It's Week 15 in the IFL, and the Green Bay Blizzard are back on top. But the focus is on the team they knocked down, the Vegas Knight Hawks, and their marquee matchup against the San Diego Strike Force on Friday night (10 p.m. ET on Yahoo Sports).
Vegas is coming off a rare loss to the NAZ Wranglers last week, while San Diego is riding a four-game win streak entering this major Western Conference clash, looking to overtake the conference’s first-place team.
"When I crack jokes about the other two (Vegas and Arizona), I'm just basically using that as motivation that they're just assuming that their organizations are better than our football team," Strike Force head coach Taylor Genuser said, via goIFL.com. "We're here to show you that we're ready to play ball and we're ready to win the West."
"Whatever you need to do to motivate your team is fine by me," Knight Hawks head coach Mike Davis. "If they really think that they were overlooked, okay that's up to them. There's nobody overlooking them. Nobody. Not us. Not Arizona. Not Tucson. At the end of the day, they put together a good football team that plays well and they're exciting to watch and they come to work. They don't get too rattled."
Who will end the week atop the Western Conference? Tune into Yahoo Sports to find out.
Players of the week
Offensive: Zach Calzada, QB, San Antonio Gunslingers (8 total TDs, 186 passing yards, 36 rushing yards)
Defensive: Herman Smith, DB, San Diego Strike Force (3 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 pass breakup)
Special teams: Aaron Jackson, KR, Tucson Sugar Skulls (4 returns for 105 yards, 1 TD)
Juneteenth, June 19, is a federal holiday — Emancipation Day for black Americans.
Zim Satcher, a Rio Rancho boxing trainer, is a Black man who studied The Sweet Science with the late Joe Louis Murphy, a Black boxer named for a Black boxer. Murphy, an Albuquerque native, was a boyhood friend of the late Bob Foster, a Black man and New Mexico’s first professional world champion.
When Satcher called the Journal last week, he said it wasn’t really with a story in mind. He was just extending an invitation to come by and see how his boxing club was growing — and how his son, Zimbalist Satcher Jr., was progressing.
But Satcher did reference Juneteenth, in essence extending an invitation to reflect on the Black community’s contribution to boxing in New Mexico.
For Satcher, that begins and ends with Murphy, who died in 2023 at age 86.
“He was a hero to many,” Satcher said, “and he was an African-American hero here.”
For most of us, though, it began with Foster, the undisputed world light heavyweight champion from May 1968 to June 1974 — having successfully defended the title 13 times.
Foster (51-8-1, 46 knockouts) ranks among the fiercest punchers of all time. A charter member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, he died in 2015 at 76.
Of New Mexico’s five world men’s world champions — Foster, Johnny Tapia, Danny Romero, Austin Trout and Angelo Leo — two, Foster and Trout, are Black.
Murphy was never a world champion. His record, (13-11-3, four KOs), compiled between 1955 and 1966, may seem unimpressive, particularly in comparison to Foster’s. Murphy’s contributions continued through the decades, however, as a trainer and promoter.
Professional boxing’s U.S. fan base is predominantly Hispanic, especially in the Southwest. As a natural consequence, so are most of the boxers.
Not all.
Trout (37-5-1, 18 KOs), a Las Cruces southpaw, defeated Rigoberto Alvarez for the WBA junior middleweight title in February 2011 and successfully defended four times — one of those against Puerto Rican legend Miguel Cotto at Madison Square Garden — before losing the belt to Rigoberto’s brother Canelo in April 2013.
Trout continues to campaign in bare-knuckle fighting. Unbeaten (5-0) in BKFC competition, he’s scheduled to face Ben Bonner on July 3 in Philadelphia for that organization’s lightweight title.
He was a USA Boxing national champion and a 2004 Olympic alternate as an amateur.
Foster, Trout and Murphy, then, stand out among New Mexico’s Black fighters and contributors.
There have been others.
Siju Shabazz, Trout’s former training partner in Las Cruces, won a Golden Gloves national title in 2007. Shabazz was 6-3 with five KOs as a pro, campaigning from 2012-17.
It’s in the amateur ranks that lighter-weight Black New Mexicans made the most impact.
Earl Large (119 pounds) and Brooks Byrd (125), both of Clovis, won Golden Gloves national titles in 1967. Santa Fe’s Ray Theragood (119) did so in 1972.
Large boxed professionally from 1968-79, compiling a 38-17 record with 16 KOs. Byrd was 20-8-2 with 15 KOs as a pro from 1971-76. Theragood did not box as a pro.
Other New Mexico Black boxers from the pro ranks: Bruce Sewell (3-2-1, ‘85-86); Jason Bray, a Bob Foster protégé who fashioned a 6-0 (3 KOs) pro record from 1982-86 before moving on in life; Tony Foster (6-2, four KOs, ‘84-88), Bob’s son; Tony McNary (3-2, two KOs,’85-86); Richard Fowler (13-20-1, five KOs, ‘75-95); Bobby Alexander (1-2, one KO, ‘85-03); Jay Murphy (2-4, no KOs, ‘85-86), Joe Louis Murphy’s nephew; most recently, Jordan Gregory (2-3-3, no KOs, 2017-23).
The contribution of Black trainers like Joe Louis Murphy (Albuquerque), Willie Hall (Roswell), Henry Compton (Alamogordo) and Zim Satcher (Rio Rancho) should not go unappreciated.
When it comes to his time with the Carolina Panthers, third-year wideout Xavier Legette is likely staring at a now-or-never moment here in 2026. So, what if it's never?
Team reporter Darin Gantt was posed that question in the newest installment of his "Ask The Old Guy" mailbag series over at Panthers.com. And if Legette fails to step up behind the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan and the recently-extended Jalen Coker, Gantt opines that Carolina could fill that No. 3 spot in a number of ways:
[Chris] Brazzell can be a knock-the-top-out deep threat, but he's a different fast than [Jimmy] Horn, who can't do the things [David] Moore or even [Brycen] Tremayne do. [John] Metchie's got a rapport with [Bryce] Young going back to college that's helpful, but he's part of the bunch of guys fighting for roster spots.
My suspicion is that if it's not Legette, they'll use a collection of people in different ways, taking advantage of matchups and their varied skill sets. But most of the action is still going to go McMillan's way, and Coker's after that.
Ideally, Legette finally finds his footing (both figuratively and literally) and serves as a dynamic give-and-go threat—perhaps in the mold of a Deebo Samuel. But although the 6-foot-3, 227-pounder possesses the size and speed to do so, he hasn't proven much on the field as of yet—amassing just 10.2 yards per reception and seven touchdowns while fighting through persistent issues with drops and spacial awareness.
Nonetheless, the 2024 first-round pick seems to be inspiring a bit of hope this offseason.
"From the minute he's gotten here, he's 100 miles an hour. He's putting in the time in the playbook, he's busting his butt on the field, working on little technical skills," head coach Dave Canales said of Legette at the start of mandatory minicamp.
"We had great meetings going out of the season, great meetings when he came back in April. Talked about his plan and the things he's working on and all that. He's just aware of all the things he needs to continue to improve upon to be the player that we know he can be, and that he knows he can be."
If that isn't ultimately the case, the favorite to overtake Legette could be Brazzell—this year's third-round pick. The long 6-foot-4 rookie has brought some burst that hasn't been seen in Carolina for quite some time, and might be able to unlock more of the offense for Canales, Young and company.
It is starting to seem a little more likely that LeBron James will remain with the Los Angeles Lakers on a new contract this summer. But joining the Cleveland Cavaliers or Golden State Warriors, or simply retiring, remain options for the 41-year-old.
This season marked a change for James in terms of his usage and role. He became the Lakers' third scoring option behind Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, and while he adjusted well, some likely wondered if it was a role he would be willing to continue to play beyond this season.
In a recent report for ESPN, Dave McMenamin wrote that taking a back seat to Doncic won't be a factor in James' decision this offseason.
"'LeBron rocks with Luka,' one source close to James told ESPN, so continuing to be asked by Redick to play a complementary role next to Doncic does not figure to be a sticking point in James' decision-making," McMenamin wrote.
James averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists during the regular season. Playing a reduced role left him fresher for the playoffs, allowing him to increase his scoring output after Doncic suffered a season-ending hamstring strain on April 2.
It remains to be seen if James will take some sort of a pay cut to help Los Angeles secure at least one upgrade for its roster and also re-sign its other current players who will become free agents, or if he and his agent, Rich Paul, will demand a max or near-max salary.
Many golfers are quick to blame their swing mechanics when shots start going off target. However, alignment is often overlooked, causing players to make subconscious compensations that can lead to even bigger misses.
While there are many ways to practice alignment, selecting an intermediate target lowers the risk of lining up off target. Try incorporating this method into your next practice session to see if it improves your accuracy.
If you’re looking for more instruction, click here.
The Toronto Maple Leafs traded for Emil Andrae earlier this week, and on Friday, they acquired Darren Raddysh in a sign-and-trade from the Tampa Bay Lightning.
It's all pointing to the same thing: Morgan Rielly is a goner.
The defenseman still has four years and $30 million total ($7.5 million AAV) remaining on his contract, but he's been involved in trade rumors for months.
There's no way Toronto can keep him anymore after getting Raddysh.
The Maple Leafs and Rielly have to find a destination that everyone is happy with, but this has to be a trade coming, potentially sooner rather than later.
It sounds like Rielly is starting to come to grips with that, too.
"Rielly had previously been unwilling to consider waiving his no-movement clause, but has since softened on that stance," The Athletic's Chris Johnston wrote this week.
Even though Rielly's recent time in Toronto hasn't been ideal, he can still be a useful player.
"While Rielly’s skating isn’t the separator it once was, he possesses strong puck skills and can help drive a team offensively," Johnston writes. "He’s also a high-character player who should be viewed as a dressing room asset."
Maybe there was a way to squint earlier this week and see a path for Rielly staying put.
The Raddysh acquisition pretty much puts that possibility to rest. It'd be shocking at this point not to see Rielly traded.
U.S. women’s national team forward Ally Sentnor is officially headed to Angel City FC.
Two days after the club dismissed head coach Alex Straus, following a poor first half to the NWSL season, the club’s sporting director Mark Parsons says Sentnor’s transfer is another step in a long-term plan designed to transform the club into a perennial contender.
The 21-year-old joins the team from the Kansas City Current and is the latest major investment in Angel City’s roster rebuild, arriving at a moment when the club is simultaneously searching for stability and trying to accelerate its climb into championship contention. Angel City won only one of its last eight matches before the league’s summer break. The team has made the playoffs just once since 2022.
“This is a massive and very important moment for our club,” Parsons told The Athletic in an exclusive interview. “It’s not just about the goals, the assists and the quality of a footballer. She’s a competitive winner who wants to make the most out of every day.”
Both Sentnor and the team are getting accustomed to change. Angel City is Sentnor’s third team in as many seasons in the NWSL, while Angel City has yet to have a permanent head coach for a full two seasons.
However, the team isn’t presenting Sentnor as a reactionary move to Straus’ departure. According to Parsons, ACFC’s pursuit of the forward began months ago. While the initial conversations date back to spring, Kansas City Current was unwilling to entertain a move at the time. Discussions resumed several weeks ago, eventually resulting in one of the biggest transfers of the NWSL summer window so far. ACFC sent the Current $850,000 in intraleague transfer funds as part of the trade.
Sentnor’s move to the club comes less than a year after she was involved in another landmark transfer. Kansas City acquired the Massachusetts native from the Utah Royals for a then-record $600,000 guaranteed fee in August 2025, plus add-ons and a future sell-on clause.
The Current viewed her as a long-term piece alongside a young core that included fellow U.S. midfielder Claire Hutton. Both players helped the Current capture the NWSL Shield in 2025 and entered 2026 as one of the club’s key attacking players — and now both have departed the club, with Hutton having left for Bay FC in the off-season.
“Throughout my career, I’ve tried to approach every opportunity with more grit, more grace, and a commitment to doing more good, and I’m excited to bring that mindset to Angel City and the Los Angeles community,” Sentnor said in a statement.
Utah drafted Sentnor No.1 overall in 2024 after a successful stint at the University of North Carolina. Her rookie season showcased her attacking and game-building qualities, which resulted in her earning the 2024 U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year award, attracting interest across the league.
For Parsons, Sentnor represents far more than another highly rated young player.
Parsons says the move is part of a broader strategy centered on building around elite young talent while supplementing it with championship-tested veterans such as Emily Sams, Ary Borges, Nealy Martin and Hina Sugita. The result is one of the league’s youngest rosters, but one Parsons believes is built for sustainable success rather than short-term gains.
“We are the youngest team in the league right now,” Parsons said. “We play more under-23s than any team in the league.”
However, those players are now without a permanent head coach as of Wednesday. In the absence of Straus, senior assistant coach Leif Gunnar Smerud will act as interim head coach, and the team will embark on another comprehensive search for a replacement. Parsons declined to discuss the reasons behind the decision in detail, saying it was too soon after the announcement.
“I hope in the next week or two that I can be really clear,” he said. “Like I always have and always will, being really clear and really open on everything that we’re doing. But today is not that day.”
ACFC has undergone sweeping changes since Parsons arrived as sporting director ahead of the 2025 season, overseeing a major rebuild of both the roster and the club’s sporting infrastructure. Angel City revamped its medical, scouting, analytics and technical departments while reshaping the squad around a younger core. That core was previously anchored by 21-year-old U.S. forward Alyssa Thompson, who transferred to Chelsea last year.
The results have been mixed. Across the 2025 and 2026 regular seasons, Angel City compiled a 10-14-11 record. The club finished the 2025 campaign with 25 points, outside the playoff positions and in the bottom half of the NWSL standings. Optimism grew early in 2026 after they opened the season with three consecutive victories, a run that earned head coach Alexander Straus the league’s Coach of the Month award for March.
But the momentum stagnated. By the time Straus was dismissed on June 17, the club sat 12th in the 16-team NWSL standings.
Bringing in Sentnor not only contributes to the ongoing vision of the club’s youth movement, but it also aligns with what Parsons frequently describes as Angel City’s “football DNA.” Parsons was clear about where they wanted her to be.
“We were really clear with Ally: you have to be close to the goal,” he said. Whether that means as a No. 10, a false nine or another attacking role remains to be seen. “She strikes the ball with both feet better than anyone I’ve seen in the country. It’s going to be pretty fun seeing her do that for Angel City.”
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 27: Demond Williams Jr. #2 of the Washington Huskies is hit by Kenyatta Jackson Jr. #97 of the Ohio State Buckeyes at Husky Stadium on September 27, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Thanks to Eric Boggs of The OHIO Podcast for joining me to discuss Ohio State’s roster on this week’s podcast:
In late January head coach Day hired offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, a 15-year NFL veteran coach, the same month as he took back playcalling duties from former OC/WR coach Brian Hartline for the Cotton Bowl against Miami. Hartline had accepted the head coaching job at USF on December 3rd, a few days prior to Ohio State’s 13-10 loss to Indiana in the Big Ten championship game.
On the podcast, Eric and I continued our longrunning discussion about Day’s frequently frustrated attempts to step down from his personal involvement in the offense – 2026 will mark not just the fifth playcaller but approach to playcalling in as many seasons since 2022. We also contrasted the factory-like operation of the defense, which has consistently produced the same elite quality each year without personnel management issues under a totally different management style: hands-off, with a “head coach of the defense” and a stable staff, and accountability for the DC where good isn’t good enough and falling short of perfection results in firing.
It seemed clear to both of us that hiring OC Smith was Coach Day’s attempt to re-create the insulation from and responsibility for the offensive operation in a longtime NFL hand that worked even better than either of us expected with last year’s hiring of DC Patricia for the defense (more on that in the second half of this article).
For reasons that we talked through on the podcast, I think that’s the right direction to go in, though questions remain about how effective it’ll be in 2026. First, from what Eric tells me about Smith’s preferred heavy-personnel, run and play-action based offense, there may be issues adapting the inherited roster strengths and rough patches. And second, there are a number of ground-level personnel management choices, which I will explain throughout this section, that give me pause about whether Day is truly stepping back so optimal decisions can be made without interference.
Starter #10 QB Sayin returns after his debut season last year with an NCAA passer rating of 177.5. He ran the offense effectively with a quick delivery and one of the lowest QB error rates in the Big Ten on my tally sheet, though as we noted it’s something of a challenge to evaluate Sayin analytically for two reasons: first, pace of play under Hartline was at its slowest by a wide margin since I began charting Ohio State in 2019 (that tends to drive up effective play rate, quality over quantity).
Second, Sayin had two of the absolute best receivers in the game to throw to and it was virtually always the correct decision to let it fly to them, so the sample size as to tough reads is pretty limited. (There was a three-game stretch in which one then the both of the top WRs were out, I thought Sayin handled it properly with checkdowns and seams to the correct TE, though this had implications for the WR unit I’ll discuss below.)
Eric and I agreed on the biggest area for Sayin to work on in 2026: creating more and bigger plays out-of-structure on pocket breakdowns. Much of this conversation made me somewhat anxious because it’s difficult to quantify as a counterfactual and the terminology is painfully clichéd, but I think Eric is right that there have been missed opportunities to play less robotically to continue drives that otherwise ended out of an overabundance of caution, and this was quite a contrast to 2024 starter Will Howard.
Analytically, this was clearest in the 3rd & long passing success rate at only 30% prior to garbage time, a collapse by -35 percentage points compared to 3rd & short, and about -29 points compared to any given 1st or 2nd down & distance situation. Without the run to hold them in check or Sayin creating plays to punish them for it, defenses just had to break the pocket and they’d earn a punt.
Backup #9 QB St. Clair from the 2025 cycle, also a 5-star like Sayin, redshirted last year with effectively no meaningful or garbage time reps. The quarterback Sayin beat out for the job last offseason, Lincoln Keinholz, got the very few backup reps and transferred out. Longtime backup #16 QB J. Martin, who’s had one serious game worth of play in his career since 2022 (two years ago when UCLA starter Ethan Garbers was out against Penn State), spent 2025 as a backup to Maryland’s true freshman starter Malik Washington. Eric and I both figure that if Sayin is unavailable the ball will go to St. Clair as the future Ohio State QB and Martin is just there as a deep safety net.
Running Backs
2025 was a narrowly averted catastrophe at the running back room. After sending the two already developed starters to the NFL at the end of the previous season, the two 2024 preps RB coach Locklyn recruited, James Peoples and Sam Dixon, plus West Virginia transfer CJ Donaldson he brought in that cycle, were ready to take over in 2025. But Donaldson and Peoples spent the first five weeks as 1A/1B each at miserably ineffective 3.4 adjusted YPC when controlling for garbage time, Donaldson at 47.6% efficiency and Peoples at an astonishingly poor 32.3%, while Dixon’s career appears to be over.
Peoples was benched in week 5 and then-true freshman #25 RB Bo Jackson started getting carries, becoming the main back by week 6 and for the rest of the year, though Donaldson still got about half the carries in four games after that point.
Jackson was also underwater in efficiency at 48.0%, but the main difference was that he could be his own blocker and achieved a 5.3 adjusted YPC, sustained through an extended 150 meaningful carries (higher than usual on a per-game basis because of the late start). Eric told me this probably aggravated some pre-existing injury issues for Jackson and he might have done even better if not for the overwork.
The fourth back used was another true freshman, #32 RB I. West, a smaller change-of-pace back with a U-shaped curve on the performance graph: he would either get stuffed or break an explosive run, so he finished the year with 34 meaningful carries and 5.45 adjusted YPC, but a hit-or-miss 41.2% efficiency.
Jackson and West return in 2026, to likely the same roles as they finished 2025. The question is how the rest of the room is filled in, as Eric said OC Smith will want a full rotation of backs to share the load in his run-heavy offense and he has some lingering concerns about Jackson’s health if he’s overloaded.
I was puzzled how that squared with the two additions he suggested, because they’re both even smaller than West is: redshirt freshman #21 RB Rogers at 5’8” and 198 lbs, and true freshman #2 RB Bey at 5’10” and 177 lbs, each a mid 4-star. They seem like they’d be potentially high quality replacements for West in his role, but at their sizes I don’t understand how they could give much relief to Jackson as workhorse backs in a run-heavy offense, especially in the ongoing parlous state of the offensive line and the need to be one’s own blocker (more on that below).
To me it seems unavoidable, even though Eric splashed cold water on the suggestion when I brought it up, that Florida transfer and former low 3-star Juco #24 RB JK Jackson (no relation) will get some substantial carries in Smith’s offense, simply because he’s literally the only other scholarship back besides the starter who’s of the size to be an every-down back at 5’11” and 217 lbs. He had a decent 500 yards at Florida in 2024, then in 2025 an undisclosed injury early and shut it down (this has been very vague in media reports, the most specific I’ve been able to get was Eric’s comment that “he was kind of hurt but it wasn’t necessarily terrible because he was playing in Spring”).
Jackson (the starter) has some great numbers given the context, and I think he can carry the rushing offense as long as he’s in and upright. But the depth and talent profile of this room seems a mismatch for the style of offense, and last year’s foul-up does not give me confidence in the management or that Smith had a free hand in personnel selection.
Tight Ends
The development and production of this unit has been difficult for me to parse in all seven years I’ve charted this team, going back to the 2019 season when I first started due to a scheduled home-and-home (the first leg in 2020 was canceled due to covid). Former TE coach Kevin Wilson, who was also Day’s playcalling help in the booth as a spotter, left at the end of the 2022 season for a head coaching job. For 2023, Day promoted his own special assistant, Keenan Bailey, to TE coach where he’s remained ever since, with this offseason Bailey earning a promotion to co-OC with Smith.
Wilson had developed two tight ends who performed above FBS baselines on a per-target basis, Jeremy Ruckert and Cade Stover, but Ruckert in 2019-20 wasn’t utilized often enough, and when he was a solo act in 2021 his performance metrics collapsed back to mediocre figures. Stover has been the one great success story of tight end development in Day’s tenure, with two years of appropriate production and commensurate utilization, as shown in this graph from my charting data:
Bailey’s tenure has been unsuccessful by comparison. His homegrown tight ends — Gee Scott, Jelani Thurman, #85 TE Christian — have not met performance metrics. He’s relied almost exclusively on transfers: Will Kacmarek from Ohio who had a high efficiency but low target share and YPT which indicates use as blocker and quick possession receiver and nothing more, and Max Klare from Purdue who had the highest target share of any TE including Stover, but lower per-target outputs than when he was a Boilermaker with 52% efficiency and 8.4 adjusted YPC instead of 7.6 as a Buckeye.
In 2026, Eric and I both suspect that the six available tight ends will fall into two neat categories: those big enough to block who’ll be used quite often in that way but probably won’t be targeted much or particularly effectively per historical trends, and three young and very talented but currently much more slimly built players who may come in as detached Y-receivers.
In the former, blocking category it looks like Bailey will continue to go with #85 TE Christian, a redshirt senior with modest blocking grades for the last three seasons, and add even more transfers: super senior Northwestern transfer #84 TE Welcing who didn’t play until last year but was underwater on my sheet in blocking with 44% grades and receiving at 6.67 YPT (the Wildcats’ TE development and delays in playing Welcing fairly incensed my friend David Gold, emeritus of InsideNU.com), and a second Bobcat #86 TE M. Williams, notable for having one target for three yards in their game against the Buckeyes last year. (It is beyond the scope of this 2026 preview to comment on 2027 recruiting, but the reader may be entertained by a story of Eric’s on the podcast on how the TE class is going.)
The most intriguing of the latter three Y-receiver builds is sophomore #83 TE Roberts. Eric said if anyone has the talent to break in for Smith’s system it’d be him, and I’d agree since #88 TE LeBlanc had his shot against underperforming depth last year and didn’t play while the other 2025 recruit #87 TE Lennon is lower rated, smaller, and redshirted instead of getting his feet wet last year. But Roberts is so light right now at 240 lbs that I think his deployment would immediately signal his use as a receiving option and give the playcall away.
For a position that Eric indicated was repeatedly stressed in Smith’s offseason planning as essential to his offense in establishing the run and hitting surprise shots, and for the novel tools he’s meant to bring to redzone playcalling with tight end assets, I would have thought a truly independent OC would have free reign here and make some different strategic choices to upgrade the TE talent. Given Bailey’s pedigree, making him co-OC and keeping the unit looking functionally identical to the last several years is not a strong indicator to me that Day has relinquished control.
Wide Receivers
The production from Hartline’s top two players here in both 2024 and 2025 has been astonishing. Last season 1st round draft pick Carnell Tate achieved a 70% per-target success rate and 12.6 adjusted YPC, the highest sustained performance metrics I’ve ever recorded for a 50+ target receiver in over 15 years of charting. On about forty more meaningful targets (so the indices wind up a bit lower, which is natural) then-sophomore #4 WR J. Smith hit 63.6% efficiency and 10.0 adjusted YPT.
The falloff after those two was almost as astonishing. There was only one other receiver who got substantial meaningful play, #1 WR Inniss — mainly out of the slot at 6’0” while Smith and Tate are both 6’3” — who came in at a paltry 51.2% efficiency and 5.75 YPT, similar to the numbers he’s posted his entire career. The third-most targeted wideout at every school in the Big Ten except Northwestern and Purdue posted better per-target numbers than Inniss.
On the podcast, Eric and I spent quite a while discussing what it meant that seven bluechip receivers did not sit Inniss down, of whom five transferred out after the season. Four were true freshmen at the time — though this program has demonstrated that it will play bluechip true freshmen if they’re actually good enough — and Eric was only willing to stick his neck out for one then-sophomore: Mylan Graham, one of a pair who headed to Notre Dame. I thought it was telling that during the three-game stretch when they were short-handed with Tate and then Smith’s absence as well, Sayin directed almost all his passes to Klare and the running backs, a few to Graham, and generally avoided Inniss except as short conversion passing.
In my opinion, Inniss could use a challenge at the slot position, and new WR coach Hankton who comes in from the SEC — and brings with him productive LSU transfer #5 WR Parker with a slot man’s build — is in a position to re-evaluate matters. I view this position battle as another proxy test of Smith’s independence from Day, since to hear Eric tell it Inniss for several years has been protected by staff favoritism from accountability for his production due to locker-room leadership reasons. Eric also said that he thinks redshirt freshman #8 WR D. Jones is part of the slot group.
I think Eric is right that the other outside starting receiver across from Smith will be 5-star true freshman #15 WR Henry – every indication is that he’s the next Buckeye wideout to define the current era of freshman WR production (I’ve already had to adjust a couple elements of my predictive algorithm for it; this step-change may not be quite as significant as the 8.5-basis point jump in QB accuracy at the turn of the century but we now have enough data to confirm it’s just as real and not statistical noise).
There are a few other options as alternatives and backups on the outside, though each are at least somewhat off Henry’s talent ceiling I think, and like Henry none have seen play at this level of football. #3 WR McCuin was a productive receiver at UTSA last year – this is a step up, though the Roadrunners have sent wideouts to the NFL through the Big Ten before. #7 WR Bell was a low 4-star who redshirted last year. #6 WR Guilford, as Eric reminded me, beat out Henry in a few prep competitions. And #11 WR Boyd, despite being the lowest rated of the 2025 cycle in the WR room, was the first to have his black stripe removed, an eldritch rite apparently of some significance.
Offensive Line
It would exceed the space permitted to recount the full evolution of the offensive line in the time I’ve been charting the Buckeyes, suffice it to say that I think letting former OL coach Greg Studrawa go for health reasons in 2021 has been unfortunate, because his linemen (including those whom I credit to Studrawa and who continued play a couple years after his departure) were bar-none the best I had seen in this league, and the coaches who followed don’t hold a candle to his legacy.
There is a notable falloff in OL grades and the most directly attendant offensive indices (overall rush explosiveness, 1st down and 2nd & long rush efficiency, 3rd down and long-yardage pocket time) beginning in 2023 which have gotten worse each year, even when statistically controlling for the effects of the late-2024 injury situation. This is the most salient fact about Ohio State’s offense over the last three years compared to the previous four – at the beginning of Day’s tenure the Buckeyes’ offense won because of their line; today they win in spite of it.
The blessing and curse of 2026 is that nearly all of the nine linemen who got substantial play last year return. The upside is that there are four returning starters and where they need a replacement or a position battle they can solve it internally with Ohio State players, almost all with prior experience. The downsides are that I think there are only limited benefits to the contemplated position shuffling without goring some evidently sacred cows, the choices to be made are between experienced underperformers and near-to-total greenhorns, and in my opinion the current OL staff is on a cold streak of botching these choices (I thought Eric’s recounting of Smith’s first days in the Woody Hayes center read like a dressing down of the OL staff for mismanagement, though I may be overinterpreting).
The easiest entry point is the departure of two-year starting right guard — actually, less, as he fought a running position battle both years, with four guys each season playing RG — Tegra Tshabola, who transferred out to Kentucky (not a great start, Will). That creates an opening which could be filled by a couple backups from last year, #62 OG Padilla or #58 OG VanSickle, but I think Eric is right and it’ll actually go to #67 OL Siereveld, who was a backup guard pressed into service and kicked out to tackle due to injuries in 2024 then became the starting LT in 2025 in what we both felt was out of position for him.
Eric brought up the possibility of another couple position switches, and in my opinion the Buckeyes should gut up and do one of them, but Eric splashed cold water on both. Those would involve taking #75 C Hinzman out of his current center position to relocate him at guard where he belongs, and putting either #51 LG Montgomery or Padilla in at center. Eric said Padilla is the one out of those two with the snapping skills so that’s the more likely, but it won’t happen since it would take Montgomery out of the lineup and the staff is apparently wedded to him. Again, I note signs of a less than free hand.
For the tackles, Minnesota transfer #70 RT Daniels followed up Josh Fryar’s “nice work if you can get it” performance. Eric suggested he’ll be due a challenge, and I agree. Daniels missed the Purdue game and then-redshirt freshman #69 OT I. Moore filled in, and he also took over in the second half of the CFP quarterfinals game against Miami when Siereveld was absent at LT (Eric and I discussed potentially differing reasons for this). I think Moore looks like the most promising candidate and should get the LT spot Siereveld may vacate, and Eric’s pick to challenge Daniels is mid 4-star redshirt freshman #74 OT Lowe.
Defense
The improvements in Ohio State’s underlying defensive metrics on what was already an excellent defense in 2024, considering the personnel they lost to the NFL at the end of their national championship season, are exemplary of proper management.
I attribute them, broadly, to two things: first, DC Patricia’s playcalling picked up where the post-revision 2024 Ohio State defense left off. In brief summary, the Buckeyes were using nonsensical simulated pressures early in that season which were unnecessary and counterproductive, then cut them out in the second part and played in a straightforward manner which leveraged their talent advantages … Patricia continued the latter approach, as Eric and I expected in the 2025 offseason.
Second, the personnel development pipeline simply worked as intended: high quality replacements who had waited their turn stepped in after years of development under the same coaching staff, and upperclassmen returners put some polish on their game to tame a few longstanding issues – most notably the linebacker tackling climbed above 78% grades on my tally sheet for the starters, and interference flags by the secondary fell to under 4% per meaningful pass attempt, each for the first time since 2022.
The down & distance situational gains show that Patricia’s defensive fix was mostly about solidifying the correct pressure choices on early downs – there’s about eight percentage points better defensive success rate against the rush and the pass on 1st & 10 in 2025 compared to all of 2024, but when compared just the second part of 2024, it’s a more modest two-point bump, and there’s no change at all against 2nd & short or medium rushing and a bit of a dip if anything vs 2nd down passing.
On the other hand, with later downs the personnel stepping up made a huge difference: 20 (!) point gains against both 2nd & long and 3rd & short rushing, and eight point gains against 3rd down passing regardless of distance. That pushed OSU over the 75% threshold for truly elite 3rd & long defense they hadn’t hit in 2024 (one of the reasons that team was such a memorable redzone defense was allowing a lot of trips to the redzone).
There are no changes to the defensive coaching staff in 2026 and no signs of management issues, with the possible exception of a quite a few transfers out of developmental players at positions I should think playing time was opening up for (Eric suggested some conflicting advice about how much the NIL market would bear). My read is that the developmental track record and transfers make the front look very strong with some potential regression in the secondary; Eric disagreed and was more concerned with replacing the 1st round linebackers in the middle of the defense (and if they’re both issues, this ain’t baseball, the tie doesn’t go to the runner – explosive passing is much more lethal than efficiency running in modern college football).
Defensive Tackles
In 2025 there was a four-man rotation in the DTs, and in something of a change from the usual for DL coach Johnson, much closer to an even rotation than the over 80% reps for the starters I was used to seeing. Also rather than being one equal pair followed by another, one lineman had the lion’s share of reps, the next two were virtually tied and the fourth was behind all of them.
The three returners are one of the middle pair, #96 DT Houston, and the fourth place guy, #53 DT W. Smith, plus a developmental tackle from the third unit, #94 DT J. Moore. In a surprise to me, all four of their young tackles in the pipeline — Jarquez Carter, Eric Mensah, Trajen Odom, and Maxwell Roy — hit the transfer portal (they’ve been replaced with four 2026 recruits at nearly the identical talent distribution in the 24/7 composite of low 4-stars and high 3-stars).
Ohio State added two very talented and productive tackles as transfers, both high 4-stars from the 2023 cycle who were starters last year, #3 DT J. Smith from Alabama and #55 DT Walker from UCF. Given the talent and prior experience, there’s no doubt Houston and the two transfers will form the core of the rotation. Eric thinks Moore and the returner Smith will either fight it out for the fourth spot or they’ll go to a five-man rotation if it’s unresolvable in Fall camp. While the depth behind them is all true freshman, there’s no real uncertainty about the top five so they’d have to get into a highly improbable injury situation to run into trouble.
Defensive Ends
The ends were much more typically Buckeye-like in their usage pattern at 80% first-liners (actually, it was more like 85/75, because Caden Curry would stay in for more of their 3rd down racecar packages while #2 DE K. Jackson would rotate out situationally for some lighter guys).
At the beginning of the year, the second line was North Carolina transfer #12 DE Atkinson and converted linebacker C.J. Hicks, with situational and developmental play from upperclassmen Logan George and Joshua Mickens plus true freshmen #9 DE Grady and #44 DE Sitanilei. But after four games, Hicks shut it down to preserve a redshirt and hit the transfer portal. Grady was selected to fill in for the fourth spot in the main rotation, at about a 15% rep share over the ten final games.
I think Grady’s trajectory and talent ceiling has him set to eclipse Atkinson at some point this season if not before, but at any rate having both returning and Jackson locked in at starter gives a core of three experienced edges for the main rotation.
In addition to Hicks, another developmental end Dominic Kirks transferred out, as did George and Mickens. They took one transfer, former high 4-star #4 DE Russaw from Alabama — he got a lot of run as a redshirt freshman in 2024 but was relegated to a pretty deep backup in 2025 — plus a couple true freshmen of whom Eric tagged high 4-star #34 DE Wilder as a candidate for early playing time.
I think Russaw and Wilder will fight it out for the fourth main rotational spot, and I think Eric is right that Sitanilei will remain a specialist. I suspect Russaw has the edge for the moment on experience, though the fact that he doesn’t have elite length and has been passed up before makes me think Wilder could pass him up later. Like the tackles, the volume of prior Power conference experience here for the top group means that an improbable amount of injury bad luck would be required before the inexperienced freshman depth became an issue.
Linebackers
It seems like LB coach Laurinaitis has had the plan in mind for the replacements to the previous generation of backers since he took the job in 2024, with Cody Simon’s exit at the end of that year followed by Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles, and the room now being entirely filled with recruits from the 2024 and 2025 cycles, plus three preps and a transfer. The only odd man out was Hicks, a fourth backer they needed due to a temporary injury issue in 2024 on a team that will at most put three on the field, and Laurenitis offshored him to Tampa.
The obvious new starters for over a year — it was clear watching last year’s Spring game — are #26 LB Pierce and #5 LB Pettijohn. Pierce was the third backer in the 2025 meaningful rotation for their SAM configurations and a bit of backup play while Pettijohn burned his redshirt getting all available garbage time reps (though there’s never much of that with Ohio State, they keep the starters in very late).
Also getting some garbage time run were sophomore #17 LB Alford, and to a much lesser extent #23 LB G. Stover (cousin of the tight end). Eric said to look for 5-star prep recruit #20 LB C. Johnson to get early playing time and perhaps join the second unit. They’ve also #14 LB Alliegro from Wisconsin; I’ve written quite a bit about how ineffective he’s been on an otherwise pretty good defensive squad (the Badgers’ troubles lately are almost all offensive) and that the key to Wisconsin’s late-season uptick was benching Alliegro and fellow underperformer Tackett Curtis from USC in favor of more talented young recruits.
I suspect Alford and Johnson will be ahead of Stover, Eric mentioned an award for weightroom progress but I think he’s going to get passed – I’ve heard happy talk about the overrecruited relative too often. I also think Alliegro is only in the room so that there’s someone else who has to shave regularly, and as a reclamation project for Laurinaitis to challenge himself with (he’s only ever worked with homegrown Ohio State bluechips).
While I’m willing to lay stakes on the frontline players coming out of the pipeline — they’ve been the main project for a couple years, the 1st rounders didn’t require time spent on them teaching, they were the teachers — depth could get shaky here because experience is at much more of a premium. They won’t run out of bodies as there are three more talented freshmen and a redshirt senior previous FCS transfer I haven’t even mentioned in the room, but since we don’t know exactly how well any of them will perform in live ball (or in the case of Alliegro, we do), finding the playable guy in case there’s a problem is going to require spinning the wheel.
Secondary
For the starters this is a straightforward swapout – free safety Caleb Downs, nickel Lorenzo Styles Jr, and cornerback Davison Igbinosun are off to the NFL, and will be replaced by Duke transfer #11 DB T. Moore, Florida State transfer #1 DB Little, and experienced backup #6 CB Sanchez, respectively. Strong safety #8 DB McClain and the other corner #7 CB Mathews return.
That’s a perfectly viable solution; if they don’t run into any problems then on balance I think it comes out just a bit behind last year’s group – hard to replace Downs, but Sanchez has a very high ceiling and if Little stays healthy all year that’s a net gain. But the construction looks like flawed crystal to me, I think there’s a brittleness to the depth situation and they’re vulnerable to it breaking apart if they do run into problems.
OSU’s secondary is a mix of fantastic and puzzling events. The highlights have been Downs as easily the biggest impact defensive transfer in the history of the portal, Sanchez’s rising star as one of the most naturally gifted corners I’ve ever seen, and that McClain in his first year on the job has recorded performance grades that his predecessor Lathan Ransom took about two years to hit.
The puzzles have been the playing time for everyone else. Nickel Lorenzo Styles unfortunately kept running into injury issues during the season, but unlike in previous years when Malik Hartford could spell him, he had no 2025 backup. Their solution was to move starting corner #7 CB Mathews over to nickel, where he was out of position and too small – the son of an NFL linebacker he’s not.
The switcheroo solution did give Sanchez some more playing time filling in on the outside. Sanchez generated far fewer interference flags per pass attempt defended than either Mathews or Igbinosun, even accounting for the general increase in penalties during non-Big Ten play as officials from other conferences aren’t administered electric shocks whenever they throw a flag (though Ohio State’s d-line did earn three holding flags on opposing o-lines in 2025, I believe a school record).
The upshot of the personnel tightness has been smaller rooms and more portal churn than I’m used to seeing for Ohio State’s secondary. The transfer Little is talented veteran who went from Alabama where he wasn’t used to FSU in 2024 where he took off but had to suffer a program going nowhere (his timeline is very similar to Oregon WR Malik Benson’s, actually); I think he’ll be a match for Styles’ production or even provide more if he’s available more.
But as Eric noted on the podcast, there’s no comfortable way to put the secondary together if there’s any problem with Little. Hartford transferred out, who I think would have been the most valuable depth. The other transfers out who got playing time — Faheem Delane, Aaron Scott, and Bryce West — seem more valuable than the depth/developmental returners who didn’t, #13 CB Lockhart and #29 DB Stewart. I made sure to ask Eric about those two since it caught my attention that they survived the exodus, and he splashed cold water on both.
The alternative to Little is probably the same cornerback switcheroo, meaning the same issues with Mathews but a bigger question mark at the backup CB stepping in for him. Their options are the peripatetic #18 CB Calhoun on his fourth school without being a starter, sophomore Georgia transfer #24 CB Kelly whom Eric said he liked but has very little experience, or maybe mid 4-star true freshman #15 CB Thomas. That looks like not as strong of a situation as last year when they could plug Sanchez, the talk of Spring camp and clear future starter, into Mathews’ temporarily vacated spot.
At free safety, Downs is already a tough act to follow, but it’s even tougher because there’s no one in the room who played meaningful football in 2025. Moore, the Duke transfer, was very productive in 2024 but missed last year due to an ACL tear suffered in the bowl game (he played in Ohio State’s 2026 Spring game but it was hard to gauge anyone’s status, everything was done at half speed). #10 DB Roker, a 2024 mid 3-star, got some garbage time play last year, and Eric said the staff has been talking him up as the alternative. Stewart was higher rated and redshirted last year, Eric reacted pretty negatively when I suggested he might be in line, it sounded like some of the mid 4-star true freshman may be higher in the pecking order at this point.
Again, Moore being fully recovered and playing at his full powers (or better than he was in the ACC, now that he’s older) looks like a bright scenario, as does an alternative where Roker steps in and plays above his talent rating and prior experience. But unlike certainties of returning production, those are probabalistic – the Buckeyes have to win the raffle here to avoid playing freshmen, and it’s a bit curious how few tickets they hold.
All the Giannis Antetokounmpo - Boston Celtics trade rumors making the rounds are ludicrous. Or at least that is the point of view of the hosts of the "How Bout Them Celtics!" podcast, Jack Simone and Sam LaFrance, who took some time on a recent podcast to break down all of the many (and often conflicting, even from the same source) rumors connecting the Greek Freak with a potential trade to the Celtics.
They cover whether they believe Boston is actually interested, whether they ought to be, if star Celtics forward Jaylen Brown is actually in these trade offers, whether they exist in the first place and if it would be a good idea to trade away Brown, among several other related topics.
Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what they had to say about what their point of view on all these rumors actually is.
The next major move that the Atlanta Falcons make could be a market-setting new contract for star running back Bijan Robinson. What will that deal look like? According to Bill Barnwell at ESPN, Robinson's next deal will be somewhere in the range of four years and $82 million total.
However, a new model from Austin Mock at The Athletic has Robinson's megadeal with the Falcons coming in a bit larger than that. His projection for Robinson is four years and $87.6 million total, which would put him ahead of Philadelphia Eagles star Saquon Barkley for the highest annual salary in the NFL at the position.
"It should come as little surprise that the model sees Robinson as the league's top running back after an electric 2025 season, which saw him tally a league-high 2,298 scrimmage yards with incredible efficiency both on the ground and through the air. Given that Robinson only turned 24 in January, it makes sense he would become the new king of running back contracts with a market-setting four-year, $87.6 million deal, putting him at almost $22 million per year."
Robinson resetting the market at running back would come as no surprise, but the number that really matters in all NFL contracts is the guaranteed money portion - especially at a position with a high injury rate like Robinson's.
On that score, Mock's model has Robinson's new contract including $52 million in guarantees, which would rank a close second behind Arizona Cardinals rookie Jeremiyah Love's $53 million guaranteed.
That's a lot of cash for any player, but Robinson is the best athlete on the team and will likely be the centerpiece of their offense for at least the next several years. Handing him a lucrative long-term deal sends the right message: that the Falcons intend to reward their best players and build a winner.
Feb 23, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman James Tibbs III against the Seattle Mariners during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Several one-run affairs and a blowout loss for the Tower Buzzers made up a day of baseball in the Dodgers’ minor league system.
Player of the day
Sometimes one hit is all you need. Through nine innings, James Tibbs III hadn’t done anything, but then, with one out in the tenth and the Comets trailing 4-3, Tibbs was at the plate with a runner on base and homered to the opposite field for the win.
It hasn’t been the best of months for Tibbs, far from it, as the left-handed hitter now has a .200 average with three home runs in June. On the plus side, he still is getting on base rather consistently with a .362 OBP despite that batting average at the Mendoza line.
Triple-A Oklahoma City
James Tibbs III is now up to 20 homers on the season, none bigger than last night’s two-run shot, which came when the Comets were two outs away from losing the game in the 10th inning. Tibbs drove in Ryan Fitzgerald, who also only had one hit the whole game.
Considering Tibbs’ homer was the Comets’ only extra-base hit in the entire game, and Hyesong Kim was their only hitter with a multi-hit game, the bullpen deserves a ton of praise. Led by Evan Phillips, Comets’ relievers tossed five innings without allowing an earned run after Christian Romero’s solid but unspectacular start. The only run conceded when relievers were on the mound was the ghost runner in the 10th.
Double-A Tulsa
The Drillers started off hot with four runs in the second, but quickly faded in a 6-5 loss against the Naturals. Just like in the Comets game, the whole lineup only had one hitter with a multihit game; here it was catcher and ninth-hole hitter Hayden Gilliland. It also only had one home run, here belonging to Josue De Paula.
Unable to score more than one run after that second inning, the Drillers’ offense allowed the Naturals the chance to get back into this one, and after a couple of blown saves from Lucas Wepf and Kelvin Ramírez, the veteran Nick Robertson suffered his first loss on the year, moving to a 6-1 record allowing only his fourth run (two earned) in 29.2 innings.
High-A Great Lakes
Playing a couple of closely contested games, both decided by a single run, the Loons split the doubleheader with the Captains. The bullpen tried to let it slip, allowing the Naturals to tie the game at four-all after Aidan Foeller left them leading 4-0 thanks to 4.2 scoreless innings, but the Loons caught a break, earning a walk-off win thanks to a defensive error from the Naturals, allowing DH Jose Meza to cross the plate.
Christian Zazueta’s five scoreless innings in the Loons loss meant that, combined, the Loons starters tossed 9.2 innings without allowing a run, but reliever Isaac Ayon didn’t have it out of the bullpen, and not only did he blow the save in the sixth, but he also allowed a walk-off loss an inning later, coughing up a solo homer. The two runs the Loons had scored in this game, thanks to Emil Morales and Jose Meza, which looked like enough for most of it, fell short.
Single-A Ontario
Unlike the other four games, all decided by one run, the Tower Buzzers fell at the hands of the Quakes by a score of 11-2 in a game with a forgettable defensive performance. Four different players committed an error for the Loons in a game where they accumulated more defensive errors than hits (.3).
The only reliever out of the five from the Tower Buzzers to not give up a run was the veteran Brock Stewart, continuing to work his way back. Starter Brady Smith is now up to an 0-4 record.
Unable to drive forward a competitive effort by himself, designated hitter Eason Shelton at least upped his individual numbers, responsible for both RBI of his team, now sitting at 62 on the season.
Thursday’s scores
Oklahoma City 5, Sacramento 4
NW Arkansas 6, Tulsa 5
Great Lakes 5, Lake County 4
Lake County 3, Great Lakes 2
Ontario 2, Rancho Cucamonga 11
Friday’s schedule
4:05 p.m. PT: Great Lakes (Brooks Auger) vs. Lake County (Michael Kennedy)
5:05 p.m. PT: Oklahoma City (Charlie Barnes) vs. Sacramento (Joe Whitman)
The Detroit Pistons may be preparing for a significant roster shakeup this offseason.
According to a report from Rob Amick of The Athletic, league sources indicate that Pistons big man Isaiah Stewart has been made available in trade discussions as Detroit looks to reshape its roster following a 60-win season and a trip to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
The report notes that Detroit is actively seeking additional shooting and playmaking, two areas that became glaring needs during the team’s playoff run.
Stewart, affectionately known as “Beef Stew” among Pistons fans, has been a key contributor since arriving in Detroit as the No. 16 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. During the 2025-26 season, he averaged 10.0 points and 5.0 rebounds while shooting 55.0% from the field and a respectable 33.3% from three-point range.
However, the Pistons reportedly appear comfortable increasing the role of veteran big man Paul Reed, who impressed at times during Detroit’s postseason run.
Stewart is entering the sixth year of his NBA career and has two years remaining on his contract worth a combined $30 million. The second season of the deal includes a team option, making him an attractive trade asset for teams looking for frontcourt depth, toughness, and defensive versatility.
While no specific trade destinations have been reported, Stewart’s availability signals that Trajan Langdon and the Pistons front office are aggressively exploring ways to improve the roster around Cade Cunningham as they look to take the next step from playoff contender to championship contender.
For now, Stewart remains a member of the Pistons, but it appears Detroit is willing to listen if the right deal presents itself this offseason.
Former Washington Huskies star edge rusher Joe Tryon-Shoyinka is hosting his second annual youth football camp on July 11 at Hazen High School, where his football journey began back in 2013.
Now part of the Philadelphia Eagles after signing a one-year deal with the NFC East franchise this offseason, Tryon-Shoyinka entered the NFL as a first-round pick (No. 32 overall) by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2021 NFL draft.
Last summer, after his fourth season in the league, the former 14-game UW starting edge rusher held his first camp at his high school alma mater. The camp flyer lists camp participants ages 6-13 years old with on-field drills set to be from 9:00 a.m. PT to noon on July 11.
Since signing with the Eagles in late March after splitting time with the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears in 2025, which resulted in his first sack-less season to date, Tryon-Shoyinka hasn't appeared for organized training activities or mandatory practices in June.
Former Washington Huskies edge Joe Tryon-Shoyinka is hosting a youth football camp July 11 at Hazen High School in Renton. pic.twitter.com/ELZvV3kPOX
Simultaneously, former Iowa Hawkeyes standout and 2020 second-round pick A.J. Epenesa revealed that he will wear No. 57 for Philadelphia, previously worn by Tryon-Shoyinka. Given that the former No. 32 overall pick and All-Pac-12 Second Team selection in 2019 only signed a one-year contract it could be that the two sides may separate if he remains absent from training camp in August.
Over his first four seasons in the NFL, the ex-Husky registered at least two sacks every year, totaling 15 sacks and 21 tackles for loss for the Buccaneers from 2021-24. The team declined to pick up his fifth-year option as a first-round pick, which led Tryon-Shoyinka to land with the Cleveland Browns on a one-year, $4.75 million deal.
However, the 2021 first-round pick failed to record a sack and logged just nine total tackles through the first eight games last season. The Browns traded Tryon-Shoyinka and a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NFL draft to Chicago for a sixth-round pick in 2026 in early November, but his production only increased slightly, finishing his fifth season in the NFL with 13 total tackles in eight games for the Bears.
Michael Kay wants to make it very clear that he and former YES Network announcing partner John Flaherty remain on very good terms.
“I had never had friction with John Flaherty in my life, ever,” the Yankees play-by -play announcer said on Wednesday’s edition of The Michael Kay Show. “That was not anything that I wanted nor anything that I was comfortable with.”
Extremely uncomfortable moment during the Yankees and Cubs broadcast on YES network as @RealMichaelKay and John Flaherty come off like bitter passive aggressive ex lovers…
“You weren’t very talkative on the bus this morning to the field, but as I was driving here, I was thinking it would be great to get a place that’s close so you could walk back and forth,” Flaherty said to Kay during the 2024 broadcast. “I know you mentioned Don Zimmer living in the apartments out in center field. But I just had a lot of time to think on the team bus today, because it was very quiet.”
“So you’d rather me be chatty? I wasn’t feeling great,” replied Kay.
“I haven’t seen you in a long time, right? You don’t work road trips anymore when I’m on the road,” Flaherty chirped back. “So I thought we would catch up, and it quickly was evident that you weren’t in the mood, so I gathered my thoughts about how it would be nice to live close to Wrigley and walk back and forth to the park.”
“Interesting narrative that you’re putting together, because I’ve been told by executives that you prefer to work with [Ryan] Ruocco,” replied Kay. “That’s why you two guys are matched up all the time. That’s just what I heard, I don’t know if there’s any truth to it.”
“I just put together that the road trips you don’t want to go on are the ones where I end up working with Ryan Ruocco, because you don’t want to work the games on the road,” Flaherty responded.
As the World Cup fever marches on, soccer fans continue to be geared up for upcoming matches.
For the uninitiated, its the first time the World Cup soccer tournament is jointly hosted by three countries — the United States, Canada and Mexico. And it’s the first time since 1994 that the men’s FIFA World Cup tournament will be played in U.S. cities.
As die-hard soccer fans get ready up for World Cup matches, so are metro Detroit bars, restaurants and other venues with front row seats and big screens.
Fans can expect venues ready with walls of TVs for game watching plus special watch parties or events to cheer on the teams and places that promise to show all the matches and food and drink options to match.
Known sports watching places like Twin Peaks locations will have food and drinks specials and giveaways for the soccer tournament. And don't forget your local bar, pub or restaurants, which will likely air the games.
It’s an international sport and a big deal because right now the FIFA World Cup is considered the biggest sporting event in the world. As an international sport, you will find bars and restaurants in some of metro Detroit multicultural cities like Dearborn and southwest Detroit with added tournament watching plans.
Here’s a sampling of special events around metro Detroit.
Candela Detroit
Watch parties for Mexico matches and other countries at this live entertainment venue in southwest Detroit. Candela Detroit is in the former Lithuanian Hall. Times, days and countries playing vary. Entry is free. There will be food and drink specials throughout the night, a halftime show, free giveaways and contests.
Candela Detroit, 3564 W. Vernor Highway, Detroit. 313-356-4601; candeladetroit.com
Conor O’Neill’s
This Ann Arbor pub boasts itself as a traditional Irish pub. They will show all the FIFA World Cup games. Its menu features shareable Dublin Brie Dublin Brie and Irish Poutine. You’ll find fish and chips, a variety of pub pies including shepherd’s and chicken or fisherman’s pies.
Conor O’Neill’s, 318 South Main St., Ann Arbor. 734-665-2968; conoroneills.com
Detroit City Football Club
The Detroit City Football Club watch parties will stream U.S. and Mexico FIFA World Cup matches at various locations. Each watch party event begins 60 minutes before kickoff times with activities for fans. While watch parties are free to enter and for all ages, limited spots are available. Area restaurants are steps from Campus Martius and there will be food trucks across the street at Cadillac Square as part of the Downtown Detroit Partnership's Downtown Street Eats program.
Fans can also view tournament matches at City Clubhouse, inside the Detroit City Fieldhouse, 3401 E. Lafayette St., Detroit.
U.S. games at Campus Martius: Watch the U.S. matches on the park’s large outdoors screen is 3 p.m. June 19. On June 25, the watch party takes place at Detroit City Clubhouse for the 10 p.m. match.
Mexico games at Los Galanes: This southwest Detroit Mexican restaurant watch party will feature the Mexico matches 9 p.m. June 24. The watch party will be outdoors in the Los Galenes lot with big screen TV’s with giveaways. Food and drink for purchase will be available inside and on the patio. Los Galanes, 3362 Bagley St. Detroit. 313-554-4444; losgalanesrestaurant.com
El Nacimiento Mexican Restaurant
In southwest Detroit, El Nacimiento is open daily 8 a.m. to midnight. Its watch parties are promising big screens, surround sound, food and drink. Here, the authentic Mexican food is inspired by the owner and founder's home town of El Nacimiento. Its menu offerings are vast from botanas to tacos and tostadas to quesabirria and pozole to plenty of main dishes.
This sports bar on Woodward Avenue is in memory of Nick Gilbert, who died in 2023 and is the son of Rocket Mortgage founder Dan Gilbert. A multi-level spot, Gilly’s has sports viewing on a 120-square-foot television wall that fans can view from every seat. There’s an array of starters, sandwiches and main dish clubhouse specialties like fish and chips.
This downtown Detroit venue is a popular spot for watching sports. Harry’s Detroit is touting it at your “FIFA World Cup 2026 Headquarters.” There is no cover charge during the games and plans to air every match. Harry’s Detroit full menu that includes appetizers, entrees, burgers, sandwiches and salads will be available. The restaurant is known for its burgers, with beef ground in-house.
Watch parties are happening at both locations with sound on. The Detroit location partnered with Michelob Ultra, a sponsor of the tournament, for giveaways. Stella Artois is an official a sponsor of the FIFA World Cup and Firebird Tavern owners boast they are one of the few bars to have the Stella Gooseneck tap handle. Firebird Tavern’s menu include classic burgers, wings, big pretzels, salads, soups, sandwiches and entrees.
Firebird Tavern, 419 Monroe St., Detroit and 4845 Rochester Road., Troy; firebirdtavern.com
Lava Java Cafe and Hookah Lounge
This Dearborn spot boasts a light remodel that includes having the largest TV screens in the city. In its 3,000 square foot hookah lounge area are two wall TV’s, owner Wally Samad said, that are 24-feet-by-7-feet. About two dozen TVs are throughout the lounge and outdoor patio area.
There’s a full menu from Samad’s next door cafe where people can order from and take into the lounge. The menu includes items like mixed kabobs, pizza, burgers, wings, subs, pastas, smoothies and fresh juices. Guests can also bring in outside food. Hookah and food specials are planned throughout the whole tournament.
Here there’s indoor seating with plenty of TV’s and outdoor, patio seating. Along with its hookah menu, Mangoes offers a wide variety of cuisine from Middle Eastern favorites to Japanese sushi. There’s also juices, smoothies and desserts.
Mangoes on the Hill, 14927 W. Warren Ave., Dearborn. 313- 584-5544; mangosonthehill.com
McShane's Irish Pub & Whiskey Bar
In the heart of historic Corktown this longtime pub is on the corner of Michigan Avenue at Trumbull. For the FIFA World Cup McShane’s is hosting American Outlaws watch parties on Friday, June 19 and 25. The American Outlaws are a non-profit soccer supporters' group of the U.S. Men’s and Women’s soccer teams, the largest in the nation. McShane’s menu features a selection of bar foods like wings and Irish egg rolls filled with corned beef, salads, soups, burgers, and sandwiches. Watch parties are free to attend, but RSVP is requested.
In Detroit's Midtown, there will be specials when the Mexico team plays including turning the beer verde (green). On tap there will be $3 green beers and 15% off food. The next game is June 24.
Mezcal Mexican Restaurant, 51 W. Forest, Detroit. 313-974-7441 or mezcaldetroit.com.
Sidecar Slider Bar
The Ferndale location of this local chain of bars known for their sliders, has a special first game watch party. Doors open at 8:15 p.m. for the 9 p.m. kickoff. Tickets are $30 and include entry to the event and full buffet. There’s also big screens and reserved viewing. Seating is first come, first serve.
Sidecar Slider Bar, 241 W Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. 248-607-3261; sidecarsliderbar.com
The Brakeman
This downtown spot is hosting FIFA World Cup viewing events and celebrations throughout the tournament. The Brakeman will screen matches daily and have extended hours, opening early and having late hours for select games. For every drink purchased throughout the tournament earns guests a ticket they can enter for their winning team. After each match, winners will be drawn and receive a round of beer, Brakeman Slammers and chicken, biscuits and sides from Penny Red’s.
Sound on at this sports bar in southwest Detroit's Mexicantown. Every World Cup game will be broadcast live. According to its website, there will be guest food vendors from the neighborhood including Sicily's Pizza and food trucks. Fans can watch games on its big screen projector in outdoor beer garden.
At this Eastern Market sports pub barbecue food will be available from Delroy’s Barbecue Pit and is planned for every U.S. World Cup game, owner Erik Olson told the Detroit Free Press. Businesses around Olson’s, he said, will be open and also celebrating the FIFA World Cup. Olson said the party will be an indoor/outdoor party and they’ll serve Bourbon peach sweet tea as a U.S. team special. Thomas Magee’s is known for their Irish coffees and loaded Bloody Mary’s. Men in Blazers media company named the Eastern Market spot as one of its Top 100 soccer watching spots.
Thomas Magee’s Sporting House Whiskey Bar, 1408 E. Fisher Freeway, Detroit. 313-263-4342; thomasmagees.com
Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @SusanMariecooks. Subscribe to the Eat Drink Freep newsletter for insider scoops on food and dining in metro Detroit.`++
Jun 18, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryan Woo (22) throws against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images | Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
Good morning, foLLks, and happy Friday!
The Mariners shut out the Orioles 3-0 yesterday to secure their first series win over Baltimore since 2022. The second series of the homestand kicks off today against the Red Sox at 7:10pm PDT.
Brewers righty Quinn Priester will undergo first rib removal surgery. He will miss the rest of the season after being diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome.
MLB has proposed a reworked Draft system as negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement remain in their infancy, including the addition of an international draft, removing draft eligibility for high school players, and once again truncating the number of rounds. The MLBPA released a statement regarding these proposals in response, and perhaps unsurprisingly, it appears to be a non-starter in negotiations.
The Pirates and Braves completed a small swap, with Pittsburgh sending former second overall pick C Joey Bart to Atlanta for RHP Hunter Stratton.
The Tigers will recall utilityman Trei Cruz from Triple-A Toledo, who will fill in for Wenceel Pérez after a freak eye injury involving a snapped plyo band. Notably, he is the son of former Mariner José Cruz Jr., and the Cruzes will become just the fifth family to have three generations of MLB players when Trei makes his debut.
Ribbie launched a few weeks ago. Per their site description, it’s “[a]ctual live games rendered pitch by pitch in a cozy 8-bit view while they happen. Watch for free. No account needed. A calmer way to keep baseball close.” While it’s still a work in progress , it’s a pretty neat way to follow a game if you tire of the Gameday view.
If you are looking for a new show to watch, please consider this one (~NSFW).
Over the last several months, “20-0” has become one of the most popular trivia and roster-building games among football fans. The concept is simple: build the perfect team by selecting players who fit specific categories, requirements, or clues. The challenge comes from finding the right answers without repeating selections and proving your football knowledge along the way.
Everyone thinks they could build the perfect NFL team. Prove it. 🏈
For fans of Turf Show Times, we’re putting a Rams spin on the growing phenomenon.
This isn’t about fantasy football projections or statistical debates. In fact, we’re making things a little tougher for the Gridiron IQ crowd. No statistics are included. No career totals. No Pro Bowl counts. Just your football memory, your knowledge of Rams history, and your ability to construct the ultimate roster.
The question is simple:
Can you build a Rams team that would go 20-0?
Imagine you’ve just been hired as the general manager of the greatest Rams superteam ever assembled. You have access to legends from every era of franchise history, from Los Angeles to Anaheim, from St. Louis and back to Los Angeles again. Your task is to make one selection in each round and create a roster capable of running the table through a modern NFL season and postseason.
There are no wrong answers, but there will certainly be plenty of debates.
Do you build around the explosive offenses of the Greatest Show on Turf? Do you lean heavily on the dominant defenses that helped deliver championships? Or do you blend generations together and create the ultimate all-time Rams roster?
That’s where we want to hear from you.
Drop your selections in the comments and explain your strategy. Which players are automatic choices? Which rounds gave you the toughest decision? And most importantly, does your roster have what it takes to finish 20-0?
Fill out the offense with the following positions: QB, RB, WR, TE, FLEX, and FLEX.
Fill out the defense with the following positions: DT, LB, EDGE, CB, S, and FLEX.
(*For the sake of this version, you cannot select the same player twice if his name appears again*)
(** We ask that you be honorable with your selections going from Rd 1 to Rd 12 and not skipping ahead **)
Here are your 12 rounds:
Round 1 – Offense (2006 – 2010)
QB – Marc Bulger (2006)
QB – Sam Bradford (2010)
RB – Steven Jackson (2006)
RB – Stephen Davis (2006)
RB – Brian Leonard (2007)
WR – Isaac Bruce (2006)
WR – Torry Holt (2007)
WR – Donnie Avery (2008)
TE – Randy McMichael (2007)
TE – Billy Bajema (2010)
Round 2 – Offense (2011 – 2015)
QB – Sam Bradford (2012)
QB – Nick Foles (2015)
RB – Zac Stacy (2013)
RB – Tre Mason (2014)
RB – Todd Gurley (2015)
WR – Brandon Lloyd (2011)
WR – Danny Amendola (2012)
WR – Tavon Austin (2015)
TE – Lance Kendricks (2012)
TE – Jared Cook (2013)
Round 3 – Offense (1961 – 1967)
QB – Bill Munson (1964)
QB – Roman Gabriel (1967)
RB – Jon Arnett (1963)
RB – Dick Bass (1966)
RB – Les Josephson (1967)
WR – Tommy McDonald (1965)
WR – Jack Snow (1967)
WR – Bernie Casey (1967)
TE – Red Phillips (1962)
TE – Marlin McKeever (1964)
Round 4 – Offense (2021 – 2025)
QB – Baker Mayfield (2022)
QB – Matthew Stafford (2025)
RB – Sony Michel (2021)
RB – Cam Akers (2022)
RB – Kyren Williams (2024)
WR – Cooper Kupp (2021)
WR – Puka Nacua (2023)
WR – Davante Adams (2025)
TE – Tyler Higbee (2021)
TE – Colby Parkinson (2025)
Round 5 – Offense (1999 – 2005)
QB – Kurt Warner (1999)
QB – Marc Bulger (2004)
RB – Marshall Faulk (2000)
RB – Lamar Gordon (2003)
RB – Steven Jackson (2005)
WR – Az-Zahir Hakim (1999)
WR – Isaac Bruce (2000)
WR – Torry Holt (2003)
TE – Roland Williams (1999)
TE – Ernie Conwell (2001)
Round 6 – Offense (2016 – 2020)
QB – Case Keenum (2016)
QB – Jared Goff (2017)
RB – Todd Gurley (2017)
RB – Malcolm Brown (2019)
RB – Cam Akers (2020)
WR – Robert Woods (2018)
WR – Brandin Cooks (2018)
WR – Cooper Kupp (2019)
TE – Tyler Higbee (2019)
TE – Gerald Everett (2020)
Round 7 – Defense (2011 – 2015)
DT – Kendall Langford (2013)
DT – Michael Brockers (2013)
DT – Aaron Donald (2015)
DE / EDGE – Chris Long (2011)
DE / EDGE – William Hayes (2012)
DE / EDGE – Robert Quinn (2013)
LB – James Laurinaitis (2011)
LB – Alec Ogletree (2014)
CB – Janoris Jenkins (2012)
CB – Trumaine Johnson (2015)
S – Quintin Mikell (2011)
S – Rodney McLeod (2013)
Round 8 – Defense (1999 – 2005)
DT – D’Marco Farr (1999)
DT – Ray Agnew (2000)
DT – Brian Young (2001)
DE / EDGE – Kevin Carter (1999)
DE / EDGE – Grant Winstrom (1999)
DE / EDGE – Leonard Little (2001)
LB – Mike Jones (1999)
LB – London Fletcher (2000)
CB – Dexter McCleon (2000)
CB – Aeneas Williams (2001)
S – Adam Archuleta (2002)
S – Mike Furrey (2005)
Round 9 – Defense (2021 – 2025)
DT – Aaron Donald (2021)
DT – Kobie Turner (2023)
DT – Braden Fiske (2024)
DE / EDGE – Von Miller (2021)
DE / EDGE – Jared Verse (2025)
DE / EDGE – Byron Young (2025)
LB – Bobby Wagner (2022)
LB – Nate Landman (2025)
CB – Jalen Ramsey (2021)
CB – Cobie Durant (2025)
S – Taylor Rapp (2021)
S – Kam Kinchens (2024)
Round 10 – Defense (2016 – 2020)
DT – Michael Brockers (2017)
DT – Ndamukong Suh (2018)
DT – Aaron Donald (2018)
DE / EDGE – Dante Fowler (2019)
DE / EDGE – Clay Matthews (2019)
DE / EDGE – Leonard Floyd (2020)
LB – Mark Barron (2017)
LB – Cory Littleton (2018)
CB – Marcus Peters (2018)
CB – Troy Hill (2020)
S – Lamarcus Joyner (2017)
S – John Johnson (2018)
Round 11 – Defense (2006 – 2010)
DT – La’Roi Glover (2007)
DT – Clifton Ryan (2009)
DT – Fred Robbins (2010)
DE / EDGE – Leonard Little (2006)
DE / EDGE – James Hall (2010)
DE / EDGE – Chris Long (2010)
LB – Will Witherspoon (2007)
LB – James Laurinitis (2010)
CB – Ron Bartell (2008)
CB – Bradley Fletcher (2010)
S – O.J. Atogwe (2007)
S – Corey Chavous (2007)
Round 12 – Defense (1981 – 1990)
DT – Mike Fanning (1982)
DT – Shawn Miller (1986)
DT – Alvin Wright (1989)
DE / EDGE – Jack Youngblood (1981)
DE / EDGE – Reggie Doss (1984)
DE / EDGE – Gary Jeter (1988)
LB – Mike Wilcher (1985)
LB – Kevin Greene (1989)
CB – LeRoy Irvin (1986)
CB – Jerry Gray (1986)
S – Nolan Cromwell (1981)
S – Johnnie Johnson (1985)
12 picks. 12 legends. Who did you assemble for your all-time Rams team. Leave your team in the comments below and allow myself and others to grade your team? Will you be one that goes …
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 18: Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen looks on at Wrigley Field on April 18, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It was hardly even a question, thrown in at the end of a radio interview, but Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen went out of his way to give a definitive, strong statement on his trade deadline plans.
“I’m planning on buying,” Hazen said, in the waning seconds of an interview with Arizona Sports 98.7’s Wolf & Luke show.
He isn’t missing bats with the knuckle curve as he has in the past. And with this, Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller tags him as the club’s most scrutinized player.
“A month ago, the choice would have been Ketel Marte. But while the three-time All-Star second baseman has turned things around in a big way, Gallen has gone from bad in 2025 to worse in 2026. He entered the year averaging 7.5 hits allowed and 9.5 strikeouts per nine innings pitched. The former rate has ballooned to 11.1 while the latter has plummeted to 5.9. His velocity has been fine, but the knuckle curve that used to be his go-to out pitch simply isn’t fooling anyone anymore.”
According to the transaction log on his MLB player page, the Triple-A Reno Aces have officially released former St. Louis Cardinals first baseman and DH Luken Baker.
Baker, 29, has played in 76 major league games — 73 for the Cardinals in parts of three seasons from 2023-2025. He was signed to a minor league contract by the Diamondbacks in the offseason ahead of 2026, and made three major league appearances with Arizona.
Negotiations between Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association continue for the next collective bargaining agreement. Today, MLB proposed significant changes to the draft. J.J Cooper of Baseball America was among those to cover the developments.
The league’s proposed framework would be a significant drawdown of the way the draft has operated for years. High school players would no longer be eligible to be selected. In fact, anyone under 20 years old by September 1st of the draft year would not be eligible, so that would take many college and junior college players off the table as well.
The Angels placed their 34-year-old center fielder on the 10-day injured list before Thursday’s game against the Athletics after he suffered a right hamstring injury while running to first base during his final at-bat in Wednesday afternoon’s loss in Arizona.
“It felt like a cramp and just didn’t get any better. Achy last night, so woke up this morning and got it looked at,” Trout said before the game.
The 2026 MLB Home Run Derby is turning back the clock and saying goodbye to it simultaneously. MLB officially announced Thursday that the midsummer slugging competition is set to return to a swing-based system for the first time since 2014.
While timed rounds have been part of the past 11 iterations of the Derby, hitters’ bouts will again have no time limit.
Sep 6, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers tight end Brett Norfleet (87) scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Kansas Jayhawks at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Mizzou has been blessed with some amazing tight ends this millennium, with the peak occurring between 2005-11 and then again in the late 2010s. But since Eli Drinkwitz arrived in 2020, the utilization of the position in the receiving game isn’t as strong as it once was.
From 2022-25, here’s how the Tigers tight end room contributed to the team’s receiving production:
2022: 10 Receptions, 112 yards, 2 TD | 3% of receptions, 4% of yards.
2023: 23 Receptions, 246 yards, 3 TD | 9% of receptions, 6.7% of yards.
2024: 35 Receptions, 305 yards, 2 TD | 14% of receptions, 10.4% of yards.
2025: 41 Receptions, 383 yards, 7 TD | 17% of receptions, 15.7% of yards.
The numbers have slightly increased over the years, especially once Kirby Moore arrived from Fresno State. But, in comparison, the last two years of Barry Odom, the room made up 25 and 18% of the team’s receptions, and 19 and 17% of the yards.
Now, let’s take a look at what Lindsey’s offenses have produced. As mentioned above, I looked at Mizzou’s tight end usage in the receiving game starting in 2022. That’s the same year that Lindsey returned to coordinating following his departure from Troy.
Here’s the utilization of the tight end room in offenses he’s coordinated from 2022-25.
2022 UCF: 30 Receptions, 415 Yards, 3 TD | 10.3% of receptions, 12.2% of yards.
2023 North Carolina: 71 Receptions, 1,034 Yards | 23.4% of receptions, 26.6% of yards.
2024 North Carolina: 66 Receptions, 699 Yards, 7 TD | 28% of receptions, 24% of yards.
2025 Michigan: 56 Receptions, 604 Yards, 2 TD | 27.7% of receptions, 24.9% of yards.
Mizzou’s tight ends accounted for between 6.7-15.7% of the team’s receiving production, Lindsey’s offenses devoted roughly a quarter to the position.
How Tight Ends Have Been Used In Lindsey’s Offenses
We see that statistically, Lindsey’s offenses involve tight ends in the receiving game at a higher rate than Mizzou in recent years across three different schools. With that being said, it’s fascinating to see what they’ve been asked to do in a Chip Lindsey offense.
At North Carolina, Lindsey had both Bryson Nesbit and John Copenhaver, who are now with the Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars. Both heavy contributors to UNC’s passing game, combining for 1,542 yards and 16 scores in their final two years of college.
Of course, they ran their safety valve tight end routes, running arrows, drags, and slipping out of the backfield for easy gains. But, they were also asked to attack the seams, push vertically, as well as having designed slants and screens specifically for them.
This play against James Madison in 2024 specifically shows getting the tight end opportunities. UNC lines up in a quad formation, isolating Nesbit by himself on the other side of the formation. He runs a quick slant in a one-on-one situation for an easy conversion.
And who doesn’t love a good stick-nod.
At Michigan, the team utilized its entire tight end depth with Marlin Klein, Zach Marshall, Hogan Hansen, Deakin Tonielli, and Max Bredeson. The Wolverines were more of a conservative offense in 2025, as opposed to UNC, but under Lindsey, you can see some of the similar aggressiveness with the position.
Klein was utilized running up the seams, as this glance route shows below, and even asked to do an out and up for a score.
What this means for Missouri in 2026
Mizzou’s tight end room saw no change in the offseason, no departures, no transfers, and the same depth as the season prior, which is amazing in the world of the portal.
But also an amazing thing about the group is that they are experienced. Norfleet has 1,460 snaps in black and gold. Jordon Harris himself has 1,3000. Jude James showed strides as a true sophomore, playing 371 snaps, while Gavin Hoffman entered his second year with the team.
As for your receiving options, it will be Norfleet, a true senior, and James.
Norfleet is 6-foot-6, 260 pounds, a large body for a tight end, but his catch radius allows him to make some tough catches, and he likes the occasional hurdle. When examining how the Tigers have utilized him, in 2023 and 24, it was predominantly arrow routes, bootlegs, and him selling a block before releasing into the flat.
But, that’s not to say that Norfleet has the ability to stretch the field vertically, which Lindsey’s history suggests he will be asked to do more.
In 2025 against Kansas, South Carolina, and Alabama, we saw glimpses of that, which led to positive results.
James, on the other hand, is 6-foot-2, 236 pounds. A size that you’ll expect from more of a receiving option at the position, which allows for a better change of direction.
And then, of course, expect Harris to have an impact in the blocking game as usual. He’s been a key part in the Tigers run game, and Lindsey got a close-up view of Bredeson at Michigan last year.
To wrap it up, I’d honestly be shocked if we didn’t see more of a commitment to the tight end room to the receiving game in 2026. It isn’t that Lindsey throws to tight ends more often, it’s more of what he asks them to do, and we’ve seen it at UNC and Michigan. Their less safety valves and more legitimate vertical routes.
Time will tell if this all comes to fruition, but this year could be the best for the tight end room in seven years of the Drinkwitz era.
Sep 9, 2023; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange fans wave t-shirts during the first half against the Western Michigan Broncos at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images
Syracuse Orange fans are patiently waiting for the start of a new football season, and one major sportsbook is unveiling its initial projections for the team as well as the rest of the ACC.
Syracuse will enter the 2026 season with an over-under win total of 4.5, according to new odds released by BetMGM. That’s tied for 14th in the conference, along with North Carolina.
The numbers from BetMGM currently have Miami leading the way at 10.5, followed by SMU (8.5) and a five-way tie for third with Louisville, Pittsburgh, Virginia, Clemson, and NC State (all with an over-under line of 7.5).
NEW: 2026 College Football ACC Win Totals via @BetMGM‼️
Syracuse’s over-under total is only ahead of two teams in the ACC: Boston College and Stanford, per BetMGM.
As of Thursday, the odds are pretty even with -110 on the under and -115 on the over.
It’s a similar outlook as well for the Orange on DraftKings and FanDuel. Syracuse is currently -125 to finish under 4.5 wins and -330 to finish under 5.5 wins, according to DraftKings. Meanwhile, the latest FanDuel odds also currently have the Orange with an over-under win total of 4.5.
Syracuse is looking to bounce back in year three of the Fran Brown Era after a 3-9 campaign in 2025. In 2026, the Orange will face New Hampshire, California, Louisville, SMU, Clemson, and Notre Dame at home. The rest of the schedule includes the following road opponents: Pittsburgh, UConn, Virginia, North Carolina, NC State, and Boston College.
The Orange will open the 2026 season on Saturday, September 5, against New Hampshire in the JMA Wireless Dome.
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 19: Head coach Curt Cignetti of the Indiana Hoosiers hoists the College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy after defeating the Miami Hurricanes 27-21 in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As summer begins, it’s really hard to not get excited about football. Yes, we all want to enjoy our barbecues, time off with kids, time outside and travel that comes with the season. At the same time, you start to get that itch to see the Michigan Wolverines take the field at the Big House, and for those counting, we’re under 80 days until Western Michigan.
In preparation, let’s rank each team in the Big Ten heading into the dog days of summer.
No. 18 – Purdue Boilermakers
The Barry Odom era got off to a rocky start after winning just two games last season. Odds are they will finish around that same mark again.
No. 17 – Michigan State Spartans
As the Pat Fiztgerald era begins in East Lansing, the Spartans are favored to win less than 4.5 games this year. The roster has been Frankensteined with transfers and there are a ton of questions heading into this season.
No. 16 – Rutgers Scarlet Knights
A new quarterback, only three offensive players that have more than 10 career catches to their name, and only two returning starters on the line make me question what the Scarlet Knights will show offensively this season. Greg Schiano brought in a new defensive coordinator, but I’m skeptical they will be bowl eligible.
No. 15 – Maryland Terrapins
Lots of excitement, and deservedly so, about quarterback Malik Washington in his second year as the starter. But some real flaws throughout the rest of the roster, specifically on the defensive side of the ball, could limit success.
No. 14 – Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin committed to Luke Fickell for 2026 and he picked up an interesting dual-threat quarterback from the portal in Colton Joseph. He’ll need to step up to Big Ten play fast for the Badgers, who have nowhere to go but up after scoring only 12.8 points per game last season.
No. 13 – Northwestern Wildcats
In all fairness, the Wildcats might finish worse than some of the teams below them. Their schedule this season is ridiculous, being the only Big Ten team to play all three of Oregon, Indiana and Ohio State on the road. But David Braun hired Chip Kelly as his new offensive coordinator and brought in former Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles from the portal.
No. 12- Nebraska Cornhuskers
Can Matt Rhule find a replacement for Dylan Raiola? The Huskers hope they have with UNLV transfer Anthony Coleandrea. But the real question lies on defense, where Nebraska is on its fourth defensive coordinator in five years.
No. 11 – Minnesota Golden Gophers
Some excitement exists for Minnesota this year. The Gophers killed it in the portal, earning some former blue chip receivers from the SEC to go with Darius Taylor out of the backfield. Will it be enough to keep the defense fresh? That’s the proven recipe for success under P.J. Fleck, but they haven’t had all wheels turning since 2020, the last time they had a top-50 offense.
No. 10 – Iowa Hawkeyes
Just like Minnesota, it’s about the offense in 2026 despite significant attrition on the defensive side of the ball. The Hawkeyes have the fewest returning players in the Big Ten, which could cause some skepticism. But Kirk Ferentz’s defense is almost always top-10 because of the way his teams play. They’ll continue to be a tough team to beat.
No. 9 – Illinois Fighting Illini
Another former Michigan State quarterback, Katin Houser, will be starting for a Big Ten team outside of East Lansing this season. He’s got big shoes to fill after the departure of Luke Altmeyer. There are some serious questions about returning experience on defense, but Bret Bielema has had pesky teams in Champaign. Expect this team to wins some games it shouldn’t.
No. 8 – UCLA Bruins
I’m really intrigued by UCLA, now coached by Bob Chesney, who brought several key players with him from James Madison. The highlight of that might be Wayne Knight, who rushed for more than 1,250 yards last season. UCLA could make a run in 2026.
No. 7 – Washington Huskies
If there is a sleeper team in the Big Ten, I think it’s either UCLA or Washington. There is a lot to like about the Huskies, as they had noticeable improvement defensively, kept quarterback Demond Williams Jr. and four starters on the offensive line. They host Penn State, Iowa and Indiana, with two tough road games at USC and Oregon. The time change stats for this conference are real, and if the Huskies can earn a few wins from that bunch, there’s room for a lot of optimism.
No. 6 – Penn State Nittany Lions
It’s so hard to tell what the Nittany Lions will be in 2026 after bringing the entire Iowa State football program with Matt Campbell. They have one of the easiest schedules in the conference, so they’ll likely make College Football Playoff noise. But I’m not sure their talent or resume will warrant enough for a spot, even if the Nittany Lions only have two losses to their name.
No. 5 – Michigan Wolverines
From Bryce Underwood, to John Henry Daley to Jordan Marshall and Andrew Marsh, this roster oozes with potential. But the Wolverines play a nasty schedule in 2026 and it’s the first year of new schemes under Kyle Whittingham. If things click, it could be grounds for a postseason appearance. If they don’t, I think the question is how quickly will it fall apart? A fascinating range of scenarios exist for Michigan.
No. 4 – USC Trojans
Jayden Maiava returns after being one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the country in 2025, although several of his top receiving options moved on from the program. Can he continue to lead Lincoln Riley’s offense at the same pace? The Trojans have the top incoming high school recruiting class and have some exciting pieces on defense. This might be Riley’s best team in Los Angeles.
No. 3 – Ohio State Buckeyes
The trio at the top of the Big Ten is so tough to gauge, but I’m putting Ohio State here because of the risks I see. First, key contributors of the 2025 defense have departed. Then, there is the schedule — at Texas, at Iowa, at USC, at Indiana, and home vs Michigan and Oregon. There’s a real scenario where things unravel, even with guys like Julian Sayin, Jeremiah Smith and Bo Jackson. It’s no accident Ohio State’s O/U is set to 9.5 by many sportsbooks. It wouldn’t be shocking for them to drop a few, but with their schedule, they could still be in the CFP conversation as a three-loss team.
No. 2 – Indiana Hoosiers
You can’t underestimate Curt Cignetti, especially after last season. Despite losing Fernando Mendoza and a bunch of other top contributors, TCU transfer quarterback Josh Hoover comes in along with a myriad of stars from the portal. The Hoosiers have a five-week warm up before their first “real” test at Nebraska. That runway should allow one the best coaching staffs in the country the opportunity to get their guys warmed up. I like Indiana’s chances of being the top dog in the Big Ten again.
No. 1 – Oregon Ducks
I know I said what I said a moment ago about Indiana, but the Hoosiers wouldn’t play Oregon until the Big Ten Championship. I think top to bottom, the Ducks are the best team in the country, and they got even better by adding All-Big Ten safety Koi Perich. Quarterback Dante Moore returning was significant for an offense that boasts immense talent in the backfield and receiving corps. There is very little to not like about the Ducks and Nov. 7 at Ohio State could tell us all we need to know about their national championship chances in 2026.
ST. LOUIS, MO - JULY 12: Sean Berry of the Houston Astros during the game against the St. Louis Cardinals on July 12, 1998 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images) | Sporting News via Getty Images
Sean Berry made an immediate impact upon his arrival to Houston in 1996. Originally acquired in a trade from the Expos, Berry would join the “Killer B’s” lineup and drive in 95 runs in his debut season in the dome. Along the way that first season, he’d also hit a pair of grand slams. Berry is our 27th installment of our exclusive Legends Series.
Q: What do you remember about being dealt to Houston?
A: You know, it benefited me that the trade happened during the offseason, so I was able to get a full spring training under my belt and get to know the superstars that I was around in Craig and Jeff and everybody else.
It was a perfect fit. I kind of fell right into the framework and mindset that they had. They all hustled, and it was a great feeling. It was perfect because you knew there was something special with that team on day one.
Q: “Killer B’s” still resonates all these years later down here. How great were Biggio and Bagwell?
A: I think for me, just seeing those guys play as hard as they did, day in and day out, and to do it at that level. Those guys were great players, but what impressed me was the hard work they put in when no one was watching. I never even played a full 162 game schedule like those guys. The turf at the Astrodome wasn’t really turf (laughs) it was more like concrete and they kept their bodies in tune.
Q: Was there any doubt in your mind that they’d eventually wind up in Cooperstown?
A: I came up through the Royals organization, and I got to know this guy by the name of George Brett. Those guys had the same competitiveness as George did and they all had long careers. eff’s numbers would be even more impressive if he didn’t have the arthritis in his shoulder. He would’ve had another 2 or 3 years with great numbers.
Q: What did you like about taking the field for Larry Dierker?
A: When I got there, he was a new manager of sorts but the one thing that they don’t do these days but that Larry always instilled was with our staff, he’d say don’t be looking in here during the 5th or 6th inning for me to come and get you out of the game.
We had Mike Hampton and Shane Reynolds and Darryl Kile, and they always took us deep into games. They were our best guys, so Larry’s belief was to keep them out there even if the metrics didn’t bear it out. He was that way. Larry in his own right had some incredible complete games as a pitcher, so he brought that to the table as a manager.
Q: I heard a rumor that during the first week of the season, you attended a game as a fan for the first time. Is that true?
A: It is (laughs). It was against Boston in April. It was weird, very strange. I was sitting there and there were so many strikeouts and guys not putting the ball in play. It bothered me and watching guys not break up double plays was a little hard. We never tried to hurt anybody, but the second base play stuff doesn’t feel right when I watch it, it just feels wrong.
Q: What did you think of seeing Yordan Alvarez for the first time in person?
A: He’s pretty impressive. Wow. When I did that for a living, I did it pretty okay at times, but then I see a guy like him and I’m like, I never looked that polished at the plate.
DALLAS, TEXAS - JUNE 17: Martin Baturina of Croatia celebrates scoring their first goal with Ivan Perisic during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match between England and Croatia at Dallas Stadium on June 17, 2026 in Dallas, United States. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Before the World Cup started, I was scheduled to write an article with the best goals from the group stage. We’re not even halfway through the group stage yet, and there have already been some incredible finishes. I decided to do separate articles for each full group stage play-through. Here are the best 11 goals from the first game each team played, in my humble (subjective) opinion. They’re listed in order of when they happened.
Folarin Balogun vs Paraguay
You may have seen this one already. Balogun’s second goal vs Paraguay was a beautiful blast that curled into the top corner.
Vini Jr. vs Morocco
Vinicius dribbled past one defender, and the power that he gets on this shot is remarkable. Unstoppable. Maybe loses some points since it’s from close range.
Nestory Irankunda vs Türkiye
The way Irankunda cuts inside is filthy. Completely destroys the defender. There’s almost no time or space for the decision-making (or for the finish).
Felix Nmecha vs Curaçao
You may be tempted to downgrade this one because it came in a blowout against Curaçao (which is true), but it was 0-0 before this ball hit the net, and just take a look at the strike. Instictive.
Yasin Ayari vs Tunisia
Ayari scored twice against Tunisia, and both were blasts, but the first goal was especially powerful and well-placed. The goalkeeper was out of position, but I don’t think it would have mattered one bit.
Elijah Just vs Iran
The tap and volley from Just is special here (he scored a second later in this game), but a hat tip to Chris Wood for the hold-up play, as well.
Kylian Mbappé vs Senegal
France took a while to get going in this game, but when Mbappé is in gear, he’s scary. Unreal hit from him.
Lionel Messi vs Algeria
Messi had a few goals to pick from in this one, but I think his opener is the most special. Running at the defense, and gets incredible power and precision on it while at speed.
Ali Olwan vs Austria
Dare I say this is a better version of the Vini Jr goal from earlier? The placement is perfect, and it’s from longer range.
Martin Baturina vs England
England far outplayed Croatia in their 4-2 win, but Baturina absolutely smoked this rocket from outside the box.
Daniel Muñoz vs Uzbekistan
Chris Richards’ club teammate, fullback Muñoz made a good run to find himself all alone in the box. Once he was there, he scored an instinctive volley.
The choice is up to you. Pick the best! Or two or three best, if you like.
The plan is to keep these articles going through the various stages of the tournament, and at the end, we can do a full best goal of the tournament based on the leading vote-getters. Happy voting. Don’t forget your sticker.
West Ham United have completed the signing of Arsenal defender Laia Codina on a free transfer.
WSL Full-Time were informed of the news via an official club press release from The Hammers this afternoon.
The 26-year-old has signed a three-year deal with West Ham United. She will officially join the club when her contract with Arsenal expires on 1 July 2026.
Codina joined Arsenal from Spanish giants FC Barcelona in summer 2023. She went on to make 60 appearances for the club in all competitions. Codina won the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup, UEFA Women’s Champions League and Subway Women’s League Cup with The Gunners.
On the international stage, Codina has been capped by Spain on 26 occasions in which she has scored two goals. The defender has won the FIFA Women’s World Cup and UEFA Women’s Nations League with her country.
After joining West Ham United, Codina said “I’m so happy to be joining West Ham United. West Ham is a great Club and you can see the growth within the team over the last few years. I know Rita [Guarino] from her time in Italy and when we spoke, I was really excited by this project.
“I hope to bring my experience both on and off the pitch. Coming through the Barcelona academy helped develop my composure and my decision-making, and I pride myself on my professionalism and work ethic every day. I want to help the players around me and contribute to the team in any way that I can.
“I’m proud of what I’ve achieved so far in my career but I’m really excited for what’s ahead. I’m looking forward to meeting the team and I feel ready for this new chapter in East London.”
Codina is West Ham United’s first signing of the summer transfer window.
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald sure seems to like to collect versatile defensive backs like Nick Emmanwori, Julian Neal, Bud Clark, amd Andre Fuller. If he could, Macdonald would start 11 defensive backs on defense. The defense lives in nickel and dime formation with multiple cornerbacks and safeties on the field playing a variety of roles. Adding to Macdonald’s collection, with their last pick in the 2026 NFL draft, the Seahawks selected Arizona cornerback Michael Dansby. With the depth at cornerback, how can Dansby make his way onto the team? How does he fit with the Seahawks? With this final entry in the series, let’s dive in.
At 5’11” and 185 lbs, Dansby is the prototypical size for a cornerback in the NFL, and is around the same size as many cornerbacks on the Seahawks roster, including Devon Witherspoon, Josh Jobe, and Nehemiah Pritchett to name a few. Dansby did not participate in the Combine nor a Pro Day, so there are no official testing to go off of to see any comparisons to NFL players. From his style of play, some comparisons to J.C. Jackson could be made. Both are willing tacklers, seem to have a nose for the football, and can get into the backfield. For an on the team comparison, he is similar to Witherspoon. Per Curtis Crabtree, with a trainer, Dansby ran a 4.25 40 yard dash.
Michael Dansby wasn't at the combine and didn't do a pro day either. He said he was running in the 4.2s with a trainer and that his best was a 4.25.
Unofficial, obviously, but even if it's close that's great speed.
Dansby said he's played as a gunner, jammer, covered kickoffs.
Macdonald preferred style of cornerback is one who is explosive, can assist in stopping the run, and can be effective all over the backfield. Dansby is that style of defender. Seen more as a slot corner, he has been a very consistent tackler with a nose for the football. In his four years playing in college, Dansby averaged 22 total tackles a season, six passes defended, two interceptions, and had three tackles for loss throughout his career. His best season came in 2024 when he played for San Jose State, where he had 37 tackles, six passes defended, half a tackle for loss and two interceptions. In 2023, Dansby took one interception for a 98 yard touchdown. With only two members of the 2025 Seahawks secondary getting more than one interception, and neither one of them being on the team, Dansby could help provide a spark to the secondary.
Dansby has stated that he is a man-coverage cornerback, but he also thrives in a zone style defense. He “is able to play that upfield inside leverage before quickly breaking and challenging the reception at the catch point,” per Emory Hunt’s review. He is also a solid blitzer, being “able to really spring toward the backfield from a dead standstill. Solid form tackler as well, which also helps out on the perimeter,” which sounds a lot like Witherspoon. Pairing Dansby and Witherspoon together on blitz schemes could be something Macdonald could look into.
Lowest catch rate allowed, Big 12 CBs in 2025:
LaDainian Fields, Oklahoma State: 15.4% Michael Dansby, Arizona: 36.2% Ivan Yates, Colorado: 37.0% Evan Johnson, BYU: 44.0% Keith Abney II, Arizona State: 44.4% Smith Snowden, Utah: 44.8% Blake Cotton, Utah: 47.5% LeVar Thornton… pic.twitter.com/IxULiVRH1A
Dansby has already started to make a name for himself in rookie training camp and OTAs. He has had a few picks, and several reporters have noted that he has been one of the early stars of the offseason. There is still work to be done, though. While Dansby is not afraid to get his hands dirty and tackle, he will need to improve his tackling. He has had several tackles broken, and that is not something Macdonald will tolerate from his defensive players.
Dansby states that he is a gunner on special teams. Being able to contribute on special teams is going to big for him. There are eight other cornerbacks vying for the average of five active roster spots and two practice squad spots. Working with special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh, showing off that 4.2 second speed running down the field on kickoffs, and stopping the returner could be the difference in making the team or being cut.
Rookie who has caught my eye at #Seahawks OTAs past two days?
Seventh round pick Michael Dansby. Had a spectacular Willie Mays-style basket interception yesterday and enjoyed watching his fluidity in defensive back drills today.
As a seventh round pick, Dansby could be someone the Seahawks initially waive on the initial cut down and bring back onto the practice squad. Many fans get scared of the prospect of preseason favorites getting claimed off waivers, but only approximately 30 out of the 1,180 or so cut players get claimed off waivers. That is about two percent of the cut players being claimed. If Dansby were to be cut, or any other players were to be cut, it is highly likely that the Seahawks could bring them back onto the practice squad.
With Dansby among the offseason standouts, the process of doing what he needs to do to make the team has begun. If he continues to excel in training camp and in the preseason both in coverage on defense and on special teams, I can see him making the initial 53 man roster along with Witherspoon and Jobe. He has great faith in himself that he can get it done and become a contributor to the defense he watched most out of all the defenses in the NFL.
Jun 16, 2026; Omaha, NE, USA; The tally board for Rocco's Jell-O Shot Challenge before the game between the Troy Trojans and the West Virginia Mountaineers at Charles Schwab Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images | Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images
We’re back after an extended break. The basketball desert is real and Best Virginia isn’t in TBT this summer to help get through it — but there’s enough to catch up on.
Six weeks of catchup — baseball, basketball, and everything else that’s been happening while the podcast was on break
Miles Sadler is the 20th overall recruit and third-ranked point guard in the 247Sports class. That’s uncharted territory for WVU. A look at the guys who have held that same spot in recent recruiting classes and what it tells us about what we might be getting
A look at every WVU freshman starting point guard this century, how they did, and where Sadler fits in that conversation
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - JUNE 03: James Trafford of England reacts during a training session on June 03, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images) | The FA via Getty Images
Newcastle United are stubborn enough not to give up on landing their former goalie target.
Right after landing their first transfer of the offseason in netminder Ewen Jaouen, the club has renewed its pursuit of current Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford as the Magpies continue to work on strengthening their net for the future.
According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Newcastle have already made contact with Man City after missing out on Trafford last summer, when he chose the Cityzens and ate bench instead of being wise and choosing Tyneside.
“Newcastle United have rekindled their interest in signing James Trafford as work continues to bolster the club’s goalkeeping unit,” Ornstein reported.
The 23-year-old remains Newcastle’s primary goalkeeping target. Ornstein reported that the club has once again expressed their desire to sign the England international, though formal negotiations between the clubs have not started yet, mostly because of Trafford’s presence at the World Cup and the delays that might cause on personal terms.
“Newcastle’s primary target remains Trafford, who they attempted to acquire last summer before he joined Manchester City from Burnley,” Ornstein wrote.
Trafford made only 17 appearances for Man City last season after Gianluigi Donnarumma became the first choice following his surprise move to Manchester. That has increased the possibility of another move, although Trafford is expected to wait until after the World Cup before deciding his future.
Newcastle have already signed 20-year-old Jaouen from Reims following the end of Aaron Ramsdale’s loan spell, and with Ornstein reporting that Nick Pope could leave if another senior goalkeeper arrives, which would be reasonable considering his noticeable decline.
For now, Trafford is again at the top of Newcastle’s list as Eddie Howe looks for a long-term successor to Pope and a senior goalkeeper capable of competing immediately, although we can at least say we have someone already waiting on the wings in Jaouen.
June 12, 2026; Inglewood, California, U.S.; Christian Pulisic of the U.S. celebrates with teammates their first goal, an own goal scored by Paraguay's Damian Bobadilla. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
The United States Men’s National Team got off to a rousing start at the 2026 World Cup, with a 4-1 win over Paraguay. The USMNT was dynamic, creative, and showed to the entire soccer world that they could be a force to be reckoned with at this tournament.
Now, on the verge of their second match of group play, they have a chance to accomplish another item on this year’s to-do list.
Win the group.
Here are the clinching scenarios for Group D ahead of the matches scheduled for Friday.
What are the Group D standings?
Here are the current Group D standings, ahead of the two matches scheduled for Friday, June 19.
Team
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Points
United States
1
0
0
4
1
3
3
Australia
1
0
0
2
0
2
3
Türkiye
0
0
1
0
2
-2
0
Paraguay
0
0
1
1
4
-3
0
What are the next Group D matches?
There are four matches left in Group D, starting with two on Friday, June 19.
Friday, June 19
United States vs. Australia Türkiye vs. Paraguay
Thursday, June 25
Türkiye vs. United States Paraguay vs. Australia
What are the scenarios for Group D?
Here are the clinching scenarios for the Group D entering play on June 19, starting with the United States.
United States
The United States can clinch Group D, but they will need a win, and some help. A win does guarantee
First off, they need to defeat Australia on Friday. That match starts at 3:00 p.m. Eastern time. A draw, or a loss, and the USMNT cannot clinch the group.
Then they would need Türkiye to lose or tie against Paraguay. More on that in a moment. That match happens later on Friday night.
Australia
Just like the United States, Australia enters Friday with a win, having beaten Türkiye. As such, they can clinch the group on Friday with a win over the United States, and a Paraguay loss or tie.
Paraguay
Paraguay faces elimination on Friday. With a loss, and an Australia win or tie, Paraguay is eliminated.
Türkiye
Similar to Paraguay, Türkiye will be eliminated if they lose to Paraguay, and the United States wins or ties against Australia.
What about tiebreakers?
As mentioned above, tiebreakers may come into play here. So is how tiebreakers work at the World Cup this year.
If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points following the group stage, a three-step process will be followed to determine tiebreakers.
In the first step, the greatest number of points in the group matches between the tied teams will be applied. Then, the superior goal difference from the group matches between the tied teams will be applied, and finally, the greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the tied teams will be applied.
If that cannot determine a tiebreaker, then the teams that are still equal will advance to step two. In this stage, the first step is the goal difference in all group matches, then the greatest number of goals in all group matches, and finally the highest team conduct score (relating to yellow and red cards) will be applied.
If that does not break the tie, then the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.
That first step, which reads “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned” according to FIFA, effectively turns into a head-to-head tiebreaker in the case of ties between two teams. We now return to the match between the US and Australia.
Both teams enter Friday with three points. Assuming, for the moment, the United States win, they would move to six points in the group. But if Türkiye defeats Paraguay, they would now have three points.
And with those two teams playing next week, Türkiye could theoretically defeat the United States, improve to six points — and a tie with the United States — and win Group D thanks to that first tiebreaker. (And a similar scenario will play out if Australia wins on Friday, just that the Socceroos would need Paraguay to lose or tie).
So if there is a winner between the United States and Australia, they will not be guaranteed a group win until the result between Paraguay and Türkiye is known.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 04: Jon Jones reacts to his win in the UFC heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 285 event at T-Mobile Arena on March 04, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) | Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Jon Jones heard a lot about how Alex Pereira was gunning for his spot as the greatest of all time if he was successful in becoming the first ever three-division champion at UFC White House this past weekend.
While numerous fighters and analysts disagreed with UFC CEO Dana White after he declared Pereira’s ascension to the top of that list with a win, none of that ultimately mattered when the Brazilian suffered a second-round knockout loss to Ciryl Gane in the co-main event. On fight night, Jones released a short video where he effectively rolled his eyes at all the chatter about him losing his spot as the GOAT just after Pereira was stopped.
Now, Jones released a message aimed at anybody attempting to usurp him as the best ever because he knows it’s going to take an awful lot to get there.
“Thinking that you have the work ethic, the desire, the faith, and the focus to dethrone me as the GOAT of MMA,” Jones wrote on Twitter in a now-deleted message. “Good luck to you all.”
Jones’ placement as the greatest of all time is subjective, but he typically finds himself atop most lists after he put together a Hall of Fame career, which included becoming the youngest champion in UFC history when he first captured the light heavyweight title back in 2011.
“Bones” holds win over nine UFC champions—past, present or future—and he also captured titles in two divisions after becoming heavyweight champion with a submission win over Gane in 2023.
He also never truly tasted defeat, although his résumé has one loss after he was disqualified for using illegal elbows during a vicious beatdown of Matt Hamill.
That said, Jones’ career was far from flawless, which included positive drug tests for using banned substances including an incident that erased his head kick victory over Daniel Cormier in 2017 that was overturned from a win to a no-contest. He also endured a multitude of legal issues outside the cage that took him out of action for months at a time as well as being stripped of his title in 2015 for his involvement in a hit-and-run.
But his work in the octagon was undeniable as Jones still holds the record for 16 wins in UFC title fights and 12 overall title defenses across multiple reigns as champion.
Will anyone ever top Jones’ remarkable list of accolades to challenge him as the GOAT? It might seek unlikely but Jones obviously welcomes anybody to try.
San Jose State linebackers make their way onto the field during the spring scrimmage game 2026. | photo courtesy of SJSU Spartan Athletics
The fourth installment of San Jose State football’s summer position-group series heads to the second level of the defense, where two key starters are gone, the outside backer room is being rebuilt and a coaching duo who’ve shared a language since 2017. Outside linebackers coach Josh Irvin talks summer ownership, Swiss Army knives and why his leading guys are already making him feel good about 2026.
First, a quick lesson on inside vs. outside linebacker & why it matters
For fans who’ve ever wondered exactly what separates an inside linebacker from an outside linebacker, at least in SJSU’s 3-4 defense, Irvin offers as clear an explanation as you’ll get from a position coach.
“From an outside linebacker perspective, those guys need to be a little bit longer. They need to play in space. In my mind, they’re Swiss Army knives. They need to rush the passer. They need to drop into coverage. They need to set edges on tackles. They’re doing everything that D-linemen do, and they’re doing everything that safeties do and anything in between.”
The inside backers, by contrast, operate in tighter windows; reading guards and filling gaps, owning the middle of the formation. Both positions share one non-negotiable, though. “Outside and inside linebackers need to be leaders. We’ve had a track record here of outside linebackers being captains. They lead this team and that’s kind of what we look for as well.”
For further context, there’s also the SAM backer who plays the “strong-side” lining up over a tight-end to stop the run and the WILL backer lining up on the “weak-side” on the more open side of the field usually matching up with running backs in coverage and blitzes.
It’s also worth noting how San Jose State approaches their summer.
Asking about the team’s current preparation mode, Irvin gave an answer that said something about this program’s philosophy at a deeper level. “Some teams are kind of full speed ahead,” said Irvin. “We’re a little bit hybrid where we want those guys to have more ownership over the team and so we kind of leave them alone a little bit more than most teams probably would.”
In a year where the roster is very new and trust between players matters enormously, that kind of autonomy isn’t an accident. It’s intentional culture-building; the same kind this staff has leaned on to develop linebackers others overlooked.
Why the linebacker role keeps being a position SJSU can coach up
The Spartans have quietly developed linebackers for decades, not off one golden class, but a program style rewarding toughness over four or five-star pedigree.
In the 1970s, Carl Ekern became a second-round pick and a longtime Rams starter. Kim Bokamper did the same a year earlier as a first-rounder. Travis Johnson was the WAC’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2012 as an unheralded recruit. Kyle Harmon finished second nationally in tackles as recently as 2021 and Jordan Pollard, a modestly-recruited Las Vegas prospect, leaves as the ninth-leading tackler in school history having signed with the Toronto Argonauts this spring.
Irvin sees and knows that lineage clearly and has a direct explanation for his era.
“I think it absolutely starts at the top. For this generation, it starts with Coach Bojay,” said Irvin. “These guys developed because of him. When I first got here, I was also learning from Coach Bojay. And the other part is really the type of kids we bring in here. It’s not only about the talent that we’re looking for. It’s really all the intangibles. We don’t have everything that most programs have, so we need the gritty kids that are willing to work and are thankful for the things given to them. Combining those type of kids sometimes you get lucky and produce some good results.”
Also, that relationship between Irvin and DC Bojay Filimoeatu goes back further than many realize.
When Filimoeatu first arrived at SJSU in 2017, the staff was running one position coach short on the defense. So Filimoeatu, at the time the linebackers coach, handed the outside backers to his then graduate assistant, Irvin, and trusted him to run the room.
“He gave me the responsibility to coach the outside backers on my own,” Irvin recalled. “That was pretty unheard of for a graduate assistant. For Coach Bojay to do that for me was pretty incredible and that started my career off in a great way.”
Now, nearly a decade later, Filimoeatu is the defensive coordinator and Irvin is in his third year coaching outside linebackers. “He finishes my sentences sometimes,” said Irvin with a smile. “He can even give me one or two words, ‘Hey, this is how we want it’ and I have the freedom to run it.”
Projecting the 2026 outside linebacker depth chart
Pollard’s departure as a two-time All-MW inside linebacker and the exit of Taniela Latu, who drew rookie minicamp interest from both the Browns and Chiefs, left the linebacker room lighter by 488 combined career tackles.
When asked for an early read on his outside backers specifically, Irvin didn’t hesitate.
“Ethan Powell — EP — will be our third-year starter here. He’s doing a great job. He’s our SAM and field outside linebacker.” Powell is a redshirt senior at 6’ 2” and 220 pounds from San Bernardino; a player whose longevity and familiarity with the scheme make him the clear anchor.
“Then there’s Aizik (pronounced Isaac) Mahuka — nicknamed Ice — who’s going play more the WILL linebacker position,” Irvin continued, referring to Weber State transfer Aizik Mahuka (6’ 3”, 225 pounds). “Aizik can actually play both, but he kind of complements EP in that way. Those are two guys that have really stood out in the spring.”
Beyond the top two, Irvin flagged a pair of others who have earned his attention.
“Malakai Hoeft can actually play both positions for us as well, as he’s been rotating in. He’s doing a really great job.” Hoeft is a redshirt senior (6’ 2”, 224 pounds) who gives the staff a reliable third option.
And then there’s the story of the room: “John Norwood is kind of our fourth outside linebacker, more of a boundary outside backer type. He actually was a walk-on when he first got here; a converted defensive lineman; a really hard worker. Got put on scholarship and now is doing some really, really good things for us.” Norwood, a local product at 6’ 3” and 220 pounds as a redshirt senior has the kind of development arc that has defined this program’s linebacker lineage for generations.
The projected outside backer depth chart then runs: Powell (SAM/field), Mahuka (WILL/boundary), Hoeft (swing), Norwood (boundary). Behind them, Dylan Lee, Cayden Woolwine (Northern Arizona transfer), Luke Richey, Zane Carter, and Blake Tabaracci (New Mexico) provide depth for Irvin.
“I really love the group that I have. We have a handful of solid guys that I feel comfortable playing every single snap.”
On the inside, the queue starts with Naseri Danielson, a BYU transfer at 6-foot, 220 pounds with a redshirt year of seasoning and Brady Van Bennekum, a steady veteran. Sirr Bible and Champ Kapanui give the staff young physical bodies with no tread, while freshmen Lance Mitchell (Moreau Catholic) and Skylar Tiatia (Riordan) represent the high-floor, develop-as-you-go talent Filimoeatu has shaped before.
How it all fits and what it means for this defense
Filimoeatu’s “dominate the details” philosophy is built around leverage, angles, accountability and fundamentals-first teaching that can hold even without Pollard-level talent.
But the glue has to actually hold.
Irvin acknowledges where last year broke down and why he feels differently now.
“Last year we had some communication breakdowns; guys fitting in the wrong place, things like that that led to some big plays on us,” said Irvin. “This spring, those guys are more on the same page. They gel together well. They brought the new guys in and they are really, really close as a defense and as a whole team. It just feels different.”
Irvin’s overall outlook is direct: “The goals have not changed. If anything, they’ve heightened and we still want and need do big things that we haven’t done in the past.”
Cautiously optimistic is the honest outside read, coming from a program that finished 3-9 last season with a defense that bled points in bunches. But when the position coach describes four to five guys he trusts on every snap, a coordinator who can finish his sentences and a room that’s bought into something bigger than their individual roles…that’s not nothing.
The lineage is real, the infrastructure between Irvin and Filimoeatu is legitimate and the player development is exactly the kind of story this program has always been built on.
The depth chart seems set or close to it. The standard has been set by those who came before. And whether this group is ready to meet its expectations should become more clear when fall camp opens and the real reps begin.
What are Arsenal’s first ten games of the 2026/27 season?
Arsenal will begin their 2026/2027 Premier League campaign with a home match against Coventry City, with challenging fixtures against Chelsea and Liverpool also included in their opening ten league games, as reported by Metro Sport.
The Premier League has officially released the fixture list for the new season as Arsenal prepare to defend the title they secured during the previous campaign. Their triumph ended a 22-year wait to be crowned champions of England again, and expectations surrounding the club are now significantly higher ahead of the new season.
The Gunners are widely regarded as one of the strongest teams in world football, and there is also an expectation that further additions will be made to the squad during the summer transfer window. With several rival clubs undergoing transitions and Pep Guardiola no longer in charge at Manchester City, Arsenal are viewed as one of the favourites to compete strongly once again.
Arsenal’s Opening Fixtures
Arsenal’s first fixture of the season will take place at the Emirates Stadium, where newly promoted Coventry City, managed by Frank Lampard, will attempt to make a positive start on their return to the Premier League. It is expected to be a difficult opening assignment for the visitors against the defending champions.
Following that encounter, Arsenal will travel to face Aston Villa before returning home for a major clash against Chelsea. Their early schedule also includes away matches against Sunderland, Brighton and Nottingham Forest, alongside home games against Leeds United and Everton.
Key Early Season Challenges
One of the standout fixtures in Arsenal’s opening sequence will arrive in their ninth league match when they travel to Anfield to face Liverpool. The encounter is likely to provide an early indication of Arsenal’s title credentials against one of their expected rivals for the championship.
Arsenal’s first ten Premier League fixtures of the 2026/2027 season are:
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When the Blue Jays were last at Wrigley Field in August 2024, thousands of Jays fans followed them to Chicago. I found them to all be passionate fans, but also friendly and unfailingly polite.
As we are near the beginning of summer travel season, I’d expect more Jays fans at Wrigley again this weekend — and in fact, I have heard all three games are already near-sellouts. So, welcome!
This series matches two teams that were supposed to be World Series contenders, but at this time both are struggling. For more on the Blue Jays, here’s Tom Dakers, manager of our SB Nation Blue Jays site Bluebird Banter.
What can I say about the Blue Jays? Well, they have been incredibly average. They can hit, unless, of course, there are RISP, and then they hit much as you or I would. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the ‘face’ of the team, has been in a deep slump and an even deeper power outage. Earlier in the season, he was hitting well, just not hitting home runs. Now, if you look at his stats, you’d see he has three home runs, and that’s not a typo. Three.
The starting pitching has been pretty good, other than Max Scherzer, whom you are unlucky enough to miss out on seeing. The team has been getting starting pitchers back from the IL, so we weren’t going the ‘bullpen days’ two times out of five. Louis Varland has been amazing in the closer role, after Jeff Hoffman had enough blowups to lose the job. Hoffman has a great strikeout rate (36.1 percent) and a roughly equal home run rate (well, not really, but he does seem to give up home runs at the worst possible moments). On the good news side, Alejandro Kirk and Nathan Lukes are back and hitting well.
We Jays fans are hanging our hopes on the fact that they are in about the same spot as they were at this time last year, and that turned out pretty good.
Fun facts
The Cubs have played only nine previous games at home against the Blue Jays, their fewest vs. any current big league team.
They played more against three long-defunct National League clubs: 10 vs. the Hartford Dark Blues, 11 vs. the Louisville Grays and 11 vs. the St. Louis Brown Stockings, all in 1876-77, the league’s first two seasons.
The Cubs are 6-3 at Wrigley Field vs. the Jays. They lost two of three in 2005, swept three in 2017 and won two of three in 2024, missing a sweep when they lost the finale, 1-0.
(Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
Probable pitching matchups
Friday: Ben Brown, RHP (3-2, 1.74 ERA, 0.968 WHIP, 2.36 FIP) vs. Kevin Gausman, RHP (4-4, 3.41 ERA, 1.034 WHIP, 3.20 FIP)
Saturday: Colin Rea, RHP (5-5, 5.35 ERA, 1.459 WHIP, 5.03 FIP) vs. Patrick Corbin, LHP (2-3, 4.57 ERA, 1.475 WHIP, 4.41 FIP)
Friday: 1:20 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network, also streaming on Peacock (outside the Cubs and Blue Jays market territories)
Saturday: 1:20 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network
Sunday: 1:20 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network
Prediction
The Cubs have had their struggles of late, but now they are facing a team that has had trouble winning on the road. The Jays are 16-20 away from Toronto, though they now have a winning record this month, 8-7, while the Cubs are 7-8 so far in June.
The pitching matchups seem to slightly favor the Jays, but I still think this is a series the Cubs can win. Two of three. If the Cubs can do that, that would be three straight series wins.
Up next
The Cubs head to New York for a four-game series against the Mets beginning Monday evening.
CINCINNATI, OHIO - NOVEMBER 22: Brendan Sorsby #2 of the Cincinnati Bearcats drops back to pass during the first quarter against the BYU Cougars at Nippert Stadium on November 22, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) | Getty Images
When Lane Kiffin took over as HC of LSU, the next QB began right away. Among the names heavily linked to the football program was former Cincinnati and Indiana QB Brendan Sorsby. Last season, Sorsby showed college football he was a player to watch and became one of the top players available when he entered the transfer portal.
In the end, Sorsby went to Texas Tech, and LSU landed former Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt. Arguments began over who was the better QB and whether LSU would be affected by the loss of Sorsby. Well, Texas Tech ended up being the one affected by Sorsby.
During the offseason, it was revealed that Sorsby had placed bets throughout his college career, and his eligibility in CFB was immediately called into question. After a long legal battle, Sorsby is no longer a part of the Texas Tech program and will be heading to the NFL.
To say LSU avoided disaster may be an understatement. There was a future in which Kiffin won the race for Sorsby, which would have been excellent for his first year in Baton Rouge. Then, as we know, Sorsby would have left the program for the pros, and that first year as a new HC would have been much rockier than it is in this timeline.
Instead of dealing with this potential headache, Kiffin is getting his offense prepared and building the best lineup around Leavitt.
Los Angeles, CA - June 16, 2026: Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) hits a home run during the sixth inning of an MLB game against the Tampa Bay Rays at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Baseball is the sport with the most parity on a night to night basis, particularly in the regular season. The worst team can beat the best team, and no one really bats an eye. That is part of what made the Orioles series with the Dodgers back in September so magical. The Orioles were in the midst of a disastrous season while the Dodgers were en route to yet another World Series. That didn’t really matter though as the O’s took two of three anyway, including a particularly exciting comeback from a near no-hitter for Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a walk-off winner for the Birds in Game 2 of that series.
There is a similar gulf between these two clubs entering this series. The Dodgers have a league-best +144 run differential; the Orioles are at -36. The Dodgers lead their division by nine games and are two games clear of the second-best team in the NL. The Orioles are 2.5 games back of the final wild card spot in the AL. Add in the O’s abysmal 13-22 record on the road or 15-24 record against teams .500 or better, and you can start to mentally write this series off entirely.
Looking at stats isn’t going to give you any more confidence. The Dodgers have scored the second-most runs (Nationals) in baseball and hit the second-most home runs (Yankees). They also rank first in batting average (.261) and on-base percentage (.345), while their .441 slugging percentage is second to just the Yankees.
Shoehei Ohtani is having himself another amazing year, though not quite as dominant offensively as we have grown accustomed to. His .545 slugging percentage is his lowest since 2022, and his 15 home runs have him well behind his normal pace of long balls. Even still, his 163 wRC+ is among the leage leaders yet again.
Max Muncy actually leads the team with 16 homers, and he has done that in 60 fewer plate appearances than Ohtani. Andy Pages’ 56 RBI are tops on the team, only one behind the league leaders. Freddie Freeman is still good too, posting a .279/.368/.482 batting line with 12 homers.
The negatives are pretty limited, but we should mention them. Mookie Betts is struggling, and not just in the context of a stacked Dodgers lineup. The former MVP is hitting just .203/.266/.367 with seven homers and a 75 wRC+. His peripheral numbers are much better though. His expected batting average is .277 and he rare chases, whiffs, or strikes out. The 33-year-old is due for some positive regression at some point. Hopefully it doesn’t start this weekend.
And you probably don’t need to worry about this Dodgers team beating you on the base paths. Their 31 stolen bases are the fourth-fewest in baseball, and their -2.4 Base Running Runs are in the bottom third of the league as well.
The two things you can depend on the Dodgers for in recent history are winning baseball games and a full injury report. That is the case yet again in 2026. We won’t see a number of key names this weekend. Will Smith has a stiff neck. Teoscar Hernández is nursing a hamstring strain. Edwin Díaz is out until next month with an elbow injury. And you won’t have to worry about Tyler Glasnow (back), Kiké Hernández (oblique), Blake Snell (elbow), or old friend Evan Phillips (Tommy John) for several more weeks, at least.
Gibson is having the rookie experience right now. His last outing against the Padres was his first with more than two strikeouts. It also saw him issue five walks and bean Xander Bogaerts in the head. There is work to be done, but the Orioles have no choice but to keep trotting him out there given the injures elsewhere on their starting staff.
It has been a rocky sophomore season for Sasaki. He had a 6.35 ERA in March/April, but settle down with a 3.18 ERA in May. Now in June he followed seven shutout innings against the Angels to begin the month with a meltdown against the White Sox (4.1 IP, seven runs). Which version will the Orioles see to open the series? It feels like we all know the answer, don’t we?
Is Rogers back? He has a 3.12 ERA in June and has not allowed more than three runs in any of his last three starts. His formula is pretty simple on paper. Limit the walks and keep the ball in the yard. When he does that, he finds success. That ability will be tested against these Dodgers.
Yamamoto is following up his third-place finish in Cy Young voting a season ago with an almost identical season in 2026. The strikeout numbers aren’t as dominant, but he is walking almost no one and has a WHIP of just 0.840. The diminutive righty makes you earn your way on.
Game 3: Sunday, June 21st, 4:10 p.m., MASN
RHP Brandon Young (5-2, 3.18 ERA) vs. RHP Emmet Sheehan (3-4, 4.76 ERA)
The Orioles’ string of winning games that Young starts was broken in his last outing, but that wasn’t the righty’s fault. He delivered a quality start, going six innings and allowing just three runs. His 2.83 ERA over his last eight starts has been a saving grace for a rotation that has struggled with consistency overall. The Orioles might even have the pitching advantage in this one.
Sheehan has probably been something of a disappointment for Dodgers fans this year. He looked great with his 2.82 ERA across 73.1 innings last season, but has failed to live up to that hype in 2026. Even still, he forces a lot of swing and miss, and regularly gets hitters to chase pitches out of the zone. So this is still going to be a tough matchup for the Orioles.
How many games do you think the Orioles will win in this series? Let us know in the comments.
Akron infielder Jose Devers (10) reacts to tagging out Reading outfielder Raylin Heredia (23) during the home opening day game, April 2, 2026, in Akron, Ohio. | Andrew Dolph / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Three of the Phillies’ top four affiliates earned wins on Thursday, the only blemish coming in Reading where the team’s pitching collapsed in the second half of the game.
Lehigh Valley 5, Worcester 4
The IronPigs snapped a four-game losing streak on Thursday night – but just barely. After getting off to a 3-0 lead, the Red Sox came back to tie it. The IronPigs once again went in front by a score of 5-3 on an RBI hit by Carter Kieboom and a sacrifice fly by Dylan Carlson.
But the Sox didn’t go down quietly. Facing pitcher Ryan Cusick in the ninth, they scored one run and loaded the bases with two outs before Cusick was able to strike out the final batter to secure the win.
Hartford 10, Reading 6
The ball was flying out at Reading on Thursday with seven total home runs in the game. Unfortunately, the Hartford Yard Goats hit four of the seven, and their eleven hits and ten runs was too much for the F-Phils to overcome.
Early on, it looked like it would be the Raylin Heredia show, as he hit two home runs in the first five innings to put the F-Phils up 5-2.
— Reading Fightin Phils (@ReadingFightins) June 19, 2026
But the Yard Goats’ offense was relentless, scoring runs in each of the final four innings. For those hoping that Gage Wood is on the fast track to Philadelphia, it was a discouraging night, as he gave up two runs in his three innings of work.
Jersey Shore 8, Greenville 5
The Blue Claws used a big fifth inning to power themselves to victory over the Greenville Drive on Thursday. Home runs by Luke Davis and Joel Dragoo (his first as a minor leaguer) contributed to a seven-run outburst in the frame.
The Drive tried to make a game of it in the eighth inning, scoring four runs in the frame, but Joe Pena Jr. pitched a scoreless 1.2 innings to end things. Earlier in the game, starting pitcher Luke Gabrysh struck out six while giving up just one run in five innings of work.
Clearwater 11, Bradenton 7
Inverse to their counterparts at Reading, the Clearwater Threshers fell behind early and then unleashed a late scoring barrage to secure a victory.
The Threshers trailed the Marauders 7-2 after five innings but scored nine unanswered runs to close out the game. Griffin Burkholder hit his fifth home run of the season in the seventh, while Robert Phelps and Matthew Ferrara both had three hits. The Threshers’ pitching was shaky early, but Tyler Bowen and Marty Gair combined for three scoreless innings to close it out.
Crunch time is about to arrive at the group stage of the 2026 World Cup, with teams scrambling to grab a spot in the Round of 32 and the knockout rounds.
The new expanded format means that two thirds of the teams at the tournament this summer will make the knockout rounds, with the top two teams from each of the 12 groups making it automatically and the eight best third-place teams joining them.
Of course, you want to finish as the group winners to get an easier path in the knockout rounds, but everyone just wants to advance.
Below is a look at the teams who have already booked their spot in the Round of 32 and have reached the knockout rounds of the 2026 men's World Cup.
Which teams have qualified for the Round of 32, knockout rounds of the 2026 World Cup?
Mexico were the first team to qualify for the Round of 32, as the co-hosts have also secured top spot in Group A with two wins from their opening two games. Why is top spot so important to Mexico?
It guarantees their will play all of their Round of 32, Round of 16 and quarterfinal games in Mexico, if they get that far. That should be a huge advantage for El Tri.
Dodge, who is from Bradenton, Florida, entered the transfer portal on June 13 following her second season with coach Karen Weekly's program. She spent most of her redshirt freshman and sophomore seasons at second base before moving to third base in the 2026 NCAA regional. The move helped shore up Tennessee's defense as it made a second straight run to the Women's College World Series semifinals.
Dodge made 113 starts in 120 appearances over the last two seasons. She hit .244 as a redshirt freshman and .275 this season, with a total of 46 RBIs, 18 home runs, 20 doubles, 50 walks and 82 runs in her Tennessee career. She did struggle at the plate in the NCAA Tournament in 2026, though, managing just four hits in 29 at-bats over nine games.
Softball America ranked Dodge as the No. 10 overall player in the transfer portal.
Dodge is one of four departing starters from last season's Tennessee team and the only one to announce they are transferring, with the other three being seniors, including star pitcher Karlyn Pickens. Only two other Lady Vols have transferred: outfielder Saviya Morgan (South Carolina) and pitcher Kailey Plumlee (Alabama).
With Dodge gone, Tennessee could turn to transfer Karley Shelton at second base. Shelton is joining the Lady Vols after starting every game for South Carolina in 2026, hitting .345 with 40 RBIs.
Freshman Avary Stockwell will be in the mix to start at third base after signing with Tennessee as the top player in the state in the class of 2026.
Roger Rosengarten is not ignoring the outside praise, but he has made it clear that his next step with the Ravens will be defined more by consistency than by potential. Speaking on The Lounge Podcast, Rosengarten said the progress he made last season in pass protection and the run game has put him in a stronger position entering this year, but his focus remains on technique, alignments, and stacking better performances over time. For a Baltimore offensive line replacing key pieces and building around a detail-driven offense under Declan Doyle, Rosengarten's development matters because the Ravens need more than flashes from their young tackle. They need steady weekly execution, and Rosengarten's message centered on ensuring the results eventually match the standard he has set for himself.
“Looking back on last season and the improvements I had within pass and run,” Rosengarten said on The Lounge Podcast, “that is going to put me in a really good spot from last year to this year.”
Rather than chasing labels or outside projections, he emphasized process over perception. “I don’t really pay too much attention to it,” he said, referring to external rankings and praise. “But when you hear something positive, it feels good.”
Still, the standard he holds himself to is internal and repeatable.
“I feel like everything between my technique and alignments… I just kept going forward,” Rosengarten said.
The message he left wasn't about reaching a label; it was about eliminating inconsistency and stacking performance week after week until the results speak for themselves.
Chip Honcho, seen working out before the Preakness Stakes, returns to action in Saturday's Ohio Derby at Thistledown. Photo courtesy of Maryland Jockey Club
June 19 (UPI) -- While Royal Ascot was hosting some of the season's most epic battles this week, American racing prepared for a weekend that features the Grade III Ohio Derby at Thistledown and the Grade II Chicago Stakes at Churchill Downs.
Here's the scoop ...
Royal Ascot
Trainer Aidan O'Brien notched his 100th Royal Ascot victory in Thursday's Group 1 Gold Cup as 4-year-old Scandinavia caught 8-year-old pacesetting favorite and defending champion Trawlerman in the final strides to win by a head. Even the losing camp admitted the race was a classic thriller.
Scandinavia (front) edges Trawlerman in Thursday's Group 1 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, giving trainer Aidan O'Brien his 100th win at the Royal meetings. Photo by Megan Rose Photography, courtesy of Ascot Racecourse
O'Brien typically downplayed his achievement. MV Magnier, one of the Coolmore partners who own the winner, had it in less humble perspective: "It is incredible -- for Aidan to get 100 winners here and win the Gold Cup. The king and queen are here. It is a very big deal."
It also was a very big deal for Scandinavia's sire, Justify. He also sired the first- and second-place finishers in Thursday's Chesham Stakes for 2-year-olds. As Justify stands at Coolmore's Ashford Stud in Kentucky for $200,000, it was a remarkable day for the organization all around.
While the 2 1/2-mile Gold Cup thrilled with a tight finish, Wednesday's featured Group 1 Prince of Wales's Stakes got the job done with an electric performance by Godolphin's superb Ombudsman.
The race billed itself as a showdown involving that one, the 1-2 finishers in last October's Arc d'Triomphe, Daryz and Minnie Hauk, and possibly Irish Tattersalls Gold Cup winner Almaqam.
Almaqam didn't fire, but with a furlong to go, it looked like a free-for-all involving the others -- until, that is, jockey William Buick gave Ombudsman his cue and he quickly drew off to win by 4 lengths. Minnie Hauk was second, Daryz third.
"The filly ran great. The Arc winner ran great. And probably the horse who won in Ireland [Almaqam] might not have run his race today," winning trainer John Gosden said. "But, overall, I thought it was one of the great performances of Ombudsman's career."
Buick added, "Today, he pleasantly surprised me a little with how well he did it and the feel he gave me. He was exceptional. It's very rare for a horse to do what he did."
The race was a "Win and You're In" for the Breeders' Cup Turf, but Gosden dashed any hopes Ombudsman might turn up on Halloween at Keeneland. "He's too good for a mile and a-half," he said.
The opening day feature, the Group 1 St James's Palace for 3-year-olds, ended in another nail-biter, with Guineas winner Bow Echo remaining undefeated by edging Guineas runner-up Gstaad by a short head.
"I think that was the first time Bow Echo got into a proper battle," winning trainer George Boughey said. "And, I think we'll see a better horse now that he's been in a scrap like that. He has done everything we've hoped. It's fine margins in this game. Luckily, he was on the right side of it.
Friday's Group 1 affairs are the Commonwealth Cup for 3-year-olds going 6 furlongs with a filly, Venetian Sun, taking on colts as the favorite in a field of 22 and the Coronation Cup for 3-year-old fillies with Coolmore stars Precise and True Love facing off.
Saturday could be International Day with Japanese star Satono Reve challenging Australians Joliestar and Overpass in the sole Group 1, the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at 6 furlongs.
Overpass finished third as the favorite in the Group 1 King Charles II Stakes on Day 1. Joliestar, the better fancied of the two, has waited in the wings to put her three-race win streak on the line.
Gather at the bandstand for a sing-along and see ya next year.
Back in North America
The 3-year-olds
The long string of post-Derby derbies moves to Thistledown, near Cleveland, for Saturday's $500,000 Grade III Ohio Derby, which drew a pretty nice field.
Among the hopefuls are Kentucky Derby third and Preakness fourth Ocelli, who remains a maiden after eight starts, and Chip Honcho, who was third in the Preakness. The favorite is Desert Gate, an Omaha Beach colt who won the Texas Derby by 6 1/4 lengths on Memorial Day. Nice race.
Churchill Downs
Saturday's $300,000 Grade III Chicago Stakes at Churchill Downs drew a field of eight fillies and mares to go 7 furlongs out of the backstretch chute.
The morning-line favorite is the Brad Cox-trained Eclatant, a 4-year-old Into Mischief filly looking to extend a two-race win streak that includes the Grade 1 Madison at Keeneland on April 4.
The main competition looks like the Bob Baffert-trained Usha. The 4-year-old daughter of Tiz the Law finished third in the Grade I Derby City Distaff on Derby Day and returned to win the Grade III Winning Colors on Memorial Day, three weeks later. Foie Gras and Lotsandlotsofcandy are tasty options.
Thistledown
The Ohio track supports the derby with Saturday's $250,000 Lady Jacqueline for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles. A field of nine is in from as far afield as California, Maryland and Kentucky.
Elsewhere
Monmouth Park, Laurel Park and Gulfstream Park have $100,000 stakes events Saturday. Aqueduct's feature is the Spectacular Bid Division of the New York Stallion Stakes.
Florida football earned commitment No. 21 of its 2027 recruiting class after three-star prospect Robert "Tre" Geathers III chose the Gators over Tennessee, South Carolina and Georgia. The 6-foot-2-inch, 212-pound linebacker is ranked inside the top 100 at his position and canceled an official visit to Athens this upcoming weekend after pledging to the Orange and Blue on Thursday.
Geathers' father, Robert, played for Georgia from 2001 to 2003 before being selected No. 117 overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2004 NFL Draft. He would go on to spend a decade in the league, totaling 326 tackles, 34 sacks, and three interceptions. His father, grandfather and great-uncle all played football at the professional level.
The No. 19-ranked recruit out of the Tar Heel State recorded 159 tackles — 12 tackles for a loss — and 13 pass deflections to go along with three interceptions over the last two seasons. He joins fellow three-star Ellis McGaskin and four-star Ja'Bois Smith as the Gators' linebacking haul for 2027.
BREAKING: Class of 2027 LB Tre Geathers has Committed to Florida, he tells me for @Rivals
The 6’2 215 LB chose the Gators over Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee
Gators linebacker coach Greg Gasparato played a crucial role in Geathers' recruitment, according to Sports Illustrated, with the Charlotte, North Carolina, native also crediting Brad White's defensive scheme.
"Coach Gasparato did a great job trying to build a relationship with me," said Geathers. "After sitting in meetings with him and seeing how he teaches and the scheme that they have there, I think it was a really good fit."
Tre Geather's recruiting summary
Geathers is ranked No. 582 overall and No. 56 at his position by 247Sports composite. On3 industry rankings have him at Nos. 566 and 49, respectively. He had 25 official offers before siding with Florida. Programs to invite the three-star linebacker include Arkansas, LSU, South Carolina and Vanderbilt.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Bristol Rovers have signed full-back Tom James on a two-year deal following his release from Leyton Orient.
James played 191 times for the O's during his five seasons at the club, including making 37 appearances last season.
The 30-year-old, who has also played for Cardiff, Yeovil, Hibernian, Wigan and Salford, is the Pirates' fifth signing of the summer and arrives following the departure of right-back Joel Senior, who had requested a move.
"He is a very comfortable right-back, right wing-back and right-sided centre-back, technically he is excellent," Bristol Rovers manager Steve Evans told the club website.
"He has got a Kofi Balmer-type long throw as well, which is great for us."
Darren Raddysh, by 8:30 a.m. on Friday, wasn't just the newest member of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He's signed an eight-year contract to be with the Leafs for the long haul.
And if you're just getting into work and catching up with this news, yes, it's quite shocking.
Toronto announced the deal, which sends a fifth-round pick to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Raddysh is coming off a season in which he scored a career-high 70 points, with 22 goals and 48 assists.
The Maple Leafs needed the defensive upgrade, too. It feels like a perfect match.
Yet there were no rumors about it, and the cost was just a fifth-rounder. It feels like incredible out-of-nowhere business by new Leafs GM John Chayka.
How Maple Leafs traded for pending free agent Darren Raddysh
The whole key here was that Raddysh was heading for free agency. His contract with the Lightning was up.
On July 1, he would've hit the open market. And if Tampa Bay didn't think he'd re-sign there, then they really had nothing else they could do with him.
In looping in the Maple Leafs, they got a fifth-round pick in return -- not a lot, but slightly better than nothing.
The Leafs got a chance to exclusively negotiate with Raddysh rather than having to bid against the rest of the league at the start of July. They also got an extra year, that eighth year on the contract, due to the sign-and-trade nature of the deal.
There's been all sorts of speculation about Toronto's defensive needs, but Raddysh hadn't come up.
There'd been a bit of curiosity about whether the Maple Leafs would try to sign him as a free agent, but a trade? Pretty much no one thought of that because that's not normally a train of thought for a pending free agent.
Toronto, though, took a big swing. It didn't cost much in terms of assets -- just in how much they'll pay Raddysh for most of the next decade.
But if there were concerns about the new front office, this is proof that they won't sit back and wait. They made a move to go for it, and it should be well received.
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group H - Spain v Cape Verde - Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. - June 15, 2026 Spain's Lamine Yamal reacts REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Spain and Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal is already one of the biggest stars in world soccer, despite being only 18.
After profiling Yamal on 60 Minutes before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Sports Illustrated’s senior writer Jon Wertheim made a staggering claim about the teenager, arguing that he has never seen an athlete reach this level of fame at such a young age — even comparing him to another Barca prodigy, Lionel Messi.
Jon Wertheim Claims Knicks’ Jalen Brunson Has Only One-Tenth Of Lamine Yamal’s Global Fame
During an appearance on “The Dan Patrick Show”, Wertheim reflected the extraordinary level of attention surrounding the teenager.
The host, Patrick, noted that even global icons such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo did not seem to have this level of worldwide fame at 18, particularly before the rise of social media.
Wertheim largely agreed, describing social media as “the great accelerant,” before comparing Yamal’s fame to that of 2026 NBA Finals MVP and New York Knicks’ Jalen Brunson.
“Messi at that age played for Barcelona. People sort of knew who he was, but you weren’t on your phone watching clips of these insane goals he was scoring,” Wertheim said.
“Jalen Brunson’s level of fame is like one-tenth of this kid, and he’s 18 years old,” Wertheim added. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a level of athlete fame quite like this.”
“I think you could probably make the case this might be the most prominent athlete in the world right now, certainly top five, top ten,” he added further.
One of the most fascinating details from Wertheim’s 60 Minutes profile involved an old photograph linking Yamal to Messi years before the Spanish star became a household name.
According to Wertheim, Yamal’s mother won a raffle when he was just a baby that allowed the family to pose with a Barcelona player. By remarkable coincidence, that player was Lionel Messi. To stress how big that moment was, he made a hypothetical reference involving two of basketball’s generational superstars — Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
“It’s like Michael Jordan in 1984 or 1985 posing with baby LeBron,” he said.
Wertheim’s comments may sound hyperbolic, but Yamal certainly is operating on a different level from most teenage athletes. The Barcelona star made his senior debut at just 15 years old, has already won three La Liga titles, starred at UEFA Euro 2024 in Spain, and established himself as one of the world’s best attacking players before turning 19.
Messi recently described Yamal as the player he would choose from the next generation, while former Barcelona manager and 2010 FIFA World Cup winner Xavi Hernandez said the winger could become “one of the great geniuses in football history.” Spain’s coach, Luis de la Fuente, has similarly called him a player with a “gift from God.”
Yamal already has more than 100 appearances for Barcelona and over 25 caps for Spain. While the teenager was limited to a 71st-minute substitute appearance in La Roja’s surprising 1-1 draw against Cape Verde — courtesy of the heroics of 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha — he is expected to play a far bigger role as the tournament progresses.
Spain will next face Saudi Arabia on June 21 at Atlanta Stadium before a potentially decisive Group H showdown against South American dark horses Uruguay on June 26.
Real Madrid learn cost of signing Serie A star Alessandro Bastoni
Despite already having signed Ibrahima Konate and having successfully renewed the contract of Antonio Rudiger for another year, the new Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho does not seem fully satisfied, and reportedly wants another new center-back before the start of the new season.
For their part, the Merengues also seem ready to grant the Portuguese trainer’s wishes, and have been linked with several defenders for this purpose, most notably the Borussia Dortmund center-back, Nico Schlotterbeck.
Another notable name that has been linked with Real Madrid recently is Alessandro Bastoni, who continues to remain one of the best defenders in the Serie A, and recently won another Scudetto title.
Only a few weeks ago, the Italian was also being strongly linked with Barcelona. However, these links have cooled down lately, as the Catalans were unable to pay the price demanded by Inter for him, i.e., €70 million.
Now, according to Diario AS, this is also the amount for which the Nerazzurri would start negotiations with the Merengues for their star defender, and they are not expected to budge from this figure.
Relations between the two clubs are excellent. They are currently in negotiations for the transfer of Denzel Dumfries, whose release clause would be paid in July. Similarly, the presidents of the two entities, Florentino Perez and Beppe Marotta, also recently met on the occasion of the Corazon Classic match at the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, these good relations might also not be enough for Real Madrid to get their desired player on a discount, especially as Inter are in no hurry to lose one of their best defenders. Alessandro Bastoni himself is willing to continue with the Italian club, but might not be able to resist the opportunity of playing for the Merengue club and mark a new era at one of the biggest clubs in Europe.
New Liverpool signing Victor Munoz suffers World Cup injury
Liverpool Face Early Victor Munoz Concern After Spain Injury Blow
Liverpool’s move for Victor Munoz had all the hallmarks of a smart, opportunistic deal. A 21-year-old Spanish winger, signed from Osasuna after the Reds activated his £34m release clause, with only half of that fee paid up front. In market terms, that feels structured, deliberate and, frankly, very Liverpool.
Yet football rarely allows a clean narrative. Within hours of the transfer being completed, Munoz’s situation took an awkward turn. The winger is currently with Spain at the 2026 World Cup, but his involvement is now in doubt after the Spanish FA confirmed a fresh injury issue.
Spain Confirm Fresh Muscle Problem
Munoz had already been managing fitness concerns before the tournament. He made Spain’s squad, but did not feature in their pre-tournament friendlies and remained unused during their opening group match.
Now, according to SPORT, the Spanish FA have stated: “During the scheduled and individualized recovery process, an additional muscle injury has occurred that will delay his return to competition.”
Photo: IMAGO
That is hardly the kind of update Liverpool wanted. There is no confirmed return date yet, which leaves both Spain and Liverpool waiting for clarity. For Spain, it affects their World Cup planning. For Liverpool, it complicates the early picture around a player expected to arrive under Andoni Iraola with freshness, pace and tactical intrigue.
Munoz Deal Still Makes Sense For Liverpool
The temptation is to view this purely as bad luck. There is some truth in that, but there is also a broader context. Liverpool have already dealt with availability issues in recent times. Alexander Isak barely found rhythm last season after injury problems following his big move from Newcastle United. Jeremie Frimpong was in and out of the side, forcing Dominik Szoboszlai into emergency right-back duty. Hugo Ekitike is not expected back until early 2027 after suffering an ACL injury in April.
That makes Munoz’s injury more frustrating than alarming. Liverpool have not signed him simply for one World Cup, or one pre-season. They have bought potential, value and a profile. Munoz offers width, direct running and a Spain-produced technical base that could suit Iraola’s aggressive approach.
Iraola Must Manage Risk Carefully
Liverpool’s recruitment model has often worked best when they move early, spot value before the market catches up and trust the coaching structure to develop the player. Munoz fits that pattern. He may not be a household name, but that is partly the appeal.
The question now is timing. Spain face Saudi Arabia on Sunday before meeting Uruguay on June 27. Their expectation will be a deep World Cup run, but Munoz’s role in it is clearly uncertain.
For Liverpool, patience is essential. The signing can still be clever, the price can still be sensible, and the long-term upside can still be real. But with Iraola just beginning his Liverpool reign, another injury-management case is not ideal.
Munoz arrives as a mystery to many supporters. The hope is that, once fit, he becomes something far more valuable: a reminder that smart recruitment from Spain can still reshape Liverpool’s attack.
Mitchell Robinson Sends 2-Word Message Revealing Whether He Supports President Trump Ahead of Knicks’ White House Visit
The New York Knicks took the city by storm, ending an agonizing 53-year wait for an NBA championship by getting the better of Victor Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals. Even President Donald Trump was paying attention to the Knicks’ championship win, making it a point to congratulate the “great patriot,” Mitchell Robinson.
In the wake of the Knicks’ championship parade, however, Robinson made his political allegiances clear, leaving no room for speculation.
Mitchell Robinson Clarifies His Stance on President Donald Trump
Under one of Mitchell Robinson’s posts after their win, one NBA fan dropped a comment, saying, “How do you support Trump as a Black man in America.”
Robinson’s reply was swift: “I don’t.”
During the Knicks’ run, Robinson’s social media activity on TikTok raised some eyebrows. He reshared a clip on the platform that joked he would raise his game to another level altogether if President Trump was in the building.”
“The video in question showed that clip of Allen Iverson’s crossover on Michael Jordan, captioned, “How Mitchell Robinson about to be moving with Trump in attendance for Game 3.”
Robinson’s comment under that TikTok post read, “You ain’t lying, brother.” However, he later clarified by writing, “I’m not a supporter, I’m just trolling.”
Are The Knicks Going To The White House?
As the NBA champions, the Knicks will now be invited to Donald Trump’s White House, but it remains to be seen how many players make that trip.
When pressed about what he’d do by TMZ, Jose Alvarado said: “If there’s a chance, I’m going wherever my teammate goes.”
During an interview with WFAN, Knicks owner James Dolan was asked if he’d take his team to President Trump’s White House. “I’ve known him for 30 years, and I’m very proud to bring the team to the White House,” was Dolan’s response, confirming they’ve accepted the invitation, but they’re still figuring out the details.
President Trump attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden and took his place in Dolan’s suite to catch the action. The Knicks lost that game, but picked up the pieces and beat the Spurs to bring home the championship.
However, President Trump was heavily booed during the game.
As of the time of writing, no Knicks player (apart from Alvarado) has publicly spoken on the decision to visit the White House.
Last year’s champions, the Boston Celtics, visited the White House in November 2025 after winning the title in June, but the Oklahoma City Thunder, who won the title before Boston, did not make the customary trip.
The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS garage has been a massive lightning rod for controversy throughout the 2026 season. With 19-year-old rookie sensation Kimi Antonelli absolutely dominating the timesheets and veteran George Russell looking increasingly isolated—especially after the team abruptly withdrew their appeal of his Monaco penalty—fans have loudly accused Brackley of blatant internal favoritism.
But Mercedes Technical Director James Allison has officially had enough of the narrative. In a surprisingly candid response during Episode 4: The Fight is On (via Mercedes-AMG Petronas YouTube), Allison aggressively shut down the fan-fueled conspiracy theories, revealing that the team’s internal culture operates on a completely different, heavily financial wavelength.
An “Alien” Accusation
F1 fans are inherently tribal, and when a driver like Russell appears to be getting the short end of the stick, the fanbase immediately assumes the pit wall is intentionally sabotaging him to elevate their new golden boy. Allison, however, stated that this concept is fundamentally absurd to anyone actually building the cars.
Addressing the accusations directly, Allison explained that fans are heavily projecting their own bias: “Because people are very invested in the people that they support, and they want their driver to prosper above all others”.
Chinese Grand Prix, Saturday, Getty Images SHANGHAI, CHINA – MARCH 14: Pole position qualifier Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team and Second placed qualifier George Russell of Great Britain and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team talk in parc ferme during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of China at Shanghai International Circuit on March 14, 2026 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Dom Gibbons/LAT Images)
He challenged critics to actually step inside the Brackley factory, stating that if they were “lucky enough to come and work in a team, you would instantly be imbued with the culture of that team” and would realize how “utterly alien that thought is to anyone in the team”.
For the engineers, the fan outrage is completely incomprehensible. As Allison put it, “when we hear it, it’s like we’re hearing another language, it’s an argument that you can never win because both sides of it are just completely divorced from one another”.
Multi-Million Dollar Bonus Reality
The most fascinating part of Allison’s defense isn’t just his dismissal of the fans; it is his blunt admission of what actually motivates the Mercedes crew. While the media and fans are entirely fixated on whether Antonelli or World Champion Lewis Hamilton will secure the Drivers’ title, the Mercedes engineers genuinely do not care.
“Because our main championship, weirdly, is not the Drivers’ championship, it’s the constructors’ championship,” Allison revealed. He laid out the cold corporate reality that ultimately governs the garage: “If we’re lucky enough to win a bonus, we win it on the basis of the Constructors position, not the drivers, we don’t get anything for that”.
This completely shatters the favoritism argument. Why would a team intentionally sabotage one of their own cars when their personal paychecks rely on both cars crossing the finish line? “So everything we care about is Constructors oriented, and favouritism makes zero sense to us in that respect,” Allison noted, emphasizing that the team simply wants “maximum points from both the drivers at all times”.
The Only Time Mercedes Will Intervene
While Allison insists the team is “ambivalent about which one is better than the other,” he did outline the single, brutal scenario where Mercedes will actively deploy team orders to favor one driver.
According to the Technical Director, the pit wall only intervenes if “one driver is mathematically incapable now of winning a championship and the other driver is in a fight with a third-party driver”.
Bahrain Test – Day 1 – Jiri Krenek
Up until that exact mathematical breaking point, Mercedes just wants their cars running at the front, completely indifferent to the order.
For George Russell, the message is incredibly clear. Mercedes is not actively working against him, but they also aren’t going to hold Antonelli back. If Russell wants the team’s full, undisputed backing to fight off external rivals like Hamilton, he doesn’t need political favor—he just needs to beat the 19-year-old in the other car.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson can earn another $15 million between the 2027 and 2030 seasons if he hits various incentives included in his four-year contract extension.
Per Rob Demovsky of ESPN, Watson has a total of $15.05 million available in incentives based on catches, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns and Pro Bowl appearances.
The following incentives can be earned as escalators of the following year base salary, up to $3.45 million per year:
Receptions
75 receptions: $350,000
85 receptions: $750,000
95 receptions: $1,150,000
Watson's career high in a season: 41 (2022)
Receiving yards
1,000 receiving yards: $350,000
1,100 receiving yards: $750,000
1,200 receiving yards: $1,150,000
Watson's career high in a season: 620 (2024)
Receiving touchdowns
9 receiving touchdowns: $350,000
10 receiving touchdowns: $750,000
12 receiving touchdowns: $1,150,000
Watson's career high in a season: 7 (2022)
Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl: $250,000
Watson has never made a Pro Bowl
Watson has previously never reached 75 receptions, 1,000 receiving yards, nine receiving touchdowns or a Pro Bowl appearance during a single season since entering the NFL in 2022. Maximizing his incentive payout will be unlikely, although the Packers will gladly pay the extra money if Watson is consistently hitting these lofty statistical goals.
The base value of Watson's contract extension with the Packers is $92 million over four years, including a $31 million signing bonus. With incentives, the value can increase to $110 million.
PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 14: Joey Bart #14 of the Pittsburgh Pirates rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the fifth inning during the game between the Washington Nationals and the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Christopher Denver/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Pirates made a late-night trade on Thursday night that will shift the landscape of two areas of the team.
Pittsburgh dealt catcher Joey Bart to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for reliever Hunter Stratton.
A familiar face, Stratton was a 16th-round pick of the Pirates in 2017 and pitched for the club for three seasons.
Stratton made his MLB debut in 2023 and only allowed three runs over 12 innings.
He totaled a 3.58 ERA in 36 appearances the following season, but struggled in 2025. Stratton allowed seven runs in 2.2 innings with the Bucs last year for a deeper and higher-regarded bullpen staff.
The Pirates DFA’d Stratton and traded him to Atlanta, where he posted a 2.20 ERA in 12 appearances. He was DFA’d by Atlanta earlier this week and opened the door for the Pirates to make the trade.
Stratton will begin his second tour with the Bucs in Triple-A Indianapolis.
Currently on a rehab assignment for a left foot infection, Bart was in line to be the odd-man out of the Pirates catching rotation.
The former No. 2 overall pick of the San Francisco Giants was rumored to be a potential trade piece dating back to the start of spring training, and now exists Pittsburgh after two and a half seasons.
Bart hit .259 with one double, two home runs, six RBIs, and 21 strikeouts in 58 at-bats in 2026.
He performed well against left-handed pitching, but started off slow and was on pace for his worst season as a Pirate.
Bart recorded nine hits in his final six games before the injury, including a four-hit day in his final game as a Bucco.
Endy Rodriguez stepped up in Bart’s absence and didn’t look back. Rodriguez was recalled following Bart’s injury and is slashing .267/.413/.467 with three doubles, three homers, and eight runs driving in over 60 at-bats.
He’s also shown good plate discipline with 15 walks compared to 17 strikeouts in 23 games and is beginning to emerge as the Pirates’ No. 1 catcher. Henry Davis remains on the roster and has caught every Paul Skenes start in 2026.
Stratton primarily pitched in Triple-A Gwinnett, posting a 4.38 ERA and 16 walks compared to 24 strikeouts in 24.2 innings.
The Pirates need Stratton to channel his early Pirates career and help a bullpen that has been the Achilles heel of the team the entire year.
Pittsburgh plays the first of a three-game series in Colorado against the Rockies on Sunday at 8:40 p.m.
Manchester United could make profit in Mason Greenwood’s potential sale as Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur linked
Manchester United will be monitoring the situation of Marseille attacker Mason Greenwood following a recent report from France. The Englishman could be sold this summer, and Man United will pocket 40% of any proceeds having inserted a sell-on clause in the deal which took him to Ligue 1. Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are both interested in signing Greenwood, according to L’Equipe. The 24-year-old striker is the most valuable player at Marseille, and AS Roma are also keen on the former Red Devils star. A return to the Premier League seems unlikely right now given how he left Man United in 2024.
Greenwood was arrested in January 2022 for attempted rape, assault and coercive control, last playing for the Old Trafford club that month. The charges against him were eventually dropped in February 2023, but he was sold to the Ligue 1 club in a £27 million deal in July 2024 having spent 2023-24 on loan in La Liga with Getafe. The 24-year-old has 48 goals and 17 assists in 81 games for the French club and will fancy his chances of impressing at any European club.
Spurs manager Roberto De Zerbi claimed that former Man United striker has what it takes to win the Ballon d’Or during their time together at Marseille, but a reunion does not appear to be on the cards despite the links.
Official | Charles Vanhoutte joins Feyenoord from OGC Nice
After just one season at OGC Nice, Charles Vanhoutte (27) has departed on a permanent transfer. The Belgian midfielder has joined Eredivisie side Feyenoord.
Vanhoutte only joined Nice last summer, signing from Union Saint-Gilloise. He hoped that the move to the Allianz Riviera would bolster his hopes of making Rudi Garcia’s Belgium squad for the FIFA World Cup. The midfielder started well under Franck Haise, who pushed to bring him to the club, but his impact waned as Nice struggled. By the end of the season, under Claude Puel, he was no longer the key player that he was at the start of the campaign.
There has been a change in the dugout at Nice, with the arrival of Olivier Pantaloni confirmed earlier this week, but he will not have Vanhoutte at his disposal. The midfielder’s exit has now been confirmed. Nice have not made a loss on the player, who arrived for €6m.
England's attacking style in their opening World Cup win against Croatia in Dallas created a stir of excitement but still left head coach Thomas Tuchel with questions to ponder.
Tuchel's side looked vulnerable in defence after he selected Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa ahead of Manchester City's Marc Guehi to partner John Stones.
In attack, substitute Marcus Rashford scored England's final goal in the 4-2 victory after replacing new Barcelona buy Anthony Gordon, who got the nod to start on the left flank.
England's World Cup campaign now moves to Boston, where they face Ghana on Tuesday, and where Tuchel must decide whether to stick or twist with his line-up.
For all the bouquets thrown in England's direction, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford still needed to pull off a vital save from Igor Matanovic with the score at 3-2, before Rashford settled nerves.
And those two decisions in central defence and on the left-side of England's attack look to be the biggest dilemmas facing Tuchel.
Would Guehi improve England's defence?
Tuchel's decision to pick Konsa while leaving out Guehi raised some eyebrows, but a glance at the German's team selections since succeeding Sir Gareth Southgate suggests this should not have been a surprise.
Of England's 15 games under Tuchel, Konsa has started 10, third behind Pickford and Harry Kane, who have both started 12. He is also third in minutes played, with 933 behind Pickford (1,008) and Kane (938).
Guehi has only started seven, playing 504 minutes – and it could also be noted that Tuchel was in charge at Chelsea when the 25-year-old was sold to Crystal Palace in July 2021.
Konsa had moments of uncertainty, getting caught out of position when Petar Musa scored Croatia's second equaliser, but Tuchel is a huge admirer of his physical and footballing attributes, which are believed to have settled the selection.
Tuchel's confidence in 32-year-old Stones, who only started five Premier League games last season before leaving Manchester City, means it looks like a straight battle between Konsa and Guehi to line up alongside him.
Former England striker Chris Sutton believes Tuchel should actually pair Konsa and Guehi rather than start with Stones.
He told BBC Sport: "Why is the debate Guehi for Konsa and not Stones?
"I'd have Guehi and Konsa because they are the best defenders.
"Don't get me wrong, John Stones has been a great player and I have huge respect for his career, but you are talking about a guy who doesn't even have a club for next season yet.
"I don't think Stones has the athleticism which the other two possess.
"It's nothing against John, who has been a brilliant player. He's got more composure on the ball, which he's always had, but once England get out of the group, which they will, you will need your best defenders when you're playing against the best attackers.
"I think Konsa and Guehi have better attributes in terms of one-against-one situations than John Stones and there will be times in games when they will be isolated one-against-one against players of the highest class."
England head coach Thomas Tuchel trusts the experience and class of 32-year-old John Stones [Getty Images]
Paul Robinson, the former England goalkeeper who is BBC Radio 5 Live's analyst at their games, believes Tuchel will make changes – but only because he can manage a strong squad, not because of any defensive concerns.
He said: "The defence looked nervous at times but there is context. This is the first game of a major tournament and Croatia are ranked 11th in the world. They have troubled England before and they have medals from reaching the final and semi-final in the past two World Cups.
"You can pick holes in it tactically at the back, but the pleasing thing for Thomas Tuchel was that it wasn't individual errors. It was a collective unit. He can work on that in training.
"I think there are a lot of people who are quick to criticise when actually you should look at the positives. This was an England team that played to their strengths for the first time in a long time, instead of defending their weaknesses. I liked it."
Robinson added: "Six months ago it was Marc Guehi and one other, but John Stones has got the trust of the manager. He is one of his leaders on the pitch.
"It is a very difficult decision but three into two doesn't go and I don't have an issue with who Tuchel picks. He had all three fit and this was obviously his favourite pair against Croatia."
Robinson added: "I didn't have any serious concerns about what I saw defensively. I think he will change the team but not for performance reasons.
"If England get to the World Cup final, it's eight games in 32 days and he has got trust in his squad. It doesn't matter [about] reputation, name, who you play for... he trusts every single one of his players."
Should Rashford edge out Gordon in attack?
Rashford made a powerful case for inclusion from the start against Ghana with a lively 18-minute cameo against Croatia as a replacement for Gordon, who had a quiet day in Dallas.
The pair fought for a place on England's left flank before the tournament started, with Rashford excelling in the pre-World Cup friendly win against New Zealand before Gordon confirmed his place with his contribution to the 3-0 triumph against Costa Rica, which included scoring a penalty.
The sub-plot to this World Cup between the two has taken place in Catalonia, where Rashford enjoyed a loan spell at Barcelona during the domestic season just gone. While he is still waiting to see if they will negotiate with Manchester United to keep him, Barcelona paid £69.3m to take Gordon from Newcastle United.
Gordon, however, has been short on match action after missing games towards the end of last season as Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe left him out, planning for the future after accepting he was leaving. He was bottom of the BBC Sport player ratings for the Croatia game with 5.54 out of 10.
Marcus Rashford, who scored as a substitute for England against Croatia, is competing with Anthony Gordon for a place on the left flank [Getty Images]
Sutton said: "It's going to be a squad game at the World Cup. We could even have a debate about the other flank, where Noni Madueke started, with Tuchel managing Bukayo Saka's minutes.
"On the left, though, I'd go for Rashford. I think Gordon's form suffered towards the end of the season. He didn't play much for Newcastle and he just doesn't seem quite up to speed.
"This is not to say he won't have a big part to play as the tournament goes on, but Rashford took his goal well and looked good. It's close, but at the moment I'd go for Rashford. I think he deserves an opportunity."
According to The Hollywood Reporter, citing Nielsen figures, the NBA Finals, which saw the New York Knicks defeat the San Antonio Spurs to win their first title in 53 years, drew 20.6 million total viewers. This was the highest viewing figures for the NBA Finals since 1998, at the height of Michael Jordan‘s Chicago Bulls fame.
In fact, the NBA Finals as a whole achieved mammoth ratings, with three of the five games bringing in over 20 million viewers. That hadn’t happened since 2016, and it led ABC to its biggest finals audience in the 24 years the network has had the broadcast rights.
The Stanley Cup Final, won by the Carolina Hurricanes in six games, also saw a huge ratings increase this year, attracting 5.2 million viewers, the largest TV audience since 2019. As the outlet noted, hockey is having a pop culture moment with the recent TV adaptations of hockey-romance novels Heated Rivalry and Off Campus.
Meanwhile, the World Cup, which kicked off on June 11, drew 14.2 million total viewers across its opening weekend, the most on record. The tournament has likely seen a boost due to being hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The U.S. men’s team’s win over Paraguay is the most-watched match of the tournament in the U.S. so far. It’s also the most-watched World Cup broadcast ever for English-language audiences in the U.S., averaging more than 18 million viewers across Fox, FS1, and Tubi.
Combining the three audience totals, just under 40 million viewers have tuned in for June’s major sporting events. In the years with a men’s or women’s World Cup since 2014, no NBA-NHL-World Cup combination has come anywhere close to that figure, per THR.
The highest combined total in previous years was 27.75 million in 2014 (15.54 million for the NBA Finals, 4.7 million for the Stanley Cup, and 7.5 million for the early days of the World Cup).
This Saturday night, Puerto Rican boxer Oscar Collazo will defend his unified WBA and WBO strawweight titles against Joey Canoy of the Philippines. On the undercard, you can also catch a 10-round light heavyweight match between Yair Gallardo and Buneet Bisla and a heavyweight bout between Joshua Edwards and Garreth Payton.
If you're planning to watch Collazo vs. Canoy at home, you can catch it on DAZN, and the good news is that it's not a pay-per-view fight; it's included with a basic DAZN plan. Here's everything you need to know to watch Collazo vs. Canoy this weekend.
How to watch the Collazo vs. Canoy fight
Date: Saturday, June 20
Start time: Coverage begins around 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
Main Ringwalks: 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT
Location: Frontwave Arena, Oceanside, CA
TV channel/streaming: DAZN
When is the Collazo vs. Canoy fight?
Oscar Collazo and Joey Canoy will meet in the ring on Saturday, June 20. The event will begin around 8 p.m. ET and main ringwalks are at approximately 10:30 p.m. ET.
What channel is the Collazo vs. Canoy fight on?
The Oscar Collazo vs. Joey Canoy fight, including the complete fight card, will be available on DAZN with a regular monthly subscription. To watch, you'll need to subscribe to either an annual plan ($224.99/year or $20.99/month), or you can grab a no-commitment Monthly Flexible Pass for $30.99 and cancel at any time. This weekend's fight is not on pay-per-view, so there are no additional fees.
Where to watch Collazo vs. Canoy:
Oscar Collazo vs. Joey Canoy fight card
Oscar Collazo vs. Joey Canoy; Strawweight, for the WBA and WBO titles
Yair Gallardo vs. Buneet Bisla; Light heavyweight
Ruslan Abdullaev vs. Orestes Velazquez; Super lightweight
Joshua Edwards vs. Garreth Payton; Heavyweight
Daniel Garcia vs. Christopher Rodriguez; Lightweight
The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired right-handed pitcher Hunter Stratton from the Atlanta Braves for catcher Joey Bart, the team announced Thursday night.
Stratton was selected by the Pirates in the 16th round of the 2017 MLB Draft and began his pro career in Pittsburgh’s organization. However, in 2025, he was DFA’d and was traded to the Braves for Titus Dumitru and cash considerations.
After being DFA’d by the Braves on June 17, Pittsburgh re-acquired the pitcher for Bart. Stratton is 3-2 with a 3.75 ERA in 60 career games in the MLB. The 29-year-old was assigned to Triple-A Indianapolis.
Although Stratton was assigned to Triple-A, he adds some right-handed relief depth to the bullpen, which has struggled this season.
Bart, meanwhile, is a former second overall pick by the San Francisco Giants in 2018. Pittsburgh acquired him in April 2024 for Austin Strickland.
Yet, with the solid play of Henry Davis and the emergence of Endy Rodríguez, Bart was expendable, and Pittsburgh opted to trade him to Atlanta.
Bart is hitting .259 with 2 home runs and 6 RBIs this season in 58 at-bats.
Pittsburgh will begin a three-game road series against the Colorado Rockies on Friday. The Pirates enter play with a record of 38-37 and are one game back of a Wild Card spot.
Politics is often a divisive topic, and sports figures and athletes are no different from everyone else in their differing political opinions. Current President Donald Trump and former President Barack Obama are among the many political figures who have staunch defenders and avid supporters.
One Super Bowl champion took to social media to share his feelings about each American president.
Asante Samuel Criticizes Donald Trump on Social Media
Two-time Super Bowl champion Asante Samuel is the latest professional athlete to make his political feelings clear on social media.
“So, Barack Obama had a deal in place with Iran. Donald Trump rips it up to negotiate a new deal and give away 300 billion. Trump can’t negotiate or lead the country,” Samuel said on X. “Only weak-minded people will deny the truth.”
The longtime NFL cornerback’s comments come as a response to the deal President Trump recently signed with Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz.
President Obama was the commander in chief of the United States from 2009 to 2017 and signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran in 2015. Meanwhile, President Trump served as commander in chief for one term from 2017 to 2021 and was elected to another term starting in 2025.
The two American presidents are from opposing political parties: Trump is a Republican, and Obama is a Democrat, which has led to differing opinions on their political ideologies and beliefs.
“Donald Trump’s entire mission is to feel loved like Barack Obama,” Samuel added. “He could never be Obama.”
Samuel played 11 years in the NFL, spending time with the New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, and Atlanta Falcons. In his 11-year career, he made four Pro Bowls and was named an All-Pro twice.
Samuel played 157 games in the NFL, recording 439 tackles (398 solo, 41 assists), nine tackles for loss, 51 interceptions, 164 pass deflections, seven forced fumbles, and six defensive touchdowns.
He led the NFL in interceptions twice in his career and also led the league twice in passes defensed. In 2007, he was named a first-team All-Pro and helped lead the Patriots to the No. 5-ranked unit in PFSN’s Defense Impact Metric (DEFi).
His son, Asante Samuel Jr., currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers and is entering his sixth season in the NFL after being drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021.
Samuel is far from the first celebrity or athlete to make their political opinions known on social media, and he will certainly not be the last either. While his comments have resulted in divided opinions on both ends of the political spectrum, that comes with the territory and is part of the social media experience in 2026.
Players during the World Cup Group H, Round 1 match between Uruguay and Saudi Arabia at Miami Stadium on 15 June 2026.Photograph: Richard Dole/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock
Two of the first round of matches at the World Cup were played at a level of severe heat that a football players’ union has previously said should trigger the delay or postponement of games, a Guardian analysis has found.
A further four games were played in cities with temperatures also beyond that level of heat, though conditions inside the stadiums were mitigated by air conditioning.
Saudi Arabia’s game against Uruguay in Miami had the most severe heat conditions in the analysis of the first 24 matches of the World Cup, ie each team’s first game, in the tournament being held across the US, Mexico and Canada. The second most severe heat conditions of the first 24 matches in stadiums without AC were in Sweden v Tunisia in Monterrey.
These games, despite being evening kick offs, were played amid wet-bulb temperatures of 28C (82F) or above, according to temperature and humidity data for the place and time of the games.
Fifpro, the global players’ union, has previously argued that games played at 28C or above should be delayed or postponed. Asked about the Guardian analysis, the union declined to comment on the heat situation at the World Cup. This tournament is forecast to be the hottest such tournament to be held since the quadrennial competition began in 1930.
Wet-bulb temperatures are a measure of heat stress that combines air temperature, humidity and cloud cover to determine how well a human body can cool itself through sweating. Beyond a certain level of heat and humidity, sweat is unable to evaporate properly, leading to swift overheating that can result in illness or even death.
The Guardian used weather data from government agencies in the US and UK and derived the wet-bulb temperatures from a formula used by authorities in several countries, including Australia and Canada.
Faced by the prospect of a roasting North American summer, Fifa has moved some kick-off times to later in the day and introduced mandatory water breaks. A handful of the 16 World Cup venues have roofs or air conditioning that has ameliorated some of the high temperatures.
On Wednesday, for example, England played Croatia in Dallas in the fiercest wet-bulb temperatures to date at nearly 35C (95F), although the air conditioning inside the stadium brought this down to a more reasonable 22C (71F).
In total, six of the first 24 matches have been held in places where the wet-bulb temperature hit 28C or above – Germany v Curacao in Houston, Saudi Arabia v Uruguay in Miami, Portugal v DR Congo in Houston, the Netherlands v Japan in Dallas and England v Croatia, also in Dallas. The stadium in Houston also has air conditioning.
Record-high temperatures in some places resulted in some fans wilting in shadeless heat, with warnings that stadium workers, who often have to toil long before games with heavy equipment, are facing potentially hazardous conditions.
Current Fifa guidelines state that cooling breaks should take place if games are held in heat of 32C (89F) or above – in practice, these drinks breaks have occurred at lower temperatures at this World Cup – with delay or suspension of games at the discretion of competition organizers.
On the eve of the World Cup, a group of heat and public health experts urged Fifa in an open letter to implement more extensive heat protections, citing Fifpro’s call for games to be potentially called off if they reach 28C or above.
“Temperatures are often taken from shaded areas and if players are in direct sun, it can be double figures more than the temperature readings,” said Robbie Parks, an environmental epidemiologist at Columbia University and a signatory of the open letter. “Standing in the sun can be dangerous even at lower temperatures, even above 23C (73F) or 25C (77F) would make me concerned for older adults out there for more than few minutes.”
Parks said that air conditioning, later kick-off times and water breaks will help players, but that further measures are needed for fans and workers. “Shade is super important and hydration is super important,” he said.
“You need to allow people to bring in their own water and think about having misters for evaporative cooling. The final is going to be held in New Jersey, and that stadium isn’t covered which makes me worry. But I’d hope Fifa will learn the best way to deal with that by then.”
Extreme heat is the deadliest hazard worsened by the climate crisis, causing more deaths each year than hurricanes, floods and wildfires combined. The World Cup tournament itself is set to add to the planet-heating pollution that is causing worsened heatwaves around the planet, with the staging of more than 100 matches expected to result in 7.8m tonnes of greenhouse gases, double the amount of the previous World Cup in Qatar, according to estimates by Greenly, a global carbon accounting platform.
A Fifa spokesperson said the governing body is “committed to protecting the health and safety of all players, referees, fans, volunteers and staff” at the World Cup. Fifa has stationed meteorologists at match venues to assist on preparing for extreme weather and that tournament planning includes “close coordination” with host city organizers as well as stadium authorities and national agencies.
Ahead of the tournament, Fifa agreed a “tiered mitigation model” for extreme temperatures, with added interventions kicking in at different thresholds. For players, alongside mandatory hydration breaks, there is access to water and electrolyte drinks as well as other cooling tools including ice, cold towels, fans, mist and shade.
For spectators, elevated temperatures mean match stadiums will “activate additional cooling capacity, including shaded areas, misting systems, cooling buses and expanded water distribution”, the Fifa spokesperson said.
A medical set-piece protocol for the treatment of heat exertion has also been introduced, with cooling bags set to be used for the first time.
Fifa added it will “continue to monitor conditions in real time, integrating wet bulb globe temperature and heat index surveillance, and stands ready to apply established contingency protocols should extreme weather events occur”.
The Texas Tech-Brendan Sorsby gambling scandal came to an unceremonious conclusion with Sorsby opting to leave college football entirely. After fighting tooth and nail for months to overturn his gambling probe-related ban from the NCAA, Sorsby ultimately applied to the NFL’s supplemental draft, ending a lengthy legal and PR battle.
As the quarterback turns his attention to the NFL, his agent, Ron Slavin, is making his feelings clear about the media’s overarching reaction to the saga.
“Everybody loves to have an opinion. I’m so tired of watching people get on TV and blab their mouth when they have no idea what they’re talking about,” Slavin said on Shan & RJ. “Unfortunately, it’s not just in Brendan’s situation; it’s in most situations.
“Unless you’re Brendan or Brendan’s family or myself and my team, nobody really knows what happened. The opinions out there were, you would have thought this kid committed major crimes and did the horrible things. The reality is, as an 18 year old, he made some bad decisions from his dorm room when he wasn’t traveling with the team in Indiana.”
Slavin pointed toward the widespread prevalence of gambling advertisements as leaving young people susceptible to the pitfalls of betting.
“The predatory world of gambling, where you turn 18 and deposit $5 you get a free $100. Every single show on TV, every single radio show, everything is sponsored by a gambling site. So, it’s a scary world we’re living in. These kids have all been raised now with phones in their hands. So, it’s real easy to get on an app and place a bet.”
Slavin isn’t alone in this feeling. Colin Cowherd echoed his sentiment, saying on his podcast that “Sorsby’s a college kid who grew up in the first gambling generation. Of course, this was going to happen.” Pardon the Interruption’s Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon also called out the hypocrisy. Still, regardless of whether the media’s or the NCAA’s ties to gambling are a part of the cause, athletes betting on their teams and compromising the integrity of games is a symptom that has to be treated.
UNITED STATES - SEPTEMBER 16: College Football: Rear view of Notre Dame Raghib Rocket Ismail (25) in action, rushing for touchdown vs Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 9/16/1989 (Photo by John Biever/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (SetNumber: X38818)
Happy Friday, and Happy Juneteenth everyone.
I wasn’t sure what theme to go with today for our old Notre Dame photos series, but then I remembered that Michigan sucks everyday.
Mourinho’s Personal Call Sealed Cucurella’s £52m Real Madrid Move
Marc Cucurella (27) has spoken publicly about his £52 million transfer from Chelsea to Real Madrid, telling reporters from Spain’s World Cup base in Chattanooga, Tennessee that the deal was agreed in roughly a day and a half and that he had no doubts once the call came through. The Guardian published the full interview on Thursday, with Cucurella addressing both the mechanics of the move and the backlash from Barcelona supporters.
The fee, reported by Football Espana as £47.5 million fixed plus £4.3 million in add-ons, ties him to Los Blancos on a six-year contract running into the early 2030s. The agreement was finalised while Cucurella remained on international duty, a logistical quirk that, by his own account, suited everyone involved.
Cucurella explains his Real Madrid decision
Asked to describe how the transfer unfolded, Cucurella was unambiguous about the speed and the absence of any internal conflict. “It was all very fast,” he said. “I got a phone call one morning. My people told me the two clubs had the terms mostly agreed and that I had to decide if I wanted to go there. I had no doubts. It is a big step for me, very important in my career. It all happened in roughly a day and a half.”
That framing is notable because it removes any sense of a drawn-out saga – which, given that he had previously insisted he was happy at Chelsea, is clearly the impression Cucurella wants to leave. The speed also reflects the broader pattern of this window: Madrid moving quickly and decisively once a target is identified, with the bilateral negotiation effectively concluded before it became public knowledge.
The role of José Mourinho was a thread Cucurella returned to more than once. “Having a manager like Mourinho calling you and saying he can’t wait to work with you gives you a lot of confidence,” he said. “What I liked a lot is that he remembered a lot of things from the game I played against him for Chelsea against Benfica in the Champions League. He insisted that he believes I can add a lot to the team and the dressing room.” A manager doing his homework on a specific match to make a personal case is a recruitment tactic, but it is also a pointed signal of intent – and Cucurella received it as one.
Cucurella sends message to Barcelona fans
The more delicate passage of the interview concerned his La Masia roots. Cucurella joined Barcelona’s academy at 14, made just one senior appearance for the club, and rebuilt his career elsewhere – at Getafe, Brighton, and then Chelsea – before landing at the club Barcelona regard as their primary rival. He acknowledged the reaction without overstating it. “I have to respect everyone’s opinions. I am very thankful for everything I experienced in my career and what I learnt in La Masia. But there’s different chapters in life and I thought this was the right step for me. When Madrid comes for you, it is very difficult to say no.”
What Cucurella stopped short of saying is equally telling. He offered no apology, made no attempt to frame the move as anything other than a straightforward career decision, and declined to engage with the emotional weight Barça supporters might attach to it. The line about different chapters in life is doing considerable diplomatic work. He also noted that his wife Claudia and her family are Madrid supporters – a personal detail that reframes the move from betrayal to homecoming, at least within his own household.
What Cucurella’s arrival means for Real Madrid
Madrid’s signing of Cucurella is consistent with the approach Mourinho has taken since arriving: high-profile additions with immediate starting credentials rather than developmental acquisitions. The left-back position has been an area of squad discussion at the Bernabéu, and the context of Antonio Rüdiger’s recent contract extension suggests Madrid are actively consolidating their defensive core ahead of next season rather than leaving positions open. Cucurella arrives with four Premier League seasons behind him and a Spain international profile that requires no adjustment period at international level.
For Chelsea, the departure is another instance of losing a dependable starter – someone who had become a fixture rather than a fringe option. The £52 million return is substantial, but replacing a left-back of Cucurella’s consistency mid-window presents its own complications.
What next for Cucurella at Real Madrid
Cucurella will remain with Spain for the duration of their World Cup campaign before returning to Madrid for pre-season integration. The next meaningful development will be Mourinho’s first competitive selection, which will confirm where the Catalan fits within the defensive structure and how quickly he displaces any existing options at left-back.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 09: Chase Burns #26 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches against the San Diego Padres during the third inning at Petco Park on June 09, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Yankees continue their homestand this weekend after taking two of three games from the White Sox. Despite a sour ending on Thursday, it was a successful series, particularly for the Bombers offense, who scored double-digit runs in each of their victories. On Friday, they’ll welcome the Cincinnati Reds to town for three games of interleague action — though Cincy will be missing star shortstop Elly De La Cruz, who has been out with a hamstring strain since the start of June. Instead, they are led on offense by rookie first baseman Sal Stewart (who leads the team with 14 doubles and homers apiece), veteran Nathaniel Lowe, and most surprisingly, JJ Bleday.
Once the No. 4 overall pick of the draft by the Marlins in 2019, Bleday has floated around in underwhelming obscurity since debuting in 2022. A scalding-hot August 2024 with the A’s marked his only real highlight, and he regressed last year, forced to settle for a one-year deal with the Reds. He’s instead outplayed a more famous Cincy addition on a one-year contract (Eugenio Suárez), hitting .265/.367/.572 with 13 homers and a 153 OPS+ in 45 games. Now, much of that was driven by a 1.018 OPS in an NL Player of the Month-winning May, but he’ll still be a lefty eyeing the Short Porch at Yankee Stadium.
The Reds come to the Bronx with a 35-38 record, last place in a competitive NL Central division. Despite being one of the more competitively stagnant franchises in the league (their last three postseason appearances have ended in Wild Card round defeats), the Reds have still found a way to win three of four series from the Yankees since the schedule was changed to have all 30 teams play each other in 2022. The Bombers, who have been cruising of late, will look to rectify that odd trend. All three games of the weekend set will be televised on YES.
Friday: Cam Schlittler vs. Rhett Lowder (7:05 pm ET)
We were briefly reminded at the beginning of the month that Cam Schlittler is mortal, but that was three starts ago, and the two he’s twirled since have been excellent. Even as he hasn’t possessed pinpoint command in those recent starts, batters simply can’t square him up consistently. The Reds’ lineup was already a bottom-10 team by wRC+, and again, they will be without will be without De La Cruz. The pressure will be on the likes of Bleday and Stewart to figure Schlittler out.
The tribulations of Rhett Lowder (and of much of the Reds’ young arms in general) serve as a good reminder that pitching is…hazardous. The long-haired righty—one of two first-round selections out of Wake Forest that the Yankees will face this weekend—had a nice six-start run in the bigs near the end of 2024, but missed the entire 2025 season with a succession of injuries. The seventh-overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft got hurt again this May with a shoulder injury, and returned after missing a full month. He only threw three innings in his return, but improved in his most recent start with 5.2 innings of one-run ball against the Diamondbacks.
Saturday: Will Warren vs. Andrew Abbott (1:35 pm ET)
Warren celebrated his 27th birthday a few days ago. I hope the rest of the rotation gave him some nice presents. If they did, maybe he’ll have a little extra in the tank for this last start. Warren’s last two starts have been a little on the messy side, as he failed to complete five innings in each of them. However, he didn’t allow his opponents to put together any crooked numbers, and as a result the Yankees have won each of the last six games he has started. In fact, they’ve only dropped two games Warren has started all season!
For a Cincinnati team with tons of roster tumult and turnover from year to year, Andrew Abbott has been their most consistent face in the starting rotation. Since debuting in 2023, the 27-year-old lefthander has pitched to a 3.50 ERA in almost 500 career innings. He should get close to that milestone on Saturday night. Abbott hasn’t pitched quite as well this year as he did in 2025, when he made the All-Star team. The numbers have shown a higher susceptibility to walks and hard contact as well as a dip in strikeouts.
Sunday: Gerrit Cole vs. Chase Burns (1:35 pm ET)
Cole is five starts into his return from Tommy John surgery, and the results have been great so far. His last time out was a quality start in a blowout victory over the White Sox, the kind of six-inning low-fuss performance we often expect from him at bare minimum. Gerrit will get to reunite with one of his old Yankee batterymates, Jose Trevino, during this series. He’ll also face Suárez, a veteran he’s battled since his Pirates days.
Chase Burns is, in more than a few ways, the Reds’ equivalent to Cam Schlittler. Armed with an overpowering fastball and wipeout slider, Cincinnati’s No. 2 overall pick in 2024—who made his MLB debut against the Yankees last year—is taking the Senior Circuit by storm this season with a 2.01 ERA in 14 starts. Burns hasn’t typically pitched as deep into ballgames as Schlittler has, since his pitch counts tend to elevate quicker, but he has the highest strand rate (92.2 LOB%) of any qualified starter in the majors; a testament to how difficult he is to square up. His .191 opponent batting average is third in the league among that set, just ahead of Schlittler at .193. He may be young, but he’s already the staff ace.
Barcelona’s Snub Leaves Rashford’s United Future in the Balance
Marcus Rashford (28) is set to return to Manchester for showdown talks with INEOS hierarchy over his future at Manchester United, according to The Mirror, after Barcelona declined to trigger their £26 million buy option on the forward – leaving him in limbo heading into the summer and United no closer to shifting his £325,000-a-week wages off the books.
Rashford’s Barcelona spell had been widely expected to convert into a permanent deal. United had anticipated the Catalans exercising their option, but with the La Liga side now requesting a second loan rather than committing to a purchase, INEOS have run out of patience and are pushing for a clean sale elsewhere. Barcelona’s reluctance to commit permanently to Rashford has fundamentally altered the dynamic of his summer.
The background context matters here. Rashford has not featured for United since a Europa League appearance at Viktoria Plzen in December 2024, having been frozen out under Ruben Amorim before a loan spell at Aston Villa – where a £40 million buy option was also declined – preceded his move to the Camp Nou. Two loans, two clubs, two options not triggered. That pattern is now shaping how the market reads United’s asking price.
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Rashford’s position and what INEOS must decide
The talks, expected to take place after the World Cup, will force both parties to confront a standoff that has no obvious clean resolution. Rashford has little interest in returning to first-team duties at Old Trafford, having made clear he wants a permanent move abroad. Despite Michael Carrick replacing Amorim and publicly leaving the door open to a Rashford return, the player’s own position – per The Mirror – is that his long-term future is best served elsewhere.
INEOS’s stance is equally firm in a different direction. As Rashford’s £40 million release clause effectively excludes Liverpool, City, and a United return, the pool of credible buyers is narrowing sharply. The Reds have blocked moves to Manchester City and Liverpool on competitive grounds, Arsenal have cooled their interest, and Bayern Munich cannot meet his wage demands. Fabrizio Romano has consistently reported that INEOS hold firm on the £40 million valuation – a figure that looks increasingly at odds with what the market will actually bear, given Barca had contractual access to him for £26 million and still walked away.
What INEOS are not saying publicly is arguably more telling than what they are. There has been no executive statement softening the asking price, no trial balloon about a further loan, no named suitor confirmed. In transfer negotiation terms, that silence either signals genuine confidence that a buyer will emerge – or a reluctance to publicly accept that the valuation needs revisiting. Alas, the gap between those two positions may only become clear once the post-World Cup talks actually happen.
What a Rashford exit would mean for United’s rebuild
The financial incentive for United is substantial and straightforward. Rashford came through the academy, meaning any sale registers as pure profit under PSR accounting. Getting £325,000 per week off the wage bill simultaneously unlocks budget for reinforcements out wide – with Crysencio Summerville, Iliman Ndiaye, and Yan Diomande all reported as targets for the left flank.
Omar Berrada has been unambiguous about United’s summer transfer discipline, and his message on the club’s approach to this window makes clear that wage structure is a central consideration in every piece of business. Carrying Rashford’s contract into 2026-27 while also funding new arrivals would create exactly the kind of bloated cost base INEOS are trying to dismantle.
Interest from Turkey and Saudi Arabia exists, but Rashford’s preference is to continue playing at the highest European level – and that preference comes at a cost that limits his options considerably. Fenerbahce are reported to be preparing a bid in the region of £35 million, which would fall short of United’s stated valuation even if Rashford could be persuaded to move there.
What happens next
The post-World Cup summit will set the parameters: whether INEOS blink on the £40 million figure, whether Rashford’s camp accept a move outside the top five European leagues, or whether a third loan structure – which INEOS have already signalled they are not interested in – somehow gets back on the table. PSG retain genuine reported interest, and Bayern Munich’s position could shift depending on their own summer outgoings.
It remains to be seen whether INEOS’s insistence on a full sale at their valuation finds a willing buyer before the window closes, or whether a summer of failed options forces both parties into a compromise neither has yet publicly acknowledged they are prepared to make.
The 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico will see a historic milestone in FIFA’s history reached.
The tournament is now in full swing, and the group-stage matches are coming thick and fast.
On June 20, Japan and Tunisia are set to face off in a Group F clash, and that game will be the 1,000th World Cup tie in FIFA’s history.
Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Referee gifted a special shirt to mark 1,000th FIFA game
FIFA have appointed Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs to take charge of the 1,000th match.
Ahead of the tie, the organisation have presented the official with a special Adidas match shirt that features gold sleeve stripes and a ‘Match 1000’ patch to mark the historic moment.
FIFA Chief Refereeing Officer and Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee Pierluigi Collina has also commented on the milestone.
In a statement on the organisation’s website, he said: “We selected the referee that we think is the best referee for this match. And of course, by coincidence, he is also appointed for the 1,000th match.
“So, for him, it is something extra, something special on top. Refereeing a FIFA World Cup match is always a huge privilege, it’s a great honour.
“Certainly, becoming part of the history of football – part of the history of the FIFA World Cup, being appointed to and being on the field of play to officiate the match number 1,000 is definitely something extra.
“We decided to create a special match kit to celebrate this match and it’s a nice one with some golden details; stripes and a patch with the trophy and the number 1,000 on it.”
FIFA’s first World Cup took place all the way back in 1930 and saw Uruguay emerge as the winners.
During that tournament, the first two matches were played at the same time. One saw France beat Mexico 4-1 and the other saw the USA beat Belgium 3-0.
Cameron Young entered the US Open among the favorites given his superb efforts on the PGA Tour in 2026.
Young has two wins to his name this season, behind only the three of Matt Fitzpatrick, with 12/12 cuts made so far.
But he now finds himself in a tie for 49th at the US Open after a tricky first round, where many of his fellow top players also struggled in the difficult conditions.
Young carded a two-over 72 on Thursday at Shinnecock Hills, leaving him eight shots behind early leader Wyndham Clark.
And while he has every chance of making a quick recovery on day two of the US Open, he did experience big struggles in a particularly key area.
Cameron Young already struggling in one area at the US Open
Young can certainly take comfort from the fact that he is joined on two-over by several top players, including fellow Americans Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele.
But he will likely be concerned about his putting.
Young recorded a Strokes Gained: Putting figure of -2.54, which ranks him among the worst players in the field in that area.
In stark contrast, Clark and Sepp Straka lead the way with their total of +4.
Moreover, Young’s average number of putts of 1.92 is also well off Preston Stout’s leading figure of 1.43.
It’s certainly nothing new for the world number three, who entered the US Open ranked 62nd for SG: Putting on the PGA Tour in 2026, as well as 85th for putting average.
Of course, the wind has made the greens at Shinnecock even more difficult, with Young certainly not the only player to have faltered with his putter on Thursday.
Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Cameron Young can take big positives at Shinnecock despite putting woes
While he hasn’t been performing with his putter, Young can take plenty of confidence from his efforts elsewhere.
Most notably, he’s ranked behind only Sahith Theegala in the entire field for his SG: Approach total of +2.94, while his SG: Tee-to-Green figure of 3.79 ranks him fifth.
There is, therefore, clearly plenty for the American to build on as he prepares for his second round alongside Brooks Koepka and Chris Gotterup in the afternoon wave.
First, however, leader Clark is one of 50 players who must return to Shinnecock early to finish their first rounds after they were suspended due to darkness.
It’s the eve of the 2026 NCAA Men’s College World Series. If you’re anything like me, it can be a bit overshadowed in large part because of two different things. One: the Wisconsin Badgers don’t have a baseball team. Or two: The Milwaukee Brewers are on.
It’s easy not to know what’s going on at the MCWS or even the college baseball front, but what’s even easier is to forget some of the current and former Brewers players that have made an impact in Omaha over the years. Let’s take a drive down memory lane and look at what the stars of today were doing yesterday.
Ryan Braun – Miami Hurricanes (2003 and 2004)
Out of all the Brewers players that have appeared in Omaha, Braun is at the top of this list. He quickly made a name for himself his freshman season as he was named National Freshman of the Year and first-team Freshman All-American by Baseball America. That season with the Hurricanes, Braun finished with a .364 batting average and 17 home runs, breaking the freshman RBI record with 76. In 2003, the Hurricanes’ run was short, as they lost in the opening round to Texas, 13-2. They rebounded with a 7-5 win against Southwest Missouri State before losing to Texas again in the second round of the elimination bracket.
In 2004, Braun came back to Cape Coral and was even better, despite playing through injuries. In 45 games, Braun smashed 10 home runs with 45 RBIs and led the team with 21 stolen bases. The Hurricanes had a similar result to the year prior as they won in the opening round before losing in rounds two and three. The Brewers would have to wait another year until they drafted Braun No. 5 overall in the 2005 MLB Draft.
Pat Murphy – Arizona State Sun Devils (1998, 2005, 2007, & 2009)
Before winning back-to-back National League Manager of the Year honors, Murphy had a powerhouse rolling in Tempe, Arizona. Throughout his time with the Sun Devils, her racked up a 629-284-1 record while reaching the MCWS four different times, including three times in six years.
In 1998, Murphy led his team to three straight wins before losing in the finals of the tournament. In that final, the Devils lost 21-14 to USC, and yes, that’s a baseball score. He’d have to wait a handful more years before reaching the same stage again in 2005. They were bumped down to the elimination bracket after losing their first game of the tournament. From that point on, they rattled off three straight wins before Florida won the decisive game two of their series to eliminate the Sun Devils. The 2007 campaign was a much shorter trip to Omaha as they won their opening round before losing their next two games. In his final trip to the MCWS in 2009, the Sun Devils won their first two games of the tournament before being eliminated by Texas in the semifinals.
Brandon Woodruff – Mississippi State Bulldogs (2013)
Other than Pat Murphy, Woodruff is the only other current Brewers player to have been in the MCWS. The 2013 season was a heartbreaking one for the MSU Bulldogs, a year that resulted in them losing in the final game of the tournament. Woodruff threw just 18 2/3 innings in his sophomore campaign and finished with a 4.32 ERA but unfortunately did not appear in a game while they were on their trip to Omaha.
Taylor Jungmann – Texas Longhorns (2009 & 2011)
Jungmann, the prospect that never quite panned out after a phenomenal rookie season. The Brewers’ former first-round pick was one of the best pitchers in all of Division I baseball at Texas. In three years, he pitched in 36 games, posting a 1.79 ERA while striking out 255 batters in 261 innings. In 2009, Jungmann and the Longhorns made it all the way to the finals before being eliminated in game three by Louisiana State. In the win-or-go-home game two of the series, Jungmann went and threw a complete game, striking out nine batters while only one run crossed the plate. In 2011, it was a short run for the Longhorns as they were eliminated after just two games.
Ethan Small – Mississippi State Bulldogs (2019)
Much like Jungmann, Small was another top pitching prospect that didn’t quite work out for the Brewers. But he is the most recent Brewer to have appeared in the MCWS. In 2019, the Bulldogs won their first game before running into the buzzsaw that is Vanderbilt in the second round of the tournament before ultimately losing to Louisville in the elimination bracket. In the opening round of the tournament for the Bulldogs, Small was handed the ball and went five innings, allowing three runs and striking out eight batters.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 19: Alex Vesia #51 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on during the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on May 19, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Yuichi Masuda/Getty Images)
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The Los Angeles Dodgers attempted to shore up their only real roster weakness from last season by acquiring All-Star closer Edwin Diaz.
Shortly into his tenure with the team, though, Diaz was sidelined with a significant injury. Initially, it seemed like the other relief options were going to fill in for him without much of a problem, but that effectiveness has suddenly been called into question.
Los Angeles Dodgers Relievers Endure Brutal Stretch After Key Injury
“The bullpen entered Sunday with a 6.71 ERA since ending that scoreless streak on May 25,” the Los Angeles Times’ Maddie Lee noted earlier this week. “Only the (San Francisco) Giants and (Colorado) Rockies produced a worse mark over that stretch. None of the Dodgers’ relievers have been dominant in recent games.”
Though the Dodgers should have several high-leverage arms to fill in for Diaz, virtually all of their relief options have struggled lately.
“Tanner Scott has been credited with three saves but also two losses,” Lee added. “Kyle Hurt’s ERA has risen from 0.60 to 4.22. (Jack) Dreyer, who went 10 straight games without giving up a run before landing on the injured list with left shoulder discomfort, has surrendered five home runs in seven appearances since returning on May 31.”
For a club with championship aspirations, every stumble draws scrutiny. And few areas have drawn more criticism than a relief corps that went from one of baseball’s hottest units to one struggling to protect leads and close out games.
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Alex Vesia Offers ‘DFA’ Response Amid Struggles
As the Dodgers bullpen sees its fortunes turn, one key piece has now responded to fans’ growing anxiety.
Calls for the team to take some drastic action with its underperforming pitchers evidently irked veteran reliever Alex Vesia, who decided to send a response through the media.
“We clicked off 40-something (scoreless innings) then we had a couple tough ones and online everybody is supposed to get DFAed,” Vesia said on Wednesday, according to The Orange County Register’s Bill Plunkett. “We believe in our guys in here. I certainly do. We’re going to have ups and downs but I think it helps us grow so at the end of the day that adversity right now will help us in the postseason.”
Though Vesia made a rational point about ignoring the more drastic solutions proposed by some fans during the stretch, it isn’t too hard to imagine the Dodgers’ three-peat championship aspirations being derailed by a struggling bullpen.
Even with a stellar starting rotation and a lineup of superstar hitters, a World Series can be lost if the Dodgers remain liable to cough up leads in the final innings. And if the team can’t fix its bullpen woes sooner or later, some members might be designated for assignment.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
WEST POINT, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 11: Kadin Schmitz #19 of the Charlotte 49ers reads the offense during the first half of a football game against the Army Black Knights at Michie Stadium on October 11, 2025 in West Point, New York. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
2025 record: 1-11
2025 postseason: did not qualify
In 2025, 132 of 136 FBS teams won multiple games. The Charlotte 49ers were one of four programs to fall into the other undesirable category. Charlotte stumbled to a 1-11 finish, needing a game-winning touchdown with 90 seconds left to collect its lone victory over FCS Monmouth.
The 49ers entered the season with a glimmer of hope, bringing in head coach Tim Albin immediately after he guided the Ohio Bobcats to their first MAC championship since 1968. Instead, the already-struggling program produced its worst finish since joining the FBS ranks in 2015. Charlotte struggled from the get-go, but external factors only made things worse. By the team’s sixth game of the season, its availability report listed 12 players out for the season, including a slew of key starters.
The end result of a nightmare season: Charlotte was 133rd in scoring offense, 131st in scoring defense, 133rd in total offense, 135th in total defense, and 135th in scoring differential. Look up any stat, and there’s a good chance you can find the 49ers near the basement of the FBS rankings.
But there is one significant positive: 2026 is a new year. Charlotte is 0-0. Albin has familiarity with the program. The injury bug cannot get much worse. Factoring all this in, how far can Charlotte climb out of the cellar this fall? Since joining the FBS 11 years ago, the 49ers only have one winning season — a 7-6 finish in 2019. Now we’ll see how much new history can be created this fall for the young program.
Staff
Tim Albin is back for year two in Charlotte after spending 20 seasons at Ohio (16 as offensive coordinator, 4 as head coach). When Albin made his first move in two decades, he signed a 5-year deal through 2029. The deal closely resembled the one given to his predecessor Biff Poggi, who signed a 5-year deal two years prior. However, Poggi was axed 10 games into his second season after compiling a 6-16 record — a sign that Charlotte is eyeing a quick turnaround in the American Conference despite its past struggles. Thus, tangible progress is a must for Albin and his staff.
There is coordinator continuity in all three phases. Todd Fitch remains the offensive coordinator, Nate Faanes retains his role as the defensive coordinator, and Brian Haines is back as the special teams coordinator, and that continuity could pay dividends with less time working on installs in spring ball and fall camp.
Notable staff changes include the promotion of Tre’ Bell from cornerbacks coach to defensive backs coach and the hire of Victor Cabral as defensive ends coach (last served as West Virginia’s outside linebackers coach in 2024). The remainder of the position coaches stay intact from 2025 to 2026, giving Charlotte one of the more stable staffs in the American.
Offense
Statistic
Total
American Rank (of 14)
National Rank (of 136)
Points Per Game
14.3
14
133
Total Offense
285.8
14
133
Passing Yards Avg.
204.0
10
94
Completion %
59.2
11
96
Rush Yards Avg.
81.3
14
134
Sacks Allowed Avg.
2.33
12
t-102
Turnovers
23
13
t-124
Key arrivals: QB Cole Gonzales, RB Chance Williams, RB Khamani Alexander, WR Jaden Barnes, WR Cam Pedro, WR Zyheem Collick, WR Tank Boston, TE Lane Wadle, TE Logan Mauldin, C Luke Sandy, C Nic Cruji, G J’ven Williams
Key departures: RB Rod Gainey Jr., WR Javen Nicholas, WR Sean Brown, WR E. Jai Mason, WR Justin Olson, WR Jayden McGowan, WR Miles Burris, C Jonny King, G Mo Clipper Jr., G Dallas Shirley, G Mason Bowers, OT Jesse Ramil, OT Tyler Gibson
Key incumbents: QB Conner Harrell, QB Grayson Loftis, RB Henry Rutledge, RB Jariel Cobb, TE Gus McGee, OT Kristos Fernandez
Charlotte returns three offensive starters — the quarterback (whether that’s Conner Harrell or Grayson Loftis), tight end Gus McGee, and offensive tackle Kristos Fernandez. Extensive turnover isn’t necessarily a bad thing when the offense struggled mightily last year, averaging the fourth-fewest points and fourth-fewest yards in the FBS. In what has been a theme in each of the last four seasons, most of the 49ers’ starters are likely new portal arrivals.
Quarterback is one position Charlotte must decide between experienced incumbents and a portal addition. The 49ers retain Harrell and Loftis but also add Pitt backup quarterback Nick Gonzales to the roster. Harrell was QB1 to start last year and produced a 26-of-30, 382-yard, 3-touchdown stat-line in the 49ers’ lone victory over Monmouth. However, one week later, he tore his ACL and both menisci in his left knee while also suffering an MCL sprain. The recovery process extended through spring football, and although he moved without a brace in spring drills, the extent of his recovery for the Sept. 5 opener remains a mystery.
Loftis, who started five games for Duke in 2023, stepped in and started seven of Charlotte’s final eight games, posting 1,415 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and eight interceptions on a 55.2 completion rate. While Loftis has familiarity with the system, Gonzales is another option the 49ers could lean on. Prior to his one-year stint at Pitt, Gonzales produced back-to-back 2,500+ passing seasons as a starter at FCS Western Carolina, highlighted by an efficient 28-to-7 touchdown to interception ratio in 2023.
The running back room is still searching for a bellcow. Henry Rutledge (who suffered a season-ending lower body injury in September) and Jariel Cobb are among the returning tailbacks vying for more utilization in the offense. Charlotte also brought in two FBS portal backs in Chance Williams (Cincinnati) and Khamani Alexander (Appalachian State), who totaled 35 and 50 rushing yards in 2025, respectively.
Wide receiver was Charlotte’s strongest position group in 2025, but the 49ers are forced into a massive reset losing each of their top four receivers (Javen Nicholas, Sean Brown, E. Jai Mason, and Miles Burris) as well as the experienced receivers who suffered early-season injuries (Justin Olson and Jayden McGowan). Charlotte restocked well with App State’s receptions and receiving touchdowns leader Jaden Barnes (55 receptions, 608 yards, 7 TD in 2025), who dominated the 49ers’ secondary with 134 yards in the 2025 opener. The 49ers also consulted the FCS ranks, where they found Cam Pedro (814 yards at SE Missouri State) and Zyheem Collick (670 yards at Bryant). NC State transfer Tank Boston could also witness an exponential increase in production after seeing limited snaps in Raleigh.
Although there is a horde of experienced receivers, tight end is the group that possesses the most relative experience in the offensive two-deep. Gus McGee started nine games last fall and serves as the team’s returning leader in receiving yards. To further improve the room, the 49ers also added Georgia State’s backup tight end Lane Wadle and seventh-year senior Logan Mauldin, a former Coastal Carolina commit that gained significant playing time at FCS McNeese.
Offensive line will need refurbishing with versatile tackle Kristos Fernandez as the only starter back in the equation. Interior linemen Jonny King and Mo Clipper Jr. are the major losses here, and Charlotte targeted the interior the hardest in the portal. Luke Sandy accrued three seasons of experience at Wyoming and logged three starts at center during the Cowboys’ 9-4 campaign in 2023. Maine starting center Nic Cruji and Penn State reserve guard J’ven Williams are other notable faces that join the interior, hoping to fortify a run game that ranked third-to-last in rushing yards per game and yards per attempt in 2025.
Key departures: DE Braden Mullen, DT Zion Shockley, ILB Shay Taylor, OLB Reid Williford, CB Dwight Bootle II, CB Thai Baldwin, FS Ja’Qurious Conley, FS Cary Grant, SS Randy Franklin, SS Treyveon McGee
Key incumbents: DE Jaylon Johnson, DE Curtis Simpson, DE DJ Burgess, DT Jamarrion Solomon, DT Macyo Williams, ILB Gavin Willis, OLB Kadin Schmitz, CB CJ Clinkscales Jr., SS Collin Gill
Charlotte finished 131st last year in points allowed per game and struggled in a variety of defensive metrics. Every opponent managed at least 20 points, six opponents scored at least 35, four dropped at least 48, and offensive juggernauts North Texas and South Florida piled 54 points apiece on the struggling 49ers.
Tim Albin and defensive coordinator Nate Faanes engineered elite defenses in their two years working together at Ohio, so translating what worked in Athens to Charlotte is now this coaching staff’s principle task.
Four defenders that started at least seven games in 2025 return to the Queen City in 2026 — defensive end Jaylon Johnson, defensive tackle Jamarrion Solomon, outside linebacker Kadin Schmitz, and cornerback CJ Clinkscales Jr. Johnson and Solomon will be key cogs up front in the 4-2-5 defense, contributing 20 and 29 tackles, respectively, last year. Charlotte also returns a pair of defensive line starters who played sparingly in 2025 due to season-ending injuries — defensive end DJ Burgess who played one game and sixth-year senior Macyo Williams who suited up in four contests. Curtis Simpson, who ranked second on the team in sacks (2.5) and first among returning players, is also back in the fold, giving Charlotte an established foundation up front. If there’s a silver lining to all the injuries, the 49ers’ d-line has a lot more bodies with experience heading into 2026.
Linebacker was unquestionably the top position group on defense last season, and Reid Williford and Shay Taylor are massive losses. Kadin Schmitz, one of the Bobcats that followed Albin and Faanes from Ohio to Charlotte, should emerge as the new leader of this group. The outside linebacker ranked second on the 49ers with 66 stops last year, and he played a hand in the turnover battle with two picks and two forced fumbles (the only returning player that intercepted a pass last year). Gavin Willis, a two-game starter that accrued 54 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss, is the seamless fit next to Schmitz at linebacker. Charlotte didn’t add any transfer linebackers, so that’s a position group that must grow organically via new recruits and returning backups, with Stellan Bowman (who transferred in from Ohio prior to 2025) as a particular name to keep an eye on.
Just like all areas of Charlotte’s defense, the secondary needs serious work after allowing 272 passing yards per game in 2025, warranting a national ranking of 131. Starting cornerback CJ Clinkscales Jr. is back after registering 40 solo tackles, and he’ll be the veteran leader in a unit that broke up the fourth-fewest passes in the FBS and logged only seven interceptions last year. Nickel Collin Gill is the other experienced face in the room after tacking on 35 tackles as a reserve. Some of the transfers joining Clinkscales and Gill in the secondary are seeking increased opportunity in a new setting. Those transfers include cornerback Jameel Croft Jr., who played 11 career games at Kansas, and safety Shamar McIntosh, who participated in six at Maryland — both arriving with three collegiate tackles on their résumés.
Special Teams
Statistic
Total
American Rank (of 14)
National Rank (of 136)
Field Goals Made
9
14
t-122
Field Goal %
75.0
t-10
t-76
Extra Point %
100.0
t-1
t-1
Punting Avg.
41.7
11
96
Kickoff Return Avg.
24.9
1
16
Punt Return Avg.
10.4
3
45
Key arrivals: LS Henry Searcy
Key departures: K Liam Boyd, PR Javen Nicholas
Key incumbents: K Aiden Bui, P Bronson Long, KR Derrick Eley, KR Henry Rutledge
Relative to the rest of the FBS, Charlotte’s best attribute is probably its kick return game. The 49ers excelled last year with Derrick Eley handling duties, and he cashed in 18 attempts for 501 yards, highlighted by an 88-yard touchdown vs. UTSA. Charlotte also returns Henry Rutledge who ranked third in the entire FBS in kick return yards in 2024 before a knee injury limited his 2025 campaign to two games. Charlotte should be as lethal as anyone in the American in the return game, but other areas of special teams come with questions.
Aiden Bui is the only kicker listed on the roster after Liam Boyd transferred to Michigan State. Bui has yet to kick an extra point or field goal in a college uniform, and Charlotte hopes to make the kicking game more of a focal point after finishing 9-of-12 last season.
Charlotte averaged more punts per game than anyone in the FBS last year at 6.1, and while returning Bronson Long is a positive for the team, the 49ers hope to keep him sidelined more with an improved offense. Long allowed the 49ers to finish seventh in total punting yards and second in punting yards per game, booting a long of 59 in his first full season as the starter.
Schedule and Outlook
Week
Opponent
Date
1
vs. The Citadel (FCS)*
Sat, Sept. 5
2
@ Ole Miss*
Sat, Sept. 12
3
@ Appalachian State*
Sat, Sept. 19
4
vs. Louisiana*
Sat, Sept. 26
5
vs. Memphis
Sat, Oct. 3
6
@ North Texas
Sat, Oct. 10
7
@ Temple
Sat, Oct. 17
8
BYE
9
vs. Tulane
Fri, Oct. 30
10
@ UAB
Sat, Nov. 7
11
vs. East Carolina
Sat, Nov. 14
12
@ Tulsa
Sat, Nov. 21
13
vs. Navy
Sat, Nov. 28
14
American Conference Championship Game
Sat, Dec. 5
Charlotte opens its 2026 campaign against FCS competition, which could be helpful for building confidence after a 1-11 season. The 49ers are slated to be heavy favorites over The Citadel, paving an ideal pathway to match their 2025 win total before Labor Day.
The schedule significantly ramps up the following week with a trip to Ole Miss — one of the semifinalists in last year’s College Football Playoff. The odds are heavily stacked against the underdog 49ers in that matchup, but they can take comfort in returning to their home state for the next three weeks, which feature a road game at App State and home matchups vs. Louisiana and Memphis.
Charlotte’s conference schedule features a slew of difficult home games. Memphis, Tulane, East Carolina, and Navy are the programs visiting Jerry Richardson Stadium this year. The 49ers’ road lineup of North Texas, Temple, UAB, and Tulsa may be an easier slate to find wins.
The theme of the 2026 season for Charlotte is progress. While every school wants to compete for conference titles, jumping from 1-11 to the American Championship in one season is an arduous task. But climbing to the 5-6 win mark would show massive strides for a program seeking its second winning season in history. A good model to follow would be that of Kent State, which jumped from 0-12 to a competitive 5-7 last year. With staff continuity, better health, and new portal additions, Charlotte hopes to replicate — or even surpass — that level of progress.
Evan Neal isn’t the only underperforming offensive lineman drafted by the New York Giants who is receiving a second chance from head coach John Harbaugh. Josh Ezeudu is in the same situation.
Ezeudu, in fact, might have a better chance of making the roster than Neal.
A 2022 third-round pick who turns 27 in September, Ezeudu has had a rocky tenure with the Giants. Drafted as a guard with positional flexibility, Ezeudu could not win a starting job at guard in his first two training camps.
Out of necessity, Ezeudu ended up playing mostly left tackle in 2023 and 2024 as a substitute for the injured Andrew Thomas. Things did not go well in either stint. Last season, Ezeudu suffered a training camp ankle injury. Despite eventually getting healthy enough to play, he never made it to the active roster.
Fans wondered a year ago why Ezeudu was still getting preseason reps at tackle rather than being allowed to compete for a job at his natural guard spot. When he was offered a chance to join the 90-man roster and compete for a job, the initial thought was that new head coach John Harbaugh and new offensive line coach Mike Bloomgren would move him inside.
That has not been the case. Ezeudu lineup up almost exclusively at right tackle during spring practices that were open to the media.
“I think guard and tackle is very possible,” Bloomgren said at the end of mandatory minicamp. “We’ve tried to leave him to tackle as much as possible through this offseason program, and that’s where we’re planning to start him in training camp.”
The Brian Daboll coaching staff, with Carmen Bricillo as offensive line coach, seemed insistent that Ezeudu was a tackle despite his failings at the position.
Harbaugh and Bloomgren seem to believe the same thing.
Except for a couple of workouts he missed with an elbow issue, Ezeudu worked throughout the spring as the second-team right tackle. Neal worked almost exclusively as a third-team guard, with the third group receiving fewer practice reps.
“Josh has done some very good things,” Bloomgren said. “And when he’s putting it together footwork-wise, hand placement-wise, you see why they drafted him in the first place.
“And you realize that this guy has a lot of potential, and that’s exciting.”
Ezeudu has played 402 snaps at tackle and 317 at guard, but has played just 28 snaps at guard since his rookie season in 2022.
The Giants have second-year player Marcus Mbow penciled in as their primary swing tackle, the role he filled last season. Ezeudu could be competing with rookie sixth-round pick J.C. Davis for a roster spot. If the Giants decide Davis isn’t ready to be on the 53-man roster, or Ezeudu’s ability to play four positions in an emergency is too tantalizing to pass on, he could emerge with a roster spot.
🤩Vozinha and his match against Spain, straight out of anime
For all lovers of Supercampeones or Captain Tsubasa, this animation of Cape Verde’s goalkeeper against Spain is pure gold.
Four days have passed since one of the most impressive performances of this World Cup so far. Vozinha has burst right into the football spotlight, and in some style.
In honor of his historic display against Spain, and in true Captain Tsubasa fashion, a recreation has been made of a performance that definitely got under the skin of the Spanish players.
An impressive animation that also revisits personal moments from the Cape Verde goalkeeper’s life, featuring his grandparents and the message that you should never give up.
In 2004, the Peace Match between Brazil and Haiti went beyond football
In 2004, the Peace Game between Brazil and Haiti transcended football Credits: CBF Archive
Of the three matches in history between Brazil and Haiti, who face each other this Friday (19) in the second round of the World Cup, the 2004 friendly known as the “Peace Game” stands out from the others for its importance off the field. At the time, the Caribbean nation was going through a period of political instability following the removal of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
In response to this scenario of economic and social crisis, the United Nations (UN) created the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). The initiative aimed to restore order and contain guerrilla groups. MINUSTAH was coordinated by Brazil.
For the Peace Game, the national team went to Sylvio Cator Stadium, in Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince, in UN armored vehicles, accompanied by a crowd of HaitiansCredits: CBF Archive
In this context, the Brazil national team was invited to play a friendly against the home side. On August 18, 2004, the Seleção delegation landed in the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, just a few hours before the match, and headed to Sylvio Cator Stadium in UN armored vehicles, accompanied by a crowd.
As Brazil scored all six goals in the 6-0 win, the fans in attendance erupted with joy. Ronaldinho Gaúcho scored three, Roger Flores two, and Nilmar one. In the squad coached by Parreira were also world champions Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo, Roque Júnior, Gilberto Silva and Belletti. The match was Brazil’s first after winning the Copa América title against Argentina on penalties.
Under the motto “Social justice is the true name of peace,” the match eased tensions in Haiti for a brief moment and brought joy and football to the local population.
Ronaldinho Gaúcho scored three goals in the 6-0 rout of Haiti in the Peace Game on August 18, 2004Credits: CBF Archive
Memories of Juan Santos
Now the technical coordinator of the Brazil national team, former center back Juan Santos was one of the players called up for the Peace Game and recalled memories of this iconic friendly. Among his most striking memories are the connection with Haitians in the streets and the affection the population showed for the Seleção.
"It was a very emotional match, because of everything that game involved. The country (Haiti) was in a civil war, the army was on the streets. I remember that we arrived on the day of the match, under escort, and went to the stadium in war tanks. But we could also see what was happening in the country, all the poverty. We were very happy that, on that day, we could bring joy to those people, who wanted to see the Brazil national team, and give something back with a spectacle for 90 minutes and provide peace of mind, during the time we were in the country, for people who were going through a difficult moment," he recalled.
"We were very anxious and curious to know what would happen, because we knew the country was experiencing a war. But from the moment we arrived, we felt very safe and interacted a lot with the people. The first instruction we received was to stay inside the tanks, but later we all got on top, interacted with the people, and saw that Brazilian football is deeply loved in Haiti, which had been waiting for that moment. They were able to forget a little about the war they were living through and enjoy that moment with the Brazil national team," he added.
Juan Santos and Ronaldinho Gaúcho put on their boots for the Peace Game between Brazil and HaitiCredits: CBF Archive
Other matches
Brazil and Haiti faced each other for the first time on April 21, 1974, at Hélio Prates da Silveira Stadium, the former name of Mané Garrincha Stadium, in Brasília, where the Seleção won 4-0 with goals from Paulo Cézar Caju, Rivellino, Marinho Chagas and Edu.
The most recent meeting came in the Copa América Centenario on June 8, 2016. At Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Brazil cruised to a 7-1 win. Philippe Coutinho (3), Renato Augusto (2), Gabriel Barbosa and Lucas Lima found the net. Among the 26 players called up by Carlo Ancelotti for this year’s World Cup, Alisson, Marquinhos and Casemiro played in that match. Douglas Santos and Fabinho were also part of that squad, but did not take the field against Haiti.
Casemiro in action during the 7-1 rout of Haiti at Camping World Stadium in Orlando in the Copa América Centenario on June 8, 2016Credits: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF
See the list of matches between Brazil and Haiti:
1) 04/21/1974 – Brazil 4 x 0 Haiti – Hélio Prates da Silveira Stadium, in Brasília – Friendly
Goals: Paulo Cézar Caju, Rivellino, Marinho Chagas and Edu
2) 08/18/2004 – Brazil 6 x 0 Haiti – Sylvio Cator Stadium, in Port-au-Prince – Peace Game
Goals: Ronaldinho Gaúcho (3), Roger (2) and Nilmar
3) 06/08/2016 – Brazil 7 x 1 Haiti – Camping World Stadium, in Orlando – Copa América Centenario
Goals: Philippe Coutinho (3), Renato Augusto (2), Gabriel Barbosa and Lucas Lima
Check out more photos from the Peace Game:
Haitians welcomed the Brazil national team in Port-au-Prince with a great celebrationCredits: CBF Archive
In 2004, the Peace Game between Brazil and Haiti transcended football Credits: CBF Archive
Roberto Carlos watches the crowd of Haitians who welcomed the Brazil national team for the Peace Game in 2004Credits: CBF Archive
Haitians welcomed the Brazil national team in Port-au-Prince with a great celebration for the Peace GameCredits: CBF Archive
Haitians welcomed the Brazil national team in Port-au-Prince with a great celebrationCredits: FIFA
For the Peace Game, the national team went to Sylvio Cator Stadium, in Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince, in UN armored vehicles, accompanied by a crowd of HaitiansCredits: CBF Archive
For the Peace Game, the national team went to Sylvio Cator Stadium, in Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince, in UN armored vehicles, accompanied by a crowd of HaitiansCredits: CBF Archive
For the Peace Game, the national team went to Sylvio Cator Stadium, in Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince, in UN armored vehicles, accompanied by a crowd of HaitiansCredits: CBF Archive
In 2004, the Peace Game between Brazil and Haiti transcended football Credits: CBF Archive
Haitians welcomed the Brazil national team in Port-au-Prince with a great celebrationCredits: CBF Archive
Haitians welcomed the Brazil national team in Port-au-Prince with a great celebrationCredits: CBF Archive
The offseason has not been kind to the Oregon Ducks so far.
The baseball program has lost young stars Angel Laya, Naulivou Lauaki Jr. and Burke-Lee Mabeus to the transfer portal in quick succession. And, unfortunately, they might not be the last players to make that decision.
The Ducks rode a strong pitching staff and a nucleus of impact freshmen to the Austin Super Regional, where they were swept by Texas. On the doorstep of Omaha, the future looked bright for Oregon baseball. Since then, the roster has been decimated.
To put it simply, football is king at Oregon, and rightfully so. The brand is massive and has a ton of different big donors to support it, making Oregon one of the most feared programs on the recruiting trail and when it comes to nabbing the nation’s best players out of the transfer portal.
If college sports are divided into the hunters and the hunted, then Oregon football is undoubtedly one of the best hunters in the game. Every other Duck sport, though, may be closer to the other camp.
Part of that has to do with revenue, and available money for name, image, and likeness. Oregon received $48.4 million from the Big Ten this past year as part of the partial revenue-sharing agreement, since the Ducks are still new members of the conference. That agreement is in place until 2030, when Oregon will qualify for a larger share. According to ESPN, "Other full members received between $76.01 million and $79.87 million."
Some of that money goes right back into the football program as a way to continue elevating the brand, bringing in better players, and keeping coaches under contract. The rest of that chunk of money goes into the non-revenue sports, like baseball. With half a share right now, it can be easy for the other programs to fall behind and fail to retain top talent.
While football can survive on its own and still gets a large portion of the revenue share, other sports in Eugene, most notably baseball and men’s basketball, have suffered. Dana Altman’s program saw a mass exodus through the transfer portal, and now Mark Wasikowski’s team is experiencing something similar, despite a deep postseason run.
Altman put it best when asked about all the transfers. There is a budget that the programs need to watch for. That’s where they differ from football.
“We did not pull anybody’s scholarship," Altman said. "Everybody had their scholarship, and it would have been renewed. But we are working within a budget, and some guys were gonna lose their NIL, either totally or taking a reduction. Big reduction.”
The Oregon brand is strong, but football is doing the heavy lifting. To keep that up, football requires a major share of the revenue pie. Now we're seeing the negative ramifications of that.
Who's Next?
Wasikowski could lose more stars this offseason. Brayden Jaksa is the lone impact freshman remaining amongst the trio, and after the news of Mabeus’ transfer, he could be the starting catcher next season. Will Sanford and Tanner Bradley would certainly draw interest from bigger programs. Are they next to look for the door?
Possibly. The simple fact is that the players are looking out for themselves, and rightfully so. There is no such thing as loyalty in college sports when massive bags of cash are being thrown around. The SEC has some of the best baseball programs in the country because of its donors, and these programs can support larger NIL deals.
Some of the West Coast programs, like Oregon and Oregon State, can’t keep up. The Beavers lost pitcher Trey Morris to Florida, where Beavers pitching coach Rich Dorman also fled this offseason. The likely landing spots for Laya, Lauaki and Mabeus are somewhere in the SEC, as well.
Whether it’s for the NIL deal or for a better shot at increasing their draft stock, that’s why some of the top talent on West Coast programs, like Oregon, are leaving for the South. There may be something going on behind the scenes in the clubhouse in Eugene, but there is no evidence to suggest that right now.
It’s frustrating for the Ducks to come just a step short of the program’s first College World Series since 1954, only to see the roster essentially fall apart in the weeks that followed. We’ve seen this happen in football, basketball and other college sports. Baseball is finally having its turn. The Ducks are feeling the heat in a way they aren’t used to.
Wasikowski has been good at hunting for gems on the margins in the transfer portal, and there is no reason to think he can’t do it again. Oregon has another promising recruiting class, headlined by outfielders Isaiah Hearn and Andruw Giles. The Ducks just need to make sure they survive the MLB draft and make it to campus.
Hope on the Horizon?
The tide could be changing, however. MLB proposed an overhaul of the amateur draft system, including removing high school players from the draft and making college players eligible after their sophomore year. That could push the development of baseball’s future stars to the college ranks, rather than the minor leagues.
While there could be some issues with that for the players, teams like Oregon would benefit from a recruiting perspective, with talent being more widespread, and it could help define a window of contention enough to allow coaching staffs to better prepare for the transfer portal chaos.
No matter how the roster shakes out for Oregon next season, it will be hard not to feel like the Ducks are missing out on another year of development and production from a talented crop of young players who blossomed this season. It also drives home a hard truth: While Oregon may be at the top of the food chain in college football in terms of talent acquisition, other programs in Eugene are closer to the middle, watching helplessly as the SEC picks away at the meat of their roster each offseason.
There just isn't an easy answer at the moment.
Maybe when Oregon gets a bigger share of the Big Ten media deal, the Ducks can better support their other programs and their NIL budgets. Or it will go to football, doubling down again on the biggest revenue driver in town.
Time will tell, but for now, Wasikowski and the Ducks will be scrambling to fill out a competitive roster to make another run in the Big Ten next season.
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Grimaldo agrees to join Atletico Madrid from Bayer Leverkusen
Atletico Madrid appear to have stepped up their interest in signing Bayer Leverkusen’s Alex Grimaldo.
According to Marca, the Spanish capital club have agreed personal terms with the 30-year-old left-back over a summer move.
It is now up to Atletico to reach an agreement with Leverkusen, who are demanding around €15 million for the Spaniard, as per the report.
Since joining Leverkusen in 2023, Grimaldo has made it clear on several occasions that he would like to return to Spain before the end of his career.
With the 31-year-old having just one year left on his contract, now would be a logical time for Die Werkself to sell if he doesn't want to sign an extension.
Wyndham Clark did all of his scoring Thursday, but needed a few pars Friday to wrap up a 6-under 64 in Round 1 of the 126th U.S. Open.
Clark was 6 under par through 16 holes, four shots clear of the field when play was suspended Thursday night at Shinnecock Hills, which endured a two-hour fog suspension near the start of the championship.
Clark returned Friday morning to par the eighth and ninth holes, his 17th and 18th, to shoot the lowest first-round score ever at a Shinnecock Open. It was the second-lowest score in any U.S. Open round at this venue, one shy of Tommy Fleetwood's closing 63 in 2018.
It was also the second time Clark has shot 64 to open the Open. The last time? 2023 at LA Country Club, where he won.
Players did, however, gain a little ground in the early-morning hours. Dustin Johnson, the 2016 U.S. Open winner, collected a couple of birdies to shoot 4-under 66. Gary Woodland, the 2019 champ, finished at 3 under alongside 2022 winner Matt Fitzpatrick.
Jon Rahm, yet another former champ (2021), parred his final 10 holes to shoot 2-under 68.
The second round was well underway by the time the first round wrapped. Clark teed off roughly a half-hour after signing his card.
MJ Kamson-Kamara says Hearts are getting an "aggressive" no-nonsense defender after he arrived from Lincoln City.
The centre-back agreed a pre-contract deal in May and is now ready to start pre-season with the club.
The 20-year-old spent last season on loan at Glentoran in Northern Ireland, playing 31 times and scoring five goals, after a previous spell on loan in England's lower leagues.
"I'd like to say I'm an aggressive, front-footed defender that just loves to defend, loves to block the ball and just loves to be aggressive," he told Hearts' website.
"Lincoln were good with me. They sent me on loan from the age of 17, playing at non-league sides, getting that experience of men's football, which I thought was really important instead of playing youth football.
"I learned a lot of lessons, made mistakes. It was vital for my career so far.
"I can't wait to meet everyone now. A lot of good players with good experience. I can't wait to learn from them and just get better and better.
"It's going to be amazing to be going across Europe and playing against massive teams, massive fans, massive stadiums."
Lexie Hull is known for doing the little things that help the Indiana Fever win games. Whether it's locking down opposing guards, diving for loose balls or knocking down timely 3-pointers, Hull has become one of the most important role players on one of the WNBA's most popular teams.
But before Thursday night's showdown against the Atlanta Dream, it wasn't Hull's defense or hustle that had fans talking. Instead, it was her arrival outfit.
The Fever guard quickly became one of the biggest talking points on social media after photos of her pregame look began circulating online. Hull arrived at Gainbridge Fieldhouse wearing an all-black ensemble that immediately caught the attention of Fever fans.
The outfit featured a fitted black mini dress with intricate lace sleeves and a textured floral design that created a stylish sheer effect. The look was elegant, confident and hard to miss. And fans certainly noticed.
Fever fans couldn't stop talking about Hull's latest look
The Fever routinely share pregame arrival photos on social media, and Thursday's post generated plenty of attention. While stars like Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham often generate headlines for their fashion choices, this time many fans were focused on Hull.
The reaction was immediate.
Things such as "gorgeous" and "killing out" were pretty common responses to the post
Others praised the confidence and style Hull displayed as she walked into the arena ahead of one of Indiana's biggest games of the season.
The comments continued pouring in as fans highlighted everything from the outfit itself to Hull's growing reputation as one of the Fever's most fashionable players.
While the pregame attention centered on fashion, Hull's importance to the Fever goes far beyond social media. The fourth-year guard remains one of the most trusted players in Indiana's rotation. Her willingness to defend the opposing team's best perimeter players and contribute without needing the ball has made her a perfect complement alongside Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell.
Hull entered Thursday averaging 5.9 points and 4.1 rebounds per game, but those numbers don't fully capture her impact. Indiana's coaching staff regularly relies on her energy, defensive versatility and basketball IQ in crucial moments. That's why Hull continues to earn heavy minutes despite playing alongside several All-Stars.
Another viral moment for the Fever
The Fever have become one of the most talked-about teams in professional sports, and nearly every game now generates headlines before the opening tip. Thursday was no different.
Clark's signature shoe debut generated plenty of buzz, but Hull managed to carve out a viral moment of her own. For a few hours before Indiana and Atlanta took the floor, fans couldn't stop talking about the Fever guard's head-turning arrival. And judging by the reaction online, Hull's latest fashion statement may have been one of her biggest off-court wins of the season.
The infusion of talent to the Bengals defense has been a major talking point of the offseason in Cincinnati, but the impact of the team's moves isn't only being felt on the field.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said at a press conference this week that the leadership on the defensive side "has really expanded" over the last few months. The Bengals signed players like Jonathan Allen, Bryan Cook and Boye Mafe before trading for Dexter Lawrence in a move that Taylor believes fits right into that trend.
"I think just to lead by example, you know, instead of saying things and not being around," Taylor said. "He’s been here front and center. I don’t know if he’s really left since the day he showed up in the trade. It’s just really good to have veteran leadership like that — that’s been in the building, been around, has experienced a lot of things over the seven years he’s been in the league."
Missing the playoffs for three straight years has led to much grumbling about the Bengals' direction, so the off-field leadership will need to translate to on-field improvement in order for Taylor and others to feel secure about where they'll be in 2027 and beyond.
The Daily Merengue is a place where you can feel free to d all things football. Do not be alarmed by the overt RMCF bias. It’s in the name! Shoutout to the mods who do a fantastic job, Ezek, Valyrian Steel, Felipejack, Juninho, NeRObutBlanco and yours truly, Kung_Fu_Zizou
Real Madrid are at it again with rumours abound about the potential signing of the latest galactic, one Michael Olise who has lit up the stage after his move from Crystal Palace to Bayern Munich. The frenchman has quickly risen to be recognised as the best RW in the game.
Real Madrid love an eye-catching signing, they love a big narrative signing and a statement to remind the world that Bernabeu remains host to the pinnacle of football.
🚨 BREAKING: In recent days, Real Madrid talked about MICHAEL OLISE in CLUB MEETINGS.
He REMAINS the DREAM of Florentino Pérez.
Bayern’s position is the SAME and they want to RENEW him.
Toni Kroos heaps praise on Jude Bellingham. We’ve all seen Jude in dominant form, playing like a highlights package. That’s what he does when he’s on it. One of the best things about Jude is that when he’s not on it, he’s never a passenger. A player who simply refuses to be carried when he still has his legs underneath him.
🚨 Toni Kroos: “Jude Bellingham is one of the most COMPLETE midfielders in the world.
Jude knows himself. How wonderful it must be to have a player who needs no extra motivation. He doesn’t need Al Pacino or Micky from the Rocky movies. It’s inside of him. The belief and the drive are what takes him from unmistakable talent to one destined for greatness.
🗣️ Jude Bellingham: “One of the biggest things I tell myself before going out on the pitch is ‘No one’s asking you to do anything you haven’t done before’.
But you had to have done that before to be able to say that to yourself.
Michael Olise would be a welcome signing and arguably the most audacious attempt ever made by Real Madrid. Bayern Munich are the old enemy in Europe. They are also notoriously good at keeping hold of their most prominent players as every big club should be. They allowed Toni Kroos to slip away into the hand of the Bernabeu 12 years ago. They’ve fended off Real Madrid many times before for the likes of Schweinsteiger and Franck Ribery. This is what makes this potential move for Michael Olise one of the most daring manoeuvres by Florentino Perez. I do not expect anything to come of it this summer. Of course once Real Madrid come calling.. It’s usually only a matter of time.
Man City close in on Elliot Anderson as deal nears final stage
Manchester City are closing in on the signing of Elliot Anderson.
According to Fabrizio Romano, a deal for the Nottingham Forest midfielder is now in its final stages. The England international is set to undergo a medical in the United States while on World Cup duty.
The transfer expert was clear on the state of play. “Manchester City are confident to get Elliot Anderson deal done, now at the final stages after work behind the scenes,” Romano posted on X.
“New round of talks to take place for the English midfielder who would undergo medical in the US before joining if all goes to plan.”
Manchester City close in on Elliot Anderson as deal nears final stage
The fee looks set to be enormous. Forest rejected a package worth around £106m plus £15m in add-ons, with owner Evangelos Marinakis holding out for as much as £130m.
Any agreement would rank among the most expensive deals in British football history.
City’s need is pressing. Bernardo Silva has left for Real Madrid, and incoming manager Enzo Maresca wants fresh energy in an ageing midfield.
Anderson’s ability to drive forward from deep makes him the ideal fit, and he is expected to become Maresca’s first signing.
The 23-year-old has only strengthened his case in North America. He impressed in England’s 4-2 win over Croatia, underlining the qualities City have chased for months.
He is also understood to favour the move.
Tuchel has already given the green light for a mid-tournament medical, clearing the way for City to complete a deal before pre-season begins in July.
Barcelona close to completing their second signing of the summer
Barcelona are close to completing the signing of young Racing Santander defender Jorge Salinas, in what would be the club’s second summer arrival.
According to SPORT, Barça have managed to move ahead of the competition thanks to the player’s desire to wear the Blaugrana shirt.
The interest around Salinas is widespread. Newcastle, Bologna, PSG, Eintracht Frankfurt, Atletico Madrid, Porto and Bayer Leverkusen have all been linked with the 19-year-old Spaniard.
The clause question is key
The main issue now is the release clause. Racing Santander believe it stands at €8 million, but this is where Barça are looking at options.
Salinas set to join. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
The club are trying to avoid paying the full amount and are exploring a formula that could include one of the reserve-team players moving to Racing on loan, which may be attractive for the Cantabrian side as they prepare for life in a higher division.
That is smart from Barça. The club need young defensive talent, but every euro still matters. If they can reduce the cash cost while offering Racing a useful loan piece, this could become a sensible deal for all sides.
A first-team pathway matters
Salinas has accepted the idea of joining Barcelona after learning the club’s plan for him. He would do pre-season under Hansi Flick and receive a first-team licence.
That matters because Barcelona are not just selling the brand here. They are selling a project to the teenager.
Moving fast in the market. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Salinas is young, left-footed, physically interesting and has already shown that he can contribute in attack, including seven assists this season for Racing.
His arrival would not mean Barcelona have abandoned their interest in Joao Cancelo. That is important. Cancelo remains a separate operation because of his versatility and immediate starting role.
Salinas would be a different kind of move: a high-upside signing for the present and future. If Barça close it, it will be yet another feather in Deco’s cap as he continues to make waves in this transfer window.
Tottenham Hotspur among the clubs interested in a move for Kevin Denkey
Tottenham Hotspur have joined the highly competitive race to sign FC Cincinnati’s powerhouse striker Kevin Denkey. The North Londoners are closely tracking him as an optimal attacking option to add robust depth and elite physical presence to their attack. Spurs manager Roberto De Zerbi could really do with a new source of goals at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after Richarlison, Dominic Solanke and Randal Kolo Muani combined for 15 league goals last season. Denkey’s immense stock explosion follows an incredible development arc that took flight during a highly successful stint with Cercle Brugge in Belgium before culminating in a record-breaking move to FC Cincinnati.
Since joining Cincinnati as a Designated Player in January 2025, the forward has scored 31 goals in 54 matches across all competitions. His combination of raw aerial dominance, clinical finishing, and hold-up play highlights that he possesses the required attributes to cope in the Premier League. With Denkey tied to a long-term contract running through December 2028 with a further club option, Cincinnati hold immense leverage and are prepared to demand a profit sum on their original investment to sanction a summer departure.
The MLS outfit are reportedly seeking around €15 million. Furthermore, Spurs will face significant continental competition in the race for the Togo international. Real Betis have also entered the fray, identifying Denkey as a priority target to bolster their attacking department. Alongside Spurs and Betis, Serie A heavyweights Napoli and Lazio, and Ligue 1 side Lille are also keen on a move, potentially setting up an auction for the Major League Soccer star.
The annual Sack Summit, a gathering of NFL pass rushers that takes place each summer, has added one of the greatest pass rushers of all time to this year's event.
Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor will be in attendance, the Sack Summit announced. This year's festivities will take place in Las Vegas July 9-11.
Von Miller started what was originally called the “Von Miller Pass Rush Summit” in 2017, and it has grown into a major event for NFL linebackers and defensive linemen. Maxx Crosby and Cam Jordan now run the event along with Miller.
Among the NFL players who have committed to attending this year are Cowboys linebacker Rashan Gary, Buccaneers defensive end Calijah Kancey, Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen, Jaguars defensive tackle Arik Armstead, Bengals defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, Panthers linebacker Jaelan Phillips, Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker, Buccaneers linebacker Rueben Bain and Colts defensive end Laiatu Latu.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have made one of the biggest moves of the NHL offseason, acquiring defenseman Darren Raddysh from the Tampa Bay Lightning in a sign-and-trade agreement.
NHL insider Pierre LeBrun reported on X that Toronto and Tampa Bay were finalizing a deal involving the pending unrestricted free agent.
LeBrun wrote, “Confirming that Toronto and Tampa Bay are finalizing a sign-and-trade involving pending UFA Darren Raddysh. Hearing that it will be an eight-year deal with an AAV in the 8’s (north of $8 million).”
The move signals a major shift under new general manager John Chayka. After a disastrous 2025-26 season, Toronto entered the summer searching for a legitimate top-pair defenseman.
Raddysh fits that description after a breakout campaign with Tampa Bay. The 30-year-old recorded 22 goals and 48 assists for 70 points in 73 games while averaging 22:41 of ice time.
His 22 goals established a new Lightning franchise record for a defenseman. He also led all NHL blueliners with 10 power-play goals.
Why are the Toronto Maple Leafs willing to pay?
Insider Marco D’Amico reported that the Maple Leafs viewed Raddysh as a top-pair option. He noted that completing a sign-and-trade allowed Toronto to secure an eighth contract year and potentially keep the cap hit below $9 million.
D’Amico later acknowledged the risk involved.
“Now, you can argue whether signing a 30-year-old to an 8-year deal is wise,” D’Amico wrote. “But Toronto absolutely needed to add a player with top-pair experience and didn’t have the assets to trade for it upfront. Interesting gamble of cap space and a draft pick.”
That assessment reflects the reality facing the organization. Toronto finished last in the Atlantic Division with 78 points and allowed 299 goals, ranking near the bottom of the league defensively.
So, Raddysh addresses several weaknesses immediately. He brings a right-handed shot, elite puck movement, power-play production, and the ability to handle heavy minutes.
His arrival also eases pressure on Morgan Rielly and strengthens a blue line that lacked offensive support. Toronto’s power play struggled after Mitch Marner‘s departure, making Raddysh’s point-shot threat especially valuable.
There is long-term risk attached to an eight-year commitment for a player entering his thirties. Still, Chayka inherited a roster with glaring holes and limited trade assets.
For a team desperate to re-establish credibility, Raddysh represents a calculated gamble and perhaps the answer Toronto has been searching for on defense.
Chad Gable is finally wrestling as himself after more than year as a masked luchador. (Credit: Craig Melvin/WWE via Getty Images)
WWE via Getty Images
WWE has caught lightning in a bottle with Chad Gable, but will the company actually capitalize on a golden opportunity?
In early 2025, Gable, whose had his fair share of ridiculous gimmicks in the past, undertook yet another one as “El Grande Americano.” Despite widely being considered one of the world’s best in-ring performers, Gable was left to perform as a faux luchador in a storyline that largely served comedic purposes.
When Gable underwent shoulder surgery in the summer of 2025, he was replaced temporarily by Ludwig Kaiser, who donned the El Grande Americano mask and gimmick. After missing roughly half a year of action, Gable ultimately returned to WWE at the 2026 Royal Rumble, doing so as the “Original El Grande Americano” and igniting a storyline against Kaiser in a “Battle of the Americanos,” if you will.
Little did WWE know that it had struck gold with a gimmick that had been set up to be midcard comedy fodder.
The storyline between the two Americanos, taking place largely on WWE’s satellite lucha libre-focused brand AAA, reached its climax at AAA’s Nocha de Los Grandes earlier this month. That’s when AAA delivered a Mask vs. Mask match between Kaiser and Gable under the “Americano” masks. The match, won by Kaiser, forced Gable to reveal himself as the Original El Grande Americano and was widely and heavily praised by critics across the pro wrestling landscape.
The Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer (h/t Cageside Seats) broke the traditional five-star scale and gave the instant classic a whopping 5.75 star, writing, “This was the best AAA match I’ve ever seen, arguably the best WWE match and a top tier match of all-time.” On CageMatch.net (h/t Sports Illustrated), fans instantly rated the match as a 9.67 out of 10, instantly catapulting it into the top 20 all-time.
Now, WWE is finally taking notice of Gable and his potential to be a main event star. According to a report from WrestleVotes Radio (h/t NoDQ), some WWE officials are advocating for Gable to receive a strong push immediately: “There is a strong internal push within WWE to feature Gable in a significant way. There is reportedly support for Gable to have a prominent role at SummerSlam 2026, as the event is scheduled to take place in his hometown of Minneapolis.”
Since Gable’s unmasking as Americano, he has turned babyface on Raw, where he’s been receiving massive crowd reactions after the incredible work he did in the Americano storyline. In addition, the bidding for his Americano mask on Fanatics blew away WWE officials. That seemingly would guarantee a monster push for Gable on WWE’s main roster, but the company’s history suggests that’s far from a sure thing.
Just recently, WWE fans have watched the company drop the ball with stars like LA Knight, Rusev, Drew McIntyre and essentially the entire men’s tag team division, just to name a few. In other words, there’s no such thing as a sure thing for Gable, despite his long-running reputation as an incredible in-ring performer and one of WWE’s most underrated and unappreciated stars.
The key, of course, is to strike while the iron is hot, which hasn’t been WWE’s strong suit in the Triple H-led creative era. Triple H has, oftentimes to the company’s detriment, played the long game with red hot storylines, waiting so long to pull the trigger on a major turn, title change or character development that it doesn’t have the same impact once he finally does.
That could happen with Gable too, but it shouldn’t.
As Gable, realizing his faults as the heel Americano, has been embraced by the same luchadores he once mocked, he’s quickly gotten over as one of WWE’s top fan favorites. What that should lead to is Gable defeating Penta, one of the greatest lucha libre stars of all-time, for the prestigious Intercontinental Championship at SummerSlam.
That’s a title Gable should have won two years ago and never did, so it would be a full circle moment if and when he finally captured IC gold. That title has recently been held by the likes of Gunther (who had a record-breaking reign), John Cena, Sami Zayn, Bron Breakker and Uso. It’s not a world title, of course, but it’s a potential stepping stone to bigger and better things for Gable.
The former Americano would instantly be presented as a top-level star if and when he ended Penta’s impressive IC title reign in front of his hometown fans at one of WWE’s flagship PLEs. From there, WWE could continue to portray Gable as a top babyface, elite in-ring worker and main eventer on par with the likes of Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns and CM Punk.
That’s a tall task and not necessarily a likely one, but given Gable’s soaring popularity, the least WWE can do is try.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
Former prop Paul James won 66 caps for Wales [Huw Evans Picture Agency]
Wales have appointed Paul James as the national team's permanent scrum coach.
The 44-year-old former Ospreys and Bath prop, who won 66 caps for Wales, previously took on the role on a temporary basis during the 2026 Six Nations following a training injury to Duncan Jones.
Prior to joining Steve Tandy's backroom staff, James had been coaching with Ospreys since December 2018 and was scrum and set-piece coach for Wales Under-20s in 2021.
James will work closely with Danny Wilson who has responsibility for the lineout and contact area.
Currently with Ospreys, James will start his new role with Wales this summer as the squad prepares for the inaugural Nations Championship which kicks off in July.
"I've loved my time at Ospreys and Swansea but this is an incredible opportunity and it's a huge honour to be joining the Wales coaching team," James said.
"It was great to work with Steve and the group during the Six Nations and I can't wait to get back in and build on that."
James will also coach players outside of international campaign windows to continue their development and progression.
During his international career, James played at the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cups and featured in the 2012 Grand Slam and 2013 Six Nations Championship successes.
He also made 232 appearances for Ospreys, second on the all-time list for the club, winning four league titles and the EDF Energy Cup.
Tandy said: "It was impressive how quickly Paul got up to speed at short notice during the Six Nations and we're excited to have him with us now full-time.
"Paul is a great coach and I know he will give his all to help accelerate the development of our young squad."
Wales face Barbarians on 27 June before Nations Championship games against Fiji, Argentina and South Africa.
MotoGP is not currently holding any discussions over adding further street circuits to the calendar, with the series stressing that Adelaide will remain a standalone case for the foreseeable future.
Earlier this year, the championship sparked a major debate by announcing that Adelaide will replace the popular Phillip Island Circuit as the venue for the Australian Grand Prix in 2027.
The proposed event will see the next-generation 850cc bikes racing around the city centre and Victoria Park, on a site previously used by Formula 1 from 1985 to 1995.
Following initial concerns from fans about rider safety at a fully urban venue, MotoGP had already clarified that the Adelaide project didn’t mark a shift to broader city-based tracks.
Now, MotoGP SEG sporting director Carlos Ezpeleta has reiterated that position, revealing that the series is not discussing the possibility of replicating that concept in other cities at present.
“There are two very distinct sorts of scenarios,” Ezpeleta told select media at Brno.
“One is Buenos Aires, which is a huge opportunity for us with an urban population of 14 million people, and a permanent circuit in the centre of that.
“That is easier than something like Adelaide, where there's a specific geographical feat about the city where they can build something and take it down.
“With regards to Adelaide, we're not having any other conversation like that at the moment.
Carlos Ezpeleta, Dorna Sports
Carlos Ezpeleta, Dorna Sports
“The world has to sort of see what that looks like, and it's an incredible opportunity also for MotoGP to showcase that it is possible.
“We're really, really excited, but we're not having any other conversations like that.”
Under new owner Liberty Media, MotoGP is pushing on bringing the series closer to fans, with the addition of both the Adelaide street circuit and the revamped permanent track in Argentina’s capital city a part of the same strategy.
Separately, Liberty is also exploring the possibility of bringing MotoGP to Miami, which has become an important commercial destination for F1.
MotoGP is indeed holding discussions to race at the Miami Autodrome in the long term, but Ezpeleta clarified that he doesn’t view the Florida venue as a bona fide street circuit.
“I consider Miami and Adelaide very different,” he said, referring to the temporary circuit built around the Hard Rock Stadium.
The FSU softball team has landed another transfer, receiving a commitment from former Tennessee Lady Vols infielder Ella Dodge. The rising junior announced the news Friday on social media.
Dodge spent three years at Tennessee, playing in 120 games and making 113 starts over the final two years after redshirting in 2024. She will have two seasons of eligibility for the Seminoles and is from Bradenton, Florida.
She finished the 2026 seaon hitting .285 with 13 doubles, 11 home runs, and 46 RBI. She walked 30 times and struck out 24 times, stealing 11 bases in 14 attempts. Dodge played third last season and will have a shot to do the same for FSU after Jaysoni Beachum entered the transfer portal.
She is ranked as the No. 10 overall player and No. 4 middle infielder in the transfer portal by Softball America. She has a 94.00 grade. Beachum is the No. 3 overall player with a 97.00 grade.
Dodge hit .244 in 2025 with seven doubles and seven home runs in 135 at-bats. She finished with a .346 on-base percentage and a .481 slugging percentage. She made 10 errors in her time in Knoxville, recording a .967 fielding percentage.
She is the second transfer that FSU head coach Lonni Alameda has signed this offseason, and the second infielder. The Seminoles already have a commitment from Nicole Edmiaston, who had a breakout junior season at Stetson playing first base.
LONDON (AP) — Nos. 9 and 11 batters Matthew Fisher and Sonny Baker frustrated New Zealand and reduced England's deficit on the third morning of The Oval test on Friday.
New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry claimed a five-wicket haul thanks to three sharp catches in the first 35 minutes. England was 238-9 then and New Zealand would have expected to be batting long before lunch.
But Fisher, in his second test, and Baker, on debut, with no test runs between them, stubbornly refused to follow the script. Their every run was cheered on by a packed, sun-baked crowd.
Fisher led with 48 of their 53 runs together but Baker resisted 35 deliveries for his 4. On the 36th, Baker edged Kyle Jamieson to second slip five minutes before lunch and England's first innings was finally over at 291, trailing New Zealand by, still, a healthy 100 runs.
When the last pair of Fisher and Baker started together, England was 153 behind. To that point, New Zealand had exceeded expectations.
Jordan Cox added five runs to his overnight 22 then was out trying to casually flick Henry past Tom Latham at midwicket. As England's last senior batter, Cox's soft dismissal seemed to be a serious blow to getting close to New Zealand's total.
Only the England tail was left.
Jofra Archer was out to an incredible catch by wicketkeeper Tom Blundell up at the stumps, and Josh Tongue was caught on a second attempt, one-handed, by Nathan Smith falling backwards.
Henry, New Zealand's senior seamer, was reduced by back spasms to a spectator in the first test at Lord's but roared back here with his seventh test 5-for, and sixth 5-for in his last 12 tests.
Fisher almost ran himself and Baker out early in their stand but settled. His sixth boundary brought up his fifty off 77 balls and drew the crowd to their feet 10 minutes before lunch. He was stranded there when Baker gave Jamieson his first wicket of the innings.
CAIRO, EGYPT - MAY 23: Oleksandr Usyk goes head to head with Agit Kabayel after beating Rico Verhoeven in their WBC World Heavyweight Title during the Glory in Giza - Fight Night at The Pyramids Of Giza, on May 23, 2026 in Cairo, Egypt. (Photo by Mark Robinson/Getty Images). | Getty Images
Oleksandr Usyk and Agit Kabayel might be fighting next, after the bout was finally, officially ordered by the WBC.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman says that the two have until June 30 to come to an agreement for a fight, after which it will go to purse bid. So not too long now. They have until then to hammer out a deal without purse bids.
“We’re just waiting for them to negotiate and hopefully the fight will happen as soon as possible, and we continue with this great run in heavyweight boxing,” Sulaiman told Betway. “[Team Usyk] have always known that the mandatory was the one that they requested at the convention. I have not had any communications after we ordered the fight. But it’s exciting. There are many, many great fights that can be happening.”
This does not mean the fight will actually happen. Usyk (25-0, 16 KO) has proven willing to give up title belts in order to go after bigger money fights with someone else. He’s done it once with the IBF title in 2024 and once with the WBO title this year. Both times, Daniel Dubois wound up winning the vacated belt.
Kabayel (27-0, 19 KO) won the interim WBC title in February 2025, beating Zhilei Zhang via sixth round knockout. He defended successfully on January 10 in Germany, stopping Damian Knyba in the third round in front of what may have been the best, loudest boxing crowd of the year in Oberhausen, Germany.
Money man Turki Alalshikh — who would probably win an Usyk vs Kabayel purse bid, either directly or through a middle man “promoter” — seemed to prefer doing Usyk vs Kabayel next, following Usyk’s win over Rico Verhoeven in Egypt, but there has also been a push for a Verhoeven rematch. If a rematch with Rico is significantly more money or Usyk just feels like “setting the record straight” with that matchup, he could give up the WBC title, which would be interesting because the WBC were the most supportive sanctioning body with the Usyk vs Rico fight, giving their sanction without any hemming and hawing.
The WBA eventually sanctioned the fight for their title, too, but the IBF did not. The IBF could also decide to strip Usyk, in theory, if he were to chase a Rico rematch, as they have made their stance clear. Whether the WBC would actually go through with making Usyk defend against Kabayel or vacate — which would likely see Kabayel “elevated” from interim to full titleholder status — also remains to be seen, because Sulaiman and the organization like to stay pretty fluid with these various situations, but they also may have been too direct in this case to keep Kabayel at bay any longer.
Le’Veon Bell didn’t mince words. The former NFL All-Pro running back recently went on a livestream rant, explaining his frustrating experience while trying to audition for Kai Cenat’s Streamer University in Los Angeles. Despite his stature, the 34-year-old chose to enroll like a normal applicant rather than pull some strings, but things didn’t go according to plan.
Now, former NFL MVP Cam Newton has given Bell a blunt reality check on his podcast, claiming that it was all about “acceptance” for the former running back.
Cam Newton Questions Le’Veon Bell’s Need for Validation
It’s not an experience Bell is used to. To prove his dedication, the Ohio native waited six to seven hours, hoping to audition for Kai Cenat’s Streamer University 2026. However, despite his patience being tested to the limit, the former Pittsburgh Steelers running back was not even granted the opportunity to meet Cenat or present his résumé.
What followed was an angry rant on a livestream, in which Bell said that big streamers act as if they are above regular people.
However, the former NFL MVP was not having it. Issuing a blunt reality check on the “4th&1 with Cam Newton” podcast, the former Carolina Panthers quarterback said, “You (Le’Veon Bell) mad that he didn’t pick you, boy. But why would you give a person that much stronghold over like your feelings?
“Let’s just be honest, Le’Veon. You played in front of 80,000, 90,000, 100,000. You expecting one person to make your life better. You said it’s not about the streaming university check. Yes, it is. It’s about acceptance.”
Urging Bell to take matters into his own hands, Newton went on to say, “Yes, it should have lit a dog on fire up under you because now start your own streaming university. Start your own running back university.”
Streamer University is a popular, multi-day creator bootcamp hosted by Cenat, where aspiring content creators compete to live and collaborate. The in-person auditions are known to be chaotic, with stops like Atlanta being shut down earlier than expected due to overwhelming crowd sizes.
Bell isn’t the only high-profile name that Cenat has turned down. Celebrities like Soulja Boy have also been turned away in the past after he threatened to beef with Cenat if he wasn’t allowed to attend the event, leading him to announce his own Rapper University.
As for Bell, it remains to be seen whether he will take Newton’s advice. While the former running back’s livestream may have been aimed at Streamer University, many believe it revealed a much bigger underlying issue. As “Super Cam” suggested, one closed door typically shouldn’t lead to this much frustration, and the reaction hints that the rejection itself may not have been the real issue.
Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever didn't get the result they wanted Thursday night against the Atlanta Dream, but the Fever star was already generating plenty of buzz long before tipoff.
As has become routine throughout her second WNBA season, Clark's arrival at Gainbridge Fieldhouse quickly became a talking point on social media. This time, it wasn't just because she was carrying her highly anticipated Nike signature shoes.
The Fever guard showed up wearing a cropped sweatshirt from her Nike collection that featured the phrase "Shoot More Threes," revealing her toned midsection and drawing immediate reactions from fans online.
The WNBA shared photos and video of Clark's arrival ahead of Indiana's matchup with Atlanta, and fans wasted little time flooding the comments section.
Many supporters focused on Clark's confidence and style, while others couldn't help but notice the athletic physique that has helped make her one of the league's most dynamic stars.
Comments ranged from "She has the most aura in this league" to fans jokingly demanding the sweatshirt for themselves. Several users specifically pointed out Clark's abs, with reactions quickly piling up across social media.
The viral moment came as Clark continues to be one of the most recognizable athletes in American sports. Whether it's her on-court performances, signature shoe rollout, or pregame fashion choices, the Fever star consistently finds herself at the center of conversation.
Clark's arrival generated even more attention because she was carrying her new Nike signature sneaker, the Caitlin 1.
The blue colorway is expected to be released later this year and represents another major milestone in Clark's rapidly growing partnership with Nike. The launch has been one of the most anticipated shoe releases in women's basketball and further highlights her impact on the sport.
Even before stepping onto the court, Clark had already become one of the biggest storylines of the night.
Fever's winning streak comes to an end
The social media buzz surrounding Clark's arrival eventually gave way to game action, where Indiana saw its four-game winning streak snapped by Atlanta.
Clark entered the contest averaging 20.4 points and 8.3 assists per game while helping guide the Fever near the top of the WNBA standings. She remains tied for the league lead in assists and continues to be one of the driving forces behind Indiana's resurgence this season.
While the Fever couldn't extend their streak Thursday night, Clark once again proved that she can command attention both on and off the court.
For many fans, the conversation started well before the opening tip, thanks to a cropped sweatshirt, a pair of signature shoes, and another viral Caitlin Clark entrance.
May 30, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz (15) celebrates his three-run home run while wearing a welding hood in the dugout against the Minnesota Twins during the second inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Major League Baseball’s first All-Star ballot was released at the beginning of the week and the Pittsburgh Pirates have four position players receiving serious votes.
Darren Yuvan already covered Nick Gonzales being a top five vote getter for the National League’s third base spot, but in addition to him is teammates Oneil Cruz, Spencer Horwitz, Konnor Griffin and Brandon Lowe. Cruz has the 17th most votes for NL outfielders, while Horwitz has the sixth most votes for first basemen, Griffin has the ninth most votes for a shortstop and Lowe has the sixth most votes among NL second basemen.
Lowe currently leads all Pirates All-Star candidates with total votes as after the phase one ballot he already has 271,221. Lowe is off to a hot start to the season at the plate with 18 homers on the year as “Bam Bam” has made a great impression on Pittsburgh in his first year with the club. Lowe has been named to the American League All-Star team twice in his career.
RUN: A broken-bat single by Brandon Lowe scores Jared Triolo in the second inning. It followed a Triolo single and another Spencer Horwitz double. Pirates, 4-0 — From José Negron in Sacramento, Calif.pic.twitter.com/7BG9U78aip
Cruz and Griffin are both missing significant time with injuries as the All-Star ballot continues, but they still find themselves receiving serious votes from fans. It’s well known the kind of freakish performances that Cruz can put on in any given game. He’s constantly rewriting record books in the stat cast era as his notorious power routinely tears baseballs apart. Not only is he off to a hot start with 14 homers and 21 steals, Cruz is also having his most efficient season at the plate as well. Cruz currently has a .264 average and an .822 OPS. Cruz has never been named to an All-Star team but was a participant in the Home Run Derby in 2025.
Griffin in his rookie season has had his share of ups and downs but there’s no doubt that he has the potential to be the future of the league. Even with his rookie struggles he was looking like he was turning a corner prior to his injury. With four homers already on the year, Griffin is primed to have a big return once he’s cleared from injury.
Griffin has made great strides in his rehab and believes he can reach another level once fully healthy.
“I’m a .900 OPS guy,” Griffin said. “That’s what I did all last year. I feel like I can continue to improve my walks, staying gap-to-gap, hitting doubles and homers and just using the power and the skills that I’ve shown throughout the Minor Leagues. I can show them at this level. It takes a full year to do that. I’m ready to get back and keep rolling.”
Starting in an MLB All-Star Game as a rookie put a player in rarified air. The Athletics’ Jacob Wilson was the latest rookie to see action in an All-Star Game when he was selected in 2025 and pitcher Paul Skenes was the latest Pirates’ rookie to start an All-Star Game when he got the nod in 2024.
Michael McKenry explains why Konnor Griffin is rehabbing in the minors and not helping the Pirates as a DH pic.twitter.com/M3UNDowpGi
Horwitz has quietly been one of the best first basemen in baseball all season long and is receiving more national attention as the sixth highest vote getter. Horwitz is currently slashing .281/.389/.456 with a .845 OPS. His nine homers and 32 RBIs have him as one of the most consistent hitters in the Pirates’ lineup. His on base percentage currently ranks sixth in the National League.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have not had more than two All-Stars in a single season since 2015, but there are great odds that the club sends several All-Stars to the big game in Philadelphia this season.
Rangers’ midfielder Nicolas Raskin hoping to use 2026 World Cup as a springboard for a summer transfer
As reported by HLN, Rangers’ midfielder Nicolas Raskin and his entourage are hoping that his performances at the 2026 World Cup will prove to be a springboard to a summer transfer. Raskin came on against Egypt, replacing Amadou Onana, and played a key role in Belgium’s equaliser. He now has hopes of starting the Red Devils next game against Iran on Sunday.
Raskin has been with Rangers since 2023, having joined from Standard Liege midway through the 2022/2023 season. After coming through at Gent, Raskin joined Standard Liege in 2019. He went on to play 95 games for the club, scoring five goals. At Rangers, Raskin has been a key player, forcing his way into the national team set up thanks to 13 goals in 145 games and a number of strong performances.
Raskin has a contract with Rangers until 2028, but its becoming clear that he wants to leave the Glasgow based side this summer. Clubs across Europe are said to be interested in signing him from Rangers over the next few months, with Atalanta one of the few that has been actually named.
Koné injury: Sassuolo and Serie A react as Canada star faces lengthy layoff
Sassuolo and Lega Serie A reacted to Ismael Koné’s horrific injury with the Canada national team, wishing him a speedy recovery: ‘We will get through this difficult time together,’ his club said.
Sassuolo midfielder Koné suffered a broken leg during Canada’s 6-0 win over Qatar in their second 2026 World Cup group stage game on Thursday.
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – JUNE 18: Players of Canada react as Ismael Kone #8 of Canada receives medical attention during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B match between Canada and Qatar at BC Place Vancouver on June 18, 2026 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
Koné scored six goals in 36 matches with Sassuolo during the 2025-26 season. He played a significant role for the Neroverdi in his first year in Serie A, and the Italian club sent him a message on social media following his injury.
“We are close to you, and together we will get through this difficult time.”
Lega Serie A joined Sassuolo in wishing Koné a speedy recovery with a message posted on Facebook: “We’re gonna wait to see you again like this! Get well soon.”
The Serie A message came with a picture of Koné celebrating one of Canada’s goals against Qatar before his injury in the second half.
Koné’s recovery time remains unclear, but he’ll obviously miss several months of action with his club.
On the surface, the operation looks like another successful piece of business for the Spanish giants.
However, dig a little deeper, and the transfer has raised questions about the pathway from the academy to the first team.
Notably, Real Madrid had the opportunity to bring the winger back for just €8 million thanks to a buyback clause negotiated when he joined Osasuna.
Instead, they stood aside and watched Liverpool trigger his full release clause.
The decision was not accidental. Rather, as explained by Mario Cortegana in The Athletic, it was a choice based on sporting priorities, squad planning and financial considerations.
Yet not everyone inside Valdebebas appears convinced it was the right one.
Why Real Madrid allowed Victor Munoz to leave
Victor Munoz has signed for Liverpool. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
While Munoz’s progress at Osasuna attracted attention across Spain, Real Madrid never considered him an urgent addition to Jose Mourinho’s squad.
The reason is simple because the attacking department is already heavily stocked with both established stars and emerging talents.
The winger’s versatility was appreciated, particularly because he can operate on either flank, although the reality is that competition for those positions is fierce.
With Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo, Brahim Diaz, Endrick and Franco Mastantuono all expected to feature prominently once fully available, opportunities would have been limited from the outset.
Real Madrid could have signed him if…
Interestingly, the situation could have unfolded differently under other circumstances.
It must be remembered that Barcelona had shown interest in the player, and Real Madrid were determined to prevent one of their former academy products from ending up at their biggest rivals.
Real Madrid are happy with the outcome. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
It is said that if Barcelona had moved, Real Madrid could have retained the right of first refusal. Ultimately, that scenario never materialised.
Financial logic behind the decision
Furthermore, financially, Real Madrid believe they have extracted maximum value from the situation.
When all elements of the operation are taken into account, including the original sale and various add-ons, the club expects to receive around €26 million.
For the board, that represents exceptional business.
Rather than spending €8 million to re-sign a player who would face enormous competition for minutes, Real Madrid opted to secure a substantial profit while maintaining squad stability, and the club is happy with that return.
Los Angeles Rams left tackle Alaric Jackson was arrested recently on suspicion of domestic violence after an alleged incident with a woman at his home, and he was facing a potential felony domestic battery charge. However, on Thursday, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office told NBC4 Los Angeles that Jackson won't face felony charges for the alleged incident.
The case was sent to the city attorney's office for possible misdemeanor charges, and it is still under review.
Jackson got into an altercation with his pregnant ex-girlfriend, and he allegedly left bruises and scratches on her body. He attempted to take her phone, causing the injuries during the struggle after she began recording his actions.
She filed a temporary restraining order against Jackson, which was granted by a judge. Jackson is ordered to stay away from her, her car and her job, and he has been forced to move out of his home, as well.
Jackson was suspended two games in 2024 for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy, so if the league finds that he violated it again, he could face harsher punishment.
It goes with out saying that Christian Pulisic is vital to the USMNT success at the 2026 World Cup. The superstar is the offensive dynamo the team needs in terms of goal scoring and grabbing attention from opposing defenses.
"He’s evolving. He’s much better from Friday. We will see. If he is not available for tomorrow, he will be available for the next game. ... When this type of thing happens, always it’s painful. Christian is strong and with a great mentality. He’s doing a fantastic effort to try and be ready as soon as possible."
Mercedes has identified an issue with its battery that is at the heart of its recent Formula 1 race retirements which have cost both George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, and is working on a permanent fix.
After Russell’s Mercedes conked out while he was leading the Canadian Grand Prix last month, Antonelli suffered the same fate while running in second place in the Barcelona GP last weekend. Both were linked to a failure with Mercedes' battery.
While not specifically linked to the works team’s problem, customer squad McLaren has also suffered a run of electrical trouble; Lando Norris needed a battery change during the Monaco GP weekend and retired from the race with power unit settings being noted as the cause of his DNF, while both Norris and Oscar Piastri failed to start the Chinese GP with separate electrical issues.
Speaking immediately after the Barcelona GP, Wolff said Mercedes can’t afford the run of retirements in the battle for the F1 world titles and the team would “leave no stone unturned to understand” what was causing the unreliability.
After diagnosing Antonelli's car after the Barcelona race, Mercedes technical director James Allison said the team has pinpointed the issue to its power unit’s battery and a permanent fix is being worked on.
“I think anyone who's a keen watcher of the sport will have seen that this has laid a few Mercedes engine cars low over the season so far,” Allison said on Mercedes’ Nu Silver Arrows Radio Show. “They're not all identical, but they do sort of originate in the same broad part of the battery.
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
“I think that most of the areas of risk have been understood. And with a bit of luck, when we start to sort of phase in the new modules into the racing season – then our fortunes as a fleet should pick up.
“Obviously for us, that's an important thing. These DNFs are very, very painful.”
Speaking more broadly about how the team designs and builds parts with reliability in mind, Allison explained how the team aims to identify failures either in testing or in engine rigs to avoid being exposed in races – but inevitably, when pushed to extremes and in different racing conditions, previously unidentified weaknesses can appear.
“You accept that there will be failure. We try to make sure that failure happens in testing or on rigs and that it happens as little as possible when you're out there trying to earn championship points,” Allison said.
“Now, clearly it doesn't always work because occasionally the car will DNF and that is definitely a failure of our process and all of our attempts to deliver performance without the downside of that performance.
“But when a failure like that does happen, then in the first instance and perhaps before it's fully understood, then the team will tend to take a slight half-step backwards to be more cautious with the equipment, to push it slightly less hard, just to give a little bit of resilience to the kit that's obviously suffering.
James Allison, Mercedes
James Allison, Mercedes
“But a different part of the team will try to figure out what was the root cause of that failure to design that out, prove that out and put something back on the table that is sufficiently robust.
“So you do a first intervention that is just to try to sort of give the vulnerable thing an easier life while then working on a proper cure that lets you really cane it.”
Mercedes hasn’t given a timeline on when the “proper cure” will be ready as it begins preparations for four race weekends across five weeks, starting with the Austrian GP next weekend.
But given its two DNFs in Canada and Barcelona have effectively cost 43 points - ignoring changes of positions for the sister car after the retirements - Mercedes' dominant position in the F1 world constructors' championship has been eroded to 72 points by Ferrari.
Morocco is set to take the field in Foxborough for the first time, and excitement is already building across Massachusetts — especially in the North Shore city of Revere, where a large Moroccan community is preparing to cheer on its team together.
A watch party is planned on Shirley Avenue starting at 3 p.m. for fans who don’t have tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup match against Scotland but still want to be part of the atmosphere.
In the lead-up to the game, crowds have already gathered around Boston, including a group that met outside City Hall Plaza earlier this week to celebrate and show support for Morocco.
Many told Boston 25 they planned to either head to the official Boston Fan Fest or join community watch parties, such as the one in Revere.
At a local Moroccan bakery, one Revere man who moved to Massachusetts in 2019 said the World Cup has sparked pride and brought people together.
“Morocco is doing well this World Cup. The first game was great for us, even if it was like a tie,” Khlid said. “There is a lot of community, like the Moroccan community, in Revere. And a lot of Moroccans are coming from Morocco too.”
Watch party details
Location: Shirley Avenue, Revere
Start time: 3 p.m.
End time: 9 p.m.
With kickoff in Foxborough set for later in the evening, organizers say the watch party will give fans a chance to celebrate their team — and their culture — in a community setting.
Achraf Hakimi made his Morocco debut in 2016 at the age of 17 [Getty Images]
Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi will stand trial for rape, French prosecutors have confirmed.
A woman accused the Paris St-Germain defender of raping her at his home in the French capital in 2023, when she was aged 24.
The public prosecutor's office in Nanterre, a western suburb of Paris, began a preliminary investigation in March 2023.
An investigating judge ordered a trial in February 2026 and French media report that Hakimi, 27, failed with a recent appeal to have the trial dismissed.
Hakimi, who is set to lead his side out for their second World Cup fixture against Scotland on Friday (23:00 BST), has consistently denied the accusations.
"The justice system looked me in the eye and said, 'If you weren't famous, there would never have been a case,'" Hakimi wrote on social media on Friday.
"I chose to remain silent for years. I believed that maintaining my dignity, being patient, and trusting in the justice system would allow the right decisions to be made.
"Today, a story that isn't mine is being told at the expense of my family, my life, and above all, the truth. I sometimes feel like I've become an easy target.
"I've been waiting for this trial since day one. And now I'm eagerly awaiting it. Finally, I'll be able to speak."
Rachel-Flore Pardo, the plaintiff's lawyer said in a statement: "After more than three years of legal proceedings, and after my client was, in her view, defamed and dragged through the mud by Achraf Hakimi's defence, this decision brings her relief and hope.
"Relief that she has been heard by the justice system and will have the right to a trial.
"Hope that this trial will help other women and further weaken the wall of denial and impunity surrounding sexual violence, including in the world of men's football."
A date has not yet been set for the start of the trial.
All three of Morocco's group stage fixtures are being held in the United States, where the team are currently based.
But should Morocco progress to the knockout stages, Hakimi could face difficulties in entering Canada or Mexico if their matches are scheduled outside the United States.
Partey, 32, has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to allegations by four different women between 2020 and 2022.
He is due to stand trial next year.
Canada's government website states that they can deny entry to any person that has "committed or been convicted of a crime".
The World Cup is being held across all three co-host countries until the quarter-final stage, when it will be held exclusively in the US.
Hakimi, who has won 97 caps for Morocco, made his international debut in 2016 at the age of 17.
He was a key figure in the Morocco side that became the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2022.
The defender joined Paris St-Germain from Inter Milan in 2021, and has won 13 pieces of silverware during his time at the club - including back-to-back Champions League titles in the past two seasons.
Bayern Munich plan lucrative contract extension for Michael Olise amid Real Madrid interest
Michael Olise is coming off a sensational 2025/26 campaign with Bayern Munich, which saw him named Bundesliga Player of the Season after racking up 22 goals and 31 assists in 52 games in all competitions.
The Frenchman’s performances have put him on the radar of Real Madrid, but Bayern have made clear on numerous occasions that they have no interest in letting him leave.
Bild head of football Christian Falk now reports that, although Olise still has three years remaining on his current contract, Bayern are keen to extend it by a further two years until 2031 to secure his long-term future.
As part of the proposed extension, Bayern are willing to increase Olise’s wages from around €15 million to the region of €25 million to make him one of the club’s absolute top earners.
The 24-year-old is currently representing France at the World Cup and impressed with a Player of the Match-winning performance in his country’s 3-1 opening win over Senegal.
2026 FIFA World Cup | Jonathan David scores a hat-trick against Qatar
It was a special day for Juventus Men's First Team star Jonathan David, who is proving to be a key player for co-hosts Canada at the 2026 Men's FIFA World Cup.
The Canadian national team’s No. 10 capped off the 6-0 rout of Qatar in their second Group B match with a hat trick: the first came with a perfectly executed right-footed finish after a rebound; the second saw him tap in from close range after the ball was deflected by goalkeeper Mahmud Abunada; and finally, in the closing minutes, he struck from the heart of Qatar’s penalty area.
It was the best way to celebrate Canada’s historic first victory in a World Cup finals match, making David the first Serie A player to score a hat trick in this competition since 1998 and the first from a host nation since 1966.
Jose Alvarado: I always made my way. So, it was always like, "Yo, every time I got to come here, I got to prove to myself." And that's what my life is about, and that's fine with me, though. Q. So, even after being an NBA champion, now you still got that chip on your shoulder? Alvarado: Hell yeah, I got it. First of all, I got to go get paid. Q. Hopefully you’ll get the big contract, which you should. Alvarado: Yeah, hopefully, God willing. I want to be in this for a long time. I love this life, I love the NBA life. It feeds my family and it puts me in rooms where I can never be at. I'm here with y'all, you know what I'm saying? So, I got to work.
Iran's football federation has said it will lodge a complaint at the ruling body FIFA over the tight arrival and departure procedures around their World Cup matches in the United States.
A statement said that the US-imposed restrictions imposed on its own team are incompatible with the principles of creating a level playing field for the participating teams.
Iran's team was only allowed to travel from their their Mexican base camp on the eve of their first match in Inglewood, California, where they drew 2-2 with New Zealand.
They said they have also not received permission to travel two days ahead of their next match on Sunday at the same venue against Belgium.
Some Iran delegation members have also been denied entry to the US altogether.
Team officials said that FIFA president Gianni Infantino visited the Iran team in the dressing room after the New Zealand match and offered to help them.
The US and Iran have been in a military conflict since February. A framework agreement aiming to end the hostilities was signed on Wednesday.
MADISON – As Wisconsin men’s basketball hosted several prospects at its annual advanced camp, one of the Badgers’ camp coaches had a different perspective from what he previously experienced at the Kohl Center.
“I know that I was in their shoes,” Matthew Mors said, referring to the camp attendees. “But to be on the flip side of it is just kind of surreal.”
Mors really had been in their shoes.
Wisconsin’s Joe Krabbenhoft recruited the three-time South Dakota Gatorade Boys Player of the Year to the Badgers. A homesick Mors redshirted his first year and subsequently transferred to South Dakota State, but it set up a unique reunion nonetheless.
“When I committed here in high school, I knew that this place was a special place,” Mors said, standing on the Kohl Center’s Ab Nicholas Court. “The coaching staff, facilities, everything about this place has always been elite.”
As he returned to the place where his college basketball career began, it was advantageous for the next life chapter he is beginning. UW-Parkside hired Mors in May to be a graduate assistant coach.
He is working under first-year UW-Parkside head coach Kyle Blackbourn, who was Greg Gard’s director of recruiting and scouting while Mors was last in Madison. Blackbourn saw the advanced camp as an opportunity for Mors.
“He wanted me to try out a few different things, and this is one of them,” Mors said. “I was able to watch a little bit of talent while also learning from some really good, elite coaches.”
Mors' chance to learn from his former coaches happened as scores of high school recruits (and camp coaches like Mors) came to Madison for what has usually been an important date on UW's recruiting calendar. (This year, UW offered Kevin Wilson, a point guard in the 2028 class who showed several impressive facets of his game at the camp.)
Gard stopped over during the camp to catch up with Mors – now a fellow coach rather than his ex-player. The Madison reunion also gave Mors a chance to catch up with Krabbenhoft, now UW’s associate head coach, for “quite a while.”
“Everybody here is really good about building relationships,” Mors said. “One of the biggest things that you can do as a college coach is grow your tree, so being able to reconnect with some coaches who recruited me really heavily in high school … and be able to reconnect, I think, was pretty cool.”
It also took Mors back to a place with some memories, even with his short UW tenure. The home win over a top-10 Purdue team quickly comes to mind four-plus years later. (It didn’t hurt that the last-second hero of that game, Chucky Hepburn, was his roommate.)
“When Chucky hit the bankshot to win and we clinched a share of the Big Ten title, that’s obviously right up there,” Mors said. “But just the moments that you have every single day with the guys is a lot of fun.”
Mors then made more memories at South Dakota State, all while playing his home games about 130 miles away from his hometown of Yankton, South Dakota.
The 6-foot-7 forward appeared in every game over the next four years and started every game of his junior and senior seasons with the Jackrabbits. He averaged 8.4 points and shot 51.2% as a senior.
“I don’t regret anything,” Mors said. “I loved all four years at South Dakota State. It was awesome for me and my family to be back home and be around one another. They were able to come to just about every single game.”
Mors could have taken a couple routes after finishing his last year of eligibility in 2025-26. Coaching obviously was one path. He also could have played overseas. But with coaching, he “knew that this is something that I always wanted to do.”
So after getting married in April and graduating in May, he chose to start his college coaching career in the same state where his college playing career started.
“Being at Parkside, I’ll be able to be really hands-on right away,” Mors said. “One of the biggest things that I wanted to do is go somewhere where I’ll be able to recruit or be involved with the scout and the big stuff that goes on every single day in college basketball.”
The former Badger’s big opportunity may come with a little nostalgia as well.
“I was by my college dorm and walked in by that,” Mors said. “That was funny just to walk by that.”
Everton 2026/27 Premier League fixtures in FULL: When the Toffees will take on rivals Liverpool
Everton begin their 2026/27 Premier League season with a home game against Crystal Palace.
The first of the two Merseyside derbies against Liverpool will come on November 28 at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Everton’s trip to Anfield on January 30.
The Premier League have released the full fixture list for the 2026/27 campaign. As ever, these fixtures are subject to change based on which games are selected for TV coverage, the European schedule and other factors. But here is Everton’s current order of fixtures…
Bayern Munich to demand a world-record fee for Michael Olise
Bayern Munich are set to demand a world-record fee in order to sell Michael Olise (24) during the summer transfer window, according to a report from DiarioAS. The current world-record transfer fee was paid by Paris Saint-Germain to Barcelona when they signed Neymar in 2017. Les Parisiens paid €222m for the Brazilian international attacker.
The former Crystal Palace attacking midfielder is atrracting great interest with transfer window now open. Following a season in which he scored 22 goals and registered 31 assists, the 24-year-old has emerged as one of the greatest players in world football.
Real Madrid and PSG set to battle for Olise
Real Madrid and PSG are the leading candidates to make a move for the France international. Both teams would like to recruit the Frenchman, but due to their good relationship, they have stated they would be willing to stand aside once the London-born attacking midfielder states his preference.
Nearly a month after the 2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours concluded, the final standings have been changed, and Max Verstappen‘s squad has moved up one more spot as a result.
Team Abt, which crossed the line second overall, has been retrospectively disqualified following a technical infringement, with stewards formalising the decision on June 12.
An inspection of the #84 Lamborghini following the race found its power output running beyond the tolerance margins set by the Balance of Performance regulations.
Six SP9-class GT3 cars were put through routine dynamometer testing in the days after the race; the Abt car was the only one to fail, with entries from Aston Martin, BMW, Ford, Mercedes-AMG, and Porsche all cleared.
Reports suggest the #84 was producing around 20 horsepower above the permitted reference value, with the allowable tolerance sitting at two percent, equivalent to roughly 10 hp from an estimated 500 hp baseline.
That’s a meaningful gap and not just a small error.
How the Revised Podium and Classification Look
Behind overall winner Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL – Maro Engel, Luca Stolz, Fabian Schiller, and Maxime Martin – the Walkenhorst Motorsport Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 EVO of Christian Krognes, Mattia Drudi, and Nicki Thiim has been elevated to second place.
Rowe Racing‘s BMW M4 GT3, shared by Daniel Harper, Max Hesse, Sheldon van der Linde, and Dries Vanthoor, now occupies third.
Further down the order, the Verstappen Racing #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 has been bumped to 36th overall.
Verstappen’s part in the event drew a record crowd of 352,000 to the Eifel region, so the result – however modest on paper – will have been watched closely. The car had run with Jules Gounon, Lucas Auer, and Daniel Juncadella alongside the four-time F1 champion, and looked firmly on course for victory with under four hours remaining, leading what appeared to be a comfortable 1-2 for the Winward Mercedes operation.
A driveshaft failure on Juncadella’s watch ended that, handing the lead to the sister #80 car with Maro Engel at the wheel.
Juncadella was generous in his assessment of Verstappen’s performance in the race, telling PlanetF1.com: “The more I see him drive, the more I see how incredible he is.”
With Abt electing not to appeal the stewards’ ruling, the 54th edition of the Nürburgring 24 Hours now has its definitive classification.
Verstappen has already said he wants to return next year, and there is reportedly a reasonable chance the 2027 event – pencilled in for May 27–30 – won’t conflict with an F1 round. Finishing 36th instead of 37th isn’t exactly the result he came for, but given the driveshaft robbed him of an outright win, he’ll probably take it.
Greg Gard and the Wisconsin Badgers secured a nice commitment with seven-footer Jack Thelen out of Maple Grove, Minnesota. A move that may help shape the Badgers’ frontcourt for years to come. The idea is pretty simple: you can’t teach size.
Landing a legit seven-footer is difficult in today’s transfer-driven college basketball landscape. Even Thelen’s listed weight (hovering around 235-240 pounds) could be a major advantage once developed within the program’s system.
Wisconsin’s long-term approach is to get Thelen into the program and allow him to develop as many Badgers big men over the last several years. Thelen isn’t expected to crack the rotation immediately. He represents a lottery ticket that could become an answer to some of the larger frontcourts the Badgers routinely see in the Big Ten.
What makes Thelen stand out? Start with his strong footwork, rare for a high schooler his size. He flashes the ability to combine a variety of post moves while staying balanced, using drop steps, pivots, and counters. On film, Thelen also shows he’s been well coached, keeping the ball high off passes and rebounds to finish quickly at the rim.
Recruiting a player like Thelen isn’t just about on-court fit; it demonstrates the need to add size in today’s college game. In the modern portal era, landing and developing size internally is more cost-effective than chasing expensive transfers every offseason.
Premier League fixtures 2026/27 – Arsenal to kick-off campaign against Coventry City
The Premier League has released the fixture schedule for the 2026/27 season, with Arsenal set to kick off the campaign against newly promoted Coventry City.
After four consecutive seasons chasing shadows, the Gunners finally got over the line last season, beating Manchester City to the Premier League title by seven points.
Having ended a 22-year wait for the English holy grail, Arsenal will now kick off the 2026/27 campaign at home to another side that made history last season.
Coventry are set to return to the Premier League for the first time in 25 years, but will kick off their campaign with a trial by fire.
The Sky Blues will hardly have a chance to settle in before they’re thrown into the deep end, with their curtain raiser scheduled to take place at the formidable Emirates Stadium.
Coventry secured their Premier League return under the guidance of Frank Lampard.
They took the Championship by storm and finished the season 11 points clear of second-place Ipswich Town, although they fell just five short of hitting the 100-point mark.
While it’s not the start they’d have hoped for, Coventry will welcome the chance to test themselves against the Premier League champions, knowing an unlikely win could shape the rest of their campaign.
Meanwhile, Premier League runners-up Manchester City will ironically kick off their post-Pep Guardiola era at home to Bournemouth, who ended their title challenge last term.
The Cityzens have yet to name Guardiola’s successor, but former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is expected to pick up where his mentor left off.
Maresca’s former employers are also heading into a new era with Xabi Alonso to begin his Chelsea reign with a London derby against Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Manchester United, who have found a spring in their step under Michael Carrick, will visit newly promoted Hull City, while Andoni Iraola kicks off his Liverpool reign away to Newcastle United.
Europa League winners Aston Villa will visit Brighton & Hove Albion, while Tottenham Hotspur visit Brentford in the other London derby scheduled for matchday one.
Mar 22, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Iowa State Cyclones forward Milan Momcilovic (22) celebrates after a play during the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-Imagn Images | Jeff Le-Imagn Images
Kentucky Basketball is off and running for summer practice, and to no surprise, new transfer Milan Momcilovic is impressing early on.
Not only is he a lethal long-range shooter, but he’s also making a positive impact on the culture of the team.
The team reportedly can’t get enough of practice and being together, building chemistry on and off the court.
“He’s an unbelievable shooter. He came in, and we’re like, ‘Okay, teach us what you do. Like, we’re not going to tell you how to run your workouts and all this stuff. Let’s learn from you and let’s figure out where we can tweak it.’ So, we kind of — we’re not tweaking anything, because he’s the best shooter in America, right?”
Last year’s team was missing exactly what Momcilovic brings to the table. Big Blue Nation sure has to be glad to have him on campus and leading this year’s squad. He just might be what turns everything around for head coach Mark Pope and the Wildcats.
Usually, it's good for the house when bettors bet with their hearts.
Sometimes, it isn't.
Via Chris Altruda on Twitter, the New York State Gaming Commission announced a mobile betting loss of more than $48 million for the week ending in June 14.
On June 13, the New York Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs to win the NBA title. On June 10, the Knicks erased a 29-point deficit to take a 3-1 series lead.
It wasn't just the biggest loss New York has absorbed in a given week. It was the first time ever that a week ended with New York in the red.
While that may look like bad news for the sportsbooks on the surface, periodic losses become valuable marketing tools. They create the impression that gamblers can win. Which lures them back to gamble some more.
The reality is that, over time, the house wins. Big. That's how the sportsbooks end up being worth so much money, and it's why so many states have taken the plunge to impose what Warren Buffett calls a "tax on stupidity."
They're hoping people will respond to the news of a $48 million loss by thinking, "Maybe we can win."
Ultimately, the house wins. The industry wouldn't exist if it wasn't highly profitable. And those profits always come from the pockets of the people who bet.
Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus put together his list of six NFL coaches who will enter the 2026 season on the hot seat, and not surprisingly, the Indianapolis Colts' Shane Steichen was mentioned.
The Colts are currently in the midst of a five-year playoff drought, and Steichen has been at the helm for three of those seasons. Presumably, this is a make-or-break year for both him and GM Chris Ballard.
"The Colts re-signed both Jones and receiver Alec Pierce to monster contracts in March and have other talent like Jonathan Taylor, Sauce Gardner, Quenton Nelson and Laiatu Latu on the roster, but real questions permeate a defense that finished 21st in success rate. It’s tough to envision Steichen making it to a fifth year in blue if Indianapolis either starts flat or doesn’t reach the postseason."
As Locker mentions, the Colts are banking on Steichen and Daniel Jones getting the offense to operate at a high level once again this season, just as they did through the first 10 games of last year.
The Colts' red-hot start to the year did showcase the full capabilities of what the Steichen offense can look like. In addition to that, while the Colts didn't win any games with Phillip Rivers, Steichen's ability to mold the offense to Rivers' game on the fly and make changes from week to week was impressive.
That said, even before Jones' injury, defenses were beginning to slow this unit down. And there are real questions still surrounding this Colts team entering the 2026 season.
Jones is coming off a major injury, and it remains to be seen if all the roster turnover at defensive end will lead to improved play. The linebacker unit features several new and young players, while a battle for the WR3 role is taking place.
Another area that Steichen must resolve is his team's performance down the stretch.
Steichen enters Year 4 with the Colts with a 25-26 record.
Teboho Mokoena scored an 83rd-minute penalty to earn South Africa a draw against the Czech Republic at the World Cup.
South Africa trailed after five minutes and seven seconds when Michal Sadilek latched on to a clever lay-off and rifled home the earliest goal of the tournament so far.
Bafana Bafana, who also conceded early against Mexico in their tournament opener, eventually settled into the game and slowed down play, but they struggled to create chances and only managed their first shot on target in the 74th minute.
But their fortunes finally changed as Thapelo Maseko's shot thundered into Pavel Sulc's arm in the Czech box with less than 10 minutes of normal time remaining.
Mokoena made no mistake with the finish, slotting into the left corner.
A point does little to help either side and their chances of qualifying for the knockout stages remain in the balance, with Mexico and South Korea above them in the Group A table.
However, with the eight best third-placed teams progressing to the last 32 and three points likely to be enough to secure a place in the knockout stages, South Africa and the Czech Republic still have it all to play for in their final group games.
South Africa face South Korea on Thursday, 25 June at 02:00 BST, while the Czechs will take on co-hosts Mexico in the Azteca at the same time.
Bayer Leverkusen re-sign youngster from Schalke 04
Two years after he left Bayer Leverkusen to join FC Schalke 04, Clinton Wilson is returning to Die Werkself.
On Thursday, Leverkusen announced the return of the 18-year-old winger, who will initially play for the U19s.
“Clinton Wilson is a player who is very difficult to stop: he’s quick, agile and good at finding solutions in one-on-one situations,” said Bayer Leverkusen director of football Kim Falkenberg.
“He will breathe new life into our U19 attack.”
Wilson, who moved to Germany from Ghana in early 2023, scored six goals and provided two assists in 24 games in the U19 DFB Youth League for Schalke 04 last season.
In May, FC Cincinnati's star center back was named to the United States Men's National Soccer Team. Robinson has proven to be a star since joining Cincinnati in 2024. If you're not familiar with his game, here are some facts to know for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. taking place June 11-July 19.
Robinson is a Massachusetts native
Robinson hails from Arlington, Massachusetts. When asked by the USMNT what his favorite chilhood memory from his hometown is, he answered with something even Cincinnatians can relate to: "I liked the snow days we had."
"We'd all go to this massive hill down the street and spend the whole day sledding," he said.
He attended Syracuse University, where he led the team to the semifinals of the 2015 NCAA College Cup. He earned ACC All-Freshman Team honors and was named to the ACC All-Tournament Team. He also tied for third on the team in goals with four.
The 29-year-old is also the second player in club history to be named to a World Cup roster while a member of the orange and blue (Ronald Matarrita, Costa Rica – 2022).
A ruptured Achilles tendon sidelined him from the 2022 World Cup
The 2026 World Cup marks Robinson's return to the world stage after heartbreak in 2022.
Robinson made six starts in World Cup qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup but was unable to participate in the Qatar World Cup after rupturing his left Achilles tendon on May 7, 2022, while playing for Atlanta United.
Following surgery and recovery, Robinson worked his way back to the USMNT picture in 2023 and 2024, where he started and played the full 90 minutes in all four matches for the U.S. Olympic Team at the Paris Summer Olympics.
He was named an MLS All-Star in both 2024 and 2025
FC Cincinnati has had multiple MLS All-Stars in recent years, including Robinson, who recieved the honor in back-to-back years.
He was named an MLS All-Star for the second consecutive season in 2025 after making the All-Star roster in 2024. It marked the third time in his career after he was also named an All-Star in 2021 with Atlanta United.
Robinson, who signed a new contract last summer, is the highest-paid center back in the league. According to The Athletic, his salary tops at $4 million.
The Cincinnati Enquirer's James Weber contributed to this report.
In May, FC Cincinnati's star center back was named to the United States Men's National Soccer Team. Robinson has proven to be a star since joining Cincinnati in 2024. If you're not familiar with his game, here are some facts to know for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. taking place June 11-July 19.
Robinson is a Massachusetts native
Robinson hails from Arlington, Massachusetts. When asked by the USMNT what his favorite chilhood memory from his hometown is, he answered with something even Cincinnatians can relate to: "I liked the snow days we had."
"We'd all go to this massive hill down the street and spend the whole day sledding," he said.
He attended Syracuse University, where he led the team to the semifinals of the 2015 NCAA College Cup. He earned ACC All-Freshman Team honors and was named to the ACC All-Tournament Team. He also tied for third on the team in goals with four.
The 29-year-old is also the second player in club history to be named to a World Cup roster while a member of the orange and blue (Ronald Matarrita, Costa Rica – 2022).
A ruptured Achilles tendon sidelined him from the 2022 World Cup
The 2026 World Cup marks Robinson's return to the world stage after heartbreak in 2022.
Robinson made six starts in World Cup qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup but was unable to participate in the Qatar World Cup after rupturing his left Achilles tendon on May 7, 2022, while playing for Atlanta United.
Following surgery and recovery, Robinson worked his way back to the USMNT picture in 2023 and 2024, where he started and played the full 90 minutes in all four matches for the U.S. Olympic Team at the Paris Summer Olympics.
He was named an MLS All-Star in both 2024 and 2025
FC Cincinnati has had multiple MLS All-Stars in recent years, including Robinson, who recieved the honor in back-to-back years.
He was named an MLS All-Star for the second consecutive season in 2025 after making the All-Star roster in 2024. It marked the third time in his career after he was also named an All-Star in 2021 with Atlanta United.
Robinson, who signed a new contract last summer, is the highest-paid center back in the league. According to The Athletic, his salary tops at $4 million.
The Cincinnati Enquirer's James Weber contributed to this report.
Aston Villa 2026/27 Premier League fixtures in FULL: Emery’s side to visit Brighton in opening game
Aston Villa begin their 2026/27 Premier League campaign with a trip down south to face Brighton & Hove Albion.
That will be followed by a difficult clash with reigning Premier League champions Arsenal at Villa Park in the second game of the season.
The Premier League have released the full fixture list for the 2026/27 campaign
As ever, these fixtures are subject to change based on which games are selected for TV coverage, the European schedule and other factors. But here is Villa’s current order of fixtures.
PSG set to rival Real Madrid in the race to sign Michael Olise
According to a report from Diario AS, Paris Saint-Germain are seen as Real Madrid’s biggest rival in the race to sign Michael Olise (24) from Bayern Munich. The French champions are eager to sign the France international attacking midfielder during the summer transfer window.
The 24-year-old is perhaps the most coveted player on the transfer market. In a season in which he scored 22 goals and registered 31 assists for Bayern, there aren’t many clubs that wouldn’t want to have him for next season. The former Crystal Palace attacking midfielder also impressed on his FIFA World Cup debut with Les Bleus against Senegal.
PSG and Real Madrid willing to step aside when Olise decides his destination
Due to the good relationship that exists between Real Madrid and PSG, both clubs have stated that they would be willing to step aside in the race to sign the Frenchman, once he has decided where he wants to go. However, the Bundesliga champions have stated that he is not for sale this summer.
News of Cucurella’s move to Real Madrid dominated the Spanish camp in the 24 hours before La Roja’s goalless draw against Cape Verde on Monday. However, Barcelona’s Gavi has admitted that no one in the squad knew about the deal until mere hours before it was confirmed by the Bernabeu club, as he told RAC1.
“We found out (Cucurella was joining Real Madrid) the day before, after training. We didn’t expect it and nobody knew, the b****** kept it very quiet. Lamine has been teasing him a bit, because now he will be the one to defend him in the Clasicos. But I like him as a rival. He’s tough and intense. He’s a good signing for Real Madrid, I’m happy for him.”
Cucurella has shut down Lamine Yamal in the past
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
That battle between Cucurella and Lamine Yamal is one that many El Clasico viewers will have a vested interest in ahead of next season’s matches. The 18-year-old Barcelona winger was shut down by Alvaro Carreras in the first meeting between the sides during the 2025-26 campaign, and the new left-back has every chance of doing similar, given that he kept him quiet when Chelsea defeated in the Catalans in the Champions League last November.
On the whole, Real Madrid will hope that Cucurella can help them improve their record against Barcelona. Over the last two seasons, Los Blancos have only won once against their arch rivals (2-1 in October 2025), and it will be up to Jose Mourinho to ensure that his side bucks this trend.
UFC’s fight card at the White House delivered a record-breaking viewership to Paramount+, according to the streaming platform, with 17 million viewers tuning in.
In fact, all seven bouts ended with stoppages, as American star Sean O’Malley joined compatriots Josh Hokit and Bo Nickal in picking up victories – although Hokit and Nickal’s wins came at the expense of other US fighters.
Regardless, the event was a resounding success for Paramount+, which was the exclusive broadcaster of the fights in the US and Latin America.
While the platform is yet to announce its viewership figures for other territories, 17m viewers watched in the US and Latin America, making it Paramount+’s most-watched exclusive live event ever.
The number does not include any delayed viewership, or any viewership where more than one person watched on an account.
In January, Paramount+ took over as the UFC’s main broadcast partner, as the mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion moved from a pay-per-view model to a subscriber-based one.
“Since the beginning of the year, 16m subscriber households have watched more than 180m hours of UFC programming on Paramount+,” read a press release on Thursday, “delivering viewership more than 20x the average pay-per-view event over the past two years.
Justin Gaethje recovered from a knockdown to stop Ilia Topuria between rounds four and five (Reuters)
“The inaugural numbered event, UFC 324 on 24 January, broke the record at the time for the largest exclusive live event on Paramount+ with 5m average viewers and 7m households in the US and Latin America, according to Adobe Analytics.” Nielsen was also used to verify figures.
“UFC Freedom 250 [at the White House] was the 6th marquee event in a seven-year deal between UFC and Paramount+ that includes 13 Numbered Events and 30 Fight Nights in the US and Latin America for 2026, with select offerings in Australia. UFC and Paramount+ also recently announced the expansion of UFC Numbered Event Main Card rights to Canada beginning in 2027.”
As co-hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Mexico are set to embark on a potentially defining summer.
Hosted two World Cups previously in 1970 and 1986, El Tri are embedded in global soccer lore. Yet they have a dodgy past at the FIFA tournament, and currently sit on the precipice of troubled times.
After seven straight appearances in the Round of 16, Mexico fans were hoping to finally break through their World Cup glass ceiling in 2022, but instead found themselves embarrassed in Qatar with a group stage elimination, their first since 1978.
Now, Javier Aguirre leads El Tri into the 2026 tournament hoping not only for redemption, but a chance to provide fans with a return to global prominence on home soil. They will look to pull from past experience, as their only two appearances in a World Cup quarterfinal both came on familiar ground during their two previous hosting opportunities.
Can Mexico reverse course and put themselves back on the World Cup map? The Sporting News brings you a closer look at their next match at the 2026 World Cup, knowing the trek is fraught with danger at every turn.
The opening match of the entire 2026 FIFA World Cup will be televised in the United States on FOX network channel. After that, all World Cup games will be televised on either FOX or FS1.
Mexico's game against South Africa, along with every other World Cup match through the 2026 tournament, is available to stream on Fubo.
Fubo offers a FREE trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
Mexico World Cup 2026 draw bracket for Group A
The winner and runner-up from each group enter the bracket on opposite sides.
The Group A winner will meet a third-place finisher from either groups C, E, F, H, or I, while the group's second-place finisher will take on the second-place from Group B, which includes Canada.
The third-place finisher in Group A has several potential landing spots in the bracket, but only eight groups will have a third-place qualifier for the knockout stage.
Until all third-place qualifiers are known, it is impossible to predict where or when they could potentially play because there are 495 mathematical combinations of third place qualifiers.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 03: Joe Joyce arrives at the arena prior to the Joe Joyce v Filip Hrgovic Press Conference at Co-op Live on April 03, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images) | Getty Images
British heavyweight Joe Joyce may be 40 years old and coming off a seriously rough stretch where he’s lost four of his last five fights, but he believes he still has more to offer as he tells Sky Sports he thinks it would be a great idea for him to have a rematch with WBO champion Daniel Dubois, who he scored a win over back in 2020.
“It’s always an attractive option,” Joyce told Sky Sports. “Before I took Zhang, which was obviously a bad decision, I was WBO Interim [champion] off the back of beating Dubois and Parker. So it’s just like a bit of a mistake that I’m going to rectify now.”
Before Joyce can even really lobby for a Dubois rematch, however, he’ll have to handle business against Artem Suslenkov and demonstrate he’s worthy of getting another fight of that magnitude.
Joyce says he’s learned much during his layoff over the past year, and anticipates demonstrating his growth in this particular outing and isn’t worried about any sort of rust as he’s been steadily been in the gym. Joyce is currently slated to appear on the undercard of Murat Gassiev vs Tony Yoka this July 11, and hopes a good showing can propel him back to world level.
The Buffalo Bills signed the former Louisville Kings running back Thursday after Wheeler capped his UFL season by being named the United Bowl Most Valuable Player.
Wheeler rushed for 81 yards and scored the go-ahead touchdown on 10 carries to help Louisville win the UFL championship, completing a comeback journey that started after his first NFL opportunity ended before it really began.
Buffalo entered the week with the same four running backs it had last season: James Cook, Ray Davis, Ty Johnson and Frank Gore Jr., who spent the season on the practice squad.
Wheeler, who is 5-foot-10 and 205 pounds, gives the Bills another option heading into training camp at St. John Fisher University, and he’s already made an impression on his new team.
Wheeler scored twice against the Buffalo Bills in 2024 preseason
Wheeler originally signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent out of Howard in 2024.
His NFL preseason debut came against Buffalo, and Wheeler took advantage of the opportunity.
He rushed for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter of Chicago’s 33-6 preseason win over the Bills on Aug. 10, 2024.
Wheeler seemed poised to make the Bears' roster before a torn ACL landed him on injured reserve before final roster cuts. He was released by the Bears and spent time on the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad before rebuilding his career in the UFL.
Wheeler rushed for 370 yards and six touchdowns during the UFL regular season before helping Louisville win the championship.
Wheeler put medical school on hold for NFL dream
Wheeler’s football journey almost ended before it reached the professional level.
The Houston native graduated from Howard with a degree in psychology and was accepted into the Howard University College of Medicine.
Instead, Wheeler deferred his acceptance to chase his NFL opportunity.
In five seasons at Howard, Wheeler rushed for 1,154 yards and 14 touchdowns while averaging 6.5 yards per carry. He also caught 23 passes for 234 yards and a touchdown and returned three kickoffs for touchdowns.
Iran is set to lodge an official complaint with FIFA over travel restrictions that the country’s soccer team is facing at the 2026 World Cup.
Amir Ghalenoei, the head coach of Iran’s team, has said his players are “the most oppressed” at the tournament.
The Iran team is allowed to fly into the U.S. one day before their matches, and must leave the country on the same day under the conditions of their visas.
On Friday, the Football Federation of Iran (FFIRI) said: “The football federation of Iran believes that such restrictions are inconsistent with the principle of providing equal conditions for all participating teams and may negatively affect teams’ preparation processes.
“Consequently, the federation will formally express its dissatisfaction and lodge an official complaint with FIFA through the appropriate channels.”
Iran’s involvement in the World Cup was plagued with uncertainty this year amid the conflict with the U.S. But President Donald Trump and President Masoud Pezeshkian signed an initial peace deal aimed at ending the war this week.
Newsweek contacted FIFA for comment outside of normal business hours.
Iranian football players before their World Cup match against New Zealand in Los Angeles on Monday.
CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 12: Florida State Seminoles forward Chauncey Wiggins (7), Duke Blue Devils forward Maliq Brown (6) and Florida State Seminoles guard Lajae Jones (10) during the ACC Men's basketball tournament between the Florida State Seminoles and the Duke Blue Devils on March 12, 2026 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The NBA Draft Preview series concludes on Episode 830 as we discuss the final Duke player eligible for the draft, Maliq Brown.
One again, Jay Bilas is back to speak on Maliq’s qualities and how his game translates to the next level. He obviously needs to continue to work on his offense, but can his defense carry him in the Association? After Jay wraps up, Donald and Scott react and give our final predictions on a) if Maliq will hear his name called in the second round, and b) where he could go if drafted.
Make sure you’re following us! Head to our Linktree to get all our available social media and links to follow and subscribe to the show. That includes our affiliate partnerships, from Fanatics and SLAM (use the code DBR15 to save 15%), Homefield Apparel (use the code DBRPODCAST to save 15% off your first order), to the NBA Store, NFL Shop, and even Fubo TV. Save some cash on the latest gear or follow the Blue Devils on the go by hitting those affiliate links and it helps support the show as well. We are now on YouTube and Instagram! Subscribe there, rate, and review our episodes on there and everywhere you get your podcasts. Also, follow us on Bluesky @DukeRoundup!
Texas A&M coach Mike Elko should be considered the best recruiter in the country, at least for now, after landing five-star linebacker Kaden Henderson on Thursday afternoon, who became the Aggies' 10th top 100-ranked prospect to commit to the program, further proving that Elko and his staff are building something special in College Station.
In the 2026 signing class, Texas A&M dominated the Georgia recruiting pipeline, landing four top prospects from the Peach State, and while the Aggies continue to cast a wide recruiting net, Florida has become a hot spot despite battling the Florida Gators and Miami Hurricanes, who continue to keep top prospects in-state.
However, in today's NIL-driven recruiting landscape, relationships and fit are everything, knowing that money won't be an issue within the Power Four conferences, so when it comes down to making a final choice, Texas A&M's bright future under coach Mike Elko has swayed four of the top-ranked 2027 recruits in the Sunshine State, now including Kaden Henderson.
After landing the program's No. 1 and No. 2 ranked commits, five-star edge Zyron Forstall, and five-star offensive tackle Mark Matthews, rising four-star defensive lineman Frederick Ards III made things official, while Kaden Henderson isn't just the cherry on top of an elite Florida haul, but the first five-star linebacker commit under Mike Elko and former head coaches Jimbo Fisher and Kevin Sumlin. Also including three-star athlete Loia Valade, Florida has been more than kind to the Aggies.
Elko isn't finished recruiting Florida-based prospects, already receiving a prediction to land five-star wide receiver Eric McFarland, who took his OV late last month, and will announce his commitment on June 28.
Four 2027 Texas A&M commits are among the top seven Florida recruits, and they're all top 100 overall (per the Rivals Industry rankings):
OL Mark Matthews: 5th DE Zyron Forstall: 24th LB Kaden Henderson: 26th DE Frederick Ards III: 61st
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
World Cup hydration breaks are being treated as tactical timeouts by teams, and a money-making machine by some broadcasters [Getty Images]
Four minutes and 20 seconds per match. Or seven hours, 30 minutes and 40 seconds across the tournament.
That's how much extra TV advertising some football fans around the world are watching during mandatory hydration breaks at the World Cup.
While viewers in the UK watching on BBC and ITV are seeing players refuel and hearing extra tactical insight from pundits, spectators elsewhere are taken away from the football to see companies selling their products.
The ads are allowed to begin 20 seconds after the referee blows the whistle for the three-minute pause midway through each half, and must end 30 seconds before the actions starts again.
That works out as a potential eight extra 30-second ad slots per match for each broadcaster in each country - 832 between the start and end of the competition.
Experts have told BBC Sport that an average 30-second World Cup ad slot on Fox Sports costs between $200,000 (£152,000) and $300,000 (£227,000), rising to $750,000 (£567,000) during USA matches and the final stages.
That means advertising during hydration breaks is likely to generate more than $250m (£189m) in the USA alone.
The breaks have disrupted the momentum of matches, brought heavy criticism from managers and players, and drawn loud jeers from supporters at almost every venue.
But, in which countries are the ads being shown, how do they work, and what could it mean for the future of football?
'Hydration ad breaks worth more than a billion globally'
Fifa has insisted that hydration breaks have been introduced to benefit player welfare in the North American heat, and that sporting integrity means they must be used equally in every single match, even when temperatures are low in roofed, air-conditioned stadiums.
Fans in the UK have been protected from ads during hydration breaks because the BBC does not use advertising, and ITV's ability to show ads during play is restricted by Ofcom regulations governing how many adverts can be used in a 60-minute period. If ITV used slots during mid-match breaks, they would have fewer available at half-time, for example.
But elsewhere broadcasters have the ability to choose how to use the breaks, and most have used them as an opportunity to bring in extra money from advertising, whether by cutting away to a full commercial break or showing ads in split screen.
Fox Sports, the US broadcaster, has been using the maximum amount of advertising time it can during the pauses and displaying them full screen.
It has also been introducing the ad break itself as "sponsored by" a brand, and with Fifa sponsor Coca Cola providing branded drinks for players, the advertising US viewers are faced with during hydration breaks is effectively three-fold.
"Amercians have been used to in-play ads for 40, 50 years, so culturally this fits right in," says Rob di Gisi, lecturer in sport management at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School.
"There is very little pushback here. Any changes which make games more Americanised will be embraced without people noticing."
Fellow US broadcaster Telemundo, which shows matches in Spanish and is aimed at Latino Americans, is one of the few broadcasters which has decided not to show ads during the breaks.
During Canada's opening match last week, its commentator said: "We prefer the old school way. We should be able to see what the players do.
"We show fans, people enjoying themselves, not the corporate direction of football."
BBC Sport has contacted Fox Sports and Telemundo for comment.
In other big markets around the world ads are being used too, including in Mexico, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa.
The broadcasters in those territories will not be able to charge prices as high as Fox Sports, and not all are running them for the maximum duration allowed, but the total amount accrued will be huge.
"When you start scaling that up over all the rest of the countries, it's probably a billion dollars (£756m) from hydration break ads across the globe," Di Gisi adds.
Having eyeballs on products during in-game breaks doesn't necessarily guarantee success, however.
"Will advertisers in the hydration break be met with enough discontent that it negates the value of the advertising?" says T. Bettina Cornwell, head of marketing at the University of Oregon.
"It is the case that when brands violate the expected experience, in this case the flow of the game, fans can react negatively."
Fox Sports missed the restart after the second hydration break at the opening match between Mexico and South Africa because its ads overran [Getty Images]
'Hydration break ads are here to last'
The broadcasters in each territory act independently when they sell advertising slots, meaning Fifa does not directly gain financially.
But the extra income makes purchasing rights to show the World Cup more valuable to broadcasters, meaning Fifa can theoretically charge higher prices when negotiating over future tournaments.
Fifa has not yet confirmed whether hydration breaks will be used in future editions of the World Cup, but given the financial benefit to the organisation and its broadcast partners - and the fact that the 2030 World Cup in Morocco, Spain and Portugal will be held in climates with very hot summers - it is highly likely that they will remain a long-term feature.
"The rights for this World Cup, Fox Sports got for only $485m (£367m)," says Dennis Deninger, author of Live Sports Media: The What, How and Why of Sports Broadcasting.
"If they're making $250m (£189m) just on the hydration breaks, that rights fee is a real bargain.
"When Fifa goes into rights negotiations next time, they can say their product is worth more, because broadcasters can sell sponsorship in these hydration breaks, have more advertising, and there is the increased amount of matches, so they can charge every broadcaster in every country more money.
"There is never any going back – when there is an opportunity to make more money, nobody ever says 'let's make less money'."
USA manager Mauricio Pochettino (right) called the hydration breaks "unnecessary" except in cases of extreme heat [Getty Images]
The more casual football fan demographic the World Cup attracts has made introducing the ads easier.
"I think this is here to last, especially in Fifa-organised tournaments," says Thomas Peeters, professor of strategy economics at the Erasmus School of Economics.
"The World Cup is an event that attracts non-traditionalists, people tuning in who don't watch every game. A very general audience.
"There is a trend for those people to watch clips rather than entire games, so in that sense you can build in breaks yourself [and show ads to them without them caring].
"It breaks the game into shorter bits which, as we see with other forms of entertainment, helps with younger audiences who typically consume content in smaller portions."
But whether other major football competitions would take on hydration breaks for the economic benefit is doubtful.
The Premier League would be restricted in the UK by Ofcom rules and likely face a huge backlash from fans, while Uefa has sought to create clear distance between itself and Fifa on policy matters in recent months, including pledging not to use dynamic ticket pricing at Euro 2028.
"When a game is watched by diehard fans of both sides, they don't want a break after 25 minutes," Peeters adds.
"For Uefa and the Premier League this idea is less of a concern because they are in very mature markets compared to Fifa."
Aug 30, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins defensive back Dontay Joyner (6) celebrates during the first half against the Florida Atlantic Owls at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images | Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
Maryland football cornerback Dontay Joyner was arrested on harassment charges on June 11, multiple sources confirmed.
Joyner was booked by the Harford County Sheriff’s Office for telephone misuse and electronic communications harassment. He is currently being held without bond.
Last season’s All-Big Ten honorable mention was a standout in the Terps’ secondary after transferring in from Arkansas State. Joyner posted a team-high eight pass breakups and snagged two interceptions, highlighted by a 67-yard pick-six against Nebraska.
The rising senior isn’t the first Maryland player to be charged; defensive lineman DD Holmes was arrested after driving under the influence in late September.
Joyner’s arrest adds uncertainty to a Maryland defense that is looking to rebound after an injury-plagued 2025 campaign. The veteran cornerback was projected to be one of the unit’s top pieces this fall.
In other news
Former Maryland football offensive tackle Gottlieb Ayedze signed with the Miami Dolphins.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MAY 27: Chairman Tom Ricketts of the Chicago Cubs looks on before the game between the Chicago Cubs and the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field on May 27, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
Getty Images
The Chicago Cubs have spent much of the last decade balancing modernization with preservation around one of baseball’s most recognizable landmarks.
While Wrigley Field has undergone extensive renovations under the ownership of the Ricketts family, the organization has also worked to maintain the historic character that makes the ballpark unique.
That balancing act continued this week as the Cubs pushed forward with another significant change surrounding the stadium. Unlike previous renovations focused on infrastructure or fan amenities, this latest development centers on advertising and it looks like fans will surely notice the changes if and when they are implemented.
“Aldermen approved a Chicago Cubs-backed plan Wednesday to allow three new signs to go up on buildings overlooking iconic Wrigley Field,” Jake Sheridan reported for the Chicago Tribune. “The team will be allowed to add one new sign up to 69 feet tall on North Sheffield Avenue, as well as two new smaller signs on its West Waveland Avenue rooftops.”
Chicago Cubs Fans Set For New Experience At Wrigley Field
The decision marks another step in the Cubs' long-term effort to maximize the value of properties surrounding Wrigley Field.
Since acquiring the franchise in 2009, the Ricketts family has steadily expanded its footprint throughout the Wrigleyville neighborhood. That strategy has included purchasing rooftop properties and neighboring buildings while integrating them more closely into the club's overall business operations.
“During the time the Ricketts family has owned the Cubs, the team has begun purchasing buildings across the street from the ballpark, operating rooftops and erecting advertising across the street from the ballpark,” NBC 5 Chicago noted following the latest advertising approval. “It’s unclear when the new signs will be added, but it is expected the signs will replace banners advertising the Wrigley Field rooftops…”
Chicago Cubs’ Historic Ballpark Presents Unique Advertising Challenges
Unlike many modern stadiums, Wrigley Field presents unique restrictions because of its landmark status.
“The ballpark is a landmarked space, making it difficult to add signs inside the stadium, but the advertisements will be profitable for the team,” Sheridan added. “The team has already fostered an environment with little intrusive advertising and created an open space for fans.”
That special designation limits the organization's ability to add new signage and advertising directly inside the ballpark, making nearby rooftop and building locations particularly valuable.
Though the team has not officially outlined its plans for the new ads, it seems all but certain that Cubs fans can expect a tweaked experience with new promotions visible from their seats in the near future.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
Brazil played their first World Cup match without one of their most recognizable players, Neymar, who has been nursing a calf injury in recent weeks. That first match ended in a draw against Morocco, and there are rumors (though nothing is confirmed) that Neymar could make his return in a match this Friday against Haiti. Haiti lost their first match against Scotland 0-1; here's a look at the latest predictions and updates for all the Group C teams as they head into their second games this week.
Find out more about this game and all of this week's biggest matches in our 2026 World Cup guide.
Here's everything you need to know about watching the Brazil vs. Haiti match at the 2026 World Cup live from the U.S. (Plus, find out how you can catch every other game of the tournament).
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 25: Cooper Flagg (R) shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver (L) after being drafted first overall by the Dallas Mavericks during the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 25, 2025 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) | Getty Images
BEREA, OHIO - JUNE 09: Harold Fannin Jr. #44 of the Cleveland Browns watches a drill during the Cleveland Browns Mandatory Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 09, 2026 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Thierno Barry to Leipzig Would Leave Everton With Questions to Answer
Everton Face Important Decision Over Barry Future
According to reporting from The Times, RB Leipzig have made an enquiry about Everton striker Thierno Barry, a development that feels significant despite the early nature of the interest.
Barry, 23, arrived with considerable promise and featured in every Premier League game last season, scoring eight goals. Yet there remains a sense that his debut campaign only scratched the surface of his potential.
Photo IMAGO
Everton invested £27 million to sign him from Villarreal and will understandably be reluctant to take a financial hit.
Leipzig Interest Carries Weight
There is always intrigue when a club such as RB Leipzig enters the conversation.
Their data driven recruitment process is widely respected and the fact Barry has emerged on their radar suggests there is a belief that his ceiling is far higher than his current output indicates.
At the same time, Everton cannot afford to weaken an already delicate attacking department.
Clubs in Italy have also shown interest in Beto, who ended the season with ten goals across all competitions.
Photo IMAGO
Replacing one striker would be difficult enough. Replacing two could prove a major gamble.
Squad Building Challenge for Moyes
Everton must weigh immediate needs against long term value. Striker availability across Europe is limited and Premier League clubs without European football often face an uphill battle in recruitment.
Selling Barry may generate funds, but it could also create another problem to solve.
Our View, EPL Index Analysis
Everton Supporters Should Be Cautious
This report may trigger mixed emotions.
There is an element of pride in seeing one of your club’s newest signings attract attention from a Champions League side. Leipzig do not routinely pursue players without extensive analysis behind the scenes.
However, supporters would rightly question why Everton should entertain a sale after only one season.
Barry showed flashes rather than consistency, but that was also true of several players adapting to the physical demands of English football. Patience is often required.
Many Everton fans would probably argue that the club have spent years resetting projects before they have had time to mature. Barry could become another example of that if he leaves too soon.
There is also the wider concern over the striker market. If Beto is attracting interest and Barry departs, Everton would suddenly need to recruit at least one, perhaps two forwards, in a market already described as scarce.
David Moyes is trying to build stability rather than constantly replace key pieces. Barry still feels like an unfinished product with considerable upside.
Supporters may ultimately conclude that unless Leipzig present an offer significantly above Everton’s investment, keeping him is the smarter decision.
Good teams are built by identifying potential before everybody else does, not by selling it at the first sign of external interest.
Nottingham Forest 2026/27 Premier League fixtures in FULL: Leeds first up for Pereira’s side
Nottingham Forest start their 2026/27 Premier League season by hosting Leeds United at the City Ground.
That will be followed by a difficult trip to Anfield to face Liverpool, with the Premier League having released the full list of fixtures for the upcoming season.
As ever, these fixtures are subject to change based on which games are selected for TV coverage, the European schedule and other factors. But here is Forest’s current order of fixtures…
Round 2 of the 126th U.S. Open takes center stage Friday at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, where players will not only battle one of golf’s most demanding courses but also race to make the cut and position themselves for the weekend.
Jun 18, 2026; Southampton, New York, USA; Wyndham Clark tees off on the first tee during the first round of the U.S. Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Thursday’s opening round was disrupted by a more than two-hour fog delay and ultimately suspended because of darkness, forcing several players to return Friday morning to complete their first rounds. Former U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark emerged as the player to catch, reaching 6-under through 16 holes and building a four-shot advantage before play was halted. Clark took advantage of calmer late-afternoon conditions with a birdie-birdie-eagle stretch that vaulted him atop the leaderboard.
The chasing pack remains loaded with major champions and contenders. Rory McIlroy battled difficult conditions to post a 1-under 69, while Jon Rahm, Matt Fitzpatrick, Dustin Johnson, and Gary Woodland all remained within striking distance with holes left to complete. Meanwhile, World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler opened with a 2-over 72 as he continues his bid to complete the career Grand Slam after winning the PGA Championship and The Open last year.
Friday figures to be a marathon day at Shinnecock. Players still on the course will finish Round 1 beginning in the morning before quickly turning around for their second rounds, creating the possibility for significant leaderboard movement. Shinnecock’s firm fairways, punishing fescue, and ever-changing coastal winds have already proven capable of producing big numbers, and with the cut line looming, every shot will carry added importance as the field tries to survive one of golf’s toughest major tests and earn a spot for the weekend.
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When fans tune in to watch the US Open, they want to see the best players in the world struggle.
It has branded itself as golf’s toughest test, where breaking par is a significant achievement, and where professionals are brought to their knees.
So when the forecast predicted gusts of up to 40mph on Thursday at Shinnecock Hills, which is already one of the most difficult golf courses in the world at the best of times, chaos was predicted. But this chaos never came.
In response to the forecast, the USGA watered the greens to ensure balls could stay on the putting surfaces. So when the wind failed to live up to expectations, players were able to throw darts at Shinnecock.
Wyndham Clark leads through 18 holes with a score of six-under, at a place where only three players have finished a US Open under par in the last 100 years. This was not well received by golf fans.
Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images
Golf fans slam USGA for Shinnecock setup at the US Open
The typically rock hard greens of Shinnecock Hills had been softened by the USGA to ensure the golf course was playable, but that resulted in the scores being far lower than anyone wanted from the opening round of a US Open.
One fan slammed the USGA for setting up the golf course to be easier than it is for the members throughout the year: “I get why they softened the Shinnecock greens. I really do. But this is disgusting.
“This green plays twice as firm for the members on a typical Tuesday. 77 year old retired guys play a tougher hole than the best players on earth.”
Another fan agreed, appreciating why they made the call, but implying the USGA to ramp up the difficulty: “Not my US Open.
“I applaud looking at the wind forecast and adjusting but this is too cautious. Shinnecock is not supposed to play soft! Put the teeth back in the course!”
One fan noted that this felt more like the Canadian Open from last week than your usual US Open: “I’m worried that Golf Canada has infiltrated the USGA and is setting up our national open. Never in my wildest dreams did I think we’d see Shinnecock cosplaying as TPC Toronto.
“Slow the greens down as much as needed, but keep them firm for goodness sake. Sad!”
Fans begged the USGA to make the greens firmer for the final three days: “Should be like Royal Melbourne in February, harder and faster than concrete.”
Another fan said, “Stop watering the greens. Let nature do its thing.”
In truth, the US Open has not been as brutal of a test as it once was decades ago. The USGA seems afraid to upset the players in the modern era, meaning the event rarely lives up to the pre-tournament hype.
One fan said, “Every year everybody on Twitter hypes up how hard it’s going to be then the USGA swoops in and saves the players.”
The USGA made the right call with Shinnecock setup
In reality, the USGA were stuck between a rock and a hard place. The pre-tournament forecast forced them into this decision, and they simply got unlucky that the howling wind never really came.
If they had made the greens any firmer, and if the winds were any stronger, then balls would have blown off the greens, and play would have been suspended. In fact, in the morning wave we did see balls being shifted by the wind on the seventh green in particular.
And if the USGA set the golf course up in a way that threatened play to be stopped, they’d have been slammed for that too. They could not win in this scenario.
The USGA are now simply victims of their own reputation. If this was a PGA Championship, nobody would complain.
With the 2026 World Cup taking place in North America, the debate around whether the sport should be called football or soccer is raging once more.
The modern version of football was popularised in Europe, and on that continent, it is called by its original name.
Only some nations refer to the sport as soccer, one of which is the United States. Now, former USMNT player Alexi Lalas has explained he will never change his mind and call it football.
Photo by Frank Micelotta/Fox Sports via Getty Images
Alexi Lalas will not call football soccer
The ex-player, who made 96 appearances for the USA in the 90s, responded to a tweet from a fan talking about why he still calls it soccer.
The fan stated: “Alexi we need to talk about you continuing to call the sport ‘soccer’ cmon man.. you could bridge the gap. Even the US players call it ‘football’ in overseas interviews out of respect.”
However, Lalas was unmoved by the comment and said it is ‘cringe’ to start saying football if you previously grew up referring to the sport as soccer.
He stated: “Yeah… that’s not gonna happen. I call it soccer. I own it proudly. I never apologize for it.
“If you grew up calling it soccer and changed out of insecurity or some misguided belief it makes you more authentic/credible… it doesn’t. It’s cringe. It makes you look like a weak poser.”
In the US, football is, of course, used to refer to American football and the NFL, which is a different sport altogether.
There would perhaps be some confusion if everyone in the country started to call both sports football. But that does seem unlikely to happen anytime soon.
Knicks ownerJames Dolan reportedly had a verbal clash with NYC MayorZohran Mamdani last week. The tense interaction occurred when the duo met at City Hall to conclude the Knicks’ championship parade. They spoke at the ticker-tape parade and rally at City Hall on Thursday.
James Dolan seemingly takes swipe at Zohran Mamdani
Zohran Mamdani seemingly clashed with the Knicks’ owner, James Dolan, after the latter said in an interview that the New York City mayor is not a real fan of the team. During his speech at City Hall, Mamdani praised the Knicks’ history with a shout-out to the team’s former player, Charles Oakley, who has been publicly in a legal battle with Dolan.
Following Mamdani’s speech, Dolan seemingly took a jab at the NYC mayor. “I don’t need your vote,” the Knicks owner told the crowd. “I don’t need to quote to you what happened. If you’re real Knicks fans, you know it already,” he added.
Mamdani then went on to issue keys to the city to several staff members and players, including Dolan. However, the MSG Network CEO appeared to avoid a photo op with Mamdani. The pair did shake hands at the time.
The report comes just days after Dolan confirmed that the New York Knicks have accepted an invitation to the White House following their recent NBA Championship victory. Speaking with WFAN New York on Wednesday, the Knicks owner said, “We just did receive an invitation from [the] White House, which we accepted. We still have to figure out the details.”
Dolan also spoke about his friendship with Donald Trump during the interview. “I invited the President to come down for the game,” he said, adding, “He is a friend. I’ve known him for 30 years, and I’m very proud to bring the team to the White House.”
The President attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, where he was booed by the crowd.
After winning hearts and minds but crashing out of the group stage at the 2022 World Cup, Canada hope to take a more tangible step towards building their soccer credentials as they contest the 2026 FIFA tournament on home soil.
Having qualified for their first World Cup in decades, Les Rouges failed to earn a single point in Qatar four years ago, but their plucky nature gave many hope for a brighter future.
Now, under head coach Jesse Marsch's steady leadership, the CanMNT hopes to win more than just emotional victories, having lost all six of their World Cup matches to date.
The Sporting News brings you a closer look at Canada's next match at the 2026 World Cup, with Les Rouges aiming to rewrite their FIFA history.
The broadcast rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada are owned by Bell Media, who will air all matches in English on TSN and CTV, and in French on RDS.
All 104 matches of the tournament will be televised in Canada, with streaming available on both CTV GO and TSN GO. Audio commentary will also be broadcast on TSN Radio.
TSN channels set to air games in English include TSN1, TSN3, TSN4, and TSN5.
TSN can also be added as a separate subscription channel on Amazon Prime with fans able to access all of TSN's live and on demand content.
Canada World Cup 2026 draw bracket for Group B
As co-hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Canada were pre-drawn out of Pot 1 into Group B.
This is a traditional process, as the host of every World Cup is given Pot 1 treatment, and is pre-drawn into a group ahead of time to maximize the home nation's positioning amongst the venues and bracket.
They were then drawn alongside Switzerland from Pot 2, Qatar from Pot 3, and late UEFA playoff qualifiers Bosnia & Herzegovina from Pot 4.
Should Canada advance through the group stage and into the knockout stage, their placement within the 32-team bracket will be dependent on their finish within the four-team Group B table.
If Les Rouges qualify for the Round of 32, either by placing top two in their group or being one of the eight third-place qualifiers, they have four potential places they could end up in.
Here are all four possible locations Canada could wind up slotting into, as well as their path to the final from each one.
Path for Canada in World Cup knockout — 1st place in Group B
Winning Group B would place Canada in an exceptional position, slated to host both their Round of 32 and potential Round of 16 matches on home soil.
Date
Competition
Match
Location
Time (ET)
TV
Streaming
Thu, Jul. 2
FIFA World Cup Round of 32
Canada vs. TBD (3rd place qualifier Group E/F/G/I/J)
Canada vs. TBD (1st, Group K/3rd place qualifier Group D/E/I/J/L)
BC Place (Vancouver, Canada)
4 p.m.
TSN
Amazon Prime
Sat, Jul. 11
FIFA World Cup Quarterfinals
Canada vs. TBD
Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, MO)
9 p.m.
TSN
Amazon Prime
Wed, Jul. 15
FIFA World Cup Semifinals
Canada vs. TBD
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
3 p.m.
TSN
Amazon Prime
Sun, Jul. 19
FIFA World Cup Final
Canada vs. TBD
MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
3 p.m.
TSN
Amazon Prime
Path for Canada in World Cup knockout — 2nd place in Group D
Date
Competition
Match
Location
Time (ET)
TV
Streaming
Sun, Jun. 28
FIFA World Cup Round of 32
Canada vs. TBD (2nd, Group A)
SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
3 p.m.
TSN
Amazon Prime
Sat, Jul. 4
FIFA World Cup Round of 16
Canada vs. TBD (1st, Group F/2nd, Group C)
NRG Stadium (Houston, TX)
1 p.m.
TSN
Amazon Prime
Thu, Jul. 9
FIFA World Cup Quarterfinals
Canada vs. TBD
Gillette Stadium (Foxboro, MA)
4 p.m.
TSN
Amazon Prime
Wed, Jul. 15
FIFA World Cup Semifinals
Canada vs. TBD
AT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)
3 p.m.
TSN
Amazon Prime
Sun, Jul. 19
FIFA World Cup Final
Canada vs. TBD
MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
3 p.m.
TSN
Amazon Prime
Path for Canada in World Cup knockout — 3rd place qualifier
As a member of Group B, Canada have two potential places in the knockout stage bracket they could be sorted into should they qualify as one of the eight third-place qualifiers.
Until all qualifiers are known, it is impossible to predict where or when they could potentially play should this come to pass. There are 495 mathematical combinations of third place qualifiers. All of these have been spelled out in advance, and every potential outcome can be found in Annex C (pg. 80) of the 2026 FIFA World Cup regulations.
Potential path 1 — Face Winner of Group D
Of Canada's 330 potential sorting options as a potential Group B third-place qualifier, 329 of those see them face the winner of Group D, which is the group featuring the United States.
Date
Competition
Match
Location
Time (ET)
TV
Streaming
Wed, Jul. 1
FIFA World Cup Round of 32
Canada vs. TBD (Winner Group D)
Levi's Stadium (Santa Clara, CA)
8 p.m.
TSN
Amazon Prime
Sat, Jul. 4
FIFA World Cup Round of 16
Canada vs. TBD (Winner Group I/3rd place qualifier Group C/F/G/H)
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
5 p.m.
TSN
Amazon Prime
Sat, Jul. 11
FIFA World Cup Quarterfinals
Canada vs. TBD
Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, MO)
4 p.m.
TSN
Amazon Prime
Wed, Jul. 15
FIFA World Cup Semifinals
Canada vs. TBD
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
3 p.m.
TSN
Amazon Prime
Sun, Jul. 19
FIFA World Cup Final
Canada vs. TBD
MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
3 p.m.
TSN
Amazon Prime
Potential path 2 — Face Winner of Group E
Of Canada's 330 potential sorting options as a potential Group B third-place qualifier, only one of those see them face the winner of Group E.
Date
Competition
Match
Location
Time (ET)
TV
Streaming
Mon, Jun. 29
FIFA World Cup Round of 32
Canada vs. TBD (1st, Group E)
Gillette Stadium (Foxboro, MA)
4:30 p.m.
TSN
Amazon Prime
Sat, Jul. 4
FIFA World Cup Round of 16
Canada vs. TBD (1st, Group I/3rd place qualifier Group D/F/G/H)
MUMBAI: Virat Kohli has made significant progress in his recovery from a hamstring injury and is on track to return to the Indian team for the upcoming ODI series in England, TOI has learnt.
"Kohli has started his rehabilitation, and his injury is healing quickly. He is expected to report to the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence for his fitness assessment and clearance soon.
If his recovery goes as planned, Kohli is expected to make his comeback to the team in the upcoming England series," a source said.
BCCI selectors to pick squad soon
The Indian ODI squad for the tour of England is set to be picked later this week.
"The selection committee meeting to pick India's ODI team for the England tour will be held in the next three to four days," BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told TOI on Thursday.
The three-match ODI series between India and England will be played from July 14 to 19, with matches scheduled in Birmingham, Cardiff and Lord's.
The 37-year-old Kohli missed the ongoing home ODI series against Afghanistan due to the hamstring injury, with opener Yashasvi Jaiswal replacing him.
The superstar batter has been consulting renowned orthopaedic surgeon Dr Dinshaw Pardiwalla, who is based at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai and serves as the BCCI's consultant orthopaedic surgeon.
Hamstring injury ruled Kohli out of Afghanistan series
Kohli had suffered the hamstring injury during his unbeaten 75 off 42 balls in the IPL final, which helped Royal Challengers Bengaluru chase down 156 against Gujarat Titans and clinch their second successive IPL title.
On Tuesday, several pictures surfaced online showing Kohli spending time in London, where he currently lives, with English batter Jordon Cox, his Royal Challengers Bengaluru teammate. The meeting came hours before the 25-year-old was named in England's playing XI for the second Test against New Zealand, which began at The Oval on Wednesday.
Agarkar had hinted at England comeback
While announcing India's squads for the series against Afghanistan in Mumbai on June 6, chief selector Ajit Agarkar had indicated that Kohli could be fit for the England series, but added that there was "no clear timeline" from the physio regarding his return.
"With Virat, it's just been less than a week since he injured himself in the IPL final. We don't know the timelines yet. But it looks like he might be fit for that England one-day series. It's not a definitive answer, so don't hold me to it. I haven't had a clear timeline from the physio yet," Agarkar had said.
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Having retired from T20Is and Tests, Kohli now plays only ODIs for India. His previous appearance came in the home series against New Zealand in January, where he top-scored for India with 240 runs at an average of 80 and a strike rate of 105.26.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have emerged as a potential suitor for Anaheim Ducks captain Radko Gudas. NHL insider Kevin Weekes reported that Toronto and the Florida Panthers are among the teams monitoring the veteran defenseman.
Weekes wrote on X: “👀 Per sources, I’m told @AnaheimDucks Captain D Gudas is gaining interest in the marketplace. If him & Ducks can’t get a deal done, @FlaPanthers @MapleLeafs are among potential fits.”
Gudas is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 after completing his three-year, $12 million contract with Anaheim. The 36-year-old reportedly seeks a new deal worth between $3.5 million and $4 million annually.
Toronto’s interest is notable because Gudas ended Auston Matthews’ season in March. The Ducks captain received a five-game suspension after a knee-on-knee hit injured the Leafs star.
Matthews suffered a Grade 3 MCL tear and a quad contusion. The injury limited him to 60 games and removed Toronto’s top offensive threat.
Why the Maple Leafs could pursue Radko Gudas?
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas (7) at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
The Maple Leafs are coming off a disastrous 2025-26 season. They finished 32-36-14, missed the playoffs, and posted a -46 goal differential.
Defensive play was a major issue throughout the season. Toronto allowed too many shots and struggled to establish a consistent physical presence on the blue line, especially after Chris Tanev’s injury.
That is where Gudas could help, despite his age. He remains one of the league’s toughest defenders and brings extensive playoff experience. His 2025-26 season was affected by ankle and lower-body injuries, but despite that, he appeared in 56 games and recorded two goals, 11 assists, and 67 penalty minutes.
So, Gudas makes more sense as a depth addition than a major solution. Toronto still needs stronger top-four options if it hopes to return to contention. However, a short-term contract could provide value. Gudas would add leadership, physicality, and defensive edge to a roster undergoing significant changes.
New general manager John Chayka and head coach Jim Hiller are reshaping the organization. Pursuing Gudas suggests Toronto wants a harder, more structured identity moving forward.
Real Madrid intensify pursuit of top Galactico target, but PSG also enter race
As reported already, Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise has become Real Madrid’s dream signing this summer.
The French international impressed once again in his opening World Cup appearance, adding to the performances that had already caught the eye during Bayern Munich’s Champions League clashes with Real Madrid.
Although the club had been aware of his talent beforehand, it was his displays in the UCL that convinced many inside the Bernabeu that they were witnessing a player capable of becoming one of the game’s biggest stars, reports AS.
Since then, the admiration has only grown. With every appearance, Olise continues to enhance his reputation, reinforcing the belief within the club that he is the ideal figure to lead the next generation of Galacticos.
Contacts during the election campaign
Real Madrid’s presidential campaign temporarily slowed several operations, but it also reignited the club’s ambition to secure another global superstar.
The next Galactico? (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
According to the report, senior figures at the club made initial approaches during the campaign, laying the groundwork for future negotiations.
Those contacts kept hope alive and opened a line of communication around a player viewed by many in football as a genuine Galactico.
While Bayern Munich have remained firm in their stance, Real Madrid’s interest has never faded. If anything, the Merengues have only intensified their pursuit of the former Crystal Palace attacker.
The Bundesliga champions continue to insist that Olise is not for sale, but they are aware that the situation could become more complicated if the player himself decides he wants to move to Spain.
Bayern, as they have done on numerous occasions, continue to resist selling their stars, but they also understand the realities of the market.
Bayern insist Olise is not for sale. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
Inside Germany, there are suggestions that if Olise eventually pushes for a move, Bayern would be prepared to negotiate and could even seek a fee that surpasses the €222 million Paris Saint-Germain paid for Neymar in 2017.
PSG also interested
PSG are considered Real Madrid’s biggest rivals in the race for the Frenchman. However, the strong relationship between the clubs involved means there is no expectation of a prolonged bidding war.
Should one side gain a decisive advantage, the other is expected to step aside and allow negotiations with Bayern to proceed.
Relations between Real Madrid and Bayern have traditionally been respectful, and those at Valdebebas are keen to maintain that spirit, even in what could become one of the most expensive transfer sagas in football history.
For now, Bayern’s message remains unchanged: Olise is not for sale. But ultimately, the next chapter may depend on the player himself.
Clemsonbaseball continues to add pieces through the transfer portal, and the latest addition could provide another boost to the Tigers’ pitching staff.
According to D1Baseball($), UMBC right-handed pitcher Kailen Hackmann has committed to Clemson after an impressive freshman season. The 6-foot-7, 215-pound rising sophomore earned a spot on the 2026 America East All-Rookie Team after emerging as one of the top relievers in the conference.
Hackmann appeared in 20 games for the Retrievers, all out of the bullpen, tying for the team lead in appearances. He finished the season with a perfect 7-0 record, a 3.07 ERA, one save and 47 strikeouts across 41 innings. He also picked up America East Pitcher of the Week honors on March 3 after a dominant outing against Monmouth, striking out eight batters over three scoreless and hitless innings.
During conference play, Hackmann continued his strong performance, going 5-0 with a save and a 3.72 ERA in 19.1 innings. Before beginning his college career, he starred at Washington Liberty High School in Arlington, Virginia.
Dabo Swinney disrespected in latest ACC coach rankings ahead of 2026 season
Hackmann joins a growing Clemson transfer class that includes Troy Sudbrook from Toledo, Bennett Edwards from Georgia Southern, Isaac Incinelli from St. Johns River State College, Landon White from Bryant, Jamie Daly from Davidson and Jackson Miller from Bowling Green.
A gambling investigation, which is still ongoing, scuttled the Detroit Pistons' plans to re-sign Beasley, who had a historic 2024-25 season with the franchise, last offseason. He was set to agree to a three-year, $42 million contract with the Pistons before news broke late last June.
The Pistons still have Beasley's non-Bird rights and can sign him to contract starting at $7.2 million following the conclusion of the investigation.
In May, Pistons president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon said the investigation was still ongoing and they hadn't been in touch with Beasley about a reunion.
On Thursday, June 18, in his predraft press conference in midtown, Langdon said nothing has changed. He clarified he hasn't spoken with Beasley. Langdon also said Beasley doesn't currently have an agent.
"I have not talked to him about coming back," Langdon said.
Beasley, now 29, averaged 16.3 points per game in 2024-25. He became one of five players in league history to make 300 3-pointers in a season and finished second in Sixth Man of the Year voting.
Robinson, 32, averaged 12.1 points and 2.2 assists in 2025-26, and shot 41% from 3 in the regular season, while appearing and starting in 77 games. He's set to make $16 million in 2026-27, with only $2 million guaranteed. Unless he’s included in a trade, the Pistons likely will keep him rather than waive him to create cap space. He has $15.2 million nonguaranteed in 2027-28.
Roma has officially sold Tommaso Baldanzi to Genoa.
It won’t be a permanent transfer, but a loan with an obligation to buy. The fee is expected to be around €9.5 million.
The Giallorossi club said goodbye to the attacking midfielder with a statement: “AS Roma announces that it has reached an agreement with Genoa CFC for the transfer of Tommaso Baldanzi. The deal concludes with a loan with an obligation to buy. Baldanzi made 69 appearances and scored three goals for the Giallorossi. He also joined Genoa on loan in January 2026. Best of luck for the future, Tommaso!”
Tommaso Baldanzi has released his first words as a new Genoa player, after his loan spell in the second half of the season: “I’m thrilled to continue my adventure in the Grifone jersey, and I can’t wait to start again in these colors. I feel I can give and I know I still have a lot to prove to the Rossoblu fans, who have made me feel at home since my first day here in Genoa.”
City to start 2026/27 Premier League season at home to AFC Bournemouth
City will host AFC Bournemouth on the first weekend of the 2026/27 Premier League season.
The Etihad fixture will be played at 14:00 (UK) on Sunday 23 August and is set to be shown live on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom.
The game will kickstart our 30th season in the Premier League and see us begin pursuit of what would be a ninth title since the top-flight was rebranded in 1992.
We follow up that clash against the Cherries with an away game at Crystal Palace, Pierre Sage taking charge of his first Selhurst Park encounter since succeeding Oliver Glasner.
That match is currently scheduled for Saturday 29 August but the kick-off time and date for every match beyond the opening weekend is subject to change once broadcasters have selected the games they wish to show live.
From there, it’s a home clash with newly promoted Coventry City on Saturday 5 September with former Blue Frank Lampard returning to the Etihad.
Then it’s the first Manchester derby of the season as we travel to Old Trafford to take on United on Saturday 12 September, while the reverse fixture will be played at the Etihad on Saturday 20 March.
We’ll end the campaign with a trip to Sunderland on Sunday 30 May.
Over the festive period, we will head to St James’ Park to take on Newcastle on Boxing Day followed by a clash with Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Wednesday 30 December while we’ll see in the New Year with a home game against Tottenham on Saturday 2 January.
Elsewhere, our games against current defending champions Arsenal currently fall away on Saturday 28 November and at home on Saturday 30 January.
We’ll go to Liverpool on Saturday 10 October before welcoming them to the Etihad on Saturday 8 May.
As with the 2024/25 and 2025/26 campaigns, the FA Cup final will be played the week before the final day of the Premier League - this year falling on Saturday 22 May - meaning our home clash with Aston Villa is currently pencilled in for Sunday 23 May.
As previously stated, the date and time for all fixtures beyond the opening weekend are subject to change due to broadcast selections.
Please also be aware that some fixtures may be subject to movement from Saturday to Sunday due to participation of our opponents in the Europa League or Europa Conference League the preceding Thursday.
Keep across mancity.com and our official app for all confirmed fixture changes throughout the 2026/27 season.
Following the release of today’s 2026/27 Premier League fixtures, remember you can secure your place at the Etihad Stadium by becoming an Official Member, which gives access to Premier League match tickets.
Supporters can also sign up to be notified once tickets go on-sale and register their interest in matchday hospitality, with a range of unforgettable experiences available including five new spaces in the Pep Guardiola Stand.
Full details can be found by clicking the link below.
Attacker, midfielder, defender or goalie. Who's your pick for the GameTimePA's YAIAA girls lacrosse player of the year?
We began our search with the all-stars picked out by league coaches to create an online poll of who we consider the top players from around the YAIAA. We want to hear your pick for which player stood out among the rest.
The winner will be announced after the poll closes at noon on Thursday, June 25.
Can't see the poll? Refresh your browser.
Vote for GameTimePA's YAIAA girls lacrosse player of the year
Cook joins the Hall of Fame two years following his retirement as head coach of the Huskers. He is the seventh head coach selected for the Hall of Fame. In his 25-year tenure, Cook wrangled a 722-103 record, 14 conference titles, 12 NCAA Semifinals appearances, eight NCAA Final appearances and four national championships.
But Cook also helped produce numerous elite athletes. Under his leadership, Nebraska produced five Olympians, three AVCA Division I National Players of the Year, 72 All-Americans, three Academic All-Americans of the Year, 25 Academic All-Americans and 10 conference players of the year.
On top of that, Cook helped bring Nebraska volleyball to national prominence. Since 2001, Nebraska has maintained an NCAA-record home sellout streak. The most notable achievement for the program was setting the record for the largest crowd ever to attend a women’s sporting event, as 92,003 fans packed Memorial Stadium to watch Nebraska defeat Omaha in late August 2023.
The Hall of Fame class will be inducted at a ceremony on Friday, Oct. 2, and recognized during the Nebraska-Maryland football game the following day. The class will be permanently enshrined on a granite plaque in the University of Nebraska Athletics Hall of Fame Plaza, with the names of the seven members added.
Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.
The Tennessee Titans have finished off their minicamp and now set their sights on training camp with what Robert Saleh believes are the most important 40 days of the offseason.
There is no doubt the Titans are a team in transition, with a new staff and an overhauled roster, and that they have much higher expectations as they head into 2026. But even with all of the new faces, there is still room to add to the roster, and Aaron Schatz of ESPN believes that adding some more experienced depth to their secondary could be the perfect finishing touch to their rebuild.
Coach Robert Saleh and coordinator Gus Bradley say that they are confident in second-year cornerback Marcus Harris handling the nickelback role. But why not bring in some veteran competition to push him during training camp? Moore was still above average in my coverage DVOA metric last season, and he has always been strong against the run.
General manager Mike Borgonzi has done a great job at adding to the secondary this offseason, but Schatz does make sense. While Harris flashed as a rookie, he is nowhere near as experienced as Moore, and the Titans have the cap room to make a move like this work and still ink Peter Skoronski and possibly Jeffery Simmons to lucrative extensions.
Moore has the ball skills and ball-hawking abilities that could be a perfect fit in Saleh’s new defensive scheme, not to mention his familiarity with the divisional rivals, the Indianapolis Colts.
Attacker, midfielder, defender, goalie. Who's got your pick for the best boys lacrosse player in the YAIAA this season?
We began our search with the all-stars selected by league coaches to create an online poll of who we consider the top players from around the YAIAA. We want to hear your pick for which player stood out among the rest.
The winner will be announced after the poll closes at noon on Thursday, June 25.
Can't see the poll? Refresh your browser.
Vote for GameTimePA's YAIAA boys lacrosse player of the year
ORLANDO — Plans change on the fly throughout the summer recruiting season, and UCF's final expected list of official visitors reflects that fluctuation.
Only two rising high school seniors are set to spend the weekend in Orlando; the Knights also hosted a quarterback for a mid-week visit, their first foray into the 2027 class of signal-callers since Port Charlotte's Logan Flaherty flipped in favor of Florida State.
Commitments are commonplace by mid-June, resulting in cancellations of other trips. Among the in-state targets the Knights previously planned to bring in for the upcoming weekend were Miami Palmetto wide receiver Kaden Howard (Georgia Tech commit), Geneva School edge rusher Duke Carpenter (Stanford), Bishop Verot defensive back Jyden German (Minnesota), and Tampa Catholic cornerback Carl Jones Jr. (Wake Forest).
Last weekend proved fruitful for UCF, though. The Knights added five players to their recruiting class between June 14-16: Vero Beach edge rusher Dontallis Render, Delray Beach Atlantic running back Omari St. Fort, Duncanville (Texas) cornerback Jonathan Barnes, Lakeland Christian interior offensive lineman Ty MontsDeOca and Passaic Tech (N.J.) linebacker Ian McDuffie, whom the Knights flipped from Syracuse.
Here is the Knights' list of incoming visitors to close out the summer.
James Reynolds, K/P, Venice (Venice, Fla.)
Reynolds kicked off the week by receiving a full offer from UCF special teams coordinator Pete Alamar, and he will close with a quick turnaround trip to Orlando. The No. 3 ranked punter in the nation per Kohl's Professional Camps, Reynolds averaged 42.1 yards per punt with eight kicks downed inside the opponents' 20-yard line. He sent 47 of 60 kickoffs into the end zone for a touchback, as well.
Quarterback is not a big of a need for the 2027 cycle, considering the Knights took both Rocco Marriott and Dante Carr last year, but they have kept an eye on Thatcher since he decommitted from Utah back in January. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Thatcher completed 70% of his attempts as a junior for 2,625 yards, 29 touchdowns and five interceptions. His UCF visit concluded midweek, and he's heading to Michigan for a final trip before deciding between those two schools, Oregon State and UNLV.
UCF has been trending as one of the favorites for Walker since he backed off a commitment to Coastal Carolina earlier this month. Walker, who made 30 tackles with four TFLs, two sacks and one interception, recently visited Appalachian State and collected offers from South Florida and Georgia Tech.
The new Premier League season will begin with Arsenal launching their title defence, as they take on newly-promoted side Coventry City, while Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea reign starts with a derby to cap off the weekend.
After Mikel Arteta guided Arsenal to their first Premier League trophy in 22 years, the north London club will try to go back to back, and some fans will see their season-opener as a kind one, as they face a side who will simply be happy to avoid relegation this year.
Meanwhile, Liverpool and Chelsea will venture away from home for interesting tests as they begin their bids to challenge for the title again; Andoni Iraola’s first game in charge of the Reds will play out at Newcastle United, while Alonso’s Blues make a short trip across west London to play rivals Fulham.
Elsewhere, Roberto De Zerbi will aim to pick up where he left off as Tottenham coach, with some positive results late in the season giving way to a trip to Brentford to launch their upcoming campaign.
Everton will welcome Europa Conference League champions Crystal Palace to the Hill Dickinson Stadium; Nottingham Forest and Leeds United will square off in a clash of teams who just avoided the drop last term; and Aston Villa – still buoyed by their Europa League triumph, no doubt – visit Brighton.
Premier League 2026/27, opening-weekend fixtures (all times BST)
Friday 21 August, 8pm – Arsenal v Coventry City
Saturday 22 August, 12.30pm – Hull City v Manchester United
Saturday 22 August, 3pm – Everton v Crystal Palace
Manchester United's 2026-27 season will be the subject of a new Amazon Prime documentary (PA)
Saturday 22 August, 3pm – Ipswich Town v Sunderland
Saturday 22 August, 3pm – Nottingham Forest v Leeds United
Saturday 22 August, 5.30pm – Brentford v Tottenham Hotspur
Sunday 23 August, 2pm – Brighton and Hove Albion v Aston Villa
Sunday 23 August, 2pm – Manchester City v Bournemouth
Sunday 23 August, 4.30pm – Newcastle United v Liverpool
Infielder, outfielder, pitcher or batting powerhouse. Who's your pick for GameTimePA's YAIAA baseball player of the year?
We began our search with the all-stars picked out by league coaches to create an online poll of who we consider the top players from around the YAIAA. We want to hear your pick for which player stood out among the rest.
The winner will be announced after the poll closes at noon on Thursday, June 25.
Report Nico Paz’s Como decision upsets Real Madrid, sparks 60m transfer row
Il Corriere dello Sport reports that Nico Paz’s decision to remain at Como in 2026-27 has upset Real Madrid, which still want the Argentine to return to the Bernabeu unless the Serie A club pay €60m.
AS.com in Spain reported earlier this week that Paz had opted to stay at the Stadio Sinigaglia for one more year, given that Real Madrid are bringing in several experienced players, including Bernardo Silva, which will raise the competition for a starting spot in attack next season.
Italian sources such as Sky Sport Italia and Fabrizio Romano had been more cautious, saying that Como were confident of retaining Paz, but adding that the Serie A side and Real Madrid were in talks to determine the best transfer formula.
COMO, ITALY – APRIL 12: Nico Paz of Como 1907 celebrates after scoring their team’s second goal during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on April 12, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Technically, Nico Paz is a Como player, having completed a permanent transfer from Real Madrid two years ago.
Real Madrid, however, have an option to bring him back until 2027.
If they sign him this summer, they’ll need to pay €10m, while the fee for the next campaign is €11m.
Corriere dello Sport adds that Como will be entitled to a 50% sell-on clause if Paz remains with the club beyond the summer.
The Italian newspaper claims that Real Madrid still want to bring the Argentine back to the club this summer by activating their clause and have warned Como that the only way to retain him permanently is by paying €60m.
Argentina vs Austria Prediction: World Cup 2026 Preview & Best Bets
The defending world champions meet a resurgent Austria side back on football’s biggest stage for the first time since 1998 — and with both teams already winning in Group J, Matchday 2 in Dallas carries real knockout-round weight…
Fixture: Argentina vs Austria | Group J, Matchday 2Date: Monday, 22 June 2026Kick-off: 12:00 local (17:00 BST)Venue: AT&T Stadium, Dallas (Arlington), USATV/Streaming (UK): BBC / iPlayer
Both Argentina and Austria arrive at AT&T Stadium having won their opening group fixtures, meaning the victor here takes a commanding grip on Group J and moves to within touching distance of the last sixteen. A win for Argentina, who opened with a 3-0 dismantling of Algeria, would almost certainly confirm their progression with a game to spare. Austria, returning to the World Cup after a 28-year absence and fresh from a 3-1 opening win over Jordan, know that victory would stake an enormous claim to the group’s second automatic qualification spot, while a defeat leaves their ambitions hanging on the final matchday.
Verdict
Argentina look the value play to win this match, with the holders carrying far too much firepower for an Austria side making their first World Cup appearance since 1998. Back Argentina to Win and Both Teams to Score at the best available price with leading operators — Lionel Messi has already hit the ground running with three goals in this tournament, and L. Scaloni’s side are in the kind of ruthless form that has defined their pursuit of back-to-back titles.
Argentina vs Austria Match Preview
This is a fixture that pits the game’s most decorated active squad against a team rediscovering itself on the grandest stage. Argentina, under L. Scaloni, are a side built on continuity: the core of their 2022 World Cup-winning group is intact, the tactical structure is settled, and Lionel Messi at 38 is still capable of the decisive moment. Their 3-0 opening win over Algeria was a statement of intent, and a second Group J victory here would book their place in the knockout rounds with a game to spare.
Austria’s return to this stage is genuinely compelling. S. Helm’s side qualified with a record of six wins and one draw from their first seven qualifying matches before drawing their final group fixture, and they carried that confidence into the tournament opener, seeing off Jordan 3-1. David Alaba provides genuine top-level pedigree at the back, and Marcel Sabitzer and Konrad Laimer give Austria a hard-working, technically capable midfield that will not simply roll over against the champions.
The reality, though, is that Argentina possess a quality differential that is very difficult to bridge at this level. Lautaro Martinez at centre-forward, Julian Alvarez offering movement in behind, and Messi pulling the strings across the front line represents an attacking unit that few sides at this World Cup can match. Austria will likely sit deep, try to stay organised, and look for moments on the counter. Whether that approach can contain a defending champion in full flow is the central question of this Argentina vs Austria prediction.
Team Form
Argentina: Last 5
– Algeria (N): Won 3-0 (World Cup)
– Iceland (N): Won 3-0 (Friendly)
– Honduras (N): Won 2-0 (Friendly)
– Zambia (H): Won 5-0 (Friendly)
– Mauritania (H): Won 2-1 (Friendly)
Five wins from five heading into this fixture, and the competitive record matters most: Argentina dispatched Algeria without a great deal of fuss in their World Cup opener. The quality of opposition in the warm-up fixtures varied, but the clean sheets and goal tallies speak to a side that is firing on all cylinders. L. Scaloni’s men have not conceded in four of those last five outings, which underlines a defensive discipline that often gets overlooked behind all the attacking headlines.
Austria: Last 5
– Jordan (H): Won 3-1 (World Cup)
– Tunisia (H): Won 1-0 (Friendly)
– South Korea (H): Won 1-0 (Friendly)
– Ghana (H): Won 5-1 (Friendly)
– Bosnia and Herzegovina (H): Drew 1-1 (World Cup Qualifying)
Austria’s form curve has been positive, with four wins from their last five heading into this one. The 3-1 win over Jordan in their World Cup opener was encouraging, and the 5-1 friendly victory over Ghana showed they can score freely on a good day. The caution is that their opposition quality has been a step below what they will face here. Stepping up to play Argentina is a different proposition entirely, and the real test of S. Helm’s tactical preparations arrives now.
Argentina vs Austria Head to Head
The head-to-head record between these two nations is a thin one. Their two documented meetings both took place in Vienna and both went in Argentina’s favour or ended level. In May 1980, Argentina won 5-1 in a friendly in Austria, and a decade later in May 1990 the two sides drew 1-1, again in Vienna.
There is no World Cup meeting between the sides to reference, which means there is limited historical data to lean on here. What the record does confirm is that Argentina have never lost to Austria in the fixtures on file, and the one occasion the score was close came in a pre-World Cup friendly rather than competitive action. The Argentina vs Austria head to head offers little as a predictor for a match of this magnitude, but history at least does not work against the champions.
Team News
Argentina
Argentina’s squad is strong and settled heading into this fixture. Lionel Messi is fit and in fine form, having scored three goals in the opening win over Algeria, and L. Scaloni has no known injury concerns to disrupt his first-choice arrangements. Emiliano Martinez is expected in goal, with Cristian Romero and Nicolas Otamendi continuing at centre-back. Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez offer security in midfield, with Rodrigo De Paul also available to provide a physical engine alongside them.
The depth of Argentina’s attacking options is remarkable. Lautaro Martinez leads the line and is the side’s primary focal point, while Julian Alvarez offers relentless pressing and movement as a second striker option. Giuliano Simeone and Nicolas Gonzalez provide wide options if L. Scaloni wants to rotate, though the core of Messi, Alvarez and Martinez is likely to remain the preferred front-line arrangement given how it functioned against Algeria.
Austria
Austria have few selection headaches of their own ahead of this Argentina vs Austria fixture. David Alaba is expected to continue as captain and leader of the defensive line, bringing his Real Madrid experience to bear against one of the most dangerous attacks in the tournament. Marcel Sabitzer and Konrad Laimer will likely anchor the midfield, with the latter’s work rate from his Bayern Munich season an important factor in Austria’s pressing approach. Xaver Schlager of RB Leipzig adds technical quality in that department alongside them.
Up front, Marko Arnautovic is Austria’s most capped and most experienced forward, having already scored in this World Cup, and S. Helm will likely look to use his physical presence to hold the ball and give the midfield something to run off. Michael Gregoritsch offers an alternative. Romano Schmid also scored in the Jordan win and may be used to support from a wider or more advanced midfield role. Alexander Schlager is set to continue in goal.
Predicted Lineups
Argentina
Argentina (4-3-3): E. Martinez; Montiel, Romero, Otamendi (c), Tagliafico; De Paul, Mac Allister, E. Fernandez; Messi, L. Martinez, J. Alvarez
Predicted XI – squads to be confirmed before kick-off.
Austria
Austria (4-2-3-1): A. Schlager; Posch, Danso, Alaba (c), Mwene; Laimer, X. Schlager; Wimmer, Sabitzer, Schmid; Arnautovic
Predicted XI – squads to be confirmed before kick-off.
Key Tactical Matchup
The central duel of this match is Austria’s midfield pair of Konrad Laimer and Xaver Schlager against Argentina’s engine room of Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez. Austria will need those two to win second balls, disrupt Argentina’s build-up rhythm, and press high enough to prevent Lionel Messi receiving the ball in dangerous areas. The problem is that Mac Allister and Fernandez, both Premier League regulars operating at the top of the game, are exactly the type of composed, technically precise midfielders who thrive when pressed aggressively. Argentina have already looked fluid through the middle in their 3-0 win over Algeria, and if Austria’s press breaks down, the space behind opens up for Messi and Lautaro Martinez to exploit at pace.
The Argentina vs Austria betting tips market places L. Scaloni’s side as strong favourites at 8/13, and that reflects the reality of the contest. Argentina are the reigning world champions, they are in excellent form, and Messi is already among the tournament’s top scorers with three goals from the opening fixture alone. Austria’s return to the World Cup is a fine story, but the gulf in experience and quality at this level is considerable. Back Argentina to win.
Goals Market: Over 2.5 Goals at Evens
The best available price for over 2.5 goals in this match is 1/1, which looks well worth taking. Argentina scored three without reply against Algeria and have netted nine goals across their last three matches in all competitions. Austria scored three against Jordan in their opener. The attacking quality on both sides, combined with Austria’s need to push on and take the game to Argentina if they fall behind, creates conditions where goals are likely. Over 2.5 goals at evens is a strong Argentina vs Austria best bet.
Scorer Market: Lautaro Martinez Anytime Scorer
Lautaro Martinez is Argentina’s primary striker and arrives at this World Cup with 37 international goals to his name. He leads the line in L. Scaloni’s system and carries the central responsibility for converting the chances that Messi’s creativity generates. He is among the Argentina vs Austria picks that offer genuine value as an anytime scorer given the volume of opportunities Argentina are likely to create against a defensively stretched Austria side. Check the best available price with leading operators ahead of kick-off.
Bet Builder: Argentina Win and Both Teams to Score
Austria showed in their 3-1 win over Jordan that they are capable of scoring against organised opposition, and Marko Arnautovic has already got off the mark at this World Cup. Argentina are prolific but they are not impenetrable to a clinical counter-attack, and combining Argentina to win with both teams to score in a bet builder offers attractive value for the Argentina vs Austria accumulator or single-game builder markets. This Argentina vs Austria bet builder angle deserves serious consideration for those looking beyond the straight result.
Odds Across Operators
The Argentina vs Austria betting odds below reflect the best available prices from leading operators at the time of writing. Argentina are clear favourites, with Austria’s chances priced as a significant upset.
The Argentina vs Austria odds reflect a contest the market expects the holders to control. Austria at 11/2 is not without appeal for each-way or accumulator purposes, but the 8/13 on Argentina represents a straightforward reflection of the quality gap between the sides.
How to Watch and How to Bet
How to Watch
Argentina vs Austria is live in the UK on BBC and via iPlayer, with kick-off at 17:00 BST on Monday, 22 June 2026. The match is played at AT&T Stadium in Dallas (Arlington), Texas, one of the flagship venues of the 2026 World Cup. No subscription is required for UK viewers using the BBC’s free-to-air coverage. You can also follow live text commentary across major sports platforms for those unable to watch the stream directly.
How to Bet
If you want to get involved in the Argentina vs Austria betting market ahead of kick-off, here is a straightforward step-by-step process:
Choose a licensed and regulated betting operator in your jurisdiction.
Register for an account or log in to your existing account.
Navigate to the football or World Cup 2026 section of the sportsbook.
Search for Argentina vs Austria in the Group J fixtures.
Select your preferred market, whether that is the match result, goals, scorer, or a bet builder combination.
Enter your stake and review your potential returns before confirming.
Check for any enhanced odds or welcome offers available on this fixture.
Place your bet and enjoy the match live on BBC / iPlayer.
Responsible Gambling
Betting should always be enjoyable and kept within your means. Set a budget before you bet, never chase losses, and take advantage of the responsible gambling tools available on all licensed platforms, including deposit limits and self-exclusion options. If you are concerned about your gambling or someone else’s, free and confidential support is available at BeGambleAware and via the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. Please gamble responsibly.
Three teams have yet to announce their next coach, nearly a month after the end of the last Serie A season, but all the choices have been made at this point. Monza were the final piece of the puzzle, as Paolo Bianco decided to head to Pisa after the promotion. The Brianzoli have picked Ivan Juric to replace him, Gianluca Di Marzio reports.
The Croatian manager is back in the saddle after being sacked by Atalanta after 11 games last year. His previous two spells hadn’t gone well either. He inherited Southampton when they were already doomed, and he lasted just eight games in the Roma dugout in 2024/2025. Instead, he had fared well at Verona and Torino, finishing in the middle of the table for five consecutive campaigns.
Juric will be the ninth new boss in Serie A. Eusebio Di Francesco and Lecce struck a deal to continue together. Once Massimiliano Allegri completes his Milan exit, he’ll sign a three-year contract with Napoli, longer than initially expected. Lazio are waiting for the FIGC contracts of Gennaro Gattuso and his assistants to run out before confirming the appointment.
Our Take on the Serie A Coaching Landscape in 2025/2026
Juric failed to level up in bigger clubs, but he’s a rock-solid choice for a relegation struggler that should have the means to put together a gritty squad. Among the switches, Atalanta made the most interesting and ambitious choice, moving away from Gian Piero Gasperini’s shadow, but their roster will need a lot of tweaks to function well. Gattuso deserved another shot, but he took on a pretty daunting task. Bologna, Sassuolo, and Torino made calculated risks that could easily pay off big time.
SANTA CLARA, CA - JUNE 03: Enrique Cruz Jr. #69 and Carver Willis #74 of the San Francisco 49ers run a drill during a team OTA practice at SAP Performance Facility on June 3, 2026 in Santa Clara, CA. (Photo by Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
What’s next for 49ers QB Mac Jones after not being traded? “At the end of last season, Jones told ESPN he felt like he “got the train back on the tracks.” The mission now is finding a way to keep it from derailing. Jones jokes that he’s not an engineer, but he has given plenty of thought to what he can do to ensure he stays on course.”
Maxx Crosby Trade: 49ers Reportedly ‘Nuclear Hot’ “Carpenter reported “a lot of interest” in the five-time Pro Bowl selection and named the 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles as the two teams most likely to pursue a deal for one of the NFL’s top defensive ends.”
NFL insider reveals Washington is not going to ‘press’ for 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk “I’ll use this end of things to tell you that the Washington Commanders are not looking to press for Brandon Aiyuk. And my understanding is if he becomes a free agent, they will then take a look at Brandon Aiyuk and the possibility of bringing him in and reuniting him with Jayden Daniels, who was sort of asked about Aiyuk today. When he talked about having a throwing session with his receivers and was asked, “Is anybody else gonna be there?” He sort of didn’t really answer that one.”
The U.S. started the 2026 FIFA World Cup strong on June 12, defeating Paraguay 4-1 in its first group play match.
Team U.S.A. is looking to continue its dominant performance when it faces Australia today at 2 p.m., and for fans looking to watch, there are plenty of restaurants and bars around the Pensacola area showing this game and many others during the month-long competition.
The 48-team event kicked off on June 11 with two matches, and there are 104 total matches before a champion is crowned July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The U.S. team competes in group play on June 12, June 19 and June 25.
Here’s our guide on where you can watch the games in the Pensacola area throughout the entirety of the tournament, and maybe even score a drink special.
10 Pensacola bars and restaurants broadcasting the World Cup
Azalea Cocktail Lounge
810 N. Davis Highway
Pensacola’s famed dive bar, the Z, will be showing "every single 2026 FIFA World Cup match," the bar shared in a social media post.
"Keep your eyes peeled for drink specials all tournament long," Azalea's statement continued. "So bring your crew and settle in for non-stop action, cold drinks, and plenty of chaos in the best way possible."
Seville Quarter
130 E. Government St.
Seville Quarter will be broadcasting all the World Cup games, with games, specials, and giveaways offered along the way.
O’Riley’s Irish Pub
321 S. Palafox St.
O’Riley’s will have every World Cup match on its big screens, as well as watch parties for each of the three USA games on June 12, June 19 and June 25.
"Catch every match on 18 big screens, enjoy featured drink specials, and cheer on your team at O'Riley's Irish Pub all summer long!" O'Riley's shared in a social media post. World Cup drink specials include the following:
Messi Business – spicy, fruity, and ready to make plays
Rum to Victory – tropical vacation meets match day
Golden Goal – simple, crisp, and clutch
Midfield Manhattan – smooth, classic, and built for the long game
Bavaria Pensacola
10 S. Palafox St.
Downtown Pensacola's German-themed restaurant, Bavaria, will be broadcasting all World Cup matches with cold beer, hot food and a lively atmosphere.
“From the first whistle to the final match, Bavaria is your World Cup headquarters!” Bavaria shared in a statement. “Gather your crew, grab a stein, and experience every big moment surrounded by fellow fans, authentic German food, and an atmosphere built for game day. Whether you’re cheering for Germany, USA, or your home country, we’ve got your seat ready. “
Sir Richard’s Public House
2719 E. Cervantes St.
East Pensacola Heights dive bar Sir Richard's will offer "cold drinks, great food and a crowd full of soccer fans" to watch the World Cup's matches through July 19.
“Whether you're cheering for Team USA, your home country, or just here for the love of the game, we've got a seat waiting for you! World Cup-themed cocktails, matches on the big screens, Every match, all tournament long," Sir Richard’s shared in a social media statement.
Sammy Barker’s
875 E. Nine Mile Road
Sammy Barker's will be broadcasting World Cup games all season long, and will offer special discounts for large groups getting together to watch the matches.
"THE WORLD'S BIGGEST SOCCER TOURNAMENT IS COMING! The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off June 11th and Sammy Barker's is your headquarters for every match, every goal, and every unforgettable moment!” Sammy Barker’s shared in a statement. “Watch all the action with fellow soccer fans in a fun, energetic atmosphere. Great food, cold drinks, and plenty of excitement for every match!”
Intermission
214 S. Palafox St.
“IT’S WORLD CUP TIME, PENSACOLA. The biggest tournament in the world is here, and there’s no better place to watch than Intermission!” Intermission shared in a social media statement.
Intermission has 20 TVs throughout the bar, with game audio on for all USA games. Some of the drink specials available during all World Cup matches include $8.50 Casamigos margaritas and $5 Jim Beam.
Odd Colony Brewing Co.
260 N. Palafox St.
Odd Colony will be broadcasting all World Cup matches, even opening the taproom early some days for afternoon matches. The games pair perfectly with Pensacola-brewed beer and food from the Globetrotter Street Food food truck. Follow Odd Colony on social media to see their full match airing schedule.
200 South
200 S. Palafox St.
200 South is looking to be a World Cup headquarters in Pensacola, with a variety of drink specials throughout the event. Follow them on social media at 200 South for updates.
"World Cup Mode: UNLOCKED. From kickoff to the final whistle, we’re serving up cold drinks, delicious food, & great vibes," 200 South shared in a social media statement.
Badlands Roadside Bar
23 Palafox Place
Badlands will bring the World Cup to downtown Pensacola, broadcasting every game and offering various drink specials.
Wisteria Tavern
3808 N. 12th Ave.
Wisteria Tavern, located at 3808 N. 12th Ave. in Pensacola, will be showing all World Cup games throughout the tournament. Guests can enjoy drink specials, food service and a lively soccer atmosphere for every match.
For the USA vs. Australia match on Friday, June 19, we will be opening early and extending Happy Hour to accommodate fans for the 2:00 PM kickoff.
We welcome soccer fans from across Pensacola to join us for the matches and cheer on Team USA.
Team USA group play schedule:
June 12: Paraguay, 8 p.m. (SoFi Stadium; Inglewood California). The U.S.A. defeated Paraguay 4-1.
June 19: Australia, 2 p.m. (Lumen Field, Seattle)
June 25: Turkey, 9 p.m. (SoFi Stadium)
Hungry for more? Stay updated on the latest restaurant news by subscribing to our free Pensacola Eats newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Wednesday. Sign up for the newsletter at profile.pnj.com/newsletters/Pensacola-eats/.
After heavy fog delayed Thursday's first round of the 2026 U.S. Open, the weather could be a factor again at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Round 2.
The historic William Flynn-designed layout is always going to be subject to the ever-changing conditions on Long Island. Whoever is going to claim this year's title will have to defeat not only the best players in the world but Mother Nature as well.
This will be the sixth time the U.S. Open has been contested at Shinnecock, with a champions list that includes Brooks Koepka (2018), Retief Goosen (2004), Corey Pavin (1996) and Raymond Floyd (1986).
Here's the updated weather forecast for U.S. Open weekend.
U.S. Open weather forecast
The U.S. Open got underway June 18, AccuWeather has posted its 10-day forecast for Shinnecock Hills, N.Y. Bear in mind that thunderstorms are always a possibility for the area during the summertime.
Friday, June 19 (Round 2)
Stiff winds with clouds giving way to sun; gusty winds will continue to pose problems for golfers
Saturday, June 20 (Round 3)
Stiff winds with plenty of sunshine; gusty winds will continue to pose problems for golfers
Sunday, June 21 (Round 4)
Times of clouds and sunshine; nice for Father's Day activities
1988: Coach Vince Dooley of the Georgia Bulldogs watches his players during a game. Mandatory Credit: Allen Dean Steele /Allsport | Getty Images
Few Georgia football players have ever been so legendary and at the same time so lost to the sands of history as Andre “Pulpwood” Smith. The bruising fullback out of Coffee County emerged in the post-Herschel days when Georgia was definitively “Running Back University.” Smith ran with a combination of bruising power and blazing speed that made him seem like the next great UGA backfield star.
That may have never been more evident than when Georgia took on Vanderbilt in 1984.
That electrifying touchdown run was vintage Pulpwood, and it keyed one of the most explosive offensive efforts of the Vince Dooley era in Athens. Dooley’s offenses were never known as point-a-minute affairs.
But on this afternoon in Sanford Stadium they couldn’t stop finding the endzone. Vanderbilt began the 1984 season on a tear, going 4-0 to start the season, including beating Alabama in Tuscaloosa and rising into the AP poll for the first time since 1958. But on an October afternoon they ran into an absolute buzzsaw in Red and Black.
The Athenians would run over, around and through the Commodores, piling up 562 yards of total offense and lighting up the scoreboard to the tune of 62 points, the most they would ever score in Dooley’s 26 seasons as the top ‘Dawg.Interestingly the game was actually tied 21-21 with three minutes to go until halftime. But Georgia put three touchdowns on the board before intermission, then two more in the third quarter, including that Pulpwood jaunt, to put the game out of reach. Unfortunately Pulpwood’s Bulldog career would come to an end just when it looked like it was about to take off.After leading the team in rushing in 1984 with 655 yards (an impressive 6.0 yards per carry) Smith was dismissed from the team for academic reasons. How great he could have been remains one of the biggest unanswered questions in UGA history. Until later…
During his 17 seasons in Tuscaloosa, Nick Saban lost only 29 times as head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide.
When taking a look at those 29 losses, more times than not, it required a special performance from the quarterback position in particular against the Alabama defense, both in terms of passing and rushing. As a result of this, some of the quarterbacks who defeated the Crimson Tide during the Saban era went on to become household names due to their performances, with some even going on to win the Heisman Trophy.
Here is every quarterback who defeated Alabama during the Nick Saban era from 2007-23, as well as how each performed against the Crimson Tide during those games.
Matthew Stafford, Georgia Bulldogs
The very first quarterback to defeat Saban at Alabama likely ended up being the best of them all in Stafford, who led Georgia to a 26-23 road win in Tuscaloosa early in the 2007 season. A game which featured a pair of ranked teams, Stafford completed 19-of-35 passes for 224 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in the win, while also rushing for five yards on two attempts.
Xavier Lee, Florida State Seminoles
A neutral-site game played in Jacksonville, Lee was the primary signal caller during Florida State's 21-14 win against Alabama back in 2007. An Alabama team that was ranked at the time, Lee completed 12-of-19 passes for 224 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, while also leading the Seminoles in rushing with 59 yards on 11 attempts.
Matt Flynn, LSU Tigers
Saban's first season at Alabama featured four losses during the month of November, the first of which came against Flynn and LSU in a ranked showdown in Tuscaloosa. A game won by the Tigers, 41-34, Flynn completed 24-of-44 passes for 353 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions, while also rushing for 19 yards on 10 attempts.
Wesley Carroll, Mississippi State Bulldogs
Carroll and Mississippi State upset a ranked Alabama team in Starkville back in 2007, 17-12. The Bulldogs' starter struggled mightily though in the win, completing 9-of-21 passes for 100 yards and an interception.
Kinsmon Lancaster, Louisiana Monroe Warhawks
Lancaster was the starting quarterback for what was the most shocking loss of the Saban era at Alabama, a game which saw the Crimson Tide upset at home by Louisiana Monroe, 21-14. In the shocking upset, Lancaster completed 14-of-24 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown.
Brandon Cox, Auburn Tigers
Saban's first Iron Bowl at Alabama featured a 17-10 road loss at Auburn, a game that Cox started for the Tigers. Cox completed 12-of-22 passes in that year's Iron Bowl for 117 yards and an interception, while also rushing for a score.
Tim Tebow, Florida Gators
Alabama's first-of-two losses during the 2008 season came against Florida in that year's SEC Championship Game, a game which saw the Crimson Tide fall 31-20 in a top five showdown. The Heisman Trophy winning quarterback completed 14-of-22 passes for 216 yards and three touchdowns in the win, while also leading the Gators in rushing with 57 yards on 17 attempts.
Brian Johnson, Utah Utes
Johnson led Utah to a 31-17 win over Alabama in the 2008 Sugar Bowl, a game which featured a pair of teams who were ranked in the Top 10. In the win, Johnson completed 27-of-41 passes for 336 yards and three touchdowns.
Stephen Garcia, South Carolina Gamecocks
After not losing in 2009, Alabama's next loss did not come until midway through 2010 when the defending national champion Crimson Tide were upset in Columbia by South Carolina in a Top 25 showdown, 35-21. Garcia completed 17-of-20 passes for 201 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception in the win, while also rushing for 11 yards on seven attempts.
Jordan Jefferson, LSU Tigers
A game where Jarrett Lee also saw action, Jefferson led LSU to a Top 10 home win over Alabama in 2010, 24-21. In the home win, Jefferson completed 10-of-13 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 27 yards on seven attempts.
Cam Newton, Auburn Tigers
Newton, the eventual Heisman Trophy winner, led Auburn to a comeback 28-27 victory in Tuscaloosa in the 2010 Iron Bowl, a Tigers team that later went on to win the national championship as well. The Auburn signal caller had a big day despite the Tigers' slow start, completing 13-of-20 passes for 216 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 39 yards and a score on 22 attempts.
Jordan Jefferson, LSU Tigers
Jefferson became the first opposing quarterback to defeat Saban's Alabama twice back in 2011, doing so during the infamous "Game of the Century" in Tuscaloosa between the nation's top two teams. A game won by LSU, 9-6, this matchup also featured Jarrett Lee seeing action, with Jefferson completing 6-of-10 passes for 67 yards, while also rushing for 43 yards on 11 attempts.
Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M Aggies
Manziel announced himself to the college football world during Texas A&M's 2012 trip to Tuscaloosa, a game which saw the Aggies win a Top 25 matchup, 29-24. The eventual Heisman Trophy winner, Manziel completed 24-of-31 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns, while also leading the Aggies in rushing with 92 yards on 18 attempts.
Nick Marshall, Auburn Tigers
One of the most memorable Iron Bowl's off all-time, Marshall led Auburn to a 34-28 win over Alabama in a top five, high-stakes matchup at the end of the 2013 regular season. A game Auburn won via the "Kick Six" on the final play, Marshall completed 11-of-16 passes for 97 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 99 yards and a score on 17 attempts.
Trevor Knight, Oklahoma Sooners
In the next game following the aforementioned loss at Auburn, Alabama's 2013 season ended with a 45-31 upset loss to Oklahoma and Knight in that year's Sugar Bowl. Knight completed 32-of-44 passes for 348 yards, four touchdowns, and an interception in the win, while also rushing for seven yards.
Bo Wallace, Ole Miss Rebels
Alabama's first loss of the 2014 campaign came in Oxford when the Crimson Tide were upset by Wallace and Ole Miss in a Top 15 matchup, 23-17. Wallace completed 18-of-31 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 32 yards.
Cardale Jones, Ohio State Buckeyes
Jones introduced himself to the college football world back in 2014 when the Ohio State backup led the Buckeyes to a 42-35 win in that season's CFP Semifinal at the Sugar Bowl. In the win, Jones completed 18-of-35 passes for 243 yards, one touchdown, and an interception, while also rushing for 43 yards on 17 attempts.
Chad Kelly, Ole Miss Rebels
Alabama's lone defeat of their 2015 national title winning season came at the hands of Ole Miss in Tuscaloosa, when Kelly led the Rebels to a 43-37 upset of Alabama in a Top 15 showdown. Kelly, who rushed for 21 yards and a score in the game, completed 18-of-33 passes for 341 yards and three touchdowns.
Deshaun Watson, Clemson Tigers
After falling to Alabama the year before, Watson and No. 2 Clemson topped the No. 1 Crimson Tide in the 2016 CFP national championship game, 35-31. A game which Clemson won in the final seconds, Watson completed 36-of-56 passes for 420 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 43 yards and a score on 21 attempts.
Jarrett Stidham, Auburn Tigers
Stidham and the Tigers defeated Alabama during a high-stakes, Top 10 Iron Bowl showdown in Auburn during 2017, 26-14. The Auburn quarterback completed 21-of-28 passes for 237 yards, with Stidham also rushing for 51 yards and a touchdown on 12 attempts.
Trevor Lawrence, Clemson Tigers
Alabama's lone defeat during the 2018 season came in the CFP national championship game against Clemson, a No. 2 ranked Tigers team which defeated the No. 1 Crimson Tide in blowout fashion, 44-16. Lawrence enjoyed a strong showing against the Alabama defense by completing 20-of-32 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 27 yards on six attempts.
Joe Burrow, LSU Tigers
Burrow, the eventual Heisman Trophy winner, led LSU to a 46-41 road win at Alabama during the 2019 season, with both teams ranked within the top five nationally at the time. The Tigers' signal caller completed 31-of-39 passes for 393 yards and three touchdowns in the win for the eventual national champions, while also rushing for 64 yards on 14 attempts.
Bo Nix, Auburn Tigers
Nix and Auburn upset Alabama at home in the 2019 Iron Bowl, with the Tigers winning the Top 15 matchup, 48-45. The Auburn quarterback completed 15-of-30 passes in the win for 173 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 44 yards and another score.
Zach Calzada, Texas A&M Aggies
Alabama's first loss during the 2021 season came on the road in College Station when the top ranked Crimson Tide were upset by an unranked Texas A&M team led by Calzada, 41-38. A game the Aggies won on a field goal as time expired, Calzada completed 21-of-31 passes for 285 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception, rushing for 12 yards also.
Stetson Bennett IV, Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia defeated Alabama in the 2021 CFP national championship game, 33-18, with Bennett leading the Bulldogs in the win. In the win, Bennett completed 17-of-26 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns.
Hendon Hooker, Tennessee Volunteers
Alabama's first loss of the 2022 season came in Knoxville against Tennessee in a high-scoring, Top 10 showdown, 52-49. Hooker completed 21-of-30 passes for 385 yards, five touchdowns, and an interception in the win, while also rushing for 56 yards on 14 attempts.
Jayden Daniels, LSU Tigers
Alabama's other loss during the 2022 season also came on the final play when LSU upset the Crimson Tide in a Top 10 showdown in Baton Rouge, 32-31. Daniels had a big showing on the ground by rushing for 95 yards and a score on 18 attempts, while also completing 22-of-32 passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns.
Quinn Ewers, Texas Longhorns
Saban's final season at Alabama in 2023 featured two losses, the first of which came at home when the Crimson Tide were upset by Texas in a Top 15 matchup, 34-24. Ewers led the Longhorns that day by completing 24-of-38 passes for 349 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 11 yards.
JJ McCarthy, Michigan Wolverines
Saban's final loss as head coach at Alabama came against No. 1 Michigan in the CFP Semifinal at the Rose Bowl, a 27-20 loss to the Wolverines in overtime. McCarthy was the starting quarterback for Michigan in that game, as the Wolverines' signal caller completed 17-of-27 passes for 221 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 25 yards.
Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
George North scored two tries in the 2013 British and Irish Lions series success against Australia [Huw Evans Picture Agency]
Retiring great George North will play his final professional game for Barbarians against Wales at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham.
The 34-year-old announced in April he will retire from professional rugby at the end of this season and will finish his glittering career with a first Baa-Baas appearance on Saturday, 27 June (14:00 BST).
"It's always been a dream of mine to play for the Barbarians so to be invited now, for a game at Twickenham, against Wales is incredible," said North.
North called time on his international career in 2024 having won 121 caps and scored 47 tries for his country, helping Wales win four Six Nations titles and two Grand Slams.
The wing or centre also toured with the British and Irish Lions in 2013 and 2017, playing three Tests and scoring two tries.
After club stints with Scarlets, Northampton Saints and Ospreys, North has spent the past two seasons playing for French second-tier side Provence.
Latest Wales star to finish career with Barbarians
George North played for Wales in November 2023 against Barbarians who were captained on that occasion by Alun Wyn Jones [Huw Evans Picture Agency]
North will link up with the Barbarians squad in London next week after the invitational side have played South Africa on Saturday.
The Wales and Barbarians occasion in Twickenham will be a double-header with the men's game at 14:00 BST followed by the women's game at 17:00 BST.
On the previous occasion that Wales men faced the Barbarians, after the 2023 World Cup, Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric were given a farewell to the Welsh crowd when they lined up for the invitational side at the Principality Stadium.
This time North will be one of the headline acts.
"I have been privileged to enjoy the career I have had, and I have so many unforgettable memories from Wales and friendships to last a lifetime," said North.
"So to go out against my country, with some of my friends and teammates playing is so special.
"To also be able to play alongside some of the best and most exciting players in the world, and to enjoy that famous Barbarians spirit is something I couldn't turn down.
"I can't wait to link up with the boys next week and hopefully we can do something special."
The Barbarians fixture is a warm-up for Wales' Nations Championship Tests against Fiji, Argentina and South Africa in July.
It goes by the rather ordinary name of U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT). But there’s nothing ordinary about this diverse assortment of brash, driven, articulate, enterprising, hip, multilingual and immensely likable young men who defy convention and sneer at boundaries.
They cut quite the figure, to say the least, with their fascinating backgrounds and engaging stories.
From a son of a former president to a striker who got an assist from the 14th Amendment
Another, winger and midfielder Christian Pulisic, chartered a jet in 2016 to get to his high school prom in Pennsylvania. (Don’t we all?) It then brought him back to Kansas City the next day in time for him to score against Bolivia.
Midfielder Weston McKennie is equal parts comic and keen analyst of the human condition. Defensive midfielder Tyler Adams answers questions – including hostile ones from Iranian media at the 2022 World Cup ‒ with such grace, aplomb and insight that he’s a good bet to be our president someday.
Goalkeeper Matt Freese is a Harvard man, in a sport where few players go to any college. And El Paso, Texas, native and striker Ricardo Pepi chose to play for the USA even though his father dreamed for him to pick Mexico.
Then there is striker Folarin Balogun, the accidental American who scored twice against Paraguay and has been an absolute breakout phenomenon in 2026. He has rarely set foot on our shores, but he's eligible to play for us because he was born in New York City ‒ a fact that he attributes to airline employees not allowing his pregnant mom to board a flight back to London in the summer of 2001. Credit birthright citizenship for the assist.
'You had the choice to choose, and you chose America'
In all its insane glory, the USMNT is an apt metaphor for the United States, a nation growing more diverse by the moment and increasingly interconnected with the world. The team didn’t get this way by accident.
Though soccer has grown increasingly popular, the United States is still very much a football-basketball-baseball country at the youth development level ‒ meaning that, in one way or another, the members of this U.S. men's soccer team have had to try harder than other professional athletes to get where they are.
There are basically two types who dominate the roster:
The first grows up in Europe, holding U.S. citizenship through a parent or place of birth, and takes advantage of its many developmental academies that feed directly into top teams. In this category is forward Sergiño Dest. His mother is Dutch, his father Surinamese American. Apart from brief stints in Spain and Italy, he has lived in the Netherlands his entire life.
When it came time to pick a national team, most observers assumed he'd go Dutch ‒ for the convenience, for the chance to play for a global soccer power and because its national team really wanted him. But it had been the U.S. soccer federation that had given him a chance on its underage teams, including stints at FIFA Under-17 and Under-20 World Cups. While on those teams, he developed deep loyalties – and deep friendships.
In a recent HBO documentary, Dest's father, a Vietnam War veteran, explained how he sees things: “You’re more American if you’re not born (here). Because you had the choice to choose, and you chose America.”
The other type of player is raised in the USA and somehow makes it work through sheer will power and an insatiable desire to be different. Eventually, he makes his way to Europe about the time his peers are finishing high school.
Center back Chris Richards is a great example. He was drawn to soccer while growing up on the farthest planet from the American soccer galaxy: Alabama.
As he told the "Men in Blazers" podcast, “I felt like an outsider because I was the only kid who wasn’t playing football. But it wasn’t just that. It was that I was the only Black kid that was playing soccer.”
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Despite the challenges, Richards did so well that, at 18, he found himself at the club perched at pretty much the pinnacle of European football, FC Bayern Munich. There, he was battling people from around the world for precious few roster spots.
In an odd way, Richards' Alabama struggles made things easier: “I finally was seeing people that looked like me playing the sport I loved.”
It is people like these who make the national team so easy to like. They come to the World Cup with the not-so-modest dual mandate of showing the world that the USA is a legit soccer power and exploding on the domestic scene with such force as to drive up interest in their beloved sport.
No, nothing ordinary about them. Just extraordinary.
Dan Carney is a former editorial writer for USA TODAY.
Bill Belichick once had to solve one of the strangest Patriots problems imaginable: replacing $5,000 worth of spoiled milk for Tom Brady.
The story, which resurfaced online this week, dates back to Belichick’s account of Antonio Brown’s short stay in New England. Brown lasted just 11 days with the Patriots in 2019, but still managed to cause a very expensive problem.
It all started because Brown, who was staying with Brady at the time, wanted to send him a nutrition-related gift.
Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images for OBB Media – FANATICS STUDIOS
Tom Brady $5,000 milk story resurfaces from Patriots chaos
dank on X shared the resurfaced clip of Belichick explaining how the Patriots ended up replacing the spoiled delivery.
Belichick said: “Tom’s very nutrition oriented. Antonio ordered this special milk for Brady. Cost $5,000”
He then explained how the gift became a problem inside the building: “To make a long story short, it got mixed up and ended up in the mail room for too long. The milk went bad”
That left the Patriots with a very unusual decision. Belichick said: “So we go out and get $5,000 worth of this special milk and give it to Brady from Antonio. And now we turn in an expense report for $5,000 worth of milk”
The reason was pure locker-room diplomacy. Belichick added: “I didn’t want to ruin the relationship between Brown and Brady on this spoiled milk. So we spent $5,000 to replace this milk”
Brady diet made absurd Patriots story feel believable
The exact type of milk has never been publicly revealed, which may be the funniest part of the story. Brady is famously strict about nutrition, but dairy has never been central to his TB12 approach.
His diet has long been described as mostly plant-based and anti-inflammatory, avoiding dairy, gluten, white sugar, alcohol and processed foods. Brady has also become known for unusual staples such as avocado ice cream and intense hydration routines.
That made Brown’s expensive gesture oddly logical. He was trying to connect with Brady in the language Brady cared about: preparation, health and routine.
Instead, the Patriots ended up paying thousands to keep a new receiver and franchise quarterback from starting their relationship with spoiled milk.
The Florida high school boys track and field season is in the books. Who was the best in 2026 for Jacksonville and Northeast Florida?
For fans, here's your chance to vote for the top boys track and field athlete following the 2026 season across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida.
Cast your vote for the top athlete in Jacksonville-area boys track and field in the Times-Union's fan poll. Note that the fan poll does not determine the Times-Union's All-First Coast awards, which are released in late June. Fan poll voting remains open through 10 a.m. Monday, June 22.
In a post-Pep Guardiola era at Man City, it’s still unclear who will manage the team next term, while Andoni Iraola has replaced Arne Slot at Liverpool, and Xabi Alonso comes in for Liam Rosenior at Chelsea.
Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi collides with Manchester City’s Nico O'Reilly (PA)
Could there be surprise challengers, though? Below, we look at five games that could decide the 2026/27 Premier League title race.
Man City v Arsenal, 30/1/2027
It would’ve been easy to use both of Arsenal’s clashes with their main title rivals as two of the five games here, but we’ll go with the second of the two. Arsenal host Man City in November, but this rematch at the Etihad Stadium in late January might come at a more telling time – and in a more difficult place for the Gunners.
As impressive as their title triumph was last season, Mikel Arteta’s Reds did not beat City in any competition. That will be one area where Arsenal will aim to improve this season, and an away victory over City could make for a statement – and three important points. Conversely, a City win could give the Manchester side a mental edge over Arsenal, as it has appeared to do in certain moments in the last few years.
Arsenal v Liverpool, 6/2/2027
Again, we’re working on the assumption that Liverpool will be in the title race, or at least a threat to the sides running it. Arsenal hosting Andoni Iraola’s men (assuming the new coach is still in place by then?!) could be a tantalising showdown, and early February is certainly deep enough into the season that you start running out of opportunities to claw back points, if you lose. This one should be fun, and hopefully it’s important, too.
Chelsea v Man City, 24/4/27
New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso (PA Wire)
We’re getting late in the season now, just a month before the final weekend. It’ll be interesting to see whether Alonso’s Chelsea are in contention, and the same with Man City given we don’t know for sure who will be replacing Guardiola yet. Again, it’s even possible that Alonso’s reign will have come to an abrupt end by this point, knowing Chelsea, but this match could be pivotal if these different shades of Blues are in the running for the title – or even if just one of them is.
Arsenal v Tottenham, 1/5/2027
The north London derby, surely another feisty rendition and a potential banana skin for Arsenal. Who knows what exactly Tottenham will have to play for, too; at this stage last season, they were desperate for points in a bid to avoid relegation, so will it be similar next year, or will they even be vying for European football – or something greater? Let’s not get too ahead of ourselves, but this game could be impactful either way.
Roberto De Zerbi (centre) steered Tottenham narrowly away from relegation last season (PA)
Man City v Liverpool, 8/5/2027
Almost always a thrilling fixture, and just a couple of weeks before the end of the season? Corrr. Let’s hope there’s still something on the line for either or both teams by this point, because if so, we could be looking at an instant classic.
Hull, meanwhile, host Manchester United in their first game after promotion via the play-offs, while Ipswich take on Sunderland on the opening Saturday of the season.
A full array of Boxing Day fixtures is set to return to the schedule with Lampard and Coventry up against Chelsea, now managed by Xabi Alonso.
The two North London derbies will be held on 5 December and 1 May with Tottenham seeking a better campaign under Roberto De Zerbi.
Everton host Liverpool at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on 28 November before travelling across Merseyside on 30 January – a week before Iraola’s team take on Arsenal in a potentially pivotal period.
Andoni Iraola will take on former club Bournemouth early in his Liverpool tenure (PA Wire)
Manchester City, who are primed to appoint Enzo Maresca as successor to Pep Guardiola, begin against Bournemouth on Sunday 23 August and take on cross-town rivals Manchester United on 12 September.
There are 33 weekend rounds and five midweek sets of fixtures across the season, although plenty will be subject to change with nine Premier League clubs in European competition.
Sky Sports and TNT Sports will again share television coverage, with the former channel showing at least 215 exclusively live games including the Boxing Day action.
A French appeals court confirmed Friday that Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco star player Achraf Hakimi will stand trial in a rape case, lawyers told The Associated Press.
The defender, who is currently playing with Morocco at the World Cup after winning the Champions League for a second straight year with PSG, had appealed a February decision by an investigative judge. That ruling followed recommendations from public prosecutors that Hakimi should face trial.
The Versailles appeals court’s decision was released just hours before Morocco takes on Scotland in their Group C match. Morocco drew 1-1 with Brazil in its opening game.
Hakimi, one of the best right backs in the world, denies any wrongdoing. He faced preliminary charges of rape in March 2023 after a 24-year-old woman said she was raped by Hakimi at his home in a Paris suburb.
Rachel-Flore Pardo, the lawyer representing the plaintiff, said that after more than three years of legal proceedings, “and after being defamed and dragged through the mud by Achraf Hakimi’s defense,” the court's decision “brings my client a sense of relief and hope."
“Relief that she has been heard by the justice system and will have her case heard at trial,” Pardo said in a statement to the AP. "Hope that this trial will help other women and further weaken the fortress of denial and impunity surrounding sexual violence, including within the world of men’s football.”
Hakimi claimed in a message posted on X on Friday that his case would have been dismissed if he had not been famous, and that he sometimes feels he has become “an easy target.”
“Justice looked me in the eye and told me: ‘If you were not famous, there would never have been a case,’" Hakimi wrote. “I chose to remain silent for years. I believed that staying dignified, being patient, and trusting the justice system would allow the right decisions to be made.”
He added that the case has been detrimental not only to him, but also to his family, “and above all, to the truth.”
“I have been waiting for this trial since the first day. And I am now waiting for it impatiently,” he added. “Finally, I will be able to speak.”
A date for the trial has yet to be announced.
“The multitude of exculpatory elements uncovered during the investigation and judicial inquiry would, in any other case, have led to the dismissal of the proceedings," Hakimi’s lawyer, Fanny Colin, told the AP.
“Achraf Hakimi’s defense regrets that no consequences were drawn from the contradictions and false statements made by the complainant, her concealment of information from the judicial authorities, her obstruction of the search for the truth, and the psychological assessments noting both her ambivalence and her lack of clarity regarding the events she reported.”
Age-shooters: Eagle Harbor ― David Grochmal 71 (age 73). San Jose ― Stew Baker 76 (age 79). Eagle Landing — Bernard Ross 89 (age 90).
Results
Areawide
North Florida Junior Foundation: San Jose Classic — Elite Tour boys, 1. Landon Pittman 72, 2. Kaden James 75, 3. Zander Nesbeth 76, 4. Michael Rockouski 76, T5. Arjun Vemuri, Brady Dougan 77, 7. Bennett LaConte 78, T8. Noa Bridges, Carter Jones 80, 10. Tillman Fried 81, 11. Grant Gardell 83, T12. Gavin Kennedy, Mathis Toal 84, 14. Blake Biermann 87, 15. Luke Luu 89, 16. Benjamin Smith 92. Elite Tour Girls, 1. Sophia Moody 68, 2. Simryn Chokshi 75, 3. Leighton Lanier 77, 4. Akery Paing 78, 5. Addison Kipnis 81, T6. Elina Memisevic, Kendall Larger 83, T8. Andi Lynn Helmly, Jiratarn Pornchai 84, 10. Sydney Paradis 85, 11. Rayna Hardin 89. Rising Tour Boys, 1. Gavin Hill 72, 2. Liam Girard 75, 3. Gabriel Lewis 76, T4. Colin Globell, Richie Davidson, Nate Pekarchik 77, T7. Grayson Gardell, George Resty Myers 78, 9. Michael Susser 79, T10. Braden Ervin, Zachary Hidalgo, Jacob Sands 80, T13. Anthony Bartolini, Banks McAllister 81, T15. Ethan Robinson, John Patterson 82, T17. Sterling Chew, Josiah Foster, Noah Jorge 85, 20. Colin Sinclair 86. Rising Tour Girls, 1. Nia Leonard 84, 2. Ellyn Park 89, 3. Ella Kappel 99. Futures Tour, 1. Luke Douglas 76, 2. Maya Principe 86, 3. Katherine Mai 87, 4. James Voellinger 95. Foundation Tour (nine holes), 1. Tyler Davidson 41, 2. Greyson Gilbert 44, 3. Hayden Romero 44, 4. Rory Wandell 45,5. Eva Zucconi 46, 6. Veda Sinoj 53.
North Florida Junior Foundation: Jacksonville Classic, at Jacksonville Golf & Country Club — Elite Tour Boys, 1. Noa Bridges 74, 2. Landon Pittman 75, 3. Zander Nesbeth 77, T4. Mathis Toal, Cooper Thomas, Tillman Fried 78, 7. Luke Luu 79, 8. Caleb Zarraonandia 81, 9. Sawyer Cook 84, 10. Arjun Vemuri 85, T11. Harrison Livingston, Robert Bizzarri 86, 13. Noah Shook 94. Elite Tour Girls, 1. Sophia Moody 72, 2. Elina Memisevic 79, 3. Addison Kipnis 82, 4. Jiratarn Pornchai 83, 5. Andi Lynn Helmly 85, 6. Chloe Frank 86, 7. Gracie Duett 89, 8. Kendall Larger 94, 9. Rayna Hardin 100. Rising Tour Boys, 1. Gavin Hill 72, 2. Gabriel Lewis 76, 3. Richie Davidson 78, 4. Harrison Gates 78, 5. Dietrich Minck 79, T6. Gavin Grimsley, George Myers 80, 8. Nate Pekarchik 81, T9. Kam Bonner, Banks McAllister 82, 11. Gavin Ring 83, T12. Nick Birkmeyer, Noah Jorge 84, T14. Beckett Eisemann, Colden Cheatham 85, 16. Cole Spice 86, T17. Evan Wood, Mavic McIntyre, Liam Girard 87, 20. Dylan Byrne 88. Rising Tour Girls, 1. Nia Leonard 80, 2. Lexy Siebert 87, 3. Laney Siebert 93, 4. Ellyn Park 97, 5. Lila Reese 121. Futures Tour, 1. Peyton Randolph 75, 2. Luke Douglas 76, 3. Krishna Clark 77, 4. Scott Nagy 79, 5. Walker Smith 82, T6. Ishan Adluri, Macklin Mucha 85. Foundation Tour (nine holes), 1. Andrew Oldenburg 39, 2. Cooper Helfer 44. 3. Tyler Davidson 44, 4. Veda Sinoj 47, 5. Greyson Gilbert 48, 6. Hayden Romero 50, 7. Maximus Aquino 52, 8. Piper Jewell 54, T9. Avery Toloczko, Reid Longo 60, 11. JD Fayne 80.
How to report results
The Times-Union accepts submissions for holes-in-one, eagles on par-4 holes, double-eagles, matching or beating your age, course records and career lows. Tournament results accepted are areawide events, club, and men's and women's associations. Calendar items may include charitable events. Results must contain first and last names, scores (indicating gross or net) and the format. Email submissions to gsmits@gannett.com.
On the tee
June 18-21: U.S. Open, Shinnecock Golf Club, Southampton, N.Y.
June 22-24: Florida State Golf Association Girls Junior Championship, Mayacoo Lakes Golf Club, West Palm Beach. Visit fsga.org.
June 22-25: Florida State Golf Association Senior Match Play, Deerwood Country Club. Visit fsga.org.
June 23-24: North Florida Junior Foundation Greater Jacksonville Junior Championship, Eagle Harbor.
June 26-28: Florida State Golf Association Amateur Public Links, Dunedin Golf Club. Visit fsga.org.
June 30-July 1: North Florida Junior Foundation St. Augustine Junior, Slammer & Squire. Visit nfjg.org.
June 30-July 2: Florida Junior Boys Championship, Cabot Citrus Farms, Brooksville. Visit fsga.org.
July 3: North Florida Junior Foundation TPC Sawgrass Valley Course Junior. Visit nfjg.org.
July 6 : North Florida Junior Foundation Pro-Junor, Deerwood Country Club. Visit nfjg.org.
June 8: North Florida Junior Foundation Jacksonville Classic, Jacksonville Golf and Country Club. Visit nfjg.org.
July 10-12: Florida State Golf Association Women's Stroke Play Championship, Amelia Island Long Point. Visit fsga.org.
July 13-14: North Florida Junior Foundation Dr. Gordon Ira Golf Classic, Deerwood Country Club. Visit nfjg.org.
July 16-19: British Open, Royal Birkdale.
July 17-19: Florida Open, Longboat Key Club. Visit fsga.org.
July 19-21: Jacksonville Area Golf Association Amateur Championship, Sawgrass Country Club. Visit jaxareagolf.org.
July 20-22: First Coast Women's Amateur, Jacksonville Golf and Country Club.
July 20-25: U.S. Junior Boys, Saucon Valley Golf Club, Bethlehem, Pa.
July 23-24: North Florida Junior Foundation Junior Amateur, King & Bear. Visit nfjg.org.
July 25-26: Florida State Golf Association Parent-Child Championship, ChampionsGate, Reunion. Visit fsga.org.
July 27-28: North Florida Junior Foundation Tour Championship, Marsh Landing, Ponte Vedra Inn and Club/ Visit nfjg.org.
July 30-Aug. 2: Florida State Golf Association Amateur Match Play, Club at Iron Lake, Ocala. Visit fsga.org.
July 31-Aug. 2: Florida State Golf Association Women's Open and Senior Open, Moorings at Hawk's Nest, Bent Pine Golf Club. Visit fsga.org.
Aug. 10-16: U.S. Amateur, Merion Golf Club, Ardmore, Pa.
Sept. 27: North Florida Junior Foundation Gary Vanover Scramble, Marsh Landing Country Club. Visit nfjg.org.
Oct. 5-7: Women’s Southern Golf Senior Championship, King & Bear.
Oct. 9-11: Constellation Furyk & Friends PGA Tour Champions, Ocean Course at Hammock Beach, Palm Coast. Visit furykandfriends.com.
Oct. 26: Jacksonville Area Golf Association Club Team Presidents Cup, King & Bear. Visit jaxareagolf.org.
Nov. 2: Jacksonville Area Golf Association Fall Four-Ball, Ponte Vedra Inn and Club Lagoon Course. Visit jaxareagolf.org.
Nov. 23: Jacksonville Area Golf Association Scholarship Trust Classic, Marsh Landing. Visit jaxareagolf.org.
Dec. 19: Jacksonville Area Golf Association Family Championship, Jacksonville Beach Golf Club. Visit jaxareagolf.org.
Coventry City won the Championship last season [Getty Images]
Newly promoted Coventry City will travel to champions Arsenal in the first match of the 2026-27 Premier League season.
The season's curtain raiser on Friday, 21 August sees the Sky Blues play their first top-flight match in 25 years against the Gunners, who were led to their first Premier League title since 2004 by Mikel Arteta.
Hull City, who went up via the play-offs, host Manchester United on Saturday, 22 August while fellow promoted side Ipswich are at home to Sunderland on the same day.
Manchester City begin life without Pep Guardiola at home to Bournemouth on Sunday, 23 August, who also start the campaign with a new manager in Marco Rose.
Liverpool's first match under Andoni Iraola, who replaced the sacked Arne Slot after leaving the Cherries, is away at Newcastle on the same day.
Chelsea start life under Xabi Alonso away at Fulham on Monday, 24 September, with the Cottagers also still to appoint a new manager after Marco Silva's departure.
Full list of Premier League opening-weekend fixtures
All times BST
Friday, 21 August
Arsenal v Coventry (20:00)
Saturday, 22 August
Hull City v Manchester United (12:30)
Everton v Crystal Palace (15:00)
Ipswich v Sunderland (15:00)
Nottingham Forest v Leeds (15:00)
Brentford v Tottenham (17:30)
Sunday, 23 August
Brighton v Aston Villa (14:00)
Manchester City v Bournemouth (14:00)
Liverpool v Newcastle (16:30)
Monday, 24 August
Fulham v Chelsea (20:00)
When does the Premier League season start?
The new campaign will start on Friday, 21 August - 34 days after the World Cup final in the United States.
The Premier League season will end on Sunday, 30 May 2027, with the Champions League final six days later.
Both the start and end dates of the 2026-27 season are later than usual as a result of the World Cup.
There will be 33 rounds of weekend fixtures next term, with the remaining five taking place midweek.
The Premier League has said the schedule will be designed to "avoid domestic competition clashes with Uefa competition dates, wherever possible".
A joint-record nine Premier League teams have qualified for European competition next season.
Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Liverpool will play in the Champions League.
Bournemouth, Sunderland and Crystal Palace will feature in the Europa League, with Brighton qualifying for the Conference League.
During the Christmas and New Year period, no two rounds of matches will take place within 60 hours of each other in keeping with commitments made to clubs to address congested schedules.
Rather than the traditional three two-week international breaks during the opening months of the season, there will now be two.
September and October's international breaks will merge into a new three-week break beginning after the weekend of September 19/20, while November's two-week international break will remain.
Key things to look out for this season
There will be a change in the way Premier League referees judge hair-pulling next season after three players were sent off for the offence in 2025-26.
All three red cards for hair-pulling came through a video assistant referee review, but from next season, not every time a player is seen to pull an opponent's hair will they be dismissed.
Instead, greater emphasis will be placed on both the level of force and the intention.
Referees will be told to look for a "clear and deliberate action" which has "excessive force and/or brutality".
The change is intended to give more latitude to players who may accidentally hold on to an opponent's hair.
In addition, officials will be asked to place a greater emphasis on grappling and holding inside the area after it became commonplace on corners and set-pieces.
Referees will be told to pay much more attention to "holding actions that have clear material impact".
This includes players who are "clearly only focused on opponents and making a holding action".
A solution to stop goalkeeper "tactical timeouts" is also set to be introduced.
The tactic is used by managers to get new instructions to their players or to impact the momentum of the opposition.
The goalkeeper sits on the turf and signals for the physio and the other players rush to the technical area for a team talk.
The Premier League is discussing a solution before the new season while a new law to tackle general time-wasting by goalkeepers will be introduced.
If keepers delay a restart on a goal-kick, a referee can start a five-second countdown. If time runs out, the opposition will be given a corner.
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Spurs’ £80m Fernandes Bid Threat Piles Pressure on INEOS
Tottenham Hotspur have entered the race to sign West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes (21), with The Athletic’s David Ornstein reporting that new Spurs head coach Roberto De Zerbi is actively pushing to secure the Portuguese international – a development that meaningfully complicates Manchester United’s pursuit of the player ahead of what is shaping up to be a competitive auction at West Ham’s £80 million valuation.
This is a manager-driven push, not passive monitoring – Ornstein’s phrasing is deliberate. De Zerbi, who inherited a Tottenham squad in need of significant midfield quality after two difficult seasons, has identified Fernandes as a priority and the club are reported to be ready to back him. That framing, from a journalist of Ornstein’s standing, elevates Spurs from interested bystander to credible competitor overnight.
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United’s position in the Fernandes pursuit
United’s interest in Fernandes is well established and predates this latest complication. Stretty News covered United’s detailed scouting of the player earlier this summer, and Michael Carrick’s side have since opened formal talks with his representatives, positioning themselves as the frontrunners before Real Madrid, PSG, and now Spurs escalated their own interest.
The structural challenge has always been West Ham’s asking price. The Hammers paid an initial £38 million for Fernandes only last summer and, despite relegation, are under no particular financial pressure to sell below their £80 million valuation. INEOS, for their part, have been engaged in talks with West Ham but are reportedly reluctant to open anywhere near that figure, with internal discussions anchored closer to £60 million and an expectation that the Hammers’ stance would soften over time.
That calculation looks more precarious now. Arsenal’s withdrawal from the race narrowed the realistic competition considerably, but Tottenham’s entry – particularly with a manager prepared to push hard – restores the auction dynamic United were hoping to avoid. Fernandes himself is reported to favour Old Trafford, keen to play alongside Bruno Fernandes, but player preference only carries so much weight when a club is willing to meet the asking price in full.
The De Zerbi factor and what Tottenham’s push actually means
De Zerbi’s tactical profile makes Fernandes a logical fit. The 21-year-old offers the kind of dynamic, press-resistant ball-carrying from central areas that De Zerbi has consistently prioritised throughout his managerial career, and a manager of his profile identifying a specific target publicly through Ornstein is not a throwaway signal. Tottenham are reported to be willing to go to the full £80 million – a number United have thus far declined to match.
The question of Champions League football is also relevant here. Both clubs are competing in Europe next season, so there is no obvious competitive distinction that would push Fernandes toward United purely on that basis. The player’s personal preference for Old Trafford remains the clearest structural advantage United hold, but INEOS will need to move with more urgency than their current negotiating posture suggests if that preference is to be converted into a signed contract.
Alas, United have been here before – watching a primary transfer target drift toward a rival while holding firm on valuation, only to lose the player and restart the search entirely. The window after losing Elliot Anderson and being priced out of Sandro Tonali does not allow much further margin for error in the midfield rebuild Carrick needs.
What happens next
The immediate pressure point is whether Tottenham formalise their interest with a concrete offer at or near West Ham’s valuation, which would force United’s hand significantly. West Ham have every incentive to let the two clubs compete – a bidding war serves their interests directly, and they have shown no inclination to grant United preferential access simply because talks opened earlier.
It remains to be seen whether INEOS accelerate their timeline and table a formal bid before Tottenham can do so, or whether their insistence on negotiating down from £80 million hands De Zerbi the opportunity to move decisively and end the pursuit on Spurs’ terms.
Barça are counting on Raphinha’s desire to stay – Mundo Deportivo The Brazilian has a prominent place in Barcelona’s plans for the new season despite the signing of Gordon. Barcelona are confident he will stay despite interest from Saudi Arabia and would only sell him if the offer is astronomical.
After Kieran McKenna’s resignation, newly promoted Ipswich Town are on the search for a new manager. On that list, according to a report by Sky Germany, is former Augsburg head coach Sandro Wagner.
What is Sandro Wagner’s coaching style
Starting his tenure with a 3-1 victory at Freiburg, Sandro Wagner’s coaching style was a breath of fresh air for Augsburg fans. High intensity and playing with a purpose, his coaching style has been heavily influenced by Julian Nagelsmann, whom he worked under with the German national team.
A preference to play a 3-4-2-1, Wagner likes to play with two 10s. At Augsburg, it was Mert Kömür and Elias Saad – two technical players who like to play direct football. Clinical on the counter-attack, Augsburg scored three goals from three shots on target, a trait unbeknownst to Die Fuggerstädter followers.
Who is Sandro Wagner?
Born in Munich, Wagner was somewhat a late bloomer during his playing career. Featuring heavily for Hertha Berlin between 2012 and 2015, it wasn’t until his departure for then newly promoted Darmstadt in 2015/16 that Wagner became prolific, scoring 14 goals in 32 Bundesliga games, helping the Hessen club remain in the division. From then, he moved to Hoffenheim, where he struck 15 goals in 42 league games across 18 months which earned him a call up to the German national team at 29 years old before a switch to Bayern Munich at 30 in the second half of the 2017/18 campaign.
Upon his arrival at the Allianz Arena, Wagner scored eight goals in 14 Bundesliga games but he managed just 139 minutes across seven games in 2018/19 before a switch to the Chinese Super League in 2019, where he scored 12 goals in 26 games with Tianjin Teda before his retirement from professional football.
After hanging up his boots, Wagner worked with the DFB as a coach before spending two months as Unterhaching’s U19 head coach. He then coached the first team between 2021 and 2023, averaging 1.96 Points Per Game in the Regionalliga (fourth tier) before returning to the DFB, where he worked under Julian Nagelsmann as an assistant for 23 games.
After announcing his departure from the DFB to pursue a head coaching role in top flight football, Wagner received nothing but praise from his colleagues. “Sandro has brought his full energy to the DFB from the very beginning and has developed enormously in his collaboration with Julian Nagelsmann,” explained DFB sporting director Rudi Völler. Nagelsmann added: “Sandro has enriched our team with his expertise and as a person.”
Wagner was appointed as Augsburg head coach in the summer of 2025 but won just three of his 12 Bundesliga games, drawing one and losing eight while being eliminated by 2. Bundesliga side Bochum in the DFB Pokal second round.
A 3-0 loss against Hoffenheim, their ninth defeat of 2025/26, left Augsburg just two points above the promotion/relegation play-off, which forced Augsburg’s hand, dismissing Wagner in December 2025.
Dovbyk-Angelino, Roma aiming for €35 million profit
Artem Dovbyk and Angelino could leave Roma in the coming weeks.
The Giallorossi’s goal is to cash in on two players who combined for just 1,053 minutes last season.
As reported by Corriere dello Sport, the Roman club would like to earn no less than €30-35 million.
Both Dovbyk and Angelino still have fans in Spain who could make the Friedkins smile.
The Ukrainian striker has made his mark in La Liga, becoming the top scorer for Girona. The 1997-born player is popular with Real Betis Sevilla and also with Villarreal, who have added him to their wish list.
The Giallorossi club doesn’t want to make a capital loss, so they won’t consider offers below €20-25 million. Similar offers are unlikely to arrive this summer.
For Angelino, the situation is different. Gasperini is waiting for him at Trigoria despite strong interest from Spain. Deportivo La Coruña and Real Betis Sevilla have made moves for the former Leipzig player, with Real Betis going beyond a simple request for information and initiating contact with Roma.
Real Betis hasn’t closed the door on a transfer, but an agreement on the terms for any potential negotiations needs to be reached.
The 1997-born player is valued at around €10 million. Developments are awaited, with Betis potentially opening their wallets to attempt a double deal with Dovbyk and Angeliño.
Premier League fixtures released: Arsenal, Man City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man Utd and more learn order of opponents
The Premier League fixture list is out for the 2026-27 season and Arsenal’s defence of their crown will begin at the Emirates Stadium against newly-promoted Coventry City on August 21.
After ending their 22-year wait to become champions last season, Mikel Arteta’s side have been handed what appears to be a favourable opening month, although an early trip to Aston Villa and a derby with Chelsea means they will not have long to settle into their title defence.
Following the visit of Coventry, Arsenal travel to Aston Villa before hosting Chelsea on September 5 in the first heavyweight clash involving any of last season’s leading contenders.
While Arsenal face an early London derby, several of their rivals appear to have kinder starts.
Manchester City open against Bournemouth before facing Crystal Palace and Coventry, while Liverpool’s first major challenge comes immediately with a trip to Newcastle. Chelsea travel to Fulham before visiting Arsenal in week three, while Manchester United’s opening standout fixture is the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on September 12.
The fixture computer has also thrown up several dates that could have a huge bearing on the destination of the title.
Liverpool host Manchester City on October 10 in the first meeting between last season’s biggest challengers, before Arsenal travel to Anfield on October 31.
Just four weeks later comes what many expect to be the defining fixture of the first half of the season as Arsenal host Manchester City at the Emirates on November 28.
That match sits right in the middle of what looks Arsenal’s most demanding spell. Between the end of October and early February, the champions face Liverpool twice, Manchester City twice, Tottenham and Manchester United.
If Arteta’s side are still leading the table by February, they will have negotiated arguably the toughest stretch of fixtures facing any of the leading contenders.
The festive schedule could also play a major role. Boxing Day takes Arsenal away to Crystal Palace, Liverpool head to Hull City, Chelsea visit Coventry and Manchester City face a difficult trip to Newcastle.
Then comes the business end of the season.
The standout fixture in the run-in may be Manchester City against Liverpool on May 8. With only three rounds of matches remaining afterwards, it has all the ingredients of a potential title decider.
Arsenal’s own run-in includes Aston Villa, Tottenham, Everton and Brighton, with the north London Derby at the Emirates on May 1 immediately jumping off the page.
For Chelsea, the challenge comes even later. Xabi Alonso’s side face Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham during the closing weeks of the campaign in what appears the toughest finish of any potential title contender.
For now, though, all eyes are on opening night.
The champions begin at home, the challengers are lining up behind them, and the road to May starts with Arsenal against Coventry under the lights at the Emirates.
Manchester City discover Premier League 2026/27 opening day opponent – Full Gameweek One schedule revealed
Incoming manager Enzo Maresca and Manchester City have now found out their first opponents for the 2026/27 Premier League season.
The brand new season will get underway on the weekend of Saturday 22 August, 2026.
City will be hoping to win the English top-flight crown for the first time since the 2023/24 season.
Manchester City have now discovered their opponents for the opening week of the 2026/27 Premier League campaign after the unveiling of the full season schedule.
Incoming manager Enzo Maresca and the changes to be made to the first-team squad roster throughout the course of the summer will no doubt have one eye on winning back the Premier League title.
Manchester City, having won the English top-flight four seasons in a row culminating in the 2023/24 campaign, have now gone without the leading prize in back-to-back seasons despite a domestic cup double success in the last year of Pep Guardiola’s 10-year tenure.
The ongoing summer transfer window is expected to see significant big-money business from sporting director Hugo Viana once more, with Nottingham Forest’s potentially record-breaking transfer for Elliot Anderson to the Etihad Stadium being a major talking point.
Elsewhere, there has been a belief that City could also look towards Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali as another summer deal, although the Italian’s arrival could depend on outgoings with uncertain futures for the likes of Rodri, Nico Gonzalez, Tijjani Reijnders, and Mateo Kovacic.
On the contractual renewal front, Manchester City are believed to be closing in on formal announcements for fresh deals for all of Phil Foden, Josko Gvardiol, and Jeremy Doku, while an extension offer is understood to be on the table for Rodri.
Jack Gaughan confirms new Manchester City contract for Josko Gvardiol
Aside from the doubts circling over the futures of the aforementioned midfield contingent, there could be movement for the likes of James Trafford, Ruben Dias, Rico Lewis, Savinho, and Omar Marmoush.
Looking back on the last campaign, Manchester City finished 2nd to eventual Premier League champions Arsenal, winning the Carabao Cup and FA Cup against the Gunners and Chelsea respectively, whilst exiting the Champions League at the last-16 stage.
And as the Premier League announce their full preliminary fixture list for the brand new campaign kicking off in August, Manchester City have found out their first opponents will be Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday 23 August, with kick-off scheduled for 14:00 (UK) live on Sky Sports.
Full Premier League 2026/27 Gameweek One Schedule
23/08/2026 – 14:00 – Manchester City vs Bournemouth
Free Transfer Coup: Konaté Commits to Real Madrid on Four-Year Deal
Ibrahima Konaté (27) has completed a move to Real Madrid on a four-year contract after leaving Liverpool when his deal expired at the end of June, The Athletic report. The French centre-back arrives at the Bernabéu as a free transfer, ending a five-year spell at Anfield that began with his £40 million move from RB Leipzig in 2021.
Los Blancos move quickly once it became clear Konaté would not be renewing at Liverpool, with ESPN reporting that Madrid were the first club to make a formal approach once his exit became likely. Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and interests from Saudi Arabia had also been monitoring the situation, but none moved with the same conviction or speed as Madrid, who had been tracking Konaté for the better part of a year according to sources across Spanish football media.
Konaté joins as Real Madrid prioritise long-term defensive depth
At 27, Konaté arrives in his prime and represents exactly the kind of signing Madrid have been pursuing as part of a wider summer rebuild – a proven performer at the highest level who adds both physicality and defensive intelligence to the backline. His 183 appearances for Liverpool across all competitions offer the kind of track record Los Blancos demanded for a long-term commitment.
As previously covered on Football Espana, Madrid’s interest in Konaté was partly framed around finding a long-term solution at centre-back – a need that has been a recurring concern since David Alaba’s prolonged injury absence disrupted their defensive planning. Konaté’s ability to play as either a right-sided or left-sided centre-back gives the coaching staff genuine flexibility in how they construct the pairing.
The timing of the deal also reflects a degree of patience on Madrid’s part. Diario AS report that conversations with Konaté’s camp had been ongoing since 2023, though they stalled at various points before finally reaching a conclusion once Liverpool formally confirmed in May 2026 that he would not be extending. Madrid’s reconsideration of the move amid Chelsea interest had added an element of late competition, though Los Blancos ultimately held firm.
Konaté departs Liverpool after five seasons and four honours
Liverpool confirmed in May 2026 that Konaté would leave upon contract expiry, drawing a line under what had become months of fruitless extension talks. He departs having won the Premier League, the FA Cup, and two Carabao Cups during his time at Anfield – a return that underlines why his exit has been framed in the English press as a significant loss rather than a straightforward departure.
The failure to secure a renewal, and the resulting loss without any transfer fee, mirrors a pattern of contract-related departures that Liverpool have been criticised for managing poorly. Whether the club move decisively to sign a replacement in this window remains an open question, though the gap in their defensive depth is apparent.
What Konaté’s arrival means for Real Madrid’s summer
Konaté’s signing sits within a broader defensive reshuffle at the Bernabéu. Antonio Rüdiger’s recent contract extension confirmed Madrid’s intent to retain their existing core while adding to it, and Konaté now slots into a centre-back group that has been deliberately reshaped with longevity in mind. The two signings together suggest the club are not relying on short-term fixes.
The free transfer nature of the deal also matters in a broader financial context. Landing a player of Konaté’s standing without a fee frees up transfer budget that Madrid can redirect elsewhere in the window, whether in midfield or further forward as the rebuild continues.
What next for Konaté at Real Madrid
The next meaningful development will be Konaté’s formal presentation at the Bernabéu and his integration into pre-season preparations, with squad registration expected to be completed without complication given the straightforward free transfer structure. How quickly he establishes himself in the first-choice defensive pairing – and whether his arrival closes off any remaining external targets at centre-back – will define the early weeks of his Madrid career.
The Miami Dolphins will be entering the 2026 with a revamped roster and with a new quarterback at the helm in Malik Willis. The oddsmakers do not think highly of the Dolphins this season and if they end with a top pick in the first round, they are probably looking to draft a new quarterback for the future. However, if Willis can win a few extra games and look competent, he may have proven he can be the Dolphins starter heading forward.
You can check out that story here, and the rest of the day’s round-up below.
AC Milan is delighted to announce that Sandra Estévez Ogalla has extended her contract with the Club until 30 June 2029. The goalkeeper (born in 2002) joined the Rossonere last summer and, since then, has shown total professionalism, commitment and team spirit. Always ready and available at any given moment, Sandra has put in some solid performances, thereby backing up her worth both on and off the pitch.
Report: Real Madrid Keen on Chelsea Midfielder with £120m Price Tag Set
Real Madrid’s Enzo Fernández Interest Puts Chelsea on Alert
Madrid admire Chelsea midfielder
Real Madrid’s summer rebuild appears to be moving with familiar purpose, and Chelsea may soon find themselves watching one of their most expensive assets drift into the conversation. According to ESPN, Enzo Fernández is among the midfield options admired at the Bernabéu, with Madrid looking to add another central player and a centre back before José Mourinho’s first season back in charge.
Madrid have already announced the signings of Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva and Ibrahima Konaté, with Denzel Dumfries expected to follow. That is not tinkering. That is reconstruction. It is also the sort of aggressive, heavyweight recruitment drive that tends to unsettle players elsewhere.
Fernández, currently with Argentina at the World Cup, has long been admired by Madrid. ESPN report that the club have tracked him since his Benfica days, before Chelsea paid a British record fee to bring him to Stamford Bridge in 2023.
Enzo Fernández price makes deal difficult
Chelsea, understandably, would not make this easy. ESPN report that the club would expect around £120 million if Fernández tried to force an exit this summer. That figure matters because it changes the nature of Madrid’s interest. Admiration is one thing. A nine figure transfer is quite another.
Madrid are also said to be considering cheaper alternatives, including West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes and Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi. That suggests this is still an assessment phase, rather than a deal approaching conclusion.
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Even so, Chelsea supporters will not ignore one line in particular. ESPN claim Fernández would welcome a move to Madrid, while Mourinho is described as an important backer of the deal.
That combination gives the story weight. A player with interest, a manager with influence and a club with a need rarely sit quietly in the market for long.
Chelsea face familiar transfer pressure
Fernández has already placed himself in awkward territory. Last April, Chelsea benched him for two matches after comments that hinted at a desire to experience Spain.
“I’d like to live in Madrid. I really like it, it’s similar to Buenos Aires,” Fernandez said.
Those words may have felt harmless at the time, perhaps even romantic rather than strategic. In football, though, geography can become politics. When Real Madrid admire you, every sentence gains a second life.
For Chelsea, the issue is not only financial. It is symbolic. Fernández was signed to be part of a new core, one of the midfielders around whom the club could rebuild its identity. Selling him would raise money, yes, but it would also suggest another reset in a project that has already endured too many.
Midfield need drives Madrid interest
Madrid’s interest makes football sense. They have struggled to fully replace Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, two players who shaped the rhythm of an era. Fernández does not replicate either man, but he offers range, aggression, passing depth and World Cup pedigree.
Chelsea will know all of that. They will also know that Madrid’s good relationship with them, strengthened by the Cucurella deal, does not automatically make negotiations simple. ESPN state that talks for Fernández would not be straightforward.
That may be Chelsea’s comfort for now. Madrid admire him. Mourinho likes him. Fernández may be tempted. But admiration still has to become an offer, and an offer still has to reach a number Chelsea can live with.
For now, Stamford Bridge waits.
Our View – EPL Index Analysis
From a Chelsea supporter’s perspective, this report feels uncomfortable rather than surprising. Enzo Fernández has always looked like a player Real Madrid would eventually circle. He has the pedigree, the profile and the personality of a footballer who seems designed for huge European stages.
The problem for Chelsea is simple. If Fernández wants Madrid, the club need to decide whether they are protecting a cornerstone or managing an asset. At £120 million, selling him would not be a collapse. It would be a statement that Chelsea can trade aggressively and reinvest. Yet supporters have heard that before. They have seen rebuilds become reboots, and reboots become confusion.
There is also a football question. Chelsea have spent years trying to build a midfield with structure and authority. Fernández has not always dominated games, but his ceiling remains obvious. Under the right coach, in the right system, he can still become the controller Chelsea thought they were buying.
If Madrid come seriously, Chelsea should not panic. They should demand full value, move on their own timeline and avoid being dragged into another summer shaped by someone else’s ambition. But if the player pushes, this could become one of those transfers where resistance slowly turns into negotiation.
For Chelsea fans, that is the worry. Not that Madrid admire him, but that Fernández might admire them back.
The 2024/25 Premier League fixtures have been released, and the dates of all 380 matches are below.
Fixtures are subject to change and will be updated based on decisions made by rights holders, teams’ involvement in other competitions and any security concerns raised.
Di Marzio reported on Thursday that Carnevali is working to establish the full cost of bringing Kolo Muani back to Turin on a permanent basis, running the numbers across the transfer fee, wages, and agents’ fees before committing to a formal proposal.
Vlahovic Exit Creates Urgent Gap Up Front
Vlahovic’s contract expires on June 30, 2026, and with no renewal in sight, he is set to walk away on a free transfer. That departure leaves Carnevali staring at a striking unit of Jonathan David, Lois Openda, and Arkadiusz Milik – a trio that managed a combined seven Serie A goals in 2025-26, with David accounting for six of them and Openda contributing just one.
Kolo Muani’s loan return last season makes the contrast stark. He scored eight goals in his first 16 Serie A appearances for the Bianconeri – a goal every other game – and delivered 10 goal contributions across all competitions in 19 outings, enough to convince the club he had adapted quickly to both the league and the environment at Continassa.
Financial Structure and PSG’s Position
Italian reports have previously indicated Juventus favour a loan-plus-obligation formula: a one-year loan with a compulsory purchase clause triggering in 2026, with the total package in the €50–55m range – roughly €10m as a loan fee and €40–45m to buy. PSG, who signed Kolo Muani from Eintracht Frankfurt for around €75m in 2023 and have him contracted until 2028-29, have generally pushed for a straight sale or an unconditional obligation rather than a simple option.
Chelsea and other Premier League clubs have registered interest at various points, meaning PSG hold leverage if those parties re-enter the conversation. Juventus are expected to table another formal proposal once PSG clarify their preferred structure and whether Kolo Muani features in their own plans for next season.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 18: Jazz Chisholm Jr. #13 of the New York Yankees reacts after fouling a ball off himself during the fourth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium on June 18, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) | Getty Images
MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: In case you missed last night’s game, Yankees’ second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. was forced to exit it due to a, um, likely quite painful injury. Chisholm fouled a ball off the ground that came right back up and hit him right in the groin. He remained on the ground in pain for quite a while before exiting the game. You would hope that’s not the type of injury that will cause any lingering effects, but we shall see.
MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: On the positive injury news front, Austin Wells gave us a good sign down in a rehab outing. In a game with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday, Wells homered twice in Columbus as he continues to recover from cervical headaches that sent him to the IL.
New York Post | Jon Heyman: Not that it’s particularly surprising, but it seems unlikely that the Yankees could swing a deal for two-time reigning Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal at the Trade Deadline this year. While every team could always use pitching, the rotation is a strong point on this year’s roster, and the Yankees will likely try to use their assets on deals to shore up more pressing holes on their roster.
CBS Sports | Mike Axisa: We’re not that far away from the 2026 All-Star Game, and at least one Yankee is looking at participating in more than just the game. Yankees’ breakout star first baseman Ben Rice has said that he would participate in the Home Run Derby if asked. He is one of just five American League players at the 20-homer mark at this point.
Tens of thousands of soccer fans poured into downtown Atlanta for the city’s second FIFA World Cup match between South Africa and Czechia. The match ended with a 1-1 tie.
The weather put an early end to celebrations outside the stadium and at nearby Centennial Olympic Park where FIFA Fan Fest closed early.
But as Channel 2’s Bryan Mims reports, the weather didn’t stop fans from taking in what Atlanta has to offer.
It’s been years since both South Africa and Czechia competed in the FIFA World Cup. That’s what makes the trip to Atlanta so special, so memorable for fans.
“It feels wonderful being here, in a different continent, different environment. Just being here with the boys away from home and understanding that they’ve got the support and we are with them,” Xolani Radebe told Mims.
Radebe flew here from Pretoria, South Africa, to shout for his team making their first World Cup appearance in 16 years.
Fiona Nomthandazo, a native of South Africa now living in Cincinnati, drove eight hours to be here for the match.
“It’s a beautiful city. But too much traffic!” she told Mims.
Czechia fans traveled, too, for their country’s first World Cup appearance in 20 years.
Marcela Houbova grew up in the Czech Republic but now lives in Las Vegas. She’s here with her Czech friends who flew in from all across the country.
“We’re already here and the effort we made to come over here, it’s gonna be, it’s good,” Houbova said.
Even before noon, bartenders were scooping ice, filling shakers and pouring pints. Well before noon.
After all, it was 5 p.m. in Johannesburg. And in Prague. South Africa and Czechia happen to be in the same time zone.
At The Irish Exit bar, which opened mere days ago, the crowd would just as soon raise a toast to the weather. Owner Pierce White expected a full house before and after the match, especially with Fan Fast closing early.
His wife Claire says add rain to the crush of soccer fans, and the bar is standing room only.
“As long as we can take care of people, I think that’s the underlying principle of any Irish pub and Irish hospitality,” Claire White said.
Just up the street at The Center bar at the old CNN Center, the bartenders had a lull as the match began. But they, too, braced for a flood of fans.
“Rain is always good. Because right when it started raining, it makes everybody run inside,” bartender Destiny Lester said.
The next match Atlanta will host is between Spain and Saudi Arabia on Sunday. There is a chance for rain again.
The second week and second matchday of the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted by North America has kicked off after weeks one offered fans around the world a glimpse into the participating teams’ forms and fuelling early predictions over who has what it takes to bring the coveted title home.
The first seven days have seen all 48 nations who qualified for this expanded edition of the global tournament take to the pitch, producing a mix of expected, exciting, lacklustre and disappointing results – depending on which nation you support.
The eight teams making up Groups A and B took to the pitch late on Thursday and early into Friday morning as the fight to clinch vital points has begun.
In FIFA’s newly expanded format including 48 instead of the usual 32 teams, the top two teams from each of the 12 groups will earn a ticket to the knockout rounds, in addition to eight of the best third place finishers – reviewed by points – from all the groups.
Here is an overview of all the action Day 8 of the tournament had to offer:
Czechia v South Africa
Both teams were seeking their first points in the World Cup after suffering losses in their opening fixtures last week and ranking third and fourth in Group A.
Czechia looked determined to fight its way into the knockout stages, after midfielder Michal Sadilek opened the scoring really early into the match, converting a chance from inside the box with a beautifully placed bottom right corner finish to beat South African keeper Ronwen Williams.
South Africa celebrates a goal during the World Cup Group A match against Czechia in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026
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Stew Milne/Copyright 2026 The AP. All rights reserved.
The Czech team then shifted tactically into a low block for the majority of the match in an effort to protect their marginal lead over South Africa, playing only in their first World Cup since hosting the tournament back in 2010, while also looking to capitalise on any openings with counter-attacking play.
The match seemed to be heading their way and going according to plan, but an attempt by South Africa’s Thapelo Maseko to curl a top corner shot into the far left from outside the box, was blocked by Czechia’s Pavel Sulc, who to his team’s disappointment, gave away a penalty in the dying minutes of the game after the referee pointed to the spot and called a handball.
Czechia's Lukas Cerv during the World Cup Group A match against South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026
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Stew Milne/Copyright 2026 The AP. All rights reserved.
Tebeho Mokoena, cool, calm and collected as ever ran up to the ball and placed it into the bottom left corner, beating keeper Matej Kovar who jumped in the opposite direction, equalising for his team in the 83rd minute and earning his side their first point.
Switzerland v Bosnia
Bosnia, who earned their qualification ticket by upsetting European heavyweights Italy opened Group B’s second matchday fixtures, where they took on Switzerland. Both teams had been winless at that stage and looking to secure their first three points at the tournament, after drawing their opening matches.
Switzerland had chances early on to take the lead but failed to capitalise. Swiss forward Dan Ndoye executed a spectacular overhead kick early in the first half which almost found its way to the back of the net and would’ve been a sure contender for goal of the tournament.
Switzerland's Johan Manzambi beats Bosnia keeper Nikola Vasilj with a shot to score the opening goal during the World Cup Group B match in Inglewood, Thursday, June 18, 2026.
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Mark J. Terrill/Copyright 2026 The AP. All rights reserved.
The match however remained goalless for well over an hour and seemed to be headed towards a draw. Many fans were pictured in the stadiums leaving their seats early, expecting the final 20 minutes of regular time to be much like the previous 70, but in a dramatic and unanticipated way, it was anything but.
Switzerland was able to open the scoring in the 74th minute. A cross into the box was not cleared well by Bosnia, with the ball falling just outside the 6-yard box, gifted on a platter to striker Johan Manzambi who took it on the volley and placed it in the top right corner.
Switzerland's Johan Manzambi and other teammates wave to fans after the end of the World Cup Group B match against Bosnia in Inglewood, California, Thursday, June 18, 2026
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Gregory Bull/Copyright 2026 The AP. All rights reserved.
It was 10 minutes later, roughly five minutes after Bosnia suffered a red card and went a man down, that play really opened for Switzerland who were able to pounce on the newly open spaces, and a quick attack left Ruben Vargas unmarked in the box, who was fed the ball for an easy tap-in.
Six minutes later, Swiss fans were treated to another almost identical goal, where the flanks were utilised to create gaps in the centre. A quick ball fed to Manzambi in the 90th resulted in a third goal for the red shirts, who found themselves 3-0 in a matter of 16 minutes.
Switzerland's Granit Xhaka claps hands after the end of the World Cup Group B match against Bosnia in Inglewood, California, near Los Angeles, Thursday, June 18, 2026
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Gregory Bull/Copyright 2026 The AP. All rights reserved.
Bosnia showed heart however and were able to pull a goal back, after Ermin Mahmic scored a screamer off a cleared corner kick. A poor corner was headed out of harm’s way by Swiss defences, landing to unmarked Mahmic on the edge of the box who fired an unstoppable volley into the top right corner to make it 3-1.
It was veteran Swiss player, who formerly starred for top club sides Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen, who scored a penalty in the 7th minute of added time to push his nation towards their first win of the tournament, sitting on par with Canada at four points a peace.
Canada v Qatar
Canada produced the tournament’s second goal-studded display, after Germany pummelled first-timers Curacao 7-1 last week, securing their first win of the World Cup they co-host with the United States and Mexico.
Scoring opened early for Canada who managed to gain the lead in the 16th minute after Qatari keeper Mahmud Abunada failed to hold on to the ball after an initial shot on goal, giving the ball back to Cyle Larin who tapped it in.
Canada's Jacob Shaffelburg shoots during the World Cup Group B match against Qatar in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, June 18, 2026
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Abbie Parr/Copyright 2026 The AP. All rights reserved.
Just over 10 minutes later, Canada’s forward Jonathan David grabbed his first goal of the fixture, who scored a stunning bottom right corner volley in the 29th minute just inside the box.
A Qatari team in shambles was set to further spiral after defender Homam Ahmed was given a red card in the 33rd minute, leaving his team two goals trailing and a man down. Canada was ruthless with their opportunities and David managed to bag one more goal in the 3rd minute of the first half’s stoppage time, to enter the halftime break with a healthy 3-0 advantage and an almost guaranteed three points.
The reigning Asian champions, playing in only their second World Cup since hosting the last edition in 2022, were in for more sorrow after midfielder Assim Madibo was also shown a red card in the 53rd minute, leaving the team at a serious disadvantage and a mountain to climb.
Canada's manager Jesse Marsch shakes hands with Qatar's manager Julen Argote after the World Cup Group B match between in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, June 18, 2026
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Timothy Matwey/Copyright 2026 The AP. All rights reserved.
Canada was once more quick to utilise the open spaces and opened the second half scoring with a stunning free kick goal in the 64th curled around the defensive wall and into the bottom right corner, just minutes after being substituted into the game, and drawing an applause from Prime Minister Mark Carney who was watching the game from the stands.
Just 10 minutes later the crimson shirts conceded once more after Qatar’s Mohammed Manai in an attempt to clear the ball off the goal line, shanked it into his own net, giving Canada a ruthless 5-0 lead.
Fans leave BC Place as Qatar fans join Canadian fans following their match during the World Cup Group B match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, June 18, 2026.
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Chad Hipolito/The Canadian Press
The maple leaves were not finished yet as New York-born striker Jonathan David sought to complete his first World Cup hat trick, and was able to successfully execute, with clever movement inside the box making space for himself to receive and beating the keeper with ease in the 92nd minute.
The win propelled Canada to the top of Group B, ahead of Switzerland, leading their European competition on goal difference, who they face next week in matchday three for a top of the table clash.
Mexico v South Korea
Co-hosts Mexico became the first nation to book their ticket to the World Cup knockout stage after defeating South Korea 1-0 in their second match and leading Group A with six points.
Mexico's Luis Romo scores the opening goal during the World Cup Group A match against South Korea in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 18, 2026
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Silvia Izquierdo/Copyright 2026 The AP. All rights reserved.
The team that opened the tournament last week with a 2-0 over South Africa was able to marginally edge its way past South Korea led by Tottenham Hotspurs legend Son Heung-min, after Luis Romo scored the fixture’s only goal in the 50th minute on home soil at Estadio Guadalajara.
They now prepare to face Czechia next week for their group stage match and have the advantage of being able to rest key players ahead of the knockout stages, while the rest of the group competes fiercely for points to book their qualifying tickets.
Brothers playing at the World Cup is nothing new, with England's Bobby and Jack Charlton lifting the trophy in 1966 and Dutch twins René and Willy van de Kerkhof featuring together in the 1978 final.
There are also the Boateng brothers Jérôme and Kevin-Prince who faced each other when Jérôme's Germany played Kevin-Prince's Ghana at the 2014 tournament.
French brothers Theo and Lucas Hernandez were already at the 2022 tournament where Lucas suffered a severe knee injury early in their first match and was replaced by Theo.
They are back again and part of seven pairs of siblings overall at the 2026 tournament, of which three are in the same team while the four other pairs play for different countries.
Apart from the Hernandez brothers, Curaçao feature captain Leandro Bacuna and his brother Jininho and Cape Verde has brothers in midfielders Deroy and Laros Duerta.
It should have been been four pairs but Jurriën Timber failed to recover from injury and was withdrawn from the Dutch squad which now only features his brother Quinten.
The other four pairs chose different national team paths:
Barefoot through the Sahara: the Williams parents
Inaki and Nico Williams both play club football for Athletic Bilbao but Nico plays for Spain and Inaki for Ghana.
Their parents are from Ghana and left for Europe, crossing parts of the Sahara desert when mother Maria was pregnant with the now 32-year-old Inaki, who was named after a priest who helped them get into Spain.
Inaki chose to play for Ghana while winger Nico, who is nine years younger at 23, chose Spain and won Euro 2024 with them. Both are committed to their Bilbao club, with Nico even snubbing mighty Barcelona.
"As an older brother, it makes me really proud to see how he has grown, to see how he is improving as a footballer. He has no ceiling. I'm here to help him, to teach him and give him everything he needs," Inaki once told the BBC.
Like the Boatengs: Luckassen and Brobbey
Like the Boateng brothers, Derrick Luckassen and Brian Brobbey have a Ghanaian mother but different fathers.
Both were born in Amsterdam and went through Dutch teams before Luckassen decided to play for Ghana. Brobbey achieved the leap into the Dutch team.
One for father's and the other for mother's country
The other two pairs decided to play for their mothers' and fathers' countries.
The Doués
Desiré und Guéla Doué have an Ivorian father and a French mother. They grew up in France and started their careers at Stade Rennes.
At 21, Desiré is the younger sibling but also the more talented one. The winger plays for Paris Saint-Germain and has won the Champions League twice with them.
Desiré plays for France while Strasbourg full back Guéla is part of the Ivory Coast squad.
The Souttars
John und Harry Souttar are the sons of Scottish-Australian parents. Father Jack is from Scotland and was a player in the 1970s while mother Heather was born in Australia.
The brothers grew up and started their football careers in Scotland, where the parents live, but Harry decided to play for Australia in 2019 while John is part of the Scotland squad.
Both won their opening matches on the same day last week. Defender Harry captained the Socceroos to a 2-0 success over Turkey while John was an unused substitute in Scotland's 1-0 against Haiti.
"They're fairly close brothers," father Jack told the BBC. "They're always talking to each other about games. They're always looking out for each other, that's for certain."
Cam Waters and Tickford Racing have put a tough mid-season behind them with a first win of the season in the first of three Supercars races at Hidden Valley in Australia’s Northern Territory.
In the first-ever Friday race at the Darwin circuit, Waters and his Ford Mustang came from fourth on the grid and pitted later than early leader Brodie Kostecki (Dick Johnson Racing Ford) to take the lead at Turn 1 and come home to a narrow victory, in a race that featured a one-lap dash to the flag after a late safety car.
“A long hard slog, for sure,” said Waters, whose victory ended a 47-race winless streak. “We haven’t had the best start to the year but we have been there or thereabouts.
“I thought he [Kostecki] was going to make it a little bit harder for me but I had a fresher tyre. Amazing to get a win, it has been a hard year."
In unseasonably cool conditions (it even rained lightly during the second part of Qualifying), Kostecki took the early lead from the Team 18 Chevrolet Camaro of Anton De Pasquale – the pair shared the front row for the fifth time of their careers. Both lost positions in the race, with the Grove Racing Fords of Kai Allen and Matt Payne pushing the 2023 champion back to fourth in one fell swoop on lap 32.
Allen, who scored a podium at the track a year ago, said: “I love this track.
“I need to get the qualifying a little better but the race car was really good. I got to the back of Brodie’s rear bar and we tried to get a double podium, and it worked out.”
Payne rued the loss a couple of seconds when a rear wheel stuck during his pitstop.
“Kai was making the moves for us,” he said. “I thought the car was pretty speedy but we just had a hiccup during the pitstop.”
Earlier, Kostecki shrugged off a problem with his engine’s throttle body, which stranded him in the garage for the opening 15 minutes of the sole Practice session, and a bout of flu, to take pole position. But his car lacked the race pace of the other Fords and he had to settle for fourth place at the finish.
Will Brown took fifth for Triple Eight Racing, thereby giving Ford a sweep of the top five places at a track that has previously featured only Chevrolet wins during the Gen3 era.
The best of the rest was De Pasquale, just ahead of the Toyota GR Supra of Walkinshaw TWG’s Chaz Mostert. The defending Supercars Champion just missed making the Qualifying cut to the top 10 session and started 11th, before passing team-mate Ryan Wood on his way to seventh.
Points leader Broc Feeney, the winner of six of the eight previous Gen3 races at the circuit, started from 13th on the grid after a tricky qualifying session. He did his cause no good at all by running off immediately when rejoining after his pitstop and complained of a lack of straightline speed during the race, finishing 14th. As a result, the 90-point lead he brought to the event has been reduced to 59.
The Supercars teams and drivers will return to action on Saturday and Sunday with two 70-lap, 200km races.
It will be hard to see her leave the program, but Council Rock North girls' lacrosse head coach Denise Noseworthy is well aware bigger things are on the way for senior Cat McBride.
"She's ready for college," Noseworthy said. "She was face-guarded so much in the (Suburban One League) because everybody knew who she was.
"She would have two or three girls covering her and that makes it hard. At Michigan, she's going to do great. She'll be able to fit right in."
McBride, the Suburban One League National Conference MVP, did plenty for the Indians in her four years as a starter (she leaves as the school's all-time leader in goals with over 250), and has been named the Courier Times/Intelligencer Girls' Lacrosse Player of the Year.
"I was just so proud of everyone on the team with the way we faced adversity," McBride said.
"We were always resilient and just stuck together as a team. I really enjoyed every year with our team."
"She's fast, she knows how to angle her body to cut off the opposing player and has the ability to beat the other girl to a ground ball 90 percent of the time."
McBride just wants to help the Wolverines any way she can.
"Wherever they see me fitting in is fine with me," said McBride, who plans to major in business.
"I'm just looking forward to going there and doing as well as I can."
Drew Markol covers local sports for PhillyBurbs.com. Support our journalism with a subscription.
Celik one step away from renewing Roma contract, talks are in final stages
Celik will remain at Roma.
The Turkish full-back seemed unlikely to remain in the capital, given his expiring contract and his agent’s high demands for a new deal, but progress has been made in the last few hours.
Both parties are confident that the final details will be resolved in the coming hours. The negotiations haven’t been easy, but now the final credits and handshakes have begun.
Celik arrived in Rome for €7 million and a €250,000 commission. In recent months, Gasperini has pushed for the Turkish full-back’s permanence in the capital and has personally worked to break the deadlock in which Inter, Juventus, and Turkish clubs have attempted to intervene.
As Il Tempo reports, the former Lille player, unlike Dybala and Pellegrini, is set to renew his contract with a slight increase over the €2 million plus bonuses he was earning. Further contacts are expected to finalize the deal, but the path is now clear: Celik will remain in Rome, and even the player’s agent is optimistic.
On Friday, Team USA and Australia will share the pitch at 9 p.m. ET from Lumen Field in Seattle, Wash.
Team USA will be making its 12th appearance in a World Cup, and the first in front of its home crowd since hosting the 1994 tournament. Australia, on the other hand, will be making its seventh World Cup appearance, and sixth in a row.
This game could have massive consequences for both sides in relation to who will finish where in Group D. As the second of three games in the group stage for each of these teams, how they finish today in Seattle could have massive consequences. Their knockout qualification picture will be painted after Friday's game, with the U.S. taking on Turkey in its final game, while Australia will face Paraguay in its third and final group stage match.
The Sporting News takes you through all the information you need to follow the game.
This match will be broadcast nationally on Fox in the United States with streaming options available on its dedicated platforms.
The best place to catch the match is on streaming service fubo, with new customers able to sign up a for a FREE trial.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
What time does USA vs. Australia start?
This World Cup clash kicks off Friday, June 19, at 3 p.m. ET at Lumen Field in Seattle, Wash.
Here's how that time translates across the United States timezones:
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to run from June 11 through July 19, 2026. It will be the first World Cup hosted across three countries: the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Where is the 2026 FIFA World Cup being played?
The 2026 World Cup will be played across 16 host cities in North America, with matches taking place in the United States, Canada and Mexico. It will be the first men’s World Cup hosted by three countries.
The 16 host cities are Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle in the United States; Toronto and Vancouver in Canada; and Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey in Mexico.
How many teams are in the 2026 World Cup?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature 48 teams, expanding from the 32-team format used in previous tournaments. The larger field also means more matches, more knockout-round games and more countries involved than ever before.
The 48 teams are Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Cape Verde, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Curaçao, Czechia, DR Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Ghana, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Senegal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Türkiye, United States, Uruguay and Uzbekistan.
How many games are in the 2026 World Cup?
There will be 104 matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. That includes the group stage, knockout rounds and the final.
Can I stream the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. Streaming options will depend on the match, language and broadcast partner. In the U.S., Fox Sports lists FOX and FS1, which are available on fubo for English-language coverage, while Telemundo will stream every match live on Peacock and the Telemundo App for Spanish-language coverage.
What channel is the 2026 World Cup on?
In the U.S., English-language matches are expected across FOX and FS1, which are available on fubo for those without cable, while Spanish-language coverage will air on Telemundo and Universo, which you can stream on DIRECTV and Peacock. Check the schedule for the specific match you want to watch.
When is the 2026 World Cup final?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, 2026. The match will be played at New York-New Jersey Stadium, FIFA’s tournament name for MetLife Stadium.
What time do World Cup games start?
Kickoff times vary by date, host city and round. Because the tournament is being played across multiple time zones in the United States, Canada and Mexico, fans should check the official match schedule for start times in their local time zone.
Is the United States playing in the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. The United States automatically qualified for the 2026 World Cup as one of the three host nations, along with Canada and Mexico.
The ghosts of Tim Cahill, Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell still linger on the soccer fields that litter Australia's landscape more than a decade after they last laced their cleats.
The Socceroos have been one of the region's most successful sides, emerging as a titan of Asian and Oceanian soccer in the 21st century. Now, they're setting their sights at a new pinnacle — securing a spot in the knockout stages of the World Cup for the second-straight trip. Armed with a gaggle of talented youngsters and wily veterans, they look well-equipped to compete for a spot in the business end of the competition.
The Group D outfit isn't quite faultless. But it is enticing, particularly in the attacking areas of the pitch. It proved as much in its 2-0 triumph over Turkey in its first match, showcasing all the typical tenets of Australian soccer — speed, dynamism and creativity.
With that, here's a look at the Socceroos' roster for the 2026 World Cup.
Australia has rolled out a 26-man roster ahead of this year's World Cup in North America. The Socceroos' roster features talent spanning as far as Cyprus and as nearby as Melbourne City.
Here's a look at Australia's full roster for the 2026 World Cup.
Caps and stats are correct as of June 1.
Position
No.
Player
Club
Age
Caps
GK
1
Mathew Ryan
Levante UD (La Liga, Spain)
34
104
GK
12
Paul Izzo
Randers FC (Superliga, Denmark)
31
4
GK
18
Patrick Beach
Melbourne City (A-League, Australia)
22
1
DEF
16
Aziz Behich
Melbourne City (A-League, Australia)
35
83
DEF
5
Jordan Bos
Feyenoord (Eredivisie, Netherlands)
22
3
DEF
21
Cameron Burgess
Swansea City (Championship, England)
30
26
DEF
3
Alessandro Circati
Parma (Serie A, Italy)
22
12
DEF
2
Milos Degenek
Apoel FC (First Division, Cyprus)
32
56
DEF
6
Jason Geria
Albirex Niigata (J-League, Japan)
33
13
DEF
25
Lucas Herrington
Colorado Rapids (MLS, USA)
18
3
DEF
4
Jacob Italiano
Grazer AK (Bundesliga, Austria)
24
4
DEF
19
Harry Souttar
Leicester City (Championship, England)
27
37
DEF
15
Kai Trewin
New York City (MLS, USA)
25
5
MID
14
Cameron Devlin
Hearts (Premiership, Scotland)
27
4
MID
10
Ajdin Hrustic
Heracles Almelo (Eredivisie, Netherlands)
29
37
MID
22
Jackson Irvine
St Pauli (Bundesliga, Germany)
33
81
MID
8
Connor Metcalfe
St Pauli (Bundesliga, Germany)
26
35
MID
24
Paul Okon-Engstler
Sydney FC (A-League, Australia)
21
5
MID
13
Aidan O'Neill
New York City (MLS, USA)
27
30
FWD
17
Nestory Irankunda
Watford (Championship, England)
20
14
FWD
7
Mathew Leckie
Melbourne City (A-League, Australia)
35
80
FWD
11
Awer Mabil
CD Castellon (Segunda, Spain)
30
38
FWD
9
Mohamed Toure
Norwich City (Championship, England)
22
9
FWD
23
Nishan Velupillay
Melbourne Victory (A-League, Australia)
25
7
FWD
20
Cristian Volpato
Sassuolo (Serie A, Italy)
22
0
FWD
26
Tete Yengi
Machida Zelvia (J-League, Japan)
25
0
Australia players to watch in 2026 World Cup
Australia is quietly blessed with a handful of gifted young stars. Nestory Irankunda earned rave reviews for his performances at Watford and, at 20 years old, is already being tipped for greatness. He found the target in Australia's shock 2-0 win over Turkey in the Socceroos' group stage opener. He's joined in Australia's attacking corps by Norwich winger Mohamed Toure, who tallied nine goals in 11 appearances for Championship side Norwich City upon his arrival in Feb. 2026.
Christian Volpato got the nod, having made his bones at Sassuolo in Serie A. He'll look to add pace and dynamism into an attacking unit teeming with it already.
Captain Mathew Ryan has spent more than a decade in Europe, plying his trade for powerhouses like Club Brugge, Valencia, Brighton & Hove Albion, Arsenal, Lens and, most recently, Levante.
Other noteworthy talents include St. Pauli pairing Jackson Irvine and Connor Metcalfe and hulking Leicester City defender Harry Souttar.
Who is coaching Team Australia in the 2026 World Cup?
Australian soccer legend Tony Popovic holds the reins for the Socceroos. The Sydney native starred at the domestic and international level, playing more than 100 times for Crystal Palace during the early 2000s. Popovic was a fully fledged Australian international, earning 58 caps with his home nation from 1995-2006.
After retiring from the sport in 2008, Popovic got into coaching. He was named the head coach of Western Sydney Wanderers in May 2012. Popovic led Wanderers to an A-League title in his first season with the club. In his second, they triumphed in the AFC Champions League, besting Al-Hilal in the final.
Popovic has remained a coaching star in the years since his coaching debut. He lent his services to Karabukspor, Perth Glory, Xanthi and Melbourne Victory before agreeing terms to become Australia's head coach in Sept. 2024.
Under Popovic’s tutelage, the Socceroos have shined. They are 11-4-4 in 19 appearances, cementing themselves as one of Asia’s finest sides.
Australia World Cup history
The Socceroos are one of Asian soccer's most decorated outfits, having appeared in seven World Cups in their history.
Formerly a member on the Oceania Football Confederation, Australia made its first World Cup appearance in 1974. The Socceroos' deepest run saw them qualify for the Round of 16 in 2006 and 2022, respectively.
Here's a look at the Aussies' history in soccer's grandest international competition.
Year
Result
Final game
2022
Round of 16
Argentina 2-Australia 1
2018
Group stage
Australia 0-Peru 2
2014
Group stage
Australia 0-Spain 3
2010
Group stage
Australia 2-Serbia 1
2006
Round of 16
Italy 1-0 Australia
1974
Group stage
Australia 0-0 Chile
Australia World Cup 2026 schedule
Australia will play in Group D at this year's World Cup. It will be joined by Paraguay, Turkey and the United States. Here's a look at their slate of games during the group stage of the 2026 tournament:
As the United States Men's National Team continues its journey as a home World Cup team, it will travel throughout the country.
The team begins its quest out west for all three of its group stage matches, which is why those games are scheduled for late at night in many parts of the country. Depending on where the USMNT is placed in the knockout stage, however, it could make its way to other parts of the country in hopes of making a championship run.
The key to the USMNT making a legitimate run is its path through the knockout stage, and the team should benefit from always playing on home soil. Certain locations should also provide the team with a more raucous home-field advantage than others.
Here's a look at where the USMNT could play its World Cup matches.
The USMNT opened its World Cup campaign at SoFi Stadium, known as Los Angeles Stadium for this tournament, with a convincing 4-1 victory over Paraguay. The home of the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers provided a fitting stage as the United States played a World Cup match on home soil for the first time since 1994.
SoFi Stadium opened in 2020 and has since hosted a Super Bowl and a College Football Playoff National Championship before becoming one of the primary venues for the 2026 World Cup.
June 19: Lumen Field/Seattle Stadium
For their second matchup, the United States will travel north to Seattle to take on Australia on June 19. This game will take place at Lumen Field, the home of the Seattle Seahawks, and it will be the second match at the stadium after Belgium and Egypt played earlier in the tournament.
Lumen Field opened in 2002 and has gone through multiple names, including Seahawks Stadium, Qwest Field and CenturyLink Field.
June 25: SoFi Stadium/Los Angeles Stadium
The United States will return to Los Angeles for its third and final group stage match against Turkiye on June 25. The game will take place at 10:00 p.m. ET, 7:00 p.m. local time, as the USMNT looks to secure a a good seed in the knockout stage.
Depending on where the United States finishes in the group stage standings, the team has five potential options for its round of 32 match.
Levi's Stadium/San Francisco Bay Area Stadium
The United States has a great opportunity to win Group D, which would send it to Levi's Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., for its Round of 32 match. The match would take place on Wednesday, July 1.
AT&T Stadium/Dallas Stadium
If the United States finishes as the runner up in Group D, then they would travel to Dallas to play the round of 32 game at AT&T Stadium, which is where the Dallas Cowboys play their home games. If this is the USMNT's path, this game would be played on Friday, July 3.
Gillette Stadium/Boston Stadium
If the United States finishes third in Group D, the team has three possible stadium options for the knockout stage. First, the USMNT could play at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots, on Monday, June 29.
MetLife Stadium/New York New Jersey Stadium
Another possibility is that the USMNT could travel to New Jersey to play its Round of 32 match at MetLife Stadium, home of the New York Giants and New York Jets. The match is scheduled for Tuesday, June 30.
Arrowhead Stadium/Kansas City Stadium
Finally, the United States could also play a round of 32 match at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, which is the home of the Kansas City Chiefs. This would mean the USMNT plays on Friday, July 3.
Round of 16
Lumen Field/Seattle Stadium
The path in which the United States wins its group includes a round of 16 match at Lumen Field in Seattle on Saturday, July 4.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium/Atlanta Stadium
If the USMNT finishes in second in their group, that path would have the team heading to the Atlanta Falcons Stadium in the round of 16. This match at Mercedes-Benx Stadium is scheduled for Tuesday, July 7.
Lincoln Financial Field/Philadelphia Stadium
A third place finish in the group stage would likely but the United States on the path that includes playing in Philadelphia for the round of 16. Lincoln Financial Field, which is where the Philadelphia Eagles play their home games, is the host stadium, This match will occure on Saturday, July 4.
BC Place/Vancouver Stadium
There is one unlikely scenario that would have the United States playing a game in Canada. The USMNT would have to not only third in their group, but would also have to be placed on a path that would lead to game in Vancouver. This match will take place on Tuesday, July 7.
Quarterfinals
SoFi Stadium/Los Angeles Stadium
The United States could return to Los Angeles for a quarterfinal match if they make it this far after winning Group D. This quarterfinal match is scheduled for Friday, July 10.
Arrowhead Stadium/Kansas City Stadium
There is also a path that would have the United States playing a quarterfinal match at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, July 11.
Gillette Stadium/Boston Stadium
Another possible match in Boston for the United States could be in play, as this stadium will host a quarterfinal match on Thursday, July 9.
Semifinals
AT&T Stadium/Dallas Stadium
There are two designated stadiums for the semifinal round. First, the USMNT could find itself playing in Dallas at AT&T Stadium on Tuesday, July 14.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium/Atlanta Stadium
If the United States makes it to the second semifinal game, it would take place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Wednesday, July 15.
Third place match
Hard Rock Stadium/Miami Stadium
The United States would welcome a possibility to play in the third-place match, which is scheduled for Saturday, July 18 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Finals
MetLife Stadium/New York New Jersey Stadium
It's unlikely that the United States makes it all the way to the World Cup final, but if they do, the game is set for Sunday, July 19 at MetLife Stadium.
Two teams sitting in the middle of their respective divisions face off this weekend, with the Arizona Diamondbacks hosting the Minnesota Twins for a three-game series beginning Friday.
The D'backs are looking up at the Dodgers and Padres in the NL West as they sit just above .500 entering this series. Arizona has looked solid recently, winning its last two series against the Angels and Reds on the heels of a tough stretch.
The Twins also have won two consecutive series, theirs against the Rangers and Cardinals, to build some positive momentum as they try to make up ground on the Guardians and White Sox in the AL Central.
Who will open the weekend with a win Friday night? Here's everything you need to know to watch.
Diamondbacks vs. Twins will not air on traditional television Friday. The game will stream live as part of Apple TV's "Friday Night Baseball" package.
New subscribers get their first week of Apple TV for free. After that, they can subscribe for just $12.99/month.
Subscribers can watch "Friday Night Baseball" with the Apple TV app, which is available on select smart TVs, Roku devices, Amazon Fire TV, and gaming consoles.
Diamondbacks vs. Twins start time
Date: Friday, June 19
Time: 9:45 p.m. ET | 8:45 p.m. CT | 6:45 p.m. PT
First pitch of Diamondbacks vs. Twins on Friday is set for 9:45 p.m. ET. The game will be played at Chase Field in Phoenix.
Apple TV 'Friday Night Baseball' schedule 2026
Apple and MLB have announced the "Friday Night Baseball" schedule through the end of July. See every upcoming game below.
PREVIEW: USA look to end 24-year wait for consecutive World Cup victories
After a convincing 4-1 win over Paraguay in their opening game, the United States are looking to move closer to the knockout stages and secure consecutive World Cup wins for the first time since 2002 as they face Australia.
The hosts started the tournament in impressive fashion by beating Paraguay 4-1 last Saturday. An own goal, a brace from Folarin Balogun and a wonder strike from Giovanni Reyna meant the United States recorded their joint biggest-ever World Cup win.
Australia also started the tournament with a bang after a shock 2-0 victory over Türkiye, with Nestroy Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe finding the net for the Socceroos.
Both nations reached the Round of 16 in Qatar four years ago and are now aiming to secure a place in the expanded World Cup’s Round of 32. A win for either side would almost guarantee top spot in the group and a place in the knockout stages.
It was an impressive display from the United States, and head coach Mauricio Pochettino could name an unchanged side. Captain Christian Pulisic did go off at half-time against Paraguay after picking up a knock, but he is expected to be fit.
Meanwhile, Australia come into the game with no injuries and are expected to name the starting XI after their stunning victory. Speaking ahead of the game, Australian defender Cameron Burgess stated that the United States must be ready for the Socceroos.
“We’re playing against a host nation with some tremendous talent in their squad. We faced them only a few months ago. We’re going to have to be ready for what they can bring, and the same goes for them. They’re going to have to be ready for what we can bring, so it’s going to be a hard-fought game.”
The fixture will take place at the Seattle Stadium (Lumen Field, kicking off at 20:00 (BST). In the UK, it will be televised on BBC One with coverage starting at 19:30 (BST).
🎥 Security refuses entry: Spain star barred from training camp
Bizarre scenes in Tennessee. As a video posted by the Spanish X account 'El Chiringuito TV' shows, Spain striker Borja Iglesias was denied entry to his teammates’ training camp by the security staff there. Apparently, the security employees simply did not recognize the former Leverkusen striker.
Even Iglesias’ words, “I’m a striker for the national team, I need to get in,” did not help at first. So the 33-year-old had to make a few phone calls before he was finally allowed to join his teammates.
After all the escapades the World Cup has already caused when it comes to entries into the country, this is of course one of the funny and harmless stories. At least this problem was resolved fairly quickly.
🎥 Now the Scots join in: Norway's fans are winning everyone over
The Norwegians’ rowing boat stops for no one. No matter whether you’re rooting for the Scandinavians or another team, if you want to climb aboard, then join in!
The Scots got to experience that for themselves, as they were introduced to the art of being a Norwegian fan in front of a huge crowd of excited supporters.
Walt Frazier did not just arrive at the New York Knicks’ championship parade in a classic car. He rode through the Canyon of Heroes in a vehicle with a history that reaches far beyond basketball.
The New York Knicks legend was one of the central figures of the celebration after the franchise’s first NBA title since 1973.
Frazier helped deliver that previous championship, so his place in the parade already carried weight before the car itself became part of the story. The vehicle had its own legend attached.
Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images
Walt Frazier rode in $1m Chrysler at New York Knicks parade
The parade car details revealed why Frazier’s ride drew so much attention during the New York Knicks celebration.
“The car that Walt Clyde Frazier rode in today is a 1952 Chrysler Imperial Parade Phaeton estimated over $1 million,” New York Basketball wrote on X.
“It’s the same car that’s carried countless legends down the Canyon of Heroes, including the Apollo 11 astronauts who first landed on the moon,” the handle added.
The 1952 Chrysler Imperial Parade Phaeton is not your average vintage convertible. Chrysler built only three of the open-top parade cars, and New York City’s version has long been reserved for major civic celebrations.
The car is more than 20 feet long and weighs close to 6,000 pounds, with a red leather interior and ceremonial design built for dignitaries. For a New York Knicks parade built around history, it was a fitting lead vehicle for one of the franchise’s most important figures.
Walt Frazier car links New York Knicks parade to Apollo 11 history
Frazier’s ride carried a link to one of the most famous moments ever celebrated in New York. After the 1969 moon landing, Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins were honored with a ticker-tape parade through the same Canyon of Heroes.
That history gave the New York Knicks celebration an unexpected connection to the space race. A car once used to carry the first humans to walk on the moon was now carrying a Hall of Famer from the franchise’s last title team before 2026.
The Chrysler has also been used for other major parades and dignitaries, which is why it remains one of New York’s most recognizable ceremonial vehicles. It is brought out only for occasions big enough to justify its place in city history.
The Knicks’ 2026 title qualified. More than two million people lined the parade route as New York celebrated a 53-year wait finally ending, turning the day into one of the city’s biggest recent sports moments.
Frazier already represented the bridge between the old Knicks champions and the new one. The car made that bridge even wider, connecting basketball, New York tradition, and a piece of history that once carried the Apollo 11 crew through Manhattan.
Mourinho identifies Napoli’s midfield mainstay as surprise Real Madrid target
Real Madrid’s search for midfield reinforcements continues to generate new names, and the latest player being linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu is Napoli star Scott McTominay.
The Scottish international has enjoyed a remarkable rise in recent years and is now considered one of the most important figures in Napoli’s midfield setup.
However, reports emerging from Italy suggest his future is attracting attention from Real Madrid, with new manager Jose Mourinho playing a key role behind the growing interest.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Portuguese coach is closely following the situation of the midfielder he knows better than most.
An old connection
McTominay’s connection with Mourinho goes back to their time together at Manchester United.
It was the Portuguese manager who handed the midfielder his first-team breakthrough and showed considerable faith in him during the early stages of his career.
Mourinho is interested in Scott McTominay. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
That relationship appears to remain strong years later.
It is stated that Mourinho is an admirer of the Scotland international and views him as a profile capable of strengthening Real Madrid’s midfield options.
At 29 years old, McTominay combines experience, physicality and tactical discipline, qualities that have helped him establish himself as one of Napoli’s most influential players since arriving in Italy.
Napoli moving to secure his future
The reports have understandably raised concerns within the Serie A side, where McTominay is viewed as a central piece of both the present and future project.
Although his contract runs until 2028, the Italian team is eager to strengthen their position by negotiating a new agreement.
Club officials are aware that interest from a team like Real Madrid could complicate matters if discussions are delayed.
McTominay is a mainstay in Napoli’s midfield. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
On that note, they have no intention of entertaining offers for the midfielder this summer and consider him non-transferable under normal circumstances.
While his current market value is estimated at around €40 million, any potential negotiations would likely start at a significantly higher figure given his importance to the team.
Right now, the Italian side’s priority is to secure McTominay’s long-term future before external interest grows further.
As things stand, the story appears to be driven largely by Mourinho’s admiration for a player he helped develop at Manchester United.
Whether that admiration evolves into a concrete transfer attempt remains to be seen, as Real Madrid are assessing several options for the same position.
Barcelona growing increasingly serious about signing Australia’s next superstar
Barcelona’s search for exciting young talents appears to have taken them across the Atlantic, with Australian defender Lucas Herrington emerging as a serious target for the Catalan club.
The highly-rated teenager has been generating significant attention in recent months, and Barcelona’s interest is now understood to be far more advanced than simple scouting reports.
According to SPORT, the Blaugrana have been closely following the Colorado Rapids defender and have already taken concrete steps to assess the possibility of bringing him to Spain.
At just 18 years old, Herrington is establishing himself as one of the most exciting defensive prospects in North American football, attracting attention from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Barcelona intensify pursuit of Australian wonderkid
Herrington has impressed Barcelona’s scouting department with a combination of qualities that are highly valued in modern defenders.
Barcelona are interested in Lucas Herrington. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
His comfort on the ball, ability to break lines with passes and dominance in aerial situations have reportedly stood out during the club’s evaluations.
Notably, the interest has progressed beyond routine monitoring, with the outlet reporting that Barcelona representatives travelled to the United States earlier this year to watch the player firsthand and gather further information about his situation.
During that visit, club officials also held discussions with the defender’s representatives to explore the conditions of a potential transfer.
Currently, Herrington remains tied to Colorado Rapids until the end of 2029, with the MLS side also holding an option to extend his contract for an additional year.
Colorado Rapids’ valuation
The biggest obstacle facing Barcelona appears to be the player’s price tag.
Herrington is currently at the World Cup. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Reports emerging from the United States suggest that the Catalan club have already tested the waters with an opening proposal worth around €10 million.
However, that figure was rejected by Colorado Rapids, who believe the defender’s value is more than €20 million.
For what it is worth, Herrington’s rapid rise helps explain that valuation.
Despite his age, he has already broken into the Australian national team setup and has accumulated four senior international appearances.
Right now, the 18-year-old is with the Australian national team at the World Cup and if he delivers a strong performance, Colorado Rapids will have all the reasons to demand more than €20 million.
RB Leipzig have made contact over the possibility of signing Everton forward Thierno Barry, according to The Times.
However, Die Roten Bullen have yet to make a formal offer for the 23-year-old, as reported by the Liverpool Echo.
Everton paid €30 million to sign the towering French forward from Villarreal in the summer of 2025.
He went on to score eight goals in 41 appearances in his first season at the Premier League club.
Romulo and Conrad Harder competed for the starting striker role at RB Leipzig during the 2025/26 season, with the former the preferred option under now-sacked head coach Ole Werner.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JUNE 15: General view of the stadium during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match between Belgium and Egypt at Seattle Stadium on June 15, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I spent nearly the entire day yesterday (Thursday) traveling up to Seattle, in order to catch a clinical dose of World Cup fever in person as the US took on Australia in the iconic stadium of the Seattle Seahawks (whatever the name of it may be temporarily). I’m quite excited, even if I would prefer a slightly later kickoff than high noon.
So I didn’t get to watch any of the games on Day 8 (Sirius XM simulcast of FOX Sports is poor substitute), but it looks like Canada, Switzerland, and Mexico did alright, and the Czechs disappointed once again. Bah.
Here’s hoping for no letdowns from Pochettino’s boys today. LFG.
USA vs. AUSTRALIA
It’s Juneteenth here in the States, a federal holiday. Most people have the day off. The nation’s primed to celebrate soccer. The 4-1 win over Paraguay in the US’s opening game only served to heighten the emotions, the expectations, the excitement. Catch the fever!
Australia also won their first game 2-0, putting on a counter-attacking clinic while holding Turkey at arm’s length. It wasn’t complicated, it wasn’t groundbreaking, but it was, as ever, quite effective. They will be looking to do the same again today.
Date / Time: Friday, June 19, 2026, 3pm EDT; 8pm BST Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle, WA, USA Referee: Felix Zwayer (Germany)
On TV: FOX, Telemundo (USA); BBC One (UK); elsewhere Streaming online: FOX One, Peacock (USA); BBC iPlayer (UK)
Chelsea interest: Christian Pulisic took a star turn for the US in their first game, bringing back fond memories of Lockdown Pulisic from the long ago days of the year 2020. Can you believe that was six years ago already!? Pulisic did get subbed off early as precaution for a calf concern — he’s questionable to play in this one after being limited in training all week.
SCOTLAND vs. MOROCCO
Scotland got their first win at a World Cup in forever when they beat Haiti, 1-0 in their opening match. Since t hen, their fans have become social media darlings, showing up at Boston Red Sox baseball games and local area children’s hospitals. Great stuff!
So it’s all going great for them, though they may find Morocco a tougher nut to crack. The Champions of Africa by Administrative Decision outplayed mighty Brazil in their first game, but had to settle for a 1-1 draw. Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi is one of the early breakout stars of this World Cup.
Date / Time: Friday, June 19, 2026, 6pm EDT; 11pm BST Venue: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA, USA Referee: Ilgiz Tantashev (Uzbekistan)
On TV: FOX, Telemundo (USA); ITV 1 (UK); elsewhere Streaming online: FOX One, Peacock (USA); ITVx (UK)
Chelsea interest: None, though Morocco’s Samir El Mourabet also earned some rave reviews for his performance against Brazil, and he’s already in the BlueCo system at Strasbourg.
BRAZIL vs. HAITI
Speaking of Brazil, here’s a must-win game for them already. Still no Neymar.
Date / Time: Friday, June 19, 2026, 9pm EDT; 2am BST (next day) Venue: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA, USA Referee: Alejandro Hernández Hernández (Spain)
On TV: FOX, Telemundo (USA); ITV 1 (UK); elsewhere Streaming online: FOX One, Peacock (USA); ITVx (UK)
Chelsea interest: Well, none, since all of our Brazilian player were left off the final squad by Carlo Ancelotti.
TURKEY vs. PARAGUAY
Both teams would’ve been quite disappointed with their performances in their respective first games, and will be looking to do a lot better to stay in with a good chance of qualifying for the knockout rounds.
Date / Time: Friday, June 19, 2026, 9pm PDT; 5am BST (next day) Venue: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA, USA Referee: Iván Barton (El Salvador)
On TV: FOX Sports 1, Telemundo (USA); ITV 1 (UK); elsewhere Streaming online: FOX One, Peacock (USA); ITVx (UK)
Thomas Tuchel put himself on the spot in front of his England players by throwing a ceremonial first pitch in the Kansas City Royals baseball team’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
England head coach Tuchel and members of his squad were guests at the Kauffman Stadium to watch the Royals barely 24 hours after winning their opening World Cup game against Croatia in Dallas.
Having seen captain Harry Kane score from the spot with a retaken penalty against Croatia, Tuchel put himself on the spot by throwing a ceremonial first pitch to Royals manager Matt Quatraro.
The moment was captured on film by delighted fans at the game after the stadium announcer welcomed the England players on the stadium’s big screen.
England head coach Tuchel, donning a Royals shirt, throws a ceremonial first pitch - Ed Zurga/Getty Images
In a reversal of roles, England’s players were able to sit back and assess their head coach’s technique, as Tuchel tossed a right-handed pitch to Quatraro.
Against Croatia, Tuchel had inspired his team’s 4-2 victory with an inspiring half-time speech after being unhappy with elements of the first-half performance.
Kane, who was welcomed by name at the Royals, scored twice against Croatia with Jude Bellingham and substitute Marcus Rashford also getting on the scoresheet.
England captain Harry Kane watches on as Tuchel throws from the mound - Charlie Riedel
Tuchel and his players were relaxing on Thursday night between World Cup games after flying straight back to their Kansas training base from Dallas.
The England squad face Ghana in their next Group L game next Tuesday, which gave the players and Tuchel an opportunity to switch off ahead of stepping up their preparations for the game in Boston.
Kane and vice-captain Declan Rice are both confident they will be fully fit to face Ghana. Rice went off against Croatia with some pain in his lower back that may need managing, while Kane experienced some cramp.
Nicolas Raskin has made clear his intention to leave Rangers this summer in search of the next step in his career amid interest from Atalanta and other clubs in the 25-year-old Belgium midfielder. (TeamTalk)
PSV Eindhoven are preparing to follow up their interest in 22-year-old striker Youssef Chermiti but have yet to weigh up their signing shortlist with Rangers likely to cash in if offered £25m. (Ed via Record)
Besiktas pitched Chermiti as one of four potential striker targets this summer, but head coach Vincenzo Italiano is not keen on a deal for Rangers' forward. (Yanpas via Record)
Kelechi Iheanacho, who is waiting to see if Celtic will trigger a contract extension, was offered to Vasco da Gama, but the Brazilian club did not find the Nigeria striker appealing. (Atencao Vascainos via Sun)
Plymouth Argyle are not planning on selling any of their top players, including 24-year-old Celtic-linked striker Lorent Tolaj, despite forecasting operating losses of £10.6m for the 2025-26 season. (Plymouth Herald)
Reports that former Celtic midfielder Efrain Juarez was in the mix to be Martin O'Neill's assistant with the Scottish champions proved premature when the 38-year-old was named the new head coach of Hungarian champions ETO Gyori. (National - subscription required)
Former Utrecht, Go Ahead Eagles and Twente head coach Rene Hake, who was most recently Robin van Persie's assistant at Feyenoord, was one of the candidates Hearts spoke to in London as they look to appoint a new manager. (Herald - subscription required)
Hearts have interviewed Hake, was also in the running for the recent Leicester City vacancy that was filled by ex-Rangers boss Russell Martin, for their managerial vacancy and plan to speak to further candidates in the coming days. (Scotsman - subscription required)
Midfielder Callum Wright has joined Hibernian's list of targets after the 26-year-old was released by Plymouth having ended the season on loan to Wigan Athletic in League One. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required)
Kilmarnock have agreed a transfer deal to sign 27-year-old goalkeeper Calum Ferrie from Queen's Park. (Daily Record)
Ruari Paton has negotiated his release from Port Vale and the 25-year-old striker is poised to return to St Johnstone after last season's loan, while 26-year-old winger Logan Chalmers should soon complete his transfer from Partick Thistle. (Courier - subscription required)
Falkirk have made an offer to sign Nottingham Forest attacker Joe Gardner on a permanent transfer, but the 21-year-old is also wanted by a number of League One and League Two clubs, including Oldham Athletic. (Football Insider)
Falkirk goalkeeper Scott Bain has revealed he effectively volunteered for a deadline-day transfer to Celtic while on loan to Hibernian from Dundee after seeing the Glasgow club linked with Trevor Carson on Sky Sports News. (Herald - subscription required)
Victor Munoz has speed in abundance and assets that can prove effective in the Premier League, says Radio Catalunya journalist Ernest Macia.
The 22-year-old spent time as a teenager at one of Spain's most famous academies in La Masia, then years at local side Damm and Real Madrid before moving to Osasuna in 2025.
Munoz left a mark on La Liga's 2025-26 season and was shortlisted for the league's Young Player of the Season award.
"What's striking about this player is from a Spanish perspective, it seems a nice story because the guy has been working very hard for years to achieve the first division in Spain and he finally did it," Macia told BBC Radio Merseyside.
"After 40 games he finally succeeded up to a point where he was able to play at the level of the best players at Barcelona or in Champions League teams. He's very athletic, he's very creative and he has what most of the teams lack which is this capacity for one-on-one and for high speed which I think for the Premier League will be very useful for him.
"The guy is very talented and after almost 40 games [in La Liga] it's a very, very courageous move by Liverpool but I think it seems like Barcelona were already looking at him and he deserves this chance and I think he will do well in the Premier League.
"He is one of those players who immediately changes the tempo of the game. Defenders aren't comfortable against him because of his pace and directness. In modern football, I think this kind of speed is very worthy and very valuable. He has that in abundance.
"The only question is – whether in such a short period of time in which he was able to show his value in Spain, will it be at the same pace and the same progress in England?"
Click play above to hear more from Macia or listen on BBC Sounds here
The midfield head-to-head between Scott McTominay and Ayyoub Bouaddi could be vital [Getty Images]
Last weekend in Boston, Scotland played their most important game of international football in 28 years, a walk on the wildside against Haiti, a game that put the heart sideways in every Scot but, ultimately, sparked the party to end all parties in the city they called Beantown.
More like Beanotown, more like Scotland, Massachusetts. For almost four decades there was a character in the DC Thomson comic called Ball Boy, a wee football-obsessed lad who couldn't kick a can down a street without thinking he'd scored the winner in a World Cup final.
Boston has been overtaken by Ball Boys, full-time dreamers and relentless ambassadors for their country. There isn't a cop in the city who hasn't been charmed by them, nor a local business that hasn't benefitted hugely from the Tartan Army dollar.
They've been a happy whirlwind, a force of nature that will be missed when it blows out of town in the coming days.
Before the exodus, though, there's a job to be done. Such is the rarefied air they're breathing at this World Cup, what we said in previewing Haiti can be said again in looking forward to Morocco.
After the big one comes the ever bigger one. Bigly, as somebody once said.
This one, if it goes well, could be the greatest of them all, not just in 28 years but, arguably, in the 154 years since Scotland played England at the West of Scotland Cricket Club in the first international match ever played.
Then, as now, Scotland were captained by a man with firm roots at Queen's Park. A 0-0 draw then would go down a storm now.
Stalemate against Morocco would almost certainly send Steve Clarke's boys into the promised land of knockout football for the first time in the nation's history. Even a narrow defeat would be good news given the way the permutations are shaking up for the best third-placed qualifiers.
Robert Gardner was the man who led Scotland in that pioneering contest of 1872. A full Victorian moustache and well-groomed beard, it's nice to imagine him up there in football heaven, his whiskers twitching as he watches the action from the Boston Stadium, a little bit of a step-up from the arenas he'd have been used to.
Summoning up history is appropriate because even before Scotland set foot in the States they were doing it themselves, manager and players laying it on the line about what their target was - becoming the first of their kind to make it out of a group in a major championship.
It was hairy against Haiti; a deflected winner, a Grant Hanley handball in the box not deemed a penalty, a magnificent Hanley block denying a near-certain goal, a late Frantzdy Pierrot header that went just wide instead of going where many thought it was going - into the back of Angus Gunn's goal.
Scotland had their moments, too, of course, but it was a sticky effort and none of the players are arguing otherwise. A brilliant victory in a pressure-filled, must-win game, but a performance that was beneath them.
These players are capable of more than they delivered against Haiti. And now is the time to prove it.
At various points in qualification, good fortune shone brightly on Scotland, but luck always runs out in the end. The likelihood of Morocco, ranked the sixth best international side in the world, being held or beaten on the back of big breaks going the way of the underdogs is a dream too far.
Scotland are going to have to be resilient, organised and inspired to get a draw or even a one-goal loss. To win, they need to put in the best display we've seen from them since Clarke took over.
Anything below par and Morocco, with their speed and creativity, will give them a rough night. The jeopardy is intoxicating.
In their 1-1 draw with Brazil on Saturday, Morocco bossed the show early on. They ran rings round the South Americans for a spell.
In the first 30 minutes, they had 12 shots on goal. When they scored, it was a microcosm of their class, a lethal moment of accuracy and brilliance.
Brahim Diaz's pass was threaded between Gabriel, Premier League winner with Arsenal, and Marquinhos, double Champions League winner with Paris St-Germain. Ismael Saibari's lobbed finish was gorgeous and too much for Liverpool's Alisson.
That's a slight lack of concentration from two world-class defenders and one of the finest goalkeepers on the planet undone by two touches.
Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti made two substitutions at half-time. Casemiro was hooked because a teenager was making him look like an old man.
Ayyoub Bouaddi is 18 and is the breakout star of the tournament so far. He plays for Lille, but soon he's going to be playing for one of Europe's elite clubs and they'll be paying plenty for him. Current price tag: £61m.
Bouaddi has technique and vision. He made his Conference League debut at 16 - the youngest player to have featured in a Uefa club competition. He's also the youngest to have played a top-flight game in France in the 21st century.
Morocco haven't lost a game in two and a half years. There's an asterisk beside that stat, of course. They were defeated by Senegal in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in January only to be awarded a 3-0 victory later on by the Confederation of African Football.
Senegal were sanctioned for walking off in protest for 15 minutes after a penalty decision went against them. Chaotic doesn't begin to cover it.
Despite winning all of these games, Scotland's opponents don't tend to score many goals, which is a surprise. In Diaz and Saibari and the left-sided midfielder, Bilal El Khannouss, they have hugely dynamic attackers.
And, in Achraf Hakimi, they have one of the best right-backs in the world, if not the absolute best. Hakimi is the heart of it. Born in Spain to a street vendor father and a mother who was a cleaner, he has spoken often about how his upbringing shaped him.
The Paris St-Germain defender will stand trial for rape, French prosecutors have confirmed. Hakimi vehemently denies the accusations.
Hakimi is a magnificent footballer, at his best when going forward, an explosive force down the right for Morocco, a Serie A winner with Inter, twice a Champions League winner with PSG, a World Cup semi-finalist with his country four years ago.
Morocco are a team drawn from the diaspora. Of the starting line-up that drew with Brazil, their goalkeeper was born in Canada, two of their defenders hail from Spain, another from France and another from the Netherlands.
Neil El Aynaoui, the midfielder, was born in France, Bouaddi and Saibari in Spain, El Khannouss in Belgium. In the rest of the squad there are another nine players who originated in Spain, Belgium, France and the Netherlands. Clearly, though, they are Moroccan to the core of their beings.
They represent a ferocious test for Scotland - and also an opportunity. Only a handful of Clarke's team produced their best stuff against Haiti and none of them are hiding from that.
Scott McTominay was one of them. Maybe still feeling the impact of a tummy bug or, perhaps, weighed down a touch by the burden on his shoulders, the talisman was not all that talismanic.
He ran his heart out - with all nations having played one game, he ranked sixth overall in terms of kilometres covered - but he wasn't the influence he can be. Nor was John McGinn, despite his goal.
It didn't matter on the day, but it will matter against Morocco. Scotland's totems need to turn up.
Clarke is likely to drop a striker and bring in an extra midfielder to cope with Morocco's energy and class, to stifle while also retaining the capacity to strike out on their own. This can't be backs-to-the-wall for 90 minutes.
Everything screams 'the biggest test of their international lives', but, also, everything we know about this Scotland team tells us that they are up for a fight. They go again.
Former Sunderland midfielder Darren Williams says former team-mate Eric Roy "always had a smile on his face" during his short stint at the Stadium of Light.
Roy, who was managing Ligue 1 club Brest, died on Wednesday. He had been suffering with pancreatic cancer.
The pair played together in the 1999-00 season, helping the newly promoted Black Cats to an impressive seventh-place finish in the Premier League.
Roy, who played as a defensive midfielder, scored one goal and registered two assists across 31 appearances for the club.
"We were all a little bit unaware of him when he came into the side," Williams told BBC Radio Newcastle. "But what a fantastic player he turned out to be.
"He was a great guy. He gelled with the squad really quickly. He wasn't at the club for long, but during the time he was there his character came out.
"He was quite flamboyant. He always had a smile on his face. He was always polite, apart from when he was on the pitch. He was a fantastic team-mate and player.
"He was also good for the younger lads, and I was one of them. If you had any concerns or issues, you could always sit down and just have a chat with him. That just shows what a character he was in our dressing room.
"I could always see him going into the managerial side of things. What Eric wanted to do, you knew Eric would do."
Manchester City must decide which version of Savinho they believe in
There are almost two completely different stories to tell when analysing Savinho’s recent season at Manchester City.
Across the Premier League and UEFA Champions League, the Brazilian often looked like a player still searching for his place within Pep Guardiola’s system.
Yet in the domestic cup competitions, he has appeared transformed; more confident, more direct and, crucially, more productive. Of course, context is important.
In the Premier League, 17 of Savinho’s 24 appearances came from the bench, amounting to just 821 minutes. In the Champions League, three of his seven appearances were substitute outings, with only 369 minutes played overall. Consistent starts often allow attacking players to establish rhythm and confidence, something Savinho has rarely been afforded in league competition.
Manchester City awaiting formal Tottenham offer for Savinho as Iliman Ndiaye plans develop
The numbers from Europe’s premier competition are intriguing. Savinho completed dribbles at a success rate of 61.5%, outperforming 83% of players, while his 58% duel success rate ranked above 88% of his peers. On the surface, these are the statistics of a winger capable of causing serious problems for opposition defences.
The problem came with what followed.
Despite regularly beating defenders, Savinho produced only a single assist and created eight chances across the campaign. His underlying dribbling figures suggest a player progressing the ball into dangerous areas, yet the final action was too often missing. For all the excitement generated by his ball carrying, there was little tangible reward.
The Premier League paints an even harsher picture.
His dribble success rate of 32.1% ranked lower than 72% of players, while he won only 40.6% of his duels and created just nine chances all season. One goal from 20 shots and a solitary assist summed up a league campaign that never truly managed to gather momentum.
This is where things become interesting.
In the FA Cup, virtually every major metric improved.
Savinho averaged 0.65 goals per 90 minutes, completed 3.88 successful dribbles per 90 and won almost 10 duels per game. His influence on matches was immediately apparent. He saw significantly more of the ball and ranked among the competition’s elite for touches inside the opposition box, suggesting a player far more involved in attacking phases than his league performances often indicated.
Savinho’s “incredible” performance against Sunderland to secure “a lot of minutes” says Pep Guardiola
The sample size remains small, but the trend is difficult to ignore. Whether the explanation is confidence, greater familiarity with teammates, more consistent starts or simply the level of opposition remains unclear. What is clear is that Savinho looked far closer to the player Manchester City believed they were signing.
The same pattern emerged in the Carabao Cup.
Two goals in two appearances delivered an average of 1.04 goals per 90 minutes. His dribbling reached its highest level of the season at 4.68 successful take-ons per game, while his involvement in possession increased further still. Even defensively there was greater engagement, averaging 1.56 tackles per 90 minutes.
Taken in isolation, neither cup campaign provides enough evidence to draw definitive conclusions. Together, however, they raise a fascinating question.
Which version of Savinho is the real one?
The player who struggled to translate possession into productivity in the Premier League? Or the winger who repeatedly dominated domestic cup matches when afforded a run of starts?
That uncertainty leaves Manchester City facing an increasingly important decision.
Reports linking Tottenham with a move worth around £60 million present a genuine dilemma. The talent is clearly there. At just 22 years old, Savinho possesses the technical ability, acceleration and ball-carrying qualities that cannot easily be taught. What remains unproven is whether he can consistently deliver those attributes at the highest level.
Tottenham advancing in talks for Manchester City’s Savinho
With Antoine Semenyo arriving and Jeremy Doku already established as one of the Premier League’s most explosive dribblers, competition for places is only becoming fiercer. Minutes may become harder to find, but equally opportunities to develop may become increasingly limited.
That leaves City with a difficult balancing act.
Sell now and they risk watching a talented young winger fulfil his potential elsewhere. Keep him and they may spend another season waiting for promise to become production.
The statistics suggest both outcomes remain entirely possible. That uncertainty, more than anything else, explains why Savinho’s future could become one of the most intriguing subplots of Manchester City’s summer.
World Cup 2026: Canada end draught in style, Mexico through to R32, USMNT chase 1930 feat
The drama has already reached another level at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with knockout places already being secured and several nations facing defining moments.
Some teams have taken a giant step towards the next round, while others are already running out of room for error.
Read on as we break down the biggest stories from the latest round of action and look ahead to what’s still to come.
Canada find World Cup breakthrough in dominant fashion
Canada had to wait eight matches for their first World Cup victory, but Jesse Marsch’s side made the wait worthwhile last night.
After being held to a 1-1 draw by Bosnia & Herzegovina on matchday one, the Canucks cruised to a 6-0 win over Qatar at BC Place in Vancouver.
Juventus striker Jonathan David inspired his country to a long-awaited triumph over the lowest-ranked nation in Group B, scoring a hat-trick against Julen Lopetegui’s ill-disciplined side.
In doing so, he became the second player at this World Cup to score three goals in one game after Argentina icon Lionel Messi. He has also entered the race for the Golden Boot, just like his teammate Cyle Larin.
After scoring an equaliser against Bosnia, the Southampton centre-forward returned to the scoresheet with a simple tap-in to open the scoring.
Meanwhile, Qatar couldn’t replicate their heroics from round one, when they held Switzerland to a late draw, as they received two red cards.
Chilean referee Cristian Garay sent off the likes of Homam Al-Amin and Assim Omer Madibo on either side of half-time, with both players receiving straight reds for cynical fouls on Tajon Buchanan and Ismael Kone, respectively.
Despite a heavy loss, Qatar’s hopes of progressing as one of the best-ranked third-placed teams are not entirely gone, though they’d have to pull off an epic win over Bosnia, who slumped to a 4-1 defeat to the Swiss yesterday.
Mexico book knockout place
Co-hosts Mexico squeezed past South Korea in Group A’s top-table six-pointer to secure a place in the round of 32, avenging a heartbreaking group-stage exit in Qatar four years ago.
Buoyed by a 2-0 win over South Africa on the opening day, Javier Aguirre’s side knew they were in for a much more complicated contest this time around, with the Taegeuk Warriors standing on the other side.
Following a disappointing first half that produced just a single shot on target, El Tri drew first blood early in the second half as Chivas Guadalajara midfielder Luis Romo scored the winning goal at his home stadium.
With 40 minutes left on the clock, Mexico had to dig deep to protect their slender lead and uphold their 100% win rate over Asian opposition at World Cups, having now won all six such matches.
Most importantly, they’ve secured a knockout berth with a game to spare.
As for South Korea, they’ll have to avoid defeat against South Africa in their final group-stage outing to lock in second place, provided the Czech Republic fail to beat Mexico in the other fixture.
USMNT & Australia both seeking history in Seattle
After a 4-1 rout of Paraguay on day one, the United States are in pole position to join Mexico in the knockouts, as they face Asian qualifiers Australia in Seattle later in the evening.
Mauricio Pochettino oversaw the USMNT’s joint-largest World Cup victory last time out, with the co-hosts also finding the net four times in a single World Cup match for the first time.
On that basis, confidence should be sky-high for the home team as they seek back-to-back World Cup victories for the first time since 1930.
Achieving that feat would also see them register multiple triumphs at one World Cup for the first time since going all the way to the quarter-finals in 2002.
Seattle may provide a perfect backdrop, given that they’ve won seven consecutive games in this city, yet there’s no room for complacency as they meet a high-flying Australia side.
The Socceroos defied the odds to beat Turkey 2-0 in their Group D opener, marking their first day-one win at World Cups since 2006. As a result, they could move on to the next stage with a win here.
It would be an unprecedented success for Australia, as they could reach the knockouts twice in a row for the first time after qualifying for the round of 16 in Qatar.
Top football stories
Marcus Rashford’s battle with ‘enemy’ Anthony Gordon could determine club future
Ismaël Koné’s injury has rocked Canada, but they are determined to ‘make him proud’
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Football Today features
World Cup 2026: Golden Boot battle heats up, Ronaldo off to frustrating start, Spain call for calm
England beat Kansas City 5-0 in a friendly game ahead of Ghana clash
Mourinho will help Real Madrid overhaul Barcelona again
What to watch
Folarin Balogun set the tone for the United States’ thrashing of Paraguay with a first-half brace and is now halfway to becoming the second USMNT star to score four goals at a single World Cup.
It has been almost a century since Bert Patenaude struck four times at a single World Cup in 1930, and Balogun now stands on the verge of ending that wait and writing his own chapter in USMNT history.
Elsewhere, Brazil will look to bounce back from a lacklustre day-one performance against Morocco when they take on Group C minnows Haiti overnight, hoping to get their faltering World Cup campaign back on track.
Another upset, no matter how unlikely it may feel, would significantly derail the Selecao’s chances of extending their proud record of topping their World Cup group in every tournament since 1982.
Not since 1978 have Brazil failed to win their opening two World Cup matches, and there’s little doubt that veteran coach Carlo Ancelotti will expect nothing less than a statement victory here.
This Friday morning, Tottenham unveiled their new home and away kits for next season.
While the home kit remains very traditional, with only the addition of white stripes on a white background along the diagonal, the away kit is much more surprising.
Spurs have gone for a black base with diagonal stripes in shades of pink, purple, and orange. It’s a bold choice that could divide opinion among fans.
And what do you think of this away kit? Tell us all about it in the comments!
Holloway has been much more active than his old rival, who outpointed him in 2013, but the Hawaiian enters this fight on the back of a defeat – a one-sided decision against Charles Oliveira in March.
Conor McGregor before his leg break against Dustin Poirier in 2021 (Getty)
Still, the 34-year-old is a former champion like McGregor, 37, and is deemed one of the greatest featherweights of all time. He has also had success at lightweight, although he will fight McGregor at welterweight, where the Irishman has experience and Holloway does not.
UFC 329 will take place on Saturday 11 July at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, US. The early prelims will begin at 10pm BST (2pm PT / 4pm CT / 5pm ET), with the regular prelims following at 12am BST (4pm PT / 6pm CT / 7pm ET) on Sunday, before the main card starts at 2am BST on Sunday (6pm PT / 8pm CT / 9pm ET on Saturday).
How can I watch it?
In the UK, the card will air live on TNT Sports and is also accessible via HBO Max, EE TV, Virgin Media, Amazon Prime Video, and Sky Sports. In the US, Paramount+ will stream the action, with CBS showing a segment of the card.
Odds
McGregor – 5/2; Holloway – 3/10
Pimblett – 13/10; Saint-Denis – 8/13
Via Betway.Get all the latest UFC betting sites’ offers. The Independent vets betting sites for usability, security and responsible gambling tools. You can claim free bets here to use across a range of sports. Please read the terms.
McGregor during his 2013 win over Max Holloway (Getty)
Fight card in full
Subject to change:
Main card
Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway 2 (welterweight)
Paddy Pimblett vs Benoit Saint-Denis (lightweight)
Cory Sandhagen vs Mario Bautista (bantamweight)
Brandon Royval vs Lone’er Kavanagh (flyweight)
Gable Steveson vs Elisha Ellison (heavyweight)
Prelims
Ex-champ Robert Whittaker’s spot on the prelims is testament to the depth of UFC 329 (Getty)
Robert Whittaker vs Nikita Krylov (light-heavyweight)
Luke Riley vs Kai Kamaka III (featherweight)
Damian Pinas vs Cesar Almeida (middleweight)
Cody Garbrandt vs Adrian Yanez (bantamweight)
Early prelims
Tracy Cortez vs Wang Cong (women’s flyweight)
Ryan Gandra vs Zachary Reese (middleweight)
Ode’ Osbourne vs Cody Durden (flyweight)
We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Australia XI vs USA – Predicted lineup and team news
Australia arrive at Lumen Field in Seattle tonight, brimming with confidence after one of the tournament’s standout results so far.
Tony Popovic earned widespread praise for masterminding a disciplined tactical display against fancied Turkey on matchday one. The Socceroos willingly surrendered possession, hit Turkiye on the counter, and walked away with a 2-0 victory that few saw coming. Another positive result tonight against the hosts, the USA, would put this squad on the verge of the knockout rounds.
Australia team news
Popovic has a largely fit squad at his disposal ahead of the Seattle fixture. The one concern is Mo Touré, who suffered cramp late in the Turkiye match and has been assessed since, though he remains in contention to lead the line tonight. The coaching staff will have monitored his recovery closely, given Australia conceded 72% possession in the opener — a physically demanding shift for every player on the pitch.
Patrick Beach keeps his place in goal after a stunning competitive international debut against Turkiye, in which the 22-year-old made eight saves to preserve a clean sheet.
Harry Souttar anchors the back three once more, with Cameron Burgess and Alessandro Circati providing physical presence on either side. Jacob Italiano and Jordy Bos are set to resume their demanding wing-back roles.
Aiden O’Neill and Paul Okon-Engstler form a tireless defensive screen in midfield. Connor Metcalfe, who scored against Turkey, pushes from an advanced position to support the attack. Nestory Irankunda — Australia’s youngest-ever World Cup scorer — provides the explosive pace to threaten on the counter.
When does the match kick off?
The Group D fixture takes place on Friday, 19 June 2026, with kick-off at 20:00 BST at Lumen Field in Seattle.
How to watch USA vs Australia?
UK viewers can watch the match live and free-to-air on BBC One, with a live stream available via BBC iPlayer.
Scotland vs Morocco – Predicted lineup and team news
Scotland take on Morocco in an important Round 2 Group C clash of the FIFA World Cup on Friday at Boston Stadium, with both sides coming into the game after encouraging results in their opening matches.
Scotland arrives in strong form, currently on a three-match winning run. In the build-up to the tournament, they recorded convincing friendly victories over Curaçao (4-1) and Bolivia (4-0).
They carried that momentum into their World Cup opener, edging past Haiti 1-0 thanks to a decisive goal from John McGinn. That result puts them at the top of Group C, and confidence within the squad is high.
Scotland team news
Heading into this important fixture against Morocco, Scotland have almost a fully fit squad available.
The only notable concern for manager Steve Clarke is defender Scott McKenna, who missed training earlier in the week due to a persistent calf issue. He is considered very unlikely to feature in this match.
After opting for a 4-4-2 formation against Haiti, Clarke is now weighing up a tactical adjustment. He could switch to either a 5-3-2 or a 4-2-3-1 system in order to strengthen control in midfield.
John McGinn is certain to retain his place in the starting lineup after scoring the winner in the opening game.
Meanwhile, striker Lawrence Shankland may start on the bench, as Clarke looks to introduce an additional midfielder such as Ryan Christie to better handle Morocco’s pace and movement.
Angus Gunn is set to continue in goal, with Jack Hendry and Grant Hanley expected to provide defensive cover in front of him.
Paraguay XI vs Turkiye – Predicted lineup and team news
Paraguay arrive at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara desperate to rebuild after a chastening opening defeat.
Gustavo Alfaro watched his side’s defensive structure crumble against the United States on matchday one. Three goals conceded before half-time in Los Angeles left La Albirroja with a mountain to climb, and they never recovered, eventually falling to a 4-1 defeat.
Their reputation for defensive resilience took a serious dent, and Alfaro will demand an immediate and emphatic response tonight. A win against Turkiye would keep their knockout hopes alive; anything less and their tournament is effectively over.
Paraguay team news
Alfaro faces a couple of fitness concerns ahead of kick-off. Gustavo Caballero missed the opener entirely and continues to battle a muscular issue, while Ramon Sosa requires a late assessment on an ankle problem before a final decision is made on his involvement. Rodrigo Gill retains his place in goal.
Omar Alderete and captain Gustavo Gomez are expected to continue at centre-back. Junior Alonso could make way at left-back, with Alexandro Maidana ready to come in and provide greater defensive solidity on that flank. Juan Jose Caceres continues at right-back.
Damian Bobadilla and Andres Cubas form the midfield base, tasked with disrupting Turkiye’s passing rhythm. Miguel Almiron, who picked up a booking against the United States, operates on the right flank and must stay disciplined tonight.
Diego Gomez provides energy from the opposite wing. Julio Enciso adds creativity in the spaces behind the striker. Tonny Sanabria leads the line, with substitute Mauricio — who scored against the USA — pushing hard for a starting role.
Paraguay predicted lineup
Paraguay possible starting XI: Gill; Caceres, G. Gomez, Alderete, Maidana; Bobadilla, Cubas; D. Gomez, Enciso, Almiron; Sanabria
When does the match kick off?
The Group D fixture kicks off at 04:00 BST in the early hours of Saturday, 20 June 2026, at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara.
How to watch Turkiye vs Paraguay?
UK viewers can watch the match live on ITV1, with a live stream available via ITVX.
Morocco predicted lineup and team news vs Scotland
Morocco and Scotland meet in a Round 2 Group C clash at the FIFA World Cup on Friday at Boston Stadium, with both sides coming off encouraging results in their opening matches.
Morocco come into this match with an outstanding unbeaten streak of 29 games across all competitions and friendlies. After lifting the Africa Cup of Nations trophy in January, they followed up with dominant friendly wins over Burundi and Madagascar.
Their quality was further highlighted last week when they staged a strong comeback to secure a 1-1 draw against Brazil, one of the world’s top teams. The squad appears to be in excellent physical condition and tactical shape.
Morocco team news
Morocco have no new injury concerns following their match against Brazil and will head into this game with a fully fit squad and strong belief.
Manager Mohamed Ouahbi is expected to continue with his preferred 4-3-3 formation.
This approach emphasizes possession-based play while making full use of pace on the wings. Key players such as PSG full-back Achraf Hakimi and experienced goalkeeper Yassine Bounou are certain starters.
In midfield, 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi impressed greatly against Brazil and is expected to play a key role again in controlling the tempo.
Morocco’s attack looks particularly threatening, with Real Madrid’s Brahim Díaz and Bilal El Khannouss operating on the flanks, supporting central forward Ismael Saibari.
Azzedine Ounahi, who featured in an advanced midfield role against Brazil, is likely to continue in the same position.
Morocco predicted lineup
Possible Morocco starting XI: Bono; Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui; El Aynaoui, Bouaddi; Diaz, Ounahi, El Khannouss; Saibari
When will the match kick off?
The match will kick off at 8pm BST on Friday,
How to watch Scotland vs Morocco?
Fans in the United Kingdom can watch the Scotland vs Morocco World Cup match live on ITV1.
The USA head to Seattle tonight looking to secure a second consecutive World Cup victory.
Mauricio Pochettino has generated real optimism across the host nation following an emphatic opening in Group D. The Stars and Stripes outclassed Paraguay with a relentless attacking display, and that performance has raised expectations for a squad aiming to go deep into the tournament. Sustaining that intensity across a demanding group stage remains their primary challenge.
USA team news
All eyes in the American camp are on Christian Pulisic ahead of kick-off. The captain picked up a leg injury and was substituted at half-time against Paraguay, and has since been limited to individual training away from the main squad. Pochettino may opt to manage his minutes to avoid risking a more serious setback.
Should Pulisic not be risked, the manager has options. Alex Zendejas is the direct replacement on the flank, while Malik Tillman could push into a more advanced role to support the frontline. Tyler Adams provides defensive protection in midfield, with Weston McKennie and Gio Reyna expected to drive the offensive tempo from central positions.
Tim Ream leads the defensive line, with Alex Freeman and Chris Richards alongside him. Antonee Robinson completes the back four. Matt Freese starts in goal as the hosts chase a first clean sheet. Folarin Balogun, who scored twice on his World Cup debut against Paraguay, leads the attack.
USA predicted lineup
USA possible starting XI: Freese; Freeman, Richards, Ream, Robinson; Adams, Tillman; Zendejas, McKennie, Reyna; Balogun
When does the match kick off?
The Group D fixture takes place on Friday, 19 June 2026, with kick-off at 20:00 BST at Lumen Field in Seattle.
How to watch USA vs Australia?
UK viewers can watch the match live and free-to-air on BBC One, with a live stream available via BBC iPlayer.
Co-hosts USA return to action tonight, aiming to build on a spectacular opening victory at the 2026 World Cup.
Mauricio Pochettino watched his clinical side dismantle Paraguay, igniting tournament fever across the host nation. Meanwhile, Australia arrive in Seattle following a monumental upset against fancied Turkey on matchday one. Another victory for either nation tonight would almost certainly seal a place in the knockout rounds.
USA vs Australia – Match preview and team news
Date: Friday, 19 June 2026
Kick-off: 20:00 BST
Venue: Seattle Stadium, Seattle
Referee: Felix Zwayer (Germany)
Last Meeting: USA 2–1 Australia, 15 Oct 2025, International friendly
USA team news
Captain Christian Pulisic remains a fitness concern after coming off at half-time against Paraguay. The AC Milan forward has been restricted to individual training sessions since that match, though the mood in the camp is calm. Pochettino has described the prognosis as “good,” and Tyler Adams told reporters to “relax” when asked about his teammate.
Pulisic is expected to start. Folarin Balogun, who scored twice on his World Cup debut against Paraguay, also picked up a minor knock but is similarly expected to be fit. Pochettino is otherwise expected to name an unchanged side, with Alex Zendejas among the options from the bench should cover be required wide.
Australia team news
Tony Popovic has a largely fit squad to choose from as he targets another famous scalp. Mo Touré is the one fitness concern, having suffered cramp during the Turkey match, though he has been assessed since and remains in contention.
Goalkeeper Patrick Beach expects to start again after an impressive eight-save performance on his competitive international debut. Popovic is expected to name an unchanged side from the XI that stunned Turkey, retaining the defensive structure and counter-attacking blueprint that earned Australia their opening victory.
Form
USA
The Stars and Stripes carried strong momentum from their warm-up fixtures straight into the tournament opener. An early own goal set the tone before Folarin Balogun netted a brace against a shell-shocked Paraguay.
Gio Reyna added a stunning late strike to complete a 4-1 victory in California — their joint-largest winning margin on the global stage. The hosts must now demonstrate they can sustain that intensity without inviting defensive lapses.
Australia
Australia defied pre-tournament expectations with an unlikely 2-0 victory over dark horses Turkey. Nestory Irankunda became his nation’s youngest World Cup scorer before Connor Metcalfe sealed the win after the interval.
The Socceroos absorbed intense pressure throughout, facing 30 shots in a frantic encounter. That disciplined display has filled the squad with belief ahead of facing the co-hosts. They will target a US defence that has failed to keep a clean sheet in nine matches.
Predicted lineups
USA possible starting XI: Freese; Freeman, Richards, Ream, Robinson; Adams, Tillman; Zendejas, McKennie, Reyna; Balogun
Australia possible starting XI: Beach; Italiano, Circati, Souttar, Burgess, Bos; Irankunda, Okon-Engstler, O’Neill, Metcalfe; Touré
How to watch USA vs Australia?
UK viewers can watch the match live and free-to-air on BBC One, with a live stream available via BBC iPlayer.
Morocco and Scotland face off in a Round 2 Group C encounter of the FIFA World Cup on Friday at the Boston Stadium after their positive results in Round 1.
Scotland vs Morocco – Match preview and team news
Date: Friday, 19th June.
Kick-off: 8pm BST.
Venue: Boston Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Scotland team news
Scotland faces a vital Group C World Cup match against Morocco with a nearly full squad available.
The only concern for manager Steve Clarke is defender Scott McKenna. He missed training earlier this week due to a nagging calf injury. McKenna is highly unlikely to get involved in today’s fixture.
After using a 4-4-2 setup against Haiti, Clarke is considering a tactical switch. He may deploy a 5-3-2 or a 4-2-3-1 formation to gain more control in the midfield.
Midfielder John McGinn is guaranteed a spot in the starting eleven. He scored the winning goal in the previous match.
However, forward Lawrence Shankland might drop to the bench. Clarke wants to make room for an extra midfielder like Ryan Christie to combat Morocco’s speed.
Angus Gunn will start in goal, protected by Jack Hendry and Grant Hanley.
Morocco team news
Morocco enters this crucial match with a healthy squad and high confidence. The team reported no fresh injury concerns following their hard-fought draw against Brazil.
Manager Mohamed Ouahbi is expected to stick with his preferred 4-3-3 tactical system.
This strategy focuses on controlling possession and exploiting space using rapid wingers. Paris Saint-Germain right-back Achraf Hakimi and veteran goalkeeper Yassine Bounou will start as usual.
In the midfield, the 18 year old Ayyoub Bouaddi was praised for his stellar performance against Brazil and he, will be once again expected to continue to control the midfield.
The attack looks incredibly dangerous with Real Madrid star Brahim Díaz alongwith Bilal El Khannouss from the flanks supporting forward Ismael Saibari.
Azzedine Ounahi started in the attacking midfield positiong against Brazil and will stick to the same position.
Form
Scotland
Scotland enters this match in excellent form, currently riding a three-game winning streak. Before starting their World Cup campaign, they secured dominant warm-up victories against Curaçao (4-1) and Bolivia (4-0) in international friendlies. They carried that momentum directly into Group C, defeating Haiti 1-0 in their opening match thanks to a John McGinn goal. They sit top of the group and look highly confident.
Morocco
Morocco boasts a highly impressive run, remaining unbeaten in their last 29 matches across all competitions and friendlies. After winning the Africa Cup of Nations title in January, they dominated their friendlies with heavy wins over Burundi and Madagascar. They proved their elite status on the global stage last week by fighting back to secure a thrilling 1-1 draw against football giants Brazil. They are in peak physical and tactical condition.
Turkiye vs Paraguay – Predicted lineup and team news
Turkiye return to action at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara on Saturday, looking to get their World Cup campaign back on track.
Vincenzo Montella’s side fell to a 2-0 defeat against Australia on matchday one despite dominating possession and creating a host of chances. They now face Paraguay, who were beaten 4-1 by the United States in their opener, in a fixture that both sides must win to keep their knockout hopes alive.
The Crescent-Stars controlled 72 per cent of possession and fired 30 shots at goal in Vancouver, yet left with nothing to show for it. A win tonight would lift Turkiye back into contention in a Group D already shaped by the early dominance of the United States and Australia.
Turkiye team news
A largely healthy squad gives Montella the tactical freedom he needs ahead of this critical fixture. Ugurcan Cakir retains his place in goal. Merih Demiral and Abdulkerim Bardakci continue at centre-back, with Zeki Celik and Ferdi Kadioglu as the full-backs, both expected to push forward and provide width in attack.
Captain Hakan Calhanoglu dictates from deep in midfield, with Ismail Yuksek alongside him offering defensive cover. Orkun Kokcu bridges the gap between the midfield pivot and the attacking unit. Kenan Yildiz is pushing to start after overcoming a minor injury concern and would add real flair to the frontline if selected.
Arda Guler is expected to feature regardless, carrying Turkiye’s primary creative responsibility after testing Australia repeatedly in the opener. Kerem Akturkoglu’s pace will look to stretch the Paraguayan defence, with Baris Alper Yilmaz providing physicality and direct running across the frontline.
TheKnicks parade brought out Timothée Chalamet, Ben Stiller, Mariska Hargitay, Zohran Mamdani, and more stars. New York City turned out in full force this week as the celebration rolled through Manhattan. From actors to lawmakers, the turnout showed how closely basketball is tied to the city’s identity.
Knicks parade attended by celebs like Timothée Chalamet, Ben Stiller, and more
From actors to public figures, the New York Knicks parade drew a star-studded crowd who joined the festivities on the streets of Manhattan to celebrate the NBA team’s first championship title in 53 years.
Celebrities like Timothée Chalamet, Martha Stewart, Edie Falco, and more supported the New York Knicks throughout the entire postseason. On Thursday, June 18, they walked through lower Manhattan for the NBA champions’ ticker-tape celebration (via PEOPLE).
The New York Knicks parade kicked off in Battery Park City. Knicks stars Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Karl-Anthony Towns boarded buses to head up Broadway while fans cheered from the streets. It wrapped at City Hall, where Brunson, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and other speakers were set to address the crowd. The 34-year-old mayor joined fans at bars across the city to cheer for the Knicks during their championship push.
Meanwhile, lifestyle writer Martha Stewart made it to lower Manhattan. Other VIPs included Mariska Hargitay, who attended with her 18-year-old son. New York Knicks superfans Ben Stiller and Timothée Chalamet attended every Finals game, so they weren’t going to miss the parade.
Rapper Fat Joe appeared on his own parade vehicle, jamming to “Lean Back.” Mary J. Blige joined him on the float, along with Wu-Tang Clan and Jadakiss. Spike Lee, a Knicks season ticket holder since the ’80s, also showed up for the team’s first championship parade. Courtside mainstay Tracy Morgan was seen celebrating in a Knicks chain. The event closed with a live performance of “Empire State of Mind” by Alicia Keys, as fans and Karl-Anthony Towns sang along from the stage.
BARCELONA, SPAIN - MAY 10: Gavi of FC Barcelona celebrates after defeating Real Madrid CF, and winning the LaLiga title, after the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Spotify Camp Nou on May 10, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Barcelona midfielder Gavi has been asked to talk transfers in an interview at the Spain camp ahead of his team’s next game at World Cup 2026.
The Catalans have been linked with several players over recent months, with the focus currently on signing a new striker to take over from Robert Lewandowski.
The first question put to Gavi by RAC1 was which player from the Spain team would he sign for Barca? He replied: “I like Pubill,” then added: No, look, I’m not going to tell you Pubill, I’m going to tell you Oyarzabal.”
Gavi was then asked which World Cup player he would sign for Barça and took little time to make his decision, answering: “Julián Alvarez.”
Supporters poured out of Guadalajara's Estadio Akron waving flags and singing after the final whistle, while thousands gathered at fan zones in Monterrey and Mexico City. The win guarantees Mexico a place in the last 32 and confirms the hosts as Group A leaders with six points from two matches, an important milestone for a team playing in front of home crowds.
The decisive moment came in the 50th minute when midfielder Luis Romo capitalised on a defensive mistake involving South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu and defender Lee Gi-hyuk. Romo calmly converted into an empty net to score the only goal of the match. South Korea nearly levelled in the 87th minute, but goalkeeper Raúl Rangel produced a crucial save to preserve the lead.
The qualification marks a significant turnaround for Mexico after its group-stage exit in 2022. With one match remaining against the Czech Republic in Mexico City, supporters are increasingly hopeful the national team can enjoy its strongest World Cup campaign in decades.
Armagh and Kerry have shared the past two All-Ireland titles [Getty Images]
It wasn't their first championship meeting, but Armagh's All-Ireland final win over Kerry in 2002 was something of a line in the sand, spawning a new rivalry in Gaelic football.
Two years previous, the Kingdom prevailed in a semi-final replay on their way to a 32nd title, extending their perfect record over the Orchard County in championship football to three, having beaten them in the 1982 semi-final and 1953 final.
However, the arrival of Joe Kernan would prove to be the missing piece of the jigsaw for an Armagh side who had been threatening to make the big breakthrough as they reached the promised land for the first time.
Championship meetings between the counties have not been regular, with Kerry storming to a quarter-final win over Kernan's side in 2006 on their way to another Sam Maguire success.
Each time, the winner of this match-up has gone on to win the big prize, so Saturday's Round Three clash in Killarney [16:00 BST] between the past two winners of Sam Maguire needs little by way of added hype.
Under the new format, it's knockout action all the way, with Kernan agreeing it's "all or nothing" for his county who are bidding for their first championship win on Kerry soil.
"Every game from now until the final is a final and this is the biggest game of the year," said the former Armagh manager.
"It's in Killarney, [winning there is] something we've never done before I believe it can be done.
"Ever since we won the Sam Maguire in 2002, everybody has said you need to beat Kerry in Dublin and we did that.
"In 2024 the same thing was done, so this is even bigger as whoever wins this will fancy themselves going forward."
Armagh must 'put em under pressure'
In last year's quarter-final at Croke Park, Kerry produced a stunning 15-minute spell in the second half with 14 unanswered points scoring that was the winning of the game.
That platform was built by Kerry dominating the middle third and restarts, allowing them to provide the ammunition for their marquee forwards to thrive.
Nullifying the threat of the Cliffords, David and Paudie, is crucial, but cutting the supply is the way to do that and Kernan feels his county must evoke the spirit of Jack Charlton's Republic of Ireland side from the 1980s and 90s.
"Kerry will try to take Armagh players out of the game, so we have to do the same thing," he stressed.
"We have to make sure every ball that goes into David Clifford, he has to fight for it and that means the people out the field have to work harder.
"Jack Charlton used to say, 'put em under pressure' and whoever is on the ball has to be put under pressure.
"With the extra space in there, there's room for three or four forwards to get in which is extra pressure for your defence, so we can't afford to give them easy shots."
'Louth defeat will be quickly forgotten'
While Kerry recovered from their Round One defeat by Donegal with victory over Kildare last week, Armagh suffered their first championship loss of the season when Sam Mulroy's last gasp effort for Louth ended up in the net to snatch a one-point win.
That loss meant the Wee County took the direct route to the quarter-finals with Armagh now tasked with the trip to Kerry, but Kernan has no concerns of a hangover from that game.
"When the draw was made and Kerry were pulled out, last week's defeat will have been forgotten very quickly," he said.
"I think they will be ready and champing at the bit. There's no need for motivation this week. This is a game they will want to be part of and everybody wants to play in."
Fulham prepare fresh bid for youngster after Bayern reject opening offer
Bayern Munich have rejected an initial €3 million offer from Fulham for 18-year-old forward Jonas Kusi-Asare, according to Bild podcast Bayern Insider.
Nevertheless, Fulham remain interested in signing the youngster permanently after his one-year loan spell in London, with the report suggesting the Premier League side are preparing a second bid.
Kusi-Asare made just 10 first-team appearances for Fulham's first team last season without scoring.
Bayern signed the striker from Swedish side AIK for €3.5 million in 2024, and he now has one year left on his contract.
🗞️Today’s front pages: criticism, changes and a moment to react
Many protagonists in the national and international sports press with the World Cup in focus.
Cristiano remains at the center of criticism after Portugal’s debut, Ancelotti is preparing changes for the clash against Haiti, and Spain is rallying ahead of Saudi Arabia, where it must show a different face.
The Washington Commanders wrapped up the offseason on Thursday with the completion of their three-day mandatory minicamp. However, for two individuals, their time in Washington and in the NFL has wrapped up. Area scouts Paul Skansi and Chuck Cook are retiring, as the Commanders revealed on social media, and the team wished them well.
Congrats to area scouts Paul Skansi and Chuck Cook on their retirement 👏
Both Skanski and Cook have been with Washington since 2017.
This is only part of the personnel movement for the Commanders this offseason. Earlier in the year, Tim Gribble departed the organization in January after over two decades in Washington. Gribble was the Commanders' director of college scouting. Gribble took a similar role with the Pittsburgh Steelers, which is where he's from.
Washington later hired Ryan Kessenich away from the San Francisco 49ers to replace Gribble as the director of college scouting. The Commanders officially announced that move on Thursday, too.
Here is a full list of Washington's moves, which include personnel, player health and performance, and the /football support staff. Some are outside hires, while others are promotions.
Here's the full list:
Personnel
Ryan Kessenich: Director of college scouting
Alberto de la Guardia: Area scout
Miles Turner: Area scout
Andrew Dowell: Scouting assistant
John Waters: Scouting assistant
Toby Junker: Scouting and R&D assistant
Keenan Guthrie: Scouting associate
Player health and performance
Geoff Kaplan: Senior director of player health & performance
Jon Dignazio: Assistant athletic trainer/physical therapist
Nick Farrell: Director of performance nutrition
Tanner Boro: Performance dietitian
Football support staff
Bryan Porter: Senior director of football operations
Gayatri Nambiar: Senior football solutions developer
Preston Biro: Senior football data scientist
Casesse Basaraba: Video assistant
Justin Feinstein: Equipment assistant
Sam Walsh: Football operations assistant
There has been significant turnover throughout the organization since Josh Harris and his partners bought the team in July 2023, beginning with the hiring of GM Adam Peters in January 2024.
Here's this from Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic:
In 2022, the Commanders had only 15 people in personnel and scouting, and only 5 full-time staffers on their athletic training/medical staff.
Now they have 26 people in personnel/scouting and 15 people in player health and performance.
The Commanders were notoriously cheap under former owner Dan Snyder. Josh Harris has proven he will spare no expense in helping turn the franchise around, including spending in some of the most important areas.
Iran’s 2026 World Cup team will lodge a complaint with FIFA claiming they are being subjected to travel restrictions during the tournament in North America, the Iranian football federation spokesperson said on Thursday.
“Despite having submitted its preparation schedule for the tournament well in advance, Iran’s national football team has once again encountered restrictions imposed by the organisers, affecting the implementation of its technical staff’s plans,” the spokesperson said, according to AFP news agency.
Iran wanted to fly from their base camp in Tijuana, Mexico, to the United States two days before their next group match against Belgium in Los Angeles on Sunday. But the Iranian federation claims its request was turned down.
Iran drew 2-2 with New Zealand in their opening World Cup match on Monday in Los Angeles [Patrick T Fallon/AFP]
“Given that the game will be played at 12pm local time in Los Angeles, the football federation of Iran requested that the team be allowed to travel to Los Angeles two days before the match,” the spokesman said.
“The aim was to provide sufficient time for players to adapt to the match conditions, complete their final training session, and finalise preparations.
“Despite the technical reasons presented by the federation, the request was once again denied.”
After Iran’s first World Cup game on Monday – in which they drew 2-2 with New Zealand in a politically charged encounter – US officials said that the team will have to leave the country within hours of the full-time whistle at their World Cup group games in Los Angeles and Seattle.
The Iranian delegation left the US hours after the match in LA ended at about 8pm local time (03:00 GMT) and returned to their base camp in Mexico, prompting criticism of the US handling of their visas, as the team did not get a day to recover at their hotel.
Mehdi Taremi #9 and other Iran players walk out of the tunnel for the warm-up before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match against New Zealand at Los Angeles Stadium on Monday [Richard Heathcote/Getty Images/AFP]
‘Match day minus one,’ says US government
The US administration has pushed back against the Iranian claims.
Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, said on Monday that Iran had been informed in advance that they would be allowed to come into the US only on the day before the game.
“The team will be allowed to come in, match day minus one, so the day before the match,” Giuliani told CBS News.
“They’ll be asked to leave the day that the match wraps up, so the evening of the match. And they’ll be able to do that again in Los Angeles.”
He added that the procedure would be the same for Iran’s final group game against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
Iran, who are in Group G, kicked off their campaign this week in North America after months of uncertainty over the team’s participation in the World Cup amid the US-Israel war on Iran.
Team USA will look to continue building momentum when the Americans face Australia in a Group D battle on Friday.
In the opening match, Team USA made a strong statement with a 4-1 win against Paraguay. Folarin Balogun led the way with two goals.
The Australians also enjoyed a win in their World Cup opener, defeating Turkey, 2-0. Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe scored for Australia, and Patrick Beach made eight saves.
Here is everything you need to know about Team USA vs. Australia, including TV and streaming options for the World Cup match.
How to watch USA vs. Australia: TV channel, live stream
This match will air nationally on FOX in the United States with streaming options available on its dedicated platforms.
The best place to catch the match is on streaming service fubo, with new customers able to sign up a for a FREE trial.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
USA vs. Australia start time
Date: Friday, June 19
Time: 3 p.m. ET
USA vs. Australia is scheduled to kick off at 3 p.m. ET on Friday, June 19. The game will be played at Lumen Field in Seattle.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to run from June 11 through July 19, 2026. It will be the first World Cup hosted across three countries: the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Where is the 2026 FIFA World Cup being played?
The 2026 World Cup will be played across 16 host cities in North America, with matches taking place in the United States, Canada and Mexico. It will be the first men's World Cup hosted by three countries.
The 16 host cities are Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle in the United States; Toronto and Vancouver in Canada; and Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey in Mexico.
How many teams are in the 2026 World Cup?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature 48 teams, expanding from the 32-team format used in previous tournaments. The larger field also means more matches, more knockout-round games and more countries involved than ever before.
The 48 teams are Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Cape Verde, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Curaçao, Czechia, DR Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Ghana, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Senegal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Türkiye, United States, Uruguay and Uzbekistan.
How many games are in the 2026 World Cup?
There will be 104 matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. That includes the group stage, knockout rounds and the final.
Can I stream the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. Streaming options will depend on the match, language and broadcast partner. In the U.S., Fox Sports lists FOX and FS1, which are available on fubo for English-language coverage, while Telemundo will stream every match live on Peacock and the Telemundo App for Spanish-language coverage.
What channel is the 2026 World Cup on?
In the U.S., English-language matches are expected across FOX and FS1, which are available on fubo for those without cable, while Spanish-language coverage will air on Telemundo and Universo, which you can stream on DIRECTV and Peacock.
When is the 2026 World Cup final?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, 2026. The match will be played at New York-New Jersey Stadium, FIFA's tournament name for MetLife Stadium.
What time do World Cup games start?
Kickoff times vary by date, host city and round. Because the tournament is being played across multiple time zones in the United States, Canada and Mexico, fans should check the official match schedule for start times in their local time zone.
Is the United States playing in the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. The United States automatically qualified for the 2026 World Cup as one of the three host nations, along with Canada and Mexico.
The Bayern Insider: Bayern closing in on Saibari as Rashford transfer truth emerges
Welcome to today’s exclusive & comprehensive round-up of all things Bayern Munich from Bayern insider Christian Falk. Featuring updates on Ismael Saibari, Harry Kane, Ayyoub Bouaddi, and Marcus Rashford.
Today’s top stories
Could Ayyoub Bouaddi be next up on Bayern Munich’s transfer plan?
Trouble in paradise with Harry Kane’s contract talks?
Are Bayern eyeing up another Liverpool attacker after failed Rio Ngumoha move?
And plenty more on Michael Olise, Yann Bisseck, Konrad Laimer & Min-jae Kim
Further incomings beyond Nathaniel Brown and Ismael Saibari
I think, at the moment, Ismael Saibari and Nathaniel Brown are on the way! There are already rumours that Saibari had his medical here in the USA in his camp. Brown, also, wouldn’t be an issue, as the Bayern doctor also works for the German national team, so that’s very easy. If they do sign, or if they have signed (it may already be done, and they’ll officially announce it later), it’s a market in which Bayern can still spend. But they do want to sell. I got a call from agents asking if Bayern Munich will do something at right-back and at centre-back. I always tell them the same thing I report on in these columns: Max Eberl has to sell. There are things in the air; Jonah Kusi-Asare (18), who was on loan with Fulham, has been the subject of an offer (€3m [£2.6m]) from the London-based club. This isn’t enough for FC Bayern. I think there will be another offer. But you can see that they need money, because they want to keep active in the market.
Saibari is not a player everyone at the club knew intimately to begin with. However, Vincent Kompany really likes him, and Bayern trust the Belgian’s opinion in this matter. He’s certainly built up a lot of goodwill with two remarkable seasons in Munich, and he’s been working on the deal for quite a while now. I exclusively mentioned before that the 40-year-old was the man who pushed for it after the clash with PSV in the Champions League in Eindhoven. There, he already spoke about a future in Munich and how the Moroccan would fit Bayern’s style of play.
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It’s worth pointing out that Ismael Saibari hasn’t had the easiest career over in the Netherlands. Roger Schmidt, a German head coach, didn’t give the forward a great deal of playing time while he was at PSV. So, you seen, he’s not everyone’s darling! But now he’s playing under Peter Bosz. A key point in his career came courtesy of Ruud van Nistelrooy, who also coached and developed Saibari at PSV. He’s still the man for the Moroccan, so to speak; if Ismael Saibari has a question he needs answering, he still calls his mentor, Ruud, for some advice. I think that’s a big thing. If Van Nistelrooy thinks he’s a good guy, then I think Kompany can be very happy about the player.
Christoph Freund on Bayern wanting to “improve in the details”
Bayern Munich don’t want to spend as much money as they did in the past. With that in mind, they’ve developed players; they’ve developed young players. This will likewise inform their efforts in the market, as they want to sign young players. This is the job Bayern’s sporting director, Christoph Freund, has been tasked with. He’s sort of the secret head of the campus (while, technically, on paper, it is Max Eberl). Freund is more than familiar with this line of work, of course, having previously fulfilled this job with RB Salzburg. He’s very good at it.
Freund has a name in mind to add to the campus, which sounds amazing: a “Baby Haaland” by the name of Aron Vucic at Slovenian outfit FC Koper. He’s not an exact replica of Haaland, but you can see why the comparisons have been made when you see this guy! He’s big, he’s tall, he has long hair, and he moves a little like Haaland. Most critically of all – he’s scoring goals! Bayern Munich, of course, missed out on Erling Haaland despite multiple attempts. But perhaps they’ll get Baby Haaland!
Contact with Marcus Rashford
❌ It is NOT TRUE: A Bayern bid for Marcus Rashford is imminent. But Fabrizio Romano’s information on the subject is, of course, true. There was some contact after Anthony Gordon said no to Bayern Munich and decided to move to Barcelona. They had to make a few calls, and they have a long list of players they like. Rashford’s name carries a certain pedigree, and he had a very good loan spell in La Liga. However, if the deal with Saibari works out, they’re not going to move for the Manchester United attacker. There’s also a question around the potential salary, as Bayern are currently forking out a lot of money on their wage bill – too much, in the eyes of the supervisory board. So you’re not going to make a deal with the England international if the idea is to lower the wage bill. It’s normal for Bayern to make a few calls from their shortlist, and Rashford remains a topic at the club, but he’s not the number one topic.
I heard that Manchester United have an idea to stick with him ahead of the new season, as Michael Carrick is said to want to work with the 28-year-old. I met Carrick at the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year awards at the Landmark Hotel. I think he makes a very good impression; he’s a very straightforward kind of guy, and I think he could work with Rashford to get him back to his best.
Bayern’s contract plans for Michael Olise
Bayern want to nearly double Michael Olise’s wages in Munich as part of a deal to keep him at the club until 2031. You’ve heard the saying, if in trouble, make it double. The trouble is from Real Madrid – they really want him, and they’re fully aware of just how good he was in the Bundesliga this season. He was the player of the year in Germany and has enjoyed a remarkable transformation since his €50m move from Crystal Palace. It wasn’t a €100m deal like Harry Kane’s, which is why his salary isn’t up to par with the likes of the Englishman or Jamal Musiala. He’s right in the middle of the squad’s earners, so about €15m. Now, of course, he’s one of the most important players in the first XI, so he deserves more money. That’s why FC Bayern are prepared to give Michael Olise more money, and their argument is that if they’re prepared to offer more money, perhaps the France international can give them a few more years on the contract. In Germany, you can make a deal up to five years long, so the idea would be a contract until 2031. With that in mind, he can get closer to the top earners at Bayern Munich at around €25m a year.
Difficulties over Harry Kane’s contract
❌ It is NOT TRUE: Bayern Munich are encountering difficulties in contract talks with Harry Kane. At the moment, there are no talks. Kane, the eternal sportsman, is desperate to win the World Cup with England (which is not good news for Germany!). Two great goals from him against Croatia, by the way! First, Bayern wanted to talk with the England skipper, and he held off on talks because he wanted to win the Bundesliga. Then they asked again, and he asked them to hold off in order to focus on the DFB Pokal. There was also a dream of winning the Champions League, which further contributed to this situation. And now, we have the same (mini) problem again with the World Cup! And don’t get things twisted – it is a mini problem. Harry Kane has made it very clear that he loves Bayern Munich and wants to stay at the club. He’s in no rush. Talks can happen after the World Cup, ideally, for Kane, after he’s helped Thomas Tuchel’s side win it.
I really loved what Harry Kane had to say about Tuchel. He’s not an easy man to work with, but he is brilliant. Kane said the German made such a good speech at half-time in the dressing room against Croatia. Thomas Tuchel made it absolutely clear that when England are losing, they’re losing in their way. That’s Tuchel for “we want to win in the right way!” Ultimately, it appears that he found the right words, and England went on to win convincingly in Dallas. Kane is helping Tuchel navigate life as a German coach in an English dressing room. That may work at Liverpool, but not always with the national team! He needs a little help, which is why it’s so good that he has a partnership with Harry Kane.
Konrad Laimer’s contract is coming
✅ It is TRUE: There have been talks with Konrad Laimer. There will soon be a new deal for the Austria international. Ahead of the World Cup, I mentioned that there was a secret meeting with the Bayern bosses, and the initial idea was that Laimer could be offered €1m more on his current terms. But now the idea is that up to €12m [£10.4m] could be the range. Once add-ons are taken into account, it could be a little more, but not as much as his entourage were looking for in the first round of talks. If he’s playing well, as he has done this season, he deserves to earn a bit more.
Could Ayyoub Bouaddi be of interest?
✅ It is TRUE: Bayern are looking at players of a similar profile to Ayyoub Bouaddi. That’s Christoph Freund’s job. I heard it’s not so hot with Bouaddi, in particular, as the position in midfield is full. You have Noël Aséko, who’s coming back from his loan spell with Hannover. Vincent Kompany had a phone call with the 20-year-old and told him that he wants to see the midfielder in pre-season. Then, there will be a decision made at the end of August as to whether the midfielder is suitable for this squad. There’s also Joshua Kimmich, Aleksandar Pavlović, and Laimer, who can play there. If Bouaddi is cheap, then perhaps it’s an option. But I don’t think he’s going to be so cheap that Bayern will make a deal without selling players first.
Min-jae Kim’s future in the summer transfer window
✅ It is TRUE: Min-jae Kim is on the list at Manchester United. However, I heard that a deal is hotter with Juventus in Italy. That said, it’s not certain that the South Korea international will even leave Bayern Munich, as he’s enjoying his role at the club. Let’s see what happens with Juventus; then perhaps talks will open with United if things don’t work out with the Serie A outfit.
Tomás Araújo or Yann Bisseck?
Bayern Munich’s preference is to always go for the German guy where applicable. They love having German players in the squad. They want to be the German Bavarian national team! They have a sign from Yann Bisseck’s side that he would love to play for Bayern in the future. FC Bayern already made a call to Inter Milan to ask about the potential fee. So, you see, there is something in the air, but they have to first sell. So let’s see what happens with Min-jae Kim first.
Do Bayern want to sign Liverpool youth striker Vincent Joseph?
To be honest, I don’t yet have feedback from Bayern Munich as to how concrete their interest in Vincent Joseph is. I would think this would be fine for the club – I’m personally fine with Bayern welcoming Liverpool talents to Munich! But the last try for Rio Ngumoha wasn’t so successful, of course, so I’m not sure whether a further effort will be made to bring in Joseph. Perhaps one to keep an eye on.
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 14: Alex Pereira of Brazil reacts against Ciryl Gane of France in the Interim UFC Heavyweight Championship bout during UFC Freedom 250 at the White House on June 14, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping believes it’s time for Alex Pereira to stop talking about his UFC White House loss to Ciryl Gane.
At this point, everybody is well-aware that Pereira’s attempt to capture a third belt ended in disaster, as he was stopped in the second round by the French striker (highlights here). Equally understood was that the final finishing sequence was a little iffy, as some of Gane’s elbows and punches may have strayed down below the ears and towards the back of the head in the ensuing chaos.
“Poatan” is pissed, and the usually stoic Brazilian has lashed out at referee Herb Dean and Gane repeatedly. While his frustrations may be understandable, Bisping doesn’t believe he’s doing himself any favors with the continued complaints.
“Listen, he lost the fight, there’s no shame in that whatsoever,” Bisping said on his YouTube channel (via Curtis Calhoun). “But sitting there, complaining and crying about it, and going on about how he was fouled, it’s just not a good look. I don’t know who is advising him and letting him say this, but someone should pull him aside and tell him he was beaten. Fair and squared. Ciryl Gane wasn’t getting tired, by the way, that’s another thing Alex Pereira said…that that’s why he was lying on the floor after the fight.
Bisping concluded, “I’ve lain on the floor after many of my fights, because it’s done! It’s over! All of the pressure, training that you’ve done leading into this moment. It was all worthwhile.”
Sadly, I don’t think Pereira has yet heard Bisping’s advice. On Thursday, the Brazilian great posted a skit about rabbit punches and questionable refereeing. I don’t speak any Portuguese, yet the message comes across pretty clear anyway: Pereira isn’t impressed by the reasoning coming back his direction from referee Herb Dean and the like.
Bisping is definitely correct in that Pereira currently has a PR problem — folks online are (momentarily) turning against the historic fan favorite — but “Poatan” definitely has a right to be upset all the same. Getting hit in the back of the head is very dangerous and can have dire results, even if fans are quick to forget the physical toll and risks involved.
Real Madrid midfielder closes in on dream transfer that he has wanted for years – report
Dani Ceballos appears to be edging closer to bringing one of the longest-running stories of his career to a conclusion.
After years of speculation, failed attempts and missed opportunities, the Real Madrid midfielder is now on the verge of returning to Real Betis, the club where his professional journey began.
According to AS, the move is gathering momentum, with the midfielder prepared to make a significant personal sacrifice in order to make the transfer happen.
While an official agreement has not yet been announced, there is growing optimism that the long-awaited reunion could finally become reality this summer.
Willing to walk away from Real Madrid contract
One of the biggest developments in the operation is Ceballos’ willingness to give up the final year of his Real Madrid contract and walk away as a free agent.
Ceballos is all set to leave Real Madrid. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
The midfielder still had a lucrative season remaining at the Santiago Bernabeu, including bonuses and financial incentives that would have guaranteed him a substantial salary.
However, the report suggests the Spaniard is prepared to forgo those earnings in order to secure a return to Betis.
Another factor helping move the deal forward is the presence of Jose Mourinho, who has little interest in retaining players who are not fully committed to remaining at the club.
With Ceballos doing everything possible to facilitate the move, attention is now shifting towards Betis and the contract proposal they are prepared to offer.
The Andalusian club are expected to reward him with a salary reflecting his status as one of the team’s marquee signings, placing him among the highest earners in the squad alongside established names.
A transfer years in the making
Betis are counting on Ceballos’ return. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
It must be remembered that this is not the first time Ceballos has come close to rejoining Betis.
Three years ago, there was a serious discussion surrounding a potential return when his contract situation at Real Madrid created uncertainty.
At the time, many expected the midfielder to make the move, but he chose to extend his stay in Madrid, a decision that disappointed sections of the Betis fanbase and left some lingering frustration.
Now, however, the mood appears very different. The prospect of welcoming back a player who developed through the club’s academy has generated excitement among supporters, many of whom believe he can immediately improve the overall quality.
Simply put, after years of speculation, setbacks and unfinished business, the midfielder finally appears closer than ever to completing the homecoming he has long desired.
PERSHORE, ENGLAND - JUNE 18: Bjorn Akesson of Sweden plays his second shot on the eighth hole on day one of the English Open supported by HotelPlanner 2026 at The Vale Golf Club on June 18, 2026 in Pershore, England. (Photo by Jasper Wax/Getty Images) | Getty Images
First
2002 – This is England’s first FIFA World Cup win against a side ranked inside of FIFA’s top 15 in the rankings (Croatia 11th) since 2002 v Argentina (3rd), ending a nine-game winless run (D2 L7) and six-game losing run against such sides at the finals.
Barcelona hatch clever plan to sign rising Spanish star without paying full release clause
Barcelona’s search for young talent continues to intensify, and one of the latest names attracting attention from the club is Racing Santander full-back Jorge Salinas.
The 19-year-old defender has emerged as a serious target for the Catalans, with ongoing discussions exploring multiple formulas that could make a deal possible without placing excessive pressure on the club’s finances.
On that note, according to SPORT, Barcelona are not only working on securing Salinas’ signature but are also evaluating what the best development path would be for the youngster if an agreement is reached.
Barcelona considering immediate loan
The most notable proposal being discussed would see Barcelona complete the signing of Salinas before sending him back to Racing Santander on loan for the 2026-27 season.
According to reports, both clubs are studying the possibility of allowing the young defender to remain at El Sardinero for another year if the transfer is finalised.
Such an arrangement would allow Salinas to continue playing regularly while Racing prepare for life back in the top flight.
What about the financial formulas?
A key part of the negotiations revolves around Barcelona’s desire to avoid triggering the defender’s full release clause.
Salinas remains under contract until 2029, and Racing value him highly.
Barcelona are exploring multiple ways to sign Salinas from Racing Santander. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
The buyout clause is believed to be around €16 million, although there are differing interpretations regarding the exact amount currently applicable due to Racing’s recent promotion and the timing of contractual clauses.
Rather than paying the full figure outright, Barcelona are exploring alternative solutions, including structured payments, performance-based bonuses, future sale percentages and even the possibility of including a La Masia player in the deal.
Despite facing evident pushback from Racing, Barcelona remain committed to finding a mutually beneficial agreement through negotiations rather than activating the entire release clause.
MUNICH, GERMANY - MAY 6 : PSG players and Staff are back on the pitch to thank fans after the FC Bayern Munich versus Paris Saint Germain (PSG) UEFA Champions League 2025/26 - Semi Final 2nd Leg match on May 6, 2026, Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany. (Photo by Glenn Gervot - PSG / PSG via Getty Images) | PSG via Getty Images
Success has always been the standard at Bayern Munich, but CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen recently highlighted why maintaining that success is more important than ever in the modern football landscape.
Discussing Bayern Munich’s position among Europe’s elite clubs, Dreesen emphasized both the club’s unique structure and the challenges it faces competing against increasingly wealthy rivals.
“Yes, of course. We are independent; no investor dictates our direction. That’s what makes Bayern special, and our fans can be proud of that. But we’re not naïve. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to hold our own, particularly against the Premier League and its financial resources,” Dreesen told FCBayern.com.
The comments underline a key reality for Bayern Munich. The club’s ability to remain competitive is not based on unlimited spending, but rather on smart decision-making, strong leadership, and consistent sporting success. Every Bundesliga title, deep Champions League run, and successful player development cycle helps Bayern Munich maintain its place among football’s global powers.
Dreesen’s message also serves as a reminder that standing still is not an option. The financial gap between leagues continues to grow, making sustained success critical. For Bayern Munich, winning is not just about trophies; it is about preserving the club’s ability to compete with the biggest teams in the world while staying true to its identity.
Shrewsbury Town have moved a step closer to being sold to an American consortium with the prospective buyers understood to be undergoing the English Football League's owners and directors test.
BBC Radio Shropshire reports that terms of a takeover have been agreed, with documents submitted this week to the EFL and the new Independent Football Regulator.
Long-serving Salop owner Roland Wycherley has been looking for a buyer since September 2024 and has had a number of prospective deals fall through over the past 12 months.
After negotiations with another potential American buyer ended in March 2025, a second bid from a different party six months later also collapsed.
Shrewsbury recovered from a difficult season on the pitch when they flirted with relegation before a resurgence under new boss Gavin Cowan to finish 19th and 10 points clear of the drop zone.
When Nestory Irankunda made a beeline for the corner flag after putting Australia in front against Turkey last Saturday, everyone knew who he was paying tribute to. Twenty years on, Australia are still trying to replicate the magic of Tim Cahill guiding them towards the last-16 in Germany.
The sight of Cahill bobbing and weaving around the flag after the Socceroos’ first World Cup goal against Japan in 2006 remains a defining image in their history, so Irankunda thought it right to pay tribute to his “biggest inspiration” after the moment of his nascent career to date.
“I look up to him and I want to be like him one day,” the Watford winger said afterwards, instantly winning the hearts of many casual fans back home. But if they appear overly committed towards nods to the past, this was equally a breakout party for a team that are determined to far exceed low external expectations at World Cup 2026 - and simultaneously become central to a depressingly familiar political discourse.
Nestory Irankunda celebrated in familiar fashion after scoring against Turkey (Getty)
Thanks to one fine result Tony Popovic’s squad, unperturbed by being so unfancied to emerge from Group D, face a battle for top spot against the USA in Seattle at 8pm BST on Friday, a match predictably being framed as the Soccer Derby.
Yet parallel to an opportunity few will have envisaged one week ago, Irankunda and a handful of his team-mates – yes, the migrants – have been inserted into that invidious position of becoming figures in a societal battle.
A couple of hours after Irankunda’s fantastic counter-attacking goal, a poll was released down under that said the far-right One Nation party is winning the nationwide popularity contest for the first time. On Wednesday its leader Pauline Hanson delivered an aggravating 51-minute address to Australia’s National Press Club in which she took aim at targets familiar to anyone who keeps tabs on the US Republican Party, Reform UK and other contemporaries.
Stop us if you think you’ve heard these ones before but there were attacks on left-wing media outlets, Islam, transgender rights. More pertinent when it comes to the Socceroos were her comments on immigration. “We cannot be a multicultural society,” she said. “We are a multiracial society but we must be monocultural. Australians must live under the one cultural umbrella.”
The Australia squad are drawn from many backgrounds (Reuters)
Were that the case, Australia would not be looking well-placed to reach the knockout rounds for only the third time in history. Indeed they might not even be at the tournament.
Irankunda was born in a Tanzanian refugee camp after his parents fled civil war in Burundi. Defender Alessandro Circati moved to Perth from Italy as a toddler because his dad, a journeyman in Serie B and C, got a transfer. Norwich forward Mohamed Toure was born in a camp in Guinea where his family lived for 14 years after escaping war in Liberia.
The defender Milos Degenek fled from Croatia to Belgrade as a baby and ended up in Sydney, the city where Ajdin Hrustic was born to a Bosnian father and Romanian mother. Awer Mabil spent the first 10 years of his life as a refugee in Kenya because his family fled from war in South Sudan. Captain Harry Souttar is from Aberdeen, eligible through his mother. There are others but you get the idea: all are Australian, all are from different backgrounds.
Zoom out a bit, though, and at a World Cup where minnows such as Curacao and Cape Verde have assembled squads that are not far off entirely reliant on the diaspora, the composition of Australia’s squad is merely reflective of a global game.
Irankunda celebrates with fans after the Turkey win (Reuters)
A significant majority of England’s squad, as with the previous few tournaments, were eligible to represent other nations. England can look at France and Germany and pick out players who could easily be in Thomas Tuchel’s squad now. Nationality is an increasingly layered social construct. Football, as so often, just happens to offer a crystalisation.
Before the tournament the Australia squad filmed a video in which they spoke about their journeys to this point, taking turns to deliver a message that is stirring and easy to get behind.
“No matter where you come from, football is for everyone,” part of the script reads. “We are a reflection of modern Australia. Our diversity is our strength. The Socceroos right now are a representation of what Australia is. There are a lot of journeys behind the jersey. To be a Socceroo has many meanings but with one purpose: to do the country proud.”
There was joy as the Socceroos kicked off their World Cup campaign in style (Getty)
It had not been picked up in huge numbers before the Turkey win but since then the views have rocketed. Speaking at a press conference earlier this week, Mabil underlined its meaning further. “The reason why it went viral is because it was raw. It was not edited. It was just purely what the players wanted to say and all put together,” he said. “It had an effect because individually Australians can feel and relate with it.”
It is just a shame that the myopia of Hanson and her ilk renders them incapable of realising the irony that the Australian team have already done more good for their nation than she is ever likely to achieve.
And while Irankunda may continue to speak glowingly of Cahill’s influence, the impact he has already had on other migrants this week still searching for a sense of belonging must not be underplayed.
“Knocking on the door” – Liverpool are in the race to sign Premier League defender
Liverpool Eye Micky van de Ven as Iraola’s Rebuild Gathers Pace
Liverpool’s summer is beginning to look less like a transfer window and more like a statement of intent. According to Mike Verweij of the Telegraaf, the Reds have made contact over Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Micky van de Ven, with Barcelona also said to be “knocking on the door”.
Van de Ven Interest Signals Defensive Ambition
For Andoni Iraola, this would be a significant move. Liverpool have already added Victor Munoz from Osasuna, but the possible pursuit of Van de Ven points to a wider rebuild.
The Dutch defender has been described as “world-class”, and it is easy to see why. His recovery pace, composure and ability to defend large spaces would appear tailor-made for a Liverpool side expected to press high and play with aggression.
Konate Exit Leaves Liverpool Searching
Ibrahima Konate’s move to Real Madrid has changed the picture. Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni may be talented, but neither has played a Premier League minute. That makes Van de Ven a different type of target, proven, powerful and already adjusted to English football.
Contract talks at Tottenham have reportedly stalled, despite the arrival of Roberto De Zerbi. That does not mean Spurs will sell, but it does create uncertainty. Liverpool, as ever, appear ready to explore whether uncertainty can become opportunity.
Barcelona Competition Adds Pressure
Barcelona’s interest complicates matters. Van de Ven would appeal to any elite club that wants speed and security in defence. Liverpool cannot assume they are alone in admiring him.
Yet there is logic here. Iraola needs defenders capable of surviving one v one moments. Van de Ven has that rare blend of athleticism and calm. He does not simply defend danger, he often prevents it from becoming danger at all.
Iraola’s Liverpool Taking Shape
After the Munoz deal and the rejected €100m bid for Yan Diomande, Liverpool’s recruitment has a clear theme. They want speed, intensity and players who can tilt the pitch.
Our View – Anfield Index Analysis
From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this is exactly the kind of link that gets the imagination moving. Van de Ven feels like the sort of defender Liverpool have missed at times, quick enough to cover chaos, strong enough to dominate duels and comfortable enough to play in a brave back line.
The big issue is price. Tottenham will not willingly lose a player of this profile, especially to another Premier League club. If Barcelona are involved too, Liverpool may need to move quickly or accept that this becomes another expensive, drawn-out chase.
Still, the logic is there. Konate leaving creates a vacancy not only in the squad but in the physical identity of the defence. Jacquet and Leoni may be part of the future, but Iraola needs certainty now. Another issue is the fact Van de Ven is left footed and Van Dijk plays exclusively on that side, will the Spurs wait to succeed the captain or will a right sided defender be more appealing?
If Liverpool can get Van de Ven, it would feel like more than a signing. It would feel like the back line being built for the football Iraola wants to play.
At the time, the Boston Red Sox trading Rafael Devers didn't seem to make much sense.
Fast-forward about a year, and the Red Sox look like geniuses. Devers has been one of the more below-average players in Major League Baseball, and when we factor in his contract, there's a strong argument that he's been the worst player in baseball on the worst contract.
I still believe in Devers and the player that he is, but I understand why the Giants could be looking to trade him.
Devers might not be the same player he was a year ago, but there should still be a lot of teams interested in his services, with one writer even suggesting that the New York Yankees could be a fit.
“Objectively speaking, Devers makes perfect sense for the Yankees,” Jake Elman wrote. “His swing is tailor-made for Yankee Stadium, and he’d certainly be a more reliable DH than Giancarlo Stanton, at least from a health perspective. Actually, the more that we think about it, a Stanton for Devers salary dump isn’t the worst idea.”
The idea of Devers playing for the Yankees sounds crazy, especially because he owns New York and has proven that throughout his career, especially in Boston.
He's also a really good hitter at Yankee Stadium, so if he can get back to what he was about a year ago, that's exactly the type of player the Yankees should be going after. However, I don't think it's that realistic unless the Giants are willing to eat most of his salary.
🥐Konaté, Víctor Muñoz... 5️⃣ stories of the day beyond the World Cup
Not everything is about the World Cup, and there are also stories and big names making headlines beyond the year’s biggest competition.
Konaté is now a Real Madrid player
The French centre-back is the third confirmed signing for Los Blancos. He arrives from Liverpool and has signed a four-year deal.
Víctor Muñoz, Iraola’s first signing
Liverpool have confirmed their first signing under Iraola, with Víctor Muñoz the chosen one, pending international clearance so he can play in England.
Cucurella never had any doubts about Madrid
The Real Madrid player said Mourinho’s call was key to his arrival at the club, and he can’t wait to start working with him.
Jorge Messi is recovering well
Through a statement, the Messi family wanted to provide an update on Jorge Messi’s condition, as he is going through a difficult health situation. He is recovering and progressing well.
Málaga and Almería, are they ready?
That’s it, tomorrow is the big day to see who secures promotion to the First Division. The playoff final between Málaga and Almería will be decided tomorrow, with everything still open after the first leg ended 0-0.
A big summer of international rugby gets underway with an uncapped clash between England and France in Vannes.
This is the second year in a row that the two teams have met in this sort of curtain-raiser, which this time precedes the launch of the inaugural Nations Championship in July.
While no caps will be awarded, there is plenty of quality on show with both Steve Borthwick and Fabien Galthie using the opportunity to blend youth and experience.
It should serve as usual preparation for each ahead of the more important stuff to come.
Here’s everything you need to know.
When is France XV vs England XV?
The uncapped international is set to kick off at 5.15pm BST on Friday 19 June at the Stade de la Rabine in Vannes.
How can I watch it?
A live stream of the game will be provided on Rugby Pass TV.
Team news
France’s most experienced figures are each from Bordeaux-Begles, with the European champions’ surprise failure to qualify for the Top 14 play-offs enabling Fabien Galthie to select Jefferson Poirot and Yoram Moefana, among others. Mickael Guillard, a star of the last two Six Nations campaigns, captains from the second row alongside Tom Staniforth, once of Australia U20s but now well settled at Castres.
There is familiarity in the halves with La Rochelle’s Nolann Le Garrec and Antoine Hastoy paired, and likely to cause England plenty of problems.
England hand first opportunities to Noah Caluori – fresh from topping the try-scoring charts at Saracens – and Benhard Janse van Rensburg, not eligible for the nation until 8 July but able to feature in this uncapped fixture. Captain George Ford steers the side from fly half in playmaking partnership with Marcus Smith, while George Kloska earns a chance on the tighthead.
The selection of Tom Curry is a surprise given the flanker’s injury history, and the warning from Sale Sharks coach Alex Sanderson that his player should be rested entirely this summer to prolong his career.
Line-ups
France XV: 1 Jefferson Poirot, 2 Maxime Lamothe, 3 Sipili Falatea; 4 Mickael Guillard (capt.), 5 Tom Staniforth; 6 Temo Matiu, 7 Esteban Capilla, 8 Marko Gazzotti; 9 Nolann Le Garrec, 10 Antoine Hastoy; 11 Gregoire Arfeuil, 12 Yoram Moefana, 13 Nicolas Depoortete, 14 Christian Ambadiang; 15 Theo Attissogbe.
Replacements: 16 Barnabe Massa, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Regis Montagne, 19 Boris Palu, 20 Killian Tixeront; 21 Baptiste Jauneau, 22 Axel Desperes, 23 Fabien Brau-Boirie.
England XV: 1 Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 2 Theo Dan, 3 George Kloska; 4 Charlie Ewels, 5 George Martin; 6 Ted Hill, 7 Tom Curry, 8 Alex Dombrandt; 9 Harry Randall, 10 George Ford (capt.); 11 Cadan Murley, 12 Seb Atkinson, 13 Max Ojomoh, 14 Noah Caluori; 15 Marcus Smith.
Replacements: 16 Jamie Blamire, 17 Beno Obano, 18 Vilikesa Sela, 19 Nick Isiekwe, 20 Jack Kenningham; 21 Raffi Quirke, 22 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 23 Adam Radwan.
Every morning, OneFootball will bring you a full recap of the night at the World Cup.
The must-see story of the night
If Canada thought it was in for a night of joy after claiming its first-ever World Cup win against Qatar (6-0) thanks to Jonathan David’s hat-trick, a horrifying image came and spoiled the celebrations.
Following an incomprehensible and dangerous tackle by Assim Madibo, former OM midfielder Ismaël Koné collapsed to the ground with his leg bent at an unnatural angle. He was stretchered off, and the news is not good.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the Canadian has suffered a tibia and fibula fracture and has already been ruled out for the rest of the tournament and could miss 4 to 5 months of action.
"It happened right in front of us and we all heard the bone break," his coach Jesse Marsch also explained to The Athletic.
It should be noted that Qatar’s Assi Madibo went to the Canadian dressing room after the match to apologize for his awful tackle, which shocked many observers.
How could we talk about anyone other than Jonathan David? It’s simple: by scoring a hat-trick, the Juventus striker gave Canada its first-ever World Cup win and all but sealed its place in the round of 16.
At the same time, he becomes Canada’s all-time top scorer at the World Cup and only the second player in CONCACAF history to score a World Cup hat-trick.
His teammate Nathan-Dylan Saliba was also hugely valuable, with plenty of touches and, above all, an ability to change the tempo of the match, rewarded with a goal and an assist.
Finally, South Korean goalkeeper Seung-gyu Kim gave us the first big goalkeeping blunder of this World Cup. The Korean keeper mistimed his rush and spilled the ball in his own box, handing Mexico the opener and the win.
📸 ULISES RUIZ - AFP or licensors
Today’s schedule and the upcoming night
21:00: United States vs Australia (Group D)
00:00: Scotland vs Marco (Group C)
02:30: Brazil vs Haiti (Group C)
05:00: Turkey vs Paraguay (Group D)
The player to watch
After scoring in Brazil’s very difficult opening match against Morocco, Vinicius Junior now has to show that he is the attacking leader this team needs.
Without a world-class focal-point striker, all eyes are on the Real Madrid star, who could take even more confidence from the match against modest Haiti at the start of this World Cup.
Manchester City may be in the box seat to sign an Italian midfielder
One clear goal for Manchester City this summer in the transfer market is to strengthen their midfield. City’s engine room does need more quality added to it given that certain signings haven’t panned out as hoped and Bernardo Silva has left the club. One player who has been heavily linked as a City transfer target is Newcastle United’s combative and silky midfielder Sandro Tonali. The Italian international is a proven Premier League performer and has the quality and pedigree to slot into Manchester City’s midfield. A new report indicates that Tonali’s preferred option is a move to the Etihad if he cannot return to Italy. So City could be in the box seat to sign Sandro Tonali.
Sandro Tonali reportedly prefers a summer move to Manchester City if he cannot return to Italy.
Graeme Bailey has provided another update on the situation surrounding Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali for TeamTalk. Bailey reports that Tonali prefers a move back to Italy with former club AC Milan his ideal destination. But that move is considered unlikely due to Newcastle’s asking price to sell the Italian international. Furthermore, Bailey reports that Tonali’s camp explained the situation to clubs interested in signing Tonali. Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham were made aware of Tonali’s wish. Despite this, City have retained their interest in signing Tonali while other clubs, excluding Tottenham, have seemingly cooled their interest in moving for him.
Graeme Bailey reports that Sandro Tonali is giving serious thought to a move to Manchester City. Furthermore, Bailey reports that Tonali is impressed by the project that City have put forward to the Italian midfielder. Also, it is reported that Manchester City’s long-term plan for Tonali and the support structure available to Tonali’s family has seen him give serious thought to a move to the FA Cup and Carabao Cup winners. Lastly, Bailey reports that Manchester City aren’t put off by Newcastle United’s £100 million asking price for Sandro Tonali.
City has seemingly pitched their case to Sandro Tonali.
It would seem highly unlikely that Sandro Tonali will get his wish and move back to Italy. AC Milan or any other interested Serie A club is unlikely to have the financial power to meet Newcastle’s demands. It would seem that Tonali’s wish to return to Italy hasn’t put off Manchester City from moving for him. Instead, City have pulled out all of the stops to show Tonali what life could be like if he moved to the club.
On the pitch, there is a clear role for Sandro Tonali at Manchester City. City are desperate for elite midfielders. Tonali is exactly that. Also, doubts remain over Rodri’s long-term future at City. Tonali could come in to learn from Rodri for a year before taking his place. Also, Tonali could play with Rodri and Elliot Anderson, if Anderson signs for City, and form a lethal midfield trio.
Outside of that, Manchester City have created an environment where players thrive. City have an elite support network around their players. They have nothing to want for and this would be of great benefit to Sandro Tonali. Rhe support network that City can offer the family of the Italian international is also a strong selling point for City in their bid to sign Tonali. In terms of offering an elite environment to play in, Manchester City are almost at the top of the class in this regard. Based on Graeme Bailey’s report, City have made this clear to Sandro Tonali.
If Sandro Tonali does move on from Newcastle this summer, and remain in the Premier League, Manchester City looks to be his preferred destination. City can offer Tonali what many other clubs cannot and perhaps now the race to sign Tonali is heavily tilted in Manchester City’s favour.
Haiti coach Sébastien Migné is looking forward to the match against five-time world champions Brazil on Friday.
"Run, run, run" is his message to the players, the Frenchman said in a news conference on Thursday.
He wanted to make it clear to them that they had nothing to lose but "everything to gain."
Migné emphasized once again that it had been 52 years since Haiti last participated in a World Cup. To now be playing against Brazil was "unbelievable."
"We're very lucky, many would like to be in our place. Many teams didn't qualify for the World Cup and tomorrow we play one of the best teams," he said.
In their opening match, Haiti lost by a narrow 1-0 to Scotland.
"We deserve to be here," Migné said. Against Brazil, who drew 1–1 with Morocco in their opener, Haiti could now step up their game a bit more, the coach said.
"We don't have a lot of international experience. Some will love the fact that they are facing Brazil. It's up to me and my staff to find the right approach.
"We want to guarantee from the start that we're totally committed to reaching our goals."
Football is always providing "wonderful moments," he added. The goal is to ensure that the country is proud of the team amid huge issues such as gang violence, corruption and hunger.
At BC Place in Vancouver on Thursday, Canada rolled to a 6-0 win over Qatar, securing its first-ever victory at a World Cup. But 22 minutes into the game, the rowdy, pro-Canada crowd suddenly erupted into boos.
Those in the know knew exactly why the Canadian fans were booing, and it had nothing to do with their team, or the game itself. Instead, the dissatisfaction was about the hydration break, the new three-minute breaks in between halves for water that have sparked significant discussion at the 2026 World Cup.
FIFA introduced the concept back in December, stating that the three-minute breaks would be standardized "no matter where the games are played, no matter if there's a roof, (or) temperature-wise."
However, when put in practice, the decision to ignore context has led to confusion and criticism from fans, players and coaches alike.
French manager Didier Deschamps said it was "splitting the halves" in a way that could disrupt momentum.
"It's almost four quarters, and before we had two halves," Deschamps said. "So the players and obviously the coaches are adapting, but it's a two-pronged approach."
Ghana’s Jerome Opoku takes a drink during a hydration break in Wednesday’s match against Panama at Toronto Stadium, despite rainy 66-degree conditions.
Darrian Traynor via Getty Images
There are situations where hydration breaks make sense. Players have welcomed them in hot, open-air venues such as Boston and Kansas City, and temperatures reached 90 degrees during Belgium’s draw with Egypt in Seattle.
But many World Cup matches are being played in climate-controlled stadiums, and the breaks are mandatory regardless of conditions. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente acknowledged as much before his team’s draw with Cape Verde in Atlanta, saying the pauses were useful in extreme heat but less necessary inside a cooled stadium.
That inconsistency is what Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk pointed to after his team’s draw with Japan and he raised another factor as well: commercials. The added break gives FIFA’s broadcast partners extra advertising inventory.
"Hydration breaks are a bit interesting, because I was obviously watching almost all the games up until today, and every time going to commercial is a bit … Not really that I like it," van Dijk said. "I think for the neutral watchers on TV it's also not great. If it's really hot, obviously it would be good to put them in. But I think you have to look at it in every game, separately, in my opinion.
"But I think I've said enough already for that," he added.
Fox, which carries the English-broadcast rights in the U.S. and is making massive money off ads during hydration breaks, came back late from a commercial break during the tournament opener between Mexico and South Africa. Telemundo, which carries the Spanish-broadcast rights, has said it will not play commercials during the mid-half pauses; as a result, fans online have spoken about choosing the service for that reason.
Trying to make the best of it, teams are using the breaks to discuss tactics. U.S. men's national team coach Mauricio Pochettino introduced the practice during the team’s pre-tournament tuneups, going viral for the image of the players gathered around his laptop during the brief pause.
Before Norway’s 4-1 win over Iraq, coach Ståle Solbakken said cooling breaks made sense at the team’s base camp in Greensboro, North Carolina, but not necessarily during matches.
"I'm not a fan of it. I can understand it when it's like it's been in Greensboro when it's been 35 degrees and a really hot climate," he said, "but I don't like it otherwise. I think it's unnecessary. But now we are playing with it and then we have to use them well."
Solbakken added that it affected how they approach substitutions: Many coaches tend to make a second-half substitutions between the 60- and 70-minute mark, and the second-half hydration break starts at the 67th minute.
And in the context of the other FIFA rule changes, he said it didn't make sense.
"All that is good and that is to speed up the game, but the other things slow down the game, so it speaks against itself," Solbakken said said.
South Korea discusses tactics during a hydration break in their loss to Mexico.
Carl Recine via Getty Images
Soccer is already a sport where momentum can turn on a dime, but the hydration breaks seem to kill momentum in its tracks, even if it offers a helpful chance to regroup. Unfortunately, teams have accepted that their only choice is to make it work.
After Panama's loss to Ghana — in Toronto, where the weather was in the low 70s — head coach Thomas Christiansen said that the team could use the breaks for "corrections," but couldn't fight the larger system.
"The weather conditions, it was not hot, but we have to accept that … everything advertised on the television is what (is) paying (for) all these things, and we have to agree on that," he said.
Thomas Muller only wanted to get to soccer training in New York, but the New York Knicks’ championship parade made him an accidental part of the celebration.
The German soccer star was in the city as Knicks fans flooded Lower Manhattan for the franchise’s first NBA title parade in more than five decades.
What should have been a simple bike ride quickly turned into a reminder of how completely the parade had taken over the city. Thomas Muller found the funny side of it.
Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images
Thomas Muller gets caught in New York Knicks parade crowd
Muller’s video showed him trying to move through New York while the Knicks celebration filled the streets around him.
“I wanted to go to my training session today, to the soccer field, took the bike, but I don’t know why, but I struggled a little bit,” Muller said.
The camera then showed the size of the crowd, making clear why Muller’s route had become impossible. ESPN FC shared the clip with the caption: “Tough day to try and get through New York City.”
It was a light moment from a World Cup winner suddenly running into a completely different kind of sporting celebration.
Muller did not look annoyed by the delay, more amused that his ride to a soccer field had been swallowed by orange and blue.
Thomas Muller stunned by massive New York Knicks celebration
The German soccer superstar summed up the scale of the moment in one line as he looked out at the parade crowd.
“The Knicks are too strong this year, even the parade, it’s massive,” he added.
The comment fit the day. The NYPD said more than two million people lined the Canyon of Heroes for the parade, with fans packing Lower Manhattan to celebrate the Knicks’ first championship since 1973.
The team earned that turnout by beating the San Antonio Spurs 4-1 in the NBA Finals. Jalen Brunson’s 45-point performance in Game 5 sealed the title, ending a 53-year wait that made the parade feel bigger than a normal championship celebration.
For Muller, the timing turned an ordinary training trip into a viral New York moment. He became part of the parade without planning to, caught between soccer work and a city celebrating one of its biggest basketball days in generations.
The night of the 2026 World Cup delivers two major verdicts. Canada claim the first World Cup win in their history by crushing Qatar, while Mexico become the first national team to qualify for the round of 32 thanks to their win over South Korea. The standout stars are Jonathan David and Luis Romo, but the images destined to linger are also those of Ismaël Koné’s terrible injury and South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-Gyu’s shocking howler.
Want to stay up to date on everything happening in the USA, Mexico, and Canada? Don’t forget to bookmark the World Cup! To follow the competition, search for “World Cup” on OneFootball and click the star next to it so you won’t miss a single piece of news!
Canada-Qatar 6-0
A perfect night only in part for Jesse Marsch’s Canada. After the 1-1 draw in their opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Canadians thrash Qatar 6-0 in front of the Vancouver crowd and secure the first World Cup win in their history. The result sends them to the top of Group B and leaves them needing only a draw against Switzerland in the final matchday to qualify.
Leading the hosts is a rampant Jonathan David. The Juventus striker bags a hat-trick, reaches 42 goals in 79 appearances for the national team, and draws level at the top of the tournament scoring charts. First he helps create the 1-0 scored by Cyle Larin, then he makes it 2-0 with a right-footed volley, and in the second half he completes his show with two more goals. It is a historic night for him: he is only the second Juventus player to score a hat-trick at a World Cup after Paolo Rossi, and the first forward playing for an Italian club to score a World Cup hat-trick in the 21st century. The last Serie A player to score a World Cup hat-trick was Gabriel Omar Batistuta at USA 1994.
The match, already tilted by Homam Ahmed’s first-half red card, changes completely in the 50th minute. Madibo flies into a brutal challenge on Ismaël Koné and causes one of the most dramatic scenes of this World Cup. The Sassuolo midfielder stays on the ground as his teammates cry and everyone looks on in shock, while the Qatari is sent off after a VAR review, leaving his team down to nine men.
The updates that later came from Canada confirmed the worst fears: Koné suffered fractures to both his tibia and fibula, has already been admitted to hospital, and will have to undergo surgery. His World Cup is over, and he could be sidelined for between four and five months. Deeply shaken by what happened, Madibo went to the Canadian dressing room to personally apologize to the player.
After the dramatic incident came Saliba’s goal, dedicated to Koné as he held up his shirt, then an own goal by Al Manai, and finally another strike from David to make it 6-0.
Mexico-Canada 1-0
If Canada are celebrating their first win, Mexico are already celebrating qualification. In Guadalajara, a 1-0 win over South Korea is enough to make them the first national team to book a place in the 2026 World Cup round of 32 and secure top spot in Group A.
The match is decided by an incident as decisive as it is astonishing. In the 50th minute, from an apparently harmless ball in the box, South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-Gyu completely miscues his attempt to come out, loses control of the ball after colliding with a teammate, and leaves the goal wide open for Luis Romo, who taps home from close range to make it 1-0. A huge blunder that decides the match and, in effect, sends Mexico through.
South Korea try to respond late on, but they are denied by goalkeeper Raúl Rangel, who comes up with several key saves to preserve the lead. At the final whistle, the Mexican celebrations can begin: six points from two matches, top spot in the group guaranteed, and qualification already secured with a game to spare.
The London Marathon was first held in 1981, when 7,747 runners were accepted into the race [Getty Images]
The London Marathon will be held across two days in a special one-off edition of the event in 2027.
Organisers confirmed earlier this year that they were exploring ways to enable more people to take part, after a record 1.33 million people entered the ballot for next year's event.
The two events - on Saturday, 24 and Sunday, 25 April - will allow 100,000 people to take part in the London Marathon in 2027, effectively doubling the chances of success for those who entered the ballot.
The move is also expected to raise more than £150m for charities and provide a £400m boost to the UK economy, according to Hugh Brasher, chief executive of London Marathon Events (LME).
Everyone who applied to take part next year will be entered into a ballot for both the Saturday and Sunday, with the ballot results announced in early July.
"The 2027 London Marathon double is our most ambitious evolution to date - a once-in-a-generation one-time-only reimagining of what a marathon and city-wide celebration of activity can be," said Brasher.
"By expanding to 100,000 runners across two days, we're opening the door for more people, more charities and more communities to take part in the world's greatest marathon. We believe that more than £150m can be raised for good causes and the UK economy will have a £400m social and economic benefit.
"We are grateful for the vision and support of the Mayor of London, the councils on the route, the emergency services, and all the stakeholders involved who have given their support to enable this world first event to be held for London and the UK."
Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, said: "London is the sporting capital of the world and I am delighted that, for one year only in 2027, the world famous London Marathon will expand into a two-day event."
A total of 1,338,544 people applied for the 2027 London Marathon, breaking the record of 1,133,813 applicants for the 2026 event.
The London Marathon had a record 59,830 finishers in 2026 and was the biggest annual one-day fundraising event in the world, with more than £90m raised to date for charity by 2026 participants.
Brasher has remained adamant that the expanded two-day event will be for one year only, following what he described as an "astonishing total of applicants" hoping to take part in 2027.
He told BBC Sport the two-day event has been nine years in the making, but after the initial idea was formed in 2017, with the intention to hold it in 2020, they failed to gain permission.
The plan is for the elite women, elite female wheelchair athletes, championship and 'good for age' women to lead the mass event one day, with the elite men, elite male wheelchair athletes, championship and 'good for age' men leading the mass event on the other.
However, London Marathon organisers said all format details will be confirmed in the coming months.
All 100,000 participants across the two days will run on the normal London Marathon route from Greenwich to Westminster.
Brasher clarified to the BBC that a ballot draw will first be held for the Sunday - the day on which the marathon is normally held - before a second draw takes place for the Saturday.
The Mini London Marathon will be held on the Friday, with more than 20,000 young participants.
Organisers say all additional income generated by the two-day format will be distributed by the London Marathon Foundation to projects that inspire activity for children and young people across London and the UK.
Nicolas Hamilton (centre) and other BTCC drivers spent time walking round the hospital speaking to as many patients and staff as possible [BBC]
British Touring Car Champion Nicolas Hamilton returned to his roots and has visited patients and staff at a hospital in the town where his family is from.
The brother of Formula One star Lewis Hamilton has previously visited Leighton hospital, Cheshire, to spend time with those there and this time brought other competitors from the British Touring Car Championship along with him.
"It's the second year in a row, I think it's really important to have days like this, for us to give back and show appreciation for the NHS", Hamilton said.
The day saw the team of racers spending time talking and taking photos with staff and patients.
Lewis and Nic Hamilton are often seen at races together. [Getty Images]
Born with cerebral palsy, Hamilton is no stranger to hospitals, spending a lot of his early life in them and even being told by doctors he wouldn't be able to walk.
In 2015, he became the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) first disabled driver, and he recently became the first disabled athlete to ever podium at the BTCC.
The racer has links to the area with his mother side of the family originating from Crewe.
"She was actually born in this hospital", he said.
"Crewe is very close to my heart, [as] I used to come here every month and see my mum's side of the family."
When asked why he did these visits, Hamilton said: "It can get a bit lonely and you don't really have people to talk to".
"I think sometimes the NHS can be undervalued in a lot of areas, so I feel like I have done my bit in showing my appreciation", he added.
One of the patients visited by the racers was Christine Ward who was very appreciative of the visit. [BBC]
The visit saw Hamilton taking time to walk round the wards and spend time with patients.
One of those he stopped by was Christine Ward who was in hospital with a broken leg, due to an accident involving a car.
"We have had such a laugh I didn't think I would feel this good again after what's happened to me".
"They don't have to do this, they are so busy but they don't realise how it builds people up," she added.
She joked: "It's been worth a knock down in a car to achieve this".
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Australian midfielder Aiden O’Neill said the excitement of the 2026 World Cup was a major reason he left Belgium for the United States in his prime.
O'Neill joined New York City FC during the 2025 Major League Soccer season, sharing a locker room with fellow Australian Kai Trewin and several Americans including U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese.
After a season and a half as teammates, O’Neill and Freese have been thrown into the biggest roles of their lives. They'll be on opposite sides on Friday when Australia faces the United States in Seattle.
“We’re excited to play against each other,” O’Neill said. “It’d be good to get one up on him, that’s for sure.”
When manager Tony Popovic boldly left veterans Mathew Ryan and Jackson Irvine out of the starting XI for Australia’s group opener against Turkey, O’Neill quickly became the leader of the Socceroos’ four-man midfield. Meanwhile, Freese got the start in his first-ever World Cup match against Paraguay.
Strong starts
Both O’Neill and Freese shone in their World Cup debuts, contributing to wins. When the teammates face off again on Friday, the result could decide the top of Group D.
Trewin, a defender who is also on NYCFC and Australia’s World Cup squad but did not appear in the 2-0 win over Turkey, added that he has “never wanted to win a game more than this one.”
NYCFC reached the MLS Cup playoff semifinals with O’Neill and Freese as starters in 2025. Trewin moved from Australia to join the two in the starting lineup for 2026, and the squad currently sits in a playoff spot again during the league’s World Cup break.
Now, the matchup between the Australians and Americans will likely be the biggest game for all three to date.
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Ben Kule is a student in the University of Georgia’s Carmical Sports Media Institute.
The Three Lions cruised to a 5-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City in a training match ahead of their upcoming clashes against Panama and Ghana.
England boss Thomas Tuchel handed opportunities to players who did not feature in the 4-2 Group L victory over Croatia.
Meanwhile, Marc Guehi, Morgan Rogers and Djed Spence also played valuable minutes in the shortened contest.
They played the match over two 25-minute halves, and Ivan Toney continued his outstanding form by firing a hat-trick to strengthen his case for a bigger role.
Rogers and Ollie Watkins were also on target as England comfortably outclassed the MLS outfit.
Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah was the only member of the squad not to feature, instead watching from the sidelines as Tuchel rotated his options following the demanding Croatia game.
Toney was the standout performer on that occasion too, netting another hat-trick to make it 11 goals across England’s two warm-up matches against American opposition.
While the results will not count for anything beyond boosting confidence, the performances will certainly give Tuchel plenty to think about as he prepares for the remainder of the group stage.
Toney’s clinical finishing, Watkins’ sharp movement and Rogers’ attacking quality will be helpful down the line.
The manager will be reassured that they are ready to deliver when called upon, even if they are currently down in the pecking order.
England now turn their attention to Ghana on June 23 before concluding the group stage against Panama four days later, with momentum firmly on their side.
Tuchel’s squad appear to be hitting top gear at exactly the right time as they look to build on their impressive World Cup start.
Brooks Koepka in the first round of the U.S. Open.getty images
SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — As TV cannot do justice to the peaks and valleys of Augusta National, neither can it capture Shinnecock Hills — not as it played on Thursday, with a heavy wind coming off the Atlantic, over beachfront mansions and across Sunrise Highway, before sweeping across the old William Flynn course here. The Thursday round of this 126th U.S. Open was all set up for another USGA Shinny set-up screwball comedy, except it never happened. The opposite. The players . . . liked it.
They liked the speed of the greens, the hint of moisture they retained all day and into the night. (Play ended at 8:25 p.m. with 50 players still on the course.) They liked the width of the fairways (often 50 yards wide!), the first-round pin positions (no holes on weird knobs!), the tee positions (no surprises!). They liked player parking (almost on the 10th tee), the food in player hospitality (beef tenderloin and fresh pizza to go), the purse ($22 million!). There was a lot to like and nothing to dis.
“The USGA did a great job,” Keegan Bradley, last year’s U.S. Ryder Cup captain down the road at Bethpage Black. Bradley shot 70, even par.
A great job!
When was the last time anybody swaddled in Tourwear said those words?
Certainly not in 2004 and 2018, the last two times the U.S. Open was played here. At those Opens, nothing like that was said, not even by Retief Goosen, the ’04 winner, not even by Brooks Koepka, the winner in ’18.
“The conditions were tough,” Koepka said Thursday afternoon after shooting 73 in the first round of his 13th U.S. Open. He’s won the event twice. “It’s weird how soft the greens are. It’s odd. It’s not what I remember. I understand why they’re soft. I get that. [I’m] not complaining.”
Not complaining!
Rory McIlroy started on the 10th hole, his tee time delayed by two hours, on account of fog brought on by a shifting wind, Wednesday night into Thursday morning, and with it a dramatic increase in humidity. (In a day, this sand-splashed South Fork of Long Island went from late spring to mid-summer.) McIlroy was two under through three holes and but finished with two bogeys, on 8 and 9, for a 69. And even after that rough finish McIlroy was not moaning.
“It’s a challenging course already and then you put 30 mile-per-hour winds on it,” McIlroy said. “I think they were prudent with the course setup.”
McIlroy’s day was certainly made more pleasant by having two Ryder Cup teammates, and lovely gents, as playing partners, Tommy Fleetwood, who shot 70, and Ludvig Åberg, who shot 69. Play was brutally, absurdly slow. It took the threesome, all fast players, nearly five hours and 40 minutes to play.) At least, starting as they did at 9:52 a.m., they knew they would complete their first round.
McIlroy & Mates were announced at the 10th tee by David Jacobsen, a veteran USGA volunteer and the winner last year of the organization’s prestigious Joe Dey Award. Jacobsen is the kid brother of Peter Jacobsen, the veteran Tour player and broadcaster, and the players, one after another, got a warm greeting from the starter. It may sound like nothing. It’s not. The players are playing in the U.S. Open. They’re tense. They don’t want to see a starter who is nervously looking at his watch every half-minute. A little chill goes a long way.
Jacobsen was at his post, ready for the day’s first group, well before 6:30 a.m., a cold fog all around him. Ten hours later, his workday was over. But in the final hour of his workday, he called the names of a bunch of former U.S. Open winners, including Dustin Johnson, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Gary Woodland, Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm. Those guys caught the day in a gorgeous, golden late-day light, but the wind was not abating. There was sand in air and sometimes in their eyes. Flagsticks were shaking. Over the course of the day, and now and again, a hat went flying. The standard bearers were angling their scoreboards on considered angles, to slice through the wind. There were few spectators left on the course, at this witching hour. They were spent. The players were spent. The caddies were spent. A LIRR diesel train whistled on by.
It takes hundreds of crew members and USGA officials employees working long days to get these events — and this event — to a Sunday-night trophy presentation without getting called out for this or that or some other thing. On Thursday, Mother Nature had her mercurial say, and the USGA knew how to handle her.
Three more days.
Michael Bamberger welcomes your comments at Michael.Bamberger@Golf.com
Tennessee Titans head coach Robert Saleh has offered one of his clearest endorsements yet of second-year quarterback Cam Ward.
It wasn’t an elaborate statement. Saleh simply highlighted Ward’s ability to take criticism and keep moving forward, without letting it affect his self-belief. While that may sound routine—every coach values a quarterback who responds well to coaching—the context matters. Ward is heading into a pivotal season, and the Titans are relying heavily on their former top pick to deliver.
“The biggest thing is how he’s responded,” Saleh told reporters. “He understands he hasn’t been perfect. He’s made some mistakes, but it’s never gotten him down. It’s never gotten him discouraged. He’s still putting together a really nice camp.
Ward didn’t have the kind of rookie season fans were hoping for from a No. 1 pick, throwing for just 2,893 yards with 18 touchdowns and 13 interceptions while Tennessee went 5-12 under former head coach Mike Vrabel.
This year comes with even higher expectations – not just because it’s his second season, but because of the growing questions about whether he can live up to the billing as the franchise’s long-term answer under centre.
Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images
There are reasons behind the scrutiny
One storyline that’s emerged from Titans OTAs and minicamp is the focus on Ward’s accuracy. Throughout the spring, reports have pointed to stretches of inconsistency as Tennessee adjusts to a new offensive system under coordinator Brian Daboll. There have been overthrows, missed chances, and practice periods that looked exactly like what you’d expect from a young quarterback learning an unfamiliar scheme.
Naturally, questions have followed. Should fans be concerned? Is Ward developing fast enough? Can he make the leap Tennessee needs in his second season? The Titans aren’t ignoring those questions, nor should they.
What stood out from Saleh’s remarks was how the coaching staff sees things differently than most outside voices. Instead of zeroing in on every missed throw, they’re more interested in how Ward reacts to setbacks, and that approach says a lot about where their priorities are.
Mistakes are part of the process for young quarterbacks. Even some of today’s best passers had rough patches early on while picking up new playbooks and getting used to the speed of the NFL. What really matters is learning from those moments, and by all accounts, Ward seems to be handling that part well.
Ward’s rookie season stats show why he still has a lot of work to do
There were signs of talent, along with clear areas for growth. Ward started all 17 games, finishing with 3,169 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. There were flashes that backed up his selection as the face of the franchise, mixed in with reminders that he was still very much a work in progress.
The sack total stood out most: Ward was taken down 55 times. Some of that was down to protection issues, but some came from a young quarterback still learning just how quickly NFL windows close. The Titans made it an offseason priority to address it.
Brian Daboll wasn’t brought in to keep things the same. The Titans wanted someone who could speed up Ward’s development, and few coaches have a stronger track record of working with young quarterbacks. That’s why they moved quickly to bring him to Nashville. They never expected Ward to be a finished product straight away, but more that Daboll could help turn his early mistakes into valuable learning moments.
Ward seems to have embraced the new coaching approach, even if it means taking on more criticism, and that theme has carried through the entire offseason so far.
Saleh’s perspective is more than just another soundbite
Praise for quarterbacks typically centres around the usual traits — arm talent, leadership, competitiveness. Saleh went a different route by pointing to Ward’s ability to absorb coaching, and that choice shouldn’t be overlooked.
Quarterbacks live under a microscope in a way few other positions do, with every throw picked apart and every rough stretch turning into days of debate. The players who handle that pressure best are often the ones who can take feedback without losing confidence, and Saleh’s remarks indicate the Titans think Ward has that foundation.
None of this means Ward has arrived. Training camp will bring tougher evaluations, preseason games will provide more meaningful evidence, and the regular season will ultimately decide whether Tennessee has found its franchise quarterback. One thing is becoming clear, though. The Titans are not chasing perfection from Cam Ward so much as steady growth, and they appear convinced he has the mindset to get there.
That confidence may not quiet the criticism, but it does explain why Tennessee remains optimistic about its young quarterback. For now, the Titans are betting that Ward’s most valuable trait is his willingness to keep improving rather than the arm talent that made him the top pick.
BCCI confirms Harshit Rana's return to the India squad for the third ODI.
Rana has completed rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence after knee surgery.
India lead the series 2-0 and may experiment with combinations in Chennai.
Harshit Rana joins India squad for Chennai dead rubber against Afghanistan
Fast bowler Harshit Rana has been added to India's squad ahead of the third and final ODI against Afghanistan, set to be played in Chennai on Saturday. The team management wants to use the dead rubber as an opportunity to ease the seam-bowling all-rounder back into international cricket following his rehabilitation.
India have already wrapped up the three-match series 2-0, having followed their opener with a commanding 170-run victory in Lucknow.
With nothing riding on the result in Chennai, Rana's inclusion gives the team management another pace-bowling option to assess as they continue exploring combinations.
BCCI confirms Harshit Rana's completion of rehabilitation
In an official statement, the BCCI confirmed that Rana has finished his rehabilitation programme at the board's Centre of Excellence and has now linked up with the squad in Chennai.
“The Men's Selection Committee has added Mr Harshit Rana to the India squad for the third and final ODI against Afghanistan. Mr Rana, who has completed his rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (COE), has linked up with the ODI squad in Chennai,” the board said.
Rana has also been included in India's plans for the upcoming T20I assignments in Ireland and England.
Rana's comeback follows a frustrating period on the sidelines after he underwent knee surgery that ruled him out of the recent T20 World Cup. According to earlier reports, the team management has been planning to use the Chennai fixture specifically as a low-pressure opportunity to reintroduce him to match conditions at the international level, rather than throwing him straight into a high-stakes contest.
Rana now joins Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav in the bowling pool, giving the team several configurations to test in Chennai.
After clinching two convincing wins, India will hope to close out the series in style while also getting valuable minutes into Rana ahead of what promises to be a hectic international calendar in the months ahead.
The New York Knicks waited 53 years for another NBA championship, and New York answered with a parade crowd big enough to match the drought.
Lower Manhattan was packed for the Knicks’ title celebration, with fans filling the Canyon of Heroes after the franchise’s first championship since 1973.
The scale of the turnout had been clear from the images, but the NYPD later put a number on it. It was not just a big crowd by basketball standards.
Photo by Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images
NYPD says more than two million attended the New York Knicks parade
The NYPD update revealed the size of the celebration while congratulating the Knicks and praising officers for managing the day.
“The Knicks are NBA champions! More than two million people lined the Canyon of Heroes to celebrate, and the Finest were out in full force ensuring a safe parade day,” NYPD News tweeted on X.
The figure put the parade among the biggest sports celebrations New York has seen. Broadway was packed in orange and blue as fans arrived early, filled viewing areas, and followed the team toward City Hall.
The police presence was a major part of the day as well. With crowds stretching through Lower Manhattan, officers were deployed across the route to manage access points, blocked streets and the crush of fans trying to see the champions.
New York Knicks parade showed the scale of a 53-year title wait
The size of the turnout made sense because this was not a routine championship celebration for New York. The Knicks had not won the NBA title since 1973, and generations of fans had never seen the franchise parade through the city as champions.
The Knicks earned the moment by beating the San Antonio Spurs 4-1 in the NBA Finals. They clinched the series with a 94-90 Game 5 win, led by Jalen Brunson’s 45-point performance and a title run that finally ended one of the league’s most famous droughts.
The parade route carried the team through the Canyon of Heroes before a City Hall ceremony, the kind of civic stage usually reserved for New York’s biggest sports moments. Players, fans, and city officials turned the title into a full-city celebration.
There were logistical issues across the day, including heavy crowd control and packed viewing areas, but the final attendance figure captured the larger point. The Knicks’ championship was not just a Madison Square Garden story.
16 June 2026, USA, Winston-Salem: Soccer, 2026 World Cup, national team, Germany, press conference, ahead of the second World Cup match against Ivory Coast. Joshua Kimmich (Germany) speaks at the press conference. Photo: Federico Gambarini/dpa (Photo by Federico Gambarini/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Germany dispatched Curaçao in their opening World Cup match with a 7-1 win, but that didn’t come easily as the underdogs pushed and pushed and made life hard for the four-time World Cup winners. Joshua Kimmich knows how Les Éléphants will not be pushovers and singled out a player that he is familiar with.
“A year ago, hardly anyone knew him. He’s had an outstanding season, even though RB Leipzig had a few problems,” Kimmich said (as captured by X account @iMiaSanMia). “His dribbling is exceptional, a bit like Kingsley Coman at Bayern back in the day. He’s got incredible pace. But there we have to prepare for. They have spectacular attacking players.”
Some of the notable names on the Ivory Coast team include Diomande, Amad Diallo, Ibrahim Sangaré, Seko Fofana, Guéla Doué, and more; Diallo scored a 90th-minute winner against Ecuador in the other Group E match.
Germany takes on Ivory Coast on Saturday in Toronto.
Explained: Where Enzo Maresca compensation talks stand between Man City and Chelsea
Enzo Maresca is still set to replace Pep Guardiola as Man City manager ahead of the new season
Final details over Chelsea compensation are still being resolved, matter in the hands of lawyers
Maresca is already collaborating with City sporting director Hugo Viana on transfer targets
Enzo Maresca remains on course to be confirmed as Manchester City’s next manager, with compensation discussions with Chelsea continuing to represent the only outstanding obstacle standing in the way of a formal announcement.
Maresca departed Stamford Bridge on New Year’s Day with three-and-a-half years remaining on his contract, having not claimed severance upon his resignation, meaning Chelsea have retained the right to pursue compensation from City for his services.
The Italian was identified as Pep Guardiola‘s successor shortly as the Catalan confirmed his departure from the Etihad Stadium in May, handing Maresca a three-year contract after Guardiola personally backed the appointment.
Man City face potential Premier League investigation over Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca compensation
The dispute between the two clubs has been ongoing since May, with lawyers at both clubs initially handling negotiations before senior executives at Chelsea and Manchester City stepped in to advance discussions directly – a development that suggested both parties were pushing for a resolution around the summer transfer window opening on June 15.
Despite the prolonged nature of the talks, City’s confidence that Maresca will be their next manager has not wavered at any stage, with club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak recently urging supporters to be patient and insisting the club had gone through a “thoughtful and structured process” to identify Guardiola’s replacement.
Report: Maresca already working with Viana, in contact with other departments
According to Sam Lee of The Athletic, Maresca is still firmly set to replace Guardiola as City manager, with the final details of the Chelsea compensation package continuing to be worked through.
It has been added that the Italian has already been in dialogue with sporting director Hugo Viana on transfer targets for the summer, and is in regular contact with other departments at the club as he begins to put the groundwork in place ahead of an official announcement.
The update is significant in so far as it underlines that Maresca is already functioning in a managerial capacity at City even before the paperwork has been formally signed off – a reflection of the club’s desire to avoid losing further ground in the transfer market while the compensation dispute is resolved.
Manchester City 2026/27 squad audit: Transfer latest on every player
What does Maresca’s background activity mean for City’s summer?
The news that Maresca is already embedded in City’s transfer planning will provide a degree of reassurance to supporters who have grown increasingly frustrated by the length of time the compensation saga has taken to resolve, with pre-season edging ever closer.
The summer is shaping up to be one of the most consequential in City’s recent history, with significant business required in midfield following Bernardo Silva’s departure and in defence amid Ruben Dias‘ ongoing links to Real Madrid and the need for a long-term successor to John Stones.
Whether Chelsea and City can bring the compensation standoff to a close before the FIFA World Cup concludes remains the one remaining variable – but with Maresca already operating as City’s de facto manager in all but name, the announcement itself now feels like a formality rather than an open question.
The London Marathon will take place over two days as a one-off occurrence in 2027 with men’s, women’s and elite events spread across the weekend.
The 2026 edition was the site of multiple milestones, including Sabastian Sawe’s world record one hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds in a race where both the Kenyan and Yomif Kejelcha of Ethiopia broke the two-hour barrier for the first time in history.
It also attracted a record 59,830 finishers, and more will have a chance to run the same course next year with 100,000 participants welcomed across the weekend of April 24 and 25, 2027.
London mayor Sadiq Khan said: “London is the sporting capital of the world and I am delighted that, for one year only in 2027, the world famous TCS London Marathon will expand into a two-day event.
“This unique, one-off double will allow a record 100,000 participants to take part across the two days – creating the largest fundraising moment in UK sporting history and supporting the work of so many incredible charities.
“The London Marathon showcases the very best of our capital and we will continue working closely with London Marathon Events and our partners to ensure appropriate measures are in place for the entire weekend as we build a better, more prosperous London for everyone.”
Elite women, elite female para-athletes, championship and ‘good for age’ women will compete on one day, and their male equivalents on the other, with the exact details to be confirmed.
A record 1.33 million people have already applied for the 2027 edition, following more than £90 million ($169.48 million) raised for charity by participants in 2026 – a figure organizers hope will be much higher as a result of expanded capacity across two days.
Those whose ballots are successfully drawn in July will be able to participate in person on Saturday or Sunday, but not both.
Organisers have also set aside two guaranteed entries for every school in the capital for teachers or staff, and extra guaranteed entries have also been allocated to every London borough along the route.
London Marathon CEO Hugh Brasher estimates that more than £150 million can be raised for charities and good causes through the expanded edition, while he estimated the UK will benefit from £400 million in social and economic benefit.
He added: “The 2027 TCS London Marathon Double is our most ambitious evolution to date – a once-in-a-generation one-time-only reimagining of what a marathon and city-wide celebration of activity can be.”
“Braves catchers are 1-for-40 over the past 13 games,” MLB writer Jason Foster posted.
Fortunately for Atlanta, Baldwin has returned as the primary catcher, which should provide a boost. When Ha-Seong Kim is in the lineup, it often feels like he and whoever is behind the plate are automatic outs. The good news is that general manager Alex Anthopoulos has already hinted that the Braves will be active at the trade deadline.
“I fully expect and hope that we will be engaged in trades come July. I'm not trying to overly excite anybody or promise anything. But if we're playing the way we are right now, we're going to be in there,” Anthopoulos said.
On Thursday night, Anthopoulos made his first significant move ahead of the deadline. The Braves acquired catcher Joey Bart while designating former World Series champion Sandy León for assignment.
“The Braves acquired catcher Joey Bart from the Pittsburgh Pirates for right-handed pitcher Hunter Stratton on Thursday night. Atlanta made room for Bart on the 40-man roster by designating catcher Sandy León for assignment. The Pirates assigned Stratton to Triple-A Indianapolis. Bart was batting .259 with two homers, six RBIs and a .670 OPS in 21 games with Pittsburgh. He grew up in the Atlanta suburbs and played college ball in the city at Georgia Tech before being selected No. 2,” ESPN wrote.
León simply couldn't find any success at the plate, batting below .100 for the Braves. Meanwhile, Bart continues the trend of hometown acquisitions that Anthopoulos has become known for making.
As a former No. 2 overall pick, there is no question the talent is there. Sometimes all a player needs is an opportunity in the right situation, and returning home could provide exactly that. Atlanta desperately needs more production from its lineup, and the organization is hoping Bart can help provide it.
Scotland fans will be hoping for more reasons to celebrate against Morocco [Getty Images]
Scotland fans are daring to dream of qualifying for the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time, ahead of the team's clash with Morocco in Boston.
After defeating Haiti 1-0 last Saturday, another victory later would seal qualification into the last 32 of the competition, and even a draw would almost certainly secure a place.
Fanzones across the country will open for the game, which kicks off at 23:00. Among them will be the TRNSMT music festival in Glasgow, which will switch from rock bands and pop singers to showing John McGinn and company on big screens.
Pubs are also eagerly anticipating bumper crowds, after a hugely successful Saturday for the Haiti game.
One of the biggest crowds will be at Glasgow Green, where TRNSMT organisers DF Concerts secured a late licence to broadcast the vital match into the early hours of Saturday, despite concerns from local residents.
That has meant an early finish to the music, with headline act Richard Ashcroft due to finish by 22:15, instead of the typical curfew of about 23:00.
Once the former Verve singer wraps up, pre-match entertainment will then take over. Singer and piper Cammy Barnes - who opens the festival just after midday, will be back on stage to play Flower of Scotland just before the kick off.
Broadcaster Sean McDonald will host proceedings with guest Rose Reilly - famously the only Scottish person to have been part of a World Cup winning side after she joined up with the Italian women's team in 1984.
Organisers say a special football themed playlist by radio DJ George Bowie will keep spirits high and comedian Rosco McClelland will bring his popular Scottish take on the theme tune from Boston based classic sitcom Cheers to the stage.
Geoff Ellis, the chief executive of DF Concerts, called for a "sea of Saltires" at the festival and said hearing Flower of Scotland would be a "hairs on the back of the neck' moment".
He added: "We're building up to another huge weekend on Glasgow Green but it doesn't get much bigger than showing a World Cup game on the nation's biggest screen.
"We all saw the incredible scenes and celebrations across Scotland on Sunday morning and we're thrilled we can host our own unique fanzone this Friday."
Fans were jubilant after the national team defeated Haiti 1-0 last weekend [Getty Images]
In Glasgow large music venues like the OVO Hydro, Saint Luke's and the O2 Academy are all screening the match, though they require tickets for entry, as are Dundee's LiveHouse and the Ice Arena in Kirkcaldy
In Aberdeen, fans can flock to the places like the city's Beach Ballroom while the Gyle Shopping Centre in Edinburgh will show the fixture on a large screen.
Scores of smaller venues - like rugby and tennis clubs - are also hosting watch parties.
Pubs to benefit from Scotland games
Pubs and bars can expect one of the busiest nights of the year, given the game kicks off three hours earlier than the Haiti game last Saturday - which saw bumper profits for the trade.
Earlier this week Louise MacLean of the Signature Pub Group told BBC Scotland it had been an incredible night.
She said: "My lord, did those tills ring. We had record breaking sales. That is a gift to a trade that has been so damaged over the past few years.
"We've had people flying in from Europe for this. I can't imagine that anyone who stayed open won't have had an incredible night."
The Scottish Beer and Pub Association estimated earlier this week that Scotland's group games could generate an additional £7m for pubs and bars, with an estimated 520,000 extra pints expected to be poured out during the game.
Almost all of Scotland's councils, who approve extensions to licensing rules, have allowed pubs and clubs to stay open to show the games despite them often continuing beyond normal closing times.
Can Scotland qualify for the next round against Morocco?
A win for Scotland against Morocco - who drew 1-1 with Brazil last Saturday in their opening game - will guarantee progression into the next round with a game to spare.
It will also mean Scotland have a great chance of going through as one of the top two sides in the group.
With the eight best third placed sides, out of 12 groups, also going through, a draw is likely to be enough too. That would leave Scotland sitting on four points.
A loss would leave Scotland possibly needing a result against five times world champions Brazil in their final group game next Wednesday in Miami to progress, or else face an anxious wait on results from other groups.
In 2023, Jeremy Maclean moved to the United States to take up a sports scholarship at a University [Shot by Pierson]
When Jeremy Maclean was 14, he was suspended from school, an event which he admitted left his parents feeling "frightened" for his future.
As a teenager, he had a lot of energy but lacked any outlet for it.
The turning point came, Maclean said, when he went on a cycling trip with his dad and found a passion for triathlons, which changed his life.
"From that point, I couldn't tell you why, but I have been completely hyper-focused," the now 21-year-old said.
"The work that goes into it, is undeniable, it's been six-and-a-half years of complete tunnel vision."
Success came with time - in 2024, he won his first half Ironman race and then, this year, was victorious in his first professional triathlon, Ironman 70.3 Chattanooga.
Normal triathlons see competitors swim, cycle, and run, all in one race but the Ironman events, given their name, take the challenges further - a 2.4 mile (3.86 km) swim, a 112 mile (180 km) bike ride and a full 26.2 mile (42 km) marathon run, all within a 17-hour time limit.
Maclean, from Moseley, has since qualified for his first half Ironman World Championships, where he will be one of the youngest competing.
"There will be the best middle-distance athletes in the world on that start line. I'm not actually feeling a lot of pressure, there are only things to be gained and lessons to be learned," he said.
The athlete has just won his first professional triathlon, the Ironman 70.3 Chattanooga [BBC]
Maclean credits local grassroots sports clubs including Solihull Cycling Club and Birmingham Running Athletics and Triathlon Club for setting him up on the path to success.
"Athletics clubs are a great place to start in the UK, there's so many running clubs which incorporate triathlon types," he said.
"It's also super low stakes and people in those organisations are only there to help you."
While studying, he also works at a bike repair shop and trains 25 hours a week.
"The demand is pretty high. I take one week off every year, and the odd rest day, but I generally spend every single day training," he said.
Maclean, who has dual citizenship as his mum is from the USA, came fourth in the US College Triathlon Championships in 2024, a shorter Olympic-distance event, which he said gained him a professional licence.
Since then he has faced some challenges with injuries, but said his latest win had put him back on track.
His parents, Adam and Amy Maclean, said they are "very proud" of everything their son has achieved.
"We're obviously very proud. But we're proud of the commitment that he makes, the continuous effort," his dad said.
"The results will come, or they won't come. He can't control the results. He can only control the effort, and what we admire is the effort."
Tottenham keen on West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes
Tottenham Hotspur are among many suitors keen on signing West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes this summer, according to The Athletic.
Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi wants to reshape his squad ahead of the new campaign and is pushing to land the Portuguese star.
The 21-year-old has emerged as one of the leading midfield targets for Tottenham, but West Ham value Fernandes at around £80 million despite their relegation.
West Ham are under pressure to generate around £150m through player sales this summer, making Fernandes one of their most valuable assets.
The Spurs target only arrived last year in a £38m deal, while his former club are also set to benefit from a 15 percent sell-on clause if a transfer with Spurs or any club is agreed.
Tottenham are interested in Fernandes as they explore several midfield options. Sandro Tonali also remains on their shortlist, but several other clubs are eyeing him.
Still, Spurs have already held discussions with his representatives.
Fernandes is also attracting widespread attention across Europe.
Manchester United have held talks as Michael Carrick searches for a long-term partner for Kobbie Mainoo. Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are also monitoring his situation.
Despite West Ham’s difficult season, Fernandes bolstered his reputation with five goals and five assists in 42 appearances across all competitions.
He also earned his first senior Portugal cap in April after producing a string of influential displays in midfield.
Fernandes is a technically gifted playmaker capable of operating in central or attacking midfield. He is the sort of controller Tottenham need in the engine room.
Alongside his passing quality, his work rate without the ball and defensive contribution have made him one of the most complete young midfielders in Europe.
With Yves Bissouma set to leave Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when his contract expires on June 30, strengthening the midfield has become a priority for the North London club.
Iran had a troubled buildup to the World Cup due to the war in the Middle East (Patrick T. Fallon)
The Iranian football federation said Thursday it will lodge a complaint with FIFA claiming its team is being subjected to travel restrictions during the World Cup in North America.
Iran wanted to fly from their base camp in Tijuana, Mexico, to the United States two days before their next match, against Belgium in Los Angeles on Sunday.
But a spokesman for the Iranian federation said its request was turned down.
"Despite having submitted its preparation schedule for the tournament well in advance, Iran's national football team has once again encountered restrictions imposed by the organizers, affecting the implementation of its technical staff's plans," the spokesman said.
"Given that the game will be played at 12:00 pm local time in Los Angeles (1900 GMT), the Football Federation of Iran requested that the team be allowed to travel to Los Angeles two days before the match."
It said the aim of its request was to allow players "to adapt to the match conditions, complete their final training session, and finalize preparations".
"Despite the technical reasons presented by the federation, the request was once again denied," the federation spokesman added.
"The federation will formally express its dissatisfaction and lodge an official complaint with FIFA through the appropriate channels."
The Iranians were also angry that they had to leave Los Angeles the night of their first game of the World Cup, a 2-2 draw against New Zealand.
The US administration has pushed back against the Iranian claims.
Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, said on Monday that Iran had been informed in advance that they would only be allowed to enter the United States on the day before the game.
"The team will be allowed to come in, match day minus one, so the day before the match," Giuliani told CBS News.
"They'll be asked to leave the day that the match wraps up, so the evening of the match. And they'll be able to do that again in Los Angeles."
He added that the procedure would be the same for Iran's final group game against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
Iran had a troubled buildup to the World Cup due to the war in the Middle East.
It switched its training base from Tucson, Arizona to Tijuana on the US-Mexico border shortly before the tournament began and says up to 15 team officials have been refused visas to enter the United States.
Lindsey Vonn’s resolve to recover from injury likely never should have been in doubt. Whether or not she ever returns to the slopes again after her stunning crash and devastating injury at the Milano Cortina Olympics, it’s a testament to her drive and determination for that to even be a possibility.
Vonn, 41, posted video of herself this week working out and she wasn’t just exercising her broken left leg with the help of rails or crutches. The three-time Olympic medalist was doing steps on thick gymnastics mats, squats on slanted platforms and Bulgarian split squads — all without assistance.
And there was no screaming in pain or struggling to finish the exercises. Vonn completed each of the activities and afterward smiled with satisfaction and perhaps relief.
“The face I make when I can actually workout in the gym!😄🙌🏻💪🏻,” Vonn posted on Instagram with photos and videos of her regimen.
Watching Vonn move powerfully and decisively, and with joy, seems almost unimaginable after the scene at the Olympia Delle Tofane course where she clipped one of the gates and was sent into an uncontrollable spin. Her screams of agony were audible on television as medical staff rushed to treat her and she was eventually carried off the mountain via helicopter.
Vonn initially provided hope for one of the most inspiring stories of the 2026 Winter Olympics. She was pursuing another gold medal after being retired from downhill skiing for five years and a partial knee replacement. She would complete just days after tearing the ACL in her left knee.
Instead, the story turned into the outcome nearly everyone rooting for the Alpine skier had to fear most. Chasing glory one more time put her in serious danger.
Vonn has hardly gone into seclusion since injuries to her left leg that were so traumatic that they led to compartment syndrome, a condition that can restrict blood flow and cause damage to the nerves and muscles. Vonn’s leg — which sustained a fractured tibia and broken ankle — was at risk of being amputated had doctors not acted quickly to alleviate the issue.
In the five months during which she’s been recovering, Vonn turned heads at the Met Gala, notably navigating the event without using crutches. She gave an inspirational commencement speech at USC Annenberg School, telling students “I'm here to tell you to keep going when you fall.”
Yet as much as she surely enjoyed those events and being in the public spotlight, Vonn seemed most in her element and at her happiest once again overcoming obstacles her body presented and pushing herself to her top capabilities. It’s incredible to see what looked improbable five months ago.
Mexico has qualified for the knockout stages at the World Cup.
Following a 1-0 win on Thursday night at home against South Korea, Mexico not only booked their ticket to the Round of 32, but confirmed their spot as Group A winner. That means their Round of 32 match will be at home in Mexico City, where Mexico has made Estadio Azteca a fortress for decades.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 13: John McGinn (2nd L) #7 of Scotland celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C match between Haiti and Scotland at Boston Stadium on June 13, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Per Fusion Football, which simulated the current tournament standings 10,000 times, the most likely adversary for Mexico in the Round of 32 is the Tartan Army and Scotland.
Scotland could change this if they upset Morocco or Brazil, which would then possibly have Mexico taking on one of those two teams in the first round. But as of right now, it seems as if Scotland is the most likely team to take on Mexico when the single-elimination matches begin.
Tartan Army in Mexico City might create a scene for the ages.
2. Ecuador (21.7%)
The second most likely team, per the simulations, is Ecuador.
The defensive specialists from South America could poise a huge problem with Mexico if they are the team facing them in the Round of 32. Ecuador had confidence they could be the winner of their group that included Germany, but those dreams were shattered following their first game against Ivory Coast, losing 1-0.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JUNE 15: Vozinha #1 of Cabo Verde applaud fans after the 0-0 draw during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Spain and Cabo Verde at Atlanta Stadium on June 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
3. Cape Verde (10%)
Before the tournament, Cape Verde would have been happy with a goal. Now, the tiny nation might actually contend for the knockout rounds following a draw in their first game against Spain. Mexico might be ready for Lionel Messi or Lamine Yamal, but are they ready for Josimar “Vozinha” Dias?
World Cup highlights: Swiss show, Mexico cruise! Canada thrash Qatar
To kick off the day, we’ve got a World Cup hat-trick right away. Switzerland delivered a blistering finish in the European clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Hosts Canada humiliated Qatar with a downright crushing win, and Mexico secured top spot in the group after a blunder by the South Koreans.
You can find the highlights of these matches here, as always.
GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) — With Mexico a few minutes away from securing a spot in the knockout stage of the World Cup it's hosting with the U.S. and Canada, goalkeeper Raúl “Tala” Rangel extended his right arm and positioned his hand perfectly to keep the ball from crossing the line, denying South Korea an equalizer.
The 87th-minute save by the goalkeeper, who is from the Guadalajara region and plays for local club Chivas, sealed a 1-0 win and a first-place finish for Mexico in Group A. El Tri became the first team to advance from the group stage.
“It was very quick, it was pure reaction,” Rangel said. “I couldn’t really tell you what I saw, because I remember the moment of impact with my teammate and me having the ball. But I think I was really focused, I came through when team needed me, and I’m happy about that.”
The 26-year-old Rangel came up big twice in the decisive play.
He stopped Yang Hyun-jun’s attempt with his extended arm immediately after he saved a close-range header by Cho Gue-sung. The ball ricocheted up as Rangel collided with a teammate going to the ground, but he was able to block Yang's strike on the rebound.
Rangel got the starting role for the World Cup after an injury earlier this year to Luis Ángel Malagón, Mexico's expected starter in goal.
Coach Javier Aguirre said he felt confident about having Rangel in goal at the World Cup.
“He showed me a lot of determination ever since we called him up for the first time,” Aguirre said. “He played very well for his team this season.”
Rangel's Chivas plays at Estadio Akron, Guadalajara's World Cup host venue. Luis Romo, who scored Mexico's goal on Thursday, also plays for the club that traditionally only fields players from Mexico.
“Tala is at home, he is happy,” Aguirre said. “And I'm happy for him.”
Marcus Rashford set for showdown talks with United chiefs
Manchester United remain desperate to offload Marcus Rashford this summer as INEOS target a midfield overhaul and seek reinforcements out wide.
Getting the Mancunian’s £325,000-a-week wages off the books would be a huge help, while his sale would count as pure profit owing to his academy background.
United had expected Barcelona to trigger the Englishman’s £26 million buy option, considering his impressive form while out on loan.
Barcelona opted not to buy Marcus Rashford
However, with the Catalans dilly-dallying and now requesting another loan, INEOS have become fed up and are eyeing a sale elsewhere, as they feel they can get better value from another club.
There is interest from Turkiye and Saudi Arabia, but Marcus Rashford has his eyes on continuing to play for Barcelona.
According to The Mirror, the England international will be back in Manchester after the World Cup to have showdown talks with the club’s hierarchy to understand their plans for him.
Showdown talks between United and Marcus Rashford
Michael Carrick has opened the door to a sensational United return, but INEOS are unlikely to agree to such a proposal.
The 28-year-old has a £40 million release clause,but not many teams will want to trigger such an option, with the 20-time English league champions having already blocked Liverpool and Manchester City.
“Marcus Rashford will return to Manchester United for showdown talks with club bosses following the World Cup. Rashford has seen his hopes of a permanent move to Barcelona collapse – leaving his immediate future in limbo.
“It means Rashford is no nearer knowing what his next move will be. Rashford has little interest in remaining with United, having broken ties with his hometown club to make a fresh start elsewhere. And despite a change in manager, with Michael Carrick replacing Ruben Amorim last season, Rashford believes his long-term future will be best served at another club.
Where will Marcus Rashford land up?
“But United have blocked him joining either Manchester City or Liverpool, who have shown interest in Rashford before, while Arsenal have cooled on the idea of signing him. Rashford would prefer to join another European club, with United slapping a £40m valuation on someone who Barca had the option of signing for just £24m.”
This saga looks like it could run for a long time, unless both United and Marcus Rashford change their stance and agree to reduce their demands.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s role in Portugal’s World Cup squad is facing renewed scrutiny following another debate over whether he is being carried through matches.
The latest criticism came after Portugal’s 1-1 draw with DR Congo in their 2026 World Cup opener, a match where Ronaldo played the full 90 minutes but struggled to make any real impact in attack.
Now 41, Ronaldo remains one of the game’s biggest names. But questions are growing over whether his presence is helping Portugal, or forcing one of the tournament’s most talented squads to adapt around him.
Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images
Cristiano Ronaldo’s role questioned after World Cup draw
Speaking on goodbadfootball’s podcast, former Manchester United player Paul Scholes said: “Yeah, for a 40, 41 year old to be playing centre forward, I just don’t get it.”
The criticism continued: “I think you might get away with it at the centre half, you might do in a team that keeps the ball, but as a centre forward of the 40, I think it’s a little bit selfish that he’s actually.”
Nicky Butt summed up why the conversation around Ronaldo is so complicated: “You know what he’s like.”
The point was not that Ronaldo lacks greatness. It was that his competitive drive, which made him a legend, can also make it harder for Portugal to move on tactically.
Portugal performance makes Ronaldo question harder to avoid
Against DR Congo in Houston, Ronaldo played the full 90 minutes, failed to score and did not register a shot on target. Portugal led early through Joao Neves, but Yoane Wissa equalized before halftime and the game ended 1-1.
Roberto Martinez defended keeping Ronaldo on, saying there was no sense in taking out the best goal scorer in world football when Portugal needed a goal.
That is exactly why this is such a big story. Ronaldo now plays club soccer for Al-Nassr and can still finish chances, but Portugal also have Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Rafael Leao and Goncalo Ramos in a squad built for speed and movement.
The ex-United debate therefore cuts beyond one poor match. It asks whether Ronaldo’s final World Cup chapter is still about Portugal’s best XI, or about making room for a legend who refuses to step back.
On Thursday night, the high-profile rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese was renewed as Clark and the Indiana Fever took on Reese and the Atlanta Dream. This time, it was Reese and the Dream who came out on top, topping Clark and the Fever by a final score of 108-101.
The games between the two superstars usually produce a viral moment or two, going back to their NCAA title game matchup when Reese taunted Clark by pointing to her ring finger. Thursday’s game was no different as Reese had a little fun at Clark’s expense, mocking the Fever superstar after a foul call during the second quarter.
Reese Mocks Caitlin Clark
At the beginning of the second quarter of Thursday night’s game, Clark was trying to move through the court when she ran into Reese at the top of the key. When Clark made contact with Reese, she flailed her arms in the air, drawing a foul call on Reese.
Needless to say, Reese was not at all happy with the call, immediately throwing her hands up in frustration.
When a camera zoomed in on Reese after the play, it caught the Dream star mocking her rival by flailing her arms with a smile on her face, implying Clark flopped and exaggerated the contact to draw the foul.
Fans React to Reese’s Antics
As is usually the case with any interaction between Clark and Reese, the video of Reese mocking Clark quickly went viral on social media, racking up more than 600,000 views on the platform in under four hours.
The incident elicited a lot of reactions from fans, too.
As for the game itself, Reese led the Dream with 21 points and 11 rebounds as they topped Clark and the Fever. Clark, meanwhile, led her team with 26 points and seve assists in the losing effort.
The good news for fans is that they won’t have to wait long for a rematch as the two teams are slated to face off again on Saturday.
Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese were back in the same spotlight during the Indiana Fever’s matchup with the Atlanta Dream, and one second-quarter moment quickly became the talking point.
The latest meeting between the two WNBA stars carried the usual attention, with every exchange between Clark and Reese clipped and debated online.
This time, the flashpoint came after a foul call involving the Fever guard and the Dream forward. Angel Reese did not hide how she felt about it.
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Angel Reese mocks Caitlin Clark after foul call in Fever-Dream game
The clip shared by LakeShowYo on X showed Reese appearing to mimic Clark after the whistle, with the caption saying she was mocking Clark for foul baiting.
The play came in the second quarter as Clark tried to move across the court and contact was made while Reese was defending away from the ball. The referee called a foul on Reese, and she then appeared to throw her head back in imitation of Clark’s reaction.
That gesture was read by many viewers as Reese suggesting Clark had exaggerated the contact to draw the whistle. Others argued the foul was legitimate because there was enough of a forearm or body check to affect Clark’s movement.
The moment added another layer to a matchup that already brings extra scrutiny. The Dream beat the Fever 108-101, with Clark finishing with 26 points and 7 assists, while Reese had 21 points and 11 rebounds.
Caitlin Clark fans blast Angel Reese over mocking gesture
Clark’s fans reacted angrily to the clip, with several seeing Reese’s gesture as another example of the rivalry being dragged into unnecessary theatrics.
One fan wrote, “That player has always been extremely jealous of Caitlin.” Another pushed back on the idea that Clark had baited the call, saying, “How is that foul baiting? That’s a forearm push.”
Others mocked Reese’s gesture directly. One reaction read, “Caitlin should fall over, then pretend cry.” Another said, “The only time she gets attention is by associating with anything to Clark.”
The criticism also included a blunt attack on Reese’s game, with one fan writing, “Reese isn’t even an athlete.”
The play itself was brief, but the reaction showed how quickly any Clark-Reese moment becomes bigger than the possession. In a physical WNBA game, a single gesture was enough to turn a routine foul call into another viral debate.
🥳 Mexico being Mexico: El Tri sparks street-wide celebrations
Winning a group-stage match and celebrating as if we had the Cup in our hands, that’s Mexico.
Mexico’s national team took care of business, mathematically secured its ticket to the next round of the 2026 World Cup, and the fans’ response was immediate.
Hundreds of El Tri fans completely packed the area around the Angel of Independence, and it looks like it’s going to be a very long night.
Mexico goalkeeper Raúl Rangel and defensive midfielder Edson Álvarez block South Korea's Oh Hyeon-gyu shot during their World Cup match Thursday at Guadalajara Stadium. (Eduardo Verdugo / Ap Photo/eduardo Verdugo)
Three and a half years after its biggest failure on the World Cup stage in half a century, the Mexican national team needed only two games to advance to the knockout round of this year’s tournament as winner of Group A.
Mexico’s defense held off a spirited final push by South Korea, earning a 1-0 win on Thursday night at Guadalajara Stadium in front of a fiery announced sellout crowd of 45,522.
Goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu made a mistake in the 50th minute, failing to stop what appeared to be a simple cross and bobbling the ball. That allowed Mexico’s Luis Romo to easily tap the ball into the net and claim a 1-0 lead.
South Korea put pressure on the Mexican team throughout the game. Late in the scoreless first half, Jae-sung Lee came close to giving South Korea the lead. Mexico coach Javier Aguirre hoped his team would shake off nerves following the emotional opener at Azteca Stadium and show more bite in its second game against South Korea, but his team didn’t have much power behind its attack during the game’s first 45 minutes.
Mexico goalkeeper Raúl Rangel blocks a shot from South Korea's Son Heung-min during their World Cup match at Guadalajara Stadium on Thursday. (Natacha Pisarenko / Ap Photo/natacha Pisarenko)
The crowd in Guadalajara grew frustrated and began booing the Mexican national team’s performance at the end of the first half.
Mexico, however, won back their cheers when it capitalized on South Korea’s costly mistake and converted it into a goal.
El Tri earned a win without any other goals thanks, in part, to a great night by goalkeeper Raúl Rangel, who stopped a header by Cho Gue-sung in the 87th minute. Captain Edson Álvarez helped turn away South Korea’s attack late, holding up relatively well despite having left ankle surgery during the past year.
South Korea finished controlling possession 58% of the time, but it only earned two shots on target.
Mexico was coming off a comfortable 2-0 victory over South Africa, while the South Koreans had defeated the Czech Republic 2-1, marking their first World Cup opening-match win since 2010.
During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Mexico was eliminated in the group stage for the first time since 1978, breaking a streak of seven consecutive appearances in the knockout rounds. However, playing on home soil, the team’s goal is to emulate El Tri’s achievements in 1970 and 1986, when they reached the quarterfinals — the country’s best World Cup finish.
Due to the new 48-team format, Mexico would need to win two knockout-round matches and reach a sixth game to realize its goals.
Mexico's Luis Romo celebrates with his teammates after scoring during a match against South Korea at Guadalajara Stadium on Thursday. (Natacha Pisarenko / Associated Press)
After the win over South Korea, Mexico will close out group play against Czechia at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on Wednesday. El Tri will get to play the first two games of the knockout round — should it win the first one — at Azteca Stadium, a venue where it has never lost a World Cup game.
South Korea has four points and will be favored when it plays South Africa Wednesday in Monterrey. If South Korea wins the match, it would be the Group A runner-up and advance to play the Group B runner-up on June 28 at SoFi Stadium.
ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) — Awer Mabil’s face quickly turned to pure joy. He beamed and fought his emotions, a reaction Australia's veteran forward hardly could have seen coming.
It had nothing to do with a soccer result, either. But rather a reflection that took him back to his tumultuous youth as a refugee and how some good fortune landed him in Australia for a new start in life.
Mabil looked into the audience during his media conference after training Tuesday and discovered a familiar face in David Basheer, the longtime commentator on Australia's SBS network who had just offered a question days ahead of the Socceroos’ World Cup matchup against the United States on Friday in Seattle.
“I grew up watching you,” Mabil said, so taken aback that he asked Basheer to repeat himself.
A touching moment, in this pressure-packed, every-four-years spectacle, and yet one more example of Mabil’s refreshing sincerity as one of the Aussies’ key faces at this World Cup, no matter how many minutes he plays.
He's an ambassador from Down Under, to be sure.
Difficult start to his life
The 30-year-old Mabil also represents the persistence it took to prevail and get this far, given his daunting path. He was born in Kakuma, Kenya, to South Sudanese parents who had escaped civil war, and he moved to Australia 20 years ago at age 10 through the country’s humanitarian resettlement program. He began playing organized soccer in Adelaide, South Australia state.
It's fitting that Mabil is sharing his story during Refugee Week, with World Refugee Day on Saturday.
“It’s a Refugee Week and it’s a week that I would like to say to anybody that is misplaced all over the world that we are with you,” he said. "And we are in a world stage right now, in a big tournament — and just to tell you everything is possible, so keep going.”
The message: “No matter where you come from, football is for everyone.”
“It’s coincidence again that it’s Refugee Week in the World Cup and also at the same time you have many refugees in the team. And at the same time, when I reflect back, I’m like we all belong to this world together,” Mabil said. “And now we’re representing Australia."
He considers himself a “big brother” to teammates Mo Touré and Nestory Irankunda, fellow refugees from Africa.
A World Cup milestone
The 20-year-old Irankunda became the youngest player to score a World Cup goal for the Socceroos in a 2-0 win over Turkey on Saturday in Vancouver, British Columbia.
The Australians want to show how far the country has come at the World Cup level.
“I hope we're starting to gain a little bit more respect,” defender Alessandro Circati said. “I don't want to be the underdogs for the rest of my life.”
Mabil will do his part to help the Socceroos build something special.
He played briefly as a substitute in two group-stage matches four years ago for the Aussies, then didn't get on the field for the opener this year.
“I’m proud of the boys,” he said. “A lot of the young boys now making the difference for the national team all come through Adelaide, and it’s a credit to the football community.”
He and his mates are loving the omelet bar and lining up for it at their team headquarters, the Claremont Resort and Club in nearby Berkeley. They are training at the former headquarters of the NFL's Oakland Raiders.
“Coming in as a senior player I think is more mental that you have to be present for the younger ones. Sometimes you want to slap them," Mabil joked.
"I’ll play my role to the best of my abilities to be available for the young ones and also the older ones because the older ones also they go through difficulties so they don’t have all the answers — nobody has all the answers. We just have to continue to be there for each other. In these kind of tournaments, it’s very important to remain united.”
'Y'all See This Lady Play?' -- Lakers Legend Calls Out Wings for 'Passing Up' on Olivia Miles-Paige Bueckers Backcourt Pairing
Minnesota Lynx phenom Olivia Miles continued her dazzling rookie campaign on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Sparks. The former Notre Dame and TCU star dropped 31 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists in just 26 minutes to lead her team to a 99-83 road win.
Miles’ impressive first year in the pros has forced WNBA analysts to consider whether the Dallas Wings, who drafted Azzi Fudd with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 Draft, one spot ahead of Miles, might have blundered. Los Angeles Lakers legend Mychal Thompson is among those who believe pairing Miles with Wings superstar Paige Bueckers would have been the right call.
Mychal Thompson Rues Wings’ Missed Opportunity To Pair Olivia Miles With Paige Bueckers
Heading into this year’s draft, most analysts had Fudd, Bueckers’ former UConn Huskies teammate and girlfriend, as the favorite to be the No. 1 pick. Many were convinced that Fudd’s 44.2% 3-point shooting in her last two years with the Huskies marked the perfect skill set to thrive beside Bueckers. The chemistry between the two was another key reason Dallas picked her over Miles.
The Wings’ decision to select Fudd was considered a no-brainer by league pundits. They thought the franchise had formed the WNBA’s best young backcourt duo.
Miles’ latest eye-catching performance has forced many to doubt whether the Wings made the right choice after all. Thompson echoed that sentiment after watching the 23-year-old carve up the Sparks’ defense.
“I STILL cant beleev the Wings passed up Olivia Miles…Y’all see this lady play yet?… She is SMOOOOOTH…So GOOD…Ohhhh, the back cort Dallas wudda had with her and Paige,” Thompson tweeted.
This season, Miles has become the Lynx’s best scorer and playmaker and arguably their most versatile player. She leads her team in points (19.0) and assists (5.7), and is third in steals (1.4) and fourth in rebounds (4.9), respectively. Miles, a 33.1% 3-point shooter in college, is making 39.1% of her outside shots with the Lynx.
Minnesota hasn’t played a game with perennial MVP contender Napheesa Collier due to an injury. The Lynx also revamped their roster, but they have not missed a beat. They boast a league-best 12-3 record, largely because of Miles’ outstanding play and leadership.
Meanwhile, Fudd is putting up 12.7 points, 1.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. She is making 50.7% of her shots, including 38.7% from deep. To this point, Fudd hasn’t had the same well-rounded impact on the Wings.
Miles is the engine that makes the Lynx hum while Fudd revolves around the play of Bueckers. They have different roles, but Thompson is convinced the Miles-Bueckers dynamic would have been more prolific than the Fudd-Bueckers partnership.
The WNBA season is barely into its second month. If the Fudd-Bueckers tandem gets rolling, Thompson and others might have some rethinking to do.
The Kaukauna Galloping Ghosts are state champions in baseball for the first time since 1953 after beating Madison Memorial 11-5 for the WIAA Division 1 state championship at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium on Thursday, June 18.
“A lot of smiles, a lot of happiness and a lot of joy with a really great group of guys,” Kaukauna coach Mike Jenkins said. “It’s a group of 25 I’ve known for a long time.”
It’s a group of 25 where everyone had the chance to contribute to Kaukauna’s 24-7 season.
In the championship game, it started with starting pitcher Bennett Geitner.
Geitner was making his ninth appearance of the season on the mound but just his second start of the season.
“He really did a good job for us, especially after losing Paxton [Schuh],” Jenkins said. “He settled into the closer role and into that No. 3 guy for us. Realistically, it queued him up being our starter tonight.”
Geitner went four innings and allowed four runs on three hits and two walks while striking out one to get the win.
“We wanted four innings out of him and that’s what he gave us,” Jenkins said.
“Coach told me to give us all you’ve got for the amount of innings it takes and just do your job,” Geitner said.
Geitner’s only hiccup came with two outs in the third inning when he walked two batters and hit one before giving up a single to Caleb Liggon and a triple to Ezra Liggon as the Spartans took a 4-1 lead.
Kaukauna rallied back with five runs in its half of the third and Geitner pitched a quick fourth inning.
That set up an unexpected contributor for Kaukauna in Schuh, who suffered a torn meniscus four weeks ago and hadn’t pitched since.
Prior to the injury, Schuh was 7-1 in nine games including eight starts. He had crafted a 2.29 ERA over 39 innings with 15 walks and 60 strikeouts.
“I had surgery three weeks ago on my knee,” Schuh said. “One week ago, I had a conversation with my [physical therapist] and she said there was no way. I had another checkup this week on Monday and they said that I had a 2% chance and I ran with it.
“I grinded this whole week. Anything I could do to get back out there. Everything went well. Beyond blessed.”
Buoyed by a huge Kaukauna contingent wearing orange and black, Schuh allowed one run on a single, two walks, a hit batter and a triple.
“I knew before yesterday’s game [vs. Nicolet] that he was available today, but it was one of those things we had to work through that everyone was in the right space and make sure that he was able to do the job,” Jenkins said. “He sure did.”
Schuh, who struck out Madison Memorial’s Blake Adams for the title-clinching out, said there were no nerves.
“It was all business when I was out there,” Schuh said. “I was dialed.”
The combined effort by Geitner and Schuh capped a great five-game stretch of pitching for Kaukauna.
It started in the sectional semifinal win over Kimberly when Carson Gates pitched a complete game and in the sectional final win over Bay Port when Bron Schaefer pitched six innings and Geitner closed out the game.
In the state quarterfinal win over River Falls, Gates spun another complete game with Schaefer pitching a complete game against Nicolet in the semifinal win.
“It really came down to the people who could start for us and finish this game” Geitner said. “It really came down to them, and they got us where we needed to be. Everyone was hands on deck for the last game.”
Offensively, the Ghosts got contributions from up and down the lineup.
In Kaukauna’s five-run third inning, the Ghosts had one run in with two outs when Blake Vandeloo, who was hitting in the No. 9 spot and had three hits, drew an inning-extending walk. Schaefer, who had two hits, scored twice and drove home three runs, singled in two runs. Kaden Kress beat out an infield single to deep short and Brayden Jenkins hit a flare to center field to score two more runs to put Kaukauna up 6-4.
“Our offense has been clicking on all cylinders this whole playoff run,” coach Jenkins said. “Truly one through nine contributing every game through this run.”
Kress came up big in Kaukauna’s three-run fifth inning as well, ripping a double to left that scored Vandeloo, who had led off the inning with a triple, and Schaefer, who was hit by a pitch and stole second.
“I was in the dugout and saw we got a couple of guys on,” Kress said. “I said to myself that I’m getting two RBI. There’s no other choice. No other choice.”
And he did just that.
“I just kept telling myself that I can do better,” said Kress, who finished with three hits and three RBIs. “Keep fighting. I knew this was my last game and I was going to give it my all for this city.”
The World Cup is underway, and the USA's second match may be its most important yet.
The co-host face Australia in a Group D matchup in Seattle. While the USA stands as the strongest contender to advance out of the group, it won't be a walk in the park for anyone. Now is the chance to make a move.
The Socceroos faced the USMNT just a matter of months ago in October, and while it ended in a 2-1 loss for Australia, that doesn't guarantee the same results again.
The Sporting News takes a look at key details for the USA-Australia matchup including TV channel and start time.
What time is USA vs. Australia?
USA vs. Australia at the World Cup takes place Friday, June 19 at 12 p.m. local time from Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington.
Here's how that time translates across the U.S.:
Date
Kickoff time
Eastern Time
Fri., June 19
3 p.m.
Central Time
Fri., June 19
2 p.m.
Mountain Time
Fri., June 19
1 p.m.
Pacific Time
Fri., June 19
12 p.m.
USA vs. Australia live stream, TV channel
TV channel: Fox
Live stream: fubo, Fox One, Fox Sports app/website
This match will be broadcast on Fox with streaming options available on its dedicated platforms.
The best place to catch the match is on streaming service fubo, with new customers able to sign up a for a FREE trial.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to run from June 11 through July 19, 2026. It will be the first World Cup hosted across three countries: the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Where is the 2026 FIFA World Cup being played?
The 2026 World Cup will be played across 16 host cities in North America, with matches taking place in the United States, Canada and Mexico. It will be the first men’s World Cup hosted by three countries.
The 16 host cities are Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle in the United States; Toronto and Vancouver in Canada; and Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey in Mexico.
How many teams are in the 2026 World Cup?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature 48 teams, expanding from the 32-team format used in previous tournaments. The larger field also means more matches, more knockout-round games and more countries involved than ever before.
The 48 teams are Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Cape Verde, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Curaçao, Czechia, DR Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Ghana, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Senegal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Türkiye, United States, Uruguay and Uzbekistan.
How many games are in the 2026 World Cup?
There will be 104 matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. That includes the group stage, knockout rounds and the final.
Can I stream the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. Streaming options will depend on the match, language and broadcast partner. In the U.S., Fox Sports lists FOX and FS1, which are available on fubo for English-language coverage, while Telemundo will stream every match live on Peacock and the Telemundo App for Spanish-language coverage.
What channel is the 2026 World Cup on?
In the U.S., English-language matches are expected across FOX and FS1, which are available on fubo for those without cable, while Spanish-language coverage will air on Telemundo and Universo, which you can stream on DIRECTV and Peacock. Check the schedule for the specific match you want to watch.
When is the 2026 World Cup final?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, 2026. The match will be played at New York-New Jersey Stadium, FIFA’s tournament name for MetLife Stadium.
What time do World Cup games start?
Kickoff times vary by date, host city and round. Because the tournament is being played across multiple time zones in the United States, Canada and Mexico, fans should check the official match schedule for start times in their local time zone.
Is the United States playing in the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. The United States automatically qualified for the 2026 World Cup as one of the three host nations, along with Canada and Mexico.
As five-time winners of the global tournament, Brazil is always a nation to watch when it comes to the World Cup. Seleção have not reached the mountaintop in 24 years though, with early exits at the quarterfinal stage in four of the last five tournaments. With this summer expected to be veteran star Neymar's last dance representing his country, anything could happen.
Amidst political instability in Haiti, the national team did the improbable and qualified for the World Cup while playing each game away from home. This marks only the second time the country has ever competed in soccer's pinnacle tournament, with the last being nearly 60 years ago in 1974.
Be sure to tune in for this group stage matchup.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of Brazil vs. Haiti, including how to watch the match and kickoff times.
What time does Brazil vs. Haiti kick off?
This World Cup clash kicks off Friday, June 19, at 8:30 p.m. ET at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA.
Here's how that time translates across the United States timezones:
This match will be broadcast nationally on Fox in the United States with streaming options available on its dedicated platforms.
The best place to catch the match is on streaming service fubo, with new customers able to sign up a for a FREE trial.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to run from June 11 through July 19, 2026. It will be the first World Cup hosted across three countries: the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Where is the 2026 FIFA World Cup being played?
The 2026 World Cup will be played across 16 host cities in North America, with matches taking place in the United States, Canada and Mexico. It will be the first men’s World Cup hosted by three countries.
The 16 host cities are Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle in the United States; Toronto and Vancouver in Canada; and Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey in Mexico.
How many teams are in the 2026 World Cup?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature 48 teams, expanding from the 32-team format used in previous tournaments. The larger field also means more matches, more knockout-round games and more countries involved than ever before.
The 48 teams are Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Cape Verde, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Curaçao, Czechia, DR Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Ghana, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Senegal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Türkiye, United States, Uruguay and Uzbekistan.
How many games are in the 2026 World Cup?
There will be 104 matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. That includes the group stage, knockout rounds and the final.
Can I stream the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. Streaming options will depend on the match, language and broadcast partner. In the U.S., Fox Sports lists FOX and FS1, which are available on fubo for English-language coverage, while Telemundo will stream every match live on Peacock and the Telemundo App for Spanish-language coverage.
What channel is the 2026 World Cup on?
In the U.S., English-language matches are expected across FOX and FS1, which are available on fubo for those without cable, while Spanish-language coverage will air on Telemundo and Universo, which you can stream on DIRECTV and Peacock. Check the schedule for the specific match you want to watch.
When is the 2026 World Cup final?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, 2026. The match will be played at New York-New Jersey Stadium, FIFA’s tournament name for MetLife Stadium.
What time do World Cup games start?
Kickoff times vary by date, host city and round. Because the tournament is being played across multiple time zones in the United States, Canada and Mexico, fans should check the official match schedule for start times in their local time zone.
Is the United States playing in the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. The United States automatically qualified for the 2026 World Cup as one of the three host nations, along with Canada and Mexico.
Wanda Diamond League will continue its jam-packed 2026 circuit with the seventh meet of the year in Doha, Qatar Friday.
Nearly halfway through the season, Diamond League has left a stint in Europe for a brief trip down to the Middle East for this rescheduled stop on the tour. Doha was supposed to be the opening meet of the 2026 season on May 8 but was postponed due to unrest in the region. With the move later in the calendar, the meet has been moved to the Khalifa International Stadium, which features a special climate-control system to keep temperatures reasonable.
Many of the world's most elite track and field athletes will be competing in Qatar, but one notable absence will be pole vault champion Mondo Duplantis, who had to withdraw for his wedding weekend.
Several events will have intriguing storylines to follow, like the women's 400m which will feature No. 1-ranked Marileidy Paulino in her Diamond League debut. Fans should also look out for Cordell Tinch in the 110m hurdles, and two-time triple jump champion Leyanis Pérez.
Be sure to tune in for all the action in Qatar.
Here's everything you need to know about Diamond League Doha, including TV channel and streaming options for the professional track and field meet.
The Diamond League's meet in Doha will stream live exclusively in the U.S. on FloTrack, with a traditional broadcast and uninterrupted coverage of every event.
Diamond League Doha start time
Date: Friday, June 19
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. ET
The Diamond League's meet in Doha will take place on Friday, June 19, with a variety of different disciplines. Competition is expected to continue from 10:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. ET.
Diamond League Doha schedule
Below is the event schedule for Friday's meet.
Time (ET)
Event
10:40 a.m.
Men's Triple Jump
12:02 p.m.
Men's Pole Vault
12:25 p.m.
Women's Triple Jump
1:10 p.m.
Men's High Jump
1:13 p.m.
Men's 110m Hurdles
1:24 p.m.
Women's 100m
1:36 p.m.
Women's 800m
1:44 p.m.
Men's Javelin Throw
1:47 p.m.
Women's 5000m
2:10 p.m.
Men's 200m
2:20 p.m.
Women's 1500m
2:35 p.m.
Women's 400m
2:45 p.m.
Men's 3000m Steeple
Diamond League schedule 2026
Below is a brief overview of The Diamond League's schedule for this year.
Sunderland sporting director Florent Ghisolfi (left) ahead of the Premier League match at Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton. Picture date: Saturday May 2, 2026. (Photo by Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images) | PA Images via Getty Images
A couple of days ago, a minor yet predictable social media-driven kerfuffle broke out when it was suggested that Sunderland wouldn’t be looking to add reinforcements in central midfield this summer, with a rumours of move for Juventus and France prospect Képhren Thuram nixed before we’d even had the chance to start humming La Marseillaise and bask in the prospect of bringing another young European talent into the fold.
Naturally, the reactions to this news weren’t positive, as if the fact that we do need to add greater depth in the engine room wasn’t something we all knew of and that those making the decisions on recruitment have a blind spot when it comes to that area of the pitch.
That said, it most certainly is an area that we can’t afford to neglect this summer.
Indeed, for living proof of this, all you have to do is cast your mind back to midway through the 2025/2026 season, when Granit Xhaka missed a handful of games through injury and the team’s form began to fluctuate somewhat.
In the Swiss star’s absence, the Sunderland midfield looked listless; a little bit flat and lacking in dynamism, as well as being shorn of the inspirational leadership and organisational qualities that he brings to the fore.
It’s fair to say that this is something of a conundrum — albeit not a problematic one.
In the first instance, Xhaka still has plenty left in the tank and will doubtless be a key player during 2026/2027, but the question of how we’ll adapt and continue to progress if he’s ever absent is undeniably pressing, not least when you consider how demanding next season is sure to be.
However, any fears about Sunderland’s summer transfer strategy amid headline-grabbing tweets from journalists should really have been eased in midweek when Florent Ghisolfi and Tom Burwell broke cover to outline the approach we might take when it comes to preparing the squad for the 2026/2027 season.
Burwell confirmed that financially, the club is on solid ground, and the likelihood of a “quality over quantity” approach being taken was also stressed, with Ghisolfi drawing relevant comparisons between last summer’s head-spinning rebuild and the situation in which we currently find ourselves — and he was right to do so.
A complete overhaul isn’t needed and nor should it be demanded.
Instead, this summer’s recruitment drive should really be about fine-tuning, augmenting what we have and ensuring that the squad isn’t lopsided and ill-prepared when the new season kicks off.
It’s still very early days and there’s a good chance that the World Cup might have an impact, but I would suggest that seven or eight new players — a mixture of established or semi-established names and young prospects — will arrive at Sunderland this summer, possibly with one “big ticket” sale completed in order to balance it out.
There’ll be some major housekeeping and trimming of the numbers to undertake when it comes to the fringe players, with Harrison Jones moving on and Milan Aleksić departing for Partizan Belgrade, but assuming we can keep the bulk of the first team squad together, the club’s transfer dealings surely won’t be anywhere near as radical as those we experienced last summer.
Does the midfield require attention? Yes.
At the time of writing, Sunderland’s options aren’t exactly what you’d call underwhelming, and I’m particularly eager to see how Habib Diarra fares when he returns and reaps the benefit of a full and intensive pre-season campaign, but the phrase “succession planning” currently feels more relevant than ever as we consider what the future might bring.
Identifying, recruiting and integrating Xhaka’s long-term replacement should and more than likely will be very high on the list of priorities this summer.
The man’s impact at Sunderland will be spoken about twenty or thirty years from now, but the harsh reality is that he won’t be around forever and when you factor in a Europa League campaign to sit alongside what’ll be another gruelling domestic schedule, the capacity to rest the skipper when necessary — albeit without a colossal drop off in quality — is something we simply can’t afford to do without.
Fundamentally, this is all academic; in fact, there’s probably more chance of Nick Woltemade winning next season’s European Golden Boot than there is of Sunderland failing to bring any new midfielders to the Stadium of Light this summer.
The fact of the matter is that in a relatively short period of time, Ghisolfi and his associates built a squad that proved good enough over thirty eight games to defy the doubters and to bring European football to Wearside for the first time in half a century — and it might’ve been an even more memorable and history-making campaign had a handful of fixtures panned out differently.
Such an achievement has afforded the recruitment team as much credit in the bank as they could wish for, and I have full belief that they’ll be working flat out to ensure we sign the calibre of player that can give us the best chance of competing strongly next season.
In the ‘clicks equals cash’ world of modern sporting media practices, I understand the need for reporters to seek engagement and to stir up a bit of discussion here and there.
It’s particularly commonplace when we enter this vacuum-like phase of the offseason, but those calling the shots on incomings and outgoings clearly have Sunderland’s best interests at heart. They’ve earned the right to go about their business as they see fit, and that’s more than good enough for me.
You may remember that back in 2007/2008, one semi-sarcastic phrase that gained traction as we undertook our summer transfer activity was “Keano Says Relax”. In 2026, given the impact he’s already made, perhaps it’s time to get “Florent Says Chill Out” into circulation.
These are serious people with serious ability. We’re in good hands, and everyone knows it.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 12: Christian Pulisic #10 and Weston McKennie #8 of the United States celebrate their side's first goal, an own goal by Damian Bobadilla #16 of Paraguay (not pictured), during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has been amazing thus far, and it’s also been weird. Juggernauts have struggled against competition they should have strolled past easily, while the USMNT looks legitimate after dismantling Paraguay in one of their biggest cup wins of all time. Now they face Australia on Friday night in what’s become one of the more fascinating games of the early group stage. Largely written off before the cup began, Australia made a statement in their opener by stunning Türkiye 2-0, showing that they weren’t going to be pushed around.
Now these two sides face off in Seattle to determine who can take control of Group D. With an explosive striker on each side of the pitch there’s a high potential for fireworks on Friday night.
The key for the USMNT vs. Australia
Formation: 3-4-2-1
It comes down to the United States’ prolific attack potential through Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun. Balogun scored twice in the opener against Paraguay, and it has set him up to be one of the talks of the tournament. At this point, we all know what Pulisic can bring to the table, both as a scorer in his own right — but also as the ultimate decoy offensive threat with a profound ability to drop the ball to a teammate.
The biggest struggle for Pulisic historically has been this ever-present pall that’s pressured him to do too much himself. This feast-or-famine approach has failed more often than not, but this time around he has legitimate talent around him to willingly step into being the second or third option, or in Balogun’s case, oftentimes the first. It’s allowed Pulisic to play more freely, and much more akin to his role inside the AC Milan lineup where he’s a piece of the puzzle, rather than the entire picture.
Mauricio Pochettino’s high press, aggressive style has really suited this attack well. The speed and athleticism the USMNT can bring on the counter attack is profound, and that is the heart of this game.
On the defensive side, it’s all about stopping Nestory Irankunda. The 20-year-old Australian striker is one of the most interesting young players in international football, who feels like he’s on course to become a household name with a major club. Irankunda is lightning with the ball on his feet, using an array of dribbling techniques to either beat his mark outright, or frustrate them enough into costly penalties. The USMNT need to bracket and contain Irankunda from making runs, which is what Türkiye struggled to do in their game vs. the Aussies.
The key for Australia vs. the USMNT
Formation: 3-4-2-1
It might be reductive to simply invert the script and say “stop Pulisic and Balogun,” but that’s the name of the game. The wrinkle Australia adds to this matchup is both the experience of their defensive players, as well as a familiarity edge the Socceroos have. This team has played a longer time together, and rather than seeing much of their talent spread across Europe, there are more clusters of Aussies who spend time together on club teams.
There’s also the veteran leadership of Matthew Ryan in goal. The 34-year-old was unflappable in the opener as he kept a clean sheet, and it’s rare that he gets baited into bad decision-making.
The interplay of Pochettino’s press and Australian coach Tony Popopvic’s central defensive block will be the key to the tactical side of the game. Australia loves to swarm the middle and generate turnovers before turning it into counter-attack. This means the USMNT will likely need to play a little more conservatively than they did against Paraguay, lest they open up opportunities for Irankunda in the open field.
Match predition
It’s difficult to bet against the USMNT based purely on the amount of talent they bring to the table and the team speed. The ability to work off the edges and mitigate the Australian defensive block will be more successful than Türkiye was able to manage in the opener.
Balogun can and will have another big game, with Pulisic being the engine that makes it all happen. It won’t be a blowout, but another convincing win for USA.
Granit Xhaka of Sunderland celebrates at full time during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Chelsea at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, United Kingdom, on May 24, 2026. (Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images
Premier League fixture release day is finally upon us. For football supporters, it’s one of the most exciting dates in the calendar, and for Sunderland fans there is perhaps even more anticipation than usual as we look ahead to a season that will see the Lads competing across four fronts.
The opening-day fixture is always one of the first dates supporters look for when the schedule drops. It brings hope, excitement and plenty of speculation, although historically it hasn’t always been kind to Sunderland. In recent years, however, things have started to improve.
With that in mind, we’ll take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of Sunderland’s most memorable Premier League opening days, as well as a few we’d rather forget. We’ll also hear from some of our contributors as they predict who the Black Cats might face on the opening weekend, along with other key dates to keep an eye on throughout the 2026/27 campaign.
Where better to start than last season? It’s still fresh in the memory and, given what followed, will remain there for a very long time.
Sunderland marked their return to the Premier League in style on 16 August 2025, sweeping aside eventually relegated West Ham United 3-0 in the Wearside sunshine. Eliezer Mayenda scored our first Premier League goal in eight long years before Dan Ballard powered home a header to double the lead. Wilson Isidor then put the icing on the cake with a late third as the Stadium of Light celebrated a dream return to the big time. As opening days go, it doesn’t get much better than that – let’s hope Régis Le Bris’ side can produce something similar this season.
Things were rather different the last time Sunderland kicked off a Premier League campaign before that. The 2016/17 season began with a daunting trip to Manchester City and the first competitive match of Pep Guardiola’s reign. Despite ultimately falling to a 2-1 defeat, the Black Cats produced an encouraging display, with Jermain Defoe getting on the scoresheet in trademark fashion.
At the time, there was reason for optimism. Unfortunately, that didn’t last long. David Moyes quickly dampened the mood by suggesting supporters should prepare for another relegation battle, setting the tone for a campaign that would end in disappointment and relegation. Looking back, it was a rather fitting start to an uninspiring tenure on Wearside.
Of course, my memories only cover a small part of Sunderland’s history, so I asked some of our contributors for their favourite opening-day recollections.
Philip West went back to another campaign we’d all rather forget, and thankfully my memory of it is a bit hazy. The 2005/06 season began with a 3-1 home defeat to Charlton Athletic at the Stadium of Light, with future Sunderland striker Darren Bent scoring twice for the visitors. Looking back on it, Phil described the afternoon as “ramming home just how shite a season it was going to be”.
Thankfully, a poor opening day doesn’t always spell disaster. Phil also pointed to the start of the 1999/00 season, when Sunderland were thrashed 4-0 by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, with Gus Poyet among the scorers. Rather than folding, Peter Reid’s side bounced back magnificently to finish seventh in the Premier League. Interestingly, another North East club ended up in the bottom half that season. Sound familiar?
Chris Wynn’s choice was far happier. He recalled Stan Varga’s debut against Arsenal in August 2000, with the Slovak centre-back producing a man-of-the-match display as Sunderland secured a memorable 1-0 victory. The season would end with a second consecutive seventh-place finish for Reid’s men, although Varga himself never quite reached those heights again in red and white.
Max’s memory came from the opening day of the 2014/15 campaign, when Sunderland travelled to The Hawthorns and battled to an entertaining 2-2 draw against West Bromwich Albion. The highlight was a thunderous strike from Gav Henderson’s favourite Sunderland captain, Lee Cattermole (editor’s note: silly boy). Unfortunately, another relegation scrap lay ahead.
Kelvin Beattie took us furthest back of all, recalling a trip to Millwall for the opening game of the 1974/75 season. Sunderland won 4-1 thanks to goals from Kerr, Hughes, Halom and Towers, but the football was only part of the story.
“In 1974/75 I went to Millwall and we beat them 4-1. We were brilliant that day. By the time the third went in I was hoping we didn’t score again! The segregation was minimal and the bobbies were not saving us. It was bedlam. We had gone inter-city, as was our habit back then for London games. It was a bloody long haul back to King’s Cross. Reminiscent of The Warriors, we trooped onto that train bruised and battered but better informed… to never go back! In true Northern spirit, not one of our crew was left behind.”
It’s hard to argue with that. A convincing away win, a memorable away day and everyone making it home in one piece (ish) – football memories don’t come much more Sunderland than that.
Predictions
Enough looking back – it’s time to look ahead.
A few of our contributors have dusted off their crystal balls and attempted to predict some of the key fixtures in Sunderland’s 2026/27 campaign, including the opening day, Boxing Day and final-day opponents. As ever, these are based on absolutely no insider knowledge whatsoever and should be treated with the same seriousness as a transfer rumour from a bloke in the pub.
Owen Sara
Opening Day: Coventry City (H) – Friday night live on Sky Sports as the curtain-raiser.
First Away Game: That lot. No, I’m not putting their name and yes, I am that petty.
Boxing Day (or closest to): Hull City (A)
First Game of 2027: Arsenal (H)
Final Game: Tottenham Hotspur
Wadey
Opening Day: Leeds United (A)
First Home Game: Manchester City
Boxing Day: Coventry City (A)
First Game of 2027: Ipswich Town (H)
Final Game: Crystal Palace (A)
Dean McDonald
I’ve had to alter mine slightly after Owen stole Coventry at home first game, thanks Owen.
Opening Day: Bournemouth (A)
First Home Game: Coventry City
Boxing Day: Manchester United (H)
First Game of 2027: Fulham (A)
Final Game: Hull City (H)
Final Thoughts
Whatever the fixture computer throws up, excitement levels are understandably high ahead of another season back among the elite. Opening days have given Sunderland supporters everything from glorious victories to crushing reality checks over the years, but that’s all part of the fun.
By the time you’re reading this, we may already know what’s in store for the months ahead. Until then, enjoy the anticipation, argue with your mates about the predictions, and let’s hope the Lads get off to another flying start.
John Mensah, Sunderland (Photo by Mike Egerton - PA Images via Getty Images) | PA Images via Getty Images
As the dust settled on Steve Bruce’s first campaign as Sunderland manager after the 2009 – 10 season, the rumour mill was well and truly up and running regarding what could be next on the cards for Sunderland following their 13th-place finish.
As is generally the case in the month of June, there were far more rumours and murmurings than concrete transfer news or completed deals. June 2010 was especially slow given that the World Cup in South Africa was now underway.
One of Sunderland’s most impressive players from the previous season was John Mensah, and he was in South Africa at the time representing his national team, Ghana.
Whilst he was there, there was much speculation about his club future, given that he had spent the season on loan at Sunderland from Lyon in France.
Mensah was an incredibly solid central defender, but his biggest issue was the recurring injuries that hampered his consistency and availability. This is highlighted by the fact that the Ghanaian started only 14 games for Sunderland.
Whilst it may only have been 14 games, he was almost imperious in every one of them, and that ensured that Bruce and the club were keen to negotiate a deal for a player who came with something of a warning label attached.
When pressed on his future by a journalist during his World Cup duty, Mensah insisted that he would be very open to a return to Wearside, whilst also suggesting that the club felt the same way.
“My time at Sunderland’s been good, but I’m frustrated because I had a lot of injuries,” said Mensah, who was one of three Sunderland players performing in South Africa, along with Paraguayan duo Paulo da Silva and Cristian Riveros.
“After the World Cup, we’ll see what is going to be the next step between Sunderland and Lyon.
“I think they would like to keep me and I’d like to stay, but I’m not the club president and you know what it’s like in football. So it’s between both clubs to decide.”
The same news article that appeared in the Northern Echo also suggested that the club were unwilling to pay the £7 million asking price due to Mensah’s injury record, although an agreement between the parties was expected to be finalised after Ghana’s exit from the World Cup.
It actually took until August for Mensah’s return to Sunderland to be confirmed, and it eventually came in the form of another loan deal that appeared to suit all parties.
During his second season on Wearside, he fared slightly better in terms of availability, making 18 appearances for the club. However, his contract was never extended following the conclusion of his second loan spell.
After leaving Lyon, Mensah had a spell at Rennes before moving to Sweden, but he barely played due to the persistent injury problems that had affected much of his career.
Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad has revealed the strongest Test XI made up entirely of players he faced during his illustrious international career, and the selection has already sparked debate among cricket fans.
Broad, who finished his Test career with 604 wickets and ranks among the format's most successful bowlers, was asked by Wisden to put together his ultimate team from opponents he encountered across nearly two decades at the highest level.
The England great opted for a lineup packed with some of the finest cricketers of the modern era, though a couple of notable omissions stood out immediately.
At the top of the order, Broad selected former South Africa captain Graeme Smith alongside Sri Lanka legend Kumar Sangakkara. While Sangakkara enjoyed tremendous success as a specialist batter during the latter stages of his career, Broad entrusted him with wicketkeeping duties in the side.
Australian icon Ricky Ponting occupied the No. 3 position, with Virat Kohli slotting in at No. 4. Kohli emerged as the lone Indian representative in the XI, edging out several other legendary names from the country.
One omission that caught the eye was Sachin Tendulkar. Widely regarded as one of the greatest batters in cricket history, the former India star did not find a place in Broad's final selection despite the England pacer having bowled against him during his playing days.
The middle order features two modern-day giants of the game. Steven Smith was chosen at No. 5, while South African legend Jacques Kallis took the No. 6 spot. Kallis also serves as the team's sole genuine all-rounder, adding immense balance through his contributions with both bat and ball.
AB de Villiers was named at No. 7, providing explosive batting firepower and additional wicketkeeping cover if required.
When it came to the bowling attack, Broad appeared to have little difficulty making his selections.
The pace battery is spearheaded by former Australia left-arm quick Mitchell Johnson, whose hostile spells troubled batters around the world. He is joined by South African pace great Dale Steyn, one of the most feared fast bowlers of his generation.
Another Australian left-armer, Mitchell Starc, completed the three-man seam attack, while Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan was selected as the side's lone specialist spinner. Muralitharan remains the leading wicket-taker in Test cricket history.
Another surprise omission was Jasprit Bumrah. The Indian speedster has established himself as one of the premier fast bowlers of the modern era and shares a memorable connection with Broad.
In 2022, Bumrah smashed Broad for 35 runs in a single over at Edgbaston, setting the record for the most expensive over in Test cricket history and helping create one of the most unforgettable moments of the England bowler's career.
Broad's final XI ultimately reflects the players who left the biggest impact on him during his time in international cricket, offering a fascinating insight into the opponents he rates most highly after years of competing against some of the game's greatest stars.
Stuart Broad's All-Time Test XI (Opponents Faced): Graeme Smith, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Ricky Ponting, Virat Kohli, Steven Smith, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Mitchell Johnson, Dale Steyn, Muttiah Muralitharan, Mitchell Starc.
Harrison Jones has joined Peterborough United on a permanent deal, bringing an end to his more than 15-year association with Sunderland.
A boyhood Black Cat, Jones progressed through the club’s academy ranks and went on to captain the Under-21 side on numerous occasions.
He made his senior debut in August 2024, coming off the bench in a 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat to Preston North End. He also made his first senior start in an FA Cup defeat to Stoke City at the Stadium of Light.
Jones made his Championship debut at Hillsborough in February 2025, appearing as a substitute in Sunderland’s 2-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday.
The midfielder was an integral part of Graeme Murty’s Under-21 side that reached the 2023-24 Premier League 2 play-off final against Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, overcoming West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers along the way.
Jones also captained Sunderland Under-21s to their first-ever Premier League Cup final in May, where they were beaten 2-1 by Burnley at the Stadium of Light.
Club captain Luke O’Nien paid a glowing tribute to Jones after Sunderland’s victory over Chelsea secured Europa League qualification.
“The parts about Harrison Jones that no one will see – that fella’s obviously incredible,” said O’Nien.
“For the last two years, he’s been one of the most consistent trainers in the first team every single day. When you don’t play, the culture goes to those sorts of people.
“He’s been one of the things I’ve been most proud of. Europe’s cool, but seeing Jonesy and the way he’s matured over the last two, three, four years – the person he’s become, as well as the footballer – that means more.”
Now 21 years old, it feels like the right time for both player and club to move on. Peterborough offers Jones the opportunity to play regular senior football, something that can only aid his development.
He leaves Sunderland having made just seven senior appearances, but that figure does not tell the full story of his time at the club. Jones dedicated his life to Sunderland and represented the club with commitment and professionalism throughout his journey.
Go well, Harrison!
Aleksić Leaves on Loan
Sunderland have confirmed that midfielder Milan Aleksić has rejoined Partizan Belgrade, returning to the club where he came through the academy.
Sunderland announced the move as a loan deal for the 2026/27 season. However, the Serbian side have revealed that the agreement includes a contractual option to buy at the end of the loan.
The midfielder joined Sunderland in August 2024 on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee, reported to be around the £3 million mark. At the time, he was the most expensive player Sunderland had purchased under Kyril Louis-Dreyfus’ ownership.
Aleksić made his Championship debut away at Millwall, a game in which many will remember he missed a glorious opportunity to put the Lads 2-0 up.
He scored his first Sunderland goal against Stoke City in the FA Cup third round, when he came off the bench in a 2-1 defeat.
In September 2025, Aleksić moved to Polish side KS Cracovia on a season-long loan. He made eight appearances across all competitions before Sunderland recalled him from that spell in January 2026. He also made a couple of appearances for the Under-21s towards the back end of the season.
For what was a significant outlay at the time for Sunderland, it’s fair to say Aleksić should be filed under those that didn’t work out for Kristjaan Speakman and Stuart Harvey. Potentially, it is one reason why both are no longer at the club.
Sunderland’s domestic recruitment has produced plenty of success stories, including Dan Ballard and Trai Hume, both of whom continue to shine. In contrast, too many overseas signings have failed to make a meaningful impact, leaving the club still trying to move them on through permanent deals.
London Marathon Events confirmed this morning that the 2027 edition of the famous race will take place on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April in a one-off change to celebrate the popular 26.2-mile event.
The unique double format means 100,000 participants will be able to take part across the two days, a considerable increase in the 60,512 participants that begin the 2026 race two months ago. They will all take on the usual iconic route, from Greenwich to Westminster, on the same course run by the elite athletes.
The London Marathon will take place over two days in 2027 (Getty)
Armed with data on the surge of interest from Gen Z, particularly women aged 18 to 29, organisers are said to believe hosting the world’s biggest marathon and bringing people together could act as a counterbalance to troubled times: amid fears over the climate emergency, global conflict, and the negative consequences of AI, to name but a few.
The race was already iconic but hosted a new feat this year, with the first ever sub-two hour marathon in race conditions, after Sabastian Sawe and Yomif Kejelcha both broke the barrier in the elite men’s race.
The increased numbers in 2027 will help tackle the extraordinary demand for places, with 1.33m people having entered the ballot for next year’s event, and likely smash previous records for the amount of money raised by a UK sporting event, with this year’s total currently standing at more than £90m.
Sabastian Sawe made marathon history when running a sub-two-hour race in London (PA Wire)
Everyone who has applied to take part will be entered into a ballot for both the Saturday and Sunday, while participants will not be allowed to take part in the event on both days.
Every school in London will receive two guaranteed entries for teachers or staff and extra guaranteed entries have also been allocated to every London borough along the route.
The elite women, elite female para-athletes, championship and ‘good for age’ women will race on one of the two days, while the elite men, elite male para-athletes, championship and ‘good for age’ men racing on the other, with specific format details set to be released in the coming months.
Hugh Brasher, CEO of London Marathon Events said: “The 2027 TCS London Marathon Double is our most ambitious evolution to date – a once-in-a-generation one-time-only reimagining of what a marathon and city-wide celebration of activity can be.
“By expanding to 100,000 runners across two days, we’re opening the door for more people, more charities and more communities to take part in the world’s greatest marathon. We believe that more than £150m can be raised for good causes and the UK economy will have a £400m social and economic benefit.”
Sadiq Khan has run the London Marathon himself in the past (Getty)
And mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, added: “London is the sporting capital of the world and I am delighted that, for one year only in 2027, the world famous TCS London Marathon will expand into a two-day event.
“This unique, one-off double will allow a record 100,000 participants to take part across the two days - creating the largest fundraising moment in UK sporting history and supporting the work of so many incredible charities.”
The San Jose Sharks have acquired forward Andre Gasseau and the 120th overall selection in the 2026 NHL Draft from the Boston Bruins in exchange for the 104th and 157th overall picks in this month’s draft.
Gasseau, 22, was selected by the Bruins with the 213th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. A native of Garden Grove, California, Gasseau started his hockey career with the Los Angeles Jr. Kings before moving to the USHL and the USNTDP.
Eventually, he made his way to the NCAA where he spent four seasons at Boston College. He was teammates with current Sharks forward Will Smith during the 2023-24 season. He was also named the captain of the Eagles for his senior season.
Gasseau currently isn’t projected to be a game-changer at the NHL level, but will provide important organizational depth at the AHL and ECHL levels for the time being.
As an unsigned college player, the Sharks are on a deadline to sign Gasseau to his entry-level contract, as he can become an unrestricted free agent if he’s not signed by August 15.
Dustin Harris provided the early offense for Charlotte, belting a two-run homer in the first inning of the Knights' 4-0 victory over Buffalo. | (Dustin Harris/Instagram)
Charlotte Knights 4, Buffalo Bisons 0 The Charlotte Knights (40-32) picked up a nice victory over the Buffalo Bisons, getting an early spark from the top of the lineup and a dominant effort from the pitching staff. Rikuu Nishida set the tone in the top of the first by refusing to take a called third strike lying down, winning a review, then swiping second. Dustin Harris followed by launching a two-run shot, and just like that, Charlotte had a 2-0 lead. After some quiet middle frames, the offense struck again in the seventh, with Ryan Galanie and Jason Matthews doubling up before Nishida chipped in an RBI single. That was plenty for a pitching staff that, for once, didn’t implode. Mason Adams was nails: five shutout innings, three hits, one walk, and six punchouts. The bullpen kept the Bisons quiet, scattering two hits and one walk through the final four to finish the shutout.
Birmingham Barons at Pensacola Blue Wahoos — Rain Delay If you’re into offense, this one did not disappoint. The Barons and Blue Wahoos were trading haymakers until the skies finally called mercy. The scoreboard looked like a college football matinee, with Birmingham up 13-12. Every Barons starter contributed a hit, so no passengers here. Pensacola drew first blood with a run off Lucas Gordon in the third, but the Barons counterpunched with three in the fourth on a Caleb Bonemer single, Anthony DePino double, Dylan Campbell two-run double, then Campbell scoring on a Colby Shelton knock, and it was 3-1, Birmingham.
The Barons added on in the fifth inning, Alec Briley uncorked a three-run bomb to make it 6-1, and then it was chaos. The Wahoos hung a ten-spot in the bottom half, nine of those runs coming with two outs, and three Barons pitchers left staring at their shoes. Suddenly, it’s 11-6, Pensacola. But Birmingham wasn’t done as they scored seven runs in the sixth, starting with solo shots from Grant Magill and T.J. McCants, then a conga line of singles, a walk, and an error for five more. Cue the rain, which stuck around for three hours, and I needed to go to bed. MiLB never changed the status, so I’m not sure exactly what’s happening. Tune in tomorrow for an update.
Winston-Salem Dash 8, Greensboro Grasshoppers 5 The Dash (38-28) looked dead in the water through the early frames, down 5-0 after Greensboro battered Justin Sinibaldi and then tacked on two more against Mathias LaCombe post-rain delay. But then George Wolkow ripped a leadoff triple in the fifth, and suddenly the bases were loaded on back-to-back walks to Rylan Galvan and Ely Brown. Arxy Hernández got Winston-Salem on the board with a ground out, Bryce Eblin contributed a run-scoring fielder’s choice, and then Alex Ungar wiped the slate clean with a three-run bomb. Tie game, just like that. In the seventh, Hernández reached on a single and took second on a throw that sailed. Eblin bunted for a hit, a wild pitch brought Hernández home, and Ungar kept the line moving with a single. Kyle Lodise then put the Grasshoppers out of their misery with a two-run double. The bullpen took it from there, holding Greensboro scoreless the rest of the way to complete the comeback victory.
Fayetteville Woodpeckers 9, Kannapolis Cannon Ballers 4 The Cannon Ballers (33-33) faceplanted early and never really got up, losing a clunker to the Woodpeckers. Matthew Boughton did his part, cranking his third bomb of the year for a quick 1-0 lead in the third. That lasted about five minutes. Fayetteville hung an eight-spot in the bottom half, with Boughton’s glove helping grease the skids for the carnage. Five earned, three unearned. The Woodpeckers tacked on another in the fifth for a 9-1 laugher before Kannapolis managed to look alive late. An unearned run in the eighth (walk, single, error, you know the drill), then Derek Cerda put a charge into one for a two-run shot in the ninth. Too little, too late. At least Jesús Mendez spared more pain, spinning two hitless, scoreless frames to close it out.
ACL Diamondbacks 4, ACL White Sox 3 The ACL White Sox (10-24) let a late lead slip in a game that turned ugly at the end. Early on, things looked promising as Yordani Soto worked a leadoff walk in the second, scooted to third on a Jefrank Silva knock, and came home on a D’Angelo Tejada ground out. The D-backs answered with a solo shot in the third, and then both teams went quiet until the seventh, when Arizona stitched together a double and a single to nose ahead 2-1. The Sox worked back in the eighth when Alan Escobar doubled, Christian Gonzalez tripled him in, and Marcelo Ácala lofted a sac fly for a 3-2 lead. But that was all the fun. The bottom half was a meltdown, as Reinder Gomez lost the zone, walking three, plunking two, and firing a wild pitch, without giving up a hit. Two runs in, game over.
DSL White Sox 8, DSL Giants 3 (7 innings) The DSL White Sox (5-8) finally found some offense, though they received a helping hand from the opposition, as only four of their eight runs were earned. The Sox pounced in the bottom of the second, capitalizing on a throwing error to plate three unearned tallies. Samuel Luis started the rally with a two-out single and a stolen base before coming home on a miscue. Dionys Medina followed with a base hit and a swipe of his own, and Hector Hernandez punched a two-run single to extend the lead. The White Sox put the game away with a five-run fifth inning, highlighted by an RBI double from Sebastian Romero, who kept his rampage. His .881 slugging leads the league, and his 1.341 OPS is third. Not bad at all. Righthander Roderic Ramirez turned in a strong start, allowing just one run on three hits over four innings while walking one and striking out three.
ATLANTA (AP) — Bina Ramroop broke down in tears when she realized she wasn't going to get the World Cup tickets she had bought for her grandson's 13th birthday.
As thousands poured into Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Monday to see Spain face Cape Verde in what turned out to be a remarkable scoreless draw, Ramroop stood outside, increasingly stressed as she went back and forth for hours between StubHub representatives on the phone and FIFA representatives in the ticket booth. Each blamed the other.
No one could figure out why the tickets Ramroop bought months ago on StubHub for $485 apiece couldn't be transferred from the original seller to the FIFA ticketing app. StubHub offered her a refund and, as Ramroop heard the crowd roar for the start of the match, she knew she had no choice but to give up and take the offer.
“I didn’t want a refund, I didn’t want my money back,” Ramroop said. “I wanted to go to the game.”
The World Cup has delivered thrills on the pitch, but fans have flooded social media with complaints about tickets that never arrived, orders that were canceled at the last minute and hours they spent trying to sort out problems between FIFA’s ticketing system and outside resale platforms. The vast majority seem to be about industry titan StubHub, but people who bought through competitors such as SeatGeek and Vivid Seats have also reported issues. Interviews with fans and industry experts show that some cases stem from technical glitches in the transfer process, while others could involve sellers who never had tickets to deliver in the first place, though StubHub denies such sales happen on its platform.
A grandmother's disappointment
FIFA has urged fans to buy resale tickets through its own marketplace, where it slaps a 30% surcharge on every resold ticket — 15% each from the buyer and seller. But many fans bought through other resale sites, either out of habit or because those sites have lower prices or are easier to navigate.
Ramroop didn't realize she was taking a risk when she bought through StubHub, which she had used in the past without issues.
As she and her grandson Elijah Gomes took the long, lonely train ride back to the Atlanta suburbs, Elijah followed the score on his phone. The match had ended scoreless, and he tried to cheer up his devastated grandmother by telling her they hadn't missed much after all (Cape Verdeans would beg to differ ).
“He’s telling me, ‘Grandma, it’s OK, Grandma.’ And he’s trying to console me,” Ramroop said the next day.
She was hardly alone. An Associated Press journalist witnessed more than a dozen frustrated fans at the match who said they were stuck in similar situations.
StubHub blamed FIFA for the transfer problems that buyers like Ramroop have experienced. In a statement, it said FIFA has “poor technology infrastructure,” enacted last-minute transfer restrictions and didn't launch its new ticketing app until a few weeks before the tournament. The company also called out organizers that “take anti-competitive actions” that limit where fans can buy and sell tickets.
Asked about the technical issues, FIFA on Wednesday reiterated that sales through its official site are guaranteed to go through.
An industry's longstanding problem
Industry observers say the problems appear to stem from more than one cause. For some, it may indeed be technical glitches — an issue that StubHub says is “very, very rare” and one that it is hard at work to solve. For others, they say it's likely a more longstanding scourge: speculative sellers.
Scott Friedman, an industry veteran and co-founder of a consultancy called the Ticket Talk Network, said some sellers list tickets before they actually have them, betting that prices will fall closer to the event so they can buy the tickets at a better price later. But because World Cup ticket prices have surged since the tournament began, those sellers have been forced to either buy expensive tickets to fulfill their orders or cancel and accept penalties from resale platforms. StubHub's penalties are typically 200% of the ticket price, Friedman said.
“This is not new at all,” said Friedman, pointing to other high-profile events where frustrated fans were left empty-handed, including Taylor Swift's Eras tour. “This has been going on, but it’s making global news because it’s the World Cup.”
StubHub says it requires sellers to prove they have tickets before they list them.
But regardless of the reason for the canceled sales, Friedman said “StubHub should fill every single order to make sure fans get in the biggest global sporting event that happens every four years.”
That’s what many fans say they expected when they purchased through StubHub.
StubHub’s FanProtect Guarantee promises replacement tickets or a refund if tickets fail to arrive. But the policy repeatedly says those remedies are provided at StubHub’s “sole discretion,” meaning the company can choose a refund instead of securing replacement seats.
“That is pretty explicit language,” said Michael McCann, a sports law expert at the University of New Hampshire. McCann noted that a buyer could try to challenge the language under state consumer protection laws, but it would be an uphill battle.
A father's regrets
Pape Ndaw is crestfallen that the high school graduation gift he got for his son — tickets for them to see the Netherlands and Japan near their home city of Dallas — never arrived.
He bought the tickets for about $550 apiece in December. Then, two days before the June 14 match, he received an email from StubHub telling him, “The seller can’t deliver your original tickets.”
Ndaw accepted store credit rather than a refund, thinking he would use the funds to quickly get replacements, only to then realize that the cheapest last-minute tickets were going for more than $1,500 each. Not only were they not going to get to go to the game, but Ndaw said StubHub rejected his belated request for a refund instead of store credit.
Breaking the news to his soccer-obsessed son was brutal, Ndaw said.
“It was a disastrous thing,” he said. “He had told all his friends that he was going to that game. He literally cried. I mean, he is a 17-year-old kid, but he cried.”
A family's attempt to make the best of it
Others fared somewhat better.
Patrick O’Neil of Pittsboro, North Carolina, traveled to Atlanta with his wife, son and relatives after purchasing five tickets through StubHub for the Spain-Cape Verde match. Two tickets transferred successfully, but three never arrived.
O’Neil’s 15-year-old son and his uncle ended up using the two tickets, while O’Neil, his wife and another relative watched from a nearby bar.
After local media caught wind of their ordeal, O’Neil said StubHub contacted the family and offered tickets to another game. Since the family had already bought tickets to one, though, he and his wife asked the company to instead give the seats to local nonprofit Soccer in the Streets so they could go to people who otherwise might not be able to attend a match.
“StubHub is not evil, but they’re part of the whole system that makes it really hard for just normal kids and people who might want to see a match get to go,” O'Neil said.
On Thursday, a StubHub representative confirmed to the AP that the company would honor the O’Neils’ request and send tickets to the nonprofit.
Bruno Fernandes’ latest Instagram post has become a pressure point for Cristiano Ronaldo fans after Portugal’s frustrating start to the World Cup.
Portugal opened with a 1-1 draw against DR Congo, and Ronaldo’s quiet night quickly shifted attention toward the service around him.
Fernandes, one of Portugal’s main creators, then found his comments filled with supporters urging him to do more for the 41-year-old forward. One long message, in particular, started spreading quickly.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Cristiano Ronaldo fan sends emotional message to Bruno Fernandes
The viral reaction was highlighted by The Touchline on X, which noted that Bruno’s post had received more than 20,000 comments from Portugal fans.
The comment asked Fernandes and Portugal’s players to remember Ronaldo’s history with the national team, beginning with his tears as a 19-year-old after the Euro 2004 final defeat and later after Portugal’s 2006 World Cup semifinal loss to France.
The fan wrote, “Before you step onto that pitch remember who opened the door for all of you,” before calling Ronaldo the player who “made an entire generation dream.”
The message then turned into a direct plea to the current Portugal squad, telling them to “fight for him,” “create chances for him” and “pass him the ball.” It ended by arguing that Ronaldo had carried Portugal for more than 20 years, and that this time his teammates must carry the fight for him.
Bruno Fernandes’ pressure rises after Portugal draw
The timing of the comment explains why it travelled so quickly, because Portugal’s opening draw left fans frustrated with how little Ronaldo received in the areas where he can still decide matches.
Portugal led early through Joao Neves against DR Congo, but Roberto Martinez’s side could not turn possession into control. Yoane Wissa equalized, and Ronaldo finished the match without a goal on a night that brought fresh scrutiny of Portugal’s attack.
Fernandes is central to that discussion because he is expected to link Portugal’s midfield with Ronaldo. When the service looks slow, forced or disconnected, the criticism naturally falls on the player most associated with final passes and chance creation.
The emotional tone of the viral comment also reflects Ronaldo’s larger World Cup situation. At 41, he is likely playing on the tournament’s biggest stage for the final time, and the one major trophy missing from his international career remains the World Cup.
That does not mean Portugal’s attack should become one-dimensional. But the reaction under Fernandes’ post shows how many Ronaldo fans believe the team owes him one final push, and they are making that demand directly to the player they see as best placed to provide it.
There is no bigger shop window in football than the World Cup - and goalscorers are certainly taking their chance to shine.
The goals are flying in at the tournament - 89 in 28 games in Mexico, Canada and the United States to date, while there have been two wonderful hat-tricks.
Could some of those goalscorers move to the Premier League soon?
After Lionel Messi, 38, turned back the clock to produce a masterclass for the ages in Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria, Jonathan David also hit a treble in Canada's 6-0 rout of Qatar in Group B.
It earned the co-hosts a first win at the eighth attempt on the World Cup stage as more than 50,000 fans in Vancouver witnessed an historic night.
David's exploits came after Switzerland substitute Johan Manzambi wrote his name into the World Cup history books.
Aged 20 years and 247 days, he became the youngest player in the tournament's history to score two or more goals in a game as a substitute as Switzerland dismantled Bosnia-Herzegovina 4-1, also in Group B.
Over the years, players have earned moves based on performances at the World Cup.
Both David and Manzambi have been linked with moves to the Premier League.
Are their scoring exploits likely to lead to a move to England in 2026-27?
First Juventus player to score World Cup hat-trick for 44 years
Italy's absence from this World Cup - and the two before it - has been well documented but at least David gave Juventus fans something to cheer about.
David, 26, became the first Juve player to record a hat-trick at the World Cup since Italy's Paolo Rossi in 1982 against Brazil.
The Brooklyn-born forward has made a name for himself in Europe playing for Gent in Belgium before turning into a Ligue 1 goalscoring machine at Lille - and attracting interest from Premier League clubs.
After 87 goals in 178 league appearances, he moved to Juventus in 2025 and is being monitored by English clubs once more.
There are reports that Newcastle are interested in Canada's all-time leading scorer - who has 39 goals in 78 international appearances - and that Juventus would be willing to let him go to free up their summer budget.
Leeds United have reportedly also been made aware of his availability, while several other Premier League clubs have also been linked.
Former England forward Dion Dublin, who witnessed Canada's win for BBC Radio 5 Live, was impressed with what he saw from David.
"He has been great, got himself a nice hat-trick," Dublin said. "Really good centre-forward play."
Goalkeeper turned goalscorer
Manzambi was once a goalkeeper for his youth team - and his first footballing idol was Germany's Manuel Neuer.
Now he is a creative midfielder who enjoys getting forward.
And his goalscoring exploits against Bosnia-Herzegovina suggests he could be far more than just a "super-sub" at this World Cup.
He broke into the Freiburg first XI last season and helped the German club reach the Europa League final.
Manzambi started against Aston Villa in the final and although he could not help his side win - they were beaten 3-0 - he has been linked with moves to Napoli, Chelsea and Manchester United.
His performance on Thursday at the Los Angeles Stadium suggests there could be more competition for his services this summer.
It could have been even better had he been allowed to take his side's 97th-minute penalty, with captain Granit Xhaka stepping up to convert instead,
If Manzambi had taken it and scored, he would have become the third-youngest player to hit a World Cup treble, after a 17-year-old Pele for Brazil against France in the semi-finals in 1958 and 19-year-old German Edmund Conen against Belgium in 1934.
Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea were all linked with Manzambi in March and, if he continues making an impact like this, the interest will only increase.
Speaking about Manzambi's first goal to give Switzerland a 1-0 lead, former Crystal Palace forward Clinton Morrison told BBC Radio 5 Live: "It's a brilliant finish.
"Switzerland needed to make changes because they weren't doing anything, they were dominating possession but weren't a threat.
"It's a fantastic volley and great technique to give Switzerland the lead."
Canada, 40 years after playing in their first World Cup, secured their first-ever win at the tournament in emphatic fashion, thrashing Qatar 6-0 in front of a packed and loud Vancouver Stadium.
They are almost certain of a place in the last 32. But celebrations were overshadowed by a dreadful injury to Ismael Kone.
The incident happened eight minutes into the second half, with Canada leading 3-0. Their former Watford midfielder Kone, shortly after receiving the ball, was caught late and badly by Assim Madibo as he challenged for possession.
Kone's reaction, and that of the players around him, said it all.
The 24-year-old Sassuolo midfielder looked anguished and in shock, with his leg visibly broken. His distraught team-mates rushed to him as the referee halted play so the medical staff could come on, while Madibo had his hands on his head.
A scuffle broke out between the two teams as frustration and anger over what had happened bubbled over.
Kone, though, despite suffering an injury that has ended his World Cup, lifted his thumb to the crowd as he was taken off on a stretcher.
"It was right in front of us, and everyone could hear the bone snap," said Canada boss Jesse Marsch.
"I haven't spoken to Ismael yet, but he's at the hospital. He will prepare for surgery.
"Everybody's a little shaken by the whole experience because of the nature of the injury, and also because Ismael is a big part of the heart of our team. It will be a big loss for us."
Despite the nature of the injury, Kone was waving to supporters as he was stretchered off the field of play.
"It is a statement about Ismael, but also this is an incredible team. I have been telling people for years about the character of this group," said Marsch.
"You got see how everyone was crushed but we had to find a way to stay focus."
Focus they did - as from then on, the crowd and the players were united as Canada pushed on to score three further goals.
During the second-half hydration break, Marsch was in tears. Nathan Saliba - who had replaced Kone - held up his team-mate’s shirt after he scored his side's fourth.
“He will be back stronger than ever and he will continue to have a great career,” said Marsch of Kone.
“I said at the water break that he would want us to finish this game - and that is what the guys did.”
What next for Canada and Kone?
Marsch confirmed after the game Qatar's Madibo had apologised to Kone for his challenge but insisted the tackle had no ill-meaning.
"He came into the dressing room to apologise," added Marsch.
"I don't think he meant such a gruesome tackle, I don't fault him for that but I don't understand their reaction from their bench."
Madibo had been sent off for the tackle, leaving Qatar to finish the match with nine men - as Homam El Amin had been sent off for a professional foul on Tajon Buchanan in the first half.
The job is not done yet for Canada but they are within a point of guaranteeing their place in the last 32 of the World Cup - an incredible achievement for a side who had never before registered a point at the tournament until their opening 1-1 draw with Bosnia-Herzegovina.
They next face Switzerland knowing a win will ensure top spot in their group, and staying in Canada for the knockouts.
“You can see the brotherhood,” added Marsch.
“It is one of the first things I noticed when I took on this role, how close they are and how connected they are.
“In a moment like this, I don't think they need me so much, they have each other. Their families are here and we have a family barbecue tomorrow and we will enjoy that and he [Kone] will be on our minds.”
Has Football arrived in Canada?
Canada's fans made plenty of noise in Vancouver [AFP via Getty Images]
While Kone and his injury was very much at the forefront of Marsch and his players' thoughts, they allowed themselves a moment to celebrate their historic result at the final whistle.
They grouped together in a huddle before Marsch led them on a lap of honour round the jubilant stadium, with the ex-Leeds boss thumping the air to the sound of Seven Nation Army over the speakers.
Marsch was appointed by Canada in May 2024, given the opportunity to rebuild his reputation, having been sacked by Leeds a year earlier, and then been snubbed for the role as head coach of his native USA.
"The big carrot was a home World Cup, " he said. "But it was also to change the sport in the country, to create an identity for what Canadian soccer can be.
"No-one will forget this. No Canadian will forget this day. There will be 40 million people who said they were here when this happened.
"It is an incredible, seminal moment in this country."
Smokies catcher Owen Ayers (6) celebrates hitting a solo home run during a minor league baseball game between the Knoxville Smokies and Birmingham Barons at Covenant Health Park in Knoxville, Tennessee., on May 7, 2026. | Angelina Alcantar/ News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
I’m sure there will be an article on it after it is officially announced, but the Cubs transactions page notes that catcher Moisés Ballesteros has been demoted to Triple-A Iowa.
South Bend right-hander Mason McGwire was activated off the development list.
Will Sanders gave the I-Cubs a good start, giving up just one run on three hits over five innings. He struck out six and walked no one. Sanders fastball was sitting 92-93 miles per hour.
Yosver Zueleta did not make a great impression in his Cubs and Iowa debut. He relieved Sanders in the sixth and gave up five runs on three hits over two-thirds of an inning. Zueleta walked two, had two wild pitches and struck out just one. He was throwing 95-to-97 though.
Left fielder Jonathon Long hit a solo home run in the second inning, his fifth on the year. Long went 3 for 5 with a double and the home run. He scored two runs.
Right fielder Chas McCormick crushed a 467-foot home run in the sixth inning with a man on. It was McCormick’s eighth home run this season. He went 1 for 4 with a walk.
Later in the sixth inning, catcher Christian Bethancourt hit a two-run home run. It was his eighth on the season. Bethancourt was 2 for 4 and scored twice.
First baseman Casey Opitz then went back-to-back with Bethancourt for his first home run of 2026. Opitz went 1 for 4.
DH BJ Murray went 2 for 4 with a double and a walk. He scored once.
Everyone in the I-Cubs lineup had at least one hit.
Dawson Netz started and got the win after giving up just one run on six hits over five innings. Netz struck out seven, walked three and hit one batter.
Erian Rodriguez then pitched three scoreless innings, surrendering just two hits. He struck out one and walked no one.
Marino Santy pitched the ninth inning and got the save. Santy gave up a walk and a single after one out, but then ended the game when he caught a hard comeback line drive to the mound and then threw to first base for the double play. Santy did not have a strikeout.
The Smokies took the lead with three solo home runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, the first two of which were back-to-back. Third baseman Jefferson Rojas tied the game with his 11th home run of the year. Rojas also walked with the based loaded in the seventh inning, giving him two RBI on the game. Rojas went 1 for 3.
Next, catcher Owen Ayers went back-to-back with his 12th home run. Ayers was 1 for 4.
The next batter, Alex Ramírez, struck out, but then center fielder Andy Garriola hit his team-leading 13th home run. Garriola went 1 for 4.
Those three hits were the only hits the Smokies had in this game. They did draw six walks and were hit by a pitch.
The win moves the Smokies back into a first-place tie with the Lookouts for the first-half title with three games to play.
Here are all three Smokies hits and all three home runs.
THE SMOKIES TAKE THE LEAD WITH THREE HOMERS IN THE 4th!
— Knoxville Smokies (@smokiesbaseball) June 19, 2026
South Bend Cubs
The South Bend Cubs dropped a doubleheader to the Ft. Wayne TinCaps (Padres), 4-3 in eight innings and 5-2.
Mason McGwire started and gave the Cubs three good innings, allowing just one run on two hits. McGwire struck out three and walked three.
Cole Reynolds then pitched the next four innings, allowing just one run on one hit, a solo home run. Reynolds walked two, hit one batter and struck out three.
After the Cubs scored a run in the top of the eighth, Adam Stone came in to get the save in the bottom of the inning. Unfortunately, Stone gave up two runs on three hits while retiring just one batter. One of the two runs was unearned, naturally. Stone also walked one and struck out no one.
South Bend had just three hits in game one, all singles. Catcher Justin Stransky was 1 for 2 with a two-run single and two walks. One of the two walks was intentional.
Jostin Florentino started game two and gave up just one hit and one run over four innings. The one hit, unfortunately, was a solo home run. Florentino struck out six and walked two.
Brayden Spears gave up four runs in the bottom of the sixth and took the loss. Spears’ final line was four runs on three hits and two walks over two innings. He struck out two.
South Bend only had three hits in game two as well, but one of them was a solo home run by third baseman Matt Halbach in the fourth. It was Halbach’s sixth home run on the season. Halbach was 1 for 3.
Center fielder Kane Kepley went 1 for 3 with a walk and two steals in game two. He scored on a throwing error.
Josiah Hartshorn went 0 for 7 with zero times on base in this game. He’s human, I guess.
Starter Hayden Frank got knocked around for five runs on three hits and five walks over three innings. He struck out three.
Yoendris Gonzalez got the win with 2.2 innings of scoreless relief. Gonzalez gave up just one hit and he walked one while striking out two.
The Pelicans sent 16 batters to the plate in the 12-run eighth and five of them hit home runs. The first one was shortstop Derniche Valdez, who hit his fifth home run with a man on. Valdez went 2 for 6 with a walk. He had the two RBI and scored three times.
The next home run came three batters later as catcher Henniel Alcala hit a three-run home run. It was his first home run with the Pelicans and second on the season. Alcala was 3 for 5 with a walk. He scored twice.
Next, center fielder Alexey Lumpuy connected for a solo home run, his fourth on the season. Lumpuy was 2 for 6 with a walk. Lumpuy also stole two bases. He scored twice and had two runs batted in.
The fourth home run of the eighth was hit with two men on by first baseman Michael Carico. It was Carico’s sixth on the season. He finished the night going 1 for 3 with three walks. He drove in four total runs and scored three times.
Finally, right fielder Geri Lubo cranked his fifth home run of the year with two men on. Lubo went 1 for 4 with two walks. Lubo scored three times and had the three RBI.
Second baseman Alexis Hernandez doubled twice in a 2 for 6 night. He also walked once and stole a base. Hernandez scored twice and had two RBI.
Left fielder Darlyn De Leon was 3 for 5 with two doubles. De Leon drive in three runs and scored three times.
None of the home runs were hit off of position players.
After the Oklahoma City Thunder lost the 2026 Western Conference Finals, some people have counted them out for future seasons. A lot of people think that the San Antonio Spurs have taken over as the best team in the West, but they still have some stiff competition.
People have to remember that the OKC Thunder did lose in the WCF, but they did not have a healthy roster. If they had a roster with fit and firing players, they would have won against the Spurs.
Markieff Morris still sees the OKC Thunder as the favorites
While it is easy to predict that Victor Wembanyama will be a dominant force for years to come, he will have some opponents. The Thunder are primed to be that team, as they are young and hungry.
They just won the 2025 championship, so missing out on a back-to-back could fuel them further. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander headlining this team with a top-tier coach like Mark Daigneault, they are hard for any team to play against.
Former NBA player Markieff Morris has given his take on the favorites ahead of the 2026-27 season. He believes that a healthy Thunder could dominate the league once again, especially since they have a chip on their shoulder again after the loss in the WCF.
"I have to go with OKC, they were the best team in the league last year. I said this before, sometimes the best team doesn't win, and that was the case this year. They were down their second-best player and third-best scorer, and they still took the Spurs to seven," Morris said on ESPN's First Take.
Morris does acknowledge that there are many teams that can be champions like the Spurs and the defending champions, the New York Knicks. However, he does not see any team winning against a fully-healthy Thunder squad.
Cheryl Gollogly from Corby is hopeful Scotland can go far in this World Cup [Kate Bradbrook/BBC]
More than 200 miles south of the Scottish border, hundreds of Scots living in an English town are proudly cheering on the Tartan Army in the FIFA World Cup.
Corby in Northamptonshire is often referred to as "Little Scotland" due to the large number of Scottish steelworkers who settled there in the 1930s.
Fans were ecstatic in the early hours of Sunday morning when Scotland celebrated their first World Cup victory in 36 years, beating Haiti 1-0, and they take on Morocco later from 23:00 BST.
But how are the Scots in Corby, who are surrounded by the English, feeling for the rest of the tournament - and just how far do they think the team can go?
Pubs across Corby including the Cardigan Arms are decked out in Scottish flags [Kate Bradbrook/BBC]
Cheryl Gollogly, 52, has lived in Corby all her life, but had Scottish grandparents.
She explained that she would be watching all of the Scotland games at The Evs pub on Cottingham Road.
"It's been brilliant because it took years for them to get back," she said of the Tartan Army.
"About time - and I think they can go further than England. They deserve to."
Gollogly stated she was supportive of England, but felt the Scots had more to prove.
Steve Miller, originally from Scotland, said he expected the team to get past the knockout stages [Kate Bradbrook/BBC]
Steve Miller, 67, moved to Corby from Wick in the north of Scotland, not far from John O'Groats, when he was seven.
He proudly stated he was Scottish "through and through", but was "apprehensive, excited, all at the same time" for the rest of the World Cup.
"It'd be nice if we go further than we've ever gone before and because we got a good result in the first game, I think we will qualify for the knockout stages," he added.
"After that, it's a lottery, isn't it?"
Lorraine McQuade expects Scotland to do "fantastic" in the tournament [Kate Bradbrook/BBC]
Lorraine McQuade, 51, is a hairdresser at the salon Reveal and was born in Glasgow before she moved to Corby when she was about two.
"I think they're doing amazing so far," she said of the Scottish team.
"I'm really happy they're going to be there.
"Fingers crossed for [Friday] night that they're going to do well. We're very hopeful.
"No Scotland, no party, so they say."
She admitted she was not expecting a win, but said it would be "the best thing ever" if that did happen.
Joe Kennedy said he had fond memories of Scotland in their last World Cup back in 1998 [Kate Bradbrook/BBC]
Joe Kennedy, 71, was born in Corby, but has Scottish and Irish heritage.
He said the last time Scotland was in the World Cup back in 1998 had been "brilliant".
"Hopefully we can go as far as we can go," he explained.
"If we qualify out of the qualifiers now at the moment, that's further than we've ever gone before in the World Cup, and I just hope we can just get better and better.
"Whether we'll win it, my heart says yes, my brain says perhaps not."
Scottish fans were elated when the team took their first victory of the tournament against Haiti [PA Media]
Do you have a story suggestion for Northamptonshire? Contact us below.
Twenty-six players have been named to the U.S. Men’s National Team roster for FIFA World Cup 2026. To get to know them better, we asked every player a set of 26 rapid-fire questions to learn more about their personalities and their journeys that led them to this incredible moment on the sport’s biggest stage.
I think just my love to work with kids. I have a big family. I have an older nephew that's 19, turning 20 this year, which is crazy. Just giving back to the community, giving back to people that are less fortunate. Not necessarily just about sports, but inspiring people to do something better.
Are you a soft smile or smile with teeth guy?
Smile with teeth.
What's one memory that is guaranteed to make you smile?
I think the first year that I moved to Europe and I got to come back for Christmas and spend it with my family.
You have played almost every position on the pitch. Which one is your favorite?
Number eight position. Box-to-box midfielder.
What was your favorite thing about living in Texas?
The barbecue.
Speaking of barbecue, what is your favorite side dish?
Macaroni and cheese. My mom makes amazing macaroni and cheese.
What has been your favorite part about living in Europe?
I think the culture and the fact that it's easy to travel and get to different places. You can drive two hours and experience a whole different culture.
How many languages can you speak?
Spanish, Italian, German and English.
Can you teach us something in Italian?
Devi guardare negli occhi quando fai chen. And that means you have to look me in my eyes when you cheers.
If you were not a professional soccer player, what would you be doing?
I'd be a firefighter like my brother, or I'd be in the NFL for sure.
What position would you want to be playing in American football?
Running back.
If your best friends described you in three words, what would they be?
Funny, super, super, super duper mature, and loving and caring.
Who is one person who really assisted you on your journey to becoming a pro soccer player?
My mom, without a doubt.
What advice would you give to younger soccer players who dream of going pro one day?
My mental conditioning coach when I was younger said, "If you have an A plan, don't have a B plan because you're not going to invest everything into your A plan."
When this tournament is over and you look back, what do you hope people say about the way you played and carried yourself?
I hope after the tournament they are just proud, in a sense of knowing that I gave everything I had, left everything on the field, and sacrificed everything to try and get results.
CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 06: The Chicago Bears flag barer carries a pink flag onto the field for breast cancer awareness month before the game between the Chicago Bears and the New Orleans Saints on October 6, 2013 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The stream is live! You can watch via the embed below (You can also watch from the Twitch website directly) you can also donate by clicking here. All donations will be entered into our giveaway raffles, there’s a lot of cool Bears stuff to win, so even if it’s $1, it’s going to a good cause, and you can win something from it too!
I hope you don’t mind if we veer off the beaten path for something that’s near and dear to my heart.
One of my biggest passions outside of football and the Chicago Bears is helping others. Over the last 10 years, through my partnership with Extra Life in support of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, I’ve helped raise more than $17,000 for some of the most vulnerable among us: kids.
Through 24-hour charity streams featuring a variety of games, incentive-based challenges, and giveaways, I’ve found a way to turn my love of gaming into something that can make a real difference. And it goes without saying that many—probably most—of the people who have rallied around these efforts have been Bears fans.
Well, my fellow Windy City Gridiron readers, this time I’m asking you to help one of our own.
A close friend of mine and a die-hard Bears fan recently battled breast cancer. You may or may not know her as Aunt Freddie on Twitter. She cheers for the Bears with unmatched passion, and she fought breast cancer with that same relentless spirit.
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world, with more than 2.3 million new cases each year. In the United States alone, it claims the lives of more than 42,000 people annually. Thankfully, Aunt Freddie fought through it and came out victorious.
Unfortunately, beating cancer doesn’t mean the fight is over.
As many of us know, medical bills in the American healthcare system can be absolutely unforgiving. That’s why I’m here today.
Thanks to the early outpouring of support, we’ve already raised more than $1,000 to help her, but there’s still work to do.
Starting at midnight on June 19, I’ll be hosting a 24-hour charity stream on Twitch in support of Aunt Freddie. Once the stream goes live, this article will be updated with an embedded player and pushed to the front page so you can watch and join the fun.
Thanks to the generosity of many Bears fans and, believe it or not, even some Packers fans, we’ve assembled a ton of merchandise and memorabilia to give away. Every donation made between now and the end of the stream on June 20 will be entered into our giveaway drawings.
It’s a great reminder that while Bears and Packers fans may be rivals on Sundays, there’s no rival greater than cancer.
So this is where I ask for your help.
Every dollar makes a difference, and every donation gives you a chance to win some incredible prizes, including hats from Talley Brand, jerseys, and unique pieces of memorabilia. If you donate, please let me know in the comments below or reach out to me on Twitter at @iamcogs so I can make sure you’re entered into the giveaways and notified if you win.
I know times are tough for many people right now. If donating isn’t possible, the one thing I ask is that you share this story. The more people who see it, the more opportunities we have to help.
You’ll find the donation embed below. If you’re able, please consider contributing. Both Aunt Freddie and I would be incredibly grateful for your support.
Now, back to your regularly scheduled Bears content.
Bear Down, and let’s kick some ass together in support of one of our own.
Gary Baugher Jr. is a 2nd year contributor to WCG, bringing football insight backed by over 16 years of experience in organized football and more than 30 years as a passionate fan of the game. You can follow him on Twitter at @iamcogs.
SEATTLE (AP) — Cristian Roldan is familiar with how loud Lumen Field can get.
The U.S. midfielder has played for the Seattle Sounders since 2015, getting plenty of love from fans in this soccer-crazed Pacific Northwest city.
With the Americans coming off a 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their World Cup opener in Southern California, Roldan is expecting a charged atmosphere on Friday when the Americans face Australia at the home of the NFL's Seattle Seahawks.
“I fully expect this crowd to be extremely loud. And, they’re going to energize our group,” Roldan said. “This is one of the loudest stadiums in the world when you think about Seahawks games or Sounders games.
“Just seeing the Belgium game against Egypt and how the atmosphere was there, I fully expect the city of Seattle to come out and show out, and I think the guys are going to feel that type of energy.”
The Americans want to reward their supporters and justify the wave of momentum that is building around the team.
“What excites me is that the entire world, the entire nation is behind us,” Roldan said. “I think that they enjoyed watching us play, and at the end of the day what we want to do is inspire and motivate the next generation. ... We have to build off it, and that’s the truth. We can’t just talk about it: We have to show out against Australia.”
The Socceroos also pose a significant challenge. In October, the U.S. earned a hard-fought 2-1 victory against a physical Australia side in a friendly that Pochettino said was anything but.
Pochettino wants his team to match Australia's intensity.
“I think we need to play on the edge of the line,” Pochettino said, “with not crossing the lines of the rules.”
Australia center back Harry Souttar anticipates the U.S. will try to start fast, much as it did against Paraguay. Coach Tony Popovic's scrappy squad opened with a 2-0 victory over Turkey on Saturday.
“We want to earn our respect,” Popovic said. “We know that by our performances, we can put Australian football on the world map. And, that’s what we aim to do. We started off well against Turkey. Now, we want to back it up.”
Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese's histories have been intertwined as members of the same WNBA draft class and rivals dating back to their college days.
Now as a pair of WNBA stars, eyes continue to follow the Clark vs. Reese matchup in the pros — and after Reese opened her career with the Sky, she now leads the Atlanta Dream, adding another wrinkle to her matchups with the Fever in 2026 and beyond.
While most know about the two unforgettable meetings between Reese's LSU Tigers and Clark's Iowa Hawkeyes in the 2023 national championship game (won by LSU) and the 2024 Elite Eight (won by Iowa), the two first faced off as freshmen in 2021 when Reese was still at Maryland.
After meeting once already in the 2026 season, Reese and Clark clashed once again on June 18 for Fever vs. Dream.
The second 2026 meeting marked the 12th time that Reese and Clark have gone head-to-head in the past six years, with almost half of the meetings coming in five months during the 2024 season. Here is a breakdown of how each head-to-head matchup went.
At the collegiate level, Reese's teams won the first four meetings against Clark's Hawkeyes, including LSU's win over Iowa in the 2023 NCAA Tournament title game.
Clark ended the losing streak by scoring 41 points for Iowa in the Elite Eight of the 2024 NCAA Tournament to advance to the Final Four over Reese and LSU.
When the two moved on to the WNBA, Clark continued her winning ways, with her Fever taking three of the four head-to-head meetings during their rookie season.
Below is a look at the head-to-head records, stats, and how each game played out.
WNBA head-to-head
Caitlin Clark
Angel Reese
Record
5-2
2-5
PPG
20.7
14.0
RPG
6.4
13.0
APG
9.3
2.0
TO/G
4.1
3.3
FG%
46.8
43.8
3P%
41.8
25.0
FT%
82.9
69.2
College head-to-head
Caitlin Clark
Angel Reese
Record
1-4
4-1
PPG
29.0
14.2
RPG
5.2
10.4
APG
8.0
2.8
TO/G
6.6
1.6
FG%
41.2
43.1
Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese game logs
In addition to two classic meetings at the collegiate level, the WNBA head-to-head meetings between Clark and Reese have not disappointed. Two of the first three matchups were decided by one point, and when they were rookies, they each turned in their fair share of highlights.
During the 2025 season, the Fever and Sky played a total of five games. However, Clark only played the opener on May 17 with injuries sidelining her through parts of June and from July 16 on.
They renewed their rivalry in June 2026, this time with Reese suiting up with the Dream.
Here is the game log of when both players took the court against each other:
WNBA game log
Date
Final score
Clark
Reese
June 1, 2024
Fever 71, Sky 70
11 PTS, 8 REB, 6 AST
8 PTS, 13 REB, 1 AST
June 16, 2024
Fever 91, Sky 83
23 PTS, 8 REB, 9 AST
11 PTS, 13 REB, 5 AST
June 23, 2024
Sky 88, Fever 87
17 PTS, 6 REB, 13 AST
25 PTS, 16 REB, 1 AST
Aug. 30, 2024
Fever 100, Sky 81
31 PTS, 4 REB, 12 AST
10 PTS, 11 REB, 2 AST
May 17, 2025
Fever 93, Sky 58
20 PTS, 10 REB, 10 AST
12 PTS, 17 REB, 1 AST
June 4, 2026
Fever 83, Dream 71
17 PTS, 7 REB, 8 AST
11 PTS, 10 REB, 3 AST
June 18, 2026
Dream 108, Fever 101
26 PTS, 2 REB, 7 AST
21 PTS, 11 REB, 1 AST
College game log
Date
Final score
Clark
Reese
Feb. 23, 2021
Maryland 111, Iowa 93
34 PTS, 3 REB, 7 AST
8 PTS, 3 REB, 1 AST
March 13, 2021
Maryland 104, Iowa 84 (Big Ten Tournament Championship)
LeBron James is reportedly in active negotiations with the Los Angeles Lakers for a new contract. He is expected return for his 24th NBA season, but it remains unclear which team he’ll suit up for. For Nick Young, the best move for the 22-time All-Star is to move to another franchise.
The Lakers are likely in the driver’s seat in securing James’ services. He has spent the last eight seasons with them and could retire in a Purple and Gold jersey.
Young stressed on Thursday that the final buzzer for James in Los Angeles has sounded. He added that the 22-time All-Star should play alongside Stephen Curry with the Golden State Warriors.
“Bron should leave,” Young said, via Gil’s Arena. “I feel like it’s over for him in LA. … Playing with Steph (Curry) would be, I think the league would need that. I like that but I don’t think they’ll win there.”
James is already 41 years old but is still playing at a high level. There have been speculations about the veteran stars teaming up, and it could happen this offseason.
Jan 25, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles against Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the third quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Will LeBron James play for the Warriors?
James may be at the twilight of his legendary career, but he is still commanding a huge contract. It’s not hard to justify the amount he demands, as he proved last season that he can still be the No. 1 option. Luka Doncic missed the entire playoffs, and the four-time NBA champion stepped up his game.
The Warriors feature Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green. They also have some young players who have carved out key roles for the team. James’ chances of playing for Golden State will likely depend on its salary cap and how much it can offer. However, the first order of business for it to happen is to show interest in signing the No. 1 pick in 2003.
Aug 8, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) takes the field in the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders had a rough rookie season, putting up some of the worst numbers in the league in terms of turnovers and sacks. However, his Hall of Famer father seems to think that his struggles weren’t just on him.
During a recent interview, Deion Sanders opened up about his son’s struggles during his first season in the NFL. Deion admitted that he would have liked to see Shedeur play a bit better, but he said that he “needs help” from his team and coaches to be successful.
Shedeur’s Struggles
After a high-profile slide down the draft boards last spring, Shedeur Sanders ultimately ended up with the Cleveland Browns, who selected him in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Shedeur got a chance to prove himself during his rookie season, but it did not exactly go well.
The young quarterback took 23 sacks in just eight games, marking the highest sack percentage in the NFL among players who started multiple games, even if he didn’t play enough games to technically qualify for the leaderboards.
Sanders also struggled to protect the ball, throwing 10 interceptions in just eight games to just seven touchdown passes. The young quarterback threw an interception on 4.7% of his passing attempts, which was the second-worst in the league last year behind only Minnesota Vikings first-year starter J.J. McCarthy.
Needless to say, it was certainly not a dominant rookie season for Shedeur, giving him a lot to work on.
‘A Quarterback Needs Help’
While he didn’t completely dismiss Shedeur’s struggles on an individual level, Deion Sanders recently said that Shedeur’s rough debut season was a result of team issues rather than just purely individual issues.
During an interview with D.J. Siddiqi of Covers.com, Sanders acknowledged his son’s struggles, but said that he also needs help from his team to succeed.
“I would have wanted him to perform a little better, but that’s not just an individual thing, that’s a team thing,” Deion Sanders said during the interview. “A quarterback needs help tremendously from the offensive line, from the receivers, from the running game, from the coordinators as well.”
Deion contrasted playing quarterback to his own position, defensive back. He claims that “several things” need to go right for a quarterback to be successful while playing defensive back relies more on simple individual talent.
“It’s not just a singular thing, like a defensive back,” Deion said. “I don’t care what the pass rush is, [the DB] has got to do his job. It’s a little different with a quarterback. He needs several things to go right for him to be successful.”
We’ll have to see whether or not Shedeur receives the help that Deion thinks he needs from his team this upcoming season if he is ultimately named the team’s starting quarterback.
The Savannah Bananas visit Great American Ball Park for a three-night stint June 19-21. The show kicks off at 7 p.m. June 19-20. The Bananas' final game has an early start time of 3 p.m. June 21.
What are the Savannah Bananas' rules? Banana Ball explained
Banana Ball is baseball but with nine rule changes designed to speed up the game and create a more entertaining experience for fans. Bananas games have a two-hour time limit.
Fans attending a Bananas game should expect a wide variety of antics, such as dancing umpires, players wearing kilts and more. Here are some of the rules of Banana Ball:
Fans can make outs: If a spectator in the crowd catches a foul ball, it's an out.
Batters can steal first base: If a pitcher throws a wild pitch, or if there is a passed ball, a batter can take first.
No walks: On ball four, the batter runs to first and can advance to as many bases as possible while the catcher has to throw the ball to every position player before the batter can be tagged out.
Each inning is worth one point: Whichever team wins the inning gets that point until the final inning.
Two-hour time limit: No inning can start after one hour and 50 minutes unless the game is tied.
No stepping out: If a batter steps out of the batter's box, it's a strike.
Showdown tiebreaker: If the game is tied after nine innings or two hours, a tiebreaker showdown takes place with only the pitcher, batter and one fielder.
No mound visits: Pitchers are left to their own devices to dig themselves out of a hole. No mound visits are allowed from the coach, catcher or any other player during the game.
No bunting ... ever: Batters who bunt are immediately ejected from the game.
Challenges: The coach of each team holding onto a challenge prop can throw or shoot it onto the field before the next pitch. Each team only gets one challenge unless the play in question is overturned by the umpiring crew, in which case the challenge is retained.
Golden batter rule: Either team can send any hitter in the lineup to bat in any spot once a game, including toward the end when the game is on the line.
What is Banana Ball? Savannah Bananas' twist on baseball rules
Banana Ball is essentially baseball's quirky cousin and comparable to the Harlem Globetrotters, the entertaining traveling basketball team. The sporting event is also a spectacle of choreographed dances that go viral, outreagous costumes and tons of fan involvement. The game itself is nearly identical to regular baseball but with a few rule changes, such as playing on a two-hour time limit.
The game is scored with teams tallying points for innings won instead of runs scored. According to the Bananas' website, if you win the inning, you get the point. Other rules include prohibiting mound visits, as well as bunting and stepping out of the batter's box between pitches.
The Savannah Bananas visit Great American Ball Park for a three-night stint June 19-21. The show kicks off at 7 p.m. June 19-20. The Bananas' final game has an early start time of 3 p.m. June 21.
What are the Savannah Bananas' rules? Banana Ball explained
Banana Ball is baseball but with nine rule changes designed to speed up the game and create a more entertaining experience for fans. Bananas games have a two-hour time limit.
Fans attending a Bananas game should expect a wide variety of antics, such as dancing umpires, players wearing kilts and more. Here are some of the rules of Banana Ball:
Fans can make outs: If a spectator in the crowd catches a foul ball, it's an out.
Batters can steal first base: If a pitcher throws a wild pitch, or if there is a passed ball, a batter can take first.
No walks: On ball four, the batter runs to first and can advance to as many bases as possible while the catcher has to throw the ball to every position player before the batter can be tagged out.
Each inning is worth one point: Whichever team wins the inning gets that point until the final inning.
Two-hour time limit: No inning can start after one hour and 50 minutes unless the game is tied.
No stepping out: If a batter steps out of the batter's box, it's a strike.
Showdown tiebreaker: If the game is tied after nine innings or two hours, a tiebreaker showdown takes place with only the pitcher, batter and one fielder.
No mound visits: Pitchers are left to their own devices to dig themselves out of a hole. No mound visits are allowed from the coach, catcher or any other player during the game.
No bunting ... ever: Batters who bunt are immediately ejected from the game.
Challenges: The coach of each team holding onto a challenge prop can throw or shoot it onto the field before the next pitch. Each team only gets one challenge unless the play in question is overturned by the umpiring crew, in which case the challenge is retained.
Golden batter rule: Either team can send any hitter in the lineup to bat in any spot once a game, including toward the end when the game is on the line.
What is Banana Ball? Savannah Bananas' twist on baseball rules
Banana Ball is essentially baseball's quirky cousin and comparable to the Harlem Globetrotters, the entertaining traveling basketball team. The sporting event is also a spectacle of choreographed dances that go viral, outreagous costumes and tons of fan involvement. The game itself is nearly identical to regular baseball but with a few rule changes, such as playing on a two-hour time limit.
The game is scored with teams tallying points for innings won instead of runs scored. According to the Bananas' website, if you win the inning, you get the point. Other rules include prohibiting mound visits, as well as bunting and stepping out of the batter's box between pitches.
2028 seems so far away, doesn’t it? Make no mistake, the year 2028 will be huge for a myriad of reasons. The Summer Olympics will be held in Los Angeles. World Cup fever will return as the women’s event will be held in China, Brazil, Morocco, England, and the United States. There’s also a presidential election that will take place. However, one of the biggest sports media stories of 2028 may be what happens with FOX Sports Radio.
Sure, FOX Sports Radio may not generate the same level of interest nationally as a Summer Olympics held in the United States. However, 2028 will be a pivotal year for the brand and how it shapes its future within the industry. What we do know is that Dan Patrick will retire in February of that year at Super Bowl LXII in Atlanta. What we don’t know is whether Colin Cowherd will also be making an exit from the brand.
Just yesterday, Cowherd shared that he’s beginning to think about retirement. At 62 years old and nearing four decades of success at the highest level, can you blame him? He’s not the average nationally syndicated sports talk show host. In fact, Cowherd has dominated the format while simultaneously building one of sports media’s most successful podcast companies.
Cowherd sat down for an exclusive interview with OutKick. He shared that he has two years remaining on his current deal with FOX Sports Radio. Cowherd also revealed that he has begun discussing ways to reduce the length of his daily program, The Herd w/Colin Cowherd. While he doesn’t consider what he’s currently doing a “big lift,” he said downsizing from a three-hour program to two hours would be “reasonable.”
Colin Is Always Evolving
The thing I’ve always admired about Colin is that he doesn’t beat around the bush. He’s a straight shooter but always open to changing his mind on issues. Remember when he asked attendees at the 2019 Barrett Media Sports Summit to find him the man in America who had gotten rich through podcasting? Cowherd officially launched The Volume just two years later. Today, The Volume is one of the most successful brands in the sports podcasting space.
With time comes evolution and the ability to think differently about a subject.
In the same interview with OutKick, Cowherd said that people have inquired about buying The Volume. He has also reached out to trusted contacts in the finance world to discuss selling the company or portions of it.
Within a six-minute span during his conversation with OutKick, Cowherd was sending signals like any top tier talent. He says that he has thought about retirement, and discussed reducing his daily show to two hours. Plus, he’s explored the possibility of selling The Volume.
For Cowherd, that’s a blessed position to be in, and his efforts have earned him the right to have those choices.
But just as he evolved his thinking about getting rich through podcasting, could we see a similar shift before 2028 regarding whether Colin Cowherd needs FOX Sports Radio anymore?
By no means has Cowherd lost his fastball. Scott Shapiro, who oversees FOX Sports Radio, told me as much in January. When I spoke with Shapiro earlier this year, he said there had been no discussions about an exit plan and that retirement had never come up between them.
Six months later, some evolution is happening. Cowherd revealed to OutKick that he has thought about retirement and has discussed paring down his program as part of a potential new deal. Again, Cowherd continues to evolve his thinking.
So, if Cowherd changes his stance and decides to leave FOX Sports Radio in the same year as Dan Patrick, where does that leave FOX Sports Radio in 2028 and beyond?
Planning For Anything
For more than a decade, FOX Sports Radio has been the dominant player in the syndicated sports radio battle. Heavy hitters mixed with FOX branding. The ability to remain live on affiliates during play-by-play broadcasts when competitors are carrying games have provided a proven advantage. Being operated by Premiere Radio Networks under the iHeartRadio umbrella doesn’t hurt either.
When Doug Gottlieb left the network to continue his college basketball coaching career, the answer was Jon “Stugotz” Weiner. Shapiro explained that even he didn’t expect “Stugotz” to be interested. It turned out Stugotz was all in on the idea, and returned to syndicated sports radio for the first time since 2020.
Moreover, Dan Patrick’s departure is approaching, and the answer to replacing him remains unknown. If you add Cowherd to the departures list in the same year, where do you go from there? FOX Sports Radio built and marketed its brand around the strong presence of Patrick, Cowherd, and Gottlieb for years. All three were former ESPN Radio talents who made the jump to join the competition.
Without them, many questions remain. There is also legitimate skepticism about whether FOX Sports Radio can maintain its audience long term with diminished star power. Any brand that loses the value of Patrick and Cowherd would be in the same quandry.
Replacing talent on syndicated sports radio outlets is not an easy process. Just look at FOX Sports Radio’s competition. ESPN Radio still has not officially named a replacement for Clinton Yates, who departed the company nearly three months ago. A great deal of planning, budgeting, and execution goes into the process. Ask anyone who’s been in the situation, it takes time.
Not to mention the hundreds of affiliates around the country and their concerns. FOX Sports Radio must of course assure those affiliates that the network will continue providing top-tier talent. Those capable of delivering content while maintaining listener interest in local markets.
Change Is Always Constant
Maybe Colin Cowherd ultimately decides he still loves the daily grind and signs another deal. Maybe he scales back his workload but remains part of the FOX Sports Radio lineup. Or maybe 2028 becomes the year he follows Dan Patrick out the door and focuses exclusively on The Volume and whatever comes next.
That’s why FOX Sports Radio can’t afford to wait until a decision is made to start thinking about the future. Developing the next generation of marquee talent takes years, not months. It requires identifying personalities, investing in them, and giving affiliates confidence that the network will continue to deliver compelling content long after today’s stars move on.
FOX Sports Radio has already begun that process with several talents. Hopefully more will emerge in the months and years ahead.
However, the sports audio landscape is more competitive than ever. Listeners have an endless supply of podcasts, streaming shows, YouTube channels, and social media content competing for their attention. Local sports radio stations still need strong national programming partners to help fill their schedules and remain relevant destinations in their markets.
If FOX Sports Radio wants to maintain its position atop the syndicated sports radio space, it must have a succession plan ready long before 2028 arrives. Not just for Dan Patrick, but based on his recent comments, Colin Cowherd as well.
Because while 2028 sounds far away today, anyone who has spent time in this business knows it will be here before FOX Sports Radio realizes it.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries.Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.
Raul “Tala” Rangel produced arguably the save of the tournament during Mexico’s 1-0 victory against South Korea to clinch the top spot in Group A, marking the first time they topped a World Cup group since the 2002 edition of the soccer tournament.
During the 88th minute, a cross found South Korea’s Cho Gue-Sung alone in the box, and the forward tried to head the ball in for the equaliser. However, Rangel kept the ball out with his right foot as he fell to the ground. Yang Hyun-Jun came for a rebound, but the Guadalajara native somehow raised his right hand just enough to snatch the ball out of the air before it could cross the goal line.
Rangel’s intervention sealed the deal for Mexico, which went ahead earlier in the match when Luis Romo scored off a mistake from South Korea goalkeeper Kim Seung-Gyu.
“Raul Rangel, I think he is a hero right now with the double save. Initially, it was a really good service from South Korea, but Rangel was on point,” former Mexican player Janelly Farias stated on CBS. “That’s what makes a keeper great at this level. He did exactly what he needed to do.”
June 18, 2026; Guadalajara, Mexico; Mexico’s Raul Rangel in action as he makes a save. Mandatory Credit: Paul Childs-Reuters via Imagn Images
Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre gets brutally honest on ‘ugly’ performance against South Korea
Despite clinching their Round of 32 spot, Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre was not fully satisfied with their performance. To Aguirre’s point, El Tricolor produced a worse expected goals (xG) than the Taeguk Warriors (0.48 to 0.67).
“It was a very close game; we didn’t give up a single centimeter and fought for every ball as if it were our last,” Aguirre told reporters. “It was a game where whoever made a mistake would lose, and it was them… It was a game to forget, but the result is one to remember.”
“We’ve been doing very well. It wasn’t a great match, but I think that our opponent didn’t let us do too much. But we still were able to score on that mistake, in addition to another two or three opportunities,” he continued.
For two decades, Mexico have relied on Guillermo Ochoa as their last line of defense. But on Thursday night, and probably for the rest of the World Cup 2026, Raul Rangel is their de facto starting No. 1, relegating Ochoa to the bench.
Bradley Bornhorn's first varsity start came against Beechwood on April 22. The Holy Cross senior gave up six hits and eight runs in 3.1 innings, but it was his willpower that his teammates, coaches and opposition admired.
"I was determined to get out of those jams that I was in and really just do the best I could for the team," Bornhorn said.
Born with spina bifida, a condition where the spinal cord fails to close completely during pregnancy and infancy, Bornhorn epitomized perseverance in his two seasons on the Indians' baseball team. He is one of six recipients of the Cincinnati Enquirer's 2026 Courage Award, presented at the High School Sports Awards show on June 16.
Bradley Bornhorn has never settled
Bornhorn had surgery to seal his spinal cord one day after being born, then had another procedure in 2020 to repair his spinal cord tether.
"When we first found out ‒ and he's the youngest of four ‒ you never want to hear anything is different with your kids or wrong or whatever, and there were just a lot of unknowns before he was even born. As he was growing up, there was a lot of, 'How's he going to do this or that?' You could just see him sitting there watching his siblings and friends, and he was just gonna figure out how to do it. He always just sat there and watched and the next thing you know, he was right there in the mix with them. He's always been a determined kid and he's always wanted to be a part of the group," Bradley's mother, Stephanie, said.
Growing up, he played soccer for a short period of time but didn't like it, partially because it involved a lot of running. Spina bifida affects the sensory and motor neurons in the lower body, so Bornhorn never quite had the musculature that soccer requires. He also can't feel pain below his knees.
Born into a baseball-loving family in a baseball town, he frequented Great American Ball Park and gained an admiration for Reds pitchers like Homer Bailey, Anthony DeSclafani and Hunter Greene. That love for the sport continued as he took the diamond at an early age.
"My parents have really given me everything I need to be able to excel. My coaches have been really good about watching me and knowing what my limits are," Bradley said.
His father, Josh, added: "He's exceeded every expectation that I've ever wanted for him. I try not to set lofty goals for my kids because everybody's their own person and I want them to do whatever they want to do."
Bradley Bornhorn has been a workhorse for Holy Cross baseball
Holy Cross baseball coach Rob Weremeling first met Bradley when he was in sixth grade and Wermeling was coaching Ben Bornhorn, who was a sophomore at the time.
"He's always been determined, always been a good teammate and gives absolutely 100 percent every day, every time," Wermeling said.
Bornhorn brought a different perspective to the Indians' pitching staff. He wears braces on his lower legs and has limited ankle flexibility, leading to an adapted delivery and decreased velocity. He made up for it with his core strength and creativity on the mound.
"He knows how to locate pitches. He knew that he wasn't going to blow the ball by anybody so he would pitch to contact," Wermeling said. "There were times early in his career where he might have gotten hit a little bit but that never deterred him from trying to do something that he wasn't capable of doing, which speaks to his character."
For as much as the baseball program has welcomed Bradley, the Bornhorn family has just as much love for Holy Cross, Wermeling and pitching coach Andy Roenker. Bradley believes that he couldn't have had the career that he did or be embraced by his teammates at any other school.
"He was the name they would yell if a pitcher was struggling on the mound. It was, 'Brad, go get ready.' and it wasn't even a second thought. To hear that while being on the bench keeping the book was the biggest compliment they could ever give me," Josh said.
Wermeling added: "One of our mottos that we go by is 'Holy Cross is a place for all.' We're very open to everybody who walks in the doors at Holy Cross and I think that Bradley shows that is truly is a place for all."
This fall, Bradley will attend Northern Kentucky University with the hopes of becoming a Major League Baseball broadcaster, continuing his dream while not letting his condition slow him down.
Bradley Bornhorn's first varsity start came against Beechwood on April 22. The Holy Cross senior gave up six hits and eight runs in 3.1 innings, but it was his willpower that his teammates, coaches and opposition admired.
"I was determined to get out of those jams that I was in and really just do the best I could for the team," Bornhorn said.
Born with spina bifida, a condition where the spinal cord fails to close completely during pregnancy and infancy, Bornhorn epitomized perseverance in his two seasons on the Indians' baseball team. He is one of six recipients of the Cincinnati Enquirer's 2026 Courage Award, presented at the High School Sports Awards show on June 16.
Bradley Bornhorn has never settled
Bornhorn had surgery to seal his spinal cord one day after being born, then had another procedure in 2020 to repair his spinal cord tether.
"When we first found out ‒ and he's the youngest of four ‒ you never want to hear anything is different with your kids or wrong or whatever, and there were just a lot of unknowns before he was even born. As he was growing up, there was a lot of, 'How's he going to do this or that?' You could just see him sitting there watching his siblings and friends, and he was just gonna figure out how to do it. He always just sat there and watched and the next thing you know, he was right there in the mix with them. He's always been a determined kid and he's always wanted to be a part of the group," Bradley's mother, Stephanie, said.
Growing up, he played soccer for a short period of time but didn't like it, partially because it involved a lot of running. Spina bifida affects the sensory and motor neurons in the lower body, so Bornhorn never quite had the musculature that soccer requires. He also can't feel pain below his knees.
Born into a baseball-loving family in a baseball town, he frequented Great American Ball Park and gained an admiration for Reds pitchers like Homer Bailey, Anthony DeSclafani and Hunter Greene. That love for the sport continued as he took the diamond at an early age.
"My parents have really given me everything I need to be able to excel. My coaches have been really good about watching me and knowing what my limits are," Bradley said.
His father, Josh, added: "He's exceeded every expectation that I've ever wanted for him. I try not to set lofty goals for my kids because everybody's their own person and I want them to do whatever they want to do."
Bradley Bornhorn has been a workhorse for Holy Cross baseball
Holy Cross baseball coach Rob Weremeling first met Bradley when he was in sixth grade and Wermeling was coaching Ben Bornhorn, who was a sophomore at the time.
"He's always been determined, always been a good teammate and gives absolutely 100 percent every day, every time," Wermeling said.
Bornhorn brought a different perspective to the Indians' pitching staff. He wears braces on his lower legs and has limited ankle flexibility, leading to an adapted delivery and decreased velocity. He made up for it with his core strength and creativity on the mound.
"He knows how to locate pitches. He knew that he wasn't going to blow the ball by anybody so he would pitch to contact," Wermeling said. "There were times early in his career where he might have gotten hit a little bit but that never deterred him from trying to do something that he wasn't capable of doing, which speaks to his character."
For as much as the baseball program has welcomed Bradley, the Bornhorn family has just as much love for Holy Cross, Wermeling and pitching coach Andy Roenker. Bradley believes that he couldn't have had the career that he did or be embraced by his teammates at any other school.
"He was the name they would yell if a pitcher was struggling on the mound. It was, 'Brad, go get ready.' and it wasn't even a second thought. To hear that while being on the bench keeping the book was the biggest compliment they could ever give me," Josh said.
Wermeling added: "One of our mottos that we go by is 'Holy Cross is a place for all.' We're very open to everybody who walks in the doors at Holy Cross and I think that Bradley shows that is truly is a place for all."
This fall, Bradley will attend Northern Kentucky University with the hopes of becoming a Major League Baseball broadcaster, continuing his dream while not letting his condition slow him down.
Argentina’s World Cup defense has already produced a Lionel Messi hat-trick, but the champions’ early control has shown up in the data as well as the scoreline.
Lionel Scaloni’s side opened with a 3-0 win over Algeria, giving Argentina the kind of calm start every title holder wants.
Messi took the headlines with all three goals, yet Argentina’s passing under pressure may say just as much about why they remain so difficult to unsettle. The first round of fixtures left Argentina top of one telling World Cup category.
Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images
Argentina lead World Cup in passing under pressure
OptaJoe highlighted the stat on X, showing how cleanly Argentina have moved the ball even when opponents have tried to close them down.
“Argentina have completed 89 percent of their passes under high-intensity pressure at this FIFA World Cup, the highest accuracy of any team,” OptaJoe revealed on X.
The number points to the same composure that has defined Argentina under Scaloni. They are not just keeping possession when the game slows down; they are still finding teammates when the pressure comes quickly.
That matters for a team built around Messi’s moments but protected by structure behind him. Argentina can absorb pressure, play through crowded spaces and still move the ball into areas where Messi, Rodrigo De Paul and the rest of the attack can take over.
Lionel Messi’s hat-trick showed Argentina’s World Cup threat
Argentina’s opening win over Algeria gave the defending champions three points, a clean sheet and another reminder that Messi is still shaping World Cup games at 39.
Messi scored in the 17th, 60th and 76th minutes of the 3-0 win, taking his career World Cup total to 16 goals. The hat-trick placed him level with Miroslav Klose at the top of the men’s all-time World Cup scoring list.
The performance also underlined how Argentina can win in more than one way. Messi’s finishing gave them the margin, but the team’s control under pressure helped keep Algeria from turning the game into something chaotic.
That blend is why Argentina still look like a serious threat in 2026. They have the star power to decide games and the passing security to stop opponents from dragging them away from their rhythm.
One match does not define a title defense, but Argentina’s first showing was exactly the kind of start that makes the rest of the field take notice. The champions looked calm, clinical, and difficult to disrupt.
I know soccer. Not in the “I watched Ted Lasso and now I understand the offside rule” way. I played goalie growing up, and good enough to make a travel team. We played tournaments in Canada and spent plenty of weekends getting yelled at by parents who thought every goal was somehow my fault.
So when the World Cup rolls around every four years and America has its annual soccer identity crisis, I understand the sport. I appreciate the skill, and respect the global obsession. I just don’t buy the same question we ask every single time: “Is this finally the moment soccer becomes one of America’s major sports?”
No.
Next question.
The more interesting question is what the early numbers from this World Cup tell us about who we are as a sports nation. Not what soccer could become someday, or whether America can ever become Brazil, Argentina or Germany. We’ve been asking that question for decades.
The better question is what the television ratings, social media engagement and audience growth tell us about soccer’s place in America right now. The answer is both encouraging and revealing.
Must-See TV
Last week’s U.S. opener against Paraguay averaged nearly 18 million viewers on FOX Sports. It became the most-watched U.S. Men’s National Team telecast ever and the most-watched English-language World Cup group-stage match in American television history. Add in the Spanish-language audience, and the total approached 25 million viewers.
Those are not niche numbers, or “good for soccer” numbers. Those are real numbers.
For comparison, Mexico’s opener against South Africa drew more than six million viewers in the United States. The largest audience ever for a World Cup group-stage match on English-language television that didn’t involve the United States.
Again, real numbers. The World Cup is clearly a major television event in America.
However, before we start engraving soccer’s face onto Mount Rushmore alongside football, baseball and basketball, let’s pump the brakes.
Fútbol Isn’t Football (Yet)
A recent survey found 32 percent of Americans planned to watch the World Cup. That sounds impressive until you realize 70 percent planned to watch the Super Bowl and 58 percent planned to watch the Winter Olympics. The World Cup is growing. The NFL is living on a different planet.
That’s not a criticism of soccer. It’s just reality.
America’s relationship with soccer is different from its relationship with football. Football is religion. The World Cup is an event, and that’s where I think many soccer evangelists miss the point. Every four years, they see the ratings spike, jerseys worn, flags waived, and the packed watch parties. They assume America is finally converting.
Maybe we’re not converting. Maybe we’re just attending the holiday.
Because that’s what the World Cup increasingly resembles in America: the Olympics with shin guards. It’s a massive global event that temporarily captures our attention, and sparks patriotism. It creates a few household names and then largely retreats to its normal place in the sports hierarchy. That’s not failure. That’s actually success.
Soccer doesn’t need to become the NFL to matter. The numbers suggest it already matters. Nielsen reports North America’s soccer fan base has grown nearly 11 percent over the last five years. Interest in the World Cup itself has risen significantly compared to 2022. Younger demographics continue to embrace the sport. The MLS is healthier than it has ever been. Lionel Messi changed the visibility of the domestic game almost overnight.
The trend line is undeniable. The destination is where people get confused.
Already Arrived
I’ve worked in sports media for three decades. Every four years, somebody asks if this is finally soccer’s breakthrough moment. At some point, we have to stop asking whether soccer is arriving and start recognizing that it already has.
I don’t think soccer is headed toward becoming America’s favorite sport. I think it’s becoming America’s fifth sport, and that is a remarkable achievement. The NFL owns Sundays. College football owns Saturdays. Baseball owns summer traditions. The NBA owns social media. The NHL still owns parts of the northern map and somehow generates more passion than its television ratings would suggest.
Soccer exists differently. It owns moments.
The World Cup. The Women’s World Cup. Messi. International competition. The occasional Champions League match that reminds Americans there are sporting atmospheres on Earth that make a Knicks championship parade in New York look like a library.
That’s the lane.
The U.S. now heads into a second-round matchup against Australia carrying genuine momentum. The women remain a global powerhouse. Our U.S. men are competitive. The ratings are strong, audience is younger, and fan base is growing.
If you’re looking for evidence that soccer is about to overtake baseball, basketball or football, you’re reading the wrong numbers. The real story isn’t that America has fallen in love with soccer. It’s that America has finally decided soccer belongs.
Not as king. Not as a challenger. Just as a permanent member of the family.
For a sport that spent decades trying to convince Americans it mattered, that’s a much bigger victory than another round of “Could we someday become Brazil?” We’ve been asking that question every four years for as long as I can remember.
The ratings are finally giving us a better one.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
With decades of experience behind the mic, John Lund is more than a sports commentator and weekly columnist for Barrett Media—he’s a storyteller, humorist, and true fan. He’s hosted shows in mid sized markets like Pittsburgh and Salt Lake City to larger cities like San Francisco, Detroit and Dallas. John has even hosted nationally on ESPN Radio. Known for his sharp wit and deep sports knowledge, John welcomes your feedback. Reach him on X @JohnLundRadio or by email at John@JohnLundRadio.com.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. hit the first of Kansas City’s three home runs before leaving with a sore right knee, and the Royals smacked a club-record five doubles in a six-run second inning Thursday night on the way to a 14-6 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.
Jac Caglianone and Salvador Perez also went deep for the Royals, who set season highs for runs and hits (17). Each of the first eight batters in the starting lineup had at least one RBI.
Witt homered in the first inning and delivered an RBI single in the second. But he was lifted for a pinch hitter in the fourth after making a sliding stop at shortstop in the top of the inning. The two-time All-Star was shaken up on the play and got checked out on the field by an athletic trainer.
Kansas City took a 7-2 lead in the second on the strength of five doubles — a team record for one inning. Carter Jensen, Isaac Collins, Lane Thomas and Starling Marte each had an RBI double. Perez led off with a two-bagger.
Caglianone hit a two-run shot to left-center in the fourth for his ninth homer this season. Nick Loftin doubled in two more runs.
Perez added his 10th home run in the sixth. It was his 137th at Kauffman Stadium, most in the ballpark’s history.
Royals starter Noah Cameron (4-4) threw 108 pitches in five innings. He gave up four runs, three earned, and eight hits.
Matthew Liberatore (3-4) was charged with seven runs — five earned — and seven hits in 1 2/3 innings.
Up next
RHP Seth Lugo (2-4, 3.86 ERA) returns to the Royals’ rotation Friday after spending the required seven days on the concussion injured list. He was hit in the head by a line drive last week. RHP Michael McGreevy (3-5, 2.99) pitches for the Cardinals in the second game of the series.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 05: Joey Bart #14 of the Pittsburgh Pirates gets ready in the batters box against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on May 05, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Despite having tonight’s scheduled series finale against the San Francisco Giants rained out well ahead of first pitch, the Atlanta Braves are still up burning the midnight oil while trying to figure things out with their roster. The latest bit of shuffling sees the Braves going back to addressing their catcher situation, as they’ve brought in another backstop to help fortify that spot.
Joey Bart is now a member of the Braves after being acquired in a straight swap with the Pirates for Hunter Stratton.
What makes this an interesting move for the Braves is that Bart is currently on the IL. With that being said, he appears ready to leave the IL imminently since he’d been on rehab assignment for a week now. It took him a month to recover from a foot infection (yikes) but apparently he’s healthy and ready to go now and as it turns out, he’ll be doing so in a Braves uniform instead of a Pirates uniform.
Bart hasn’t swung the bat particularly well this season, as he’s hitting .259/.290/.370 with a .294 wOBA and 82 wRC+ along with two homers but he did serve as a very reliable backup catcher for the Pirates over the past couple of seasons. Across the 2024 and 2025 seasons, Bart hit .257/.346/.398 with a .331 wOBA and 110 wRC+ with 17 homers to boot. That is perfectly fine plate production from a backup catcher and the Braves are obviously hoping that he’ll be able to tap into that vein of form while he’s here in Atlanta. Bart is also a Georgia Tech product who went to high school at Buford so maybe some home cooking will do him right, as well.
Hunter Stratton is actually heading back to Pittsburgh after the Braves picked him up in July 2025 in exchange for Titus Dumitru and cash considerations. Stratton made 12 appearances for the Braves, the bulk of which came in September when the season was quite clearly lost and they were just trying to end things on a high note as professionals. Stratton produced a 2.220 ERA and a 4.18 FIP during his 2025 stint with the Braves and only got one inning of work in for Atlanta during 2026 — a scoreless inning on May 2 against the Rockies.
Meanwhile, Sandy León is the latest Braves veteran to hop aboard the DFA cycle and considering how this stint went for León at the plate and where he was to start the season, it’s really anybody’s guess as to whether or not he’ll stick around with the Braves going forward. I’m certainly not going to speculate this late at night but here’s hoping that León does find a smooth landing spot no matter what happens.
The conversation surrounding the New England Patriots' offseason has (finally) shifted into discussions over the team's two biggest looming contracts. The Patriots are lucky enough to have two top-three players at their position playing on rookie contracts: Christian Gonzalez and Drake Maye.
Gonzalez is due for a massive raise any day now, as a member of the 2023 NFL Draft class.
Maye still has a year before he will be given what could very well be a half-a-billion-dollar deal.
The question looming in the back of all Patriots fans' minds is whether or not the team can succeed with these two massive contracts on the books.
The answer is, in short, it will be no problem. The NFL cap is very navigable. Just look at the Kansas City Chiefs. They were able to win back-to-back Super Bowls while paying Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes and Chris Jones.
"Teams like the Rams and the Eagles have figured out ways to have multiple players paid at or near the top of the market for years," Perry wrote.
However, Perry did offer a warning. The insider questioned the Patriots' willingness to subject such a large portion of their payroll to a small percentage of the roster.
"Before hiring Mike Vrabel, Robert Kraft explained that the Patriots are essentially a cash-to-cap operation. They try to keep their spending in line with the cap over a three-year period," Perry wrote. "Their spending has been sizable over the last two offseasons, and executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf told Yahoo! recently that that approach probably isn't 'sustainable.'"
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JUNE 16: Michael Olise #11 of France reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match between France and Senegal at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 16, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Bayern Munich has made it very clear that it will not sell Michael Olise. However, Real Madrid and Manchester City seem ready to make the Bavarians…AN INDECENT PROPOSAL (insert that sultry Chris Isaak tune from the late 80s):
According to MARCA, Bayern Munich and France winger Michael Olise has become Real Madrid’s top transfer target as the club weighs up the possibility of launching a record-breaking bid for the Bayern Munich star.
The French international is regarded internally as the ideal addition to strengthen the attack, and the club could be prepared to invest well over €200 million to secure his signature. During the recent presidential election campaign, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez made headlines when he revealed that the club intended to submit a €150 million offer for a player competing in the Champions League.
At the time, speculation centered on Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise after the subject was raised directly during an interview. Convincing Bayern Munich to sell will be the biggest obstacle. The German champions have never been known as a club willing to part easily with their elite players.
Bayern president Herbert Hainer previously dismissed speculation regarding a Madrid approach, insisting that no formal offer had been received and suggesting the club had no intention of selling. As a result, Real Madrid understand that any potential deal would require an extraordinary financial package.
While the club still has funds available from previous transfer plans, estimates suggest Bayern would only consider discussions at figures exceeding €200 million but limited to €220 million.
It really would be hard to imagine Bayern Munich even flinching at the moment — even if that there was a proposal worth an absolute ton of money. Olise is too important to what Bayern Munich is trying to get done in the next two seasons. Sure, anything is possible, but this still seems very unlikely.
Liverpool submitted an offer to RB Leipzig for Yan Diomande:
🚨❌ BREAKING | Liverpool have officially submitted a first offer for Yan Diomande: €100m package (90+10).
RB Leipzig are set to reject the bid. Leipzig’s position is clear: they are not prepared to sell Diomande for €100m, neither to Liverpool nor to Paris Saint-Germain. #LFC
RB board want to keep him, improve his salary and extend his contract with a release clause. Otherwise, it would take an extraordinary fee to change their stance. @philipphinze24 @SkySportDE
After the rejection, Liverpool is readying another offer:
🚨📈 Liverpool plan to return very soon with an improved offer for Yan Diomande after their €100m package was rejected, as just revealed. #LFC
Liverpool are aware of Diomande‘s personal terms and do not expect any issues on that front should an agreement with RB Leipzig be reached.
No offer from Paris Saint-Germain at this stage. @philipphinze24
In a post that was intended to disclose Tottenham Hotspur’s interest in Anderlecht midfielder Nathan De Cat, it was revealed that Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund could also be in the mix:
Tottenham are firmly in the mix to sign talented Belgian midfielder Nathan De Cat, TEAMtalk understands, with Manchester United among his other admirers from the Premier League. Few young talents have generated as much excitement as the 17-year-old, who burst onto the scene with Anderlecht this season, showcasing a maturity far beyond his years.
A powerful defensive midfielder with excellent ball-winning abilities, precise passing, and leadership qualities, De Cat has already earned a senior cap for Belgium and established himself as a key figure in Anderlecht’s midfield.
Sources suggest the Brussels club would consider offers around €40million (£34.7m / $45.8m) – a potential club-record fee that reflects his sky-high potential. Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have been locked in a high-profile battle for his signature, drawn to his physical presence and tactical intelligence. Sources confirm both clubs have made approaches.
It has been rumored that Bayern Munich would still look to add a central midfielder after missing on Kennet Eichhorn’s decision to join Bayer Leverkusen, but the Bavarians had not been linked to De Cat in quite a while.
Does Bayern Munich have another ace up its sleeve for this summer?
FC Barcelona star Raphinha is reportedly on the radar of Al Hilal:
Al Hilal are considering a move for Barcelona winger Raphinha ahead of next season, according to Globo. The Saudi Pro League side have renewed their interest in the Brazil international, but are aware he is unlikely to discuss his future until after the World Cup. Raphinha remains under contract at Barcelona and is seen as a key player in Hansi Flick’s plans. However, Al Hilal are preparing a significant offer as they continue their push to recruit another marquee attacking star.
Arsenal continues to be linked to Paris Saint-Germain attacker Bradley Barcola:
Arsenal are looking into the necessary details before lodging a bid for Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola.
The 23-year-old has continued his sparkling form from last season for the European champions after scoring on his World Cup debut in France’s 3-1 over Senegal.
Barcola has become one of the game’s brightest stars, with Liverpool also thought to have tracked his progress, with Andoni Iraola’s side thought to be in the market for two wide forwards this summer.
Inter Milan reportedly wants Eduardo Camavings, but would Real Madrid actually consider a sale of the midfielder? That is unclear, at least for now:
Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga is on Internazionale’s summer shortlist, Mundo Deportivo reports. As things stand, the France international (who did not make the World Cup squad) is fully committed to Los Blancos, but that may change over the summer, as he is not in new head coach José Mourinho’s plans. During a recent visit to the Bernabéu for the Corazón Classic Match, Inter president Giuseppe Marotta is reported to have spoken with Florentino Pérez about players — with Camavinga high on the agenda.
You have to wonder if Real Madrid is not just seeking to turnover part of the roster just to get some of the bad vibes out — and that is not saying Camavinga was part of the problem in Madrid. Sometimes, though, you just have to shake some players loose. Ultimately, there are several candidates — even seemingly good guys like Camavinga — who could be a part of a roster flip.
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Drew Brees talks about his beginnings in football at the Hall, Friday, April 17, 2026.
The NFL season is not quite underway yet, but there was some buzz last season that NFL legend and former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees could come out of retirement.
But Brees recently revealed the reason why he will not come out of retirement.
Why Drew Brees Is Staying Retired
Brees was a living legend in the NFL, as he spent the majority of his career with the New Orleans Saints, totaling 80,358 passing yards, 571 touchdown passes, and 243 interceptions. He also defeated the Indianapolis Colts in the 2009 season for his only Super Bowl ring.
Knowing that there was buzz in the previous season that Brees might come out of retirement, he recently went on the “Bussin’ with the Boys” podcast to discuss why he is staying retired. The reason he is staying retired might open some fans’ eyes.
“Well, look, I would know where to throw it, I just don’t know if I could get it there. That’s one lingering effect from the shoulder surgery,” Brees said. “I don’t throw with my right arm anymore. I actually throw left-handed. I kind of started doing that towards the end of my career.
“Just with my kids, because I come home after a long day of practice and I didn’t have anything left in my right arm… But the boys want to play catch. I throw left-handed. I’m pretty mean inside of 30 with this left arm.”
Brees threw right-handed his whole career in New Orleans, and he could be considered one of the smoothest and purest passers that the NFL ever saw. The fact that he had shoulder surgery and no longer throws with the arm that he did in the NFL speaks to how it affected him and his body.
If Brees were to come out of retirement in today’s NFL, he could be ranked in the top 10 of current quarterbacks who play. Even if he were throwing left-handed in the NFL after having surgery on his shoulder, he would still be dominant.
The fact that Brees only won one ring after all the years that he played in the NFL, and how many stats he put up, is astonishing. But the fact that he can still play with his kids and throw with his other arm speaks to how committed Brees is and was to the game of football.
Brees was very deserving of a nomination in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and will go down as one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play.
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 14: Sean O'Malley connects against Aiemann Zahabi of Canada in a bantamweight fight during the UFC Freedom 250 event on the South Lawn at the White House on June 14, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Let’s start the night off by taking a look back over the three biggest stories of Thursday, June 18, 2026.
Could Sean O’Malley vs. Aleksandre Topuria be a storyline for sometime in the future? A couple more wins for “El Conquistador” and I’d be interested!
😬 Sean O’Malley says Aleksandre Topuria refused to acknowledge him throughout UFC White House fight week, despite him shaking hands with the rest of the Topuria team
“His brother didn’t even look at me. I shook all of his teams hands, acknowledged, but his brother would not… pic.twitter.com/SUFc44iAwB
— Fight Pics That Go Hard (@fightpicsgohard) June 15, 2026
Floyd Mayweather facing more legal trouble … who thought giving “Money” a big advance was a good idea?!?
Floyd Mayweather was sued Thursday as promoter CSI seeks repayment of $4.65 million in advances paid to the boxer for a two-fight deal to face Mike Tyson and Manny Pacquiao, according to a complaint obtained by The Ring’s @MikeCoppinger.
43 years ago, Earl Hargrove defeated Donald King by TKO in round 9 of 10 to improve his record to 22-0 (22 KOs). One of the most violent fights of the 80's. pic.twitter.com/S818eJ32lW
The 2026 World Cup includes third-place teams in the knockout rounds for the first time since the 1994 tournament in the United States.
The last time the U.S. hosted the World Cup, the field was 24 teams and 16 teams made the knockout rounds. When the tournament was expanded to 32 teams in 1998, the knockout rounds stayed at 16 teams. That made the math easy. The top two teams from each of the eight four-team groups advanced.
With the move to expand this Cup by 16 more teams to 48, the World Cup increased from eight groups to 12. And it brought third-place teams back into the equation when FIFA added a Round of 32.
Eight of the 12 third-place teams will still advance to the knockout stage after the group stage ends on June 27, meaning results in later games could directly impact teams that finished their groups earlier in the week.
There will definitely be some nervous teams and fans of third-place teams next week. Here's how the whole process will play out.
How the third-place teams are determined
The eight advancing third-place teams will be determined by points. But there are going to be a lot of teams tied on four or three points. Simply going by points isn't enough.
The first tiebreaker is goal differential. A team with four points over three games with a two-goal win, a tie and a one-goal loss will have a significant advantage over a team with four points who won by one, lost by one and tied.
The second tiebreaker is goals allowed. If teams are even on goal differential, the team that allowed fewer goals will be given priority.
The third tiebreaker will be a team's fair play score based on its number of yellow and red cards in the group stage. The fewer cards, the better. And red cards negatively impact a team's fair play score more than yellow cards do. A team like South Africa, which had two players receive straight red cars in its opening match against Mexico, doesn't want to get to this step in the tiebreaking process.
If there are any teams in line for the knockout rounds that are tied on fair play points, FIFA's world rankings are the final tiebreaker.
Head-to-head is now a variable
While head-to-head results won't have anything to do with the how the advancing third-place teams are picked, they may end up determining if a team finishes in third place.
In recent years, FIFA had eschewed head-to-head results as a tiebreaker in group play in favor of goal differential and goals allowed if two teams ended up tied on points. But this year, if two teams have the same number of points in their group, the result of their game will be the first tiebreaker. If that game was a tie, then goal differential becomes the primary tiebreaker.
How the third-place teams stack up after two games:
Group A
Czechia: 1 point, minus-1 goal differential
Czechia is tied on points with South Africa, but has a goal differential that's one better. Czechia ends group play against Mexico, which clinched the group with a win over South Korea on Thursday night. South Africa plays second-place South Korea.
Group B
Bosnia and Herzegovina: 1 point, minus-3 goal differential
The Bosnians lost 4-1 to Switzerland on Thursday but are still three goals ahead of Qatar on goal differential for third place after Qatar's 6-0 loss to Canada. Bosnia-Herzegovina can put itself in the mix for a knockout round spot with a win over Qatar to end the group stage.
Co-hosts Mexico are the first team into the World Cup knock-out stage after a hard-fought 1-0 win against South Korea on Thursday.
They went through as group winners and will play the first knock-out match on home soil.
After a goalless first half, Mexico were able to find a space through the South Korean defence in the 50th minute as Luis Romo scored the crucial winner - and thanks to a big mistake from goalkeeper Kim Seung Gyu.
Kim collected a cross but collided against his own team-mate and dropped the ball. Romo capitalized on the confusion and slammed the ball into an open net.
Raul Jimenez almost doubled Mexico's lead with a half-volley from inside the area in the 76th but Kim mad a stunning save.
The three points were secured when Mexico goalkeeper Raul Rangel operated a miracle.
He first repelled Cho Wi Je's effort with his boot. The defender got the ball back and deflected it on target but Rangel made a save on the line while in a prone position.
"It was difficult. We know them very well. They put us under a lot of pressure. They didn't give us any space and neither did we," Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said.
"In the end, it felt like one mistake was always going to make the difference one way or another. It wasn't a great match and the opposition didn't allow us to do much."
Mexico secured the group win with six points from two wins in as many games. South Korea are second with three points, while Czech Republic and South Africa have one point each after their 1-1 draw earlier.
Mexico host the Czech Republic on June 24 while South Korea face South Africa.
"The way we conceded was disappointing. We will give everything in the last game of the group stage," South Korea coach Hong Myung Bo said.
"I asked the players to remain calm and play our game. It wasn't bad. We kept out composure throughout the game."
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves acquired catcher Joey Bart from the Pittsburgh Pirates for right-handed pitcher Hunter Stratton on Thursday night.
Atlanta made room for Bart on the 40-man roster by designating catcher Sandy León for assignment. The Pirates assigned Stratton to Triple-A Indianapolis.
Bart was batting .259 with two homers, six RBIs and a .670 OPS in 21 games with Pittsburgh. He grew up in the Atlanta suburbs and played college ball in the city at Georgia Tech before being selected second overall by the San Francisco Giants in the 2018 amateur draft.
The NL East-leading Braves (46-27) already have two fine catchers in 2025 NL Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin and 2023 All-Star Sean Murphy, but Murphy is on the 60-day injured list with a broken finger.
Stratton appeared in one game with the Braves this year and pitched a scoreless inning. He played for the Pirates from 2023-25 before getting traded to Atlanta last July.
León was batting .091 with zero RBIs in 21 games this season.
In what has appeared to be an open AL MVP race in 2026, many fans have pinned Bobby Witt Jr. as a contender for the award.
With Aaron Judge's injury earlier in the season, then a more recent injury to the Guardians' Jose Ramirez, the door has been opened a bit for Witt to step in with his first MVP award after finishing fourth in voting last season. However, with the Royals star enjoying another strong all-around campaign, he faced some concern on Thursday night.
Witt left Kansas City's matchup against the Cardinals early after appearing to hurt his right leg.
In the fourth inning of Thursday's game, with the Royals owning a 7-2 lead, Jordan Walker sent a ground ball Witt's way — the shortstop traveled to his right and made the stop, but when he turned to make the throw off his legs, he fell to the ground.
Witt, who homered earlier in the game, got the ball back to the pitcher instead, then faced down in some pain.
Initially, he stayed in the game. But in the bottom half of the inning, Witt was pinch-hit for. The Royals said that Witt left the game with "right knee discomfort."
Bobby Witt Jr. left the game after appearing to hurt his right leg
He initially stayed in the game but was pinch-hit for in the bottom of the inning pic.twitter.com/5AJhZRUG0o
Following the game, Royals manager Matt Quatraro told reporters that the starting shortstop would undergo more testing before any sort of diagnosis would be made.
#Royals manager Matt Quatraro didn't have much of an update on Bobby Witt Jr. postgame. He said Witt was getting further testing.
— Jaylon T. Thompson (@jaylonthompson) June 19, 2026
What happened to Bobby Witt Jr.?
Witt left Thursday's game against the Cardinals with a right knee injury after fielding a ground ball in the fourth inning.
He slid on his knees to make the stop, but couldn't make the throw afterward as he was in some pain. Witt was then pinch-hit for in the following half-inning.
MILWAUKEE – Preparing for an opponent like the Divine Savior Holy Angels girls soccer team is one thing.
Actually playing against the highly-touted Dashers is another issue entirely.
Top-seeded DSHA was impressive in shutting out Kimberly 3-0 in a WIAA Division 1 state semifinal at Uihlein Soccer Park on June 18.
DSHA (18-2-2) advances to play Muskego (14-2-3) in the D1 title game Saturday, June 20. Muskego, the four-time defending state champion, beat Oregon 2-1 in the other semifinal.
The Dashers brought a style of play that was unique to the Papermakers. DSHA's aggressive attack forced Kimberly to drop extra defenders in the backfield, according to Kimberly coach Andrew Sutton.
"They do some things that we've never seen before," Sutton said. "We watch some film, but it's hard to replicate it and practice against.
"They really trust their backline, so when you leave your centerbacks back and you're attacking with eight or sometimes even nine girls, that means everybody has to defend. A lot of teams we play, they leave four back and so they're only attacking with six."
DSHA controlled play for most of the first half. The Dashers got a goal from Sarah McElherne, who booted in a loose ball in the box in the 21st minute. Reese Roethe scored 10 minutes later off an assist from older sister Avery Roethe that gave DSHA a 2-0 lead heading into the half.
Izzy Burris scored DSHA's third goal in the 50th minute off a header in the box to complete the scoring. DSHA outshot Kimberly 10-5, including 5-1 in the first half. The Dashers also had a 2-0 corner kicks advantage.
Kimberly (22-2) was able to pressure DSHA on offense more in the second half, according to Sutton.
"I thought we had some really good moments in the second half," Sutton said. "Again, we just couldn't quite get that really good shot that we wanted. But I thought we had moments where we were in their defensive third. But [DSHA] is just so smart on the ball and they would defend well and then find a way to get it out. We just couldn't find that final shot."
Kimberly says goodbye to a senior class that helped the Papermakers make three consecutive state appearances, including a runner-up finish in 2024 – Brey, Bee Brockert, Lily Werner, Ayla Raasch, Emily Urban and Katie Owens.
"I'm just still in awe," Sutton said. "To come down here for the third time. ... You look at some of the seniors who have been such a key part of our success, even as sophomores two years ago. Part of the reason we're here is because of them. But then we have some sophomores and a freshman. We had some juniors come up big this year. I think we were able to jell. I think the seniors helped relay some of the expectations of how we play and why we're so successful."
Owens pointed out how difficult it is for teams to make it to state three consecutive seasons.
"I'm just super proud of this team and what we've gone through," she said. "It was super cool playing with my younger sister Lindsey. And it's cool playing with the senior group and we've been here since we first came to state my sophomore year."
Brey said she had a memorable connection with her team.
"I have such wonderful teammates," Brey said. "I know everyone out there played 110% for us. I can walk away from this game knowing that we tried our best. We might not have gotten the victory, but it shows the people we are and that we did try our best."
It’s a cliché to say that the Game 4 comeback embodied the Chicago Wolves' season. It’s what came to mind when they won the Western Conference Final, winning Game 6 and Game 7 to advance to the Calder Cup Final. Or, how they went on this playoff run in the first place, as a team that was overlooked early on in the season, yet powered past some of the top teams in their conference.
It’s what made the comeback in Game 4 fascinating but not surprising. They were down 3-1 heading into the third, and the Toronto Marlies were counting down the minutes before they could hoist the Calder Cup. The Wolves were counted down, yet comebacks are a part of their DNA, and it showed in their recent win.
The Wolves don’t quit or go down easy. The win buts the series deficit to 3-1 and shows how this matchup, this battle, this story that is the 2025-26 American Hockey League season is far from complete. The Wolves have more in the tank, and they hope to get every bit out of their players to complete this series comeback and put a bow on what’s been a memorable AHL season.
The Wolves Needed A Spark & Got It From Their Offense
Hockey, or a game, is often measured by feel. The flow of the game and the players' energy can tell a fan what will happen before it does. The first two periods were all Marlies, and they looked like a team destined to hoist the Calder Cup for the first time since 2018. The fans at Coca-Cola Coliseum felt it too and knew they were minutes away from the first sweep in the Final since 2016.
The Wolves needed a spark and a jolt of energy just to get back into the game. They needed a big play to give them hope that a comeback was possible. They got it in the third period from Domenick Fensore, who fired a top-shelf shot to cut the deficit to one. Then, they got another spark that flipped the momentum of the game from Justin Robidas with a wraparound goal that tied the game.
Those two goals were fitting for the Wolves' roster build. They found depth scoring with great puck movement, allowing a veteran to find an open look in the faceoff circle. Then, they saw one of their star prospects find the back of the net with Robidas showing off the skill that will get him to the NHL someday.
The Wolves needed their offense to wake up to turn Game 4 and the series around. Through three games, they only had six goals, and they were shut out in the 1-0 Game 3 loss. That boost from the offense was all they needed as they entered overtime revitalized and with the edge. It allowed Viktor Neuchev to score the game-winner to force a Game 5 the following night.
The Wolves Improved As Game 4 Went On
Everything started with the play in the net. The Marlies have the goaltending edge in this series with Artur Ahktyamov playing at an elite level. However, Cayden Primeau started to find his footing in Game 4.
Primeau, the veteran who led the Wolves on this deep playoff run, missed three games with an injury and returned to the starting net for Game 2 of the Final. He wasn’t himself. Now, he looks like the lights-out goaltender who gives the Wolves a chance. He blanked the Marlies and had 33 saves. The Wolves fed off of it.
They had more energy in the third period and overtime. The Wolves were winning puck battles. They found an answer to the Marlies physical play and pushed back with a tough style of their own.
By the time overtime rolled around, the Wolves knew that the game was theirs for the taking. Yes, they were playing on the brink in elimination, yet they looked like the team that was playing for the Cup. The Marlies played the overtime frame, trying not to lose; the Wolves were playing to win.
The Wolves Still Have A Lot Of Work To Do
The win, while impressive, is only one in a best-of-seven series. The Wolves still trail 3-1 in the Final, and the Marlies, for the most part, have controlled play. Even in Game 4, they looked like the better team and only let it slip away in the third period.
The Marlies will come out stronger in Game 5. They had this series wrapped up, and the Calder Cup title was in their grasp. They allowed it to slip away, even after Ryan Tverberg’s late second-period goal looked like the knockout punch they needed.
Ultimately, Game 5 showed how close and entertaining this series has been. Three out of the four games were decided by one goal. Two of the four games went to overtime. For hockey fans, this is one thrill before everyone heads into the summer.
TMZ Sports brings word that CSI Entertainment is suing Floyd Mayweather Jr, seeking to claim damages for “Money’s” ill-fated bouts with Mike Tyson and Manny Pacquiao and to stop him from facing Mike Zambidis next week.
The news comes just days after ESPN revealed that Mayweather (50-0, 27 KO) got slapped with felony charges over a bad check.
Things swiftly went off the rails. Pacquiao and Mayweather gave conflicting reports as to whether their meeting would be an exhibition or professional match, while few details emerged about the Tyson fight before “Iron” wound up breaking his hand 10 days before fight night.
Per the report, things were similarly chaotic behind the scenes. CSI alleges that they paid $4.5 million for the rights to both the Tyson and Pacquiao bouts, only for Mayweather to go behind their backs, set up the Zambidis bout with a separate promoter, and “secretly [sign] a separate deal with another company to stream the fight with Pacquiao on Netflix from the Sphere in Las Vegas.”
The laws of comedy demand that Mayweather face a third, equally humiliating legal dispute in the immediate future, so we’ll keep you in the loop.
The San Antonio Spurs were three wins away from an NBA championship. Considering this was a group in their first NBA Playoffs appearance, it was an impressive run. Victor Wembanyama proved he was a megastar with his performances throughout the postseason.
Despite that, the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks left a lot to be desired with Wembanyama. This led former Knicks star Carmelo Anthony to believe that an aggressive Wembanyama could have won the championship.
Carmelo Anthony urges Victor Wembanyama to be more aggressive
As a tremendous offensive player himself, Anthony knows the value of being an aggressive star. He might not have won the NBA championship in his career, but he has experienced enough to speak about the game.
Wembanyama is still a young player who just wrapped up his third NBA season. He should be willing to hear out all the advice from older players who came before him. This advice from Carmelo is a good one to think about moving forward.
When it comes to Wembanyama's biggest strengths, his defense is still the most impactful part of his game. Due to his size, he should be able to dominate both ends of the floor, but he is much more reliable on defense than offense these days.
That is why Anthony thinks Wembanyama could benefit from not relying too much on his teammates. Being a shot generator himself could pan out well for the Spurs, especially when he needs to take over games.
"When I say that, hear me out when I say that because the dominance that he portrayed in the OKC series, right, as far as in the paint, touching the paint, paint touches, nobody can do that," Anthony said on his 7PM in Brooklyn show.
"The games that he did that against the Knicks, it was the same thing in the paint, going hard, going to work. But I also think that because he trusted his teammates so much, he put so much trust into his teammates that it took away from him being dominant in the paint."
It is a valid point from Anthony, but some people might dismiss it. Wembanyama is a physically imposing player who could benefit from utilizing that size to dominate his matchups on both ends.
He can still be a defensive monster, but a bit more aggression and decisiveness can go a long way for the Spurs' superstar during high-pressure games when the guards aren't firing.
Following the Mets' 6-4 win over the Phillies on Thursday night, manager Carlos Mendoza and certain players spoke about the happenings during the game...
Key to go-ahead seventh inning
With the score tied 3-3 heading into the seventh inning, it looked as though the frame would end without much doing after Bo Bichette and Juan Soto couldn't capitalize on a Carson Benge leadoff single.
But then came Mark Vientos. The young slugger came up as a pinch-hitter to take on lefty Jose Alvarado. Vientos got behind 1-2 before Alvarado threw three straight balls to extend the inning.
From there, Eric Wagaman hit a pinch-hit single to put the Mets in front and Marcus Semien broke it open with a two-run triple. But while there was a lot going on in that inning, Mendoza pointed to Vientos as the key.
"I thought Vientos’ at-bat there was the key of that whole inning," Mendoza said. "For him to go up there, control the strikezone and end up walking. And then Waggy there and Marcus to break it open. I’m going to back to that inning to the Vientos at-bat."
Back to Semien's at-bat, the veteran second baseman almost struck out before his game-changing triple. On a 2-2 count, Semien swung through Alvarado's cutter in the dirt. The Phillies thought it was a strikeout, but home plate umpire Brian Walsh ruled it a foul tip, which gave Semien a second chance.
One pitch later, and Semien rocketed a triple 99.6 mph off the left-center field wall.
"I saw it right away," Mendoza said of the foul tip. "Glad they were able to see it right away."
“I’m glad that ball hit the dirt because I would have been walking back to the dugout and no runs would have scored," Semien said. "[Alvarado] has a really good cutter, down in the zone. I got him up in the zone, but I was short to the ball, got it into the wind and good things happened.”
Wagaman comes up big
Speaking of Wagaman, Mendoza was asked about pinch-hitting for rookie A.J. Ewing in that spot. The Mets skipper simply played the matchup game, trying to get the right-handed Wagaman a more favorable matchup.
"Tough left-on-left matchup…you got a bullet understanding that’s a pretty good bullpen there and that might be the only chance," Mendoza said of the move. "Glad it worked out for us today."
Entering Thursday's game, Wagaman had just two hits in seven games with the big league club. So it was a risky move, but one Mendoza embraces. When asked how he felt when the move worked out, Mendoza couldn't help but joke.
"I look like a genius," Mendoza said of the move with a smile. "When it doesn’t work out, I’m the worst. That’s part of managing. My job is to put guys in position to have success and it’s baseball."
A pinch-hit single for Eric Wagaman off of Jose Alvarado to give the Mets the lead! pic.twitter.com/oP3Sdad7Je
After being away from the team since April 22 with a calf strain, Lindor's teammates are looking forward to getting their shortstop back soon.
"His defense and his bat is elite," Juan Soto said of getting Lindor back. "He has one of the defensive players in the game and it’s going to help a lot."
"It’s huge. It’s Francisco Lindor," Sean Manaea added. "He’s an integral part of this team. I can’t wait for him to be back and just have his presence again."
“He’s one of the best in the game. We’ll take one of the best in the game in this lineup every time," Semien said. "Hopefully he’s being smart, getting ready and we’ll see how he’s feeling when he gets back. I know things will take time to get back into rhythm, but everyone is excited."
The Mets are hopeful Lindor could be back before the end of June.
The Utah Jazz have found themselves in an interesting situation to begin the offseason.
The franchise isn’t going to compete for championships anytime soon, but every move they make in the next few weeks could have serious implications on their future success.
The Jazz’s multidimensional 7-foot-2 center, Walker Kessler, may have unknowingly completed his last season with the Jazz, as he’s recently been involved in rampant sign-and-trade rumors. NBA reporter Evan Sidery believes there’s a world where the Jazz could swap Kessler for a $16 million Los Angeles Lakers letdown in a three-team sign-and-trade idea
“What a potential sign-and-trade between the Jazz and Lakers for Walker Kessler could look like: Utah: Deandre Ayton (opts into $8.1 million option) + 2027 first-round pick + 2030 pick swap, Los Angeles: Kessler (4-year, $125 million deal), and Brooklyn Nets: Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht, second- round picks, Sidery wrote on X/Twitter Thursday.
The Jazz’s best hope in this scenario would be receiving a motivated, highly aggressive version of Ayton that boasts a non-stop motor and doesn’t zone out at inopportune times. Ayton is only 27, and at his best, he helped the Phoenix Suns reach the NBA Finals as the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.
The problem is, Ayton is coming off a season in which he played erratic basketball and never provided JJ with the comfort and stability he was hoping for entering the year. Ayton contributed 12.5 points and 8.0 rebounds per game with the Lakers, shooting 67.1% from the field in 72 contests.
If the former No. 1 overall pick joins the Jazz and underperforms, losing Kessler will feel like a substantial blunder for the lowly franchise.
During Thursday’s celebration event for the New York Knicks’ recent NBA Championship, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani delivered a passionate speech in which he recounted the history of the Knicks since their last championship 53 years ago while connecting the team’s historic NBA title run to the spirit of the city itself. However, not everyone seems to have enjoyed the speech.
As Mamdani began to receive some high praise for his speech on Thursday, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy took to social media to call out the New York City mayor for “hogging the spotlight,” calling him “inauthentic” and those praising the speech “dumb.”
Mamdani’s Speech Receives Praise
During Thursday’s celebration, Mamdani addressed the thousands of fans in attendance at the event, giving a speech that was widely praised for its passion for both the team and the city.
Mamdani praised dozens of players throughout Knicks history as he connected the team’s historic 29-point comeback in Game 4, where the odds gave them just a 0.4% chance of winning the game at that point, to the overall spirit and culture of New York City as a whole.
“There is one thing that the pundits just don’t get about this team, what they don’t get about this city: it is in that 0.4% that we go to work,” Mamdani said.
“The Knicks did not just win for New York City, they won like New York City,” Mamdani said later in his speech. “What is New York without your back against the wall? A dream that feels just out of reach? A rent payment you don’t know how you’ll ever make? What is New York if not 99.6% of the world stacked against you? And who are New Yorkers who hear those odds, and smile?
“This is our city. This is our team. For 53 years we’ve watched. For 53 years we’ve waited. Now, we’ve won.”
The speech was highly praised, but not everyone was a fan. Knicks owner James Dolan took an apparent swipe at Mamdani’s speech in his own address to the crowd, and Pornoy took to social media to criticize Mamdani as well as anyone praising the speech.
‘Hogging the spotlight’
In a post on X, Portnoy took Mamdani to task, calling him “inauthentic” and “a professional actor.”
“I don’t get why people are impressed by a guy who is good at reading other people’s speeches,” Portnoy wrote in a post on X. “He’s a professional actor.”
“People slobbering all over Mandami,” Portnoy continued, spelling Mamdani’s name wrong. “I get that politicians always try to make sports about them and use it to their advantage so I guess you can’t blame Mandami for hogging the spotlight. But dude couldn’t name 1 player besides Brunson when asked during a debate last year. Now he’s a super fan?”
Portnoy shared a link to an article recounting a New York City Mayorial debate last year when Mamdani and the other candidates were asked to name a current Knick besides Jalen Brunson. Mamdani said “Thibs,” referring to then-head coach Tom Thibodeau.
“I think it speaks to how inauthentic he is and how dumb people are who slurp it up. That’s just me though,” Portnoy said.
Andrew Benintendi's pinch-hit grand slam in the eighth inning lifted the surprising Chicago White Sox to a 5-1 win over the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Thursday night.
White Sox manager Will Venable began the eighth with another pinch-hitter, substituting Sam Antonacci for Luisangel Acuña to get a left-handed bat against Yankees reliever Fernando Cruz. Cruz left a fastball in the high middle of the strike zone and Antonacci lashed it for a double.
Venable then brought another left-handed bat off the bench with Jacob Gonzalez hitting for Junior Perez. Yankees manager Aaron Boone countered with left-handed reliever Tim Hill. That backfired when Hill tried to pitch Gonzalez inside to prevent him from laying down a bunt, but hit him instead.
The same thing happened when Tristan Peters attempted to bunt the runners over, but Hill hit him with a pitch. Hill looked as if he might avoid maximum damage when he got Chase Meidroth to strike out on a high fastball.
Camilo Doval took over to pitch for the Yankees, but Venable used one more left-handed bat from his bench, pinch-hitting Benintendi for Randal Grichuk. Doval threw what appeared to be a good pitch, aiming for a sinker inside. But Benintendi was ready for it, turning perfectly and cranking it into the right-field seats for a grand slam.
Doval got the remaining two outs to finish the inning, allowing a single to Colson Montgomery (who batted 2-for-3 with a second-inning home run), but the damage was done.
White Sox pitcher Sean Burke then retired six of the final seven Yankees hitters he faced, allowing only a Paul Goldschmidt single, and striking out Jasson Domínguez to end the game. Burke pitched 7 1/3 innings, allowing 1 run and 5 hits with 8 strikeouts. He took over for opener Bryan Hudson, who pitched a scoreless 1 2/3 innings.
Ryan McMahon accounted for the Yankees' lone run with a solo homer off Burke in the third inning, his eighth of the season.
The Yankees also lost Jazz Chisholm Jr. in the fourth inning after hitting a foul ball that ricocheted off home plate into a delicate area. All his teammates could do in the dugout was laugh, perhaps knowing that the second baseman might not have been wearing the proper equipment to guard against such a foul ball. There was no word after the game as to Chisholm's status.
The Yankees' bullpen squandered a strong start from Ryan Weathers, who allowed only 1 run and 3 hits over 6 1/3 innings with 8 strikeouts. It was a needed bounce-back for the right-hander, who had given up a combined 16 runs and 18 hits in his past three starts.
Thursday's defeat cost the Yankees a half-game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays for first place in the AL East. They still lead Tampa Bay by three games.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Qatar’s World Cup defeat to Canada on Thursday went so awry that goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada appeared to break down in tears after the final whistle, receiving comfort from a teammate and Canada’s Jacob Schaffelburg.
“It was a tough match, because everything that could go wrong, did go wrong,” coach Julen Lopetegui said. “That’s how football is sometimes.”
Qatar played two men down for most of the second half after a pair of red cards and went on to lose 6-0, the worst defeat in the Persian Gulf country's short World Cup history. Qatar debuted in the tournament as the host in 2022 and lost 2-0 to Ecuador, 3-1 to Senegal and 2-0 to the Netherlands.
The second red card was issued to midfielder Assim Madibo, who tackled Canada's Ismaël Koné from behind, breaking Koné's lower left leg. Koné was stretchered off the field and taken to a hospital for surgery.
Koné’s replacement, Nathan Saliba, buried a 20-yard free kick in the 64th minute for Canada’s fourth goal.
Controlling rebounds was a struggle for the Qatari defenders, who could not clear the ball after two of Abunada’s saves. Canada had 10 shots on goal while Qatar had none.
Standout left back Homam Ahmed was the first player sent off. His yellow card was upgraded to a red in the 33rd minute.
“It was a very tough match for many reasons,” Lopetegui said. “The players did their best. It was very difficult to face this match with two players less with this environment.”
After Canada's postgame huddle, Lopetegui and Canada coach Jesse Marsch had a heated exchange.
Marsch said Madibo apologized to Koné after the game, but he took issue with the way Qatar players reacted after the injury.
“I don’t understand a reaction from their entire bench to try to start a fight about it being a red card when a clear foul just happened that broke a player’s leg,” Marsch said. “So, strange behavior.”
Qatar is last in Group B but still has a chance to reach the knockout round. It faces Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday in Seattle.
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Ben Kule is a student in the University of Georgia’s Carmical Sports Media Institute.
Co-hosts Mexico became the first nation to qualify for the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup with a narrow win over South Korea in Guadalajara.
Mexico midfielder Luis Romo was in the right place at the right time to tap into an empty net after goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu spilled the ball following a collision with his team-mate Lee Gi-hyuk in the 50th minute.
South Korea's best chance came in the 87th minute when Cho Gue-sung's close-range header was saved by Raul Rangel and the Mexico keeper was able to keep out Yang Hyun-jun's follow-up.
Earlier, captain Son Heung-min's had chipped Rangel before his effort was cleared off the line by Edson Alvarez although the former Tottenham forward was flagged offside.
Backed by a boisterous home support who had booed their team at half-time following a toothless first half, Mexico almost added a second in the 75th minute but Raul Jimenez's effort from a tight angle was saved.
Substitute Obed Vargas also forced Kim into a fine diving save late on with a driven strike.
The result continued Mexico's 100% start at the World Cup and confirmed Javier Aguirre's side will advance as Group A winners.
That means the co-hosts will be in Mexico City for both their last-32 and potential last-16 tie, where they could face England if Thomas Tuchel's side win their group and first knockout match.
Despite their defeat, South Korea remain in a good position to also advance thanks to their opening-day win over Czech Republic.
They face South Africa next on Thursday (02:00 BST) in Monterrey. Mexico take on Czech Republic in their final group game at the same time Mexico City.
The Atlanta Braves made a move to bolster their catching depth on Thursday, acquiring catcher Joey Bart from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for reliever Hunter Stratton.
To make room on the 40-man roster, Atlanta designated veteran backup catcher Sandy León for assignment. The Braves had already designated Stratton for assignment earlier this week, and the club quickly found a trade partner in Pittsburgh before losing him on waivers.
Bart, 29, provides Atlanta with a catcher who brings both major league experience and offensive upside. The former No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft by the San Francisco Giants has spent parts of six seasons in the majors. After being traded to Pittsburgh prior to the 2024 season, Bart revitalized his career and emerged as a productive contributor behind the plate.
For the Braves, the acquisition addresses organizational depth at a position that has become increasingly important as the season progresses. While All-Star catcher Sean Murphy remains Atlanta’s primary option, Bart gives the club another experienced major league catcher capable of handling pitching staffs while contributing offensively.
Braves bet on Bart’s upside
The Pirates, meanwhile, elected to option Stratton to Triple-A Indianapolis rather than add him immediately to their active roster. The 28-year-old right-hander has appeared in parts of three major league seasons and provides Pittsburgh with additional bullpen depth. His ability to generate ground balls and work multiple innings could make him a valuable call-up option later in the season.
The move represents a relatively low-risk transaction for both organizations. Atlanta gains a catcher with former top-prospect pedigree and proven major league experience, while Pittsburgh acquires a controllable reliever who could factor into its bullpen plans moving forward.
As the Braves continue to chase postseason positioning, adding Bart gives the club additional flexibility behind the plate and strengthens one of the most important positions on the roster heading into the second half of the season.
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – On Sunday. Porter-Guard boys basketball coach John Pearson will celebrate fathers day with daughter Elise/ This fall, father and daughter will share the same Cyclone varsity sideline.
JP looked on inside the Wendell Center as Elise conducted practice Thursday afternoon. The former Cyclone standout herself, Elise was recently named the new head varsity coach of the girls program.
After graduating from the College of Charleston like her dad, Elise has been helping JP behind the scenes while coaching the jv girls.
She wants to play more fast paced than her dad but will still employ some of the same schemes. John thinks they both have a similar demeaner on the sidelines where everything is under control.
Now there’s a same surname on the Cyclone varsity sideline.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Green Bay Packers have a big season coming in 2026. The team desperately wants to make a deep playoff run and put their recent woes behind them.
However, the NFC North is arguably the toughest division in football, so it won't be easy. As is pretty typical for the Packers, the team didn't add a ton of players in free agency, and mostly seems content to rely on internal progression.
If the team really wants to get over the playoff hump, though, they may need to consider a big trade. Luckily, the perfect player could come available soon.
Packers could trade for cornerback Denzel Ward
While the Packers are trying to contend, the Cleveland Browns are not. As a result, it won't be surprising if the Browns try to ship off more key pieces after recently sending Myles Garrett out.
One such player could be cornerback Denzel Ward. Moe Moton of Bleacher Report recently predicted some trades that will be made before the next deadline, and one is for Ward to be sent to the Packers.
Regarding that possibility, Moton offered the following:
Entering his age-29 term, Ward wouldn't fit the Browns' timeline if they continue rebuilding their roster next offseason. He only has two more years left on his contract, and Cleveland would save $17.4 million in cap space if it trades him this year, per Over the Cap.
The Packers could significantly upgrade their cornerback unit by acquiring Ward, who's coming off his third consecutive Pro Bowl campaign. They'll need the help in pass coverage as three-time All-Pro edge-rusher Micah Parsons works his way back into tip-top game shape from a torn ACL.
As Moton mentioned, Ward is now 29 and won't be in his prime anymore by the time the Browns are competitive again. As a result, it makes sense for the team to get what they can for him while he's still playing at a high level.
In 2025, Ward played in 15 games and collected 39 tackles, two tackles for loss, nine pass deflections, and one interception. Ward earned his third-straight Pro Bowl appearance and his fifth overall in 2025.
The Packers could certainly use a player of Ward's caliber. The Packers gave Nate Hobbs a big four-year deal in 2025, but cut him after just one disappointing season. Now, the team is set to rely heavily on Keisean Nixon, who struggled mightily in 2025, and rookie Brandon Cisse.
Will Packers make a big trade?
The Packers aren't usually quick to make blockbuster deals, but as we saw with the Micah Parsons trade, they will if it makes sense. Speaking of Parsons, the star isn't expected back until mid-October, so adding more help for the defense in general makes sense.
If the young Green Bay secondary struggles, don't be surprised if general manager Brian Gutekunst works the phones hard. Ward wouldn't be purely a rental either, as he's under contract through 2027.
Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Joey Bart plays in a baseball game against the Washington Nationals in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
The Pirates have swung a trade with the Braves, acquiring relief pitcher Hunter Stratton in exchange for catcher Joey Bart. Stratton, who was originally drafted by the Pirates in the 16th round of the 2017 draft, has been assigned to Triple-A Indianapolis.
Stratton, 29, made 47 appearances with the Pirates from 2023-25 and went 2-1 with a 4.30 ERA and one save before he was traded to Atlanta for prospect Titus Dumitru and cash considerations in July 2025.
The right-hander went 1-1 with a 2.20 ERA in 12 appearances for the Braves last year. He spent most of the 2026 season with Triple-A Gwinnett, where he went 2-4 with a 4.38 ERA in 21 appearances. He totaled 24.2 innings, allowed 24 hits, walked 16 and struck out 24 batters.
Stratton threw a scoreless inning against the Rockies on May 2 in his lone appearance for the Braves this season. He was designated for assignment on Wednesday.
Bart has been on the 15-day injured list since May 12 (retro to May 10) with a left foot infection. Prior to landing on the IL, Bart appeared in 21 games for the Pirates and hit .259/.290/.379 with a double, two home runs and six RBI.
Bart spent the last three seasons with the Pirates and owned a .257/.342/.396 batting line with 24 doubles, one triple, 19 home runs and 81 RBI in 194 games.
England manager Thomas Tuchel speaks to his players at the hydration break during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group L soccer match between England and Croatia at Dallas Stadium. Martin Rickett/PA Wire/dpa
Football fans attending World Cup matches are growing increasingly vocal in their displeasure over the controversial hydration breaks.
In the second week of the tournament, boos and whistles could be repeatedly heard when the referee stopped play for three minutes around the 22-minute mark of each half.
On Thursday, there were very audible boos during co-host Canada's 6-0 win over Qatar in Vancouver. Earlier in the day, during the 1–1 draw between the Czech Republic and South Africa in Atlanta, the discontent was also huge.
Fans also made their disapproval clear during Switzerland v Bosnia and Herzegovina, England v Croatia and Ghana v Panama.
The World Cup novelty effectively turns the two halves into a four-quarter format, one that United States citizens are very familiar with from other sports such as basketball and American football.
This model was created out of concern for the players' physical strain.
However, many observers believe the break is being misused. For TV networks, the water breaks create additional advertising opportunities that are being exploited to the fullest. Critics accuse them of simply trying to make money.
The flow of the match is often noticeably disrupted by the additional breaks. However, some coaches view this as a positive because it allows them to exert more influence on the game.
On Monday against the Miami Marlins, Turner absorbed a hit-by-pitch to his right wrist, forcing him to sit out Tuesday's game at Citizens Bank Park.
On Thursday, he opened the game against the visiting New York Mets by taking a pitch off his leg, causing a right calf contusion.
Turner remained in the game and opened the scoring on Alec Bohm's RBI single to right field. He appeared to run gingerly and exited an MLB game for the second time this week.
It's been a long, painful week for the former Silver Slugger.
Phillies' Trea Turner enduring tough work week
A fan favorite, Turner's fWAR ranks No. 7 among all qualified shortstops since signing with the Phillies in 2023, despite his offensive struggles this season. The three-time All-Star's .608 OPS ranked No. 147 out of 157 qualified batters.
Struggling with his batting average this season, Turner's mechanics have been cited for the season-long slump. A career .293 hitter, he was batting .223 in 296 at-bats this season.
Phillies manager Don Mattingly witnessed Turner struggle to run the bases Thursday and made a series of moves to counter the injury.
"He was having trouble putting pressure, pushing off," Mattingly told reporters after the game. "And with (Trea), with the history, some hamstring and other things with his legs. I think he was having more trouble.
"Felt like he was a liability on defense, so he couldn't really move. Hopefully, it'll be a day off (Friday)."
With Turner out of Thursday's 6-4 loss, Edmundo Sosa switched from left field to shortstop, while Justin Crawford entered the game to play center field, Brandon Marsh moved from right field to left and Derek Hill went from center to right.
Could this be a lineup Mattingly could go to if Turner's long, painful week continues?
The Cincinnati Bengals wrapped up mandatory minicamp on Wednesday, marking the end of the offseason program before training camp begins in July. The team has undergone significant changes this offseason, and quarterback Joe Burrow made it clear that expectations inside the building are higher than ever.
Burrow met with reporters Wednesday to discuss what lies ahead for the team in 2026. When asked whether his recent comments about Super Bowl aspirations had added pressure to the team, he welcomed it.
“I hope so, I think that’s great,” Burrow said. “Put pressure on guys. I love it, I thrive in it. We’ll find out who else does. I know that we have the kind of people that want to be in that spot.”
Joe Burrow on the pressure the Bengals face this season:
The comments are consistent with Burrow’s stance about the team throughout the offseason. In May, he openly predicted a Super Bowl run.
“We’re gonna go win a lot of games this year, play great, and win a super bowl” (h/t Caleb Noe of WCPO).
During his session with the media on Wednesday, he also compared the current Bengals roster to the 2019 LSU team he led to a national championship, and explained the reasoning behind those statements.
“I think this offseason I really focused on trying to bring urgency to the room and trying to get everybody to understand the level of urgency that we have this year, the level of play that’s going to be required from every individual who steps on that field,” Burrow said.
Burrow also spoke about the depth of the roster, something he believes separates this team from previous Bengals squads.
“We have everything we need,” Burrow said. “We’re deep at just about every position on the team. We’ve talked a lot this year about how, in years past, we wondered who was going to make the team because it was top-heavy. This year, there’s a lot of competition for those spots. It’s an exciting place to be, where you have too many good players.”
He closed by reiterating the team’s goals.
“We’re going in expecting to win every game that we step foot on the field,” Burrow said. “Obviously, you want to win a Super Bowl, and that’s certainly the plan. You got to take it one day at a time, one week at a time, and I’m excited for the journey.”
After missing the playoffs for three straight seasons, Burrow has made it clear that anything short of competing for a championship will be viewed as a disappointment. The next step toward that goal begins when the Bengals report for training camp next month.
FREDERICK, Md. — The Frederick Keys entered Thursday’s game against the Spartanburgers needing a win to clinch the first half in the North Division and a playoff ticket in their return to affiliated baseball. After surrendering four runs in the first, the Spartanburgers (34-32) put together a late charge but came up short against the Keys (41-23) in a 6-5 loss.
YeisonMorrobel started the scoring on just the second pitch Thursday night. Hub City’s leadoff man homered off starter JT Quinn (W, 3-0) to begin the game. Hub City mustered two more singles in the inning, but a caught stealing ended the frame.
RJ Austin and Ike Irish both singled to kick off the bottom of the first against Kamdyn Perry (L, 0-1). A third straight single from Wehiwa Aloy tied the game, and a walk loaded the bases. Leandro Arias drove in two more runs with a single. A groundout made it 4-1 Frederick before a lineout double play ended the threat.
Both starters settled down for a scoreless second inning. With two outs in the third, Hector Osorio homered for Hub City to trim the deficit to two. In the bottom of the fourth, the Keys got two runners on with one out on a walk and a hit batter. Irish singled in one run, and Hub City pulled Perry from the game. LukeSavage came in from the bullpen and set down the two batters he faced, but a one-out groundout scored a sixth Frederick run.
Hub City held the Keys off the board the rest of the way thanks to two innings from Savage and scoreless outings from AdrianRodriguez and KaiWynyard. Quinn completed five innings of two-run ball for the Keys. Todd Kniebbe replaced him and faced one over the minimum in the sixth and seventh.
Chandler Marsh took over in the eighth for Frederick. Morrobel greeted him with another solo home run, his second of the night and ninth of the season. With Frederick in front 6-3, the Keys turned to Joe Glassey for the ninth. After two outs to start the inning, AntonisMacias singled and EstebanMejia reached on a throwing error. Morrobel singled in a run and represented the tying run at first base. A LukeHanson double cut Frederick’s lead to one and put the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position with two outs. Osorio grounded out to third to end the game.
With the win, the Keys punch their ticket to the 2026 South Atlantic League Playoffs on the final day of the first half of the season. Friday night’s game between the Keys and Spartanburgers represents the first of 66 games in the second half. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET. Hub City will start CadenScarborough (0-1, 1.69 ERA), and Frederick’s starter is still TBD.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Tennessee Titans just wrapped up a two-day minicamp before taking a break until training camp practice begins. While they are still months away from meaningful football, a video from minicamp has already given fans a glimpse into offensive coordinator Brian Daboll's coaching style.
A clip circulating from practice showed Daboll putting players through a drill that's not often seen, involving catching footballs without being able to see them. While quarterback Cam Ward participated in the exercise, the drill appeared to be geared primarily toward the Titans' pass catchers, including wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson.
Not sure I’ve seen this one before, with OC Brian Daboll and QB Cam Ward and WR Wan’Dale Robinson at @Titans minicamp. pic.twitter.com/dFXXZEjPHB
At first glance, the exercise looked unusual. However, it highlights the attention to detail Daboll and the coaching staff are emphasizing as they prepare the offense for the 2026 season.
Building awareness and trust
The purpose of the drill is to focus on awareness, reaction time, and trust. By removing a player's ability to track the football visually, coaches force them to rely on their instincts, body positioning, hand placement, and overall concentration to reel in the catch
NFL games often feature contested catches, defenders obstructing the line of sight, and situations where pass catchers must react quickly to the football arriving from difficult angles. Drills designed to improve awareness can help players become more comfortable in those moments.
The inclusion of Cam Ward was also notable. While the drill may have been intended primarily for receivers, having the franchise quarterback participate reinforces the idea that everyone is expected to embrace the coaching process.
The Titans are hoping that attention to fundamentals and awareness will translate into better execution once the regular season begins. If nothing else, that minicamp video offered fans an entertaining look at the unique methods Daboll is using to prepare his offense for the challenges ahead.
Thomas Tuchel threw the first pitch for the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium [Getty Images]
Thomas Tuchel threw the first pitch at the home of baseball team Kansas City Royals as his England squad enjoyed some downtime after winning their opening game at the World Cup.
Manager Tuchel was joined by captain Harry Kane and defenders Dan Burn and Djed Spence at Kauffman Stadium as he completed the ceremonial throw just over 24 hours after England beat Croatia 4-2 in Dallas.
Kane, who scored two goals in the win over Croatia, posted on social media about the trip.
"Great recovery day with the boys at the baseball," he wrote.
"Would love to give batting a go one day! Thanks for having us @Royals."
The Bayern Munich forward played the whole match against Croatia and did not take part in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Sporting KC which was for members of the squad who needed game time.
Ivan Toney and Morgan Rogers were among the scorers as England recorded a comprehensive 5-1 victory over the Major League Soccer side in a practice match on Thursday.
The game, played at England's Swope Soccer Village training facility, featured the players not used in Wednesday's win over Croatia and the squad members who did not play significant minutes in Dallas.
Toney scored a hat-trick while Aston Villa duo Rogers and Ollie Watkins were also on target as England ran out comfortable winners.
Burn, Jordan Henderson, Eberechi Eze, Marc Guehi, Kobbie Mainoo, Djed Spence and Jarell Quansah were among the players also involved in the training game.
The game was broken up into two halves of around 25 minutes each.
BBC Sport revealed on Tuesday that the Football Association had arranged the friendly to get minutes into certain players' legs.
Having arrived back from Dallas at around 10.30pm local time on Wednesday, England players were afforded most of Thursday off.
Players were allowed to see family and friends immediately after the Group L game against Croatia, and loved ones were given access into the camp on Thursday to spend time with the team before they start preparations for next Tuesday's game against Ghana in Boston (21:00 BST).
England ran out 5-1 winners with Ivan Toney (3), Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers the scorers [Getty Images]
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. left Thursday night's game with right knee discomfort, the latest scare for a team that least afford to lose a franchise player.
Witt appeared to tweak the knee fielding an infield single in the fourth inning on July 18, landing awkwardly on his right leg. He stayed in for a few outs before exiting. It is the same knee that forced Witt out of a June 7 win over the Minnesota Twins with soreness, though he returned two days later and manager Matt Quatraro said there was nothing structurally hurt.
Depth behind Witt is thin
Maikel Garcia slid to shortstop when Witt exited in early June, but he left Tuesday night's game and is now on the IL with lumbrical muscle strain on the top of his left hand. Utility man Tyler Tolbert is the only other Royal to play the spot with any regularity, though Josh Rojas has recently joined the Royals roster and can cover short. Neither approaches Witt's production.
Witt is the Royals leader
Witt is the engine of the Royals' lineup and an American League MVP candidate. The 25-year-old is a two-time All-Star, two-time Gold Glove winner and the 2024 batting champion. He again leads the AL in stolen bases this season with 28 while hitting .294 with 10 home runs. Witt is signed long term on a deal that can keep him in Kansas City into the next decade.
The timing stings for a club already buried. Kansas City entered Thursday at 30-45, last in the AL Central and 9.5 games out of first. They already have Vinnie Pasquantino, Jonathan India, James McArthur, Alec Marsh, Seth Lugo, Kyle Isbel, Carlos Estevez, Cole Ragans and Kris Bubic on the injured list.
In Thursday night's 108-101 loss to the Atlanta Dream, Cunningham played 30 of the possible 40 minutes.
That was much more than starters Monique Billings (13 minutes) and Lexie Hull (11 minutes).
Hull would be the player to move out of the lineup for Cunningham, and while there are aspects to Hull's game to appreciate, too, Cunningham seems more polished at this point.
Against the Dream, Cunningham had 12 points, two rebounds and two assists. She shot 4-for-5 from the floor, including 2-for-3 from 3-point range. She added 2-of-2 at the foul line.
The only three Fever players to get more minutes than Cunningham were the big three stars of Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston.
Cunningham is a de facto starter, but is there any actually good reason to leave her on the bench at the start of games?
At this point, it's worth changing it up for Indiana. The defense has been bad, and Cunningham at least has a positive reputation on that end of the floor, whether it is legitimate or not.
There's no reason not to try it. Indiana is 9-6, with its defense letting it down on multiple occasions.
It can't get worse with Cunningham in the starting lineup, and it might actually get better.
Ricky Pearsall showed enough in his first two NFL seasons to generate real breakout buzz heading into 2026, and Sports Illustrated believes he could be the San Francisco 49ers' next star receiver.
Sports Illustrated's Eva Geitheim identified Pearsall as the player most likely to take a significant step forward for the 49ers this season, noting that he was on his way to a big year before his mid-season PCL injury.
He was among the league’s receiving leaders through three weeks last year, recording two 100-yard receiving games before that injury. If he can stay healthy—a massive “if” for a 49ers team plagued by injuries and with an ever-looming electrical substation—he could certainly emerge as the team’s top receiving threat, even after the additions of Mike Evans, Christian Kirk and rookie De’Zhaun Stribling. Pearsall has the advantage of playing under coach Kyle Shanahan, who has long excelled at getting receivers open from Kendrick Bourne and Demarcus Robinson to All-Pros such as Julio Jones and George Kittle.
Pearsall finished his second season with just 36 receptions for 528 yards and no touchdowns in nine games, which was actually worse than his rookie year. The health caveat is real, and the receiver room is more crowded than it has been in years. Pearsall will have to earn his targets. But few coaches manufacture opportunities for receivers better than Shanahan, and Pearsall's route-running ability fits the system well.
The bigger picture is that the 49ers need him to step up. Evans, Kirk and Stribling have clear roles in the offense, but Pearsall offers a home-run threat the team doesn't have at the receiver position. His 14.7 yards per reception last year with incredible when he was heathy, and he has the skills to build on that if he can stay on the field.
At 24 years old, he's entering a pivotal season. If he can stay on the field and build on what he showed in those first three weeks last year, a breakout performance is well within reach in 2026. But on the other hand, Pearsall is reaching a tipping point in his career that could derail the former first-round pick's potential.
Stanford freshman Ebuka Okorie is reportedly included in the third batch of prospects invited to attend the 2026 NBA draft at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Okorie was an Associated Press All-American honorable mention last season, averaging 23.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals while shooting 35.4% from 3-point range. He led the ACC in scoring, while ranking seventh among all players in the country.
In addition to Okorie, Duke sophomore Isaiah Evans, Santa Clara freshman Allen Graves and Texas junior Dailyn Swain also received invitations to the green room at the draft, according to Jeremy Woo of ESPN.
Four more players have earned green room invitations for next week’s draft, per sources:
Isaiah Evans Allen Graves Ebuka Okorie Dailyn Swain
The group of players to receive invitations was voted on by teams with first-round picks, typically those that they believe will be drafted early. Last year, all 24 prospects invited to the green room had their names called in the first round.
Following the latest batch of invitations, 25 players are expected to be on hand for the draft, including BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa, Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson, Duke freshman Cameron Boozer and North Carolina freshman Caleb Wilson.
The draft features a two-night format for the second consecutive year, with the first round scheduled for June 23 and the second round for June 24 in Brooklyn, New York.
Three players each from state powers St. Laurence and Mount Carmel and two from Class 3A state champ St. Rita highlight first two teams.
First Team
Juan Avila, Reavis, senior, infielder/pitcher: Went 11-0 with 1.87 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 63 2/3 innings. Hit .316 with three homers and 27 RBIs. All-state. All-conference.
Justin Canvin, Oak Lawn, senior, infielder/pitcher: Hit .505 with 54 runs, 30 stolen bases, 12 doubles, six triples, nine homers, 43 RBIs, breaking six program records. Went 6-0 with 1.12 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 31 1/3 innings. All-state. Conference player of the year. Committed to Illinois-Chicago.
Brady Cunningham, Brother Rice, junior, utility: Batted .539 with 52 runs, 13 stolen bases, nine doubles, five triples, 17 homers and 62 RBIs, setting seven program records. Added four pitching wins. All-state. Conference co-player of the year. Committed to Texas A&M.
Cory Les, St. Laurence, senior, infielder/pitcher: Hit .486 with 64 runs, 21 stolen bases, 12 doubles, 10 homers, 52 RBIs. Went 3-1 with a save, 2.82 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 22 1/3 innings. All-state. Co-Lawless Award winner for Catholic League MVP. Committed to Louisville.
Jazarris Mackmore, Marian Catholic, junior, outfielder: Batted .461 with 30 runs, 12 stolen bases, 16 doubles, 10 homers, 51 RBIs, breaking program records for homers and RBIs. All-conference. Committed to Illinois-Chicago.
Cannon Madej, Lemont, senior, infielder/pitcher: Went 7-1 with 1.73 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 52 2/3 innings. Broke program record with 24 career wins. Hit .340 with 21 runs, five doubles, two homers, 34 RBIs. All-state. Conference player of the year. Committed to Southwestern Illinois.
TJ McQuillan, Mount Carmel, senior, infielder: Hit .464 with 60 runs, 17 doubles, seven homers, 45 RBIs. All-state. Co-Lawless Award winner for Catholic League MVP. Committed to Wake Forest.
Colin Quinn, St. Rita, senior, catcher: Batted .474 with 13 doubles, four homers and 51 RBIs for the Class 3A state champs. All-state. All-conference. Committed to Heartland.
Trace Schaaf, Lockport, senior, pitcher: Went 5-1 with 1.69 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 49 2/3 innings. Honorable mention all-state. Conference player of the year. Committed to Morton College.
Tristan Steger, St. Laurence, junior, catcher/designated hitter: Hit .505 with 19 doubles, 14 homers, 60 RBIs. All-state. Conference co-player of the year. Committed to Kentucky.
Ian Tosi, Mount Carmel, senior, pitcher: Went 8-0 with 2.06 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 51 innings for Class 4A third-place finisher. All-state. Committed to Miami.
Rocco Triolo, Lincoln-Way East, junior, outfielder: Hit .410 with 33 runs, nine doubles, 11 homers, 35 RBIs. Honorable mention all-state. All-conference.
Second Team
Josh Aggen, Tinley Park, senior, utility: Hit .533 with 42 runs, 10 doubles, six triples, four homers, 38 RBIs. Went 2-0 with 2.80 ERA. Honorable mention all-state. All-conference. Committed to Northwestern-St. Paul.
Sammy Atkinson, Providence, senior, outfielder: Batted .443 with 38 runs, 25 stolen bases, 12 doubles, four triples, four homers, 24 RBIs. All-state. All-conference. Committed to Heartland.
Jimmy Benson, St. Laurence, junior, pitcher: Went 7-1 with 2.19 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 54 1/3 innings. All-state. All-conference. Committed to TCU.
Connor Elenteny, Mount Carmel, senior, pitcher: Finished 10-2 with 2.84 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 69 innings. All-conference. Committed to Notre Dame.
Terrell Hampton-Hall, De La Salle, freshman, catcher: Hit .477 with 16 doubles, five triples, nine homers and 45 RBIs. Honorable mention all-state. Conference player of the year.
Collin Lawlor, Marist, sophomore, infielder/pitcher: Went 7-2 with 1.35 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 52 innings. Hit .311 with six doubles and 20 RBIs. All-conference.
Jackson Mansker, Lincoln-Way West, senior, infielder: Hit .449 with 40 runs, 15 stolen bases, 12 doubles, three homers, 41 RBIs. All-conference.
Braydon McKendrick, Brother Rice, senior, pitcher: Finished 8-2 with 1.87 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 52 1/3 innings. Honorable mention all-state. Conference pitcher of the year. Committed to John A. Logan College.
Noah Munoz, Evergreen Park, junior, infielder: Hit .450 with 34 runs, 19 doubles, nine homers, 61 RBIs. All-state. All-conference.
Will Rewers, St. Rita, senior, pitcher: Went 10-3 with 3.28 ERA and 89 strikeouts in 68 1/3 innings. Started four playoff wins on way to 3A state title. Committed to St. Ambrose.
Lucas Rosas, Sandburg, senior, infielder/pitcher: Hit .404 with 25 runs, 16 stolen bases, three homers and 26 RBIs for sectional champs. Went 2-0 with 3.40 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 24 innings. All-conference. Committed to Benedictine.
Luke Tingley, Lincoln-Way Central, senior, outfielder: Batted .400 with 29 runs, nine doubles, five triples, two homers, 22 RBIs. All-conference.
The Miami Dolphins are the worst team in football, and I will say that with my full chest. The only roster that rivals a similar level of uninspiration is that of fellow AFC East rival, the New York Jets.
So you can imagine my surprise when I saw the headline "Patriots just gave Dolphins fans another reason to laugh at their offseason" from PhinPhanatic.com.
Nothing should be funny in Miami. Their starting quarterback has completed 105 total passes in his four-year NFL career. The average NFL fan would struggle to name one single wide receiver on their entire roster. They have the worst defensive backfield in the NFL.
Still, their delusional fans are trying to punch up and find any win they can over the reigning division (and conference) champions. Their criticism of New England? Calling the owner cheap.
"About 1,500 miles northeast, the New England Patriots have enjoyed far more success due to the unmistakable prevalence of one factor and one factor alone: luck," Dante Walker wrote. "They've ranked 24th, 29th, 31st, and 26th on the player survey over the last four years, with players questioning ownership's financial commitment to winning. They've only been top-13 spenders on their roster once out of the last five seasons (Miami's been top-13 each season)."
Translation: Miami's owner spends a lot of money on bad players while New England's coaches consistently get the most out of the players on the roster. But sure, signing known head case Tyreek Hill and terrible quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to a combined 332 million dollars worth of contracts was just unlucky.
"The Miami Dolphins have their own issues, but at least they aren't strong-arming their draft pick like the Patriots," Walker continued. "Surely, Stephen Ross' spending and willingness to do everything in his power to see Miami win will pay off eventually. He tried importing the Patriot Way with Brian Flores, but the rabbit-footed, horseshoe-clad leprechaun responsible for all of their success stayed behind."
It remains unclear whether Christian Pulisic will be good to go against Australia in the USA’s next World Cup 2026 match tomorrow. However, head coach Mauricio Pochettino sounded optimistic about it during his recent press conference.
After playing only 45 minutes in their 4-1 rout of Paraguay in the opener, Pulisic trained apart from his USA teammates on Thursday for the fourth consecutive day due to a nagging left calf injury. The American soccer star was seen wearing a compression sleeve on his calf while doing individual work in the gym.
“Tonight, we have a meeting with our medical staff. We will assess the whole group,” Pochettino told reporters. “He’s evolving and much better from Friday. We will see. If we see he’s not available for tomorrow, he will be available for the next game. I think he’s doing a massive effort trying to be ready.”
Should Pulisic not be fit enough to play against the Socceroos, Pochettino has a few options to replace him, such as Tim Weah, Brenden Aaronson, Sebastian Berhalter, or Gio Reyna, who scored the USA’s final goal and has provided a solid cameo against Paraguay.
June 12, 2026; Inglewood, California, U.S.; Christian Pulisic of the U.S. during the match. Mandatory Credit: Gary Vasquez-Imagn Images
Mauricio Pochettino sends clear message to the USA ahead of Australia match
The USA will attempt to make it two World Cup wins in a row for just the second time in its history, but it will be easier said than done against Australia, fresh from a 2-0 victory against Turkey last weekend. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino is well aware of the challenge the Socceroos pose, as he heaped praise on them.
“They’re very aggressive. They have a great organization. You can see that was difficult for Türkiye to create chances, clear chances,” Pochettino said. “And then in the moment that they recover the ball, they have arrows, and they transition so quick, so fast.”
“For me, it is the mentality, the coach’s mentality. I was talking with him, and really appreciate him and really like him. I see they create a great mentality, and it’s difficult to play with a team that really believe in what they are doing,” he added.
The winner between the USA and Australia will likely take the top spot in Group D, with the third seed from Group B, E, F, I, or J being their first opponent in the knockouts.
ONE Championship is heating up the month with a blazing-hot pair of must-see events in Asia primetime.
The world’s largest martial arts organization will broadcast The Inner Circle 19 and ONE Friday Fights 159 live from the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 19.
Fans can look forward to World Title matches and nearly two dozen athletes competing for a life-changing US$100,000 contract and global roster spot.
In the main event of The Inner Circle 19, ONE Women’s Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Allycia Hellen Rodrigues will defend her crown against the division’s kickboxing queen, Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom.
Plus, in the co-main event, undefeated ONE Heavyweight Kickboxing World Champion Samet Agdeve will make his first World Title defense against two-sport, two-division king Roman Kryklia in a highly anticipated rematch.
In addition, in the headline attraction of ONE Friday Fights 159, Xavier Gonzalez returns with the intention of producing his second knockout performance in a two-week span. But after two and a half years away, Chatanan Sor Jor Joyprajin comes back to ONE and looks to make a statement.
For up-to-the-minute results and video highlights from every MMA, Muay Thai, and kickboxing match at The Inner Circle 19 and ONE Friday Fights 159, check below.
People in Mexico City gather around Merlin, a duck who has become a huge star thanks to the World Cup (Alfredo ESTRELLA)
Merlin meets the journalists early in the afternoon after a busy morning at Mexico's biggest TV station. His agenda is jam-packed, going late into the night so he can join thousands of admirers at the World Cup "Fan Fest" in Mexico City.
Merlin, a two-year-old duck, seized the imagination of millions of Mexicans when he was filmed walking down the street with his owner while wearing Mexico's green national jersey.
Now a viral sensation, FIFA has dubbed him the country's "ambassador" while the team shared an image of him flying over the stadium in Guadalajara, where the national team took on South Korea for its second game of the tournament.
His jersey number is 12, a trademark for his fans.
Bakeries sell pastries mimicking the image of Merlin in his green jersey, while TV stations interview him about his World Cup analysis. The duck is fairly consistent with his predictions: "Quack, quack, quack."
"At no point did we think he would go so viral," Karla Ivette Gomez, a 48-year-old street vendor, told AFP in front of Mexico City's historic Bellas Artes palace, where dozens of journalists surround Merlin with microphones and cameras.
"We were walking down (the main thoroughfare in Mexico City) and out of nowhere a girl takes a video, and that's when we went viral," she explains.
In the video, Gomez pushes a juice cart with her son while Merlin tries to not fall behind.
His wings remain snugly closed inside his shirt.
World Cup fever in Mexico has ranged from Merlin's newfound fame to the statue of Jesus in the Mexico City Cathedral, who also wears the Mexican team's jersey.
- 'Part of the family' -
A man cries out when Merlin arrives at the Bellas Artes palace: "It's the duck!" A dozen people rush up to take photos and videos while trying to pet him.
It's the Gomez family's third duck. A client gifted him to them after his predecessor passed away. His name comes from the legendary wizard of medieval mythology.
"He's part of the family," says 14-year-old Cristian Gomez, who takes care of him.
"He's our everything," says the mother, who carries a bag with water and changes of clothes. Every now and then they take off his shirt so he can rest and stretch his wings.
The feathered football fanatic eats fruit, vegetables, crickets, fish, and "every now and then a taco," Karla confesses. During his last checkup, the veterinarian said that "he's overweight, he's fat", she admits.
His next stop is the fan zone, where thousands of people are gathering gunder the rain to see the game -- and Merlin.
"They're going to name him FIFA's ambassador in Mexico," Gomez says. "We're very proud of the mention."
There has long been a World Cup fascination with animals who predicted the results, going back to Paul the Octopus in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The Guadalajara zoo has already done similar exercises with elephants, gorillas, and a puma.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Angel Reese had 21 points and 11 rebounds for her 10th double-double of the season, Jordin Canada added 18 points, and the Atlanta Dream beat the Indiana Fever 108-101 on Thursday night.
Naz Hillmon and Allisha Gray each scored 17 points and Rhyne Howard added 16 as all five Atlanta starters scored in double figures.
Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell led Indiana (9-6) with 26 points apiece. Aliyah Boston had 23 points and eight rebounds, missing her fifth straight double-double. Mitchell became the eighth player in WNBA history to make 700 career 3-pointers.
Atlanta (10-4) led by as many as 13 points in the second half.
But Indiana went on a 9-0 run in the fourth quarter to tie it at 93-all on Sophie Cunningham's layup with 5:07 remaining. Mitchell scored the first seven points of the run, including her milestone 3-pointer.
Atlanta took advantage of Indiana’s 17th turnover late in the fourth with a fast-break layup to take a 99-95 lead with 2:08 left. Then, Howard scored on Atlanta’s next two possessions to make it 103-97.
Reese sealed it by making a layup while being fouled with 23.1 seconds left, completing the three-point play.
Reese played the entire second half without picking up a foul after being called for four in the first half. She went to the bench with 5:45 left in the second quarter, but Atlanta responded by outscoring Indiana 19-11 the rest of the half for a 58-49 lead.
But Clark, and the racer blue shoes that feature her initials on the tongue, did not log as many minutes as planned after picking up her fifth foul with 8:41 remaining in the fourth.
Clark came back into the game at the 3:28 mark, with Indiana trailing 95-93, but she did not attempt another shot to go scoreless in the frame.
Clark had been hinting at the shoe’s long-anticipated arrival recently on social media posts.
“I think even yesterday, like knowing I was going to post that early in the morning, I didn’t sleep very well because I was just so excited,” Clark said before the game.
Clark finished 8 of 17 from the floor, with two made 3-pointers.
Jun. 18—BEMIDJI — Annabelle Myhre and her Unified partner Isabelle Vaughn, as well as Lindy Westover and her Unified partner Kady St. Peter, will represent Bemidji Unified at the ESPN Sports Challenge during the Special Olympics USA Games on Monday, June 22.
First introduced at the 2018 USA Games in Seattle, the ESPN Unified Sports Challenge pairs Special Olympics athletes with Unified partners and celebrities to compete together in sports-themed challenges.
The event raises awareness for Special Olympics' Unified Sports program, which promotes inclusion and teamwork.
"ESPN, the global presenting sponsor of Unified Sports and the official broadcaster for the Special Olympics USA Games, continues to support this exciting initiative, helping to spotlight the power of sport to unite people of all abilities," a release said.
We are deep in the throes of the college football offseason, and that means there's plenty of previews and updated lists to take a look at. One that we're checking in on is ESPN's updated preseason rankings.
When the worldwide leader last published its preseason Top 25 after the transfer portal window closed, Ohio State was listed as the No. 1 team. Now, as we sit here in June, ESPN has kept OSU in that same spot atop all the other college football teams heading into the 2026 season. We, of course, still have the rest of the summer and fall camp to go, but with all the players being sucked in and spit out of the transfer portal, ESPN still believes the Scarlet and Gray are the best team.
Here's what Mark Schlabach says about where and why Ohio State landed as the preseason No. 1 at this point in time.
"With quarterback Julian Sayin, tailback Bo Jackson and all-world receiver Jeremiah Smith returning, the Buckeyes should be back in the national championship hunt. OSU's offense is going to be difficult to stop, especially if its offensive line improves, wrote Schlabach. "Coach Ryan Day hired former NFL head coach/offensive coordinator Arthur Smith to replace offensive coordinator Brian Hartline. That recipe worked on defense, as former NFL defensive coordinator Matt Patricia has turned OSU's unit into one of the sport's best. Ohio State will have to navigate one of the most demanding schedules in the FBS, including games at Texas, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska and USC."
While Ohio State remains No. 1 according to ESPN, Oregon (2), Georgia (3), Notre Dame (4), Texas (5), Indiana (6), Miami (FL) (7), Ole Miss (8), Texas A&M (9), and LSU (10) round out the top ten. If you're counting, that's the Big Ten with three of the top six, and the SEC with five of the top ten. The rich continue to get richer.
While Ohio State might have a lot of talent on this squad once again, the schedule is indeed daunting, so we'll see if head coach Ryan Day can keep the OSU streak of 14 seasons in a row of not losing more than two games going.
The Buckeyes open the season on Saturday, Sept. 5 vs. Ball State inside the 'Shoe.
Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.
With everyone watching, against your main rival -- that's a prime recipe for overdoing it.
Angel Reese, for all her skills on the basketball court, has been known to try to do too much.
When Caitlin Clark is on the other side? Yep, that'll get the energy flowing extra.
But on Thursday night, as the Atlanta Dream beat the Indiana Fever by an impressive 108-101 score, Reese didn't do that. And it's exactly what the Dream needed.
For maybe the first time, Reese just did exactly what the Dream needed her to do in a game against Clark, and it resulted in a win.
The final stat line was closer to ideal for Reese than usual.
Her 21 points weren't crazy, but it came on 8-for-14 from the field, great efficiency for Reese. She was also 5-for-8 from the foul line.
Reese grabbed 11 rebounds, notching her almost-standard double-double.
The four turnovers compared to one assist isn't great, but it's less crucial in a fast-paced game where Reese mostly resolved to stay in areas she could do damage.
Reese led the Dream in scoring, but it was one of those common Atlanta recipes this season -- again, all five players were in double figures.
That's going to work often, especially against an Indiana team that had one starter score 6 points and another score 2 points.
Reese didn't have to do too much, and she didn't -- it's a strategy that works quite well.
The Sooners made a trio of additions via the transfer portal on Thursday. One of those additions was Loyola of Chicago catcher Abbie Gregus. Oklahoma also added outfielders Adi Hansen and Macie Harter.
Patty Gasso said the team would be looking for a backup catcher, and that's what Gregus will be for the Sooners. With freshman superstar Kendall Wells back and with three more years of eligibility, the Sooners have their catcher spot locked up for the foreseeable future, but they needed someone to provide Wells with a break throughout the season.
In three of the last four seasons, Gregus started 108 games for Loyola. She hasn't been much of a factor at the plate, hitting just .195 in her career with five home runs and 29 RBIs in 267 at-bats.
But all it takes is one season in the right situation with the right coaches to turn a career around. This offseason will likely be spent working on her hitting stroke. But as things stand, the Sooners don't need her to be an everyday player.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
Jun. 18—BEMIDJI — After scoring 26 runs in 10 innings two days ago, the Bemidji American Legion baseball team took things one step further on Thursday.
Post 14 swept Detroit Lakes by scores of 15-0 and 16-0. Gunner Ganske pitched a complete-game, one-hit shutout in the first game, striking out nine batters, while Wyatt Tverstol threw all five innings in Game 2. Tverstol allowed just five hits and one walk with six strikeouts.
Ganske was also a force at the plate in the first game, going 2-for-4 with a triple and a double with two RBIs. Brennen Brower also tripled in a 2-for-3 day. Lawson Berg doubled twice in a 3-for-4 showing at the plate, while Kash Rasmus and Heaton Brodina each doubled.
In the second game, Ganske and Jack Zellmann each homered. Ganske was 3-for-3 with two RBIS, while Eli Hoffman and Zellmann each recorded multi-hit games. Hoffman, Berg, Brodina, J.D. Wood and James Garrison all had extra-base hits.
Since starting the season 0-2, Centaurs (7-2) are on a seven-game winning streak.
Jun. 18—BEMIDJI — Bemidji State women's soccer head coach Jim Stone announced Thursday afternoon the dates and opponents for the 2026 season, the 31st in program history.
The Beavers open the fresh season Friday, Aug. 28, and will play an 18-match regular season.
Ahead of the start of their 18-match regular season, the Beavers will play three exhibition matches, Aug. 21-23, beginning Friday, Aug. 21, against College of Saint Benedict at Chet Anderson Stadium. The Beavers will then travel to Wisconsin-Superior and St. Catherine the following Saturday and Sunday.
The Beavers' 2026 season officially gets underway the following weekend when they host regional opponents Missouri Western State and Northwest Missouri State at Chet Anderson Stadium, Aug. 28 and 30. BSU then concludes its nonconference schedule with a road trip to Mankato on Sept. 4 to face regional foe Grand Valley State.
The 15-match Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference schedule begins the following weekend with the Beavers traveling to Sioux Falls (Sept. 11) and Southwest Minnesota State (Sept. 13). BSU then returns home Sept. 18-20 and hosts Wayne State and Augustana for its first NSIC home matches. Bemidji State closes out play in September with another road trip, beginning with Minot State on Sept. 25 and ending at U-Mary on Sept. 27. Five of the seven matches during the month will be played on the road.
Bemidji State soccer fans will get a better look at the Beavers during the month of October as five of the team's matches will be played at their home pitch, Chet Anderson Stadium. BSU kicks off the month by hosting Minnesota State and St. Cloud State on Oct. 2 and 4. BSU then has a split weekend, traveling to Minnesota Crookston on Oct. 9 and then returning home to host Minnesota State Moorhead on Oct. 11.
The Beavers then make a road trip south to face Winona State (Oct. 16) and Concordia-St. Paul (Oct. 18). BSU hosts its final regular-season home matches on Oct. 23 and 25 against Jamestown and Northern State. The final match of the regular season then follows as the Beavers travel to Minnesota Duluth on Thursday, Oct. 29, ahead of the 2026 NSIC Tournament.
The Beavers will attempt to qualify for their 17th straight postseason when the NSIC Tournament begins Nov. 2 at campus sites. The winner of the NSIC Tournament earns an automatic bid into the NCAA D-II Women's Soccer Tournament, which begins Nov. 12. BSU will attempt to qualify for its second consecutive NCAA Tournament and fifth in the last six seasons. BSU has made six NCAA Tournament appearances in its 31-year history.
2026 will be the 25th season under head coach Jim Stone, who boasts a 271-144-53 career record. His career winning percentage of .636 is the second-best winning percentage among active coaches in the NSIC. His 24 seasons at a single institution are tied for the 10th-longest tenure among active coaches in Division II.
The five-time NSIC Coach of the Year returns an experienced group to the pitch in 2026, with 21 letterwinners returning of the 34 rostered student-athletes. Stone returns United Soccer Coaches All-Region selection Megan Ko as well as All-NSIC selections Madeline Davey (Second Team), Maggie Kramer (Second Team) and Ella Wade (Second Team).
Jun. 18—BEMIDJI — When Katie Fellows got up in front of her supporters at Lucky Dogs on Thursday, she had to be completely transparent.
"I'm really nervous," she said into the microphone, "(but) thanks for being here."
Friends, family and others were there to support Fellows and her Unified partner and sister, Lisa Kiewatt, as they prepare to compete in the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in the Twin Cities. They will both compete in bowling against competition from all across the country in Blaine.
Before Fellows handed the microphone to her sister, she was quickly asked how she's going to do at the games.
"I'm going to rock it," she replied.
After the sisters thanked their supporters, Bemidji mayor Jorge Prince shared a few words of encouragement on behalf of the community. The group made their way over to Paul Bunyan Park before waving goodbye to Fellows and Kiewatt as they started their journey down to the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, where the Athletes Village is located.
The national games, held every four years since 2006, feature athletes from all 50 states competing in 19 different sports. Athletes need to win the gold medal at a qualifying event in their sport before being randomly drawn to represent their state at the national games.
To be able to represent Bemidji is an incredible accomplishment for the sisters, they said.
"We've been in Special Olympics together for over 30 years, so it's a big deal for us to do," Kiewatt said. "To represent Bemidji, especially. It's over 400 athletes that were picked to go for this, so for us two to be picked out of the whole state like this is a pretty big deal."
Kiewatt, Fellows and three other unified pairs
were selected for Team Minnesota
one year ago. Since then, they've been practicing across the state in preparation for the national games.
"We've gone to Albany, we've gone to St. Cloud, Brainerd, Blaine," Kiewatt said. "We usually bowl three to four games to get ready for it with the team. So Katie and I are Unified partners, but there's also different athletes there that are just bowling singles. Usually it consists of a couple hours and just practicing as much as we can."
Fellows has been having a lot of fun competing and meeting new people. But her favorite part of unified bowling?
"That I get to bowl with my sister," she said. "It makes me feel good."
Having athletes from Bemidji in the national games is no small feat. The pair of Parker Bruns and Shawn Kiefer competed in swimming
at the national games in 2018,
held in Seattle. Kiefer also competed in the games' inaugural year in 2006 in Ames, Iowa, also in swimming.
Now, Fellows and Kiewatt's names are added to that exclusive list.
"Just to participate in Special Olympics, many communities can do that," said Jodi Sandmeyer of Bemidji Community Special Olympics. "Going to nationals is a huge step up. We can send several people to state, which we do every year, normally. But to actually go to nationals is not very common."
Sandmeyer, a teacher from Nevis, has been a part of the Special Olympics since 1984.
"I was 12 years old when I started," she said. "The mother of one of our athletes, still today, she started the program here. ... She was looking for volunteers, so my mother voluntold me. And so it started there, and this is where I am today now."
In her 42 years with the Special Olympics, she's seen firsthand how the Bemidji community has done its part to support the organization. From the Jaycees Polar Plunge to the Knights of Columbus Walleye Classic, organizations across the community have made sure the Special Olympics is well supported.
"You look at all the different groups that support Special Olympics, and it's huge. Bemidji is super, super supportive," Sandmeyer said. "I can't say enough about the community. It's amazing when they come out and support us in the middle of the day when you're working and everything else is going on, but yet take the time to come and do it."
Kiewatt, Fellows and the rest of Team Minnesota will take part in the opening ceremony at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. It will be broadcast at 7:30 p.m. on June 20 on ESPN+ and Disney+.
"Demi Lovato is opening for it, so that's kind of a big deal," Kiewatt said. "There's going to be a lot of people there, packed crowd, so that'll be fun."
The Baltimore Ravens knew Robert Longerbeam would need time. After all, the former sixth-round pick never had a chance to begin his NFL career properly. A torn patellar tendon suffered during training camp wiped out his entire rookie season before it ever truly started. Now healthy and back on the field, Longerbeam appears determined to make up for lost time. If recent reports are any indication, he is doing exactly that.
The second-year cornerback has emerged as one of the more pleasant surprises of Baltimore's offseason program. He is already creating what could eventually become one of the Ravens' most difficult roster decisions heading into September.
The Ravens' competition is fierce, and Robert Longerbeam is making plays
Recently, Ryan Mink, the Editorial Director of the Ravens' official website, identified Longerbeam as the most surprising player he observed during the offseason program. That's not insignificant praise. The Ravens have one of the deepest secondaries in football, yet Longerbeam repeatedly found ways to stand out. Mink cast his vote for Longerbeam as Baltimore's most surprisingly impactful player throughout the offseason program. During practices, he found a way to stand out and consistently find himself around the football.
"After losing his rookie year to a knee injury, Longerbeam was not only back on the field this time around, but was also one of the team's most impactful cornerbacks in practices. He got his hands on several passes throughout the four weeks."
Earlier in the offseason, Mink also highlighted an interception Longerbeam recorded after stepping in front of a pass intended for Mark Andrews. Opportunities matter. Production matters more. So far, Longerbeam has taken advantage of both. Ravens Wire recently mentioned him as one of three standouts from the spring.
The challenge isn't whether Longerbeam belongs in the NFL. The challenge is finding room for him on this roster. Assuming Baltimore keeps six cornerbacks, Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins, Chidobe Awuzie, T.J. Tampa, and Keyon Martin all appear to have strong cases to make the initial 53-man regular-season roster.
That potentially leaves one opening. Longerbeam is hardly alone in chasing it. Chandler Rivers has generated considerable buzz since arriving as a rookie. Bilhal Kone continues working his way back from injury. Other young defensive backs are also fighting for opportunities in one of the deepest position groups on the roster.
Ravens training camp could decide everything
That's what makes Longerbeam's strong spring so important. The Ravens have never been afraid to reward performance. Draft status matters less in Baltimore than it does in many organizations. The franchise has built a reputation for allowing players to earn roles through production rather than pedigree.
That philosophy should benefit Longerbeam. Training camp and the preseason will ultimately determine where he stands, but he has already accomplished something important. He has forced his way into the conversation. A few months ago, he was a forgotten prospect attempting to return from a devastating injury. Now, he looks like a legitimate contender for a roster spot.
If he continues stacking strong practices once the pads come on, the Ravens may find themselves facing an uncomfortable reality. There may not be enough room in the secondary for every deserving player. Longerbeam appears determined to ensure his name is among those discussed when those difficult decisions are made.
The Mexican National Team found the key to open the scoring in its crucial clash against South Korea.
And it was not because of El Tri’s good football, but because of a colossal mistake by Mexico’s goalkeeper. A harmless cross came in, the keeper spilled the ball and handed the Mexicans a gift.
The crowd in the stadium is already chanting, “Korean brother, you’re Mexican now!”
The Korean goalkeeper will hardly forget this mistake.
The Houston Rockets have much to be proud of following the conclusion of the 2025-26 season.
Without a true point guard (Fred VanVleet was sidelined all year with an ACL injury), Houston still managed to win 52 regular-season games and earn a postseason berth. The Rockets failed to overpower the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference quarterfinals, though, resulting in a premature playoff exit.
The Rockets have several important roster decisions to make this summer, including what to do with their 6-foot-8 forward who earned All-Rookie second-team honors in 2022-23, Tari Eason. The LSU product is a restricted free agent and will likely be deemed as a valuable three-and-D contributor for multiple contenders.
NBC Sports’ Kurt Helin believes that while the Los Angeles Lakers could be in the mix for the 25-year-old, the Rockets will ultimately prevail in the bidding war.
“One of the more interesting free agents on this list. He’s a 6-foot-8 high-level defensive wing player who has started to find his shot and hit 35.8% from 3-point range last season,” Helin wrote Wednesday.
“He is exactly the kind of guy a lot of teams looking for two-way wings could use, and if teams like the Lakers can’t poach Peyton Watson from Denver (Nuggets), they might call about Eason. All of that is driving up his price, and he may find a deal in the $25 million a season range.”
“Houston likely pays that to keep him, but it’s worth watching on a Rockets roster that is going to get expensive in the coming years.”
Keeping Eason would be a wise move for the Rockets as they continue to inch closer to contention in the Western Conference. The Portsmouth, Virginia, native has proven his worth as a confident, high-energy wing with a serviceable perimeter jump shot and quick hands on the defensive end of the floor.
Eason averaged 10.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game with the Rockets this season, connecting on 41.6% of his field goals and nearly 36% of his triples. Eason will only improve with time, making him an asset the franchise should be committed to fighting for this offseason.
The Philadelphia Eagles weren’t a factor in the Myles Garrett sweepstakes because of their hesitancy to include Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jalen Carter in the trade.
That news seems a bit puzzling after the latest report from Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, which doesn’t paint a promising picture of Carter’s future in Philadelphia.
“The answer is yes, they are hesitant to pay him,” Breer wrote. “Philadelphia is telling you what you need to know with its actions. The Eagles have always been aggressive paying their own, in large part because they know that the earlier you do the deal, the better the price you’ll get.
“… So the fact that we’re into June without Jalen Carter having a deal is notable. And I’d guess if they do one now, before his fourth season as a pro, then it’d come with flexibility for the team. If Carter won’t give them that flexibility now, maybe he’ll just wait another year.”
Jalen Carter #98 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against the Detroit Lions at Lincoln Financial Field on November 16, 2025 in Philadelphia, United States. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Breer likened Carter’s situation with the Eagles to what wide receiver George Pickens is going through with the division rival Dallas Cowboys.
Pickens has a career year in 2025 — 93 receptions, 1,429 yards, nine touchdowns — but the Cowboys want him to prove he can do it again next season before committing a big-money contract to him.
Carter appears to be in the same boat.
Though he’s made two Pro Bowls and been selected to an All-Pro team, Carter has had some off-the-field issues that’s likely given the Eagles some pause.
He was suspended for a game last season after spitting on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, and he was involved in a controversial street racing incident that killed former Georgia football player Devin Willock and UGA staffer Chandler LeCroy.
If Carter has another Pro Bowl-caliber season in 2026, it’ll be difficult for the Eagles not to pay him.
Bayern Munich's board member and former president Uli Hoeness talks to journalists before Bayern Munich's players celebrate their 35th Bundesliga title at the City Hall at Marienplatz in Munich, southern Germany, on May 17, 2026. (Photo by Alexandra BEIER / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
Bayern Munich supervisory board member Uli Hoeneß has been around the block a few times and thinks that the club’s transfer policy fits the exact model that the club needs for future success.
“I’m not one to pat myself or Karl-Heinz (Rummenigge) on the back. But of course, we always kept both aspects in mind. It was important to strive for sporting success – but based on sound financial management. We both, just like Herbert Hainer, knew it would be a difficult year. If we had suddenly ended up with a loss of 40 or 50 million, everyone would have been asking: What’s going on at Bayern Munich? That’s a factor that a coach – and perhaps even more so the sporting director – has to consider,” Hoeneß said (as captured by @iMiaSanMia). “The crucial thing was that it was taken into account. And how we, and especially I, were ridiculed after my appearance on Doppelpass when I said that (Nicolas) Jackson wouldn’t be staying and that we would probably end up with the best transfer window, even though we hardly spent any money.
“Max was even portrayed by Bild as having the worst transfer window. Today, you can only laugh about that. Because regardless of how things turn out on Wednesday, you should look at how this season has gone.”
Hoeneß and his pals have built a winning formula, but the strategy might need to build in a little room to take a risk at least once in a while. Maybe — just maybe — fortune truly would favor the bold in Bavaria.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Juan Soto hit two solo homers and made a sliding catch in the left-field corner to rob Bryce Harper of a run-scoring hit as the New York Mets defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 6-4 on Thursday night.
Pinch-hitter Eric Wagaman provided the tiebreaking single with two outs in the seventh inning, and Marcus Semien followed with a two-run triple off reliever José Alvarado (3-2).
Soto took Phillies starter Aaron Nola deep in his first two at-bats to give him 16 homers this season. It was the 30th multihomer game of his career. Soto also took away an extra-base hit from Harper when he lunged and slid to catch a ball on the warning track in the third.
Huascar Brazobán (4-1) earned the win in relief of starter Sean Manaea, and Devin Williams worked the ninth for his 11th save.
Following a one-out walk and some shaky Mets defense, Williams allowed an RBI single to Justin Crawford before Kyle Schwarber lined out to right field with two runners on to end it.
Bo Bichette made his first appearance in Philadelphia since spurning the Phillies to sign with the Mets last offseason. He was booed lustily each time he stepped to the plate and finished 0 for 5 after six straight multihit games.
Alec Bohm had a single, a double and two RBIs for the Phillies, who dropped consecutive games for the first time since losing three straight in mid-May.
Philadelphia shortstop Trea Turner left after the second inning with a bruised right calf. He was hit by a 79 mph sweeper from Manaea.
It was the second time this week Turner exited a game after being hit by a pitch. He was pulled from Monday’s game against Miami after getting drilled on the right wrist and missed the next game.
Up next
After a rare Friday off as Philadelphia hosts a World Cup match, the teams resume their three-game series Saturday night. RHP Freddy Peralta (5-5, 3.90 ERA) starts for New York against LHP Cristopher Sánchez (8-3, 1.82).
The NFL offseason is in full swing, as well as roster management within organizations across the NFL. With OTA's going on, some various roster moves have been made, and one of the latest moves involved a former Spartan.
The Dallas Cowboys announced various moves within their roster, and one of those was signing Ameer Speed, a former Michigan State defensive back.
After transferring from Georgia, Speed spent 2022 with the Spartans. After his season with the Spartans, he went in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL draft to the New England Patriots. Since then, he has spent time with the Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans. Now, he will get his shot with the Cowboys.
The Cowboys have signed OL Chris Glaser, WR Denzel Mims and DB Ameer Speed.
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Rex_Linzy
The Knicks’ championship parade was more than just a celebration of basketball, it became a family day for the people closest to the team.
New York marked its first NBA title since 1973 with a massive ticker-tape parade through Lower Manhattan on June 18. The route ran up Broadway through the Canyon of Heroes before finishing with a ceremony at City Hall.
While the parade was built around the Knicks’ historic title, it was the personal moments around the floats that gave the day its heart.
Photo by Andrea Renault/Star Max/GC Images
Knicks stars brought partners, families and even a dog
Jalen Brunson celebrated alongside his wife, Ali Marks, and their young child. Already the face of the parade after winning Finals MVP, Brunson’s family moment was one of many that gave the day a more personal feel.
Karl-Anthony Towns was joined by Jordyn Woods as he celebrated the first championship of his NBA career, while Mikal Bridges brought his dog along for the ride, a fitting addition to a once-in-a-generation citywide party.
Josh Hart was also surrounded by family, continuing a week of celebrations alongside Brunson, Bridges, Towns and the rest of the Knicks’ core.
Knicks parade felt like a citywide family reunion
The celebrity turnout added another layer to the occasion. Spike Lee, Ben Stiller, Timothée Chalamet, Tracy Morgan, Chris Rock and Martha Stewart were just a few of the familiar faces spotted at the parade.
Mariska Hargitay reportedly attended with her son, while Ben Stiller was joined by Christine Taylor, making the event feel as much like a New York cultural moment as a sporting one.
The Knicks had earned their moment by beating the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, closing out the series 4-1. Brunson, who scored 45 points in the clincher, was named unanimous Finals MVP.
Fans packed Lower Manhattan, filling the route with chants, signs and a sea of orange and blue. For many, it was the first Knicks title they had ever seen.
That is why the family moments mattered. It was not just about a trophy, it was about sharing the end of a 53-year wait with the people who had lived through every step of it.
The eyes of the WNBA are always extra tuned in when Caitlin Clark takes on Angel Reese.
That was the case on Thursday night as the Indiana Fever clashed with the Atlanta Dream, and it was Reese's Dream taking the 108-101 win despite solid stats from Clark.
A couple numbers of Clark's, though, might've told the story.
Yes, she dropped 26 points and dished out seven assists.
But she also had five turnovers and was a game-worst minus-13 in her minutes on the court.
Clark had a relatively efficient game offensively. She shot 8-for-17 from the floor, 2-for-5 from 3-point range and 8-for-12 from the foul line. That will get it done on most nights.
And of course, this wasn't all about Clark. The Fever gave up 108 points. That's not going to work very often in a 40-minute game.
But there is a case to be made that Clark's five turnovers relative to seven assists simply isn't good enough. That ratio, and her plus-minus, point to a player who makes it a little too easy for the other team to score.
Clark has been criticized defensively all season long as teams attack her in pick-and-roll action, and a night like this won't help her cause.
It's just one game, so it's not meant to necessarily be a judgment on the whole season.
Besides, the Dream are a good team. They aren't just Reese. They often have all five of their starters approaching double-figure scoring on the same night, which is proof of impressive balance.
Clark has talent around her, too, so really, these could be good matchups for years to come.
On this night, though, Clark didn't impact winning in the way the Fever would've liked, and so Indiana came up short.
Brazile has a modern-day forward's build, standing at 6-foot-10, 230 pounds with a near 7-foot-4 inch wingspan.
His length allows him to impact shots on the defensive end, while rising up for highlight dunks on offense.
Brazile never averaged less than 1.1 blocks per game in his five-year career, while also nearly averaging a steal.
Ben Humrichous (F, Illinois)
Humrichous was a crucial bench piece on Illinois' Final Four squad last season.
The 6-foot-9 forward shoots the deep ball well for his size, while providing physicality and consistency on the glass.
Humrichous had his best game of the March Madness tournament in the first round against Penn, knocking down four triples. He shot 43.7-percent during the Big Dance.
AK Okereke (F, Vanderbilt)
Okereke was one of Vanderbilt's best defensive players last season, while shooting the 3-pointer at a 40-percent clip.
Efficiency is Okereke's calling card, as the 6-foot-7 wing led the Ivy League and ranked 18th nationally in field goal percentage during his junior season with Cornell.
Chase Ross (G, Marquette)
Ross, a four-year player at Marquette, came off the bench in all 36 of his appearances during his freshman campaign, averaging less than five points per game.
By the time he left the program, he became the Golden Eagles' veteran presence and leader.
In his senior season, Ross averaged 14.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game, all career-best marks.
The Dallas, TX, native also recorded a whopping 2.3 steals per game, earning him a spot on the BIG EAST All-Defensive Team.
Peter Suder (G, Miami (OH))
Suder was the Redhawks' top scorer during their historic regular season, averaging 14.8 points per game.
He was also one of Miami's top rebounders and playmakers, while knocking down 42.7-percent of his 3-point attempts.
Despite losing to Tennessee in the first round of March Madness, Suder scored 27 of the Redhawks' 56 total points, shooting 58.3-percent from the field.
Bruce Thornton (G, Ohio State)
Last season, Thornton averaged 19.9 points per game, while shooting at ridiculous 55/40/83 shooting splits.
Thornton's 55.4 field-goal percentage (3rd in the Big Ten) really stands out, as guards typically don't display that level of efficiency.
In the second game of the season, Thornton scored a career-high 38 points against Purdue Fort Wayne, making 14-of-17 shot attempts, and a perfect 14-14 from 2-point range.
Later in the year, Thornton etched his name atop the Buckeyes' scoring list in dramatic fashion, dropping 25 points in a 91-78 victory over Indiana on senior night.
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England manager Thomas Tuchel leads a training session at Swope Soccer Village, ahead of the second 2026 FIFA World Cup soccer match against Ghana. Bradley Collyer/PA Wire/dpa
Thomas Tuchel swapped the dugout for the mound as the England boss threw the first pitch for the Kansas City Royals the night after opening the World Cup with an impressive win.
Just over 24 hours after watching his side open their campaign with a 4-2 victory over Croatia, Tuchel went to Kauffman Stadium to perform the ceremonial act.
Captain Harry Kane and defenders Dan Burn and Djed Spence were watching their boss throw the ball to Royals manager Matt Quatraro ahead of the MLB clash with the St Louis Cardinals.
Kane is no stranger to finding the strike zone, taking his World Cup tally to 10 goals with a double against Croatia, and as a keen fan of American sports, he would like to do it with a bat in hand.
“Great recovery day with the boys at the baseball,” he said on social media.
“Would love to give batting a go one day! Thanks for having us.”
Kane, who was pictured leaving the AT&T Stadium in Dallas with his left leg bandaged, had a low-key recovery day, but those who did not feature against Croatia played in a behind-closed-doors friendly against MLS side Sporting KC.
Ivan Toney scored a hat-trick and Aston Villa duo Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins got on the scoresheet as England ran out 5-1 winners in a short game consisting of two periods of 22 minutes.
Kane said on local TV station FOX4 News Kansas City: “It was great, great for the guys who didn’t get enough minutes yesterday to top up the tank.
“It was a good test. Thanks for Sporting for doing the game, I thought they held themselves to a great standard, got a nice free-kick goal themselves.
“From a football point of view, we knew it would be a game where we could score a few goals, which we did, but they put a good test in and we got out of it exactly what we needed.”
Caitlin Clark entered Thursday’s game against the Atlanta Dream with a lot of hype surrounding her. She debuted her first Nike signature shoe, and WNBA fans around the country tuned in to the nationally-televised matchup.
The Indiana Fever superstar guard didn’t disappoint with her first-half performance. Clark recorded 17 points on 6-for-10 shooting, along with three assists. Her highlights included a spin move that allowed her to convert an easy layup. The two-time All-Star’s elite skill set was on full display throughout the sequence.
The WNBA captured it in slo-mo via its phantom cam, and the clip was posted on X.
Clark has taken the league by storm since the Fever drafted her at No. 1 in 2024. Injuries to her ankle, hip and quad limited her to just 13 games last season. However, she is back to 100% this season and ready to lead the Fever in their championship quest.
May 28, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) waits for play to resume against the Golden State Valkyries in the third quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
Caitlin Clark’s performance against the Dream
Clark scored 26 points on 8-for-17 shooting, along with two rebounds and seven assists. Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston also played well for Indiana, combining for 49 points and nine rebounds. However, their efforts weren’t enough to secure a win. All five Dream starters scored in double digits, with Angel Reese leading the way with a 21-point, 11-rebound double-double.
The 108-101 defeat snapped the Fever’s four-game winning streak. Clark and Co. will look to return to their winning ways and avenge Thursday’s loss when they visit Atlanta two days later.
Chicago Wolves/Carolina Hurricanes forward Justin Robidas (46) scored the equalizer that led to overtime where teammate Viktor Neuchev scored the game-winner in Game Four of the Calder Cup Finals. (Source: James Guillory-Imagn Images)
The Chicago Wolves beat the Toronto Marlies 4-3 in overtime in Game Four to cut the series deficit of the 2026 Calder Cup to 3-1.
The Wolves struck first with their first shot of the game when forward and AHL All-Star Bradly Nadeau scored with a sharp angle shot from the left face-off zone that squeezed between Marlies goalie Artur Akhtyamov and the left post 28 seconds in to put Chicago up 1-0. Toronto took over the game after that as they outshot the Wolves 20-4 for the rest of the frame including four shots in the only power play of the period where forward Jacob Quillan found the back of the net at the 4:36 mark to tie the game. With the shot advantage, it was only appropriate for the Marlies to put up their second goal when forward Luke Haymes shot in a puck off his own rebound at the 9:58 mark to put the Leafs AHL affiliates up 2-1 after 20 minutes.
Chicago came back and outshot Toronto 10-5 in the second period. Two of the Wolves' shots came in two of their power plays that intersected into a two-man advantage for 48 seconds but the Marlies successfully killed them off. The period ended with a 5-1 Chicago shot advantage with the last shot being Toronto's. Forward Ryan Tverberg made that count as he received a long passing puck in the offensive zone from defenceman Dakota Mermis from the Marlies zone which Tverberg finished with a wrist shot into the net to put Toronto up 3-1 after two periods.
Toronto came out sluggish in the final frame, getting outshot 4-1 in the opening 5:28 minutes and it cost them big time: Two of Chicago's shots resulted in goals by AHL All-Star defenceman Domenick Fensore and AHL All-Star forward Justin Robidas to level the game 3-3. The two goals woke up Toronto as the team limited Chicago to only one shot for the final 11:26 minutes of the frame while putting up seven of their own. But still, the Marlies couldn't find the game-winning goal and both teams had to settle for overtime action.
The Wolves took over in the extra frame, outshooting Toronto 4-2 with forward Viktor Neuchev scoring to win the game and get a W in the Calder Cup Finals.
Chicago Wolves goalie Cayden Primeau made 33 saves off 36 shots for a save percentage of 0.912.
Toronto Marlies goalie and AHL All-Star Akhtyamov made 22 saves off 26 shots for a save percentage of 0.846.
On paper, Illinois projects as one of the most talented and intriguing teams in college basketball. Returning roughly 60% of its total minutes from last year’s Final Four run, the Illini have most certainly turned heads across the country. Yet, beneath the off-season hype and a loaded roster, no team is bulletproof.
As Brad Underwood looks to build on his success of years prior, we must look past the preseason hype for a bit and ask: where is this roster vulnerable?
Perimeter Defense
The consistent perimeter defense that defined Illinois’ identity just a year ago will look much different this season. Last year, Underwood had the privilege of rolling out All-Big Ten Defensive selection Kylan Boswell, a relentless Keaton Wagler, and the versatile combination of Ben Humrichous and Andrej Stojakovic. With Stojakovic being the lone returner of that core group, a heavy portion of the perimeter defensive burden will now fall on his shoulders.
While this 2026-27 roster brings length and offensive upside that rivals any team in the country, the defensive blueprint will require a shift in style. Both Ivisic twins provide Illinois with elite rim protection and interior presence, but asking 7-footers to extend those skills out to the three-point line is a big order against modern offenses. We saw flashes of this challenge last year when David Mirkovic was tested on the perimeter. While his high basketball IQ and feel for the game allowed him to hold his ground, matching up against explosive guards on the outside is a high expectation.
A similar dynamic applies to Jake Davis and Providence transfer Stefan Vaaks. Both are highly skilled, passionate players, but they don’t possess the raw lateral quickness needed to keep up with elite scorers. Freshman 5-star Quentin Coleman offers some defensive upside. With positional size and a quick first step, Coleman may carry some of the weight on the defensive side of the ball. During his senior campaign at Principia, Coleman averaged an impressive 2.7 steals per game, one of the main reasons he lead his team to back-to-back state titles.
Nonetheless, Illinois needs a perimeter defender outside of Andrej Stojakovic. If they want to replicate last year’s success, someone else must step up and prove they can guard the perimeter, or this teams explosive offensive ceiling might be canceled out by their defensive floor.
Go-to scorer
Brad Underwood’s most successful teams have always featured a go-to bucket getter. While this year’s roster boasts perhaps the highest offensive ceiling fans have seen in decades, it also enters the season lacking a proven, late-game closer. With Keaton Wagler gone, someone has to step into that void. Providence transfer Stefan Vaaks put up big numbers in the Big East, but jumping straight into the No. 1 option role on a national championship contender is a big ask.
This is where Andrej Stojakovic can take the ultimate leap. Last year, Stojakovic thrived as an overqualified secondary option off the bench, operating at peak efficiency as a downhill attacker and being consistent in the midrange. However, to become the alpha the Illini need, he has to find his confidence and consistency from deep. His three-point percentage dipped to a career-low 24.4% last season. If he wants to command the spotlight this year, unlocking that perimeter jumpshot is a must.
If the answer doesn’t come from the perimeter, David Mirkovic could offer a completely different solution. The 6-foot-9 forward possesses a fascinating skill set that is much different than the traditional Big Ten positioning. Rather than a guard hunting isolation looks, Mirkovic has the passing skills and basketball IQ to serve as the team’s ultimate offensive hub. We saw flashes of that elite feel for the game last season, but stepping into a true alpha role will require more than fans may think.
Questions like these must be asked by the fans and media as we inch closer to November. This roster has the capabilities to overwhelm any opponent. Yet, college basketball isn’t played on paper, and pre-season rankings rarely pan out as expected. In a world where college basketball is more talented than ever, the margin between winning a national championship and being an early exit in March is slimmer than most realize. The outcome of this team will be an indication on how they addressed these, and other weaknesses that arise. Illini fans are tired of “what could have been” teams, and this one has the capability to leave it’s name in the history books.
The New York Mets beat the Philadelphia Phillies tonight, 6-4, as they used a pair of home runs by outfielder Juan Soto and more stellar pitching from a quartet of relievers to break on top in the first game of their three-game set.
The early innings featured a back and forth battle, as the teams traded runs off starters Sean Manaea and Aaron Nola. Soto started things off with a bang for the Mets when he hit a solo homer to right in the first, and an RBI double by A.J. Ewing later in the inning made it 2-0.
Philadelphia got that run back in the same frame on an RBI single from Alec Bohm in the first, but Soto wasn’t done hitting homers yet. He hit another solo homer in the third to extend the New York lead to 3-1, but the Phillies countered when Kyle Schwarber struck out but reached anyway on a passed ball from catcher Francisco Alvarez. Bohm then doubled to make it 3-2, and Philly tied the game on a single by Bryson Stott, who stole second and scored on a single by Derek Hill to tie the game.
That 3-3 score held until the seventh when the Mets doubled their run count off of reliever Jose Alvarado, starting when Carson Benge singled. Benge then stole second, and he moved to third on a wild pich by Alvarado, after which a single by Eric Wagaman brought him home.
That was just the start of the rally, though. An RBI triple by Marcus Semien brought home two more runs, and just like that the Mets doubled up on the Phillies at 6-3.
The Mets bullpen took over for Manaea after the starter went 5-1/3, and the relievers continued their brilliance. It started with Huascar Brazoban, then Jesse Minter and Luke Weaver both has scoreless stints. Devin Williams had to overcome a brutal de facto error by shortstop Bo Bichette that somehow made it into the box score as a hit, and the Phils capitalized with a run to make it 6-4.
Williams did a great job of keeping his composure, though, and he rallied to close it out and get his 11th save of the season to give the Mets the win. The two teams have a weirdly scheduled day off tomorrow, then go back at it Saturday in what looks like it could be a fascinating series.
LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 12: The Maryland Terrapins line up against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at FedEx Field on November 12, 2011 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
When Notre Dame fans look back on the Brian Kelly era, the memories often center around explosive passing attacks, dramatic finishes, and the stars who filled the highlight reels. But every now and then, a game comes along that reminds us football can still be won the old-fashioned way.
On November 12, 2011, against Maryland in the Shamrock Series, the Irish didn’t rely on trick plays or aerial fireworks. Instead, they handed the ball to Jonas Gray and Cierre Wood and watched the ground game take complete control. Gray powered his way to 136 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Wood added 99 yards and a score of his own. Together, the duo battered the Terrapins from the opening drive and set the tone for one of Notre Dame’s most physical offensive performances of the season.
Ground game, fast-paced offense power Irish to 45-21 victory over Maryland
By Eric Prister
LANDOVER, Md. — Irish coach Brian Kelly said Notre Dame’s focus throughout the week leading up to its Shamrock Series game against Maryland was to pick up the tempo and to start fast.
The Irish did just that, scoring on their first possession of the game and three other times in the first half on their way to a 45-21 win over the Terrapins on Saturday.
“We asked our team to get off to a fast start,” Kelly said. “We did that. I thought that was important for us to come here and really make a statement early on. I thought we did that — put some points on the board. So when we look at it, [it was] a very good victory for our football team, and I liked their preparation. I had mentioned to many of you around us that I liked our preparation during the week and that paid off today.”
Senior running back Jonas Gray topped the 100-yard mark on the ground for the first time in his career, carrying the ball 21 times for 136 yards and two touchdowns, including the first score of the game on Notre Dame’s first drive. Kelly said Gray’s performance has come to be expected at this point in the season.
“Jonas Gray was what we have all been talking about,” he said. “He’s been a consistent performer for us, and he’s really emerged as a big-time back. That’s why we went with two backs in the backfield for the first time this year; we played both Jonas and [sophomore running back] Cierre [Wood] because they’ve been so productive for us.”
Wood came up just short of rushing for 100 yards as well, gaining 99 yards on the ground against the Terrapins. He took one of his 18 carries into the end zone, scoring from three yards out with just under nine minutes to go in the third quarter.
“We knew we would be able to run the ball so we started with a physical mentality and continued that throughout the game,” Gray said. “It was a big emphasis this week to play at a fast tempo and we did that well. When we do that, we’re a pretty good offense that’s hard to stop. [The defense] can’t line up as fast as they want to, just things like that, and [Kelly] is doing a great job of dialing plays up.”
The Irish defense also put points on the board when sophomore cornerback Lo Wood intercepted Maryland sophomore quarterback Danny O’Brien’s pass in the third quarter and returned it 57 yards for the score.
“[Senior safety] Jamoris [Slaughter] did a great job of closing on that screen and had read that screen out and forced a high throw, and Lo was in a good position,” Kelly said. “It was good to get Lo in the game — he’s going to have to play for us next year so it was nice to see him get a pick six.”
Gray put the Irish on the board first, capping off an eight-play, 67-yard drive by barreling his way into the end zone from one yard out. After senior kicker David Ruffer added a career-long 52-yard field goal, sophomore quarterback Tommy Rees connected with senior receiver Michael Floyd to give the Irish a 17-0 lead.
The Terrapins answered on the very next drive when O’Brien completed a 13-yard pass to senior wide receiver Quentin McCree for a touchdown. McCree led Maryland with five catches for 76 yards and the score.
Not to be outdone, the Irish took the kickoff and drove 70 yards on 13 plays to take a 24-7 lead going into halftime. Gray once again finished the drive for Notre Dame, powering through the line on fourth-and-one from the one-yard line with just 29 seconds left in the half.
“We felt like it was about — it was less than a foot,” Kelly said of the decision to go for the touchdown on fourth-and-one. “Even if we weren’t a very good running team I was going to probably go for it no matter what. But we’ve been running the ball physically and controlling the line of scrimmage against most teams, so we felt that was not a difficult call at the time.”
Rees, who completed 30 of his 38 pass attempts and threw for two touchdowns, said the increased tempo kept Maryland on their heels and was the key to Notre Dame’s offensive success.
“We wanted to go with a hurry-up with the tempo a little bit, and it worked out,” he said. “I think we caught them when they weren’t lined up a little bit and we could tell throughout the game, the guys were getting tired and I think that has a lot to do with how we pushed our tempo.”
Maryland coach Randy Edsall said that, while there were bright spots for his team, it suffered from too many mistakes throughout the game, as it has all season.
“Notre Dame has an outstanding football team,” he said. “They had something to do with those missed tackles, and offensively we couldn’t get a whole lot going and, same thing, dropped passes. That didn’t help with the continuity of what we needed to get done.”
The Irish scored twice more in the third quarter — Cierre Wood’s three-yard touchdown and Lo Wood’s interception return — to extend their lead to 38-7. Notre Dame has now outscored its opponents 77-13 in the third quarter this season.
“I think our guys settle into the game,” Kelly said when asked about the halftime adjustments he makes. “They’re tuned in. We can talk to them and they know exactly what we want to do in the third quarter and they go out and do it. Again, our guys understand how important it is to get some adjustments made at halftime. There’s good communication, and our guys go out and execute.”
Notre Dame is now 5-0 in the month of November under Kelly. The Irish will try to continue that streak Saturday when they take on Boston College in their last home game of the season.
“I think for us the process is what we do during the week because we’re not at the point where it’s habit, that we do it the right way all the time,” Kelly said. “We’re making good progress there. We really can’t fly at 35,000 feet, so to speak. We have to really focus on the day-to-day.”
Notre Dame’s 45-21 victory over Maryland will never rank among the most celebrated wins of the Brian Kelly era, but it deserves to be remembered for what it represented. The Irish controlled the game from the opening possession, dictated the pace, and imposed their will at the line of scrimmage.
While Tommy Rees efficiently directed the offense and the defense contributed points of its own, this afternoon belonged to Jonas Gray and Cierre Wood. Their combined 235 rushing yards showcased a one-two punch that Maryland simply couldn’t stop. In an era increasingly defined by passing numbers and highlight-reel throws, the Irish proved that a dominant rushing attack could still be a game-changing weapon.
More than a decade later, this Shamrock Series matchup stands as a forgotten gem—a reminder of the day Notre Dame lined up, ran the football, and took complete control.
PHILADELPHIA — While Jose Alvarado, the basketball player, was presumably shirtless, lighting up New York with his key to the city Thursday night, Jose Alvarado, the baseball player, was getting lit up by the Mets down in Philadelphia.
The Mets opened a series against the Phillies with a 6-4 win at Citizens Bank Park, using a three-run rally in the seventh inning and yet another solid bullpen performance. Eric Wagaman pinch hit a two-out single to right-center field off the left-handed Alvarado to break a 3-3 tie.
Another solid bullpen performance protected the Mets’ lead, with A.J. Minter, Luke Weaver and Devin Williams doing their jobs effectively.
This series was considered a litmus test of sorts for the Mets in the NL East coming into it. The Mets lost two of three in Cincinnati, turning in two downright dismal performances before salvaging the series Wednesday. In the first game of a three-game, four-day set between two divisional rivals, the two teams were about even until the seventh.
That’s when the Phillies replaced right-hander Seth Johnson with Alvarado to face the top of the order. Carson Benge led off with a single before Alvarado got Bo Bichette and Juan Soto out. It was the first time Soto was retired all night, after homering twice and walking once.
But then the Mets pinch hit for the left-handed hitting Jared Young with right-hander Mark Vientos. He drew a walk to keep the inning alive, and the Mets pinch hit for another left-handed hitter, A.J. Ewing, with a right-hander, Wagaman.
The matchup worked.
Wagaman lined a fastball to right field, scoring Benge from second base. Marcus Semien had the big hit, driving a 2-2 sinker off the left-center wall for a bases-clearing triple. To that point, the bottom half of the order hadn’t done much, but the right matchups provided the spark that lit the Mets’ match.
Left-hander Sean Manaea and right-hander Aaron Nola each gave up three runs, with only two of them earned. The first few innings weren’t pretty for either team, with errors, passed balls and misplays. Again, things were relatively even early on in the game.
But the Mets had the ultimate advantage in Soto. One of the hottest hitters on the planet this month, Soto drilled a 1-2 cutter from Nola into the right field stands with ease in the first inning. It nearly landed in the second deck, banking off one of the advertisements hanging over the lower-level seats.
Young reached on an error and scored on Ewing’s double to start the Mets off with a 2-0 lead. The Phillies (40-35) made it 2-1 in the bottom of the inning, but Soto pulled the Mets ahead again in the third, leading off with another monstrous homer. This one might not have traveled as far horizontally, but it went so high that it looked as though it was about to keep traveling into space.
The Mets (34-41) took three runs off Nola on seven hits, walking once and striking out six times. Manaea scattered three runs over 5 1/3 innings, giving up six hits, walking one and striking out five.
The series continues Saturday, pausing for the World Cup. An off day was built into the schedule to accommodate the Haiti vs. Brazil World Cup match being played across the street Friday. The next time the Mets are in Philadelphia, they’ll have a similar schedule, taking a day for the World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium.
📸 Mexico capitalize on goalkeeper howler as home fans erupt
The 2026 World Cup has finally delivered a good (bad?) goalkeeper mistake during Mexico's group stage clash with Korea Republic on Thursday.
Deadlocked after 45 minutes and truly nothing compelling from either side, it took a mistake to find the game it's first goal.
Korea Republic goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu was the man with his head in his hands after he came out to claim the ball. But unfortunately in the process, he fell on a team-mate in what can only be summarized as some poor awareness at the back.
He subsequently dropped the ball and a lurking Luis Romo steered it home into an empty net as the home crowd erupted.
To make the night even better for the goal scorer, he's playing in his club stadium.
According to Mister Chip, Romo is "the first Chivas player to score for Mexico in a World Cup since Chicharito Hernández in the 2010 World Cup, 16 years ago."
He's also "the ninth player from CD Guadalajara to score for El Tri in the entire history of the tournament."
LMU Lions guard Jan Vide (7) scores despite a leaping block attempt by UTEP Miners forward Jamal West Jr. (15) during a game at the Don Haskins Center, Nov. 11, 2025, in El Paso, Texas. | Luis Torres/For El Paso Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Latest ACC pickup: Loyola Marymount’s Jan Vide to Virginia.
In a rare move, NASCAR moved the start time for last weekend's race at Pocono up a full two hours, which they were only able to do thanks to flexibility provided by Prime Video as a streaming service.
On this week's edition ofInside the Race, both Steve Letarte and Kyle Petty praised NASCAR and Prime for the proactive measure, which allowed for all 400 miles/160 laps of racing to take place without a single delay.
"Bravo to Prime," remarked Letarte, a former Daytona 500-winning crew chief. "I know I work for them, but bravo because I will tell you, about five minutes after we got off the post-race stage, there would have been no racing. The rain was there."
Petty agreed, saying: "There's a million fans you could probably call up on the phone right now that have sat in the grandstands for five or six hours to see the last half of a race, saying 'oh my gosh I wish they would have moved it up so we could see the whole race.' I applaud Amazon, NASCAR, everybody. We are very blessed to be with Amazon in this period of time, when they can make that adjustment. Some networks can't make that adjustment, some networks can't. I completely understand that, but to be with a partner like Amazon who can adjust for the fans and the competitors, everybody won in this."
'Inside the Race' will be live from San Diego this Sunday, hosting a post-race show from Naval Base Coronado. Our Senior NASCAR Editor Matt Weaver will make an appearance on the show, which you can watch live on Motorsport.com following the conclusion of Prime's final broadcast of the 2026 season.
The bad defense has been a narrative around the Fever all season.
They've previously spoken about not being able to install varied schemes yet as players work to get up to speed.
It's a bit weird, though, because very few players are different with the Fever this season from last season, and Stephanie White is still the head coach.
Regardless, it's a nightmare to be dealing with this right now. The Fever are 9-6, but if they had a better defense, they'd be really rolling.
The Dream shot 54% from the floor on Thursday night, along with 39% from 3-point range. It's going to be tough for Indiana to win games when they give up marks like that.
They'll be hoping they don't set this record outright for a while, but at this rate, it may be soon.
The Oklahoma Sooners made a trio of additions via the transfer portal on Thursday. One of those additions is College of Southern Idaho outfielder Adi Hansen. The Sooners lost three-year starter Kasidi Pickering to Texas Tech earlier in the week but picked up a player with some serious speed.
In two seasons, Hansen hit .423, including .457 in 2026 with four triples and 24 RBIs. She brings speed to the Sooners' offense, stealing 85 bases in two seasons, 62 of which came this past season. She had a hit in 47 of her team's 55 games this season with 24 multi-hit games.
She comes to Oklahoma with two years remaining of eligibility and will have a chance to earn a spot in a Sooners outfield that brings back Kai Minor, Ella Parker, and Chaney Helton.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
The high-octane three-round strikefest precedes two massive World Title bouts live in Asia primetime on Friday, June 19, from Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium, streaming exclusively for members on live.onefc.com.
Compiling an impressive 6-1 promotional record, the Malaysian striking star has quickly transformed into must-see television on the weekly ONE Friday Fights circuit. His uncanny ability to pull devastating finishes out of thin air has earned him the fitting moniker of “Magic Boy.”
For the 23-year-old phenom, explosive offense flows entirely naturally in the heat of battle, operating on pure instinct that bypasses conscious thought.
The three-time IFMA World Champion shared:
“Because [in my fights] I do elbows, flying knees, sometimes they get KO’d, like magic. Sometimes I don’t know what’s happening. I just do it, like magic.”
Confronting this natural force is Mozafari, a debuting Iranian striker who enters Bangkok with an aggressive intent to completely derail the Malaysian hype train.
Despite the mystery surrounding his opponent’s overall game, Masdor has never been one to lose sleep over another man’s capabilities. His focus remains firmly inward, trusting his rigorous preparation and elite fight IQ to do the talking when the green light shines.
Masdor said:
“I don’t know much [about him], but in fighting, anything can happen, so I’m always careful.
“I think his style is more of a boxing style. But I’m not scared because I have punches too. I have hands, I have IQ.”
A fifth consecutive promotional victory would go a long way toward firmly establishing Masdor as Malaysia’s next major breakout superstar on the global stage.
The highly motivated contender is primed to tread the exact same path as his talented countrymen Johan “Jojo” Ghazali and Aliff Sor Dechapan — elite peers who have already made massive waves on the main roster.
The Sor Sommai and Sor Kitrungroj representative offered:
“I think I’m the dangerous one. For this fight, I’m 100 percent healthy, and my body feels good.
“If I get a contract — oh, that’s my dream. Like my friends Alif and Johan have a contract. I want to be like them too. I want to be happy, and I get to be a professional fighter.”
Masdor Is Driven By Something Bigger Than A Contract
Rifdean Masdor is turning doubters into believers one spectacular performance at a time. Boasting pristine technical prowess, natural charisma, and unyielding drive, the Malaysian warrior has all the tools required for greatness. He just needs the final piece of the puzzle to fall into place.
That confidence starts entirely from within. Masdor is deeply energized by the international recognition his talents are earning, and he is determined to honor his pedigree by pushing his skills to the absolute limit.
“Magic Boy” stated:
“Sometimes they believe, sometimes they don’t believe. Now I believe because a lot of people, not just Malaysian people, but people from other countries, trust me. I believe I can be champion.”
For Masdor, competing at the highest tier of martial arts runs significantly deeper than personal glory. The “art of eight limbs” is not simply his profession — it is his core identity, his purpose, and the calling he was put on earth to answer.
A main roster contract would send him on a direct path toward the stacked atomweight Muay Thai division, where undisputed king Nadaka Yoshinari reigns supreme. That long road continues this Friday night, and the Malaysian phenom is fully prepared to leave everything in the ring.
He concluded:
“My dream is to fight all the time. Not fight for money, but I want to fight for my heart, fight for my family. I love fighting. I love Muay Thai.”
NEW YORK (AP) — Andrew Benintendi launched a pinch-hit grand slam off Camilo Doval in the eighth inning Thursday night and the Chicago White Sox ended a nine-game losing streak at Yankee Stadium with a 5-1 victory over New York.
Benintendi batted for Randal Grichuk and was Chicago’s third pinch hitter of the inning. He snapped a 1-all tie by driving Doval’s first pitch, a 100 mph sinker, into the right-center seats.
It was the fourth career slam for Benintendi, who played 33 games for the Yankees in 2022, and his second pinch-hit homer.
Benintendi went deep after pinch-hitter Sam Antonacci doubled off Fernando Cruz (4-2). Tim Hill plunked pinch-hitter Jacob Gonzalez and Tristan Peters with pitches before getting an out.
The White Sox won in the Bronx for the first time since June 8, 2023. Chicago was outscored 22-7 in the first two games of the three-game series and 58-18 during its skid in the Bronx.
Colson Montgomery also homered and made a key defensive play in the seventh before Chicago went ahead.
Montgomery tagged out Anthony Volpe trying to stretch a double. Volpe hit a ball over the head of left fielder Junior Perez, but he recovered to make a strong one-hop throw to Montgomery at third base and Volpe was out by several feet.
Ryan McMahon hit a tying homer in the third off bulk reliever Sean Burke (4-4), but the Yankees had their four-game winning streak snapped and fell to 9-5 since losing captain Aaron Judge to a fractured right rib.
New York also lost Jazz Chisholm Jr. in the fourth when the second baseman fouled a pitch off the area near his groin.
Yankees starter Ryan Weathers allowed one run and three hits in 6 1/3 innings. The left-hander struck out eight and walked one.
Burke followed Chicago opener Bryan Hudson and permitted one run and five hits while striking out eight over the final 7 1/3 innings.
The White Sox won for the fifth time in their last 17 road games and finished 6-5 in an 11-game stretch against the Phillies, Braves, Dodgers and Yankees.
Up next
White Sox: RHP Erick Fedde (2-5, 4.50 ERA) opposes LHP Tarik Skubal (3-3, 2.81) in the opener of a three-game series Friday at Detroit.
Yankees: RHP Cam Schlittler (7-3, 1.82 ERA) faces RHP Rhett Lowder (3-3, 4.60) in the opener of a three-game series against visiting Cincinnati on Friday.
For months now, the talk surrounding the Utah Jazz and the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft has revolved around a single question: which prospect offers the most potential?
AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Cam Boozer each have their own supporters and each one makes a strong case to be near the top of that year’s draft. But recent reporting on Boozer hints at a shift in Utah’s approach. The Jazz are reportedly looking closely at him with their pick, which could signal a more defined plan for how they want to shape their roster.
Boozer still sits behind AJ Dybantsa in most early projections, but not by much, and it wouldn’t be all that surprising to see some boards flip before next June.
Dybantsa is considered by many to be the top prospect in his class due to his elite athleticism, ball-handling skills and scoring ability from all three levels. The Jazz’s decision may ultimately come down to how they envision building around star guard Keyonte George.
Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images
Jazz rebuild plans are taking on a different look
For quite some time, Utah’s rebuilding process was pretty clear-cut: gather assets, develop young players, collect draft picks and search for future stars.
The acquisition of Jaren Jackson Jr. changed the timeline, because Jackson is not a developmental project. He’s a former Defensive Player of the Year and a proven star entering his prime, and adding him signaled that the Jazz have moved from simply collecting talent to constructing an actual basketball team.
That shift matters. Teams still searching for a franchise cornerstone tend to prioritise pure upside, while teams that believe they’ve identified foundational pieces start weighing fit much more heavily. The Boozer rumours suggest Utah may have reached that point.
Boozer’s fit next to Jackson looks clear on paper
Jackson’s skill set is clear: elite rim protection, defensive versatility, and floor spacing from the frontcourt. But his game has its gaps too, particularly in rebounding and handling the physical demands inside.
Boozer helps cover those areas. Tim MacMahon of ESPN has mentioned that the Jazz see him as a strong fit next to Jackson, and Boozer’s numbers back that up.
At Duke, he averaged 22.0 points, 10.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists, standing out as one of college basketball’s most productive players. His game leans on strength inside, rebounding and smart passing — qualities that would let Jackson focus on his strengths without forcing either player out of their comfort zone.
Boozer represents a safer pick
What sets Boozer apart from other top prospects is how well-rounded his game already is. He might not have the same athleticism as some of the other candidates, or match Peterson’s shot-creation upside or Dybantsa’s mix of length and scoring potential. Still, few players enter the league with his combination of production, feel and versatility, and he appears ready to make an impact right away.
For a team in full rebuild mode, that immediate readiness might not hold much weight. But for a group looking to speed up its timeline around Jaren Jackson Jr., Lauri Markkanen, Ace Bailey and a young core, it could make all the difference..
After years spent stockpiling assets and looking for cornerstone players, the Utah Jazz now face a different kind of decision: what type of team they want to build going forward. If they opt for Boozer, it would reflect more than just belief in his talent.
It would signal a shift toward valuing balance, fit and the overall makeup of the roster just as much as upside. That choice could end up saying as much about the franchise’s direction as any single player ever could.
It is a leg injury for Kone, and players from both teams immediately called for attention as soon as he suffered it. His feet became tangled with Qatar's Assim Madibo during the play, while Madibo tackled him. Madibo was red-carded for the play after it was upgraded from a yellow card.
Kone was playing in front of a hometown crowd in Vancouver during the match, and was able to wave goodbye as he was carted off:
Ismaël Koné waves to the crowd in Vancouver after being carted off with an apparent leg injury pic.twitter.com/Zq42zMZx7z
Saliba paid his respects to his banged up teammate after scoring Canada's fourth goal of the game. He held up a No. 8, and then held up a Kone jersey as well:
Nathan Saliba holds up a No. 8 after scoring in support of teammate Ismaël Koné, who exited the match after an injury. pic.twitter.com/Qw8RlL2FNS
Canada ended up winning the game, 6-0. David put together a hat trick as Canada secured its first-ever FIFA World Cup win.
Canada and Qatar did not get along with each other after the game, though, potentially due to the situation regarding Kone. Not only did the players get into it after the game, but even Qatar head coach Julen Lopetegui and Canada head coach Jesse Marsch were not getting along:
Pro opens U.S. Open with shocking 41. Then makes historyJosh Schrock
If you had told Keith Mitchell that he’d sign for an even-par 70 to begin the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, he’d have taken it and run. That was especially true after the way his round began when he went out early on Thursday in blustery conditions and made a mess of the back nine (his opening nine) on the William Flynn design.
Mitchell opened with a double bogey on the par-4 10th after flying his approach shot over the green. Then he dropped shots at 11, 13, 14 and 16 to go out in six-over 41. His U.S. Open seemed destined to end before it even got started.
Instead, Mitchell did something that hadn’t been done before in U.S. Open history.
History started on the par-4 1st, where Mitchell drove it near the front of the green, pitched to 11 feet and poured in the putt for birdie. After a par at the 2nd, Mitchell stuffed his approach shot on No. 3 to three feet for birdie to get back to four over. He followed that by rolling in a 10-foot putt for birdie on the 4th.
Then came the par-5 5th. Mitchell’s drive split the fairway and then hit his approach from 229 yards to 12 feet. He drained the eagle putt to make it five straight 3s to start the front nine and get back to one over on the round.
Mitchell’s 3 streak came ended when he made a par at the par-4 6th. He followed that with pars on No. 7 and No. 8 before hitting his approach shot on the par-4 9th to eight feet and making the putt for a closing birdie to come home in 29.
With that closing birdie, Mitchell became the first player in U.S. Open history to shoot 40 or worse on one nine and break 30 on the other in the same round.
Keith Mitchell went out in 41-29 today for a round of 70
He is the first player in U.S. Open history to shoot 40 or worse on one nine and break 30 on the other nine within the same round.
Mitchell’s 29 is also the lowest nine-hole score on the front nine at Shinnecock Hills. It ties the lowest nine-hole score in history at Shinnecock, which Neal Lancaster shot on the back nine during the final round of the 1995 U.S. Open.
Due to expected high winds, the USGA syringed the greens and had them rolling a bit slower than initially planned. But that didn’t make Thursday’s test any easier. After a two-hour fog delay, Shinnecock greeted the players with the typical brutality that has come to define it as a U.S. Open anchor site.
“It’s just a difficult day,” Brooks Koepka, who won the U.S. Open at Shinnecock in 2018, said after shooting three over.
“I think with the conditions today, anything under par or anything around even par is a good score,” said Rory McIlroy, who posted one under. “It was a day to really just keep yourself in the tournament and not shoot yourself out of it.”
Mitchell was on the brink of ejecting himself from the tournament. Instead, he did what the U.S. Open asks those who want to stay around for the weekend and potentially have a shot at lifting the trophy — grind it out.
Jul 13, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Tate Southisene is drafted by the Atlanta Braves with the 22nd pick during the first round of the MLB Draft at The Coca-Cola Roxy. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images
As part of the current collective bargaining agreement talks, Major League Baseball has proposed a radical overhaul of the MLB Draft. The changes include not only the introduction of an international draft (which MLB has been advocating for a while) but the end of draft eligibility for high school players and the ability to trade picks. The proposal would also reduce the number of rounds in the draft from 20 to 12 and come with major restrictions on the amount of money teams could give out in amateur bonuses.
Let’s go through the changes one by one to see what MLB is proposing.
Reducing the number of rounds in the draft
MLB has been slowly chipping away at the number of rounds in the draft for years. Up until 1986, there were two separate drafts, one in June and one in January. Then for years the draft in June would continue as long as teams still wanted to make picks. Then it became a 50-round draft, which was reduced to a 40-round draft that was once again reduced to the current 20 rounds in 2021.
MLB is now proposing that the draft be reduced to 12 rounds. They are also proposing that any undrafted player be limited to a $10,000 signing bonus. Currently, MLB teams are allowed to give up to $125,000 to any undrafted amateur without it counting against their bonus pool. They can even give a player more if they have leftover bonus pool money.
The obvious impact of this is that it would disincentivize marginal prospects from starting a professional career. While most baseball players don’t get the kinds of NIL money in college that football and basketball players get and sometimes they don’t even get full scholarships, ten thousand dollars is not much of an incentive to give up the chance to play in college.
I think it’s a fair question as to how many rounds the draft should last, but the hard cap of $10,000 on amateur free agents is clearly punitive. You can argue that players not taken in the first 12 rounds don’t have much of a chance at making the majors anyway, but Cubs catching prospect Owen Ayers was a 19th-round pick in 2024 and signed for $50,000. He’s now listed on several Top 100 prospect lists. Would Ayers have signed if he hadn’t been drafted and only offered 10k? Who knows? But this system would certainly save the owners a lot of money, even if it might cost MLB some talented players.
International Draft
This one is the least surprising because MLB has been proposing it for a long time. The last CBA had an agreement that the owners and the players would discuss adopting an international draft, but they were unable to come to an agreement. To be fair, everyone agrees that the current system of talent acquisition in (mostly) Latin America is broken. Teams are coming to “handshake” agreements for millions of dollars with 12- and 13-year-old kids from the Dominican Republic and Venezuela. No one thinks that’s a good thing. The question has always been whether an international draft is a cure worse than the disease.
So MLB is proposing two 12-round drafts, one for players from the US and Canada and one for international players. There would be an equal bonus pool for both the international and domestic draft.
The argument in favor of the international draft is that everyone realizes that it’s insane to offer 12-year-olds a million dollars (to be paid, maybe, in four years) under the table. The argument against it is that under the current system, the buscones who identify and train Latin American players and the teams that offer them money under the table have a real incentive to develop those players into the best players they can be. Those incentives would go away (or at least greatly lessen) under a draft, where any team could scoop up another team’s hard work with an earlier pick.
Bonus pool money
With this draft, the owners are proposing a massive reduction in the amount of money that could be offered in amateur bonuses. Currently, the 30 MLB teams spend around a collective $600 million a year on player signing bonuses. Under this proposal, there would be $200 million (split 30 ways) for domestic bonuses and $200 million (again split) for international bonuses. This money would also count against any salary cap that would be agreed to in the collective bargaining talks.
Hard draft slot
No longer would teams negotiate with players over what their signing bonus would be. Players would be required to accept the MLB mandates slot bonus for their pick. This would end some players holding out for more money and teams drafting several players who agree to sign for cheap in the later rounds to even things out. Since most players who want overslot bonuses are high school players, this might not have a big impact because of the next proposal.
Age restrictions
Here’s the big one. Currently, there are several points where players become eligible to sign with a major league team. International players become eligible at 16. An American player becomes eligible when they graduate from high school, which is usually at age 18 but sometimes as young as 17. If they don’t sign out of high school and enroll in a four-year college, they they have to wait until after their junior year until they are eligible to be drafted again. Which is usually at age 21. There are a few draft-eligible sophomores, which we don’t need to go into here.
However, if they sign with a junior college out of high school, they become eligible for the draft after every season. So a player can be eligible to be signed at 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 or 21 years old, depending on their circumstances.
What MLB is proposing is that international players become eligible for the draft at 18 and US/Canada players become eligible at 20. So high school players would no longer be eligible to be drafted and almost all college players could be drafted after their sophomore seasons.
This move would be a major boon for college baseball. Instead of Pete Crow-Armstrong being drafted by the Mets in the first round, he would have gone to Vanderbilt for two years. Current Cubs top prospect Josiah Hartshorn would have just finished up his freshman season at Texas A&M.
For MLB, this would push a lot of the costs of development onto the NCAA. It would also mean an end to elite players making their major-league debut at 19 and 20 and then becoming free agents at 26 or 27, when they get the massive contracts. The Pirates’ Konnor Griffith, rather than being a Rookie-of-the-Year candidate, would have just finished up his sophomore year at LSU and would be a likely candidate for the first pick in the draft this July.
But the goal of NCAA programs isn’t to develop players. It’s to win ballgames. As one unnamed scouting director was quoted as saying in Nightengale’s article, most college freshmen don’t even play. Sure, they get training and coaching outside of games, but for all but the most elite prospects, such a proposal would mean players missing at least a year of development. MLB probably doesn’t have a problem with the elite players being drafted at 20, the solid prospects drafted at 21 and the rest at 22. The union likely does.
It’s also been noted that it seems unfair that international players can sign at 18 and US/Canada players have to wait until they’re 20. International players could still make the majors at 20 and 21 while American players could not.
Trading draft picks
Currently, only competitive balance picks are eligible to be traded. MLB is proposing that all draft picks are eligible to be dealt with some limitations.
A pick could not be traded more than a year in advance. So a team could not trade a 2027 draft pick until after the 2026 draft was concluded.
Teams could “trade up” or “down” during the first round, and first round only, of the draft as it is underway. It wouldn’t have to be only first-round picks involved in deals, but the ability to trade picks would end after the first round ended.
No team could trade away their first-round pick two years in a row, and no team could acquire more than three extra picks in the first three rounds of any draft.
Competitive balance picks would be eliminated.
The draft lottery, established in the last CBA, would be reduced from the first six picks to the first four picks.
No team could get a lottery (top four) pick three years in a row. Other current restrictions would be eliminated.
Medical evaluations at the MLB Draft combines would go from optional to mandatory for all draft-eligible players. Currently a player can opt out of a physical, but then the team that drafts him is not required to make them a minimum bonus offer.
There’s also a weird rule designed to increased the watchability of the MLB Draft on television. Ten players designated by MLB would be required to attend the draft in person. They would be paid $50,000 for their troubles.
These rules aren’t really pro or anti-player. They seem mostly designed to increase interest in the draft. Should interest in college baseball increase because of MLB’s new age limits, that could have a positive impact on public interest in the draft as well.
The Minor Leagues?
With the draft dropping back to 12 rounds and severe restrictions on the non-drafted players that often fill out every minor league roster, there is some suspicion that MLB would like to eliminate yet another level of minor league baseball in this provision. They insist that they will keep the number of teams in affiliated baseball at 120, at least through 2040. MLB feels confident that they can fill out their 165 minor league roster spots under this new system.
There’s a lot to digest here. Pretty much all of it is, other than trading draft picks, beneficial to the owners and against the players’ interests. There is no way the union accepts this proposal as offered and the owners likely know that. It’s an opening bid. But it is a sign that the owners want to radically restructure the way baseball talent is identified, signed and developed in the years to come.
This past Sunday, the UFC Freedom 250 achieved massive viewership on Paramount+ with an outdoor fight event on the White House South Lawn.
The attention-grabbing spectacle featured a main event fight with underdog Justin Gaethje delivering Ilia Topuria’s first career loss, in a major upset to become undisputed UFC Lightweight Champion.
In fact, most of the fights didn’t disappoint, with all ending via KO/TKO or stoppage, giving viewers and those attending the show live an entertaining night of action.
The UFC event featured unique entrances as each fighter walked out of the White House and through the crowd to an outdoor octagon. There were also dazzling lights, pyrotechnics, and the United States Marine Band to play live entrance music for fighters.
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 15: Fireworks go off as America’s Justin Gaethje celebrates after defeating Georgia’s Ilia Topuria during “UFC Freedom 250” mixed martial arts event on the South Lawn of the White House on June 15, 2026 in Washington, DC. President Donald Trump is hosting a series of Ultimate Fighting Championship matches on his 80th birthday, which the White House is calling “a once-in-a-generation celebration of the American fighting spirit.” (Photo by Saul Loeb – Pool/Getty Images)
The event was a massive hit for Paramount+, shattering its previous record for viewership of an exclusive event by two million viewers. Additional viewership numbers arrive next week, which could further highlight the success of this event.
And all of the spotlight seemingly caught the attention of WWE, which realized it could capitalize on something similar in style and magnitude. According to Wrestle Votes, WWE is now looking into how it can hold a future event there due to being impressed by UFC Freedom 250.
For any WWE fan who saw how this event was presented, it clearly had the look and feel of something WWE could do, with an outdoor ring, large graphic displays, pyrotechnics, and live entrance theme music played by the band.
WWE is no stranger to outdoor events, whether in football or baseball stadiums around the nation. They’ve also presented shows for the United States troops at military bases or even on an aircraft carrier.
It seems extremely logical that their next stop could be the White House, as it could be another way to capitalize on a different sort of spectacle at the nation’s capital.
And TKO Group Holdings is the parent company of WWE and UFC, so it seems the framework is already in place to make this happen.
However, one has to wonder if WWE missed the mark by not doing this before UFC. It had a massive opportunity to have one of John Cena’s retirement tour matches as part of an event on the White House South Lawn, rather than inside an arena, which could have brought further attention.
That said, there are other situations where WWE could set up an exclusive event in Washington, D.C., such as a Great American Bash or other themed premium live event, so it won’t be surprising to see this happen.
Manav Shah of Bakersfield is playing in the U.S. Open golf championship tournament at Shinnecock Hills in Southampton N.Y. Scheduled to start at 11:42 a.m. Pacific time on Thursday, morning fog forced a two-hour delay in the opening round. As a result, Shah’s first-round tee time won’t be until at least 1:42 p.m. Pacific (4:42 p.m. Eastern). Shah is playing in the final group of the day and will start on the No. 10 tee.
Shah’s second-round tee time Friday is scheduled for 8:47 a.m. Pacific, but that, too, could be altered if players are not able to finish their opening round Thursday. Shah and others would come back early in the morning Friday to complete the first round before second-round play could begin.
Rumours linking LeBron James to the Golden State Warriors aren’t hard to brush aside. The idea of the NBA’s all-time leading scorer leaving the Los Angeles Lakers for a $15 million deal feels like a reach.
Most league insiders still expect James to stay in Los Angeles. The Lakers can offer significantly more money, his family is rooted in Southern California, and at 41, he has little reason to leave tens of millions of dollars on the table. But even if it’s just posturing, what’s interesting about this report is less about LeBron and more about what it says about where the Warriors are heading into 2026.
Across more than ten years, the Warriors have left a massive mark on the NBA. They won four titles, reached the Finals six times, and built a dynasty around Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Steve Kerr. But dynasties don’t last forever. Golden State missed the playoffs in 2026 and were nowhere near contending, yet they still believe they can reload instead of starting over.
Curry is still one of the league’s top talents, but time isn’t on his side. He’s only getting older, and each season that passes feels more important than ever. The links to another superstar make sense because Golden State knows there’s no time to waste.
Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images
LeBron James’ golden opportunity is connected to Steph Curry
There’s a different angle to this story worth considering. Golden State isn’t targeting LeBron because they think there’s some hidden advantage. They’re doing it because Stephen Curry is still good enough to warrant big moves. Players like Curry don’t come around often, and the Warriors are well aware of that. The front office knows that every year left in his career is another chance they can’t afford to waste.
Even if signing LeBron doesn’t happen, just looking into it shows a franchise that isn’t willing to let Curry’s final years slip by without effort. That approach makes sense, especially now that landing another star has become one of the front office’s biggest obstacles.
It wasn’t all that long ago when these rumours seemed impossible. The idea of LeBron taking a pay cut felt unrealistic given what he could earn and where he was in his career at 39 years old. But things change quickly in the NBA.
The Lakers’ recent struggles haven’t helped matters either, with three consecutive first-round playoff exits raising questions about their direction and commitment to remaining competitive. Even so, most around the league still expect him to stay put – not only because Los Angeles can offer more money but also because uprooting his family doesn’t make much sense at this stage.
The $15 million rumour says more about Golden State than LeBron himself and shines a light on where the Warriors find themselves as they look ahead to 2026/27.The
Golden State need another elite creator
The modern NBA is brutal on teams that lean too heavily on a single offensive engine. Even at this stage, Curry carries enormous responsibility. Defences still build entire game plans around him, trap him beyond the arc, and try to force the ball out of his hands whenever possible.
James would ease many of those problems immediately. Even at 41, he remains one of basketball’s most gifted playmakers, and the image of Curry working off the ball while James orchestrates the offence is enough to make any coach dream. The fit is compelling not because it is realistic, but because it is easy to picture how devastating it could be.
Reports suggest the Warriors could be looking at the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception, expected to be about $15 million. While that’s not an insignificant figure, it’s a far cry from the more than $50 million James earned last season.
Los Angeles can offer several things Golden State simply cannot: Bird rights, a much larger contract, and the stability that comes with staying in one place. James has built his life and career in Southern California, and any move north would have to be made purely for basketball reasons.
BOONEVILLE — If Tupelo’s girls are to return to Jackson, the road will be paved largely by new faces.
The Golden Wave are breaking in four new starters this summer. The team reached the state championship game three years in a row (winning it all in 2024 and 2025) before being knocked out in the quarterfinals last season.
“We've got a lot of new faces down, as you can tell,” coach Matt Justice said. We’ve got four or five (sic) new girls that are kind of stepping into different roles, so we’re just trying to figure them out this summer and see what they can do so that we know what we have to work on come August.”
In a summer league game against New Hope at Northeast Mississippi Community College on Thursday morning, Tupelo was led in scoring by one of those new faces; eighth-grader Aubrey Thomas.
Thomas, a transfer from Ridgeland, led the Golden Wave with 13 points in its 38-15 win. She is just 12 years old, but holds a Division I offer from UT Martin.
“We're excited about her, and she's really young,” Justice said. “She’s got a lot to work on, but her ability right now, and raw ability at her age, is impressive.”
Another new face is Bri Macon, a senior who transferred in from Itawamba AHS. She will be counted on as an inside-out piece on offense. She had four points in Thursday’s win.
Everyone in the program, from those who are in their first year to those who have been in it for a while, are aware of the expectations. The time leading up to the regular season will be spent honing in on the desire to return to The Big House.
“We got a lot of young ones, but the ones that have been here and have seen it, it's their time to step up and keep pushing each other and pushing our program to that level each year,” Justice said. “Getting them to understand that is a process, and taking ownership of the team, and that's what we're trying to get them to understand, is that they have to take ownership of it and want that for our program.”
PONTOTOC – Pontotoc is hoping to go on a deep playoff run this year, and the Warriors have plenty of familiar faces coming back.
The Warriors are coming off a 19-11 season this past year where they were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by eventual state runner-up Holmes County Central.
“Pretty much our whole starting five is back,” Pontotoc head coach Rolley Tipler said. “And now we’re really just working on developing more depth. We’ve been having to, on varsity, playing 10 and rotating a mixture. We haven’t had a starting five together, so a mixture of 10. And it’s been working well for us, and we’ve been having some good stuff out there.”
Omaree Scott led Pontotoc with 15.9 points per game last year as a junior. Dalyn Powell (10.8 points per game last year) and Chayton Johnson (10.7) behind Scott will make it three returners for Pontotoc who had double-digit points per game last season. Having that kind of returning experience is a huge plus.
“The last time we did that, we made a decent run, so hopefully that happens again,” Tipler said. “That’s where we’re at right now. Try to just bring guys that we’ve been having start since the ninth grade and hopefully see it manifesting into a deep run.”
Pontotoc is also working on developing its depth this summer.
“I’m loving the fact that we’ve got a lot of guys that are stepping up,” Tipler said. “We’ve been rotating 10 guys at a time, so everybody’s getting plenty of time to get ready for the season. Hopefully, in the season, it’s kind of helped expand on what we had last year and help with our rotation by adding two or three more players to take up from what we lost last year.”
Kayden Carruthers averaged 8.7 points and 3.1 rebounds per game last year as a sophomore, and he likes where the team is at right now.
“Games-wise, I feel great with the team,” Carruthers said. “The team looks way better than last year. We’re moving a lot better. We’re playing with each other, and I feel like we’re looking toward a state championship.”
GRAND CHUTE - For the first time in program history, Pewaukee Pirates baseball is the WIAA state champion.
"Feels incredible. We've been chasing a long time, special for this group of kids. They earned it. Did not have high expectations coming in. Young team, rebuild-type year, and they just went out and got it. Twenty-six games in a row is unbelievable," Pewaukee co-head coach Adam Dobberstein said.
The Pirates defeated Kenosha St. Joseph Catholic Academy 5-4 at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium to hang on despite nearly seeing their three-run lead evaporate in the top of the seventh.
A go-ahead two-RBI single by Pirates junior Jack Tabbert had given Pewaukee the lead in the bottom of the fifth. Coming off what he desribed as a rough day at the plate in the state semifinal, Tabbert said phone calls with his parents helped the UW-Madison football commit reset for the big moment in the title game. The junior faced his moment of retribution after drawing a full count with runners on first and second in a 2-2 game in the fifth.
"I just knew the game might be on the line here, so I gotta smoke one. One of my coaches was talking about just right-center approach, and just take it the other way. It was awesome. It was everything I've been working for for my whole life," Tabbert said.
The potential extra-base hit liner to right was limited to a single as Tabbert was floating around first from his go-ahead hit, missed the bag and had to retreat.
"I didn't know the technical rule, so I didn't want to go to second and then have me call them out, and those runs don't score," Tabbert said.
With a state gold medal around his neck after playing a pivotal role in Pewaukee's first WIAA baseball title, the future Badgers offensive lineman may have a new love after a spring fling on the diamond.
"Even though I'm a football guy, I mean, if you ask me right now, baseball is my favorite sport," Tabbert said. "It goes back and forth, but it was just amazing to be able to go out there and do that for my team."
Pewaukee led 5-2 with three defensive outs remaining and junior Max Metz on the mound for his third inning of relief looking to close the door. Metz was promoted from JV at the end of the regular season, got one regular-season outing and was suddenly thrust into pivotal spots throughout the Pirates' playoff run. His contributions were emblematic of a program that relied on first-time varsity players throughout a 30-2 season.
"When I got pulled up for the last two games of the season, everyone was super welcoming. Everyone had my back from the first game. It was awesome. We all picked each other up, and everyone played a part and contributed," Metz said.
After inducing a groundout to the leadoff hitter, KSJCA senior Dominic Santarelli reached on an infield single. Any hopes of a one-out game-tying rally were dealt a significant blow when Pewaukee catcher Hudson Bremberger gunned down Santarelli trying to steal second.
"Incredible leader, I mean, he's our glue. Hudson's dad Bryan was a captain on my first team at Pewaukee in 2001, and was a great athlete, so I'm at that phase where you get the second generation, but Hudson is just cerebral, tough and there were other things today. ... He was doing little things every inning to help the team win," Dobberstein said.
The Lancers proved they were not ready to lay down, as Christopher Kenesie walked before Zach Rizzo launched a two-run home run to dead center to make it a one-run game. Still an out away from the title, Dobberstein took a mound visit to lighten the mood for his junior pitcher.
"I just asked him if he ever in a million years thought that he would be here this year, and he laughed. I was hoping to get him to smile, and he said, 'Never in a million years.' I said, you've just gotta relax and fill up the zone and get the last out," Dobberstein said.
"He just came out and smiled at me, and I cracked a smile, and I just started laughing. It was like, you just gotta laugh about something like that, and just get the last one," Metz said.
He would do just that, inducing Patrick Davidson to fly out to center to send a band of happy Pirates flooding out of the dugout. Dobberstein, who had amassed over 500 career wins as a head coach with his brother Marc by his side, could finally raise a state title trophy with his brother on behalf of his baseball family.
"It's a family deal, so I'm so happy for him. I'm happy for my nephew Brooks, happy that they got to experience that together. Just a really special thing," Adam Dobberstein said.
Dobberstein added that a victory parade awaited in Pewaukee, something the city has grown accustomed to in other sports, but never before in baseball.
"In the last 12 years, we've been to eight sectionals, six sectional finals and four state tournaments, so we've had some state-caliber teams, but it takes a bit of good luck, right? You don't throw that guy out on second base, that ball skips two inches the other way, and all of a sudden you're in a tie game, so it means a lot. We've had a lot of great athletes at Pewaukee, especially in this last eight- to 10-year window," Dobberstein said.
Metz pitched the final three innings in relief, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk. Sophomore JonDavid Jacobs started the game and pitched four innings, allowing one earned run on three hits and four walks. Logan Peterson and Tabbert led the offense with two hits each, with Peterson scoring twice and Tabbert driving in two.
Oklahoma transfer Kasidi Pickering announced her commitment to the Red Raiders Thursday through Instagram. Her transfer to Tech had been previously reported though Pickering didn't announce at that time.
Pickering was a first-team NFCA All-American in 2025 primarily played outfield during her time with the Sooners. She's totaled 50 home runs, 169 RBI and a .384 batting average in her three-year career.
A graduate of Atascocita High School in Humble, Pickering his one year of eligibility remaining with the Red Raiders.
The 2026 NBA draft is right around the corner. Only a handful of days remain until teams across the league get a chance to add youth to their rosters during the two-day event. By the end of it, we've officially returned to square one as everybody is optimistic about their short-term and long-term futures.
To prepare for the 2026 NBA draft, let's look at five second-round options the Thunder could add to their group. Of course, the second day is the fun one, where draft boards are all over the place:
Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State
Jefferson played in four collegiate seasons. His first two year Saint Mary's and his last two at Iowa State. At the latter, he cemented himself as their top scorer. He averaged 16.4 points on 47.1% shooting, 7.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists. He also shot 34.5% from 3 on 3.1 attempts. The 22-year-old is a 6-foot-9, 240-pound forward.
Jefferson has an inside-dependent scoring game. Not a whole lot of shooting exists with him. Still, he bumped his way around the paint. That helped him get 6.1 free-throw attempts at the college level last year. He has an old-school build that revolves around finesse and smart decision-making. At this point, he's maxed out his physical tools. Don't expect him to be an athletic freak who jumps out of the gym.
Richie Saunders, BYU
Saunders played in four college seasons at BYU. He averaged 18 points on 48.9% shooting, 5.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists. He shot 37.6% from 3 on 6.8 attempts. The 24-year-old is a 6-foot-5, 200-pound guard. He sustained a torn ACL in Feb. 2026, so he'll likely miss most of his first season.
The shooting is great for Saunders. That's his bread and butter. He was a high-volume, sizzling-efficiency guy in all four years with the Cougars. Elsewhere, not a whole lot to write about. The knee injury is a real bummer that depresses his value. And already being pretty ancient for draft standards, it's tough to explain taking a guy who won't be a contributor from the jump. He faces an uphill battle.
Izaiyah Nelson, USF
Nelson played in four college seasons. His first three were at Arkansas State and his last one was at USF. In his last year with the Bulls, he broke out as a double-double machine. He averaged 15.9 points on 56.1% shooting, 9.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists. He also had 1.4 blocks and 1.6 steals. The 22-year-old is a 6-foot-10, 218-pound forward.
Nelson dominated in the American Conference. He'll be an all-motor guy who pumps up the home crowd. He can roll to the rim and be a lob-finisher. He'll beef up any frontcourt he joins. The defensive playmaking is there with an eye-popping three stocks per game average at the mid-major level. He can't do much else on offense besides finish around the rim, but there's a role in the NBA for that archetype.
Isaiah Evans, Duke
Returning for a second year at Duke, Evans graduated as a starter. He averaged 15 points on 43.3% shooting, 3.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists. He shot 36.1% from 3 on 7.4 attempts. The 20-year-old is a 6-foot-6, 180-pound guard. Not liking where last year's mocks had him at, he remains at the same spot a year later.
The frame is what caps Evans. He's a little too skinny to really thrive at the NBA level. He's going to need to change that. For now, he's just an outside shooter. The volume and efficiency were great at the ACC level. He started at a college basketball blueblood, which is always a plus for your resume. Expect him as a floor spacer. But he seriously needs to work on his weight and defense.
Koa Peat, Arizona
Peat played in one collegiate season at Arizona. He averaged 14.1 points on 52.8% shooting, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists. The 19-year-old is a 6-foot-8, 235-pound forward. Entering as a consensus five-star commit, he had a mixed bag of results. Sure, he played for a Final Four team. But he also didn't really dominate on an individual level.
Peat has been a household name since his high school days. If you've been around the basketball world for a couple of years, you've likely heard his name. If you're an NBA front office, you're still banking on some of that upside he had. At the college level, he was fine. Nothing crazy. Didn't set college hoops on fire. He played his role well on a first seed. You hope he has more room to grow if given more freedom.
The Houston Rockets have had players donning a total of 52 different jersey numbers (and have one not part of any numerical series for Houston assistant coach and general manager Carroll Dawson) since their founding at the start of the 1967-68 season, worn by just under 500 players in the course of Rockets history.
To honor all of the players who wore those numbers over the decades, Rockets Wire is covering the entire history of jersey numbers and the players who wore them since the founding of the team all those years ago right up to the present day.
With seven of those jerseys now retired to honor some of the greatest Rockets of all time to wear those jerseys, there is a lot of history to cover.
And for today's article, we will continue with the second of three who wore the No. 18, big man alum Tyson Chandler. After ending his high school career, Chandler was picked up with the second overall selection of the 2001 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Hanford, California native played the first five seasons of his pro career with the Chicago Bulls after a draft night deal. He also played for the (then) New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets (now, Pelicans), Charlotte Hornets, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, Mavs again, Phoenix Suns, and Los Angeles Lakers before he signed with the Houston Rockets in 2019 for the final season of his career.
During his time suiting up for the Rockets, Chandler wore only jersey No. 19 and put up 1.3 points and 2.5 rebounds per game.
All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.
ESPN announced Thursday that it had re-signed senior writer David Dennis Jr. to a multi-year extension.
“A leading commentator on the cultural & social impact of sports, Dennis Jr. will continue to be a key voice in [Andscape’s] multi-platform coverage across the NBA, music, Black culture & ESPN shows,” read the caption in an ESPN PR X post announcing the extension.
ESPN has re-signed senior writer David Dennis Jr. to a multi-year extension
A leading commentator on the cultural & social impact of sports, Dennis Jr. will continue to be a key voice in @andscape‘s multi-platform coverage across the #NBA, music, Black culture & ESPN shows pic.twitter.com/12zIf6TaDz
Dennis Jr. originally joined The Undefeated (now Andscape) in 2021 as a full-time senior writer following an already accomplished decade during which his writing appeared in The Atlantic and The Washington Post, among other places.
“David has been a pivotal voice in Andscape’s evolution, bringing intellegence, perspective, and a distinct point of view to everything he does,” said Jason Aidoo, Vice President, Andscape. “We’re thrilled to extend our relationship and excited about the opportunities ahead as we continue to invest in world-class storytelling. David will play an important role in that future.”
Eight teams arrived in Omaha a week ago with their sights set on a Division I baseball national championship, and two quickly separated themselves once games began. North Carolina and Oklahoma went undefeated on their respective sides of the Men’s College World Series bracket, setting the stage for a best-of-three finals between the Tar Heels and Sooners that begins Saturday at Charles Schwab Field.
This will be these programs’ third meeting in the postseason. In 2010, UNC was sent to the Norman regional and lost twice to the Sooners, who went on to make their first MCWS appearance since 1995. The inverse occurred last year, when the Sooners were eliminated by the Tar Heels at the Chapel Hill regional. That recent matchup means there are a bunch of holdovers on both rosters who will view this year’s finals as a rematch of sorts. At the same time, the transient nature of college baseball today means there are also a ton of new players who will be competing against one another for the first time.
Here’s everything you need to know about the two teams still standing in Omaha.
North Carolina Tar Heels
Program history
The Tar Heels are one of the most successful Division I programs that has never won a national title. This is their 13th trip to the College World Series, which, if they fall short again, would be the second-most of any program without a championship, behind only Florida State at 24 (UNC is currently tied with Clemson and Arkansas at 12). It was 20 years ago that UNC came closest to winning it all, and that was an unfortunate (if unlikely) case of deja vu: Both the 2006 and 2007 Tar Heels teams lost in the MCWS Finals to Oregon State. They’ve returned to Omaha six times since those near-misses (2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2018, 2024) but haven’t reached the championship series again until this year.
Head coach Scott Forbes has been around for nearly all of these deep postseason runs. His first stint on staff came as an assistant from 1999 to 2002 under Mike Fox, whom he played for at Division III North Carolina Wesleyan from 1995 to 1997. Forbes then spent three years coaching at Winthrop before returning to Chapel Hill in 2009. He then served as the pitching coach until taking over for Fox as head coach in 2021. Forbes has been through countless ups and downs with the Tar Heels, and finally hoisting the trophy would be the culmination of his decades of dedication to this storied program.
How they got here
A consensus top-15 team entering the season, North Carolina quickly climbed the national polls into the top five, where it remained for much of the spring. After losing their first conference games of the season to Virginia back in early March, the Tar Heels won their remaining nine ACC series and finished second in the regular-season standings behind Georgia Tech, which also beat UNC in the ACC tournament.
The eight other ACC teams in the postseason field all lost in the regional round, leaving UNC as the lone conference representative in super-regionals. That put added pressure on the Heels to advance — 2005 was the last time the MCWS didn’t feature at least one ACC team — and they rose to the occasion. Despite losing the first game of the best-of-three super-regional against Southern California, UNC rallied over the next two in dramatic fashion to topple the Trojans and return to Omaha.
Once in Nebraska, UNC defeated Ole Miss 6-2 in its opening game, scoring all of its runs in the later frames after trailing 1-0 through five innings. Another tense contest followed against West Virginia. That one was tied 2-2 through six innings, but a three-run seventh propelled UNC into the driver’s seat in its bracket. The Heels took down the Mountaineers again Wednesday to advance to the finals, this time with an impressive offensive display featuring 12 runs on 16 hits, albeit no home runs. Most crucially, by staying undefeated and avoiding the if-necessary semifinal game, UNC put itself in prime position to roll out its top two starters on full rest in the championship series.
Prospects to know
Let’s start with those top two starters: right-handers Jason DeCaro and Ryan Lynch. Both are eligible for the draft next month, and both have been staples in UNC’s weekend rotation all season. DeCaro (2.30 ERA in 93 ⅔ innings) is the more polished college performer, with plus command of a deep pitch mix, while Lynch is the more promising pro prospect, with bigger velocity and a sharp slider.
But the Tar Heels’ most distinct strength on the mound is its trio of underclassmen relievers, who have been nearly untouchable in the later frames. No pitcher in Division I has appeared in more games than bespectacled sophomore right-hander Walker McDuffie, who has made 37 appearances for UNC and struck out 86 batters in 69 innings with a 3.26 ERA. A pair of freshmen — righty Caden Glauber (2.17 ERA in 87 innings)and left-hander Jackson Rose (2.15 ERA in 50 ⅓ innings) — have even greater pro potential down the road. The Heels are 28-0 in games in which Glauber has appeared; that includes five of their eight NCAA tournament victories.
The UNC lineup is headlined by four transfers, plus a homegrown star in junior Gavin Gallaher, who has provided a boatload of clutch hits in his three years as a Tar Heel and was just named the Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner at second base. The quartet of impact additions is shortstop Jake Schaffner (North Dakota State), center fielder Owen Hull (George Mason), first baseman Erik Paulsen (Stony Brook) and catcher/DH Macon Winslow (Duke), and Schaffner and Hull are the ones to monitor in next month’s draft. Schaffner is a sure-handed shortstop with plus speed and a nice, left-handed swing who could stand out in a draft class light on college middle infielders. Hull was actually eligible for last year’s draft after a huge season with the Patriots as a sophomore, but he wanted to prove himself against superior competition and did just that with the Tar Heels. He has been sensational in the postseason, with multi-hit efforts in five of his past six games; he might have mashed his way into first- or second-round consideration after looking like more of a third-to-fifth-round candidate entering the spring.
It's UNC looking for its first national championship vs. Oklahoma going for its third when the Men's College World Series finals begin on Saturday in Omaha.
Mallory Bielecki/Yahoo Sports
Oklahoma Sooners
Program history
Unlike its opponent, Oklahoma does have a national title on its résumé — two, actually — but it has been a while. The first came way back in 1951, when the Sooners won the fifth edition of the Men’s College World Series and the second to be held in Omaha. In the non-ancient history department, Oklahoma was the national champion in 1994. That team featured a pair of future big-league pitchers (Russ Ortiz and Mark Redman), Ryan Minor (the Orioles third baseman who famously started in place of Cal Ripken Jr. at the end of his record ironman streak) and two players who went on to become highly successful Division I softball coaches (Kenny Gajewski at Oklahoma State, Tim Walton at Florida).
Speaking of softball, that’s unquestionably what the Sooners have been known for recently among bat-and-ball sports, as they’ve racked up an astonishing eight national championships this century, including four straight from 2021 to 2024. Funnily enough, this is the first year since 2015 that the Sooners softball team failed to reach the Women’s College World Series. Meanwhile, the baseball team is on the precipice of its third national title, but there’s work to be done. Head coach Skip Johnson, now in his ninth season at the helm, guided the Sooners to the MCWS finals in 2022, but they lost in two games to Ole Miss. He’s looking to finish the job this time.
How they got here
An unremarkable club during the regular season that qualified for the postseason more due to its competence in college baseball’s toughest conference than its unquestioned quality, the Sooners epitomize getting hot at the right time. Oklahoma lost its last four conference series and went one-and-done in the SEC tournament, so it didn’t arrive in the postseason with any hint of momentum. Optimism was even harder to come by when the Sooners got sent to the regional hosted by No. 2 overall seed Georgia Tech, but Oklahoma stunned the college baseball world by taking down a loaded Yellow Jackets team and advancing to supers on a walk-off home run that left the hometown crowd in Atlanta in stunned silence.
Having eliminated the ACC champs, the Sooners moved on to super-regionals to take on another conference champion, Kansas. Oklahoma marched into Lawrence and swiftly dispatched the Jayhawks with two blowouts, 8-1 and 13-2, to advance to the MCWS. And the Sooners have hardly cooled off since arriving in Omaha, as they bludgeoned Alabama 9-0 in the opener before taking down No. 3 overall seed Georgia — another conference champion — twice to clinch a date with UNC in the finals. The most notable development amid this spectacular postseason run has been a sudden surge in power production: The Sooners have blasted 26 home runs across 10 NCAA tournament games (2.6 HR/G) after homering just 65 times in 53 regular-season games (1.2 HR/G).
Prospects to know
Adding to the unique nature of Oklahoma’s June heater has been its reliance on freshman pitchers. The Sooners joined 2016 Texas Tech as just the second team since 1999 to start three freshman pitchers in the Men’s College World Series: left-hander Cord Rager (7 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 8 K vs. Alabama), right-hander Xander Mercurius (7 ⅓ IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 9 K vs. Georgia) and right-hander Nick Wesloski (5 ⅔ IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 4 K vs. Georgia). Rager has been the best of the bunch all season (4.69 ERA, 89 strikeouts, 19 walks across 71 innings), an incredible development after he was considered more of a first baseman as a high school prospect in Texas. Xander’s older brother, LJ Mercurius, is another Sooner arm to know, as he’s a fourth-to-sixth-round prospect in this year’s draft and leads Oklahoma in innings pitched as a versatile swingman who could start or come out of the bullpen.
Leading the position players is junior Jaxon Willits, son of former big-league outfielder and Sooners associate head coach Reggie Willits and older brother of last year’s No. 1 pick and current Nationals top prospect Eli Willits. Jaxon, a switch-hitting shortstop like his brother, won’t be drafted nearly as early as Eli but should hear his name called in the first five rounds in July. He sets the tone on both sides of the ball, batting cleanup and providing stellar defense at shortstop. Four junior-college transfers — catcher Deiten Lachance, catcher/left fielder Brendan Brock, first baseman Dayton Tockey and DH Trey Gambill — have supplied the bulk of the slugging, but the Sooners have also gotten some big home runs from speedy outfielders Jason Walk and Dasan Harris. Third baseman Camden Johnson, a transfer from Wichita State, is another athletic infield prospect who could be drafted in the first handful of rounds next month.
Prediction
North Carolina in 3
On one hand, it’s difficult to envision any team slowing down the Sooners, considering how scorching hot they’ve been the past two weeks. But the Tar Heels have the depth of arms required — and rested — to get the job done, and they boast enough offensive firepower to keep up with Oklahoma’s explosive lineup.
It should be a tremendous series that could go either way, but I’ll lean slightly toward the trophy heading to Chapel Hill for the first time.
Wide receiver Braylon Lane announced June 18 that he was decommitting from Houston and switching allegiances to the Cyclones.
The three-star wide recruit from Houston, Texas, was initially committed to his hometown school, choosing the Cougars over other offers from Texas A&M, Texas Tech, TCU, Kansas, Mississippi State, Kentucky and Arizona State.
However, he recently completed a visit to Ames over the June 12-14 weekend and made his decision just days later.
Jonathan David scored a hat-trick as co-hosts Canada claimed their first-ever World Cup win in style, with a 6-0 thrashing over nine-man Qatar on Thursday.
The Canadians started the home tournament with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina but bounced back in the best possible way.
They led 2-0 by the half-hour mark thanks to goals from Cyle Larin and Jonathan David.
Qatar had their first player sent off in the 33rd minute. Homam Ahmed tripped Tajon Buchanan and the referee initially awarded Canada a penalty.
After video review the decision was overturned, while Ahmed's yellow card was upgraded to a red.
Before the break, David scored his second to give Canada a comfortable 3-0 lead.
Things were looking great for the co-hosts but there was a scary scene in the 52nd. Ismael Koné went down after a challenge with Assim Madibo. He was conscious but had to be carried out on a stretcher, while Madibo received a red card.
From then on, things got even easier for Canada. Nathan Saliba in the 64th and Mohamed Manai's own goal in the 75th sealed the win before David completed his hat-trick in stoppage time to crown a fantastic day in Vancouver.
"We wanted to play that kind of football, to electrify the crowd. We wanted to showcase the kind of talent, the mentality that we had," coach Jesse Marsch said.
"There's going to be four million Canadians who will claim they were at the stadium today. But these 55,000 thousand here were lucky."
Canada had previously competed in the World Cup in 1986 and 2022, only scoring two goals in all of their matches combined.
Canada now top Group B on goal difference but tied with Switzerland on four points. The Swiss team earlier defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1.
Six-goal showdown
The Canadians took the lead in the 16th minute. Alistair Johnston chipped in a beautiful ball into the box and David's attempt was denied by goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada. But Larin collected the rebound to tap in the opener.
David eventually got one himself after Buchanan's strike deflected up into the air and he picked it up to smash a volley into the net in the 29th.
Things got even better for Canada as Ahmed saw a red card four minutes later. The penalty decision was overturned after the referee checked the video and saw that the contact was actually outside the box.
David then had time to add a second to his name before half-time. Larin met Johnston's cross with a header but was denied by Abunada. David, however, was very well positioned, almost on the line, to take the rebound and head it in.
Things got tense after Koné went down in the 52nd, apparently with a serious injury. He left the pitch on a stretcher and putting his thumbs up to the fans.
The incident resulted in a red card for Madibo as Qatar went down to nine players.
The scare didn't slow down Canada and Saliba's fantastic free-kick hit the post before falling into the net in the 64th. He celebrated holding up a jersey with Koné's name and number on it.
Jacob Shaffelburg curled a shot towards goal in the 75th and it looked like it was set to go out, but Manai panicked and as he attempted to clear the shot, he ended up firing against his own target.
There was still time for David to complete his hat-trick. He controlled Saliba's effort and slotted the ball beyond the keeper in stoppage time.
He became the first player to score a World Cup hat-trick on home soil since England's Geoff Hurst in the 1966 final.
An agreement released by the Division I Committee on Infractions panel found that Adam Njie Jr. provided game information to known sports bettors while playing in the Iona men’s basketball program.
The association released details on the investigation into Nije on Thursday.
NCAA enforcement staff spoke to a source connected to another sports betting case about his knowledge of two known bettors in July and September 2025.
The source said one of the bettors had talked with Nije.
“The enforcement staff engaged with gambling regulators to identify wagers the bettor placed on men’s college basketball games. The Mississippi Gaming Commission reported that the bettors placed three bets totaling $15,500 on another school to win the first-half spread line against Iona in December 2024,” the NCAA said.
Nije confirmed that he told the bettor he would throw the first half of the game, but he didn’t go through with it.
“After the game, the bettor threatened Njie with bodily harm in retaliation. Njie told the bettor he would throw the first half of Iona’s next game to make up for the bettor’s losses,” the NCAA said.
Nije said he didn’t go through with it again.
“The act of sharing information with a bettor is prohibited by NCAA legislation and is treated the same as point shaving from an NCAA enforcement perspective, regardless of whether the student-athlete goes through with throwing the game,” the association said.
Student-athletes who violate the NCAA rules are ineligible and can only be reinstated with the help of an NCAA school.
As previously reported, Njie transferred to Dayton after playing one season at Iona.
He played in 32 games for the Gaels, including 27 starts.
Njie averaged scoring over 12 points and at least 4 assists per game in the 2024-25 season.
The University of Dayton confirmed that Nije was no longer with the team in January 2026.
He was sidelined in October 2025 due to “potential eligibility concerns.”
While signing LeBron James would be the most cost-effective option for Golden State, the Warriors are still monitoring the availability of other stars if James signs elsewhere. Of potential trade targets, the Warriors seem most enamored with the idea of acquiring Kawhi Leonard from the Los Angeles Clippers.
In a recent live mock draft conducted by Kevin O'Connor of Yahoo Sports, O'Connor believes the Warriors will still try to swing a trade for the former two-time NBA Finals MVP, saying, "I do think the Warriors still want Kawhi Leonard. I still think the Warriors are still going for Kawhi Leonard."
O'Connor went on to say, "I don't think this Warriors' love for Kawhi Leonard has declined at all." If Golden State were to acquire Leonard, he would be quite the star to pair with two-time MVP Stephen Curry. Last season in his 14th year, Leonard averaged a career-high 27.9 points to go along with 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.9 steals and 0.4 blocks. In addition to defense, Leonard's 3-point shooting is another skill that could be utilized by head coach Steve Kerr, as the former San Diego state product has a career 39.1% success rate from beyond the arc.
Sometimes in this line of work, you stumble across a stat that doesn't feel real. This is one of those times.
On Thursday afternoon, Aroldis Chapman was brought into the ninth inning of the Boston Red Sox game against the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Red Sox had tied the game up in the bottom of the eighth, giving Chapman an opportunity to become the winning pitcher with a hold in the ninth. Chapman allowed an infield single to Ernie Clement to start the inning, and a two-out double to shallow left centerfield from catcher Brandon Valenzuela on the ninth pitch of the at-bat was enough to score Toronto's game-winning run.
However untimely, the run was the first run 38-year-old closer Aroldis Chapman has allowed since April 4, 2026.
Chapman was working on a 75-day scoreless streak.
It is only the second run Chapman has allowed all season.
Chapman has sported the lowest ERA in all of Major League Baseball for most of this month. He entered Thursday's game with a 0.43 ERA on the season.
The closing pitcher has not received much work in June. The Red Sox have a record of 4-10 this month, creating very few save opportunities. Chapman has made three appearances and only thrown 51 pitches in the entire month.
Regardless of the rather unfortunate circumstances leading to his quiet June, 19-straight scoreless outings is very impressive, and 75-days without an earned run sounds like a made-up statistic.
The three goals gave Messi 16 total at the World Cup, tying Miroslav Klose of Germany's men's record.
"I really enjoyed the performance of Argentina," Pochettino said on Thursday, June 18.
"It’s difficult to describe Messi. Six World Cups, all that he achieved in his career. In different clubs. In a collective and individual way," Pochettino said before sighing. "He’s the best."
Pochettino was born in Argentina and played for the Albiceleste at the 2002 World Cup, and he was Messi's manager at Paris Saint-Germain. Pochettino still has ties to the Argentina team, and called Albiceleste coach Luis Scaloni "the best" at the World Cup.
"They won the World Cup four years ago," Pochettino said. "The coaching staff I know well. The fans are amazing. And then with the cherry (on top), Messi. It's a difficult combination to play against."
But there are no divided loyalties, Pochettino insisted.
"I am Argentine. But I am defending USA," he said. "I’m going to give everything I have to create good memories here."
The USMNT plays Australia on Friday, June 19. Argentina's next game is against Austria on Monday, June 22.
SOUTHAMPTON, New York — The first day of the U.S. Open was defined by wind in the morning, and then by Wyndham Clark in the evening.
Clark, the 2023 U.S. Open champion on a hot streak the last month, has a four-shot lead at 6 under through 16 holes of his first round, which was halted due to darkness at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club.
"Everything was kind of clicking," said Clark, whose highlight was an eagle on the par-5 fifth after knocking his approach to three feet from the hole. "We were definitely fortunate with the wind laying down. Overall a good round."
Clark could post one of the lowest U.S. Open rounds in Shinnecock history — Tommy Fleetwood's record 7-under 63 from 2018 is in range. The last man to lead a U.S. Open by four or more shots after the first round was Tommy Armour in 1933.
In the last month, Clark won the CJ Cup Byron Nelson with a final round 60, then was third at Memorial and tied for 11th at the RBC Canadian Open last week. Before that, he last posted a top-10 in a full-field event at last July's Open Championship.
A fog delay from 7:05-9:05 a.m. pushed play back. Forecasted winds above 20 miles per hour, with higher gusts, had more of an impact on the morning wave that included Rory McIlroy (1 under) and Scottie Scheffler (2 over).
The winds were such a concern that the greens were set up to be their slowest at a U.S. Open since 1995 (when Shinnecock also hosted). When the winds eased, the late wave took advantage.
"It got a bit docile this afternoon," John Bodenhamer, the USGA’s Chief Championships Officer, said on Golf Channel.
Shinnecock's greens were criticized the last two years it hosted in 2004 and 2018. It was at times difficult to keep balls from rolling off them, they had become so baked out.
Jon Rahm, the 2021 U.S. Open champion, is in a group of seven men tied for second at 2 under (six of those seven from the afternoon with the more benign conditions).
Rahm is through 13 holes and the only player in the field of 156 with a chance to end a streak of six consecutive U.S. Open rounds at Shinnecock without any bogey-free cards.
Also at 2 under are fellow U.S. Open champions Dustin Johnson (2016), Gary Woodland (2019) and Matt Fitzpatrick (2022).
U.S. Open coverage continues Friday at 6:30 a.m. ET on NBCSN and Peacock, with later coverage starting at 1:30 p.m. on NBC and Peacock.
McIlroy had the solo lead for about an hour in the early afternoon before bogeys on his last two holes. He tied for the second-lowest round of the morning wave.
“It was obviously a really tricky day and just a day to stay patient and hang in there,” he said. “I hit enough good shots to give myself some chances. I think anything in red figures today was a good effort.”
McIlroy is bidding to go a record 15 years between U.S. Open wins. He went wire-to-wire in 2011 at Congressional at age 22, his first of six majors.
McIlroy, who achieved the career Grand Slam in 2025, wants to win a U.S. Open at one of the traditional venues (Shinnecock is hosting for a sixth time) and can also tie the record for most majors won by a European man (England's Harry Vardon won seven more than 100 years ago).
The world No. 1 Scheffler's first try to complete the career Grand Slam got off to what he called a "challenging" start.
He shot a 2-over 72 with four birdies, four bogeys and a double bogey. Scheffler hit just half the greens en route to his 10th consecutive U.S. Open round not breaking par.
“Overall, yeah, it was a really challenging day,” he said. “If you told me when I was staring at my par putt on nine (when I was 3 over) that I would post 2 over today, I would definitely have taken it at the time. Overall it was a good battle. Get some rest, and we’ll see how the course changes over the next day.”
Scheffler won the Masters in 2022 and 2024, then the PGA Championship and the Open Championship in 2025 to set up his first bid to complete the Slam at Shinnecock this week.
The 2026 World Cup is underway as 48 nations are split into 12 groups for the first time in the tournament’s long history.
Co-hosts Mexico, USA and Canada are the top seeds in Groups A, B and D respectively, while Scotland are in Group C with Brazil, Morocco and Haiti, and England are all the way down in Group L with Croatia, Ghana and Panama. The top two sides in each group will qualify for the World Cup’s first ever round of 32, as will the eighth best third-place teams. Just three points could be enough for some teams to reach the knockout stages.
There will be 104 matches, up by 40 since the Qatar World Cup in 2022, while Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo likely to play on this stage for the last time in their glittering careers.
Here are all the fixtures, results and latest group standings:
It was also the venue for two classic World Cup finals: Brazil’s win over Italy in 1970 which included Carlos Alberto’s iconic team goal to cap a 4-1 win; and Argentina’s 3-2 win over West Germany in 1986, where Jorge Burruchaga grabbed an 84th-minute winner.
Mexico and Canada will host 13 games in each, and the United States will host 78.
From the quarter-finals onwards, the US will host all of the remaining matches, with the final in New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
Who will win the World Cup?
Football’s biggest question is back – and the debate is already heating up. England’s new golden generation, Argentina’s defending champions, France’s relentless depth and Spain’s evolving young side all have strong claims to glory at the World Cup.
Now it’s your turn: who do you think will lift the trophy?
Aidan O'Brien became the first trainer to train 100 Royal Ascot winners when Scandinavia (R) prevailed in an epic duel in the Ascot Gold Cup (JUSTIN TALLIS)
Aidan O'Brien became the first trainer to train 100 Royal Ascot winners as Scandinavia won the feature race the Ascot Gold Cup in a thrilling finish on Thursday.
The 56-year-old Irishman also claimed a record-extending 10th Gold Cup as his winner just got the better of last year's champion Trawlerman in an epic duel.
O'Brien's first winner came in 1997 with Harbour Master and just as he was then he was equally modest reeling off a whole host of the Ballydoyle Stables employees.
His century was marked at the presentation ceremony by a saddlecloth with 100 on it.
"It is incredible really," said O'Brien, who kissed his wife Anne-Marie after Scandinavia had crossed the finishing line.
"I wouldn't dream or think about it (the century) just one race at a time.
"I don't even think of what could be as it is so hard to win races here.
"It is an honour and a privilege to be involved with the team, to be a small part of it.
"The reality is that lots of people do the work."
Winning jockey Ryan Moore, who was winning his fifth Ascot Gold Cup, said O'Brien was a master at "preparing the horse to be jumping out of their skins" when it came to Royal Ascot.
As for how O'Brien might celebrate the feat, Moore remarked laconically: "Knowing Aidan he will be looking towards the next 100."
O'Brien has had the benefit of training largely in an era when Ascot moved from a four-day meeting to five, which took place in 2002.
Play was suspended on Thursday before the first round of the 126th U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Long Island, New York, but enough golf was played for it to be clear that former Oregon Duck Wyndham Clark might be the man to beat this weekend.
The horn blew on Thursday night before Clark could finish his final two holes of the opening round, but not before he could race out to a commanding four-shot lead, sitting at six-under through 16 holes. There are seven players currently sitting in second place behind Clark, three of whom have completed their first round.
For those who have followed the lead-up to the tournament, it doesn't come as a major surprise that the first round had to be suspended, as inclement weather was expected to delay play at some point during the day — play was suspended early due to fog. However, the timing of the weather is what has surprised many.
There was a notion before the tournament that golfers with an early tee time on Thursday would be at an advantage, as 30-40 MPH wind gusts were expected in the afternoon, punishing the second wave of players. However, those gusts never came, and Clark — who teed off at 3:36 p.m. ET — was able to take advantage of the placid conditions late in the day.
The former Oregon star's Friday will be long, starting bright and early with a 6:35 a.m. ET resumption of play. He then will turn right around and start his second round, which is currently scheduled for a 7:56 a.m. tee time.
The narrative going into the major championship was that a score around one- or two-under par would likely be enough to win the tournament. If Clark can manage a couple of pars to start his Friday and close out Round 1 with a 64, that could very well be enough to get him into Position A to grab his second career major title.
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The New York Jets have taken the field for the start of their 2026 NFL minicamp schedule this week.
The Jets kept rolling on with Day 2 of the three-day event.
It's one of the first chances for the new defensive scheme Glenn wants to run during the 2026 NFL season to get on the same page. The same can be said for the new-look offense with quarterback Geno Smith under center.
With the dust settling on the first day of workouts, here are Jets Wire's three quick observations from Day 1 of 2026 minicamp:
Mason doesn't step up
While the Jets will likely deploy tight end sets with both Mason Taylor and rookie first-round pick Kenyon Sadiq next season, someone will be the No. 1.
Sadiq sat out minicamp with an injury this week. That left Taylor alone... however, he did not step up. His poor play included a reported drop in the end zone:
In 11 on 11: Geno Smith goes 2-for-3 in hurry up. Garrett Wilson makes a nice grab on a deep ball. Ball inside the 10, Mason Taylor drops a laser in the end zone, then Smith takes a sack (officials didn’t blow it dead; plays continues with Cisco INT). #Jets
Ponds was selected by the Jets at the No. 50 overall selection at the 2026 draft. The comparisons between his play style and the one head coach Aaron Glenn previously had has drawn a lot of connections.
Ponds popped up with some of that during team drills on Day 2. This interception was a strong play:
In a sign of trust and appreciation for his players, Glenn sent the Jets home early. The team opted not to have a third day of training camp on Thursday. The coach canceled it:
The players will appreciate that.
Jets scheduling update: Aaron Glenn has cancelled the last day of minicamp. Next up: Training camp (July 28). #Jets
Manzambi is just 20 but comes into these finals on the back of a stellar season at Freiburg, where he helped the German side reach the Europa League final before losing to Aston Villa.
He scored a double either side of one from Vargas, before another substitute, Ermin Mahmic, grabbed a consolation for 10-man Bosnia in stoppage time. There was still time for one more goal in a frantic end to the game as Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka scored a penalty with the last kick.
The game appeared to have 0-0 written all over it well into the second half, but it burst into life in the final 15 minutes in Los Angeles.
Switzerland broke the deadlock when a Vargas cross from the left was only partially cleared and Manzambi met it on the volley close to the penalty spot, with the power too much for Nikola Vasilj.
Bosnia had Tarik Muharemovic sent off with 10 minutes to go after he cut down Swiss striker Breel Embolo as he raced through on goal, and the game was over four minutes later.
Tarik Muharemovic hacked down Breel Embolo to receive a red card (Getty)
Manzambi was again involved in the build-up, with Embolo laying on the chance for Vargas to sweep home Switzerland’s second.
It was three when Manzambi finished off another well-worked move, with Vargas cutting the ball back to him from the left.
Mahmic smashed home a superb volley in time added on but Xhaka had the final word from the penalty spot.
Switzerland coach Murat Yakin said he deliberately waited until the second-half hydration break to unleash Manzambi and Vargas on Bosnia.
“We needed to be very patient and it was also very important after the second hydration break that we would change a few things, then the opponent can’t react immediately” Yakin said. “We brought in very quick players because the opponent had run a lot.”
Johan Manzambi lit up the contest after coming off the bench (Reuters)
On two-goal star Manzambi, Yakin added: “Johan is a very happy person with so many football qualities. Last year when we toured the US he was with us. He’s a very versatile player, he is a boy who learnt how to play football on streets. He has discipline, but he still needs to be more structured.”
Bosnia coach Sergej Barbarez demanded his players lift their spirits quickly, with a win over Qatar in their final group game likely to be good enough to progress.
He said: “I don’t like self-pity. I entered the dressing room and told them they have one hour to cheer up and lift their heads up. There is one match still ahead of us.”
Barbarez said he had given the red-carded Muharemovic “a hug and a kiss” to console him, and lamented the period of “chaos” after the second water break when the game got away from his team.
The U.S. Men’s National Team plays their second World Cup group stage tomorrow in Seattle, as they look to lock in their place in the knockout rounds against an undefeated Australia side.
While the Americans are coming off an emphatic 4-1 win over Paraguay in Los Angeles last Friday, Australia is also in equally great shape, having beaten Turkey 2-0 in one of the biggest upsets of the tournament thus far.
Before the USMNT take the field of the defending NFL champion Seattle Seahawks, here are the three keys to the matchup.
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – JUNE 13: Connor Metcalfe #8 of Australia celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between Australia and Türkiye at BC Place Vancouver on June 13, 2026 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
The USMNT have a more skilled, deeper roster than Australia. That is not an opinion, it’s just a fact, based on the quality of where the American roster plays and where the Australian plays.
But at the World Cup, that doesn’t matter. Turkey went into their game against Australia believing a goal would magically come against their five at the back, and it never happened, getting counter-punched twice. Australia have size in the back, speed upfront, and know how to play as a team. It doesn’t matter how much a player costs in the transfer window when the actual game is going on.
If the USMNT come in thinking they’ve already won after their Paraguay performance, it’s going to end in a draw or possible even a loss. But if they respect Australia’s speed and structure, they have the talent and manager to find a goal or two in this game.
2. The defense needs to be at its best
Against Paraguay, the defense looked amazing, but that came down to the midfield pretty much suppressing anything that the South American nation tried to do. In one of the only moments where a bounce went Paraguay’s way, the defense got beat and gave up a goal to a Paraguay squad who should have probably been held scoreless.
There are going to be times in the game where Australia push on the counter and the Americans can’t be flat footed. They need to be aware and respect Australia’s speed upfront, and to make sure not to take any silly fouls around the box. The defense might not be asked to defend much in Seattle, but when they are forced to make quick decisions, they better be ready.
3. Finding an answer with or without Pulisic
While there’s a chance star winger Christian Pulisic will play on Friday, he hasn’t practiced with the team the entire week and might be held out after getting knocked in the Paraguay match. Regardless of whether he is on the field or not, the Americans will need to unlock the puzzle that will be Australia’s five in the back and presence inside their own box.
If they get agitated like Turkey did, all it’s going to do is give Australia chances for counters and to get confidence in their game. But if the Americans can dribble like they did against Paraguay and start forcing the physical Aussies to move around inside the penalty area, good things will come from it. Crossing against them will be tough, so it’s going to be up to the players to get behind their wall in the back for productive chances.
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Viewership numbers for last weekend's UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House fell far short of what its supporters were predicting, according to Nielsen and Adobe Analytics data shared by Paramount+.
"We’re expecting Super Bowl-type numbers for this fight,’’ UFC CEO Dana White said earlier this month. The 2026 Super Bowl averaged 125.6 million viewers.
Likewise, Secretary of State Marco Rubio envisioned a fight in which a billion people tuned in.
But Paramount+ reported just 17 million viewers across the U.S. and Latin America during UFC Freedom 250, meaning White was short by about 108 million viewers, and Rubio by approximately 980 million.
It’s also worth noting that Paramount, which exclusively streamed UFC Freedom 250, only has about 80 million subscribers.
Still, the event, which President Donald Trump dubbed “one of the most exciting days in the History of our fabled White House,” did break a January UFC record of five million average viewers for UFC 324.
This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Support fearless, unflinching journalism that holds power accountable and relentlessly pursues the truth. Become a HuffPost member today.
SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. – When the horn blew for darkness Thursday evening at Shinnecock Hills, the first page of this U.S. Open leaderboard read more like the silver trophy up for grabs this week:
Wyndham Clark.
Matt Fitzpatrick.
Jon Rahm.
Dustin Johnson.
Gary Woodland.
Rory McIlroy.
Bryson DeChambeau.
Not exactly the company in which you’d expect to find the guy with the crappy attitude. Yet, there Sam Stevens was, tied for second and the clubhouse co-leader after a 2-under 68.
“I wouldn’t say I’m surprised,” Stevens said.
But who was he kidding? The 29-year-old Stevens was a reserve on Oklahoma State’s 2018 NCAA Championship squad before dominating the mini-tours and earning his way to the PGA Tour four years ago. He’s played in seven majors before this week, never missing a cut, while reaching a career-best 39th in the world earlier this year. But Stevens’ surge has stalled in recent weeks, bottoming out at the Memorial Tournament, where Stevens missed the cut, losing nearly three strokes to the field each day and beating only three guys.
Stevens skipped last week’s RBC Canadian Open, instead retreating home to Wichita, Kansas, with seemingly everything short of a bag full of broken clubs.
“I've had a really crappy attitude,” Stevens admitted. “It’s kind of one of those things; it’s been a long season. … It's easy to get worn down a little bit, and I just haven't been as on top of keeping a good attitude as I should have been.”
The time off with wife, Kelsey, and their four boys clearly recharged Stevens; he double-bogeyed his first hole of this championship on Thursday morning, needing over two hours to hit his first two shots thanks to a lengthy fog delay, then played his remaining 17 holes in 4 under with six birdies.
“Weird start,” said Stevens, who was called off right before he attempted to swing a 6-iron to a flag that he couldn’t locate some 180 yards away at No. 10. When Stevens resumed his round, he couldn’t keep his second shot on the green, his ball riding the false front down to about 55 yards short of the flag. He then chunked the wedge shot, eventually holing out in six strokes.
“But made a birdie on the very next hole, so it kind of felt like I settled in after that,” said Stevens, who was later matched by two Oklahoma Sooners, Max McGreevy and amateur Ryder Cowan, fresh off earning first-team All-America honors as a junior.
SOUTHAMPTON, NEW YORK - JUNE 18: Sam Stevens of the United States reacts after finishing his round on the ninth green during the first round of the 126th U.S. OPEN at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on June 18, 2026 in Southampton, New York. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
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With the USGA anticipating a windy championship, including gusts up to 40 mph on Thursday afternoon, Shinnecock was prepped cautiously. Add in a blanket of fog that didn’t fully burn off until mid-afternoon, and William Flynn’s design, though still plenty tough because of the blustery conditions, played softer than expected for the first round.
McIlroy, who opened in 69, called the setup, which included green speed in the mid-10s, “prudent.”
Brooks Koepka, the 2018 champion here who carded 73, had a different word for it.
“It's just weird how soft the greens are,” Koepka said. “It's just odd. It's not what I remember. I mean, I understand why they're soft, I get that. It's not complaining. It's just a difficult day.”
Shinnecock got progressively easier as the wind calmed in unison with the setting sun. Of the 17 players who enter Friday morning’s 6:35 a.m. restart under par, 11 of them had afternoon tee times on Thursday – all but two from that group were among the 50-plus players who didn't finish before the suspension.
Fitzpatrick, Rahm, Johnson and Woodland are all 2 under with holes to play; Rahm only got in 13 holes.
DeChambeau, through 16 holes, is among those at 1 under.
They are all chasing Clark, who has in recent weeks rediscovered the form that helped him capture the U.S. Open three years ago at Los Angeles Country Club. Clark used a birdie-birdie-eagle stretch on the front side, his second nine, to push to 6 under and leads by four shots with two holes still to complete. Moments after the horn blew, Clark got up and down from a bunker to save par at the difficult, par-3 seventh, rolling in a tricky, 3-foot curler in the dark before heading inside.
Clark knows a thing or two about crappy attitudes; he's had more than his fair share of unfortunate moments, including last year's missed-cut outburst at Oakmont that saw him leave behind two damaged lockers.
"That was a really challenging time and something I've deeply regretted and feel awful that I did that," Clark said at the start of this week. "But there were so many good lessons in that that really taught me a bunch. I've really come a long way, and I'm excited for some redemption."
The Chargers completed their draft class, signing fourth-round wide receiver Brenen Thompson, the team announced Thursday.
The Chargers previously signed first-round edge Akheem Mesidor, second-round center Jake Slaughter, fourth-round offensive tackle Travis Burke, fourth-round safety Genesis Smith, fifth-round defensive tackle Nick Barrett, sixth-round offensive guard Logan Taylor and sixth-round offensive tackle Alex Harkey.
Thompson set a single-season record at Mississippi State with an SEC-leading 1,054 yards and six touchdowns on 57 receptions. He earned second-team All-SEC honors.
He joined Mississippi State after playing two seasons at Oklahoma (2023-24) and a year at Texas (2022).
In 30 career games with the Bulldogs, Sooners and Longhorns, Thompson totaled 1,557 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns on 84 receptions.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 01: Manel Kape of Angola prepares to face Asu Almabayev of Kazakstan in a flyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on March 01, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
“Starboy” wants to prove a point.
No. 2-ranked Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Flyweight Manel Kape returns to action in a rematch nine years in the making against Japanese star Kyoji Horiguchi in the main event of UFC Vegas 119 this weekend (Sat., June 20, 2026) inside the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
While it has not been made official, Kape vs. Horiguchi will most likely serve as a title eliminator to determine who fights for the belt next after champion Joshua Van rematches Alexandre Pantoja later this year.
But according to Kape, he did not even have to take this fight.
Usually, when a fighter gets offered a title shot and passes, the promotion kicks them to the back of the line. But for Kape, he claims he could have simply waited for the next title opportunity.
Instead, he wanted to make a statement by fighting the ultra-dangerous Horiguchi, who has been on a roll.
“100 percent [he’s the hardest opponent in the division], that’s why I picked this guy,” Kape said at UFC Vegas 119 media day. “So I can scare the other guys that maybe might fight for the title. If I faced this guy, I didn’t wait because I had the option to wait for the title shot. I chose the stronger opponent than both of them. So, this tells a lot about me and how confident I am, and how much work I’ve been putting in. I have the mentality of a champion — no matter who, I’ll face them.”
“Starboy” is gambling on himself, and he sounds ultra-confident about it.
Of course, we have seen this backfire plenty of times before. Fighters have had title shots lined up, decided to stay active, and watched everything disappear with one loss.
That is the risk Kape is taking.
Still, Kape is riding a three-fight win streak, with all three wins coming by knockout. And if he can add Horiguchi to that run, there should be no more waiting, debating or wondering who is next.
To checkout the latest UFC Vegas 119 fight card and rumors click here.
Gabriel Magalhães wants Brazil to defend well and beat Haiti
Gabriel Magalhães during a press conference before Brazil vs. Haiti, in the second round of the World CupCredits: Hannah Peters - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
To secure their first win at the World Cup, Gabriel Magalhães expects the Brazilian National Team to keep a clean sheet against Haiti. In a press conference this Thursday (18), on the eve of the match, the center-back stressed that he does not want the Seleção to concede any goals.
“We don’t want to concede goals. If we don’t, we’re closer to winning, but it takes collective work. We know how important it is not to concede. We’ll definitely go into tomorrow’s game (Friday) with a positive mindset, believing we’ll defend well and come away victorious,” he said.
After the 1-1 draw with Morocco in the opener, he explained that the players discussed the match among themselves and what they need to improve against Haiti.
Gabriel Magalhães during a press conference before Brazil vs. Haiti, in the second round of the World CupCredits: Hannah Peters - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
“You can be sure we did, yes, we talk every day. We know we need to do that, and the coach has been talking to us a lot as well. We worked really well during the week, we know tomorrow is a big game, and we’re going all in to get the win,” reinforced the 28-year-old defender.
“We know we didn’t start the game well, and we’re fully aware of that. It’s not the kind of game we want, we are Brazil, the team that wants to have the ball all the time. That game is behind us, and it serves as a lesson for us. Tomorrow (Friday) we have another big game. We’ll definitely show all our strength,” he concluded.
Relationship with Marquinhos
Teammates on the national team and rivals in the last Champions League final, Gabriel Magalhães and Marquinhos shared a memorable moment before reporting to the Seleção. In the final of Europe’s top club competition, Marquinhos, captain of Brazil and of champions PSG, chose to comfort his friend Gabriel—who had just missed a penalty and effectively sealed the French side’s title—instead of celebrating with his fans.
The video went viral on social media and highlighted the friendship between the two center-backs. According to Gabriel Magalhães, the hug and words of encouragement he received made him care for Marquinhos even more.
“That was a sad moment for me. The first thing he did was not celebrate, but give me a hug. All I can say is that he gave me all the support. I’ve been here with him on the national team for two or three years, and I learn every day whenever I’m with him. I’m a huge fan of him as a person and as a player. My affection for him grew even more after the Champions final,” he said.
Gabriel Magalhães during a press conference before Brazil vs. Haiti, in the second round of the World CupCredits: Hannah Peters - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Canadian midfielder Ismael Kone suffered a broken leg during his team’s 6-0 win over Qatar in Vancouver.
Kone was challenged by Qatar’s Assim Madibo, who was penalised for a foul, in the 50th minute of the match.
The nearest players to Kone reacted in shock as they saw the damage to his left leg. Kone was lifted on to a stretcher by medics and given oxygen. He gave a thumbs up as he was carried off the field, to applause from spectators.
Madibo appeared upset by the incident. He was initially booked by referee Cristian Marcelo Garay Reyes, but was later shown a red card following a VAR review.
Minutes later, midfielder Nathan Saliba lifted up Kone’s shirt in tribute to his teammate after scoring Canada’s fourth goal.
The game ended with both benches engaging in a skirmish on the touchline, which appeared to have been sparked by a tense handshake between managers Jesse Marsch and Julen Lopetegui.
“Ismael is such a great kid, he's imperfect but that is why we love him,” said Canada head coach Marsch after the game. “He can do things that no other player can do. He embodies a lot of what this team is. He was our best player against Bosnia. He is a huge loss for us. Our hearts are with him, but that kid has a huge future.”
Kone plays for Serie A side Sassuolo and is being the subject of transfer speculation in recent months, with several major European clubs said to be interested the 24-year-old. He was playing in his first World Cup.
Centre-back Moise Bombito added: “Ismael’s injury is a big loss for us to be sure. He is an unbelievable human being, he will be missed a lot. We just have to make him proud.”
Thanks to a two-hour fog suspension on Thursday, Round 1 of the 126th U.S. Open will concluded Friday morning.
Play will resume at 6:35 a.m. ET with Round 2 tee times pushed back 15 minutes.
Coverage begins on Peacock at 6:30 a.m. ET before NBC starts up at 1:30 p.m. Golf Channel's "Live From the U.S. Open" wraps up the day from 7:30-9:30 p.m. (begins as soons as play concludes.)
Gio Rojas started 31 games for Stoneman Douglas over the last three years. Twenty-eight of those times, he was the winning pitcher.
The star left-hander dominated opponents as the Eagles’ ace for the second year in a row, and for the second consecutive season, he is the Sun Sentinel Broward County 7A-5A player of the year (he split the honors with St. Thomas Aquinas’ Zachary Malvasio last year).
Rojas’ senior campaign had one blemish on it: a five-inning, seven-run loss to West Broward on Feb. 25. It was the sole loss on Rojas’ record the last three seasons. Five of the runs were unearned, and the Bobcats upset the Eagles 9-5.
Rojas gave up only six more runs in his last 10 appearances combined.
The senior star finished his last season with a record of 11-1. In 71 innings pitched, he led Broward County with 124 strikeouts. He walked only 17 batters. Rojas had a minuscule 0.59 ERA.
In three seasons with the Eagles, Rojas went 28-1 with a 0.71 ERA. He had 284 strikeouts in 158 innings.
“I can’t be (more) thankful to coach (Todd Fitz-Gerald) and the coaching staff around me for the opportunity I had,” Rojas told the Sun Sentinel.
Rojas ended his high school career in the best way possible: taking down national No. 1 Venice to clinch the 7A title. Rojas got the ball in the state championship game. He pitched 6 2/3 innings of one-hit, scoreless ball, striking out 12, before hitting the pitch limit in the Eagles’ win.
“This performance was kind of like the cherry on top to go out on such a big win, especially facing the best team in the country,” Rojas said.
“With coach Fitz’s situation, he was very emotional,” Rojas said. “…I feel like we came out and produced for him. I feel like this win was (for) Colleen.”
Rojas’ career is poised to take one of two tracks now. He signed with Miami, but his chances of ending up in Coral Gables next season are slim. Rojas is a projected top pick in this summer’s MLB draft. MLB Pipeline rates him as the No. 8 prospect eligible for this year’s draft.
But Rojas does not let the future get in the way of the present.
Scottie Scheffler may have said that the Grand Slam is not a motivating factor for him at Shinnecock, but the weight of the moment is difficult to ignore. Three consecutive runner-up finishes and a five-month wait for a victory this season are seemingly adding pressure on the World No. 1. That pressure was visible when the 20-time PGA Tour winner had to bring in his longtime guru, Randy Smith, to discuss things out.
During the opening round, the two were involved in an intense discussion about Scheffler’s grip, with Smith showing Scheffler what may be the issue. However, the world No. 1 wasn’t having it either. Commentators appropriately put the issue at hand in words:
“He just knows how important these fundamentals are to Scottie, and this is not uncommon,” a commentator said. “They will go back and forth. They’ve known each other for a really long time, so they’re gonna have these conversations. It’s been pretty well documented this year that Scotty has been losing her shots out to the right.”
There seems to be no issue on the paper. His SG: Off-the-Tee is 0.657, fourth-best on the circuit. Similarly, his driving accuracy so far is 63.99%, which is slightly higher than last year’s 63.04%. Considering he won six events, including two majors, in 2025, he’s only trending in the right direction.
However, the grip issues appear when you look at his rounds.
Case in point: the WM Phoenix Open, where he kept missing fairways on Thursday. This led to a round of 2-over 73, his worst since the 2023 TOUR Championship. However, he made an exceptional comeback the next day with a bogey-free round, and it was thanks to an adjustment in his grip.
“I’ve been a proponent of saying you can’t really find it during the tournament week, but I found a little something in my grip yesterday that seemed to really help me get my hands more securely on the club,” he said at the media presser after the second round at TPC Scottsdale.
While he managed to find a short-term solution, the issue seems to persist because he missed half the fairways at the Players Championship and then at the PGA Championship as well. Therefore, Scottie Scheffler and Randy Smith could be trying to find a solution for his grip once again mid-round.
The two have a long-standing relationship. Smith has coached Scheffler since he was just seven to eight years old.
“It’s tough to put into words what Randy means to me. He’s a special man, and he’s taught me everything about the game of golf,” the World No. 1 said after his PGA Championship victory last year.
Scheffler considers Smith part of his family. Therefore, these intense discussions won’t affect their relationship at all. In fact, it could be common between them, as was seen at the 2025 US Open.
At the practice range before the third round, cameras caught them amid a heated argument. Scheffler was so frustrated that analyst Brad Faxon went on to say he had never seen the World No. 1 so animated. But when asked about it after the end of the round, the American professional said that the back-and-forth between them is “pretty regular.”
“You look at something like yesterday, like me getting frustrated on the range with my coach Randy, and it’s just one of those deals when you have the trust between people that you’re almost like a family; you’ve worked together for so long,” he said.
He was caught in a similar exchange with his caddie, Ted Scott, too, at the 2026 Memorial Tournament. His tee shot on the 16th hole landed in the water, and he lost his cool. Family or not, all those exchanges suggest Scottie Scheffler’s frustrations have become more visible this season.
Ace Aguila, P, West Broward senior: Aguila has a strong season for the Bobcats, pitching 55 2/3 innings with a 2.14 ERA. Aguila had a 7-2 record and notched two saves, striking out 60 batters.
A.J. Cruz, IF, West Broward senior: Cruz hit .407 and led West Broward with nine home runs. Cruz drove in 36 runs and scored 38 times, posting a 1.302 OPS
Garret Duffy, P, Archbishop McCarthy senior: Duffy was the Mavericks’ ace, pitching a team-leading 48 innings and posting a 1.31 ERA. Duffy struck out 66 batters and walked only 12.
Ryan Guthrie, IF, Coral Springs senior: Guthrie hit .446 with 13 extra-base hits (10 doubles, two triples and one home run) and had a 1.221 OPS. He also pitched 23 2/3 innings with a 2.66 ERA.
Dean Jaworski, P, Pembroke Pines Charter senior: Jaworski had a strong senior season, notching a 1.31 ERA. He went 4-4 and pitched three complete games.
Jake Rizzo, IF, Stoneman Douglas senior: Rizzo was a key part of the Eagles’ championship squad, hitting .357 with five home runs and 22 RBIs. Rizzo posted a 1.015 OPS and stole six bases.
Aiden Roy, P, Coral Springs senior: Roy was the Colts’ ace, posting a 7-3 record with a 0.99 ERA. Roy struck out 61 batters in 56 2/3 innings.
Randy Ruiz, OF, Stoneman Douglas senior: Ruiz was Stoneman Douglas’ top power hitter, knocking nine home runs. He drove in 24 runs and stole 12 bases. Ruiz had a 1.226 OPS.
Brady Buxbaum, IF, St. Thomas Aquinas senior: Buxbaum had another strong performance for the state champion Raiders. Buxbaum hit .402 with a team-best eight home runs and 42 RBIs, notching an OPS of 1.275.
Caden Corzo, UTIL, Flanagan senior: Corzo hit .424 with a pair of home runs, 12 RBIs, eight home runs and a 1.142 OPS. He also pitched 22 innings with a 2.23 ERA.
Miguel Delgado, IF, Archbishop McCarthy senior: Delgado hit .429 with a pair of home runs among his nine extra-base hits. He had a 1.162 OPS and stole 11 bases. Delgado is an FIU signee.
Ethan Lindor, OF, West Broward senior: Lindor hit .396 with four home runs and 21 steals. Lindor, a Missouri State signee, had 21 RBIs and a 1.140 OPS.
Nico Sabatino, OF, St. Thomas Aquinas senior: Sabatino led the Raiders with a .512 batting average and hit five home runs. Sabatino posted a 1.411 OPS, and he stole 11 bases.
Manuel Sarcos, C, West Broward senior: Sarcos was second on his team with eight home runs, and he hit .368 with 34 RBIs. Sarcos had a 1.278 OPS.
SECOND TEAM
Gavin Andreu, IF, Western junior
Jake Carruthers, IF, St. Thomas Aquinas junior
Reid Dadic, UTIL, Stoneman Douglas senior
Jake DelNegri, IF, Fort Lauderdale senior
Julian Diaz, P, St. Thomas Aquinas senior
David Granger, IF, Cypress Bay senior
Alec Hernandez, P, Western senior
Enzo Hernandez, IF, Coral Glades junior
Robert Kerns, OF, Archbishop McCarthy senior
Lorenzo Laurel, OF, Stoneman Douglas senior
Edwin Nodal, C, Flanagan junior
Cade Raley, IF, Stoneman Douglas senior
Derek Rodriguez, IF, McArthur senior
Joey Shapiro, OF, Archbishop McCarthy senior
HONORABLE MENTION
Archbishop McCarthy: Nestor Herrera, Derek Winchester; Cooper City: Cooper Borzen, Anthony Martinez; Coral Glades: Delfin Gonzalez, Jason Lincoln; Coral Springs: Dallas Searcy, Natron Wheeler; Deerfield Beach: Barak Lara, Samuel Stanley; Everglades: Santiago Guevara, Marley John, Obed Lopez; Flanagan: Ethan Cabrera, Christian Duran-Robinson; Fort Lauderdale: Daegan O’Brien, Finn O’Brien; Hollywood Hills: Lazaro Bonilla, Samuel Gascon; McArthur: Alexander Martinez, Anthony Miracola, Eliecer Rodriguez; Monarch: Van Maxwell; Nova: Musa Adoye, Anthony Amaya; Pembroke Pines Charter: Jack Anthony Hernandez, Ashton Pardo; Piper: Joseph Cuminale, Jimmy Engle, Mason Langley, Ladanian McKenzie; South Broward: Willy Aybar, Antuan Concepcion; South Plantation: John McDevitt, Dylan Taylor; Stoneman Douglas: Angel Rodriguez, Tyler Stertzbach, Jackson Taylor, Matthew Toback; St. Thomas Aquinas: Mauricio Clement, Jaden Doverspike, Brayden Farrell, Brady Gollan, Yuniel Paredes, Hayden Robinson; Taravella: Jeremiah McFarlane, Jake Miller; West Broward: Sergio Garcia, Jose Hernandez, Reggie Rodriguez, Ivan Sabater, Everett Suazo; Western: Ethan Diaz, Jorge Falagan, James Gil, Christian Morales.
CO-COACHES OF THE YEAR
Todd Fitz-Gerald, Stoneman Douglas: Fitz-Gerald led the Eagles to a 28-6 record and a state record sixth consecutive state championship.
Howard Stein, West Broward: Stein’s Bobcats went 23-10 and won a fourth consecutive district title before falling in the regional final to Stoneman Douglas.
Joey Wardlow, St. Thomas Aquinas: Wardlow took the Raiders to its second consecutive state championship. St. Thomas finished the season 28-6.
SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — Shinnecock's gonna be tough, they said. Winds are going to blow everybody off the course, they said. It's going to be fraternity-house-on-a-Saturday-morning carnage, they said.
Yes, well. Matters didn't quite turn out like they said, and Wyndham Clark took advantage, finishing 16 holes at -6 before play was suspended due to darkness. The 2023 U.S. Open champion now leads the 2026 version by four strokes with two holes left to play on Friday morning.
Clark, along with fellow leaderboard figures Dustin Johnson (-2, three holes to play), Jon Rahm (-2, five holes to play), Matt Fitzpatrick (-2, two holes to play) and many others, took advantage of perhaps the luckiest break in recent major history. The USGA, which runs the Open, decided to blunt the expected effect of high winds by softening up and slowing down the greens. But a fog bank delayed the tournament by two hours, the most gusty winds didn't materialize, and by late afternoon only a gentle breeze ran through the course. That gave the lucky dozens in the afternoon wave the opportunity to fire away on a toothless, clawless course.
And man, did they take advantage. Clark led the charge, with his most notable shot of the day coming on the par-5 5th:
It's been one heck of a run lately for Clark, who struggled for years following his 2023 win at LA Country Club. But he's found his form, and since the PGA Championship has a win at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, a solo third-place finish at the Memorial, and a T11 at the RBC Canadian Open.
Clark was grouped with fellow former U.S. Open winners Johnson and Gary Woodland, and remarkably enough, all three played some fantastic golf. Johnson's card included a run of four birdies in a row, though a late double-bogey dropped him four strokes off Clark's lead. Woodland rode a similar run of late birdies to a similar, but still-incomplete -2 round.
The horn sounded at Shinnecock Hills at 8:25, and the late-day sunlight cast long shadows over the greens. The players, understandably, wanted to play in these benign conditions as long as possible, but had to succumb to the sunset. Players were allowed to finish out the hole they had begun. Some chose to (Clark), some did not (Johnson, Woodland, Rahm).
The late-day birdie-fest surely frustrated the players in the morning wave, who fought through gusting winds throughout their round. Friday's rounds will be delayed by only 15 minutes, thanks to the more rapid play by the afternoon wave. The USGA will likely do everything short of laying down spike strips on the greens to toughen them up for Friday and the weekend, meaning Clark did a good job of staking himself a huge lead when he could.
The New York Jets have spent the offseason addressing several areas of concern. They upgraded the roster through the draft, added veteran leadership on defense, and continued building around a young offensive nucleus that includes Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall, and several promising newcomers.
For the Jets, the answer was both predictable and unavoidable. Will Geno Smith give New York what it needs at quarterback?
"Smith may be an upgrade over Justin Fields, but he struggled mightily last season as the Las Vegas Raiders' starter, throwing a league-high 17 interceptions. Returning to the Jets, where he started his NFL career as a second-round pick in 2013, Smith will have a promising cast of pass-catchers to throw to."
That assessment is difficult to dismiss. Quarterback remains the most important position in professional sports, and the Jets have spent years searching for stability under center. Smith's arrival was intended to provide exactly that. While his career resurgence with the Seattle Seahawks demonstrated that he is capable of playing at a high level, his most recent campaign raised legitimate questions about whether he can consistently perform as a difference-maker.
At the same time, the supporting cast around him appears stronger than many national observers realize. Arthur noted that Smith will have Garrett Wilson, Kenyon Sadiq and Omar Cooper Jr. at his playmaker disposal. That list doesn't even include several other young pieces the Jets hope will contribute to an improved offense.
The reality is simple. If Smith performs well, the Jets could surprise people. The roster appears significantly stronger than the one that struggled through a disappointing 2025 season. Aaron Glenn's coaching staff has been reinforced with experienced voices such as offensive coordinator Frank Reich, and the front office has worked aggressively to improve depth across the roster.
If Smith struggles, however, many of those improvements may become irrelevant. That is why Fox Sports arrived at the same conclusion so many Jets fans already have.
Can Geno Smith still be the quarterback who revived his career and earned two Pro Bowl selections? If the answer is yes, the Jets may have a chance to exceed expectations. If not, the search for answers at quarterback could continue for another year.
Jets Wire will continue to provide updates throughout the 2026 offseason.
One friend who knew him well said King was one of those larger than life personalities, but also very approachable. He loved people, and lots of people showed up to pay their respects at his funeral service.
King will forever be linked to the Bull championship teams of the early 90s. He played on the first three teams with center Bill Cartwright, who remembers a friend who never met a stranger.
"That's just the kind of person he was," Cartwright said. "He just wanted you to feel good. He wanted to to feel comfortable around him, and he's gonna be missed. He's not replaceable."
King played five seasons with the Bulls after being a first round draft pick in 1989. He joined the team as a broadcaster in 2006, working with Adam Amin.
"He was a celebrity around the world," Amin said.
ABC7's Mark Schanowski worked with King on broadcasts and a popular Bulls podcast.
"Big personality and a big heart," Schanowski said. "He cared about Bulls fans."
Former teammate Will Perdue remembers King's fun-loving personality both as a player and later as a colleague on the broadcast team.
"Overwhelming the impact he had on the Bulls community worldwide," Perdue said.
Chicago Sports Network producer Tamra Anderson spent a lot of time with King working together and became good friends. They posed for pictures including this one of the crew from the last games of the season.
"Stacey was more like a brother to me," Anderson said. "Always called him my big brother. He looked up for me. Checked to make sure I was good."
The Bulls have a memorial service panned for later this month at the Advocate Center. That will be for invited guests only.
Somerset Academy does not have the long history of winning that some other Broward County schools do. The Panthers had not recorded a full, winning season since 2017.
Thanks in large part to Jon Mora, that changed this season.
Mora was the spark plug and most dangerous hitter for Somerset Academy, leading it to a 17-14 season and a trip to the regional finals for the first time in program history. Mora is the Sun Sentinel Broward County 4A-1A player of the year.
“I want to give thanks to our coaching staff,” said Mora, whose father, Juan, is a co-coach of the year. “I feel like we have the best coaching staff in Broward County. But it was pretty sick because we worked pretty hard, day in, day out, early mornings, late nights. And I just want to give all credit to our coaching staff.”
Mora has consistently been one of Broward County’s top contact hitters. He hit .522 as a sophomore in 2024 and repeated that as a junior last year. Mora has also been one of the county’s top base-stealers, leading Broward with 36 steals in 2024 and finishing second with another 36 last year (behind last year’s player of the year, Jordan Rich).
The star outfielder kept the stellar contact ability and speed as a senior, hitting .521 with 28 steals. But he added significantly more power. Mora had 23 extra-base hits and five home runs in his first three high school seasons. This season, he set career-highs with 11 doubles, eight triples and four home runs.
“I think it just coming naturally,” Mora said. “Just getting older, growing into my man strength a little bit, working out a little harder and throwing some more weights up.”
Like Broward County large-schools player of the year Gio Rojas, Mora is signed with Miami — if he does not opt to turn pro. Perfect Game ranks him as the No. 122 prospect in the draft.
“J.D. (Arteaga) runs a great program over there,” Mora said, “and I’m so thankful for the opportunity to even go to there to that beautiful school. It’s been a dream of mine since I could have remembered. … I just can’t wait to get on campus and just be great.”
Caden Coleman, UTIL, North Broward Prep junior: Coleman hit .327 with a team-leading nine home runs, driving in 26 runs and notching a 1.021 OPS. Coleman also pitched for the state runner-up, going 6-2 with a 2.52 ERA.
Angelo Geraldo, IF, American Heritage junior: Geraldo had a breakout season for the Patriots, hitting .398 with four home runs. He had a 1.092 OPS and drove in 23 runs.
Bryce Goldstein, IF, Highlands Christian junior: Goldstein crushed the ball for the Knights, hitting .565 with three home runs and 21 RBIs. He also stole 13 bases.
Trey Hollandsworth, OF, Westminster Academy junior: Hollandsworth provided pop in the Lions’ lineup, notching 10 extra-base hits with two home runs, and stole 11 bases.
Spencer Krasner, P, Chaminade-Madonna senior: Krasner had another excellent season for the Lions, going 10-3 with a 1.80 ERA. The South Carolina signee had 73 strikeouts in 58 1/3 innings.
Julian Rodriguez, UTIL, North Broward Prep junior: Rodriguez led the state runners-up with 36 RBIs. Rodriguez hit .333 with seven home runs. Rodriguez also pitched 17 2/3 innings and had a 2.38 ERA.
Gavin Ruvalcaba, OF, American Heritage junior: Ruvalcaba led the Patriots with six home runs and 24 RBIs. The junior outfielder had a 1.040 OPS. He is committed to Duke.
Alex Smith, IF, North Broward Prep junior: Smith led the team with a .402 batting average. Smith hit five home runs, notched a 1.247 OPS and also led the team with 17 stolen bases.
Zachary Tavarez, P, North Broward Prep junior: Tavarez had the second-most innings pitched for the Eagles, and he led the team with a 1.02 ERA. The junior went 6-1 and struck out 78 batters in 55 innings.
Joshua Wright, IF, Chaminade-Madonna junior: Wright had six doubles, three triples and three home runs, hitting .386 with a 1.064 OPS. He walked more times (14) than he struck out (nine). Wright also stole 17 bases.
Aidan Jacobs, P, University School: Jacobs led the U-School staff with 40 1/3 innings pitched. He went 3-3 but posted a 2.08 ERA with 45 strikeouts with 10 walks.
Jack Rostock, P, North Broward Prep senior: Rostock led the team with 72 innings pitched. Rostock went 8-3 with 87 strikeouts and tossed a four-hit shutout in the state semifinals.
Javier Sanchez, IF, Westminster Academy sophomore: Sanchez led the Lions with a .394 average. He notched a 1.065 OPS with two home runs and eight extra-base hits. Sanchez also added 11 stolen bases.
Brady Snow, P, American Heritage senior: Snow was one of the Patriots’ top pitchers, going 6-2 with a 0.79 ERA. Snow, a senior, struck out 85 batters and walked only 10. Snow signed with Florida.
SECOND TEAM
Phillip Barris, IF, Pompano Beach senior
Blayden Caballero, IF, American Heritage junior
Ryan Dejnak, P, Westminster Academy junior
A.J. Diaz, IF, Chaminade-Madonna junior
Luca Erazo, C, Calvary Christian junior
Matthew Greenberg, P, University School senior
Nicky Lombardo, P, Calvary Christian senior
Mason McGeehan, P, American Heritage senior
Chase Potter, OF, Chaminade-Madonna sophomore
Alan Sanchez, IF, Somerset Academy junior
Braden Seculer, C, Highlands Christian senior
Daniel Silveria, P, Cardinal Gibbons senior
Blake Sundberg, UTIL, Calvary Christian senior
A.J. Vargas, OF, Chaminade-Madonna senior
Easton Viveros, OF, Coral Springs Charter senior
HONORABLE MENTION
American Heritage: Marc Ascensio, Gabe Rozenfeld, Enrique Santos; Calvary Christian: Preston Bielec, Maddox Carter, Jaycob Dominguez, Owen Martinez, Giancarlo Rivera; Cardinal Gibbons: Kaylem Martinez, Victor Norori, Randy Petron; Chaminade-Madonna: Santiago Arismendi, Adryan Diaz, Aidan Fitzgerald, Caleb Paul; Coral Springs Charter: Rodney Chung, Chris Lora, Nolan Mianowski; Highlands Christian: Gustavo Alvira, Evan Baker, Steven Perals, Matthew Villena; North Broward Prep: Alejandro Cabral, Matteo Chinello, Marcus Hall; Northeast: Malik Aska, Masimo Mancini, Pine Crest: Brady Bushell, Michael Marber, Max McCawley, Jake Milton; Pompano Beach: Freddie Cintron, Justin Lemin, Reece Ward; Posnack: Oa Spector; Somerset Academy: Matthew Farinas, Ryan Hernandez, Dino Laurinitus, Ryan Marichal; Stranahan: Derek Bernard, Ja’Kobie Combs; University School: Landon Combs, Mark Manuel; Westminster Academy: James Burtner, Jayden Garcia.
CO-COACHES OF THE YEAR
Brian Campbell, North Broward Prep: Campbell continued the run of success at North Broward Prep, going 25-8 and reaching the Class 3A state title game.
Juan Mora, Somerset Academy: Mora helped lead the Panthers to a 17-14 record — their first full winning season since 2017.
🎥 Vozinha backed by his mum, Mexico-South Korea bond and + virals
The FIFA World Cup has contributed to many historic moments on the pitch.
And there’s no shortage of off-field episodes that go viral too.
Check out below what has been blowing up on social media in the last few hours.
Now that’s just mean! 😂
Who here has ever celebrated a goal before the neighbor because of the ever-possible delay across different types of broadcasts?
There was a fan from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who celebrated "ahead of time" while watching the match against Portugal on a big screen, but keeping an eye on the broadcast on his phone.
Who remembers the legend?
Andrey Sergeyevich Arshavin enjoyed successful spells with Zenit, Arsenal, and Kairat.
And he had been "going unnoticed" while watching Uzbekistan versus Colombia last Wednesday (17).
Then the former Russian striker was recognized by an Uzbek fan and... couldn’t stop smiling.
Vozinha will have his mother’s support 😍
A major star of the first round of the World Cup, Vozinha will now have his mother with him in the United States.
Ana Candida Évora began her trip to the U.S. last Wednesday (17) after completing the necessary paperwork to enter the country.
She had not been able to get a visa at first, but received help from several authorities after her son became a celebrity on and off the pitch.
It’s worth noting that Vozinha already has 13.7 million followers on Instagram.
Cape Verde will play again on Sunday (21), when they face Uruguay.
With Mrs. Ana Candida Évora there in person.
Mexico 🤝🏼 South Korea
There are PLENTY of videos of interactions between the always lively Mexicans and the (often) shy South Koreans.
And those moments became even more intense ahead of the clash between the two national teams this Thursday.
Several videos of moments like the one highlighted below have caught attention in recent days:
After taking a two-season hiatus, Jonathan Toews came back for a farewell run with the Winnipeg Jets last season.
The 38-year-old center played in all 82 games, recording 11 goals and 29 points while averaging 14:29 minutes of ice time per game.
All three marks were career lows for Toews, so it should come as no surprise that the six-time All-Star is ready to call it a career.
“I expect Jonathan Toews will officially announce his retirement tomorrow. Hand in hand with the @NHLJets. What a career. 👏,” TSN’s Darren Dreger posted on X.
Jonathan Toews #19 of the Chicago Blackhawks waves to the crowd following a game against the Philadelphia Flyers at United Center on April 13, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. The Flyers won 5-4 in overtime. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Toews spent 15 of his 16 NHL seasons with the Blackhawks, totaling 372 goals and 883 points across 1,067 games. He ranks fifth in Blackhawks history in games played, and sixth in goals and points.
If Toews is, in fact, done, it puts an exclamation point on a future Hall of Fame career.
Toews’ resume is as strong as any. He’s won three Stanley Cups, a Conn Smythe Trophy, A Selke Trophy, a Mark Messier Leadership Award, and he was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players.
He also won gold medals for Team Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup (two), the World Junior Championship (two), the Ice Hockey World Championship, the Olympics (two), and the World Cup of Hockey.
Toews retires holding two NHL records — fewest games to make captain (64) and youngest captain to win a Conn Smythe (22 years, 41 days) — and multiple Blackhawks records including most career overtime goals (16), most career shootout goals (52), most single-season shootout goals (eight), and most single-season playoff points (29).
Park Vista ace Cody Wexler took the mound for the Cobras’ district title game against Boca Raton.
Earlier that week, he had been sitting in the hospital with a close friend, who was severely injured in a motorcycle accident. The day of the district title game, his friend died.
Wexler knew he was still going to pitch that night.
“I told (Cobras coach Larry Greenstein), ‘Yes, I’m going,’” Wexler told the Sun Sentinel. “I don’t care how long I go. I’m going to finish this game and everything. And leading up to the game, everyone was there for me. … Everyone’s just helping me out. And going through the game, just didn’t think much of anything other than, can I throw a strike, please?”
The Park Vista ace pitched a shutout, keeping his emotions in check until the final out. It was his penultimate start of his stellar senior season. Wexler is the Sun Sentinel’s Palm Beach County 7A-5A player of the year.
Wexler completed his senior season with another shutout against Tohopekaliga in the regional playoffs, but the Cobras’ season came to an end in the regional finals.
The Park Vista starter said he spent the offseason working on his pitch location. He used a three-pitch arsenal (four-seam fastball, slider and changeup) to perfection throughout the season. The right-handed ace finished the season with a 6-0 record and three saves. He threw 59 innings and struck out 50 batters while walking only seven. He allowed just three earned runs for a season ERA of 0.36.
“Just trying to throw strikes, finding pitch locations … and then having the pitches work,” Wexler said.
Wexler is not committed to a college, but he is looking at Palm Beach State and other programs he could join.
“I’m a good pitcher,” Wexler said. “I don’t really worry about how fast I throw. I’m just worried about if I can throw strikes and knowing I have people behind me to help me out.”
Nov 8, 2025; Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada; BC Lions wide receiver Keon Hatcher (4) runs off the field after his touchdown with teammates during the second half of the CFL Western Conference Final between the BC Lions and the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Mosaic Stadium. Bruce Fedyck-Imagn Images
Week 3 brings the first full slate of CFL football thanks to the world cup, and it provides us a multitude of fascinating questions.
We are six games into the CFL season, and there are still very few things we can be certain about. One of those is Montreal Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander is one win away from setting a league record for consecutive regular-season wins to start a career.
Heading into Week 3, only the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have a bye week, meaning we have four games this weekend, including a tripleheader on Saturday. That brings a lot of questions going into the weekend. Let’s break it down.
BC’s major injury issues
The BC Lions hung in there with the defending Grey Cup Champion Saskatchewan Roughriders last Saturday, but a poorly surrendered Rouge ended up costing them a chance at tying the game in a 31-27 loss. In that loss, the Lions lost three wide receivers in Stanley Berryhill III, Seven McGee, and Jevon Cottoy. That raises a real concern about what they will do moving forward.
It doesn’t help that star wide receiver Keon Hatcher is dealing with a thigh injury, but he is expected to play on Friday night. They will be relying on some serious youth in the wide receiver room, with Jermaine Jackson, Nick Cenacle, and Silas Bolden stepping in. We know that Hatcher and Justin McInnis are both superstars, but the Tiger-Cats, even sans cornerback Jamal Peters, will have an easier job stopping them both with a lack of depth. Luckily for the Lions, they have last year’s Most Outstanding Player in Nathan Rourke and star running back James Butler. They will need to weather the storm, and with Bo Levi Mitchell capable of putting up a lot of points, it could prove crucial toward getting home-field advantage in the Western Division.
The Edmonton Elks knew they needed to build on their big finish at the end of 2025 with quarterback Cody Fajardo. Despite starting 1-7, the Elks finished 7-11 and even flirted with a playoff spot. Under first-year head coach Mark Killam, the second half finally looked like a team that the Elks had hoped for.
The biggest thing with the Elks was their massive free agency haul. They revamped their offensive line with Brendan Bordner, Jordan Murray, and Coulter Woodmansey, along with star defensive lineman Malik Carney from the Roughriders, and wide receiver Brendal O’Leary-Orange. They paid major dividends in an Ottawa rainstorm, but bad weather paired with it being the season opener didn’t tell us much. The Alouettes will be a major litmus test for the Elks, and give us more information on where they slot in a very deep West.
We didn’t just see a good Roughriders team on Saturday against the Lions, we saw dominance. Quarterback Trevor Harris looked like a version 10 years younger, dominating the Lions with a completion percentage of 83.3%, 417 yards, and three touchdowns, all of which to Samuel Emilus. The Lions tried to blitz him with cover-0 looks, and Harris torched them.
Bad defensive scheme by BC on this game winning TD from Sask yesterday. Cover 0 in the back end by the defensive backs puts them on an island, but when you don't blitz 7 defenders the QB isn't hot. We're picked up in protection. He can take a hitch and see the throw pic.twitter.com/jhwtL6z5xz
How are you supposed to stop the Roughriders? They have a trio of great wide receivers in Emilus, Kian Schaffer-Baker, and KeeSean Johnson, along with running back A.J. Ouellette. You can’t blitz them consistently, otherwise Harris will torch you, but you can’t let him sit in the pocket and dissect your defense. You have to get home with four, and that’s difficult to do. It’s the only way right now, and that’s a problem for the rest of the CFL.
Greg Bell’s Ottawa debut
Ryan Dinwiddie’s Ottawa Redblacks debut didn’t go as well as he had hoped, but there were some positives. They had a chance to tie the game with less than three minutes left, but quarterback Jake Maier made poor throws and decisions leading to the loss. It’s evident that the Redblacks still have a ways to go, but there was enough there to give fans some hope, especially since high-priced free agent signing, running back Greg Bell, missed the game due to injury.
With him likely playing on Saturday afternoon, it adds another dynamic to the Redblacks’ offense. They need to have him in the backfield to attack defenses laterally in the passing game and on the ground. With him healthy, it could point the arrow of the Redblacks’ season straight up.
Blake Bagwell, IF, Park Vista senior: Bagwell walked more times (13) than he struck out (12) and hit .355 for the Cobas. He had six doubles and 12 RBIs.
Tayegan Briskey, OF, West Boca Raton senior: Briskey was a force at the plate but was even more dangerous on the base paths. He hit .370 with a pair of home runs and a .922 OPS, and the West Boca senior led the county with 35 steals.
Hunter Bruce, OF, Park Vista junior: Bruce was a key cog in the Cobras’ lineup, hitting .359 with eight extra-base hits (including five triples). He struck out only eight times in 64 at-bats.
Lemay Cortina, P, John I Leonard junior: Cortina was the Lancers’ ace. The Palm Beach State commit went 7-2 with a 1.26 ERA, striking out 63 batters in 44 1/3 innings.
Owen Dever, IF, Park Vista senior: Dever provided some power for the Cobras, hitting .383 with a 1.042 OPSand one home run.
Kole Griffin, P, Dwyer sophomore: Griffin had a strong season for the Panthers, going 3-1 with a 1.62 ERA. Griffin struck out just over a batter per inning.
Brandon Turner, OF, Seminole Ridge sophomore: Turner had a breakout season, hitting .387 with a home run and a 1.096 OPS. He also stole 13 bases.
Tony Bieber, UTIL, Palm Beach Gardens senior: Bieber was a standout at the plate and on the mound. He hit .426 with 14 RBIs with a 1.255 OPS. He also pitched 24 2/3 innings with a 2.55 ERA.
Alex Lorenjatos, C, Palm Beach Gardens senior: Lorenjatos led Palm Beach County large-school hitters with a .446 batting average, and he notched a 1.117 OPS.
Max McDougall, UTIL, West Boca Raton senior: McDougall was a two-way star for the Bulls. The senior hit .374 with seven home runs, 33 RBIs and a 1.127 OPS. McDougall also pitched 53 2/3 innings and posted a 6-3 record with a 2.09 ERA.
Griffin Miller, IF, Jupiter senior: Miller, a Wake Forest signee, was a key part of the Warriors’ lineup. He hit .333 with five home runs and a 1.214 OPS. Miller also stole 12 bases.
Colby Smith, IF, Jupiter senior: Smith was another big part of Jupiter’s lineup, hitting .341 with four home runs, 32 RBIs and 1.046 OPS. Smith is a South Alabama signee.
Ethan Trivison, P, Jupiter senior: Trivison, a Clemson signee, was the Warriors’ ace. He went 3-4 but pitched 52 1/3 innings with a 1.20 ERA. Trivison struck out 74 batters and walked only nine.
Dylan Zidar, IF, Boca Raton senior: Zidar led the Bobcats with a .394 batting average and notched a 1.084 OPS. Zidar hit nine
extra-base hits — two home runs, six doubles and one triple.
SECOND TEAM
Rocco Bianco, IF, Dwyer junior
Michael Blow, P, Boca Raton freshman
Christian Goncalves, IF, West Boca Raton senior
Miguel Guzman, OF, Royal Palm Beach sophomore
Johnny Herring, P, Royal Palm Beach senior
Brett Hobbs, OF, Jupiter senior
Daniel Litvak, P, West Boca Raton junior
Guillermo Martinez-Vazquez, IF, John I. Leonard senior
Aaron Moreno, C, Forest Hill senior
Michael Riaboukha, OF, Seminole Ridge junior
Mason Ryder, IF, Jupiter sophomore
Jace Schlacter, OF, Olympic Heights junior
Caleb Smith, OF, Park Vista senior
Chase Walls, UTIL, Boca Raton senior
HONORABLE MENTION
Boca Raton: Tyler Dennison; Dwyer: Owen Hewitt, Sully Smith, Colten Stephens; Forest Hill:
Kevin Blas, Victor Garcia, Ryan Gonzalez, Nick Seal; John I. Leonard: Valentine Fernandez,
Erick Garcia; Jupiter: Spencer Adams, Brayden Alvarez, Dominic DeMarzo; Olympic Heights:
Camilo Castellon, Charles Garland; Palm Beach Central: Jordan Chassagne, Deangelo
Davila, Kieran Rivera; Palm Beach Gardens: Chase Turner; Park Vista: Antonio Herrera,
Michael Maynes; Royal Palm Beach: Yandal Gonzales; Santaluces: Abner Garcia; Seminole
Ridge: Kane Decker, Dylan Peek; Spanish River: Zack Schwartz, Roman Zabala; Wellington:
Nick Amador, Aden Garcia; West Boca Raton: Alejandro Rodriguez, Gavin Russell.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Casey Beck, John I. Leonard: Beck took a John I. Leonard program to a winning season for only the second time since 2014.
The Lancers went 10-6 and fell to Jupiter in the district semifinals.
Following an underwhelming draw to Bosnia in its World Cup opener, Canada made a statement on its home soil by blanking Qatar 6-0 on Thursday in Group B play.
In the middle of the offensive onslaught, Canada lost midfielder Ismael Kone with an apparent leg injury in the second half after Qatar's Assim Madibo came in for the tackle, which led to him being sent off with a red card.
The severe injury led to FOX's cameras catching a testy interaction postgame between Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui and Canada coach Jesse Marsch on the field, with Marsch walking off from the brief fireside chat and throwing his hands up in the air.
Asked about the exchange in his postgame press conference, Marsch declined to comment further.
“I’m not spending one second, it’s not worth any of our time to discuss," Marsch said.
This interaction postgame between Qatar head coach Julen Lopetegui and Canada head coach Jesse Marsch pic.twitter.com/SHJUPPA74m
Kone was stretchered off the field in Vancouver after being tended to by medical staff, who also put an air cast on him.
“Ismael is such a great kid, he's imperfect but that is why we love him," Marsch told reporters after the game "He can do things that no other player can do. He embodies a lot of what this team is. He was our best player against Bosnia.
“He is a huge loss for us. Our hearts are with him, but that kid has a huge future.”
With its win, Canada now has four points in the Group B standings with a 1-1-0 record. The Canadians are tied with Switzerland for first place in the standings, though Canada holds the goal differential tiebreaker against Switzerland.
The Los Angeles Dodgers could be headed down a familiar road, targeting superstar reliever Aroldis Chapman to push for the team’s three-peat.
Chapman has been one of the most dominant closers in baseball for a very long time at this point, throwing harder than anyone else and avoiding bats with his fastball still in his late 30s.
He is somewhat of a rental, possessing just one year left on his contract in 2026 and a vesting option for 2027.
Additionally, Chapman is on one of MLB’s spiraling teams — the Boston Red Sox — making him clearly available for a trade if the right price comes in.
Jun 16, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes (left) talks with Spectrum SportsNet LA play-by-play announcer Joe Davis before the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Insider Jeff Passan has the odds of a Chapman trade happening at 90%, and among the best fits in the league for him was the Dodgers.
“Relief pitchers often are some of the most impactful deadline acquisitions, and Boston’s closer is as effective as ever. Chapman doesn’t throw as hard as he once did, but he has four distinct pitches now,” Passan wrote in his story.
“And he’s still chucking his fastball in the high 90s, which is plenty of velocity when hitters need to gear up for his slider and splitter. Here’s the greatest truism of the deadline: Everyone needs a good reliever. Teams will climb over each other for Chapman.”
At the highest level, only Tanner Scott, Will Klein, and Alex Vesia stand out as the more reliable pitchers, with Kyle Hurt, Jack Dreyer, Blake Treinen, and Edhardo Henriquez remaining quite inconsistent.
A trio of Scott, Diaz, and Chapman would be elite in the postseason and would put the Dodgers as one of the clearer favorites in recent memory.
Champman’s history with the Dodgers
Jun 18, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (44) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the ninth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
The Dodgers had a deal in place back in 2015 during the offseason, sending a massive package to the Cincinnati Reds to form an elite duo with Kenley Jansen.
They agreed to send two prospects to the Dodgers in exchange for Chapman, but before the deal was finalized, a disturbing police report emerged about the pitcher.
He was accused of choking his 22-year-old girlfriend, Cristina Barnea, and firing eight shots in the garage of his Florida home, per an ESPN report.
The case was not prosecuted due to conflicting accounts and insufficient evidence, but an MLB investigation ultimately resulted in a 30-game suspension.
Chapman admitted to picking up a gun and firing eight shots into the wall, but he has denied harming his girlfriend.
However, upon learning of the allegations, the Dodgers pulled out of the trade, and he was later traded to the New York Yankees.
A year after the canceled trade, the Dodgers reportedly made a run at Chapman in free agency in 2016, but he wanted to remain on the East Coast.
Since then, Chapman has not been involved in any subsequent off-field incidents.
All those years later, Chapman could end up with the Dodgers via a trade, with the team having the capital to get a deal and add him at a time when he is still throwing the baseball hard and fast.
Few in Palm Beach County were as skilled at the plate and on the pitcher’s mound as Jack Wilhoit.
The St. John Paul II senior dominated opponents on the mound, and he was a key bat for the Eagles as they reached the regional semifinals this year. Wilhot is the Sun Sentinel’s Palm Beach County 4A-1A player of the year.
Wilhoit attributes his strong season, particularly at the plate, with a carefree approach. Counterintuitively, worrying less about his hitting helped him play better.
“I kind of went into the season just kind of like carefree with the bat just because there was no pressure on me at all,” Wilhoit said. “I was starting like at the bottom of the order. I was kind of like an extra at bat. But I think the fact that I was loose and that I didn’t care about the outcome is what helped me.”
Despite focusing less on hitting, the Eagles pitcher hit .410 with a home run and 15 RBIs. He posted a 1.081 OPS and also stole seven bases.
But it was on the mound where Wilhoit truly excelled. The senior went 7-2 with four complete games and a pair of shutouts. He notched a 1.63 ERA — the best among Palm Beach County small-school pitchers with more than 50 innings pitched. Wilhoit struck out 85 batters — the most of any pitcher in the country — in 68 2/3 innings.
Wilhoit pitched gems against some of the top teams in South Florida, holding eventual 3A runner-up North Broward Prep to one run in six innings of work early in the season and striking out 11 batters in a shutout against West Boca Raton.
Wilhoit is staying in Florida for his college career. He signed with North Florida.
“I love the coaches,” Wilhoit said. “They’re really big on development up there and hands-on work. The pitching coach there is phenomenal. That was a big part of it. He’s had guys go in the draft like the past five years, which is super important for me because I want to be able to develop and then get drafted.”
Brady Chandler, UTIL, Suncoast senior: Chandler had a strong season at the plate and on the mound. He hit .380 with 13 RBIs and a .908 OPS. He also went 5-1 with a 3.11 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 47 1/3 innings.
Tommy Ciaccio, UTIL, St. John Paul II senior: Ciaccio, a Union College signee, was a solid part of the Saint John Paul lineup and pitching staff. He hit .337 with a home run and 23 steals, and he pitched 17 innings with a 1.24 ERA.
Harrison Craft, UTIL, Jupiter Christian sophomore: Craft was the Eagles’ top hitter, leading the team with a .449 average and 10 extra-base hits (nine doubles and one home run). He also averaged more than a strikeout per inning on the mound.
Campbell Harrison, C, St. John Paul II junior: Harrison was key hitter for Saint John Paul, hitting .344 with two home runs, 25 RBIs and a 1.007 OPS.
Micah Herring, OF, Atlantic Christian junior: Herring was a prolific hitter and base-stealer in 2026, hitting .569 with five home runs and 26 steals. Herring notched a 1.715 OPS.
Tyler Johnson, P, St. John Paul II sophomore: Johnson did not rely on strikeouts to have success, punching out 21 batters in 39 innings. But he got hitters out reliably, going 4-2 with a 1.97 ERA and 1.23 WHIP.
Liam Magun, P, Cardinal Newman sophomore: Magun was the Crusaders’ ace, going 4-1 with a 1.54 ERA. He dominated opposing hitters, striking out 71 in 45 1/3 innings.
Luccas Mendez, IF, St. Andrew’s senior: Mendez anchored the Scots’ lineup, hitting .433 with a 1.103 OPS. He hit two home runs and drove in 14 runs.
Landon Moffitt, P, Atlantic Christian senior: Moffitt was the Sharks’ ace, going 5-1 and pitching 43 1/3 innings. He had a 1.62 ERA and struck out 39 batters over 43 1/3 innings.
Luke Shelhamer, C, King’s Academy senior: Shelhamer had a strong senior campaign, hitting .379 with four home runs and 21 RBIs. Shelhamer notched a 1.164 OPS.
Carlo Vazquez, UTIL, Oxbridge Academy junior: Vazquez was the ThunderWolves’ top hitter, hitting .571 with 10 extra-base hits. Vazquez had a 1.612 OPS.
Bryan Zuniga, OF, Atlantic Christian freshman: Zuniga had a breakout freshman year, batting .548 with a home run and a team-best 31 RBIs. He had 15 steals and posted a 1.417 OPS.
Alec Cabrera, IF, King’s Academy sophomore: Cabrera had a stellar sophomore year, hitting .506 with a team-leading eight home runs. Cabrera had 33 RBIs and a stellar 1.604 OPS with 22 total extra-base hits and stole 10 bases.
Van Kamen, OF, Dr. Joaquin Garcia senior: Kamen was a key part of the Bulldogs’ lineup, leading the team with a .392 batting average. He hit six doubles and stole 21 bases.
SECOND TEAM
Jason Blair, P, American Heritage-Delray sophomore
Josh Burnston, OF, Suncoast senior
Scotty Crowe, P, Saint John Paul II junior
Derek Dohler, IF, Saint John Paul II junior
Stephen Eusey, OF, Jupiter Christian senior
Ryan Galinis, P, Saint John Paul II junior
Stefano Giresi, C, Lake Worth Christian sophomore
Connor King, UTIL, Berean Christian junior
Ryan Lampman, P, Dr. Joaquin Garcia senior
Reilley Moore, IF, Berean Christian senior
Thomas Murray, IF, Oxbridge Academy senior
Brock Shaffer, UTIL, St. Andrew’s junior
Matthew Spina, OF, St. Andrew’s senior
Joaquin Urrutia, UTIL, Dr. Joaquin Garcia senior
HONORABLE MENTION
American Heritage-Delray: Noah Garfinkel, Carlos Jimenez; Atlantic Christian: Diego Dipre, Giovanni Garcia, Yadiel Garcia; Benjamin: Ryan Smith, C.J. Soto; Berean Christian: Elijah Brown; Cardinal Newman: Brady Heminger, Gianluca Luciano, Cameron Portilla, David Zitnik; Dr. Joaquin Garcia: Emmanuel Edwards, Tony Evans, Peyton Holton; Glades Central: Victor Castro, Edinson Cruz, Christopher Leon; Glades Day: Adrian Baeza, Taranta McKelvin Jr.; Jupiter Christian: Matt Kutsukos, J.D. Whitaker; King’s Academy: Daniel Cabrera, Jayden Deveaux, Grayson Sheetz, Aiden Strompf; Lake Worth Christian: Gavin Farnen, Sebastian Fernandez, Mia Kruspe, Lex Wilson; Oxbridge Academy: FJ Bahl, Brandon Langley; Pahokee: Isaac Sarmiento; Palm Beach Lakes: Kaiden Edwards, Gabriel Hall, Samuel Mojica; Somerset Canyons: Freddy Haney, Boyton Zulick; St. Andrew’s: Brian Bechtel, Derek Hopkins, Aiden Krasnow, Oliver Lipari, Aaron Tralongo; Suncoast: Emmett Casey, Guy Chityat, Brayden Moore, Nicholas Pascocello; Yeshiva: Ronen Ben-Aharon, Evan Henner, Yamin Levitt.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Pete Graffeo, St. John Paul II: Graffeo led the Eagles to a 24-5 record — their best mark in more than a decade. The Eagles
won the district title for the first time since 2022 and reached the regional semifinals.
The Tennessee Volunteers are on the verge of losing a player who’s been committed for over six months, but there’s a good reason why UT football fans shouldn’t be upset about it.
The Tennessee Vols are about to lose a recruit who’s been committed to the program for nearly seven months.
But it’s a decommitment that plugged-in Vols fans knew was coming.
“After talking to sources with knowledge of the recruitment, Chad Simmons and I are predicting Fife to ultimately land in Athens,” wrote Wiltfong.
Fife, who has been committed to Tennessee since last November, took an official visit to Georgia last weekend, and he told On3 after that visit that he likes that the Bulldogs play a lot of freshmen.
"Georgia plays freshmen early everywhere and it shows with the stats, and they develop defensive linemen at a very high level, so I feel like I can get on the field very early if I put in work… I definitely have a big decision to make within the next couple of weeks," said Fife.
Why Vols fans shouldn’t be mad that Tennessee is likely losing Kadin Fife
Fife may end up being a really good player. If you’ve followed recruiting for any amount of time, you know no one has a crystal ball.
Tennessee, though, made Fife’s looming decision a bit easier this month when they took a commitment from junior college defensive lineman Christian Mays, a raw player with a ton of upside.
“He’s a quick twitch guy who’s got some length to him,” said VolQuest’s Brent Hubbs earlier this month on WNML’s SportsTalk when asked about Mays. “He’s a bit raw, and he hasn’t played a ton of football. He’s got a good story in terms of just kind of fighting his way through and developing and becoming a player through the junior college ranks. And this is a classic (Vols DL coach) Rodney Garner fit is what it feels like.”
Tennessee knew if they took a commitment from Mays that it would likely push Fife toward Georgia. So this essentially tells us that Tennessee likes their evaluation of Mays better than their evaluation of Fife.
Time will be the ultimate judge of those evaluations, but that’s the reason for this expected flip. And in this era of college football, you simply can’t stockpile a bunch of commitments at one position in a single recruiting class.
Canada has waited decades to celebrate the Canadian men’s national team’s first win at a World Cup.
The CanMNT have only qualified for three World Cups (1986, 2022, ’26) and earned their first-ever point by drawing with Bosnia-Herzegovina on June 12. It became clear early in their match against Qatar in Vancouver that Thursday would be the long-awaited day to erupt over a CanMNT World Cup win.
Canada held a dominant 3-0 lead when midfielder Ismaël Koné suffered a gruesome leg injury in the 57th minute. After much consternation and justified outrage by Canadian side, Qatar’s Assim Madibo, who was distraught by the harm he’d caused, was shown a red card.
Koné was stretchered off to applause, and by the looks of his leg, we will sadly not see him again on the pitch in this World Cup. Sports can be so cruel.
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – JUNE 18: Ismael Kone #8 of Canada waves to crowd as he is stretched off after being fouled by Assim Madibo #23 of Qatar during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B match between Canada and Qatar at BC Place Vancouver on June 18, 2026 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
Seven match minutes later, Canada’s Nathan Saliba, who had come into the match to replace Koné , knocked in the team’s fourth goal of the match and emotionally held up Koné’s No. 8 jersey afterward.
Nathan Saliba pays tribute to teammate Ismaël Koné after scoring a free kick. 👏🙏
The CanMNT won 6-0 when all said and done, and their home fans did erupt in cheers that had been suppressed for decades. But the otherwise momentous evening was tinged with heartbreak for Koné.
Jonathan David was visibly emotional after teammate Ismaël Koné exited the match due to an apparent injury pic.twitter.com/yOWLmP3INQ
Koné, 24, was born in Ivory Coast but moved to Canada as a young boy and grew up in Montreal. He developed in the CF Montreal academy and made his first-team debut for the MLS club in February 2022. He currently plays his club football for Sassuolo in Serie A. This was his second World Cup appearance for the CanMNT, debuting in Qatar in 2022.
The Canadians will carry heavy hearts into their match with Switzerland on June 24 to wrap up group stage play, but they’ll assuredly be galvanized and dedicate the remainder of their 2026 World Cup run — already the best in the team’s history — to Koné.
After Caitlin Clark and Nike finally shared a look at her highly-anticipated Caitlin 1 shoes on Wednesday, the two-time WNBA All-Star is debuting her Nike signature shoes tonight as the Indiana Fever (9-5) host the Atlanta Dream (9-4) from Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
As she sports the kicks for the first time in action, Clark looks to propel Indiana to a fifth straight victory tonight against Atlanta as the two teams clash for the first of a back-to-back home-and-home series.
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After a quiet World Cup opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Jonathan David needed to make an impact.
The Juventus striker played 61 minutes without a goal or assist, and completed just eight of his 14 passes in the 1-1 draw.
On the other hand, Cyle Larin stepped up in that game, scoring Canada’s equaliser in the 78th minute.
The match against Qatar was a chance for both players to shift the narrative, and they delivered. Both started, both found the net, and the shirts they wore in Canada’s first-ever World Cup win are now up for auction.
How can you buy Jonathan David and Cyle Larin’s match-worn shirts?
Photo by Ercin Erturk/Anadolu via Getty Images
MatchWornShirt is hosting the auction, with bidding set to close on Thursday, June 25th.
At the time of writing, David’s shirt is listed at US$944, while Larin’s is at US$562. Both are autographed, adding to their significance from a historic night in Canadian football.
The context matters. Canada beat Qatar, with Larin opening the scoring before David added two more. It was the country’s first-ever men’s World Cup victory.
For collectors, each shirt tells a story. Larin’s marks the opening goal, while David’s represents the brace that turned a slow start into a statement win.
Prices may change before the auction ends, but the process is simple. Fans can visit MatchWornShirt, find the Canada vs Qatar auction and place their bids before the deadline.
De’Aaron Fox is expected to remain the San Antonio Spurs’ starting point guard next season, which shouldn’t come as a huge shock. Even though they fell short against the New York Knicks in five games, Fox’s impact on their playoff run was clear. Reaching the NBA Finals isn’t a small achievement.
The conversation around Fox hasn’t quietened down, though. The focus has shifted from questions about his fit with Victor Wembanyama to whether he can be the second star on a title-winning team.
For much of the regular season, Fox fit seamlessly into what the Spurs were building. His pace lifted their transition game, his playmaking opened up space for Wembanyama, and his leadership helped accelerate a rebuild that seemed ahead of schedule. But when the Finals arrived, that version of Fox wasn’t there.
Throughout the playoffs, Wembanyama was clearly carrying San Antonio’s title hopes, while Fox struggled to make a consistent impact offensively. The numbers told a difficult story.
He shot around 34 per cent from the floor in that series and managed under 13 points per game. His struggles were most evident in Game 5, where he finished with just seven points as New York wrapped up the title. That performance raised questions about whether he can truly be Wembanyama’s top running mate when it matters most.
Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Wembanyama’s presence shapes the conversation
This isn’t just a discussion about Fox; it’s equally tied to Wembanyama. There’s no question about who leads this team. Wembanyama has established himself as one of the NBA’s most dominant players and remains at the centre of everything San Antonio is building toward.
The real question is who best complements him in that role. Right now, the Spurs seem to believe that Fox is still their guy, and over the next few years, we’ll see whether that confidence pays off.
The other option was trading him for another playmaker who better complements Victor Wembanyama’s unique skill set, but those opportunities are rare. Few teams were offering star-calibre players back before last season’s deadline.
San Antonio was right to stick with De’Aaron Fox
Fox may never be as complete an offensive player as Brunson or someone like Devin Booker, but there is value in consistency, too. He was steady throughout the regular season and postseason, leading up to the Finals.
A long-term deal means he needs to get back into form quickly this year. There will always be some question about how high his ceiling actually goes as San Antonio tries to build around its superstar centre, but Fox did help them reach new heights last season, regardless of how it ended.
Both Fox and the Spurs head into next season with questions to answer. The team needs to prove their Finals run wasn’t just a one-off, while Fox has to show that his play against the Knicks was more of an outlier than a sign of bigger issues.
That is why reports of San Antonio’s continued commitment matter. The Spurs are making it clear they still believe in the partnership, and now Fox has to reward that faith. After the Finals, the debate is less about whether De’Aaron Fox can help the Spurs win and more about whether he can help them win the last four games that matter most.
Jun 12, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Santiago Espinal (21) hits a two RBI single against the Chicago White Sox during the second inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
However, Hernandez did not stay healthy for long, and the Dodgers quickly gave Espinal another minor league deal to make room.
It was not until Tommy Edman got activated on Tuesday that Espinal was designated for assignment again. This time, Espinal elected free agency after the Dodgers outrighted him to the minor leagues.
Considering he hit .268/.276/.375 in 60 plate appearances during the regular season, Espinal made the right decision, as he should be a top option for any team that needs infield help.
Additionally, he could float around long enough to be signed by the Dodgers like he was in the past. Regardless, he played himself into the chance to get more MLB looks at some point.
Who is on the Dodgers’ roster bubble next?
May 23, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Santiago Espinal (21) prior to the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
The Dodgers surely would have liked to keep Espinal and his great glove, though they have more than enough depth to deal with his loss.
Soon enough, Kike Hernandez will be eligible for activation, along with Teoscar Hernandez, which will force even tougher decisions on the team to make room.
Alex Freeland, Alex Call, and Ryan Ward are the three players who will have to make room for two. Most likely, Freeland and Ward will be sent down because they have option years left, but their potential could lead to them staying around.
Meanwhile, Hyeseong Kim and hot shot James Tibbs III loom in the Triple-A as they knock on the door of a chance to impress in the big leagues.
Baltimore Ravens defensive back Marlon Humphrey didn't have a great NFL season in 2026, but he still finished ranked No. 8 in the NFL with four interceptions. Perhaps Humphrey will have his skill set edified this summer, getting reps against the talented wide receiving core currently on the team roster.
Rookie wide receivers Ja'Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt are new men in the Ravens' offensive personnel, giving Humphrey practice reps alongside starters Zay Flowers and Rashid Bateman. Additionally, wide receiver Devontez Walker will be operative with the starters in many of offensive coordinator Declan Doyle's 11-personnel sets, meaning that both Humphrey and defensive back Nate Wiggins can expect to compete intensively at the team's upcoming training camp next month.
The Ravens are scheduled to report to training camp on Jul. 29. There, Humphrey will be looking to prove the defensive mastermind of new head coach Jesse Minter and the attention to detail of defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver true. Yet, the Ravens defense will have its work cut out for them as they look to get things precise versus quarterback Lamar Jackson, Doyle, and a plethora of young, talented wide receivers on staff.
From the streets of Broadway to the steps of City Hall, New York City turned into one giant celebration as the New York Knicks commemorated their NBA Finals victory and their first championship in 53 years.
What many fans once believed would be just a dream became a reality as thousands flooded Lower Manhattan for the Knicks’ first-ever ticker-tape parade. The flood of blue and orange stretched for blocks as fans packed the parade route, creating an energy that carried directly into the City Hall championship ceremony. Knicks legends, celebrities, and some of the team’s biggest supporters were all in attendance, including Spike Lee, Tracy Morgan, Ben Stiller, and Timothée Chalamet, with chants of “Knicks in 5!” echoing throughout the crowd.
R&B powerhouse Avery Wilson opened the ceremony stage and delivered a soulful rendition of the National Anthem, drawing dramatic applause from the crowd. Following his performance, the audience waited for one thing only: the NBA champs.
Creating an energy level like no other, the players arrived carrying the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy, kissing it, and raising it high above their heads as fans erupted in celebration. During the ceremony, Mayor Zohran Mamdani spoke about the team’s remarkable run, highlighting the resilience that defined both the Knicks and the city they represent.
“If you will allow me, I want to travel back in time,” Mamdani said. “Eight days ago, Game 4, nine minutes and 33 seconds left in the fourth quarter. The Knicks are down 20.” Drawing a connection between the team and the city, he continued, “The Knicks did not just win for New York City. They won like New York City. What is New York if not your back against the wall?”
Mamdani closed his remarks by quoting Finals MVP Jalen Brunson, whose leadership became one of the defining stories of the championship season. “You are allowed to think about the worst possible scenario, but you’ve got to go out there and do something about it.”
Head coach Mike Brown carried that same message into his speech, emphasizing that the title belonged as much to the fans as it did to the franchise. “This championship is about you guys,” Brown said. “This is New York City’s championship.”
Not every speaker received that New York love. Knicks owner James Dolan was met with heavy boos from sections of the crowd; you would have thought a Spurs fan was in the crowd. The reaction was linked to the recent announcement that the team had accepted Donald Trump’s White House invitation. Attempting to focus attention back on the championship journey, Dolan thanked fans for their patience and support. “Thank you for waiting,” he said. “I’m very proud of our team.”
But the celebration was far from over. One of the ceremony’s most memorable moments came when Mayor Mamdani presented Keys to the City to members of the championship roster. Fans roared as each player’s name was called, and the team proudly raised their keys in excitement.
The celebratory moment concluded with a performance that provided the perfect closure for the historic moment. Alicia Keys, joined by her son Egypt, bodied a rendition of “Empire State of Mind.” The Grammy-winning singer, who knows a thing or two about representing New York on the global stage, delivered a performance that had everyone singing along and reminiscing on the greatness of the city.
As the Knicks danced on stage and blue-and-orange confetti fell from the sky, the players soaked in the reality of being NBA champions. Keys’ anthem was the soundtrack to a celebration more than five decades in the making.
The Indiana Fever defeated the Toronto Tempo on Tuesday night, marking the team’s fourth-straight win after a pedestrian 5-5 start to the 2026 campaign. However, as positive as Indiana’s momentum has been of late, Tuesday’s win, which saw Fever superstar Caitlin Clark go off for a 21-point, 14-assist double-double, was largely overshadowed by the unveiling of Clark’s debut signature shoe with Nike.
Dubbed the Caitlin 1, the sneaker is set to hit retail shelves on October 1, begging the question: What took so long? Clark is entering her third season as a professional, and the shoes won’t hit shelves until after her season concludes, five years after she signed her first deal with Nike.
ESPN’s Dan Wetzel appeared on The Dan Patrick Show on Tuesday to discuss what he feels has been a massive failure on the part of Nike.
“I was shocked when I go: ‘She doesn’t have a signature shoe?’ What’s the backstory here?” Patrick asked.
“Well, there’s a lot, and it’s not just the signature shoe, which can take a while to develop and you want to design it right and construct it and all that. And it’s a big investment. There’s only been one brief Caitlin Clark television commercial,” Wetzel responded.
“There’s very little promotion in stores. There’s very little pop-up events. There’s almost nothing that links Caitlin Clark, arguably, at least for a while, if not still, the most popular athlete in the country, male or female, to Nike, who built their entire business on seizing people like Caitlin Clark…”
“The shoe is one part of it, but even on their social media, they barely play her. So she has been on the back burner for Nike for most of these four years.”
Wetzel went on to note how the other companies Clark has sponsorship deals with, such as Gatorade and State Farm, have featured her heavily in their own national advertising campaigns, making Nike’s reluctance to highlight her all the more puzzling.
“She’s everywhere except with Nike, and that’s been the weirdest thing,” he said. “The signature shoe is part of it. It’s going to come out in October. That’s five seasons they’ve had her, and they’re finally getting the shoe out… But it goes into all the other stuff of like, ‘Why? What were we waiting for?'”
Wetzel went as far as to call Nike a “poorly run company the last five years,” citing the Swoosh’s massive loss in market valuation and revenue while its competitors are thriving, whilst also acknowledging the negative optics that could’ve come from debuting Clark’s signature shoe before Las Vegas Aces’ star A’Ja Wilson, a significantly more accomplished Black player.
It’s not too late for Nike to capitalize on having Clark, arguably the biggest athlete in the country, male or female, but Wetzel sees it as a head-scratching blunder to not capitalize on the peak of her popularity in 2024.
“It’s just one of the great marketing failures, sports marketing failures, and it’s from Nike of all places, who almost invented sports marketing.”
Join hosts Evan McLean and Ross Read on their latest show, as they are joined by special guest Sam Panayotovich, who covers Chicago sports for FOX 32 and is a sports betting analyst for FOX Sports. You can also check him out on the Bear Bets Podcast. Sam will get into all the latest on the Chicago Bears, discuss some of his top NFL futures prop bets, the Chicago baseball scene, and so much more.
Check out the video version of The Mac & Read Show in the embed player here or join us LIVE at 7:00 CT to get in on the fun!
Tommy Fleetwood has suggested that it was helpful for him to be playing alongside Rory McIlroy and Ludvig Aberg during the opening round of the US Open at Shinnecock Hills.
Fleetwood is off to a promising start at the third major of the year. The Englishman finished his day inside the top 20 after posting a level par round of 70 in New York.
The FedEx Cup champion was involved in one of the marquee groups of the opening day.
Tommy Fleetwood reacts to playing with Rory McIlroy and Ludvig Aberg at the US Open
Fleetwood was teeing it up alongside Ludvig Aberg and Rory McIlroy. Of course, the trio have probably not played golf together in New York since helping Europe win last year’s Ryder Cup.
Their group was among those who faced arguably the worst of the conditions on Thursday at Shinnecock Hills.
Nevertheless, they all have reason to be extremely happy with their performances in the first round.
Both Aberg and McIlroy posted rounds of 69 to leave themselves one shot ahead of Fleetwood. It could have easily been even better for the Northern Irishman, with McIlroy making two bogeys on his final two holes.
And speaking after his round, Fleetwood explained how beneficial it was to play alongside his two good friends.
Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images
“I think we had a good group today. The round started to get away from me a little bit when I made the turn, made two like poor three-putts. But I think sometimes it almost helps when you’ve got two guys going really well. Not that they can kind of drag you up,” he said.
“If you’re struggling, it gives you a false reflection of maybe what’s going on. Those two were having two of the best rounds of the day. So it kind of helps you in a way. It kind of drags you a little bit.
“Other than that, it’s hard. Just watching how shots react, particularly like putts. It’s so windy out there. The job’s never done even when you hit the green. Greens are so small in terms of the areas to hit it at, but then it’s still really tough from there.
“It’s like constant. Like you are watching them just to kind of get some kind of feel or read on the putt.”
Why the US Open may present Tommy Fleetwood’s best chance at major glory
Much has been made of the need for Fleetwood to win a major sooner rather than later. The 35-year-old has the capability to do so, and his victory at East Lake last year will have given him even more belief.
There is good reason to think that win is most likely to come at the US Open one year.
Fleetwood has more top five finishes at the US Open than any other major. And his best result, a second place finish, came the last time the event was held at Shinnecock Hills.
On that occasion in 2018, Fleetwood managed to set the course record with a 63 on Sunday.
So there will be plenty of players who are worried about Fleetwood if he keeps himself in the mix over the coming days.
DORTMUND, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 28: Bayern Munchen goalkeeper Jannis Bartl looks on prior to the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern Munchen at Signal Iduna Park on February 28, 2026 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Jannis Bärtl’s recent contract renewal completes a surprising renaissance at Bayern Munich. His previous contract was set to expire in 2027 but has now been extended for an undisclosed amount of years. Bayern’s website announced the news:
FC Bayern have signed goalkeeper Jannis Bärtl (born June 24, 2006) to a long-term contract. Apart from a two-year loan spell at Karlsruher SC [from 2023 to 2025], the amateur keeper has spent his entire career in the youth academy of the German record champions.
Michael Wiesinger, Head of Sport and Youth Development: “Apart from his time at KSC, Jannis received his entire goalkeeping training at FC Bayern. He is therefore a true homegrown talent. Last season he showed consistent performances with the reserves and was recently a regular in training with the first team. We are pleased with his development and are delighted that he wants to take the next steps with us.”
“I’ve been wearing the FC Bayern jersey since I was eight years old. Last season, with the DFB Cup win, the many experiences with the professionals, and the numerous appearances with the amateurs, was something very special for me. I’m all the more delighted about the decision to extend my contract with FC Bayern and I’m looking forward to continuing our journey together.”
The goalkeeper, born in Regensburg, has been playing in the youth academy of the German record champions for almost twelve years, with the exception of two years in Karlsruhe. Last season, Bärtl made 20 appearances in the Regionalliga Bayern, keeping six clean sheets. The 19-year-old also participated in several first-team training sessions this season, was named to the squad four times, including in the DFB Cup final, a 3-0 victory against VfB Stuttgart.
BFW Analysis
Truly, few would have expected Bärtl to complete such a renaissance in Munich. He never really stood out in the Bavarians’ youth teams and tended to be the backup as he went up the youth levels. It was one of the main reasons he was loaned out to Karlsruhe SC’s U-19s. Bayern simply did not have space for him. He eventually became KSC U-19’s starting goalkeeper in the 2024/25 season and reached the DFB Cup final with them.
Given Bayern were looking for a backup goalkeeper for the U-23s to start the 2025/26 season, they recalled him. The move was so under the radar fans only realized he had returned when his name popped up on the team sheet for one of the U-23s’ pre-season friendlies. Bärtl would go on to play a handful of games in the first half of the season, but his big chance came when first choice goalkeeper Leon Klanac got injured in the winter.
Despite the team’s downturn in form, Bärtl did quite well. Furthermore, injuries to Manuel Neuer, Jonas Urbig and Sven Ulreich allowed him to not just make the squad against Stuttgart but against Borussia Dortmund, FC Augsburg and Atalanta Bergamo, as well. He earned the extension.
On the eve of Scotland’s group stage matchup against Morocco at 6 p.m. Friday at Boston Stadium, Providence’s section of the now-beloved Tartan Army made its biggest donation of the World Cup.
Hundreds of doctors and members of the Tartan Army gathered in the outdoor garden of Hasbro Children’s Hospital to celebrate the Tartan Army’s donation of $10,000 to the facility.
“The Providence Tartan Army are delighted and proud to be able to support this place and what it stands for because it aligns 100 percent with our values,” Providence Tartan Army member Ian Cox said. “When the Tartan Army comes — some people say invades — we sing, we make friends and we hope to leave a place just a little bit better than we found it.”
The ceremony started with a march in which bagpipers and drummers led the more than 100-person army to the outdoor garden. The large group outlined the circular garden when the march had finished.
After a brief introduction, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley talked about the significant impact the Tartan Army has had across Providence in such a brief amount of time.
“We are so thrilled that so many of you have chosen Providence and Rhode Island to be your home during the tournament,” Smiley said. “As residents and visitors alike get to meet you along the way, we wake up to new surprises every day, like a couple of traffic cones on top of a statue this morning.”
The Tartan Army immediately responded to Smiley’s comments about traffic cones on statues with a cheer.
Smiley also emphasized that while the Tartan Army might be in Providence just for the World Cup, the results of the matches shouldn’t be the only thing the fans take away from their experiences.
“It’s about building a lifetime of memories for yourself and your families, but then also for the families you touched along the way,” Smiley said. “And that’s what’s happening here at Hasbro Children’s Hospital.”
Smiley ended his speech, welcoming the Tartan Army back anytime they wish, as well as thanking them for the gifts and donations they’ve made in just 10 days.
Cox was then welcomed to the microphone, where he took a few seconds to stare in astonishment at the size of the crowd and asked them to give themselves a round of applause. Cox spoke about the hospitality the Tartan Army has experienced, not just in Providence, but across New England.
“We’ve fallen for you and we hope you feel the same,” Cox said.
Cox made sure to specify that the donation didn’t come from a committee within the Tartan Army but from the fans themselves.
“It comes from the thousands of ordinary Scotland supporters, who decided that coming to Providence and being part of something was more than just about 90 minutes of football,” Cox said. “But it would not be too much to say that I could not be prouder of every single one of you.”
Cox hopes that the gift will leave a lasting legacy on the hospital, its patients and its doctors long after the Scotland team is eliminated and the World Cup ends.
“The welcome that Providence and New England have given us, and what our time here has meant to all of us,” Cox said. “That is the legacy we want to leave. Not a score, but a gift that’s both tangible, emotional and we hope outlasts us all.”
Dr. Salley Pels, interim director of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, was also one of the speakers at the event, where she emphasized the impact of the donation. Pels talked about how the money would go toward “expanding access to personalized care and supportive services for children and young adults facing cancer and blood disorders.”
Before the event ended, Cox went to the podium one last time to announce two other gifts the group was donating. The first was a framed T-shirt in the style of the official Providence Tartan Army T-shirt, featuring the names of almost every supporter who donated toward the $10,000.
The next came from 5-year-old Ruby, whose dad is a member of the Tartan Army. Ruby, according to Cox, heard about the Tartan Army visiting Hasbro Children’s Hospital and decided that she wanted to give a gift of her own to the patients. The gift was a box of toys, including a bunch of the now-iconic yellow school buses that the Tartan Army has used to travel from Providence to Boston for game days.
Ruby handed the box to Jasper Casey, Hasbro Children’s 2026 Champion Child, as the two posed for pictures holding yellow school buses in their hands.
The Tartan Army has donated more than $30,000 during its stay in New England. The group has donated $6,500 each to the Rhode Island Highlanders Pipe Band and Craig Ferguson, the Scottish fan who went viral for walking from Los Angeles to Boston to raise money for mental health services in Scotland, according to The Boston Globe. The group also made another $10,000 donation to a grass-roots soccer program in Rhode Island to get underprivileged kids into soccer, according to The Globe.
After securing three points against Haiti on June 13, Scotland will look to steal points from either Morocco or Brazil in the next week to advance to the Round of 32 and potentially finish atop the group.
KAHAN SCHOLARSHIP recipients Maayan Laron, Amit Vales, Bar Shporen and Re
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Kahan Scholarship Program, which has been supporting outstanding Israeli tennis players since 2016.
The Israel Tennis & Education Centers have awarded NIS 200,000 in Anna and Michael Kahan Scholarships to four of Israel’s leading tennis players, marking a decade of one of the most significant scholarship programs in Israeli tennis.
The scholarships were awarded to senior player Maayan Laron, the Israeli national champion who trains at the Israel Tennis & Education Center in Haifa; Amit Vales, the Israeli national runner-up who trains at the Israel Tennis & Education Center in Ramat Hasharon; junior player Bar Shporen, who trains in Haifa; and junior player Re’em Elkayam, who trains at the Israel Tennis & Education Center in Ashkelon.
The funding will help the four recipients gain international experience through participation in tournaments abroad, training programs, professional equipment purchases, and a comprehensive support system that includes mental coaching, fitness training, and additional professional services.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Kahan Scholarship Program, which has been supporting outstanding Israeli tennis players since 2016. The program is widely regarded as one of the largest and most meaningful scholarship initiatives in Israeli tennis, enabling talented athletes to compete internationally, gain valuable experience, and advance along the elite performance pathway.
The scholarships are made possible through the generous legacy of Anna and Michael Kahan. Michael Kahan, a Holocaust survivor who immigrated to New York after World War II together with his wife Anna, also a Holocaust survivor, developed a deep love for tennis after his grandchildren began playing at colleges in the United States.
One of the four new indoor tennis courts at Jerusalem’s ITEC. (credit: HOWARD BLAS)
Scholarship brings excellence all around - Israel Tennis CEO
Motivated by a desire to contribute to Israel’s future, he believed Israeli tennis players could serve as ambassadors for the country around the world and established a foundation to support the next generation of Israeli tennis talent. His vision was clear: to promote excellence, create equal opportunities, and help develop future Israeli champions.
The scholarship program provides recipients with a significant opportunity to compete at the highest levels of the sport, gain valuable international experience, and continue their development toward professional careers while benefiting from extensive professional support.
“It is a day of celebration for us,” said Eyal Taoz, Global CEO of the Israel Tennis & Education Centers. “This scholarship is far more than financial assistance – it is a greenhouse for excellence, breaking boundaries, and realizing dreams in Israeli tennis.”
Yoni Erlich, professional director of the Israel Tennis & Education Centers, said the scholarship recipients represent the future of the sport in Israel.
“These are the moments when we meet the next generation of Israeli tennis,” Erlich said. “It gives players the best tools on the long and challenging road of becoming professional athletes.”
Danny Perekalsky, CEO of the Israel Tennis Association, praised the initiative and its impact on the sport.
“Initiatives such as the Kahan Scholarships are a true blessing for the entire tennis community,” he said. “For Israeli players, the road to the top of world tennis is especially challenging, and support like this can make all the difference.”
Speaking on behalf of the scholarship recipients, Amit Vales expressed gratitude for the support.
“On behalf of all the winners, I would like to thank the Kahan family for their generous support,” he said. “Scholarships like these allow us to keep dreaming big and should never be taken for granted. We greatly appreciate the trust placed in us and are committed to continuing to work hard to justify it.”
Behind the scenes, there have been sweeping changes to the Lakers this offseason: New assistant general managers, new scouts in place, dramatic changes to the business operations side and staffing. New owner Mark Walter is putting his stamp on the organization.
On the court next season... will things look that much different?
The Lakers are focused on re-signing Austin Reaves, they appear likely to re-sign LeBron James, and reports have them working to keep Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard. What will change? Here are the latest offseason reports and rumors around the Lakers.
Reaves, LeBron contracts
This much is clear: Both the Lakers and Reaves want this marriage to continue.
"He started his journey here as a Laker and has made it very clear to us that he wants his journey to continue as a Laker, and we feel the same way," Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said at his end-of-season press conference.
Money issues have also led to more than one divorce.
Reaves, 28, will opt out of his $14.9 million deal with the Lakers for next season because this is his big shot at a generational wealth contract. However, in league circles, it's a given that Reaves will re-sign with the Lakers. The real question is what number does he re-sign for? The Lakers can offer up to five years and $241 million, but in the tax-apron era, the Lakers want — and frankly need — to sign their No. 2 option for less than the max. Brooklyn is looming and can offer a max of four years, $178 million — and the rumor that they will is out there. That means the Lakers need to offer a little more, but should be able to lock up Reaves for something like five years, $200 to $210 million.
League sources continue to tell NBC Sports that it looks increasingly likely LeBron James will re-sign with the Lakers. Money matters here, but so does lifestyle. With the Lakers, LeBron is playing with his son, Bronny, in Los Angeles, and his family has established a life here.
As for the money, LeBron will be taking a steep pay cut from the $52 million max he earned last season, regardless of where he signs. However, if he leaves Los Angeles to team up with Stephen Curry in Golden State, the best they can do is the $15.1 million mid-level exception — and that is more than a lot of other teams can play up. It's a nice narrative to have him come full circle and play one more season with the Cavaliers, but the most Cleveland could offer is the $3.9 million veteran minimum. There is no chance LeBron is playing anywhere for the minimum.
The Lakers have LeBron's Bird rights and will pay more than anyone else. The question is, where does that number land? Two years at $50 million (player option on the second year, and a no-trade clause)? Can the Lakers push him down to $20 million a season? Less?
Whatever the final figures are, expect LeBron to remain a Laker.
Lakers free agent targets
The Lakers have the cap space to land a max player, and Luka Doncic has told the team where he wants them to spend it, reports Dave McMenamin at ESPN.
"Luka's first and foremost desire is an A-list center," the source said.
A lot of Knicks fans desired affordable tickets to the NBA Finals, but wanting them and reality are two different things.
Where is this center going to come from? Jalen Duren is the best name on the board, but he's a restricted free agent, and there is zero chance Detroit will let a player who has become a cornerstone for them walk. Walker Kessler and his agent are trying to squeeze every dollar they can out of Utah, but Kessler posted on social media Thursday about how much he loves and has put down roots in Utah, and it's not like the Jazz front office is not letting him walk out the door to a West rival for nothing anyway, they would match any offer. That leaves lesser names. Mitchell Robinson was fantastic during the Knicks' run to the Finals, but his chronic injury issues limit his minutes and games during the regular season. John Collins is solid and available, but not the A-List guy Doncic is thinking about.
The best center available via trade might be the Lakers' old friend, Anthony Davis, but the price of that trade would be steep, if he's even interested in a return.
The Lakers may have better luck trying to poach a two-way wing from a team dealing with tax issues or a crowded roster. Peyton Watson — a SoCal guy from Long Beach Poly and UCLA — is a restricted free agent and the Nuggets are a very expensive team. Denver wants to keep Watson and is looking to move Christian Bruan instead to save money, but it's an option. Houston also may not be able to keep Tari Eason if the Lakers put together a big enough offer.
Lakers keeping veterans like Smart
Lakers fans may not love this, but the Lakers are likely to run a lot of the core players from last season back. From McMenamin at ESPN:
The Lakers are interested in retaining Marcus Smart and sharpshooter Luke Kennard, sources told ESPN. Smart, who was recruited to L.A. by Doncic and has until June 29 to exercise the final year of his contract at $5.4 million... Kennard, for his part, was on an $11 million expiring contract and has interest in making L.A. his long-term home after previously playing 2.5 seasons with the LA Clippers.
Defense and shooting are things the Lakers need, which makes bringing Smart and Kennard back logical, but that may mean Rui Hachimura is the odd man out, McMenamin mentions. That's a harsh thing to say about a guy who averaged 17.5 points per game in the playoffs while shooting 56.9% from 3-point range.
Jarred Vanderbilt and Deandre Ayton (player option he is expected to pick up) could be back, although those guys with an attached pick could be at the heart of any Lakers trade package this summer.
Still, if the Lakers start Doncic, Reaves, LeBron, Smart and a center with Kennard and Vanderbilt off the bench, next season's Lakers team could look a lot like the 53-win No. 4 seed from this season.
Canadian midfielder Ismaël Koné has been stretchered off in Canada’s World Cup match against Qatar after suffering a potentially nasty leg injury.
Koné was tackled by Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo about 10 minutes into the second half of Thursday’s game. Koné looked in pain immediately afterwards, grabbing at his left leg, and trainers quickly came to tend to him. It took little time for Canada’s medical staff to bring out the stretcher, while the Canadian reserves surrounded him as he was receiving treatment.
Koné waved at the crowd as he was taken off, with his left leg in an air cast. Multiple players were emotional as he was taken off the field.
Madibo, who was visibly distressed as Koné was being treated, was initially assessed a yellow card for the contact, but it was upgraded to a red card after review. The broadcast did not show replay of the tackle, indicating that potential severity of the injury.
Qatar was already down a player, thanks to a red card from Homam Ahmed in the 33rd minute. The addition red forces the team to finish the game with only nine players.
Koné was replaced by Nathan Saliba, who scored five minutes later, and immediately lifted up Koné’s jersey in celebration.
Scotland beat Haiti in their opening game and a drawn against Morocco could take them through to the World Cup knockout phase for the first time (FRANCK FIFE)
Scotland captain Andy Robertson urged his team to build on their opening World Cup win against Haiti and get a result against Morocco on Friday which would help propel them into the knockout rounds of the tournament for the very first time.
"I don't think any of the lads or the coaching staff and backroom staff have shied away from it," Robertson told reporters at the Gillette Stadium on the eve of the game.
"We want to be the first team to be able to do that for our country. And it's obviously a nice feeling to try and do that.
"We know how difficult it's going to be. We're now playing against one of the best teams in the world.
"But we also believe that if we perform to our maximum, then we can make it difficult for anyone."
"I think we've proven that over the years," added the 32-year-old, who has just signed for Tottenham Hotspur after almost a decade at Liverpool.
Scotland kicked off their World Cup campaign in the United States with a 1-0 win over Haiti at the same venue near Boston last weekend.
That was their first World Cup game since 1998 and their first win at the tournament since 1990, as well as only their fifth ever at the finals.
With the eight best third-placed sides in the 12 groups at the expanded 48-team finals advancing to the next round, one point from their next two matches could well be enough to take Scotland through.
But they conclude Group C by playing two of the top six teams in the world rankings, with 2022 semi-finalists Morocco being followed by a clash with Brazil in Miami.
The Morocco game brings back painful memories of Scotland's last World Cup campaign in 1998 in France, when they played the North African nation in their final group game and were eliminated after a 3-0 defeat.
- Happier as underdogs? -
"We're under no illusion about the size of the task. Morocco are a really, really good side. They reached the last four of the last World Cup and I've got a feeling this Moroccan team is probably slightly better than that," said Scotland coach Steve Clarke.
However, he believes his team may cope better as underdogs than they did against outsiders Haiti.
"Sometimes the Scottish psyche, the Scottish mentality is that we're a little bit more comfortable when we're the underdogs," he said.
"We were the favourites against Haiti and we found the game a struggle, but we managed to win. This time we're the underdogs and sometimes Scotland prefer it that way."
Meanwhile, Robertson hailed the Scotland fans who have travelled to the United States in large numbers and have won over the people of Boston.
The Tartan Army have gone viral on social media, with their takeover of the city including a fan march to Fenway Park for the baseball to watch the Boston Red Sox.
Robertson, who has 95 caps, knows the Red Sox owners well because Fenway Sports Group also owns Liverpool.
"The Liverpool owners were absolutely delighted that the Tartan Army were in. One of them sent me a nice message," he said.
"I think he was quite happy to see the different songs being sung and the amount of kilts and Scotland shirts about the place. They certainly made a party of it at the baseball game."
Meanwhile, Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi is preparing his team for a very different type of game to their 1-1 draw against Brazil.
"Brazil are technical but also really physical. They have big strong players, but of course Scotland's style is totally different," said Ouahbi.
"They will maybe get the ball forward quicker and they are also very good on the second balls."
The Atlas Lions were impressive against Brazil in New Jersey but Ouahbi is hoping for a step-up in the performance levels.
"I think we can still be better. The players know it and we know it. The aim is to be even better in the next game, even if the context and the opposition are different."
Morgan Rogers, Marc Guehi and Djed Spence featured for England in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Sporting KC on Thursday.
The trio came off the bench in Wednesday’s World Cup opening win against Croatia, but got more game time against the MLS side at the Swope Soccer Village on Thursday.
With England not back in action again until Tuesday’s clash with Ghana, boss Thomas Tuchel wanted to give his fringe players a run out.
There were 13 players who took part in open training, which acted as a warm-up session for the friendly.
Eberechi Eze, Dan Burn, Ivan Toney, Jordan Henderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Jarell Quansah, James Trafford and Dean Henderson were also involved as England reportedly played two 22-minute matches against two separate KC sides.
New arrival Trevoh Chalobah was not involved as he acclimatised to his surroundings. The Chelsea defender was called up to replace the injured Tino Livramento on the eve of England’s Group L opener.
Chalobah, whose only cap came in last summer’s friendly defeat to Senegal, travelled straight to the team’s Kansas City base while the rest of the squad were in Dallas for the 4-2 win against Croatia.
He was there to greet his team-mates as they returned to base on Wednesday evening. The rest of the squad had a recovery session at the team hotel.
Tuchel’s side will look to secure a place in the knock-out rounds when they face Ghana in Boston.
Though Pickens is ready to play for the Cowboys on the tag in 2026, his future with the franchise is still a hot topic of discussion. One NFL analyst believes the 25-year-old's time in Dallas will end as soon as the trade deadline in November.
Cowboys trade prediction would send Pickens to Chiefs
In an article detailing early bold predictions for the 2026 NFL trade deadline, Bleacher Report's Moe Moton proposes a deal that would send Pickens to the Kansas City Chiefs to team up with two-time MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
"Dallas' hesitation to negotiate a long-term deal with Pickens opens up the possibility for a trade midway through the upcoming campaign. The Cowboys could trade Pickens to a receiver-needy contending team like the Kansas City Chiefs, who don't have a reliable lead perimeter playmaker," Moton wrote.
The only way Dallas would trade Pickens at the deadline is if they are struggling and get a package they can't resist.
The Chiefs have some extra future draft capital due to the Trent McDuffie trade with the Los Angeles Rams this offseason, so the team has the resources to facilitate a potential trade for Pickens with the Cowboys.
Kansas City lacks dynamic playmakers for Mahomes. Rashee Rice has shown flashes, but due to his off-the-field issues, the Chiefs can't put their full trust in him for the future.
Pickens would be an electric mid-season addition to Andy Reid's offense. The Georgia product would immediately step in as the No. 1 receiver and produce fireworks with Mahomes, who is still one of the best deep-ball throwers in the history of the sport.
The one hurdle in a possible Pickens trade for Kansas City would be signing him to an extension. The Chiefs are currently slated to be $16 million under the cap in 2027, but general manager Brett Veach has been known to do a great job in navigating the salary cap, so he could find a way to fit Pickens into long-term plans if they do acquire him in what would be a stunning blockbuster move.
SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. – A day after a capitulation that was a decade in the making, the USGA scored a much-needed “W” under cloudy skies and blustery winds.
On Wednesday at Shinnecock Hills, the USGA, led by Mike Whan, dialed down the temperature in the golf ball rollback room by kicking the can for implementation of a new testing standard that was supposed to reduce average drives for elite players by 13 to 15 yards. The new standard that was supposed to begin in 2028 has now been pushed to 2030 with “a collective willingness to reconsider alternative approaches.”
In non-rule maker speak, Whan and Co. pumped the breaks in the face of increasingly vocal opposition from PGA Tour players, the circuit’s leadership and manufacturers, as well as mounting evidence that the new standard would not achieve the desired effect (see Young, Cameron).
Simply put, the USGA and R&A blinked, which made the fog-delayed opening round of the U.S. Open a welcome respite from the handwringing. A foreboding forecast with winds predicted to gust to 40 mph at a course that had been pushed too close to the edge in its previous national championship cameos could have set the stage for disaster.
As much as it pained John Bodenhamer, the USGA’s top set-up man, the forecast, if not history, demanded the ultimate discretion, as well as a healthy amount of water to prepare the layout for the 126th edition of the national championship.
“What's really going to be interesting for both of us is we're going to hear John say today words I don't think he's ever said out loud: slower, wetter, safer. Safer, I can promise, when he says that, he'll stutter his way through it,” Whan smiled on Wednesday.
Bodenhamer syringed the putting surfaces between the morning and afternoon waves, erred on the side of caution with hole locations in the most user-friendly positions and dialed down the greens to speeds that haven’t been seen at the national championship in more than three decades.
Bodenhamer’s caution was well-earned. Shinnecock Hills had become something of a major championship punchline following set-up snafus in 2004 and ’18, and if a few under-par totals were the price to pay to set things right on one of America’s most iconic golf courses, then so be it. But on the way to reconciliation, even the softer side of Shinnecock Hills pushed back.
It turns out, a dumbed down Shinnecock Hills is tougher than your course, with the partial Day 1 scoring average (3.78) more than two shots tougher than any other course this season on the PGA Tour and just a single Grand Slam stop remaining on the schedule.
Even when the forecast fell short of the predicted chaos, with gusts never reaching the feared mark of 40 mph, a softer Shinnecock Hills stood tall.
PGA Tour players rarely have any interest in the benefit of doubt when it comes to either the USGA or golf course set up, but as the wind-burned field finished their rounds there was a collective appreciation, however begrudged, for Bodenhamer’s light touch.
“Look, the greens are pretty slow and quite receptive. I think they need to be at this point. It's a challenging golf course already, and you put 30-mph winds on top of it, it tests the best players in the world pretty well,” said Rory McIlroy, whose opening 69 was one of just six under-par cards from the morning wave. “I think they were prudent with the course setup, and they made sure, especially with starting with 156 [players] the first two days, you just want to get everyone around without too much issue. They've set the course up for that, at least today.”
There had been some fear that the USGA’s cautious setup could backfire if the winds didn’t rage and the forecast fell short, leaving the classic gem to be carved up by the game’s best. But as the scoring average proved, there was still plenty of bite in Shinnecock Hills without the unsavory carnage that had defined the U.S. Open’s most recent trips to this corner of Long Island. Tough but fair is the standard, and perhaps the best statistical example of this was on the leaderboard, where there were twice as many rounds in the 60s in the early wave as there were in the 80s.
“We could brutalize this place the next few days if we wanted to. That's not what we're about. We really want it to be fair, and we want it to be what Shinnecock Hills has always been. It will be tough enough,” Bodenhamer had promised on the eve of the championship.
It’s also worth noting that in the long-ball age that has the rule makers scrambling for answers, Bodenhamer left about 300 yards on the table. “We chose not to [use Shinnecock Hills’ maximum yardage] because we think it's good enough,” he said.
During a different time and under a different hand, Shinnecock Hills likely would have been pushed to the limit in the name of “testing the game’s best players,” but those times and hands have changed.
The weight of governance was heavy on Whan this week, and the USGA’s move to push back a potential rollback was seen in traditionalist circles as a curious capitulation following a decade of debate and tough talk. But for an association that is often an easy target for many of the game’s problems, Shinnecock Hills and a savvy setup was a timely “W.”
Corner Canyon free safety Diesel Dart (10) intercepts a pass intended for Liberty wide receiver Braxton Huynh (2) during a football game between the Corner Canyon Chargers and the Liberty Lions (Peoria, Ariz.) held at Corner Canyon High School in Draper on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025.
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Isaac Hale, Deseret News
Corner Canyon safety Diesel Dart is staying home.
The three-star prospect, who is the brother of New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart and the son of former Utah Ute Brandon Dart, announced his commitment to Utah Thursday evening on social media.
The 6-foot-1, 175-pound Diesel Dart also has scholarship offers from Michigan, Ole Miss, Auburn, Arizona and BYU, but chose Utah after a visit to Salt Lake City last weekend.
He was named to the Deseret News 6A second team after a 2025 season that saw him rack up 49 tackles and two interceptions, according to the Deseret News high school stats database.
He also caught seven passes for 131 yards and a score on offense as a key part of Corner Canyon’s 6A three-peat, but is expected to focus on defense at Utah.
Dart is rated a three-star (87) prospect by Rivals, which has slotted him as the No. 13 overall player in the state of Utah in the Class of 2027 and the No. 101 safety nationwide.
The addition of Dart gives the Utes their second in-state commit of the 2027 cycle, with Dart joining Skyline running back Jonah Mailei as Beehive State representatives.
Tennessee catcher Trent Grindlinger (30) hits a solo home run during a NCAA baseball game between Tennessee and Ole Miss at Lindsey Nelson Stadium on April 18, 2026. | Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Major League Baseball could be about to change the entire landscape of college baseball. A new proposal from the MLB on Thursday would remove high school players from the draft entirely, while allowing college players to declare after their sophomore seasons.
MLB today proposed an overhauled domestic amateur-entry system that removes high school players from the draft, makes college players eligible after sophomore year, shortens the draft from 20 to 12 rounds, and cuts bonus pool from current $358.7M to $200M, sources tell ESPN.
The new rules, if passed, would obviously change the entire look of college baseball. 96 high school prospects were selected and signed in the 2025 MLB Draft, for reference. That number has been on the decline in recent years, due to a number of different factors. This proposal would force top-level talent to participate at the college level, which would elevate the game to even new heights.
This season, 140 high schoolers have been invited to participate in the MLB Combine. 334 players total will compete in the event. Imagine the difference in the game if all 140 of those elite level athletes hit the college baseball scene.
“Over the last several years, college baseball has undergone a remarkable transformation,” MLB said in a statement. “Expanded scholarships, NIL opportunities, revenue sharing and significant investments in facilities and player development have made college baseball an increasingly important pathway that is producing major league-ready talent at an accelerated rate.”
For a program like Tennessee, this is a potentially major development. The Volunteers hold the nation’s No. 3 ranked recruiting class in the 2026 cycle, according to Perfect Game. Tennessee has been a mainstay in the top five since Tony Vitello revitalized the program, although several of those top commitments never made it to campus.
MLB’s current CBA expires on December 1st. This proposal is part of the negotiation to come to a new agreement. The outcome of that deal could end up bringing in an entirely new era to college baseball. This will definitely be something worth monitoring over the next few months.
SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. – The United States Golf Association nailed the course setup at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club for the first round of the 126th U.S. Open on Thursday.
“It's about as fair as you can probably get it,” England’s Tommy Fleetwood said. “I was surprised on Monday the course was very, very soft and slow, but they clearly judged it perfectly, and I think today -- well, hardly anybody would want to play it any harder than what it was.”
USGA chief competitions officer John Bodenhamer warned that a forecast of gusting southerly winds had caused the setup team to scale back the speed of the greens and syringe them with water between the two waves in order to avoid losing the course as had happened in 2004 and 2018 at previous Opens held here. Tough but fair was the USGA mantra and it delivered that in spades. The kudos were dished out in abundance.
“The greens are pretty slow and quite receptive. I think they need to be at this point. It's a challenging golf course already, and you put 30-mile-an-hour winds on top of it, it tests the best players in the world pretty well,” Rory McIlroy said. "I think they were prudent with the course setup, and they made sure to -- I think especially with starting with 156 the first two days, you just want to get everyone around without too much issue. They've set the course up for that, at least today."
Along with weddings, one of the great traditions of June is golfers complaining that the rough is too high, the greens too slick and the hole locations unfair. But there wasn’t much complaining to be found among the field of 156 at Shinnecock.
“The greens were softer than I expected, but thank goodness they were. There was a few times where my ball was, like, wiggling, like oscillating a little bit. They did what they had to do to play today. They did a great job. They should be commended for that,” said world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. “It's often where we've had instances where it's gone the other way, and they did a good job of that today.”
Even Keegan Bradley, who has been a critic of the USGA for taking away the belly putter he once used, had nothing but glowing things to say.
“The USGA did a great job setting the course up because, if the greens were any faster or firmer, we might not be playing right now,” he said.
Heavy fog was the headline story in the morning, suspending play for 2 hours. The marine layer lifted and play resumed, and then the wind kicked in and became a big factor, increasing dramatically through lunchtime, with sustained values of 15-20 miles per hour and reaching towards 30 to 36 mph. Fleetwood was one of several players that noted the wind messed with the mind, even on the putting green.
“If you play for the wind and it stops, then it's going to miss. If you don't play wind and it pumps, then it's going to miss as well. You've got to get it in at the right time,” he said.
The wind relaxed later in the evening, giving a slight advantage to the late wave, but is expected to remain elevated into Friday morning.
While the USGA received near universal praise for its course setup, Brooks Koepka was the closest to moan and groan, saying, "It's just weird how soft the greens are. It's just odd. It's not what I remember. I mean, I understand why they're soft, I get that. It's not complaining. It's just a difficult day."
Tomorrow is a new day, and we'll see if the USGA can get the setup right two days in a row.
Adam Schupak is a senior writer for Golfweek, covering the PGA Tour.
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Matthew Liberatore (32) throws a pitch against the Athletics during the first inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images | Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
After taking two out of three against the San Diego Padres, the St. Louis Cardinals kick off a weekend I-70 series against the Kansas City Royals Thursday night. Matthew Liberatore gets the start for the Cardinals while the Kansas City Royals will send Noah Cameron to the mound. First pitch at Kauffman Stadium is set for 6:40pm central time. Broadcast being handled by Cardinals.tv.
One of the greatest two-way centers to ever play in the NHL will have his number permanently etched into Boston Bruins history this coming season.
On Thursday morning, the Bruins announced that franchise legend Patrice Bergeron’s No. 37 will hang from the TD Garden rafters.
To the rafters.
The #NHLBruins are proud to announce that during the upcoming 2026-27 season, the club will bestow its highest honor upon Patrice Bergeron by retiring his No. 37. pic.twitter.com/MxBQ0uylEA
Bergeron will be the 14th player to have his number retired by the Bruins. His No. 37 will sit next to longtime teammate Zdeno Chara’s No. 33. The L’Ancienne-Lorette, QC native played in 1,294 games from 2003-23, all with the Bruins. He picked up 1,040 points (427-613–1,040) throughout his career, ranking third in franchise history.
Bergeron also ranks second in franchise history with 170 career playoff games played. In the postseason, he totaled 128 points (50-78–128), third in franchise history. He helped the Bruins lift the Stanley Cup in 2011, ending a 39-year drought, and he scored the game-winning goal in Game 7.
Bergeron won the Selke Trophy for best defensive forward six times, an NHL record. He won it four times between 2012-17, and he went back-to-back in the final two seasons of his NHL career. He also picked up a King Clancy Memorial Trophy for his commitment to the Boston community in 2013, and he won the Mark Messier Leadership Award in his first season as a captain.
“Across his remarkable 20-year career, Patrice Bergeron established himself as one of the greatest two-way forwards the game has seen and as a cornerstone to one of the most successful periods of Bruins hockey in our franchise’s history. But what elevates Patrice even further is that he made us proud each and every time he pulled on the Spoked-B,” Bruins president Cam Neely said in a statement. “He led with humility, integrity and respect for everyone around him, setting a tone of inclusivity and collaboration that was vital to our success. Patrice remains someone that our organization, our fans, our city and our sport can look up to.
“And now, we will all get to look up to the rafters and see No. 37 for generations to come, securing Patrice’s legacy as one of the very best to ever don the Black & Gold.”
Bergeron captained the Bruins for the last three seasons of his career, but he wore the alternate’s ‘A’ from 2006-2020. Zdeno Chara frequently called Bergeron his “co-captain,” including on Thursday in a congratulatory post shared on Instagram. Together, the two played an influential role in changing the narrative and reputation of the Boston Bruins and helped instill the culture that remains today.
Bergeron was drafted in the second round (No. 45) in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He became an NHL regular immediately, and posted 39 points (16-23–39) in 71 games.
“When I arrived in Boston as an 18-year-old, I could never have imagined receiving this recognition one day. I have always believed that any success I had was only possible because of the people around me. I was fortunate to play alongside incredible teammates, learn from outstanding coaches and staff and be supported by an organization that believed in me from the very beginning. I am especially grateful to my family for the sacrifices they made that allowed me to pursue my dream. This honor belongs to all of them as much as it belongs to me,” said Patrice Bergeron.
“To Bruins fans across New England, thank you for welcoming a young French Canadian and making this place feel like home. Every time I stepped onto the ice, I felt the privilege and responsibility that comes with wearing the Spoked-B, and I always tried to represent this organization and community the right way. I am deeply humbled and grateful to be connected to the history of the Boston Bruins. To know that No. 37 will forever be part of that history is something I will cherish for the rest of my life.”
The team will share further details, including which game will feature the ceremony, at a later date.
After a rather slow start to the month of June, Reds infielder Sal Stewart has returned to his NL Rookie of the Year candidate form. He has been both consistent, spraying the ball all over the field with singles and getting on base, while also showing his power, as seen in a three-run home run in Cincinnati’s Game 2 win over the Mets.
Stewart has hits in four straight games and in seven of his last nine contests. He told reporters after Tuesday’s win that he feels he is on the doorstep of figuring it out with the adjustments he has made. Stewart is making a concerted effort not to over- or under-swing at the plate.
Sal Stewart on the adjustments he’s made:
“I’m right there on the doorstep. I’ve made some adjustments. I’m right there. I am excited for what is to come, but just have to keep taking it day by day.”#Redspic.twitter.com/KkOXYxgvjD
The Reds rookie got off to a scorching start this season, winning NL Rookie of the Month honors in March and April while hitting .281 with nine home runs. Stewart has done a good job of handling the peaks and valleys of his first full season in MLB, finding some consistency and never being completely deterred by struggles.
In the NL Rookie of the Year race, St. Louis Cardinals infielder JJ Wetherholt is currently the betting favorite to win the award. He is hitting .259 with 10 home runs, and over his last 10 games, he is hitting .315. If Stewart can maintain his current offensive production, he will shorten the gap between himself and Wetherholt. That would likely also correspond with the Reds closing the gap between themselves and the other four teams in the NL Central, as they currently sit in last place in the division and 10.5 games behind first place.
We’ve discussed how much Cincinnati’s power numbers have increased from last season, as the Reds are on pace to hit more than 40 additional home runs compared to 2025. Stewart has been a big part of that, and given Eugenio Suarez’s tendency to focus on power, you would think there is a certain water-finds-its-level scenario with Suarez that, paired with Stewart’s abilities at the plate, should lead to more run production for the Reds.
For now, Cincinnati will continue to count on Stewart, who is far and away the Reds’ most talented hitter on the roster, as he has made obvious over the past four months. Cincinnati has not had a player win Rookie of the Year since Jonathan India did so in 2021. Stewart is Cincinnati’s best chance.
The Reds begin a road series against the New York Yankees on Friday night.
The Record Doesn’t Tell the Story of WSU’s 2026 Season
“Coach said in one of our huddles, ‘I think this is the toughest team I’ve ever coached.’ I think that showed in a lot of games this year. The backbone of our team was our resiliency and toughness.” Senior righty Luke Meyers reflected on the special season him and his teammates shared this year, one in which he came up big down the stretch multiple times. As Mountain West Tournament MVP Gavin Roy later reflected: It was one of my favorite moments of my life. It was bigger than the sport itself, it showed us that when you face adversity, stick to the plan, and trust your teammates, you can accomplish anything. It’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.
On Monday it was announced that Coach Nathan Choate had earned an extension through the 2031 season. At the end of May, Washington State appeared in its first NCAA Regional since 2010, after winning its first outright conference title since the 1970s.
But how good was WSU baseball, really? People tuning in at the end of the season might have had this thought: Cute Mountain West Tournament. It will be fun to watch us in a Regional again, but 31-28 is nothing out of this world. If you were one of those people, you are missing the big picture.
WSU started the season on a 19-game road trip that was filled with NCAA Tournament teams. Of course everyone knows they opened the season with an 8-4 win at Alabama, which hosted a Regional (and advanced to Omaha), but what about the other 16 games?
After Tuscaloosa, the Cougs went to San Luis Obispo to face Cal Poly, who recently traveled to Morgantown to face West Virginia in a Super Regional (Cal Poly advanced out of No. 1 overall seed UCLA’s Regional without ever facing the Bruins). When WSU met them for a four-game set in February, the Cougs earned a split, including a 3-2 loss in 10 innings. So through two series, WSU was 3-4, but they had played two Super Regional participants on the road.
After that, the Cougs headed to Long Beach to meet BYU and Long Beach State. WSU handled a weak Long Beach team handily in both matchups and took the lead going into the ninth inning twice against the Cougars from Provo.
In the first contest, the Cougs received seven innings of one-run baseball from Luke Meyers and held a 4-1 lead going into the eighth. The bullpen surrendered two runs in the eighth and then allowed a three-run home run in the ninth, ultimately falling 6-4. In the second contest, WSU and BYU were tied entering the ninth with WSU as the designated road team, and a walk-off double nabbed the Cougs late for the second time in two days.
BYU finished 77th in the final NCAA RPI rankings before postseason play began, but this series marked a key moment in WSU’s season. Nathan Choate talked in his final press conference about how this team needed to “learn how to win.” Again, WSU had not returned home at this point, but they were 5-6 on the road with all of their losses coming against top-100 teams.
At 5-6, Washington State headed to San Marcos to face future Pac-12 rival Texas State. The Bobcats finished 43rd in RPI and, at 36-24, earned an at-large bid to the College Station Regional. Cougar pitching struggled in San Marcos, dropping three of four contests while scraping out a 9-7 victory. However, in the rubber match, WSU lost by just one run once again, with Trevor Smith just missing a go-ahead grand slam in the seventh inning as his RBI single hit halfway up the right-field fence. WSU moved to 6-9, with all nine losses coming to top-100 teams on the road.
That is not even including the fact that they were 1-4 in one-run games. Obviously, the team lacked bullpen depth, but some of these losses came despite quality pitching performances. They were playing the game the “baseball gods” make you play and continuing to believe in themselves.
Then, just when the schedule couldn’t get any harder, WSU got the luxury of starting conference play against what would turn out to be its primary challenger for the conference title, San Diego State. WSU lost two of three behind some shaky pitching (the arms were clearly worn down). Yet even at 7-11, WSU had not lost to an opponent outside the top 100, and all of those losses had come on the road.
Then, after a midweek breakdown against Utah, where the Cougs outhit the Utes (103rd in RPI) before falling 8-5, WSU was mercifully allowed to return home.
Washington State baseball will always have to start the season with a long stretch on the road. The Pullman weather simply does not cooperate with baseball at Bailey-Brayton in late February and early March. But this year was particularly excruciating and difficult. According to Warren Nolan’s RPI, WSU finished with the 22nd-hardest non-conference strength of schedule in the country, and that includes midweek contests against Seattle U, Gardner-Webb, and Utah Tech later in the season that drag that number down.
Washington State came out of its 19-game road trip at 7-12, with four one-run losses to quality opponents. I wrote at the time that opponents needed to watch out for this team. Just a few bounces, just a few pitches, would have put them firmly in the top 40 early in the season.
As Gavin said, “That first month was a gauntlet. We were on the road constantly playing tough teams, and it showed what we were made of. We didn’t get the start we wanted, but a lot of those losses were close, and we knew we had the pieces to figure it out. Once we got back home and got our feet under us, we were able to establish ourselves as a good team”.
From that point on, WSU dominated its schedule. The Cougs finished 23-14 through the Mountain West Tournament, where they earned the No. 2 overall seed and won three games in four days, including two against first-place San Diego State to capture the Mountain West title. Washington State was 6-2 in its seven Mountain West series, with the only losses coming to the aforementioned Aztecs and a 1-2 series defeat against Nevada that included yet another one-run loss in which the Cougs stranded 13 baserunners.
This team was stout offensively throughout Mountain West play. To anyone paying attention, the Cougs were clearly the cream of the crop in the conference all season long, as they led the conference in RPI since the beginning of conference play.
Outside of the five early one-run losses, which WSU overcame as the season progressed, the team was essentially a midweek starter short of taking things to the next level. Gonzaga scored 19, 16, and 10 runs in three midweek matchups. Oregon State hung 18 on the Cougs in one meeting, although WSU bounced back to win the second game. Even Utah Tech put up 18 runs in a midweek victory.
Yet this team always bounced back. Time after time, it pulled itself off the canvas, a hallmark of a resilient club. Not to mention, many of the players who struggled early in the season developed into reliable contributors both at the plate and out of the bullpen.
In the end, this team built a résumé that came remarkably close to top-25 territory for a team competing out of the Mountain West. WSU played 16 Quad 1 games, finishing 6-10. An Opening Day win at Alabama and a 2-2 split with Oregon State were no flukes.
Not to mention, WSU was right on the cusp of defeating Oregon in the second game of its Regional. The Cougs trailed by 1-0 entering the ninth inning, with a chance to move to 2-0 and sit one victory away from a Super Regional berth. In what was also a stacked Regional, Oregon (15th in RPI) and Oregon State (18th in RPI) both boasted two of the nation’s top pitching staffs, and the Cougars hung right with them.
The margin between this team and the next level was razor thin, and there is little reason to believe Choate cannot build on this campaign next season.
Despite the loss of key contributors Max Hartman, Gavin Roy, Luke Meyers, Ryan Skjonsby, Griffin Smith, and Noah Thein, WSU should return a significant amount of production.
Potential key returners include:
• Mountain West Pitcher of the Year Nick Lewis (2.97 ERA, 10-2 record)
• Team batting-average leader Matt Priest (.362 AVG, .942 OPS, .540 SLG, .422 OBP, 4 HR, 38 RBI)
• Slugger Dustin Robinson (.263/.362/.480 with 19 doubles, six home runs, and 40 RBI)
Along with other contributors such as infielders Kyler Northrop and Ollie Obenour, bullpen stalwart August Ritchie, and late-season standout Scott Ringuette. That’s three of your top five hitters, your Ace, and arguably your two best bullpen arms. Losing the offensive production of Roy, Hartman, and Skonsby will leave big shoes to fill, in addition to the innings that Luke Meyers and Griffin Smith ate as the No. 2 and No. 3 starters. However, all of these underclassmen have an opportunity to build on strong seasons. Something I discussed with both Gavin and Luke was how invaluable that postseason experience will be as younger players attempt to take the next step next season:
“I told them after we lost our last game in the team meeting, just use this, just remember this feeling of how we felt when we got here, and use it as fuel for next year. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You guys are more than capable of doing it again next year, so just remember this.” – Luke
“I’m really excited for those guys. From what I know, a lot of the core group is returning, and I hope a year from now they’re still building. I want this program to continue to rise, and I think they have that in them. Going into the new conference next year will be a challenge, but I think those guys can handle it. I’m excited to watch them play and hopefully keep building this program up.” – Gavin
Melding experience with younger talent is when WSU thrives across all sports, and this program has a chance to bring back serious production. Obviously, the veteran leadership and talent of the outgoing seniors will be difficult to replace, but that has always been the reality of college athletics. The difference here is that WSU Baseball may be able to maintain more continuity than fans have grown accustomed to.
For all these reasons, Nathan Choate earned his extension. This year, he taught WSU Baseball how to win again. He brought pride back to what was once a proud program, and that kind of culture carries over.
Often, sports teams take on the personality of their communities, and that is certainly true of this Washington State club. Were they always the most talented team? Certainly not. But they played together, they played to their strengths, and they played their tails off. As Luke said, “Coach Choate recruits this way on purpose. He recruits guys who have a lot to prove and are hungry to prove what they can do and believe in themselves”.
It should be fun to see what Choate can accomplish in Year 4. WSU has now set the expectation that they are a winner on the diamond. With a new conference on the horizon, and after a stellar 2026 campaign, they have all the momentum you could’ve asked for.
This World Cup season has countless games to watch for teams from 48 countries. But with greater teams comes greater broadcasters.
And in 2026, the World Cup broadcasting team is massive. For the group stage matches, there are a total of nine duos that will be on the call, joined by six different sideline reporters and two rules analysts.
This team will ensure that Fox has English-language coverage for each match during this World Cup season. As of now, the assignments are only revealed for the first eight days of the event. The rest will be released at a later date.
Here is what to know about each broadcasting pair.
Between 48 teams across 12 groups, there is no shortage of a need for broadcasters during this World Cup season. In total, there will be nine duos tackling the group stage announcing duties.
Darren Fletcher and Owen Hargreaves
Darren Fletcher is a Scottish former soccer player and coach. Currently, he coaches the Manchester United U18 team.
Owen Hargreaves is a Canadian former midfielder. He spent over a decade bouncing between Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Manchester City.
Derek Rae and Robert Green
Derek Rae is a longtime Scottish soccer commentator. He works for ESPN and ABC, typically broadcasting La Liga and the Bundesliga.
Robert Green is the lead match for Sky Sports and BBC Sport's Premier League coverage. He is a former goalkeeper for Chelsea.
Ian Crocker and Danny Higginbotham
Ian Crocker is a soccer broadcaster for Sky Sports, frequently featured on Premier League coverage. He was also the voice of Scottish soccer from 1998-2002.
Danny Higginbotham is an analyst for Apple TV's MLS coverage and NBC Sports' Premier League coverage.
Ian Darke and Landon Donovan
Ian Darke is an icon in the soccer broadcasting world. He currently works for ESPN as their lead broadcaster for all things soccer. He also commentates boxing.
Landon Donovan is a former USMNT player, who is tied for the record of most international goals in team history. Since retirement, he has served as an analyst and coached in the USL and NWSL.
Jacqui Oatley and Warren Barton
Jacqui Oatley is an English broadcaster who is primarily known for her work with TNT Sports UK. She has broadcasted for many leagues, including the Premier League, the UEFA Champions League and the NWSL.
Warren Barton is a coach, analyst and former soccer pro. He played at Wimbledon and Newcastle before eventually coaching the San Diego Flash.
John Strong and Stu Holden
John Strong is the leading voice of MLS games on Fox. The American broadcaster has also appeared on NBC and ESPN.
Stu Holden is a Scottish former midfielder turned Fox Sports analyst. He played soccer in college for the Clemson Tigers before spending most of his career with the Houston Dynamo of the MLS.
JP Dellacamera and Lori Lindsey
JP Dellacamera broadcasts games for the Philadelphia Union of the MLS. He has covered 18 World Cups between men's and women's in his nearly half-century-long career.
Lori Lindsey is a former midfielder turned analyst. She spent most of her playing career in the United States and played with the USWNT from 2005-2013.
Mark Scott and Cobi Jones
Mark Scott is a soccer broadcaster for the BBC, known for BBC Match of the Day and BBC Radio 5 Live.
Cobi Jones is a former midfielder for the LA Galaxy. He now broadcasts the sport as an analyst for Apple TV.
Tyler Terens and Maurice Edu
Tyler Terens is a play-by-play broadcaster for Fox Sports, who recently joined for the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup. He also broadcasted the Concacaf Champions Cup and MLS games. He previously played soccer at Hobart College.
Maurice Edu was the first overall pick in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft. Today, the former USMNT member is a broadcaster for Apple TV's MLS coverage.
SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — Wind. It’s the word of the week at this year’s U.S. Open. In fact, in the USGA’s pre-tournament press conference, chief championships officer John Bodenhamer used the word 27 times.
The wind was forecast to blow on Thursday and it did. Perhaps not as strongly late in the day as many expected, yet still enough to cause headaches for all who teed it up at Shinnecock.
Wind is part of the examination for an outdoor sport, of course, but how specifically did it impact play on Thursday?
Here are five examples:
1: The into-versus-with difference
Players were greeted with a northwest wind in the opening round, gusting from 20 to 30 mph throughout the day. That meant that the par-4 third hole played downwind and the fourth hole played into the wind. And that meant those two tee shots played vastly different. Take Scottie Scheffler for example. His drive on the third hole rolled out to 370 yards in the fairway, whilst his tee shot on the fourth hole, with the same club, travelled just 249 yards.
2: The importance of ball flight
Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood are good friends, Ryder Cup teammates and played together during Round 1. However, they are not the same type of the player off the tee. McIlroy is one of the longest hitters in the game, second on the PGA Tour this year with a 326.8-yard average. Fleetwood on the other hand is three yards shorter than average off the tee this season and known more for his accuracy. Yet, on the 16th hole at Shinnecock, Fleetwood taught McIlroy a lesson off the tee.
The 614-yard par 5 was playing nearly directly into the wind, with a deep pocket of bunkers guarding the left side of the fairway. To carry them was just 253 yards. Playing first, McIlroy launched a drive with a ball speed of 186.4 mph but caught the face of the bunker at 252 yards and rolled back into a terrible lie. He would go on to make bogey.
Kate McShane
Fleetwood, on other hand, sent his ball into the air at 176.4 mph yet carried the bunker and found the fairway beyond. He went on to make birdie.
On paper, that doesn’t make sense. However, watching both drives from behind the tee, it was easy to understand the difference. McIlroy hit his drive high, launching at 12 degrees with an apex of nearly 135 feet. It ballooned and whilst he cried for it to “go!” it didn’t.
Fleetwood’s drive was flighted. He launched at 6 degrees with an apex of 86 feet. It bore through the wind more efficiently and narrowing carried the bunkers.
3: The seventh green
The seventh hole at Shinnecock is infamous. It was here, in the final round of the 2004 U.S. Open, the USGA made a last-minute decision to water the green between groups in order to keep the hole playable. The redan-style green runs from front right to back left and is quick to repel any ball hit with the improper distance or shape.
Playing 180 yards into the wind today, it did exactly that.
Cliff Hawkins
Of the 156 players in the field, less than a third hit the green. I say hit the green but of course I mean “stayed” on the green. There were a lot of balls that landed on the green but didn’t stay. In total, 27 players “hit” the green but did not stay there.
Of the 74 players that missed the green so far, only 28 were able to save par.
4: 18th hole tee shot
Andrew Redington
The closing hole at Shinnecock Hills is challenging yet forgiving. At its widest, the fairway is nearly 60 yards wide. The real challenge of the design comes in the approach and green contouring. But Thursday it played into the wind. Every player in the field hit driver yet none were able to reach 295 yards off the tee.
While the average drive on the PGA Tour this season is over 304 yards, the average drive on the 18th hole was 268 yards. Only one player, amateur Brandon Holtz, was able to card a birdie. He did so after a drive of just 250 yards.
5: Putting across the wind
Christian Petersen
When you think of the challenge of wind in golf, it’s easy to fixate on tee shots or approach shots. Those are the shots that spend the most time in the air, so that makes sense. However, ask any of the players at Shinnecock this week and they tell you that putting becomes equally more challenging in wind.
Take the fifth hole for example. The 597-yard par 5 played down wind to a perched green with a right pin position. Players were, understandably, aiming for a spot left of the pin. Any miss to the right would likely lead to a ball rolling and rolling… and rolling away to a depression below the green surface.
The issue then became the putt. It may not have been a long putt, but it was now met with a hard, gusting wind across the line of the putt. Of all the holes on the course, it was the hardest to hole a putt inside 10 feet.
This season on the PGA Tour, players are holing out at a rate of 88 percent from inside 10 feet. On the fifth hole during the first round, players holed just 78 percent of putts from the same range. Sahith Theegala missed from three feet. Michael Brennan too. John Parry three-putted from 16 feet and players, considered to be among the best putters in the game, like Sam Burns, J.J. Spaun and Daniel Berger all missed from inside 10 feet on this green.
The Philadelphia 76ers and new President of Basketball Operations Mike Gansey will have plenty of players to look over and evaluate as they continue their prep for the 2026 NBA draft. Luckily for the Sixers, Gansey has experience running the draft during his days with the Cleveland Cavaliers so this isn't anything new.
Gansey has a knack for finding diamond-in-the-rough type of players. He was instrumental in the additions of unheralded players such as Dean Wade, Craig Porter Jr., and Nae'Qwan Tomlin, who all made impacts for the Cavs in 2025-26. It will be on Gansey and the front office now to find a player at No. 22 who can help the Sixers right away in an effort to dethrone the defending champion New York Knicks.
To give one an idea of what the Sixers can expect at No. 22, here are the previous five players who were selected at this position:
National and international competition awaits a group of current and former Indiana State Sycamore track and field standouts.
The competitions include the 2026 USA Track and Field Under-20 Championships, which began Thursday and continue Friday at Eugene, Oregon, as well as this week's 2026 Canada Track and Field Championships in Ottawa.
Sycamore weight throwers Ben Brown and Theo Thurmond are competing at the USATF U20 meet in Oregon, while hurdler Kieran Barnewall will compete in the Canada championship on Saturday.
Also, Sycamore women's hurdler Rachel Mehringer — the seventh-place finisher at last week's NCAA Outdoor Championships, earning her First Team All-America status — will represent ISU at the USATF Outdoor Championships on July 23-26 in New York City. Mehringer will run the 100-meter hurdles.
Former Sycamore and 2024 Olympian Erin Reese will also compete in the hammer throw at the USATF Outdoor Championships at New York next month, and at the prestigious Prefontaine Classic on July 3-4 at Eugene.
Reese, a 2019 ISU graduate, was a three-time All-American for the Sycamores. In 2024, she competed at the Paris Olympics for Team USA and placed 14th in the 32-athlete field inside the huge Stade de France.
In this week's USATF U20 Championships in Oregon, the discus competition includes Brown and Thurmond getting three attempts each to make the top nine athletes who will advance to Friday's finals. If they reach that round, they'll again receive three additional attempts.
Brown will also compete in the shot put, which will divide the field into two flights on Friday. Brown is in the first flight, throwing third. All athletes will get three attempts, with the top nine athletes advancing to finals and receiving three additional attempts.
Meanwhile at Canada championships, the 110-meter hurdles will feature qualifying, semifinals and finals. Barnewall's seed time advanced him past qualifying and into Saturday's semifinal round. Barnewall can advance to the finals by finishing as one of the two fastest times in his preliminary heat or as one of the three fastest times outside of the automatic qualifiers.
The top two finishers in each event will qualify for the World Athletics U20 Championships, which take place August 5-9 in Eugene, Oregon, provided that they meet the qualification standard, according to an ISU sports information report. Athletes who finish third in their events will serve as alternates for their national team for the championships.
Each of ISU's three U20 Championships qualifiers scored significant points at last month's Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Championships.
Brown, the only athlete of the three to qualify for multiple events at the USATF U20 Championships, booked his place with a top-five finish in the discus at the MVC Championships and a strong shot put performance at the Sycamore Open.
Brown's discus mark of 53.06 meters, or 174 feet, 1 inch at the MVC Championships was a personal best by 5 meters and gave Indiana State multiple scorers in the event. His shot put mark in the final home meet measured 17.65 meters, or 57 feet, 11 inches, and represented his best outdoor mark of the season by over a meter.
Thurmond finished second at the MVC Championships in the discus and also earning a top-30 finish at the NCAA East First Round in the event. Thurmond already ranks in the top 10 in program history in the discus with his mark of 54.39 meters, or 178 feet, 5 inches, which earned him runner-up honors at the MVC Championships as a freshman. He was also over the 53-meter mark in the discus at the NCAA East First Round.
Barnewall continued ISU's strong hurdles tradition Hurdle by placing second at the MVC Championships and 26th at the NCAA East First Round in the 110-meter hurdles. Barnewall, the top-ranked hurdles athlete at the Canada U20 Championships, already ranks in the top 10 in program history in the event for all-conditions times.
Sportsbooks believe the NFC North will shake out in this order during the 2026 regular season: Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings, in fact, are quite the underdog to win the division, with +500 moneyline odds in June, which gives Minnesota a 17% chance and is equivalent to a 10-point underdog on a single-game scale.
But VikingsTerritory has a different take, and to the surprise of none, does not believe the Vikings will inhabit last place in 2026.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown celebrates a touchdown with teammates Jameson Williams and David Montgomery during second-half action against the Cleveland Browns at Ford Field. The scoring play occurred on Sept. 28, 2025, in Detroit as the Lions continued a strong offensive performance and added another highlight in front of the home crowd. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
1. Detroit Lions | 12-5
While the Lions finishing last in the NFC North in 2025 was undoubtedly concerning — they played terribly down the stretch — their roster isn’t the problem. Dan Campbell’s team still has the juice to reach the postseason and do some damage in the tournament.
Detroit has three main perks at its disposal: a powerful, playmaking offense, a defense with enough talent to support that offense, and a Top-5 or Top-8 coach in Campbell. The Lions also have the benefit of a last-place schedule, which Vikings fans thought Minnesota might enjoy when the season looked rough at 4-8 last November. Instead, the Vikings won their final five games.
The Lions get the “tiebreaker” here in a tight division because of the schedule’s strength. It’s also worth noting that, when it’s all said and done with the current iteration of the Lions, their Super Bowl window might’ve closed the day they coughed away the NFC Championship in 2023 to the San Francisco 49ers in the largest collapse in NFC title game history.
Lions’ Main Veteran Offseason Additions:
Larry Borom (OT)
Teddy Bridgewater (QB)
Chuck Clark (S)
Tyler Conklin (TE)
Greg Dortch (WR)
Christian Izien (DB)
Cade Mays (OL)
Roger McCreary (CB)
Isiah Pacheco (RB)
Juice Scruggs (OL)
D.J. Wonnum (DE)
Lions’ Main Veteran Offseason Departures:
Kyle Allen (QB)
Alex Anzalone (LB)
Taylor Decker (OT)
Graham Glasgow (IOL)
Roy Lopez (DT)
David Montgomery (RB)
Al-Quadin Muhammad (EDGE)
Josh Paschal (EDGE)
Kalif Raymond (WR)
Amik Robertson (CB)
Grant Stuard (LB)
2. Minnesota Vikings | 11-6
If the Vikings could finish 2025 with a winning record while showcasing the NFL’s fifth-worst quarterback performance per Dropback EPA, they can get two more wins with Kyler Murray under center.
Murray’s current contract with the Vikings — one year and $1.3 million — is absurdly sweet value, so much so that it doesn’t feel like it should be allowed. Props to the Arizona Cardinals for paying Murray’s ticket to play in Minnesota.
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. reacts following a matchup against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. The veteran defensive back remained on the field on Dec. 25, 2025, in Minneapolis after Minnesota’s divisional showdown as players reflected on the outcome of a key late-season contest. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
With the Vikings. Murray will join a Top 3 or Top 5 defense for the first time in his career, tasked with distributing the ball to Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings, T.J. Hockenson, Jordan Mason, and Aaron Jones.
The experiment will work to the tune of 11 wins, as Murray will likely stay on as Minnesota’s QB1 for multiple seasons.
Vikings’ Main Veteran Offseason Additions:
Johnny Hekker (P)
Jauan Jennings (WR)
Kyler Murray (QB)
James Pierre (CB)
Ryan Van Demark (OL)
Vikings’ Main Veteran Offseason Departures:
Jonathan Allen (DT)
C.J. Ham (FB)
Javon Hargrave (DT)
Jonathan Greenard (EDGE)
Ryan Kelly (C)
Jalen Nailor (WR)
Harrison Smith (S)
Ryan Wright (P)
3. Green Bay Packers | 10-7
The Packers never stray too far from relevance, making it unwise to pick them as cellar dwellers in the NFC North — like ever.
Green Bay lost its defensive coordinator, Jeff Hafley, to the Miami Dolphins, and if Jordan Love misses time due to injury, it will call on Tyrod Taylor, a game manager, not Malik Willis, in 2026. The Packers also have some uncertainty at running back with Josh Jacobs’ bizarre legal ordeal, an alleged choking incident that still needs resolution.
Regardless, we trust Green Bay to win 9 or 10 games; that’s what the franchise does as a baseline.
Packers’ Main Veteran Offseason Arrivals:
Zaire Franklin (LB)
Javon Hargrave (DT)
Skyy Moore (WR)
Benjamin St-Juste (CB)
Tyrod Taylor (QB)
Packers’ Main Veteran Offseason Departures:
Zayne Anderson (S)
Romeo Doubs (WR)
Kingsley Enagbare (EDGE)
Rashan Gary (EDGE)
Nate Hobbs (CB)
Elgton Jenkins (C)
Malik Willis (QB)
Quay Walker (LB)
Rasheed Walker (OT)
Emanuel Wilson (RB)
Colby Wooden (DL)
4. Chicago Bears | 9-8
Bears fans will simply refuse to believe it, and that’s fine, but teams that find ways to win a litany of close games generally return to earth the following season. That happened to the Vikings in 2022, even if fans insisted close-game wins indicated a “team of destiny.” Bears fans experienced the same phenomenon in 2025, and Chicago even beat Green Bay in the postseason, a monkey-off-the-back moment.
Chicago Bears defensive end Montez Sweat walks off the field following a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Soldier Field. The veteran pass rusher appeared after the final whistle on Sept. 21, 2025, in Chicago as the Bears wrapped up another regular-season matchup and turned their attention toward the next week. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
Chicago, though, will face a first-place schedule in 2026 and has a target on its back, with quarterback Caleb Williams climbing the NFL’s radar as the next big thing.
The upcoming campaign feels ripe for a miniature Bears regression, putting them around 9 wins and fighting for playoff entry around the 7th seed.
Bears’ Main Veteran Offseason Arrivals:
Garrett Bradbury (C)
Coby Bryant (S)
Devin Bush (LB)
Neville Gallimore (DT)
Cam Lewis (DB)
Scott Miller (WR)
Kalif Raymond (WR)
Jack Sanborn (LB)
Kentavius Street (EDGE)
Jedrick Wills Jr. (OT)
Bears’ Main Veteran Offseason Departures:
Kevin Byard (S)
Tremaine Edmunds (LB)
Dominique Robinson (EDGE)
Durham Smythe (TE)
Nahshon Wright (CB)
Chris Williams (DT)
Olamide Zacchaeus (WR)
The Los Angeles Rams, of course, are the overwhelming favorite to win the Super Bowl. Los Angeles’s roster is so stacked that it feels like NFC North standings may not even matter, at least from a June standpoint.
The United States started their 2026 World Cup slate in blistering fashion, blitzing Paraguay 4-1 in their opening match of Group D play.
However, the one negative from that match was the mysterious withdrawal of Christian Pulisic at halftime, as the USMNT superstar had been their best player through the first 45 minutes.
With a spot in the knockout stage now there for the taking, the United States will now meet Australia, winners of their opening match against Turkey, and the absence of their star left winger is a real possibility.
The Sporting News discusses what could be the Plan B if Pulisic is unable to pass fit for action in the USA's next World Cup match.
Christian Pulisic exited the USMNT's 4-1 win at halftime, departing after taking "a bit of a kick" he told Fox Sports postgame. While Mauricio Pochettino at the time said it was a "precaution," he also noted that Pulisic "could not walk" after his calf seized up.
As of June 18, it's unclear if Pulisic will take part in the USMNT's match against Australia. The American forward has yet to take part in full team training this week, missing each of the past three sessions with an apparent calf injury.
Pulisic has taken to the pitch for individual training, spurning the wider team sessions for one-on-one work. Interestingly, Pulisic's left leg was cloaked in a sleeve when he was seen practicing. He did not return to full team training at any point before the match, still remaining in individual training for the team's final training session the day before the match, often a sign that he may not be fully fit for the game.
In his pre-match press conference, Pochettino would not give a definitive update on Pulisic's status, saying only that the medical staff would meet that evening to make a determination on his status.
Mauricio Pochettino says they will meet with the medical staff today and make a call on Christian Pulisic’s status tomorrow
“He’s doing a massive effort to get ready” but will likely be available for Turkiye game if he can’t play against Australia#USMNTpic.twitter.com/1sUJIpm9GA
Who could replace Christian Pulisic for the USMNT vs. Australia?
There are three viable options to replace Christian Pulisic should he not be fit to start against Australia.
Mauricio Pochettino won't change his formation or approach to the game, but he could move personnel around the cover the absence.
Option 1: Haji Wright — Like-for-like
USA (4-4-2, right to left): 24. Freese (GK) — 16. Freeman, 3. Richards, 13. Ream, 5. A. Robinson — 4. Adams, 17. Tillman — 2. Dest, 8. McKennie, 19. Wright — 20. Balogun.
The simplest change is the most like-for-like, where Mauricio Pochettino could keep everyone in their positions and bring Haji Wright in to play on the left wing.
Many USMNT fans are familiar with Wright’s talent as a central striker — and Australia are too, as the Coventry City star bagged a brace as the No. 9 the last time these teams squared off — but fans may be surprised by the fact that Wright most regularly plays out wide left for his club, a position he’s thrived in in the Championship in helping Coventry earn promotion to the top flight.
This would be an exciting option for Pochettino to take if Pulisic is out or only fit for a place on the bench.
Option 2: Tim Weah — Flip sides
USA (4-4-2, right to left): 24. Freese (GK) — 16. Freeman, 3. Richards, 13. Ream, 5. A. Robinson — 4. Adams, 17. Tillman — 2. Dest, 8. McKennie, 21. Weah — 20. Balogun.
Similar to bringing on Haji Wright to replace Christian Pulisic would be slotting Tim Weah into that position.
Weah is most commonly a right-sided player, but he does have some experience playing on the left for both club and country. He saw some action early in the season on the left with his French club Marseille, and did so for the USMNT against South Korea in a 2-0 defeat last September.
The son of a former Ballon d’Or winner, Weah is a spark plug on the field for the U.S., but it’s hard to argue he’s the right addition in a non-natural position.
Option 3: Sebastian Berhalter — The Paraguay option
USA (4-4-2, right to left): 24. Freese (GK) — 16. Freeman, 3. Richards, 13. Ream, 5. A. Robinson — 4. Adams, 14. Berhalter — 2. Dest, 8. McKennie, 17. Tillman — 20. Balogun.
The most likely option is probably the one which Mauricio Pochettino made at halftime of the opener against Paraguay when Christian Pulisic first came off injured.
At that time, Pochettino brought Sebastian Berhalter into midfield and moved Malik Tillman out wide on the left.
It was a move that made the U.S. noticeably worse, but it's hard to tell if that's simply because Pulisic was no longer on the field, or because the replacement was the wrong one. Tillman had been playing quite well in a deeper role next to Tyler Adams while Weston McKennie had freedom to roam in a No. 10 role, so the dismantling of that dynamic was a net negative in the second half.
In April, ESPN reported that free-agent defensive lineman Mike Pennel is a "person of interest" in connection with the death of a woman whose body was found on property Pennel previously owned in the Dominican Republic. Pennel called the report "fake news," and his lawyer said Pennel didn't know the woman.
Citing "interviews with people close to the victim and police records reviewed by ESPN," ESPN reports that Pennel "frequently spent time" with Carli Franchesca Guzmán Roche when Pennel was in the Dominican Republic.
She was reported missing on September 11, 2021. Her body was discovered in January 2026, when the new owner of the property was doing excavation work.
Pennel and his lawyer did not respond to "several messages" from ESPN seeking comment.
Undrafted in 2014, Pennel has played for the Packers, Jets, Chiefs, Falcons, Bears, and Bengals. In 2025, he appeared in eight games with the Bengals and eight with the Chiefs.
In 12 years, he has 154 regular-season appearances and 27 starts. He won a pair of Super Bowls with the Chiefs.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 28: Aaron Rodgers #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers fumbles as he is sacked by Grant Delpit #9 of the Cleveland Browns during the third quarter at Huntington Bank Field on December 28, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
The Cleveland Browns appeared to be set at safety heading into the 2026 offseason.
At one spot was Ronnie Hickman, who moved into a full-time starter’s role in 2025 and was a restricted free agent, meaning he was going to stay in Cleveland if the Browns wanted him. And, sure enough, Hickman recently signed his one-year tender offer.
Opposite Hickman was Grant Delpit, who has been a mainstay in the secondary over the past four seasons.
But a funny thing happened on the way to training camp as general manager Andrew Berry selected safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft. When asked about the selection, Berry pointed out that defenses are increasingly relying on three safeties as hybrid defenders.
Cleveland would have taken McNeil-Warren No. 39 overall had (Denzel) Boston not been available. Instead, they were able to get him 19 picks later. At 6-foot-3.5-inches, the Browns are hoping McNeil-Warren can be for them what Kyle Hamilton and Nick Emmanwori have been for the Ravens and Seahawks, respectively.
Offenses are looking for ways to stress defenses down-in and down-out, so having a defender capable of playing down in the box or dropping into coverage and muddying pass lanes is a schematic advantage.
That sounds good, but it also raises the question of what it means for the future of Cleveland’s incumbent starting safeties.
Hickman is playing on a one-year deal, but he is also going to turn just 25 in October, so a good campaign this season could secure another deal with the Browns.
Delpit is a bit of a different situation. He is in the final year of his current contract, but will turn 28 right after the season opener. While certainly not ancient, Delpit will be one year closer to the 30-year-old mark, which can make some general managers uneasy.
Delpit is still playing at a high level. It can be hard to judge safety play, whether you use statistics or scouting, but Sports Info Solutions ranked him seventh among all safeties in its “total points saved” metric last season.
However, his contract is set to void after the 2026 season. He’ll be 29 years old for the 2027 season and could still play an important role on defense if the Browns are actually more successful at rebuilding this time. He would be a good veteran to keep around for the next couple of seasons.
For now, the situation seems to be good, and hopefully that continues as everyone will need to be present and participating in training camp as new defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg installs his offense.
Berry made what looks to be a smart move in adding McNeil-Warren to help the Browns stay on top of an evolving league.
But depending on how things go with Delpit and Hickman, it could also have been a move with the future squarely in mind.
Switzerland's midfielder Johan Manzambi (left) celebrates scoring his team's third goal during their 4-1 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina (Frederic J. Brown)
Swiss wunderkind Johan Manzambi on Thursday described coming off the bench at the World Cup to score twice in a 4-1 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina as a "childhood dream come true."
"Honestly, it's incredible -- it's the first brace of my entire career," a gleeful Manzambi told reporters after the game, which ended in a flurry of Switzerland goals.
"And to do it at the World Cup, especially after we didn't get off to the best start? Honestly it's a childhood dream come true," he said, switching between French and German languages.
Following Switzerland's disappointing opening draw with Qatar, some Swiss pundits have been calling for coach Murat Yakin to play more young stars in a team dominated by veterans like Granit Xhaka and Ricardo Rodriguez.
Twenty-year-old Manzambi plies his trade in the German league, firing Freiburg to last month's Europa League final.
Typically a box-to-box midfielder, the versatile young star was brought on by Yakin in the 72nd minute as a winger.
"He told me to let my talent shine, and I think I showed that today as best I could," Manzambi said after.
After just two minutes on the field, he volleyed in Switzerland's opener from a loose clearance.
"Honestly, when the ball was in the air in the box, I didn't see a clear option. But thank God, the ball went in," he said.
Manzambi also helped created Switzerland's second before steering the team's third past the Bosnian goalkeeper from fellow substitute Ruben Vargas's cross.
After the game Yakin paid tribute to a Manzambi's "many football qualities," not least his ability to play in almost any position.
"He learned how to play on the streets. He needs to be more structured, but he is making headway with that," said Yakin.
While praising Manzambi's ability to "even surprise us as well as opponents with what he can do," the coach defended his decision to start with the more experienced Fabian Rieder.
"Johan needs more time to know all the details, all the positions. He needs to be more disciplined," he said.
With the Swiss now almost certain of a place in the knockout rounds, on four points, teammate Silvan Widmer appeared to acknowledge that the clamor will likely grow for youngsters like Manzambi to play a bigger role.
"In football you need a mix of experience and young players who possess those skills," he said.
"It was crucial for us to get those players on the pitch today -- excellent players who can decide matches."
UFC Freedom 250 was a successful event for many people, but unfortunately not for those on the losing end of their fights, including Michael Chandler.
Chandler battled Mauricio Ruffy in the cage and couldn’t overcome his better-prepared opponent’s kicks and punches, losing via a first-round knockout. That was the 40-year-old Chandler’s fourth consecutive loss in UFC.
Many people immediately began suggesting that Chandler should retire, due to his age and his losing streak. On Thursday, he broke his silence after the loss, and that doesn’t seem to be part of the plan.
He commended the way the White House UFC event went, particularly the setup with the entrances, the United States Marine Band, and the massive crowd of 80,000 or so watching the outdoor event nearby. After discussing how epic if all felt, he turned his attention to the fight.
Michael Chandler of the United States reacts against Mauricio Ruffy of Brazil during UFC Freedom 250 at the White House on June 14, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
“Obviously, the fight did not go my way, but I’m in good spirits. I’m happy, I am healthy, I am hard to kill. I’m impossible to kill. I’m impossible to defeat because I am so truly blessed,” he shared in an Instagram video from his home.
Chandler said he’d had a chance to spend time at home with “good food” and had a “pizza night with the boys.” This week also gave him time to reflect on the aftermath of his fight and loss.
He mentioned he was physically, except for getting “a little banged up” in his ear, which he revealed had stitches because it had been ripped open from the fight.
“Hats off to Mauricio, he was a tough puzzle to solve, to get going in there. He’s long, he’s fast, he’s accurate, he’s a good striker, and he landed the shots that ended the fight,” Chandler shared.
Ruffy’s win came relatively early in the fight, as he connected on a spinning wheel kick and punches to score the first-round TKO on the former three-time Bellator Lightweight World Champion. That moved Ruffy to 14-2, and dropped Chandler to 23-11.
“Massive thank you to the UFC for the opportunity. Massive thank you to Dana for being a visionary who does one-of-one, crazy, never-to-be-seen again type of events,” Chandler said.
“You have these moments in life where everyone’s watching how you’re going to respond, and I promise you, just as I always have, I will continue to respond like a champion. It stinks because I know I prepared. I promise you I prepared to the best of my ability, left no stone unturned in my preparation. I can rest easy knowing that I did every single thing that I possibly could in this training camp,” he also shared.
Chandler has been fighting since 2009, and started his career 12-0. However, his career has seemingly been on a downward trajectory in the past four years, and that could make a strong case for him to retire rather than continue racking up losses.
Based on his Instagram video remarks, it doesn’t seem like Chandler is ready to give up his UFC fight career just yet. However, one has to wonder if he’s capable of achieving any more wins. His last one came in 2022 against Tony Ferguson at UFC 274, and he’s 1-6 in his last seven fights.
Most likely, Chandler wants to prove he’s still got it and can retire on a win, so it will be interesting to see which opponent he gets for his next attempt.
Photo by Joosep Martinson - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Yan Diomande has emerged as one of the breakout stars of this World Cup. The RB Leipzig winger won man of the match on his tournament debut for Ivory Coast, bringing his direct, fast-paced game to the biggest stage.
That rise followed a brilliant club campaign in Germany, where he recorded 22 goal contributions across all competitions for RB Leipzig. His dribbling and pace have already made him one of Europe’s most exciting young forwards.
But behind that footballing story is a heartbreaking one. Just before heading to the World Cup, Diomande opened up about the death of his sister, Roxane.
Yan Diomande opens up on sister’s death before World Cup
Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images
Diomande recently became the focus of a moving Players’ Tribune letter addressed to his sister.
He recalled the moment his first football dream seemed over, before Roxane helped him keep believing. Then he explained how her death changed him.
The RB Lepizig winger said: “My dream was over. They sent me back to Africa, and we cried together. You were the one who never stopped believing. A few weeks later, I signed for Leganes and we cried different tears.
“That was back when I used to have emotions. Now, I don’t feel anything. It’s like I’m not even human. Since you died, I’m just blank.”
Roxane died at 15 after allegedly drinking a poisoned drink at a party, a tragedy Diomande has carried into his career.
Yan Diomande is already making Roxane proud
Diomande is now on a path that would surely make his sister proud.
After his breakout Leipzig season, PSG and Liverpool have both been linked with him. Fabrizio Romano reported that the Reds had already sent a US$ 114 million opening proposal, but it was refused.
The World Cup is now another stage for him to honour his sister through the career she always believed he could build.
U.S. forward Christian Pulisic reacts during a 4-1 win over Paraguay at the World Cup on June 12. (Kelvin Kuo / Los Angeles Times)
Christian Pulisic’s status for the United States’ second World Cup match Friday in Seattle is uncertain a week after he aggravated a left calf injury.
“Tonight, we have a meeting with our medical staff. We will assess the whole group,” U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino told reporters Thursday. “He’s evolving and much better from Friday. We will see.
“If [he’s] not available tomorrow, he’ll be back for Turkey.”
The U.S. faces Australia with a chance to lock down first in Group D with a win coupled with a loss or draw by Turkey in its game Friday with Paraguay. But that task will be much more difficult without Pulisic, who set up the first two goals in the Americans’ tournament-opening win over Paraguay last week.
Pulisic left that game at halftime after being kicked in his left calf. He said he had been hit in that same spot in training before the World Cup began. When Pulisic spoke with reporters after that game, he was walking without a limp and said he didn’t believe the injury was serious.
“I’ve had similar things before,” he said. “I’m staying positive. I don’t think it’s anything.”
But he trained gingerly, apart from his teammates, this week as concern about the injury grew.
U.S. forward Christian Pulisic handles a pass in front of Paraguay midfielder Andres Cubas (14) during a 4-1 U.S. win on June 12 at the World Cup. (Kelvin Kuo / Los Angeles Times)
Pulisic is the closest thing to an irreplaceable player the U.S. has, so if he is unable to go, Pochettino has few good options to replace him. He could plug Gio Reyna into Pulisic’s playmaking spot on the left wing. Tim Weah could also start, but his natural spot is on the right side, meaning Pochettino may have to alter his formation.
When Pulisic came out at halftime against Paraguay, Pochettino replaced him with Sebastian Berhalter. He could do that again or he could give Cristian Roldan, who is on his second World Cup team, his first minutes in the tournament.
I have returned after a Thursday away in which Max took over writing duties. If you’ll recall, the last time I covered a Thursday, the Royals won. But that turned out to be an aberration as Max couldn’t keep the good times rolling.
Now, I’m back to cover the Royals facing their cross-state rival. Are the Cardinals the Royals’ biggest rival? That’s debatable.
As Max previewed earlier today, the two teams have gone in different directions this year. The Royals were supposed to compete while the Cardinals struggled through a rebuild. Instead, the Royals are struggling (though not rebuilding) while the Cardinals are the ones competing, second in the National League Central while occupying the NL’s top Wild Card spot.
Great. As I wrote after the 2024 season, the Royals had a great opportunity to become Missouri’s baseball team, a crown which the team has never worn. Instead, Kansas City lost steam last year before faceplanting this season. Meanwhile, under a new front office, St. Louis is on pace to end its long playoff drought—one which spans all of three years.
This is the second and final regular season series between Missouri’s two ballclubs this season. The first took place in St. Louis May 15—17. The Cardinals took the first two games before the Royals won the finale. The teams scored the same amount of runs that weekend: eight.
Before getting to the lineups and starting pitchers, two other things are happening at The K tonight that should be noted.
First, England’s World Cup team is attending. The Three Lions won their first match of the tournament yesterday down in Arlington, Texas, defeating Croatia 4-2 thanks, in part, to Harry Kane’s brace.
Second, tonight the Royals will be hosting a flash fundraiser to benefit the Kansas City Urban Youth Academy. Up for auction are four World Baseball Classic baseball bats—one for Team Italy, one for Team USA, one for Team Venezuela, and the fourth an all-Royals bat. They all look pretty dope. If I had discretionary income, I’d be interested!
Don't miss your chance to own these limited edition World Baseball Classic Royals bats, available tonight only during our Flash Fundraiser!
The sale begins at first pitch tonight with proceeds benefiting the Kansas City Urban Youth Academy.
Well, just by looking at their lineup and nothing about what the Cardinals are doing, I can tell the Royals are facing a southpaw. Lane Thomas hit one of four homers yesterday for the Royals en route to their victory over the Nationals. I’m glad to see Jac Caglianone getting action not only at first base but also batting third. Starling Marte batting cleanup is…something.
Noah Cameron takes the mound. Though the Astros touched him up a bit during his last outing, he’s been pitching well as of late. Just two outings ago, he tossed six against the Twins with seven strikeouts, zero walks, and no earned runs. Before that, he went seven against the Reds while fanning eight, walking zero, and giving up just one run. He hasn’t surrendered a walk in his last three outings.
— MLB Daily Lineups (@DailyMLBLineups) June 18, 2026
Couple of interesting names in the lineup. JJ Wetherholt was taken with the pick after Cags in the 2024 MLB Draft. Jordan Walker, who’s having a breakout year, was taken with the pick after Brady Singer way back in the 2018 MLB Draft. Ex-Royal Nelson Velasquez is tarting in left—he’s not played much in the bigs this year, but is posting a sterling .972 OPS. The Cardinals’ third baseman’s first name is Blaze, which is not a real first name.
And on the mound, yes, it is a left-hander: Matthew Liberatore. Liberatore, making his 15th start of the season, has failed to get out of the fifth inning in his last two outings, though St. Louis still managed to win both of those games. Last time out, against the Twins, he gave up five hits, three of which left the field of play.
May the Royals have such success against him this evening.
Just about everyone seems to be weighing in on the polarizing Pride Night at Oracle Park last week. San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie is the latest public figure to criticize the four Giants pitchers who protested the team’s annual celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.
Ryan Walker, Landen Roupp, JT Brubaker and Sam Hentges have sparked an outcry among San Franciscans as well as other Pride Night supporters. Walker chose to wear the standard Giants hat rather than the special hat for the event, which has a rainbow-colored team logo.
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie said he was “really upset and disappointed ” by what four Giants pitchers did on Pride Night. Anadolu via Getty Images
The latter three added a Bible verse on their Pride Night caps to demonstrate their religious beliefs.
Lurie revealed he was “really upset and disappointed” by their decision.
“This is why we need Pride. We need to lean in and we need to keep educating people, even here in San Francisco,” Lurie said. “It was a rough night, but one that we need to learn from.”
He isn’t the first to call out the Giants hurlers. and Lurie likely he won’t be the last.
“I think when you’re a player and you come into this environment, it’s your responsibility to know just how sensitive this city is in regards to that cultural freedom and religious freedom, and just the way that you live your life,” Krukow said on KNBR.
“And I think they were in for a rude awakening with the response, and it wasn’t just from the gay community; it was from the Northern California community that supports the gay community.”
Giants pitcher Landen Roupp was one of four pitchers who were reprimanded by MLB. AP Photo/Scott Marshall
“The writing on the cap violates our rules and consistent with normal practice we have warned the players about future violations,” MLB said in an initial statement.
“To be clear, this routine verbal warning not to wear the hat in future games is not disciplinary and had absolutely nothing to do with the content of the message,” MLB added in an additional statement. “We respect players’ right to free expression. However, writing of any kind, with any message, is prohibited.”
Giants pitcher Ryan Walker has stood firm in his beliefs and remarks despite the controversy. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
While the Giants players have been criticized in the court of public opinion, they have not issued an apology for their decision. Rather, the group has stood firm in their beliefs and remarks.
The EEOC will investigate the report that MLB warned Giants players after they displayed the biblical verses on their hats, said Harmeet Dhillon, head of the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice.
Harmeet Dhillon, head of the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice, said the EEOC will investigate the report that Major League Baseball warned San Francisco Giants players after they displayed Bible verses on their Pride Night hats during a game against the… pic.twitter.com/iQvVsciTFg
“It is illegal to treat employees differently” on the basis of “protected characteristics, and religion is one of those protected characteristics under our federal laws,” Dhillon said in an appearance on the right-wing Newsmax outlet, encouraging unnamed plaintiffs to pursue legal action through private litigation or through her “friend,” Andrea Jacobs, the head of Trump’s Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — In some ways it's the highest compliment you could possibly pay Scottie Scheffler.
Yes, Scottie Scheffler remains the best player in golf.
No, Scottie Scheffler's golf swing isn't quite clicking at the moment.
There are two main issues:
First, his approach play is down—he's 16th on the PGA Tour this season, and lost -1.1 SG on his approach shots in the first round at Shinnecock on Thursday.
Second, he's working in more misses to the right than in previous years. His left-right miss split is essentially 50-50 this season, and the two fairways he missed during his first round were both in the right rough.
But as you can see in our Ball Flight Diagnoser right here, that's only one half of the equation. It's pairing that move with an open clubface which leads to over-fades and other rightward misses.
Which brings us to Scheffler's range session after his first round.
It wasn't particularly long—only 30 minutes or so—and his grip was a central focus.
Scheffler and his coach, the legendary Randy Smith, often work on his grip, and they seemed hard at work on it on Thursday evening.
Scheffler has a tendency to get his left hand grip into a slightly strong position, meaning his left hand palm sits more on top of the club. Left to its own devices it may send the ball left, or it can create a compensation move at the start of his swing.
You can see the pair discussing it below.
When Scheffler presses and lifts his hands to start his swing, it can have the effect of rolling the clubface open. No more left misses—but now the clubface is open, so you're working in right misses.
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One way they worked on it was by Randy putting Scheffler's club into a fully released position on the follow through, and then taking his grip. That's the move they're demonstrating here.
That positions Scheffler's hand in the position where he has historically played his best golf. And with the help of the grip trainer on his 7-iron, it's what the pair worked on dialing in ahead of his second round.
Will it work? Golf, sadly, isn't that easy to predict. But it's worth pointing out that Scheffler has navigated a grip change mid-major before. He ended the week slipping on a green jacket.
Steelers Pass-Rusher Has Another Big Reason to Want Trade Other Than Money
An NFL team going all-in for a Super Bowl run can never have too many pass-rushers.
After signing Aaron Rodgers for the quarterback's final season in the league, the Pittsburgh Steelers are in that camp. Pittsburgh is blessed with three capable sack wrists in T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig.
The Steelers agreed to a four-year contract extension with Herbig worth $100 million. Not long after the extension was announced, multiple beat writers who follow the team suggested Highsmith would want a contract extension before training camp after Herbig's deal.
Or there could be some smoke coming on a possible trade.
Highsmith led the Steelers with 9.5 sacks last season. It would make sense he'd want more money than Herbig, who served as a backup to Watt and Highsmith in previous seasons.
A contract extension for Highsmith would be the ideal outcome before training camp. But the pass-rusher has another reason to seek a new deal or trade before the start of the regular season. His production is at risk if the Steelers give Herbig more reps in 2026.
As Bob Labriola of the Steelers pointed out to a fan who asked a question about Herbig's use in the upcoming season, head coach Mike McCarthy's staff could feel more pressure to give Herbig more snaps this fall.
"Here's the way I see it: the Steelers didn't negotiate that contract with Nick Herbig to have him watch from the sideline once the games start to count in the standings," Labriola wrote.
"How the process of getting Herbig on the field and putting him in situations/matchups where he can be a playmaker for this defense in 2026 is TBD, both from planning and execution standpoints. I'm sure there have been some initial discussions about implementing Herbig into the kind of defense Coach Mike McCarthy wants to see from his team, but that's going to be a constantly evolving thing."
The big fear here is that Highsmith's role could be reduced, and that certainly wouldn't help Highsmith for future contract negotiations, be it with the Steelers or another team.
It's another complication the Steelers front office and coaching staff need to consider during the dead period before training camp starts.
The Milwaukee Brewers have perhaps caught a break or two on the injury front this week, with Cleveland coming to town shortly after star José Ramírez was lost with a broken bone in his wrist and Atlanta losing star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. to a hamstring injury before the Brewers pay a visit this weekend.
Tellez, 31, will likely serve in more of a pinch-hitting capacity, with Dominic Smith and Eli White getting more opportunities at designated hitter and in the outfield, respectively.
The Brewers will begin their series in Atlanta on Friday, June 19. Tellez, acquired midway through the 2021 season, spent 2022 and 2023 in Milwaukee, as well. He hit two home runs for the Brewers in the National League Division Series against his future team, the Braves.
Tellez signed as a minor-league free agent with the Braves days before the season began, and he's spent 2026 with the Class AAA Gwinnett Stripers. He has an .850 OPS in 207 plate appearances in the minors this year.
Tellez split time with Seattle and Texas last year, and he was with Pittsburgh in 2024. He hit 55 regular-season homers with the Brewers during his time in Milwaukee.
Madison native Drake Baldwin back with a 473-foot home run
Madison West High School graduate Drake Baldwin missed a month of the season with an oblique injury, but he's back. All the way back.
Baldwin's 473-foot leadoff home run June 16 against former Brewers starting pitcher Adrian Houser, now with the San Francisco Giants, marked the longest home run in baseball this season. Brewers catcher William Contreras' 463-foot blast to center in Las Vegas is fourth, by the way.
The leadoff blast didn't officially enter the stat books until June 17 when the rain-delayed game was completed, a 7-2 Braves loss.
It was the 14th homer of the season for the reigning National League Rookie of the Year, whose sophomore season is even more impressive. He had a .931 OPS when he landed on the injured list, with a .389 on-base percentage. He's leading fan voting to start in the upcoming All-Star Game, more than 300,000 votes ahead of second-place Will Smith of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
In fact, the only player with more votes in the National League at any position is Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani (1,165,133).
The Milwaukee Brewers have perhaps caught a break or two on the injury front this week, with Cleveland coming to town shortly after star José Ramírez was lost with a broken bone in his wrist and Atlanta losing star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. to a hamstring injury before the Brewers pay a visit this weekend.
Tellez, 31, will likely serve in more of a pinch-hitting capacity, with Dominic Smith and Eli White getting more opportunities at designated hitter and in the outfield, respectively.
The Brewers will begin their series in Atlanta on Friday, June 19. Tellez, acquired midway through the 2021 season, spent 2022 and 2023 in Milwaukee, as well. He hit two home runs for the Brewers in the National League Division Series against his future team, the Braves.
Tellez signed as a minor-league free agent with the Braves days before the season began, and he's spent 2026 with the Class AAA Gwinnett Stripers. He has an .850 OPS in 207 plate appearances in the minors this year.
Tellez split time with Seattle and Texas last year, and he was with Pittsburgh in 2024. He hit 55 regular-season homers with the Brewers during his time in Milwaukee.
Madison native Drake Baldwin back with a 473-foot home run
Madison West High School graduate Drake Baldwin missed a month of the season with an oblique injury, but he's back. All the way back.
Baldwin's 473-foot leadoff home run June 16 against former Brewers starting pitcher Adrian Houser, now with the San Francisco Giants, marked the longest home run in baseball this season. Brewers catcher William Contreras' 463-foot blast to center in Las Vegas is fourth, by the way.
The leadoff blast didn't officially enter the stat books until June 17 when the rain-delayed game was completed, a 7-2 Braves loss.
It was the 14th homer of the season for the reigning National League Rookie of the Year, whose sophomore season is even more impressive. He had a .931 OPS when he landed on the injured list, with a .389 on-base percentage. He's leading fan voting to start in the upcoming All-Star Game, more than 300,000 votes ahead of second-place Will Smith of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
In fact, the only player with more votes in the National League at any position is Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani (1,165,133).
Even more than normal, the Philadelphia Flyers and their scouts will have to be on top of their game, owning the 21st overall pick at the back end of the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft.
If the draft plays out the way this one prospect expert believes, the Flyers won't be able to believe their luck.
It's no secret that the Flyers would like to land the big fish No. 1 center at some point, but picking so late in the first round makes that unlikely.
On Tuesday, Brent Flahr and Danny Briere admitted as much in their pre-draft media availability.
One area they can upgrade on without needing a lottery ticket draft pick is the defense, and more specifically the left side, which Flahr referred to as a "little thin."
Fortunately, The Athletic prospects expert Corey Pronman has the Flyers double-dipping on left-shot defense in his latest NHL mock draft, and the Flyers end up landing quite the steal in the second round.
To start with the first round, though, Pronman has the Flyers going with 6-foot-4 Swedish defenseman William Hakansson, who was teammates with Flyers prospect Jack Berglund at the U20 World Juniors this past year.
"Hakansson reminds a lot of scouts of Stars defender Lian Bichsel at the same age, and this is the range he went in. The Flyers add a big, physical, mobile defenseman to a system which currently lacks that player type," Pronman wrote.
It's true, too, that the Flyers do actually need some size and mobility on defense.
Adam Ginning never panned out in Philadelphia, while Ty Murchison and Hunter McDonald profile as third-pairing defenders at best at this stage.
The 5-foot-9 Emil Andrae was dealt in the Joseph Woll trade, so the depth on the left side of the defense was only depleted further.
Hakansson, 18, has already played some pro hockey, appearing in 4 total games for Lulea HF in the SHL last season, as well as 31 this season, including some playoff action.
That experience alone makes him a safe but projectable bet for the Flyers who have nothing at the position going forward.
After going with the hulking Swede, Pronman goes defense again, this time having the Flyers take the undersized Xavier Villeneuve in the second round at 53rd overall.
In rankings compiled by EliteProspects, Villeneuve has been ranked as high as 10th overall by our own Tony Ferrari, and as low as 65th by Shane Malloy.
For what it's worth, the consolidated rankings have Villeneuve at 18th, EliteProspects have him at 13th, and Cam Robinson has him at 26th.
Basically, more in the public sphere view the 5-foot-10 defenseman as a first-round talent than not.
Villeneuve has drawn comparisons to Lane Hutson and former Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere, which also means, by extension, that he should have all the makings of a future power play quarterback.
The 18-year-old is by far the most dynamic defenseman in the draft class in terms of offense, but he isn't a big shooter and, obviously, isn't physical, as we can deduce from his diminutive stature.
If Villeneuve repeats history and indeed becomes the next Lane Hutson, passed on due to his size despite outstanding traits and production, the Flyers will have easily landed the steal of the 2026 NHL Draft.
The 2026 college softball season saw another surge in TV ratings, including record viewership for the NCAA Tournament. With that, Nielsen has released the Top 10 most-watched teams during the postseason.
This year’s Women’s College World Series capped off a strong TV ratings run for softball. Texas’ WCWS finals victory over Texas Tech scored the second-best viewership for the championship series on record, and Game 2 of the series became the most-watched college softball game on record.
However, during the NCAA Tournament – which had games air on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU – neither team took the top spot among the Top 10 most-watched teams, according to Nielsen. Here are the full rankings.
10. Oklahoma
For the first time since 2015, Oklahoma did not appear in the Women’s College World Series. The Sooners fell to Mississippi State in the Norman Super Regional, but still appeared on the Top 10 most-watched teams during the NCAA Tournament.
Oklahoma dropped the first game of the double-elimination regional before winning Game 2, which averaged 1 million viewers. However, Mississippi State got the 6-0 win to advance to the WCWS as Oklahoma ended the year with a 52-10 overall record.
9. Oklahoma State
While Oklahoma State didn’t advance to the Women’s College World Series, the Cowgirls still drew strong viewership through their Super Regional run. As a result, they became the ninth-most watched team in the NCAA softball tournament.
Oklahoma State’s season-ending loss to Nebraska became one of the most-watched Super Regional games on record. An average of 1.1 million people tuned in as the Cornhuskers completed the two-game sweep in Lincoln.
8. Arizona State
Fueled by strong TV ratings in the Super Regional, Arizona State was the eighth-most watched college softball team during the NCAA Tournament, according to Nielsen. The Sun Devils fell to Texas that day in what became the top game of the round.
An average of 1.3 million viewers tuned in for the matchup, including a peak audience of 1.4 million. ASU’s Regional win over Texas A&M was also among the most-watched games of that round with 569,000 viewers.
7. UCLA
Led by Megan Grant, UCLA possessed one of the top offenses in college softball this year en route to a Women’s College World Series berth. The Bruins notably played in the second most-watched non-finals game in Oklahoma City, as well, which propelled them to No. 7 among the most-watched teams.
UCLA’s extra-innings loss to Texas Tech averaged 2.0 million viewers, including a peak audience of 2.6 million. The Bruins’ two other games also hit the 1-million mark – the loss to Alabama drew 1.35 million viewers while their win over Arkansas generated 1.25 million.
6. Arkansas
In its first-ever Women’s College World Series appearance, Arkansas dropped both games. But the Razorbacks still became one of the most-watched teams of the NCAA Tournament as they each topped 1 million viewers.
Arkansas’ WCWS opener against Nebraska brought 1.4 million viewers, which was the top viewership of the opening Thursday. The Razorbacks’ May 29 loss to UCLA also brought 1.25 million viewers as their season came to an end.
5. Tennessee
During the NCAA softball tournament, Tennessee helped bring strong TV ratings as the Lady Vols returned to the Women’s College World Series. They played in the third most-watched regional game with 665,000 viewers on average, as well, which helped propel the program to No. 5 on the list of most-watched teams.
Tennessee’s top game of the WCWS came against Texas Tech as 1.9 million people tuned in on average. Additionally, the Lady Vols’ opener against Texas averaged 1.0 million viewers to become the fourth most-watched opening Thursday game on record.
4. Nebraska
Nebraska was a huge TV ratings draw throughout the 2026 NCAA softball tournament and the Women’s College World Series. The Cornhuskers not only played in the third most-watched Super Regional game, but also had three highly rated games in Oklahoma City.
Nebraska’s season-ending loss to Texas led the way with 1.95 million viewers on ABC, followed by the loss to Alabama (1.5 million) and the win over Arkansas (1.43 million). Add in the 1.1 million who tuned in for the Super Regional win over Oklahoma State and the Huskers come in as the fourth most-watched team in the NCAA Tournament.
3. Texas
As Texas won its second straight Women’s College World Series title, the TV ratings followed suit. However, the Longhorns were not the most-watched team in the NCAA Tournament, despite holding the top two regional games and most-watched Super Regional game of the event.
Texas’ two WCWS finals games against Texas Tech averaged 1.9 million and 2.5 million, respectively. In fact, the Longhorns played in games with at least 1 million viewers throughout their run in Oklahoma City.
2. Texas Tech
During Texas Tech’s journey back to the Women’s College World Series, the Red Raiders played in four games that topped 2 million viewers. That helped the program come in as the No. 2 most-watched team throughout the NCAA Tournament, according to Nielsen.
Following the opening game against Mississippi State, Texas Tech’s games averaged more than 1.9 million viewers the rest of the way. That followed up strong Super Regional TV ratings with 1.3 million viewers tuning in for the victory against Florida.
1. Alabama
No. 1 overall seed Alabama led the way as the most-watched team during the 2026 NCAA softball tournament. The Crimson Tide played in front of at least 1.4 million viewers each game of the Women’s College World Series, including 2 million in each of the last two matchups.
Alabama’s losses to Texas Tech came before 2 million viewers each. The Crimson Tide’s wins over UCLA and Nebraska averaged 1.35 million and 1.5 million, respectively, to help the program take the top spot.
The 2026 college softball season saw strong TV ratings throughout both the regular season and postseason. ESPN said the Women’s College World Series capped a 28% year-over-year increase during the NCAA Tournament.
Trout, the three-time MVP and 11-time All-Star, will be placed on the injured list before the club's Friday, June 19 game against the Athletics due to a hamstring injury, The Athletic first reported. So ends a first half of the season in which Trout played in 74 of the Angels' 75 games, hit 17 home runs, produced an .866 OPS and scored an American League-high 54 runs.
It also jeopardizes Trout's chances of earning election to the All-Star Game for the first time since 2023. The game will be played in Philadelphia on July 13, not far from his hometown of Millville, New Jersey.
He was on pace to play in at least 140 games for the first time since 2018, and at least 150 games for the first time since 2016.
The club is reportedly set to recall infielder Christian Moore from Class AAA to Yolo County for the Angels' game in West Sacramento.
Trout, who turns 35 Aug. 7, hit the 421st home run of his career earlier this week and in another game even beat out an infield single, flashing sprint speed more reminiscent of his five-tool dominance in his first decade in the majors.
He also returned to his native center field this season, his body holding up remarkably well until this recent snag.
"It’s tough to go out there and try to play banged up, you know, especially your lower half with your legs bothering you," he told USA TODAY Sports. "It’s fun to go out there and play my game."
Los Angeles Dodgers utility infielder Santiago Espinal elected free agency after clearing waivers on Thursday.
The Dodgers designated Espinal for assignment earlier in the week after Tommy Edman’s return from the injured list, placing him on waivers for the second time in less than a month. No team claimed Espinal, so he decided to try his hand on the open market rather than sticking in Triple-A.
Edman will fill a similar role Espinal did for the Dodgers, serving as a Swiss Army knife in the infield as well as putting a shift or two in the outfield.
Espinal broke camp with the Dodgers this season after a strong spring training, but his hot streak didn’t translate into the regular season. He had just a .220 batting average with a .604 OPS after the Dodgers designated him for assignment the first time to bring back Kiké Hernandez.
Espinal was much better after returning, as he posted a .462 batting average and .924 OPS through his eight games in June. On the year, he had a .651 OPS—just shy of his career .664 mark—with one homer and seven RBIs.
Jun 12, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Santiago Espinal (21) hits a two RBI single against the Chicago White Sox during the second inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
What Has Santiago Espinal Done in His Career?
Espinal began his career with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2020, and made an All-Star team with the same squad two years later. He played for four seasons with the Blue Jays, posting 5.4 bWAR and a 96 OPS+ throughout.
He spent the next two years of his career with the Cincinnati Reds, though neither of his years in the National League Central were very productive. He posted -1.8 bWAR across those two seasons, playing 232 games across those years.
The Dodgers could very well re-sign Espinal to a minor league deal, seeing as how they already have done so, but the odds he comes back are extremely low given how stacked the Dodgers are in the middle of the infield. Alex Freeland and Miguel Rojas are splitting time at second for the time being, and Hyeseong Kim is also in the mix despite currently playing in Triple-A.
On the other side of the diamond, Mookie Betts has shortstop locked down for the Dodgers, and Rojas can also cover there. Espinal will look to keep his career alive as he seeks another team to help out in 2026.
The Baltimore Ravens had a ton of offseason changes, leading to many questions on whether the team can shake off the 2025 season and return to contending in the AFC North and the AFC in general.
That said, here is a look at three of the most important questions the Ravens must answer in training camp.
3. Who Will be the Starting Center?
Losing center Tyler Linderbaum was something the Ravens were not prepared for, leading to the team scrambling for a replacement. Free agents Danny Pinter and Jovaughn Gwyn joined the team and are both the leaders in the room for the job.
The issue is that Pinter only has 10 starts at center, and Gwyn is a guard who is being converted to a center. Corey Bullock is also on the team, but was suffering from a minor injury in minicamp that kept him out of playing as much as his competition.
Having a solid center is a top priority, especially in protecting Lamar Jackson and opening run lanes.
2. Who Will be WR3?
One of the biggest issues the Ravens have had in multiple years is having a solid pass cather that can line up and be as impactful or near it as Zay Flowers. Rashod Bateman continues to disappoint, and 2026 could be his final year being underwhelming.
Rookies Elijah Sarratt and Ja'Kobi Lane are expected to battle it out in camp to secure the position, and both have impressed in their own ways. Jackson has indicated as much, and both rookies have made solid plays in minicamp.
Both may receive some big opportunities, but one is sure to get a "major opportunity," per Minter.
1. Will the Ravens Extend Lamar Jackson?
There have been some conversations regarding Jackson and the Ravens organization about a new deal, though, in usual fashion, Jackson admitted that he would be keeping those conversations private.
The ball appears to be in Jackson's court, which makes more sense considering he has not agent handling his business.
Jackson may be awaiting to see how this new Baltimore team operates, especially under new head coach Jesse Minter. Minter is a first-time head coach, and there is no guarantee he will be ready to lead this team back to contention.
If the direction of the team continues to trend down, that might be Jackson's chance to prepare for a different future with a new team.
With Sauce Gardner about to begin his first full season with the Indianapolis Colts, the All-Pro defensive back wants to clarify the record of his age.
Gardner, whose given name is “Ahmad,” insists he is 24 years old, not 25. Yet that’s his listed age on sites including ESPN, Pro Football Reference, Pro Football Focus and Yahoo Sports with a birth date of Aug. 31, 2000. Apparently, even EA Sports’ “Madden NFL” game has that as Gardner’s birthday.
Yet Gardner says his birth date is Aug. 31, 2001 and that he’s 24 years old. The NFL’s official website lists him as 24, though does not show his birth date. But Gardner says the correct birth date is listed on every official document since he played college football at the University of Cincinnati and was drafted by the New York Jets.
Gardner says his driver’s license confirms his age, as does his passport, which the Colts verified. The four-year pro also cites another direct source for his age and birth date.
So how did such a mix-up occur? The problem apparently lies with Wikipedia, which had Gardner’s birth year as 2000. And as a result, Google searches on Gardner would cite the Wikipedia entry and list his age as 25, born in the year 2000. Wikipedia has since corrected the information and Gardner’s age is given as 24 in Google’s AI overview.
Gardner was dealt by the Jets to the Colts last November at the NFL trade deadline. In exchange, the Jets received 2026 and 2027 first-round selections, in addition to receiver Adonai Mitchell.
During his first two NFL seasons, Gardner earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and was named first-team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl. He was limited to 11 games last year due to a calf injury.
Less than five months before being traded, the Jets signed him to a four-year, $120.4 million contract that made him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL. (That deal has since been surpassed by the $124 million contract Trent McDuffie agreed to with the Los Angeles Rams after being acquired from the Kansas City Chiefs.)
Considering the San Antonio Spurs’ season-ending NBA Finals loss to the New York Knicks occurred less than a week ago, it’s safe to assume they haven’t yet recovered from missing out on an attainable championship.
The fact that the Mitch Johnson-led ball club dominated the Knicks for a good portion of the series is impressive. Still, San Antonio’s inability to execute down the stretch of four of their five games was inexcusable, even for a young, inexperienced team.
Veteran point guard De’Aaron Fox was supposed to offer the franchise a dependable late-game closer who made all the right reads when it mattered most. Instead, Fox had a nightmarish offensive showing in back-to-back outings (Games 4 and 5 with poor shooting performances and an unnecessary layup attempt in crunch time) and is still hearing about it days later.
The real nightmare is Fox’s monster $229 million contract, as it would make life challenging for the Spurs if they ever zero in on trading him. Essentially, the Spurs could be stuck with Fox for the foreseeable future following his miserable postseason.
CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn thinks there may be hope for San Antonio after all, though, floating the idea of the franchise trading him to the Toronto Raptors for a former New York Knicks All-Rookie guard.
“Toronto has been linked to several big names over the past year,’ Quinn wrote last Sunday. “Fox isn't an ideal fit as a shaky shooter, but he's a major talent upgrade over their current guards, and the Spurs are one of the few teams that would likely be interested in one of their shakier contracts.”
“Immanuel Quickley is overpaid at $32.5 million per year for the next three years, but he's uniquely valuable to the Spurs since he's been a very effective bench player in the past, his contract expires a year earlier than Fox's and therefore doesn't overlap with Harper's eventual rookie extension, and even if he's overpaid, he makes so much less than Fox that those savings could be beneficial in other ways.”
Quickley’s high volume perimeter shooting, polished in-between game, and ability to hold his own as a defender in one-on-one situations contributed to one of the Raptors’ best seasons in recent years.
The Kentucky product averaged 16.4 points, 5.9 assists, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game on a Raptors squad that earned the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference and was a win away from advancing to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Given that Quickley is young, performs on both ends of the floor, and is known for his high-IQ approach to the game, he would fit well with a Spurs squad that’s likely a few impactful additions away from being on the right side of a lopsided 4-1 NBA Finals series.
Former New England Patriots edge rusher K'Lavon Chaisson, who signed with the Washington Commanders in free agency, has picked up where he left off last season with his new team.
According to Commanders coach Dan Quinn, via Ben Standig, Chaisson has been one of "few players that stood out/stepped up throughout the offseason program."
He signed a one-year, $11 million deal with the Commanders in March, following a career season with the Patriots. The veteran defender recorded 10 tackles for a loss and 7.5 tackles in 16 games. He also racked up four tackles for a loss, one forced fumble and three sacks in the postseason.
During the offseason, the Patriots decided to move on with Dre'Mont Jones, leaving Chaisson to take his talents elsewhere on a one-year prove-it deal.
Dan Quinn highlighted a few players that stood out/stepped up throughout the offseason program:
The Patriots could probably use Chaisson with some of the questions they currently have on the edge.
Harold Landry III, who was banged up throughout the 2025 season, is still on the mend, and Gabe Jacas, the Patriots' rookie second-round draft pick, has yet to sign his contract. The hope is that Jacas' contract situation will eventually get resolved, and Landry will return at some point.
But there are no guarantees for a Patriots team that still has a clear need on the edge.
Playing downwind and downhill helped. A bounce off asphalt played a large part. But a 427-yard drive is a 427-yard drive.
Bryson DeChambeau launched his tee shot on the 472-yard, par-4 12th — his third hole — in Round 1 of the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. The ball caught the air stream, hit hard on the fairway, bounced off Tuckahoe Road, and settled 45 yards from the hole.
3... 2... 1... LIFTOFF!
Bryson's drive on 12 was already big, then it hit the road and ended up going 427 yards. pic.twitter.com/hqvtZhRu0Z
DeChambeau made birdie and followed it up with another on the par-4 13th to reach 2 under par early in his opening round. Sam Stevens shot 2-under 69 to hold the clubhouse lead.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa has been traded three times in his career. Once, he was traded two times in a span of two days.
Changing teams is merely part of the process for the 31 year-old veteran, who’s in his first season in Boston after stints with the Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Pittsburgh Pirates and Minnesota Twins (who traded him after one day in 2022).
Many of Kiner-Falefa’s younger teammates have only played for the Red Sox organization. So while his admonition after the Toronto Blue Jays swept a three-game series at Fenway Park on June 18 might have sounded cliché to some, it had the potential to send a dire message inside the clubhouse.
“We got swept at home,” Kiner-Falefa said. “Swept at home in division. It doesn’t get worse than that. It’s time to go on a streak or we’re going to be having new players in this locker room. We’ve just got to figure it out.”
Boston is 29-43 after the Blue Jays scored a run in the ninth inning to lock down a 4-3 victory in the series finale. No American League team has fewer victories this year than the Red Sox, who began the season with ambitions of contending for a championship.
Veteran Red Sox pitcher Sonny Gray was even more succinct than Kiner-Falefa.
“We’re not good,” Gray said. “We’re just not a good team right now, and that’s just a fact.”
The Red Sox have scored 282 runs this season, the fewest in the American League and more than only the San Diego Padres (280). Their 16-game deficit in the East is growing. Their 6.5-game deficit in the Wild Card race is making it harder to justify holding onto key players as the Aug. 3 trade deadline approaches.
Kiner-Falefa, ironically, is one of the team’s more attractive trade chips. He’s slashing .277/.344/.361. His expiring $6 million contract and positional versatility make him an easy roster and payroll fit on almost any contending team.
Few others in the struggling Red Sox lineup can say the same. Those who remain in Boston past the trade deadline will likely be playing to improve their outlook for 2027. Kiner-Falefa might be one of the few still playing for 2026 into August and September.
Arsenal's opening bid for Jeremy Monga rejected by Leicester, Liverpool ready to offer a package approaching £86m for Yan Diomande and Arsenal preparing bid for Bradley Barcola.
Arsenal have had their first bid for Leicester City and England Under-19 winger Jeremy Monga rejected – the 19-year-old one of the Gunners' long-term targets for the summer. (Telegraph - subscription required)
Liverpool are ready to offer a package approaching 100m euros (£86m) for 19-year-old RB Leipzig and Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande. (Athletic - subscription required)
Arsenal are preparing a bid for Paris St-Germain and France winger Bradley Barcola, 23. (Independent)
Real Madrid are looking to continue their summer rebuild by signing a midfielder and a centre-back, with Chelsea and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez, 25, being one of the options highly rated by the club. (ESPN)
RB Leipzig have made contact with Everton over 23-year-old France Under-21 striker Thierno Barry. (Times - subscription required)
The Toffees are yet to receive a formal offer for Barry, but if a bid arrives from German side RB Leipzig or any other club, Everton's football leadership group will decide how to proceed.(Liverpool Echo)
Tottenham are firmly in the mix to sign Anderlecht and Belgium midfielder Nathan De Cat, with Manchester United among the 17-year-old's other admirers from the Premier League. (Teamtalk)
The Reds are also pursuing a central midfielder, centre-back and right-back after triggering 22-year-old Osasuna and Spain winger Victor Munoz's 40m euro (£34.5m) release clause. (Football Insider)
Maika Sivo scored his fifth hat-trick of the Super League season as Leeds Rhinos won the top-of-the-table match against Warrington Wolves in emphatic fashion.
The Fiji international took his 2026 Super League try tally to 25 as the Rhinos dished out a 34-6 hammering to give dismal Warrington a first home defeat of the season.
Victory means Leeds go clear at the top of Super League, moving two points ahead of Warrington, who started the match level on points with the Rhinos but in second place on points difference.
Warrington chose a bad night to put in the worst display of their season at the Halliwell Jones Stadium with Leeds dominant with and without the ball.
And while there were solid performances through the whole team with the returning Lachie Miller superb, it was the irresistible force that is Sivo who was the diamond cutting edge.
The Leeds winger's 25 tries put him nine clear of the next best, Leigh's Josh Charnley on 16.
In addition to leaving his mark on the game he left plenty on Warrington's bruised defence, including Josh Thewlis who felt the full force of Sivo as the winger powered past him to score his second.
When Warrington took two points early in the piece, Ewan Irwin kicking the goal, it was presumably in the belief this could have been a tight affair.
But two tries in two minutes from Sivo and Brodie Croft, who has signed a three-year deal with Warrington starting next season, blew that plan out of the water and a third eight minutes later, Harry Newman gathering a high kick as Thewlis hesitated, really put the visitors in command.
Warrington were perhaps a touch unlucky that the Newman try stood with the Leeds centre looking a shade in front of the kicker when the ball went up but had that gone in their favour it would not have made much difference to the result.
Jake Connor kicked two of the conversions to give Leeds a 16-2 half-time lead and the direction of the game was set.
Miller, returning to the side after a three-match suspension was excellent, pulling the strings at full-back.
It was the Australian whose pass put in Chris Hankinson just three minutes after the restart and he then engineered a penalty when blocked by James Bentley two minutes later which Connor converted.
After Sivo secured his hat-trick shortly before the hour, Warrington staged a belated comeback in the final 20 minutes.
Matty Ashton finished off a nice move to give the home side their only try six minutes from time but it was too little too late and proved just a momentary pause in the Leeds celebrations.
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3: The seventh green
