Historic MLS Trials

GM football fans. It’s Friday, Jan. 24 - Real Madrid make history, a historic MLS trial and everything else you need to know. Forwarded this email? Sign up here.

Enjoy reading Route One? Share with a friend using this link.

FIXTURES

Premier League MW23: Liverpool vs Ipswich, Sat 25, 15:00 / 10:00. Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 17 league matches, while Ipswich haven’t kept a clean sheet in eight consecutive away matches. Manchester City vs Chelsea, Sat 25, 17:30 / 12:30. City have lost their last three league games played immediately after a European midweek game, but they’re unbeaten in their last seven games against Chelsea. Aston Villa vs West Ham, Sun 26, 16:30 / 11:30. Aston Villa have won two of their last three Premier League games against West Ham, as many as they had in their previous 16. See the full list of Premier League MW23 fixtures here.

Results…

• Europa League: Hoffenheim 2-3 Tottenham | Fenerbahce 0-0 Lyon | Man Utd 2-1 Rangers | Porto 0-1 Olympiakos | Lazio 3-1 Real Sociedad (Full Results / League Table)

• EFL League One: Wrexham 1-1 Birmingham (League Table)

TOP TALKING POINTS

Utd Admit PSR Concern

Manchester United have outlined (paywall) their delicate financial position in a letter to the club’s supporter group The 1958—which had written to the club to voice concerns about potential ticket price rises. The club has not ruled out ticket price rises next season to help cover the shortfall.

Within the letter, United admitted to making a “significant loss each year” which would put the club in danger of breaching the Premier League’s financial fair player rules. United have posted losses before tax of £312.9m over the past three seasons—the league’s rules permit a £105m loss over three-season rolling periods. In response, the club has implemented a series of drastic cost-cutting measures since Sir Jim Ratcliffe took over, including making 250 job cuts.

The 1958 argued that ticket price increases are “a choice, not a necessity” and that it is a “myth” to suggest they are required to remain competitive.

Madrid Make History

Real Madrid have become the first club to generate more than 1bn euros in annual revenue, per analysis of the 2023/24 season by Deloitte. Manchester City are again second with a revenue of 838m euros–a result of winning their fourth consecutive Premier League title and the Club World Cup.

Madrid’s financial success was underpinned by the newly renovated Bernabeu Stadium. The expanded stadium raised matchday revenue to 248m euros last season–double the previous season. Los Blancos’ rivals, Barcelona, dropped from fourth to sixth after a decrease of 40m euros in revenue.

Cumulatively, the clubs analysed generated a record 11.2bn euros last season. That’s up 6% from the previous year. Across the board, matchday revenue was the fastest-growing revenue stream for clubs, rising by 11%, helped by an increase in stadium capacity, ticket prices and premium hospitality.

Historic MLS Trial

The North American Soccer League (NASL), now dissolved, alleges that the U.S Soccer Federation (USSF) conspired to force the league’s downfall. The $500m antitrust court case is underway this week in New York.

The NASL, classified as a Division II league from its inception in 2011, was denied Division II status in 2018 by the USSF for allegedly failing to meet second-tier criteria. The NASL believes the USSF and Major League Soccer (MLS) conspired to prevent the league from competing with the MLS by denying them accreditation. The NASL claims this unfairly led to the league ceasing operations in the same year.

The trial is expected to last three to four weeks–unless a settlement is reached. Several big-name witnesses have taken the stand, including NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony who owned NASL club Puerto Rico FC. The USSF and MLS defence has argued that the leagues were on very different scales, minimising the potential that NASL was seen as a threat.

POLL

ON THE BALL

Europe

> Manchester City have announced the signing of Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt for an initial £59m (More); learn more about Marmoush’s style of play (More); See a full list of January transfer window activity in Europe’s top five leagues (More)

> Clubs in Norway’s top two divisions have voted against the use of VAR in their domestic leagues (More / Previous Write-up)

> Randal Kolo Muani has completed a loan move to Juventus from Paris Saint-Germain (More)

> The FA has proposed the introduction of WSL and Championship B teams in lower leagues (More)

Americas

> The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has released its regular season schedule and broadcast details (More)

> Keylor Navas, former Real Madrid and PSG goalkeeper, joins Newell's Old Boys on a free transfer (More)

> United States men’s national team put on a dominant performance in a 3-0 win over Costa Rica (More)

Rest of the World

> An international footballer has been sacked from his A-League team after he threatened to kill police officers who tried to usher him out of a bar (More)

> The Confederation of African Football (CAF) General Secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba has been cleared of fraud allegations (More)

> Adel Taarabt, 35, has terminated his contract with Al-Nasr and is now a free agent (More)

ROUTERS’ VOICE

Yesterday’s Poll: Would you prefer a league title for your team or relegation for your biggest rivals?

🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🏆 League title... (96%)

⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ 🔻 Rival relegated... (3%)

⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ✍️ Other (write in!)... (1%)

Your punditry takes:

• 🏆 M.T: “If I’m winning League titles then I do not care what my rival is doing! This may be part of the problems nowadays, people are too concerned with what everyone else is doing rather than focusing on themselves. I want my team focused and training to be the best they can be, not worrying about others.”

• 🏆 M.N: “Why would you even focus on your opponent? Play your own best game and take home a title.”

• 🔻 Z.Z: “As a Madridista who lives in Madrid, seeing Barca go down would be world-class entertainment. We win the league every other year, whereas relegation for our El Clasico partner in crime would be historic.”

EXTRA TIME

Every team’s chance of qualifying in the Champions League.

Young Celtic fan knows how to control a crowd. (via X)

The definition of instant karma in football.

Analysing Bayern and Feyenoord’s kit clash.

100 players who scored the most goals last year.

The history of Wrexham explained.

Why Premier League substitutes are increasingly important.

Brest sent Michah Richard a custom shirt. (via X)

Denis Irwin features on Stick to Football. (podcast)

GAME FACE ON

True or False?

• Arsene Wenger has managed the most games in the Premier League.

• Brazil have won the Copa America more than any other nation.

• Gareth Bale is the most capped player in Wales' history.

• The first World Cup in history took place in 1926.

• Juventus have won the most Serie A titles.

Scroll below for the answer.

ON TODAY

La Liga

• Las Palmas vs Osasuna (20:00)

Bundesliga

• Wolfsburg vs Holstein (19:30)

Serie A

• Torino vs Cagliari (19:45)

Ligue 1

• Auxerre vs Saint-Etienne (19:45)

Primeira Liga

• Arouca vs Moreirense (20:15)

Championship

• Sheffield United vs Hull City (20:00)

*All time in UK. ET -5. CST -6. PST -8. MST -7. CET +1.

Answer

True, False, True, False, True.