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junker-town · 6 years

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Schalke makes it really hard for the USMNT to evaluate Weston McKennie

The young USMNT midfielder got an assist on his Champions League debut. His other numbers look bad, but there’s an explanation.

Young American midfielder Weston McKennie made his Champions League debut for Schalke 04 on Tuesday, and he recorded an assist! It was a great moment for him, but it was also the lone highlight in a game that was ugly through minimal fault of McKennie’s. And as the United States men’s national team tries to answer the question of what role McKennie can play for their squad, Schalke’s style of play is not helping them one bit.

OK, first, the good stuff. Watch as the 20-year-old makes an excellent hustle play, then plays a gorgeous square ball to Breel Embolo.

@WMckennie with the assist Embolo with the finish @s04_us takes the lead Watch Live NOW ➡️ https://t.co/wl0eBNIfdn pic.twitter.com/48y3WGLlyz

— Bleacher Report Live (@brlive) September 18, 2018

On that video you don’t even see the best part. McKennie won an aerial duel in midfield to start the attack, then took off on a fantastic long run.

WESTON MCKENNIE THE RUN THE ASSIST pic.twitter.com/S1gwXzwA0N

— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) September 18, 2018

That was one of six times that McKennie won the ball back for his team, and he had their own assist in a 1-1 draw against FC Porto. That’s the good news. There’s also some bad news: he lost more than half of the duels he tried to win, and he completed fewer than half of his passes too.

This, via Stats Zone, is a truly ugly passing map for a central midfielder.

via Stats Zone

But Schalke really just didn’t play effectively though midfield at all. Nabil Bentaleb was 22-of-36 on his passes, while Suat Serdar was 12-of-18. Yep, a central midfielder who attempted just 18 passes in a game. For comparison, Borussia Dortmund midfielders Axel Witsel and Julian Weigl attempted 92 and 81 passes respectively on Tuesday night.

Schalke plays an ugly style that depends on fast, direct counter-attacks. They only had 39 percent possession in this game, mostly by design. They defend deep, bypass the midfield, and try to bait their opponents into bad turnovers rather than aggressively pressuring high up the pitch. That means McKennie gets fewer opportunities to show what he can do with the ball at his feet or in the press than he would on most other teams.

This is a bit of a problem for the USMNT, who have to figure out to do with their slew of similarly skilled midfielders. McKennie, Tyler Adams and Kellyn Acosta all look like they can play as a pretty active No. 6 (holding midfielder) or defensive No. 10 (attacking midfielder) in a pinch, but all of them are probably more natural as something in-between, as box-to-box No. 8s. Obviously, they can’t all play the same position at the same time.

Because these players are all very similar, the USMNT scouting and coaching staff would probably like to see McKennie granted some opportunities to get on the ball more, either in a more defensive role or high up the pitch, to see what he can do. Instead, he basically occupies space and does a lot of running.

What you see in the clips above is really positive. It’s awesome to know the USMNT has a player in its pool who has McKennie’s athleticism, as well as his anticipation and work rate in the attacking transition phase of play. But with the way Schalke is playing right now, the USMNT is not finding out whether he can be more than a guy who runs a lot.

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nemesisbinxartifactseries · 4 years

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Artifact Series B

B. F. Skinner's Baby Tender

B. F. Skinner's Dippy Bird *

Baba Gulabgir’s Flute

Babe Ruth's 714th Baseball

Babe Ruth's Baseball Bat *

Babe Ruth's Baseball Glove

Babel Stones *

Babushka's Scrub Brush

Babylonian Battery *

BACCCU Horn

Back Dorm Boys' Basketball Jerseys

Badea Cârțan’s Coat

Badge of the 6th Northern Light Infantry

Bag of Holding Messenger Bag

Bag of Seeds from the Pavlovsk Experimental Station

Baiju Bawra's Oil Lamp

Bakelite Dress Clip

Baku Statue

Balclutha

Balancing 2B Pencil

Balcony of Capulet's House

Balda's Bough of Mistletoe

Balthasar Gérard’s Pig Bladder

Banksy’s Drinking Glass

Barbwire from Auschwitz

Barnard Elliott Bee Jr.'s Civil War Uniform

Baron Humbert von Gikkingen and Louise Statues

Baron Samedi's Top Hat

Barry Larkin's Olympic Torch

Barry Seal's Aviation Radio and Headset *

Barry White's 1979 Stutz IV-Porte

Barstool from the Cedar Tavern

Bartolomeo Scappi's Cloche

Bartending Beer Taps

Barthelemy de Chasseneuz's Wig

Bartholomew Roberts’ Marine Sandglass and Chip Log

Baruch Spinoza’s Icosahedron

The Basano Vase

The Baseball that killed Ray Chapman

Basilikon Doron

Bassoon from the Premiere of The Rite of Spring

Bass Reeves' Marshal Badge

Ba Statuette

Bataan Death March Dogtags *

Bat-Signal

Battle of Trenton Hessian Plate

Bavarian Breaking Wheel Machine

Baychimo Ship’s Wheel

The Bayeux Tapestry

Baylor Dodgeball *

'Beach Blanket Bingo' Bingo Stamper

The Beach Boys' Surfboard

The Bean Family's Chains

Bean Nighe Washing Rag

Beatrice Portinari's Shroud

Beatrix Kiddo's Hatori Hanzo Katana

Beatrix Potter's Scarf

Beatrix Potter's Tea Set *

Beau Brummell's Cravat

The Beau Sancy

Beauty and the Beast's Rose

Bedlam Cot

Beethoven's Ear Horn

Beethoven's Piano

Bela Lugosi's Cape

Bell and Howell's Spectroscope *

Belle Boyd's Dress

Belle Gunness' Wheelbarrow

Bellerophon’s Bridle

Bell from Carmo Convent

Bell X-1 "Glamorous Glennis"

Belt Buckle from 9/11

Ben Kuhl’s Letter

Bender Family Hammer and Knife

Benedict Arnold's Sword

Benedict Arnold's Wig

Benedict of Aniane's Rosary

Benito de Soto’s Black Joke

Benito Mussolini's Brass Knuckles

Benjamin Disraeli's Wreath

Benjamin Franklin Keith’s Theater Seat

Benjamin Franklin's Glass Armonica

Benjamin Franklin's Keys

Benjamin Franklin's Lightning Rod *

Benjamin Franklin's Ring *

Benjamin Guggenheim's Deck Chair

Benjamin Harrison's Wax Cylinder

Benjamin Hornigold's Tri-Corner Hat

Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins' Gloves

Benkei's Weapons Pouch

Benny Binion’s $10,000 Bill

Benny Goodman's Clarinet

Benvenuto Cellini's Salt Cellar and Silver Spoon

Beowulf's Sword

Berlin Wall Spray Paint *

Bernard Bosanquet's Cricket Ball

Bert Acosta's Aviator Goggles and Cap

Bertel Thorvaldsen's Chisel

Bertram Forer's Paper Ball

Bertrand Russell's Teapot

Berzerk Arcade Console

Besarion Jughashvili's Leather Boots

Bessus' Crucifix

Best Friend Bracelets

"Best of the 80s" Jukebox

Beta Version of Civilization: Call to Power

Betsy Ross' Sewing Needle

Bettie Page's Leather Corset

Betty Crocker's First Cookbook

Betty MacDonald's Pouch

Betty White's Pearl Earrings

Beverly Hills Supper Club Cash Register

Bian Que’s Acupuncture Needles

Bian Que's Tea Kettle

Bianca Lawson/Kendra Young's Stake 'Mr. Pointy'

Bickering Halloween Statues

Biddenden Maids' Cake Pan

Bifocals of Hormonal Youth

Bill Anderson's Apron

Bill Bailey's Skimmer Hat

Bill Clinton's Saxophone *

Bill Cosby's Radio

Bill France Sr.'s Key Bowl

Bill Gates' High School Reunion Invitation

Bill Haast’s First Aid Kit

Bill Hicks’ Contact Lens

Bill Kaysing's Feather

Bill O'Reilly's No-Spin Pen

Bill Todman's 'Penny Ante' Board *

Bill Watterson's Transmogrifier Gun

Billy Bretherton's Bug Spray

Billy Club from the Standford Prison Experiment

Billy Hodgson's Teddy Bear

Billy Joel's Harmonica

Billy Joel's Piano

Billy Loomis' Cell Phone

Billy Mays' Placebo Products

Billy Mitchell's Air Force Goggles

Billy the Kid's Boots

Billy the Kid's Repeater

Billy the Puppet's Tricycle

Binding Norse Key

Bing Crosby's Record Player

Binnacle from the USS Squalus *

Bird's Eye Magnifying Glass

Bird's Postal Hat

"Birmingham Badgers' Underwear" *

Birmingham Precinct 7 "Blotube" *

Birthing Charm

Biwa-bokuboku

Bertram Forer's Paper Ball

Black Bart's Cannon *

Black Bart's Sextant

Black Canary's Fishnet Leggings

Black Cookie Jar

Black Denim Trousers of the Terror of Highway 101

Black Hawk's Shackles

Black Hole of Calcutta Monument

Black Oni Mask

Black Oragon Figurehead Fragment *

Black Jake's Faro Table

Black Ribbon from the 2013 London Marathon

Blackthorn Shillelagh

Blade Runner Clapboard

Blade’s Katana

Blaise de Vigenere's Inkwell

Blaise Pascal's Calculator

The Bleeding Hand

Blendtec Blender

Blindness Inducing Candelabra *

Blood Saturated Rwandan Towel

Bloody "Bee" Playing Cards

Blueberry Hill

Blues Brothers' Hats

Blueprint for the Leaning Tower of Pisa *

Blueprint for the Taj Mahal *

Blue Suede Shoes

Boa Vista Plantation Token *

Bob Beamon’s Sand Pit

Bob Braham’s Lifejacket

Bob Dylan's Bus Transfer *

Bob Falfa's Black '55 Chevy

Bob Fosse's Bowler Hat

Bob Hope's Handkerchief

Bob Johnstone's Microphone

Bob Marley's Hairpick

Bob Ross' Palette & Easel

Bobbie the Wonder Dog's Tags

Bobby Baker’s Vending Machine

Bobby Blackburn's Crocodile Teeth Dentures

Bobby Fischer's Bag of Marbles *

Bobby Jones' Golf Clubs *

Bodhan Stashynsky's Gas Gun

Bodhidharma's Cloak

Bodhidharma's Slippers *

Bola Spider Bolas

Bolaji Badejo's Beret

Boombox from Say Anything

The Bonnot Gang’s Limousine

Bookshelf of Isaac Asimov's Complete Works

Boots from the Grande Armée

Borgia Family Cup

Boris Karloff's Frankenstein Costume

Boroboroton

Boston Pope Night Carts

Bottomless Canteen

Bottomless Cookie Jar *

Boudica's Helmet

Bound and Stuffed Doll

Bow of Eros

Bow of Leif Ericson's Ship

Bowl of Golden Apples *

Box of Tomatoes from La Tomatina

Brad Anderson's Dog Collar

Bradshaw Dreamtime Rock Painting

Brahan Seer’s Adder Stone

Brainwashing Antennae *

Bram Stoker's Crucifix

Bran the Blessed's Cauldron

Braun Couple's Flying Knives

Brendan O'Carroll's Garters

Breogan’s Mirror

Brian G. Hughes Umbrella

Briar Pipe Collection

Briar Rose's Spindle Fuse

Brick from the Berlin Wall *

Bricks from the Collyer Brothers Home

Brick from the Great Wall of China

Brick from the K Foundation

Brigadier General Laverlong's Elephant Walking Stick *

Bridge Plank from Tsingy de Bemaraha

British WWI Soldier's Helmet from the Battle of the Somme River

Britanic Davit

Brodie Smith's Frisbee

Bronze Dragon Token

Bronze Locust

Broxodent Electric Toothbrush

Bruce Lee's Punching Bag *

Bruce Nolan's Hairnet

Brumberger Industrial Slide Projector

Brutus' Dagger

Bryce Dion's Headphones

Buckminster Fuller’s Geodesic Dome Model

Buckskin Frank Leslie's Rifle

Buddy Holly's Sunglasses

Buddha's Alm Bowl

Buddha's Bodhi Tree

Buddha's Khakkhara

Buddy Ebsen’s Funnel

Buddy Rich's Drums *

Buddy's Leash & Collar

Buffalo Bill's Mail Bag

Bugsy Siegel's Knuckle Dusters

Bullfighter Estoque

Bull Summoning China Cabinet

Bunbuku Chagama Kettle

Bunny Man's Axe

Burning Coins

Burt Munro’s Indian Scout

Burt Shavitz's Bee Smoker

Busby Berkely's Flask *

Buster Crash Test Dummy

Bust of Diocletian

Butch Cassidy's Pistol

Butch Cassidy's Revolver

Butter Churn from Lancaster County

Buying Naked For-Sale Sign

Byford Dolphin Diving Bell

Byzantine Iron Rod

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365footballorg-blog · 5 years

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Stejskal: Dan Hunt explores how FC Dallas can fix their attack for 2019

USA Today Images

November 9, 201811:46AM EST

For the second year in a row, FC Dallas came out of the gate flying.

And for the second year in a row, a late slump ended the club’s season far earlier than they’d hoped.

Their 2018 slide didn’t approach the depths of their brutal second-half collapse in 2017, but it was just about as costly. FCD managed to return to the playoffs this year, but they were bounced immediately, losing at home to the Portland Timbers in the Knockout Round last Wednesday.

The defeat was the fourth in a row for Dallas, who entered their final three games of the regular season in first place in the Western Conference, four points ahead of second-place Sporting Kansas City. They still had some work to do to secure the top spot in the West heading into their Oct. 13 match at D.C. United, but a top-two seed and a bye to the Conference Semifinals looked relatively secure.

Then, the wheels fell off. FCD lost 1-0 at D.C., fell 3-0 at home to SKC on Oct. 21 and conceded twice in the final 10 minutes to lose 2-1 at Colorado on Decision Day presented by AT&T. The final capitulation against Portland followed a few days later.

The common thread throughout the losing skid? A dried-up attack. Dallas, who finished the regular season tied for the third-fewest goals in the West, scored just twice in their final four matches. Their forwards repeatedly failed to put away quality chances, they had difficulty building through the middle and their wingers struggled with the final ball. The problems proved fatal in the loss to Portland, when Dallas couldn’t break down a Timbers team that played down a man for the final 30 minutes.

“We’ve got to be cleaner in front of the net and we’ve also got to be cleaner on those entry passes into the box,” FCD owner and president Dan Hunt told MLSsoccer.com on Thursday.

Hunt knows Dallas needs to improve in the final third in 2019, but he isn’t yet set on how to best achieve that. The most obvious solution would be to upgrade at striker, where FCD got minimal production this season. Maxi Urruti was streaky at the position before moving into a deeper role after Mauro Diaz was sold in July; Dominique Badji scored just two goals in 10 games after he was acquired later in July as part of the deal that sent Kellyn Acosta the other way; Designated Player Cristian Colman played and scored sparingly before tearing his ACL in early October.

Despite all that, Hunt isn’t entirely convinced that Dallas need a dominant No. 9. Hunt and VP of soccer operations Luiz Muzzi, who is leading the technical staff while technical director Fernando Clavijo is on leave due to health reasons, are “interested in looking at the position,” but they’re also weighing alternative options. They’re considering moving nominal winger Michael Barrios into “more of a Josef Martinez-type” role in the middle, where they believe the Colombian could thrive.

Hunt also praised Colman’s ability to “create a lot of chaos” in the attacking end and pointed to his injury as a major reason for Dallas’ downfall. He still believes in Urruti as a striker. And he noted that SKC, Real Salt Lake and Portland don’t have a standout No. 9 and are yet all those teams are still in contention for the 2018 MLS Cup.

“We’ve spent a long time thinking about goalscoring and, at least from my statistics, [13] of the league’s top-25 goal scorers didn’t even make the playoffs; four were eliminated in the play-in game. So, [17] of the league’s top-25 didn’t even make it past the first round of the playoffs,” he said. “That leads you to sort of think about things maybe in a little bit of a different way.

“It’s the more balanced scoring approach that you see from teams like Kansas City, Salt Lake has a more balanced scoring approach, Portland. I think we’re frankly a little more balanced, although not with the volume that we’d had in past years. So, is that a more successful model? Or is the out and out 15-goal guy, of which there were only seven of those in the league this year? I think the jury’s still out on some of that.”

Hunt is right about SKC, RSL and the Timbers goals-by-committee approach working fine this season, but a quick glance at a list of recent MLS Cup winner belies the apparent need for a top striker. Toronto had Jozy Altidore in 2017; Portland had Fanendo Adi in 2015; LA had Robbie Keane in 2014, 2012 and 2011. A league champ emerging without a dead-eye No. 9 is more of the exception than the rule.

Dallas could still add at the position; they’re just not yet committed to the idea. They’re also not likely to spend huge amounts of money this winter. The club already have three DPs on the books for 2019 in Colman, Santiago Mosquera and Carlos Gruezo, and while all could be bought down using TAM to open space for a new DP, Hunt said he didn’t expect that would happen this offseason.

If they don’t sign a new striker – Badji and Urruti, like Colman, also have guaranteed deals for 2019 – Hunt said that they could add on the wing. He liked what he saw from Mosquera when he was healthy in 2018 and predicted that the 23-year-old would be a “double-digit goal scorer next season.” He also noted that the club got decent production from Barrios, who had six goals and six assists this season. Both are also guaranteed for next year.

The club have an option on fellow winger and team co-leading scorer Roland Lamah, who, according to the MLS Players Association, was FCD’s highest paid player in 2018 with a $ 818,500 salary. Another wide attacker, Tesho Akindele, is FCD’s lone out of contract player, though Hunt said Dallas are interested in bringing him back.

One position where FCD likely won’t make any new signings is No. 10, where 21-year-old summer acquisition Pablo Aranguiz and 18-year-old Homegrown Paxton Pomykal will compete for the 2019 starting role.

“We’re excited about Pablo. We spent a lot of time looking at him, scouting him, understanding him. He’s got a lot of similarities to Mauro Diaz, and when he was on the field we saw a lot of really great things,” said Hunt. “As his playing time lessened down the stretch, that, obviously, I don’t think that helped him in his development, but he’s a major piece for this next season. As is, I would tell you, Paxton Pomykal. I have big hopes for Paxton here. He’s having a very good Under-20 tournament [with the U.S.] and there’s a lot of belief in his ability, so I think you’ll see that playmaker role shared between those two for 2019.”

Pomykal isn’t the only Homegrown who Hunt expects to get more out of in 2019. He also name-checked Jesus Ferreira and Thomas Roberts as players who should see minutes next season. Even if they’re not first-team regulars, they’ll finally have an outlet for playing time with FCD’s newly-announced USL League One side.

Hunt said that the team, which will announce their name, home stadium, head coach and technical staff in the coming weeks, will be composed mainly of developing MLS players, first-teamers rehabbing injuries and academy players. It could be a vital step for Dallas, who Hunt admitted have lacked a bridge from their academy to the first team for far too long.

Another Homegrown, defender Chris Richards, might not be back in Dallas at all next season. The US youth international is on loan to Bayern Munich through the end of the calendar year. He’s impressed with the German giants to the point that Hunt indicated he could remain in Bavaria via permanent transfer after his loan expires at the end of December.

Of course, the defense isn’t the problem. Not with all four backline starters and the top-two goalkeepers from a stingy group guaranteed for next season. The attack is where the questions lie for FC Dallas. Hunt is still confident in his club’s model, staff and players and he doesn’t have any regrets about moving Diaz or Acosta this summer, but he knows that if Dallas don’t take a step forward in the final third, they could once again fall short in 2019.

“We’re not doing this for any other reason than to try to win a championship,” he said. “We’ve got to get better. Exiting the playoffs in this entry round is not where we want to be.”

Series:

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Stejskal: Dan Hunt explores how FC Dallas can fix their attack for 2019 was originally published on 365 Football

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investmart007 · 6 years

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MOSCOW | The Latest: Lozano gives Mexico 1-0 halftime lead v Germany

New Post has been published on https://is.gd/UR53ro

MOSCOW | The Latest: Lozano gives Mexico 1-0 halftime lead v Germany

MOSCOW (AP) — The Latest on Sunday at the World Cup (all times local): 6:55 p.m.

Mexican fans have chanted a homophobic slur at Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer during the World Cup game in Moscow.

FIFA has repeatedly fined the Mexican football federation over the chant. It rang out at Moscow’s Luzhniki stadium in the 24th minute of Mexico’s game against Germany on Sunday with the score at 0-0.

Fans in Mexico use the chant to insult opposing goalkeepers as they take a goal kick. Widely considered a slur, some argue there is no discriminatory intent.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport canceled two fines against Mexico in November, ruling the chant was “insulting” but not meant to offend, though it left other fines in force. ___ 6:45 p.m.

Germany is in an unfamiliar position for a World Cup opener — trailing at halftime.

Hirving Lozano scored from 14 yards out in the 35th minute to give Mexico a 1-0 lead in Moscow. He took a pass from Javier Hernandez and wrong-footed Mesut Ozil to score his eighth international goal.

Both sides put pressure on the goalkeepers in a high-energy first half at Luzhniki Stadium. Germany had five shots on goal to Mexico’s four. German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer stopped a header just short of the goal line.

Germany has won its last seven World Cup openers, outscoring opponents 20-2 in its last four. ____ 6:40 p.m.

Hirving Lozano has wrong-footed Germany’s Mesut Ozil and scored from about 14 yards out to give Mexico a 1-0 lead over the defending World Cup champions.

Lozano took a pass from Javier Hernandez and got around Ozil and had a clear path to the net in the 35th minute. It was his eighth international goal.

Both teams had several chances before the opening goal. German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer saved a header, and Germany later had two shots on goal in a 3-minute span.

Germany trailed only once in the last World Cup, 2-1 to Ghana, and has outscored opponents 20-2 in its past four World Cup openers. ___ 6:10 p.m.

Panama coach Hernan Dario Gomez is not in the business of sugarcoating the truth ahead of his team’s historic World Cup debut.

He admits Panama has trouble scoring and says it will need a good day to have any chance against Belgium on Monday.

The blunt and honest Gomez doesn’t even hide his starting lineup, the normal procedure for coaches these days — even those trying to keep expectations minimal.

Asked if Panama could match Iceland’s draw with Argentina, he didn’t bother picking the right words. He says this Argentina “is not at the same level as Belgium right now.”

— AP Sports Writer Tim Booth reported from Sochi. ___ 5:50 p.m.

Belgium will keep defender Vincent Kompany on the 23-man roster for the World Cup even though it’s likely to be later in the group stage before the veteran sees the field.

Coach Roberto Martinez said Sunday he would not be making any roster changes. Kompany suffered a groin injury in a friendly against Portugal earlier this month and the Red Devils added Laurent Ciman to their camp as a precaution. Ciman was sent back to Brussels on Saturday to await final word on Kompany’s status.

Martinez says there is a stronger chance now of Kompany now appearing in the group stage and that his experience is important to have around the squad. ___ 5:17 p.m.

Hirving Lozano, Carlos Vela and Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez will lead Mexico’s attack in its opening World Cup game against Germany.

There’s also a place in the starting lineup for midfielder Jesus Gallardo, while brothers Jonathan and Giovani dos Santos of the LA Galaxy are both on the bench.

Mexico lineup: Guillermo Ochoa, Hugo Ayala, Carlos Salcedo, Miguel Layun, Carlos Vela, Javier Hernandez, Hector Moreno, Hector Herrera, Andres Guardado, Hirving Lozano, Jesus Gallardo. ___ 5:09 p.m.

Germany is starting with Mesut Ozil in midfield for its World Cup opener against Mexico, while Marco Reus is on the bench.

Ozil’s start follows weeks of debate in Germany over his decision to pose for a photo with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan along with teammate Ilkay Gundogan. Some German politicians and media questioned whether the players, who are of Turkish heritage, were sufficiently committed to Germany.

Manuel Neuer starts in goal despite missing most of the club season with a foot fracture. Marvin Plattenhardt is in at left back; German media reported Jonas Hector has an illness.

Germany: Manuel Neuer, Marvin Plattenhardt, Mats Hummels, Sami Khedira, Julian Draxler, Toni Kroos, Timo Werner, Mesut Ozil, Thomas Mueller, Jerome Boateng, Joshua Kimmich. ___ 4:55 p.m.

Aleksandar Kolarov’s curling free kick in the 56th minute has helped Serbia to a 1-0 win over Costa Rica in its World Cup opener.

Serbia, which missed out on the 2014 World Cup, had the early advantage in a tough group in Russia that includes five-time champion Brazil and Switzerland, who were set to play later Sunday in Rostov-on-Don.

After a scoreless first half, Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas withstood a barrage of Serbian challenges to open the second with the boisterous Costa Rican fans cheering him on at Samara Arena.

But after David Guzman was handed a yellow card, Kolarov curled the free kick over the wall and Navas, who plays for Real Madrid, was not able to reach it. ____ 4:35 p.m.

South Korea coach Shin Tae-yong has warned his players about the new replay system being used for the first time in the World Cup.

He’s telling them that the video assistant referee can’t be tricked.

Shin says “the players are aware of this. We are training the players.

There are 32 cameras that are targeting the pitch. So you might be able to fool the referee, but you cannot fool the cameras. The players know this, and that is something we have emphasized.”

Shin is famous for using some trickery in his tactics. But he says his players have been schooled about the new system, which will detect a dive or a faked contact with another player.

He says “the VAR has really come to the forefront and it’s become an important part of the game.” ___ 4:15 p.m.

Captain Aleksandar Kolarov has given Serbia a 1-0 lead against Costa Rica. His free kick curled over the wall and diving Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas wasn’t able to reach it before it sailed into the upper right corner in the 56th minute. The free kick came after a yellow card on Costa Rica’s David Guzman. ___ 3:48 p.m.

The opening half between Costa Rica and Serbia was back and forth, right from the start: Aleksandar Mitrovic’s header was off in the opening minute and moments later Marco Urena’s angled shot for Costa Rica was saved in the left corner by Vladimir Stojkovic.

Following a corner kick, David Guzman popped the ball to Giancarlo Gonzalez but his header sailed over the net in the 12th minute.

Branislav Ivanovic’s cross was knocked out of the box by Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas three minutes later.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic challenged Navas in the 27th from just outside the box, but Navas fell on the ball.

Urena’s right-foot strike from outside the box in the 39th went over the bar. A short time later Calvo’s chance was wide, and Stojkovic gestured for his side to calm down.

Milinkovic-Savic’s bicycle kick from in front of goal was ruled offside in the 42nd. ___ 3:30 p.m.

Mexico fans are agreeing among themselves not to chant what is considered a homophobic slur at the World Cup in Russia to avoid FIFA sanctions.

Instead of the chant, Mexicans plan to sing songs related to a couple of recent scandals in their country at Sunday’s Group F match against Germany.

Mexico’s Football Federation has been fined previously for the chant that fans shout out in unison every time the opposing goalkeeper kicks the ball. Despite campaigns to try to stop it, the chant has continued in the Estadio Azteca in Mexico when the national team plays there.

At last year’s Confederations Cup in Russia amid FIFA threats to suspend a match, El Tri fans practically stopped chanting in the Russian stadium. For the World Cup, fans don’t plan to keep quiet like last year, but instead modify the chants. ____ 3:15 p.m.

Sweden coach Janne Andersson says one of his staff got into a closed South Korea training session and was asked to leave, leading to a squabble between the teams over spying ahead of their World Cup game on Monday.

Andersson says the staffer, who is entrusted with scouting the opposition, thought the practice session at South Korea’s pre-World Cup training camp in Austria was open. Andersson says the coach left when asked and “watched from more of a distance.”

The incident has created a frosty atmosphere between the teams ahead of their game in Nizhny Novgorod.

Andersson says his team analyzes all opponents and the incident has been overblown, but adds “it’s very important that we show respect for opponents … If it has been perceived in another way, we apologize.” ___ 2:40 p.m.

Veteran defender Branislav Ivanovic is set to become Serbia’s most capped international player when he starts against Costa Rica in the World Cup. It will be his 104th international appearance and Serbia’s first at the World Cup in eight years.

The former Chelsea star surpassed Dejan Stankovic, known as “Deki,” who played 103 games for the national team from 1998-2013, through three different eras: Yugoslavia, Serbia-Montenegro and finally Serbia.

Johan Venegas, Francisco Calvo and David Guzman will be making their World Cup debuts for Costa Rica. The rest of the Costa Rica starting lineup was involved in Brazil in 2014, when the team lost a quarterfinal match to Netherlands on penalties.

Lineups:

Costa Rica: Keylor Navas, Johnny Acosta, Giancarlo Gonzalez, Celso Borges, Oscar Duarte, Bryan Ruiz, Johan Venegas, Francisco Calvo, Cristian Gamboa, David Guzman, Marcos Urena.

Serbia: Vladimir Stojkovic, Dusko Tosic, Luka Milivojevic, Branislav Ivanovic, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Dusan Tadic, Aleksandar Kolarov, Nikola Molenkovic, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Nemanja Matic, Adem Ljajic. ____ 2:20 p.m.

Midfielder Alan Dzagoev has ruled himself out of Russia’s two remaining World Cup group games because of injury.

Dzagoev hurt his left hamstring during Russia’s opening 5-0 win over Saudi Arabia and tells Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency he’s in pain when walking and will only resume light training Monday.

Dzagoev says “there’s nothing good about the biggest tournament going on without you. I hope I can still play. I hope to God that we make the knockout stages and maybe I’ll be able to play.”

Dzagoev has played 58 times for Russia and was expected to be a key player for the host nation at the World Cup. ___ 12:45 p.m.

Diego Maradona has given his version of an exchange with an Asian fan that witnesses perceived as racist.

British television staff working in Spartak Stadium in Moscow during Argentina’s 1-1 draw with Iceland on Saturday reported seeing Maradona respond to South Korea fans calling his name.

On Twitter, BBC presenter Jacqui Oatley posted that Maradona “obliged with a smile, kiss and wave. Then pulled his eyes to the side in a clearly racist gesture.”

In a Facebook message early Sunday, the Argentina great says he saw “an Asian boy wearing an Argentina T-shirt.”

He adds: “I, from afar, tried to tell them how nice it seemed to me that even the Asians cheer for us. And that’s all, guys, come on.”

FIFA statutes prohibit acts of discrimination by teams, officials and fans at games it organizes.

In a response to The Associated Press, FIFA refers to its anti-discrimination rules without commenting on the incident.

Maradona also apologizes for smoking a cigar in the VIP seats, despite a FIFA ban on smoking at World Cup stadiums. ___ 12:20 p.m.

Moscow police are investigating a taxi crash that injured eight people, including two Mexican World Cup fans, when the driver plowed into pedestrians on a sidewalk near Red Square.

Video circulating on Russian social media and some news websites showed the taxi veering onto the sidewalk Saturday and striking pedestrians. The source of the video was unclear.

City police released a video Sunday of an interrogation session with a man identified as the Kyrgyz taxi driver, in which he says he briefly fell asleep at the wheel in the crash and accidentally accelerated. It was unclear whether the man spoke under duress.

The man says he hadn’t slept in 20 hours, and ran away after the accident because he was afraid that angry bystanders would kill him. He was later detained.

Moscow police would not comment Sunday on whether the crash would affect security measures for the World Cup, which is being held in 11 Russian cities over the next month. Among the security concerns has been the possible use of vehicles as weapons.

The Mexican Embassy told The Associated Press that the two injured female fans met with embassy representatives and were not hospitalized. The Mexican national soccer teams plays against Germany on Sunday in Moscow.

By Associated Press

#against Mexico #discriminatory intent #goalkeeper Manuel Neuer #Mexican football #Moscow #TodayNews

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