Just when you thought things could not get any crazier, Paris Saint-Germain and Lionel Messi appear headed toward a nasty split after he was fined for taking an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia. Plus, we're happy to announce four Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup matches for you only on CBS Sports Golazo Network. Who says that we never deliver in the Golazo Starting XI newsletter? This is Jonathan Johnson with the latest.
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📺 Footy fix
CBS Sports Golazo Network and Paramount+ will showcase special Serie A edition of The Golazo Show on Wednesday starting at 12 p.m. with host Poppy Miller alongside analysts Matteo Bonetti, Mike Grella, Marco Messina and Aaron West providing the latest updates on all eight Italian matches on the slate.
All times U.S./Eastern.
Wednesday, May 3
🇮🇹 Serie A: Juventus vs. Lecce, 12 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+ & CBS Sports Network
🏴 WSL: Chelsea vs. Liverpool, 2:15 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+
🇮🇹 Serie A: Milan vs. Cremonese, 3 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+ & CBS Sports Network
🇮🇹 Serie A: Lazio vs. Sassuolo, 3 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+
🏴 EPL: Liverpool vs. Fulham, 3 p.m. ➡️ Peacock
🇺🇸 NWSL: NC Courage vs. NJ/NY Gotham, 7 p.m. ➡️ CBS Sports Golazo Network
🇺🇸 NWSL: OL Reign vs. Angel City, 7 p.m. ➡️ CBS Sports Golazo Network
🇲🇽 Concacaf Champions League: Leon vs. Tigres ➡️ FS1
Thursday, May 4
🇮🇹 Serie A: Udinese vs. Napoli, 2:45 p.m. ➡️ CBS Sports Golazo Network
🏴 EPL: Brighton vs. Man United, 3 p.m. ➡️ USA Network
⚽ The Forward Line
Messi divorce ahead in Paris
The big story emerging this week has been PSG and Lionel Messi headed for a probable divorce, with the news coming shortly after him getting fined and suspended for his commercial trip to Saudi Arabia with family following the 3-1 home loss to Lorient in Ligue 1. The legendary Argentine has been disciplined by the capital club for the stunt as his contract closes on its final month, with the French champions out of contention for silverware beyond the league. Messi, soon to be 36, has suffered an underwhelming second half of the season after the 2022 FIFA World Cup success with his Albiceleste side and PSG are staring down the barrel at another overhaul this summer with head coach Christophe Galtier also expected to move on.
Kylian Mbappe remains top dog at Parc des Princes, but that has not saved Les Parisiens from some wretched form of late. It is that poor form which created this flashpoint with two days off canceled for all players after the loss to Lorient with Messi anticipating a win and scheduling the trip contingent on that. There was no accounting for another dreadful display which underlines just how dysfunctional PSG are right now, and a result that also hints that the Ligue 1 title race might not be dead after all with a huge clash between RC Lens and Olympique de Marseille coming up on Saturday.
The major upshot of all of this is that Messi and PSG's relations are at an all-time low and the chances of him seeing the Ligue 1 giants put a more attractive offer on the table than the one they offered up earlier this year are slim to none. The expectation in Paris is that the South American's deal expires and that Messi becomes a free agent at the end of June. We've got you covered with wall to wall coverage of everything Messi.
- All the latest on PSG disciplining Messi for the Saudi Arabia trip.
- The future for Messi with the Argentina international expected to test the free-agent waters.
- Guillem Balague explained how we arrived at these crossroads on Morning Footy.
- Fabrizio Romano talked about the ramifications of Messi potentially leaving PSG on Morning Footy.
- On CBS Sports HQ, we discussed the latest with Messi expected to leave Paris.
- Nico Cantor joined CBS News on Tuesday to talk about that trip to Saudi Arabia.
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🔗 Midfield Link Play
U.S. Open Cup returns to CBS Sports Golazo Network
We've got more U.S. Open Cup action for you exclusively on CBS Sports Golazo Network. Next week when the action returns, we'll deliver you four more games only on our streaming network.
- Tuesday, May 9: Charlotte FC vs. Orlando City SC, 7 p.m. (CBS Sports Golazo Network)
- Tuesday, May 9: Monterey Bay FC vs. Los Angeles FC, 10:30 p.m. (CBS Sports Golazo Network)
- Wednesday, May 10: FC Cincinnati vs. New York City FC, 7 p.m. (CBS Sports Golazo Network)
- Wednesday, May 10: LA Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders, 10:30 p.m. (CBS Sports Golazo Network)
For more information on why you should check out the matches, Roger Gonzalez has you covered with a look at some players to watch from each of the matches. Here's a look at whose likely to be in the spotlight when LA Galaxy host Seattle.
- Gonzalez: "Jordan Morris, Seattle Sounders. He's got a four-goal performance to his name this season. Both teams have a little bit of a rivalry, and they are both contenders to win the cup. But only one can advance here. Seattle have a better defense on paper, but that wasn't evident in their game last round, a 5-4 win over San Diego Loyal FC. If they can get the defense fixed and eliminate the mistakes, they have enough to win this one and make a deep run."
And now let's get to some links:
🔗 Sam Allardyce is back at Leeds, in his notebook Jonathan Johnson looks at how his appointment kills Bielsa's legacy dead.
🔗 And James Benge checks in on whether Big Sam can actually save Leeds from relegation.
🔗 Chelsea's no-good-very-bad season continues, and Benge looks at their lack of progress after a 3-1 loss to Arsenal.
🔗 Gianni Infantino is threatening to keep the Women's World Cup off TV in Europe if networks don't pay up.
🔗 With Tim Ream out injured, Chuck Booth looks at who might replace him for the USMNT.
🔗 NWSL Challenge Cup is back tonight, Sandra Herrera has your info.
🔗 Morning Footy's Arsenal fans were happy to see the Gunners back in full flight.
🔗 JJ and Kealia Watt are now investors in newly promoted, soon-to-be Premier League side Burnley.
🔗 Matt Crocker joined the Morning Footy to talk about the future of U.S. Soccer.
🔗 House of Champions: It's a Real Madrid deep dive ahead of their Copa del Rey final against Osasuna.
🔗 Attacking Third: Challenge Cup preview time with Sandra Herrera and Lisa Roman
🔗 In Soccer We Trust: Who can replace Tim Ream for the USMNT
🔗 And remember, all of your soccer needs -- from NWSL to Champions League to Serie A and so much more -- are available on Paramount+. 📺 You can try one month free by using the code: EUROPE.
💰 The Back Line
💵 Best bets
All odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook and all times U.S./Eastern. SportsLine has you covered with your best bets.
- Premier League: Liverpool vs. Fulham, Wednesday, 3 p.m.
💰 THE PICK: Draw (+550) -- Jurgen Klopp's men remain unconvincing despite their dramatic win over Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend and this game in hand has potentially huge ramifications for the European race. The Reds should be winning this, but the Cottagers have been tricky customers at times this season. Liverpool not winning this one would be in keeping with much of their campaign, yet not entirely surprising and potentially a tidy earner. - Serie A: Udinese vs. Napoli, Thursday, 2:45 p.m.
💰 THE PICK: Udinese (+375) -- Luciano Spalletti's side will be crowned Italian champions, it is just a question of when. They fumbled last weekend's chance at home to Salernitana so this is their next opportunity up against a side who can be difficult to beat when they want to be. Seeing Napoli fluff this latest opening before securing it at home to Fiorentina at the weekend would not be a massive shock. - Premier League: Brighton vs. United, Thursday, 3 p.m.
💰 THE PICK: Draw (+290) -- This one could be highly influential in terms of the race for the top four and Europe with Erik ten Hag's side looking good to secure their place and the Seagulls outsiders to enter the conversation. Roberto De Zerbi's side thumped Wolves over the weekend while United got a narrow win over upwardly mobile Villa who Brighton face on the final day. A draw here could keep things tight as the hosts play through their games in hand.
