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      M.L.S. Playoff Preview: An L.A. Derby and More Questions Answered

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      Major League Soccer’s playoffs have reached the conference semifinals as the league sprints to finish before the World Cup.Major League Soccer is in a hurry to crown its champion this season, with its final set for Nov. 5 — just over two weeks before the World Cup opens in Qatar. The final sprint, which begins with four quarterfinals this week, includes some marquee matches that will offer some players a final opportunity (or two or three) to impress national team coaches before the final rosters for the World Cup are due in mid-November.This year’s playoffs feature two previous M.L.S. Cup champions (the Los Angeles Galaxy and New York City F.C.) and two teams (Austin F.C. and F.C. Cincinnati) that are making their first appearance in the postseason. But the postseason also has tracked closely with regular-season results: The top four teams in the Western Conference are still alive, as are four of the top five from the East.Philadelphia and Los Angeles F.C., which earned first-round byes by finishing first in their conferences, will enter the postseason at last on Thursday: Philadelphia faces F.C. Cincinnati, and L.A.F.C. hosts its crosstown rival, the Los Angeles Galaxy.On Sunday, New York City F.C., the league’s defending champion, will play C.F. Montreal, and F.C. Dallas will meet Austin F.C. in an all-Texas affair.The conference semifinals, which are single-game elimination matches, start on Thursday and will wrap up on Sunday. The conference finals are scheduled for Oct. 30, and the M.L.S. Cup final is set for Nov. 5 — the earliest date for the game in league history. The final will be played at the home of the finalist with the best regular season record.Read More on the 2022 World CupLavish Spending: No expense has been spared in putting on a show in Qatar. But the tournament is a feeling that money can’t buy, our soccer correspondent writes.United States: The American men’s soccer team has cycled through strikers during the qualifying period. It needs to settle on one before heading to Qatar.Brazil: As the team begins its quest for a sixth World Cup, it appears to have the resources needed to succeed — though Neymar still shoulders much of the load.Sticker Shock: In Argentina, the prospect of Lionel Messi’s last World Cup has helped feed a white-hot market for a beloved collectible, featuring long lines, surging prices and, briefly, government intervention.Here’s a quick catch-up of where things stand.The Battle of Los AngelesL.A.F.C., which won the Supporter’s Shield for posting the league’s best regular-season, will begin what it hopes is a home-field run to M.L.S. Cup on Thursday night, when its hosts the crosstown Los Angeles Galaxy at Banc of California Stadium. The venue has been a formidable challenge for visitors this season: L.A.F.C. went 13-2-2 there this season.L.A.F.C.’s first playoff test, though, like all games in the teams’ nascent rivalry, brings the potential for fireworks. The last time the two Los Angeles teams played against each other in a playoff game was in 2019, when L.A.F.C. won, 5-3, in one of the highest-scoring playoff games in M.L.S. history.Gabriel Pereira and New York City F.C. will be playing away from Yankee Stadium for as long as the Yankees remain in baseball’s playoffs.Mark Smith/USA Today Sports, via ReutersRoad Team F.C.New York City F.C. is trying to become the first team to win consecutive M.L.S. Cups since the Galaxy did it in 2011 and 2012. But unlike L.A.F.C., its path to the final — for now — looks to be a road trip.As long as the Yankees remain alive in Major League Baseball’s playoffs, N.Y.C.F.C. will be unable to play on its regular home field at Yankee Stadium. That proved to be little trouble in the first round, when the team beat Inter Miami, 3-0, at Citi Field in Queens. On Sunday, New York City F.C. will head to Montreal for a conference semifinal.In the quest for another title, N.Y.C.F.C. will count on their pair of Brazilians, Gabriel Pereira and Héber, who each scored eight goals in the regular season, and the potential of a return from injury of Talles Magno. Those three, and midfielder Santiago Rodríguez, have helped fill the offensive hole left by the midseason departure of last season’s leading scorer, the Argentine striker Valentín Castellanos, who joined the Spanish side Girona F.C. on a loan in July.N.Y.C.F.C. has been led since June by an interim coach, Nick Cushing, who took over after Ronny Deila left to join Standard Liège in Belgium. The team wobbled badly after the change, losing seven of nine games in August and September, but it closed the season with three straight wins.Montreal, meanwhile, might be the hottest team in the league: It has lost only once since July.Jesus Ferreira of F.C. Dallas was named this season’s M.L.S. young player of the year. The playoffs can serve as an audition for him to play for the United States in the World Cup.Jerome Miron/USA Today Sports, via ReutersFinal World Cup AuditionsFor some players, the playoffs offer more than just a shot at the M.L.S. Cup title. A number of players also are playing knowing that national team coaches will be watching.One player looking to lock down his spot — and some playing time — ahead of the World Cup is the 21-year-old forward Jesus Ferreira of F.C. Dallas. Ferreira, who was just named this season’s M.L.S. young player of the year, led Dallas with 18 goals in 33 games. He is in contention for a striker role for the United States, but a poor showing in a friendly against Japan in September didn’t help his case. A good run of playoff form, however, might help restore his confidence, and his place in U.S. Coach Gregg Berhalter’s plans.Another American hopeful is N.Y.C.F.C.’s goalkeeper Sean Johnson, who posted 14 shutouts during the regular season and started every game for New York. Johnson has an outside shot at making the roster and going to Qatar, even if he is not likely to be starter.Ismaël Koné, a 20-year-old midfielder for Montreal, is looking to earn a spot on Canada’s national team, which will be returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1986. Koné scored two goals and had five assists for Montreal during the regular season, and he scored a key goal in Montreal’s 2-0 victory over Orlando City in the first round of the playoffs. More

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      Gareth Bale only 23rd highest earner in MLS after LAFC transfer with ex-Liverpool outcast on nearly FOUR TIMES as much

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      GARETH BALE swapped Real Madrid for LAFC over the summer in a high profile free transfer.But after earning a reported £550,000-a-week at the Bernabeu, the 33-year-old took a huge salary slash when he jetted stateside.
      Gareth Bale is only the 23rd highest earner in the MLSCredit: Getty
      The top 10 highest earners in the MLS
      Despite being one of the biggest names in the league, the former Tottenham star is only the 23rd highest earner in the MLS.
      In figures published by MLS’ players’ association, Bale bags just a tad over £2million per year in “guaranteed compensation” for the season.
      That is reported to include any signing on and guaranteed bonus, and works out at just £38,400-a-week.
      Bale’s earnings are dwarfed by Toronto FC star Lorenzo Insigne, who pockets a whopping £12.4m per season.
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      Insigne joined Toronto from Napoli in the summer and is by far the highest earner in the MLS.
      Former Liverpool outcast Xherdan Shaqiri comes in second at £7.2m per season, almost £5m less than Insigne, but close to four times as much as what Bale earns.
      Manchester United cult hero Javier Hernandez is the third top earner in the MLS at £6.6m per season.
      Other notable names in the top 10 include ex-Chelsea flop Gonzalo Higuain, who earned £5m in his final season with Inter Miami before retiring from football on Monday.
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      While ex-Liverpool striker Christian Benteke (3.6m) and former Tottenham midfielder Victor Wanyama (£2.7m) don’t even make the top 10.
      But they both still earn more than Bale, who is on peanuts compared to others in the league.
      Although Bale’s involvement for LAFC doesn’t quite justify him earning top dollar.
      The Wales skipper has started just two MLS games since joining the club.
      After a flying start saw him net twice in his first four games, Bale tailed off towards the end of the campaign.
      There is still time to turn it around though, with Bale in MLS play-off action against rivals LA Galaxy in the early hours of Friday.
      Bale is set to lead Wales at the World Cup next monthCredit: Alamy More

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      Phil Neville set to find out Inter Miami future with Man Utd legend and ALL backroom staff out of contract after MLS end

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      PHIL NEVILLE hopes to find out this week about his MLS future.The Inter Miami boss and ALL of his backroom staff are out of contract at the end of the season.
      Phil Neville wants to stay but saw Inter Miami exit the play-offs in the first roundCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Inter Miami owner David Beckham could face making an awkward decision over his pal, team manager Phil NevilleCredit: Getty
      And after disappointingly crashing out of the MLS play-offs in the first round against reigning champs New York City FC on Monday night, owner David Beckham has a big decision to make.
      Former Lionesses boss Neville is desperate to stay in south Florida and knew getting to the play-offs was a minimum requirement for Becks.
      But he has been worried about his situation for a while now and wants talks immediately.
      Neville has embraced Miami and the MLS and wants to stay for another two years with his family settled and son Harvey making his breakthrough into the first team.
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      Miami were slapped with a huge financial penalty this season following the signing of French World Cup winner Blaise Matuidi which hit their transfer funds yet still managed to finish sixth in the Eastern Conference.
      Neville talked after the NYCFC defeat of planning for next season now star striker Gonzalo Higuain has retired.
      He added: “We want to go deep into the play-offs.
      “It’s a baby step forward but I think we have changed the way people look at Inter Miami. That was important.”
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      Ex-Argentina hero Higuain, 34, was in tears after his swansong on Monday, a 3-0 loss to NYCFC.
      He said: “I felt like what I had loved the most as a job had ended. It was half my life, my career, 17-and-a-half years.
      “Images from my entire career came to my mind.
      “Where I lived, where I worked, what I experienced and I’m leaving very happy because I gave it all until today. That’s the most important thing.” More

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      Man Utd icon Wayne Rooney spotted in Cheshire as DC United boss flies home to see wife Coleen and kids after MLS blow

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      WAYNE ROONEY was back in Cheshire to see his wife and children after the MLS season ended without success for his DC United team. The Manchester United legend returned to the UK to be with Coleen and his kids Kai, Klay, Cass and Kit, who remain living in England while he is based in the United States.
      Wayne Rooney was spotted back home in CheshireCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      The DC United boss has retuned to England as the season in America has endedCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      He plans to spend time with his wife and children during the off-seasonCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      But there will be plenty of work to do as he aims to improve DC UnitedCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Rooney, 36, was pictured out walking in Alderley Edge, Cheshire on Friday afternoon.
      He wore a tracksuit, puffer jacket, trainers and cap for the stroll.
      The former England international took charge of the Washington based side in July half way through the season but he has been unable to change the fortunes of the club.
      DC United finished bottom of the Eastern Conference missing out on a play-off spot by 21 points.
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      They also scored the fewest goals and conceded the most in the division.
      The former England star has managed 14 games in the MLS winning two and losing nine.
      But with the season now over Rooney is back at home ready to take on father duties like family “taxi driver”.
      He told The Telegraph: “The kids are off school so I’ll go back to being a taxi driver for a few weeks and then look to try and get some time away on holiday for half term.”
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      But his mind is always on football as he looks to re-build DC United over the winter break.
      He said: “The mentality and the character of the club needs to improve.
      “It’s a big offseason for us. If we’re going to compete, if we’re going to be successful, there will have to be big changes, and quite a few of them.
      “It’s my job, which I will do, to push the owners. If we want to be successful, if we want to develop as a team and a club, we need to make sure we make the right decisions this offseason.
      “It’s going to be a lot of work, but it needs it.”
      Rooney is back home but in a different house after he and Coleen sold their mansion dubbed Wayne’s World for £3.7million.
      Despite not living in Washington, the family recently flew to Washington to visit WayneCredit: Coleen Rooney – Instagram More

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      ‘Our lost daughter will be in our hearts forever’ – Italy star Lorenzo Insigne reveals his wife suffered miscarriage

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      HEARTBROKEN Lorenzo Insigne revealed he and his wife suffered a miscarriage – but insisted their daughter will be “in our hearts forever”. The Toronto FC winger, who moved to the MLS after 16 years with Napoli, opened up on the tragic loss after struggling to settle to life in Canada.
      Lorenzo Insigne and his wife Genny suffered a miscarriage
      The Italian winger revealed the devastating news in a press conference
      The 54-cap Italy star took a break from football last month for personal matters.
      And has now revealed the devastating reason as he talked openly about the daughter her and wife Jenny lost.
      Grieving Insigne, 31, said: “It’s well known that I have had to deal with personal problems in the last few weeks, but perhaps not everyone knows the reasons.
      “So let me make it clear, my wife and I have lost a daughter, who will remain in our hearts forever.
      Lorenzo and Jenny have two sons together – Carmine and ChristianCredit: Instagram
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      “But we had a big family problem. I find it hard to explain why I don’t feel like it.
      “We had a big loss together with my wife and it was not easy. We are trying to move forward together as we always have. 
      “We have two other beautiful children, they allow us to be carefree, but our thoughts are always with us.
      “It’s always in our thoughts what happened to us.”
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      Insigne married Genoveffa Darone in December 2012.
      Their first son, Carmine, arrived four months later while Christian was born in March 2015.
      Insigne played 434 times for Napoli’s senior side, scoring 122 goals and winning two Coppa Italias.
      The Euro 2020 champ signed a four-year free contract at Toronto to join this summer and become the MLS’ highest-paid star.
      He has so far scored six goals and added two assists in 12 games.
      Insigne added at the emotional press conference: “When I arrived I knew it would be a difficult transition, but next year we will start together and we will be united.
      “We will stay united, it will be a great season and we know we will win a lot next year.”
      Insigne swapped Napoli for Toronto FC in the MLS this summerCredit: Alamy More

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      Man Utd legend Phil Neville’s son Harvey makes MLS debut for Inter Miami clash with Montreal and has instant impact

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      HARVEY NEVILLE made his MLS debut – but it’s not the talk of the dinner table.The full-back, 20, was brought on by dad Phil in Inter Miami’s final home game of the season and instantly helped bring a smile to DRV PNK Stadium.
      Harvey Neville, right, made his MLS debutCredit: AP
      The 20-year-old was promoted to Inter Miami’s first team earlier this yearCredit: Instagram @harvey.neville
      His cross was deflected into the net to bring Miami back into the game against Montreal who had stormed into a 3-0 lead.
      Neville’s assist didn’t spark a comeback but it did ensure his old man’s team finished in sixth to set up a play-off crunch with New York City next weekend instead of meeting the dangerous Canadians again who ended sitting pretty in second place.
      Just don’t expect the Neville family to be talking about it at home.
      Harvey told SunSport: “I was so happy to get on the field, make my debut and contribute.
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      “My dad and I don’t talk about Inter Miami at home, yeah we watch matches together but we won’t speak too much about our own team.
      “We try to keep everything separate, even if we are now in the play-offs.
      “I’m not sure what my mum and sister talk about but I am just proud to be part of this team.”
      Neville, a former Manchester United youth player, was brought into the first team this season and although he came on against Barcelona in a friendly and in a US Open Cup match, this was his first taste of MLS action.
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      He added: “It was amazing to make my debut, I didn’t know it would happen this season but I am so pleased to get out there and help the team.
      “The strongest area of my game is to get on the ball and try to affect the games and get forward as much as possible.”
      Inter Miami take on New York City at Red Bull Arena on Monday next week. More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo lined up by David Beckham’s Inter Miami as they prepare sensational January transfer swoop

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      DAVID BECKHAM’S Inter Miami are lining up a sensational January window swoop for Cristiano Ronaldo.America’s MLS side are planning a return bid to try and sign the Manchester United superstar, after failing last summer.
      Cristiano Ronaldo is a transfer target for Inter MiamiCredit: AFP
      David Beckham wants to bring CR7 to the MLSCredit: Reuters
      But Old Trafford legend and former team-mate Wayne Rooney claims the five-time Ballon D’Or winner – now 37 – is past his best.
      Rooney – now boss at MLS side DC United – insisted: “Cristiano and Lionel Messi are two of the greatest players to ever play the game.
      “But, ultimately, time catches up with us all. It’s a tough one for Cristiano. He is obviously not the player he was when he was 22 or 23.”
      Old Trafford insiders claim Ronaldo would seriously consider a move to America, after spending much of the season on the bench under new boss Erik ten Hag.
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      And Rooney added: “Knowing him, it’ll be very difficult for him to sit on the bench.”
      Inter, the club ex-United star Beckham helped found in 2018, have sounded out the possibility, and prepared to offer a £30million package for the Portuguese legend.
      United knocked back an attempt to sign him on a free in the last transfer window, insisting they wanted a fee.
      Inter, who reached the MLS play-offs last week, believe Ronaldo could now be available for nothing, after Ten Hag made it obvious he does not have a major role in his plans.
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      Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain is their current marquee player, but he is retiring at the end of the season – and signing one of football’s all-time greats would be viewed as a massive coup.
      Ronaldo, who took Beckham’s No.7 shirt when he joined United first time round, still harbours a dream of playing in Europe – and the Champions League – and PSG would consider a move if Messi returned to Barcelona in the summer.
      But waiting for a move to France which might never happen would be a huge gamble for the Portuguese striker… and Inter want to seal a deal before then.
      It could see him remain at Old Trafford for the rest of the English season, although United are more likely to let him go in January – if the terms are acceptable.
      Training ground sources believe Ronaldo might now use the Qatar World Cup as his top-flight swansong.
      Ronaldo has made only one league start under ten Hag – the 4-0 hiding at Brentford – and five more off the bench.
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      He has played in all three Europa League games, and his solitary goal this season came in September’s win over Moldovan minnows Sheriff Tiraspol.
      Insiders insist his training levels and attitude are still impressive, but also say he is downcast at his situation.
      Ronaldo is one away from 700 club goalsCredit: Getty More

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      Liverpool ‘send scout who recommended Luis Diaz to follow Chicago Fire wonderkid Jhon Duran amid £10m transfer interest’

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      LIVERPOOL have reportedly sent the same scout who discovered Luis Diaz to watch Chicago Fire’s teenage sensation Jhon Duran.SunSport exclusively revealed on Saturday that the Reds were lining up a move for the 18-year-old Colombian wonderkid.
      Liverpool have sent a scout to watch Chicago Fire ace Jhon DuranCredit: Getty
      The Reds have sent the same person who recommended Luis DiazCredit: Getty
      And now reports suggest the Reds have had someone keeping a keen eye on Duran.
      Colombian journalist Pipe Sierra claims Liverpool have sent the same scout who followed Diaz when he was at Porto to go and watch Duran.
      The scout in question clearly has good judgement, with Diaz turning out to be a brilliant buy for the Reds.
      The forward hit the ground running as soon as he arrived at Anfield earlier this year in a deal worth up to £50m.
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      Meanwhile Duran, who plays up front, has scored eight goals and provided six assists in 27 games for Chicago Fire after signing from Colombian side Envigado in January.
      But the MLS outfit could be willing to let Duran move on already for the right money.
      A fee of around £10million plus extras may be enough to seal a deal, while Sierra claims £8.5m could even be enough for his signature.
      Fire sold keeper Gabriel Slonina, also 18, to Chelsea for a similar price over the summer.
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      The Blues are also keeping tabs on Duran, as are clubs all over Europe.
      French outfit Lille, German side Eintracht Frankfurt, and Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven are all reported to be keen.
      Duran made his senior Colombia debut last week, featuring alongside Anfield star Diaz in the friendly wins over Guatemala and Mexico. More