Fulham defender Tim Ream helped the United States win the inaugural CONCACAF Nations League as the Americans won a dramatic final 3-2 after extra time.
The 33 year-old played 83 minutes of the final, having been recalled by coach Gregg Berhalter after missing the narrow semi-final success over Honduras. Fulham left back Antonee Robinson was an unused substitute last night.
Mexico took an early lead when Jesus Corona scored after just 63 seconds and they were denied a second when Hector Moreno’s header was ruled out following a VAR check for offside, with Ream stepping up to catch the Al-Gharafa centre half out. Giovanni Reyna levelled for the States just before the break before winger Diego Lainez restored Mexico’s lead after breezing past Ream with ten minutes to go. Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie headed in an equaliser from a Reyna corner to take the final in extra time.
There was plenty of drama still to come as Pulisic converted a penalty that he wasn’t initially awarded, with VAR confirming he had been tripped in the box. Substitute goalkeeper Ethan Horvath then saved a spot-kick from Andres Guardado as the Americans held on to lift the trophy.
QPR are ‘working around the clock’ to try and finalise a deal with Fulham for midfielder Stefan Johansen, according to talkSPORT.
The two west London clubs remain locked in talks after the terms of a permanent deal for the former Norwegian international, who enjoyed a successful loan spell in Shepherd’s Bush during the second half of last season. Johansen is Rangers’ top transfer target after they brought back striker Charlie Austin, who also starred on loan last year.
The near neighbours are understood to be some way apart in their valuation of Johansen, who has a year to run on his current Craven Cottage contract. The 30 year-old made 21 appearances for the R’s last season, scoring twice and providing three assists, as Mark Warburton’s men finished the campaign strongly. Rangers want to get a deal done as quickly as possible with Johansen also attracting interest from across Europe.
The experienced midfielder has spoken about his need to play regular football having been left out of Scott Parker’s 25-man squad following Fulham’s promotion to the Premier League. The Cottagers are not prepared to compromise on their valuation of the energetic midfielder, who has been part of two promotion-winning campaigns with Fulham, and remains a proven performer at Championship level.
Johansen has made 136 appearances, scoring 21 times for Fulham since signing from Celtic for a fee of around £2.5m in August 2016. His departure would leave the Whites light on central midfield options ahead of the new season.
Manchester City are preparing a shock move for Fulham full back Antonee Robinson, according to the Sun.
Pep Guardiola is planning to overhaul his squad after City’s Champions’ League final disappointment and aims to sign younger players for the future. The 23 year-old’s athleticism and attacking instincts appeal to Guardiola and the English champions believe that a £10m bid would be enough to persuade Fulham to part with a player they only signed last summer from Wigan.
Robinson made 35 appearances in his debut season for Fulham, quickly displacing the club’s Wembley hero Joe Bryan at left back, and impressed despite the blow of relegation. The former Everton trainee has won eleven caps for the United States and helped the Americans qualify for the CONCACAF Nations League final in his first start for his country earlier this week.
Bournemouth are planning to replace Jonathan Woodgate with Fulham manager Scott Parker, according to the Sun.
The Cherries are ready to move on from Woodgate, who took over from Jason Tindall on an interim basis, after they were beaten in the Championship play off semi-finals by Brentford. The south coast club are confident of being able to lure the 40 year-old away from Fulham after the club’s relegation from the top flight.
They believe that Parker is open to moving on after disputes with Fulham hierarchy and that he would be open to exploring a new challenge. Parker has previously figured heavily on Bournemouth’s managerial shortlist but their plans to appoint him as a successor to Eddie Howe failed when Fulham won promotion via the Championship play-offs last summer.
Parker’s stature within the game remains strong despite Fulham’s collapse in the final ten games of the season that cost them their top flight status. Fulham are still planning to start the new season with Parker in charge at Craven Cottage and would resist any attempts by suitors to lure him elsewhere.
Fulham midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa scored the winner as Cameroon beat Nigeria for the first time in 21 years in Vienna this evening.
Anguissa, who had earlier bravely blocked a goalbound shot from Moses Simon, fired home a fantastic low shot from outside the box after capitalising on a poor clearance from William Troost-Ekong nine minutes before half-time. The 25 year-old’s first international goal was enough to claim a morale-boosting win for Cameroon, who held firm despite prolonged pressure from the Super Eagles in the second half.
The two sides will meet again in another friendly on Tuesday.
