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Broncos star Jonathan Cooper arrested on domestic violence charges

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 16:31:32 -0400

Denver Broncos star Jonathon Cooper and his girlfriend were both arrested on domestic violence charges on Friday.

Both Cooper and his girlfriend were held on suspicion of two counts of domestic violence and one count of criminal mischief, according to Douglas County jail records.

An argument broke out between the two over cheating allegations, according to TMZ.

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The pair, who have been seeing each other on and off for years, were hanging out at Cooper’s residence when she confronted him over his alleged infidelity. The woman grabbed Cooper’s phone and threw it against a wall, and then eventually regained control of the device to go through it, the arrest affidavit said, according to TMZ.

Cooper and the woman then struggled for the phone, which Cooper eventually retrieved after a physical struggle. He then demanded that the woman leave his home, or he allegedly told her he would break her cell phone, the probable cause affidavit said, per TMZ.

After the woman did not leave, he bit down and broke the screen on the iPhone, according to the affidavit.

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Cooper had a hearing at 9:45 a.m. in a Douglas County courtroom, and a follow-up hearing will be held on Monday, when Cooper is expected to enter a plea, according to 9NEWS.

Following the hearing, Cooper was released on a personal recognizance bond, according to 9NEWS’ report.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Broncos and Cooper’s agency for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Cooper, 28, has been with the Broncos since they drafted him out of Ohio State in the seventh round of the NFL Draft, and he has spent all five seasons of his career with Denver.

In 17 games last season, Cooper recorded 50 tackles and eight sacks and was a key member of the Broncos’ stout defense. In his career, Cooper has played 81 games, recording 266 tackles and 31.5 sacks.

The Broncos signed him to a four-year, $60 million contract extension in November 2024.

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Knicks-Spurs NBA Finals Game 3 at Madison Square Garden could become most expensive sporting event on record

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 16:11:55 -0400

The first NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden this millennium has the potential to be the hottest ticket of all time.

The New York Knicks are aiming for their first title in 53 years, and they will host Game 3 of the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999 on Monday.

Knicks games are always a pricey ticket, but this one trumps all.

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At the time of publishing, SeatGeek's current get-in price was $9,990 to sit in the nosebleeds — there were just two listings below $10,000. StubHub's cheapest 100-level ticket was $13,115.

It is, by far, the most expensive NBA game ever.

According to the New York Post, citing further information from SeatGeek, the average ticket price of $7,149 for Madison Square Garden games during this Finals (Games 3, 4 and 6) has shattered the all-time record of $1,965 from 2024 in Dallas.

NBA STAR HITS BACK AT NYC MAYOR ZOHRAN MAMDANI FOR BLAMING HIM OVER EXPENSIVE PLAYOFF TICKETS

Only Super Bowl LVIII in 2024 between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers had a higher average price ($10,497) than the Knicks' home games this series.

President Donald Trump said he will be in attendance for Monday's game.

The Knicks won Game 1 on the road in San Antonio, prompting a tremendous spike in prices as Finals fever got even more real than it already was.

So, if the Knicks can snag Game 2 on the road and come back home with a 2-0 series lead, prices could rise even further.

Game 2 tips off at 8:30 p.m. ET.

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Germany's Young Star Lennart Karl May Miss World Cup After Injury In Training

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 15:59:52 -0400

Germany's 18-year-old midfielder Lennart Karl may miss the World Cup after he was sent to the hospital for scans following an unspecified injury in training on Friday.

Karl is considered one of the top young players in any World Cup squad after a breakout season with Bayern Munich, for which he became the club's youngest ever goal-scorer in the Champions League.

"Unfortunately Lenni injured himself today in training. We need to wait on what happens with that and to be honest, it didn’t look so good," Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said ahead of his team's final World Cup tune-up against the United States on Saturday.

"He needs to process the situation, we do too, and we’ll see what we do. We need a diagnosis for that and then we'll inform you. Then we’ll see if we can hopefully keep going with him for the tournament or if I need to nominate a replacement."

World Cup rules allow Nagelsmann to call up a replacement player in cases of "serious injury or illness" until 24 hours before the kickoff of Germany's opening game. That's June 14 against World Cup newcomer Curacao.

Karl made his debut for Germany in March to continue a rapid rise to prominence and has played three games for the national team, including a key role as a starter in last week's 4-0 win over Finland.

Nagelsmann also said on Friday he would not risk 40-year-old goalkeeper Manuel Neuer against the U.S. because of continuing concerns over a calf injury he picked up at Bayern last month.

That means Neuer will go into the World Cup having not played for Germany in almost two years. He retired from the national team after the 2024 European Championship but agreed to a recall last month.

Oliver Baumann has been Germany's first choice for much of the time Neuer was away and also started against Finland last week.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

Grading The Best Deals Of The 2026 Summer Transfer Window So Far

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 15:46:33 -0400

For some football fans, the summer is the part of the calendar that they look forward to the most - and that's not just because it's filled by a World Cup every four years! Rather, it's because the end of the season means only one thing: It's time for transfers! The 2026 window is likely to once again be bust, with some huge names set to make big-money moves before deadline day on September 1.

We know that some transfers turn out well for all parties involved, but there are plenty where at least one of the clubs, or even the player, are left wondering what might have been had they made a different decision while at the negotiating table.

GOAL is here, then, to ensure you know who did the best out of every massive deal before the players have even been officially unveiled. Throughout the summer window, we will be grading every done deal as it happens, letting you track the big winners — and losers — of transfer season.

For Liverpool: An emotional exit. Robertson easily ranks as one of the finest signings in the club's history, a key figure in the Jurgen Klopp era acquired for just £8 million from Hull City all the way back in 2017 and, in his pomp, was arguably the best left-back in the world. There's no denying, though, that age had begun to catch up with the 32-year-old - which is why Liverpool moved early to replace him by bringing in Milos Kerkez last summer, and would have even sold Robertson during the winter window had they been able to recall Kostas Tsimikas from Roma. The problem now, though, is that Kerkez still hasn't fully settled at Anfield, while it became painfully clear during a trying 2025-26 campaign for the Reds that Robertson's experience, tenacity and personality are going to be sorely missed on Merseyside. Indeed, the worry among the fanbase now is that Robertson's departure, along with that of Mohamed Salah, will only result in standards falling even further next season.

For Tottenham: Still a surprising move. Spurs obviously tried to sign Robertson in January, but it was difficult to work out why exactly. The Tottenham squad may have been lacking in quality and depth in several areas of the pitch, but left-back wasn't really one of them. Ben Davies had just broken his ankle, of course, but Spurs still had Destiny Udogie and the versatile Djed Spence to choose from, while Brazilian teenager Souza had just arrived from Santos. The argument was that Robertson would have been an important addition to a dressing room in disarray - and he could certainly help new coach Roberto De Zerbi cultivate a new culture of 100 percent commitment within the squad. The fact that he's belatedly arriving on a free is a nice little bonus, but the feeling persists that Tottenham didn't necessarily need Robertson.

For Robertson: A puzzling decision. One can understand why Robertson was willing to leave Liverpool in January. He'd been relegated to second-choice behind a player who wasn't performing particularly well and wanted regular Premier League football in the run-up to the World Cup - something Spurs were apparently willing to offer him. Robertson ultimately started more games in the second half of the season than he probably expected, meaning he's in decent shape as he heads off to North America, but there was never any chance of him staying at Anfield, because Liverpool didn't offer him an extension at any point. However, he did have options other than Spurs, with Juventus among those said to have been interested in signing the Scotland skipper. It's, thus, a little strange that he's decided to join a club that only barely avoided relegation to the Championship on the final day of the season. However, Robertson may actually find Tottenham are a more attractive option now than they were in January, given De Zerbi is unquestionably capable of significantly improving Spurs over the summer. We're still not convinced, though, that Robertson will actually play much more in north London than he did at Liverpool last season.

For Atalanta: Yet another demonstration of their brilliant business model. Atalanta signed Ederson from Salernitana in 2022 for roughly €23m and could now almost double that fee if all add-ons are met by selling him to United after four years of fantastic service that included a historic Europa League success. There's no doubt that replacing the Brazilian will be difficult, but this is what Atalanta do: they unearth rough diamonds and then sell them on to the highest bidder a few seasons later. Remember, Atletico Madrid also wanted Ederson, but Atalanta stood firm on the fee and United ultimately agreed to pay what they were demanding for a player with just one year left on his contract. Just more excellent work from one of the best recruitment teams in the business.

For United: A sensible signing from a club renowned for reckless recruitment. With Casemiro having bid a fond farewell to Old Trafford, United were in need of another midfielder, so they've gone for a like-for-like replacement by bringing in another Brazilian ball-winner who can also play. Ederson's stock has fallen somewhat over the course of the past year - which is why he's not in Carlo Ancelotti's World Cup squad and Casemiro is. However, that arguably has a lot to do with Gian Piero Gasperini leaving Atalanta last summer, as Ederson was previously considered "the lynchpin" of the terrific team that dismantled Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen in the 2024 Europa League final. Back then, Ederson was being linked with the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City, and if he can rediscover that form, he could form a formidable midfield partnership with Kobbie Mainoo - because while Ederson might not be as good as Casemiro was in his prime, he's a serious upgrade on Manuel Ugarte!

For Ederson: The big move he's long deserved. Ederson has never hidden his interest in playing in the Premier League, and now he's going to get a chance to test himself in a championship that should suit his particular set of skills. Ederson is excellent when it comes to both reclaiming and maintaining possession, while he also poses a threat in the box. One could, of course, argue that he'd have been better of joining Diego Simeone's Atletico, but Michael Carrick was a fine defensive midfielder in his own right and, even more importantly, appears to have restored some stability at Old Trafford, which was previously considered a very dangerous destination for talented footballers hoping to take their game to the next level. As far as we're concerned, Ederson has everything to make a big impact at 'The Theatre of Dreams', which would undoubtedly go a long, long way towards getting him back into the Brazil squad.

For Newcastle: A telling change of approach. Newcastle fought tooth and nail to hold onto Alexander Isak last summer before belatedly allowing him to join Liverpool. Sad as it may seem, it would have been far better just to give in immediately and let him leave as soon as he handed in a transfer request, as the disruption caused by the striking Swede did Eddie Howe and his players no favours at all. Newcastle have, thus, moved quickly to offload another unsettled forward - and for a fantastic fee. Gordon is a hard-working, talented and versatile attacker - but he's never done anything for club or country to suggest that he's worth £69m. Of course, the challenge now for Newcastle is to invest the money wisely, because they completely wasted what they got for Isak, and attracting top talent isn't going to be any easier this summer. The Magpies can no longer offer Champions League football to potential new recruits, and their pathetic 12th-placed finish in the Premier League, coupled with Gordon's desire to follow Isak out the door at St. James' Park, proves that Newcastle are no longer a serious threat to England's elite under increasingly disinterested Saudi Arabian owners.

For Barcelona: A really worrying sign. Barcelona haven't been in a position to spend big on players for some time now due to their well-documented issues adhering to La Liga's strict financial regulations, so it doesn't bode well that their first move after finally getting their house in order is to blow €80m on Gordon. The England international should certainly prove a useful addition. He can play pretty much anywhere across the front three and is a pressing machine - unlike Marcus Rashford - so it's easy to understand why Hansi Flick gave Gordon's arrival the green light. However, there's simply no getting away from the fact that Barca have overpaid. Granted, Gordon could have a good World Cup, thus casting the price in a more favourable light, while it's also been pointed out that the Scouser scored 10 times in this season's Champions League - but six of those goals came against Qarabag and Union Saint-Gilloise, and half from the penalty spot. Twelve goals in his last 60 Premier League appearances is a far better indicator of the kind of strike-rate Barca supporters should expect from their latest signing. So, while Gordon is more likely to give Flick what he wants from a winger, and he'll be on a smaller wage than Rashford, there was better value to be found elsewhere, suggesting Barca are back to having more money than sense.

For Gordon: The stuff dreams are made of. Despite some seriously inconsistent performances in the Premier League, particularly over the past two years, Gordon has got the move to a big club that he's been clearly eyeing for some time now. He admitted himself that he had his head turned by previous links with hometown club Liverpool, whom he also supported as a boy, while it initially looked like he was going to join Bayern Munich this summer. However, the Bavarians understandably baulked at the asking price and therein lies the big challenge now facing Gordon. The possible arrival of Julian Alvarez would take a fair bit of attention away from the 25-year-old, but he'll still be under enormous pressure to justify his fee - because Barca haven't paid €80m for a bit-part player. Gordon's got to prove himself worthy of starting for a star-studded side, and that won't be easy. Just ask Rashford, who is now looking surplus to requirements at Camp Nou despite racking up a combined 28 goals and assists in his debut season at Barca. Still, Gordon can probably hardly believe his luck. He's going to go from playing with Anthony Elanga to lining up alongside Lamine Yamal!

NASCAR Hall of Famer Ned Jarrett, legendary driver and broadcaster, dies at 93

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 15:28:49 -0400

It has been a difficult stretch for the NASCAR community, and now it is mourning another loss, as legendary driver and broadcaster Ned Jarrett has passed away.

He was 93.

Jarrett, a NASCAR Hall of Famer, died of natural causes at his home in Newton, North Carolina. A celebrated driver and broadcaster, he was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998.

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He raced in the Cup Series from 1953 to 1966, first taking up racing while working on his family's farm and sawmill when Hickory Speedway opened.

"I played a little basketball and baseball in high school (and) thought I had some athletic ability," he said, according to NASCAR. "When they opened the speedway, I ran the first race they ever run there. I was hooked."

Jarrett is still No. 1 on the all-time wins list for Ford drivers. He won 43 races behind the wheel of a car with a Blue Oval on the front, and his position on that list seems safe for quite some time.

The highest active driver on the list is Team Penske's Joey Logano, who has 35 of his 37 career wins with Ford.

Jarrett is also remembered for his career in broadcasting that began after he retired from driving. He began as a pit reporter on radio for Motor Racing Network (MRN), then moved into TV with CBS and ESPN.

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There's likely no moment of his broadcasting career as memorable as the 1993 Daytona 500 in which he called a late-race battle between his son, NASCAR great Dale Jarrett, and Dale Earnhardt Sr. that ended with his son taking the win.

"You know who I’m pulling for, it’s Dale Jarrett. Bring her to the inside, Dale, don’t let him get down there," Jarrett said during the broadcast. "He’s gonna make it! Dale Jarrett’s gonna win the Daytona 500! Alright!"

Jarrett's sons — the aforementioned Dale and brother, Glenn — both followed in their old man's footsteps by going into broadcasting after their racing careers were over.

Martha, his wife of 67 years, died in 2023.

3 Things I Learned On USA's Sideline During Senegal World Cup Tune-Up

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 15:24:13 -0400

Last Saturday’s win over Senegal felt like a breath of fresh air for the United States men’s national team.

I could see it from the players as they walked on the field and out of the tunnel. Snoop Dogg was blaring in the stadium, and there was a positive and confident energy that the Americans need to maintain entering the World Cup.

I could see it during the national anthem. Players were singing and focused instead of just having their hands on their heart. They were locked in, and I thought, "Wow, this is a team that looks ready for the World Cup regardless of the result of today’s match."

Here’s what I learned from the win over Senegal.

USA took that energy and intensity and used it on the pitch, using a system that required high pressing and a lot of movement. It’s the style of play that head coach Mauricio Pochettino expects out of his squad, and it’s what he got from the start against Senegal.

We saw basically two different teams between the two halves against Senegal with 10 changes being made at halftime. Sebastian Berhalter was the only starter to get minutes in the second half, of which, in my opinion, he did a fantastic job covering so much ground in midfield and being the work horse in the midfield. Both lineups looked good, but there were things that, of course, will need to be improved upon.

The biggest challenge at the World Cup will be whether the USA can keep up that intensity for the full 90 minutes. Senegal’s first goal came in the final five minutes of the first half, and the Americans almost conceded again in the final five minutes of the second half.

I was on the field for the game, and I could hear the U.S. coaching staff cursing in Spanish and pushing for the team to finish each half strong. We’re almost there.

We're almost there.
Push it. PUSH IT!
Press. PRESSURE!

At that point, it’s about game management. A quality opponent is coming right at the USA looking for a goal late in the game. The keys there are being mentally focused to close out the game but also with intensity while sustaining the press that Pochettino wants.

That's a good experience for the USA for the World Cup when the pressure on them to defend would be even higher. They need to know how to close out these games and be mentally, physically, emotionally locked in. Those final 5 minutes of halves are when games are won or lost.

Christian Pulisic was able to shut up any press-conference questions about his goal drought.

After more than six months without a goal for the national team, Pulisic followed up his assist on the USA’s opening goal with a great finish that saw him round the goalkeeper and slot home the game’s second goal.

Pulisic was well aware of his goal drought for the national team. He doesn’t need to hear about it from journalists or analysts who are creating noise that he is very aware of.

People know how important Christian is to this team and that he has to play well for the Americans to succeed this summer. This goal is now an opportunity for people to rally behind him going into the tournament. Every answer in the media from him was about how he’s not letting the drought get to him and how goals will come.

Pulisic told me after the match that the start to the match, two goals in the first 20 minutes, will help the team build confidence entering the final friendly against Germany and the tournament. The team’s chemistry was on display for those two goals, with great movement on and off the ball.

The start to the game, especially Pulisic’s goal, was perfect timing and a really positive moment for a player and team that needed it.

Pepi and Balo. The United States' striking partnership shined against Senegal. Ricardo Pepi had an assist and a hand in the first goal in the first half, while Folarin "Balo" Balogun found the back of the net in the second.

It started with Pepi, who got the start and played a part in both of the Americans’ early goals. His pass set Pulisic off down the left wing before Dest finished the move, and then he set Pulisic through on goal for the second.

Pepi was confident on the ball, and his movement was very dynamic. He was able to open up spaces for players like Pulisic and Antonee Robinson on the left wing. We don’t often see Pepi start, so that’s going to help build his confidence as the World Cup approaches.

And then Folarin Balogun came on for the second half. He’s a natural goalscorer and is so dangerous in and around the 18-yard box. He puts himself in really, really good positions. He got his goal and was a constant threat.

Both strikers did what they needed to do. They both helped in attack and defense by pressing Senegal’s defense.

Back in 2022, the striker position was a big question mark heading into the tournament. After the game against Senegal, it seems like a position of strength to continue to keep building on.

Scouting The Match: USA vs. Germany In Final World Cup Tune-Up Friendly

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 15:11:25 -0400

I’ve played in a World Cup and understand how the U.S. national team is preparing — and what matters most. There’s one more game until the Americans’ tournament is underway against Paraguay on June 12, and it's important to go in with confidence.

This time around, I have a different challenge. I’ll be breaking down the USA throughout its journey through the 2026 World Cup, starting with a final tune-up game against Germany.

Here are my keys to the game and a preview of what to expect from Germany and the USA.

When looking at the German national team, the first names that come to mind are probably Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz or Joshua Kimmich. The player I'm watching out for in this game, though, is someone who can exploit a potential weakness in the U.S. defense.

Sane is the player I’m highlighting because it ties into what I’m worried about with the United States. The former Manchester City star is a fast, left-footed winger who generally plays on the right side. He can dribble in either direction, cut in on his left foot or drag the ball toward the touchline.

Tim Ream and Antonee "Jedi" Robinson on the left side of the U.S. defense will be defending Sane. When Robinson is high up the field and Germany gets the ball in transition, there’s a chance you’re going to have Sane against Tim in open space. After watching the friendly against Senegal, that wouldn’t be ideal for this U.S. team.

This will be less of an issue in the group stage of the World Cup for the United States against Paraguay, Australia and Türkiye. As you get into the knockout rounds, though, you’re going to face players who are able to exploit that pace and potentially cause problems for Ream.

Ream will be important in controlling buildouts for the U.S. team, but in the first 20 minutes against Senegal last Saturday, he had some uncharacteristic turnovers that led to dangerous chances.

Additionally, there were a few moments when the ball went wide, and Ream wasn’t immediately close enough. He did the right thing in that situation of delaying the attack and waiting for help, but his ability to defend wingers in dangerous positions will play a vital role in the tournament.

Alex Freeman will look to build on his performance against Senegal and should find himself in more one-on-one moments out wide against Germany, as well.

I’m curious to see how Wes plays and how much of the game he can dictate. We know how good he is in attack, but can he be effective on both sides of the ball?

Wes played the second half against Senegal after Pochettino made 10 changes at halftime. He did very well, especially defensively, showing a grit and leadership that came with wearing the captain’s armband for the second half.

Wes is expected to start in the midfield next to Tyler Adams, who can cover a lot of ground defensively and potentially give him freedom to move forward. Still, against a team like Germany that can cause problems for the U.S. quickly in transition, my former U.S. teammate has to put in a strong shift on both ends of the field.

I know he can do it, having played with the famous "MMA" midfield of Tyler, McKennie and Yunus Musah at the 2022 World Cup. Adams covered the middle of the pitch, while Wes and Yunus covered the rest of the midfield, all the way out to the sideline. This will be a good test against Germany entering the tournament.

How well McKennie plays and how much of the game the American midfield can dictate will determine what the U.S. can get out of the game.

The U.S. may need a different mentality against Germany compared with how it started against Senegal. The starting lineup played 45 minutes together before 10 substitutions at halftime. Mauricio Pochettino wants his team to press high up the field, and you’re going to empty the tank when you know you’re only going to play 45 minutes.

I was very impressed with the compactness of the team against Senegal and hope we see that again against Germany. Offensively, there were so many positive combinations and goal-scoring opportunities from the attacking group in the previous match. Let's see if the team can continue to look dangerous against Germany.

I'd expect we’ll see more minutes from the starting XI against Germany to get the match fitness needed for the World Cup while also trying to stay safe and healthy. My assumption is for the starting XI to play at least 60 to 70 minutes in this one.

Can the U.S. be as aggressive against Germany as it was against Senegal? The Americans are unlikely to have as much of the ball as they had in their first friendly. This matchup may require them to drop into a low block, sit back and defend more.

If Pochettino starts with three center backs, as he did against Senegal, how does the U.S. drop back in defense? When they enter into a low block does it turn into a 5-4-1? Will the U.S. be content to concede space and possession? I’m curious to see how the team sets up against a potential title contender.

With that, can the U.S. find the right balance of attack and defense? Can the team say, "Hey, we’re not just going to be passive, can we go out there and be aggressive in the right moments?" Based on the Senegal game, I am expecting the Americans to at least try to be very aggressive in the first 10 or 15 minutes.

Finding that balance will take a lot of maturity from both the coaching staff and players on the pitch. I’m hopeful that we can find the right balance between pressing and sitting back against a team that will be considered a superior opponent.

I think Germany will score a goal in transition.

There are two things I’m worried about with the U.S. in the World Cup, and they both have to do with its defense. The first one, as I’ve already talked about, is how this team is going to defend in transition when the opposition is on a counterattack. Germany has players like Sane, Musiala and Wirtz — who can cause trouble when given space and time on the ball.

The other thing I’m worried about — which may not pertain to this game necessarily — is how the U.S. will be able to play against a big-target striker. Thankfully, Germany doesn’t have one of those, and defender Chris Richards would give the U.S. a different element in defense if he’s fit.

Against Senegal, some direct balls were played toward the U.S. defense that Mark McKenzie and Ream didn’t handle smoothly. The addition of Richards should help in this area, and I’m hoping we see a bit more control on that moving forward. Playing against a big striker will test this American backline both in holdup play and deep into the penalty box.

World Cup announcer says FIFA's grass mandate will be a 'huge conversation' regarding NFL's turf fields

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 14:32:29 -0400

Seven NFL stadiums are installing grass fields to comply with FIFA regulations for this summer's World Cup, and Fox Sports' Stu Holden believes there could be a ripple effect.

Half the league’s stadiums use turf, despite NFLPA Executive Director Lloyd Howell saying that 92% of the league’s players prefer grass.

Despite NFL players begging for grass and being told no, the stadiums had no choice but to, as NFLPA head J.C. Tretter once said, "roll out the green carpet of grass."

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In a media availability on Friday, Tretter said the grass fields will be "a huge conversation" after the tournament, namely in the NFL.

"The fields will play so well that you're gonna have the NFL players continuing to make more noise about why they don't have grass in their stadiums and there's turf, because it can be done," Holden told reporters on Zoom. "And FIFA has the most stringent, detailed, you know, strict process on what these fields have to play like, because they understand that the grass and the playing surface are the most important part of the game being good.

"If you don't have a good grass field, that makes it hard to see a good product on the field."

The NFLPA has released several polls and studies showing that grass has been safer than turf, and Holden can apparently see why that is the case.

STEELERS CAPTAIN CALLS HOME FIELD 'S---' AS PLAYERS COMPLAIN TO NFLPA ABOUT PLAYING SURFACE

"There's nothing that can replicate what real grass fields, the watering the right way, that for a player is a dream, and something that we all just, you know, turf will never be able to replicate that from a grass perspective."

It was announced late last year that each NFL team will be provided with "a library of approved and accredited NFL fields" before the 2026 season begins. Any new field will immediately have to meet those standards, and all teams will have two years to achieve them. Both grass and synthetic turf fields will be subject to the new standards.

The NFL has no plans to require natural grass fields. The league’s chief medical officer, Dr. Allen Sills, said there are no "statistically significant differences" in lower-extremity injuries or concussions that can be attributed to the type of playing surface or a specific surface**, despite** widespread preferences by players for grass fields and complaints about surfaces such as the one at MetLife Stadium, where the New York Giants and Jets play.

Fox News' Chantz Martin contributed to this report.

Tyrrell Hatton Takes Command In Round 2 Of LIV Golf Andalucía

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 14:28:52 -0400

Tyrrell Hatton is looking to make a statement in his first start since becoming a father. The Englishman carded a 2-under 69 in Round 2 to move to 6 under for the week and take sole possession of the lead at the halfway stage of LIV Golf Andalucía 2026.

The Legion XIII star, who missed last week's event in Korea following the birth of his first child, went out in 36 before a more productive back nine of 33. He sits two shots clear of Thomas Detry heading into the weekend at Real Club Valderrama.

"If you'd have said to me on Wednesday that I'd have a two-shot lead going into the weekend, I probably wouldn't have believed you, to be honest," Hatton said. "As I said yesterday, I feel like I had a good warm-up … I simplified a few things and just kind of went out with that feel."

It was a day that belonged, in no small part, to Legion XIII. While Hatton was building his lead at the top, his teammate and captain Jon Rahm was producing one of the more eye-catching rounds on the course. The Spaniard, who had cut a frustrated figure after a 2-over 73 opening round in front of his home crowd, came out swinging on Friday with a 4-under 67, good for a tie of the low round of the day. Rahm moved to 2 under for the tournament and sits T7, in prime position for a weekend charge.

The defending champion also announced himself emphatically. OKGC Captain Talor Gooch, who has won two of the last three LIV Golf tournaments at Valderrama, made his move on Friday with a 4-under 67 that featured four birdies on the back nine and moved him all the way to a tie for third at 3 under. Gooch has a habit of finding his best golf when it matters most at this venue, and the field would be wise to keep a close eye on him this weekend.

Harold Varner III matched Rahm and Gooch with his own 67, making it three players sharing the low round of the day. It was a quietly impressive round from a player who had also opened with a 2-over 73 on Thursday.

The Open Championship qualifying picture sharpened considerably on Friday. Detry followed his opening 3-under 68 with a steady 1-under 70 to sit alone in second at 4 under, two back of Hatton. The Belgian continues to widen the gap on Joaquin Niemann in the race for that coveted exemption, and two more rounds in this form could make it very difficult for Niemann to hold on.

Sharing third with Gooch are Cameron Smith, Sergio Garcia and Scott Vincent, who are 3 under after two days. Smith's continued solidity keeps the Ripper GC captain firmly in the conversation as he builds momentum under new swing coach Claude Harmon III. Garcia, meanwhile, is looking to add yet another chapter to his remarkable Valderrama story. Three Spanish players now sit in the top seven: Garcia, Rahm, and David Puig at T7.

The day also produced a moment of brilliance from Lucas Herbert. The Ripper GC man aced the 15th hole — the first hole-in-one at Andalucía in LIV Golf's four visits to the venue. It was the 17th ace in league history, the fifth of 2026, and the second longest in LIV Golf history, trailing only John Catlin's 220-yard ace at LIV Golf UK in 2024.

In the team competition, Crushers GC, fresh off their victory in Korea last week, are bidding to go back-to-back and carry the team lead into the weekend. For the second consecutive day, however, no team managed to finish the round under par cumulatively, a reminder that Real Club Valderrama demands everything from every player, on every hole. With two rounds remaining, that is unlikely to change.

1. Tyrrell Hatton (-6)

2. Thomas Detry (-4)

T-3. Scott Vincent (-3)

T-3. Sergio Garcia (-3)

T-3. Talor Gooch (-3)

T-3. Cameron Smith (-3)

T-7. Harold Varner III (-2)

T-7. Branden Grace (-2)

T-7. Louis Oosthuizen (-2)

T-7. David Puig (-2)

T-7. Jon Rahm (-2)

This piece is courtesy of Mike McAllister in partnership with LIV Golf.

Chicago Bears take major step toward leaving city after more than a century as franchise makes Indiana plans

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 14:18:29 -0400

We could be seeing the end of an era unfold in real time as a legacy NFL franchise with a century of history in its signature American city is moving forward with plans to leave town: The Bears are advancing their stadium development project in Hammond, Indiana.

The team announced Friday afternoon that it has taken this significant step toward pulling up stakes from Chicago and even the state of Illinois.

The Bears' board of directors met on Thursday, into the evening, and voted to advance the stadium development project in Hammond, Indiana — with an exact stadium site to be selected.

"We believe a world-class stadium project in Hammond will transform the region, connecting Northwest Indiana and the South Side of Chicago through the Loop and across the neighborhoods and suburbs stretching north of the city," Bears Chairman George H. McCaskey and CEO Kevin Warren said in a statement.

BEARS INCH CLOSER TO INDIANA AFTER KEY STATE HOUSE COMMITTEE CLEARS STADIUM MEASURE

"It will bring Chicagoland together and deliver new opportunities to its residents and businesses."

This is the first time the team's board has voted on a stadium site. So this is notable and significant, but an NFL source told Fox News there is a chance Illinois might still be able to convince the team to stay in the state. Those chances were characterized as requiring "a Hail Mary" political effort.

And this: That Hail Mary, even if it were to work, will still move the club out of Chicago with the only site in Illinois as a likely landing spot being in Arlington Heights, Ill.

PRITZKER HITS CHICAGO MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON FOR HAVING 'NO PLAN' TO KEEP THE BEARS IN THE CITY

The NFL has been meeting with both the Bears and officials from both Illinois and Indiana in the last six months, and the league's Stadium Committee is aware of the latest decision by the club.

"The club has kept the stadium committee and league office apprised of all developments," NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy told ESPN in a statement.

The NFL apparently has no stated qualms about the Bears moving out of Chicago. The New York Giants moved out of New York and across state lines to New Jersey. They were followed by the New York Jets.

The Raiders left Oakland for Los Angeles, then left Los Angeles, and are now in Las Vegas. The Rams, similarly, left Los Angeles for St. Louis, then returned to L.A.

And the St. Louis Cardinals are now the Arizona Cardinals.

New, shiny, money-producing stadiums have a way of luring NFL teams.

Chicago, and to a lesser degree, Illinois has not exactly been keen on helping the Bears build a new, shiny, money-producing stadium within their borders.

A "megaprojects" bill died in the Illinois senate last Sunday. The proposal would have allowed the Bears to negotiate payments in lieu of paying property taxes on the Arlington Heights, Illinois, property they currently own.

At 11 p.m. Sunday, Illinois state Senator Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago) introduced the legislation that would allow Cook County cities with more than 70,000 residents (like Arlington Heights and Chicago) to create their own sports stadium authority. The Bears would have then paid for the construction of the new stadium, which the franchise has dedicated $2 billion in funding toward.

INDIANA TAKES FIRST ACTION IN LONG-SHOT PLAN TO ACQUIRE PARTS OF ILLINOIS

The bill would have given the team property tax certainty but it did not succeed.

Indiana passed similar legislation for the Bears in February, and the bill was signed into law by Governor Mike Braun.

So as it stands now, Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson and J.B. Pritzker look, well, pretty bad.

They are the politicians who have either through inaction or poor planning failed to push through legislation to help keep the Bears, first, in Chicago, and secondly, in the state at all.

They could quite possibly go down as the politicians who oversaw the departure of a franchise founded in Illinois in 1920 that was moved to Chicago by Pro Football Hall of Fame coach and owner George Halas in 1921.

Here we are over a century later, and the Bears have one foot out the door of both Chicago and Illinois.

FOLLOW ARMANDO SALGUERO ON X: @ARMANDOSALGUERO

Kyle Busch's wife, Samantha, breaks silence two weeks after NASCAR driver's stunning death

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 13:53:08 -0400

Samantha Busch, the wife of NASCAR driver Kyle Busch, made her first public comments Friday, just over two weeks after his stunning death.

Busch, 41, died May 21 after a battle with pneumonia turned into sepsis. The two-time NASCAR champion collapsed during a simulator session ahead of the Coca-Cola 600, and was rushed to the hospital. He died the next day.

A private memorial was held for Busch earlier this week.

Samantha Busch took to Instagram Friday for the first time since her husband's death, thanking fans for their support in a lengthy post:

NASCAR, RACING WORLD REACTS TO KYLE BUSCH'S SHOCKING DEATH AT 41: 'CANNOT COMPREHEND THIS NEWS'

"As a family, we wanted to take a moment to say thank you. The prayers, messages, flowers, meals, hugs, and countless acts of kindness have carried us through the most heartbreaking days of our lives. While our hearts are absolutely shattered, we have felt God’s presence and arms wrapped tightly around us through each and every one of you.

"The love that has surrounded our family during this unimaginable time has brought comfort in the middle of so much pain. Knowing the impact Kyle had on others and seeing how they are honoring him through each unique act of generosity is a true testament to how special Kyle is to so many people.

"There are moments when the weight of this loss feels impossible to carry, yet time and time again God, through you all, has shown us we are not alone. From family and friends to fans and complete strangers, thank you for showing up for us. Thank you for loving our family so well. Thank you for loving Kyle. Thank you for honoring him.

"We may never find the words to fully express what your support has meant to us, but please know that we are deeply grateful."

Busch was a two-time Cup champion and undoubtedly a future Hall of Famer. He'd been in the Cup Series since 2004, making 762 career starts with 63 wins.

The 41-year-old won the championship in 2015 and 2019, and had 234 victories across all three NASCAR national series.

Busch is the all-time record-holder for wins in both the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series (102) and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (69).

Busch's 234th and final NASCAR win came at Dover one week before his death, when he led 147 laps in a dominating Truck Series victory.

"You never know when the last one is," Busch said after the win.

Busch made his mark in NASCAR during his time with Joe Gibbs Racing, where he spent the majority of his career and won the two championships. He left JGR for Richard Childress Racing after the 2022 season, and won three times during his first season.

Busch's last Cup Series win came in June 2023. While he struggled for much of this season, he did start on the pole in February's Daytona 500 and was coming off a season-best finish of eighth four weeks ago at Watkins Glen.

Kyle's 11-year-old son, Brexton, returned to the racetrack earlier this week for the first time since his dad's death.

Richard Childress Racing announced last month that Busch's No. 8 would be suspended permanently unless Brexton wanted to use it should he enter the series.

Yankees Budding Star Ben Rice's Breakout Season By The Numbers

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 13:21:19 -0400

Ben Rice is tearing it up.

If the 2026 American League MVP voting were held today, the New York Yankees' first baseman would likely be a finalist for the award, as the 27-year-old has come into his own as a budding force for the Bronx Bombers. Here's Rice's 2026 campaign by the numbers:

1: Rice leads the Yankees in hits (62), doubles (15), RBIs (44), total bases (132), runs scored (46), batting average (.300), on-base percentage (.393), slugging percentage (.638), OPS (1.031) and OPS+ (184).

2: His .638 slugging percentage, 1.031 OPS, 184 OPS+ and .435 weighted on-base percentage each rank second in MLB, according to FanGraphs.

2.7: Rice's 2.7 offensive WAR (wins above replacement) has him in a three-way tie with Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez and Detroit Tigers rookie infielder Kevin McGonigle for seventh in MLB.

5: The number of three-plus-hit games Rice has this season.

16: The number of multi-hit games Rice has this season.

[What’s Next: For Aaron Judge, The Yankees And The AL MVP Race]

17: Rice is tied with Yankees superstar and three-time AL MVP Aaron Judge for the team lead with 17 home runs, who are both tied with Atlanta Braves star first baseman Matt Olson for fifth in the sport.

40: The number of games Rice has recorded a hit this season.

44: Tino Martinez hit 44 home runs in the 1997 regular season, which was the most homers hit in a single season by a Yankees' first baseman since Lou Gehrig hit 49 home runs in both 1934 and 1936 (Gehrig also hit 47 home runs in 1927 and 46 homers in 1931); Rice is on pace to hit more home runs than Martinez did in 1997 and tracks to challenge Gehrig for the all-time franchise record for a first baseman. Granted, Rice, who has made 34 starts/37 appearances at first base for the Yankees this season, has been the team's designated hitter in 19 games.

90: Rice's 92.3 mph average exit velocity ranks in the 90th percentile of MLB, according to Statcast.

91: His 50.7% hard-hit percentage ranks in the 91st percentile of the sport.

95: Rice's 17.1% barrel percentage ranks in the 95th percentile of MLB.

Watch Rice and the Yankees take on the AL East-rival Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, which can be viewed at 7:35 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app.

Battlehawks, Storm, Gamblers Crowd 2026 All-UFL Team

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 13:12:24 -0400

The UFL unveiled its 2026 All-UFL Team on June 4, with all eight teams having at least one representative; the second-place St. Louis Battlehawks led the way with seven players, with the league-leading Orlando Storm with the next-most with five All-UFL players, tied with the Houston Gamblers.

Here's the entire 2026 All-UFL Team roster:

Quarterback: Jack Plummer (Orlando Storm)

Running Back: Deon Jackson (DC Defenders)

Wide Receiver: Hakeem Butler (St. Louis Battlehawks)

Wide Receiver: Chris Rowland (Orlando Storm)

Wide Receiver: Tyler Vaughns (Dallas Renegades)

Tight End: Tyler Neville (St. Louis Battlehawks)

Center: Mike Panasiuk (St. Louis Battlehawks)

Guard: Gareth Warren (Houston Gamblers)

Guard: Michael Gonzalez (Orlando Storm)

Offensive Tackle: Gottlieb Ayedze (Houston Gamblers)

Offensive Tackle: Yasir Durant (DC Defenders)

Defensive Tackle: Isaiah Buggs (Orlando Storm)

Defensive Tackle: Carlos Davis (St. Louis Battlehawks)

EDGE: Cam Gill (Louisville Kings)

EDGE: Derick Roberson (DC Defenders)

Linebacker: Tae Crowder (Birmingham Stallions)

Linebacker: Tony Fields II (Columbus Aviators)

Linebacker: Kyahva Tezino (Birmingham Stallions)

Defensive Back: Major Burns (Houston Gamblers)

Defensive Back: D.J. Miller Jr. (Columbus Aviators)

Defensive Back: Corey Mayfield Jr. (Louisville Kings)

Defensive Back: Kary Vincent Jr. (Houston Gamblers)

Kicker: Tanner Brown (Louisville Kings)

Punter: Ryan Sanborn (St. Louis Battlehawks)

Long Snapper: Marco Ortiz (Houston Gamblers)

Kick Returner: Chris Rowland (Orlando Storm)

Punt Returner: Sean Fresch (St. Louis Battlehawks)

Core Specialist: Gary Jennings Jr. (St. Louis Battlehawks)

By the way, don't forget to watch the opening round of the 2026 UFL playoffs this Sunday, as the Orlando Storm host the DC Defenders and the Louisville Kings travel to play the St. Louis Battlehawks, which can be at viewed at 6 p.m ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app.

Why Crutches Don't Stop Injured INDYCAR Drivers From Racing At 200 MPH

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 12:45:25 -0400

In Driver's Eye with James Hinchcliffe, the six-time INDYCAR winner will bring you inside the mind of a racer while breaking down the nuts and bolts of the sport for fans.

Racing is risky. There are no two ways about it. From the sport's inception, there has been an inherent danger.

That said, drivers today are incredibly lucky to race in the era they do. Safety is something INDYCAR, the tracks and the partners — not to mention the drivers! — take very seriously.

Something is learned from every accident, and pushing safety forward is a never-ending endeavor. This is without doubt the safest era to be a professional racing driver. But at the end of the day, we are still driving faster than 200 miles an hour beside concrete walls, and it will never be 100 percent safe.

Unfortunately, that was confirmed at the Indianapolis 500 when both Alexander Rossi and Josef Newgarden suffered separate crashes that left them with minor injuries. And crutches.

Yet both drivers competed the following week in Detroit. While the specifics of each injury haven't been shared, they seem to be similar in nature, yet completely different in the challenges they presented each driver.

Rossi’s issue was with his right ankle, which is the throttle foot.

At the Indy 500 — where he also competed with the injury after crashing in practice and undergoing minor surgery — the track is smooth. So the typical amount of throttle modulation over a lap is quite a bit less than the twisty street circuit in Detroit.

Trying to carefully accelerate on a dirty, bumpy street circuit with 750-ish horsepower at your disposal requires a delicate finesse with that right foot. Much harder when your foot isn’t at 100 percent.

Add into it the bumpy nature of the track, and the floor of the car regularly and violently bottoms out over bumps, sending shock waves through every inch of your body, including your injured foot. A challenging proposition, to say the least.

Newgarden also had an issue with his foot, but it was his left foot. The braking foot. This is where the challenge is completely different.

For all the finesse required for your throttle foot, you need brute force in the braking foot.

INDYCAR drivers hit the brake pedal as hard as they physically can on the initial hit of a big brake zone, like Turn 3 at Detroit. Several hundred pounds of pressure on the pedal translates to several thousand pounds of pressure through the brake system.

And while that strength is key, arguably more important is how you control the brake release — coming off the brake pedal as the speed bleeds off so you get closer to the corner. This technique is what drivers spend their whole career refining.

It’s one of the main areas that separates a professional from an amateur: The ability to feel the grip in the tires and constantly modulate the brake pressure to maximize brake efficiency without locking up a tire.

If you are battling an injury to the brake foot, it can completely change the muscle memory that comes from decades of racing with a healthy left leg. Trying to retrain your brain to undo what is essentially second nature can be massively difficult.

When you consider these challenges, it makes it all the more impressive that Rossi was in podium contention until an ill-timed full-course caution, and Newgarden battled back from a poor starting spot to be the biggest mover of the race and secure a top-10 finish.

Walking on crutches but piloting a race car at 200 miles an hour is a wild juxtaposition.

But it’s important to remember that while these are impressive feats, safety is never compromised. And the decision of whether drivers are cleared to race isn't up to them — and for good reason.

As much as we drivers take safety seriously, leaving that decision up to someone who straps into a ground-based rocket ship for a living might give skewed results! That’s why medical teams utilize comprehensive tests drivers must pass before they can get back behind the wheel.

Somewhat like other sports — football and hockey come to mind — if there is no risk to others and low risk of long-term damage to themselves, athletes are often willing to fight through a bit of discomfort to play the game. At the end of the day, the passion for the sport burns hotter than any pain in the body while they compete.

Back to the ovals!

This weekend, we are at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois, near St. Louis, for a race under the lights. Prime time. Sunday night.

And you might be thinking everyone should be pretty up to speed turning left, considering we just spent two weeks driving around an oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. But you’d be wrong.

Though both ovals, the similarities between these two tracks end there.

We talk about Indy's four identical corners that you have to drive through differently in subtle but important ways.

But St. Louis' 1.25-mile track has two ends that are completely different! Turns 1 and 2 are tight radius and high-banked. Turns 3 and 4? Much flatter and a more open radius.

The difference, end to end, presents some pretty big challenges for teams and drivers.

As a driver, you have to approach these corners very differently. In Turns 1 and 2, you will bleed off almost 40 miles an hour of speed through lifting — and sometimes even a bit of braking in the race. Turns 3 and 4 are ideally flat-out in qualifying, so it’s all about limiting scrub, meaning grinding the front tires by turning the steering wheel too much.

From a setup standpoint, it’s very difficult to navigate and all about compromise.

The ideal setup at one end won’t feel good at the other. The biggest mistake drivers make here is trying to chase the perfect balance the whole way around. Even trying to get one end to feel really good, knowing it will make the other end trickier, rarely works.

The key to this race track is getting comfortable being uncomfortable. It will never feel perfect at either end, so finding the most OK-ish balance at both ends usually yields good results.

For me, Turns 1 and 2 are the best part of this track.

You approach Turn 1 at nearly 200 miles per hour, and the banking is so steep it looks like you’re staring at a wall. You head into that turn at speed the first few times and think to yourself, "There is no way I am making it around this corner."

Between the banking helping you turn and the incredible capabilities of an Indy car, it all works out!

And there is a lot you can do as a driver on that end of the track in the race.

You can go in deep to try and make a pass, you can ease up the entry and focus on a mega run out to set up a pass for Turn 3. You can get creative with lines quite a bit more than in Turns 3-4, which is why we see so much action there in the race.

The fast, frantic nature of short-track racing in INDYCAR highlights something else that I think is pretty impressive about what these drivers are doing on track.

Surely, if you’ve been watching our races on FOX, you’ve seen the Driver’s Eye camera that gives the most realistic sense of what it’s like inside the car. It also gives you a glimpse into how much information the drivers are digesting from the dash on the steering wheel.

The wheel is really the brain of the race car.

On the back, the driver has paddles to control up shifts and down shifts and the clutch for leaving pit lane, as well as hybrid controls. The front has a litany of buttons and knobs used to do everything from talk to the crew, take a drink of water, control the speed in pit lane or even change the handling of the car.

The dash itself looks like a losing level of Tetris with all these different colored boxes stacked together, displaying different types of info to the driver.

Things like lap time, lap count, distance to cars in front and behind, tire temps, brake temps, balance settings, engine settings… I could go on!

At a track like St. Louis, where a lap time is something in the low 20-second range, you spend more than half your lap cornering.

That means you have a little less than 10 seconds per lap — split between the frontstraight and backstraight — to look down, absorb and digest certain info off the dash and then make a decision based on what you saw.

And, again, all while racing wheel-to-wheel with 24 other cars at crazy speeds!

Needless to say, these drivers will be earning their money on Sunday night, and based on what we’ve seen of the short oval package that INDYCAR has developed, it should be a heck of a race!

MORE DRIVER'S EYE:

Last Night In Baseball: Ketel Marte Hit A Walk-Off Homer You Have To See

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 12:13:37 -0400

There is always baseball happening — almost too much baseball for one person to follow themselves.

Don't worry, we're here to help you by figuring out what you missed but shouldn't have. Here are all the best moments from last night in Major League Baseball:

Diamondbacks’ second baseman Ketel Marte walked off the Dodgers on Thursday, earning Arizona a series’ split with the surging NL West leader. It’s an incredible home run, a dinger worth celebrating (unless you’re a Dodgers’ fan, naturally), so let’s go through the moment piece by piece to pick out the best parts.

First, the dinger in question, off of Tanner Scott:

Baseball rules. Oh, and check this out.

Add that bat flip to the above list, because it’s expert-level even without the mimicry. Marte has three walk-off hits already on the season, the most of anyone in the league. And there’s a whole lot of 2026 left, too.

Speaking of walk-offs and a whole lot of them, the Chicago Cubs picked up their seventh of the season on Thursday, the most in MLB. "Are the Cubs good?" is not an easy question to answer, between this, the two 10-game winning streaks and the 10-game losing streak. But it’s at least a team that feels like it could be good, and with all these wild-card spots, that might be enough even in the more crowded National League.

The hero of the day was center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, but before the walk-off, he went yard in the sixth to put the Cubs on the board and cut the Athletics’ lead to 4-1.

The A’s would respond with another pair of runs, but then left fielder Ian Happ undid that progress with a two-run shot in the seventh. Still not nearly enough, but patience: the big inning was coming.

In the bottom of the ninth, Joel Kuhnel came on in relief of Mark Leiter Jr. for the A’s. Everything began to unravel right then and there. First baseman Michael Busch led off the inning with a double, and then Happ hit a second one to cut the lead to 6-4. Second baseman Nico Hoerner singled Happ to third, but was then caught stealing — two outs. Moisés Ballesteros ripped a single to short that deflected off of Alika Williams, with third baseman Zack Gelof then unable to reel it in, either. Happ scored; 6-5, A’s.

Seiya Suzuki entered as a pinch-hitter and singled, putting the tying run in scoring position. Luis Medina then entered the game in relief of Kuhnel, but he gave up a game-tying single to the first batter he faced, shortstop Dansby Swanson, whose knock also sent Suzuki 90 feet from home plate. That brought up PCA with a chance to be the hero, and he delivered.

A complete meltdown by the Athletics in the ninth, but take heart, A’s fans: this just lost the game, not the series, and with the Mariners off on Thursday the damage to the standings was just half-a-game.

There was also this fun bit of game, before said meltdown. Designated hitter Shea Langeliers joined a strange club, as he hit a home run the traditional way in the fourth inning…

…and then in the sixth hit an inside-the-park homer for his second of the day.

Per MLB’s Sarah Langs, Langeliers is the 15th player in A’s history to have a multi-homer game with an inside-the-park shot, and just the fifth during the divisional era (1969-2026). And also per Langs, this is the eighth time that it’s happened at Wrigley Field, and the first time since 1991 when Cubs’ legend Ryne Sandberg pulled it off.

It’s worth pointing out, too, that it was Pete Crow-Armstrong who lost Langeliers’ second homer in the sky and let it fall behind him. PCA managed to make up for that mistake and then some by the end of the game, huh?

While the Cubs were able to gain a game on the Brewers — Milwaukee lost to the Giants in that series finale, 12-9 — they were not able to do the same to the NL Central’s second-place team, the Pirates. Pittsburgh took on the Houston Astros in the rubber game at Daikin Park, and it went from close to not all at once.

The Pirates were up 1-0 entering the sixth inning, as Astros’ starter Kai-Wei Teng had done a successful job of keeping the Bucs’ bats quiet, limiting them to a run and three hits. The sixth was a disaster, however: Teng allowed four consecutive hits, two of them for extra bases, and the Pirates were up 4-0 with a runner still on as he was relieved.

Second baseman Brandon Lowe led off with a double, then DH Bryan Reynolds singled him home to make it 2-0. Right fielder Ryan O’Hearn followed with his ninth homer of the year, and then third baseman Nick Gonzales knocked Teng out of the game with a single.

An error by Jeremy Peña at shortstop allowed Gonzales to come around and score to make it 5-0 later in the inning, and while Houston would hold the Pirates scoreless the rest of the way, the damage was already done.

Reliever Carmen Mlodzinski gave up one run to the Astros, but secured a four-inning save by otherwise being highly effective, and that was the series. Pittsburgh moved to just 4.5 games behind the Brewers in the Central, and sits half-a-game up for a wild-card spot, as well.

There was one bright spot for the Astros in the loss, though. Third baseman Isaac Paredes became just the fourth Mexican player in MLB to hit at least 100 home runs in his career, with this sixth-inning dinger off of Mlodzinski.

The other three players? Vinny Castillo is the all-time leader with 320, followed by Jorge Orta (130) and Aurelio Rodríguez (120). As Paredes is a) a pretty good hitter and b) just 27 years old, he’ll be climbing further up this list.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has had a power drought lately, but he’s still hitting plenty of singles and walking. When the opportunity to stretch a single into a double came up against the Braves, the Blue Jays’ first baseman seized it, even coming up against the powerful arm of right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr.

Guerrero got the best of Acuña there, but the real gold is in the post-play finger wag. Pretty great, too, considering Guerrero just looked happy to still be alive after getting to second safe. It’s not every day a baserunner wins against Acuña’s arm! It’s worth celebrating.

The Blue Jays would end up winning the game, too, 7-2. Toronto has nearly crept back to .500, at 30-33; the Braves are doing quite well despite this loss, though, thank you, as Atlanta is leading the majors with 42 wins and the fewest losses of anyone.

About that 12-9 Giants win: once again, right fielder Jung Hoo Lee was at the center of a high-scoring day for San Francisco. He finished up his May with a five-hit game against the Rockies that saw the Giants win 19-6, and on Thursday he went 4-for-5 with a double, an RBI and three runs scored.

The 27-year-old Lee, now in his third season in the majors, seems to be taking another step forward offensively. In his rookie season, he hit just .262/.310/.331 for an OPS+ of 85, but then put in an above-average performance in 2025, batting .266/.327/.407 for a 110 OPS+. This year so far, he’s added quite a bit of batting average, bringing up his line as a whole to .322/.356/.447 and a 132 OPS+.

Part of this is probably batted ball luck, but he’s also been a bit more aggressive at the plate and taking advantage of pitches he can hit earlier in the count. It’s cost him some walks, but it’s tough to argue with the results so far. Baseball really is a series of adjustments back and forth forever.

Betrayal. That’s all you can label this as. A betrayal by the mound, against Twins’ reliever Justin Lawrence. Here he is, in a tie game, throwing off the mound as pitchers always do, and a comebacker up the middle strikes the mound and sends the ball careening off its path.

What should have been a ball hit to the pitcher instead struck at the exact wrong place and angle, and shot behind Lawrence and into center field. The game had been tied, 6-6, but the Royals had loaded the bases, and third baseman Josh Rojas — who had entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Nick Loftin — managed to thread the needle and score two runners to go up 8-6.

The Twins wouldn’t answer in the bottom of the inning, and the Royals would win the opening game of this four-game series. At 25-38, Kansas City already needs every win it can get to catch up in the AL Central and wild-card races. Taking a series from the Reds and this win is a good start, but that’s all it is so far.

Caitlin Clark reveals she vomited during halftime of Fever's win, powered through illness

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 11:37:01 -0400

If you watched Caitlin Clark on Thursday night and thought she looked a little different in the second half of the Indiana Fever’s win, you’d be correct.

Clark told reporters after the Fever’s 83-71 victory over the Atlanta Dream at Gainbridge Fieldhouse that she vomited during halftime and didn’t spare any of the nauseating details.

"I haven't puked that much in a really long time," Clark said, via ESPN. "But then I felt fine. I felt light. So, I was running around feeling good in the second half, but [I] feel OK. Obviously, I'm losing my voice a little bit. But I'll be good."

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Clark powered through the illness, finishing with 17 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. She also tied her own WNBA record in the process.

During the win, she became the fastest player in WNBA history to record 150 points and 50 assists in a season. She first achieved the feat last season.

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The win was a needed one for the Fever. Head coach Stephanie White and Clark became the talk of the WNBA after a video of their heated sideline exchange went viral. The win snapped a two-game losing streak and brought them back to over .500, at 5-4.

Clark said everybody this week looked in the mirror and found ways to improve.

"A lot of people have called and asked me how I am, and I said, 'What do you mean? I'm great,'" Clark said. "I think a lot of self-reflection from everybody (this week), like look yourself in the mirror and find ways to get better. That's certainly what I did."

Clark will try to overcome her illness when the Fever look to build on their positive momentum against the New York Liberty on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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MLB stars leave divisional game after scary collision at first base leaves both injured

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 10:39:35 -0400

Two MLB players left a divisional matchup on Thursday night after a scary collision at first base.

Arizona Diamondbacks' Ildemaro Vargas and Los Angeles Dodgers' Max Muncy both crashed down to the infield dirt after a bang-bang play.

Muncy hit a ball up the line in the fifth inning and Vargas, seeing pitcher Ryne Nelson wouldn’t get to the bag in time, charged toward first. Muncy beat him to the bag, but the players collided and flew into the air.

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Both lay on the field for several minutes while trainers worked on them in a hushed stadium. Muncy got to his feet first and slowly headed to the dugout, while Vargas got up with help and walked to his dugout.

Muncy left with shortness of breath and was evaluated for, but avoided, a concussion. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he wouldn't play Friday against the Angels — it was already a scheduled day off — but could be available over the weekend.

Vargas suffered bruises all down his left side — thigh, ribs and neck. X-rays were negative, and he told manager Torey Lovullo he would be ready to play on Friday, if needed.

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Muncy told reporters he was a little banged up but will be all right.

"I really hope Vargas is OK — I sent something over to him," he said. "I’m hoping he’s doing all right, and he’s not too bad. But just a bad situation that looks like neither of us knew which direction to go."

Vargas told reporters, through an interpreter, that his "whole body" felt like he "ran into a truck."

"Those are the types of things that you see on the baseball field when two players are lying on the dirt after trying to make a hustle play," Lovullo said. "It's tough to see, but they both got off the field."

The game was the completion of a four-game set in Arizona that they split. Arizona salvaged losing the series with a 3-2 victory after the frightening moment.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Golden Knights defenseman hospitalized after taking 87 mph shot to face in horrifying scene

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 09:32:10 -0400

A terrifying scene briefly interrupted Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final Thursday night, as a player took a shot directly to the face, resulting in hospitalization.

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb skated off the ice, covering his face after being in the direct line of an 87 mph shot.

A slap shot from Carolina’s Nikolaj Ehlers hit McNabb square in the face just past the midway point of the first period. McNabb dropped his stick, went down to the ice and grabbed his nose as he skated immediately off and down the tunnel.

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The ESPN broadcast reported early in the second period that McNabb had left the arena and gone to a local hospital.

McNabb was coming off the first three-assist performance of his NHL career in Game 1. He is one of three original Golden Knights players who have been around for the franchise's entire nine-year existence and is in the final for a third time.

"You lose a guy like Nabber who logs heavy minutes, such a good teammate, plays the game so hard, it’s tough," captain Mark Stone said. "They battled as hard as they could."

SETH JARVIS SCORES OVERTIME GAME-WINNER AS HURRICANES STORM BACK FROM 2-0 DEFICIT TO EVEN STANLEY CUP FINAL

"Any time you see that happen to a teammate, especially to a guy like Nabber who is a huge part of this team, a leader, it’s tough," fellow D-man Noah Hanifin said. "It’s hard to see that happen to any guy on the ice. We’re just hoping for the best for him."

Head coach John Tortorella said he did not have an update after the game.

The Golden Knights were up 2-0 in the third period but squandered their lead quickly. After tying it with less than two minutes to go, Carolina Hurricanes' Seth Jarvis found the back of the net to tie the series at one before both teams head west.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Olympians unite to speak out against Iran for the execution of the country's star athletes

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 07:13:00 -0400

A coalition of athletes, including several Olympians, have signed a letter advocating against Iran for its history and plans to execute star athletes, as the planned execution of Iranian boxing champion Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani looms.

Sani is a boxing champion, coach and political prisoner who is currently facing an imminent risk of execution in Iran by the Ayatollah.

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He was arrested by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in March 2020 following his participation in the November 2019 nationwide protests, which were initially sparked by a sudden hike in gas prices. The Iranian judiciary charged him with "corruption on earth," which is a capital offense in the country.

The Olympians, headlined by women's tennis legend Martina Navratilova and British swimming gold medalist Sharron Davies, call on world governing powers and sports bodies to intervene to prevent the execution.

"Currently, Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani, a 31-year-old boxing champion and coach, remains on death row," the letter states.

"We call on the United Nations, international sports federations, and governments to act immediately to save the lives of Iranian dissidents, including athletes. The world must not stand by while Iran silences its champions. We stand with the victims. We stand for justice."

'KILLING OFF THE COUNTRY': IRAN EXECUTES DOZENS, ARRESTS 4,000+ IN WAR CRACKDOWN

The letter also pointed to past incidents of Iranian execution of star athletes in the country, including 19-year-old champion wrestler Saleh Mohammadi, whose execution sparked a global uproar in March.

"Since mid-March, Iran has witnessed a horrific spree of executions of political dissidents, marking one of the most severe crackdowns in the past three decades. Dozens of people have been executed following unfair trials and coerced confessions. The theocratic regime, fearing another uprising, has exploited the cover of war to suppress growing dissent. Several victims of these executions were protesters arrested during the January 2026 uprising. Among them were Saleh Mohammadi, a 19-year-old national wrestling champion, and Sasan Azadvar Joonaghan, a 21-year-old karate champion," the letter states.

"Tragically, Iran has a grim history of executing athletes for their beliefs, including Habib Khabiri, the captain of Iran’s national football team, who was executed for his affiliation with the PMOI, and Forouzan Abdi, captain of Iran’s national women’s volleyball team, who was executed alongside 30,000 political prisoners during the 1988 massacre. In 2020, Iranian wrestling champion Navid Afkari was executed after participating in peaceful protests in 2018."

The letter includes a total of 24 athlete signees, including nine Olympians and five Iranians.

Seth Jarvis scores overtime game-winner as Hurricanes storm back from 2-0 deficit to even Stanley Cup Final

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 23:50:15 -0400

The Carolina Hurricanes have evened up the Stanley Cup Final in thrilling fashion, coming back from down 2-0 to win in overtime, 4-3.

It was Seth Jarvis, who has been criticized for not having his usual production in the playoffs, hammering home a power-play one-timer to send the crowd into a frenzy as the Hurricanes salvaged a home game before heading on the road.

This game looked like another chapter in Brett Howden's surprising playoff run. The Golden Knights forward scored just 12 goals during the regular season, but his two-goal performance in this contest brought his postseason total to 13. He is in clear contention for the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the playoffs.

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His first goal of this game was from a nifty Mitch Marner floater down ice. It’s unknown if he was trying to find Howden on the other end, or just clearing his own zone, but it worked out as Howden settled the puck and was quick to snap a wrister past Frederik Anderson.

Then, just after a power play ended for Vegas, Ivan Barbashev, who scored in Game 1’s victory, found Howden streaking toward the offensive zone and put the puck right on his stick. Howden, riding high throughout these playoffs, made a tremendous move and deked out Anderson for his second goal of the game.

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The Lenovo Center crowd was silenced, as Howden’s heroics gave the Golden Knights a 2-0 lead heading into the third period. But the Stanley Cup Playoffs have a way of getting weird, and Game 2 was proof of that with a back-and-forth battle between these two teams.

Midway through the third, the Hurricanes got the goal they needed from Logan Stankoven on a hard-fought battle behind the net for a puck, which he turned into a wraparound shot past Carter Hart. It got the crowd back into the contest, and Carolina used it to their advantage.

It was Mark Jankowski getting his first goal of the playoffs joining a rush similar to Marner’s flip down ice to Howden earlier in the game. Eric Robinson was trying to get the puck to William Cartier, and a pinball effect saw it land right in front of Jankowski, who fired it off the right post and into the net. Just like that — tie game in Carolina.

With the game hanging in the balance, both teams pressed for the winner. Vegas was trying to grab a 2-0 series lead before returning home for Games 3 and 4, while Carolina was looking to protect home ice and avoid heading on the road down two games.

It looked as if Carolina was going to fulfill the comeback, as Jordan Staal tipped home a shot from Shayne Gostisbehere during a power play that came after the Golden Knights challenged a potential goal on a sprawling save by Anderson. It was a risky move by head coach John Tortorella, and it backfired with 4:35 left in the game as Carolina took the 3-2 lead.

DESPITE POTENTIAL RATINGS NIGHTMARE FOR NHL, VEGAS-CAROLINA STANLEY CUP FINAL STILL HAS PLENTY OF INTRIGUE

But Vegas found itself on the power play shortly thereafter. However, the ‘Canes played it perfectly, with the Golden Knights only getting one shot off before killing it and getting back to even strength. Vegas had no choice but to pull Hart from the net, allowing them the extra skater.

Then, Mark Stone, the Golden Knights’ captain, said not so fast, batting a puck past Anderson following a Marner shot to tie the game at three apiece with less than two minutes to play in the game. And upon video replay, it was Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin who accidentally hit the puck into Anderson, bouncing it off his shoulder and pushing it into the net.

Overtime was needed as a result, and the first break in the extra period came after Tomas Hertl, the game-winning goal scorer in Game 1, was called for tripping, sending the Hurricanes to the power play once again.

Carolina made it hurt, and now Game 3 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas should be a fun one to watch as this series has gotten off to a high-octane start.

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Aaron Judge officially out indefinitely with stress fracture in huge blow to Yankees' title hopes

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 23:04:43 -0400

The New York Yankees might be the best team in the American League in 2026.

First baseman Ben Rice has been one of the best hitters in baseball through the first third of the season. Gerrit Cole is finally back on a big league mound for the first time since 2024. Cam Schlitter has been outstanding, Cody Bellinger has been excellent in his second season in the Bronx.

But it's no secret that the Yankees will only go as far as Aaron Judge takes them. The all-world superstar, early on in the season, looked like he might be on his way to another record-setting season. But he slumped, at least by his standards, in May, putting up "just" an .805 OPS.

On Thursday, we might have found out why.

NEW YORK YANKEES GET BAD NEWS ON AARON JUDGE'S MYSTERIOUS INJURY: 'WE JUST WANT CLARITY'

Judge, for the first time this season, didn't play in Tuesday's game. And the Yankees weren't exactly forthcoming as to why. On Wednesday, Aaron Boone admitted there was some uncertainty as to what exactly the problem was.

"He’s going back for some more imaging," the Yankees manager told reporters after Wednesday's game. "They just want to get some more specific spots, and so we’ll have more on that later."

"We just want clarity on what we’re exactly dealing with," he added. "Then we can set the course of action and kind of have an idea what the timeline is going to be."

On Thursday, they got that clarity. And while it could have been worse for New York, it also could have been much better.

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The Yankees announced late Thursday evening that Judge had been diagnosed with a stress fracture of the first rib on his right side. It's expected to keep him out indefinitely, though he'll be re-examined in around 4-6 weeks to see how he's progressing. Not ideal.

But the silver lining for the Yankees organization and their fans is that "Judge is expected to return at some point this season," per the team's statement.

New York has the advantage of playing in a weak American League, all but guaranteeing a postseason spot. Even without Judge for much of the rest of the season. But the surprising Tampa Bay Rays are holding on to first in the AL East, and losing out on the division could jeopardize a potential first round bye. And of course, if he doesn't heal as hoped, this could turn into a season-ending injury.

Still, if Judge recovers and returns before October, he immediately makes the Yankees a legitimate World Series threat. Even while hurt, he remained one of baseball's most dangerous hitters. At full strength, he's a game-changing force.

World Cup Roundtable: Players To Watch, Co-Host Pressure, Who May Disappoint?

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 21:34:37 -0400

It's almost time to put the speculation and debate to rest.

We've started to see the 48 teams arriving at their training bases across Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. ahead of the greatest show in sports. The squads and the superstars are in their final preparations before things kick off at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Let's answer some big questions before the curtain rises.

Matteo Bonetti: Can Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo pull off the ultimate swan song in North America? Even in this expanded tournament with 48 teams, so much of the talking points when Argentina and Portugal play will revolve around these two generational superstars who are now in the twilight of their careers. Seeing how their managers balance sentimentality with the ruthless physical demands of modern tournament football will be pure theater.

Luis Miguel Echegaray: The expansion to 48 teams needs to have a Cinderella story in order to feel justified. So that’s what I want to see at this World Cup: For a Haiti, a Curaçao, a Cape Verde or even a Scotland to shock us with a deep run that’s so poetic, we can’t help but feel inspired. The fact that there are eight third-placed teams that can advance to the knockout round creates an even bigger incentive for some of these teams to just push through.

Brian Sciaretta: I am looking forward to watching how the American public embraces the sport compared with the 1994 World Cup — the last time USA hosted. In 1994, many Americans were getting their first exposure to soccer. It really started the growth into what we see now, where the sport is readily available on television and games are well attended. Now, the next steps of progress depend on another groundswell of public enthusiasm from a second World Cup on American soil. Will this tournament inspire more kids to play? Go to games? Understand the sport with sophistication?

Bonetti: Türkiye. Under manager Vincenzo Montella, the team has quietly become a technically brilliant, high-energy side. With elite ball-players like Real Madrid's Arda Güler and Inter Milan's Hakan Çalhanoğlu pulling the strings, it has the perfect midfield balance and creative spark to slice through a defense. Watch out for Kenan Yildiz as well. The Juventus winger is direct and electrifying when taking on his man. Türkiye is the final group-stage opponent for the USA, and that game on June 25 in Los Angeles could decide who wins Group D.

Sciaretta: I suppose it can be cheating to consider a co-host to be "under the radar," but given Canada's lack of World Cup success, I think it qualifies. There is no question that the 2022 World Cup was disappointing for Canada, but the team has responded to manager Jesse Marsch well. The 2024 Copa América run to the semifinal was a huge positive. Canada isn't deep and likely won't have star Alphonso Davies for at least the June 12 opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto, but it has some good players who play hard. When you're playing on home soil, that could be a recipe for success.

Echegaray: I have been talking about it for a while now, but I think Japan, even without winger Kaoru Mitoma, can go far. It is a deeply cohesive unit with tremendous tactical know-how, playing in a doable group. Colombia — which will feel the extreme support from its community in the U.S. — could also surprise people. The group-stage finale against Portugal in Miami on June 27 is going to be absolute cinema.

Bonetti: I'll say England. The talent is obviously there to make it a top-5 favorite. However, the crushing weight of expectation and the phrase "It's Coming Home" being used as cheeky banter make it feel like history is about to repeat itself in the Americas. Unless England finds a way to block out the noise and adapt on the fly, a highly disciplined side is going to exploit those familiar mental lapses and send the team packing long before the final.

Echegaray: The easy answer is England. After 60 years without a major trophy — I always say that despite the incredibly deep roster — the biggest obstacle to the Three Lions is themselves.

But you know what? I realize I am taking a big swing here and undoubtedly in the minority, but I don’t think things are going to go as straightforward for France as we think. It’s true, Les Bleus possess an embarrassment of riches. But the group is so competitive — Erling Haaland’s Norway and a match of extreme historical importance against Senegal (see 2002) — that France might not top it. After that, who knows? Sometimes, shocks happen, just like the aforementioned tournament in 2002 where France didn’t get out of the group. And this could be one of them. I am not saying France will be going home after the group stage, and, in fact, all odds are for the French to once again go far. But stranger things have happened in this game of ours. You just never know.

Sciaretta: Argentina is the heavyweight most likely to disappoint. It is always very difficult for defending champions, but a team that has not had a healthy turnover of players doesn't help. New blood is always needed to keep things fresh. When you try to stick with a winning formula for too long, you run the risk of Spain in 2014 or Germany in 2018, which were two examples of defending champions who faltered. This 2026 Argentina team is very similar to the 2022 version, but is it still hungry? Is age now a factor? Those are fair questions and real risks.

Sciaretta: If the U.S. team fails to perform well, it will be a massively missed opportunity. But Mexico has the most pressure. El Tri were suspended for the 1990 World Cup. Since then, they made it out of group play every tournament until 2022. Mexican fans demand and expect more. Hosting a tournament only elevates expectations. The only two times Mexico has made the quarterfinals of the World Cup is when it hosted in 1970 and 1986, and the team owns the record for the most World Cup appearances without ever reaching the semifinals. If Mexico fails to win at least a knockout game this summer, it will be catastrophic.

Bonetti: Mexico playing in Mexico City — and especially at that mythical stadium which saw Pelé and Deigo Maradona lift World Cup trophies — brings an atmosphere that is equal parts magical and completely suffocating. The fútbol-obsessed Mexican fan base demands excellence, and the media scrutiny is absolutely relentless. If El Tri stumble out of the gate on home soil, the pressure to banish past tournament failures will become entirely overwhelming. This also isn't the best Mexican side we've seen. Consensus from fans seem to suggest they believe this team is inconsistent and lacks the depth and talent of previous generations.

Echegaray: There’s no doubt that it’s the USA for multiple reasons, but mainly because so much infrastructural and economical effort has been implemented towards this World Cup — from hiring of Mauricio Pochettino to home-field venues for the group stage — that it has to do well. Not to mention that the group is more than doable. The U.S. needs a strong tournament. Anything else would be a travesty.

Bonetti: Luka Modrić. While the cameras will chase Messi and Ronaldo, Modrić remains the absolute master of dragging a team through the tournament. His spatial intelligence and engine simply defy aging. In a grueling format, his unique ability to slow down a game gives Croatia the best chance at one last magical run. He also just had a great season with AC Milan despite being in his 40s. Simply astonishing.

Echegaray: I think it’s Cristiano Ronaldo. Portugal is looking strong and a group it can win. To be fair, I actually think Roberto Martínez’s side looks more fluid without him in the starting lineup. But if you’re asking me who will go further, I think it will be the Portuguese star. I do envision a matchup of gigantic proportions in a potential quarterfinal stage between Messi and Ronaldo, and the outcome would essentially answer this question!

Sciaretta: I am also going with Modrić, who could hit an astonishing 200 appearances for Croatia at this tournament. I like manager Zlatko Dalić's roster for this World Cup. There is a nice blend of youth and experience with a bulk of players in their prime ages. Modrić is the legend, but he will have enough quality around him to ease the pressure. Because of that, I think he can make the biggest impact.

Sciaretta: Erling Haaland (Norway), Kylian Mbappé (France), Luis Díaz (Colombia)

It is hard to think of anyone with more motivation at this World Cup than Haaland, who has been one of the best forwards of his generation and will now finally get to compete for Norway in a major international tournament. The question is whether there is enough of a supporting cast around him to push Norway far enough so he can compete for the Golden Boot. But this Norwegian team has impressive, top-level talent — such as Martin Ødegaard, Alexander Sørloth and Antonio Nusa — to support Haaland. A full-strength Norwegian team can go far, and Haaland has all the ability to thrive this summer.

Echegaray: Harry Kane (England), Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain), Michael Olise (France).

I am also keeping my eye on Colombia's Luis Díaz and Vinícius Júnior with this rejuvenated Brazil under Carlo Ancelotti. Expect Haaland and Argentina's Julián Alvarez to go into the mix for all individual awards. Lamine Yamal is obvious, but it depends on his availability as the Spain superstar recovers from a hamstring injury.

Bonetti: Harry Kane (England), Kylian Mbappé (France), Luis Díaz (Colombia).

Kane and Díaz just finished sensational club seasons as the Bayern Munich teammates dominated the Bundesliga. While Mbappé’s time at Real Madrid has felt like a roller coaster despite putting up great statistics, his time with France has been a different ordeal. He was unstoppable in Qatar 2022 and has proven to be able to carry his nation on his back at a major tournament.

Alex Rodriguez Bashes Competitive Imbalance: ‘The American League Stinks'

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 20:57:02 -0400

The Boston Red Sox aren’t just suffering through a disappointing season; their future looks equally bleak. Firing manager Alex Cora failed to spark the turnaround the front office hoped for, and the club has since stalled out at 15-17 under interim manager Chad Tracy.

While Boston falters, the American League East remains in a tight race between the Tampa Bay Rays (36-23) and New York Yankees (37-25). FOX Sports analyst Alex Rodriguez looks at the division and sees a broader issue, flatly stating that the entire AL "stinks."

Appearing on FOX Sports’ First Things First, Rodriguez didn't hold back with co-hosts Nick Wright, Chris Broussard and Kevin Wildes. While discussing the Red Sox, he criticized what he sees as a major competitive imbalance between the American and National Leagues.

"I don’t think anybody’s out of it," Rodriguez said. "The American League stinks. They really do, actually. The National League is the opposite, right? If you look out West, I think if the playoffs started today, the Mariners (33-30) are in."

By comparison, the NL West is the polar opposite of the top-heavy AL East. Instead of a two-team race, the NL West features three highly competitive clubs, with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks, and San Diego Padres all sitting well above .500.

Rodriguez has lacked faith in the Red Sox since they fired Cora and game-planning coach Jason Varitek in early April. He claimed Cora was the best manager in baseball, adding that deep down, the franchise knows this isn't their year.

"I would use a different measuring stick," Rodriguez said. "I think the minute you got rid of Alex Cora, the [Red Sox] manager, who I think is the best manager in the game and Jason Varitek, they decided that this is not going to be their year."

For a team that appears to have already thrown in the towel, Rodriguez believes the rest of Boston's season is simply a countdown to October.

College Basketball Rankings: St. John's Storms Into Top 10, Kentucky Enters Top 25

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 20:30:04 -0400

The wait is finally over.

After months of transfer portal movement, recruiting battles and NBA Draft decisions, last week's withdrawal deadline brought some clarity. Fans learned which standout players would be returning to campus, who would be moving on to the pros and what rosters will actually look like entering the 2026-27 season.

There are still a few dominoes left to fall, but the picture is much more clear than it was last month.

With that in mind, here's a look at my updated men's college basketball Top 25 for the 2026-27 season.

Previous Ranking: NR

Big Blue Nation was starting to worry that Kentucky wouldn't have a top-25 roster. The late addition of Iowa State transfer Milan Momcilovic changes that. He was the top-ranked transfer available in May, and Kentucky landed him.

The retention of Malachi Moreno, who averaged 8 points and 6 rebounds per game last season, is also huge. He's due for a breakout year. A projected starting five of Zoom Diallo, Alex Wilkins, Momcilovic, Ousmane N'Diaye, and Moreno looks very solid and should have Kentucky firmly in the top-25 conversation.

Previous Ranking: 24

Losing the program's all-time leading scorer, Bruce Thornton, to graduation certainly hurts, but the talent is there for Jake Diebler's team to make some noise in the Big Ten next season. Diebler is set to welcome a strong transfer class, highlighted by former Cal guard Justin Pippen, who will join returnee John Mobley Jr. in the starting backcourt. He'll also welcome five-star freshman Anthony Thompson, the highest-rated recruit to arrive in Columbus since Jared Sullinger in 2010.

Previous Ranking: 23

After taking a second look at rosters, it’s become clear that the Cornhuskers are worthy of a spot in the Top 25. Utah Valley transfer Trevan Leonhardt is a passing wizard and a strong offensive fit in a backcourt that also features Braden Frager and Pryce Sandfort. Belmont transfer Sam Orme adds valuable shooting at the four spot. This team will score, but the question remains: can they defend?

Previous Ranking: 22

Robert Wright III's decision to return for his junior season dramatically changes the Cougars' 2026-27 outlook, giving them one of the best floor generals in the sport. He will be joined by five-star freshman standout Bruce Branch III, who is widely regarded as one of the top 2026 prospects in the nation. The Cougars will also welcome in Collin Chandler, who is set to return home after two years playing for Mark Pope and Kentucky.

Previous Ranking: 21

Miami head coach Jai Lucas should have one of the best rosters in the ACC heading into next season, but how quickly it all comes together remains to be seen. Shelton Henderson is a rising star, with the look of a future pro. He’ll be joined by a loaded transfer class, highlighted by a pair of standout additions in Villanova transfer Acaden Lewis and former Georgia big man Somto Cyril.

Previous Ranking: 20

Vanderbilt's offseason revolved around the decision of star point guard Tyler Tanner. The good news for Mark Byington's team is that Tanner withdrew from the NBA Draft and will return next season as a likely preseason first-team All-American. The not so good news is that starting forward AK Okereke, who was seeking an additional year of eligibility, will not return next year. Still, Byington had an exceptional year in the transfer portal, bringing in an impressive five-man class that includes T.O. Barrett (Missouri), Berke Buyuktuncel (Nebraska), Bangot Dak (Colorado), Ace Glass (Washington State) and Sebastian Williams-Adams (Auburn).

Previous Ranking: 19

Indiana head coach Darian DeVries completely retooled his roster this offseason, assembling a six-man transfer class that ranks sixth in the nation, per 247Sports. The group is headlined by a dominant frontcourt duo in Aiden Sherrell (Indiana) and Samet Yigitoglu (SMU). They'll be joined by former Notre Dame standout Markus Burton, who could be one of the top newcomers in the Big Ten next season if he can stay healthy.

Previous Ranking: 18

Houston coach Kelvin Sampson faces the challenge of replacing four starters from last year's team. The Cougars will need Chase McCarty and Mercy Miller to step into bigger roles next season, and will look to returning forward Joseph Tugler to take a jump into an alpha role. Sampson is set to bring in a trio of impact transfers: Dedan Thomas Jr. (LSU), Delrecco Gillespie (Kent State) and Corey Hadnot II (Purdue Fort Wayne), along with a top-25 recruiting class highlighted by five-star big man Arafan Diane.

Previous Ranking: 17

Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes is known for being one of the top defensive coaches in the nation, but the 71-year-old Barnes is set to bring in the No. 3-ranked portal class in the nation this year, and it's loaded with plenty of offensive firepower. Barnes' haul includes three players – Juke Harris (Wake Forest), Terrence Hill Jr. (VCU) and Jalen Haralson (Notre Dame) – ranked among the top 25 transfers in this country.

Previous Ranking: 16

Alabama forward Amari Allen withdrew from the NBA Draft and will provide the Crimson Tide with a steadying force on the perimeter. Beyond that, there is plenty of uncertainty surrounding Alabama's roster. Big man Aiden Sherrell transferred to Indiana, while standout guard Aden Holloway, who was arrested on felony drug charges on March 16, has announced plans to return to the university and hopes to rejoin the team. Jaxon Richardson and Qayden Samuels are both highly touted recruits who will arrive next season, but their impact remains to be seen.

Previous Ranking: 15

Continuity has been a central theme for the Cavaliers this offseason. Virginia returns four of its top six scorers from last year, including Thijs De Ridder, a 6-foot-9 forward from Belgium who led the team in scoring as a freshman. His combination of versatility and experience gives the Cavaliers a reliable offensive foundation, while returning guard Chance Mallory will be asked to take on a larger role as the team's lead initiator and playmaker.

Previous Ranking: 14

Cyclones head coach T.J. Otzelberger agreed to a contract extension that will keep him in Ames through 2036, but Iowa State will enter 2026-27 with a different roster. The departures of Tamin Lipsey, Joshua Jefferson and Milan Momcilovic leave significant holes to fill, though the return of guards Killyan Toure and Jamarion Batemon, coupled with a five-player transfer haul, should help.

Previous Ranking: 12

Guard Rodney Rice is returning from injury, while Alijah Arenas enters his sophomore season with the benefit of a full offseason in the weight room. Jacob Cofie is back to anchor the frontcourt, and the additions of KJ Lewis from Georgetown, Eric Reibe from UConn, and three top-30 freshmen give the Trojans one of the nation's most fascinating rosters. How quickly coach Eric Musselman can mold that talent into a contender will be one of the sport's biggest storylines.

Previous Ranking: 10

The exit of Meleek Thomas to the NBA hurt, but the return of Billy Richmond III was significant. This team should still be a lot of fun. Arkansas has Elite Eight potential thanks to its mix of veteran talent and the nation's top recruiting class, which includes four top-25 prospects, led by guard Jordan Smith Jr.

Previous Ranking: 11

Texas' ceiling depends on returning center Matas Vokietaitis becoming a star, but the pieces around him are in place. The Longhorns were aggressive in the transfer portal, landing David Punch from TCU and Isaiah Johnson from Colorado. Punch should pair with Vokietaitis to give Texas a strong frontcourt, while Johnson provides a steady hand at point guard.

Previous Ranking: 10

Gonzaga will get a huge boost from Braden Huff, one of the most talented players in the country, returning from an injury that kept him out of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Around Huff, coach Mark Few and the Bulldogs added Massamba Diop from Arizona State and Isiah Harwell from Houston. Both endured disappointing freshman seasons and will look to bounce back in Spokane.

Previous Ranking: 9

After making the Final Four for the first time since 2001, Arizona lost four key pieces, including freshman standout Koa Peat, who opted to remain in the NBA Draft. Head coach Tommy Lloyd will rely on returning starters Motiejus Krivas and Ivan Kharchenkov, who give the Wildcats a high floor, especially on defense. The backcourt of North Carolina transfer Derek Dixon and five-star freshman Caleb Holt will give the offense a new look.

Previous Ranking: 11

The Red Storm come bursting their way into the top 10. I already loved their roster last month, but the surprising addition of Baylor transfer Tounde Yessoufou is exactly what they needed. He’s a big-bodied guard who can impact the game on both ends of the floor, averaging 18 points and 6 rebounds per game last season.

Previous Ranking: 7

Michigan State’s star point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. will return after withdrawing from the NBA Draft. Fears, an extension of coach Tom Izzo on the court, could be a candidate for the Bob Cousy Award. He is the Spartans’ floor general, but for them to go the distance, forwards Coen Carr and Cam Ward, along with shooting guard Kur Teng, will need to step up. Anton Bonke, a transfer from Charlotte, could help offset the departures of Carson Cooper and Jaxon Kohler.

Previous Ranking: 7

Head coach Dan Hurley convinced freshman standout Braylon Mullins to return to UConn after a magical run to the 2026 national title game. Point guard Silas Demary Jr. and forward Jayden Ross are also back. Transfers Nikolas Khamenia and Najai Hines should help fill the void left by the departures of Tarris Reed Jr. and Alex Karaban.

Previous Ranking: 5

The Cardinals went out and spent a lot of money to put together a team that I think is title worthy. Let’s start with the best defensive center in the country: Flory Bidunga. He’s flanked by Iowa transfer Alvaro Folgueiras, fresh off his clutch NCAA Tournament performances. In the backcourt, Oregon transfer Jackson Shelstad runs the point and Arkansas wing transfer Karter Knox rounds out a roster that has a little bit of everything.

Previous Ranking: 4

Duke's roster blends star power and depth. The headliner is Wisconsin transfer John Blackwell, who withdrew from the NBA Draft and will help replace the loss of Isaiah Evans. Head coach Jon Scheyer also brought in a new class of five-star freshmen, as well as heralded international prospect Joaquim Boumtje-Boumtje from Spain. The foundation is Duke's returning group: Caleb Foster, Cayden Boozer, Dame Sarr and Patrick Ngongba II.

Previous Ranking: 3

One year after relying on an elite frontcourt, the core of this Michigan team will reside in its returning backcourt of Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney. Head coach Dusty May had to replace a trio of forwards projected to be first-round NBA Draft picks, and he did so with JP Estrella from Tennessee and Moustapha Thiam from Cincinnati. It’s unfair to expect the Wolverines to match last year’s defensive dominance, but don’t underestimate May’s ability to build another elite unit.

Previous Ranking: 2

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood should feel good about this group after Andrej Stojakovic withdrew from the NBA Draft and returned to the Illini. Alongside David Mirkovic and Tomislav Ivisic, Stojakovic gives Illinois one of the nation's top frontcourts. The addition of Stefan Vaaks from Providence should help offset the loss of Keaton Wagler.

Previous Ranking: 1

The Gators vaulted to No. 1 after their entire frontcourt elected to return. Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu, all key contributors on Florida's 2025 national championship team, are back after last season ended in a Round of 32 loss to Iowa. Guards Boogie Fland and Urban Klavzar will also return to Gainesville.

France Stunned By Ivory Coast, Spain Draws With Iraq In Pre-World Cup Friendlies

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 19:55:36 -0400

Guela Doué scored a goal and set up the winning strike as Ivory Coast surprised France — and Doué's brother in the French dugout — with a 2-1 victory in a World Cup tune-up match Thursday.

Amad Diallo fired home Doué's low cross from the right six minutes from time at Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes.

Rayan Cherki had put France ahead in the final minute of the first half when he left two defenders behind and beat goalkeeper Yahia Fofana with a low shot.

Fofana was frequently in action, saving the chances of Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise and again Cherki.

But Doué — whose brother Désiré Doué plays for France — received a through ball from
Nicolas Pépé to equalize eight minutes into the second half.

It was a cinematic homecoming for Ivory Coast's current manager and former player, Emerse Faé, who was born in Nantes.

Many fans waved posters with a photo of Didier Deschamps to thank the coach for a successful reign that began in 2012 and saw France win the 2018 World Cup and reach the 2022 final and will come to an end after this edition.

Deschamps had all six players involved in the Champions League final — Ousmane Dembélé, Bradley Barcola, Warren Zaire-Emery, Désiré Doué, Lucas Hernandez and William Saliba — on the bench. He used Hernandez, Zaïre-Emery and Barcola as substitutes in the second half.

France will play one more tune-up — against Northern Ireland on Monday in Lille — before heading to the United States.

France opens its campaign against Senegal on June 16 in New Jersey.

Ivory Coast meets Ecuador in its opener in Philadelphia on June 14.

Spain — another World Cup favorite — was held 1-1 at home by Iraq in La Coruña.

Playing without forwards Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, Spain took a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute on Ferran Torres' goal.

Merchas Doski's left-footed strike from just outside the box beat goalkeeper Joan Garcia to equalize before the half-hour mark.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said he expects Yamal to be fit to face Cape Verde in the team’s World Cup opener in Atlanta on June 15.

De la Fuente rested David Raya, Martin Zubimendi and Fabián Ruiz — who all participated in the Champions League’s final. Recently injured Mikel Merino came on as a substitute.

Spain is scheduled to play one more tune-up game — against Peru in Mexico on Monday.

Iraq meets Norway in its World Cup opener in Massachusetts on June 16.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.