Atlanta United coach Martino leaving at end of season
ATLANTA >> Tata Martino is leaving Atlanta United at the end of the MLS season after guiding the expansion franchise to unprecedented success — on the pitch and in the stands. He is reportedly in line to take over as Mexico’s national coach.
In a jarring but not unexpected announcement, United said Tuesday that Martino, 55, turned down an offer to extend his two-year contract beyond 2018, on the heels of the team claiming a spot in next year’s CONCACAF Champions League and as it prepares for go for its first major trophy on the final weekend of the regular season.
Atlanta has tied an MLS record with 69 points (21-6-6) and can lock up the Supporters’ Shield for best regular-season mark with a victory Sunday at Toronto. That would also ensure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and a chance to host the MLS Cup title game on Dec. 8.
“This was not an easy decision to make,” Martino said in a statement released by the team. “I have enjoyed my time with Atlanta United very much and am proud of what we have accomplished together in such a short time.”
The former FC Barcelona manager and Argentina national coach said he would have no comment on his future plans until after the season.
Source: FIFA proposes annual Club World Cup
A person with knowledge of the talks tells The Associated Press FIFA President Gianni Infantino is doubling down on his Club World Cup plans with a proposal for an annual tournament despite European soccer’s resistance to any competition that challenges the supremacy of the Champions League.
The revised proposal amends an initial plan to play a 24-team Club World Cup every four years. The new format will be discussed at the FIFA Council meeting in Rwanda on Friday, the person said. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions were confidential.
UEFA has stymied Infantino’s attempts since March to gain approval for the new FIFA competitions, which will have $25 billion of income guaranteed by an international consortium including Japan’s SoftBank.
U.S. defender O’Hara to miss 8-12 weeks
CHICAGO >> U.S. women’s national team defender Kelley O’Hara is expected to be out eight to 12 weeks after surgery on her right ankle.
U.S. Soccer says O’Hara had arthroscopic surgery Tuesday in Atlanta to remove “loose bodies” in the ankle.
She recently competed at the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying tournament.
O’Hara will miss the team’s final two games of the year in Scotland and Portugal next month.