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The legendary goalkeeper spoke to reporters ahead of his upcoming induction on May 4

Throughout his career, Tim Howard must have always felt the weight of expectations. At home, he was next up in a long line of legends, placed into shoes that were almost impossible to fill. Abroad, he was playing in environments that don't care where you're from or what you've done, just how you play.

Somehow, though, the American defied each and every expectation thrust upon him. He achieved things that none could have imagined. And, now, he'll have a title to prove it: Hall of Famer.

Not that he needed it, really. Howard's impact remains unquestionable. He has the years, the moments, the statistics, the memories…. Howard's legacy is secure.

So, when he gets his big Hall of Fame moment on May 4, it'll be another accolade for a superstar who earned plenty of them. This one, though, will be special. It solidifies what everyone already knew: that Howard is right there with any American who has ever played this sport.

"Chasing greatness, having a Hall of Fame career, it's scary as hell," Howard told reporters. "There are a lot of lows. There's a lot of low moments. If someone were to ask me if I could do it all over again, I wouldn't want to do it over! I know how hard it was and I wouldn't really want to have to make those sacrifices over again.

"I think I'd tell my younger self that if you work hard enough, and I truly mean work hard enough, and you're willing to sacrifice nearly everything in your life to be great, then things will turn out okay."

Ahead of his Hall of Fame induction, Howard spoke to reporters about his experiences, his legacy and his upcoming big moment…

GettyThinking about legacy

Now that it's all over, Howard can think back to his earliest days a bit more. He can think of his mom kicking a ball at him in front of a wall as he made saves with baseball gloves on his hands. He can think back to sitting in the nosebleeds at Giants Stadium to see the Marlboro Cup. He can look back at a 1990 World Cup that felt like it was played on a different planet than the one he existed in back home in New Jersey.

The American can also think back about the influence of Tony Meola, the U.S. goalkeeper who set the tone for all of those that followed. Howard has earned his place among the greats, players like Meola, Kasey Keller and Brad Friedel.

All these years later, Howard can now realize that there are plenty of other kids now kicking balls in front of walls or sitting in the last rows of stadiums for a glimpse of their heroes. And many of those kids are doing so because of him. For a generation of young players, Howard has become a role model on par with the ones he had growing up.

"When you're done playing, all you have is your legacy," Howard says. "Hopefully you're smart enough and you surround yourself with good enough people that you don't tarnish that legacy on your journey. I'm very fortunate to have that and have had monumental moments, to have had World Cups, longevity in the Premier League to where people can identify with me…I think when it really hit me was when I came home, when I came back to Denver in 2016. Just the amount of people who come up to me and say, 'I'm an Everton fan because of you' and I'm like 'God, I didn't realize I was that old!'

"But that's so cool. That's awesome. I see a lot of kids out there wearing No. 24, which is the number wore. I'm lucky I feel humbled by the fact that I was able to inspire a generation or part of a generation. I think that, when you're done and retire, that's all you got. You can't kick a ball anymore, nor do I desire to kick a ball anymore, but it's your legacy is all you have to hold on to."

AdvertisementGettySir Alex or David Moyes?

On the club level, Howard is best known for his time in the Premier League. He came up as a Metrostar and ended his career as a Colorado Rapid, but many will remember him for his run in England, for good reason.

Howard spent four years with Manchester United before starring at Everton for a decade, becoming one of the Toffees' most beloved players. Few American players have endeared themselves to a club quite like Howard did at Goodison Park, where he earned legitimate icon status.

During his time abroad, he played under legends like Sir Alex Ferguson and, throughout his Everton stretch, David Moyes. And, under them, Howard went from boy to man, both on and off the field.

"Sir Alex Ferguson was very scary," Howard began with a laugh. "I was a young kid when I went to Man Utd, 23, 24, 25, somewhere in there, so I was just a scared kid in a corner saying 'yes sir' or 'no sir'. It was a really big team with big players. My voice wasn't there to be heard. Although that's scary, you don't have much say.

"When I went to Everton, David Moyes, he heaped a lot of responsibility on my shoulders. When that happens, the tide turns. You have to have tough conversations with the manager. When the team isn't playing well or someone isn't turning up, you get the brunt of that fury. David Moyes was the scariest, but I'd run through the Gates of Hell seven days of the week for David Moyes."

Getty ImagesTHAT Belgium game

There are so few moments in sports defined by the loser. History is written by and about winners, with those on the other side often being an afterthought.

Not Howard. Not at the 2014 World Cup. Not on that day when Howard became a legitimate legendary figure in this sport's long history.

Howard's 16-save performance against Belgium remains a historic one. It's the one that earned him the nickname "Secretary of Defense" back home in the States, and the one he's remembered for most abroad, with fans all over the world remembering what may just be the greatest goalkeeping performance of all time.

"The one thing people say to me, If anyone comes up to me and says anything, whether I'm in the supermarket or the airport, which I'm in a lot, or anywhere on the street, they talk about the Belgium game," Howard says. "I think what's special to me now is that I have the opportunity to share that with hundreds, if not thousands, of fans everywhere I go. They tell me where they were, what they were doing, who they were with when they were watching the Belgium game.

There are a lot of times, and this is the crazy thing about generations, a lot of times they'll come up to me with their son or daughter and be like 'I was holding my son while watching the game!' And now and now that baby is kicking a soccer ball around and is eight or nine years old or whatever.

"It's special to have that one shining moment in that category. I have a lot of great moments, but that's one that people can cling to. so I'm very fortunate and I appreciate the fact that that has added to my legacy."

GettyThe current USMNT crop

For the first time in 30 years or so, the USMNT goalkeeper position is struggling a bit. There were so many transitions from Meola right on down to Howard. At the moment, though, American goalkeepers are struggling at the top level.

Matt Turner is stuck on the bench at Nottingham Forest. Zack Steffen has returned home to the Rapids, Howard's former club. Youngsters like Gaga Slonina and Patrick Schulte are making waves, but both still have a lot of growing to do.

Howard isn't worried, although there are concerns.

The legendary goalkeeper says that he's seen a dip in quality in goalkeeping coaching over the years, with that dip directly impacting the development of plenty of players. Between a lack of coaching and a lack of minutes, Howard says there's an easy explanation for the struggles American shot-stoppers are facing at the moment.

"I don't know if our young goalkeepers are getting pushed as hard as they need to, to that breaking point," Howard said. "It's one of the things that Kasey Keller said to me when I signed with Manchester United and it stuck with me forever. He just said that, in order to be judged as a goalkeeper, we have to play 100 games at the highest level. Right now, our young guys aren't getting those games to even be able to judge them.

"I'm not worried about the World Cup. We've got a few years to go. I like Zack and I like Matt, too. I like Matt's wherewithal and fortitude and mental toughness. Zack's talent is unmatched. I've always said about Zack that he can be the greatest USMNT goalkeeper of all time because of the physical tools that he possesses. Obviously, the ball's in his court.

"Am I worried? No, not particularly. I worry more about the team as a whole and making sure they're in the right place."

U.S. star Josh Sargent has picked up a fresh injury for Norwich City ahead of an important match against promotion candidates Preston.

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Sargent in red-hot form for CanariesSuffering from new quad injuryRuled a doubt for massive Preston clashWHAT HAPPENED?

After opening the scoring in their 2-2 draw with Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday, the U.S. international left the pitch in the 60th minute. The Canaries conceded twice after his departure, in a gutting result. On Thursday, Norwich boss David Wagner revealed that Sargent's removal was not a tactical one, rather, he picked up an unexpected injury.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT DAVID WAGNER SAID

"Josh [Sargent] came off after 60 minutes with some quad tightness on Tuesday. He is a doubt, as he was not able to train today," Wagner told the official Norwich website.

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Losing the 24-year-old would be a major blow for the Canaries ahead of this weekend's clash, with only Wrexham's Paul Mullin scoring more goals in the top four divisions of English football since the turn of the year. His form has led to calls for him to be included in the USMNT's squad for the Copa America this summer.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR NORWICH CITY AND SARGENT?

Norwich head into the game occupying the fourth and final Championship promotion play-off place. They currently hold a five-point lead over Coventry in sixth, but as the Sky Blues have a game in hand, victory over eighth-positioned Preston would provide a major boost to their hopes of returning to the Premier League.

Top-scoring for his team with 68 off 65 balls, Southee collected 29 of his runs behind square on the legside

Andrew Fidel Fernando26-Dec-2018Suranga Lakmal bowled brilliantly, but the period in which Sri Lanka’s younger seamers – Lahiru Kumara and Dushmantha Chameera – attempted a short-pitched barrage “worked in New Zealand’s favour” according to Tim Southee.Top-scoring for his team with 68 off 65 balls, Southee collected 29 of his runs behind square on the legside – a tally that included three top-edged sixes and two fours. Partner BJ Watling, with whom Southee mounted a 108-run seventh-wicket stand, also scored heavily off the short balls, hitting 26 of his 46 runs behind square on the off side.”I guess they changed their tactics that had worked so well for them for the first six wickets, and that probably worked in our favour,” Southee said. “The fuller balls worked better on that pitch than the shorter ones, and when they bowled short, we were just trying to cash in on that.”Lakmal, though, had maintained a relatively full length throughout his 19 overs, and picked up career-best figures of 5 for 54.”We knew it was going to be tough after losing the toss, but Lakmal bowled extremely well and asked some tough questions,” Southee said. “We’ve had other teams come to this part of the world and win the toss, and we’ve still been able to put a reasonable score on the board. A lot of credit has to go to the way Lakmal bowled. Early on he got his lengths right and was a real handful.”Having opened the bowling, Lakmal was unchanged until lunch, delivering 12 overs in the session, He then returned after the break to deliver four further overs, making it 16 in a row – the longest-equal new-ball spell by a seam bowler since at least 2001. He was instrumental in dismissing New Zealand for 178, taking four wickets in that first session, before picking up the wicket of Neil Wagner in the second spell to complete his five-for.”When you’re taking wickets, it’s tough to get the ball out of your hand. He was in a bit of a rhythm. He had the 40-minute break after lunch, but came out and bowled another few overs. It worked for him that we were bowled out, but if we could have batted a bit longer and asked him to come back and come back, then that might have tested him, but full credit to him. He bowled exceptionally in that first hour.”

Manchester City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega has admitted he will have to carefully consider his future this summer as he mulls a possible transfer.

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Ortega reveals transfer dilemmaGerman thriving in Ederson's absenceInsists: 'I have to choose wisely'WHAT HAPPENED?

The German has been enjoying playing regular football again while City's No. 1 Ederson recovers from an injury sustained against Liverpool last month. However, he remains clearly the team's second-choice 'keeper and will have to decide whether he prioritises playing regularly or winning trophies.

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Ortega, 31, joined City in 2022 from Arminia Bielefeld, who had just been relegated from the Bundesliga. He has made 27 appearances in all competitions in nearly two seasons with Pep Guardiola's side and is the first choice in FA Cup and Carabao Cup matches. However, when Ederson is available he knows he has little chance of playing in the Premier League or Champions League, which poses him somewhat of a transfer dilemma.

WHAT ORTEGA SAID

"I’m not in the beginning of the 20s so I have to choose wisely now what I’m doing in summer," Ortega told reporters. "It’s not that I have to push the club that they will sell me, it’s just like see what happens. I’m relaxed because there are worse places than here. At the end it’s not my single decision, my Mrs is there as well, we’re expecting the second child."

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DID YOU KNOW?

Ortega revealed he does not speak much with Ederson and did not know when he would return. "Honestly, I don’t know, we’re not talking that much. I try just to focus on my performance now if I can get the chance to play. I think he should be alright but I don’t know exactly when he is coming back," he said. "Now I have [played] four big games in a row. I think I did well, I showed all the people can trust me. "I just can show my performances on the pitch and in training and in the end I don’t know what will happen, but it’s all about the team and if I have to go back on the bench it will be hard for me, yes, but we have to support everyone."

The Sri Lanka spinner is required to undergo testing on his action within 14 days, but can bowl in international cricket until the results of the tests are out

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Nov-2018Sri Lanka offspinner Akila Dananjaya has been reported for a suspect bowling action following the first Test against England in Galle.He is required to undergo testing on his action within 14 days, but can bowl in international cricket until the results of the tests are out, the ICC said.The second Test against England begins on November 14 in Pallekele, so Dananjaya will be eligible to bowl in that match if selected to play. He took only two wickets in the first Test in Galle.Dananjaya, 25, has played four Tests, 30 ODIs and 16 T20Is for Sri Lanka since his international debut in September 2012.

United States women's national team star Catarina Macario has made a real impact off the pitch at Chelsea, with Guro Reiten the latest to reveal so.

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USWNT star Macario returned from ACL injury in MarchHas made quick impact at Chelsea with two goalsBut the Blues' squad is loving her off the pitch as wellGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

Macario joined the Blues last summer but she did so while recovering from a long-term ACL injury and it would take until March of this year, some 22 months after the rupture, that she got to make her club debut. However, she looks to be making up for lost time since her return, scoring twice and assisting twice in her six sub appearances so far for Chelsea.

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It's not just on the pitch that Macario's impact is being felt, either. Manager Emma Hayes has spoke glowingly about the USWNT star's character in recent weeks and even revealed that she bought her team-mates a cake after her Chelsea debut, to thank them for putting up with her as she completed a rehab that took almost two years.

GettyWHAT REITEN SAID

Fellow forward Reiten has now become the latest to talk warmly about Macario's personality, speaking ahead of Sunday's Continental Cup final clash with Arsenal. "You've all heard about the cake!" Reiten laughed, asked about her American team-mate.

"She's fun. I love Cat. She's been working so hard to get back and being out for almost two years, I think she's been through a lot and to see her comeback and getting time on the pitch, scoring goals, assisting, I think you can see her finding herself again and I'm very happy for her. We have just got to give her time because she's been out for a while, so I think she needs time."

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DID YOU KNOW?

Macario was a key player as Lyon won the Champions League in 2022, scoring in the final as they beat Barcelona 3-1. Chelsea will hope she can play a role in their own bid for a European title in these next few months, with the Blues never having won the trophy.

At 30, he is poised to become India’s latest T20I debutant, and the call-up will be every bit deserved

Shashank Kishore10-Mar-2021The Indian team management seldom refers to selection calls on social media. But in November, after the team was picked for the Australia T20Is and Suryakumar Yadav, widely touted to earn a maiden call-up, missed out, head coach Ravi Shastri tweeted: ‘Surya Namaskar. Stay strong and patient’. An aching Yadav, not for the first time, had to patiently read tons of consolatory messages. Among those, Sachin Tendulkar’s stood out. He is said to have told him: ‘This is your final hurdle. Surrender yourself to the game.’Related

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How Suryakumar Yadav outshone Mumbai Indians' big names

The next day, Yadav squared off for Mumbai Indians against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Dubai. Virat Kohli tried to unsettle him, constantly chirping to his in-fielders about Yadav’s apparent discomfort against Yuzvendra Chahal. Yadav remained poker-faced, almost as if he couldn’t hear what was being said. Yadav batted through to make an unbeaten, match-winning 43-ball 79*, and gestured to the dressing room afterwards, as if to say: ‘Keep calm. Why worry when I’m here’, even as a fuming Kohli stormed off. It soon became a meme that spread like wildfire on social media.It’s this calmness that has also defined the second coming of Yadav, who at 30 could become India’s latest T20I debutant. Some teams have no hang ups in picking players at this age. But in India, it’s particularly rare. Among specialist batsmen, you’ll have to go as far back as 1981 to TE Srinivasan for a 30-plus debutant in international cricket. In T20Is, the last such instance was in 2011, when S Badrinath played his first – and only – game in the format. But Yadav’s won’t be an unlikely cap when he gets it. He has been an IPL regular since 2012, has an un-ignorable domestic record: a T20 strike rate of 140 across 150 innings; a List A average of 37.55 and a strike rate of 103 in 87 innings, 5326 first-class runs with 14 centuries and 26 half-centuries.”He’s mentally very tough now, but a few years earlier, I did feel he could have had someone to guide him along the right path,” Chandrakant Pandit, for whose team Yadav turned up as 21-year-old and scored 182 in a club game a day after he was supposedly ruled out for Mumbai with a finger injury in the 2011 Champions League T20, says. Yadav’s career began with this brush of controversy – fit one day, unfit another.Then there were complaints about his “hot headed” avatar when he got involved in an on-field altercation with team-mate Shardul Thakur in 2014. Then there were reports of infighting and indiscipline, and Yadav was stripped of the Mumbai captaincy across formats. It was the lowest ebb to a promising career that appeared to be hitting a dead end.

“He was distracted, demoralised. It was a phase, but you define someone by how they bounce back”Chandrakant Pandit on Yadav’s earlier temperament

But somewhere in 2016, Yadav decided to break the rut, transform his attitude, fitness and batting and mental discipline. That discipline even stopped him from playing certain shots in matches until he knocked off targets set by Pandit. He changed his eating habits, started to develop muscle-strength to hit big, apart from spending hours at the nets. All these changes over the years have contributed in an India call-up. His selection isn’t a punt, but a reward for churning big runs consistently season after season, both in the IPL and for Mumbai. A bit like what Mayank Agarwal did four seasons ago in the Ranji Trophy – breaking the door down and barging his way in.”He was distracted, demoralised,” Pandit says of the bad times. “It was a phase, but you define someone by how they bounce back. He acknowledged there were issues and he worked on it. That is the first step. To know there’s a problem. Hats off to him.”Since the transformation, Yadav made his first big push towards the India cap in 2018-19, when he made 392 runs at a strike rate of 168 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20s. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he batted only four times in eight games, but no one had a better average or strike rate (minimum 100 runs) than him.His average (113.00) was higher than that of Yashasvi Jaiswal, who made three centuries, including a double-ton in six innings. It was higher than that of one of his middle-order competitors Manish Pandey, who kept piling on runs for fun. Yadav’s strike rate (154.79) was better than anyone else. It made him genuinely believe he was going to “push the door open”.”Keep calm. Why worry when I’m here?”•BCCIIn the IPL too, Yadav has been a key player for the Mumbai Indians since 2018, now having made 400 plus runs for the last three seasons and counting. However, while his role at Mumbai Indians has been that of an anchor who steadily builds, allowing Pollard, Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya to don the finisher’s hat, it’s hard to envisage a similar setting for Yadav in the Indian team – given their potentially power-packed top-three in KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma and Kohli.Then there’s Shikhar Dhawan, who has had a phenomenal IPL, and Shreyas Iyer, an IPL franchise captain, for competition. Rishabh Pant’s recent exploits in Tests – he wasn’t part of the T20Is in Australia – may have virtually sealed his middle-order spot. So Yadav could well be in a situation where he may not get regular opportunities to build an innings. He could find himself having to go from ball one, with Pant and Pandya to follow. It’s not ideal, but it’s the reality for anyone looking to break into India’s middle order. There’s just too much competition.But while some of the other middle-order contenders may still get picked ahead of him, Yadav has the advantage of having gotten used to multiple roles. He opened at Mumbai Indians in 2018 until Sharma made that spot his own, played as a finisher for Kolkata Knight Riders for much of his five seasons there, and then adapted to anchor the innings on his return to Mumbai. What works for Yadav is also he’s an excellent player of spin. He hardly ever gets out to them – a variety we could see a lot of at the T20 World Cup – and scores quickly. His numbers since IPL 2018 are only behind David Warner and Kane Williamson, as he averages 54.54 while striking at 130.At IPL 2020, he added another dimension to his batting: that of a finisher. He not just averaged 40.22 but struck them at 155.36. He counterattacked in the powerplay and showed the ability to accelerate in the death overs. He struck at 235 between overs 17 and 20 last season, faster than Pandya and just a shade off Pollard, who has struck at 210.25 at the death. Yadav has all the textbook shots and scores a lot of runs with drives through the offside, but he has also used the lap and ramp shots effectively – ask Jofra Archer who was reverse-ramped for six – scoring nearly half his runs behind the wicket this season. The change in gears is significant in Yadav’s push to be an India regular.History hasn’t been too kind to India’s most-recent 30-plus debutants. Three of them – Faiz Fazal, Naman Ojha and S Aravind played all of one game. Stuart Binny left the scene within two years of his debut. But for Yadav, it’s a take-off point. Potentially a good series against England followed by a productive IPL could strengthen his hold of a middle order berth for the T20 World Cup. And with two more World Cups in the pipeline, he could well become a trendsetter for other 30-something players for whom the fire still burns.

Everton are believed to have made contact with a “very dangerous” player’s representatives, as they eye a move for him in the summer transfer window.

Everton contact defender and eye further signings

The Blues know the importance of a big summer, as they prepare for life in their new stadium and hopefully an exciting second spell under David Moyes.

Everton have reportedly already made contact with Feyenoord centre-back David Hancko over a switch to the club at the end of the season, amid doubts over Jarrad Branthwaite’s long-term future. The 27-year-old has averaged 3.3 clearances per game for the Dutch side this season, also completing 90.4% of his passes, outlining his all-round quality.

Hancko isn’t the only central defender being looked at by the Blues, however, with Burnley key man Maxime Esteve also seen as an option. He has played a huge role in the Clarets remarkably only conceding 12 goals in the Championship this season, and at 22, he is still early in his career.

Elsewhere, Everton have been backed to sign Liverpool winger Ben Doak this summer, which would cause plenty of controversy. The 19-year-old has been out on loan at Middlesbrough in 2024/25 and there is no guarantee that he has a long-term future at Anfield.

Everton make contact with versatile ace's agents

According to a fresh update from Kicker [via Sport Witness], Everton have contacted Merlin Rohl’s representatives over a move to Merseyside, as they look to get a summer deal over the line.

The SC Freiburg star has been linked with a move to the Blues in the past and Moyes knows him well, having come up against him four times during his spell in charge of West Ham. The 22-year-old only signed a new deal last year, but his current club are aware of the interest in him.

Rohl is a young player with plenty of long-term potential, with Christian Streich calling him a “difference-maker” and Antonio Di Salo saying of him: “He fought his way into [Freiburg’s] team. That’s not easy. He focused on defensive work and also came into his own offensively. He’s very quick and determined. He’s very dangerous.”

In truth, Rohl’s 2024/25 season hasn’t been his most productive, with only 11 starts coming his way in the Bundesliga due to injury problems, and no goals and one assist recorded.

That doesn’t change the fact that he could be a real asset for Everton, however, not least because of the versatility that he possesses in his game. The German is predominantly a central midfielder, but he can also thrive in more of an attacking midfield role, on the right wing and even as a second striker. This would immediately give Moyes more options.

Everton struck gold on “constant threat” who’s worth more than Longstaff

Everton made a good investment with the signing

ByJoe Nuttall Apr 7, 2025

The fact that the Blues manager has seen him up close as many as four times also means he knows his qualities as a footballer well, so the positives easily outweigh the negatives when it comes to Everton signing him.

A round-up of the Abu Dhabi T10 matches on December 7, 2023

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Dec-2023Impactful cameos from Dasun Shanaka and Kusal Mendis boosted Bangla Tigers to a huge total of 126 paving the way for a 27-run win against Chennai Braves. The victory sealed a playoff spot for Tigers, who will face Deccan Gladiators in the eliminator on Friday.Charith Asalanka slammed a half-century in response, but only two batters reached double figures for Braves, with Asalanka smashing 55 out of their total of 99 during the run chase.At 61 for 5 in the eighth over, they had little chance of eclipsing Tigers, who were shown the way by Shanaka’s 34 off 15 balls, and Mendis’ 32 from 15. They combined to add 55 for the fourth wicket after Tigers were 44 for 3, but it was Benny Howell’s defining contribution that made a difference. He faced three balls, two of which went for sixes and the other for four, ending unbeaten on 16.Tigers’ win made them No. 4 on the points table, behind third-placed Deccan Gladiators only on net run rate.Team Abu Dhabi finally signed off the tournament with a win, as their last-ball victory also dashed Delhi Bulls’ hopes of making the playoffs.Chasing 98, Abu Dhabi got off to a flyer as Kyle Mayers and Tom Banton added 52 in just 4.2 overs, with Mayers doing the bulk of the scoring, including four sixes off an over from Richard Gleeson. Banton came off retired hurt, but such was Mayers’ carnage, that Abu Dhabi had the chase fully in control. With just six needed off the last over, the win seemed to be a formality, but UAE pacer Wasim Akram conceded just three runs off the first four deliveries, and most importantly, dismissed the red-hot Mayers for a 30-ball 61. The game went down to the final ball, with Abu Dhabi needing two runs to end their losing streak, and Colin Ingram would do the needful, flicking a low full-toss off the legs for four.Bulls, who needed a win to qualify for the playoffs, had earlier made 97 for 3, on the back of a 71-run stand for the third wicket between Adam Lyth and their captain Rovman Powell. While Powell was dismissed for a 20-ball 31, Lyth remained unbeaten on 39, smashing smashing two fours and three sixes, though it ultimately came in a losing cause.In a dress rehearsal for Friday’s qualifier featuring the top two teams, Samp Army eased to a six-wicket win against New York strikers and sealed the No.1 spot on the table.Strikers, batting first, failed to put together any meaningful partnerships, as Bas de Leede (3 for 13), Jake Lintott (2 for 16) and Qais Ahmad (2 for 12) struck at regular intervals to peg the team back. Niroshan Dickwella, with 18, was the team’s top scorer, as Strikers managed just four fours and two sixes in their entire innings, being bowled out for 70.Samp Army were rocked in the chase by the early dismissals of Ibrahim Zadran for a duck, and Monank Patel for 4, but Dewald Brevis wrested the advantage with an unbeaten 18-ball 31. Strikers kept chipping away, but Brevis and Moeen Ali eventually finished the chase at a canter by taking 24 runs off an over from Odean Smith, to win with 18 deliveries remaining.

Mikel Arteta has plenty of common ground and long-term relationships with two of the top-rated managers in the world, Pep Guardiola and Xabi Alonso.

Arteta asked about Guardiola & AlonsoDiscusses long-term relationshipsIdentifies with 'everything' about PepFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Arteta was asked by if he identifies with the coaching and tactical styles utilised by fellow Spaniards Pep Guardiola and Xabi Alonso, in charge of Manchester City and Real Madrid respectively. Arteta replied that he did because he knows both men "very well".

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT ARTETA SAID

"I identify with them in many ways," Arteta said. "First, because we've played in the same position, but also because I know them both very well.

"I played with Xabi, and I've known Pep since I was 15 and worked with him for four years. I identify with his style of play, his game plan, his vision, his way of carrying himself…everything.

"I don't like to compare [them with each other]; they are two very similar ideas executed in very different ways. I have my own."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Arteta first encountered Alonso in the summer of 2004 when he joined home town club Real Sociedad, signed so that the pair could play together. It was only brief, as Alonso was quickly sold to Liverpool, although they did soon share some common ground on opposite sides of the Merseyside divide after Arteta moved to Everton at the start of 2005. His relationship with Guardiola goes back further and deeper. When Arteta joined Barcelona's famed La Masia in 1997, Guardiola was a superstar of the first-team and perhaps the most revered academy graduate at that point in the club's history. He left Camp Nou in 2001 but sought out Arteta 15 years later when first assembling his coaching staff at Manchester City.

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

Into his seventh season as a Premier League manager, Arteta will do battle Guardiola again as soon as September 21, when Manchester City visit in the Emirates Stadium. The reverse fixture in Manchester is scheduled for April 18. Arteta could also face Alonso in the coming months, but only if the Gunners meet Real Madrid in the Champions League, either in the league phase or knockout rounds. The draw for the former will take place on August 28.