NEW DELHI: James Foster, who previously served as both a fielding and assistant coach for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) between 2020 and 2023, has been appointed as the new fielding coach of Chennai Super Kings ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026 season. The former England wicketkeeper-batter joins an experienced coaching group led by head coach Stephen Fleming. The support staff also includes batting coach Michael Hussey and bowling coach Eric Simmons.
Foster, 45, represented the England national cricket team between 2001 and 2009, playing seven Tests, 11 ODIs and five T20 Internationals. After retiring from playing, he moved into coaching and gained experience working with several international teams, including England and the New Zealand national cricket team.He has also been involved in franchise cricket leagues around the world. Earlier this year, Foster helped the Desert Vipers win the title in the International League T20. In addition, he serves as assistant coach of Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred.Announcing his appointment, CSK welcomed him through a social media post.“Say Yellove to our fielding coach James Foster! Former England wicketkeeper and a coach with experience across teams worldwide, he now kicks off this new chapter with the Pride,” CSK said in a social media post.Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings are preparing for the new IPL season. They will begin their campaign with an away match against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati on March 30. After that, the team will return home to take on Punjab Kings on April 4.
On this episode of The Cooligans, Christian Polanco and Alexis Guerreros dive into the early MLS season and ask a big question: are LAFC already pulling away from the rest of the league? With Vancouver and Inter Miami chasing close behind, the guys break down whether anyone can keep up with LAFC’s dominant start or if we’re witnessing the beginning of another runaway season.
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Across the Atlantic, Liverpool’s frustrating habit of dropping points late in matches continues, raising questions about whether new manager Arne Slot deserves some blame. The hosts also take a look at Pep Guardiola and whether his legendary run with Manchester City F.C. might finally be losing its edge.
Meanwhile, Chelsea F.C. receive what feels like a light punishment for breaking Premier League financial rules—did they get off too easy? Plus, the guys fire off quick reactions to some of the week’s strangest and funniest football moments: Erling Haaland blasting a shot straight into someone’s face, Chelsea’s awkward pre-game huddle, the latest United States Men’s National Team World Cup kit reveal, and the big question facing Orlando City SC—who should be their next head coach?
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Timetamps:
(7:00) – LAFC already separating themselves from the rest of the league?
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(13:30) – Inter Miami too dependent on Messi?
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(23:45) – Arne Slot to blame for Liverpool’s late game woes?
(31:30) – Pep Guardiola’s time at Man City coming to an end?
(36:30) – Arsenal closing in on PL title
(45:30) – Chelsea fined for financial breach: but is it enough?
Nov 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) looks on after beating the Atlanta Falcons at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
The Minnesota Vikings did not onboard Kyler Murray late last week as a one-hit wonder. According to SI.com‘s Albert Breer, the franchise envisions a long-term role for Murray, assuming 2026 goes swimmingly.
Minnesota’s previous long-term quarterback picture may not be as locked in as it seems.
And that’s pretty splashy news for a club that spent a 1st-Round pick on J.J. McCarthy less than two years ago.
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Albert Breer’s Nugget Turned up the Volume on Minnesota’s QB Questions
Murray’s immediate future in Minnesota takes shape
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) watches from the sideline before kickoff against the Cleveland Browns at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. Murray prepared for the matchup while going through pregame routines and observing warmups ahead of the contest played on Dec 15, 2019, as Arizona readied for the interconference game. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports.
SI.com: Murray Is Not a Band-Aid
Albert Breer dove deep this week, examining Murray’s choice to become a Viking, and the main takeaway centered around more than just a one-year deal.
Breer wrote, “While Murray still has to win the job from McCarthy, what O’Connell said to Murray did stick with him — that he was the one guy on the market that they could see as a potential longer-range answer, rather than a one-year Band-Aid. The idea of growing with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Christian Darrisaw and O’Connell and his staff was already wildly attractive to begin with. The chance to, perhaps, put down roots only made it more so.”
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Breer also added, “Murray and Burkhardt had identified Minnesota as, far and away, his best option, with the plan being to prioritize winning, sign a one-year deal and then hope for a long-term landing spot, be it in his 2026 home or elsewhere, in 2027. As part of it, they’d even come up with the idea to do Zooms with teams that might not have an interest in 2026, but could in 2027—to take advantage of the fleeting freedom Murray would have to do so.”
A “longer-range answer” means O’Connell would love for Murray to be his quarterback for the next half-decade. Perhaps longer.
The Contract Is a “Prove It” Situation
This is Murray’s big chance, although the Vikings might need him to stabilize the quarterback spot more than he needs them. So long as Murray isn’t an utter trainwreck in 2026 — he won’t be — oodles of teams will knock on his door in 2027 free agency, a list that might include the Los Angeles Rams after Matthew Stafford’s eventual retirement.
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The important part is that Murray picked the Vikings this go-round — the team he grew up cheering for — and he has one big chance to prove the relationship is worth it for the long haul.
Minnesota hasn’t employed a long-term quarterback since Kirk Cousins for 5.5 seasons, between 2018 and 2023, and even he was good but never elite. Murray has a chance to showcase his elite talent skill set — and then just be the Vikings’ QB1 henceforth. He’s 28 years old, and he could headline the franchise for a decade if all goes according to plan.
But he must nail the 2026 audition.
How Will McCarthy Respond?
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Meanwhile, McCarthy is just 23. Sam Darnold showed the universe last month that teams shouldn’t give up on quarterbacks too early, and Minnesota might be on the verge of doing precisely that.
Barring a trade request, McCarthy will have a chance to compete against Murray this summer, probably lose the battle, and then watch and learn in 2026, emulating a path the Green Bay Packers have forged where the young passer just sits indefinitely.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) warms up on the field prior to a matchup with the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. McCarthy went through pregame throwing drills with teammates before the NFC North game played on Jan 4, 2026, continuing preparations ahead of kickoff. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
Thankfully for the Vikings’ sake, McCarthy appears to have the humble personality needed for such an arrangement, and the self-awareness to know he’s missed 70% of all games since turning pro in 2024. Minnesota needs a quarterback who can be on the field; to date, McCarthy emphatically is not that.
The Almighty Escape Hatch for O’Connell
The Vikings fired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah on January 30th, a gesture that could be interpreted as a statement that the club got the McCarthy draft pick wrong. Of course, no one in the building will come out and say that — it’s too soon — but actions speak louder than words.
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If one operates under the pretense that McCarthy was a draft pick by Adofo-Mensah that O’Connell merely signed off on or settled for, well, O’Connell has a dazzlingly clean slate with Murray. For example, if Murray cooks in Minnesota, O’Connell’s quarterback-whispering reputation will be restored in a matter of weeks, letting O’Connell off the hook for failing to cultivate McCarthy and his wacky mechanics in 2025.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell observes practice during the team’s training camp session at the Minnesota Vikings Training Facility in Eagan. O’Connell monitored drills and player activity while preparing the roster for the upcoming season during camp workouts held on Jul 29, 2025. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
Murray can be O’Connell’s savior. Twenty years ago, the San Diego Chargers got rid of Drew Brees, and he landed in New Orleans for a Hall of Fame career. There’s no reason that can’t happen in Minnesota with Murray and O’Connell running the show.
Overall, know that Murray is in the Twin Cities to be the franchise quarterback. He’s not a “bridge” or “patchover” guy, used to get McCarthy over the hump of growing pains. Some fans will recommend that pro-McCarthy path, but the long-term QB1 job is Murray’s to lose.
With the new St Patrick’s update, developers added a bunch of new units to Steal a Brainrot. All of these characters are part of the Leprechaun Lucky Block and range from Brainrot God to Secret rarity. The Fortunu and Cashuru is one of the newly featured units which belong to the Secret class and are thus highly valuable for income and cosmetic appeal.
This article covers everything about this character, from its earnings to acquisition in Steal a Brainrot.
How rare is Fortunu and Cashuru in Steal a Brainrot?
The Fortunu and Cashuru unit (Image via Roblox || Steal a Brainrot wiki || Sportskeeda)
Fortunu and Cashuru is a duo Brainrot that belongs to the Secret class and draws inspiration from the idea of good luck and fortune associated with St Patrick’s Day. This explains why the character resembles a jolly-looking Clover and a Coin.
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Fortunu and Cashuru is one of eight units added to the Leprechaun Lucky Block. Since this Brainrot has a drop rate of just 0.1% (1 in 1,000), it is the rarest unit in this Block. You can also steal this character from other players’ bases by devising a plan using various tactics.
The Leprechaun Lucky Block can be purchased from the Red Carpet for $400 million after being triggered for 50 Gold Coins. You can collect this event-exclusive currency scattered around the map during the new St. Patrick’s event, which spawns at regular intervals.
Fortunu and Cashuru’s earnings in Steal a Brainrot
Fortunu and Cashuru is the rarest unit in the Leprechaun Lucky Block, and thus, it goes without saying that its income falls into the high category in Steal a Brainrot. The base variant of this character costs $55 billion and generates an income of $130 million per second, making it on par with units like Los Amigos, La Secret Combinasion, and Los Sekolahs.
You can also get the mutated variants, which earn significantly more than its normal counterparts. Note that it is better to trade Fortunu and Cashuru for better Brainrots than selling it for half its cost price ($27.5 billion approximately).
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FAQs on Steal a Brainrot
What rarity do Fortunu and Cashuru belong to?
Fortunu and Cashuru belong to the Secret rarity.
What is the income rate of Fortunu and Cashuru?
Fortunu and Cashuru generate an income of $130 million per second.
How do I get the Fortunu and Cashuru unit in Steal a Brainrot?
Fortunu and Cashuru can be obtained from the Leprechaun Lucky Block or by stealing from others’ bases.
Head coach Alvaro Arbeloa said at his pre-match press conference in Manchester: “Mbappe is ready to play.
“I cannot wait to see him back on the pitch, to enjoy watching him play, to score the goals he scores. Of course he’ll be important (on Tuesday).”
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England midfielder Jude Bellingham has also travelled with the Real squad as he steps up his recovery from a hamstring problem, but is not ready to feature.
“Bellingham wanted to come with his team-mates,” Arbeloa said.
“I’m very happy to see him getting closer to the team. It is important to be around his team-mates, during the team-talk and at half-time he’ll be one of the leaders as he always is.”
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Jude Bellingham is not yet ready to feature (AP)
Erling Haaland could be key to City’s hopes of turning the tie around, and Real defender Antonio Rudiger is relishing another contest with the Norway forward, with the pair having become familiar foes in recent years.
“Players like Haaland – it’s a huge pleasure to play against this type of player,” Rudiger said on the eve of the match in Manchester.
“I like the physical battle, I want it and need it, the same as him. I’m looking forward to it.
“He’s a world-class striker, very strong, and I like these type of duels.”
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Rudiger acknowledged his combative approach as he addressed recent claims from Getafe defender Diego Rico about his conduct.
Antonio Rudiger and Erling Haaland are set to battle again (AFP via Getty Images)
Rico said Rudiger committed an “assault” against him in a challenge earlier this month.
“In slow motion it looks terrible but in the action itself and also what the player said, it was like I almost killed him,” Rudiger said.
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“He doesn’t need to exaggerate because if I’d had the intention to do that he wouldn’t have stood up.
“I don’t justify it but the way he spoke after the game was like I killed him, but he was running afterwards. We all know I like to be tough on the pitch but I still have boundaries. I am a human being.”
O’Neill has three wins and a draw in seven matches as Rovers manager and they sit three points outside of the relegation zone with eight games remaining.
Just four points separate Rovers in 19th and Leicester City in 23rd. Tight is an understatement as five teams look to avoid the two remaining relegation spots.
“My objective is to go in and try and take Blackburn to a safer position in the Championship,” he told BBC Sport.
“We’ve managed to do that so far, but it’s very, very tight at that end.”
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When asked how preparations would work if Northern Ireland qualified for the World Cup and his final game with Blackburn Rovers was on 2 May, O’Neill said his focus was on the immediate future.
He said he can “assure” Northern Ireland fans that “preparations will be as good as they have always been” for the play-offs.
“If we can get through the two games and we’re going to the World Cup then, trust me, we will be ready to go to the World Cup,” he said.
“Let’s deal with what’s at hand, which is definitely important.
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“I’ll talk about the reality, which is we come into a World Cup play-off, as tough as we could have got, and we’ve got to do everything to try and win that game.”
NEW DELHI: Liam Livingstone has strongly criticised England’s team management, saying he felt a lack of respect and communication after being dropped from the national side in 2025. The England all-rounder revealed that he has not been part of the setup since March last year and now doubts whether he will return to the team under the current leadership.
Jay Shah calls 2019 to 2026 as Indian cricket’s golden period
Frustration with England management
Livingstone said he only received a brief call from head coach Brendon McCullum informing him that he had been left out of the squad for the West Indies series. The conversation, according to him, lasted barely a minute.“I asked why [I was dropped]. They said they wanted to try someone else. That was off Baz. Wrighty [outgoing selector Luke Wright] didn’t reach out, and Brooky [captain Harry Brook] sent me a text,” Livingstone told ESPNCricinfo.He also expressed disappointment with England’s managing director Rob Key for not communicating with him after the decision.“That probably sums that group up as a collective. Keysy [Rob Key] said nothing . [He] said I’ll speak to you in the summer. I actually rang him one day, and he said he was busy at a Test camp at Loughborough. And then I didn’t hear from him until the end of September,” he added.“That was a bit of an eye-opening experience about the group and the regime: if you’re in, you’re in, and if you’re not in, no one cares about you. That put my mind at ease that my cricket was going to be more enjoyable going forward.”
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Struggles with role in the team
Livingstone also recalled asking McCullum for help during the 2025 tour of India when he was struggling with form. However, he felt the advice he received was not helpful.“I was asking for help, and pretty much all I got was that I care too much and I need to chill out a little bit, and everything will take care of itself,” Livingstone said.“When things don’t go right, of course, you’re going to care; if I didn’t care, then I probably wouldn’t want to play the sport.”Another issue for him was constantly being moved around the batting order.“One of my frustrations with playing for England was that whenever I went up the order, I did really well. And then the big boys would come back, and I was always back down at No. 7,” he added.“At the end of the day, I don’t want to be someone that’s a sixth bowler and batting at No. 7. I feel like it’s a waste of my talent, but that’s only my opinion.”
Looking ahead to the IPL
Livingstone, who will play for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League 2026, was not selected for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. However, he said he did not feel disappointed about missing the tournament.“I didn’t miss it one bit,” he said. “There wasn’t any part of me that was wishing I was playing in that team, to be honest.”The all-rounder now hopes a strong IPL season can help him revive his career and possibly earn another chance with England.“Hopefully, I can have a season like the season I had in my first year at Punjab [Kings, in 2022] where I felt like I was playing really well and won loads of games from No. 4,” he said. “[IPL] is a very different experience to anything else throughout the year; it’s a long time away from home – but if you give it everything you’ve got, it can repay you very nicely.”
After Birdman’s effortless victory at Caulfield, jockey Ben Melham targets another Australian Cup conquest.
Melham will join forces with Chris Waller’s Irish import for the March 28 Flemington spectacle, having ridden the horse to the top in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) on Saturday.
Birdman ($3.30) notched a 1-¾ length win in the established Australian Cup pathfinder, beating Apulia ($11) with Bankers Choice ($41) half a head adrift in third.
The rider claimed successive Australian Cups (2000m) on Cascadian for Godolphin in 2023 and 2024, viewing Birdman as equipped for another Flemington 2000m success.
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“I’ve had a bit to do with him early doors this preparation and the way he was going he was heading in the right direction to be competitive in an Australian Cup,” Melham said.
“And the more I have to do with him the more I think he can win it.
“He’s been a bit of a revelation the horse.
“He’s in the right stable and might have taken a bit of time to acclimatise, but he’s a very relaxed customer.
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“He takes a bit of waking up but the ability is certainly there.”
Birdman, who tackled 2400m and longer in Ireland upon arrival, has been sharpened up by Waller over this preparation.
Melham suggested the gelding’s increased speed could make him ideal fresh for the mile-and-a-half.
“I don’t think the run will have hurt him at all,” Melham said.
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“He just got into a lovely position, didn’t sort of spend any pennies until the last 250 metres and I felt he had the race at his mercy a long way out.
“He seems to be going really well at these shorter trips. He’ll be no worries at 2000 (metres), but maybe that’s the way to go with him, a bit of freshness in his legs, but I’ll leave that to the expert.”
Discover racing betting markets at the betting sites offering odds for Birdman ahead of the Australian Cup.
Aug 24, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (11) after the game against Seattle Seahawks at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
If you think ex-Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Laquon Treadwell is a bust, that’s a fair assessment — but the man sure has staying power in the NFL. Treadwell signed yet another contract last week, returning to the Indianapolis Colts on a one-year deal.
Treadwell’s unlikely NFL staying power rolled on again Friday.
As always, Treadwell will battle for a roster spot this summer at training camp and in the preseason.
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Treadwell Is Back in Indianapolis
Ten years later, the Treadwell show continues.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Laquon Treadwell surveys the field during warmups before the NFC Championship Game matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Jan 21, 2018. The former first-round pick spent four seasons with Minnesota, working primarily as a depth receiver before continuing his career elsewhere in the NFL. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports.
Treadwell Back in IND
The former Vikings 1st-Rounder who just entered his 30s remains relevant in the big leagues.
Colts.com’s JJ Stankevitz announced Friday, “The Colts on Friday re-signed wide receiver and special teams ace Laquon Treadwell. The 30-year-old Treadwell has appeared in 12 games over the past two seasons with the Colts. He initially joined the Colts in training camp prior to the 2024 season, and was brought back on the practice squad in 2024 and then 2025 before he was signed to the 53-man roster in November.”
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“Treadwell in 2025 played 36 snaps on offense and 141 snaps on special teams. While he didn’t record a reception, he did total eight special teams stops, contributing heavily on the Colts’ kickoff coverage (25.6 yards/return allowed, 13th in NFL) and punt coverage (6.3 yards/return allowed, 2nd) units.”
Minnesota picked Treadwell with the 23rd overall pick in 2016.
Stankevitz added, “Within the Colts’ locker room, Treadwell is a highly respected player. A 2016 first-round pick who played for five other franchises (Vikings, Falcons, Jaguars, Seahawks, Ravens), Treadwell has committed to making an impact on special teams while playing into his 30s.”
The Colts’ WR Corps
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Indianapolis made two sizable splashes last week at wide receiver, signing Alec Pierce to an unholy huge contract, at least compared to his career production, and trading Michael Pittman to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
With Treadwell back in the mix, this is the WR room for Shane Steichen’s team:
Alec Pierce
Josh Downs
Ashton Dulin
Eli Pancol
Anthony Gould
Coleman Owen
Laquon Treadwell
By the looks of it, the Colts may use a draft pick before the end of Round 3 on a wideout.
Resume and Incredible Longevity
Treadwell arrived in Minnesota in 2016 with high expectations, with many believing he would be the next in a lineage of successful wide receivers drafted and developed by the Vikings. The franchise has a rich history at the position, boasting names like Randy Moss, Justin Jefferson, Percy Harvin, Adam Thielen, Stefon Diggs, and Jake Reed.
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Ultimately, Treadwell did not follow in their footsteps, and his Vikings career proved uneventful. He never developed into the star many envisioned.
Despite his lack of production, the Vikings remained patient. Treadwell spent all four years of his rookie contract in Minnesota, playing in 53 games from 2016 to 2019. Each season, he made the team out of training camp and remained a part of the receiving corps. However, his production remained limited, totaling just 701 receiving yards and two touchdowns during that time.
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Laquon Treadwell celebrates after hauling in a late second-quarter first-down catch from quarterback Trevor Lawrence during the Jaguars’ season finale against the Indianapolis Colts at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville on Jan 9, 2022. Treadwell logged his most productive NFL season that year with Jacksonville. Mandatory Credit: Bob Self-Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK.
While the former Ole Miss star never lived up to his first-round billing, he has carved out a different kind of career. Treadwell has managed to find roster spots across the league, quietly extending his professional career to nearly a decade.
His most productive season came in 2021 with the Jaguars, when he recorded 434 receiving yards.
Throughout his career, Treadwell has averaged approximately 15 receiving yards per game. Yet teams continue to sign him. He plays special teams here and there, but he’s not overly known for that expertise either.
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And against the odds, Treadwell continues to stick around. Here’s Treadwell’s journeyman resume:
Minnesota Vikings (2016–2019)
Atlanta Falcons (2020)
Jacksonville Jaguars (2021)
New England Patriots (2022)
Arizona Cardinals (2022)
Seattle Seahawks (2022)
Baltimore Ravens (2023)
Indianapolis Colts (2024-now)
All the Colts’ FA Moves
The Colts have been a bit busier than the Vikings in free agency, authoring a list of these signings:
Mo Alie-Cox (TE) IND → IND
Michael Clemons (ED) NYJ → IND
Arden Key (ED) TEN → IND
Derrick Nnadi (DT) KC → IND
Andrew Ogletree (TE) IND → IND
Jonathan Owens (S) CHI → IND
Alec Pierce (WR) IND → IND
Juanyeh Thomas (S) DAL → IND
Laquon Treadwell (WR) IND → IND
Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard addresses reporters during the team’s season-ending press conference at the Colts’ facility in Indianapolis on Jan 10, 2025. Ballard reviewed the organization’s roster decisions, offseason priorities, and outlook for the upcoming campaign following the conclusion of the 2024 season. Mandatory Credit: Clark Wade-IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
Meanwhile, these 2025 Colts players have landed with new clubs:
Samson Ebukam (EDGE) IND → ATL
Neville Gallimore (DT) IND → CHI
Nick Cross (S) IND → WAS
Kwity Paye (EDGE) IND → LV
Braden Smith (T/G) IND → HOU
Rodney Thomas (S) IND → SEA
The Colts employ three more former Vikings: Mekhi Blackmon (CB), Camryn Bynum (S), and Daniel Jones (QB).
English football is under the microscope this week as all six Premier League clubs attempt to avoid a wipeout in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Last week’s first legs were grim for England’s representatives, none of them managed a win, leaving only Arsenal clearly favored to advance.
Arsenal leads the pack
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Arsenal hosts Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday with the tie locked at 1-1. The Gunners, currently topping the Premier League, look best placed to represent England in the quarterfinals. Their depth and attacking quality give them a real chance to progress, unlike their compatriots facing heavy deficits.
Premier League clubs in survival mode
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Manchester City faces a daunting task on Tuesday as they start 3-0 down against Real Madrid at the Etihad. Pep Guardiola’s men will need Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku to deliver exceptional performances to reverse the deficit. Chelsea, meanwhile, travels to Paris carrying a 5-2 loss against PSG and will have to overcome both the scoreline and the aura of Luis Enrique’s revitalized side.
Tottenham’s situation is equally dire, trailing 5-2 at home to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday. Liverpool hopes to use Anfield’s atmosphere to overturn a narrow 1-0 defeat at Galatasaray, while Newcastle heads to Camp Nou tied 1-1 with Barcelona, leaving their fate finely balanced.
Non-English teams setting the bar
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Bodo/Glimt, the Norwegian underdog sensation, holds a commanding 3-0 advantage over Sporting CP and will visit Lisbon confident after previous wins at Atletico Madrid’s Metropolitano and Inter Milan’s San Siro. Bayern Munich, meanwhile, demolished Atalanta 6-1 at home and look on track to reach the quarterfinals with ease.
Real Madrid’s Zidane-like surge
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A decade on from Zinedine Zidane’s rise as an unexpected Real Madrid coach, Alvaro Arbeloa has found himself in a similar role. Just two months into his tenure replacing Xabi Alonso, Arbeloa led Madrid to a stunning 3-0 first-leg victory over City, powered by Federico Valverde’s first-half hat-trick, even without stars Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham. Mbappe is set to return for the second leg, adding another layer of threat for City.
Champions League quarterfinal outlook
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If Bodo/Glimt advance, they could host Arsenal or Leverkusen at their 8,000-seat Aspmyra Stadium in the Arctic Circle, a stark contrast to most European venues. Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are on course to meet in the knockout stage, rekindling one of Europe’s great historical rivalries. Meanwhile, PSG, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Galatasaray are positioned to clash in one quarterfinal, while Atletico Madrid may meet either Barcelona or Newcastle in the other.
English teams need a turnaround
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With heavy deficits and intimidating opponents, Premier League clubs face the toughest week of the season. As Michel Platini once famously said, English football can be “lions in the winter, lambs by the spring,” and this week may well test that maxim to the limit. The second legs promise drama, tension, and perhaps heartbreak as England’s finest attempt to claw back respect and secure a place in the Champions League quarterfinals.
In recent years, the sport has also served as a lighting rod in American culture wars, with the US women’s national team in particular landing in the crosshairs of Donald Trump and the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement for its outspoken progressive players.
With the men’s World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico rapidly approaching and Donald Trump aggressively promoting the tournament and deepening his relationship with FIFA, the American president is facing one of his toughest sells yet: soccer to his supporters.
Trump’s World Cup?
Despite weighing in on America’s eternal ‘soccer’ vs. ‘football’ debate, most of Trump’s soccer push is not directly related to the sport itself.
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“While compared to other countries around the world, soccer is less political here,” Jeffrey Kraus, political scientist at Wagner College, New York, told DW. “This upcoming World Cup has in many ways taken a political tone.”
“There’s a sense that FIFA has embraced President Trump, which certainly associates the tournament with the president,” he continued.
Trump’s ever-intensifying relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, and FIFA’s partnership with the president’s new Board of Peace have helped make Trump the face of a continent-spanning World Cup.
For some conservatives, Trump’s enthusiasm for soccer doesn’t feel out of place given his approach to popular sports generally.
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“He’s always been a sports guy – just look at his connection to UFC and wrestling,” Chris Vance, President of the UCLA Young Republicans, told DW. “He’s always been about entertainment, he was in that business a long time, so it makes sense.”
Evolving soccer culture
While American soccer isn’t generally as overtly politicized as in many parts of Europe, its comparably young and immigrant-heavy fanbase tends to be more progressive.
Anti-ICE protests have been a major point of contention among Major League Soccer (MLS) fans and league officials since Trump’s reelection.
Ryan Shirah, a member of the ‘American Outlaws’ US National Team supporters group who’s attended over 120 men’s and women’s US matches, argues that though most fans avoid politics in the stands, they broadly lean in one direction.
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“I won’t shy away from the fact that there’s a humanistic element there — I think most soccer fans in America tend to lean on the more progressive, human rights-focused side of things,” Shirah told DW.
Shirah said political tensions in the supporters section were highest in the immediate wake of Trump’s first election, where there was concern Trump’s anti-Mexican campaign rhetoric would spill into the stands at a USA vs Mexico World Cup qualifier in Columbus, Ohio.
“We didn’t know what was going to happen, if people would be trying to chant, ‘build that wall’,” Sirah explained. “It’s something we didn’t want to bring into our atmosphere and we kept out. Generally, we haven’t really had an issue.”
In 2022 in Qatar, USA and Iran fans were supportive of their teamsImage: Christophe Ena/AP/picture alliance
Soccer’s continued growth means the political makeup of its American fans is likely to shift.
“Since the US hosted the 1994 World Cup, soccer has become a bigger part of American life,” said political scientist Kraus. “Much of the population growth since the 90s has been through immigration, and many of the folks who come here brought their love of the ‘beautiful game’.”
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Growing Republican support among Latinos in the 2024 election demonstrates that the political views of immigrants, many of whom are driving the sport’s growth in the US, can evolve and potentially change US soccer culture in turn.
And while the arrival of Lionel Messi in Miami has brought wider attention to the sport, organizers are hoping the 2026 World Cup can further propel soccer into the American mainstream. As it gets bigger, soccer will increasingly appeal to conservative fans.
“I live on Staten Island, one of the most suburban and conservative boroughs in New York City. When I was younger, on Saturdays you’d drive around and the athletic fields would be filled with kids playing baseball. Now it’s soccer,” said Kraus. It is perhaps of note that Staten Island is the only NYC borough won by Donald Trump in 2024.
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Vance, who notes he’s a bit of an outlier among his peers due to his interest in soccer, is excited for the US to play World Cup matches in Los Angeles.
“It’s cool to host it here. I think of it almost as a conservative sport because it’s so community based, or at the very least not really as a politically-leaning sport,” he said.
Organized supporters like Shirah tend not to dwell too much on potential political differences with fellow fans as long as they can maintain a welcoming atmosphere in the stadium.
“We haven’t had a major tournament since the election, but why have that (offensive) nonsense into the stadium if we don’t have to? So far, so good,” he said.
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“We don’t care what you do or what podcasts you listen to after the 90 minutes. If you’re passionate about the team and not using slurs or anything, that’s fine. We all have walks of life, and I think that’s what makes America great.”
First, the US will have to have a successful run at the World Cup to make the most of a generational opportunity. If they can do that, existing supporters may well have to worry about the politics of new fans — a problem many of them likely wouldn’t mind.
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