234Radio

August 24, 2025

Son and Muller celebrate first MLS goals

Getty Images

53 minutes ago

Former Tottenham captain Son Heung-min and ex-Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller both registered their first Major League Soccer goals on Saturday.

South Korea star Son, 33, scored a stunning free-kick just six minutes into his second start for Los Angeles FC, who drew 1-1 with FC Dallas.

It was Son’s third appearance since ending his 10-year stay in the Premier League for a record MLS fee in excess of £20m.

“I’m glad I scored [my] first goal [in] the MLS and also for LAFC. But for me, the most important thing is to get three points. I’m really, really disappointed for that,” Son said.

“I need still a lot of time to be connecting with the team. It’s been only two weeks – maybe a little bit more – but I’m enjoying every single moment.”

German Muller, 35, converted a penalty in the 14th minute of stoppage-time to clinch a dramatic 3-2 victory for Vancouver Whitecaps against St Louis City.

Muller, whose 25-year association with Bayern Munich ended with the expiration of his contract this summer, captained his new side in his first start after making a substitute appearance last week.

Futsal, hour-long trips and Collerense

Mariona Caldentey

Caldentey grew up in the small town of Felanitx, on the island of Mallorca.

She was close to her older brother and her cousins and they played football together at her grandmother’s house as a child.

At the age of four, Caldentey joined the local football team – an after-school futsal club in Manacor.

She was the only girl on the team but enjoyed huge success, winning multiple titles, including the Spanish Futsal Championships.

“Football was always around me because of my family,” Caldentey told BBC Sport.

“My older brother played, my dad was a coach – he was the president of a club [CE Felanitx] and played before that – and my grandfather and cousins played as well.

“I grew up in that environment and nobody told me it was just for men. I always felt supported. I was lucky.

“[Futsal was] how I started. That’s quite typical in Spain when you are a kid. I started to combine 11-a-side with five-a-side because I loved it so much. I did both for years.”

When Caldentey’s talents became clear at the age of 14, she joined a professional women’s team – El Collerense – who played in the Spanish first division.

In her second training session, she suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and almost considered quitting – a moment she often looks back on now.

But a year later, she made her debut in the Copa de la Reina and soon caught the eye of Spain’s most prestigious clubs.

Like many in Spain, she shared a deep love for Barcelona but they did not develop a professional women’s section until 2015.

It meant she missed out on an education at La Masia – Barcelona’s youth academy – but Barcelona was in her blood and after graduating from university with a masters degree in injury rehabilitation, she joined the club in the summer of 2014.

“When I was playing in my town it was easy but when I got older my parents had to drive me one hour from home,” said Caldentey.

“Collerense were my first women’s team. I didn’t have the licence to drive and the club couldn’t offer me a driver, so my family had to support me with training.

Grandma’s piano lessons and grieving for her father

Caldentey’s bond with her family and home town remains strong.

Felanitx town hall has a plaque in honour of Caldentey and the local futsal pitch is named after her – the Camp de Futbol Es Torrento Mariona Caldentey Oliver.

But the family suffered grief when Caldentey lost her father Miguel Angel suddenly in 2018, two days before she joined up with the Spanish national team, while her grandmother died last year following her move to Arsenal.

Her father’s death hit hard but she vowed to achieve success in his memory. She represented Spain days after his funeral and went on to win 14 major trophies with his beloved club Barcelona, where he was a season-ticket holder.

“It was sad for my dad because he was following and supporting me when we had no fans, in the rain, and in bad conditions,” said Caldentey.

“Now we have the best [facilities] around us, play in the big stadiums, have all the fans and he missed that. It’s a bit sad.

“He didn’t see me play in a Champions League final. The year we made the first final he passed away in November. He missed the successful part.

“My brother and my mum can still enjoy that journey with me. But lately, I think more about him.

“When I was playing as a forward he always told me, ‘You will end up playing more in midfield’. He was right! It’s kind of funny.”

Her grandmother taught her to play the piano when she was younger and Caldentey had a keyboard with her in Barcelona to continue practising.

She has let her musical talents slip but Caldentey intends to pick it up again now she has settled in at Arsenal.

“Sometimes [my grandma] played and I had to do the same as her. In the beginning, my grandma was sad because none of us were involved in music, we were more into sports.

Stopping the ‘rollercoaster’ and leaving Barca

Those close to Caldentey say she defines her winning mentality by “always wanting a little more”.

She put those words into action during her 10-year career at Barcelona, enjoying two Treble-winning seasons and clinching three Champions League titles.

In total, she scored 115 goals in 303 appearances.

In Spain, they compare her to Andres Iniesta – a legendary number eight for Barcelona. Caldentey now wears the same number for Arsenal.

“It’s a big honour. I grew up watching a lot of the Barca generation when it was Messi, Xavi, Iniesta. I loved that team,” said Caldentey.

“I watched them being really successful and playing the most beautiful football. I just love that kind of football.”

So instilled in the Barcelona way, few could have imagined that Caldentey would one day choose to leave her childhood club in search of a new challenge.

“In the beginning when I was thinking about leaving, I was kind of sharing a bit of everything, my thoughts and my process with my mum and my brother,” she added.

“But at one point I needed to stop doing that because it was a bit of a rollercoaster. One day you think one thing, then you change. At the end, it’s a personal decision.

“I stopped sharing and said, ‘I will tell you when I am clear because it’s my decision’.

“My mum wants to have me closer so coming to London is harder. She can’t speak English and she can’t fly alone because she is a bit scared.

Mariona Caldentey playing for Barcelona at Camp Nou

Thriller movies and language lessons

It did not take long for Caldentey to settle in England – she was named the PFA Player of the Year and WSL Player of the Season.

She scored 19 goals in 41 appearances in all competitions and helped Arsenal win a first European title in 18 years.

England captain Leah Williamson described “watching her magic” and said she “loved being her team-mate” after building an instant bond.

Caldentey’s biggest challenge was learning English and though she was helped by Spanish team-mate Laia Codina, she also had language lessons via the club.

“Now I am more confident to speak. I hope I will get better but it’s amazing when you can learn another language and how another culture goes,” said Caldentey.

“It was a bit hard in the beginning – settling into a new house, to drive on the other side of the road, getting a a new car – and small things like a new phone number and the wi-fi! It looks like it’s easy to move but you always have something to do.

“It’s a bit stressful but I was lucky that [Codina] was already here so she helped me a lot. My life is different now to what it was in Barcelona but I am enjoying it.”

Caldentey watches football matches with English commentary to help her understand words her team-mates might use on the pitch.

But sometimes she needs a break from learning.

“If I watch a movie or a [TV] series then you know what, I deserve Spanish! It’s a bit tiring. I love thrillers and crime [dramas],” said Caldentey.

“In English, it’s hard for me to follow. Last year we went to the cinema to watch Mufasa. It’s a kids’ movie so that’s easy to understand. If it’s a thriller, I can’t make it yet!”

Caldentey is also teaching her team-mates some Spanish when she can.

“I said to the girls, ‘I will leave England some day and I don’t know how my English will be but I am sure all of you will know a bit of Spanish’.

‘Life is better out of the limelight’

Despite all of Caldentey’s success, she appears a little shy and very humble – she does not seek out the limelight.

In her own words, she is a “simple person” who just “loves to have fun”.

Arsenal manager Renee Slegers told BBC Sport: “She has a humbleness over her. That means for her it is just [about] hard work.

“She grew up playing for Barcelona and was part of their journey. She knows how hard it is to win stuff and that is what she brought to us.

“She does not take things for granted. They do not come easy. She understands that really well and it’s infectious.”

Former Spain coach Montse Tome said this year that Caldentey was “capable of speaking and being listened to” and her leadership qualities are growing.

Her status in world football has elevated and she is one of the favourites to win the Ballon d’Or alongside some of her Spanish and Arsenal team-mates.

“I play football because I love to be in a team. It’s a team sport so I don’t put myself in that conversation. I just want to play football and have fun,” said Caldentey.

“I know when I enjoy it, it’s better for my football and then it’s better for the team. If the team is successful then it will be better.

“I am quite simple. I love [to] laugh, I love [to be] positive, I love to be around people and just have a nice time. I am calm in that sense.

“Sometimes I get a bit angry and annoyed on the pitch because I am competitive and want to win.

A graphic that reads 'Follow our women's football TikTok' with a picture of a mobile phone

What about the other Brits?

While Raducanu is the only Briton playing on the US Open’s first Sunday start, there are seven other players from the nation in the singles draws.

British men’s number one Jack Draper is seeded fifth as he looks to better his run to the semi-finals last year, although he has not played since Wimbledon because of an arm injury.

Cameron Norrie is the other British interest on Monday when he opens against American Sebastian Korda.

After a couple of early exits in Toronto and Cincinnati, 29-year-old Norrie went back to his old Texas Christian University to recharge before launching his bid to reach the second week at a third consecutive Grand Slam event.

Norrie has climbed back into the world‘s top 40 after runs to the French Open last 16 and Wimbledon quarter-finals.

“I think it’s good to clear your mind and be away from the tour. It can be draining if in tournament mode and not competing,” said Norrie.

In men’s singles, challenges and options, and talking points

Recent history suggests that a different winner could emerge from any of the four Slams at the US Open.

Six different champions have been the result of the slightly slower hard courts, humid weather, and the tournament’s title as the final major in a busy season.

Only one other person has won it twice during that time, Novak Djokovic. The Serb, who is now 38, continues to lead the charge to defeat Alcaraz and Sinner, who are both defending champions in 2022.

Despite his pedigree, German third seed Alexander Zverev has not yet won a Grand Slam, giving the impression that he lacks confidence in competing against the best in the majors’ business.

The three-time major winner recently sought the assistance of Toni Nadal, who helped his nephew Rafael win 16 of his 22 Grand Slam victories.

After Zverev’s first-round exit at Wimbledon, where he opened up about receiving psychological help to “get out of the hole” he was in, Zverev made the trip to Nadal’s academy in Majorca.

Nadal told BBC Sport, “He has more chances than most others to defeat Alcaraz and Sinner,” although it is undoubtedly not simple.

Everyone believes Alcaraz and Sinner are difficult to defeat, but I told him that Rafael, [Roger Federer], and Djokovic were all at least as good as Sinner and Alcaraz, and Wawrinka and Murray won three Grand Slams in the process.

He will always have a chance, but he must put in a lot of effort mentally every chance.

Taylor Fritz, the 2023 semi-finalist, and Shelton, the fourth seed, are in charge of the American challenge.

The home fans have been waiting since 2003 when Andy Roddick became the first home men’s champion.

Jack Draper, the reigning British champion, is hoping to advance beyond this year’s semi-finals with his breakout Grand Slam success.

In women’s singles, challenges and options are the talking points.

Iga Swiatek, a Polish national, enters the final major of the season with the majority of the crowds in favor of the trophy.

The US Open champion, who won the US Open in 2022, boosted her credentials at Flushing Meadows by winning the Cincinnati Open, which demonstrates her skill on American hard courts.

Second seed Swiatek remarked, “I don’t think it makes sense to refer to anyone as the favorite.”

“There are some girls who consistently lead the field and show that we can play well the entire season,” I wouldn’t say it is unpredictable in women’s tennis.

“But still, there are many players who play really well and can win the tournament. “

Coco Gauff, the third-seeded American, won the 2023 title and added a second major at the French Open in June, fulfilling her long-awaited potential.

Sabalenka credits MacMillan with preventing a similar wave of double faults that has resulted in the Belarusian winning three major titles in succession.

However, the defending US Open champion also enters the hard-court major tournament in questionable form.

At the WTA 1, 000 event in Cincinnati, world number one Sabalenka struggled to hold her own against Elena Rybakina, who had already outshined her.

Sabalenka hasn’t won a major tournament this year, but she wants to become the first woman to defend the title since Serena Williams did in 2014.

In the Grand Slams this season, Sabolenka said, “I have learned a lot of difficult lessons.”

Maybe every defending champion puts so much pressure on themselves.

“I feel confident enough to concentrate on myself and attempt to achieve that result,” I said.

related subjects

Tennis

August 24, 2025

Sinner & Alcaraz again? Swiatek or Sabalenka? US Open preview

By 234Radio in News, Sports News

Images courtesy of Getty

Jonathan Jurejko

New York news correspondent for BBC Sport tennis

three hours ago

US Open 2025

Dates: August 24 through September 7 in Flushing Meadows, New York

The US Open has a conundrum that the leading men’s players must solve.

How can Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz avoid capturing a third Grand Slam?

Someone might have to defeat both of the top two seeds, who are in the draw, to win the New York title.

Few people are confident that anyone can stop Italy’s Sinner and Spain’s Alcaraz, who have split their previous seven majors, from sweeping the calendar clean.

According to sixth-seeded American Ben Shelton, “you have to go through that if you want to win a big title these days.”