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The Zimbabwe batter talks about falling down a black hole of drug abuse and then getting his life back

Firdose Moonda19-May-2025When Brendan Taylor walked out to play against Ireland in September 2021, he knew three things: his career was over, he had failed a drug test, and he had waited too long to report an approach to fix matches. The last of those earned him a three-and-a-half year ban from the game, but it was failing the drug test that changed his life in ways he could not imagine.”The walls were closing in,” Taylor says, talking about the consequences of his addiction to drugs and alcohol. “It was an absolute pressure cooker because I was dealing with the ICC and knew there was a ban looming, so the fact that I was retiring and I’d had a failed drugs test – I was just totally defeated.”Over the next four months, Taylor waited for confirmation of the ICC sanction and then began to tell his wife, Kelly, the extent of his indiscretions. She didn’t believe him, not even when he told the world and then checked himself into rehab.Related

• 'A debut-like feeling' – Taylor grateful for second chance with Zimbabwe

• Latham-less New Zealand look to extend dominance as Zimbabwe search for Test revival

• Brendan Taylor's ban ends, added to second Test squad against NZ

• Brendan Taylor banned for three and a half years for failing to report approach without delay

• Brendon Taylor says he failed drug test after his final international game in September 2021

“I said to Kelly, ‘Everything is coming to a head and I’ve really got to get some help.’ And she was infuriated. She thought I was running away from the problem but only knew about 5-10% of what I was really getting up to.”Three days before the ICC announced Taylor’s ban, he checked himself into a 90-day programme at a rehabilitation centre in Zimbabwe’s Eastern Highlands, four hours away from Harare. For the first two weeks, he chose to give up access to his cell phone so he would have no outside noise as he started the 12-step recovery programme and discovered the depth of the work he had to do.The first of the 12 steps is admission of a problem, which Taylor had already done publicly but still needed to explain to himself. It all started with alcohol. Like many people in a country where casual drinking is part of middle-class culture, Taylor had often a few drinks and didn’t see much wrong with that. He subsequently discovered his grandmother was an alcoholic.”Alcohol is so accepted and almost encouraged. Everything is geared towards it. It’s like, ‘Let’s play golf and have a few drinks’, or, ‘Let’s have a braai and have a few drinks’, or, ‘Come around this afternoon and we’ll have a few.'”I was convinced that if I only drank on the weekend, then I didn’t have a problem, but I didn’t know what two beers was. I could hide behind the binge-drinking culture, but the reality was that I couldn’t actually predict how much I was going to drink.”With that, came drug use. Taylor first tried cocaine around 2007 or 2008, “quite heavily during periods out of international cricket,” he says but stopped in 2010. When he met Kelly, he stayed off cocaine for six years, but still drank. Though he can’t pinpoint the exact reason, he says he felt the rot starting to set in when he was on a Kolpak deal in England, away from the family and susceptible, playing for Nottinghamshire between 2015 and 2017.

“I didn’t have the courage to tell my family I had a problem. I didn’t have the willingness to go to them. I was too proud and I was too ashamed”

“My wife and kids were at home and then Kelly fell pregnant with the twins. I saw the twins once for a week and then not again for seven months,” he says. “I loved the club so much and I loved the people in the club, but I’d get to my home and I was surrounded by four walls. Just felt down in the dumps but I can’t really tell you how I got back into it [drug use]. That’s what the disease of alcohol and drug addiction does – it’s cunning and baffling and it sneaks its way back in.”Taylor failed two drug tests while in England, where there was a three-strike policy before a player’s records are made public. “The first one, the doctor came in and asked me if there was a problem, but I convinced him there wasn’t. And then the second time, I failed, the punishment was that I lost 5% of my gross income and got a three-week ban.” But no one knew because he’d split the webbing on his hand, and managed to hide the absence behind that. “I missed the pre-season tour in Barbados. The club protected me, but if I failed a third one, it would have been in the press. By then, I was already gearing up towards returning to Zimbabwe.”Back home, it was easier and cheaper to get his fix and he knew how to avoid being caught. “I was very careful and meticulous about who I did [drugs] around, who I could trust. I wasn’t out there in nightclubs or pubs and bars, but I was living a double life. It’s an exhausting way to be.” And that exhaustion fuelled the need for more cocaine.According to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Substances-of-Abuse guidelines, cocaine produces a “euphoric rush”, which wears off fairly quickly, leading to “a depressed mood”. Taylor experienced both ends of that spectrum and classified himself, around 2018-19, as an addict.”Out of competition, cocaine is not a banned substance, so that was music to my ears,” he says. The South African Institute of Drug-Free Sports, which is a signatory to WADA, confirmed this, and said that if an athlete tests positive for one of their four “substances of abuse” (cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy or heroin) on a non-match day, they receive only a reduced sanction (as was the case with Kagiso Rabada recently).Taylor used that knowledge to manage his cocaine use. “I’d taper off before international games and try and figure out how best to flush my system, but certainly, I was living by the sword.”During his three seasons with Nottinghamshire, Taylor twice failed drug tests•Julian Herbert/Getty ImagesIn October 2019, he travelled to India to meet a group of businessmen to discuss sponsorship and the setting up of a T20 tournament in Zimbabwe. They offered him cocaine and he accepted. The next day, they showed him that they had filmed him taking the drug and said they would release the video unless he agreed to fix. “I guess those people might have done their research, and they might have known [my history of drug use]. They must have thought, ‘Okay, this is gonna be an easy guy to extort from.”At the time, Taylor accepted money from them for a future fix and left the country.They then approached him to fix in February-March 2020, during Zimbabwe’s tour of Bangladesh, at which point he reported it to the ICC, who began an investigation. In the time they took to complete it, Taylor played five Tests, 12 ODIs and seven T20Is, and maintains that despite the threat of his drug use being exposed, he never entertained the idea of fixing. “I’ve been a lot of things in life but being a cheat is not one of them, so I can sleep a bit better knowing that.”In Ireland with Zimbabwe in September 2021, still stressed, he had become progressively more reckless in his use of cocaine over the preceding six years. When he was called to do a dope test, he knew he was cooked. “The quantities I was engaging in were too much to flush out,” he says. “I tried to detox but with 24 [hours] to go before the game, I was still feeling very dehydrated, very withdrawn and the anxiety and the depression were kicking in. I realised I didn’t know how to do life anymore. I didn’t have the courage to tell my family I had a problem, I didn’t have the willingness to go to them. I was too proud and I was too ashamed, but I knew I’d failed that test.”So he did the only thing he thought he could, and instead of waiting for the test results to be made public, retired abruptly. Four months after that, he confessed to the world what he had kept hidden for so long and decided it was time to get help.The next ten steps on the programme are a combination of building spirituality, surrendering to a higher power, and a process of constant self-reflection, to ensure you build the tools not to slip back. At rehab, Taylor did “a lot of meditation, a lot of running, cold-water plunges, reading, writing and being out in nature”, he says.

“It was quite humbling going from international cricket to trying to figure out a way to get the best out of the kid in front of me. It definitely ignited a passion for coaching”

“It was very beautiful and I had a lot of time to think and reflect, especially with the early sunrises and quiet, and to unpack the wreckage of my past.”The disease of addiction is in the mind, so I had to really re-engineer my whole way of thinking. My old ideas were chaotic and catastrophic. I needed to implement a new way of thinking. You’re dealing with something that’s so damn strong on human beings, you need something a lot stronger than you to take that away. So you develop a faith. I was asleep to God for 36 years and once I woke into that, I really sort of tapped into that.”For three months, he spent time connecting with himself, the natural environment, and his faith, and then it was time to get back into the world, where things could get messy. “I had to be ready for the big, bad world, you know, because you’re in bubble wrap at rehab and it feels manageable but then challenges and the hustle-bustle of life comes your way.”I had to understand that I had a very toxic way of living, where I wallowed in self-centeredness, dishonesty, fear, resentment, and [I had to] unpack all that. I had to realise that I had a part to play in this and I am responsible for my actions and I need to be accountable. It was quite liberating, quite tough to sit through that, but when you are rigorously honest with yourself, you can feel the weight coming off your shoulders.”He left with a plan. The final step in the programme is to be of service. “Before I went into rehab, I had installed a two-lane cricket facility at home, and I had this thing in my head [about] wanting to do a bit of coaching, but it was more for my kids. It just worked out that when I came out of rehab and I was quite limited with where I could coach, because of the [ICC] sanction, that the requests for private coaching went through the roof. I was quite inundated.”I loved that first [coaching] session. It was quite humbling, going from international cricket to trying to figure out a way to get the best out of the kid in front of me. It definitely ignited a passion for coaching. I’ve now spent thousands of hours doing it.”Taylor at a Zimbabwe T20I in Harare in January 2023•Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi/Associated PressOver the last three years Taylor has made up for lost time with his wife and sons, and now happily spends his days as a “little bit of a hermit, being at home or in the nets, or helping Kelly at the hair salon”.Occasionally he gets called to help someone else embarking on the 12-step programme, and he has raised funds for his sponsor to open up another rehab centre on the Eastern Highlands property he was at, so there are now separate male and female facilities. He does talks at schools and in communities, doing his part to fight what he calls an “epidemic” of drug abuse in Zimbabwe. A recent study at the Walter Sisulu University said that 57% of Zimbabwean youth abuse drugs. As Taylor’s ban approached its end, he hoped to become involved with Zimbabwe’s support staff. But Zimbabwe Cricket had other plans.They have asked him to continue playing as soon as he becomes available, and that’s what he is readying for. His sanction ends on July 31, the second day of the first Test of Zimbabwe’s series against New Zealand, in Bulawayo. That means Taylor can be selected from the second Test onwards, and for assignments such as the T20 World Cup Africa Regional Qualifier in September, and the home series against Afghanistan later in the year. Though he hasn’t had any competitive game time, the 39-year-old says he feels better than ever mentally, is in the physical condition he was in when he made his debut 21 years ago, and is a lot lighter than he was for most of his international career.”I’m living good, clean and healthy. I’m 85kg now, and I probably played my whole career around 105kgs. The phenomenon of craving left me long ago. Now it’s just my behaviour I work on. If any of the old things pop up, which they occasionally do, I do an inventory on that. And you actually have to do it every day. Yesterday’s shower will not keep me clean for today. Every 24 hours, it’s about getting back onto my programme and having spiritual fitness.”But weight and his need for external validation are not the only things Taylor has lost. “My ego got absolutely smashed three-and-a-half years ago,” he says. “I’m definitely not expecting to walk back into the team. It’s about what I can do for Zimbabwe Cricket. If I come back and I do okay personally, that’s a bonus, but for me, it’s about impacting the group as best as I can. I just want to fly under the radar, put an arm around someone and say, ‘I’ve got your back and I’m willing to help you.’ That’s the beautiful thing about your past becoming your greatest asset, because I can actually help someone.”And if that someone happens to be lured by substances like he was, Taylor promises to take a firm but gentle approach. “I have sympathy for people who turn to alcohol or drugs, because we don’t know their background, family dynamics, their relationships or [what] they’re dealing with [in] life,” he says. “What people tend to do is use a substance to numb pain that they’re dealing with. I will never judge.”

New Zealand needed only eight to win after Zimbabwe were bowled out for 165 in second innings

Firdose Moonda01-Aug-2025New Zealand knocked off a target of eight runs in 14 balls to complete a comprehensive win over a Zimbabwe side whose home form continues to suffer. Their only Test win this year was against Bangladesh in Chattogram in April, and they have now lost their last five Tests.The architects of New Zealand’s victory were their bowlers, headlined by Matt Henry’s second Test nine-for, which included three second-innings wickets. Although New Zealand were without Nathan Smith for the third day – he could not take the field to determine the severity of an abdominal strain – Will O’Rourke’s 3 for 28 and stand-in captain Mitchell Santner’s 4 for 27 meant Zimbabwe were bowled out for under 170 in both innings to leave major batting concerns.Despite a good mix of youthful talent and experience in their line-up, Zimbabwe are struggling to post big scores. Only Sean Williams’ 49 was noteworthy in this match, though wicketkeeper Tafadzwa Tsiga made a career-best 30 in the first innings and 27 in the second. His contribution forced New Zealand to bat again, and kept an innings defeat at bay.Zimbabwe only had one partnership over 50 in either innings, and it was the second-innings stand of 57 between Craig Ervine and Williams for the fifth wicket that they would have expected to stabilise them. The pair got together after New Zealand dismissed Nick Welch in the fifth over of the third morning, caught behind off a full ball from O’Rourke.Tafadzwa Tsiga frustrated New Zealand•Zimbabwe CricketThen New Zealand got nightwatcher Vincent Masekesa, who batted for 58 minutes and faced 40 balls for 2. Masekesa was undone by a surface that started to show signs of variable bounce and gloved a back of a length ball to Rachin Ravindra at short leg.Williams was on 14 off 12 balls at the time, and batting with good intensity. Though Zimbabwe were still 105 runs behind at the stage, the experience of Williams and Ervine calmed nerves, and could have set them up for something more. Ervine, in particular, navigated Henry’s line just outside off fairly well, and drove him for two excellently timed fours.The introduction of spin in the form of Michael Bracewell after the first hour posed challenges for Zimbabwe’s batters as Bracewell beat them in flight. Williams got the better of him when he brought out the reverse sweep, and worked his way into the 40s. But he fell when he tried to help a Santner delivery fine, and got a faint touch through to Tom Blundell.Two overs later, Ervine could do little about a full ball from Henry that nipped off the seam and moved away, taking the edge with it. He was caught behind for 22. Zimbabwe went to lunch on 114 for 6, still 44 runs behind.Henry could have had Tsiga in the third over after the break when he edged to second slip, but Bracewell could not hold on. Tsiga was on 1 at the time. Instead, Henry was rewarded with the wicket of Sikandar Raza, who, for the second time in the match, was dismissed trying to play a big shot. After trying to take on the short ball in the first innings, Raza looked to hit Henry over midwicket but only spliced it high for Ravindra to take a second catch.Mitchell Santner took 4 for 27 in the second innings•Zimbabwe CricketWith Brendan Taylor in Zimbabwe’s squad for the second Test next week, Raza’s spot, especially after the way he played in this Test, might be most at risk.Raza’s wicket was Henry’s ninth in the match, and came in the seventh over of his spell, though the lunch break had given him some rest. He bowled another four as he went in search of a tenth, and could have got it when there was a sound when Newman Nyamhuri went after a ball that moved away. But it seemed that his bat had hit the pad. Nyamhuri was removed at the other end when he was bowled by Santner, who also had Blessing Muzarabani dropped at deep square leg on 1.Muzarabani and Tsiga’s partnership grew to 36, and Tsiga took Zimbabwe into the lead with a pinpoint four down the ground. But they would have known they needed plenty to make the match competitive. Muzarabani was tempted by flight, and hit Santner to cover. Meanwhile, Tsiga, batting with No.11 Tanaka Chivanga, top-edged a slog sweep, and was caught at point to end Zimbabwe’s innings on the stroke of tea.The break was taken despite the small number of runs New Zealand needed, and the game went into a third session. New Zealand were in a hurry to finish things as quickly as possible on resumption. Devon Conway hit the fifth ball of the innings for four but then came down the track to try and hit Nyamhuri over mid-off but played on.The wicket was as much joy as Zimbabwe got as Henry Nicholls hit the winning runs off Nyamhuri to give both sides the weekend off. The second Test starts next Thursday.

Everton spent a lot of time spinning their wheels with Farhad Moshiri at the head of the table, but David Moyes is working well within the Friedkin Group’s parameters, and there’s a new sense of belief on the blue half of Merseyside.

There’s no question the Blues have improved since the Scotsman’s exciting return, almost 12 years after closing the door on his dynasty and succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, but more is needed to hit that elusive next level: contending for a seat at the European table.

While there may be an acceptance that the Toffees need external solutions, there’s one player plying their trade elsewhere who’s guaranteed a shot in Moyes’ squad next season, given that they are contracted to the Hill Dickinson Stadium already.

Indeed, Harrison Armstrong’s loan spell with Preston North End is drawing many plaudits, suggesting he is destined for success in the Premier League.

Why Harrison Armstrong is Everton's future

Armstrong, 18, has been at Everton since he was five years old. He is young and raw, but the talent has been clear from the get-go, with Sean Dyche featuring him three times in the league last season.

This season, the athletic, progressive centre-midfielder racked up two assists for Everton as they beat Mansfield Town in the Carabao Cup second round, ahead of his season-long switch to Preston in the Championship.

He’s making good progress in the second tier. The 18-year-old was praised for a statement showing against Sheffield United recently, winning six of eight contested ground duels and completing both of his dribbles.

There was much to like on loan at Derby County last year, but Armstrong has evolved and developed since the summer, and that bodes well for his future in the Premier League.

Preston fans are certain Armstrong “will play for England one day”, and Everton must ensure they keep him on the books and help nurture him to the fore.

And the same must be applied to one of the youngster’s Toffees teammates, a rising star who might even be a bigger talent.

Everton have a bigger talent than Armstrong

This summer, Moyes oversaw sweeping changes as Everton moved house. Among the most high-profile and exciting deals was the £42m signing of Tyler Dibling from Southampton, the teenage talent having broken out on the south coast last term.

The 19-year-old only scored four goals and provided three assists across all competitions last season, but Southampton were in a dire state and he was a shining light throughout, blending pace and power and potency down the flank.

This season, Dibling has featured only four times in the Premier League, hooked at half time during his only start, the 2-1 win over Crystal Palace.

It’s been a slow start, but he’s immensely talented and has the potential to outstrip all his teammates in Moyes’ system.

With a natural ease when carrying the ball that will only develop over the coming years, Dibling is also positionally dynamic and has effortless balance.

Output and effectiveness are two facets he needs to keep working on, but there’s no question that Everton have a gem on their hands, potentially an even bigger talent than someone like Armstrong.

Despite entering the professional scene for the first time, despite trying to find success as a creator in a, frankly, dismal Saints side, Dibling showcased his quality, backing up the claims of his former youth coach Andy Goldie that he is a “world-class talent”.

Given Everton paid a hefty figure for the teenager’s services, and that he has a full Premier League campaign under his belt, it’s certainly not unjust to suggest that Dibling is a bigger talent than Armstrong, who may be thriving at Deepdale but has even further to climb if he wishes to successfully wedge his way into Moyes’ plans.

In any case, this all serves as an exciting nod toward the future for the Merseysiders.

Everton's £45k-p/w talent is now giving "Pienaar 2.0 vibes" under Moyes

Everton have already hit the jackpot on this talented first-teamer.

By
Angus Sinclair

Oct 29, 2025

The former Australia batter will take over from Matthew Mott, who was fired after the franchise had lost their last five games in MLC 2025

Tristan Lavalette02-Dec-2025Outgoing Western Australia head coach Adam Voges will take the reins of Seattle Orcas in next season’s Major League Cricket as he furthers his leadership credentials on the T20 franchise circuit.Voges replaces Australian compatriot Matthew Mott, who was fired after Orcas lost their first five games of the 2025 season. Having recently announced that he will step down as WA head coach at the end of the current domestic season, it was widely anticipated that Voges would take up a senior role at an MLC franchise.”I am very excited to be joining the Seattle Orcas for the upcoming season,” Voges said. “The MLC competition continues to grow and I look forward to working with the owners, players and staff to help bring success both on and off the field.”Overseeing an incredible run of success for WA after replacing Justin Langer in 2018, Voges has long been touted as a successor to Australia head coach Andrew McDonald whose current contract runs through to 2027. McDonald has indicated that he is unlikely to seek an extension having been in the job since early 2022.Voges has previously coached Australia A and worked with the national side.In the meantime, Voges has decided to further his coaching development through T20 franchise cricket. As flagged by ESPNcricinfo, Voges has joined Trent Rockets in the Hundred as an assistant coach.WA Cricket are continuing discussions with Voges about staying on as Perth Scorchers head coach in the BBL having led the franchise to back-to-back titles in BBL11 and 12. Voges also twice lifted the trophy as captain of Scorchers.Related

Seattle Orcas part ways with coach Mott

Assistants Beau Casson and Tim MacDonald will likely be in the mix to replace Voges as WA head coach.Voges, who averaged a remarkable 61.87 from 20 Tests for Australia, will be tasked with lifting Orcas back up the ladder. After making the final in MLC’s debut season, Orcas won just four of 17 games across 2024-25.”We are thrilled to welcome Adam Voges to the Seattle Orcas family,” Orcas chief Hemant Dua said. “He brings a proven pedigree of winning, a distinctive ability to develop world-class talent, and a deep understanding of the nuances of T20 franchise cricket.”His dominant run with Western Australia and the Perth Scorchers speaks to his expertise. We believe Adam’s calm demeanor, tactical intelligence, and commitment to building a high-performance culture will be pivotal as we aim for the Major League Cricket title.”We are building something special in Seattle, and Adam is undoubtedly the right person to lead the charge.”Orcas are co-owned, among others, by GMR Group and JSW Sports, who are also co-owners of Delhi Capitals in the IPL and WPL, and their entities in SA20 (Pretoria Capitals) and UAE’s ILT20 (Dubai Capitals).

Mic’d Up: The former USMNT midfielder breaks down the team’s revival, Pochettino’s culture reset and what he expects from next summer’s World Cup.

There was a point earlier this year when just about everyone had questions about the U.S. men’s national team – and those questions came from a very real sense of anxiety. One year out from the World Cup, the USMNT simply didn’t look ready. After an embarrassing CONCACAF Nations League defeat, a new-look squad walked into the Gold Cup amid debates about passion, desire and team culture. 

Dax McCarty was among those asking the same questions. A former USMNT midfielder, McCarty didn’t reach that level because of elite athleticism or technical gifts; he earned it through heart and intelligence. That’s not a slight – it’s the truth. His 13 caps and nearly 18-year MLS career were built on being sharper and more determined than almost everyone around him. And in recent years, he’d watched a U.S. team that seemed to be losing those qualities. 

That’s no longer the case, from his point of view. A string of big results in the fall reinforced that those foundations are back. The U.S. are a team that fights again, and McCarty couldn't be happier to see it. 

"I feel a sense of pride watching this team again, which is something that's really exciting heading into, for me, the biggest sporting event in the history of the sport coming up with the 2026 World Cup," the Apple TV analyst told GOAL. "You just wanted to watch a team that cared, a team that was going to put it all on the line for the red, white and blue and for that jersey. I don't think this is to say that players that represent our country in our national team didn't care before; I think it's just to say that we didn't see that manifest itself on the field all the time, right?" 

You can count McCarty among the believers now. After seeing the U.S. take down multiple World Cup-bound teams, the longtime midfielder believes that this team is now ready for the gauntlet set to come their way next summer. The questions no longer focus on the team’s flaws; they focus on how far this team can go now that this group has put some of those flaws behind them. 

McCarty talks about that evolution and his hopes for the USMNT in the latest edition of Mic'd Up, a recurring feature in which GOAL taps into the perspective of analysts, announcers and other pundits on the state of soccer in the U.S. and abroad.

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  ON THE USMNT'S GROWTH

  GOAL: When we spoke in the summer, it was during the Gold Cup at a time when the USMNT was being criticized. The focus was on passion and effort and, in the months since, that has all changed. The team is winning, but the team is also looking more like what you and many other former players wanted to see: one that fights for everything they get. What has it been like watching that evolution from where this team was this summer to where it is now?

  MCCARTY: I think it's easy to take things for granted when maybe the expectation is that certain players are always going to be playing. So that's the thing I can say about Mauricio Pochettino that I've appreciated the most about him, other than the tactics: it's the fact that he has completely reset the culture of the U.S. men's national team. I think [previous manager] Gregg Berhalter did a lot of really good things. You have to give Gregg credit for really galvanizing the team, pushing forward young players that really came into their own and turned into leaders, and really giving them license to make the team theirs. But with that, I think it crept in with a little bit of complacency – that there's this expectation that the same players were going to play all the time. 

  Pochettino has completely squashed that, and that is where I think the biggest difference is with the national team right now. You're never quite sure who is going to be in the starting XI because we've seen that Pochettino is not scared to switch up his lineups. I think it has created a real sense of competition and a real sense of pride in all of these players to say, if I'm not starting this game, I might have a chance the next game, and I have to play at my absolute maximum. I have to play at my absolute best if I want to impress him and if I want to stay involved in this team. 

  I love the trust that Pochettino has placed in different players. I love the fact that he is trusting young players. Now, we are playing friendlies, quote-unquote, but Pochettino has said that we don't treat them as friendlies; we treat them as finals. We treat them as games that are going to be highly important for us. So the last couple of months have been fun to watch the evolution of this national team. From losing to Mexico and then getting dominated by South Korea — those back-to-back losses were, I think, a real tipping point for Pochettino to make some changes, both formationally and structurally, and he's ended up getting the best out of this group right now. I think every player realizes that every single training session matters, every single game that they play with their club matters, and that is how you're going to get the best out of this group. Pochettino deserves a lot of credit for doing that.

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  ON THE WORLD CUP DRAW

  GOAL: There are two lines of thought when it comes to group stages. Some will want an easy group, one that gives the U.S. a chance to build through the tournament and get a good spot in the knockouts. Others, though, will want a harder one because it will prepare the team for the road ahead while also creating the type of game-changing moments that this tournament needs to provide for American soccer fans. Where do you fall in that? What do you want this team's group to look like?

  MCCARTY: I don't really think it matters, if I'm being honest. I think you want to have a group that will be challenging enough to test the team before the knockout stage, but also not too challenging to the point where you risk not advancing. That's kind of the rub, right? I don't think the USMNT is going to see a group that is going to be a 'group of death.'

  Obviously, being a host country, you're in Pot 1, so you avoid all of the best teams in the competition, and that is a positive. But you also know that some of these teams that are going to be in Pot 4 that qualify through the playoffs from Europe – they're going to provide you with good tests. Because of how hard it is to qualify from places like Europe or South America, you have to expect, if you get one of those teams in Pot 4, that that'll make things challenging and that'll make things interesting.

  I want the U.S. to have a balanced group. I want them to have a team that will be seen as on their level and can give them a real test in the group stage, but I also want them to play against teams where they can be on the front foot. They can really get this country behind them. Maybe if they score a couple of goals, they can really galvanize the nation to say, 'Okay, the USMNT is playing well, they're scoring goals, they have confidence,' and we can really get behind them to make a deep run in this tournament.

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  ON HIS EXPECTATIONS

  GOAL: You look at this last year, and it's been a rollercoaster, right? Lots of highs and lows. There have been times where the public was willing to write this team off and, now that they're winning, the public is excited about how far this team can go. For you, has the expectation change? What do you really believe this team can do?

  MCCARTY: My expectation hasn't changed at all, and I say that knowing how poor the U.S. was playing three or four months ago. I was always under the impression that form is temporary and there are going to be growing pains throughout this whole process. Now, it was frustrating for me. I remember thinking after some of these losses, if Pochettino has a plan, I'm unable to see that right now. 

  I think Pochettino's whole point was that it's okay if you don't see it from the outside, but I promise you, you need to just trust the process and the plan. I was skeptical, but my expectations really haven't changed, because even when the U.S. wasn't playing well, I know that with their most talented players fit and healthy, they are going to be a challenge for any team in the world. Really, I genuinely believe that – but it's just a matter of what kind of form this team is in. 

  My expectations four months ago were that the U.S. was going to get out of their group and win a knockout-round game, and then from there, see how it goes. Now, my expectations are exactly the same. I expect them to get out of their group. I expect them to win a knockout game, and then, from there, once you get to the Round of 16, you see based on the matchups. Is it going to be a different expectation if they're playing against a more middle-tier European team than if they're playing against Argentina? … I would love to see the U.S. make a deep run. I don't think a semifinal or quarterfinal run is outside the realm of possibility. 

  I love the fact that Pochettino has said, 'Look, our goal is to win the World Cup.' Why else would we play in the tournament? He should be saying that, and the players should be saying that. … It's about the margins and it's about your best players, and it's about the superstars being able to put the team in a position to win the game. From there, anything can happen. I'm not bold enough to say that I am confident the U.S. can win the World Cup, but I am confident enough to say that they should get out of the group — and they should win a knockout-round game or two.

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  PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF MIC'D UP

  Nov. 15: Kacey White: ESPN analyst and NWSL legend on the hectic college soccer season, why UNC may struggle to repeat, and who could win

  Nov. 14: Taylor Twellman: Apple TV analyst breaks down MLS schedule change, Son Heung-Min’s rise with LAFC, playoff upsets, and Inter Miami’s Luis Suárez dilemma

  Nov. 4 – Geoff Shreeves: CBS Sports Golazo analyst on Arsenal's depth, Liverpool's struggles and Wrexham's Championship reality check

  Oct. 29 – Kaylyn Kyle: Apple TV analyst on Thomas Muller and 'amazing' Vancouver Whitecaps, reborn Inter Miami, and Canada's 2026 World Cup ambitions

  Oct. 24 – Steve McManaman: ESPN analyst on Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid, El Clasico, and why 'excellent' Jude Bellingham must be in England squad

  Oct. 20 – Alexi Lalas: FOX analyst praises Mauricio Pochettino for adding bite to USMNT, but says 'jury's still out' on World Cup success

  Oct. 17 – Herculez Gomez: ESPN analyst backs December Barcelona-Villarreal match in Miami, but warns 'if you allow La Liga, you're allowing everybody'

  Oct. 16 – Herculez Gomez: ESPN analyst unconvinced by USMNT's Mauricio Pochettino, but calls recent results 'his most impressive window'

  Oct. 2 – Clive Tyldesley:CBS analyst on Americans in the Champions League, 'big year' for USMNT at the World Cup and protecting young footballers

  Sept. 30 – David Villa: Spain legend and DAZN analyst on Barcelona's Champions League hopes, 'amazing' Lamine Yamal and 'great opportunity' for U.S. to host World Cup

  Sept. 17 – Stu Holden: FOX analyst on Gio Reyna's revival, Christian Pulisic’s AC Milan future and how Mauricio Pochettino can form 'U.S. team that makes us excited'

  Sept. 11 – Maurice Edu: Apple TV analyst grades Mauricio Pochettino's first year as USMNT boss, wonders where Weston McKennie has been?

  Sept. 9 – Sacha Kljestan: Apple TV analyst urges USMNT's Mauricio Pochettino to stick with core group, weighs in on MLS and Inter Miami's Luis Suarez

  Aug. 28 – Keith Costigan: Apple TV analyst on Arsenal's need for a trophy, why 'writing off Liverpool is absolutely silly' and how Club World Cup can spark MLS growth

  Aug. 21 – Marcelo Balboa: Apple TV analyst calls out fellow former USMNT players for vitriol toward Christian Pulisic, hails impact of Son Heung-Min in MLS

  Aug. 15 – Nedum Onuoha: ESPN analyst on why Antonee Robinson is 'as good as any' defender in Premier League, concerns over Alexander Isak, expected Man City rebound

  Aug. 6 – Kasey Keller: ESPN analyst calls out Mauricio Pochettino's underwhelming record with USMNT, hails Matt Turner's 'brilliant' return to MLS

  July 31 – Andres and Nico Cantor: Father-son analysts on Mauricio Pochettino's chief challenge with USMNT, and Inter Miami's Leo Messi 'completing football

  July 29 – Dax McCarty: Apple TV's Dax McCarty on why MLS was right to suspend Lionel Messi, the new Leagues Cup format, and why Club America is favorite

  July 25 – Derek Rae: ESPN commentator on Gio Reyna's flawed fit at Dortmund, why 'nobody knows' how good 22-year-old USMNT midfielder can be

  July 7 – Callum Williams: Apple TV, world soccer commentator on the impact of Brazilian teams at the Club World Cup

  June 27 – Kyle Martino: TNT analyst on USMNT goalscoring void, the state of the program and the return of Showdown to NYC

  June 23 – Dax McCarty: Apple TV analyst on the opportunity, pressure facing Mauricio Pochettino and USMNT ahead of World Cup

  June 19 – Herculez Gomez: ESPN analyst on why he's bullish about Club World Cup, memories of playing in CWC, how 2026 World Cup could be 'biggest sporting event ever'

  June 17 – Herculez Gomez:ESPN analyst on Christian Pulisic controversy, state of USMNT, fractures in fan base and his admiration for 'highly relatable' Diego Luna

  June 11 – Diego Valeri: Apple TV+ analyst on Lionel Messi’s MLS impact, supporting rival Sounders at Club World Cup, and U.S. and Argentina ties

  May 21 – Taylor Twellman: Apple TV+ analyst on 'exciting' matchups in the Club World Cup, why a top European team will win, and how Inter Miami can benefit

  May 13 – Kay Murray: ESPN FC analyst on Americans supporting Club World Cup, European teams vying for trophy, and whether an MLS team can make a run

  May 9 – Luis Garcia: ESPN Analyst on Barcelona and 'fantastic' Lamine Yamal, why Real Madrid lack a philosophy, and Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving Liverpool

  May 1 – Derek Rae: ESPN analyst on Harry Kane's trophy quest, Gio Reyna's Borussia Dortmund struggles, the meaning behind 'the smell of the stable'

  April 28 – Christina Unkel: CBS Sports rules analyst on VAR challenges, 'visibility' in refereeing, former players becoming officials

  April 25 – Alejandro Moreno: ESPN FC pundit on Kylian Mbappe's Real Madrid disappointment, Carlo Ancelotti's final season, 'best in the world' Lamine Yamal

  April 24 – Bradley Wright-Phillips: Apple TV analyst on the 'brilliance' of Lionel Messi, 'chippy' Inter Miami, and why Kevin De Bruyne's next team should be NYCFC

  April 22 – Ali Krieger: ESPN analyst on Naomi Girma's Chelsea move, the 'amazing' Emma Hayes and why NWSL 'can't just dilute the league by expanding'

  April 16 – Jamie Carragher: CBS analyst on Club World Cup and packed schedule, 'disappointing' Trent Alexander-Arnold, 'delightful' Mo Salah deal

  April 14 – Kevin Egan: Apple TV+ host on the 2026 World Cup, 2025 Club World Cup and growth of game in America

  April 11 – Kay Murray: ESPN FC host on Harry Kane and Bayern Munich's Bundesliga ambitions, 'undeniable talent' of Gio Reyna, and Ballon d'Or race without 'a standout contender'

  April 8 – Kevin Egan: Apple TV analyst on possible Kevin De Bruyne link with Lionel Messi and MLS, Cavan Sullivan's 'swagger' and 'next-level' Wilfried Nancy

  March 26 – Kasey Keller: 'Guys that would rather be on the beach' – ESPN's Kasey Keller knocks 'general malaise' of USMNT players, says Mauricio Pochettino must show 'he's 100 percent committed'

  March 21 – Kaylyn Kyle: Apple TV studio analyst on Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, the 'chaotic' nature of MLS, why NWSL player exodus could 'hurt the league

  March 13 – Micah Richards: CBS Sports analyst on Man City's future, why Real Madrid will win Champions League, and that bet with Jude Bellingham

  March 11 – Antonella Gonzalez: Apple TV’s Antonella Gonzalez on interviewing Inter Miami's Lionel Messi, the rise of Latin American influence in MLS, and being a Hispanic woman in broadcasting

  March 4 – Nico Cantor: CBS Analyst on 'world-class' Mauricio Pochettino, 'mixed' Champions League format, and why USL can compete with MLS

  Feb 26 – Andrew Wiebe: Apple TV analyst Andrew Wiebe on San Jose Earthquakes' 'massive offseason', Kevin De Bruyne's potential MLS arrival, league’s growth

  Feb. 20 – Taylor Twellman: Apple TV's analyst on Lionel Messi's Inter Miami 'laying an egg' in MLS playoffs, Cavan Sullivan, and why Cincinnati are a threat

  Feb. 18 – Taylor Twellman: Apple TV analyst on USMNT World Cup aspirations, Mauricio Pochettino, and team's signature wins – or lack thereof

  Feb. 11 – Maurice Edu: Apple TV analyst on national team's potential, Cavan Sullivan's 'borderline arrogance' and 'global shop window' of MLS

  Jan. 30 – Keith Costigan: Apple TV commentator on Mo Salah and Liverpool, the Olivier Giroud experiment at LAFC and more

  Jan 28 – Nigel Reo-Coker: CBS Sports Golazo Network analyst on the new Champions League format, state of American soccer and Aston Villa

  Jan 20 – Kate Scott: CBS Sports host on the American soccer psyche, USMNT's 'statement' hire in Mauricio Pochettino, 'enormous' 2026 World Cup and why Liverpool will win Champions League

  Jan 13 – DaMarcus Beasley: USMNT legend on Lionel Messi's mindset, the 'good groove' for MLS and why Mauricio Pochettino is the 'right man for the job'

  Jan. 9 – Callum Williams: Soccer analyst on Lionel Messi and 2025 Club World Cup, 'naivety towards' South American soccer, 'preposterous' that Jack Grealish has 'lost it'

  Jan. 2 – Jenny Chiu: CBS reporter on 'big changes' by Emma Hayes, Mauricio Pochettino's 'pedigree' and possible UCL glory for Inter

  Dec. 17 – Stu Holden: FOX Sports analyst on the evolution of the American game, why Christian Pulisic will be 'best U.S. Soccer player of all-time'

  Dec. 12 – Brian Dunseth: Turner, Apple TV analyst on Ricardo Pepi, Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna and USMNT's future under Mauricio Pochettino

  Dec. 5 – Jalil Anibaba: Apple TV analyst on MLS Cup predictions, Inter Miami hiring Javier Mascherano and MLS's 'disheartening' coaching diversity issue

  Nov. 21 – Andres Cantor: Telemundo legend on Mauricio Pochettino's Argentine mindset, the USMNT and having a front-row seat for the rise of the American game

  Nov. 16 – Matt Doyle: Apple TV analyst assesses Inter Miami's defensive 'insanity,' whether Neymar could join Lionel Messi, MLS Cup favorite

  Nov. 7 – Gary Neville: Veteran analyst talks USMNT World Cup hopes, 'hell of a player' Christian Pulisic, 'relentless' David Beckham, and Cristiano Ronaldo to MLS

  Oct. 31 – Herculez Gomez: ESPN FC analyst on Mauricio Pochettino's impact, the USMNT's 'wide-open' striker race, and a player pool 'that lacks accountability'

  Oct. 29 – Rebecca Lowe: NBC host on the growth of soccer, the 'incredible' Emma Hayes and 'profile-raising' Mauricio Pochettino

  Oct. 24 – Andrew Wiebe: Apple TV analyst on MLS playoffs, Lionel Messi's 'nuclear form' and how Inter Miami can become league's 'greatest team of all time

  Oct. 17 – Jamie Carragher: Veteran analyst talks USMNT, slams Man City over legal case, questions Mauricio Pochettino despite 'great' hire

Leeds United have now reportedly sent scouts to watch a standout European winger, who’s also attracted the interest of Manchester United.

Farke prepared for "top class" Liverpool

When the fixtures were released, this would been a week that many Leeds fans dreaded. By the end of this weekend, the Whites will have faced Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool in consecutive games in the most difficult run of games they’ve had so far this season. But what began as a nightmare may yet leave Leeds in dreamland.

Daniel Farke’s side were minutes away from securing a point from behind at the Etihad against Man City and then eased past Chelsea in shocking fashion on Wednesday. Now, they have the chance to compile the misery on a frail Liverpool side at Elland Road – making it six points from a possible nine.

It’s the greatest opportunity that Leeds will get to beat the Premier League champions, but Farke was quick to point out that Liverpool are still a “top class” side in his pre-match press conference.

Those in Yorkshire may have to get used to competing against the top six on and off the pitch, having also reportedly joined the race to sign Manchester United target Nilson Angulo.

Leeds join race to sign Nilson Angulo

According to TeamTalk, Leeds have now joined the race to sign Angulo after their scouts were spotted watching the Anderlecht winger in action. The Whites are joined by United, Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford in what is set to be a frantic Premier League battle.

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Dubbed one of Europe’s standout wingers by TeamTalk, the interest in Angulo should come as no surprise. The 22-year-old has taken his game to new levels in Belgium this season and looks destined for English football.

As scout Jacek Kulig pointed out, it was a “fantastic” start from Angulo this season and a start which has since seen him take his total to four goals and eight assists in all competitions.

It would be a major coup if Leeds managed to fend off competition from their rivals and sign the talented winger.

Leeds now prioritising £35m move to sign South American defender ahead of Juventus

MatériaMais Notícias

No jogo beneficente em prol do Rio Grande do Sul, o volante Amaral surpreendeu o público presente no Maracanã com um golaço de voleio. Aos 51 anos, o ex-jogador não escondeu a satisfação com o que fez.

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Nas redes sociais, os torcedores exaltaram o gol marcado pelo ex-atleta. Enquanto alguns relembraram com carinho do futebol no passado, outros chegaram a pedir o Prêmio Puskas para o veterano.

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The five T20Is were the only home series for the South Africa men’s team this summer

Firdose Moonda24-Sep-2025South Africa may be forced to shorten their only men’s international home series this summer – against West Indies – for both teams to get to the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka on time. South Africa are scheduled to host West Indies for five T20Is between January 27 and February 6, but as reported by ESPNcricinfo last week, the T20 World Cup is set to be played between February 7 and March 8.On August 28, the ICC sent participating teams a Member Information Pack, with information regarding warm-up matches. The document, seen by ESPNcricinfo, states that the ICC’s support period – the time in which teams are expected to arrive in the host countries and play non-obligatory warm-up games – starts on January 31. That has moved up from February 3, while CSA had drawn up their home fixtures with the understanding that South Africa would have enough time to travel to the T20 World Cup.It is not mandatory for countries to spend the entire support period in the host venue, but the ICC asked participating countries to list by September 5 how many warm-up matches they want to play, with options ranging between none to a maximum of two. Only if a country opts for two matches, will the support period become one week prior to the tournament opener. CSA are currently in discussions with CWI to see when West Indies want to arrive in the subcontinent and how many matches they want to play there. If teams opt for no warm-up games, the mandatory support period is four days prior to the first match on February 7. If a team opts for one warm-up then the support period will five to six days prior to the tournament opener.The warm-up information is significant only because it allows the ICC to confirm an arrival date for each team.Even if West Indies do not want to play any T20 World Cup warm-up matches, CSA will still have to cull at least two of the five T20Is; the last two games are on February 3 and 6. The fixtures cannot be played any earlier with the SA20 ending on January 25. CSA is currently deciding which venues should host the matches against West Indies – at present, the venues are likely to be Paarl, Newlands, Buffalo Park in East London, Centurion and Johannesburg.England and Sri Lanka narrowly escape this problem; their three-T20I series in Sri Lanka will be played between January 30 and February 3. They also have the benefit of being in one of the host nations at the time.South Africa do not have any other men’s international fixtures at home this season, in part because their all-format tour of India ends on December 19, which left no space for matches before the original window of the SA20 in the first week of January. The SA20 has now been moved into the festive period and will start on December 26.However, the league is not the only reason for the lack of men’s international fixtures. CSA always planned on having a less-crowded summer this year to prepare their venues for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Currently, drop-in pitches are in development around the country. Next season, South Africa play ten home Tests (eight men’s and two women’s), including three-match series against Australia and England.

Ex-Celtic striker Charlie Mulgrew has told the Hoops exactly what they must offer Jurgen Klopp to become their Brendan Rodgers replacement in what would be a sensational move.

The Bhoys are still looking for their next manager as Martin O’Neill continues to be a success as interim boss. The 73-year-old made it two wins from two on Sunday after defeating Old Firm rivals Rangers 3-1 after extra-time in the Scottish League Cup semi-final.

It was just like old times for O’Neill, who watched on as goals from Callum McGregor and a first goal for Callum Osmand ensured that his side got one over on their biggest rivals once again.

Relieved to earn a place in the final, O’Neill told reporters at full-time: “It was an incredible game. We were terrific and got the goal in front and got one disallowed for offside.

“We were in command, but I was saying to [assistant] Shaun Maloney we needed a goal to kill the game off and six or seven minutes later, Rangers get the penalty. I was 73 on Monday… I’m 94 now!”

Victory against Rangers has done O’Neill’s chances of becoming the next Celtic manager no harm, that’s for sure. Although the Northern Irishman was quick to admit that he’s just keeping the seat warm when first arriving, two wins from two has sparked rumours that he could yet get the job until the end of the current campaign.

With Ange Postecoglou taking a break from football and reportedly pulling out of the race and other candidates such as Nicky Hayen still in a job, O’Neill may make perfect sense. He’s more experienced than most, especially at Celtic Park, and he is already turning things around.

But he’s not everyone’s first choice. Instead, Mulgrew has urged Dermot Desmond to “go big” and turn to a Champions League winner in Klopp.

Mulgrew urges Celtic to "go big" and hire Jurgen Klopp

Speaking on the latest edition of The Warm-Up Show, ex-Hoops player Mulgrew urged Celtic to hire Klopp and offer the former Liverpool manager a contract worth as much as £7m-a-year, which works out at £135k-a-week.

There’s no denying that it would be an incredible appointment. Klopp transformed Liverpool, awaking English giants and taking them back to Champions League glory, but it seems unlikely that he would make a return to the dugout for Celtic.

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That said, whilst unlikely, all hope isn’t lost. The Liverpool legend recently admitted on Steven Bartlett’s Diary of a CEO podcast that a return to management is still possible – saying: “I’m 58, that means I could make the decision in a few years, I don’t know. Do I have to make the decision today?

“Then I will not coach again. But thank God, I don’t have to do that. I can just see what the future brings.”

Celtic submit offer for Mark van Bommel

Manchester United have been offered the chance to sign striker Dusan Vlahovic from Juventus for a much lower price than expected.

Particularly last season, much was said about Man United. The club endured what was, in terms of points return and league finish, their worst-ever Premier League campaign. Many of the club’s attacking options, such as Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, struggled for form.

This, no doubt, contributed to their business ahead of the 2025/26 season. In what marked their first summer transfer window with Ruben Amorim as manager, the Red Devils signed Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko in what was a complete renovation of their attack.

The trio have since secured their places in the first team at Old Trafford, helping Man United record three successive Premier League wins for the first time under Amorim’s guidance before the draw at Nottingham Forest.

It would appear, however, that the Red Devils may look to further reinforce their attacking line in the upcoming January window.

Man United show interest in Vlahovic

As per TEAMtalk, Man United could pursue a move for Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic this winter. Such a transfer, however, would only be explored if there is first a departure. Zirkzee could leave, having lost his place in the first team due to both new signings and poor form.

Vlahovic, who reportedly earns £375,000 per week in Turin, will become a free agent in July if he does not depart Juve at an earlier date, having been unable to negotiate a contract extension with the club. Were Vlahovic to remain, he would seemingly have to take a pay cut.

Having been called a “superstar” for his ability, Vlahovic would be available for just £17.5 million according to TEAMtalk, in no doubt due to his contract situation. Were Zirkzee to depart permanently, it would presumably provide Man United with the adequate funds to pursue Vlahovic. Even if the Dutchman left only on loan, it would free up a position within their first-team for the 25-year-old.

Given his lack of minutes so far this season, it can be presumed that Zirkzee has fallen down the pecking order. In Vlahovic, Man United would be signing competition for summer signing Sesko which, in turn, could benefit the Slovenian international.

Reportedly, Man United are “informed” of Vlahovic’s situation, but “that does not mean they will necessarily pull the trigger on the move” and whether a transfer materialises remains to be seen.

"Deadly" Man United academy star is another Bruno Fernandes