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Luis Muriel scored the first two goals of his MLS career, Pedro Gallese made a late save on Daniel Gazdag's second penalty kick of the match and Orlando City held on for a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Union in Chester, Pa., on Saturday night.
Duncan McGuire added his fifth goal of the season for Orlando (3-5-3, 12 points), which has lost two in a row at home but is unbeaten in its past three away matches.
Nicolas Lodeiro assisted on all three goals in the Lions' second consecutive road win against Philadelphia (3-3-5, 14 points) after a 2-1 triumph in March of 2023.
Before his second PK was stopped, Gazdag had scored earlier in the second half for his seventh goal of the year and second from the spot after a video review showed Lodeiro had handled the ball inside the area.
But Gallese denied Gazdag in the 89th minute after Ivan Angulo pulled down Nathan Harriel.
Mikael Uhre opened the scoring for the Union, who lost their third straight at home after suffering only four home defeats combined across the previous four seasons.
Muriel had gone nine appearances without finding the back of the net after Orlando signed the former Italian league star late this preseason.
But after McGuire leveled the match at 1-1 in the 21st minute, the 33-year-old Colombian went to work.
He put the Lions in front in the 42nd minute after Jose Martinez's errant pass led to a transition opportunity. Angulo and Lodeiro connected to set up Muriel, who unleashed an exceptional shot from long range that sailed beyond the diving Oliver Semmle and into the top left corner.
Muriel's second goal, coming in the 46th minute, was more straightforward, with the Colombian running between the centerbacks onto Lodeiro's through ball to dispatch a low finish.
After Gazdag's tally cut the Union deficit to 3-2 in the 66th minute, Jakob Glesnes flashed a promising header wide in the 71st minute and Uhre had an excellent chance saved by Gallese in the 78th.
Even after Gazdag saw his second penalty kick saved, the Union had 19 minutes of second-half stoppage time to search for an equalizer. They came the closest just seconds before the final whistle when Harriel fired high from close range off a corner kick.
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Enzo Maresca handed huge boost amid devastating Levi Colwill injury news
Benoit Badiashile is due to return to action at the start of September as he continues his recovery from injury according to reports. Badiashile limped off in the Club World Cup last 16 tie against Benfica, and was seen leaving the stadium in Charlotte on crutches. The Frenchman hasn’t played since, but he’s been doing individual training at Chelsea’s Cobham base, as he steps up his recovery. Badiashile due to return in September Badiashile has struggled with injury problems during his time at Chelsea, and is yet to recapture the form he showed in his first six months at Stamford Bridge after joining from Monaco in January 2023. The 24-year-old made 22 appearances in all competitions last season, and Football London have reported Badiashile is aiming for a return to action at the beginning of September. The report adds Badiashile is currently ahead of schedule with his recovery, and this will be welcome news for Enzo Maresca given Levi Colwill will miss most of the season with an ACL injury. Badiashile has been linked with a Chelsea exit, but he appears set to stay, and providing he can stay fit could prove to be a useful squad member. With Colwill’s injury there could be an opportunity for Badiashile to feature more regularly this season, but he’s got to stay fit if he’s to take advantage of any opportunities presented. Chelsea suffer major Levi Colwill blow The news Colwill will most of the season is a major blow, and leaves Chelsea with a big decision to make in terms of signing a replacement. It’s been reported Chelsea aren’t currently considering signing a new centre back, but currently the only two fit senior centre backs are Tosin Adarabioyo and Trevoh Chalobah. The Blues have new signing Hato who can play at centre back, whilst there’s also Josh Acheampong and Aaron Anselmino, but at least one possibly both could be sent on loan.
The Lakers could have another undrafted gem on their hands
In a summer dominated by LeBron James and Luka Doncic headlines, the Los Angeles Lakers may have quietly struck gold once again in the UDFA market, this time with former Villanova standout Eric Dixon. After initially agreeing to a two-way contract following the 2024–25 NBA Draft, Dixon’s path to the professional ranks was temporarily delayed due to injury, forcing him to miss Summer League. The Lakers, however, remained invested in the 24-year-old forward, eventually signing him to an Exhibit 10 deal, a move that keeps him in the pipeline and positions him as a potential breakout candidate through the G League. Dixon brings one of the most decorated resumes in college basketball. The 6-foot-8, 255-pound forward led all Division I scorers last season, averaging 23.3 points per game while shooting an impressive 40.7% from beyond the arc on 7.2 attempts per contest, a remarkable transformation for a player once seen as a traditional low-post presence. He concluded his five-year career at Villanova as the school’s all-time leading scorer, finishing with 2,314 points and etching his name into Big East history. While concerns around his age and lateral quickness may have contributed to him being passed over in the draft, Dixon’s refined skill set and ability to stretch the floor make him a strong fit in today’s NBA. He delivered in big moments throughout the season, including a 38-point outburst against Maryland on Nov. 11, and consistently carried the offensive load for the Wildcats. With his Exhibit 10 deal, Dixon is expected to begin the season with the South Bay Lakers, where he’ll aim to prove he’s healthy and ready to make an immediate impact. If he performs as expected, a return to a two-way contract, and possibly NBA minutes, could be on the horizon. The Lakers have developed a reputation for identifying and nurturing overlooked talent, with Austin Reaves and Alex Caruso emerging as prime examples. Dixon, with his offensive versatility and physical readiness, could be next in line. In a loaded Western Conference, unearthing low-cost contributors is more important than ever. Dixon might just be the next hidden gem to emerge from the Lakers’ development pipeline.
Steelers Now Have A Surefire Solution To End Cam Heyward's Hold-In
The Pittsburgh Steelers got hit with quite a bit of interesting news on Thursday. It started when NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that veteran defensive lineman Cam Heyward was staging a hold-in, attending training camp but not fully participating as he seeks a new contract. Not long after that, kicker Chris Boswell was also reported to be interested in a new deal, adding another contract situation to the team’s growing list of concerns. As for Heyward, Steelers insider Mark Kaboly quickly suggested a possible solution that could effectively end the hold-in without requiring a full contract extension. Kaboly proposed the idea of adding incentives to Heyward’s existing deal, which would reward performance while avoiding a long-term financial commitment. He believes this compromise would allow the Steelers to show respect for Heyward’s contributions while keeping the team’s salary cap in check. Kaboly explained that the Steelers used a similar approach in 2016 with star wide receiver Antonio Brown. At the time, Brown was also seeking a new deal, and instead of offering an extension, the team added incentives to his contract to keep him satisfied for the season. The move kept Brown on the field and productive, and Kaboly believes this method could work just as well for Heyward, helping resolve the situation without complicating the team’s financial outlook. "Steelers don't restructure contracts until a year out, but Cam Heyward has 2 years remaining on his deal," Kaboly posted on his social media. "Here is the kicker and this is what I would use if I were Heyward: The Steelers worked some funny math with Antonio Brown in 2016 to get him a $4 million raise." Heyward just received a new deal ahead of the 2024 season. Now, Kaboly is pointing out that with two years remaining on his contract, the Steelers typically don’t restructure deals until there’s only one year left. However, Kaboly believes that if the team follows the same approach they used with Brown, it could help resolve Heyward’s situation. "They moved $4 million of AB's 2017 money to 2016, then tore up the contract in 2017 and made him the highest-paid WR in the NFL," Kaboly said. "AB got a $4 million raise, and the Steelers were able to keep their long-standing policy intact." Both sides could technically come out ahead with this approach. The money was going to Heyward anyway, but by advancing a portion of it to this year, he gets earlier financial recognition without requiring a full extension. Then, when the time comes to negotiate a new deal, both parties can do so in good faith, working toward a contract that makes sense for everyone involved. For now, moving some money forward would be a clear sign of appreciation for Heyward’s contributions and an acknowledgment of how the market has shifted for elite defensive linemen. It would also allow the Steelers to maintain their long-standing policy of waiting until a player enters the final year of his contract before negotiating an extension. Ultimately, it’s a short-term financial gesture that builds trust and buys time for a more permanent solution. Steelers And Cam Heyward Both Could Come Out As Winners This approach not only benefits Heyward financially in the short term but also helps preserve the relationship between the player and the organization. It shows the Steelers value his contributions and want to keep him motivated without rushing into long-term decisions prematurely. By handling things this way, the team retains flexibility in managing their salary cap and future roster moves. It also avoids the potential pitfalls of a large extension that might limit options later. For Heyward, it offers a sense of security and respect while keeping open the door for a more comprehensive agreement when the time is right.
NBA Analyst Believes Former League MVP Would 'Flourish' With Knicks Amid Free Agency Rumors
The New York Knicks entered the offseason looking to make some small upgrades to their roster as they try to build of their run to the Eastern Conference Finals last season. Of course, the Knicks are set to bring back their core of Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges next season but one area they needed to improve was their bench. That is exactly what the Knicks focused on during free agency as they signed Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele, filling two key holes in their second unit. After signing both Yabusele and Clarkson, New York still does have one more roster space open and they have been linked to many players. Rachel Nichols believes Knicks should sign Russell Westbrook Two player who have garnered the most attention from the Knicks are Ben Simmons and Russell Westbrook and NBA analyst Rachel Nichols believes that Westbrook would “flourish” in New York. “That’s a team that needs a guy like him. That actually has a slot for a guy like him. I think he would flourish in New York,” Nichols said on the Open Floor podcast. “I think New York fans would love him, and I think he would be able to fill that sort of vet energy role really well.” Nichols does make a great point about Westbrook being a solid fit in New York off the bench as the backup point guard behind Brunson. Of course, Westbrook revitalized his NBA career last season with the Denver Nuggets as he proved that he could still be a key piece both off the bench and in the starting lineup on a contending team. Last season, the former MVP averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 44.9% from the field and 32.3% from three. For the Knicks, adding Westbrook to their roster would give them another great scorer and playmaker off the bench and would allow Miles McBride to slot in as the backup shooting guard with Clarkson being a forward. By signing Westbrook, the Knicks would be able to upgrade their bench even more this offseason and with the East being weakened due to injuries, New York could be the team to beat next season in the conference.
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