Nashville SC have confirmed three new investors have joined their ownership group, including NFL star Derrick Henry and actor Reese Witherspoon.
Tennessee Titans running back Henry is a two-time All-Pro and has featured in two Pro Bowls, while he was named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2020 and led the league for rushing yards and touchdowns in 2019 and 2020.
The 28-year-old has now, alongside actor and producer Witherspoon and her husband, the technology investor Jim Toth, joined the ownership group of Nashville SC, who had their inaugural season in MLS in 2020 and sit eighth in the Western Conference with three wins so far this season.
All eight of Nashville's games so far in 2022 have been played on the road, but that will change on Sunday when they welcome the Philadelphia Union to their new stadium, GEODIS Park.
With a capacity of 30,000, it is the largest soccer-specific stadium in the United States or Canada.
"As a kid growing up in Florida, I imagined being a professional sports owner and the opportunity to do that with an MLS club is truly a dream come true," said Henry, who was drafted by the Titans in 2016 and becomes the fourth player in NFL history to own an MLS team.
"My investment in Nashville SC is way more than financial, it's truly an investment in the city of Nashville.
"The chance to be part of a club like Nashville SC, especially after seeing what they are accomplishing in the community, was an opportunity I did not want to miss."
Witherspoon added: "As a Tennessee native, it is thrilling to see how much growth and development has come to our home state.
"One of the things that my whole family is most excited about is Nashville Soccer Club! The opportunity to go as a family and watch a world-class team compete has been such an incredible experience."
Witherspoon is not the first A-list film star to have invested in soccer in the United States, with Natalie Portman having founded Angel City FC, who debuted in the National Women's Soccer League this year.
Tennis greats Billie Jean King and Serena Williams, along with a host of huge stars across sports and entertainment, have a stake in Angel City.
Rumour Has It: Napoli place €150m price tag on Man Utd and Chelsea target Osimhen as PSG enter race
Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is garnering a lot of interest, sitting clear at the top of the Serie A scoring charts this term with 21 goals.
The 24-year-old Nigerian striker is contracted with the runaway Serie A leaders until 2025.
While they would love to retain his services long-term, the breakout star hinted that may not be in the cards after recently showing interest in a move to the Premier League.
TOP STORY – NAPOLI PLACE BUMPER PRICE TAG ON OSIMHEN
Foot Mercato reports Napoli have placed a €150million price tag on Osimhen, amid new interest from French powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain.
PSG have entered to race for the Nigerian, with Manchester United and Chelsea both reportedly chasing his signature in the off-season.
But Napoli have moved to protect their prize asset and will not entertain a lower price.
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– However, Relevo claims PSG's off-season priority signing is Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva. The Portuguese is reportedly keen for a new challenge, although he is contracted until 2025 and City asked for £80m (€90m) for him last off-season.
– Manchester United are ramping up their interest in Monaco centre-back Alex Disasi, claims The Mail. The Frenchman is rated at £44m (€50m), with United boss Erik ten Hag keen to bolster his defensive ranks in the next transfer window with uncertainty over the futures of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof.
– Football Insider claims Liverpool have not been deterred by Borussia Dortmund's reported €150m demand for Jude Bellingham. The Reds are determined to land the English midfielder amid interest from Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United.
– Sport claims Chelsea may release Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from his contract after the season, with Mundo Deportivo reporting he is set to return to Barcelona as a low-cost option.
– Unnamed Saudi Arabian and Qatari clubs are interested in Luka Modric, but the veteran Croatian midfielder remains in talks with Real Madrid on a new deal, according to Sky Sports Germany.
– Barcelona's veteran full-back Jordi Alba could have his contracted terminated in the off-season as the Blaugrana looks to trim their wage bill and focus on new signings, reports Sport.
Paralluelo hands Barcelona lead against Roma, Bayern have edge over Arsenal
Salma Paralluelo scored the only goal of the game as Barcelona edged Roma 1-0 at the Stadio Olimpico in the quarter-finals of the Women's Champions League.
The 19-year-old curled a left-footed effort from outside the box to beat Camelia Ceasar after 34 minutes, after the Roma goalkeeper had frustrated the visitors with a number of fine saves.
Last season's runners-up could not extend their advantage in the second half, while Roma failed to convert a number of chances in the latter stages to pull the tie level.
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It's advantage Barcelona after a narrow win in Rome #UWCL
— UEFA Women’s Champions League (@UWCL) March 21, 2023
Elsewhere, Arsenal were frustrated at Allianz Arena by Bayern Munich and suffered a 1-0 loss despite dominating proceedings.
The Gunners saw efforts from Stina Blackstenius and Leah Williamson cleared off the line as they peppered the hosts' goal with 25 shots – though only six were on target.
Lea Schuller's 39th-minute header proved decisive, with Jonas Eidevall's side needing a turnaround in the second leg if they are to reach the semi-finals for the first time in a decade.
Foden puzzled by Haaland's brilliance at Man City
Erling Haaland is a "real pleasure" for Phil Foden to play alongside at Manchester City.
The Norwegian forward has been in devastating form in his inaugural campaign in the Premier League, leading the scoring charts with 28 goals in 26 matches.
Haaland's heroics have not just been limited to the push for the title, in which they trail Arsenal by eight points but hold a game in hand, having entered the international break with eight goals in his last two matches.
In the FA Cup against Burnley, Haaland secured his hat-trick by tucking home a rebound after Foden had struck the post, leaving the England international puzzled by his excellent positioning.
"It's a pleasure, I don't know how he does it. The one that I hit off the post, he always seems to be in the right place, expecting things, little ricochets, and things like that," he told Talksport.
"The way his brain works, he always seems to be in the right place to finish the ball, and to play with a player like that it's always a massive boost for us because when it's a tight game and it's 0-0, there's not a lot of chances, we've been relying on him to get us a goal and it's a real pleasure to play with him."
Despite Haaland's stellar record in front of goal, some have queried whether City's number nine limits the style of play that Pep Guardiola's side have become accustomed to, but Foden does not see it that way.
"He's helped us in a way of finding a different way to play," he explained.
"In previous years we didn't really have a striker, and now he's here we've adapted a little bit, and we're even still getting used to him now, so it's good for the team, and it's only going to help us in the future.
"It makes my job easier being an attacking player and looking at someone that wants to score goals and is always ready and in the box it makes it a lot easier."
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