U.S./World Sports category, Page 354
U.S. soccer escapes vs. Spain to advance to World Cup quarterfinalVideo
REIMS, France — Spain tested the United States like no other team at the Women’s World Cup. The Spaniards played an aggressive and physical game that made the U.S. look disorganized at times before pulling out a 2-1 victory on Monday. It could have been just what the Americans needed:...
Chez Reavie holds on for 1st PGA Tour win in 11 years
CROMWELL, Conn. — Chez Reavie is a PGA Tour winner again after 11 years and 250 events. Reavie won the Travelers Championship on Sunday, closing with a 1-under-par 69 for a four-stroke victory over Keegan Bradley and Zack Sucher. The 37-year-old Reavie, whose first title came as a rookie at...
It’s teacher vs. pupil when Michigan faces Vanderbilt in College World Series
OMAHA, Neb. — Vanderbilt coach Tim Corbin gets right to the point when he discusses his protege, Erik Bakich. He’s proud of him. He’s impressed with what he has accomplished at Michigan. He’s his biggest fan. Now he wants to beat him. Corbin’s Commodores and Bakich’s Wolverines never have played...
Martin Truex Jr. wins road race at Sonoma, continues dominance for Gibbs Racing
SONOMA, Calif. — Martin Truex Jr. won the NASCAR Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway for the second straight year Sunday, comfortably holding off teammate Kyle Busch for his fourth victory of the season. Truex won for the fourth time in the last eight points-paying races, earning his 23rd career...
Confident U.S. women’s team set to meet upstart Spain in World Cup
REIMS, France — Spain coach Jorge Vilda says part of the challenge in facing the United States is making sure his players aren’t intimidated by the defending Women’s World Cup champions. Spain faces the top-ranked U.S. team Monday in Reims, marking the first time La Roja will appear in the...
England beats seething Cameroon 3-0 to advance in World CupVideo
VALENCIENNES, France — As the Cameroon players protested and play was delayed, England’s staff and players watched in disbelief. “I didn’t know what was going on,” England coach Phil Neville said. “Are they going to walk off?” Twice, the English couldn’t be sure if Sunday’s Women’s World Cup last-16 game...
U.S. men gain measure of revenge, romp Trinidad and Tobago
CLEVELAND — Gyasi Zardes scored two goals in a three-minute span in the second half, and the U.S. men’s soccer team earned a small sample of revenge with a 6-0 blowout in the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Saturday night over Trinidad and Tobago, which handed the Americans a nightmarish loss...
Report: UConn in talks to move back into Big East
A Connecticut official said the school is working to leave the American Athletic Conference and return to the Big East for basketball and other sports. The official confirmed Saturday there have been talks with the Big East, but said they were not aware any invitation had been extended. The school...
Break finished, NASCAR takes Carousel ride at Sonoma
SONOMA, Calif. — The Cup Series drivers had a rare break from their grinding schedule last week, and they’re returning to competition at a NASCAR stop that sometimes feels like a vacation. Most drivers have spent the week enjoying wine tasting sessions and extravagant meals at the wineries and restaurants...
US Soccer, women’s national players agree to mediate lawsuit
REIMS, France — U.S. Soccer and players for the women’s national team tentatively agreed to mediate a lawsuit that accuses the federation of gender discrimination and seeks equitable pay. The federation and representatives for the players confirmed the agreement, first reported in the Wall Street Journal, to pursue mediation after...
Sonoma’s new turn: NASCAR takes a ride on ‘The Carousel’
SONOMA, Calif. — This twisty road course in Northern California wine country already provided one of the NASCAR Cup Series’ biggest challenges and best rides of the year. And now the drivers also are going for a ride on “The Carousel” this weekend. That’s the name for a section of...
The NBA Draft is over. Now on the clock: Free agencyVideo
Now on the clock: Chaos. The NBA offseason is about to kick into high gear. A draft that had good bits of intrigue — at least after New Orleans’ Zion Williamson, Memphis’ Ja Morant and New York’s R.J. Barrett were chosen first, second and third in moves that were widely...
Winners and losers from NBA Draft
NEW YORK — A trade-heavy NBA draft officially is in the books. Here’s a rundown of the winners and losers from Thursday’s festivities, which saw the New Orleans Pelicans select Zion Williamson with the top pick, Oregon Ducks center Bol Bol flee the green room after he slipped to the...
World Cup’s top teams enter knockout stage on roll
While it may be tempting to look ahead to the quarterfinals and a possible clash with France, the defending champion U.S. has thrived at the Women’s World Cup by keeping its focus on the present. The Americans will face Spain in the round of 16 on Monday in Reims as...
Michigan State OKs independent probe of handling of Nassar
EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State on Friday authorized what officials said would be an independent investigation into the handling of sexual assault complaints against now-imprisoned former sports doctor Larry Nassar, the school’s latest attempt to rebuild trust with his victims and the campus community. The board of trustees voted...
Zion Williamson to Pelicans with No. 1 pick of NBA Draft
NEW YORK — Zion Williamson plays with force and ferocity, a Hulk in hightops who looks like he’d never show a soft side. Draft night proved otherwise. Williamson was the No. 1 pick of the New Orleans Pelicans — a surprise to nobody who watched basketball this past season. But...
U.S. defeats rival Sweden 2-0, finishes atop groupVideo
LE HAVRE, France — The defending champion U.S. national team faced its toughest test of the Women’s World Cup and remained dominant Thursday night, beating Sweden 2-0 to serve up a measure of revenge against the team that stunned the confident Americans in the last Olympics. Lindsey Horan scored within...
Christen Press stays positive entering World Cup match vs. Sweden
LE HAVRE, France — A devastating missed penalty kick by Christen Press in a loss at the Olympics could have been the lowest point of her career. Instead, it was a motivator and defining moment for the American forward. “I think when I look back on my career, all the...
Police release video, search for brawlers at youth baseball game
LAKEWOOD, Colo. — Colorado authorities said they are investigating a fist fight between adults over a teenage umpire’s calls during a youth baseball game involving 7-year-olds. Video shot by spectators shows men exchanging punches on the field. Lakewood police spokesman John Romero said police want help identifying a man shown...
Michel Platini: ‘It hurts,’ soccer star says of police questioning
PARIS — After a day of police questioning centering on his former role as a top decision-maker in soccer, Michel Platini was released from custody without charge in the early hours Wednesday and said he found the experience painful given “everything I’ve done” in the sport. Summoned Tuesday morning to...
Zion’s time: Williamson center of attention at NBA draft
NEW YORK — Zion Williamson smiled his way through nearly half an hour of questions, trying to portray himself like any player just hoping to be drafted. Suddenly, a tall, thin newcomer pushed his way to the front of the shoulder-to-shoulder swarm surrounding Williamson and shot down that idea. “What...
Grizzlies trade Mike Conley to Jazz for 3 players, 2 picks
The Memphis Grizzlies traded away the final piece of the franchise’s best years Wednesday, sending veteran point guard Mike Conley to the Utah Jazz for a trio of players, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press. The Grizzlies swapped Conley for forward Jae Crowder, guard/forward Kyle Korver...
Boxing body near bankrupt, facing 2020 Olympic exclusion
LAUSANNE, Switzerland — The International Boxing Association says it is near bankruptcy, days before a decision to formally exclude the body from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. AIBA chief executive Tom Virgets has told board members it will be insolvent if International Olympic Committee members derecognize the troubled body as expected...
Tim Benz: Eliminate drafts? Please. Stop feeling bad for athletes
In the NFL this offseason, we heard a lot of wailing on behalf of Le’Veon Bell because he was a victim of that mean ol’ franchise tag. And some even praised Antonio Brown for forcing his way out of a valid contract in Pittsburgh. Because, you know, those nasty owners...
U.S. women welcome tough test vs. Sweden in World Cup
LE HAVRE, France — Victory is the goal for the United States in its group stage finale against Sweden, even though a loss might give the Americans an easier path through the knockout rounds of the Women’s World Cup. “I think it’s in our team’s DNA to want to win...
