FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. (AP) — Mauricio Pochettino has been hired as Manchester United’s head coach, agreeing to leave his job with the U.S. national team to take on the challenge of reviving the fortunes of English soccer’s once dominant force. Just three months after announcing a contract to lead the Americans through the 2030 World Cup, the U.S. Soccer Federation said Pochettino will depart next next week for Old Trafford. The 20-time English champion is in the relegation zone after 10 games of the Premier League season. He will become United’s eighth permanent coach or manager since club great Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
Pete Crow-Armstrong has won the NL MVP award unanimously after the center fielder starred for the Chicago Cubs in a majestic all-around season. Crow-Armstrong joined Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez as first-time MVPs. Alvarez was the unanimous AL winner after making a run at the Triple Crown, hitting a career-high .316 with 42 homers and 106 RBIs for the AL West champions. Crow-Armstrong set career highs by batting .280 with 45 homers, 107 RBIs and 41 steals in 162 games. He tied Kyle Schwarber for the major league lead in home runs. Crow-Armstrong was also one of the best defensive players in the majors.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Jayden Daniels threw his third touchdown pass of the game, a 32-yarder to Stefon Diggs with 57 seconds left, and the Washington Commanders rallied to defeat the New York Giants 24-21 in what was essentially a must-win game. Daniels connection with Diggs came after he threw his first two interceptions of the season to end the previous two drives. He was 23 of 33 for 249 yards and had TD throws to Ben Sinnott and Antonio Williams while running 10 times for 28 yards. The Commanders moved two games back of the NFC East-leading Giants and now own the tiebreaker after the teams tied last month.
MUNICH (AP) — Patriots coach Mike Vrabel says wide receiver A.J. Brown and running back Rhamondre Stevenson have looked “pretty good” in practice though he cautioned that their game status will be determined later. Brown is dealing with ankle and knee issues. Stevenson is trying to overcome a knee injury in time for Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions in Munich. Vrabel speaking to the media at Bayern Munich’s facilities before practice was asked to gauge Brown and Stevenson’s progress. He said: “Based on yesterday I think pretty good. Again, still have to go through today and see where that goes.”
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — J.J. McCarthy could not send fans to the exits happy in his first home start with the New York Giants. After throwing for a career-high 293 yards, McCarthy threw a costly interception in the final minute that sealed a disappointing loss to the Washington Commanders. McCarthy had a pair of incompletions before his pass intended for Malik Nabers was picked off on a jump ball by Rasul Douglas. The Commanders blitzed, and McCarthy struggled when the pressure was on.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Stephen Curry will miss at least two weeks for the Golden State Warriors with a torn oblique muscle, an injury that comes with the NBA’s all-time 3-point leader on pace for one of the best seasons of his 18-year career. The Warriors announced Thursday that the 38-year-old Curry would be reevaluated in two weeks for the abdominal tear. Coach Steve Kerr called the concern level “high.” Curry left early in Golden State’s loss at Houston on Wednesday night that ended an eight-game winning streak. He was in obvious discomfort, grabbing at his right side above the hip.
Sportscaster Dan Hicks, who was the voice of golf, Olympic swimming and Notre Dame football during a 35-year career at NBC Sports, has died. He was 64. Hicks was best known as the lead announcer for golf, as well as swimming and skiing at the Olympics and Notre Dame football. He joined NBC in 1992 following three years at CNN. Hicks died in Connecticut late Wednesday. He died of an acute illness, according to his wife, Hannah Storm. He had been scheduled to call Notre Dame’s game Saturday.
Dan Hicks is being remembered as a TV broadcaster who made sure every voice was heard. And he got plenty in return. Roger Maltbie worked with Hicks nearly his entire career and says he was inclusive and respectful. Hicks died Wednesday of an acute illness. Paul Azinger says it leaves a void in golf because Hicks never got cheated out of being happy every day. Hicks is most famous for his “Expect anything different?” call when Tiger Woods made a clutch putt to force a playoff in the 2008 U.S. Open. Hicks also called Olympic swimming and Notre Dame football.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos have backed out of their proposed trade with the Los Angeles Chargers for inside linebacker Daiyan Henley. The decision has stirred discussion over whether the NFL should consider changing its rule on teams acquiring injured players. A person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that the Broncos were surprised by something that showed up in Henley’s physical that the Chargers hadn’t mentioned. The person says the teams then discussed changing the terms of the deal but couldn't agree. But Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz says the Broncos were aware that Henley was dealing with an injury.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Cade Cunningham scored 52 points and had 11 assists, leading the Detroit Pistons to a 144-140 win over Washington in double overtime. He became the first player since at least 1978 with at least 50 points and 10 assists in a game and no turnovers. In a game that was tight pretty much throughout, Cunningham kept mistakes to a minimum while still being incredibly productive. Twice, the Wizards tied the game with a last-second shot. But Cunningham kept scoring for Detroit.
Finals
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Final Carolina 4 Seattle 1
Final Montreal 5 Boston 2
Final Minnesota 5 Toronto 2
Final New Jersey 5 Washington 2
Final Tampa Bay 3 Columbus 1
Final OT Ottawa 4 Colorado 3
Final Florida 5 Detroit 4
Final Winnipeg 8 Dallas 3
Final OT Chicago 3 Buffalo 2
Final SO St. Louis 1 Utah 0
Final N-Y Islanders 5 Los Angeles 2
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Final Washington 24 N-Y Giants 21
TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Final (23)BYU 86 Montana State 71