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A pair of teenagers and a trio of New York Red Bulls headline Goal's selections as the best values, based on salary, in Major League Soccer

Salaries in Major League Soccer continue to rise, and have seen a considerable spike since the infusion of targeted allocation money in the past two seasons. That has led to a near doubling of the number of million-dollar salaries in the league, and a sizable jump in the number of players making more than $500,000.

That doesn't mean there still aren't some super-sized bargains to be had. Players signed via homegrown player deals and those who enter the league via the MLS draft continue to give MLS teams a steady stream of bargains, several of which make up the squad chosen by Goal to be part of the MLS Bargain XI, the best values in the league.

Here is the 2018 MLS Bargain XI, with salaries based on guaranteed compensation as released by the MLS players union last week .

Greg BartramGK Alex Bono, Toronto FC, $102,200The 24-year-old goalkeeper is in the midst of his second full season as Toronto FC's starter and is continuing to show improvement, building on his MLS Cup-winning 2017 season. His exploits in TFC's CONCACAF Champions League run turned heads, and he has also broken into the U.S. national team picture. Still playing on his rookie contract, Bono should be securing a new contract soon, assuming he doesn't head to Europe via transfer.AdvertisementRB Julian Gressel, Atlanta United, $111,250A midfielder who has thrived this season since being moved into a right wing-back role, Gressel has carried over the success from his MLS Rookie of the Year award-winning 2017 into the 2018 season. He has been one of the key reasons Tata Martino has seen his team enjoy such success playing in a 3-5-2 formation. The 24-year-old German-born standout should be drawing attention from scouts and will have a strong case for a new contract this winter.Mark J. RebilasCB Tim Parker, New York Red Bulls, $115,935How is Parker so underpaid? He's still playing on his original rookie contract, which expires at the end of this season. He is in line for a big payday this winter, either in Europe or in a new MLS deal. The Vancouver Whitecaps traded him rather than making him one of the league's highest-paid defenders. Since joining the Red Bulls, Parker has been outstanding and has helped his new team forge the best defense in club history.ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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CB Aaron Long, New York Red Bulls $73,125A repeat selection on the MLS Bargain XI, Long has followed up his breakout 2017 season with a strong start to 2018. His skill on the ball, coupled with an improving defensive skill set, make him one of the league's most underrated defenders. It shouldn't be long before the 25-year-old central defender secures a new contract with the Red Bulls.

The winners and losers of the replica shirt shakedown

It’s finally here. Seventy-five days after the Premier League drew to a close, the teams are back and ready to do it all again. While the league took a break – and the summer was rightly dominated by the Lionesses – those teams have been drip-feeding their kits for the upcoming season. Or at least most of them have. Due to supply chain issues, some teams have taken it right to the wire, while other clubs – we’re looking at you Chelsea and Leicester – still haven’t launched their away kits for the season.

As the Premier League begins its 30th year, we’ve pulled together this year’s league table based entirely on each club’s home and away kits.

We independently choose all products featured on our site. We may earn a commission when you purchase something through the links provided.Leicester FC / GOAL20Leicester

Home: 6/10

Leicester’s home shirt references some from its past – including a collar taken from the ‘70s and the “dynamic fox” aesthetic of the ‘80s – all of which contribute to a clean and classic kit. While  the stripped back “dynamic fox” design is a nod to the team of Gary Lineker and Alan Smith, it’s also slightly on the safe side.

Away: 0/10
That kit you see there is the Foxes third kit, and while we have no problem with it, it's crucially not the away kit. The club had delays for the home shirt and it seems something similar has happened with the away, as there isn't even a leak knocking about. We could have left a silhouette there, but that looked weird. Rock bottom for you, Leicester.

Total: N/A

Shop the entire Leicester 2022-23 collection hereAdvertisementSouthampton FC / GOAL19Southampton

Home: 3/10
Southampton’s 2022-23 home shirt is inspired by one of its previous classics worn by Kevin Keegan, Alan Ball and others which has been inverted for the upcoming season. The issue is that it doesn’t work anywhere near as well. Most people would see Southampton as wearing mostly red – they even went all red as recently as 2013-14 – but this is very much a white kit with red details.

Away: 2/10
The wave pattern of Southampton’s away shirt is a reference to the sea, as well as the city’s docks and maritime location. It’s all just too much, though. The design is distracting and the gold detailing does nothing to help the overall finish.

Total: 5/20

Shop the entire Southampton 2022-23 collection here

Newcastle FC / GOAL18Newcastle

Home: 6/10

Newcastle’s last home shirt was bad – everyone knew it. This season features a huge improvement as the club goes back to basics. The black and white stripes are perfectly sized and distributed, and the simple trim around the sleeves and collar gives an added detail to a classic kit.

Away: 1/10

Honestly, the less said about it, the better.

Total: 7/20

Shop the entire Newcastle 2022-23 collection here

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Everton FC / GOAL17Everton

Home: 4/10
As shirts go, it’s pretty dull. It’s Everton’s classic blue and white, almost exactly as it always is. The few details – a measly two Hummel chevrons per arm and a heat-embossed tower pattern – do little to set this shirt apart from the competition. The “Stake” sponsor logo doesn’t do it any favours, either.

Away: 3/10
Everton’s bright pink away colours return for the first time since 2019-20, and once again it’s a missed opportunity for the Toffees. The shirt’s stand-out feature – apart from the garish colour – is a geometric pattern that runs across the front. Yes, the away shirt is bad, but at least it’s nowhere near as bad as the goalkeeper’s away shirt.

Total: 7/20

Shop the entire Everton 2022-23 collection here

The Frenchman's potential has never been up for debate, but his attitude has always been a disgrace, as underlined by his decision to leave for PSG

At the end of July, both and claimed that Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain were at "war" over Ousmane Dembele – which felt a little strange, given the Frenchman is not a player worth fighting for, at least not from the Blaugrana's perspective.

PSG's interest was understandable, of course. Dembele is an immensely talented footballer. If Luis Enrique can get him fully fit and firing, the 26-year-old still has it inside him to become a genuine superstar. Xavi knows that too, and is said to have pleaded with the player to "think of Neymar", who has long regretted quitting Camp Nou for Parc des Princes in 2017.

"I am a little disappointed with Dembele," the Barca boss admitted after the friendly with AC Milan. "He has decided to go to PSG. There is nothing we can do."

Some Blaugrana fans have been left enraged by Dembele's perceived betrayal – and that makes sense too, given the majority of them stood by the winger throughout a desperately trying six-year spell at Camp Nou. The mere fact he'd already agreed personal terms with PSG weeks ago seriously stung – even if allegations of a lack of loyalty are arguably a little harsh in light of reports that Barcelona unsettled Dembele by trying to use him as a makeweight in their efforts to sign Kylian Mbappe.

However, fury should soon give way to relief – because Barca really are well rid of one of the most frustrating figures in football.

Getty Images'The boy is special'

Dembele's ability has long been obvious. Former Rennes sporting director Mikael Silvestre described him as the most naturally gifted teenager he'd seen since his time playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United, Thomas Tuchel said it was a pleasure to watch his "amazing skills" in training at Borussia Dortmund, while Martin Braithwaite admitted that he was blown away by Dembele when he joined Barcelona in 2020.

"I have never seen someone with his talent. I'm serious!" the dumbfounded Dane told . "Messi is something else but, after him, I haven't seen any player like Dembele. The boy is special."

But he's also proven terribly unprofessional and horribly inconsistent.

AdvertisementGetty'No structure around him'

There were concerns over Dembele's attitude even before he arrived in Barcelona from Borussia Dortmund for an initial €105 million (£90m/$116m), with the Frenchman accused of trashing the apartment he had been renting in Germany from Jurgen Klopp.

It's also worth remembering that while former Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu publicly claimed that Dembele was better than the man he had effectively replaced, Neymar, the club were actually considering cutting their losses on the forward as early as October 2018.

By that stage, it was clear that Dembele was dreadfully ill-disciplined. He was repeatedly late for team meetings, with his tardiness attributed to his fondness for playing video games until the early hours of the morning, while his diet was a disgrace for a professional athlete. One source told GOAL of countless fast food cartons found at his house, while a healthy fish dish prepared by his former chef had been discarded.

"It's a messy life," Michael Naya told . "I've never seen alcohol but he doesn't respect the rest periods at all. There's no structure around him." And his lifestyle was viewed as a key contributing factor to the umpteen muscular injuries Dembele suffered throughout his time at Barca.

(C)GettyImages'I didn't work has hard as I do now'

Even Dembele has confessed that he was "very frail" during his first few seasons in Catalunya because of his poor diet, but insisted in 2022 that he had seen the error of his ways and completely changed his mindset

“Now I see that it's essential to work hard on and off the pitch,” he told and . "The injuries came because, when I was 20, I didn't work as hard as I do now. It's clear that if you don't work, you can't enjoy football, you're not going to play much and you're going to get injured. Now, I'm stronger."

He's not, though. In any sense. Dembele missed three months of last season with a hamstring problem and even when he was available, he sparkled only sporadically, scoring just five goals in 25 Liga appearances.

He was a starter for France at the 2022 World Cup and he tormented several full-backs with his genuinely breath-taking bursts of speed – but, as always with Dembele – there was so little end product. In a team that reached the final, he managed just two assists and zero goals, while his performance in the final was embarrassing, with Didier Deschamps deciding to take him off four minutes before the break.

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GettyDembele over Mbappe

The contrast with the efficiency and quality of Mbappe on the opposite flank was stark – and, from a Barcelona perspective, pretty painful. According to agent Junior Minguella, Barca had a €155m (£134m/$184m) deal in place to sign Mbappe before he moved to PSG in the same summer as Neymar, but ultimately decided that Dembele was "better suited to the team's style of play".

When Minguella recounted this story on in February 2021, there was widespread incredulity, so he subsequently produced WhatsApp messages to verify his claims, tweeting: "A gift for the haters and unbelievers."

Former Arsenal and England forward Jodie Taylor has announced her retirement after 21 years in the game.

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Taylor retires at 37Made 51 appearances for EnglandWon Champions League with LyonWHAT HAPPENED?

At the age of 37, the forward has decided to call time on a career that saw her play in six countries and represent her country 51 times.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Taylor's senior career began at Tranmere Rovers in 2002 and took her to the United States, Canada, Australia, Sweden and France before she returned to England to join Arsenal this year.

She won trophies with Birmingham, Goteborg and Melbourne before helping Lyon to Champions League success in 2020.

The forward was also a World Cup finalist with England in 2015 and won the Euro 2017 Golden Boot before claiming the SheBelieves Cup two years later.

WHAT THEY SAID

"I am at peace with the decision to retire and it's my choice. I think [that] is really important. [It's] really fortunate that I'm in the position to make that decision for myself," she said.

"I think before I even stepped foot on the plane to go to Arsenal at the end of last season I kind of knew it was going to be my last stint playing.

"It's a club that I love so much and respect so much, and to have the opportunity to be back there and them to welcome me knowing it was going to be my last game, it's pretty special."

Taylor added: "I'm happy that the time has come now – it's the right time."

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GettyWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Taylor has not revealed what she will do after bringing an end to her playing career.

Erling Haaland made history when he scored his 50th Premier League goal to give Manchester City the lead against Liverpool on Saturday.

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Haaland fired in opener against LiverpoolNow has 50 Premier League goals to his nameNeeded just 48 matches to reach milestoneWHAT HAPPENED?

The striker took on a Nathan Ake pass and smashed it beyond Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson to give City the lead after 27 minutes. The effort takes the Norwegian's tally up to 50 goals in just 48 games – no one has ever reached the milestone so quickly in the Premier League.

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Haaland has now broken Manchester United legend Andy Cole's record as the fastest to reach 50 Premier League goals. Cole managed to reach half a century of goals in 65 matches. Haaland now has 70 goals for Pep Guardiola's men in all competitions, needing just 72 games to hit that figure.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR HAALAND?

Haaland and his City team-mates will attempt to hold onto their lead at the Etihad Stadium and ensure they stay top of the Premier League by collecting the three points against the Reds.

Chelsea legend Eden Hazard showcased his outstanding skills as he returned to action in a Match for Hope clash.

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Hazard showcased skills in Match for Hope Football legends and influencers clashed in QatarHazard retired from professional football last yearWHAT HAPPENED?

The Belgian star, who ended his professional career at the end of the 2022-23 season, returned to the pitch on Friday for the Match for Hope clash at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Qatar. Hazard demonstrated exceptional skills on the pitch as he manoeuvred past defenders with finesse.

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Alongside the former Chelsea and Real Madrid winger, past stars like Roberto Carlos, Kaka, Didier Drogba, Claude Makelele, Tim Cahill and David Villa also took part in the match. The game also saw participation from social media influencers like IShowSpeed, Chunkz and Aboflah. The celebrities came together to raise funds for the Education Above All Foundation.

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(C)GettyImagesWHAT NEXT FOR HAZARD?

The 33-year-old has no intention of returning to football except for charity matches like these. However, Hazard recently expressed his desire to coach young kids in a podcast hosted by his former Blues team-mate John Obi Mikel.

La Celeste's goalscoring chart features an illustrious roll-call of some of the best players have represented the national team

Uruguay might not quite have the same reputation as their illustrious neighbours Argentina and Brazil, but the two-time World Cup winners have still produced a wealth of talent.

Luis Suarez doesn't need any introduction and neither does Edinson Cavani or Diego Forlan.

But there have been many more attacking greats representing La Celeste.

Just think Pablo Dorado or Hector Castro, the heroes of the 1930 World Cup final against Argentina.

Or Hector Scarone, who led Uruguay to two World Cup wins.

Who is Uruguay's most lethal attacker ever, though?

Let's take a look at the men leading their all-time goalscoring charts!

Getty Images1Luis Suarez | 68 goals

Luis Suarez is not just one of the greatest footballers Uruguay has produced, but he is also their highest-ever goalscorer on the international stage.

Suarez made his international debut against Colombia back in 2007 in a game that was oddly memorable as he was shown a red card by the referee in the 85th minute.

He won the Copa America with Uruguay in 2011 and has scored 68 goals.

AdvertisementGetty Images2Edinson Cavani | 58 goals

Edinson Cavani has proved himself as one of the most lethal strikers around on the international stage.

He made his Uruguay debut in 2008 as he scored in a 2-2 draw against Colombia, and has never looked back since, scoring 58 goals in 133 games for his country.

El Matador featured in the 2011 Copa America final in Argentina as a substitute and was involved in Uruguay's last goal as they beat Paraguay 3-0 to win their record 15th title.

Getty Images3Diego Forlan | 36 goals

Diego Forlan scored on his debut for Uruguay in a friendly defeat against Saudi Arabia in 2002 to get his international career off to a flyer and it soon became apparent they had another attacking gem on their hands.

Forlan went on to score a total of 36 goals in 108 international games across all competitions for his country, with his most memorable goal being a right-footed long range effort against hosts South Africa at the World Cup in 2010.

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Archivo4Hector Scarone | 31 goals

An inside forward with immense goal-scoring appetite, Hector Scarone was considered one of the best players in the world in his prime.

Scarone, who featured for Barcelona in Europe, won the South American Championship four times, in 1917, 1923, 1924 and 1926.

He led Uruguay to glory in the 1930 World Cup before retiring from the game.

El Mago scored 31 goals in 52 international games for his country.

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Newcastle United supporters have been delighted with the quality of Sean Longstaff’s performances since he broke into the side against Chelsea, and a recent report suggests that his growing reputation extends beyond the North East.

What’s the word?

According to a recent report published by The Chronicle, Longstaff is being monitored by England after impressing in recent weeks, with his success in nullifying the threat of Christian Eriksen cited as an indicator to illuminate the standard of his performance on Saturday.

England’s U21 team are set to face Poland and Germany during the next international break, and Aidy Boothroyd could be inclined to call him up for the very first time.

The same report claims that Ireland and Scotland have looked into his family history in the past to assess his eligibility, but he is only available to represent England at international level.

Mature and game-changing performance against Man City could be the key

Longstaff has been impressive in a handful of outings so far this season, but it was his ability to restrict a typically fluid Man City side from building any momentum which particularly impressed.

The 21-year-old academy product was a relentless worker alongside Isaac Hayden in midfield, depriving City of expressing their flair and creativity in condensed central areas.

His moment of genius, though, arrived with the score tied at 1-1 as he showcased a maturity beyond his years to sniff out the opportunity to dispossess Fernandinho and ultimately win the penalty which enabled Newcastle to claim all three points.

The manner in which Longstaff outsmarted the Brazilian lynchpin – comfortably the best midfield anchor in the Premier League right now – was indicative of his enormous potential to grow in the game; the awareness and anticipation of the interception was outstanding for a player of his limited experience.

The faith Rafa Benitez has placed in Longstaff’s ability has clearly provided him with the confidence to express himself at the top level, and an international call-up would represent just reward for his fine start to life in Newcastle’s senior squad.

The focus may have been on the team's 18-year-old prodigy, but it was a centerback's first goal that made the difference.

On Tuesday night, we got a look at what the U.S. women's national team could look like without Mallory Swanson.

The injury, which occurred in Saturday's 2-0 win over Ireland, was a heartbreaker as it leaves the USWNT without the pool's most in-form player. Where would the goals come from now? It's a fair question.

Well, at least on this night, the goal came from the unlikeliest of source: a centerback. And it came from the unlikeliest of places: about 35 yards away from goal.

No, it wasn't Becky Sauerbrunn in front of her hometown crowd, but actually Alana Cook, who scored her first USWNT goal on her 26th birthday. It was a stunner, too, as Cook chipped the goalkeeper from miles out to give the U.S. a 1-0 lead they'd never relinquish.

Much of the focus, though, was on the attack and, in particular, the USWNT's 18-year-old superstar Alyssa Thompson. Brought into camp to replace Swanson, Thompson was thrust right into the XI in her place as well, showing signs of why she could make a late push for a roster spot.

GOAL rates the USWNT players from CITYPARK…

Goalkeeper & Defense

Casey Murphy (6/10):

Only real danger came from corners, and Murphy was up for it.

Kelley O'Hara (6/10):

A pretty good performance in her first USMNT appearance since July. Was active in the attack and nearly got a goal. Even at 34, O'Hara can still impact the game when called upon.

Becky Sauerbrunn (N/A):

Came so, so close to her first USWNT goal, only for her shot to hit the bar. The hometown hero's appearance was essentially a feel good cameo, and it would have been perfect if the defender's header had gone in. Maybe next time.

Alana Cook (8/10):

An absolute golazo, and on her birthday no less! The defender's first USWNT goal was a spectacular one and she was otherwise solid defensively. No complaints.

Sofia Huerta (7/10):

Pretty good game from Huerta, who was a menace on the right-hand side all game.

AdvertisementGettyMidfield

Lindsey Horan (6/10):

Picked up a knock just before coming out. To be fair, Horan probably didn't need to be out there at that point anyway. We know what she is and what she brings.

Andi Sullivan (6/10):

Sat deeper but just didn't really impact the game. Given where we are in the cycle, there are still so many questions about Sullivan's place in the XI and this match won't answer many of them.

Ashley Sanchez (7/10):

Was absolutely pinging passes all over the field. Offers something a bit different in midfield, and that was on full display.

GettyAttack

Alyssa Thompson (6/10):

Was all over the place, but seemed just a little bit too excited and a little bit too nervous. Should have been a bit more selfish rather than setting up Smith early on in her best sequence. Still, showed signs of how good she is and can be.

Alex Morgan (5/10):

Threatened a few times, but nothing crazy. Only played 45 minutes before being taken out in place of Ashley Hatch.

Sophia Smith (6/10):

Wasted an early chance when teed up by Thompson and nearly drew a penalty late in the first half. Active as always, but just not quite sharp in her 45-minute runout.

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Getty ImagesSubs & Manager

Tierna Davidson (6/10):

Was never really threatened with the U.S. largely in control.

Trinity Rodman (6/10):

So, so dangerous. Created several chances during her 45 minutes on the field and, even if none resulted in goals, it was a good performance.

Casey Krueger (7/10):

Was super active after coming on at halftime. Probably a little bit better than O'Hara, who she replaced.

Ashley Hatch (6/10):

Had a chance in the 79th minute, but missed the target. She's in a tough spot, and her another game without a goal won't help.

Julie Ertz (7/10):

From what we've seen, can we officially say Ertz is back? The team is just better with her out there.

Kristie Mewis (7/10):

Was pretty good after coming on to replace Horan. Probably should have come on earlier, to be fair.

Vlatko Andonovski (7/10):

Wonder how much he learned from this one. Still some big question marks all over the pitch, and this game probably didn't help too much.

As we enter the final games of the group stage, Goal has created their best XI from each nation's second match of the World Cup

GettyRobin Olsen | GK | Sweden

The Sweden shot stopper pulled off some sharp saves to deny Ilkay Gundogan, Jonas Hector, Thomas Muller and Mario Gomez to keep his side on a par with the world champions, making clear that it would take something special for them to get a winner. Unfortunately for Olsen, Toni Kroos delivered just that at the death.

AdvertisementGettyDomagoj Vida | CB | Croatia

The 29-year-old defender put in a superstar performance as his side ran out 3-0 winners against Argentina. With a crucial block and some vital clearances, he kept the Albiceleste at bay and helped preserve a clean sheet in a superb performance from Croatia.

GettyJohn Stones | CB | England

The 24-year-old capitalised on some terrible defending in Panama’s box to head in the opening goal eight minutes in and get the party started for England.

The defender added another later in the half and was sound on the ball throughout as the Three Lions went on to win 6-1.

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ElsaCarlos Salcedo | CB | Mexico

The defender was a dominant figure in the Mexico back line as they impressed once again against South Korea.

Salcedo, 24, recorded more passes than anyone else in the game and very little got past him as he impressed with blocks, tackles and clearances to protect El Tri’s advantage.