Lunardi: The one big thing the selection committee got wrong

U.S. men's national team manager Mauricio Pochettino downplayed the political tension surrounding the Concacaf Nations League semifinal against Panama, emphasizing the team's focus on the competition rather than political overtones. Despite President Donald Trump's recent comments on Panama Canal sovereignty, Pochettino stressed the importance of playing for the country and striving to win. Coaches from Panama and Canada also avoided discussing political implications, with Pochettino emphasizing the joy and fun of soccer as the main...

Tim Keown reports on Shohei Ohtani's impressive performance in Tokyo, where he delighted fans with a towering home run in a sellout game at the Tokyo Dome. Despite Ohtani's standout performance, Dodgers rookie Roki Sasaki also made an impact with his impressive pitching debut, showcasing his talent with a 100+ mph fastball and a devastating split pitch. While Sasaki showed signs of nerves, his potential was evident as he navigated through his first game, leaving...

Marquette Golden Eagles, led by guards Kam Jones and Stevie Mitchell, enter the NCAA Tournament as the No. 7 seed in the South Region, aiming to end their season in San Antonio. Mitchell is a Naismith Defensive Player of the Year semifinalist and will face off against New Mexico's Donovan Dent in the opening game. The winner likely faces Michigan State in the second round, after the Spartans eliminated Marquette in 2023. Full Article

Mirra Andreeva and Jack Draper emerged as the standout players at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, securing breakthrough titles and vying for the elusive "Sunshine Double." Andreeva, 17, continued her meteoric rise by defeating major champions on her way to claiming consecutive 1000-level trophies and achieving a career-high ranking of No. 6. Draper, 23, achieved his most significant career title by upsetting top players, including two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, and climbing to...

Ajax boss Francesco Farioli discussed Jordan Henderson's England recall and his impact at the Dutch club, praising his leadership and professionalism. Farioli highlighted Henderson's experience, passion, and work ethic as crucial for the team's success, emphasizing his ability to connect and motivate players behind the scenes. Henderson's return to the England squad at 34 years old has been well-received, with Farioli noting his positive influence on the team's standards and mentality. Full Article

Adelaide United midfielder Josh Cavallo, the first openly gay active player in men's football, reveals he receives multiple death threats daily and describes the sport's environment as "toxic," making it challenging to encourage other players to come out. Despite support from his club and coaches, Cavallo faces pressure and negativity due to his openness about his sexuality, experiencing homophobic abuse from football crowds and social media. He emphasizes the downsides of coming out, noting the...