10:55 AM ET Before the pandemic screeched global travel to a halt, Gareth Bale had developed something of a summer ritual. For anywhere from two to four weeks, the then-Real Madrid star would bring his family to Los Angeles and soak in all the city had to offer. One year they might rent a house
Football
12:07 PM ET Chelsea have signed Raheem Sterling from Premier League rivals Manchester City, it was announced on Wednesday. The 27-year-old announced his departure from City earlier on Wednesday and has now signed a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge. Sources have told ESPN that Sterling joins Chelsea in a £47.5 million deal rising to £50m
2:22 PM ET Cesar Hernandez The Mexico Football Federation (FMF) has officially fired general sporting director Gerardo Torrado, sporting director of national teams Ignacio Hierro, and men’s Under-20 team coach Luis Perez. Through a restructuring of the FMF, women’s senior national team coach Monica Vergara will be evaluated by new management. – Futbol Americas on
4:51 PM ET Danielle van de Donk’s superb strike gave the Netherlands a 3-2 win over Portugal on Wednesday to move the defending champions top of the Women’s Euro 2022 Group C table. Damaris Egurrola gave the Dutch a seventh-minute lead with a fine angled header from a corner and they looked to be on
3:49 PM ET Barcelona settled for a 1-1 draw against minnows Olot at the Estadi Municipal on Wednesday. Getty Images Barcelona began their preseason with a 1-1 draw against fellow Catalonian side Olot on Wednesday. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang put the visitors in front of their fifth-tier opponents in the 29th minute, before Eloi equalised for Olot from
5:00 AM ET BANGKOK, Thailand — It has been the briefest of summers for Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool. Just 45 days after losing the Champions League final against Real Madrid in Paris, the team that came so close to achieving an unprecedented quadruple last season was back in action in a friendly against Premier League
7:20 AM ET Barcelona have announced they have reached an “agreement in principle” to sign Raphinha, provided the Leeds United winger passes a medical. The Catalan club confirmed the news in a statement on Tuesday, beating Chelsea to the signing of the Brazil attacker. – Explainer: How Barca are signing players amid finance woes– LaLiga
7:28 AM ET Raheem Sterling has announced his departure from Manchester City as he closes in on a move to Premier League rivals Chelsea. Last month, sources told ESPN that the England international was interested in a move to Stamford Bridge and City would not stand in his way. – Preseason schedule: When, where, who
7:00 AM ET Rob DawsonCorrespondent Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Lisandro Martinez from Ajax, sources have told ESPN. The Dutch side are set to grant the Argentina international’s wish to secure a move to the Premier League and are now actively looking for replacements. – Transfer report cards: Rating Man Utd
5:31 AM ET Chelsea are closing in on the €40 million signing of Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly while continuing to pursue an agreement with Manchester City for Nathan Ake, sources have told ESPN. Thomas Tuchel’s side are keen to strengthen their defensive options after Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen left the club on free transfers