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BOGOTA, Colombia — Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney made another foray into soccer team ownership Thursday as part of an investment group that acquired Colombian club La Equidad.

The Wrexham co-owners are shareholders in the group led by Al Tylis, who is co-chairman of Mexican club Necaxa, and Sam Porter, who is a Necaxa board member.

La Equidad, a Bogota club founded in the 1980s, said the purchase was approved by the country’s professional soccer league organization.

Other investors include actress Eva Longoria as well as baseball pitcher Justin Verlander and his wife, actress Kate Upton.

Tylis and Porter will take over as co-presidents of the board of directors of La Equidad, the club’s statement said.

“Our new owners are committed to investing in key areas, including our core forces and our female team,” La Equidad said in a statement.

The club did not release financial details of the purchase.

Tylis said his group’s aim “is to strengthen every aspect of the club, investing for the long term and building on the strong foundation that already exists.”

La Equidad is considered a small club and its Metropolitano Stadium holds only 10,000 spectators. The team finished the latest edition of the league in 13th place.

Last year, Reynolds and McElhenney purchased a minority stake of Necaxa.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/ryan-reynolds-rob-mcelhenney-group-buys-colombian-soccer-117763880

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The awards celebrate inclusivity and accessibility as U.S. Soccer aims to celebrate the game in all its forms

Source: https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/u-s-soccer-announces-winners-of-2024-extended-national-teams-player-of-the-year-awards/bltb2047f3952bc84d9

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Mamelodi Sundowns are reportedly set to secure Argentine centre-back Lucas Suarez on a one-year loan from CA Talleres.

This is according to Argentine journalist Cesar Luis Merlo. The deal, which includes an option to purchase, could see the 29-year-old defender join Sundowns for the duration of the 2024/2025 season.

Suarez, a left-footed central defender, has built a solid career in Argentina, playing for several clubs.

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He has also represented Argentina at the U20 level, earning four caps for the national team. Known for his strong defensive skills and leadership at the back, Suarez is expected to provide a valuable addition to Sundowns’ defensive options.

However, the move comes with potential complications, as the PSL rules permit only five foreign players per club.

Sundowns, who already have a full foreign roster, will need to find a way to adjust their squad to accommodate Suarez. It remains to be seen how the club will navigate this challenge while balancing their quest for both domestic and continental success.

If the loan move is finalized, Suarez will bring a wealth of experience and depth to Sundowns’ squad as they look to strengthen their defensive line.

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Source: https://www.snl24.com/soccerladuma/local/premiership/mamelodi-sundowns/reports-sundowns-secure-loan-move-for-argentine-centre-back-20250116

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Milan and Turin are Italy’s most prestigious destinations allowing the finest of American soccer players to prosper. But have you heard about the symbiotic rise of Palermo FC and USMNT defender Kristoffer Lund?

Team USA supporters know all about Lund, the Denmark-born, Swedish title-winning, Sicily-based USMNT convert contracted to a club powered by City Football Group, the soccer investment vehicle from Abu Dhabi valued at over $5B.

With seven international appearances so far, the dream of representing the US at the 2026 World Cup could be the final piece of a global puzzle for the 22-year-old, who spoke with me at City Football Academy Palermo, located in Torretta.

“Now, it’s one of my primary goals to reach the squad of 2026, and I’m not shy to say that,” Lund explained.

“I work hard every single day to show my best here, which then will be able to, hopefully, transfer into being able to play for the national team.”

Born in Kerteminde, a modest Danish town of 6,000 residents, Lund is eligible for Mauricio Pocchetino’s side through his American mother, a decision taken after representing Denmark from U17 to U21 level.

The former FC Midtjylland defender pledged his allegiance to the Stars and Stripes in 2023, debuting against Uzbekistan in St. Louis.

“To be able to play for the US – I saw it as an opportunity.”

“I see the future of this team being very good, and at the same time, the evolution and the growth of football, or soccer, as we say in the States, is growing immensely.”

In sports, correlation almost always means causation. Lund’s elevation into the international arena coincided with his transfer from Swedish champions BK Hacken – where he won two trophies – to Palermo, the Serie A fallen giant who entered a new dawn in 2022 when City Football Group stepped in.

Lund was immediately called up by then-coach Gregg Berhalter, replacing Fulham defender Antonee Robinson at Energizer Park with ten minutes to go against the Uzbeks in a Serie A-themed lineup featuring Timothy Weah and Weston McKennie (Juventus), and three current and former AC Milan players, Sergiño Dest, Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah.

And it’s the latter with whom Lund bonded the most.

“One of my very dearest friends is Yunus Musah, who plays in Milan.”

“It’s kind of humbling also to know that players like them, players at that level, can reflect with you, and speak with you about this and actually ask, how is it going with you?”

“We saw that you won this game, or played this game. So it’s very cool. Awesome. That’s part of the Calcio journey, I guess.”

Lund’s Sicilian odyssey has netted 56 appearances and three goals, the last of which capped off a sensational 2024 calendar year when he scored against Cittadella in Serie B.

With 17 club appearances and two international friendly call-ups in 2024-25, the young American is aware that Palermo gives him the platform needed to catch the attention of Pocchetino, the former Argentinian centre-back who retired in 2006, the same season the Le Aquile finished fifth in Serie A.

“I’ve been here for around one and a half years, and it just goes to show how much impact this place has. Around the world, everyone knows who and what Palermo is, and if you do well here, as I said, it goes to show that you’re able to handle and do a lot of good stuff in the future as well.”

Palermo’s golden period began during the Luca Toni era, when the 2006 World Cup winner elevated the club to Serie A with profound impact, attaining European qualification five times in eight seasons.

It’s this rich Rosanero history: names like Toni, Paulo Dybala and Edinson Cavani that have ensured the Sicilian capital has evolved into one of the nation’s most attractive soccer destinations.

“For me, it’s a privilege,” Lund shared. “This makes a difference for you wanting to come because, you know, there have been all these great players who had great careers in Palermo.”

City Football Group acquired Palermo in 2022 and rapidly implemented a global mindset, unveiling the club’s first-ever training centre in its 124-year existence.

According to the official website, City Football Academy Palermo consists of two grass fields with the precise dimensions of the Stadio Renzo Barbera, Palermo FC’s home stadium, a series of extra training grounds, and buildings boasting the latest in sporting technology, located thirty minutes from the stadium.

“It’s very nice that we can come to the training ground, and it’s just us. We have nice facilities in the gym, and we have big open pitches.”

“When I first arrived, it was still under the construction. So going from what we have now, compared to what I arrived to, is unbelievable.”

Facilities like these are largely unheard of in Italy’s southern soccer clubs. Here lies the opportunity for Lund and Palermo to qualify for the Serie B playoffs for the second year running to realize that long-awaited return to the top flight.

“It would mean the world to me. Last year I was lucky, I would say, to experience the playoff atmosphere here in Palermo, which was absolutely insane.”

“So to be able to go through that again, if not direct promotion, but to be able to go through a successful playoff series here in this club, in this place, would be almost magical.”

With a population of over 650,000, Palermo is Italy’s fifth-largest city. Seven seasons have passed since the capacious 32,000-seater Renzo Barbera enjoyed Serie A matches. Still, that’s two less than Jonathan Klinsmann’s Cesena FC, another dual citizen American competing in Serie B.

Lund assures me the players want it as much as the fans. “The atmosphere here is incredible, and I know how much it means to us, of course, who put in the daily work, but also how much it means to everyone else here in here in Sicily.”

Palermo occupies 8th position in the Serie B standings with just over half the season gone. A steady flow of positive results could cement a top-four finish, crucial for hosting an all-important playoff second-leg tie.

As 2025 kicks off, there are two milestones of paramount importance for Lund: The Concacaf Nations League semi-final against Panama and a successful tilt at Serie A promotion with Palermo.

But for now, it’s one opponent at a time.

“I believe in myself, so it’s it’s not like I see some guy thinking, like, I can’t stop him. In my opinion, I can stop anyone.”

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidferrini/2025/01/16/usmnt-soccer-international-kristoffer-lund-on-life-in-palermo/

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Soccer fans in Brazil were left astounded as Volta Redonda upset Fluminense to clinch a 1-0 victory in the Taça Guanabara following a bicycle kick goal – set up by a bicycle kick assist.

Despite Fluminense going down to 10 men in the 62nd minute when Manoel saw a straight red card, both teams had struggled to make headway in Wednesday’s game as part of Brazil’s Campeonato Carioca.

It seemed things were headed to a 0-0 draw, but in truly spectacular fashion, Volta’s Mirandinha hit the back of the net with an acrobatic bicycle kick – following an assist in the same manner from teammate Bruno Santos.

#EuSouVoltaço #EsquadrãoDeAço pic.twitter.com/kefChQspeu

— Volta Redonda FC (@VoltacoFC) January 16, 2025

The crowd at Estádio Municipal General Raulino de Oliveira in Rio de Janeiro went wild at watching Mirandinha – whose real name is Luiz Carlos Paulino de Carvalho – score, cementing Volta’s historic victory over their more storied rival.

Volta will now take on Bangu Atlético Clube on Sunday, while Fluminense will face Maricá Futebol Clube on Saturday.

Source: https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/16/sport/volta-redonda-double-bicycle-kick-goal-spt-intl/index.html

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Refreshed and in smart-casual attire, Jürgen Klopp appears somewhat different.

On Tuesday, in Salzburg, Austria, the surroundings unequivocally were. There weren’t historical castles, pleasant hills, or the familiar scenes of chanting fans and players warming up around him. Instead, vehicles and an in-house banner were on show. Corporate comfort. In those environs, the previous Liverpool coach made his first public appearance as energy drink giant Red Bull’s head of global soccer.

He still has the goofy grin and the one-liners. Klopp said “I’m the normal one” when starting at Liverpool, where he breathed new life into the club and won it all. Here, he spoke about being “Dr. Football” and wanting to “give people wings,” referencing the Red Bull strapline and his supportive role in the soccer network, with its individuals and teams spanning continents.

The harsh reaction in some quarters to Klopp assuming this position is understandable. Owning Germany’s RB Leipzig, Austria’s Red Bull Salzburg, and the U.S.’s New York Red Bulls, among others, Red Bull has bankrolled professional soccer. In the Bundesliga, there’s considerable anti-Leipzig sentiment, given the brand commercially overhauled the defunct lower league team SSV Markranstädt into one of the land’s best-performing clubs, circumventing the 50+1 fan ownership rule.

In a romantic way, Klopp has antithesized soccer capitalism. Before saying yes to the conglomerate in October 2024, the fist-pumping, community-oriented bundle of energy led squads playing vivacious soccer that connected with fans. He remains those things. Big business has canned him into something more capitalist. Is Red Bull integrating the 57-year-old for his astute mind? Sort of. But more because he’s Jürgen Klopp—brimming with charisma and a huge PR coup for the organization.

And for all Red Bull’s perceived wrongs, that’s elite sports nowadays. Unaffordable to many, television packages are sold on teams and, primarily, marketable individuals. Soccer clubs, including Liverpool, similarly generate revenue through match tickets, merchandise, and commercial deals. At heart, Klopp—an Erdinger beer ambassador—may not relish the business side as much as the rush of a matchday, yet will know it’s unavoidable and necessary to compete behind the scenes.

Monetized as it may be, Red Bull’s soccer operation has developed human stars like Xavi Simons and Benjamin Šesko, not to mention Liverpool’s old and new: Sadio Mané, Naby Keïta, Ibrahima Konaté and Dominik Szoboszlai. It’s set an excellent template for dynamic, high-energy soccer. Could anyone begrudge flagship club Leipzig toppling one of the sides with Super League-hungry owners in a European knockout tie? Not really, even if the feeling is different inside Germany.

Seeing Klopp fill such a position is quite strange, raising the question of why he’s driving the Red Bull movement if not fighting against it. Nevertheless, it’s worth remembering that he will reportedly—by no means confirmed—make around €10 million ($10 million) to €12 million ($12 million) annually with the brand, according to Sky Germany, with no clear evidence to suggest he’s earning more than at Liverpool. And, as he switches to helping coaches, spotting and nurturing talent, there’s no reason to suggest that won’t be a fulfilling endeavor.

Today’s Klopp may not be the purist of before, but the coach who has delivered unforgettable memories is trying to find his place in an ever-changing game. Like them or loathe them, Red Bull’s teams have room to grow competitively, and Klopp can use his strategy and spirit to set that disruptive bull in motion.

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/henryflynn/2025/01/16/red-bulls-head-of-soccer-jrgen-klopp-deserves-a-little-slack/

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