US Women's Coach Emma Hayes Sidesteps Equal Pay Question if High-priced Star Takes over American Men

US women's coach Emma Hayes/The AP
US women's coach Emma Hayes/The AP
TT

US Women's Coach Emma Hayes Sidesteps Equal Pay Question if High-priced Star Takes over American Men

US women's coach Emma Hayes/The AP
US women's coach Emma Hayes/The AP

US women's coach Emma Hayes sidestepped a question on whether she should get a raise if a high-priced star such as Jürgen Klopp is hired to replace Gregg Berhalter with the American men.

Berhalter has a contract through the 2026 World Cup. US Soccer Federation sporting director Matt Crocker has not spoken with media about Berhalter's status since the team's first-round elimination last week in the Copa America.

“My focus today is on preparing our team for our training camp this week. I have to think about that and I have to think about performing first and foremost, myself with this team, this Olympics,” Hayes said at a news conference Monday with US men's Olympic coach Marko Mitrović. “I think with regards to matters relating to the men’s team and gender equity, they’re not questions for now or for me, knowing that my absolute focus is on the preparation this week.”

Hayes, voted FIFA's Best Women’s Coach in 2021, managed Chelsea's women from 2012-24 before starting with the US this spring.

Berhalter earned $2,291,136 in 2022, including $900,000 in bonuses for the Americans’ qualifying for the World Cup and reaching the second round, according to the USSF's 2022 tax filing.

Hayes' predecessor as US women’s coach, Vlatko Andonovski, had a base salary of $396,089 in 2002 and also earned $15,000 in bonuses. Andonovski quit last August after the Americans were eliminated in the second round of the Women’s World Cup.

At the time of Hayes' hiring in November, the USSF said Hayes was set to become “the highest paid women’s soccer coach in the world.” Coach salaries typically are disclosed by the USSF when it releases its tax return each February for the fiscal year ending the prior March 31.

The USSF agreed in 2022 to equalize pay for players on the men's and women's national teams.

Klopp left Liverpool this spring after nine seasons that included Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League titles.



Freiburg's Höler Scores Another Bundesliga Stunner to Deny 10-man Dortmund

Freiburg's Lucas Hoeler, right, celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and Borussia Dortmund in Freiburg, Germany, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP)
Freiburg's Lucas Hoeler, right, celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and Borussia Dortmund in Freiburg, Germany, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP)
TT

Freiburg's Höler Scores Another Bundesliga Stunner to Deny 10-man Dortmund

Freiburg's Lucas Hoeler, right, celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and Borussia Dortmund in Freiburg, Germany, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP)
Freiburg's Lucas Hoeler, right, celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and Borussia Dortmund in Freiburg, Germany, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP)

Freiburg forward Lucas Höler scored with a spectacular bicycle kick to hold 10-man Borussia Dortmund to a 1-1 draw in the Bundesliga on Sunday.

Höler stopped Christian Günter´s cross with his left boot, then turned and struck the ball with his right to send the ball in off the right post in the 75th minute, denying Dortmund the chance to move second, The Associated Press reported.

The goal came a day after Bayer Leverkusen´s Martin Terrier scored a contender for goal of the season on Saturday.

Dortmund had Jobe Bellingham sent off in the 53rd for a foul on Philipp Treu, who would have been through alone on goal after cutting out a poor pass from Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

Ramy Bensebaini had opened the scoring in the 31st after Freiburg´s defense failed to deal with Yan Couto´s free kick.

It´s Dortmund´s second consecutive draw after the disappointing 2-2 draw at Bodø/Glimt in the Champions League on Wednesday.

League leader Bayern Munich was hosting bottom side Mainz later, with Stuttgart visiting Werder Bremen after that.


Haaland Stars in Win over Palace to Fire Man City Title Charge

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland (R) celebrates scoring against Crystal Palace © Glyn KIRK / AFP
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland (R) celebrates scoring against Crystal Palace © Glyn KIRK / AFP
TT

Haaland Stars in Win over Palace to Fire Man City Title Charge

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland (R) celebrates scoring against Crystal Palace © Glyn KIRK / AFP
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland (R) celebrates scoring against Crystal Palace © Glyn KIRK / AFP

Manchester City closed the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal as Erling Haaland's double inspired a 3-0 win against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Pep Guardiola's second-placed side moved within two points of Arsenal after a hard-fought success at Selhurst Park.

Norway striker Haaland opened the scoring late in the first half and England forward Phil Foden netted after the break.

Haaland bagged his 23rd goal in all competitions this season to complete City's fifth successive win in all competitions, AFP reported.

Arsenal's dramatic late win over bottom of the table Wolves on Saturday had put pressure on City to respond and Guardiola's men were up to the task, overcoming a spluttering display in large part because of the quality of their finishing.

After coming from behind to win 2-1 at Real Madrid in their glamour Champions League clash in midweek, a trip to freezing south London to face their FA Cup tormentors was a testing trip for far different reasons.

City were facing Palace for the first time since their shock FA Cup final defeat against the Eagles at Wembley in May.

Glasner out-witted Guardiola with a tactical masterclass in the final.

But City avenged that loss to keep the title race bubbling ahead of the hectic Christmas period.

The astute Glasner spotted another flaw in City's game-plan this season, noting their defence is vulnerable to pace and passes played in behind them

Yeremy Pino should have exploited City's defensive frailty when Adam Wharton's sublime pass sent him sprinting clear of the visitors' creaky offside trap, but his shot smashed off the crossbar with just Gianluigi Donnarumma to beat.

With Palace set up to neutralise City's attacks, Guardiola's men struggled to find any rhythm for long periods and Pino threatened again with a low shot that forced Donnarumma into action.

It took City half an hour to muster their first shot on target as Foden's free-kick was parried by Dean Henderson.

Haaland had barely had a kick before he put City ahead in typically predatory fashion in the 41st minute.

Matheus Nunes curled a pin-point cross towards the far post and Haaland peeled away from Chris Richards to thump a superb header past Henderson from six yards.

Donnarumma preserved City's lead, diving at Jean-Philippe Mateta's feet and then saving the France striker's close-range effort.

Palace had won four of their previous six league games, losing only once, and they were inches away from a second half equaliser when Wharton robbed Nico Gonzalez and lashed against the post from the edge of the area.

Without Belgian winger Jeremy Doku due to a leg injury, City were nowhere near the best and Guardiola's frustration boiled over as he argued with Glasner on the touchline.

But Foden eased Guardiola's angst with his sixth league goal in his last four games in the 69th minute.

Rayan Cherki sparked the goal with a dynamic run towards the Palace area before Foden arrowed a low drive past Henderson from 18 yards.

Haaland wrapped up City's gritty win in the 89th minute, calmly sending Henderson the wrong way from the penalty spot after the Palace keeper had fouled Savinho.


Saudi National Team Coach: Our Goal Is to Reach the Final of FIFA Arab Cup

Saudi national team coach Hervé Renard - SPA
Saudi national team coach Hervé Renard - SPA
TT

Saudi National Team Coach: Our Goal Is to Reach the Final of FIFA Arab Cup

Saudi national team coach Hervé Renard - SPA
Saudi national team coach Hervé Renard - SPA

Saudi national team coach Hervé Renard said that the current phase requires a focus on recovery and proper preparation after qualifying for the semifinals, affirming the players’ readiness for the upcoming match against Jordan, SPA reported.

During a press conference held today in Doha, Renard praised the strong support of Saudi fans, noting their remarkable presence in the previous match, and expressed hope for their continued backing of the team.

He explained that the Jordanian national team is characterized by speed in offensive transitions and strong defensive organization, as demonstrated in its previous matches. He stressed the need for caution while affirming that the Saudi national team possess the necessary capabilities to face the opponent.

The coach reiterated that the match will not be easy and that full focus is directed toward reaching the final of FIFA Arab Cup.

For his part, Saudi national team player Nawaf Boushal affirmed the team’s strong preparations for the upcoming match, noting that they will face a strong and respected opponent.