Minnesota United set for MLS in 2017

Professional football will return to Minnesota in 2017, after MLS commissioner Dan Garber announced the mooted United franchise will begin play next season.

While a privately-funded stadium is being planned, the Minnesota franchise already competing in the second-tier North American Soccer League will retain the proposed United name and logo, and will for the interim play on the University of Minnesota campus, at TCF Bank Stadium.

UM s ground also served as the temporary home for the NFL s Minnesota Vikings in 2014 and 2015, while construction continued at the nearby US Bank Stadium.

Speaking at an event in Minnesota, Garber reiterated the city s strength as a football market.

We are proud to officially announce that Minnesota United FC will join Major L…

Journeyman Joselu takes long, winding road to Champions League final

Real Madrid striker Joselu was in dreamland after he came on in the dying moments of their Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich on Wednesday and turned the game on its head with two goals to snatch a stunning victory.

Joselu, whose journeyman career has included spells at clubs such as Hoffenheim, Eintracht Frankfurt, Hannover 96, Stoke City and Newcastle United, only touched the ball a few times in their 2-1 second-leg win, but it was a night he is likely to remember for a long time.

He pounced on a rare mistake by Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer, stabbing the ball into the net to equalise for Madrid in the 88th minute, and just under three minutes later, he volleyed them into the lead from a cross by Antonio Rudiger.

I don t know anything about being a…

Which group will be the toughest one in the 2019-20 Champions League?

The field is set for the 2019-20 UEFA Champions League group stage. After several qualification rounds, the group stage of the competition has been decided and the best 32 teams in Europe will begin the race for the title in September.

In case you missed it, here are the groups for the 2019-20 edition of the Champions League.

Complete list of 2019-20 UEFA Champions League groups

Group A: PSG, Real Madrid, Club Brugge, Galatasaray

Group B: Bayern Munich, Tottenham, Olympiacos, Red Star Belgrade

Group C: Manchester City, Shakhtar Donetsk, Dinamo Zagreb, Atalanta

Group D: Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Lokomotiv Moscow

Group E: Liverpool, Napoli, Salzburg, Genk

Group F: FC Barcelona, Dortmund, Inter Milan, Slavia Pragu…

Thought Mayweather v McGregor was 2017´s biggest sporting event? Think again!

July 2017. Floyd Mayweather Jr and Conor McGregor embarked on a world tour to promote their too-bizarre-to-be-true boxing match and the internet went into overdrive.

Or did it?

Strange as it seems to say, but a fight between a retired boxer and a rookie boxer (that was all really weird, wasn t it?) was NOT the most talked-about sporting event this year, at least not according to Google.

Internet searches are now such a pivotal part of our lives, so it is instructive to see what sporting events caught the eye the most in 2017.

And Mayweather-McGregor isn t number one, it s not even number two!

The Super Bowl, Tom Brady s record-breaking comeback and all, takes the second spot. 

Number one? Wimbledon, of course!

Roger Federer s 19t…

Ten Worst Moments of the 2010 World Cup

Most of the world is suffering from soccer withdrawal symptoms with the World Cup having gone away for another four years. Africa s first Soccer World Cup had plenty of good and bad moments. Here are ten of the worst- the ones you wouldn t want to see a repeat of at the next edition in Brazil.

10.) Sani Kaita (Nigeria against Greece)

Nigeria were comfortably in control of their second Group B game against Greece before Kaita s moment of madness turned the game on its head. The Alania Vladikavkaz midfielder aimed a kung fu kick at Vasilis Torosidis on the sidelines and was given his marching orders, thus reducing Nigeria to ten men. The Greeks made full use of their one man advantage and managed to beat the Super Eagles 2-1.

Would Nigeria s World Cup have been di…

Saka can thrive at World Cup after overcoming Euro 2020 heartache, says Ramsdale

Bukayo Saka can thrive during England s World Cup campaign after handling the fallout from his penalty miss in the Euro 2020 final impeccably , according to Aaron Ramsdale.

Saka s spot-kick was saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma after England s tense draw with Italy last July, ensuring the Three Lions lost on their first major final appearance since the 1966 World Cup.

The winger then endured further disappointment on the domestic stage as Arsenal failed to secure a top-four finish last term, but he has bounced back in fine fashion this season.

With Arsenal flying high at the top of the Premier League table, only five players have bettered Saka s tally of 10 goal contributions in the competition this campaign (four goals, six assists), and his Gunners team-mate Ramsda…

Buccaneers vs Rams Week 3 Picks and Predictions: Rams Walk the Plank in Week 3

The ecosystem of the NFC will look very different after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the Los Angeles Rams in Week 3.

The defending Super Bowl champs were rare NFL betting underdogs for this cross-country trip west, opening as big as +1.5. However, early action on Tampa Bay has bumped this spread over the fence and the visitor is now giving L.A. a point inside SoFi Stadium.

We’ve got free NFL picks and predictions for Buccaneers at Rams – the biggest game of the day – on September 26.

49ers vs Packers Divisional Round Picks and Predictions: Niners Make Good on Strong Finish

Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers will try to exorcise some playoff demons when they host the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL Divisional Round.

Against San Francisco in the postseason, Rodgers is 0-3 in his career but this time the Packers have the advantage of being the No. 1 seed in the NFC and are coming off a bye, while the Niners will play their third consecutive road game.

But the question is, who will cover the 6-point spread? Find out in our free NFL picks and predictions for 49ers vs. Packers on Saturday, January 22.

Divisional Round NFL Parlay Picks: Cowboys Run Out of Gas in the Bay

The NFL Divisional Round kicks off this Saturday and features some elite teams trying to avoid being upset, and some solid matchups that could go either way.

We’ll side with the top-seeded Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles in a Saturday-only parlay, then take a first-half total and a betting favorite in our Sunday parlay selections.

Check out my Divisional Round parlay picks below. 

Best NFL Sack and Tackle Props for Week 6: Rousseau Runs Roughshod on Sunday Night

Week 6 odds in the NFL feature plenty of low totals on the betting board, and that should mean some great defense being put on display.

This week, I’m backing Bills edge rusher Greg Rousseau to get a sack against an atrocious Giants offensive line while also betting on Buccaneers Pro Bowl safety Antoine Winfield Jr.

Let’s dive into the NFL odds as I give out my favorite sack and tackle NFL picks for Week 6.