Major League Soccer

SAN DIEGO’s first ever MLS match almost ended in disgrace as the announcer threatened to SUSPEND the game over homophobic chantsThe California-based side took on St. Louis City FC in its inaugural league match on Saturday.Homophobic chants were heard from the San Diego FC fans against St. Louis FCCredit: GettyThe chants were made whenever Roman Burki took a goal kickCredit: GettyThe word ‘puto’ could be heard whenever a goal kick would happenCredit: GettyA message was displayed to fans in the Snapdragon StadiumCredit: X @SanDiego_FutbolThe clash ended in a goalless draw as the drama occurred off the pitch.Chants of “puto” could be heard coming from the home support when other Roman Burki, 34, took a goalkick.The word is a slur for male prostitute and in Mexican Spanish translates to “f*****”.It is often used in a way to criticise a person’s masculinity. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe Times of San Diego claimed that the announcer at the Snapdragon Stadium addressed fans over the PA system.They warned that the match would be suspended if the homophobic chants continued.The club also displayed a message on the big screen in the stadium, requesting fans to stop.It read: “Discrimination has no place in our sport and in our stadiums and will not be tolerated.Most read in Football”The fan chant that was just used is offensive and we ask that fans do not continue to use this chant. Thank you.”The usage of the slur has occurred during Mexico international fixtures.Lionel Messi finally puts ‘cold Tuesday night in Stoke’ theory to bed by running the show in -17 degrees temperatures San Diego FC head coach Mikey Varas slammed the chants post-matchCredit: AlamyIt was San Diego’s first ever match in the MLSCredit: ReutersThe game ended in a 0-0 drawCredit: GettyThe match against Brazil in June 2024 was halted in the 59th minute as a severe warning was displayed to the crowd.Speaking after the match, San Diego FC coach Mikey Varas hit out at the chants and labelled them as “unacceptable”.He said: “The chant that was heard tonight is unacceptable”It’s outside of our value system. “It doesn’t represent the players, myself or the club, and it certainly doesn’t represent San Diego or Baja California.”It’s not a reflection of who we are.”We’re a community full of love, of support, and we believe in the power of diversity.”Veras did insist that the chant did not come from the club’s main supporter group, La Frontera.He added: “This came from more the general population in the seats, and it wasn’t everybody.”I understand that, but it was enough people, and I just want to make very clear that it has no place here.”If they’re going to continue to come to the game and make that chant, it’s better that they don’t come here.”Sporting director Tyler Heaps also hit out at the usage of the slur and promised that it would not continue.He said: “It’s totally against our values as a club, but also who we are as people,’ Heaps said about the chants at San Diego FC’s first ever MLS home game. “One of our core values is to be a good person, and I think that´s what we’ll continue to stand behind.”It´s totally unacceptable, and obviously us as a club, we’ll make sure it does not continue into the future.”The one-word slur is usually made when a goalkeeper is taking a goalkick.Burki joined St. Louis City back in 2022 after a seven-year spell at Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund.During his time in Germany he won the DFL-Pokal twice and the DFL-Supercup.Since moving to the USA, he won the Western Conference regular season in 2023.San Diego has added some familiar names to the squad ahead of its entrance to the MLS.READ MORE SUN STORIESThis includes former Napoli star Hirving Lozano, Manchester United prospect Paddy McNair and Nottingham Forest winger Alex Mighten. Back in September 2024, McNair insisted his move to the States was not for a holiday as hopes for a “good experience”.Mexican attacker Hirving Lozano is one of the stars of San Diego FCCredit: APFormer Manchester United youngster Paddy McNair is also at the clubCredit: Getty More

HOUSTON DYNAMO are giving their fans free tickets – after Lionel Messi wasn’t selected to play against them.The MLS side welcomed Inter Miami to Texas for an early-season fixture on Sunday night.Lionel Messi didn’t play in Inter Miami’s 4-1 win over Houston DynamoCredit: ReutersHouston fans have been offered a refund because the Argentinian star was not involvedCredit: GettyDespite no Messi, Miami cruised to a comfortable victoryCredit: GettyMessi, 37, was left out of the Inter starting XI by boss Javier Mascherano. The Argentinian legend didn’t travel with the squad and was rested following a packed schedule to begin the new season. That decision came as a huge disappointment to the thousands who packed out the Shell Energy Stadium.Ahead of the game, Houston took the unusual step of offering free tickets to all home fans after it was revealed Messi would not feature. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe club wrote on X: “The Houston Dynamo are excited to host Inter Miami CF at Shell Energy Stadium on Sunday evening.”The recently shared player status report for the match did not include forward Lionel Messi, but it has been reported he did not make the trip to Houston. “Unfortunately, we have no control over who plays for our opponent.”We look forward to hosting everyone tomorrow for what will be an incredible atmosphere and celebration of soccer for the city of Houston. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”To show our appreciation, fans who attend tomorrow night’s match can claim a complimentary ticket to a future Dynamo match this season. Additional details will be provided early next week.”One grateful fan responded: “Disappointing children (my nephews included). But it teaches them a lesson. Team before individuals.”Lionel Messi finally puts ‘cold Tuesday night in Stoke’ theory to bed by running the show in -17 degrees temperatures Another said: “Why were tickets so expensive? Y’all could have sold out the stadium and made more money.”But a third countered: “This parody? You’re apologizing for someone in the opposing team not showing up?”And a fourth added: “Is the @MLS completely dependent on Messi? If so, it’s not a serious league.”While a fifth joked: “Messi ducking the Houston test? Could never be my GOAT.Mascherano made the decision to rest his fellow Argentine after Miami’s busy start to the new campaign. The reigning Eastern Conference winners have played three times over the past 10 days. Mascerano explained: “Leo is fine, he is normal and he will train normally like all his teammates.”The World Cup winner is expected to feature this weekend as Miami host Charlotte.Despite not having the 37-year-old in the lineup, Mascerano’s side breezed past a tepid Dynamo on Sunday night.READ MORE SUN STORIESThey led 3-0 at the break thanks to goals from Telasco Segovia and Tadeo Allende.And they eventually ran out 4-1 winners, with Luis Suarez completing the rout in the second half. More

WILFRIED ZAHA was given treatment fit for a king after scooping an MLS Man of the Match award.The former Crystal Palace winger made a dream debut for Charlotte FC following his 18-month loan move from Galatasaray.Wilfried Zaha bagged a goal and an assist in his Charlotte FC debutCredit: GETTYThe winger was given a crown as part of his Man of the Match awardCredit: GETTYAnd he sat down on a throne next to fans after picking up the awardCredit: GETTYZaha, 32, bagged a goal and an assist as his new side ran out 2-0 winners over Atalanta United.His exploits saw him awarded the Man of the Match.But unlike MOTM awards he’s received in years gone by, he also received a bizarre gift.The Ivory Coast International was gifted a black crown before being surrounded by fans as he sat on a Charlotte FC throne.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSZaha happily posed for photos, sticking his thumbs up as supporters snapped away.Footie fans were quick to comment on the clip, with one saying: “Man’s got the Burger King hat on.”Another said: “Looks like he’s just come from Burger King.”And another said: “Oh God, Sky will be insisting on something similar soon.”Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSWilfried Zaha insists he has no regrets about his recent movesCredit: GETTYOne remarked: “Make it stop.”Another chimed in: “This could be the most ‘MLS’ thing of all-time.”Wilfried Zaha leaves press room in stitches with hilarious response to whether he is bothered about failed Man Utd spellZaha has bounced around from club to club over the last two years but has no regrets, including over his departure from his beloved Palace.He left his boyhood club in 2023 for Galatasaray and spent half a season in France with Lyon before the Turkish giants loaned him to the MLS.He said: “It doesn’t stop my journey. I’ve left Palace and I left Palace in a good way. I’ve played for a childhood club, I’ve left there with a mural.“I feel like there’s nothing more I could have done really. I’ve gone to Turkey, I’ve managed to play Champions League, score a Champions League goal.So I’m just ticking boxes of things that I’ve wanted to do from a child. I’ve managed to do that and things happen.”All I can do is just keep my head down and just keep on working. I was in Turkey, it didn’t work out with Gala.“It didn’t work out with Lyon. It doesn’t stop me. I’m still thinking I’m still the player that I am and if I get the opportunity, I’m going to show it every time.“These are just experiences that make me who I am, make me stronger. So it’s a thing where it happens, I move on from it and do the best that I can.“I have come in here to score goals and try to win stuff. I set myself incredibly high standards.READ MORE SUN STORIES”So when I do speak, people will actually listen because I show you an example by what I do.”Going into the season, I want to try to score as many goals as I can. That’s what I mean by my own history here.” More

THE STARS were in the house to watch Inter Miami open their Major League Soccer season at the Chase Stadium.Lionel Messi registered a late assist to rescue a point for Inter in a 2-2 draw against New York City with a number of huge stars in the house.Inter Miami owner David Beckham welcomed Serena Williams and her daughter to the Chase StadiumCredit: GettyBeckham was seen conversing with Williams’ seven-year-old daughter, OlympiaCredit: Instagram @intermiamicfChief among them was tennis legend Serena Williams.Williams, 43, was joined by her daughter, Olympia.Franchise owner David Beckham embraced Williams in a hug pitchside as he welcomed her to the stadium.In videos shared to social media by both the MLS and Inter Miami Instagram accounts, which were reposted to Williams’ story, Beckham was then seen speaking to Olympia.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLOlympia has followed in her mother’s footsteps by taking up a keen interest in sports.She is often seen cheering her mum on at sporting events.But Olympia is also active alongside her 23-time grand slam winning mum, and even has her own set of gym equipment in the family’s home gym.She is said to be a lover of ballet, football and virtual reality gaming.Most read in FootballHowever, Olympia is yet to find that same love for tennis.Williams admitted in an interview with PEOPLE magazine: “That’s a little disappointing for me, but she’s actually really good at it.Stephen A. Smith slams Serena Williams over Super Bowl halftime show cameo and makes marriage split comparison “So we are trying to figure out a way to get her to play a little bit.”Olympia is already a co-owner in two sports teams as well, having shares to her name in both women’s football team Angel City FC and the Los Angeles Golf Club.Other celebs in attendance included ex-Manchester United star Paul Pogba, who is currently serving a reduced 18-month doping ban – making him eligible to return to professional football in March.Paul Pogba was seen in attendance alongside WilliamsCredit: Instagram/@davidbeckhamWhat do David Beckham’s tattoos mean?HandsStarting with the hands, and David Beckham has the word “Love” inked across the top of his left hand, with a swallow on either side.This is joined by the numbers 723, a combination of the shirts he famously wore for Manchester United and later Real Madrid.On his little finger, he has the year he was married.Becks also has a small female-stick figure designed by his daughter Harper.The devoted husband has “Posh” tattooed on a finger as a nod to wife Victoria Beckham’s Spice Girls nickname.ArmsBecks has two sleeve tattoos on both his arms with the centrepieces paying tribute to his marriage to Victoria.The most famous of his body art comes in the shape of her name along the inside of his forearm, which is inked in Sanskrit.Both Posh and Becks have Hebrew tattoos, which they got to celebrate their sixth wedding anniversary.The matching tatts translate to, “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine”.Meanwhile, Becks also has a separate rose inking on his left arm to mark the couple’s tenth anniversary.NeckOne of Beckham’s most famous tattoos is on his neck, which is a gothic style cross and wings.It is symbolic of to his religion and acts as a protective guardian of his son Romeo, whose name is tattooed just below the angel wings.Beckham also has the name of his daughter, Harper, on the side of his neck.This was later updated to include the words “Pretty Lady”, to mark her fourth birthday.BackBeckham’s back tattoos serve as tribute to his sons.He has angel wings at the top as a sign of protection for them.Becks has both his eldest on Brooklyn, and his youngest son Cruz’s names inked across his back.BodyBeckham has a large chest tattoo that is an image of himself as Jesus, with three cherubs representing his sons, Brooklyn, Romeo, and Cruz.The footy ace also has a vertical tattoo down his left side in Chinese symbols – this translates as “Death and life have determined appointments”.Paying homage to his father, he has an inking of a ship at full mast – which is identical to the same one his dad has. More

WILFRIED ZAHA has no regrets as he embarks on his American adventure in Charlotte.The Crystal Palace legend, 32, is now a Major League Soccer player following two years on the move.Wilfried Zaha is starting his journey with MLS side Charlotte FCCredit: CHARLOTTE FCZaha scored ten goals for Turkish giants Galatasaray after leaving the Eagles on a free transfer in 2023, before heading out to Lyon in France for the first half of this season where he made only six appearances.Having cut that loan short he has landed in MLS, convinced by Charlotte boss Dean Smith to make the switch to North Carolina.The Ivory Coast international admits things did not work out after leaving Palace, where he played 458 times and is the club’s third-highest appearance-maker behind Jim Cannon and Terry Long.However, he is convinced he is still the same player who earned himself a mural on the side of a house next to Selhurst Park.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLForward Zaha joined the Eagles academy at the age of eight and went on to have a stunning career with them, scoring 68 of his 90 goals for the South London side in the Premier League after making his first-team debut in March 2010.He said: “It doesn’t stop my journey. I’ve left Palace and I left Palace in a good way. I’ve played for a childhood club, I’ve left there with a mural.“I feel like there’s nothing more I could have done really.“I’ve gone to Turkey, I’ve managed to play Champions League, score a Champions League goal. So I’m just ticking boxes of things that I’ve wanted to do from a child.Most read in FootballZaha was honoured with a mural at Crystal PalaceCredit: GettyThe star scored 90 goals and registered 52 assists in 458 games for PalaceCredit: AFPCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“I’ve managed to do that and things happen. All I can do is just keep my head down and just keep on working. I was in Turkey, it didn’t work out with Gala.“It didn’t work out with Lyon. It doesn’t stop me. I’m still thinking I’m still the player that I am and if I get the opportunity, I’m going to show it every time.Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell completes loan transfer to Crystal Palace“These are just experiences that make me who I am, make me stronger. So it’s a thing where it happens, I move on from it and do the best that I can.“I have come in here to score goals and try to win stuff. I set myself incredibly high standards. So when I do speak, people will actually listen because I show you an example by what I do. “Going into the season, I want to try to score as many goals as I can. That’s what I mean by my own history here.”After a couple of difficult years, there is some hope Charlotte can offer the feeling that Palace did when Zaha returned from his failed move to Manchester United.Speaking about the last two years, he added: “I don’t really have any animosity. It is what it is. I’m only going to give back the love that you give me.“If you give me love and give me the opportunity to repay you, then I’ll do that. It just hasn’t worked out over there.“I’ve come here, I’ve been welcomed, I’ve been shown so much love. All I can do is repay you on the pitch. That’s what I’m here to do.”Zaha had seen little of MLS before being approached by former Aston Villa and Brentford manager Smith at a London hotel last year about a potential move.Former Palace team-mate Christian Benteke won the Golden Boot at DC United last season, and Zaha started watching the odd game following the Belgian’s switch.Zaha’s former Crystal Palace teammate Christian Benteke is now playing in the MLSCredit: ReutersThe D.C. United striker finished top scorer last season, ahead of the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis SuarezCredit: APHe has also been swatting up on his new pals, including ex-Burnley man Ashley Westwood, by watching YouTube clips.Having Smith and Westwood at the club was an attraction, and the winger also consulted Palace’s American defender, Chris Richards.Zaha added: “I’ve tuned in a bit more because of my friend Christian Benteke. The standard is definitely getting a lot better. So many players are coming here and the world is paying attention.“I was on YouTube just watching the Charlotte games. So I was just seeing what the team’s like and positives and stuff like that.”While he is Stateside, Zaha will also be keeping an eagle eye on AFC Croydon Athletic — the non-league club he part-owns with rapper Stormzy.Croydon won promotion to the eighth tier — the Isthmian League South East Division — in their first season at the helm.READ MORE SUN STORIESBefore Zaha begins the MLS campaign with Charlotte at Seattle Sounders in the early hours of Sunday morning UK time — and looks forward to tangling with Lionel Messi and Inter Miami next month — he needs to find some clobber!Zaha, who is staying in a Charlotte hotel, said: “I’m scrambling with clothes right now. That’s what I’m waiting for. My clothes — and my family, that’s about it. I’m good to go.”Zaha co-owns AFC Croyden Athletic with rapper StormzyCredit: Getty More