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      DC United slapped with huge fine after breaking strict MLS rules for appointing Wayne Rooney as their manager

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      DC UNITED have been fined £21,000 for the process that led to the hiring of Wayne Rooney as manager.The MLS side appointed Wazza as boss back in July after he quit his role as Derby County manager.
      Wayne Rooney has won two of his 14 games in charge of DC UnitedCredit: Getty
      Rooney, 37, spent two seasons Stateside with DC United as a player, becoming a popular figure in the 2018 and 2019 campaigns.
      His spell as a manager there has so far been less successful, however.
      He won just two of his 14 games in charge following his appointment, his side finishing BOTTOM of MLS’ Eastern Conference.
      And DC United have now been fined £21,000 for failing to meet the league’s Diversity Hiring Policy.
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      The rule states that when a managerial position becomes available, a team must have a “finalist pool [that] includes two or more candidates from underrepresented groups, whereby at least one candidate must be either Black or African American”.
      DC United believed they had met the criteria, only for one of their interviewees not to be deemed applicable.
      A statement confirmed: “While D.C. United relied on representations made by one of the candidate’s agents that the candidate understood that they were interviewing as a finalist for the open coaching position, the club learned during the interview that the candidate was not available to pursue the open position.
      “Once the club came to understand that the candidate was not available for the position, the discussion could no longer reasonably be considered a ‘finalist pool’ interview.
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      “Therefore, the club remained obligated to bring an additional candidate from an underrepresented group into the ‘finalist pool’ or request a waiver from MLS detailing the extenuating circumstances that would not allow them to have done so.”
      Rooney is plotting a better season for his DC United side next term.
      To help do so, he has sent scouts to run the rule over Burnley winger Manuel Benson.
      DC’s Pete Shuttleworth saw the sub win a crucial penalty against Norwich last Tuesday.
      With MLS in its off-season, Rooney is currently back at home in the UK.
      He is sporting a cut on his forehead, after son Cass, four, launched a plate like a frisbee – accidentally striking his dad. More

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      Lionel Messi ‘ignoring calls from Barcelona’ with old club desperate to seal return despite Inter Miami transfer talks

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      LIONEL MESSI is IGNORING calls from Barcelona as he holds talks over a sensational transfer to Inter Miami, reports suggest. The legendary Argentine has been linked with a switch to the MLS side when his current contract at Paris Saint-Germain expires in the summer.
      Lionel Messi is said to be ignoring phone calls from Barcelona’s presidentCredit: Getty
      This is despite the clear desire of former club Barcelona to bring him back – with their season once again threatening to capitulate.
      And according to Spanish outlet Sport, Messi has even been ignoring phone calls from a close negotiator to club president Joan Laporta – which would doubtless come as a huge blow to their ambitions.
      Messi, 35, seems to have finally hit his stride in Paris, with 12 goals and 13 assists in just 17 games this season.
      And while PSG would also like to keep him for longer, most reports on Messi’s future see it pointing elsewhere.
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      Inter owner David Beckham hinted at a possible move for Messi months ago.
      With this plan now out in the open the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and PSG star’s MLS franchise is said to be growing “increasingly confident” about securing Messi’s services.
      Miami already plays host to a $9million apartment for Messi, who previously admitted a desire to one day play in America.
      Messi has confirmed that the Qatar World Cup would be his final appearance at the tournament.
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      And as fate would have it, his 1000th career appearance could well be the final – though he would need to miss a few games between now and then to make that coincidence a reality.
      He “scared millions” earlier this month after going down and appearing to be injured – only for him to tie up his laces instead.
      The former Barca man recently overtook the record of Brazilian great Pele for the most goals and assists ever. More

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      Arsenal consider Facundo Torres transfer bid after being alerted to Orlando City star by scout who spotted Neymar

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      ARSENAL are considering making a bid for Orlando City star Facundo Torres, according to reports.The 22-year-old has impressed in the MLS this season and the Gunners have been made aware of him by scout Toni Lima.
      Facundo Torres is being monitored by ArsenalCredit: Getty
      Neymar was spotted by Toni Lima when at SantosCredit: Getty
      Lima has been credited with recommending Neymar to Barcelona and Coutinho to Inter Milan when both were playing in their homeland of Brazil.
      The Evening Standard report that Torres could be signed to provide competition for Bukayo Saka.
      Torres joined Orlando from Penarol in his native Uruguay for around £7.75million in January.
      Since touching down in the United States the 22-year-old has scored 14 goals and registered ten assists in 40 league matches.
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      He helped the Florida based side win the US Open Cup, the domestic cup competition, netting four times on their way to glory.
      He also featured in a pre-season friendly versus the Gunners over the summer.
      Before Torres left Penarol he won the Uruguayan league title with them in 2021.
      The winger is capable of playing on either flank and just off the striker with his versatility making him an attractive option for Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.
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      The Spaniard is rumoured to be desperate to bring in an extra winger in the January transfer window – with the club reportedly targeting Shakhtar Donestk ace Mykhaylo Mudryk.
      Arsenal have also reportedly showed an interest in Wolves’ Pedro Neto and PSV’s Cody Gakpo in the past.
      With the North London side sitting top of the table and going strong in the Europa League the board will back any spending Arteta may want to do – a SunSport exclusive revealed.
      If Torres does arrive at the Emirates he will be in battle with the likes of Reiss Nelson and Marquinhos who hope to get minutes if Saka or Gabriel Martinelli aren’t playing. More

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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