Former Dodgers owner Frank McCourt is set to purchase French club Marseille

Former Dodgers owner Frank McCourt is preparing to move into European soccer with a purchase of Olympique Marseille of France’s Ligue 1.

The club announced that it has “entered into exclusive discussions for the acquisition of the club by Mr. McCourt.”

McCourt purchased the Dodgers in 2004. The club filed for Bankruptcy in 2011 and McCourt eventually sold the club in 2012 to the current ownership group.

In a statement from Marseille, the goal is to have the transaction completed before the end of the year.

In a statement McCourt said: Being part of the Olympique de Marseille and helping the club achieve success both on and off the pitch would be an honor and privilege for me and my family. Not only is OM among the oldest and most respected football clubs in the world and the only French club to win the UEFA Champions League, it is one of the most iconic brands in all of sports. OM enjoys the passionate support of legions of fans in Marseille, throughout France and around the world. As the steward of OM, my ambition would be to help return the club to championship form, to deliver the best fan experience in all of football, to strengthen the club’s ties with the supporters and the city of Marseille and to guide the club to long-term financial stability.”

 

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Robbie Keane announces retirement from international competition

Galaxy forward Robbie Keane announced Wednesday morning that he is retiring from international duty with the Republic of Ireland national team, following next week’s international friendly.

Keane was selected to roster for the Aug. 31 game against Oman at Aviva Stadium in Robbie+Keane+returnsIreland. That will be his final game. Keane is Ireland’s all-time leader in goals (67) and appearances (145) over 18 years. He made his international debut in 1998 at the age of 17.

In a statement posted on his Facebook, Keane said:

“Today, I am announcing my decision to retire from international football following the
upcoming game with Oman on 31st August in the Aviva Stadium. It has been a wonderful journey for me to have played with the Irish international team for over eighteen years.”

“It has also been a great honor, for both me and my family, to have been given the opportunity to captain my country for over ten years. I have been on the most incredible journey with the Irish team and fans over the last 18 years and words cannot express how proud I am to be Irish.”

In his career with Ireland, Keane appeared in the 2002 World Cup and the 2012 and 2016 European Championships.

In this statement, he also stated his desire to continue his club football playing. His contract with the Galaxy reportedly expires in January.

“While this is the end of my international career, I hope to continue to play for some years yet. I love my time playing with LA Galaxy and intend to focus my energies on continuing my club football for a few more seasons.”

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Free admission and parking at StubHub Center for U-20 women’s tournament Sept. 14-18 involving the U.S., Brazil, England and South Korea

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The four-team tournament, set for the Glenn “Mooch” Myernick Field at the U.S. Soccer National Training Center where the American national teams customarily practice, features a doubleheader on each of the three match days with the U.S. team playing the second game of the day.

All games will be streamed live on ussoccer.com at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. each gameday with the exception of the Sept. 18 games that are set for 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. .

Here’s the schedule:

Sept. 14
England vs. Brazil
USA vs. South Korea

Sept. 16
Brazil vs. Korea
USA vs. England

Sept. 18
South Korea vs. England
USA vs. Brazil

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Wednesday Soccer Preview: LA Galaxy at 7 p.m. on ESPN2 in U.S. Open Cup, Brazil faces moment of truth at Olympics.

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Read Staff Writer Damian Calhoun’s preview of the semifinal here.

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USWNT closes out group play in Rio 2016 Olympics today at 3 p.m. on NBCSN

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This new TV ad from UltraViolet, a national women’s advocacy organization, will air today on NBC stations in Seattle and Baltimore calling for the U.S. Women’s National Team players to receive equal pay for equal play.

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Weekend SoCal Soccer Preview: Galaxy, Sounders FC, Leicester City, Arsenal, PSG and Chivas

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LA Galaxy players Jelle Van Damme and Gio Dos Santos feature at MLS All-Star Game at 4:30 p.m. today on ESPN and UniMas

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