Questions to answer in MLS preseason camp: Houston Dynamo

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(Through the week weโ€™ll look at three Major League Soccer clubs per day, considering what they need to accomplish and what questions deserve answers during preseason training camps. Opening day in MLS is March 2.)

For a team that finished in the middle of their conference last season, the Houston Dynamo carry surprisingly few questions into their 2013 campaign.

Thatโ€™s because theyโ€™re not a fifth-place caliber team. Two years in a row, Dominic Kinnear has guided his team to an MLS Cup final, and while Sporting has claimed two conference titles in that time, thereโ€™s little doubt which team are currently kings in the East.

Bringing back the same core that clicked during last yearโ€™s playoffs, Houston should be expected to better their 2012 regular season finish. That doesnโ€™t mean there arenโ€™t some doubt.

  • Is the defense for real?

Houston lost Geoff Cameron and didnโ€™t miss a beat. They made a change at right back mid-stream and never lost their edge. As with most Kinnear teams, Houstonโ€™s defense served as the bedrock for the coachโ€™s approach.

Thatโ€™s no guarantee everything will unfold the same this spring. Bobby Boswell may have has his best MLS season in 2012. Will that continue into 2013? Will Jermaine Taylor resume the same high level he carried through his time in Cameronโ€™s spot? And how will Kofie Sarkodie respond to his first March as Houstonโ€™s first choice right back?

Expect all those questions to come back positive. At not point during last yearโ€™s run did the you watch this back four and think โ€œthis has to be a fluke.โ€ But sample sizes being what they are, itโ€™s worth watching to make sure our initial perceptions coincide with the long-term reality. Preseason will give us our first hints.

  • Can Rico play a more attacking part?

Ricardo Clarkโ€™s return from Germany allowed Kinnear to switch from the 4-4-3 he used through summer to his preferred 4-4-2. With Clark and Adam Moffat in the middle, the Dynamo had a tandem that could both destroy play and clean up the second balls.

This year, however, Ricardo Clark may need to expand his game. Both he and Dominic Kinnear had hoped heโ€™d play a more attacking role when he came into the starting XI, but his presence rarely translated into something going forward.

Conceivably, Houston could be fine if Clark plays the same way he did down the stretch in 2013, but the Dynamo would be much more balanced (and ultimately, dangerous) if they didnโ€™t have to rely solely on Brad Davis and Boniek Garcia. Preseasonโ€™s the perfect time for Clark to start taking some chances.

  • How does Houston reach the next level?

Making finals is nice and losing to the Galaxy is understandable, but at some point itโ€™s going to get old. And thereโ€™s always going to be a talented team at the end of any championship road.

If Houstonโ€™s going to reclaim an MLS crowd, they need something else. Perhaps thatโ€™s Clark finding some creativity. Maybe itโ€™s Will Bruin becoming an All-Star. Boniek Garcia may become one of the leagueโ€™s elite players. Perhaps Tally Hall becomes MLSโ€™s Petr Cech. If so, we may start to see it in preseason.

Any of these things may prove enough to give Houston that one missing quality they need to win (instead of merely compete in) their last game.

MORE in ProSoccerTalkโ€™s preseason camp series:

Up Next: LA Galaxy

Antonio Conte, Tottenham part ways

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Antonio Conteโ€™s belabored but seemingly inevitable exit from Tottenham Hotspur was just that, as Spurs announced the Italian legendโ€™s exit late Sunday.

Conte went off on everyone at the club following a 3-3 draw with Southampton in Premier League Matchweek 28, and the international break did nothing to calm or rectify the situation.

โ€œI see selfish players, I see players that donโ€™t want to help each other and donโ€™t put their heart [into the game],โ€ Conte said at one point, later criticizing ownership, coaches, and staff. See the full press conference atop this post.

Cristian Stellini will stay on and oversee the season as โ€œActing Head Coachโ€ with longtime Spurs man Ryan Mason assisting the Italian.

[ MORE: Saka, Kane scored as England cruises past Ukraine ]

Conte, 53, was appointed Spurs boss on Nov. 2, 2021 following the firing of Nuno Espirito Santo, and helped Tottenham to a top-four finish and a return to the UEFA Champions League.

Spurs went unbeaten in their first seven matches to open the 2022-23 season, only losing away to West Ham and Chelsea, but a 3-1 loss at Arsenal in the North London derby started a run of ups and downs not normally associated with Conte teams.

After beating Brighton and Everton, Spurs failed to win consecutive Premier League matches between October 19 and late January, when Spurs beat Fulham and Man City on consecutive match days.

Tottenham was on a 5W-1D-2L Premier League run when Conte launched into his incredible rants following the Southampton draw. That, combined with a lifeless Champions League exit against AC Milan, was far too much to sustain him at the club.

Tottenham Hotspur statement on Antonio Conte

From TottenhamHotspur.com:

โ€œWe can announce that Head Coach Antonio Conte has left the Club by mutual agreement. We achieved Champions League qualification in Antonioโ€™s first season at the Club. We thank Antonio for his contribution and wish him well for the future.

โ€œCristian Stellini will take the team as Acting Head Coach for the remainder of the season, along with Ryan Mason as Assistant Head Coach.

Daniel Levy, Chairman: โ€˜We have 10 Premier League games remaining and we have a fight on our hands for a Champions League place. We all need to pull together. Everyone has to step up to ensure the highest possible finish for our Club and amazing, loyal supporters.'โ€

What now?

Itโ€™s very strange that Spurs would wait one week into the international break and then announce that Conte was leaving without a new coach in place (Stellini was a long time Tottenham assistant).

Spurs are currently in fourth place on the table with 49 points, one point behind Manchester United, but Newcastle (47 points) and Liverpool 42 points) both have two matches-in-hand on Stelliniโ€™s men. Brightonโ€™s also on 42 points and has three matches-in-hand on Spurs.

Stellini actually may have a pretty easy task presuming he didnโ€™t follow up Conteโ€™s comments about the players by yelling, โ€œYeah, I agree!โ€

There are points to be had along the way as Spurs return from break to meet Everton, Brighton, and Bournemouth, but the relatively soft landing ends with Newcastle, Manchester United, and Liverpool in the following three PL matches.

Palace, Villa, Brentford, and Leeds wind down the fixture list, so itโ€™s reasonable to think Spurs will return to the Champions League if they can get through Liverpool on April 30 with a look at the top four.

EURO 2024 qualification live! EURO qualifiers schedule, updates, standings

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EURO 2024 qualifying is here, and youโ€™re in the right spot for groups, fixtures, and results.

Italy outlasted England in penalty kicks to win EURO 2020 and is bidding to become the first repeat winner since Spain in 2008 and 2012.

[ MORE:ย Breaking down Premier League title raceย ]

England is still seeking its first European Championship and will be favored to emerge from Group C with aforementioned Italy as well as Ukraine, North Macedonia, and Malta.

Gareth Southgateโ€™s Three Lions started off 2024 qualifying well as Harry Kane snapped a tie with Wayne Rooney atop Englandโ€™s all-time goals list with a 2-1 win in Italy, the nationโ€™s first in the country since 1961, and then Bukayo Saka led the Three Lions to a 2-0 win over Ukraine on Sunday.

Netherlands and France are also in a spicy group that has dark horse Republic of Ireland and former champions Greece, as well as Gibraltar.

[ MORE: Live scores, updates, standings from EURO 2024 qualifying ]

A number of nations have guaranteed themselves no worse than a playoff spot due to their performances in the UEFA Nations League: Netherlands, Greece, Italy, Spain, Scotland, Georgia, Croatia, Turkey, Serbia, Kazakhstan.



EURO 2024 qualifying schedule

Thursday, March 23

Kazakhstan 1-2 Slovenia
Slovakia 0-0 Luxembourg
Italy 1-2 England โ€“ Video, player ratings as Kane breaks Rooney record
Denmark 3-1 Finland
Portugal 4-0 Liechtenstein
San Marino 0-2 Northern Ireland
North Macedonia 2-1 Malta
Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-0 Iceland

Friday, March 24

Bulgaria 0-1 Montenegro
Gibraltar 0-3 Greece
Moldova 1-1 Faroe Islands
Serbia 2-0 Lithuania
Austria 4-1 Azerbaijan
Sweden 0-3 Belgium
Czech Republic 3-1 Poland
France 4-0 Netherlands

Saturday, March 25

Scotland 3-0 Cyprus
Israel 1-1 Kosovo
Armenia 1-2 Turkey
Belarus 0-5 Switzerland
Spain 3-0 Norway
Croatia 1-0 Wales
Andorra 0-2 Romania

Sunday, March 26

Kazakhstan 3-2 Denmark
England 2-0 Ukraine โ€” Video, player ratings as Saka leads Three Lions
Liechtenstein 0-7 Iceland
Slovenia 2-0 San Marino
Slovakia 2-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Northern Ireland 0-1 Finland
Luxembourg 0-6 Portugal
Malta 0-2 Italy

Monday, March 27

Montenegro vs Serbia โ€” 2:45pm ET
Netherlands vs Gibraltar โ€” 2:45pm ET
Poland vs Albania โ€” 2:45pm ET
Austria vs Estonia โ€” 2:45pm ET
Sweden vs Azerbaijan โ€” 2:45pm ET
Moldova vs Czech Republic โ€” 2:45pm ET
Hungary vs Bulgaria โ€” 2:45pm ET
Republic of Ireland vs France โ€” 2:45pm ET

Tuesday, March 28

Georgia vs Norway โ€” Noon ET
Wales vs Latvia โ€” 2:45pm ET
Romania vs Belarus โ€” 2:45pm ET
Switzerland vs Israel โ€” 2:45pm ET
Kosovo vs Andorra โ€” 2:45pm ET
Turkey vs Croatia โ€” 2:45pm ET
Scotland vs Spain โ€” 2:45pm ET


EURO 2024 qualifying standings

Group A

Spain โ€” 3 pts, +3 GD
Scotland โ€” 3 pts, +3GD
Georgia
Norway โ€” 0 pts, -3 GD
Cyprus โ€” 0 pts, -3 GD

Group B

France โ€” 3pts, +4 GD
Greece โ€” 3 pts, +3 GD
Republic of Ireland
Gibraltar โ€” 0 pts, -3 GD
Netherlands โ€” 0 pts, -4 GD

Group C

England โ€” 6 pts, +3 GD
Italy โ€” 3 pts, +1 GD
North Macedonia โ€” 3 pts, +1 GD
Ukraine โ€” 0 pts, -2 GD
Malta โ€” 0 pts, -3 GD

Group D

Turkey โ€” 3 pts, +1 GD
Wales โ€” 1 pt, 0 GD
Croatia โ€” 1 pt, 0 GD
Latvia
Armenia โ€” 0 pts, -1 GD

Group E

Czech Republic โ€” 3 pts, +2 GD
Faroe Islands โ€” 1 pt, 0 GD
Moldova โ€” 1 pt, 0 GD
Albania
Poland โ€” 0 pts, -2 GD

Group F

Austria โ€” 3 pts, +3 GD
Belgium โ€” 3 pts, + 3GD
Estonia
Azerbaijan โ€” 0 pts, -3 GD
Sweden โ€” 0 pts, -3 GD

Group G

Serbia โ€” 3 pts, +2 GD
Montenegro โ€” 3 pts, +1 GD
Hungary
Bulgaria โ€” 0 pts, -1 GD
Lithuania โ€” 0 pts, -2 GD

Group H

Slovenia โ€” 6 pts, +3 GD
Northern Ireland โ€” 3 pts, +1 GD
Denmark โ€” 3 pts, +1 GD
Finland โ€” 3 pts, -1 GD
Kazakhstan โ€” 3 pts, 0 GD
San Marino โ€” 0 pts, -4 GD

Group I

Switzerland โ€” 3 pts, +5 GD
Romania โ€” 3 pts, + 2 GD
Israel โ€” 1 pt, 0 GD
Kosovo โ€” 1 pt, 0 GD
Andorra โ€” 0 pts, -2 GD
Belarus โ€” 0 pts, -5 GD

Group J

Portugal โ€” 6 pts, +8 GD
Slovakia โ€” 4 pt, +2 GD
Iceland โ€” 3 pts, +4 GD
Bosnia and Herzegovina โ€” 3 pts, +1 GD
Liechtenstein โ€” 1 pt, -7 GD
Luxembourg โ€” 0 pts, -10 GD

USMNT upcoming schedule – Nations League, friendlies, Gold Cup

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After reaching the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup, the USMNT have a big 2023 coming up as they aim to build off a successful showing on the worldโ€™s biggest stage.

[ MORE: How to watch Premier League in USA ]ย 

For the next few months CONCACAF Nations League takes center stage, while the program is very much in transition as Anthony Hudson takes temporary charge and both the general manager (Brian McBride) and sporting director (Earnie Stewart) left in recent months.

[ MORE: USMNT roster for Nations League features Gio Reyna, no Tyler Adams ]

As for now, here is the USMNTโ€™s upcoming schedule for 2023, with plenty more games to be added based on their potential qualification for the 2023 Gold Cup on home soil.


How to watch USMNT

TV channels in English: HBO Max, TNT
TV channels en Espaรฑol:
Universo, Telemundo Deportes
Streaming en Espaรฑol:ย Peacock


USMNT upcoming schedule

* Friendly | ** CONCACAF Nations League | *** 2022 World Cup

2023

vs. Serbia* โ€” Jan. 25, 10 pm ET โ€” Loss 2-1 | Recap & highlights
vs. Colombia* โ€” Jan. 28, 7:30 pm ET โ€” Draw 0-0 | Recap & highlights
at Grenada** โ€” March 24, 8 pm ET โ€” Won 7-1 | Recap & highlights + Player ratings
vs El Salvador** โ€” March 27, 7:30pm ET โ€” Orlando, Florida
vs Mexico* โ€” April 19, 10:22pm ET โ€” Glendale, Arizona โ€“ More details

2023 Gold Cup from June 16 to July 19 (USMNT yet to qualify)


USMNT games in 2022

vs. Morocco* โ€” June 1 โ€” Win 3-0
vs. Uruguay* โ€” June 5 โ€”ย Draw 0-0
vs. Grenada** โ€” June 10 โ€” Win 5-0
at El Salvador** โ€” June 14 โ€” Draw 1-1
vs Japan* โ€” Sept. 23 (in Dusseldorf, Germany) โ€” Loss 2-0
vs Saudi Arabia* โ€” Sept. 27 (in Murcia, Spain) โ€” Draw 0-0


USMNT at 2022 World Cup

Group B
vs. Wales*** โ€” Nov. 21, 2 pm ET โ€” Draw 1-1
vs. England*** โ€” Nov. 25, 2 pm ET โ€” Draw 0-0
vs. Iran*** โ€” Nov. 29, 2 pm ET โ€” Win 1-0

Last 16
vs. Netherlands*** โ€” Dec. 3, 10 am ET โ€” Loss 3-1


USMNT 2022 World Cup qualifying scores, recaps, analysis

at El Salvador โ€” Sept. 2 โ€” Draw 0-0
vs. Canada โ€” Sept. 5 โ€” Draw 1-1
at Honduras โ€” Sept. 8 โ€”ย Win 4-1

vs. Jamaica โ€” Oct. 7 โ€” Win 1-0
at Panama โ€” Oct. 10 โ€” Loss 0-1
vs. Costa Rica โ€” Oct. 13 โ€” Win 2-1

vs. Mexico โ€” Nov. 12 โ€” Win 2-0
at Jamaica โ€” Nov. 16 โ€” Draw 1-1

vs. El Salvador โ€” Jan. 27 โ€” Win 1-0
at Canada โ€” Jan. 30 โ€” Loss 0-2
vs. Honduras โ€” Feb. 2 โ€” Win 3-0

at Mexico โ€” March 24 โ€” Draw 0-0ย 
vs. Panama โ€” March 27 โ€” Win 5-1
at Costa Rica โ€” March 30 โ€” Loss 0-2ย 


Final CONCACAF World Cup qualifying standings

Canada โ€” 28 points โ€“ (QUALIFIED) GD +16 โ€“ automatic qualification
Mexico โ€” 28 points (QUALIFIED) GD +9 โ€“ automatic qualification
USMNT โ€” 25 points โ€“ (QUALIFIED) GD +11 โ€“ automatic qualification


Costa Rica โ€” 25 points (PLAYOFF) GD +5


Panama โ€” 21 points (ELIMINATED)
Jamaica โ€” 14 points (ELIMINATED)
El Salvador โ€” 10 points (ELIMINATED)
Honduras โ€” 4 points (ELIMINATED)

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Bukayo Saka leads England to 2-0 win over Ukraine in EURO qualifying

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Bukayo Saka scored a goal and set up Harry Kane for another as England beat Ukraine 2-0 in a UEFA EURO 2024 qualifier at Wembley Stadium in London on Sunday.

That gives England six points from six to start qualifying and Ukraine barely got a sniff of goal after an early chance didnโ€™t go its way. The Three Lions out-attempted Ukraine 18-3 and led the xG battle 2.05-0.12.

England was without Phil Foden, who had his appendix removed, and several others but was minimally troubled over 90 minutes.

[ LIVE: EURO 2024 qualifying scores โ€“ England vs Ukraine ]

It was an extremely emotional atmosphere in London as the war rages on across Ukraine following the Russia invasion just over a year ago. The English Football Association gave away close to 1,000 free tickets to Ukrainians who were forced to flee their country and resettle with families in the UK.

The United Kingdom have been one of Ukraineโ€™s key partners in the fight against Russian forces. Over 4,200 Ukraine fans were estimated in the away end at Wembley. This match was Ukraineโ€™s first of 2023, as they narrowly missed out on qualifying for the 2022 World Cup after losing to Wales in a playoff last summer.

[ MORE: Full EURO 2024 qualifying schedule, standings ]

England beat Italy 2-1 in Naples on Thursday as Harry Kane became their all-time leading goalscorer with his 54th goal for the Three Lions and they held on after going 2-0 up as Luke Shawโ€™s red card with 10 minutes to go complicated matters.


England vs Ukraine player ratings: Stars of the Show

Bukayo Saka

Ben Chilwell

Jordan Henderson

Georgiy Sudakov

England vs Ukraine player ratings
fotmob.com

Harry Kane goal video: Saka cues up North London rival

Bukayo Saka goal video: Sensational curl makes it 2-0


How to watch England vs Ukraine live, stream link and start time

Kick off: 12pm ET, Sunday (March 26)
Updates: Via NBCSports.com
Stadium: Wembley Stadium, London
Stream: Fubo


Key storylines, in-form players

The last time this nations met England ran out 4-0 winners in the quarterfinals of EURO 2020. They will be the heavy favorites in this game but Ukraine should not be underestimate as the No. 26 ranked team in the world have the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Vitalii Mykolenko all playing in the Premier League.

Englandโ€™s forwards ran riot in the first half against Italy with Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka sensational, plus Jude Bellinghamโ€™s driving runs from midfield give this Three Lions side an extra dimension. There is more creativity and cutting edge about this England side compared to recent years and it feels like they are ready to win something. There will be a ceremony before this game to honor Harry Kane becoming Englandโ€™s all-time goalscorer as he passed Wayne Rooney with his goal in Italy on Thursday.


England team news, lineup options

Luke Shaw will be suspended for this game after his red card in Italy, so Ben Chilwell comes in at left back. Jordan Henderson enters for Kalvin Phillips in midfield, while Phil Foden misses out after undergoing appendix surgery. Reece James is also out, but Jude Bellingham perseveres through an injury to start and James Maddison is also in the XI.

Ukraine team news, lineup options

Andriy Yarmolenko (three goals away from equalling Andriy Shevchenko as Ukraineโ€™s all-time leading scorer) has been struggling with a hamstring injury and misses out, while Bournemouthโ€™s Ilya Zabarnyi and Shakhtarโ€™s Oleksandr Zubkov are both out. Roman Yaremchuk offesr real quality in up top while Arsenalโ€™s Oleksandr Zinchenko is the heartbeat of this Ukraine side and Chelseaโ€™s Mykhailo Mudryk will drive the left side in front of Evertonโ€™s Vitalii Mykolenko.