Table of Contents
Hello there! Between Saturday’s MLS Cup final and a busy week in the UEFA Champions League, there’s a lot to catch up on. I’m Pardeep Cattry with the latest version.
📺 Foot correction
Always US/East
Monday December 9
🏴ꠁԠԠԠԠԠ EPL: West Ham vs. Wolves, 3pm ➡️ USA Network
Tuesday December 10th
🇪🇺 UCL: Girona vs. Liverpool, 12:45 pm ➡️ Biggest+
🇪🇺 UCL: Atalanta vs. Real Madrid, 3pm ➡️ Biggest+
🇪🇺 UCL: Leverkusen vs. Inter, 3pm ➡️ Biggest+
🇪🇺 UCL: RB Salzburg vs. PSG, 3pm ➡️ Biggest+
⚽ The forward line
🏆LA Galaxy wins sixth MLS Cup
Getty Images
LA Galaxy’s decade-long trophy drought officially ended on Saturday when they defeated the New York Red Bulls 2-1 to win a record-extending sixth MLS Cup.
The hosts scored twice in the opening thirteen minutes thanks to Joseph Paintsil and Dejan Joveljic, surviving the Red Bulls’ lengthy push for an equalizer after Sean Nealis pulled one back for the visitors in the 28th minute. Although the Galaxy were considered the favorites for the final, the match went somewhat surprisingly: a possession-oriented Galaxy instead spent much of the match protecting their goal and placed the onus on the Red Bulls to do something with the ball, despite an average of 31.3. % possession in their previous four playoff games. The strategy worked, with the Galaxy limiting the Red Bulls to just three shots on target from a total of ten attempts.
It was a remarkably unglamorous victory for the Galaxy, especially considering the entertainment value they displayed and the star power they lacked. MVP candidate Riqui Puig missed the match after tearing his ACL in the Western Conference final a week earlier, while UEFA Champions League finalist Marco Reus came off the bench to seal the deal. It’s a departure from the Galaxy teams of a decade ago that won MLS Cups while boasting stars like David Beckham, Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan, but Saturday’s victory is a reflection of the team’s current strengths. The MLS Cup is the culmination of the team’s reinvention, which began in earnest when they hired head coach Greg Vanney in 2021 and embarked on a successful youth-focused rebuild.
- Vanney: “For our club you saw this year, when the [designated player] Places became available, we didn’t necessarily look for guys with a name and a big career who were already behind them. We went for guys who are hungry, super talented and athletic and who fit our playing style, which is important. They fit the guys we had and they knew they were going to make those guys better and make our team better. We tried to build on a vision that these guys came here again with the desire to win, but also with the desire to continue to improve and continue to build their careers as well.”
The Galaxy’s successful journey to the podium also likely reveals a fascinating truth about MLS as a whole. Although Inter Miami’s star-studded squad, led by Lionel Messi, dominated headlines over the course of the year, stars alone may not be enough to win the competition’s ultimate prize. The Galaxy relied on unsung heroes like Joveljic and Gaston Brugman in Saturday’s final, a testament to their squad building as a whole rather than a narrow focus on household names.
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🔗 Link play in midfield
🇪🇺 Real Madrid and PSG manage crises
The UEFA Champions League returns on Tuesday with high-stakes matches for several European heavyweights, including some desperate to correct course after poor form.
Reigning champions Real Madrid are surprisingly in 24th place, the last spot for teams advancing to the knockout rounds, after just two wins in five games so far. Things have rarely gone well for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who started the season unbeatable after signing Kylian Mbappe but instead paid the price for his imbalance. They weren’t helped by injuries, with the likes of Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham spending time on the sidelines at various stages of the season. Their high-profile summer signing Kylian Mbappé has also not turned out well. He has just one goal and one assist in the Champions League this season, although a goal in last weekend’s 3-0 win over Girona could inspire some confidence.
Real Madrid will also benefit from a reasonably fit squad, with Vinicius and Rodrygo recovering from injuries and improving the team’s squad heading into Atalanta, although it is unclear exactly whether they will be eligible for Tuesday’s match. The reigning champions’ ability to score – with or without the Brazilian duo – will be worth keeping an eye on in Italy as Atalanta are not to be underestimated. They are fifth in the league stage and will now focus on direct passage to the round of 16 by clinging to a top eight spot, likely by relying on their defence-first strategy. They have only conceded one goal in five Champions League games so far, although this will likely be their biggest test since the matchday 1 clash with Arsenal.
Real Madrid is not the only heavyweight in urgent need of points on Tuesday. Paris Saint-Germain are in difficult circumstances, sitting in 25th place with just one win in five games, scoring just three goals along the way. The French champions were presented with a difficult schedule due to the draw, having already faced Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid and still awaiting a match against Manchester City. However, Tuesday’s match against Red Bull Salzburg could yield a favorable result. Salzburg have just three points from five games and have conceded 15 goals along the way, making PSG the big favorites in Austria and giving them a real chance to climb into the top 24.
🔗 Top stories
🇯🇲 Michail Antonio update: West Ham’s Michail Antonio is in a stable condition after a serious car accident in England on Saturday.
🩹 Pulisic injury: Christian Pulisic will miss at least two games after picking up an injury during AC Milan’s defeat to Atalanta on Friday.
❌ Coote fired: The PGMOL sacked David Coote on Monday after an investigation into videos in which he discredited Liverpool and ex-manager Jurgen Klopp.
🇫🇷 Mbappe talks about France: Kylian Mbappe said he “misses” the France national team after missing the last two international breaks.
🔴 Ashworth from: Dan Ashworth has left his role as Manchester United’s sporting director after just five months, adding a new layer of uncertainty to the club.
🌴 Messi wins MVP: Lionel Messi was named MLS MVP after a strong first full season with Inter Miami.
📅 Change in MLS schedule?: MLS commissioner Don Garber said the league is considering a schedule change to accommodate the European calendar more seriously than ever before.
👏 Top NWSL signings in 2024: From NWSL MVP Temwa Chawinga to league champion Barbra Banda, here’s a look back at the top NWSL signings this year.
🇺🇸 The Rise of Antonee Robinson: Here’s how USMNT defender Antonee Robinson became one of the Premier League’s best left backs.
💰The Back Line
💵 Best bets
- UEFA Champions League: winner
💰 THE CHOICE: Liverpool wins the Champions League (+450) – It felt like a foregone conclusion at the start of the season that Manchester City or Real Madrid would win the Champions League this season, but what a difference a few months can make. Liverpool, undoubtedly the most in-form team in Europe and the current league leaders, are now the favorites to take home the prize. They’re not alone ahead of City and Madrid either: Barcelona is the oddsmakers’ second choice, while Arsenal and Bayern Munich also surpass last year’s champions. - UEFA Champions League: Girona vs. Liverpool, Tuesday, 12:45 pm
💰 THE CHOICE: Luis Diaz scores (+180) – Liverpool are the heavy favorites in this match as they continue their great first season under Arne Slot, with several players in strong form throughout the season so far. That list includes Luis Diaz, who has already scored nine goals in all competitions this season and could add another goal to his account with a strong performance on Tuesday.
For more picks, predictions, expert tips and the latest betting news, don’t miss CBSSports.com’s betting homepage.
📺 What’s on CBS Sports Golazo Network
☀️ Morning Footy (Weekdays 8-10am): Hosts Susannah Collins, Charlie Davies, Nico Cantor and Alexis Guerreros help fans get their day started on the network’s flagship morning show with highlights, interviews and the biggest football storylines. Morning Footy is also available in podcast formso you never miss an episode again.
3️⃣ Attacking third (Monday, Thursday): The leading ladies football podcast And social brand is now a live studio show. The NWSL season is back and our coverage of the women’s game is stronger than ever. Our analysts will analyze the USWNT, NWSL and European domestic seasons throughout the year. And don’t miss it Wednesday livestreams on YouTube at 11 a.m. ET.
⚽ Call it what you want (Monday and Thursday): a weekly podcast with Jimmy Conrad, Charlie Davies and Tony Meola cover all things USMNT and the state of the beautiful game in the United States. You can watch the show live on YouTube every Monday at 1:00 PM ET and Thursdays at 6:00 PM ET.
🥅 Scoreline (Daily): Scoreline is the latest place for fans to keep up to date with all the biggest news and results impacting global football, match highlights from the best football leagues and all the unmissable goals from the day’s action, which starts on Thursday and airs for seven days a week.
📺 How to watch: CBS Sports Golazo Network is a free 24/7 channel solely focused on providing unparalleled coverage of all the top football leagues worldwide. You can stream for free on the CBS Sports App, Pluto TV And Biggest+.