EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Alisson Becker feels for Carlo Ancelotti, the Italian expected to bring Brazil a record sixth World Cup title.“His position perhaps has more pressure than being the president of the country,” the Seleção's top goalkeeper said.Brazil is unbeaten in 20 World Cup openers since 1934, winning 17 going into Saturday night's match against African champion Morocco.Having conquered the globe with Pelé, samba soccer and canary yellow jerseys, Brazil was once the nation others emulated.No more. Brazil hasn’t won the title since 2002 and has moved past the quarterfinals just once since, a humiliating 7-1 defeat to Germany in the 2014 semis on home soil in Belo Horizonte.“We're here to try to change history, try to put Brazil back to where it never should have left, which is at the top,” striker Vinícius Júnior said Friday through an interpreter. “We are at the same level as the other major teams.”Morocco became the first African nation to reach the World Cup semis, losing 2-0 to France four years ago. The Atlas Lions won their continent's title controversially in January — they lost 1-0 to Senegal but were awarded a 3-0 forfeit victory because the Lions of Teranga left the field for 15 minutes during stoppage time in protest of a penalty kick awarded to their opponent.Brazil is ranked sixth in the world and Morocco seventh.“In modern football, there is no — how we say? — small-time team,” Ancelotti said through an interpreter. “They are definitely up to the task.”In their one World Cup meeting, Brazil won 3-0 in the 1998 group stage behind goals from Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Bebeto.“We all respect Brazil. Some people say it’s not the Brazil of before. Well, it’s still Brazil,” Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi said through an interpreter. “They're passionate. They love football. They have great qualities. They really want to win this World Cup.”En route to the title during the 1994 World Cup in U.S., Brazil became famous for the baby-rocking goal celebration by Bebeto, joined by teammates Romário and Mazinho.Ancelotti wouldn't mind more prancing.“It's not banned to dance in the new regulations of FIFA. This is not forbidden,” he said. “They want to optimize the time of play, but you can still celebrate and dance.”Brazil faces great expectations back homeBrazilian fans don't anticipate a title. Some expect one and others demand it.“We have a possibility to compete to win,” Ancelotti said, switching to English. “We have a good feeling.”Ancelotti, the first non-Brazilian to coach the team at a World Cup, took over in May 2025 from Dorival Júnior. He has win a record five Champions League titles leading AC Milan and Real Madrid, and he is the only coach to win championships in all five major European leagues.“I respect him very much. I’ve read all his books,” Hakimi said playfully. “Maybe I’ll have an advantage over him. I know all his secrets.”Hot weather expected in New York areaA temperature of 88 degrees Fahrenheit (31 Celsius) is forecast for kickoff at MetLife Stadium, site of the final on July 19.“We are used to the heat. We’re Africans,” Hakimi said.Morocco and Brazil captains are friends — but not for the next 5 weeksHakimi and Brazil captain Marquinhos are Paris Saint-Germain teammates and on May 30 they helped their club win a second straight Champions League title.Hakimi said he took two days off before starting World Cup preparations. “When we play together at PSG we have a good laugh and we said on the (World Cup) pitch we’re not teammates,” Hakimi said. “We will talk, of course, but we each want to win and may the best win.”Neymar is still sidelined with a calf injuryPicked for his fourth World Cup at age 34, Neymar is still recovering from a torn right calf and Ancelotti said the nation's career leader with 79 goals won't be ready to play Saturday.“We hope that he can be back in full training next week,” Ancelotti said. “When we called up Neymar we didn’t only call him up for his footballing qualities, which are undoubted, but also for his experience, because he can be an example for the young players that we have in the squad.”___AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup

Ahead of Australia’s opening World Cup match, the Socceroos are celebrating the immigrants on the squad.The message is simple: Soccer is for everyone. But it comes at a time when anti-immigrant sentiment is on the rise in Australia and in many places around the world.Among those featured in a video released by Professional Footballers Australia is Awer Mabil, who was born in a refugee camp in Kenya to South Sudanese parents."There's a lot of journeys behind the jersey, so to be a Socceroo has many different meanings, but with one purpose, and that is to do the country proud," Mabil said.Mabil is one of three Socceroos who were born in refugee camps. Fellow forward Mohamed Touré was born in a camp in Guinea to Liberian parents before his family settled in Adelaide. And attacker Nestory Irankunda was born in a Tanzanian refugee camp after his parents fled Burundi. The family moved to Perth but later settled in Adelaide, where Irankunda and Touré became friends.Both Touré, who plays for Norwich, and Irankunda, who plays for Watford, are making their World Cup debuts. Mabil plays in Spain for Castellón, and is making his second World Cup appearance.Milos Degenek's family left Croatia when he was a baby and they lived as refugees in Serbia before moving to Sydney.The Socceroos' message comes at a fraught time for immigrants around the world. A knife attack in Northern Ireland earlier this month set off two nights of fiery riots, stoked by anti-migrant rhetoric.In the United States, President Donald Trump has implemented a widespread immigration crackdown. Visa restrictions have touched the World Cup, with Somali referee Omar Artan denied entry into the country.There have also been a series of anti-immigrant marches and rallies under the label “March for Australia.” The events have been marked by arrests for hate speech and clashes with counter protesters.“At a time when some seek to divide us and question who belongs, the Socceroos stand as a powerful reminder of who we truly are as a nation and as Australians," PFA chief executive Beau Busch said. “The Socceroos highlight the profound impact of multiculturalism on our country. People who have come from all corners of the world have shaped football, our community and our sense of self in the world.”The Socceroos have played in the last five World Cups and have advanced to the round of 16 twice, including in 2022. Australia opens Group D play on Saturday against Turkey in Vancouver, British Columbia.Australia has been training in Oakland, California. Touré, one of 17 new players on the team, caused concern when he was absent from practice on Wednesday, but his teammates reported he was back on Thursday.___AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup

Baroness Karren Brady was previously Birmingham City's managing director [Getty Images]Former West Ham vice-chair Baroness Brady knew the club's co-owner David Sullivan was banned from contacting the women's and youth teams because of safeguarding concerns, but has defended continuing to work for him for three years, the BBC has learned.Baroness Brady, 57, who is best known for her role on BBC One's The Apprentice, has worked for Sullivan for the best part of four decades, including 16 years as vice-chair at West Ham.In her first response to a BBC Panorama and Times newspaper investigation which revealed that David Sullivan had been accused of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour, lawyers for Baroness Brady said she stayed at West Ham because of the principle of a "presumption of innocence" and denied that it was hypocritical to remain there whilst also being a vocal supporter of women's rights.Her lawyers said she had "no knowledge" of the allegations made in a joint BBC Panorama and Times newspaper investigation published earlier this week, and added she was "not involved in, nor did she witness... [any] of the incidents alleged in the reports".Sullivan has categorically denied all allegations against him.Who is David Sullivan - football boss, 'king of porn' and alleged sexual predator?London Stadium and West Ham women's team not aware of David Sullivan contact banIn correspondence from her lawyers to the BBC on Friday evening, she acknowledged that she was made aware that the Football Association had raised concerns about Sullivan when the FA contacted West Ham in July 2023.This followed the FA receiving a complaint about a historic allegation dating back to the 1980s.Brady's lawyers said, though she was aware, she was not involved in the decision made by West Ham in conjunction with the local authority and the FA to impose restrictions on Sullivan's access to the club's women's and youth teams.The lawyers said her role was to "ensure the club's established and robust safeguarding structures, procedures and necessary confidentialities were followed and respected throughout".Brady continued working for the club until April this year when she stepped down abruptly five games before the end of the season.[PA Media]In the letter, her lawyers said she remained at West Ham because Sullivan always denied the allegation and she relied "on the principle of presumption of innocence in continuing to work at the club".Asked by the BBC whether Brady saw any contradiction between her support for women's rights and working for a man who was perceived to present sufficient risk to women and younger people that he was prevented from contacting them at his own football club, her lawyers said there wasn't one."There is no inconsistency or hypocrisy between our client advocating for the protection of women and respecting the confidential safeguarding investigation and process that was being managed by the appropriate safeguarding professionals and statutory authorities," they said.Brady has worked with Sullivan for the best part of four decades. She worked for his Sport newspapers before he named the then-23-year-old managing director of Birmingham City after taking over the club in 1993.After buying West Ham with business partners in 2010, Sullivan installed Baroness Brady as vice-chair and she helped negotiate the club's move to the Olympic Stadium in 2016.At the time of her departure, she issued a statement saying it had "been a privilege to work alongside the board, management, players, staff and supporters at West Ham United".Baroness Brady has been a member of the House of Lords since 2014 and has served as one of Lord Sugar's assistants on The Apprentice for 16 years.David Sullivan banned from contact with West Ham women's and youth teams since 2023 Essex Police given new David Sullivan information

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NEW YORK — With thunderstorms in the area, the start of the Mets and Braves' series opener on Friday has been delayed.The game was initially slated for 7:15 p.m. but will now be pushed back. There has been no announcement on an estimated start time.At 45-23, the Braves carry the best record in baseball into the series opener. They are 15 games up on the Mets (30-38) in the NL East.Nolan McLean will be taking the mound for the Mets on Friday night. The rookie right-hander is 3-4 with a 3.98 ERA and 1.11 WHIP. Over his last two starts, McLean has allowed a combined two earned runs in 11 innings.Spencer Strider will be on the mound for the Braves. The veteran right-hander is 4-1 with a 4.00 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in seven starts. He has allowed three earned runs in each of his last four starts.Check back for more updates on the status of the Mets and Braves' Friday matchup.This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Mets game vs Braves start delayed due to weather

Shohei Ohtani is not in the lineup for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ matchup with the Chicago White Sox on Friday.Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters (including the California Post’s Jack Harris) that Ohtani had imaging exams performed on his knee, but no damage was found. The four-time MVP’s availability for Saturday is uncertain, but Roberts hoped he would be able to play this weekend. Otherwise, Ohtani is expected to pitch for the Dodgers on Wednesday versus the Tampa Bay Rays.Ohtani left Thursday’s 8-6 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates in the seventh inning with left knee inflammation. Following the game, Roberts said that Ohtani felt discomfort in his knee/hamstring area while running on a stolen base attempt. The team decided to pull him from the game after that as a “proactive” measure. But Roberts said that his level of concern was “not high” and felt there was a good chance that Ohtani would be in Friday’s lineup. Obviously, the team decided that it would be better for him to sit out instead. In 63 games this season, Ohtani is batting .305/. 421/.543 with 13 home runs, 15 doubles, 40 RBI and six stolen bases. He leads the National League with a .946 OPS in 298 plate appearances.Santiago Espinal is starting at designated hitter in Friday’s lineup. The utility infielder, who bats right-handed, has a .250/,259/.365 slash line in 56 PAs.

Dharamshala: The Indian management and the selectors have asked Harshit Rana to join the ODI team ahead of the third ODI against Afghanistan in Chennai. TOI understands that the selectors are not going to announce any replacement for injured all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Rana will just join to get back into the environment of international cricket after he missed the T20 World Cup due to knee surgery. “The team management offered Harshit the opportunity to join the team earlier in the series, but it was decided that he needed more practice at the CoE. He has been bowling nine to ten overs every day and has been able to maintain his intensity. He is also working very hard on his batting. He will most likely be officially cleared by the CoE on June 17 and will travel to Chennai immediately,” a BCCI source told TOI. Rana has been selected for the T20Is in Ireland and England starting later this month. The team management is keen on grooming him as a seam-bowling all-rounder alongside Nitish Kumar Reddy to prepare backups for Hardik Pandya.

Is Neymar playing vs. Morocco? Latest on Brazil star's injury recovery at World Cup 2026 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Neymar made a long-awaited return to the Brazil squad for the 2026 World Cup and the superstar forward is eyeing what is likely to be his final shot at soccer's biggest global prize.A month after overtaking the great Pele as Brazil's all-time top scorer, Neymar sustained a ruptured ACL and meniscus in his left knee during an October 2023 World Cup qualifier against Uruguay.It has been a long road back to fitness and the 34-year-old has not played for the Selecao since.There was, therefore, great intrigue when Carlo Ancelotti named Neymar in his 26-man squad for this summer's World Cup.But the former Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona favourite's injury problems are not behind him just yet.2026 WORLD CUP HQ:World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup ticketsIs Neymar injured?Neymar was called up for the World Cup despite struggling with a calf injury, which kept him out of both of Brazil's warm-up games against Panama and Egypt.After medical checks on the problem, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said: "The exam showed good progress in his treatment, within expected parameters."He will continue the recovery and physical preparation process planned by the Brazilian National Team's medical staff." Getty Images Will Neymar play against Morocco?Neymar is officially not playing in Brazil's opening game against Morocco in New Jersey on Saturday, June 13, per Fabrizio Romano.🚨🇧🇷 BREAKING: Neymar Jr to miss Brazil vs Morocco opening game but back next week.“Neymar is working very hard to recover as quickly as possible. The expectation is that he will recover and rejoin the group next week”. pic.twitter.com/8aFLuHyo11— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 12, 2026Previously, a statement from the CBF on June 8 said Neymar was targeting the Morocco game, but a report the following day by sports newspaper Globo stated he would not be ready in time.Neymar is expected to play a part in the tournament, though, with Brazil's second Group C game against Haiti on June 20 in Philadelphia a more realistic target for his return.Brazil World Cup scheduleDateTime (ET)MatchLocationSat, Jun. 136 p.m.Brazil vs. MoroccoMetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)Fri, Jun. 199 p.m.Brazil vs. HaitiLincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia, PA)Wed, Jun. 246 p.m.Scotland vs. BrazilHard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, FL)MORE WORLD CUP NEWS:Last time the World Cup was in United StatesRevisiting the first World Cup in 1930Most World Cup wins by countryFuture World Cup locations for 2030 and beyondGuide to host countries, cities for 2026 World Cup

The first pitch Royce Lewis saw after being optioned to Triple-A last month left the park, a two-run home run. He didn’t slow down after that, pulverizing minor league pitching for two weeks. And that was nice and all, Lewis said.But when he was in St. Paul, he thought others cared about the results more than he did.What he cared about, first and foremost, was the work that he put in as he tried to get himself back to a point where he felt comfortable again in the batter’s box.“Obviously, the results definitely help you,” he said. “But the focus, shoot, from like 1 o’clock to 7 o’clock or 6:40, that was really the main emphasis for me. I just focused on dominating that pregame work. Obviously, when you go in and you get a result, too, it’s just a little cherry on top.”Lewis has now been back for six games entering Friday’s contest with the St. Louis Cardinals at Target Field and he has gotten some results at the major league level, too — the byproduct of that work he put in.The sample size is small, but in his first five games since returning, Lewis was 6 for 19 (.316) with a double and a home run. He had two hits in two of the three games during the Twins’ recent series in Detroit.And, again, getting some early results is promising, but more than that, having that feeling of comfort back is an imperative for the infielder.What, exactly, was uncomfortable?“Just the swing, being in the box,” he said.Lewis made some tweaks while he was in the minor leagues trying to work his way back, introducing a little step back move with his back foot as he awaits the pitch, a move that serves as a timing mechanism.“I was always trying things to, I thought, (settle) down,” he said. “Everyone told me a leg kick was not going to work at the major league level, (that) between that and having ACL injuries on that right knee, I couldn’t hold that leg kick. So, that’s why I went away from it at first and then it seemed like I continued to simplify even more and that was not what got me drafted.“I used to move around. … I obviously was comfortable enough to be picked first overall with that, so I wanted to try to find something that was consistent but similar.”The early results have provided some reason for encouragement, something manager Derek Shelton said he hopes provides Lewis the “confidence to continue to build off of.”“It’s just nice to feel like what I think I’m doing is actually happening,” Lewis said. “I think it was just weird. I was just looking for a why. I think the why was just I wasn’t comfortable. Now, I’m back to being comfortable and it makes it easier. That’s the simplest adjustment you can easily make.”Injury updatesStarting pitcher Mick Abel came out of his rehab start with Triple-A St. Paul — three scoreless innings — on Wednesday “feeling good,” general manager Jeremy Zoll said. He’s scheduled for a bullpen session on Friday, after which Zoll said they will determine when his next rehab start will be.Meanwhile, reliever Cole Sands (forearm) had his rehab assignment halted because of renewed symptoms. The Twins sent him for a magnetic resonance imaging exam on Thursday and were awaiting a review of results as of Friday pregame.Kendry Rojas (triceps) is scheduled to throw live batting practice in Fort Myers, Florida, on Saturday; if all goes well, the next step would be a rehab assignment.Bailey Ober (elbow) was shutdown from throwing for 10 days but has started playing catch. He is still likely a week away from mound work, Zoll said. Ryan Jeffers (hand) has been doing catching drills as well as throwing, running, lifting and taking dry swings. The Twins don’t have a timeline for when he will start full hitting activity.BrieflyTop prospect Walker Jenkins (shoulder) has been taking live at-bats. He is expected to play in a rehab game for Class-A Fort Myers on Saturday. … Connor Prielipp (2-4, 5.15 ERA) is scheduled to start on Saturday against the St. Louis Cardinals.Related Articles Byron Buxton, Royce Lewis homer as Twins beat Tigers Royce Lewis ignites, again, in Saints’ 10-1 victory over Indianapolis Shipley: No, the Twins have not given up on Royce Lewis Royce Lewis home run not enough as Saints lose to Omaha Twins send Royce Lewis to minors amid slow start to season

Also, officials say a U.S.-Iran cease-fire appears within reach.

Lead Stories says: AI-GeneratedDoes a real video show Iran's elaborate gold float in the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup? No, that's not true: A content detection tool determined with 99.8% confidence the video is AI-generated. The opening ceremony for the 2026 World Cup did not feature any national floats passing under fireworks as pictured. The Mexico City ceremony had a parade of uniformly dressed flag bearers who formed a circle on the field as the nations were announced one at a time.The AI-generated video appeared in a post (archived here) published on X by the account of Seyed Abbas Mousavi, Chief of Protocol for Iran's president office (@SAMOUSAVI9) on June 11, 2026. The post was captioned:Iran's attractive representation at the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Wishing success to the Iranian national team. #WorldCup2026This is a screenshot of the video in the post:pictured belowImage source: Hive Moderation.A FOX Sports video published on YouTube on June 11, 2026, shows the opening ceremony in Mexico City (archived here). The part of the ceremony introducing the nations did not involve pyrotechnics or elaborate floats. Flag bearers, all wearing simple black suits, were called one at a time. A screenshot from the two-minute mark (pictured below) shows the flag bearer enter after the announcer called the Islamic Republic of Iran. Image source: FOX Sports on YouTube.

CLEVELAND – The Detroit Tigers made a handful of roster moves before their game on Friday, June 12, including bringing back closer Kenley Jensen and adding more speed in centerfield, where the Tigers have been without the two players who primarily manned that spot last season, Parker Meadows and Javier Baez. A.J. Hinch hopes that James Outman, who was waived by the Minnesota Twins on Thursday and picked up by the Tigers, will provide defensive range and give him more roster flexibility. In fact, he was penciled into center for Friday’s opener against the Guardians. “Outman will help us in center, and realign some of the outfield plays,” Hinch said Friday before the game. “You’ve seen we’ve played Z-Mac [Zach McKinstry] out there, we’ve played Wenceel [Pérez] out there, played [Matt] Vierling out there. Now Outman will factor into that as well. He can play all three [positions].” JEFF SEIDEL: Tigers prospect Ben Jacobs reminds me of a young Tarik SkubalHinch said the move was part of a plan to improve the defense in the outfield overall, not just in center. He also said that McKinstry will now be able to play more in the infield, including some shortstop. “I’m excited,” Outman said as he stood at his stall in the Tigers clubhouse, a Twins logo-adorned toiletries bag tucked into a shelf. “I was watching my daughter play in the rain when I got the phone call.” It happened quickly, as these things tend to do. The Tigers will no doubt find him a travel replacement for his things soon. As for his play on the field, where he has struggled at the plate? “Timing is the biggest thing,” he said. As he tries to find it, the Tigers believe his speed, glove and occasional power can help. “I take a lot of pride in my defense and baserunning, trying to impact the game on that end when the bat is not there,” he said. Outman hit 23 homers and stole 16 bases over 151 games as a rookie for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023. As Hinch noted, the power is still there. “I know there’s been a lot of miss,” Hinch said. “What I told him is try to focus on what he is trying to do and not focus on avoiding something. I’ve had players in the past swing and miss quite a bit and actually try to not swing and miss.” When you do that? “You end up swinging and missing,” said Hinch. “He put up a nice season as a young player. I know it’s been a couple years since he established himself ... [but] the talent is there, he can impact the game.” Zack Short designated for assignmentTHURSDAY'S MOVES: Tigers claim Twins OF James Outman, trade for reliever dominating in Triple-ATo help make room for Jensen’s return and the addition of Outman and right-handed reliver Jacob Waguespack – who arrived in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers earlier in the week the Tigers optioned right-handed relievers Beau Brieske and Brenan Hanifee to Triple-A Toledo, and designated Zack Short for assignment. With Tarik Skubal expected to start Saturday in his return from the injured list and Casey Mize expected to start Sunday, also in a return from the IL, the Tigers are beginning to look more like the team they thought they’d have, Hinch said. As for Waguespack? “[He has] ability to get some lefties out, he’s big, we like the fastball, we like some of the secondary pitches, the extension, his overall look is different from what we have,” said Hinch. “He can miss a bat. He's performed in Triple-A.” That happened in Nashville this season, where Waguespack put up solid numbers for the Brewers’ top farm club. The 6-foot-6 reliever has pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays in the big leagues and spent several years in Japan. Hinch said the Tigers tried to get the 32-year-old the past couple offseasons. “Ready to help out,” Waguespack said. The team expects to make corresponding moves over the weekend to accommodate the return of Skubal and Mize. Contact Shawn Windsor: swindsor@freepress.com. Follow him @shawnwindsor.This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers shuffle roster ahead of big series in Cleveland

CLEVELAND – The Detroit Tigers made a handful of roster moves before their game on Friday, June 12, including bringing back closer Kenley Jensen and adding more speed in centerfield, where the Tigers have been without the two players who primarily manned that spot last season, Parker Meadows and Javier Baez. A.J. Hinch hopes that James Outman, who was waived by the Minnesota Twins on Thursday and picked up by the Tigers, will provide defensive range and give him more roster flexibility. In fact, he was penciled into center for Friday’s opener against the Guardians. “Outman will help us in center, and realign some of the outfield plays,” Hinch said Friday before the game. “You’ve seen we’ve played Z-Mac [Zach McKinstry] out there, we’ve played Wenceel [Pérez] out there, played [Matt] Vierling out there. Now Outman will factor into that as well. He can play all three [positions].” JEFF SEIDEL: Tigers prospect Ben Jacobs reminds me of a young Tarik SkubalHinch said the move was part of a plan to improve the defense in the outfield overall, not just in center. He also said that McKinstry will now be able to play more in the infield, including some shortstop. “I’m excited,” Outman said as he stood at his stall in the Tigers clubhouse, a Twins logo-adorned toiletries bag tucked into a shelf. “I was watching my daughter play in the rain when I got the phone call.” It happened quickly, as these things tend to do. The Tigers will no doubt find him a travel replacement for his things soon. As for his play on the field, where he has struggled at the plate? “Timing is the biggest thing,” he said. As he tries to find it, the Tigers believe his speed, glove and occasional power can help. “I take a lot of pride in my defense and baserunning, trying to impact the game on that end when the bat is not there,” he said. Outman hit 23 homers and stole 16 bases over 151 games as a rookie for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023. As Hinch noted, the power is still there. “I know there’s been a lot of miss,” Hinch said. “What I told him is try to focus on what he is trying to do and not focus on avoiding something. I’ve had players in the past swing and miss quite a bit and actually try to not swing and miss.” When you do that? “You end up swinging and missing,” said Hinch. “He put up a nice season as a young player. I know it’s been a couple years since he established himself ... [but] the talent is there, he can impact the game.” Zack Short designated for assignmentTHURSDAY'S MOVES: Tigers claim Twins OF James Outman, trade for reliever dominating in Triple-ATo help make room for Jensen’s return and the addition of Outman and right-handed reliver Jacob Waguespack – who arrived in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers earlier in the week the Tigers optioned right-handed relievers Beau Brieske and Brenan Hanifee to Triple-A Toledo, and designated Zack Short for assignment. With Tarik Skubal expected to start Saturday in his return from the injured list and Casey Mize expected to start Sunday, also in a return from the IL, the Tigers are beginning to look more like the team they thought they’d have, Hinch said. As for Waguespack? “[He has] ability to get some lefties out, he’s big, we like the fastball, we like some of the secondary pitches, the extension, his overall look is different from what we have,” said Hinch. “He can miss a bat. He's performed in Triple-A.” That happened in Nashville this season, where Waguespack put up solid numbers for the Brewers’ top farm club. The 6-foot-6 reliever has pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays in the big leagues and spent several years in Japan. Hinch said the Tigers tried to get the 32-year-old the past couple offseasons. “Ready to help out,” Waguespack said. The team expects to make corresponding moves over the weekend to accommodate the return of Skubal and Mize. Contact Shawn Windsor: swindsor@freepress.com. Follow him @shawnwindsor.This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers shuffle roster ahead of big series in Cleveland

The UCLA Bruins weren't as competitive as they would've hoped in 2025, as they finished just 3-6 in the Big Ten. The program is hoping to take a better step in the right direction under new head coach Bob Chesney, who is doing his best this offseason to build a formidable team moving forward.Chesney landed a commitment from wide receiver Matthew Gregory Friday, who is a four-star recruit in the 2027 class. Gregory was down to UCLA and Nebraska as his two finalists, and also received interest from LSU, Notre Dame and Virginia Tech in the spring.The 6-foot-1, 175-pound wideout is entering his senior season at Owen J. Roberts High School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, in the fall.BREAKING: Four-Star WR Matthew Gregory has Committed to UCLA, he tells me for @RivalsThe 6’1 180 WR chose the Bruins over Nebraska “Let’s do it, 4s Up”https://t.co/kuZSWYQiSUpic.twitter.com/PD9s3lZMvA— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) June 12, 2026UCLA Wire took a closer look at the timeline of Gregory's decision and what this means for UCLA's 2027 class at large.Contact/Follow @College_Wire on X and @College_Wires on Threads. Like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of college sports news, notes, and opinions.This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: UCLA Football Recruiting: 4-star 2027 WR Matthew Gregory commits

Photo by David Ramos/Getty ImagesThe United States flag was already a talking point at the start of the World Cup, with reports it had been booed during the opening ceremony in Mexico.Some said boos were audible when the United States were introduced alongside the other host nations. Others inside the stadium described it more as indifference, with Argentina getting the clearest negative reaction.In Toronto, before Canada’s opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina, the response was far less ambiguous. Multiple videos from the build-up showed the USA flag receiving a loud negative reaction from supporters.USA flag booed before Canada vs Bosnia in World Cup ceremonyPhoto by Rodrigo OROPEZA / AFP via Getty ImagesThe moment came during the national flag presentation before Canada’s first match of the tournament. The Canadian flag drew huge cheers, while the USA flag was met with clear boos from sections of the crowd.Canada and the United States share one of North America’s defining sports rivalries, especially in international competition, but that reaction added a political edge to what was already a major sporting occasion.The atmosphere also reflected a wider backdrop. Relations between the countries have become more strained during Donald Trump’s second government, with trade disputes, tariff threats and sovereignty rhetoric all feeding Canadian frustration.That does not mean every fan booing was making a political statement. World Cup crowds often react sharply to rivals, neighbours and host nations.Still, the contrast was obvious. In Mexico, the USA flag reaction became a disputed story. In Toronto, before Canada and Bosnia kicked off, the boos were much harder to miss.Now, the question is how the Americans will react to the Canada flag in their upcoming World Cup debut this Friday, against Paraguay.Read more:World Cup five-second restart rule explained as Canada awarded tournament’s first reverse throw-inRyan Reynolds celebrates as Cyle Larin scores historic Canada goalHow to livestream USA World Cup opening ceremony as Katy Perry prepares for pre-game show

The homeowners kept their budget under $2,300 by selling their old furniture, sourcing budget-friendly new finds, and doing some of the work themselves. READ MORE...

WASHINGTON – Promotional efforts for UFC Freedom 250 continue in a big way Friday with the final press conference for the historic card at the White House.The octagon will land on the South Lawn on Sunday (Paramount+), and a stacked card will be on hand. A pair of championship fights will take most of the focus, with Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje in a lightweight title unifier serving as the headliner, while Alex Pereira moves to heavyweight in the co-main event for an interim title showdown with Ciryl Gane.All four championship athletes will be in attendance for the press conference at Lincoln Memorial, hosted by UFC CEO Dana White, and it begins at 8:15 p.m. ET. MMA Junkie will carry a live stream from on location above.In addition to Topuria, Gaethje, Pereira and Gane, the remainder of the seven-fight lineup including Sean O'Malley vs. Aiemann Zahabi, Josh Hokit vs. Derrick Lewis, Mauricio Ruffy vs. Michael Chandler, Bo Nickal vs. Kyle Daukaus and Diego Lopes vs. Steve Garcia, will all be there to answer questions from the media and participate in staredowns.This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Video: UFC White House final press conference live stream

USA World Cup opening ceremony live stream: Watch Katy Perry, Future and more from pregame show originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The largest World Cup ever calls for multiple opening ceremonies — and the last one arrives on Friday evening.After Mexico and Canada already welcomed soccer fans to World Cup 2026 with their own respective ceremonies prior to their national teams' matches, now, the United States will do the same. Katy Perry, Future and more are set to perform in Los Angeles for the United States' World Cup opening ceremony prior to the U.S. vs. Paraguay matchup.Here's how to live stream Friday's United States World Cup opening ceremony.2026 WORLD CUP HQ:Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup ticketsUSA World Cup opening ceremony live streamMORE WORLD CUP NEWS:Who will win the World Cup in 2026?Updated FIFA World RankingsHow World Cup qualifying worksExplaining the expanded World Cup bracketFull list of teams to qualify for 2026 World CupHow to watch USA World Cup opening ceremonyStream: YouTube, Tubi, Fox OneTV Channel: FoxEarlier on Friday, for Canada's World Cup opening ceremony, Fox provided shorter clips of coverage of the ceremony, but did not broadcast the full show and performances. For the United States' ceremony, the same is expected.However, Fox did provide full coverage of Canada's opening ceremony through its Fox Soccer YouTube channel, which it will presumably do again. It's likely that Fox will also show clips from the U.S. ceremony in the pre-match coverage on Friday night — "FIFA World Cup LIVE" begins ahead of United States vs. Paraguay.Fox also previously announced that the United States World Cup opening ceremony will be streamed live on Fox One and simulcast on Tubi.LIVE:Follow World Cup opening ceremony updates from Los AngelesWhat time is the USA World Cup opening ceremony?The United States' World Cup opening ceremony will start on Friday, June 12 at 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. local time) from SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California.Here's how that time translates across different time zones in the United States:DateStart timeEastern TimeFri, June 127:30 p.m.Central TimeFri, June 126:30 p.m.Mountain TimeFri, June 125:30 p.m.Pacific TimeFri, June 124:30 p.m.MORE USMNT NEWS:Why isn't USA better at soccer by now?Meet USA's 2026 World Cup soccer teamHow far will the USMNT go in World Cup?How USA could play Iran in World CupMauricio Pochettino's flirtation with AC Milan is not his biggest issueUSA World Cup opening ceremony lineupKaty PerryFutureLisaAnittaRemaTylaSome big stars are expected to perform at the United States' World Cup opening ceremony. The two headliners are pop star Katy Perry and rapper Future, while there's some added international appeal with K-Pop star Lisa, Brazilian singer Anitta, South African singer Tyla and Nigerian singer Rema.

The list of back-to-back state softball championships in Pennsylvania is short.Minersville (1979-80; 1986-87), Shippensburg (1981-82), Bald Eagle Area (1991-92), Riverside (1995-96), Pennsbury (2000-01), Neshannock (2012-13), Holy Redeemer (2015-16), Hempfield Area (2016-18), and Blue Mountain (2023-24).Now, a tenth program has been added to that prestigious and elite club: the Pine Grove Cardinals.It’s a monumental win, for not just Pine Grove, but the Schuylkill League as a whole. This year marked the 20th time a Schuylkill League team has claimed a state championship.When Schuylkill League teams reach the state championship, there’s a good chance they’ll be coming home with the prize. Following Pine Grove’s win on Thursday, Schuylkill League teams hold a remarkable 20-5 record on Pennsylvania’s biggest stage.Furthermore, in a short list such as that of the state’s back-to-back championship-winning teams, three come from the Schuylkill League. Only one other PIAA district can claim multiple back-to-back champions, that being District 2 with Riverside and Holy Redeemer.Not only has the league seen transcendent dominance, but it has become increasingly stronger in recent years.While it was the Minersville Battlin’ Miners who dominated from the mid-1970s through the early 2000s, the league’s depth has shown over the last 15 years.Since 2011, the Schuylkill League has won 12 state softball championships. In the last seven years? Eight have done so, with 2022 being the only non-COVID season in which the league didn’t capture a state championship.The success of the league at the state level is a testament to the competition found within the league itself.While Pine Grove was the only local team to win a state championship in 2026, they were by no means the only team capable of doing so. Unfortunately for the rest of Pennsylvania, the 2027 season promises to be another big one for the league.Blue Mountain finished its season at 24-3 before being upset in the PIAA Class 4A quarterfinals by Pope John Paul II. While the Eagles say goodbye to several important seniors, they return a talented roster in 2027, including ace pitcher Emily Leonard and slugging catcher Emerson Frie. They’ll be among the league’s best again with the opportunity to make a deep postseason run.North Schuylkill finished its 2026 season with a 21-7 record and a PIAA playoff appearance. The Spartans lose quite a bit of talent with seven seniors, but Gianna Capone, Monica Selgrade, and others will return, poised to be among the league’s elite.Schuylkill Haven, fresh off an 18-8 season, was one of the youngest teams in the Schuylkill League and surprised plenty across the region with their District 11 title and PIAA appearance. Their top six RBI-getters are set to return next spring, including their top pitcher, Allison Scherer. The Hurricanes are just scratching the surface of their potential.Tri-Valley, one of the most consistent programs in the Schuylkill League, continues to be a dominant presence. As the Bulldogs move down to Class A, they’ll welcome back key talents such as Mya Schwalm, Liv Witmer, and Summer Cupsta, just to name a few. The Bulldogs will be a legitimate threat to win not just a District 11 title in 2027, but potentially a state championship.Williams Valley finished 17-6 in 2026 and didn’t make the state playoffs, but 13 of their 17 players are eligible to return in 2027, including Liv Hand and Kamri Koppenhaver. The Vikings are going to be a team to once again be reckoned with next season as they jump up to Class AA.That’s not to mention teams such as Minersville, Marian Catholic, Pottsville, and Tamaqua, who could all see major steps forward next season, as well.Ultimately, for most leagues, a state championship is a generational success. But for the Schuylkill League, a state championship is the standard. Pine Grove is the latest team to carry that standard, which only begs the question, who’s next?

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has joined the growing list of tributes for Kane Williamson after the New Zealand star announced his retirement from international cricket on Friday.Williamson's decision brings an end to a distinguished international career that spanned 378 matches and established him as one of the finest batters of his generation. Following the announcement, Tendulkar took to X to share his admiration for the former New Zealand captain, praising both his batting excellence and his character.Reflecting on Williamson's career, Tendulkar described the 35-year-old as one of the most technically accomplished batters he has watched during his time in the sport."From the time I started playing cricket, Kane Williamson has been one of the most technically compact and magnificent batters I have seen. Balance, timing, and that trademark calm at the crease came together to make his batting one of the most consistently pleasing sights in world cricket. A thorough gentleman and a true role model for youngsters."Tendulkar also suggested that Williamson's departure from international cricket would be welcomed by opposition bowlers who spent years trying to find a way past the elegant right-hander."His retirement will probably be received with unexpected relief in more than a few bowling camps. Wishing him luck and success in his next chapter."Williamson retires as New Zealand's highest run-scorer in international cricket, finishing with 19,346 runs across formats. His remarkable tally includes 48 international centuries and six double-centuries, achievements that place him among the greatest players in the country's history.The veteran batter's final appearance for New Zealand came in the opening Test of the ongoing three-match series against England at Lord's. Williamson was dismissed for a duck in the first innings and scored 18 in the second as New Zealand suffered a 115-run defeat.Beyond his batting records, Williamson leaves behind an outstanding leadership legacy. He captained New Zealand in 40 Tests, winning 22 matches, losing 10 and drawing eight. Among Kiwi captains, only Stephen Fleming has recorded more Test victories.In ODI cricket, Williamson led his country in 91 matches, guiding New Zealand to 46 wins, 40 defeats, one tie and four no-results. He also remains the most successful T20I captain in New Zealand history, registering 39 victories in 75 matches.As tributes continue to pour in from across the cricketing world, Tendulkar's words captured the widespread respect Williamson earned throughout his career, not only for his achievements with the bat but also for the humility and sportsmanship that defined him both on and off the field.

PSG interested in Barcelona’s Ferran Torres should Bradley Barcola leaveParis Saint-Germain are reportedly making FC Barcelona’s Ferran Torres (26) one of their top targets should Bradley Barcola (23) leave the French club this summer, according to Sky Sport.Under contract with Barça until 2027, the Spanish forward has once again fulfilled his role as a luxury substitute to perfection throughout the 2025-26 season. Starting in 34 of his 49 appearances across all competitions last season, the Foios-born player racked up an impressive 21 goals and three assists.These performances have not gone unnoticed by the club’s management, who are now keen to secure a contract extension with him. The 26-year-old shares this desire and would be happy to continue his career in Catalonia. This could complicate any potential future move, should PSG decide to act on their interest depending on how their summer transfer window unfolds.GFFN | Léo Aschi

Strong investor interest in SpaceX could be good news for the A.I. rivals, which have signaled that they, too, intend to go public this year.

NiJaree Canady, who starred as a pitcher at Stanford and Texas Tech, will now showcase her talents in the AUSL. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)John E. Moore III via Getty ImagesAlthough former Stanford and Texas Tech pitcher NiJaree Canady was selected No. 2 overall in this year’s Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) College Draft, she hadn’t signed a deal by the time the season started. Her brief holdout came to an end on Friday when the Texas Volts announced that the right-handed ace from Topeka, Kansas, is under contract. The Volts are off to a 1-2 start this season in the AUSL and will pick back on Saturday versus the Carolina Blaze in Durham, North Carolina.It’s best for the sport that Canady will be in the circle again. She’s one of the most popular softball players in the NIL era and one of the most productive hurlers to date. After two head-turning campaigns at Stanford, the second of which saw her post a sparkling 0.73 ERA and earn USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year honors. Both years Canady was out west, the Cardinal made the Women’s College World Series. She made two more WCWS appearances with Texas Tech, where she transferred following the 2024 season.Famously, Canady reportedly secured just over $1 million from the Red Raiders’ NIL collective to make the move to Lubbock.It’s hardly difficult to see the imprint the best softball pitchers leave on the programs they grace. Due to the volume of innings they can log, their impact can shape the trajectory of a season. And, so, even if undoubtedly significant, it’s not terribly surprising that Canady helped turn Texas Tech into a national title contender. She was the crown jewel of the program’s transfer portal makeover.When she arrived, the Red Raiders were coming off a 29-21 season in 2024. They won only a third of their Big 12 games that season. Texas Tech hadn’t reached the NCAA tournament since 2019 and had never advanced to a super regional.But in 2025 and 2026, the Canady-led Red Raiders finished as WCWS runner-ups, with only Texas standing in their way two years in a row.Canady compiled a 62-14 record at Texas Tech. She clocked out with 37 complete games during that two-season span. While her ERA increased marginally, it remained below 2.00 despite her exorbitant workload. Plus, she continued to grow her brand as one of the highest-earning athletes in college sports. Last year, amid the WCWS, she inked her second seven-figure NIL deal with Texas Tech.Before officially signing with the league and starting her Volts career, she agreed to an NIL deal with AUSL, becoming just the third college player to do so. In a way, though, that deal is the first of its kind since, according to the league release that announced it, Canady will have the unprecedented opportunity to share in the AUSL’s profits as it grows.Canady is coming off a senior season in which she authored a perfect game on Senior Day. She’s included in Time’s “100 Most Influential People in Sports 2026” and has 126K followers on Instagram.

Matches at the World Cup could face long weather delays if thunderstorms strike in close proximity to the stadiums in use.The tournament – co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico – is being held in the peak of storm season in parts of the countries, with strict rules in place for lightning in the US particularly.The weather, including the threat of lightning, already played a role in preparation for the tournament, with England’s friendly with Costa Rica delayed by an hour after heavy rain and the prospect of lightning in the Orlando area. While a scorching New York City, with temperatures in the mid-30s during the opening days of the tournament, experienced heavy rainfall, thunder and lightning less than 24 hours before Brazil face Morocco in New Jersey.With Fifa adhering to rules set by local authorities during the tournament, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says that if any lightning strike is detected within eight miles of a stadium the game has to be stopped.That was a scenario seen several times during last year’s Club World Cup in the US, with six matches halted due to electrical storms.A warning for lightning strikes appears on the big screen as heavy rain falls prior to the International Friendly match between England and Costa Rica at Inter&Co Stadium (The FA via Getty Images)That included an encounter between Chelsea and Benfica which kicked off at 4.38pm local time and eventually finished four hours and 38 minutes after it had begun.Stadiums in the Gulf Coast area and south east of the United States are likeliest to come under threat from thunderstorms, with Fifa addressing each match on a case-by-case basis if play is halted.If lightning strikes within eight miles, a half-hour countdown begins before play is permitted to resume. Any subsequent strike would reset that clock, potentially leading to length delays like the kind seen in that Chelsea-Benfica game in Charlotte, North Carolina.Issues could potentially arise if storms hit during the final round of group-stage games. The kick-off times of the two games in each group are synchronised to avoid affording an advantage to any nation by knowing what they need to do, although that may be unavoidable under such circumstances as a weather delay.Were conditions sufficiently dangerous to force an abandonment, World Cup regulations state that the game would be played on a future date, restarting in the same minute as it was paused, with the remaining minutes played.

LNP, using the Force to levitate a bat, but unfortunately not to hit over a .646 career OPS with one. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) | Getty Images Time: 7:10 CentralWeather: Increasing chance of sky water, 79°Opponent’s SB site: Viva El BirdosTV: Twins TV. Radio: Do you have batteries for yours in case of emergency? DO YOU?You’ll be forgiven if today’s Cards starter, Kyle Leahy, sounds like one of those guys the Twins had for like eight days in 2021. Nope, he was drafted by the Cards in 2018, and converted full-time to a starter this season. For now, the Cards are using a six-man rotation, and Leahy’s at the back end of it. His fastball sits at around 94, down a tick from when he was a reliever. He throws about 60% offspeed pitches, and has a lot of “extension,” meaning (I think) that his best skill is batters have a teensy bit less time to pick up which pitch he’s using.Sadly, I must introduce you to the “Tarps Off” trend that’s been happening in St. Louis.What it is is this:Sigh.Yes, this is a thing that’s been happening in right field at Cardinals games this season. A bunch of guys take off their shirts (or don’t wear them to begin with). Some wave the shirts like rally towels. They call themselves the “Tarps Off” fans.Per MLB.com’s Max Ralph, this trend started in college football, which makes sense because college football is one of the dumbest things on the planet. (Let’s take an institution devoted to higher learning and have it play a sport that causes massive brain damage.)I suppose this is essentially harmless fan idiocy, so I shouldn’t complain. But wowza, am I sick of the whole “dude bro let guys be guys” thing; I’ve been sick of it my whole dang life. (And I realize baseball’s signature move is crotch adjustment.)Also, it’s easy to take your shirt off and show that pasty white-a** chest nobody wanted to see when a bunch of other people are doing it. Yet I will credit this guy:That’s Bryce Bradford, one of the Tarps Off bunch, letting his Dad Bod hang out there for all the world to see (or, what will be a Dad Bod when he has kids in a few years. Maybe he does now, I dunno). That takes a little more guts, don’t you think?And worthy of the former Cards great, Nick Punto. Who earned himself the nickname of “Shredder.” Because he shredding opposing pitchers with his fearsome swatting stick?Naw, folks. He got the nickname because, after walk-off wins, or just any moment when he felt suitably Pumped Up, Nick Punto would go up to other Cards players and start ripping their jerseys apart. The ones they were wearing as clothes.If you like, you can see a TubeYous example here, but it’s less visually interesting than it sounds. You’re better off reading Jason Hill’s account at Viva El Birdos here. Go Shredder Go.What do you remember about the 1987 Twins/Cardinals World Series? I don’t remember a thing, I wasn’t watching it. But former Blog Pope myjah summoned 10 weird facts about the Series you may not have known, like the time someone threw a bizarre little paper plane onto the field. Very fun post.Do the Cardinals want free taxpayer money? Of course they do. They might get part of the money that’s prolly gonna be handed out to the Royals. You know, the money which voters rejected in a referendum. The Cards might get $380 million of it. Neil deMause has you covered as usual.Last week, I mentioned that Some Guy from the Twins was trying to sell me super-premium tickets because I was given tickets in a spendy seating area by one neighbor for one game. Well, the same guy emailed me again:Hello James,I’ve reached out a few times to share details about our $3,000 Choice Membership and how we can get you discounted tickets in our Thrivent Club. I understand if now isn’t the best time to connect, and I want to be respectful of your schedule. Before I pause my outreach, I wanted to highlight another option. Since you’ve enjoyed some of our premier offerings at Target Field, you might be interested in our private suites available for single-game rentals. Additionally, our upcoming calendar is packed with exciting single game ticket promotions, giveaways, and events happening all summer long – Check out single game ticket opportunities here! Thank you so much for your time and have a wonderful day! CJYou have a wonderful day too, CJ!Finally — wuz you ever bit by a dead bee?That’s the line Walter Brennan keeps repeating in the Bogart/Bacall classic To Have and Have Not, a movie which solves the problem of “how do you film Hemingway’s worst novel” by chucking the novel’s plot entirely. When Brennan asks Bacall about the dead bee, she suggests biting it back, and wins Brennan’s approval thusly.Well, I wuz bit by a dead bee. Kind of.The other day, I was outside, and I felt something go into the back of my shirt through the neckhole. There were box elder bugs flying around, and they won’t hurt you, so I just shook myself around a little and figured it was gone. Then came inside and headed for the bathroom.As I started removing my pants, I felt a major stinging sensation on my butt, and then I saw there was a wasp in my boxer shorts. It was dazed, yet not dazed enough that it couldn’t sting me in the a**. I immediately got it to the floor and squished it, of course. I try not to kill God’s creatures, but wasps are Satan’s.The thing was? I was hesitant about going to the bathroom the rest of the day. Even though I didn’t go back outside, I just remembered the sight of finding a wasp in my boxers, and it made me Spooked.If you’re gonna get stung by a wasp, though, that’s probably the best place for it. On the fleshy part of yer butt. What really stinks is getting a wasp sting on your knuckles, or someplace ELSE in your boxers.Possibility of getting a wasp sting in the Metrodome? Practically zero. Possibility of getting one in the seats CJ keeps wanting me to buy? Larger than zero. I’ll take my Dome memories, thank you very much.

Jun 12, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A general view of the City of Toronto City Hall before a game between the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images | Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images I really figured Canada would win this afternoon. Well, let’s win tonight.Schneider and Kirk (who says his thumb is getting better all the time) are back and in the lineup. Heineman (DFA) and Varsho (IL) are gone. My wife will be sad that Heineman won’t be around to be shirtless. Apparently Daulton got a cortisone shot, so he will be a couple of days before he can do much with that wrist, but they say he’s going to be traveling with the team and likely won’t need a rehab assignment. Today’s LineupsYANKEESBLUE JAYSTrent Grisham – CFGeorge Springer – DHBen Rice – DHErnie Clement – 2BPaul Goldschmidt – 1BVladimir Guerrero – 1BCody Bellinger – LFAlejandro Kirk – CJazz Chisholm – 2BKazuma Okamoto – 3BSpencer Jones – RFNathan Lukes – RFJose Caballero – SSMyles Straw – CFRyan McMahon – 3BDavis Schneider – LFJ.C. Escarra – CAndres Gimenez – SSRyan Weathers – LHPTrey Yesavage – RHP

Football is a game of opinions.And there was a lively debate in the BBC studio following Canada's 1-1 draw with Bosnia-Herzegovina, a result that ensured the co-hosts avoided defeat for the first time in seven World Cup matches.But should Canada's task have been made easier by Bosnia being reduced to 10 men in the second half?One of the talking points came four minutes into the second half, with Bosnia 1-0 ahead. A long ball was played forward and Bosnia goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj leapt and punched the ball, but then on the follow-through his fists clattered into the head of Canada striker Tani Oluwaseyi.Former England captain Wayne Rooney felt Vasilj should have been sent off, while ex-Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann said Argentine referee Facundo Tello made the right decision to take no action - no penalty, no red card.An offside was given, so there would not have been a penalty given anyway, although Vasilj could still have been dismissed.The official's viewBosnia goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj collides with Canada striker Tani Oluwaseyi early in the second half [Getty Images]Cann, who was an assistant referee in the 2014 World Cup final, said: "First of all, offside was given, but even without the offside in my opinion it is not a penalty. It is not a red card."The goalkeeper clearly plays the ball first and there's inevitable contact after that, so it is not serious foul play. The keeper clearly wins the ball and that for me is clearly not a red card."This is what the rules say: "A tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality must be sanctioned as serious foul play."Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force or endangers the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play."The ex-professionals opinionsThis is what Rooney said: "It is a red card. We have seen it before when players have gone through, and the whistle has gone, and it is a red card."It is a very dangerous play. I know he wins the ball, but the follow-through, he hits him in the temple. That is the worst place to be hit."He [Oluwaseyi] could get knocked out. He might come back in a week's time and have delayed concussion. For me, that is a clear red card."I don't think it is the first time we [himself and Darren Cann] have disagreed."When you see players win the ball, it is with reasonable force. They follow-through and then they go and get a red card, so it is the same, but with his hands. It is easier to move your hands back than it is with your leg."Former France forward Olivier Giroud, another member of the BBC team, was seeing both sides. He said: "As a striker, I would have been frustrated to not get a penalty on that one."On the other hand, I understand what Darren Cann says. You hit the ball first and it is hard for him to get his hands off the striker's head."So now it is your turn to act as the referee and take part in a vote. Should it have been a red card or not? Have your say.Play BBC Sport's new World Cup predictor gameWorld Cup fixtures and group standingsHow to watch the World Cup on the BBCEverything you need to know about the World Cup

A judge said the president’s name must be removed by Friday. As a last-ditch legal battle unfolds, many eyes are on the marble facade.

WEST LAFAYETTE — Matthew Oakley had all the talent a year ago.The difference between Oakley's freshman and sophomore seasons with McCutcheon golf is the mental aspect."He plays a ton of golf in the summer, so he's as experienced as anybody. But as far as the mental golf game goes, it's night and day different," McCutcheon boys golf coach Joe Marsh said. "Last year he's trying to fit in. This year he's like, I belong and I am a top five kid in every tournament."Oakley got a chance to display that Friday at Coyote Crossing against some of the state's best in a tournament that included four top-10 teams, including regional runner-up and top-ranked Westfield and regional champion and fourth-ranked Guerin Catholic.While overnight storms did their best to derail the course, Oakley wasn't frazzled on a day where several struggled, shooting a 75 to reach the IHSAA state finals as an individual.Part of Oakley's newfound mental aspect is the ability to bounce back.More: Harrison golf's reset pays off with repeat sectional championshipOn Monday, Oakley shot a solid round overall at Battle Ground Golf Club, carding a 75 in the sectional. But he double bogeyed the 15th and 17th holes, ending on a sour note."He was definitely disappointed. He doubled two of the last four holes coming in," Marsh said. "One great thing about him is his bounce back. It's a great golf game mindset to have. Whether it's good or bad, he's just like, I am going to go play the next day and be ok with it."McCutcheon's tee times allowed for an early morning spent on the driving range at Purdue's Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex, which eased the tension for Oakley ahead of the regional.Oakley's focus all year has been on reaching the IHSAA state finals and just four days after that undesirable end to a sectional round, Oakley recorded the fifth-lowest round in the regional."I had a feeling it would be a 76 or 75 to get out. I told myself I have to play average to get out," Oakley said. "I think what factored into me playing better than most people because of the range."Now he'll go from courses he's most comfortable with in Tippecanoe County to one he's never played, Carmel's Prairie View Golf Club, for the two-day tournament starting June 16."It's going to open my eyes a lot to how good people actually are," Oakley said.Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: McCutcheon golfer Matthew Oakley qualifies for IHSAA state finals

Scotland fans have waited 28 years for a return to the World Cup [PA Media]Seconds after Kenny McLean's shot from the halfway line hit the back of the Danish net last November, Andy Munro's children asked him a question."Why are so many people crying?"The Ayrshire dad-of-three may have had a few tears to wipe away himself, and he wasn't the only one.Scotland's 4-2 victory over Denmark booked the first World Cup appearance in 28 years for the men's national team and unleased waves of emotion across the country.Eight months later, and as Scotland prepare to face Haiti in the early hours of Sunday, feverish anticipation appears to be taking hold. From parties of thousands watching in large arenas to school kids setting alarms for the 02:00 BST kick-off, excitement, nerves and dreams linger on every street. Lucy McEwan plays with Linlithgow Rose and cannot wait for Scotland's games [BBC]Lucy McEwan is a 25-year-old teacher in Glasgow, who plays at amateur level with Linlithgow Rose."People don't really get behind the World Cup unless your country's involved in it, and for the first time in a lot of people's lives we are involved in it," she says."I think everybody's super, super excited. You can see the kids are so hyped up as well about it."Our department actually got the FIFA Panini sticker book this year, and all the kids are coming in, trading their stickers with us."Everyone just seems so excited about it."Lucy says she will be staying up for every game Scotland play, meaning her classes might have a bleary-eyed teacher on Thursday 25 June - the day after Scotland play Brazil in their final Group C match, with a 23:00 kick off.Many pupils might have the same issues too.Andy Munro lives in Dunlop, Ayrshire, and has three children - Harry, 14, Keir, 12 and Adam, 10. All three boys are football fans who worship John McGinn, and none have seen the men's team take part in a World Cup."The timing of the Haiti game is causing some challenges, " he laughs."I think we will go to bed about eight, and then wake up around half one to watch the game - and then the boys are all playing football on Sunday morning too. So we will see how it goes."It's all they're talking about."In Peterhead, pupils at Clerkhill School have made their own World Cup song, written by teacher Diane Pert - who says she put aside her jealousy at having to work while her husband flies to America for the games.They aren't the only ones feeling musical - dozens of singers and bands have released songs to try and capture the national mood.Signs of excitement are everywhere, and not just in the obvious pubs and supermarkets. Chip shops and hairdressers in Glasgow's Anniesland have Saltires draped across windows, banks in Dumfries have inflatable footballs stuck on walls next to cash machines.Bear Scotland, who look after the country's roads, named one of their gritters "Snow Scotland Snow Party", complete with someone dressed up as a kilt-wearing polar bear. Local authorities have got in on the act too, with East Renfrewshire Council re-naming themselves East Robbo-shire Council in honour of Scotland's captain Andy Robertson - who comes from the area.In Dumfries, one of the most colourful shows of support for Scotland is outside Kings coffee shop, with flags fluttering above its outdoor tables.Owner Mark Smith said: "Even as we were installing them, people passing by started cheering, getting excited, even singing football songs."There's definitely a buzz in town. We're hearing people talking about our chances, and reminiscing over past World Cup attempts."Schools in East Renfrewshire celebrated their link with Scotland's captain Andy Robertson [BBC]While 28 years have passed since the men's team reached France 98, in recent years Steve Clarke's squad have made it to two European Championships and the women's side qualified for the 2019 World Cup.However, interest in 2026 appears to be on another level.JD Sports says it has sold around twice as many Scotland kits as it did for the 2024 European Championships. The strip is currently the retailer's biggest seller in both the UK and the US.Pop-up Scotland shops offering official merchandise can be found in the likes of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Stirling.An employee in Glasgow told the BBC that retro kits were among the biggest sellers, along with a T-shirt saying "We'll Be Coming 26" - popular among Tartan Army members travelling to America.Fans will be gathering in a range of venues to watch the game [PA Media]Those not going on a transatlantic trip are instead booking tickets for pubs and other venues, which are expected to be rammed to capacity.Places more used to holding gigs, like SWG3 in Glasgow and the Beach Ballroom in Aberdeen, are screening watch parties of matches.The country's biggest venue, the OVO Hydro, is expecting thousands of supporters and says it will have the biggest screen in the country."We have waited almost 30 years for Scotland to return to the biggest stage in world football, and we wanted to put the team on our stage for fans who haven't been able to make the trip across the Atlantic," says chief commercial officer Debbie McWilliams.For pubs the World Cup offers a potential bonanza, after late licencing hours were allowed by nearly all local authorities.Liam Logue expects his pub to be packed [BBC]Liam Logue runs Greens Sports Bar in Dumfries with his wife Cas and is expecting the pub to be packed with Scotland fans."We've sold 240 tickets - we originally sold 200," he said."Ever since we sold out we've had every man and his dog messaging us, so we probably could have sold another 100."The current feeling is not totally new for some supporters, but rather something which has been missing for years.With the exception of USA 94, Scotland reached every World Cup from 1974 to 1998.For fans who grew up in that era there was an expectation that they would be there, even if the tournaments themselves inevitably proved agonising.The Tartan Army has arrived in Boston ahead of the first match [PA Media]"I was 18 during France 98, and I decided not to go," recalls Graeme McNay, who lives in Glasgow."I remember thinking to myself that I would definitely go four years later, or the one after that if we did not qualify. "You took it for granted Scotland would be at the World Cup. I didn't expect it to be another 28 years!"There was a point when you started to wonder if you'd ever see us there again."Tens of thousands of Scotland fans heading to the US, and the atmosphere has been building in Boston as the Tartan Army sets up camp.Graeme has travelled to America with friends for the Haiti and Morocco games. As someone who can recall the infamous likes of a 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica in 1990, his excitement is mixed with nerves."I'm a bit of a pessimist so I'm worried we'll trip up against Haiti," he says."It's always the ones you expect to win that end up a banana skin, like Costa Rica or Morocco in 1998."But Steve Clarke will keep us grounded and hopefully we finally get out the group."Optimism is running high elsewhere, though. A worker at the pop-up store in Glasgow recalls a conversation with the parents of one very young child who was "used to Scotland winning all the time now" - a far cry from some of the dark days fans have endured over the last 28 years.The mural of Scott McTominay's goal was painted on a wall near Hampden [Reuters]And anyone seeking positive vibes need only look a few yards from the national stadium, where adults cried last November as the final whistle went.A mural of Scott McTominany's spectacular overhead kick which opened the scoring against Denmark is painted on a nearby wall.Lindsay Hamilton has run walking tours around the area for several years, taking in the three different places where Hampden Park has been located.In recent weeks though, she has noticed a change."There's been such a buzz around the World Cup, with folk giving their predictions and sharing their own personal stories from all the previous near misses."Other murals of McTominany and McGinn have popped up elsewhere in the country too. For Lindsay, the mural brings back emotions - and like the rest of the country, she is hoping for more to be made this summer."It brings a smile every time you see it."[BBC]How can you watch the Scotland v Haiti game?Tartan Army feels the heat in Boston as World Cup kicks offOur sons are playing for two different countriesFind your local World Cup hero with our postcode lookup

Tristan Smith’s long battle for another season of college football has ended in his favor.On Friday, Pickens County Circuit Court Judge Jessica Salvini granted the Clemson wide receiver a temporary injunction against the NCAA, ordering the organization to immediately declare him eligible for the 2026 season.“Big win for our client, Tristan Smith,” one of Smith’s attorneys posted on social media. “A South Carolina court just granted a temporary injunction against the NCAA, restoring his eligibility to compete for Clemson this fall. The NCAA’s arbitrary application of its Five-Year Rule didn’t hold up. Justice for Tristan!”Smith filed his lawsuit after the NCAA denied his request for an additional year of eligibility. The Tigers receiver argued the NCAA unfairly counted the two seasons he spent at Hutchinson Community College against its Five-Year Rule while granting waivers to other players in similar situations.In her ruling, Salvini pointed specifically to former Oregon receiver Malik Benson, writing that his circumstances were “nearly identical” to Smith’s. Both players attended Hutchinson Community College and had two junior-college seasons count against their eligibility, but Benson was granted a waiver while Smith was denied.The judge determined Smith would suffer irreparable harm if he were prevented from playing this season, citing lost development opportunities, potential NIL earnings, and impacts on his professional future. The order also prevents the NCAA from penalizing Smith or Clemson while the case remains pending.Clemson commits plummet in latest rankings, commit and fall trend continues📸 Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina, Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images https://t.co/T82g1Ca6Q5pic.twitter.com/qFE3n7jVB7— Clemson Wire (@Clemson_Wire) June 12, 2026Smith began his career at the junior-college level before transferring to Southeast Missouri State and later Clemson. During the 2025 season, he appeared in all 13 games for the Tigers, recording 24 catches for 239 yards and a touchdown.Contact us@Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page onFacebook for ongoing coverage ofClemson Tigersnews and notes, plus opinions.This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Clemson wide receiver scores significant win in closely watched case

A couple of Detroit Pistons rumors are gaining steam.Per NBA insider Marc Stein, the Pistons have asked about potentially trading for star Dallas Mavericks point guard Kyrie Irving. Stein listed the Pistons and the Minnesota Timberwolves as two teams who have asked about Irving in a piece published in his "The Stein Line" newsletter on Friday, June 12.However, the interest may not be returned, as Stein also reports that new Mavericks president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri has told teams that Irving is not available for trade."Ujiri has been effusive in his praise of Irving at his maiden two press conferences in Dallas," Stein writes. "It was nonetheless always anticipated that some rival teams out there, undeterred by the fact that Irving last played in an NBA game in early March 2025 due to a knee injury, would test Dallas' resolve to see how firm Ujiri's stance proves."Irving, 34, did not play in the 2025-26 season while recovering from an ACL tear, but is expected to be ready for the 2026-27 season. The three-time All-NBA point guard averaged 24.7 points and 4.6 assists per game in his last full season in 2024-25 while shooting 40.1% on just under three 3-point attempts per game.SHAWN WINDSOR: Kyrie? Kawhi? Kevin? They'd sell Pistons tickets. But would they win?Stein also reports that the Pistons have asked about New Orleans Pelicans wing Trey Murphy III, though the Pelicans (led by former Pistons GMs Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver) "have not offered Murphy anywhere" per Stein.Murphy averaged 21.5 points and 5.7 rebounds in his 66 games with New Orleans in 2025-26. And with the shooter on a relatively team-friendly deal over the next three seasons, the Pelicans might command a lot in a trade for the scorer.As Stein points out, the Pistons showing interest in both Irving and Murphy isn't unexpected."That's two shooters by the way, for those of you scoring at home, who have been connected to the Pistons in this piece. After a 60-win season that ended in the second round of the playoffs, Detroit clearly knows what it needs," he writes.Need to catch up on the news during your lunch break? Sign up for our Sports Briefing newsletter to get daily summaries of Detroit sports! You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: NBA trade rumors: Detroit Pistons ask on Kyrie Irving, Trey Murphy III

TORONTO (AP) — Cyle Larin’s goal not only saved the World Cup opener for Canada on Friday, it gave a bunch of Canadian celebrities a reason to stomp and shout.“Deadpool” star and Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds, NHL standout Connor McDavid and actor Mike Myers were among the Canadian stars spotted among the announced 43,002 fans at BMO Field for the first men's World Cup match on Canadian soil.Myers sported a Canada jersey and a red bucket hat. Yeah, baby.“Mike Myers was here? Oh sweet,” Canada coach Jesse Marsch said. “I saw (music producer) Boi-1da on the TV at one point. I know that there’s a lot of different people that are enjoying the World Cup in Canada, but my job, I’m focused, so lasered in on just making sure that we can give the country a team to be proud of.”Larin’s late equalizer gave Canada a 1-1 draw with Bosnia, salvaging a day of national pride and joy as Canada earned a point in the World Cup for the first time. Reynolds clapped and shouted along with the rest of the crowd when Larin scored. The stadium was mostly full, with a few open spots in the lower bowl and way up in new, temporary seating.Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette also was on hand and closed an upbeat opening ceremony with a compelling rendition of “O Canada,” the national anthem.Canada hosted the Women’s World Cup in 2015, along with the Winter Olympics — twice — and the 1976 Summer Games in Montreal. But this is the first time the men’s World Cup has come to Canada, with 13 matches between Toronto and Vancouver.Canadian players couldn't see the celebrities but were happy with the atmosphere.“You know, it wasn't just ‘We’re showing up there for a picnic and a good afternoon,'” defender Alistair Johnston said. “They were fully invested.”___AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup

The United Nations said it was “deeply concerned” about the arrests of dozens of women, and reported that two people were killed in protests organized to support them.

There's a good number of golfers who needed a strong showing at this week's RBC Canadian Open, hoping to parlay that into a spot in next week's U.S. Open. Of course, winning is always the goal, but sliding into the top 60 in the OWGR update that gets released Monday would mean a tee time at Shinnecock.After Friday's 36-hole cut, however, there are also several golfers heading home early, knowing they missed their chance to contend in Toronto.The cut for the RBC was for the low 65 and ties and it came it at 2 under. On the good side: Ben James, making his PGA Tour debut as a pro, leads at 10 under. There's a group of five golfers at 9 under and then there's Brooks Keopka in a big group at 8 under.As for the Canadians in the field this week, 10 of them made the cut, including amateur Justin Matthews, with Matthew Anderson is having the best performance so far, shooting 64-69 to almost get inside the top 10.Then there's a healthy list of notable names who did not make the cut, including a two-time winner of the tournament as well as one of Canada's favorites.Jhonattan Vegas, 1 underA two-time winner of the RBC, Vegas opened with a 67 but bumbled around on Friday to a 72, with a birdie on his final hole leaving him still a shot shy of advancing.Aaron Rai, 1 underThe rowdy fans at The Rink – the hockey-themed 14th hole – shouted "double gloves" for Rai but it wasn't enough to spark his round late in the day. The 2026 PGA Championship winner shot 69-70 and finished 1 under, missing the cut by a shot. His four outings before this missed cut were T-19, 1, 5, T-24 but this was a speedbump he probably didn't see coming.Eric Cole, evenCole, who contended last week at the Memorial and finished solo eighth, was off to a red-hot start at TPC Toronto with a Thursday 64 but somehow shot 12 strokes worse on Friday. He started with a triple-bogey 7 and would later post four bogeys and a double-bogey. Cole ripped off seven straight pars to end his round but it left him at even par for the week and two off the cutline.Davis Riley, evenLike Cole, it was a tale of two rounds for Riley, who opened with a 66 but slumped to a 74 on Friday. Riley missed his third cut in four starts and eighth cut in 15 outings in 2026. His T-6 in at the Sony Open in Hawaii remains his best outing this season.Corey Conners, evenThe highest-ranked Canadian in the OWGR is always a crowd favorite but rounds of 71 and 69 were far from enough to advance to the weekend. Conners has just two top-15s this season but on the flip side, this is only his second missed cut of 2026.Justin Rose, 2 overRosie shot 70-72, seemingly never able to really get it going this week. He had five birdies and five bogeys on Thursday, with each step forward quickly followed by a step back. On Friday, he had four more bogeys en route to a 2-over round and a short week in Canada.John Parry, 2 overThe 39-year-old Englishman was 13-for-13 cuts made this season before not making the weekend at the Charles Schwab Challenge. Now he's missed cuts two in a row after shooting 71-71 this week.Andrew Putnam, 2 overPutnam's had a week. He was in final qualifying for the U.S. Open in Oregon on Monday and ended up in a playoff. Six extra holes Monday night wasn't enough so he went back to the course for three more before securing the final spot Tuesday morning. Then it was a cross-country flight for the RBC before a first-round 74. He rallied Friday with a 68 but it wasn't enough to make the cut.This article originally appeared on Golfweek: RBC Canadian Open: xxxx among those who missed the cut

NCAA president Charlie Baker has admitted that the reaction to the Brendan Sorsby case could provide a "thunderbolt moment" that triggers Congressional action aimed at getting college sports the antitrust exemption it craves.The NCAA is currently flying a kite with a key on the string.Via Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports, the NCAA sent (and leaked) a memo to Division I conference commissioners on Friday regarding the potential impact of the so-called "Protect College Sports Act." The memo explains that the bill would "override Sorsby’s legal challenge and allow the NCAA to maintain its eligibility restriction."The bill would do plenty of other things, many of which would strip players of rights, without giving the players any real representation in the process. But there's nothing like an overhyped crisis to shape public opinion, and to manipulate it into political action.The NCAA's goal is obvious. It hopes to use the Sorsby ruling as the springboard to get the comprehensive Congressional solution it craves. Unwilling to clean up its own mess, the NCAA wants Congress to wave a magic wand that will exempt the various universities from antitrust laws that all other American businesses must honor.At a time when the word "integrity" has been thrown around as casually as Alexi Lalas saying "wanker" during Fox's World Cup coverage, what does it say about the NCAA's integrity that it's pouncing on the organic reaction to the specific outcome in the Sorsby case as a way to force into existence a law that sweeps far more broadly than the enforcement of the NCAA gambling rules?

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLCIslam Makhachev vs Ilia Topuria could be revisited soon.That fight was initially in the works for Sunday’s UFC event on the White House lawn, with the Spaniard targeting a third divisional title by challenging the Dagestani.Makhachev had apparently picked up an injury, forcing those plans to be scrapped. In response, Topuria is now set to meet Justin Gaethje in a lightweight title unification bout instead.The featherweight and lightweight champion hasn’t lost sight of a future move up, and Dana White recently hinted it could happen sooner rather than later.Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLCIlia Topuria vs Islam Makhachev is ‘possible’ after UFC White House, says Dana WhiteDana White has never been shy about shutting down fight talk before and after events. And that hasn’t changed in the build-up to Topuria’s clash with Gaethje. Even so, some fans think his recent comments suggest a super-fight could still be on the cards.Topuria had originally set his sights on Makhachev back when he was still competing at featherweight.Speaking during an appearance on the Full Send Podcast, the UFC president was asked if ‘El Matador’ could move up again if he gets past Gaethje.“Anything’s possible,” White said with a smirk.Topuria wants to become a three-division champion, and White doesn’t seem likely to stand in the way of such a big match-up against Makhachev.The Dagestani then moved up to welterweight, prompting Topuria to label him a “coward.” But that didn’t stop Makhachev from pursuing success in his new division. He captured the 170-pound title by defeating Jack Della Maddalena last November.For now, both men have other opponents to focus on. Topuria is preparing for his main event against Gaethje in Washington, D.C., while Makhachev is expected to defend his welterweight title against Ian Machado Garry.Read more:Joe Rogan tells Donald Trump to stick with the UFC after NBA Finals boosCharles Oliveira sends heartfelt message to Ilia Topuria before UFC Freedom 250Charles Oliveira names 9-4 UFC star he thinks would beat Conor McGregor

Branding for companies that are not FIFA sponsors have all been covered or removed at Los Angeles Stadium, normally known as SoFi Stadium, ahead of the 2026 World Cup (Patrick T. Fallon)Fans tuning in for the first 2026 World Cup game on US soil Friday night might be a bit confused: why had they never heard of Los Angeles Stadium before?The home of the city's NFL teams, the Rams and the Chargers, is normally called SoFi Stadium. But world football's governing body FIFA has a so-called "clean stadium" policy, banning World Cup venues from displaying branding of companies that are not official FIFA sponsors.Companies like digital personal financial firm SoFi, insurer MetLife and energy giant NRG -- which each signed nine-figure deals to secure stadium naming rights -- have seen the venues they sponsor renamed Los Angeles Stadium, New York New Jersey Stadium and Houston Stadium for the world's most-watched sporting event."They're not happy, they paid a lot of money to have visibility in those stadiums but it's one of these things that they probably could not prevent in this situation," Rick Burton, emeritus professor at Syracuse Universe's Falk College of Sport, told AFP.With all the World Cup games hosted in existing venues -- unlike previous editions like Qatar where stadiums were purpose-built for the event -- the temporary renamings have been a more prominent issue this time around, he said.The only 2026 World Cup venue not affected by the rule is Vancouver's BC Place. "Stadium official names for the FIFA World Cup 2026 have been matched with Host City names and may differ from the common designation used locally," FIFA said on its tournament website.Not all venues have been able to comply with regulations. Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium was unable to figure out a way to cover up a giant logo of the luxury carmaker on the building's roof, made up of eight giant panels that rotate to close like the aperture in a camera lens.Unable to mask the logo without damaging the roof, FIFA allowed the stadium to leave it as is, US media have reported."FIFA is working closely with stadium authorities and host cities to implement (brand protection) requirements in a manner consistent with previous editions of the tournament, while taking into account the unique infrastructure and operational considerations at each venue," it told The Athletic.In Seattle, telecommunications company Lumen did its best to turn the situation on its head, filming a tongue-in-cheek video from the stadium it sponsors, normally the home of the NFL's Seahawks and MLS' Sounders."As international fans fly in from across the world to our city, our stadium, my job is to ensure our brand is nowhere," Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer Ryan Asdourian said in the clip.Wearing a hardhat and neon safety vest, the executive is shown combing the stadium for Lumen branding, with the result being that its logo is prominently displayed -- in the video, at least.With the Olympics having a similar "clean" policy for its venues, SoFi Stadium will have to scrub its sponsor's branding again in two years -- when it will host, among other events, the opening ceremony of the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games.acb/sla

The Carolina Panthers have another MVP quarterback in their history . . . sorta.Jack Plummer of the Orlando Storm has been named the Most Valuable Player of the United Football League. The 26-year-old began his pro career as a member of the Panthers in 2024.In his very first campaign in the UFL, Plummer completed 65 percent of his passes for a league-high 2,188 yards, 17 touchdowns and just one interception. He also led the Storm to a UFL-best 8-2 record.Carolina signed Plummer as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Louisville two years ago. He was waived by the Panthers following the preseason last summer—where he connected on 23 of his 38 attempts (60.5 percent) for 210 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions over three contests.Plummer and the Storm were eliminated from playoff contention last Sunday, in a 28-22 loss to the DC Defenders.Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Former Panthers QB Jack Plummer named 2026 UFL MVP

President Trump said the loss was an example of election fraud, but Mr. Pratt did not entertain that idea. Instead, he plans to wind down his campaign but keep attacking the two Democrats who advanced.

The two men chatted on Mr. Newsom’s podcast about Democrats, Joe Biden, Graham Platner, phone addiction and other topics.

The ruling was the strongest effort to date to hold the administration to its word that its plans to create the fund have actually been set aside.

Ernie Johnson has seen many iconic moments in 34 years as host of “Inside the NBA.”However, nothing might top doing the postgame show Wednesday night from center court at Madison Square Garden after the New York Knicks made the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history to beat the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4.“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.Who knows how many signature moments are left in the series, but the quartet of Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith is certainly enjoying anchoring pregame, halftime and postgame NBA Finals coverage for the first time.“Inside the NBA” moved to ESPN and ABC this season under a licensing agreement with TNT Sports, following Warner Bros. Discovery’s inability to retain NBA rights.The show’s addition has elevated ESPN and ABC’s NBA coverage just as Joe Buck and Troy Aikman’s arrival in 2022 took “Monday Night Football” to another level.The series resumes Saturday night in San Antonio with the Knicks one win away from their first NBA title since 1973. Johnson will present the Lawrence O’Brien trophy at the end of the finals. If the Spurs stave off elimination, Johnson presenting the trophy to the Knicks at home after a Game 6 win on Tuesday could surpass the bedlam from the comeback.“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.“Inside the NBA” has a 90-minute pregame show, with the first hour on ESPN before shifting over to ABC. The postgame show begins on ESPN as soon as ABC's coverage ends and goes at least an hour.Mike Breen, who is calling his record 21st finals, has enjoyed having “Inside the NBA” serve as a lead-in to 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.”Same show, different networkBecause TNT didn’t have the NBA Finals, “Inside the NBA”‘s season would end at the conference finals. Johnson said it felt different when he arrived at the arena in San Antonio 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.”What also makes it special is that this is also the first NBA Finals for most of the show’s production crew, many of whom have been with “Inside the NBA” since the start.Even though “Inside the NBA” airs on ESPN and ABC, TNT Sports still produces the show from Atlanta. It’s still irreverent at times and isn’t afraid to pull punches — as evidenced by Barkley’s criticism of the Spurs after Game 4, where he called 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.”For those who worried that the show wouldn’t be the same on ESPN, those fears have gone out the window throughout the season. ESPN even bought into some of the show’s humor by doing an ad with Johnson singing a song by DMX.“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.”Successful finals for ABCWednesday night’s comeback averaged 20.9 million viewers and peaked at 23.2 million for the conclusion. According to Nielsen, it was the most-viewed Game 4 since ABC started showing the finals in 2003.The series is averaging 19.6 million viewers, a 116% jump from last year’s matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers. It is on pace to be the most-watched series since 1998, when the Chicago Bulls defeated the Utah Jazz in six games.The Game 3 pregame averaged 9.9 million viewers, a record ___AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Colin Kennedy, whose family tree includes former Erie Otters coach Chris Hartsburg, officially joined that same franchise on June 12.The Otters picked the forward with the second overall pick for the Ontario Hockey League’s priority selection draft.Erie chose Kennedy during the first day of the two-day event at Slush Puppie Place in Kingston, Ontario. The league returned to a live, in-person draft format for the first time since 2000.Kennedy, who turned 16 on March 11, comes to the Otters after he appeared in 20 games for the 2025-26 Little Caesars U15 AAA team. The Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, native recorded 24 goals and 12 assists for the Detroit franchise, plus another five goals and two assists during that season’s OHL Cup.The Otters claimed Kennedy minutes after the Oshawa Generals drafted center Kane Cloutier with the No. 1 overall selection.This is a developing story that the Erie Times-News will continue to follow.Contact Mike Copper at mcopper@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNcopper.This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie Otters choose Colin Kennedy with No. 2 pick for OHL draft

Jun. 12—MITCHELL — For most figure skaters across the United States, year-round ice access, training facilities and nearby competitions are often taken for granted.For current Mitchell resident McKayla Gunderson, success in the sport has required something different, such as determination, sacrifice and several miles on the road.The 2020 Pierre T.F. Riggs High School graduate recently received notification that she earned her U.S. Figure Skating Association gold medal in adult gold singles within the adult gold emotional performance showcase discipline. The achievement places Gunderson among the top-three adult figure skaters in the nation in her category.The accomplishment makes her just the second member of the Mitchell Figure Skating Club to earn a U.S. Figure Skating gold medal honor, joining Sarah Bultje in the club's history.While the achievement is significant on its own, Gunderson's story is unique in South Dakota, a place where figure skating has its challenges.Opportunities for training are limited compared to traditional skating states, and in Mitchell, the challenge becomes even greater during the summer when ice is unavailable. Yet Gunderson continues to find ways to compete with some of the nation's best."I never thought that I would see myself as a national representative for South Dakota in general for figure skating," Gunderson said. "But now, I can walk around and proudly say that I accomplished one of the hardest things that you can do in figure skating, and it strives me to continue to work for my other gold medals, as well."Gunderson routinely travels to Sioux Falls, Pierre and occasionally Watertown to find year-round ice and continue preparing for competition. The added travel and expenses are simply part of what it takes to pursue high-level figure skating while living in Mitchell.And at 24 years old, Gunderson is balancing far more than skating. She works full time at the Krall Eye Clinic in Mitchell, is a part-time employee at Bradley's Pub and Grille, and serves as a coach with the Mitchell Figure Skating Club. Between work responsibilities and coaching commitments, finding time for her own training can be a challenge."I typically practice one or twice a week depending on my schedule with my work and everything, because I work a full-time job and I am getting married in August," Gunderson said with a laugh. "But you know, I just try to get on the ice when I can, work on my skills, and make sure that not only am I working on my routine but also continuously improving on the current skill set that I have."Unlike younger skaters training at major academies or adults living near year-round rinks, Gunderson must juggle work schedules, coaching responsibilities, and travel while still finding time to compete against some of the nation's strongest skaters.Gunderson credits much of her motivation to the young skaters she coaches in Mitchell. As an instructor, she has become a role model for aspiring young athletes throughout the area, proving that these accomplishments are possible even in places with limited opportunities."I am hoping that if I do go down to nationals and walk away with one of those national titles," Gunderson said. "But my students are my biggest inspiration by all means, because they are the ones that keep me striving and being the best person I can possibly be on and off the ice."In the adult gold emotional performance showcase category, which she performs in, skaters perform theatrical programs designed to tell a story and portray emotional depth through movement, choreography and performance. Competitors must first achieve qualifying scores before earning the opportunity to compete at the national level. To get to nationals, you must compete in local competitions and Gunderson competed in six different local competitions under the USFSA.Gunderson successfully reached that benchmark and has qualified for the U.S. Figure Skating Adult Championships, scheduled for Aug. 3-8 in Denver, Colorado.But even after earning one of figure skating's top testing milestones, Gunderson is not finished.She is currently pursuing gold medals in two additional disciplines: skating skills and patterned dance. For now, her focus remains on continuing to improve while representing both Mitchell and South Dakota on a national stage.Regardless of what happens in Denver this August, Gunderson believes the opportunity itself is something worth celebrating. After years of balancing practices, road trips, coaching sessions and work shifts, she has already accomplished something few South Dakota skaters ever achieve."I never saw myself competing nationally, but here I am now, just doing something that I have always dreamed of," Gunderson said. "The No. 1 thing I would say to kids figure skating in South Dakota is that don't let other people persuade you on what you want to do. Do it for yourself because you want to do it, and your heart and mind are set on it to achieve great things."

Editor's note: Follow along live for 2026 World Cup opening match and the star-studded opening ceremony!Is Elmo ready to pick a side?The Sesame Street character appeared on the FOX broadcast ahead of the United States' opening match against Paraguay on Friday, June 12 with Cookie Monster to talk all things World Cup with Charissa Thompson.Elmo and Cookie Monster are guest correspondents for the tournament and Thompson asked Elmo how he's feeling."It's really amazing," he said. "Everybody's been really nice and teaching us about soccer."He did admit that a soccer rule has him scratching his head."Elmo doesn't know what offsides is," he shared. "Elmo doesn't understand it."We've got you covered, Elmo. Here's how offsides works.More: How to watch USA World Cup game free, live stream USA vs. ParaguayCookie Monster offered his thoughts on what he's hoping to find inside SoFi Stadium where the United States match will be played."Me feeling snacky. Me feeling very snacky," he said. "Me hope they have really good snacks in there. Maybe cookies."Thompson then asked both characters what their advice would be for the United States, who were kicked out of the 2022 World Cup in the Round of 16 and infamously didn't qualify for the 2018 tournament."Do your best," Elmo said.Cookie Monster's answer combined wit and nostalgia."Have fun and don't crumble under pressure," he said. "... Don't eat the soccer ball. Maybe have an orange slice at halftime."Thompson didn't make Elmo pick a winner of the game. The New York native previously got roasted online when he hoped that both the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs "have fun" in the NBA Finals.After Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina's match ended in a 1-1 draw earlier on Friday, DoorDash poked fun at Elmo, posting on X, "Elmo would've loved that game."This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Elmo and Cookie Monster ask questions, give advice ahead of World Cup

Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesMarco Rubio has completely shattered Dana White’s expectations for this weekend’s event. The UFC has poured a huge amount of money into Freedom 250, aiming to turn it into a one-off showcase that stands out from anything else in the sport.Scheduled for June 14, the event is likely to draw in viewers who don’t normally follow MMA, and White believes it could even rival Super Bowl numbers.Some people think that prediction is over the top, but the Secretary of State doesn’t seem to agree.With the event just around the corner, Dana White isn’t worried about the weather affecting UFC Freedom 250’s plans.Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesMarco Rubio claims that a billion people will watch UFC Freedom 250Back on June 11, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the UFC president put pen to paper on a memorandum of understanding, formalising a partnership between the promotion and the U.S. government.“A billion people all over the world will be watching America celebrate its 250th birthday with the White House in the background and some of the best athletes in the world in that octagon,” he said.This February’s Super Bowl, won by the Seattle Seahawks, had an average audience exceeding 125 million viewers.According to The Daily Beast, Paramount+, which is streaming UFC Freedom 250, has fewer than 80 million subscribers at present.Though international broadcasts will boost overall viewership numbers for what’s set to be a historic event, reaching Super Bowl figures would still require an extraordinary leap from current projections.Read more:Dana White opens door for Ilia Topuria’s UFC Super-Fight after Freedom 250Joe Rogan tells Donald Trump to stick with the UFC after NBA Finals boosCharles Oliveira sends heartfelt message to Ilia Topuria before UFC Freedom 250

The ruling accused the Trump administration of engaging in censorship by taking down materials at parks across the country.

Klay Thompson's days in Dallas are numbered, and these 3 teams should be calling originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Two seasons with the Dallas Mavericks have not helped Klay Thompson add to his legacy as a four-time NBA champion, primarily because his integration into the roster never quite worked. Thompson arrived in the summer of 2024 with the promise of playing alongside Luka Doncic. But when the Slovenian star was traded in a blockbuster move on Christmas Day, the entire Mavs project shifted beneath his feet.He stayed professional through the changes, playing 69 games this season. He posted the lowest numbers of his career as a starter, averaging 11.7 points per game and shooting 38.3% from three.At his exit interview, he acknowledged his uncertain future, saying, "I'm under contract so I do [expect to be back], but I've definitely learned in my time in Dallas that things can change on a dime."Dallas is now rebuilding around Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 draft pick, focusing heavily on youth and defense under new team president Masai Ujiri. Thompson will make $17.45 million this coming season.Since he is 36 and coming off a down year, trading his expiring contract now makes more sense for Dallas than letting him leave for nothing in free agency next summer. Three teams, in particular, make sense.Houston RocketsHouston has the size, athleticism, and perimeter defenders such as Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr. to cover for Klay's decline on defense. What the Rockets still lack is reliable outside shooting to pull defenders away from Alperen Sengun in the paint. Thompson is a master in that area, and his shooting could help turn Houston into a true contender. Joining a competitive Western Conference team fits his timeline, and it would reunite him with his former Golden State Warriors teammate, Kevin Durant.Detroit PistonsThe Pistons are one of the league's most exciting young teams, but they still lack perimeter shooting. Essentially, they are the Eastern Conference version of the Rockets. Adding him as a bench piece gives Detroit a proven spot-up threat who doesn't need plays run for him. He spaces the floor and brings four championship rings to a developing locker room. A trade package built around matching salaries and a second-round pick would give the Mavs a movable contract and a future asset, while sending Thompson somewhere his shooting can still make an impact. Los Angeles ClippersThe Clippers are the most obvious landing spot for Thompson, personally and professionally. He grew up in L.A., and the team is building around Kawhi Leonard on a veteran timeline. While Dallas still has Thompson under contract, the Mavericks are clearly focused on youth and asset accumulation rather than paying a 36-year-old shooting guard on a rebuilding roster.Moreover, due to recent roster movements, the Clippers have significant cap flexibility. They can absorb Thompson's $17.45 million expiring contract easily without being forced to send a massive matching salary back to Dallas.So trading for Thompson is a fascinating option for them to build a contender around Leonard and Darius Garland for next season.Thompson is no longer the two-way, "Splash Brother" version who won four titles in Golden State. But on the right team, in the right role, he's a legitimate rotation piece heading into what could be his final contract year. Keeping him in Dallas helps nobody, especially not Thompson.More NBA news:Victor Wembanyama under ‘aura farming’ fire after Spurs’ Game 4 meltdown in NBA FinalsVictor Wembanyama finds himself at center of ugly postgame sceneMitch Johnson’s blunt Victor Wembanyama take proves why Knicks had no answer in Game 3NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal shares savage honesty about Victor Wembanyama-Jalen Brunson incident that Knicks fans won't likeGregg Popovich had one message for Victor Wembanyama, Spurs before pivotal NBA Finals game

The Minnesota Vikings found their new leader in their front office in Seattle Seahawks assistant general manager Nolan Teasley. They agreed to terms and signed their deal in recent weeks, and the team has been quick to get the ball rolling on his era. In the process, some changes are rising to the surface in the front office as he gets into the thick of it all.NFL Media's Tom Pelissero shared on Friday that Andrew Healy and Trent Kirchner will be named assistant general managers for the team. Earlier this week, The Athletic's Alec Lewis reported that senior personnel executive Jamaal Stephenson, senior college executive Pat Roberts, and pro scout Salli Clavelle won't be back with the team either.Pelissero shared on social media, "Trent Kirchner, a Minnesota native, was part of the Seahawks' front office for both Super Bowl wins and now follows Nolan Teasley from Seattle. Andrew Healy spent a decade with the Browns." He also added that Ryan Grigson will still be apart of the front office, just not as assistant general manager. These moves should be the final ones made in the front office leading into the 2026 season.This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Vikings add two assistant managers for the 2026 season