Major League Soccer

NEW YORK CITY FC have announced plans for a groundbreaking “cube” stadium in Queens.The MLS club, who were founded just 10 years ago, have long been working on building a stadium in one of the City’s five boroughs.New York City FC have announced plans to build a new stadium by 2027Credit: newyorkcityfc.comThe custom-built arena will sit adjacent to Citi Field, home of MLB’s New York MetsCredit: newyorkcityfc.comThe ground with feature a seven-story entrance lined with LEDsCredit: newyorkcityfc.comThe unnamed stadium is set to feature some incredible designs including a seven-story tall entrance lined with 11,000 square feet of LEDs that the club is calling “The Cube”.NYCFC’s CEO Brad Sims told The Athletic that he thought the unusual entrance would be the distinctive feature that would help differentiate their stadium from others.He said: “You go through the whole process and you think how are we going to differentiate ourselves?“Not just amongst soccer-specific stadiums in North America, but also differentiate ourselves against the New York area’s other sports venues.”I think our grand entrance through the cube is going to be very different from any other kind of sense of arrival, of welcoming to a sports event that any of our fans have ever seen.”There’s a need to stand out amongst the crowd in New York too with a whole host of sporting venues dotted around the city.NYCFC’s new stadium is anticipated to be built at Willets Point adjacent to Citi Field, home of the New York Mets in MLB and a stones-throw from the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre, home of the U.S. Open.The stadium is expected to cost around $780million (£613million) to construct and will be entirely privately funded.Most read in SoccerThe project would be the first ever soccer-specific arena built in New York and has a planned capacity of 25,000 people.It is part of a bigger development in Willets Point with plans to build 2,500 affordable homes, a 650 seat public school, 250 hotel keys and 115,000 square feet of open space in the surrounding area.The plans are set to offer over 16,500 jobs for the local community from construction and operations too.The 2021 MLS champions have announced that they intend for the stadium to be completed in time for the 2027 MLS season.Mock-ups show what the stadium will look like insideCredit: newyorkcityfc.comThe exterior has a striking designCredit: newyorkcityfc.comThe plans would see investment into the surrounding area tooCredit: newyorkcityfc.com More

LIONEL MESSI appeared to accidentally hit a toddler with a wayward free-kick while starring for Inter Miami.The World Cup winner, 35, scored twice as David Beckham’s franchise romped to a 5-0 MLS win over Florida rivals Orlando City.Lionel Messi’s wayward free-kick apparently hit a toddler in the standsThe ace scored twice as Inter Miami battered Orlando FC 5-0Credit: XLuis Suarez also netted a brace in the opening 11 minutes as Miami moved top of the Eastern Conference standings.But one error from Messi saw a toddler left in tears.The Argentina legend lined up a free-kick in the hopes of bagging a third goal.However, Messi’s effort went some way wide of the post.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd it ended up sailing into the Miami crowd behind the net.Unfortunately, a toddler with a pacified appeared to be hit by the ball as it sailed into supporters.Video footage shows the moment Messi sent his effort wide.And the camera then swings around to show a kid in tears being comforted by two women, one of who is holding the match ball.Most read in FootballHOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALLFans were left bemused by the situation as they reacted online.One said: “Brave parents there.”Lionel Messi documentary promises ‘special access’ to Argentina star’s ‘raw feelings’ throughout World Cup winAnother joked: “The baby was shouting ‘Ronaldo’ at Messi.”One noted: “Should probably be holding a kid that small at a game if you’re the parent.”Another added: “Who was the smart a** who thought allowing infants in that area would be a good idea?”Messi’s latest strike was his third of the season, and his 14th since joining Miami last year.He made the move to America after quitting Paris Saint-Germain in June.Barcelona had hoped to re-sign him but were left high and dry due to financial constraints. More

HUGO LLORIS endured horrific weather conditions in his second MLS appearance on Saturday.The former Tottenham goalkeeper played in a snowstorm as LAFC were beaten 3-0 by Real Salt Lake in Utah.Hugo Lloris played in a snowstorm for LAFC against Real Salt LakeCredit: X/ @MLSThe former Premier League goalkeeper was left covered in snow during the 3-0 defeatCredit: GettyLloris, who joined the MLS side in January, was left covered in snow as fans joked he did not know what he had got himself into.The match at America First Field was delayed by two hours due to the conditions.Once the game finally got underway, though, it was suspended after just four minutes because of lightning.Two goals from Andres Gomez and another from Cristian Arango were enough for a comfortable home victory.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe cameras even picked up a frozen Lloris grimacing in the snow after conceding for the second time.He was left with a pile of snow on top of his head after being beaten by Gomez.Reacting on social media, one fan wrote: “The amount of snow just resting on Hugo Lloris’ head here. A long day for him.”Another joked: “Not even a cold and windy night in Stoke could have prepared him for this.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSA third fan also commented: “I bet he didn’t expect this.”Meanwhile, one more asked: “How’s this game not called off?”‘He’s just taking the p**s,’ say fans as they spot ‘savage’ Messi’s ‘disrespectful’ skill against injured opponentLloris signed a one-year deal with LAFC in January after more than 11 years at Tottenham.He has since made two appearances in the MLS, having racked up 361 in the Premier League for Spurs. More

GARY LINEKER has slammed a new set of rules being introduced in the MLS.The league’s lawmakers are looking to clamp down on time wasting during the 2024 season.Gary Lineker has fumed at new anti-time wasting rules introduced by the MLSCredit: AlamySubstituted players must now leave the pitch within ten seconds of the sub board going up.If not, their replacement cannot come on for 60 seconds, leaving their side a man short.In addition, players going off for treatment cannot come back on for two minutes.Reacting to the new rules, Lineker wrote on X: “More ridiculous nonsense.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”Punishing players and teams for getting hurt/injured thus rewarding those that commit fouls that cause injuries. You couldn’t make it up, but they do.”There are several exemptions to MLS’ new set of anti-timewasting regulations, however.The substitution rule does not apply to goalkeepers or injured players.Exemptions can also be applied for special situations pre-approved by the league as well as for safety or security reasons.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAs for players receiving treatment, the rule will not apply if they do not need medical staff or they voluntarily go off for treatment.Head injuries are also exempt, as are cardiac issues and life threatening events.He might sneak in’ predicts Gary Lineker as three young talents tipped to make England’s Euro 2024 squadIf a player requires treatment following a challenge which results in a yellow or red card, they will also not be required to stay off for two minutes.The new set of rules have been installed by the MLS for the 2024 season, which got underway last week. More