Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nikola Topic has had surgery on his lower back and is anticipated to be healthy and ready when training camp opens for the 2026-27 NBA season.
The team announced Topic underwent a minimally invasive lumbar microdiscectomy, a procedure that, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, corrects a bulging disk in the lower back. Dr. Andrew Dossett carried out the operation at the Carrell Clinic in Dallas, with Thunder medical staff present throughout.
Topic was selected by Oklahoma City with the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. The 6-foot-6 point guard came to the league from Serbia, but his early professional career has been marked by significant health challenges.
He was unable to play his entire rookie season after suffering a knee injury before the draft. Then, heading into the 2025-26 season, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer and had to undergo treatment before returning to the court.
The 20-year-old eventually appeared in 10 games for the Thunder last season, putting up averages of 5.2 points and 4.4 rebounds in 16.0 minutes per outing. In his limited playing time, he connected on 40.0 percent of his three-point attempts, going 9-for-15 from beyond the arc.
Topic is not expected to participate in the NBA summer league in July as he recovers from the procedure.
Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the RBC Canadian Open after a hand injury made it nearly impossible for him to grip his golf club during the tournament’s third round.
The 36-year-old five-time major champion announced his withdrawal Sunday morning from the event held in Caledon, Ontario. The decision came after he battled through a difficult 2-over-par 72 on Saturday, during which he was seen receiving medical treatment on the 11th tee box at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley’s North Course.
Koepka described the frustrating situation with his grip. “Yeah, I don’t know what it is. I’m struggling to grip the club with my ring finger and pinkie finger, so can’t grip it,” he said.
He added that the problem persisted throughout the day. “So the club is kind of just, my fingers would come loose, it was kind of numb. I don’t know what the deal was but hopefully we’ll figure it out.”
What made the injury especially puzzling was that Koepka felt completely healthy during his warm-up. “Yeah, the whole warm-up, I felt fine, I was absolutely good,” he explained. “Then got to the range and went to grip the club and I just couldn’t even grip it.”
“So it lasted — it was all day. Felt better the last few holes. I don’t know if that’s just the meds kicked in or what it is. But hopefully we’ll figure it out now,” he continued.
Koepka had entered Saturday’s round in strong form, having posted rounds of 64 and 68 to open the tournament.
The injury comes at a particularly critical time — the U.S. Open tees off next week at Shinnecock Hills in Southampton, New York. That course holds special significance for Koepka, as it was the site of his second consecutive U.S. Open title back in 2018.
Koepka returned to the PGA Tour in January after spending more than three years competing with LIV Golf. While he has finished in the top 20 in six events this season, his last victory in a standard PGA Tour event dates back to the 2021 WM Phoenix Open.
The confetti has barely settled, and the NBA is already looking ahead to next season.
The New York Knicks are set to be honored with a championship parade through the streets of Manhattan on Thursday, capping off a postseason run in which they overcame six double-digit deficits to win games, including all four of their victories in the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs.
The title adds to a remarkable stretch of parity across the league. Eight different franchises have won championships over the past eight seasons — Toronto in 2019, the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, Milwaukee in 2021, Golden State in 2022, Denver in 2023, Boston in 2024, Oklahoma City last year, and now New York.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver reflected on what that means for the sport. “To me, it just really speaks to the state of NBA basketball and the state of the future of the game,” Silver said. “And now with this draft class coming in this year — again, not just the first pick, but a draft that’s considered the deepest in many years — there’s so much talent everywhere. … So, it’s a really bright future ahead for the league.”
While the Knicks celebrate, the other 29 franchises are left searching for answers heading into the offseason. Here are some of the biggest questions facing the league this summer.
Will Milwaukee actually move on from Giannis Antetokounmpo? The superstar forward has spent 13 seasons with the Bucks, earned 10 All-Star selections, won two Most Valuable Player awards, and helped deliver a championship to Milwaukee in 2021. This fall, he becomes eligible for a contract extension worth as much as $275 million. But the Bucks currently don’t have a roster capable of competing for a title, and it appears Antetokounmpo’s primary focus is on winning more championships.
Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam addressed the situation in May when the team introduced new head coach Taylor Jenkins — who was informed that Antetokounmpo’s status with the franchise heading into next season remains uncertain. “I just think before the draft is a natural time, right, because if Giannis does play somewhere else we’re going to get a lot of assets. … You’ve got to get it right,” Haslam said.
The NBA Draft is scheduled for next week, and if Milwaukee intends to trade Antetokounmpo, doing so before the draft would give the team a clearer picture of how to use whatever assets they receive in return. Miami has been part of trade discussions involving Antetokounmpo for months, and the Heat are once again in talks with the Bucks.
Meanwhile, LeBron James has never entered an offseason with more options. The Lakers star could return to Los Angeles for a ninth season, seek a new team for what would likely be a final chapter in his career, or even retire. He could push for a maximum contract or accept less money to help a contender. He could also, apparently, keep posting golf videos on social media — James has developed quite the passion for the game.
“When the time comes, you guys will know what I decide to do,” James said after the Lakers were eliminated in a 4-0 sweep by Oklahoma City this spring.
Los Angeles has other roster decisions to work through as well, including a potential extension for Austin Reaves. But clarity on James’s plans will likely set the tone for everything else the franchise does this summer.
In San Antonio, Victor Wembanyama is eligible for a four-year extension that would exceed $250 million, beginning in the 2027-28 season. There is no indication the Spurs would hesitate to lock up the league’s most captivating player. With most of their starters already under contract, San Antonio is expected to enter next season as one of the top favorites — if not the frontrunner — for the 2027 NBA title.
“Competitiveness, that’s what makes you better,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “That’s what pushes you to continue to improve in the dark, long hours when nobody is around. We improved a whole lot this year. We have … more motivation to continue to get better.”
Oklahoma City’s general manager Sam Presti offered some perspective on just how difficult it is to repeat as champions after the Thunder’s own title defense came up short. “The history of the NBA is littered with teams that were not able to find ultimate success again,” Presti said. “I think there have only been three teams that have repeated since we’ve been in Oklahoma City, and the reasons for that are many, probably too many to list. But the fact is that it helps illustrate how rare and how special it is when you do have a chance to win at the highest level in this league or in professional sports in general. However, NBA history is also built on the backs of those teams that saw their losses as a continued quest for improvement and progress.”
Other notable offseason storylines include Washington holding the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft, coaching vacancies in Chicago, Dallas, and Portland — where interim coach Tiago Splitter remains a candidate — and an ongoing league investigation into whether a $28 million endorsement deal between Kawhi Leonard and a California-based sustainability services company allowed the Los Angeles Clippers to get around salary cap rules. The NBA has not yet announced any findings from that inquiry.
SAN ANTONIO — For the second time in three years, Victor Wembanyama had to stand and watch another team celebrate a championship on his turf.
There is no question the Wemby era has arrived in the NBA. The 7-foot-4 French phenom swept the Defensive Player of the Year voting unanimously this season, landed third in MVP consideration, and earned a first-team All-NBA selection — the first of what could be many if his plans come to fruition.
But the one thing he wants most continues to slip away. Back in 2024, he watched through tears as the United States celebrated Olympic gold at the Paris Games. Now, he had to endure a similar scene as the New York Knicks popped champagne in San Antonio on Saturday night, winning Game 5 of the NBA Finals to claim their first championship in 53 years.
“This is the biggest lesson of my life, the biggest learning moment,” the 22-year-old said. “I can’t tell you exactly what the lesson is, but we’re learning from that, for sure. I’m learning more than any other time in my life before.”
Wembanyama’s Finals numbers were impressive — 26 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks per game — but they weren’t enough to bring home a title.
The series will also be remembered for some critical miscues. In Game 2, a Wembanyama turnover set up the go-ahead free throw for Jalen Brunson, and he also missed a buzzer-beating jump shot in that same contest. In Game 4, he missed two key free throws with 1:47 remaining as San Antonio squandered a 29-point advantage — the largest collapse in NBA Finals history. The Spurs threw away double-digit leads in all four of their losses, including a 16-point cushion in the series finale.
“The margin of error is very thin,” Wembanyama said. “Our domination stints are absolute. We absolutely dominated for most of the series. But our errors, our mistakes, are punished so hard that we can’t have ups and downs like this. … The ups are OK. The downs are the reason we lost.”
Still, this is only his third year in the league. History shows that even the greatest players had to wait for a title. Michael Jordan went seven seasons before winning his first ring. LeBron James waited nine years. Jerry West played 12 seasons before earning his only championship. Hall of Famers John Stockton, Karl Malone, Charles Barkley, Chris Paul, and Carmelo Anthony never won one at all.
Knicks legend Larry Johnson offered high praise for the young star during the series. “He’s definitely the future of this league, man,” Johnson said. “He’s a heck of a ballplayer.”
Wembanyama is well aware of that history. That doesn’t make the sting any easier to bear.
“It’s painful. It’s painful,” he said. “But I’m not running away from that. I’m using it to fuel me. … I’m not satisfied with not winning. But as I said, this is the biggest lesson of my life. As a team, there’s no better experience than what we just lived.”
The numbers he is putting up are nearly unprecedented. Only four times in NBA history has a player recorded at least 150 blocks, 150 assists, and 100 three-pointers in a single season. Chet Holmgren did it for Oklahoma City in 2023-24 — and Wembanyama has done it in each of his first three seasons, accounting for the other three instances.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver spoke glowingly of the young star on Saturday. “I think for a lot of people, this team seems to be ahead of schedule,” Silver said on NBA TV. “I don’t think they feel that way. I’m amazed at Victor. Not just his play on the floor, but he’s such a curious young man. He’s a pleasure to talk to. He’s very worldly. I mean, he’s got amazing interests off the floor. He’s really dedicated to his craft and he’s got such a bright future ahead of him.”
SAN ANTONIO — After more than five decades of waiting, New York Knicks fans finally have something to celebrate. The Knicks claimed the NBA championship Saturday night, defeating the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 to secure the title — their first since 1973.
Team owner James Dolan didn’t wait for anyone to hand him the 30-pound gold-plated trophy. He grabbed it himself and raised it into the air with a shout directed at his city.
“I want to say something to New York,” Dolan yelled. “Hey New York! I’m sorry it took so long! But here we are, and hopefully it won’t take that long again!”
The championship ends a 53-year drought for the storied franchise, and it came in dramatic fashion. Saturday’s clinching win was the Knicks’ fourth comeback victory of the series. Earlier in the finals, the team rallied from 29 points down to win Game 4 at Madison Square Garden.
“Of course I’ve never seen anything like it, because it’d never happened before,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said of the Game 4 comeback in an interview on NBA TV Saturday. “But it’s been amazing.”
Some are calling it the first major professional sports title for New York in more than 14 years — counting only Major League Baseball, the NFL, the NHL, and the NBA. That said, the New York Liberty won the 2024 WNBA title and New York City FC captured the MLS Cup in 2021. The last time one of New York’s traditional big-four franchises won a championship was the Giants’ Super Bowl victory following the 2011 season.
The Yankees haven’t won a World Series since 2009. The Mets last won it in 1986. The Rangers hoisted the Stanley Cup in 1994, the Islanders in 1983, and the Jets haven’t won a Super Bowl since 1969.
None of that is the focus right now. The Knicks — who rattled off 13 straight wins at one point during the playoffs — are the talk of New York.
The franchise has now joined an elite group, becoming the ninth team in NBA history to win at least three championships. Boston leads the way with 18, followed by the Los Angeles Lakers with 17, Golden State with seven, Chicago with six, San Antonio with five, and Philadelphia, Detroit, and Miami each with three.
Knicks legend Larry Johnson summed up the moment simply: “I enjoy watching these guys. The Garden is back. … It’s back like when we played and made our little run. The city is behind us.”
The road to this title was anything but easy. Since their last championship, the Knicks cycled through 24 different head coaches and more than 400 players. Stars like Patrick Ewing, Allan Houston, Bernard King, and Carmelo Anthony all called Madison Square Garden home without ever delivering a title.
The franchise came heartbreakingly close in 1994, losing a Game 7 to Hakeem Olajuwon and the Houston Rockets. Then in 1999, the Knicks made a surprising run to the finals in a shortened season, only to fall to San Antonio in five games — the first of what became five titles for that Spurs organization.
“We didn’t get it done. … I always say the third time is the charm,” former Knicks guard John Starks said.
Starks turned out to be right. Twenty-seven years after that 1999 loss to San Antonio, the Knicks faced the Spurs again in the finals — and this time, New York won in five games, completely flipping the script.
Finals MVP Jalen Brunson, who came to New York after being acquired from Dallas, was the driving force behind the championship run. During a stretch spanning 25 years that ended with the 2021-22 season, the Knicks had the worst record in the NBA. In the four seasons since Brunson arrived, the team has posted the league’s fifth-best record.
“It means the world to me,” Brunson said.
First-year Knicks head coach Mike Brown guided the team to the title in his debut season with the club. He reflected on what the championship means to the city.
“There are a couple of franchises that are pretty iconic just because of the history that they have, the location that they’re in, sometimes even the building that they’re in,” Brown said. “New York is definitely one of the few that you could say that to in all three facets.”
“Everybody goes through their ups and downs. I don’t really think much about the tough times that they had, because everybody has tough times, including individuals. You just want to try the best you can to be a part of whatever you can to bring joy to the city, to the organization. At the end of the day, the chips are going to fall how they fall. I feel blessed, fortunate, lucky, to be a part of what is going on now.”
Madison Square Garden — which has hosted farewell tours from Billy Joel, Elton John, and Harry Styles more recently than it hung a Knicks championship banner — will now add a new piece of hardware to its rafters.
The contrast between this title and the last one in 1973 is striking. Back then, the NBA had just 17 teams. The top salary in the league was around $380,000, equivalent to roughly $2.9 million today. There was no three-point line, no massive television contract, and no international players. When the Knicks flew home from the 1973 title clincher in Inglewood, California, officials at Kennedy Airport braced for what they called a “rabid” crowd — expecting “hundreds” of fans to meet the plane.
This celebration figures to be considerably larger.
“To have the fans that we have in New York City and be able to bring home a championship after all these years is absolutely amazing,” Brown said. “It’s a surreal feeling.”
New York City is buzzing after the Knicks brought home the NBA championship for the first time in 53 years, and city leaders are already making big plans to celebrate.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani wasted no time after Saturday night’s victory, posting just three words to his constituents early Sunday morning: “PARADE THURSDAY MANHATTAN.”
The Knicks pulled off yet another remarkable comeback, defeating the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals — a road win that ended decades of heartbreak for millions of fans across the city’s five boroughs.
Head coach Mike Brown was still processing the moment when he spoke with reporters after the final buzzer. “To have the fans that we have in New York City and be able to bring home a championship after all these years is absolutely amazing. It’s a surreal feeling,” he said.
Brown added, “I mean, I don’t know how long it’s been since that final buzzer went off but I still don’t believe it. I’m pinching myself.”
The championship celebration is expected to be massive, befitting the country’s largest sports market. The win also comes during a packed weekend of major events in the region. New York New Jersey stadium — a facility jointly shared by two longtime rivals — hosted its first-ever game Saturday, a 1-1 draw between Morocco and Brazil in World Cup soccer action. The match wrapped up around the same time the Knicks and Spurs were tipping off.
The post-game atmosphere in the city turned chaotic in some areas. Hundreds of people rushed a convoy of roughly 15 shuttle buses in Times Square after they had dropped off fans from the soccer match. One of the buses was set ablaze during the unrest, which saw thousands of New Yorkers flooding the streets. A teenager also suffered a gunshot wound during the disorder.
Thursday’s victory parade will coincide with another major regional sporting event — the U.S. Open golf tournament is set to begin the same day in Southampton. To handle the expected surge of golf fans, the Long Island Rail Road has built a temporary train platform right next to the golf venue.
HOUSTON — Fans arriving early Sunday morning for the World Cup opening match between Germany and Curacao got an unwelcome surprise when a sudden storm drenched the area around the stadium, sending supporters rushing to find rain gear — and for some, something cold to drink.
The unexpected downpour left many fans caught off guard, triggering a rush to a store located just across from the stadium. Umbrellas and raincoats flew off the shelves as supplies quickly ran low.
Caroline Sluys, who made the trip to Houston from Curacao with her son specifically for the game, was among those making a stop at the store. “We are here getting a raincoat and an umbrella for the rain,” she said. “It is not going to dampen our spirits. We are going to be yelling and screaming because it’s the first time Curacao has made it to the World Cup.”
Fans who were local to the area appeared more accustomed to the region’s unpredictable weather and arrived better prepared. However, the sudden heavy rain still managed to catch a number of out-of-town visitors off guard. Those who made it inside the stadium found some relief in the covered seating sections.
Not everyone was worried about getting wet, though. Some early arrivals said their main concern was tracking down a cold beer before stadium vendors had even opened for business.
Leon Baucke, a Munich resident who traveled to the game with a group of friends, summed up his group’s priorities simply: “We don’t have any rain gear. We are looking for beer. We are used to it because the weather isn’t great in Germany.”
Croatia’s DonnaEkic delivered a dominant performance before weathering a fierce comeback from Emma Raducanu to capture the Queen’s Club title on Sunday, winning 6-0, 7-6(6) before a crowd that was largely cheering for her opponent.
Vekic’s path to the championship was anything but straightforward — she entered the main draw only after losing in qualifying and advancing as a lucky loser. Despite that rocky start, she needed five match points before finally putting away Raducanu and earning her first tournament title since 2023.
The 29-year-old came out firing in the opening set, striking powerful winners across the court with remarkable precision and claiming the set without dropping a game.
However, Raducanu refused to go quietly. She broke Vekic’s serve twice in the second set to build a 5-2 lead, threatening to force a deciding third set as Vekic’s level dropped noticeably.
Vekic regrouped and clawed her way back into the match, eventually leveling the set. She even had to save a set point when Raducanu led 5-4, keeping her title hopes alive in dramatic fashion.
As an Olympic runner-up, Vekic had the experience to stay composed, but three match points slipped away while she held a 6-5 advantage. The match moved into a tiebreak, with both players visibly exhausted after a series of grueling, back-and-forth rallies.
Raducanu saved yet another match point during the tiebreak, but Vekic finally converted on her fifth opportunity when a tired Raducanu’s groundstroke landed in the tramlines, sealing the championship.
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump reached his 80th birthday Sunday, choosing to mark the milestone in a way few could have predicted: with professional cage fighting on the South Lawn of the White House.
The event comes amid a backdrop of significant national challenges, including a three-month-old war with Iran that has drawn widespread disapproval from Americans, unsettled global oil markets, and inflation that has climbed to its highest point since April 2023. Despite all of that, the iconic White House grounds — long regarded as a symbol of American democracy — were transformed Sunday night into an arena for a full UFC fight card.
According to a court filing from the National Park Service, which has oversight of the South Lawn, more than $60 million and tens of thousands of hours of labor went into constructing the arena for the event.
The fight series, operating under the banner “Freedom 250,” consists of seven bouts featuring all male fighters. The event is designed to honor both Trump’s 80th birthday and the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence’s signing.
The main card, headlined by two title fights and broadcasting on Paramount+, was scheduled to get underway at 8 p.m. Eastern.
The event represents the height of a 25-year relationship between Trump and UFC CEO Dana White — a partnership that has brought personal, political, and financial benefits to both men. White’s first event as UFC president was held back in 2001 at Trump Taj Mahal.
Trump has attended four UFC events as a sitting president, entering to rock music and patriotic cheers from the crowd in a manner similar to the fighters themselves. White introduced Trump at two Republican National Conventions and also attended the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in April, which ended abruptly following a shooting.
The fight card has faced criticism online from fans who consider the matchups underwhelming. In the main event, Alex Pereira of Brazil will square off against Ciryl Gane of France for the interim UFC heavyweight title. Following that, Spanish-Georgian lightweight champion Ilia Topuria will face interim champion Justin Gaethje — one of only two Americans who currently hold any portion of the UFC’s 11 championship belts.
Five additional bouts round out the main card, including appearances by former title-fight contenders Michael Chandler and Derrick Lewis, as well as former 135-pound champion Sean O’Malley.
White confirmed the event would proceed regardless of weather conditions. Strong thunderstorms and intense lightning had already disrupted a promotional event at the Lincoln Memorial on Friday, and forecasts for Sunday evening also pointed to threatening weather.
Lewis Hamilton marked a historic milestone Sunday, earning his first Formula One victory with Ferrari at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix in Spain — an emotionally charged win that also made him the sport’s oldest race winner in more than 50 years.
At 41 years old, Hamilton is now the oldest driver to claim an F1 victory since Australian legend Jack Brabham, who was 43 years and 11 months old when he won his final race in South Africa back in 1970.
The triumph ended a dominant five-race winning streak by 19-year-old Italian driver Kimi Antonelli, who was forced to retire just five laps before the finish. Antonelli, the current championship leader, saw his points advantage over Hamilton shrink to 41 points as a result.
For Hamilton, the win was also his first since Belgium in 2024 and his record seventh victory at the Circuit de Catalunya. It brings his remarkable career total to 106 wins for the seven-time world champion.
George Russell crossed the finish line in second place for Mercedes, while McLaren’s Lando Norris rounded out the top three to take third.
Toyota claimed victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans on Sunday, outlasting fierce competition from BMW and Cadillac in the 94th running of the iconic endurance race.
BMW had earned the pole position heading into the event, and Cadillac held the lead entering the final quarter of the race. However, it was Toyota that ultimately crossed the finish line first, ending a drought that stretched back to their last overall victory in 2022. Japan’s Kamui Kobayashi was behind the wheel of the winning number seven car when it took the checkered flag.
The triumph marked Kobayashi’s second Le Mans victory, having previously won with Toyota in 2021. The former Formula One driver shared the win with British racer Mike Conway and Dutch driver Nyck de Vries.
South Africa’s Sheldon Van der Linde, Germany’s Rene Rast, and Dutch driver Robin Frijns brought the number 20 BMW home in second place. Toyota’s number eight car, driven by Japan’s Ryo Hirakawa alongside Switzerland’s Sebastien Buemi and New Zealand’s Brendon Hartley, finished third.
Cadillac’s number 12 car came in fourth, while Ferrari — winners of the previous three editions of the race — finished fifth with their number 51 entry.
It was a difficult day for Cadillac’s number 38 car, which had been running first and second alongside its teammate as late as the 14th hour. A power steering failure forced two costly pit stops, sending the car tumbling down the running order before it ultimately retired from the race. The setback was especially painful for French driver Sebastien Bourdais, who hails from Le Mans but has yet to find success on his home circuit, along with New Zealand’s Earl Bamber and Britain’s Jack Aitken.
The number 15 BMW, which started from pole position with Danish former F1 driver Kevin Magnussen, Swiss-born Italian Raffaele Marciello, and Belgian Dries Vanthoor, also failed to finish.
The race featured 62 cars and 186 drivers in total and was officially started on Saturday by celebrated Tour de France sprinter Mark Cavendish, who served as the honorary starter.
Kansas City received a tornado warning just hours after England’s national soccer team touched down in the city, which is serving as the squad’s home base during the World Cup.
The National Weather Service issued an alert warning residents of a severe thunderstorm capable of producing wind speeds up to 80 miles per hour — roughly 129 kilometers per hour. Tornado sirens rang out across the city on Saturday evening.
The weather alert urged people to seek immediate protection, stating: “Take shelter in a sturdy building, away from windows. Flying debris may be deadly to those caught without shelter.”
According to British media reports, England’s players were directed to remain inside as well. A fan festival taking place in the city also shut down ahead of schedule in the interest of public safety.
Earlier that same afternoon, before the tornado warnings went into effect, the English squad held a community training session. The team had already faced a setback before even reaching Kansas City — their training kit was stolen prior to their arrival.
England is scheduled to open their World Cup campaign against Croatia in a Group L matchup on Wednesday in Arlington.
Somali soccer referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was turned away at the U.S. border and prevented from working at the World Cup, will receive his complete tournament pay from FIFA, according to a source familiar with the situation.
The Trump administration stated that Artan was refused entry into the United States due to alleged connections to “suspected members of terror organizations.” U.S. Customs and Border Protection carried out the denial.
Although Artan will not participate in the World Cup in any capacity, FIFA has made a commitment to pay him his full salary for the tournament, the source confirmed.
Artan, who was named Africa’s referee of the year in 2025, had been on track to make history as the first Somali official ever to referee at soccer’s biggest global event. Instead, he was turned back before he could take the field.
Despite the setback, Artan arrived back in his home country to a warm and celebratory reception. European soccer’s governing body UEFA has since tapped him to serve as referee for the UEFA Super Cup match between Paris St Germain and Aston Villa, scheduled for August.
About 25 miles south of the U.S.-Mexico border, tucked in among taco shops in the outskirts of Tijuana, a flag hangs that stops passersby in their tracks. It bears Mexico’s colors of green, white, and red — but its design is anything but typical for the neighborhood.
Inside is what owner Saied Assadi describes as only the second Iranian restaurant in all of Mexico. “Food is one of my passions,” Assadi told Reuters during a visit this week, as he plated a traditional Iranian spread of rice, grilled tomatoes, mixed meats, and salad.
Not every Iranian in the area, however, feels welcome there.
Tijuana’s Iranian community is remarkably small — around 20 people in a city of roughly 2 million residents. Yet even within that handful of individuals, sharp political divisions reflect the broader fractures running through the Iranian diaspora worldwide — and the complicated backdrop facing Iran’s soccer team as it prepares for World Cup competition.
Dara Makoipour, an Iranian who relocated to Tijuana in 2018, says the flags displayed at Assadi’s restaurant are enough to keep him away. “We have different views,” said Makoipour, who instead crosses the border into California when he wants to eat Iranian food.
The flag at issue features a lion and sun design — Iran’s national symbol before the 1979 revolution, and one closely tied to the country’s former Shah-led government. The flag has become a flashpoint heading into the World Cup, as FIFA rules ban political items from stadiums. At the 2022 Qatar World Cup, security personnel turned away fans who tried to bring it inside.
When asked about Iranians who are put off by the flag, Assadi was direct: “Whether that person wants to come eat Iranian food or not because of the flag, that’s his choice. Some people are extremists.”
Still, one thing bridges the divide between Makoipour and Assadi: their shared enthusiasm for Iran’s soccer squad, known widely as Team Melli — Persian for “national team.”
AN UNUSUAL DESTINATION
Last month, the Iranian national team announced it was shifting its training base from Arizona to Tijuana, citing uncertainty over whether the U.S. would grant visas given the strained relations between the two countries. The Mexican border city made geographic sense — it sits relatively close to the team’s group-stage venues in Los Angeles and Seattle, and Mexico was receptive to hosting.
Still, the choice raised eyebrows. Iran prohibits alcohol and requires women to wear hijabs, making Tijuana — a city well known for its nightlife, strip clubs, and gambling establishments — an unconventional fit for the squad.
Any reservations appeared to melt away quickly. When the team arrived at 5 a.m. last Sunday — nearly four hours behind schedule — supporters were on hand to greet them warmly. Since then, a small group of fans has shown up outside the team’s hotel each day looking for autographs.
“Tijuana and especially the Mexican people — they’ve been amazing,” Iranian national team player Saeid Ezzatollahi told Reuters.
The team has kept a low profile since arriving. They travel with a private chef, Mexican soldiers are stationed outside their hotel, and their outings have been limited to chartered bus rides to a nearby stadium for training sessions.
FINDING HOME IN TIJUANA
Tijuana’s Iranian population is so small it doesn’t even appear in census data — a sharp contrast to nearby Los Angeles, which has the largest Iranian community outside of Iran itself.
Sadegh Galavi said he was immediately drawn to the city when he and his wife came to visit in 2022 from Tehran. “Literally, we fell in love with Mexico,” he said. “And then Tijuana makes me feel that there is a lot of opportunity to work, to do many things, to build a life.”
Galavi’s path to employment in Tijuana came through a chance encounter: he spotted a car on the street with vanity plates reading “TEHRAN,” left a note on the windshield, and discovered the owner was Makoipour. Galavi now works as a mechanic at an auto restoration business Makoipour owns.
Both men were thrilled when they learned Team Melli was heading to their city. “As long as the other side” — meaning the U.S. — “doesn’t give them a hard time, the rest is going to be easy peasy,” Makoipour said.
HEADING INTO THE TOURNAMENT
On Sunday, the team will fly by private plane to Los Angeles, arriving one day before their opening World Cup match against New Zealand. Several support staff and soccer federation members who were denied U.S. visas — including the team supervisor, analysts, and press liaison — will remain in Tijuana.
The U.S. State Department has stated it will not allow the Iranian team to “abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the U.S. under false pretenses.” Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, fired back, saying the Trump administration believes “anybody who doesn’t think the same as them is a terrorist.”
The flag controversy continues as well. A California non-profit has filed a lawsuit seeking to block any restrictions on bringing the pre-revolutionary Iranian flag into World Cup stadiums, citing freedom of expression protections. FIFA, which previously told Reuters that its stadium code of conduct prohibits flags “of a political, offensive and/or discriminatory nature,” did not immediately respond to questions about the lawsuit.
Assadi, whose restaurant proudly displays the pre-revolutionary flag, said he believes the Islamic Republic is “not giving people the freedom” they deserve. But come Monday, he’ll be rooting for the national team — political differences aside.
“Pretty much everyone in Iran plays soccer,” he said. “I hope all Iranians will support the team as soccer players.”
Celebrations in the heart of New York City turned violent overnight Saturday into Sunday after the New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs to capture the NBA championship — their first title in more than 50 years.
Fans flooded the streets of midtown Manhattan, lighting fireworks and setting off smoke grenades after pouring out of packed bars and gathering in outdoor spaces. The crowd repeatedly chanted “Knicks in five!” — a nod to Game 5 of the NBA Finals, which New York won 94-90 to take the series 4-1.
The victory marks the Knicks’ first championship since 1973 and only their third appearance in the NBA Finals overall. The team previously fell short in 1994 against the Houston Rockets and in 1999 against the San Antonio Spurs — the same franchise they defeated Saturday night for redemption.
Around 2 a.m., a 17-year-old was struck by a bullet in the foot during the Times Square festivities, a New York City police officer told Reuters. Three suspects were taken into custody in connection with the shooting.
As the night wore on, hundreds of people — most of them young — swarmed a convoy of roughly 15 shuttle buses parked at Times Square. The buses had just finished transporting soccer fans from the first World Cup match held in the New York area, a 1-1 draw between Brazil and Morocco. Celebrants climbed onto the rooftops of the vehicles, forced their way inside, and sat down in the drivers’ seats.
One of the yellow school buses — rented by the city to move World Cup attendees — was set ablaze, according to a Reuters journalist on the scene. At least three additional shuttles sustained serious damage.
At one point, a bicycle was hauled up onto the roof of a bus. Brazilian soccer supporters joined Knicks fans on top of another bus, waving their country’s flag. A man with a bloodied face was also spotted moving through the crowd, though the cause of his injury could not be confirmed.
Youssef Sabbr, a 49-year-old Canadian of Moroccan descent who had stepped off one of the World Cup buses before it was surrounded by the mob, described the scene. “They are expressing their joy, in a somewhat violent way, but that’s how it is,” he said. “This is what happens everywhere in the world when a team wins,” he added.
Police cordoned off several streets in the area and held back for approximately two hours before officers in riot gear moved in, pursuing some individuals through the surrounding blocks. Mounted police also pushed the crowd back and cleared the streets near Madison Square Garden, the home arena of the Knicks.
Celebrations turned chaotic in Midtown Manhattan late Saturday night after the New York Knicks captured the NBA Finals title, with fans swarming the streets, a World Cup shuttle bus going up in flames, and a teenager suffering a gunshot wound in Times Square.
Knicks supporters flooded out of bars and outdoor venues by the thousands, setting off fireworks and smoke grenades while chanting “Knicks in five!” — a reference to the team’s clinching victory in Game 5 of the series.
The win marked the end of a long drought for the franchise. The Knicks had not claimed an NBA title since 1973, and Saturday’s victory over the San Antonio Spurs was only their third trip to the Finals, following losses to the Houston Rockets in 1994 and the San Antonio Spurs in 1999.
Around 2 a.m., a 17-year-old was struck by a bullet in the foot during the Times Square festivities, a New York police officer told Reuters. Three people of interest were taken into custody in connection with the shooting, the officer added.
The mayhem also caught up with a convoy of roughly 15 shuttle buses that had just transported soccer fans from the first World Cup match in the New York City area — a draw between Brazil and Morocco. Hundreds of mostly young people swarmed the buses in Times Square, with some climbing onto the rooftops and others getting inside and sitting behind the wheel.
One yellow school bus, contracted by the city government to help move World Cup attendees, was set on fire. A Reuters video journalist on the scene witnessed the bus burning. It was not immediately clear whether anyone was hurt in that incident. At least three additional shuttle buses sustained significant damage from the crowds.
At one point, a bicycle was hauled up onto the roof of a bus, and fans of the Brazilian national soccer team joined Knicks supporters on top of another bus, waving Brazil’s flag. A man with a bloodied face was spotted moving through the crowd, though the cause of his injury could not be determined.
Youssef Sabbr, a 49-year-old Canadian of Moroccan descent who had stepped off one of the World Cup buses before the crowds descended on it, offered his take on what he witnessed. “They are expressing their happiness, a little bit violently, but it is what it is,” he said. “That’s what happens everywhere around the world when a team wins,” Sabbr added.
After holding their positions for roughly two hours, officers in riot gear eventually moved in, chasing fans through the streets. Mounted police on horseback pushed crowds back and helped clear the area around Madison Square Garden, the Knicks’ home arena.
Carol Marino, a real estate agent from New York in her 50s, paused on a sidewalk to catch her breath after watching the game at a nearby bar. “Oh my God. It’s like New Year’s Eve times twenty,” she said of the scene around her.
Elsewhere in the city, jubilant fans beat drums, embraced one another, and scaled scaffolding and traffic signals. New York couple Dean and Christina Smiros, lifelong Knicks fans, said the victory was something they had never experienced before. “They have not won since before we were born,” Christina said.
The New York Knicks are basking in the glory of their first NBA championship in 53 years after wrapping up the title Saturday night in San Antonio — but according to early oddsmakers, defending that crown won’t be easy.
DraftKings wasted no time releasing its opening odds for the 2026-27 NBA Championship the moment the season came to a close, and the newly crowned Knicks didn’t land at the top of the list. New York checks in at fourth-best odds to win it all next season, sitting at +700.
Ahead of the champs are two teams that squared off in this year’s Western Conference finals. The Oklahoma City Thunder — last year’s 2024-25 league champions — and the San Antonio Spurs, who fell to New York in five games in this year’s Finals, are deadlocked at the top of the board at +250.
Rounding out the upper tier is the Boston Celtics, who earned the No. 2 seed this season before a surprising early exit in the first round. Boston sits at +550 heading into next year.
After the Knicks at +700, the odds drop off sharply. The Indiana Pacers and Denver Nuggets are both listed at +2800, while the Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Lakers, Detroit Pistons, and Cleveland Cavaliers are each sitting at +3000.
At the very bottom of the board, the Sacramento Kings hold the longest odds of any team — a staggering +100000 shot to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy next summer.
Here is the full list of 2026-27 NBA title odds from DraftKings:
Daniel Schneemann’s two-run home run off Tarik Skubal was the defining moment of Saturday afternoon, as the Cleveland Guardians handed the visiting Detroit Tigers a 3-1 defeat — and spoiled the American League Cy Young Award winner’s much-anticipated return from left elbow surgery.
Skubal, now 3-3 on the season, was making his first mound appearance since April 29. The impending free agent lasted just 4 2/3 innings, surrendering three runs — two of them earned — on five hits, while striking out four, walking one and hitting a batter over 80 pitches thrown.
Cleveland starter Joey Cantillo (5-3) was sharp down the stretch, retiring the final nine hitters he faced across a five-inning, one-run performance. The left-hander scattered six hits and punched out four without issuing a single walk, earning his first victory since May 21 against the Tigers.
Schneemann’s 417-foot blast to right field in the third inning gave Cleveland a 3-1 cushion, plating Jose Ramirez — who later exited the contest and is expected to be placed on the injured list after suffering a broken hamate bone in his left hand. For Detroit, Dillon Dingler drove in Gleyber Torres with a first-inning single, but handed the Guardians a gift in the second when his throw sailed into left field on an attempted steal of third base by Travis Bazzana, allowing the tying run to score.
Dodgers 7, White Sox 1
Yoshinobu Yamamoto came within one out of a complete-game shutout before Tristan Peters broke it up with a leadoff homer in the bottom of the ninth, but Los Angeles still cruised past host Chicago. Yamamoto (7-4) retired the first 23 White Sox batters, finished with just the one home run allowed, walked nobody and struck out seven across 8 1/3 innings. Max Muncy went 3-for-3 with a pair of two-run home runs, while Shohei Ohtani homered, scored twice and drew three walks. Kyle Tucker chipped in two RBIs. Chicago starter Sean Burke (3-4) gave up four runs on six hits over four innings, and the White Sox saw their eight-game home winning streak come to an end.
Cardinals 9, Twins 6
Ivan Herrera slugged two home runs, with his second igniting a five-run seventh inning that carried St. Louis past Minnesota in Minneapolis. The Cardinals broke a 4-4 deadlock by scoring five times on five consecutive batters in the seventh. Herrera and Jordan Walker hit back-to-back solo shots with two outs before Blaze Jordan capped the inning with his first career major league home run — a three-run blast. Matt Svanson (2-1) was flawless in 1 2/3 innings of relief. For Minnesota, Royce Lewis homered for the third time in his last four games, Byron Buxton hit his 22nd long ball of the year and Luke Keaschall added a two-run shot. Justin Lawrence (0-3) fanned the first two Cardinals he faced in the seventh before allowing four of the five runs to cross.
Padres 9, Orioles 3
Jackson Merrill and Samad Taylor each hit two-run home runs in the first inning to set the tone as San Diego rolled past host Baltimore. Gavin Sheets, Rodolfo Duran and Manny Machado also went deep as part of a five-homer showing for the Padres, while starter Randy Vasquez (6-4) recovered from a shaky first inning to earn the win. Taylor finished with three of San Diego’s 10 hits and drove in three runs. Pete Alonso homered and added a run-scoring double for Baltimore, falling a triple short of the cycle. Blaze Alexander also had three hits for the Orioles, who saw a three-game winning streak snapped.
Yankees 3, Blue Jays 1
Paul Goldschmidt delivered a two-run homer in the ninth inning to lift visiting New York past Toronto. Louis Varland (3-2) surrendered a bloop single to center by Cody Bellinger to open the ninth, and Goldschmidt followed by driving an 0-1 knuckle curve to left for his ninth home run of the season. David Bednar then struck out the side in the bottom half to earn his 14th save, giving the Yankees a split of the first two games of the series. Fernando Cruz (4-1) navigated three walks in the eighth to pick up the win. Kazuma Okamoto hit a solo homer for Toronto.
Pirates 3, Marlins 2
A bases-loaded hit by pitch to Spencer Horwitz in the eighth inning made the difference as host Pittsburgh edged Miami. Tyler Callihan and Jake Mangum singled off Anthony Bender (1-1), and Jared Triolo drew a walk to load the bases before Bender hit Horwitz with the first pitch to hand the Pirates the lead. It was just Pittsburgh’s second win over its last eight games. Yohan Ramirez (4-2) allowed the first two batters he faced in the top of the eighth to reach base but escaped without giving up a run. The defeat ended Miami’s season-best six-game winning streak. Liam Hicks and Heriberto Hernandez each had RBI singles for the Marlins, while Otto Lopez went 2-for-3 with a walk.
Red Sox 6, Rangers 3
Ceddanne Rafaela came through with a go-ahead two-run single in the seventh inning to power Boston past visiting Texas. Jarren Duran contributed a two-run home run, and Rafaela finished with two hits and two RBIs. Isiah Kiner-Falefa had two hits and scored twice, while Willson Contreras went 2-for-4 with a double for the Red Sox. Garrett Whitlock (4-1) earned the victory with a scoreless inning of relief, and Aroldis Chapman worked a clean ninth for his 14th save. For Texas, Jake Burger hit his 12th home run, Wyatt Langford went 3-for-5 with an RBI and Nicky Lopez had two hits.
Nationals 8, Mariners 3
Luis Garcia Jr. broke a tie with a two-run homer in the fifth inning as Washington defeated visiting Seattle. CJ Abrams collected three hits, drove in two runs and scored twice for the Nationals, who had dropped their previous two games. Starter Cade Cavalli (4-4) earned the win, allowing three runs on four hits over five innings. For Seattle, Colt Emerson hit his second home run in as many days — and sixth of the season — as part of a three-run fifth inning that briefly tied the game. Luis Castillo (2-6) gave up five runs, two of them earned, on seven hits over 5 2/3 innings.
Reds 2, Diamondbacks 1
Noelvi Marte crushed a tie-breaking solo home run in the eighth inning to give Cincinnati a win over visiting Arizona in game two of their three-game series. Juan Morillo (1-3) entered to start the eighth and gave up Marte’s second homer of the season — a shot to left-center with one out — to break a 1-1 tie. Reds starter Rhett Lowder went 5 2/3 innings, surrendering one run and five hits while striking out six and walking two. Caleb Ferguson and Chase Petty (1-1) combined for 2 1/3 scoreless innings before Tony Santillan closed it out in the ninth for his third save. Cincinnati had lost seven of its previous eight games.
Braves 3, Mets 1
Martin Perez turned in another strong outing, holding the opposition to one run over 5 1/3 innings as Atlanta edged host New York in the middle contest of a three-game series between National League East rivals. Eli White went 3-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs, while Michael Harris II added a solo shot in the eighth for the Braves, snapping a three-game skid. Perez (5-3) gave up one run on four hits with one walk and four strikeouts. Mark Vientos had an RBI single in the sixth for the Mets, who fell to 2-3 on their current homestand. New York starter Sean Manaea (1-2) — making just his second career start after 14 bullpen appearances this season — gave up two runs on four hits with no walks and six strikeouts over six innings.
Phillies 9, Brewers 8
J.T. Realmuto homered and drove in four runs as Philadelphia held on to beat Milwaukee on the road. Kyle Schwarber, Brandon Marsh, Edmundo Sosa and Realmuto each had three hits for the Phillies, who racked up a season-high 17 hits after being held to just one hit by Milwaukee ace Jacob Misiorowski the night before. Bryson Stott contributed two hits, two RBIs and two runs. Left-hander Tim Mayza (2-1) allowed one hit in one-third of an inning to earn the win for Philadelphia, which has now won eight of its last 11 games. Jackson Chourio went 4-for-5 with two home runs for the Brewers, while Garrett Mitchell also homered and William Contreras had three hits. Shane Drohan (3-2) was tagged for four runs and eight hits in five-plus innings.
Angels 8, Rays 0
Jo Adell went 4-for-5 with a double and three runs scored, and Jose Siri added a two-run homer as Los Angeles pounded out 15 hits in an 8-0 shutout of Tampa Bay in Anaheim. Denzer Guzman went 2-for-4 with three RBIs, and Donovan Walton contributed three hits, a double and two RBIs. Nolan Schanuel had two hits and scored twice for the Angels, who have now won four straight and five of their last six. Jose Soriano (8-4) allowed three hits, walked two and struck out five. Tampa Bay starter Griffin Jax (1-5) took the loss despite surrendering just one unearned run on five hits over five innings. The victory gave Los Angeles back-to-back home series wins — the first time that has happened since June 5-11, 2025.
Athletics 7, Rockies 5
Zack Gelof homered and singled to extend his hitting streak to 17 games as the surging Athletics topped Colorado in Las Vegas. Alika Williams had three hits, Henry Bolte added two and Jose Suarez (1-2) worked 1 2/3 innings of relief for the A’s, who have won four straight during their first homestand in their future home city. Elvis Alvarado retired the final three batters for his second save. Brett Sullivan homered for Colorado, while TJ Rumfield and Troy Johnston each had two hits. Starter Kyle Freeland (1-7) gave up six runs on 10 hits over 5 2/3 innings. The Rockies have now dropped three straight and seven of nine.
Astros 8, Royals 7
Christian Walker was part of a four-homer effort for Houston and reached on a fielder’s choice that allowed the go-ahead run to score in the ninth as the Astros edged host Kansas City. Jose Altuve, Jake Meyers, Brice Matthews and Walker all went deep for Houston, while Yordan Alvarez had three hits. In the ninth, with runners on first and third and one out, Alex Lange (0-4) got Walker to hit what looked like a potential double-play grounder, but second baseman Nick Loftin’s throw sailed wide of first base, allowing the tiebreaking run to score. Bryan King (1-1) worked a scoreless inning with a strikeout to earn the win. Carter Jensen’s three-run double in the sixth had given Kansas City a 7-5 lead. Bobby Witt Jr. doubled for his third hit of the game in the ninth but was doubled off second base when Isaac Collins lined out to end the contest.
Cubs 6, Giants 1
Pete Crow-Armstrong homered on the very first pitch of the game, Ben Brown delivered five solid innings and visiting Chicago beat San Francisco for the second straight time in their three-game series. Rookie Pedro Ramirez hit his first career home run and Ian Happ added another as the Cubs collected 11 hits, including four doubles. Brown (3-2) worked in and out of trouble to record 15 outs, allowing just one run despite giving up seven hits and three walks. San Francisco went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position while Brown was on the mound. The Giants’ only run came in the third when Drew Gilbert walked and eventually scored on a Luis Arraez triple. Trevor McDonald (2-4) was charged with four runs on six hits in 3 2/3 innings.
The Chicago Cubs wasted no time making their presence felt Saturday night, as Pete Crow-Armstrong sent the game’s opening pitch over the fence in left-center field for his 12th home run of the season. From there, Chicago never slowed down, cruising to a 6-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants to claim back-to-back wins in their three-game series.
Crow-Armstrong’s leadoff blast came off a slider from Trevor McDonald and set the tone for an evening that saw the Cubs collect 11 total hits, including four doubles and three home runs. Crow-Armstrong finished the night with a double and a single as well, giving him a three-hit performance overall.
Chicago extended its lead in the third inning when Crow-Armstrong’s double helped ignite a two-run rally. He came home on a single by Seiya Suzuki, and Michael Busch pushed the score to 3-0 by stealing home as part of a double steal with Ian Happ.
McDonald ran into further trouble in the fourth, exiting with the bases loaded and two outs. Reliever Reiver Sanmartin then walked Busch to push the Cubs’ advantage to 4-0. McDonald finished the night charged with four runs on six hits across 3 2/3 innings, walking three batters and striking out four to fall to 2-4 on the season.
The Cubs wrapped up their scoring in the fifth inning on home runs by Happ, his 16th of the year, and rookie Pedro Ramirez, who connected for the first home run of his major league career in just his 29th plate appearance. Ramirez also added a double on the night.
On the mound, Ben Brown was the story for Chicago. The right-hander worked through several jams over five innings, surrendering just one run despite giving up seven hits and three walks. He struck out three and improved his record to 3-2. Brown has now allowed one run or fewer in six of his seven starts this season and finished the night with the same ERA he carried into the game — a sharp 1.74.
San Francisco’s lone run came in the third inning when Drew Gilbert drew a walk and eventually scored on a triple by Luis Arraez. The Giants struggled with runners on base all night, going 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position during Brown’s time on the mound.
Gilbert walked three times for San Francisco, and Rafael Devers contributed a double and a single. The loss dropped the Giants to 1-4 on their current six-game homestand.
Turkey’s long-awaited return to the World Cup ended in disappointment Saturday, as Australia walked away with a 2-0 Group D victory in Vancouver, ending a 24-year absence from the tournament’s biggest stage for the Turkish side on a sour note.
It wasn’t a dominant performance from the Australians — they generated few opportunities — but they converted the chances they did get with clinical precision. Meanwhile, their disciplined defensive unit turned away wave after wave of Turkish pressure to preserve the result.
Turkey, appearing at the World Cup finals for the first time since finishing third back in 2002, leaned heavily on 21-year-old creative midfielder Arda Guler to spark their attack. He tested the Australian goalkeeper as early as the seventh minute, though his first attempt sailed over the crossbar without threatening.
The Australians took notice and worked to limit Guler’s influence. He eventually got a shot on frame in the 27th minute with a struck volley, but goalkeeper Patrick Beach came up with the stop.
Australia then broke the deadlock on their very next offensive push. Speedy forward Nestory Irankunda chased a through ball from Paul Okon-Engstler along the left side, cut toward goal, and slipped the ball past Turkish goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir to put his team ahead.
Turkey nearly pulled level just three minutes afterward. Defender Abdulkerim Bardakci brought the ball down with his chest and unleashed a curling shot off the outside of his left foot, but Beach produced a brilliant fingertip save to redirect the ball onto the post and keep Australia’s lead intact.
The Socceroos carried their one-goal advantage into halftime, and the second half followed a familiar script — Turkey holding the ball and pressing forward, while Australia sat deep, ceded space on the wings, and packed the center of the field to deny Guler and his teammates room to operate.
Despite Turkey’s sustained pressure in search of an equalizer, Australia delivered a knockout blow in the 75th minute. Midfielder Connor Metcalfe pounced on a loose ball and launched a shot from well outside the box. The bouncing effort found the back of the net, putting the match firmly out of reach.
With the win, Australia moves into second place in Group D. The United States, one of the tournament’s co-hosts, leads the group after crushing Paraguay 4-1 on Friday.
The Detroit Tigers announced Saturday that right-handed pitcher Jack Flaherty has been sidelined, landing on the 15-day injured list due to a peroneal tendon strain along the outer side of his left ankle and foot.
The timing adds to the team’s pitching challenges, arriving just as ace Tarik Skubal — who had been recovering from left elbow surgery — was activated from the 15-day IL and returned to the mound for the first time since April 29. Skubal’s comeback start ended in a 3-1 defeat to the host Cleveland Guardians.
Flaherty, who turns 30, made his most recent appearance Friday, surrendering two runs on three hits across three innings before leaving the game with the leg issue. The trouble began in the first inning when his left cleat appeared to slip during his follow-through as he faced batter Chase DeLauter.
Speaking Saturday, Flaherty described how the injury progressed during the game. “Kind of tightened up between the first and second,” he said. “Didn’t feel great. When I went over to cover first, it tightened up on me even more. … I wasn’t finishing the same way after the first. My mechanics weren’t the same. There was a lot of discomfort.”
Before leaving the game, Flaherty switched cleats heading into the third inning. He made one final notable play — lunging to field a comebacker off the bat of Kyle Manzardo to record the last out of the inning — before Detroit ultimately fell 3-2.
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch confirmed what everyone in the ballpark witnessed. “He slipped on the mound. We all saw that,” Hinch said. “And then he was able to recover and tolerate it. He talked a little bit about it in the second inning, and then the (comebacker in the third) really irritated him. We’re going to get tests and get him worked up and looked at and all that.”
Through 15 starts this season, Flaherty carries a 1-8 record — tied for the most losses in the major leagues — along with a 5.35 ERA. He has walked 34 batters and struck out 78 in 65 and two-thirds innings pitched.
Over the course of his career, Flaherty owns a 64-64 record with a 3.89 ERA, 385 walks, and 1,208 strikeouts across 1,056 and one-third innings in 205 regular-season appearances — 199 of them starts. He has suited up for the St. Louis Cardinals from 2017 through 2023, the Baltimore Orioles in 2023, the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024, and the Detroit Tigers in 2024 and into the current season. In postseason play, he is 2-6 with a 5.05 ERA in 13 playoff games, including 11 starts.
The Tigers also made two additional roster moves Saturday. Right-hander Ty Madden, 26, was optioned down to Triple-A Toledo. He posted a 0-0 record with a 3.15 ERA, five walks, and 23 strikeouts across 20 innings in seven appearances — one of them a start — for Detroit this season. Taking his roster spot, infielder Hao-Yu Lee, 23, was recalled from Toledo. Lee is hitting .212, going 18-for-85 with two home runs and nine RBIs across 33 games with the Tigers this year.
Looking ahead, manager Hinch indicated Friday that starting right-hander Casey Mize, currently on the 15-day IL with an adductor injury, is expected to be activated and take the mound Sunday against Cleveland.
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Jalen Brunson knew exactly how much fans were shelling out to witness the New York Knicks capture an NBA championship. Finals tickets were going for $5,000, $50,000, and in some cases even more.
But no one in those seats gave up more money than Brunson himself.
Brunson walked away from this season as both an NBA champion and the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player — a reward built largely on his performance against the San Antonio Spurs in the Finals, but more importantly on a financial sacrifice he made back in 2024. That year, Brunson voluntarily left as much as $113 million in potential earnings on the table, giving the Knicks the salary cap room they needed to assemble a championship-caliber team around him.
It was called an unprecedented move at the time.
It turned out to be the right one.
With a championship now in hand, Brunson has earned a place among New York’s all-time sports legends — a group that includes the likes of Derek Jeter, Eli Manning, and Mark Messier. Brunson, by most accounts, is someone who prefers to stay out of the spotlight. But when you deliver a first title in more than 50 years to one of sports’ most storied franchises, the attention is unavoidable.
The Knicks’ turnaround over the past four seasons has many contributors, but Brunson sits at the top of that list. Before he arrived, New York had managed just four winning seasons over a 21-year stretch. Since Brunson joined the team, the Knicks have posted four winning seasons in four years. They have won eight playoff series with him in uniform; in the 24 years from 1998 through 2022, the franchise won just seven total.
His individual credentials are equally impressive. Brunson has earned three straight All-Star selections and has averaged at least 26 points per game in each of the past three seasons. The only other players to accomplish both of those things over that same three-year stretch are Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kevin Durant, and Giannis Antetokounmpo — all NBA champions. Brunson now joins that club.
Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson offered high praise during the series. “He’s a tremendous player that’s skilled, picks his spots, knows his angles, shoots contested shots without being sped up,” Johnson said. “He’s a phenomenal player.”
Interestingly, the state of Texas has been a lucky destination for Brunson when it comes to winning titles. His Villanova squad claimed the 2016 national championship in Houston, and the 2018 title came in San Antonio — at the Alamodome, just a short distance from the arena where the Spurs play.
Texas as a professional stop, however, was a different story — and that’s ultimately what brought Brunson to New York.
After departing Dallas in 2022 following a contract dispute in which the team failed to offer him what he believed he was worth, Brunson signed with the Knicks.
Two years later, he made another financial decision that raised eyebrows across the league.
In 2024, Brunson agreed to a four-year contract extension with New York valued at up to $156.5 million — if he exercises his option for the 2028-29 season. Had he waited until 2025 to sign an extension, he would have been eligible for a five-year deal worth $269 million.
The expectation is that Brunson will more than make up for the difference in his next contract, which could exceed $300 million — perhaps by a significant margin. But by accepting the smaller deal when he did, he freed up the money the Knicks needed to make additional moves. Following his June 2024 decision, New York added starters Mikal Bridges — a former Villanova teammate — and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Whether those additions could have happened without Brunson’s sacrifice is debatable, but most would say it was unlikely.
Knicks forward Josh Hart — part of what fans have dubbed the ‘Nova Knicks, the nickname for the trio of Hart, Brunson, and Bridges, all of whom won NCAA championships at Villanova and have now won an NBA title in New York — reflected on what Brunson means to the team.
“I think he’s still underrated in the league, and he keeps proving people wrong, game by game, series by series, playoff appearance by playoff appearance,” Hart said. “As a friend, as a teammate, it’s funny because you know he’s one of the best players in the league, and you’re happy that he’s starting to get some recognition.”
Recognition doesn’t quite cover it anymore. Now, he has a ring.
The New York Knicks are NBA champions once again — ending a 53-year title drought with a 94-90 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday, June 13.
Star guard Jalen Brunson was the standout performer of the night, pouring in a game-high 45 points to help New York close out the best-of-seven NBA Finals in just five games. The series wrapped up only days after the Knicks completed what has been called the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history.
San Antonio came out firing and built multiple double-digit advantages throughout the game, keeping the pressure on New York for much of the night. But the Knicks refused to fold, chipping away at the deficit before finally grabbing their first lead of the game with 3 minutes and 40 seconds remaining.
The Spurs could not answer, and New York held on to seal the championship. The Knicks’ postseason run was remarkably efficient — they lost just three games across the entire playoff stretch on their way to claiming the franchise’s first title since 1973.
BOSTON — Scotland’s long-suffering fans finally had something to cheer about Saturday, as their national team ended a 36-year World Cup winning drought with a hard-fought 1-0 result against Haiti in Group C action.
The victory — Scotland’s first at the World Cup since a 2-1 win over Sweden back in 1990 — was far from elegant, but it was enough to send the Tartan Army of traveling supporters into celebration mode.
The breakthrough came in the 28th minute. Che Adams got off a close-range attempt that Haiti goalkeeper Johny Placide managed to stop, but the rebound landed at the feet of John McGinn, whose shot deflected off a defender and found the back of the net.
Earlier in the match, Scott McTominay came close when his strike rattled the post in the 17th minute. Despite some late pressure from Haiti — who showed bursts of speed in the closing minutes — Scottish goalkeeper Angus Gunn was rarely tested throughout the contest.
The three points vault Scotland to the top of Group C, ahead of five-time world champions Brazil and 2022 semifinalists Morocco, who played to a 1-1 draw earlier Saturday.
Head coach Steve Clarke acknowledged the performance wasn’t flawless but didn’t seem to mind. “We probably put the supporters through it a little bit. Everyone said it was a must-win game. We won the game,” he said on BBC radio. “Defensively — outstanding. We probably could have been a little bit better with the ball, but who cares?”
At the final whistle, Scottish supporters packed the stadium and broke into a boisterous chorus of “Yes Sir, I Can Boogie” by Spanish 1970s disco group Baccara — a song that has become their signature celebration anthem.
McGinn’s goal carried extra significance. At 31 years and 238 days old, he became the oldest Scottish player ever to score at a World Cup. The milestone came less than a month after he lifted the Europa League trophy as captain of England’s Aston Villa. Winger Ben Gannon-Doak also made his presence felt with his speed on the flanks.
Under FIFA’s expanded tournament format, accumulating three points and a solid goal difference through the group stage gives a team a strong chance of advancing to the knockout round — something Scotland has never accomplished across their previous eight World Cup appearances.
Haiti, making their first World Cup appearance since 1974, had two players with English Premier League experience in their lineup: Jean-Ricner Bellegarde of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Wilson Isidor of Sunderland. However, genuine scoring opportunities were scarce for the Haitian side.
Their best moments came in the 38th minute when the ball dropped to Ruben Providence just yards from goal, only for Aaron Hickey to strip him of possession. Frantzdy Pierrot then headed narrowly wide in the 85th minute and had another late opportunity, but Scotland held firm to secure the win.
Both nations return to action on Friday. Scotland will face Morocco in Boston, while Haiti takes on Brazil in Philadelphia.
Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino was pulled from Saturday night’s game against the Houston Astros after sustaining a right hand and hamate injury.
Pasquantino had kept his hitting streak alive at eight games with a single earlier in the contest before appearing to hurt himself on a swing during the bottom of the fifth inning, with the score knotted at 4-4.
Isaac Collins stepped in as his replacement and took up a spot in left field, while Jac Caglianone moved over to cover first base for the remainder of the game.
The 28-year-old is having a difficult offensive season, posting a career-low .224 batting average. Over five seasons with Kansas City, he carries a .260 career average to go along with 76 home runs.
The contest between Houston and Kansas City was still deadlocked at 7-7 when a rain delay halted play with one out recorded in the top of the eighth inning.
EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey — A World Cup clash between two heavyweights ended in a 1-1 stalemate Saturday, as Morocco proved they could more than hold their own against Brazil in front of a packed house at the stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Morocco midfielder Ismael Saibari put his team ahead with a well-deserved first-half goal, but Vinicius Jr. answered with a spectacular equalizer to keep Brazil from falling behind in their Group C opener. The draw leaves the group standings evenly matched heading into the later Saturday contest between Haiti and Scotland.
For Morocco, who reached the semi-finals at the 2022 World Cup, the showing reinforced the belief that they belong among the sport’s elite nations. Brazil, meanwhile, left the field with plenty of concerns after a disjointed performance that saw Morocco repeatedly exploit gaps in their defense.
Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti was candid about his team’s shortcomings in the opening half. “I don’t think we started the match well, the team was a bit nervous, we lost possession too often and lost too many challenges. The first half wasn’t good,” he said, while acknowledging improvement after halftime. “It improved in the second half; it’s a tough match because Morocco are a good side. I think there was a bit of nervousness. In the first half they were breaking out of our press and making dangerous counter-attacks.”
Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi made clear his ambitions extend beyond what his team achieved three years ago. “If you’re asking me if I want to have the same trajectory as in 2022, no, I want to go beyond the semi-finals this time,” he said. “This was one point but we hoped to have more. One point is good enough and we will improve.”
Morocco controlled much of the early action, moving the ball patiently along the wings and creating danger through Achraf Hakimi and Bilal El Khannouss. Teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi drew attention by carving through Brazil’s midfield with ease, as the five-time world champions struggled to contain Morocco’s pace and organization.
Brazil’s first real opportunity came in the 14th minute, but Igor Thiago squandered it with a poorly directed header. Seven minutes later, Morocco capitalized on a Brazil mistake. Lucas Paqueta lost the ball in midfield, and Brahim Diaz quickly fed Saibari behind a flat-footed Brazilian backline. Goalkeeper Alisson made matters worse by rushing off his line at the wrong moment, and Saibari coolly chipped the ball over him to put Morocco in front.
Brazil pulled level in the 32nd minute thanks to a moment of individual brilliance. Vinicius Jr. received a pass from Bruno Guimaraes on the left side of the penalty area, shifted onto his right foot, and drilled an unstoppable shot into the far top corner of the net. Brazil nearly grabbed the lead just before halftime, but Morocco keeper Yassine Bounou made a sharp save to deny Paqueta’s acrobatic scissor kick.
Brazil made changes at halftime, bringing on Fabinho and Danilo to replace Casemiro and Roger Ibanez — both of whom had difficult first halves. The substitutions helped Brazil assert more control after the break, though clear scoring opportunities remained hard to come by until the 78th minute, when Raphinha got on the end of a Vinicius cross.
The match grew cautious in the closing stages as both teams avoided unnecessary risks. Substitute Matheus Cunha gave Brazil a late jolt of energy and came close to a winner, but the Brazilians never quite rediscovered their trademark flair.
Both nations will still feel confident about their chances of topping the group and earning a more favorable path through the knockout rounds.
What started as a satisfying win for Cleveland quickly turned into a nightmare scenario for the Guardians organization.
Star third baseman José Ramírez fractured a bone in his left hand Saturday during Cleveland’s 3-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers, and the team has no timetable for his return. The injury is a crushing development for the two-time defending AL Central champions.
The 33-year-old suffered a fractured left hamate bone while leading off the fifth inning. Cleveland held off announcing the severity of the situation until the final out was recorded, when manager Stephen Vogt confirmed the diagnosis following imaging tests.
Vogt described how Ramírez tried to push through the pain for the sake of his teammates. “He had a similar injury I think to his right hand a few years ago,” Vogt said. “He tried to go back out. He knew the position we were in, grabbed his glove and said ‘Maybe I can still play defense,’ but he couldn’t squeeze his glove. Hosey wanted to get back out there to help us win that game. He just couldn’t.”
Ramírez is widely considered the face of the Cleveland franchise. A seven-time All-Star who has landed in the top four of MVP voting on five occasions, he is the team’s most irreplaceable piece. Losing him for any amount of time is a serious blow to Cleveland’s title hopes.
Surgery is anticipated within the next few days. While the Guardians do have other options at third base, none of those players come close to matching what Ramírez brings to the lineup. The team had just moved back into first place in the division heading into the weekend.
Ramírez is no stranger to this type of injury. Back in 2019 — the only time in his career he has landed on the injured list — he broke his right hamate bone. Despite initial projections of missing up to seven weeks, he returned within a month after undergoing surgery.
The timing is complicated by the fact that Ramírez had been in a bit of a slump this season. He entered Saturday’s game hitting just .238 with 10 home runs and 33 RBIs. For context, the switch-hitter carries a career batting average of .274 and holds nearly every significant offensive record in Guardians history.
Ramírez wasn’t the only player to exit Saturday’s game hurt. Outfielders Chase DeLauter and Angel Martinez also left in the opening two innings. DeLauter bruised his right rib cage after crashing into the outfield wall, while Martinez took a foul ball off his foot. Whether either player will join Ramírez on the injured list has not yet been determined.
With three of his top four hitters suddenly unavailable, Vogt had to get creative with his lineup. He shifted Rhys Hoskins from first base to left field — a position Hoskins hadn’t played since 2018 with Philadelphia.
“We’re working through the logistics and what the next steps are so we’ll know more tomorrow or the next day,” Vogt said. “These things can get complicated.”
Detroit manager A.J. Hinch, whose own team has dealt with a heavy injury burden throughout the season, said he felt for Cleveland after watching the situation unfold.
“It was one after another for those guys,” Hinch said. “If there’s any team that understands having injuries at a weird time, it’s us. I didn’t see anything with Ramírez to have him come out of the game, so when Stephen (Vogt) was on the field I had no idea what it was about and they were moving their players all around. Obviously health is a premium. Sounds like they’ve got a lot to sort out over there.”
Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez, a perennial All-Star, is set to be placed on the injured list after fracturing the hamate bone in his left hand during Saturday’s 3-1 home victory over the Detroit Tigers.
The injury occurred during a swing, and Ramirez was pulled from the game when the sixth inning began.
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt spoke about the situation after the final out. “He had a similar injury, I think, to his right hand a few years ago,” Vogt said. “He tried to go back out. He knew the position we were in, grabbed his glove and said, ‘Maybe I can still play defense,’ but he couldn’t squeeze his glove. Hosey wanted to get back out there to help us win that game. He just couldn’t.”
The 33-year-old Ramirez has been selected to the All-Star Game in seven of the past nine seasons, including each of the last five consecutive years. His current campaign has been below his usual standard, however, as he is batting .239 — his lowest average since 2015 — with 10 home runs and 33 RBIs across 72 games this season.
Over his 14-year career with Cleveland, Ramirez has appeared in 1,681 regular-season games, compiling a .278 batting average along with 295 home runs and 982 RBIs.
Hamate bone fracture surgery typically requires a recovery period of anywhere from four to eight weeks.
Saturday was a particularly rough day for the Guardians on the health front. Outfielders Chase DeLauter and Angel Martinez also left the game early — DeLauter with a right rib contusion and Martinez with a left foot bruise.
Aldon Smith, the former NFL defensive end who burst onto the professional football scene as one of the game’s most feared pass rushers before a series of personal struggles cut short his career, passed away Saturday at age 36.
The San Francisco 49ers — the team that drafted Smith seventh overall in the 2011 NFL Draft out of Missouri — announced his death Saturday but offered no cause.
“We are devastated by the sudden and tragic passing of Aldon Smith,” the organization said in a statement. “Aldon’s undeniable talent and sheer dominance on the field were on display from the moment he joined our organization, having recorded one of the best rookie seasons the National Football League has seen. Beyond his excellence as a player, Aldon will be remembered for his infectious smile that lit up every room he walked into. Our entire organization sends its deepest condolences to the Smith family and all who knew and loved Aldon.”
During his four seasons in San Francisco, Smith appeared in 50 regular-season games with 30 starts, compiling 152 tackles, 44 sacks, 81 quarterback hits, one interception, five forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one safety. In eight playoff games for the 49ers, he added 20 tackles and 5.5 sacks.
His impact was immediate and historic. Smith’s 14 sacks during his 2011 rookie campaign ranked as the second-highest single-season total by a first-year player since the NFL began officially tracking sacks in 1982, according to the team. He followed that up with 19.5 sacks in 2012, a franchise single-season record, and his combined 33.5 sacks over those first two years stand as the most ever recorded by any player in their opening two NFL seasons, per the team.
Smith earned a spot on the NFL All-Rookie Team in 2011, then received Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro honors in 2012.
However, his career was repeatedly interrupted by off-field incidents. He was suspended nine games in 2014 for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, and the 49ers cut ties with him in August 2015 following a DUI arrest. According to an ESPN report published Saturday, Smith was arrested 10 times over a nine-year span, including a 2013 arrest on three felony charges related to possession of illegal assault weapons.
Smith landed with the Oakland Raiders and played nine games in 2015, but the NFL again suspended him indefinitely for another substance abuse policy violation. He missed the entire 2016 and 2017 seasons, and the Raiders released him in March 2018 after a domestic violence arrest.
He received another suspension in April 2020 after signing with the Dallas Cowboys, though he was reinstated the following month and went on to start all 16 games he appeared in for Dallas that season.
The Seattle Seahawks signed him in April 2021 but released him that August, effectively ending his playing career.
Over 75 regular-season games and 53 starts, Smith finished with 228 tackles, 52.5 sacks, one interception, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, one safety, and 103 quarterback hits.
ESPN reported that Smith announced his retirement from professional football in 2023. In the year that followed, he channeled his experiences into a mentoring initiative aimed at helping young athletes navigate the pressures and distractions that come with life as a professional. He worked with the rookie classes of both the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Las Vegas Raiders.
Smith was a Kansas City, Missouri native who played college football at Missouri for two seasons. In 23 games from 2009 to 2010, he recorded 79 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, and 14.5 sacks. He was named a first-team All-Big 12 Conference selection and the team’s defensive lineman of the year in 2010 before entering the NFL Draft.
Iowa’s own Zach Johnson delivered a spectacular round on Saturday, carding a 9-under-par 63 to pull into a three-way tie for the lead at the Principal Charity Classic in Des Moines. Johnson now sits at 12-under for the tournament alongside Brett Quigley and Australian Scott Hend, who had shared the first-round lead.
Johnson’s 63 was the best round of the tournament and matched his personal low for the season. He got hot on the front nine by making birdies on five straight holes — Nos. 4 through 8 — and then picked up four more birdies coming in on the back nine.
“Today was good. I mean, I putted nice,” Johnson said. “I still feel like I left some shots out there. Kind of eats at you, but at the same time I made a couple putts that you’re not supposed to make so it probably all evened out in that regard. Yeah, excited. I put myself in a place now where I can make a run tomorrow.”
In his first season on the tour, the 50-year-old Johnson has finished inside the top ten in each of his seven starts. He is seeking his second Champions Tour win of the year, having previously claimed victory at the James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational back in March.
Quigley turned in a 7-under 65 on Saturday, highlighted by birdies on both par-3s on the back nine — including the course’s most difficult hole, the 198-yard 14th. On the prospect of being paired with the hometown favorite Johnson in Sunday’s final round, Quigley was enthusiastic.
“I love that. I mean, we like playing in front of people. It certainly means a little bit more and gets us a little more fired up, a little more excited knowing that everybody will be pulling for Zach,” Quigley said. “That’s an easy like. He’s one of the greatest guys in the world, obviously world-class player and just he’ll be right there.”
Hend, who leads the field in putts per green in regulation at 1.50, birdied all four par-5s on the course for the second day in a row. However, he acknowledged that a rain delay made for a tricky start to his round on Saturday.
“I found it a bit hard to get a grasp of the speed of the greens after we had the rain delay,” Hend said. “Took me a little while to sort of get back into how soft the greens had got and the slowness of them. Just took me a little while to get used to it again. Picked that up as we went into the back nine.”
Six players are within two strokes of the top. South Africa’s Retief Goosen shot a 64 to sit at 11-under, joined by Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen (65) and Australia’s David Bransdon (66). Doug Barron (67), Spain’s Jose Maria Olazabal (67), and Vaughn Taylor (68) are bunched together at 10-under.
Playing in front of a crowd that will almost certainly be cheering him on, Johnson acknowledged the support he receives from fans while keeping his focus firmly on the task ahead.
“Well, fortunately, I’ve had that response for quite some time,” Johnson said. “I do not take it for granted. The fans are amazing. I do zone out, so apologies if I ignore or don’t hear you because I’m zoned out. There’s not a whole lot — I’m thick-skulled, like there’s not a whole lot going on up there so I’ve got to keep it simple and not try to get too distracted.”
Vinícius Júnior found the back of the net in the 32nd minute to help Brazil secure a 1-1 tie with Morocco in their World Cup opening match at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The five-time World Cup winners faced an early challenge when Morocco’s Ismael Saibari scored in the 21st minute, putting the African champions in front. Brazil, which hasn’t claimed a World Cup trophy since 2002, came into the tournament with considerable pressure and expectations. The crowd of 80,663 was filled with Brazilian supporters wearing yellow, though they grew quiet until Vinícius delivered his stunning angled strike to level the match.
In NBA action, the New York Knicks are positioned to capture their first championship in 53 years when they face the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Saturday night. The Knicks lead the series 3-1 against Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs. Thousands of New York supporters have traveled to Texas hoping to witness history, with the Larry O’Brien Trophy already in place at the arena and ceremony preparations completed.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto came within one out of throwing a no-hitter before Chicago White Sox batter Tristan Peters launched a leadoff home run in the ninth inning. The right-hander had retired 23 consecutive batters before Chase Meidroth reached base on a two-out error by shortstop Mookie Betts in the eighth. Peters connected on a 96.6 mph fastball for his third home run of the season, ending Yamamoto’s no-hit attempt. The Dodgers went on to win 7-1 after Alex Vesia replaced Yamamoto.
The San Francisco 49ers announced the unexpected passing of former All-Pro linebacker Aldon Smith at age 36 on Saturday. The team did not reveal the cause of death. Smith was selected seventh overall in the 2011 draft from Missouri and recorded 33.5 sacks in his first two seasons, setting a record for most sacks by any player in their initial two years. His career was derailed by legal troubles, leading to his suspension in 2014 and eventual release from the 49ers. He later played for the Raiders and Dallas Cowboys.
Qatar managed to salvage a 1-1 draw against Switzerland in World Cup Group B play when Boualem Khoukhi headed home an equalizer in the fourth minute of stoppage time at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Switzerland had taken the lead through Breel Embolo’s first-half penalty kick, just over a week after the player was cleared to enter the United States following visa complications. Despite controlling possession on an unusually warm June day, Switzerland couldn’t convert their numerous scoring opportunities. The match was played in front of a partially filled stadium with many empty seats visible.
Gio Reyna delivered what may become one of the tournament’s most memorable moments with a spectacular goal that capped a 4-1 United States victory over Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on Friday. The goal came deep into stoppage time with virtually the final touch of the match, completing a brilliant team sequence that lasted 70 seconds and involved 26 passes. The performance showcased what observers called Pochettino-ball at its peak.
American defenseman Jaccob Slavin is one victory away from joining an exclusive club as only the second American to win both an Olympic gold medal and Stanley Cup in the same calendar year. That achievement could come as early as Sunday if Carolina defeats Vegas in Game 6 of the Cup final. His teammate Seth Jarvis, who represented Canada in their overtime loss in the Olympic final in Milan, would gain some redemption. Several Golden Knights players including Mitch Marner, Mark Stone, and Shea Theodore also suffered that Olympic defeat, while teammates Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin need two more wins to match the Olympic gold-Stanley Cup double that only Ken Morrow accomplished in 1980 with the “Miracle on Ice” and New York Islanders.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden was taken into custody in Houston early Saturday morning on a misdemeanor weapons charge, according to Harris County District Clerk records. Harden was arrested at 3:41 a.m. and processed before 5 a.m. on charges of unlawfully carrying a weapon in a vehicle. He posted a $100 bond and was released from custody. Court documents indicate Harden had a visible handgun that was not secured in a holster. His court appearance is set for June 22, with records showing him as a Houston resident.
Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal returned to the mound for his first appearance since April 29, showing expected signs of rust in the Tigers’ 3-1 defeat to the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday. The two-time defending AL Cy Young Award winner pitched 4 2/3 innings after undergoing a new surgical procedure to remove loose bodies from his elbow. While not at his dominant best, the Tigers were pleased to have their star left-hander back in action. Skubal threw 80 pitches and surrendered a two-run homer to Daniel Schneemann in the third inning on a fastball.
Jackson Suber holds his first 54-hole lead on the PGA Tour heading into Sunday’s final round of the RBC Canadian Open in Caledon, Ontario. Suber carded a 66 with a birdie on the final hole, giving him a one-shot advantage over Bud Cauley and several other contenders. Tommy Fleetwood and Wyndham Clark are among 17 players within four shots of the lead. Weather conditions including rain and wind are expected for the final round. Brooks Koepka dropped out of contention due to a hand problem that affected his grip, while 36-hole leader Ben James struggled to a 78.
Aldon Smith, the gifted defensive player whose NFL career was interrupted by numerous legal troubles, has passed away at age 36.
The San Francisco 49ers made the announcement Saturday evening regarding Smith’s death. No cause of death was provided by the organization.
“We are devastated by the sudden and tragic passing of Aldon Smith,” the 49ers said in a statement. “Aldon’s undeniable talent and sheer dominance on the field were on display from the moment he joined our organization, having recorded one of the best rookie seasons the National Football League has seen. Beyond his excellence as a player, Aldon will be remembered for his infectious smile that lit up every room he walked into.”
The 49ers selected Smith as the 11th overall draft choice from Missouri in 2011, and he quickly became a key contributor for San Francisco, helping end the team’s playoff absence and advancing to the NFC championship game during his initial three seasons, including one Super Bowl appearance.
Smith recorded 14 quarterback sacks during his rookie campaign, placing second behind Von Miller for the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award. He set a team record with 19 1/2 sacks in 2012, earning first-team All-Pro recognition.
His 33 1/2 sacks during his opening two seasons remain an NFL record. He maintained that productivity with 4 1/2 sacks through the first three contests in 2013 before legal difficulties began with a DUI arrest and substance abuse treatment that cost him five games.
That same season brought a weapons-related arrest, though he eventually returned to play.
“I’m getting there,” he said after his stint in 2013 on the non-football injury list. “Every day’s just a step closer to getting to where I want to be I’ve gotten a lot of support, from my family, friends, organization, teammates and everything. And it really says a lot that people care about me outside the field and they care about me as a person.”
Smith contributed 3 1/2 sacks during that season’s playoffs but faced a nine-game suspension to start 2014 and never regained his initial performance level due to suspensions and injuries.
San Francisco cut ties with him in August 2015 following another drunk driving incident — his fifth arrest within three years. Oakland signed him just before the 2015 season began, where he managed 3 1/2 sacks across nine games before another suspension.
“Aldon proudly wore the Silver and Black, was respected by his teammates and will be missed dearly,” the Raiders said in a statement.
Smith sought NFL reinstatement in 2016 but was initially denied. The Raiders released him in 2018 after a domestic violence arrest, which resulted in a plea agreement.
He was eventually reinstated in 2020 and appeared in 16 games for Dallas that season, recording five sacks.
He joined Seattle the following season but was arrested again for battery and released during training camp. He completed a six-month jail term for DUI in 2023 and never returned to the NFL.
Smith concluded his professional career with 52 1/2 sacks across 75 games.
During his college years, he earned first-team All-Big 12 honors and received Missouri’s Defensive Lineman of the Year Award in 2010.
CLEVELAND — Tarik Skubal had no interest in celebrating his comeback from elbow surgery with feel-good stories or congratulatory messages. Keep the encouragement for somebody else.
The fierce left-handed pitcher didn’t earn consecutive AL Cy Young Awards through sentiment or emotional storylines. He’s focused purely on results, and his months away from pitching didn’t change that competitive drive one bit.
“I don’t want to play into that narrative of trying to be back,” Skubal stated Saturday after his first appearance since April 29. “I need to be better, plain and simple. ‘Just happy to be there,’ that’s a loser mentality to me. I need to go out there and pitch and compete and give my team a chance to win and I didn’t do that.”
The pitcher displayed some expected shakiness during his 4 2/3-inning performance as Detroit once more struggled with clutch hitting, leaving 11 baserunners stranded in their 3-1 defeat to the Cleveland Guardians. Skubal underwent an advanced surgical technique on May 6 to extract a loose fragment from his elbow, which sped up his recovery timeline.
Though Skubal wasn’t at his dominant best, the Tigers were simply grateful to see jersey No. 29 back on the hill, throwing with his distinctive high-leg windup.
“He didn’t execute at the level that we’re used to,” said Detroit manager A.J. Hinch. “But man, it was nice to see him out there.”
Hinch pulled Skubal after 80 throws, calling it a “weird start” because Cleveland’s batting order shifted significantly early on when the Guardians lost outfielders Angel Martinez (bruised foot) and Chase DeLauter (bruised ribs) to injuries.
The southpaw surrendered five hits, recorded four strikeouts and committed one costly error in judgment when he threw a high pitch with two strikes to Daniel Schneemann, who launched a two-run blast in the third frame.
“If I want one pitch back, it’s the one to Schneemann,” Skubal reflected.
Leading the count 0-2, Skubal missed his target with an elevated fastball that Schneeman, a left-handed batter facing Detroit’s star for the first time, sent 417 feet to put Cleveland ahead 3-1.
“It was bad. Really bad,” Skubal admitted. “On 0-2, I’m going up and away and I kind of miss. It’s not in enough and it’s not up enough. If I’m going to miss, it needs to be more in and more up. It’s a good swing on it, but the execution on it was pretty poor.”
Skubal’s throwing speed appeared normal, with his fastball reaching the mid-90s (mph). His curveball and slider maintained their typical rotation, and overall he felt satisfied with most aspects of his performance.
“My process was really good today,” he explained. “Every pitch I was bought-in on. At the end of the day, that’s all I can really control, is me trying to go out there and execute every pitch and sometimes things just don’t fall your way.
“Credit to those guys, too. They had some really good at-bats, and they were in on some pitches, and fouled off some pitches and took some really good pitches, too. You kind of give credit where credit is due. At the same time, I’ve got to be better to give our team a chance to win. I just didn’t do that today.”
Colorado Rockies right-hander Chase Dollander has been moved to the 60-day injured list due to what the team believes could be a UCL injury.
The pitcher exited his May 14 matchup with the Pittsburgh Pirates early because of tightness in his right arm. While initial MRI results showed an elbow sprain, manager Warren Schaeffer announced Friday that UCL surgery may be necessary.
“(Dollander) is going for a pre-op appointment soon, within a week,” Schaeffer said. “Then, possibly, it is looking like surgery on the UCL. It’s still not set in stone, but that’s the way it’s trending.”
The 24-year-old has posted a 3-3 record with a 3.89 ERA across 10 outings this season, showing marked improvement in his second year.
During the previous fall, Colorado moved the then-rookie to the 15-day injured list to end the season following a knee injury. That concluded a difficult debut campaign where Dollander recorded a 6.52 ERA and went 2-12 while making 21 starts.
Sadly, his improved performance in 2026 may be cut short by this latest setback.
“If anything happens to that area, your mind automatically goes to the worst-case scenario,” Dollander said at the time of the injury.
The Vegas Golden Knights will be without center William Karlsson for Sunday’s critical Game 6 of the Stanley Cup finals after he suffered a left arm injury.
The injury occurred during Thursday’s 4-2 defeat to the Carolina Hurricanes on their home ice in Game 5.
The incident happened in the second period when Carolina defenseman Sean Walker delivered a crushing blow to Karlsson. His left arm struck the glass during the collision, and medical staff attended to him before he departed the venue for further evaluation.
When asked Saturday about Karlsson’s potential availability for a potential Game 7 in Raleigh, N.C., scheduled for Wednesday, Vegas coach John Tortorella refused to provide details.
Golden Knights winger Mitch Marner, who shares a line with Karlsson, expressed his frustration about losing his teammate at such a crucial time.
“It’s obviously a big miss,” Marner said following Saturday’s morning skate. “He’s done a lot of great things for us since he’s been back. But we’ve done this all year. We’ve had a lot of injuries throughout the year, throughout playoffs. So obviously it sucks losing Will, but it’s a ‘next-man-up’ mentality.”
The 33-year-old Karlsson has contributed three goals and nine points across 15 playoff contests. His regular season was limited to just 14 games after he suffered a lower-body injury on Nov. 8.
Throughout his entire nine-year tenure with Vegas since the franchise joined the NHL, Karlsson has been a consistent contributor. Across 569 regular season games with the Golden Knights, he has recorded 403 points, including 165 goals and 238 assists. His playoff statistics with Vegas include 80 points from 34 goals and 46 assists over 121 postseason games.
Prior to joining Vegas, Karlsson had stints with the Anaheim Ducks during the 2014-15 season and the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2015-17.
Iran kicks off their World Cup Group G schedule Monday against New Zealand in Los Angeles, with political developments away from the field creating as much attention as both teams’ hopes for an elusive tournament breakthrough.
The contest unfolds amid ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict and takes place in an area housing the world’s biggest Iranian population outside their homeland, creating an emotionally charged environment for two countries meeting for the first time at a World Cup.
Iran’s tournament participation seemed doubtful leading up to the competition due to the ongoing conflict. The team also relocated their training headquarters from Tucson, Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, forcing them to cross borders for all three of their group matches on U.S. soil.
Despite reports suggesting diplomatic progress toward resolving the hostilities, tensions surrounding the squad remain high, with Iranian football leadership condemning FIFA following visa rejections for 15 Iranian federation officials attempting to attend the tournament.
The atmosphere in Los Angeles became apparent during Friday’s opening ceremony at Los Angeles Stadium, where audible jeers erupted as Iran’s flag entered the venue. Monday’s match will reveal what kind of crowd response awaits the Iranian players during actual competition.
TWO TEAMS CHASING HISTORY
Both Iran and New Zealand view this matchup as an opportunity to rewrite their typical World Cup stories.
Iran enters their fourth consecutive World Cup appearance and seventh overall participation but has never advanced beyond the group phase. New Zealand returns to the finals for the first time since 2010 in just their third-ever tournament appearance, still searching for their inaugural World Cup victory.
Iran’s manager Amir Ghalenoei, the first Iranian-born coach to guide the national squad at a World Cup since Jalal Talebi in 1998, led his team through Asian qualification after clinching their berth with a 2-2 tie against Uzbekistan in Tehran on March 25, 2025.
New Zealand secured their position one day prior with a 3-0 triumph over New Caledonia in the Oceania qualifying championship. Darren Bazeley’s squad hopes to recall their 2010 performance, when they exited during group play but departed South Africa without a loss following ties with Slovakia, Italy and Paraguay.
Monday’s encounter marks the inaugural World Cup clash between these nations and represents the first occasion either team has battled an opponent from the other’s confederation at the tournament.
Iran brings superior recent tournament experience. They secured group-stage victories in their previous two World Cups, defeating Morocco 1-0 in 2018 — when they achieved a national record four points in a group including Spain and Portugal — and beating Wales 2-0 in Qatar during 2022 with two injury-time goals.
However, advancement to the elimination rounds has continued to prove impossible.
New Zealand’s chances likely depend significantly on captain Chris Wood, their nation’s all-time top goalscorer, who demonstrated his value during qualification with back-to-back hat-tricks against Samoa and Fiji.
CHICAGO — Right-handed pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Los Angeles Dodgers threw six perfect innings Saturday against the Chicago White Sox, retiring all 18 batters he faced.
The 27-year-old hurler recorded six strikeouts while throwing 72 total pitches, with 51 finding the strike zone. Los Angeles held a commanding 5-0 advantage entering the seventh inning.
Chicago’s closest opportunity for a base hit came from Chase Meidroth, who lined a ball that curved just outside the foul line before going down swinging to end the fifth inning.
Play was briefly halted before the sixth inning’s bottom half as the grounds crew made repairs to the mound area surrounding the pitcher’s rubber. When action continued, Yamamoto showed no effects from the interruption, fanning Jacob Gonzalez on a full-count cutter before retiring Tristan Peters on a ground ball to first base and getting Edgar Quero to foul out to left field.
Yamamoto is currently in his third campaign with the Los Angeles franchise. He earned World Series MVP honors last season while helping the Dodgers capture their second straight championship title.
The performance continues an impressive run for Yamamoto as the NL West-leading team’s ace. Over his four previous outings before Saturday’s game, he posted a 3-1 record alongside an outstanding 0.99 ERA.
Extreme heat couldn’t stop World Cup enthusiasts from flocking to Houston’s fan festival on Saturday, where they armed themselves with portable fans, shade umbrellas and plenty of icy beverages to combat the blistering Texas temperatures.
As mercury climbed toward 100 degrees Fahrenheit before Sunday’s opening Houston match featuring Germany versus Curacao, event coordinators implemented numerous cooling strategies, from complimentary sunscreen distribution to climate-controlled refuge areas.
“We know it’s the summer and there is nothing we can do about the heat but we want to make it as comfortable as possible,” Houston fan festival organiser Patti Smith told Reuters.
Approximately 30,000 soccer supporters flooded Houston’s downtown area for the tournament’s opening contest between Mexico and South Africa, though the sweltering conditions resulted in over 100 documented heat-related medical incidents.
Medical staff handled most cases at the venue, where authorities established water refill stations and constructed open-air cooling zones equipped with misting fountains to provide relief for overheated attendees.
Assistant principal Jessica Garza came dressed in lightweight clothing with her hair pulled back, keeping hydration and a personal fan close at hand throughout the day.
“It’s worth it, it’s the World Cup. They only come here once in a lifetime so I am going to be hot for today, I am going to enjoy it,” Garza said.
While intense temperatures challenge multiple tournament locations across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, Houston’s combination of extreme heat and oppressive humidity creates outdoor conditions resembling a furnace blast.
Tournament officials anticipate additional challenges when supporters from temperate nations like Germany and Sweden, unaccustomed to such severe heat, arrive for their teams’ Houston matches.
Saturday’s festival-goers demonstrated creative heat management, with many carrying umbrellas for sun protection, gripping handheld fans, or draping shirts over their heads for makeshift cooling. Some chose simpler approaches.
“I’m trying to stay in the cooler areas, the shadier areas,” geophysicist John Banwagoner told Reuters.
A 19-year-old basketball player from Italy has decided to forgo the 2026 NBA Draft and will instead play college basketball at Villanova, news outlets are reporting.
Luigi Suigo, who stands 7’3″ with a 7’5.5″ wingspan, put up 8.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game while playing 18.1 minutes nightly for Mega Superbet in the AdmiralBet ABA League during the previous season.
The young center from Tradate, Varese, Italy, had been considered by basketball analysts as a possible late first-round selection. ESPN placed him at No. 32 on their prospect rankings.
Suigo chose Villanova over scholarship offers from Illinois, Purdue and Indiana. He’ll be joining a Wildcats team that recently made the NCAA Tournament and finished with a 24-9 record during Kevin Willard’s inaugural season leading the program.
The New York Yankees’ outfielder and designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton has encountered complications in his recovery from a left calf strain he sustained on April 24.
The injury reoccurred while Stanton was running bases during practice last week.
Team officials had been optimistic about Stanton’s return to active play during the club’s upcoming homestand, but those plans now appear uncertain.
Manager Aaron Boone addressed the situation, saying, “He felt a little something in there a day or two ago, so that’s kind of slowed him down. I expected him back early in this homestand. That’s in jeopardy now.”
This season, the 36-year-old Stanton has appeared in 24 games, posting a .256 batting average along with three home runs, six doubles and 14 RBIs.
The team is currently managing multiple significant injuries among its outfield players.
Current American League MVP Aaron Judge remains sidelined with a right rib stress fracture and won’t be available until July or August.
Additionally, outfielder Trent Grisham joined the 10-day injured list on Saturday. The organization has brought up Jasson Dominguez from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to fill the roster spot.
Boone acknowledged the team’s injury challenges, stating, “No getting around it, we’ve lost some key people. It’s part of it. The (162 game schedule) is coming for you. I feel like we’re way more equipped to deal with it than we have been in some years. It’s a great opportunity for some of our young players.”
Pittsburgh has completed a player exchange with Florida, trading defenseman Emil Pieniniemi to the Panthers in return for forward Oliver Okuliar.
The 26-year-old Okuliar spent last season with Skelleftea AIK in Sweden’s top professional hockey league, where he tallied 15 goals and 14 assists across 46 regular season contests. In playoff action, he shared the league lead with six goals and contributed to his team’s championship victory.
Most recently during the 2024-25 campaign, Okuliar suited up for the Charlotte Checkers in the American Hockey League, where he accumulated 19 goals and 22 assists over 69 games.
The departing Pieniniemi, age 21, was selected by Pittsburgh in the third round of the 2023 NHL Draft. He appeared in nine games for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins last season, contributing three points.
CHICAGO (AP) — Shohei Ohtani took his spot back in the Los Angeles Dodgers starting lineup Saturday following a one-game absence due to left knee inflammation.
The star player batted leadoff as designated hitter when the Dodgers faced the Chicago White Sox. Ohtani had exited Thursday evening’s 8-6 victory over Pittsburgh during the seventh inning, then sat out Friday’s 8-2 defeat in Chicago to open the series.
“We took him out of the game the other night just for precautionary,” manager Dave Roberts said Saturday. “Yesterday, treated it up, today he feels great. All the confidence that he can go out there and hit, feel good, not regress at all.”
The 31-year-old Ohtani is still set to take the mound Wednesday versus Tampa Bay. The 6-foot-4 right-hander checked how his knee responded to his pitching mechanics by throwing in the outfield prior to Saturday’s contest against the White Sox.
Ohtani, who underwent left knee surgery in September 2019, is hitting .305 with 13 home runs and 40 RBIs across 67 games for the NL West-leading team. As a pitcher, the defending NL MVP holds a 6-2 record with a 1.06 ERA through 11 starts.
Roberts also mentioned that Justin Wrobleski should make his next planned start Tuesday against the Rays. The left-handed pitcher departed Thursday night’s game in the fifth inning with a left hamstring contusion.
“Yesterday I talked to him and he is a little sore, which is understandable, but he’ll be ready to go on Tuesday,” Roberts said.
The 54-year-old Roberts will be absent for Sunday’s series conclusion against the White Sox. Bench coach Danny Lehmann will manage the team while Roberts attends his daughter’s college graduation.
The Texas Rangers have moved outfielder Evan Carter to the 10-day injured list on Saturday after he sustained an oblique injury. The team brought up utility player Cody Freeman from Triple-A Round Rock to take his place on the roster.
Carter left Friday’s matchup with the Boston Red Sox because of right oblique discomfort. The injury has since been diagnosed as a right oblique strain.
This season, Carter has contributed six home runs, 21 RBIs, 10 stolen bases and posted a .172/.292/.321 batting line for the Rangers. However, his most valuable contribution has been his exceptional defense in center field. According to Baseball Savant, he ranks in the 94th percentile for Fielding Run Value.
Freeman appeared in 36 games for the Rangers during the previous season, posting a .228 batting average along with three home runs and 15 RBIs. This year in Triple-A, he’s performing well with a .341 batting average, two home runs and 11 RBIs across 10 games, and went 1-for-2 in his single appearance for Texas.
The versatile player has major league experience at left field, right field, second base, and third base.
In additional roster moves, Texas brought up right-handed pitcher Joe Ross from Triple-A Round Rock while sending right-hander Luis Curvelo down to the same club. The team also designated right-hander Michel Otanez for assignment.
NBA veteran James Harden of the Cleveland Cavaliers was taken into custody early Saturday morning in Houston, facing a misdemeanor charge for unlawfully possessing a weapon in a vehicle, the Harris County District Clerk’s Office confirmed.
Police arrested the basketball star at 3:41 a.m. and processed him into custody shortly before 5 a.m. He secured his release by posting a $100 bond, court records show. Charging documents indicate officers discovered a firearm in plain sight inside the vehicle that was not secured in a holster.
Court records show Harden’s arraignment date is set for June 22, and he is documented as living in Houston.
The Cleveland Cavaliers released a statement saying: “The Cleveland Cavaliers are aware of the arrest of James Harden this morning and are in the process of gathering additional information. We are in contact with James and his representation and will continue to monitor developments as they become available. At this time, we will have no further comment.”
Representatives for Harden did not respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press.
The 36-year-old athlete recently completed his 17th season in the NBA and holds a $42.3 million player option for the upcoming season with Cleveland. Following the Cavaliers’ playoff elimination by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals, Harden expressed interest in staying with the organization, suggesting he may decline the option to negotiate a longer-term deal.
Throughout his career, Harden has earned recognition as an 11-time All-Star and eight-time All-NBA team member. He captured the league’s Most Valuable Player award during the 2017-18 campaign while with the Houston Rockets.
Atlanta’s baseball team has sidelined right-handed pitcher Spencer Strider for at least 15 days due to inflammation in his elbow, the organization announced Saturday.
The 27-year-old pitcher was forced to leave Friday’s game against New York in the fourth inning when he began experiencing discomfort. Atlanta ultimately lost that contest 7-5 to the Mets.
During his abbreviated outing, the former All-Star and previous 20-game winner allowed seven runs on six hits, including three home runs, across just over three innings of work.
This season, Strider holds a 4-2 record with a 5.31 earned run average across eight starts. In 39 innings pitched, he has recorded 46 strikeouts while issuing 20 walks and allowing nine home runs.
This injury represents another hurdle for Strider following his standout All-Star performance in 2023. Last year proved challenging as he managed only two starts before requiring season-ending elbow surgery. His current season also began with time on the injured list due to a strained left oblique muscle.
To fill the roster spot, Atlanta promoted right-hander Anthony Molina from their Triple-A affiliate in Gwinnett. The 24-year-old Molina has appeared once for Atlanta this season, throwing two scoreless innings during an 8-6 victory over Colorado on May 1.
Two-way baseball sensation Shohei Ohtani rejoined the Los Angeles Dodgers’ starting roster on Saturday for their matchup with the Chicago White Sox.
The superstar was scheduled to take the field as designated hitter while occupying the top spot in the batting order on Saturday.
Ohtani had been absent from Friday’s 8-2 defeat in the opening game of the series, missing action after knee inflammation forced his early exit from the Dodgers’ 8-6 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates the previous day.
The 31-year-old is currently batting .305 this season while contributing 13 home runs and 40 RBIs. As a pitcher, the dual-threat athlete holds a 6-2 win-loss record with a 1.06 ERA through 11 mound appearances.
The four-time Most Valuable Player, who has claimed the honor in each of the past three seasons, carries a lifetime .283 batting average alongside 293 home runs and 709 RBIs over 1,081 career games split between the Los Angeles Angels from 2018-23 and the Dodgers.
Ken Morrow has long enjoyed being the answer to a unique trivia question – he remains the sole American hockey player to capture Olympic gold and claim the Stanley Cup within the same calendar year. Morrow achieved this rare feat as a member of the legendary 1980 U.S. “Miracle on Ice” squad before contributing to the New York Islanders’ initial championship in their four-year dynasty.
While six Canadian players have managed this accomplishment since NHL athletes began competing in Olympic competition, fewer Americans have achieved Morrow’s double than have set foot on the lunar surface. He stands alone in this exclusive category.
This unique distinction will inevitably change regardless of the Cup final’s outcome. Following the U.S. team’s first Olympic gold medal triumph in 46 years, Carolina’s Jaccob Slavin needs just one more win to match Morrow’s achievement, while Vegas could propel Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin into this select group if they capture Games 6 and 7.
“I’ve had my 46 years,” Morrow told The Associated Press by phone Friday. “I’m always one that likes to see new people win the Cup, guys get a chance to do something that they’ll remember the rest of their lives. And for whoever does it this year, yes, I think it’s great.”
Morrow captured four consecutive Stanley Cup championships during the Islanders’ dominant era. Among U.S. players in the current final, only Eichel possesses a Cup championship, having played a crucial role in the Golden Knights’ 2023 title run.
Following his contribution to the U.S. gold medal victory in Milan during February, Eichel notes both parallels and contrasts between these championship pursuits.
“One’s nine, 10 months; one’s two weeks,” Eichel said. “One of them is winner-take-all of just one game at a time. These are seven-game series, so it’s different in that sense. I think from an emotional standpoint and a mentality, I think there’s a lot of similarities: just the investment in winning and the feeling in the room and everything that comes with it.”
While Eichel describes the single-elimination aspect as a useful way to approach playoff hockey, Hanifin emphasized the stark contrast between preparing for individual Olympic contests versus navigating a postseason’s emotional roller coaster.
“When you’re playing seven-game series, you can kind of build over time and if you hit a little bit of a setback or some adversity, you can kind of learn from it and build and come back better,” Hanifin said. “Whereas Olympics, when you get into those medal rounds, it’s a one-and-done situation, so it’s different in that regard.”
Should the Hurricanes prevail, it would provide some redemption for Seth Jarvis, who represented Canada in the Olympic final and fell to the U.S. in overtime on Jack Hughes’ decisive goal.
During a team photo session featuring Slavin, Jarvis, and bronze medalist Sebastian Aho displaying their Olympic medals while wearing their national jerseys, Jarvis joked in a behind-the-scenes video about revisiting his worst memories and mentioned the plush mascot toys that IOC representatives distributed to players following their devastating championship loss.
Prior to the final’s commencement, Jarvis recognized these competitions as separate entities.
“Obviously, losing in the gold medal is going to suck forever,” Jarvis said. “But now I get a chance to be a winner and win something big here with a group of guys that I’ve been grinding with for five years, been through the ups and downs of it and people that I just really care about.”
Two additional defeats would place Jarvis in an identical position, though without another commemorative stuffed animal. Another Golden Knights loss would mean experiencing two final defeats this year for Mitch Marner, Shea Theodore and Mark Stone.
Prior to the series’ start, Slavin worked diligently to prevent his thoughts from wandering to this historic possibility.
“It crosses my mind,” Slavin said. “But we’ve got to go out and do a job first, so not trying to give it too much thought.”
During the nearly five decades since Morrow achieved the Olympic gold-Stanley Cup combination, the entire landscape has transformed. The NHL has sent players to six Olympic Games since 1998, meaning today’s athletes are already established professionals.
At 23 years old, Morrow experienced less than 10 days between defeating the Soviet Union in the “Miracle on Ice” at Lake Placid, New York, visiting the White House, attending his initial Islanders practice, and making his NHL debut.
“I was trying to earn a living,” Morrow said. “I had to kind of really change focus quickly into trying to earn a job with the New York Islanders, and it wasn’t a sure thing for me when I first came to them right after the Olympics. Am I going to be able to play in the league? Those were questions that I was facing in trying to make a living. And these guys certainly didn’t have that facing them after the Olympics.”
They simply needed to return to their professional responsibilities, which presented its own set of challenges. Both Vegas and Carolina topped their respective divisions and advanced through three playoff rounds.
This success provided Eichel, Hanifin and Slavin the chance to join Morrow, Steve Yzerman and Brendan Shanahan from Detroit in 2002, Jonathan Toews, Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith from Chicago 2010, and Drew Doughty from Los Angeles in 2014 in the record books.
“For myself, it’s been a pretty surreal year: Winning gold was awesome, and then having the chance to play for a Stanley Cup is awesome,” Slavin said. “I take it as a blessing and just thankful for it.”
NBA All-Star James Harden of the Cleveland Cavaliers was taken into custody in Houston early Saturday morning on a misdemeanor firearms charge and later released from jail.
The 36-year-old basketball player was part of a five-person group traveling through Houston’s downtown area when police conducted a traffic stop around 3:40 a.m. According to court documents, when Harden pulled up behind another car, a police officer observed a firearm in the cup holder of his Mercedes vehicle.
Court records show that Harden acknowledged ownership of the weapon and was subsequently taken into custody and processed at Harris County Jail.
The player posted bond and is scheduled to appear in court on June 22.
The veteran guard, who has earned six first-team All-NBA honors and captured the 2017-18 league MVP award, is currently playing for his sixth NBA franchise. Cleveland obtained his services on February 4 through a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers, sending guard Darius Garland and a 2026 second-round draft selection in return.
During his 26 appearances with Cleveland this season, all as a starter, he posted averages of 20.5 points, 7.7 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game.
His overall statistics for the current campaign include 23.6 points, 8.0 assists and 4.8 rebounds across 70 games, starting in each contest.
Throughout his 17-year professional career spanning 1,221 games with 1,007 starts, he maintains career averages of 24.0 points, 7.3 assists and 5.6 rebounds.
After being selected third overall in the 2009 NBA draft, Harden has suited up for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Clippers and Cavaliers during his professional tenure.
New York Mets officials anticipate their star shortstop Francisco Lindor will rejoin the team before June concludes, although an exact comeback date remains undetermined.
The talented infielder has been sidelined since April 23 due to a left calf strain injury.
David Stearns, the team’s president of baseball operations, discussed Lindor’s status on Friday prior to the Mets’ 7-5 victory against the visiting Atlanta Braves.
“I don’t know exactly when this month, but that means we’re getting closer,” Stearns said. “We want to go as fast as possible and smart as possible, and that’s a delicate line.”
During his rehabilitation process, the 32-year-old participated in a simulated game on Friday at Citi Field, taking at-bats against a pitcher from the Mets’ High-A affiliate in Brooklyn. Lindor refrained from running after contact and completed defensive work equivalent to two innings, handling ground balls.
“More like a controlled environment (where) we’re simulating game action, but we’re controlling it,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “He’s going to do that again next week here, where instead of two innings, it’s more like three, five (innings). And then, we’ll revisit at the end of next week to see what’s the next step.”
Lindor will likely complete a minor league rehabilitation assignment following what represents his longest injured list period in his professional career. He has been absent for 44 games with this injury, compared to missing only 52 games during his initial five seasons with the Mets.
The Mets have compiled a 22-22 record during Lindor’s absence and currently hold a 31-38 overall record, placing them last in the National League East division.
Lindor is currently hitting .226 this season. Known as a typically slow starter, Lindor had begun finding his rhythm during the nine games preceding his injury, collecting 11 hits in 33 at-bats to improve his average from .188.
Lindor earned All-Star Game selection for the fifth time in his career and first time as a Met in 2025. He posted a .267 batting average with 31 home runs, 86 RBIs, a .346 on-base percentage, a .466 slugging percentage, a National League-leading 644 at-bats and major league-topping 732 plate appearances across 160 games.
Throughout his career, he maintains a .273 batting average with 281 home runs and 861 RBIs across 1,559 regular-season games with Cleveland (2015-20) and New York.
Lindor also carries a .263 batting average with eight home runs and 21 RBIs in 41 postseason games.
The New York Yankees made roster moves Saturday, adding outfielder Trent Grisham to the 10-day injured list while bringing back fellow outfielder Jasson Dominguez from the same list.
Grisham hurt his hamstring during the sixth inning of Friday’s 8-5 defeat to the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto.
The injury occurred after Grisham delivered a two-run single to center field in the sixth inning. He exited the contest following a slide into second base while advancing on a throw to home plate. Team officials reported right hamstring tightness, with manager Aaron Boone indicating the injury happened as Grisham rounded first base.
The two-time Gold Glove recipient finished 1-for-4 with two RBIs before departing the game.
The 29-year-old Grisham carries a .232 batting average with eight home runs and 35 RBIs across 66 games this season.
Dominguez had been sidelined since May 8 due to a low-grade AC sprain in his left shoulder.
His injury occurred one day after he crashed into the outfield wall while making a leaping catch during the first inning of New York’s 9-2 win over the Texas Rangers.
The 23-year-old Dominguez holds a .200 batting average (6-for-30) with one home run and four RBIs in nine games with the Yankees this season.
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone has made it clear he won’t be apologizing to former closer Aroldis Chapman, despite the pitcher’s demands for one.
Chapman has expressed dissatisfaction with how the Yankees handled his situation at the close of the 2022 season, stating that general manager Brian Cashman should apologize to him. The eight-time All-Star was excluded from New York’s American League Divisional Series matchup against Cleveland after he failed to attend a required workout.
“At the end of the day, he wasn’t at the workout,” Boone stated on Friday. “I made the decision, based on a lot of things and thought, to leave him off because I thought that was the right thing to do for our club at the time.”
“Chappy apologized, and really, it’s water under the bridge for me. I love Chappy. I have a really good relationship with him to this day, but the ending of the ’22 season is what it was. He wasn’t there, and I made the decision that I didn’t think it was best for him to come back at that point. He maintained that he was throwing and would be ready as the playoffs unfolded that year, but ultimately, I made that decision.”
When asked directly whether Chapman deserved an apology, Boone’s response was brief: “No.”
The 38-year-old Chapman accumulated 153 saves during his seven-year tenure with New York spanning 2016 through 2022.
Now playing for the rival Red Sox on a one-year contract worth $13.3 million, Chapman holds a 0-1 record with a 0.46 ERA and has converted 13 of 13 save opportunities for Boston.
Chapman ranks 10th in baseball history with 380 career saves, having played for seven different teams since 2010. He earned World Series rings with the Chicago Cubs in 2016 and the Texas Rangers in 2023.
LONDON, June 13 – With enthusiastic support from the home crowd, Emma Raducanu of Britain overcame an injury concern to defeat Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan and advance to the semi-finals of the Queen’s Club Championships on Saturday, earning a matchup against young American player Iva Jovic later that day.
The unseeded Raducanu appeared to be in command of the match until she slipped during the early portion of the second set, requiring medical attention for her thigh. Despite the setback, she persevered to secure a 6-3 7-5 win.
The quarter-final contest had been postponed from Friday due to poor weather conditions that disrupted the tournament schedule earlier in the week.
The sixth-seeded Jovic, age 18, presents a tough opponent for Raducanu in their upcoming semi-final, as the young American displayed strong form when she defeated compatriot and second seed Amanda Anisimova in a three-set match on Friday.
An all-British championship remains possible at the grass-court tournament, with Katie Boulter scheduled to play Croatia’s Donna Vekic, a lucky loser from qualifying, in the day’s first semi-final.
Mixed martial arts is coming to America’s most famous address as the White House prepares to host an unprecedented sporting event on its South Lawn. UFC Freedom 250, scheduled for Sunday night and available on Paramount+ streaming, marks the first time cage fighting will take place at the presidential residence.
The event celebrates both Trump’s 80th birthday and America’s 250th anniversary milestone. Trump, who has been attending UFC matches for over two decades across venues from Florida to New York to New Jersey, will finally watch fights at his own residence – moving just steps from the Oval Office to witness the action.
The president initially proposed this concept during a July 2025 Iowa rally, promising a “full fight” experience for 20,000 to 25,000 attendees. While the actual venue will accommodate approximately 4,000 spectators in a temporary arena, an additional 120,000 fans who won lottery tickets can watch from the Ellipse, the public park adjacent to the White House.
The massive production, costing over $60 million, required constructing an elaborate setup on the traditional Easter egg roll location. The installation includes “the Claw,” a four-sided structure rising more than 90 feet into the sky, complete with lighting, sound systems, extensive wiring, and four large screens for distant viewers to follow the octagon battles.
Several high-profile fighters initially expressed interest, including Conor McGregor who posted on social media, “Count me in.” However, major stars like McGregor, Jon Jones, and Ronda Rousey ultimately won’t participate, with Rousey choosing Netflix for her return bout instead.
UFC CEO Dana White has dubbed this a “1 of 1 event,” emphasizing its unique nature rather than the fight lineup itself. “It’s going to be a pain in the ass getting in and out of there,” White acknowledged. “Once you’re in, it’s going to be incredible. As long as the weather is good, it’s going to be amazing.”
The outdoor event will proceed regardless of weather conditions, though Friday’s news conference at the Lincoln Memorial faced an hour-long delay due to lightning.
Critics have called the seven-fight card disappointing, but it features significant matchups including Alex Pereira of Brazil facing Ciryl Gane of France for the interim UFC heavyweight title. Spanish-Georgian lightweight champion Ilia Topuria will battle interim champion Justin Gaethje, one of only two Americans currently holding shares of UFC’s 11 championship belts.
Additional main card fights include former title contenders Michael Chandler and Derrick Lewis, plus former 135-pound champion Sean O’Malley. Middleweight Bo Nickal, a three-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion from Penn State, will face Philadelphia’s Kyle Daukaus.
Nickal has developed a personal relationship with Trump since meeting him at a 2019 White House ceremony honoring collegiate champions. “As somebody who is as powerful and busy and doing all the things that he’s doing, he does take time out of his day to give me a call once in a while,” Nickal explained. “I’ve been golfing with him a couple of times. It’s surreal to be able to do that. I grew up in a town of 5,000 people in Wyoming, and to be able to golf with the president and hang out with him is like, unbelievable.”
The event represents part of a $7.7 billion, seven-year agreement making Paramount the new home for UFC programming nationwide. Rather than broadcasting on CBS, the Freedom 250 serves as a subscription driver for Paramount’s streaming platform, controlled by the Ellison family, who maintain close ties with Trump.
While White initially projected Super Bowl-level viewership numbers (125.6 million this year), the streaming-only format will likely limit audience size significantly. However, organizers hope the unique patriotic appeal and curiosity factor might attract new subscribers and convert casual viewers into dedicated fans.
The president continues managing various challenges, including ongoing tensions with Iran and other domestic issues, while preparing for this historic sporting spectacle that transforms the traditional White House grounds into an arena for combat sports.
WASHINGTON — Mixed martial arts competitors walked past the imposing marble figure of the 16th president at the Lincoln Memorial, descending the steps to cheers from thousands of spectators who gathered for an unprecedented sporting event celebrating America’s 250th anniversary and President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday.
Friday evening’s news conference showcased the athletes preparing for Sunday’s matches in an Octagon constructed on the White House grounds. The event also highlighted the dedicated UFC supporters who traveled to Washington, weathering storms, sticky weather, and insects for this unique spectacle.
Tracy Philbeck traveled from Charlotte, North Carolina, with his son Levi and several friends to cheer for American fighter Justin Gaethje in his upcoming lightweight championship match against Georgian competitor Ilia Topuria.
“You will hear an eagle screaming when Justin Gaethje wins,” the elder Philbeck chuckled.
David Halstead made the journey from Albany, in Western Australia, to witness the sport he’s followed for ten years. Halstead credited Trump, who frequently attends these competitions, with putting “UFC on the map.”
The UFC invested $60 million in this weekend’s celebration, with the Republican president calling it “the greatest show on earth.”
However, not everyone supports the event.
The Public Integrity Project called the weekend “a private, commercial, corrupt use of our most sacred national monuments for private gain” in legal action the organization brought attempting to prevent it from occurring on government property. A federal judge decided Friday that the White House could proceed.
Approximately one in ten American adults consider themselves mixed martial arts enthusiasts, based on Ipsos Sports research from February and March. The survey indicates MMA supporters tend to be male and nonwhite, with more Republicans than Democrats among their ranks.
“One misconception is that everyone who watches UFC is a Trump supporter, but that’s not the case,” said Ricardo Rodriguez, 24, describing his attraction to the sport’s physical nature. “People also expect a knock out every time,” he added.
Ellie Louizes, who trains in Muay Thai and jujitsu martial arts, made the trip from Daytona Beach, Florida, with her boyfriend, Jacob Purvis.
Women represent a smaller portion of MMA’s audience. However, Louizes noted she’s acquainted with many women who became interested in the sport through their male companions. She observed that “female fighters are often way more aggressive” than their male counterparts.
Spectators at the Lincoln Memorial dismissed concerns about hosting matches at the White House.
Staging fights at the “People’s House,” Tracy Philbeck noted, “goes back to the days of Teddy Roosevelt.”
Roosevelt frequently conducted sparring sessions at the White House, although these weren’t official public competitions. He was a passionate amateur boxer who participated at Harvard and maintained the activity throughout most of his adult years.
Boxing enthusiasts also represent a significant portion of UFC’s audience.
During a UFC-sponsored community gathering this week at the District of Columbia’s Midtown Youth Academy, the boxing facility’s executive director assisted with a visit from UFC competitor Randy Brown, who practiced with over a dozen local young people.
Gloria Lee described meeting the athlete as significant for the children at her facility. “It’s just been a thrilling week, and I was about to fall out when he came in the door!” she exclaimed.
When asked about her own UFC interest, Lee admitted she hadn’t watched much. But following Brown’s visit, she entered the ring with the professional competitor and threw some punches herself.
EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey – Just days before the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins, a seemingly unremarkable parking lot littered with debris in New Jersey is preparing to become one of the most expensive pieces of pavement in the region.
The recently renovated World of Blue hotel plans to charge soccer enthusiasts $450 just to park in this lot during the tournament’s championship game, scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium just across the street. The venue will welcome eight World Cup matches over the coming five weeks.
Reserving a room at World of Blue for the final match will run guests approximately $2,300 based on the hotel’s website pricing – roughly seven times the cost you’d pay just one month afterward. The steep room rate does include a reduced parking fee of $383.
This industrial landscape of storage facilities and wetlands situated between New York City and Philadelphia typically serves as a pass-through destination – much like Tony Soprano’s commute in the famous HBO series opening – or a budget alternative for those priced out of Manhattan accommodations. Yet the area’s close proximity to MetLife prompted local hotel operators to anticipate a World Cup booking boom and adjust their rates upward accordingly.
However, customer demand appears to be falling short of expectations. According to front desk staff member Alexandra Sanchez, World of Blue’s occupancy has ranged between just 8% and 30% for preliminary tournament games. The hotel, which invested approximately $100 million in luxury renovations specifically for the World Cup, had secured bookings for only 4% of rooms for the final match and a single parking reservation as of Monday, Sanchez informed Reuters.
This represents the most recent evidence that the anticipated flood of soccer supporters to American host cities hasn’t fully developed, which travel industry experts and booking agents blame on several contributing elements, including exorbitant ticket costs and elevated airline prices. Additionally, there’s a shortage of reasonably priced lodging alternatives, even in areas that typically serve cost-conscious visitors.
A basic room at a two-star Super 8 motel positioned alongside a busy four-lane highway costs around $500 for the championship game night, while Extended Stay America, a budget-friendly extended stay hotel brand, was recently asking over $900.
Both establishments have already started reducing their room prices for earlier tournament rounds, based on a Reuters examination of their booking websites, while upscale hotels have maintained their premium pricing.
Hotel representatives contacted by Reuters declined to comment regarding their pricing strategies and reservation levels.
Chris Andraka, a 36-year-old manufacturing company operations director, discovered his usual accommodation choice – Marriott’s SpringHill Suites – had increased nightly rates from approximately $300 to $5,300 during the third week of July, prompting him to alter his travel plans.
“I’m not gonna work that week,” he commented while heading to his vehicle. When asked if he’d suggest the hotel to World Cup attendees, Andraka replied: “There’s a pool, there’s a small gym room, free breakfast — nothing to write home about.”
Apart from basic facilities, proximity to the stadium – which FIFA requirements mandated be temporarily renamed from MetLife to New York New Jersey Stadium for the tournament – only provides limited advantages. Visitors paying premium parking fees will still require shuttle transportation or ride-sharing services to reach the matches. Walking to the venue is strongly discouraged.
A notice posted at Extended Stay’s front desk, featuring a New Jersey police department emblem, warns guests: “It is illegal and dangerous to walk on the roadways surrounding the stadium.” The words “Illegal” and “dangerous” appeared in bold text with underlining for emphasis.
Numerous supporters will probably choose accommodations in New York City, where they can experience the metropolitan area’s entertainment venues and dining establishments between trips to New Jersey. However, even Manhattan may see smaller crowds than projected.
Data from CoStar analytics firm shows that as of June 1, only 28% of New York City hotel rooms were reserved for the July 19 final, compared to 40% booked for the same date the previous year.
Jan Freitag, who serves as CoStar’s director of U.S. hospitality, indicated there remains opportunity for improvement. “For some of the markets, the hotel demand will come once the later games in the World Cup will get seeded, and stronger teams survive, and those teams then will attract their crowds,” Freitag explained.
Milwaukee’s Jacob Misiorowski delivered a dominant performance Friday night, recording 15 strikeouts in his first complete game while allowing just one hit in the Brewers’ 6-0 victory over the visiting Philadelphia Phillies.
The right-hander surpassed his previous career bests of seven innings pitched and 12 strikeouts. Misiorowski (8-2) has been exceptional in recent outings, posting a 0.17 ERA across his last eight starts by surrendering just one earned run over 54 1/3 innings.
Working efficiently with 95 pitches (74 strikes), Misiorowski faced the minimum number of batters without issuing a walk, dropping his season ERA to 1.34. His 104.5 mph fastball established a new record for starting pitchers in the pitch-tracking era.
Philadelphia managed only Kyle Schwarber’s fourth-inning single as their lone hit, ending a strong stretch where they had won seven of nine games. Phillies opener Tanner Banks (0-4) surrendered a run in the opening frame.
Jake Bauers provided offensive support for Milwaukee with a three-run home run.
Astros 10, Royals 8
Houston’s Yordan Alvarez launched both a two-run homer and grand slam during a massive nine-run first inning, helping the Astros hold off Kansas City for the victory.
Alvarez became just the third Astros player to homer twice in one inning, joining Lee May (1974) and Jeff Bagwell (1994). ESPN noted that only Alvarez and David Ortiz (2008) have hit two home runs with six RBIs in a first inning since 1920. Christian Walker and Brice Matthews also went deep for Houston.
Kansas City answered with five runs in their half of the first, as both starting pitchers failed to escape the opening inning. The Royals’ Luinder Avila (1-3) was tagged for eight runs on five hits in two-thirds of an inning, while Houston’s Tatsuya Imai allowed five runs on four hits in the same amount of work.
Mets 7, Braves 5
Bo Bichette powered New York with two home runs and matched his career high with six RBIs in the Mets’ home victory over Atlanta.
Juan Soto also homered for the Mets, who extended their winning streak to two games. Reliever Cionel Perez (3-3) got the win, while Devin Williams closed out the final 1 1/3 innings for his 10th save.
Atlanta’s Matt Olson homered, but the Braves suffered their third consecutive defeat, matching their worst stretch of the season. Spencer Strider (4-2) was roughed up for seven runs on six hits in just over three innings.
Marlins 8, Pirates 3
Miami’s Liam Hicks collected three hits including a two-run homer, while Sandy Alcantara earned his third straight victory to power the Marlins past Pittsburgh.
Alcantara reached a career milestone by recording his 1,000th strikeout when he caught Tyler Callihan looking to close the fourth inning. He finished with 1,002 career strikeouts, surpassing Ricky Nolasco (1,001) as the franchise’s all-time leader. Owen Caissie drove in two runs with a double during a four-run seventh inning, extending Miami’s season-high winning streak to six games.
Pittsburgh got home runs from Endy Rodriguez in the fifth inning and Brandon Lowe in the eighth, with Lowe’s blast being his team-leading 17th. The Pirates dropped their sixth game in seven contests.
Guardians 3, Tigers 2
Cleveland’s Tanner Bibee struck out eight batters over seven-plus innings in a combined two-hitter, while Brayan Rocchio delivered an RBI triple as the Guardians never trailed against visiting Detroit.
Patrick Bailey and Steven Kwan contributed run-scoring singles for Cleveland, which snapped a four-game losing streak. The victory moved the Guardians within percentage points of first-place Chicago White Sox in the American League Central.
Detroit managed just two hits against Bibee (2-7), both solo home runs from James Outman in the third and Spencer Torkelson leading off the eighth. The right-hander walked two and threw 91 pitches while winning his second consecutive start.
Diamondbacks 5, Reds 2
A crucial ninth-inning error by Cincinnati left fielder Blake Dunn allowed the go-ahead run to score as visiting Arizona defeated the Reds.
With runners on first and second and two outs, Geraldo Perdomo hit a sinking liner to Dunn against Reds reliever Brock Burke (2-3). The misplayed ball scored Gabriel Moreno for a 3-2 lead, and Jordan Lawlar followed with a two-run single to make it 5-2.
Five Arizona relievers combined to shut out Cincinnati over the final 6 1/3 innings, with Kevin Ginkel (2-2) earning the victory and Paul Sewald recording his 16th save. Noelvi Marte homered for the Reds, who have dropped seven of eight games.
Orioles 7, Padres 3
Samuel Basallo’s two-run first-inning home run gave Baltimore the lead permanently in their victory over visiting San Diego.
Gunnar Henderson also homered among his three hits, and Shane Baz (4-6) allowed two earned runs over five innings for the Orioles, who scored six runs in the first two innings to build a 6-2 advantage.
San Diego’s Gavin Sheets drove in two runs with two hits, and Manny Machado also had two hits. Griffin Canning (0-5) was charged with seven runs over five innings.
Blue Jays 8, Yankees 5
Alejandro Kirk collected three hits, a walk and two RBIs in his return from a fractured thumb as Toronto defeated visiting New York.
Kazuma Okamoto and George Springer each hit two-run homers for the Blue Jays, who have won four of their last six games. Trey Yesavage (3-3) allowed five runs on four hits and six walks in five-plus innings. Louis Varland pitched a perfect ninth for his 12th save.
New York’s Cody Bellinger hit a two-run homer, but the Yankees saw their four-game winning streak end. Ryan Weathers (2-5) gave up six runs on five hits in 4 1/3 innings.
Red Sox 10, Rangers 1
Willson Contreras, Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela each homered to lead Boston to a dominant victory over visiting Texas.
All three players recorded three hits in the win. Sonny Gray (8-1) pitched six innings for the Red Sox, limiting Texas to one run on five hits as Boston ended a four-game losing streak and improved to 11-21 at home this season.
Texas starter Jack Leiter (3-6) worked five innings, allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits. The Rangers got two hits each from Joc Pederson and Wyatt Langford, with Langford providing their only RBI on a first-inning single.
White Sox 8, Dodgers 2
Tristan Peters capped a seven-run fifth inning with a two-run triple, and Anthony Kay pitched five strong innings as surging Chicago defeated visiting Los Angeles.
Bryan Hudson, Trevor Richards and Chris Murphy combined for four perfect relief innings after Kay (6-1) scattered two runs and four hits in five innings. Chase Meidroth and Miguel Vargas each had three hits for the White Sox, who outhit the Dodgers 10-4.
Los Angeles’ Miguel Rojas collected two hits, including an RBI double. Roki Sasaki (3-4) was tagged for seven runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings. Shohei Ohtani sat out after leaving Thursday’s game with left knee inflammation, but manager Dave Roberts said he isn’t expected to go on the injured list.
Twins 9, Cardinals 8
Royce Lewis and Brooks Lee homered in the eighth inning, lifting Minnesota to victory over St. Louis in Minneapolis.
Kody Clemens belted a three-run home run for the Twins, who won the series opener for just their second victory in six games. Byron Buxton doubled twice and hit a solo homer.
St. Louis’ Jordan Walker hit a three-run double and Alec Burleson homered and drove in two runs for the Cardinals, who have lost two straight immediately following a six-game winning streak.
Mariners 10, Nationals 2
Dominic Canzone homered for the second consecutive game and added a two-run triple, while Bryce Miller pitched eight strong innings as visiting Seattle beat Washington.
Colt Emerson and Josh Naylor also homered for the Mariners, who had lost two straight but took control early with a five-run second inning. Miller (3-0) allowed two runs on four hits and has now gone five or more innings in each of his six appearances this season while giving up two or fewer runs each time.
Washington’s James Wood had two hits including a homer, and Dylan Crews also went deep for the Nationals, who fell back to .500 after their fourth straight home loss. Starter Zack Littell (6-5) allowed five runs on four hits over 1 2/3 innings, taking his first loss since April 28.
Athletics 6, Rockies 4
Shea Langeliers and Nick Kurtz slugged consecutive mammoth home runs, and Lawrence Butler scored the tiebreaking run on an error before adding an RBI single as the Athletics beat Colorado in Las Vegas.
The Athletics won their third straight game and improved to 3-1 on their six-game Las Vegas “homestand.” Reliever Mason Barnett (1-0) allowed one hit in 1 2/3 innings, and Hogan Harris retired all four batters he faced for his sixth save.
Colorado’s Cole Carrigg hit a three-run homer, but the Rockies lost for the sixth time in eight contests. Reliever Zach Agnos (0-2) permitted four runs, three earned, in 2 2/3 innings.
Cubs 5, Giants 1
Michael Busch launched a three-run homer into San Francisco Bay, and Javier Assad combined with two relievers on a four-hitter as Chicago opened a three-game road series with a victory.
Assad (4-1) yielded three hits in six scoreless innings. Seiya Suzuki had two doubles and an RBI as the Cubs won their second straight game.
San Francisco starter Landen Roupp (5-7) was charged with four runs on four hits in 4 2/3 innings. Bryce Eldridge collected three of the Giants’ four hits, including a ninth-inning homer.
Angels 4, Rays 3
Trey Mancini hit a two-run triple and Logan O’Hoppe had two hits and an RBI to lead Los Angeles to victory over Tampa Bay in Anaheim, California.
Nick Madrigal went 2-for-3 with a walk, stolen base, RBI and run for the Angels, who won their third consecutive game. Starter Sam Aldegheri (2-1) allowed two runs, one earned, on three hits over five innings. Ryan Zeferjahn struck out Cedric Mullins with the bases loaded in the ninth to earn his second save.
Tampa Bay’s Jonathan Aranda went 2-for-5 with three RBIs, but the Rays had their three-game winning streak snapped. Starter Shane McClanahan (6-4) gave up four runs on eight hits in four innings.
Chicago dominated San Francisco 5-1 in Friday night’s series opener, with Michael Busch launching a three-run blast into the bay while Javier Assad teamed with two relief pitchers to limit the Giants to just four hits.
The contest remained scoreless through three frames as Assad (4-1) and Giants starter Landen Roupp (5-7) traded zeros early on. Chicago broke through in the fourth inning, taking a 2-0 advantage on Seiya Suzuki’s RBI double followed by Nico Hoerner’s sacrifice fly.
Busch delivered the decisive blow one inning later, connecting for his eighth home run of the year after Roupp was removed with two runners aboard and two outs following Alex Bregman’s double. Facing left-handed reliever Erik Miller in a southpaw matchup, Busch watched two sliders before crushing the third pitch over the towering right-field barrier for a commanding 5-0 cushion.
Assad, making just his second appearance since returning from a May demotion to Triple-A Iowa, surrendered a leadoff single to Luis Arraez in the opening frame and base hits to Bryce Eldridge in both the fourth and sixth innings before departing after 85 pitches through six frames. The right-hander issued one walk while recording five strikeouts.
Hoby Milner worked a perfect seventh inning, and Trent Thornton handled the first four batters he encountered across the eighth and ninth before allowing Eldridge’s solo shot – his fifth of the campaign – that prevented the complete shutout.
Suzuki collected two doubles for Chicago, which had dropped two of three games when hosting San Francisco the previous week. The Cubs recorded six hits total, with five going for extra bases including four two-baggers.
Roupp was tagged for four earned runs on four hits across 4 2/3 innings of work. He issued two free passes and fanned five batters.
Eldridge, recently moved up to the second spot in the lineup following a hot stretch that featured a walk-off grand slam Wednesday versus Washington, accounted for three of San Francisco’s four hits. The performance marked his eighth multi-hit effort this season.
The defeat extended San Francisco’s recent home struggles, as they’ve now lost six of their past seven contests at their ballpark.
Seattle Mariners outfielder Randy Arozarena is listed as day-to-day after sustaining a hamstring strain during Friday’s 10-2 victory over the Washington Nationals, forcing him to exit the game in the third inning.
The injury happened as Arozarena tried to reach first base on an infield hit, stretching toward the bag as the throw beat him out. Victor Robles took over his defensive position in left field.
“He’s okay,” manager Dan Wilson told reporters following the game. “I think a little bit of a hamstring strain, might have been more of a spasm or a cramp kind of a thing. He’s day-to-day at this point, and we’ll kind of assess a little bit more in the morning and see how he’s doing.”
Wilson noted that imaging tests for Arozarena’s injury aren’t currently planned, though that decision will depend on how the player feels on Saturday.
Before getting hurt, Arozarena contributed a single that helped spark a five-run rally in the second inning. The 31-year-old outfielder is currently hitting .291 this season with seven home runs, 33 RBIs and 19 stolen bases across 71 games.
Following the United States’ dominant 4-1 World Cup opening match triumph against Paraguay, head coach Mauricio Pochettino emphasized that collective teamwork, rather than standout individual displays, drove the historic result.
The match represented a milestone for American soccer, marking the nation’s first four-goal performance in World Cup competition. Forward Folarin Balogun netted a pair of goals, becoming the first US player to achieve a World Cup brace since the 1930 tournament.
While players like Balogun, Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie delivered standout performances, Pochettino chose to highlight the squad’s unified approach and the contributions of team personnel.
“It was the collective approach,” Pochettino explained to media, noting how the team drew inspiration from supporter enthusiasm.
“Amazing, they were amazing. We can do amazing things if the fans are in this way.”
The decisive win demonstrated the American squad’s offensive capabilities, though Pulisic’s halftime substitution due to a calf injury raised fitness concerns.
Pochettino emphasized that while the team celebrated the victory, they understood it represented just the tournament’s beginning.
The extended training period before World Cup competition allowed coaching staff to develop players rather than simply making roster selections, which typically occurs during brief preparation windows for most international matches, Pochettino noted.
The United States will complete Group D play against Turkey and Australia.
Switzerland’s captain Granit Xhaka believes his squad is positioned to achieve their finest World Cup performance to date, expressing eagerness ahead of Saturday’s match against Qatar in Santa Clara, California.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, the veteran midfielder – competing in his fourth World Cup – described his teammates as enthusiastic and “yearning for it like never before” as they prepare to face the two-time Asian champions.
“In football we always talk about tactical things, but you also have to enjoy the moment and I think this is one of the most important things in football, that you go on the pitch, that you feel free,” Xhaka stated during the media session.
The 33-year-old team leader emphasized his squad’s determination, saying: “We just want to bring our ‘A’ game tomorrow. We will want to perform for Switzerland, for our families. Tomorrow we will take the first big step. This is going to be the best World Cup.”
“We are now impatient,” he continued. “We are primed and ready. We are physically ready, we are mentally ready.”
The Swiss national team has qualified for six consecutive World Cup tournaments, an achievement that only France, Spain, England, Portugal and Germany can match among European nations.
However, their tournament history shows limited success, with five round-of-16 eliminations in their last six appearances. Their most recent quarter-final advancement dates back to 1954.
Victory against Qatar would position Switzerland at the top of Group B, ahead of Bosnia and co-hosts Canada, who finished their Friday match in a 1-1 tie.
Xhaka serves as Switzerland’s central player and holds the record as the nation’s most internationally capped athlete. He is anticipated to surpass 150 caps during this World Cup, and if selected for Saturday’s game, both he and defender Ricardo Rodriguez will establish a new national record with 13 tournament appearances.
Head coach Murat Yakin expressed confidence in his current roster’s capabilities and outlined his strategy to pressure Qatar from the opening minutes.
The coach noted that 17 squad members participated in the previous World Cup, where Switzerland was eliminated in the round of 16 following a decisive 6-1 defeat to Portugal.
“Two thirds of the players of my team have already played in a big tournament,” Yakin explained. “We learned our lessons from the past. Now, four years later, we have more experience. We do things better.”
The England national soccer team has fallen victim to thieves who broke into a transport vehicle carrying their practice equipment to Kansas City, according to local law enforcement officials.
The break-in happened as the team’s gear was being moved from their Florida preparation facility to Swope Soccer Village, where the equipment was scheduled to arrive before the squad’s Saturday landing in Kansas City to begin their training regimen.
“We are investigating a possible theft of equipment from a team vehicle that arrived in Kansas City with items missing this evening,” police said.
“The investigation is ongoing. Two subjects of interest were taken into custody pending further investigation.”
Reports from British news outlets indicate that soccer balls and cleats were among the missing equipment.
Reuters has contacted the Football Association for comment.
The robbery may disrupt England’s World Cup preparation schedule before their opening match against Croatia on Wednesday in Dallas.
Paraguay’s head coach Gustavo Alfaro called his team’s crushing 4-1 World Cup loss to the United States a “very painful lesson” following Friday’s match in Inglewood, California. The coach acknowledged that his squad was thoroughly dominated in every facet of the game during their first World Cup appearance since 16 years ago.
The South American team’s much-anticipated World Cup comeback turned into a sobering experience as Paraguay found themselves unable to match the energy and speed of the co-host nation. The United States methodically picked apart Paraguay’s defense throughout the match, securing a commanding Group D victory.
“At a World Cup you have to leave emotions to one side,” Alfaro explained to media following the group stage defeat. “What matters are decision-making, concentration and the details.”
“United States won with absolute justice and clarity. They surpassed us tactically, they surpassed us technically and they surpassed us physically,” the coach admitted.
The Argentine coach emphasized that the loss highlighted how much work Paraguay still needs to do to compete against elite international competition.
“There are levels where defensive organisation, determination and effort are not enough,” he explained. “There are things we still need to incorporate and understand are essential if we want to move forward in this competition.”
However, Alfaro maintained that advancing from group play remains possible despite allowing four goals, emphasizing that earning points matters more than goal differential for Paraguay’s tournament hopes.
“We have to focus on getting the points we need to qualify,” he stated. “Today the World Cup started. It didn’t end today.”
Paraguay’s next Group D match will be against Turkey, followed by their final group stage contest versus Australia.
“As long as we have one minute left, we will keep fighting to qualify,” Alfaro declared.
NEW YORK (AP) — New York City faces a perfect storm of sporting events Saturday that officials fear could create chaos in Manhattan, as the Knicks attempt to secure their first championship in over five decades while Brazil battles Morocco in World Cup action.
Fortunately for city planners dealing with this convergence, the decisive Game 5 of the NBA Finals will take place away from home. However, this won’t prevent passionate Knicks supporters from flooding the vicinity of their team’s Manhattan home court to witness the historic moment on television screens throughout local establishments, as their squad — competing 1,580 miles (2,545 kilometers) distant in San Antonio — seeks to capture its first championship since 1971.
City officials, who have already implemented street closures around Madison Square Garden for World Cup logistics, have not yet announced specific security protocols for Knicks supporters expected to gather in the area. The organization has remained silent about potential outdoor viewing events, similar to those hosted during previous games in the series.
While the Knicks received authorization for an outdoor viewing event accommodating up to 1,000 spectators for Game 4 on Wednesday, team owner James Dolan chose not to proceed with the event. He criticized Mayor Zohran Mamdani and law enforcement for maintaining security barriers, metal detection equipment, and other limitations following President Donald Trump’s attendance at Game 3 on Monday.
Throughout the postseason, thousands of Knicks enthusiasts have gathered at the Garden, making pilgrimages to the venue dubbed the “Mecca of Basketball” to celebrate and witness an extraordinary run: 14 victories in 15 contests since April 23, establishing a commanding 3-1 advantage over the Spurs in the seven-game championship series.
Saturday’s basketball fever intersects with the New York metropolitan area’s first World Cup contest in three decades. The soccer match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey begins approximately three hours prior to the basketball game, but transportation restrictions and traffic complications reach into Manhattan, with soccer spectators returning via train arriving at Penn Station — directly beneath the Garden.
Additional complications include a musical performance at the Garden expected to draw another 15,000 to 20,000 attendees, preventing an indoor viewing event, plus an intense heat wave prompting city officials to recommend staying indoors. Sunday brings another major gathering, the National Puerto Rican Day Parade.
The musical event, featuring Australian pop group 5 Seconds of Summer, follows the Knicks’ incredible 4.5-second sequence Wednesday evening at the Garden — a remarkable moment when OG Anunoby converted a Jalen Brunson missed shot to complete an unprecedented 29-point rally, moving them within one victory of their third franchise championship.
The scene outside was absolute mayhem.
Supporters wearing blue Brunson and orange Karl-Anthony Towns uniforms sprinted through city streets. Underground train cars exploded with celebration as passengers watched the game-winning play on mobile devices, their video feeds occasionally disrupted by poor subway reception.
Just outside the Garden’s police-established security zone, gatherings reached approximately 10,000 individuals, according to the NYPD. Thousands more experienced the contest and its incredible conclusion at viewing events at nearby Bryant Park and Wollman Rink in Central Park.
However, as the evening continued, the police department reported in an official statement, “the crowds became increasingly destructive, and there were many incidents of incredibly reckless and dangerous behavior.”
Individuals engaged in street altercations and ignited fireworks. They scaled construction equipment and traffic signals while damaging windshields on four patrol cars. Some attempted to overturn a taxi or leap onto moving trucks and other vehicles, according to police reports. One group broke into a commercial truck, removed contents, and hurled them at law enforcement officers.
At least 10 officers sustained injuries during the disorder, police reported. One was struck in the head with a glass bottle.
In total, 56 individuals were detained by police during and following Game 4. Among them, 15 faced arrest while 41 received criminal court summonses before release.
Additional Knicks-related criminal incidents remain under investigation.
On Wednesday, approximately two blocks from the Garden, a 17-year-old was severely beaten into a coma by individuals who had been arguing with him about the Knicks following their Game 4 comeback victory, the NYPD reported. Later, at the Spurs hotel five blocks away, someone threw an egg at star Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, missing the target.
Following the Spurs’ Game 3 victory on Monday, a 39-year-old Spurs supporter had his Tim Duncan jersey torn from him while returning to his hotel near Times Square, according to the NYPD.
Given the simultaneous events across sports and entertainment venues, city officials have issued a Gridlock Alert for Saturday, anticipating severe traffic delays throughout midtown Manhattan. Road closures and restricted Penn Station access will remain active for all eight World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium.
Beginning at noon, two roadways bordering the Garden — 32nd and 33rd — will close to vehicular traffic and serve as staging areas for individuals awaiting trains from Penn Station to the World Cup venue. These streets will reopen three hours following the match conclusion.
The city is additionally prohibiting truck deliveries between 30th Street and 60th Street from noon until 11 p.m., closing roadways around the Lincoln Tunnel to New Jersey and designating certain streets as bus-only routes, including 42nd Street, which crosses Times Square. Recently, this tourist destination has become another location for New York supporters to gather and cheer.
Should the Knicks secure Game 5, their devoted fanbase will next witness a victory parade in Lower Manhattan, through the skyscraper-lined section of the city called the Canyon of Heroes.
If unsuccessful, the Knicks and their supporters will return to the Garden on Tuesday for Game 6.
The United States men’s national soccer team put on an offensive clinic Friday night, crushing Paraguay 4-1 in their World Cup group stage opener in Inglewood, California, as coach Mauricio Pochettino’s tactical approach delivered impressive results.
The Americans displayed a multi-faceted attack that constantly pressured Paraguay from various positions, exploiting wide areas and creating space behind the defensive line in what represented the most complete demonstration of Pochettino’s vision since he took over the team.
Christian Pulisic served as the catalyst for much of the offensive success.
Stationed mainly on the left side, the forward consistently challenged Paraguay’s defensive line, utilizing his speed and ball-handling skills to beat defenders one-on-one and generate scoring chances.
Though he primarily operated from wide positions, Pulisic regularly moved toward the center to link up with Weston McKennie, allowing the Americans to overwhelm Paraguay’s middle areas and break down their defensive structure.
These tactical shifts created significant problems for Paraguay’s right back Juan Caceres, who struggled throughout the match as Pulisic consistently exploited space on his side, leading to risky tackles that earned the defender an early yellow card.
The American success stemmed from more than individual talent alone. Pochettino’s squad regularly packed the central areas of the field, with McKennie and Malik Tillman establishing numerical superiority in midfield while other players attacked the gaps created by Paraguay’s efforts to neutralize Pulisic.
On the right side, Sergino Dest needed more time to make his presence felt but became increasingly effective as the game progressed.
Two dynamic forward runs demonstrated his capacity to quickly transition from defense to offense, including a first-half sprint that nearly produced another goal.
The diversity of the United States’ offensive approaches may have provided the most promising indication for Pochettino.
While Pulisic’s wing work and passing combinations drew attention, the Americans proved equally effective when attacking straight through the center.
Folarin Balogun’s excellent solo goal just before halftime, after receiving a perfectly timed pass from Tillman that split the defense, showcased yet another weapon in an attack that appeared capable of threatening opponents through multiple methods.
As the Americans flooded the midfield and pushed players forward, Paraguay’s offensive weapons failed to create meaningful opportunities.
Julio Enciso and Antonio Sanabria found themselves frequently alone and forced into difficult shots as the United States maintained control of the ball and field position for extended periods.
Following a dominant first half that saw Balogun score twice and essentially decide the outcome, Pochettino started substituting his primary players.
Pulisic was removed at halftime, while Balogun and Dest came off later, indicating the Argentine coach was already considering the upcoming group stage matches against Australia on Friday and Turkey on June 25.
However, the aggressive offensive approach continued.
Despite substitute Mauricio temporarily cutting Paraguay’s deficit, the United States kept finding openings in the final minutes, and another attacking sequence broke through Paraguay’s defense before Gio Reyna completed the scoring.
The final score dampened Paraguay’s return to the World Cup after a 16-year absence, but more importantly for the Americans, it provided the strongest evidence yet of the attacking philosophy Pochettino has worked to establish since becoming head coach.
The United States men’s soccer team delivered a commanding performance in their World Cup opener Friday night, defeating Paraguay 4-1 at Los Angeles Stadium in front of a sold-out crowd.
Striker Folarin Balogun led the charge with two first-half goals, helping the Americans get off to an ideal start in their home tournament campaign within Group D.
“Amazing result,” U.S. captain Tim Ream said. “It’s exactly the way we wanted to start the tournament.”
The Americans pierced Paraguay’s strong defensive setup early, taking the lead in the seventh minute. Christian Pulisic skillfully maneuvered between two defenders before connecting with Weston McKennie, whose cross was deflected into the goal by Damian Bobadilla for an own goal.
Following the first-half hydration break, Pulisic again created magic down the left flank, delivering a pinpoint cross to Balogun, who directed his shot beyond diving goalkeeper Orlando Gill to double the advantage.
Balogun completed his impressive first-half performance with a spectacular strike just before the break, controlling a long ball while fending off a sliding defender, then beating two more players before firing a left-footed blast into the upper corner.
In a surprising move, Pulisic was removed from the match at halftime, with team officials saying coach Mauricio Pochettino would explain the substitution following the game.
Paraguay showed renewed energy after the interval and managed to find the scoresheet in the 73rd minute through substitute Mauricio, who capitalized on a U.S. defensive mistake.
However, the Americans maintained their dominance throughout, with Gio Reyna capping the scoring with a clever strike from outside the penalty area using the outside of his right foot in the match’s final moments.
“The opposition were better than us,” Paraguay defender Junior Alonso said.
“We were able to play further forward (in the second half). These are things we need to improve on for the next match. We have two games left, and we must improve. Regretting things won’t help us at all; we need to use these mistakes to improve and put in a better performance that brings us closer to victory.”
Ream expressed confidence his squad would build on this strong opening performance.
“There’s not a whole lot of words to describe the feeling,” he said.
“You want to start the tournament off on a good foot, scoring four goals, getting three points. It sets you up for the rest of the group stage, for sure.”
The match, played beneath Los Angeles Stadium’s enormous semi-translucent dome, attracted notable celebrities including Tom Cruise and David Beckham, who had received a Hollywood Walk of Fame star earlier that day.
Los Angeles Stadium, which houses the NFL’s Rams and Chargers and will host next year’s Super Bowl, reached its World Cup capacity of 70,492 despite earlier worries about expensive ticket prices.
The United States entered this tournament hoping to surpass their round-of-16 performance from Qatar.
Paraguay earned their spot through the challenging CONMEBOL qualification process, marking their first World Cup appearance since 2010.
This historic match represented the first men’s World Cup game played on American territory in 32 years, featuring a pre-match show by singer Katy Perry and a parade of participating nations. Some crowd members could be heard booing when Iran’s flag entered the stadium, with Iran scheduled to play their tournament opener in Los Angeles on Monday.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio attended the match alongside Paraguay President Santiago Pena and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
The United States will next face Australia on June 19 in Seattle, while Paraguay heads to San Francisco for their match against Turkey.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The massive venue looked like any typical American sporting event, filled with enthusiastic fans donning team colors and patriotic face paint, cheering loudly as athletes entered the field.
The difference this time was that soccer took center stage.
Friday’s World Cup home opener featuring the U.S. squad facing Paraguay drew tens of thousands of devoted soccer supporters to the enormous venue near Los Angeles. Many attendees had spent thousands of dollars for tickets to witness their national team compete on the world’s premier stage for a sport that has traditionally been overshadowed in America — a sport numerous observers believe is finally reaching its breakthrough moment.
Numerous attendees shared stories of growing up participating in youth soccer leagues as children, continuing through their high school and college years. Nakisha Gutierrez, a 37-year-old occupational therapist from Los Angeles, and her sister both participated in the sport. Their father from Argentina introduced them to soccer, and now the younger generation is embracing it as well, she explained.
“It’s in the family blood,” said Gutierrez, her cheeks painted with sparkling red-and-blue stars. “It is the American culture — it’s starting to be.”
The World Cup occurs every four years, with supporters worldwide following their national squads, hoping for strong performances to secure tournament qualification. In numerous nations — including Friday’s matchup opponent, Paraguay — simply reaching the competition can trigger street celebrations, fireworks displays and national holidays. In America, however, the reaction tends to be more subdued. Soccer has traditionally been overshadowed by football, basketball and baseball, known as “America’s pastime.”
However, soccer’s appeal has grown significantly in America since the nation previously hosted the World Cup in 1994. Major League Soccer launched two years afterward, and the sport has gained particular traction among younger athletes. Interest has also increased due to immigrants from nations where, as Gutierrez describes it, “soccer is life.”
Ava Cupit, 14, made the journey with her family from Franklin, Tennessee, to support the U.S. squad, wearing a Statue of Liberty costume. Her great-grandfather from Spain helped introduce soccer to their small community, constructing fields and promoting the sport.
“He made us all fall in love with it, and our whole family loves soccer,” Ava’s mother Rachel Cupit said. “The people who’ve married in, they’ve just become a part of it too.”
Self-described soccer “addict” Jose Contreras explained he grew up playing with his uncle in Mexico because it was affordable and accessible. He traveled from Georgia to support America in its opening contest, despite having games available in Atlanta, much closer to his residence.
“This is one of the happiest days of my life,” Contreras said.
At the enormous venue in Inglewood, California, typically hosting football contests, the stands erupted with fan excitement, with 70,492 people attending. The seating area was awash in red and white. Supporters wore glitter, Stars-and-Stripes sneakers, overalls, robes and the squad’s signature uniforms. Some appeared as Uncle Sam, that quintessential symbol of American patriotism, sporting long white beards and top hats. Several wore George Washington outfits.
They arrived to demonstrate support for their squad and prove that Americans, like people worldwide, can show passion for soccer. Many planned to attend all of the U.S. team’s group stage contests. One attendee mentioned traveling from Texas after previously watching the U.S. squad compete in international matches before large crowds supporting their opponents.
Hector Garcia, 63, said he was attending his sixth World Cup. He believes the U.S. squad is at its strongest level ever, and the players will gain energy seeing numerous fans wearing the Stars and Stripes.
“This is World Cup atmosphere,” he said, “and I think this is really going to lift their spirits.”
Houston’s designated hitter Yordan Alvarez had an extraordinary Friday evening in Kansas City, accomplishing something remarkable before most fans had settled into their seats.
In an explosive first inning against the Royals, Alvarez launched a two-run blast just two batters into the contest, then followed up with a grand slam that capped off Houston’s incredible nine-run opening frame.
This performance made Alvarez the first major leaguer to connect for two home runs in a single inning since Detroit’s Riley Greene achieved the same milestone on May 2, 2025, in a matchup with the Los Angeles Angels.
Within Houston’s franchise history, only two other players have managed multiple home runs in one inning: Lee May, who did it April 29, 1974, facing the Chicago Cubs, and Jeff Bagwell, who accomplished the feat June 24, 1994, against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The most recent player to blast two home runs specifically in a game’s first inning was Boston’s David Ortiz, who managed the feat against Texas on Aug. 12, 2008.
These two long balls brought Alvarez’s season total to 24 home runs, creating a tie with Philadelphia’s Kyle Schwarber for the major league lead.
New York Yankees centerfielder Trent Grisham was forced to leave Friday night’s contest against the Toronto Blue Jays after sustaining a hamstring injury during the sixth inning in Toronto.
The team classified the injury as tightness in his right hamstring.
The injury occurred with two outs in the top of the sixth when Grisham connected for a two-run hit to center field, reducing New York’s deficit to 7-5. As the ball was thrown toward home plate, Grisham ran from first base and slid into second, but came up with what appeared to be a leg injury. Max Schuemann came in as a pinch runner to replace him.
Grisham, who has earned two Gold Glove awards during his career, finished the game 1-for-4 with two RBIs before his departure. This season, he has posted a .232 batting average across 224 at-bats.
Turkey’s national soccer team is preparing to break a 24-year absence from the World Cup when they take on Australia in Vancouver this Saturday, with coach Vincenzo Montella emphasizing the need for his squad to stay composed during this historic moment.
The Turkish team hasn’t competed in a World Cup since their third-place finish in the 2002 tournament. Speaking at a Friday press conference, Montella stressed the importance of not letting the magnitude of the occasion overwhelm his players.
“This is the day before something that we have been waiting for 24 years, we are very emotional and we trust we are going to do well,” he said.
“We know how many challenges there are in the World Cup, but we want to enjoy it and we want to be proud, and we want to make our nation proud of us.
“The first game is always the more important, even though it’s not the one that decides the final results because you can gain points in future games, but of course, I think of this game as a game that is going to be important and that is going to help in the future path of our team.”
The 51-year-old coach defended his current roster, emphasizing that the players competing in Group D alongside the United States and Paraguay shouldn’t bear responsibility for Turkey’s lengthy World Cup absence.
“I like telling my players that our success, it’s not their fault that Turkey was not at the World Cup for 24 years, but they can be proud that we can be here again after 24 years and now they need to be playing at their best, give the game their all and just avoid thinking about the other stuff,” he added.
Montella believes maintaining concentration during their opening group match will be crucial for establishing momentum throughout the tournament.
“There is so much enthusiasm and so much expectation that it (the game) is important for our players. I would like them to go out on the field and play with their own strengths with their own abilities – I don’t want them to be under the weight of the emotional part,” he said.
“I know that, when they play together but are feeling free and happy and without worrying too much, that’s when they give their best.”
Houston Astros power hitter Yordan Alvarez made Major League Baseball history Friday evening in Kansas City, becoming the first player ever to launch both a grand slam and a multi-run home run during the opening inning of a game against the Royals.
According to Sportradar, Alvarez joins just seven other players who have accomplished hitting a grand slam and multi-run homer within the same inning, marking the first time since Angels player Kendrys Morales achieved the milestone against Texas in 2012.
The left-handed batter first connected for a two-run homer to the opposite field early in the frame, then delivered a bases-clearing blast to center field with two outs, accounting for six runs batted in during Houston’s explosive nine-run opening inning.
With his two-homer performance, Alvarez, who leads the American League in home runs, matched Philadelphia’s Kyle Schwarber for the major league lead with 24 round-trippers this season.
The 28-year-old designated hitter from Cuba earned AL Rookie of the Year honors in 2019 during his time with Houston. The three-time All-Star selection captured AL Championship Series MVP recognition in 2021 and topped the Astros with six RBIs the following season when the team claimed the World Series championship.
The Australian national soccer team believes they can silence critics when they face Turkey in Saturday’s World Cup opening match in Vancouver, according to coach Tony Popovic.
Turkey enters as the favored squad for the Group D encounter at BC Place, featuring midfield standouts Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz who are anticipated to be among the tournament’s most promising young talents in North America.
The Socceroos, meanwhile, have established themselves as consistent World Cup participants, earning spots in the previous six tournaments. They advanced to the round of 16 for the second time during the 2022 Qatar tournament, where they fell to eventual winners Argentina.
“We understand that not many people are expecting much from us, outside of our own people, our own media, our own team, our own staff. But we’re accustomed to that,” Popovic told reporters on Friday.
“We’re confident that we can show them some great football tomorrow and show them what Australian football can do.”
With tournament co-hosts the United States and 2010 quarter-finalists Paraguay rounding out their group, both the young Australian and Turkish squads will look to establish momentum early in Vancouver.
“We know we have a big challenge tomorrow against a formidable opponent, but it’s the World Cup. We’re ready. The boys are excited. Of course, we’d love to get off to a win — that’s the target,” Popovic added.
“They (Turkey) expect to win, but so do most people. What we can do is try and spoil the party.
“Individually and collectively, they’ve shown recently how strong they were … It’s a very passionate team. The people are very passionate for the football…
“We also have to think of ourselves and think how we can cause them problems and show Australian football at the World Cup. That’s our aim tomorrow, to be extremely competitive, to show that we are a strong nation and that we deserve to be respected.”
Concerns arose when Australia striker Mohamed Toure was absent from Wednesday’s training session, but Popovic confirmed no fitness concerns exist within the squad.
Australia has struggled to find a reliable target man since Tim Cahill’s prime years and continues to lack elite-level midfielders to supply their attacking players.
However, significant optimism surrounds the 22-year-old Toure, who has shown promise playing for Norwich City in England’s second division.
“Everyone’s fit,” Popovic said. “Everyone’s available, which is what a coach wants leading into the first match. We expect everyone in the next hour or so to be available to train.
“Toure just had a runny nose and just wasn’t training.”
Soccer excitement is building momentum in Vancouver after Canada’s men’s national team secured a 1-1 tie against Bosnia and Herzegovina in their World Cup opening match. While Toronto served as the venue for Canada’s inaugural men’s World Cup game on home turf, attention has shifted to Vancouver, where the team’s upcoming matches against Qatar and Switzerland will determine their tournament destiny.
Large crowds gathered at public viewing locations throughout downtown Vancouver to watch Friday’s match, witnessing Cyle Larin enter the game as a substitute and score the tying goal that earned Canada one point in Group B standings. Local supporters are already anticipating the next contest against Qatar at BC Place stadium in their city.
“As soon as they announced the World Cup coming in Vancouver… I think there’s definitely been an increase in interest in soccer, in football with the Premier League, with the locals,” Canada fan Robert Paige told Reuters at a downtown viewing of the game.
Local supporter April Bates believes the tournament is already creating positive community impact, particularly in bringing people together socially.
“I do think the World Cup has brought people together in new ways, especially with all these rallying points to bring people together to watch at community centres,” she told Reuters.
“I know some churches open their doors, we have public centres like Granville Island. I think you get the whole world coming together to watch, and it doesn’t even matter what country you’re from.”
With Canada’s two remaining matches scheduled for June 18 against Qatar and June 24 against Switzerland, Vancouver’s soccer scene will be in the national spotlight, leading some locals to hope for increased investment in the sport.
“Football is already really popular, but nothing hurts it growing more (than a lack of facilities),” fan Lisa McAllister told Reuters.
“We’d love to see more fields in Vancouver, you know. Not to get political, but we do have conflicts with dogs on our fields, so we’d love to see the kids have more access to green space where they can play soccer.”
Coach Mauricio Pochettino has made his goalkeeper decision for the United States men’s national team, choosing Matt Freese to start between the posts instead of Matt Turner for Friday’s World Cup clash against Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium.
The match will feature several notable lineup decisions for both teams. For the U.S., defender Chris Richards earns a starting spot after recovering from an ankle injury that had sidelined him recently. Captain Tim Ream will anchor the American defense, while the attacking duo of Folarin Balogun and Christian Pulisic will lead the offensive charge.
Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro has made his own surprising selection by including Julio Enciso in the starting eleven, despite the player dealing with a recent injury. Enciso’s inclusion could provide a significant offensive spark for Paraguay, which has faced scoring difficulties in their recent outings. Orlando Gill will guard the goal for Paraguay.
This Group D encounter holds special significance as it represents the inaugural World Cup match played on American soil under the tournament’s new expanded 48-team structure.
The complete starting lineups are:
Paraguay: Orlando Gill, Omar Alderete, Juan Jose Caceres, Junior Alonso, Gustavo Gomez, Diego Gomez, Miguel Almiron, Andres Cubas, Damian Bobadilla, Antonio Sanabria, Julio Enciso
United States: Matt Freese, Sergino Dest, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Tim Ream, Alex Freeman, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Malik Tillman, Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun
Fresh-faced PGA Tour member Ben James is making quite an impression on the seasoned professionals.
During his second round as a professional golfer, James carded an impressive 7-under-par 63 on Friday to capture the lead at the RBC Canadian Open taking place in Caledon, Ontario.
The rookie enters the weekend rounds sitting at 10-under 130 following two days of play at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley’s North course. Opening round co-leader Sam Burns (67), Jackson Suber (65), Keith Mitchell (64), China’s Haotong Li (64) and Sweden’s Jesper Svensson (65) share second place at 9 under par.
The 23-year-old James received his PGA Tour card on June 1 following his first-place finish in the college season’s PGA Tour University standings, which provides a direct route for one college player to reach the professional level.
After completing his successful career at the University of Virginia, James traveled to Canada — but first made a stop Monday in Purchase, N.Y., to attempt qualifying for the U.S. Open. He secured one of four available spots at that qualifying location.
“I wasn’t really thinking about really results at all this week,” James said. “Just worried about getting comfortable, making new friends and having fun, and just seeing where everything kind of falls. Just seeing where my game stacks up. Obviously I have some stuff to work on, just trying to see where everything goes. Because this is just the baseline, it’s my first professional debut. Obviously had a great two days, but just trying to get better.”
James sank an eagle putt on the par-5 opening hole and continued by recording five birdies without any bogeys. This marked James’ second consecutive day making eagle on the first hole.
“I think that hole just likes me,” James said. “I hope it keeps liking me. I just striped the first tee shot, hit a nice hybrid in there and rolled in a (22)-footer. I knew the greens were going to be a little slow and I was just happy I got it there and perfect speed and we were off and running from there.”
James’ 63 matches the tournament’s lowest score, as Bud Cauley also recorded a 63 on Friday. Cauley is tied for seventh at 8 under alongside opening round co-leader Brooks Koepka (68), England’s Tommy Fleetwood (65), Brice Garnett (67), Jimmy Stanger (67) and defending champion Ryan Fox of New Zealand (66).
“Look, it’s tricky,” Fox said. “There are some birdie holes out there, obviously with the wind direction you kind of get some holes downwind, but it was kind of getting to the point that downwind it was almost as hard to pick a number and pick a club than it was into the wind. So, yeah, if you would have given me 66 at the start of the day I would have taken it.”
Burns continues his strong play for the second consecutive week after finishing tied for fourth at the Memorial Tournament. He’s seeking his first tour victory since March 2023.
“I think as a competitor you’re always striving for more, so (I’ll) probably go practice a little bit. But I think overall I feel pretty good,” Burns said. “Obviously this is a big stretch (of the season) coming up, so try to get some rest in there as well.”
The top Canadian players after two rounds are Matthew Anderson and Taylor Pendrith at 7 under par. Anderson was part of the six-way tie for the first-round lead and shot 69 on Friday, while Pendrith carded a 67.
Friday evening’s cut line was set at 2 under par. Notable players who failed to advance included PGA champion Aaron Rai of England (1 under), Garrick Higgo of South Africa (1 under), Canadians Corey Conners (even) and Mackenzie Hughes (2 over), Englishman Justin Rose (2 over) and Colombia’s Camilo Villegas (2 over).
After three decades hosting basketball programming, Ernie Johnson has witnessed countless memorable moments during his time with ‘Inside the NBA.’
Yet few experiences could match broadcasting the post-game coverage Wednesday evening from the center of Madison Square Garden’s court, following the New York Knicks’ historic rally to defeat the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 – marking the largest comeback in NBA Finals history.
‘That’s the best. None of the fans are leaving. They just want to soak this whole thing in. It was like a college atmosphere. And then to do the show right there with that energy going on, that’s why you do it,’ Johnson said.
While the series continues to unfold, the broadcasting team of Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith is relishing their debut opportunity to lead NBA Finals programming across pregame, halftime and post-game segments.
This season marked ‘Inside the NBA’s’ transition to ESPN and ABC through a licensing deal with TNT Sports, after Warner Bros. Discovery lost NBA broadcasting rights.
The program’s arrival has enhanced ESPN and ABC’s basketball programming similar to how Joe Buck and Troy Aikman improved ‘Monday Night Football’ when they joined in 2022.
Game 5 takes place Saturday evening in San Antonio, with the Knicks needing one victory for their first championship since 1973. Johnson will award the Lawrence O’Brien trophy when the finals conclude. Should the Spurs force elimination, a potential Game 6 trophy presentation to the Knicks at home Tuesday could exceed Wednesday’s excitement.
‘The transition has been seamless, and it’s been a wonderful year together. Having Ernie, Chuck, Shaq and Kenny anchor our NBA Finals coverage, in tandem with our outstanding game broadcast team, has elevated our entire presentation,’ said Burke Magnus, ESPN’s president of content.
The show features a 90-minute pregame broadcast, starting on ESPN before moving to ABC. Post-game programming begins on ESPN immediately after ABC concludes and runs for at least an hour.
Broadcaster Mike Breen, calling his record-setting 21st finals, appreciates having ‘Inside the NBA’ introduce the game coverage.
‘They’re must-see TV even after all these years. They have so much fun, and because of their status in the league, what they say really matters,’ Breen said. ‘And then you have somebody like Ernie Johnson who runs the whole thing. I don’t know if there’s another person in our industry I respect more.’
Since TNT previously lacked NBA Finals rights, ‘Inside the NBA’ traditionally concluded after conference finals. Johnson described feeling different when arriving at the San Antonio arena before Game 1 on June 3.
‘I haven’t felt like that on a game day in a long time. I was excited to be there and heading to the arena. I left earlier than planned because I didn’t want to sit around anymore,’ he said. ‘Doing that in San Antonio and then going to New York to be in the middle of that scene was so cool. I think we are trying to make our show match the energy in the building. And I think we did that.’
‘Everybody’s swinging by and shaking hands and patting us on the back. It’s surreal. We’re honored to be part of this. And it’s just been an amazing series.’
The experience holds additional significance as most production crew members are also experiencing their first NBA Finals, despite many working with ‘Inside the NBA’ since its beginning.
Although ‘Inside the NBA’ broadcasts on ESPN and ABC, TNT Sports continues producing from Atlanta. The show maintains its bold commentary style, demonstrated by Barkley’s harsh assessment of the Spurs following Game 4, calling them ‘the dumbest basketball team in the history of civilization.’
Barkley added, ‘When you blow a 29-point lead, the other team has to help you. The San Antonio Spurs helped the New York Knicks win this game by doing some of the stupid-ass stuff I’ve seen on a basketball court.’
Concerns about potential changes under ESPN have proven unfounded throughout the season. ESPN has embraced the show’s personality, even creating an advertisement featuring Johnson performing a DMX song.
‘There was never a ‘Hey, you guys can’t do that anymore.’ It was just ‘No, do your thing.’ And we’ve had the freedom to do that,’ Johnson said. ‘The great thing is we have access to all these ESPN resources with pregame pieces and reporters. It’s been a great deal for everybody involved.’
Wednesday’s comeback game drew 20.9 million viewers on average and reached 23.2 million at its peak. Nielsen data shows this was the highest-rated Game 4 since ABC began finals coverage in 2003.
The current series averages 19.6 million viewers, representing a 116% increase from last year’s Oklahoma City Thunder versus Indiana Pacers matchup. Viewership trends suggest this could become the most-watched series since 1998, when the Chicago Bulls defeated the Utah Jazz in six games.
Game 3’s pregame show attracted 9.9 million viewers, setting a new record.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Team USA prepares to kick off its World Cup journey Friday evening when they take on Paraguay in their first home tournament appearance in over three decades.
An enthusiastic crowd in Southern California gathered early to support the American squad, which enters the competition with considerable expectations. This marks the final opening match for the tournament’s three host countries. With midfielder Christian Pulisic leading a veteran core, the United States has climbed to 17th in FIFA’s world rankings and harbors genuine hopes of claiming their group before potentially advancing past the knockout round for only the second time in World Cup competition.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino will guide the Americans in their tournament debut at SoFi Stadium, the billion-dollar venue that opened in 2020 to house the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers. While the cutting-edge facility typically features synthetic turf that draws criticism from American football players, natural grass has been laid down for the global soccer tournament.
Hours before the opening whistle, supporters began flooding the stadium and its surrounding areas. Among the thousands wearing American jerseys and chanting player names, numerous fans appeared in creative outfits, transforming themselves into characters ranging from the Statue of Liberty to the Founding Fathers.
America’s last stint as World Cup host came in 1994, when the team managed only one victory in four games during Brazil’s championship run. Since that time, soccer’s popularity has grown significantly across the country, with youth involvement surging and Major League Soccer, which launched in 1996, developing into a respectable professional league.
The tournament, featuring more teams than any previous World Cup, began Thursday when co-host Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0. Earlier Friday in Toronto, fellow co-host Canada battled to a 1-1 tie with Bosnia and Herzegovina in their opening contest.
The American team will contest two of their three group matches in Inglewood, with a scheduled trip to Seattle between their California appearances.
CHICAGO — Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani has been ruled day-to-day after developing inflammation in his left knee.
The two-way star was scratched from Friday evening’s lineup as the Dodgers opened their series against the Chicago White Sox. However, manager Dave Roberts indicated Ohtani might see action during the weekend games and should be ready for his scheduled pitching appearance on Wednesday.
Ohtani was replaced by a pinch hitter during the seventh inning of Thursday evening’s 8-6 victory over Pittsburgh.
“He’s doing fine today,” Roberts told reporters before Friday’s White Sox matchup. “I think that we got some pictures. There was no findings. It’s just the normal wear and tear. I thought initially it was a hamstring, it was the knee. So it just kind of got upset, swelled up a little bit.”
The 31-year-old is hitting .305 with 13 home runs and 40 RBIs across 67 games for the NL West-leading club. As a pitcher, the defending NL MVP has compiled a 6-2 record with a 1.06 ERA through 11 starts.
Ohtani underwent left knee surgery in September 2019. Roberts noted the current swelling is located behind the knee.
“That’s where a lot of the swelling with the knee kind of like builds,” Roberts explained. “But again his range of motion today is good and so if it was another time in the season he’d be in there tonight.”
Ohtani was unavailable to reporters prior to the game.
Alex Call took over the leadoff position for Los Angeles while Santiago Espinal filled the designated hitter role.
Canada’s soccer coach Jesse Marsch expressed satisfaction with his team’s fighting spirit after they battled back to earn a 1-1 tie against Bosnia and Herzegovina in their World Cup Group B opening match on Friday in Toronto. The draw represents a historic milestone as Canada’s first-ever point earned in World Cup competition.
Bosnia took the lead through Jovo Lukic’s 21st-minute strike, but Canada refused to fold under pressure. Their persistence in the second half was rewarded when substitute forward Cyle Larin netted the equalizer in the 78th minute, shortly after entering the match.
“I told them after the match that if we play like that second half, the whole match, we win,” Marsch stated.
“I told them we’ve got to learn these lessons and we’ve got to learn them quick,” he continued. “We still have everything in hand, that’s a really big point for us.”
The 31-year-old Larin’s goal was particularly meaningful as Canada’s inaugural World Cup score on home turf. Larin ranks second among Canada’s all-time leading scorers, trailing only Jonathan David.
“Kyle wasn’t happy about not starting,” Marsch revealed about the striker who netted eight goals for Southampton in the Championship this season.
“But I said to him, ‘Look, you’ve had a great year at Southampton, whether you’ve started or come off the bench, you’ve had an impact in every game, and now you have to wrap your mind around that.’ And he did.”
Marsch noted his squad increased their intensity during the second half, generating more dangerous scoring opportunities while searching for the tying goal.
“We could see that (Bosnia) were fading,” Marsch observed, explaining that he recognized his team’s youth, conditioning and pace could eventually overwhelm Bosnia. “So, I told them that we’ve got them now.
“It’s time to put your foot on the jugular and go for the goal.”
Despite maintaining reasonable possession after conceding the early goal, Marsch admitted disappointment with his team’s opening 45 minutes.
“I’m disappointed with the first half,” Marsch acknowledged. “I just felt we were tentative. We didn’t play as aggressively as I would have liked.”
Energized by the supportive home crowd, Canada maintained their attacking pressure and continued creating opportunities until Larin finally delivered the equalizer from the bench. Canada recorded 13 total shots with four on target.
Though Marsch credited his second-half substitutions for making an impact, he wants his team to display that same intensity from the opening whistle in their upcoming match against Qatar on June 18.
“I got to figure out how to get a little bit more out of some of the starters too, and make sure that we have a better performance from the start,” Marsch said.
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Standing at the center of the NBA Finals stage, Victor Wembanyama finds himself confronting the most daunting challenge of his professional basketball journey.
The towering French center appears unfazed by the pressure.
Following their historic collapse in Game 4 — where San Antonio became the first NBA Finals squad ever to surrender a 29-point advantage and lose — Wembanyama and his teammates must capture three consecutive victories to prevent the New York Knicks from claiming the championship trophy. During Friday’s practice session, the 7-foot-4 star expressed unwavering confidence in his team’s capabilities.
“Everybody thinks, everybody knows, we’re going to do it,” Wembanyama said.
The young phenom showed no signs of anxiety. This French sensation has already guided San Antonio through two elimination scenarios during this postseason run, helping the Spurs capture both Games 6 and 7 in their Western Conference finals matchup against Oklahoma City, ultimately dethroning the defending champion Thunder.
Saturday’s Game 5 against New York presents another must-win situation for the Spurs. Should they prevail on Saturday, Tuesday’s Game 6 becomes equally crucial. Victory in that contest would force a decisive Game 7 next Friday.
“I feel like we need to isolate that one game and take it one game at a time,” Wembanyama said. “I think it would be a mistake to waste our energy on multiple games. It’s one game at a time.”
San Antonio’s Finals performance has been marked by strong starts followed by disappointing finishes. They held a 14-point advantage in Game 1 before falling by 10 points. Game 2 saw them squander a 12-point lead, ultimately losing by a single point. Their lone victory came in Game 3 by four points, before Thursday’s devastating 29-point meltdown resulted in another one-point defeat.
The evidence suggests San Antonio possesses the ability to compete with New York.
However, they’ve failed to close out victories in three of four contests. Their current mission would make them only the second NBA Finals team ever to overcome a 3-1 series disadvantage; Cleveland accomplished this feat against Golden State in 2016. The previous 37 teams attempting such a comeback all came up short.
“It definitely matters,” Spurs guard Stephon Castle said. “I feel like we’ve made history all year, and we’ve proven that with our backs against the wall that we can step up. So, I don’t really expect this to be any different.”
Wembanyama shares that sentiment.
The Spurs recognize their talent level matches their opponents. They’ve established early leads and dominated every opening quarter, only to see those margins disappear. Game 3 marked their successful recovery, while Games 1, 2, and 4 told different stories. Game 5 demands another recovery — or their season concludes.
“You said all of it,” Wembanyama said. “We’re very confident. I wouldn’t say it was so hard to shake off (Game 4). Harder than any other game before, by far, for sure. I mean, now we’re over it. It’s the playoffs. There’s no time to regret things for too long.”
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — With the San Antonio Spurs down 3-1 in the NBA Finals and thousands of New York fans anticipated to attend Saturday night’s Game 5, only a remarkable comeback can prevent the Knicks from claiming the championship.
But are Spurs supporters concerned? Perhaps a little.
Do they maintain their faith? Without question.
One of the franchise’s mottos includes “Por Vida,” which translates to “For Life.” Multiple generations of San Antonio supporters have embraced these words throughout different eras, from George Gervin to David Robinson to Tim Duncan and now Victor Wembanyama. Even with New York close to securing this title, those words continue to resonate with the fan base.
“With absolute certainty, always,” Joe Michael Benavides, the boys basketball coach at Hebbronville High School — some 150 miles from San Antonio — said when asked if he was still a Spurs fan.
Countless others share Benavides’ sentiment. The Frost Bank Center will buzz with energy when San Antonio takes the court Saturday evening, packed with supporters wearing the team’s signature silver and black.
However, there will also be plenty of New York’s blue and orange colors throughout the arena.
Several supporters have chosen to sell their Game 5 seats on resale platforms. While the exact number remains unknown, with ticket costs exceeding $1,500 in the upper sections and climbing to $5,000 or higher near the court — substantial amounts, though still less than what Knicks supporters paid for Games 3 and 4 — it’s understandable why some season ticket holders are making financial rather than emotional choices.
“Of course I’m upset with Spurs fans selling their tickets, but if they can’t afford ’em, nothing can be done,” said Rick Vela, known to Spurs fans as the “Masked Bandido Of San Antonio.” “Just sad these Knicks fans have to buy ’em, but their arena is way worse with those ticket prices.”
Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox shows understanding for the situation.
“People are making money,” Fox said. “It’s the economy we live in. It’s the world we live in. Am I upset about it? No. Do I understand it? Sure. I don’t think that changes what happens on the court.”
San Antonio’s fan base doesn’t simply follow winners. While the city has celebrated five NBA titles and enjoyed a remarkable streak of 22 consecutive playoff appearances under Hall of Fame coach Gregg Popovich, Spurs fans also endured years of disappointment.
There was the devastating collapse of surrendering a 3-1 advantage to the then-Washington Bullets in the 1979 Eastern Conference finals. Bringing up Derek Fisher’s championship-clinching shot with 0.4 seconds remaining in Game 5 that helped the Los Angeles Lakers capture the 2004 NBA Western Conference semifinals is inadvisable in this city; it would be received as poorly as declaring “I dislike cowboy hats.” The sting from Wednesday evening’s loss hasn’t faded either, when San Antonio surrendered a 29-point advantage in a 107-106 defeat to New York in Game 4.
The Spurs represent San Antonio’s sole major professional franchise. Unlike New York with its Yankees, Mets, Nets, Rangers, Islanders, Devils, Liberty, NYCFC, and Red Bulls, San Antonio has just one team. The Spurs mean everything to this city.
“They’re still there for us,” said Rene Gonzalez, still proudly flying a Spurs car flag on his truck. “They still bring this community together.”
Anyone believing that falling behind 3-1 in the NBA Finals will crush the morale of Spurs supporters might receive a simple two-word response in San Antonio.
¿Estas loco?
You’re crazy.
“All year these boys have proven everyone wrong,” said Raylyn Boyson, a member of the Spurs superfan group, The Jackals, a group born from an idea by Wembanyama to have San Antonio fans mimic what happens at games in his native Europe. “There’s no reason why we shouldn’t keep believing. If anyone is going to defy all odds, it’s this group.”
A youth soccer organization in Seattle has given back 20 complimentary World Cup tickets after the United States prevented a Somali referee from entering the country for the tournament.
Ali Abdulla, who runs the African Youth Sports Academy, was thrilled when his organization was selected to receive the free passes to next month’s World Cup round of 16 match in Seattle. The tickets, worth approximately $1,000 each, would have provided an amazing experience for children from immigrant and low-income households who participate in his program.
However, when the U.S. blocked Omar Artan — the first referee from Somalia chosen to work World Cup games — from coming into the country, Abdulla decided to take action. The former semi-professional soccer player and Somali refugee initially considered stepping down from his volunteer role as a FIFA “ambassador,” but parents and coaches in his program proposed an even stronger statement: returning the tickets.
“They all sent a message saying, ‘We feel heartbroken, we feel betrayed,’” Abdulla shared with The Associated Press on Friday. “We don’t feel right to go celebrate while the only person in the history of our country (selected to referee the World Cup) is feeling pain and disappointed.”
Abdulla continued: “I felt so emotional when the parents said that, because to return a one-time opportunity for solidarity with our boy — that made me very proud to lead this organization.”
The complimentary tickets came from a distribution program coordinated by Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson and the local FIFA World Cup organizing committee, which gave away 1,400 tickets total. Abdulla had participated in announcing the program and brought approximately two dozen children to appear in the mayor’s promotional video.
Receiving the tickets was “the best news I ever had,” according to Abdulla. His organization, which provides mentoring and additional services beyond soccer, planned to hold a competition to decide which participants would get the tickets. The goal was to give tickets to roughly a dozen teenagers between 13 and 16 years old, plus several parents.
The young people “are very sad, man, very heartbroken,” Abdulla explained. “We have to teach them to stand up for the right thing.”
The mayor’s office verified that the tickets were redistributed but declined further comment about the organization’s choice. Hana Tadesse, speaking for the local FIFA World Cup organizing committee, confirmed the tickets went to another community organization: the Somali Health Board, which also supports youth soccer programs. That group did not respond to requests for comment on Friday.
The Seattle Times first covered the African Youth Sports Academy’s decision.
Abdulla works as a transit security officer for Seattle’s light rail system and previously played for the semi-professional Seattle Somali Stars until retiring in 2017. He had planned to volunteer as a World Cup ambassador, greeting fans and assisting with stadium directions. Now he says he won’t even watch the matches on television.
Instead, he’s concentrating on a different upcoming tournament that he previously participated in as a player and coach and now coordinates: the 28th annual Somali Week. This event will bring teams from Canada, the United Kingdom, Minneapolis and other locations to Kent, a Seattle suburb, in August.
The tournament attracts players with African heritage and others, Abdulla noted, and demonstrates soccer’s ability to bring the community together.
TORONTO, June 12 – Canada’s World Cup campaign got off to a dramatic start as substitute Cyle Larin rescued the co-hosts with a late equalizer in a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina in their Group B opener.
The match marked Canada’s inaugural men’s World Cup fixture on home turf, with the hosts controlling much of the possession and generating numerous scoring opportunities throughout the contest.
Bosnia struck first blood when Jovo Lukic found the net in the 21st minute, putting the World Cup co-hosts in a difficult position that would require a comeback effort.
Larin, who had watched from the sidelines for 76 minutes after coach Jesse Marsch opted not to include him in the starting eleven, made an immediate impact upon entering the match. The Southampton forward needed fewer than three minutes to make his mark, converting with a skillful turn and finish.
“I mean, I want to play every game and I’ve been working all those seasons in my club to play every game but sometimes you don’t have control, but I have to show when I go in the game, and I showed today I should be playing,” he told Canadian TV.
While Canada found success moving the ball through wide areas and into the penalty box, their offensive efforts lacked a commanding presence up front, allowing the Bosnia defense to handle most attacks without significant difficulty.
The dynamic shifted when the 31-year-old Larin entered the fray, bringing the poise and leadership that Canada’s brave performance had been missing. His goal positions the team favorably heading into their upcoming match against Qatar in Vancouver on June 18.
“I think we just have to stay concentrated at all moments, and that’s the World Cup,” Larin said. “I think we gave away a set-piece goal, and we just (need to) build off this game.
“We’ll be playing home again in Vancouver, and we’ve just got to push the limit and be killers around the ball.”
Defender Alistair Johnston credited the passionate home supporters with helping fuel Canada’s second-half resurgence, despite the team appearing to struggle under the weight of expectations for much of the contest.
“It felt like they probably pulled that ball into the net for us … we’re going to need to continue to build on that. We’re going to need this crowd with us,” he told Canadian TV.
Rookie corner infielder Blaze Jordan has been promoted by the St. Louis Cardinals from Triple-A Memphis and will make his first major league appearance Friday when they take on the Minnesota Twins on the road.
Jordan is set to hit eighth in the batting order and will take the field at third base for the Cardinals.
The 23-year-old was originally chosen by the Boston Red Sox in the third round of the 2020 draft before being traded to St. Louis as part of the deal that brought left-handed pitcher Steven Matz to Boston last season. This year at Triple-A, Jordan posted impressive numbers across 57 games, hitting .313 while driving in 35 runs and connecting for 11 home runs.
Jordan’s promotion was part of a busy day of roster adjustments for the Cardinals, who made five total moves on Friday.
The team also brought up right-handed pitcher Chris Roycroft from Memphis, while sending infielder Nolan Gorman and right-hander Hunter Dobbins down to Triple-A. Additionally, infielder Ramon Urias was transferred from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL due to elbow issues.
The 28-year-old Roycroft previously appeared in five relief outings for St. Louis this season, pitching 3 2/3 innings with a 12.27 ERA. Over his career spanning 2024-26, he has posted a 5.98 ERA across 52 games with the Cardinals.
Gorman, 26, has struggled this season with a .194 batting average that marks a career low, managing just one hit over his most recent 26 plate appearances. In his fifth season with St. Louis, he has contributed seven home runs and 26 RBIs through 62 games.
The 26-year-old Dobbins appeared in four games for the Cardinals this year, making two starts while posting a 1-0 record and 3.63 ERA. He joined the organization through another trade with Boston following his major league debut with the Red Sox last season.
The Toronto Blue Jays welcomed back catcher Alejandro Kirk to their active roster before Friday’s matchup with the New York Yankees, removing him from the 60-day injured list.
The backstop had been out of action since suffering a fractured left thumb during a game against the Chicago White Sox on April 3.
Kirk is set to catch and occupy the fourth spot in the batting order for Friday’s contest against New York.
The 27-year-old managed just three hits in 20 at-bats for a .150 average across five appearances before landing on the injured list. During that brief stint, he recorded one home run and drove in two runs.
Throughout his major league career since joining Toronto in 2020, the two-time All-Star has maintained a .267 batting average while launching 52 home runs and collecting 265 RBIs over 569 contests.
In additional roster moves, Toronto transferred outfielder Daulton Varsho to the 10-day injured list due to left wrist inflammation, with the move backdated to Wednesday. The team also designated catcher Tyler Heineman for assignment while bringing up outfielder Davis Schneider from their Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo.
Varsho had been performing at a .256 clip with five homers and 17 RBIs through 64 games this year. The outfielder is now in his fourth season wearing a Blue Jays uniform after playing his initial three major league seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Heineman compiled a .154 average with one home run and six RBIs across 31 games this season. Schneider previously hit .127 with one homer and eight RBIs during 38 games with Toronto earlier in the campaign.
LOS ANGELES, June 12 – Soccer icon Sir David Beckham received a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame Friday, coinciding with Los Angeles launching its World Cup festivities with eight scheduled matches for the U.S.-hosted 2026 tournament.
The ceremony replaced the typical red carpet with a green soccer-themed pitch carpet in honor of the sport. Radio personality Ellen K served as host, introducing speakers that included actor Tom Cruise and the honoree’s spouse, Victoria Beckham.
Cruise highlighted Beckham’s career trajectory, describing it as “a Hollywood story” showcasing dedication, perseverance and worldwide impact across athletics and popular culture.
Victoria Beckham remarked that receiving the recognition felt perfectly timed with the World Cup coming to Los Angeles, observing that American soccer is beginning “one of the most exciting chapters in its history.”
When Beckham addressed the crowd, he described the experience as “surreal.” The former athlete reminisced about his childhood in East London, where he harbored soccer ambitions but never envisioned being celebrated in Hollywood.
He recalled facing doubt when he signed with Major League Soccer’s LA Galaxy in 2007, as critics wondered why America had been slow to adopt the world’s most beloved sport.
Now serving as president and co-owner of Inter Miami CF, Beckham expressed pride in soccer’s expanding American fanbase. He delivered an emotional message directed at his family.
“I’m going to get emotional now. Kids, I hope you bring my grandchildren here one day and tell them about a boy who dreams big to make you all proud is my greatest achievement,” he said.
Throughout his two-decade professional career, Beckham competed for elite clubs worldwide, including Manchester United, Real Madrid, AC Milan, LA Galaxy and Paris Saint-Germain.
Playing predominantly as a right midfielder, he earned acclaim for his accurate passing and crossing skills, establishing himself among soccer’s all-time greats.
Beckham’s cultural reach expanded through entertainment ventures like the Netflix documentary series “Beckham,” which chronicles his athletic career, and “Victoria Beckham,” exploring his wife’s transformation from Spice Girl to fashion entrepreneur. The movie “Bend It Like Beckham” drew inspiration from his impact.
Following his 2013 retirement from professional play, Beckham has maintained his global presence through endorsement deals with major brands including Adidas, Bank of America, Hugo Boss, Stella Artois and Sands.
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Each of the opening four contests between New York and San Antonio in this year’s NBA Finals has featured dramatic closing moments, with every game’s winner remaining uncertain until under a minute remained on the clock.
In the series opener, New York held a four-point advantage with 58 seconds left. The second game saw the Knicks prevail by a single point when Victor Wembanyama’s potential game-winner fell short. San Antonio claimed Game 3 by four points. The fourth contest again went to New York by one point following OG Anunoby’s miraculous tip-in basket.
No championship series has featured such tight finishes — with margins of four points or fewer in each game’s final minute through the first four matchups — since 1973. New York captured that series title. The Knicks have not claimed a championship since that time.
Saturday presents an opportunity to end that drought. With New York holding a 3-1 series advantage, they can eliminate San Antonio at home when Game 5 tips off.
“You have to be present,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said Friday. “You can’t think about the outcome. It’s about the process, the next play, the next play, the next play.”
This series might easily be deadlocked at two games apiece, considering San Antonio surrendered a 29-point advantage in Game 4 during what became the most significant meltdown in NBA Finals history.
San Antonio commanded an 81-52 lead during the third quarter Wednesday evening before being outscored 55-25 over the remaining time, connecting on just six of their final 35 field goal attempts and falling on OG Anunoby’s tip-in with 1.2 seconds left. Taylor Swift joined many others in extended celebrations after the buzzer sounded, leaving the Spurs searching for ways to recover from devastating disappointment.
“There’s conviction in strength and confidence,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “That’s what it is. There’s no trick. There’s no avoiding what’s happened. There’s no avoiding all four games have been winnable games. There’s no avoiding we’re down 3-1. There’s not avoiding ways that we could be better. There’s nobody that’s going to be harder on ourselves and accountable to ourselves than the people in the locker room and each other.”
Prior to Game 4, teams holding leads of 29 points or greater were:
— 249-0 this season.
— 288-2 over the last 30 postseasons.
— 4,088-13 over the last 30 seasons, counting regular season and playoff games.
These statistics indicate San Antonio — who have established double-digit leads in every game — possessed approximately a 99.7% probability of winning Game 4, evening the series and returning home with complete momentum. Instead, they face elimination.
“We still have that belief that we have a chance to win,” said Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox, who has heard tons of criticism since Wednesday for his decision to try a layup instead of running down the clock when he had the ball and San Antonio leading by one in the final moments. “But we’re taking this one game at a time. We’re not looking at it as we need to win three games. We need to win tomorrow and then we give ourselves a chance to play another game.”
The task appears daunting. When presented with elimination opportunities this season, New York has shown no mercy.
The Knicks stand 3-0 in potential series-clinching games during these playoffs, capturing those contests by an overwhelming average margin of 39.3 points. New York built a 61-point lead before defeating Atlanta 140-89 to advance past Round 1, established a 44-point cushion before beating Philadelphia 144-114 in Round 2, then created a 45-point margin before eliminating Cleveland 130-93 in the Eastern Conference finals.
Those dominant performances all occurred away from home. Thousands of Knicks supporters are anticipated in San Antonio Saturday evening, eager to witness New York conclude its lengthy championship wait.
“One possession at a time, one play at a time, one quarter at a time,” Knicks guard Jalen Brunson said. “You’re thinking about the now, how you can be better the next possession, how can you turn the page, positive or negative. Regardless of what’s going on, our mindset and approach has to stay the same. I think we’ve done a very good job of that. It’s something that has grown over the season. It’s really important, especially obviously now.”
Philadelphia’s baseball team announced Friday that outfielder Adolis Garcia will spend at least 60 days on the injured list after tearing his right latissimus dorsi muscle.
The organization also made several other roster adjustments involving their outfield, bringing up Gabriel Rincones Jr. from their Triple-A affiliate in Lehigh Valley, putting Steward Berroa on the paternity list, and adding Derek Hill to the active roster following his acquisition from the Chicago White Sox on Thursday.
Garcia sustained the right shoulder injury during the seventh inning of Philadelphia’s 7-4 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday. The injury occurred after he caught a fly ball in right field and made a hurried throw toward home plate, trying to get George Springer out as he tagged up from third base. Garcia immediately doubled over in pain, clutching his right shoulder.
Team medical staff examined the 33-year-old player before he left the contest, with Berroa taking his place in the lineup.
Garcia, who joined Philadelphia on a one-year deal worth $10 million during the offseason, has faced challenges at the plate this year, posting a .195 batting average along with seven home runs and 21 RBIs across 67 games.
Throughout his career spanning 833 games with the St. Louis Cardinals (2018), Texas Rangers (2020-25) and Philadelphia, he maintains a .234 batting average with 148 homers and 480 RBIs.
Hill, age 30, recorded a .213 batting average (17-for-80) with four home runs and eight RBIs in 50 games this season for the White Sox, who traded him along with $250,000 in international bonus pool money to Philadelphia in exchange for two minor league players, outfielder Dylan Campbell and infielder Jose Colmenares.
Rincones, 25, posted a .239 batting average in 12 games for Lehigh Valley and a combined .215 average in 22 games across three minor league teams. MLB Pipeline ranks him as the sixth-best prospect in Philadelphia’s farm system.
Berroa, 27, has recorded one hit in seven at-bats over six games this season, his first year with Philadelphia.
In a major surprise at the Libema Open tennis tournament in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak delivered a commanding upset victory on Friday. The Polish player defeated top-seeded Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, completing the match in just 69 minutes.
Majchrzak dominated on his serve, winning 85.1% of his service points (40 of 47). This marks his second career victory against a Top-10 ranked opponent and propels him into his third ATP semifinal appearance. His semifinal opponent will be determined by Saturday’s quarterfinal match between No. 3 seed Daniil Medvedev of Russia and Marin Cilic of Croatia.
In other quarterfinal action, Medvedev advanced with a three-set victory over Netherlands’ Thijs Boogaard, winning 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (6). Meanwhile, Cilic mounted a comeback against Portugal’s Nuno Borges, prevailing 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3.
The other semifinal will feature No. 2 Alex de Minaur against France’s Adrian Mannarino. Australia’s de Minaur dominated France’s Benjamin Bonzi 6-2, 6-4, while Mannarino defeated China’s Zhang Zhizhen 7-6 (4), 6-3.
At the BOSS Open in Stuttgart, Germany, defending champion Taylor Fritz mounted another dramatic comeback, defeating Italy’s Mattia Bellucci 5-7, 7-5, 7-5. This marked the second consecutive day Fritz recovered from a deficit, having previously survived match point against Spain’s Martin Landaluce on Thursday.
The No. 2 seeded Fritz found himself in tight situations during both the second and third sets, which were knotted at 5-5 before he elevated his performance. Fritz served 11 aces in securing his semifinal berth.
Fritz’s semifinal opponent will be No. 3 Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan, who eliminated France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3). In another semifinal matchup, No. 4 Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic earned his spot by defeating No. 6 Frances Tiafoe 6-4, 7-6 (4).
Top-seeded Ben Shelton struggled early but managed to defeat fellow American Marcos Giron 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (5) in second-round action. Shelton’s quarterfinal match against Japan’s Sho Shimabukuro was halted due to insufficient light, with Shelton trailing 4-6 in the opening set.
The National Football League has concluded its investigation into wide receiver Stefon Diggs without imposing penalties, with multiple sources reporting Friday that league officials found inadequate evidence of a personal conduct policy breach.
League officials notified Diggs on Friday that their review has been completed. The 32-year-old player was acquitted by a jury on May 5 in Dedham (Mass.) District Court of charges involving strangling or assaulting his personal chef.
In February, Diggs entered a not guilty plea to felony strangulation charges and misdemeanor assault and battery allegations connected to a December 2 incident at his Dedham residence, located roughly 20 minutes southwest of Boston.
The NFL retained the authority to discipline Diggs regardless of his court acquittal if officials had concluded he breached the personal conduct policy.
At the time of the alleged incident, Diggs was playing for the New England Patriots before his release in March.
Jamila Adams, his live-in personal chef, provided testimony stating that Diggs slapped and choked her during a dispute over payment. Adams had begun preparing meals for Diggs in July 2025, earning $2,000 weekly.
Throughout the proceedings, Diggs, who currently remains a free agent, denied any wrongdoing. His legal representation argued that the accusations stemmed from the monetary disagreement. Defense attorneys also claimed Adams was angry about being excluded from a Miami trip.
The strangulation charge carried a potential five-year prison sentence, while the assault charge could have resulted in 2 1/2 years of incarceration.
New England cut ties with Diggs following the initial year of his three-year, $69 million deal. He contributed to the Patriots’ Super Bowl appearance, though they fell 29-13 to the Seattle Seahawks.
Last season, Diggs recorded 85 receptions for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns across 17 games, marking his seventh campaign with over 1,000 receiving yards. He contributed an additional 110 yards and one touchdown on 14 catches during four playoff contests.
During his tenure with the Buffalo Bills from 2020-23, he earned four Pro Bowl selections.
Following five seasons with the Minnesota Vikings (2015-19), Diggs moved to Buffalo. He also spent time with the Houston Texans in 2024 before joining New England. His career totals include 942 receptions for 11,504 yards and 74 touchdowns over 161 regular-season appearances (153 as a starter).
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Denver Broncos defensive end Jonathon Cooper finds himself facing escalating legal issues after being taken into custody for the second time within seven days.
Authorities arrested Cooper on Thursday evening on several charges alleging he violated a protective order that was issued following his first arrest related to a domestic incident with his girlfriend the previous week.
Court documents show Cooper now faces additional charges of harassment through repeated phone calls and violating a protective order.
The protective order was established for Cooper’s girlfriend after prosecutors filed two more charges on Wednesday, including a felony count of second-degree assault by strangulation, stemming from his June 4 arrest in Parker.
Beyond his current legal issues, Cooper may be looking at a significant suspension from the NFL.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy stated to The Associated Press on Friday, “We continue to monitor all developments in the matter which remains under review of the personal conduct policy.”
The Broncos released their own statement to AP, noting, “We are disappointed to learn of Jonathon Cooper’s arrest on Thursday and continue to review this matter.”
According to the arrest affidavit, Cooper allegedly sent 20 messages and placed two unreturned phone calls to his girlfriend on Thursday before appearing at her residence and knocking on her door. He departed after she contacted 911. When officers later visited Cooper at his home Thursday, he claimed he had not received notice of a protective order.
During his Friday court appearance in the 23rd Judicial District Court in Douglas County, Cooper was ordered to comply with a more restrictive protective order that bars all contact with his girlfriend. Additionally, he must obtain court permission for any out-of-state travel. He was released on his own recognizance.
Cooper initially faced misdemeanor domestic violence charges and entered a not guilty plea Monday in Douglas County court. Prosecutors announced the additional charges in court Wednesday, including felony assault by strangulation and third-degree assault for knowingly or recklessly causing bodily harm.
The upgraded charges resulted from a forensic nurse’s examination of Cooper’s girlfriend at a medical facility, where the nurse documented that the woman sustained an injury from being choked that created a “substantial risk of death” or significant risk of harm, including potential traumatic brain injury, according to court filings.
Cooper, 28, was initially taken into custody June 4 by Parker police alongside his girlfriend, with both being processed into jail the following morning. Cooper was detained on suspicion of criminal mischief with a domestic violence enhancement. His girlfriend was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic violence and minor criminal mischief.
The arrests occurred after an argument and physical altercation between Cooper and his girlfriend concerning cell phones that were damaged during the incident after she accused him of cheating, according to a police affidavit.
Over the weekend, Cooper shared a Bible verse about anger on his Instagram account and stated, “I apologize to my family and my friends and my community. … And so many others.” He continued, “I realize positing a bible (verse) after something very serious happens does not just mean everything is okay.” In a separate post, Cooper stated, “I apologize. This situation is not who I am.”
Selected in the seventh round of the 2021 draft from Ohio State, Cooper is beginning his sixth year with the Broncos. He has recorded at least eight sacks in each of the past three seasons, including a personal-best 10 1/2 sacks in 2024 when he agreed to a four-year contract extension valued at up to $60 million.
Cooper has motions hearings scheduled for July 6 regarding his original arrest and July 14 for his recent arrest, plus a trial date set for July 22, just before the Broncos begin training camp.
Cooper has been taking part in the Broncos’ offseason training program, and on Thursday coach Sean Payton mentioned he spoke with Cooper about his arrest. “We’ll follow the league’s guidelines, and I’m sure a lot of that will be led by the local authorities’ guidelines. We’ll pay attention to all of it,” Payton said.
The Broncos will conduct their mandatory minicamp next week before taking their summer break.
Wide receiver Stefon Diggs will avoid any punishment from the National Football League following the conclusion of an internal investigation that found inadequate evidence to warrant action under the league’s personal conduct standards.
“The league notified Stefon Diggs today that it concluded its investigation and there is insufficient evidence to support a finding of a personal conduct policy violation,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in statement to The Associated Press.
ESPN was first to report the league’s finding.
Last month, Diggs was acquitted of criminal charges related to allegedly attacking his personal chef. The legal case originated from a December 2 incident at his Massachusetts residence, where Jamila Adams, who previously worked as a live-in personal chef, gave testimony claiming Diggs struck and choked her during a dispute. Diggs had entered a not guilty plea to charges including felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault and battery. The jury reached their verdict clearing Diggs of all accusations after deliberating for under two hours.
During the previous season, Diggs played for the New England Patriots and contributed to their Super Bowl appearance, though they were defeated by Seattle. The team cut him in March, and he currently has no contract with any team.
Multiple NFL athletes, including Ben Roethlisberger, Jameis Winston and Ezekiel Elliott, have faced suspensions for personal conduct policy violations even when they weren’t arrested or formally charged.
In his single campaign with New England, Diggs topped the team’s receiving statistics with 85 catches for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns. He served as the primary target for Drake Maye, who came in second to Matthew Stafford in AP NFL MVP voting.
Diggs, who will celebrate his 33rd birthday on November 29, has suited up for three different franchises over the last three years. His professional career started in Minnesota in 2015, where he developed from a fifth-round draft selection into the team’s top receiving threat during five seasons with the Vikings.
Buffalo acquired him through a trade for a first-round draft pick in 2020, and he earned All-Pro recognition that season. His tenure with the Bills lasted four years. Most recently, he played for the Texans during the 2024 campaign.
A South Carolina court has ruled in favor of Clemson wide receiver Tristan Smith, granting him a temporary injunction that will allow him to compete for another season after the NCAA rejected his request for extended eligibility.
The 6-foot-5, 205-pound senior filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in January following their decision to deny his waiver application for a fifth year of competition.
In her decision, Judge Jessica A. Salvini from South Carolina’s 13th Judicial Circuit highlighted that the NCAA had approved similar requests from other players who previously competed at junior colleges.
The judge referenced wide receiver Malik Benson as an example, noting he also played two years of junior college football and was awarded an additional season to compete at Oregon in 2025.
“The only material distinction the Court can identify between Mr. Benson’s case, and the instant matter is that Mr. Smith’s final Division I season falls in 2025-26 rather than 2024-25,” Salvini wrote.
The NCAA had previously provided blanket eligibility extensions to former junior college players in the 2024-25 academic year following a successful legal challenge by Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia.
Smith’s legal representative, Darren Heitner, celebrated the victory on social media platform X, stating: “Big win for our client. … The NCAA’s arbitrary application of its Five-Year Rule didn’t hold up. Justice for Tristan!”
The player himself responded to the news on Instagram, writing: “The Marathon continues. I’m Back.”
Smith’s collegiate career included two seasons at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas during 2022 and 2023, followed by a year at FCS school Southeast Missouri State in 2024 before transferring to Clemson in 2025. During his most recent season with the Tigers, he recorded 24 receptions for 239 yards and one touchdown across 13 games.
A University of Delaware track and field athlete has made history by becoming the first from the sport to earn academic recognition from Conference USA.
The conference announced Friday that throws competitor Olamide Ayeni has been selected for the Conference USA All-Academic team. The Dallas-based announcement highlighted Ayeni’s achievement as a milestone for the Blue Hens track and field program.
This recognition marks a first for University of Delaware track and field athletes in terms of all-academic honors from the conference.
RALEIGH, N.C. — Coach John Tortorella remains steadfast in his belief that his Vegas Golden Knights can handle pressure situations as they battle toward the Stanley Cup Final.
His confidence hasn’t wavered, even with the Golden Knights now confronting their first do-or-die contest while managing an injury to center William Karlsson.
Vegas fell 4-2 to the Carolina Hurricanes in Thursday’s Game 5, putting Carolina just one win away from capturing the Stanley Cup. The series returns to Las Vegas for Sunday’s Game 6, where the Golden Knights must prevail to send the series back to Raleigh for Wednesday’s Game 7.
“They’ve been through it all,” Tortorella said in a Zoom news conference Friday morning. “They know what’s at stake here. We need to win one game. They’ll be ready to play.”
Vegas — with many players remaining from the squad that captured the Cup in 2023 — had built significant momentum following the sudden dismissal of coach Bruce Cassidy in late March when Tortorella was brought aboard.
The Golden Knights captured seven of eight games to finish the regular season. They encountered 2-2 series deadlocks in Round 1 versus Utah and Round 2 against Anaheim, then claimed Games 5 and 6 to advance from both. They dominated the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche with a sweep. They also established a 2-1 series advantage over Carolina following a double-overtime triumph in Game 3.
However, the Hurricanes have steadily started to shift the series momentum.
After falling behind 4-0 heading into the third period of Game 3, the Hurricanes have outscored the Golden Knights 13-6 while discovering renewed energy with Brandon Bussi assuming goaltending duties. In Game 5, the Hurricanes netted two additional power-play goals from a unit that had struggled throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs while also countering Vegas’ second-period control.
Vegas committed costly errors like successfully killing a penalty only to have Brayden McNabb immediately head to the penalty box for cross-checking Jackson Blake during the second period. Mark Stone’s high stick on Jalen Chatfield in the third period left Chatfield with blood flowing from a cut above his right eye, resulting in a double-minor penalty.
Carolina’s Andrei Svechnikov found the net following both infractions, occurring during a postseason filled with questions about when he and fellow top-line player Sebastian Aho would find their rhythm.
“Anytime you give the other team’s best players the opportunity to be on the ice on the power play and feel good about themselves … you stack that up and it definitely can be challenging and tire guys out,” center Nic Dowd said afterward.
Svechnikov’s goals elevated the Hurricanes to 6 of 16 (37.5%) on power-play opportunities this series, a dramatic improvement from their 12.5% rate (7 of 56) during their 12-1 march through the Eastern Conference playoffs.
“One of the areas that we’ve lost a little bit is special teams, a couple of power-play goals last night,” Tortorella said Friday. “Like I said after the game, I thought at times we were killing, we had some good times as far as moving, being aggressive with our penalty kill, and are doing the job. Other times, not so good.”
Adding to Vegas’ concerns is Karlsson, who sat out nearly six months with a lower-body injury before making his playoff return at the start of the Anaheim series. He contributed three goals and six assists across 14 playoff contests to boost the Golden Knights, including scoring in Games 1 and 4 against Carolina.
Karlsson seemed to hurt his left arm or shoulder after being checked into the boards by Hurricanes defenseman Sean Walker during the second period. He received brief medical treatment on the bench, left the ice, and didn’t return to action.
Tortorella indicated Thursday that Karlsson was “not going to be with us, probably” and Vegas required a team-wide effort to compensate for his absence. He provided no further updates Friday morning.
Despite the challenges, he has boldly predicted the series would “be back here” for a Game 7.
“We know what we have to do to beat this team,” McNabb said Thursday night. “It’s a matter of going home and winning one game. That’s all it is, and hopefully we’re back here for Game 7.”
SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina — What started with straightforward words — “I am from Bosnia; take me to America” — has evolved into something much bigger. The Bosnian musical group Dubioza Kolektiv has reworked their well-known track “USA,” turning a tune about American Dream disappointment into a viral soccer chant supporting Bosnia-Herzegovina’s World Cup aspirations.
Before Friday’s game between Bosnia and Canada, band members spoke with The Associated Press in the Sarajevo district where they shot their latest music video for the accordion-driven hit, now called “I Am From Bosnia, Take Me to America.” The video celebrating soccer’s blue-collar heritage has reached almost 2 million YouTube views in under three weeks — adding to the 26 million views their original “USA” from 2011 has collected over time.
“It’s an interesting story how this song got its second and third and fourth incarnation in these 15 years,” reflects Vedran Mujagić, the band’s bass player, whose group has integrated political and social issues into their artistic mission. “It evolved from this satirical take on immigration and (the) American Dream and it was translated into (an) American football dream for the entire nation.”
Bosnia-Herzegovina is participating in just its second World Cup, an achievement that seemed unlikely given the stronger soccer nations blocking their path to qualification. However, at April’s end, Bosnia’s last-minute score against Wales led them to a successful penalty shootout victory, which they repeated days afterward against Italy. Band members were taken aback when supporters displayed a banner featuring their song words, chanting them as a team anthem.
“First, it was working as a joke, but what I like the most is the supporters kind of loaded completely new meaning to the old song, and this is the best thing for the band or for the song: when people take over and load new meaning and then it becomes theirs,” explains keyboardist Brano Jakubović. “It’s not ours anymore.”
The original “USA” maintains the same energetic, memorable quality — it’s difficult not to find yourself humming, “I can no longer wait, take me to United States / Take me to Golden Gate, I will assimilate” — but the main character’s enthusiasm to leave quickly transforms into disappointment with life beyond the Balkans.
The group chose to create a refreshed version of what Jakubović calls a “typical immigrant song,” crafting new words suitable for a soccer celebration. While “USA” uses English, this edition is primarily in Bosnian — “so people will understand,” he explains — and focuses mainly on the sport. The language change hasn’t diminished its worldwide popularity, as YouTube comments demonstrate, though Jakubović admits some references would be puzzling to non-Bosnians. (See: burek without cheese.)
Jakubović’s preferred new verse allows him to address something that has troubled the country since the 2014 World Cup: “And that goal against Nigeria, that was never offside.”
“So this is like a big national trauma in Bosnia, so I used the song and lyrics to kind of release this trauma,” he explains.
While he’s being playful here, trauma has been constant since Bosnia’s independence during Yugoslavia’s breakup in 1992. Ethnic conflict erupted almost immediately, resulting in genocide. More than three decades following the Srebrenica massacre, significant tensions between Bosnian Serbs and Bosniak Muslims continue.
“Football in this moment is much more than just a game, it’s a hope and it’s very basically (a) political thing because it brought all the people from Bosnia together, which is usually not the case,” Jakubović states.
Bosnia’s opening game is in Canada, but the squad will actually travel to America. Their training facility is located in Sandy, Utah, and their remaining group matches — versus Switzerland and Qatar — take place in the United States. Additionally, as Mujagić notes, many players were born in America or other diaspora locations.
“They are children of those people who went outside in search of a better life or as refugees or whatever their story was. And they kind of see and hear these lyrics and this song entirely differently from us,” he says.
Mujagić believes the core message of “USA” remains relevant as Bosnians continue emigrating. After departing, he observes, “they encounter this hostility of the locals, right-wingers, and they just don’t want them there.”
“So it’s this schizophrenic situation in which you want to go there, but you somehow know that you won’t have it good on the other side as well,” he concludes. “So in that sense, this song still works perfectly well as it worked before.”
In St. Louis, which hosts a flourishing Bosnian community, Admir Hodzic co-founded the supporter group BH Loyals. The 40-year-old entrepreneur was born in Bosnia and has traveled between his native country and America, similar to the character in “USA.”
“I think every Bosnian that lives here and understands how the system works and everything else, I think they will find the truth in that song, and that song is honestly nothing but the truth,” he states. While more opportunities exist in America than elsewhere, he says, “it’s a matter of biting your teeth and pulling through the worst times possible.”
He and fellow supporters strongly admire Dubioza Kolektiv and perform their anthem during games and viewing events. Most frequently, however, they sing the original “USA.”
“It’s engraved in their brain and their hearts,” he says, “and no matter what, they just go back to the old lyrics, you know?”
Delaware State University’s recently named women’s basketball head coach, Khadijah Rushdan, has brought four new members to her coaching team as she launches her tenure with the program.
The coaching staff appointments represent the start of a new chapter for DSU women’s basketball under Rushdan’s leadership.
RALEIGH, N.C. — For weeks, Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour fielded the same persistent questions about his top forwards Andrei Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho needing to contribute more offensively.
“We need them to get going,” Brind’Amour stated during the early stages of the Stanley Cup Final.
With at most two contests remaining to decide the championship, those key players may have finally delivered their breakthrough moment.
Svechnikov netted a pair of power-play goals while Aho recorded only his second goal since April, leading the Hurricanes to a 4-2 triumph over the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday evening. The victory places Carolina just one win away from capturing the Stanley Cup.
“It is the biggest game. It was for me,” Svechnikov commented. “The mentality was great. I couldn’t sleep for the night (before).”
The series shifts to Las Vegas for Game 6 on Sunday night, where Carolina will have the opportunity to claim the Stanley Cup for the first time since Brind’Amour led the team as captain to the championship in 2006. The focus now centers on whether Svechnikov and Aho can maintain their newfound offensive momentum from Game 5.
Svechnikov recorded his first two-goal effort of the current playoffs and his fifth multi-goal postseason performance overall. The forward had been eager to make a greater offensive impact this spring, though his struggles hadn’t been as critical with the Logan Stankoven-led second line featuring Jackson Blake and Taylor Hall producing consistently throughout the playoffs.
Brind’Amour consistently maintained that both veteran players from the franchise’s current eight-year playoff streak were contributing adequately, predicting it was simply a matter of time before their scoring would increase. However, as the Hurricanes advanced to the Stanley Cup Final, pressure mounted on Aho as the organization’s top-paid player ($9.75 million this season) and Svechnikov as the third-highest earner ($7.75 million this season).
“Quite a decent (amount) of pressure, to be honest this playoffs,” Svechnikov acknowledged. “It’s just a new day was today.”
Both Aho and Svechnikov had managed just four goals apiece through 17 postseason contests before Thursday’s game. Five other teammates had surpassed their goal totals. Having them beat Carter Hart three times for scores felt like a long-awaited reward.
“That hasn’t really happened, and we’re still here,” Brind’Amour observed. “So it doesn’t necessarily have to be that way, but they have to have an impact in the game, whether it’s on the scoresheet or doing other things. It certainly makes it a lot smoother if they’re scoring. It takes a lot of pressure off other guys to do that, and I guess that’s what happened tonight.”
The contest remained deadlocked at 1-1 until second-period tallies from Svechnikov and Aho within a six-minute span. Svechnikov struck first, firing the puck past Hart during a power-play opportunity, followed by Aho finding the net for his first goal of the series and just his second score in the previous 14 contests.
“Getting on the score sheet, he knows he needs to do that,” Brind’Amour said regarding Aho. “He’s playing all the power plays, getting all that time to cash in. It doesn’t mean you’re not playing well. And he was doing, all playoffs, he’s done, I think, really well. But man, if we can get that out of him, that’s just a big bonus for our team.”
Svechnikov added his second goal to establish a 4-1 advantage, finishing at the right post following a crisp pass from Nikolaj Ehlers, who contributed three assists in the victory.
“We know it’s going to be hard,” Svechnikov said about finishing the series. “That’s the hardest trophy to win, and we just kind of got to play our game and keep the pressure on and hopefully we’re going to keep the momentum.”
Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty highlighted the enthusiastic crowds packing Sutter Health Park during a recent matchup between the Athletics and New York Yankees, noting many fans sporting jerseys displaying Sacramento across the chest.
The California capital region, traditionally viewed as secondary to major markets such as the Bay Area, Los Angeles and San Diego, is embracing its temporary role hosting the nomadic A’s while pursuing its dream of securing a permanent Major League Baseball franchise to complement the NBA’s Kings.
“It would mean everything,” McCarty expressed. “I think we’ve always fancied ourselves as a big league city. Having a team here in Sacramento would mean a lot to our city, bring a lot of economic groups to both sides of the river.”
Local leaders have launched what they call the “Sacramento Pitch” for expansion consideration, revealing in late May a pledge of $1 billion in public financing plus nearly $800 million additional private funding for the initiative.
Several crucial elements remain unresolved in the proposal. Particularly significant is the ongoing search for a primary investor to purchase the franchise, though multiple potential candidates have shown interest. Questions also persist regarding MLB’s expansion timeline and Sacramento’s position among prospective locations.
“What we have is just only one major league team here. So we have definitely room for having another team,” West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero stated. “We have a strong media market, the population is growing. We have a good economic growth here as well. We have the potential to develop a strong market for a Major League Baseball team here.”
The Sacramento market ranks 20th nationally in television viewership and stands as the largest metropolitan area with just one franchise across MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, MLS and WNBA. Approximately 2.7 million residents call the metropolitan region home, though some still consider it secondary to the prestigious San Francisco Bay area.
The community is experiencing major league operations firsthand while temporarily housing the A’s, who are completing their second of three scheduled seasons in West Sacramento following their Oakland departure and awaiting their Las Vegas stadium construction. One additional season remains before the relocation, with the team currently playing two series this week in the Las Vegas market.
Fan turnout has improved from 9,487 per contest last year to 10,820 across 28 home games this season, featuring 12 capacity crowds at the venue accommodating slightly over 12,000 spectators per game. Local leaders express confidence that a permanent franchise would generate greater attendance at a new facility constructed adjacent to the current Triple-A stadium.
“From our perspective, landing Major League Baseball is really a market demonstration statement about who we are,” explained Barry Broome, the President and CEO of Greater Sacramento Economic Council. “We do love baseball. Everybody deep down inside prays we’ll get a phone call from John Fisher and he says, ‘Psych, I’m staying.’ No one wants to admit they pray for that every day. But we love the Athletics. It’d be awesome, but we didn’t. They’re going to Vegas, so we have to bring in our own team which is fine with us.”
Sacramento organizers have secured $800 million through land assets near the existing minor league facility and private contributions, with access to $1 billion in public resources derived primarily from regional property tax revenue.
Despite economists questioning the wisdom of public stadium investments and McCarty’s own opposition to Sacramento’s NBA arena funding during his city council tenure, he considers this proposal more sound.
“That was more of an impact on the general fund,” he explained regarding the plan that resulted in Golden 1 Center opening in downtown Sacramento in 2016. “This one I think is the fairest deal for taxpayers and partners to do big projects that we have on the books.”
MLB’s immediate focus involves negotiating a fresh collective bargaining agreement with the players’ union. Commissioner Rob Manfred announced last week that MLB has informed interested communities that expansion decisions await CBA completion.
Additional cities competing for potential franchises include Charlotte, North Carolina; Montreal; Nashville, Tennessee; Portland, Oregon; and Salt Lake City. Sacramento’s primary competition would likely emerge from western markets.
“I think the size and scope of the market is really our key advantage,” Broome noted. “We’ve also demonstrated we have a turnkey stadium deal now. That can happen under the mayor and the city manager’s signature. We don’t have to pass a bond or anything like that. It took us four months to raise $800 million. I think people underestimate Sacramento. There’s a lot of money in this town. There is a lot economic power in this town. We can do this.”
CLEVELAND – Salisbury University has achieved its most impressive national athletic ranking in more than ten years, demonstrating excellence across multiple sports programs during the 2025-26 academic year.
The university secured 22nd place in the NCAA Division III LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup rankings, marking the institution’s best performance in this comprehensive athletic evaluation since 2014-15. The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) announced the final standings on Tuesday.
The LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup measures athletic department success by evaluating performance across all sponsored sports programs throughout the academic year. This ranking represents a significant achievement for Salisbury University’s athletic program, showcasing consistent excellence across multiple teams and competitions.
As Iran’s national soccer team prepares to take the field in Los Angeles next week for World Cup competition, Iranian-American supporters are grappling with conflicted emotions about cheering for Team Melli on American soil.
The ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran has created a complex situation for fans like Ehsan Shafi, a 46-year-old Iranian-American business owner who plans to attend the matches despite the political turmoil. While excited to see his national team compete on soccer’s biggest stage, Shafi acknowledges the difficult circumstances surrounding the games.
“All players wish to have a chance to play in the World Cup,” Shafi explained after participating in a Sunday morning match with Arya FC, an amateur Iranian-American soccer club located in Woodland Hills. “It doesn’t matter what’s happening in the world. We are so excited to see our national team.”
However, Shafi recognizes the challenging position many fans find themselves in. “It’s a very complicated situation,” he admitted. “Nobody likes to see their country under bombing. It’s very complicated for our people.”
Los Angeles houses tens of thousands of Iranian-Americans in what’s commonly called “Tehrangeles,” representing the world’s largest Iranian diaspora community. For many who left Iran following the 1979 revolution due to political turmoil and oppression, Team Melli – the Persian term for the national team – has served as an important cultural connection to their homeland.
Iran is scheduled to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on June 15 and 21, followed by a match against Egypt in Seattle on June 26. While Shafi has purchased tickets and maintains his enthusiasm for the rare opportunity to watch the team locally, not all community members share his perspective.
Shawn Rezaei, Shafi’s 59-year-old teammate at Arya FC and a restaurant executive who also departed Iran during the revolution, has made the opposite decision. Despite attending previous World Cups in Germany, Brazil, Russia, and Qatar, Rezaei plans to boycott this tournament.
“I’m a die-hard football fan,” Rezaei stated. “But this time, because of the political situation, I’m boycotting.”
Although Rezaei initially sought tickets for the U.S. matches, he ultimately concluded he couldn’t support the team while opposing Tehran’s leadership. “This team is not representing the nation,” he argued. “They are basically a propaganda proxy for the regime.”
This division between Shafi and Rezaei reflects broader tensions within the Iranian-American community. Several other fans interviewed requested anonymity, expressing concerns that criticizing Iran’s government might endanger family members still living there, or that commenting on U.S. policies could create problems within their local communities.
Additional worries center on potential safety issues, particularly for younger supporters, regarding whether Iran’s matches might become focal points for anti-war demonstrations, anti-government protests, or immigration enforcement actions.
These concerns help explain the careful approach often adopted by the players themselves. During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Iran’s team gained worldwide attention when players chose not to sing their national anthem before the opening game, a move widely interpreted as solidarity with anti-government demonstrators back home.
Throughout subsequent matches, the team’s celebrations remained restrained and patriotic displays were notably minimal – actions some viewed as quiet resistance while others criticized as inadequate. The situation highlighted the intense pressure facing the players, with reports suggesting potential consequences for both athletes and their families in Iran.
“Who am I to judge the actions of the team when I myself don’t want to speak out publicly in case it endangers my family,” commented one Iranian-American supporter with relatives in Tehran, who still intends to attend a World Cup game in Los Angeles.
