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Mid-Day Ticker: Reading fire McDermott; USWNT advance to Algarve Cup final; and more

Reading manager Brian McDermott

By VINCE MADURI

Reading have fired head coach Brian McDermott following the club’s 2-1 home loss to Aston Villa on Saturday, leaving the relegation threatened Royals without a manager for the time being.

“The search for a successor will start immediately,” the club said in a statement.  “It is hoped a new manager will be in place as soon as possible.”

“Owner Anton Zingarevich wishes to place on record his thanks to Brian.  However, in our current situation, Anton Zingarevich felt that a change was necessary.”

McDermott had managed Reading since 2009 and posted a 76-43-50 record at the club.

Here are some more stories to get you through your Monday afternoon:

USWNT ADVANCE TO ALGARVE CUP FINAL

The United States Women’s National Team advanced to the final of the Algarve Cup following a 1-1 draw with Sweden Monday in Portugal.

Alex Morgan scored the lone goal for the US in the 56th minute off a Megan Rapinoe corner kick.  The goal tied up the match at one apiece and the score would not change the rest of the way.

The championship match will be played Wednesday, March 13 against Germany at a time to be determined later.

RIO FERDINAND AWAITS FA DECISION REGARDING TORRES CLASH

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand may face punishment from the FA following an incident involving Chelsea striker Fernando Torres.

Ferdinand appeared to trip, then push Torres in the back during the 86th minute of their FA Cup quarterfinal showdown.

The FA have stated they plan on taking another look at the incident before deciding which, if any, action to take against Ferdinand.

Manchester United had taken an early 2-0 lead on their London rivals, but could not close the game out.  Chelsea went on to tie the match and force a replay at Stamford Bridge on a yet to be determined date.

Comments

  1. Considering how poorly Reading played this year, the smiling photo doesn’t do McDermott justice. Every time I saw him being interviewed on Premier League Review he was scowling with beady eyes through those glasses, complaining about some call.

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  2. They’re taking another look for what? The replay clearly shows the cheap shot from the back. I like Ferdinand but that’s a straight Red in my book. Interesting that this occurred in a match called by Webb and the Referee’s Assistant either didn’t report it..which he should have done or Webb ignored the message from the assistant (I’d doubting this was the case). One thing for sure, controversy continues to follow matches he’s called when United’s one of the teams and let alone playing at Old Trafford. Rio’s actions were both cheap and stupid and could have really hurt United. Truly STUPID action on his part.

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  3. The Rio transgression was deliberate and nasty. I hope they are very tough on him. Just no place for that IMO. But they haven’t called me to look into it, so who knows what will happen.

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    • El Niño is my favorite non-American player, and I dislike Man Utd. Having said that, while the push looked to me as if it was intentional, the subsequent step on on his leg didn’t. I’d love for Ferdinand to be suspended, but I’m can’t honestly say it would be warranted.

      Reply

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