Turkey beats US 3-2 with last-gasp goal as Americans look ahead to World Cup knockout stage
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Kaan Ayhan scored on the final kick of the match, and Turkey beat the United States 3-2 for its only win of the World Cup. Auston Trusty scored in the third minute and Sebastian Berhalter got a tying goal early in the second half for the Americans, who had already won the group with victories over Paraguay and Australia. Pochettino fielded nine new starters for this low-stakes game, but Christian Pulisic entered in the 58th minute. Turkey won in the eighth minute of stoppage time when Can Uzun got the ball in space on the back post and got it to Ayhan.
MLB proposes limiting most free agent contracts to 5 years and 15% of a team's salary cap
Major League Baseball proposed limiting most free agent contracts to five years and 15% of a team’s salary cap and to eliminate deferred compensation, fleshing out details of a salary cap plan likely to spark a confrontation with the players’ association that could lead to the first loss of regular-season games since 1995. During a bargaining session Thursday at the union’s office, MLB said it would accept the union’s proposal granting free agency a year early for players who have reached age 30 as part of a salary cap system. MLB also proposed boosting the minimum salary from $780,000 to $1 million for those with two years of big league service.
Hornets trade LaMelo Ball, Josh Green to Timberwolves for Naz Reid, draft picks, AP source says
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A person familiar with the situation says the Charlotte Hornets have agreed to trade point guard LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round draft pick, three first-round pick swaps and three future second-round picks. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because the deal has yet to be approved by the league. ESPN was first to report the trade. The three first-round pick swaps will be in 2028, 2029 and 2030. The Hornets also will get three second-round picks in 2029, 2032 and 2033. Charlotte also agreed to a three-year, $74 million contract with point guard Coby White to replace Ball. White, who backed up Ball last year, was set to become an unrestricted free agent.
Australia clinches knockout round spot with 0-0 draw; Paraguay also likely to advance
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Australia and Paraguay played to a 0-0 draw in a result that clinched a spot in the knockout round of the World Cup for the Socceroos and will likely be enough for the Paraguayans to advance. The winner of this game was assured second place behind the United States in Group D with also clinching that spot with a draw thanks to a better goal differential than Paraguay. But the draw that gave Paraguay four points in the group also was likely to be enough barring a string of bad results in the final two days of group play.
Ecuador advances to World Cup knockout rounds, beats Germany 2-1 on Plata's 77th-minute goal
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Gonzalo Plata poked the ball past Manuel Neuer in the 77th minute and Ecuador advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup by rallying for a 2-1 win over Germany. The Germans, who clinched first place in Group E with victories in their first two games, went ahead on Leroy Sané’s second-minute goal. Nilson Angulo scored Ecuador’s first goal of the tournament in the ninth minute. Plata scored after a corner kick was nodded on by Kevin Rodríguez. Ecuador finished third in the group with four points and advanced past the group stage for the second time.
Detroit Lions player Terrion Arnold is charged with directing attack against 3 people in Florida
DETROIT (AP) — Detroit Lions player Terrion Arnold has been charged in Tampa, Florida, with leading a plot to detain and pistol-whip three people whom he believed had stolen from him. The crimes could carry a sentence of up to life in prison. Tampa police say Arnold believed the young men had stolen $100,000 and luxury goods from him at an Airbnb rental in February. But investigators found they had nothing to do it. Arnold's lawyer says the NFL player “absolutely” denies the allegations. Arnold remains locked up until the next hearing Monday.
Marina Mabrey matches WNBA scoring record with 53 points to help Toronto rout Los Angeles
TORONTO (AP) — Marina Mabrey matched the WNBA scoring record with 53 points to help the Toronto Tempo rout the Los Angeles Sparks 125-97 on Thursday night. Mabrey tied the mark set by Liz Cambage for Dallas against New York on July 17, 2018, and matched by A’ja Wilson for Las Vegas at Atlanta on Aug. 22, 2023. When Mabrey checked out of the game with a minute remaining, fans briefly booed before erupting into cheers in acknowledgement of her big night. The clock ticked down to zero with chants of “We Want Mabrey! We Want Mabrey!” The 29-year-old former Notre Dame star was 17 of 28 from the field, tied the WNBA record for 3-pointers with nine in 18 attempts, and made 10 of 12 free throws.
WNBA suspends Alyssa Thomas 1 game for hit to Caitlin Clark's throat
NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA has suspended Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas for one game after she made contact with her fist to Caitlin Clark’s throat in Wednesday night’s matchup against Indiana. It happened with 6:52 left in the second quarter and was deemed to be a non-basketball act. The league gave Thomas a Flagrant Foul 2 penalty for it. No foul was called on the play by officials. The WNBA is allowed to review a game to reclassify a Flagrant foul or to classify as Flagrant any foul not called as such during a game. Thomas will serve her suspension on Saturday when the Mercury visit the Toronto Tempo.
Iran and FIFA refuse to answer questions about Seattle’s World Cup ‘Pride Match’ vs. Egypt
SEATTLE (AP) — Iran's coach and FIFA officials have refused to answer questions about a World Cup “Pride Match” in Seattle. Local organizers are honoring the city's LGBTQ+ community when Iran faces Egypt on Friday. The countries are two of the most repressive places in the world for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. In December, both countries asked for the Pride-themed celebrations to be canceled. A FIFA spokesperson asked reporters before Iran's news conference on Thursday to stick to soccer-related questions. And Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei says his team won't be focused on anything happening off the field.
Ina Yoon opens the Women's PGA Championship at Hazeltine with a record-tying 63
CHASKA, Minn. (AP) — Ina Yoon matched the best score in the history of the Women’s PGA Championship with a 9-under 63 to take a two-stroke lead over Karis Davidson on Thursday in the third major of the season. Yoon, a 23-year-old South Korean seeking her first LPGA Tour victory, birdied five of her last six holes at Hazeltine National Golf Club with a putter that was consistently on point. Nelly Korda, who’s aiming to become just the third women to win the first three major tournaments on the schedule, had a 70. Davidson had eight birdies on the way to a career-best 65 on a calm and partly cloudy afternoon.
