It was a disappointing headline for most casual soccer fans to wake up to on Sunday morning as the U.S. Women's National Team suffered its earliest exit from the FIFA Women's World Cup in team history. After a shaky group stage for the Americans, many were quick to criticize the team's effort and coaching following the loss.
Whoever said baseball isn't a contact sport? Tempers flared over the weekend and punches were thrown, one of which delivered a knockdown, in the game between the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians as Tim Anderson and Jose Ramirez got into it on the field.
It's officially football season now that the first NFL preseason game is in the books. The New York Jets and Cleveland Browns kicked off the season with the annual Hall of Fame Game and many of the big names, specifically Aaron Rodgers, stuck to the sidelines.
Soccer
USWNT eliminated from World Cup by Sweden
The United States Women's National Team was eliminated in the knockout phase of the FIFA Women's World Cup by Sweden on penalty kicks Sunday morning. The exit was the U.S. team's earliest exit in a women's World Cup in team history. The two sides finished regulation 0-0 and the U.S. seemed to be in control for the majority of the match, but the winning goal eluded them for 120 minutes. The U.S. hit their first three penalty kicks, and an Alyssa Naeher save even gave them the 3-2 lead, but USA stumbled after that and missed three of their next four shots to eventually lose 5-4 in PKs. Defender Julie Ertz announced her retirement from international soccer following the heartbreaking defeat. Coach Vlatko Andonovski's job will likely be in jeopardy following the team's worst showing in the tournament's history.
In other news:
- Report: Mbappé to miss PSG's opener amid contract dispute
- Messi's 2 goals lead Inter Miami past FC Dallas into Leagues Cup quarters
- USMNT's Matt Turner leaves Arsenal to join Nottingham Forest
MLB
Anderson, Ramirez suspended after brawl
Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson and Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez are both facing multi-game suspensions after the two players brawled on the field in the middle of a game Saturday night. The league handed down a six-game suspension for Anderson and a three-game suspension for Ramirez. Other players and coaches who got involved in the brawl after the initial fight, including managers Terry Francona and Pedro Grifol, were handed one-game suspensions and undisclosed fines. The brawl broke out after Anderson tagged Ramirez as he slid head-first into second base. Words were exchanged and both players raised their fists to fight before Anderson was knocked down by Ramirez after multiple swings.
In other news:
- Orioles fans chant 'Free Kevin Brown' after broadcaster's removal
- Rangers' Josh Jung to undergo thumb surgery, expected to miss 6 weeks
- Phillies' Michael Lorenzen throws no-hitter vs. Nationals
NFL
Browns top Jets in preseason opener
In the first taste of the new NFL season, the Cleveland Browns defeated the New York Jets 21-16 on Thursday in Canton, Ohio. While it didn't provide the same thrills as a regular season matchup or even a third preseason game, the Hall of Fame Game was a fun reminder that it's already football season. Quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Deshaun Watson did not play in the opener, but Browns rookie signal-caller Dorian Thompson-Robinson made an impact in his first action, completing eight of 11 passes for 82 yards, rushing for 36 yards and leading Cleveland on two scoring drives. Quarterback Kellen Mond started for the Browns before Thompson-Robinson took over, and Zach Wilson saw early action under center for the Jets. Wilson had his ups and downs, but he stood out on a 57-yard completion to Malik Taylor.
In other news:
- Saints RB Alvin Kamara suspended 3 games
- Henry Ruggs III sentenced 3 to 10 years in fatal DUI
- Report: Jonathan Taylor leaves Colts training camp for rehab
NBA
Lakers, Anthony Davis sign extension
Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis agreed to a three-year, $186 million maximum contract extension on Friday. With an average of $62 million per season, Davis' deal is the richest annual contract extension in NBA history. Davis averaged 25.9 points, 12.5 points and two blocks per game last season while shooting a career-high 56.3% from the field. After joining the Lakers in 2019, Davis helped lead Los Angeles to an NBA title in 2020 and was pivotal to the team's run to the Western Conference finals a season ago. The Lakers signed Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves and Gabe Vincent to free-agent deals that run through 2025 this summer. LeBron James is entering his 21st season with a player option for the 2024-2025 season.
In other news:
- Josh Hart finalizing 4-year, $81 million extension with Knicks
- Ricky Rubio stepping away from basketball to focus on mental health
- Former No. 2 pick Jabari Parker signs with FC Barcelona
NHL
Erik Karlsson sent to Penguins in 3-team trade
The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired defenseman Erik Karlsson from the San Jose Sharks in a three-team trade that involved the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday. San Jose received forward Mikael Granlund, defenseman Jan Rutta and Pittsburgh's 2024 first-round pick in exchange for the three-time Norris Trophy winner. The Penguins also sent goaltender Casey DeSmith, defenseman Jeff Petry, prospect Nathan Legare and a 2025 second-round pick to Montreal. In addition to Karlsson, Pittsburgh also acquired forward Rem Pitlick, prospect Dillon Hamaliuk and San Jose's 2026 third-round pick.
In other news:
- Coyotes buy land in NW Mesa for new arena
- Defenseman Matt Dumba joins Arizona on 1-year deal
- Penguins’ Jake Guentzel to miss games after ankle surgery
College Sports
Conference realignment dismantles Pac-12
The fall of the Pac-12 conference was written on the wall last year when USC and UCLA announced they were moving to the Big Ten. About two weeks ago, Colorado left the Pac-12 for the Big 12. At the end of last week, Oregon and Washington announced they were leaving for the Big Ten, and Arizona, Utah and Arizona State ditched the Pac-12 for the Big 12 as well. As of now, that only leaves California, Stanford, Oregon State and Washington State as the sole members of the Pac-12. Now that we're caught up, the latest news is that the ACC is considering adding Cal and Stanford to the conference as the leftovers scramble to solidify spots in power conferences.
In other news:
- Ohio State AD Gene Smith says he'll retire in 2024
- Georgia Tech announces field naming deal with Hyundai
- Greg Sankey: SEC not ‘reaching’ for any more schools
Quick Hits
- ESPN Deal: ESPN signed a licensing deal with Penn Entertainment on Tuesday to create a sportsbook called ESPN BET. Penn agreed to pay ESPN $1.5 billion in cash over 10 years, and it will rebrand its current sportsbook to ESPN BET.
- Missed the Cut: Justin Thomas missed out on a spot in the 2023 FedEx Cup Playoffs, which start this week, for the first time in his eight seasons competing. With the top 70 in the FedEx Cup standings qualifying for the playoffs, Thomas finished at No. 71 after the Wyndham Championship.
- 10,000 Points: Diana Taurasi became the first player in WNBA history to surpass 10,000 regular season points when she notched her 18th point last week against the Atlanta Dream. Taurasi is in her 19th season with the Phoenix Mercury.
Sports Report Quiz
- Anthony Davis helped the Lakers win an NBA title in ________.
- Cleveland Guardians manager Terry Francona and Chicago White Sox manager ______________ were each suspended one game for the brawl.
- Currently, California, Stanford, _______________ and Washington State are the only members of the Pac-12.
- After the U.S. team's disappointing exit from the World Cup, defender ______________ announced her retirement from international soccer.
- One of the bright spots for the Jets in the preseason opener was a 57-yard completion from Zach Wilson to _______________.
Be sure to check out next week's edition of the Sports Report to see the correct answers!
Answers from last week's quiz: 1) Miami Heat 2) Zack Moss 3) 121 4) Ana Capeta