The United States heads into the World Cup hoping for its first knockout-stage victory since 2002. While the Americans enter with their weakest goalkeepers in four decades and few central defenders playing in a top league, they benefit from being seeded as a co-host in the expanded tournament, which could keep them from playing an elite opponent until the round of 16. The U.S. hopes to advance far in the tournament and show it is making progress in a sport that trails the NFL, MLB and NBA in popularity at home. The Americans face Paraguay, Australia and Turkey in Group D.
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Former Angels outfielder Garret Anderson has died. He was 53. The multitalented player became the Angels' career hits leader and led the team to its only World Series title. The Angels announced Anderson’s death without immediately disclosing the cause or location. Anderson reached the majors with the then-California Angels in 1994 and played for the club until 2008, primarily as a left fielder. He was a fixture in the heart of their batting order for his entire tenure, becoming the franchise's leader in hits, RBIs and games played among many other achievements. Anderson was a three-time AL All-Star from 2002-05.
SAO PAULO (AP) — Oscar Schmidt, the Basketball Hall of Famer known to his Brazilian compatriots as the “Holy Hand,” died Friday. He was 68. Schmidt’s family said in a statement that he fought a brain tumor for 15 years “with courage, dignity and resilience . . . while remaining a role model of determination, generosity and love of life." Schmidt is beloved in Brazil for committing to the national team for 19 years and becoming one of the most prolific scorers in basketball history. He also starred in a historic victory over the United States in the final of the 1987 Pan American Games.
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The Orlando Magic found their winning formula. Desperation works. Works wonders, actually. Facing elimination and clearly wanting no part of it, the Magic might have put together one of their best performances of the season Friday night. They rolled past the Charlotte Hornets 121-90 in an Eastern Conference play-in game, moving into the playoffs for the third straight season and getting a matchup with top-seeded Detroit as their reward.
HOUSTON (AP) — Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. has agreed to a three-year, $150 million contract extension making him the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history. That's according to two people with knowledge of the deal told who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday because the deal had not yet been announced. The extension includes $134 million in guaranteed money. The $50 million per year Anderson will earn surpasses the $46.5 million per year defensive end Micah Parsons got when he signed a four-year extension with the Packers after a trade from Dallas last year.
DENVER (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies faced an unusual challenge in April as snow blanketed Coors Field. On Friday, the teams began their series with three inches of snow covering the field. Dodgers pitcher Emmet Sheehan made the most of it, building a snowman before the game. The snow stopped three hours before the first pitch and the grounds crew cleared the field. By game time, it was sunny and 36 degrees. Despite the snow, the game went on, but a freeze warning was issued for the Denver area. Temperatures are expected to rise over the weekend.
Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe are splitting up. The sports power couple announced Friday that they are ending their 10-year relationship and phasing out their popular podcast, “A Touch More.” They dropped the news together on the podcast. Bird is considered one of the greatest women’s basketball players in history. Rapinoe rose to fame as a member of the Women’s World Cup team in 2011, 2015 and 2019. Bird said they will host six more special episodes of “A Touch More” as a farewell to fans.
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Jon Rahm says he isn't worried about the future of LIV Golf despite uncertainty about its funding. The two-time major champion has shown it's not affecting his golf. After a poor week at the Masters, Rahm has started 65-67 for a one-shot lead at LIV Golf Mexico. Speculation centers around Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund cutting financial backing of the rival golf league. Scott O'Neil is the CEO of LIV. He has told the staff funding would continue without interruption. But in another interview, he suggests the league will have to “work like crazy” to create a business plan.
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — Matt Fitzpatrick has a one-shot lead over Viktor Hovland going into the weekend at the RBC Heritage. Fitzpatrick took advantage of one big break when his shot on the par-3 14th caromed onto the green and narrowly avoided the water. He made a 30-footer for birdie. But it was mostly great golf that led to 63. Hovland played in the tough afternoon wind for a 65. Harris English was four behind. Fitzpatrick played bogey-free on a day of 20 double bogeys for the rest of the field. Scottie Scheffler hit all 14 fairways and shot 67. He was seven back.
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The family of late San Diego Padres owner Peter Seidler is nearing a sale of the team, a person with knowledge of the negotiations tells The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Padres aren’t commenting publicly on the process. The Wall Street Journal first reported the progress of a deal with private equity billionaire Jose E. Feliciano and his wife, Kwanza Jones. While the deal hasn’t been finalized, the team is expected to be sold for $3.9 billion, a record valuation for a Major League Baseball team.
Finals
INTERLEAGUE
Final Pittsburgh 5 Tampa Bay 1
Final Cincinnati 2 Minnesota 1
Final St. Louis 9 Houston 4
Final Arizona 6 Toronto 3
Final L.A. Angels 8 San Diego 0
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Final Baltimore 6 Cleveland 4
Final N.Y. Yankees 4 Kansas City 2
Final Boston 1 Detroit 0
Final Chicago White Sox 9 Athletics 2
Final Texas 5 Seattle 0
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Final Chicago Cubs 12 N.Y. Mets 4
Final Atlanta 9 Philadelphia 0
Final San Francisco 10 Washington 5
Final Milwaukee 7 Miami 5
Final L.A. Dodgers 7 Colorado 1
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PLAYOFFS
Final Orlando 121 Charlotte 90
Final Phoenix 111 Golden State 96