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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.