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Marcus Trescothick’s marathon double century delighted Somerset, but he failed to bat through an innings for the first time as he was last out during a whirlwingdseven-wicket spell from Imran Tahir

David Hopps at Trent Bridge19-Jul-2016
ScorecardImran Tahir found a response to Marcus Trescothick’s marathon [file picture]•Getty Images

It was moving day in the Championship, but so hot that any form of movement took considerable resolve. The sort of conditions when young wannabees reckon they can outlast the senior citizens of the county circuit on energy alone and when the senior citizens shrug that they have seen it all before and just as often come out on top.Marcus Trescothick, if he was a lesser man, would have drawn alongside Harold Gimblett as Somerset’s leading century-maker on the second day, observed the sort of searing heat that drains energy from ageing bones and left it to younger men on the third.Instead, he extended his unbeaten 117 to 218 – his seventh first-class double hundred – before he was last out after tea: a seventh wicket for Imran Tahir. Seventy-eight years betweem them and entirely dominating the day.By then, Trescothick was bereft of support, his capacious frame sweating from places where it had never sweated since unfortunate circumstances caused him to call time on his England career.While Trescothick proceeded with selectivity, occasionally drawing attention to himself by crunching a cover drive, elsewhere was midsummer madness. Around mid-afternoon, one stripped-to-the-waste Nottinghamshire spectator was splashing his bare torso with emergency cold water in a Members’ Toilet, groaning as he did so, drying himself with paper towels as if a state of emergency had been called. One day of 35C and England was falling apart. “I can’t stand much more of this,” he volunteered, so mentally destroyed that he briefly forgot the rule in conservative parts that chat in a public convenience should be determinedly avoided.For all his achievements, all his longevity, Trescothick has never carried his bat in his career. Presented with the tail for company, over the years he has preferred to go for broke. He had not offered a semblance of a chance – disregarding those swimming angrily around Luke Fletcher’s head – which invited the thought that this surely was the time.Then he pushed firmly at Tahir and planted the ball in the hands of Brendan Taylor at extra cover. Disappointment must have been tinged with relief that it was all over. He had batted for nearly eight-and-a-quarter hours, faced 355 balls, struck 32 fours and a six, and passed 1,000 runs for the umpteenth time. And, after all that, with Somerset dismissed for 437, all he had to show for it was a first of innings lead of 36.Tahir, a wiry 38 year old, looks built for these baking conditions. Whereas Trescothick proceeds like a reliable old Dormobile where, much as you treasure it, you feel it’s best to keep a wary eye on the temperature gauge, Tahir, as a legspinner, seems a natural product of the heat that has suddenly descended upon England after three months of a season ravaged by cold winds and rain.In only his third first-class match for Notts, his 7 for 112 was the best return by a Nottinghamshire overseas bowler since Stuart MacGill, a fellow leggie, had helped himself to seven for 109 against Essex at Southend in 2004. Notts’ overseas pace bowlers have failed to cause havoc in the past decade despite Trent Bridge traditionally being a haven for swing. They must wonder why. Or if they don’t, they should.Without Tahir’s monumental effort, Trescothick’s monumental effort might have put Somerset in a winning position. The only substantial partnership of the day, 102 for the fifth wicket, was eventually halted by Samit Patel, who bowled Jim Allenby for 63 as he tried to work a flighted ball of full length into the leg side. At 379 for 4, Somerset were only 22 behind, only for Tahir to cause chaos in a spell of 5 for 20 in 9.5 overs as the pitch began to provide a little purchase.Tahir fulfilled his role brilliantly and, although the game smacked more of stalemate with every wicket he took, final days will become more unpredictable if the hot weather holds: even this one.It was the sort of spell that the ECB wants young English legspinners to produce. But it will take the best part of a decade if spinners are to be produced in England and the process is a lot more complicated than just taking grass off the pitch. By then, who knows where the game will be.

Former Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Francisco Trincao has spoken out on his recent upturn in form, after his hugely disappointing form in England last season.

What did Francisco Trincao say?

The 23-year-old expressed his happiness at this current time with perhaps a disguised swipe at Bruno Lage for how he was managed last term.

Speaking to Sport TV, related by O Jogo, he said:

“It’s like the manager has said about me, I need the consistency that I haven’t had in recent years. I feel good here, I’m happy. I hope to gain this consistency to be able to give more and be better.”

What went wrong for Trincao at Wolves?

The Portuguese joined Barcelona on a five-year deal in January 2020 and was handed his debut in October later that year.

Over a year later, the winger netted his first goal for the Catalan Giants in a 3-2 away win at Real Betis in the Spanish League. The following weekend, he then recorded two assists in a 5-1 thumping of Alaves, which included some delicious link-up play with Lionel Messi.

Due to the incredible competition at Barcelona and with an obvious talent that needed some more regular minutes to be developed and nurtured, the attacker joined Wolves on a season-long loan with an option to buy in the summer of 2021 and was tipped to become a real force within English football.

However, the playmaker endured the least productive campaign of his career and only registered four goals in 30 appearances in all contributions.

It was an incredibly disappointing return, heightened by the fact that he was a player who obviously had an oozing attacking flair but a damaging lack of end product – a painfully similar trend to what compatriot Goncalo Guedes experienced in the Midlands.

The fellow Portugal international has endured a comparatively dismal spell in England. Signed last summer, he has only scored twice and registered a solitary assist in 18 appearances. A better rate than Trincao, but still far from mindblowing.

Like the former Barca man, he is already elsewhere – on loan at Benfica.

After Trincao's disastrous spell, the £13m-rated man has also returned to his homeland, signing on loan for Sporting CP. Across 45 appearances for the Lions, he has contributed 15 goals and assists in a season where Ruben Amorin’s side has defeated Arsenal in the Europa League and Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League group stage.

In a recent league match, the former Braga man netted a hat-trick against Casa Pia and also recorded two key passes, two successful dribbles, and a monstrous 9.3 rating, as per Sofascore.

Trincao opting against signing permanently for Wolves emerged as the best option for parties, his short spell in England will be one he'll swiftly forget.

Pakistan coach Waqar Younis has offered to step down after the side’s poor performance at the World T20 2016 but has warned that cosmetic changes will be insufficient to address the deeper issues within Pakistan cricket. Speaking to the media in Lahore before meeting with a committee set up to look into the side’s performance, Waqar also apologised to the fans for the poor World T20 result.Pakistan won only one of the four group matches in the World T20, after a debacle in the Asia Cup in Bangladesh last month where they failed to qualify for the final. Following the team’s early exit in the Asia Cup, PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan had hinted at sweeping changes, and the board formed a special committee to monitor Pakistan’s performance. This committee is expected to submit its recommendations to the PCB chairman later this week. Waqar’s two-year contract ends in June but it is learnt that his tenure with the side is unlikely to be extended.”I apologise to the whole nation, to all of you and to all the people who were at the airport chanting against us, all the people at the NCA [National Cricket Academy] who look after us,” Waqar said. “I apologise to everyone. Literally, I fold my hands and request all of you to forgive us for the way we performed, it should not have been this way. Our performance should have been better, but unfortunately that didn’t happen.”This is Waqar’s second stint as coach, after he had guided the side in 2010-11. He had parted ways with the team in 2011 due to a rift with captain Shahid Afridi. With Waqar and Misbah-ul-Haq at the helm, Pakistan had climbed to No. 2 in the ICC Test rankings, and are currently at No. 4. Their position in the limited-overs rankings, however, has been weak. They are currently ranked No. 8 among ODI sides and No. 7 in the T20I format. The side’s last win in a T20I series came in September 2015 against Zimbabwe, and they subsequently lost series to England and New Zealand in the lead-up to the Asia Cup and the World T20.Waqar refrained from blaming individuals, and instead urged the PCB to address the deeper issues in the system.”These days there is a notion being discussed to dismiss the chairman, selectors or the coaches, but the point is whether the problems are really being understood. Are we really getting down to the problem in our country and mending it? Are we really correcting the system which needs to be rectified?”So cosmetic changes will not help. This might bring temporary relief, might make you feel that things have changed and everything is fine but I think we should think about this deeply and mark the problems,” he said. “We know where the problems are and we have to open our eyes, eradicate the politics from cricket and get things right. I had mentioned these problems in 2015 and have put them up again. I can hope the PCB can deal with them.”We don’t need to hide anything, everything is in front of us, they way we played. It’s not like I am hiding anything. In fact, the time to sweep things under the rug is over. It is time to step up and solve problems. People have blamed me. That’s not an issue. I will go home but the problem remains. If the problem is solved by sacking me, then sack me. Not tomorrow, but today. But the problem is deeper than that.”Waqar also chose to play down the uncertainty surrounding his future in the role.”My future as coach isn’t relevant. Why is there a sense that Pakistan cricket is linked with my future? It is definitely not. I had a stint previously as well and I am here again but I may not be there in the future and someone else may come in. The point is, I am not the problem. We have to find the real problem.”Waqar has submitted his report of the tournament to the PCB chairman and it is learnt that the report covers a wide range of issues, from selection matters to the players’ capacities and the issues he has faced in last two years. While he refused to divulge information about the report, he said that most of the issues facing Pakistan cricket were in the public domain, prime among them being the lack of international cricket in country.”It’s not that roots have always been weak in the country … cricket not being played here in Pakistan is one of the many problems but we have to take care of our stadiums and domestic cricket to get it going.”Yes not having international cricket in Pakistan did make an impact and disturbed the roots of cricket. Whatever you have made in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, a home away from home, isn’t really a solution. India and other countries are producing cricketers by playing at home grounds. Cricket the game isn’t for stars, it’s a game for heroes. We often mix it as you may see a star doing TV ads but cricket is played by heroes and those who play the game don’t see other things around. So we want heroes and not the stars.”

Arsenal have reportedly joined the race to sign Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Alexis Mac Allister this summer.

The Lowdown: More business with Brighton

Arsenal have done plenty of business with Brighton over the last couple of seasons, signing both Ben White and Leandro Trossard, as well as having a £70m bid rejected for Moises Caicedo in the January transfer window.

It looks like they could try and do business again with them this summer, with Mac Allister emerging as a new target.

The Latest: Arsenal join Mac Allister race

As per Football Insider, the Gunners, as well as Manchester United and Manchester City, have joined Liverpool in registering an interest in signing Mac Allister this summer.

The Seagulls have set a £70m price tag on his shoulders, and he is thought to be ‘ready to go’ to a bigger club.

They have the option to extend his deal by another year, with his current contract set to expire in 2025.

The Verdict: No-brainer

If a player of Mac Allister’s quality becomes available, it is surely a no-brainer for Mikel Arteta’s side to try and sign him.

Hailed as a ‘stunning’ player by his manager Roberto De Zerbi, he is enjoying an outstanding season for both club and country.

His eight goals and one assist in all competitions has helped Brighton challenge for the European spots in the Premier League, and reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

Mac Allister also played six times for Argentina on their way to winning the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, recording one goal and supplying one assist.

Nonetheless, with the North Londoners looking to compete in the UEFA Champions League as well as the Premier League next term, the 24-year-old would be a top signing.

Liverpool kick off 2024 this evening as they welcome Newcastle United to Anfield for their first Premier League match of the calendar year.

The Reds will be hoping to retain their place at the top of the table as they bid to secure their first top-flight title since the 2019/20 campaign.

Jurgen Klopp’s men head into this fixture off the back of a 2-0 win over Burnley last time out at Turf Moor, thanks to goals from Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota either side of half-time.

The German head coach will be without a number of players, including Andy Robertson, Kostas Tsimikas, Joel Matip, and Thiago, due to injury and could look to rotate his side to avoid further issues.

One player he must unleash from the start this evening is central midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, who should come in for Ryan Gravenberch in the middle of the park.

Gravenberch's performance against Burnley in numbers

The Dutch whiz played 66 minutes against the Clarets and did not do enough to make him a nailed-on starter against the Magpies today.

He lost six of his eight duels as Burnley players found it far too easy to get the better of him in physical duels, and the summer signing failed with both of his attempted dribbles.

Appearances

14

Sofascore rating

6.69

Goals

Zero

Assists

Zero

Duel success rate

40%

Gravenberch, who created one chance at Turf Moor, has not hit the ground running since his permanent move from Bayern Munich earlier this year.

As you can see in the table above, the central midfielder has not made a significant impact at the top end of the pitch and has been too much of a lightweight in physical battles throughout the Premier League season.

Why Szoboszlai should replace Gravenberch

Meanwhile, Szoboszlai has been an impressive performer for the Reds in midfield since his summer switch from German side RB Leipzig.

The Hungary international has not been at his very best as an attacker in recent weeks, with no goal contributions in his last four Premier League outings, but his work out of possession should put him ahead of Gravenberch.

He has made 6.4 ball recoveries per match in the top-flight for the Reds so far this season, compared to his Dutch teammate's 3.6 per game.

The £120k-per-week whiz, who was once dubbed a "Magician" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has the engine and drive to win the ball back for his side at an impressive rate, which helps Liverpool to control games and cut out opposition attacks.

Szoboszlai also has the potential to chip in at the top end of the pitch. He has produced two goals, two assists, and five 'big chances' created in 19 Premier League matches so far this season.

This shows that the former Leipzig star has the quality to make an impact in the final third as both a scorer and a creator of goals, which is a trait that Gravenberch has yet to display.

Therefore, Klopp must ditch the Dutchman this evening and bring Szoboszlai back in from the start to line up in midfield at Anfield against the Magpies.

Chelsea are fearing the worst over an injury to one of their first-team stars as well as the issue with Marc Cucurella, according to a reliable reporter.

Cucurella injury update

During the Premier League 2-0 defeat to Everton, Cucurella was forced off the pitch with a serious lower leg issue, and following further assessments with knee and foot specialists, the defender is set for an extended spell on the sidelines.

After undergoing surgery, Mauricio Pochettino’s star is still recovering in hospital and isn’t expected to return to the grass until February at the very earliest, and if the following is to be believed, he’s not the only one who the manager will have to cope without having at his disposal for the foreseeable future.

Fabrizio Romano shares injury news out of Chelsea on "spectacular" player

More bad news for Pochettino…

ByTom Cunningham Dec 17, 2023

At Goodison Park, Reece James was also withdrawn prematurely and replaced by Levi Colwill after just 27 minutes, which will have sparked plenty of concern among supporters considering the misfortune that the right-back has suffered since the start of the season.

The Blues captain has made just five starts in the top-flight so far this campaign due to being ruled out of action with a hamstring problem (WhoScored – James statistics), and it sounds like the club’s medical staff are extremely concerned about the 24-year-old’s situation this time around.

James may need hamstring surgery

Writing in his column for CaughtOffside, Fabrizio Romano revealed that Chelsea are worried about James and confirmed that they have entered discussions to decide whether he needs to go under the knife.

“A final decision on whether or not the full-back will undergo surgery will be made within the next few days — that’s the plan internally. Make no mistake though, for sure Chelsea are worried.

"They want James to be in the best possible condition to perform at the highest levels — the player wants the same, but this is not the case at the moment. Chelsea are in talks with medical specialists about how to help and prevent this issue from becoming an even bigger problem. Everybody hopes James can come back even stronger.”

While James is naturally a right-back, Chelsea will know that he’s stronger in the offensive aspect of his game having posted 32 direct contributions – 21 assists and 11 goals – in 156 senior appearances during his time at Stamford Bridge (Transfermarkt -James statistics).

The England international also currently ranks in the 96th percentile for successful take-ons, highlighting his desire to use his pace to dribble past his marker and create as many chances as possible for both himself and his fellow teammates in the final third (FBRef – James statistics).

Having been dubbed “world-class” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, Pochettino will therefore know that not having his skipper available for selection for a while is a huge blow, so everyone associated with the club will be hoping that he is able to stage his comeback as soon as is safe to do so.

Liverpool went through a big summer of change after the 2022/23 campaign failed to bear any fruits for Jurgen Klopp's side, with the midfield receiving more than just a spruce-up after failing to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in seven seasons.

While Klopp had crafted a successful, compelling outfit on Merseyside over a number of years, it all came undone as the midfield struggled to charge the engine room and the backline failed to display the kind of strength and synthesis as a collective, too often coming unstuck.

Frankly, Liverpool were outthought and outfought all too often, and it's little surprise that there was a mass exodus over the summer months, with the likes of Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo arriving to chart a course back to the forefront.

Such additions have been important but they have augmented the existing members that were not given the chop, with Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones both playing important roles in the Reds' campaign thus far.

Spaniards Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic also played big roles last year but have both been plagued with injury since the summer; the latter, Bajcetic, was a diamond in the dirt last season and proved to be a real asset as he guided his senior peers through the darkness of last year, even being praised as a "special" talent by Klopp.

Bajcetic, aged 19, is evidence that Liverpool's youth ranks boast quality enough to break into the senior set-up, following in Trent Alexander-Arnold's footsteps, but it doesn't look like he will be the last to rise to the fore under Klopp's wing, with a rich crop of talent bubbling under the surface right now.

Not least with prodigy Trent Kone-Doherty continuing to produce some scintillating displays…

Trent Kone-Doherty's season in numbers

Describing himself as "fearless", Kone-Doherty has blitzed up the ranks at youth level and posted 16 goals and four assists from just 29 outings so far, though he is still awaiting his senior debut.

The six-cap Republic of Ireland U17 international has been hailed for his "blinding pace" by Foyle Harps chairman Gerry Doherty, who also declared him a "flying machine".

Signing for the Anfield side for a reported fee of £150k, the 17-year-old is part of a revolution at formative level at the club, with an inpouring of exciting potential arriving to give Klopp more than a little food for thought.

The revered gaffer's history of providing Reds starlets with chances to impress will only convince Kone-Doherty that he can wedge his way into the reckoning, with Bajcetic and Alexander-Arnold not the only youngsters to be brought to the surface.

Indeed, Ben Doak and Jarell Quansah are perfect examples of why Liverpool might be the place for a prodigious talent such as Kone-Doherty to grow into his skin.

Another rising star who was destined for a position of prominence was Kaide Gordon, who had caused a storm among those of a Liverpool persuasion before a detrimental injury culled his growth, but with the fleet-footed winger now returning, Klopp may have to contend with the rise of two competing prodigies.

Kaide Gordon's career so far

Signed from Derby County for around £3m in 2021, Gordon, aged 19, has been regarded as one of Liverpool's most exciting attacking talents since his acquisition and demonstrated his talent through some excellent showings, scoring 11 goals and providing five assists from 27 matches.

Dubbed "exceptional" by Klopp, Gordon was beset with horrendous luck on the injury front and returned to full training this summer after 17 months sidelined with a pelvic growth issue.

There have been minor setbacks that have hindered him from returning to action with regularity as yet, but there is a feeling that Gordon is now ready to dazzle once again with his dynamism, lightning speed and natural finishing instinct – he is left-footed, and prefers to ply his trade as an inside forward from the right.

Apps

Goals

Assists

G/A Rate

U18 Premier League

Kone-Doherty

19

12

3

0.79

Gordon

15

9

3

0.80

Premier League 2

Kone-Doherty

3

1

0

0.33

Gordon

10

4

1

0.5

*Sourced via Transfermarkt

When he arrived at Liverpool, he was dubbed 'the best 16-year-old in the country', and Liverpool, having warded off attention from Manchester United, felt that they had secured a star in the making.

Injury has hindered his development, but it doesn't have to be detrimental, with plenty of time to nurture his innate quality back to its peak.

However, with Kone-Doherty now coming for his throne, Gordon will need to ensure that he puts his heart and soul into his performances over the coming months to reclaim a place in Klopp's first team.

While Kone-Doherty has only just burst onto the scene in the Premier League 2, he got himself off the mark nice and early, scoring a crucial goal in a 1-1 draw against Derby in August.

And given that he's only a few months into his 17th year, there is ample time for him to sculpt the perfect foundation over the coming years, using this as a launchpad to ensconce himself in Klopp's senior team.

Gordon has already demonstrated that such lofty ambitions can be realised, having racked up four senior showings and bagging his first professional goal against Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup third round in 2022, a goal among many in a conquest to the trophy, defeating Chelsea on penalties in March.

Despite only recently returning to action after his interminable wait for full fitness, Gordon has already been called up to the senior squad and earned a place on the bench against Toulouse earlier in November; this speaks volumes for Gordon's quality and chances of earning opportunities alongside the likes of Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez this term.

Should Kone-Doherty hold onto his 'fearless' nature and continue to sharpen his natural attacking expertise, there is every possibility that he could surpass Gordon and knock on Klopp's door as the most promising youngster on the books.

The German manager has much to consider, but deciding who deserves a chance is the type of conundrum that every manager hopes for.

Liverpool have suffered a setback in the race to sign a new player, with a fresh report revealing that an overseas admirer are the first to make an official move ahead of January.

Do Liverpool need any more midfielders?

Over the summer, Jurgen Klopp secured the services of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch meaning that he has now got a completely revamped midfield compared to the end of last season, but that hasn’t stopped him from assessing further options. The Merseyside outfit have recently been linked with individual moves for Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala, Boca Juniors’ Ezequiel Fernandez and most predominantly Fluminense’s Andre, but should the boss fail to secure the services of any of those at the start of next year, he appears to have an his eye on an alternative.

At the Veltins Arena, FC Schalke’s attacking midfielder Assan Ouedraogo has recently been linked with a switch to Anfield, Everton and Brighton and Hove Albion, with the trio of clubs in the Premier League monitoring the 17-year-old’s progress, but chiefs from all of his top-flight potential suitors have now been dealt a transfer blow.

Assan Ouedraogo transfer update

According to TEAMtalk whilst delivering a transfer update on Assan Ouedraogo, Liverpool are no longer at the head of the pack chasing the teenager in the Bundesliga.

“Liverpool must act quickly if they are to win the race for Schalke midfielder Assan Ouedraogo with one of the Bundesliga’s big boys making early inroads over his signing, TEAMtalk has learned.

"Manchester United, Chelsea and Bayern Munich have all been present [at] the youngster’s games this season. However, it is RB Leipzig who are trying to beat the pack and land one of football’s top talents.

"Leipzig have made contact with Ouedraogo’s agents to understand the conditions of a deal. He is represented by his father Alassane and the 43-year-old was in Leipzig last week to speak about a potential move.

"That has put several clubs on red alert as the young midfielder is highly admired and could be available for as little as £15m, according to our sources.

"Jurgen Klopp is also another who has marked the Germany youth international as an option for January. The Liverpool boss is understood to be a huge fan and would be keen to bring him in before he moves elsewhere and the Anfield side are forced to pay a premium in order to facilitate a move to England.”

How good is Assan Ouedraogo?

According to football talent scout Jacek Kulig, Ouedraogo is an “absolute star” in the making having posted 31 contributions, 17 goals and 14 assists, in 46 appearances since the start of his career (Transfermarkt – Ouedraogo statistics), so it will certainly be a blow if Liverpool were to miss out on securing his signature.

The Germany youth international also currently ranks in the 99th percentile for successful take-ons (FBRef – Ouedraogo statistics), showing that he loves to use his pace, dribble past his marker and create as many chances as possible for both himself and his fellow teammates in the final third.

Additionally, Ouedraogo has already had a taste of what it’s like to compete and be successful having been crowned U17s Champion in both the Bundesliga and internationally, so getting an up-and-coming talent who possesses a winning mentality in the building like him would do no harm.

Gio Reyna and Tyler Adams have been named to the USMNT squad for the upcoming Nations League semifinals.

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USMNT squad namedReyna and Adams involvedPulisic, McKennie lead the wayWHAT HAPPENED?

Both Reyna and Adams were included in the squad despite a lack of minutes in the Premier League. Adams is only just recovering from injury, having recently returned to the Bournemouth squad. Reyna, meanwhile, has played just a few minutes since joining Nottingham Forest during the winter transfer window.

They join a strong team that features most of the USMNT's stars in players like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Matt Turner and Folarin Balogun.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesSQUAD IN FULL

GOALKEEPERS: Drake Callender (Inter Miami), Ethan Horvath (Cardiff City), Matt Turner (Nottingham Forest)

DEFENDERS: Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven), Kristoffer Lund (Palermo), Mark McKenzie (Genk), Tim Ream (Fulham), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), Joe Scally (Borussia Monchengladbach)

MIDFIELDERS: Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis), Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Yunus Musah (AC Milan), Gio Reyna (Nottingham Forest)

FORWARDS: Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Josh Sargent (Norwich City), Tim Weah (Juventus)

GettyWHAT BERHALTER SAID

“The objective ahead of us is clear. We want to compete for our third Nations League title and continue to challenge ourselves to succeed in knockout round matches,” USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter said. “This is a group of players with a lot of experience in these types of matches and we look forward to the opportunity.”

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THE BIGGER PICTURE

The USMNT will be looking to defend its Nations League title, having won the first two iterations of the CONCACAF tournament.

The first triumph came back in 2021, when the U.S. outlasted Mexico in a 3-2 classic in Denver thanks to a 114th-minute penalty from Christian Pulisic. In 2023, the U.S. took down Canada in the finale, winning 2-0 in Las Vegas to retain their spot atop the region.

Scotland mark their return to action after World Cup elimination with a historicvictory over England

Andrew Miller10-Jun-20180:42

‘I was running around crazy as soon as the finger went up’ – Sharif

Scotland’s final-wicket hero, Safyaan Sharif, said that his team’s actions spoke louder than any words could, as they marked their return to competitive action after the heartbreak of World Cup elimination with a historic, and nerve-shredding, victory over England at The Grange.Sharif, who nailed England’s last man, Mark Wood, with a pinpoint yorker to seal a six-run win, insisted that the jubilation of the achievement – in front of an ecstatic home crowd, many of whom joined in a good-natured pitch invasion at the moment of victory – atoned for the misery of their decisive five-run defeat against West Indies in the World Cup qualifiers in Harare in March, when a contentious lbw decision effectively sealed their exclusion from next year’s ten-team World Cup.”Definitely it does,” Sharif told Sky Sports. “I mean England’s a brilliant side, everyone knows that, and to get a victory, scoring 370 against a top quality side, means the world to Scotland, so well done once again.”I’m not going to say anything,” Sharif added, when asked if the achievement sent a message to those at the ICC who decided to reduce the size of the World Cup. “They’ll have seen it all today so hopefully they’ll click onto that.””It was just an incredible effort from the lads, they’ve just proven once again that they are capable of playing at this standard, and they did really well throughout the innings. Up top, it was tough in the second half but we managed to pull things back and did the job, so really… I’m lost for words, I don’t know what to say.”Kyle Coetzer, Scotland’s captain, echoed Sharif’s sentiments, particularly in light of their successful bounce-back from the disappointment in Harare.”I was extremely proud first of all, but it is a trait we are starting to get very, very good at,” he said. “With ball in hand, we’ve been very good over the last few years, and especially coming off the back of Zimbabwe, this being our first game of the year, it’s been an outstanding performance.”Look, 371 played 365, it’s an outstanding game, bowlers found it hard on a flat wicket with small boundaries, but it’s great to be this side of the fence.”In spite of the tough conditions for bowling, Sharif said that he had backed his burgeoning ability at the death, particularly having obtained some reverse swing late in the innings.Safyaan Sharif sprints off after the final wicket to seal a historic maiden win over England•Peter Della Penna

“I just knew if I bowl the right line and hit my yorker, it’s going to tail [in], and luckily once again I managed to hit that yorker and got that wicket, which was an absolutely great feeling to get over the line,” he said.”Definitely, I’ve been working hard on [reverse swing] towards the end of an innings and we managed to get that wicket there. It’s unbelievable.Coetzer admitted that there had been moments during England’s run-chase, particularly when Jonny Bairstow was teeing off during an outstanding hundred, that he had been powerless to respond.”Especially in the first Powerplay, when you’re only allowed two guys out, literally whenever we moved a fielder, he hit it somewhere else,” Coetzer said. “He’s obviously in fine form, he struck the ball cleanly from the start of his innings. Basically I was just hoping he mishit one, and thankfully that happened.”We knew it was tough,” Sharif added. “The wicket was good, it was a fast outfield, we just needed to keep bashing our lengths, keep mixing it up and we’ll get the wickets, and luckily we did.”It means a lot to the crowd and a lot to us. We’ve been waiting so long for this victory and we managed to do that today with the positive attitude that the lads brought into the game, so well done.”