All posts by h716a5.icu

Trinity Rodman has spoken out about her NWSL future as the Washington Spirit look to retain the forward's services. USWNT star Rodman's current deal in the capital expires next month and the Spirit are keen to keep 23-year-old after another strong season. DC Power have reportedly lodged an offer, which exceeds the Spirit's offer owing to the NWSL wage cap structure, while there is also interest from England's WSL.

Getty Images SportInjured Rodman struggled in defeat to Gotham

NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman has stressed that the league will do everything in their power to retain Rodman's services. "We want Trinity in the NWSL, and we will fight for her," Berman said in the NWSL Final presser earlier in the week as the league strives to retain their star player.

The Spirit were in action against Gotham FC, but fell to a 1-0 loss on Saturday as Rose Lavelle's 80th minute winner proved the difference at PayPal Park in San Jose. Rodman didn't start the match owing to an MCL injury to her right knee, yet featured from the bench with a little over half hour to go. When asked about her knee, the Spirit forward admitted it "felt great" but later commented that she wasn't at full strength.

And it showed as Rodman struggled to make an impact as she failed to get a shot off during his second half cameo. It was a performance eerily similar to last season's NWSL showpiece event as the Spirit fell to a 1-0 defeat to Orlando Pride, as Rodman struggled with a back problem in the narrow loss.

Speaking after the NWSL final defeat, Rodman admitted that she "definitely underperformed" as attention turns to her future with the Spirit.

AdvertisementRodman was not 'feeling herself' in the lead up to the final

Referring to the amount of playing time she had in the lead up to Saturday's defeat to Gotham FC, Rodman said: "I think naturally only having nine minutes going into a final is not ideal. As much as I don't want to admit it, I still don't feel like I was my full self tonight, which sucks.

"I feel like this is the second year I've gone to a final not I feeling myself. So it just makes me sad. But yeah, for me, I was just trying to go out there and do what I could. I definitely underperformed."

After the match, Rodman walked over to the far side of PayPal Park, where she and her boyfriend, tennis sensation Ben Shelton, held each other in a long embrace. "It was sad, and I feel like you obviously have your team the entire year, but sometimes you just need your outside supporters and Ben is that for me.

"So I was just crying. I'm sad. It sucks and it's not just we lost a soccer game. It's all the work we put into it and it's nice to get that reward at the end, but at the end of the day we can still celebrate because we did so much."

Getty Images EntertainmentRodman's DC Power offer highlights NWSL's wage cap

With attention now on Rodman's future with the Spirit, the forward was asked whether loss to Gotham FC would influence her decision, to which she replied: "No, every team loses."

DC Power, who play in the USL, does not use a salary cap or player draft, which gives clubs full power over squad building and allows all players to become free agents when their contracts expire. By comparison, the NWSL's hard cap means wages are restricted to $3.3m per team for 2026, and not expected to reach $5m until 2030, which limits how many teams can offer players in negotiations.

Commissioner Berman has defended the cap, however, and highlighted the NWSL's growth in recent years, stating: "The NWSL has raised the salary cap tremendously in the last four seasons, almost quadrupled in the last four years."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Potential DC Power switch puts Rodman in unique situation

The outcome of Rodman's contract decision could influence contract negotiations for American players in the future. US stars Alyssa Thompson and Naomi Girma both moved to WSL champions Chelsea from Angel City and San Diego Wave, respectively, earlier this year, while Lindsey Heaps transferred to French side Lyon from the Portland Thorns back in 2022.

And with lucrative offers available elsewhere, Rodman's offer of a move to DC Power will again bring the NWSL's salary cap under the spotlight amidst the possibility that one of the league's star performers could depart for a bigger contract elsewhere.

The Power and the Spirit both share training facilities owned by MLS giants DC United, and a move to the former from the latter would see Rodman remain in the same market but move to a different league entirely.

The New York Mets have the best record in baseball and are coming off consecutive sweeps of the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies. Their odds to win the World Series have improved dramatically amidst their torrid start. 

The Mets opened the season with +1100 odds at FanDuel Sportsbook to win the World Series and were still there yesterday before the final game of their series against the Phillies. After a comeback win in extra innings, the Mets are now +950 at FanDuel to win the World Series. 

That moved their implied probability of winning the World Series from 8.3% to 9.5%.

Originally fifth in the World Series odds standings, the Mets are now third behind the Dodgers (+240) and the Yankees (+800). The Braves and Phillies were both ahead of them to start the season, but now find themselves behind the Mets in the odds and standings.

The Phillies were +1000 at FanDuel but are now +1100. The Braves were +850, the second betting favorite, but have fallen to fifth at +1400. The Mets are 18-7 and have a five-game lead on the Phillies in the NL East. The Braves are 10-14 and last in the division.

Below are the World Series odds from FanDuel for every team, with more info on how their odds have moved since the start of the season. 

World Series Odds for Every MLB TeamLos Angeles Dodgers +240New York Yankees +800New York Mets +950Philadelphia Phillies +1100Atlanta Braves +1400Texas Rangers +1500Chicago Cubs +2000San Diego Padres +2000Boston Red Sox +2000Houston Astros +2200Detroit Tigers +2200Seattle Mariners +2500Baltimore Orioles +2700Arizona Diamondbacks +3000Cleveland Guardians +5000San Francisco Giants +5000Kansas City Royals +5000Tampa Bay Rays +5000Minnesota Twins +5500Toronto Blue Jays +6000Milwaukee Brewers +6000Cincinnati Reds +8000Los Angeles Angels +12000St. Louis Cardinals +12000Athletics +18000Washington Nationals +40000Pittsburgh Pirates +40000Miami Marlins +50000Colorado Rockies +50000Chicago White Sox +50000World Series Odds Movement

Outside the Mets, the Padres and Cubs odds have improved the most. 

San Diego was +3300 and is now +2000. They have the second-best record in the NL (17-8) behind the Mets and are surprisingly leading the NL West ahead of the Dodgers. The Cubs, who lead the NL Central, were +3000 to start the year but are now +2000. The Tigers were +3000 and are now +2200. The Rangers moved up from +1900 to +1500. 

The Orioles have seen their odds fall the most. They were originally +1600 but are now +2700. The Royals were +4000 but are now +500. The Red Sox were +1800 and are now +2000. 

So far, the Mets are the story of the MLB season, having won seven straight. Offseason acquisition Juan Soto is off to a poor start, but Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor have more than made up for it at the plate. On the mound, the Mets lead the league in runs per game allowed (2.76). 

Whether either of those can last throughout the season remains to be seen. But oddsmakers clearly believe. 

Manchester United are pursuing new reinforcements in January and could now be set to submit a bid for one of Europe’s most high-profile midfielders.

Man Utd looking towards the January window

Admittedly, the Red Devils have enjoyed a mixed start to the Premier League season and will now look to take advantage of the chance to move up a few places within a tight collective of sides all vying for a spot in the European slots.

On Monday, Manchester United’s frustrating defeat at home to Everton brought back some old scars that have been a feature of Ruben Amorim’s tenure at the club, with his side unable to break down a spirited Toffees outfit despite having a man advantage for most of proceedings.

Falling flat in attack, Joshua Zirkzee’s emergence after failing to earn a regular place in the side this season was questioned by BBC Radio Manchester’s Gaz Drinkwater, who believes Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount should’ve been brought into the starting side instead.

He said: “Bring Mount and Kobbie Mainoo into the starting XI. He obviously doesn’t see Mainoo as a midfielder because he can’t get in the team in that position. Amorim sees him as a number 10 or maybe even a false-nine type player where maybe they [the front three] interchange a bit.

“I don’t understand the logic of bringing in a totally cold Joshua Zirkzee into the game, who has basically had zero minutes this season, and he did nothing.”

Man Utd plotting "bargain" deal to sign "imposing" Ligue 1 defender who scouts love

He could complete Amorim’s back three.

ByTom Cunningham Nov 27, 2025

Without doubt, the Red Devils will need to recruit wisely in January as they begin to feel the effects of a hefty schedule, and they could now be set to lodge a bid for a high-profile midfielder.

Man Utd ready bid for Federico Valverde

According to reports in Spain, Manchester United are preparing a £87m bid for Federico Valverde, and he may be allowed to depart amid a spate of up and down performances for Real Madrid.

The Uruguay international may now be set for a change of scenery and would be open to a move elsewhere, potentially re-establishing himself as the central part of a project at Old Trafford.

Five similar players to Federico Valverde

Declan Rice

Arsenal

Bernardo Silva

Manchester City

Eduardo Camavinga

Real Madrid

Nicolo Barella

Inter Milan

Moises Caicedo

Chelsea

All data courtesy of Football Transfers

Labelled “superb” by Thibaut Courtois, Valverde has registered four assists in 17 appearances across all competitions this season. Overall, he has scored 32 times and laid on 35 goals for his teammates in 340 appearances for Los Blancos, cementing himself as a fan favourite.

Amorim is confident that his versatility, quality and combativeness could form a new dynamic in the engine room as they look to reclaim their place among the elite of English football.

Real Madrid aren’t totally closed off to selling Valverde, creating a scenario that could work out for all parties if the 27-year-old makes a headline-grabbing move to English shores.

Barcelona sporting director Deco has addressed transfer speculation linking club legend Lionel Messi with a return to the Catalan club. The World Cup winner left the Catalan giants in acrimonious fashion back in 2021 as their financial woes meant he could not be offered a new contract, but the hope of the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner returning to Camp Nou has not left Barca fans – despite Messi turning 38 this summer.

How Barcelona lost Messi in 2021

Messi established himself as an all-time great during a sparkling 17-year stint in Barca's senior setup, holding the club's records for most appearances and goals with 778 matches played and a ridiculous 672 strikes. He won every major honour there is to win with his former club, including 10 La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues, playing alongside other legends like Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Neymar and Sergio Busquets, among others, as Barca enjoyed one of the most glistening periods in their history. 

The fairytale eventually came to an end in 2021 as financial mismanagement resulted in Messi's departure at the end of his contract. He signed for Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer but had two difficult seasons in France before joining Major League soccer outfit Inter Miami, where he has resumed his incredible goal-scoring. Barca remain somewhat strapped for cash but appear to be in a better position than they were four years ago, but sporting director Deco didn't give much away when asked about a potential return to the club for the Argentinian.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportDeco responds to potential Messi return

Speaking on , Deco said: "I don't think it's possible because Leo is under contract and it was never even considered. Leo is always Leo and he could still contribute something; he's a great player, but it's not something we're going to talk about," he firmly stated. 

"The current situation is entirely speculative,” Deco added. 

Why an imminent return seems unrealistic

Barca fans unsurprisingly fell head-over-heels back in love with Messi when he was pictured at the club's newly-refurbished Camp Nou stadium back in early November. The legendary attacker admitted he wants to return in some capacity in the future in order to say a proper goodbye to supporters, something he was denied four years ago due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

However, president Joan Laporta later revealed it was "not realistic" to consider a playing homecoming with Messi recently committing his future to Inter Miami for another three years. Their financial situation remains tight, having spent relatively little on transfers compared to some of Europe's other top teams over the past few seasons, and whether they would be able to afford Messi's wages remains to be seen.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images SportWhat comes next for Messi and Barcelona?

With many football supporters around the world hopeful of Messi returning to Camp Nou in the future, this is a story that is unlikely to fade away any time soon. However, the two parties have different goals to focus on in the immediate future. Messi will be hopeful of scooping more silverware on Saturday, with Inter Miami facing Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS Cup final. He could be joined by some former team-mates in the future, with Neymar linked with a switch to MLS after experiencing a difficult return to boyhood club Santos, while he could also feature in next year's World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Canada and Mexico as Argentina look to defend the crown they won in Qatar in 2022.

Barca, meanwhile, have opened up a four-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of La Liga, though Los Blancos have the chance to cut that advantage when they meet Athletic Club on Wednesday night. 

Australia’s T20I captain has a series against India starting on Wednesday but could return to Shield cricket after that

Andrew McGlashan27-Oct-20253:26

McGlashan: ‘Marnus has done everything asked of him’

The door remains open for Mitchell Marsh to return to Test cricket in the Ashes, with Australia head coach Andrew McDonald saying he’s batting “as well as he has for a long period of time”, while Usman Khawaja has endorsed his Queensland team-mate Matt Renshaw as the best option to partner him in the first Test.Speaking ahead of the T20I series against India but with much of the focus on the Ashes, McDonald said the selection panel would be confident picking a player out of white-ball cricket to face England, but added there could be a window for Marsh to return to the Sheffield Shield when it overlaps with the first two Tests.McDonald’s view is consistent with what was first stated back in April when the chair of selectors said Marsh’s Test career wasn’t over after his axing against India in January. In recent weeks the notion of a recall has gained traction amid Marsh’s impressive ODI and T20I form, which has brought 555 runs in his last ten innings.Related

Webster hopeful he doesn't get 'squeezed out' of Australia's XI for Perth Test

Marsh laughs off Ashes question as serious India task awaits

Renshaw makes swift Sheffield Shield return for final round of Ashes selection race

What does Pat Cummins' absence mean for Australia?

“We would be comfortable picking someone, and if you want to put a name to it, Mitch Marsh, out of white-ball cricket, if we felt like that was going to benefit the Test team,” McDonald said. “He’s the captain of the white-ball team. It’s very hard for him to vacate and balance out Test preparation, if he was to be in the window for that.”We feel he’s batting as well as he has for a long period of time. And when he got dropped last summer, I think he was one of our highest averages from Headingley [in the 2023 Ashes] to that point. He hit a bit of a flat patch there, and we felt it best at that time to bring Beau Webster in.”Marsh, Australia’s T20I captain and stand-in ODI leader, has played down the prospects of a Test return with varying degrees of humour over the past month, starting with a simple “no” in New Zealand when asked if he was thinking about to, to saying he’ll be “six beers deep” by lunch on day one having got tickets for the opening Test.”We still haven’t given up on Mitch Marsh’s Test career,” McDonald said. “So what would the prep look like for him? It would have to be through white ball or maybe some Shield cricket after white ball if he isn’t in that first squad and then [he] he can press his claim through that.Mitchell Marsh’s immediate priority is the T20I series against India•Cricket Australia via Getty Images”There’s Shield [rounds] five and six also when we’re playing the Test matches, where players that aren’t in the first Test will obviously go to work then.”Western Australia play a day-night game against South Australia from November 22 and then face Victoria in the final round before the Big Bash break. Marsh played two Shield games last season before the India series, where he was then dropped after six single-figure scores in seven innings.It’s unlikely Marsh would be an all-round option, having shelved his bowling and not done any since late last year against India.Meanwhile, Khawaja believes that Renshaw is ready to return to Test cricket as the selectors ponder over who will open in Perth. Sam Konstas is the incumbent alongside Khawaja, having done the job in the West Indies but has just one fifty in four Shield innings so far this season after his lean returns in the Caribbean.Marnus Labuschagne could yet take the role if both Cameron Green and Webster make the XI but Khawaja would prefer him to return at No. 3.”I think our best line-up has Marnus three, [Steve] Smith four and [Travis] Head five,” he said ahead of Queensland’s match against New South Wales at the Gabba. “I know if Renshaw is picked, that he is in the best space right now to have a crack at Australia again and be ready to score runs. Obviously, I am a little bit biased because he is my opening partner and a friend of mine, but he’s been there and done it. He has scored 184 for Australia.”He hasn’t done himself any harm with the way he has played in the last three matches in the one-dayers [against India]. He has taken the pressure on really well and looked the part, which he always does whenever he goes to the next level. You feel like he is one guy that really belongs at the next level.”

A New York Yankees fan who made their way out to the ballpark on Tuesday night experienced the highest of highs and lowest of lows in a matter of a few seconds. The lucky fan was able to snag an Aaron Judge home run from their perch in the front row of the right field seats, making a nice grab in the air. Since it simply does not get any better than that, the fan immediately celebrated with other Yankees fans amped up by the souvenir and the fact that Judge continues to put together a historic offense season.

And in times like these, one does not simply exchange a light handshake or moderate any joy, meaning that the glove that caught the ball got jostled around and the original possessor lost possession. At this point, another fan noticed the ball rolling in their direction and slyly pocketed it among the chaos.

That scene is below.

The YES broadcast cameras kept eyes on the situation, and the party of the person who carrolled the ball did end up returning it to the fan who initially caught it.

With just one win picked up across their last five Premier League games, Manchester United now look short on confidence again heading into a bumper December.

Everything looked to be smooth again with three victories secured on the bounce in October, but the boos would ring out at the full-time whistle when the tired Red Devils could only muster up a 1-1 draw versus relegation-threatened West Ham United last time out.

It will be very interesting to see where United sit in the ever-changing league standings when the hustle and bustle of the Christmas period is over, with the up-and-down outfit still only three points off fourth position, despite their recent stumbles.

Whatever does play out, United will surely use the January transfer window to their advantage, as several standout signings are tipped to move to the Theatre of Dreams, despite their hot-and-cold nature.

Man Utd's number one January target

Amorim will just have to hope he is still in the United dug-out by the time January window rolls around, with ESPN reporter Rob Dawson stating that he needs “time and patience” amid shouts he should be given the axe.

Even with this uncertainty in the air, plenty of transfer rumours are circulating, with the likes of Adam Wharton alleged to be on the Premier League outfit’s radar, as they try and win themselves some fresh blood in the middle of the park.

Of course, there is also one incessant piece of gossip that Elliot Anderson could swap Nottingham Forest for the Red Devils, with a statement double deal now even in the works involving Anderson, according to Football Insider.

As per Mick Brown, via Football Insider, United are chasing after the signatures of both the England international and AFC Bournemouth ace Antoine Semenyo, with the duo named as top targets in a combined £170m deal.

£65m of that alone could be spent on securing Semenyo, as is the Cherries attacker’s previously mentioned release clause, with Amorim loving the idea, surely, of the Ghananian forward moving to Old Trafford, especially with Bryan Mbeumo off to the African Cup of Nations shortly.

Brown said: “Semenyo is the one they’ve been looking at. United need to spend in January to improve the squad, and he’s somebody they wanted to bring in during the summer before he signed that contract. If the opportunity comes up when the window opens, it would make a lot of sense because he would also be able to plug that hole left by Mbeumo.

“You’re looking at people like Semenyo and Elliot Anderson to come in, they’re the top targets for Amorim because both of them would be real improvements in key areas of the squad.”

While United are desperately searching for some fresh blood centrally, Semenyo might well go down as an even better signing than Anderson, particularly as Amorim is no doubt cursing his side’s ineffectiveness in front of goal as of late.

Why Semenyo could be a better signing than Anderson

Immediately after the poor 1-1 draw versus the Hammers, Sky Sports’ Roy Keane would heavily criticise the disappointing United attackers, stating that they’re not “nasty enough” or “clinical” enough to kill off a game.

With Mbeumo set to link up with Cameroon soon at the AFCON, Amorim’s options in attack could soon become even weaker, with the former Brentford striker way out ahead as United’s strongest attacker of the season so far, having powered home five Premier League goals.

In stark contrast, both Joshua Zirkzee and Matheus Cunha only have two league strikes between them this season, while Benjamin Sesko has just two goals, himself, when fit, with Semenyo’s arrival on the scene finally gifting United that deadly, rampaging attacker that Keane, and presumably Amorim, is crying out for.

Indeed, just in the Premier League alone this season, the blistering attacker has managed to conjure up a devastating nine-goal contributions, with Pep Guardiola even going out of his way to herald Semenyo as an “extraordinary” talent who can change games, which is what United are in dire need of, to avoid any more underwhelming draws.

25/26

14

6 + 3

24/25

37

11 + 6

23/24

33

8 + 3

22/23

11

1 + 0

Of course, against West Ham, the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro weren’t at their best, but they are still some of the more consistent performers in the United ranks through the middle, with the ex-Real Madrid man managing to win a high 11 duels to keep up his United resurgence.

Moreover, with two goals and five assists next to his name this season, Fernandes will feel he’s done enough to be kept in the United starting XI for the foreseeable future, away from Amorim and Co splurging out £100m on Anderson.

Whereas, if the Red Devils were to splash out a more reasonable £65m on Semenyo, their attack could be taken to that next level, with Chris Waddle even hailing the vibrant number 24 as “the best winger in the country”, as he now sits on a mighty 26 goals and 12 assists from 95 Premier League outings.

Anderson’s arrival could well gift United a fantastic, well-rounded midfield presence for the long run, but in the immediate, with Amorim and Co fluffing their lines consistently up top, Semenyo feels like the more pressing purchase, especially if they’re left short during the AFCON.

INEOS have signed a "destroyer" who could be another Amad at Man Utd

Manchester United have another top-level talent who could replicate Amad at Old Trafford.

ByEthan Lamb Dec 7, 2025

With a 52-run lead and nine wickets in hand, the hosts ended day two at an enviable position

Mohammad Isam12-Nov-2025Mahmudul Hasan Joy’s career-best 169* headlined Bangladesh’s dominance on the second day of the Sylhet Test. The home side went to stumps on 338 for 1, leading Ireland by 52 runs after the visitors were bowled out for 286 on the second morning.Mahmudul’s dominant display made Ireland bowlers look increasingly clueless as the day went on. Mahmudul shared a 168-run opening stand with Shadman Islam, who made 80 off 104 balls with nine fours and a six.Mahmudul followed it up with 170 runs for the unbroken second-wicket stand with Mominul Haque. Mominul was unbeaten on 80 runs, having struck five fours and two sixes in his 124-ball stay.Related

Carmichael, Neill, Murad sparkle on day of the debutants

But it was Mahmudul’s strokeplay that particularly caught the eye. He drove with glee, and scored most of his boundaries through the offside. He also struck a few fours and four sixes down the ground, lofting the ball either over the bowler’s head or over midwicket.His opening partner Shadman also batted with the same energy, nurdling the ball around while also finding boundaries, mainly through covers and midwicket. Shadman’s only six was struck down the ground, over mid-off. Shadman’s strike rotation seemed particularly beneficial for Mahmudul, who was returning to the Test side after having been dropped.Shadman Islam and Mahmudul Hasan Joy put on a big stand•BCBAfter reaching his century, Mahmudul looked more comfortable, and he went after Campher and part-timer Tector with consecutive fours and sixes. He finished the day with 14 fours and four sixes.The second day began with Ireland losing their two remaining wickets in the first 13 minutes. Ireland’s 286 was built around fifties from Paul Stirling and debutant Cade Carmichael along with forties from Curtis Campher and Lorcan Tucker.Ireland batters couldn’t quite kick on from good starts, as the Bangladesh bowlers kept their accuracy on a good batting track. Mehidy Hasan Miraz took three wickets while Hasan Murad, Hasan Mahmud, and Taijul Islam picked up two wickets each. But Bangladesh’s fielding let them down, as they dropped five catches on the first day.

Como have been dealt a massive injury blow with Alvaro Morata ruled out for a significant period. The Spanish striker, who arrived in the summer following a drawn-out transfer saga involving Galatasaray and AC Milan, faces a frustrating spell on the sidelines after sustaining a serious thigh injury against Inter.

Morata blow confirmed

Cesc Fabregas faces a major headache heading into the winter break after Como confirmed that their marquee summer signing has sustained a serious muscle injury. Morata limped off during the first half of the recent clash against Inter at San Siro, clutching his thigh after a challenge near the corner flag.

According to an official statement from the club, tests have confirmed a "high-grade lesion of the long adductor muscle in his left thigh". While the club stopped short of putting a definitive timeline on his return, reports in Italy suggest the Spaniard will be out for at least two months. He is expected to miss crucial fixtures as Como look to climb the table, with a potential return date pencilled in for mid-February 2026. They face two matches against AC Milan by then, one of which is supposed to be played in Australia, as well as Lazio and Atalanta. 

Advertisement'Frustration weighs heavily' on Morata

Morata took to Instagram to express his devastation at the latest setback. "When things don't go as you expect, when you give your best but can't reach where you want to go, frustration weighs heavily," he wrote. "And now, on top of that, this injury. But even in moments like this, I feel fortunate: because of my teammates, because of my club, because of the incredible fans. I will recover, I will get up and I will return to help achieve all our objectives."

A nightmare start after summer saga

The injury compounds what has been a nightmare start to life at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia for the 33-year-old. Brought in to provide elite experience and goals, Morata has struggled to find his rhythm, failing to find the net in his first 15 competitive appearances for the club, eight of which have been as a member of the starting XI. 

His arrival was meant to be a coup for the ambitious outfit. The transfer saga was one of the stories of the summer, with Morata initially on loan at Galatasaray from AC Milan. A complicated three-way negotiation ensued, with the Turkish giants demanding compensation to terminate his loan early. Milan eventually agreed to pay a fee to release him, allowing him to join Fabregas – his former Chelsea and Spain teammate – at Como.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images SportWhat comes next for Como?

With their star forward out, Fabregas will be forced to reshuffle his pack for the foreseeable future. The burden of goalscoring will likely fall on Anastasios Douvikas, who has netted three times this season, as the club navigates a busy festive period without their most high-profile player. The injury may also force Como into the January transfer market if the diagnosis worsens, leaving Morata to watch from the stands as his wait for a first goal in Como colours drags on into the new year.

Como are sixth in the league and seven points behind leaders AC Milan and Napoli. They face fourth-placed Roma in their next game on Monday. Last week's 4-0 defeat to title candidates Inter was just their second defeat of the season, having last gone down 1-0 at Bologna in their second Serie A game of the season.

The MLB season is at the midway point and the top two teams from preseason remain the betting favorites. There are some new contenders making a move up the oddsboard, however. 

The Dodgers remain the betting favorite at FanDuel Sportsbooks with +210 odds. They were +240 before the season began and currently have the best record in baseball at 52-31. 

The Yankees, who were +900 to start the year, are now +650. They are 47-34 and lead the AL East by 1.5 games over the Tampa Bay Rays, who are one of the big movers up the oddsboard with +2500 odds at FanDuel after starting the year +5000. 

The Tigers, who have the second-best record in baseball, are another big mover. They’re currently +850 at FD after opening the year at +3000. 

The Phillies are tied with the Dodgers for the second-best odds at +850. They were +1000 before the season began. 

The Braves are one of the biggest movers down the oddsboard. They opened at +850 but are now +4000. The Braves are 37-44 and in third place in the NL East behind the Phillies and Mets. 

The Mets are +1200 after opening the year +1100. They’ve been going through a cold streak, having won just three of their last 10 games. 

The Orioles are the biggest movers down the oddsboard. They opened the season at +1600 but now find themselves at +21000 after starting the year 35-46 and being in last place in the AL East. 

The MLB All-Star break is July 15 and the trade deadline is July 31. Much will change in these odds between now and then and we’ll be sure to provide an update around those events. But it felt apt to take a look at the odds with most teams either at or just past the midway point of the 162-game season. 

Here are the World Series odds for every team at FanDuel Sportsbook. 

2025 World Series OddsLos Angeles Dodgers +210New York Yankees +650Philadelphia Phillies +850Detroit Tigers +850Houston Astros +1100New York Mets +1200Chicago Cubs +1400Tampa Bay Rays +2500Seattle Mariners +3200San Diego Padres +3300San Francisco Giants +3400Toronto Blue Jays +3700Atlanta Braves +4000Milwaukee Brewers +4400Texas Rangers +4500Boston Red Sox +6000Minnesota Twins +6000St. Louis Cardinals +6000Arizona Diamondbacks +7500Cleveland Guardians +9000Kansas City Royals +11000Cincinnati Reds +11000Baltimore Orioles +21000Los Angeles Angels +34000Colorado Rockies +50000Washington Nationals +50000Pittsburgh Pirates +50000Chicago White Sox +50000Miami Marlins +50000Athletics +50000