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Gold Cup: Unconvincing USA Edge Saudi Arabia To Progress
American comedian Rodney Dangerfield used to say, “I don’t get no respect.” The same could be said for the United States Men’s Soccer Team as barely 10,000 fans showed up for a supporter friendly 8.15 pm kickoff versus Concacaf Gold Cup, Group D opponents, Saudi Arabia in a 1-0 win that again raised more questions than answers.
To get respect you must earn respect, and through 20 minutes of play, the U.S. seemingly refused to take risks against a Saudi team that gave new meaning to the term ‘limited’ however the Green Falcons did create the best chance assisted by Ziyad Al Johani, scuffed by Feras Al Brikan and saved by Matt Freese.
Finally, in the 30th minute a home player did something to get the crowd excited. A clever dummy released Abdulrahman Al Obud. As he charged into the penalty area and bore down on Freese there could only be one outcome, a Saudi goal, but from nowhere Chris Richards made a superhuman back tracking run, launching himself to block the shot, and give the home fans a reason to cheer. Yes, slim pickings.
Match referee, Marco Antonio Ortiz Nava, mercifully brought the half to an end and in my book one of the most dispiriting 45 minutes I’ve ever seen from the USMNT going back to the 1970’s, which ironically was when Steve Austin, the ‘$6-million-dollar man’ premiered.
The U.S. Federations own $6 million dollar man, Mauricio Pochettino must wish he could embrace the show’s opening catchphrase with a few subtle changes – ‘USMNT, a program barely alive. I can rebuild them. I have the technology to make the world’s first bionic team. Better than they were before. Better…stronger…faster…and with the ability to play without fear…’ I jest but you get the point.
Something, anything would have to give and the U.S team made a minor statement by coming out for the 2ndhalf early, one can only assume, to escape the hairdryer treatment that Pochettino must surely have unloaded.
Whatever he said/did/pleaded worked as the team had a sense of urgency that had been sorely lacking. Diego Luna, calves bulging, began to pull some strings. Patrick Agyemang used his strength and started bullying, while Richards showed that defenders can score latching on to a teasing free-kick from Sebastian Berhalter free kick to crash home from the top of the six-yard box in the 63rd minute. Something to build on?
No! Cue game management which ultimately is what tournament football demands and to be fair was a carbon copy of Mexico’s play the previous evening against Suriname.
With five minutes remaining fans started leaving…it couldn’t possibly be to beat the rush?
The last incident of a thoroughly forgettable match had the prerequisite handbags, which resulted in both Pochettino and his counterpart, Frenchman Herve Renard, racing on to the pitch and doing their best WWE referee impersonations. Berhalter and Al Oboud both ended up in Nava’s little black book.
So, the USMNT advance to the knockout round. They’ve won two matches on the spin and will surely fancy their chances of making it three when they play Haiti at AT&T Stadium on Sunday though they can expect a proper physical confrontation.
Chris Richards, the goal scorer was the best player on the pitch by a country mile. As for Saudi Arabia, they need their best players to have any hope of looking like a coherent team.
Insideworldfootball.com
News
Roy Keane Blasts ‘Frightened’ Manchester United After West Ham Draw
Manchester United thought they had the job wrapped up at Old Trafford… until they didn’t.
Diogo Dalot’s tidy finish just before the hour mark looked like the moment that would push the Red Devils to a much-needed victory. But in classic 2025 Manchester United fashion, control slipped, intensity dipped, and West Ham pounced.
And of course—when things go wrong—Roy Keane is never far from the verbal action.
“They Weren’t Nasty Enough!” – Keane Fires Shots
After the 1-1 draw, Keane wasted zero time calling out what he sees as the real issue at United: timidity.
According to him, United “took their foot off the gas” right after scoring. Against a team in the bottom three, he expected more authority, more aggression, and definitely more hunger.
Instead, what he saw was a team “almost frightened” of finishing the job.
He slammed the players for hiding when pressure kicked in, criticized their lack of killer instinct, and even called out the relaxed body language during substitutions.
In typical Keane fashion, the message was simple:
United should never be this soft.
Amorim Also Frustrated: “The Game Was Ours To Win”
Manager Ruben Amorim didn’t sugarcoat anything either.
While he didn’t go full-Keane, he admitted:
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United lost control after scoring
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They failed to win second balls
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They should have killed the match earlier
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The inconsistency is becoming a real problem
For a team chasing European places, three draws in five games simply isn’t good enough.
West Ham Deserved Their Point
To be fair, West Ham didn’t just sit back and wait. They fought, pressed, countered, and eventually got their reward when Soungoutou Magassa slotted home the 83rd-minute equaliser.
United had late chances, but the story of their season resurfaced again:
moments created, moments wasted.
Where Do United Go From Here?
Sitting eighth on the table, United’s inconsistency continues to be their biggest opponent. Keane believes the team lacks bite. Amorim believes the team lacks control.
Fans believe the team lacks… well, everything except drama.
What’s clear is this: until United find their identity and intensity, nights like this will keep happening.
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Beckham Joins Bellingham & Trent to Unveil Retro Gunmetal Adidas Predator Mania
Beckham Links Up With The New Generation
Adidas just pulled off the ultimate fusion of eras — pairing Real Madrid legend David Beckham with modern-day stars Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold to unveil the new throwback Predator Mania Gunmetal.
The visual alone is powerful:
Beckham, the man who helped define the Predator legacy, standing alongside the players shaping a new generation at the Santiago Bernabéu.
It’s nostalgia meeting modern football culture in the cleanest way possible.
How Beckham & Zidane Made The Predator A Cultural Icon
In the 2000s, football boots had personalities — and none louder than the Predator.
Thanks to players like:
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David Beckham
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Zinedine Zidane
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Steven Gerrard
…the Predator brand became more than footwear — it became a symbol of confidence, control, and creativity.
Beckham’s signature whip-your-free-kick technique and the unforgettable fold-over tongue made Predator Mania one of the most legendary boots ever created.
And now in 2025, it’s back — reborn with purpose.
A Historic Gunmetal Colourway Returns
The 2025 Predator Mania comes in a stunning Gunmetal grey, blending early-2000s nostalgia with fresh modern flair.
Adidas describes it as:
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“Metallic, polished and aggressive”
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Featuring crisp white Three Stripes
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And the iconic red fold-over tongue — embroidered and unapologetically bold
Beckham famously wore this colourway during his early Real Madrid days.
It quickly became a cult favourite, often called “one of the most photogenic boots of its era.”
Now it’s back — and it looks better than ever.
Engineered For Today’s Game
While the look is faithful, adidas didn’t simply remake the past — they improved it.
The 2025 Predator Mania is crafted in the historic Scheinfeld factory in Germany, the birthplace of many legendary Predator lines.
Key enhancements include:
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Upgraded comfort
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Subtle structural refinement
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Increased responsiveness
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Modern fit for today’s style of play
In short:
Old-school swagger meets high-performance engineering.
Back On The Bernabéu Grass
The revival feels even more fitting because two current Real Madrid stars — Bellingham and Alexander-Arnold — will bring the Gunmetal Mania back to the Santiago Bernabéu pitch.
From Beckham’s free-kick artistry to Bellingham’s midfield dominance and Trent’s laser passing…
the Predator legacy remains in elite company.
Adidas couldn’t have scripted a better generational handover.
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