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Sullivan scored an emphatic brace and bagged his strike in the ensuing shootout as Union II claimed two points

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• Cavan Sullivan scores brace for Union II in MNP
• USMNT, Man City prodigy made first MLS start last weekend
• Continues his rise for Philadelphia

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Cavan Sullivan scored twice for Philadelphia Union II in a 3-3 draw, and drilled his penalty in a 6-5 shootout in a victory over Chattanooga FC in MLS NEXT Pro, bringing his season total for the developmental squad to five goals.

  The 15-year-old opened the scoring in the match just 18 minutes into the match, lacing an absolutely exquisite solo goal that saw him take on multiple defenders before smashing the ball into the back of the net. Then, after conceding three unanswered, Union II stormed back with two late goals to draw level – with Sullivan bagging their third to send the match to penalties.

  He pounced on a loose ball in the box after a cross was sent in and smashed home with a low-driven strike in the 86th minute. In the ensuing shootout, Sullivan delivered again, scoring his penalty to help Union II to two points on Sunday.

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  Sullivan signed the largest Homegrown deal in MLS history in 2024 with the Union, including a clause that upon age 18, he will transfer to English Premier League side Manchester City. A U.S. youth international, Sullivan widely viewed as one of the best prospects U.S. Soccer has ever developed.

  He was recently handed his first start in Major League Soccer by manager Bradley Carnell, where he logged 61 minutes in a 1-0 loss to Nashville SC.

  In total, he's made seven MLS appearances this season. At the NEXT PRO level, he's made nine appearances, scoring five times and recording one assist.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR SULLIVAN?

  The Union hosts CF Montreal Wednesday in MLS, which could be his next chance to earn minutes with the senior team.

Sounders' player has only made one appearance with the senior Mexico team, which came in 2024.

• Vargas made his professional debut in 2021 at Q2 Stadium
• Loghed 1,719 minutes through 21 matches this season
• Dreams of playing for Atlético de Madrid in Europe

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  AUSTIN, Texas – Obed Vargas returns to Q2 Stadium, a place that holds special meaning for him. It was four years ago that he made his professional debut with the Seattle Sounders in Austin.

  Born in Alaska to Mexican parents, the 19-year-old midfielder is one of Major League Soccer’s most promising young talents. A die-hard Atlético de Madrid fan, Vargas dreams of one day playing for the Spanish club when he makes the jump to Europe. But he also has his sights set on a more immediate goal: earning a spot on Javier Aguirre’s roster for the 2026 World Cup.

  Vargas has just one senior cap with the Mexican national team, which came earlier in 2024. Since then, he hasn’t been called up again – missing out on both the Nations League and Gold Cup squads – but he remains hopeful his chance will come soon.

  Speaking at the press conference ahead of the MLS All-Star Game, the Sounders midfielder shared that he’s grown close to Hirving Lozano, the San Diego FC star and one of the national team’s veterans. Vargas says Lozano has been a key mentor ahead of Wednesday’s clash against Liga MX’s best.

  “He’s a great person and a great player,” Vargas said. “We’ve talked a lot – he tells me about his experience in Europe, how he’s felt playing in MLS. He always tells me to stay grounded, not to lose focus, not to let things get to my head.”

  A few weeks ago, Vargas made headlines when he stated that the Mexican national team tends to favor Liga MX players over those in MLS. While many would argue he’s simply stating the truth, the young midfielder is aware that the MLS All-Star Game presents a golden opportunity to change that perception and start earning a spot in Javier Aguirre’s plans.

  “Every single time I get to face one of those teams or if it’s MLS vs. LIGA MX All-Stars, it always adds a bit of motivation for me just because of my background, where I came from, who I grew up watching and obviously my ties with the Mexico national team and wanting to impress them and do well for them,” Vargas told MLSsoccer.com.

  He added, “I think these games, being able to match up against direct opponents competing kind of for the same spots in the Mexican national team, I think the coaches are able to get a better grasp of what my level is and how I can match up against those guys. I think it’s a great opportunity for me to do well and show why I should be on that roster.”

  The Mexican midfielder also spoke about his friendship with Gilberto Mora, the 16-year-old breakout star of the Mexican national team who is also in Austin for the All-Star festivities.

  “I get along with him super well and I’m really happy to see him perform well in the Gold Cup,” Vargas said. “I feel like he’s kind of changing the mindset in Mexico and the national team, putting more trust into the young guys. That’s only going to help the rest of us – other young players doing well in Liga MX and MLS.”

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  Despite being just 19, Vargas has already become a key player for the Seattle Sounders, starting regularly and logging 1,719 minutes through 21 matches this season -more than any other player in MLS born in 2005. His consistency and work ethic earned him a well-deserved call-up for Wednesday’s All-Star showcase.

  “I’m super excited,” he said. “I’m grateful to my team, my coaches, who trust me and allow me to enjoy playing, to learn and grow. I was a little surprised because the roster had already been released. But to be sharing the field with Chucky [Lozano], Messi, Jordi Alba – it’s just incredible.”

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  WHAT OBED VARGAS SAID

  “My dream would be to go to Europe. I don’t close the doors on anyone. I know right now there’s a lot of interest from the Mexican league, but I have my eyes pretty set on Europe,” Vargas told

  “For my career, my long-term development, my goals for the national team, I think I can reach my highest level playing over there compared to LIGA MX. Maybe one day Morelia gets back into the first division and they call me … but for now, Europe is my goal for sure.”

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Vargas has only made one appearance with the senior Mexican national team, which came in 2024 during a friendly in which defeated the USMNT 2-0. At the U-23 level, he’s played two matches for Mexico, although he previously represented the United States at both the U-20 and U-23 levels – even scoring once with the latter.

Leeds United are reportedly exploring options to bolster their midfield ahead of the new Premier League campaign, with Portuguese talent Florentino Luís emerging as a serious target. The Whites are reportedly among a trio of English clubs interested in luring the Benfica player to England this summer, as they look to add strength and depth to Daniel Farke’s squad.

• Luis in demand among Premier League clubs
• Leeds, Everton & Burnley are vying for his services
• Benfica set a price tag of €25m on the midfielder

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to a fresh report from Portuguese outlet , Benfica are open to parting ways with Florentino Luís in the ongoing transfer window, provided any interested suitors are ready to meet their valuation of €25 million (£21.6m/$28.5m). While the Lisbon-based club are not in a rush to sell, they have signalled a willingness to entertain offers following their acquisition of Colombian midfielder Richard Ríos from Palmeiras earlier this summer.

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  Leeds are not alone in their pursuit of the Benfica academy graduate. Both Everton and Burnley have made initial enquiries about the midfielder’s availability, indicating a three-way tussle among Premier League sides. Each club has reportedly reached out to Benfica to explore the possibility of negotiating a transfer, although no formal bids have yet matched the €25m asking price.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  A product of the club’s youth system, Luis first broke into the first team with considerable promise but faced challenges establishing a consistent role in the starting XI. His development was shaped through loan stints at Ligue 1 side AS Monaco and La Liga outfit Getafe, both of which provided valuable first-team experience. Upon returning to Lisbon, he gradually regained favour and has since accumulated over 150 appearances for the Primeira Liga giants.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  With the start of the Premier League season rapidly approaching, Benfica must now decide whether to hold firm on their asking price or consider a lower offer should no club match their demand. Leeds are believed to be monitoring the situation closely as they seek to reinforce a midfield that could prove pivotal to their ambitions of survival in the top flight.

Romelu Lukaku touched upon his explosive celebration in the game that sealed the Scudetto for Napoli, stating it was a moment of redemption.

• Lukaku opens up on goal celebration that helped Napoli win the league
• Stated it was in response to the backlash he and Conte received
• Belgian scored 14 goals in the league

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Lukaku and Conte reunited to fire Napoli to their second Serie A title in three seasons, with the towering Belgian striker finding the back of the net on the final matchday against Cagliari which helped his side beat Inter to the league. Lukaku explained the reason why he celebrated so aggressively, stating that everyone had written him and Antonio Conte off.

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  It was poetic in a way, as both Lukaku and Conte were at Inter when they won the league at the end of the 2020-21 season. Then, Lukaku marked a sensational return to Chelsea, where things didn't pan out as he might have expected, while Conte took up the Spurs coaching job. Lukaku was subject to a lot of criticism after leaving Inter in 2021, almost to the point where he was ridiculed by large sections of the media. On the other hand, Conte was no longer considered an elite coach following his distasteful departure from Spurs in 2023. The duo share an unbreakable bond, as evidenced by Lukaku pleading his head coach to not leave Napoli at the end of the 2024-25 season.

• WHAT ROMELU LUKAKU SAID

  Napoli won the Serie A title in the final game of the season. Lukaku's second half goal doubled the lead given to them by Scott McTominay, ensuring they finished a point above Inter in the table. Speaking in an interview with , Lukaku was asked about his "angry, liberating celebration" in the decisive game. The 32-year-old replied: “There was a bit of technique involved too, I did a nutmeg (laughs). It was furious because everyone had written me off, they had given up on me for three years. Then, in the end, winning like that, with the coach who had also been written off after Tottenham, was wonderful.”

  He added: "People had doubts about me, but I was convinced that we would do something special.”

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  WHAT NEXT FOR NAPOLI?

  The Partenopei will begin their Serie A title defence on August 23, when they take on Sassuolo away from home. 

Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have a bold plan to reach the promised land of the Premier League by 2027.

• Wrexham preparing for Championship
• Have spent heavily this summer
• Dreaming of the top flight

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Wrexham have endured a stellar rise under their famous owners, securing back-to-back-to-back promotions to ensure they will play Championship football in the 2025-26 season. The club have followed that up by spending heavily in the summer transfer window, bringing in the likes of Conor Coady, Kieffer Moore and Liberato Cacace to the club.

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  Wrexham's heavy investment is part of the club's aim to reach the Premier League within the next two years, according to the Daily Mail. Club CEO Michael Williamson presented the ambitious plan to former Manchester United star Christian Eriksen but saw the approach "respectfully" knocked back. However, the club's ambitious plan to try and land Eriksen has "changed the perspective" of which players could be signed by Wrexham. The club are now targeting, and indeed being offered by agents, players who featured in the Champions League last season.

• TELL ME MORE…

  Wrexham are said to have presented manager Phil Parkinson with a transfer budget of around £20 million ($26m) at the start of the summer. Over half of that fee has already been spent, with Wrexham still targeting moves for Liverpool star Lewis Koumas and Ipswich star Nathan Broadhead in what would be a huge £7.5m ($10m) transfer.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM

  Reaching the Premier League seemed to be a distant dream not so long ago for Wrexham but has been brought closer by promotion to the Championship. Wrexham kick off their 2025-26 campaign on Saturday against Southampton.

Tottenham have had an opening £42million offer for Manchester City’s Savinho turned down, with the Premier League champions holding out for £67m.

• Spurs’ £42m bid rejected by Man City

• Winger eager for more minutes ahead of 2026 World Cup
• City remain firm on asking price

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Reports from Brazil have revealed that Manchester City will only part with Savinho if their £67m asking price is met. The player's agent, Frederico Moraes, confirmed Tottenham have already seen a first £42m bid had already been rejected. Savinho is understood to be keen on joining Spurs in search of regular game time before the 2026 World Cup, having reportedly given the green light to the move.

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  Tottenham began talks with City last week but are now faced with one of the summer’s biggest price tags if they want to land the 21-year-old winger. The north London club are also in discussions with Crystal Palace over Eberechi Eze, though that deal would also require a significant outlay. For now, Pep Guardiola has yet to approve Savinho’s departure, with City holding firm on their valuation and only moving for a replacement if he departs.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Savinho was part of Brazil’s squad that won gold at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, contributing two goals and an assist during the tournament. Should he leave the Etihad this summer, City are believed to be considering a move for Rodrygo.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Spurs are expected to decide whether to meet City’s asking price or move on to alternative targets, with the transfer window set to close in just over two weeks.

Jose Mourinho says it is his "destiny" to manage the Portugal national team at the World Cup, and has also opened the door to a role with England.

• Mourinho expects to manage Portugal
• Would also be open to England role afterwards
• Currently focused on Fenerbahce

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Mourinho has long made it clear he would like to be Portugal manager but is currently still working in club management with Turkish side Fenerbahce. The former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss was linked with the Brazil job earlier this season, before Carlo Ancelotti was appointed, but says his first national team role will have to be with Portugal.

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• WHAT MOURINHO SAID

  He told : "I've been away from Portugal since 2004, and I don't think my country would accept me coaching a team other than my own. My destiny, in terms of internationals, is to play in a World Cup with the Portuguese national team. I never considered coaching the Brazilian national team. 

  "My first experience has to be with Portugal, and then people have to understand that I'm a professional and that I can coach other teams, but always teams with which I have something that connects me. Brazil, obviously, because of the historical relationship between our countries, England because it's my home, Italy, I worked there for several years, but my first experience with the national team has to be mine."

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  Robert Martinez is the current Portugal boss and guided his team to victory in the Nations League in the summer but there has been speculation that Mourinho could replace him this summer. Portugal are due to start World Cup 2026 qualifying in September with trips to Armenia and Hungary.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MOURINHO?

  In the meantime, Mourinho will continue with Fenerbahce, who are currently focused on trying to secure a spot in the 2025-26 Champions League. Mourinho's side knocked PSV out of qualifying last time out and go on to play Benfica in the first leg of their play-off tie on Wednesday.

Ruben Amorim has urged his Manchester United side to "grow up" as their wait for a first Premier League victory of the season continued following Sunday's 1-1 draw with Fulham.

• Man Utd draw 1-1 with Fulham
• Smith Rowe equalises after Muniz own goal
• Amorim urges Red Devils to 'grow up'

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Red Devils found themselves in front at Craven Cottage when Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz deflected the ball into his own net after 58 minutes, but Amorim's men were unable to hold on as Emile Smith Rowe equalised just 94 seconds after coming off the bench for the hosts.

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  The result means United – who slipped to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Arsenal in their opening league fixture – are still searching for their first three points of the 2025-26 campaign. And while Amorim insists he is pleased with how his side are performing in training, he has reiterated the need for his players to improve their mentality in-game if they are to start turning draws into wins.

• WHAT AMORIM SAID

  Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live after the match, Amorim said: "I think we scored the goal and then we forgot about how we play. We want to win so badly, and that is a good feeling, that we scored a goal and everyone on the pitch was thinking, 'Let's hold onto the advantage and try to win the game'. 

  "For me that is the moment that we have to enjoy more and push the opponent. We tried to press the opponent super high and left a lot of space. We have to grow up a lot as a team. For me the most important thing is that during the week they were working really hard, today we worked really hard, and we are going to improve. The moment that changed the game was our goal."

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• TELL ME MORE…

  And when pressed on how United can go about "growing up", Amorim added: "Training, in the game. You need to win to have the feeling to relax a little bit, not in the intensity and the way we play, but maintaining our mind. We suffer a little bit in the end because the momentum changed more with the goal of Fulham."

France boss Didier Deschamps has handed a message of support to Marseille midfielder Adrien Rabiot, after he was booted from Roberto De Zerbi's squad.

• Rabiot unwanted at Marseille
• Several clubs linked with move
• Deschamps shows support

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Speaking to the press ahead of two World Cup qualifiers next month — which Rabiot has been called up for — Deschamps insisted that the midfielder could get things "back on track" following De Zerbi's icing out of the 30-year-old midfielder following a fight with team-mate Jonathan Rowe.

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  An ugly brawl with Englishman Rowe (described by club president Pablo Longoria as "completely unheard of in the world of football") led to Rabiot being pushed out of the first team squad and placed on the transfer list, alongside Rowe (who has since joined Bologna). While Marseille's head coach suggested there could be a path back for the Frenchman, the board is reportedly unwilling to budge on this issue.

• WHAT DESCHAMPS SAID

  Deschamps said: "I spoke with him. I care about Adrien because of what he did with us. It was important to know what state of mind he is in. It's very good that he can be there for the two very important matches." He added: "Even if he made a mistake, I hope there's a chance to rethink things, that things can get back on track. I never write off people. If I can help solve this problem, I'm ready to do anything. Not for the player, but for the person he is. I think it's important, for the good of everyone, not just football, but also human."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR RABIOT?

  At least international football is still on the cards for Rabiot; Les Bleus face Ukraine in Poland on September 5 and play Iceland at the Parc des Princes on September 9, and Deschamps clearly still has faith in the World Cup winner. Meanwhile, clubs like Spurs and Aston Villa have been linked with the midfielder, with a move away looking increasingly likely given his standing at Marseille.

Rossoneri sporting director Igli Tare says negotiations are underway to send the Mexican striker to Roma in exchange for the Ukrainian forward

• Giménez started in win over Lecce
• Played 87 minutes but didn’t score
• Pulisic scored as Milan won 2-0

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Santiago Giménez’s future at AC Milan remains uncertain after club sporting director Igli Tare said Friday that the Rossoneri are exploring a potential swap deal with AS Roma involving Ukrainian striker Artem Dovbyk.

  “We are evaluating an exchange between Dovbyk and Santi Giménez," Tare told Italian media. "If it’s possible, we’ll make the deal. If not, we stick with the current squad."

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  The Mexican forward featured in Milan’s 2-0 win over Lecce on Friday, starting up front and logging 87 minutes without finding the net. For now, he remains the only natural center forward available to head coach Massimiliano Allegri, who has spoken highly of him since his arrival.

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  WHAT MASSIMILIANO ALLEGRI SAID

  “He’s an excellent footballer. He scored many goals at Feyenoord and over the past three weeks I’ve been getting to know him better here. He’s a great player and we have high expectations for him,” Allegri said.

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  As for Dovbyk, the 28-year-old has impressed in recent seasons with Girona before moving to Roma, scoring 17 goals last campaign. However, reports in Italy suggest that he may not fully fit into Gian Piero Gasperini’s system – leaving the door open for a possible swap with Milan.