WEBVTT 1 00:00:12.759 --> 00:00:15.679 Welcome in. It's time for another edition of the Morning 2 00:00:15.880 --> 00:00:18.640 Espresso here on the SDH Network, brought to you by 3 00:00:18.760 --> 00:00:24.920 Oglethorpe University, Atlanta's premier undergraduate learning experience and soccer powerhouse. 4 00:00:25.199 --> 00:00:27.879 I'm Jason Longshore, and here's a lot of the soccer 5 00:00:27.920 --> 00:00:29.640 news you need to know, at least as we get. 6 00:00:29.640 --> 00:00:33.600 The day started on Thursday, July twenty fourth. I've already 7 00:00:33.640 --> 00:00:36.880 had one story blow up a little bit since I 8 00:00:37.000 --> 00:00:41.399 started on my notes. It's a busy one, silly season, chaos. 9 00:00:41.399 --> 00:00:43.799 It's Morning Espresso, It's what we do. Let's start with 10 00:00:43.840 --> 00:00:48.600 Atlanta United. Yesterday the official announcement that it had acquired 11 00:00:48.640 --> 00:00:51.399 up to eight hundred thousand dollars in General Allocation money 12 00:00:51.399 --> 00:00:56.159 in MLS from Montreal in exchange for f Ryan Morales, 13 00:00:56.159 --> 00:00:59.719 of which four hundred and fifty thousand dollars is guaranteed. 14 00:01:00.119 --> 00:01:03.840 Three hundred and fifty thousand dollars in GAM is conditional. 15 00:01:04.280 --> 00:01:07.040 I talked about it on Atlanta Soccer Tonight. Go back 16 00:01:07.079 --> 00:01:10.439 and listen from Tuesday night about my kind of personal 17 00:01:10.519 --> 00:01:14.599 feelings about f Ryan and you know, seeing moves like 18 00:01:14.680 --> 00:01:17.120 this and how they do make sense for the club 19 00:01:17.200 --> 00:01:19.879 to get that much allocation money for a player who 20 00:01:20.159 --> 00:01:23.920 was probably going to become a reserve due to the 21 00:01:23.959 --> 00:01:28.280 signing of an Ami Chai. I get it. I understand 22 00:01:28.280 --> 00:01:30.959 the business, and it is a cruel business at times. 23 00:01:31.079 --> 00:01:34.359 It is a business that you have to do these 24 00:01:34.439 --> 00:01:37.079 kind of things to make your team better. That doesn't 25 00:01:37.120 --> 00:01:39.439 mean it isn't hard in situations like this with a 26 00:01:39.439 --> 00:01:42.319 player like f Ryan, who I've gotten to know over 27 00:01:42.359 --> 00:01:45.120 the years, has always been willing to chat. We just 28 00:01:45.159 --> 00:01:48.159 sat down with him recently for a feature on the 29 00:01:48.200 --> 00:01:50.640 SDH network. You can go read that at Soccer down 30 00:01:50.640 --> 00:01:53.040 here dot net. Listen to it on our podcast feed, 31 00:01:53.319 --> 00:01:56.519 please do. One of the really good guys and one 32 00:01:56.519 --> 00:02:00.319 of the prime examples of the quality of player out 33 00:02:00.359 --> 00:02:02.840 of the Atlanta area. The work that Tony Annon did 34 00:02:03.159 --> 00:02:06.120 in the early days of the Atlanta United Academy, continued 35 00:02:06.159 --> 00:02:09.800 on by Matt Lowry and now Javier Perez. It's a 36 00:02:09.840 --> 00:02:15.319 really good, strong academy producing really good, strong players and people, 37 00:02:15.439 --> 00:02:17.680 and f Ryan is one of them, somebody that will 38 00:02:17.719 --> 00:02:21.479 always be rooting for in Montreal and with Bolivia as 39 00:02:21.479 --> 00:02:23.520 they try to qualify for a World Cup. But he 40 00:02:23.599 --> 00:02:27.439 is officially a member of the CF Montreal roster as 41 00:02:27.479 --> 00:02:30.360 of today because this is when the transfer window opens 42 00:02:30.400 --> 00:02:32.599 in Major League Soccer, he'll be eligible for them this 43 00:02:32.680 --> 00:02:35.639 weekend and Aa me Kai will be eligible for Atlanta 44 00:02:35.719 --> 00:02:38.919 United this weekend as they host the Seattle Sounders. For 45 00:02:38.960 --> 00:02:42.000 Atlanta United too, there was also news yesterday head coach 46 00:02:42.000 --> 00:02:45.039 Steve Cook will leave to join the USL Championship club 47 00:02:45.120 --> 00:02:49.599 Lexington SC as the club's academy and youth technical director. 48 00:02:50.159 --> 00:02:53.400 Coached his last game with the twos at Carolina Core 49 00:02:53.560 --> 00:02:56.680 over the weekend, join the club in February of twenty 50 00:02:56.759 --> 00:03:00.439 twenty three's coached the team since they joined MLS. Next 51 00:03:00.479 --> 00:03:03.560 pro Jose Silva, the assistant, will take over as interim 52 00:03:03.639 --> 00:03:07.039 head coach as the club begins the search for a replacement. 53 00:03:08.280 --> 00:03:11.000 As you've known and listened to our broadcasts of Atlanta 54 00:03:11.039 --> 00:03:13.680 United too on the SDCH network and on ninety two 55 00:03:13.759 --> 00:03:17.080 nine in the game, you know the strong regard that 56 00:03:17.120 --> 00:03:21.319 we hold Steve Cook in and he has been beyond 57 00:03:21.560 --> 00:03:25.599 gracious with his time for us at SDH for us 58 00:03:25.639 --> 00:03:28.639 to talk about players you know, both on the record, 59 00:03:28.719 --> 00:03:32.800 off the record, just casual chats. He is absolutely one 60 00:03:32.840 --> 00:03:35.319 of the great people in the game and We've all 61 00:03:35.360 --> 00:03:38.400 been really lucky here in Atlanta for our paths to 62 00:03:38.439 --> 00:03:40.879 cross with Steve Cook. We'll be catching up with him 63 00:03:40.919 --> 00:03:43.520 once he gets settled in Lexington. Talk about that role, 64 00:03:43.599 --> 00:03:46.840 and don't you worry, Steve Cook will will continue to 65 00:03:47.080 --> 00:03:51.120 be a contributor on the SDH network because we've got 66 00:03:51.159 --> 00:03:54.800 to have Steve's opinions of what's going on in the sports. 67 00:03:54.840 --> 00:03:56.520 I think he's one of the guys who gets the 68 00:03:57.280 --> 00:04:03.039 cross section of the on the off field, the human side. 69 00:04:03.719 --> 00:04:06.000 Just absolutely one of the great people in the game, 70 00:04:06.080 --> 00:04:08.879 Steve Cook, and you'll be hearing plenty from him down 71 00:04:08.960 --> 00:04:11.120 the line, and I'm sure Steve will be very happy 72 00:04:11.400 --> 00:04:13.240 to not have to deal with the penalty shootouts and 73 00:04:13.319 --> 00:04:17.160 ML's next pro going forward. There are a couple of 74 00:04:17.240 --> 00:04:20.040 rumors from top tier sources on the Atlanta United Front 75 00:04:20.040 --> 00:04:21.279 that I wanted to share. I'm sure many of you 76 00:04:21.360 --> 00:04:25.360 have already seen finalizing a deal, according to Tom Bogert, 77 00:04:25.399 --> 00:04:29.680 to sign center back Juan Betrocal that's on loan from Hitafe. 78 00:04:30.000 --> 00:04:33.120 The deal includes a purchase option. Twenty six years old, 79 00:04:33.120 --> 00:04:35.279 he spent most of his career in the second division 80 00:04:35.399 --> 00:04:39.439 in Spain, has experience in La Liga as well. If 81 00:04:39.480 --> 00:04:43.639 you watch the new Rooted documentary from the club, I 82 00:04:43.639 --> 00:04:46.160 think it's pretty clear that they're looking for another center 83 00:04:46.199 --> 00:04:49.959 back to potentially pair with Mikhai. This would be a 84 00:04:50.199 --> 00:04:54.879 loan with the purchase option, so you almost get, however 85 00:04:54.879 --> 00:04:57.480 many games he's going to be eligible to play here 86 00:04:57.480 --> 00:05:00.360 in Atlanta by the time he gets here. If this 87 00:05:00.399 --> 00:05:03.879 deal gets done, to see and then you can make 88 00:05:03.920 --> 00:05:06.079 the decision at the end of the season on keeping 89 00:05:06.120 --> 00:05:08.759 him as the partner with me Kai or moving on 90 00:05:08.839 --> 00:05:12.199 into a different direction. The other rumored player, This one's 91 00:05:12.240 --> 00:05:15.519 been working for a couple of days now, according to 92 00:05:16.560 --> 00:05:19.879 Ben Jacobs of Give Me Sport, and Tom Bogert confirmed it. 93 00:05:20.120 --> 00:05:23.439 The club has reportedly agreed to a fee of around 94 00:05:23.480 --> 00:05:26.360 two million dollars plus add ons with Hull City for 95 00:05:26.600 --> 00:05:31.560 midfielder Steven Alsate. He is a seven cap member of 96 00:05:31.600 --> 00:05:34.279 the Columbia national team. He hasn't played for Columbia since 97 00:05:34.879 --> 00:05:38.839 since twenty twenty two. He's been with Hull City twenty 98 00:05:38.839 --> 00:05:43.399 six years old. Would likely be a partner for Bartos 99 00:05:43.519 --> 00:05:47.000 Sleish in the midfield. And I think when you watch 100 00:05:47.120 --> 00:05:49.560 Rooted and you think about these rumors and you see 101 00:05:49.560 --> 00:05:52.519 the moves that have been done so far. I think 102 00:05:52.560 --> 00:05:54.959 you see the value of the partnerships in the spine 103 00:05:55.000 --> 00:05:56.839 of the team. And if you get the center back 104 00:05:56.879 --> 00:06:00.600 partnership right with me Kai and Barakal, you get the 105 00:06:00.600 --> 00:06:05.680 midfield partnership right with Sleish and Alsat, you're talking about 106 00:06:06.319 --> 00:06:09.040 a very different kind of group. Slee should be the 107 00:06:09.079 --> 00:06:11.120 one who carries over, and he absolutely should because he's 108 00:06:11.160 --> 00:06:14.160 been brilliant this season for Atlanta United. If you get 109 00:06:14.160 --> 00:06:16.519 that base of four players right at the hub of 110 00:06:16.560 --> 00:06:20.040 your team, the center back and the central midfield, things 111 00:06:20.040 --> 00:06:22.920 should improve. Things should improved dramatically. This should be a 112 00:06:22.959 --> 00:06:25.279 team that is much more difficult to break down and 113 00:06:25.360 --> 00:06:28.439 a much more effective team. We will see, as always, 114 00:06:28.439 --> 00:06:30.600 take rumors with a grain of salt, and we'll see 115 00:06:30.600 --> 00:06:33.480 what official announcements are coming. Chris Henderson will speak to 116 00:06:33.759 --> 00:06:37.480 the media this morning from Marietta the Children's Healthcare of 117 00:06:37.480 --> 00:06:40.439 Atlanta training ground with the transfer window open. We will 118 00:06:40.480 --> 00:06:43.399 have updates on that training ground dispatch. I don't know, 119 00:06:43.399 --> 00:06:46.439 I might call it a front office dispatch. Two different 120 00:06:46.480 --> 00:06:49.439 things will be posted later this afternoon and you'll be 121 00:06:49.480 --> 00:06:53.279 able to hear any specifics from Chris Henderson later this 122 00:06:53.399 --> 00:06:58.879 morning on SDHA m MLS All Star last night in Austin, Texas, 123 00:06:58.959 --> 00:07:01.800 a three to one win for Major League Soccer against 124 00:07:01.800 --> 00:07:05.160 the Stars of Liga MX sellout crowd in Austin at 125 00:07:05.199 --> 00:07:08.879 Q two Stadium, Sam Surage. He opened the scoring with 126 00:07:09.000 --> 00:07:12.720 a header getting passed Sergio Ramos across from Denny Bwanga, 127 00:07:13.439 --> 00:07:17.639 with Ty Butteribo doubling the lead. After halftime, Joe Beeto 128 00:07:17.720 --> 00:07:20.360 Mora pulled one back for Liga MX. The sixteen year 129 00:07:20.439 --> 00:07:24.600 old He's had an amazing summer. Mora, what a player. 130 00:07:24.959 --> 00:07:28.920 But MLS restored their two goal lead with a finish 131 00:07:29.000 --> 00:07:31.480 from Brian White of the Vancouver white Caps. Three to 132 00:07:31.480 --> 00:07:35.040 one for MLS over Lega MX in the All Star Game, 133 00:07:35.439 --> 00:07:38.240 but a lot of the conversation was about Lionel Messi 134 00:07:38.279 --> 00:07:42.439 and Geordie Alba not participating despite being voted in Don 135 00:07:42.480 --> 00:07:44.720 Garber before kickoff, he would not say if the pair 136 00:07:44.759 --> 00:07:47.519 would be suspended, which is a rule that the league 137 00:07:47.600 --> 00:07:50.800 enacted for healthy players who skip the All Star Game, 138 00:07:50.959 --> 00:07:55.680 most prominently's Latan Ibrahimovich. In twenty eighteen, Miami plays Eastern 139 00:07:55.680 --> 00:08:00.360 Conference first place team Cincinnati on Saturday. Don Guarbre said 140 00:08:00.439 --> 00:08:03.079 last night that he and his colleagues were quote managing 141 00:08:03.160 --> 00:08:07.319 through that process as we speak talking about whether to 142 00:08:07.560 --> 00:08:10.519 discipline Messi and Alba, he said, quote, we have an 143 00:08:10.560 --> 00:08:12.920 All Star Game that we think is a real priority. 144 00:08:12.959 --> 00:08:15.199 It is an important mid season break for us. But 145 00:08:15.240 --> 00:08:18.199 he also said, quote, Miami's had a schedule that is 146 00:08:18.279 --> 00:08:20.959 unlike any other team. Most of our teams had a 147 00:08:21.000 --> 00:08:23.959 ten day break. Miami hasn't, So we have to manage 148 00:08:24.000 --> 00:08:27.560 through that as a league. Messi's played every minute for 149 00:08:27.800 --> 00:08:33.159 Miami since coming back from Argentine national team duty in June. 150 00:08:33.960 --> 00:08:36.679 It's a lot of minutes. People are going to have 151 00:08:36.720 --> 00:08:39.799 opinions either way. It's a no win situation. Good luck 152 00:08:39.799 --> 00:08:42.240 Don Garber and MLS in dealing with this and trying 153 00:08:42.279 --> 00:08:45.480 to find a resolution that people don't go nuts about. 154 00:08:45.600 --> 00:08:48.360 I don't think it's possible. Next All Star Game is 155 00:08:48.360 --> 00:08:50.639 going to be in Charlotte. We'll see what date is 156 00:08:50.720 --> 00:08:55.360 going to be set sometime in July, probably after the 157 00:08:55.399 --> 00:08:58.960 World Cup concludes on July nineteenth, maybe soon thereafter, maybe 158 00:08:59.000 --> 00:09:02.120 a little bit later that. A bigger topic is the 159 00:09:02.159 --> 00:09:05.120 potential change to a new calendar format. There was no 160 00:09:05.240 --> 00:09:08.440 vote held yesterday about it. The board of Governors met, 161 00:09:08.759 --> 00:09:12.399 but Paulton Oreo did some digging and he established that 162 00:09:12.559 --> 00:09:15.919 twenty seven of the thirty MLS owners are in favor 163 00:09:16.080 --> 00:09:19.840 of the switch. Get it done. It's the smart move. 164 00:09:20.000 --> 00:09:23.159 I was against it for a long, long, long time, 165 00:09:23.480 --> 00:09:26.720 but everything has fallen into place now to do it. 166 00:09:26.759 --> 00:09:30.320 To start your season in August, take a winter break 167 00:09:30.440 --> 00:09:33.120 of six to eight weeks, figure out what that works 168 00:09:33.200 --> 00:09:35.879 in the calendar, and then come back and finish the 169 00:09:35.919 --> 00:09:39.600 season in late April and have your playoffs in May 170 00:09:39.639 --> 00:09:42.799 that would not be interrupted by international breaks. You have 171 00:09:42.799 --> 00:09:45.639 an international break in March in the second half of 172 00:09:45.679 --> 00:09:47.960 the season that you would be easy to work around. 173 00:09:48.279 --> 00:09:50.240 The beginning of your season would be a little stop 174 00:09:50.279 --> 00:09:53.759 start because of the international breaks in September, October and November, 175 00:09:54.399 --> 00:09:57.039 but most leagues in the world deal with that. MLS 176 00:09:57.080 --> 00:09:59.559 can deal with it as well. Twenty seven of thirty 177 00:09:59.600 --> 00:10:02.000 owners favor of the switch. According to Paultonia of the 178 00:10:02.039 --> 00:10:04.840 Athletic it's time to get it done, and it should 179 00:10:04.840 --> 00:10:07.080 have been done after the World Cup. I don't think 180 00:10:07.120 --> 00:10:09.279 it's possible to do that at this point. They've said 181 00:10:09.279 --> 00:10:12.120 they're gonna wait and enact it in twenty twenty seven. 182 00:10:12.679 --> 00:10:14.320 I would be completely fine if they go back on 183 00:10:14.320 --> 00:10:15.960 their word and say we're gonna start it after the 184 00:10:16.000 --> 00:10:20.200 World Cup. Stay tuned, We'll see silly season, Let's go 185 00:10:20.320 --> 00:10:25.360 Alexander Esak. He has told Newcastle reportedly this morning, according 186 00:10:25.399 --> 00:10:27.679 to Craig Hope of The Daily Mail, that he wants 187 00:10:27.759 --> 00:10:32.080 to explore a move away from the club. He is 188 00:10:32.120 --> 00:10:35.919 not on their preseason tour. Interested clubs are very aware 189 00:10:35.960 --> 00:10:40.919 of Alexander Esoch's feelings. Liverpool told Newcastle prior to signing 190 00:10:40.960 --> 00:10:43.799 Hugo Ekitik that they were prepared to pay a British 191 00:10:43.840 --> 00:10:51.360 transfer record fee for Esak. If Liverpool sells Luis Diaz 192 00:10:51.399 --> 00:10:55.879 and Darwin Nunez, maybe they go back for Esak to 193 00:10:56.039 --> 00:11:02.000 pair with Ekitik. Maybe I'll Hella have told Newcastle they 194 00:11:02.000 --> 00:11:05.120 are ready to make a significant offer. No engagement yet 195 00:11:05.159 --> 00:11:08.159 on the player side. He has not shown encouragement to 196 00:11:08.559 --> 00:11:11.159 Saudi Arabia yet. In terms of what he wants to do, 197 00:11:12.039 --> 00:11:16.080 Esoch reportedly wants to assess options rather than committing now 198 00:11:16.159 --> 00:11:20.200 to a new Newcastle contract. He is contracted through twenty 199 00:11:20.240 --> 00:11:23.360 twenty eight. He's well compensated, but now you're going to 200 00:11:23.440 --> 00:11:25.720 have a drama in Newcastle who have struggled to bring 201 00:11:25.720 --> 00:11:28.279 in players that they've wanted to This summer going to 202 00:11:28.320 --> 00:11:31.200 be very very interesting what happens. This is going to 203 00:11:31.240 --> 00:11:34.080 be a huge story all over the world right now, 204 00:11:34.080 --> 00:11:37.679 with Alexander Esoch saying he wants to explore leaving Newcastle. 205 00:11:38.360 --> 00:11:41.879 Chelsea they have stepped up their pursuit of Chavi Simons 206 00:11:42.000 --> 00:11:46.120 from RB Leipzig. That's what according to ESPN twenty one 207 00:11:46.200 --> 00:11:49.399 years old, Leipzig are willing to sell, even though they 208 00:11:49.440 --> 00:11:51.720 only brought him in on a permanent basis in January 209 00:11:51.799 --> 00:11:54.240 for a fee of about fifty nine million dollars. He 210 00:11:54.240 --> 00:11:58.360 had been on loan previously at Leipzig from PSG. Leipzig 211 00:11:58.440 --> 00:12:00.840 want to make a profit on the deal. They're looking 212 00:12:00.879 --> 00:12:03.879 for a fee in excess of sixty million euro. Chelsea 213 00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:08.679 have not agreed to personal terms with Simones yet. Arsenal 214 00:12:08.679 --> 00:12:12.039 and Tottenham Hotspur are also clubs that have shown interest 215 00:12:12.240 --> 00:12:15.919 in Chavi Simones. Bayron Munich tracking the situation, especially with 216 00:12:16.039 --> 00:12:20.279 Jamal Musciala's injury. Simones would be Chelsea's eighth summer signing 217 00:12:20.399 --> 00:12:23.240 if they get a deal done. Raim Sterling could be 218 00:12:23.240 --> 00:12:25.879 on the way out. He is receiving interest from Juventus 219 00:12:25.879 --> 00:12:29.919 and bayer Leverkusen. The thirty year old could be moved 220 00:12:29.960 --> 00:12:32.600 by Chelsea. Probably would like to be moved by Chelsea 221 00:12:32.639 --> 00:12:35.840 and it could be to Italy or Germany. Arsenal they 222 00:12:35.879 --> 00:12:38.639 are set to complete the signing of Victor Yolkaris from 223 00:12:38.759 --> 00:12:42.159 Sporting in Portugal. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, 224 00:12:42.840 --> 00:12:46.320 a deal worth sixty three point five million euro plus 225 00:12:46.399 --> 00:12:49.120 ten million euro and potential add ons is close to 226 00:12:49.200 --> 00:12:52.480 being done, still some minor details. Fifty four goals in 227 00:12:52.519 --> 00:12:55.080 fifty two games last year for the twenty seven year 228 00:12:55.080 --> 00:12:57.679 old Swedish forward. He's made it clear he wants to 229 00:12:57.679 --> 00:13:00.879 go to Arsenal. A contract is agreed between the club 230 00:13:00.879 --> 00:13:04.240 and the player. His agent even reportedly waived the commission 231 00:13:04.240 --> 00:13:07.360 to get the deal done, and according to reports, Yocharis 232 00:13:07.440 --> 00:13:12.080 will arrive in London tomorrow to finalize the move. John 233 00:13:12.120 --> 00:13:15.519 Audrias he is headed from Flumenense to Wolves and that 234 00:13:15.639 --> 00:13:17.399 is done now. He was one of the best players 235 00:13:17.399 --> 00:13:20.159 at the Club World Cup. The Colombian winger headed England 236 00:13:20.519 --> 00:13:24.200 the reportedly seventeen point five million euro plus two point 237 00:13:24.200 --> 00:13:27.840 five million in add ons Manchester United. They have held 238 00:13:27.840 --> 00:13:31.679 fresh talks over Ali Watkins at aston Villa. Sixty million 239 00:13:31.759 --> 00:13:35.320 pound valuation that's deemed too high. According to Manchester United, 240 00:13:35.720 --> 00:13:38.120 they would like to have that price come down and 241 00:13:38.159 --> 00:13:41.679 then they would like to advance things aston Villa. Unless 242 00:13:41.679 --> 00:13:44.519 they get a replacement, they're not going to change their price. 243 00:13:44.799 --> 00:13:47.279 Nicholas Jackson at Chelsea is a player that they would 244 00:13:47.279 --> 00:13:50.639 not mind bringing in as a replacement. Leeds. They have 245 00:13:50.679 --> 00:13:54.679 reached an agreement in principle with Leon for goalkeeper Brazilian 246 00:13:54.919 --> 00:13:58.000 Lucas Perri twenty seven year old has been given permission 247 00:13:58.000 --> 00:14:01.799 to travel and undergo a medical state uned Milan. They 248 00:14:01.799 --> 00:14:07.000 have confirmed Paravis s Dupignon from Brighton via seventeen million 249 00:14:07.399 --> 00:14:11.399 euro plus five million euro add ons Benfica. They're chasing 250 00:14:11.519 --> 00:14:14.240 Joel Felix. Talks were held during the club World Cup. 251 00:14:14.360 --> 00:14:17.399 Manager Bruno lag has confirmed the interest in a return 252 00:14:17.720 --> 00:14:19.440 and if you haven't seen it, it's not about Joel 253 00:14:19.440 --> 00:14:22.039 Felix but Benfica. If you haven't seen it, watched the 254 00:14:22.039 --> 00:14:25.720 club's welcome video for Richard Urrios talked about it this 255 00:14:25.799 --> 00:14:30.919 week on the Espresso. The conflict between Rios and Benfica's 256 00:14:30.960 --> 00:14:33.919 captain at Nicholas Oltamendi. This was during the last World 257 00:14:33.960 --> 00:14:37.840 Cup qualifying round with Argentina and Columbia. Funny sequence with 258 00:14:37.879 --> 00:14:40.120 those two barkin at one another and they did a 259 00:14:40.159 --> 00:14:42.559 really good video to play off of it. Go watch 260 00:14:42.600 --> 00:14:46.720 that at Benfica's social media channels. US men's national team 261 00:14:46.759 --> 00:14:50.759 striker Josh Sargent his proposed transfer from Norwich to Volsburg 262 00:14:50.799 --> 00:14:54.360 appears to have fallen through, and it is according to 263 00:14:55.159 --> 00:14:58.399 people with knowledge of the situation, it was Sargent's decision 264 00:14:58.519 --> 00:15:01.879 not to continue with the move to Volsburg. According to 265 00:15:01.919 --> 00:15:05.320 Tuto Sport in Italy, Milan and Napoli have inquired about 266 00:15:05.320 --> 00:15:08.399 Weston McKinney of Juventus. He wants to stay in Durin 267 00:15:08.720 --> 00:15:11.159 but he does not have a contract extension done yet 268 00:15:11.200 --> 00:15:15.879 beyond twenty twenty six. LAFC reportedly pushing hard to sign 269 00:15:15.960 --> 00:15:21.120 Tottenham Hotspur Sun's star Soun Hung Men in the summer window. 270 00:15:21.600 --> 00:15:24.120 The interest has been reported. The MLS team is really 271 00:15:24.159 --> 00:15:27.360 pushing hard here to get this done. One source said 272 00:15:27.399 --> 00:15:31.440 there's not substantial movement yet, but the talks continue. A 273 00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:33.799 lot of hope in LA they can convince him to 274 00:15:33.879 --> 00:15:35.799 join the team for the rest of twenty twenty five 275 00:15:35.879 --> 00:15:39.840 and beyond. Marcus Rashford he might have to wait to 276 00:15:39.919 --> 00:15:43.600 become an official Barcelona player. He is semi official at 277 00:15:43.639 --> 00:15:46.639 Barcelona now because they still got to register him and 278 00:15:46.679 --> 00:15:50.960 this is always a challenge. Reportedly, Barcelona are already over 279 00:15:51.000 --> 00:15:54.519 their La Liga salary limit and they have to get 280 00:15:54.519 --> 00:15:58.399 this resolved one way or another. He can train, he 281 00:15:58.440 --> 00:16:01.480 can't play in preseason matches even without being registered. It 282 00:16:01.480 --> 00:16:04.080 wouldn't be Barcelona without drama, right, and there's even more 283 00:16:04.120 --> 00:16:06.039 drama from Barcelona that we did not have on the 284 00:16:06.039 --> 00:16:10.240 Bingo card, because this club is just a wizard when 285 00:16:10.279 --> 00:16:13.600 it comes to drama and brand new drama that no 286 00:16:13.600 --> 00:16:18.759 one expected. Barcelona have canceled their preseason friendly against Vissel 287 00:16:18.840 --> 00:16:23.039 Kobe and Japan, citing contractual breaches by the promoter due 288 00:16:23.080 --> 00:16:26.600 to non payment from one of the promoters organizing the event. 289 00:16:27.039 --> 00:16:30.399 Their two scheduled friendlies in South Korea are also at 290 00:16:30.480 --> 00:16:34.279 risk of not getting done. The club set Barcilar scheduled 291 00:16:34.279 --> 00:16:36.840 to play Vissel Kobe on Sunday and then go to 292 00:16:36.879 --> 00:16:41.120 South Korea to play FC Soul and Digo FC over 293 00:16:41.200 --> 00:16:44.720 the next week. Barcelona announces that it has been obliged 294 00:16:44.720 --> 00:16:47.200 to suspend its participation in the game scheduled for next 295 00:16:47.200 --> 00:16:50.480 Sunday in Japan due to serious contractual breaches on behalf 296 00:16:50.519 --> 00:16:54.159 of the promoter, according to a statement issued by Barcelona, Nevertheless, 297 00:16:54.159 --> 00:16:56.320 the club will consider readjusting the leg of the summer 298 00:16:56.360 --> 00:16:59.360 tour in South Korea if certain conditions are met by 299 00:16:59.399 --> 00:17:01.679 the promoter. If these conditions are met, then the club 300 00:17:01.720 --> 00:17:04.440 will travel to South Korea in the coming days. Barcelona 301 00:17:04.480 --> 00:17:06.559 regrets this incident and the impact it will have on 302 00:17:06.599 --> 00:17:10.039 the many many Barsa fans in Japan. Missil Kobe also 303 00:17:10.079 --> 00:17:14.079 apologized to fans. One of the promoters, there's two didn't 304 00:17:14.200 --> 00:17:16.279 hold up there into the bargain and make the payments 305 00:17:16.279 --> 00:17:19.039 that were necessary. Now the games in South Korea are 306 00:17:19.079 --> 00:17:22.000 at risk because you have to change the visas with 307 00:17:22.240 --> 00:17:25.920 people coming. Instead of coming from Japan to South Korea, 308 00:17:25.960 --> 00:17:29.079 they are coming from Spain to South Korea, and I 309 00:17:29.119 --> 00:17:30.599 don't know if they're going to be able to get 310 00:17:30.640 --> 00:17:34.160 the visa changes done in time, and Barcelona might miss 311 00:17:34.200 --> 00:17:37.880 out on three preseason games and miss out on some 312 00:17:38.039 --> 00:17:41.559 revenue from those as well, which we know Barcelona needs 313 00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:44.920 their revenue. Let's go to the Women's European Championships. It's 314 00:17:44.960 --> 00:17:48.480 been the tournament of the goalkeepers Spain. We're about to 315 00:17:48.480 --> 00:17:51.880 get eliminated against Germany. In the semi final yesterday, Gota 316 00:17:51.960 --> 00:17:55.799 cool with literally the last touches of normal time. She 317 00:17:55.920 --> 00:17:58.839 makes the save and then gets out of her own 318 00:17:58.920 --> 00:18:01.880 net to make a second save on the rebound. That 319 00:18:01.960 --> 00:18:05.039 might be the greatest play of her career. Spain went 320 00:18:05.079 --> 00:18:07.759 on an extra time to get past Germany one nil. 321 00:18:08.119 --> 00:18:12.000 Itana bon Mati beat and Katrin Berger at the near post. 322 00:18:12.079 --> 00:18:13.759 I thought it was a great finish from bone Mate. 323 00:18:13.839 --> 00:18:18.359 It was unexpected, great win for Spain. They had never 324 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:21.240 beaten Germany before, They've never been to a Women's European 325 00:18:21.319 --> 00:18:24.960 Championship final. They are now. And remember bone Mati came 326 00:18:25.000 --> 00:18:28.559 into the Euros after being in the hospital ahead of 327 00:18:28.559 --> 00:18:33.359 the tournament with about of viral meningitis. Incredible performance from 328 00:18:33.359 --> 00:18:35.960 Aitana bon Maty in extra time, a great finish. Now 329 00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:39.039 it's England and Spain in the final on Sunday. Spain, 330 00:18:39.160 --> 00:18:41.519 according to OPTA, are given a fifty one point five 331 00:18:41.599 --> 00:18:44.519 percent chance of victory. Ahead of the tournament, these were 332 00:18:44.519 --> 00:18:47.640 the top two favorites. England got there maybe on a 333 00:18:47.720 --> 00:18:50.839 rockier road. Spain has been the best team in the tournament. 334 00:18:50.920 --> 00:18:55.559 So far, these teams have been really even as of late. 335 00:18:56.559 --> 00:18:59.319 England are the third European team to reach the final 336 00:18:59.359 --> 00:19:02.960 of three concentsuative major tournaments. They lost to Spain in 337 00:19:03.359 --> 00:19:06.680 the FIFA World Cup final in twenty twenty three. When 338 00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:09.839 these teams met in the UAPH Nations League, both teams 339 00:19:09.839 --> 00:19:14.000 got one nil wins at home in England. TV viewership 340 00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:16.440 has been great for this tournament. An average of eight 341 00:19:16.519 --> 00:19:19.799 million people in the UK watched the win against Italy 342 00:19:19.799 --> 00:19:23.680 in the semi final that delivered ITV's highest viewership of 343 00:19:23.759 --> 00:19:27.079 the year. Peak audience reached ten point two million, compared 344 00:19:27.119 --> 00:19:30.039 to nine point three million in England's semi final win 345 00:19:30.160 --> 00:19:33.319 over Sweden in twenty twenty two. Other news, as we 346 00:19:33.359 --> 00:19:37.119 wrap up this edition of The Morning Espresso, Joe Dickerson Ars, 347 00:19:37.160 --> 00:19:40.599 Cameron Blanchard and Logan Brown. They are the three Americans 348 00:19:40.720 --> 00:19:44.680 or US based referees among the fifty four referees who 349 00:19:44.720 --> 00:19:46.759 have been appointed by FIFA for the U twenty World 350 00:19:46.839 --> 00:19:49.920 Cup in Chile. They've been working together in MLS matches. 351 00:19:49.920 --> 00:19:54.039 They work games at the Gold Cup this summer. I'm 352 00:19:54.079 --> 00:19:56.799 just gonna tell the nations around the world, if you 353 00:19:56.839 --> 00:19:59.680 get Joe Dickerson in one of your games, don't talk 354 00:19:59.720 --> 00:20:01.839 to him. Just don't talk to him. I think he 355 00:20:02.000 --> 00:20:05.240 enjoys some confrontation. Not really my favorite style of refereeing, 356 00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:07.039 to be fair, and I've said that over the years. 357 00:20:07.359 --> 00:20:10.519 That's nothing new. Obviously a very good referee to get 358 00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:13.519 these kind of assignments. I think at times he enjoys 359 00:20:13.519 --> 00:20:16.119 the confrontation a little bit too much, and I hope 360 00:20:16.160 --> 00:20:19.759 that gets eliminated from his work, because he's too good 361 00:20:19.759 --> 00:20:22.759 of a referee to have that be kind of the 362 00:20:22.759 --> 00:20:25.400 first thing I think of when I see him, and 363 00:20:25.680 --> 00:20:27.720 there's been a number of incidents. This isn't just a 364 00:20:27.759 --> 00:20:31.599 one time thing. I hope that that can change. I'm 365 00:20:31.640 --> 00:20:36.359 not a fan of referees who at times look for 366 00:20:37.039 --> 00:20:40.720 confrontation in matches and maybe look for those moments as 367 00:20:40.720 --> 00:20:45.039 opposed to downplaying and diffusing them. I think Joe has 368 00:20:45.119 --> 00:20:46.960 work to do in that regard. We'll see if the 369 00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:49.720 U twenty World Cup helps him in that process. Boca 370 00:20:49.799 --> 00:20:52.400 Juniors last night knocked out of the Copa Argentina by 371 00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:56.240 Atletico Tukuman. They have now gone ten games in all 372 00:20:56.279 --> 00:20:58.680 competitions without a win. It's only the third time in 373 00:20:58.680 --> 00:21:01.240 the club's history that this has happened. Their last win 374 00:21:01.400 --> 00:21:04.640 was April nineteenth. Now, the only way for Boca to 375 00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:08.079 qualify for the Copa Liberta d'ores next year is through 376 00:21:08.119 --> 00:21:11.440 the Klausura in Argentina. If they win the Klausura, they 377 00:21:11.440 --> 00:21:14.680 will automatically qualify. If they finish in one of the 378 00:21:14.680 --> 00:21:18.079 top two places in the annual combined table between the 379 00:21:18.119 --> 00:21:21.920 Apertura and the Klausura, they will automatically qualify. Right now, 380 00:21:21.960 --> 00:21:24.839 they're third, which means they would go into the playoff 381 00:21:24.880 --> 00:21:27.680 to qualify, which is where they got knocked out by 382 00:21:27.680 --> 00:21:32.160 Alanzelima this year. Now Aleanzelima, speaking of them, they got 383 00:21:32.279 --> 00:21:34.480 knocked out of the Libertadors in the group stage, but 384 00:21:34.559 --> 00:21:37.960 they went into the Copa Sudamericana because they finished third 385 00:21:38.200 --> 00:21:41.160 and they eliminated Grammio last night in the knockout rounds. 386 00:21:41.160 --> 00:21:44.119 After a one to one draw in Brazil, Alanza received 387 00:21:44.119 --> 00:21:46.960 a red card at the beginning of stoppage time in 388 00:21:47.000 --> 00:21:50.359 the second half. They scored in the ninety sixth minute 389 00:21:50.359 --> 00:21:53.559 to tie the match. And advance. Fernando guy Bor had 390 00:21:53.559 --> 00:21:56.799 an incredible through ball and to finish from Ernan Barco's 391 00:21:58.119 --> 00:22:00.000 top tier. Go watch it if you get a chance. 392 00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:03.799 Aleanzelima getting past Gremio in the Copa suit Americana last night. 393 00:22:04.359 --> 00:22:06.519 Stay in Brazil. Paul Metis. They had a big comeback 394 00:22:06.559 --> 00:22:09.400 win at Flumenence last night in the Brazilian top flight 395 00:22:09.680 --> 00:22:13.000 two to one. Vitor Roke completed the comeback with the winner. 396 00:22:13.559 --> 00:22:15.519 Paul Mettris is now in third place, but they have 397 00:22:15.519 --> 00:22:18.960 two games in hand on leaders Crusero, who drew last 398 00:22:19.039 --> 00:22:22.279 night at Corinthians. And your crazy story of the day. 399 00:22:22.319 --> 00:22:26.160 To wrap up the Espresso, Mark Bryce. He has denied 400 00:22:26.480 --> 00:22:31.480 that he quit as coach of Cameroon, despite the country's 401 00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:36.319