MLS

Wayne Rooney will sign for Derby County as a player-coach in January on an 18-month deal.

DC United confirmed on Tuesday he will depart the club at the end of the 2019 MLS season:

Derby announced there will be the option of a further year in his contract. 

Rooney, 33, joined the MLS side in June 2018 from Everton, penning a three-and-a-half-year deal.

He has largely impressed in the United States, netting 23 goals in 43 league appearances for the Washington, D.C. outfit.

Per BBC Sport's Simon Stone, at last week's MLS All-Stars match against Atletico Madrid, Rooney spoke about his coaching aspirations:

"It's something which I want to stay involved in; [my coaching badges] are going well. I'm obviously still a player, and I want to continue to play. When the time is right I can go into coaching or management."

Rooney should be a major asset at Derby as they look to earn promotion to the Premier League.

He is no longer at the peak of his powers, but the former Manchester United forward has displayed his knack for goalscoring in MLS.

As United and England's all-time record goalscorer, Derby could hardly have hoped to add a player with more experience to their side.

The Rams gave Frank Lampard his first senior management role last season, and he led them to the play-off final before departing to take over Chelsea.

Phillip Cocu was appointed as Lampard's successor, and Rooney will join his team of coaches as well as his playing staff. 

Philadelphia Union midfielder Alejandro Bedoya used his celebration to send a message to Congress when he scored in the third minute against D.C. United on Sunday.

Bedoya beat D.C. goalkeeper Bill Hamid with a low shot into the bottom-left corner.

Upon savoring the goal with his teammates, Bedoya grabbed a field-level microphone and said, "Hey Congress, do something now. End gun violence:"

At least 34 people died this week when gunmen opened fire in four cities across the country. The most recent shooting occurred Sunday in Dayton, Ohio, which left nine people dead.

During the Union's 2-0 win over the New England Revolution on March 3, 2018, Bedoya also honored the victims of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

The Gun Violence Archive estimates 254 mass shootings have occurred in 2019.

For the fourth straight year, the MLS All-Stars have failed to defeat a top-flight European club.

Marcos Llorente scored in the 43rd minute, Joao Felix added another in the 85th minute and Diego Costa topped things off in extra time as Atletico Madrid earned a 3-0 win over the MLS All-Stars in the 2019 MLS All-Star Game on Wednesday at Orlando City Stadium.

The MLS All-Star team consistently struggled to find any holes in the Atletico Madrid defense. It was an example of a team's cohesion overwhelming an All-Star team, with Atletico acting as the aggressors throughout.

The MLS All-Stars finished with just 10 shots to Atletico Madrid's 19. The La Liga club had eight of their shots on goal, compared to two for MLS—despite the All-Stars holding possession for 59 percent of the match.

Antonio Adan held things down in net on the few times he was tested.

Llorente broke a stalemate that lasted almost the entire first half, taking a through ball from Rodrigo Riquelme and sending a shot from the center of the box into the net. Atletico continued to dominate throughout the second half as MLS failed to find any legitimate goal opportunities. MLS consistently worked the ball methodically, only for its attack to get snuffed.

With the game essentially in hand, Atletico poured things on with goals from Felix and Costa late. Felix sent a shot rocketing from outside the box to make things 2-0 in the 85th minutes and then assisted Costa on his finish to seal the deal in the third minute of extra time.

After back-to-back wins over Bayern Munich (2014) and Tottenham Hotspur (2015), the MLS has struggled to field a team to take down one of Europe's best. Arsenal took the All-Stars down in 2016, while Real Madrid (2017) and Juventus (2018) got things done in penalty shots each of the last two years.

This is the first time the MLS All-Stars were shut out in this event since Manchester United hung a 4-0 spot on them in 2011. This ties the second-most lopsided loss of the MLS vs. Europe format.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Wayne Rooney, Carlos Vela and Nani will lead the best of Major League Soccer in the 2019 All-Star game against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.

Atleti will arrive in Orlando, Florida, in stellar form having recently put seven past neighbours Real Madrid. The squad has been boosted by the arrivals of Benfica forward Joao Felix and Tottenham Hotspur right-back Kieran Trippier, both of whom are set to be involved.

Diego Simeone's squad is among the finest in European football, but few MLS All-Star rosters have been this strong at both ends of the pitch.

Aside from the marquee names up front, goalkeeper Brad Guzan, former Bayern Munich linchpin Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mexico international Jonathan dos Santos ensure defence and midfield have the required quality.

Date: Wednesday, July 31

Time: 8 p.m. ET/1 a.m. BST (Thursday)

TV Info: Fox Sports 1, Sky Sports Main Event

Live Stream: Fox Sports Go, Sky Go

Rooney Will Outshine Ibrahimovic and Vela

The headlines have belonged to Ibrahimovic and Vela this season. Both were in prolific form during El Trafico recently, when Ibrahimovic netted a hat-trick to help L.A. Galaxy beat Vela's Los Angeles FC 3-2.

While Ibrahimovic stole the show, Vela still bagged a brace and has since taken his impressive tally so far this season to 22. The former Arsenal and Real Sociedad man has revived his career in MLS and deservedly skippers the All-Stars.

Vela's performances have sparked something of a war of words with decorated veteran Ibrahimovic.

The 37-year-old didn't pull any punches when asked about comparisons between himself and Vela:

For his part, Vela has said there is no issue with Ibrahimovic, despite the latter upstaging him in the derby, per Tom Bogert of the MLS official website: "I don't have any problem (with Ibrahimovic). We'll play together, we come here to have fun."

While Vela and Ibrahimovic will give the Atletico defence plenty to worry about, the La Liga side shouldn't forget about Rooney. The ex-Everton and Manchester United's star's foray into MLS has been largely overshadowed by his more prolific teammates, but Rooney is still providing moments of class for D.C. United:

A return of 11 goals and six assists so far this season underlines the 33-year-old's enduring quality.

Rooney still possesses the vision and technique to outshine Ibrahimovic and Vela. His subtle movement and shooting power, and supply from former United teammate and Orlando City SC winger Nani, will prove the All-Stars' best route to goal.

Improved Strikeforce Will Give Atleti the Win

Often viewed as a defensive outfit during Simeone's tenure, Atletico have worked hard to improve the attacking potential of the team. Felix was acquired for €120 million, while Alvaro Morata will make his loan stay from Chelsea a permanent switch next summer.

They have joined Diego Costa, who scored four against Real before being sent off after a violent scuffle with Dani Carvajal, to form a potent forward line. This group can expect better supply after the arrivals of El Tri playmaker Hector Herrera from Porto on a free transfer, along with Marcos Llorente, a technically gifted holding player who was shrewdly acquired from Los Blancos.

Atletico offered proof of their more fluid attack by taking Real apart 7-3 in the 2019 International Champions Cup at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium:

While Atleti will be put under pressure early, expect the team from the Spanish capital to eventually find enough goals to emerge victorious from an entertaining affair.

Prediction: All-Stars 2-4 Atletico Madrid

The 2019 MLS All-Star Game will take place on Wednesday when Atletico Madrid take on the cream of the MLS crop at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

The MLS All-Stars have not won the traditional midsummer match against European opposition since they beat Tottenham Hotspur in 2015.

The 2019 squad is packed with quality and includes the likes of Carlos Vela, Wayne Rooney and Zlatan Ibrahimovic:

However, Atletico are fresh from thrashing their local rivals Real Madrid 7-3 in New Jersey, so confidence in Diego Simeone's squad will be high.

Date: Wednesday, July 31 

Time: 8 p.m. ET, 1 a.m. BST (Thursday)

TV Info: FS1 (U.S.), Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Mix (UK)

Live Stream: Fox Soccer Match Pass, Sky Go

Atletico put on an exhibition against Real in the International Champions Cup on Friday.

They blew their city rivals away, taking a 5-0 lead by half-time and eventually netting seven, four of which came from Diego Costa.

Record signing Joao Felix was also on the scoresheet against Los Blancos, and he picked up the man-of-the-match award:

The All-Stars' theoretical advantage over Atleti is that all their players are fit as they are in the middle of a competitive MLS season.

The Madrid outfit, meanwhile, are only in pre-season ahead of a new La Liga campaign.

Based on their demolition of Real, though, Atleti are not suffering from any post-holiday sluggishness, and they will be relishing the opportunity to take on the best MLS has to offer.

Felix will be a key player to watch on Wednesday. The 19-year-old enjoyed a stunning breakout season in 2018-19, netting 15 goals and providing seven assists to help Benfica win the Portuguese title.

The teenager subsequently secured a £113 million move to Atleti at the start of July.

Felix has big boots to fill at the Wanda Metropolitano after being signed as Antoine Griezmann's replacement, but he has displayed no signs of feeling that pressure, and Wednesday's game will give him another chance to impress against some top-quality opposition.

The 2019 MLS All-Stars squad boasts star players from across the globe. Rooney, Vela, Ibrahimovic, Nani, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Nicolas Lodeiro will be teaming up with United States internationals Matt Hedges, Brad Guzan, Chris Wondolowski, Walker Zimmerman and Graham Zusi.

It should be a fascinating clash at Exploria Stadium given the talent on both sides, and the MLS All-Stars will be eager to break a recent run of three losses in succession. 

Prediction: MLS All-Stars 1-2 Atletico Madrid 

The 2019 edition of Major League Soccer's annual All-Star game sees the select side take on La Liga giants Atletico Madrid at the Exploria Stadium in Orlando on Wednesday.

The All-Stars are looking for their first win in the series since they beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 in 2015.

Atletico Madrid go into the match fresh from dismantling bitter rivals Real Madrid 7-3.

Date: Wednesday, July 31

Time: 8 p.m. ET, 1 a.m. BST (Thursday)

TV: Fox Sports 1 (USA), TUDN USA

Live Stream: Fox Sports Go (USA), TUDN En Vivo (USA)

Key Players

Joao Felix, Atletico Madrid

There's a lot of pressure on Joao Felix at Atletico Madrid after the club snapped him up to replacement Antoine Griezmann for €126 million (£113 million) this summer.

The 19-year-old offered an encouraging sign that he'll be able to shoulder that burden with his performance against Real, though:

He set up Diego Costa's opening goal in the first minute and scored himself after just eight minutes.

The forward then picked out Costa with a superb through ball for the Spaniard's fourth.

The Spanish Football Podcast and football writer Graham Ruthven were impressed:

Felix has pace, skill and end product already despite his tender age, so he'll be the danger man for the All-Stars to watch out for.

Carlos Vela, MLS All-Stars

Los Angeles FC star Carlos Vela will captain the All-Stars on Wednesday, having donned the armband last year, too.

The 30-year-old is having one of the best seasons of his career this year, having plundered 22 goals and 13 assists from 21 matches in MLS.

This has become a recurring sight:

The Mexican has plenty of experience of playing against Diego Simeone's side from his time with Real Sociedad, and he's in red-hot form.

However, he'll need to bury the hatchet with team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Per ESPN, the LA Galaxy striker said he is "by far" a better player than Vela and that it was a "mistake" to compare the two after netting a hat-trick in their clash earlier in July:

Ibrahimovic has 16 goals and three assists in 17 appearances this season, and the pair could form a potent partnership if they can find a way to work together.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic feels like he is being "hunted" after escaping punishment for catching Mohamed El-Munir with his elbow during the Los Angeles derby on July 19.

Per ESPN FC, the striker, who scored a hat-trick in LA Galaxy's 3-2 win over LAFC at Dignity Health Sports Park, was given a formal warning for the clash with El-Munir but was not sanctioned:

Ibrahimovic responded by saying he feels as though he is not treated the same as other players in the league, per ESPN FC:

"I feel like I am hunted. But when you are the best, you're hunted. That I feel a little bit hunted in that way, that is not OK, because I play my game and I need to feel free in my game and not feel after the game [that] people will look at me and look [at the] detail at everything I do.

"Because that is not part of the game. We have a referee, the referee does his thing. If it goes beyond that, I understand, we have this Disciplinary Committee, but [what is] worse than [being] reviewed every game? I'm professional like everybody else. I should get treated like everybody else. If they cannot stop you on the field, that's it, you cannot do nothing about it."

Ibrahimovic, 37, joined LA Galaxy in 2018 and has netted 38 goals in just 44 MLS matches.

With 16 goals in 17 appearances this season, he is second in the scoring chart behind Carlos Vela, who has netted 21 goals:

The Galaxy sit second in the Western Conference, nine points behind LAFC and two points ahead of Seattle Sounders in third.

It is a boost for the Galaxy that Ibrahimovic has not been sanctioned because he could have been banned for up to two games.

The incident with El-Munir took place in second-half stoppage-time and left the Libya international on the floor in some pain.

Ibrahimovic had his eyes on the ball when the pair rose to challenge for a ball, but he his arm was outstretched, and he caught El-Munir in the face.

Per ESPN FC's Jeff Carlisle, the 27-year-old is undergoing surgery on the injury he suffered in the clash and is set to miss at least four weeks of action as a result.

L.A. Galaxy striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has suggested he could return to former club Ajax as a director when he retires from playing.

The 37-year-old played for the Dutch club early in his career, from 2001 to 2004.

He told De Telegraaf (h/t AS):

"Normally I don't return to clubs where I have already played, but maybe after my career I can become a director at Ajax. Then I would do a better job than anyone who is sitting there now.

"Ajax is still my club in the Netherlands and I am proud to have been part of it, especially when I see how they present themselves in Europe.

"They have done what nobody expected and produce players that they are used to producing. It's wonderful to see."

Ajax were the first club Ibrahimovic played for outside of his native Sweden. He joined them for Malmo and netted 48 times in 110 appearances before signing for Juventus.

The Dutch side were a European giant who won three consecutive European Cups from 1971 to 1973, and they won the competition again in the UEFA Champions League format in 1995.

However, the club were left behind by the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and the elite of the Premier League as they lacked the revenue to compete.

Last season, though, Ajax won the Eredivisie and enjoyed a stunning run to the Champions League semi-final, knocking out three-times holders Real Madrid and Juventus along the way (U.S. only):

Football writer Joel Rabinowitz was among many swept up in their incredible revival:

Dutch football writer Sjors van Veen reserved praise for Ajax sporting director Marc Overmars and CEO Edwin van der Sar:

Ibrahimovic has won 11 top-division league titles in five different countries, among many other honours, and like Overmars and Van der Sar, he has prior experience of playing for Ajax.

Given the resources available to Ajax in comparison to their European rivals, it's difficult to realistically do much better than they already have.  

Wayne Rooney knows no bounds.

In the 10th minute of D.C. United's match Wednesday night against Orlando City, Rooney launched a golazo from his own half of the field:

The 33-year-old signed a designated-player contract with D.C. in June of last year. Previously, Rooney became one of the most decorated footballers in history with the England national team as well as Everton and Manchester United in the English Premier League.

Rooney's 208 Premier League goals rank second all-time behind Alan Shearer (260), according to MLS.com.

Rooney brought that scoring prowess stateside.

Wednesday night's dazzling goal is Rooney's ninth of this season and 21st since joining MLS.

Charlie Lyon waits for the phone to ring.

Sometimes it does. Most often, it doesn't. The frustration seems unbearable. Lyon, however, keeps going.

Being a pool keeper in MLS is a tough gig.

He is there as a back-up for all 24 teams. A contracted league employee ready to down tools in an instant, the sought-after band-aid in the midst of an injury crisis.

If two keepers go down, call the pool keeper.

And even after all the sweat, tears and uncertainty subsides, the meal ticket you've been craving can disappear before the first bite.

Lyon, who's currently based in Portland, Oregon, and trains with the Timbers, is an outsider floating on the edge, enviously peeking over the wall at those more fortunate.

"I am just thankful to be involved," a smiling Lyon told Bleacher Report after another round of training, another morning of going through the motions.

Introduced over a decade ago to help smaller rosters (then numbering around 20 with just two keepers but have now increased to almost 30 with three keeper slots) impacted by injury, MLS are keen to maintain this unique role, especially for cases of extreme hardship.

It's also helpful for franchises who don't have any affiliate teams.

Portland, for example, have a side in the USL, effectively the second tier in U.S. soccer, so temporarily dropping down is possible for Lyon.

Some players, however, aren't so sure of the system's feasibility.

"I don't think it's necessary anymore," said Sporting Kansas City keeper Tim Melia, a success story who completed the journey from pool keeper to first choice with aplomb.

"There are so many options for teams these days with academy set-ups and affiliate teams.

"And that hurts to say because it was my path, and one I am proud of."

For any team suffering a keeper crisis, a quick message to MLS headquarters is all that's needed.

One moment Lyon is training in Portland, and the next he's packing his bags again.

Game time isn't guaranteed. Neither is stability. His wife is searching for work as a software developer in the Portland area but knows anything can happen.

Lyon, to his credit, composes himself commendably. Deep down, it must hurt.

The startling lack of opportunity to show what he's all about must sear the soul of a proud, professional sportsman.

Philadelphia Union came calling in May after first-choice keeper Andre Blake and understudy Matt Freese suffered injuries.

It lasted nine days.

Great experience? Absolutely. Game time? Zero minutes.

"It was exciting," he said. "They have a great squad, but I knew it was unlikely I would play."

He's been training with the Timbers since the start of the season but hasn't suited up.

Everyone needs a chance to shine. That said, Lyon's opportunities, sadly, have been few and far between.

For the 27-year-old from Illinois, the wait continues. His dream refuses to wilt, even if stark realities smack him in the face every single day.

Portland's roster is set. Coach Gio Savarese is pleased with his keepers, so Lyon, who was drafted by Seattle in 2015 and also spent time at LAFC before his contract wasn't renewed at the end of the last campaign, plays the waiting game.

When his contract expires at the end of the season, he can't rely on Portland's hospitality for the next 12 months.  

What's the lifespan of a goalkeeping nomad?

"Thoughts start to creep in," he admitted when asked what's next.  

"I sent out some applications recently for college coaching jobs but didn't hear anything back."

Lyon is very open-minded—he's had offers recently from the new USL League One—if it means precious minutes on the pitch. The only substantial game time in his career has come from USL teams—Tacoma Defiance and Orange County SC.

"I think the unique structure of MLS allows this contract to exist," he continued.

"I've done it long enough now, you don't have the expectation of it (playing), apart from just training and doing everything you can to be prepared."

Yet, while Lyon plugs away, hope springs eternal.

In 2014, Melia was that guy. The 33-year-old bounced around, never losing hope. He did the hard yards, emerging from the dysfunctional chaos at Chivas USA with hope. He banged down doors elsewhere, pleading for a chance.

At the culmination of that season, he was recruited for D.C. United's play-off push but ended up being sent home the very next day.

A four-month spell as a pool keeper in 2014, however, gave his career the springboard he'd been seeking. A seven-year pro with a paltry five MLS starts had finally found a place to call home the following season after a spell in Kansas morphed into something permanent.

The native New Yorker, undoubtedly, feels Lyon's pain.

"The biggest thing is you're not really part of the team," he told Bleacher Report over the phone after training.

"You're not part of the group, but I also think it's how you handle yourself when you are there. Because when you are a pool goalkeeper, you are on their roster. Even though you've got take it with a grain of salt."

So what would Melia, who was eyeing a job in finance as a back-up career before becoming No. 1 at Sporting KC, tell Lyon right now?

"Do everything you can in Portland to get yourself in the best possible shape," he advised.

"When an opportunity arises, make sure you're fresh and sharp, and they're going to remember you."

Melia knows, however, practicing what you preach is tough.

"It's not easy to grind," he admitted.

"But there was never a time where I felt defeated because I was getting released.

"It's not in my nature. It's the same thing as like when you're on a rough time with the team. Things will change. I always approached it like that."

While Melia's rise continues, so, too, does Lyon's push for recognition. The battle for a starting jersey wears on, and it's one he will continue to fight for with a smile and the acceptance of his role, which is equally admirable and dispiriting.

"It's a test of patience," he concludes.

"If you let that frustration start to overwhelm you, it takes away from the fact that I'm going out there every day. I could've been at home doing something different.

"But I am still in the game."

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