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GOAL takes a look at how the U.S. could line up in the Gold Cup last eight, with interim coach B.J. Callaghan having some big calls to make.

Before the Gold Cup got going, U.S. men's national team interim coach B.J. Callaghan divided the tournament up into two halves. The first was the group stage, clashes with Jamaica, St. Kitts & Nevis and Trinidad & Tobago, which he could use to mix and match while figuring out his team. And then would come the knockouts, a chance to reset, refocus and charge forward towards another trophy.

Well, we're in the business end of the tournament now and, with a week between games, the U.S. heads into the knockout rounds with a clash against Canada. The time for rotating and experimenting is done; now let's see who steps up.

The Gold Cup, of course, is more about individual performances than anything else for the USMNT. The main team, by and large, is on vacation after their Nations League triumph. The players in this camp are largely on the fringes and pushing for more.

Several have seized their chance thus far, earning the right to keep their starting place for the knockouts. However, Callaghan does have some difficult decisions to make. With everyone fit and healthy, who does he leave out? And, with one key player on yellow card watch, does Callaghan make a change now to avoid a potential semifinal suspension?

GOAL takes a look at how the U.S. could line up…

GettyGK: Matt Turner

The time for experimenting is over, and, unfortunately, we didn't get to see Gaga Slonina get a run during the group stage.

This is Turner's time – if fit and healthy, the Arsenal goalkeeper starts every game going forward.

AdvertisementGettyRB: Bryan Reynolds

One of the standouts of the group stage, Reynolds has made this spot his own.

Could Callaghan be tempted to turn to the veteran DeAndre Yedlin? Sure, but should he? Absolutely not. Reynolds has been fantastic so far and has earned the chance to start the rest of the way. We'll see if he sinks or swims but, at least so far, Reynolds has been fantastic.

GettyCB: Miles Robinson

With another week of rest under his belt, Robinson should just about be 100 percent fit.

He was given a 45-minute runout in the final group-stage game, which was a nice rehab assignment. Now, Robinson should be feeling right for the knockouts, where he'll likely start every game, should the US progress.

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Getty ImagesCB: Jalen Neal

A big, big decision for Callaghan.

It shouldn't be, to be fair. Neal has been the breakout star of this team, the player that has improved his stock the most with his performances so far. However, Neal is one yellow card away from being suspended for a potential semifinal match.

Looking ahead, though, this Canada game is likely the tougher match than a potential Qatar/Panama semifinal. Knowing that, we'll give Neal the start. If he makes it through the game unpunished, fantastic. If not, he'll get a rest for the semis against a team that is, theoretically, less talented than the one the U.S. will face on Sunday.

How to watch Rayo Vallecano against Barcelona in La Liga in the USA, as well as the kick-off time and team news.

Barcelona are looking pretty on top of the La Liga standings and they take on Rayo Vallecano at Estadio de Vallecano on Wednesday.

💻 Watch Rayo Vallecano vs Barcelona live on ESPN+ today!📺 Watch Rayo Vallecano vs Barcelona live on Viaplay today!

Xavi's men have earned clean sheets in four successive league games now, but have scored in just one – the 1-0 win at Atletico Madrid on Sunday that took the Blaugrana 11 points clear of second-placed Real Madrid.

Rayo Vallecano will be looking to get back to winning ways after falling to a 2-1 defeat against Real Sociedad over the weekend, as Andoni Iraola's side would look to keep their top-five hopes alive.

GOAL brings you details on how to watch the game on TV in the U.S., as well as how to stream it live online.

@RayoVallecano/@FCBarcelona_esKick-off timeGame:Rayo Vallecano vs BarcelonaDate:April 26, 2023Kick-off:4pm EDTVenue:Estadio de Vallecas

The Primera Division game between Rayo Vallecano and Barcelona is scheduled for April 26, 2023, at the Estadio de Vallecas stadium in the Madrid district of Puente de Vallecas, Spain.

It will kick off at 4pm EDT in the USA.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesHow to watch Rayo Vallecano vs Barcelona online – TV channels & live streamsTV channels & streaming options

Country TV channel Live stream

U.S.ESPN DeportesESPN+, Fubo, DirecTV Stream

In the United States (USA), the game can be watched live on ESPN+, ESPN Deportes (Spanish-language), Fubo and DirecTV Stream.

Crédito: GettyTeam news & squadsRayo Vallecano team news

The hosts will miss Radamel Falcao who is out with a muscle injury, while Santi Comesana is suspended for Barca's visit due to the accumulation of five yellow cards.

Meanwhile, Alejandro Catena and Alvaro Garcia return after missing the Sociedad defeat due to a ban.

A likely change in attack can see Sergio Camello start in place of Raul de Tomas.

Rayo Vallecano possible XI: Dimitrievski; Balliu, Lejeune, Catena, F. Garcia; Ciss, Valentin; Palazon, Trejo, A. Garcia; Camello

Position Players

GoalkeepersDimitrievski, Morro, D. LopezDefendersCatena, Lejeune, Mumin, Saveljich, Suarez, F. Garcia, Chavarria, Balliu, HernandezMidfieldersU. Lopez, Ciss, Valentin, Trejo, Pozo, A. Garcia, Palazon, SanchezForwardsCamello, De Tomas, MartinBarcelona team news

Sergio Busquets is also suspended with five bookings to his name, while Ousmane Dembele, Sergi Roberto, and Andreas Christensen are still struggling with their injuries.

Busquets' void in the middle of the park is expected to be filled by Franck Kessie, with Gavi, Frenkie De Jong and Pedri fighting for the other two spots in midfield.

Pedri can alternately compete with Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati a little further up, while Robert Lewandowski is likely to start despite failing to score in four straight competitive games.

Barcelona possible XI: Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Alonso, Balde; Gavi, Kessie, De Jong; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Torres

Position Players

GoalkeepersTer Stegen, Pena, TenasDefendersAraujo, Alonso, Alba, Kounde, Garcia, Balde, RiadMidfieldersPedri, Kessie, De Jong, Casado, Gavi, TorreForwardsLewandowski, Ansu Fati, Torres, Raphinha, YamalHead-to-head record

Date Result Competition

August 14, 2022Barcelona 0-0 Rayo VallecanoLa LigaApril 25, 2022Barcelona 0-1 Rayo VallecanoLa LigaOctober 27, 2021Rayo Vallecano 1-0 BarcelonaLa LigaJanuary 28, 2021Rayo Vallecano 1-2 BarcelonaCopa del ReyMarch 9, 2019Barcelona 3-1 Rayo VallecanoLa LigaENJOYED THIS STORY?

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Getty ImagesUseful links

Barcelona team page

Live soccer on TV in the U.S.

Are Barca Messi's only option?

The future of women’s Test cricket remains bleak according to the ECB’s head of women’s cricket, Clare Connor

Melinda Farrell20-Aug-2014The future of women’s Test cricket remains bleak according to the ECB’s head of women’s cricket, Clare Connor. And, unless other national boards increase their support for Test cricket, Connor believes the longer format will struggle to survive.”There’s no doubt it’s hanging by a thread,” Connor told ESPNcricinfo. “It’s difficult to see a future for Test cricket.”India Women claimed a landmark six-wicket victory over England at Wormsley last week in a standalone Test, the first India have played in eight years.This followed on from two Tests between England and Australia in the preceding year, which formed part of a multi-format Women’s Ashes Series comprising one Test, three one-day Internationals and three T20s.”I would love to combine a multi-format series, to combine that [a one-off Test] with the three ODIs for the Women’s Championship and that’s what we tried to do with India this summer,” said Connor. “For whatever reasons India didn’t want that schedule and that’s why we’ve got South Africa coming over as a separate competition to play those three T20s, because we didn’t want to have a summer without those.”The multi-format concept was devised after Cricket Australia declined a proposal to play three Tests to decide the Women’s Ashes, and Connor said other countries, such as New Zealand, have shown little, if any, interest in staging women’s Tests in the past decade.”Cricket Australia have said they don’t see it as a viable format to grow the game from a commercial perspective, profile perspective, participation perspective,” Connor said. “They don’t think it’s going to be appealing to young girls or to women to follow it and take up the sport as a consequence.”But she believes the format can be commercially viable, particularly given the positive reaction to the Women’s Ashes Series, and the increasing professionalism of the game in most countries, which now offer female players central contracts.”We would like to play more Test cricket and we would certainly like to see more between the top four or five countries,” Connor said. “We would like to see a multi-format story for each bilateral competition because it doesn’t take a huge amount of time. You can play the ODIs in a week, the Test in a week and the T20s in a week.”I don’t think we should give up the fight to try and achieve that,” said Connor. “And I think it’s probably worth a new conversation with New Zealand, because I do remember at the time one of their big challenges was around player time away from uni or work.”Globally, the women’s game is facing something of a watershed moment, with England and Australia leading the way in committing to full professionalism and there is a fear that, despite India’s victory over England in the Test, the gap between the top two nations and the rest of the world could widen considerably. The launch of the Women’s Championship for ODIs is attempt to bring some coherence and relevant to that format.While the future Tests are in doubt, the ECB is maintaining its opposition to a privately run international T20 tournament before an official proposal has been completed.The WICL, fronted by former Australian international Lisa Sthalekar, has flagged the idea of a twelve-day T20 tournament featuring the world’s best players. But the ECB has said it will not release any players to the proposed competition, and Cricket Australia followed suit, although it appears CA is adopting a softer, ‘wait and see’ approach, while the proposal is still being prepared.”I think both boards have been unsettled, maybe the ECB more,” Connor said, “because since conversations started with WICL – I had a first conversation back in May 2013 – nothing materially has developed or has been established.”Cricket Australia has indicated its interest in holding a Women’s Big Bash League in conjunction with the men’s version but the ECB has no current plans to host any competition.Connor said she understood that less well paid players from other countries could be disappointed the ECB will not support a competition that could see them significantly supplement their modest earnings.”I do see that it’s easy to sit in ECB offices and Cricket Australia offices and say ‘Our players are fine, thanks’,” she said. “But it would be better to have that kind of competition run by a full member if it can be achieved.”

Lionel Messi is giving little away when it comes to an international retirement date, with the Argentine icon told he “knows how far he can go”.

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All-time great has earned 178 capsHas passed a century of international goalsUnclear when he will hang up his bootsWHAT HAPPENED?

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, who is expected to land an eighth Golden Ball in 2023, has previously stated that he has no plans to represent his country at the 2026 World Cup. If he were to miss that event in the United States, Canada and Mexico, then he would not form part of Argentina’s global title defence.

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Others have suggested that Messi will be talked into prolonging his career for at least another three years, with Albiceleste boss Lionel Scaloni leaving the door open for the all-time great to make himself available for selection.

WHAT THEY SAID

Another World Cup winner – 1978 coach Cesar Luis Menotti – has now offered his advice to Messi, with the legendary Argentine tactician telling when asked how much longer his illustrious countryman can play on for: “Messi knows how far he can go and what he feels about playing. He is at a beautiful age to decide what to do and what not to do. He has been accompanied by success and by great team-mates on great teams.”

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GettyWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Messi has taken in 178 appearances for Argentina, scoring 106 goals, and is expected to form part of their squad at the 2024 Copa America – another tournament that they will enter as defending champions. He has an option in his contract at MLS side Inter Miami for 2026 should he wish to remain in the United States for a World Cup that will be co-hosted by America.

Assad Fudadin, the West Indies batsman, has been ruled out of the South Africa Tests with a finger injury

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Dec-2014Assad Fudadin, the West Indies batsman, has been ruled out of the South Africa Tests with a finger injury. The WICB is yet to name a replacement.Fudadin had fractured his right little finger during West Indies’ warm-ups on the first morning of the Centurion Test, and had surgery on the finger later in the day.He had himself been brought into the squad as a replacement player, after Darren Bravo withdrew due to personal reasons.Fudadin, who had played three Tests for West Indies in 2012, had recently showed some form for the A team in Sri Lanka, scoring a century in Moratuwa in October. He had also scored an 89 for the Sagicor High Performance Centre team against the visiting Bangladesh A team in a first-class game before that.

With the summer window set to open in just three months, Goal looks at the players presently attracting the most attention in Italy's top flight

Elsa1Alisson (Roma)

After being forced to play second fiddle to Wojciech Szczesny at Roma last season, Alisson has spent the current campaign showing just why was never usurped as Brazil's No.1 by Ederson despite the lack of game time in 2016-17.

The 25-year-old has been labelled "the Messi of goalkeepers" by former Giallorossi coach Roberto Negrisolo and there are plenty of top teams across Europe who believe Alisson to be something truly special.

Liverpool recently pulled out of a £62 million deal for the Selecao shot-stopper but, given Roma's annual need to cash in on its best players in order to meet FFP regulations, it is highly likely that Alisson will be on the move this summer regardless.

AdvertisementGetty Images2Felipe Anderson (Lazio)

A former target for Manchester United, Felipe Anderson was regarded as one of the best players in Serie A after an excellent second season at the Stadio Olimpico. Three years on, though, the Brazilian is struggling for consistency.

However, he has not been helped by playing in a variety of roles, including wing-back, while he missed the start of the current campaign with a torn abductor muscle.

There have been encouraging signs of late, though, and Lazio would certainly be open to offers for a player who is not a guaranteed starter and has also recently clashed with coach Simone Inzaghi.

Getty Images3Andrea Belotti (Torino)

After a sensational 2016-17 season, Andrea Belotti looked certain to leave Torino last summer. However, Granata president Urbano Cairo insisted that the striker would only depart if a foreign club met the €100 million buy-out clause in his contract.

Milan did their best to land Belotti but they were, unsurprisingly, unable to reach an agreement with Cairo, who was dead against selling his most prized possession to a Serie A rival. Torino's stance has softened, and the asking price fallen, given Belotti has netted just five times in Serie A this season.

Indeed, the 24-year-old remains an attractive proposition for any top side looking for an all-round attacker, as his struggles this season have more to do with a minor but nagging knee injury and Torino's poor form, rather than a lack of talent on his part.

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Getty4Stefan de Vrij (Lazio)

The biggest bargain of the summer, Stefan de Vrij is available on a free transfer as his contract with Lazio expires at the end of June. The Dutch defender has been brilliant for the Biancocelesti since arriving from Feyenoord in the 2014 for approximately €7m.

In the current climate, he is now worth at least six times that amount, having established himself as one of the best centre-halves in Serie A. Lazio fought desperately to persuade him to stay at the Stadio Olimpico – or at the very least agree to a new contract with a low buy-out clause – but the two parties were unable to broker a deal.

As a result, De Vrij is now set to depart, with Inter his most likely destination, though several other clubs, including Juventus, are interested.

Manchester City and Liverpool are now in the running for Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane, according to sources in Germany.

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Sane could be on his way outBayern want to extend contractMan City and Liverpool interestedGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

As Liverpool prepares for the probable exit of Mohamed Salah in 2024—more likely in the summer than in January—Sane has emerged as a target in recent weeks. Sane's contract with Bayern only runs until the end of the following season, leaving the Bavarians exposed as they attempt to prolong his stay. Bayern have vehemently refuted reports that contract negotiations with Sane have stagnated, but they will still need to be mindful of other teams' interest in the 27-year-old. Christian Falk claims that Sane's previous club, Manchester City have shockingly joined Jurgen Klopp's team in the fight to bring him back to the Premier League.

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After losing forwards Cole Palmer and Riyad Mahrez to Chelsea and Al-Ahli, respectively, Manchester City strengthened their flank position by adding Jeremy Doku from Rennes. Falk believes that the competition makes it unlikely that the German will return to Guardiola's team.

DID YOU KNOW?

Sane has won the league title five times in the last six seasons. Twice with Manchester City in 2017-18 and 2018-19, and three times in a row with Bayern Munich since joining in the 2020-21 season.

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WHAT NEXT FOR SANE?

Sane will next be in action with Bayern when they take on Koln on November 24, as they look to keep up with surprise league leaders, Bayer Leverkusen.

Erling Haaland joked he does not know why Manchester United fans taunted him by singing Roy Keane's name after scoring in Manchester City's 3-0 win.

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Haaland scored twice in 3-0 winMan Utd fans chanted Roy Keane's nameReference to tackle on Haaland's dad WHAT HAPPENED?

Haaland converted a penalty in the first half to give City the lead at Old Trafford. He then went on to double their lead early in the second half before setting up Phil Foden to round off the scoring in the Premier League clash.

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United fans tried to get under the striker's skin by chanting the name of club icon Keane. The song was in reference to Keane's horrific tackle on Haaland's father, Alf-Inge, during a Manchester derby in 2001. Keane was sent off for the challenge and Alf-Inge only played a handful of matches for City afterwards and then retired.

WHAT THEY SAID

Speaking to after the game, Haaland played dumb about the chant directed at him, saying: "People were singing to me 'Keano' [after the penalty], I don't know why but it is what it is. It was a nice celebration and a nice game."

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Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Haaland and his City co-stars are next in action on November 4, when they take on Bournemouth.

Former Liverpool sporting director Micahel Edwards is being targeted by Manchester United as Sir Jim Ratcliffe nears a partial takeover of the club.

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Man Utd looking for Sporting DirectorLooking at former Liverpool man Michael EdwardsAlso have an eye on Mitchell and FreedmanGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

Having reached an agreement on the general terms of the transaction, the Glazer family and Ratcliffe are still debating the specific legal details of how Manchester United's ownership structure would be structured following INEOS' acquisition of a 25 per cent interest. The takeover would mean that Ratcliffe would take control of the sporting department of the club and with Richard Arnold having left as the club's chief executive, the space for a chief is now open at United – and Ratcliffe is eyeing Edwards as the new man.

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With their search for a sporting director, the club has also looked at Paul Mitchell and Dougie Freedman. Mitchell is the current Sporting Director of Monaco while Freedman holds the reigns at Crystal Palace. Both reports though have suggested that a deal is far from being struck as, despite the interest, there hasn't been a conversation between the clubs and their potential targets.

DID YOU KNOW?

Edwards had been at Liverpool ever since he left Tottenham Hotspur in 2011 before he retired and left the club in 2022. With the club, Edwards has fulfilled the roles of Chief Analyst, Head of Methodology, Technical Director and Sporting Director.

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Getty/GOALWHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

According to , INEOS realised immediately that the Glazers had no true intention of selling altogether, and talks on a minority interest have reportedly been ongoing since May. There have been some hesitant private discussions about the ultimate football system, but Ratcliffe and his team like to thoroughly examine how the club operates once they are in place before making any definite conclusions.

Goal rounds up some of the most exciting World Cup 2018 group stage fixtures – including Spain vs Portugal and England vs Belgium

With the World Cup set to kick off on June 14, Goal rounds up some of the biggest and best clashes to take place in Russia – including Spain vs Portugal which sees the new and old guard of La Furia Roja battle it out against the European champions, and Luis Suarez facing off against Mohamed Salah when Uruguay and Egypt play each other.Getty ImagesEgypt vs Uruguay

Mohamed Salah propelled Egypt to the finals after scoring a 95th-minute penalty against DR Congo to ensure that the Pharoahs would appear in their first World Cup since 1990.

The 25-year-old endeared himself to the world after an emphatic debut season at Liverpool where he smashed records and netted 44 goals in all competitions, and though he was unable to lift the European Cup with the Reds, he will be looking to redeem himself with a successful World Cup campaign.

He is set to face off against none other than Luis Suarez for Uruguay in their sides' opening fixture. Suarez was the Salah of yesteryear for Reds supporters before he moved to Barcelona in 2014 – and his was one of the scoring records that Salah broke this season.

It'll be an exciting game with Salah and Mohamed Elneny facing off against Suarez and Paris Saint-Germain star Edinson Cavani – and a chance to assert each forward's abilities.

Match Information: Egypt vs Uruguay | Friday June 15 | 1pm UK time (8am US ET)

AdvertisementGettyPortugal vs Spain

Portugal vs Spain is easily one of the most exciting fixtures of the tournament. Portugal are a threat in this competition as they are helmed by a confident Cristiano Ronaldo fresh from winning the Champions League as well as leading his side to a European Championship victory two years ago.

The current Spanish team features a mixed assortment of promising young talent including Marco Asensio, David de Gea and Isco as well as talismen in Andres Iniesta, David Silva and Gerard Pique.

Match Information: Portugal vs Spain | Friday June 15 | 7pm UK time (2pm US ET)

EITAN ABRAMOVICHArgentina vs Iceland

What will happen when Argentina – one of the most storied national sides of all-time – comes up against Iceland, one of the smallest of the qualified nations and who are set to make their first ever appearance in the World Cup?

Lionel Messi has yet to lift a major honour on the international stage and has finished as runner-up in four of his last Copa America finals. Despite his great successes with Barcelona – he has long since been the Spanish side's all-time top-scorer and has won every major club trophy imaginable, as well as lifting the Ballon d'Or on five separate occasions – some critics still feel that to truly cement his place as one of football's greats he must win the World Cup with his nation.

Match Information: Argentina vs Iceland | Saturday June 16 | 2pm UK time (9am US ET)

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GettyGermany vs Mexico

The defending champions will be looking to make their World Cup success a back-to-back feat, starting with their opening fixture against Mexico, as the current Germany squad is still as strong as the one four years ago – even without hero Mario Gotze in the squad.

The Germany squad is rife with experienced players in the shape of Thomas Muller, Sami Khedira and Toni Kroos as well as young talent such as Leroy Sane, who had a magnificent season with Manchester City, winning the title in the process, where he scored 23 goals.

Add the likes of Timo Werner, Marco Reus and Manuel Neuer and Germany are once again favourites to defend their title.

Match information: Germany vs Mexico | Sunday June 18 | 4pm UK time (11am US ET)