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Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace have largely been in excellent form since the start of 2025, only losing three times in their last 11 Premier League matches, keeping eight clean sheets in all competitions this calendar year and earning themselves a spot in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

The Eagles didn’t start the campaign at 100mph. After losing the likes of Michael Olise and Joachim Anderson in the summer, Palace had to reassemble their tools, find ways to recruit and replace those players and then begin to build.

After the first ten matches of the season, Palace found themselves 17th, only picking up seven points in that time.

But due to their excellent form since then, Palace now find themselves in mid-table in the Premier League, with the top seven not too far out of reach.

So why did it take a while at the start of the season, and how much did Glasner’s side miss Olise?

Michael Olise's creative burden

Olise was sold to Bayern Munich in the summer, joining the German giants for a fee of around £50m. Since joining Bayern, Olise has been in sublime form, making 43 appearances, scoring 13 goals, and providing 16 assists.

But, the Frenchman was key in his time at Palace, making 90 appearances in his three years at the club, netting 16 times, providing 25 assists and totaling 5,782 minutes played.

Having Olise on the right and Eberechi Eze on the left made it tough for teams to contain the Eagles, with the duo often combining to create chances out of nothing.

With Olise gone, more focus being solely on Eze and a right-hand side that had to be re-invented, it was always going to take some time to find the best way to replace the French wingers’ presence.

That being said, Glasner has certainly found a way to do it.

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Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Glasner's "spectacular" duo have replaced Olise

Crystal Palace signed Ismaila Sarr from Marseille in the summer, joining for a fee of around £12.6m. The 27-year-old was the clear signing destined to take the spot of Olise on that right-hand side, but the difference in overall quality is clear, and therefore, a new dynamic on that side would be needed.

Daniel Munoz, working in tandem with Sarr on the right, has been Glasner’s key weapon to replacing Olise’s output, with both players proving to be very direct, making clever runs in behind and stretching play for their teammates. This right side has proven to be a key outlet for Palace this season.

Goals

0.17

0.29

Assists

0.14

0.11

xG

0.15

0.33

xAG

0.14

0.26

Progressive Carries

1.51

2.52

Progressive Passes

2.44

2.91

Shots Total

1.04

1.93

Key Passes

1.22

1.41

Passes into Pen Area

0.72

1.41

Shot-Creating Actions

2.29

3.85

Successful Take-Ons

0.61

0.60

When looking at the pair’s underlying metrics this season, you can see how their combined effort has helped to replace the French star, both getting forward and getting shots off, both putting balls into the box, chipping in with output and contributing in build up.

Munoz was described as “spectacular” by Jefferson Lerma and that is certainly one way to describe the pair down that right-hand side, working in tandem to attack in a direct fashion and create chances for the team.

Whilst Olise will never fully be replaceable, losing a world-class talent is always tough to replace, even more so when you are a mid-table Premier League side.

Therefore, Palace fans must be fairly happy with their right-side rebrand, with Glasner proving he can make it work.

Contact made: Crystal Palace make move to sign "Pique-esque" £5m defender

The Eagles have made an approach for a defender, who is also attracting interest from West Ham United.

ByDominic Lund Apr 10, 2025

Carey’s form a cause for concern for the visitors as his batting average slips under 30

Alex Malcolm02-Mar-20241:18

Lyon: ‘Phillips has been talking to me nearly every morning about spin bowling’

The last time Nathan Lyon top-scored in a Test innings Australia was bowled out for 47 and lost the match.Lyon said he would not have any cheeky words with Australia’s batters after top-scoring with 41 as the visitors collapsed for 164 at the Basin Reserve and bring New Zealand back into the game from a vulnerable position.”No. That’s the second time I’ve done it in my career,” Lyon said. “And let’s hope it’s the last.”But there is a case to be made that some soul-searching should be done among Australia’s batting group. It is not the style of this team to have stern words with each other, or even introspect. They are not the anti-negativity evangelists that England’s Bazballers are, but they are relatively pragmatic about their failures.Lyon said that some of the batters would be disappointed with their dismissals in the second innings as Glenn Phillips, with a total of 11 Test scalps and 51 first-class scalps from 53 matches prior to this game, took five of Australia’s top seven to become the first New Zealand spinner to take a five-wicket haul at home in 16 years.”I dare say so,” Lyon said. “But I’ll never criticise our batters the way they go about it because they’ve been exceptional for a number of years now. But then you’ve got to give credit to the bowlers and this is my big thing. Bowlers are actually there to bowl good balls. And it’s not always the batters’ fault getting out and bowlers are allowed to come up with plans and execute and take wickets. No doubt there will be some frustration in there.”Glenn Phillips prised out Travis Head to start a collapse•AFP/Getty ImagesPhillips did bowl some good balls. The one to remove Cameron Green was a beauty. But his four other scalps, while well-planned and well-executed, required Australia’s batters to get sucked into the obvious traps that were laid out.And one after the other, Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey did just that.The first three have plenty of credits in the bank. But Carey is a cause for concern. His form with the bat is more alarming than the raw numbers. His Test batting average has slipped under 30 but it is the manner of his dismissals and the lack of a clear method to his batting that would be concerning Australia’s selectors the most.It was the second time in the match that he holed out to cover, and it was made worse that he nearly holed out twice before his dismissal to the two catching covers in place.He had scored half-centuries in his most recent first-class match for South Australia and in his last Test for Australia. But even those two innings ended in brainless fashion. Against Queensland, having cruised to 90, he premeditated to lap scoop Mark Steketee from way wide of the off stump and was caught behind.Nathan Lyon picked up the wickets of Tom Latham and Kane Williamson before stumps•Getty ImagesIn his last Test, after making an excellent momentum-shifting 65, he holed out to deep square leg, falling straight into a clear trap that was set for him.It is not the first time Australia’s thoughtless batting has left them vulnerable this summer. They remain in a strong position but much rests on the shoulders of Lyon and the bowlers.”If we do our job and put pressure on the guys for long periods of time, I’m confident that the bowlers in that change room will create more than seven chances,” Lyon said.He was a threat again in the evening session, picking up Tom Latham and Kane Williamson. He revealed that he felt like he had found a vulnerability in Williamson’s game by getting him caught at leg slip but did not elaborate on exactly what it was.”My biggest weapon and it’s no secret is my bounce all around the world,” Lyon said. “So I’ll continue to try and put some over spin on the ball and try and get the bounce and try and hit the stickers on the bat and challenge the guys’ defence on the crease. I’ve got a fair understanding of what their plan is going to be. So it’s a good opportunity for me tonight to reset some goals and reset some plans and we’ll go from there.”

Former England spinner admits he needs time to “listen, learn and find my political home” after high-profile unveiling

ESPNcricinfo staff08-May-2024

Monty Panesar has ended his foray into politics after just one week, after announcing that he has stood down as a parliamentary candidate for George Galloway’s Workers Party of Great Britain.Panesar, 42, was unveiled by Mr Galloway at a media event in Westminster last week, and was due to contest the Ealing Southall seat in West London at the next general election, a seat that is currently held by Labour with a majority of 16,084.Writing at the time in the , Panesar declared that he wanted to be “the voice for the workers of this country”, adding that “my aspiration in politics is to one day become Prime Minister”.However, following a series of challenging media interviews, including one with in which he struggled to offer a position on the UK’s continued membership of NATO, he has now decided to withdraw his candidacy.Related

They also played politics

Balls of the century, No. 20: Panesar to Tendulkar

Panesar to stand as parliamentary candidate in UK general election

Panesar handed Middlesex inner-city scouting role

Panesar: Flintoff gave me the belief to play Test cricket

“I’m a proud Brit who has had the honour to represent my country at the highest level of cricket,” Panesar wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “I now want to do my bit to help others but I recognise I am at the beginning of my journey and still learning about how politics can help people.”So today I am withdrawing as a General Election candidate for The Workers Party,” he added. “I realise I need more time to listen, learn and find my political home, one that aligns with my personal and political values.”I wish The Workers Party all the best but look forward to taking some time to mature and find my political feet so I am well prepared to deliver my very best when I next run up to the political wicket.”Panesar, whose full name is Mudhsuden Singh Panesar, became the first practising Sikh to represent England in 2006, when selected at Nagpur in the first Test of that winter’s tour of India.Following his retirement, he undertook a sports journalism course at St Mary’s University, London, and earlier this month leant his support to the Show Racism the Red Card campaign, in which he talked up the benefits of immigration in a video.In 2021, he defended Michael Vaughan, his former England captain, after he was accused of using racist language towards Azeem Rafiq during a match for Yorkshire in 2009.

Carlo Ancelotti admitted that Vinicius Jr is under pressure to perform with Brazil and claimed that the winger will succeed in Selecao colours.

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• Ancelotti hailed Vini Jr as world-class
• Backed the winger to succeed for Brazil
• Brazil take on Ecuador in World Cup qualifier

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ancelotti hailed Vinicius Junior as 'one of the best in the world' as he claimed that the winger is under tremendous pressure to perform for the national team, as he cherishes playing for the Selecao. However, the ex-Real Madrid manager backed the player to bring success to the national team.

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• WHAT CARLO ANCELOTTI SAID

  Speaking to Marca, Ancelotti said: "He's extraordinary, fantastic, hard-working, a fighter. The Brazilian player has a lot of affection for the national team, and that can affect his natural thinking. He's under a lot of pressure to perform well, which prevents him from making mistakes. I'm convinced he'll give his best for the national team. He's one of the best in the world. He's always there."

  He added: "He's a hard worker and a fighter like few others. His best version will soon emerge."

• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Vinicius Jr had an impressive outing with Los Blancos in the 2024-25 campaign as he scored 20 goals across all competitions and provided 17 assists. reported last month that the 24-year-old is on the verge of signing a new contract that will be valid until the summer of 2023. The player will earn €100 million (£84.6m) net over the five years.

• AFP
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR CARLO ANCLELOTTI?

  Ancelotti will manage the five-time world champions for the first time on June 6 as they take on Ecuador in a World Cup qualifying game.

تتنافس 4 أهداف على لقب الأفضل في الجولة الخامسة من بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز، بحسب ما أعلنت عنه رابطة الأندية.

وكشف حساب رابطة الأندية المصرية، على فيسبوك، عن الأهداف الأربعة المرشحة، بنشر فيديو بعنوان: تصويبة رائعة من السولية، رأسية ذهبية من الكرتي، إنهاء مميز من فاروق، صاروخية من دغموم ، اختر أفضل هدف في الجولة الـ5 من دوري نايل.

طالع| علاء عبد العال يفسر تصريح “الأهلي أكبر من ريبيرو”.. ويحذر من حسام البدري

ويتنافس على الجائزة 4 لاعبين، وهم: عمرو السولية لاعب سيراميكا كليوباترا، وليد الكرتي من بيراميدز، أحمد فاروق نجم وادي دجلة، وعبد الرحيم دغموم هداف المصري.

وتعرض الأهلي للهزيمة أمام بيراميدز بهدفين نظيفين، بينما خسر الزمالك من وادي دجلة بهدف مقابل هدفين، فيما فاز المصري على كهرباء الإسماعيلية 4-0، في الجولة الخامسة من الدوري. أفضل 4 أهداف بالجولة 5 من الدوري

هدف عمرو السولية لاعب سيراميكا كليوباترا أمام المقاولون العرب.

هدف وليد الكرتي لاعب بيراميدز الثاني أمام الأهلي.

هدف أحمد فاروق لاعب وادي دجلة أمام الزمالك.

هدف عبد الرحيم دغموم لاعب المصري أمام كهرباء الإسماعيلية.

Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde spoke about the win over Sevilla and highlighted the ambitions for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup.

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• Valverde describes the 'strangeness' of the Sevilla game
• Real Madrid earn a clean-sheet after four games
• The Uruguayan outlines Club World Cup ambitions

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  After the 2-0 win over Sevilla in their penultimate clash of La Liga 2024-25, Federico Valverde spoke to expressing his delight at the result and turning focus to the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup. The midfielder emphasised the team's ambition to lift the trophy and bring more joy to the fans.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham found themselves on the scoresheet as Real Madrid defeated Sevilla and earned a clean sheet. Los Blancos midfielder described the atmosphere at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium on Sunday as 'strange'. The Uruguayan also lauded the collective team effort and how they approached the game. Real Madrid underwent a dismal season, where they failed to clinch any silverware, and Valverde highlighted what the team wants to do for the fans in their next assignment.

• WHAT FEDERICO VALVERDE SAID

  Valverde spoke to Real Madrid TV (via SI), about the game: "A great match. The effort was from everyone. It was a strange atmosphere. In this club, you always play with everything on the line, and today we weren’t risking much. But you have to defend this jersey."

  Real Madrid's maiden challenge under new manager Xabi Alonso will be the FIFA Club World Cup. Highlighting the approach for the competition, he added: "As always. With a lot of enthusiasm and excitement. Proud to represent Real Madrid. Just like this club demands. And something the fans deserve to enjoy, another title."

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

  Real Madrid will next play Real Sociedad on May 24 in their last game of the season. In June, they will be back in action for the FIFA Club World Cup.

أعلنت رابطة البريميرليج عبر موقعها الرسمي، عن قائمة اللاعبين المرشحين لجائزة الأفضل في الجولة الثانية للدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

واختتمت الجولة الثانية بفوز مثير لفريق ليفربول على نيوكاسل يونايتد بملعب “سانت جيمس بارك”، بثلاثية لهدفين، مساء يوم الإثنين.

شهدت الجولة أيضًا سقوط لمانشستر سيتي أمام توتنهام، بهدفين دون رد، فيما حقق آرسنال فوزًا عريضًا أمام ليدز يونايتد بخماسية نظيفة.

جايدون أنتوني، بيرنلي

قدّم الجناح أنتوني أداءً ممتازًا بتسجيله هدفًا وتمريرة حاسمة، مساهمًا في فوز بيرنلي الأول في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز هذا الموسم أمام سندرلاند بهدفين دون رد.

جاك جريليش، إيفرتون

اللاعب المعار من مانشستر سيتي أثبت نفسه في أول ظهور له أساسيًا مع إيفرتون بأداء رائع، تضمن تمريرتين حاسمتين رائعتين، مساهمًا بفوز فريقه أمام برايتون بهدفين نظيفين.

فيكتور جيوكيريس، آرسنال

افتتح جيوكيريس الوافد الجديد لآرسنال، سجله التهديفي في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز ضد ليدز يونايتد بهدف بمجهود رائع، ثم سجل هدفه الثاني في الوقت بدل الضائع من ضربة جزاء.

اقرأ أيضًا | بتمريرة من محمد صلاح.. نجوموها يروي كواليس هدفه الدرامي أمام نيوكاسل

ريو نجوموها، ليفربول

قدّم اللاعب البالغ من العمر 16 عامًا أداءً لا يُنسى في أول ظهور له في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، وسجل هدف الفوز لليفربول أمام نيوكاسل، في الوقت المحتسب بدلاً من الضائع، بعد دقائق من مشاركته. 

وبهذا الهدف، أصبح أصغر هداف في تاريخ ليفربول، بعمر 16 عامًا و361 يومًا فقط، ورابع أصغر هداف في تاريخ المسابقة، خلف جيمس فوجان وجيمس ميلنر وواين روني.

دانجو واتارا، برينتفورد

سجّل واتارا هدفًا رائعًا ضد أستون فيلا في أول ظهور له مع الفريق، بعد انطلاقة سريعة ثم سدد الكرة في المحاولة الثانية بعد أن تصدى إيميليانو مارتينيز لتسديدته الأولى.

جواو بالينيا، توتنهام

قدم جواو بالينيا أداء رائع في خط الوسط، ليضمن لتوتنهام تحقيق فوزه الثاني على التوالي تحت قيادة توماس فرانك، بفوزٍ تاريخي على مانشستر سيتي، وفاز بثماني مواجهات ثنائية، وقام بأربع تدخلات، وسجّل هدفًا حسم فوز فريقه بثنائية دون رد.

جواو بيدرو، تشيلسي

تألق البرازيلي، وسجل هدف التعادل وساهم في الهدف الثاني لتشيلسي في المباراة التي حسمها فريقه بخماسية لهدف.

تيمبر، آرسنال

قدّم تيمبر أداءً رائعًا ضد ليدز، وسجل هدفين وساهم بتمريرة حاسمة، وحافظ على نظافة شباك الفريق، وقد أصبح ثاني مدافع فقط من أرسنال يُساهم بثلاثة أهداف في مباراة بالدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، بعد ناتشو مونريال، ويُعد أول مدافع يسجل ويساهم في هدف في مباراة بالدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز مع آرسنال منذ سيدريك سواريس ضد إيفرتون في مايو 2022.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman struck Afghanistan’s fastest ODI fifty, but the 269-run target proved a bridge too far

Ashish Pant26-Aug-2023No Naseem Shah, no Haris Rauf, no problem, said Pakistan as they stitched together another splendid bowling performance to secure a clinical 59-run win over Afghanistan to sweep the ODIs 3-0. Crucially, with the win, they also zoomed to the top of the ODI rankings just ahead of the Asia Cup.Batting first on a two-paced Colombo surface, attritional half-centuries from Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan helped them reach 268 for 8. In reply, Afghanistan never really found their bearings on a pitch that seemed to have quickened up under lights. Mujeeb Ur Rahman tried his best to briefly throw a spanner into Pakistan’s works as he struck the fastest fifty by an Afghanistan batter in ODIs – off 26 balls and eventually finishing on a 37-ball 64. But the target proved to be a bridge too far.Eventually, they were bowled out for 209 in 48.4 overs with Shadab Khan being the pick of the bowlers taking 3 for 42.Chasing 269, Afghanistan needed a strong start from their openers which they never got. It did not help that Ibrahim Zadran couldn’t open, because he spent the last few minutes of the first innings off the field and hence had to serve time before walking out. Riaz Hassan and Rahmanullah Gurbaz were all at sea against the Pakistan fast bowlers, with Faheem Ashraf causing the most problems.Mujeeb Ur Rahman registered Afghanistan’s fastest ODI fifty•AFP/Getty ImagesShaheen Shah Afridi got the ball to nip around, but his radar was off initially. Ashraf, however, was exemplary with his lines and lengths. He kept the ball in the channel outside off, back of a length and had the batters guessing. He prised out the key scalp of Gurbaz, who missed a straight ball and was trapped in front of the stumps as he missed a flick. DRS confirmed the ball would have clipped the leg bail. Ashraf then claimed Zadran, who fell for a 11-ball duck. The two batters, who had amassed a collective 231 off 252 in the second ODI, could only muster 5 off 26 in the third.Hashmatullah Shahidi and Riaz added a brief 30-run stand for the third wicket but took 61 balls. There were plays and misses all through as the Pakistan bowlers stuck to a plan and more importantly, delivered.Riaz’s chancy 66-ball 34 was ended by Shadab, who then also sent back Shahidi in the same over as Afghanistan stared down the barrel. From 60 for 2, they slipped to 75 for 6 and then 97 for 7. At that point, it seemed another quick end was certain. But Mujeeb and Shahidullah Kamal held fort.They added 57 off 42 balls for the eighth wicket with Mujeeb doing the bulk of the damage. The only Afghan batter to show intent, he hammered five fours and five sixes during his knock which ended with him being dismissed for hit-wicket. He had his chances, took them on and frustrated the bowlers to no end.Earlier, Pakistan’s was an innings of two halves. The first 30 overs yielded only 103 runs, the last 20 got them 165. At no stage did the batters look comfortable. Babar and Rizwan added 110 runs for the third wicket, but took 145 balls and had 84 dots. As it turned out, it was their innings which formed the cornerstone of Pakistan’s batting.Babar Azam made a solid 60 on a tricky pitch•AFP/Getty ImagesThe under-fire Fakhar Zaman was off the blocks early climbing into Fazalhaq Farooqi, slamming him for five fours in the 20 balls he faced. Imam-ul-Haq, on the other hand, struggled all through. He played back-to-back maidens off Mujeeb and in general lacked timing.Pakistan still managed to get going at a tick over four an over, with Fakhar finding his groove. But a bowling change got the hosts back into the game. Gulbadin Naib, playing his first game of the series, made an immediate impact.A couple of outswingers beat Fakhar’s outstretched blade before he tried a release shot only to miscue a length ball straight up with the catch intercepted well by Riaz. Naib then removed Imam as well. He came dashing down the track to a short-of-a-length ball outside off, but could only manage a thick edge with Gurbaz doing the rest.Babar and Rizwan got together in the 13th over and for the next few overs, run-scoring became a massive task. Only four fours were hit in the next 18 overs, with the run rate dropping to below 3.50.But the duo flicked a switch after drinks. Pakistan collected 85 runs between overs 31 to 40 to up the ante. Rizwan was the one to break the shackles and he reached his tenth ODI fifty off 69 balls while Babar joined him soon taking 77 balls to reach the landmark.Both batters, however, failed to post a three-figure score. While Rashid Khan induced an outside edge off Babar’s blade, Rizwan fell lbw to Fareed Ahmed. In between, Afghanistan also ran out Saud Shakeel as Pakistan lost 3 for 9 in 15 balls. Mohammad Nawaz and Agha Salman, however, made sure to give Pakistan a good end. They stitched a 61-run stand off 47 balls for the seventh wicket. Afghanistan, who were brilliant in the field in the top half of the innings, started to make mistakes. There were a number of misfields and dropped chances with Pakistan going past 250 with ease, smoking 80 runs off the last ten overs.

Ruben Dias' ex-girlfriend has appeared to brand the Manchester City star a "monster" after he went public with TV personality Maya Jama.

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Dias begins dating TV personality JamaCelebrity couple go public with romanceMan City star's ex appears to call him a "monster"Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Mariana Goncalves, aka April Ivy, posted a video of her new song where she sings about an old relationship and calls her former partner a "danger". The singer does not name Dias, while saying in it she had "created a monster", but the Daily Mail claims the timing of it and lyrics used are suspicious, just as Jama and Dias went public with their romance.

AdvertisementGetty/GOALTHE GOSSIP

Dias, 28, was reportedly in a relationship with Portuguese pop star Ivy, 25, between 2018 and 2021 and lived together in Manchester after his £61 million ($81m) transfer from Benfica. They are said to have split over lifestyle differences and now Jama, 30, and Dias are dating.

WHAT IVY SAID

On her Instagram page, she sang: "I saw a picture. You guys look so good together. The both of you, you both look so happy. Just as everyone says, I created a monster. He learned everything with me, then became a danger and left. To give some context, what you see doesn't come from thin air. I know you're going to love what was tiring me. What he wears, I bought. His perfume, I gave. His favourite song, I showed. He is me. Keep him now, he's yours."

Getty WHAT NEXT?

Aside from subtle, or not so subtle, jibes, Dias will hope to lead City to FA Cup glory when they take on Crystal Palace at Wembley on Saturday.

The legendary soccer coach was candid and believes his philosophy was shaped more by Americans than coaches from Europe and South America

• Arena credits American coaches across major sports for his development
• He praises the quality of current MLS coaching landscape
• Arena also predicts elite future for American soccer

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT HAPPENED

  Legendary American coach Bruce Arena believes coaches from the U.S. are underrated – even compared to their peers from soccer powerhouses in Europe and South America.

  "Yes, I don’t doubt that at all," Arena said when asked if he believes American coaches are disrespected or not respected at all, during an appearance on Alexi Lalas’ podcast. "And I tell these stories frequently, when I went abroad and met with coaches and sat down with them, and I was kind of surprised at where they’re at.

  "And I still say to this day, I’ve learned more by talking with a coach in the NFL, the NBA, or Baseball than I have speaking with coaches in Europe or South America. And I think coaching in our country is simply outstanding, it really is."

  Arena also expressed optimism about the future of U.S. soccer, pointing to the growing strength of coaching across the country.

  "Have we trailed a little bit in our sport [Football]? Yes, but today you know, I look around the league and there’s some great American coaches in our league and I know that better than anybody because I’ve been around these guys for a number of years," he said. "We have some simply outstanding coaches in the league, and I think they have a great future, and our sport and our national team programs are going to be elite one day. I have no doubt about that."

  Arena’s comments carry weight given his extensive experience in the American game. The legendary coach spent time with more than half a dozen MLS teams and led the U.S. men’s national team from 1998 to 2006 and again in 2016-17, crossing paths with some of modern football’s top coaching minds along the way. He is still the only U.S. manager to take the team to the World Cup quarterfinals in the modern era.

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• WHAT BRUCE ARENA SAID

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Arena's comments reflect a growing confidence in American soccer's developing tactical and philosophical identity. This is echoed by Jesse Marsch’s success across Europe and Canada among others.

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  WHAT’S NEXT?

  For Arena and San Jose Earthquakes, they continued their MLS season with a 1-1 draw over the Columbus Crew, which kept them in 10th place in the Western Conference. They have 10 points after as many games and have lost just twice in their last six games, a streak that includes two wins and as many draws. They face Portland Timbers next on May 3 before hosting Sacramento Republic in the Round of 32 in the US Open Cup on May 7.