Iran opens its politically charged World Cup by playing to a 2-2 draw with New Zealand
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Iran has opened its politically charged World Cup by playing to a 2-2 draw with New Zealand. The Iranian team overcame two deficits and finally got the tying goal from Mohammad Mohebbi in the 64th minute. Ramin Rezaeian scored and then assisted on Mohebbi’s goal for the Iranians, whose World Cup cycle has been in upheaval since the U.S. and Israel began a war against Iran on Feb. 28. Elijah Just scored early in each half for New Zealand, but Iran responded twice to keep the All Whites winless in their World Cup history.
Cape Verde holds Spain to a surprising 0-0 draw in the country's World Cup debut
ATLANTA (AP) — Tiny Cape Verde pulled off a stunning result in its World Cup debut by holding heavily favored Spain scoreless in a 0-0 draw. An impressive performance by 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha helped Cape Verde deny a victory by one of the favorites to win the tournament. The result was the biggest shock of the World Cup so far. And it might have been even better for Cape Verde. Diney Borges had a late chance to score, but saw his header saved by Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon.
As Iran chases the World Cup, its US diaspora is divided between protesting and cheering
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Iranian American demonstrators amassed outside Iran’s first World Cup match, waving the pre-revolutionary lion-and-sun flags banned inside the stadium and calling for change in Tehran. Others on Monday filed into the stadium in wholehearted support of the team. Spectators both cheered and booed at Iran’s national anthem. Iran drew 2-2 with New Zealand near Los Angeles, home to the largest Iranian community outside Iran. Iran’s participation in the World Cup has been fraught with conflict due to the ongoing war with U.S. and Israeli forces. Many diaspora community members say they’re also upset over FIFA’s rules barring political flags in the stadium.
Sorsby won't play for Texas Tech after unprecedented legal fight over his eligibility for gambling
Transfer quarterback Brendan Sorsby will not play for Texas Tech this fall. He is instead planning to enter the NFL supplemental draft. That will end an unprecedented legal fight over the college eligibility for a player who had acknowledged betting on college and pro sports, including some on his own team while a freshman at Indiana four years ago. The decision by Sorsby came exactly one week before the deadline to apply for the NFL supplemental draft. It was also on the same day that the NCAA and Big 12 had filings in different courts challenging a temporary injunction that cleared the way for Sorsby to play despite being declared ineligible after he acknowledged making thousands of bets worth at least $90,000 while in college.
Shinnecock Hills study starts before US Open practice rounds to avoid long waits
SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. (AP) — The start of practice for the U.S. Open featured plenty of wind and limited activity at Shinnecock Hills. That's the way it's been trending at majors that move to a different course each year. Justin Thomas says nine holes is taking three hours because of all the practice on and around the greens. So more players have been doing what Jack Nicklaus did in his prime. They've come to Shinnecock Hills for practice ahead of U.S. Open week. It's a lot quieter with less traffic. Rory McIlroy says one reason for the busy practice rounds are people hanging around inside the ropes.
Norway embraces Viking theme for World Cup return and provokes some debate
FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts (AP) — Norway is leaning into the country’s Viking heritage as its star-studded men’s team containing Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard heads into a first World Cup in 28 years. First it was their fans performing a synchronized “Viking row” in the stands at matches. Then it was their players dressing up in authentic Viking attire to the backdrop of a fjord for a moody, dramatic photo shoot on the rocky beach. It has created plenty of excitement and debate, with one commentator describing it as “chauvinistic.” The Norway fan routine sees lines of supporters rowing in unison to the steady beat of a drum. It could potentially have a similar impact to the “thunder clap” performed by Iceland's soccer fans.
World Cup official says twitch caused gesture resembling supremacist sign; FIFA says no breach
GENEVA (AP) — A World Cup video review official says his hand gesture resembling a white supremacist sign was caused by an involuntary twitch. A FIFA committee concluded Australian official Shaun Evans didn't breach the sport's disciplinary code. FIFA’s discrimination monitor had called for Evans to be removed from the tournament. Evans worked Germany’s opening 7-1 win over Curaçao on Sunday as an assistant to the video assistant referee. He made an “OK” symbol with his right hand. Evans stated he did not intentionally make a gesture to communicate any message. Evans is working at his second World Cup and it was his first game of this year’s tournament.
US drug czar blasts WADA, saying proposed changes could undermine clean sport at Olympics
The U.S. drug czar portrayed a menu of changes to anti-doping protocols being proposed by a World Anti-Doping Agency panel in advance of the LA Olympics as moves that would “undermine the trustworthiness of the performances of competitors” at those games in two years. Sara Carter, the director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, sent an open letter to WADA and its stakeholders. It comes a day before an “extraordinary meeting” of the WADA executive committee at which it will discuss recommendations from a “working group” put together in the wake of a doping case involving Chinese swimmers.
Dustin May perfect into 7th inning and completes 1-hitter as Cardinals blank Padres 3-0
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Dustin May took a perfect game into the seventh inning before finishing a one-hitter as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the San Diego Padres 3-0. Jimmy Crooks had a two-run double and Alec Burleson added an RBI double for the Cardinals, who won for the eighth time in 11 games. May struck out nine and walked one. He threw 69 of his 101 pitches for strikes during his first complete game in 71 major league starts. The 28-year-old right-hander didn’t allow a baserunner until he walked Fernando Tatis Jr. to begin the seventh. Manny Machado singled one out later, putting runners at the corners, but Gold Glove shortstop Masyn Winn turned a nifty double play on Gavin Sheets’ grounder to keep it 3-0.
Braves' Spencer Strider shut down for 4 weeks because of inflammation in his right elbow
ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider will be shut down from throwing for four weeks. Strider had been placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday with inflammation in his right elbow. The Braves say the four-week plan for Strider came after a consultation with Dr. Keith Meister. The Braves say Strider will have another MRI in four weeks and would then begin throwing if the inflammation has cleared. Strider had Tommy John surgery in 2019 and had the UCL in his right elbow repaired with an internal brace in 2024.
