Red Sox Giving Marcelo Mayer 'Chances' In Key Spots originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Marcelo Mayer is expected to be a key part of the Boston Red Sox for years to come, so interim manager Chad Tracy wants to see how he fares against lefties.

Mayer is a left-handed batter who hasn’t gotten many chances to face left-handed pitching. Yet, Tracy is giving him those chances, and the Red Sox’s interim manager has been impressed with how he’s fared.

“He looks confident,” Tracy said of Mayer, via MLB.com. “We're giving him a couple chances here and there against lefties in spots where maybe you move and pick the right spots. Doesn't mean it's always going to happen, but he looks confident. 

“He's swinging the bat well. He's taking good bats. He's mostly staying off stuff out of the zone. He's ready to hit fastballs when they're in the zone. It's been a little bit better part of the week now. The at-bats have really improved. So hopefully, keep him moving in the right direction.”

Mayer is hitting .286 in seven at-bats vs. left-handed pitchers with one home run and three RBIs, as he’s showing he can be an everyday player for the Red Sox.

If Mayer can continue to hit lefties well, it will be hard for Tracy to keep him out of the Red Sox’s lineup on a daily basis.

Boston will conclude its three-game series against the Houston Astros on Sunday at 1:35 p.m. ET as the Red Sox look for the series win.

More MLB: Red Sox Insider Reveals Strange New Clubhouse Vibe Without Alex Cora

Dani Ceballos is one of the many players who could find themselves on the chopping block as Real Madrid gear up for a massive overhaul in the upcoming summer transfer window.

The Spaniard has not made a telling impact at the Santiago Bernabeu after returning from a loan spell at Arsenal many years ago. Although he has shown sparks of brilliance, he has been bogged down by injuries and a lack of consistency.

Now that his contract is expiring soon, Real Madrid are ready to secure his exit in the coming summer.

Ceballos dreams of Real Betis return

According to Defensa Central, Ceballos’ dream is to return to Real Betis, the club he considers his true home, and he is prepared to lower his salary demands to make it happen.

The midfielder has had a torrid final stretch at Real Madrid. Neither Xabi Alonso nor Alvaro Arbeloa have shown faith in him this season, with Arbeloa going as far as dropping him from the squad entirely following a reported fallout between the two in recent weeks.

End of the road for Ceballos at Real Madrid? (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

The decision has cost Ceballos valuable minutes he was counting on as a showcase for potential suitors.

Real Madrid want at least €10 million for his sale, with his contract running until June 2027. The club are keen to avoid losing him on a free transfer next summer.

However, given his lack of playing time in recent seasons, convincing clubs to meet that valuation will not be straightforward.

Ceballos himself has only one regret. In 2023, he had the chance to leave as a free agent and return to Betis, but chose to sign a contract extension after being promised a bigger role.

That promise never materialised, and he is now determined to prioritise his football above all else this summer.

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has promised to end the ongoing 13-year hiatus of V8 power units from Formula 1 by 2031 at the latest.

The V8 was ditched for a V6 turbohybrid in 2014 and F1 has now entered its third regulation cycle since the electrified power units were introduced. However, the 2026 ruleset is proving contentious.

That’s because of the move towards a power unit that has a near-50:50 split between combustion and electric energy, which has significantly changed the racing with battery management being key.

There are various reasons as to why this has caused problems, and just four rounds into the 2026 campaign tweaks have been made to reduce the reliance on energy harvesting - and to increase safety.

Talks are now underway about the 2027 power unit regulations, with a move towards a 60-40 split between combustion and electric power being mooted, ahead of the next full rule change in 2031.

“It’s coming. At the end of the day, it’s a matter of time,” Ben Sulayem told Reuters. “In 2031, the V8, the FIA will have the power to do it, without any votes from the PUMs.

“That’s the regulations. But we want to bring it one year earlier, which everyone now is asking for. “

Start action

To introduce V8s for 2030, four of the six power unit manufacturers - Mercedes, Ferrari, Honda, General Motors, Audi and Red Bull - must vote in favour of the change, otherwise the FIA can force it for the following year.

This is not the first time Ben Sulayem has called for the return of the louder and more powerful engines witnessed in previous years, as 2025 saw him raise the idea of V10s coming back to F1 - last used in 2005

But manufacturers were not in favour, particularly with it being so close to the changes for 2026, so the concept was put on the backburner to make this year’s rules a success.

Speaking about why now V8 and not V10, Ben Sulayem said: “You get the sound, less complexity, lightweight. You will hear about it very soon and it will be with a very, very minor electrification.

“I’m positive, they want it to happen. But let’s say the manufacturers don’t approve it, the next year it will happen. In 2031 it’s done anyway. It will be done. V8 is coming.”

Yet the constant involvement of power unit manufacturers is one of the reasons why the current ruleset has inherent flaws, as they were decided in 2022 when the automotive industry was set on electrification.

As a result, the championship went down that road to persuade the likes of Audi and Honda. But now with the industry no longer so keen on fully electric cars, F1’s engine suppliers are open to the idea of an increase in emphasis on combustion power once again.

Regardless, F1 and its governing body have both recently confirmed that it must no longer be dictated by the automotive industry for its next rules cycle in 2031. 

Why OEM involvement has caused vast problems for F1 and the FIA

FIA agrees with F1: "We cannot be hostage to automotive companies"

To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.

The Atlanta Falcons landed arguably one of the biggest steals in the 2026 NFL Draft by taking Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell in the second round. However, just because Terrell was a projected first-round pick -- and A.J. Terrell's little brother -- doesn't mean he's guaranteed a starting job this season.

In 2025, fourth-round pick Billy Bowman Jr. won the team's starting nickel job out of training camp. The Falcons secondary has come a long way since then, and they won't have to rely on Terrell until he's ready. Aside from Atlanta's newest cornerback, the team had a new starting nose tackle in Maason Smith.

The Falcons also said goodbye to starting inside linebacker Kaden Elliss. We expect free-agent addition Christian Harris to replace Elliss this season, although Troy Anderson and rookie Kendal Daniels should be in the mix as well.

As for James Pearce Jr., he's expected to avoid legal troubles, although the NFL could still suspend the Defensive Rookie of the Year finalist. Other than that, we don't expect any major changes on defense.

Check out our starting lineup projection for the Falcons defense, including Pro Football Focus grades for each player.

Falcons starting defense with PFF grades

• DL Zach Harrison: 63.8
• DT Maason Smith: 49.1
• DL Brandon Dorlus: 63.4
• EDGE Jalon Walker: 71.6
• LB Divine Deablo: 77.7
• LB Christian Harris: 54.8
• EDGE James Pearce Jr.: 56.2
• CB A.J. Terrell: 57.7
• CB Mike Hughes: 58.6
• NB Billy Bowman Jr: 49.8
• S Jessie Bates III: 64.5
• S Xavier Watts: 72.4

Defensively, the team traded Ruke Orhorhoro to the Jacksonville Jaguars, acquiring Maason Smith in a rare player-for-player trade of two former second-round picks. Since the Falcons didn't add any potential Day 1 starters in the draft. Sixth-round pick Anterio Thompson should provide depth behind Brandon Dorlus this season.

While rookie Avieon Terrell should be in the mix for Atlanta's starting nickel job, we think he'll begin on the outside as the backup for Mike Hughes. However, Bowman's recovery from his Achilles injury could be a factor.

Falcons special teams with PFF grades

• K Nick Folk: 91.3
• P JakeBailey: 75.1
• LSLiam McCullough: 68.3

As you can see, the Falcons have two new starters, including the NFL's most accurate kicker in Nick Folk. Atlanta also signed veteran punter Jake Bailey. Meanwhile, long snapper Liam McCullough returns for another season.

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons: Post-draft starting lineup on defense

Celtics urged to cut ties with Jaylen Brown, steal Warriors' top $175 million trade target originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

On Saturday, the Boston Celtics did something only 14 teams have done in NBA history: surrender a 3-1 playoff lead. 

The Celtics had full control of their first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, but ultimately collapsed and entered the offseason earlier than expected. The 18-time NBA champions’ short playoff run suddenly made a summer trade involving one of their key assets more likely. 

CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn believes Jaylen Brown could be that asset. Specifically, Quinn floated the idea of the Celtics swapping Brown for the Warriors’ presumed top offseason trade target.

“(Giannis) Antetokounmpo is two years older than Brown,’ Quinn wrote Saturday. “He's also a much bigger injury risk. This isn't as simple as pairing two megastars and waltzing to the Finals.”

“If Boston hadn't just lost in the manner in which it just did, this would be a pretty easy ‘pass’. “In practice, blowing a 3-1 lead to the 76ers would force almost anyone to reexamine their identity.”

“The best version of a hypothetical Antetokounmpo-Celtics team would be better than the existing one because Giannis is a more impactful player than Jaylen Brown, and the better your best player is, the less you tend to need elsewhere.”

It may be worth exploring a potential Antetokounmpo-Tatum partnership in Boston. Entering the playoffs, trading Brown for Antetokounmpo likely wasn’t anywhere near the Celtics’ radar.

The Celtics earned the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and undoubtedly had the potential to go the distance. 

However, a second consecutive Eastern Conference-less postseason finish with Brown as a monumental contributor could change the organization’s stance on the made-up trade scenario. As a do-it-all 6-foot-11 forward who’s an elite transition scorer, change of pace extraordinaire, and physically-imposing defender, Antetokounmpo would be must-see TV in a Celtics uniform. 

More importantly, the 10-time All-Star would give the Celtics higher odds of returning to the NBA Finals at this stage of his career, which makes him an ideal trade target for the Celtics this summer.

More NBA news:

• Warriors urged to reunite with $54 million NBA champion forward who was replaced by Kevin Durant

• Nuggets trade idea swaps Aaron Gordon for $186 million ex-Lakers superstar, NBA champion

• Warriors predicted to cut ties with Draymond Green, acquire $133 million Nuggets NBA champion

Getafe 0-2 Rayo Vallecano

Rayo Vallecano left the Coliseum in rude health after their battle with Getafe, making it three wins out of four, and providing ‘peace of mind’ that Inigo Perez sought ahead of their Conference League semi-final return leg with Strasbourg. Jose Bordalas’ side forfeited their European spot in the process, in an uncharacteristic performance which led to a second straight home defeat.

An edgy game began to unfold early on, with Rayo manager Inigo Perez audible in his irate instructions for his team. The away side surprised somewhat with a three at the back defensively, and a front four in attack, with Pathe Ciss dropping and pushing up into midfield accordingly. That seemed to confuse the Getafe defence, who found Alemao and Sergio Camello breaking free on more than one occasion.

The first real chance of the game came after 25 minutes, when Jorge de Frutos robbed Davinchi and then sent Pach Espino, the opposite winger, through on goal, but he was unable to sort his feet out to get a strike off. It was nearly 15 minutes until the next one arrived. With Rayo breaking out, a Getafe mistake allowed Camello to race clear of the backline. Goalkeeper David Soria was retreating, seeing that his defence was closing on Camello, but the Rayo striker was one step ahead in both senses, taking his shot early. Curving it around the off-balance Soria early from 30 yards out, it nestled into the bottom corner.

Until that point, Getafe had largely been restricted to set-piece opportunities, but it was a swirling ball to the back post moments later that Luis Vazquez headed off the corner of the goal. Los Azulones were unable to get to grips with Rayo seemingly outnumbering them at the back and up front. That much was evident when first Alemao broke clear in stoppage time, then de Frutos forced a save from the loose ball, and Camello poached the rebound for a second. It was eventually ruled out for handball, but it was notable that Rayo were first to all three.

Getafe made to rue missed penalty

After the break, Jose Bordalas made changes, and Getafe looked to build up some momentum with an early set piece straight into the arms of Augusto Batalla. Moments later it was Rayo that had the first chance of the second period though, Camello giving Luis Milla the slip, before laying in de Frutos. The Spain forward just dragged his shot wide of the far post though.

Los Azulones had their route back into the game just after the hour mark though, when Batalla slammed into Vazquez. Mauro Arambarri stepped up, firing low to Batalla’s right, but La Liga’s pantomime villain in gloves got two strong hands to it. Even if Getafe had spent most of the second period in Rayo’s half, making much of the running, they never quite managed to close the backdoor. Substitute Carlos Martin snuck behind the now high Getafe backline, but a brilliant sliding challenge from Domingos Duarte got there just before his shot did.

In the 73rd minute though, Gerard Gumbau found Martin’s new strike partner, Randy Nteka on the edge of the box. Turning and using Martin’s run in behind as a dummy to work more space, Nteka set his blinkers on goal, and rasped a brilliant strike in off the underside of the bar that Soria had little hope of stopping.

Beyond Rayo’s ambitious and pacy attacks that caused Getafe issues throughout, the strange sensation was that the away side were stronger in the challenge, grittier, and smarter in their work. Normally those are the traits that separate Getafe from their opponents, but the almost invariably irritated Perez will have to allow himself some satisfaction when he arrives home this evening.

The result lifts Rayo eight points clear of the relegation zone (Sevilla are yet to play) with just four games to go. Perez no doubt has had a difficult job ensuring his side maintain their focus on La Liga amid their historic European run, but will now feel safety is at most a victory away. Celta Vigo’s win over Elche means Getafe drop to 7th, with a trip to face Real Oviedo on the agenda next Sunday.

Manchester United, eventaully, picked up a dramatic 3-2 win over Liverpool at Old Trafford this afternoon. Securing their spot in the Champions League for next season.

Matheus Cunha opened the scoring after just six minutes, before Benjamin Sesko doubled United’s advantage shortly after. However, a rampant start to the second-half from Liverpool saw them get the game back level thanks to goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo.

The winning goal came in the 77th minute, when Kobbie Mainoo’s volley found the bottom corner in front of the Stretford End, his first Premier League goal since May 2024.

As It Happened

Manchester United started well, but Bruno Fernandes’ cross couldn’t find Sesko’s head. It didn’t take long for them to find the opener, however, with Cunha’s volley picking out the bottom corner on the second attempt, giving his side the lead after just six minutes. Gakpo looked to level for Liverpool straight away, but he didn’t get the desired contact on his header.

Sesko doubled the hosts’ lead in the 13th minute, throwing his body at the ball to bundle it home after a save from Freddie Woodman. A dubious VAR check for a potential handball followed, but the goal rightfully stood. Gakpo came close again 10 minutes later, he shifted the ball onto his right foot on the edge of the area before firing narrowly wide.

Casemiro was perhaps lucky to avoid a yellow card shortly before the half-hour mark, when he brought down Curtis Jones with a late sliding tackle in the middle of the park. Fernandes nearly made it three for the Red Devils just moments later, but his half-volley flew wide.

United applied further pressure for the remainder of the half, but they couldn’t find the net, meaning they went in at the break two goals to the good. Michael Carrick made one change at half-time, with Sesko replaced by Amad Diallo.

Szoboszlai got Liverpool back into the contest almost instantly in the second half, driving through the defence before calmly slotting the ball through a defender’s legs and into the bottom corner. Luke Shaw was shown the first yellow of the match minutes later, following a foul on Jeremie Frimpong.

Bryan Mbuemo was denied by the woodwork in the 53rd minute, following a rapid attack from the home side. Instead, it was Liverpool who drew level through Gakpo after they capitalised on a mistake from Senne Lammens. Andy Robertson was withdrawn following the goal and replaced by Milos Kerkez.

Kerkez was straight into the action, putting in a fantastic sliding tackle to halt Mbuemo on the edge of the area. Lammens somewhat recovered from his earlier mistake in the 67th minute, when he made a close-range reaction stop to prevent the visitors from taking the lead. The end-to-end nature of this game continued when Fernandes’ free-kick found Casemiro, but the Brazilian’s header was straight into the arms of Woodman.

Both managers made changes with 15 minutes of regular time remaining, with Patrick Dorgu replacing Mbeumo and Frimpong making way for Rio Ngumoha, who now becomes the youngest player to have represented Liverpool in this fixture’s history. It was Carrick’s side who took the lead once again shortly after, when Mainoo’s volley rolled into the bottom corner in front of the Stretford End.

Fernandes was added to the referee’s notebook in the latter stages of the game for a fierce foul on Szoboszlai. Ngumoha came close to restoring parity at the other end of the pitch, cutting onto his right foot before flashing the ball wide. Gakpo also fired goalwards in the final 10 minutes, but his effort was easily dealt with by Lammens.

Gakpo was shown a yellow card in the 85th minute for a foul on Casemiro, before Joshua Zirkzee was introduced to proceedings, replacing Cunha. Arne Slot’s final roll of the dice saw Federico Chiesa replace Ibrahima Konaté for the five minutes of injury time; however, it was not enough to rescue a derby day point.

Incidents: The story of the match

Manchester United Official Line-ups:

Senne Lammens, Diogo Dalot, Ayden Heaven, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha

Liverpool Official Line-ups:

Freddie Woodman, Jeremie Frimpong, Virgil Van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, Andy Robertson, Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz, Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo

1':

The match begins

6':

GOAL Manchester United: Matheus Cunha (Manchester United) scores!

Matheus Cunha scores goal number 9 in the competition (31 matches) Matheus Cunha scores goal number 9 for his team (33 matches)

14':

GOAL Manchester United: Benjamin Sesko (Manchester United) scores!

Benjamin Sesko scores goal number 11 in the competition (30 matches) Benjamin Sesko scores goal number 12 for his team (32 matches)

Dominik Szoboszlai scores, making it 2-1.

47':

GOAL Liverpool: Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool) scores!

Dominik Szoboszlai scores goal number 6 in the competition (33 matches) Dominik Szoboszlai scores goal number 28 for his team (144 matches)

56':

GOAL Liverpool: Cody Gakpo (Liverpool) scores!

Cody Gakpo scores goal number 7 in the competition (33 matches) Cody Gakpo scores goal number 50 for his team (177 matches)

Kobbie Mainoo scores, making it 3-2.

77':

GOAL Manchester United: Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United) scores!

Kobbie Mainoo scores goal number 1 in the competition (25 matches) Kobbie Mainoo scores goal number 8 for his team (99 matches)

998':

The referee whistles for the end of the match

Manchester United beat bitter rivals Liverpool 3-2 at Old Trafford. Here are our player ratings from the game.

(A score of 6 is around average)

Senne Lammens 3 – Had nothing to do in the first half, but made a big mistake for Liverpool’s equaliser, passing the ball straight to an opposition player before Cody Gakpo easily buried it into the back of the net.

Diogo Dalot 6 – Solid defensively. Went about his job with minimal fuss.

Harry Maguire 6 – Great block to keep Florian Wirtz’s effort from troubling Lammens, although it came at some personal expense as it struck him squarely on the head. Mostly ok but should have perhaps engaged Dominik Szoboszlai in the run-up to his goal.

Ayden Heaven 7.5 – Didn’t look one bit out of place in a charged contest. An astute performance and has barely put a foot wrong since stepping into the team.

Luke Shaw 6.5 – Rendered Liverpool’s right side ineffective. Superb cross for goal.

Casemiro 6 – His swansong rolls on! Battled hard in midfield and was a threat on goal, especially coming close in the second half when he got on the end of a cross from Bruno Fernandes, but he couldn’t quite beat the goalkeeper.

Kobbie Mainoo 9 – Masterclass! Excellent finish to restore United’s advantage, to cap off what was a sensational display in the middle of the park. Liverpool were no match for him. The very picture of signature calm and composure.

Bruno Fernandes 7 – Brilliant cross into the path of Benjamin Sesko for United’s second of the game. At the heart of United’s attacking forays, and unlucky not to get an assist.

Bryan Mbeumo 4 – Started brightly but his level dropped as the game proceeded. Multiple heavy touches and poor passes. Can’t get out of his current bad patch of form.

Matheus Cunha 8 – Another massive goal in a big game! Broke the deadlock with a composed finish. A constant threat on the left, and his hold-up play was superb.

Benjamin Sesko 7.5 – Showed great desire and determination for his goal. His 11th of the campaign.

Substitutes

Amad 2 – Gave the ball away almost immediately upon his introduction at the interval, leading to a Liverpool goal. Another who is in torrid form.

Patrick Dorgu 6 – Nice to have him back after a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Positive when he was brought on, breaking into the box and looking to cross the ball.

Joshua Zirkzee 5 – On for the dying embers.

Leny Yoro 5 – Same as Zirkzee

Featured image by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

online polls

The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

After the Phillies delivered a one-hit offensive outburst on Saturday, they’ll try to get the bats going on Sunday in game three of their four-game series in Miami.

Jesus Luzardo gets the ball for the Phillies. The former Marlin hasn’t had a great season so far, but he’s coming off a strong start of seven shutout innings.

The Marlins counter with journeyman Chris Paddack. The righty is 0-4 with a 6.11 ERA in his first season in Miami.

Game time is 1:40 PM and will be televised locally by NBCSP.

Angels' Jose Soriano called best pitcher in MLB amid Shohei Ohtani comparison originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Los Angeles Angels might not be a top contender in the American League this season like some other teams are, but they have some of the most fun individuals playing the sport right now.

Mike Trout's resurgence has been incredibly exciting to witness, but another player is lighting it up that's just as exciting: Jose Soriano.

USA Today's Bob Nightengale called Soriano the best pitcher in baseball and compared him to Shohei Ohtani as the Angels finally have a new ace.

Angels' Jose Soriano is the best pitcher in MLB

"Soriano has always had the talent, but it has never transformed to consistency on the mound. That has dramatically changed this year," Nightengale writes. "... He could be the Angels' best pitcher since they had that two-way dude, Shohei Ohtani."

While the loss of Ohtani a few years ago will be something nearly impossible to recover from as a franchise, the emergence of Soriano has certainly helped.

He's been incredible this season, as he has a 0.84 ERA in seven starts with a 5-1 record and a ridiculous 2.6 bWAR already this season.

More: Dodgers still have a Roki Sasaki problem

If he makes 33 starts this season, he would be looking at a season with over 10.0 bWAR, and very likely the AL Cy Young award.

Soriano will have a tough time maintaining such an elite pace, but if he can continue to pitch even close to what he's done so far, Soriano might do something Ohtani has never done before: win a Cy Young.

This breakout from Soriano has been stunning, as he's not just pitching well, he's been the best starting pitcher in the sport this season. While Mason Miller is locking things down in the bullpen, Soriano has been the best starter in the league this season.

More MLB news:

• Three ways Pirates' Paul Skenes could lose NL Cy Young Award
• Aaron Judge makes baseball history never done before by Yankees player
• Reds' Elly De La Cruz makes baseball history not done in last 126 years
• 5 reasons to believe in Jordan Walker's breakout for Cardinals
• Pete Crow-Armstrong is still struggling to hit well for the Cubs

MANCHESTER UNITED 3 – 2 LIVERPOOL

Manchester United:Cunha 6’, Sesko 15’, Mainoo 77’
Liverpool:Szoboszlai 46’, Gakpo 55’

Pre-Match

In the race for the Champions League spots, this might be one of the most important matches we have left. We are literally tied on points with United, they only lead on goals scored, and if we take the three points we can overtake them for real. If there is one thing that hurts this writer personally, it is finishing the season behind United. After all the work we’ve done to get ourselves back out of their shadow, it is so annoying to be looking back up at them after one bad season. Will we still struggle? Sure. We’re without Mohamed Salah and potentially still Alisson Becker despite this being the match he was hoping to return for, and who knows what team is going to show up at Old Trafford. We need to keep the momentum from the last two wins and turn it into another three points more than anything else.

First Half

We get underway at Old Trafford and the crowd certainly looks up for it as the hosts are filled with that unfortunate feeling that they can take us. Our last few meetings haven’t gone our way after all, though we’ll always hold the memories of 7-0 in high esteem. United take control early on and we’re making it a little too easy for them to get around us. Poor Freddie Woodman kind of thrown to the wolves in this match with Alisson not making his fitness marker, and a poor clearance from him goes right to a United player and they continue to look threatening. Of course, in the sixth minute the hosts take the lead through Matheus Cunha after a corner. There’s a brief VAR check but the goal is ruled good and play continues. We eventually get back to the other end, and we get in front of goal but Cody Gakpo tries to head it but it goes right into feet and dies. So its going to be one of those games, it feels.

There are a couple bright spots in the ensuing minutes with Liverpool getting a little closer to the final third, but United have been able to completely dismantle us and get another chance and make it two, this time with Benjamin Sesko finding the net through some defensive shambles. There’s another VAR check, this time for a handball, and it does look like Sesko has brushed it with his hand in the replay but the goal is still given and again, it’s going to be one of those matches where nothing goes our way. What did we expect, its Old Trafford. We need to get more into this game and find some kind of needle to get through.

Depending on Cody Gakpo for our goals today is going to be a bad plan, as he gets another advantageous chance around 22 minutes in, shades of previous seasons telling him to shoot from distance but the effort goes wide and the keeper doesn’t even need to touch it. No one knows how to get into other spaces, or how to help the others when someone does get into a good space and gets dispossessed. It’s depressing to watch, honestly. Even when we do have more possession, passing the ball back and forth to each other, we can’t make the right decision to get somewhere.

We go into the last ten minutes of the half, passing the ball back and forth once again, not getting it into places where it would be useful. Even when we carry the ball, our decision making is so poor that its almost like we don’t know how to score, like the knowledge has completely left our brains. I can’t even say there’s a chance we’ll score before the end of the half because we’ve never looked further from scoring. The best thing so far has been seeing Harry Maguire take a ball to the head.

Second Half

We’re back out for the second half with, unsurprisingly, no changes made to the squad. Things start to look up thankfully with Szoboszlai taking United by surprising and PULLING ONE BACK! WE’RE ON THE BOARD! Mainoo misplaces a pass right to the midfielder’s feet and he’s off to the races to half the deficit. This is a little more like it, and the Reds look a little more invigorated for this half, and it helps that the ref is being a little mindful and recording fouls from the hosts. We win two free kicks just outside off the box in quick succession, but Andy Robertson’s efforts leave much to be desired and the possession doesn’t go our way.

United are fully rattled now BECAUSE CODY FINALLY EQUALIZES! The hosts have switched off in these opening ten minutes of the half and their goalkeeper passes it right to a Liverpool player, leaving the goal open and we’re level!!! ONE MORE LADS AND WE CAN TAKE THREE POINTS!

Arne Slot actually making a change before the hour mark, taking off Andy Robertson for the final time at Old Trafford and putting on Milos Kerkez. A change that actually makes sense and might make us better in this half, as much as we all love Robbo. Frimpong seems to have finally found his feet after some of the United defenders have given him some space – or he’s found some speed to get away from them – and makes a peach of a pass to open up Kerkez on the left and Cody takes another chance from the same area, but it goes high after catching a United boot. We can win this.

Cunha goes in on Gravenberch in a late challenge and we’re awarded another free kick in a spot that is good for Szoboszlai in the 67th minute, and his effort goes into the scrum but United just barely keep the ball from crossing the line. United’s heads have completely gone since we’ve leveled, and we can smell the blood in the water. A corner is won by the Reds and Szoboszslai is on it again, but the ball doesn’t find a ready set of feet. The cycle starts again.

73 minutes, another free kick for Liverpool after Bruno Fernandes tries to cry about something or other, and of course Szoboszlai lines it up. He has scored from this place before, this exact spot, although it is a little further out this time, and his effort does hit a player instead of lifting over. Slot makes another change, bringing on Rio Ngumoha for Frimpong, which feels like a shame because Frimpong has really found a place in this half. The speed and fearlessness from Ngumoha is only a benefit right now as we continue to strip them apart.

We got a little too cocky, unfortunately, as it is United that takes the lead once again, this time just with a little luck on their side and Kobbie Mainoo scoring. We have to find an equalizer again, find that fighting mentality that carried us this far, and then another winner. The worst part is that the wind is taken out of our sails, the feeling of being in control and feeling desperate. Fernandes deserves a red in the 80th minute for going directly for Szoboszlai’s ankles but only gets a yellow for the foul. We open up on the counterattack and Rio takes a shot from distance but it goes wide with probably all the anger we’re all feeling now. Federico Chiesa comes on for… Konate, and I guess Slot is playing FIFA now (excuse me, EA Football) trying to find the equalizer and just putting attackers on. Naturally, it is the 86th minute when the player can’t make much of a difference either way.

Five minutes of added time, to find at least an equalizer, but it feels far away.

Final Thoughts

It looked like, for a good opening 25 minutes of the half, that we could win this. And then they got lucky, we got unlucky, and they found a winner and we became losers once again.

Betfred Super League

Hull FC (4) 4

Try: Briscoe

Toulouse (12) 12

Tries: Ashall-Bott, Cator Goals: Shorrocks 2

Hull FC missed the chance to move into the top half of Super League after slipping to a hugely disappointing home defeat by struggling Toulouse.

A flat and predictable performance from Hull in attack presented the French side with the opportunity to put an end to a run of seven straight defeats and they took it with a gutsy display at the MKM Stadium.

Two tries in the opening 10 minutes from full-back Olly Ashall-Bott down the left and loose-forward Joe Cator gave Toulouse a lead which they defended with relish in the greasy conditions.

Hull, who hit back with a first-half try from Tom Briscoe, could not find a way through Toulouse's rearguard after the break in a scoreless second period as the visitors chalked up a first win over the Black and Whites in their history.

Toulouse dominated Hull in the first half with their simple but effective gameplan and their lead was the least they deserved.

After Hull's thumping win over Castleford last week, there was expectation in the air at the MKM Stadium but they fell well short in a grim opening period and the boos rang out at half-time.

Toulouse got off to a flier with their tries through Ashall-Bott down the left and Cator. who took a good line to score against his former club.

Jake Shorrocks added the extras on both occasions.

It was against the run of play when veteran wing Briscoe crossed for Hull in the 32nd minute with a good finish from what was just about their only coherent attack.

And losing second row Connor Bailey to a shoulder issue only underlined that it was a half to forget for Hull.

Andy Last's men picked up after the break, putting sustained pressure on Toulouse and Briscoe came close as Hull put in a chip behind the French side's defence.

A timely intervention from Ashall-Bott with 15 minutes left thwarted Lewis Martin as he bore down on Davy Litten's kick and when the Hull wing threatened again the excellent Ashall-Bott came to the rescue once more.

In the end, for all their territory, Hull were frustratingly toothless and they have a lot of thinking to do over the next fortnight before they take on Bradford Bulls.

Hull FC: Moy; Briscoe, Newman, Litten, Martin; Arthur, Sezer; Fash, Bourouh, Hill, Bailey, Hardaker, Bell

Interchanges: Batchelor, Cust, Aydin, Mata'utia

Toulouse: Ashall-Bott; Laguerre, Polselli, Jussaume, Ulberg; Rouge, Shorrocks; Roumanos, Hands, Chan, O'Kane, Stefani, Cator

Interchanges: Marion, Butler, Wallace, Gillam

Referee: Matty Lynn.

Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe looks set to lead the Magpies into next season after constructive talks with the club's Saudi Arabian leadership group.

The parties are said to have agreed on the boss' future, despite an under-par campaign, following their annual summit in Northumberland this week.

The 48-year-old, who took charge of the club in November 2021, said in his pre-match news conference that he had faced "difficult questions" from the owners and the board.

With only already-relegated Wolves and Burnley, plus relegation-fighting West Ham, suffering more defeats than Newcastle's 16 in the Premier League this season, it is understandable why there is growing pressure on the English head coach.

Despite the difficulties, the Magpies are still in with a chance of a European place, they reached the Carabao Cup semi-finals and they got to the Champions League knockout stage for the very first time.

"I want to do a good job for people," Howe said in the aftermath of Newcastle's 3-1 victory over Brighton on Saturday.

"I don't want to let the supporters down. I don't want to let the players down. I certainly don't want to let the owners down."

So, how do feel about this news? Is Howe the right person to lead the club moving forward?

Let us know your thoughts here

During my tenure at Pinstripe Alley—hell, during my entire time as a baseball fan—I’ve never been shy about delving into the team’s history and exploring the lives of its long roll call of players, both incredible and regrettable. We provide plenty of other coverage on the current-day activities of the teams, so I like having one spot per day on the schedule to open the ol’ books and tell a story.

Whether it’s remembering championship teams, Top 100 players, or notable free agent signings, there’s always something out there to explore. For the pastthreeyears, we’ve celebrated the 25th anniversary of the 1998-2000 Yankees dynasty by doing a diary on all their regular season and playoff activity. The final pages were written this past October, so it’s time for a new daily project.

With that in mind, we’ll ring in the new year by beginning the Yankees Birthdays series. Every day in 2026, we’ll have a new Yankees figure to discuss whose birthday happened to fall on that day. Some days will feature far more famous stars than others! But that just adds to the challenge and our interest in the exercise. As a spoiler for today, that’s exactly what you’ll see soon for January 1st.

Happy new year and happy 365 days of Yankees birthdays!

January 1: Charlie Devens
January 2: David Cone
January 3: Luis Sojo
January 4: George Selkirk
January 5: Art Fletcher
January 6: Don Gullett
January 7: Alfonso Soriano
January 8: Jason Giambi
January 9: Ralph Terry
January 10: Del Pratt
January 11: Loren Babe
January 12: Iván Nova
January 13: Darrell Rasner
January 14: Chet Brewer
January 15: Matt Holliday
January 16: Jack McDowell
January 17: Chili Davis
January 18: Michael Pineda
January 19: Fernando Seguignol
January 20: Kevin Maas
January 21: Andy Hawkins
January 22: Brian Dayett
January 23: Johnny Sturm
January 24: Neil Allen
January 25: Les Nunamaker
January 26: Brian Doyle
January 27: Fred Heimach
January 28: Lyn Lary
January 29: John Habyan
January 30: Hipólito Peña
January 31: Duke Maas

February 1: Jazz Chisholm Jr.
February 2:George Halas
February 3: Chicken Hawks
February 4: Lefty Davis
February 5: Roger Peckinpaugh
February 6: Babe Ruth
February 7: Dámaso García
February 8: Fritz Peterson
February 9: Clete Boyer
February 10: Allie Reynolds
February 11: César Cabral
February 12: Todd Frazier
February 13: Nathan Eovaldi
February 14: Dámaso Marte
February 15: Russell Martin
February 16: Barry Foote
February 17: Wally Pipp
February 18: Joe Gordon
February 19: Chris Stewart
February 20: Tommy Henrich
February 21: Oscar Azócar
February 22: Ryne Duren
February 23: Elston Howard
February 24: Mike Lowell
February 25: Paul O’Neill
February 26: Johnny Blanchard
February 27: Ron Hassey
February 28: Bill Holland

March 1: Oswaldo Cabrera
March 2: Miguel Andujar
March 3: Willie Keeler
March 4: Lefty O’Doul
March 5: Doug Bird
March 6: Francisco Cervelli
March 7: Mike Armstrong
March 8: Jim Bouton
March 9: Aaron Boone
March 10: Steve Howe
March 11: Bobby Abreu
March 12: Darryl Strawberry
March 13: Home Run Baker
March 14: Butch Wynegar
March 15: Mike Pagliarulo
March 16: Curtis Granderson
March 17: Tim Lollar
March 18: Brian Fisher
March 19: Fritz Brickell
March 20: Paul Mirabella
March 21: Frankie Montas
March 22: Rich Monteleone
March 23:Dellin Betances
March 24: Ernie Shore
March 25: Lee Mazzilli
March 26:José Vizcaíno
March 27: Miller Huggins
March 28: Vic Raschi
March 29: Herb McQuaid
March 30: Dick Woodson
March 31: Chien-Ming Wang

April 1: Phil Niekro
April 2: Jon Lieber
April 3: Art Ditmar
April 4: Cameron Maybin
April 5: Wid Conroy
April 6: Ken Clay
April 7: Oral Hildebrand
April 8:Catfish Hunter
April 9: David Robertson
April 10: Bob Watson
April 11: Mark Teixeira
April 12: Sammy Vick
April 13: Kid Elberfeld
April 14: David Justice
April 15: King Cole
April 16: Paul Waner
April 17: Zack Clayton
April 18: Dennis Rasmussen
April 19: Scott Kamieniecki
April 20: Don Mattingly
April 21: Joe McCarthy
April 22: Jimmy Key
April 23:Andruw Jones
April 24: Carlos Beltrán
April 25: Russ Ford
April 26: Aaron Judge
April 27: Enos Slaughter
April 28: Tom Sturdivant
April 29: Sterling Hitchcock
April 30: Jumbo Brown

May 1: Brandon Claussen
May 2: George Giles
May 3: Red Ruffing

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner continues to make history

The 24-year-old Italian dominated No. 3 Alexander Zverev, 6-1, 6-2, in just 57 minutes en route to the Madrid championship on Sunday.

Sinner improved to 30-2 on the year.

Sinner has now won the first four ATP Masters 1000 events of the year – Indian Wells, Miami Open, Monte-Carlo and Madrid -- breaking a tie with Novak Djokovic, who won the first three in 2015. Sinner has won five straight Masters 1000 events overall.

He has won eight of the nine Masters 1000s in his career, and will seek to tie Djokovic’s record of nine when the Italian Open runs May 6-17 at the Foro Italico in Rome.

Sinner missed many of these events a year ago after accepting a three-month ban in February 2025 following a doping case settlement. The ban caused the then-world No. 1 to miss Indian Wells and Miami in March, along with Masters events in April. He returned in time for the Italian Open in May, but lost to Carlos Alcaraz, 7-6(5), 6-1, in the final.

“What we’re living right now the last couple of months is Jannik Sinner’s revenge tour because he was forced to miss these events that he’s been winning, Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid.,” Jim Courier said on Tennis Channel. “He missed them all last year because of the suspension. He’s sweeping all of them. How do you like me now.”

Against Zverev, Sinner banged out eight aces against just one double-fault and was a perfect 4-of-4 on break chances. He won 93% of his first-serve points while also taking 19 receiving points.

With Alcaraz out through at least the French Open with a wrist injury, Sinner will be a heavy favorite to win in Rome and Paris to extend his dominant run.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

Eddie Howe is set to remain as Newcastle United head coach after meeting with the club’s Saudi owners for talks during the week. 

A delegation from the Public Investment Fund (PIF) flew in for a review of the season and sat down with Howe on Thursday.

The 48-year-old has come under increasing pressure amid a disappointing campaign. Newcastle find themselves 13th in the Premier League table after losing 16 games.

Saturday’s 3-1 win over Brighton was their first win in six games in all competitions and snapped a four-match losing streak in the league.

Eddie Howe learns Newcastle United fate following PIF talks

Despite this, Howe will be in charge of the first team heading into the 2026/26 season, according to The Athletic.

The former Bournemouth boss is “keen” to remain in his role and he “retains support from the club’s ownership and hierarchy”.

The talks are described as having “gone well”, but there is acceptance from everyone involved that this season has “not been good enough and cannot be repeated”.

Read – Power Rankings: Man Utd upward, top two collide

See Also – Newcastle united not giving up on Europe ‘dream’ after Brighton win

Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok

Have Peshwar Zalmi ever won PSL title? Full season history, records and best finishes in Pakistan Super League originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Peshawar Zalmi have triumphed once in the Pakistan Super League (2017).
• They are one of the most consistent franchises in the league, having made it to the final five times.
• Zalmi have been runners-up thrice, showcasing their strong playoff performances.

Have Peshawar Zalmi ever won PSL title?

Yes, Peshawar Zalmi have claimed the PSL trophy once. The only time the team has lifted the trophy was in the 2017 season, where they defeated Quetta Gladiators in the final played in Lahore.

This feat is the greatest success for the club so far, where captain Darren Sammy led his team to an emphatic final victory by 58 runs. Green Cap winner, Kamran Akmal, was honoured as the Player of the Tournament as he finished the season as the leading run-scorer with 353 runs.

Ever since, making it to the finals in 2018, 2019 and 2021, but failing to clinch the trophy; Zalmi qualified for the PSL 2026 final by beating Islamabad United in the Qualifier, thus keeping up with their reputation of being one of the best and most consistent teams in the PSL.

MORE:Heinrich Klaasen confronts fan over filming family in IPL 2026

Peshawar Zalmi's complete PSL history

Peshawar Zalmi have participated in the PSL from its first edition in 2016 and have often qualified for the knockout stage. In the earlier editions of the tournament, they featured in three straight finals in four years.

Overall, they are among the most consistent franchises in PSL history, failing to make the playoffs on only the one occasion in 2025.

MORE:Which player has scored the most centuries in PSL history?

Peshawar Zalmi's key records in PSL

Peshawar Zalmi have some interesting records for their time in PSL:

• Most final appearances: 5 - highest among all sides.
• Best performance: Champions (2017).
• Win percentage: Above 50% across seasons.

To keep up to date with all the latest cricket news and share your opinion on the biggest topics visit ourFacebook, Instagram and X (Twitter) pages.

The Pittsburgh Steelers put together an exciting 2026 NFL Draft class featuring 10 standout selections and six undrafted free agents, with fans getting their first glimpse of the talented players at the team's upcoming rookie minicamp.

On Thursday, the Steelers revealed a complete look at their rookie minicamp dates, with Day 1 kicking off on May 8, followed by Day 2 on May 9 and Day 3 on May 10.

Here is a projection of which players could attend next week's rookie minicamp:

Drafted rookies

• Offensive tackle Max Iheanachor
• Wide receiver Germie Bernard
• Quarterback Drew Allar
• Cornerback Daylen Everette
• Offensive guard Gennings Dunker
• Kick returner Kaden Wetjen
• Tight end/fullback Riley Nowakowski
• Defensive lineman Gabriel Rubio
• Safety Robert Spears-Jennings
• Runningback/wide receiver Eli Heidenreich

Undrafted rookies

• Defensive tackle Kevin Jobity Jr.
• Tight end Chamon Metayer
• Tight end Lake McRee
• Cornerback Devan Boykin
• Linebacker Daylan Carnell
• Kicker Laith Marjan

For up-to-date Steelers coverage, including any offseason moves, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers announce 2026 rookie minicamp schedule

The New England Patriots had one of the best defenses in the NFL in 2025. However, the Patriots will need to prove that they’re still among the best units in the league in a brand new season in 2026.

According to Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport, the Patriots approach next season with the sixth-best defense in the NFL.

The Patriots have retained most of their top performers from last year after free agency took its course. New England’s secondary is strong. The Patriots signed First-Team All-Pro safety Kevin Byard in free agency to replace Jaylinn Hawkins, who New England lost to the Baltimore Ravens in the open market.

New England also signed Dre’Mont Jones to replace K’Lavon Chaisson on the edge in 2026 with similar production, or better, as the franchise hopes for.

Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis form one of the best cornerback duos in the NFL. Milton Williams and Christian Barmore form a pairing in the interior that pressured opposing quarterbacks at an astounding rate in 2025.

Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss provide activity in the Patriots’ second line of defense, making New England’s outlook for next season in line with what they achieved in their run to the Super Bowl last season.

Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Patriots land in top 10 in post-NFL draft defensive rankings

Why Victor Wembanyama's habit in the ‘funniest locker room’ left Chris Paul so puzzled originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

After 21 seasons on the court, legendary point guard Chris Paul has officially retired from the NBA. Known as a "first-ballot" Hall of Famer, he is widely considered one of the best leaders to ever play the game.

Paul spent his final season with the San Antonio Spurs, where he used his years of experience to mentor the young star Victor Wembanyama. His retirement marks the end of an incredible career for a player who truly mastered the art of being a point guard.

The veteran recently appeared on the Pat McAfee Show to reminisce about the culture in San Antonio. He shared a viral story about Wembanyama's unique habits, noting that while most young players today are always on their phones or social media, "Vic" often walks into the training room carrying a book to read. 

This simple hobby, along with his deep knowledge of basketball history, left the 20-year veteran "in awe" of the young superstar's maturity.

"We played against the Knicks last year and the next morning he was at the park playing people at chess..

That was one of the funnest locker rooms that I've ever been in" ~ @CP3#PMSLivehttps://t.co/WqTN1YIl76pic.twitter.com/cRcTlquMUL

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 1, 2026

Paul also highlighted Wembanyama's love for chess, comparing the young star's intelligence to that of a grandmaster. Wembanyama is an avid player who has even challenged fans to impromptu matches at Washington Square Park in New York City.

"We played against the Knicks last year and the next morning he was at the park playing people at chess..That was one of the funnest locker rooms that I've ever been in," Paul said. 

Wembanyama’s love for chess showed a mental discipline that matched Paul's own basketball IQ. This shared focus turned Paul's final season into a rare exchange of strategy between the "Point God" and the league's brightest future star.

Paul has now joined the coaching staff at Campbell Hall High School in California. This move allows him to mentor his son, Chris Paul II, who is a standout guard for the team.

More NBA news:

• LeBron James, Kevin Durant’s postgame gesture sends blunt message to anyone still trying to divide them
• Why Kevin Durant came up during Michael Porter Jr.’s burner account confession
• What Jeanie Buss just admitted about the Lakers' sneaky Luka Doncic trade has Mark Cuban furious
• Inside Rockets meeting after Durant burner leak
• LeBron James' wild courtside reaction goes viral

Cameron Young called a penalty on himself Sunday while leading the 2026 Cadillac Championship.

Young, the world's No. 4 player, was assessed a one-stroke penalty in the second fairway for causing his ball to move before hitting his approach shot. Playing with preferred lies, Young had lifted, cleaned and placed his ball in the second fairway, and as his club was behind the ball before the swing, the ball moved and Young stopped to call an official.

Cameron Young called a one-stroke penalty on himself on No. 2 Sunday @Cadillac_Champ after causing his ball to move at address.

He still saved par and maintains a five-shot lead.

📺 PGA TOUR LIVE on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/WcmHdr7MNF

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 3, 2026

Young said his ball moved slightly forward when he addressed it, and he told rules officials he was unsure whether his actions caused the ball to move. However, the official determined his actions caused the ball to move, and Young was assessed a one-stroke penalty.

Even TV cameras struggled to pick up the ball moving, but Young still called a penalty on himself, meaning he was hitting his third shot from the fairway instead of his second from 159 yards away.

Young proceeded to hit his third shot to 14 feet and then buried the par putt, remaining at 15 under and five shots ahead of Scottie Scheffler and Kristoffer Reitan after two holes Sunday at Doral.

Have to think the golf gods helped guide that putt in after calling a penalty on himself that others likely wouldn't have.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Cadillac Championship 2026: Cameron Young calls penalty on himself

The Philadelphia 76ers appeared in control throughout Game 7 against the Boston Celtics. They built an early lead in the first quarter and managed the tempo from that point.

Boston threatened to take control during stretches of the second and fourth quarters. Each time, key scoring helped Philadelphia maintain their advantage.

Joel Embiid delivered those decisive moments, finishing as the game’s top scorer. However, Jaylen Brown suggested the performance was helped by favourable officiating.

Jaylen Brown questions calls despite dominant Game 7 display

Brown acknowledged the difficulty of containing the 76ers center across the contest. According to him, Boston attempted multiple defensive approaches without consistent success.

“We didn’t really have the answers for him [Embiid]. We tried a bunch of different things. He’s a big body,” Brown said in the post-match press conference.

“He also was flopping around, he got some extra calls and stuff like that. They rewarded him for that, but that’s the league we’re in.”

The 32-year-old centre produced 34 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in the decider. He also played 39 minutes despite appearing in discomfort during the closing stages.

Comments add to wider debate around officiating trends

Brown’s remarks point beyond a single performance and towards a broader issue. His comments suggest concern over how fouls are currently being called.

That discussion has been present across the league in recent seasons. It is often linked to teams and players who generate frequent trips to the line.

For instance, Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has faced similar criticism.

Read more:

World Cup champion Lionel Messi belongs to Argentina, his home country.

But since arriving in the U.S. three years ago to play for Inter Miami CF, Messi has become a South Florida sensation. The global soccer superstar led Inter Miami to the 2025 MLS Cup and is a two-time defending MLS MVP.

MORE: Every NFL stadium’s new name for the FIFA World Cup

So Messi’s celebrity visit to the paddock before F1’s Miami Grand Prix on Sunday, May 3, was not a surprise.

That doesn’t mean it didn’t cause an incredible stir among drivers and fans alike.

A guest of Mercedes

Messi attended the race with wife Antonela and their three sons just hours after scoring a goal during Inter Miami’s 4-3 loss to Orlando FC. He is a guest of Mercedes — he owns non-racing versions of the car and has made promotional appearances on behalf of the brand — and took photos outside the garage.

Due to a rainy forecast, the race was moved up three hours to 1 p.m. ET Sunday.

Earlier in the week, Alpine F1 driver Franco Colapinto, who is from Argentina, made a dream come true when he met Messi at the Inter Miami training ground.

“It was a very special moment,” Colaptino said, per Motorsport.com. “It was something I had dreamt of all my life. If you ask any Argentinian who they want to meet, it’s Leo. I had the chance,”

World Cup decision

Up next for Messi is a decision about whether he will help Argentina defend its 2022 World Cup title. The Golden Ball winner has yet to announce whether he will play.

“I want him to be there. It’s up to him to decide,” Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni said. “We hope he will be there.”

The 2026 World Cup will be played in the U.S., Canada and Mexico beginning June 11.

Boston at Detroit — Detroit SportsNet, NESN, ESPN Select, ESPN Unlimited, MLB.TV

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV.

90’: It looked like Harder did it again to make it 4-3, but the goal was disallowed due to a foul in the build up. That is a crushing blow!

89’: It has been a crazy, up-and-down stretch, but neither team has been able to break through.

71’: Harder makes it 4-2, but Bayern Munich has a steep hill to climb and not a lot of time to do it!

58’: Putellas makes it 4-1 (5-2 on aggregate). The Frauen are in big trouble.

54’: Ewa Pajor makes it 3-1.

46’: The second half is underway.

Halftime: Barca has been the better team so far, but Bayern Munich is hanging in. This will not be easy, but it is doable!

22’: Alexia Putellas puts Barca back on top 2-1 (3-2 on aggregate). After the Bayern Munich’s 5-4 loss to PSG in the Men’s Champions League, FC Bayern fans might need to mediate, drink beer, or both.

17’: Linda Dallmann equalizes off of an assist from Pernille Harder.

13’: Barcelona jumped out to an early lead on a goal from Salma Paralluelo.

1’: Here we go!

Lineups are out as the Bayern Munich Frauen are ready to take on FC Barcelona in the UEFA Women’s Champions League:

It’s the second leg of the UEFA Women’s Champions League semifinals! Bayern Munich has done well to claim a 1-1 draw last week at the Allianz Arena, though goal-scorer Franziska Kett earned herself a red card along the way.

That means it’s anyone’s game, and although the Catalans will have the home field advantage, this is surely not the position they had imagined for themselves heading into the pivotal leg of the tie.

Prediction: Bayern wins 3-2 and advances in extra time at the Camp Nou. It’s the season of destiny. Believe it!

It’s Bayern time.

Match Info

Location: Barcelona, Spain

Time: 10:30 am EDT

TV/streaming: Find Your Country

Tips for commenting:

1. If you’re a new member, feel free to introduce yourself! We’re mostly very friendly! Also, we’re from all parts of the world so don’t feel shy if you’re from a country that doesn’t seem represented on the blog.
2. Use the on-screen “Refresh comments” button to periodically load new comments.
3. Keep the sorting to “newest” to easily follow the conversation. It puts the newest comments at the top.
4. While swearing is allowed within reason, please be polite to your fellow posters and avoid gratuitous obscenities. Racist, homophobic, and misogynistic language is not allowed whatsoever.

Check out our beginners thread if you have any more questions. That’s about it. Auf geht’s!

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…

Join the conversation!

Sign up for a user account and get:

• New, improved notifications system!
• Fewer ads
• Create community posts
• Comment on articles, community posts
• Rec comments, community posts

Philadelphia at Miami — NBCS Philadelphia, ESPN Select, ESPN Unlimited, Marlins.TV, MLB.TV

Philadelphia at New York — NBC, Peacock

Philadelphia at Carolina — ESPN

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV.

Boston at Detroit — Detroit SportsNet, NESN, ESPN Select, ESPN Unlimited, MLB.TV

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV.

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, speaking to Sky Sports: "We dominated the game. Especially in the first half, we played really well. Second half they made some subs, put dangerous players in, but we still controlled the second half. I am really pleased, the players showed they wanted to get something from this season. We are in a good spot but need more points.

"We have the experience from past seasons. It's a nice season, we are doing well, but we need extra, not to give anything to the opposition. In key moments of a season, we are improving in this. These things can make the difference.

"We want to give the players the chance to play in Europe next season. It would be massive."

On Junior Kroupi: "Junior is growing, he is finishing in a good place. I think he is a great finisher. His contact is so clean that you trust him."

Bournemouth captain Marcus Tavernier, speaking to Sky Sports on his side's 15-game unbeaten run: "It's been a long time coming for us. We knew if we started doing what we are able to do, then results would come. It's not down to luck, it's about the hard training we have done."

On the performances of youngsters Junior Kroupi and Rayan: "It's been unbelievable, they are two world-class talents. I don't think they will be at Bournemouth for a long period of time given the quality they have got. It's brilliant to have them on the pitch. As a team, we give the young players the confidence to go out and play with freedom."

On the race to secure European football: "Last season was a tough one to take. We knew three points was important today. We have got three games left to keep the dream alive.

"We want European football. Champions League would be a bonus, but our focus is just to finish as high as we can and take it from there."

Did you know?

• Bournemouth have extended their Premier League unbeaten run to 15 games (W7 D8), the longest active streak of any side in the division, and the Cherries' longest ever in the top flight of English football.
• In Junior Kroupi and Rayan, Bournemouth are the first side ever to have two teenagers score a goal in back-to-back Premier League games.

Cavs vs. Raptors schedule: Dates, times, TV channels, scores for 2026 NBA Playoffs first-round series originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

For the first time since 2022, the Raptors are in the postseason. They get quite the matchup in their opening round tilt, jousting with the Cavaliers -- one of the NBA's best sides.

Cleveland didn't quite hit the heights that it did last year. Still, the Kenny Atkinson-helmed side fared well in an improving Eastern Conference, bumping shoulders with the conference's heavyweights with a glistening 52-30 record.

The Cavaliers didn't rest on their laurels, acquiring James Harden at the trade deadline in exchange for Darius Garland. Harden has put forth impressive displays during his time in Cleveland, averaging 20.5 points and 7.7 assists in 26 games for the Cavaliers. While some questioned his fit alongside Donovan Mitchell, the numbers suggest Cleveland is better than ever -- the Cavs went 18-8 during the regular season with Harden.

Harden's postseason woes are well-established. If he can overcome his foibles, Cleveland could find itself in paradise sooner rather than later.

Here's what you need to know to watch Cavaliers vs. Raptors, including broadcast information and start times.

Cavs vs. Raptors schedule

Series tied 3-3

Where to watch Cavs vs. Raptors: TV channel, live stream

• TV channels: ESPN
• Live streams: DIRECTV | ESPN app | Peacock | Prime Video

The Cavaliers vs. Raptors series will air across multiple platforms thanks to the NBA's expanded broadcast deal, which will see games split among the ESPN networks, NBC and Peacock, and Prime Video. 

Games on ABC, ESPN networks and NBC can be streamed live on DIRECTV, which offers a free trial to new users. 

Fans can also turn to the streaming homes for each broadcast partner — Prime Video, Peacock or the ESPN app — for games on those platforms.

NBA Playoffs bracket 2026

Click here for the updated 2026 NBA Playoffs bracket from The Sporting News.

NBA Playoffs schedule, key dates for 2026

Here are the key dates to know for the NBA Playoffs and offseason. 

* Can move up depending on earlier series

Related Links

• Latest NBA news and rumors
• Full 2025-26 NBA schedule and scores
• How to bet on the NBA
• The GOAT Debate: Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James

Recent reports surrounding Raphinha’s future at Barcelona have left the fanbase in a state of shock.

The report claimed that the Brazilian international is seriously reconsidering his long-term future at the club, having already received some eye-opening offers from Saudi Arabia.

This is despite the fact that Raphinha has established himself as one of the best players in the world under Hansi Flick, playing a key role in the club’s recent success.

The former Leeds United starlet was also close to winning the Ballon d’Or last year and could be in line to win one if he continues his progress at Barcelona.

Raphinha’s wife reacts to rumours

In the midst of all the speculation, it appears Raphinha’s wife, Taia Belloli, has had enough.

Raphinha’s wife reacting to the departure rumours. (Source: Instagram)

The Brazilian took to the comments section of the Diario SPORT article reporting on her husband’s supposed existential doubts about his future, responding with a string of laughing emojis.

The reaction appears to be a clear dismissal of the claims made in the report. Belloli’s response was liked by the author of the post itself.

The original report suggested that Raphinha is in an introspective phase and has transferred doubts about his future to the club, though it noted that the most plausible scenario remains him staying to pursue the Champions League and the Ballon d’Or in 2027.

For now, Belloli’s response seems to suggest there is little substance to the departure talk, much to the relief of the Barcelona faithful.

An F1 fan from the UK has highlighted a problem on social media that prevented them from viewing the Miami Grand Prix sprint race, despite having a valid ticket. They compared the race venue to other European Grand Prix circuits where the issue is reportedly non-existent.

The fan uploaded a video from the rpace stands, showing how the crowd stood up when the F1 cars passed by, blocking their view entirely.

Expressing their disappointment, the fan revealed how they had flown all the way from the UK for the Miami GP and had paid for seats from which they could not view the race.

Unfortunately, one pregnant woman with them found it difficult to stand throughout the race, and thus, they were left with no option but to remain seated.

Read More from MotorBiscuit:

• Iron Man, Captain America Join Williams F1 in New Marvel Partnership Ahead of Miami GP
• Thunderstorms Continue To Threaten Miami Grand Prix as Race-Day Forecast Worsens
• Apple Experiences Huge Success as Formula 1’s Official U.S. Broadcaster in 2026 With Viewership Taking Off

The fan revealed how they had been to other F1 races, such as the Spanish Grand Prix and the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, but never experienced their view being blocked this way.

Asking F1 and the Miami GP organizers for help, the fan wrote on Instagram:

“Flew from the UK for the Miami GP and paid for seats we couldn’t actually use. Everyone stood the whole race, so we had zero visibility.

“We’ve been to other races like Spanish Grand Prix and Emilia Romagna Grand Prix and never experienced anything like this.

“One of us is pregnant and physically couldn’t stand for long periods just to try and see.

“Surely this isn’t the experience fans should have.

“Just hoping this can be made right.

“@f1 / @f1mia can you help?”

MLB insider says Barry Bonds could be playing better than Giants' Rafael Devers right now originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The San Francisco Giants have been going through some major struggles this season. The new manager, Tony Vitello, hasn't performed well, and the individual players aren't great either.

The biggest disappointment by far this season has been Rafael Devers. Their big trade pickup last season hasn't been nearly good enough, and MLB insider for USA Today Bob Nightengale didn't hold back on his criticism of Devers.

He even went as far as making the ridiculous claim that Barry Bonds, now 61 years old, would be performing better than Devers right now.

MLB insider claims Bonds would be better than Devers in 2026

"Well, Bonds is 61 years old these days, hasn't played since 2007, and he'd be performing a whole lot better than Devers, who has become one of the worst everyday players in baseball," Nightengale writes.

This is a wild claim for Nightengale to make. Bonds hasn't played in nearly 20 years, and yet, he believes that the former Giants legend could play better than Devers right now.

Devers has struggled a ton this season. He has a .211 average across 33 games played and 136 plate appearances. His -0.9 bWAR is the result of 41 strikeouts to just seven walks, a .547 OPS, and a 57 OPS+.

He's never had a start to a season as bad as this, and Devers is easily the biggest disappointment across Major League Baseball this season.

More: Dodgers still have a Roki Sasaki problem

While the New York Mets as a team might be the biggest disappointment, no individual player has struggled like Devers has relative to expectations this year.

Nightengale's ridiculous claim that Bonds could be better than Devers right now is a step too far, but there is something to it in that Devers is such a net-negative based on bWAR, that someone who can put up 0.0 bWAR would be a significant improvement.

Bonds would almost certainly be worse than Devers if he actually tried playing right now, but this claim from Nightengale shows just how bad things are going for the Giants slugger this season.

More MLB news:

• Three ways Pirates' Paul Skenes could lose NL Cy Young Award
• Aaron Judge makes baseball history never done before by Yankees player
• Reds' Elly De La Cruz makes baseball history not done in last 126 years
• 5 reasons to believe in Jordan Walker's breakout for Cardinals
• Pete Crow-Armstrong is still struggling to hit well for the Cubs

Raphinha’s future has been making headlines in the last few days, with the latest update coming from Diario Sport and a claim that the Brazilian is considering his future at Barcelona.

The report stated that Raphinha is “currently in a period of reflection” and “has shared his existential doubts about his future with the club.”

Sport say that Raphinha was saddened by Barca’s Champions League exit and has been “deeply affected” by his recent injuries – all of which have led to him question his future at the club.

A curious report and one that has brought derision from Raphinha’s wife on social media. Natalia Belloli has replied to a post on Instagram detailing the report with a string of laughing emojis – showing exactly what she thinks about the current speculation about her husband.

Raphinha was back with the first-team squad on Saturday night after injury for Barcelona’s 2-1 win over Osauna that has put Hansi Flick’s side on the brink of the title.

The Brazilian didn’t feature in the game but could make his comeback next time out when Real Madrid are the visitors to Camp Nou in La Liga.

Game four of four. A win would mean a series win. And a win would bring us back to .500 for the first time since April 4th. They are 6-2 over the last 8 games.

And it is a Trey Yesavage start. 5.1 shutout innings in his first start.

The Jays made some minor league news:

• Nolan Perry moves from Dunedin to Vancouver.
• Austin Cates moves from Vancouver to New Hampshire.
• Arjun Nimmala moves from Vancouver to New Hampshire.

The Jays tell us that George Springer didn’t re-break his toe yesterday. He’s not in the lineup today, but they say it was a planned day off. I would think he’ll have a couple of days off, but that’s just guessing.

The lineup looks a little different today. Lips leads off and Okamoto bats second. Pinango is batting .500 in his first 10 at bats.

Go Jays Go.

It hasn’t been a smooth start to the 2026 MLB season for the Boston Red Sox. They sit in last place in the AL East, have already parted ways with their World Series–winning manager, and have spent much of the early season without two of their most important arms: Sonny Gray and Garrett Crochet. But finally, there’s some good news in Boston.

MORE: Yankees facing roster dilemma and their deadline for a solution is today

Sonny Gray Set to Return Soon

The biggest update comes with Gray. The right-hander, who was acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals this offseason, is expected to be activated as soon as Wednesday, May 6th, and could take the mound that same day. For a rotation that has struggled to find consistency, his return can’t come soon enough.

Gray brings:

• Veteran stability
• Proven production
• Immediate impact at the top of the rotation

Positive News on Garrett Crochet

The update on Crochet is less definitive, but still encouraging. The Red Sox ace is dealing with shoulder inflammation, but there is no structural damage, which is the key takeaway. That means: No long-term concerns (for now), A potential return within the minimum 15-day IL window, or at worst, a relatively short absence. Given how serious shoulder injuries can be, this is a major relief.

Boston’s pitching staff, without Gray and Crochet, has lacked consistency, depth, and its top 2 SP entering the season. Getting both arms back, even if not at the same time, could help stabilize a group that desperately needs it.

Can This Turn the Season Around?

That’s the big question. The Red Sox have dug themselves into an early hole, and one or two players won’t fix everything. But getting healthy is the first step. And for a team searching for momentum, this might be the reset they’ve been waiting for.

It’s been a rough start in Boston, but the latest updates offer a reason for optimism. Sonny Gray is on the verge of returning. Garrett Crochet has avoided serious injury. Now, the Red Sox just need to turn that good news into better results on the field.

— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —

What channel is Pistons vs. Magic on today? Time, TV schedule, live stream to watch Game 7 of NBA Playoffs series originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Pistons rolled through the regular season but have been fighting to survive the first round of the playoffs against the Magic.

After pulling out a pair of must-win games, Detroit is back home Sunday to try and complete its comeback from a 3-1 series deficit in the decisive Game 7. 

Cade Cunningham has come up huge when his team needed him the most, dropping 45 points in Game 5 and putting up 32 points and 10 rebounds in Game 6. Magic star Paolo Banchero matched Cunningham's scoring output in Game 5 but managed just 17 last time out as Detroit's defense clamped down across the board in a 93-79 triumph in Orlando. 

Who will come up with a signature game to lead his team to a second-round matchup against the Cavs or Raptors? 

Here's what you need to know about Sunday's matchup between Pistons and Magic, including broadcast information and start time.

What channel is Pistons vs. Magic on today?

• TV channel: ABC
• Live stream: ESPN app, DIRECTV

Pistons vs. Magic Game 7 will be broadcast by ABC, with Mike Breen, Richard Jefferson and Tim Legler on the call, and will stream live on the ESPN app and DIRECTV.

Now you can watch ESPN without cable. Stream live NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, college sports, plus SportsCenter, First Take, and all your favorite ESPN shows—anytime, anywhere—only in the ESPN app.

Pistons vs. Magic start time

• Date: Sunday, May 3
• Time: 3:30 p.m. ET

Game 7 of the NBA Playoffs series between Pistons and Magic is set to tip off Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET from Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. 

Pistons vs. Magic series schedule

Series tied 3-3

NBA Playoffs bracket 2026

Click here for the updated 2026 NBA Playoffs bracket from The Sporting News.

NBA Playoffs schedule, key dates for 2026

Here are the key dates to know for the NBA Playoffs and offseason. 

* Can move up depending on earlier series

Related Links

• Latest NBA news and rumors
• Full 2025-26 NBA schedule and scores
• How to bet on the NBA
• The GOAT Debate: Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James

Lakers' Austin Reaves' risky playoff decision could lead to $241M contract, says LA insider originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Los Angeles Lakers are preparing for their upcoming playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, which is expected to be a tough matchup. One positive development is the return of Austin Reaves during the series against the Houston Rockets, giving Los Angeles one of its top scorers back.

“Austin Reaves returned from a nine-game injury absence Wednesday night when the Los Angeles Lakers attempted to finish their first-round playoff series with the Houston Rockets in Game 5. Reaves had been out since April 2 with strained oblique muscles, missing the final five games of the Lakers' regular season and the first four games of the postseason,” ESPN wrote.

Reaves will become a free agent after the season, and his focus will be on earning the contract he deserves. He has made it clear, however, that he does not want to leave Los Angeles.

“I try not to think about it. Honestly. I've said it a million times. I want to be in L.A. I love it," Reaves told ESPN. "Even though the other extension was turned down, that doesn't mean that I'm trying to go get a f---ing gigantic number that don't make sense. I want to be here, I want to win. I want to do everything that can help this organization be better. So I don't try to think about those things."

There is growing belief that Reaves playing through an oblique injury could strengthen his case for a major payday from the Lakers.

“The 27-year-old is trying to get paid what he deserves. The Lakers want to keep him in Los Angeles, and that desire should have grown after Reaves rushed back to help his team finish off the Rockets in the opening round of the playoffs. Other players wouldn’t have done this. Reaves could earn $241 million if he lands a max contract this summer. That could have gone out the window if he suffered an injury that kept him out months, but AR didn’t care. He saw an opportunity to help his team make a playoff run, and he did everything possible to take it,” Lake Show Life’s Tyler Watts wrote.

The Lakers understand that Reaves is playing through a significant injury, and that effort could be rewarded. Los Angeles will need his scoring in the series against Oklahoma City.

LeBron James has been dominant, and having Reaves alongside him could create major problems for opposing defenses. Even beyond his production, Reaves’ willingness to play through injury may ultimately factor into the sizable contract he could receive this summer.

More NBA news:

• Lakers predicted to poach $16 million elite 3-and-D wing from Rockets to pair with Luka Doncic

• Lakers' JJ Redick reveals true feelings for LeBron James in GOAT debate after win vs. Rockets

• Lakers predicted to trade for $58M Finals champion, 10X All-Star, perfect Luka Doncic lob threat

• Lakers' Marcus Smart sounds the 'desperate' alarm with Game 6 vs. Rockets looming

The Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers squared off Saturday in a Game 7, with each side eager to advance further in the playoffs.

However, it was revealed before the game that former Duke star Jayson Tatum would be unable to play due to knee stiffness. Prior to the injury, Tatum had averaged 23.3 points, 10.7 rebounds and 6.8 assists in the first six games of the series.

In Tatum's absence, Boston didn't fare well. The Celtics were outscored 32-19 in the first quarter and ultimately lost 109-100. Without Tatum, three of Boston's starters were held scoreless, as head coach Joe Mazzulla made questionable lineup decisions apart from the duo of Jaylen Brown and Derrick White.

Boston's loss marked just their second first-round exit in the past 10 seasons as the Celtics were unable to capitalize on a 3-1 series lead.

As for Tatum, after playing in just 16 regular season games this season, he'll have an entire offseason to prepare for what is expected to be a full workload next year.

This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: Jayson Tatum's absence looms large as Celtics fall to 76ers in Game 7

San Luis Obispo (CA) Mission Prep‘s football program has gone nearly a decade under the watch of David Schuster as the school’s head coach. Over the weekend the longtime California high school football lead man announced his resignation.

According to a social media release, Schuster announced that he is stepping down as the program’s head coach after nine seasons. Over course of nearly 10 years, Schuster compiled an overall record of 61-34 from 2016 to 2025.

[ $19.99 gets you a FULL year of On3 | Rivals national coverage ]

“Today, I officially resigned from (Mission Prep Football). I have lived a dream for 9 years as the head coach of this beautiful school. To everyone who signed The Bricks, I love you dearly and it has been my greatest honor to be your coach,” Schuster said in a statement via social media.

Schuster’s first two seasons were as a Division 6 eight-man team before moving up to 11-man football in Division III. The Royals’ best campaign under Schuster came from 2021 to 2023 when Mission Prep had a combined record of 26-9.

In 2025, Mission Prep posted a 3-8 record and ranked as the No. 474 program in the state, according to the final California High School Football Massey Rankings.

More about Mission Prep

Mission Prep is a Catholic high school that focuses on forming students into well-rounded individuals with strong academic, spiritual, and athletic foundations. The school emphasizes scholarship, leadership, and service to others, with a vibrant athletics program that encourages participation across various sports, including football, basketball, and more.

How to Follow California High School Football

For California high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Golden State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the high school football excitement across the state of California.

What caused vomiting among Cowboys rookies at minicamp? Brian Schottenheimer’s honest take originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

During the first day of the Dallas Cowboys' 2026 rookie minicamp on May 1, head coach Brian Schottenheimer noted that several rookies struggled with the physical demands of the session. He specifically mentioned that the high-intensity drills led to health concerns, including instances of vomiting among the players.

Schotty says the #Cowboys have truly started putting their rookie class through the conditioning paces this weekend, to get them NFL ready now, not later.

… and to the point where “there was some vomiting” over the past couple days.

welcome to the NFL.

— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) May 2, 2026

“None of these guys are in great shape right now,” Schottenheimer said during a presser. “You might have seen a few guys getting sick yesterday, a little bit of vomiting going on.”

The vomiting was due to conditioning issues as the rookies weren't yet in NFL-level football shape. This is actually a common occurrence at rookie minicamps across the league. Many players arrive in "combine shape" (trained for testing drills like the 40-yard dash) rather than game-ready conditioning, which involves sustained high-intensity work during practice.

Schottenheimer's comments were straightforward and unsurprising for coaches familiar with rookie minicamps. It's essentially a "welcome to the NFL" reality check where the intensity and tempo of professional practices expose which players need to get on enhanced conditioning programs before the regular season begins.

Despite these conditioning hurdles, Schottenheimer was highly complimentary of the group's mental approach and talent. He described the 2026 class, particularly first-round pick Caleb Downs, as having "elite" intelligence and character. He praised the rookies' versatility and ability to compete at a high level despite the early "physical distress". 

Schottenheimer stressed that while the rookies gave "everything they had," there is a clear need for them to improve their physical preparation before the main training camp begins in late July.

Brian Schottenheimer has "Three Cs" for his rookie players

The coach has a simple plan for his new players. He calls it the "Three C’s". First, he wants them to feel comfortable so they don't feel too nervous. Second, he wants them to learn what it means to be a Cowboy and follow the team's rules. 

Most importantly, he wants them to stay connected and become good friends. By building these friendships early, the team can work better together when the real games begin.

“I talked about it to them, the three C’s,” he said. “Get them comfortable, a Cowboy, getting them caught up with football, but probably most importantly, getting them connected to one another.”

The minicamp, held at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, serves as the first on-field look for a 2026 draft class headlined by safety Caleb Downs who was picked at No. 11 overall.

More NFL news:

• Jaguars TE going viral for the oddest reason
• How the Steelers are setting up for Arch Manning
• Eagles might have a DeVonta Smith problem
• Patriots give another A.J. Brown signal
• From Falcons to Cardinals, Tyler Allgeier can't catch a break

The reason 76ers, Paul George couldn't possibly lose Game 7 to Celtics originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Paul George celebrated his birthday on Saturday.

It was also Game 7 for the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the NBA playoffs against the Boston Celtics.

Turns out, that was the perfect combination.

According to ESPN, no player has ever lost a Game 7 played on their birthday:

Hilarious ESPN stat pic.twitter.com/L5OfPZqKhb

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) May 3, 2026

MORE: Joel Embiid, injuries and all, overcomes Game 7 demons

Shoutout to the researcher who chased that one down. Incredible stuff.

George turned 36 on Saturday, and he and his teammates got to turn it into a road trip celebration in Boston.

The 76ers completed a comeback from 3-1 down to take the series that went the distance. They advance to play the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

MORE: How Celtics were doomed by 3-point shooting

George was solid in the clincher, playing 42 of a possible 48 minutes and scoring 13 points on 5-for-10 from the floor, including 3-for-5 from beyond the arc. He added three rebounds and an assist, and in a game the 76ers won by nine points, George was a plus-9.

The 76ers won't be able to call on George's birthday again, although they do have some birthdays coming up.

MORE: Breaking down what's next for Jayson Tatum

Quentin Grimes will turn 26 on May 8. And Dominick Barlow will turn 23 on May 26.

Maybe there's still some celebratory magic for the 76ers to call on before this postseason is done.

More NBA news:

• Bronny James just did something Michael Jordan never did
• Cavs' legacies, futures may have all changed on one bounce
• Brandon Ingram injury creates a big dilemma
• Things aren't going well for Donovan Mitchell
• Evan Mobley's crucial mistake sums up his career

Tennessee baseball signee Michael Teasley was named District 4-4A Pitcher of the Year by the district's coaches.

Teasley, a senior pitcher and third baseman at Oak Ridge High School in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, signed with the Vols on Jan. 28 after committing to Tennessee on Oct. 20, 2024. He was also named First-Team All-District.

The future Vol has led the Wildcats to consecutive appearances in the TSSAA Class 4A state tournament. Teasley was named District 3-4A Player of the Year as a junior in 2025 and earned All-State honors from the Tennessee Sports Writers Association.

Oak Ridge (29-7-1) has recorded two wins in the 2026 District 4-4A Tournament. The Wildcats defeated Bearden High School (Knoxville, Tennessee), 3-1, on May 1 at Bobby Hopkins Field in Oak Ridge.

Teasley pitched 6.2 innings and allowed one run, five hits and three walks. He recorded 10 strikeouts, while totaling 115 pitches, including 70 strikes. Offensively, Teasley went went 1-for-3. He recorded one home run, one RBI and one run.

On May 2, Oak Ridge defeated four-time defending Class 4A state champion Farragut High School, 10-5, at John Heatherly Field in Farragut, Tennessee.

Teasley went 1-for-3, recording three RBIs and one run. He hit a two-run single in the second inning when the Wildcats scored eight runs.

More: Michael Teasley details signing with Tennessee after coaching change

Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).

This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Tennessee baseball signee named Pitcher of the Year in 2026

UFC Fight Night 275

Carlos Prates (24-7 MMA, 7-1 UFC) Jack Della Maddalena (18-4 MMA, 8-2 UFC)

Events stats

The UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payout for the event totaled $198,500.

Debuting fighters went 0-2 at the event.

Prates, Quillan Salkilld, Brando Pericic and Shamil Gaziev earned $100,000 UFC Fight Night 275 fight-night bonuses. Four fighters earned $25,000 finish bonuses.

UFC Fight Night 275 drew an announced attendance of 13,839 for a live gate of $3,074,696.

Betting favorites went 10-2 on the card. One fight had even odds.

Betting favorites remained 5-7 in UFC headliners this year. Two main events, including Prates vs. Della Maddalena, had even odds.

Total fight time for the 13-bout card was 2:16:45.

Carlos Prates def. Jack Della Maddalena

Prates has earned 22 of his 24 career victories by stoppage. He's finished all seven of his UFC wins by knockout.

Prates' seven knockout victories in UFC welterweight competition are tied for fifth-most in divisional history behind Matt Brown (13), Thiago Alves (eight), Li Jingliang (eight) and Vicente Luque (eight).

Prates' seven knockout victories since 2024 in UFC competition are most in the company.

Prates' 12 knockdowns landed in UFC welterweight competition are second-most in divisional history behind Thiago Alves (13).

Prates became the seventh fighter in UFC history to have two appearances with three or more knockdowns landed. Israel Adesanya, Anderson Silva, Marlon Vera, Donald Cerrone, Conor McGregor and John Lineker also accomplished the feat.

Della Maddalena has suffered consecutive losses after going on an 18-fight winning streak.

Della Maddalena has suffered three of his four career losses by stoppage.

Quillan Salkilld def. Beneil Dariush

Quillan Salkilld's (12-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC) five-fight UFC winning streak at lightweight is tied for the second-longest active streak in the division behind Fares Ziam (six).

Salkilld has earned four of his five UFC victories by stoppage.

Beneil Dariush (23-8-1 MMA, 17-8-1 UFC) has suffered all eight of his career losses by stoppage.

Steve Erceg def. Tim Elliott

Steve Erceg (14-4 MMA, 5-3 UFC) has earned four of his five UFC victories by decision.

Tim Elliott (21-15-1 MMA, 10-12 UFC) fell to 8-8 since he returned to the UFC for a second stint in December 2016.

Elliott has suffered seven of his 11 UFC losses by decision.

Marwan Rahiki def. Ollie Schmid

Marwan Rahiki (9-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) has earned all nine of his career victories by stoppage.

Ollie Schmid (4-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC) has suffered all three of his career losses by stoppage.

Brando Pericic def. Shamil Gaziev

Brando Pericic (7-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) has earned all seven of his career victories by stoppage.

Shamil Gaziev (14-3 MMA, 3-4 UFC) has suffered all three of his career losses by knockout.

Louie Sutherland def. Tai Tuivasa

Tai Tuivasa's (14-10 MMA, 8-10 UFC) seven-fight losing skid is the longest of his career. He hasn't earned a victory since February 2022.

Tuivasa's seven-fight UFC losing skid is tied with B.J. Penn for second-longest in company history behind Tony Ferguson (eight).

Tuivasa fell to 5-10 in his past 15 fights after starting his career 10-0.

Tuivasa has suffered seven of his 10 career losses by stoppage.

Junior Tafa def. Kevin Christian

Junior Tafa (7-5 MMA, 3-5 UFC) improved to 1-2 since he dropped to the light heavyweight division in May 2025.

Tafa has earned all seven of his career victories by knockout.

Kevin Christian (9-4 MMA, 0-2 UFC) has suffered all four of his career losses by stoppage.

Jacob Malkoun def. Gerald Meerschaert

Jacob Malkoun (10-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) has earned five of his six UFC victories by decision.

Gerald Meerschaert's (37-22 MMA, 12-14 UFC) five-fight losing skid is the longest of his career. He hasn't earned a victory since August 2024.

Meerschaert fell to 3-8 in his past 11 fights dating back to April 2022.

Colby Thicknesse def. Vince Morales

Colby Thicknesse (9-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) has earned both of his UFC victories by decision.

Vince Morales (11-11 MMA, 3-9 UFC) suffered his fifth consecutive loss in UFC competition. He hasn't earned an octagon victory since December 2021.

Morales fell to 0-4 since he returned to the UFC for a second stint in September 2024.

Morales has suffered eight of his nine UFC losses by decision.

Wes Schultz def. Ben Johnston

Wes Schultz (9-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) has earned eight of his nine career victories by stoppage.

Ben Johnston (5-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) has suffered both of his career losses by stoppage.

Johnston suffered the first submission loss of his career.

Jonathan Micallef def. Themba Gorimbo

Jonathan Micallef (10-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) has earned two of his three UFC victories by decision.

Kody Steele def. Dom Mar Fan

Kody Steele (8-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) has earned six of his eight career victories by stoppage.

Dom Mar Fan (9-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) has suffered all three of his career losses by submission.

UFC research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll contributed to this story. Follow him on X @MJCflipdascript.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC Perth post-event facts: Carlos Prates starting to make history

Another day of minor league baseball is in the books. See the results below.

AAA: Sugar Land Space Cowboys (17-15) won 8-7 (BOX SCORE)

Sugar Land got on the board in the 2nd inning on a Biggio RBI single. In the 3rd inning, they picked up 3 more runs on a Perez 3 run home run. Hendrickson got the start and was solid allowing 2 runs over 5 innings. Sugar Land got 3 more runs in the 6th on a Price 2 run home run and Biggio sac fly. Price added another home run, this time a solo shot, in the 8th inning. The pen struggled a bit allowing 5 runs but were ultimately able to hang on for the 8-7 win.

Note: Hendrickson has a 2.51 ERA this season.

• James Nelson, 3B: 1-for-5, R
• CJ Alexander, RF: 2-for-5, R
• Carlos Perez, C: 1-for-3, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI, BB
• Collin Price, DH: 2-for-4, 2 R, 2 HR, 3 RBI
• Riley Unroe, 2B: 1-for-3, R, SB
• Cavan Biggio, 1B: 1-for-3, 2 RBI

• Josh Hendrickson, LHP: 5.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K (WIN)
• Sam Carlson, RHP: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
• Hudson Leach, RHP: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
• Logan VanWey, RHP: 1.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
• Anthony Maldonado, RHP: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K (SAVE)

AA: Corpus Christi Hooks (12-14) lost 9-5 (BOX SCORE)

Gillis got the start and went 3 innings allowing 2 runs. The offense got on the board in the 3rd scoring 3 runs on a Sacco solo home run and Dezenzo 2 run home run. True relieved Gillis but struggled allowing 4 runs over 1.2 innings. The Hooks got one back in the 5th inning scoring a run on a passed ball. The pen allowed another 3 runs as Frisco extended their lead. The offense got one back in the 8th inning on an Encarnacion solo home run but that was it as the Hooks fell 9-5.

Note: Bush has a .890 OPS this season.

• Will Bush, C: 2-for-4, R, BB
• Zach Dezenzo, LF: 1-for-4, R, HR, 2 RBI, BB
• Yamal Encarnacion, 2B: 1-for-5, R, HR, RBI
• Hector Salas, 3B: 1-for-3, R, BB
• Tommy Sacco, SS: 3-for-3, R, 2B, HR, RBI, BB

• Brett Gillis, RHP: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
• Derek True, RHP: 1.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
• Ramsey David, RHP: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
• Alejandro Torres, RHP: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
• Michael Cuevas, RHP: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

A+: Asheville Tourists (6-20) lost 9-3 (BOX SCORE)

Howard started for Asheville and was phenomenal tossing 6 scoreless innings while striking out 7 batters. Ogando struggled in relief allowing 4 runs in the 7th as Wilmington took the lead. The struggles continues in the 8th as he allowed another 5 runs. The offense rallied for 3 runs in the 9th on a Call RBI double, Powell RBI single and Holy groundout but that was it as Asheville fell 9-3.

Note: Brutcher is hitting .275 this season.

• Max Holy, SS: 0-for-4, RBI, BB
• Drew Brutcher, 1B: 2-for-4, R, SB
• Freuddy Batista, C: 1-for-3, R
• Chase Call, RF: 1-for-3, R, 2B, RBI, BB
• Caden Powell, LF: 1-for-3, RBI, BB
• Zach Daudet, 3B: 2-for-3, BB, SB

• Dylan Howard, RHP: 6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K
• Joan Ogando, RHP: 1.1 IP, 4 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 6 BB, 1 K
• Colby Langford, LHP: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers (10-16) 

Game One – lost 8-6 (BOX SCORE)

The Woodpeckers got on the board in the first inning on a Neyens solo home run and Wakefield RBI double. Forcucci got the start but really struggled allowing 1 run in the first inning and 5 runs in the 2nd inning, retiring just 3 batters. The offense got a run in the 3rd on a Cole solo home run and another in the 6th on an Alvarez solo home run. The RiverDogs extended their lead in the 5th scoring 2 runs. In the 7th, Neyens connected on a 2 run home run but that was it from the offense as the Woodpeckers fell 8-6.

Note: Neyens has a .949 OPS this season.

• Kevin Alvarez, LF: 1-for-4, R, HR, RBI
• Zach Cole, CF: 1-for-3, 2 R, HR, RBI, BB
• Xavier Neyens, 3B: 3-for-4, 2 R, 2 HR, 3 RBI
• Nick Monistere, 2B: 0-for-3, R, BB, SB
• Josh Wakefield, RF: 2-for-3, 2 2B, RBI, BB, SB
• Nehomar Ochoa, DH: 2-for-4, SB

• Ryan Forcucci, RHP: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 0 K
• Jackson Wells, RHP: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
• Coleman MacRae, RHP: 3.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K

Game Two – lost 10-2 (BOX SCORE)

The Woodpeckers got on the board in the 2nd inning on a Flores solo home run. Dixon got the start, marking his first game since 2023, and was great striking out 7 over 3 perfect innings. Serrano relieved Dixon but really struggled allowing 9 runs over 1.2 innings. The offense got one back in the 6th on a Flores RBI single but that was it as the Woodpeckers dropped game two.

Note: Wakefield is hitting .338 this season.

• Nick Monistere, SS: 1-for-2, R, BB
• Josh Wakefield, LF: 1-for-3
• Arturo Flores, 1B: 3-for-3, R, HR, 2 RBI

• Joey Dixon, RHP: 3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K
• Jose Serrano, RHP: 1.2 IP, 5 H, 9 R, 7 ER, 4 BB, 1 K
• Leomar Rosario, RHP: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 1 K

Today’s minor league starters:

SL: Brandon Bielak – 3:05 CT

CC: Trey Dombroski – 2:05 CT

AV: Nolan DeVos – 12:05 CT

FV: TBD – 4:05 CT

We witnessed footballing madness, beauty, drama, and poetry all wrapped into one in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich in Paris. It’s ludicrous to think that the 5-4 scoreline didn’t even do the attacking talent that was on display, as either side very well could’ve scored more than they did, and it’s even more ridiculous to note that none of the defenders on the pitch really had poor matches — the attacking players on the night were just THAT GOOD! All of Harry Kane, Michael Olise, Luis Díaz, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembélé, and Désiré Doué were sensational on the night and helped produce one of the most elite pair of attacking performances we’ve ever seen in the Champions League semifinals.

There’s quite often matches earlier than the final in the competition that fit the billing of being a final and Bayern seem to have found themselves involved in matches of that caliber quite often. Real Madrid in the quarters this season, PSG in the semis, Inter Milan in the quarters last season, Real Madrid in the 2023/24 semis, Arsenal in the 2023/24 quarters, and the list goes on.

Reactions from the 5-4 first leg semi between PSG and Bayern trickled in from every corner of the footballing world, justifiably, and a lot of managers across Europe offered their two cents on what they witnessed, whether it had been live, full match highlights, or even match replays. Not everyone joked about not being able to bear watching such a match like Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, who was in attendance at Stockport County’s match against Port Vale in English League One.

A collection of reactions from managers across Europe (via @iMiaSanMia):

Cesc Fàbregas (Como): “I think I watched the best game of my life as a football fan. I enjoyed it, it showed where modern football is going. I learned a lot from this match. It was a pleasure for everyone.”

Pierre Sage (RC Lens): “We were completely on the edge of our seats, glued to our screens. I’m one of those people who prefers to see a 5-4 scoreline rather than a 1-0 one. When you see the level of these teams and the individual level of each player, you realize how high the bar is set.”

Habib Beye (Olympique Marseille): “This football inspires everyone. Everyone who saw this spectacle… There are no words.”

Niko Kovač (Borussia Dortmund): “It was a spectacle. So sensational to watch. I have to say I enjoyed it. Let’s not kid ourselves – the top tier at the moment is Bayern Munich and PSG. All other clubs in Europe are watching with a lot of interest to see what’s needed to get there.”

Franck Haise (Stade Rennes): “I thought to myself: what’s going on? Even though you could expect that crazy things can happen with the two best teams in the world, with exceptional players everywhere, there’s a difference between expecting something and actually having it happen.. I was sitting on my sofa and I fully enjoyed it.”

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…

Join the conversation!

Sign up for a user account and get:

• New, improved notifications system!
• Fewer ads
• Create community posts
• Comment on articles, community posts
• Rec comments, community posts

The Mariners were a little bit of everything in April, which is exactly what they were supposed to be. 

The Mariners finished April with a .500 record. The month included a five-game losing streak, a four-game losing streak, and two four-game winning streaks. They were projected in the preseason as favorites in their division and the entire American League.  They are still favorites in the division, but have fallen to second in the AL behind the hot-start Yankees. They are now two-games under .500 after opening May with back-to-back losses.

They finished April seventh by WAR:

Again, this is about what they were projected for entering the season. A good lineup with middling base running, and a good pitching staff with a porous defense behind them. It’s a well-rounded but not extraordinary group with greater strengths than weaknesses, and they are elevated by a weak division and league.

Now, it’s still early. I’ll have more commentary on the Mariners initial standing two Sundays from now when they breach the 40-game mark. Today, I want to discuss a few things that stood out in the season’s first split.

April Flowers

Cole Young steps forward

Cole Young has been good, or maybe great — depends who you ask.

FanGraphs lists Young at 0.8 WAR through April. That makes him the seventh most valuable second baseman in the majors, and just outside the top 50 for qualified position players. Good.

Baseball Reference lists Young at 1.9 WAR. That makes him not only the league’s best second baseman, but the fourth best position player in all of baseball. Great.

The difference comes down to defense. Baseball Reference uses Defensive Runs Saved (DRS). By that metric, Young has been the second best fielder in the majors. In fact, Young was named Sports Info Solutions Defensive Player of the Month for April in the American League. FanGraphs, on the other hand, uses Fielding Run Value (FRV) from Baseball Savant, which suggests Young has been about neutral on defense.

While the degree of success is up for debate, it’s a (small sample) success nonetheless. Last year, Young was awful on defense. It was a combination of bad hands, bad footwork, and a weak arm. This year, he seems to have fixed at least the first two points. His arm is somehow even weaker than before, but he’s now getting to grounders, collecting them into his glove, and throwing the ball accurately to first base. Kate Preusser did a great overview of Young’s improvements this spring, and those have indeed carried into the regular season.

It’s not just in the field. Young was the Mariners’ second best hitter in April, with a 125 wRC+ in 126 plate appearances. He’s maintained all the things he did well last year — pulling the ball in the air, drawing walks, and avoiding strikeouts. But he’s improved his quality of contact, with a 40.7% hard hit rate (pretty good) and a 40.7% launch angle sweet spot rate (outstanding).

As the chart shows, however, this isn’t quite new. Young hit equally well for a good chunk of last summer. The upsell is this isn’t simply a fluke. The downsell here is we’ve seen him collapse after doing this before. Still, a great season starts with a great month. Young is on his way.

The bottom of the order steps up

Young is one of several encouraging signs from the bottom of the Mariners order. Dominic Canzone picked up right where he left off last year, with a 142 wRC+ and some of the best contact quality in baseball. Luke Raley looks healthy again and has flashed extraordinary power, though he’s cooled in recent weeks. Randy Arozarena is in the midst of a classic hot streak (even if the rest is still quite frustrating).

The Mariners 1st and 5-9 hitters posted a combined 114 wRC+ in April, keeping the offense afloat while the middle of the order struggled. Julio Rodríguez, Cal Raleigh, and Josh Naylor each picked it up in the second half of the month, and the Mariners 127 wRC+ since April 10 is second best in baseball. This looks like one of the league’s top lineups once again.

Emerson Hancock steps at all

Perhaps more surprising than Young’s progress on defense is Emerson Hancock emerging as a quality mid-rotation starter, or as he showed Saturday, maybe even more. Hancock wasn’t good last year (or the year before) in the sixth starter role, and the Mariners often needed him to be. I’d honestly written him off — the stuff simply wasn’t there over a fairly large sample.

But in the latest example of “development isn’t linear,” Hancock suddenly found it in April. He had a 2.86 ERA, 4.60 FIP, and 3.46 xFIP in six starts. Sure, a pesky home run problem was still there, but he struck out batters, limited walks, and went deep into games for the first time in his career.

Michael Rosen outlined the changes for Hancock recently at FanGraphs. Basically, he’s the rare pitcher who, mid career, suddenly changed the way he’s physically throwing the ball. Stuff metrics love the changes, and the results have followed. That’s what’s so exciting about what would other wise be a small sample — it’s a lot easier to believe he’s changed when he literally has.

Now, I was going to note that Hancock’s stuff ticked down over his last to April starts. He still looked like a better pitcher than the last few years, but maybe more “reasonable improvement” than “new ace.” Then last night happened. Hancock struck out 14 batters and picked up 21 whiffs. It was an incredible, career-best performance for any pitcher, and that it was Hancock makes it borderline unbelievable. He is now fourth — fourth! — in the majors with a 25.2% K-BB rate. It’s a turnaround unlike anything I’ve witnessed.

April Showers

The rest of the rotation

The other starters haven’t been bad necessarily, and including them here isn’t quite fair. The Mariners’ rotation finished April in a four-way tie for eighth most fWAR in the majors. They also posted a league best 5.6% walk rate and were 1/3 of an inning behind the Dodgers for most innings pitched (181).

They also finished a disappointing 20th with a 21.2% strikeout rate. Strikeouts aren’t everything, but the tradeoff is more contact, and the Mariners have allowed the third worst hard hit rate in baseball. One of those should ideally change.

Again, it’s still an above average group, and there a lot of teams that would love to have this rotation. But it’s year four and five for Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, and Bryan Woo, and they don’t seem they’re any closer to actually being in the top tier of rotations. Mariners starters are 10th by fWAR since 2022; Mariners batters are ninth.

There are important questions ahead, with Hancock continuing to pitch well, Luis Castillo getting shelled, and Bryce Miller nearing completion of his third rehab stint in the last 365 days. The dynamic will shift soon.

The defense

All that hard contact allowed is not ideal for the defense behind them. It’s been dreadful, again. At the moment they’re tied for last in the majors by OAA.

The thing that jumps out most is Julio at -3 OAA (-2 FRV thanks to a nice throw). I don’t buy that he’s suddenly bad now. As I wrote in the preseason, fielders of his caliber (and age) should be good for a long time, and I expect his performance will even out over time. But this was indeed the worst month of his career in the outfield. He’s completed outs on just three of seven plays graded as “1 Star” by Baseball Savant (here, here, here, and here); he also missed a ball so easy it didn’t even get a star.

Now, if you click through those videos, I think you’ll see why I’m not concerned. It’s not like his range has suddenly disappeared (in fact, it’s slightly improved). There’s been weird weather, roofs, and a few misreads on tweeners. Julio has never been a guy like Pete Crow-Armstrong or Ceddanne Rafaela, where you’d expect him to fetch more than a handful of five-star catches in a season. Instead, Julio earns his keep as one of the most fundamentally sound route runners in the game, with the athleticism necessary to adjust on the fly. He made 81 of 84 plays graded one or to stars last year — he does the routine better than anybody. I expect that to return.

The rest? Awful. Dreadful. I don’t need to see anymore. I’ll always take offense over defense, and I continue to believe this is a top-10 group overall. But defense is where good fell short of great in 2025, and that’s likely the case again this year.

The short side

The Mariners finished April with an 81 wRC+ against lefties. There were a handful of strong performances from Arozarena, Young, Mitch Garver, and even J.P. Crawford. But there was still half a lineup that was simply non-competitive against lefties.

This isn’t a surprise. The Mariners best role players are lefties with strong platoon splits, and the plan was always to platoon and pinch hit. The issue is the Mariners have a 50 wRC+ in 31 plate appearances off the bench. The strategy simply hasn’t worked, again.

Of course, the Mariners are also fourth in the majors with a 113 wRC+ against righties in twice as many plate appearances. It’s a good lineup, if a vulnerable one.

As the Kansas City Chiefs continued their rookie minicamp on Saturday, we got our first chance to see fifth-round pick, former Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson on the field in a Chiefs uniform.

Although these are unpadded practices, head coach Andy Reid has seen enough to have a good, initial impression of the newcomer.

“Smart kid, good kid, and he’s got that lateral quickness,” said Reid, before comparing Johnson to another former player he used to coach. “I mean, we had LeSean McCoy here for a bit, and he’s got a little bit of that to him, where he can shift gears and still get himself upfield quickly.”

Reid went on to praise Johnson as a pass blocker and describe him as a natural pass catcher. It’s something the rookie back takes pride in, as he talked about during his press conference on Saturday.

“I can receive really well,” Johnson began. “That can help the offense. So, just having the ability to not just run the ball, but also catch and affect the game that way is something that I look forward to.”

Like all rookies, Johnson knows that job number one is to buckle down and learn the playbook.

“I do a great job of studying,” Johnson confidently shared. “I’m playing the NFL. I have no excuse for not knowing my assignment on the football field. So I take big pride in understanding what I have to do on the field to be successful.”

Johnson had a bit of a leg up on other players in his situation — he played for former NFL head coach Matt Rhule at Nebraska, and Johnson said that Rhule running the Cornhuskers’ football team like an NFL program helped prepare him for the last couple of days.

“The structure in college at Nebraska… showing up to meetings on time, being here early, being a pro is what coach Rhule says,” Johnson reflected.

But Johnson’s motivation also goes beyond what he learned at Nebraska. He gets it from his parents, who fled Liberia during a civil war to relocate to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where Johnson was born.

“Their story immigrating from Liberia… [it] just makes me want to wake up and go extremely hard for them,” Johnson stated. “They’re really proud of me, but at the end of the day, I’m in the NFL, but this is ground zero… I haven’t done anything yet, I’m just trying to work and earn the respect of my teammates and coaches right now.”

One of the primary coaches Johnson will have to win over is offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, who has a reputation for coaching his players hard. Which is something that Johnson says he loves.

“I love when he gets on me because I know he’s going to get the best out of me, and I’m going to make sure that I’m detailed in everything that I do,” Johnson declared. “He’s somebody who’s never really going to give you your flowers. He’s going to be on you, and that’s what I love out of [a] coach.”

To that point, Johnson said that although he hasn’t returned kicks since high school, he knows that special teams is a crucial phase of the game, and he’s willing to do “Whatever the team needs.”

Continuing, Johnson expounded on his statement, saying that, “If they need me to run down there on kickoff, that’s what I’ll do—kick return, gunner, whatever they need. I told coach I’m willing to do whatever it takes for the team to win.”

Johnson also isn’t afraid of a little bit of friendly competition. When he was asked about the strength of the Chiefs’ running back room, he showed nothing but excitement and anticipation.

“I love it, man,” Johnson said. “I’m playing with a Super Bowl MVP in Kenneth Walker and some other great guys. So, I just love playing against the best and competing with the best. I wouldn’t want it any other way. I want to be competing with the best. So, I love every second of it.”

Johnson is also not afraid of comparisons, which may be why he selected the recently vacated jersey No. 10, which was previously worn by former Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco and former wide receiver Tyreek Hill during their time with Kansas City.

“I had an opportunity to wear it,” Johnson acknowledged. “I got respect for the players that have worn this number in the past, but I’m trying to leave my legacy.”

Johnson’s birthday is also 10/10, so it also has a lot to do with why he wanted the number.

Listening to Johnson speak to the media, you can’t help but think that this is a guy who is the total package. He’s a guy you’d be hard-pressed to bet against.

There has been plenty of debate surrounding the future of Jon Rahm following the news that LIV Golf is facing a fight to secure funding from the end of the 2026 season.

There are real doubts over where LIV Golf will be in the coming years, with the news that the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia plan to withdraw their financial support for the league by the end of the year.

Given the money invested so far, it looks set to be incredibly difficult for Scott O’Neil to keep LIV alive. It is an extremely hard sell when you consider what the PIF spent for little reward.

Jon Rahm has a chance to prove just how much faith he has in LIV Golf this year

Bryson DeChambeau handed LIV a boost by claiming that he is planning to stay for as long as the league continues to exist. But many are waiting to see what Jon Rahm decides to do.

Rahm made no secret of the money being a factor in his decision to leave the PGA Tour. However, he now has an opportunity to prove just how much belief he had in the league when he shocked the world by signing in December 2023.

Certainly, his comments to David Feherty at his unveiling look very interesting now.

“I think the innovation and the vision of LIV Golf is what pushed me over to at least give it a chance and hear the pitch out. Ultimately, it ended up being what I guess I wanted to hear. I believe in the growth of the game of golf. I’ve largely spoken about how Seve improved the game of golf in Spain and how I would like to do the same thing over there. If I can reach a bigger audience there, it would be amazing. I do believe this process will help me do that,” he said.

“Even though it’s not a part of this sport, it is now, it’s the team aspect of things. Some of the biggest sporting events for the most part, people are following their teams. I myself growing up being a massive Athletic Bilbao fan, I realise that has a bit of an appeal, much more than I give credit to.”

Rahm’s decision could silence a lot of speculation about how much players care about LIV Golf

It has always been difficult to know just how genuine LIV golfers are being when they heap praise on the league. Many will have seen Graeme McDowell produce one of the most laughable comments in LIV history this week when discussing Smash’s rebrand to OKGC.

Some of the players clearly feel obliged to defend LIV at every opportunity. They bizarrely see themselves as some sort of underdog when it is surely the case that most would not have looked twice at signing had it not been for the astronomical riches on offer.

But the issue with that is it is nearly impossible to decipher what is true praise and what is bluster simply for the benefit of those who criticise the league.

Rahm has the chance to prove that the money was indeed not the main reason that he decided to sign with LIV. If he has a true belief in the league’s potential, he will surely follow DeChambeau’s lead and make sure that they look after the younger players who made a much riskier move.

The likes of Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood can continue to bang the drum for LIV. Their days of playing on the PGA Tour are surely over now, whatever happens next.

But Rahm could be about to face a decision that defines his career.

If he truly believed everything he said about LIV back in 2023, that decision is going to be a lot harder than many would think.

Sunrisers Hyderabad missed out on the chance to move top of the Indian Premier League, losing by seven wickets to Kolkata Knight Riders.

Having chosen to bat, Sunrisers collapsed from 105-1 to 165 all out with an over to spare.

After losing Abhishek Sharma for 15, Travis Head (61) and Ishan Kishan (42) shared a second-wicket partnership of 61, before the former's wicket halted Sunrisers' innings.

No subsequent batter scored more than 11, while Head was the first of three batters to fall to leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy (3-36).

Kolkata captain Ajinkya Rahane (43) and Angkrish Raghuvanshi (59) put on 84 for the second wicket in their side's reply as they eased towards their target.

Both batters fell, but Rinku Singh (22) and Cameron Green (3) ensured the visitors reached their target with 10 balls remaining.

Sunrisers sit third with six wins from 10 games, while Kolkata remain eighth having won three of their nine matches.

Scorecard; Table

VJ Edgecombe delivered a decisive performance as the Philadelphia 76ers completed their turnaround against the Boston Celtics last Saturday.

The rookie scored 23 points in the 109-100 win in Boston, helping seal one of the most remarkable comebacks of the postseason.

His composure stood out on the high-pressure stage.

And while the result itself carried weight, Edgecombe’s individual display added further significance. His shooting performance placed him into a rare category in NBA playoff history.

VJ Edgecombe joins Lu Dort in rare Game 7 shooting record

According to StatMuse, Edgecombe became just the second rookie in NBA history to hit five or more three-pointers in a Game 7. He is only the second player ever to reach that mark.

The only other name on that list is Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort. That places Edgecombe in elite company at an early stage of his career.

Against Boston, the 20-year-old shot 45% from beyond the arc. He converted five of his 11 attempts, showing confidence throughout the contest. He also added two free throws and three two-point baskets to round off his scoring.

Edgecombe justifies high draft expectations

Edgecombe’s impact reflects his status as the third overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Only Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper were selected ahead of him.

He entered the season with strong expectations and quickly established himself as a Rookie of the Year contender.

Although he finished third in the voting behind Flagg and Kon Knueppel, his campaign remained highly productive.

Edgecombe averaged 16 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists during the regular season.

Read more:

Welp! An Atlanta Braves outfielder is going on the IL — just not the one who had apparently been close to making a trip to the IL for this past week. Instead of Michael Harris II taking that trip, it’ll be Ronald Acuña Jr. after he strained his left hamstring leaving the batter’s box during Saturday’s win over the Rockies.

Acuña has officially been placed on the 10-day IL and outfielder José Azócar has been called up in order to fill Acuña’s spot on the roster for the time being.

Of course, how long Acuña ends up being out depends on the severity of the strain. If it’s a Grade 1 strain then this should just be a straight-up 10-day stint on the IL. We know it’s probably not a Grade 3 strain since that likely would’ve qualified as a tear and Grade 2 might require a somewhat extended absence with a rehab stint involved. So yeah, here’s hoping that it’s just Grade 1 since that wouldn’t be too awful — and also another truly severe leg injury the last thing Acuña needs in his career at the moment.

More to add later…

The New York Mets have fallen to the worst record in Major League Baseball after a loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday and their brutal season hit a new low in another way as well.

Amid disappointing debuts for a range of new stars and persistent injury issues, highly touted infielder Ronny Mauricio suffered a fractured thumb and will be joining fellow shortstop Francisco Lindor on the injured list for a prolonged stint.

“Already facing the prospect of an extended absence for starting shortstop Francisco Lindor, the Mets on Saturday lost his backup, Ronny Mauricio, to a fractured left thumb,” Anthony DiComo wrote for MLB.com. “With Lindor sidelined until at least late May and possibly June, Mauricio had been starting nearly every day at shortstop.”

MORE FROM FORBESRed Sox Infielder Offers 2-Word Response On Blue Jays Death ThreatsBy Peter Chawaga

New York Mets Face Bo Bichette Decision After Shortstop Injury

However, for Mets fans seeking a silver lining as the season barrels even further off the rails, there could be some solace in the most likely shortstop replacement move for the team following the injury.

“In the absence of both Lindor and Mauricio, Bo Bichette is the most logical candidate to slide over to shortstop, his natural position,” DiComo added.

After signing a three-year, $126 million contract to join the Mets, Bichette has been moved to third base for the first time in his career. Defensively, it seems he has been adjusting pretty well, but he has struggled at the plate along with most of his new teammates and it’s possible that a move back to his old position could help matters.

In seven seasons as the Toronto Blue Jays’ everyday shortstop, Bichette was the American League hits leader in two different seasons, earned two All-Star nods and saw four seasons of MVP Award votes. Perhaps a return to the defensive role he held with his old team could make him more comfortable at the plate as the Mets seek some momentum.

MORE FROM FORBESYankees’ Former Starter Cut By NL Contender Shortly After Perfect InningBy Peter Chawaga

New York Mets’ Infielder Bo Bichette Offers Response On Returning To Toronto Blue Jays Position

For his part, Bichette offered a clear four-word response to the idea of returning to his Blue Jays role for Mets following Mauricio’s injury.

“Whatever the team needs,” Bichette said, per ESPN.

Ultimately, what the Mets need more than anything from Bichette is a return to his typical offensive form. He is slashing just .238/.279/.323, well below his career averages. If he can turn things around offensively following a defensive return to comfort, perhaps his team can derive a positive from this latest setback.

The Mets can also consider calling up Eric Wagaman, Christian Arroyo, Jackson Cluff or Vidal Brujan to fill in for Mauricio.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

The Philadelphia 76ers made history by defeating the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of their NBA playoff series.

On Saturday, May 2, the Sixers claimed a 109-100 victory in Boston. It marked the first time in 33 opportunities the legendary Celtics franchise blew a 3-1 series lead. Philadelphia entered 0-18 when trailing 3-1.

Philadelphia center Joel Embiid returned from injury earlier in the series to put up 34 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in the stunning triumph. Tyrese Maxey pitched in with 30 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists.

MORE: LeBron James makes defiant statement against Kendrick Perkins with Lakers win

But after the game, Embiid turned his focus to the 76ers’ next opponent, the New York Knicks. Furthermore, he urged Philly fans to refrain from selling tickets to Knicks supporters, per Barstool Sports.

“I just have a message for our fans. The last time we played the Knicks it felt like this was Madison Square Garden East. We’re going to need your support. Don’t sell your tickets. This is bigger than you,” Embiid said.

Recent history remembered

The third-seeded Knicks are favored against the seventh-seeded 76ers in the second-round series. The teams split their four regular-season meetings.

Two years ago, New York defeated Philadelphia in six games in a first-round series. The Knicks even clinched the series on the road after Sixers ownership tried to prevent New York fans from purchasing tickets.

With tongue in cheek, Embiid even offered to pitch in to help out any Sixers fan tempted to use tickets for financial gain.

“There’s going to be some people that need the money,” he said. “But don’t do it. … If you need money, I got you.”

Finally, New York hosts Game 1 against Philadelphia at 8 p.m. ET Monday on NBC and Peacock. The first contest in Philadelphia is Game 3 at 7 p.m. ET Friday.

The suspension of midfielder André, who was sent off in the last round of the Brazilian Championship against Vasco, has opened up an opportunity for Allan in Corinthians’ starting lineup for this Sunday’s (3) clash against Mirassol.

According to UOL, the defensive midfielder is highly regarded by coach Fernando Diniz and could earn a run of games as a starter for the black-and-white side.

Allan already worked with Diniz at Fluminense in 2019 and appeals to the coach because of his characteristics.

UOL has learned that Diniz even considered bringing Allan in to replace André in the previous Libertadores match against Peñarol, but chose to keep the youngster in the starting lineup on that occasion.

The internal assessment is that Allan is currently in better form than André, which justifies the tactical change.

In addition to André, Corinthians will face Mirassol with a considerable list of absences.

Center-back Gustavo Henrique and midfielder André Carrillo are also suspended.

In the medical department, Timão will be without João Pedro Tchoca, Charles, Vitinho, and Memphis.

Interestingly, Raniele, another midfielder, could be used out of position at right-back for the match as the team looks to adjust its setup in light of the absences.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

England's Alice Hewson made four birdies in eight holes on the back nine of the MCB Ladies Classic final round but her late charge was in vain as Smilla Soenderby claimed the title at Belle Mare Plage in Mauritius.

The 28-year-old's back nine of 32 gave her a closing 67 and got her to 10 under par for the Ladies European Tour (LET) event - but the two final groups held their nerve and it was Soenderby who claimed the title.

The Dane birdied the 18th to thrillingly claim the inaugural MCB Ladies Classic by one stroke from Kajsa Arwefjall and Casandra Alexander.

Soenderby, 25, began her final round poorly, dropping a shot at the par-5 4th - but bounced back with an eagle three at another par 5 two holes later and picked up a further stroke at the 9th.

She birdied 10, 13 and 15 but gave one back to the field at 14 before making the decisive birdie on the risk-reward par-5 18th to card a 67 that got her to 14 under and ended Arwefjall and Alexander's hopes of a play-off.

"Thank you to my mum who has been with me as my caddy this week. It has been so special and we will remember it forever," said Soenderby, whose previous win on the LET was at the 2023 KPMG Women's Irish Open.

"It has been an amazing event and I hope we come back here! I really enjoyed the Legend course and I'm so happy with this win."

Sweden's Arwefjall made six birdies and avoided any dropped shots in her closing 66, which set a stiff clubhouse target of 13 under.

Alexander then eagled the last to match Arwefjall - an aptly thrilling end to a rollercoaster round of 67 by the South Africa that also included six birdies but also a double bogey and two bogeys.

Hewson, from Hertfordshire, dropped a shot at the 5th but also made two other birdies on the front nine as she finished in a five-way tie for fifth.

The two-time Curtis Cup player - who has three LET wins in her career, including two in Switzerland - was part of a strong English showing in Mauritius.

Lianna Bailey earned herself a share of 12th with rounds of 70, 69 and 70 while her fellow English player Ellen Hume was a shot back.

Another Englishwoman, the in-form Esme Hamilton, shot a final-round 71 for a five-under total alongside Ireland's Anna Foster, who carded a fine closing 68.

Lily May Humphreys finished with a second successive level-par 72 for a four-under tournament total, while Jess Baker got to two under with her best round of the week, a 69.

Anna Zanusso of Italy made four consecutive birdies on the front nine in an outward half of 32 then came back in a blistering 31 shots to set a new ladies' course record of 63 on the Legend course at Belle Mare Plage to finish fourth.

Agathe Laisne of France, who had opened the tournament with a majestic course-record 64 and is chasing a Solheim Cup debut in September, closed with a 69 for a share of fifth.

Mohamed Diomande believes Rangers will need to produce their best performance of the season to beat William Hill Premiership leaders Hearts on Monday night.

With four fixtures remaining, Danny Rohl's side head to Tynecastle four points behind the Jambos and with the title out of their hands following a damaging 3-2 defeat by Motherwell at Ibrox last weekend.

Asked if Rangers will need to put in their best display of the campaign to give their title hopes a shot in the arm, midfielder Diomande said: "Yes we will. We need to put on a massive performance and work hard.

"It might not come easy for us, but we'll do everything to win the game. I believe we will win the game. We might not just win games by doing what the coach taught us or the tactical things we work on before.

"It will depend on ourselves. If Hearts or the other teams are going to play dirty, we need to stand up. Maybe we don't have to think about the tactical play and just fight.

"If that's what we need to win the game, we have to do it. It's about character and standing up for ourselves. It won't come easy. Fighting for it will be the most important thing."

The Ivory Coast international admitted the home defeat to Motherwell "wasn't the best" but says his side can't give up now.

"We have four more games to play that we're looking to win," he said. "We're really motivated to do so.

"It's disappointing because we know far behind we were, 13 points (when Rohl took over last October).

"We came back to one and now it's four again. We know what's happened before and we don't have many games left. Every minute will be very important now. Last Sunday, the first 45 were very disappointing.

"But we're still in it so we'll do everything to beat our direct opponents, who are also trying to win the league, to be champions."

Celebrations are taking place across the city after Cambridge United secured automatic promotion from League Two.

A goalless draw at Crewe Alexandra secured a place for Neil Harris's team in League One on Saturday.

Supporters travelling back from Cheshire described a mix of relief and excitement, with a missed penalty from Ben Knight adding late drama before celebrations began at full-time.

Speaking after the game, fan Nadine Gooding said: "We've got a two-and-a-half-hour drive home with our three kids - chanting all the way. Maybe trying not to explain some of the swear words we heard in the game.

"It's an amazing result. Very excited, very happy that we're in League One next year.

"We didn't do it the easy way. I genuinely didn't think we were going to do it."

Andy Bourne described the game as a "nerve-wracking" end to a "pretty strong season".

"It's all sinking in to be honest. How did we not score? I don't know, but the job is done, so brilliant," he said.

"It's going to be tough in League One, but I think if we regroup, especially if we've got Harris, we should do alright."

'Emotionally draining'

Adrian Brown has been a United supporter for about 30 years and also praised the manager.

"It was an absolutely terrible game. They gave it to us, I think, rather than us winning it," he said.

"Over the season though, I think we deserved it, maybe even deserved better. Some results could have gone our way and didn't."

John and Nicola Bowyer said the game was "emotionally and mentally draining" for fans.

"Typical Cambridge United — nervy finish. We always do things the hard way," the pair said.

"I've been a fan since I was about six, it's never easy. You've got to bottle these moments and relive them," they added.

"I'm so pleased for the players, for Neil Harris, and for the club. They've restructured things really well. It's a brilliant day for us."

'Need a striker'

Michael Charge, who had travelled from Malta to support the team, said he was "delighted" and "buzzing" at the return to the third flight, having been relegated last year.

"It was nail-biting, an emotional rollercoaster. I'll head back to my hotel tonight and fly back tomorrow. I'm looking forward to League One, even if it costs me a bit more in travel," he said.

"Harris has done the job. We had doubts when he came back, but you can't ask for more than promotion.

"Next year though, we need a striker. Someone who can score goals. None of us want to go through that again."

Coach Neil Harris told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire "it was a tough game" and that he is "proud of the team".

"We weren't the better team, but we had the better chances, even in the 96th minute, to win it outright," he said.

Earlier this year, the club said it was "open-minded" about moving to a new stadium in the long-term, if redevelopment of their Abbey Stadium was not possible.

Do you have a story suggestion for Peterborough? Contact us below.

Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

Related internet links

• Cambridge United FC

Jordan Wright says the belief instilled in the Newport County squad by head coach Christian Fuchs' was pivotal in ensuring the Exiles preserved their League Two status.

Newport were four points adrift of safety when the former Austria international was named as Dave Hughes' successor at Rodney Parade in November.

But the Exiles clinched survival on the final day of the 2025-26 season as they came from behind to win 2-1 at Barrow.

Discussing the impact of 2015-16 Premier League winner Fuchs, Wright told BBC Radio Wales Sport: "He's just brought that belief, he's done it at the highest level, he's won the highest thing you can win in English football.

"He's just brought that to the team. He just said, 'Lads, we're a good group, we've got good players and just believe in yourselves'.

"We've believed in ourselves and look what's happened. It's unbelievable."

Wright added: "I think we've shown in games in the past two or three months that we've been unbelievable.

"If we find that rhythm and put it in the back of the net more often, we'll win so many more games. The group of lads and staff that we've got, it's an unreal group.

"You can tell just how much it means to everyone."

Charlie McCann gave Barrow an early lead at SO Legal Stadium, and the hosts had the chance to go 2-0 up when they were awarded a penalty early on in the second half.

But Josh Gordon was well denied by Wright from 12 yards out before Tom Davies and Bobby Kamwa struck late on to earn the visitors a precious victory.

On his crucial penalty save, Wright said: "Any 'keeper would say they're just doing their job. You prepare for it, and if it happens, it happens.

"I go through it, I do the home work and luckily it's paid off today.

"I've watched his pens and I knew what he would do with his run up.

"I thought if I just lean, my legs are long enough to try and save it."

Makai Lemon is stepping into a tense situation in Philadelphia with the Eagles, but tense does not necessarily mean bad. It's just an uncertain dynamic in which fans, players and coaches don't fully know what to expect. Amid the uncertainty, however, optimism exists. The replacement of 2025 offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo with Sean Mannion has quarterback Jalen Hurts and other Eagles excited, as Eagles Wire notes:

"The Sean Mannion era is underway in Philadelphia. The former NFL quarterback, who has been promoted to rising offensive coordinator, has earned glowing remarks from two of his most important players in the first two months on the Eagles' coaching staff. Star right tackle Lane Johnson joined Jalen Hurts in praising Mannion's offensive approach, highlighting the Shanahan/McVay factors in the offense.

"Hurts praised new Eagles offensive coordinator Sean Mannion, calling him "amazing" and saying he's excited for what's ahead, adding the two have already been in communication. During a sit-down with Ryan Fitzpatrick and Andrew Whitworth, Johnson echoed those sentiments while hinting at playing less one-on-one on the outside at offensive tackle.

"A former NFL quarterback and 2015 third-round pick, Mannion, 33, played four seasons with the Rams, three seasons with the Vikings, and one season in Seattle with the Seahawks as a backup quarterback. Mannion is widely credited with playing an instrumental role in Malik Willis's development, who went from a bust in Tennessee to a $67.5 million contract with the Dolphins."

Sean Mannion played quarterback at Oregon State and faced USC. Now he will try to help USC's award-winning first-round draft pick to thrive in the NFL.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Sean Mannion could be the key to Makai Lemon's career with Eagles

Many predicted Brentford to go down this season, but instead they are on the cusp of European qualification.

A very specific permutation would allow Brentford - or whoever grabs sixth place - to sneak into Europe's premier competition rather than the Europa League.

The Premier League secured an extra Champions League spot back in April, meaning the top five teams will qualify for the league stage of next year's competition.

Sixth would also get a team into next season's Champions League if Aston Villa win the Europa League and finish fifth in the Premier League.

Because of the order in which Champions League berths are decided - European titles are allocated before the Premier League's additional spot - sixth will not be good enough for the Champions League if Aston Villa win the Europa League and finish in the Premier League top four.

Instead, Villa will qualify via their league position and the place reserved for the Europa League winners will be passed to the league champions in qualifying with the best Uefa coefficient.

That could be Rangers, if they win the Scottish Premiership.

Therefore, Brentford fans should be keeping a keen eye on Villa's Europa League semi-final tie against Nottingham Forest.

Unai Emery's side lost the first leg 1-0, but will be playing at home for the second leg on Thursday night.

The winner will face either Braga or Freiburg in the Europa League final on 20 May.

Read Joe Rindl's full piece here

The Knicks are playing some of their best basketball at the right time. After a decisive 140-89 win that closed out a first round series win against the Atlanta Hawks, New York is in the second round for the fourth consecutive year. The Knicks’ Semifinals opponent, the Philadelphia 76ers, just completed a stunning comeback from a 3-1 first round series deficit against the Boston Celtics on Saturday night. 

With the series opener on Monday at Madison Square Garden, let’s dive into keys to the game. 

Containing Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid

The 76ers have one of the better tandems in the NBA in Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid. Both players are more formidable than any of the Atlanta Hawks players New York defended in the first round.

Maxey has continued to grow as an undeniable offensive talent. He was phenomenal in the first round, averaging 26.9 points on 47 percent from the field in seven games. In the closeout game, Maxey knifed into the lane a couple of times late to seal the series for Philadelphia.

Mikal Bridges will likely get the primary assignment on Philadelphia’s All-Star point guard at the beginning of the series. OG Anunoby and Josh Hart should be in the mix as well. Also, expect Miles McBride and Jose Alvarado to see time defending Maxey. Covering the 6-2 guard will be difficult, because of his blur-like quickness both in the halfcourt and in transition. He’s also a quality three-point shooter, knocking down 41.8 percent of his 55 long distance attempts against the Celtics.

Though Embiid missed the start of the playoffs because he was recovering from an emergency appendectomy, he quickly found his groove mid-series. Embiid is a skilled big with a near automatic midrange jumper. One of Embiid’s best skills is his ability to get to the free-throw line. 

In his four playoff games against Boston, Embiid attempted 37 freebies in 146 minutes. New York likely will rely on Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson to guard Embiid throughout the series. It will be imperative for both big men to avoid picking up silly fouls. The Knicks need both Towns and Robinson on the floor as much as possible for this series. 

Both 76ers stars are hard to stop, but New York proved in the first round that its defense can hit another gear with improved defense from Towns and wings Anunoby, Hart, and Bridges caused chaos with a frantic style of defense.

Dominating the glass

One area that Philadelphia has struggled with over the past few years has been defensive rebounding. This season, the 76ers ranked just 26th in defensive rebound rate (67.8 percent) according to NBA Stats. Over the last three years, the 76ers have never ranked higher than 25th. It was a big factor in New York’s first round series win against Philadelphia two years ago.

New York has been a good offensive rebounding team mainly because of Robinson, who is a force to reckon with on the offensive glass. The Knicks big man is second in offensive rebound rate during the playoffs among players that have been on the floor for at least 60 minutes according to NBA Stats.

However, the 76ers did a solid job in the first round, preventing the Boston Celtics from overwhelming them with extra possessions. The Celtics finished top-five in the category this season but Philadelphia held them to just 12th out of 16 teams during the first round.

Extra possessions will help the Knicks limit transition scoring opportunities, and could exhaust a 76ers team that should be weary after expending significant energy in the opening round.

Getting Brunson going early

One of the top priorities for the Knicks will be getting Jalen Brunson in a rhythm.

The first round was a tale of two cities for Brunson, who averaged 26.3 points and 6.2 assists. After the Knicks offense bogged down in the first three games, there was a concerted effort to have Brunson play off the ball more, which worked tremendously. Brunson’s average seconds per touch dropped from 6.21 in the first three games to 5.38 from Game 4 to Game 6, according to NBA Stats.

The Knicks need to keep that focus for the second round to keep Philadelphia’s defense on its toes. The 76ers have a variety of defenders to throw at Brunson. Forward Kelly Oubre gave the Knicks point guard problems in the 2024 playoffs. Rookie VJ Edgecombe and former Knick Quentin Grimes also will surely have time defending Brunson.

A good start on Monday night from Brunson will help the Knicks build some early momentum.

Arne Slot has indicated when he’s hopeful of having Alisson Becker and Alexander Isak back available for Liverpool.

Both players are absent for the Reds’ visit to Manchester United this afternoon, with the goalkeeper continuing his recovery from a hamstring injury and the Swedish striker missing out at Old Trafford due to a minor groin problem.

DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL EMPIRE OF THE KOP APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY

Such is the extent of the absentes today that third-choice stopper Freddie Woodman starts for the second weekend in a row, while our substitutes’ bench against the Red Devils contains no fewer than six under-21 players.

Slot gives injury updates on Alisson and Isak

Prior to kick-off at Old Trafford, Slot spoke to Jamie Carragher for Sky Sports and indicated that he’s hopeful of having both Alisson and Isak back for the home match against Chelsea next weekend.

The Liverpool head coach said: “It wasn’t much [Isak’s injury], but it was too much for him to be able to play [today], and Alisson hasn’t trained with us yet.

“We’re hoping for him to be ready next week, but we have to wait and see how the week will go, and the same can be said about Alex. We’re hoping to have him back next week.”

Want more Empire of the Kop coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust

Alisson and Isak should hopefully be back to face Chelsea

The Man United game was always likely to come a little too soon for Alisson, especially as he’s yet to resume full training, but Woodman showed against Crystal Palace last weekend that he’s a more than capable deputy.

However, Isak’s absence today is a big blow, especially with Liverpool already deprived of Hugo Ekitike and Mo Salah, and a tactical reshuffle sees Cody Gakpo move to centre-forward with Florian Wirtz expected to start on the left wing.

It continues the tale of frustration for the Reds’ record signing, who’s not long back from four months out with a broken leg and seemed to be getting back into his stride after scoring against the Eagles.

Alas, he’ll need to start all over again whenever he’s cleared for a return to action, which hopefully will be at home to Chelsea next Saturday in a match that we might need to win to keep the chasing pack for Champions League football at bay.

It’s hugely disappointing not to have Alisson and Isak today, but at least Slot’s update suggests that both should be back available sooner rather than later.

A win this afternoon against Hibernian brought Celtic level on points with league leaders Hearts, who will host Rangers on Monday night at Tynecastle. Jamie McGrath’s marching order early into the game boosted the Bhoys, yet they had to rely on ‘super sub’ Kelechi Iheanacho’s second-half strike to edge past Hibs at Easter Road.

Below are the Celtic players rated in their 2-1 win against Hibernian.

Viljami Sinisalo: 6

Should have done better to stop Joe Newell’s goal from a set-piece situation that brought the ten-man hosts back in the game against the run of play.

Alistair Johnston: 8

Returned to the starting XI after an impressive cameo last weekend against Falkirk. The Canadian made his presence known with overlapping runs and crosses. Also, set it up for Daizen Maeda, who found the net from a very close range late in the first half. Made way for Luke McCowan just over the hour mark.

Auston Trusty: 7

Showed his composure at the back, as he dominated the aerial duels and made several no-nonsense clearances against the home side’s centre-forward pair of Martin Boyle and Owen Elding.

Liam Scales: 6

The set-piece, leading to Hibernian’s equaliser, originated from his careless pass. Struggled during the duels and dribbling attempts despite completing the most passes in the match.

Kieran Tierney: 7.5

Tried to balance his game between attack and defence, as he had to be careful with the home side’s counter-attacks, regardless of being a man down for the majority of the contest. His corner led to Iheanacho’s goal that secured three crucial points in the title hunt.

Callum McGregor: 7

Another routine display from the skipper who controlled the tempo from the base as a deep-lying playmaker. McGrath’s dismissal made his job easy due to a few attacking threats from David Gray’s men.

Arne Engels: 6.5

Carried the ball forward from the deep to operate in the advanced areas. Played a few passes into the final third but failed to make a difference from set-pieces, unlike their opponents.

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND – MAY 03: Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the William Hill Premiership match between Hibernian and Celtic at Easter Road on May 03, 2026 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty Images)

Hyun-Jun Yang: 6.5

Started the game slowly but improved with time, as he created the most opportunities from the right-hand flank. Was wasteful up top in terms of converting the opportunities before making way for Iheanacho around the 70th-minute mark.

Benjamin Nygren: 6

The Swedish ‘number 10′ spent most of his time up top as a second striker to break Hibs’ resilience in the defensive third. Saw his efforts blocked and also missed a golden opportunity of finding the net. Was rather at fault during Hibernian’s equalising goal moments before the half-time whistle. Made way for Anthony Ralston late in the match.

Sebastian Tounekti: 6

Was restored to the starting XI for his impressive cameo against the Bairns. But the Tunisian failed to impress, as his needless foul led to the spot-kick that eventually ended up in Celtic’s net following a set-piece. Was taken off for James Forrest just over the hour mark.

Daizen Maeda: 7.5

Regained his scoring touch, as he exhibited his poaching skills to break the deadlock at the backend of the first half. Martin O’Neill must be boosted by his late form, as the Japanese ace would be pivotal to their battle for silverware.

Celtic Subs vs Hibernian

Luke McCowan: 6.5

Was lively with his runs and movements, but failed to make any significant impact.

James Forrest: 6.5

Was more direct and decisive with his runs in and around the attacking third.

Kelechi Iheanacho: 7.5

Showed his exquisite scoring ability, as he made no mistake to find the net when the ball fell favourably into his path following Tierney’s corner.

Successfully defended the one-goal margin during the final quarter of the tie.

One of the unsung stars of Barcelona’s campaign clinched his latest Man of the Match award in the club’s latest outing.

The player in question? Joan García.

Barcelona were of course back in action on Saturday evening, making the trip to Osasuna for a La Liga clash.

When all was said and done, the Blaugrana emerged on the right side of a hard-fought 2-1 result, to take another huge step towards the La Liga title.

Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres took the headlines post-match, after netting Barca’s two key goals at El Sadar.

It was the man at the other end of the pitch, though, who again proved himself decisive for Hansi Flick’s troops.

Joan García has of course taken to life in Barcelona colours like a duck to water, since taking his talents to Catalunya’s capital from Espanyol last summer.

Whilst the likes of Lamine Yamal and Pedri so often take the plaudits, the shot-stopper has been nothing short of essential in his new club’s charge towards a 2nd successive league title.

And Joan was back at it once again on Saturday, producing a number of top-class saves to hold Osasuna to a solitary goal.

Few, in turn, could have argued with the decision to afford the ‘MVP’ for the evening to the talented Spaniard:

Conor Laird – GSFN

Real Sociedad defender Jon Martin has addressed his future, following talk that Barcelona and Real Madrid are interested. The 20-year-old centre-back has asserted himself as a key player for La Real this season, and is regarded as one of the premier defensive talents in Spain.

It was rumoured back in March that Real Madrid scouts were closely following the progress of the Spain under-21 international, while Barcelona’s interest emerged in April. Director of Football Deco has reportedly met with the agent of Martin to find out more about his contract situation – in October he signed a new deal until 2031 with a €50m release clause.

‘I want to be here as long as possible’ – Jon Martin

Speaking to Diario AS in a recent interview, Martin was asked about the transfer talk, and assured that he had no intention of leaving Real Sociedad.

“I’m clear about it. I want to be here as long as possible, I want to be here, at home, because this is the place that has given me everything. I’m at peace and I hope to be here for many years and win many titles like the Cup.”

Martin is aware of Barcelona and Real Madrid talk

Despite his youth, Martin seemed entirely unfazed by the idea of Real Madrid or Barcelona being interested in him.

“It’s impossible not to hear about it because everyone’s talking about it. You’re away from it, and whether you like it or not, you see it; even my friends tell me because they’re out there all day looking at things. It inevitably reaches you, but like I said, I’m still focused on working with Real Sociedad.”

“I’ve seen a few things; a lot of things are said, but I don’t know anything and I’m not worried about it, to be honest. My plan is what I’ve already said: to focus on Real Sociedad. That’s right, absolutely,” he responded when asked if La Real fans could be relaxed about his future.

Martin has played 28 times for Real Sociedad this season, scoring once. Of those appearances, 27 were starts, and he played a key role in their Copa del Rey triumph last month.

THUN, Switzerland (AP) — Swiss soccer finally got its surprise champion Sunday in unheralded Thun, sealing a title to compare with Leicester’s long-shot Premier League win in 2016.

Thun clinched a first Swiss league title in the club’s 128-year history — despite losing games on the past two Saturdays — when second-place St. Gallen dropped points in a 3-0 loss hosting Sion.

That left Thun, coached by former star forward Mauro Lustrinelli, 11 points clear with three rounds to go.

The title came in Thun’s first season back in the top tier after five years in the second division. The team from a central Switzerland town of 45,000 people also never won a Swiss Cup title.

The final step was a nervous one for Thun when victory in either of its past two games would have confirmed the title. A 3-1 loss Saturday at defending champion Basel, ending with nine players after two red cards, followed a 1-0 loss at home to Lugano one week earlier.

Thun has a long path to competing with Europe's elite in the next Champions League, where the club made an unlikely appearance in 2005 after being runner-up in the Swiss league.

The champion of Switzerland now enters the second qualifying round of the Champions League in July — starting two days after the World Cup final. Thun needs to beat three opponents to advance to the main phase.

Thun is unlikely to have any player selected for a World Cup squad though 20-year-old midfielder Ethan Meichtry is a Switzerland Under-21 international with a bright future.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Nico Iamaleava will be back as UCLA’s starting quarterback this season. He has a chance to make a name for himself in the NCAA after battling through an adversity-filled 2025 season.

UCLA head coach Bob Chesney is going into his first season with the Bruins. Chesney led James Madison to its first College Football Playoff berth last season and will look to do the same with UCLA in 2026. 

In an interview on “The Jim Rome Show”, Chesney highlighted Iamaleava’s versatility as a big strength ahead of the 2026 season. 

“This kid could do it all,” Chesney said. “He can push the ball vertically down the field. When it’s time to pull the ball down and run he is as electric as any quarterback right now in college football.”

Iamaleava Is A Leader For the Bruins

Chesney also revealed that Iamaleava’s teammates view him as a strong leader. Chesney said UCLA recently held a “leadership vote”, and Iamaleava was the clear frontrunner among his teammates.

“He’s a leader. I look back a lot of times about what these guys just went through. Nico did not show up here until halfway through the summer, maybe more than that,” Chesney said of Iamaleava. “He got started and within the first three weeks of the season, the offensive coordinator was gone, the head coach was gone, the quarterbacks coach was gone.”

“To be able to keep it together speaks volumes of his leadership and just his mental toughness,” Chesney said. “He loves this game though. He is passionate about this game, his mouth doesn’t stop running when he makes a play against the defense, they don’t stop yelling back at him. It’s just a fun environment.”

As UCLA prepares to enter a new era with Chesney, Iamaleava’s leadership will be an invaluable asset for the Bruins. 

Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The post UCLA’s Bob Chesney Praises Nico Iamaleava’s Leadership Amid Adversity Last Season appeared first on LA Sports Report.

This year's Derby meant something to Cherie Devaux.

Before Golden Tempo crossed the line to make Devaux the first woman trainer to win the Kentucky Derby, Devaux seemed to experience every emotion that comes with wanting something so bad ... and having no control over the outcome.

As one camera focused on Devaux showed, the 44-year-old practically willed her 23-1 long-shot to victory with shouts of excitement as Golden Tempo made up ground in the stretch run and won at the wire. From defeat to pure bliss, and everything in between, it's all there in Devaux's live reaction. And you can almost feel it for yourself watching her.

For the first time in 152 years — HISTORY IS MADE!!!

Trainer Cherie DeVaux watches Golden Tempo and Jose Ortiz get up at the wire to win the Kentucky Derby at odds of 23-1.

🎥: Reaction footage owned by America’s Best Racing. @reredevaux | @jose93_ortiz | @PhippsStableFanpic.twitter.com/mnlTQw1sX7

— America'sBestRacing (@ABRLive) May 3, 2026

That was so good.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Cherie Devaux live reaction to Golden Tempo Derby run was electric

• National League play-off semi-finals
• Latest: Rochdale 1-0 Scunthorpe United
• Evans own goal gives Dale early lead
• Dale missed out on promotion to York on final day; Scunthorpe beat Southend in Tuesday's eliminator
• Both league meetings this season ended in draws
• FT: Carlisle 1-2 Boreham Wood
• Abdulmalik gives Boreham Wood lead at Carlisle; Feeney levels for the Blues
• Luamba sent off for Carlisle in extra time before Brunt goal sends Wood to Wembley
• Have your say using the 'Get Involved' button

National League: Rochdale take early lead over Scunthorpe; Boreham Wood beat 10-man Carlisle

Alexander Blockx emerges as a new name to watch in the ATP Tour after an impressive run

Blockx’s tournament run helped him climb up in the ATP rankings, as he moved from 38th place to 30th.

The Belgian, who has been ranked as high as number 20 in the world, later spoke about the significance of his semifinal appearance in Madrid.

Zverev beat Blockx in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5, to set up a final showdown with world number one Jannik Sinner.

Blockx later posted on Instagram: “Two weeks that will stay with me for a very long time! Crazy good level from @alexzverev123 today, simply too good. Hope to be back next year @mutuamadridopen.”

This year’s Madrid Open was the fifth time Blockx has competed at an ATP Masters 1000 event. He made his first appearance at the Miami Open in 2025 and has since played in Canada, Cincinnati, Monte-Carlo and Madrid.

Alexander Blockx praises Alexander Zverev’s well-rounded game

In his post-match press conference, Blockx had plenty of praise for Zverev, saying: “I think he has a very complete game.

“He serves really well. He returns really well. I felt a lot of pressure from the beginning already of the match and, yeah, I think he deserves to be in the final here. He was just better today, and that’s all I can say.

“I tried to, yeah, keep my serve up, as I did in the last matches. In the rally I tried a bit of everything.

“I tried to hold the rally, I tried to be aggressive, I tried to open up the court. I felt like he had an answer to everything. But, yeah, I just need to improve everything I’m doing now to hopefully have a chance the next time.”

Zverev will now attempt to snap an eight-match losing streak against Sinner – whom he has not beaten since 2023 – in Sunday’s final.

Read more:

The big day for all Inter fans has arrived: Inter, with a point against Parma, will celebrate the 21st Scudetto in their history, capping an incredible season with a triumph that, aside from a few inevitable slip-ups, was never truly in doubt.

Watch all Serie BKT matches live on OneFootball for just €9.99 per month. Click here to buy the LaB Channel Monthly Pass with no automatic renewal.

The fever in the city and throughout the whole environment is already palpable, with the long Nerazzurri day having begun in the early afternoon. 

Article constantly being updated: for live text commentary, click on the match card above; to comment, click on the speech bubble at the top right

🔥 Fans in the square, Calha starts “stitching it on”

Many Nerazzurri fans are already in Piazza Duomo, the site of the celebration for Inter supporters, as reported by Sportitalia. 

Hakan Calhanoglu, meanwhile, got everyone fired up with a very telling story on IG. 

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.

Babe Ruth is certainly the most famous trade/acquisition in Yankees’ history, probably in baseball history, and you could make the argument for in all of sports history. A big part of its fame relates to how much it almost immediately became a massive swindle, leading to the Red Sox being “cursed” for decades to come.

What gets lost in that move is the several others in which the Yankees very clearly got the better of Boston. Arguably the second-best was the trade for pitcher Red Ruffing, whose 121st birthday is today.

Charles Herbert “Red” Ruffing
Born: May 3, 1905 (Granville, IL)
Died: February 17, 1986 (Mayfield Heights, OH)
Yankees Tenure: 1930-46

Born in 1905 in Illinois to German immigrants, Charles Ruffing was one of five children born to John and Frances Ruffing. In his childhood, his family called him Charley, but in school he got the nickname “Red” due to his hair color, which would stick and follow him throughout his baseball career.

Ruffing’s father was a mine worker and at 13-years-old, Red quit school and joined his father and other family members in the mines. While there, he developed a reputation as a skilled baseball player on the mine company’s team. In addition to pitching, he was also a talented hitter and outfielder, but had to give that up after a work accident saw Ruffing’s foot crushed between mine cars. Four toes on Ruffing’s left foot had to be amputated, which led to him focusing on pitching, and doing that eventually earned him places in the minor leagues, and eventually a deal with the Boston Red Sox.

Despite having just turned 19 a few weeks prior, Ruffing was thrown right into the fire and given his MLB debut on May 30, 1924. He was sparingly used and hit hard before being sent down to the minors. Boston later recalled him in September 1924, and from the next season on, he would become a regular member of their rotation going forward. While he would have his moments and generally became the Red Sox “ace” over the next couple years (even earning a charter spot in the Red Sox Hall of Fame), he didn’t quite show signs of greatness in that time.

As a team, the Red Sox were also going nowhere during Ruffing’s tenure with the teams. The Red Sox owners also inherited a financial mess from previous owner Harry Frazee — he of the Ruth sale. Needing to take off some financial pressure, in early May 1930, they decided to trade Ruffing to the Yankees in exchange for $50,000 and backup outfielder Cedric Durst.

Ruffing’s first two seasons in New York were both around average, but then he broke out in 1932, winning 18 games and putting up a league-leading 190 strikeouts. His 18 wins that year were nearly half as many as he had recorded in his seven seasons in Boston: 39. As a team, the Yankees also racked up 107 wins and swept the Cubs in the World Series for the first of Ruffing’s six championships.

Over the course of the 1932-42 seasons, Ruffing became one of the best pitchers in baseball. His 34.2 fWAR and 39.7 rWAR in that time rank among the best of the era, as he won 188 games with a 3.39 ERA (123 ERA+). He was named an All-Star on six occasions and won another five World Series rings. In the 1938, he threw two complete-game victories in another sweep of the Cubs, allowing just three total runs. Had the World Series MVP existed then, he would’ve been a strong choice. Ruffing was a star of the rotation as the team bridged the gap between the Ruth and Joe DiMaggio eras.

Towards the end of that 1932-42 run, Ruffing began to fall back more towards league average, as he began to deal with elbow pain from years of being a workhorse. He tried to hide it from the team and still gave them some solid years, but the end was on the horizon.

After 1942, Ruffing was drafted into the military to serve in World War II and missed the entirety of the next two seasons. When he returned, he still put up some solid numbers, but suffered a broken kneecap in 1946 after taking a comebacker off the knee. With Ruffing also now over 40, the Yankees decided to move on from him. Ruffing signed with the White Sox for 1947 in an effort to reach the 300-win mark, but he struggled and they too released him, ending his career.

Ruffing was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1967, but his induction is debated, as he has one of the highest ERAs of any pitcher voted in. He almost certainly wouldn’t have made it had he played for another team and hadn’t won six championships, but you also can’t take away what he did contribute for those titles.

After suffering from several medical ailments in his later years, Ruffing passed away from leukemia in 1986 at the age of 80. The Yankees eventually posthumously honored him with a Monument Park plaque in 2004, and his son was on hand for the honor. We wish him a happy birthday!

See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.

Barcelona have come close to signing Nico Williams in each of the last two summer transfer windows, only to see the move fall through on both occasions.

The Athletic Club winger has long been identified as a priority target for the Catalan club, but a combination of financial constraints and the player’s own contractual decisions has repeatedly blocked a deal.

Now, as we look ahead to the summer of 2026, Nico’s future has once again become a subject of hot debate, though this time Barcelona are completely out of the running, having learnt their lesson.

Why Williams could leave Athletic

According to El Nacional, Nico Williams could leave Athletic Club this summer due to various reasons.

For one, Ernesto Valverde’s departure has created sporting uncertainty at San Mames.

Moreover, one of the key conditions Williams imposed when signing his recent contract renewal, an ambitious project with European football guaranteed, looks unlikely to be met if Athletic fail to qualify for Europe next season.

Barcelona are no longer interested in Nico Williams. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

The club, for their part, is also reportedly unhappy with his injury record and are aware they cannot sustain his wages without European revenue.

Despite remaining Williams’ preferred destination personally, Barcelona have ruled out a move following what Joan Laporta and Deco perceived as a betrayal during the summer of 2025.

The Blaugrana have moved on and will not be revisiting their interest.

Liverpool closing in

That has opened the door for Liverpool, who are now firmly in pole position. The Merseyside club are unwilling to meet the €95 million release clause but are reportedly prepared to offer in excess of €80 million.

The Reds are hopeful this figure will be enough to reach an agreement with Athletic Club.

With Mohamed Salah having announced his departure, Liverpool need a guaranteed wide attacker of the highest calibre. Williams fits that profile perfectly.

Bruno Fernandes has explained why he stayed at Manchester United after having multiple opportunities to leave the club. 

The playmaker was offered the chance to move to Saudi Arabia last year, but chose to remain at Old Trafford.

Speaking to Gary Neville on Sky Sports, the 31-year-old said his decision was not made out of a sense of loyalty, but because he is determined to win major trophies like the Premier League and UEFA Champions League with Man Utd.

Bruno Fernandes reveals why he stayed at Man Utd

“It’s not a question of loyalty,” Fernandes said. “I could have gone two years ago, I could have gone three years ago, I could have gone last season, but I really like to be here.

“I think that being successful at this club is something that I can never get at another club. The joy and everything I get, the day I get what I want from this club, I don’t think I will get that from any other club in the world.

“I know how much the fans want this, I know how passionate they are. I know how much they are waiting for the club to come back again. I’m on the same ship as them. I want this ship; instead of being steady, I want it to go forward and to navigate as much as we can.

“Yeah, I won the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup [but] what this club wants, what these fans want and what I want, myself and the team, we haven’t got that yet. Until my contract expires, I’m going to try.”

Read – Power Rankings: Man Utd upward, top two collide

See Also – Man Utd vs Liverpool combined XI ahead of Premier League clash

Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok

Life became more difficult for Milan in their Serie A match away against Sassuolo after the  24th-minute red card shown to centre-back Fikayo Tomori. Here is how the England international managed to get himself sent off midway through the first half at the Mapei Stadium.

Tomori sees red after 24 minutes of Sassuolo vs. Milan

With his side trailing 1-0 after Domenico Berardi’s early opener for Sassuolo, Tomori was sent off for two separate yellow card offences on Sunday afternoon.

The first booking came in the ninth minute for a trip on Kristian Thorstvedt just inside the Sassuolo half, which led referee Fabio Maresca to immediately reach for his yellow card.

Tomori’s afternoon was over a quarter of an hour later after tripping up Armand Lauriente right on the halfway line in a very similar position to his first booking 15 minutes earlier.

There were few complaints from the Milan camp after the decision to send off Tomori, who took himself straight down the tunnel in the 24th minute.

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 05: Fikayo Tomori of AC Milan warms up prior to the Serie A match between AC Milan and Fiorentina at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 05, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Despite being a centre-back down, Allegri decided against making any personnel changes before the end of the first half.

You can follow the action from Sassuolo vs. Milan and from all of Sunday’s Serie A matches on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Kelechi Iheanacho once again made a decisive impact to help Celtic win a game, scoring late on to give the Hoops a 2-1 victory over Hibernian at Easter Road.

The Nigerian striker did the same thing at Dens Park last month, while he scored two extra-time goals at Hampden against St Mirren to help the Hoops progress to the Scottish Cup final.

And his goal at Easter Road, a coolly-taken finish from eight yards out, takes his tally to seven for the season.

Speaking to Celtic TV after the game, Kelechi Iheanacho said: “I always feel great to come in and help the team to get the win, so I’m happy today. The whole team is happy, and especially the fans.

'It’s really important to stay patient, especially when you’re playing against 10 men.'

"It’s really difficult because they sit back and wait for you to come, so you need patience to move them from side to side to create spaces, and, at the end, we got our reward.

“In the box you need to be composed but it was a difficult finish, to be fair. I wanted to head it at first but I had a second touch to chest it and then the guys started rushing out and I just had to get it on target and see what happened.

“I’m happy that the fans are loving every moment of it, and I’m enjoying it.

"We just need to focus on the rest of the games and do the job we need to do and at the end, we’ll get the trophy hopefully.”

Fixtures

Hibernian Vs. Celtic - Sun, May 3rd 2026, 12:00 Final score: 1 - 2

There are matches in every Indian Premier League season that arrive draped in quiet desperation and Monday night at the Wankhede is one of them.

Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants, two franchises that have arrived at the same uncomfortable destination, both with just four points, both staring at the unmistakable possibility of a season slipping beyond rescue.

MI are sitting ninth after nine games, on the other hand LSG are sitting tenth after eight. The loser here will almost certainly become the first team mathematically eliminated from IPL 2026.

Mumbai carry the heavier burden. Five titles to their name and yet this season has simply refused to come together for them. The evidence is damning. They posted 243 against SRH and still lost, their bowling offering no resistance whatsoever. Then, against CSK at Chepauk, they could muster only 159, a total Ruturaj Gaikwad and Kartik Sharma knocked off with eight wickets to spare and barely a moment of anxiety 

LSG, meanwhile, are still haunted by a Super Over against KKR in which they managed just one run, the lowest Super Over score in IPL history. Rishabh Pant's side have a net run rate of -1.106, the worst in the tournament.

Mumbai Indians vs. Lucknow Super Giants prediction: Who Will Win

This is a contest that resists easy conclusions. Both sides have been deeply flawed in different departments and that almost makes it harder to call, not easier.

Mumbai's bowling has been the central anxiety in the last few matches. Bumrah is operating below 8.5 runs per over, respectable on paper, but he has not been the wicket-taking force MI desperately need him to be. Around him, there is precious little penetration. Suryakumar Yadav, meanwhile, continues to look a shadow of himself and MI's powerplay batting has not matched the aggression of the competition's better sides.

Lucknow's bowling, for all their other struggles has carried genuine bite through most of this tournament. And at Wankhede, with Mitchell Marsh, Jos Inglis and Aiden Markram capable of finding their range quickly, their batting could finally find its voice.

Lucknow Super Giants to win.

MI vs. LSG Pitch Report: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

Wankhede has always been a batter's paradise. True wickets, short boundaries and runs aplenty. But this season, teams have taken it to another level entirely. The average score has climbed past 210, which is a staggering 35-38 runs above what was already a healthy par.

MORE: Cricket matches today | IPL Matches Today | Who will qualify for the playoffs? 

Head-to-Head: MI vs. LSG

Lucknow Super Giants have made something of a habit of getting the better of Mumbai Indians. They have six wins in eight meetings. That 75% win rate speaks not to occasional brilliance but to consistent, measured dominance.

The more recent chapters of this rivalry have done little to suggest any shift in the balance of power. Four wins from the last five encounters confirm that, at least where these two sides are concerned, LSG remain very firmly in charge.

MI vs. LSG Betting Tips

Here is our favourite betting angle for the MI vs. LSG match.

Wankhede this season has been a relentless run-scoring exercise, with averages nudging close to 210. A target of 180 sits a full 30 runs below what this ground has come to expect and you would have to bat with quite extraordinary ineptitude to fall short of it. And we are not seeing that in this game.

Dafabet

BEST IPL ODDS AND OFFERS

CLICK TO BET

MI vs. LSG Lineups, Team News

This is how both teams could lineup at Wankhede stadium.

MI predicted lineup to play LSG

Will Jacks, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Naman Dhir, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (C) , Robin Minz, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, AM Ghazanfar, Ashwani Kumar

Impact player: Krish Bhagat

LSG predicted lineup to play MI

Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Josh Inglis, Himmat Singh,  Ayush Badoni, Mohsin Khan, Mohammed Shami, Prince Yadav, Digvesh Rathi

Impact player: Avesh Khan

MI vs. LSG Odds: Who is the favourite for IPL 2026 clash?

• MI to win: 1.61
• LSG to win: 2.32

*All odds via Dafabet.

BET HERE: Best cricket betting sites in India | Dafabet IPL Betting Offer

How to watch MI vs. LSG 2026 match: Live Stream, TV Channel

Here is all the key information for how to watch MI vs. LSG:

• Date: Monday, 04 May
• Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
• Time: 7:30 PM (IST)
• TV/Stream: JioHotstar, Star Sports Network

David Warner backs Hyderabad Kingsmen to win PSL 2026 final vs Babar Azam's Peshawar Zalmi due to Aussie connection originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• David Warner led the Karachi Kings franchise in PSL 2026. 
• The former Australian batter is backing Hyderabad Kingsmen to win the PSL 2026 title. 
• Hyderabad Kingsmen eyeing maiden PSL title under the leadership of Australia star Marnus Labuschagne. 

David Warner backs Hyderabad Kingsmen to win PSL 2026 final vs Babar Azam's Peshawar Zalmi

Former Australian opener David Warner shared his thoughts on the Pakistan Super League 2026 final, which will be contested between Peshawar Zalmi and Hyderabad Kingsmen at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Sunday evening.

Zalmi, led by Babar Azam, are eyeing their second PSL title after their won the trophy in 2017. Kingsmen, on the other hand, made their debut in the PSL this year and are aiming to win their maiden title.

Zalmi was undoubtedly the best team in the PSL 2026 season, having won eight out of their 10 league games and then thrashing Islamabad United in the Qualifier to reach the final. However, they will face a tough fight from Marnus Labuschagne-led HKK, who reached the final despite finishing fourth on the points table.

Just hours before the grand finale in Lahore, Karachi Kings captain David Warner showed his support for Hyderabad and revealed that he backing the debutants due to the leadership of his compatriot and former Australia teammate Marnus Labuschagne.

On his Instagram story, Warner wrote: "Good luck to both teams @thepsl. I'm still going for Australia @marnus3. But soft spot for my friend @dahani.99."

In response to Warner's tweet, where he mentioned Shahnawaz Dahani, the Pakistan cricketer, in response, wrote: "Hahaha. Thanks Warnee! Zalmi's will win, we also got Aussie bigman @aaron_hardie."

David Warner is backing his Australian teammate Marnus Labuschagne but also having the soft spot for his friend Shahnawaz Dahani.#Cricket | #Pakistan | #DavidWarner | #ShahnawazDahani | #PSL11pic.twitter.com/Vd9I5kTrDg

— Khel Shel (@khelshel) May 3, 2026

MORE: PSL 2026 Final PZ vs HHK win probability: Live score & match prediction

How did David Warner perform in PSL 2026 season?

David Warner, who was leading Karachi Kings in the PSL 2026 season, featured in seven matches in this campaign, where he scored 256 runs at an average of 51.20. He maintained an impressive strike rate of 147.97 and scored three half-centuries. 

MORE: PAK did not utilise Babar properly: Zalmi coach hits back at Hesson's SR criticism

PSL 2026 points table: Pakistan Super League Season 11 standings

How to watch PSL 2026 final PZ vs HHK worldwide

Here’s a complete region-wise broadcast and streaming guide to watch the PSL 2026 final match worldwide:

To keep up to date with all the latest cricket news and share your opinion on the biggest topics visit our Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter) pages.

MIAMI — The novelty of playing at a league-leading pace undeniably added juice to the Miami Heat’s 2025-26 season. And yet, at the end, Erik Spoelstra’s team seemingly was running on fumes when it came to results in the win column.

So as the Heat reset, with the draft lottery up next on Sunday in Chicago, the question is whether to build on what was installed last season or whether to reset to something more traditional on offense.

On one hand, the Heat closed the season first in pace and second in scoring to the Denver Nuggets (a team that then went out in the first round of the playoffs). On the other hand, even in closing the season No. 12 in offensive rating, the Heat were No. 17 in offensive rating in fourth quarters, No. 17 in overall offensive rating after the All-Star break and No. 20 in offensive rating over their final 15 games of the regular season.

For his part, Heat President Pat Riley last week indicated a middle ground might be required, citing end-of-clock situations when the Heat’s best scorers need to have the ball in their hands.

“For the most part with this pace-and-space game, you run it up in four or five seconds,” Riley said. “You’re trying to get a shot in the first eight seconds of the shot clock. And then you got the middle eight seconds to try to create something for anybody and everybody. And then you got the last eight seconds of the shot clock, and I think there should be a little more caution there as to who gets the ball, who gets the shot, and all that stuff.

“And so, when you develop a philosophy about how you’re going to play, and Spo has, and I have done this many times . . . the players that you paid, you’ve got to create value for them.”

As in get them the ball. As in utilize them to attack the opposition’s weakest defenders, just as opposing teams have gone at the Heat’s Tyler Herro and Norman Powell.

While the offense adopted this past season attacked mismatches, it wasn’t always the Heat’s primary scorers doing the attacking.

“It’s just in a different way than the traditional call up the weakest defender and exploit it that way,” Spoelstra said the final week of the season. “That’s not really a strength of this roster, anyway. That’s kind of why we went to this. But we still can get to matchups just in a different way.”

The approach allowed the Heat to close with 10 different players as leading scorers over the regular season’s 82 games, with 11 scoring 20 or more points in games.

But equal opportunity didn’t necessarily equate to best opportunity, with the Heat finishing  in 10th place in the East for a second consecutive season, missing the playoffs for the first time in seven years.

“So when you get on that road as a coach and develop a philosophy about how you’re going to play,” Riley said, “then you’ve got to be committed to it. And then the plan and the system whereby you set up to execute that philosophy, if it’s not working, you’ve got to tweak it, you’ve got to change it, whatever those changes are.”

To Riley, in his metaphorical manner, it comes down to seeing the light.

Related Articles

• ASK IRA: Heat wouldn’t/shouldn’t dare another run at Kevin Durant, right?
• Ira Winderman: The losing proposition of Terry Rozier leaves Riley, Heat having to answer
• ASK IRA: Are Heat deluding themselves about being close in the East?
• Pat Riley the latest Heat boss to chime in on unmet expectations with Nikola Jovic
• ASK IRA: Did Hawks get stung by their approach against Heat?

“I always use the analogy of a traffic light,” he said. “And if you look at the traffic light, it’s red, it’s caution, it’s green. And I’ve always believed in the red, caution, and then green — which red is, OK, this is how we’re going to play. I’ve got to be cautionary in the middle of the offense. And then green is you let it fly, you let it run. That’s the traffic light turned upside down — green, caution, and red. It’s turned upside down. And that’s how we play.

“If we turn the traffic light upside down, and we are running at pace at the beginning of the season, it was great. But you have to make adjustments to that with the players that you have and be a little more cautionary. And then at the end of the shot clock, you’ve got to be almost red and make sure that Bam (Adebayo) gets it, Tyler gets it, Powell gets it, whatever.”

So, no, not equal opportunity at moments of truth, no matter how constant the movement, how stressed the pace.

“American free-enterprise basketball in the last eight seconds is BS,” Riley said. “You get it to your guy. You’ve got to get it to your guys. And so that’s my philosophy.

“So Spo and I have talked about this throughout the course of the season, and I think you’ve got to make some adjustments.”

Handballs, offsides and the impact of video assistant referees (VAR) have been huge points of contention in recent years, but is it now time to add hair pulling to the list?

Sunderland defender Dan Ballard became the third player this season to be sent off for pulling an opponent's hair in Saturday's 1-1 draw at relegated Wolves.

Referee Paul Tierney initially took no action, but showed a red card to the centre-back after VAR advised him to check the incident on the pitchside monitor.

As Sunderland fans chanted 'This isn't football', Ballard joined Everton's Michael Keane and Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez in being sent off for a hair pull this season.

Everton and Manchester United both failed in their appeals to get the red cards and their resulting three-game bans overturned, so it is unlikely Ballard and Sunderland will be successful should they make a challenge.

Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, said: "I can't believe I'm on Match of the Day talking about players being sent off for hair pulling. It is ridiculous. The law has to change."

Former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart also gave his view on Match of the Day, adding: "I don't think Dan Ballard is going for his hair, he is trying to get hold of the striker.

"According to the law, that is a red card. But do you want a player being sent off for violent conduct for that?

"It is the physical nature [of the sport], people trying to get hold of their opponent, so it doesn't make any sense."

Read Alex Brotherton's full piece here

Alvaro Carreras was one of the new players who joined Real Madrid last summer as part of the club’s plans to strengthen the defensive unit.

The Spaniard had an electric start to the season under the leadership of Xabi Alonso. But over time, his lack of defensive discipline made him a particular weakness in the Real Madrid backline, while injuries, too, marred his progress.

The second half of the season has been a disappointing one for Carreras, who has not gelled well with new coach Alvaro Arbeloa at all.

Arbeloa loses patience with Carreras

According to El Mundo, Carreras has been dropped from Real Madrid’s starting lineup on multiple occasions this season due to what Arbeloa has deemed a bad attitude.

The report does not go into specific details about the nature of the incidents, but makes clear that the coach has been firm in his stance, unwilling to turn a blind eye to behaviour he considers unacceptable, regardless of the player’s talent or potential.

Carreras has found life difficult under Alvaro Arbeloa. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

Carreras is not the only Real Madrid fullback who has found it difficult to cope with Arbeloa, as veteran defender Dani Carvajal has also felt he has been mistreated and is set to leave the club at the end of the season.

The report suggests Arbeloa has prioritised praising the club’s established stars in press conferences at the expense of the homegrown core, creating a sense of frustration within the dressing room.

For Carreras specifically, his relationship with the manager has clearly broken down at a critical stage of the season.

With Real Madrid already out of contention for the title and the club preparing for a significant summer rebuild, Carreras will be hoping for a managerial change in the near future.

The reserve team of Girona ended the season with a 4-2 defeat at the field of CD Castellón B in a match marked by the home team's effectiveness in the first half and the insufficient reaction of the Girona side in the second half.

The match started uphill for the red-and-white team. In the 10th minute, Nico Font put the home team ahead, taking advantage of a well-executed offensive play. Girona B tried to recover with possession, but Castellón B was very effective in both penalty areas. In the 31st minute, Carlos Segura extended the lead, and just before halftime, in the 43rd minute, Nico Font scored again, making it 3-0 and putting the game firmly in the home team's favor.

Far from giving up, Girona B came out with a different attitude in the second half. In the 47th minute, Shin reduced the deficit, and just four minutes later, Mario made it 3-2, bringing excitement back to the match. Girona B enjoyed their best moments, pressing high and seeking the equalizer.

However, just when it seemed like the goal might come, Castellón B managed to hold on and seal the game. In the 84th minute, Miguelón scored to make it 4-2, ending any hopes of a comeback for the visitors.

With this result, Girona B concludes the season in seventh place after a great campaign in the Segunda RFEF.

Barcelona intend to address multiple areas of Hansi Flick’s squad during the upcoming summer transfer window, and one of those could be midfield. The expected departure of Marc Casado will open the door for a replacement to be signed, and one possible candidate is Manchester City and Portugal star Bernardo Silva.

Last month, Silva confirmed that he will leave Man City when his contract expires, and thus, the cogs started turning on a possible move to Barcelona. The Catalans have been long-time admirers of the 31-year-old, and they have already been offered the chance to sign him by his agent Jorge Mendes, who is close with president-elect Joan Laporta.

Silva is prioritising Barcelona above all other options, and because of this, he’s willing to cut his salary in order to make sure that he can be signed. Because of this, his chances of moving to the Spotify Camp Nou this summer are rated at 80%, according to Tuttosport (via MD). An agreement in principle has already been reached between both parties, although there are still important details that need to be resolved.

Hansi Flick yet to approve Silva signing

The most important detail that is missing is Hansi Flick’s sign-off. The Barcelona head coach has yet to approve the possible addition of the Manchester City midfielder, as his intention is to not give any attention to off-field matters until the Catalans have wrapped up the La Liga title – which will happen on Sunday if Real Madrid fail to win against Espanyol.

The possible signing of Silva makes a lot of sense from a Barcelona perspective, as he will add much-needed experience to a youthful dressing room. However, it is imperative that his arrival does not impact the club’s plans to spend big on a new central defender and striker, which are their priorities for the summer transfer window.

The Washington Nationals lead the league in errors, and have 7 more than the next closest team. After the game, it was clear that Blake Butera had finally lost his patience with all the mistakes. He vowed to change the way the Nats prepare before games and added that you cannot win many games when you lead the league in errors.

I do not think this is a problem that comes from a lack of effort. Whenever I go to games, I see the Nats doing infield work and working on their craft. It seems like a case where the Nats need to work smarter rather than harder. They may need to do more individualized work rather than just hitting ground balls to guys.

I saw the Nats do individualized work with Luis Garcia Jr. over at first base, and we have seen him improve quite a bit over there. It may be time for more hands on work for guys like Brady House and CJ Abrams. House in particular is someone they should be doing more work with.

Last season, House looked like a really promising defender at the hot corner. He posted 2 outs above average, and was making all sorts of nice plays at third. However, it has been a different story this season, with the 22 year old posting -2 OAA and having six errors. He has been a flat out liability at the hot corner.

We know CJ Abrams has defensive limitations, so it is important to have a third baseman with quality defense. Speaking of Abrams, I do not think he is as bad as the -5 OAA suggests. He made a rough error yesterday, where he just was not concentrating, but overall I think his defense has been better despite the numbers not necessarily saying that. However, I still think second base is a better fit for Abrams than shortstop long term.

While the Nats lead the league in errors by 7, the underlying metrics don’t think they are the worst defensive team in baseball. OAA paints a slightly brighter picture, with the Nats being 25th in that number. Shockingly, a big reason why they are not lower is that they are the sixth best team when it comes to catcher framing. 

You can blame the coaching staff for some of the errors and mental mistakes, but you also have to credit Bobby Wilson for improving the receiving chops of Nats catchers, especially Keibert Ruiz. While Ruiz has given the Nats nothing offensively, he has been an above average defensive catcher, with 1 fielding run value. This is following seasons where Ruiz had -10,-7 and -22 FRV.

Drew Millas has also been a good framer, but he has given all that value back by his poor blocking skills. His four passed balls are second in baseball, despite only playing half the games. The second Harry Ford shows any life, he should be in the big leagues.

Millas’ blocking problems and the Nats error prone nature in the field explains why they have allowed the most unearned runs in baseball. This pitching staff is already not too great, but they are not getting any help from the defense. The outfield defense has been mostly rock solid, with improvements from James Wood and Daylen Lile, but the infield has been a major issue for this team.

Hopefully some adjustments in preparation can help this team clean up their act. This group is not talented enough to make these kinds of mistakes. The margin for error with this group is small, especially with the offense cooling off. That makes these mistakes even more noticeable.

If these tweaks in preparation do not work, it could be time for personnel changes. Third base feels like the most obvious spot to make a move if Brady House does not heat up on both sides of the ball. I would give him until Memorial Day to figure things out, but if he keeps struggling and Yohandy Morales keeps hitting, things could get awkward quickly.

With the names on the roster, I do not think anyone was expecting an above average defense. However, as Blake Butera said, you cannot win many games when you lead the league in errors. The Nats need to clean up their act, and fast. Their mild mannered manager is losing his patience with this defense, and so are the fans.

Sheffield United ended the 2025/26 Championship season with a comeback 2-1 victory over Derby County at Pride Park on Saturday afternoon.

Sammie Szmodics gave the Rams the lead in the first half from close range as the home side looked to sneak into the play-offs on the final day. But the Blades roared back in the second half when Tom Cannon showed superb composure to find the bottom right corner amid several attempted blocks from the Derby defenders before Sydie Peck powered home from the edge of the box to secure three points.

Lineups

Derby: Zetterstrom, Forsyth (Fraulo 74), Clarke, Langas, Morris, Ozoh (Salvesen 74), Szmodics, Ward, Brereton-Diaz (Johnston 68), Travis, Banel (Clark 59).

Unused: Vickers, Barth, Sanderson, Eames, Allen.

Blades: Davies, Tanganga, Arblaster (Rothwell 63), Cannon (Chong 63), Hamer (Ings 72), O’Hare (Riedewald 85), Burrows, McGuinness, Seriki (Hoever 63), Peck, Bamford.

Unused: Betts, Soumare, Sasnauskas, McGlinchey.

First Half

Derby began on the front foot, as might have been expected given the context, and quickly looked to impose themselves.

They had already spurned an opportunity that appeared marginally offside when they struck the opener, Sammie Szmodics reacting quickest in the box to turn home from close range following a series of corners.

A quarter of an hour in, United started to steady themselves. Hamer forced Zetterstrom into action from a free kick, while the game took on a more physical edge.

Before the interval, Hamer tried his luck from distance, and Burrows was cautioned for a late challenge on Brereton Díaz as tensions simmered.

Second Half

The second half opened in relatively subdued fashion. Tanganga picked up a booking for a foul on Morris, but the contest came alive just past the hour mark.

A short back pass from Ward invited pressure, and United capitalised ruthlessly, Hamer and Bamford combining to create the opening before Tom Cannon calmly finished from 12 yards to level the scores.

Despite getting back on terms, Cannon was withdrawn shortly after as part of a triple substitution. One of those changes made an immediate impact: Chong tested Zetterstrom sharply at the near post, and moments later the breakthrough arrived.

Peck stepped up and unleashed a strike from distance that beat the Derby goalkeeper, who could do little but watch it fly past him.

United pushed for a decisive third. Ings and Riedewald were introduced to freshen things up, and Ings nearly made an instant impact, linking up neatly with Bamford before being denied by another strong save from Zetterstrom.

Peck nearly added a second to his tally late into added time, while Chong continued to trouble the hosts, ensuring United saw out the game.

PSL 2026 Final PZ vs HHK win probability: Live score and match prediction originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY MATCH DETAILS:

• Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
• Captains: Babar Azam(Peshawar Zalmi), Marnus Labuschagne (Hyderabad Kingsmen)
• Toss result: Peshawar Zalmi opted to bowl first.
• Live Telecast: PTV Sports (Pakistan), No broadcast (India), Etisalat (Middle East & North Africa, UAE, KSA, GCC), Sky Sports Cricket (UK), Willow TV (USA and Canada), Fox Sports (Australia), SuperSport (South Africa & Sub-Saharan Africa)
• Umpires & Match officials: Ahsan Raza, Chris Gaffaney (on-field umpires), Alex Wharf (Third Umpire), Asif Yaqoob (Fourth Umpire), Roshan Mahanama (Match referee)
• Match result: TBD
• Player of the Match: TBD

Peshawar Zalmi vs Hyderabad Kingsmen PSL 2026 final live match scorecard

Follow along with the latest live scorecard here as the match unfolds, or click here for key text commentary updates from the action.

PSL 2026 final PZ vs HHK: Live Win Probability

PSL 2026 final: Live score and latest match prediction for PZ vs HHK

Hyderabad Kingsmen batting innings

• Mohammad Basit picked up the first wicket, removing Maaz Sadaqat in the second over.
• Hyderabad posted 69/2 in the powerplay with Saim Ayub leading the charge with 30*(14). Before tonight, Ayub had scored just 204 runs at 18.54 in 12 matches during the season. He's turning up at the right time.
• HHK skipper Marnus Labuschagne was dismissed for 20 runs by fellow Aussie Aaron Hardie after hitting a six and a four in the same over.
• Shocking collapse! Hyderabad fell from 71/2 to 90/7. They have lost 5 wickets for just 19 runs.

Hello, and welcome to the live update for tonight's grand finale of the PSL 2026 season, as Peshawar Zalmi take on Hyderabad Kingsmen.

Babar Azam-led Zalmi are eyeing their second PSL title, while the Kingsmen, led by Aussie superstar Marnus Labuschagne, are eyeing their maiden title in their debut season. 

Toss: The toss is scheduled at 8:00 p.m. IST and 7:30 p.m. local time (PKT). The delay is due to the closing ceremony which is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. PKT local. 

The toss has been delayed as the venue staff are getting the ground ready after the closing ceremony.

Toss result: Peshawar Zalmi won the toss and opted to bowl first.

MORE:How to watch PSL 2026 final PZ vs HHK: Full guide to catch match live in Pakistan, UK, India, UAE, USA and other regions

PSL 2026 final: PZ vs HHK playing XI

PZ playing XI: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Haris (wk), Kusal Mendis, Abdul Samad, Michael Bracewell, Iftikhar Ahmed, Aaron Hardie, Farhan Yousaf, Nahid Rana, Sufiyan Muqeem, Mohammad Basit.

HHK playing XI: Saim Ayub, Maaz Sadaqat, Marnus Labuschagne (c), Usman Khan (wk), Kusal Perera, Glenn Maxwell, Hassan Khan, Irfan Khan Niazi, Hunain Shah, Mohammad Ali, Akif Javed.

Who won PSL 2026? Final match result

The PSL 2026 final between Peshawar Zalmi and Hyderabad Kingsmen was scheduled to start at 8:00 p.m. local time (PKT) and 8:30 p.m. IST. 

To keep up to date with all the latest cricket news and share your opinion on the biggest topics visit ourFacebook, Instagram and X (Twitter) pages.

It took Pirates just 4 innings to make baseball history not done in 51 years originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Pittsburgh Pirates accomplished a feat so unlikely that it hasn't been done by their franchise in 51 years.

And when they did it on Saturday, it somehow took just four innings to make it happen.

The accomplishment: Everyone in the starting lineup had at least one RBI.

That hadn't happened for the Pirates since Sept. 16, 1975, according to MLB.com.

They had made it happen by the time four innings were in the books of their Saturday 17-7 win over the Cincinnati Reds.

The Pirates were definitely helped by the fact that at one point, the Reds walked seven Pittsburgh hitters in a row.

But no matter how it happens, having everyone drive in a run is absolutely incredible.

“It was really impressive,” manager Don Kelly told reporters after the game, via MLB.com. “I think it was something that we can learn from as we go through the season. When we've been really good offensively and had those big innings, it's usually been because we’ve been patient. Hunted the middle of the plate, the middle of the field and continued to trust the guy behind us.”

MORE: Kazuma Okamoto blamed a quesadilla for a missed opportunity

The Pirates scored five runs in the first, five more in the second and another five in the fourth.

Ryan O'Hearn, Marcell Ozuna and Spencer Horwitz each had three RBI. Konnor Griffin and Nick Gonzales each added a pair.

Griffin had his first career four-hit game in the process.

The Pirates actually hit no home runs, but it didn't matter. Everyone was getting the job done.

More MLB news:

• Explaining the absurdity of 2 MLB players named Max Muncy
• NFL QB had one of worst ceremonial first pitches ever
• This was the funniest bunt attempt in baseball history
• This slider is really good and moves the entirely wrong direction
• Yasiel Puig is back in professional baseball

The Brazil Women’s U-17 National Team returns to the field this Sunday (3) to face Ecuador in the fifth round of the South American group stage. The match will be played at Ameliano Villeta Stadium in Paraguay at 5 p.m. (Brasília time) and will be broadcast live on SporTV.

“I think it will be a tough match, because no game is easy, but we’re coming in very well prepared. We’re very connected and our team is very strong. We prepared well, and I hope we come away with the win,” said goalkeeper Yasmin Loren.

Pinho is one of the standout players in Brazil’s attackCredits: Staff Images/CBF

The Canarinho is already through to the semifinals of the continental tournament and is the only team with a 100% record. With qualification for the next round, Brazil is one step away from securing a place at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, which will be held in Morocco between October and November.

This is because the top three teams from each group still have a chance to book their spot. The teams that qualify for the final automatically secure a place in the World Cup. The teams that lose in the semifinals will face the third-place teams from Groups A and B. The winners of those matches will also go to Morocco.

Before the fifth round of the first phase, the groups stand as follows:

__twitter:https://x.com/CONMEBOLtorneos/status/2050399483599446376__

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Brazil comes into the match off the back of three emphatic wins. In the opener, it beat Venezuela 2-0, with goals from Gigi and Mari Gigante. Next, it defeated Uruguay 5-3. Nicolly (2), Helena, Gigi and Mari Gigante found the net. Still in the group stage, the Canarinho thrashed Peru 5-0. In that latest match, the goals came from Mari Gigante, Nicolly and Marcela (3).

Ecuador is also unbeaten, but has a 55% success rate. In its opening match, the team beat Venezuela 1-0. In the next two matches, the Ecuadorians drew with Peru (1-1) and Uruguay (0-0).

Brazil and Ecuador also met in the 2025 South American Championship. In the group stage, the Canarinho won 5-1. In the final hexagonal stage, the teams drew 0-0.

Pepê during the match between Brazil and Peru; the midfielder also played in the 2025 South American ChampionshipCredits: Staff Images/CBF

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

It's the final fixture of the regular season for Milan Futuro as they face the bottom-of-the-table Vogherese at the Stadio Felice Chinetti in Solbiate Arno. The clash on matchday 34 of Group B in Serie D will be streamed live on the AC Milan Official App, with kick-off scheduled for 15:00 CEST. 

TheAC Milan PUMA Kits for 2025/26 are available: buy them now!

England have been given a major injury scare ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup after captain Nat Sciver-Brunt sustained a calf injury.

Sciver-Brunt has been withdrawn from Charlotte Edwards’s squad for the ODI series against New Zealand after sufffering the issue while playing for the Blaze on Wednesday.

Vice-captain Charlie Dean, who had originally been rested for that series, will now skipper the side, with Maia Bouchier called up as batting cover.

A decision on Sciver-Brunt’s participation in T20 series against the White Ferns and India will be made in due course, with England suggesting that her absence from the 50-over games is precautionary as they gear up for a tournament on home soil.

The World Cup squad took no part in the Metro Bank Cup games on Saturday to instead attend a leadership programme with the British Army. Sciver-Brunt was not involved in physical activities.

England open their campaign against Sri Lanka on 12 June at Edgbaston, and also face the West Indies, Scotland, Ireland and New Zealand in Group B. They have not played competitively since exiting the 50-over World Cup to South Africa in October.

The upcoming Serie A match between Sassuolo and Milan on Sunday afternoon will be available to watch live on TikTok in the UK and Ireland, the first time that an Italian league match has been broadcast on the social media platform.

Sassuolo vs. Milan available to watch on DAZN, TikTok and YouTube

DECEMBER 14: Davide Bartesaghi celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match against US Sassuolo Calcio at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on December 14, 2025 in San Siro, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

You can follow the action from Sassuolo vs. Milan and from all of Sunday’s Serie A fixtures on the Football Italia Liveblog. 

Broadcaster DAZN have partnered with the social media platform TikTok to livestream a Serie A match in the UK and Ireland for the first time.

The idea is for the game to introduce Serie A football to new audiences through TikTok’s discovery and community features, with the aim of turning casual viewers into regular fans of Italian football.

The Sassuolo vs. Milan match will still be available to watch on DAZN’s regular platform, as well as through the @DAZNFootball account on TikTok, and on DAZN’s YouTube channel.

Kick-off is due at 14.00 BST.

Abay Alemu edged out Tadesse Mamo by just one-hundredth of a second to win a thrilling Belfast Marathon on Sunday.

The Ethiopian pair moved clear in the closing stages before a sprint finish which saw Alemu break the tape in 2:16:23.

"I'm very happy - the people were very nice," said Alemu.

"The weather was very cold and the pace was not good but the feeling is nice."

Abera Ketema made it an Ethiopian 1-2-3 by coming in third in a time of 2:17:38.

It was third time lucky for Lala Aziza Selsouli in the women's race as the Moroccan eased to victory as two runner-up finishes.

Selsouli clocked 2:38:00 and was followed home by City of Derry athlete Judith Storm, who ran a personal best of 2:39:09.

"This is my third time - I always wish to win and finally I did it," said Selsouli.

"I like this race, I like to run in Belfast and I'm very happy to win."

Melissa Gibson of Ealing completed the podium by finishing third in 2:42:44.

Aghadowey woman Jayne Bleakley retained the wheelchair title in 2:32:39.

Bleakley, who competed in the London Marathon last weekend, won last year's race in her first marathon at the age of 44.

"That was fun but it was really tough and I had major technical difficulties on the way round," she said.

"So I can't be disappopinted with my time. I though I could still get that PB and I was chasing it the whole way round.

"It didn't happen but I had great fun and it was brilliant."

The Mets lost another player to injury in last night’s extra-innings loss to the Angels. While sliding into first base in the sixth inning, Ronny Mauricio appeared to jam his left thumb on the base, fracturing it and being placed on the Injured List. He ran the bases for the rest of the inning but then left the game in the bottom of the inning.

Mauricio has been playing shortstop in Francisco Lindor’s stead, as Lindor hit the Injured List on April 23rd with a left calf strain. The Mets also have Jorge Polanco, Luis Robert Jr, Kodai Senga, and Jared Young currently on the IL.

The Mets are in a bind as for what to do about shortstop until Lindor or Mauricio returns. While Bo Bichette, currently their third baseman, played shortstop for most of his career, his defensive abilities there were never elite, and over time they have eroded further. However, with a lineup that is already struggling to hit, calling up one of the players currently manning shortstop for Triple-A Syracuse for regular playing time—Vidal Bruján or Jackson Cluff—doesn’t inspire much offensive confidence. One of them will most likely join the team as a bench/backup option.

If Bichette is playing short, Brett Baty will likely get most of the third base reps. The Mets’ infield would likely be comprised of Baty at third, Bichette at short, Marcus Semien at second, and Mark Vientos at first. Insert your ‘run prevention’ joke here.

How Brady Wambach is related to USWNT legend Abby Wambach for UNC lacrosse originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

For most sports fans, it's a last name that will catch your attention immediately: Wambach.

One of the best players for the North Carolina Tar Heels' men's lacrosse team is Brady Wambach. And yep, he's related to U.S. women's soccer legend Abby Wambach.

Brady is a faceoff guy, but he's more than that -- after UNC wins faceoffs, Brady often stays on the field and makes plays. 

This season, he has won 252-of-374 faceoffs entering Sunday's ACC Championship game. That works out to 67.4%.

He also has scored 10 goals and dished out four assists.

Much of the faceoff work comes with his own ability after the initial whistle, too, as Brady has picked up 162 ground balls this season. But he gets plenty of help from his talented wings, and it's a key aspect of the game that gives the Tar Heels high hopes for the entire postseason.

And there's certainly plenty of winning in Brady Wambach's genes.

How is Brady Wambach related to Abby Wambcah?

Brady is Abby's nephew.

He's the son of Peter and Carolyn Wambach. Peter passed away unexpectedly in December 2023 and was one of nine siblings of a group that also included Abby.

Brady grew up in Pittsford, N.Y., outside of Rochester, where he also played hockey. He eventually finished his prep career at the Salisbury School in Connecticut before matriculating to Chapel Hill.

MORE: How Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo is related to Secretariat

Red Bull Racing driver Isack Hadjar has been disqualified from the Miami Grand Prix qualifying after the sport’s governing body, the FIA, found his RB22 F1 car’s floor to be non-compliant with the 2026 F1 technical regulations. As a result, Hadjar will start the race from the pit lane instead of starting from P9.

The FIA discovered in post-qualifying scrutineering that the floor of the RB22 protruded by two millimeters, more than what had been specified in the technical regulations.

The Red Bull F1 team introduced a new floor to Hadjar’s car as part of its upgrade package for the Miami GP. However, that has not met with the FIA’s specifications. FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer stated:

“The lhs and rhs floorboard were protruding 2mm out of the reference volume RV-FLOOR BOARD.

Read More from MotorBiscuit:

• Updated 2026 Miami Grand Prix Start Time Confirmed and How to Watch
• Why Racing Bulls’ Arvid Lindblad Received a Pitlane Penalty But Suffered a DNS in the Miami GP Sprint Race
• Nico Hulkenberg Ruled Out of Miami Sprint Race After Audi F1 Car Catches Fire

“As this is not in compliance with Article C3.5.5 of the Formula 1 Technical Regulation, I am referring this matter to the stewards for their consideration.”

Red Bull did not go against Bauer’s report. Announcing the penalty, the FIA report read:

“The Stewards heard from the team representatives of Car 6 (Isack Hadjar). They did not dispute the findings of the Technical Delegate that portions of the LHS and RHS floor boards were protruding 2mm out of the reference volume RV-FLOOR BOARD.

“This is a breach of Article C3.5.5 of the FIA F1 Regulations and the usual consequences follow an admitted breach of the technical regulations.”

Following the disqualification, Red Bull issued a statement in which team principal Laurent Mekies apologized on behalf of the team. Planet F1 reported:

“We made a mistake and we respect the decision of the stewards. No performance advantage was intended nor gained from this error.

“We will learn from this incident and assess our processes to understand how it occurred and to take steps to ensure it cannot happen again.

“As a team, we apologise to Isack, and to our fans and partners. We learn the hard way today but we will move forward.

“Now our focus is on converting yesterday’s encouraging showing into a strong race performance this afternoon.”

Bologna were held to an underwhelming 0-0 draw at home against Cagliari in Serie A on Sunday afternoon, the third consecutive Italian top-flight match to end goalless.

Bologna came into Sunday’s clash ranked ninth in Serie A, while the 16th-placed Cagliari came in needing a victory to ensure mathematical safety with three games to spare. Vincenzo Italiano’s side were without goalkeeper Lukasz Skorpuski, Joao Mario, Nicolo Cambiaghi and Thijs Dallinga, and Cagliari travelled without Riyad Idrissi, Luca Mazzitelli, Mattia Felici, Leonardo Pavoletti and Gennaro Borrelli.

Click here to read more about how today’s teams lined up.

Fans during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and Cagliari Calcio at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on May 03, 2026. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Federico Bernardeschi registered the game’s first shot on target after 25 minutes, coming in off the right flank and attempting to bend his left-footed shot into the far corner of the net from the edge of the penalty area. Nothing that Elia Caprile couldn’t handle, though.

Teenage goalkeeper Massimo Pessina was called into action in the 45th minute, improvising well to deny Sebastiano Esposito at his near post.

MAY 03: Sebastiano Esposito of Cagliari Calcio during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and Cagliari Calcio at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on May 03, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Benja Dominguez thought he had a shout for a penalty immediately afterwards after feeling a hand on the back from Yerry Mina down at the other end, but this was waved away with no further reviews.

Caprile had to get down low and get a strong hand out to deny Nikola Moro’s dipping shot from the edge of the penalty area 10 minutes after the re-start.

Substitute Santiago Castro struck the ball well from a tight angle 66 minutes in, but Caprile was again well positioned at his near post and got his full body behind the shot.

Ze Pedro had a glorious opportunity to send Cagliari 1-0 up 10 minutes from time: Michael Folorunsho had done well to send a cross back into a busy Bologna penalty area, which fell kindly for Ze Pedro, who managed to blast his first-time finish over the crossbar from the edge of the six-yard box.

After 0-0 draws between Como and Napoli and between Atalanta and Genoa on Saturday evening, this was the third consecutive Serie A match to end goalless. Bologna are now four games without a win across all competitions, while Cagliari are not quite safe from relegation just yet.

MAY 03: Fabio Pisacane head coach of Cagliari Calcio during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and Cagliari Calcio at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on May 03, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Bologna 0-0 Cagliari

Manchester United are determined to get their managerial appointment right this summer after a couple of false starts under INEOS. The Red Devils handed the reins of the first team to caretaker manager Michael Carrick after a turbulent 14-month run under former head coach Ruben Amorim.

The Englishman has masterminded an impressive turnaround at Old Trafford, helping the club climb to third in the Premier League table after 34 games. United have registered nine wins and just two defeats under the former midfielder, and are on course to complete a blockbuster return to the Champions League next season.

The English giants are expected to appoint a permanent manager at the end of the campaign, although Carrick remains an option for the job. A recent report relayed by The Peoples Person states that his chances of securing the full-time position could also depend on the future of his assistant, Steve Holland.

Michael Carrick Stats: 2025/26 Season

Source: Wikipedia.

While the Red Devils are yet to make a decision on the matter, it now appears that they are already working to strengthen the coaching team ahead of the new season.

United want Aaron Danks

According to TEAMtalk, Carrick has identified Bayern Munich assistant manager Aaron Danks as an option to upgrade his backroom team if he continues in his position. The report states: “Manchester United are keeping close tabs on Bayern Munich assistant Aaron Danks, with TEAMtalk able to reveal that Michael Carrick wants him as part of his long-term coaching staff should he land the job permanently at Old Trafford.”

Danks arrived at the Allianz Arena to join Vincent Kompany’s staff in 2024, and the pair also worked together at Anderlecht in 2021. The Englishman has an enviable CV, having spent time in England working under Dean Smith, Steven Gerrard and Unai Emery at Aston Villa.

Danks also has a history with Carrick, having joined his coaching staff at Middlesbrough in December 2022 and becoming a trusted associate before leaving for Bayern. He has added to his reputation during his time at the Allianz Arena and was also in the news earlier this week.

With Kompany banished to the stands, Danks was in charge on the sidelines during the Bavarians’ highly entertaining 5-4 defeat at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the Champions League. United are certainly impressed by what they have seen so far, and are now eager to take him back to the Premier League.

Background checks in place

The report from TEAMtalk adds that United have already carried out background checks on Danks ahead of a possible move this summer. It states: “Sources understands that Man Utd have already carried out background work on Danks and have been impressed by their findings.”

“Indeed, his tactical acumen, adaptability and experience working across multiple elite environments have all been noted.”

“Sources suggest this is part of a wider process at United, who are conducting due diligence on potential coaching additions should Carrick be handed the role on a full-time basis.”

The report, however, confirms that no formal approach has been made so far for the Englishman.

Final Thoughts

United have followed a well-planned approach in squad reinforcements of late, and securing the services of Danks could be another step in the right direction. All eyes will now be on the permanent appointment process, which could be the most important decision of INEOS’ tenure.

Featured image Alexander Hassenstein via Getty Images

online polls

The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

Red Bull brought a series of upgrades to the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, hoping to unlock improved performance in the RB22. The decision seemed to pay immediate dividends for Max Verstappen, who put his RB22 on the front row during qualifying, and he will start second alongside pole-sitter Kimi Antonelli later today.

However, Isack Hadjar qualified eighth — 0.825 seconds behind Verstappen — which was frustrating enough for the Red Bull driver.

But that frustration worsened Sunday morning, when Hadjar was disqualified from qualifying following a post-session inspection.

During the post-qualifying scrutineering, race stewards found that the floor on Hadjar’s RB22 was protruding approximately two millimeters beyond the specifications allowed for in the 2026 F1 technical regulations. Hadjar and a Red Bull representative were summoned to a hearing with race officials, set for early Sunday morning.

Following the hearing, Hadjar was disqualified from qualifying.

In the report from race stewards, they noted that Red Bull “did not dispute the findings of the Technical Delegate that portions of the LHS and RHS floor boards were protruding 2mm out of the reference volume RV-FLOOR BOARD.”

Race officials imposed the standard penalty for a breach of the technical regulations, which is a disqualification from the session. Red Bull then requested that Hadjar be permitted to start the race, despite being disqualified from qualifying, and race officials granted that request.

Hadjar will line up 22nd on the grid, at the back of the field.

Speaking after qualifying, Hadjar outlined his frustration with the upgrades, and his performance during the hour.

“The car was very hard to drive, it was very fast. In Q3 I just couldn’t put it all together and on the other side we have no straight line speed,” Hadjar said after qualifying.

“I think it’s a very tricky track, very low grip with high track temperature. So nothing to do with what we had in the first three rounds. It’s not a very fluid racing track with good grip. 

“It’s completely different and Max is very good at adapting to these conditions. In the corners I can tell you I’ve made big progress compared to yesterday. I just couldn’t tidy up like he did and on top of that I’m missing in every straight.”

Now he’ll have to make up significant ground on the track, in what is expected to be a very wet Miami Grand Prix.

Aston Villa need to bounce back quickly from their Europa League semi-final first-leg defeat if they hope to further cement themselves in the top five.

Spurs, meanwhile, are desperate for points in their battle to stay in the Premier League.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Sunday evening’s clash.

Kick-off time

7pm UK time, Sunday May 3

How to watch in the UK

TNT Sports 1/TNT Sports Ultimate

Streaming on HBO Max

Injuries and suspensions

Aston Villa: Boubacar Kamara (out), Alysson (out), Amadou Onana (out)

Tottenham Hotspur: Xavi Simons (out), Wilson Odobert (out), Mohammed Kudus (out), Dejan Kulusevski (out), Cristian Romero (out), Ben Davies (out), Guglielmo Vicario (out), Destiny Udogie (doubt), Dominic Solanke (out)

Predicted line-ups

Aston Villa XI (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen; Bogarde, Tielemans; McGinn, Barkley, Rogers; Watkins

Tottenham XI (4-2-3-1): Kinsky; Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Spence; Bentancur, Bissouma; Kolo Muani, Bergvall, Tel; Richarlison

Recent form

Aston Villa need to steady the ship if they hope to live up to their potential this season. Despite pulling off an important league win against Sunderland, they were then narrowly beaten by Fulham and then Nottingham Forest in the first leg of the Europa League semi-finals. Level on points with Liverpool in 4th, a strong performance against Tottenham could see them make a case for a return to Europe’s top tournament.

Tottenham Hotspur finally managed to take home three points against an already-relegated Wolves side last time out, keeping them within touching distance of safety. Just two points behind West Ham, every game remains a must-win, but Spurs have not won at Villa Park since November 2024. Roberto de Zerbi will need to inspire something massive from his players as they continue to battle against relegation.

What’s been said?

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery: “Each match is very important, we are involved in the Premier League in day 35 and we are focusing on it as a priority – to be consistent and be demanding to achieve a huge challenge to be back in the Champions League.

“On Sunday we need the stadium full, the supporters helping us, playing with us, bringing the energy. We are trying to enjoy with our supporters. We have been consistent, three years in a row playing in Europe. This year we have the opportunity to fight for it.”

Tottenham Hotspur boss Roberto De Zerbi: “[The voice inside us was saying] winning two or three games in a row is impossible because we hadn’t won a game in 2026. I think it’s all negative things and it’s rubbish. It’s like we’re all crying and relegated. No, not yet. We have to die on the pitch.

“We have to play, we have to fight, we have two points less than West Ham. It’s not the best moment for us, a tough moment, but the losers cry, they think negative and I don’t want people close to me crying or to think a different way than me.”

USC's Makai Lemon will try to follow in the footsteps of Philadelphia Eagles players who have won two Super Bowls in the past decade and have knocked on the door of a championship in other seasons. Eagles Wire noted that Lemon will wear Nick Foles' No. 9 with the blessing of the Super Bowl-winning quarterback. Now let's get into the meaty topic of how Makai Lemon can actually help the Eagles win another Lombardi Trophy.

One thing which stands out about Jalen Hurts' disappointing 2025 NFL season with the Eagles is his yards per attempt average. Hurts averaged just 7.1 yards per pass attempt -- not per completion, but per attempt. That's low. That's not what a modern passing attack should achieve, especially on a team with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations. Hurts completed a 79-yard pass last season and a few other passes over 40 yards, so the 7.1-yard average means the vast majority of his completions did not gain very many yards.

Makai Lemon will need to be a 3rd and 5 option for the Eagles' passing attack, but he will also need to work the middle third of the field and make those 12- and 15-yard intermediate catches in open pockets of the defense. Lemon makes plays anywhere on the field, and like a true big dog, he has to be able and willing to go over the middle and catch the ball before getting hit. If Lemon becomes a middle-third machine who can load up on intermediate-length pass routes, the Hurts average per attempt could climb toward 10 yards, and the Eagles will get a lot more out of their passing game in 2026.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Makai Lemon's task within Eagles' 2026 offense should be clear

Chelsea welcome Nottingham Forest to Stamford Bridge for an unusual Monday 3pm Premier League encounter.

After their commanding 3-0 win in the reverse fixture back in October, the Blues will be aiming to complete a Premier League double over the Tricky Trees for only the second time, having previously done so in the 1998/99 campaign.

Match preview

Chelsea arrive for this encounter on the back of a dreadful five-game losing streak in the top flight, drawing a blank in all of them for the first time since 1912.

The Blues suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion last time out in the Premier League, which ended Liam Rosenior’s reign at the club.

Despite their league struggles, Chelsea will take confidence from their 1-0 FA Cup semi-final victory against Leeds United, overseen by interim boss Calum McFarlane.

Enzo Fernandez’s first-half header at Wembley secured a final showdown with Manchester City and brought an end to Chelsea’s three-game goal drought.

Despite currently being closer to 16th than the top five on points, the Blues would not see their Champions League hopes completely extinguished with a defeat, as sixth place could be sufficient if Aston Villa secure a top-five finish and win the Europa League.

Nottingham Forest stretched their unbeaten run to nine matches in all competitions with a narrow 1-0 victory over the Villans in Thursday’s Europa League semi-final first leg.

Chris Wood’s second-half penalty proved decisive for Vitor Pereira’s side, who have now won four games in a row in all competitions.

The Tricky Trees thrashed Sunderland 5-0 in their last Premier League outing, moving eight points clear of the drop zone and boosting their hopes of securing top-flight survival.

Forest have lost just two of their eight Premier League away games against Chelsea (W2 D4) and are unbeaten in all three visits to Stamford Bridge since their return to the competition in 2022 (W1 D2).

Team news

McFarlane has confirmed that Reece James and Levi Colwill could return to the matchday squad after their respective injuries.

While Estevao Willian, Filip Jorgensen and Jamies Gittens are on the sidelines for the hosts.

Forest suffered a fresh injury blow on Thursday as Ola Aina was forced off in the second-half and is doubtful.

Dan Ndoye, Ibrahim Sangare, Jair Cunha and Murillo missed their UEL semi-final victory over Villa and are also doubts.

Nicolo Savona, Callum Hudson-Odoi, John Victor and Willy Boly are unavailable with injuries.

Predicted line-ups

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez, Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella, Lavia, Caicedo, Palmer, Fernandez, Neto, Joao Pedro.

Nottingham Forest (4-4-2): Sels, Abbott, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams, McAtee, Anderson, Dominguez, Gibbs-White, Jesus, Lucca.

Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Nottingham Forest.

It's going to be a soggy Sunday at the Blue Monster.

The final round of the 2026 Cadillac Championship was delayed due to thunderstorms in the Miami area on Sunday morning. Tee times were originally moved up and set to begin at 7:30 a.m. ET in an effort to complete play early afternoon, but an early-morning wave of storms forced PGA Tour officials to delay the start of Sunday's action.

Sunday weather forecast for the Cadillac Championship pic.twitter.com/BMaPd8vcL3

— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) May 3, 2026

The forecast for the remainder of Sunday is not promising, either. While rain chances decrease slightly during the middle of the day, they shoot up into the late afternoon and evening. The forecast calls for between 1 to 2 inches of rain.

If play is not able to be completed Sunday, the Monday forecast shows better conditions, though rain may still persist in the Doral area. The PGA Tour, as of 8:30 a.m. ET, has not announced when play will begin.

Cameron Young has a six-shot lead after the third round on Scottie Scheffler, Si Woo Kim and Kristoffer Reitan. Young sits at 15 under and is in search of his second win this season, also having won the Players in March.

The last PGA Tour event to be reduced to 54 holes was the 2024 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, which Wyndham Clark won after a stellar 12-under 60 in the third round.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Cadillac Championship 2026 final round delayed by storms at Doral

The Minnesota Timberwolves overcame significant adversity to reach the conference semifinals against the San Antonio Spurs, as injuries disrupted their campaign at a critical stage.

Donte DiVincenzo, Anthony Edwards and Ayo Dosunmu were all sidelined for different matches, but Minnesota defied expectations to eliminate the Denver Nuggets as underdogs.

That result has raised hopes the Timberwolves can regain key players soon.

And with momentum on their side, attention has shifted to how they navigate the next series.

Jaden McDaniels makes promise to Anthony Edwards amid injury setback

Jaden McDaniels revealed he has already made a clear commitment to Edwards. The Timberwolves forward spoke about keeping the series alive until their star gets back.

Edwards is dealing with a bone bruise and hyperextension of his left knee. His absence leaves a significant gap in Minnesota’s line-up heading into the Spurs series.

McDaniels addressed the situation when asked about Edwards potentially returning. “Any time we can get someone who has been hurt back [it’s good news], especially ‘Ant’, with the gravity he carries.”

He then outlined his promise directly, saying: “Even him just being on the court would help us a lot. So, whenever he’s ready, I told him, we’re gonna hold it down until he gets ready.”

Jaden McDaniels’ form offers Timberwolves reason for confidence

McDaniels played a decisive role in the series win over Denver. His performances helped stabilise the team during a challenging period with crucial absences.

The 25-year-old has elevated his output in the playoffs, averaging 17.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.

In Game 6 against the Nuggets, McDaniels delivered a triple-double with 32 points and 10 assists, a huge boost in Minnesota’s bid for a place in the conference semifinals.

His defensive presence and increased production are expected to remain key against the Spurs.

Read more:

In the second-to-last match of the Women’s Super League season, Chelsea Women face an already relegated Leicester City team that have been in a crisis quite similar to their men’s counterpart, who have also just been relegated. A match of parallels, more or less.

Leicester starting eleven:
Keane | Kees, Tierney (c), Van Egmond, Jansson, Ale, Thibaud, Mayling, Cain, O’Brien, Swaby

Substitutes from:Baker, Neville, Payne, McLoughlin, Goodwin, Lehmann, Rantala, Williams, Mouchon

Chelsea starting lineup (4-3-3):
Peng | Carpenter, Bronze, Buchanan, Charles | Potter, Cuthbert (c), Kaptein | Kaneryd, Kerr, James

Substitutes from:Hampton, Spencer, Buurman, Baltimore, Nüsken, Walsh, Sarwie, Beever-Jones, Thompson

Date / Time: Sunday, May 3, 2026, 14.30 BST; 9:30am EDT
Venue: King Power Stadium, Leicester, UK
Referee: Ade Soneye

On TV: BBC Two (UK); none (USA); elsewhere
Streaming: BBC iPlayer (UK); ESPN+, fuboTV (USA)

Let’s do this!

Could this be the last chance for St. Pauli to achieve that desired turnaround and a boost in the dangerous relegation battle? Alexander Blessin‘s side is hosting Mainz 05, who arrive with mixed feelings after last week‘s turbulent 3-4 loss against Bayern Munich, where Urs Fischer‘s side were actually leading 3-0.

Which side will come out on top today? With just about one hour to go until kickoff, here are the confirmed lineups of both sides.

Confirmed lineups: FC St. Pauli vs. Mainz 05

St. Pauli (3-4-2-1):

Vasilj - Ando, Wahl, Mets- Pyrka, Irvine, Smith, Ritzka - Sinani, Fujita - Hountondji

Mainz 05 (3-5-2):

Batz - Da Costa, Posch, Potulski - Widmer, Sano, Amiri, Nebel, Mwene - Becker, Tietz

OWINGS MILLS, MD – It’s now been a full week since the 2026 NFL Draft began receding into the rearview mirror. Next, the league’s newcomers hit the road – fully embracing what they see through the windshield as they leave home, college campuses and/or pre-draft training sites to take the on-ramp for the unofficial starts of their pro football careers as 31 of the NFL’s 32 clubs conduct May's rookie minicamps – eight of them wrapping up this weekend, with 23 more set to be in full swing next weekend. (The Detroit Lions opted out of their rookie minicamp, altering the approach to their offseason.)

“The message for those guys is, like, every day has to be the most important day of your career now. If you really want to make it, and you really want to find that consistency – like every meeting and every rep is the most important rep and especially from a mental standpoint. It's not always going to be a thousand miles an hour physically. But every opportunity in the meeting room, in the weight room, in the walk-throughs, every rep is the most important rep of your career,” Ravens rookie head coach Jesse Minter said Saturday when asked about where he wants his rookies focused.

“For these guys, it's not always about gaining the trust of me or the coaches. It's really about gaining the trust of our veterans and our leaders – and they can do that over the course of the rest of the offseason program and in training camp. And most of the time, in my experience, even as just a defensive coach, the veteran players come to you and say, ‘Hey, that rookie is ready to help us,’ before you even say that as a coach.”

FIRST IMPRESSION? 'Foot in the door,' what Diego Pavia did at Ravens minicamp

Yet the NFL is a cruel zero-sum game. For every rookie who makes a strong enough impression – or gets drafted highly enough – to land on the 53-man roster, one of those veterans Minter mentioned is suddenly out of a job. And though the rooks and the vets haven’t mixed in practices yet, the older guys know plenty how this league works – and that they’re on notice amid the arrival of younger (and often cheaper) labor.

“I see a good room. But I want a great room. I want a dominant room. I want a bunch of pit bulls out there flying around making plays on the football,” new Giants coach John Harbaugh said specifically about his cornerbacks following the selection of Colton Hood in Round 2 − though almost any coach would apply that sentiment to each and every area of his roster.

“(H)e's going to light a fire in that room. You better be ready. You better be ready to compete.”

It’s a warning established players around the league should heed as the anticipatory aspect of the offseason gives way to an increasingly fraught one. As the 2026 season draws closer, here are 26 veterans who appear to be on thin ice in the aftermath of the 2026 draft:

QB Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals

Career QB2s are usually on shaky ground in some respect. However Brissett’s position could be increasingly tenuous given he’s angling for more money in 2026 … when the Cards could also turn to another capable understudy, Gardner Minshew II, if not third-rounder Carson Beck – who should get a long look at some point as this team assesses its QB plan for 2027 as well.

RB James Conner, Arizona Cardinals

He’s been the heartbeat of this team in the past. He’ll also be 31 this season, is coming back from a season-ending ankle injury and is probably ticketed for No. 3 on the depth chart following the signing of Tyler Allgeier in free agency and, certainly, the selection of RB Jeremiyah Love, maybe this draft’s best player, at No. 3 overall. Here’s hoping Conner maybe gets traded to a contender at some point this year as his impressive and inspiring career seemingly heads into its wind-down phase.

CB Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons

Never a star, the 2018 first-rounder has nevertheless hung around the league for a while. However he might not be much longer for the ATL as the Falcons prepare to team CB A.J. Terrell Jr. with his little brother, second-rounder Avieon Terrell, who’s comfortable lining up wide or in the slot.

WR Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens

He’s signed through the 2029 season, yet the cap hit to release him is fairly negligible a year from now. But 19 catches in 13 games, Bateman’s production in 2025, just isn’t going to cut it – especially after Baltimore selected WRs Ja'Kobi Lane (Round 3) and Elijah Sarratt (Round 4), who are both bigger than Bateman.

OLB Tavius Robinson, Baltimore Ravens

After trading for Maxx Crosby before bailing out of the deal, signing Trey Hendrickson and, now, drafting Zion Young in the second round, it’s pretty obvious Baltimore’s rebooting defense is looking for more production off the edge – which might also include a much stronger sophomore season from 2025 second-rounder Mike Green. None of it portends well for Robinson, who’s been unremarkable in three seasons.

LT Ickey Ekwonu, Carolina Panthers

Not only did he rupture a patellar tendon in the playoffs, not only did the Panthers sign veteran LT Rasheed Walker in free agency, but Carolina also picked OT Monroe Freeling in Round 1. Could be tough for Ekwonu, the sixth overall pick in 2022 (now entering his fifth-year option), to get a second contract in Charlotte.

C Garrett Bradbury, Chicago Bears

Obtained via trade after Drew Dalman’s surprise retirement, Bradbury is likely just a short-term fix – and his contract expires after this season – following the arrival of Logan Jones in the second round.

DE Myles Murphy, Cincinnati Bengals

The 2023 first-rounder has 8½ sacks and 92 pressures, per Next Gen Stats, through three seasons – middling production that led Cincy to decline his fifth-year option … and on the heels of drafting fastball Cashius Howell in the second round. Connect the dots.

S Grant Delpit, Cleveland Browns

How long can the plus-sized, hard-hitting former second-round safety hold off a plus-sized, hard-hitting newly drafted second round safety – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, who was widely expected to go in Round 1 this year?

QBs Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns

Watson, the lightning rod former Pro Bowler, has reached the final year of his controversial contract and Sanders is merely a former fifth-rounder despite the ability he showcased in college and flashed as a rookie. They’re now currently locked in a battle for the QB1 job, Watson perhaps pulling ahead. Regardless, given the amount of talent GM Andrew Berry has provided this year, both in terms of a radically revamped offensive line and two new wideouts in the draft – KC Concepcion (Round 1), Denzel Boston (Round 2) – one of the QBs better have a standout season if they’re going to dissuade Berry from taking another passer in the 2027 draft.

CB Keisean Nixon, Green Bay Packers

His age (29 by Week 1) and lame duck status with his contract set to expire in 2027 make Nixon the most vulnerable Pack corner – certainly in terms of his standing in 2027 – with talented Brandon Cisse onboarding via the second round.

G Patrick Mekari, Jacksonville Jaguars

There wasn’t much to like about the Jags’ draft, though third-round G Emmanuel Pregnon was perhaps the notable exception. Mekari didn’t distinguish himself last season, and his base salary balloons from $1.3 million in 2026 to $12 million in 2027. Whether or not Pregnon is the better player already, he’s most definitely the more cost effective one a year from now.

DT Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs

Be careful how much you teach the new guy, O.G. Jones is coming off his worst season in years, his 10.4% pressure rate the lowest he’s managed over the past eight seasons. He’ll also be 32 by Week 1, and has no guarantees in his contract after this season. And a Chiefs dynasty very much in a state of transition just overhauled its defense, including the selection of DT Peter Woods at the end of Round 1.

QB Kirk Cousins, Las Vegas Raiders

The soon-to-be 38-year-old knows he’s keeping the QB1 seat warm for No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. The only question is for how long.

OLB Khalil Mack, Los Angeles Chargers

Once the 35-year-old stops taking one-year deals, the nine-time Pro Bowler’s Hall of Fame clock will start ticking. Will the arrival of first-rounder Akheem Mesidor, who’s even bigger than Mack and seems more likely to play inside as a rookie expedite the former Defensive Player of the Year’s departure? Stay tuned.

OT Austin Jackson, Miami Dolphins

A first-round pick in 2020, he’s never really lived up to that billing and is only under contract through this season. And while first-rounder Kadyn Proctor is set to play left guard in 2026, he played tackle exclusively at Alabama and seems destined to settle in there sooner or later.

LBs Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson, Miami Dolphins

The Fins’ projected starters at off-ball backer next season, both Brooks and Dodson are also on expiring contracts – though rookie GM Jon-Eric Sullivan has previously mentioned Brooks as a player he viewed as foundational. That was also before Sullivan drafted highly regarded ILB Jacob Rodriguez in the second round and seemed to get a steal by enlisting Kyle Louis in the fourth – though it remains to be seen if he’s a better fit at linebacker or safety, though he was drafted at the former position. Regardless, it seems inevitable that Rodriguez, a turnover-causing machine with strong leadership skills, will displace at least one of the vets currently ahead of him on the depth chart – and quite possibly this season.

OT Morgan Moses, New England Patriots

He’s been a solid player in the league for a long time, 175 regular-season starts under his belt. Moses is also 35 and struggled down the stretch last season, noticeably in the Super Bowl loss to Seattle. First-rounder Caleb Lomu mostly played on the left side in college but, with a bit of experience and added strength, he might be coming for Moses’ job sooner than later – if not displacing 2025 first-rounder Will Campbell on the left side and forcing him to shift into Moses’ post.

CB Deonte Banks, New York Giants

A first-rounder in 2023, he’s one of those corners Harbaugh is now keeping a close eye on. Banks’ fifth-year option is already gone and so, too, might be the bulk of his 2026 playing time given the arrival of second-rounder Colton Hood.

WR Darius Slayton, New York Giants

He’s hung around for a while as a third or fourth option for the G-Men. That might soon be third-rounder Malachi Fields’ role, whose 6-foot-4, 222-pound frame should immediately make him a candidate to play on third downs and in red-zone packages.

OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux, New York Giants

The G-Men haven’t unloaded the fifth overall pick of the 2022 draft. Yet. But when the first prominent pass rusher somewhere else in the league gets hurt, don’t be surprised if his team becomes the latest to inquire about Thibodeaux and his 23½ career sacks. After all, with the Giants able to roll out 2025 NFC sack leader Brian Burns, 2025 first-rounder Abdul Carter and Arvell Reese, this year’s No. 5 selection, Thibodeaux has become an expensive luxury – if one who can still be employed regularly if Reese breaks in at the second level rather than off the edge.

WR A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles

As if the acquisitions of veterans Hollywood Brown and Dontayvion Wicks didn’t signal EVP/GM Howie Roseman’s intent to move on from Brown – likely next month, when the salary cap softens the team’s contractual hit – then certainly the trade up for Makai Lemon in Round 1 of the draft did.

OT Broderick Jones, Pittsburgh Steelers

A Round 1 selection three years ago, he only played in 11 games last season, is trying to come back from neck surgery – which is already casting a pall over his availability for the 2026 season – and didn’t get his fifth-year option picked up. And with newly minted first-rounder Max Iheanachor poised to bookend with Troy Fautanu, Jones very much seems like he’ll soon be the odd man out.

RB Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks

He got a ring, but it’s been a tough year for Charbonnet, who tore his ACL in the playoffs, missed the Super Bowl, is entering the walk year of his contract and will be vying for snaps with first-rounder Jadarian Price, who seems likely to get the bulk of departed Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III’s workload.

All NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY's 4th and Monday newsletter.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Shedeur Sanders among 26 NFL veterans on shaky ground after 2026 draft

The winners are in for the Pittsburgh Half Marathon!

Mohammed El Youssfi won the men’s division with a time of 1:01:44.

Not far behind him was the winner of the women’s division, Buza Diriba Kejela, who crossed the finish line with a record-fast time of 1:08:39.

Click here for the full half marathon race results.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

Leinster boss Leo Cullen says the media "love throwing the boot in" at the Irish province after his side saw off a late fightback from Toulon to reach another Investec Champions Cup final.

Last year's shock semi-final loss to Northampton Saints in Dublin denied Leinster a fourth straight final in a competition they have not won since 2018.

In the final 11 minutes against Toulon on Saturday, Leinster saw an 18-point lead cut to just four, with the French side almost completing a sensational comeback but denied by a cover tackle from New Zealand back Rieko Ioane.

Cullen's side, who narrowly lost three straight finals from 2022-2024 to French opposition, have not been at their usual high standards during this year's tournament but savoured the 29-25 win.

"You would love everyone to get behind the team now," Leinster's director of rugby said post-match. "When you are up against juggernauts of the game, it is not easy doing it.

"You see the other Irish provinces, we are the only ones left in the competition. The group will continue to do what they do, it is not always pretty.

"We are up against some serious teams here. It is insanely hard to win this competition.

"You guys [the media] love throwing the boot at us, don't you? You guys love throwing the boot in when things don't go well.

"Whatever sells, you read plenty of it. The courage the players showed, it is a testament."

• Leinster survive Toulon scare to reach Champions Cup final
• Spencer returns but Bath missing Ojomoh & Cokanasiga
• Arundell on long route to Bath's big day and hometown glory

Cullen and Leinster, who had comfortably cruised through the tournament last season, came under intense scrutiny after Northampton's fast start saw them take a 12-point lead at half-time.

The four-time champions fought back and almost snatched the game at the death, with Cullen revisiting late refereeing decisions that cost his side in the 37-34 defeat last May.

A year on, he defended his side, who had previously never beaten three-time champions Toulon, and said he always expects a Champions Cup semi-final to "never go to script".

"Naturally [in the last 10 minutes] you try and protect things, don't you? Whereas the other team they don't have protection and throw everything at it," he added.

"We were sitting in this room this time last year. We were in that situation and we were throwing everything at Northampton. [Henry] Pollock gets a poach – it should have been a penalty.

"It's clearly illegal, but nobody wants to report about it after. We should have had a penalty try and nobody wants to report about it. You just want to kick the boot into us, don't you? But that's the way it goes.

"Semi-finals come down to the tightest of margins. In 2012, Wesley Fofana knocked the ball over the tryline and that is how we [Leinster] got to the final.

"I would be kind to Toulon as they showed great spirit to the very end."

Leinster will travel to Bilbao for the final on Saturday, 23 May, where they will face last year's champions Bordeaux-Begles or Bath, who play on Sunday.

Cullen confirmed centre Robbie Henshaw and flanker Josh van der Flier, who left the field with head injuries, will undergo the graduated return-to-play protocol.

Flanker Jack Conan limped off and "will get checked", with Tommy O'Brien said to be likely suffering from cramp.

All four are important players for Cullen as Leinster seek a fifth Champions Cup in three weeks' time.

A former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback-wide receiver hybrid has found a new home after his untimely release from the Steel City brand of football.

According to the UFL Communications Department's X account, ex-Steelers QB/WR John Rhys Plumlee signed with the Houston Gamblers following their Week 6 loss to the Columbus Aviators.

Termination Via Waiver System:
Birmingham
WR, Laviska Shenault Jr.

DC
OLB, Durrell Johnson

Free Agent Signing:
Houston
QB, John Rhys Plumlee

— UFL Communications Department (@UFL_PR) May 3, 2026

In April 2024, Plumlee signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent and spent the offseason with Pittsburgh before being waived in August 2024. He signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars' practice squad shortly after but was released in November 2024.

Plumlee signed with the Seattle Seahawks' practice squad one week later and would eventually be signed to the active roster as a wide receiver. In August 2025, he was waived by Seattle with an injury designation as a part of final roster cuts.

For up-to-date Steelers coverage, including any offseason moves, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Ex-Steelers QB/WR John Rhys Plumlee joins UFL's Houston Gamblers

Are you ready for an announcement of an upcoming announcement?

The NFL is expected to announce its 2026 schedule later this month. Last year, the league announced the date for its schedule announcement during the first round of the NFL draft in late April. No such announcement was made during the 2026 NFL draft last month.

Each year, select networks announce key games ahead of the official NFL announcement — usually in the same week, just a few days before the full announcement. As @OzzyNFL has pointed out, NBC, Fox and Amazon are set to announce select games on Monday, May 11. ESPN will make an announcement on Tuesday, May 12. So it seems reasonable to assume the full schedule will be announced sometime next week.

Last year, the league announced its schedule on a Wednesday. Assuming they do the same this year, Wednesday, May 13, seems like a good guess for the full schedule release. While we wait, fans can view the Denver Broncos' list of 2026 opponents. Dates, times and television channels are TBA.

Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.

This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: When will the NFL announce 2026 schedule?

A coach built for the moment: John Tortorella and the Golden Knights’ playoff rise originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

No matter how the Vegas Golden Knights fare in these Stanley Cup Playoffs, John Tortorella is likely to be back behind the bench next season—and, truthfully, that arrangement probably works for everyone involved.

It’s not difficult to understand why. Tortorella has never really been a “rebuild” coach. That’s not his world, and it’s never really been his approach. His strength has always come from taking a team that already has a foundation and squeezing more out of it—tightening the edges, raising the standard, and making everything just a little more uncomfortable in the best possible way. The Philadelphia Flyers experienced that firsthand, for better and for worse.

None of that is meant as criticism. Tortorella remains one of the most recognizable and forceful coaching voices in the sport. But coaching, at its core, is never one-size-fits-all. Some coaches are builders—patient, developmental, willing to endure the slow burn of shaping a roster from scratch. Others are accelerators—figures who walk into an established room and immediately raise the temperature, demanding structure, urgency, and accountability from day one.

Tortorella has always lived in the second category.

Intensity Meets Context

That distinction always brings me back to something more personal. My father was a Marine Corps officer—twenty-five years of service, deeply disciplined, and the kind of man who could dissect almost anything technical with precision, especially when it came to firearms and mechanics. He started trying to coach me the moment I turned five. And to be fair, “developmental pacing” was not always his strong suit.

There were moments when people would step in and gently say, “Hey… your son is five… maybe take it down just a notch?”

Looking back, it wasn’t that anything was wrong—it was simply intensity meeting the wrong context. The same message, delivered with the same urgency, doesn’t always land the same way depending on who’s receiving it. That’s really the underlying thread here: coaching, leadership, even parenting at times, is as much about reading the room as it is about knowing the message.

MORE: Golden Knights record since hiring John Tortorella: How new Vegas coach has turned team around to set up playoffs run

Tortorella understands that better than most in the NHL. He’s not trying to manufacture identity from nothing. He’s trying to refine what already exists—sharpening habits, tightening structure, and pulling teams closer to a standard they may already know but don’t always consistently reach.

In many ways, that’s exactly why he fits this moment in Vegas.

A Calculated Shift In Vegas

The Golden Knights made a bold and widely debated decision late in the season, moving on from Bruce Cassidy with just eight games remaining. Cassidy, after all, had already delivered a Stanley Cup in 2023. But internally, something had clearly stalled. The urgency wasn’t as sharp, the edge wasn’t as consistent, and the team looked like it was running on familiar patterns rather than fresh conviction.

Since then, Kelly McCrimmon’s decision has started to feel less like a gamble and more like timing—imperfect, but intentional. Under Tortorella, Vegas closed the regular season with a 7–0–1 surge, snapping back into rhythm almost immediately and carrying that momentum straight into the post-season. That momentum hasn’t faded. The Golden Knights have already advanced to the second round after eliminating the Utah Mammoth in six games, punctuated by a composed 5–1 finish in Game 6.

What once looked like a team searching for answers now feels like one that has rediscovered its voice.

Stars Recalibrated, Not Reinvented

A big part of that shift has been the way the core has started to function more like a single unit rather than a collection of talent.

Jack Eichel finished the regular season with 27 goals and 63 assists for 90 points, while Mitch Marner added 24 goals and 56 assists for 80 points in his first season in Vegas following a sign-and-trade from Toronto. On paper, the production was strong. But at different points in the year, it didn’t always feel fully connected—like the gears were turning, but not quite locked in.

That changed quickly once Tortorella arrived.

MORE: Golden Knights vs. Mammoth schedule: Dates, times, TV channels, scores for NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs first-round series

Over the final eight regular-season games, Eichel produced 12 points (two goals and 10 assists), while Marner added nine points (four goals and five assists). The numbers matter, but what stood out more was how they arrived—quicker decisions, cleaner transitions, less hesitation. The game looked simpler, but faster.

That’s the version of Vegas that has carried into the playoffs: not rebuilt, not reimagined—just sharpened.

Trust, Goaltending, And A Turning Point

It hasn’t been limited to the skaters, either. Earlier in the season, goaltending was a legitimate question mark. Carter Hart, Akira Schmid, and Adin Hill all had stretches where consistency evaporated at the worst possible times, and it showed in the results.

Since Hart returned from a lower-body injury, however, the picture has started to stabilize in a way Vegas desperately needed.

Tortorella has seen Hart navigate pressure before—not just behind the bench in Vegas, but also in his broader career around the game, including his time as a commentator on ESPN. So when the Golden Knights found themselves trailing 2–1 in the series against the Mammoth, Tortorella was asked whether there was any consideration of pulling him.

“If there’s one player I have an advantage with here — I’m still trying to figure out the guys — but if there’s one player I do know very well, it’s him,” Tortorella said of Hart.

MORE: Carter Hart's Early Post-Season Success With The Golden Knights Is A Product Of Familiarity With John Tortorella

After watching his starter allow the first four goals of a 4–2 Game 3 loss in Salt Lake City, Tortorella said he never once considered making a change to Adin Hill, the same goaltender who helped Vegas win the Stanley Cup in 2023.

“I know Carter well enough; he wants to work through it,” Tortorella said. “I have faith in him. There was no thought of taking him out.”

That trust didn’t announce itself loudly. It didn’t need to. It simply settled into the room. And from there, the response came quickly: three straight wins, a series clinched, and a team that looked far more composed than it did just days earlier.

A System Built For Moments Like This

One of the first questions Tortorella faced upon taking over was what he planned to change. His answer, in essence, was nothing drastic. Let them play. Let them compete. Tighten the details, but don’t reinvent the group.

That restraint matters. Because this isn’t a roster in need of reinvention—it’s a roster in need of alignment.

The Golden Knights don’t require a new identity. They require consistency within the one they already have. That is precisely the kind of environment where Tortorella has historically thrived.

Vegas already has elite scoring, capable goaltending, and a blend of physicality and skill that plays well in post-season hockey. It’s not a team searching for itself—it’s a team trying to stay locked in as the stakes rise.

A Familiar Kind Of Opportunity

This is also the kind of roster that aligns naturally with Tortorella’s track record. His 2004 Stanley Cup run with the Tampa Bay Lightning came with a similar blend—high-end scoring, dependable goaltending, and a supporting cast willing to embrace structure and physicality when it mattered most.

The Golden Knights weren’t widely projected to reach this point, especially given how their regular season closed. But now, like so many playoff teams before them, they’ve quietly shifted from uncertainty to something more dangerous: belief paired with execution.

There’s a long way to go, and nothing about the post-season is linear. But Vegas has already crossed the threshold from surviving to contending.

If this run continues, it won’t just be a story about timing or talent. It will be about fit—about a coach who thrives when the foundation is already there, and a team that finally feels like it’s playing with clarity instead of hesitation.

Whatever happens next, one thing already feels clear: John Tortorella hasn’t just landed in Vegas for a moment. He’s landed in the kind of situation he’s spent his entire career preparing for.

More NHL News

• 'Average' Oilers have limited time and options to rework roster for Connor McDavid
• 3 free agents the Maple Leafs must target to bounce back next season
• 'Not a question of if, it's a question of when,' NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on Winter Classic in Buffalo and more
• Has Brandon Hagel become the Lightning's most important forward as he ascends into NHL superstardom?
• Steve Yzerman's job with the Red Wings appears safe, but for how long?

The 2026 WNBA preseason wraps up on Sunday with a four-game slate.

The Washington Mystics visit the Atlanta Dream (3 p.m. ET, WNBA League Pass), while the New York Liberty meet the Connecticut Sun (5 p.m. ET, ION). On the campus of the University of Texas, the Las Vegas Aces and Dallas Wings will face off (7 p.m. ET, ION). Then, the Portland Fire host the Los Angeles Sparks (7 p.m. ET, WNBA League Pass.)

What do you want to see from certain teams and/or players in their final exhibition opportunities? Let us know in the comments!

I’ll have my eye on players who have yet to play in preseason, especially those who are with new teams or in different contexts.

Although the Mystics will not have their full big rotation ready to go, as Shakira Austin remains out due to reconditioning, Kiki Iriafen is expected to play, meaning we should get to see her play alongside Lauren Betts. How they work together, particularly as almost every Mystics lineup will not have a lot of shooting from the perimeter, will be interesting to observe. On the other side, Naz Hillmon hopefully will be available for Atlanta, which will give a look at the Dream’s currently-healthy best five of Hillmon, Angel Reese, Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray and Jordin Canada.

For New York, Satou Sabally is questionable, although head coach Chris DeMarco indicated she is expected to play. That should permit a first perspective of the dynamic of the Sabally-Breanna Stewart-Jonquel Jones frontcourt. However, the Liberty still will be without a lot of other pieces who are expected to contribute, allowing for only limited understanding of how the DeMarco-led Liberty will come together on both sides of the ball.

With Leïla Lacan and Nell Angloma still overseas, the Sun remain without two of their most intriguing players. The matchup with New York, however, should serve as a tough test for Aneesah Morrow. Let’s see if Nees can still be a beast on the boards against all the Liberty’s size.

In Austin, little that happens on the court for Las Vegas will alter opinions about the Aces. As Edwin Garcia wrote, the Aces have earned the right to focus on much larger matters.

In contrast, every little thing matters for a Dallas team looking to establish a winning culture. Unfortunately, the team is still incomplete, as Arike Ogunbowale and Awak Kueir both remain absent. While Arike is now with the team, she’s dealing with an ankle injury; Kueir is still overseas. Alanna Smith is questionable with a quad issue, although Jessica Shepard should make her Dallas debut.

The Wings’ opening preseason win was an encouraging one for Paige Bueckers, while Odyssey Sims affirmed her value as a vet presence who still possess on-court pop and Aziaha James looked liked a leading Sixth Player of the Year candidate. Hopefully, Azzi Fudd cashes in on her first WNBA triple on Sunday.

All Sparks are set to be available against the Fire, meaning Nneka Ogwumike, who Edwin argued is the key to everything for LA, will make her Sparks re-debut. Nneka’s availability also should shed more light on the potential role for Cameron Brink, whose chance of a third-season ascent seemingly has been blocked by the Sparks’ decision to prioritize win-now veterans.

Fire fans will get their first look at Bridget Carleton, who is scheduled to play after missing Portland’s first preseason game. Although it might be a bit unfair, she’ll take the court with significant expectations, as the No. 1 pick in the expansion draft who received a max contract. There’s also pressure on head coach Alex Sarama, with his reputation as an innovative offensive mind, to begin to show how he intends to maximize Carleton.

Paul Merson expressed his admiration for Viktor Gyokeres following Arsenal’s match against Fulham, where the Swedish forward came close to scoring a first-half hat-trick against the Cottagers. His performance marked a significant improvement and attracted positive attention.

Gyokeres had previously faced criticism for not fully replicating the form he displayed at Sporting Club, where he scored almost 100 goals across two seasons. Expectations were high following his move to Arsenal, but his goal return at the Emirates had initially fallen short.

Gyokeres Shows Improvement

Arsenal have remained confident in his ability to deliver, and his display against Fulham offered clear evidence of his potential. The forward scored twice and consistently troubled the opposition defence, demonstrating both composure and attacking intelligence.

His movement and link-up play were particularly effective, allowing Arsenal to maintain sustained pressure throughout the match. Although he could have added further goals, his overall contribution was widely regarded as a step forward.

With several fixtures remaining, Gyokeres has the opportunity to build on this performance and increase his goal tally in his debut season. Continued improvement would strengthen his position within the squad and justify the investment made in him.

Merson’s Reaction

As reported by the BBC, Merson praised the striker’s display and highlighted the growing confidence within the team when playing alongside him.

He said, “That was the best I’ve seen him play. It reminded me of Haaland.

“The players trust him a lot more, they were playing it in to him and he felt more confident.”

Gyokeres is beginning to establish stronger relationships with his teammates, which could be crucial to his long-term success at the club. Increased trust and confidence may allow him to perform more consistently in the coming matches.

If he continues in this manner, Gyokeres could become a key figure for Arsenal as they pursue their objectives this season.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________ADMIN COMMENT

So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….

You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.

CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us through this link…

More Stories / Latest News

Paul Merson says Arsenal star reminded him of Haaland against Fulham

3 May 2026, 13:30

Jamie Redknapp says Arsenal has now flipped the pressure on Man City

3 May 2026, 12:00

Darren Bent believes Fulham’s approach helped Arsenal

3 May 2026, 10:30

Agyeman Addae doesn’t need to look far when it comes to what he wants to accomplish this season. The UCF running back points to a banner hanging in the Nicholson Fieldhouse that proudly commemorates the program’s three appearances in New Year’s Six bowl games.

“I want us to go back,” he said. “I want us to go even further than that … to go to a national championship.”

It’s been nearly seven years since the Knights’ last appearance in the 2019 Fiesta Bowl, but anybody who knows Addae wouldn’t be shocked by his bold prediction.

The 5-foot-9, 190-pound Addae has been proving people wrong throughout most of his life.

As a true freshman walk-on, Addae stepped up to the plate after Taevion Swint faced a season-ending surgery for a meniscus injury in fall camp and Stacy Gage went under the knife for a lower-leg injury he suffered against West Virginia on Oct. 18.

Addae quickly found himself on the field helping out as starters Jaden Nixon and Myles Montgomery, especially later in the season.

Although he finished with just 12 carries for 50 yards throughout the season, it was in the season finale at BYU on Nov. 29 that Addae truly shone. The Miami native delivered a standout performance with five receptions for 62 yards, including a 20-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter.

But it was a 4-yard touchdown pass to quarterback Tayven Jackson late in the third quarter that left people stunned.

“(I threw) a little bit in Little League, but not in high school,” Addae said of the pass.

“It was fun to get in there and show them what I could do and show the world what I could do, but that was just a flash of it and I hope to do more of it this year and in the coming years,” Addae added about last season.

UCF running backs coach Jimmy Beal offers nothing but praise for the job Addae did last season.

“His ability to understand the game, his maturity and his approach allowed him to get on the field because he knows his job. He knows the system,” Beal said.

The true freshman made a seamless transition from his days at Miami’s Columbus High School to college football in Orlando.

“It felt so natural,” Addae explained. “Columbus was run like a college. So, when I came here, it was like, ‘Dang, this is just like high school all over again, but just a little bigger.” So I felt comfortable going into it (the season).”

Beal has been so impressed with Addae as a person that he’s reached out to his father, Jahmile, who’s spent more than two decades as a coach and is currently the Miami Dolphins’ cornerbacks coach.

After 3 seasons, UCF edge rusher Isaiah Nixon is ready for his moment

“I’ve got my son and he’s 10, so I’m asking, ‘How do you do it? I need this knowledge,’ ” Beal said. “AG is kind of like my son. He has the ability, the mindset and a work ethic, and I love it for him.”

“My father is my everything,” Addae said. “My mom, too, but my dad has shown me how to be myself and how to take what he has done in the coaching world and apply it to myself to be a professional and a hard worker. My dad’s a really hard worker, and that’s one thing that’s translated from him to me.”

Father and son communicate frequently, especially about football.

“If I have a question, I’ll just hit him up and be like, ‘Dad, what do you think about this play? Do you think I could have done it better?’ ” Addae recalled.

UCF needed to restructure its running back unit with the departures of Montgomery and Nixon, so the Knights added a pair of transfers in Landen Chambers (Central Arkansas) and Duke Watson (Louisville), coupled with returners Swint, Addae and Chance Nixon. The unit also signed a pair of high school standouts in Kaj Baker and Arthur Lewis IV.

“Is there even a weakness?” Addae said. “We can do everything and that’s what makes our running back group so special. And in fact, the new running backs coming in here are getting it even faster than we did last year.”

Addae hopes to get bigger, stronger and faster before fall camp opens in August. Either way, he wants to do whatever is necessary to win games.

“I could do whatever you need,” he said. “I could throw the ball or run it in … I can do it all.”

Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. Email: mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com. Sign up for the Sentinel’s Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.

Only on Saturday evening did FC Schalke 04 show what it takes to earn promotion to the Bundesliga. With tremendous fighting spirit and even more energy, the Royal Blues ground down Fortuna Düsseldorf yesterday.

However, the competition from Hannover and Paderborn does not seem to have taken the blue-and-white masterclass as an example and is currently outdoing itself in cowardly football.

In front of their own fans, 96 found themselves 0:2 down against bottom-of-the-table Münster at one point. Only shortly before half-time did a quickfire double from Mustapha Bundu produce an INCREDIBLY important equaliser.

SC Paderborn, meanwhile, are making an even bigger fool of themselves. Before the matchday they were still in second place, but in the direct promotion showdown with Elversberg, the East Westphalians are simply trailing 0:4(!) after 45 minutes. 

The result: as things stand, the small-town warriors from Saarland have secured the automatic promotion spot behind Schalke. Hannover follow in third place, while embarrassing Paderborn have dropped to fourth.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.