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He was hit by a short ball from Riley Meredith while batting at No. 3 in Hobart

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Mar-2024Will Pucovski has been subbed out of Victoria’s Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania in Hobart after being forced to retire hurt after a sickening blow on the helmet from a Riley Meredith bouncer.Pucovski was struck by the short ball from the second delivery he faced and immediately went down on his knees in the crease. The Cricket Australia doctor and Victoria physio were quickly into the middle but after some time to compose himself Pucovski was able to walk off the field unaided for further assessment.Campbell Kellaway was brought into the XI as the concussion substitute. The match is in the fourth innings with Victoria chasing 442.”Pucovski, who walked from the field, is being monitored by medical staff,” a Cricket Victoria statement said. “More information will be provided at a later stage.”Pucovski has suffered multiple concussions throughout his career and last month returned from another spell on the sidelines where he made a century against New South Wales at the SCG.He has also had time away from the game for his mental health and earlier this year spoke about he has learnt that there is a link between that and his concussions.”I sort of link the mental health stuff back to my first concussion…which was when I was about 15 or 16,” Pucovski he told the . “I have a lot of concussion symptoms that over a seven or eight year period, actually never subsided.”You just sort of got used to having them in a way. The brain’s pretty amazing and can find ways to adapt. I would fail concussion tests in the exact same way every single time, regardless of whether I had been hit in the head, and that was over a seven or eight year period.””The mental health has been a much bigger issue for me than even the concussions,” he added. “I don’t fear for my long-term health, it’s more the mental health side that’s been the tougher part.””One day I’ll be ready to tell my whole story and it will probably make a lot more sense. I’ve explained what I’ve been through to my inner circle of people and actually all the responses I’ve got have been like ‘Jesus, I would never have guessed that in a million years, that doesn’t even make sense to me’.”It hasn’t made sense to me for years, either, but I’ve been on this pathway to understand it all.”Pucovski played one Test for Australia in early 2021, against India at the SCG.

After the collapse of Friedkin Group's proposed takeover, Everton are now reportedly looking to cash in on one particular star who has already been linked with a move away from Goodison Park this summer.

Everton transfer news

It looked as though Everton were finally set to put their 777 nightmare behind them and land the takeover they have been desperate for, but things have once again come to a crashing halt. According to Paul Joyce, Friedkin Group said that the reported £200m that Everton owe to 777 was one of the stumbling blocks that led to the takeover's collapse due to legal issues and the amount of risks involved.

Blue Heaven Holdings and The Friedkin Group released a joint statement, which read: "Following a period of exclusivity, discussions between Blue Heaven Holdings and The Friedkin Group over a potential sale of a majority stake in Everton have ended and The Friedkin Group will not be progressing with a purchase of the Club.

"Both Blue Heaven Holdings and The Friedkin Group entered discussions in good faith to explore whether a sale could be agreed. Those discussions have concluded. The parties agree it is in both their interests for Everton to explore alternative options.

"The Friedkin Group will remain a lender to the Club and is proud to have played a key role in enabling the new stadium to be built, which will help ensure a bright future for both Everton and the City of Liverpool. Blue Heaven Holdings maintains a positive relationship with The Friedkin Group and would like to thank them for the time and effort they have put into this process."

Perfect for Lindstrom: Everton in talks to sign £17m Onana successor

The Toffees are battling with another Premier League side for his signature.

By
Ethan Lamb

Jul 20, 2024

The failed takeover is set to lead to consequences on the pitch, too. According to Paul Joyce of The Times (via Goodison News), Everton now want to cash in on Dominic Calvert-Lewin amid reported interest from West Ham and Newcastle United this summer. Previous reports indicated that the academy graduate is valued at £40m, but it remains to be seen whether the Toffees' new-found urgency reduces that price tag.

Everton would be wise to sell "excellent" Calvert-Lewin

Given that he's only got one year left on a deal that reportedly sees him earn £100k a week, Everton would be smart to do a deal for Calvert-Lewin this summer, especially if they get their £40m asking price. The forward showed glimpses of his best last season, earning the praise of Sean Dyche as a result, but after welcoming Iliman Ndiaye, the Toffees arguably no longer need to run the risk of trusting Calvert-Lewin to stay fit.

After Calvert-Lewin scored in a stunning 2-0 victory over Liverpool in the Merseyside derby last season, Dyche said (via BBC Sport): "I thought he was excellent. His physical performance was outstanding."

Raising funds must take priority at Goodison Park these days, which means that for the right offer, the Toffees should be prepared to show the 27-year-old the door. If that does prove to be the case, Dyche will simply hope to have enough firepower to avoid relegation once more.

Chelsea have been handed a potential discount in talks over a part-exchange deal for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, which would see wantaway forward Romelu Lukaku head in the opposing direction to Italy.

Chelsea open talks with Napoli over signing Osimhen

Earlier this week, reliable media sources shared news that Chelsea are in negotiations with Napoli over a move for Osimhen, despite Paris-Saint Germain's previous attempts to land Osimhen.

Chelsea could now sell £200,000-a-week star they think won't suit Maresca

The Blues aren’t convinced he’s the right fit tactically.

ByEmilio Galantini Aug 1, 2024

Discussions are apparently taking place between the Serie A club and Enzo Maresca's side over Lukaku's sale and Osimhen going the other way to Stamford Bridge, which would arguably be one of the transfers of the summer window.

The 25-year-old, who's scored 76 goals in 133 appearances across all competitions for Napoli since joining from Lille in 2020, has stood out as one of the Italian top flight's most prolific stars in recent years.

Osimhen spearheaded Napoli to a first Scudetto in decades during the 2022/2023 season under ex-boss Luciano Spalletti, prompting club president Aurelio De Laurentiis to tie him down with a new deal which includes a £110 million release clause, as widely reported.

This has made a move for the Super Eagles forward look like a costly operation, but Antonio Conte's desire to reunite with Lukaku at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium could help Chelsea strike a more doable agreement.

"Chelsea are in talks with Napoli over Victor Osimhen, whilst Romelu Lukaku has already agreed to a pay cut and a three-year contract to move to Naples," wrote reliable GiveMeSport journalist Ben Jacobs on X.

"#CFC don't want to pay the €120m+ release clause but are keen on Osimhen should the structure change or price drop. Loan with option has been discussed, as David Ornstein called.

Stats

Output

Squad rank

Appearances

32

=9th

Goals

26

1st

Aerial Duels Won Per Game

2.1

4th

Man of the Match Awards

5

=2nd

Shots Per Game

4.2

1st

Match rating

7.45

1st

via WhoScored

"Also understand Napoli have raised a loan-option into an obligation should Chelsea qualify for #UCL. Osimhen has agreed terms with PSG but is understood to be in favour of Chelsea should a club-to-club agreement be reached. PSG talks over a fee/structure haven't progressed to date.

"Saudi offer for Osimhen won't be made unless the Nigerian striker gives a green light after rejected three offers from Al-Hilal 12 months ago. Napoli wanting Lukaku helps Chelsea, as does Osimhen putting pressure on Napoli to leave as soon as possible."

Chelsea handed Osimhen discount in Lukaku swap talks

According to 90min, if Chelsea want to sign Osimhen permanently and strike a swap involving Lukaku, the fee would be far cheaper than his release clause.

Indeed, the news outlet claims Chelsea would need to pay £60 million for Osimhen if Lukaku is part of the deal, which could be deemed a very reasonable price for one of Europe's most prolific marksmen who's barely hit his prime.

The prospect of a loan with an obligation to buy is still under discussion at Chelsea, though, so this move could still take a few twists and turns. Lukaku's presence in this will be key, as Conte personally wants him in Naples and that hands Chelsea an advantage over PSG, according to 90min.

Wayne Rooney's Plymouth fought back from 3-0 down to draw with Preston in a thrilling encounter at Home Park.

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Morgan Whittaker nets late equaliserPlymouth lie 21st in ChampionshipRooney recently served touchline banFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Pilgrims looked set for their third-straight defeat when goals from Sam Greenwood, Mads Frokjaer-Jensen and Brad Potts gave Preston a commanding 3-0 lead at Home Park. Loud boos rung out inside the stadium as Preston eased three goals ahead, but Rooney's side staged a fine comeback to snatch a point in stoppage time.

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Frederick Issaka, Plymouth's 18-year-old attacker, gave the hosts a lifeline in the 55th minute when he pounced on a rebound to make it 3-1. Goalkeeper Dan Grimshaw then denied Preston duo Greenwood and Duane Holmes before Plymouth made the visitors pay for their profligacy late on. Andre Gray made it 3-2 in the 82nd minute with his first EFL goal since May 2022 and in the second minute of stoppage time, Morgan Whittaker sent the remaining home fans wild when he finished from Mustapha Bundu's pass.

DID YOU KNOW?

While Rooney and his players will feel euphoric over the result, Plymouth remain in trouble towards the bottom of the Championship. They are 21st in the table, one place above the relegation zone, and have shipped nine goals in their past three games.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR PLYMOUTH?

Plymouth will be tested when they travel to promotion-chasing Leeds on November 2. They host Portsmouth, currently bottom of the Championship, three days later.

Josh Richards and Dominic Hendricks scored centuries for the Lions as they chased down a record total

Firdose Moonda26-Nov-2020Results Summary The defending champions, the Lions, registered their first win of this season’s competition by chasing down a record total against the Knights at the Wanderers. Their 336 for 6 beats the previous best, 310 for 8 by Australia in the 2011/12 season, and finished off a remarkable comeback for the hosts, who were behind by 98 runs in the first innings.The Knights were kept to 300 in their first innings, thanks largely to Sisanda Magala’s 6 for 60 and held together by half-centuries from Grant Mokoena and Migael Pretorius, who then took 4 for 40 against his former franchise. The Lions never quite got their reply going and went from 47 for 5 to 202 all out. That gave the Knights a perfect platform to bat the Lions out of the match and when they stretched the lead to 283, with six wickets in hand they may have thought they were on track. But the Knights lost 6 for 44 and set the Lions 334 to win.Centuries from openers Josh Richards and Dominic Hendricks, who shared a stand of 256, took the Lions to the brink and the middle order finished off. Despite the victory, the Lions remain more than 20 points behind the Knights in Pool B.Also on the Highveld, the Warriors chased 218 to beat the Titans at SuperSport Park, to earn their first win of the competition and deny Aiden Markram victory despite his twin centuries in the match.After six Covid-19 related absences from the first two rounds, the Warriors were back to full strength for this fixture and the difference in morale and performance showed. They bowled the Titans out for 320 and then piled on 392 in their own first innings.By the time the Titans erased the 72-run deficit, three of their top four were dismissed and they had to rely on Markram and the middle order to set the Warriors a competitive target. Only one batsmen other than Markram got past 30, and the Warriors were required to chase 218. They made tricky work of it, but won by three wickets to close the gap between themselves and the Titans to less than 18 points in Pool A.The Cobras lie at the bottom of the pool and are the only team not to have won a match after the first three rounds. They held on for the draw against the Dolphins in Durban after failing to bowl the Dolphins out in either innings and being set 295 runs to win. The Dolphins declared their first innings closed on 389 for 8, built on a century from Khaya Zondo. In reply, Tony de Zorzi top-scored for the Cobras with 58 as they were dismissed for 312, 77 runs behind.Fifties from the Dolphins top three and a scoring rate of 4.34 runs to the over saw them declare again on 217 for 4 on the final day, setting up a thrilling last two sessions. They had 62 overs at the Cobras, who needed to score at close to five runs an over to win. The Dolphins might have fancied their chances when they had the Cobras 66 for 3, but Pieter Malan and Aviwe Mgijma dug in, and though both of them were eventually dismissed, the Dolphins could not nip out the last four wickets. The Dolphins are also at the bottom of their pool, Pool B, but are less than 10 points behind the Lions. On the National Radar Markram’s return to form could not have come at a better time, with the Test series against Sri Lanka a month away and decisions to be made about both the opening spot and the captaincy. He scored 149 and 121, almost 45% of the Titans total runs in the match, and sits in second place on the overall run charts. Less encouraging were the performances of Dean Elgar (20 and 6) and Theunis de Bruyn, who bagged a pair. While both Elgar and de Bruyn have centuries to their names in the tournament so far, Elgar has gone to add to half-centuries to that but de Bruyn’s three ducks and a 13 may see him slip down the order of preference.Also of interest is two-time Test cap Senuran Muthusamy’s performance for the Dolphins. He was promoted to opening the batting and scored 79 and 56 while also eight wickets in the match (four in each innings) with his left-arm spin. Muthusamy now sits in joint fifth placeon the wicket-charts and though South Africa are not short of left-arm slow bowlers, having an all-round option is always handy. Top Performers Though Markram has all but secured the Test opening spot, Sarel Erwee continues to impress and remains the leading run-scorer. Erwee registered a third score of 50-plus in his third match, with 56 in the second innings to help the Dolphins set up their victory push. No.3 batsmen Keegan Petersen also scored 56 while in the first innings Zondo’s hundred will be noted with interest, especially after his struggles for form since being on the fringes of the national side.Other batsmen who showed signs of strong form are Dominic Hendricks, who scored a second century in successive matches, Richards, whose hundred was his first at franchise level and Sinethemba Qeshile of the Warriors, who scored 97.With Tabraiz Shamsi on international duty, the Knights’ Pretorius is now the leading bowler with 16 wickets to his name. Warriors’ left-armer Marco Jansen is in joint-fourth place and took seven wickets against the Titans while exciting young quick Lifa Ntanzi, claimed 3 for 51 in the first innings for the Dolphins against the Cobras.

Bowling to the Indian batsmen “another test for myself, and a challenge I can’t wait to get”

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Nov-2020Mitchell Swepson’s international career hasn’t quite taken off yet, and it might not get off the blocks this summer against India either, unless the pitches at home have turned more subcontinental than possible, what with Nathan Lyon the immovable object at the top of the spinners’ queue. The 27-year-old is fine with that, though, and is happy to be around the group and “be a bit of a sponge and soak it all in and hopefully learn a few more things”.”Gaz [Lyon] is obviously the premier spinner, has been for a while, and has proven himself time and time again in Test matches, so [I am] not counting my chickens too much to getting a go above him. But the way the ball is coming out at the moment for me, I feel like I am in a really good place,” Swepson told reporters on Saturday. “And if given a chance and opportunity, I feel like I am ready to go.”Obviously that opportunity has to be there, and if conditions suit…you have to be ready to go no matter what. I will be preparing to play all four games. If the chance comes, I will hopefully take it with two hands, and if not, then so be it. I’m sure there will be more chances in the future.”Swepson did get called up to the Test party late last year, when New Zealand went across, but didn’t get his baggy green. Then he was a chance to get a debut on the tour of Bangladesh, where spin-friendly tracks might have necessitated a partner for Lyon, but that tour was scrapped because of the Covid-19 situation.

It’s just another challenge and another thing that excites me, to be able to test myself against another great cricketer, and their whole batting is world-class, so the opportunity to bowl at those guys is just another test for myself, and a challenge I can’t wait to getMitchell Swepson on going up against Virat Kohli

“There was a great vibe around the team last time and I just learnt a lot just by being around them, so to be included from the get-go this time will be great – be a bit of a sponge and soak it all in and hopefully learn a few more things,” he said. “I got to bowl alongside Gaz while I was down there last time, and he’s always been great to offer up his advice; I got to have a little session with Warney [Shane Warne] in Melbourne last year, and again, another learning experience. So it would be silly of me to say I didn’t take anything out of that and that didn’t help my bowling.”Proof of that is the form he has been in for Queensland in the first part of the Sheffield Shield season, with 23 wickets from three games putting him right on top of the wicket-takers’ list, eight clear of second-placed Jackson Bird.”I think that experience definitely helped my bowling. But where I am at now, it’s been a long grind, it’s been a long process, that’s not the sole reason why my bowling has gone to where it is now,” he said. “It’s been a long grind in Shield cricket for me for a while now. Just glad that I am sort of getting the rewards now for that hard work. So yeah, it’s been great.”With all the Shield games taking place in Adelaide this season, because of Covid-19, Swepson has had a greater role to play for Queensland than he would likely have back in Brisbane, where Queensland would normally have played their home games.Nathan Lyon is well ahead of the pack when it comes to Australian Test spinners•Getty ImagesSwepson agreed with that, adding that the work he had put in on his fitness in the off-season had worked its magic too. “That physical aspect is always something you always work on as a professional cricketer, it’s something that the pre-season part of the year is when you work on that physical aspect, and for me, I think that it just comes down to bowling lots of balls,” he said. “We’re lucky to have the facilities we have in Queensland, so early in the year, up and running that I was able to come in and bowl so many balls during the pre-season.When it comes to the Indians, the Test touring party will get cracking with two three-day tour games against an Australia A squad, both in Sydney, in early December after the ODIs and T20Is. Swepson is a part of both ‘A’ squads, but might not actually get to play the second of those (from 11 to 13), since the plan is for the squad to travel to Adelaide with time in hand ahead of the first – day-night – Test, starting December 17.If that happens, and if Australia pick only one spinner in their XI for the first Test, and Lyon if good to go, not only might Swepson’s Test debut have to wait, he is unlikely to “test myself” against Virat Kohli either. The Indian captain will be on paternity leave after the first Test, and will miss the first tour game because the T20I series will still be on at the time.”Hundred percent, you want to challenge yourself against the best and no secret he [Kohli] is up there with the best,” Swepson said. “For me, it’s just another challenge and another thing that excites me, to be able to test myself against another great cricketer, and their whole batting is world-class, so the opportunity to bowl at those guys is just another test for myself, and a challenge I can’t wait to get.”

وجه هاني أبو ريدة رئيس الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم وعضو المكتب التنفيذي للاتحاد الدولي “فيفا” التهنئة لمجلس إدارة النادي الأهلي ومشجعيه بعد الفوز بجائزة أفضل نادي في إفريقيا.

وقال أبو ريدة في تصريحات تلفزيونية ببرنامج “الماتش”: “فخر كبير جدًا أن يترشح ناديين من ثلاثة فرق على مستوى القارة لجائزة الأفضل”.

خاص | اتحاد الكرة يحدد موعد إعلان هوية الخبير الأجنبي لـ رئاسة لجنة الحكام

وأكد: “النتائج هي من تحدد أن الأهلي يسيطر على القارة بشكل كبير جدًا، هو بطل إفريقيا لسنوات عديدة”.

وتابع: “فيفا أكثر الناس انزعاجًا من خسارة الأهلي أمام باتشوكا في نصف نهائي كأس إنتركونتيننتال، وذلك لأن الأهلي يتمتع بجماهير تسير خلفه في كل مكان، والبطولة ستفتقد هذه الجماهير في مباراة ريال مدريد”.

وكشف: “جياني إنفانتينو رئيس الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم، قال لي، كيف سنأتي بهؤلاء الجماهير في مباراة نهائي كأس إنتركونتيننتال”.

وكيل جيلسون دالا يرد عبر بطولات على أنباء اهتمام الأهلي بضمه

واستكمل: “سألني البعض عن جماهيرية الأهلي في ولايات مثل نيويورك ونيوجيرسي بأمريكا فقلت أعتقد الجماهير المصرية متواجدة بكثافة كبيرة جدًا، وسيكون لهم دور كبير في تشجيع الأهلي بكأس العالم للأندية”.

وأتم: “إقامة مباريات الأهلي في كأس العالم للأندية بعد لقاء الافتتاح أمام انتر ميامي في نيوجيرسي كان بناءً على اقتراحي لأنهم سألوني عن أكثر المناطق التي تشهد كثافة للجالية المصرية، فنصحتهم بنيو جيرسي ونيوريوك ونحمد الله على استجابتهم”.

The Bravo brothers’ contribution meant Mohammad Nabi’s all-round show went in vain

The Report by Andrew Fidel Fernando26-Aug-2020

A moment worth the wait: Dwayne Bravo picks up his 500th T20 wicket•CPL T20 via Getty Images

Either side of the rain, which cut St Lucia Zouks’ innings to 17.1 overs and left the Trinbago Knight Riders only nine overs to bat, the Bravo brothers took the match by its collar and ensured a comfortable Knight Riders victory.Dwayne Bravo took his 500th T20 wicket en route to extraordinary figures of 2 for 7 off three overs, before Darren Bravo hit 23 not out off 13 balls to help the Knight Riders to their target of 72 off nine overs, with a full over to spare. The victory maintains the Knight Riders’ four-match winning streak, while handing the second-placed Zouks their second loss in five games.Dwayne Bravo ploughs through a milestoneNo other bowler has got even 400 T20 wickets, and yet here was Dwayne Bravo taking his 500th. Easily one of the top five cricketers in this format, he set the tone for this game with his opening spell, from which the Zouks never recovered. Dwayne claimed two wickets – having Rahkeem Cornwall caught, before bowling Roston Chase. But almost more importantly, he also only conceded five runs from those two overs, delivering seven dot balls – including the two wickets – and conceding only singles from the remaining deliveries. Dwayne returned for a third over, and was arguably even better at the death. He conceded only two singles in the 17th over.Darren Bravo propels Knight Riders across the lineAlthough 72 from nine overs seemed initially like a cakewalk, the Zouks did muster some sort of fight with the ball, taking the first four wickets off the first 3.3 overs of the innings to leave the Knight Riders at 34 for 4. Darren Bravo would ensure Dwayne’s work with the ball would not be for nothing, though, hitting two sixes to drive the Knight Riders home. The first of those was his 100th CPL six – one of those shots launched so far that it landed on the stadium roof and a new ball had to be called for.Nabi’s all-round showThe Zouks seemed to be in arrears for the majority of this match, but the man who was most relentlessly dragging them towards parity was Mohammad Nabi. He hit 30 not out off 22, and later claimed the wicket of Lendl Simmons with the second ball of the Knight Riders’ innings. He would go on to concede a six and a four to Colin Munro later in that over, and would finish with figures of 1 for 15 from two overs. Without Nabi, Zouks’ loss would have been even more stark, however.

Rodrigo De Paul has been branded an “unpleasant guy” and told that Argentina only continue to pick him “because he’s Lionel Messi’s friend”.

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• Midfielder won Copa America & World Cup
• Often operates as Messi's on-field minder
• Can rub opponents up the wrong way

• Getty
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Atletico Madrid midfielder is close to eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi and often fills the role of on-field minder for his illustrious fellow countryman. He has accepted that challenge on countless occasions across 70 appearances for his country – becoming a World Cup winner in 2022.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  De Paul has also formed part of two Copa America triumphs, with his combative qualities in the middle of the park allowing more creative talents – such as Messi – to thrive around him. Rivals do, however, consider him to be “limited” and the kind of character that is undeserving of his standing in international football.

• Getty
  

  WHAT MARDONES SAID

  Former Chile international Patricio Mardones has said of De Paul, as reported by , in the wake of seeing Argentina claim a 3-0 World Cup qualifying victory over his nation: “There is a nasty player, Rodrigo De Paul. Watching the match between Argentina and Chile, I would tell him on the pitch 'wow, you're bad'. He is a limited player who works hard. He has very good team-mates who make up for that limitation. I would have told him: ‘You are bad and you play because you are a friend of Messi.' De Paul makes me feel that way, he's a very unpleasant guy.”

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• WHAT NEXT?

  De Paul played the full 90 minutes against Chile at Estadio Monumental, collecting a yellow card along the way. Messi is not alongside him at present as the Inter Miami superstar is still recovering from the ankle injury that he picked up in the 2024 Copa America final.

Who's hot and who's not? INDIVISA ranks USL Super League's eight teams

The USL Super League season is gearing up for it's third week, and after two weekends of fairly even matches, there are some big moments to highlight, and some major question marks.

Carolina Ascent is a clear favorite, unbeaten at home. Problems have surfaced in Brooklyn, with the team's field stated to be "unplayable" just two days before the New York team would play their season opener. With eight teams and the league's first season, there's lots to tackle in this week's power rankings.

NDIVISA breaks down who stood out this week, and who dropped in our rankings.

• 8. Brooklyn FC

  Brooklyn FC's home opener has been postponed. Said the club and USL Super League in statement: "Brooklyn FC’s home opener this Saturday against Carolina Ascent FC has been postponed. During installation of the soccer turf at Maimonides Park, the League and Brooklyn FC identified deficiencies that have rendered the field surface unplayable. The health and safety of our players, staff, and fans is our top priority and this decision reflects our commitment to their well-being. The match will be rescheduled for a later date."

  Brooklyn FC has yet to play in this inaugural season, despite making some big signings before the league's start date in August.

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• 7. Tampa Bay Sun

  Tampa Bay Sun certainly has the best game entrance – we're talking by boat – but has struggled to find their identity on the pitch, on both sides of the ball.

  Although Tampa hasn't dropped a game yet, they have two draws after two weeks. Keeping the team in every game has proven to be goalkeeper Ashley Orkus, who has a 92.3% save percentage.

• 6. DC Power

  DC Power fell to Carolina in Week 1, but bounced back in Week 2 to show improvement both offensively and defensively.

  Despite not scoring a goal as of yet, chances are being created and especially in the team's last match against Tampa Bay Sun on the road. DC Power will gear up to play Dallas Trinity next.

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• 5. Fort Lauderdale United FC

  Fort Lauderdale United FC have just one game under their belts, and last weekend came back from an early goal against to tie on the road against Spokane Zephyr. Fort Lauderdale will next face Carolina in Week 4, and thus have another week to build on their foundation, push the tempo and figure out some formations both on the attack and defensively.

  Players to keep an eye out for include 17-year-old Reese Klein, not only a Florida native but also a member of the U.S. women's youth national team.