SAO PAULO — Brazilian soccer hero Romário returned to training on Thursday at age 58, almost two decades after he retired from the sport, and needed just a few minutes to show he remains a prolific scorer. The 1994 World Cup winner turned politician netted two goals as he practiced with much younger players at struggling Rio de Janeiro club América, of which he is the president. América will play in Rio state’s second division championship this year. Romarinho, one of the sons of the former Barcelona star, is in its squad. “My biggest goal here is to have the chance to play with my son,” an ex ..read more

WREXHAM, Wales — Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are taking Wrexham back to the United States this summer. Details were announced in an online video on Thursday, confirming two games in California and another in Vancouver, British Columbia, as part of the Welsh club’s preparations for the English third tier next season. Wrexham shot to global fame after being bought by Hollywood actors Reynolds and McElhenney in 2021. Under their stewardship, Wrexham has earned promotion in two successive seasons. New season of Welcome to Wrexham now streaming From Hollywood to Wales ..read more

BRIGHTON, England — Manchester City chalked up another big win in its pursuit of an unprecedented fourth straight Premier League title, with Phil Foden continuing his career-best scoring season with two goals in a 4-0 thrashing of Brighton on Thursday. Foden’s first-half double came between goals by Kevin De Bruyne and Julian Alvarez as City extended its unbeaten run in the league to 18 games and trimmed the gap to leader Arsenal to one point. Liverpool is two points further back in third after its title chances were damaged by a 2-0 loss at Everton on Wednesday. City has five games remaining ..read more

DEVENTER, Netherlands — Liverpool might have found its replacement for Jurgen Klopp. Feyenoord coach Arne Slot said Thursday that the Dutch club is “negotiating” with Liverpool over his move to Anfield. Slot told ESPN in a pitchside interview ahead of Feyenoord’s game with Go Ahead Eagles in the Dutch league that he’s “still on hold” but that he has “every confidence” a deal will be reached. Klopp is leaving Liverpool at the end of the season after nearly nine years at the Premier League club. The 45-year-old Slot has coached Feyenoord since 2021, winning the league last year and the Dutch cup ..read more

UDINE, Italy — Bryan Cristante scored in stoppage time and Roma made its second trip this month to Udinese worthwhile with a 2-1 win in the resumption of a suspended Serie A match Thursday that entailed playing only the final 18 minutes. The score was 1-1 on April 14 when Roma defender Evan Ndicka collapsed and the match was suspended. Ndicka was released from the hospital a day later with a collapsed left lung and has since been cleared to return to training. Roberto Pereyra had scored for Udinese before Romelu Lukaku equalized for the Giallorossi. During the resumption Thursday, Cristante he ..read more

There were tears in the Simcoe County Rovers’ locker room ahead of Wednesday’s Canadian Championship game against Toronto FC as players’ family and friends offered love and support by video. “Go Rovers,” was the repeated refrain from loved ones young and old.  “So proud of you and the hard work and dedication that’s got you this far,” was the message for defender Jordan Barclay. “We love you,” was one chorus. “Have fun,” said another. Each message hit home, tugging at heartstrings. The players were reminded that sometimes in soccer as in life, it’s more about the journey than the destinat ..read more

Canada Soccer isn’t shying away from going after big names in its search for a new men’s team coach. Nizaar Kinsella of The Standard reports that Canada has reached out to former Leeds coach Jesse Marsch and ex-Manchester United bench boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The report also says coaching heavyweights Frank Lampard and Jose Mourinho turned down a chance to interview. Marsch was fired by Leeds in February. The 50-year-old American was the first coach of the then-Montreal Impact when they jumped to MLS in 2011 and he went on to coach the New York Red Bulls. Solskjaer, a 51-year-old Norweigian ..read more

BARCELONA, Spain — Xavi Hernández says he walked back his decision to leave Barcelona this summer after his players convinced him “this is a winning team” even if this season will end without any trophies. “Many people, including my players, have made me see that this is not over,” Xavi said on Thursday at a news conference. Xavi spoke a day after he reached an agreement with Barcelona to reverse his January decision to leave his boyhood club after this season. He has committed to finishing out the final year of his contract that lasts until June 2025. Xavi said the improve ..read more

TORONTO — Toronto FC put semi-pro Simcoe County Rovers FC to the sword Wednesday, thumping the League1 Ontario champions 5-0 in Canadian Championship preliminary-round play.  Prince Owusu, Cassius Mailula, Kevin Long, Jonathan Osorio and Tyrese Spicer scored for Toronto, which led 4-0 at the break with three of the goals coming in nine minutes. Owusu could have had a hat trick or more in the first half. Toronto coach John Herdman emptied his bench in the second half. Simcoe County showed flashes of its skill but Toronto, despite having dug deep into its roster on the night, had too much ..read more

MUNICH — Austria coach Ralf Rangnick has confirmed he is a candidate to take over at Bayern Munich next season. “There has been contact from Bayern Munich,” Rangnick told Austrian website 90minuten.at in an interview that was picked up by German media on Wednesday. The German coach said he has informed the Austrian soccer federation about Bayern’s interest, but “at the moment, there is no reason for me to deal with it intensively or specifically.” Asked when that moment would be, Rangnick replied, “when Bayern would say, ‘We want you.’ And then I would have to ask myself, ‘Do I want this at al ..read more