AP Sports Digest

Here are the AP’s top sports stories that have moved or are planned to move today. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan. Sports content can be found at http://newsroom.ap.org/page/APSports.

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UPCOMING

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LT-WCUP-MEXICO-MISSING STICKERS

DESCRIPTION: As Guadalajara hosts matches during the 2026 World Cup, families searching for missing relatives have transformed one of soccer’s most familiar images, the Panini, into a campaign to make Mexico’s 135,000 missing people visible to the tens of thousands of visitors passing through.

UPCOMING: By 06/20/2026 3:00 a.m. EDT, Photo, Video, Text

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BKN--NBA DRAFT-BIG MEN

DESCRIPTION: Michigan’s Aday Mara is a lottery prospect and the top big man set to hear their name called in next week’s NBA draft. The list of top bigs includes Kentucky’s Jayden Quaintance, Washington’s Hannes Steinbach and Houston’s Chris Cenac Jr. By Aaron Beard. Text, photos.

UPCOMING: By 06/20/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT

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CAR--NASCAR-SAN DIEGO PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: NASCAR will make its return to Southern California in a unique way this weekend with the inaugural race at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego. The 16-turn, 3.4-mile layout will mark the second street course in the 77-year history of the Cup Series and the first to be held on a military installation. Picturesque views of battleships and the bay will be juxtaposed with a track that’s expected to be the roughest in five seasons of the Next Gen car. By Nate Ryan. Text, file photos. With qualifying separate.

UPCOMING: By 06/20/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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HKN--HURRICANES-CHAMPIONSHIP PARADE

DESCRIPTION: RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes have a downtown prade and rally Saturday after winning the franchise’s second Stanley Cup last weekend. By Aaron Beard. Text, photos.

UPCOMING: By 06/20/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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SOC--WORLD CUP COVERAGE

SOC--WCUP-PINK BOOTS

DESCRIPTION: Of all the rainbow of colors during the World Cup, one is sticking out: pink. Players on teams from all over are wearing pink boots, and it not a coincidence. Nike, Adidas, Puma, Skechers and New Balance are among the shoe companies that manufactured pink boots for players in this tournament. Pink sticks out in person and on TV against the green grass of the pitch, and developers chose it because athletes associate the color with confidence. By Stephen Whyno. Text, photos.

UPCOMING: By 06/20/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT

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WITH: SOC--WCUP-IRAN RETURNS

DESCRIPTION: INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Iran returns to the Los Angeles area one day before its second World Cup match after being denied an earlier arrival. Team Melli is upset with many aspects of its treatment by U.S. officials while their nations are at war. By Greg Beacham. 600 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 06/20/2026 11:00 p.m. EDT

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BBC--CWS FINALS

DESCRIPTION: OMAHA, Neb. — North Carolina and Oklahoma meet in Game 1 of the College World Series finals. By Eric Olson. 650 words, photos. Game starts 3 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 06/20/2026 6:30 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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GLF--LPGA TOUR

DESCRIPTION: BELMONT, Mich. — Jing Yan took a one-stroke lead into the weekend in the Meijer LPGA Classic, the final event before the major KPMG Women’s PGA Championship next week at Hazeltine. 250 words.

UPCOMING: By 06/20/2026 7:45 p.m. EDT, Text

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GLF--US OPEN

DESCRIPTION: SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — Wyndham Clark takes a four-shot lead into the weekend at windy Shinnecock Hills. Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy were seven shots behind. By Golf Writer Doug Ferguson. 750 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 06/20/2026 8:30 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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SOC--WCUP-TURKEY-PARAGUAY

Paraguay beats Turkey 1-0 at the World Cup despite being down a man to clinch Group D for U.S.

SUMMARY: Matias Galarza scored 65 seconds into the game for the fastest goal at this year’s World Cup and Paraguay held on for a 1-0 win over Turkey after playing a man down for more than half the match. Paraguay was short-handed after Miguel Almiron was issued a red card late in the first half for violating a new rule banning players from covering their mouth during a confrontation. But goalkeeper Orlando Gill made several key saves to preserve the lead. The win assured the United States would win Group D and eliminated Turkey from any chance of advancing to the knockout round with its second straight loss.

WORDS: 487 - MOVED: 06/20/2026 1:12 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:39092d1e8e7a5e2fbdd840886cdb749a&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-US-AUSTRALIA

US reaches World Cup knockout round and wins its group with 2nd straight victory, 2-0 over Australia

SUMMARY: The United States has advanced to the knockout round at the World Cup without injured forward Christian Pulisic. The Americans beat Australia 2-0 on Friday at Lumen Field in Seattle. A deep U.S. roster overcame Pulisic’s absence to clinch a knockout berth after two matches for the first time. The Americans later won Group D when Paraguay beat Turkey. Pulisic was sidelined because of a calf injury. The U.S. took a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute on an own-goal. Alex Freeman gave the Americans a 2-0 lead in the 43rd minute when he headed in a deflected shot for his first career World Cup goal.

WORDS: 687 - MOVED: 06/20/2026 1:08 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:be65bf85eac80da9fd999af080bb300c&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-BRAZIL-HAITI

Matheus Cunha scores 2 goals as Brazil eliminates Haiti from World Cup with 3-0 win

SUMMARY: Vinícius Júnior scored and assisted on one of Matheus Cunha’s two goals as five-time champion Brazil eliminated Haiti from the World Cup with a 3-0 victory. Haiti, the Western Hemisphere’s poorest nation that qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1974, became the first team guaranteed not to reach the knockout round. Meanwhile, the Seleção got the decisive performance they needed. Cunha got the start and showed with every surf-and-slide goal celebration why he should have been in the starting lineup in Brazil’s listless 1-1 draw against Morocco.

WORDS: 788 - MOVED: 06/20/2026 12:34 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:273a340acf4031717f1a0332b369f55b&mediaType=text

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BBO--RED SOX-MARINERS-NO-HITTER

Red Sox left-hander Ranger Suarez loses no-hit bid in 7th inning against Mariners

SUMMARY: Boston Red Sox pitcher Ranger Suarez lost his no-hit bid against the Seattle Mariners when Josh Naylor doubled with one out in the seventh inning Friday night. The 30-year-old lefty issued a leadoff walk in the seventh to Cal Raleigh before Julio Rodríguez flied out. Naylor then lined a double up the right-center alley for Seattle’s first hit. Boston led 5-0 after scoring four runs in the top of the seventh. Suarez retired the first 10 batters he faced before walking Raleigh in the fourth. Suarez followed by striking out Rodríguez and getting Naylor to line out to second base. Suarez is in his first season with Boston after spending his first eight with Philadelphia.

WORDS: 145 - MOVED: 06/20/2026 12:07 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:25399f7f9657c20a4b8581735a0decb5&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-TUNISIA-RENARD

Tunisia’s new coach draws inspiration from Cape Verde’s success ahead of Japan match

SUMMARY: Tunisia is looking to Cape Verde for inspiration ahead of its next World Cup game against Japan, says newly appointed coach Hervé Renard. The team needs at least a point to have a chance at qualifying for the knockout stage. Cape Verde’s recent 0-0 draw with Spain gives Tunisia hope. Renard, hired after Tunisia’s 5-1 loss to Sweden, has had only a few days to prepare for Saturday’s match. Japan is ranked 17th by FIFA, significantly higher than Tunisia. Renard emphasizes teamwork and determination, while Japan’s coach expects a different Tunisia team under Renard’s leadership.

WORDS: 419 - MOVED: 06/19/2026 10:09 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0aa411d8d2980e811d387188d52dc52f&mediaType=text

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SWM--WORLD RECORD-50 FREE

Kate Douglass breaks the women’s 50-meter freestyle world record in 23.59

SUMMARY: Kate Douglass has broken the world record in the women’s 50-meter freestyle at the Tyr Pro Swim Series meet in Indianapolis. She won the final in 23.59 seconds, bettering Sarah Sjostrom’s mark of 23.61 set in July 2023. Sjostrom had held the seven fastest times in history. Gretchen Walsh was second in 23.78, making her the fourth-fastest performer ever. Anna Moesch finished third in 24.30. Douglass says her time is faster than she ever expected.

WORDS: 189 - MOVED: 06/19/2026 9:46 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ace3ce09f083c8074550daf1f1d33cc7&mediaType=text

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GLF--US OPEN

Wyndham Clark builds 4-shot lead at US Open with lowest 36-hole score at Shinnecock

SUMMARY: Wyndham Clark has the lowest 36-hole score ever for a U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. He finished off a 64 with two pars in the morning to complete the first round. He added a 69 in the second round and has a four-shot lead over four players. Xander Schauffele had a 66 and Matt Fitzpatrick had a 70 and were tied for second. Joining them in the afternoon were Sam Stevens and Tom Kim. Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy were lurking seven shots back. Bryson DeChambeau missed the cut in his third straight major, and Jon Rahm also left early.

WORDS: 1070 - MOVED: 06/19/2026 9:43 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:92d9dcd5227361d0a694f3430e16f951&mediaType=text

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GLF--US OPEN-CLARK’S JOURNEY

A year after smashing a locker, Wyndham Clark finds himself leading at another US Open

SUMMARY: The smashed-up locker at Oakmont last year is as much a part of Wyndham Clark’s resume as the U.S. Open title he won two years before that. Clark says he’s working hard to regain any fans he might have lost after that meltdown at last year’s U.S. Open sullied his reputation. He enters the weekend at this year’s U.S. Open at 7-under par, with a four-shot lead and in good position to win the title for the second time. The 2023 champion says golf, like life, is a product of peaks and valleys and doing the hard work it takes to get back on top again.

WORDS: 894 - MOVED: 06/19/2026 9:37 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ce2e1ceed0f6b6f5c04840cda961a108&mediaType=text

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GLF--US OPEN-CUT

DeChambeau sputters and leads parade of former champions to miss cut at US Open

SUMMARY: Two ugly three-putts led to a pair of double bogeys early in the second round of the U.S. Open for Bryson DeChambeau and he never recovered. He shot 5-over 75 to finish at 145 and lead an all-star cast of former U.S. Open champions who missed the cut and are going home for the weekend. DeChambeau, the 2020 and ’24 champion, missed his third straight cut in a major. He joined 2017 and ’18 winner Brooks Koepka, 2021 winner Jon Rahm and defending champion J.J. Spaun on the sideline. Koepka’s streak of 11 straight made cuts at the U.S. Open got snapped. It was the longest active streak.

WORDS: 587 - MOVED: 06/19/2026 8:42 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:23f18c3d334ab5ec1a6e4f88da1b448a&mediaType=text

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GLF--LPGA TOUR

Jing Yan shoots 66 at breezy Blythefield to take Meijer LPGA Classic lead

SUMMARY: Jing Yan shot a 6-under 66 on Friday to take the second-round lead in the Meijer LPGA Classic, the final event before the major KPMG Women’s PGA Championship next week at Hazeltine. Yan had a bogey-free afternoon round to get to 10 under in breezy conditions at Blythefield Country Club. The 30-year-old American is winless on the LPGA Tour. Lottie Woad of England and Cassie Porter of Australia were a stroke back. Woad shot 66, and Porter had a 68. First-round leader Yan Liu of China was 8 under with Minji Kang of South Korea. Liu had a 70, and Kang shot 68. Two-time winner Brooke Henderson was 5 under, following an opening 73 with a 66.

WORDS: 259 - MOVED: 06/19/2026 7:17 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8e5003f7b99b597f431bb7aeabfb3889&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-FANS-PHOTO GALLERY

World Cup fans flood stadiums and fan zones with dazzling costumes, facepaint and flags — in photos

WORDS: 42 - MOVED: 06/19/2026 7:15 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1d86f9b4c972d1537f88f906b56d49d3&mediaType=text

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BBC--CWS FINALS

North Carolina going for 1st national title in baseball in CWS finals against surging Sooners

SUMMARY: North Carolina will be going for its first national championship in baseball when it faces Oklahoma in the College World Series finals. The best-of-three series opens Saturday. Both teams went 3-0 in CWS bracket play. The Tar Heels have been a model of consistency. They have lost consecutive games just once this season and have been ranked no lower than No. 4 by D1Baseball.com the last two months. The Sooners lost six of nine series in Southeastern Conference play and finished 11th in the league. They are averaging 10.4 runs per game with 22 homers during their eight-game win streak.

WORDS: 802 - MOVED: 06/19/2026 6:38 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8551ea47b84b2765e44f023b40d96ac1&mediaType=text

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GLF--US OPEN-DJ’S MELTDOWN

Dustin Johnson goes from 1 shot behind to scrambling to make the U.S. Open cut

SUMMARY: Dustin Johnson was looking like the DJ of old. He swinging freely and powerfully. He was one shot out of the lead going to the 11th hole. Four holes later he was 11 shots behind in a shocking meltdown in the U.S. Open. Johnson went from chasing the leader to scrambling to make the cut, all because of rocks in the sand. He hit into five bunkers in two holes. One led to double bogey. The other led to quadruple bogey. It added to 78. Johnson says he won’t rule himself out yet because anything can happen at Shinnecock Hills.

WORDS: 692 - MOVED: 06/19/2026 5:35 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:809bfa12d5f41a36bbdf1de043feeb92&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-IRAN-TRAVEL

Iran says it’s being treated unfairly. Its World Cup travel schedule isn’t unique

SUMMARY: Iran says it unfairly is being asked to travel to World Cup matches on the day before games and return immediately after, but that schedule itself is not uncommon among teams. Team Melli made the 127-mile charter flight from Tijuana International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport the day before its opening 2-2 draw against New Zealand on Monday. Iran returned to Mexico right after the match. The team’s request to travel to LA two days before Sunday’s match against Belgium was also denied. It says it will lodge a complaint against FIFA. Many teams are traveling the day before matches.

WORDS: 709 - MOVED: 06/19/2026 5:27 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9e00284711529c8e5120279086f60065&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-SCOTLAND-BOSTON FEVER

Scotland fans have descended on Boston for the World Cup, and bars are struggling to keep up

SUMMARY: Scotland fans have brought a festive atmosphere to Boston during the World Cup. The Tartan Army, as they’re known, has filled bars and restaurants, boosting the local economy and challenging beer supplies. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey extended bar hours, and thousands of Scots have flocked to the area. Tennent’s Lager, Scotland’s top beer, has been in high demand, with bars like The Haven increasing orders to keep up. Boston’s Sam Adams taproom even ran out of its famed Boston Lager. The celebration has been compared to St. Patrick’s Day, with local politicians joining in the festivities.

WORDS: 919 - MOVED: 06/19/2026 5:25 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5992eaa47790538882afe8a7270d653e&mediaType=text

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GLF--US OPEN-NIEMANN

Joaquin Niemann penalized for throwing club at US Open

SUMMARY: Joaquin Niemann’s bad first round of the U.S. Open has become even worse. He was given a two-shot penalty for throwing a club on the sixth hole at Shinnecock Hills. That turned his 9 on the hole into an 11. He wound up with 78. It’s the latest example of golf trying to crack down on bad behavior. The USGA has a code of conduct policy. But all golf organizations have been meeting to develop a consistent plan. The Masters used it for the first time this year when issuing a conduct warning to Sergio Garcia for breaking his driver.

WORDS: 858 - MOVED: 06/19/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ead036fd6e2bd33e3be850e4a7ee3cd2&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-US-PULISIC

Christian Pulisic to miss US World Cup match against Australia because of calf injury

SUMMARY: U.S. star Christian Pulisic will miss the World Cup match against Australia because of a calf injury and was replaced in the starting lineup by Ricardo Pepi. United States coach Mauricio Pochettino made the announcement during an interview with Fox about 90 minutes before kickoff at Lumen Field in Seattle. The move is a setback for a U.S. team that defeated Paraguay 4-1 in its opener and with a win would clinch advancement to the round of 32. Pulisic left the game at halftime after helping create the opening goal and then setting up Folarin Balogun for the second goal.

WORDS: 475 - MOVED: 06/19/2026 2:47 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b6f56e725bff81703b5bfb7dd41255d5&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-VOZINHA’S FAMILY

Cape Verde’s star goalkeeper Vozinha gets a family boost before Uruguay clash

SUMMARY: Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha has his family supporting him as his team continues its World Cup journey. Vozinha, 40, was named player of the match in Cape Verde’s goalless draw against Spain on Monday, gaining international attention. His father, brother are cheering him on in the U.S. and are expected to be joined soon by his mother. Vozinha expressed joy at having his family nearby, calling it a meaningful part of his World Cup experience. Cape Verde fans, including those in the U.S., are celebrating the team’s historic debut. The archipelago nation was the only debutant to avoid defeat in its first game.

WORDS: 655 - MOVED: 06/19/2026 2:35 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e1a926415936ddefc2680ba94103e195&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-US-AUSTRALIA PREVIEW

US hopes to give fans reason to revel when it faces Australia in Seattle, even without Pulisic

SUMMARY: Cristian Roldan is familiar with how loud Lumen Field can get. The U.S. midfielder has played for the Seattle Sounders since 2015, getting plenty of love from fans in this soccer-crazed Pacific Northwest city. With the Americans coming off a 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their World Cup opener in Southern California, Roldan is expecting a charged atmosphere on Friday when the Americans face Australia at the home of the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks. The Americans’ excitement is somewhat tempered by concerns about star Christian Pulisic, who is missing the game with a calf injury.

WORDS: 444 - MOVED: 06/19/2026 2:14 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e14dd7b0880a2c43474d8ed75ee2bcd0&mediaType=text

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BKL--FUDD-PROJECT B

Azzi Fudd joins globe-trotting Project B, chasing her dream of playing abroad

SUMMARY: Azzi Fudd has announced she will play in Project B this offseason. The No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft this year made the announcement on social media Friday. Fudd joins No. 3 pick Awa Fam as part of the new 5-on-5 league that will play all over the world from November to April. So far about a dozen players have said they’ll be playing in Project B, headlined by Nneka Ogwumike, Alyssa Thomas, Jonquel Jones, Jewell Loyd and Kelsey Mitchell. Many young players from around the world are expected to play in the league as well.

WORDS: 251 - MOVED: 06/19/2026 2:00 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f69e3d3bf060aa999a020bc21ccb1f04&mediaType=text