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Atlanta United and Los Angeles FC both missed a chance to strengthen claims of winning their respective MLS conferences after they played out draws against the Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers. 

Eastern Conferences leaders Atlanta were held to a 1-1 draw by 10-man visitors Seattle on Sunday. 

Atlanta were ahead of New York City FC on goal difference prior to kickoff having played the same number of games, but fell behind to Nicolas Lodeiro’s penalty on the stroke of halftime. 

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Leading scorer Josef Martinez responded for the hosts early in the second half, when he looped a header over Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei for his 19th goal of the season in front of a record MLS crowd of 74,243 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. 

The Sounders were reduced to 10 men when Jordan McCrary received a second yellow, but they defended gallantly in the final half-hour, despite Leandro Gonzalez-Pirez hitting the bar from close-range. 

The Five Stripes now sit one point in front of second-place NYCFC, and six points ahead of the third-place New York Red Bulls. 

19 and counting for @JosefMartinez17… pic.twitter.com/QtJs3pVQQM
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 15, 2018

Elsewhere, LAFC missed an opportunity to close the gap on Western Conference leaders FC Dallas to one point after a goalless draw against Portland. 

Chances were at a premium for both sides on a humid evening in California, but the game came to life with five minutes remaining when Lee Nguyen received a straight red card for a challenge on Sebastian Blanco. 

Despite being a player down, LAFC could have won it in stoppage time as Mexico international Carlos Vela headed straight at Jeff Attinella from six yards. 

ALMOST on the header from Carlos Vela! #LAFCvPOR https://t.co/J0u66gLfJx
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 16, 2018

Portland climb up to fourth in the Western Conference and have games in hand on the teams above them, while Seattle’s point edges them away from the bottom of the table.

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Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand challenged manager Jose Mourinho to get the best out of Paul Pogba after he helped France win the World Cup.  

Pogba enjoyed a strong campaign as France claimed their second world title with a 4-2 win over Croatia in Moscow on Sunday.  

The 25-year-old midfielder, who scored in the final, has experienced a topsy-turvy two years at Old Trafford following his £89 million ($118m) arrival from Juventus and Ferdinand believes it is up to Mourinho to translate that international form to his club.  

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“Pogba was immense, especially second half. The pressure was on and he came to the fore,” he told BBC One.  

“It’s down to Jose now to unlock this Pogba we’ve seen at the World Cup.”  

Pogba found himself out of favour under Mourinho last term, sparking speculation of a possible departure from Old Trafford. 

The Frenchman scored six goals as United finished second in the Premier League. 

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Kylian Mbappe has committed his future to Paris Saint-Germain amid links with European champions Real Madrid.    

Mbappe won the FIFA Young Player award for his performances at Russia 2018 after helping France claim the World Cup on Sunday.    

The 19-year-old forward scored in France’s 4-2 victory over Croatia in Moscow as he took his tournament tally to four goals.    

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Mbappe – who completed a permanent transfer to Ligue 1 champions PSG from French rivals Monaco during the off-season having spent last term on loan in Paris – has no plans to leave the capital as Madrid attempt to replace Juventus-bound Cristiano Ronaldo.  

“I will stay with PSG, continuing on my path with them,” Mbappe told reporters.   

“I am at the beginning of my career.”   

Mbappe enjoyed a stellar 2017-18 campaign with PSG, scoring 21 goals in all competitions.  

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Conor McGregor hailed Russia president Vladimir Putin as “one of the greatest leaders of our time” after the UFC star was a guest at the World Cup final.   

McGregor was invited to the Moscow showpiece by Putin as France lifted the trophy for a second time thanks to a 4-2 win over Croatia on Sunday.   

And the Irish fighter used Instagram to thank Putin following the conclusion of the tournament in Russia.  

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“Today I was invited to the World Cup final as a guest of Russian president Vladimir Putin,” McGregor wrote after posting a photo alongside Putin.

“This man is one of the greatest leaders of our time and I was honored to attend such a landmark event alongside him.

 

Today I was invited to the World Cup final as a guest of Russian President Vladimir Putin. This man is one of the greatest leaders of our time and I was honored to attend such a landmark event alongside him. Today was an honor for me Mr. Putin. Thank you and congratulations on an amazing World Cup. Россия вперёд!

A post shared by Conor McGregor Official (@thenotoriousmma) on Jul 15, 2018 at 11:08am PDT

“Today was an honor for me Mr. Putin. Thank you and congratulations on an amazing World Cup.”

 

Enjoying the World Cup final in Russia. A truly amazing spectacle!

A post shared by Conor McGregor Official (@thenotoriousmma) on Jul 15, 2018 at 10:03am PDT

Earlier, McGregor – who is reportedly nearing a return to the octagon – wrote: “Enjoying the World Cup final in Russia. A truly amazing spectacle.”

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He didn’t play a single minute in Russia, but French defender Adil Rami still played a strangely pivotal part in his side’s World Cup triumph.

France lifted the trophy for the second time in their history on Sunday after defeating Croatia 4-2 in the final with Rami again not taking the pitch.

Though not being directly involved in the action, Rami and his elaborate moustache once again played a role with the 32-year-old revealing a strange tournament tradition involving his facial hair continued prior to the final.

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“Antoine Griezmann touched it before the game, and even the manager did to bring luck” Griezmann told TF1. 

“It is now the most famous moustache in France. I will keep it.”

It’s a ritual reminiscent of France’s 1998 World Cup winning side which saw Laurent Blanc kiss Fabian Barthez’s bald head prior to games for good luck.

Rami’s lucky moustache began working its magic with Antoine Griezmann, who started touching it prior to France’s group games with most of the squad gradually following suit throughout the tournament.

The facial hair certainly seemed to benefit Griezmann in particular with the attacker bagging four goals across the tournament – including a penalty in the final.

While Rami has vowed to keep his moustache for a little longer, the man himself announced his international retirement after France’s triumph. 

He bows out of the national arena as a World Cup winner with 35 caps to his name and a moustache that may need to be brought out of retirement in 2022.  

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