Sports

By ANNE M. PETERSON AP Sports Writer U.S. Soccer has introduced a Safe Soccer program that will require comprehensive vetting of individuals involved in the sport as the federation continues to address the abuses uncovered in its investigation of coach misconduct in the National Women’s Soccer League. The Safe Soccer program announced Monday aims to

MADRID (AP) — Spanish club Valencia has sacked coach Gennaro Gattuso following the team’s poor results. Valencia says in a statement it reached a mutual agreement with Gattuso to end their contract. The announcement came after a 1-0 loss at Valladolid in the Spanish league on Sunday. The club has won only one of its

BUENOS AIRES (AP) — World Cup winner Lionel Messi says in a radio interview aired on Monday that he regrets his testy exchanges with the Netherlands coach and players during their controversial quarterfinal in Qatar. Messi gave his first interview since lifting the trophy in December to radio Urbana Play of Buenos Aires. Argentina beat

By DOUG FEINBERG AP Basketball Writer South Carolina, Stanford and LSU are the top teams in the latest women’s AP Top 25 college basketball rankings.  South Carolina is No. 1 for the 32nd consecutive week. Only UConn (51 and 34 weeks) and Louisiana Tech (36) have had longer runs at No. 1. Indiana and UConn

By TIM BOOTH AP Sports Writer SEATTLE (AP) — The NHL All-Star Break has arrived with the Seattle Kraken sitting atop the Pacific Division. The Kraken have been enjoying a surprisingly good second season and have already surpassed totals for wins and points from their first season. Seattle’s biggest strength has been its depth, with

By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer CLEVELAND (AP) — A man who pounded a drum while sitting in Cleveland’s outfield bleachers during baseball games for five decades has died. John Adams was 71. The Guardians announced Adams’ death on Monday. Adams first hauled a bass drum that he bought for $25 at a garage sale

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Basketball Writer Purdue became this season’s first unanimous No. 1 team in the AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll Monday after wins over Michigan and Michigan State last week as chaos ensued behind the Boilermakers among other ranked teams. More than half of Top 25 teams lost, including second-ranked Alabama,

By JAY COHEN AP Sports Writer CHICAGO (AP) — Hall of Fame forward Bobby Hull, who helped the Chicago Blackhawks win the 1961 Stanley Cup Final, has died. Hull was 84. The two-time MVP was one of the most prolific scorers in NHL history, leading the league in goals seven times. Nicknamed “The Golden Jet”

By JAY COHEN AP Sports Writer CHICAGO (AP) — Hall of Fame forward Bobby Hull, who helped the Chicago Blackhawks win the 1961 Stanley Cup Final, has died. Hull was 84. The two-time MVP was one of the most prolific scorers in NHL history, leading the league in goals seven times. Nicknamed “The Golden Jet”

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Joao Cancelo might have played his last game for Manchester City. The Portugal fullback has reportedly traveled to Bayern Munich ahead of a potential loan move to the German champions. Bayern would reportedly have an option to buy Cancelo for $76 million. Cancelo can play as a right back or left

By ANNE M. PETERSON AP Sports Writer The Orlando Pride have named former professional goalkeeper and U.S. Marine Haley Carter their vice president of soccer operations and general manager. In the newly created position with the National Women’s Soccer League team, Carter will oversee all soccer operations, including the coaching staff and scouting, player safety

By RALPH D. RUSSO AP College Football Writer Using name, image and likeness compensation to recruit college athletes is still very much against NCAA rules. The recent de-commitment from Florida by blue chip quarterback Jaden Rashada shows that NIL is definitely a factor in decisions. Booster-funded collectives are taking on a big role in compensating

STUTTGART, Germany (AP) — Stuttgart has signed Japanese attacking midfielder Genki Haraguchi and Portuguese winger Gil Dias as it tries to avoid relegation from the Bundesliga. Haraguchi arrives from German club Union Berlin on a 1 1/2-year deal. The 31-year-old Japanese player had been at Union since 2021 and played 19 times this season. He

By JAMES ROBSON AP Soccer Writer MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Everton has turned to Sean Dyche in its fight to secure Premier League survival. The former Burnley manager has been hired as the successor to Frank Lampard and has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract. Dyche’s immediate priority is to avoid relegation after taking over a club

By PAOLO BANCHERO For The Associated Press Paolo Banchero says having a healthier roster has been a big reason why the Orlando Magic are winning some games. The No. 1 pick in last year’s NBA draft is providing a periodic diary of his rookie season to The Associated Press. He says the Magic are noticing