#it's been a while since i did something with antoine and danny

[punkranger]

i have so many ideas that i wanna draw but most of them require panels and while i've gotten more used to that i kinda just wanna work on one piece and have it done without any need for follow-up or repetition...

[junker-town]

1 NFL Draft sleeper at each position your team shouldn’t overlook

LB Logan Wilson (Wyoming), TE Charlie Taumoepeau (Portland State), and RB James Robinson (Illinois State) are under-the-radar draft prospects.

This year’s pre-draft process has faced more challenges, but NFL teams shouldn’t ignore these prospects just because they didn’t play for Power 5 teams.

This year’s NFL Draft will be undeniably altered thanks to the pandemic that’s gripped the world. That might not seriously affect the guys at the top of teams’ wish lists, who compiled more than their fair share of game tape and had the chance to wow at the NFL Scouting Combine.

It will make life tougher for the lesser-known prospects who had pro days and facility visits canceled due to coronavirus concerns, however.

But there’s too much small-school, or otherwise overlooked, talent in 2020 for NFL teams to ignore. Let’s take a closer look at some of these prospects who toiled in relative obscurity while honing the skills. These players may fall to Day 3 of this year’s draft — or out of the proceedings entirely, since their opportunity to sell themselves to team executives was so limited.

I’m going to break down one sleeper from each position on offense and defense, with the only rule being they can’t have played the 2019 season for a Power 5 program.

Offense

QB: Jackson Erdmann, St. John’s (Minnesota)

Let’s go DEEP to kick off this list. Erdmann is unlikely to hear his name called during the draft because he played in the low-stakes world of Division III, but the Johnnie quarterback ruled his non-scholarship realm. The former Penn State preferred walk-on was the Gagliardi Award winner (DIII’s Heisman) in 2018 and a finalist in 2019 — when he threw for 5,040 yards and 47 touchdowns in 14 games as a senior.

Though it came against underwhelming competition, Erdmann showed off a powerful and precise arm with his ability to launch beautiful deep balls.

He does a good job of understanding basic coverage principles and putting the ball in a place where his targets can haul in a touchdown pass, even in tight quarters. Listed at 6’4 but probably a little shorter, he’s got solid QB height. Although he has plenty to prove, he absolutely belongs in someone’s camp this summer.

Also, he once quick-punted a ball 58 yards. Versatility!

WR: Isaiah Coulter, Rhode Island

Coulter helped spearhead a major turnaround at Rhode Island, leading a perpetually awful Rams team to its best finishes of the past decade. The former zero-star recruit followed cousin Aaron Parker (another decent sleeper WR) to URI, where he exploded for 72 catches, 1,039 yards, and eight touchdowns in 2019 despite an underwhelming QB situation.

Here’s what longtime NFL scout Gil Brandt had to say about Coulter while singling him out as one of his three favorite prospects, per NBC’s Peter King:

He’s 6’1 7/8, big receiver. Plays big. Can run under 4.4. [Official combine time: 4.45.] I like these guys who come from a school like Rhode Island with something to prove. Don’t want to put too much pressure on him, but he could be [D.K.] Metcalf of this draft.

RB: James Robinson, Illinois State

Robinson was a monster for the Redbirds. He led the Missouri Valley Football Conference — which features FCS heavyweights like North Dakota State and Northern Iowa — in rushing yards in both 2018 and 2019. He blew up in the postseason, where he rushed for 601 yards in three games while driving Illinois State to the FCS quarterfinals last fall.

Robinson is a choppy runner whose short strides may hinder his top speed, but also makes him tough to disrupt. A strong Shrine Bowl showing (including a 63-yard touchdown run) should help dispel any preconceived notions about his lack of competition. He hasn’t added much as a receiver, but he can be a hole-drilling platoon back at the next level whose compact size and bulk makes him a useful pass blocker as well.

TE: Charlie Taumoepeau, Portland State

Taumoepeau is built more like an H-back than a pure tight end (6’2, 240 pounds), but an enterprising NFL team will find a way to fit him into its lineup. While his numbers with the Vikings weren’t amazing, Taumoepeau saved his biggest performances for the brightest stages.

Here’s what he did in PSU’s three games against FBS competition the last two years:

four catches and a touchdown against Arkansas in 2019

three catches, 130 yards, and two touchdowns against Nevada in 2018

five catches, 125 yards, and two touchdowns against Oregon in 2018

This did not seem to impress the NFL’s official combine site, which lists his college as “UNKNOWN.”

OT: Alex Taylor, South Carolina State

Taylor was supposed to be Appalachian State’s edge protector, but he transferred to SCSU to pursue a two-sport journey on both the gridiron and hardwood. Even though his basketball career failed to pan out, he still showed enough as a lean 6’8, 308-pound tackle to earn an invite to the combine.

With limited reps in both high school (17 games) and college (only 22 starts), he’s a raw but intriguing prospect who relishes in getting upfield and destroying defensive backs in sweep/screen pass situations. He’ll need some time to add a little lineman girth and refine his technique, but he could reward that investment in a major way.

OG/C: Danny Pinter, Ball State

Pinter went to Ball State as a tight end, then converted to tackle for the final two years of his run with the Cardinals. He told reporters at the combine he’s looking to move inside in the NFL, and that his ability to make pre-snap reads and adjust accordingly would help him shift to center.

He’s retained most of the athleticism and quickness he originally brought as a target despite bulking up to 300+ pounds. While he’s still learning the position and lacks ideal size, his smooth transition to the line at Ball State suggests he could have a high floor as a utilitarian blocker.

Defense

DT: Auzoyah Alufohai, West Georgia

Quite possibly the draft’s most well-traveled prospect, Alufohai’s academic issues kept him from an FBS experience. His winding path went through FCS Kennesaw State and then, after having a medical hardship redshirt denied before his senior season, to Division II West Georgia. He’s a big, thick presence who releases from blocks effectively, and though he shines on tape, it’s tough not to notice the size advantage he had at UWG — something he won’t bring with him to the NFL.

Still, 6’4, 320-pound athletes are hard to come by. If Alufohai can prove he has the explosiveness to clog running lanes before they can open, there will be a spot for him in the pros.

Edge: Derrek Tuszka, North Dakota State

Charlotte’s Alex Highsmith fits the bill here as well, but he looks like a potential Day 2 pick. Instead, let’s dig a little deeper with Tuszka.

The former Bison is a relatively lean pass rusher with a solid punch from the line of scrimmage, but he can struggle to disengage from offensive tackles to slide into the pocket. Despite that, he’s versatile enough to bring havoc from around the edge or slicing inside. Tuszka’s relatively short arms may hurt him in the NFL, though he flashed a wide array of techniques that worked against FCS blockers and should translate, at least to some extent, on Sundays.

LB: Logan Wilson, Wyoming

Wilson is savvy and athletic enough to handle duties as a hybrid STAR linebacker/safety. His college career was spent bulking up to move from cornerback to LB, so he’s got solid instincts and skills to bring to his coverage over the middle of the field. The Cowboy alum is also able to fight his way into the backfield and bowl over tailbacks (35 tackles for loss in four seasons at Wyoming), making him a versatile weapon against both the pass and run.

CB: Nevelle Clarke, Central Florida

Clarke is a long, lean cornerback (6’1) capable of coming to the line for press coverage or sliding backward to disguise his intentions and lure quarterbacks into bad situations. His nose for the ball shined through with 24 pass breakups in his final two seasons with the Knights. Though his tackling has earned non-rave reviews, his ability to see out the ball and erase high-point throws with his size make him an asset in the passing game.

S: Marc-Antoine Dequoy, Université de Montréal

Safety has a couple small-school standouts who could be early picks — Lenoir-Rhyne’s Kyle Dugger and Southern Illinois’ Jeremy Chinn. Let’s dig past them and find a star from the great white north.

Dequoy was one of the most celebrated athletes in U Sports, Canada’s equivalent to the NCAA. A three-time All-Canada team member (second-team in 2017, first-team in 2018 and 2019) at defensive back, the former Montreal Carabin is skilled in coverage along the slot and capable, at 6’2 and a still-growing 198 pounds, to step up to the line of scrimmage and erase running plays. He’s lightning with the ball as well; he returned six of his 12 career interceptions for touchdowns.

If that doesn’t grab your attention, this will. He showed out at his pro day with a 4.35-second 40 time and a 6.65-second three-cone drill, the latter of which would have been the fastest among all defensive backs at this year’s combine. That versatility should help him in his transition from the Canadian game to the American gridiron.

[ultrasfcb-blog]

World Cup 2018: Were England good, lucky, or a bit of both?

World Cup 2018: Were England good, lucky, or a bit of both?

World Cup 2018: Were England good, lucky, or a bit of both?

World Cup 2018: Croatia 2-1 England (aet) highlights

A World Cup which began with low expectations for England ended with positivity and optimism, despite the pain of losing in the semi-finals to Croatia.

After failing to get out of the group in 2014 and losing to Iceland at the European Championship in 2016, the performances of Gareth Southgate’s squad – both on and off the pitch – restored pride in the national team.

But now that the euphoria of what they achieved – a first semi-final appearance in 28 years and only the third in English history – is subsiding, what did we learn about this team?

And did their unexpected success mask some deficiencies?

Were England overly reliant on set-pieces?

England’s dominance from set-pieces was one of the most striking aspects of their performances in Russia, with training-ground routines – the “love train”, anyone? – regularly translating into important goals.

They clearly prepared extensively when it came to maximising free-kicks and corners and their nine goals from set-pieces was a record at a World Cup for any team since the data was first recorded in 1966.

Harry Kane scored three penalties, Kieran Trippier netted a free-kick and they scored from four corners and a free-kick routine.

But that does mean they only scored three times from open play in six games, one of which was a lucky deflection off Harry Kane against Panama.

So 75% of England’s goals came from set-plays – more than any other team, excluding four sides in the group stages who only scored two goals.

So did that reliance on set-pieces hide other attacking deficiencies?

England had fewer shots on target per 90 minutes than half of the teams at the tournament, behind the likes of Tunisia, Iceland and Peru.

And while they had more shots on target from set plays than anyone else – an average of six per 90 minutes – only five teams created fewer from open play.

Did England lack a creative player?

For a team with the second-highest goals tally (12) and containing the likely Golden Boot winner (Kane), it seems strange to suggest they lacked creativity.

But take set-pieces out of the equation and England’s key attacking stats show a team struggling to make a major impact in the final third.

Remarkably, defender Harry Maguire had more touches (20) in the opposition box than any other England player apart from Raheem Sterling (22).

In fact, three of England’s six goalscorers in Russia were defenders – with John Stones scoring twice against Panama and Trippier and Maguire netting in the knockout stages.

Even Kane, despite his six goals, struggled for scoring chances. After his two close-range finishes against Tunisia, his remaining four goals included three penalties and one fortunate deflection from a Ruben Loftus-Cheek shot for his hat-trick against Panama.

And he had only one shot on target in the knockout stages, his penalty goal against Colombia in the last 16. So not a single one from open play.

Was that down to service? England’s lack of a world-class creative player – the other semi-finalists had the likes of Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic, Kevin de Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann – had been highlighted as a potential weakness before the tournament, and that concern seemed to be borne out in Russia.

To overcome the absence of such a player in midfield, Southgate utilised the energy and running power of Jesse Lingard and Dele Alli as part of a midfield three. They worked tirelessly, but it is debatable whether they had the attacking impact that might have been expected. England ranked 16th of the 32 sides when it came to dribbles, with a relatively low 55.05% success rate.

How England’s attackers fared in Russia Harry Kane Jesse Lingard Dele Alli Raheem Sterling Ruben Loftus-Cheek Marcus Rashford Jamie Vardy Danny Welbeck Goals 6 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 Shots (on target) 12 (6) 15 (2) 5 (3) 8 (1) 2 (0) 4 (1) 2 (0) 2 (1) Assists 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 Chances created 4 5 3 6 2 0 2 0 Dribbles completed 2 8 ` 7 9 7 2 0 Touches in opposition box 18 17 10 22 7 8 6 2 Minutes played 483 482 358 409 190 166 157 11

The easy side of the draw?

As they prepared for their final Group G game against Belgium, England knew the teams they could face if they progressed through the knockout rounds.

England are not the first team in World Cup history to have had an unusually attractive route through the tournament – in 2002 Germany made it to the final after facing Paraguay, the United States and South Korea in the knockout stages.

In Russia England negotiated group games against Tunisia (ranked 21st in the world) and Panama (55th), but their first meeting against one of the tournament favourites ended in defeat, albeit they and Belgium made a combined 17 changes for a game with little at stake.

The bonus of finishing second in Group G was that England avoided the likes of Brazil and France, while Spain’s shock loss to Russia meant they entered the quarter-finals as the only previous World Cup winner in their half of the draw.

In their first knockout game England came up against Colombia – ranked 16th – but even then fortune appeared to be on their side, as their opponents were forced to play without injured star forward James Rodriguez, the Golden Boot winner at the 2014 World Cup.

England went through on penalties after a 1-1 draw – their first World Cup shootout win.

That was followed by a routine 2-0 quarter-final victory over a limited Sweden, who are 24th in the world. Then in Croatia (ranked 20th) they faced arguably the only world-class players they came up against – outside the Belgium game they lost – and were knocked out in extra time.

So is that a series of results which represents an overachievement for the second youngest squad at the tournament? Or was it par for the course?

If you are viewing this page on the BBC News app please click here to vote.

Did England get lucky with injuries?

No praying for metatarsals, no oxygen chambers. For once, England’s World Cup was largely free of injury drama.

Discounting the Belgium game which saw a raft of changes, Southgate was able to name the same starting XI in four of the five other matches. The only other change he made saw Loftus-Cheek start instead of the injured Dele Alli against Panama.

Alli returned for the knockout stages, while Jamie Vardy was the only other player to suffer an injury which would have put his participation in doubt, and he was not a first-choice starter.

No players were suspended during the World Cup, with Fabian Delph missing the Colombia match so he could be with his wife for the birth of their daughter.

Whether that fitness record was down to luck or sound preparation and preventative work by the medical team, it was a rare instance of England playing at a major tournament with all of their key players at peak fitness.

But, ultimately, it was not enough to take them to the final.

So how should we view this team?

BBC’s pundits all agree the future is bright for this England team.

“This bunch of players have brought the nation together and the fans haven’t sung like this for years,” said former defender Rio Ferdinand. “We wanted this team to come out with an identity and a philosophy of playing, and I think they have done that.”

Ex-striker Alan Shearer said: “We said before the tournament that if they gave absolutely everything in every game, everyone at home would be happy.

“There are so many positives to take out of the tournament. We did not expect to get to the quarters and will go home after this with our heads held high. Finishing third would be excellent.

“After being embarrassed by Iceland to this, being applauded off, that is brilliant progress and something to work to. Well done guys, you have given us plenty to shout about.”

And perhaps that positive mindset and reconnection with fans is the biggest takeaway.

So rather than look too hard at what has gone by, England should just heed what Kyle Walker said:

BBC Sport – Football ultras_FC_Barcelona

ultras FC Barcelona - https://ultrasfcb.com/football/8300/

#Barcelona

[investmart007]

MOSCOW | The Latest: Iran, Morocco release lineups ahead of 1st match

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MOSCOW | The Latest: Iran, Morocco release lineups ahead of 1st match

MOSCOW (AP) — The Latest on Friday at the World Cup (all times local): 5:20 p.m.

Iran started with Sardar Azmoun in place of injured striker Mehdi Taremi for the opening Group B match against Morocco in St. Petersburg.

Up front for Morocco was Ayoub El Kaabi, who only made his international debut in March but has forced his way into Herve Renard’s starting lineup.

Morocco: Achraf Hakimi, Mehdi Benatia, Romain Saiss, Hakim Ziyech, Karim El Ahmadi, Ayoub El Kaabi, Younes Belhanda, Monir El Kajoui, Mbark Boussoufa, Noureddine Amrabat, Amine Harit Iran: Ali Beiranvand, Ehsan Hajisafi, Roozbeh Cheshmi, Masoud Shojaei, Morteza Pouraliganji, Omid Ebrahimi, Karim Ansarifard, Vahid Amiri, Alieza Jahanbakhsh, Sardar Azmoun, Ramin Rezaeian. ___ 4:58 p.m.

Defender Jose Gimenez came to Uruguay’s rescue scoring the lone goal in a 1-0 victory over Egypt in their Group A opening game at the World Cup on Friday.

Gimenez rose in the area to head home a free kick in the closing minutes of the match in Yekaterinburg.

The result leaves Russia atop of the group with three points after routing Saudi Arabia 5-0 on Thursday. Uruguay also has three points while Egypt and Saudi Arabia have none.

Star forward Mohamed Salah was on the bench for Egypt’s first World Cup game since 1990 after injuring a shoulder while playing for Liverpool in last month’s Champions League final.

At the other end, Uruguay star strikers Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani wasted their chances. Suarez failed to beat goalkeeper Mohamed El Shennawy in two one-on-one situations and Cavani hit the post from a free kick with two minutes left.

Egypt is yet to win a World Cup game while Uruguay won its opening World Cup game for the first time since 1970. ___ 4:20 p.m.

Australia coach Bert van Marwijk has a simple message for his players ahead of their World Cup opening game against France: Just be yourselves and play with guts.

Speaking at a news conference ahead of Saturday’s Group C match in Kazan, Van Marwijk urged his players to believe that an upset is possible against star-studded France.

He says “We must have the guts to believe in something,” and adds “We realize that we play against an opponent that has the chance to win the World Cup but not always the best players win prizes, lots of times the best teams.”

Van Marwijk did not give any indication about his lineup amid speculation captain Mile Jedinak would not start after he was replaced at the last minute by Mathew Leckie to attend the news conference.

The 33-year-old Jedinak has been Australia captain since May 2014 but did not start in the side’s two most recent friendlies. ___ 4:05 p.m.

Dutch football fans don’t have much to cheer about at the World Cup, after their national team failed to qualify for the tournament in Russia. At least they had one Dutchman on the pitch Friday as referee Bjorn Kuipers officiated over Egypt and Uruguay’s Group A opener.

Kuipers had two Dutch assistants running the lines and countryman Danny Makkelie acting as the video assistant referee.

Kuipers refereed this season’s Europa League final, when Uruguay captain Diego Godin and fellow defender Jose Gimenez won the cup as Atletico Madrid beat Marseille 3-0.

The Dutch ref also is familiar with Uruguay’s star forward Luis Suarez from his time with Ajax in the Dutch league. Kuipers officiated a 2010 match between Ajax and PSV Eindhoven and did not notice when Suarez bit PSV player Otman Bakkal. Suarez was later suspended for seven matches based on video footage of the incident. ___ 3:55 p.m.

It is 0-0 at halftime in the Group A matchup between Egypt and Uruguay. Despite starting without Mohamed Salah, who has a left shoulder injury, the underdog Pharaohs have been able to hold the Uruguay attack scoreless.

Uruguay had a good chance in the 23rd minute, but forward Luis Suarez missed from close range. ___ 4:30 p.m.

Russia’s team says a scan has confirmed creative midfielder Alan Dzagoev sustained a hamstring injury in the opening World Cup win over Saudi Arabia.

The team says Dzagoev underwent an MRI scan on Friday and “a timeframe for his treatment will be determined in the coming days.”

Dzagoev would have to recovery quickly in order to play any further part in Russia’s group games against Egypt on June 19 and Uruguay six days later.

The injury to the 27-year-old CSKA Moscow midfielder meant winger Denis Cheryshev was brought on against Saudi Arabia. He then scored two goals. ____ 3:22 p.m.

Iceland is showing the charming, funny, friendly style that has won friends worldwide ahead of a World Cup debut against Argentina.

Coach Heimir Hallgrimsson acknowledges a “headache” preparing to face Lionel Messi on Saturday in “the biggest game in the history of Icelandic football.”

Hallgrimsson also knows the Nordic island of 330,000 people has global support from its fairytale run at the 2016 European Championships.

“It’s a pretty little nation and pretty people in general. You can’t but love us,” the coach said in Icelandic at a packed news conference at Spartak Stadium.

If Iceland really is every neutral’s favorite at the World Cup, it might be the only army it needs.

“We haven’t attacked anyone, we haven’t been at war with anyone,��� Hallgrimsson said, before citing a 1970s fisheries dispute with Britain. “We have only had the Cod War and nobody got hurt there.” ___ 3:14 p.m.

Uruguay’s Luis Suarez entered this World Cup in search of redemption following a championship history checkered with bad boy moments on the pitch.

So far he’s getting no love from fans of opposing Egypt. The Pharaohs’ faithful greeted him with a sustained chorus of boos when he announced as a Uruguay starter.

Suarez was cast into the role of villain beginning with the 2010 World Cup when his blatant handball prevented a Ghana goal and eventually denied the African team a chance to advance.

Four years later, he earned a nine-match ban for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini in Brazil. The referee didn’t catch the incident and yielded a corner to Uruguay, allowing it to score and eliminate Italy from the tournament.

Egypt supporters were equally boisterous in cheering their striker Mohamed Salah when he walked onto the field. Salah was in uniform but not starting as he recovers from an injury. ___ 3 p.m.

U.S. President Donald Trump says he worked hard on the effort to bring the 2026 World Cup to North America and thanked Bob Kraft, owner of the NFL’s New England Patriots and Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution.

Trump signed letters to FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressing confidence World Cup delegations and fans would be welcomed for the tournament. Although of no legal force, the letters were used in lobbying by the U.S. Soccer Federation and the joint North American bid competed against Morocco’s. The North American bid won 134-65 in voting by FIFA members on Wednesday.

Trump tweeted Friday “Thank you for all of the compliments on getting the World Cup to come to the U.S.A., Mexico and Canada. I worked hard on this, along with a Great Team of talented people. We never fail, and it will be a great World Cup! A special thanks to Bob Kraft for excellent advice.”

Kraft became honorary chairman of the bid last July, worked to obtain U.S. government support and helped gain the support of federations. ___ 2:50 p.m.

France coach Didier Deschamps has always been clear with his players since taking charge six years ago: there is no “I” in team.

Deschamps, however, has made an exception with Antoine Griezmann, stopping short of criticizing the star striker a day after he theatrically announced his decision to stay with Atletico Madrid during a television show. The program, called “The Decision,” was broadcast on Spanish TV on Thursday, just two days before France’s opening World Cup game against Australia.

Griezmann has been mocked on social media for the way he promoted his announcement in the 45-minute special that included footage of him getting a tattoo and eating popcorn.

Asked about what he thought about the timing of his player’s announcement, Deschamps said he didn’t care. He said that “it’s a very good thing for his club. You might think the format (he picked) matters. I’m more interested in the substance.” ___ 2:40 p.m.

Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani will start in Uruguay’s opening World Cup group A game against Egypt, which will be missing star Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah.

Suarez is hoping his football prowess gets more attention in Russia than his disciplinary issues did at the previous two World Cups in South Africa and Brazil.

Uruguay lineup: Fernando Musiera, Jose Maria Gimenez, Diego Godin (captain), Guillermo Varela, Rodrigo Bentancur, Nahitan Nandez, Luis Suarez, Giorgian De Arrascaeta, Matias Vecino, Edinson Cavani, Martin Caceres. ___ 2:30 p.m.

Egypt will starts its opening Group A match against Uruguay without injured forward Mohamed Salah, and with veteran goalkeeper Essam El Hadary on the bench.

Salah injured a shoulder while playing for Liverpool in last month’s Champions League final. Marwan Mohsen will be playing upfront.

Mohamed El-Shennawy will start in goal after being selected in front of 45-year-old El Hadary, who is hoping to make history by becoming the oldest player to play in a World Cup game .

Egypt lineup: Ali Gabr, Ahmed Hegazy, Ahmed Fathi, Tarek Hamed, Marwan Mohsen, Mohamed Abdel-Shafi, Mohamed Elneny, Abdallah El Said, Mahmoud Hassan, Amr Warda, Mohamed El Shennawy. ___ 2:20 p.m.

Mohamed Salah is on the bench for Eygpt’s first World Cup game since 1990 after injuring a shoulder while playing for Liverpool in last month’s Champions League final.

Salah was the Premier League Player of the Season after scoring a league-leading 32 goals and 44 in all for Liverpool last season.

He left the Champions League final in tears on May 26 after he was injured by Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos in a challenge by the Spaniard. ___ 1:25 p.m.

The head of the Palestinian Football Association faces FIFA punishment for urging fans to burn photos of Lionel Messi if Argentina played a World Cup warmup game in Jerusalem.

FIFA says it opened disciplinary proceedings against PFA president Jibril Rajoub because of comments “widely reported in the media.” Argentina called off a game against Israel earlier this month after protests by pro-Palestinian groups.

Rajoub had called for Arab and Muslim fans to burn photos and T-shirts of Messi, the Argentina and Barcelona superstar, if he played. FIFA did not specify when the case will be judged.

Argentina opens its World Cup program Saturday against Iceland. ___ 12:35 p.m.

Peru coach Ricardo Gareca will not commit to playing recently reinstated striker Paolo Guerrero in their World Cup opener against Denmark.

Gareca’s only promise in a news conference Friday is that if Peru’s all-time goal scorer gets into the game, he’ll be fit and ready.

The 34-year-old Guerrero was allowed to play in the World Cup only after a doping suspension was frozen by a Swiss Supreme Court judge.

The striker has played few games since FIFA’s initial suspension in November.

Guererro was Peru’s top goal scorer in South American World Cup qualifying, netting five in the campaign.

Team captains of Peru’s rivals in Group C recently asked FIFA to lift Guerrero’s suspension so he could play against France, Denmark and Australia.

Guerrero has blamed his test failure on a tainted cup of tea at a Lima hotel. ____ 12:00 p.m.

Costa Rica defender Ronald Matarrita will not play in the World Cup because of a right hamstring injury.

The Costa Rican federation says Matarrita will be replaced on the Ticos’ roster by Kenner Gutierrez.

Following training at the team’s St. Petersburg camp, the left back had an MRI which confirmed the injury. Matarrita, who plays for the MLS club NYCFC, will miss at least two weeks.

Costa Rica is preparing to play Serbia in its World Cup opener on Sunday in Samara. The Ticos are hoping to improve on their finish at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, when they advanced to the quarterfinals.

Matarrita was one of six players from Major League Soccer on Costa Rica’s roster.

Gutierrez plays for Alajuelense in Costa Rica’s top division.

By Associated Press

[punkranger]

Antoine, my sweet friend, would you answer the following? 💓🎶💘 and 💝! Sending many good thoughts <3

sorry this took a hundred years, didn't have time to answer before things got busy.. was good to have something to think about tho, so thank you!! (also considered answering this as Antoine since you did ask him but then it'd just have been a bunch of non-answers and distractions)

💓- What are some signs they’ve fallen for someone? How do they show their affection?

For Antoine there's not really a hard line between love and friendship, but he does show when he cares a bit more for someone. In a way, Antoine falls for people pretty quickly and generally isn’t afraid to show that he likes someone by trying to spend more time with them, and with physical affection. On the other hand he often doesn't realise he's doing it, or he tries to convince himself of that because y’know if you care more for someone it'll also hurt more to lose them (which is why he's trying so hard to not let Ortega get close now -  I mean he’s obviously failing to do this because he can’t help meeting up with him and in a way they’re closer than in the past, but there’s also one larger roadblock between them that’s more than them being unwilling to commit). But yeah, I think most people that know him would realise when he's into someone, even if a lot of his showing affection is in the form of kicking their ass while sparring (or in Argent's case, possibly getting his ass kicked while fighting for real). 

🎶 - What’s a song they really like?

Too many, so I’ll pick one at random: Amen by Halestorm

💘 - What do they find attractive about their partner(s)?

I think I’ve said it before, but Antoine finds confidence very attractive - not the shallow kind, of course, that is more about looking good all the time (which he thought was what Danny was about at first and was why he didn’t like him) but he likes people who are brave enough to be themselves or at least try to become who they want to be. He likes that Daniel is willing to show the side of himself that is not perfect and that he wants to improve, as someone who is constantly striving for something better he finds that an important aspect in other people as well, makes them interesting and relatable. He also finds Daniel’s mind to be very comforting, though that also took some getting used to.

As for Ricardo, Antoine likes his focus, his stubbornness, even if it’s also annoying he likes the fact that Ortega won’t change for other people (despite the fact he may seem to do the opposite, which Antoine understands but finds annoying too at times… idk maybe the true attraction of Ortega is that he’s annoying, after all it’s nice to have someone sticking around even after you’ve been snarky and mean, even if it’s just to be annoying). 

And physically.. Hard to say, I mean what’s not to like about those two and Antoine is not one for preferences, why decide you only like one thing when you can appreciate a different thing every day? 

💝 - What gestures do they really appreciate? How do you get on their good side?

When people he cares about affirm and notice the things he likes about himself, especially if it’s things he’s put a conscious effort on, things he’s chosen for himself. Individuality is very important to Antoine, he wants to be Seen and understood… but on the other hand this can be extremely uncomfortable for him so while he can appreciate it in hindsight, it might not get you on his good side. The quicker way to get on his good side would be to just praise him: like just tell him he’s a good opponent and that he’s strong and handsome, as long as it’s sincere he’ll be a lot more positively inclined to you (though this doesn’t mean he trusts you or anything, but he’ll at least be willing to stick around for a bit). Basically, Antoine is like a cat: you have to pspsps at him and hold out your hand and wait for him to come to you, he’s not shy but he won’t stick around someone who tries to just grab him.

[punkranger]

Snake Eyes

Villain AU: Antoine is a Ranger while Herald is a vigilante who is working with them, or so they thought. Basically there's a lot of fighting and a Herald who is very unlike himself.

thanks to @starrypawz for the inspo with their villain au fic!

You're not supposed to enter the Security room, you're supposed to contact them and let them tell you where to go. But you are close by and to be fair you did try to contact them but got no answer. Maybe they're just talking to the Marshal first but you need to know what's going on and you don't feel like waiting for Chen to tell you.

As you open the door you immediately sense that something is wrong. Not from the security personnel's thoughts, but from the lack of them.

The bright light from the screens covering the opposite wall don't really light up the rest of the room and the corridor behind you is almost as dark, only emergency lights are on, casting an ominous red glow just over the threshold.

It'll be all around you as well, making you a perfect target. Well, too late to back out, if there's someone in here they'll have already heard you opening the door loudly like an idiot.

So you ready yourself, barely breaking your stride as you continue to walk into the room.

The screens all black out.

There! You sense someone to the left, their thoughts are mostly hidden behind an opaque wall, you can’t sense their intentions but you can sense the activity, different from Ortega’s static buzz it’s more like trying to hear someone behind glass. Whoever they are, they have access to drugs you haven’t encountered since...

It’s a good thing you have learned not to rely only on your telepathy as you dodge the tackle, but barely. The other person was fast! Too fast, really, for someone just jumping at him…

They don’t crash to the floor behind you either and as you turn you see their silhouette briefly as they right themself in the air, feet never touching the ground.

"Daniel? Hey, wait, it’s me-” You don’t have time to finish the sentence, partly because he leaps toward you again and partly because you catch up to your own thought-process, realizing that this is not a mistake. If Herald is here, with no security personnel in sight, drugs blocking his thoughts, then he is the one who caused this.

Still, you cling to the thought that maybe he isn’t doing it of his own free will. Partly because your mind struggles to connect the nice, sincere Herald, someone who looked completely starry-eyed when he first met you, with someone who ambushes people in the Rangers Headquarters.

You don’t have much time to think about it as a fist comes flying at your face, followed by an elbow. Though you manage to block both, it is barely, you’re closely matched, which is another thing that doesn’t match up.

“Who are you?” You manage, in between blows, ducking one and kicking him in the stomach, putting some space between you. “And what have you done with Herald?”

Your tone is joking, but you are not. You really want to know what the hell is going on here. Herald is not supposed to be on your level, you’re the one who taught him - and beat him more times than you can count, with him getting up with an awkward laugh, asking to try again every time.

He’s not someone who could go up against you in a serious fight, even less in a cramped space like this, where he can’t use his powers fully.

Nevertheless that’s what’s happening, yet you can’t help but wait for him to explain himself, for the lights to turn on and find him looking apologetic, but smiling as usual, for this to be some stupid mistake that you both can laugh at later.

Instead you watch him get up, simply floating up, feet lightly coming down on the floor in a way that is confident and showy, which you’ve seen before but there’s also a sort of nonchalance to the way he moves that is unfamiliar.

“Danny?” No answer. He stands still for a second and you tense, about to go for a grapple when he turns and disappears out into the hallway. You blink in confusion, then follow with a curse, looking both ways and barely catching a glance of his back to the left.

Frowning, you wonder if he’s completely lost it, since that just leads off to empty offices.

Empty offices… with windows! You hurry after, then hear a crash and as you rush into the room you see Herald leap out of the broken window.

You jump after him.

Partly because you’ve been hanging out with Ortega for far too long, but also because you’re only on the second floor, which should be fine.

Fortunately it doesn’t matter as you manage to catch onto Daniel’s legs.

“What the- are you fucking insane?!” For the first time he says something and you grin up at him but your mind is still screaming, the image of the ground imprinted on the inside of your eyelids. You keep your eyes open. On your enemy, because there’s no doubt that it really is Herald.

He’s also starting to fight against your grip, steadily flying higher.

“What, are you going to kill me, Daniel?” You don’t know what answer you expect, but you almost can’t believe that you’re asking the question, maybe that’s why your voice is still steady. This whole thing seems surreal.

His expression, which had gone from surprise to anger, twists in conflict for a bare second.

“I won't. But I am going to grind you to dust.” He snarls, before shooting up. You hold on desperately, it’s hard even if he’s not trying to push you off any more but the wind is tearing at you and gravity is dragging you down. Then you crest the rooftop of the Ranger’s HQ, Daniel continues up in an arc, then accelerates down.

You realize what he’s going to do and you let go just before he hits the roof with you underneath.

You tumble quite a distance before you stop, bruised and battered, your head spinning, but you get up. Looking around you reorient yourself and spot Herald, who is hovering some distance away, having apparently avoided crashing into the roof when you let go.

Frowning, you wait for him to attack, but he doesn’t.

“I believe you said you were going to grind me into dust, but no matter how much better a fighter you are than you seemed to be you’re going to want to press your advantage.”

He sneers, a cocksure expression that looks completely alien on his face.

“Spare me the lesson, Antoine. I’m simply waiting for the cameras to arrive.”

“Then tell me why you’re doing this.” In the brief respite in fighting your brain has managed to catch up to the situation and so has your feelings. Confusion, hurt.

Daniel puts a hand to his chin, as if considering, “Well, I suppose I might as well tell you now.” His expression turns back to a mocking grin.

“It’s because I hate you Rangers, who think you’re doing any good in this shithole of a city, while you’re all just lapdogs to the corrupted system that keeps criminals in charge.”

“So what, you pretend to be on our side to take us down from the inside? Something you’ve already failed at, since I found you.”

“That wasn’t about you, as I said, you’re not that important.” He ignores your bait completely, continuing, the grin widens to show more teeth, “But taking you down is one step - and a satisfying one.”

You take that in, staring at the person you thought were your friend, partner, someone you thought you knew inside out. His thoughts had always seemed so open, unguarded, yet he’d managed to hide all this deep under the surface, drowning it in apparently false positivity. You don’t particularly disagree with him, but the fact that he hid so much from you makes you feel used, as well as his callous attitude. Whoever he really is you don’t particularly care what his reasons are, even if they’re good.

You’re not going to just let him beat you either. He might be sure of himself, but he’s never faced you when you’ve used the full measure of your skills.

“You can talk big, but I doubt you can put your money where your mouth is.” You taunt again, but he just looks off into the distance. Then you hear it too, the drone of a helicopter approaching.

Then you’re rolling over the roof again, though this time more controlled as you leap aside from his dive.

You circle each other, him hovering out of your reach.

You have to time this right.

The next time he goes down you don’t throw yourself away, just dodge barely to the side and make a grab for him. You only just manage to catch his ankle, receiving a kick to your chin that makes your teeth clack together painfully, but you hold on grimly, getting a hold with your other hand.

Once again you’re in the air, but this time much shorter as he flips around and your back slams into the roof, leaving you breathless and your grip loosens.

Before you can push yourself up he’s straddling you, hitting you, once, twice. Then you grab his head and headbutt him, then roll over so he’s beneath you, managing two hits as well.

Then he starts floating, straight up, with you still on top. You hit him again, then he grabs your wrists and rights himself up, making you slip down.

You hit the ground and roll, but the impact leaves you winded, the shock of it still travelling through your body as you dodge him again. Turning to face him, you realize this is going to be harder than you thought, though he’s not looking much better than you.

Herald also seems to realize that you are pretty evenly matched and time is on your side.

“Gonna give up?” You push, hoping he’ll come down again, you’re not sure what you’d do if he flew away, you could never track him…

He must know this too, because he’s looking away before he focuses on you again.

“Never.” There’s a dangerous look in his eyes now, but you hide a smile because he’s coming towards you again.

However, this time he’s the one who dodges, managing to twist around you and once again pushing you down, but this time you’re on your stomach.

He smashes your face into the concrete roof, knee pressed into your back. There’s a weight to him that is a lot more than you’re used to. Too much for you to push up from, or even turn around. Briefly you wonder if he’s using his powers to make himself heavier, you didn’t know he could do that...

“Gonna give up?” He repeats mockingly.

You barely hear him over the ringing in your ears. Still, you’re not going to let him have the last word.

“Bite me.”

There’s blood in your eyes and you can’t breathe well through your nose. Still, you try to throw him off, not successfully and you try to calm down because he’s not doing anything at the moment but you’re starting to panic.

“I’m sorry, I know you hate this. But it’s the only way.”

You take a while to register the soft words. When you do, you don’t know what to think. How can you believe anything that comes out of his mouth?

But the fact is it sounds so much like the Daniel you’ve known for so long that you want to believe it. The hand in your hair releases its grip and for a second you think you feel fingers brush your cheek.

Then you feel the weight on your back disappear and you roll over, to dodge another attack, to get up, to…

You don’t see Herald any more. Sitting up, you scan the sky for him and see the silhouette of him getting rapidly smaller.

You wipe your eyes again, watching until the blue form is swallowed by the equally blue sky. The drone of the helicopter is also becoming more distant.

You should probably go down and report what happened. But you keep sitting there, staring at the empty sky.