Iran’s national soccer team has finished the Women's Asian Cup group stage in Australia and now faces a return home to a country embroiled in war. Iran lost 2-0 to Philippines after earlier losses to South Korea and Australia in the group stage. The squad arrived in Australia before strikes by the U.S. and Israel on Iran. Players have mostly declined to comment on the war, although a muted anthem moment has sparked debate. The Australian Iranian Council has urged Australia’s government to protect the squad while it is still in Australia. It has launched an online petition that had more than 50,000 electronic signatures by kick-off in Iran's last group game.
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Chris Brady finished with three saves for the Chicago Fire and Patrick Schulte stopped two shots for Columbus as the longtime rivals played to a scoreless draw in the Crew’s home opener. It was the 24th draw in the 80th meeting between the two clubs with the victories knotted at 28 apiece.
Reaction to the death of College Football Hall of Fame coach Lou Holtz at 89.
Ally Sentnor scored in the 55th minute and the United States beat Canada 1-0 in the SheBelieves Cup tournament. Sentnor scored her seventh international goal off a corner from Rose Lavelle, gathering the ball on a bounce before punching it past two defenders and Canada goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan. It was the United States’ seventh straight shutout. The team hasn’t allowed a goal since a 3-1 win over Portugal last October.
Linda Caicedo scored the lone goal in the second half and Colombia defeated Argentina 1-0 in the SheBelieves Cup on Wednesday. The United States was set to play rival Canada in the later match at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. Caicedo, who plays professionally for Real Madrid, scored in the 64th minute to put Colombia up 1-0. It was her 18th international goal and came off an assist from Leicy Santos.
Iran’s place at the men’s soccer World Cup in three months’ time has been put in doubt amid an escalating Middle East conflict sparked by tournament co-host the United States. Iran is due to play three group-stage games in the U.S. from June 15-26. Two are in Inglewood, California and one in Seattle. It is unclear if the state-backed Iranian soccer federation could refuse to send its team to the 48-nation tournament that Canada and Mexico will co-host. Or if the U.S. government could effectively block the team. If Iran doesn't play, Iraq is next in line from Asia.