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      Beckham receives boost in Messi transfer race as MLS chief makes incredible promise if he joins Inter Miami

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      DAVID BECKHAM’S Major League Soccer franchise Inter Miami has received a big boost in their pursuit of Lionel Messi. It comes after league commissioner Don Garber sensationally promised it would help the club to complete a deal for Messi.
      David Beckham’s Inter Miami have received a boost in their pursuit of Lionel MessiCredit: Getty
      Messi will become a free agent this summerCredit: AP
      The Paris Saint-Germain ace is out of contract at the end of the season.
      And Inter Miami have made no secret of their targeting of Messi as they aim to beat the likes of Barcelona, PSG and clubs from Saudi Arabia to his signature.
      On a potential deal for Messi, Garber told The Athletic: “You’re dealing with perhaps the most special player in the history of the game.
      “So when there are rumours of him connected to Miami, that’s great.
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      “And if it could happen, it would be terrific for MLS, it would be terrific for Messi and his family, and like everything with us, we try to run every opportunity down.”
      As it stands, the league’s highest-paid player is Toronto FC’s Lorenzo Insigne, who has a deal with a base salary of £11.6million ($14m).
      However, the report stipulates Messi is on a deal worth at least £25m net a year at PSG, excluding bonuses and the reportedly huge sign-on.
      But Garber explained the MLS would try to structure a deal and “compensate” Messi and his family.
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      He added: “Teams have the flexibility to do unique things.
      “MLS is a single entity. If you’re selling something that the collective owns, the collective has to approve that.
      “So whatever (Inter Miami co-owner) Jorge (Mas) decides, with (MLS executive vice president) Todd (Durbin’s) help to structure something, if we have the opportunity to do that, it’s going to be outside the box…
      “We’re gonna have to structure a deal that’s going to compensate him in ways that he and his family expect.
      “What that is? Honestly, we don’t know today, but he’s probably not going to be a (targeted allocation money) player.”
      The MLS operate with a Designated Player rule – nicknamed after Beckham – which allows clubs to sign up to three players outside of their salary cap. More

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      Manchester United and Liverpool set for transfer war over MLS and Serbia keeper Djordje Petrovic

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      MANCHESTER UNITED and Liverpool are both looking at Serbian international keeper Djordje Petrovic.The bitter rivals square up at Anfield today and could also battle each other for the New England Revolution stopper.
      Djordje Petrovic in action for New England RevolutionCredit: Reuters
      Petrovic’s impressive displays have sparked interest from Manchester United and LiverpoolCredit: Reuters
      Both Premier League giants have doubts over the future of their back-up keepers.
      United are in contract talks with David de Gea but Tom Heaton’s deal expires this summer and Jack Butland is only on loan until June.
      Dean Henderson will return from his temporary spell at Nottingham Forest but is thought to see his future away from United.
      Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp faces a similar situation to United chief Erik ten Hag.
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      There is speculation about No2 Caoimhin Kelleher leaving Anfield, while third-choice Adrian looks likely to go when his deal expires this summer.
      Petrovic, 23, has earned rave reviews since going to America last April.
      He has made 25 appearances since his transfer and kept two clean sheets from two games this season.
      Last season, Petrovic recorded the best Post-Shot Expected Goals minus goals allowed value in the MLS with a value of 13.1.
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      The metric measures how many goals a keeper has prevented compared to a statistically average goalkeeper.
      This means Petrovic prevented 13.1 more goals than we would have been expected to last season.
      He also recorded an impressive 82.7 per cent save percentage and saved a third of the penalties he faced. More

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      Nottingham Forest star Lewis O’Brien stranded as MLS loan transfer hits snag after horror deadline day paperwork blunder

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      LEWIS O’BRIEN faces time in cold storage at Nottingham Forest because of snags with a MLS loan switch.Midfielder O’Brien, 24, has seen a move to Blackburn blocked by the EFL after paperwork was filed too late.
      A move to the MLS for Lewis O’Brien could fall throughCredit: Getty
      Now his chances of heading across to the US are in jeopardy because of the length of the loan spell he — and Forest — want in Major League Soccer.
      New York City like him but would need to take O’Brien for the whole of their season and that could run to the end of the calendar year.
      Forest and the player would like a shorter stint.
      O’Brien joined Forest in the summer from Huddersfield for just over £8million.
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      The player played just 13 times for Steve Cooper’s side before being axed from the squad.
      Forest signed 30 players across both transfer windows and not all could be registered for the squad.
      Cooper’s men sit 14th in the Premier League having played 24 games.
      Forest have picked up 25 points and sit four above the relegation zone.
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      The newly-promoted team are back in action on Sunday against relegation rivals Everton.
      A win could lift the Toffees up to 16th. More

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      ‘Funniest goal ever’ – Watch defender pass it straight to former team-mate as fans joke he forgot he switched teams

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      AN MLS defender suffered a nightmare as they passed the ball straight to their former team-mate and watched them score. It was the opening weekend of a new Major League Soccer season and Austin FC centre-back Kipp Keller came off the bench after 10 minutes to replace his injured team-mate Julio Cascante.
      Kip Keller looked to be in control of the situation as he took the ball back towards his own goalCredit: Apple TV
      But Keller then inexplicably passes it straight to his former teammate Jared StroudCredit: Apple TV
      Stroud rattled his chance past Brad StuverCredit: Apple TV
      But he would make a jaw-dropping mistake with his club 2-1 up against against St. Louis City, who were playing their first ever MLS game.
      Keller was taking the ball out of defence before he stopped and turned back towards his own goal with 12 minutes to go.
      But instead of passing it to his keeper, the 22-year-old inexplicably passed it straight to former Austin striker Jared Stroud, who left the club during pre-season.
      The forward accepted the gift with gratitude and tucked it past Brad Stuver in the Austin goal.
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      The shocking moment was the low point of an unconvincing performance by the defender in what was just his seventh appearance for Austin.
      They would lose 3-2 after a late winning-goal by St Louis’ João Klauss de Mello.
      Football fans on Twitter loved Keller’s clanger.
      One said: “The funniest goal ever.”
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      Another said: “I can’t get over the fact that this man Kipp Keller took 3 touches forward, stepped on it, turned back towards his goal and passed it straight to Stroud.”
      One fan tweeted: “Kipp Keller passes to former teammate Jared Stroud, now at St Louis, as if was still on his team.”
      A more sympathetic fan said: “I wish I could look Kipp Keller in his sweet little face and tell him it’ll be okay.”
      While another tweeted: “That Kipp Keller assist was so f***ing funny.”
      Austin, who finished second in the western conference last year, will look to bounce back from their defeat against Montreal next week. More

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      Phil Neville ‘wants to sign Man Utd flop for Inter Miami alongside Messi and Busquets’

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      INTER MIAMI remain intent on signing some of Europe’s top talent, including one Manchester United flop. The Major League Soccer side, headed by Phil Neville, are in well-documented pursuits for European Football legends Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets.
      Lionel Messi is one major target for Inter MiamiCredit: Rex
      Phil Neville confirmed interest in Messi and Sergio BusquetsCredit: AP
      Both stars are available on a free transfer in the summer, and the David Beckham-owned football franchise is eager to expand the team’s reach by signing some major names.
      According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, their latest target is Juventus star Angel Di Maria.
      Di Maria, who has played for the likes of Real Madrid, Man Utd and Paris Saint-Germain, is out of contract in the summer.
      And a report from AS Colombia suggests Di Maria is not looking to continue with the Italian giants.
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      Instead, the 35-year-old – who scored a stunning goal in the Europa League – will consider offers from Saudi Arabia and America.
      It comes after Juventus were slapped with a 15-point deduction following a transfer scam which allowed them to make capital gains through inflated transfer fees.
      Di Maria’s potential availability falls into Inter Miami’s transfer target criteria.
      Neville has previously confirmed the club’s interest, saying: “I’m not going to deny [it and say] there isn’t truth in the speculation that we’re interested in Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets.
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      Angel Di Maria is the latest star on David Beckham’s wishlist for MiamiCredit: Getty
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      “Since I joined Inter Miami, I think we’ve been linked with every single top player in world football.
      “From Sergio Ramos, Dani Alves, Robert Lewandowski, Willian, Cesc Fàbregas, Luis Suárez… all of them you can rattle off.
      “We’re always going to be linked with the best players in the world.
      “We had Gonzalo Higuaín and Blaise Matuidi. Now we’ve got the opportunity to bring in some new designated players [who fall outside the league’s salary cap] following their retirements.”
      Neville added: “We want to bring the best players in the world to this football club.
      “Messi and Busquets are the two that stand out more in recent years.
      “They’re great players who would still be a massive benefit to this organisation. For MLS, it would be a game-changer.”
      Beckham has also publicly spoken about Messi being a dream signing.
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      He said: “Everyone has their wish list, everyone does, but if you look at the way Leo and Cristiano are still playing, even at what you might think is the later stage of their careers, I don’t see it ending for them.
      “They’re playing at such a high level that it’s hard to see them leaving the clubs they are at, but we will see. You never know what can happen in football.” More

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      David Beckham’s Inter Miami CONFIRM they will launch double transfer swoop for Lionel Messi and Barcelona legend

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      DAVID BECKHAM’s Inter Miami have confirmed their interest in signing Barcelona legends Lionel Messi AND Sergio Busquets in the summer.The MLS side have been linked with Messi, 35, and Busquets, 34, this season with reports claiming Inter were leading the race for the Argentine World Cup winner.
      Phil Neville has confirmed that Inter Miami would like to sign Lionel MessiCredit: AFP
      Sergio Busquets is also of interest to the MLS teamCredit: Alamy
      Owner David Beckham has previously spoken glowingly about signing MessiCredit: Reuters
      Inter would, of course, face stiff competition to sign both of the football legends.
      Barca are said to be keen on keeping club captain Busquets at the club, where he is working under the management of former midfield star Xavi.
      And Messi’s current club, Paris Saint-Germain, would like to tie him down for another two years.
      Barca also dream of a reunion with Messi when his contract expires this summer.
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      Despite this, Inter manager Phil Neville has not ruled his team out of the transfer race to sign both players.
      He told The Times: “I’m not going to deny [it and say] there isn’t truth in the speculation that we’re interested in Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets.
      “Since I joined Miami, I think we’ve been linked with every single top player in world football.
      “From Sergio Ramos, Dani Alves, Robert Lewandowski, Willian, Cesc Fàbregas, Luis Suárez . . . all of them you can rattle off.
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      “We’re always going to be linked with the best players in the world.
      “We had Gonzalo Higuaín and Blaise Matuidi. Now we’ve got the opportunity to bring in some new designated players [who fall outside the league’s salary cap] following their retirements.”
      Neville added: “We want to bring the best players in the world to this football club.
      “Messi and Busquets are the two that stand out more in recent years.
      “They’re great players who would still be a massive benefit to this organisation.
      “For MLS, it would be a game-changer.”
      Beckham has also publicly spoken about Messi being a dream signing.
      He said: “Everyone has their wish list, everyone does, but if you look at the way Leo and Cristiano are still playing, even at what you might think is the later stage of their careers, I don’t see it ending for them.
      “They’re playing at such a high level that it’s hard to see them leaving the clubs they are at, but we will see. You never know what can happen in football.”
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      Messi himself has also revealed that it is one of his dreams to play in the MLS.
      The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner said: “I would like to play in the United States someday, it’s always been one of my dreams… but I don’t know if it will happen!”
      Neville says Inter have had many high profile players in the pastCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      M.L.S. Preview: St. Louis S.C., Apple TV+ and More

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      St. Louis City S.C. will hit the field as the league’s 29th franchise, but to watch it, and every other team, fans will have to get to know Apple TV+.St. Louis, a city with a rich soccer history dating back more than a century, will finally get its Major League Soccer team this year. But to watch it, and the league’s other 28 teams, armchair supporters will have to make the transition from television to streaming, whether they like it or not.Here’s what is happening with M.L.S. in 2023.What’s new?For the seventh straight season, M.L.S. is expanding. St. Louis City S.C. will be the league’s 29th team — a total that may grow in the next few months — and play in a new stadium downtown, Citypark.St. Louis had long been a target for expansion; the city had a pioneering professional soccer league in the early 1900s and N.A.S.L., indoor and minor league teams more recently. But previous efforts all failed, torpedoed either by inadequate financing or, in 2017, a public referendum in which voters rejected a plan to finance a stadium for an expansion franchise.Even when St. Louis did finally get a team, its debut was put on hold for a year because of delays brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. Now, though, the team that M.L.S. and St. Louis fans have long coveted is here.St. Louis City will christen its new stadium, Citypark, with its home opener against Charlotte on March 4.Jeff Roberson/Associated PressThe new team includes Roman Burki, a 32-year-old Swiss goalkeeper with seven years at Borussia Dortmund under his belt, and Klauss, a Brazilian striker. But if recent M.L.S. history is any indication (not you, Atlanta United), St. Louis City is likely to suffer typical expansion woes as it tries to build a winner.It may not be the lowest team on the M.L.S. totem pole for long, however: Commissioner Don Garber has made clear that the league’s expansion will not stop at 29. “We do need more teams,” Garber said this week in New York. A 30th franchise will be announced by the end of the year, he said, with San Diego and Las Vegas currently leading the contenders. Garber also cited Phoenix, Sacramento, Detroit and Tampa, Fla., as possibilities for further expansion in the near future.What will Week 1 bring?Thirteen games will be played on Saturday, starting with New York City F.C.’s visit to Nashville on Saturday afternoon. The big game comes later in the day: M.L.S. is expecting a crowd of more than 70,000 in the Rose Bowl on Saturday to watch the Los Angeles Galaxy, now playing second fiddle in the city they once ruled, take on the defending league champion, L.A.F.C.The Philadelphia Union, which lost last season’s M.L.S. Cup championship game in an excruciating manner, will kick off against Columbus at home. And Atlanta United, which led the league in attendance again last season, expects another big crowd inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium for its opener against San Jose.Cory Burke and the Red Bulls will be hoping their 28th season delivers the elusive title their first 27 did not.Matthew Ashton/AMA, via Getty ImagesNew York City F.C. is expecting a breakout year from its 20-year-old Brazilian striker Talles Magno.Matthew Ashton/AMA, via Getty ImagesHow can I watch?M.L.S. is banking on its younger fan base’s familiarity with technology (and its aversion to traditional TV) as it moves the bulk of its games to Apple TV+ as part of a 10-year, $2.5 billion broadcast contract.For hard-core M.L.S. fans, that will mean a deluge of content: every game, including the playoffs and the Leagues Cup tournament with the Mexican league; English and Spanish broadcasts; a Red Zone-style whip-around show hitting the highlights of games as they happen; and no blackouts for out-of-market games.The cost is $79 a year with an Apple TV+ subscription and $99 without, but several games each week will be broadcast free throughout the season.As for traditional television, ESPN is out of the mix, as are all local broadcasts around the country. Fox and FS1 will broadcast roughly one game a week, part of a conscious effort to keep one foot in the traditional broadcasting world as the league dives headlong into something new. “We didn’t want to go cold turkey and shut it all down,” said Gary Stevenson, the league’s deputy commissioner.Who is going to win the M.L.S. Cup?The list of favorites has to start with L.A.F.C., which won the Supporters’ Shield with the best regular-season record last season and then added the M.L.S. Cup title, becoming the first team to pull off that double since Toronto F.C. in 2017. The Welsh star Gareth Bale, whose tenure was known for limited minutes and stunning goals, has retired, and the team’s top scorer, Cristian Arango, has moved to the Mexican league, so expect more of the load to fall on the club legend Carlos Vela, now 33.Philadelphia had the same number of points as L.A.F.C. last season and a much better goal difference (plus-46 to plus-28), but it lost the Shield because it had fewer wins and then the final in the most agonizing way possible.The Union are well equipped to find their way back. Andre Blake is the reigning goalkeeper of the year, Jakob Glesnes was last season’s defender of the year and Dániel Gazdag will again provide the goals.Nashville should rely on last season’s league most valuable player, Hany Mukhtar, who led M.L.S. with 23 goals. After a shaky first season, Austin took a huge step forward by reaching the Cup semifinal last season and now will look to improve even more. Inter Miami was a .500 team last season, but it has added Josef Martínez, who had 98 goals in six years with Atlanta United. If he can regain his past scoring form, he makes any team a title contender.Josef Martínez, who ran circles around defenders in six years at Atlanta United, now will try to do the same for Inter Miami.Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald, via Associated PressThe playoffs changed again. How will they work?Expansion and playoff tinkering are two time-honored M.L.S. traditions, and this week the league announced yet another new postseason format. This season, 18 teams will make the playoffs, up from 14, and there will be a new play-in round for the lowest-ranked two in each conference. After four years of strictly one-and-done games, M.L.S. will introduce a best-of-three format for the round of 16. But the quarterfinals and beyond will revert to single-game eliminations. Confused? Here’s some supplemental reading with all the rules.What about side competitions?The Concacaf Champions League, the regional championship that was won by an M.L.S. team, the Seattle Sounders, for the first time in 22 years last season, begins in March with L.A.F.C., Philadelphia, Vancouver, Orlando and Austin participating. The two-legged final ends on June 4.League games will be halted from mid-July to mid-August for an expanded 77-game Leagues Cup that will include every team from M.L.S. and Mexico’s Liga MX. Those games all will be held in the United States and Canada.And the American M.L.S. teams will join the venerable U.S. Open Cup, which dates back to 1914, in April, with the final scheduled for Sept. 27. The defending champion is Orlando City F.C., but the safest of bets is that an M.L.S. team will win it again. The last non-M.L.S. team to win the Open Cup was the Rochester Raging Rhinos in 1999. More

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      Ex-Man Utd star Ravel Morrison’s career reaches desperate new low as he’s ‘axed by MLS side DC United’

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      RAVEL MORRISON’S career seems poised for another downwards plunge as the former Manchester United prodigy faces being axed by Wayne Rooney’s DC United.The winger, 30, was tipped for greatness by legendary Old Trafford boss Alex Ferguson and rated a future £100million hero by ex-United defender Rio Ferdinand.
      Ravel Morrison only joined DC United in July 2022 but is reportedly not in their plans for this year’s MLS campaignCredit: Alamy
      Morrison was tipped to become a Man Utd hero but his career has fadedCredit: PA:Press Association
      But instead he’s never thrived at any club, generally sliding down the divisions.
      Now Washington Post reporter Steven Goff claims the Mancunian has been axed from DC’s roster – just two days before the new MLS season.
      Morrison only joined the Americans from Derby County last July.
      But he couldn’t prevent Rooney’s side finishing bottom of the Eastern Conference.
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      Goff reckons ex-England Under-21 ace Morrison will be off the roster, making him ineligible to play.
      That leaves the Jamaica international still being paid – but potentially heading for a move or maybe having his contract terminated if both parties agree.
      It means Rooney now has TWO international spots available in his squad.
      Chilean winger Martin Rodriguez is already out for the season after tearing his CL in training.
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      Morrison was at Old Trafford from 2010-2012 but departed amid off-field problems.
      But Ferdinand believes that, had the wideman been given a mentor, his talent would have shone through.
      Morrison went on to spend three unsettled years at West Ham, including loans with Birmingham, QPR and Cardiff.
      Apart from more loans, he’s since been with Lazio, Ostersund, Sheffield United and Dutch team Den Haag.
      Then came his two spells under Rooney – with Derby and now DC. More