Nancy hired as coach of MLS’s Columbus, leaves Montreal
December 6, 2022 GMTCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Wilfried Nancy was hired Tuesday to coach Major League Soccer's Columbus Crew, replacing Caleb Porter.
Nancy was born in France and spent the last two seasons as coach of CF Montreal, which agreed to release Nancy and some of his assistants in exchange for compensation.
France counting on Rabiot to play starring World Cup role
November 25, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — France is counting on midfielder Adrien Rabiot to continue to deliver for the defending World Cup champions in their match against Denmark on Saturday.
Neymar silent before Brazil opens vs. Serbia at World Cup
November 23, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — Neymar hasn’t spoken a word publicly since arriving at the World Cup.
Morocco holds Modric and Croatia 0-0 at World Cup
November 23, 2022 GMTAL KHOR, Qatar (AP) — Another surprisingly strong performance by an Arab country at the World Cup in Qatar stifled the threat of Luka Modric and held 2018 finalist Croatia to a 0-0 draw.
Man United owners prepared to sell Premier League club
November 22, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — Manchester United's American owners confirmed Tuesday they would consider putting the iconic Premier League club up for sale.
United said the Glazer family was exploring outside funding to enhance growth — a move that could pave the way to a potential buyout.
Relaxed Messi determined to savor ‘likely’ final World Cup
November 21, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — Maybe it’s his age. Maybe it’s his stellar form for Paris Saint-Germain. Maybe it’s that drought-ending Copa America title last year.
But there’s something different about Lionel Messi at the World Cup — a fact he acknowledges himself.
World Cup could mean redemption for Brazil forward Neymar
November 18, 2022 GMTWhen Neymar was preparing to play for Brazil at his first World Cup back in 2014, the hype surrounding him was considerable.
Qatar’s World Cup denounced for ‘washing’ country’s image
November 16, 2022 GMTQatar's decision to launch itself into hosting the 2022 World Cup was a head-scratcher from the start. Why, some wondered, would a Middle Eastern emirate with fewer than 3 million people and little soccer tradition want to host the sport's biggest event?
France replaces injured Nkunku with Kolo Muani for World Cup
November 16, 2022 GMTPARIS (AP) — Defending champion France's World Cup injury worries continued as forward Christopher Nkunku was injured in the team's last training session and replaced in the squad by Randal Kolo Muani on Wednesday.
Neymar joins Brazil, has 1st practice ahead of World Cup
November 15, 2022 GMTTURIN, Italy (AP) — Neymar took part in Brazil's training session on Tuesday, his first with the national team ahead of the World Cup.
The star forward joined the group later than the rest of the players because of a problem with his flight from France, where he finished the first part of the season with Paris Saint-Germain.
WORLD CUP WATCH: European clubs have 73% of players selected
November 15, 2022 GMTGENEVA, Switzerland (AP) — European soccer shapes to have some World Cup winners with 73% of players at the tournament coming from clubs in the sport’s richest continent.
How things stand in Europe’s top leagues before World Cup
November 14, 2022 GMTHow things stand in Europe's top leagues ahead of the World Cup:
ENGLAND
Arsenal looks like the real deal after building a five-point lead atop of the Premier League. Few saw Mikel Arteta’s team as a credible title challenger before the season but 12 wins from 14 games have set a pace that even Manchester City cannot match.
Viewer’s guide for the World Cup in Qatar
November 14, 2022 GMTA last chance for Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Kylian Mbappé back on the biggest stage of all. Brazil bidding for a record-extending sixth title.
One of the most eagerly anticipated World Cups in memory — as much for off-the-field reasons as those on it — begins Sunday in Qatar.
France adds Thuram for World Cup, Disasi replaces Kimpembe
November 14, 2022 GMTMarcus Thuram was handed the last spot in the France squad that will defend its World Cup title in Qatar while the uncapped Axel Disasi was also called up on Monday after Presnel Kimpembe had to pull out.
PSG’s World Cup-bound stars all unscathed as leader wins 5-0
November 13, 2022 GMTPARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain's stars came through their final game before the World Cup unscathed, with France forward Kylian Mbappe opening the scoring in the unbeaten league leader's 5-0 home win against Auxerre on Sunday.
MATCHDAY: Final games in European leagues before World Cup
November 13, 2022 GMTA look at what’s happening in European soccer on Sunday:
ENGLAND
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will look for his team to end on a high at Fulham as the Premier League pauses for the World Cup.
Lens moves 2 points behind PSG, Rennes beats Toulouse 2-1
November 12, 2022 GMTPARIS (AP) — Second-place Lens moved within two points of French league leader Paris Saint-Germain by beating Clermont 2-1 on Saturday.
Striker Wesley Said equalized on the hour and midfielder Seko Fofana added the second goal in the 68th minute, after Clermont took a surprise lead late in the first half.
PSG rests Marquinhos but Messi, Neymar and Mbappe in squad
November 12, 2022 GMTPARIS (AP) — Brazil defender Marquinhos has been rested for Paris Saint-Germain's final game before the World Cup in Qatar because of muscle discomfort.
Lyon draws with Nice 1-1 after Benzema shows off Ballon d’Or
November 11, 2022 GMTLYON, France (AP) — Karim Benzema returned and Alexandre Lacazette’s late penalty rescued a 1-1 draw for Lyon against Nice to keep his team just ahead of the visitors in the French league on Friday.
Forward Ansu Fati back in Spain squad for World Cup
November 11, 2022 GMTMADRID (AP) — Twenty-year-old forward Ansu Fati returned to Spain's squad on Friday following a two-year absence, joining coach Luis Enrique's young team for the World Cup.
Ansu has not played for Spain since making his fourth appearance as a teenager in October 2020 shortly after breaking the record for Spain's youngest scorer.
Uncapped Xavi Simons in Dutch World Cup squad, Cillessen out
November 11, 2022 GMTZEIST, Netherlands (AP) — Uncapped attacking midfielder Xavi Simons was included Friday in the Netherlands' World Cup squad, while veteran goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen did not make coach Louis van Gaal's roster for the tournament in Qatar.
MATCHDAY: Lyon plays Nice; Borussias meet in Germany
November 10, 2022 GMTA look at what’s happening in European soccer on Friday:
GERMANY
Two Borussias with plenty to prove get the Bundesliga’s 15th round underway when Borussia Dortmund visits Borussia Mönchengladbach.
PSG coach Galtier has selection headache close to World Cup
November 10, 2022 GMTPARIS (AP) — A home game against modest Auxerre would usually not be something for Paris Saint-Germain to worry about.
Ronaldo to lead talented Portugal squad in Qatar World Cup
November 10, 2022 GMTCristiano Ronaldo will enter his fifth World Cup with a Portugal squad filled with talented players but that will be missing some national team regulars.
Ronaldo will team up with Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes and João Félix, but among those not included in the list of 26 players selected by coach Fernando Santos on Thursday were José Fonte, Gonçalo Guedes, Renato Sanches and João Moutinho, the player with the second-most appearances with the national team behind Ronaldo.
En-Nesyri in Morocco’s World Cup squad despite goal drought
November 10, 2022 GMTRABAT, Morocco (AP) — Striker Youssef En-Nesyri was selected in Morocco's squad for the World Cup on Thursday despite failing to score a league goal this season for Spanish club Sevilla.
Messi returns to training with PSG ahead of Sunday’s game
November 10, 2022 GMTPARIS (AP) — Lionel Messi returned to training with Paris Saint-Germain as expected on Thursday after being rested for the French club's previous league game because of some inflammation on his Achilles tendon.
Lukaku in Belgium’s World Cup squad despite injury
November 10, 2022 GMTRomelu Lukaku was selected in Belgium's 26-man squad for the World Cup on Thursday despite coach Roberto Martinez not expecting to be able to call on the injured striker until after the group stage.
Varane, Kimpembe and Giroud named in France World Cup squad
November 9, 2022 GMTPARIS (AP) — France coach Didier Deschamps picked central defenders Raphael Varane and Prensel Kimpembe, but left out standout goalkeeper Mike Maignan in a World Cup squad announced Wednesday amid injury concerns.
Ratcliffe has no interest in buying Man United or Liverpool
November 9, 2022 GMTMANCHESTER, England (AP) — Jim Ratcliffe has dropped interest in buying Manchester United, months after considering a takeover bid for the Premier League club.
The billionaire owner of petrochemicals firm INEOS also has no intention of making an offer for Liverpool, whose owner Fenway Sports Group this week confirmed it was open to selling its shares.
French club Troyes fires coach Irles after winless run
November 8, 2022 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — French club Troyes fired coach Bruno Irles on Tuesday after a six-match winless run.
Irles had been appointed in January after Laurent Batlles was fired. He was under contract until June 2023
Brazil World Cup squad includes 9 forwards, Dani Alves
November 7, 2022 GMTRIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Brazil's wealth of attacking options was highlighted when nine forwards were picked in the World Cup squad on Monday.
Neymar spearheaded the group of forwards including relative youngsters Vinicius Jr., Gabriel Martinelli and Rodrygo.
WORLD CUP WATCH: Club season ready to pause, injuries mount
November 7, 2022 GMTOne more week.
That’s the time coaches of World Cup teams need to wait before they finally get their hands on their players ahead of a truncated build-up to the tournament in Qatar.
Madrid-Liverpool, PSG-Bayern in Champions League last-16
November 7, 2022 GMTNYON, Switzerland (AP) — Real Madrid will play Liverpool, again. Bayern Munich will play Paris Saint-Germain, again.
Two rematches of recent Champions League finals were set up Monday by the draw for the round of 16 as some of Europe's top heavyweights were paired together.
European club competition draws
November 7, 2022 GMTNYON, Switzerland (AP) — Champions League
Pereira heads late winner as leader PSG wins 2-1 at Lorient
November 6, 2022 GMTPARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain needed a late goal from defender Danilo Pereira on Sunday to scrape a 2-1 win at Lorient and restore its five-point lead at the top of the French league.
Pereira headed home Neymar's corner in the 81st minute as unbeaten PSG maintained its comfortable gap over second-place Lens.
MATCHDAY: Arsenal faces London derby test, PSG rests Messi
November 5, 2022 GMTA look at what’s happening in European soccer on Sunday:
ENGLAND
Arsenal faces the latest test of its Premier League title credentials in a London derby with Chelsea. Manchester City's late win against Fulham on Saturday saw the reigning champions move back to the top of the table, meaning Arsenal will need a victory at Stamford Bridge to reclaim first place.
Lens beats Angers for a 4th straight victory, Ajaccio wins
November 5, 2022 GMTPARIS (AP) — Second-place Lens won 2-1 at rock-bottom Angers to secure a fourth straight victory and move two points behind French league leader Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday.
Forward Wesley Said gave Lens the lead in the 21st minute and Argentine defender Facundo Medina made it 2-0 early in the second half.
Messi to sit out PSG game against Lorient as a precaution
November 5, 2022 GMTPARIS (AP) — Lionel Messi has some inflammation on his Achilles tendon and is being rested for Paris Saint-Germain's trip to Lorient on Sunday as a precautionary measure.
PSG said Saturday that the Argentina star, who will look to win the World Cup for the first time in his stellar career, is expected to resume training next week.
Striker Balde turns provider as Troyes held 1-1 by Auxerre
November 4, 2022 GMTPARIS (AP) — Striker Mama Balde turned provider this time but it wasn't enough as Troyes was held by Auxerre to 1-1 in the French league on Friday.
Balde scored twice last weekend when Troyes gave league leader Paris Saint-Germain a fright by twice leading in a 4-3 loss.
MATCHDAY: Man City can top EPL, Pique plays last for Barca
November 4, 2022 GMTA look at what’s happening in European soccer on Saturday:
ENGLAND
Manchester City can move back to the top of the Premier League with a win against Fulham. Early season leader Arsenal does not play until Sunday, meaning it is an opportunity for Pep Guardiola's team to take advantage and keep the pressure on the London club, which faces a test of its title credentials against Chelsea.
MATCHDAY: Bilbao visits Girona; Mama Baldé leads Troyes
November 3, 2022 GMTA look at what’s happening in European soccer on Friday:
SPAIN
Athletic Bilbao visits Girona seeking to end a three-game winless streak on the road in the Spanish league. Ernesto Valverde’s team beat Villarreal last round at home to sit in sixth place.
Emery is back in the Premier League to prove Arsenal wrong
November 3, 2022 GMTMANCHESTER, England (AP) — With Unai Emery in charge, Aston Villa is more likely to return to European competition than the second-division Championship.
Ronaldo, Messi and others likely playing at last World Cup
November 3, 2022 GMTBERLIN (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are among a handful of players hoping for a final hurrah in what is likely to be their last World Cup appearance.
Besides those two, there's also Robert Lewandowski, Luis Suárez, Luka Modric, Dani Alves, Manuel Neuer and Thomas Müller.
Benfica wins its group with 6-1 rout of Maccabi Haifa
November 2, 2022 GMTHAIFA, Israel (AP) — Benfica kept pressing and the goals kept coming.
João Mário's long-range strike in stoppage time sealed Benfica's 6-1 rout of Maccabi Haifa that was enough to secure the Portuguese team a helpful first place in its Champions League group on Wednesday.
City teenager Rico Lewis breaks Benzema CL record
November 2, 2022 GMTMANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester City teenager Rico Lewis had to earn his start against Sevilla, and he made the most of it.
The full-back became the youngest player in Champions League history to score in his first start in the competition.
Milan back in Champions League last 16; PSG faces tough draw
November 2, 2022 GMTIt took nine years for seven-time European champion AC Milan to finally win its way back into the Champions League knockout rounds with a 4-0 victory over Salzburg on Wednesday.
Paris Saint-Germain’s quest for a first European title got potentially tougher because it is now unseeded in the round of 16 draw Monday despite winning 2-1 at Juventus.
Mbappé’s memorable plays not enough for PSG to win group
November 2, 2022 GMTTURIN, Italy (AP) — If Kylian Mbappé keeps this up, he might be unstoppable at the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.
Mbappé’s power and strength were on full display when he shook off a defender tugging desperately on his shirt to score a memorable goal in the Champions League on Wednesday.
MATCHDAY: Final matches in Champions League group stage
November 1, 2022 GMTA look at what’s happening in the Champions League on Wednesday:
GROUP E
AC Milan hosts Salzburg with a spot in the last 16 up for grabs alongside Chelsea, which is already assured of winning the group ahead of its home match against Dinamo Zagreb.
US women’s coach names roster for 2 games against Germany
October 31, 2022 GMTAlex Morgan has been included on the United States women's roster for a pair of exhibition matches against Germany after missing the team's recent games in Europe with a knee injury.
Mallory Pugh and Taylor Kornieck, who also missed the Americans' losses earlier this month to England and Spain, were also named to the 24-player roster.
WORLD CUP WATCH: Messi back in supreme form ahead of Qatar
October 31, 2022 GMTLionel Messi is back in supreme form, just in time for the World Cup.
With 12 goals in his last 10 games for his club and his country, the Argentina forward is delivering his best run of performances since joining Paris Saint-Germain after an emotional departure from Barcelona in the offseason of 2021.
Rennes up to 3rd in France after Lorient loses to Nice
October 31, 2022 GMTPARIS (AP) — Rennes moved up to third in the French league with a 3-0 win over Montpellier on Sunday, taking advantage of Lorient's 2-1 defeat at home to Nice.
Martin Terrier and Arnaud Kalimuendo scored in the first half for Rennes with Amine Gouiri adding a third in the 85th minute.
Messi, Neymar and Mbappe all score in PSG win
October 29, 2022 GMTPARIS (AP) — Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe all scored as Paris Saint-Germain beat Troyes 4-3 in the French league on Saturday.
Carlos Soler was the other scorer at the Parc des Princes for PSG, which has a five-point lead over Lens.
Openda nets hat trick as Lens beats Toulouse 3-0 in France
October 28, 2022 GMTPARIS (AP) — Lois Openda came on as a substitute and scored a hat trick to give Lens a 3-0 win over Toulouse in the French league on Friday that provisionally put his team two points behind leader Paris Saint-Germain.
Cologne wins Conference League game delayed a day by fog
October 28, 2022 GMTUKERSKÉ HRADIŠTĚ, Czech Republic (AP) — After a day's delay caused by thick fog, Cologne beat Slovácko 1-0 in the Europa Conference League on Friday.
The scheduled kickoff on Thursday night at Czech team Slovácko's stadium was put off twice in the hope the fog might clear.
MATCHDAY: Werder hosts Hertha, Lens looks to close in on PSG
October 27, 2022 GMTA look at what’s happening in European soccer on Friday:
GERMANY
Werder Bremen hosts Hertha Berlin in a meeting of two teams seeking mid-table sanctuary from the threat of relegation. Bremen's first season back in the Bundesliga after promotion started well and the team has pulled away steadily from the relegation battle, now sitting in 11th, but a run of three defeats in the league and cup has raised concerns.
Gouiri hitting form again with an improving Rennes side.
October 27, 2022 GMTPARIS (AP) — After an unexpected slump last season, forward Amine Gouiri is finding his form again with an improving Rennes side.
The team's four-game winning streak, with 11 goals netted during that spell, is also linked to his upsurge in form.
Choupo-Moting emerges as Bayern’s unlikely new star
October 27, 2022 GMTDÜSSELDORF, Germany (AP) — It turns out Bayern Munich might need a striker after all.
After Robert Lewandowski was sold to Barcelona, Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann has struggled with how to balance his team without a traditional center forward.
MATCHDAY: Man United, Arsenal in action in Europa League
October 26, 2022 GMTA look at what’s happening in European soccer on Thursday:
EUROPA LEAGUE
Cristiano Ronaldo could return to action for Manchester United after being left out of the squad for the team's last game against Chelsea for refusing to come on as a substitute in United’s 2-0 win over Tottenham last week.
Messi stars, PSG among 4 teams advancing in Champions League
October 25, 2022 GMTHis first goal was a nonchalant, outside-of-the-foot finish. His second was pretty much his trademark — fast feet outside the area and then a precise curler into the corner.
Lionel Messi kept up his stellar pre- World Cup form to help rampant Paris Saint-Germain become one of four teams to advance to the last 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday, along with Chelsea, Benfica and Borussia Dortmund.
MNM trio fires PSG into CL knockout stage with 7-2 win
October 25, 2022 GMTPARIS (AP) — The “MNM” trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe all scored Tuesday to fire PSG into the knockout stage of the Champions League.
The Qatari-backed club thrashed Maccabi Haifa 7-2 to advance to the round of 16 for an 11th straight season.