Canada revises travel advisories for top spring break hotspots — Mexico, Cuba, Jamaica, Bahamas and Dominican Republic — urging caution and preparation.

Disney Cruise Line launches Disney Adventure in Singapore with a stunning Marina Bay drone and fireworks show, marking the start of nautical-themed festivities through April.

Chinese Ambassador Chen Luning highlights how the absence of direct flights is the primary barrier to Chinese tourism in the DR.

Panama City Beach’s new spring break 2026 rules clamp down on booze noise & crowds after violent 2025 season reshaping Florida travel plans

Canadian U.S. travel boycott reshapes global tourism. Canadian tourists avoid U.S. trips in 2026, opting for new destinations due to policy and border concerns.

Alaska joins Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho and more US Western and Pacific States in a dramatic shift as the FY 2026 NATIVE Act Grant expands opportunities across these regions.

China is accelerating Shanghai’s cruise tourism growth as the North Bund gains momentum as a major international gateway, supported by the arrival of consecutive luxury cruise ships and the widespread adoption of the country’s visa-free entry policy.

Carnival Firenze cruise cancellations affect fall 2026 sailings from Long Beach. Learn travel guidance, rebooking options, alternative cruises for travellers.

Celestyal Cruises cancels additional sailings of the Celestyal Discovery in the Eastern Mediterranean due to the Middle East conflict, offering refunds or credits to affected guests.

Oman reopens Suwaiq heritage tender for Sur Al Hilal and Sur Al Maqabisha, aiming to create sustainable tourism hubs that boost jobs and In-country Value.

Google is working on making its AI tool Gemini easier and more powerful for editing images. These updates are especially focused on images created by Gemini, sometimes – “Nano Banana” images.

Earlier, editing images in Gemini was quite basic. You could tap a pencil icon and use simple tools to highlight or mark parts of an image. After that, you had to go back and type what changes you wanted. This made the process a bit slow and less smooth.

Now, Google is improving this experience. In a recent test version of its Android app, a better editing interface has been spotted. The new version still has the old tools but also adds more options like resizing parts of the image and applying effects. Some of these features are not fully ready yet, but they show what’s coming soon.

Image via Android Authority

A text box is the biggest improvement inside the editing screen. This means you can now mark the image and describe the changes at the same time. For example, you can circle a part of the image and directly type what you want to change there. This makes editing faster and more natural.

This update may seem small, but it makes a big difference in how users interact with Gemini. It reduces extra steps and helps users give clearer instructions. These features are not available to everyone yet, but they may be released soon.

The post Gemini getting ready for enhanced image editing appeared first on Sammy Fans.

The Oppo K14 was supposed to launch in India on March 9, but that got delayed for whatever reason. Today, the brand has finally revealed when the first sale will take place: on March 20. The phone is priced at INR 16,999 and will be offered through Flipkart. The K14 has a 120Hz LCD screen with 1,125-nit peak brightness, and it's powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 SoC, paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. It has a 50MP main camera, and a 7,000 mAh battery with support for 45W wired charging. There's an IP69 rating for dust and water resistance, and a promise of 60-month...

According to a new report from Korea, Samsung is diversifying its display supply chain. This creates a funny situation where Samsung (Electronics) will stop buying screens from Samsung (Display) for some mid-range devices, instead opting to purchase from CSOT, owned by TCL. CSOT's panels are at least 20% cheaper than Samsung's, and the move is speculated to be aimed at offsetting rising memory costs by lowering other device costs in the mid-range. Samsung has allegedly ordered 15 million display panels from CSOT, which will be used in the upcoming Galaxy A57 as well as some unnamed...

Google confirmed it removed "What People Suggest" from health searches. Additionally, the company announced new AI health tools for YouTube.

The post Google Removes ‘What People Suggest,’ Expands Health AI Tools appeared first on Search Engine Journal.

Following an impressive display in the first leg, Chelsea and PSG face each other again in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. While the Blues need to overturn a three-goal deficit, the French side remains quite comfortable, as all their players are in top form, with Ousmane Dembélé’s form being the best news. With this in mind, both teams aim to deliver a highly attacking game, seeking to secure their place in the quarterfinals.

Chelsea have taken a major step forward under head coach Liam Rosenior, driven by the outstanding play of Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández. Alongside them, João Pedro has emerged as their biggest attacking promise, shining in the Premier League with 14 goals. However, their biggest challenge lies in defense, as it remains the weakest area of the squad, particularly against the French side, which boasts one of the most dangerous attacks in the world.

Holding a major advantage in the aggregate score, PSG come into the game with several opportunities to secure their spot in the Champions League quarterfinals. They have not only seen a recovery in Ousmane Dembélé’s form, but Bradley Barcola and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are in excellent form as well. Moreover, coach Luis Enrique brings a solid defensive strategy with Vitinha contributing, while Willian Pacho and Marquinhos lead the defense.

Both the Blues and the French side have shown themselves to be teams with a notably offensive approach. Because of this, they aim to play a game once again driven by goals. Nevertheless, coach Luis Enrique has a defensive solidity that coach Liam Rosenior lacks, so the English side could suffer more than expected, complicating their chances to secure a spot in the Champions League quarterfinals.

Manchester City host Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, March 17, for the second leg of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League Round of 16. With a quarterfinal berth on the line, stay with us throughout the evening as we bring you every key moment from what promises to be a dramatic night in Manchester.

Real Madrid built a commanding advantage in the first leg, with Federico Valverde delivering a first-half hat trick at the Santiago Bernabéu to put Los Blancos firmly in control. For much of the match, an isolated and ineffective Erling Haaland summed up Manchester City’s struggles, as they were unable to produce clear-cut chances against a well-organized home side.

City arrive at this second leg off the back of a frustrating 1-1 draw against West Ham United, a result that cost them further ground in the Premier League title race, and now find themselves needing to score three goals just to force extra time. Real Madrid, by contrast, come in riding high after a 4-1 win against Elche, and with Kylian Mbappé back in the squad, the Spanish giants will have an added weapon available as they look to close out the tie.

Arsenal are bidding for a UEFA Champions League quarterfinal spot against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday at the Emirates Stadium. But fans hoping to see the Gunners at full strength will be disappointed, with Martin Odegaard absent from the squad entirely.

Odegaard will play no part in the second leg of the Round of 16 against Leverkusen due to a knee injury. Head coach Mikel Arteta confirmed as much at Monday’s pre-match press conference, ruling out the Norway captain alongside Jurrien Timber, another key figure who will miss the game.

The midfielder has been managing the knee issue since late February, making his last appearance in the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur, where he lasted just 13 minutes. Since that February 22 outing, Odegaard has sat out Arsenal’s last five matches, including the first leg against Leverkusen.

The Norwegian addressed his situation in his pre-match program notes ahead of the Everton fixture: “I’m desperate to get back to playing as soon as I can. It’s been difficult for me with the knee injury lately, but I’m working as hard as I can to get back to full fitness now. The main thing is to be 100% again, and make sure I can properly help the team.“

The first leg at the BayArena ended in a 1-1 draw, with Robert Andrich and Kai Havertz getting on the scoresheet. With home support behind them at the Emirates, Arsenal will be confident of advancing, though they will need to do so without one of their most influential players.

Arsenal aiming to have Odegaard back for City

Beyond Tuesday’s Leverkusen clash in the Champions League, Arsenal face another major occasion on the horizon, with the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City scheduled for Sunday, March 22. For that showpiece, Arteta is hopeful of having Odegaard available.

Speaking at Monday’s press conference, the Spanish coach offered a cautiously optimistic update: “So we’re really pushing, he really wants to try to be available, but we’ll have to wait and see in the next few days when he trains with the team how he feels. We know the game that we’re going to be playing in a few days again, and the more players that we have the better.“

More than a month after his arrival at Minnesota United was announced, James Rodriguez made his MLS debut this past weekend. Facing him on the pitch was Thomas Muller, who shared his perspective on the Colombian midfielder joining the league.

James Rodriguez came on in the second half for Tomas Chancalay and played just over 30 minutes in Minnesota United’s heavy 6-0 loss to Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place. Muller, who also appeared in the final minutes, offered an unusually candid observation.

“I was a bit surprised he chose Minnesota,” the German forward said about Rodriguez’s move to MLS, according to BeIN Sports. “I remember in Munich he always said he was freezing. And now he goes to Minnesota, which is probably the coldest place in the United States.”

At that point, Muller isn’t entirely wrong. Minnesota is known for its harsh winters, with temperatures that can drop to 0°F. That’s even colder than winters in Munich, which usually see lows around 25°F. And it’s a massive contrast to the temperatures Rodriguez is used to in Colombia. In his hometown of Cucuta, the year’s lowest temperatures rarely fall below 59°F.

Muller and Rodriguez know each other well

Thomas Muller made the joke about Rodriguez’s move to MLS based on the close relationship they share. The two were teammates between 2017 and 2019 at Bayern Munich, when the Colombian midfielder arrived on loan from Real Madrid.

During those two seasons, Rodriguez struggled to fully adapt to the Bundesliga, which led the German club to pass on making the deal permanent. Still, James appeared in 67 matches, scored 15 goals, and contributed to two league titles and one DFB-Pokal victory.

The next challenges for Muller and Rodriguez

Thomas Muller’s MLS reality differs greatly from that of James Rodriguez. The German forward plays for one of the league’s top teams: Vancouver Whitecaps have won all four of their games this season and currently lead the Western Conference standings alongside Los Angeles FC.

On the continental stage, however, they face the tough task of overturning a 3-0 first-leg deficit in the Round of 16 of the CONCACAF Champions Cup against Seattle Sounders, who they will visit Wednesday night.

Minnesota United, by contrast, are fully focused on MLS. They started the season with one win, one draw, and two losses, leaving them near the bottom of the Western Conference. Their next match will also be against Seattle Sounders on Sunday.

’s latest win has seen him rise up the pound-for-pound rankings, perceived to be one of the hardest fighters to beat in the world of boxing. Still, in the eyes of boxing legend , there is one man that can overcome him skill. Stevenson has maintained an undefeated record whilst progressing through the weight divisions, […]

The post Roy Jones Jr: Only one man has what it takes to beat Shakur Stevenson appeared first on Boxing News.

Fenerbahçe geçen hafta Süper Lig'de Karagümrük'e 2-0 mağlup olmuş ve hemen ardından istifa sesleri yükselmişti. Ancak yönetim toplantı kararı almış ve sonuç olarak ültimatom verildiğini ve hocayla yola devam edileceği bildirilmişti. Fenerbahçe bu akşam Gaziantep FK'yı 4-1 mağlup ederek ültimatomun işe yaradığını göstermiş oldu.

Trendyol Süper Lig'in 27. haftasında Fenerbahçe ile Gaziantep FK takımları Chobani Stadı'nda karşılaştı. Fenerbahçe sahadan 4-1 galip ayrılarak Karagümrük hezimetinin izlerini sildi. Taraftarının yüzünü güldürdü.

ÜLTİMATOM İŞE YARADI

Bu galibiyetin ardından ise Başkan Sadettin Saran'ın verdiği ültimatomun işe yaradığı da gözler önüne serilmiş oldu. Bilindiği üzere Karagümrük yenilgisinin ardından yönetim toplantı kararı almıştı. Teknik direktör Tedesco ve Devin Özek ile yolların ayrılacağı da konuşuluyordu. Ancak Başkan Sadettin Saran devam kararı aldıklarını ve gerekli ültimatomların verildiğini şu sözlerle duyurmuştu:

-Bugüne kadar hep söylediğimiz futbolun dışında bir futbol oynandı dün. Çok şaşırdık ve üzüldük. Bugün buradayız ve bunları konuştuk. Söyleyecek başka bir şey yok. Hoca ve Devin Özek ile devam ediyoruz. Gereken ültimatomlar verildi.

Trendyol Süper Lig'in 27. haftasında Fenerbahçe evinde Gaziantep FK'yı ağırladı. Mücadeleyi 4-1 kazanan sarı-lacivertlilerde ara transfer döneminin en çok konuşulan ismi N'Golo Kante maçta gol atarak 'buradayım' sinyalini verdi.

Fenerbahçe, geçen hafta Karagümrük'e 2-0 mağlup olarak taraftarına büyük bir hayal kırıklığı yaşatmıştı. Bu hafta evinde Gaziantep FK'yı 4-1 mağlup eden sarı-lacivertliler ayaktayız yıkılmadık sinyalini verdi. Maçta gol atan isimlerden biri de N'Golo Kante oldu.

SESSİZLİĞİNİ BOZDU

Ara transfer döneminde takımın kadrosuna dahil olan ancak düşük performansıyla sık sık eleştirilen N'Golo Kante taraftarın yüzünü güldürdü. Sarı-lacivertlilerin 4-1 galip geldiği maçta gol atan yıldız futbolcu 8.2'lik oyun performansıyla da parmak ısırttı.

N'Golo Kante'nin Gaziantep FK maçı performansı şöyle:

Maç reytingi: 8.2

Gol:1

İsabetli Pas: %93

Kilit Pas:1

Topla Buluşma:79

Savunma Katkısı:10

Tehlike Engelleme:3

Geri Kazanma:9

MAÇ SONU AÇIKLAMA

Kante'nin maç sonu açıklamaları şöyle:

-Ben aslında ilk geldiğim andan beri iyi karşılandım. Elimden gelenin en iyisini yapmaya çalışıyorum. Yeni bir lige, yeni bir ülkeye geldim. Bugünkü sonuçtan mutluyum. Buraya geldiğim ilk andan beri kendimi iyi hissediyorum. Bu takım için her şeyi yapmak istiyorum.

-Muhakkak farklılıklar var Suudi Arabistan ile, oyun ritmi, hava farklı. Şu ana kadar bu ligi daha iyi tanıyorum. Umarım sezon sonunda ligi kazanırız.

-Çok fazla kaliteli oyuncu var kadroda. Hocamız, en iyimizi vermemiz için itici güç oluyor. Kalitesi yüksek bir takımız. Umarım birlikte güzel şeyler başarırız.

Fenerbahçe, Süper Lig'in 27.haftasında Gaziantep FK'yı evinde 4-1 mağlup etti. Dorgeles Nene hat-trick yaparak maça damga vuran isim oldu. Nene, 9.5'lik maç reytingiyle kusursuza yakın bir futbol oynadı.

Fenerbahçe, geçen hafta büyük bir şok yaşayarak Karagümrük'e 2-0 mağlup olmuştu. Şampiyonluk yarışında büyük bir yara alan sarı-lacivertliler Gaziantep FK karşısında güzel bir futbol izletti. N'Golo Kante sarı-lacivertli formayla ilk golünü atarken Dorgeles Nene ise hat-trick yaparak maça damga vurdu.

Nene'nin Gaziantep FK maçı performansı şöyle:

Maç reytingi:9.4

Oynanmış dakikalar: 90'

Gol: 3

Gol Beklentisi: 1.42

İsabetli Şut: 4

Topla Buluşma:42

İsabetli Pas: %76

Son 16 Turu'na 6 takım birden çıkartıp rekor kıran İngilizler, çeyrek final öncesi tarihi bir hezimetle karşı karşıyalar.

İlk maçların hiçbirini kazanamayıp sadece 2 beraberlik alan 6 İngiliz takımından, sadece 2 tanesi için tur şansı veriliyor. Bu iki takımdan biri Arsenal diğeri ise yarın akşam G.Saray’ı sahasında konuk edecek olan Liverpool.

En yüksek şans Arsenal’ın

Çeyrek final şansı en yüksek takım olarak Arsenal gösteriliyor. Premier League liderinin son sekiz takım arasına girme ihtimalinin %79 olduğu ifade ediliyor. Hatırlanacağı üzere Londra takımı, geçen hafta Almanya’da Leverkusen ile 1-1 berabere kalmıştı.

Arsenal’dan sonra tur atlama şansı bulunan ikinci İngiliz takımı ise Liverpool olarak belirtiliyor. Geçen hafta İstanbul’da G.Saray’a 1-0 yenilen Liverpool’un tur atlama ihtimali %58.8 olarak ifade ediliyor.

M.City’ye şans verilmiyor

Geri kalan 4 İngiliz takımı (Newcastle, M.City, Chelsea ve Tottenham) için ise son derece düşük oranlarda turu geçme ihtimali veriliyor. Bu 4 takım içinde, ilk maçta sahasında Barcelona ile 1-1 berabere kalan Newcastle, %32,9 oranıyla ön plana çıkıyor.

Diğer 3 İngiliz takımının ise tur atlama ihtimalleri oldukça düşük. İlk maçta Real Madrid’de 3-0 yenilen M.City için %13,4, Fransa’da PSG’ye 5-2 yenilen Chelsea için ise %5,9’luk tur ihtimali veriliyor.

Tur atlama ihtimali en düşük takım ise A.Madrid’e 5-2 mağlup olan Tottenham’a ait. Tudor’un öğrencilerinin turu geçme ihtimali % 4,1 olarak gözüküyor. Bakalım bu yüzdeleri tersine çevirecek performansı sergileyecek takımlar çıkacak mı?

Bahçeşehir Koleji Erkek Basketbol Takımı, BKT Avrupa Kupası çeyrek final maçında konuk ettiği Romanya temsilcisi U-BT Cluj-Napoca'yı 75-72 yenerek yarı finale yükseldi.

Bahçeşehir Koleji Erkek Basketbol Takımı, BKT Avrupa Kupası çeyrek final maçında konuk ettiği Romanya temsilcisi U-BT Cluj-Napoca'yı 75-72 yendi.

Tek maç eleme usulüne göre oynanan karşılaşmada galip gelen Türk temsilcisi, geçen sezonun ardından üst üste ikinci kez adını yarı finale yazdırdı.

U-BT Cluj-Napoca ise organizasyona çeyrek finalde veda etti.

Bahçeşehir Koleji, Beşiktaş GAİN-Dolomiti Energia (İtalya) eşleşmesinin kazananıyla yarı finalde karşılaşacak.

Müsabaka karşılıklı basketlerle başlarken U-BT Cluj-Napoca, 3. dakikada 8-2'lik üstünlüğü buldu. Homesley, Flynn ve Cavanaugh'un peş peşe üç sayılık isabetleriyle 11-0'lık seri yakalayan Bahçeşehir Koleji, 5. dakikada 13-8'lik skor avantajını elde etti. Romanya ekibi, periyodun ikinci bölümünde Creek, Miletic ve Guzman ile skor üretti ve ilk periyot 18-18'lik eşitlikle sonuçlandı.

Bahçeşehir Koleji, ikinci çeyreğe iyi bir başlangıç yaptı. Kırmızı-lacivertli takım, 17. dakikanın başında farkı 8 sayıya çıkardı: 31-23. Bu periyotta iki takım da karşılıklı top kayıpları yaşarken Bahçeşehir Koleji, boyalı alanı rakibine göre daha etkili kullandı. Son bölüm karşılıklı basketlerle geçilirken kırmızı-lacivertli takım, devreye 39-38 önde girdi.

İkinci yarı, Homesley ve Russell'ın karşılıklı basketleriyle başladı. Williams, Cavanaugh ve İsmet Akpınar ile arka arkaya sayılar bulan Bahçeşehir Koleji, 25. dakikayı 49-44 üstün geçti. Pota altını Williams ile iyi kullanan kırmızı-lacivertli takım, üstünlüğünü sürdürdü ve final periyoduna 61-56 önde gitti.

Son çeyreğe Miletic ve Molinar'ın basketleriyle 6-0'lık seri yakalayarak giren U-BT Cluj-Napoca, 33. dakikada öne geçti: 61-62. Kısalarıyla art arda sayı üreten ve hücumda yeniden ritim bulan Bahçeşehir Koleji, son 2 dakikaya 70-69 üstün girdi. Ceaser'in basketine Cavanaugh'un üç sayılık isabetiyle karşılık veren kırmızı-lacivertli ekip, bitime 23 saniye kala skor avantajını ele geçirdi: 73-71. Son anları büyük çekişmeye sahne olan maçta U-BT Cluj-Napoca, Ceaser'ın serbest atış çizgisinde 2'de 1 atmasıyla 2 saniye kala farkı 1'e düşürdü: 73-72. Son bölümde Cavanaugh ile faul çizgisinde hata yapmayan Bahçeşehir Koleji, mücadeleyi 75-72 kazandı ve yarı finale yükseldi.

Salon: Sinan Erdem

Hakemler: Joseph Bissang (Fransa), Anne Panther (Almanya), Mario Majkic (Slovenya)

Bahçeşehir Koleji: Flynn 16, Homesley 9, İsmet Akpınar 8, Cavanaugh 10, Williams 11, Ford, Koprivica 12, Mitchell 2, Ponitka 3, Hale 4

U-BT Cluj-Napoca: Molinar 9, Ceaser 12, Russell 23, Taylor, Creek 9, Guzman 7, Miletic 7, Woodbury 2, Kulvietis, Richard 3

1. Periyot: 18-18

Devre: 39-38

3. Periyot: 61-56

Beş faulle çıkan: 38.19 Miletic (U-BT Cluj-Napoca)

Galatasaray maçlarındaki etkisiz görüntüsü akıllarda soru işareti bıraksa da, veriler Szoboszlai'nin turnuvanın en komple oyuncularından biri olduğunu söylüyor. Özellikle 1.8 orta ve 3.9 uzun top başarısıyla sahanın her bölgesine hükmeden 23 yaşındaki oyuncu bu akşam sarı-kırmızılıların başına dert açmaya en müsait oyuncu konumunda.

Şampiyonlar Ligi’nde bu sezon sergilediği performansla dikkatleri üzerine çeken Dominik Szoboszlai bu gece Galatasaray karşısında Liverpool'un en önemli silahlarından birisi olacak.

WhoScored verilerine göre devler arenasına damga vuran Macar yıldız, 7.70'lik reyting ortalamasıyla turnuvanın en başarılı 8'inci oyuncusu konumunda.

Galatasaray ile oynanan iki maçta beklentilerin altında kalmasına rağmen Szoboszlai forma giydiği 9 maçta toplam 795 dakika sahada kaldı. 4 gol ve 4 asistlik katkısıyla takımının hücum yükünü sırtladı.

Maç başına 2.6 kilit pas ve 2.6 şut ortalaması, rakip kaleler için ne kadar büyük bir tehdit olduğunun kanıtı.

İki kez "Maçın Adamı" seçilen Macar, yüzde 89.6’lık pas isabet oranıyla da oyun kurulumunda hata payını mahal bırakmıyor.

Macar yıldızın başarısı sadece gol ve asistle sınırlı değil. Orta sahanın merkezinde çok yönlü bir oyun sergileyen Szoboszlai, defansif aksiyonlarda da sorumluluk almaktan kaçınmadı:

-Top Çalma: Maç başına 1.6

-Top Kesme: Maç başına 0.7

-Uzaklaştırma: Maç başına 1

-Pas Dağıtımı: Maç başına 60.9 ortalama pas

Liverpool, kendi evinde daha fazla şut atan, isabet bulan ve ceza sahasını domine eden taraf olarak favori görünüyor. Galatasaray'ın ise özellikle duran toplarda ve kontra atak savunmasında kusursuz bir performans sergilemesi, isabetsiz şut oranını ise bu gece düşürmesi gerekiyor.

Bu akşam oynanacak Liverpool maçı öncesinde istatistikler, Galatasaray'ı nasıl bir senaryonun beklediğini ortaya koydu. Liverpool’un bitiriciliği ile Galatasaray’ın ceza sahası içindeki direnci arasındaki fark, maçın kaderini belirleyecek.

Liverpool, toplam 174 şut ile hücum üretkenliğinde Galatasaray’ın (147 şut) önünde yer alıyor. Ancak asıl fark, bu şutların nerede ve nasıl çekildiğinde gizli.

Liverpool, ceza sahası içinden tam 106 kez kaleyi yoklarken, Galatasaray bu bölgede 85 şutta kaldı.

Liverpool’un 69 isabetli şutuna karşılık, Galatasaray’ın 57 isabeti bulunuyor. Liverpool'un isabetsiz şut sayısı daha azken, Galatasaray'ın daha fazla şutu dışarı gidiyor (57 vs 53).

Liverpool'un 52 şutu defans tarafından engellenmiş durumda; bu da Galatasaray savunmasının bu akşam çok fazla "blok" yapması gerekeceğini gösteriyor.

İki takımın gol arama yolları arasındaki farklar, taktiksel savaşı da özetliyor:

Liverpool 95 şutla akan oyunda daha tehlikeliyken, Galatasaray 86 şutla bu alanda rakibine yakın bir direnç gösteriyor. Liverpool'un en büyük kozlarından biri hızlı hücumlar (24 şut). Galatasaray'ın bu akşam geçiş savunmasında çok dikkatli olması şart.

Liverpool duran toplarda 54 şut çıkararak büyük bir üstünlük kurmuş durumda. Galatasaray (41 şut) bu noktada rakibinin hava hakimiyetine boyun eğmemeli.

Liverpool, sol ayağıyla 42 şut çıkarırken, Galatasaray bu alanda (sol ayakla 49 şut) rakibinden daha aktif. Kafa şutlarında Galatasaray (31) Liverpool’a (41) göre biraz geride olsa da, sarı-kırmızılıların ceza sahası içindeki fiziksel mücadelesi maçın kilit noktası olacak.

Şampiyonlar Ligi'nde bu akşam oynanacak Liverpool maçı, Galatasaray için sadece bir puan mücadelesi değil, Avrupa transfer piyasasında tarihi bir "vitrin" gecesi olacak. Anfield tribünlerini dolduracak dev kulüplerin gözlemcileri; Sara, Osimhen, Singo ve Barış Alper için raporlar hazırlayacak.

Şampiyonlar Ligi’nde bu akşam oynanacak Liverpool maçı sadece skor değil, transfer piyasası açısından da tarihi bir gece olacak. Avrupa’nın dev kulüplerinin gözlemcileri, Galatasaray'ın dört kilit ismini yakından takibe almak için Anfield tribünlerind yer alacak.

-Manchester United’ın, Gabriel Sara için ilgisi her geçen gün ciddileşiyor. İlgiliz ekibinin, Brezilya Milli Takımı’na da seçilen Sara’yı, Bruno Fernandes’in yerini doldurabilecek potansiyel bir aday olarak gördüğü uzun süredir konuşuluyor.

-Bayern Münih’te Harry Kane sonrası dönem için planlar yapılırken, Osimhen bu boşluğu doldurabilecek en güçlü adaylar arasında geçiyor.

-İtalyan Il Mattino'nun da haberine bakılacak olursa Napoli, Wilfried Singo'yu radarına almış durumda.

-Barış Alper'in rotası ise çok daha iddialı. Yıldız oyuncu West Ham veya Crystal Palace gibi orta/alt sıra takımlarının değil; Tottenham ve Newcastle gibi Premier Lig’in zorlu ekiplerini istiyor. Barış Alper'in kariyer planı kariyerinin bir yerinde Real Madrid, Barça, City gibi bir devin formasını giymek.

Fransalı futbolçu Eduardo Kamavinqa yayda “Real”dan ayrıla bilər.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, “Liverpul” yarımmüdafiəçinin xidmətində maraqlıdır. Bu barədə İngiltərə mətbuatı məlumat yayıb. “Kral klubu” yaxşı təklif olacağı halda, Kamavinqanı satmağa razıdır.

23 yaşlı futbolçu 2021-ci ildən “Real”da çıxış edir. O, bu mövsüm 32 oyunda 2 qol vurub, 1 məhsuldar ötürmə edib.

İngiltərənin “Nyukasl”, “Brayton” və “Kristal Pelas” klubu “Qalatasaray”ın futbolçusu Barış Alper Yılmazla maraqlanır.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə Türkiyə mətbuatı məlumat yayıb. Klubların skautları bu gün Çempionlar Liqasında “Enfild”də keçiriləcək “Liverpul” – “Qalatasaray” oyununda Barışı izləyəcək.

“Qalatasaray” Barış üçün 50 milyon avro tələb edir.

25 yaşlı cinah oyunçusu bu mövsüm 40 oyunda 10 qol vurub, 14 məhsuldar ötürmə edib.

“Mançester Siti”nin futbolçusu Natan Ake mövsümün sonunda klubdan ayrıla bilər.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, İtaliyanın “İnter” və “Milan” klubu müdafiəçinin xidmətində maraqlıdır. Bu barədə “Tuttomercato” nəşri məlumat yayıb.

Ake az şans qazandığı üçün klubdan ayrılmağa müsbət yanaşır.

Natan bu mövsüm Premyer Liqada 14 oyuna çıxıb.

Roma’s attempt to overturn Wesley’s red card suspension has failed, with the sporting judge rejecting their appeal and confirming the Brazilian will miss the club’s next Serie A fixture against Lecce.

Roma had argued the second yellow card shown to Wesley during Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at Como was the result of mistaken identity, claiming the foul on Diao had actually been committed by Rensch rather than Wesley.

Under VAR protocol, a case of mistaken identity would be grounds for intervention, but the sporting judge ruled that no such error had occurred, stating there were no grounds to apply the relevant article of the regulations, according to CalcioMercato.

Blow for Roma as no grounds for Wesley suspension being overturned

The VAR analysis, as detailed on DAZN’s Open VAR programme, supports that conclusion.

Officials Fabbri and Gariglio reviewed the incident immediately and confirmed without doubt that Wesley, not Rensch, made the challenge, with his right leg clearly making contact.

The on-field referee also clarified that he had initially played advantage following a separate Pellegrini challenge before whistling for Wesley’s foul, which VAR confirmed was not on the ball.

The 2-1 result stands, Wesley’s suspension is upheld, and Gasperini will be without the wide man for the Lecce game.

The silver lining for Roma is that he will be able to give his all in the Europa League quarter-final second leg against Bologna, a match that carries enormous importance with the tie level at 1-1, with Tsimikas likely to cover against Lecce when the Brazilian takes his place in the stands.

Reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport indicate that Michele Di Gregorio has lost his no.1 status for the remainder of the season and that Mattia Perin is expected to be Juventus’s go-to shot stopper until the 2026-27 season. 

Di Gregorio has made a series of high-profile errors between the sticks for Juventus in 2025-26, which led to his being dropped for the last four matches between Serie A and the Champions League play-off second leg against Galatasaray. 

Head coach Luciano Spalletti had hinted that he would give Perin a run of two or three games in an attempt to take some of the pressure off Di Gregorio, but that run has now extended to four matches, and La Gazzetta dello Sport suggests that the situation is unlikely to change between now and the end of the 2025-26 season. 

After that, there is a possibility that neither Di Gregorio nor Perin stay on with Juventus after the summer transfer window according to Tuesday’s report. 

The Pink Paper claims that Juventus need to raise around €11m to avoid making a capital loss on Di Gregorio, who joined on loan with an obligation to buy from Monza for a reported €18m in the summer of 2024. 

La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that there are still options for Di Gregorio elsewhere in Serie A, and that it is not out of the question that another side picks him up this summer. 

Could Juventus replace both Di Gregorio and Perin this summer?

Perin, meanwhile, is now 33, has never been Juventus’s first choice, and is unlikely to claim the no.1 spot if the Bianconeri are to bring in another stopper this summer, which reports elsewhere claim is likely to happen. 

Perin had been linked with a move to Genoa during the January transfer window, and La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that it is not out of the question that he again seeks a move away for a sort-of ‘last dance’ as a no.1 in Serie A with just over a year remaining on his current Juventus contract. 

Meanwhile, several other goalkeepers have been linked with moves to Juventus in recent weeks, including Liverpool’s Alisson Becker, Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario and Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez. 

La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that Atalanta’s Marco Carnsecchi would be the ‘dream’ option for Juventus, but the 25-year-old is not expected to come cheap. 

If Juventus are to bring in another goalkeeper this summer to serve as an understudy, La Gazzetta dello Sport has recommended a list that includes Lazio’s Ivan Provedel, Verona’s Lorenzo Montipo, Lecce’s Wladimiro Falcone, Cremonese’s Emil Audero and Bologna’s Federico Ravaglia. 

Various reports suggest that Republic of Ireland international Troy Parrott is a potential option for Milan approaching the 2026 summer transfer window. 

Reports Milan plotting move for AZ Alkmaar’s Parrott

Miguel Delaney of the Independent reports that Milan are ‘actively’ looking to sign a new striker this summer, that Parrott is a potential option for the Rossoneri and that his current club, AZ Alkmaar, are open to the idea of a sale this summer. 

It is understood that Alkmaar will seek a fee in the region of around €30m (reported as £25m by outlets in the UK) to sell the Republic of Ireland international this summer. 

Milan are not the only interested party. In fact, there are several sides across Europe keen on a potential deal for Parrott, including Fulham in the Premier League, Real Betis in LaLiga and VfL Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga. 

Parrot has come up with 28 league goals from 52 appearances in the Eredivisie since joining AZ Alkmaar from Tottenham Hotspur, where he began his professional career. The 24-year-old has 14 goals from 22 league appearances this season, plus four from four outings in the cup and nine from 13 appearances in the UEFA Conference League. 

Parrott also made history with the Republic of Ireland national team earlier this season. Back in November, he netted a brace in a shock 2-0 win over Portugal, and then provided a hat-trick in an eventual 3-2 win away against Hungary a few days later to secure his nation a surprise spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

In doing so, he became the first ever player to score an away hat-trick for the Republic of Ireland side in a competitive fixture and also the first player to score a hat-trick for the Republic of Ireland since Robbie Keane 11 years prior. 

Manchester United could let up to four goalkeepers leave this summer as the club prepares for a significant overhaul of their defensive department.

According to The Sun, the Red Devils are planning to clear out several high-profile names to balance their squad and meet Premier League profitability and sustainability rules.

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

At the heart of the exit list is Andre Onana, who is currently on a season-long loan at Turkish side Trabzonspor.

United reportedly plan to sell the 29-year-old permanently when he returns in July. Having joined for a hefty fee in 2023, the club is said to require at least £18.88 million for the Cameroonian to avoid recording a loss on their books.

For Manchester United goalkeepers could leave this summer

Onana is not the only shot-stopper facing an uncertain future. The report claims that Altay Bayindir will also be sold following a poor six-game run earlier this season.

The Turkish international has struggled to settle at Old Trafford, and a return to his homeland is on the cards, with Besiktas, as per the report, leading the race for his signature.

Meanwhile, the report adds that veteran third-choice keeper Tom Heaton is set for talks in the coming weeks.

With him turning 40 next month, Heaton is said to be open-minded about whether to extend his stay for one final season or hang up his gloves.

Additionally, 23-year-old reserve goalie Dermot Mee is expected to be released.

Senne Lammens has established himself as number one

The decision to trim the goalkeeping department comes as Senne Lammens has firmly established himself as the undisputed number one under interim boss Michael Carrick.

The 23-year-old Belgian, who arrived from Royal Antwerp last September has provided the composure and shot-stopping ability that Onana and Bayindir lacked.

However, with four potential departures, United will be eyeing a new backup goalkeeper this summer.

Report suggests the recruitment team is scouting the Premier League for a reliable number two who can provide competition for Lammens while fitting into the club’s new, younger wage structure.

Michael Carrick backed for permanent role at Manchester United

The looming clear-out comes amid a wave of support for interim manager Michael Carrick to be given the role on a permanent basis.

Following the recent 3-1 win over Aston Villa, club legend Wayne Rooney has backed Carrick for the permanent job.

Carrick’s winning percentage is currently the highest of any United manager after nine games, having secured 22 out of a possible 27 points.

His ability to unify the dressing room and get the best out of revitalised veterans like Casemiro has reportedly impressed the INEOS hierarchy, making him the frontrunner for the post regardless of other high-profile candidates like Roberto De Zerbi.

The post Report: Manchester United plan major clear-out with four players set to leave appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Porto midfielder Rodrigo Mora has been linked with a move away from the club at the end of the season.

According to a report from Sports Boom, Arsenal, Manchester City and Newcastle United are interested in the 18-year-old playmaker. It will be interesting to see if they decide to come forward with an offer to sign him.

The report claims that he could cost around €80 million. The Portuguese “wonderkid” has done quite well for Porto this season, and he is highly rated across Europe. He could develop into a quality player with the right guidance. It will be interesting to see where he ends up.

The opportunity to play in the Premier League will be exciting for him. However, he should look to join a club, where he will get regular opportunities. Sitting on the bench at a big club will not benefit him.

The report claims that there could be a “bidding war” for the midfielder in the summer.

The 18-year-old primarily operates as an attacking midfielder, and he will help create opportunities with his technical ability and vision in the final third. Arsenal and Manchester City could use more quality in the final third. Arsenal, in particular, have struggled to create opportunities and players like Martin Odegaard have not been at their best.

As far as Manchester City is concerned, Bernardo Silva has been linked with an exit in the summer, and they will need to replace him properly.

At Newcastle, they have been overly dependent on Anthony Gordon for creativity. They need more cutting-edge in the final third, and the 18-year-old would be a long-term investment. It will be interesting to see where Mora ends up eventually.

The post Arsenal, Man City and Newcastle join “bidding war” for €80 million “wonderkid” appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester United are interested in signing the Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga at the end of the season.

The 23-year-old has been quite impressive since the move to La Liga, but he has struggled to hold down a regular starting spot at the Spanish club. It will be interesting to see if Real Madrid is willing to sanction his departure in the summer.

According to reports from Spain, it would take a stratospheric offer from Manchester United to get the deal done. The report further claims that Manchester United will intensify talks to sign the player at the end of the season. They are prepared to offer in excess of €50 million for the French international.

Camavinga can play in multiple roles, and he could be an asset to Manchester United if they can sign him. He will add physicality and defensive cover in the middle of the park. The report claims that he could be a partner for Kobbie Mainoo at the heart of the Manchester United midfield.

Casemiro will leave the club in the summer, and Manchester United have identified the Real Madrid star as his replacement. He’s a young player with a lot of potential, and he could develop into a top-class player for Manchester United.

The Red Devils are pushing for Champions League qualification, and they could be an attractive destination for players in the summer. It will be interesting to see if the French international is prepared to join them.

He needs to play regularly at this stage of his career, and Manchester United can provide him with the platform he needs.

The post Man Utd to intensify talks for versatile Real Madrid star in €50m+ deal appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Obviously against all pre-season expectations, Tottenham Hotspur are battling to avoid being relegated from the Premier League, and a widely spread opinion is that the players simply don’t care. Defender Micky van de Ven disagrees. “How does this come out? People are just making things up” 🗣️ Micky van de Ven has refuted claims that […]

The post Micky van de Ven dismisses notions that Spurs players do not care about Premier League survival (Video) appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Micky van de Ven dismisses notions that Spurs players do not care about Premier League survival (Video) appeared first on Soccer News.

A Kalshi spokesperson said that the criminal case was based on ”paper-thin arguments” and claimed the company was exclusively under federal jurisdiction.

A SOL chart pattern that preceded several triple-digit rallies just flashed again. Are the altcoin bulls gearing up for a run to new price highs?

The Canadian bank added USD–CAD conversion to its tokenized deposits, enabling real-time cross-border transactions as banks test blockchain-based settlement systems.

With the combined $57 million deal, GSR looks to integrate token launches, liquidity and treasury into a single capital markets stack for crypto projects.

Bitcoin consolidated recent gains in the face of blanket skepticism over its rebound, while gold threatened to give up $5,000 support.

The no-action position taken by the US regulator under Chair Michael Selig will allow the company to engage in certain activities without registering as a broker.

A new gold-linked yield stablecoin aims to tap commodity markets for returns as institutions explore alternatives to Treasury-backed tokens.

The new toolkit from Sam Altman's startup lets AI agents prove they are backed by a unique human while interacting with websites, APIs and other online services.

Strategy often pauses BTC buys when STRC falls below $100, a setup that has previously coincided with 25%–40% Bitcoin declines.

Arsenal have recently been credited with interest in Paris Saint-Germain star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but according to Fabrizio Romano, the Champions League holders see the Georgian winger as a crucial part of their team and have no intention of selling him under any circumstances. Arsenal are expected to make some changes to their attacking department this […]

The post PSG will not sell Kvaratskhelia amid rumours of Arsenal interest appeared first on Soccer News.

The post PSG will not sell Kvaratskhelia amid rumours of Arsenal interest appeared first on Soccer News.

The Indianapolis Colts are making an interesting addition, signing a former Notre Dame basketball player.

According to ESPN's Stephen Holder, the Colts are signing forward -- yes, basketball -- Carson Towt. With the Colts, Towt will be a tight end.

Colts sign Notre Dame basketball player Carson Towt

Towt is listed at 6-8 and weighs 250 pounds. He played basketball for Notre Dame during the 2025 season. Before Notre Dame, Towt played for Northern Arizona.

Towt has never played football before, not even at the high school level, but believes the "dirty work" he did in basketball can help him with the transition, according to The Athletic's James Boyd.

New #Colts TE Carson Towt, who played basketball at Notre Dame, says he's never played football before. Thinks his "dirty work" can help him transition to the gridiron.

— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) March 17, 2026

We've seen other instances of GM Chris Ballard bringing in players who played other sports, most notably, Mo Alie-Cox, who will be in the tight end room with Towt.

(This article will be updated.)

This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: NFL free agency: Colts sign Notre Dame basketball player Carson Towt

Everyone wants to win their March Madness pool. But it's important to remember that college basketball looks different in 2026. It makes sense to pick high probability events in your bracket.

There is no shortage of analytics resources out there, like the ubiquitous Ken Pomeroy. At my site, The Power Rank, the higher ranked team in my pre-tournament college basketball team rankings has won 70.9% of tournament games in the last 23 tournaments.

Even with all of the resources now available, it's critical that you employ proper strategy when filling out your bracket depending on the size of your pool. Sometimes going contrarian is the way to go. Let me explain.

[Enter Yahoo Fantasy Bracket Mayhem now for your shot at $50K]

Using chalk for smaller pools

To explain the two different strategies you might use, let’s use the 2019 NCAA tournament as an example.

Duke dominated the college basketball landscape in 2019. Mike Krzyzewski’s team featured Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett, two players who would both get drafted in the top three picks of the next NBA draft.

Duke’s results before the tournament also earned them the top spot in my college basketball team rankings at The Power Rank. With the easy approach of picking the higher ranked team in each game, you get Duke as your champion in 2019.

I called this the favorites strategy in my book How To Win Your NCAA Tournament Pool, and it will get you the most expected points in your pool. By my numbers, Duke had a 34% chance to win the tournament, the largest of any teams. For small pools, this is the optimal strategy.

However, you can increase your chance to win a medium-sized pool with another strategy.

How to be contrarian in larger pools

To see this, let’s assume that you’re in a 50-person pool. Based on the public pick distribution tab from Yahoo Sports' Bracket Mayhem, which has data on millions of brackets, 30% of brackets picked Duke as champion. This means about 15 people pick Duke in your pool.

If Duke wins, then you and 15 other people get those 32 points for picking the champion, which is the most important choice in your bracket. With so many people in contention, it's likely that one of those people is going to make some outrageous choices in earlier rounds and beat you.

Instead, you want to make a contrarian choice and pick against the favorite Duke. You find a team with a high win probability but that isn't getting picked by others in your pool.

In 2019, the contrarian choice was Virginia. Tony Bennett’s team featured future pros De’Andre Hunter and Ty Jerome. However, they stood in the shadow of ACC rival Duke, losing both games to them in the regular season.

Based on the data, only 8% of brackets picked Virginia as champion. One factor was that Virginia had lost to 16-seed UMBC in Round 1 of the 2018 NCAA tournament — the first No. 1 seed to lose to a 16-seed in men’s tournament history.

My college basketball numbers gave Virginia a 22% chance to win the NCAA tournament. Note the large difference between Virginia’s win probability and the 8% of brackets picked by people in pools.

Think back to the 50-person pool. Only four people will pick Virginia as champion. If Virginia wins, then you and only four other people have the correct champion. Your solid chalky choices in the previous rounds should be good enough to secure the victory.

The contrarian strategy worked in 2019, as Virginia won the NCAA tournament.

Two finer points about the contrarian strategy

Let’s discuss two key items about the favorites versus contrarian strategy.

First, the contrarian strategy works best with a large gap between a team’s win probability and the fraction of brackets that pick them as champion. In 2019, the gap for Virginia was about 14%. From simulation results, I estimate that the contrarian starts to beat the favorites strategy for pools with 20 or more people.

[Bracket Mayhem 101: How to use experts picks to fill out your bracket]

With a smaller gap, your win probability with the favorites and contrarian strategies can be comparable for pool sizes up to 100. No matter the gap, I recommend submitting multiple brackets that use both strategies.

Second, you can also go beyond the data on which team people pick as champion. Common sense works, too.

As an example in 2026, let’s suppose you’re in a pool based in Ann Arbor. It is safe to assume that a large fraction of people will pick Michigan as champion with how the Wolverines have played this season. The same thinking works for pools heavy with alums from title contenders like Duke and Arizona.

Pool strategy in 2026

The 2026 NCAA tournament will be a particularly interesting year to apply the favorites-versus-contrarian strategies. 

Looking at the futures market at BetMGM, Michigan and Duke are the favorites to win this year's tournament. I expect these teams to have the highest pick percentage as champion, something you can check on Yahoo as you fill out your bracket.

The top teams in college basketball have been historically good this season. In my team rankings that take margin of victory and adjust for strength of schedule, Arizona, Michigan and Duke all rate 23 points better than the average Division I team. This is close to the rating Florida entered the tournament with last season, but much higher than the 20 points of the top teams in previous years.

[Best bets on every NCAA tournament game]

In addition, Duke and Michigan are also similar in that both will miss key point guards in the tournament. Caleb Foster has stayed with the Duke program for three seasons and finally earned a starting role this season. He had surgery for a broken foot and almost certainly will miss all of the tournament.

L.J. Cason didn’t start for Michigan but could easily make the case as the best point guard ahead of Elliott Cadeau. Cason will be out the rest of the season after an ACL tear sustained against Illinois.

One team with contrarian value might be Arizona, even as a No. 1 seed. The Wildcats didn’t come into the season with championship expectations, as they ranked 13th in the preseason AP poll. However, the Wildcats have excelled on both ends of the floor and actually rank ahead of Michigan and Duke in my college basketball team rankings.

Ed Feng runs The Power Rank, an analytics site devoted to sports betting.

The Miami Dolphins made one of the biggest moves in free agency by signing top quarterback Malik Willis. Eight days later, they made a blockbuster move to trade away top receiver Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos.

That’s been a theme of the 2026 offseason for the Miami Dolphins. A new coaching staff led by former Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley replaces the offensive-minded Mike McDaniel’s staff from the last four seasons.

Who won the Jaylen Waddle trade? Grades for Broncos, Dolphins in WR deal

Miami’s defense has a new coordinator in 2026 under Hafley and will see plenty of new players. The secondary is set for new starters across the board as Miami brought in a host of veterans. On offense, Tutu Atwell and Jalen Tolbert are the experienced signees brought on to help with the losses of Waddle and Tyreek Hill.

The deal for Waddle means Miami now has seven selections in the first 100 picks of the 2026 NFL Draft, more than any team in the NFL. As the team begins Hafley's tenure, they could use this class to lay the foundation for a turnaround in the near future. 

But how could they use their now expansive draft capital? Here’s what we think the Dolphins’ draft could look like come April:

Miami Dolphins mock draft

The specific fourth-round picks in the Jaylen Waddle trade have not been disclosed. For this mock draft, we are assuming Miami sent No. 111 overall to Denver and received No. 108 in return.

Round 1, No. 11 overall: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are gone, leaving a massive hole at the wide receiver position for Willis. Miami can draft the best player available at No. 11 now and that may very well be Tyson. The Arizona State star is a scoring machine who separates from coverage consistently with his suddenness. He may slip slightly in the draft due to injury concerns but is a top talent at the position.

Round 1, No. 30 overall: S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo

Hafley’s defenses got the most out of their safeties with the likes of Xavier McKinney thriving in Green Bay. Miami’s secondary needs a lot of help and getting a building-block player on the back end is critical for their rebuild. McNeil-Warren is a versatile safety with athleticism to cover well and the attitude and presence to hold up in run defense.

Round 2, No. 43 overall: CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina

The Dolphins signed veterans to ensure the cornerback room isn’t a complete disaster and that will not prevent them from looking for more building blocks in the draft. Cisse’s speed and physicality are assets in press coverage, but he can often take too many chances. If Hafley and his staff can develop Cisse over time, he could be a long-term starter at outside cornerback.

Round 3, No. 75 overall: Edge Romello Height, Texas Tech

Miami’s edge rushing group is all about speed with the likes of Chop Robinson, Josh Uche, David Ojabo and Robert Beal. Height would add another name to that list of speedy edge rushers. He’s an older prospect and weighed in at 239 pounds at the combine. That’s a fit in this group with impressive production in 2025 (62 pressures). His burst and bend will make him a reliable edge rusher immediately.

Round 3, No. 87 overall: TE Jack Endries, Texas

The Dolphins retained Greg Dulcich in free agency but that shouldn’t keep them from investing in the position with a great tight end class. Endries is slightly leaner than Dulcich at 6-foot-4 and 236 pounds which could show up in run blocking scenarios. But he’s alignment-versatile with vertical speed to stress defenses, something the Dolphins will need with Waddle and Hill gone.   

Round 3, No. 90 overall: WR Bryce Lance, North Dakota State

Lance put on a show at the NFL combine as one of the most explosive athletes at the position in the class. His speed and verticality in a 6-foot-3 frame could make him an ideal downfield complement to Tyson and slot wideout Malik Washington. His route running and releases need work but he’d have a role as a field-stretcher immediately. 

Round 3, No. 94 overall: LB Jaishawn Barham, Michigan

Jordyn Brooks was a first-team All-Pro in 2025 after leading the NFL in tackles with 183. He’ll need more help for the Dolphins to contend in run defense and that’s where Barham can come in. The Wolverines’ linebacker is an explosive athlete with the size to stack or slip blocks. His coverage understanding needs work but that can come with time next to Brooks or rotating with Tyrel Dodson.

Round 4, No. 108 overall: CB Julian Neal, Arkansas

Neal could be another potential starter to develop in the secondary again. His size (6-foot-2) and physicality at the catch point make him a good developmental cornerback. He lacks high-end speed, which leads to some penalties from being too aggressive in coverage, but his tools are worth a chance.

Round 5, No. 151 overall: DT Albert Regis, Texas A&M

Regis is slightly undersized at 6-foot-1 but that helps him out-leverage many of his opponents thanks to his burst off the line. He has shorter arms compared to many of the other players in the class which may cap his overall pass-rushing effectiveness. But the tools are there for at least a rotational piece with the burst to disrupt and a tough mentality.

Round 7, No. 227 overall: Edge Mikail Kamara, Indiana

Kamara is a shorter edge rusher at 6-foot-1 but relies on his experience, motor and elite first step to disrupt opposing offensive linemen. His hand usage is very good for his draft position and he has a solid array of pass-rush moves already. His shorter frame packs power at 265 pounds.

Round 7, No. 238 overall: G Caden Barnett, Wyoming

Miami’s offensive line could improve in 2026 with center Aaron Brewer leading the way in the middle at center. The second-team All-Pro can’t do it all, though, and the Dolphins could use more depth around him. Barnett solidified himself as a right guard in 2025 for Wyoming and is at his best in the run game by delivering all of the power he holds in his 320-pound frame. His pass protection needs work but a depth role is more than worth the investment this late in the draft.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dolphins 7-round mock draft: Jaylen Waddle successor leads huge overhaul

After 16 months, the CBA negotiations between the WNBA and its players' union are still going.

The WNBA set a March 10 deadline for a new term sheet to be signed to avoid delays to the 2026 season. However, the deadline has come and gone, and so has a later preferred deadline of March 16, set by WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert.

As of March 17, the WNBA and WNBPA are on day eight of marathon negotiations, tackling items like revenue share and housing. "Progress" and "movement" are words both sides have used to describe the current state of talks, but "big issues remain." With this in mind, USA TODAY Sports interviewed multiple experts familiar with sports law and labor negotiations to try to understand what might delay a new CBA.

Among the experts is one of the world’s leading antitrust, sports law and trial lawyers, Jeffrey Kessler of Winston & Strawn, and American University's N. Jeremi Duru, professor of law, director of sport and society initiative. "I believe that this is, without question, the most substantial labor dispute going on in sports right now," Duru told USA TODAY Sports of the ongoing WNBA CBA negotiations.

Kessler, Duru and several experts within their respective fields tackled common questions that have developed as negotiations continue, providing expert opinion and analysis based on their experiences.

Here are five questions answered by the experts about the lingering CBA talks:

What are the sticking points that have delayed a new WNBA CBA?

Revenue share and housing have been the central items on the negotiation agenda for months, but have received considerable attention since April 14. One legal expert told USA Today at this point the devil is in details ― like percentages ― the smaller or finer points.

In terms of revenue share, the WNBA has maintained its stance that it would offer more than 70% of league and team net revenue to players. The WNBPA has requested 25% of gross revenue in the first year, increasing over the life of the agreement to an average of roughly 26%.

The WNBA has historically provided housing for players since the first CBA in 1999. However, in the current CBA negotiations, the two sides have traded proposals on everything from guaranteed housing for first-year players to team-provided housing that would later be phased out based on how much a player made.

A legal expert shared with USA TODAY it's important to hammer out the details because even a percentage point could be a difference in hundreds of millions of dollars. The source maintains it's not surprising the WNBA and WNBPA have waited until now to work through a larger portion of the "hard stuff" because of the gravity of what's being discussed.

Have lawyers actively been involved in these CBA negotiations?

Many, many lawyers are part of the negotiations.

"Lawyers are always involved," Duru said. "Often, it's the case that the commissioner of a league, head of a union are themselves lawyers. ... You'll have lawyers [brought in] from the very beginning, in terms of thinking through what are the potential outcomes? What are the stakes? What are our probabilities of getting this or getting that?"

Every players' union has inside (internal) and outside (external) counsel. Inside counsel is always present, and at times, there may be additional staff brought in. For example, the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) has a separate economist. Per the MLBPA's site, Craig Edwards is a senior analyst for the MLBPA who specializes in economics and collective bargaining and has an active role in negotiations.

"When you’re thinking about things that are the best for the game in terms of competition, pace of play, how the best way to move forward for the game, a lot of those things might align with what the Players Association is trying to do, particularly in the next collective bargaining agreement," Edwards said about advocating on behalf of the players. "Everybody wants to keep baseball the great, incredible game that it is, but they also want to grow it and make sure it doesn’t lose the magic."

What do lawyers advise their clients on in CBA negotiations?

The lawyers are able to give a 20,000-foot view.

"They're two kind of pieces to it. You got the overall, kind of macro questions and concerns and ways to strategize in negotiating to maximize the wins for their side," Duru said.

In the context of current WNBA CBA negotiations, the macro priorities since the league opted out of the current agreement in October 2024 have been a new economic model for better wages that reflect the WNBA's growth, player salaries, better professional standards across the league and player benefits such as retirement and family planning.

"Then you've got the word-by-word, line edit, wordsmithing function," Duru said, to ensure that there's clarity, no ambiguity and nothing is given away.

In relation to the ongoing CBA negotiations, the marathon meetings that began on March 10 fall more in line with the "line edit" Duru shared with USA TODAY. For instance, at one point during the hourslong meetings, the WNBPA and WNBA exchanged multiple proposals, including a league proposal that included an increase of the salary cap in Year 1 of the deal from $5.7M to $6.2M.

If a new CBA is agreed to, what’s the timeline for ratification?

According to Kessler, it's all about how the union wants to operate. In his experience, agreeing to sign just the term sheet is a process that could happen "as quickly as a couple of weeks." If the union decides it wants to have the entire CBA agreement ratified, that could take longer. Kessler estimated it could take as long as four weeks for full CBA ratification.

"The real question is whether the union will ratify on a term sheet or whether you need the whole formal agreement," Kessler said.

Another legal expert USA TODAY spoke to had a different viewpoint. "I don’t think it should take weeks … it should be more seamless than that," the source said. According to the person, the player membership would vote and proceed om how to move forward afterward. At the stage of ratification, the source explained there's more urgency to get the deal done and ratification likely shouldn't cause issues.

"If each party recognizes the other's operating in good faith and you have enough of a term sheet that everybody agrees with as a foundation, then you can move forward in a positive direction as you get more formalized," Duru told USA TODAY. "I think ultimately, that's what we're gonna see.

"Someone once told me when it comes to these, you want to get a win-win, but it's generally a capital W-I-N [and] lower case w-i-n. And so, ultimately, I think we're going to get a 'W-I-N-w-i-n' out of this. Nothing's ever really down the middle. So one part may be more of a win than the other, but I think both parties recognize an outcome of that is superior to shifting the season, limiting the season or worse."

What are the takeaways as negotiations draw closer to ending?

A source with knowledge of the 2020 WNBA negotiations says that one of the biggest lessons from the 2026 CBA talks is that the league "underestimated" the players' abilities to understand the negotiations. The source told USA TODAY the players are "sophisticated women who understand their value." WNBPA outside counsel Deb Willig, who has been active in these negotiations, seemed to echo the same sentiment.

“This has been an extraordinarily unusual set of labor negotiations, and I’ve been doing this for over 50 years,” said Willig. “The why, frankly, is because the league underestimated, seriously, the resolve of the players and what they sought to achieve.”

The source with knowledge of the 2020 CBA talks said the league and players negotiating now have to build back trust. According to the person, both sides have described wanting a "transformational" deal, but the person seemingly wasn't convinced that transformation has always been the league's priority.

“They have asked for transformation. What they’ve shown is [evolutionary]," the source said, noting how, from their lens, the league has operated differently in negotiations. The source pointed to what they felt was only incremental movement on key items during talks that didn't align with the WNBA's stance of wanting a transformational deal. According to the person, that could contribute to a lack of trust between the players and the league."If someone hands you a spreadsheet, it only matters if you trust the person who handed you the spreadsheet," the source said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WNBA CBA negotiations continue to drag on? What's the hold up?

Subscribe to The Dunker Spot
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

We have a jam-packed episode of The Dunker Spot coming your way!

Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones check in on the Los Angeles Lakers and Atlanta Hawks, boasting six and ten-game winning streaks respectively. They discuss what's standing out to them during this stretch, and how much they believe in them moving forward.

Next, Nekias has some quick-hitting questions for Steve. How real are the MVP chances for Luka Doncic and Victor Wembanyama right now? Can Kawhi Leonard land an All-NBA First Team selection among a crowded group of contenders? How close is Stephon Castle to being the Spurs' second best player?

Finally, they discuss Team USA's undefeated weekend. Team USA assistant, and Phoenix Mercury head coach, Nate Tibbetts took over for Kara Lawson as she returned to Duke ahead of this year's tournament. The guys discuss what looked different under Tibbetts, and have a broader discussion about who's led the way through four games, and who's put themselves in (better) position to ultimately make the 2028 Olympic roster.

If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com.

(1:38) -- Los Angeles Lakers
29:02 -- Atlanta Hawks
39:55 -- Victor Wembanyama for MVP?
45:20 -- Kawhi Leonard for All-NBA First Team?
48:22 -- How close is Stephon Castle to being the Spurs' 2nd best player?
51:08 -- Team USA

Alex Slitz

🖥️ Watch this full episode on the Yahoo Sports NBA YouTube channel

Check out all episodes of The Dunker Spot and the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at yahoosports.tv

March Madness is nearly upon us, but you still have time to fill out your perfect brackets for the men's and women's NCAA tournaments.

First-round action for the Vols will begin on Friday (4:25 p.m. ET, TBS) as 6-seed Tennessee takes on the winner of a play-in game between Miami (Ohio) and SMU.

Compete against Vols Wire readers in our bracket challenge. Just click the links below to join the free pools.

Men's bracket pool:Join the Vols Wire men's March Madness Bracket Challenge here!

Be sure to also join the USA TODAY Bracket Challenge for your chance to win up to $40,000 in prizes and a shot at a $1 million perfect bracket.

More March Madness:

• March Madness average total points tiebreaker: What to pick in 2026
• Ranking all 68 of the 2026 men's March Madness teams by mascot

This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: March Madness: Join the 2026 Vols Wire bracket pool

In a season few fans or analysts did not expect the Boston Celtics to play especially well given the exits of several high-profile players in the 2025 offseason and the Achilles tendon injury of star forward Jayson Tatum, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla has been a key driver of Boston's success.

Getting extreme buy-in not only from his established players but also incoming depth options whether vets or rookies, Mazzulla has garnered plenty of attention as a candidate for the NBA's Coach of the Year award for the 2025-26 season, and deservedly so. And while he has plenty of competition for that award around the league, momentum seems to be consolidating around the Celtics coach in recent weeks for the honor.

Boston alum Paul Pierce took some time to elucidate us with his own perspective of where Mazzulla's coaching job with the Celtics this season has him in the race for Coach of the Year on a recent episode of the "No Fouls Given" podcast.

"I've got to believe that coach Joe Mazzulla is hand-down the Coach of the Year," explained the Hall of Fame forward. "Look who's out there on the court, the supporting cast, and not this not a knock on them but like, Payton Pritchard is the only mainstay, and then you're out here with (Baylor) Scheierman and (Luka) Garza contributing."

Whether that momentum will be enough to get Mazzulla past coaches like Detroit's JB Bickerstaff or Charlotte Hornets Charles Lee remains to be seen. But having the Truth on your side certainly doesn't hurt.

Listen to "Havlicek Stole the Pod" on:

Blue Wire: https://tiny.ee/CdKp

iTunes: https://tiny.ee/RK47

YouTube: https://tiny.ee/cOW3

This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Paul Pierce thinks Joe Mazzulla should be Coach of the Year

Barcelona take on Newcastle in the Champions League on Wednesday in a game that could end up going to extra-time and penalties.

The tie is locked at 1-1 after the first leg at St James’ Park and if it does go the distance don’t be surprised if Hansi Flick can’t bear to watch.

Flick was asked about the prospect of a shoot-out ahead of the game and revealed his superstition when it comes to penalties.

“I never watch them and it works for me. I can watch the replay on the iPad, but I don’t watch penalty shootouts or anything if there were,” he told reporters.

“It’s been a thing of mine forever. I don’t look. They say it’s OCD, but that’s how I am. I don’t like to see how penalties are taken. It’s a fantastic feeling when the fans scream and I find out what happened.”

Barcelona will be hoping to get the job done in normal time and have an excellent record at Camp Nou so far this season.

The 2026 Masters begins in April and golf fans are getting excited after Augusta National revealed a unique home tasting experience.

The PGA Tour’s signature event draws huge attendance numbers every year due to the quality play on the course. However, fans have always been drawn to it for the inexpensive concessions that have become famous within the golf community.

MORE: Tiger Woods teases golf fans with health update before 2026 Masters

That’s prompted Augusta National to unveil its “Taste of the Masters” food collection before the 2026 tournament. Fans can now purchase three different kits that showcase signature items available at Augusta.

Best served April 6-12, 2026. Taste of the Masters hosting kits are now available at https://t.co/u2p6Fp7d3d. pic.twitter.com/tsf0SoZUPq

— The Masters (@TheMasters) March 17, 2026

That includes a Large Hosting Kit that comes with pimento cheese, egg salad and chocolate chip cookies. Meanwhile, the non-alcoholic Azalea Cocktail Kit is another popular beverage choice for golf attendees at the course.

Augusta National has always been popular for its food choices over the years due to its cheap prices compared to other sporting events. Most concessions items don’t exceed $6 per golf fans, which is drastically cheaper than NFL, NBA and MLB games.

MORE: PGA Tour video shows how amateurs fare at TPC Sawgrass No. 17 island green

However, the Masters’ willingness to provide fans at home with their own viewing party food items is a smart play for the millions that watch from their couches yearly.

The 2026 Masters runs from April 9 to 12 as defending champion Rory McIlroy looks to fend off other top golfers like Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Colin Morikawa.

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

MARCH MADNESS: 6 March Madness Cinderellas, bracket-busters poised to destroy the field

WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: Latest Mason Miller update could force Team USA to choose new WBC closer

BRACKETOLOGY: Kalshi reveals $1 billion prize for March Madness perfect bracket

NFL: Tom Brady’s Fanatics Flag Football Classic taps popular FOX broadcast duo

NBA:Board of Governors holding vote to explore adding two expansion teams

ENTERTAINMENT: Look inside the Oscars $350,000 gift bags for 2026 Academy Awards

The post Augusta National teases golf fans with food favorites for 2026 Masters appeared first on The Big Lead.

Next season’s game between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers to be played in Melbourne, Australia will be the NFL’s Thursday night feature in Week 1 and it’s causing the league to totally shift its usual routine. Instead of opening with the Super Bowl winner on Thursday in Week 1, as it usually does, the NFL is going to be shifting the opening game to a rare Wednesday contest according to Joe Flint of the Wall Street Journal.

The teams that will be in that game are unknown and may not include the Seattle Seahawks. Or if it does, the Seahawks will end up playing on the road because their home field is already scheduled for an MLS game of the Seattle Sounders.

How interesting then that a Rams-49ers game could end up disrupting the Seahawks’ expectations for a Week 1 home game on a Thursday.

The Rams-49ers game in Melbourne is a historic moment for the NFL and clearly it wants to showcase their worldwide appeal by debuting in Australia. The amazing amount of jet lag that both teams will have to deal with also makes sense for why the league wants to get this game out of the way in Week 1 and give L.A. and San Francisco enough time to readjust to the U.S. time zone once they return to the west coast.

We knew the Rams-49ers in Melbourne would be an interesting moment for the franchises and the league but with this reported shift to the Week 1 schedule, it’s going to be an even bigger night.

This was a big interview for not only The Lead, but also the sports fan in me. I watch The Herd every day at 11 A.M., becoming smarter about sports each day I tune in. I have Colin Cowherd’s book You Herd Me; I anticipate Jason McIntyre’s segment Tomorrow’s Headlines Today every Friday afternoon; and I look forward to hearing what’s next on Herd Line News, an everyday segment where the two hosts dive into the hottest topics in sports.

Since joining The Lead, I have interviewed and written about many prominent sports personalities in the industry, and I have had a blast doing it. So, why should I not ask the co-host of my favorite sports show for an interview, hoping he gives me the time of day?

I must admit, I felt like a kid again, getting D.M.’s from McIntyre as we were working on agreeing to a time to talk (let me tell you it’s not easy coming up with a scheduled time, as McIntyre leads an incredibly busy life). Those moments spoke to how much I idolize “J-Mac” and why.

View this post on Instagram

The fact that McIntyre goes to a commercial and takes time to message me is something I don’t take lightly. That’s memorable because it shows the kind of person he is, and it’s something I’ll never forget.

No Days Off

To say Jason McIntyre leads an incredibly busy life is an understatement. The man owns a soccer team, appears on Fox Sports television, and hosts his own podcast with iHeartRadio. Despite all of that, he still finds time to cherish his wife and kids, regularly attending basketball games and volleyball tournaments. 

McIntyre wears many hats, which can be grueling, but he has them all under control. “You just have to make it work,” McIntyre said. “Be consistent, show up every day, you can’t really cheat it in the sports space. You must pick your spots, find what works and what doesn’t. Drill down on certain topics that you are an expert in, and attack with consistency, never give up and stay grinding.”

View this post on Instagram

Early Life

Despite his fast-paced lifestyle now, McIntyre didn’t have a particularly remarkable childhood. He even noted during the interview, “It wasn’t that exciting”. He turned what he described as a normal start into a life filled with achievement, hustle and national spotlight. 

“I grew up in New York, moved to Virginia. My brother and I were normal kids,” McIntyre said. “Dad had a job, mom worked from home, and started a business from home, which kind of gave me my entrepreneurial spirit. I was obviously obsessed with sports. My uncle on my dad’s side of the family played on the Caribbean national soccer team. That’s where I gained a love for sports.” 

If he wasn’t reading the latest sports columns by Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser in the Washington Post — delivered to his house every morning — McIntyre was playing basketball every day after school. 

“I thought I was going to the NBA in like sixth grade,” he laughed. “I legit thought I was going to the NBA. So, freshman year comes around and I show up and I’m like, damn, everyone got kind of big. I had not hit a growth spurt, and I didn’t even make final cuts.

“I was dejected, bro. That was kind of the wake-up call.” 

Life Lessons

Starting with his NBA rejection, McIntyre highlighted several moments in his life that shaped him into who he is today, both as an entrepreneur and a professional in sports media. 

“I get this job at a car wash down the road,” McIntyre said. “They have me picking up trash. I was like, wait a minute, this is a job drying cars, not picking up trash. Then they had me drying towels, so I basically checked out and ended up getting fired. I realized I didn’t want to do handy things; everyone has their thing and handy work is not mine.”

This eventually led him to a job as an accounting assistant for a family friend’s business. It was all so new for him, but he credits this period of his life with helping develop his professionalism and entrepreneurship mindset. 

“I’ll never forget, I had to wear a tie the entire summer,” McIntyre said. “I would go to McDonald’s every day for breakfast and get this stupid sandwich. By two weeks, I was like, I’m cutting into my earnings, because I’m eating this McMuffin every day for breakfast. So I cut the McDonald’s and packed lunch. These are the lessons I took with me to my first journalism job.”

First Taste of Reporting

After facing the trials and tribulations of figuring out his niche as a young man — including not making the high school basketball team — Jason McIntyre was entering his latter teenage years with disappointment. Seeing this, his parents recognized and acknowledged his undying passion for sports. Rather than letting that admiration for sports fade, they made a suggestion that would quietly shape his future. 

“I call up the local newspaper,” said McIntyre, “and I say, ‘Do you guys need anybody to like answer phones and cover high school games?’ They say, ‘Sure, are you 16?’ I said, ‘No’. So, I’d wait until I was 16 and got my license. I would start taking calls on high school baseball games. Then they started sending me to cover sporting events. That was the start to me becoming a sports guy.” 

The experience with the local newspaper proved that this new endeavor wasn’t a fluke; this was his ‘thing’. This was what he excelled at. What started with covering games in high school soon progressed into college.

Jason McIntyre’s Collegiate Career

After two years at Virginia Tech, McIntyre transferred to James Madison University. Shortly after transferring, he would get the opportunity to cover a magnificent Michael Vick performance where James Madison got handled by the dual-threat quarterback. 

There, he started working for both the local newspaper and student newspaper, and he recalled an eye-opening experience that helped shape his growth in the industry. 

“I started working for the local paper, and [editor] Chris Simmons was a great mentor. He had an eye for talent,” McIntyre said. “You know you’re in college, and you think you’re cool. [One night], all my boys were out at the bar, and I no-showed the local paper [the next day]. A week later, Chris comes up to me and says in the quietest voice, ‘You know, Jason, I shouldn’t even let you back here, that’s unacceptable.’ I never blew off an assignment again.” 

Upon graduation, McIntyre landed an internship at the Greensboro News and Record, where he had the opportunity to cover one of the most legendary college basketball rivalries in the country, “Tobacco Road.” After his time in Greensboro, he secured a job in New Jersey, at the Herald News; it was there that he made a breakthrough in the sports journalism industry.

Pivotal Career Moment  

Herald News was the sister company of the Bergen Record, two New Jersey-based newspapers, the latter of which is much larger than the former. After being treated like the younger kid for far too long, the owner eventually got smart. “[The owner] was like, ‘wait a minute, why do we have high school for the sister paper and high school for the main paper, let’s merge them,’” McIntyre stated.

“So, I get called up and that’s when I’m like, I got a shot here, and of course Adrian Wojnarowski and a bunch of other big-name guys were at the paper then. I befriended them and showed them my work and worked my way up the ladder.” 

At the time, the internet was starting to become more than just a place to reach out to friends; it had become a platform for reading the next big story. McIntyre, wise beyond his years, purchased his own URL to stay ahead of the curve. Instead of relying on the old-fashioned way, he could now email sports editors directly and market himself more effectively. 

“I was starting to get offers around the country,” McIntyre said. “A colleague of mine sees it on my screen in our little cubicles. He went and told management. He said, ‘Hey, I don’t know what Jason is doing, but he’s posting his articles on this website.’ I got called into the office and [right after] I was like, ‘I have to get out of here; this is a joke.'”

“That kind of rerouted my mind; the internet was taking over.” 

Branching Out Independently

Young and living in New York City, what better way to enjoy life than to embrace everything the city had to offer — the clubs, the restaurants, the access — that’s exactly what Jason McIntyre got the opportunity to do while working for the celebrity magazine Us Weekly, covering Jessica Alba and many other high-profile celebrities.

Tabloid journalism was a different world from sports, but one that taught him to understand what captures audiences, how to pursue stories in a timely manner, and prepared him for the fast-paced nature of sports media. The environment at Us Weekly ultimately gave McIntyre the professional foundation he needed to launch his own website.  

“I started freelancing on the side for ESPN and CBS, and at that time, around 2006, I launched my website, The Big Lead. It started as a blog for fun; there weren’t many sports blogs out there. I would wake up around 6 [a.m.] and listen to Howard Stern. I would get my articles written and then get on the Subway and go to Us Weekly.”

Strategically, McIntyre would space the articles out throughout the day and then work his normal job. He would return home at night, write up a couple more articles and post those as well. Basically, he was working two jobs, building equity on the side, and he was absolutely Babe Ruth-Ing it out of the park.

McIntyre was doing so well that he and his wife agreed on his quitting his full-time job with Us Weekly and working on his website full-time. It wasn’t even an issue. He had the traffic, and people wanted to advertise with him. It all worked out tremendously.

Server Crash Leads to TV

He even survived a knockout during the peak of his site. No, McIntyre did not get knocked out; his website got blown up and booted offline for 48 hours. The person behind the flooded site? Colin Cowherd. 

During his syndicated talk show, Cowherd essentially encouraged his listeners to all simultaneously visit The Big Lead. The mindset behind it was to get as many visits to the site as possible that the server could not handle it, and the site would crash. It’s known as a denial of service. “I’m panicking during this,” said McIntyre. “I’m getting calls from The New York Post, asking me who I am. I wasn’t ready to come out about it yet. Six months later, Sports Illustrated asks if I want to put my name on the site. So, they wrote about it and that was a big step for me.”

Ironically, in a twist he never saw coming, this chaotic situation foreshadowed the role he now embraces daily alongside Colin Cowherd, on The Herd.

“A year and a half later, after he blew up the site, I went up to Bristol, CT, to do a story on him, and I met him. We became friendly and a few years later he was like, ‘Hey I’m leaving for Fox and we are looking for guys. Do you want to come?’ I was like, ‘Hell yea!’

“They were looking for new and creative people that weren’t ESPN individuals. So, I moved across the country with my family and started with Fox.”

New Beginnings

Jason McIntyre was once nervous to be in front of the camera, which is why it was a good thing they didn’t just thrust him into the starting lineup of one of the most successful sports talk shows in America right off the bat.

He would run test shows in L.A. McIntyre did test shows with Kyle Brandt, Nick Wright, and a selection of other prominent broadcasters in the industry. 

“I would go on The Herd the next day, I never wore any makeup or was under the bright lights, but you get used to that stuff quickly. Within a month, it was no big deal.” 

Following a brief hiatus prompted by organizational changes at Fox, McIntyre was reminded how unpredictable the sports industry can be. Still, he remained consistent and stayed patient, eventually finding his way back in front of the camera. “I felt like a colossal failure,” he said. “I did digital stuff with Fox. Then, I would go on other shows as a guest or fill in or whatever. I was able to stick around, rather than get dusted or blown out. Never give up and just sticking with it, you just got to figure it out. That’s kind of part of life.” 

Ma, I Made it!

In 2022 The Herd was looking for a new host, leading to McIntyre becoming full-time cohost of the show. He joined FoxSports in 2016, so given the prior experience he had already built up, he was an instant success. 

McIntyre and Cowherd have been through the ups and downs; it’s likely part of the reason they make such a great duo on the show. McIntyre often plays the challenger, pushing back and creating tension, which is a dynamic that Cowherd appreciates. It keeps the show engaging, rather than the two just agreeing every time. Throughout his time working with Cowherd, McIntyre has always admired his approach to each show and the worth ethic behind it. 

“I like to think I have a good work ethic,” McIntyre said. “He’s older than me and he’s a grinder. That guy is up early and consistent every single day. The key to the show is staying interesting. The days of direct sports talk, this happened and this was the score, that’s over. You need to contextualize it, so that when you’re driving, you’re not changing the channel. I don’t think there is anybody like him.”

Reflection and Biggest Support

It’s remarkable to look back at the 48-hour chaos of The Big Lead nearly two decades ago. Cowherd almost cost McIntyre his site, and now the two have built so much together ever since. The near disaster has been transformed into a powerhouse partnership on The Herd, proving that resilience, growth and even chaotic beginnings can create one of the most dynamic and impactful duos in sports media. 

While McIntyre found his rhythm alongside Colin Cowherd, there was someone who was in his corner, before the studio lights and the national spotlight — his wife. She was supporting his early morning routine of blog posting, his late-night whirlwind of ideas, and his leap-of-faith decisions that were the foundation to his career success. 

“My wife totally believed in me when I didn’t even know if anything would work,” McIntyre said. “I quit my job to become a full-time sports blogger. That was a major risk for her and I, but she had complete faith. Also, it’s a rough sell when you have to move your family clear across the country for a chance on TV. Some of these guys, the shelf life isn’t good on TV. Somehow, here we are 10 years later.” 

Looking back on a journey that began with high school baseball fields and led to a national co-hosting seat, McIntyre emphasizes that elite sports media careers aren’t built overnight. Instead, they are forged through steady persistence, the grit to overcome setbacks, lessons learned, and a commitment to show up even when the next step is uncertain.

The post From Blogging to National Spotlight, Jason McIntyre Leads The Herd appeared first on The Lead.

Less than two weeks after Eastern Michigan and head men's basketball coach Stan Heath mutually decided to part ways, the program has tabbed its new head coach with the hiring of Clemson assistant Billy Donlon, per On3's Pete Nakos.

The Eagles finished with a .500 record in 2024-25 and won just 10 games this season, leading to Heath's departure and a new era with Donlon stepping in. Donlon has been with the Tigers for four seasons as the associate head coach, helping engineer several NCAA Tournament runs.

Before his time at Clemson, Donlon was the head coach for Wright State from 2010-2016, compiling a 109-94 record highlighted by a 23-13 campaign in 2012-2013. He then coached at Kansas City for three seasons, where he won 46 games versus 39 losses.

Eastern Michigan basketball is hiring Clemson assistant Billy Donlon as its next head coach, a source tells @On3.

Was previously the head coach at Wright State and Kansas City. Has been on the Clemson staff since 2022. @GoodmanHoops first. https://t.co/XFDefsPprOpic.twitter.com/gK6ObGfgia

— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) March 17, 2026

His first order of business at Eastern Michigan should be working to retain freshman forward Mohammad Habhab, who led the team in scoring, rebounding and assists. He far outpaced everyone on the team, averaging 36.0 minutes per game.

Leading the Eagles won't be an easy task for Donlon, as the program hasn't reached the NCAA Tournament since the 1997-98 season, making it nearly 30 years since their last postseason appearance.

Contact/Follow@College_Wire on X and@College_Wires on Threads. Like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of college sports news, notes, and opinions.

This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Clemson assistant Billy Donlon hired as Eastern Michigan head coach

Mar. 17—It will be a test between two high-scoring offenses Thursday when the Miami University RedHawks (31-1) take on the Southern Methodist University Mustangs (20-13) in First Four matchup at UD Arena.

Here's a look at the two Cinderellas off the court.

Miami Category SMU

Feb. 2, 1809 Founded April 17, 1911

Oxford Location Dallas

More than 200, including pre-professional studies Number of majors More than 100, and 85 minors

75%-82% Acceptance rate 53%-61%

No. 1 among Ohio public universities for return on investment (Payscale.com), No. 2 public school and No. 13 overall nationally for undergraduate teaching (U.S. News & World Report), No.6 public university (LinkedIn Top Colleges), No. 35 best value public college (The Princeton Review) Academic rankings No. 1 university in North Texas (U.S. News & World Report), No. 2 private university in Texas (U.S. News & World Report), Top 20% national university (U.S. News & World Report), Top 125 best colleges for future leaders (TIME)

$15,161 for Ohio residents, $38,682 for non-residents Average tuition $67,736

Ben Roethlisberger — Super Bowl winning quarterback

Paul Ryan — Former Speaker of the House

Michael "The Miz" Mizanin — WWE wrester

Benjamin Harrison — 23rd President of the United States

Nick Lachey — Singer, songwriter, TV personality

Tina Louise — Actress, most famous for her role at Ginger Grant on Gilligan's Island

Katie Lee — Chef and Food Network and Cooking Channel host

Mark Coleman — UFC Hall of Fame inductee

Mike DeWine — Governor of Ohio

Eric Lange — Character actor, best known for the TV show Lost

Wally Szczerbiak — Former NBA player

Paul Brown — NFL Hall of Fame member, founder of the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals

P.J. O'Rourke — Author and political satirist

Donna Shalala — Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient

Margaret Peterson Haddix — Children's author best known for the series Shadow Children and The Missing

Chung Un-chan — Former Prime Minister of South Korea

Sidney Souers — First Director of Central Intelligence

John Henry Patterson — founder of the National Cash Register Company

Ryan Graves — Former CEO of Uber

Marne Levine — Former chief of staff for the National Economic Council Famous alumni Barbara Bush — Former First Lady of the United States

Kathy Bates — Academy Award-winning actress

James Cronin — Nobel Prize-winning physicist

Lauren Graham — Actress best known for Gilmore Girls

Tucker S. Bridwell — President of Mansefeldt Investment Corp.

Brian Baumgartner — Actor best known for The Office

Regina Taylor — Golden Globe-winning actress and playwright

Beth Henley — Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright

Bill Fagerbakke — Actor best known at the voice of Patrick in SpongeBob SquarePants

Amy Acker — Actress best known for Angel and Person of Interest

Lamar Hunt — Founder of the American Football League

$40.9 million Athletic budget $159 million

$850 million School budget $923 million

Miami University is known as the "Mother of Fraternities" because four national fraternities were founded there, and the "Cradle of Coaches" for producing three Super Bowl-winning coaches and multiple others who revolutionized football. Interesting fact SMU's live Shetland pony mascot, Peruna, has represented the university since 1932 and is in its 9th generation.

17 NCAA appearances 13

Sweet 16 in 1999 Best performance Final Four in 1956

In January 2025, Head Coach Travis Steele signed a contract extension through the 2031-2032 season that included a $300,000 base salary through 2026, $400,000 2026-2030, and $500,000 2030-2032. The contract also includes $1 million in retention and performance-based bonuses. In February 2026, Miami University offered him an extension through the 2033-2034 season that has not been signed. Coach's salary SMU, a private university, has not disclosed Head Coach Andy Enfield's contract details since he was hired in 2024 from the University of Southern California. SMU paid his $2 million buyout fee. Enfield's USC salary was $3,806,389 for the 2023-2024 season.

Real Madrid will be aiming to seal their place in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals as they get set to face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

With a 3-0 lead from the first leg of the Round of 16, Alvaro Arbeloa & co. enter into tonight’s game with a major advantage and will be looking to finish the job.

Ahead of kickoff in over an hour, the Real Madrid manager has announced the starting lineup that will take the field against Pep Guardiola’s side. There are two changes made to the lineup that faced Elche in La Liga.

Arda Guler, who scored a wonder-goal after coming on as a substitute over the weekend, reclaims his starting berth from Eduardo Camavinga.

The Turkish sensation is a part of Real Madrid’s four-man midfield setup along with Aurelien Tchouameni, teenage prodigy Thiago Pitarch, and captain Federico Valverde, who scored a hat-trick in the first leg.

The second change to the team comes in defence where Trent Alexander-Arnold replaces Dani Carvajal at right-back.

Antonio Rudiger and Dean Huijsen pair up at central defence, while Fran Garcia starts at left-back again, with Alvaro Carreras not fully ready to be named in the starting XI. Thibaut Courtois continues in goal.

Up top, despite Kylian Mbappe’s return, Arbeloa has opted not to take any risks with the Frenchman. As such, Brahim Diaz and Vinicius Jr. start for Real Madrid.

Michael Edwards could be lining up a dream move to replace his key star in the team.

The Reds are approaching a pivotal moment in their squad evolution, and few positions feel more urgent than left-back.

Andy Robertson has been one of the defining players of the club’s modern era, a relentless presence who helped drive them to major honours. His energy, leadership and consistency have made him indispensable for years.

However, football rarely stands still.

With Robertson’s contract set to expire at the end of the season, it's now looking inevitable that he will be moving on.

The physical demands of his role, combined with the natural ageing curve, mean the club must think long-term - especially in a system that relies heavily on attacking full-backs.

Liverpool have historically been proactive in refreshing key positions before decline becomes obvious. And it's why Robertson will be moving on this summer and why Liverpool have turned their attention towards one of South America’s brightest young prospects.

For a long time now, Michael Edwards has wanted to break into the South American market. It's a dream of the club's former sporting director and now in his role under FSG, that could become a reality.

Liverpool are reportedly tracking 18-year-old Brazilian full-back Vinícius Lira who is widely regarded as one of the most exciting talents in his position.

According to Sports Witness, the player, who is currently developing at Santos, has caught the attention of the club’s recruitment staff as they assess future options to replace the departing Robertson.

The youngster is considered a standout prospect within his age group, with strong technical ability and attacking instincts that fit the modern full-back role.

Liverpool’s interest is described as an extensive monitoring process ahead of the summer. With Robertson set to depart, the Reds will need a back-up option behind Milos Kerkez and Lira would make a lot of sense as a potential replacement.

He is very similar to Kerkez in his aggressive defensive style and his desire to overlap and make quick vertical runs beyond the opposition's defensive line.

Scouting in Brazil has long been a fruitful strategy for European clubs, and Liverpool appear keen to identify emerging talent before competition intensifies, with recent acquisitions like Mor Talla Ndiaye and Ifeanyi Nduke the proof of this new model.

The player’s reputation as a “top full-back prospect” underlines why multiple clubs are likely to be keeping tabs on his development.

For Liverpool, this is less about a short-term signing and more about strategic planning. With uncertainty surrounding the long-term future of Robertson, investing in youth could provide both depth and a pathway to succession.

This is a situation that is one to watch as Liverpool, Lira makes so much sense as the man to replace Robertson.

The Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks have begun the process of assembling the roster that will look to defend their World Champion title on the field in 2026.

After the flurry of activity during the first week of free agency, things have settled down as teams have finished throwing around the silly money and have worked things down to where they are filling in the holes of the important, but lesser paid, role players.

For John Schneider and the Seahawks, part of that work this offseason was keeping core member of the special teams, Brady Russell, and swing tackle Josh Jones.

Russell had been scheduled to be a restricted free agent, but after reaching agreement on a two year extension, he’s now set to be a Seahawk through 2027. Now, thanks to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 Houston, how much Russell’s services will cost the team over the next two seasons is known.

It appears to be a pretty straight forward contract, with a modest $1M signing bonus and base salaries of $1.5M and $1.79M in each of the next two seasons.

However, astute readers may quickly notice that the numbers in Wilson’s post don’t quite add up. Specifically, adding up the signing bonus and the base salaries yields a total of $4.29M, which is $510k short of the $4.8M listed. Given that the Seahawks tend to include per game roster bonuses in the second year and beyond of their contracts, and the very often used $30k in per game roster bonuses would be $510k over the course of the season, it seems very likely that the missing piece is $510k in per game roster bonuses in 2027. Assuming that to be the case, the contract breaks down as follows:

• 2026: $2M ($500k signing bonus proration + $1.5M base salary)
• 2027: $2.8M ($500k signing bonus proration + $1.79M base salary + $510k in per game roster bonuses)

That’s a very reasonable contract for the special teams leader of the team, and shows how much they value his contributions.

As for Jones, his contract is even more straight forward, given that it is a one-year deal.

Interestingly, it is once again seen that summing the individual parts of the contract yields a total that is $255k short of the reported $4M total value. If that is an amount that jumps out, it is because it is exactly half of $510k, and means that $15k in per game roster bonuses over the course of an entire season would fill in the missing piece of the puzzle.

If that is indeed the case, this is what Jones’ contract will look like:

• cap hit: $3.955M ($2.245M base salary + $1.5M signing bonus + $255k in per game roster bonuses)

For those curious, the reason the cap hit is $3.955M instead of $4M is the three games Jones missed late last season. Whether or not per game roster bonuses count against the salary cap during the offseason depends on whether or not they are considered likely to be earned “LTBE” or not likely to be earned “NLTBE.” To determine which of those categories an incentive falls into, the league looks at the most recent season for the player and uses their performance as a baseline. That means that in Jones’ case, 14 of the per game roster bonuses are LTBE, with the other three deemed NLTBE. Now, if Jones stays healthy and dresses in more than 14 games, the additional games will hit the cap to the tune of $15k immediately.

March Madness is nearly upon us, but you still have time to fill out your perfect brackets for the men's and women's NCAA tournaments.

First-round action for the Cornhuskers will begin on Thursday (12:40 p.m. ET, truTV) as 4-seed Nebraska takes on 13-seed Troy.

Compete against Cornhuskers Wire readers in our bracket challenge. Just click the links below to join the free pools.

Men's bracket pool:Join the Cornhuskers Wire men's March Madness Bracket Challenge here!

Be sure to also join the USA TODAY Bracket Challenge for your chance to win up to $40,000 in prizes and a shot at a $1 million perfect bracket.

More March Madness:

• March Madness average total points tiebreaker: What to pick in 2026
• Ranking all 68 of the 2026 men's March Madness teams by mascot

This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: March Madness: Join the 2026 Cornhuskers Wire bracket pool

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Chicago White Sox right-hander Mike Vasil is set for season-ending Tommy John surgery after leaving his most recent spring training start with right elbow soreness.

The team said on its website Tuesday that Vasil's surgery will be performed in the coming weeks by Texas Rangers team physician Dr. Keith Meister. The club estimated the recovery time at 12-18 months.

Vasil exited a start against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth inning Saturday. He was 5-3 with a 2.50 ERA as a rookie last year, when he made three starts in 47 appearances.

The 25-year-old was competing for a spot in the rotation after being a key part of the bullpen for the White Sox, who picked him up on waivers last year.

___

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

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan's basketball program has a shot to win its second national title, and first since 1989, thanks to a remarkable rebuild under Dusty May.

Just two years ago, the Wolverines lost a school-record 24 games with former Fab Five star Juwan Howard in his fifth and final season as coach.

Athletic director Warde Manuel fired Howard and hired May away from Florida Atlantic.

May went to work right away on the turnaround, taking a new-school approach to win in an era marked by money generated from name, image and likeness along with revenue sharing. He traveled all over the country to meet boosters to raise funds to help him compete for players from the transfer portal and prospects in high school with a competitive payroll.

“I would say this team costs 50% of the best budgets in college basketball,” he said in an interview with The Associated Press.

Intentionally, and out of necessity, he hit the transfer portal hard in each of his two years.

“We felt like we needed to be really good in Year 1," May said, overlooking the team’s dimly lit practice courts. “We needed to have a product that potential recruits could watch and say: 'I want to be a part of that. That looks appealing.'”

Check.

May landed Vladislav Goldin, one of the starters from his 2023 Final Four team at FAU, and former Yale star Danny Wolf to lead the way during his successful debut season at Michigan.

The Wolverines were 27-10 overall and 14-6 in the Big Ten, winning the conference tournament and reaching the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

May went into his second season with another influx of transfers — UAB's Yaxel Lendeborg, Illinois' Morez Johnson, North Carolina's Elliot Cadeau and UCLA's Aday Mara — and they were the top players on one of the best teams in school history.

Michigan was No. 1 in the AP Top 25 last month for the first time since 2013, won the Big Ten regular-season championship with a 19-1 record and enters its opening game of March Madness on Thursday with 31 victories, two shy of the school record.

The Wolverines, who earned top seeding in the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time, like their chances to cut down the nets in three weeks.

“We definitely do feel like we can be the national champions,” Lendeborg said.

Michigan might have come up with a secret sauce in its search for the right people to put in the program, looking beyond size, talent and scoring ability in the transfer portal and high school.

“We want to identify guys that like passing the basketball," assistant coach and general manager Kyle Church said in his office. “That’s a huge indicator of their personality. It's an unselfish characteristic. That makes guys easier to play with and to bond with as teammates."

May, though, knows he will have to continue to entice key players to stay instead of transferring and targets in the transfer portal and high schools to come to Michigan.

Unlike some coaches who bristle at the changing landscape of college athletics, May embraces it. He freely talks about some of his players outperforming their contracts and says negotiations on terms for next year's team won't start until the season ends as if he's an NBA coach or general manager.

Instead of trying to predict how much he will use the transfer portal this offseason and in following years, versus leaning on high school recruits, he takes a wait-and-see approach.

“It's not our decision,” he said simply. “If you're not paying your returners what they think they’re worth or what someone else thinks they're worth, you're not really able to select who you want to keep and bring in.

"We don't have power over them. They don't have to stay. If someone doesn't like their role or their salary, they can leave. And if that happens, then you have to go to the portal.”

Nimari Burnett transferred from Alabama to play for Howard at Michigan. He is one of just two players, along with Will Tschetter, left from the team that set a school record for losses.

The shooting guard still can't believe what he has witnessed over the last two years. After the program was on shaky ground following the ugly end of the Howard era, it is suddenly on solid footing with May leading the way.

“The culture that he implements is the best part about it,” Burnett said. “You know how sometimes coaches can get loud? That's not him. He's very calm, honest and direct — and knows what he wants.”

Such as wanting players willing to pass?

“That’s exactly what they said to me when I came back for my last year,” Burnett said.

___

Follow Larry Lage on X

___

AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness

Two Tennessee basketball players received First-Team All-Central District honors from the National Association of Basketball Coaches on Tuesday.

Freshman forward Nate Ament and senior guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie were named to the All-Central District Team. For a second year, the NABC has named 10-man teams across eight regions, which are determined by geography.

The association previously named two five-man teams across 23 districts, determined by conference alignment. The awards are voted on by coaches within their respective districts. The Vols' regional area includes the 36 NCAA Division I schools across six states, including Tennessee, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky and Nebraska.

2025-26 is the fourth consecutive season Tennessee has received NABC All-District honors. This is also the second straight season that Tennessee had two first-team all-district performers after Zakai Zeigler and Chaz Lanier received recognition last season.

The Vols and Iowa State are the only two schools with multiple players who received NABC First-Team All-District Honors.

Ament is averaging 17.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 assist per game in the 2025-26 season, while Gillespie is averaging 18.0 points, 5.5 assists, 2.1 steals and 2.1 rebounds per contest.

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

This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Two Vols named to NABC First Team All-Central Region

Former Washington Huskies running back Jonah Coleman capped off a productive start to the week by driving down to Renton for a visit to the Seattle Seahawks’ facility.

The 5-foot-9, 220-pound 2026 NFL Draft prospect shared a photo on his Instagram story around 5:00 p.m. Monday, hours after he went through drills as part of UW’s Pro Day, at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.

Since Coleman is considered a local draft prospect, he isn’t considered in the same category as one of the 30 players the NFL allows each organization to bring in before the draft on April 23-25.

RB Jonah Coleman is visiting the Seahawks training facility 👀

(@hawkblogger /@seeeeaaaahawks) pic.twitter.com/1HJCUO8V45

— SleeperSeahawks (@SleeperSeahawks) March 17, 2026

It’s been six years since the last Husky football player heard their name called when the Seahawks were on the clock.

The last UW player selected by the local organization was linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven, a four-year letterman and 2018 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, who came off the board in the fifth round (No. 142 overall) in the 2019 draft.

Prior to Burr-Kirven, the Seahawks have only taken one player from UW—tight end Will Dissly in the fourth round (No. 120 overall)—in the draft since John Schneider was tabbed as the general manager dating back to 2010.

Coleman, who is widely viewed as one of the top running backs available in the 2026 draft class, is expected to hear his name come off the board earlier than both Dissly and Burr-Kirven did, and a case can certainly be made for why Schneider could make Coleman his third Husky draft pick.

In his four seasons combined between Arizona and UW, the Stockton, California native proved to be an all-around, every-down back in the Pac-12 and Big Ten, an element that could separate Coleman from other backs in the class.

Over 262 snaps as a blocker, Coleman allowed only three sacks his entire career, two as a freshman in 2022 and one as a senior.

Among players in the upcoming draft ranked in ESPN's top 10 running backs, only two players logged more pressure opportunity snaps this past season than Coleman: Clemson’s Adam Randall (86) and Arkansas’ Mike Washington Jr. (78). Both also ended the season with more rushing yards than Coleman did, due to an injury suffered in an early November loss at Wisconsin, yet the two combined to put up only three more rushing touchdowns combined (18) than Coleman did with his 15 scores on the ground.

With the Seahawks needing a younger replacement for departed Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, Coleman could be the ideal choice in the second or third round when Schneider has two picks to use.

This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: Former Washington Huskies Star Visits Seattle Seahawks Facility

After a dominant road sweep of a top-15 opponent over the weekend at Wake Forest, the Florida State baseball team was amply rewarded, jumping up nine spots to No. 11 in D1Baseball’s updated rankings.

But the Seminoles (16-3) have no time to enjoy the university’s spring break. Before a top-11 series this weekend at Dick Howser Stadium vs. No. 10 NC State, Florida State welcomes in Bethune-Cookman (14-6) for a Tuesday matchup in Tallahassee.

Neither team has announced a starting pitcher for the game, seemingly an indicator that Payton Manca (4.76 ERA over 5 2/3 innings) is still unavailable to return to the midweek role. The good news for the Seminoles is their pitching staff is in very good shape considering they used just seven pitchers over the entire Wake Forest series, never using a reliever more than once. Aside from Kevin Mebil, who threw 46 pitches in Sunday’s series finale, everyone else is likely to be available in some capacity.

That’s a good thing for FSU, as the Wildcats have already shown their ability in midweek games. In the first four midweek games of the season, Bethune-Cookman has already beaten South Florida and North Florida, and also battled Miami in a game that was tied at 2 entering the seventh inning back on March 4 before the Hurricanes separated late for a 5-2 win.

The Wildcats enter on a five-game winning streak, also sweeping their opening conference series over the weekend against Prairie View A&M by a combined score of 22-9.

FSU vs. Bethune-Cookman: How to watch

• Date: Tuesday, March 17, 6 p.m.
• Pitching matchup: FSU TBD vs. Mercer TBD
• How to watch: ACCNX
• How to listen: WFLA 100.7 FM

Wildcat hitters to know:

• OF Darryl Lee: Slashing .348/.483/.609 with a team-high three homers (of the team’s nine) and 10 doubles (four more than anyone else)
• 2B Jeter Polledo: Slashing .306/.389/.528 and tied for the national lead in triples (four) along with eight stolen bases in as many attempts
• CF Sergio Rivera: Slash line of .279/.429/.344 doesn’t blow you away but he has as many runs as he does hits (17 of each) in large part because he’s 14-for-14 on stolen-base attempts this season

Round of 64 play in the NCAA tournament begins on Thursday, but March Madness officially tips off on Tuesday night in Dayton.

We're set for the First Four, which features a pair of play-in games on both Tuesday and Wednesday, with the winners moving on to the Round of 64. Two of the four games feature members of the Last Four In (the final four teams to receive an at-large invitation to the tournament), while the other two feature the bottom four-ranked No. 16 seeds, which are all teams that received automatic bids by winning low-major tournaments.

The First Four has existed in its current format since 2011, when the Last Four In were included in the play-in matchups. The tournament originally didn't feature any play-in games when it expanded to 64 teams in 1985. That changed in 2001, when the creation of the Mountain West Conference led to an additional automatic bid.

To rectify this, the NCAA expanded the tournament to 65 teams, with a pair of No. 16 seeds facing off in a play-in game. After a decade with that system, the First Four expanded to eight teams. The women's tournament eventually followed suit, expanding from 64 teams to 68 in 2022.

Despite having to play an extra game on the front end, there is some precedent for First Four teams finding success in the NCAA tournament. One of the two No. 16 seeds to ever upset a No. 1 seed, Fairleigh Dickinson in 2023, had to play in Dayton.

Meanwhile, two Last Four In teams have gone on to make a Final Four run after winning in Dayton: VCU in the inaugural year of the format in 2011, and UCLA in 2021. Three others — 2013 La Salle, 2014 Tennessee and 2018 Syracuse — have gone on to reach the Sweet 16.

Though the First Four round has been the subject of some criticism over the years, it does provide some exciting matchups before the main event begins on Thursday and Friday.

Contact/Follow @College_Wire on X and @College_Wires on Threads. Like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of college sports news, notes, and opinions.

This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: March Madness: What is the First Four round in Dayton?

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

Washington state lawmakers earlier this month expanded access to individual player prop betting despite ongoing NCAA efforts to ban these types of bets.

Bettors at tribal casinos in Washington will be able to legally place bets on individual player prop bets such as rushing yards and rebounds on NCAA athletes that play for teams located outside the state. Bettors will also be able to bet on Washington college teams, including the University of Washington, Washington State University, and Gonzaga.

The legislation passed with strong bipartisan support in both chambers. Gov. Bob Ferguson could veto the bill in the coming days, but the strong margins mean there are enough votes for an override.

Assuming the governor takes no action, the expanded betting options will take effect in June. Washington bettors will not have an opportunity to bet on in-state teams during this year’s NCAA Tournament.

Gonzaga is the only Washington team to make the tournament this year.

NCAA opposition

Washington’s new prop betting authorization comes as the NCAA has asked lawmakers in all 39 states with legal sports betting to ban individual player prop betting on student-athletes and lobbied lawmakers in Congress to pass a federal ban. A handful of states have taken steps to limit or ban player props. Washington state’s bill to offer more college prop bets underscores the difficulty passing such bans.

Though they make up a small fraction of sportsbooks’ handles, leading sports betting operators have testified against college player prop bans. Player prop betting supporters argue the regulated market is the best way to catch nefarious betting activity. They also note prediction market platforms offer sports event contracts on college player props in a manner that sportsbooks argue circumvent state gambling laws.

A Washington bill lawmakers passed earlier this month that will allow bettors on tribal lands to place legal sports bets on in-state college teams will not take effect in time for March Madness

— Ryan Butler (@ButlerBets) March 17, 2026

The NCAA has maintained that wagers on individual performances for what are technically amateur athletes are subject to far greater manipulation than professional athletes. Ban proponents such as NCAA president Charlie Baker have argued these student-athletes, most of whom live near thousands of other students, are targets of abuse from gamblers, with estimates that more than 10% of players have been harassed for their performance.

About a third of men’s basketball players say they’ve been harassed, according to NCAA studies.

The Washington bill adds gross misdemeanor charges for anyone who “knowingly threatens a sports official, coach, or participant involved in a sporting event, athletic event, or competition upon which a wager may be made.” Anyone found guilty of harassment will be banned from betting in the state.

Expanded tribal gaming

All legal sports bets will remain confined to tribal lands under the new bill. Bettors will still have more betting options at each eligible property.

The legislation creates a first-of-its-kind expansion, permitting any third-party sportsbook partnered with a Washington gaming tribe to offer its mobile sportsbook on any property. Previously, a bettor could only use the betting app for the casino’s lone third-party operator.

That means that an eligible bettor at any Washington tribal casino property will have access to FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, BetMGM and several other leading U.S. online betting operators once the bill takes effect.

Washington is one of eight states with legal sports betting confined to specific gaming properties, all of which have a similar one-book arrangement. The bill could serve as a legislative road map to the other states for similar expansions.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

March Madness is nearly upon us, but you still have time to fill out your perfect brackets for the men's and women's NCAA tournaments.

First-round action for the Tar Heels will begin on Thursday (6:50 p.m. ET, TNT) as 6-seed North Carolina takes on 11-seed VCU.

Compete against Tar Heels Wire readers in our bracket challenge. Just click the links below to join the free pools.

Men's bracket pool:Join the Tar Heels Wire men's March Madness Bracket Challenge here!

Be sure to also join the USA TODAY Bracket Challenge for your chance to win up to $40,000 in prizes and a shot at a $1 million perfect bracket.

More March Madness:

• March Madness average total points tiebreaker: What to pick in 2026
• Ranking all 68 of the 2026 men's March Madness teams by mascot

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire : March Madness: Join the 2026 Tar Heels Wire bracket pool

The goal for Virginia football this spring is to make their exceptional 2025 season the standard in Charlottesville. This past season saw head coach Tony Elliott’s vision for Virginia football come into fruition: a program record win total, a sweep of Virginia Tech and North Carolina, and a bowl victory. With rivals reloading for the 2026 season and national publicity throughout the 2025 season, the Virginia Cavaliers enter spring practice with high expectations and a significantly larger profile in the college football world.

Spring football will provide the first glimpse of what the 2026 Cavaliers will look like, with returning players advancing up the depth chart and new transfers taking the field for the first time for Virginia. While general manager Tyler Jones and assistant general manager Justin Speros performed a roster retention masterclass, especially in the trenches, graduations, injuries, NFL aspirations, and eligibility exhaustion open up positions on every college football team.

Virginia football enters the spring with five key position groups with key competitions and the players that win those battles will be critical for the ‘Hoos as the 2026 season draws closer.

Center

The Virginia offensive line arguably saw the greatest improvement of any position group on the 2025 team. A key part of that improvement was the addition of center Brady Wilson, who transferred to UVA in 2025 after four seasons at UAB. Wilson provided steady leadership on the line and was critical to Virginia’s success on the ground and through the air. With Wilson having exhausted his NCAA eligibility, UVA will be looking to finish spring football with clarity at one of the most important positions on the field.

Arguably the leading candidate for starting center, Drake Metcalf, moved from right guard to center for a critical three game stretch against Florida State, Louisville, and Washington State while Wilson was sidelined by injury. Virginia’s 3-0 record and Metcalf’s quality play at center showed that he is more than capable of making the switch over to center full-time. All signs point towards Metcalf spending significant time at the position this spring.

Should Metcalf remain at guard, Virginia would likely see 2025 reserve Noah Hartsoe and South Carolina transfer Ryan Brubaker compete for the job. Hartsoe saw limited game action in 2025, however he brings multiple years of experience within Des Kitchings’ offense at Virginia. Brubaker saw limited playing time with the Gamecocks, with injuries sidelining him in 2023 and 2025. Health is the biggest question mark for Brubaker, if he can remain healthy, he should have a good chance to see time at center this year.

Whether Metcalf moves to center full-time by the end of spring practice will give significant clarity on newly promoted offensive line coach Joey Orck’s starting lineup heading into 2026. Metcalf, Hartsoe, and Brubaker all provide quality play at center and Metcalf’s versatility will allow Orck to find the best five players for his unit.

Edge Rusher

Virginia’s defense was much improved in 2025, with defensive coordinator John Rudzinski’s unit shutting down some of the most dynamic offenses and quarterbacks in college football. Virginia’s edge rushers played a huge part in this, with transfers Daniel Rickert and Mitchell Melton leading the charge off the edge and getting after quarterbacks. With Rickert and Melton graduating, defensive ends coach Chris Slade will be charged with following up their dominant 2025 season with a new group of returning players and transfers.

Fisher Camac returns with the most production in orange and blue, with 4.5 sacks and 45 tackles in 2025. The 6-foot-7 edge rusher who came to Virginia from UNLV is likely to emerge in a larger role with the 2026 Cavaliers after his productive season. Along with Camac, Virginia returns edge rushers Jewett Hayes, Gavin Johnson, Billy Koudelka, Chase Morrison, Gabe Sneed, and Evan Ward.

In the transfer portal, Virginia added four edge rushers: UTSA transfer Nnanna Anyanwu, Baylor transfer Matthew Fobbs-White, Yale transfer Ezekiel Larry, and Michigan transfer Devon Baxter.

Anyanwu’s career at UTSA was significantly hampered by injuries in the 2023 and 2024 season, however he saw significant playing time and production with the Roadrunners in 2025 getting five sacks and 23 tackles. UTSA has become one of the strongest talent factories in the entire Group of 6. Anyanwu is hoping for another healthy, productive season.

Ezekiel Larry led the Ivy League in sacks in 2025, with the Yale Bulldogs edge totaling 10.5 sacks. Yale’s defense was one of the strongest in all of FCS football, and Larry was a critical piece of Yale’s first FCS Playoff squad.

Devon Baxter rounds out Virginia’s transfer class at defensive end. Baxter, a highly-recruited edge prospect out of Maryland, returns to the east coast hoping to provide impact snaps for the ‘Hoos defense. Baylor transfer Matthew Fobbs-White is listed as a linebacker on Virginia’s roster. However it is likely that Fobbs-White will see some time on the edge as a stand-up linebacker or even as a pure edge on passing downs.

With at least two edge rushers on the field for any given play, Slade will be looking to find his best rotation and combination of edge rushers for each scenario. Expect the ‘Hoos to have two main starting defensive ends, who rotate out for substitutes geared for run or pass defense. Most positions on this Virginia team either have an entrenched returning starter or multiple transfers likely to take up a high percentage of snaps. Edge rusher is unique in that it will likely see the highest amount of joint production between transfers and returning players.

Quarterback

Without getting into the lawsuit-sized elephant in the Virginia quarterback room, the quarterback position will host one the the truest position battles of the spring. Like any football team, the quarterback group will be the most focused on as the Cavaliers return to the field with two highly regarded transfers competing for the starting job, Beau Pribula and Eli Holstein.

Pribula began his college career at Penn State, where he saw the field as a reserve behind starter Drew Allar. When Allar returned to Penn State instead of declaring for the draft in 2025, Pribula transferred to Missouri and won the starting job. Beau had a very productive season that was hampered towards the end by injury. Pribula helmed an explosive offense at Missouri which was very similar to Virginia’s, utilizing pistol formations, multiple tight ends, and explosive RPO/play action concepts through the air.

Holstein began his career at Alabama and transferred to Pitt, where he started games in 2024 and 2025. Holstein was replaced at Pitt by Mason Heintschel during the 2025 season and entered the transfer portal before arriving at UVA. Holstein is strongest from the pocket, with great feel for avoiding sacks and keeping his eyes downfield. Holstein brings two years of experience in the ACC against common opponents. Although his benching was not encouraging, a change of scenery could unlock a new gear for Holstein.

Virginia returns two quarterbacks from the 2025 season, reserve quarterbacks Cole Geer and Boone Lourd. Geer saw playing time against William & Mary as well as on a gadget package in the Gator Bowl against Missouri, with Lourd seeing the field in reserve against Coastal Carolina. Geer and Lourd both will look to grow within the offense and climb the depth chart this string.

Two first-years will join the Virginia quarterback room this spring as well. Eli Hamrick joins the Cavaliers out of North Carolina, who largely flew under the radar in high school recruiting due to Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic flash flooding forcing a transfer midway through his junior year. Hamrick excelled his senior year of high school, throwing 30 touchdowns with almost 2,500 yards through the air.

Virginia’s biggest potential wild card at quarterback is first-year athlete Jae’Oyn Williams, who excelled at quarterback for Maryland high school powerhouse Saint Frances Academy. Williams signed with UVA as an athlete and has been projected to running back or potentially receiver in the future.

This spring will tell us quite a bit about how Tony Elliott and Des Kitchings plan on using Williams in their offense. An interesting historic comparison for Williams is Vic Hall, who was a similarly gifted athlete coming out of high school and was a difference-maker for the ‘Hoos at quarterback, corner, returner, and wide receiver.

Safety

Virginia’s safeties were some of the most experienced players on the 2025 Virginia Cavaliers roster. Free safety Antonio Clary was one of the few players who entered the 2025 Commonwealth Clash with experience winning against the Hokies in 2019, and was one of the key leaders for the Cavaliers. Devin Neal brought significant experience to strong safety and made the game winning play in the Gator Bowl, breaking up what would have been a game-winning touchdown pass.

Safeties coach and defensive pass game coordinator Curome Cox will have no shortage of quality options both returning from the 2025 Cavaliers and from the transfer portal.

Ethan Minter leads the returning safeties with 47 total tackles from free safety. He emerged as a physical defender who can assist the run fit along with defending the pass. Corey Costner emerged during the back half of the 2025 season, with key interceptions against California and Duke in the ACC Championship game. Virginia also returns 2025 contributors Caleb Hardy, Montino Williams, Keke Adams.

Virginia added significant production through the transfer portal at safety, with four safeties joining the 2026 ‘Hoos. Portsmouth, Virginia’s Brandon Hillman returns to the Commonwealth from Michigan. Hillman was an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten safety for the Wolverines and will add significant physicality along with experience playing some of the best competition in the country in the Big 10.

Transfer addition Christian Ellis makes the rare move between Commonwealth Clash schools, joining the ‘Hoos from the Hokies. Prior to Virginia Tech, Ellis played for former Virginia head coach Bronco Mendenhall at New Mexico, starting 12 games and leading the Lobos in tackles. Ellis only played in five games for the Hokies before entering the transfer portal, and Ellis will be looking to earn an expanded role in the Cavalier secondary.

GM Tyler Jones has found great value in the transfer portal by recruiting productive, experienced players from the Group of 5 to Virginia’s roster. This transfer portal window was no different, with two G5 safety transfers added to the team. Buffalo transfer Jalen McNair was prolific for the Bulls, starting for in both the 2024 and 2025 season with significant production in both years. Georgia State Transfer Jaylen Jones broke out with Georgia State in 2025, providing significant value defending the run and the pass in one of the best conferences in the G5.

A necessary caveat for defensive back positions is that there is a low barrier of movement between corner, safety, and nickel, and we may see players at every defensive back position this spring. The Virginia secondary set the bar high in 2025, with multiple players providing defensive value throughout the season in various capacities. Spring football is equal parts development and experimentation, so expect the Virginia coaching staff to test out a multitude of groupings before the season kicks off this fall.

Tight End

Virginia offensive coordinator Des Kitchings utilized two tight end formations a great deal in the first half of the 2025 season. Sage Ennis and Dakota Twitty formed a thunder and lightning combination which worked to great effect in the Cavalier offense. Virginia’s offense needed to adjust significantly after Twitty suffered an awful season-ending injury against Louisville. While still successful, the offense lacked the versatility that having Ennis and Twitty provided.

With Ennis now preparing for the NFL draft and Twitty working his way back from injury, there will be significant opportunities for Virginia’s tight ends this spring to earn playing time. Along with Twitty, Virginia returns tight ends John Rogers, TeKai Kirby, Hayden Rollison, Henry Omohundro, Justin Zames, and Willem Thurber. Virginia added to the tight end room through the transfer portal with Connor Cox coming from North Carolina and Lukas Ungar from New Mexico State.

Considering how often Virginia has more than one tight end on the field, the goal of this spring will likely not be to determine it’s No. 1 tight end. It will be to find the best tight ends for each role and situation. In terms of prior performance, Twitty was vital early in the 2025 season, especially in the passing game, and John Rogers became increasingly involved in the offense towards the back half of the season working with Ennis. Outside of the aforementioned Twitty and Rogers, this spring will be our first look at many of these tight ends in extended action.

Overview

Spring practice will give Tony Elliott’s staff their first extended look at many of the new players that have been brought into the program. With fall camps typically focusing on game preparation and refining schemes with the players who are likely to see the field in a given year, spring football allows teams to give significant playing time to first-years, transfers, and players adapting to new positions. Expect to see some of Virginia’s more experienced stars to have a pitch count throughout the spring to balance training and injury prevention.

A successful spring for Virginia would include exiting with minimal injuries, identifying young players ready for increased playing time, and finding clarity at these five positions. The countdown to North Carolina State on August 29th in Rio De Janiero begins Tuesday, March 17th, when Virginia football hits the field again.

Colorado basketball star freshman Isaiah Johnson continues to rack up the awards following a standout freshman season.

On Tuesday, Johnson was named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-Mountain District First Team.

The All-Mountain team is one of 10 districts voted on by the NABC. Johnson is part of a 10-player first team representing Colorado, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Montana and Oklahoma.

Johnson is the Buffaloes' leading scorer at 16.9 points per game, which is the third-best mark in the Big 12 and No. 15 in the nation among freshmen. He broke the program's freshman scoring record with 540 points, besting Alec Burks' 512-point mark in 2009-10.

NABC All-Mountain District 1st Team: Isaiah Johnson 🦬@isaiahj___

🗞️ » https://t.co/BoFnMPgH4Xpic.twitter.com/DteH1F6Tp8

— Colorado Men's Basketball (@CUBuffsMBB) March 17, 2026

Johnson is CU's first NABC all-district player since KJ Simpson in 2023-24 and the 15th player overall honored by the organization.

Colorado fans will still get to see Johnson and the Buffs in section this spring as the team accepted an invitation to the College Basketball Crown for the second year in a row.

Here are the rest of the first team players from the All-Mountain District:

• Jaden Bradley, Arizona
• Brayden Burries, Arizona
• MJ Collins Jr., Utah State
• AJ Dybantsa, BYU
• Mason Falslev, Utah State
• Jake Hall, New Mexico
• Koa Peat, Arizona
• Anthony Roy, Oklahoma State
• Richie Saunders, BYU

Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Isaiah Johnson named NABC All-Mountain District First Team

Amid a breakout sophomore campaign, Iowa women’s basketball center Ava Heiden has been named a USBWA All-American honorable mention selection.

Through 32 games, Heiden is averaging 17.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per contest while shooting 64% from the floor. The percentage ranks second in the Big Ten and third nationally. Heiden is the 10th player in program history to shoot 64% or better from the field.

She also leads all Power Four players in points per game improvement over the last two seasons and is third nationally at +12.6 points per game. Heiden is the first Iowa player since Caitlin Clark to be named an USBWA All-American.

Heiden and the No. 2 seed Hawkeyes return to action on March 21 against No. 15 seed FDU in the NCAA Tournament’s opening round. Tipoff is slated for 3 p.m. CT inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa women’s basketball center Ava Heiden named USBWA All-American

The (presumably) first Denver Broncos player to welcome new wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to Mile High was a fitting one.

Just days after claiming he could take cornerback Pat Surtain on in a hypothetical fight, Broncos Country will get to see Surtain and Waddle now face off in practice after the Miami Dolphins agreed to trade the receiver to Denver.

Shortly after the trade was announced, Waddle posted a picture of himself and Surtain on a video call, all smiles. Waddle and Surtain were teammates at the University of Alabama, being drafted just three picks apart in 2021 (Waddle went sixth overall to Miami, Surtain ninth overall to Denver). Both players are now on a team that made the AFC Championship in 2026.

Surtain and Waddle are longtime friends, and were even roommates with the Crimson Tide. They appeared together last summer in South Florida, hanging out together.

It's safe to say there's no actual beef between the two good friends, and Waddle can help take Denver's offense to the next level in 2026.

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: NFL: Jaylen Waddle shared a perfect Instagram story after trade

Coach Guilherme Dalla Déa announced this Tuesday (17th) the 23 athletes called up by the Brazilian Men's Under-16 National Team for the Montaigu International Tournament. The players will gather in Rio on the 25th, the date of the trip to France.

Organized since 1976, the competition has become one of the most traditional and important youth tournaments in the world. The last edition in which Brazil participated was in 2022, when the generation led by Luís Guilherme, Pedrinho, and Endrick won the championship, breaking a 38-year drought.

After winning the Copa 2 de Julho and the Conmebol Evolution League, a tournament that brought together South American teams, Dalla Déa emphasized the importance of athletes facing different football schools worldwide.

“It is a fundamental tournament for the development of our young athletes, due to the importance of experiencing different schools. Last year, they won the Conmebol Evolution League, which was our first competition, and now there is nothing better than facing these schools. And thinking about the development of the players, this tournament is very important, especially for wearing the Brazilian National Team jersey,” he explained.

National Team Schedule

In group A of the competition, the Amarelinha will face Ivory Coast, China, and France. On the 31st, they will play against the Ivorians in Les Sables d’Olonne at 9:30 AM. Next, they will face the Chinese on April 2nd at 9:30 AM, and conclude the first phase against the French on the 4th at 9:00 AM in Montaigu. All times are Brasília time.

In group B are Japan, Peru, Mexico, and Portugal. The final will be decided between the leaders of the two groups on the 6th at 8:45 AM in Montaigu.

On the same day, there will also be other direct confrontations: 2nd of Group A vs. 2nd of Group B; 3rd of Group A vs. 3rd of Group B; and 4th of Group A vs. 4th of Group B.

Brazilian National Team won the Montaigu Tournament in 2022Credits: Bruno Pacheco/CBF

Check out the called-up athletes:

Goalkeepers

Audo Costa - Palmeiras

Matheus Rodrigues - Corinthians

Defenders

Jonathan Marinho - Bahia

Julio Cesar - Cruzeiro

Enzo Estevão - Atlético-MG

Geovane Santos - Vitória

Guilherme Silva - Athletico-PR

Ruan Pablo - Palmeiras

Lucas Miranda - São Paulo

Midfielders

João Gabriel - Grêmio

Lucas Lopes - Corinthians

Crystian Gabriel - Fluminense

Caio Henrique - Red Bull Bragantino

Noah Silva - Flamengo

Leonardo Rodrigues - Corinthians

José Henrique - Athletico-PR

Jean Carlos - Fluminense

Forwards

Allan Santos - Vasco

Arthur Diniz - Red Bull Bragantino

Caio Alcântara - Palmeiras

Cauã Machado - Botafogo

Daniel David - Bahia

Rodrigo Júnior - Vasco

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

It’s Real Madrid vs. Manchester City in the Champions League! Again! This time, Los Blancos have a 3-0 lead on aggregate, but they should expect Guardiola’s men to come out guns blazing at least during the first thirty minutes of the game. This game has the ingredients to be yet another instant classic between these two European powerhouses.

CONFIRMED LINEUPS

Real Madrid starting XI: Courtois; Trent, Huijsen, Rüdiger, Fran García; Tchouaméni, Thiago Pitarch, Valverde; Güler, Brahim, Vinicius.

Manchester City starting XI (TBC): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guéhi, Ait Nouri; Rodri, Bernardo; O’Reilly, Semenyo, Cherki; Haaland.

HOW TO WATCH, STREAM CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Date: 03/17/2025

Time: 21:00 CET, 03:00pm EST.

Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, UK.

Available TV: Movistar Liga Campeones (Spain)

Available Streaming: Paramount+, DAZN, Amazon Prime Video (USA)

Managing Madrid has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links.

Braves' $23 million .772 OPS outfielder is 'turning heads' in Spring Training originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Jurickson Profar's second PED suspension has opened significant playing time in the outfield for the Atlanta Braves. 

However, there's a veteran who seems to have the inside edge on the vacant spot in left field. 

Based on his spring training performance, Mike Yastrzemski is in line to receive everyday reps alongside Ronald Acuna Jr. and Michael Harris II. 

Yastrzemski, the grandson of Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski, has four home runs with a 1.451 OPS in 32 trips to the plate in spring training. He signed a two-year, $23 million contract with Atlanta after splitting last year with the San Francisco Giants and Kansas City Royals. 

Yastrzemski is 'turning heads' at Spring Training 

The Athletic's Jim Bowden asked each of MLB's 30 clubs to choose a player from the organization that is "turning heads" this spring, and the Braves noted Yastrzemski as a player they are impressed by. 

"Yastrzemski started last year with the Giants before being traded to the Royals at the deadline. On the season, he hit .233/.333/.403 with 28 doubles and 17 home runs in 146 games," Bowden wrote. "He looks ready to be an everyday player for the Braves this season, as he was for much of his Giants’ tenure." 

Braves president of baseball operations, Alex Anthopoulos, is high on Yastrzemski's potential impact on the club. 

“Mike has had a fantastic spring training on both sides of the ball," Anthopoulos told Bowden. "He’s also fit seamlessly into our clubhouse.”

More MLB news:

• Boston Red Sox named as potential trade partner for elite infielder who would crush the Green Monster
• New York Yankees trade pitch ends Jasson Dominguez experience but brings back a boring return
• Atlanta Braves trade pitch grabs Jasson Dominguez but moves on from a fan-favorite prospect
• Toronto Blue Jays trade idea sends fan-favorite veteran to Atlanta Braves for excellent return
• Atlanta Braves trade proposal adds much needed starter to fix issues in rotation
• Boston Red Sox skipper Alex Cora breaks silence on Caleb Durbin potentially making Opening Day roster

Mar. 17—BOX SCORE

At Steven J. Memorial Park

THUNDERBIRDS 12, WARRIORS 3

Tumwater201 414 0 — 12

Seattle C.003 000 0 — 3

TUM Pitching — Stevens 5 IP, 6 H, 3 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 11 K; Rich 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K. Highlights — Barrett 3-5, 3B, 2B, 2 RBI, 3 R; Womach 1-4, 3 RBI, R; Schiley 2-4, 2 R.

SC Pitching — Knight 3 IP, 5 H, 3 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 3 K; Blase 3 IP, 6 H, 9 R (6 ER), 5 BB; Sutphin 1 IP, 1 H. Highlights — Figgins 1-3, 2 RBI.

The returning state-placing Thunderbirds jumped out to an early cushion and took Monday's non-league game over in the middle three frames to beat the Warriors 12-3 at Steven J. Memorial Park.

Southpaw Sarah Stevens didn't allow an earned run and notched 11 strikeouts for Tumwater (1-0), which struggled defensively with four errors. The offense rose to the occasion with four runs in both the fourth and sixth innings.

Megan Barrett broke a 3-3 tie with a two-run single in the fourth and Brielle Womach capped the frame with a sacrifice fly. RBI base hits from Womach and Kiera Rich plus two crossing home on an error highlighted the sixth.

Barrett notched three hits and scored three times while Womach drove in three runs and stole two bases. Four T-Birds recorded extra base hits as they continue their non-league schedule with a game versus Steilacoom on Thursday.

Roma’s attempt to overturn Wesley’s red card suspension has failed, with the sporting judge rejecting their appeal and confirming the Brazilian will miss the club’s next Serie A fixture against Lecce.

Roma had argued the second yellow card shown to Wesley during Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at Como was the result of mistaken identity, claiming the foul on Diao had actually been committed by Rensch rather than Wesley.

Under VAR protocol, a case of mistaken identity would be grounds for intervention, but the sporting judge ruled that no such error had occurred, stating there were no grounds to apply the relevant article of the regulations, according to CalcioMercato.

ROME, ITALY – MARCH 01: Wesley of AS Roma during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Juventus FC at Stadio Olimpico on March 01, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Blow for Roma as no grounds for Wesley suspension being overturned

The VAR analysis, as detailed on DAZN’s Open VAR programme, supports that conclusion.

Officials Fabbri and Gariglio reviewed the incident immediately and confirmed without doubt that Wesley, not Rensch, made the challenge, with his right leg clearly making contact.

The on-field referee also clarified that he had initially played advantage following a separate Pellegrini challenge before whistling for Wesley’s foul, which VAR confirmed was not on the ball.

The 2-1 result stands, Wesley’s suspension is upheld, and Gasperini will be without the wide man for the Lecce game.

The silver lining for Roma is that he will be able to give his all in the Europa League quarter-final second leg against Bologna, a match that carries enormous importance with the tie level at 1-1, with Tsimikas likely to cover against Lecce when the Brazilian takes his place in the stands.

Joan Laporta will take over a fourth mandate at Barcelona this summer, and already he is advancing his plans once he does so. One of those may involve a return to their training ground stadium the Estadi Johan Cruyff in two seasons’ time, due to the ongoing renovation work at Camp Nou.

The stadium, which is now 18 months behind schedule, looks a long way from being completed. The reopening of Camp Nou had been pushed back to the start of this season, but Barcelona were forced to play two opening games at the Estadi Johan Cruyff, which only holds 8,000 people as a result of further delays, before returning to Montjuic. Currently it is the stadium used by Barca Atletic, and for the most part Barcelona Femeni.

‘We want to expand the Johan Cruyff by 10,000’

During an interview with RAC1,  Laporta revealed that they may be forced to do so again in 2027. The third tier is due to be operation next season, but the roof will not be installed for at least 18 months more. Laporta explained Barcelona may be forced to go back to the Estadi Johan Cruyff while it is carried out. MD provided his words.

“The alternative for certain matches while the roof is being installed – starting in the summer of 2027 – is the Johan Cruyff Stadium, for a short period. We want to expand the Johan Cruyff Stadium by 10,000 spectators. The Sant Joan Despi City Council has no objection; we don’t want to go back to Montjuïc.”

“With the stadium finished, we will reach €450m euros in revenue; currently, we’re at €125m. We can already see that reality is exceeding expectations,” Laporta said, noting that the plans are in the early phases.

Laporta on Messi silence

Another of the points of attack for Laporta’s presidential rivals was his handling of Lionel Messi’s exit. The Argentina international has voiced a desire to play at Camp Nou again, but it is not clear whether he would do so with Laporta there, as he and his family reportedly blame him for the exit. Messi did not get involved in the elections though.

“I would be absolutely delighted to sort this out. The priority is finishing the stadium. Economic recovery is fundamental. Regarding the more personal and club-related matters, and the club’s fairness, I’m glad [Messi] didn’t take a position in the elections.”

In terms of other relations, Laporta commented that La Liga President Javier Tebas had congratulated him. He was unsure if Real Madrid counterpart Florentino Perez had done so, but noted that a cooling off of tension between the two clubs was impossible ‘while he insists on the pursuing the Negreira case.’

Real Madrid and Perez have been far more vocal about the Negreira case since Barcelona and Laporta decided not to continue ahead with the Superleague. Los Blancos appear as a claimant in the case, with Barcelona accused of sporting corruption, but Laporta has denied any wrongdoing.

Kyle Walker (35) has revealed his ambition to complete a “dream” return to Sheffield United before bringing his playing career to a close, Sky Sports reports.

The 35-year-old Burnley defender, who recently announced his retirement from international duty with England national football team, insists he is not yet ready to step away from the club game. Instead, the experienced full-back is targeting a sentimental homecoming to the club where his journey began.

Walker joined Sheffield United at the age of six and progressed through the academy ranks before departing at 19, going on to enjoy a decorated career that included major honours with Manchester City.

Reflecting on his roots, Walker said: “It’s always been a dream to play for Sheffield United again. To start there at six years old and then leaving at 19. I spent so many incredible years there. I hope to play for them again. I don’t know when that will be. I don’t know if they will want me.”

Despite entering the latter stages of his career, Walker remains under contract at Burnley for more than a year and believes he can continue competing at the highest level for “a few more years” before contemplating a return to Bramall Lane.

GFN | Finn Entwistle

The Indianapolis Colts are reportedly making another free agent addition at defensive tackle.

According to the Indy Star's Joel Erickson, the Colts are signing defensive tackle Jerry Tillery.

A former first-round pick by the Chargers in 2019, Tillery has appeared in 113 NFL games and made 53 starts. After three-plus seasons with the Chargers, Tillery spent time with the Raiders, one year with Minnesota, and this most recent season in Kansas City.

Colts sign free agent defensive tackle Jerry Tillery

During the 2020 and 2021 seasons, Tillery averaged almost 800 snaps a season over those two years. Since then, however, he has averaged 452 snaps over the last four seasons.

Colts are signing former Vikings DT Jerry Tillery and former Notre Dame basketball player Carson Towt as a TE

— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) March 17, 2026

The bulk of Tillery's snaps over his career have come as a pass rusher. His most productive season was in 2020, when he generated 35 pressures. Over the last three seasons, he generated 29 pressures in 2023, followed by 17 pressures in 2024, and 12 pressures last season.

For what it's worth, Tillery has not graded out well as a run defender in his career.

Tillery has been very durable throughout his career, which includes not missing a game in three seasons.

Why did the Colts sign Jerry Tillery?

The addition of Tillery provides added competition to the defensive tackle rotation behind DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart. Perhaps the hope is that Tillery can provide an added pass rush presence, competing with Adetomiwa Adebawore and Colby Wooden, who won't be playing nose tackle with the Colts, for playing time.

(This article will be updated.)

This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: NFL free agency: Colts sign DT Jerry Tillery

Mar. 17—BOX SCORE

At Adna HS

PIRATES 9, WOLVES 3

Black Hills002 010 0 — 3

Adna320 310 X — 9

BH Pitching — Knight 2 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 0 SO; O'Shurak 4 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 6 SO. Highlights — O'Shurak 1-3, HR, 2 RBI, R; Knight 2-3, 2B, R; Oderman 1-4, 2B, R

ADNA Pitching — LaFontaine 3 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO; Myers 3 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 SO; Baggenstos 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO. Highlights — Olson 2-2, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R; Dollarhyde 2-2, HR, 3 RBI, R; Carroll 1-3, RBI, R, BB

The Pirates' quest for a fourth consecutive Class 2B state tournament started off on the right foot thanks to a quick lead and enough pitching to hold off 2A Black Hills 9-3 at home on Monday night.

Newcomer Tieander Olson, who missed 99 percent of the basketball season, showed out in her first softball game with a two-run home run in the bottom of the first and an RBI double in the second. Brytin Dollarhyde also went deep and drove in three runs plus Charlie Myers left the yard.

Myers, Avery LaFontaine and Teagan Baggenstos combined to allow just four hits and struck out six batters for Adna (1-0).

Black Hills (0-2) chipped away at the deficit on a two-run home run from Hannah O'Shurak, but it never got within three runs the rest of the way. Madddie Knight and Makenna Oderman each had a double and a run scored.

The Wolves hosts 3A Capital on Friday and the Pirates will battle arch rival Napavine in a non-league contest on Thursday.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — Lionel Messi and Inter Miami have a few things to look forward to in their next match, a clash with rival Nashville SC in the second leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup round-of-16 series on Wednesday.

Messi is still sitting on 899 career goals for club and country, waiting to join the 900 club like longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo (965).

Perhaps slightly more important for Inter Miami: The contest will be the first home match of the season for the defending MLS Cup champions.

Inter Miami will host the match at its old stadium in Fort Lauderdale – Inter Miami CF Stadium – as the Herons await the April 4 opening of their new venue, Nu Stadium at Miami Freedom Park, against Austin FC.

Inter Miami started the year with preseason matches in Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Puerto Rico. They’ve played MLS matches in Los Angeles, Orlando and Baltimore. And they played to a competitive, but scoreless draw in the first leg at Nashville last week.

“It's a very important match where we’re going to need your support to get through this tie, which is so evenly matched — not only in terms of the score but also in terms of the quality of both teams,” Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said imploring fans to attend during a press conference on Tuesday, March 17.

“It will be the last game in this stadium, as we’ve been saying. So, I think it’s a great opportunity for everyone to come out.”

How to watch Inter Miami vs. Nashville SC match on Wednesday?

The match will be available on FS2 in English, and TUDN in Spanish on Wednesday night.

What time is the Inter Miami vs. Nashville SC match?

The match begins at 7 p.m. ET (9 p.m. in Argentina).

Will Messi play vs. Nashville?

Messi and his teammates returned to practice on Tuesday on a gray and chilly morning by South Florida standards, but their energy was high during a rondo session to begin the portion open to the media.

Messi and midfielder Rodrigo De Paul will return to action after skipping last Saturday’s scoreless draw at Charlotte FC for rest purposes. The only player missing from practice was defender Maxi Falcon, who could miss his second straight match after suffering a knee injury.

“Leo and Rodrigo are in perfect condition,” Mascherano said of the Argentine world champions. Along with their playing load and travel from eight previous matches, Mascherano said Charlotte’s “tricky” artificial surface was another reason both players were held out.

Inter Miami vs. Nashville series

Inter Miami and Nashville meet again in a winner-take-all matchup for the fourth time in recent memory.

Inter Miami beat Nashville in a penalty shootout to win the 2023 Leagues Cup title. Inter Miami beat Nashville in the Champions Cup round of 16 in 2024. And Inter Miami eliminated Nashville in a best-of-three series to open MLS Cup playoffs last season.

Overall, Nashville has won just once in the last 12 matches against Inter Miami.

Inter Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair had five saves in the first leg against Nashville, a drastic improvement from allowing six goals in his first three starts in the MLS regular season.

“I wish I was able to adapt a little bit quicker than I did, but now I think I feel a lot more comfortable, having a performance like that in the first leg,” St. Clair said.

“Obviously keeping a clean sheet [Wednesday] will be a big priority for us, so I’m feeling ready for the challenge, and looking forward to just building on each performance throughout the season.”

Messi’s upcoming schedule with Inter Miami

• March 18: Inter Miami vs. Nashville SC, 7 p.m. ET (Concacaf Champions Cup, second leg)
• March 22: New York City FC vs. Inter Miami, 1 p.m. ET (MLS regular season)
• March 23-31: FIFA International Window
• April 4: Inter Miami vs. Austin FC, 7:30 p.m. ET (MLS regular season)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Inter Miami vs Nashville SC time, TV, how to watch, is Messi playing?

The Houston Texans have found their long-term answer at left guard.

According to reports, the Texans and three-time Pro Bowl guard Wyatt Teller have agreed to terms on a deal that will bring him to Houston. According to KPRC 2 Sports' Aaron Wilson, it's a two-year deal with a $23 million max value, including a $16 million base value.

Teller, who has spent seven of his eight NFL seasons with the Cleveland Browns, hopes to be the last known piece to fix the offensive line this offseason following the signings of Braden Smith and the re-signing of breakout player Ed Ingram.

A standout for the Browns, the 31-year-old interior offensive lineman made 94 starts in Cleveland. He earned two All-Pro nods and helped the Browns end their 18-year playoff drought while winning a game in 2020.

The #Texans have agreed to terms on a two-year deal with G Wyatt Teller, sources tell me and @RapSheet. A three-time Pro Bowler with the #Browns, Teller finds a new home in Houston. pic.twitter.com/h5yWgJwlzl

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 17, 2026

Teller is coming off a career-low season, but Houston is banking on the upside. According to NFL Next Gen Stats allowed just three sacks last season, but a 9.8% quarterback pressure rate. The area of strength? Run blocking, where Teller finished with a 65.7 grade by Pro Football Focus, which ranked 36th out of 81 interior offensive linemen.

From a scheme fit, Teller should provide a boost to an offensive line that needed reinforcements and has been rebuilt by general manager Nick Caserio for the second straight offseason. Houston should have three guaranteed new starters and potentially a fourth via the draft by the time Week 1 rolls around.

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans continue offensive line rebuild, sign ex-Browns OG Wyatt Teller

March Madness is nearly upon us, but you still have time to fill out your perfect brackets for the men's and women's NCAA tournaments.

First-round action for the Badgers will begin on Thursday (1:50 p.m. ET, TBS) as 5-seed Wisconsin takes on 12-seed High Point.

Compete against Badgers Wire readers in our bracket challenge. Just click the links below to join the free pools.

Men's bracket pool:Join the Badgers Wire men's March Madness Bracket Challenge here!

Be sure to also join the USA TODAY Bracket Challenge for your chance to win up to $40,000 in prizes and a shot at a $1 million perfect bracket.

More March Madness:

• March Madness average total points tiebreaker: What to pick in 2026
• Ranking all 68 of the 2026 men's March Madness teams by mascot

This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: March Madness: Join the 2026 Badgers Wire bracket pool

There is no doubt that Warriors star Steph Curry is the greatest shooter the game of basketball has ever seen. But for one of Curry’s newest teammates in Golden State, Kristaps Porziņģis, the two-time NBA MVP is at an even greater level. “Oh man, this is the GOAT, you know what I mean,” Porziņģis told NBC Sports Bay Area’s Bonta Hill, Chris Mullin and Festus Ezeli Monday on “Warriors Postgame Live.” “To play with somebody like that, it’s going to be unbelievable. Obviously, from playing against him, I know what type of a player he is. And [with] the gravity he brings, it just opens everything up for everybody else. So, hopefully he will be back with us soon.”

NBC Sports Bay Area

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Kristaps Porzingis calls new teammate Stephen Curry ‘the GOAT’

Kellan Olson: Grayson Allen (left knee soreness) is doubtful for tonight's Suns game against the Timberwolves. Haywood Highsmith (right knee injury management) is questionable. Dillon Brooks and Mark Williams remain out. Anthony Edwards (right knee soreness) is out for Minnesota.

Twitter

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Grayson Allen (left knee soreness) is doubtful for …

A Georgia man is accused of a fraud and sex trafficking scheme that involved the identity of an adult star to target professional athletes. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia says Kwamaine Ford is charged with wire fraud, computer fraud, identify theft, sex trafficking and more. Investigators say Ford, of Buford, posed as a well known adult film star, offering to send explicit videos to NBA and NFL players. He is also accused of spoofing Apple customer service accounts to obtain usernames and passwords to supposedly access the videos.

WSB Channel 2

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Ford, of Buford, posed as a well known adult film …

Ray Tracing is coming to Death Stranding 2 on PC PC players will have access to optional ray tracing upgrades in Death Stranding 2 Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is coming to PC on March 19th, with new content arriving on PlayStation 5 on the same day. New content includes a new difficulty mode […]

The post Sony confirms PC-only ray tracing settings for Death Stranding 2 appeared first on OC3D.

FraudSentry is a personal fraud detective that analyzes suspicious texts, emails, links, screenshots, and documents in seconds. It uses AI with a curated database of 100,000+ threat patterns to trace links, surface red flags, and reveal how schemes operate. You receive a clear, actionable report with the evidence, recommended next steps, and easy sharing to protect family and friends. Coming soon to TestFlight for iOS, with Android and web later this year.

View startup

The post Every $1 Million Into XRP Is Moving the Market Cap by $490 Million: Here Is Why That Changes Everything appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Crypto markets started the week on a strong note, with XRP moving higher alongside broader gains. XRP is trading near $1.52, posting a modest 2.5% daily gain with strong volume above $5.2 billion, showing steady market interest. While still well below its $3.84 peak, the token maintains stable short-term sentiment backed by consistent trading activity. 

Not focusing on the short-term price action, crypto analyst Zach Rector, in his video, shifts the community’s focus beyond price action and dives into the mechanics behind the move, showing how small inflows are already driving massive changes in valuation. While the current sentiment may not appear very strong, the analyst is focused on building a long-term case for XRP.

Calm Surface, Deeper Stress

Rector begins with the global backdrop, where markets appear steady despite ongoing geopolitical tensions. Oil prices in Western markets have cooled, giving the impression that risks are fading. However, pricing in other regions tells a different story, hinting that underlying pressures are still present.

A more serious issue lies in private credit. Nearly 40% of borrowers are dealing with negative cash flow, while default rates are climbing. Large institutions like BlackRock and Blackstone are already facing redemption pressure, pointing to tightening liquidity across the system.

XRP’s Growing Role in Finance

On the crypto side, XRP continues to expand its presence in real-world applications. Ripple’s partnerships are enabling faster global payments, reducing settlement times from days to seconds.

“I’m already in an XRP long, but I still have my order set.”

Adding more depth, he said that XRP functions as a neutral bridge between financial networks. This allows different systems, whether banks or digital platforms, to interact smoothly, strengthening XRP’s position in cross-border transactions.

• Also Read :
•   XRP, ETH, and BNB Look Strong—But Ozak AI Prediction Stands in a League of Its Own
•   ,

Inside the 490x Market Cap Multiplier

The most important part of the analysis comes from a detailed picture of inflows and market cap movement. Over 24 hours, XRP recorded roughly $21.3 million in inflows and $4.27 million in outflows, leaving about $17.05 million in net inflows.

During the same period, XRP’s market cap rose from around $86 billion to $94.5 billion, an increase of $8.36 billion.

Hence, when dividing the market cap increase by net inflows, the result is a 490x multiplier.

This shows how sensitive XRP is to capital entering the market. Even relatively small inflows can drive massive valuation changes, which becomes even more significant when considering larger institutional participation.

Range Still Intact

Moving on to XRP price, He explains that XRP is still trading within a broader range, with the current move near $1.50 sitting at the upper boundary rather than confirming a breakout. He notes that a stronger upward trend would only begin if price moves above the $1.80–$2.40 zone, while on the downside, liquidity sits around $1.20 and near $1, where price could revisit. 

“But from a technical standpoint, we are at just the higher end of the range we’ve been consolidating in for the past couple of months.”

Overall, he views the current action as part of consolidation, with both upside and downside still in play.

Never Miss a Beat in the Crypto World!

Stay ahead with breaking news, expert analysis, and real-time updates on the latest trends in Bitcoin, altcoins, DeFi, NFTs, and more.

Subscribe to News

FAQs

The post XRP News: RLUSD Just Crossed $1.5 Billion and Six of Brazil’s Biggest Financial Institutions Are Already On Board appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Ripple has announced its most significant expansion in Latin America to date, moving well beyond its original payments focus to position itself as a full-service institutional financial infrastructure provider in Brazil, one of the world’s most active and rapidly evolving digital asset markets.

The announcement, made from São Paulo on Monday, covers five distinct product lines: cross-border payments, digital asset custody, stablecoin infrastructure, prime brokerage, and treasury management. Ripple is also applying for a Virtual Asset Service Provider licence with the Central Bank of Brazil, signalling a long-term regulatory commitment to the market rather than opportunistic participation.

Why Brazil

Brazil is not a speculative bet for Ripple. It is already a functioning market. The company has processed over $100 billion in payments volume globally and holds coverage across more than 60 markets. In Brazil specifically, a roster of established financial institutions has already integrated Ripple infrastructure into live operations.

Banco Genial is using Ripple for same-day USD disbursements and is expanding into RLUSD settlement. Braza Bank, one of Brazil’s largest foreign exchange institutions by volume, has issued a Brazilian Real-pegged stablecoin directly on the XRP Ledger. 

Nomad, a fintech serving over three million users, uses Ripple to manage treasury flows between Brazil and the United States. Justoken has already tokenised over $1.7 billion in assets on the XRP Ledger and will use Ripple Custody to expand into natural resource tokenisation across Latin America.

RLUSD Gaining Ground Fast

Ripple’s USD-backed stablecoin RLUSD has surpassed $1.5 billion in market cap and is already listed by Mercado Bitcoin, Foxbit, Ripio, Braza Bank, Banco Genial and Attrus in the Brazilian market. Backed by regulatory oversight from both the New York Department of Financial Services and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, it carries compliance credentials that most stablecoins competing in the enterprise space cannot match.

The expansion coincides with Ripple Prime, its institutional brokerage business built from the acquisition of Hidden Road, which clears over $3 trillion annually across FX, digital assets, derivatives and fixed income. 

Combined with Ripple Treasury, which gives corporate finance teams real-time liquidity management and 24/7 cross-border payment execution, Ripple is no longer pitching itself as a payments company with crypto ambitions.

It is pitching itself as the financial operating system for institutions in a digitising economy. Brazil, with its advanced regulatory framework and large financially active population, is where that pitch is being tested at scale first.

The post Bitcoin Everlight Nodes: Secure 21% APY Without the Hassle appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Running a validator node has always been the most direct way to earn from a blockchain network. The economics are compelling — nodes sit at the center of transaction validation, and the infrastructure that powers a network tends to generate better returns than simply holding its token on the sidelines. The problem has always been everything that comes with it: the hardware costs, the technical setup, the ongoing maintenance, and the very real risk of downtime eating into whatever yield you were trying to capture in the first place.

Bitcoin Everlight was built to separate the reward side of node participation from the operational burden that has historically made it inaccessible to most crypto participants.

The Node Framework Behind the Shards

When Bitcoin Everlight first launched, its architecture was built entirely on Transaction Validation Nodes — the technical backbone of the network responsible for validation, routing, and reward distribution. Those nodes remain the core infrastructure today. What changed in V2 was the participation model sitting on top of them.

The introduction of Everlight Shards gave regular users a way to connect their capital to that node infrastructure without operating any of it directly. Each shard represents an activation tier within the Transaction Validation Node network. When a shard is active, it participates in the network’s validation activity and draws from the reward pool that activity generates — the same pool that node operators access, abstracted into a single activation step that requires no technical background whatsoever.

The project completed dual smart contract audits through Spywolf and Solidproof, alongside dual KYC verifications through Spywolf and Vital Block — independent verification of both the contract and the team’s identity before a single token was sold.

Four Steps to an Active Position

The activation process starts with acquiring BTCL tokens during the current presale phase, with entry available from $50. Once a participant’s total USD commitment crosses a tier threshold, the shard activates automatically based on the value committed at purchase — no manual intervention, no approval process, no additional steps required.

From the moment of activation, the shard begins participating in the Transaction Validation Node network and rewards start distributing immediately. Tokens remain locked for the duration of the presale and commitments are final, which ensures participants are genuinely aligned with the network rather than treating it as a short-term position to flip.

When mainnet launches, the fixed presale APY gives way to performance-based BTC distribution. Rewards after launch are calculated as a proportional share of network volume multiplied by the fee rate, divided across all active shards. The reward currency shifts from BTCL to actual Bitcoin — drawn from real transaction routing activity rather than from a fixed incentive pool.

How the Tiers Are Structured

The Azure Shard activates at a $500 commitment and earns up to 12% APY in BTCL during the presale period, carrying into BTC rewards when mainnet launches. The Violet Shard activates at $1,500 with up to 18% APY during presale — the mid-tier position that sits closest to the 21% figure that has attracted attention in the space, offering meaningful yield without requiring the highest commitment level. The Radiant Shard activates at $3,000 with up to 28% APY during presale and represents the deepest participation tier currently available, transitioning to the same BTC reward structure at launch.

Participants holding tokens below any threshold maintain a dormant shard position that activates automatically when their balance reaches the next tier. After mainnet, shard tiers are maintained through ongoing USD-equivalent BTCL balance rather than locked in permanently by a single purchase — meaning the system reflects continued economic participation rather than a one-time buy-in entitlement. If a balance falls below a threshold, the shard adjusts to the appropriate tier. If BTCL appreciates and holdings grow above the next threshold, the shard upgrades accordingly.

The governance model also allows tier thresholds to be reviewed through formal protocol governance if long-term sustainability requires adjustments. Any changes would follow a transparent, proposal-based process structured to preserve fairness across the ecosystem.

The Part That Makes Node Participation Worth Revisiting

Most projects that offer node-level rewards do so in their own native token. The yield looks attractive on paper until you factor in that the reward’s real-world value tracks the same price movements as the asset you’re already holding. When the token drops, both the principal and everything accumulated along the way lose value in parallel.

Bitcoin Everlight’s post-mainnet reward output is denominated in BTC — the product of actual transaction fee activity flowing through the validation infrastructure, paid in an asset whose value is entirely independent of BTCL’s price performance. For participants focused on Bitcoin accumulation rather than speculative token exposure, that reward structure puts this closer to infrastructure participation than it is to a conventional crypto yield product.

Six Days at $0.0008

Bitcoin Everlight is currently in Phase 1 of its presale — a phase that runs for 6 days, with 472,500,000 tokens available at $0.0008 per token. Shards activated during this phase begin earning BTCL rewards immediately and carry that position directly into the mainnet BTC reward phase at the lowest available entry pricing.

The node-level yields that have historically required significant technical overhead and capital outlay now have a much lower barrier to entry. Phase 1 is where that barrier is at its lowest.

See How Activation Works

As Bitcoin Everlight continues building out its validation infrastructure, early participants are beginning to explore what the shard activation model means for their Bitcoin exposure strategy.

Users interested in learning more about Everlight Shards and the BTC reward distribution can explore the platform here:

https://bitcoineverlight.com/btc-digital

The post Bitcoin Price Prediction March 2026: Three Support Levels That Will Decide BTC’s Next Move appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Bitcoin slipped back below a critical resistance threshold on Monday after failing to sustain gains above $74,450, a price level that has defined the upper boundary of the market’s range since April last year. 

The retreat has renewed bearish sentiment across trading communities, though the pullback is broadly consistent with the choppy, overlapping structure that has characterised Bitcoin’s price action throughout the current correction phase.

The Level That Matters

The $74,450 mark carries particular technical weight. It represents the April 2025 low, a price point that transitioned from support to resistance following Bitcoin’s decline from its January peak. 

The level has now been tested on multiple occasions without a sustained hold above it, a pattern that typically signals either an imminent breakout or a more significant retreat toward lower support zones.

The current pullback of approximately 3.5% from recent highs has been treated by some market participants as evidence of a broader breakdown. Technical analysts tracking the structure view it differently, saying that sharp setbacks and overlapping price action are characteristic of a counter-trend advance rather than a confirmed trending move. The distinction matters because it shapes realistic expectations for how quickly and cleanly Bitcoin can push higher from current levels.

Three Support Levels Now Defining the Range

The immediate support zone sits between $69,378 and $71,840. Holding this range is considered necessary for any direct continuation toward $74,450 and beyond to remain technically viable.

A break below $69,378 would shift focus to an intermediate trend line within the broader range, where a temporary reaction is possible before any further decline develops.

The deeper support region lies between $61,530 and $64,560, representing the most structurally significant floor in the current market. A test of this zone would not invalidate longer-term upside expectations but would substantially reset near-term positioning.

The post Pi Network News: Why Some Community Members Are Calling Pi ‘Dead’ and Predicting a Drop Below $0.1 appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

Pi Network is facing one of its most serious credibility challenges since launch. The token is down 9.13% in the past 24 hours to $0.177, extending a weekly decline of 19.5% and sitting 87% below its all-time high. But the price drop is almost secondary to the conversation happening inside the community right now.

“I Declare Pi Has Already Collapsed”

The spark came from a widely followed community voice known as Dr. Pi, who posted a bold and emotionally charged statement on X that has since circulated across the PI ecosystem.

“I declare that Pi has already collapsed,” they wrote. “This is all due to the poor performance of the Pi Core Team, which has triggered extreme dissatisfaction within the community. At their current pace of development, there won’t be any positive news in the next 3 to 6 months. Under continuous large-scale migrations, Pi will drop below $0.10.”

The core frustration centres on a migration inequality that has visibly divided the community. While some Pioneers who completed their first migration are already being processed for a second, a significant portion of the community has not yet had their first migration processed at all. Many have not even cleared KYC.

“Our first migration hasn’t even started, while some pioneers are already on their second migration,” he said. “This has further intensified the community’s resistance sentiment.”

In a follow-up post, Dr. Pi added that if the Launchpad and Pi DEX do not go live on Mainnet soon, confidence will not recover. “Many people have already completely lost confidence and won’t come back,” he wrote.

The KYC Frustration Is Real

The migration grievance is not isolated. Community member Awan confirmed in the replies that despite completing KYC a long time ago and submitting data to the support team, verification remains stuck at the same position with no update.

Others pointed out that KYC completion is not guaranteed for everyone. Mohammed Musa noted that Pioneers who have ever been flagged by their government for fraud or anti-money laundering violations cannot pass Pi’s verification process, adding a compliance layer that is quietly blocking portions of the user base from ever participating in migrations regardless of effort.

What the Data Actually Shows

Amid the community anger, the price data tells a concerning structural story. Pi’s turnover ratio, which measures trading volume against market cap, sits at just 2.43%. In practical terms this means the market is extremely thin. 

If $0.177 fails to hold, the next significant support sits at the yearly low around $0.15. A recovery back above $0.20 is the minimum threshold analysts say would be needed to signal any stabilisation, let alone a trend reversal.

American Cruise Lines’ new riverboat American Encore completes sea trials and sails toward the Pacific Northwest for its inaugural Columbia and Snake River cruise season.

Carnival Cruise Line cancels 11 sailings of Carnival Firenze from Long Beach in fall 2026, offering rebooking or refunds. Thousands impacted.

Korea Tourism plans to increase Indian arrivals with new initiatives following a 13% rise in 2025, hosting roadshows in New Delhi and Mumbai to engage the Indian travel trade.

Virginia launches 2026 Statewide Rail Plan survey inviting public input on future passenger and freight rail priorities shaping long-term transport.

Julia Spieler joins W Philadelphia and Element Philadelphia Downtown as Complex Director of Marketing, ready to drive growth and innovation in hospitality.

Planning to fly through King Khalid International Airport? Get the latest 2026 updates on Riyadh Airport (RUH) status, terminal facilities, and regional travel alerts.

Dublin’s St Patrick’s Festival 2026 turns the world green feeling travel demand with epic parades culture & global landmark illuminations.

Cruise Industry Crisis now facing massive cancellations surge and huge fuel prices explode as global nautical tourism chaos reshapes travel forever, revealing what it means for travellers right now.

British Airways, the iconic British airline, has unveiled a significant expansion of its network for winter 2026, set to increase its long-haul capacity by a remarkable nine per cent. The expanded schedule features new destinations, additional flights from key U.S. …

New Jersey prepares to host the FIFA World Cup 2026 celebrating the state's 250th anniversary with local events tourism & boost to the economy.

Samsung and Nvidia shared big news about a new AI chip, Groq 3, at the GTC 2026. This chip is created by Groq but will be manufactured by Samsung using its 4nm technology.

This announcement is important because Nvidia had stopped working with Samsung some years ago and chose TSMC to produce its chips instead. Now, Nvidia is returning to Samsung, which is a positive sign for Samsung’s chip business.

Groq 3 is not like most AI chips. Many AI chips today depend on HBM to achieve fast performance. However, Groq 3 uses a different method. It has a large amount of built-in memory, SRAM. Because of this, it can move data very quickly, reaching speeds up to 150TB per second. This makes it much faster than many chips that rely on HBM.

Source – Nvidia Blog

This chip is specially made for AI tasks like chatbots and real-time responses. It works very well for tasks where quick answers are needed, such as talking to AI assistants. It is also useful for agentic AI, where AI systems can perform tasks on their own step by step.

On the other hand, Nvidia’s Rubin chips are more general-purpose and better for training AI models and handling large data tasks. Both types of chips can work together in future systems.

The post Samsung to produce Groq 3 AI inference chip for Nvidia appeared first on Sammy Fans.

Samsung has released a new update for its Routines+ Good Lock module. The update comes as version 1.1.23 and brings improvements to make the app faster, smoother, and easier to use.

The fresh update includes an improved Touch Macro feature for One UI 8.5. Touch Macro lets users automate actions on their phone without doing them manually. With this update, Touch Macro works more smoothly and accurately, mainly for devices running One UI 8.5.

In addition, the update optimizes the app’s performance. The app should now open faster, run more efficiently, and use less memory. These improvements help make Routines+ more stable.

Image via SammyFans

Samsung Routines+ is an app that helps you automate daily tasks. You can create routines that run automatically based on triggers like time, location, or device status. For example, you can set your phone to turn on Wi-Fi when you get home, silence notifications at night, or open your favorite apps when you connect headphones. The app is designed to make life easier and save time.

The new version 1.1.23 of Samsung Routines+ is now available on the Galaxy Store. Samsung users with compatible devices can update the app to enjoy smoother Touch Macro actions and faster overall performance. You can download the update via Galaxy Store or directly from the Good Lock app.

The post Samsung Routines+ introduces enhanced Touch Macro support for One UI 8.5 appeared first on Sammy Fans.

Google is expanding Personal Intelligence to free U.S. users in AI Mode, connecting Gmail and Photos to search. Gemini app and Chrome rollout starting.

The post Google AI Mode’s Personal Intelligence Now Free In U.S. appeared first on Search Engine Journal.

Now that the Oppo Find N6 is official, let's take a closer look at it. We already did an unboxing, but to recap, it ships with a two-piece case, an 80W charger, and a USB cable. You have a choice of two colors - Stellar Titanium and Blossom Orange, and three configurations - 12/256GB, 16/512GB, and 16GB/1TB. Big this year is the zero-feel crease inner display. It truly feels impressive. The crease is there if you go looking for it, but it genuinely feels like the two halves intersect perfectly, without a crease. Oppo achieved this by laser-measuring the differences in hinge depth...

Last week, Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen announced that he will step down from the lead role once a successor has been appointed. Narayen has been CEO since 2007. This may be his last major move – Adobe and Nvidia just announced a strategic partnership to build the next generation of Firefly models. If you haven’t heard of it, Adobe Firefly gives users access to various generative AI models (for images, videos, audio and design) from Adobe itself as well as third-party companies like Google and OpenAI. This new partnership will see deep integration of Nvidia tech into Firefly – this...

At Milan, a subtle tension is beginning to emerge beneath an otherwise productive season. While Christian Pulisic continues to struggle in attack, the spotlight has shifted toward a teammate whose situation reflects a deeper tactical dilemma under Massimiliano Allegri. The midfielder in question has been delivering numbers, influencing matches, and adapting to new demands. However, behind the scenes, frustration is growing.

His role, reshaped by the coach and the club’s evolving system, may be costing him something far greater than club recognition. And as the international calendar edges closer to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the consequences are becoming impossible to ignore. The player at the center of this story is Youssouf Fofana, a midfielder whose performances have quietly made him one of Milan’s most effective creators, yet whose international future now hangs in the balance.

Since the start of 2024, he has registered 13 assists across all competitions, placing him at the very top of the club’s creative charts alongside Rafael Leao. Just behind them is Pulisic with 12, as per Sofascore. These numbers underline a key detail: a central midfielder is driving the Rossoneri’s chance creation. Rather than simply recycling possession, the Frenchman has developed into a player capable of delivering decisive final passes, turning structured buildup into tangible attacking output. His influence extends across competitions, reflecting both tactical intelligence and technical precision.

Despite his productivity, Fofana’s evolution at Milan has come at a cost. Under Allegri, he has been deployed in a more advanced, right-sided midfield role, far removed from the deep-lying position that once defined his game. While the change has improved his tactical awareness, it has also altered how he sees and interacts with the pitch.

“When you’re told you’ll play higher up the pitch, at first you’re even happy. In the end, I realized it’s not necessarily what I want,” he admitted in an interview with L’Equipe. “I do it for the team, but I really liked being at the origin of plays, controlling the team’s tempo, recovering balls.” The shift has forced him to adapt quickly: playing faster, reading situations differently, and dealing with more physically demanding duels. Yet, even as he grows, there is a sense that he is moving away from his natural identity.

The World Cup consequence

The deeper issue lies beyond club play. Fofana has not been called up by France since 2024, and his chances of making the upcoming squad for friendlies against Brazil and Colombia appear slim. According to the player himself, the positional change is directly affecting his international prospects.

“If I look at the World Cup, I don’t think I’ll be considered for this role,” he said. “I do it with the club… but I’m not convinced this will help me for the future.” Even more striking was his blunt assessment of the situation: “I’m collateral damage.” This is the key tension: a player sacrificing his ideal role for club success, while potentially losing his place on the international stage.

Season of growth—but not satisfaction

Statistically, Fofana’s season has been solid. He has contributed assists, maintained consistency, and adapted to a more complex tactical system. Yet, he remains unconvinced. “I could have been more effective… I could have scored more and provided more assists,” he reflected. “Not good enough, I think.”

This self-criticism reveals a player striving for higher standards, even as external recognition remains limited. Despite playing for one of Europe’s biggest clubs, he feels overlooked in discussions about France’s World Cup squad. “I’m taking a step forward in my career with an Italian giant, and nobody sees me… In the medium term, I’m not considered… and that’s a shame.”

Throughout the 2025–26 season, Hansi Flick’s future at FC Barcelona had been put into doubt. Amid the electoral uncertainty, the German’s continuity depended on whether Joan Laporta would be re-elected. After the president’s re-election, fans were pushing for clarity regarding the head coach’s future. Because of this, Flick has not only decided to break his silence about his contract renewal, but also about his professional retirement.

In the press conference ahead of the match against Newcastle United, Hansi Flick broke his silence about his future at FC Barcelona: “I think it is not the moment to talk about my renewal now. There is an important match for the club and for our future. I am very happy here, but I have to speak with my family. There is time to talk about all of this.”

Even though Flick decided not to reveal details about his extended tenure with the Spanish side, the German may have defined his future. “We will announce the renewal for Flick soon, it will be for one more season — until 2028… Hansi has already agreed, he’s very happy here,” president Joan Laporta said, via RAC1. With his continued presence secured, the Culers can breathe calmly, knowing their head coach has elevated them into one of the best teams in the world.

Flick opens up on his retirement

Not only Hansi has decided to extend his contract with Barcelona, but has also made an important confession on his professional retirement. “I think it’s clear that I like working here, but I also value my independence. I have a great family and a lot of support. This is soccer, and I try to give my best to the team… but we will see. There is time. I am not thinking about going anywhere else. This will be my last job, and that makes me happy,” he said at the press conference.

While Hansi Flick has become a legend with Germany and Bayern Munich, he has found his best spot in Barcelona. Having secured this role as his last job before retirement, he has gained a special place with the Culers. Nonetheless, he still holds a main task: Winning a Champions League title for the Spanish side. Moreover, he seeks to plant the seeds for a sustainable future project, including the development of several young players.

Flick emerges as a transformative figure in Barcelona

After the departure of Xavi Hernández, FC Barcelona’s situation was quite negative, as they were unable to impose a dominant style of play and their competitiveness in the UEFA Champions League was very low. However, Hansi Flick’s arrival completely changed the team’s reality. He not only restored competitiveness, but also improved the players physically, taking the team back to competing for all titles again.

To elevate the overall performance of the Blaugranas, the German coach has focused on recovering the best version of Raphinha, who has even become a candidate for the Ballon d’Or. Alongside this, he has developed Pedri into the team’s most important player both creatively and defensively. While they still have defensive issues, the emergence of Gerard Martín and Eric García has been key in seeking defensive consistency, despite the ups and downs.

Although Flick has not yet won the Champions League, he is already a highly appreciated figure in Barcelona. After several years of poor results, the German has elevated the team back into a powerhouse—something neither Ronald Koeman nor Xavi Hernández managed during their spells. In addition, he has trusted young talents like Marc Bernal and Xavi Espart, aiming to build a promising long-term project.

Christian Pulisic has been going through a prolonged goalscoring drought that stands in stark contrast to the sparkling form he showed at the start of the season. With the 2026 World Cup just three months away, head coach Mauricio Pochettino addressed Pulisic’s form while announcing his latest USMNT squad.

Pochettino named his squad for the March international window, which will see the USMNT face Belgium on the 28th and Portugal on the 31st. Pulisic earned his place back in the fold after sitting out the November window, a mutual decision between AC Milan and the national team to give the forward time to fully recover from injury.

At Tuesday’s press conference, Pochettino was asked about Pulisic’s return and offered a measured assessment: “With Christian, well, I never mention the performance of the teams or the clubs. We see the players and Christian is playing. He’s not scoring, but for me, it’s not only about scoring goals.“

The Argentine coach went on to frame the call-up as an opportunity for Pulisic to find his footing ahead of the tournament. “I’m happy with him and the way he’s performing, the way he’s committed with the team, and also with the time he’s playing. It’s a great opportunity for him to join us and to perform with us, and to help him to arrive in the best condition to be selected also for the last roster,” Pochettino added.

After a blistering start to the Serie A season that saw Pulisic score eight goals in his first 10 appearances and claim the Player of the Month award in September, injuries have taken a heavy toll on his momentum. In the last 12 AC Milan matches, Pulisic has played in 11 but has failed to score or register a single assist.

His last goal dates back to December 28, 2025, when he found the net in a 3-0 win over Hellas Verona. Despite the dry spell, Pochettino made clear he has not lost faith in “Captain America,” even as his contributions in front of goal in 2026 have left plenty to be desired.

Pochettino leaves the door open to new players

With the USMNT set to face testing opponents in Belgium and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, expectations were high for Pochettino to name a squad as close as possible to his intended World Cup roster. However, the absence of players like Alejandro Zendejas prompted questions about whether those left out still have a realistic path to the tournament.

Pochettino addressed the situation directly when asked about Zendejas, making clear that nothing is set in stone: “The decision from this roster, what I can tell you is that, where everyone is saying that maybe it’s the last opportunity, but it’s not closed, it’s still open. It’s not the final roster. Like we were talking about Gio (Reyna), Alejandro I know him very well, how he can adapt to the dynamic of the group, how he can work, but even Diego Luna or some players that are not here, or are injured and don’t have the opportunity to be with us, it’s not closed.“

From uncertainty to anticipation, the spotlight once again turns to Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie as the United States prepares for a defining international window, one that could shape their path toward 2026. With Cristiano Ronaldo looming in the background of the narrative, the question is not just about selection, but about timing, fitness, and destiny.

The latest squad announcement by the United States signals far more than just another international break. It represents the penultimate checkpoint before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a tournament that the nation will host and one that could redefine its soccer identity. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino has assembled a 27-player group tasked with fine-tuning chemistry, testing tactical flexibility, and proving individual worth ahead of the final selection.

The camp, set in Atlanta, will culminate in two high-profile friendlies against European heavyweights. These matches are not just exhibitions. They are simulations of World Cup intensity, designed to expose both strengths and vulnerabilities.

At the heart of the squad are familiar names. Pulisic and McKennie lead a core that closely resembles a first-choice lineup, underlining the manager’s desire for continuity at a crucial stage. Yet, the roster is not without its twists. The return of Gio Reyna stands out as one of the most intriguing storylines. Despite limited minutes at club level, his inclusion suggests that talent and past international impact still carry significant weight.

Similarly, the comeback of Antonee Robinson after a long injury absence offers a timely boost. His presence could prove vital, especially given his consistency in previous campaigns. However, not all news is positive. Key absences due to injury, most notably Tyler Adams and Sergino Dest, leave gaps in leadership and structure. Their situations highlight the fragile balance between form and fitness just months before the tournament.

The matches that could define the squad

The United States will face Belgium and Portugal in Atlanta, two of the world’s top-ranked national teams. These fixtures are not just tests; they are benchmarks against elite opposition. The encounter with Portugal, in particular, carries an added layer of intrigue.

With global attention fixed on Ronaldo’s situation, uncertainty surrounds whether the iconic forward will feature. His potential presence, or absence, could dramatically alter the narrative of the match. Still, even without him, the Selecao remains a formidable force, boasting depth and quality across every line. Take a look at Mauricio Pochettino’s squad:

Goalkeepers: Chris Brady (Chicago Fire), Roman Celentano (Cincinnati), Matt Freese (New York City), Matt Turner (New England Revolution) 

Defenders: Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Alex Freeman (Villarreal), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Tim Ream (Charlotte), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Miles Robinson (Cincinnati), Joe Scally (Borussia Monchengladbach), Auston Trusty (Celtic)

Midfielders: Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps), Johnny Cardoso (Atletico Madrid), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough), Gio Reyna (Borussia Monchengladbach), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Tanner Tessmann (Lyon), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen)

Forwards: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds), Patrick Agyemang (Derby County), Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Ricardo Pepi (PSV), Christian Pulisic (Milan), Tim Weah (Marseille).

Will Ronaldo play?

For weeks, the narrative has circled around one central mystery. Now, clarity begins to emerge. The likelihood of Cristiano Ronaldo playing against the United States remains uncertain and increasingly doubtful. Despite being included in preliminary considerations by Portugal coach Roberto Martinez, the forward’s hamstring injury has disrupted his availability.

Al-Nassr manager Jorge Jesus recently offered further insight: “Ronaldo and Mane should return after the international break. Everyone knows they are great players, but they will be out for a while.” This timeline places his potential participation in serious doubt, particularly with concerns about rushing him back too soon. While reports suggest he may still travel, his match fitness and involvement on the pitch remain unresolved.

is set for a speedy return to the ring after his unforgettable moment in January that caught the attention of people around the world. It was just over a month ago when Miller clashed with Kingsley Ibeh at Madison Square Garden in New York, but the bout isn’t exactly remembered for the action inside the […]

The post Jarrell Miller to face undefeated heavyweight in first outing since viral hairpiece fight appeared first on Boxing News.

Galatasaray'ın yıldızı Uğurcan Çakır hakkında ortaya atılan iddialar yeni bir tartışma başlattı. ABD'deki milli Takım kampına kadar uzanan "gizli transfer" operasyonunun perde arkasında yaşananlar ve yapılan açıklamalar yeni bir gündem oluşturdu.

Galatasaray'da kariyer sezonunu geçiren Uğurcan Çakır hakkında yapılan açıklamalar ve ortaya atılan iddialar yenip yutulacak cinsten değil. İddialara göre Uğurcan'ın transfer süreci sadece bir girişim değil, milli takım kampına kadar uzanan çarpıcı bir süreci gündeme getirdi.

İddiaların merkezinde A Milli Takım’ın ABD kampı var. Henüz Galatasaray'la isminin dahi geçmediği dönemde, Uğurcan'ın Fenerbahçe ile el sıkıştığı öne sürüldü. Asıl tartışma yaratan nokta ise görüşmenin içeriği kadar yöntemi. Bu iddiaya göre normal şartlarda dışarıya kapalı olan milli takım kampına, bir Fenerbahçeli yönetici özel izinle girdi. Uğurcan'la temas kurdu.

Durumu öğrenen Trabzonspor Başkanı Ertuğrul Doğan, o dönemde Fenerbahçe Başkanını arayarak tepki gösterdi. O ana kadar Uğurcan, Fenerbahçe'ye yakındı ancak Doğan bu görüşmeye tepki göstererek operasyonu durdurdu. Fenerbahçe eski yöneticisinin, "Uğurcan’ı almak istedik, üstelik iyi bir Fenerbahçeli" açıklamalarının bu iddialarla ilgisi olduğu iddia edildi.

Tartışmalar sürerken geçtiğimiz sezon Kadıköy’de Fenerbahçe’nin 4-1 kazandığı maçın ardından Uğurcan’ın sarı-lacivertli tribünlerle kurduğu sıcak diyalog da akıllara geldi. O gün "nezaket" olarak yorumlanan sahneler, bugün "transfer flörtünün bir parçası mıydı?" sorusuna neden oldu.

Uğurcan’ın veya Trabzonspor'un bu iddialara nasıl bir yanıt vereceği merak konusu oldu.

Coca-Cola boykotu sonrası Sarıyer Kola ile el sıkışan Trabzonspor'da, "yeni ürün" projesi çıkmaza girdi. Satıştan pay verme konusunda anlaşan taraflar, resmi belge ve veri paylaşımı noktasında restleşince süreç durma noktasına geldi.

Geçtiğimiz aylarda Coca-Cola yerine yerli marka Sarıyer Kola ile el sıkışan Trabzonspor’da, işler planlandığı gibi gitmedi. İki taraf arasında imzalanan sponsorluk anlaşmasının ardından merakla beklenen "yeni ürün" projesi bürokratik ve hukuksal engellere takıldı.

Gelen bilgilere göre Trabzonspor ile Sarıyer Kola firması arasındaki krizin temelinde "satıştan pay" maddesi var. Sarıyer Kola, yeni ürünün satışlarından kulübe pay vermeyi kabul etti. Ancak sürecin takibi için gerekli resmi belgeleri ve satış verilerini sunmaya yanaşmadı. Trabzonspor cephesi ise şeffaflık ilkesi gereği belgeler üzerinden bir anlaşma zemini arıyor.

Ürünün raflara çıkabilmesi için gereken ekstra protokolde taraflar uzlaşamadı. Trabzonspor’un katı lisans hakları kuralları ile Sarıyer firmasının hukuksal çekinceleri karşı karşıya geldi.

Firmanın satış verilerini paylaşma konusundaki isteksizliği bordo-mavili yönetimin geri adım atmasına neden oldu. Ancak ne olursa olsun ürün menşei nedeniyle Coca Cola'ya dönüş söz konusu değil.

Beşiktaş, 2025-26 sezonunda şampiyonluk yarışına havlu atarken, istatistikler "kağıt üzerindeki" hücum gücünün sahadaki verimsizliğini tescilledi. Sağ ayakla şut ve golde zirveye oynayan siyah-beyazlılar, sol ayakla üretkenlikte sınıfta kalarak rakipleri için "tahmin edilebilir" bir takıma dönüştü. Ligin en çok şutu engellenen ekibi olan siyah-beyazlılarda, hücum aklı ile bitiricilik arasındaki uçurum puan tablosuna 6. sıra olarak yansıdı.

Beşiktaş, 2025-26 sezonunda şampiyonluk yarışına çok erken havlu attı. Kağıt üzerinde "hücumcu" bir görüntü çizen siyah-beyazlıların, derinlemesine incelenen istatistikleri, başarısızlığın tesadüf olmadığını ve saha içindeki dengesizliği açıkça ortaya koydu.

İstatistik türü/Lig sıralaması/İstatistik rakamı

- Duran top şutu  6.    106 şut

- Duran top golü  2.    10 gol

-Engellenen şut   1.    129

-Sağ ayakla şut   1.    227

-Sağ ayakla gol   2.    28

-Sol ayakla gol   7.    9

-Kafa şutu        9.    62

-Kafa golü        2.    8

-Pas yüzdesi      7.    %82.6

Beşiktaş’ın hücum istatistiklerinde en dikkat çeken veri, sağ ayak kullanımındaki aşırı yoğunluk. Bu veri takımın hücum varyasyonlarının tahmin edilebilir olduğunun kanıtı. Sol ayakla atılan 9 gol (lig 7.'liği), kanat organizasyonlarının veya ters ayaklı oyuncu katkısının yetersiz kaldığının kanıtı. Rakip savunmalar Beşiktaş’ın sağ kanat ve merkez baskısını kilitlediğinde, alternatif bir "sol çözüm" üretilemedi.

Siyah-beyazlılar, 129 engellenen şut ile bu alanda ligin zirvesinde yer alıyor. Bu istatistik iki ucu keskin bir bıçak. Takım kaleye gitmekte zorlanmıyor ancak şut seçimi ve zamanlaması hatalı.

Beşiktaşlı oyuncular, savunma bloğunun yerleştiği kalabalık bölgelerde zorlama vuruşlar yaparak hücumları sonuçsuz bırakıyor. Bu durum bitiricilik kalitesinden ziyade "hücum aklındaki" eksikliği işaret ediyor.

Beşiktaş’ın bu sezonki en büyük kozu duran toplar ve hava hakimiyeti. Saha içi oyun akışında üretkenlik sorunu yaşayan takım, skor yükünü kafa vuruşları ve duran toplarla sırtlamaya çalıştı. Ancak modern futbolda sadece duran top gücüyle şampiyonluk yarışında kalmak mümkün değil.

Beşiktaş'ta saha içindeki aktörler değişse de rakamların efendileri hala aynı! Abraham'dan Paulista'ya kadar takımdan ayrılan isimlerin istatistiksel liderlikleri sürüyor. Bu tablo bir 'sistem değişimi' mi yoksa 'yer dolduramama' sorunu mu?

Beşiktaş’ın mevcut istatistikleri ile devre arası sonrası değişen yapısı masaya yatırılığında, ortaya oldukça ilginç bir tablo çıktı. Bazı istatistikler, siyah-beyazlıların Sergen Yalçın'ın istediği gibi bir "kimlik değişimi"nin kanıtı gibi.

- Abraham: 7 golle en çok gol atan ve 8.57 ile en fazla gol beklentisi olan isim.

- Svenson: Maç başına 2.6 top çalma ve 2.2 faulle hala takımın en iyisi.

- Necip: Maç başına 2 top kesme ile hala takımın en iyisi

- Paulista: Maç başına 6.1 uzaklaştırma ve 4.1 uzun pasla istatistiklerde hala en iyi.

- Rafa Silva: Maç başına 0.3 ara pas ve 1.7 adam geçme ile takımın hala lideri.

Elindeki bazı en yüksek istatistikleri hali hazırda kadrodan olmayan isimlerin elinde kalması bazı temel sebebi işaret ediyor:

Abraham'ın 7 gol ve 8.57 gol beklentisi ile hala zirvede olması, bitiricilik konusunda yeni gelen Oh'un henüz o "skorer lider" olamadığını gösteriyor.

Paulista’nın 6.1 uzaklaştırma ve 4.1 uzun pas istatistiği, savunmanın hem sigortası hem de oyun kurucusu olduğunu gösteriyor. O olmadığında topu geriden çıkarma yöntemi değişti. Ancak Necip ve Svenson’ın savunma aksiyonlarındaki (top çalma, top kesme) liderliği, Beşiktaş’ın devre arası sonrası daha az temaslı veya daha farklı bir savunma kurgusuna geçtiğini gösteriyor.

Rafa Silva’nın ara pas ve adam geçme rakamları ayrıldıktan sonra ya paylaştırıldı... ya da yaratıcılıkta yeri doldurulamadı.

Beşiktaş'ta Sergen Yalçın ve Serkan Reçber ikilisi, sezon sonu kapıya dayanacak 19 yabancılı kaosu çözmek için düğmeye bastı. 5-6 yeni takviye planlayan siyah-beyazlıların, transfer yapabilmek için önce kadroda düşünülmeyen 5 maliyetli ismi elden çıkarması gerekiyor.

Sezon sonu yaklaşırken Beşiktaş'ta 2026-27 sezonunun transfer ve kadro planlaması için Serkan Reçber ve Sergen Yalçın ikilisi gece gündüz çalışıyor. Siyah-beyazlılar, hem mevcut yabancı sayısını azaltmak, hem de teknik direktör Sergen Yalçın’ın raporu doğrultusunda kadroyu yenilemek için zorlu bir sürece giriyor.

Beşiktaş’ın kadrosunda hali hazırda 13 yabancı var. Sezon sonunda kiralık gönderilen oyuncuların dönmesiyle bu rakamın 19’a yükselmesi ihtima dahilinde. Yönetimin ve Sergen Yalçın’ın yeni takviyeler yapabilmesi için öncelikle bu kalabalığı eritmesi şart. Konuşulan 5-6 yeni transferin gerçekleşebilmesi için en az 5-6 yabancı gitmek zorunda.

Kiralıktan dönecek 5 ismin yeni sezon kadrosunda olma şansı yok.

- Al-Musrati: Beklentilerin uzağında kalan maliyetli isim.

- Hadziahmetovic: Sakatlık sonrası eski formuna bit türlü dönemedi.

- Jean Onana: Gönderildiği kulüplerde bir türlü dikiş tutturamıyor.

- Elan Ricardo: Gelecek planları arasında yer almayan genç Kolombiyalı.

- Joao Mario: Sezon başında AEK Atina’ya kiralanan tecrübeli oyuncu.

Kiralık gönderilen yabancılar arasında Beşiktaş’ın kasasını doldurma ihtimali olan tek isim Ernest Muçi. Trabzonspor’un bonservisini almak için 8.5 milyon Euro'ya kıyması bekleniyor.

Galatasaraylı Gabriel Sara'nın Brezilya Milli Takımı'nın aday kadrosuna çağrılması akıllara önceki yılları getirdi. Daha önce kariyerlerinde ilk kez Türkiye'ye geldikten sonra milli takıma davet edilen Josef De Souza 3 kez milli formayı terletti. Ancak Talisca ve Bobo yine Dunga tarafından kadroya davet edilse de hiç Brezilya Milli Takım forması giymeyi başaramadı.

Gabriel Sara'nın Brezilya Milli Takımı’ndan davet alması, Galatasaray'ın ana gündem maddesi oldu. Sara’nın çıkışı geçmişte Türkiye’de parlayıp da Brezilya milli takım formasını giyen isimleri akıllara getirdi.

Fenerahçe'de oynayan Josef De Souza da 2014 yılına Dunga tarafından milli takıma davet edildi. 3 kez de milli formayı giydi.

Gabriel Sara’nın bugün yaşadığı heyecanı, 2008'de Beşiktaş forması giyen Bobo da yaşadı. Dunga, Pato’nun sakatlanması üzerine Bobo’yu aday kadroya dahil etti. Ancak Dublin’de oynanan İrlanda hazırlık maçında 1 dakika bile süre vermedi.

Aynı şekilde Talisca da 2014 yılında Beşiktaş'ta gösterdiği performansla Dunga tarafından kadroya davet edildi. Türkiye ve Avusturya maçlarında yedek bekledi. Ancak o da Bobo gibi forma bulamadı.

2005-2008 yılları arasında Trabzonspor forması giyen Jefferson, ülkesine döndükten sonra gösterdiği performansla Brezilya Milli Taımı'nda 22 kez forma buldu.

Süper Lig tarihi, milli takım davetinin yanı sıra, kariyerinin zirvesindeyken veya büyük başarılar sonrası Türkiye’ye gelen "önemli" sambacılarla dolu. İşte bazı örnekler;

-Alex de Souza, Roberto Carlos (Fenerbahçe)

-Taffarel, Elano (Galatasaray):

-Kleberson ve Ricardinho (Beşiktaş):

-Carlos ve Eder (Malatyaspor)

-Cicinho (Sivasspor)

UEFA Şampiyonlar Ligi'nde temsilcimiz Galatasaray ile karşılaşacak olan Liverpool'da teknik adam Arne Slot açıklamalarda bulundu.

Liverpool Teknik Direktörü Arne Slot, UEFA Şampiyonlar Ligi'nde çarşamba günü Galatasaray ile oynayacakları rövanş maçı öncesi