U.S./World Sports category, Page 321

With Germany out of the way, Sweden believes it could win it all. Stina Blackstenius scored the go-ahead goal just minutes into the second half, and Sweden surprised Germany with a 2-1 quarterfinal victory Saturday night at the Women’s World Cup. It was Sweden’s first victory over Germany in a...

PARIS — With a colorful vocabulary and manner to match her pinkish-purple hair, Megan Rapinoe stands out simply by being Megan Rapinoe. She celebrated her two goals in the quarterfinal match against France at the Women’s World Cup by raising both arms in victory, reminiscent of Russell Crowe in “Gladiator.”...

JOLIET, Ill. — When Kyle Busch looks back on last year’s dramatic finish at Chicagoland Speedway, nothing in particular stands out to him. He remembers every little detail. Moving into the lead. Getting slowed by lapped cars at the back of the field. Winning a last-lap duel with Kyle Larson....

PARIS — The world is coming for the U.S. women’s soccer team. If the early stages of the knockout round at the World Cup have offered a lesson, it’s that France, England and other nations that are investing in women’s soccer are catching up to the skill, fitness and mental...

DETROIT — Cameron Champ played one of the best stretches on the PGA Tour this season, matching the lowest nine-hole score and the longest birdie-eagle streak. Champ had an 8-under-par 28 on the front nine thanks, shooting under par for six straight holes. “The hole looked pretty big for a...

Golden State owner and CEO Joe Lacob often uses the same phrase when asked about how much money the Warriors are willing to spend to keep a championship-contending roster together. “Whatever it takes,” Lacob says. In the NBA, those words never have been as weighty. The summer spending starts Sunday...

PARIS — Megan Rapinoe went from controversy to triumph, scoring twice for the United States in the much-anticipated clash with host France to send the defending champions into the semifinals of the Women’s World Cup with a 2-1 victory Friday night. France had been vying to become the first nation...

It’s summertime, but Andrew Stimmel never has been this busy. That comes with the territory when accepting a new job, which the 2006 Franklin Regional graduate did June 14 when he became coach of the Marquette men’s lacrosse program after a highly successful three-year run as offensive coordinator at Yale....

WIMBLEDON, England — Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were set up for a potential semifinal at Wimbledon in Friday’s draw, while Serena Williams was placed in what shapes up as by far the toughest quarter of the women’s field. With defending champion Novak Djokovic in the top half of the...

PARIS — The United States has its ranking and its trophies, and that’s all the motivation France needs. The Americans face the French on Friday at the Women’s World Cup, a match that’s been described as a final in the quarterfinals. It really has it all: The defending champions against...

NEW YORK — It’s been seven years since the Nets crossed over the Hudson River and took up residence in the Knicks’ city. A real rivalry might finally arrive Sunday. Rarely relevant at the same time on the basketball court, the Knicks and Nets are front and center in the...

LE HAVRE, France — Lucy Bronze helped set up the first two goals before completing England’s 3-0 victory over Norway with a powerful shot Thursday, sending the team into its second straight Women’s World Cup semifinal. After finishing third at the last tournament four years ago, England will face either...

STORRS, Conn. — American Athletic Conference commissioner Mike Aresco said Thursday there is no chance the conference will keep Connecticut as a football-only member. UConn this week agreed to rejoin the Big East for basketball and most other sports. The Big East does not compete in football. UConn athletic director...

As the bar manager at what is almost universally known as Pittsburgh’s premier soccer pub, Hart Johnson’s job description often can be described as watching people watching soccer. “Being in a room with 200 people absolutely elated that something happened,” Johnson said as he unloaded a box of whiskey and...

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Jozy Altidore scored on an overhead kick in his first start for the national team in 20 months, lifting the United States over Panama, 1-0, Wednesday night as the Americans finished first in their CONCACAF Gold Cup group. Altidore got the goal from 2 yards following...

OMAHA, Neb. — Mason Hickman and Jake Eder combined for 14 strikeouts, Vanderbilt knocked out Michigan ace Karl Kauffmann in the fourth inning and the Commodores won the College World Series with an 8-2 victory in Game 3 of the finals Wednesday night. Vandy (59-12) won its second title in...

LE HAVRE, France — Even Netherlands forward Lineth Beerensteyn had to check that the number was right. “Oh my God, seven,” she exclaimed. “That’s a lot.” Europe sure is dominating this Women’s World Cup. The Netherlands made it a record seven European teams in the quarterfinals by knocking out Japan,...

After fresh concerns about the handling of athletes switching schools, the NCAA approved several adjustments Wednesday to the guidelines used to determine when waivers can be granted to transfers seeking immediate eligibility to play. The adjustments approved by the Division I council will require schools requesting a waiver for an...

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump called out U.S. women’s national team co-captain Megan Rapinoe after a months-old video was posted on social media in which she used profanity when she said she wasn’t going to the White House if the team wins the Women’s World Cup. “Megan should never disrespect...

STORRS, Conn. — UConn is heading back to the Big East. The University of Connecticut Board of Trustees on Wednesday accepted an invitation to move its basketball and most other athletic teams from the American Athletic Conference. University President Susan Herbst signed a contract with the Big East that includes...

Bob Ley, one of the first broadcasters at ESPN, is retiring after nearly 40 years with the company. Ley was on a sabbatical for the past 10 months, so had not been on air recently. On Twitter the “Outside the Lines” host posted: “Across 40 years I have enjoyed a...

OMAHA, Neb. — Kumar Rocker struck out 11 while pitching 6 1/3 innings of three-hit ball, and Vanderbilt got to Michigan’s shaky bullpen in a 4-1 win in Game 2 of the College World Series finals Tuesday night. The Commodores (58-12) forced a winner-take-all Game 3 on Wednesday night at...

Charles Barkley has had his fill of LaVar Ball. TMZ Sports asked the NBA legend about the New Orleans Pelicans’ No. 1 draft pick Zion Williamson’s potential but the conversation turned to Barkley’s impression of LaVar Ball. “I don’t talk about LaVar Ball. Wherever LaVar Ball is, there’s a village...

NEW YORK — UConn football is on the road to independence and the American Athletic Conference is not feeling any pressure to replace the Huskies when they leave for the Big East. Connecticut is set to announce later this week it will be leaving the AAC and rejoining the Big...

PARIS — It wasn’t just the fans who were looking forward to a quarterfinal clash between France and the defending champion United States at the Women’s World Cup. Megan Rapinoe clearly was, too. “I hope it’s huge and crazy. That’s what it should be,” Rapinoe said just after the match...