MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid forward Mbappé injured his right ankle in Real Madrid’s 2-1 loss to Ars...

MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid forward Mbappé injured his right ankle in Real Madrid’s 2-1 loss to Arsenal in the quarterfinals of the Champions League on Wednesday and was jeered by part of the crowd after a lackluster performance at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.Mbappé, who is still looking for a first Champions League title, had to be replaced by Brahim Díaz in the 75th minute after twisting his right ankle.Most of the fans at the Bernabeu jeered the France star when his substitution was announced. He was able to walk off the field by himself, but was limping a bit.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Mbappé, who hasn’t scored in five games in all competitions, had no attempts on target on Wednesday.He was involved in a possible penalty in Madrid’s favor in the 23rd, but a video review eventually overturned the referee’s call that he was held by a defender inside the area.The injury comes 10 days before the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona in Sevilla.Arsenal advanced 5-1 on aggregate after winning 3-0 last week in London. Madrid failed to reach the last four of the Champions League for the first time since 2020.Mbappé is in his first season with Madrid. He also never won the Champions League while playing with Paris Saint-Germain, which will play Arsenal in the semifinals.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Madrid, Spain - April 16: Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid looks dejected during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between Real Madrid C.F. and Arsenal FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 16, 2025 in Madrid, Spain.

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LIBREVILLE, Gabon (AP) — The Gabonese soccer federation announced Wednesday that Aaron Boupendza,...

LIBREVILLE, Gabon (AP) — The Gabonese soccer federation announced Wednesday that Aaron Boupendza, a striker for its men’s national team, has died after falling from the 11th floor of a building in China.A federation statement, posted on social network X, didn’t say when the alleged incident took place or give any more details.The 28-year-old Boupendza had been playing for Zhejiang FC in the Chinese Super League this year. Zhejiang issued a statement saying Boupendza died at his residence.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>“Now the club is fully cooperating with the relevant departments to carry out the investigation,” the statement added.The Gabon federation said Boupendza would be “remembered as a great striker who made his mark during the African Cup of Nations in Cameroon” in 2022. He scored one goal in that tournament, the winner against Comoros, and eight in total for his country.“(The Gabonese Football Federation) and the wider Gabonese football family offer their sincere condolences to his biological family during this difficult time,” the federation said.Bordeaux, the French team where Boupendza played early in his career, posted on X that he died “tragically.”“All our thoughts go out to his family, his loved ones and the entire football family,” Bordeaux said.After playing in the lower tiers of French soccer with Bordeaux’s reserve side then Pau, Gazélec Ajaccio and Tours, Boupendza’s breakthrough season came with Hatayspor in the Turkish top flight when he scored 22 goals in the 2020-21 season. Hatayspor also sent its condolences in a post on X.The following season, he moved to Qatari club Al-Arabi then to Riyadh-based Al-Shabab in the Saudi Pro League. His career then took him to Major League Soccer with FC Cincinnati and to Rapid Bucharest, before joining Zhejiang. He had scored four league goals in six games.“Our hearts go out to his family, friends, and loved ones,” FC Cincinnati said on social media.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 30: Aaron Boupendza #9 of FC Cincinnati controls the ball during the second half of a soccer match against the Charlotte FC at Bank of America Stadium on March 30, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Ex-MLS striker Boupendza dies at 28 after falling from building in China

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco 49ers practice squad offensive lineman Isaac Alarcon was...

<div>
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco 49ers practice squad offensive lineman Isaac Alarcon was suspended for the first six games of the upcoming season for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances.
The league announced the suspension on Wednesday. Alarcon will be able to participate in the offseason program, training camp and exhibitions before the suspension starts.
Alarcon has never played in a regular-season game since entering the league out of Mexico as part of the international pathway program with Dallas in 2020.
<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>
Alarcon spent last season on the practice squad for the 49ers after playing 43 snaps in the preseason. He was re-signed earlier this offseason by San Francisco. 
___
AP NFL: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nfl">https://apnews.com/hub/nfl</a>
</div>

SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 03: San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Isaac Alarcon (67) during training camp on August 3, 2024 at SAP Performance Facility in Santa Clara, CA.

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NEW YORK (AP) — New York Yankees pitcher Luis Gil is delaying the beginning of his throwing progr...

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Yankees pitcher Luis Gil is delaying the beginning of his throwing program because his strained right lat is healing slowly.Gil was slated to start his throwing program on Wednesday or Thursday, but Yankees manager Aaron Boone said an MRI showed the right-hander needs more time before progressing in his rehab.“It’s just the level of healing,” Boone said before New York's series finale against the Kansas City Royals. “So, it’s got to get to, I don’t know, 80 percent. When they start, there are checkmarks of when you start the throwing program. It’s going how it should, it’s just we need another 10 days.”<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Gil, the 2024 AL Rookie of the Year, stopped a bullpen session on Feb. 28 because of tightness in his pitching shoulder. He went to New York for a second MRI that revealed a high-grade lat strain on March 3.Gil was shut down from throwing for at least six weeks after receiving the original diagnosis, and the Yankees said he would not return until June at the earliest.The 26-year-old Gil went 15-7 with a 3.50 ERA in 29 starts for the AL East champions last year, striking out 171 and walking a major league-high 77 in 151 2/3 innings. Acquired from the Minnesota Twins in a 2018 trade, Gil made a successful return from Tommy John surgery.The Yankees have been hit hard by injuries. Ace right-hander Gerrit Cole also is out after he had Tommy John surgery.Jonathan Loáisiga is on his way back after he had ligament repair surgery on his elbow May 1. The right-hander threw 20 pitches in his first live batting practice session Wednesday at Yankee Stadium.Loáisiga will travel with the team to Tampa and will throw at least two more live batting practice sessions before he possibly starts a minor league rehab assignment.“He’s been in a good place for a while now, excited about where he’s it,” Boone said.Loáisiga was re-signed by the Yankees to a one-year contract in December that guarantees him $5 million and could pay him up to $10.5 million over two seasons.Loáisiga made three appearances last season before he was sidelined. Since debuting with the Yankees in June 2018, the oft-injured Loáisiga is 19-11 with a 3.44 ERA in 163 appearances.___AP MLB: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mlb">https://apnews.com/hub/MLB</a>

Tampa, Florida: New York Yankees Luis Gil throws live batting practice during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida on February 19, 2025.

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TORONTO (AP) — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his first home run of the season and drove in a pair, Ch...

TORONTO (AP) — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his first home run of the season and drove in a pair, Chris Bassitt pitched five shutout innings and the Toronto Blue Jays spoiled Spencer Strider’s return from elbow surgery by beating the Atlanta Braves 3-1 on Wednesday.Chris Bassitt (2-0) struck out a season-high 10 and allowed three hits, all singles. The right-hander lowered his ERA to 0.77 through four starts.The Blue Jays set a single-game, nine-inning record with 19 strikeouts.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Jeff Hoffman gave up Drake Baldwin's first career home run in the ninth inning, but finished for his fourth save in four opportunities.Strider (0-1) allowed two runs and five hits in five innings. Making his first big league appearance in 376 days because of surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, the right-hander struck out five, walked one, and hit a batter. He threw 97 pitches, 58 for strikes.Bo Bichette had two doubles, scored a run and drove in a run as Toronto took two of three from Atlanta.Bichette doubled to begin the third inning and Guerrero followed with an RBI single to drive in the game’s first run.Bassitt finished his outing by striking out Braves slugger Austin Riley to strand runners at second and third. After homering three times in the first two games of the series, Riley went 0 for 4 with four strikeouts in the finale.The Braves are 2-11 on the road.Key momentGuerrero began the sixth with a 412-foot homer into the second deck on a 3-2 slider from Strider.Key statStrider’s hardest pitch of the game was a 98 mph fastball to Guerrero in the first.Up nextBraves: RHP Bryce Elder (0-1, 7.20 ERA) is scheduled to start Friday as Atlanta hosts Minnesota. RHP Chris Paddack (0-2, 9.49) goes for the Twins. Blue Jays: RHP Bowden Francis (1-2, 3.71 ERA) is scheduled to start Friday when Toronto hosts Seattle. The Mariners had not announced a starter. ___AP MLB: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mlb">https://apnews.com/hub/mlb</a>

TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 16: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates as he rounds the bases on a home run in the sixth inning of their MLB game against the Atlanta Braves at Rogers Centre on April 16, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

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ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The pressure was off the Minnesota Wild after they’d finally secured their...

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The pressure was off the Minnesota Wild after they’d finally secured their place in the playoffs, and Filip Gustavsson had a heart-warming idea as overtime approached.At Gustavsson's suggestion to coach John Hynes in one last formal tribute to one of the NHL's greatest goalies, the Wild sent the soon-retiring Marc-Andre Fleury out to take Gustavsson’s place in the net for the extra period — and watched the 21-year veteran put on quite a show in his final regular season game.Fleury made five saves in less than five minutes, including a couple of kick-save classics and a determined denial of a 4-on-3 power play by the Anaheim Ducks, to pick up one more win to pad his career total that’s the second most in league history at 575.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>“Try to have some fun with this. I wasn’t too sharp, right? Just dive around, don’t let them shoot, I guess,” Fleury said after Minnesota’s 3-2 win on Tuesday made possible by Joel Eriksson Ek’s tying goal off his own rebound with 20.9 seconds remaining in regulation. “The guys battled hard too around the net. They helped me out, so it was nice.”Gustavsson got a career-high 58 starts this season and will almost certainly be the goalie for every game in the playoffs, which will start for the Wild on the road this weekend in a first-round series against Vegas.The 26-year-old Gustavsson has often expressed admiration of and gratitude for his 40-year-old mentor who essentially became this season the most popular backup goalie in the history of organized hockey. So it was only fitting that Gustavsson surprised Fleury with his offer.“Little shocked, little shocked, little worried. I’d been sitting there for a few hours,” said Fleury, who also padded his all-time record with his 71st career overtime win. “A good talk from Gus, and obviously Hynes let me go in too. I’m happy I got to go play just a little bit more at home.”The crowd at Xcel Energy Center had been engulfed in tension after the Ducks took a 2-1 lead midway through the third period, realizing the Wild might have to sweat out the results for St. Louis and Calgary as the three teams entered the night in competition for the two wild-card spots. Then came the triumph of Eriksson Ek’s goal and the collective exhale following the club’s return to the postseason after missing out last year was secure.But the roars kept coming from the fans, once Fleury skated into the crease and started fending off shots in his familiar exaggerated fashion. After Matt Boldy scored the winning goal, Fleury was swarmed by his teammates. He went through a solo handshake line with the entire Ducks team, before skating to mid-ice for another stick-tap salute from the Wild.The hugs, ovations, and honors have been steady all season, but this one will undoubtedly stick with Fleury above the rest.“Some days a little bit more emotional, some days a little bit more fun,” Fleury said. “But I try to not take any day for granted, try to enjoy every day. It goes by so quick, so try to make the most out of it.”Fleury’s wife and three children were at the game, just like they were last week when he got his final start and — barely — beat the San Jose Sharks 8-7 in overtime.“I feel lucky to have another chance to play in front of them. Get a win, not give up seven goals, that was nice, too,” Fleury said. “Hopefully they remember that time.”Still flashing his perpetual smile, Fleury’s eyes started to well up toward the end of his interview with reporters inside the Wild locker room as the enormity of the moment hit him.“It was fun just to go one more time out there,” he said, “and play the game I love.”___AP NHL: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nhl">https://apnews.com/hub/NHL</a>

ST PAUL, MINNESOTA - APRIL 15: Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Minnesota Wild gets surrounded by teammates after an overtime win against the Anaheim Ducks at Xcel Energy Center on April 15, 2025 in St Paul, Minnesota.

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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry threw their arms around each other and embrac...

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry threw their arms around each other and embraced.Playoff Jimmy in all his brilliance on the big stage took all the pressure off Curry, and now they’re taking the Golden State Warriors to the playoffs.“I know I want to win a championship so he needs, his what, this would be No. 5?” Butler said.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Butler had 38 points, seven rebounds and six assists creating opportunities on both ends at every chance, Curry scored 37, and the Warriors earned the seventh seed in the Western Conference by beating the Memphis Grizzlies 121-116 on Tuesday night in the Play-In Tournament.Curry knocked down a baseline 3-pointer with 1:50 to go and one from the left wing with a minute on the clock then converted four free throws in the closing five seconds.Golden State is now headed for a best-of-seven first-round series with the Rockets beginning with Game 1 on Sunday at Houston.“It took 83 games but we’re right where we want to be, which is back in the playoffs and we’ve got a chance,” coach Steve Kerr said.After a pair of free throws by Curry with 5.4 seconds left, the Grizzlies had one last chance — but Santi Aldama couldn’t inbound the ball before a five-second violation.Desmond Bane scored 30 points and Ja Morant 22 for Memphis, which will head home to host the winner of the Mavericks-Kings matchup on Wednesday night in Sacramento to determine the eighth playoff spot.With the Grizzlies on a roll midway through the third, Butler grabbed momentum back with a steal and dunk. He shot 12 for 20 in a second straight 30-point performance and his highest scoring game since joining the Warriors at the trade deadline. He made 12 of 18 free throws — having been 63 of 68 from the line over the previous eight games in April.Morant went down hard rolling his right ankle when he stepped on Buddy Hield’s foot and was fouled by Quinten Post with 4:25 remaining in the third but got up and finished the three-point play to pull the Grizzlies within 82-81.Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 18 points, while Zach Edey contributed 14 points, 17 rebounds and hit two free throws with 14.3 seconds left.Curry had eight rebounds, four assists and shot 9 for 22 while regularly swarmed by Scotty Pippen Jr. before he fouled out late.Curry had lit up the Grizzlies for 52 points on their home floor in a 134-125 win on April 1, and the Grizzlies made him a top priority this time — so Butler took charge.“He’s different,” Draymond Green said.He led four straight scoring possessions to put the Warriors up 31-18 late in the first quarter — assisting on Gary Payton II’s cutting dunk, dishing to Post for a 3 and making a 3-point shot and three-point play himself. Butler showed no signs of being affected by a tender left quadriceps muscle after he took a knee from Kawhi Leonard on Sunday.The Warriors hoped to avoid this extra game, but lost in overtime to the Clippers in the regular-season finale on Sunday for their third home defeat over the final week.Curry, Green and the Warriors had been 0-3 in play-in games during appearances in 2021 and last year. The Grizzlies eliminated them at Chase Center with a 117-112 overtime victory in ’21.___AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - APRIL 15: Jimmy Butler #10 of the Golden State Warriors looks to pass the ball during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2025 SoFi Play-In Tournament on April 15, 2025 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE

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TAMPA (AP) — Alex Bregman went 5 for 5 with two home runs and four RBIs, Jarren Duran added a two...

TAMPA (AP) — Alex Bregman went 5 for 5 with two home runs and four RBIs, Jarren Duran added a two-run homer and the Boston Red Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays 7-4 on Tuesday night.Bregman fell a triple shy of the cycle and had his seventh two-homer game. Kameron Misner nearly robbed him of the second one, but the ball fell out of the rookie’s glove and over the right-center fence.The Red Sox got three hits in the first off Ryan Pepiot (1-2), one more than they had in six innings against Shane Baz in a 16-1 loss on Monday.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Boston starter Walker Buehler (2-1) allowed three hits and two runs over five innings. He walked three and struck out three. Aroldis Chapman fanned Brandon Lowe for his fourth save.Jonathan Aranda, who entered leading the majors with a .395 average, was 2 for 3 with a homer and an RBI for Tampa Bay.A high-pitched ringing delayed the game for nearly two minutes in the bottom of the second with Jake Mangum at bat. Then in the fifth, the left-field video board briefly went black as play continued. The Rays have sold out all 14 home games at Steinbrenner Field (10,046) after Hurricane Milton heavily damaged Tropicana Field in October.KEY MOMENTBuehler, who hadn’t walked more than one in any of his previous five starts, issued two in the fourth inning to load the bases. After Misner’s sacrifice fly scored Junior Caminero, Ceddanne Rafaela’s diving catch got Buehler out of the jam.KEY STATBregman’s seventh-inning shot was the 40th homer already at Steinbrenner Field this season. Entering Tuesday, only Yankee Stadium (40) had as many home runs in 2025.UP NEXTIn the series finale Wednesday, Tampa Bay’s Zack Littell (0-3, 6.88 ERA) bids for his first win. Boston has not announced a starter.___AP MLB: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mlb">https://apnews.com/hub/mlb</a>

TAMPA, FLORIDA - APRIL 15: Alex Bregman #2 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after hitting an RBI double in the fourth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field on April 15, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day.

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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Cole Anthony came off the bench with 26 points and six assists to lead the O...

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Cole Anthony came off the bench with 26 points and six assists to lead the Orlando Magic to a 120-95 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night in the first game of the Play-In Tournament.Paolo Banchero had 17 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for the Magic, and Wendell Carter Jr. added 19 points and seven rebounds. Anthony Black scored 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting off the bench in the Magic’s first appearance in a play-in game.Earning the Eastern Conference’s seventh seed after a 41-41 regular season, the Magic will start their first-round playoff series at Boston on Sunday. Orlando split its four games against the defending NBA champs this season, but the Celtics rested their top six players in <a href="https://apnews.com/article/celtics-magic-score-daf14b52996bf7e9f3eb463b66e81928">a loss at Orlando last week</a>.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>“It’s a great opportunity to play against the best team in the league, and they’re the champs still until somebody beats 'em,” said Magic coach Jamahl Mosley. “What they present is a lot of challenges, and we have to try to find a way to figure that out.”Trae Young led the Hawks with 28 points and six assists before <a href="https://apnews.com/article/hawks-trae-young-ejected-8d7eab1326a5c81451b4ed8de7f56dc9">getting two technical fouls and an automatic ejection</a> with 4:47 left in the game.“I thought we did a good job on Paolo and Franz (Wagner),” said Hawks coach Quin Snyder, “and they had some other players who really stepped up and made plays.”The Hawks, who have reached the playoffs through the play-in route in two of the last three seasons, will play at home Friday night for the eighth spot against the winner of Wednesday night’s game at Chicago between the Bulls and the Miami Heat.Banchero and Black produced most of the offense and the Hawks scored just two points in the final 6 minutes of the first quarter, and the Magic led by as many as 22 late in the first half.The Hawks cut the gap to three and had a chance to tied the game when they turned it over with 2:36 left in the third quarter.“They went on their own run and we weathered the storm. We didn’t let them back in the game from that point on,” Anthony said. “We got stops, we pushed the pace and we held a really good offensive team to 90 points.”Anthony, who averaged 9.4 points in an injury-plagued season, made 10-of-17 shots including 4 -of-9 3-pointers.___AP NBA: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nba">https://apnews.com/hub/nba</a>

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - APRIL 15: Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic posts up Zaccharie Risacher #10 of the Atlanta Hawks during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Kia Center on April 15, 2025 in Orlando, Florida.

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CESKE BUDEJOVICE, Czech Republic (AP) — Hilary Knight set an assist record as the United States w...

CESKE BUDEJOVICE, Czech Republic (AP) — Hilary Knight set an assist record as the United States wrapped up the group stage at the women’s ice hockey world championship by beating Switzerland 5-0 on Tuesday.The U.S. topped Group A with a perfect record of four wins from four and will face Germany, the third-place team in Group B, in the quarterfinals on Thursday.The 35-year-old Knight, making her 15th world championship appearance, recorded three assists for a total of 50 to break Hayley Wickenheiser’s record of 49 assists at the tournament.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Knight is also the all-time leader for goals (67) and points (117).“It’s really special,” the U.S. captain said of her latest record. “All those players on the leaderboard are (who) I looked up to when I was younger.”Tessa Janecke and Kendall Coyne scored two goals each, Caroline Harvey also had a goal and Alex Carpenter added three assists. Goalie Gwyneth Philips only had to make three saves before she was replaced 11:04 into the middle period by Ava McNaughton, who also stopped three shots as the U.S. outshot the Swiss 53-6.Janecke opened the scoring with a power play goal on a rebound 11:23 into the game. Coyne doubled the advantage 1:04 later before Janecke added her second with 4:55 remaining in the opening period.Harvey netted the fourth with a shot high into the net in the final second of the middle period before Coyne finished it off with 1:19 to go in the final frame.Earlier, Japan edged past Germany 1-0 to set up a quarterfinal against defending champion Canada.Japan finished second in Group B while Canada was placed second in Group A.Rui Ukita scored the lone goal for Japan and goalie Miyuu Masuhara stopped 34 shots to get the shutout.Also, Ebba Hedqvist scored a hat trick for Sweden in an 8-0 rout of newly promoted Norway.Sweden won Group B with four wins in four games and will face Finland, the third team in Group A, in the quarterfinals on Thursday.Norway, which was promoted to the top division after a 27-year absence, was fourth in Group B after winning one game and will be relegated together with another newcomer, Hungary, which finished pointless at the bottom.Mira Hallin, Lina Ljungblom, Jenna Raunio, Josefin Bouveng and Hilda Svensson also had a goal each and Ida Boman made 16 saves in the Swedish net.___AP women’s hockey: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/womens-hockey">https://apnews.com/hub/womens-hockey</a>

ST. PAUL, MN - FEBRUARY 11: Team USA forward Hilary Knight (21) skates to the bench during the Canada USA Rivalry Series on February 11th, 2024, at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, MN.

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The PWHL will hold its third annual entry draft in Ottawa on June 24, the league announced on Tue...

The PWHL will hold its third annual entry draft in Ottawa on June 24, the league announced on Tuesday, with University of Wisconsin’s Casey O’Brien anticipated to be one of the top selections following her MVP senior season.What’s yet to be determined is how many teams will be participating in the draft with the six-team league having yet to announce its decision on whether to expand by as many as two franchises.The draft will take place at Ottawa’s newly expanded Hard Rock Hotel and Casino set to open this spring, and serve as the first event held in the facility’s theatre.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>O’Brien is among the prospects who have already met the May 8 deadline to declare being eligible for the draft.The 23-year-old from Massachusetts is coming off winning her third national title with the Badgers, and was this season’s Patty Kazmaier Award winner. The second-year captain led the nation with 88 points (26 goals, 62 assists), and set a school record with 274 career points (97 goals, 177 assists) in 182 games.The draft order has yet to be set with the second-year league’s announcement coming during a three-week break coinciding with the women’s world championships being held in the Czech Republic.Each of the six teams have three games remaining following the break, with league-leading Montreal the only one to have already clinched a top-four playoff berth. Toronto sits second and is a regulation win from clinching.Two points separate the next three teams, with Boston sitting third, Ottawa fourth and defending champion Minnesota fifth. New York sits last, six points out of contention and in jeopardy of missing the playoffs for a second straight season.Other top U.S. prospects declaring themselves as eligible include Clarkson’s Haley Winn, currently competing in her third world tournament, and Cornell’s Rory Guilday.Top Canadian draft-eligible prospects include Boston College’s Abby Newhook and the Clarkson tandem of Anne Cherkowski and Nicole Gosling, who’s cousin Julia was selected by Toronto in the first round of last year’s draft. Colgate’s Hannah Murphy, who is from Kingston, Ontario, is regarded as the top goalie prospect after setting a school record with 15 career shutouts.Among the top European draft-eligible prospects are two members of the Czech Republic national team: Natalie Mlynkova, who completed her senior season at Minnesota, and Colgate’s Kristyna Kaltounkova.___AP Women’s Hockey: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-hockey

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 21: Wisconsin Badgers Casey O'Brien forward (26) is congratulated after scoring a goal during the Women's Frozen Four Semifinal game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and Wisconsin Badgers on March 21st, 2025, at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis, MN.

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ROME (AP) — The toll from clashes between violent fans and police at the weekend’s Rome derby inc...

ROME (AP) — The toll from clashes between violent fans and police at the weekend’s Rome derby includes 24 law enforcement officers injured, one arrest and at least 40,000 euros ($45,000) in damaged garbage dumpsters.Officials in the capital were still trying to sum up the damages after fans on Sunday attacked police in riot gear in a heavily populated area where people had been gathering ahead of the Serie A game between Lazio and Roma.“I am disgusted,” said Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri. “It’s unacceptable that hooligans transform a day of sport into a scene of urban warfare.”<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Some 2,000 police officers were stationed at various flashpoints around the Stadio Olimpico and swept into action when Lazio’s hard-core “ultra” fans attempted to push through a barred-off area.Fans reacted to the intervention by launching fireworks and other objects at the police officers. Police then responded with tear gas and water cannons.Serie A league judge Gerardo Mastrandrea on Tuesday announced that he would wait for a more comprehensive report about the clashes before deciding on any punishment for the clubs. But he did order fines of 6,000 euros ($6,800) for Roma and 4,000 euros ($4,500) for Lazio because supporters of the clubs threw flares toward the field during the game. Seven flares were reported from the Roma end and four from the Lazio end.The derby was restored to an 8:45 p.m. kickoff this season after six years of earlier start times in order to avoid violence. Now next year’s games will likely start earlier again.Lazio and Roma both expressed solidarity with the injured police officers and denounced the violence.The game ended 1-1.The Rome derby has been plagued by violence for years.In 2004, the derby was suspended due to a false rumor that police had killed a boy outside the stadium.In January, a car went up in flames outside the stadium before this season’s first derby.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

ROME, ITALY - 2025/04/13: Lazio players (L) and Roma players (R) seen in action during the Serie A match between Lazio and Roma at Olympic stadium. Final score; SS Lazio 1: 1 Roma.

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NEW YORK (AP) — The Martian is tracking down fly balls on Mother Earth.  Maligned for dubious def...

NEW YORK (AP) — The Martian is tracking down fly balls on Mother Earth.Maligned for dubious defense when the New York Yankees first moved him to left field last year, Jasson Domínguez made their best catch of the early season when he robbed Salvador Perez of an extra-base hit in Monday night’s 4-1 win over the Kansas City Royals.Domínguez's leaping, backhand grab at the warning track of Perez’s 106.4 mph, 347-foot drive had a 60% catch probability, according to MLB Statcast. That was the lowest of any Yankees catch this season.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>“Got a good jump on it, the speed, the action of the ball,” Domínguez said. “At that point, you don’t even know how tough. You just come get it.”He added a running catch to the glove side on the warning track of Jonathan India's 102.9 mph shot in the sixth.“Those are two really good ones. What I like is the ease in the routes and the ease that he’s getting to those balls,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “I feel like that’s where he’s really — even since the start of the season, I feel like he’s grown and just the right footwork, the right move to the ball, and that’s when you’re going to start to see his range with his speed show up.”Nicknamed “El Marciano” as a teenager in the Dominican Republic for his out-of-this-world talent, Domínguez signed with the Yankees as a 16-year-old in 2019 for a $5.1 million bonus.A center fielder as he moved through the minors, he made an instant impact at the plate two years ago. But following his shift to left, Domínguez's defensive struggles in left made highlight shows in 2024 and '25.“He talks about winning a Gold Glove,” said Luis Rojas, the Yankees third base and outfield coach. “I think he has the tools to do it and we just got to keep working.”The switch-hitting Domínguez was promoted to the Yankees on Sept. 1, 2023, and became the fifth-youngest player to homer in his first plate appearance, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. He had four homers and seven RBIs in his first eight games, then tore a ligament in his right elbow and had Tommy John surgery that Sept. 20.He returned to the minors last May 14, but was sidelined between June 15 and July 26 by an oblique strain and was limited to two homers and four RBIs in 18 late-season games with New York. He made 13 appearances in left field and four in center, and struggled to a minus-3 Outs Above Average, according to Statcast. Domínguez reported early to spring training and worked on defense at the Yankees minor league complex with minor league outfielder and infield coordinator Dan Fiorito and others. Domínguez was criticized by Yankees fans when he lost Colt Keith's fly ball in the sun on Feb. 23 against Detroit, then let Andy Ibáñez's shot one inning later drop for an RBI scoring double. A ball by Philadelphia's Edmundo Sosa fell for an RBI double on Feb. 27.“It didn't look great. There was a little noise about it,” Rojas said.Adjusting to left was a slow process. Boone said Domínguez would be fine with time as he learned to judge balls.“Left field is nothing like center field. Center field you get less action,” Rojas said. “The sound. The exit velo(city), those things, the more accurate he’s going to be with his reads and the routes and the angles that he needs to take to the ball according to a kind of action the ball is going have off the bat.”Jazz Chisholm Jr. understood what Domínguez was going through. An All-Star second baseman in 2022, Chisholm was moved to center field by Miami from 2023 until he was traded last summer to the Yankees, who shifted him to third and then moved him back to second this spring training.“You hear a crack of the bat and you might think it’s 110 miles per hour and it’s 86 miles per hour,” he said. “It's making that adjustment with your eyes and always being ready out there. I would say that and first step.”Domínguez is hitting .229 with one homer and five RBIs. Boone has removed him for a defensive replacement or pinch hitter in five of 12 left-field starts.Domínguez's Outs Above Average has improved to 0 this season and Monday's game boosted his defense from the 18th to 36th percentile. He's confident he will get better.“I had a tough moment at first," Domínguez said, “but I knew with the reps it would be good.”___AP MLB: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mlb">https://apnews.com/hub/mlb</a>

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 14: Jasson Domínguez #24 of the New York Yankees throws the ball in the first inning during the game between the Kansas City Royals and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Monday, April 14, 2025 in New York, New York.

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LONDON (AP) — The owner of Premier League club Brentford has completed the acquisition of Spanish...

LONDON (AP) — The owner of Premier League club Brentford has completed the acquisition of Spanish third-tier team Merida.Brentford said Tuesday its holding company, Best Intentions Analytics, has bought all the shares of Merida, which was only founded 12 years ago.The team in the western Spain region of Extremadura is in contention for promotion to the second division.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Brentford is owned by Matthew Benham, a former hedge fund manager who developed statistical models for betting on soccer, and has built a reputation as a smartly run, data-driven club that rose into the Premier League in 2021.Benham previously owned Danish club Midtjylland in an early example of multi-club ownership networks that have rapidly expanded in the soccer industry, but he sold his majority share in 2023.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Brentford manager Thomas Frank (left) and Brentford owner Matthew Benham (right) during the Carabao Cup second round match at the JobServe Community Stadium, Colchester. Picture date: Wednesday August 28, 2024.

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Sedona Prince has gotten a lot of attention for her social media posts, drawing attention to gend...

Sedona Prince has gotten a lot of attention for her social media posts, drawing attention to gender equity questions at the NCAA Tournament in 2021, and her status as a lead plaintiff in a landmark antitrust lawsuit standing up for college athletes. On Monday night, her name wasn't mentioned as the <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball">WNBA</a> rolled through 38 selections in its <a href="https://apnews.com/article/wnba-2025-draft-paige-bueckers-a28fac1f8159d889ce385339717ab987">29th draft.</a>The only place her name was mentioned? As a potential draft pick by analysts.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Prince just finished her final year of college basketball at TCU where she helped the Horned Frogs <a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-notre-dame-tcu-score-12fb545a8603517187967e4c3e44e543">reach the Elite Eight</a> for the first time in school history. She first hit the spotlight with her viral video back in the NCAA Tournament bubble in 2021. That pointed out the stark inequities between how the NCAA treated men and women during its basketball tournaments. Her post helped prompt an NCAA-commissioned report reviewing gender equity, which led to the use of the phrase March Madness and the start of <a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-ncaa-tournament-units-c52d72a9573304ff75fe8811d80298f2">paying women’s programs units</a> for participating in the tournament. Prince started playing in 2019 at Oregon before graduating in May 2022 and transferring to TCU for the past two seasons.She later was <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nil-ncaa-house-settlement-5937493302218963fc678562dcc8d222">a lead plaintiff</a> in a landmark antitrust lawsuit that will help get money for college athletes. Prince attended a hearing April 7 where a federal judge in Oakland, California, heard <a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-settlement-ncaa-nil-9b38fa13a08c3eebca127c2304228b70">arguments for the landmark House settlement</a>. The 6-foot-7 center earned honorable mention AP All-America honors. But Prince was not among the 16 prospects invited to attend Monday night’s draft at The Shed. The question now is does she get invited by a WNBA team for a tryout or is playing overseas her best option. The center from Liberty Hill, Texas, averaged 17.2 points a game this season and started all 58 games played at TCU. She started 86 of 108 games played over five seasons.___AP WNBA: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball">https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball</a>

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - MARCH 31: Sedona Prince #13 of the TCU Horned Frogs reacts during the second half against the Texas Longhorns in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Legacy Arena at the BJCC on March 31, 2025 in Birmingham, Alabama.

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TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Rookie Kameron Misner homered twice and drove in three runs, Shane Baz threw s...

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Rookie Kameron Misner homered twice and drove in three runs, Shane Baz threw six strong innings, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Boston Red Sox 16-1 on Monday night.Yandy Diaz and Junior Caminero also homered and each drove in a pair for Tampa Bay. Six Rays registered multiple hits.Misner finished 3 for 4 with homers off Tanner Houck and Brennan Bernardino, his first home runs since a historic walk-off shot on Opening Day.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Baz (2-0) allowed two hits, one earned run and no walks with a career-high 11 strikeouts. His only mistake was an 0-1 slider to Kristian Campbell, who homered in the top of the third. After that, Baz retired the next 11 Red Sox in order.Tampa Bay tagged Houck (0-2) for 10 hits and 12 runs, 11 earned, in 2 1/3 innings.The Rays allowed only one Boston runner past first base until the ninth inning.Key momentEight consecutive Rays reached base safely in a nine-run third, when Tampa Bay sent 14 batters to the plate. With the Rays up 14-1 on their division rivals, loudspeakers at Steinbrenner Field played the theme to Monday Night Football.Key statBaz, who sat out 2023 following Tommy John surgery, has retired 34 of his last 41 batters.Up nextIn the second of 14 games between the teams, Opening Day starter Ryan Pepiot (1-1, 3.38 ERA) takes the mound for the Rays. Two-time All-Star Walker Buehler (1-1, 5.74), who limited Toronto to one run on four hits Friday, goes for Boston.___AP MLB: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mlb">https://apnews.com/MLB</a>

TAMPA, FLORIDA - APRIL 14: Eric Orze #17 and Danny Jansen #19 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrate after defeating the Boston Red Sox 16-1 at George M. Steinbrenner Field on April 14, 2025 in Tampa, Florida.

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DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Former football players from Duke and North Carolina have a hearing next week...

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DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Former football players from Duke and North Carolina have a hearing next week in lawsuits seeking additional eligibility from the NCAA for playing careers they say were derailed by injuries, ailments and personal difficulties.
Former Duke football players Ryan Smith and Tre'Shon Devones are plaintiffs in one of the complaints filed in Durham County Superior Court on April 3, while former UNC player J.J. Jones and former Duke player Cam Bergeron are plaintiffs in a similar lawsuit filed the same day. Their complaints seek to prevent the NCAA from following its longstanding policy of having athletes complete four years of eligibility within a five-year window.
Their cases are now set for April 22 in North Carolina Business Court.
<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>
Specifically, the athletes point to lost potential earnings — $100,000 to $500,000, according to the lawsuits — from rules allowing athletes to profit from their fame through activities utilizing their name, image and likeness (NIL). 
The complaints allege the NCAA and member schools “have entered into an illegal agreement to restrain and suppress competition” while also saying the waiver process allowing exemptions to its five-year rule is enforced “arbitrarily,” and that the process has denied them the ability to reach their “full potential.”
In February, former N.C. State football player Corey Coley Jr. filed a lawsuit with a similar argument in U.S. District Court in North Carolina.
“The NCAA stands by its eligibility rules, including the five-year rule, which enable student-athletes and schools to have fair competition and ensure broad access to the unique and life-changing opportunity to be a student-athlete,” the NCAA said in a statement. "The NCAA is making changes to modernize college sports but attempts to alter the enforcement of foundational eligibility rules – approved and supported by membership leaders – makes a shifting environment even more unsettled.”
___
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CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 11: J.J. Jones #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels makes a catch against Al Blades Jr. #7 of the Duke Blue Devils during the first half of the game at Kenan Memorial Stadium on November 11, 2023 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

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CESKE BUDEJOVICE, Czech Republic (AP) — Captain Marie-Philip Poulin struck twice to lead defendin...

CESKE BUDEJOVICE, Czech Republic (AP) — Captain Marie-Philip Poulin struck twice to lead defending champion Canada past the host Czech Republic 7-1 at the women’s ice hockey world championship on Monday.Responding to the 2-1 loss to the archrival United States, Kristin O’Neill also had two goals, and Daryl Watts, Jennifer Gardiner, and Sophie Jaques added a goal each, all in the five-goal final period.Goalie Kristen Campbell made 18 saves.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Adela Sapovalivova scored for the Czechs.Poulin gave Canada the opener 3:20 into the opening period on a rebound.The Czechs answered through Sapovalivova 2:05 later with a backhand shot in between Campbell’s pads.Poulin’s third tournament goal put Canada back in front 7:13 into the middle period and cemented her lead of the scoring table with eight points.Canada scored three in a span of 58 seconds in the final period to put the result beyond doubt.Watts one-timed a slap shot high into the roof of the goal on a power play 5:42 into the frame, O’Neill scored her first on a rebound 27 seconds later, and Gardiner’s goal was a close-range shot over Klara Peslarova. O’Neill and Jaques finished off with shots from the slot amid the Czech collapse.Canada will finish second to the U.S. in Group A.Earlier, Finland defeated Switzerland 2-1 for its second victory.Ronja Savolainen scored a short-handed goal midway through the opening period and Michelle Karvinen doubled the lead in the second.Alina Muller answered with the first Swiss goal at the tournament after previous losses to the Czech Republic and Canada.Switzerland plays one more game in Group A against the U.S. on Tuesday.Germany handed Hungary a fourth straight loss by 4-1 to ensure Hungary will be relegated.Nicola Hadraschek scored twice, Laura Kluge had a goal and two assists and Katarina Jobst-Smith also scored to give Germany a second win in Group B.Emma Kreisz scored Hungary’s first goal of the tournament.Germany will play its final group game against Japan on Tuesday.___AP women’s hockey: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/womens-hockey">https://apnews.com/hub/womens-hockey</a>

UTICA, NEW YORK - APRIL 05: Marie-Philip Poulin #29 of Canada approaches the faceoff linesperson prior to 3rd period faceoff against Switzerland during the 2024 IIHF Women's World Championship at Adirondack Bank Center on April 05, 2024 in Utica, New York.

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Real Madrid great Luka Modric became a co-owner of Swansea City on Monday.  While the amount inve...

Real Madrid great Luka Modric became a co-owner of Swansea City on Monday.While the amount invested by the six-time Champions League winner was not revealed, Swansea said Modric would “play a key role in helping the club garner global attention and progress both on and off the pitch.”The 39-year-old Modric still plays for Madrid and Croatia and is one of the most decorated players in the sport. He received the Ballon d’Or in 2018.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>“Playing at the highest level, I believe I can provide my experience to the club,” he said. “My goal is to support the club’s growth in a positive way and to help to build an exciting future.”Swansea, a former Premier League club, plays in the second tier.“There is no better role model in the game for our players, from the academy right through to the first team,” CEO Tom Gorringe said. “His endorsement of our ambition and willingness to support us on our journey will be instrumental as we aim to continue to improve our results on and off the pitch.”___James Robson is at <a href="https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson">https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson</a>___AP soccer: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/soccer">https://apnews.com/hub/soccer</a>

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 08: Luka Modric of Real Madrid during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg match between Arsenal FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Arsenal Stadium on April 08, 2025 in London, England.

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MILAN (AP) — Italian soccer player Nicolò Fagioli lashed out at the media on Monday for releasing...

MILAN (AP) — Italian soccer player Nicolò Fagioli lashed out at the media on Monday for releasing new details about his struggles with betting on games and apologized to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/mckennie-tonali-illegal-betting-serie-a-fagioli-27bbf0d41abaadf261f63a7571b1b404">former teammates who have been investigated</a>.Milan prosecutors placed 13 soccer players under investigation last week for illegal online betting, stemming from evidence given by Sandro Tonali and Fagioli in 2023. Both then served lengthy bans, ruling them out for most of last season, after agreeing on plea bargains that also included therapy for a gambling addiction.Fagioli — a Juventus midfielder on loan at Fiorentina — was <a href="https://apnews.com/article/fagioli-betting-scandal-83520c6222caf819dd49d0473c223c8f">banned for seven months</a> after admitting to betting on matches, while Newcastle’s Tonali received a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/tonali-banned-betting-newcastle-3528859e5a34c0ac4479df1a85c2d3b6">longer suspension of 10 months</a> as his bets also included his team’s games — at the time, AC Milan.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Gazzetta dello Sport and other outlets reported how Fagioli reached out to more than 30 people to help pay off a debt of 587,000 euros ($666,000), and used a Milan jewelry shop to help with the payoffs.“I made mistakes and I paid for them,” <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIbqQH4KA5h/?igsh=N2gzMnYxa3Mxa3Nt">Fagioli wrote on Instagram</a>. “And like anyone who makes a mistake and pays for it, I have every right to get back up. … I was 19 when all this happened and I was overcome by a gambling addiction. I regret it, but life gave me a second opportunity and I want to take advantage of it, having already been punished for everything I deserved to be punished for.”There is no evidence that the other players ever gambled on soccer matches but their names emerged from depositions given by Tonali and Fagioli and analysis of their devices.The other players are being investigated for using illegal platforms for online poker and betting on other sports. As such they do not risk a ban, but instead a maximum fine of 250 euros ($280) from Italian authorities.Tonali and Fagioli have also been accused of promoting those sites among their teammates and other soccer players.“I apologize to all of my teammates and friends who, because of my mistakes, are finding themselves involved or named,” Fagioli added. “And I want to thank Fiorentina, Juventus, my friends and family, who never stopped supporting me during a tough time. Even if I definitely disappointed them.”___AP soccer: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/soccer">https://apnews.com/hub/soccer</a>

MILAN, ITALY - APRIL 05: Nicolo Fagioli of ACF Fiorentina reacts during the Serie A match between AC Milan and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 05, 2025 in Milan, Italy.

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