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  • Salah stays & Rice goes atomic 💫

Salah stays & Rice goes atomic 💫

Plus, Onana's no good very bad night.

April 11, 2025

Hail GFOP! 

I write with fingers quivering from the fact that I am in Liverpool and IT IS SUNNY. I have always said, when the sun is out in this magical kingdom, there is no city finer. It is just that days like this happen once in a generation. Ones in which you tan just walking ‘round Scouse downtown, and every single human being has dug out a pair of shorts and has their pasty white legs on show. Buzzing to be with my lovely mum Val, and my brother Nige, the Red, who is older than me, but somehow looks 20 years younger. He attributes that to the act of supporting Liverpool knocking a decade off your life.

Incredible reality: The sheer number of GFOPs on the flight to Manchester coming over to watch Premier League games this weekend. You guys are the most passionate human beings in football.

One other interesting thing I noticed in the 24 hours of being here: I have seen a vast uptick in girls wearing football kits and jerseys. When I was a kid, football was a misogynistic culture. Girls who wanted to play were flung to the periphery. To see so many girls walking round in full kit, off to training, or just representing the teams and the game they love is a massive sea change and a tribute to the impact of the England National Team, and the growth of the WSL. To more. 

ii. I am headed to Everton’s new stadium for a tour today. I cannot wait. I was there six months ago when the build was still in progress. The level of detail and storytelling about the history of both the city and the club were eye-popping. To return today and see the finished reality is an exhilarating prospect. This stadium is far more than a place. It can be a catalyst for the club and the fanbase to reframe the essence of who they are and what they stand for. The Everton of my youth were amongst the best in the world. We are a club who have lost our way and fallen behind. This moment – new ownership, the steady hand of the truly human St. David Moyes, and the move to Bramley-Moore – all a chance to reset, reconnect to past glories, and re-imagine. 

iii. I am filming with Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora this week. He is Premier League obsessed. Proper Liverpool. Let me know what questions you have for him here.

News from MiB World HQ 📡

i. We are finishing up work on the release of a conversation I had with Tyler Adams while walking his dog on the beach in Bournemouth. We talk about his return to Premier League wonder, what he feels when he levels an opponent, and a candid read on what is wrong with this USMNT at the moment. It will drop Wednesday, April 16. 

ii. I spoke with Wrexham’s new cult hero Ollie Rathbone this week. The gent who has propelled the team in moments when they have needed it most. To hear him talk about his rise and fall through the Manchester United academy, and subsequent surge at the SToK Cae Ras, is to learn a lot about life. What a humble hero. 

iii. Highlight of my week: Living out to the USWNT-Brazil on our Manningcast-Altcast with Sam Mewis on TruTV. The best bit was to listen to Uzo Aduba, Netflix Royalty, Angel City co-owner, and all-round beautiful human being, talk about our mutual love of Tracy Chapman. I love doing these shows and learn so much from watching along with all of you every single time. To more. 

iv. We are super excited to bring you a special interview with manager of the NWSL’s Orlando Pride, Seb Hines, over on The Women’s Game. The young English coach is a constant well of inspiration and his chat with Sam is unmissable. We’ve also got an excellent episode of Friendlies with Jaedyn Shaw for you to enjoy at your leisure.

v. And finally: I am delighted that Early Kick Off, our daily morning football news show, has only gone and been nominated for a bloody ‘Best Sports’ ARIAS award! The ARIAS, you might ask? They’re “the UK's leading radio industry awards,” or the Oscars of British audio. We promise to not go full Adrian Brody before we’ve won anything. The ceremony takes place on Wednesday May 14 at ODEON Luxe, Leicester Square, London, but whatever the outcome, "¡Viva er MiB manque pierda!" ("Long live MiB, even if they lose.")

To the Football 🍻

King Mo Salah STAYS on his Anfield throne 🇪🇬👑 Liverpool vs. West Ham (Sunday, 9 a.m. ET, USA)

Did we ever think it would go any other way? This video dropped at 3 a.m. ET. Rejoice Liverpool fans, Mo Salah has signed a new two-year contract. Your 32-year-old human wonder will stay and add to his 243 goals and 109 assists for the club in 393 appearances. How good has he been? Mo has more goal involvements than eight entire Premier League teams this season. This should kick start the energy around the title coronation which feels a little flat, even here in Liverpool, because it was won with such little friction. Eleven points remain before pandemonium breaks out here, beginning with what feels like an auto-three against the Hammers.

Rogstradamus 🔮: West Ham have one win in 19 against the Reds and will continue to flail as Liverpool soar 2-0. Mo scores the second. Cue Scouse scenes.

Arsenal vs. Brentford (Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET, NBC)

I could not be happier for Arsenal fans, you deserve this. Declan Rice thunder-wonder. Real Madrid slaying. Anne Hathaway’s angelic singing. A win that felt like an exorcism. Proving yourselves to yourselves that you are capable of winning on the biggest of occasions. A night that will live on forever in the Gunner pantheon. Rice becoming an instant legend as the heroic master archer who delivered two “forever memories” within 12 minutes. The technique. The arc. The surging feeling of collective global connectivity that ensued. Delirious. Transcendent. The Odegaard reaction. Is that belief that is now surging through your veins, Arsenal fans? Yes, if any team can shock you, it is Real Madrid. I am sure part of you feels like you have just clambered into a car on a misty night on Lovers’ Lane, to make out with Declan Rice, when there is a serial killer on the loose. But I loved this the most from Rice himself post game: “Be fearless, what else have you got to lose?”

Rogstradamus 🔮: Eyes on Madrid. Weakened team. 1-1. Third-straight second-place finish beckons, but Arsenal fans no longer care. They got bigger fish to fry: a Champions League semi-final to lose. 

Manchester City vs. Crystal Palace (Saturday, 7:30 a.m. ET, USA)

The Fight for Champions League football became existential when Newcastle pushed City into sixth place. Shorn of Erling Haaland, Pep Guardiola’s team were toothless in that snooze of a Manchester Derby. This is now all on Pep who must prove himself in the final seven games of the season. Palace are soaring, with no losses in their last five league games and their own European dreams.

Rogstradamus 🔮: Pep pulls through. Just. Nico O'Reilly's destined to score the winner. 2-1. 

Nottingham Forest vs. Everton (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, USA)

Points Deduction Derby. Forest have not conceded at home in the league for almost three months. Everton are draw machines. Our five draws in our last six Premier League matches is a lovely way of saying we have not won in six.  

Rogstradamus 🔮: 1-1 written all over it, which probs means Forest win 2-1.

Chelsea vs. Ipswich (Sunday, 9 a.m. ET, Peacock)

AKA Liam Delap’s job interview. 

Rogstradamus 🔮: Delap scores twice. Chelsea find a way to raise Ipswich's hopes then kill them 3-2. 

Wolves vs. Tottenham (Sunday, 9 a.m. ET, Peacock Premium)

The Trials of Big Ange continue, philosophizing about the media posse who are on his tail, “I don’t think you’re going to win that argument of convincing people. Well I think [someone] wrote that even if we win it, I’m gone anyway.” Yesterday’s 1-1 draw with Frankfurt was not great, not terrible. There is still life there, and I pray for him. Interesting wrinkle for Wolves: Matheus Cunha back for Vitor Pereira. But his team have been that good, they won more points per game without their petulant star than with him.

Rogstradamus 🔮: Wolves have to win this one right? A-N-G-E  P-A-I-N. 2-1.  

Newcastle vs. Manchester United (Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET, USA)

The battle of two Uniteds takes place after the ongoing humiliation of Andre Onana. In a Europa League clash that ran like an Aesop’s fable, Nemanja Matic hailed the United goalkeeper as one of the poorest the club’s ever had, responding to Onana’s own claim that United were better than Lyon. The United fumbler then returned fire by claiming at least he had won trophies at the club. Onana then proceeded to be at fault for both Lyon goals, including this humiliating free kick and a 95th-minute equalizer, leaving the world to wonder: Is he the Meslier of Onanas or was Matic just in his head?  

Rogstradamus 🔮: Toon by a million. 

More: Entire Premier League broadcast schedule here 📺

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More Football, Did Ya Say? ⚽︎

USMNT Draws Haiti, Trinidad & Tobago, and Saudi Arabia In CONCACAF Gold Cup 🏆🇺🇸

As The Who once sang, “We Won’t Get Grouped Again.” The opening round of the Gold Cup pitches us against 83rd-in-the-world Haiti, “Always Too Soon” opponent Trinidad and Tobago (ranked 100th), and in what many predict will be a dry run for the fixed World Cup 2026 final, Saudi Arabia (58th in the world). The tournament starts this summer on June 14, and is the final real set of competitive games for the USMNT before the 2026 World Cup.  

More on the full draw here.

MiB Mad Libs 📝

This week’s phrase is: 

“Now that the title and relegation races are sewn up, the most riveting thing to watch in the Premier League is ___________________”

Email us your submissions to be in contention to win a coveted MiB patch.

A LOT of you submitted some brilliant entries for last week’s MiB Mad Lib, but Dave Kihm takes the spoils with a brilliant response:

“The quickest way to restore Manchester United to former glories will be to call Doc Brown...”

Dave – I loved your “Back to the Future” action. It gave me the surge of joy I needed. Email us and we will zap you a patch for your DeLorean. 😉

Complete a Survey, Win Some Free Stuff ✅

GFOPs - we are hoping for your help in conducting a survey. As a thank you for completing it, you will be entered to win a $150 gift card to World Soccer Shop, and who doesn’t want that? As a head’s up, the winner will receive the gift card via email within two weeks, rather than immediately after completing the survey. Thank you in advance, and courage!

More Magical Football to Catch Your Eye from Around the World this Weekend 🌍

Wigan Athletic vs. Wrexham (Saturday, 7:30 a.m. ET, Paramount+) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

In a week where Tom Brady’s Birmingham City became the first side in League One to secure their spot in the Championship, Wrexham took a massive step closer to an astonishing third successive promotion. A comprehensive 3-0 win over Burton coupled with Wycombe’s defeat at Reading means the Red Dragons are within striking distance of England’s second tier for the first time since “E.T.” was in theaters. A trip to Wigan against the 18th-place side featuring Jamie Carragher’s other child awaits after a rare six days off. 

Udinese vs. Milan (TODAY, 2:45 p.m. ET, Paramount+) 🇮🇹

Nine games remain for manager Sérgio Conceição in his first (and probably last) season in charge of AC Milan. Despite rescuing a draw last time out against Fiorentina, the Rossoneri remain nearly 10 points off of Serie A’s Champions League places with a Coppa Italia do-or-die rematch against Inter later this month. More worrying for Conceição: City loanee Kyle Walker is out for at least one match following elbow surgery this week. 

NWSL - Seattle Reign vs. Orlando Pride (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ION) 🇺🇸

Fresh off an international break that saw the USWNT go game for game with Brazil and several international players abstain from play due to fears around potential travel bans, the NWSL returns with the reigning champions still on top going into matchday four. BIGGER news than Orlando’s perfect start to the season: Good Vibes FC co-host Lynn Biyendolo could make her debut for Seattle this weekend after coming back from a lower leg injury.

WSL - Arsenal vs. Leicester (Tuesday, 2:30 p.m. ET, WSL YouTube) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Only one game in the WSL this week as the league makes a slow return from the international break. Hosts Arsenal sit in second and could close the gap with leaders Chelsea to three points with a win against visiting Leicester. 

And: Welcome to the Women’s Game, North of the Wall 🇨🇦

The growth of the Women’s Game, not only in our own parish, but globally, is glorious, and a new branch beckons with the Northern Super League, which kicks off next Wednesday, April 16 on ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET with Vancouver Rise taking on Calgary FC. It’s Canada’s long-overdue first ever professional women’s soccer league and was formed by Project 8, whose CEO, two-time Olympic bronze medalist for Canada’s Women’s National Team, Diana Matheson, said, “I never had this opportunity. Canadian players have always had to go abroad to develop at the highest level. Now, they’ll have that chance right here at home, in front of their own fans.”

Six teams, all draped in gorgeous Hummel kits, will compete in a 25-game season that will climax with playoffs and a National Championship this fall. Stacked squads of each team might give you some guidance. Canadian Gold medalist, Desiree Scott, is skipping retirement to play for Ottawa Rapid FC, whilst Quinn, Erin McLeod, Meikayla Moore, Ellen Gibson, and Esther Okoronkwo all join the league’s roster.   

PrizePicks: Best PP Since Victoria Ratliff ✅

Charlie Kipp writes: Hello, Friends. Springtime is in the air, the azaleas are in bloom, and the eyes of the sporting world are transfixed on the sport being played on perfectly manicured green grass: the Premier League. Yes, there may be some golf going on this weekend, but whether you’re focused on birdies or seagulls, PrizePicks has you covered with their wide array of simple options to pick your winners and add a little boost to your bank account. My pick this weekend: Brian Mbuemo MORE in the shots department. 

After executing one of their best results in recent history against Real Madrid this week, and a massive second leg just ahead, I find it hard to believe we’ll get Arsenal’s “best effort” when they host Brentford this Saturday at 12:30pm ET on NBC. Who is best poised to take advantage of this opportunity? 25-year-old Brian Mbuemo, who leads the Bees with 16 league goals this season. He will be looking to test old teammate David Raya and I feel great about Brian Mbuemo MORE in the shots department.

If you haven’t joined PrizePicks, CLICK HERE and use code MiB for a first deposit match up to $100.

Not Football and All the Better for It 📖

Dear Rog... GFOPs Write ✍️

I loved this letter from Erin Dwyer from Chicago.

Erin writes: Fellow White Sox and Everton fan here. The Sox have had abysmal attendance records in the past few years (record breaking, even, which will become a theme in White Sox franchise history). Support your local, support your team through the tough times, but 88 home games of utter garbage will drain the life out of anyone. Here's the funny part... last season, the only games that were near sell outs were when the Cubs commuted across the city for a three-game series, Mexican Heritage day, and the day the Sox were going to break the record for the most-losing season in MLB history.

My friends were at that game and the Sox disappointed us by WINNING that game, causing a confusing atmosphere in the air. A lot of the fans, including my friends, left the stadium and immediately went to the ticket booths to buy a ticket for the next day, just to watch what was actually the most losing-est team in MLB history lose a historic amount of games. Much more electric atmosphere I heard, and another near sell-out. Sports are fun, but watching your team play isn't. UTFT! 

Best,

Erin

Rog writes: Erin. I love your letter and obviously empathize. The teams we love do a lot of losing. Sometimes, I think I do not know who I am without it. The Friedkin takeover of Everton, replete with David Moyes resurgence and the stunning new stadium, has me wondering what I will be without it. In Spain, I am always drawn to Real Betis and their joyful passion. I do adore their slogan, “¡Viva er Betis manque pierda! – Long live Betis, even if they lose.” That approach to life, loyalty over everything, truly appeals to me. To better days ahead for all of our teams. 

Keep sending your stories and questions to [email protected].

Let’s not take a moment watching football together for granted and make great memories,

Big Love,

Courage.

ROG 

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