AP National Sports

By RONALD BLUM AP Sports Writer DOHA, Qatar (AP) — John Herdman wants to remain as Canada’s coach through the 2026 World Cup in North America after leading the nation to its return to soccer’s top tournament. In the World Cup for the first time since 1986, Canada outplayed Belgium in an opening 1-0 loss,

MILAN (AP) — World champion Remco Evenepoel will compete in next year’s Giro d’Italia. It will be the first time a reigning world champion has ridden in the Giro since Mark Cavendish in 2012. Evenepoel rides for the Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl team. Evenepoel became Belgium’s first Grand Tour winner in 44 years when he won

By JAMES ROBSON AP Soccer Writer DOHA, Qatar (AP) — For Harry Kane the wait for a first goal at this World Cup goes on. Kane was substituted after 58 minutes of England’s 3-0 win against Wales. The 29-year-old striker embraced his replacement Callum Wilson and made his way to the bench to watch the

By DANIELLA MATAR AP Sports Writer MILAN (AP) — One important person stands to potentially benefit from the latest Juventus scandal that has sent shockwaves throughout the soccer world. Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri’s job was seemingly at risk less than two months ago but the Bianconeri’s off-the-field problems could give him more power at the

By ANDREW DAMPF AP Sports Writer DOHA , Qatar (AP) — When Belgium’s “Golden Generation” meets Croatia’s accomplished veterans in a decisive World Cup match on Thursday there won’t be much room on the field for younger players. The 2018 finalist Croatia and the 2018 semifinalist Belgium each rely on a vast array of experienced

By BERNIE WILSON AP Sports Writer SAN DIEGO (AP) — It’s the middle of the afternoon and Jada Williams begins a live stream on Instagram. In a heartbeat, more than 1,000 of her 671,000 followers join the broadcast and begin typing in questions and comments. Williams does her best to follow along as the comments

By BERNIE WILSON AP Sports Writer SAN DIEGO (AP) — Some high school athletes are banking big bucks thanks to changes that allow them to accept major endorsement deals. California has become the trendsetter among the 19 states that let high school athletes profit from their name, image and likeness without affecting their eligibility to

Associated Press BAGHDAD (AP) — Soccer fans in Iran’s Kurdish majority region have cheered the U.S. win over Iran in a politically charged World Cup, amid ongoing anti-government protests. Videos posted online show fans in Kurdish areas setting off fireworks and honking car horns early Wednesday, following Iran’s 1-0 loss to the U.S. The majority

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — U.S. forward Christian Pulisic is day to day after sustaining a pelvic injury during his team’s 1-0 World Cup win against Iran that sent the Americans to the round of 16 of the tournament. Pulisic scored the 38th-minute winning goal against Iran, but crashed into Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand during the

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — One day after Iran and Wales were eliminated at the World Cup, FIFA has given a public assurance that rainbow items and banners supporting protests in Iran will be allowed into stadiums. Stadium security staff organized by Qatari authorities has seized items with rainbow colors and slogans such as “Women. Life.

By JAMEY KEATEN Associated Press IRPIN, Ukraine (AP) — For soccer lovers in Ukraine, Russia’s invasion and the devastation it has wrought have created uncertainties about both playing the sport and watching it. For Ukrainians these days, soccer trails well behind mere survival in the order of priorities. But the sport — like elsewhere —

By DAN GREENSPAN Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) — Andre Burakovsky had two goals, including the winner in overtime, and the Seattle Kraken defeated the Los Angeles Kings 9-8 in the highest-scoring NHL game this season. Burakovsky scored on the power play at 2:08 of the extra session to give Seattle the first six-game winning

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — French referee Stéphanie Frappart will become the first woman to take charge of a men’s World Cup game. FIFA has picked her for Germany vs. Costa Rica on Thursday in Qatar. FIFA also picked two women as assistants to Frappart to complete an all-female refereeing team on the field. They are

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Norman Powell scored 22 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter, and the Los Angeles Clippers beat Anfernee Simons and the Portland Trail Blazers 118-112. Reggie Jackson had 24 points and 12 assists, helping the Clippers to their second straight win. Ivica Zubac added 12 points and 13 rebounds. Los

By JOSH DUBOW AP Pro Football Writer Two years after no team in the NFC East won more than seven games, all four have pulled off the trick with six weeks to go. Washington beat Atlanta on Sunday to join Philadelphia, Dallas and the Giants with winning records. That gives the division a combined winning

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Alex Ovechkin scored twice, passing Wayne Gretzky for the most road goals in NHL history, and the Washington Capitals beat the Vancouver Canucks 5-1. Ovechkin has scored 403 of his 793 career goals away from home. Gretzky holds the overall record with 894. Anthony Mantha added a goal and an

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (AP) — Terrance Thompson scored a career-high 15 points to lead SIU Edwardsville 89-54 on Tuesday night for its fifth straight win. Ray’Sean Taylor added 13 points, Lamar Wright 12 and Damarco Minor 10 for the Cougars. Amarey Wills scored 10 points to lead the Fighting Bees.

BALTIMORE (AP) — Malik Miller scored 26 points and Morgan State defeated Virginia University of Lynchburg on Tuesday night. Khalil Turner added 21 points and Isaiah Burke 20 for the Bears. Marcus Willis led the Dragons with 25 points.

By LARRY LAGE AP Sports Writer ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Jayden Gardner made a go-ahead jumper with 39.9 seconds left and blocked Jett Howard’s 3-point shot just before the buzzer, allowing No. 3 Virginia to hold on and beat Michigan 70-68 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The Cavaliers trailed by 11 points at halftime,

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Blake Wheeler had three goals and an assist, Connor Hellebuyck made 40 saves and the Winnipeg Jets routed the reigning Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche 5-0. Mark Scheifele added a goal and two assists, and Josh Morrissey had a goal and an assist. Cole Perfetti contributed three assists. Hellebuyck’s third shutout