News that kicked off 2020
Soccer Report: Dynamo sign Academy prodigy, Dash trade Ohai, Ronaldo scores hat-trick
Jan 7, 2020, 6:52 am
Credit: Houston Dynamo
"The Beautiful Game" never sleeps and that was the case to kick off the new year. The Premier League took the spotlight with New Year's Day action followed by the return of La Liga and Serie A from the holiday break.
Domestically, transfer news continue to dominate the radar in Major League Soccer and the National Women's Soccer League. The 2020 MLS SuperDraft (college draft) will take place on Thursday.
Here are the top stories of the weekend:
Houston Dynamo sign Homegrown Marcelo Palomino
Reported first by Glenn Davis, the Dynamo made the signing of Academy product Marcelo Palomino official on Monday. The midfielder joined the club's youth system as an 11-year-old in 2012 and was part of the U.S. Youth National Team pool from Under-14 to Under-19, crossing paths with current Dynamo Head Coach Tab Ramos.
The three-time Dynamo Academy Player of the Year left the club over a year ago, despite having a contract offer from the Dynamo, and went on to trials in Portugal and Germany. Most recently, he was playing in Houston with the USL2 side Albion Hurricanes FC who are coached by former MLS midfielder Josh Gardner.
Signing Palomino is a win for a club that has a reputation of not producing enough professional players in a city fervent with a soccer culture. It would appear, at least on the surface, that the hiring of Ramos was the ultimate convincing factor for the player to put pen to paper.
Liga MX GK William Yarbrough no longer a target for Dynamo
@samstejskal @PaulTenorio Marko Marić is @HoustonDynamo’s starting GK for 2020. Yarbrough is no longer a target.… https://t.co/VIPKUvZPVL— Lester Grötsch🇨🇭🇩🇪🇨🇷 (@Lester Grötsch🇨🇭🇩🇪🇨🇷) 1578086479.0
The Dynamo are no longer interested in acquiring two-time Liga MX champion and former U.S. Men's National Team goalkeeper William Yarbrough, as reported by KXLN's Lester Gretsch. After failing to agree on a transfer fee for the Mexican-born keeper, the Dynamo went on to sign the Austrian-Croatian Marko Maric. The Dynamo will reportedly sign a goalkeeper in the coming weeks, according to The Athletic.
Houston Dash trade Kealia Ohai to Chicago Red Stars for defender Katie Naughton
Kealia Ohai will depart after six seasons with the Houston Dash, reportedly requesting a trade. Ohai was the club's first ever draft pick and went on to score 28 goals in 114 appearances.
"My goal is to become the very best player I could possibly be and I feel like, in order for that to happen, I need a new environment," said Ohai via her social media accounts.
Chicago Red Stars made the NWSL Playoffs for the fifth consecutive season and finished 2019 as the runners-up. The Houston Dash have never made the playoffs in their six seasons.
Dash re-sign goalscorer, FIFA Women's World Cup participant Rachel Daly
Confirmed by @HoustonDash Manager James Clarkson: 🏴 @RachelDaly3 has re-signed with the club for the 2020… https://t.co/Zw1GbPIzAj— #SoccerMatters (@#SoccerMatters) 1578012965.0
Some good news for Dash fans is the re-signing of FIFA Women's World Cup veteran Rachel Daly. Since arriving in 2016, Daly has scored 24 goals in 80 matches. The Englishwoman represented her home country at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup, where the Lionesses finished as semifinalists.
The news was announced by Head Coach James Clarkson last Thursday during a fan event hosted by Keeper Notes at Pitch 25. An official announcement from the club is imminent.
Premier League
The congested scheduling continues in the Premier League as teams opened 2020 with New Year's Day action. While the league took a break over the weekend, English clubs took were active in FA Cup action.
Top six: 1. Liverpool (58), 2. Leicester City (45), 3. Man City (44), 4. Chelsea (36), 5. Man Utd (31), 6. Tottenham (30)
Bottom three (relegation): 18. Bournemouth (20), 19. Watford (19), 20. Norwich City (14)
Scoring leader: 17 - Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)
Assists leader: 12 - Kevin De Bruyne (Man City)
La Liga
FC Barcelona and Real Madrid are once again tied at the top after RCD Espanyol took a 2-2 result in the Barcelona derby.
Top six: 1. FC Barcelona (40), 2. Real Madrid (40), 3. Atletico Madrid (35), 4. Sevilla (35), 5. Real Sociedad (31), 6. Valencia (31)
Bottom three: 18. Mallorca (15), 19. Leganes (14), 20. Espanyol (11)
Scoring leader: 13 - Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona)
Assists leader: 7 - Luis Suarez (FC Barcelona)
Italian Serie A
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick to lead defending champions Juventus to a 4-0 win against Cagliari. Inter Milan, who picked up a 3-1 win at Napoli, remain at the top of the standings due to goal difference.
Top six: 1. Inter Milan (45), 2. Juventus (45), 3. Lazio (39), 4. Roma (35), 5. Atalanta (34), 6. Cagliari (29)
Bottom three: 18. Brescia (14), 19. Genoa (14), 20. SPAL (12)
Scoring leader: 19 - Ciro Immobile (Lazio)
Assists leader: 11 - Luis Alberto (Lazio)Zlatan debuts in A.C. Milan return
🗣 Here's what Zlatan had to say on the #MilanSampdoria draw Watch more of his interview on our App:… https://t.co/9khkOdVKWk— AC Milan (@AC Milan) 1578335350.0
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was back on the pitch for the first time since his final appearance with LA Galaxy in Houston last October. The Swede came on as a substitute but could not help Milan to a win in his debut. Milan and Sampdoria played to a scoreless draw at the San Siro.
2006 FIFA World Cup Winner Daniele De Rossi retires
🗣 Daniele De Rossi: “I played for two clubs that I love. "One was always the love of my life [Roma], the other en… https://t.co/GounSqOzUW— Goal (@Goal) 1578355037.0
Roma Legend De Rossi has called time on his career after a short stint in Argentina with Boca Juniors. The Italian midfielder hangs up his boots at the age of 36 with a decorated career that includes winning the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
2010 FIFA World Cup Winner David Villa retires
David Villa played his final game as a professional footballer today. He signed off with another trophy 🏆 https://t.co/iHyYXiPB56— ESPN FC (@ESPN FC) 1577907016.0
Spanish Legend David Villa, arguably the greatest striker produced by his country, also played has called time on his career. El Guaje left in style by picking up his 15th professional trophy after winning the Emperor's Cup with Japan's Vissel Kobe. Villa won the FIFA World Cup and EURO 2008 with Spain. At the club level, he won three La Liga titles, three Copa Del Rey titles and one UEFA Champions League.
Throwback moment: Dynamo Head Coach Tab Ramos reflects on being first MLS signing
January 3rd marked 25 years since Houston Dynamo Manager Tab Ramos became the first ever signing in Major League Soccer history. Attached is a clip of his thoughts on the matter, the full interview with Glenn Davis can be seen here.
Ratings bit: Liga MX final draws top spot
Top most-watched soccer games on U.S. TV for December 16th-29th. Via @worldsoccertalk https://t.co/qExxGMowvB… https://t.co/12tJAuhwXL— Cesar Hernandez (@Cesar Hernandez) 1578287713.0
TV listings (All Times CT):
For full info on soccer TV listings and streaming services in the United States, visit worldsoccertalk.com
Tuesday, January 7
2:00 p.m. - [English League Cup] Manchester United vs. Manchester City (ESPN+)
Wednesday, January 8
1:00 p.m. - [Spanish Supercopa] Real Madrid vs. Valencia (ESPN Deportes)
2:00 p.m. - [English League Cup] Leicester City vs. Aston Villa (ESPN+)
2:00 p.m. - [Coupe de la Ligue] PSG vs. St-Etienne (beINSports)
Thursday, January 9
11:00 a.m. - 2020 MLS SuperDraft (Twitter)
1:00 p.m. - [Spanish Supercopa] FC Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid (ESPN Deportes)
2:00 p.m. - [Coppa Italia] Torino vs. Genoa (ESPN+)
Friday, January 10
1:45 p.m. - [Ligue 1] Rennes vs. Marseille (beIN Sports)
2:00 p.m. - [Premier League] Sheffield United vs. West Ham (NBC Sports)
9:00 p.m. - [Liga MX] Monarcas Morelia vs. Toluca (TUDN)
9:00 p.m. - [Liga MX] Tijuana vs. Santos Laguna (FOX Deportes)
Saturday, January 11
6:30 a.m. - [Premier League] Crystal Palace vs. Arsenal (NBC Sports)
8:00 a.m. - [Serie A] Cagliari vs. AC Milan (ESPN+)
9:00 a.m. - [Premier League] Chelsea vs. Burnley (NBC Sports)
11:00 a.m. - [Serie A] Lazio vs. Napoli (ESPN+)
11:30 a.m. - [Premier League] Tottenham vs. Liverpool (NBC)
1:45 p.m. - [Serie A] Inter Milan vs. Atalanta (ESPN+)
5:00 p.m. - [Liga MX] Cruz Azul vs. Atlas (TUDN)
7:00 p.m. - [Liga MX] Guadalajara vs. FC Juarez (TUDN)
Sunday, January 12
8:00 a.m. - [Premier League] Bournemouth vs. Watford (NBC Sports)
10:30 a.m. - [Premier League] Aston Villa vs. Man City (NBC Sports)
11:30 a.m. - [Spanish Supercopa] Real Madrid vs. Valencia vs. FC Barcelona/Atletico Madrid (ESPN Deportes)
1:45 p.m. - [Serie A] Roma vs. Juventus (ESPN+)
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Cal Raleigh becomes the first catcher, switch-hitter to win the Home Run Derby. Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images.
Cal Raleigh approached the All-Star Home Run Derby like a day on the lawn. Dad was on the mound and baby brother was behind the plate.
Only this time, there were tens of thousands looking on at Truist Park and a $1 million prize.
“It goes all the way back to him coming home and me forcing him to throw me a ball and hit it in the backyard or in the house or something probably shouldn’t be doing,” a beaming Cal said, flanked by Todd and Todd Jr. after defeating Tampa Bay’s Junior Caminero 18-15 in the final round Monday night.
Todd Raleigh, former coach of Tennessee and Western Carolina, threw the pitches and Cal’s 15-year-old brother, Todd Raleigh Jr., did the catching. A first-time All-Star at age 28, Cal became the first switch-hitter and first catcher to win the title. He’s the second Mariners player to take the title after three-time winner Ken Griffey Jr., who was on the field, snapping photos.
“Anybody that’s ever played baseball as a kid dreams of stuff like this,” Cal’s dad said. “I dreamed of it. He dreamed of it. When you’re a parent, you look at it differently because you want your kids to be happy.”
Leading the major leagues with 38 home runs at the All-Star break, Cal almost didn’t make it past the first round. The Mariners’ breakout slugger nicknamed Big Dumper and the Athletics’ Brent Rooker each hit 17 homers, and Raleigh advanced on a tiebreaker for longest long ball: 470.61 feet to 470.53 — or 0.96 inches. At first, Cal wasn’t aware whether there would be a swing-off.
“An inch off, and I’m not even in the final four, which is amazing,” Cal said. “So I guess I got lucky there. One extra biscuit.”
Raleigh totaled 54 homers. He won his semifinal 19-13 over Pittsburgh’s Oneil Cruz, whose 513-foot first-round drive over the right-center field seats was the longest of the night.
Cal Raleigh's #HRDerby by the numbers:
Total HR: 54
HR of 425+: 31
Top distance: 471 ft
Avg distance: 430 ft
Total distance: 23,212 ft
Top exit velo: 112 MPH
Avg exit velo: 102 MPH pic.twitter.com/0pV6nGWLsA
— MLB (@MLB) July 15, 2025
Cal’s brother, nicknamed T, kept yelling encouragement to the brother he so admires.
“His swag, the way he plays, the way he hustles,” T said.
Hitting second in the final round, the 22-year-old Caminero closed within three dingers — MLB counted one that a fan outfielder caught with an over-the-wall grab. Using a multicolored bat and down to his last out, Caminero took three pitches and hit a liner to left.
“I didn’t think I was going to hit as many home runs or make it to the finals,” Caminero said through a translator.
Cal was just the second Derby switch-hitter after Baltimore’s Adley Rutschman in 2023. His dad was a righty and wanted both his sons to hit from both sides.
“Did it from the first day, when he was in diapers, literally,” Todd Sr. said. “I would take that big ball and he had a big red bat. I’d throw it slow and he’d hit it. Then I’d say stay there, pick him up, turn him around, switch his hands and do it again. I was a catcher. I played a little bit, and I just knew what a premium it was. I didn’t want either one of my boys to ever say, am I right-handed or left-handed?”
There was a downside.
“I don’t recommend it if you have two kids, they’re both switch hitters, if you want to save your arm, because that’s a lot of throwing,” said dad, who had rotator cuff surgery.
Raleigh hit his first eight homers left-handed, took a timeout, then hit seven right-handed. Going back to lefty, he hit two more in the bonus round and stayed lefty for the rest of the night.
“Was grooving a little bit more lefty so we were like, since we have a chance to win, we might as well stick to the side that’s working a little better,” Cal said.
Caminero beat Minnesota’s Byron Buxton 8-7 in the other semifinal. Atlanta’s Matt Olson, Washington’s James Wood, the New York Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Rooker were eliminated in the first round of the annual power show.
Cruz’s long drive was the hardest-hit at 118 mph.
Wood hit 16 homers, including one that landed on the roof of the Chop House behind the right-field wall. Olson, disappointing his hometown fans, did not go deep on his first nine swings and finished with 15, Chisholm hit just three homers, the fewest since the timer format started in 2015.fter it was all over, the Raleighs headed out. Stephanie, the boys’ mom and Todd Sr.'s wife, is surrounded by baseball.
After it was all over, the Raleighs headed out. Stephanie, the boys’ mom and Todd Sr.'s wife, is surrounded by baseball.
“We kind of leave it in the cage. We’ve got a cage at home, a building,” Todd Sr. said. “Or we leave it in the car on the rides home. There’s probably been a few times where she says, yeah, that’s enough.”