GIORGIO CHIELLINI

MLS Sounders LAFC Soccer Los Angeles FC defender Giorgio Chiellini jumps to celebrate with teammates after forward Kwadwo Opoku scored against the Seattle Sounders during the first half of an MLS soccer match Friday, July 29, 2022, in Los Angeles. Chiu)LOS ANGELES — (AP) — Kwadwo Opoku and Carlos Vela scored in the first half, and Los Angeles FC beat the Seattle Sounders 2-1 Friday night in the home debuts of European superstars Giorgio Chiellini and Gareth Bale. Seattle scored on an early own-goal by LAFC, but still dropped to 0-5-1 at the Banc during the regular season. Juve is in Los Angeles on its U.S. summer tour to face Real Madrid at the Rose Bowl on Saturday night. Bale also visited his former Madrid teammates at their training session in Los Angeles earlier this week.

Kwadwo Opoku and Carlos Vela scored in the first half, and Los Angeles FC beat the Seattle Sounders 2-1 Friday night in the home debuts of European superstars Giorgio Chiellini and Gareth Bale.

Gareth Bale wants the world to know Los Angeles FC is not the 18th hole of his soccer career.

Although Giorgio Chiellini and Gareth Bale weren't quite ready to play in Los Angeles FC's rivalry derby, both stars got an up-close look at the passion and potential in their new club. José Cifuentes scored two goals and Cristian Arango got the eventual winner late in the second half, leading LAFC past the LA Galaxy 3-2 on Friday night in another exciting edition of the clubs' El Tráfico crosstown rivalry. LAFC improved its record atop the Major League Soccer standings to 12-4-3 as it waits for the imminent debuts of its two superstar European signings.

Netherlands Wales Nations League Soccer Wales' Gareth Bale celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between the Netherlands and Wales at De Kuip stadium in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Tuesday, June 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong) (Peter Dejong)LOS ANGELES — (AP) — Los Angeles FC has reached a deal with Welsh forward Gareth Bale to move to Major League Soccer after his departure from Real Madrid, a person close to the deal told The Associated Press. His contract expires this summer, making him a free agent after his up-and-down tenure with the current Champions League winners finally ends. He scored 106 goals in 258 appearances for Madrid, which won five Champions League titles and three La Liga crowns during his tenure. Bale and Chiellini both would be eligible to debut for LAFC after the secondary transfer window opens July 7.

Los Angeles FC has reached a deal with Welsh forward Gareth Bale to move to Major League Soccer after his departure from Real Madrid, a person close to the deal told The Associated Press.

Italy North Macedonia WCup 2022 Soccer North Macedonia's goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski saves on attempt to score by Italy's Gianluca Mancini during the World Cup qualifying play-off soccer match between Italy and North Macedonia, at Renzo Barbera stadium, in Palermo, Italy, Thursday, March 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) (Antonio Calanni)PALERMO, Sicily — (AP) — European champion Italy will miss the World Cup. Italy also failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup after losing to Sweden in a two-legged playoff the previous November. Euro 2020 is the only major tournament North Macedonia has qualified for. Italy was laying siege to the goal but saw everything charged down by North Macedonia.

European champion Italy will miss the World Cup.

Liverpool has requested the postponement of Thursday’s match against Arsenal in the English League Cup semifinals because of more suspected COVID-19 cases at the club.

APTOPIX Britain England Italy Euro 2020 Soccer Italy fans celebrate in Piccadilly Circus in central London after their team won the UEFA Euro 2020 Final against England, Sunday July 11, 2021. "Grazie Azzurri,” read a banner on the tarmac — a sentiment felt across the country after Italy took home its first major trophy since the 2006 World Cup. A cacophony of honking cars, fireworks and singing fans filled the night in Rome as thousands of people took to the streets. “Thanks to Eurovision and thanks to this game and soccer we’ve managed to come back this year,” he said. “We really love this country.”His 13-year-old son Yankho, an Italy fan and young soccer player, was impressed by the team.

APTOPIX Britain England Italy Euro 2020 Soccer Italy fans celebrate in Piccadilly Circus in central London after their team won the UEFA Euro 2020 Final against England, Sunday July 11, 2021. “Grazie Azzurri,” read a banner on the tarmac — a sentiment felt across the country after Italy took home its first major trophy since the 2006 World Cup. A cacophony of honking cars, fireworks and singing fans filled the night in Rome as thousands of people took to the streets. “Thanks to Eurovision and thanks to this game and soccer we’ve managed to come back this year,” he said. “We really love this country.”His 13-year-old son Yankho, an Italy fan and young soccer player, was impressed by the team.

Europe's soccer champions have returned home to the ecstatic cheers of Italians.

(AP Photo/Frank Augstein) (Frank Augstein)The Latest on soccer’s European Championship:___The leading contender to succeed Angela Merkel as chancellor in Germany’s upcoming election says he is rooting for Italy to beat England in the European Championship final. ___England fans are starting to take their seats at Wembley Stadium ahead of the European Championship final against Italy. Several dozen Italy fans were allowed in about a half-hour earlier and are sitting behind one of the goals. ___Thousands of fans have created a party atmosphere outside Wembley Stadium before the European Championship final between England and Italy. Several dozen Italy fans were allowed into the stadium about three and half hours before the start.

The European Championship final between Italy and England at Wembley Stadium on Sunday has all the makings of a tight and tense title match.

Italy will play Turkey in the opening game of the European Championship on Friday.