9:55 AM ET New Barcelona signing Sergino Dest has said it was the “right decision” to turn down a move to European champions Bayern Munich in favour of the Catalan club. Dest became the first USMNT international to join Barca, signing from Ajax on a five-year contract at the Camp Nou on Thursday. – Stream
Football
8:55 AM ET Christian Pulisic is in line to make his first appearance of the season after recovering from a hamstring injury, Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard has confirmed. The 22-year-old has been missing since Aug. 1 when he limped off during Chelsea’s FA Cup Final defeat to Arsenal. Chelsea face Crystal Palace at Stamford
9:21 AM ET Associated Press Seven-time European champions AC Milan were drawn Friday to face Celtic, Sparta Prague and Lille in Group H of the Europa League. Milan were the last of the 48 teams to reach the group stage after a wild, 24-penalty shootout in Portugal against Rio Ave. – Insider Notebook: Utd’s frantic
6:46 AM ET Mikel Arteta has said Arsenal have reached a “crucial moment” in the transfer window that could shape their season but insisted he has the full backing of the club’s owners over their transfer strategy. Arsenal are set for a frantic end to the summer transfer window as they attempt to tie down
5:50 AM ET Rennes are the front-runners to sign Daniele Rugani from Juventus, sources have told ESPN. West Ham and Newcastle had been leading the chase to land the 26-year-old with late competition expected from Fulham as they seek to sign two centre-backs before Monday’s transfer window deadline. – ESPN+ viewer’s guide: Bundesliga, Serie A,
8:01 AM ET Manchester United’s pursuit of Jadon Sancho headlines this week’s ESPN’s Insider Notebook. Plus: The latest gossip from the grapevine ahead of the transfer window closing on Monday. Jump to: Inside Barca’s battle with Bayern for Dest | Barca avoid Messi situation with Fati | Mourinho’s Sorloth smokescreen | City beat United to
6:41 PM ET ESPN News Services FIFA has imposed conditions on the release of players for the South American World Cup qualifiers amid concerns over high coronavirus infection rates, travel difficulties and quarantine rules. FIFA said on Thursday the usual rules over the release of players for the games — which are due to get
1:53 AM ET PHOENIX — The Phoenix Rising placed head coach Rick Schantz and midfielder Junior Flemmings on administrative leave late Thursday night as an investigation takes place into allegations that Flemmings used an anti-gay slur during the team’s game Wednesday night against the San Diego Loyal. In a statement posted to the Rising’s Twitter
2:35 PM ET The Champions League is back, and back with a bang, after the draw for the 2020-21 group stage concluded on Thursday in Geneva, Switzerland. The top line? A head-to-head between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as Juventus and Barcelona were paired together in Group G, in a game that could also see
5:31 PM ET Rob DawsonCorrespondent LIVERPOOL, England — Eventually, both teams probably got the result their seasons needed. It took 90 goalless minutes and a penalty shootout but Arsenal booked their place in the quarterfinals of the Carabao Cup at Liverpool‘s expense. Joe Willock’s spot kick — the Gunners’ sixth — only just squirmed over