don’t lose any points due to slow over rates).Even if Australia win 2-0 in Sri Lanka, they can still only get to 60.53% with two wins against India, while New Zealand will end up at 57.14% if they lose in Mumbai and then beat England 3-0 at home. In that case, South Africa will be the only team which can top India. A 2-2 series result in Australia will leave India on 60.53% in comparison to Australia’s 62.28% (assuming India win in Mumbai, and Australia beat Sri Lanka 2-0).Related

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If India lose in Mumbai, New Zealand can finish on 64.29%, but only with a 3-0 result against England. Then India will need four wins and a draw in Australia to make sure of a place in the final, regardless of other results.However, India can still finish in the top two with fewer wins if the other teams in contention don’t maximise their points. For example, if New Zealand lose in Mumbai and beat England 2-0, they will only get to 52.38%; if South Africa lose one of their five remaining Tests, they will finish on 61.11%; and if Australia beat India 3-2 but draw 1-1 in Sri Lanka, they will finish on 60.53%.New Zealand
At the start of the series in India, it seemed highly improbable that New Zealand would still be in contention for a place in the final. But their stunning wins after two out of the three Tests have given them a chance to dream. If they win each of their four remaining Tests, they will finish on 64.29%. It won’t ensure qualification, but it will certainly keep them in the mix. If they lose one of those Tests, though, their percentage will drop to 57.14%.South Africa
If South Africa win each of their five remaining Tests, they will finish with 69.44%, which will surely be enough for qualification, as only one out of India or Australia can go past that number. Four wins and a draw will leave South Africa with 63.89%, while four wins and a defeat will lower the percentage marginally to 61.11%, which could still give them a chance if other results go their way. They have a favourable schedule, though, with home Tests to come against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, after the second Test of their ongoing series against Bangladesh.If South Africa win their five remaining Tests, it will be enough for a place in the WTC final•AFP/Getty ImagesAustralia
India’s defeats against New Zealand have improved Australia’s chances of making it to the final. A 3-2 series win against India and a 1-0 victory in Sri Lanka will take them to 62.28%, ensuring they finish ahead of India. New Zealand can still surpass that, but only if they win each of their remaining games. If New Zealand slip up, then South Africa is the only team which can go past Australia. To ensure qualification without depending on other results, Australia need five wins from their seven remaining matches.Sri Lanka
With a full 24 points gained from their last two Tests, Sri Lanka have made a strong push towards a top-two finish in this WTC cycle. Their four remaining Tests are against two opponents who are also contenders for the final. If they win each of those matches and take home 48 more points, they will finish on 69.23% and assure themselves of a place in the final regardless of other results. If they lose one and win three, they will end up at 61.54%, which will still leave them with a chance of qualifying, depending on other results.England
The two defeats in Pakistan means that England can finish with a maximum of 48.86% even if they beat New Zealand 3-0 in their last series of the current cycle. That won’t be enough for a place in the final.Even if Pakistan win their last four Tests, it will be too late to make a difference in this WTC•Getty ImagesPakistan
Pakistan’s home form has shown some revival, but it is too late to make a difference in this cycle. Even if they win each of their last four Tests, they can only finish on 52.38%, with no chance of making it to the final.Bangladesh
The three defeats in their last three Tests against India and South Africa have hurt Bangladesh badly – from having 45.83% points at one stage, they have dropped to 30.56% now. Even if they win each of their three remaining Tests, they will only improve to 47.92%, which won’t be enough for a place in the top two.West Indies
West Indies have already played four series and have only scored 20 points out of a possible 108. Even if they win their last four Tests, they can only finish on 43.59%, and are hence out of the race for a spot in the WTC final.

Will Todd Murphy get a chance to shine in India?

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

The big question is whether Australia will want to pick a second specialist offpinner against India’s right-hand heavy batting order

Alex Malcolm05-Feb-2023Todd Murphy has only been bowling offspin for six years. Eleven months ago, he had played just one first-class game. Since then, he has only added six more.Yet there is a chance, come Thursday, that the 22-year-old could be making his Test debut for Australia against India in Nagpur alongside his mentor Nathan Lyon.Related

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It would be a similar rise from obscurity to that of Lyon’s in 2011. But Murphy’s rise, albeit just as rapid, has come along a more traditional pathway. He has been in the Victoria age-group programmes, thanks to the talent-spotting of his long-time coach, former Victoria legspinner and current Victoria and New Zealand women’s spin coach Craig Howard.Murphy played in the 2020 Under-19 World Cup for Australia, toured with Australia A to Sri Lanka last year and went to Chennai to train at the MRF academy with a select group of handpicked young Australian players. Two of his seven first-class matches have been for Australia A, if you include his excellent performance for Prime Minister’s XI against West Indies in November, which was for all intents and purposes an Australia A team.Howard believes Murphy has all the tools to succeed if called upon in Nagpur.”He’s got very good at being able to adapt on the fly for what the conditions suit,” Howard told ESPNcricinfo. “Right from the start we’ve made sure that he is quite flexible with his seam position. And we’re often talking about which conditions require high overspin and which ones require high sidespin and somewhere in between as well.”If they do produce absolute raggers then he’ll know what to do. He’ll need to bowl with high sidespin and a little bit of undercut and a fraction of overspin, and sort of work that axis with the occasional high overspun ball and a bit of cross-seam stuff too, where you get natural variation off the shiny side, where it skids and it sometimes hits the seam and holds.”There’s a lot more subtle variations over there, whereas a lot of those subtle variations in Australia just don’t work.”There has been talk swirling around Australian cricket for the last six months that Murphy has fast become the country’s second-best red-ball spinner. But the selectors balked at the idea of picking him for the recent Sydney Test against South Africa when they did select two spinners. Coach Andrew McDonald cited the need for picking not necessarily the next-best spinner but the best one to complement Lyon, which meant the left-arm orthodox bowler Ashton Agar got the nod.The emergence of Travis Head as a part-time offspinner has only added to the conundrum. Can Australia pick two specialist offspinners in India with part-time support from a third offspinner, and only have part-time legspin options to spin it the other way in Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith? It is something captain Pat Cummins is considering.”It’s a chance. That’s something we’ll have to balance up if we want to go with two spinners,” Cummins said on Saturday. “Do we want variation or just two offspinners? So there’s no reason why we can’t go that way. Travis Head is in the side as well and bowls really good offspin. We’ve got plenty of variety to choose from.”

“Absolutely there’s no reason why [they can’t play together]. If your two best spinners are standouts and they both spin it the same way this certainly shouldn’t be a problem, and because they are a little bit different in what they do there should be no reason why they can’t play together.”Craig Howard

The worry is that two offspinners won’t match up well to India’s top order with the top four likely to be exclusively right-handers while it’s possible there could be only one left-hander in the top six.Left-arm quick Mitchell Starc won’t play the first Test either, meaning there won’t be a lot of rough created outside the off-stump of the right-handers.But Howard believes Murphy and Lyon can play together in the same side given they are slightly different offspinners. Murphy also has a good record against right-handers in his short first-class career, averaging 26.7 and striking at 62.2, which is streets ahead of Agar and even legspinner Mitchell Swepson in recent years.!function(){“use strict”;window.addEventListener(“message”,(function(e){if(void 0!==e.data[“datawrapper-height”]){var t=document.querySelectorAll(“iframe”);for(var a in e.data[“datawrapper-height”])for(var r=0;r<t.length;r++){if(t[r].contentWindow===e.source)t[r].style.height=e.data["datawrapper-height"][a]+"px"}}}))}();

“It’s interesting. Murph’s numbers to right-handers are equally as good as to left-handers,” Howard said. “Absolutely there’s no reason why [they can’t play together]. If your two best spinners are standouts and they both spin it the same way this certainly shouldn’t be a problem, and because they are a little bit different in what they do there should be no reason why they can’t play together and especially if they can get Marnus up and going again.”I’ve seen him where he can get it to really spit out of that rough and hit people in the chest and that sort of stuff in there. So he’d be a massive asset if we could get him up and going for this tour as well for that back end for when you do want someone bowling it out of the craters that the right-arm quicks create over the wicket.”Agar went wicketless in his Test return in Sydney and against right-handers he has taken just 10 wickets at 75.9, striking at 171.5 in 12 first-class matches since 2019.Despite his allegiance to Murphy, Howard is a big fan of Agar, having previously worked with him during a CA spin camp back in 2019 and believes he can be an effective option in India if the pitches are conducive.But he does concede that Agar’s focus on becoming an outstanding T20 bowler in recent years has significantly hindered his ability to work on his red-ball bowling.”That’s it in a nutshell. It is very difficult,” Howard said. “Because the theory of red-ball cricket is it’s five to six good balls an over and then one-day cricket it’s four to six. But in T20 cricket you might bowl your best ball once an over.”It is incredibly difficult to then go back and have to nail a stock ball for those conditions five out of six times in an over. But he’s [Agar] a highly skillful cricketer. I’ve got no doubt that he will be putting in the time now to make sure that it’s not all the flicks and swingers and he’s just got to find a ball that works in those conditions and nail it over and over and over again.”His red-ball stuff has certainly improved in the last few years. He just hasn’t got to bowl a lot, to be honest. I’m sure no doubt he’s put in a power of work. He’ll be ready to go. If the [pitches] are highly abrasive, like the ones that really go, then he really comes into it then.”

Does Mohammad Ashraful make it to Bangladesh's greatest white-ball XI?

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

And who opens with Tamim Iqbal? Our panelists discuss on the latest episode of Dream Team

Sreshth Shah14-Jan-202159:25

Who makes it to our all-time Bangladesh white-ball XI?

It has been nearly 35 years since Bangladesh played their first ODI. They emerged as giant-killers in the 2007 World Cup and reached the quarter-final of the tournament in 2015. Add semi-final appearances at the Champions Trophy and heart-stopping moments in T20Is, and Bangladesh, on the back of an ever-growing fan base, have become an exciting team to watch. And so, in the latest edition of , we look to pick their greatest white-ball XI. The selectors are Mohammad Isam, ESPNcricinfo correspondent, and two Bangladeshi cricket tragics – Zulquarnain Islam and Issa Farooque.5:29

Who slots in as opener with Tamim Iqbal?

Who partners Tamim Iqbal?
Shahriar Nafees was the first man to score three ODI centuries for Bangladesh, Imrul Kayes has enjoyed success and failure in equal measure and in his short international career, Liton Das has impressed people in many quarters with how easy his batting is on the eye. If Tamim Iqbal is the anchor he usually is for Bangladesh, who is to partner him? After plenty of back and forth, the panelists eliminated one of the two contenders to zero in on their final choice.4:33

Who makes a strong case for the No. 4 position in a Bangladesh all-time XI?

The Ashraful dilemma
Before Iqbal, before Shakib Al Hasan, before Mushfiqur Rahim and before Mashrafe Mortaza, the big star was Mohammad Ashraful. From 2001 to 2013, the boy wonder raised the country’s cricket profile, only to let everyone down with his involvement in match-fixing. He is second on the list of quickest Test fifties ever and has the national record for fastest ODI and T20I half-centuries. Can he be ignored?4:47

Is Mashrafe Mortaza the obvious choice for captain?

An ode to Mortaza
Bangladesh have had 14 ODI captains, but the Narail Express stands head and shoulders above the rest. Numbers and win percentages are one metric, but how a captain brings a team together in times of adversity, while also leading by example, often has much greater value. The panelists explain why Mortaza, the captain of this XI, is the greatest leader Bangladesh (and perhaps even Asian cricket) has ever seen.

Cal Raleigh's Dad Hilariously Hit Him With a Pitch During Home Run Derby Round

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Cal Raleigh turned his Home Run Derby appearance into a memory his family will remember forever.

The Seattle Mariners star catcher and MLB's leader in home runs had his father, Todd, pitch to him during the Derby. The family affair didn't end there either as his brother, Todd Jr., was behind the plate. It was a sweet moment that created a photo which makes for an elite mantlepiece in the Raleigh family home.

Todd has a prestigious baseball background as a former Division I coach at the University of Tennessee and Western Carolina University. When he got the call to pitch to his son Monday night in Atlanta, it was a no-brainer.

The father-son duo did result in a funny moment though when the elder Raleigh hit his son in the elbow on a pitch he threw during the first round.

No harm, no foul though as "Big Dumper" brushed it off, completing his first round with 17 homers. He advanced to the semifinals through a tiebreaker with Athletics slugger Brent Rooker, who also hit 17 long balls. Raleigh's longest homer went farther than Rooker's by less than a tenth of a foot—what a way to advance.

Todd gets to pitch to his son in the knockout round—hopefully we don't see any chin music.

Man Utd now open talks to sign “incredible” free agent with 147 career goals

by rastrear-estafeta.com Uncategorized

Manchester United have now opened talks to sign an “incredible” star, who’s scored a whopping 147 career goals, and they are looking to get a deal done at the start of next year.

Man Utd looking to bring in another leader

In the wake of the 4-1 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday night, Ruben Amorim praised Lisandro Martinez for his leadership capabilities, while also adding: “Mason Mount is always the same thing, training, talking, dealing with people around Carrington. That is not easy. So he is a very, very good player.”

However, the perceived lack of leaders in the squad has been criticised for quite some time, with Roy Keane calling into question whether Bruno Fernandes is a suitable captain after the 1-1 draw against Chelsea last season.

Following the emphatic win at Molineux, the Red Devils are up to sixth in the Premier League table, but they clearly aren’t the finished article just yet, having lost at home to 10-man Everton and drawn with a struggling West Ham United side in recent weeks.

If Man United are to start competing for the top honours once again, they may need to bring in players who are experienced at the top level, and they have now opened talks over a deal for Sergio Ramos, who is a free agent, following his departure from Monterrey.

That is according to a report from Spain, which states negotiations are in the early stages, with United expressing the ‘strongest’ interest in securing the former Real Madrid man’s signature, and they are looking to bring him in at the start of next year.

Several other unnamed clubs are in the race for the Spaniard’s signature, with his future set to be resolved in the next few weeks.

Amorim's priority target: Man Utd step up interest in "special" Madrid star

Man United are now in the race for a “special” player

ByDominic Lund 6 days ago "Incredible" Ramos knows what it takes to win

With Keane previously making it clear he is not entirely convinced by Fernandes as a captain, Man United could perhaps do with bringing in an experienced leader, who knows what it takes to win.

The 39-year-old certainly fits the bill in that regard, having become the first player to captain a team to three straight Champions League triumphs during his time with Real Madrid.

Mesut Özil has also made it clear just how highly he rates his former teammate, saying: “Sergio Ramos is the best defender I’ve ever played with. And the one with the most character. At that time I was still very young, but I already had a very strong mentality. It was incredible. It was clear that sooner or later he would lead Real Madrid to UCL glory.”

Not only is the 180-time Spain international a top-quality defender, but he also poses a threat at the other end of the pitch, having amassed a whopping 147 career goals for club and country.

That said, Ramos is now 39-years-old, and hasn’t played in Europe since a spell with Sevilla in the 2023-24 campaign, so there may be some doubts over whether he is still capable of making an impact at a club like Man United.

Danny Rohl drops big Rangers injury update as 6 stars set to miss Livingston clash

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Rangers manager Danny Rohl has confirmed that as many as six players are currently injury doubts to square off against Livingston in the Scottish Premiership this Saturday.

It’s bad timing for the Gers, who are attempting to make it four league wins from four under their new manager. Victory over bottom side Livingston would also see those at Ibrox rise to third if Hibernian also fail to beat Dundee. It would be the result of the strong start that Rohl has made to turn things around following the disaster that was Russell Martin’s tenure.

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ByBen Gray Nov 20, 2025

The German told reporters in the build-up to Rangers’ return to action that he believes they’re “in a good way”, but still need to work on breaking old habits on the pitch.

As January approaches, the former Sheffield Wednesday boss may also be eyeing up some potential improvements to his squad amid recent links with the likes of Kilmarnock’s David Watson.

The midfielder would add the kind of depth that the Gers could do with this weekend following the latest injury news.

Rangers vs Livingston team news

As revealed by Rohl, as many as six stars could miss Rangers’ game against Livingston this weekend following a frustrating international break. Mikey Moore, John Souttar, Derek Cornelius and Bailey Rice are all certain to be absent after picking up knocks, whilst Youssef Chermiti and Liam Kelly are facing a race against time to return to full fitness.

Rohl told reporters: “I am very happy and very proud of my players during the international break. We do have a couple of injuries from players returning, such as John Souttar, Micky Moore, and Derek Cornelius, who all have muscle injuries. Bailey Rice got injured during training, and Liam Kelly is a question mark at the moment.”

It’s a particular blow for Tottenham Hotspur loanee Moore, who scored his first Rangers goal against Dundee just before the international break. The 18-year-old, who was dubbed “brave” by former manager Martin upon arriving, has now seen his recent momentum halted by an untimely injury.

With Rangers set to face Braga in the Europa League next Thursday, Rohl will hope to have a positive update on several injuries just in time for what is a crucial game.

Rangers open talks to sign "quality" attacking star ahead of Aberdeen

Michael Kay Says Yankees Designed New Bats for Better Hitting

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Viewers watching the New York Yankees' absolute shellacking of the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday afternoon may have noticed something… odd about the bats some pinstripes were using.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Anthony Volpe both stepped up to the plate against Milwaukee with unusual-looking bats. Instead of "normal" bats, they wielded bats that were fatter on the barrel towards the label and thinned out towards the tip. They looked somewhat like bowling pins.

Longtime Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay explained why they were using those bats during the YES Network broadcast and revealed the team actually custom-made those bats to improve hitting for those who tend to make contact closer to the label than the true barrel, like Volpe and Chisholm.

"The Yankee front office, the analytics department, did a study on Anthony Volpe and every single ball, it seemed like, he hit on the label," Kay said. "He didn't hit any on the barrel. So they had bats made up where they moved a lot of the wood into the label so the harder part of the bat will actually strike the ball."

It's certainly an unusual strategy. It also seemed to work; Chisholm and Volpe both went yard with the funky bats as part of a historic Yankees onslaught of home runs.

The new bats will likely be a talking point in the baseball world for a while. In the meantime, the Yanks were up 20-7 on the Brewers through seven innings.

AC Milan schedule another Robert Lewandowski meeting with Zlatan Ibrahimovic eager to bring Barcelona striker to Serie A

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

AC Milan have stepped up their pursuit of Robert Lewandowski, scheduling a new round of talks with his agent Pini Zahavi as the Barcelona striker weighs his future as his contract nears its end. With Zlatan Ibrahimovic pushing internally to bring the 37-year-old to San Siro and Milan rebuilding under Max Allegri, the Rossoneri sense an opening, but salary demands remain a major hurdle.

  • Milan accelerate pursuit as Lewandowski weighs future

    According to , Milan are preparing a fresh approach for Lewandowski, with a new meeting scheduled between sporting director Igli Tare and the striker’s agent Pini Zahavi in the coming weeks. The Rossoneri have made the 37-year-old a priority target for June, convinced that his arrival could transform the club’s rebuild under Allegri. Lewandowski’s contract with Barca runs until June 2026, but uncertainty around his long-term role coupled with the club’s plan to sign a new No.9 next summer has placed his future firmly in play.

    Milan rejected the idea of approaching him last year due to salary constraints, but with Champions League qualification now a central objective, the Rossoneri believe the timing may be right to formalise negotiations. The San Siro hierarchy have already tested the waters with Lewandowski’s entourage. This next meeting is expected to focus on possible salary parameters, with the Pole currently earning €20 million (£17m/$22m) net at Barcelona, almost triple the wages of Milan’s highest earner, Rafael Leao.

    With Barcelona evaluating replacements and Lewandowski keeping all options open, the situation is edging into a crucial phase, one that could reshape the summer transfer market.

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    Ibrahimovic’s influence and Barcelona’s search for a new No.9

    This renewed push from the Rossoneri comes with the backing of their former striker Ibrahimovic, now a senior advisor at RedBird and one of the most influential voices behind Milan’s sporting strategy. He views Lewandowski as the type of elite striker who can immediately elevate the squad, much like his own transformative return to the club in 2020.

    On the Barcelona side, their search for a new striker highlights how the club is preparing for life after Lewandowski. Reports indicate that Harry Kane sits at the top of their shortlist, with the England captain scoring 108 goals in 113 games for Bayern Munich since 2023. Other names include Julian Alvarez, long admired by Barca, and even a dream move for Erling Haaland, described internally as Joan Laporta’s “obsession”. Financial realities, however, mean the Catalan giants are also analysing cheaper alternatives such as Etta Eyong, underlining the scale of the transition being planned.

    Lewandowski’s reduced role this season, a result of injuries and the emergence of Ferran Torres has only added to uncertainty. Despite this, he remains Barca’s leading scorer with seven goals in nine La Liga matches, second only to Mbappe in the Spanish scoring charts.

  • Lewandowski speaks out and Milan’s project takes shape

    The ex-Bayern striker has been open about his indecision regarding the next step in his career. While on duty with Poland, he made it clear that he does not intend to rush any decision: “I still don’t know the answer. That’s why I’m not in a hurry, I’m at peace with myself. Even if, for example, the club contacted me now, I still wouldn’t answer that question. Because I also have to feel what’s best for me. Now I’m calm, I’m not in a hurry and, at the moment, I don’t expect anything else.”

    His stance aligns with Milan’s long-term approach under Allegri and Tare, who are intent on recruiting experienced leaders to stabilise the squad. Zahavi’s strong relationship with Milan further strengthens their position. For Milan, landing Lewandowski would represent both a sporting coup and a symbolic statement that their project is entering a new era.

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    The next meeting could shape the summer market

    The Rossoneri's upcoming talks with Zahavi will be pivotal. If the two sides can find common ground on salary structure, potentially through bonuses or multi-year guarantees, negotiations could accelerate rapidly ahead of June. Barcelona, meanwhile, are expected to continue planning for a major reshuffle in the forward department, with the Lewandowski decision acting as the first domino.

    As interest from multiple European clubs quietly grows, all eyes now turn to Milan’s next meeting. The battle for Lewandowski is only just beginning and the outcome could define one of the summer’s biggest transfer sagas.

Inter Miami's Lionel Messi headlines 2025 MLS Best XI, joined by USMNT’s Alex Freeman and Sebastian Berhalter in star-studded lineup

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

After claiming the MLS Golden Boot, Lionel Messi has been named to the MLS Best XI for the second time since joining Inter Miami. The recognition comes after Messi finished with the second-most goal contributions in a single season in MLS history and became the second player in league history to lead the league in goals and assists.

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    A star-studded team

    The squad features six first-time honorees and players representing nine different clubs, with the Philadelphia Union and Vancouver Whitecaps each seeing two players recognized. The team features multiple award winners, too, including Golden Boot winner (and MVP favorite) Messi, MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Dayne St. Clair, MLS Defender of the Year Tristan Blackmon, MLS Young Player of the Year Alex Freeman, and MLS Newcomer of the Year Anders Dreyer.

    Freeman is the youngest player named to the Best XI in five years (Brenden Aaronson in 2020), while Dreyer joins Roman Burki and Walker Zimmerman in making the list from a first-year expansion team in the 2020s. Denis Bouanga, meanwhile, became the first player since Josef Martinez to make the team three consecutive times as he joins Dreyer and Messi as the three attackers in the team.

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    Best XI in full

    Goalkeeper: Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota United FC)

    Defenders: Tristan Blackmon (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Alex Freeman (Orlando City SC), Jakob Glesnes (Philadelphia Union), Kai Wagner (Philadelphia Union)

    Midfielders: Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Evander (FC Cincinnati), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC)

    Forwards: Denis Bouanga (LAFC), Anders Dreyer (San Diego FC), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF)

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    Local flavor

    Four players in the side have played for the U.S. men's national team this year: Freeman, Blackmon, Sebastian Berhalter and Cristian Roldan. All four were in the U.S. squad for the September camp, with Roldan and Freeman returning for the October camp as well. Berhalter, meanwhile, joined Freeman this summer in representing the U.S. on the run to the Gold Cup final.

    Canada, too, is represented by St. Clair, who becomes the second Canadian player to be named to the MLS Best XI in the last decade, following Tajon Buchanan in 2021.

    The five domestic selections are the most since 2015, when there were also five: Luis Robles, Matt Hedges, Benny Feilhaber, Ethan Finlay and Dax McCarty, all American.

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    What comes next?

    Of the Best XI selections, Freeman is the only one not left in the playoffs after Orlando City were knocked out in the Wild Card round. All five deciding Game 3s of the current round will be played this weekend.

PIF chief tells Newcastle to sign Brazilian "monster" amid conversation with agent

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Turning their attention towards South America, one PIF chief reportedly personally wants to sign a Brazilian rising star for Newcastle United in 2026.

Ross Wilson closing in on first Newcastle signing

It was a busy international break at St James’ Park, as PIF welcomed new sporting director, Ross Wilson, from Nottingham Forest.

The 41-year-old arrives hoping to add some much-needed stability to Newcastle’s transfer department and has already been welcomed with open arms by manager Eddie Howe.

Wilson hasn’t taken long to make his mark, either.

According to reports, he’s already closing in on his first signing for the club in the form of Barnsley youngster Josh Kenchington. The England Under-15s star is reportedly set to arrive after the Magpies agreed a deal to secure his signature ahead of 2026.

Compared to John Stones, who also started out at Barnsley, Kenchington could turn into a major coup for Newcastle if he realises his impressive potential in years to come.

That said, he’s not the only young player that Newcastle have set their sights on.

Those at St James’ are also reportedly targeting a major South American talent who’s making serious noise across the Atlantic.

PIF chief personally wants to sign Rayan for Newcastle

According to reports in Brazil, as relayed by Sport Witness, PIF and Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan now personally wants to sign Rayan from Vasco da Gama in 2026 — telling an agent that he sees massive potential in the winger.

Al-Rumayyan has apparently “expressed his wish” for Newcastle to do a deal behind-the-scenes, and it is clear to see why.

The 19-year-old winger has really impressed in Brazil.

Newcastle's “exciting” 18-year-old is looking “like Gordon” out on loan

Newcastle’s wing evolution continues with teenage prodigy waiting in the wings

ByWill Miller Oct 17, 2025

With a release clause as cheap as €40m (£35m), Newcastle should be in a strong position to afford the talented winger if they fend off any competition from the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa.

Rayan recently became the youngest player in Vasco history to reach 10 Brazilian top flight goals since Dinamite in 1973, breaking a 52-year record, and he’s been in top form throughout the 2025 season with 15 strikes in all competitions — including eight in his last 13 league games.

What’s more, even with that release clause, Vasco value Rayan at just €30m (£26m), which hands Newcastle yet another boost if they push for his arrival.

Described as a “monster” by South American expert Nathan Joyes, Rayan is undoubtedly one to watch.

A number of South American talents have taken the Premier League by storm in recent years, and he could now be next in line.

It would be some statement from Wilson if he managed to pull off such a transfer coup so early into his Newcastle tenure.

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