Toronto FC v Chicago Fire: Johnson excited to stay on with Reds

Sean Johnson is excited to extend his stay with Toronto FC, after penning a new contract with the club.

The goalkeeper, who has been included in the United States’ squad for the Copa America, joined Toronto ahead of the 2023 season from New York City FC.

While last season was a disappointment for the Reds, Toronto are sixth in the Eastern Conference, with 24 points from their 17 games so far in 2024.

Johnson has kept four clean sheets in 12 MLS appearances, and his good form has been rewarded with a deal that will keep him with Toronto until the end of the 2026 campaign.

Ahead of Toronto’s meeting with the Chicago Fire, Johnson told club media: “I am excited to extend my time in Toronto – the fans have welcomed me with open arms since arriving.

Ten Hag: Man Utd ´deserved the win´ in Newcastle stalemate

Erik ten Hag felt Manchester United deserved the win after they were held to a goalless draw by Newcastle United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The hosts had chances to break the deadlock late on, with Fred and Marcus Rashford both missing opportunities as Ten Hag s men pressed for a winner in the dying minutes.

And the visitors themselves could feel disappointed not to have earned all three points, after twice striking the woodwork in the first half through Joelinton.

But Ten Hag was pleased with his team s performance and felt they did enough to emerge victorious, telling BBC s Match of the Day: The performance was good.

A clean sheet, we pressed well, we controlled the game and in stages we were good on the ball – especially in the second half.

Prediction: Sporting Lisbon vs Porto

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker:

With the Portuguese Super Cup hanging in the balance on Saturday night, Sporting Lisbon and Porto will meet in Aveiro.

Sporting Lisbon

Starting with Sporting Lisbon, embarking on what was a sensational domestic fairytale last season as they got their hands on a 20th Primeira Liga crown, the Lions rightfully received a string of plaudits from across the continent. Gaining a fearsome reputation for across Portugal’s elite, Ruben Amorim’s high-flying squad will certainly be relishing a return to action on Saturday night. Signing off the 2023/24 campaign with a routine 3-0 romp at home against Chaves on May 18th, the former Braga boss remarkably saw his side muster 34 points from their final 12 Primeira Liga showdowns last season. Eve…

Ancelotti says he will play Bale despite boos from Real Madrid fans

Carlo Ancelotti praised Gareth Bale s professionalism after the Welshman was subjected to boos from sections of the Real Madrid fanbase during Saturday s win against Getafe.

Bale was a 74th-minute substitute during the 2-0 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu, completing four of five passes and hitting two shots, one of which tested Getafe goalkeeper David Soria from distance.

The 32-year-old has been a divisive figure in the Spanish capital, scoring crucial goals and winning four Champions League trophies in his time there, but he has missed a lot of football through injury in recent years.

Bale has also made it known he prefers to play for Wales than for his club, and is expected to bring his nine years at Madrid to an end when his contract expires at the end of t…

Ronaldo´s glorious European legacy revisited as Portugal great prepares for Al Nassr debut

A staple of the European game for the best part of two decades, seeing Cristiano Ronaldo make his Al Nassr bow in Saudi Arabia will undoubtedly be strange for many.

His move was completed in December following widespread reports linking him with a Saudi switch ever since he and Manchester United parted ways the previous month.

Ronaldo featured in a kind of Saudi all-star XI match against Paris Saint-Germain during the week but will make his official Al Nassr debut on Sunday to essentially bring the curtain down on one of the greatest careers in the history of European football.

While writing off Ronaldo is always unwise, a combination of the striker s age and the unsavoury nature of his second spell at United make a return to elite European football seem improbab…

Croatia 1-1 Italy: Modric makes Euros history but last-gasp stunner sends Azzurri through

Luka Modric s history-making goal for Croatia proved fruitless as Mattia Zaccagni s last-gasp screamer sent Italy through into the last 16 of Euro 2024 after a 1-1 draw.

Modric became the oldest player to score at the Euros when he slammed in from close range in the 55th minute just 33 seconds after missing a penalty and Croatia seemed all set to progress in second place from Group B, but Italy substitute Zaccagni had other ideas.

With a sumptuous side-footed finish deep into the final throngs of stoppage time, Zaccagni claimed a point for the Azzurri, ensuring the holders will face Switzerland in the round of 16 on Saturday.

Croatia, on the other hand, with just two points from their three matches, seem destined to miss out on one of the best third-placed finish…

Alvaro Morata happy to draw blanks as long as Spain enjoy Euro 2024 glory

Alvaro Morata admits he would swap any future goals for European glory with Spain.

The striker is happy to go the rest of the season without scoring if Spain win next year’s tournament.

They host Georgia in their final qualifier on Sunday, two points clear of Scotland at the top of Group A having already reached the tournament.

Morata scored a hat-trick when Spain routed Georgia 7-1 in September and the Atletico Madrid striker has 16 goals in 19 games for club and country this season.

But the former Chelsea hitman is prepared to have a drought if it meant success in Germany next year.

He told a press conference: “Hopefully I can score as many goals as possible, but if I have to go from here to the end of the season without scoring and win the …

The pressure is amazing – Unai Emery relishing shot at European qualification

Unai Emery has welcomed pressure as Aston Villa look to seal a European return.

Victory over Brighton in Sunday’s Premier League finale will book seventh spot and a place in the Europa Conference League play-offs.

Villa last competed in Europe in 2010-11 and Emery is relishing the task on Sunday, with the Seagulls having already sealed their Europa League spot.

“For me, the pressure is amazing to try to feel matches when you’re playing for something important,” he said.

“We want to be excited, not anxious, but to be excited, be very motivated and to enjoy the process. When you’re in the match, you have to be prepared to focus only on your game plan.

“The players are doing that. When you are very focused and you’re really trying to …

Scaloni hopes 2020 Copa America isn´t Messi´s last

Lionel Scaloni hopes the 2020 Copa America is not Lionel Messi s last as he eyes success with Argentina.

Argentina will open next year s tournament against Chile at El Monumental on June 12, it was revealed on Tuesday.

Scaloni hopes 32-year-old Messi, who will again be aiming to win his first senior international trophy, plays beyond the 2020 Copa.

I don t know if it will be the last. Hopefully not, the Argentina coach told reporters.

But Argentina need the title, more than just him. Hopefully, don t promise anything, but we ll give the maximum to reach the final.

Palabra de tras el sorteo de la : Todos los rivales son difíciles, aunque es lógico que el primer partido es importante. Nosotros estamos bien, en un buen momento y capacitados pa…

Josh Magennis determined to keep giving his all for Northern Ireland

Josh Magennis is determined to keep proving his worth to Northern Ireland for as long as possible.

When manager Michael O’Neill said after last month’s defeat to Kazakhstan he needed to evaluate some of the older players in his squad and whether they could still deliver for the team, the 33-year-old Magennis recognised he was among those under the spotlight.

But a player who has 73 caps for Northern Ireland, having made his debut against Turkey in May 2010, still savours every opportunity to represent his country.

“It’s up to me to stay fit, perform at club level and when I get a chance in matches here or in training show I’m still worth having around,” Magennis told the PA news agency.

“I know I’m getting on but to me that’s just an exc…