Jess Park: United star reveals exactly how she feels in current role
Manchester United Women have had few players as transformative as Jess Park.
Outstanding signing
The England international was signed from Manchester City in the summer and it appears to have been a masterstroke.
She has looked at home from day one in a red shirt and was phenomenal once again for her side in the 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid, which booked United’s place in the quarter-final against Bayern Munich.
Park scored an incredible long-distance strike to give United a 2-0 lead on the night and a 5-0 cushion on aggregate just before half-time at the Progress with Unity Stadium.
Post-match comments
After the game, Park opened up on her experiences of the match to the club’s official website.
Park praised the professionalism of the side to get the job done with little fuss, stating, “yeah, for sure. We prepped right and stayed focused throughout the game to get the job done — and that’s what we did.”
She also beamed about how this young side are making history as they face Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals, saying, “for sure. The girls are making history. It’s a really special team and I’m enjoying every moment of it.”
Describing her stunning strike, she claimed, “yeah, me and Hinny (Miyazawa) spoke about it on the training field. When she got the ball, I was thinking, ‘I hope she passes this because I’m going to have a pop.’ She did, I took a touch to set it up, and yeah — good finish.”
Asked about her celebration, she stated, “yeah! We had a little inside joke planned. When she scored and then I scored, we looked at each other like, ‘What do we do now?’ But yeah — just a little inside thing.”
Chelsea task
United’s work is not done, though, as they face Chelsea in the FA Cup fifth round on Sunday before the international break at the end of February.
Commenting on the upcoming match, she said, “Yeah, for sure (it’s a big game). We review this, focus, and go again straight ahead.”
Maya Le Tissier
United’s captain Maya Le Tissier also spoke about the match.
She revealed how happy she was with her side for showing the hunger to win the match despite having a comfortable 3-0 lead from the first leg.
The England international added, “it’s a very special night for the whole team, the fans and the staff. I’m very proud of the team.”
Le Tissier also explained how they were not surprised that Atletico came out of the gate rapidly, but explained that meant United could then be dangerous on the counter. She elaborated, “their strengths turned into our strengths. When we win the ball and get it to our goalscorers, we’re dangerous. It was a massive team effort. Of course they were going to come out fighting at 3–0 down — any team would. But we were ready for that and stepped above it.”
Praise for goalscorers
She took time to credit two summer signings, Park and Swede Julia Zigiotti, the two goalscorers on the night.
Le Tissier explained, “they’ve both been on fire all season — fantastic signings for the club. Every player who came in today made an impact. We’ve got a few injuries at the minute, but the whole team has pulled together. We’ve got each other’s backs whenever someone needs to step in.”
Finally, the captain praised the fans for another fine effort in showing their support for the team. Describing the role of the supporters, she said, “amazing. Even away at Atleti it felt like a home game — they were louder than their fans! We can always rely on them to push us through, especially when we’re tired and digging deep for wins. That one was for them tonight.”
Jess Park stats vs Atletico Madrid
Source: SofascoreFeatured image Matt McNulty via Getty Images
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USA vs. Slovakia Hockey: Watch Guide
The USA vs. Slovakia men's hockey semifinal at the 2026 Olympics is a highly anticipated matchup. Fans can find all the details on how to watch the game through The Sporting News.
The Sporting News provides comprehensive information on live streaming options, TV channels, game times, and full TV schedules for this Olympic hockey showdown between the USA and Slovakia teams.
Packers' pass rusher could be an option for Commanders
The Washington Commanders are expected to be very active when free agency begins next month. The Commanders need a lot of help, specifically on a defense that was among the NFL's worst in several categories in 2025. Washington has a new defensive coordinator, Daronte Jones, who comes to the Commanders from the Minnesota Vikings, where he worked under Brian Flores for the past three seasons.
The Commanders could use starters at every level of their defense. For now, no one knows what scheme Jones will run. Jones doesn't think that's important: "It's not how they line up, it's how they wind up," he said when asked about the scheme at his introductory press conference.
Regardless of scheme, Washington needs pass rushers. It's a good year to need pass-rush help, as it's expected to be a solid free-agent class. Other productive pass rushers could be cut, too, giving the Commanders more potential options.
You could add Green Bay Packers EDGE Rashan Gary to that list. He's due to count $28 million against Green Bay's salary cap in 2026. That's a lot for someone who has never recorded 10 sacks in a season. Gary is consistent, though, recording 7.5 sacks in each of the last two seasons, and has 46.5 in his seven-year NFL career.
The 6-foot-5, 277-pound Gary would also give Washington size on the edge. He is a solid pass rusher and plus run defender. According to Pro Football Focus, Gary had a 71.8 run defense grade in 2025. His pass-rush grade was 68.2. So, while the Packers may think that's a lot of money for less-than-elite production, the Commanders could get Gary at a lower number and would be thrilled with that output.
If the Packers move on from Gary — a big if — he should be signed as a complementary pass rusher, not as the primary edge rusher. He is still young (28) and durable, having only missed significant time in one of his seven NFL seasons.
When asked if he thought Gary could be released or traded this offseason, Matt Schneidman, who covers the Packers for The Athletic, wrote the following: "I would be surprised if Gary is on the team next season." Green Bay would save around $11 million if it moves on from Gary and has former first-round pick Lukas Van Ness, who could see an advanced role in 2026.
It's unknown if the Packers are truly considering moving on from Gary, but if they do, he would be another legitimate option for the Commanders.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Packers' EDGE a potential option if released
Fantasy Bundesliga: Scout squads for Matchday 23
Bulinews' Fantasy Bundesliga writers have each put together a squad of 10 outfield players for the upcoming matchday.
Managers have full freedom with formations, but squads can’t exceed 110M, can only include up to three players from the same club and must be built around low-ownership picks (under 20%).
On top of that, every manager can choose one captain, whose points will be doubled.
With the rules set, let’s take a look at the squads our writers have assembled for Matchday 23:
Rune Gjerulff (price, ownership):
Ozan Kabak, Hoffenheim (6.68M, 4%)
Alphonso Davies, FC Bayern (13.49M, 4%)
Maximilian Mittelstädt, Stuttgart (19.48M, 17%)
Yuito Suzuki, Freiburg (3.4M, 1%)
Bilal El Khannouss, Stuttgart (12.81M, 6%) ©
Brajan Gruda, RB Leipzig (13.44M, 2%)
Romano Schmid, Werder Bremen (15.71M, 13%)
Igor Matanovic, Freiburg 2.85M, 1%)
Ermedin Demirovic, Stuttgart (5.38M, 1%)
Mohamed Amoura, Wolfsburg (13.79M, 5%)
IN TOTAL: 107.03M
Ultán Corcoran:
Maximilian Mittelstädt, Stuttgart (19.48M, 17%) ©
Ozan Kabak, Hoffenheim (6.68M, 4%)
Philipp Treu, Freiburg (4.35M, 1%)
David Raum, RB Leipzig (18.54M, 11%)
Chris Führich, Stuttgart (2.67M, 2%)
Mert Kömür, FC Augsburg (1.4M, 2%)
Joshua Kimmich, FC Bayern (18.4M, 12%)
Brajan Gruda, RB Leipzig (13.44M, 2%)
Romano Schmid, Werder Bremen (15.71M, 13%)
Jamie Leweling, VfB Stuttgart (8.4M, 11%)
IN TOTAL: 109.07M
“He’s more of a goal threat” – Danny Murphy questions Chelsea over summer transfer activity
Danny Murphy has questioned Chelsea’s decision to sign Liam Delap, and believes Nicolas Jackson is more of a goal threat.
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The Blues fought of competition from a number of clubs to sign Delap for £30m from Ipswich last summer following their relegation.
The England under-21 international made his debut at the Club World Cup, but has really struggled to make an impact this season.
Danny Murphy questions Liam Delap signing
Delap has struggled with injury, but has scored just two goals in 24 appearances, with only one in the Premier League.
Rosenior praised Delap for his performance against Hull where he bounced back from a poor first half miss to register a hat-trick of assists.
Delap has found it tough at Chelsea so far this season. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
However, he’s currently playing second fiddle to the in-form Joao Pedro, and Carragher believes joining Chelsea was too big a step for Delap.
Following the arrival of the 23-year-old, Jackson joined Bayern Munich on a season loan, but Murphy has claimed the Senegal international actually carries more of a goal threat.
“Jackson in his first Chelsea season has done better than Delap has done,” he told talkSPORT.
“He’s more of a goal threat. I actually think Cole Palmer misses Nicolas Jackson.”
All options open for Nicolas Jackson
With Delap still finding his feet, Jackson is likely to return to Chelsea in the summer after his loan with Bayern finishes.
The German Champions are highly unlikely to sign the 24-year-old permanently, and the Blues will need to find another solution.
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“He’s more of a goal threat” – Danny Murphy questions Chelsea over summer transfer activity
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Paul Merson claims unlikely £13m man has become one of Chelsea’s “best performers”
It’s been reported Jackson is open to playing for Chelsea next season, but it’s thought all opportunities will be explored.
Jackson is said to be attracting interest from Italy, Spain and England, and it’ll be interesting to see where he ends up.
Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here: