With the U.S. set to simultaneously host the Club World Cup and Gold Cup, this summer will spark the beautiful game in North America

After a few weeks of grumpy comments and bumpy news cycles, a throwaway comment from Mauricio Pochettino suggested that the good vibes might be back for American soccer.

This has been a strange period, in some ways. Christian Pulisic isn't playing for the USMNT in the Gold Cup, causing agita among former national team players. The Club World Cup has been a bit of a slow burn for attention in the U.S. But Pochettino, USMNT head coach, and de-facto chief representative of the men's game in the United States, gave a statement of hope.

"I think we need to be positive," he said, "because today I think only we can talk about football action, soccer action. The team showed great energy, great mentality, great attitude. And then it’s this type of game that maybe, if you make a mistake, you can lose. But you made a mistake because it’s soccer, it’s football. That is why I think I am so, so happy."

Context is everything here.

The USMNT, depleted of their starters and surrounded by some negativity over recent months, found a way to see the bright side in a 2-1 loss to Turkey over the weekend. Pochettino was talking about his team, but as Ironic as the circumstances may be, he actually nailed it.

Not just for the USMNT, but soccer in America over the next six weeks.

The loss wasn't good. Nor was the more decisive 4-0 loss to Switzerland on Tuesday, with a relatively inexperienced USMNT lineup. But this summer is more about trajectory than immediacy. The Gold Cup might frustrate USMNT die-hards. The Club World Cup will provide talking points on both sides of the positivity scale. The national team may win or it may fail. Big names might just excel in the showpiece club tournament.

But the next two months should be reason for excitement, a period in which the beautiful game will be super-sized for U.S. audiences in multiple formats – and might just set up the country for some seismic shifts in soccer for years to come.

"This is the golden era for American soccer," Apple TV+ analyst Kevin Egan recently told GOAL, "with the Club World Cup, the World Cup coming to the Women's World Cup few years down the line. Like, there's an awful lot here to ensure that it thrives."

• Getty Images
  

  The Club World Cup and fan appeal

  The Club World Cup really should be a wonderful thing. Picture the scene: 32 of the world's best soccer teams, stacked with some of the world's best soccer players, brought here (mostly) by a statistical calculation of their own success over the past few years, playing in front of distinctly American crowds.

  This is the dream, not only for American audiences but also the teams themselves. It is no secret that clubs and owners crave American interest, for both genuine fan credibility and all of the financial trimmings that come with it. Fans, too, have flocked to any semblance of European football in their native country.

  European friendlies routinely sell out in the U.S.. The 2023 MLS All Star Game pitted Arsenal against MLS's best XI. Audi Field was packed with not only American soccer enthusiasts but also thousands of Gunners who otherwise would not have access to their favorite team. Those around the game are expecting no different this summer.

  "I've been to a Clasico friendly here in the United States and it was fabulous," ESPN analyst Kay Murray told GOAL. "It was absolutely packed. And I have found that whenever I've gone to preseason games that I think there's not going to be too many people, the fans come out in force all the time. So yeah, they probably will come out for the Club World Cup. They surprise me every time, but American soccer fans are amazing and love the game."

  There's no reason that a Club World Cup – where there's something to actually play for – will be any different.

Advertisement

• (C)Getty Images
  

  The USMNT and the Gold Cup

  And then there's the question of the USMNT. They're an increasingly difficult entity to figure out. Pochettino is clearly a good manager, and has picked up results. But a mixture of injuries and general controversy have made his first nine months in the job far from successful – he's just 5-5 in charge of a team that has lost four straight.

  Still, this might just be a decent summer for the Argentine. Yes, former players are furious. There is currently a Landon Donovan band-for-band with Christian Pulisic's father that includes ChatGPT insults (there's a 2025 sentence).

  Pochettino has a depleted squad. The USMNT were full of fight and zeal after the showing against Turkey. The youngsters held their own. The effort, something that has been called into question, was by no means in doubt. Glory in defeat isn't sustainable, but it's also what has made the USMNT likeable: hustle, aggression, a refusal to back down – soccer as capitalism.

  It might also just make this team fun again, even if the subsequent loss to Switzerland was thorough. All bets are off. Both Mexico and Canada are better positioned to win this year's Gold Cup. You could argue that Panama, too, are in with a better shout.

  Any run the U.S. goes on will be a memorable thing. With more than half the starting roster missing – but all expected to be back after the Gold Cup and Club World Cup – and a squad full of players with limited caps, this could be the summer in which Pochettino shows he can embrace American fight in full.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  The USWNT and the race to the top

  And there's the question of the USWNT. Pochettino and Emma Hayes have been hailed in some corners as a heroic duo, two managers who came into the American soccer sphere at roughly the same time, from the same club, with the same goal: to revive a struggling program.

  Hayes completed step one with a remarkably easy Olympic Gold win last summer. But she is now well into the hard part. Her best three attacking players, either injured or on maternity leave, are unavailable. There are question marks throughout the midfield and defense. A legendary goalkeeper needs replacing. This is where most teams, especially national teams, tend to fail.

  Instead, she has found new heights. This U.S. player pool, it turns out, is really rather deep, and good. And Hayes has used it in full. The usual suspects have remained in the team, but around them is a wonderful group of talented youngsters. The revival of the once-defunct Under-23 system has allowed for players who aren't quite ready to be developed and then shuffled into the senior side.

  The results have been accordingly upbeat. The USWNT battered China and Jamaica last week by a combined score of 7-0, as Hayes handed out a series of debuts and started relatively inexperienced teams.

  And there are more to come. A duo of friendlies against Ireland are set for the end of the month. They will take on Canada on July 2. Rose Lavelle, a stalwart of past USWNT sides who still deserves another shot in the first team, is on her way back to full fitness. Perhaps the only disappointing aspect is that – with the 2027 Women's World Cup still two years away – there isn't much on the line other than the swagger of their play and the pride that comes with a win.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• IMAGN
  

  Accessibility and buzz

  Perhaps the best part of this all? The accessibility. Usually, soccer is played in different time zones. West Coast Premier League fans might have to get up as early as 4 a.m. to watch their favorite team. Champions League fixtures are right in the middle of the workday for the U.S. They're also expensive to watch.

  The Club World Cup, meanwhile, will be tangibly accessible. Group stage tickets can now be bought for as low as $30 (much to FIFA's chagrin.) The whole tournament will be streamed on DAZN – and select matches on TNT in the U.S. – with a lineup of world-class commentators.

  The USMNT, too, will be remarkably easy to watch, complete with favorable kickoff times. The ripple effect brought on by that could be immense. There are three MLS clubs participating in the Club World Cup – Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, LAFC and Seattle Sounders. They will be handed an immense opportunity of their own to show off their quality, and also prove to the world that American soccer is legit.

  "I'm excited as an American that lives here because Major League Soccer, their stadiums, their venues, their infrastructure, the clubs, the fan bases, a new fan base is going to be exposed to Major League Soccer – and what we're doing over in this country," Apple TV commentator and analyst Taylor Twellman told GOAL.

Enzo Maresca says Cole Palmer can show everyone how good he is by leading Chelsea in their bid for more silverware at the Club World Cup.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Chelsea start Club World Cup campaign on MondayPalmer has become Blues' talisman Maresca backs him to shine in USAFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Chelsea manager Maresca has backed Palmer to shine at the Club World Cup this month and show fans everywhere just how good he is. The England international helped the Blues scoop the Conference League trophy in late May and will hope to win a second piece of silverware since his move to Stamford Bridge in FIFA's newly-revamped tournament.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The likes of Lionel Messi, Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe are among those playing in the United States this month and all will be keen to claim the trophy. However, Palmer ended the club season in good form as he powered Chelsea to victory over Real Betis in the Conference League final and Maresca says the 23-year-old, who he worked with as a coach previously at Manchester City, can show he belongs at the highest level with good performances this month.

Watch every FIFA Club World Cup game free on DAZNStream nowWHAT MARESCA SAID

Speaking ahead of his side's opener against LAFC, Maresca said: "I've said it more than once: Cole Palmer is up there with the best players who can produce something at any moment, create something out of nothing.

"He wasn't with me on the USA tour last summer, so it will also be a chance for him to experience the environment there and to introduce himself to North America."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

DID YOU KNOW?

Palmer will be key to Chelsea's hopes this month and he has also received praise from former midfielder Geremi, who believes the attacking midfielder is capable of "carrying" them to the title.

MatériaMais Notícias

Após um início de Série B bastante promissor, emplacando uma invencibilidade de 14 jogos, o Vasco vive um momento complicado na competição. Neste domingo, a equipe perdeu para o Bahia por 2 a 1, na Fonte Nova, e chegou a cinco derrotas consecutivas jogando fora de casa. São apenas três vitórias nas últimas 12 rodadas.

RelacionadasVascoNova derrota e má atuação fora de casa ligam sinal de alerta no VascoVasco29/08/2022VascoCria do Vasco, Alex Teixeira completa 100 jogos com a camisa do clubeVasco28/08/2022VascoFaro minimiza sequência de derrotas do Vasco fora: ‘Não abala em nada’Vasco28/08/2022

> GALERIA:ATUAÇÕES: Quintero falha e ataque do Vasco é inofensivo em derrota para o Bahia

Apesar de permanecer no G4, o time tem visto a diferença para o 5º colocado reduzir semana após semana. O Cruz-Maltino fechou o 1º turno na vice-liderança com 35 pontos, sete a mais que o Tombense, primeiro clube fora da zona de acesso. A distância para o Londrina, que atualmente ocupa a 5ª posição, agora é de apenas quatro.

O que chama mais a atenção é o desempenho ruim no 2º turno. Em sete jogos disputados, o Vasco venceu apenas dois, empatou um e perdeu quatro. O aproveitamento de 33,3% é o quinto pior neste período, sendo superior somente ao de Náutico, Operário, Brusque e Novorizontino, e igual aos de Chapecoense e CSA.

APROVEITAMENTO NO 2º TURNO DA SÉRIE B 2022
– Após 7 jogos

1º – Ituano – 76,2%
2º – Cruzeiro – 71,4%
3º – Bahia – 61,9%
4º – Londrina – 57,1%
5º – Grêmio – 52,4%
Ponte Preta – 52,4%
CRB – 52,4%
Vila Nova – 52,4%
9º – Sport – 47,6%
Criciúma – 47,6%
11º – Sampaio Corrêa – 42,8%
12º – Tombense – 38,1%
Guarani – 38,1%
14º – CSA – 33,3%
Chapecoense – 33,3%
Vasco – 33,3%
17º – Brusque – 28,6%
Novorizontino – 28,6%
Operário – 28,6%
20º – Náutico – 14,3%

Seamer went off the field midway through an over on the first day and did not return

Vithushan Ehantharajah07-Jul-2023Ollie Robinson is fit to bat in England’s first innings after suffering a back spasm on day one of the third Ashes Test at Headingley.The seamer had to leave the field in 43rd over of Australia’s innings after feeling what has been described as a shooting pain up his back after bowling the second delivery of his 12th over. Robinson alerted Ben Stokes to the issue and the England captain insisted he should leave the field. Stuart Broad finished the over.Following an assessment from the medical team and rest overnight, the 29-year-old was said to be in better shape on Friday morning and will be able to bat when required. England resumed day two on 68 for 3 after bowling Australia out for 263. Robinson was wicketless.Related

Ollie Robinson: 'I'm trying to change the narrative that I don't care'

Pat Cummins vs Joe Root – a hallmark of greatness

MCC introduce stricter pavilion regulations after Long Room chaos

Wood told: Bowl rockets, don't fret about the runs

Can you feel the love tonight, Mitchell Marsh?

Similar issues have blighted Robinson in the past. A back spasm in the Hobart Test on the previous Ashes in 2021/22 led then-bowling coach Jon Lewis to publicly urge him to improve his fitness. Further such issues on the subsequent tour of the Caribbean meant Robinson could not play any of the three Tests against West Indies.With the help of Stokes as a mentor, Robinson returned for the second Test of the South Africa series last summer a more robust bowler, and showcased his renewed fitness by maintaining his pace across spells during a day’s play. Though he has not quite been at the races in this series, he still has 10 wickets at an average 28.40, taking him to 76 at 21.71 across 18 caps to date.England are optimistic that Robinson will be able to return with the ball, though much will depend on how much rest he can bank. The onus is on their middle order to break down Australia’s overnight lead of 195 and fashion one of their own, allowing Robinson and the rest of the bowling attack to keep their feet up for most of Friday.

Manchester United are now set for a transfer battle with Spanish giants Barcelona to sign an exciting young full-back, according to a recent report.

Man Utd eye new forwards as summer plans take shape

It will not come as a surprise to any United fan to see that the Old Trafford chiefs are looking at strengthening their forward line this summer. Rasmus Hojlund, who did score against Leicester City before the international break and then against Portugal for Denmark, has struggled for consistent form this season, while Joshua Zirkzee looks more comfortable in a red shirt recently but has also struggled to find the net regularly.

Amorim working on "unbelievable" forward deal as Man Utd fancy £42m price

United have now turned their attentions to a new centre-forward target, as Ruben Amorim is already working on a potential transfer.

ByBrett Worthington Mar 24, 2025

Therefore, Ruben Amorim is keen to improve this, and ahead of the summer, he and INEOS have their eye on two new strikers, both of whom play for AFC Bournemouth. Over the weekend, it emerged that Antonie Semenyo has emerged as a target for the Red Devils, as his versatility makes him someone who Amorim would love to have in his team. It is claimed that United have already held talks with the Cherries over a potential transfer.

As well as Semenyo, United are also looking at Justin Kluivert and have added him to their transfer shortlist. The Dutchman has been mightily impressive this season and has caught the eye of the Premier League giants, who could sign Kluivert for between £42-46 million this summer.

Man Utd set to battle Barcelona for £20m defender

But it is not just a new centre-forward that is on the mind at Old Trafford, as according to Caught Offside, Man United are keeping a close eye on Feyenoord’s right-back Givairo Read ahead of the summer transfer window.

The report states that Read has caught the eye of several big European teams after his performances for the Dutch side. It is claimed that Liverpool and Barcelona are two teams competing against each other to sign the 18-year-old, but United, along with Atlético Madrid, Chelsea and Arsenal, are also monitoring the defender’s situation.

Read, who is known for being an attacking threat from the full-back position, could be up for grabs this summer despite the fact he is under contract until the summer of 2028. That is because Feyenoord have set a price tag of €25-30 million, which is roughly £20-25 million.

Read broke into the Feyenoord first team this season and has played 17 games in the Eredivisie so far, during which he has recorded an impressive six assists. He is a right-back by trade, but he can also play left-back, central midfield and right wing-back, which would suit Amorim’s need for versatile players.

Read

Dalot

Apps

17

28

Starts

13

28

Assists

6

2

Crosses

31

49

Tackles won

23

35

Interceptions

10

35

The Red Devils currently have Diogo Dalot as their main right wing-back, but given his poor campaign, where TalkSPORT reporter Alex Crook stated he had “regressed” this season, Amorim may be looking for a potential replacement.

Dalot has only 22 goal involvements for United in 202 games, which isn’t ideal for a wing-back and, given the fact United were looking at signing Geovany Quenda before Chelsea won that race, it appears a new right wing-back is on their agenda.

ضربة قوية تلقاها مانشستر يونايتد بسبب حارسه، أندريه أونانا، قبل انطلاق الموسم الجديد، ليضع الجهاز الفني بقيادة روبن أموريم في موقف لا يُحسد عليه.

أونانا تعرض للإصابة فور عودته إلى التدريبات في كارينجتون، وتشير التقديرات إلى غيابه ما بين 6 إلى 8 أسابيع، مما يجعله مهددًا بالغياب عن مباراة آرسنال الافتتاحية في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، بحسب صحيفة “تيليجراف” البريطانية.

غياب الحارس الأساسي يُربك حسابات مانشستر يونايتد الدفاعية، خصوصًا أن بديله التركي ألتاي بايندير يفتقد للخبرة الكافية، بينما يبقى توم هيتون خيارًا احتياطيًا رغم تجديد عقده، ولا يُعد الحارس المثالي لحراسة عرين الفريق.

اقرأ أيضًا.. مورينيو يوجه دفعة قوية لبرشلونة لتعويض صفقة نيكو ويليامز

في ظل هذه الظروف، بدأ الحديث داخل إدارة مانشستر يونايتد عن التعاقد مع حارس جديد خلال فترة الانتقالات الصيفية، وسط ترقب لتطور الحالة البدنية لأونانا وإمكانية لحاقه بجزء من فترة الإعداد.

ورغم ارتباط اسم إيميليانو مارتينيز بإمكانية الانضمام إلى مانشستر يونايتد، فإن الطلبات المادية من جانب أستون فيلا تُعقد الصفقة، بينما تحوم الشكوك حول جاهزية راديك فيتيك، الحارس الشاب العائد من إعارة في النمسا، ليكون بديلاً موثوقًا.

القلق لا يتعلق فقط بالإصابة، بل أيضًا بمستوى أونانا في الموسم الماضي، حيث ارتكب عدة أخطاء مؤثرة، دفع ثمنها الفريق في الدوري الأوروبي والدوري الإنجليزي، ما يزيد الضغوط حول ملف الحراسة.

England great bows out in perfect finale as England square the series at Kia Oval

Andrew Miller31-Jul-2023

Stuart Broad walks onto the field of play for the final day of his Test career•Getty Images

There aren’t many fairytale finishes in elite-level sport, but Stuart Broad came closer than most players ever could. In claiming Australia’s final two wickets at the Kia Oval, Broad put his personal seal on a thrilling fifth Test, closing out a series-squaring 49-run victory, and bowing out on a high with a final tally of 604 wickets at 27.68 in his remarkable 167-Test career.”It was absolutely wonderful,” Broad told Sky Sports at the close. “The crowd were unbelievable. It was so loud and we just jumped on the back of that. To contribute to the team with two wickets is very special. When you make that decision you wonder what your last ball will be so to take a wicket to win an Ashes Test match is pretty cool.”Broad’s decision to retire was announced at the close of play on day three, at which point England led by a hefty 377 runs and appeared nailed on to seal victory in the remaining two days. As things turned out, however, Usman Khawaja and David Warner bit a large chunk out of that with an unbeaten century stand on a truncated fourth day, and it wasn’t until Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali came together in a crucial fifth-wicket alliance on the final afternoon that England’s path to victory was reopened.”I thought Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali set the tone absolutely unbelievably,” Broad added. “Woakesy picked up a couple of wickets, particularly Steve Smith, who has just been a wonderful player to play against all these years. Once we got a couple we really started to believe.”Related

England quicks await India acid test after two-year changing of the guard

From 'team man' to poster boy – Woakes finally commands the spotlight

Ben Stokes: 'Hope we've inspired a new generation of Test fans'

Stuart Broad to retire from cricket at end of Oval Test

'Stuart Broad is the ultimate Ashes warrior'

Moeen bowled 23 overs for his three wickets, despite being hampered with a groin strain sustained while batting on the first day. And afterwards, he too confirmed that this Test would be his last, joking that “if Stokesy messages me again I’m going to delete it,” after the WhatsApp exchange that triggered his return to the side after a two-year absence.”A special mention to Moeen, he’s not officially announced he’s moving on, but we’ve played a lot together and he’s been such a special friend,” Broad added. “To put that performance in to help England win an Ashes Test match will be a dream come true for him.”England’s victory was not without controversy, following a ball-change late on day four that offered significantly more bounce and movement than the 37-over-old original that it replaced. But with Australia’s ninth-wicket pair, Alex Carey and Todd Murphy, whittling the requirement down into the 50s, it took one last act of Broad black magic to break the contest open again. Having successfully swapped the bails in the first innings, moments before Marnus Labuschagne snicked off to Mark Wood, he repeated the trick at the non-striker’s end, then immediately found Murphy’s edge to dismiss him for 18.The fact that England persevered with the same ball that had claimed all ten wickets was, Broad admitted, a lesson that they had learned from their crucial two-wicket loss in the series opener at Edgbaston.”I don’t have many regrets with cricket,” he added. “I wouldn’t have taken the second new ball at Edgbaston. Throughout the series the new ball has been the hardest time to bowl. We found it hard to create changes after that.”If I could turn back the clock for that final hour I’d have maybe stayed with the old ball, stayed heavy and short and see if they’d made a mistake. I had blood in my socks, sweat, and I knew the team had put their heart and soul into it. When you lose to a great team like that, but you know you’ve done everything like that, you’ve got to hold your head high.”Stuart Broad bowls in his final Test match•ECB via Getty Images

On his remarkable longevity, maintaining his standards over a 17-year England career, and even reaching a new peak of performance in his final three post-Covid years, Broad put that down to his relentless curiosity, and desire to keep learning new tricks – not least his angle into left-handers from round the wicket, which contributed significantly to his tally of 17 dismissals against Warner.”I like detail, data and I like to research things,” he said. “I almost need facts and data for me to believe something. That was something that was very evident when I decided to come round the wicket in 2015 and really worked on bowling to left-handers around the wicket. My data wasn’t very good so I had to make a change. I did a lot of research into Davey Warner because I found him difficult to bowl at and to try and find a way to dismiss him.”In Test cricket it is about knowing what your weaknesses are but finding your exact strengths and sticking to them so strongly and not getting knocked away. Test cricket and the whole environment, there’s a lot of things trying to knock you off the straight road, but if you can stay on it you’ll have a lot of success coming your way. I’ve found that a lot more in the last 10 years and I’ve focused solely on what my super strengths are and I’ve stuck to them in this series.”To complete a special personal occasion, Broad even hit his final ball for six – a feat last achieved by West Indies’ Wayne Daniel in 1984. “The six was the only ball I’ve middled all year! I was quite happy that went for six.”

Tottenham Hotspur are now racing a number of their Premier League rivals for the signature of an “unbelievable” forward, who is set to command a fee of £54m this summer, according to a report.

Spurs looking to bolster attacking options

The scale of Tottenham’s injury crisis this season has left them a little light on attacking options at times, with Dominic Solanke and Richarlison spending time on the sidelines, and they are now stepping up their pursuit of a new striker.

Spurs are now in active talks over a deal for Lille striker Jonathan David, having been impressed by the Canadian’s performances this season, but there is widespread interest in his signature, with Arsenal and Manchester United also keen.

David is set to be available on a free transfer, but Ange Postecoglou’s side are also prepared to break the bank for an alternative target, with a report revealing they are willing to make a huge offer for Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres.

Tottenham want to sign "exciting" new £20m star who could replace Bissouma

Ange Postecogou is looking to make some significant progress in shaping his Tottenham squad.

By
Sean Markus Clifford

Mar 23, 2025

Not only is Postecoglou keen to bring in a new centre-forward, but there could also be additions in wide areas, with the Lilywhites incredibly keen on Feyenoord’s Igor Paixao.

One forward who could tick a lot of boxes is Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman, who is able to play both on the wing and at striker, and a report from Caught Offside has revealed Tottenham are now in the race for the forward’s signature.

Spurs are one of a number of Premier League clubs chasing Lookman, with seven English sides battling for the in-demand attacker, including London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea.

The 27-year-old is expected to leave Atalanta at the end of the campaign, with the Serie A side setting an asking price of €65m (£54m), amid further interest from Barcelona, Atlético Madrid and Juventus.

"Unbelievable" Lookman deserves big move

The Nigerian famously led Atalanta to a Europa League final victory over Bayer Leverkusen last season, scoring a hat-trick to secure a 3-0 victory, and he ranks extremely highly on a number of key attacking metrics over the past year, when compared to other forwards.

Statistic	Average per 90
Non-penalty goals	0.74 (99th percentile)
Assists	0.34 (89th percentile)
Shot-creating actions	5.86 (94th percentile)
Progressive carries	5.58 (93rd percentile)

As a result of the incredible display in the Europa League final, the Atalanta star received high praise from pundit Mina Rzouki, and he has continued to impress this season, picking up 13 goals and five assists in 23 Serie A games.

As such, it is exciting news that Tottenham are in the race for Lookman, but they may need to win the Europa League to stand a chance of winning the race for his signature, given that so many top clubs are keen.

Josh Hull, Leicestershire’s beanpole teenage left-arm quick, bagged the first four-wicket haul of his senior career but it was not enough to prevent a first defeat for the Foxes in this year’s Metro Bank One-Day Cup, with Nottinghamshire Outlaws prevailing by four wickets at Grace Road.Chasing a revised target of 206 after rain reduced the contest to 44 overs per side, the visitors crossed the line with 12 balls to spare after Lyndon James had top-scored with 82, backed up by Matt Montgomery’s 35 and wicketkeeper Dane Schadendorf’s punchy 29 not out. Hull finished with 4 for 43 from his nine overs.Earlier, Wiaan Mulder’s unbeaten 84, his third half-century in as many matches in the competition so far, led a Foxes recovery from 78 for 6 to 214 for 9 after former Yorkshire seamer Tom Loten, with a career-best 3 for 26, and Brett Hutton (3 for 42) had threatened to make it a shortened day.After winning their opening Group A matches so emphatically, Leicestershire found the going much tougher against their East Midlands neighbours, whose seam attack carried on where they had left off in dismissing Essex for 69 at Chelmsford last week.The Foxes slipped from 27 without loss after five overs to 41 for 3 in the ninth, Rishi Patel chipping to cover off Hutton, who also drew Sol Budinger into nicking a ball outside off stump. Loten then uprooted skipper Lewis Hill’s off stump with his first delivery.Hutton, who took 7 for 26 here in this fixture last season, picked up a third wicket with a ball that squeezed between bat and front pad to trap Colin Ackermann leg-before, leaving the Foxes 52 for 4.Although there was clearly some help for the bowlers under an overcast sky, Peter Handscomb settled himself with three early boundaries and with two half-centuries to his name already in the competition looked in the form to lead a rebuilding job. Yet just as rain began to fall, the Australian was run out at the non-striker’s end when Dane Paterson deflected a Mulder drive into the stumps.Two brief stoppages followed, in between which Louis Kimber, who had smashed 89 off 62 balls as the Foxes pulled off a record run-chase to beat Surrey at The Oval, perished for a six-ball duck, paying for lack of footwork as he was leg before to Loten.The fightback, instead, was led by Mulder, with assistance from a lower order in which Tom Scriven’s 25 helped the seventh wicket add 62 before Roman Walker, Chris Wright and Hull stuck around long enough for Mulder to inflict some punishing blows, clearing the rope off Calvin Harrison, Hutton and Liam Patterson-White, who also conceded six to Walker.File photo: Lyndon James anchored the chase•Getty Images

Loten’s third wicket came when Scriven drove him in the air to mid-off, Walker was caught at long-off trying to attack Harrison’s legspin and Paterson had Wright well caught at extra cover by Haseeb Hameed.Needing to score at slightly more than four-and-a-half an over, the Outlaws lost opener Ben Slater in the second over when he was bowled off an inside edge but were comfortably placed at 60 for one after 12 when the introduction of Hull dealt them a double setback.The 6ft 7ins left-armer, still only 18, angled one in to bowl the left-handed Ben Martindale between bat and pad, ending a second-wicket stand of 51 with James. Two overs later, he dismissed the right-handed Hameed with a full length delivery, the ball cannoning into middle stump as the Outlaws skipper played across its line.James, who had looked assured enough to that point, completed a seven-four half-century from 60 balls but was dropped on 51 – a chance to keeper Handscomb down the leg side as Mulder took over from Hull at the Bennett End, the bowler having been unlucky a couple of balls earlier when Montgomery edged just out of Handscomb’s reach on the off side.Unfazed, James found the boundary twice on the leg side in Mulder’s next over to leave Nottinghamshire needing 90 from 18 overs, which looked well within their compass with seven wickets in hand, only to be thrown back into the balance when James aimed a big swing at Wright and was caught behind, throwing his wicket away somewhat, more so when Montgomery was undone by some extra bounce from Hull and was comfortably taken by Handscomb.But then back-to-back sixes, one swatted away by new man Schadendorf off Mulder, the next an uppercut by Liam Patterson-White to a short ball by Hull, lifted the pressure off the Outlaws, who lost the latter when he was bowled making room to cut Hull. But Schadendorf hit two boundaries each off Scriven and then Hull in the next two overs to effectively finish the job.