Chelsea legend Frank Lampard’s long-awaited Major League Soccer (MLS) debut did not go according to plan on Saturday as the Montreal Impact handed his New York City FC a 3-2 defeat.
More than a year after it was announced he had signed to play this season with the fledgling NYCFC, Lampard at last took the field for them, coming on in the 69th minute of a match at Yankee Stadium.
But Lampard’s presence, completing a star NYCFC trio along with Italian midfielder Andrea Pirlo and Spanish striker David Villa, was not enough for New York City to win.
Ignacio Piatti scored twice for Montreal, once from the penalty spot in the 84th minute, as the Impact won their first match since announcing the signing of Lampard’s former Chelsea teammate Didier Drogba.
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Dominic Oduro also scored for Montreal, while Villa converted a penalty and helped create Thomas McNamara’s 85th-minute goal for the hosts.
The match also marked Pirlo’s first MLS start. The Italian had made his debut in the North American league as a substitute in New York’s home win over Orlando last weekend.
NYCFC announced Lampard’s signing in July 2014, when the club was still building toward the start of their first MLS campaign.
Lampard’s arrival in the US was controversially delayed after his loan to Manchester City was extended through the end of the 2014/15 Premier League season.
He joined his new outfit in July, but his debut was repeatedly delayed because of a nagging calf injury.
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Fixture and table
UAE finals day: Friday, April 13 at Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
- 3pm, UAE Conference: Dubai Tigers v Sharjah Wanderers
- 6.30pm, UAE Premiership: Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Premiership – final standings
- Dubai Exiles
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- Jebel Ali Dragons
- Dubai Hurricanes
- Dubai Sports City Eagles
- Abu Dhabi Saracens
THE DETAILS
Deadpool 2
Dir: David Leitch
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Justin Dennison, Zazie Beetz
Four stars
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Three ways to get a gratitude glow
By committing to at least one of these daily, you can bring more gratitude into your life, says Ong.
- During your morning skincare routine, name five things you are thankful for about yourself.
- As you finish your skincare routine, look yourself in the eye and speak an affirmation, such as: “I am grateful for every part of me, including my ability to take care of my skin.”
- In the evening, take some deep breaths, notice how your skin feels, and listen for what your skin is grateful for.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani