FNews

MONTREAL — CF Montreal could not capitalize on a late red card, settling for a scoreless draw against Orlando City SC at Stade Saputo on Saturday evening. This was just Montreal’s (0-6-3) third point of the Major League Soccer season and Orlando’s (3-2-4) third consecutive scoreless result. Montreal controlled the tempo of play for the majority of the first half but struggled to finish on the attack. Just after the 20-minute mark, Montreal thought they netted the opening goal when Dante Sealy scored from a tight angle. However, the goal was called back after it was determined that Samuel Piette was offside. Montreal continued to control the match until the late stages of the half, when Orlando returned the favour. They set up a high press and pinned Montreal in their own end, creating several half-chances in the process. Montreal managed to regain control thanks to the halftime substitution of Caden Clark but again failed to provide any consistent danger for Orlando keeper Pedro G...

TORONTO — Co-captain Tanya Boychuk took advantage of an early turnover and Montreal Roses FC held on to defeat AFC Toronto 1-0 at BMO Field on Saturday in the second game of the new Northern Super League. While the football was sloppy at times, as one might expect from two teams taking their first steps, there was no shortage of entertainment for the receptive crowd announced at 14,518. There was plenty of skill and grit on display in a game that showed the new six-team women’s league has plenty to offer. But the lone goal came from a blunder as Boychuk, a 24-year-old former Canadian youth international from Edmonton, was gifted a gilt-edged opportunity in the second minute.  The disastrous start for the home side saw Nyota Katembo unwittingly set up Boychuck with an errant back pass. Rather than finding Toronto teammate Cloey Uddenberg, the ball went straight to Boychuk who headed unchecked towards the Toronto goal, needing just one touch before beating Finnish ‘keeper Sofia Ma...

ROME — A few weeks ago when Napoli was struggling for goals and its title hopes were fading, coach Antonio Conte told Scott McTominay the team needed more from the midfielder. The Scotland international got the message. McTominay’s late header secured a 1-0 win at last-placed Monza on Saturday to pull Napoli level with Serie A leader Inter Milan. It was his third goal in two games. McTominay evaded his marker to redirect a cross from Giacomo Raspadori in the 72nd minute for his 10th goal across all competitions for Napoli this season. “We just have to keep doing our job, keep winning. At the business end of the season that’s what you got to do,” McTominay said. “It’s getting that level every game. We have a coach who is very, very demanding who expects that from us every game. So for us it’s about pressuring Inter Milan and seeing where that gets us.” Napoli struggled for long periods and Matteo Politano failed to finish off a big chance moments before...

Two games into his Canadian Premier League career and David Rodriguez is already turning heads. And leaving defenders in his wake. The 22-year-old Mexican-American attacker, on loan from Mexico’s Atlético San Luis, has two goals in two games to lead the CPL in goal-scoring along with Halifax’s Giorgio Probo and York’s Julian Altobelli. “He’s been doing great … If he keeps on doing that, I think he’s going to cause chaos for defences,” said veteran Ottawa midfielder Manny Aparicio. Added Ottawa coach Diego Mejia: “He feels comfortable here, so we have the opportunity to see the best of David Rodriguez in the next months.” It’s been more than good so far. Rodriguez scored a highlight-reel goal last Sunday in Ottawa’s 4-1 win at Vancouver FC, dribbling past several defenders on an extended run before firing a shot in the corner of the goal. Seventeen minutes later, there was another Rodriguez romp that led to an assist on Kévin dos Santos’ goal. And there was a stylish Rodriguez run...

BARCELONA, Spain — Espanyol beat Getafe 1-0 in La Liga to record a third straight victory and ease its relegation fears on Friday. On-loan center half Marash Kumbulla got the only goal near halftime. Any hopes of a Getafe comeback were scorched on the hour mark when Nigerian defender Christantus Uche was sent off for a bad tackle. The result came after recent wins away at Rayo Vallecano and Celta Vigo, and was the third clean sheet in a row for Manolo González’s men. It lifted the Barcelona club three places into 12th spot. Getafe was a point and a place above it.

SANDY, Utah — The former owners of the Utah Jazz bought controlling interest of professional soccer teams Real Salt Lake and the Utah Royals on Friday. The Miller family and Miller Sports + Entertainment owned the Jazz for 35 years before selling the NBA franchise in 2020. David Blitzer will remain with the MLS and NWSL teams as minority owner and as the second-largest shareholder. “The Millers have a long-standing commitment to community, youth sports, and sound business operations, and we have a proven history with David, one of the most accomplished sports owners in the world,” MLS commissioner Don Garber said in a statement. “Together, this group is perfectly positioned to strengthen the club and grow soccer in Utah and the region.” Real Salt Lake was founded in 2004 and began playing in MLS the following year. The Utah Royals were reestablished in 2023 after a previous stint in the NWSL. “This powerful partnership between the Miller family and David Blitzer will elevate women...

MANCHESTER, England — Manchester United blew a two-goal lead and then came back from 4-2 down in extra time to secure a place in the Europa League semifinals on Thursday. In a remarkable match at Old Trafford, United won 5-4 on the night and 7-6 on aggregate after Harry Maguire’s dramatic winner. United had led 2-0 at halftime, but then conceded twice in six minutes in the second half to send the game to extra time against 10-man Lyon. The troubled Premier League club looked set to be eliminated when Lyon took a 4-2 lead after 109 minutes, but goals from Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo and Maguire’s winner sealed a spectacular comeback. Tottenham advances Tottenham also put its domestic problems to one side by sealing a place in the last four. Dominic Solanke’s first-half penalty secured a 1-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt and a 2-1 aggregate victory. The win keeps alive Spurs’ hopes of salvaging a desperate campaign that has left them languishing in 15th place in the Premier Leag...