Minnesota United goalkeeper Sammy Ndjock took the term “friendly” a little too far as his side hosted Bournemouth by literally throwing the ball into his net for an own goal.
Sam Allardyce wasn’t super invested in his last match as Sunderland manager
Prior to Sunderland’s preseason friendly against Hartlepool United, it was widely reported that their manager, Sam Allardyce, was certain to fulfill his dream of becoming manager of the England national team. All eyes were on Allardyce when he took his seat on the bench, but once the match began, Big Sam’s eyes weren’t on the pitch for very long.
A brief conversation with Wayne Rooney at a Man United partner event
Rooney: Is this an energy drink?
Bayern went all out to welcome Pep Guardiola back to Munich
Carlo Ancelotti’s first match in charge of Bayern at the Allianz Arena was also Pep Guardiola’s first match back at the Allianz Arena since leaving Bayern, well, two months ago. And to welcome their former boss back, the club put up this glorious banner.
Inter’s Stevan Jovetic scores with backheel nutmeg to beat Real Salt Lake
With the score even at 1-1 late in Inter’s friendly against Real Salt Lake, Steven Jovetic unleashed a finishing move that even the creators of Mortal Kombat would deem too cruel.
Jovetic, a man who has now proven himself to have absolutely no chill, executed a backheel nutmeg on the goalkeeper to give Inter a 2-1 win.
Again, this was just a friendly, but Jovetic is now the owner of Real Salt Lake and all the players are legally obligated to call him “Daddy.”
St. Pauli’s new tunnel has a “biker bar in hell” vibe
St. Pauli — the pirate club of Germany’s second division — begin a new kit deal with Under Armour this season and as a part of the new partnership, the American company has redecorated the players’ tunnel to the field at Millerntor-Stadion.
Belgium posts open call for national team manager applications
Belgium sacked Marc Wilmots after only making it as far as the Euro 2016 quarterfinals with their supposed golden generation before losing to Wales. However, they are apparently so devoid of ideas for a replacement that they have posted a job listing on the Belgian FA’s website along with an open call for applications.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic probably didn’t say he’ll be the “god of Manchester” (yet)
It’s very easy to make up believable Zlatan Ibrahimovic quotes. The ghostwriter of his book did it. I do it. And media outlets desperate for pageviews are all too eager to do little or no investigation into their veracity.
Demba Ba most concerned about Shanghai Shenhua result after career threatening leg break
Demba Ba followed the money to the Chinese Super League in 2015 and has scored 29 goals in 37 appearances for Shanghai Shenhua since. During a match against Shanghai SIPG on Sunday, Ba suffered a horrific leg break (that we will not be showing here, because it’s awful) — an injury his manager fears could end his career.
And yet, Ba’s first question after enduring this unfathomable pain reportedly wasn’t about his leg and contradicts the “mercenary” tag players who go to the Chinese Super League are saddled with. From Football365:
Ba was rushed to hospital and placed under general anaesthesia, awaking four hours later in considerable pain.
According to medical staff, the first question the 31-year-old asked: “Did we win the game?”
They did (2-1). I’m not sure if this is proof of Ba’s commitment to the club or the quality of those hospital drugs, though.
Dallas’ Fabian Castillo had a rabona assist and it was incredible
I don’t think it’s possible to accurately explain what Fabian Castillo did to set up the first goal in Dallas’ 3-1 win over Chicago on Saturday, so just watch the video. I mean, he lobbed two defenders and then did a rabona pass to Max Urruti’s head. We’ve all seen people score goals with a rabona, but goals are big and Urruti’s head is not. This is ridiculous.