Trinity Rodman is back with the U.S. women's team for the first time since last summer's Paris Ol...

Trinity Rodman is back with the U.S. women's team for the first time since last summer's Paris Olympics.Rodman had been nursing a back injury and was left out of both the U.S. team's January camp and the recent SheBelieves Cup tournament. She made her return to her club team, the Washington Spirit, last weekend in an National Women's Soccer League match.U.S. coach Emma Hayes added her to a 24-player roster announced Tuesday in advance of a pair of friendly matches against Brazil next month.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Rodman was part of the U.S. team's "Triple Espresso" front line with Mallory Swanson and Sophia Wilson that helped lead the team to its fifth Olympic gold medal in Paris.Neither Swanson nor Wilson were on the latest squad. Swanson has been taking time off for personal reasons and did not start the season with the Chicago Stars. Wilson, formerly known by her maiden name Smith, is on maternity leave.Hayes said she'd be cautious with Rodman's return."You can go from a position of a managed return to play to too much. So, I have to try and find the sweet spot in camp to reintegrate her back in the team but also to manage her, because she has a long season ahead," Hayes said.The roster includes 19 of the players that were included for the SheBelieves Cup. Hayes said she is still evaluating players with an eye on Women's World Cup qualification next year.The matches against Brazil are set for April 5 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and April 8 at PayPal Park in San Jose, California. The United States defeated Brazil 1-0 on Swanson's goal for the gold medal in Paris.Mia Fishel, who tore her ACL last year but recently returned to play for Chelsea, will be included in camp as a training player, along with Angel City goalkeeper Angelina Anderson.Houston Dash defender Avery Patterson earned her first call-up to the team.Naomi Girma, who was injured in her first game with Chelsea after a record-breaking transfer from the San Diego Wave, remained unavailable. Midfielder Rose Lavelle remains sidelined by offseason ankle surgery.<h3>USWNT squad</h3>Goalkeepers: Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals), Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United).Defenders: Alana Cook (Kansas City Current), Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC), Crystal Dunn (Paris Saint-Germain), Emily Fox (Arsenal), Tara McKeown (Washington Spirit), Avery Patterson (Houston Dash), Emily Sams (Orlando Pride), Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC).Midfielders: Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns), Lindsey Heaps (Olympique Lyon), Claire Hutton (Kansas City Current), Jaedyn Shaw (North Carolina Courage), Lily Yohannes (Ajax).Forwards: Michelle Cooper (Kansas City Current), Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit), Catarina Macario (Chelsea), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Yazmeen Ryan (Houston Dash), Ally Sentnor (Utah Royals), Alyssa Thompson (Angel City).<h2>___</h2>AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 22: Trinity Rodman #2 of the Washington Spirit looks to the ball during a game between Kansas City Current and Washington Spirit at Audi Field on March 22, 2025 in Washington, DC.

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BRUSSELS (AP) — Former Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen will retire from all soccer at the end of ...

BRUSSELS (AP) — Former Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen will retire from all soccer at the end of the season.The 37-year-old Vertonghen, a former Tottenham player who holds the record for the most appearances (157) with Belgium, had already retired from international soccer after the 2024 European Championship.“In recent weeks it has become clear to me that these will be my last games,” the Anderlecht captain said Tuesday. “This is by no means an easy decision, but it is the right one. I have noticed that it is becoming more and more difficult to prepare myself physically for training sessions and matches and to show myself as the player I want to be. Not only towards the fans and my fellow players, but also towards myself. That is why I will be stopping after this season.”<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Vertonghen also played for Ajax and Benfica in a career spanning more than 18 years.He played for Tottenham in the 2019 Champions League final — won by Liverpool — and was part of Belgium’s so-called Golden Generation, helping his country to qualify for three consecutive World Cups. Belgium finished third at the 2018 tournament in Russia.Anderlecht finished the regular season in fourth place and qualified for the title playoffs. Anderlecht will also play in the Belgian Cup final against Club Brugge.“I’m going to give it my all for the last 11 games and hopefully experience a few more great moments with the fans and my teammates,” Vertonghen said.<h2>___</h2>AP soccer: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/soccer">https://apnews.com/hub/soccer</a>

Anderlecht's Jan Vertonghen pictured during a press conference of RSC Anderlecht and Vertonghen to announce the end of his career, in Brussels, on Tuesday 25 March 2025. BELGA PHOTO HATIM KAGHAT

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Rangers was sanctioned by UEFA on Tuesday after fans held up a giant anti-woke banner during a Eu...

Rangers was sanctioned by UEFA on Tuesday after fans held up a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/rangers-fans-woke-banner-fenerbahce-031a10834c60e38663e06ecccfe7bdd8">giant anti-woke banner</a> during a Europa League game against Fenerbahce.The Scottish club was told it would have to close its famed Copland Stand for one match if there were any repeat acts of racist and/or discriminatory behavior within two years.“This punishment must serve as a severe and significant reminder to the small minority of supporters who bring the name of Rangers into disrepute,” the 55-time Scottish champion said in a statement.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Rangers last week condemned its own fans after a banner which read: “Keep woke foreign ideologies out – defend Europe” was raised during the game against Fenerbahce earlier this month.As well as the suspended partial stadium closure, Rangers was fined 30,000 euros ($32,400). The club said Tuesday it was in the process of issuing lifetime bans to individuals involved.It added that “illicit songs” would also be considered racist and/or discriminatory in terms of further UEFA action.The Copland Stand is known as the “Rangers end” and is an iconic section of its Ibrox stadium.“Not only will the reputation and finances of the club be harmed by such a punishment, but the chances of the team in a potentially key European match will also suffer enormously, while thousands of innocent fans will be unable to attend a massive fixture,” Rangers said.Rangers advanced to the quarterfinals of European club soccer’s second-tier Europa League by defeating Fenerbahce on penalties.But the banner incident has cast a cloud over that achievement, with the Scottish giant saying it was “deeply saddening and frankly embarrassing that the club is now set to face significant sanctions for the actions of a very small minority.”Rangers was also fined 4,500 euros ($4,900) for the throwing of objects and a further 8,000 euros ($8,650) for improper conduct of its players.<h2>___</h2>James Robson is at <a href="https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson">https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson</a><h2>___</h2>AP soccer: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/soccer">https://apnews.com/hub/soccer</a>

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MARCH 13: Fans of Rangers hold up a banner during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Rangers FC and Fenerbahce SK at Ibrox Stadium on March 13, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland.

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Australia took a big step toward securing a spot at the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 win over China ...

Australia took a big step toward securing a spot at the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 win over China in Hangzhou on Tuesday that also ended the hosts’ hopes of automatic qualification.First-half goals from Jackson Irvine and Nishan Velupillay were enough for the Socceroos. With two games in Group C remaining in the third round, Australia is three points clear of third-placed Saudi Arabia, which drew 0-0 at already-qualified Japan.The top two from each of the three groups of six in Asia are guaranteed a place at the expanded 48-tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, while the teams that finish third and fourth will advance to a further stage to compete for two more places.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>It was a comfortable win for Australia. Irvine, who scored twice in the 5-1 win over Indonesia on Thursday, needed just 16 minutes to make room inside a crowded area to curl home a shot into the corner.To make matters worse for China, 13 minutes later goalkeeper Wang Dalei spilled a tame shot from Velupillay which then rolled over the line.China has yet to return to the World Cup since its 2002 debut and remains bottom of the group.Saudi Arabia is still in the hunt for a seventh appearance after a battling goalless draw in Japan. The hosts dominated at Saitama Stadium but were unable to get the breakthrough.<h3>South Korea drops points again</h3>In Group B, South Korea stayed top but dropped two points for the second time inside a week, drawing 1-1 at home to Jordan.South Korea needed just six minutes to take the lead when Lee Jae-sung arrived late to divert Son Heung-min’s corner into the net from close range.A win would have put the Koreans on the brink of an 11th successive appearance but Jordan was level on the half hour. Mahmoud Al-Mardi pounced on the loose ball to shoot home, though the shot was deflected off a Korean defender.South Korea has 16 points, three more than Jordan. Iraq, in action against the Palestinian team later, is in third with 12 points.<h2>___</h2>AP soccer: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/soccer">https://apnews.com/hub/soccer</a>

HANGZHOU, CHINA - MARCH 25: Jackson Irvine #22 of Australia celebrates his goal with teammates during the FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group C match between China and Australia at Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium on March 25, 2025 in Hangzhou, China.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Nationals left-hander DJ Herz was placed on the 15-day major league ...

<div>
WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Nationals left-hander DJ Herz was placed on the 15-day major league injured list Tuesday because of a sprained ligament in his pitching elbow.
Herz was optioned down to Triple-A Rochester on Friday, one of the final cuts from camp.
He was 0-2 with a 6.52 ERA this spring in four appearances, three starts.
<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>
Herz is a 24-year-old starting pitcher who made his big league debut last June and went 4-9 with a 4.16 ERA and 108 strikeouts in 88 2/3 innings across 19 appearances in 2024.
Washington will need to set its roster on Thursday ahead of its opening game against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies.
___
AP MLB: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mlb">https://apnews.com/MLB</a>
</div>

PORT CHARLOTTE, FL - MARCH 13: Washington Nationals starting pitcher DJ Herz with catcher Andrew Knizner seen before a Spring Training baseball game between the Washington Nationals and the Tampa Bay Rays on March 13, 2025 at Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte, Florida.

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AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy sued his former girlfriend wh...

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy sued his former girlfriend who accused him of attacking her, alleging the woman assaulted him and stole or destroyed more than $150,000 in cash and property.Worthy filed the lawsuit Monday against Tia Jones in Williamson County, Texas, where the two lived and where Worthy played college football at the University of Texas.Worthy was <a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-xavier-worthy-arrested-4d3b3bb4c3608a5be74f2dda420f0044">arrested earlier this month</a> after Jones accused him of assaulting her, but the district attorney declined to file charges in that case after speaking to multiple witnesses.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>In his lawsuit, Worthy alleges that Jones fabricated the allegations of abuse and that she became enraged after he asked her to move out of the home they were living in. He says in the lawsuit that Jones assaulted him, ripping out his hair, and destroyed his game room.He also alleges that while he was in jail, Jones stole a handgun, $30,000 in cash, jewelry, a key to his Rolls Royce and other belongings.An attorney for Jones, Angelica Cogliano, said Monday she had not seen the lawsuit and declined to comment.Worthy is seeking between $250,000 and $1 million“Plaintiff not only suffered bodily injuries and property damage as a result of this incident, but his credibility, veracity, and reputation suffered, and this narrative, although false, will always track his career and future in the NFL,” the suit states.Worthy was chosen by the Chiefs with the 28th overall pick in last year’s draft after setting the record for the fastest 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. He got off to a quick start by scoring a pair of touchdowns in his <a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-kansas-city-ravens-nfl-opener-0ea1b2027f61a147d5365bad6a7f6cbb">NFL debut</a>, and after a midseason lull, he became the Chiefs’ go-to wide receiver as they chased an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl title.Worthy finished with 59 catches for 638 yards and six TDs while running 20 times for 104 yards and three more scores.He was one of the few bright spots for the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-2025-eagles-chiefs-score-e2ff209c074a00a6faff39750ff048f8">Chiefs in a 40-22 loss to Philadelphia in the Super Bowl</a>, too. Worthy caught all eight of his targets for 157 yards and a pair of touchdowns at the Superdome in New Orleans.<h2>___</h2>AP NFL: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nfl">https://apnews.com/hub/NFL</a>

NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 09: Xavier Worthy #1 of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up prior to the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Caesars Superdome on February 9, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

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MUTTENZ, Switzerland (AP) — Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini won again in court Tuesday and now le...

MUTTENZ, Switzerland (AP) — Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini won again in court Tuesday and now lead 2-0 in trial verdicts against Swiss federal prosecutors.Once soccer’s most powerful men, former FIFA president Blatter and former UEFA president Platini were <a href="https://apnews.com/article/soccer-sports-switzerland-fifa-sepp-blatter-0543ab089e6c83eb876bae41c62374df">acquitted for a second time</a> in a case now in its 10th year on charges of fraud, forgery, mismanagement and misappropriation of more than $2 million of FIFA money in 2011.Blatter, now aged 89, gave little reaction listening to the verdict of three cantonal (state) judges acting as a federal criminal appeals court. Sitting in the row in front of Platini, Blatter alternately tapped his fingers on his desk or held his left hand over his mouth.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Only when the 55-minute verdict statement was over did Blatter smile before reaching across to shake his lawyer’s hand. Blatter then shared a long hug with his daughter, Corinne.“You have seen my daughter was coming with tears because she believed in (her) father and I believed in myself,” said Blatter, who spoke of a sword of Damocles being removed from over his head. “To wait such a long time affects the person and my family was very much affected.”Platini sat with his arms folded or rubbing his hands as he listened to a translator sitting beside him relating the court’s verdict in German into his native French.“This persecution by FIFA and some Swiss federal prosecutors for 10 years is now finished, is now totally finished,” Platini said leaving the court, insisting his honor was restored. “So I’m very happy.”The attorney general’s office in Switzerland had challenged a first acquittal in July 2022 and asked for sentences of 20 months, suspended for two years. The indictment alleged the payment “damaged FIFA’s assets and unlawfully enriched Platini.”“Michel Platini must finally be left in peace in criminal matters,” his lawyer Dominic Nellen said in a statement. ”After two acquittals, even the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland must realize that these criminal proceedings have definitively failed.”A further appeal to the Swiss supreme court can be filed by the prosecutors’ office, which said in a statement it “will decide about how to further proceed.”<h3>Decade-long case</h3>Blatter and Platini have consistently denied wrongdoing in a decade-long case that ultimately came to nothing in court yet totally altered world soccer body FIFA.The legal case swung on their claims of a verbal agreement to one day settle the money in question.Blatter approved FIFA paying 2 million Swiss francs (now $2.21 million) to France soccer great Platini in February 2011 for supplementary and non-contracted salary working as a presidential advisor from 1998-2002.The latest win for Blatter and the 69-year-old Platini came exactly 9½ years since the Swiss federal investigation was revealed and kicked off events that ended the careers of the two men.That September 2015 day in Zurich, police came to interrogate them at FIFA after an executive committee meeting when Platini was a strong favorite to succeed his one-time mentor in an upcoming election.With Platini soon suspended and banned by FIFA, European soccer body UEFA ran his long-time secretary general Gianni Infantino as its election candidate. Infantino was a surprise winner in February 2016 and is set to lead FIFA until at least 2031.<h3>Corruption crises</h3>Though federal court trials have twice cleared their names, Blatter’s reputation likely always will be tied to leading FIFA during corruption crises that took down a swath of senior soccer officials worldwide.Platini, one of soccer’s greatest players and later Blatter’s protégé in soccer politics, never did get the FIFA presidency he often called his destiny.Neither Blatter nor Platini has worked in soccer since they were suspended by the FIFA ethics committee in October 2015. They were later banned and failed to overturn the bans in separate appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in 2016.”The criminal proceedings have had not only legal but also massive personal and professional consequences for Michel Platini, although no incriminating evidence was ever presented,” Nellen said, suggesting further legal action “against those responsible for the criminal proceedings.”<a href="https://apnews.com/platini-plans-comeback-legal-fight-after-4-year-fifa-ban-b138eb12beb9450097c8b86bb34d2703">Platini’s ban expired in 2019</a> and Blatter was given a subsequent ban by FIFA in 2021 months before his first was due to end.Blatter is exiled from soccer until late in 2028 — when he will be 92 — because of an ethics prosecution of alleged self-dealing in eight-figure management bonuses paid for successfully organizing the men’s World Cup in 2010 and 2014.<h3>‘Gentleman’s agreement’</h3>The verdict was given Tuesday in a low-key provincial courthouse where a four-day trial was held three weeks ago.Blatter and Platini have claimed at five different judicial bodies — twice at FIFA, then the Court of Arbitration for Sport and now two Swiss federal criminal courts — that they had a verbal “gentleman’s agreement” to one day settle the unpaid and non-contracted salary.Platini was a storied former captain and coach of the France national term when he worked to help Blatter get elected to lead FIFA in Paris on the eve of the 1998 World Cup he organized.The two men said Platini agreed to be a presidential adviser on an annual salary of 300,000 Swiss francs (now $340,000) through 2002. They claim there was a verbal deal to later get the balance of 1 million Swiss francs for each year that FIFA could not pay at the time.Platini started asking for the money early in 2010, citing seven-figure payments made to senior Blatter aides who left FIFA which showed the soccer body could afford to pay him. The payment was finally made in February 2011.Details of the payment only emerged in the crisis that <a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-9d24df93687c4e3bb0e67befb4d892f2">hit FIFA in May 2015</a> when U.S. federal investigators unsealed a sweeping investigation of international soccer officials. Swiss authorities made early-morning arrests at hotels in Zurich before seizing FIFA financial and business records.In 2015, Swiss federal prosecutors already were handling <a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-2c6ee84eeb7e4b5a9166a2d5b1f0eebf">a criminal complaint filed by FIFA</a>. That was about suspected financial wrongdoing linked to votes in December 2010 that picked Russia and Qatar as future World Cup hosts.<h2>___</h2>AP soccer: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/soccer">https://apnews.com/hub/soccer</a>

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter reacts as he leaves the courthouse after the verdict of an appeal by Swiss Attorney General's office against former UEFA and FIFA presidents over a suspected fraudulent payment, in Muttenz near Basel, on March 25, 2025. Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and ex-UEFA chief Michel Platini were acquitted again on March 25, 2025 on appeal by a Swiss court in a long-running corruption case.

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MADRID (AP) — Lamine Yamal has made it clear he wasn’t happy with criticism from former Netherlan...

MADRID (AP) — Lamine Yamal has made it clear he wasn’t happy with criticism from former Netherlands player Rafael van der Vaart.Yamal helped Spain get past the Dutch in the quarterfinals of the Nations League on Sunday.After the penalty shootout, the 17-year-old Yamal lowered his shorts just below the waist, directly addressing Van der Vaart’s reported comments as a Dutch television pundit that he was bothered by the Spanish teenager’s attitude last week during the 2-2 draw in the first leg in the Netherlands.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Van der Vaart was quoted by Spanish media as saying that Yamal didn’t seem motivated, noting he was playing with his shorts lowered and with gestures that showed indifference. He said Yamal was handily defeated in his duel with Dutch left back Jorrel Hato in that first leg.Yamal’s teammate, Nico Williams, also lowered his shorts alongside Yamal after the shootout win in Valencia.On Instagram, Yamal posted the photo of him and Williams with shorts lowered and a couple of images of Van der Vaart. Beside laughing emojis, he wrote, “Shorts down, one goal, one missed penalty, and into the semifinals.”The post included images of Yamal playing and celebrating with his Spain teammates.Yamal scored in extra time of the 3-3 draw, then suffered Spain’s lone penalty miss in a shootout won 5-4.Yamal’s Barcelona teammate Ferran Torres was among those commenting on Yamal’s <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DHj6t_Boylc/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;img_index=1">Instagram post</a> to support him.Van der Vaart played for Barcelona rival Real Madrid from 2008-10, and made more than 100 appearances with the Netherlands in the 2000s.Spain, the defending European champion, is trying to win its second straight Nations League title.<h2>___</h2>AP soccer: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/soccer">https://apnews.com/hub/soccer</a>

Valencia, Spain - March 23: Lamine Yamal of Spain celebrates with teammates after scoring his teams third goal during the UEFA Nations League Quarterfinal Leg Two match between Spain and Netherlands at Estadio de Mestalla on March 23, 2025 in Valencia, Spain.

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ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Within minutes of his Greece debut last week, 17-year-old Konstantinos Kare...

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Within minutes of his Greece debut last week, 17-year-old Konstantinos Karetsas made an impact with successive shots against Scotland in a Nations League playoff.Late Sunday, he announced himself to the football world.Starring among a crop of young Greeks who swept past Scotland 3-0, Karetsas delivered his moment of magic in the 42nd minute to become his country's youngest goal scorer with a perfectly-timed lob over experienced goalkeeper Craig Gordon.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>In an ecstatic celebration, the teenager kissed the badge on his jersey and ran past the perimeter board up to the celebrating Greek fans at Glasgow's Hampden Park.Governing body UEFA reacted minutes later, posting a photograph of the player with his arms outstretched alongside the comment: "Konstantinos Karetsas. Remember the name."Greece's 3-1 aggregate win sealed promotion to the top flight of the UEFA competition, and has generated a wave of excitement among fans rarely seen since the country's shock European Championship title triumph in 2004.Born in Belgium to parents from a coal-mining family in northern Greece, Karetsas recently chose to represent the lower-ranked nation over his country of birth – a decision he says left him with no regrets."I made the right choice," Karetsas said after his first match at Karaiskakis stadium near Athens, occasionally struggling to find the correct words in Greek. "If I had chosen Belgium, Greece would have always been in the back of my head."An attacking midfielder for his hometown club KRC Genk, Karetsas has won praise in Belgium for his technical skills and creativity.In Glasgow, Scotland coach Steve Clarke praised his opponents, telling reporters: "Greece had more energy and were a little bit sharper. So, the best team won on the night."Greece coach Ivan Jovanovic made six changes to his team Sunday, prioritizing youth and injecting fresh energy into a squad that's been on a winning run and last October stunned England with a 2-1 win at Wembley."What we always strive for is for our players to show the Greek spirit on the field," the Serb said. "That means they have to be bold – to display courage and audacity. This victory is something we've been working toward for a long time."Greece and Scotland will meet again in October and November for World Cup qualifiers in a group that also includes Belarus and Denmark.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Greece's Konstantinos Karetsas during the UEFA Nations League play-offs, second leg match at Hampden Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Sunday March 23, 2025.

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MIAMI (AP) — The opening match of this year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup on June 14 will be played SoFi St...

MIAMI (AP) — The opening match of this year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup on June 14 will be played SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, the governing body announced Monday.The tournament, which ends on July 6 in Houston, likely will be missing several top players because FIFA gave priority to the Club World Cup, which runs from June 14 through July 13.While CONCACAF announced the 14 venues for the tournament last September it has not given locations of specific matches other than the opener and the championship. There are no venues on the U.S. East Coast.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Mexico has won nine Gold Cups, including 2023. The U.S. has won seven, including 2021, and Canada won in 2000.The draw is April 10.<h2>___</h2>AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Mexico's players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Concacaf 2023 Gold Cup final football match against Panama at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on July 16, 2023.

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Brazilian soccer boss Ednaldo Rodrigues was re-elected as president on Monday, 12 days after his ...

Brazilian soccer boss Ednaldo Rodrigues was re-elected as president on Monday, 12 days after his main rival Ronaldo Nazario gave up his bid.Rodrigues received all 67 votes, a first in the history of the Brazilian Football Confederation.The celebratory speech by the 71-year-old Rodrigues described “unparalleled unity that exists within Brazilian soccer today.”<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>He will be in charge of the confederation when Brazil hosts the 2027 Women’s World Cup.Rodrigues’ second mandate at the CBF will officially start in April 2026 and run till 2030. He first took the job as interim president in 2021.Ronaldo, the two-time World Cup champion, gave up on his bid on March 12, saying he lacked the support of soccer executives to challenge Rodrigues.Rodrigues’ management has been under fire among fans and former players, though he continues to enjoy high approval among soccer executives.His presidency has been marred by a legal dispute that sought to remove him from office. A Rio de Janeiro court ousted him in December 2023 for alleged irregularities in the election the previous year, but one month later Brazil’s Supreme Court overruled it.At the time, FIFA and CONMEBOL executives threatened to suspend Brazil from international competitions because of alleged interference in the CBF by the judiciary.During the brief suspension, Rodrigues’ biggest political gamble failed. He repeatedly said he had a deal with Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti to take over Brazil last July, but the Italian extended his contract with Madrid until 2026. Dorival Jr. became the national coach.<h2>___</h2>AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

The president of the Brazilian Football Confederation, Ednaldo Rodrigues, delivers a speech after receiving the best team of the year award for the women's national football team during the Brazil Olympic Award, a ceremony to celebrate the best Brazilian olympic athletes, at Vivo Rio music hall in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on December 11, 2024.

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Rodrigues re-elected Brazilian soccer chief after receiving all 67 votes

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Brazil has not won in Argentina for 16 years and hasn't scored in ...

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Brazil has not won in Argentina for 16 years and hasn't scored in Argentina in 10 years.That didn't put off Brazil striker Raphinha, who kicked off the hostilities on Monday by promising to score against the World Cup holder in Buenos Aires on Tuesday in a 2026 qualifier.Raphinha also spoke about "kicking them" ... "on and off the pitch if needed" in a podcast with 1994 World Cup winner Romário.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Argentine media reproduced his comments widely.Coach Lionel Scaloni tried to tamper any tensions."I did not go deep into that statement but I know what people told me. It is Argentina vs. Brazil, it is always an important game, but it is a game of soccer," Scaloni said. "I remember the image of the final of the 2021 Copa America, Messi and Neymar sitting down at the Maracana Stadium. That is the image that all of us have to remember."Defender Marquinhos piled on by saying Brazil was set to break its 16-year winless streak in Argentina."It is our time to win now. It has been a while," Marquinhos said in a press conference on Monday. "It won't be easy, we will fight. We will have to be at our best both physically and mentally."Argentina, leading South America, can clinch a World Cup berth by drawing with third-placed Brazil with four rounds to spare.The teams will meet in Monumental de Nunez Stadium without injured stars Lionel Messi and Neymar, and minus several other players due to suspension or injury.They last met in 2023, when Argentina won 1-0 at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro at the start of this qualifying cycle.Brazil is one point ahead of Uruguay and Paraguay. Colombia has the sixth and final direct qualification position.Fourth-placed Uruguay will have a chance against Bolivia to recover from Friday's 1-0 home defeat to Argentina. If the Bolivians fail to beat the Uruguayans, Argentina will qualify for the World Cup even if it loses against Brazil.Colombia takes on Paraguay. Ecuador will travel to 10th-placed Chile. Venezuela will host ninth-placed Peru.<h3>Injuries and suspensions</h3>Argentina also won't have injured Lautaro Martinez and the suspended Nico Gonzalez.After the 1-0 away victory against Uruguay, three players appear to have the confidence of Scaloni: Midfielders Leandro Paredes and Giuliano Simeone and striker Thiago Almada, who scored the winner. They are expected to play against Brazil, too.Brazil will miss goalkeeper Alisson due to concussion protocols, plus the suspended Bruno Guimaraes and Gabriel Magalhaes. Coach Dorival Junior said he will make six changes for the clash in Buenos Aires, including the replacement of target man Joao Pedro — who didn't score in the last-minute 2-1 win against Colombia — for Matheus Cunha.<h2>___</h2>AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

BRASILIA, BRAZIL - MARCH 20 - Raphinha of Brazil reacts during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American Qualifications football match between Brazil and Colombia at the Mane Garrincha Stadium in Brasilia, Brazil on March 20, 2025.

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Brazilians bullish about chances of overdue win in Argentina

WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Nationals TV play-by-play announcer Bob Carpenter is saying, “See yo...

WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Nationals TV play-by-play announcer Bob Carpenter is saying, “See you later!” to the club after this season, his 20th in the role with the club's local broadcaster, the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network.Carpenter announced his plans at the start of MASN's telecast Monday from Nationals Park, where the team was scheduled to host the Baltimore Orioles in an exhibition finale. Washington is set to open the regular season Thursday against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies.Three weeks ago, Major League Baseball announced that the Nationals and Orioles ended a legal fight over television rights, allowing Washington to get out of its MASN deal and find a new broadcast partner for 2026.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Carpenter joined MASN in 2006, the year after the former Montreal Expos moved to Washington and began playing as the Nationals.His signature home run call is a pause-filled “See ... you ... later!”The 72-year-old announcer previously was on TV for the St. Louis Cardinals and also has worked for the Mets, Twins and Rangers in the majors, plus University of Oklahoma basketball telecasts, in addition to ESPN and other networks.He has been nominated for six Emmys.Carpenter also is known for creating his version of a baseball scorebook.___AP MLB: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mlb">https://apnews.com/hub/mlb</a>

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 28: A view of the Washington Nationals logo on a baseball cap during the game against the New York Yankees at Nationals Park on August 28, 2024 in Washington, DC.

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Nationals TV announcer Bob Carpenter retiring after season

HOMESTEAD, Fla. (AP) — It's been a fast start to the NASCAR season for powerhouse Hendrick Motors...

HOMESTEAD, Fla. (AP) — It's been a fast start to the NASCAR season for powerhouse Hendrick Motorsports.The racing team has two wins in the first six Cup Series races of the season, including Kyle Larson's <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nascar-homestead-miami-larson-d36e50d76176cd779169c5106b7a80af">victory at Homestead-Miami Speedway</a> on Sunday. And its drivers hold the top three positions in points and four of the top six.Still, Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman Jeff Gordon believes his team is just in the chase.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>“The nice thing is, when you get a start like this and you’re up there in the points, it’s the fine-tuning (that comes after),” Gordon said. “What you’re chasing is victories. Perfection is what you’re really looking at.”William Byron — who last month won his second straight Daytona 500 — Larson and Alex Bowman sit atop the standings. And the latter two Hendrick Motorsports drivers were in a battle for the win at Homestead.Bowman, who started first in the 37-car field on Sunday, had passed Bubba Wallace for the lead with about 30 laps to go while Larson surged from behind. By Lap 261, Bowman's No. 48 Chevrolet scraped the outside wall, allowing Larson's No. 5 Chevrolet to get by him and dash off to a 1.205-second win that gave him his first Cup Series trophy of the year.Larson said afterward he could sense both Bowman and Wallace, who finished third for 23XI Racing, might start making mistakes as he gained on them. He added he got around Bowman easier than expected on his teammate's errant move.“Guess I choked that one away, for sure,” Bowman said. “Just kind of burnt myself up. I saw the 5 (Larson) coming and moved around a little bit. ... Just a couple mistakes there. Felt like we were OK all day.”It capped a busy weekend for Larson, who fell one race short of <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nascar-homestead-miami-larson-82c27826da5b5bc3237f7a042a59ea0b">sweeping the triple-header weekend</a>. He won the Craftsman Truck race on Friday and finished fourth in the Xfinity Series on Saturday despite leading 132 of 201 laps. He came back motivated on Sunday, winning his second career Cup Series race at one of his best tracks despite leading only 19 of 267 laps.“I didn’t think anybody was going to catch (Bowman).” Gordon said. “You just can’t ever count out Kyle Larson, especially at this place.”Byron and Larson each have a Cup Series win, three top-five finishes apiece, and four top-10 finishes each this year. They've led a combined 203 laps. Bowman has one top-five finish, five top-10 finishes and has led 62 laps.Chase Elliott, driving the No. 9 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, is sixth in the point standings with three top-10 finishes. Those four Hendrick cars are the only Chevrolets in the top 10 in points.“We’ve had a couple races where all four of the cars are in the top eight or 10," Gordon said, “and, you know, it’s a finicky sport because you want to get off to a good start, get in a good position in points so that you’re not on your heels and playing catch up. That part’s really nice, but we’ve been getting beat.”Added Larson: “Although we’re four of the top six, I don’t think that any of us are like the best car currently.”On Sunday, that car, in Gordon's eye, was Ryan Blaney's No. 12 Team Penske Ford.Blaney dominated — he led 124 laps and won Stage 1 after starting sixth. He was running third when his engine blew up on Lap 207, causing a thick cloud of smoke to cover the track and ending his afternoon.“Honestly, I think that was the car,” Gordon said. “It’s ridiculous how fast they were. So I still think we’re chasing right now.”___AP auto racing: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing">https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing</a>

HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA - MARCH 23: Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on March 23, 2025 in Homestead, Florida.

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Hendrick Motorsports off to great start to NASCAR season

PARIS (AP) — Michael Olise’s emergence for France comes at the right moment in a team needing a c...

PARIS (AP) — Michael Olise’s emergence for France comes at the right moment in a team needing a creative spark in midfield.Olise was outstanding in the 2-0 win against Croatia on Sunday, scoring a free kick and setting up the second goal in the return leg of their <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nations-league-france-spain-germany-italy-portugal-0120977e2f3c5010ba5c5f990b84a26f">Nations League quarterfinal</a>. France drew level on aggregate to force extra time and then won a penalty shootout 5-4 at Stade de France.It was Olise’s first international goal on his sixth appearance. He showed authority by taking the kick with superstar forward Kylian Mbappé standing next to him, and curled the ball expertly into the top corner.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>He then combined with Mbappé on the edge of the area before cutting the ball back from the touchline to Ousmane Dembélé with a cushioned pass for France’s late second goal.Olise almost set up another goal, splitting Croatia’s defense to send Bradley Barcola clean through only for the goalkeeper to save well in the first half.With his driving runs, ability to ghost into space and astute reading of the game, the left-footed Olise could prove a real asset to a France team which has looked too predictable stretching back to last year’s European Championship.Winning a starting place in the team seems a natural progression for a player whose trajectory keeps on rising.<h3>Early days in England</h3>The London-born 23-year-old began his professional career with Reading six years ago after being released by Chelsea and then Manchester City.Olise played three seasons for Reading in the second-tier Championship. He was named as the English Football League’s young player of the season before joining Crystal Palace in the top division.His first two seasons with the Eagles were consistent, but he made a major breakthrough last season with 10 goals in 19 games and earned a big <a href="https://apnews.com/article/bayern-munich-michael-olise-crystal-palace-ad11c4263ebaa77e86c783e7a2f811fc">move to Bayern Munich</a> in a deal worth 60 million euros ($65 million).Olise has continued to score freely with Bayern, netting eight goals in the Bundesliga and another five in the Champions League.He will look to add to that tally when Bayern faces Inter Milan in the quarterfinals next month, and perform his <a href="https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/top-scorer/#/player/250171184">trademark goal celebration</a> with one finger on his right ear and one over his mouth.<h3>Paris Olympics breakthrough</h3>Olise was a key player in the France side which reached the Paris Olympics final, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/2024-olympics-france-spain-70a2be6ce72f28eb5a58a6bf88bddef8">losing to Spain 5-3</a> at Parc des Princes.He finished the tournament with <a href="https://www.olympics.com/en/news/paris-2024-mens-football-complete-list-top-scorers">two goals and five assists.</a>“The Games were the best football experience of my life,” he told L’Equipe magazine in a recent interview. “I don’t know if I was very well known in France before that (but) the Games allowed people to get to know me.”Olise was coached during the Paris Games by Arsenal and France great Thierry Henry.“We have a similar understanding of football,” Olise said. “I learned new things that I incorporated into my game.”<h3>First match for Les Bleus</h3>Olise made his <a href="https://www.fff.fr/equipe-nationale/joueur/9498-olise-michael/fiche.html">senior debut</a> for coach Didier Deschamps’ side last September for a Nations League game in Italy.“It’s such an honor to wear this jersey. I remember the first time Didier Deschamps called me, I was so happy,” he said. “It’s quite a new team and we want to win everything together.”<h3>More options for Deschamps</h3>Olise’s playmaking ability is much-needed for Deschamps given that Antoine Griezmann has <a href="https://apnews.com/article/antoine-griezmann-france-retires-559a24733dfd3accefbccd21d00cdabf">retired from international soccer</a>.It could also take some of the burden off Mbappé’s shoulders.Mbappé is the designated leader of France’s attack but is enduring his leanest run in the national side, going seven games without a goal.Perhaps he is trying to do too much and, with Olise in the side, Mbappé can focus more on his finishing. ___AP soccer: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/soccer">https://apnews.com/hub/soccer</a>

PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 23: Michael Olise of France looks on during the UEFA Nations League Quarterfinal Leg Two match between Croatia and France at Stade de France on March 23, 2025 in Paris, France.

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Olise's creative spark in midfield is just the right fit for France

PARIS (AP) — Seven fans who made Nazi salutes during a Nations League match between France and Cr...

PARIS (AP) — Seven fans who made Nazi salutes during a Nations League match between France and Croatia have been taken into custody, the Paris police prefect said on Monday.Laurent Nunez said security measures put in place for Sunday’s game at the Stade de France led to the arrest of the seven individuals who made the gestures. Contacted by The Associated Press, the police prefecture did not say which team the fans supported.“Sport is and must remain a celebration,” Nunez said in a statement on social media. “These individuals have no business in a sports arena.”<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>During the match, firecrackers went off in the enclosure where the Croatia fans were gathered and some flares were also lit.Last year, Croatia was among seven national soccer federations ordered by UEFA to pay fines for racist and discriminatory abuse by fans at European Championship games. It was handed the biggest fine of 50,000 euros ($54,000) for incidents at each of its three matches.France won a penalty shootout 5-4 on Sunday, after the tie had finished 2-2 on aggregate, to advance past Croatia and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nations-league-france-spain-germany-italy-portugal-0120977e2f3c5010ba5c5f990b84a26f">reach the Nations League semifinals.</a><h2>___</h2>AP soccer: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/soccer">https://apnews.com/hub/soccer</a>

SPLIT, CROATIA - MARCH 20: Fans of Croatia during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Croatia and France at Stadion Poljud on March 20, 2025 in Split, Croatia.

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7 fans arrested after Nazi salutes during France-Croatia game

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand will play at the 2026 World Cup after beating New Caledo...

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand will play at the <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/soccer">2026 World Cup</a> after beating New Caledonia 3-0 on Monday in the final of the Oceania confederation qualifying series.The New Zealand “All Whites” reached the World Cup for the third time after qualifying in Spain in 1982 and South Africa in 2010. They join hosts Canada, the United States and Mexico and Japan, which last week became <a href="https://apnews.com/article/japan-asia-qualifying-world-cup-e303e023e14c03461cb0e7600ceab5d9">the first team to qualify</a> for the 48-team tournament.New Caledonia still has a chance to qualify through a six-team inter-continental playoff involving teams from the Asian, African, North and Central American and South American confederations.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>New Zealand had a setback when its captain, Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood, was forced from the field with a hip injury in the 53rd minute with the score still 0-0.Wood is the focus of the New Zealand attack, scoring three headed goals in <a href="https://apnews.com/article/oceania-world-cup-qualifying-63b532e84abfc8c792106e1d061e8711">New Zealand’s 7-0 semifinal win over Fiji</a> on Friday.Up stepped an unlikely star in Wood’s absence. In the 62nd Michael Boxall, the 36-year-old center back from Minnesota United, scored his first goal in 55 international appearances to finally break the deadlock. Boxall met Francis de Vries’ corner at the far post and headed it home.Four minutes later the 17-year international veteran Kosta Barbarouses, who replaced Wood, ran onto Tim Payne’s pass and chipped the ball over Nyikeine to make it 2-0.Finally, Denmark-based Elijah Just scored from Barbarouses’ assist in the 80th to clinch New Zealand’s place at the World Cup.“When the goal went in I think I was a bit more relieved than anything,” Boxall said. “Fair play to New Caledonia, they made it pretty hard work for us.“Everyone’s reaction when the ball finally went into the back of the net was incredible.”New Caledonia shocked pundits when it held New Zealand scoreless at halftime, mostly through the extraordinary efforts of goalkeeper Rocky Nyikeine. New Zealand threatened at set pieces from which they looked for Wood, who has scored 18 goals in the English Premier League this season.Oceania is the smallest of FIFA’s six confederations, made up of 11 full member nations, mostly small island states from South Pacific.After <a href="https://apnews.com/australia-beats-south-korea-2-1-to-win-asian-cup-final-00e64beeb4934d9790475882319f0a91">Australia moved to the Asian Football Confederation</a> from Oceania following the the 2006 World Cup, New Zealand, ranked No. 89 and with a population of 5.2 million, became the largest and highest-ranked nation in the confederation. New Caledonia, with a population of 280,000, is ranked 152.This edition for the first time the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-qualifying-oceania-06a24ef99465a700b7f5598cc33277c9">Oceania qualifying series winner was granted direct entry</a> to the World Cup, without having to face an inter-continental playoff. That bonus came with the expansion of the tournament to 48.In 1982 New Zealand played 15 matches and traveled 55,000 miles in its qualifying campaign. In 2010, it qualified after a two-game series with Bahrain.New Caledonia’s “Les Cagous”, most of whom are amateurs, had to overcome political unrest in their homeland to qualify for the Oceania finals. Violent protests against voting reforms claimed the lives of 13 people in the French-speaking island nation and disrupted the New Caledonia team’s qualifying campaign.“I love the way my team played, the attitude on the field. Unfortunately the result was not on our side,” New Caledonia manager Johann Sidaner said.<h2>___</h2>AP soccer: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/soccer">https://apnews.com/hub/soccer</a>

TOPSHOT - New Zealand's players celebrate after their victory during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Oceania qualifiers group final football match between New Zealand and New Caledonia at Eden Park Stadium in Auckland on March 24, 2025.

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New Zealand qualifies for 2026 World Cup after win over New Caledonia

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Raúl Jiménez scored his second goal on a penalty kick in the second minu...

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Raúl Jiménez scored his second goal on a penalty kick in the second minute of second-half stoppage time, and Mexico beat Panama 2-1 Sunday night to win the CONCACAF Nations League tournament for the first time.Jiménez, the 33-year-old Fulham striker, dominated the week at SoFi Stadium with all four of Mexico’s goals in El Tri’s two matches. He scored on a header in the eighth minute against Panama, and he finally cashed in on the penalty awarded when defender José Córdoba touched the ball with his inexplicably outstretched arm while chasing after it in the 90th minute.Adalberto Carrasquilla scored on a penalty in first-half injury time for underdog Panama, which staged a dramatic 1-0 upset of the host U.S. on Thursday night to reach the final.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The championship match was briefly suspended with 10 minutes left in regulation after a large portion of the raucous crowd of 68,212 repeatedly shouted the homophobic Spanish slur that is commonly used at Mexican matches both foreign and domestic despite several governing bodies’ attempts to eradicate it. The players took a water break while anti-slur messages appeared on the scoreboard and over the public address system.Misbehavior aside, Mexico feels right at home in the Los Angeles Rams’ palatial stadium — or anywhere in Southern California, where El Tri invariably draw rowdy, adoring crowds. Mexico also won the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup at SoFi, beating Panama 1-0 on Santi Giménez’s late goal.The U.S. had won the first three editions of this tournament, which brings together the nations of North and Central America and the Caribbean. But with Jiménez in dominant form, Mexico stepped up to claim this trophy.Jiménez played alongside Giménez in the Nations League semifinals and finals, with coach Javier Aguirre using an aggressive alignment to create offense. It worked splendidly thanks to Jiménez, who needed only a few minutes to get Mexico on top in the final.After Roberto Alvarado put a long, beautiful cross into the box, Jiménez outmaneuvered a defender and bounced in a header that set off a raucous celebration at SoFi.Panama dominated possession and generated more shot attempts in the first half, and it finally paid off when video review determined center back Johan Vásquez committed a foul in the Mexico penalty area shortly before halftime. Carrasquilla barely got his shot above goalkeeper Luis Malagón’s trailing legs to tie it.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/soccer

Mexico players celebrate on the podium with the Concacaf Nations League Cup after winning the CONCACAF Nations League final football match against Panama at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on March 23, 2025.

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CLEVELAND (AP) — Jaden Akins scored 16 points, including a 3-pointer that put Michigan State ahea...

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CLEVELAND (AP) — Jaden Akins scored 16 points, including a 3-pointer that put Michigan State ahead to stay, and coach Tom Izzo took the Spartans to the Sweet 16 for the 16th time with a 71-63 victory over New Mexico on Sunday night.
Izzo has 58 wins in the NCAA Tournament, tied for fourth in a coaching career. The 70-year-old Hall of Famer has taken the Spartans to March Madness 27 times.
Four of those victories have come against the Pitino family. Izzo has won both of his matchups against New Mexico coach Richard Pitino and is 2-1 against his father, Rick. The elder Pitino, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-arkansas-st-johns-score-f2b280a98b3d3985f2b9f2a3b75605dd">whose St. John's squad was eliminated</a> on Saturday by John Calipari and Arkansas, flew to Cleveland and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-new-mexico-pitino-953d322518ec8b34bd52ef2f476a99cb">had a front-row seat</a> opposite the Lobos' bench.
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Tre Holloman added 14 points for second-seeded Michigan State (29-6), which will face Mississippi in a South Region semifinal in Atlanta on Friday night. The sixth-seeded Rebels beat Iowa State to advance to the tournament's second weekend for the first time since 2001.
Nelly Junior Joseph scored 16 points and Mustapha Amzil and Donovan Dent added 14 apiece for No. 10 seed New Mexico (27-8). The Lobos are 0-7 in second-round games since the field expanded to 64 teams in 1985.
The Spartans trailed 31-29 at halftime, but opened the second half with six straight points. A pair of free throws by Carr 90 seconds into the second half gave them their first lead.
A layup by Dent tied the game at 51-all with 7:39 remaining. Michigan State then took control with seven straight points. The run started with a 3-pointer by Akins as the shot clock was winding down, with New Mexico's Tru Washington guarding him.
New Mexico led the entire first half and was up 29-20 after Anzil's second 3-pointer of the first half. 
Michigan State responded with an 8-0 run, including a dunk by Akins.
___
AP March Madness bracket: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket">https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket</a> and coverage: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness">https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness</a> Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up <a href="https://www.apnews.com/newsletters">here</a>. 
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CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 23: (Left to Right) Jaden Akins #3, Jase Richardson #11, Jeremy Fears Jr. #1, Coen Carr #55 and head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans look on during the second half of the second round of the 2025 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament against the New Mexico Lobosat Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 23, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio.

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No. 2 MSU reaches 16th Sweet 16 under Izzo after beating New Mexico

HOUSTON (AP) — Jamal Murray had 39 points, Michael Porter Jr. added 17 points and nine rebounds a...

HOUSTON (AP) — Jamal Murray had 39 points, Michael Porter Jr. added 17 points and nine rebounds and the Denver Nuggets beat Houston 116-111 on Sunday night to snap the Rockets' nine-game win streak. Murray, who scored 17 in the first half, had 17 in the third quarter as Denver outscored the Rockets 39-22 in the quarter to take a 96-79 lead.Russell Westbrook had 14 points off the bench, Aaron Gordon scored 13 points with eight assists and DeAndre Jordan had 11 points and 15 rebounds for the Nuggets, which shot 51% and were 10 of 21 on 3-pointers.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Jalen Green scored 30 points, and Dillon Brooks added 21 points for Houston. Alperen Sengun had 17 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists, and Steven Adams finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Rockets, which shot 44% and were 11 of 34 from behind the arc.Trailing 109-100 with 1 ½ minutes left, Houston used a 7-1 run to cut the lead to three on a Sengun layup with 21 seconds left, but Christian Braun made two free throws with 19 seconds remaining to push the lead back to five.TakeawaysNuggets: Nikola Jokic missed his fourth straight game with left ankle impingement, and Denver improved to 2-2 with him out of the lineup.Rockets: Houston remains in second place in the Western Conference with 10 games left, but the Nuggets closed to within a game of Houston.Key momentSengun made one of two free throws with 14 seconds remaining, and Murray made two free throws two seconds later to push the lead to 114-108.Key statHouston finished 22 of 34 from the free throw line, while Denver made 18 of 26.Up nextDenver hosts the Chicago Bulls on Monday night, while Houston hosts the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night.

HOUSTON, TX - MARCH 23: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball during the game against the Houston Rockets on March 23, 2025 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE

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