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Stefano Pioli will be staying in charge of Milan after signing a contract extension with the Serie A club.

It was expected Pioli would be replaced by Ralf Rangnick, who had been in talks with the Rossoneri about a deal that could have seen him become head coach and effectively sporting director.  

However, Rangnick's representative confirmed on Tuesday that talks had been called off because "it is not the right time at the moment and there is no momentum for working together". Marc Kosicke also pointed to "the good development and results under Pioli" as a reason for the move not taking place.

Milan later confirmed their current coach had agreed to a new contract that would keep him at San Siro until June 2022. 

"I am happy and proud of the trust I have received from AC Milan," Pioli said in a statement.

"I want to thank everyone, including our fans, who we are really missing at the stadium, but are always close and supportive. As I have said many times, our future is today: we must be focused and determined, be united and play as one. We are at the beginning of an extraordinary path. If we keep working this way, we will grow and be more and more competitive."

CEO Ivan Gazidis said: "Stefano has shown he can deliver the vision of football we have for our club - exciting, progressive and passionate.

"This is not a decision based on recent victories, but one based on how Stefano has built team spirit and unity of purpose, the way he has improved the performances of the individual players and the collective team, the way he has embraced our vision and the way he has represented himself and the club's values." 

Pioli had been publicly backed by players, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, as speculation continued he would be replaced by Rangnick, who was said to be keen on a dual role that would have seen technical director Paolo Maldini likely forced to leave the club. 

There are reports negotiations broke down because Rangnick, who leads Red Bull's sports and development section, was not prepared to accept a new proposal that would have seen him join as a director but with Pioli still in charge of the first team. 

Milan have enjoyed a strong run of form since the season resumed last month, their 2-1 win at Sassuolo on Tuesday making it 10 games unbeaten in all competitions.

The win lifted them to fifth in the Serie A table, a point above Roma and three above Napoli, having played a game more. 

It was also the ninth game in a row Milan had registered at least two goals, their best scoring run in the league since 1964. 

Kylian Mbappe says he will be a Paris Saint-Germain player next season "no matter what".

The World Cup winner continues to be linked with moves away from PSG, the club he joined from Monaco in 2017 on an initial loan that was followed by a €180million transfer.

Mbappe scored 30 goals in all competitions before the Ligue 1 giants saw their season suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The France forward will get the opportunity to add to that tally as the Coupe de France, Coupe de la Ligue and Champions League continue in the coming weeks.

And while certain reports have linked Mbappe with a potential move to Liverpool or Real Madrid once the current season comes to a close, he has confirmed that he will also remain at the Parc des Princes in 2020-21.

"I'm here. I am in the project for a fourth year," Mbappe told beIN SPORTS on Tuesday.

"The 50th year of the club is an important year for the club, the supporters, everyone, so I will be there no matter what.

"I will try to bring back trophies with the team and give the best of myself."

Mbappe could yet be joined in staying in Paris by another key figure, as Thomas Tuchel acknowledged Thiago Silva's future has not been settled.

PSG announced their captain would depart at the end of the campaign but later confirmed an extension to take in the remaining three competitions, while the likes of Edinson Cavani and Thomas Meunier opted to leave Parc des Princes immediately. 

The Braiil defender has represented PSG since 2012, racking up more than 300 appearances for the club since joining from Milan and lifting 21 pieces of silverware, including seven Ligue 1 titles.

Speaking of Silva after Tuesday's 4-0 friendly win over Celtic, Tuchel said: "He's our player, he's our captain, and we need to talk about this after the Champions League.

"Today is the time to be focused. It looks like he's going to leave, but in football, you never know."

Mikel Arteta called for Arsenal fans to calm their criticism of owner Stan Kroenke as he insisted he has the full backing of the club's board.

Arteta has led the Gunners to the FA Cup final after arriving mid-season from Manchester City, but his side can finish no higher than eighth in the Premier League after losing at Aston Villa on Tuesday, ensuring the Gunners' worst league finish in 25 years.

Ahead of the game, a banner flown over Villa Park – seemingly from an Arsenal fan – read: "Back Arteta, Kroenke out."

Yet the head coach was adamant post-match he already had been backed as he professed his support for the unpopular Kroenke.

"No, no, no," Arteta told Sky Sports. "The Kroenkes and the board and the sporting director, I feel full backing with them.

"What we don't know is a lot of things, we need to wait a little bit of time to be there. But backing and support, 100 per cent, I believe that.

"Absolutely [stick with the club]. The fans have to believe what I'm saying. If not, I would not say that."

Arsenal had beaten both Liverpool and City last week before their momentum stalled against struggling Villa.

However, Arteta had no issue with the attitude of his players on Tuesday, accepting it will take time for the Gunners to return to a consistently high level of performance.

"I'm not disappointed about the attitude at all. It's where we are," he said. "I know where we are in certain moments and certain areas of the pitch where we need to improve more.

"We will get that, but we need a bit more time."

Explaining why such a flat performance – in which Arsenal failed to register a shot on target – could have followed two stunning wins, Arteta said: "It could be fatigue.

"Emotionally and physically, it's been a very demanding week. But at least I saw a team that wanted to win and fight until the end. They were trying their best."

Arsenal will finish up the Premier League season against Watford before turning their focus to the FA Cup final against Chelsea.

Zesco United striker Jesse Were has explained the reason players should invest prudently before they hang up their boots.

The Harambee Stars striker was speaking during a meeting hosted by the club to help discuss the importance of investing from their earnings before they quit the game.

Were, who also played for Kenyan Premier League (KPL) side Tusker, says he understands the value of getting things done before the time to call it quits.

“It is very important to invest wisely and properly before retirement because there is life after football,” Were is quoted by the club’s official website. “I am currently making investments back home because I know I won’t be in the game forever. I have particularly invested heavily in the poultry and transport business.

“The training was good for us all because it’s something that keeps you on your toes and also educates one about the reality of life. It really helped us understand how we could possibly plan for the future.”

Speaking at the same function, Zesco United CEO Richard Mulenga stressed the importance of players investing wisely before retiring from the game.

“The lesson here is to prepare yourselves before retiring from the game,” Mulenga is also quoted by the club website.

“This means investing your resources wisely, especially in areas where your money will multiply. There are many players in the game who have made sound investments during their careers and there are those who have ended up desperately poor despite making a great fortune in their prime.

“I can give you an example of former Manchester United player Gary Neville who has continued to enjoy life even after retiring from the sport. He started planning for his retirement while still playing for his club.

“He decided he wanted to go into football management, football commentary, and the restaurant industry. Neville prepared for all those three careers during the last three years of his playing career.”

Mulenga continued: “Neville once went into football management as a coach, unfortunately, his first attempt didn’t go well. Today he is a pundit for Sky Sports and has also invested in the restaurant business. That is a success story for us to learn from.”

The meeting was held between the club management and their corporate partnership with Atlas Mara Bank to sensitize its players on the value of investing prudently for a better tomorrow.

Apart from Were, Zesco United is also home to other Kenyan players – goalkeeper Ian Otieno and defender David ‘Calabar’ Owino.

Raheem Sterling and Manchester City found the perfect hangover cure as they shook off their Wembley frustrations to beat Watford 4-0 and equal a Premier League record.

A double from Sterling and second-half goals from Phil Foden and Aymeric Laporte made it a Vicarage Road rout as City threw darts at Watford's goal, just as they did when winning 8-0 against the same opponents in September.

The outcome meant City matched a Premier League record for the most goals against a single opponent in the same season, equalling the 12 that Blackburn Rovers put past Nottingham Forest in 1995-96 and that Tottenham plundered against Wigan in the 2009-10 campaign.

And three days after losing to Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-finals, it was a reminder that City's season is far from over, with manager Pep Guardiola no doubt telling his players he expects performances from them leading into next month's Champions League resumption.

When these teams last met, City sped 5-0 ahead inside the first 20 minutes, giving newly reappointed Hornets boss Quique Sanchez Flores, in his second spell at the club, plenty to chew over.

Flores was sacked in December, his successor Nigel Pearson was dismissed on Sunday, and it was former West Ham and Crystal Palace midfielder Hayden Mullins picking the team for this reunion with City as an interim head coach.

Watford, three points clear of the relegation zone going into the final week of the season, must have approached the City game with modest ambitions, given they also lost 6-0 to Guardiola's team in last year's FA Cup final.

Sterling made the breakthrough in the 31st minute, given far too much freedom in the Watford penalty area to smash high into the left corner beyond Ben Foster.

The England forward grabbed his second in the 40th minute, winning a penalty when Will Hughes lunged in and then tucking home the rebound after his spot-kick was skilfully parried by Foster.

Gabriel Jesus looked like stretching the lead inside 30 seconds of the second half but failed to beat Foster after running clear, before the goalkeeper, Watford's most impressive performer by far, kept out a thumping drive from Sterling.

City had won their last 12 games against Watford across all competitions by a 46-6 aggregate, and Foster needed to save well on the hour to deny Kevin De Bruyne when the Belgian's free-kick looked destined for the left corner.

But Foster continued to be left exposed and despite parrying well from Sterling when City came forward again, the ball bounced out for Foden to roll home.

Laporte headed in the fourth from De Bruyne's free-kick, before City took their foot off the gas, sparing their hosts further embarrassment and damage in the goal-difference column, which could be key in Watford's fight against relegation.

City thought they had a last-gasp fifth goal but Jesus was fractionally offside when he headed home, meaning there would be no outright Premier League record.

What does it mean? City shake off weekend woe, Watford worries worsen

It would be wildly presumptive to think City are suddenly back to their best, given they were facing opponents they routinely blow away. Guardiola’s men were in third gear and still outplayed Watford from start to finish. The real tests are still to come.

Watford were in a relegation battle before the game and nothing changes, other than the predictably worse goal difference than they possessed at kick-off. They may need something at Arsenal on Sunday, and must pray the Gunners have their minds on the cup final.

No stopping Sterling

Two-goal City hero Sterling is the man Watford hate to see on the team sheet. He came into this game having been involved in nine goals in his past five games against the Hornets (seven goals and two assists) and his first-half double - the second a little lucky - came as a surprise to nobody.

Guardiola let him sit out the last half-hour, saving him for the bigger battles to come.

Foster deserved better

Watford’s goalkeeper was simply outstanding, behind a predictably porous defence. The former England goalkeeper may have shipped 12 to City this season, but with a lesser goalkeeper this could easily have been a repeat of September’s eight-goal mauling.

Key Opta Facts

- City have scored 12 goals against Watford in the Premier League this season without conceding once – this goal difference of 12 over the two fixtures is the largest in the top-flight since 1947-48 when Arsenal also scored 12 without reply against Grimsby Town. 
- City have scored 12 goals against Watford in the Premier League this season, a joint-record for most goals against an opponent in a single campaign in the competition alongside Blackburn vs Nottingham Forest in 1995-96 and Spurs vs Wigan in 2009-10.
- Since Watford returned to the Premier League in 2015-16, they have conceded 37 league goals against City, at least seven more than any side has conceded against another in this fixture in this time.
- De Bruyne registered his 19th league assist of the season, equalling Mesut Ozil in 2015-16 and going just one behind Thierry Henry's league record of 20 in 2002-03.
- In Foden's 16 starts in all competitions for Manchester City in 2019-20 he has been directly involved in 14 goals (six goals & eight assists).
- Foster has lost on each of his last 13 starts against Manchester City in the Premier League, the longest run of losses by a starting player against a specific side in Premier League history.
- Sterling's penalty was the fifth City have missed in the Premier League this season; no side have ever missed more in a single Premier League campaign (Liverpool in 2011-12 and Spurs in 1994-95 also five each).
- Guardiola has made 143 changes to their starting XIs in the Premier League this season, the most by any manager in a single season in the competition's history.

What's next?

The Premier League season wraps up on Sunday when City host Norwich City, while Watford travel to FA Cup finalists Arsenal.

Ghana coach CK Akonnor believes new Ajax Amsterdam signing Mohammed Kudus made a good choice in picking the Dutch giants over clubs in England.

The 19-year-old made a switch from Danish side Nordsjaelland last week, penning a five-year deal reportedly worth €9 million.

He was reportedly linked to Liverpool, Everton and Newcastle United in England before settling for the Eredivisie.

“It's a necessary move he made," Akonnor told Graphic Sports.

"It would have been wrong if he moved to England now because he needs to choose a club where he will get enough playing time," Akonnor told Graphic Sports.

"Once he is fully matured, the English teams would come chasing him so I think it’s good he moved to Ajax where he will be playing more regularly."

Outside England, Kudus was also reportedly linked to German side Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid, AC Milan and Sampdoria.

He netted 11 times in 25 league appearances for Nordsjaelland this season before joining Ajax.

“The reason why Holland and Ajax is bringing him in this way is because they can see what I have seen," the former Netherlands international of Ghanaian descent George Boateng, who played for Eredivisie outfit Feyenoord, told Citi TV.

“He has got such huge potential. What a talent to have among the squad.

“With [Hakim] Ziyech being sold to Chelsea, they were looking for someone similar to that and found Mohammed Kudus and that says a lot."

Kudus' good showing this season has earned him a nomination for the 2020 Golden Boy award, for which he has advanced from the first round of voting into the Top 80. The gong seeks to honour the most outstanding U21 talent in European football.

After time at the Right to Dream Academy in Ghana, Kudus transferred to Nordsjaelland in 2018.

In his first term, he scored three times in 26 league outings.

The Accra-born player is a full Ghana international, having made his bow in a 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against South Africa in November last year. He scored in the fateful game and was rewarded with another outing as the west Africans faced Sao Tome and Principe four days later.

AFC Leopards youngster Austin Odhiambo has come out to clarify he has not left the club for rivals Gor Mahia.

Social media has been awash with reports linking the young midfielder to the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions ahead of the new season.

However, Odhiambo, who was promoted to Ingwe's senior team from the junior team, has now come out to state he has a running contract with the club and is not intending to break it.

“I have had rumours going around that I have left AFC Leopards for Gor Mahia and I want to state here categorically that I have not done so,” Odhiambo told the club’s TV.

“I am still a player for AFC Leopards and I want to assure the fans that I love this great club and will be here for many seasons to come.”

In an earlier interview with Goal, Ingwe chairman Dan Shikanda came out to clarify the situation, stating Odhiambo is contracted to the club until December 2023, and the buy-out clause in the player's contract only applies to foreign teams.

“Those are rumours from those who want to destabilise AFC Leopards, Austin [Odhiambo] is our player, he has a contract with us until December 2023, and in the clause, he cannot sign for a local team but can only be allowed to sign for a team outside the country,” Shikanda told Goal on Tuesday.

“No team as approached us for the player, not even Gor Mahia, not even the player coming to say he wants to leave, the player knows what clause he signed when he joined us from the youth team, so I don’t understand when people say he has left AFC.

“I want to assure our fans Odhiambo doesn’t have an exit clause for local teams so they should not be worried, we always talk to our players every day and they know, even Gor Mahia have not approached him, even Gor Mahia know the rules and they cannot move to bend them.”

Gor Mahia are said to be keen to sign Odhiambo as a possible replacement for their captain Kenneth Muguna, who has openly stated he will leave the club ahead of the new season.

Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani has admitted that he is interested in signing Edinson Cavani after previously targeting a move for Zlatan Ibrahimovic in January.

Cavani is currently a free agent, having seen his contract with Paris Saint-Germain come to an end this summer.

The forward spent seven seasons with the French side, racking up 200 goals in 301 appearances while winning six Ligue 1 titles to headline a 19-trophy haul with PSG.

Leeds, led by Marcelo Bielsa, are now heading to the Premier League, having secured automatic promotion from the Championship last week.

And the club's owner says that the Uruguayan star is one potential marquee signing for the club as they prepare to return to the top flight following a 16-year wait.

"In addition to his quality, Cavani could contribute with his physicality and adapt here, but I've never talked about him with the coach [Bielsa],' Radrizzani told Sky Sport Italia.

"Having said that, we've certainly thought about him and we'll see, given he's still available on a free transfer."

While Radrizzani sets his sights on adding a big-name striker this summer, he also admitted that the club pursued one this winter.

Radrizzani says that the club chased Ibrahimovic after the forward departed the LA Galaxy, although that pursuit was unsuccessful.

Ibrahimovic went on to sign with AC Milan, joining his former club by signing a six-month contract.

The has scored six goals in 16 games for the Italian side, including five goals in 14 Serie A appearances. 

With his contract coming to an end, Ibrahimovic will be a free agent once the Serie A season concludes, although Radrizzani doesn't believe Leeds will be in the market for the Swedish star this time around.

"Ibrahimovic will certainly be difficult," he said. "We tried to sign him in January, but he chose to join Milan and the deal vanished.

"Now I think it's too late, the intensity of English football is different."

Leeds are set to face Charlton on Wednesday in their final match of the Championship season.

With just that one game remaining, Leeds have already clinched the league title, as they sit eight points above second-place West Brom.

Reigning PSL champions Mamelodi Sundowns have confirmed they had five positive coronavirus cases.

However, the Tshwane giants also revealed the five people have since recovered and returned to the team’s camp.

Sundowns released the following statement with the team currently camping in Rustenburg ahead of the 2019/20 season's resumption.

A club statement read: “Mamelodi Sundowns welcomed back five personnel [staff and players] who have fully recovered from Covid-19, having spent 14 days in isolation."

“Following the PSL’s green light for clubs to train, Mamelodi Sundowns players, Technical Team and support staff went for their second Covid-19 test whilst the training grounds were fumigated and prepared for the team, the training programme was also revised in accordance with the new protocols."

“Before the team could resume training in Rustenburg, a 3rd test was conducted, and five cases of asymptomatic nature were detected and the five immediately self-isolated for fourteen days."

The site disclosed that the quintet returned to training on Tuesday, July 21 with the suspended season expected to be completed soon in a Biologically Safe Environment (BSE) in Gauteng.

“The five players who tested positive, had to undergo further medical tests, cardiology [ECG, heart sonar] and pulmonology [lung scans] which also revealed that there was no cause for concern to their cardiovascular and respiratory systems."

“With this good news, the five personnel have joined the rest of the team from Tuesday the 21st of July."

“The medical team has cleared the players for training and the spirit in the camp remains high as everyone is working hard in preparation for the remainder of the current league [season]," another statement read.

Sundowns have now joined fellow PSL clubs Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs, Bloemfontein Celtic, Cape Town City and Stellenbosch FC in making the Covid-19 results public.

However, only Celtic and Prates have revealed the names of the people, who have tested positive for the deadly virus

Pirates midfield maestro Ben Motshwari and Celtic midfielder Given Mashikinya have since recovered from the coronavirus.

Stelllenbosch FC coach Steve Barker has talked up the prospects of Tanzanian wonderkid Ally Msengi who is on the books of the South African Premier Soccer League side.

Barker's Stellenbosch signed Msengi from Vodacom Premier Leagues side Kinondoni Municipal Council Football Club - KMC - during the January transfer window and the 18-year-old made his debut in the 1-0 home loss to Mamelodi Sundowns‚ the Winelands club's final fixture before the coronavirus outbreak brought football to a halt in the country.

Having unearthed talents like Bafana Bafana duo Andile Jali and Bongani Zungu, the tactician is renowned for his ability to nurture and develop young talent and has spoken highly of the Tanzania junior international's prospects.

"As a footballer, we got to know about him through his agent Keegan [Wasserfall] who works with Paul Mitchell," Barker told the South African Football Journalists Association (Safja) in a virtual press conference. 

"And you know we are always on the lookout for young talented players and he made us aware of a player from Tanzania and we did our due diligence and watched some matches of his.

"And invited him for a two-week assessment and he came and did really well. It was sort of the end of November last year and we then decided that we would love to give him the opportunity.

"And he's grown from stature and I really feel he's got a strong future in the game.

"To the degree that I think he has the potential to kick on and play at a higher level, so we are looking forward to continuing working with him.

"It's frustrating when an 18-year-old breaks on the scene, makes his first start against Mamelodi Sundowns and then hasn't been able to play for the last five months, it's a bit frustrating at that age not to be playing, it takes back your development for quite a while.

"He's a really good footballer, a good person, great character and hard-working, he has all the great attributes to become somebody special."

Msengi did not travel back to Tanzania while the country has been on lockdown for the last four months and Barker also praised the character shown by the teenager despite being away from his family since December 2019.

"Ally is one of those players that my heart sort of goes out to," added Barker.

"He turned 18, I think it was the 20th of December last year, he then joined us in the last week of December and has not been able to go home since then.

"You know he had mentally prepared himself to go home at the end of the season in May. Now he came to a different country, young and was sort of in lockdown in a room on his own for four months and now not having an opportunity that we are back, to go see his family.

"We are not sure when he can go visit his family when the flights open up, you know it can only make him stronger as a person.

"And he's come through it really well."

With the Premier Soccer League scheduled to return soon and with Stellies left with six matches until the end of the season, Msengi will look to add to his one appearance.

Mainland Premier League giants Young Africans (Yanga SC) have dismissed claims Mshidno Msolla had resigned as chairman.

Reports in Tanzania had indicated Msolla had stepped down from his top position at Yanga but the club has rubbished those rumours.

“Yanga would like to dismiss online reports chairman Dr Mshindo Msolla has resigned,” Yanga’s statement obtained by Goal stated.

“Msolla is still a Yanga official and is still willing to serve and undertake the responsibilities the club asked him to. 

“He is undertaking his duties as usual and the office would like to call upon all members and supporters alike to dismiss such reports pointing to Msolla's resignation.”

Meanwhile, Simba SC Chief Executive Officer Senzo Mazingisa has revealed how they plan to undertake transfer activities.

“One of the reasons that made Simba fail in the past few seasons was letting go of many players including those who were key and that meant the team had to rebuild again when rivals had already planned themselves better,” Mazingisa told Mwanaspoti.

“It was easy to see a key Simba player leave and sometimes he would join the rivals, therefore, strengthening them at the expense of the club.

“This time around, that is not going to happen as we have laid down proper plans that will make sure we are better than the previous seasons.

“Our target is to see that we sign better players who will help us compete with bigger teams that we are going to face in the international matches.”

The South African also explained how their pre-season programme might look like once the ongoing season concludes.

“If we are going to get a country that has no coronavirus issue, then we are going to camp there whether it is in Africa or Europe,” he said.

“But if that is not going to be possible we will then camp within the country in a region that has proper weather for pre-season training.

“We have laid down the pre-season programme in earnest in order to ensure we do better next season.”

Simba have already defended the league title and are now focused on the FA Cup final match against Namungo FC on August 2.

It was a massive win for Nigeria in QPR's end-of-season awards as Eberechi Eze won three awards while Bright Osayi-Samuel claimed two accolades.

Eze was named the Players' Player of the Year, the Supporters' Player of the Year and the club Player of the Year while Osayi-Samuel claimed the Goal of the Season prize and the Supporters' Young Player of the Year honour.

The Nigeria duo played key roles in Mark Warburton’s team in this campaign and their contributions were crucial to QPR's leap in the Championship table before the coronavirus lockdown.

Eze is the joint-highest goalscorer for QPR in this campaign with 13 goals and eight assists after 45 league appearances while Osayi-Samuel provided five goals and eight assists in 36 matches this season.

Osayi-Samuel's stunning strike in their 2-0 victory against Birmingham City back in December was crowned the Goal of the Season.

The 22-year-old winger is closing in on a permanent move to Belgium after missing QPR’s 4-3 win over Millwall on Saturday with manager Warburton admitting talks are at an advanced stage.

Eze is also another transfer target for several clubs in Europe and QPR face a challenge to keep the 22-year-old playmaker who has been at the club since 2016.

The club’s director of football, Les Ferdinand confirmed they turned down a number of clubs in January but they are anticipating transfer offers this summer.

“I had to fend off a few offers in the January window and, I'm sure if he continues to play in the manner he is playing and adds a few more goals to his game, I'm expecting us to get offers in during the summer,” he said.

“I think if you look at his ability, I see him playing for one of the top six sides.”

Eze and Osayi-Samuel who grew up in England are both eligible to play for either the Three Lions or Nigeria on the international scene, but they are yet to pledge their allegiance to the West African country.

Actress Natalie Portman and tennis icon Serena Williams have joined with a star-studded ownership group that also includes Mia Hamm and Abby Wambach to bring an NWSL team to Los Angeles.

The NWSL announced on Tuesday that the new LA-based club will begin play in 2022 with a team name and stadium selection to be confirmed by the end of 2020.

Temporarily known as "Angel City", the club features a massive women-led ownership group featuring a number of famous actresses, national team stars and business leaders.

“Today we take an exciting step by announcing the first women majority-owned and led ownership group," Portman said in a statement. "I am thrilled by the opportunity to partner with this incredible group of people to bring a professional women’s soccer team to Los Angeles.  Together, we aim to build not only a winning team on the field, but also to develop a passionately loyal fan base. 

"We also hope to make a substantive impact on our community, committing to extending access to sports for young people in Los Angeles through our relationship with the LA84 Foundation. Sports are such a joyful way to bring people together, and this has the power to make tangible change for female athletes both in our community and in the professional sphere.”

Headlining the group is Academy Award winner Portman, alongside fellow actors Uzo Aduba, Jessica Chastain, America Ferrera, Jennifer Garner, and Eva Longoria.

Hamm and Wambach are joined by a series of former USWNT stars in the ownership group as well, with Julie Foudy,, Rachel Buehler, Shannon Boxx, Amanda Cromwell, Lorrie Fair Allen, Ronnie Fair Sullins, Joy Fawcett, Angela Hucles, Shannon MacMillan, Tisha Venturini Hoch, Saskia Webber and Lauren Cheney Holiday also included.

Williams, the most decorated tennis player of the modern era, is also among the owners, as is her two-year-old daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian, Jr.

Technology venture capitalist Kara Nortman, media and gaming entrepreneur Julie Uhrman and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, Williams' husband, who led the investment through his firm Initialized Capital.

"I am proud to be a part of this wonderful group working to bring a women’s professional football club to Los Angeles," Ohanian said. "Chiefly, because I’m a fan of the game, but also because I believe there is massive potential for the sport and it's been undervalued by too many people for far too long.

"As someone who spends hours kicking around a football with my two-year-old daughter, I want her to have a front-row seat to this revolution. I’m personally investing on behalf of my family because creating more opportunities in women’s sports is important to my wife and me, and we want to be a part of making a better future for our daughter.”

With the introduction of this new LA-based team, the NWSL will now feature 11 teams, with nine clubs currently in the league and Racing Louisville FC set to begin play in 2021.

The league is currently holding the NWSL Challenge Cup in Sandy, Utah, with the Portland Thorns set to face the Houston Dash in one semifinal while Sky Blue FC face the Chicago Red Stars in the other.

“The growth trajectory of the NWSL is incredibly exciting, but we also need to be strategic and thoughtful about how fast we expand and the communities we partner with," said league commissioner Lisa Baird. "We’ve long sought the right partner in LA considering the NWSL fanbase that already exists in the region and the massive interest in women’s soccer in general.

"Those factors, along with an incredible ownership group make this an ideal situation and we couldn’t be more thrilled to move forward.”

Raheem Sterling netted his 85th Premier League goal on Tuesday, a tally that puts the Manchester City winger ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo in the division's all-time goalscorer standings. 

Sterling opened the scoring for his club after 31 minutes against Watford, and struck again before half-time to send Pep Guardiola's charges into the break 2-0 up at the Vicarage Stadium. 

The 25-year-old now has 19 for the 2019-20 Premier League season, putting him level with Liverpool marksman Mohamed Salah and a single goal behind Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who in turn trails current league top scorer Jamie Vardy, who boasts 23 strikes to date. 

Unlike his challengers for the scoring crown, Sterling is not an orthodox centre-forward, playing primarily in a wide position for City since moving from Liverpool in 2015. 

And when it comes to hitting the net, the England international belongs to a select club of stars who have posed a regular goal-scoring threat from outside the forward line. 

Tuesday's double marked his 84th and 85th league goals, which means he has now surpassed Ronaldo's United mark – scored, like Sterling, mostly as a winger. 

In the history of the Premier League only five non-strikers have managed to score more than the City star. 

Sterling now shares sixth place on that list with Eden Hazard, who also netted 85 times during his time at Chelsea. 

Ahead of that pair sit Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier, who scored 100 Premier League goals with the Saints - a number that ascends to 160 when taking into account his strikes in the First Division prior to 1992-93. 

Next is Paul Scholes, the author of 107 goals while at Manchester United, with long-time Reds team-mate Ryan Giggs a nose in front with 109.

And, unsurprisingly, the list is topped by a formidable pair: current Chelsea boss Frank Lampard, who notched an incredible 177 strikes with the Blues; and Steven Gerrard, with 120 for Liverpool. 

Sterling's haul of 19 for 2019-20 also sees him beat his own personal best for a single season, set in 2017-18 as City won the English crown. 

After initially struggling in front of goal as a youngster he has now recorded 17 goals or more in the last four campaigns, and if he can keep up that pace the star has plenty of time to challenge Lampard and Gerrard as the Premier League's most prolific non-striker in history.

Raheem Sterling and Manchester City found the perfect hangover cure as they shook off their Wembley frustrations to beat Watford 4-0 and equal a Premier League record.

A double from Sterling and second-half goals from Phil Foden and Aymeric Laporte made it a Vicarage Road rout as City threw darts at Watford's goal, just as they did when winning 8-0 against the same opponents in September.

The outcome meant City matched a Premier League record for the most goals against a single opponent in the same season, equalling the 12 that Blackburn Rovers put past Nottingham Forest in 1995-96 and that Tottenham plundered against Wigan in the 2009-10 campaign.

And three days after losing to Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-finals, it was a reminder that City's season is far from over, with manager Pep Guardiola no doubt telling his players he expects performances from them leading into next month's Champions League resumption.

When these teams last met, City sped 5-0 ahead inside the first 20 minutes, giving newly reappointed Hornets boss Quique Sanchez Flores, in his second spell at the club, plenty to chew over.

Flores was sacked in December, his successor Nigel Pearson was dismissed on Sunday, and it was former West Ham and Crystal Palace midfielder Hayden Mullins picking the team for this reunion with City as an interim head coach.

Watford, three points clear of the relegation zone going into the final week of the season, must have approached the City game with modest ambitions, given they also lost 6-0 to Guardiola's team in last year's FA Cup final.

Sterling made the breakthrough in the 31st minute, given far too much freedom in the Watford penalty area to smash high into the left corner beyond Ben Foster.

The England forward grabbed his second in the 40th minute, winning a penalty when Will Hughes lunged in and then tucking home the rebound after his spot-kick was skilfully parried by Foster.

Gabriel Jesus looked like stretching the lead inside 30 seconds of the second half but failed to beat Foster after running clear, before the goalkeeper, Watford's most impressive performer by far, kept out a thumping drive from Sterling.

City had won their last 12 games against Watford across all competitions by a 46-6 aggregate, and Foster needed to save well on the hour to deny Kevin De Bruyne when the Belgian's free-kick looked destined for the left corner.

But Foster continued to be left exposed and despite parrying well from Sterling when City came forward again, the ball bounced out for Foden to roll home.

Laporte headed in the fourth from De Bruyne's free-kick, before City took their foot off the gas, sparing their hosts further embarrassment and damage in the goal-difference column, which could be key in Watford's fight against relegation.

City thought they had a last-gasp fifth goal but Jesus was fractionally offside when he headed home, meaning there would be no outright Premier League record.

What does it mean? City shake off weekend woe, Watford worries worsen

It would be wildly presumptive to think City are suddenly back to their best, given they were facing opponents they routinely blow away. Guardiola’s men were in third gear and still outplayed Watford from start to finish. The real tests are still to come.

Watford were in a relegation battle before the game and nothing changes, other than the predictably worse goal difference than they possessed at kick-off. They may need something at Arsenal on Sunday, and must pray the Gunners have their minds on the cup final.

No stopping Sterling

Two-goal City hero Sterling is the man Watford hate to see on the team sheet. He came into this game having been involved in nine goals in his past five games against the Hornets (seven goals and two assists) and his first-half double - the second a little lucky - came as a surprise to nobody.

Guardiola let him sit out the last half-hour, saving him for the bigger battles to come.

Foster deserved better

Watford’s goalkeeper was simply outstanding, behind a predictably porous defence. The former England goalkeeper may have shipped 12 to City this season, but with a lesser goalkeeper this could easily have been a repeat of September’s eight-goal mauling.

Key Opta Facts

- City have scored 12 goals against Watford in the Premier League this season without conceding once – this goal difference of 12 over the two fixtures is the largest in the top-flight since 1947-48 when Arsenal also scored 12 without reply against Grimsby Town. 
- City have scored 12 goals against Watford in the Premier League this season, a joint-record for most goals against an opponent in a single campaign in the competition alongside Blackburn vs Nottingham Forest in 1995-96 and Spurs vs Wigan in 2009-10.
- Since Watford returned to the Premier League in 2015-16, they have conceded 37 league goals against City, at least seven more than any side has conceded against another in this fixture in this time.
- De Bruyne registered his 19th league assist of the season, equalling Mesut Ozil in 2015-16 and going just one behind Thierry Henry's league record of 20 in 2002-03.
- In Foden's 16 starts in all competitions for Manchester City in 2019-20 he has been directly involved in 14 goals (six goals & eight assists).
- Foster has lost on each of his last 13 starts against Manchester City in the Premier League, the longest run of losses by a starting player against a specific side in Premier League history.
- Sterling's penalty was the fifth City have missed in the Premier League this season; no side have ever missed more in a single Premier League campaign (Liverpool in 2011-12 and Spurs in 1994-95 also five each).
- Guardiola has made 143 changes to their starting XIs in the Premier League this season, the most by any manager in a single season in the competition's history.

What's next?

The Premier League season wraps up on Sunday when City host Norwich City, while Watford travel to FA Cup finalists Arsenal.

Mahmoud Hassan ‘Trezeguet’ and Mbwana Samatta have been listed in Aston Villa’s starting line-up for Tuesday’s Premier League clash against Arsenal.

Both teams head to Villa Park with contrasting ambitions. While Mikel Arteta’s men still fancy their chances for a place in Europe next season, Dean Smith’s side would be eyeing all points at stake to help them in their bid against relegation.

To achieve this mission, manager Smith – whose team played a 1-1 draw against Everton last time out will be banking on Egypt duo Trezeguet and Elmohamady and Tanzania’s Samatta to help them get the much-needed win.

Zimbabwe international Marvelous Nakamba will start from the substitutes bench.

The Gunners go into this clash in a buoyant mood having defeated Manchester City to reach the final of this year’s FA Cup final.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will lead Arteta’s attacking line-up alongside Alexandre Lacazette, while Eddie Nketiah makes a return to the team after missing the games against Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool due to suspension.

Arsenal are 10th on the log having accrued 53 points from 36 outings, while Villa sit in 18th position on the log with 31 points from the same number of outings.

Uganda international Mustafa Kizza has revealed how happy he is to join Major League Soccer (MLS) side Montreal Impact.

The Canadian team confirmed they signed Kizza on a two-year deal with an option for another year, and the deal will start on August 12.

The full-back will, however, remain at KCCA until December on loan as he cannot link up with his new teammates owing to the coronavirus travel restrictions.

“Am so happy to join Montreal Impact Alhamdulillah [praise be to God],” Kizza posted on Facebook.

Kizza was nurtured at the KCCA Academy from 2015 to 2016. He was later allowed to join Premier League side Maroons FC at the start of the 2016/17 season but he returned to KCCA in January of 2017.

For the last three-and-a-half years, Kizza has been turning out for KCCA.

“KCCA FC would like to wish Kizza Mustafa the best at his new home Montreal Impact when the time for his actual move comes,” the former Ugandan champions said in a statement.

Meanwhile, SuperSport United midfielder Moses Waiswa believes the exit of Dean Furman is a great chance for the other players to show their worth.

“The departure of [Dean] Furman gives us midfielders who have not been getting playing time a chance to prove that we can play and we shall take our chances,” Waiswa told Football256.

“I am pushing and working hard to be in the team, if the coaches give me a chance, I will surely take it.”

Luke Fleurs‚ Jesse Donn‚ Oswin Appollis‚ Guily Manziba, Zama Rambuwane, and Khanyisile Mayo are the players the Ugandan is competing against for a position in the starting team.

Waiswa made his SuperSport United league debut on January 24 and has played against Chippa United and Golden Arrows so far before the PSL was suspended.

He is now ready for action.

“But I feel ready and I trust my body more because after the injury I was doubtful if I could really give a fight,” he added.

“I am now ready because I had enough time to recover mentally and physically so I am ready for the fight. Lockdown was long, so we are all excited to go back to the field and show what we have.

“It feels good coming back to training and seeing everyone pushing and hardworking. Although even before the resumption of the training sessions we were working hard.” 

He was also involved when SuperSport United lost 1-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup.