News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Former England captain David Beckham will become the first Major League Soccer player honoured with a statue, which will be unveiled outside LA Galaxy's stadium prior to their season opener on March 2, the team said on Friday.
In 2007, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder became the first big European name to join the MLS, where he won back-to-back championships in 2011 and 2012 during his six years and 98 appearances with the Galaxy.
Beckham's MLS stint helped give the American league credibility and paved the way for other top European players to make the leap in subsequent years.
The 43-year-old is currently the owner of expansion side Inter Miami CF, which is set to join the MLS in 2020.
Turbocharged Leverkusen crush Mainz 5-1 to climb to fifth
Bayer Leverkusen scored four times in an explosive first half to crush hosts Mainz 05 5-1 in the Bundesliga on Friday and continue their rise up the standings under new coach Peter Bosz.
The Dutchman, whose team beat champions Bayern Munich last week, took over at the start of the year and his attack-minded Leverkusen have now won three of their four league games under him.
Wendell opened their account after five minutes and despite an equaliser from Robin Quaison four minutes later, the visitors struck another three times before the break through Kai Havertz, Julian Brandt and Karim Bellarabi.
Germany international Brandt, who has blossomed under Bosz, then added his second goal in the 64th minute from yet another Kevin Volland assist.
Leverkusen, who have now scored a combined 11 goals in their last three league games, climb to fifth place on 33 points, four behind RB Leipzig who are fourth.
Leaders Borussia Dortmund, on 49, host Hoffenheim on Saturday.
Dzeko helps Roma to go 4th in Serie A
Edin Dzeko scored one goal and set up another on Friday as his side won 3-0 at bottom club Chievo Verona in the Serie A.
The Bosnia-Herzegovina forward has now netted twice in three league matches, having failed to find the net in his previous nine.
Stephan El Shaarawy opened the scoring in the ninth minute for Roma before Dzeko doubled their lead in the 18th with a delightful goal, feinting past one defender on the byline before nutmegging another and firing in an angled drive into the corner.
The two scorers then combined for Roma's third goal six minutes into the second half. El Shaarawy raced down the left on the counter and picked out Dzeko, who set up Aleksandar Kolarov.
El Shaarawy also hit the woodwork after being set up by Dzeko. Roma is fourth in Serie A, the final Champions League qualifying berth. AC Milan can move back above the capital side, though, with a win over Cagliari on Sunday.
Balotelli scores again in Marseille's 2-1 victory at Dijon
Mario Balotelli's second goal in three games helped Marseille to a 2-1 win at Dijon in the French league on Friday.
The Italy striker, who joined last month from Nice, turned the ball in from close range in the 57th minute after winger Florian Thauvin headed on a corner from the right.
Marseille's second straight victory moved the side up to fifth ahead of this weekend's matches, and also took some pressure off coach Rudi Garcia following a poor run of results.
While Balotelli was the team's most dangerous player, a handling error from veteran goalkeeper Steve Mandanda led to Dijon's 18th-minute opener.
Although Mandanda covered his near post to smother defender Fouad Chafik's long-range shot, he did not push the ball away far enough and midfielder Jordan Marie followed up to drive it home.
Balotelli leveled before Argentine forward Lucas Ocampos produced a well-taken goal in the 73rd, cleverly cutting inside a defender on the edge of the area and curling the ball into the top corner. On Saturday, runaway league leader Paris Saint-Germain is at home to Bordeaux.
